Page 95 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Juuyu hesitated. “A tree?”
“Your young friend is under the impression that the Gentleman Bandit is a tree.” Denny shook his head. “It would explain a few things, but it raises a whole crop of questions. Shouldn’t be possible, but I thought I’d take a scamper through the neighborhood. So … range?”
“It varies, depending on the age and inclinations of the individual.” Juuyu tried to come up with a satisfactory estimate. “Three kilometers at most. And that would be a strain.”
Denny tapped at his phone. “Less than two miles. Got it. What about the ocean? Any chance we’re dealing with a tree aboard a boat?”
Juuyu frowned. “I cannot imagine. Surely not?”
“Oh, it’s farfetched,” conceded the spokesperson for the squirrel clans. “But it would be a nice trick. Which reminds me! I have a suggestion with regards to that pretty little flute upstairs.”
Jiminy snapped to attention as only a wolf could.
Denny smoothly signaled for patience as he went on. “I agree with Argent. It’s as good as gone. So there’s really only one thing we can do.”
Juuyu swiftly reached the same conclusion. “As you say,” he conceded.
Mirrim took a step forward. “Orders?”
“Cooperate with the extraction order,” said Juuyu. “You and Magda find Sinder and Colt. Bring Lash and Tuft. Walk out.”
She nodded once and strode away.
Jiminy was bouncing on the balls of his feet. “And us?”
“Just a bit of mischief.” With a bright smile, Denny said, “To keep the Junzi safe, we’ll have to steal it first.”
THIRTY-TWO
Second Wave
Akira had been zoning out for a while when he registered that someone was petting his hair. Had he drifted off? Had Hallow returned? But when he lifted his head from Moon’s shoulder, the wolf ran furred knuckles over Akira’s cheek. “You’ve been crying.”
“You’re supposed to be asleep.”
“Again, in English?”
“Oh. Sorry.” Akira translated.
Moon’s smile was sleepy. “Tears will do that to a guy. Especially this guy. What’s the matter?”
He didn’t know quite where to start. “I’m sorry. They said you needed to sleep a week, at least.”
“Don’t change the subject. Wolf on a scent, and all that.”
Akira grumbled, “There’s too much to explain. And you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Rolling toward him, Moon propped his head on his fist. “This gets more interesting by the moment. Unbelievable things are a specialty of mine.”
The wolf’s tail draped over Akira’s legs. A companionable gesture he recognized from mingling with the Elderbough pack. It welcomed trust. It invited confidences.
Most of what needed saying should probably come from Argent. Or Hisoka-sensei. But Akira was invested in this mess, too. And on a personal level.
“You’ve been around, right?”
“Is this about my age or my territory?” Moon flashed a hint of fang. “Both are impressive.”
Akira asked, “Do you know any trees with red flowers?”
