Eyes wide with alarm, Masaru rushed forward and pointed at the door. “Ryukage’s here. Look behind you. Watch out!”

Gasping, the twins turned around.

As they did so, Masaru shoved Koichi and his bundle outside the shrine while he and Keiko used their powers to make a smoke screen to cover their retreat.

Stunned, Koichi ran, even though he wasn’t sure where he was going. He just wanted to put distance between him and the psycho twins. It seemed like the sanest and safest thing to do.

After a few moments, Keiko and Masaru caught up to him.

But they were far from safe. He could feel the twins’ inari guards chasing after them.

Disgusted, he glared at Masaru. “‘Look behind you’? Are you an idiot? Was that really the best thing you could come up with?”

“It worked, didn’t it? We got out of there. Besides, I didn’t see you coming up with anything better, oh great stutterer-rer-rer-rerr.”

“Stop it! Both of you. Keep running.” Keiko tripped an inari who almost caught them.

Koichi stumbled as Ryuichi began to struggle again and fight for release.

That was it! Clearing his throat, he shoved the boy into Masaru’s arms.

“Hey!” Masaru snapped in protest of holding their squirming charge.

“Hey, nothing. I’m the mortal one here. You’re the kami who’s supposed to have all the cosmic powers. It’s your turn to carry the brat.”

Keiko gaped at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. Remember what happened the last time you let him watch our young charge?”

Oh yeah. That was what got them into this.

Cursing, he took Ryuichi back. “I hate you.”

“Feeling’s mutual.” Masaru used his sling bow to unleash arrows at the inari chasing them.

“Where are we going anyway?” Koichi asked.

Keiko pointed with her chin. “That direction.”

Masaru gave him a droll stare. “You know . . . the one we’re headed in.”

Koichi frowned as he tried to see where it led. “Where’s it go?”

Keiko gave him a harsh stare. “Away from our enemies. Right now that’s all that matters.”

She had a point.

So, without arguing, he ran toward it, hoping it didn’t take them into more danger.

More enemies.

But with their luck, he wasn’t hedging those bets.

His heart pounding, he rushed through the mindless, moaning crowds of petitioners. This direction seemed to be a little easier. The only things they had to avoid were the barriers and those chasing them.

Which seemed to be more than a few pesky inari and yōkai. But in this crowd, it was all so confusing.

If they could just make it into the official Kage-tochi, they’d be “safe.” Laughable, really, when one considered those lands were ruled by the Ryukage and his minions. So, “safe” was the last thing they’d be if they were found, but . . .

They’d be safer than they currently were.