Still, Ryuichi didn’t seem to understand his reasoning. “But he should be protecting Lord Hanzō and the others. As is his duty.”

Had he hit the boy harder in the head than he thought? “Ignore him,” he said to Taru. “Ryuichi isn’t quite himself.”

Taru nodded as Koichi grabbed Ryuichi by the scruff of his kimono and yanked him forward. “Why are you being rude?” he demanded.

“Is telling someone of their shortcomings rude?”

“Yes!” Koichi and Keiko answered simultaneously. At least the inari was on his side.

Confused by this sudden turn, Koichi paused to look at Ryuichi’s mon.

No, the boy wasn’t Black Tortoise, but he was definitely acting like one of those snotty little brats.

Or Hanzō.

Neither of whom he wanted to spend any time around. “Should we kick him in the head and see if it helps rattle some sense loose?”

Keiko gaped. “No! You don’t kick someone in the head for being a little peevish after he’s traveled all day. What’s wrong with you?”

“Why not?” Koichi asked, ignoring her question. “It’s what my instructors did to me.”

She blinked slowly, as if she was trying to think of an appropriate response. “That explains so very much.”

Koichi opened his mouth to defend himself when his gaze fell to the last person he expected to see. “Ryota! You live!”

His former student paused to look in his direction. Anger flared in his eyes. “No thanks to you!”

That offended him. “Some thanks to me.” After all, he was the one who’d sent the kid here before the demons ate him.

Growling, Ryota shoved Koichi. “You left me to die.”

“Hardly. I knew the monks would find you and take you in.”

Ryota sneered as he raked an ungrateful glare over his body. “You’re a horrible teacher.”

“Now that was just uncalled for.” If not rather true.

Before Ryota could say anything else, Ryuichi rushed past Koichi to confront Ryota. “Apologize to your sensei.”

Ryota laughed in his face. “Look . . . now you have your cockroaches fighting your battles.”

Ryuichi, who was a full head shorter, stood before him, fearless.

Stupid.

“I said apologize.”

Ryota took a swing at him.

Ducking the blow, Ryuichi came up with one of his own, straight to Ryota’s ribs. Koichi heard the sound of bones breaking as the older boy went down with a howl of pain.

Still, Ryuichi gave him no mercy or quarter. “Apologize!”

Cursing under his breath, Koichi grabbed him and tucked him under his arm before anyone became suspicious of Ryuichi’s strength. “No need for that. I’m used to being insulted.”

The boy continued to struggle against him. “Shame on you for allowing such. We must teach him better.”

Koichi passed a confused stare to Keiko. “What is wrong with him now?”