Free Dreamlands by Felicitas Ivey Page A

Samojirou, but I’d learned over the weeks that here, that meant nothing. They could be actually that age or a millennium older. They were both dressed elegantly in dark blue patterned kimono and hakama with several mon decorating them. Both were handsome men who had an air FELICITAS IVEY
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    of competence around them. I also knew from the looks in their eyes that they could use the swords they wore.
    “You must introduce us to your companion,” the taller one said.
    “It has been so long since you were here with someone, for a moment we thought that it was your lady,” the second one chimed in.
    “But then we all know your taste isn’t for women.” I dropped my eyes and stared at the floor. I sensed that many in the audience were watching us, and I wondered exactly what was going on. There was a tension in the air that made my stomach turn. I could see why Samojirou wanted me to remain silent. I doubted that I could even speak right now.
    “Sakura-dono was a gift from my lady,” Samojirou said.
    They grimaced. I wondered why. It wasn’t like either of them had been unkind to me.
    “And where are you from, Sakura-dono?” the taller samurai asked.
    I glanced at Samojirou in panic. I wasn’t supposed to talk, but to not answer a direct question was rude.
    “I don’t think that Samojirou-sama cut out your tongue,” the shorter one commented slyly.
    I blushed because I knew what he was hinting.
    “Did not your mother teach you any manners?” Samojirou asked.
    He didn’t sound threatening, but there was a hint of anger in his voice.
    “Sakura-dono,” the taller one said solemnly, “I am Inusuka Shino, and this is my brother, Inukawa Sousuke.” I bowed for both of them. I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew that for all their friendliness, they didn’t like Samojirou. It could be for any number of reasons, but I sensed an old hatred between them.
    But if they were brothers, why did they have different last names?
    Well, not very different, they started with the same kanji, Inu, the same 57

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    kanji my family name started with. Why did their names sound familiar to me? It was teasing me, a memory just out of my reach.
    “They come from a large family,” Samojirou said. “Eight brothers, but not all of them are here.” Inukawa glared, as did his brother. I guessed that comment made them mad. I didn’t know if I wanted to know why. But it took their attention away from me, which was probably why Samojirou had said it.
    “I had nothing to do with that!” Samojirou snarled at them for the glares.
    I looked at them in confusion, wondering what I was missing.
    Inusuka took pity on me and smiled. It was strained and false, but he was trying. “An old argument. One of our brothers isn’t to be found in the Dreamlands.”
    “As I told your mother, Fuse-hime, I do not know what had happened. And it is not like I have not searched this place with her for him over the centuries,” Samojirou reminded them.
    Inukawa looked at me. “I don’t think that you are going to be able to remain silent around our mother. She will get you to talk.” It should have sounded threatening, but it wasn’t. While Inusuka seemed to be a much more focused man, Inukawa was more easy-going. But not any less dangerous.
    Inusuka frowned thoughtfully. “Give our respects to your lady,” he said abruptly. “I think that it would be better if we return to our seats now.”
    They made their way back to their seats, leaving me confused.
    Samojirou seemed to be happy and angry at the same time. “That was interesting,” he said softly.
    “Samojirou-sama?” I asked.
    He smiled. “And how do you like your first experience with kabuki?”

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    “I’m enjoying it very much,” I said shyly. “I… thank you.”
    “I am glad that you enjoy it. I have not had a companion who shared my interests for a while.” He laughed softly. “I had feared that I was becoming