which so many gathered around the dead one, the ketsuki.
“Maybe,” she allowed.
The two girls were lost in thought for a few moments. Then Kara pulled her hands from her pockets and turned to Miho.
“How do we make it go away?”
Miho took a breath and then shrugged. “Take away its power? If grief and anger drive it, we’ve got to make those things go away to weaken it.”
Kara stared at her. “Meaning we have to get Sakura to let go of those feelings? That’s not going to work.”
“If we can’t figure something out-”
“You don’t have to convince me,” Kara interrupted.
“We could start by destroying the shrine,” Miho said. “Sakura would be so hurt, but if it means her life and yours, I’ll risk it. That might weaken it a little.”
Kara nodded. “Maybe enough for us to hurt it.”
“We have to do it just after dark. Hopefully no one will see us.”
“My father is never going to let me out, even if I’m with you,” Kara said.
Miho paled, face slack with sudden fear. “I can’t go alone.
I just couldn’t.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’ll find a way. I’ll sneak out. But then I have to go back. He’ll know if I’m not there at bedtime.”
“Which leaves me to watch over both Sakura and Ume tonight.”
Kara frowned. “Ume?”
“I don’t like her either, Kara, but we can’t just let the ketsuki kill her.”
“You’re right. I just wasn’t focused on her.” Kara pushed her fingers through her hair, thinking. She knew what this all meant but didn’t want to admit it to herself. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t leave you to do this alone.”
“You can’t sneak out all night,” Miho chided her. “Your father would notice. Not only would you be in trouble, but he’d come looking for you, and then he’d be in danger, too. No, we need someone else to help.”
Kara threw up her hands. “Yeah, that’d be nice. But can you think of even one person who wouldn’t think we were both insane?”
“Miss Aritomo?” Miho suggested.
“You saw her today. It’s only a story to her.”
“Ren might have believed me, or at least gone along with it because he’s a good guy, but he’s leaving.”
Kara smiled.
“What?” Miho asked. “This isn’t the time to tease me about guys.”
“I’m not,” Kara said. “But you just made me realize there is one person who might not think we’re crazy.”
Hachiro opened the door to his dorm room looking like he’d just woken up. He held his iPod in his left hand, one ear bud in place and the other dangling past his cheek. His Boston Red Sox cap was perched on his head, somewhat askew and a little too small for him.
Kara smiled. He looked ridiculous and adorable at the same time.
“Took you long enough,” she said. “Did I wake you up?”
The big guy gave her a sheepish grin. “I was listening to music. I didn’t hear-”
“Can I come in?” Kara interrupted.
Hachiro blinked. Girls weren’t allowed in boys’ rooms, but the school faculty had more things to worry about these days than kids breaking a few rules. Apparently, Hachiro felt the same way as Kara because he stepped back to allow her to pass him.
When she went in and sat on the edge of his bed, however, he left the door open. Apparently his sense of rebellion only went so far. But she needed the door closed.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said, getting up again. “I thought you might have left.”
Kara glanced into the hallway and shut the door, then turned to him. Hachiro raised his eyebrows curiously.
“My father is coming tomorrow. I think the teachers are going to make those of us whose roommates have already left double up tonight, so nobody is alone,” he said, studying her, obviously wondering what she had in mind. “But I wouldn’t have left without saying good-bye to you, Kara.”
Despite her fear and nerves, she felt a few butterflies in her stomach. The sensation was very pleasant.
“I’m glad.”
“I wish you didn’t have to stay here,” he went on, then shrugged. “I’ll worry about you.”
Her smile faded and she took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to begin to explain why she’d come.
Hachiro saw how troubled she was, and his face narrowed with concern. “What is it?”
“It’s everything,” she said. Kara sat back down on the edge of his bed and Hachiro seated himself opposite her on his roommate’s bed. “I need your help.”
He opened his hands like a magician releasing a dove. “Of course. Just tell me what you need.”
Kara only wished it was as simple as he made it sound.
“First, I just need you to listen, and keep an open mind. And I need you to try not to be as terrified as I am.”
Hachiro blinked, taken aback. And despite her warning, he did look a bit frightened. But his eyes filled with resolve as he nodded.
“Go on,” he said.
“Okay,” Kara began. “I guess it starts with Akane.”
And she told him everything, all that she and Miho thought and suspected, all of her dreams and nightmares. When she related the details of the Noh play, she shivered as she recalled the image of Kyuketsuki’s mask. But it was her account of her sleepwalking the night before, of being lured outside, half-awake, and the glimpse she’d gotten of the real thing, that made Hachiro’s eyes widen.
When she finished, she took a deep breath and gazed expectantly at him. He seemed to be waiting for more.
“That’s it,” she said, throwing up her hands.
They exhaled together.
“You’re sure it isn’t just the sleep deprivation getting to you?” Hachiro asked, the question earnest rather than mocking. He asked as though he truly hoped she had been hallucinating.
Kara shook her head. “Miho’s been sleeping fine, mostly. Until last night.”
Hachiro took off his Red Sox cap, clutching it in his hands, working his fingers across the brim. He stared at the floor, brow furrowed.
“You don’t believe me,” Kara said, already trying to figure out how she and Miho could manage tonight without him. “I don’t blame you. If I were you-”
“I didn’t say that,” he interrupted, lifting his gaze. “It sounds like a story, not real life. But Jiro did tell Akane he loved her. And I know how furious Ume was, how much hatred she had in her. I’d never have thought Chouku and Hana and the others would go along with her, but her hold over them was strong. They probably just…”
He put aside his cap and ran his hands through his hair, emotion welling up in his eyes and making his voice hitch. “They probably didn’t mean to kill her. I won’t believe that.”
Kara didn’t share his sympathy. “Whether they meant it or not, Akane’s just as dead.”
Hachiro nodded. “I know. Just like I know they’ve all had these nightmares and that Ume’s terrified. Hana killed herself to make them stop. And Chouku… if her blood was gone, like Jiro’s… I don’t know if I believe you or not. I guess I need to see it with my own eyes. My mother says I’m stubborn that way.”
“But you’ll help?” Kara said hopefully.
“You knew I would,” he said, his voice dropping a bit. “Even if you’re wrong, it sounds like Sakura’s going a little crazy. Someone should keep an eye on her. And if you’re right… well, if you’re right, I may scream like a little girl”- they both laughed-“but if you’re right, that means you’re in danger. And I won’t let anything happen to
