The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon

palace in such an unkept state. Despite their confusion, they agreed. They were brought buckets of water and scrubbed themselves down. After that, behind a set of folding screens, took turns soaking in the bath. When they went into the next room, they found new clothes laid out on a big table.
    "This is what we're supposed to change into?" Rakushun held up the florid fabric, inspecting it with a look of disgust. "Seems to be men's clothing. Maybe he thinks you're a man, or he knows you're a woman and he's having a little fun with you."
    "Looks like there's a suit for you, too," Youko pointed out.
    Rakushun's shoulder's slumped. "Yes, it should have occurred to me before, but I guess it would be considered rude to show up like this."
    In other words, naked, Youko thought, handing him his clothes. She recalled the hanjuu she'd seen on the streets. More than a few of them were wearing clothes. As put out as Rakushun looked, when she imagined him dressed up like that, she had to smile.
    His shoulders rounded, dragging his tail, she sent Rakushun off behind the folding screens while she changed her clothes. The trousers had an ample cut and were made of a soft, pale fabric, as was the blouse. A long, finely-embroidered tunic finished up the ensemble.
    Everything was made out of silk. After becoming used to plain clothing scratching against her skin, it was ticklish. About the time she had finished tying the sash, the door opened and an old man appeared.
    "Have you finished with your wardrobe?"
    "I have. I think my friend . . . "
    . . . needs some more time, she started to say, when the screens moved. "It's okay," he answered in a low voice. "I'm done."
    Youko gaped at the figure that appeared from behind the screens. For a moment she was at a loss for words.
    "What?"
    "Rakushun, is that . . . you?"
    "Sure is." He nodded and grinned. "The first time you've seen me like this. But I'm still Rakushun."
    Youko put her hands up to her face in mortification. Now she understood what Rakushun meant when she hugged him and he said that she needed to learn some "discretion."
    "I forgot that some things here are still beyond the bounds of my common sense."
    "So it seems." He laughed, a striking man of twenty or so, of average height and somewhat thin. But in any case, a healthy young man. A "legal adult" really did mean a human who had come of age.
    "An ordinary animal couldn't talk, right? I said I was a han juu, right?"
    "Yeah . . . you're right."
    She felt her face burning. A hanjuu, a half -human, he had said. A legal adult, he had said. Not only had they hugged, but they'd shared rooms together, and a long time ago she vaguely recalled that he had changed her nightclothes.
    "Youko, just when you seem to have it all together, you can still completely miss the big picture."
    "I think so, too. So why aren't you always in human form, then?" Youko asked, a peevish tone creeping unbidden into her voice.
    Rakushun sighed despite himself. "Because it's a lot easier being a rat," he said, an air of resentment in his voice. His vermillion-clad shoulders sagged disconsolately. "I'm telling you, dressing up like this is a real pain in the neck. My shoulders are so stiff. And to makes things worse, on a highfalutin day like today."
    He complained so miserably that Youko had to giggle.

    The old man accompanied them down a long hallway and into a large room. The scent of the sea drifted in through a pair of open French windows. The En glanced over his shoulder at them. He was standing on the terrace, facing the water. He had changed as well, but there wasn't much difference among their outfits. Youko and Rakushun were by no means wearing haute couture, so the king's clothes seemed rather plain considering his stature. There was nothing pompous or pretentious about him.
    The En grinned as he came back into the room. "I see you've dressed. My attendants insist on sticking to formalities. It is annoying, but they get quite upset when you don't do exactly as you're told. I do apologize."
    Youko thought perhaps it was the En who was underdressed, but his tone was charming enough that Youko limited her response to a smile.
    "Rakushun, you want to take all that off, it's okay with me."
    Rakushun (the young man) managed a strained smile. "It's nothing to be concerned about. What about the Taiho?"
    "He'll be here any minute." As he spoke, the door opened. The scent of salt air filled the room. "Speak of the devil."
    There was (as always) a pair of