The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon

along with him? That's a new one in my book. Whatever happened, I don't think I'm the one to figure it out. But I know this much: it's definitely not the kind of thing that happens on a regular basis."
    After pondering the matter for a while, Rakushun looked at Youko with his jet-black eyes. "So, as things stand now, what do you want to do? Keep yourself safe at all costs? Or go home?"
    "I want to go home."
    Rakushun nodded. "As I expected. But that's not something I know how to do. In any case, I think you ought to go to En."
    "I agree. And after that?"
    "You can't expect much help from government officials or the province lords. I think your best bet would be to go to En and ask for help directly from the Royal En."
    Youko stared in amazement at the characters Rakushun was writing. "The Royal En? You mean the king?"
    Rakushun nodded. "The Kingdom of En has been ruled for generations by a king known as the En ."
    "But is a king going to bother to help me?"
    "I don't know."
    You've got to be kidding! Youko wanted to shout, but held her tongue.
    "What I do know is that it's better than staying here in Kou. At least better odds than beseeching the emperor of Kou. Perhaps it's because the Royal En is a taika. "
    "A taika?"
    " Fruit of the womb, it means. The way children are born in that other world. It's really rare here. A taika is a person from this world who is born by mistake in that other world."
    Youko's eyes opened wide. "What are you talking about?"
    "It really is rare. But even then, I'd be hard-pressed to say whether it's being born by mistake over there that's rare, or just returning here that's rare."
    "Huh."
    "There are three well-known taika: the Royal En of the En Kingdom, the Saiho of En, and the Saiho of the Tai Kingdom."
    "Saiho?"
    "A counselor or advisor to the king. There's talk that the Tai-saiho has died. The whereabouts of the Tai king are unknown. The kingdom is in turmoil and nobody wants to go anywhere near the place. You really ought to make En your destination."
    Youko found herself a bit overcome, partly because her brain was suddenly crammed with so much new information, and partly because all at once a whole new view of things had appeared before her.
    Going to visit the king --that was on a par with visiting a prime minister or president. Was it even possible? At the same time, the prospect of getting caught up in such weighty matters left her lightheaded and confused.
    As she turned all this over in her head, she heard the sound of footsteps outside.

Chapter 40
    T he front door opened, revealing the figure of a middle-age woman. "Rakushun," she said.
    The rat raised his head. "Hi, Mom." He quivered his whiskers nervously. "I picked up a most interesting house guest."
    Youko couldn't help but gawk. This person was definitely a woman and definitely a human. The woman looked back and forth between Youko and Rakushun, a surprised expression on her face. "A guest, you say. And just who is this young lady?"
    "I found her in the forest. She washed ashore in Shin County during that recent shoku."
    You don't say, the woman muttered to herself, giving Rakushun a stern look.
    Youko drew back her shoulders. Had this woman heard the rumors of a kaikyaku who'd escaped from Shin? And if she had, would she give her shelter as Rakushun had?
    "Yes, it was quite terrible." The woman turned to Youko, who was holding her breath in anticipation. She smiled, glanced back at Rakushun. "What in the world have you been up to? It's a good thing I decided to check in on you. Have you been taking good care of her?"
    "I certainly have."
    "Well, let's hope so." Laughing, the woman looked at Youko with bright eyes. "Sorry I couldn't be here. I had some tasks to attend to. I hope Rakushun has done a good job tending to your needs."
    "Um . . . yes." Youko nodded. "I had a bad fever and could hardly move on my own. He was a great help. I'm very thankful."
    Heavens! the woman's expression said. She hurried over to Youko. "Are you all right? Should you be up and about?"
    "I'm fine. I really was well taken care of."
    As she answered, Youko searched the woman's face. She was okay with Rakushun because he wasn't human. But she couldn't be sure about this person.
    "That being the case, all the more reason for coming and getting me. He doesn't always use his head."
    Rakushun lifted his nose with a put-out air. "I did take good care of her. See, she's healed up just fine."
    The woman peered at Youko's face. "Healed up fine, you