The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon

human being." She smiled to herself.
    Rakushun raised his voice sharply. "Youko."
    She drew back her sleeve, showing her right hand. "I always thought this was odd. There should be a scar in the palm of my hand, I wound I got after coming here and being attacked by the youma. It was a deep wound that went straight through my hand. Now, I can barely see it."
    Rakushun gently unfolded her hand and examined her palm. He quivered his whiskers. This was the wound Rakushun had tended to himself. He could testify to the fact that it was indeed a serious injury.
    "I should have a lot of other scars, but you'd never know it. The wounds themselves are very light for being inflicted by youma. No fang marks remain where where I was bitten. For some reason, my body has become very resilient to injury."
    Youko had to smile. The realization that she was not human struck her as rather amusing. "Because I'm a youma, don't you see? That's why they hunt me and attack me."
    Rakujin frowned. "Youma hunt you?"
    Rakushun answered for her. "It sure looks that way to me."
    "That's absurd."
    "That's what I thought, but wherever Youko goes, youma are bound to show up. I was there when we were attacked by a kochou." Rakujun pressed his hands to his temples.
    "Recently, there have been rumors of youma appearing more often in Kou. Are you saying it is because of her?"
    Rakushun looked hesitantly at Youko. Youko nodded and picked up the story. "I think so, too. The reason I ended up here in the first place is because I was attacked by a kochou and had to escape."
    "You escaped to this world after being attacked by a kochou? From that other world to here?"
    "Yes. A guy named Keiki--and I'm pretty sure he's a youma, too--he said it was in order to protect me. He's the one who brought me here."
    "And where he is now?"
    "I don't know. When we arrived, we were ambushed by youma and got split up. I haven't seen him since. He could be dead."
    Rakujin held his head in his hands and thought for a long time. "It's impossible. I simply cannot imagine."
    "That's what Rakushun said."
    "Youma are a species of wild animal. They have been known to hunt humans in packs, but they would not track down a particular individual. Needless to say, they would not cross the Kyokai to do so. It is not in their nature, the same way you would not expect it of a tiger, for example."
    "Couldn't a person train a tiger to do something like that?"
    "Youma cannot be domesticated. You are speaking of something quite grave, Miss Youko."
    "It's that serious?"
    "If we suppose that some kind of change was effected in the youma to cause them to attack you, or if we suppose that someone found a way to control and command them, either way, standing idly by and doing nothing could very well put the kingdom in jeopardy."
    Rakujin looked at Youko. "Now, if we supposed that you were a youma, that would simplify things greatly. I have heard of youma being separated from their packs. When they come close to starving, they are the kind of beast that will feed even upon their own kind."
    "Youko doesn't look like a youma," Rakushun said, and Rakujin nodded.
    "There are youma who can disguise themselves as humans, but not perfectly. And to not be aware of their youma nature themselves--"
    Youko smiled thinly. "That doesn't mean it didn't happen."
    Rakujin shook his head. "No, you are different. You are no youma. It cannot be."
    With that, Rakujin stood up. "You should see the king at once. I am on speaking terms with some officials in the government, but it would be more expeditious for you to go directly to Kankyuu. Visit Gen'ei Palace straightaway and tell them exactly what you told me. You are the key to the whole thing. I'm sure the king will want to see you."
    Youko also got to her feet. She bowed deeply. "I thank you very much"
    "If you leave right away, you should arrive at the next city by nightfall. Do you have belongings at the inn?"
    "No, we've got everything with us."
    "In that case, I'll see you to the city gates."
    Rakujin walked with them to the gates. "It may not amount to much, but I shall work on a formal petition, as well. "Until they figure out what is going on, you may be detained. But once everything is put in order, I am sure the king will find a way home for you."
    Youko looked at Rakujin. "And you?"
    "What's that?"
    "Do you also wish to petition the king to return to Japan?"
    Rakujin smiled wryly. "I do not have the standing that would allow me to see the king. He is not