The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon Read Free

redhead, too. More so than yours, even. You remind me of her." She smiled to herself. "During her senior year, she ended up in juvenile court and had to drop out. Whatever became of her? Ah, it was such a long time ago . . . . "
    Stifled laughter rippled around the room.
    "So, are we ready to starting paying attention, Miss Nakajima?"
    "Yes, ma'am."
    "In any case, you'd better stand there for the rest of the class, to help you stay awake." She sniffed to herself, quite amused at her half of the exchange, and paced back to the front of the room.
    Youko stood by her desk for the remainder of the hour. The muffled laughter never did completely die down.

    Her performance in English class was duly reported. That afternoon she was called down to the office for a grilling about her personal life.
    The vice-principal was a middle-aged man with a perpetually furrowed brow. He said, "In fact, a number of teachers believe you might be engaging in some, ahem, extra curricular activities. Can you think of anything in that regard that might be relevant to your recent behavior?"
    "No." It was neither the time nor the place to start explaining about her dreams.
    "So you're staying up late, say, watching television?"
    "No, I . . . . " Youko grasped for a good excuse. "I . . . my midterm exam scores, they weren't so good."
    The vice-principle bit down on the bait. "Ah, yes, indeed. True, your grades have slipped recently."
    "Yes."
    "You of course understand that burning the midnight oil will only prove counterproductive if you can't pay attention in class."
    "I'm sorry."
    "No, no, no, I'm not looking for apologies. Unfortunately, Miss Nakajima, people jump to the wrong conclusions about the most innocent things. They see the color of your hair, and, well, you know...."
    "I was thinking of getting it cut today."
    "Oh?" He nodded in agreement. "It is harsh, I know. But as disagreeable as it might seem at times we're only acting in your best interests."
    "Yes."
    He shook her hand. "Well, that's all. You can leave."
    Youko replied with a perfunctory bow. "Excuse me," she said.
    Behind her a man raised his voice.

Chapter 4
    H e said, "I have found you."
    His presence was accompanied by the faint scent of the ocean. The vice-principal stared in amazement. When Youko glanced over her shoulder the man confirmed, "It is you."
    She guessed he was in his mid-twenties. Everything else about him was breathtaking. He was wearing a long slicker like a cloak about his shoulders. His hair, an astonishingly golden sheen, curtained a marble-like face and reached to his knees.
    She had never seen him before.
    "And who are you?" the vice-principal demanded.
    The stranger ignored him and instead did something even more astonishing. He knelt at Youko's feet and bowed his head low to the ground. "That which was sought has been found."
    "Do you know this person?"
    Youko shook her head. "I don't, I don't."
    While they stood there in confusion the man sprang to his feet. "We must go."
    "Go?"
    "Miss Nakajima, what is this about?"
    "I don't know!"
    Around them, the handful of remaining teachers and office personnel exchanged curious looks. Youko cast a pleading, helpless look at the vice-principal, who drew himself up to his full height. "Young man, you are trespassing on school grounds. I must ask you to leave this minute!"
    The stranger's face was a mask of indifference. He said cooly, no enmity in his voice, "It is none of your concern." He surveyed the office with the same eyes. "Do not interfere, any of you."
    The imperial register of his voice had the immediate effect of leaving them speechless. He turned his gaze on the equally amazed Youko. "I shall explain to you later. But we must leave now."
    "What are . . . ?"
    A voice, close by, interrupted her question.
    " Taiho. "
    He lifted his head as if his name had been called. "What is it?" he asked into the thin air. Concern darkened his face.
    From somewhere and nowhere the voice echoed again. "The enemy is at the