Do vaporwave kitsune count technicolor sheep? - 2. Chapter 2

If I just close my eyes, it’s the same ambient sounds of happy chirping and the distant sound of cars passing on a road not far off.

Cars.

“Can you hear that, Kemuri?”

Pausing in his tracks I watch as his eyes drift shut and he cocks his head to the side, listening attentively.

“There’s a road...and from the sound of it cars that are least comparable to what we are used to. Guess we’ll see. Good job.”

I try not to let the good job go to my head, all I did was hear a car.

But lest the impudent kit think his head pats affect me, I just smile knowingly and intrepidly start off in the direction of the sounds. Bravado or nothing.

Inside I was freaking out, hiding behind the reflex of pretending that I knew what I was doing when all I really knew was that if I didn’t put one foot in front of the other, I’d probably melt into a panic puddle.

I am old and powerful.

I am old and powerful.

I do not feel old and powerful.

Shit.

“We don’t want to just rush into sight. Slow down a little.”

Kemuri had to jog to catch up to me and lowering my head, I slowed my pace.

“Not a good idea to be needlessly throwing ourselves into full view. Right.”

“Exactly.”

Slinking its way through the trees ahead of us I could see a void black road, as empty of color as everything else overflowing with it. From off in the distance I could hear the engine approaching as it turned the bend, pink sunlight glaring off the polished chrome. It was sleek and long, and looked like it would try to fly to the moon for cheese in some 1920’s cinema.

Ducking low I wait for the car to draw closer, hiding myself amid the shadowed detritus of the forest floor. I could hear high pitched laughing and see blonde curls whipping in the wind as a curvy lady leaned over to murmur something likely very witty into the ear of the slick haired gentleman in the driver’s seat.

The reflection of the white sun on the chromed body was blinding as they passed before me, forcing my gaze to avert until the tail of the car was disappearing from view. Part of me was relieved when all grew quiet once more. I was just managing to hold myself together and I hated it. I felt exposed and scared, like some shield keeping me safe had been destroyed.

Kemuri was warm and familiar at my side as he murmured in my ear.

“Let's follow the road. Just to be safe let's stick to the trees and try to stay out of sight. I’ll take the lead and scope out ahead. Stay aware that nothing gets the jump on us from behind.”

I let myself become lost in the blur around me, the bursts of color were alien and beautiful to my senses. The greens of the treetops varied from fluorescent to matte hunter, with branches laden in flowers of every hue imaginable.

The breeze was fragrant and delightful and under any other circumstances I’d have reveled in exploring this amazing world. I was unused to being afraid and I felt a bit of shame at being dependent upon Kemuri for his life experiences that I just did not share. Has my life thus far really been so frivolous?

Would they notice I was gone?

Would...who...notice…

Again the nagging feeling that something was missing set me on edge.

Shaking my head to dislodge the disturbing thoughts, I set myself back to concentrating on the issue at hand. Instead of wallowing in what I didn’t know, I should be learning so that I could contribute. This could very well be life or death.

Nearby I could hear the steady flow of traffic coming and going along the ribbon of road with some regularity. The cityscape ahead must be a busy populated place to garner this much comings and goings. I took extra care to remain hidden amid the bright trees. For once my violet fur blended in rather well with my colorful surroundings and I couldn’t help a vulpine chuckle at the irony.

Every now and then I’d catch sight of the passerby out of the corner of my eye. A lovely well dressed lady with skin of robin's egg blue slyly slid an arm over to pull her beau closer. A man with a fine leather driving hat kept two hands on the wheel and the other two wrapped around his giggling passenger.

Something inside me was screaming above the panic and confusion to focus, pay attention. Kemuri’s haunches swayed in and out of sight ahead of me, weaving through the vibrant trees at a swift pace. As long as I kept him in my sights I could devote myself to learning something about this strange world we’d found ourselves in. I may have never taken a life, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have my own reserve of talents.

Studying under all of the great painting masters for centuries gave me an eye for detail that could not be fooled. If I put that same effort to learning about this world I’m sure I’d be of great help. For one thing I was doubly glad that Kemuri couldn’t hear the mess of self affirmation going through my head.