9. Kisano

Chapter 9

Kisano

T o be summoned to Kitsuki's bedroom was enough of an oddity that Kisano hurried over to find out what had happened. When he arrived, Auslin was asleep in bed with a purple dragon made of fire resting on his stomach. Kitsuki sat by his side with a worried expression.

"Is that a fire spirit?" Kisano asked in bewilderment. When he received a nod from his brother, Kisano hummed with fascination. "I had not realized he was protected by one."

"Hibiki was a gift from Kizoshi to keep Auslin safe."

"Has something happened to him?" Kisano asked with concern. It troubled him the mage hadn't stirred once at the sound of them talking.

Instead of answering with words, Kitsuki outstretched his arm and summoned his dragon fire. It took a moment for Kisano to register that it was the same arm Mitsuki had amputated. Kisano's jaw dropped at the sight. " How ?"

Kitsuki extinguished his flame before caressing Auslin's hair. "He restored it with his healing powers."

While Kisano knew Auslin was a powerful healer who had fixed Uncle Jaega's hand, seeing he had regrown a missing arm was a level beyond comprehension. There wasn't a healer in the Living Realm capable of that impossible feat, and yet Auslin had succeeded. "Vanra—I mean, Auslin did that?" Kisano asked, correcting himself when he automatically called Auslin by the name he had used in the past. The name change would take a little getting used to.

"Indeed." Kitsuki clenched his new hand into a fist and opened it again while wiggling his fingers. "I witnessed it myself, yet I still cannot believe it."

"That is astounding. He really is remarkable in every way."

"He is." Kitsuki's worried expression returned as he looked back down at Auslin once more. "But Auslin has not stirred once since he finished. Hibiki appeared earlier this morning, which I believe is helping restore Auslin's energy. But I thought perhaps you would know something about what to do."

Touched that his brother had summoned him about something so important, Kisano regretted he didn't have a better answer. "To regrow your arm with your shifter abilities restored must have taken an extraordinary amount of power on his part. I suspect his body is doing its best to recover from such an effort. If Hibiki was a gift from Kizoshi, I am sure the fire spirit is doing everything he can to help."

"Logically, I understand that. But it is still uncommon for humans to sleep this long. I worry he overdid it and hurt himself."

"It also is not common for humans to regrow missing shifter limbs and restore their powers," Kisano countered with a wry smile. "I do not think you can judge his deep sleep by mere human standards right now. Especially when Hibiki is present." The fire dragon guardian rhythmically pulsated purple as they slept.

"I logically understand that, but it does not make it any easier to accept he has been comatose for over a day."

Kisano's gaze softened at Kitsuki's upset. "I am certain he will awaken refreshed as soon as his body has recovered its strength. What is waiting another day after how long you have awaited his reappearance?"

Kitsuki scowled. "I understand that, and yet…"

"I am sympathetic to your struggle, Kitsuki. It is unnerving seeing him in such a state, even for me."

"My apologies for calling you away from the library for nothing."

"If I could soothe any of your concern, it is not a wasted trip." Kisano gave him a reassuring smile. "I would be happy to consult with Fersen on your behalf and see if he knows anything about this kind of situation."

Kitsuki shook his head. "While I appreciate the offer, it is best that my paranoia is not on full display to all."

"Understood. Is there anything else that I can assist you with so you may focus on Auslin?"

"No, there is nothing pressing," Kitsuki replied. "I will let you know if something changes."

"As you wish. I will be in the library should you need me."

"Thank you, Kisano. I am sure Auslin will visit you as soon as he recovers."

Kisano was eager to resume his friendship with Auslin. "Will he be coming back to live at the castle?"

"We did not discuss it before he passed out." Kitsuki frowned. "I would like to think he would return here, but Auslin has a life with his younger brother at the temple. He may prefer to live there again instead of here. Whatever he chooses, I will not stop him from doing as he wishes."

"I am confident he will choose to remain here with you," Kisano predicted.

"His place in this time is at the temple."

It was easy to see Kitsuki's defeatist attitude was flaring up from his insecurities about Auslin. Kisano reassured him, "His place is at your side. I have no doubt he will go wherever you are."

Kitsuki lovingly traced the outline of Auslin's jaw. "I can only hope."

"Have faith in Auslin." Kisano was confident the human's feelings for Kitsuki ran deep. "If he was willing to live without his brother in the past to stay at your side, there is no reason to think he would not still feel the same in this time."

"It is all I want."

"And I am sure it is all he wants, as well."

"Thank you." Kitsuki gave Kisano an appreciative look. "Your calm logic prevails in the face of my insecure doubts once more."

"I am always willing to listen," Kisano reminded his younger brother. "You know where to find me."

Kisano offered a silent prayer to Kizoshi for Auslin to wake up soon to give Kitsuki peace of mind. As the War Power, she wasn't in charge of making that happen, but she knew who could and would have no problem seeking their help for Kitsuki's sake. Sometimes, it was really helpful having a well-connected sister in the Divine Realm.