"Why did I do that?"

Laying on the sofa and staring at the ceiling fan, Kajai asked himself the same question over and over.

"Why? Why?"

He had ruined the book. He was sure of it.

Never before had he attempted to do such a thing. His stomach churned and he rolled over.

Why did he write that? What had possessed him? He stayed on the couch for what felt like forever, berating himself.

"Kajai, you idiot. Stupid..."

He buried his face in the cushion.

'Stupid-Stupid-Stupid-'

The bell rang, and he sat up. "...." He glanced towards the hallway. "Who is that?"

The ringing was replaced with banging and Kajai decided to put his personal dilemma aside. He slipped into his slippers and went to the door. "Just a minute..." He opened the door. " How can I..." His eyes widened in shock.

Standing at 5'5" with amethyst eyes, there she was just as he had always envisioned her. She had shoulder-length hair, platinum blonde in color. A large black hat sat on her head, crooked and decorated with a swath of zippered purple fabric. A long white feather stood out of the hat's tip, somehow not moving with the breeze. Her clothing was more or less something he expected to see in the shops of Harajuku, and her boots, fishnets, and garters had a punk rock flair. She stood with her hands on her hips, eyes narrowed in his direction.

"You..." Her voice was softer than he expected. "Are you Kajai Ojunko?"

"Yes..."

"Then explain this!" She said, taking off her hat to retrieve something from it. Before she could pull something out, Kajai took several steps backward.

"I've lost it." He proclaimed, looking at his hands.

"Hey, where are you going!?"

Kajai ignored the 'apparition', slipping back out of his slippers and heading back to his living room. "I suppose I knew this day was coming." He said, shaking his head. "All those fantasy novels, tv shows, and comics...." He sighed. "This isn't good."

"Don't ignore me!"

"I should have seen the signs." He held his face in his hands. "Maybe the book was never there..."

"Hey!"

A sharp tug on his foxtail caused him to turn.

"What the...!"

Himiko was mere millimeters from his face.

"Ah!"

She thrusted a rolled piece of parchment at his face. "Explain this! Now!" Her pale skin was turning red.

Already sure of his own insanity, Kajai reached for the parchment. "Yes, yes, imaginary Himiko." He held his hand out and she slapped the paper into it. "Ah! It felt real!" He dropped the paper and it rolled onto the floor.

Petalbroom floated by the front door. "What is happening, Milady?"

Himiko didn't reply. Instead, she watched as Kajai pinched his own face. "I'm hallucinating. I'm really hallucinating."

"You think so?" Himiko reached into her hat.

"Yeah." Kajai nodded. "You're not real. This isn't happening." He laughed nervously. " Maybe it's a dream. Ah, maybe I need rest..."

"You're not dreaming." Himiko stated flatly. She looked around the living room. "Such a mortal looking house..."

Kajai walked into the kitchen. "Tea. Let's try having some tea..."

He opened one cabinet, revealing several glass bowls and canisters of fresh tea leaves. "Chamomile tea. That should calm me down."

Himiko followed him into the kitchen that lead into the living room area.

"I would also like a cup of tea if you please."

"Hm? Ah, of course."

"Chamomile also with--"

"Vanilla extract and three sugars, I know."

Himiko was confused, her eyebrows knitted together as she pursed her lips. "But how did you know? Are you telepathic? Is that your deus?"

Kajai shook his head. "No, I read the book of course." He retrieved a blue tea set from another cupboard, put tea leaves into the pot and held it under his hot water dispenser.

Himiko stood behind him. "...And what book would that be?"

"You know, the one with your name on it."

"What!?"

Himiko clasped her gloved hands together. "You mean...You! You're the one that took it!" Her temper flared up again.

Kajai looked at the floor. "Hey! You can't wear shoes in here!"

Himiko grabbed him by his shoulders. "You criminal! You're the one that stole my journal! And you used it to..." Her cheeks were beet red.

Kajai was beginning to understand how real this Himiko was. There was no way he could have conjured the mix of ocean and wildflowers that came from her body, or her sharp fingernails digging into his shoulders through her rough gloves.

Himiko was real, and she was angry.

As upset as she was Himiko's face melted into concern as Kajai's eyes rolled to the back of his head.

"Kajai? Kajai!"