Kubo played his shamisen as he walked along the rocky beach. The music almost drowned out the sounds of Monkey and Beetle arguing.…
Almost.
“Look, I appreciate your help, but when it comes to the boy, I really know what’s best,” Monkey said. “And what’s best is to not be fielding ideas from a talking cockroach.”
“This coming from the talking monkey,” Beetle said.
At first, they argued about how to cross Long Lake, which spread out in front of them. Then they debated how powerful Kubo’s magic was, and now Beetle told Monkey she was too protective. They were so silly when they fought, making jokes back and forth, that they started reminding Kubo of the fishmonger and his wife from his village.
Kubo kept playing his shamisen, trying to ignore them. After they’d fallen from the giant bone monster, Beetle used his wings to fly them to safety. They flew through the maze of tunnels, then out onto the rocky shores of Long Lake, which Monkey knew from folklore and cave paintings. Monkey had used some mud to help repair Beetle’s wings, but after his crash landing on the beach, they were too broken to fly very well.
The beach was covered with fallen leaves of yellow, orange, and gold. Giant pieces of driftwood had washed ashore long ago. As Monkey and Beetle argued about crossing the lake, Kubo played on. One by one the leaves and driftwood lifted from the shore, coming together to form a ship that was shaped like an origami boat. Monkey turned around, shocked by how impressive it was. With that, Kubo plucked a final note, creating a sail made up of grass and leaves.
They climbed aboard and set off. Beetle and Kubo used arrows to fish, and soon they were all eating sashimi. Little Hanzo speared a piece of fish and flipped it into Beetle’s mouth.
“Must you play with your food?” Monkey asked.
“Yes.” Beetle smiled. He turned to Kubo, expecting a laugh, but Kubo had a strange look on his face. “What’s the matter, Kubo? You act like you’ve never had a meal sitting between a monkey and a beetle before.”
“I’ve never had a meal sitting between anyone before,” Kubo said. He couldn’t help but feel a little happy here, with Beetle and Monkey, two creatures who cared enough to fight over him. He had loved being with his mother in the cave, but it had been lonely sometimes.
“Kubo, question,” Beetle said. “Before you started your heroic quest, what were you like?”
“Well, I looked after my mother mostly,” Kubo said after a long pause. “Sometimes I would tell her stories about little things, like catching fireflies in the mulberry fields. And when I told those stories, I could tell her eyes were mostly clear. I could tell she saw me, really saw me. And I saw her, too—her spirit, trying to find its way out.”
Beetle glanced sideways at Monkey and smiled. “You know what, Kubo? Before you went on this great adventure, you were still very much a hero.”
Kubo could feel his cheeks turn red. He was about to thank Beetle for saying such a nice thing, but then thunder echoed in the distance. They looked at the sky, which had turned a dark gray. A storm was coming.
“We’re going to have to head for shore,” Monkey said. “Find a hiding place.”
They watched as Little Hanzo marched up to the bow of the ship. He pulled out his sword, and they waited for him to show them the best direction to sail. But when he lowered it, he was aiming at the dark waters below them. Kubo leaned over to see what he was trying to tell them.
“The second piece of armor!” he said, noticing the shiny metal breastplate under the water.
“I got it!” Beetle cried. He grabbed the side of the ship and started to hop over.
“Beetle, wait!” Kubo said. “My mother told me a story about Long Lake. She said there was a Garden of Eyes under the water. Eyes that stare into you. They show you secrets, things to keep you down there with them forever.”
Beetle looked into the water uncertainly. “Well, I won’t look directly into anyone’s eyes. Even if I’m being incredibly sincere.”
Then he was gone, disappearing into the waves with a splash!
The rain was coming down hard now. The waves tossed the ship this way and that. Kubo kept peering into the dark water below, but there was no sign of Beetle. He knew beetles could hold their breaths for a long time.… But how long? Shouldn’t he have come back by now?
“Monkey, I think he’s in trouble,” Kubo said. “We should help him.”
Monkey nervously paced the length of the ship. “Kubo, your aunts are still out there,” she said, looking at the gray storm clouds above. They’d waited long enough for Beetle. She was sad to leave, but they had to—it looked as if it was already past sunset. “We should head for shore.”
Monkey heard a splash! somewhere behind her. When she turned back around, she realized Kubo was gone. She peered over the side of the boat, but she couldn’t see him beneath the waves. She grabbed the Sword Unbreakable and headed to the bow, trying to find the best spot to go in. He was somewhere below.… But where?
She dove off the bow. Before she hit the water, she was yanked back. She twisted and turned, but someone was holding on to her ankle.
She spun around, trying to free herself, but then she saw the Sister’s horrible face. The Sister was wearing the same terrible mask, her lips fixed in a sneer.
“Look at this.…” the Sister said, still clutching Monkey’s ankle. “I come fishing, and all I reel in is this stinking ape. How pathetic that this filthy creature is all that’s left of my sister’s magic.”
Monkey gritted her teeth. She used all her strength to break free, springing onto the deck of the ship. She held the Sword Unbreakable out in front of her, prepared to fight.
“This filthy creature will tear you apart!” she yelled, then charged toward her.