Lords of the Night

Chapter One: Saikaidō Kyūshū

It was an unusual night, the wind blowing through the rock face in high pitched shrills that left the skin tingling for all the wrong reasons. Red dusted the darkened sky above, mingling in the gray storm clouds overhead. The ground beneath his feet was slushy and wet from the dwindling storm moving away from his home. That however was not the unsettling part, as his homeland was always dark and gloomy. Lifting his eyes to the next rock, he jumped, gripped it, and swung up onto the ledge, mindful not to slip on the icy wet surface. His current path was the forbidden crevice that sat above his home.

Glancing over his shoulder, he could still make out the tall structure through the dense fog, and he snorted. The great building sat hundreds of feet below and to the south. In truth, he would rather be sitting in his room instead of investigating the disruption that lay just above his assent. For some reason, this great and powerful demon that inhabited the mountains of the region was disturbed. He needed to find the answer before all in his lands were in danger. If it weren't for the fact that in every direction sat a human village, or that his father had promised a truce with said humans, he really would not have cared. However over the years, he had become accustomed to their presence, and their annoying ruckus, that it was now his duty to over see peace. Despite the fact that his father accepted peace with the humans, too many years had passed since then, that humans seemed to have forgotten about their neighbors presence. He himself had yet to meet one face to face, and even not having met them in person, their stench was one to be desired.

Once again he glanced over at the muddy, dark and gloomy lands that were his home, and now his to run and govern since his father's death. Not that peace had preserved any of what was left of the war torn lands. His mind wandered once again as he continued to climb recklessly. Not once during his short life span, had he known anything but the dreary dark that lingered. He had been born here, and raised here with their clan, or what was left of them. Not a single image of green grass, like those he read about in scrolls, or sun drenched fields, filled his mind, and he longed to see all of it. He snorted again, and began climbing towards the demons lair. He reached his hand up and cursed as it slipped on the slick stone, and he quickly corrected his mistake and launched himself upward with a burst of energy.

Silently, he closed his eyes and took a few slow draws of breath to calm his unsettled mind. Not sure what was more upsetting to him, either the rage that flowed from the demon above, or the strange storm that had passed over. His whole body stung from the energy both were emitting, threatening to sear his flesh from his bones if he were not careful, and he cursed at his weakness. Even though demons had fought for hundreds of years, leaving devastation in its wake, it seemed that now the humans picked up the horrid past time. Humans were much weaker than his kind, not having the healing abilities that the demons did, thus many bones or corpses scattered fields and pits on the other side of the mountains. Now reports flooded in all the time about mounds of earth that he was told were burials for the humans. Rotting flesh could be smelt on the air, but the humans seemed to learn quickly. His two close friends told him stories about the humans. Those stories always raised his curiosity which could be devastating if he were ever to act upon that curiosity and explore. One of his closest friends was now his trusted general of whatever army was left after his father's mad reign, and his adviser who was more a figure of wisdom and council.

He opened his eyes once again, after his stomach finally settled from its tightening after a particularly foul scent of human remains had flooded his nose. That was his weakness. Any powerful smell seemed to unsettle his stomach recently, which annoyed him to no end, and with no answers as to why or how to quell the stench, he had to endure them. 'Stupid humans.' He thought silently.

Another piercing shriek assaulted his hearing and his blood froze in his body. He pressed himself against the rocks, and stilled instantly as the rage and bloodshed rushed over him in waves. He was about to turn and head back home, forgoing this insane trek of doom, when a shadow loomed over him and he swallowed holding his breath. His eyes closed instinctively.

"Seems the dragon is in a wild mood tonight." Came a soft murmur.

His eyes snapped open, and his head whipped up in surprise. "Turari!" He exclaimed, relief rushing over him.

The being above grunted. "You are slow, Seiho."

A hand gripped his and heaved him up to the next ledge. "I was in no rush." He protested.

"I told you to ignore this insanity, but you insisted." His long time friend and adviser muttered darkly.

"It is my duty, you cannot be that ignorant."

The other nodded, his own head tilting upward to the horrifying sound the dragon demon made above. "What has gotten into him? Normally he is quiet and content." Turari hissed.

Seiho shook his head. "That is what I must find out. No need for both of us to seek death tonight. Go back."

The other demon glanced at him in surprise. "What so you can bask in all the glory once all is said and done? Don't be ridiculous, idiot."

Seiho glanced at the silver haired demon beside him, taking in the stark white marks on his face. Even though his friend had over a hundred years on him in age, he looked no more than a young boy of twelve. Ageless, and timeless his kind were, immortal in all aspects, unless a fatal wound took that life from them. His friends long silver hair was gathered into a tight knot and his golden eyes glittered with intelligence and wisdom, as they slid his way in silent teasing.

"You are the idiot." He scoffed. In the darkening sky, Seiho saw a quick flash of white as his friend grinned at him.

Both demons climbed their way to the top, which took them close to the mid of night, stilling instantly whenever the dragon roared and cried into the darkness, and continuing on once their hearts had stopped furiously beating against their chests. Turari covered his nose with his hand and grimaced once their feet touched the mountain top.

Seiho paused as nausea washed over him, threatening to send him plummeting into oblivion. His friend knowing of his sensitivity to smell, quickly reached out an arm to steady him, and he nodded gratefully.

"I wish the old ass would go back to his own home." Seiho grumbled under his breath, finally able to form words again, once his stomach stopped reeling. His father had once told him about the great dragon residing in the mountains. The great beast had sought out refuge when he had been driven from his own home on the mainland to the east and north of the island, and his father never asking for a reason, had allowed it. Stories mentioned that this great dragon was ageless, far older than any other demon he had encountered in his short life, and apparently the last of his kind. His general had once mentioned him a daiyoukai. One who had lived for countless years, housing great power within, and the ability to restrain himself when needed. From what he had heard, the dragon housed great intelligence, and immense abilities that he himself had yet to witness. From the power he was feeling now, he wasn't so sure he wanted to witness any of the daiyoukai's power first hand.

Turari shrugged indifferently.

Seiho sighed, but got to his feet. "Let us get this over with." He glanced at his friend, and frowned when he noticed a slight shudder erupt from him. As quickly as it had shown, it vanished.

They were both suddenly over come by a huge evil energy that seemed to erupt all around them in a flash of bright white and red. The air sizzled and popped, and they froze instantly.

"What in all hells is that?" Turari snarled between clenched teeth.

Seiho didn't even hear his friend, as the energy swirled around him, causing his own to flare up in retaliation and defense. Both aura's sparked and popped against each other, trying to push the other back. The young demon had no idea what has happening, as his power took hold of him, almost in a state of panic, and he clenched his teeth as his blood felt like it began to boil. His breath caught in his throat as hidden power welled up inside, causing his chest to tighten in such a frightening manner, his inner demon still sleeping inside, stirred. Being only a child in the eyes of his elders, no more than eleven human years, Seiho had no power to speak of. The age of majority for a demon began when they turned twelve, and the young demon had many moons until he reached that age.

Turari felt his friend beside him enrage, and he gasped turning his head to stare out of shock and surprise. His friends eyes went from their normal calm gold to the rage filled red of their kind when threatened. "Seiho!" He exclaimed. Fear filling him. Any threat against the dragon demon was quickly abolished, all who attacked found a swift death, and he had to stop his friend from this suicide. He got to his feet quickly and stepped in front of his friend, knowing that he was putting his own life at risk in doing so. Shocked and alarmed at what he was witnessing, he had to stop his friend. It was too early, too soon for him to awaken his inner self, and yet it was happening before his eyes. "Snap out of it, Koukei!"

Seiho snarled, and felt another aura surround his, calming his from its frenzy. The air stilled and he blinked quickly. "By the ancient Gods, what the hell was that?"

Not sure if his friend was referring to the awakening of his power or the rage from the dragon, he grunted and choose the latter. "That was Ryukotsusei. Remember what we are here for?" Turari snapped, more out of panic for his friend rather than any fear.

Seiho narrowed his eyes and glared at his companion. "Of course I do!" He snarled, irritation and fear threatening to over take all his reason away. His current train of thought now gone from a premature awakening of his powers, Seiho focused on the rage in front of them. Heaving a sigh, he clenched his eyes shut and took slow breaths to calm his rattled nerves. It wasn't every day that fear coursed through his veins, however this dragon demon was a force to be reckoned with. The frail allegiance his father had made with the dragon was almost at it's tearing point since his fathers untimely death. Now most didn't even venture anywhere near the area the dragon inhabited in fear of breaking the tight thin line. "Something has angered Ryukotsusei. I am almost inclined to forgo this reckless trek and head back home."

"You know that if you do, he will venture further into the lands and cause more death and destruction." Turari muttered, his eyes narrowed to peer through the fog and darkness that lay on the path ahead. Even though he knew that what sat ahead was treacherous, he also knew they needed to find out what has going on with the dragon before everything lay in ruins.

Seiho nodded and grunted. Squaring his shoulders, he forced one foot in front of the other. He wasn't an idiot, he was young, and untried in battle, and he did not have any experience what so ever in dealing with other demons besides his own clan. Seiho also knew that his current course could lead him to a swift death if he were not careful.

Just as he was about to take a step forward again, a huge rush of energy and chilling rage erupted, and the sound of flapping wings signaled that the dragon was leaving his nesting grounds. Frowning, Seiho glanced up into the darkness and tried to pierce the black sky, however even his formidable sight could not see Ryukotsusei. Only his ears could pick up the dragons flight path, which headed towards the ocean and away from where the two inu were.

"Is he leaving?" Turari murmured quietly.

"Sounds like it. But why?" Relieved that any threat that still remained was now gone where the dragon youkai lived, Seiho swallowed and continued on to where he was headed in the first place. It only took them a few minutes to descend on where Ryukotsusei had lived for well over a thousand years, and realization dawned on him as to what had caused the dragon such rage.

His feet paused a moment when he stepped on a fragile shell. Kneeling beside the broken shard, he fingered it gently. "It's an egg."

Turari nodded his eyes scanning the area around him for any sign that the dragon would be returning. "Were you aware of him finding a mate?"

Seiho shook his head. "I thought he was the only dragon alive, at least that was what my father told me. Apparently we were mistaken." His eyes scanned the ground that was littered with hundreds of tiny pieces of shell. "I'd say there had been eight from the amount of broken shells."

Turari sighed. "So where are the bodies?"

Seiho shook his head. "I am sure we will find out when we enter the cave."

The two inu continued towards the cave when they suddenly got a nose full of the stale air. The iron and scent caused Seiho to shudder and almost fall to his knees. He took a shaky breath and watched as Turari peered into the cave, his face told him all he needed to know when the golden eyes met his after his scan.

"So?"

Turari shook his head."Female inside is dead, looks like from Ryukotsusei's own claws. A few little bodies. Blood on her lips. Looks like she turned on her brood and Ryukotsusei killed her for killing their whelps."

"What on earth for?"

"Do you really want to question and find out?" Turari blinked at his friend.

"Hell no." Seiho shook his head and tilted his head back to the sky. "This is going to get ugly. If Ryukotsusei left the island for revenge he could level any town or village in his path."

"So what do you plan to do? Go after him?" Turari's eyes widened.

"I've never been off the island." Seiho shrugged, he kicked a stick out of the way then stopped when his eyes caught a gleam off the end of it. "Why would a human spear be here?" He muttered to himself, however Turari's exceptional hearing picked up the soft spoken words and he shook his head again.

"There is still more we do not know as to why these events occurred." Turari turned towards the center of the island. "Besides, why leave the island when he could exact his revenge on the town sitting right below the mountains?" His eyes scanned the fields below seeing small structures that showed the human establishment.

"The humans are learning quickly." Seiho muttered softly, causing Turari to glance at him with a raised brow. The young inu pointed at the metal tip on the spear. "They are crafting iron now for weapons."

"Ah. They used stone before, but that was years ago. A lot has changed from what my brother tells me."

"Where is Traylaymaru now?"

Turari shook his head. "Not sure. Probably still on the mainland." He smirked. "So what now oh great leader?"

Seiho grunted. "I wish you would stop calling me that. My father was the great leader, not me."

The adviser snorted. Seiho's experiences with his father were far different than his own. "You are his son." Turari shrugged. "So what do you want to do?"

"What words of wisdom can you share with your oh so great leader?" Seiho mocked.

Turari chuckled. "We have two options." He paused a moment until he saw Seiho glance at him expectantly. "We can return to the shinden-zukuri, or press forward to the human village and find out what happened."

Seiho stared at his friend dead panned, blinking at him slowly.

Turari grinned.

"You seriously think the humans will have any idea as to what occurred here?"

His adviser continued to grin.

"Stop grinning at me, it's creepy." Seiho sighed.

The dark sky began to lighten as dawn approached, and Seiho lifted his face and closed his eyes as the warmth of the sun filtered through the thick clouds. Within seconds the sun was hidden once again by them. Growling in frustration, he frowned. "For once I would like to experience the sun without those dratted black things." He flicked his hand at the sky, almost as though he were trying to brush the clouds away.

Turari stifled his laughter by grunting. "So home then?" He questioned, trying to change the ridiculous subject his friend had a habit of starting more times than he cared to admit.

"No. We go to this human village and question them."

"I was joking about that, idiot!" Turari felt his eyes widen. "Humans are not familiar with our kind here. We don't know what they will do."

"Are you trying to imply that they can be more frightening than Ryukotsusei?"

Turari paused. "Well, no. However humans and demons live different lives. They ignore us, or pretend to not know about us, and we avoid them. You cannot walk into their village and expect them to greet us with open arms."

Seiho sighed. "I need to find out where that blasted dragon went off to, and stop him from whatever tirade he is on."

Turari choked. "Stop?" Swallowing the lump that formed in his throat at his current train of thought, he closed his eyes. Did his friend inherit his father's madness? "He is a daiyoukai, you are a child with no powers, and you have yet to ascend and gain what power your father held. Hopefully his power and not his insanity. This course you are suggesting is nothing short of madness, and it was what led to your father's death." The older youkai snapped shortly. "Your father riddled this land with war, destroyed everything your great grandfather had built, basically killed the army; and any alliances with other youkai clans were torn asunder by his idiocy. Stop Ryukotsusei? Not in your current state, and certainly not in this century. You have a lot to learn about this world and land we reside in before you go claiming any conquests, Koukei." Without any other word, Turari spun around and stalked towards their home. "Now stop being an idiot and let us return home, before your bodyguards tear me to shreds for you being here in the first place."

Seiho watched his friend walk away in stunned silence. He knew his father had destroyed their home and army. Also aware his father had destroyed all alliances with other youkai clans that lived on the mainland and surrounding islands due to his lunacy. The young youkai did not to be reminded of it, however he could not allow the dragon to seek vengeance due to his mate killing their young. Torn between duties that were drilled into him constantly by his teachers, and his friendship with Turari, Seiho remained rooted in place pondering all reasonable solutions before making his final decision. He had a responsibility left to him by his deranged father, to protect those in their lands.

Seiho lowered his head and stared at his feet, thinking silently. His duties also meant that he remain alive long enough to gain power, as little as his father had, and gain any of his own while training. He knew he was young, and certainly not ready for any actions, however the dragon was rushing his growing up. The youth closed his eyes and sighed, he was about to turn and follow his friend when a sudden flash stopped him. Lifting his head, images flooded his mind and he reeled back alarmed. They were images of burning buildings, dead littering the ground, burning forests, mass armies head to head in fields of blood, weapons lifted for battle. The image shifted to a much older him standing by an ocean speaking with someone out of his peripheral vision. Another image with him being youthful again face to face with the formidable dragon, and then everything went black.

Turari stopped when he failed to hear steps behind him and frustrated, he stomped back to where he left his young charge. He turned around the corner just in time to see his friend tumble to the ground in a dead heap, and he cried out alarmed. "Seiho!" He quickly dropped to his knees and slid to his friends side, gathering him up. Had Ryukotsusei returned without his knowing and killed his friend? Relief washed over him when he saw Seiho take a shaky breath. Far too many times had he been witness to guards and even his own father do this same thing with their former leader. He had been only a child then, his brother being far older by at least a few hundred years, but the memories were still there. He remembered his brother rushing to get healers, or ushering people away, trying to keep as many people away from knowing about the encroaching madness taking hold everyday.

Turari sniffed the air hoping that some scent had caused his friends collapse, hoping and pleading with the gods who would listen, that madness would not descend on his little leader. "Curses." He hissed, lifting the boy into his arms, and carefully making his way towards their home. "Sometimes you worry me to the point my heart will stop, and I will die a pathetic death, rather than a glorious death in battle."

"You can put me down, Turari." A soft whisper pleaded.

"What in all blazes happened?"

Seiho shook his head. "I know not. But as much as I would like to find out the answer to that, we have other matters to attend."

"Oh?"

"You might think that I am too young to do my duty here, and due to my lack of experience with humans, you probably think that it is pointless for me to even suggest going there, however," He raised his hand to ward off Turari's protest, "We need answers, and unless you posted guards in this area, we have no one to give us those answers. What I need to know, is why a human spear was in Ryukotsusei's nesting grounds, what caused his mate to kill their whelps, and why he has gone into a rage, enough so as to return to where he was exiled. We need those answers, Turari."

"Yes, but not yet. Wait until you come of age, wait until your beast awakens at the proper time, premature power can cause all sorts of complications. Your inner self is still sleeping, growing, developing, wakening it now can cause havoc and chaos on your mind."

"Don't say it!" Seiho snarled. "I am not my father, nor will I go mad like he did!"

"You don't know that. Ascend at the proper time, that is all I ask, then with your power awakened, and your father's added to you, then go to the human village. Use that power to seek answers." He was begging his friend and cursing himself for even mentioning going to the human village in the first place.

Seiho shook his head. "You know that by the time that happens, Ryukotsusei could have destroyed many lives on the mainland."

"If that happens you know Traylaymaru will return here for his own answers, and he will report any disturbances. You made me your adviser for a reason. Listen to that reason now. I am older than you by a hundred and twenty years. I have witnessed humans and their nature. They can be devious. I have seen them being nice to one another and turn on someone faster than a blink of an eye. They are untrustworthy. Liars and you can't believe what they say without wondering if what they told you was truth or some evil plot. This was why your father kept us separated. The humans feared the dragon enough as to not venture into the mountains, which kept our kind protected." Turari shook his head. "It is quite possible the humans do not even know of our exsistance."

Seiho sighed. "True as that may be, even our kind is known for their deviance. How long ago was it that my father's own aide plotted his demise? Planned to have him killed? Don't deny it, I learned about it from my Sensei." He snorted. "I know a great many things as to what was happening before I had a mind to witness. I know of the guards wanting to have my father killed because of what he was doing, and where he was leading this clan. I also know of my father's fall from power and his lunacy which lead to him killing our own kind."

"Then you should also know that your father killed my sister before her third year because he suspected her of trying to take over his reign." Turari muttered darkly. "That he murdered one of my brothers because your father thought he released some plague upon him that caused him to fall ill. Or that he had my parents killed because he believed some ghost appeared to him telling him that they were not demons but some foul evil curse placed upon him by his own wife, your mother! Whatever madness that took over your father in his last years, I pray to any deity that will listen will not befall you. That when you ascend and take his power as yours, that his madness will remain locked away and not take over you as it did him." As much as he hated seeing the pain on his friends face, he knew he had to hear the gruesome details, and the truth behind why his father was killed. "A lot has been kept from you, Seiho. But you need to hear it. Your older brother was killed by your father, not in battle, like you were told. Sueno was taken to the lower chambers of the house and flayed by your father's orders. Tralaymaru left for the mainland because of what your father had done, and it almost drove him to do something he would have regretted. So many lives were lost. Many left to get away from his hysteria, and most were hunted down and killed."

"Why did you stay?"

"Becuase of you. I believed in you, and you are my friend. I am also young enough to not hold a grudge as deeply as my older brother. The stories your grandfather used to tell us as pups were fantastical and ethereal. I miss those days, before Chijimatsu died. Before your father took over the lands. Even though your father's rule was short, he did more damage than a human could do in their short lifetime. Some things cannot be recovered, or restored."

Seiho nodded. "I remember a large room my mother used to take me to, and I recall it lined with what looked like thousands of scrolls. Am I mistaken?"

"Those were the histories. Scrolls from all over with events, and timelines, of ages past. I remember hearing stories of how demons came to be, how we used to be one with the gods. There were tales of why humans hated us so, and why our kind hated them."

Seiho stopped walking and glared at his friend. "You did this on purpose!" He accused. Without him even realizing it, they were on a path leading down towards their home.

Turari grinned and nodded. "Do you want to hear more, or have you had enough for one day?"

Seiho shook his head. "I do not want to hear anymore on my father. How many years has it been now? Two?"

"Since your father died?"

Seiho nodded.

"Not quite two years. Almost."

"Do you think Traylaymaru will ever come back?"

"I hope so. I miss the old beast." Turari smirked, a small glint in his eyes.

Seiho snorted. "I think you miss torturing him with all your pranks."

Turari feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

They rounded the last obstacle and walked up to the great gates surrounding the shinden-zukuri and came face to face with what few guards remained after the former leaders tyranny. A shadow came out from an old tree, materializing out of nowhere and descended upon them in a fit of rage.

Seiho stepped back and closed his eyes as his personal bodyguard snarled. "Kazuki!" he exclaimed. "I feared the worst, I thought some evil demon had made off with you and that was why I went in search."

Kazuki narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Oh? What sort of evil demon had you thought had over powered me and took me?"

"I know not. Turari was a great help and due to my getting lost, found me and brought me back home, assuring me that you were safe." Seiho grinned innocently.

Turari held up his hands in defense. "Do not drag me into this!"

Seiho sighed and shook his head. "Do not lecture me, Kazuki, let us go inside and find some warmth by the fire, and I will fill you in." He walked towards the doors leading to his residence, satisfied that both his guard and adviser followed behind. His guard was frightening for even him when enraged. Kazuki was older than any demon still in residence at his house, possibly even older than six hundred years, sinewy, strong, and intelligent. His light ashen hair was long, even tied up into a topknot, reaching almost past his knees. His face held a wisdom that had many secrets hidden beneath the taunt skin. Scars marred the face, and one of his markings was so badly damaged that had you not known it was there, you would think his face had been burned by a purple fire. The story he had been told as a pup was that some magic had seared off half of his cheek and had almost taken his eye.

Seiho glanced over his shoulder at his guard silently. Great shoulder armor sat on either side of his head, smooth and incredibly heavy looking, shifting only when those great arms moved. His pants were red, and were loose at the ankles, and he was barefooted. At his waist hung a crude looking weapon that even he had no idea what it was. The handle was long, with some sharp angled blade attached to it. On the other side of it was a chain and ball with spikes. Large iron plates were across his chest, and back making it almost seem impossible for anyone to move, let alone be as sneaky and stealthy as Kazuki was. Seiho didn't even know how the old demon breathed in so much metal.

The young lord turned down a hall and towards his chambers silently. His own clothing was wet and muddy from his adventures, and he needed to change. He shut the doors to his chambers, watching silently as Turari and Kazuki sat down at the fire pit waiting for Seiho to change and join them. Once he was dry he walked over and poured cups of fruit wine for them.

Kazuki narrowed his eyes and stared at his young charge suspiciously. "What possessed you to leave the grounds unattended?"

Seiho sighed. "You are seriously asking that?" He paused in handing a cup to Turari as he glanced at his guard. "Did you not feel the storm, or hear the rage from the dragon demon in the mountains?"

Kazuki turned a dangerous gaze at Turari. "Please tell me that you did not go there!"

"Do not be angry at him. I left without even his knowledge." Seiho clenched his teeth.

"Have you lost your mind?" The elder snarled.

"Perhaps." Seiho handed Kazuki a cup. "Stop mothering me, and drink. What do you know about Ryukotsusei?"

"Not much, besides what your father told me." The guard took a long drink from his wine to release some of the tension he felt.

"Were you aware that he had a mate?"

"I was informed he was the last of his kind. Or that was what your father had told me. There was no mention of a mate." Kazuki sucked back the rest of his cup, holding it out for more. Anything to keep his hands and mind busy from wanting to tear the flesh from his stupid charge.

Turari took a drink himself, stifling a chuckle at the murderous look on the guards face. "From what we discovered, Ryukotsusei killed his mate, for killing their whelps. We also found a human spear in his nest."

"And pray tell where was the dragon?"

"Flew off." Turari shrugged. His eyes trailed to the fire and he watched silently as the flames licked at the wood. "The idiot there wanted to go question the humans." Turari muttered darkly.

Kazuki choked on his wine and then turned deathly eyes on the youthful demon who was sitting there without a care in the world, sipping at his own drink. "You what?"

"Then you go." Seiho mumbled.

"Not in this lifetime." Kazuki growled.

"Why all this hate towards humans?" Seiho grumbled, turning his eyes to the only two people in his house he trusted.

"You will find out when you go question them." His guard sniffed and slammed his cup onto the small wooden table. He stood up and made his way to the sliding doors. "If you insist on going to the humans, first talk to your teacher."

Seiho nodded and turned his gaze back to the fire once his guard positioned himself outside somewhere in the halls. "How long until my coming of age day?"

"Seriously?" Turari blinked.

"Yes, Turari, seriously."

"Three moons if I am not mistaken. I would say half a year before you have acquired any power to be useful, and maybe half a year more before you start learning of your own abilities and developing any aura."

"Then what was that on the mountain?" Seiho asked curiously.

"What was what?" He really hoped that the youth was asking about something else.

"I felt something stir within me when Ryukotsusei threw his power at us. I felt my blood heat up, my senses increased immensely. I had never felt anything like it before."

Turari nodded. "I know the feeling. It is too early for your inner self to be waking. It can be catastrophic if it does. No more adventures outside the houses confines. At least until you have reached your thirteenth year. Three moons, Seiho. Wait until then." Turari stood up and placed his cup down. "Get some rest, bathe, eat, sleep, learn, before you know it, your age day and name day will be upon you, and you will gain your father's power." He headed towards the door. "Sleep well, my friend."

Seiho nodded and continued to stare at the fire silently, his mind recalling all the events that took place. The one thing he did not, and would not mention were the visions. He knew his father had them, and now he wondered if that same ailment was going to be his own downfall. Would madness claim him as it did his own father? He took a deep breath, and stood up. Curiosity took hold of him again, and he decided to make his way to that one room his mother used to take him to. If his father was not able to destroy all the scrolls perhaps there he would find some answers to this curse that seemed to befall his father. Was it a curse, or had his father been truly insane? Somewhere there had to be answers. All he needed to do was find them. It was nearing nightfall, perhaps he could find some peace away from all those prying eyes, and expectant glances of all who remained at the house. There were not as many as before, perhaps three dozen since his father's reign, and any of those who remained still were wary of the young lord taking over his father's place as leader.