Koiji

by CSHayden

Sometimes love's pathway is not always a smooth journey. The followup story to Tengu and Ronin.

1. Chapter 1

Koiji

(Love's Pathway)

A TGS-based story

By C.S. Hayden © 2006

Disclaimer: Gargoyles is the property of Disney and Buena Vista Television. Characters from the fanfics of Kimberly T. appear by permission. Roslin is the property of Kiwifluff, Mozu's #1 fan. All original characters and plot are the creative property of Christi Smith Hayden.

Gargoyle children rushed past Kai like multi-colored koi in a stream as he waited patiently by the classroom door. Several of them called out greetings to him but the majority of them were only concerned with filling their empty stomachs as they headed directly to the small dining hall across the courtyard. Sakaki, the clan's rookery keeper, was the last one out. His butter yellow mate graced him with a serene smile as she took his arm.

"This is unexpected," she said pleasantly. "I thought I wouldn't see you until later."

"I wanted to be the first to tell you," Kai said, grinning boyishly. "Kirin came home!"

Sakaki's eyes widened as she stopped in her tracks. "What – he's here?" She began to smile breathlessly. "Is he well? How does he look? Where is he?" Swatting her mate on the arm, she demanded, "Why didn't you bring him with you?"

Kai chuckled. "Kirin seems well enough, koishii, and as to how he looks, I will let you judge for yourself. He arrived with his three students and it would seem that one of them is interested in Ariana."

"Really?"

"I just came from having tea with Sata and Brooklyn. Kirin wanted to meet with them so he could ask their permission to begin the courtship. The Tengu are very old-fashioned about such things."

"How romantic!" Sakaki let him escort her out of the rookery area. "That is so like Kirin – where is he now?"

"He wanted to have a private word with Ariana after the tea ceremony," Kai replied. "His excuse was she left some things behind that he needs to return but I suspect he wants to arrange a meeting between her and his student."

"Who's the lucky young warrior?"

"Now that you mention it," Kai frowned, "I don't recall if Kirin mentioned any names. He was being terribly formal."

"Most people generally are when they first meet Lady Sata," Sakaki observed. "He was probably just nervous."

"Perhaps." Kai nodded at a visitor passing by. "He did seem pre-occupied during the tea ceremony. I can't imagine what it must be like for him to return here after all this time, especially after all that happened." He sighed bitterly.

Squeezing his arm, Sakaki leaned in towards him. "It was not your fault!" she said in a low, urgent voice. "You did a leader's duty to the clan, nothing more, nothing less. Kirin never held that against you and neither did I." When he turned towards her, she gave him a reassuring smile. "We should make this a happy reunion for all of us. I say that we get everyone together that Kirin knew and we have a party of our own. Why should the young ones have all the fun?"

"That's very good idea," Kai agreed. They passed the pavilion where the evening festivities for the Grand Miai were in full swing. "Speaking of young ones, Happa asked my advice about how to go about courting a female."

"Oh?" Sakaki couldn't hide her interest. Although all hatchlings in Ishimura were raised communally, she and Kai had always known which children were theirs, even though as clan leader and rookery keeper, they couldn't openly acknowledge it. Happa was the exception – after he hit puberty, his lineage had become obvious to even the most weak-sighted of the clan. He had Kai's height and wingspan but his brow ridges and horns were smooth and polished instead of sharp and angular. "And what advice did you give to Happa?"

"I told him the best way to a female's heart was to respect her in all things, to treat her interests as his own, and when all else failed, to beg shamelessly." He nuzzled Sakaki's smooth brow. "It certainly worked for me."

"Indeed it did."

Beneath the shadows of the plum tree, Kirin pulled the polished wooden pins from Ariana's dark hair. It flowed down her back like water. Her fingers traced his brow ridges and down the curve of his jaw. Each touch began to take away the dull ache of missing her and began to replace it with a growing sense of joy. A purring sigh escaped as he nuzzled her brow.

"You missed me," Ariana said coyly as she twirled a lock his red-gold curls around her finger. Since accepting his offer to court her, she had adapted quickly to their new relationship and had assumed a proprietary manner to which Kirin did not object.

"How could I not?" he teased back. "You were an impossible itch that I could not scratch." He tucked her hair pins into the knot of her obi.

"Mmm…" She wrapped both her arms and her wings around him.

Ariana was so warm in his arms – he shivered as her fingers drifted along the sides of his neck and down the neckline of his grey inner tunic. She slid her hands down his chest and stretched her arms around him. Encumbered as she was by her elegant kimono, she could just barely reach where his wings met his body. The delicate whisper of her fingernails against his wing spars made him long to feel her hands all over his body and that was the problem.

"Ariana," he said with a faint shudder in his voice, "Please stop."

"Don't be silly," she said breathlessly. "I remember much you liked this at the hot springs." She snuggled in under his chin. "Let's pick up where we left off, hmm?"

As tempting as it might be to indulge her impulsive nature, Kirin knew if he did not control the situation, they would both regret it. Gently, he pushed away but caught Ariana's hands before she could escape. Pouting, she tried to pull herself free.

"Ari-chan, the time is not right," he began carefully. "I want to court you, not mate you."

"But I thought you wanted me, I mean --"

"Not like that, not yet," he said, privately enjoying her consternation before continuing. "First we need to get to know each other better – much better." He reached out and stroked her brow ridges. "I want – I need to do this properly. That's something that will take some time."

"I'm not sure I want to wait," Ariana said in a small, petulant voice. "I've never been very patient."

"Do you remember when I told you of why my mate left me?" Ariana nodded and Kirin smiled sadly at the memory. "Your reaction was not what I expected. You didn't pity me or treat me like I was some kind of eunuch." He pulled her back into his arms and rested his chin on the top of her head. "You have no idea how much that meant to me. I never thought there would be anyone who could accept me just as I am."

She relaxed against him and sighed deeply, not speaking.

"You knew me for less than a week when you were among the Tengu, bishoujo," he continued. "Before we become lovers, do you think perhaps it might be wise to get to know each other better first?"

"Well…," she lifted her head up and back so she was looking him in the eye, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to date a bit."

"Yes," he said softly, "I would like that. Among the Tengu, there were never any preliminaries and I missed that. I want to go places and do things with you, bishoujo. I want—" his voice dropped, "I want to be seen with you."

Ariana smiled. "That's a funny thing to say."

"I've been alone a long time." He wanted to say more – how he wanted everyone to see that he wasn't the same broken-hearted fool that had left Ishimura years before and how he wanted to prove that he was worthy of being loved – but admitting that to her now would be saying too much, too soon.

"So what you're saying is that you want to be an 'us.'"

"Yes," he laughed, "exactly."

"And after that?" There was a hopeful lilt in her voice.

"I promise that I will make it worth the wait."

"Okay." She let him hold her a few minutes longer and then pushed away. "If you don't mind, I've got to get out of this kimono. It's really hot."

Kirin smiled at her with half-lidded eyes. "A pity, but I am glad to have seen you in it. I only wish I could do the same – I have to play visiting dignitary a bit longer."

Mozu was standing in the entryway of the pavilion with a young female who had feathered wings, deep auburn curls and goat-like hooves. Wearing a peasant outfit with a tight bodice, puffed sleeves, and layers of ruffled skirts, she was chattering away at him with a dimpled smile. They made an attractive couple, the light tan female glowing softly against Mozu's dark brown feathers. The crest on Mozu's head flared as he glanced back and saw them.

"Sensei!" he called. "Sensei, can you help me? I don't know what she's saying!" Mozu looked back at his unexpected admirer in wide-eyed desperation. "And she won't stop talking!"

Ariana giggled and said, "Roslin! Je vois tu as rencontré Mozu. N'est-il pas à croquer?"

The newcomer's eyes lit up. "Mozu? C'est comme ça qu'il s'appelle? Je mourrais d'envie de connaître son nom."

"Mozu, this is Roslin. She came in with the Londoners – they re-established a clan in Paris and isolated groups of European gargoyles have been coming out of hiding ever since. Her group had been living in Belgium, up in a particularly rugged area of the Alps."

"You speak French?" Kirin was impressed.

"Blame the Phoenix Gate," Ariana said with a shrug. "One of its perks was magical translation. Since Graeme and I grew up under its influence, we pick up languages fairly easily." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "It's a pity you guys don't speak English – most of us do."

"I speak a leetle Engleesh," Roslin said suddenly. She smiled expectantly at Mozu.

Glancing at Kirin, Mozu said uncomfortably, "I also know English. I do not speak it very well." His words were clipped and ran together in a rapid Japanese cadence.

"Oh, yes," Kirin said with a slower, faintly British accent. "I made sure that the Three knew more than just Japanese. Living near major ports like Osaka and Kobe, one hears many foreign tongues." He bowed to Roslin. "Mozu is training to be a healer so his studies have been more towards math and sciences rather than languages."

"Ah!" Roslin smiled even wider, wrinkling her snub nose fetchingly. "I grow 'erbs for our healer! Zee very best 'erbs!"

"Really?" Mozu smiled back shyly. "What kinds?"

"I think they can handle it from here," Ariana murmured. She smirked up at Kirin. "Nice accent, by the way."

Kirin shrugged. "When I was living in Tokyo, I used to roost near a university. Their English club used to watch BBC on satellite. I'd sneak in after hours and watch it to improve my own English. I can't seem to get rid of it."

"I wouldn't – it's kind of cute." She giggled at the exasperated look he shot her. "You sound like Graham Chapman, you know, from Monty Python."

"Hmmph."

"I could find a couple of coconut shells." Grinning impishly, Ariana cupped her hands and began to clap them together. "Clip-clop, clip-clop?"

Kirin crossed his arms over his chest. "What? Am I leaving on a quest for the Holy Grail?" He endured her giggles for a few minutes longer, "Go change your clothes, silly wench, and I'll wait for you."

Midori grabbed Ariana the minute she stepped into the females changing room. "Ari-chan! I saw it all!" She hugged Ariana tightly. "A thousand pardons but I just couldn't help it! That was so romantic – he came all the way from Osaka just for you, didn't he?"

"Yeah," Ariana admitted as she grinned back at her friend. "Kirin wants to court me."

"Oh, Ari-chan, I'm so happy for you!" Midori nearly strangled Ariana in her excitement. "What did your parents say? Your mother seemed so pleased when she and Brooklyn left the tea house."

"Well, Kirin did tell them that someone was interested in me but Mother thinks it's one of his students." Ariana giggled. "He wanted a chance to talk to me first. I think he was afraid I might cause a scene right there in the middle of the tea ceremony."

"Knowing you, that's always a possibility," Midori agreed. They reached the kimono press and she opened the doors. "Here, I'll help you out of yours if you'll help me. Toshi has been hosting the welcoming party but if I don't get in there soon, he'll have all the guys watching tonight's baseball game while all the girls stew across the room."

Ariana and Midori began the complicated business of unwinding their obis and carefully removing layers of kimono. Other females began to trickle in; most of the Ishimurans were taking turns in entertaining their many guests. Many of Midori's rookery sisters were decked out in similar furisode-style kimonos and were shedding them in favor of more modern fashions. The sound level in the room went up as the young females began to chatter avidly about the newcomers and to speculate on the possibilities.

"Did you see the new guys that arrived tonight?"

"The one with the big nose?" The speaker giggled naughtily. "Do you think the rest of him is --?" She made a few speculative hand gestures.

"And did you see the big blond guy that came with them? He's like a dragon or something!"

"His name is Kirin," Midori called, "and he's originally from Ishimura. He's been living with the Tengu."

"The Tengu?"

Suddenly, Ariana and Midori were surrounded by curious female gargoyles. "The same Tengu that Ari-chan visited? You know them?"

"Yes, of course she knows them," Midori said. "She's the reason that they came." She elbowed Ariana. "Tell them."

"True, I invited them," Ariana said, "and get this – I was the first girl their own age that any of them had ever seen."

"Get out of here!"

"Their rookery had nothing but males. No females!" Ariana laughed. "The Three were so curious about me, the leader's mate made Kirin chaperone me around. In fact," she pursed her lips thoughtfully, "Tak was really obnoxious. He was always undressing me with his eyes."

"Tak?" Midori asked. "Which one is he?"

"It's short for Takakura. He's the one with the really long nose."

"Mr. Phallic Face?" one of Midori's rookery sisters piped up. She was wearing a low cut leather dress and had dyed the edges of her razor cut hair bright red. "Say, if they haven't had any girls around, do you suppose he's a virgin?"

Midori grinned. "There's one way to find out." She looked Ariana over critically. "What are you planning to wear?"

"This?" Ariana held out the turquoise dress that she'd originally arrived in Ishimura in. "Kirin said he's got more formal things to do so I don't want to go too casual."

"I've got a better idea." Dimples danced in Midori's cheeks. "I've got just the thing."

"What did you say this stuff was?" Mozu asked, sniffing suspiciously at the bubbling, fizzing liquid that Roslin had brought him. The Belgian gargoyle had been hovering at his side but she was now down the bar giggling with some of the Londoners; their clan looked like various heraldic animals from a noble stag to a scruffy terrier dog.

"Coca Cola," Kirin answered as he sipped his beverage and scanned the crowd for Ariana. "It's a caffeinated soft drink. You'll like it."

Mozu tasted it and made a face. "It's awfully sweet. I'd prefer sake to this."

Kirin shrugged. "So would I but the elders don't allow alcohol to be served at these parties."

"Who cares?" Takakura commented. "Let's just enjoy the scenery. I'm in heaven – who knew there were so many females in the world?" He was lounging like a lazy panther along the high rail of the bar as he boldly looked over the crowd.

"Did you find Ari-chan, sensei?" Tancho asked. "We thought we saw her earlier but it turned out to be her brother, Graeme. He visited with us for a while until his girlfriend showed up." He nodded to the group of Londoners. "She was with that bunch down there – she looks like a white lion."

Takakura whistled. "Heads up," he said, grinning roguishly. "Here comes Ari-chan and she brought friends."

Kirin and the others looked up to see Ariana coming towards them with a crowd of girls behind her. She was wearing a black embroidered dress with thigh slits and her hair was long and flowing. Besides her was the pale green girl that had been serving with her at the tea house. She was wearing a Chinese-style coral dress and had her hair up in cute odango buns. Kirin felt oddly nervous as they approached and forced himself to smile.

"Hi, guys," Ariana called out cheerfully. "This is my friend Midori."

Midori smiled shyly and artfully tucked a wayward strand of hair behind a delicately curved ear. "Konbanwa, honorable guests," she said, ducking her head as she bowed and looking through her lashes at them. "Ari-chan has told me so much about you."

"All good, I hope," Tancho said good-naturedly, clearly charmed by her guilelessness.

"Oh!" Midori reached out and touched a strand of prayer beads on his chest. "You have some too! Aren't they just beautiful?" She extended her right arm to show a strand of similar beads looped around her wrist. "I just love the ones that Ari-chan brought back. The green in the glaze matches my skin so well, don't you think?"

Tancho grinned sheepishly. "Thanks – I'm glad you like them."

"Mi-chan," Ariana said, coming to her friend's rescue, "this is Tancho. He's the guy that made them." She winked at him. "Midori and I are always borrowing each other's things. She really likes your beads."

"Then perhaps she should keep them and you should pick yourself another, Ari-chan," Tancho said amiably. "I don't have them on me but I brought plenty of prayer beads to trade."

"You made them?" Midori's eyes grew as round as rice cakes. "You really made them?" When he nodded, she blushed and twisted her fingers together. "Oh, my… you must think I'm some sort of brainless fangirl going on like this, but I really, really love them. They're so much nicer than the old ugly ones I have to wear in the temple and –" She realized she was babbling and bit her lip like a shy schoolgirl.

"No, it's all right," Tancho said hastily, blushing a little himself. "Jewelry is just something I do on the side. I mostly make practical things – bowls, tea sets, and the like. I'm just a potter."

"But you're so much more!" Midori exclaimed. "You're a real artist!"

"A-hem!" They looked back at a grey-skinned female in a long red cheongsam. "Before you start babbling again, Midori, could you at least make the introductions?"

"Oh! Of course, Hana -- how rude of me." Midori gestured at the other girls. "These are my rookery sisters." She tilted her head to one side coquettishly. "After all the nice things Ari-chan has said about you, we all wanted to meet you."

"Ladies," Kirin said, bowing slightly. "We are honored."

A leather-clad gargoyle girl with red-tipped hair was circling them like a predator. "You must introduce us, Ari-chan." She pointed at Tak. "Start with him."

"That's Takakura, and you're welcome to him, Taeko." Ariana smirked. "The cute short one is Mozu—" As soon as she mentioned his name, Roslin suddenly reappeared and took Mozu's arm possessively, narrowing her eyes and staking her claim without saying a word. "—who seems to be taken and you have all met Tancho."

Taeko smiled as she examined Takakura closely with the air of a collector. Her teeth were pearly white and very sharp. "So," she purred as she ran a lacquered fingernail along his nose, "is this part of a matched set?"

Takakura raised a brow ridge in cool indifference. "Would you like to find out?"

She cupped his chin. "Can I bring my friends?" A pair of likewise predatory females took up their place to either side. "We do everything together."

"Oh, really?" Takajura glanced over them coolly. "I believe I could accommodate you on that."

Kirin shook his head. "I should have seen this coming when we lost him in the Ginza."

Ariana smirked. "You're kidding?"

"No," Tancho answered as he stood still so Midori could examine the rest of the prayer beads around his neck. A few other girls were looking on and chattering excitedly among themselves as Midori held out each new piece. "Finding Tak was an eye-opening experience."

"We lost the better part of a night in Tokyo looking for him," Kirin said as he set down his drink and offered his hand to Ariana. "You look lovely, Ari-chan. I have to meet with Kai later but for now, I am all yours."

Glancing over her shoulder at the other party goers, Ariana asked, "They're starting a dance mix. Would you--?"

"—care to dance?" Kirin blew out his whiskers noisily. "No, I believe I will spare you the embarrassment."

"Aw, c'mon… how bad could it be?"

"I haven't danced in public," he said in a low voice, "since nineteen eighty-two." He arched his eyebrows warningly.

Ariana stared at him for a few moments with the corners of her mouth twitching before she spoke. "Oh-kay…, so you don't dance." She laughed nervously. "What else shall we do?"

Kirin reached out and caressed her brow ridges affectionately. "It does not matter, bishoujo. I am just happy to be with you."

"Bishoujo? Ha!" said Hana who was vying for Tak's attention in spite of the fact that he and Taeko were engaged in verbal foreplay. "Busu is more like it!"

Ariana froze, drawing back her hand from his. Kirin couldn't help noticing that she curled it into a fist. As long as the rude girl didn't call her by name, Ariana couldn't retaliate but that didn't stop her words from being any less an insult.

"Are you all right?" Kirin asked her quietly.

"It's nothing," Ariana ground out between clenched teeth. "She knows that I promised Sata that I wouldn't fight outside the dojo." She glanced up and he could see the conflicting emotions inside of her. Her brow was furrowed with embarrassment but her eyes were flickering with suppressed anger.

Takakura narrowed his eyes and stared balefully down the length of his nose at her. "I beg your pardon?" he said coldly. "I'm quite sure you don't mean the Lady Ariana."

Tossing her head so that the ornaments in her hair could shimmer in the light, Hana seemed pleased to have attracted his attention. "Oh, you don't have to settle for second-best, now that you're here in Ishimura." She began to laugh only to find herself shoved against the wall with a very close-up view of three decidedly unamused Tengu faces.

"Gentlemen," Kirin said with deceptive calmness. He was also offended by Hana's rudeness but what was acceptable discipline for bad manners in the Tengu village was more direct than what was typically allowed in Ishimura.

"She has insulted the Lady Ariana, sensei!" Mozu bristled, his anger transforming him from a shy little bird to a ferocious raptor. Mouth agape, Roslin was staring at him with newfound admiration.

"You will have to forgive my students," Kirin said smoothly. "You see, when Ariana defended the Tengu village, she became Tengu."

"An insult to one of us--," Tancho said grimly.

"—is an insult to all of us," Takakura finished. He had the rude girl by the nape of her neck. "What would you have us do with her, sensei?"

Kirin kissed Ariana's hand and said calmly, "I will just be a moment." He approached the girl still pinned to the wall and carefully put his hands behind him, leaning forward so he loomed over her. "Ariana has a beautiful spirit to match her beautiful face, something that you will never have, because your spirit is a feeble, twisted, ugly thing."

"We Tengu take insults very seriously and we are the hidden – we are everywhere," Takakura continued in the same deliberate tones. "If another cruel word crosses your lips or disrespectful act is performed by your hands, we will know of it. You will not like the consequences."

Kirin straightened up and glanced at Takakura. "Whatever you do, make it memorable."

The long-nosed Tengu grinned rapaciously and snapped out a command in a drawling Osaka dialect. He and his rookery brothers seized the trouble-making girl and carried her out of the pavilion.

Putting her hands on her hips, Ariana demanded, "WHAT did you just do?"

"What you wanted to do," Kirin said mildly, "but since the Three are newly arrived country bumpkins, they're more likely to get away with it."

Ariana stared at him for a few seconds and then shut her beak with an audible snap. She hid her reaction well but her curling tail gave away her pleasure at Hana's misfortune.

"Where are they going with Hana?" Midori's eyes were wide and she clasped a hand over her mouth. "They're not going to hurt her, are they?"

"Do not worry," Kirin said, looking out the door with his barbels drawn back in a smirk. "Tak said he was going to throw her in the fish pond, that's all." There was a distant splash and an indignant screech. "It's slimy enough to teach her a lesson in humility." He smiled back at Ariana and Midori. "The Tengu have too few females to ever lay hands on them in an improper fashion. Her virtue, questionable as it may be, is safe enough with the Three."

Toshi walked in, looking behind him. "What did Hana do now?" The teal gargoyle with the three-pointed crest grinned gleefully and continued, not waiting for an answer. "Do you know how often I've wanted to rub her face in the mud?"

"Toshi!" Midori snapped. "That's not nice!"

"Neither is she! You are too kind-hearted and forgiving, Mi-chan, but there's not a one of us that haven't tasted the sharp side of Hana's tongue. She's been asking for this for a long time!" There was another splash, this one accompanied by enthusiastic swearing.

Midori hid her face. "What happened?"

"She seems to have tripped over something and fell back in."

"That," Takakura said as he entered, "would be Tancho and his enormous feet." He straightened his jacket and smiled smugly. "That was an amusing diversion. What else is there entertain us?"

Roslin grabbed Mozu as soon as he came back. "Oh! You were so forceful with zat 'orrible girl! Tres bien!" She hugged his right arm and snuggled up to him, much to his embarrassment. The nose pad just above his beak turned a flaming pink.

Tancho paused on the steps to wipe his feet and grinned at his rookery brother's predicament. There was a livid screech from the garden followed by more squelchy sounds. "She stepped on her skirt," the grey Tengu reported. "She should watch where she's going."

"Speaking from experience," Toshi said thoughtfully, "I would suggest that the lot of us disappear for a while. Hana's going to be furious but she gets distracted easily." He snapped his fingers and pointed towards the main buildings. "How about the video room? They're playing a movie in there."

"But it's already started!" Midori pointed out. "We've already missed most of it!"

"That's okay," Ariana said as she took Kirin's arm. "I don't mind, do you?"

The smile in her eyes made it difficult for Kirin to say no.

"—I'm telling you, Sata, there's something going on here!"

Sata turned her head so Brooklyn couldn't see the bemused smile on her jade face. "Be careful with my obi," she said simply. "The fabric is very delicate."

"Yeah, yeah." He continued to unwind the complicated knot, all the while grumbling under his breath. He had been in an increasingly foul mood since they'd left the tea house but Sata knew from experience that if she was patient, her mate would let her know what was troubling him once they were alone. Brooklyn rarely discussed personal matters in public.

"I think it's wonderful," Sata continued as the fabric loosened around her waist. "Ariana has waited a long time for a suitor. Graeme was lucky in finding his mate-to-be so early. It's been difficult for her to watch him and Lucy together."

"Something just doesn't smell right." Brooklyn draped the obi over the back of a chair and began untie the sash on his own plain yukata. "Oh, sure… matchmaking sounds all nice and proper but I don't know. This Kirin guy couldn't take his eyes off Ari."

"The hostess is the focal point of the tea ceremony," Sata said as she placed her robes carefully on a wooden rack and smoothed out the material. "He could hardly avoid looking at her, beloved." She took her customary crimson tunic and ivory undertunic from the closet. "Besides, she's become quite skilled at it. I've had several compliments from the Ishimura tea masters, both clan and human."

Brooklyn took off his kimono and tossed it aside. He was wearing his usual loincloth underneath. "I know that," he said sarcastically as he flopped down on the couch, "she's my daughter too, you know."

"And that's the problem, isn't it?"

"What?"

Sata tied off the sash on her undertunic and tucked in the ends before coming over and sitting besides her ruddy mate. "Brooklyn-san," she said gently, "you and Ariana have always been close. You are two of a kind – wild, reckless creatures." She reached over and stroked the underside curve of his beak, turning his head towards her. "She is your daughter and you do not wish to lose her to another male."

Brooklyn gave her a hard stare for nearly a full minute before letting out his breath in a noisy splutter. "I don't know, maybe." He sighed. "I've been avoiding thinking about it."

"I know." She put her head on his shoulder and let him wrap his arms around her. "Ever since the youth summit when you saw all those young males flirting with her, you've been irritable whenever the subject's come up."

The room grew silent as they continued to hold each other. "Only yesterday Ariana was just a tomboy obsessed with Sailor Moon," he said finally. "Why'd she have to grow up so soon?"

Sata chuckled softly. "We cannot force our hatchlings back into their eggs, beloved."

"We could try."

"I believe that would be an ugly fight."

"Yeah."

"If it will put your mind at ease," Sata said as she pushed herself up out of his arms, "I have given Graeme the task of finding out about this Tengu suitor."

"Really? When did you do this?"

"On the way here – remember when we came across Graeme and Lucy coming out of the pavilion? I had a quiet word in his ear while you were asking Lucy for news of the London clan. Since the young ones are mingling tonight, I thought what better spy could we have on Ariana but her own brother?" She stood up and went over to take her crimson tunic off its hanger. "If it helps, he seemed just as disturbed as you were at the news."

Brooklyn grinned. "That's my boy."

"It's early yet to be worrying about anyone courting Ariana," Sata said as she deftly tied her everyday obi in place. "Kirin merely gave us the courtesy of allowing us to know someone is interested her. Now that we are aware of it, you and I can guide Ariana to make the proper choice. I will have a long talk with her later, mother to daughter, and hopefully she will take my advice to heart."

"Gods, I hope so." Brooklyn watched his mate primp in a mirror. "So what are you and Red Wind up to?" He curled his lip as he said the name of Lexington's ex-mate from China. She had dissolved their council-appointed union five years before and returned to her home clan of Xanadu.

"Don't make that face, beloved. I know you dislike her for hurting your rookery brother but it was for the best. Red Wind and Lexington never really bonded."

"Yeah, I know but that doesn't mean I have to like her. She said a lot of nasty things about Lex once she got home."

"So did Lex, as I recall."

"At least he said them to her face!" Brooklyn smirked as he said this; Lexington so seldom lost his temper that it had been a memorable occasion.

"True," Sata admitted as she straightened her bangs and adjusted her chrysanthemum hairclip one last time. "For my part, I have missed Red Wind. She might have seemed cold to you but I enjoyed her company. I was pleased when she asked me to visit with her and her clan sisters."

"You're going to drown in tea tonight."

"Such is the price I pay for my social obligations," Sata said as she leaned over and kissed the top of your beak. "I know very well that you'll sulk around here for while and then go out to drink with Kai."

"I do NOT sulk!"

"So you say, Brooklyn-san." The tiny smirk at the corners of Sata's mouth said otherwise.

The video room, as Toshi called it, was more like a small theater with a wall-sized screen and tiered seats wide enough to accommodate gargoyle bodies. Kirin had to wonder where the clan had found the money to put it in – it would seem that Ishimura had prospered in his absence. He and Ariana took a pair of seats in the back row where his antlered horns would not obstruct anyone's view but it also provided an excellent vantage to keep an eye on the Three. Roslin had quickly snared seats for her and Mozu away from the others. Takakura was sitting with a covey of young females like a rooster in a henhouse. Tancho was sitting in one of the upper tiers with Midori and Toshi, listening intently while they explained the story to him.

As the movie progressed and the others around them became more engrossed in it, Kirin felt Ariana gently push him away from her. Alarmed, he started to speak but then he realized that she was merely removing the armrest from between the two seats so they could sit closer together. She smiled self-consciously and he nodded his approval. A loud fanfare from the screen drew his attention so it was a few moments before he realized that her arms were wrapping around his like a pair of supple vines. Kirin froze, hardly daring to breathe.

"What's wrong?" Ariana whispered.

"You startled me," he said and nuzzled her brow. "Wench."

She giggled and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.

Looking around covertly, Kirin waited to see if anyone had noticed. Everyone else in the small theater was looking at the screen and he began to breathe easier. On their way to the movies, he'd caught several gargoyles scowling at the way that Ariana had been hanging on his arm. It had taken some of the pleasure out it for him. He checked one more time, turned his left hand palm up and waited.

Ariana didn't disappoint him. Her fingers slipped between his as she took his hand. Smiling, he placed his other one over the hand she had on his biceps and squeezed gently, unconsciously sighing.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said and smiled back at her. The rest of the movie passed in a blur. All he was aware of was Ariana nestled next to him. She seemed to feel as needy for his presence as he did for hers. It might pale after a while but her possessiveness was exactly the reassurance that he needed. No matter what anyone else thought, Ariana was not ashamed to be seen with him. That knowledge alone made him happy.

Kai was waiting outside the video room when they emerged. "Kirin-san! There you are!" the tall Ishimura leader called. "I've been looking for you everywhere but no one had seen you since the tea ceremony."

"Iyiiiie!" Kirin smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand. "I completely forgot! A thousand pardons, Kai-sama!" He glanced apologetically at Ariana and explained, "I was supposed to go drinking with him after I spoke to you."

"You can blame me, Kai-sama," Ariana said brightly. "When I was visiting the Tengu, Kirin and the guys took me to a Blue Waves game, so I decided to treat them to the movies in return."

"Baseball?" Toshi reached around Midori and touched Tancho's arm. "Who was playing the Blue Waves? The Buffalos or the Tigers?"

Tancho grinned back. "The Tigers -- we got to see Hirata's grandslam to win the game."

"Lucky devils! I would have killed to see that!"

"It was most excellent," Takakura said with his arm around another one of the Ishimura girls. "We thought there was no chance for the Blue Waves to catch up but then Hirata strode to the plate…"

Midori rolled her eyes as more males joined the baseball conversation and stepped out from between Tancho and Toshi, without either of them noticing. "So, Kirin-san," she asked, "how did you like the movie?"

"I've only read a few of the books, so this was very interesting." Kirin frowned. "Except for the spiders." He shuddered. "I could have done without all those spiders chasing the enchanted car."

Kai chuckled. "Why, brother!" he said with a sly grin on his face. "I would have thought living in the woods would have cured your fear of spiders!"

"I am NOT afraid of them!" Kirin scowled back. "I merely dislike them intensely."

"You're kidding, right?" Ariana peered up into his face gleefully. "So that's why you froze up! I thought you'd turned to stone or something!" She laughed. "He had a death grip on the armrest!"

"Oh, sensei has never liked spiders, Ari-chan," Tancho said, looking over Midori's head. "One of our first duties when we began our lessons was to go through the schoolroom and clear away all the cobwebs."

Takakura snickered. "Once a spider dropped down the back of his tunic – Master Kirin was going in six different directions at once trying to get it out." Kai began laughing and the others joined in.

Huffing, Kirin drew himself up indignantly and made a heroic effort to ignore them. Ariana curled her arm around his. "Poor Kirin-san," she teased. "I suppose this means you won't want to watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy with me now?"

He looked down his ridged nose at her with a pained expression. "They found a way to put in Shelob, didn't they?"

"Uh-huh."

"How realistic is it? It's another computer-generated image, neh?"

"Let's just say that when the third movie came out, people were saying that Peter Jackson had actually caught a giant spider in the jungles of New Zealand and trained it especially for the film." Ariana patted his arm. "Don't worry, I'll hold your hand, you big baby."

"Hmmph." Behind his affronted glower, Kirin was smiling. He leaned in, his lips barely brushing her ear. "I should like that very much, bishoujo."

"Then it's a date," she murmured back. The look in her eyes effectively blinded him to the others around them and he had a sudden urge to kiss her. She seemed to have the same idea because she tilted her head invitingly.

"Ari-chan! There you are!"

Kirin and Ariana broke apart with a start. A grinning yellow-green male came trotting up with a bag of baseball equipment under his arm. As he came closer, Kirin couldn't help noticing the physical similarity between him and Kai – they had the same height, built and wingspan as well as similar horns and facial features, although the younger male lacked Kai's jaw fins. He wondered if this was same hatchling that had been Sakaki's favorite years ago when he had teaching in Ishimura. She hadn't been obvious about it but Kirin remembered a yellow-green butterball that would get an extra cuddle while the rest of the rookery was napping. He'd envied her that and as such, kept her secret.

Catching Kai's eye, Kirin raised a questioning eyebrow. Kai shrugged and returned the brow lift with a smug smile; it was as close to acknowledging his offspring that Kai could come to in public and they both knew it.

"Ah, Happa!" Kai called out. "Come meet my brother the wanderer! Ariana was just entertaining Kirin and our Tengu cousins."

"Welcome to Ishimura, Kirin-san. We've heard a lot about the Tengu since Ariana returned." Happa bowed politely before turning back to Ariana. "We were rounding up our team to practice for tomorrow's game. We've got enough for an east versus west game. You are still playing, Ari-chan? Graeme's decided to play for the other side," He scowled at the green beaked male coming up besides him, "so we've got an enormous hole at shortstop."

Even if Happa hadn't called him by name, Kirin would have known Graeme on sight. Ariana's brother had yet to reach his full adult height but he was a dark-haired version of Brooklyn.

Graeme merely shrugged. "Hey, you honestly didn't think I was going to play against Lucy, did you?"

"But it's okay to play against me?" Ariana demanded with her hands on her hips.

"Eh, you're just my sister." He smirked. "Lucy's got better perks."

Toshi came up to stand besides Midori. "Graeme-san, you're playing against us? Who's on your team?"

"You guys are in for it – with me at shortstop and the heavy hitters from the Londoners and Mawson's mob, you don't stand a chance."

"Mawson's here?" Ariana's eyes lit up. "Cool -- I haven't seen him in ages! How is he?"

"He's fine, but he lost one of his lower tusks in a fight on the ice." Graeme chuckled. "If he didn't have a crooked smile before, he does now."

"What was he fighting?" Kirin asked politely. He wasn't sure he liked the way Ariana had brightened at the mention of this newcomer.

"He didn't say," Happa said, "but knowing Mawson, it was probably another leopard seal or one of the other big predators."

"Mawson is from the Antarctic," Ariana explained. "We met a few years ago." She laughed. "You'd like him – he's from another self-reliant clan like the Tengu."

"I see."

"Perhaps another time, Ari-chan," Kai said firmly, "Kirin and I are off to catch up on old times." He lowered his voice so only Kirin could hear. "Sakaki knows you're here and if we don't show up soon, our lives aren't worth a bent zeni."

"Ah." It wasn't the way Kirin wanted his evening with Ariana to end but it wouldn't do to offend Kai. He bowed politely to Ariana. "It has been a delightful evening –" he began but she held up her hand.

"—but you have to go play nice with the grownups." Ariana laughed with a girlish toss of her head. "It's okay, I understand. I'll see you later."

"Then you're coming to practice?" Happa asked with a hopeful smile.

"Sure!"

"If you think," Midori said, stepping up and poking Happa in the chest, "Ariana's going to play ball in MY dress, think again!"

"Your dress? But—"

Tancho chuckled and nudged Takakura. "She's like that little banty hen that always pecks your feet at the chicken farm, isn't she?"

"Chicken farm?" asked the female on Takakura's arm.

"Yeah," Tancho answered before his rookery brother had a chance to respond. "Tak has a thing for females with feathers."

"Eeeuw…" She made a face and dropped Takakura's arm.

"Okay," Takakura ground out between clenched teeth as he glared at Tancho. "I really hate you now."

"It's okay, Mi-chan," Ariana said, still laughing. "I'll stop and change out of your dress on the way. Happa, go on to practice and I'll meet you there." She linked her arm through Graeme's. "C'mon, bro… walk with me." She shot one last glance over her shoulder at Kirin and winked. "Bye!"

Kirin bowed slightly in response. He turned to find Kai regarding him curiously. "My apologies," Kirin said simply, "but have you ever tried to say no to her? It's impossible!"

His explanation seemed to put Kai at ease. "Ah, this is very true," Kai agreed, "but then what female isn't?" He clapped Kirin on the shoulder. "Come now – we've kept Sakaki waiting long enough."

"Just a moment." Kirin cupped his hands around his muzzle. "Mozu! I have an errand for you!"

Mozu pried his arm away from Roslin and the goat-headed female pouted prettily at the interruption. "Yes, Master Kirin?"

"Can you fetch the special present from Makino for me and bring it to the main meeting hall?" He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "I thought you could use some breathing room."

"Thank you, sensei!" Mozu whispered back. "She's crazy -- she won't leave me alone!" He vaulted onto a nearby wall and launched into the air.

"Do not worry," Kirin called to Roslin, who was beginning to look distraught. "He is my fastest flier. He'll be back soon." She brightened almost immediately. Kirin nodded to her and then muttered under his breath to Kai, "Poor Mozu… he doesn't know what's happening."

Kai chuckled. "He doesn't have a clue."

"Soon my trio will be down to two." Kirin sighed. "How sad -- I'm quoting Disney and I'm not even drunk."

"We will have to take care of that, won't we?"

"So," Graeme said in what Ariana had come to recognize as his all-knowing big brother voice, "that's the boyfriend?" He raised one brow ridge. "Lucy and I saw you guys go into the movies, you know."

Ariana blushed. "So what do you think?"

"Mom is so way off the mark!" Graeme chuckled. "She asked me to scope out those younger Tengu guys for her." He took her arm as they walked. "He's a lot older than you, oneechan. Are you sure about this?"

"Is anybody sure?" she said with a self-conscious laugh. "I didn't even like Kirin at first but he grew on me. He may seem grumpy but he's really very sweet."

"Does he love you?"

"He must -- just think of it, oniisan – he followed me all the way back here." Her tail curled. "He wants to court me – he even asked the 'rents, in a sneaky, underhanded kind of way. I know what you're thinking," she said quickly before Graeme could interrupt, "but he hadn't had a chance to talk to me yet. He was so afraid that I would reject him."

"Do you love him?"

"I think so," Ariana admitted. "No one has ever made me felt this way. I don't know if we're meant to be but I think it'll be fun finding out."

Graeme stopped and regarded his twin sister soberly. "You know, if he ever hurts you –"

Ariana smirked. "You can have whatever is left over from when I get done with him."

"Poor Kirin," Graeme chuckled, "he has NO idea what he's getting into."

"Kirin-san!" True to his earlier prediction, Sakaki had taken the opportunity to change into a green kimono with a pattern of waving reeds and lotus blossoms around the hem. She had also coiled her long braid into an elegant crown and secured it with two lacquered combs.

"Sakaki!" Kirin winced as he was enveloped in a rib-cracking hug. "Honestly, Kai, I don't know how you've managed to survive her all these years."

The Ishimuran leader laughed indulgently. "Believe me, there are moments when I wonder that myself."

"Oh, hush you!" Sakaki reached up and seized Kirin's face in both hands and turned his head from side to side. "You haven't changed a bit," she said at last. "Except for your hair – it's so long! You haven't cut it once, have you?"

"Not since the day I left." There was an awkward pause as the three of them couldn't bring themselves to look at each other. Cutting off his topknot had been his only open display of emotion when he had left Ishimura. Kirin finally shrugged and said, "It's not like it matters – other people have always been more concerned with my hair than I have."

Sakaki laughed, coquettishly hiding her mouth behind her fingers. "I seem to recall a circle of little girls sitting around you and braiding ribbons into your hair."

"That reminds me," Kirin said as he reached into his obi, "I have something for you." He held out a small palm-sized object wrapped in a brightly-patterned scrap of fabric and tied with a silk ribbon.

Glancing at Kai briefly as she took it, Sakaki's face glowed with girlish enthusiasm as she unwrapped the gift. It was a pair of combs made of a pale golden wood, carved with swirling flowers and rubbed with dark oil to bring out the pattern. "Oh, how beautiful! Thank you so much, Kirin-san! Look, Kai – aren't they lovely?" She held one up against her dark hair to demonstrate.

"An excellent gift!" Kai said with approval, taking one from her and examining it closely. "This is intricate workmanship – did you do this, Kirin-san?"

"Buddha, no! This is the work of one of my students. Tancho is very gifted – he can turn his hand to almost anything."

"That's right," Sakaki said, "you're teaching again! You must tell me about them!"

"I have only the Three," Kirin began, "but when I first started with them, they were as wild as monkeys on moonshine!" He grinned at the memory. "It was difficult but I managed to pound an education into their heads. It was a good thing that Ariana came along when she did – they were beginning to get restless. Until we arrived in Ishimura, they had no idea there were so many females their own age in the world!"

"Ah… I hope they will enjoy their stay here." Sakaki curled her arm around one of Kai's. "Some of our young ones are beginning to pair off but we're encouraging them to look outside our own clan. So many have come from other clans to be here for the Grand Miai – we're hoping for a more successful mating season next time."

Seeing Kirin's puzzled look, Kai explained, "The world council decided to play matchmaker during the last breeding season and paired up unmated adults from different clans. Most of the pairings didn't last past the egg laying."

"This time," Sakaki continued, "the plan is to introduce young adults early so that they can form their own associations. If they mate within their home clan or if they choose someone from another, it will benefit us all in the long run."

Kirin nodded. "Ari-chan said something to that effect when she described the Grand Miai for Takamatsu and the council of elders."

"Kai tells me that one of your students fancies Ariana," Sakaki said coyly. "Were you were off playing matchmaker this evening?"

"Somewhat," Kirin said with a shrug. "I have spoken with Ariana on the matter and she is willing to accept his advances. From this point on, however, I believe that I will let nature take its course."

"A wise choice," an older gargoyle said as he came up to them. "I've always felt the world council has no business playing the mating game." He was a dark blue with receding silver hair tied back in a pony tail. His beige yukata was distinctive not only for the dark grey embroidery on the edges but also for the many pockets on it.

"Master Kado!" Kirin bowed low and held out his hand to clasp wrists with the Ishimuran healer. "I'm so pleased to see you!"

Kado nodded towards Sakaki. "Setsu was wondering if you could give him a hand with Miya. She's fussing with her kimono and Setsu can't seem to tie her obi to suit her."

Sakaki rolled her eyes. "Of course," she answered. "I'll be right back."

Just as she was leaving, Taiju appeared in the doorway and Kai went over to speak to him. Their conversation became more intense and both gargoyles stepped outside for a few moments.

"Are Setsu and Miya all right?" Kirin asked, frowning. He remembered the two elders fondly. After the death of his parents, Setsu and Miya had taken him under their wings and had helped nurture his talents.

"They move a bit slower," Kado commented, "but then who doesn't? Do not worry – your visit will give them a new interest." He patted Kirin on the shoulder. "I understand from Ariana that there are no hatchlings among the Tengu. I take it that the rookery that you called about did not survive?"

"Regretfully so, Master Kado," Kirin said solemnly. "As you predicted, the long-term exposure to heavy metals was too great. All the hatchlings died before their naming night."

"I only wish I could have done more." The Ishimuran healer shook his head. "Still, you had the older hatchlings. I'm sure they managed to fill the void." He looked past Kirin into the courtyard. "Is this one of them now?"

Mozu was standing in the column of light shining from the door with a cloth-wrapped bundle in his arms. "Ah!" Kirin gestured for the young gargoyle to come closer. "Master Kado, may I present O-tama's apprentice? This is Mozu – I sent him back to retrieve a special gift for you."

"Really?" Kado gave Mozu a long speculative look. "You are training to be a healer, are you?"

Mozu bowed and flexed his black-tipped feathered crest nervously. "I am a poor student at best, Master Kado."

"Don't let him fool you," Kirin said indulgently. "O-tama has him well-trained in the preparation and use of her herbal medicines."

"Is that so?" Kado raised his brow ridges. "I have been working with other clan healers to pool our knowledge of gargoyle healing. I would be very interested in hearing what O-tama has taught you."

"I would be honored, master." Mozu bowed again. "Please accept this gift of my clan."

Kado accepted the cloth-wrapped gift gingerly. His eyes became hidden in a mass of happy wrinkles as he uncovered stoneware jugs packed in straw inside a willow basket. "Perfect!"

"O-tama wanted to send you a collection of herbals and tonics," Kirin commented, "but I told her that you'd appreciate Tengu homebrew more."

"An excellent choice!" Kado agreed. "Mozu, would you join us? There are some fresh cups on that table behind you."

"Thank you for the invitation," Mozu began as he fetched the cups, "but I, ah ---" He glanced nervously at the open double doorway. An auburn-haired female with feathered wings was looking anxiously around the edge at them.

Exchanging a knowing glance with Kado, Kirin took the cups from Mozu. "I think perhaps our young healer may have other plans." He winked at the feathered Tengu. "Go on, Mozu – never keep a female waiting. I will pour for Master Kado."

Kado chuckled as they watched Mozu leave the room. The goat-like female seized his arm even before he had stepped down onto the path. "It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?" the old healer observed.

"I don't know whether Mozu's quite aware of it yet but I'm sure Roslin does. She may not speak the same language but that's a female who knows what she wants," Kirin agreed. "Now this," he said as he poured sake into Kado's cup, "is some of Makino's best. I think you'll find that it compares favorably with Nara's premium stock."

"Aaah… delicious!" Kado smacked his lips. "Interesting aftertaste – slightly woodsy flavor."

"He cures them in wooden vats."

Kado took another sip and methodically transferred the wine from cheek to cheek. "Any particular type of wood?"

"You know, I've never asked," Kirin admitted. "Tancho might know -- he's helped Makino in the brewing sheds." He poured himself a cup to fortify himself and asked the question that had been on his mind for over a week. "You mentioned you've been working with other healers – is it true that humans have been doing research on gargoyle biology?"

"Where did you hear that?"

"Ariana told me," Kirin said as casually as he could manage. "I wanted to know what new things had happened since I left Ishimura. She told me that in her home clan of Manhattan, human doctors had made a study of such things."

"Strange conversation to have with a young female, but yes – it is true." Kado studied Kirin over the rim of his cup. "The Manhattan clan allowed scientists to monitor their breeding season. It was very controversial – many clans saw it as sacrilege." He sipped thoughtfully. "Still, it turned out to be good thing. One of their breeding pairs had difficulty conceiving—" his eyes flicked sharply at Kirin to judge his reaction and narrowed when he saw none, "—and it was only through medical intervention that they were able to produce an egg." He held his cup out. "I see she's told you of this."

Kirin poured more sake. "I couldn't help noticing how similar it was to my own circumstances," he said simply. "It occurs to me that perhaps in light of this new information, it might be worth my time to be re-examined."

"It has been nearly thirty years," Kado said quietly. "Why now?"

"I—there is someone that I am courting," Kirin said in a rush. Turning away from Taiju, who was leaving, Kai had spotted the sake jug. "She knows of my ailment and she says it does not matter but I would not have her throw away her chance to –" He stopped and tried again. "If it were possible that I could --"

The words died upon his lips. Until this moment, Kirin had not been able to admit how profoundly his failed breeding season had affected him. It had been agony to stand by and watch others produce their eggs and hatch their young. Being re-examined could bring him hope for a second chance with Ariana but it could take that hope away just as easily. Trapped between two fates, he sighed bitterly.

"Say no more," Kado said, guessing Kirin's intent. "I will have Kawa make an appointment for you. There is a medical researcher assigned to the Xanatech building in Sendai City that did some of the early work with the Manhattan clan. He's a young doctor but he enjoys a challenge." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "It's entirely possible that I still have your original records somewhere. I'll have my apprentice dig them out."

"I would be most grateful, Master Kado, thank you."

"Some of the tests will be most intrusive," Kado murmured as Kai approached. "Is she worth it?"

Kirin nodded slowly. "Some things in life are worth the effort."

"What's this?" Kai asked jovially. "Are you two keeping the jug all to yourselves?" He held out a cup. "Here, Kirin-san, pour me some sake and we'll drink to your good fortune!"

"Be careful," Kado said. "This Tengu brew is smooth going down but it's got a kick like wasabi!"

"Aiieee!" Kai's eyes watered and he shook his head, blinking furiously. "You're right! It bites back!" He took a cautious second sip. "You and Kado were so deep in conversation, I was afraid of interrupting you."

"It is nothing," Kado said lightly. "Kirin-san wishes me to examine an old injury."

"What?" Kai looked concerned. "But you spoke so highly of the Tengu healer earlier."

"O-tama specializes in holistic medicine but my problem is more of a physical nature," Kirin replied. He pulled up his left sleeve to reveal several deep scars above and below his elbow. "I did this while I was wandering but in recent years, it's begun to bother me. In winter, it aches right to the bone."

Kado prodded his arm clinically and tsked under his breath. "You didn't clean these wounds well enough," he said finally, "otherwise you wouldn't have scarred so badly. It's quite possible that you've developed a bone spur – that can take years to build up." He pulled down Kirin's sleeve. "Kawa and I will vet you thoroughly while you're here, but first -- more sake!" Winking at Kirin, Kado held out his cup.

Grateful that Kado had anticipated his need to keep his personal affairs private, Kirin gladly poured the wine.

"Your sister's had a big night," Brooklyn commented as Graeme came into the room, shedding his jacket. "It seems one of the Tengu wants to date her."

"Oh, yeah," Graeme's voice became muffled as he disappeared for a moment into the closet. "Lucy and I ran into them earlier."

"You've met him?" Brooklyn put his arm over the back of the couch and looked at his son with interest. "So what's this guy like?"

"Kirin? Yeah, I wondered about him before but after I saw the way Ariana was hanging all over him, I -- "

Brooklyn bristled. "What? KIRIN!" His indignant yelp bounced off the walls. "I knew something was going on back in that tearoom... they kept sneaking looks at each other and their scents were getting really strong."

Graeme came back out in his usual jeans and vest. He took one look at the expression on his father's face and promptly disappeared into the kitchenette area to return with two cold beers. "Dad," he said as he sat down on the edge of the adjoining chair and handed a bottle to Brooklyn, "I hate to say it but I think this was what's been bothering Ari. You know how depressed she's been since she got back from Osaka."

"Why do you say that?"

"The few times that I talked to Ari when she was with the Tengu, Kirin was always around. She never said but I think that they may have fooled around a bit."

Brooklyn sat up on the edge of his seat. "What do you mean?"

"Well…," Graeme drawled out, "she had the comlink on and there was some talk about them being alone at a hot springs and I heard one of the other females made a joke about how Kirin likes taking girls there." He watched uncomfortably as his father's eyes began to glow faintly. "I never saw or heard anything myself to confirm this but after I saw them together tonight – well, there's no question in my mind." He sighed. "She's never looked so happy, Dad."

"He mentioned that someone wanted to court her." Brooklyn took a long drink. "It was damned convenient of him not to mention that he was talking about himself!"

"I know that Happa is interested and Mawson's been asking about her but they'd better get their tails in gear." Graeme laughed and shook his head. "It's weird but Ariana and Kirin look really good together."

"Jalapeña, I did not need to hear this!"

"I'm not crazy about Ari dating either, Dad, but if Kirin makes her happy, what's the harm?"

Finishing off his beer, Brooklyn stood up. "I've got to see Kai about this."

"Why?"

"Kirin and Kai are rookery brothers," Brooklyn said as he donned his gauntlets. "That makes him at least as old as I am and that's too damned old for my daughter as far as I'm concerned." He checked the power level on his wrist blaster. "Coming?"

"If you shoot him, Ari will never forgive you."

"Only if she doesn't find out it's me."

They were on their second round when Sakaki returned with Setsu and Miya, and with Yama and Sora right behind them. Wearing red traditional outfits, the two clan elders greeted Kirin affectionately as if he were merely a wayward child late for dinner. Nothing would do until Miya had pulled Kirin down to her level so she could embrace him properly.

"Ah, Kirin-kun!" Miya cried out happily. "I have missed you, you great wooly beast!"

"And I have missed you, Miya-baasan." Kirin kept his words light and playful but he was shocked at how fragile she had become. He had been taller than her since he was just a hatchling but now Miya seemed to have shrunk even more in his absence. Her eyes, however, were still merry and full of mischief.

Miya sank both hands into his hair and ruffled his curls vigorously. "Your hair is more gold than red now!"

"Rumor has it that blondes have more fun." This set the elderly female into a fit of giggles behind her sleeve.

"Let him up, Miya," white-haired Setsu said as he gently pried his mate off of Kirin. He clasped wrists with Kirin, testing his grip against his former student. "You've kept up your skills, I trust?"

"Yes, master."

"And taught them to your students?"

"Yes, master."

"As it should be," Setsu said approvingly. "Have you learned anything new on your travels?"

"Wherever I went, I learned something," Kirin answered. "The Tengu have their own fighting style, very different from our bushido-based forms. I'll have my students give you a demonstration." He gestured to the stoneware bottle and cups on the table. "Will you and Miya join us for a drink? I brought some Tengu brews for everyone to try."

"Just one," said Kado, raising a cautious finger. "You know how strong drink affects Miya-san."

"Ah, me…," Miya said girlishly. "I never could hold my sake."

Knowing Miya and her love of entertaining, Kirin found this statement outrageous and was about to repute it until he caught the look that passed between Miya and the Ishimuran healer. He glanced at Setsu, who was now sitting in the seat that Yama had fetched for him. The old martial arts master seemed to be as fit as ever – until one noted the faint tremor in his hands as he reached for a cup. Miya and Kado were keeping Setsu's pride intact through their carefully-contrived deception.

"This is some of Makino's spring wine," Kirin said as he carefully poured for his old teachers. "It's very smooth to the palate. O-tama often uses it as a base for some of her tonics."

Kado tasted it and wrinkled his nose. "An excellent wine but far too delicate for my tastes."

"However, it is perfectly delicious to mine!" Sakaki proclaimed on first sip. "I could get used to drinking this." She nudged Kai. "See what you can do about that."

The males all laughed at Kai's discomfort. "What is this?" Kirin asked the Ishimuran leader. "Have you become hen-pecked in my absence?"

"One thing that has come out of our clans gathering like this," Kai said with a wry look at his mate, "is that it's opened up trade between us. We started by simply trading information – Master Kado, for example, has been in contact with other healers – and a few years ago, the clan in Manhattan hosted a leadership seminar for our most promising young warriors. Now we trade more tangible goods – textiles, handicrafts, edibles, wine." He held up his cup. "If this is an example of what the Tengu have to offer, I would be more than willing to begin negotiations with them."

"It sounds very promising," Kirin said, nodding in agreement. "The Tengu are interested in renewing their ties with Ishimura. Trade would be a good start – since they are a self-sufficient clan, they have cultivated a number of skills." He flicked his fingers over the front of his diamond-checked kimono. "Lucky for me, they weave and sew cloth as good as they throw pots and brew sake. I was a bedraggled mess when I arrived in their village." He laughed to soften his words. "The first time I was in their bath house, the females stole my clothes!"

"Stole them?" Miya asked gleefully. "Whatever for?"

"It's very fine for you, obaasan, you have a different kimono every night," Kirin teased, "but after wearing the same tunic for years, I looked more like a scarecrow than a scholar!"

Miya reached out and sampled the fabric of his sleeve between her fingers. "It's a very fine weave," she said, beckoning to both Sakaki and Sora to test it for themselves. "You can always tell when silk is done in the traditional method. The threads have a luminescent quality – see how it gleams when the light hits it just so?"

"Yes," Sakaki said slowly as she took her turn, "machine-woven silk just doesn't have the same texture. I'm always afraid of accidentally catching it on my talons and ruining it." She reached out and traced the diamonds on his chest. "I see you're still wearing this pattern – couldn't they talk you into something more festive?"

"I like what I like," Kirin said with a shrug. "If you want to see fancier fabric, you'll have to see what Mozu is wearing. His mother wove the pattern to match the tipping on his feathers."

"Mother? The Tengu don't raise their young communally?"

"They used to," Kirin said, "but there's not enough breeding pairs to make up a full rookery. Mozu and Takakura know their parents, but Tancho's a true child of the clan. As I understand it, his birth parents died while he was in the egg."

"How many breeding pairs do they have?" Kado asked, taking a professional interest.

"There were only three pairs last season, but they produced six eggs."

"Six?"

Kirin nodded. "O-tama has this tonic that she gives the females prior to the breeding season. She normally gives it to only the ones who want it but since they lost their last rookery, the females wanted to try to make up for it."

Frowning, Kado commented, "That's very dangerous."

"Yes, we nearly lost one of them." Kirin refilled the cups on the table. "The Tengu are in danger of dying out unless they get fresh blood into the clan. The elders are terrified that the Three will like it too much here and not want to return."

"Who can blame them?" Setsu said. He had been sitting so quietly that his voice startled them. "I can sympathize with our Tengu cousins. Change can be very frightening." He nodded at Kirin. "You will have to proceed carefully. The Tengu have trusted you, Kirin-san, with their future."

"Nurturing the future is a teacher's duty," Kirin said simply. "Is that not so, master?"

Setsu stared at him with a furrowed brow but then burst out laughing. "Hah! I see my words have stayed with you! Well done!"

"How could they not? You certainly drummed them into my thick skull often enough."

As Kirin had hoped, this led Setsu and Miya into reminiscing about times past and this put the elders in their element. They spent the better part of an hour in this manner until Miya announced dramatically that she had drunk far too much and insisted that Setsu lead her away for a brief rest. No one commented at the stiffness in Setsu's gait but without saying a word to each other, Sakaki and Sora followed the elders out.

"How long has he been like that?" Kirin asked softly.

"It's a recent development," Kado replied. "He and Miya have been slowly declining for the last few years. You caught him on a good night; some nights are worse than others."

"Takamatsu, the Tengu leader, is on a similar path and knows it. He's been preparing Takakura to take his place." Kirin filled the cups with stronger spirits. "Still, they have lived well and long – when the wind calls them, may they go in peace."

All four remaining males lifted their cups and drank solemnly.

"Enough of this," Kai said, "let us hear what you've been up to, brother. Surely you haven't spent all of your time teaching?"

"Yes," Yama agreed, "now that the females are away, tell us why you have that gleam in your eye."

"What gleam?" Kirin pretended ignorance.

"You know very well," Yama said, leaning in. "I know that look -- you have taken another mate."

"No, I have not." He dipped his head sheepishly. "Yet."

His admittance led to another round of drinking.

"So," Yama said, "who is she?"

"I met her among the Tengu," Kirin said carefully. "She is younger than I -- but that's not unusual with them. The Tengu frequently take mates from different generations."

Kai snorted and smacked Yama haphazardly in the shoulder. "What is it with you two and your taste for younger females?"

"Clearly, we are gluttons for punishment," Yama said grandly, "and we like it!"

The sake jug made the rounds of all the cups.

"To younger females …. Kampai!"

"But seriously," Kai said once the alcoholic rush began to dissipate, "if you've decided to pursue a new mate, wouldn't it be better to choose one closer to your own age?"

"That would be ideal," Kirin agreed, "but all the females my age are happily mated, as you well know!" He gave Kai a sly grin. "Sakaki looks even more radiant than she did when you two were newlymates, you lucky dog!"

"This is very true!" Kai refilled the cups. "So tell us of your beloved, Kirin-san. She must be someone special, neh?"

"She knows the words that are written on my heart," Kirin said softly. "All those things that I never dared to say out loud because I knew they would never be, all those dreams that I never dared to believe in because then I would hope too much -- she is all of these and more." He stared solemnly at his cup, lost in his own thoughts. When the silence became deafening, he looked up to see all of them staring at him. "What?"

"Whatever you do," Kai said solemnly, "do NOT talk like that in front of Sakaki. She'll never let me hear the end of it until I deliver some sickeningly romantic poetry."

"What you mean," Yama said dryly, "is that I'll be writing it and you'll be signing your name to it as usual." He narrowed his eyes at Kirin but there was no malice in his gaze. "Don't you dare let Sora hear you talk like that either or I'll have twice as much work!"

"So that's how it is with you, neh?" Kado said as he stood slowly in stages. "Speaking of mates, it's past time for me to relieve Kawa. He's been on duty all this time and I'm sure Mizuumi expects to spend a little time with him tonight."

They bid the Ishimuran healer farewell but the mood had been broken. Yama departed soon afterwards, leaving Kirin and Kai to finish off the last bottle. So many years had passed and without the others to fill in the empty spaces, Kirin was momentarily speechless because there were so many things he wanted to say and so many questions that he wanted answered.

Kai broke the silence. "Sakaki was very pleased with her present. Did you see that she was wearing those combs when she came back with Miya and Setsu?"

"I hope you didn't mind that I gave her a gift and didn't have one for you."

"Actually," Kai raised his cup, "I assumed that we were drinking it."

Laughing, Kirin raised his as well. "I suppose that is true. I still have more formal gifts for you in my pack. Takakura and I are expected to make a formal presentation to you."

"Then I will try to be surprised." Kai finished his drink and sat staring into the cup for a moment. "Speaking of young Takakura, Taiju was given a complaint about him and the other Tengu."

"Ah. Would this be a matter of throwing a girl in a fish pond?"

Kai raised his brow ridges. "You knew?"

"I was there."

"And you did nothing to stop them?"

"I don't know what Taiju told you," Kirin said as he put the stoppers back in the wine jars, "but there are witnesses that will tell you that the girl was being incredibly rude to Ariana. She was trying to provoke a fight but unfortunately for her, she did not get the reaction that she expected."

"She claims that you told them to do it."

"No," Kirin said mildly, "I said nothing of the sort. I merely told her that she lacked a beautiful spirit and that she should not judge people by appearances alone." He looked directly at Kai. "According to her own rookery mates, this Hana has a sharp tongue and likes to use it. Perhaps she will learn something this time."

"Still, you shouldn't have stood by and done nothing."

"What can I say? I found her manner offensive." Kirin shrugged and threw out his hands. "I'm not the model samurai that I once was. I can't bury my feelings beneath the shield of bushido any more and frankly, I don't want to."

"That brings up something else." Kai sighed deeply. "Hana told Taiju that you were behaving improperly with Ariana. He said that there's also been some gossip about the two of you from other people."

"If I behaved improperly towards Ari-chan, you would certainly know it because I would bear the marks." He shrugged. "As to the other, I have no control over what other people say."

"I saw the way you were acting around her – and just now you admitted to courting a younger female. Am I wrong about this?"

Kirin forced himself to remain calm. "Would it matter?" He turned halfway towards Kai.

A beam of light flashed past them into the room and a ribbon of pain lashed across Kirin's right shoulder. The acrid smell of burnt hair and singed cloth filled the air. They both looked up at the beaked silhouette in the doorway.

"Matter?" Brooklyn said coldly. "I say it matters a lot."

To be continued in Part II of "Koiji"...