ELIXIR OF LIFE - Prologue #01: Tell me: does this hanyo still live?
byline: Anubis C. Soundwave
Toshitada studies Inuyasha and Kagome, the hanyo and girl enjoying a quiet, happy moment: looking at full white clouds in a blue sky.
"You all said that you're searching for pieces of the Shikon no Tama," says Toshitada after a moment. "I've heard that it grants wishes."
"That's what I heard too, Toshi," says Inuyasha, sitting up from his reclined position on the grass.
Toshitada touches his chin in thought. "What would you wish for?" he asks.
Inuyasha shrugs, unnerved by the auburn-haired boy's earnest gaze. "I don't know," he says, scowling. "I don't want to be a full-blooded yokai anymore, because I could hurt innocent people. But, if I wish to be human...I won't be me anymore."
"You'd always be you, Inuyasha," says Kagome.
"The only bright side to being human is that this stupid necklace wouldn't work on me anymore," says Inuyasha, clutching his bead necklace.
"I'd just get Kaede-dono to make one that works on you as a human," smirks Kagome.
"Why are you asking all of this, Toshi?" says Inuyasha. "You've got everything a noble's brat could possibly want, so you don't need the Shikon no Tama."
Toshitada smiles gravely. "You're from our future, aren't you, Kagome-dono?" he asks.
Kagome stares at Toshitada.
"The brat overheard us," Inuyasha snorts. "He's a little eavesdropper."
"I tried very hard to be quiet!" seethes Toshitada.
"I know," says Inuyasha, "but I could still smell you. You had the scent of flowers with a hint of rage when you spied on us that day. Along with some gas."
Toshitada fumes, blushing.
"I figured you were still mad that day because your mother made you eat beans again," grins Inuyasha.
"Stop this at once," spits Toshitada, stamping his foot. "I'm trying to answer your question, Inuyasha-dono, and here you sit mocking me."
"Don't take yourself so seriously, Toshi," says Inuyasha. "You're still just a kid."
"I know. I'm fascinated with the idea of Kagome-dono's era," says Toshitada.
"In my era," says Kagome, worry in her eyes, "you would be in school, not killing off bandits to protect your mother."
"I suppose, although I would do whatever it takes to protect hahaue in any era," says Toshitada. "I would wish...to live in your era."
Inuyasha and Kagome look at Toshitada, the boy trembling.
"While I was proud that my skill saved my mother from harm," continues Toshitada, "I had never killed anyone before that day. I want to be a great warrior, which will require killing other men, but I couldn't hold down my food after killing a pair of worthless thieves. Crying, retching...crying, retching: a samurai shouldn't do such things."
"I think it's good that you don't enjoy killing people," says Kagome. "You just wish that killing wasn't a constant, everyday fact of life."
Toshitada nods, then turns to Inuyasha. "Yokai tend to live longer than humans," he says.
"Yeah," says Inuyasha. "Which means that by human standards, I'd be respected as a grandfather-I'm over seventy-three years old, you know."
Kagome rolls her eyes.
"I think that your human half would die off eventually and you'd become a full yokai on your own," says Toshitada.
"If that were true," scoffs Inuyasha, "then I wouldn't hate Sesshoumaru so much. He couldn't call me a half-breed anymore either," he adds, a trace of longing in his voice.
Toshitada and Kagome nod with understanding.
"Not that I care what that bastard calls me," Inuyasha spits.
With Ah-Un, Rin and Kujuurou continue spying on the three.
"Why does it bother him to be called a half-breed?" asks Rin. "That is what Inuyasha is."
"Inuyasha-dono shares the same noble yokai blood as Sesshomaru-sama," whispers Kujuurou, "and wants his elder brother's respect."
"Then why doesn't he just ask for it?" says Rin.
"If he knew himself," says Sesshoumaru, "then he would have no need to ask. He would rightly demand it."
"Why should your own brother need to demand your respect and love at all, Sesshoumaru-sama?" says Kujuurou curtly.
Sesshoumaru glares at Kujuurou.
"However it came to be, you and Inuyasha-dono are brothers. That is what Onii-sama taught me ever since I was small," says Kujuurou.
"What you ask of me...is impossible, Sasaki-kun," says Sesshoumaru. "I...cannot love Inuyasha."
"But you love Rin-dono: a full-blooded human," says Kujuurou.
"If by that you mean that it amuses me at present to permit her to live," says Sesshoumaru, "then you speak truly."
"You don't make sense to me," says Kujuurou.
"I do not hate Inuyasha because he is half-human," says Sesshoumaru. "I hate him because my father's blood flows through his veins. As long as Inuyasha's heart beats, I shall see him as my enemy."
"Do you want to go to your father's funeral?" asks Rin simply.
Kujuurou sighs. "It isn't about what I want," he says. "It is about my duty."
"But don't you and your clan both have a duty to Oda?" continues Rin.
"Yes," says Kujuurou. "We are bound to Oda-sama through a marriage that happened eighty years ago."
Rin touches her chin. "I'd go to Oda if I were you," she says. "He's asking you to fight, not to lie."
Kujuurou stares at Rin in shock.
"You don't care about Sasuke," she continues, pouting, "so why would you go to see him buried?"
Kujuurou gives Rin a morbid grin. "Just to ensure the man is dead," he says.
"That would only cause more people to think you killed him," says Rin.
"What kind of...?" begins Kujuurou; his words trail off as he studies Rin. "Were you speaking to Kuroda-dono, by any chance?" he asks.
"Jiro doesn't think for me," says Rin.
"Then it's clear that you both have the same childish train of thought," says Kujuurou, annoyed.
"That doesn't make either of us wrong," says Rin. "What can your retainers tell you: that it's more important to attend the burial of the man who killed your mother than it is to obey the summons of the man who faithfully honors his pact with your family by sending you soldiers to help them fight?"
"Kojirou-sama would go," says Kujuurou.
"Kojirou is dead," says Rin, "but if he were alive and he decided to go-*"
"Then you'd say he's stupid, wouldn't you?" sneers Kujuurou.
"I...wasn't going to say that," says Rin, giving Kujuurou a pleading, guilty look.
Kujuurou smiles gently, understanding in his eyes. "Why are you trying to exercise tact with me at all?" he asks wryly.
"I...I respect you, Kujuurou," says Rin. "I don't use honorifics with humans," she adds, "but I don't need them to know how to respect people worthy of respect."
"You..." says Kujuurou, staring at Rin with wonder. "You are a precious gift, Rin-dono," he continues.
Rin stares at Kujuurou, confused.
"I would prove myself wise," continues Kujuurou, "if I obeyed the wisdom from your honest and pure heart." He rises to his feet.
Rin stands.
"I shall advise the retainers of my departure," says Kujuurou.
Eyes shining, Rin beams at Kujuurou; she kisses Kujuurou on the cheek, then runs off toward the path leading into the forest.
Kujuurou touches his cheek, then places his hand over his chest, trembling as he blushes. "She...is becoming quite the woman," he breathes inaudibly as he enters his castle.
Behind a nearby shrub, Chiba rises to his feet, smiling. Indeed, my young lord, he muses silently, it would take such to compel you to obey your own heart in things. After stretching a moment, Chiba enters the castle.
Toshitada enters the meeting hall with the Saotome clan, seven elderly men in ceremonial dress.
Oda, flanked by Akechi and Hashiba, glares at Toshitada. "Kouma-kun," he says curtly, "I thought that I had ordered you to bring the Saotome clan before me."
Toshitada stiffens at the daimyo's displeasure. "My lord," he says, bowing, "this is all that remains...of the Saotome clan."
"Tell me," Oda demands the leader of the Saotome clan, "what possible use do I have for the lot of you at this moment?"
"N-none...my liege," says the leader. "We would only advise to lay aside this plan to halt Yoshitsune's army; his numbers are too great."
"Hashiba," spits Oda. "Is this cretin's advice worth heeding?"
"Owari is a small province," says Hashiba, "within the boundaries of Kyoto. Nonetheless, if Owari falls, Kyoto falls. If Kyoto, the Imperial capital falls, there will be chaos. Oda-sama only seeks to maintain order in this stand, and he requires every vassal clan to provide an able-bodied man to fight."
"So," says Oda, "what is to be done regarding this obvious insult?"
"We have...no one meeting your needs," says the Saotome clan leader. "We humbly ask that you release us from this obligation."
Toshitada stifles a snickering laugh.
"No!" grins Oda crudely. "Kouma-kun, you are within your rights to show your disgust at such craven insolence. Shall I, needing warriors now, order the lot of you to obey this: 'find young women of childbearing age, marry them if need be, sire children with these women-hoping that at least one woman bears a son, pray that the son is healthy and of good vigor, and wait about fifteen years for all of this to bear fruit'?"
"Of course not, Oda-sama; that is absurd," says the clan leader.
Oda takes a scroll from Hashiba, briefly reads it, then returns the scroll to Hashiba. "What of Izayoi-dono, the daughter of my grandfather's cousin?" he asks the clan leader. "I was told she was rather beautiful. Surely a woman of her quality may have had a child who has produced grandsons at least near Kouma-kun's age."
"No, my liege," says the clan leader, his face ashen as he trembles. "Izayoi...had died tragically," he continues, "as a result of her brazenness."
"Which means that she may have born some fellow a bastard somewhere," snorts Oda. "Certainly regrettable behavior, but not that unusual."
"She never bore...a human child," mutters another of the Saotome clan.
"Izayoi...played the harlot with a yokai," says the clan leader soberly, "and produced a hanyo. She had to pay a heavy price."
"You...admit before me that you killed a kinswoman of mine," seethes Oda, "for the crime of being a woman in the arms of a man?"
"Not a man! A yokai!" shrieks the clan leader, trembling.
"I don't care if she bore the son with the king of yokai!" sputters Oda. "You honestly killed your kinswoman and mine over such superstitious drivel?"
The men of the Saotome clan all stare at Oda, in horror at the daimyo's fury.
Oda sighs. "Tell me," he says, eerily calm, "does this hanyo still live?"
"We..." begins a Saotome clan member.
Oda glances at Hashiba, who smirks as he looks down at the scroll. "If you value your lives," he continues, "please speak the truth."
"The hanyo's name is Inuyasha," says the clan leader after a moment, his expression guarded.
Oda nods to Akechi.
"Kouma-kun," says Akechi. "I have heard tales of a dog hanyo named Inuyasha who has travelled this land in search of shards of a mystical gem: the Shikon no Tama. Am I correct on this?" he asks.
"Y-yes, Akechi-sama," says Toshitada.
"Furthermore," adds Hashiba, unfurling a drawing of Sesshoumaru, "I do believe another, more compliant set of vassals are in the debt of this inuyokai: the Sasaki clan, which has recently lost their brightest star: Kojirou, to a duel against Miyamoto-sama. Even with that, they still managed to grant us the strength of a skilled swordsman: their kinsman, Sasaki Kujuurou-kun." Hashiba nods to Kujuurou.
Flustered, Kujuurou bows.
"So," says Oda, "even the Sasaki clan, who has lost a swordsman second only to Miyamoto-sama himself, has been able to comply with my simple demand. Why have you not brought Inuyasha before me?"
The men of the Saotome clan look amongst themselves.
"Wait!" smirks Oda ruefully. "Is it because he has the blood of a frightful inuyokai, blood he shares with this powerful-looking fellow," he continues, noting the picture of Sesshoumaru, "or because you callously took the life of his mother, and you know your lives are worth nothing to him?"
The Saotome men tremble.
"I shall not lose to Yoshitsune because of this," says Oda. "Kouma-kun," he continues. "Bring Inuyasha to me, that these men may fulfill their duty as my vassals."
"Yes, my lord," says Toshitada, bowing.
"Sasaki-kun," continues Oda, "go with Kouma-kun. I want the both of you to use every art of persuasion you possess to prevail upon Inuyasha to obey."
Kujuurou bows. "I shall, my lord," he says. The two exit the meeting hall.
"As to the lot of you," says Oda to the Saotome men, nodding to several armed guards, "I insist that you remain as honored guests in my castle...until this inane matter is resolved to my satisfaction."
"Y-yes...Oda-sama," say the Saotome men. They leave the meeting hall, escorted by the armed guards.
"Hashiba," says Oda after a moment, "Kouma-kun and Sasaki-kun are both rather impetuous young brats."
"I have already sent for Kuroda-kun and Yamanouchi-kun. Those young men will meet with Sasaki-kun and Kouma-kun," says Hashiba, "and they will plan at Kuroda-sama's castle."
"Good," says Oda.
"...it is not my place," says Toshitada carefully to Kujuurou, "to question Oda-sama."
"I'm relieved that you have retained some sense of propriety, Kouma," says Naotoki as he sheathes his washizaki, "but disappointed that I don't need to slit your throat for your arrogance."
"And what has compelled you, Yamanouchi-dono," says Toshitada ruefully, "to grace me with your presence?"
"I'm here at the behest of Hashiba-sama, speaking on behalf of Oda-sama," sneers Naotoki. "Do not question your good fortune."
"I...do not doubt Oda-sama," says Toshitada. "Only my own ability to carry out his order, which is quite limited."
"It pleases me to see this small measure of humility, Kouma-kun," says Jirogorou quietly, a soft smile on his face. "I pray that it continues."
Toshitada glares at Jirogorou, already disliking the one-eyed samurai.
"Based on your reputation, Kouma-kun," Jirogorou continues, "I had resigned myself to prepare to contend with a young warrior who does not respect his limitations. So then," he adds, "you realize my delight to know that you, Kouma-kun, are not such a fool after all."
"Not in this instance, Kuroda," smirks Naotoki.
Kujuurou rolls his eyes. "I take it that the two of you are to join us on this venture to persuade Inuyasha-dono to throw in his lot with us and Oda-sama against Yoshitsune?" he asks.
Jirogorou nods.
"Then, Kouma-kun," says Kujuurou gaily, "you must gird your loins and steel yourself for worse than this. Kuroda-dono is being quite kind to you today."
"It is to be expected, Kouma," says Naotoki, mussing Toshitada's hair. "You are the youngest of us," he continues, "so expect us to exact a price for having to wipe your wet nose."
Toshitada scowls as he straightens his hair, then stiffly walks away from the other three samurai.
"I'm usually stuck with the young shit when Oda-sama sends him to my father," grins Naotoki. "The brat is skilled," he continues, "but Kouma's very conceited, opinionated, and naive."
"Then at worst," says Jirogorou, "Kouma-kun will be one of those who likes to work at cross-purposes with his allies. I can make use of this."
"Good luck," says Naotoki wryly. "That one is about as useful as an unruly entei." Chuckling, he walks off after Toshitada.
"Kouma-kun strikes me as someone who overrates his own abilities," says Kujuurou, polishing his blade.
Jirogorou snorts. "You say that only because of your obnoxious habit of belittling your own worth. To you, Sasaki-kun," he says, exasperated, "everyone is arrogant."
"Don't start that again," says Kujuurou, raising a hand. "I have a reasonable amount of skill, but I can't compare to Kojirou-sama."
"Naturally," says Jirogorou. "You had surpassed him some time ago."
"In part because I had-*" begins Kujuurou.
"Studied your opponent, recognizing that the strength of your opponent can become your own," Jirogorou interjects. "It is the wisdom of the ages noted by Sun Tzu: hardly unique to Miyamoto-sama and the Go-rin-no-sho, with all due respect to him and to your honored brother."
Kujuurou blushes.
"Kojirou-sama knew that you had surpassed him-he knew that you would," says Jirogorou, "no matter how hard you tried to hold yourself back to let him shine. Now, my friend," he continues, "it is your time to stand tall: step out of the darkness, and into the light."
Kujuurou sighs. In the light, he says to himself, is scrutiny and judgment. All of your flaws are laid bare. In light is fear, he muses, and in darkness, safety.
Jirogorou walks off after Naotoki; Kujuurou follows after sheathing his sword.