[Obligatory Author Note: the title of each chapter is the episode(s) where gaps are being filled. Comment generously; I am desperate to talk about this show/book series with anyone who will listen and some who won't. Seriously... please comment. 8( ]


Balsa, The Female Bodyguard; Hunters, Hunted


The men were silent for a long time after Mon finished explaining their mission. But, as usual, it was Jin who spoke first.

"Sir, there has to be a mistake."

"No mistake."

"But sir, the Mikado could not truly have ordered the death of his own child."

Mon looked weary. "I also did not believe it, but the Master Star Reader has confirmed this must be done. In fact, I have already made an attempt on the boy's life myself, but I failed. The Master Star Reader wishes the next attempt to be made when the prince returns from the mountains. While he is crossing the bridge over the Aoyumi River, there will be an accident: the ox will spook and his carriage will fall into the river. Taga, Yun, you'll both be among the guard escorting his highness, and you'll make sure the animal doesn't run away with the carriage, but falls from the bridge instead. We'll use a blowdart to make it spook."

"Yes, sir," said Yun and Taga in unison. The color drained from Jin's face. The blowgun was his particular weapon.

"Jin, you should have a clear shot from the hillside overlooking the bridge. Use koro poison; the ox should go mad from the pain within a few seconds."

The younger hunter couldn't speak. He felt physically ill; the room seemed to be spinning. In his mind's eye he could see Prince Chagum playing with his brother, Sagum, in the garden behind the first palace, laughing and playing - Chagum, who smiled at his guards and greeted his servants, those whom no one else even acknowledged - Chagum, who was only eleven, who had never left the palace, and for whose safety Jin felt personally responsible. How could he possibly do this? Mon had more easily ordered him to cut a tunnel through Grey Stone Mountain in a single night.

"Jin."

He pressed his eyes shut and clenched his hands to hide their trembling. "Sir."

"This order comes from the emperor himself. You cannot refuse."

"I know, sir." His voice sounded hollow. He felt a reassuring hand on his arm but didn't look to see who it was.

"Are you going to have a problem with this?"

"I already have a problem with it, sir... but I will do as ordered. But Okashira-" He looked up at last, pleading. "Is there truly no other way? Can the demon not be-"

"Do you think the Holy Sage has not already considered this? It isn't up for debate. You will do as instructed. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," he said softly.

"Good. Be in position by dawn tomorrow. Taga, Yun, leave now so that you can join the return convoy before it departs the royal onsen tomorrow. Dismissed."


The second attempt on the prince's life failed as well, to Jin's obvious, and Mon's hidden, relief. Yet only two days later came even worse news: the second prince was still doomed to execution, and this time it would be at his father's hand. Despite the fact that Mon pulled him aside separately to relay the latest orders one-on-one, Jin's reaction to them was even worse than before. He had to sit down because the shock and anguish Mon's words produced took all the strength from his limbs.

When he felt like he could speak, Jin shook his head and said simply, "I can't do it, sir. I can't. You're only using four of us. Bring someone else."

"No," said Mon. "I need my best warriors with me. That includes you. Consider it a chance to demonstrate your loyalty to the Mikado once and for all - to allay any lingering doubts he has about you. Soon we will be going into an audience with the Master Star Reader; I need you to be calm by then. You're still on shaky ground with the Mikado, Jin. Another mistake may cost you your life. Another success - especially one as important as this - may be enough to redeem you. Steady yourself, and keep your peace before the Master Star Reader, no matter what he may say. All right?"

"No, sir, it's not all right. It's horribly, horrifically wrong. I cannot do this. Please, Okashira-"

"Not another word, Jin. You can and you will do this. I suggest you meditate before we go to the Holy Sage lest you misspeak."

Mon left to talk to the others. Jin went to his room, but he didn't meditate. Instead, he went to the low cupboard along the back wall and found a small wooden box stuffed in the back of one of its compartments. Inside were a handful of mementos: one of Mayuna's hair ribbons, a necklace of his mother's, the last letter his older brother had sent before the shipwreck that took his life, and a few other things. He took from the box a folded piece of silky blue paper: an old candy wrapper. He sat back and stared at the wrapper and remembered when Chagum had given it to him, when Jin was fourteen and almost at the lowest point of his life. Even then the prince had been caring and class-blind. At that moment - five years ago now - Jin had promised himself that he would protect the second prince from any possible harm. Now, he was at a loss. He could not sabotage the hunt; Mon would know what he was doing and stop him. Neither could he take the prince to safety himself, for there was none: New Yogo was a small country, and there was nowhere the boy could go where he would not be found. But for Jin to help bring Prince Chagum to the Mikado to be murdered... Jin remembered the heartache of learning his own father didn't love him - the misery of finding harm in the hands of someone he trusted and depended on. How could Chagum be made to suffer that same betrayal, on top of a violent death? Could there be anything worse?

What can I do?, Jin thought helplessly. How can I help you, your highness? I swore to protect you, and now I find myself worse than useless - I find myself complicit in your destruction. Forgive me, Prince Chagum. Aching inside, his throat dry, the hunter stuffed the candy wrapper in the inner pocket of his coat and went downstairs to meet Mon. He prayed a solution would come to him before it was too late.


[PSA: Did you know that Jin has a whole backstory of his own?! Well, be sure to drop by Platypusbutt, on tumblr, and read all about it, complete with mostly-beautiful illustrations because that backstory is a manga! And I am translating it! Exciting!]