Clang!
Hoku slammed the barred door closed and locked it tight. Ginka barely reacted to the sound. He was sitting on the wooden planks that served as the prison cell's bed, staring blankly at the wall in front of him. His vest, where he had leaned over his father's body, had blotchy red stains.
Hoku handed the key to the guard and left the dark room that lay beneath the main estate. The village was one of the most isolated in Japan, so whenever a criminal, a thief or assassin to name some examples, were caught on the main estate, the room served as a temporary holding cell until the guards from the nearest prison could come and collect them. But never before had it held a member of its own clan.
"If he tries anything, chain him." Hoku said. The guard nodded. Hoku left the room, and in the poorly lit stone corridor outside he was met with three pairs of eyes. He chose to address the servant girl, Rin, first.
"Go back to the dining room. I think it's time the guests know what has just passed."
The girl bowed her head and made her way to the staircase at the far end of the corridor.
"So what do we do now?" Sakura asked. Her voice was cold, yet her lovely large eyes betrayed her inability to fully accept the atrocity that had happened. "We should probably send a message to the prison. Let them know we have a new prisoner waiting for them."
"No!" Hoku said. "I assured Miss Yoko that I would investigate this matter until we know for sure that Ginka san is the culprit. Now please return to your room, Sakura san. We've all been through a lot, tonight."
"But I-"
"Go, Sakura." Masuta grunted.
Sakura scowled, but unwilling to challenge such a respected master, she left. Hoku sighed.
"It doesn't look good for the boy." He said. "The evidence is against him. His absence at the time of Tohru's death is suspicious enough, but to find his scarf at the scene... "
"He has no reason to kill his father." Masuta said coldly. "Their argument this afternoon proves nothing. I wish to speak to the boy."
Hoku quickly stepped in front of Masuta, blocking his path.
"I don't think that's such a good idea." He said.
"And why not?" Masuta's eyes narrowed dangerously. Hoku nearly staggered back under the salamander's glare, but held his ground. As the only other remaining descendant of the clan's founder and new head of the family, he had to shown strength.
"He is to be left alone until further notice." Hoku said. "And I suggest that, now that the leadership of the clan has fallen to me, you respect my wishes."
Masuta's tail lashed at the air behind him, and for a moment Hoku thought that the salamander might lash out. But Masuta merely turned around and walked to the staircase. Hoku glanced once at the door to Ginka's prison and followed.
The staircase rose up into one of the estate's corridors, opposite the door to the guards' room. Masuta and Hoku had barely emerged when they saw Yojin striding down the corridor towards them, his father following closely behind him.
"What is this I hear?" Lord Takeshi shouted. "Lord Tohru san has been murdered by his own son?"
"Where's Ginka?!" Yojin tried to force his way to the stairs, but Masuta held his walking stick in front of him. "Get outta the way, Master Masuta! Where is he?"
"No-one is to see him until further notice." Hoku said. "Please return to your rooms."
"Not until I know exactly what's going on!" Takeshi retorted. "A servant just told us that Lord Tohru has been murdered, and the Silver Fang has been stolen! Master Masuta, is this true?"
"Yes." Masuta said.
"No!" Takeshi slammed the side of his fist into the wall.
"No way." Yojin was in disbelief. "And you think Ginka san did it?"
"We don't now for sure!" Hoku interjected before Masuta could reply. The salamander glowered at being interrupted. "All we know is that Ginka was nowhere to be found when his father was killed, and his scarf was found at the scene. That makes him the prime suspect."
"No." Yojin shook his head. "He wouldn't do this. He wouldn't."
"You idiot!" Takeshi roared. "Anyone could have planted that scarf at the scene!"
"Anyone?" Hoku eyed Takeshi and Yojin. "You seem very sure of his innocence. Tell me, who do you think did it?"
"I was hoping that you would tell me." Takeshi sneered.
Hoku stiffened.
"That sounds a lot like an accusation, Lord Takeshi sama." He said, his voice rising with each word.
"Father..." Yojin cautioned.
"With Lord Tohru out of the way, and his only son likely facing life in prison for the crime, you are the only remaining heir to the leadership of the clan. You have a lot to gain from his death." Takeshi continued.
"It was my cousin who was murdered just now!" Hoku was simmering, barely controlling his temper. " How dare you accuse me?!"
"Hmph. Stop acting like Mr. Righteous." Takeshi jeered. "Lord Tohru told me everything about you. Including that evening when you took the Silver Fang out of its box without permission and took it to the family vault!"
Shock caused Hoku's anger to waver. He never knew that Tohru had told anyone about that little incident.
"Thuh- that was just because of the break in the other day." Then Hoku started shouting. "BESIDES OUR RESPECTIVE CLANS HAD BEEN FIGHTING EACH OTHER FOR YEARS! YOU HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH REASON TO KILL HIM TOO!"
"DON'T YOU DARE BRING THAT INTO THIS!" Takeshi roared back.
"Stop it! Please!" Yojin grabbed his father's arm and tried to pull him away, to no avail.
"You!" Hoku said suddenly. "You're no exception! Did you think I never heard of you constantly complaining about the way I look at you? How you hated the way Lord Tohru judged you because of the clan you belonged to? A young warrior like you, valuing honor and reputation above all else, it must have made your blood boil..."
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Masuta slammed the bottom of his walking stick onto the floorboards and the heart-stopping sound echoed in the corridor. "Hoku san, hold your tongue before you dishonor yourself! Lord Takeshi, with all due respect this is not the time to be throwing accusations around!"
"But-"
"Father, just leave it!" Yojin pleaded.
Takeshi looked at his son, then back at Hoku and Masuta, breathing hard.
"I'm not letting this go." He said. "I and Lord Tohru worked to hard to restore the friendship between our clans. I have lost a dear friend tonight, and so help me I will find his killer if it's the last thing I do!"
He spun round and stormed off, followed by his son, who Hoku could hear muttering under his breath that it wasn't possible, that Ginka would never do something like this. When the two tanukis finally disappeared around the corner, Hoku rubbed his temples, already worn out. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be the last confrontation he was going to have to endure in the future.
"Master Masuta." He spoke. "I guess you will be returning to the dojo for the night?"
"Not yet." Masuta said. How the old salamander could keep calm in these situations, Hoku may never know. "There is something I wish to check in the office. Would you like to join me?"
"What else is there to do?" Hoku asked. The other guests had surely returned to their rooms by now. Hoku hadn't been present when they had been told the terrible news, but he could guess what their reactions had been.
They returned to the office in silence. By now it was nearly midnight, and the moonlight was shining through the windows, making everything look paler than it truly was. Hoku rubbed his tired eyes as he followed Masuta inside. He hoped the salamander wouldn't take too long. Lord Tohru's body had been moved from the office and into his bedroom, leaving behind a dry red stain on the floor. Hoku shut his eyes and looked away from the sight, as Masuta made his way over to the cupboard where the Silver Fang was usually kept.
"My condolences, by the way." Masuta said. He picked up the empty box and examined it. "Tell me, were you and Lord Tohru close?"
Hoku shook his head, deciding that lying to the famed Master Masuta wouldn't be wise.
"Not for a long time. We had a falling out nearly sixteen years ago, and there'd been a wall between us since then. I'd rather not talk about it on the night of his death."
"I understand." Masuta said, but he didn't sound very sympathetic. Still holding the box, he eyed Hoku intensely. The fox suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"Is something wrong?" Hoku asked. "What are we doing here?"
Masuta remained silent as he placed the lid back on the box, and placed it back in the cupboard. Hoku grew impatient.
"Master Masuta!"
Masuta turned around and placed both hands on Lord Tohru's desk.
"Hoku san. Do you really believe that Ginka killed his own father? Be honest with me."
"As much as I hate to admit it, yes." Hoku said regretfully. "Anyone can see that that scarf is unique, and according to Miss Yoko she gave that scarf to Ginka just this afternoon. It wouldn't be possible for anyone to replicate or acquire a copy of the scarf in the next couple of hours before my cousin's... Masuta, what's so funny?!"
Masuta had been chuckling for the latter half of Hoku's proclamation.
"I'm sorry, but it's been hours since we discovered the murder and I'm still finding it hard to believe that the boy wouldn't notice if the scarf had slipped off his neck!"
Hoku scowled. He didn't feel half as amused as Masuta looked.
"Well, who else could have done it?" He asked. "Ginka is the only possible suspect!"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that..." Masuta spoke.
From the sleeve of his robe he pulled out a small grey key. Hoku's stomach lurched. He dug around in the pocket of his own kimono, and found it empty.
"Why didn't you tell us you had a key to the office?" Masuta asked. He wasn't laughing now.
Hoku went on the defensive.
"I was in shock at the time from discovering that my cousin had been murdered!" He retorted. "And what makes you think that you can pick my pocket like a common thief? Answer me! As head of the clan, I-"
"Head of the clan?" Masuta cut in like scissors through a ribbon.
"Yes!" Hoku snapped defiantly. "As you know, my cousin was never able to make that announcement, so the leadership of the clan falls to me!"
Masuta tilted his head.
"Funny. Lord Tohru never told me that he had told you of the announcement."
Hoku stared, dumbfounded. Masuta smirked with no humor whatsoever.
"You weren't lying. You and you cousin were not close at all."
"How dare you!" Hoku spat. "How dare you treat me with such disrespect! I ought to put you in iron chains and throw you in the dungeon with your student!"
"Good luck with that." Masuta replied coolly. "And good luck with getting anybody to accept you as head of the family."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hoku sneered.
"You're going to find out soon enough." Masuta smiled unpleasantly. "Lord Tohru sama suspected that something like this would happen, so he had a will prepared pertaining to the allocation of the clan leadership should something happen to his son as well."
"What?!"
"Only myself and two other people know where it is, and you will never find out who."
Hoku clenched his teeth and his fists. Masuta leaned forward on the desk, malice shining from his dark eyes.
"Let me make this clear. I don't trust you, and neither does half the clan. If anything else happens to the boy, I will make you suffer to your last breath."
"You make it sound like I killed Lord Tohru."
"That's exactly what it sounds like. And so help me, I will prove it."
Hoku had had enough. He strode to the door.
"Good luck with that." He said icily. He slammed the door on his way out.
Masuta waited until he could no longer hear Hoku's furious, hurried footsteps. Then he too left the room and swiftly made his way to the guestrooms. There wasn't much time.
He reached the door he wanted and thrust it open, not even bothering to knock.
"Masuta!" Yojin was startled, and Masuta was just as startled to see him there. The tanuki was sitting on the bed next to Yoko, a comforting arm around her. Her tonfa blades were at her side, suggesting that she had been practicing to let off steam.
"What are you doing here?" Masuta demanded.
"I just wanted to make sure she was okay, is that a crime?" Yojin replied huffily.
"Because there are more important things to deal with, and I see a nearly empty bottle by your side, I will let your insolence slide." Masuta replied. "Yoko, we need to talk."
"I was about to say the same thing." Yoko said. Masuta suddenly realized that she was holding the black scarf.
"Where did you get that?" He said.
"I swiped it off Hoku while I was trying to break up his and dad's fight." Yojin said, looking slightly proud of himself, if a little silly. "And judging from the look on your weird face, I'm not the only one who thinks he's no good."
Masuta shook his head. Granted Yojin had a good reason to be drinking on this night, the salamander had to keep himself from smacking the boy where one would keep his nuts.
"No, you're not. Unfortunately there's no way to prove it."
"That's where you're wrong." Yojin grinned. "Tell him, Yoko."
Yoko held up the scarf.
"I'm gave Ginka a scarf for his birthday, and I know for a fact that this this not the scarf I gave him."
"How can you be sure?" Masuta asked.
"Look at this corner, here." Yoko pinched one of the corners of the scarf between her fingers and lifted it so Masuta could get a better look. "What can you see?"
"Other than the pattern, nothing." Masuta asked. "Get to the point, girl!"
"When I purchased this scarf, I personally stitched the characters for Ginka's name into this corner. But nothing's here. This is not the scarf I gave Ginka."
Masuta took the end of the scarf and scrutinized it.
"You're sure?" He said.
"I'd bet my life on it." Yoko said. "He's innocent." She giggled a little. "Ginka chan didn't do it."
Then to their confusion, Masuta grimaced.
"What?" Yojin asked.
"If this is a different scarf, then where is the one you gave Ginka?" The salamander spoke.
Their relief evaporated in an instant. Yojin and Yoko looked at each other.
"Without the other scarf, there is no way to prove that Yoko isn't just saying this to cover up for Ginka." Masuta continued. "Ginka is the only person who can possibly tell us where it is, and Hoku isn't letting anybody near him."
"What if there was a way to get to him without Hoku or the guards noticing?" Yojin wondered aloud, but the others ignored him.
"So we're back to square one." Yoko thrust the point of one of her tonfa blades into the wood of the bedside table. "Damn it!" When she let go, the blade stayed where it was. "I can't believe Hoku would do this to his own family! Just wait 'til I get my hands on him!"
"I know there's some shovels in the closet down the corridor." Yojin rubbed his chin. "Perhaps if we..."
"That's what I wish to speak to you about." Masuta said with urgency. "Yoko, you need to return home, now while you can."
"What? Why?"
"I think that old tunnel is around that area somewhere..."
"It's no longer safe here! You need to return to your father at once!" Masuta said.
"What?! No! Not until Ginka chan's okay!" Yoko replied angrily.
"Don't argue with me, girl! I want you and Yojin to return to your homes before..." Masuta trailed off. "Where did he go?"
Yojin was no longer in the room and the door was open.
"Master Masuta sensei..." Yoko spoke. "What was that Yojin said just a second ago?"
Masuta remembered the bottle, and how alcohol and Yojin's recklessness never made a good mixture.
"Yojin?" He rushed from the room. "Yojin!"