... ...
"Ah, Haruka-san... what are you doing?" Akatsuki eyed me warily, the boar dropping on the ground unceremoniously as he eyed the herbs in my hand. Ryouichi appeared beside him a moment later, grinning triumphantly.
"You've gone soft, Akatsuki. I've been here for over a half an hour, your Hani's already started on my kill." At this, a dull horror seemed to fall over the Western demon's face before he calmly began taking the animal off of the fire. "What are you doing?" The other demons looked up from what they were doing in curiosity, watching as Akatsuki tossed it over his shoulder, looking queasy.
"I'm preventing a war between our lands. Perhaps you should keep Haruka-san away from the food?" The other demon looked at me in confusion, curiosity filling his face.
"But she's a guest! Not only that, a healer! Surely she's a proficient cook?" Akatsuki shook his head weakly, horror filling his face.
"Don't ask her to cook. She's a good healer, certainly, but don't let her try to add any spices." He shuddered slightly and I huffed.
"I told you, it's healthy for you to eat! Plus, it tasted fine to me!" He deadpanned.
"You could have killed me."
"There was absolutely nothing wrong with that meat. It had the exact same ingredients used in the kitchens." He shook his head.
"No more cooking for you Hani." The demons all looked surprised, and I heard Takahiko speak up, appearing next to me.
"Surely she isn't that bad?" he asked curiously, head tilting to the side. Akatsuki shuddered violently and mutely shook his head, walking away to dispose of the animal.
... ...
"Neko-chan!" Hayate yelled, grinning broadly as he met us at the gate. "Naughty little neko, leaving without any warning. I didn't have anything to entertain myself." he pouted, but kept a careful distance between us as Akatsuki remained tense right behind me.
"I needed a new supply of herbs." I replied simply, shrugging as Takahiko strode up, gripping the other demons' forearm.
"Hayate! So good to see that you again! I've heard about the mischief you've been up to." He said, shaking a finger.
The other demon started to speak, but the Eastern Lord's attention had already gone somewhere else, his face lighting up. "Sesshomaru!" He lunged foreward, latching onto my lord's arm and shaking it, grinning broadly. "It's amazing to see you again! I've met your new hani-amazing girl, I can completely see her charm, horrible cooking skills though. How've you been?"
The white-haired demon merely nodded. "Takahiko." Golden eyes met mine for a brief moment, surveying both I and Akatsuki before scanning over the others. The red-haired demon laughed, throwing an arm over the other demon's shoulders.
"You really haven't changed too much. We have quite a bit of catching up to do though, ne? Have you heard from Katsurou yet?" Sesshomaru nodded.
"He sent word ahead. We were here awaiting both of your arrivals." The Eastern Lord clapped, practically jumping as he turned on his heel.
"Alright, everyone but the advisers find some lodgings! Guards, to the barracks, choose a room for.." As he relayed instructions hurriedly, Akatsuki lightly pushed me forward, and we joined the group of advisers behind Sesshomaru, many shooting me disgusted looks. I realized that I was covered in dust from the path, complete with the occasional stain gained from sleeping or kneeling on the ground, and looked distinctly worn from traveling. No wonder they seemed put out.
While the Western Lands stood at attention, standing in assigned places behind our lord according to rank, the Eastern Lands were spread out, dressed in odd finery and talking excitedly amongst each other as we waited. Takahiko bounced on his heels in excitement, craning his head to see the last lord arrive first. Hayate and Hideyoshi reclined against a building, their advisers relaxed at their side.
Much like when the Northern Lords arrived, the Southern Lands appeared all at once, just inside the gates. There was a brief pause before a man and woman strode ahead of the group, tailed by two younger demons. She wore a fine kimono, accessories shining in her light grey hair, jeweled pins holding it up- amongst the rest of the jewelry she wore, it was a choker necklace, a magnificent green gem at the center, that caught my eye. The man wore a simarly fine kimono, but with heavy armor worn over it, an axe and a sword at his hip, short dark grey hair cropped away from his face. Brilliant yellow-green eyes shone from underneath his short bangs- piercing yellow eyes surveyed the scene before them as the woman scanned the crowd. Green markings slashed over her eyes, horn-like markings disappearing into her hairline. The other two demons- a man and a woman- had the same hair as their mother, and their father's piercing eyes.
They stopped a short distance away, the woman nodding with a coy smile. "Sesshomaru. It seems that we're the last to arrive."
He nodded. "Katsurou, Ichiro. Arriving early seems to be a popular occurrence this year." At this the woman- Katsurou-laughed, hand gripping her husband's arm lightly.
"Are you honestly surprised, considering the rumors? The great Sesshomaru, hater of all ningen, the stoic 'killing perfection,' having a human amongst his advisers?" Her eyes landed on mine and her mouth tilted upwards. "Ah, and a woman at that? Curious." She didn't step forward, but observed me from that distance for a moment before turning her attention back to Sesshomaru. No big scene, as the other lords had given. Interesting.
"I hope you don't mind," she continued, stepping closer to him. "I took the liberty of inviting a friend of mine. Whether or not she shows up is another thing entirely, but I felt that you should be warned. Now, what about our lodgings? I'd like to be settled in before dinner." She breezed past Sesshomaru, the crowd parting around her. And thus the last demon Lord arrived.
... ...
It was odd- to say the least- having all of the demon lords in the castle. They'd only been here for a few hours, and yet the Southern and Eastern demons insisted on being shown around the garden and hospital. Naturally, this would have ended with me being their personal guide, showing them practically the entire castle. Which is my justification for handing them over to Akilah and going over the medical requests of the kitchens in a quiet corner of the hospital. I added the herbs Akatsuki and I had gotten to the garden, and was just skimming over the records of the other three lords when someone made their presence known behind me.
"You seem very dedicated to your work at least." An amused voice stated, and I calmly turned to see the Southern Lord's daughter standing in the corner, hands folded in front of her and with an amused smirk. She wore far less jewelry then her mother, a few jeweled pins holding her light grey hair up, markings swirling on her cheekbones and forehead. I nodded curtly in response to her statement.
"I doubt that I'd have been hired if I wasn't willing to work. And I wouldn't have accepted if my work didn't interest me."
"Oh?" she raised an eyebrow slightly. "But why accept employment from a known human hater?"
"Why not? His willingness to hire me- especially considering the high rank it entailed- interested me. The fact that he was a lord ensured that I would rarely be bored." I shrugged, flipping through another sheath of papers as I talked.
She laughed. "Boredom? That's your reasoning?"
"I need a reason other then that?" I picked up a new set of papers.
"I suppose not." she tilted her head to the side. "Still.. surely your reasons have changed by now? You've been here for several months- I can't help but wonder if that's all it takes for Sesshomaru to gain your loyalty."
"Respect? Yes. But loyalty.. Hm. Yes." There was a pause as she waited for more details, and soft laughter when none were forthcoming.
"You know.." she began, walking languidly around the room, examining a tapestry on the wall. "My mother has no predgduces against humans. She'd be more then willing to give you the contacts you'd need to excell in this position. For a price, of course."
"Oh?" I read a bit slower as I listened intently, facts still racing by.
"She's very interested in your Lord. His dislikes, his opinions, preferences, thought process... she wishes to know it all, in order to predict him better. Such knowledge could help form a stronger alliance with the Western Lands. Perhaps even help form a familial union?" She trailed off, waiting for a response.
"... Hm. I suppose that information would be rather valuable to your Lands. Especially if you were hoping to predict his reaction to a proposition of marriage between him and yourself." From the corner of my eye, I saw her nod enthusiastically.
"Exactly! I- and, indirectly, my mother- would like you to provide this information. With our help, we believe you can rise fairly high in the hierarchy of our culture. Even as a human, with the right connections you could gain a certain reputation amongst other nobles, those that influence the other lords. This will prove invaluable later on, no?" I glanced up at her through my bangs.
"I'm a healer- I don't really need any of that. I have several connections to others through my former master." She seemed surprised for a brief moment. Too purposefully delayed- she was making sure that I saw that expression.
"Ah, but even as a healer you'll need political connections. I've heard that you traveled around before this- by making connections with the right people, it will be easier to travel through other regions for your lord. Not to mention that- if you gain a reputation for your methods- you'll get all sorts of interesting cases. They would be unique, and would also gain some allies for Sesshomaru. This wouldn't only benefit yourself, Haruka-sama."
I flipped to another paper, reading more medical information for the Eastern Lands. "And how would you suggest that I get this information that's so crucial to your cause? As you pointed out, not only am I a human healer, I've also only been here for a few months. It will take years to gain anything useful." She smiled, confident now.
"Not so. You've already gained the trust of his men- they wouldn't have allowed you to treat them at all if that weren't the case. It'll take time, certainly, but it's doubtful that you'll be suspected. You're a fairly blunt and truthful person." The rustle of paper stopped as I looked up.
"So you're betting purely on the possibility of me gaining trust and maybe learning things about Sesshomaru that no one else knows?" She smiled in bemusement.
"You won't exactly have anything to lose then, ne? It's not as if this information will harm him- if anything, it will gain him several allies." I stared at the cieling for a moment, considering. "You can even have some time to decide, if you wish. But let's keep this out of your lord's ears, ne? That would be rather embarrassing. If you'd like to accept, just come to me or my brother- Suzune and Makoto. We'll be in the courtyard garden." She smiled one last time before leaving, and I stared at the wall for several minutes before getting back to my work.
... ...
I didn't bother disguising myself as I walked down the hall, stopping before the huge wooden doors, feeling hollow as I debated. I lifted a hand- still covered with dirt and ink- and knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately, the white-haired lord standing there with a sword in hand, golden eyes alert and wary. I inhaled and held up the spare pack of cards. "Care for a game milord?"
He stood there for a moment, considering, before turning and walking into his room. I took this as acceptance and hurried in, closing the door gently before following. He sat on the bed, one leg propped up and swords next to him as he watched me approach. I gingerly sat on the other side, shuffling the cards slowly as I felt my fear grow. No, not fear... extreme nervousness? Yes, that sounded better. The odds were more in favor of him not believing my motives and either killing me or taking away my position. It all depended on whether he decided that I was lying now or after he demanded to hear Suzune's side of the story and decided that he'd rather believe the heiress of the Southern Lands.
"Onna." My head jerked up. "Deal the cards." I inhaled again and nodded, dividing them up, making sure to put more cards in one stack. He ordered for the decks to be switched and the game began.
"Turn. I was asked to gain your trust and relay information to another Lord." I said, laying down my card and feeling my stomach drop.
"Turn. By whom?" Amber eyes burned as he stared me down and I fingered my cards.
"The Lord of the Southern Lands. Turn. She offered me influence in exchange for information that would help them predict your future moves. Apparently she wishes to form a marital bond."
"Doubtful. Turn. What information, specifically?"
"Turn. Personal preferences, thought process- for now, at least. I wouldn't be surprised if those demands would change once I involved myself in betrayal." He hesitated for a moment before laying down a card.
"Turn. Who were you to report to? And you will relinquish the extra card you just picked up." I obeyed, putting it to the side.
"Suzune or Makoto. Turn. Suzune approached me in the hospital and gave me time to decide."
"Hn. Turn." He leaned back against the wall.
"Turn. I don't think that I'm the only one who was approached."
"Explain. I win."
I laid down my cards, turning to stretch out my legs for a moment. "There's no point in approaching me. I've been here for little more then four months, and have gained very little trust during that time. You're well known for hating humans, and they haven't exactly gained a good reputation for being trustworthy anyway."
"You believe that you were meant as a cover for the true spy."
"Yes. Another game, or am I to go on headless?" He gestured for me to deal, staring stoically as I shuffled the cards. "You were already aware of this."
"Hn. The hospital is not an ideal place for betrayals to take place."
"But you didn't know about the other deal?" I didn't bother announcing my turn, laying down the card silently.
"No. Newer employees are watched closer then others." I nodded, relaxing slightly. We played silently for a moment. When I reached for another card, however a striped hand grabbed my wrist firmly. Amber eyes were narrowed as they met mine.
"Why did you tell me this Hani? What do you have to gain?" I'd thought about that all day before coming here. What did I have to gain from telling him? I hadn't even thought that he'd believe me, and endangering myself for no reason wasn't something I did. I could have just turned her down and moved on. So why?
"Nothing." I said slowly, working through it as I spoke. "I was curious about what you would do. Take on the Southern Lands on the word of a ningen with no proof or believe an employee who has no reason to lie? Go with what's rational or what's convenient? And now I know." I shrugged, staring at his hand calmly as I waited for it to let go. Instead, it tightened minisculy.
"And what was the purpose behind getting that information?"
"There was none. Just curiosity." I looked up, staring up calmly as he worked through that statement, working through any possible ulterior motives, actions that would require that information. He let go and reached for his cards silently.
"Put that card to the side Hani."
... ...
A/N I'm extremely sorry for the long delay, and I promise to update as soon as possible. Thank you Nizuna Fujieda, Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967, Arvael (the winner of an Akatsuki plushi :D), NarcissusXX, Eva Sirico, and Dontgotaclue88 for your reviews! And thank you my dear shadow followers who don't review but still favorited and signed up for alerts for my story! So, opinions on the newest demon lord? Which is your favorite? Opinions on Haruka's character? Predictions? Please share! As ever, please review with your opinions, and I'll update soon!
