Chapter 10

"This is outrageous. How is it that an outsider be given a right into our lines?" Aato came in on cue. He looked at the other lords who gave polite looks around. That had been called into question before.

"I think that it is perfectly within my legal province to decide who is my successor per our laws," Lord Onigen said, making his voice firm. He may be dying but he was still the head lord until he signed the order. Well technically until he died. "The order that was signed long ago is still in effect. Am I correct Lord Nobu?"

Lord Nobu had the records out. He had been doing this for many years… well centuries and he was good at it. He pulled out the order that had been signed naming Hoshiko as the chosen heir. It was partially completed. She was named and she agreed to be named. The second part was the actual acceptance. He said, "It is my lord. Along with the official adoption into the Onigen line."

Aato was flabbergasted. He had hoped to use the fact that she was not considered a member of the Onigen family to stake his claim or put Saku in position and take over from there. He had no idea that his father had adopted her into the family. Even then she wouldn't have been able to have a claim. She was not of Onigen blood.

Lord Onigen noticed the surprised looks coming from the Champion and the Slayer. He also felt a slight twitch from Hoshiko. She didn't know and he wanted to keep it that way. When he first came up with the decision to name her as his successor, he knew that there were going to be challenges. The best defense he could give her was to formally adopt her. She had no idea what it was she put her seal on and he was sorry to deceive her.

Her surprise was reserved and he was surprised when she gave a reassuring pat to his hand. It meant that she understood his intentions. He said, "I believe that is a strong claim to the order that was passed."

"It is my lord," Lord Nobu replied. He was well aware of the inheritance laws and knew that even if Aato were to challenge, that was a strong claim. He was aware of a few others that could be used but the one he was worried about was one that could be used as a means of restoring honor. "It is of course up to Hoshiko to continue. Of course we will stand by what her decision is as well as yours Lord Onigen."

The other lords murmured. They had been there when this business was started. It had taken major convincing and the adoption was the compromise to accepting her claim. They would have approved but because of tradition, that was the sticking point. They believed that Hoshiko was capable. The exception was Aato. He said, "Even if Hoshiko is adopted, she is not of our blood. No one outside the Oni has ruled this settlement clan. Besides her lineage is of the night clans."

"An issue that was brought up when this was made," Lord Onigen voiced. He gave a look towards his son. He didn't like where this was going. He feared that Aato was going to reissue his challenge again.

"My lords," Angela interrupted. She knew that she was probably breaking protocol but then again she was given a lot of leeway. Her major exception was that she was a warrior. She continued, "I know that this has been a source of contention. I understand why Lord Onigen has made this decision. My lord has always done what he thought was best for his people and I am sure we can all agree on that.

"As you all know before I left, I was named as special counsel to Lord Onigen. If it is a matter of experience, you are aware of my credentials. Since it is a matter of family, I am honored that my lord has considered me as such. Therefore I will honor him by accepting and assuming my position within the right of succession for the good of the people."

Lord Nobu looked at Angela. He started clapping and the other lords followed suit. The exception was Aato. Hoshiko-san was assuming her place and he could tell that it was with some reluctance. He would help her out though since he had seen how she glanced at the Champion and the Slayer. They were important to her and she had probably been with them for some time. If she were made to give that up, she would die of misery. That he was sure of. That would come later. He voiced, "Then let us finalize this succession."

Lord Onigen risked a look at Angela. He saw that she was calm but he could see a bit of sadness. He would have changed it but he had to trust her. Maybe she heard more than she should have in his conversation with Lord Minamoto. He said, "Then as lord of the Onigen settlement, I hereby declare it official that Hoshiko-san of the night clans and adopted member of the Onigen family my successor within the right of succession. Upon my death, she will assume all responsibilities as lord of the people." He stood up and motioned for the documents to be brought forward along with the ceremonial tea. It had to be made official with the council. Then the next day the presentation to the people would occur.

It felt like a death sentence to Angela and maybe it was foolish into accepting this. A glance at Sam and Dean told her that they were confused at what she was doing. She would explain to them when she had the chance. Right now the big thing was getting into the succession and then trying to make it up to Aato and convince him to change his ways. She also had to meet with the Swamp Soldiers and talk to them.

Angela swallowed the last minute doubts. She couldn't afford to show any sign of doubt or weakness. She took the pen and signed where she was told to and accepted the cup of tea. It was perfect timing since the main concern was whether or not she would take up what they considered her responsibility. Minamoto looked at her as he filed out with the others as if he wasn't sure if she could handle it.

Aato looked at her. He muttered loud enough for her to here, "You see me and we will settle this."

Angela said nothing but watched him leave. That left her with Onigen and Sam and Dean. They refused to leave and they were chomping at the bit to quiz her. She looked at Onigen and said in Japanese, "Well my lord, I think this will be an interesting game of chasing tails."

Onigen realized that his little Hoshiko was up to something by the way she sounded when she called this a game. He knew that she would take her duties seriously and he guessed that she had a plan to bring Aato into line. Maybe he underestimated her capabilities once again. He replied in the same language, "I suspect that you are going hunting again?"

"You know me well Lord Onigen. I plan to bring Aato and the leader of the Swamp Soldiers together and hopefully honor will be restored on all sides."

"And that will include between you and Aato?"

"I hope so," Angela replied in English. She gave a slight smile. "I suppose the official presentation is tomorrow?"

"Short notice but I suspect the old windbag will have something ready," Lord Onigen replied with a slight chuckle. He was well aware of how people called old Natsu her names. She could be a windbag when she scolded him but he said it with affection. "You didn't have to do this. I know you know that there was a way…"

"Call it my overplayed sense of honor. It will work out my lord." Angela broke the reserve that was predominate for Onigen and his people and placed a hand on the old Oni warlord's shoulder. Within that touch she felt his age, his years and could feel the illness had worked his life down. It was only a matter of days before he would just give out. She didn't look forward to that.

Lord Onigen broke his own reserve and placed his hand over hers. He gave a gentle squeeze and held her hand in place. He said in a low whisper, "Your friends are good boys and I didn't even have to talk to them. I don't have to worry about you too much. They will watch your back."

Angela made a slight face and it turned into a smile. She gave a slight nod as Onigen released her hand. She spoke a word of acknowledgement that she heard before walking towards a waiting Sam and Dean. Before leaving she motioned for Ping and he was ready to attend to the warlord and she gave one last look and said, "May your house be honored."

"A little late for you isn't it?"

Angela turned from where she was lounging against the balcony of the library's view of the Hiori village. It bordered Osaka and right between them was temple and the gardens that had been used for major events like the Obon dance and any other festivals. It was the best view from the Onigen house and one that was her favorite. The person that was talking to her was none other than Sam. She gave a slight smile and replied, "You of all people should know that I'm a night owl."

Sam shuffled his feet slightly. He knew that. She could go to bed at three in the morning and be up in two hours and functioning like normal. He just wanted to talk to her and get a straight answer from her for once since the whole day seemed to be of riddles.

After they left the study, he and Dean cornered her and asked her what everything meant. She explained as if she were explaining how a prescription medication was to be taken. She didn't state how she felt or go into too much detail why. There was no chance to discuss it over dinner since the whole family was present.

The funny thing was that the Onigen family discussed it as if it were another matter that would be accepted. The one that was amused the most was the one called Kumiko. She asked questions to which she already knew the answer much to the discomfort of the people answering. Sam suspected that she was trying to get it all out in the open and it vaguely sounded something like Angela would do but the difference was that she was nicer about it.

Now they were relatively alone Sam could ask what he wanted to know and he knew Dean would bug him later on or ask himself. He replied, "True but even you have your limits."

"You got me on that one," Angela allowed. She crossed her arms and leaned against the rail. "So did Dean play the big brother card again?"

"No." Sam came out so it didn't feel like he was shouting at her. "I just wanted to see if you were okay."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

It was a good question and Sam suspected that she asked that one on purpose. It vaguely occurred to him that she knew what she was thinking and feeling but she liked to hear what other people thought. Well maybe like was the wrong way to put it but she did take criticism fairly well. He replied, "Maybe you feel that you were bullied into this and maybe regretting it."

"Very astute for you Sam," Angela returned. She could tell that it bothered him still how Li reminded her of what she signed up for then. Then again he never liked it when people tried to have their way with her even if it was a mundane thing. At least Dean was more mild mannered than that but hey, she did the same for them. "I am not pleased with the circumstances but I think it is right."

"But what do you truly feel? Earlier you were muttering something about a code and you were angry at it and yourself." Sam had made his way towards the rail and turned to lean his back on it. The effect was that they were sitting side by side.

Angela paused a moment. She never really verbalized her feelings completely. She managed to avoid it by using metaphors or dancing around the issues. Vaguely she could recall someone telling her that to show emotion was a weakness but she couldn't remember who. She was tempted to make a joke of it but that would hurt Sam's feelings. She finally said, "You've been around me long enough Sam. You know that I try to do the right thing and have this really strong sense of duty."

How could Sam forget that? He read her journal and the clearest example was the entry where she wrote how Dad made her promise to look after him and Dean. Dad had played on her sense of honor and integrity, meaning she kept her word to the best of her ability. He listened as she continued, "I was brought up in a different time and place Sam. Back then that was when a man's handshake was bond. Oaths and treaties were honored… at least that was what I was taught. The code I was spitting at was Bushido. Onigen taught me intricacies and I learned the basics. In the end it was one and the same for me. Sometimes we must give up selfish desires for the greater good."

"Sounds more like a roundabout way of the usual bullshit. Besides you're more generous than any other person I know. Sometimes I think you could stand to be a little selfish and demand something for yourself once in a while." Sam stared straight ahead as he relayed his thoughts.

Angela became thoughtful. Then she said, "The last time I wanted something completely to myself, I lost a good friend. I wanted to retire but ended up being dragged back in and my ass was saved by a Marine. What has wanting something for me gotten me anywhere?"

Sam didn't need details on her comments. He could understand where she was coming from now. It seemed that when she had good things within her reach and she took them, they were taken away. By not wanting anything for herself, she gave of herself. It was like her upbringing on overdrive since he had seen her take it to the extreme.

"Though I do have to admit things have changed. I really don't want to spend the rest of my life here even though I do love this place."

"Then why say yes? Somehow I don't get the feeling that it's about duty and honor and all that stuff we wasted time on."

Angela gave a slight grin as she glanced at Sam. She gave a playful shoulder bump with her shoulder. "You seem to pick out things quicker than the humans I have met throughout the years." Getting serious, she explained, "Even if I were to let Onigen retract the right of succession, there would still be problems. There has been uprisings against Aato's management of Osaka. The hit and run variety but they, the Swamp Soldiers, make a point. If I were to step down, Onigen would more likely name Saku and that would start a war between brothers and on top of that, there is the insult I gave Aato for accepting in the first place."

"So you are going to try and prevent a war?"

"Stop it before one does break out." Angela pointed out. "Hopefully I can get Aato to see how foolish he is with his treatment of the people."

"You have great faith that he will listen," Sam countered not convinced. He remembered the first time he met the guy and the expression on his face. That didn't change much when he came with the other lords.

"I like to believe in reserving judgment and there is still good in him."

Sam couldn't help but chuckle at her response. He couldn't help it. "I could say that Aato is more machine now than man. Twisted and evil."

Angela realized what she said and laughed along with Sam. It relieved a bit of the tension that she had been feeling all day. She said, "Well I did say I wouldn't quote it for Dean's benefit. I never said anything about yours." She then sighed as they finished laughing and said, "Well I guess we better call it a night. There is tomorrow to deal with."

"Tell me about it," Sam replied, "I didn't know Dean and I are supposed to dress up."

"Think of it like the pre battle gala at the tournament. You just can't wear your suit… Champion," Angela grinned mischievously as she watched the exasperated look flit across Sam's face. She took off when he tried to grab her and make her call 'uncle'. It was a night of freedom.

Everything looked clichéd down to the fog; like one of those old school horror films but there was nothing creepy to it. She half expected something to sneak up behind her and get her but that never happened. So as it was it was just Angela standing in the middle of what looked like the Louisiana swamp and she could hear the water lapping along with the usual sounds that accompanied the swamps and bayous at night.

She was just wandering through and it reminded her of the times that she explored that particular area. This area was said to be home to a huge water beast. She had gone out to see for herself since she was bored. She was planning on moving on within the next few days anyway since she was well recovered and it was high time she get back to doing what she did best.

Angela wandered through and was starting to feel that she was experiencing déjà vu. She paused and looked around. Everything looked like it did nearly two hundred years ago. She narrowed her eyes and looked around. "Okay this is a very good look of the place. This is before that nice little fireworks display. So either it's a hallucination or I'm dreaming."

Angela looked down and noticed what she was wearing. "Okay, I must be dreaming since I wouldn't wear this in the middle of a swamp."

She discovered that she was wearing a dress and a white one for that matter. It wasn't even a modern dress but the kind that was worn in the Middle Ages. There was even a silver belt that hung off her hips and around her waist and the sleeves… Angela grimaced. She wasn't completely adverse to wearing dresses since she did so when the occasion called for it.

Angela was looked down at herself and wondered why she was in white and in the middle of a swamp when a very familiar figure entered. She heaved a sigh and said, "Now I know I'm dreaming if you're here."

Horus looked at Angela with a bland expression even though he was tempted to smile and joke with her. He had been sent to bring her since the last time the brothers had been unsuccessful. They tried getting a hold of her but it was like she put up a resistance to dreams. Now finally he was able to reach out to her. From the look of things, Morpheus did a pretty good job in making her presentable. The location though was interesting.

Seeing that Angela was waiting for an answer, he replied, "I apologize Absolution but it is an urgent matter. The council has been trying to contact you and have met with little success."

"Perhaps it is because I've been too exhausted to be properly rested for a dream walk. There are other ways of getting my attention." Angela crossed her arms more in annoyance with the council than Horus. The guardian had become a little more open about the peculiarities of mortals and wasn't too quick to dismiss them.

"There were other means but considering what you have been doing, the council was afraid that their time with you would be brushed aside."

Angela gave a slight smile. Horus was always too nice when it came to speaking of others even if they were total douchebags. He hadn't been that corrupted though he was certain his mother would prefer her version of corruption. She knew though what he meant and replied, "So it is what Monster Slayer and Child of the Water were trying to tell me; that a day and time has been settled."

Horus nodded, "That is true. The council has been trying to convey this information to you but for some reason, your mind has been a bit resistant to being touched."

"Well I did have a problem with Lupei and the fact that my own were injured," Angela replied. She looked down at her dress and was surprised that nothing happened to it just standing there. "So I suppose you are to take me to them?"

"Yes."

"Then lead on," Angela replied with a slight motion of her hand. She waited until Horus started moving to make her move. It was second nature to hitch her skirts up like she used to when Mother taught her to be a proper lady but always with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She remembered a valuable lesson when it came to clothes and nice things. It was why she was so picky and had to resist doing everything herself when she saw Dean manhandle his clothes.

She was getting better at that though. She still teased and she was rather pleased that the old busybody was taking it upon herself to tease Dean about that. She pulled her skirts up so that her feet wouldn't be impeded by them as she followed Horus. She couldn't help but ask, "I take it the dress was someone else's idea?"

"Morpheus was summoned to bring you into the dream realm. He did so with great reluctance."

Angela gave a thoughtful smile. She knew the dream god was still trying to make up for what he put her through when he had been bound by the demon. She had forgiven the god because she knew that if given the choice, he wouldn't wish the mental torture like that upon anyone… at least those that didn't deserve it. "I can just imagine. I hope he knows that I've forgiven him."

"Perhaps he feels he hasn't earned it, Absolution," Horus replied as he paused. He had to take a look around to make sure that he was going in the right direction. "Why he pulled this from your memory is beyond me."

"Maybe it is because I am currently in a settlement that is in the middle of a bayou/swamp," Angela replied sounding a bit childish and she huffed to stand beside Horus while he scanned the area around him. "Besides Morpheus knows that the best way to gain cooperation is to use something the dreamer is familiar with. He just went with the obvious."

"It seems that way," Horus allowed. Finally his eyes lighted on the marker that he was looking for. He motioned with his hand as he stepped forward. "This way. I only hope that the council will be in the usual room."

"Oh it will be. It's just how one gets there that is different," Angela replied as she followed Horus once again. She could have gone faster and maybe huffed and puffed a bit over it but she wasn't that anxious to face the council.

She knew that was the main reason why the brothers came to her before she had that dream vision or whatever it was that signaled the boys were in trouble. She could accept that and she knew they wanted to see her too but their main reason had been in her mind even when Ruby badgered her on the way there. The truth be told, she dreaded to hear what this was about.

What was more surprising was that she wanted someone with her and it wasn't her boys. It wasn't that she didn't want them around but they had never been in front of the council of higher powers. They never had to face scrutiny and possible oblivion if you rubbed them the wrong way. Rather she wished that her fratello was there but he wasn't. She could try the way she knew would work but there was a risk of being overheard. She could do a summoning but he could refuse to come.

So she was on her own with this and she felt dread start to creep in. She pushed it down and summoned up her determination to see this through as Horus led her to caves that bordered the swamps. At least the cave floors were not as muddy so she was able to lower her skirts as she followed the guardian towards the main chamber.

All seven were present and she could make out Isis and Amaterasu. They were looking at her with their stoic expressions but she could detect the familiar twinkle, especially from Isis. She completely lowered her skirts and walked until she was in the center of the circle of chairs. She clasped her hands in front of her and faced Quetzalcoatl. Bowing her head she said, "It is my understanding that I have been summoned before this council."

The Plumed Serpent looked at Angela and gave a nod. He replied, "Yes. Let it be known that this concerns a petition regarding a crossroads deal…"

A/N: Angie takes the plunge and accepts what many consider her duty. Sam learns something very interesting about her and looks like a meeting with the council of higher powers decides to take place. So many things going on that life may be chaotic next time on Honor unto Death...