Chapter Nine
"Well, now I know how glad I am we don't do much mountain climbing in training."
As they reached the summit of Koku-zan, Maichu shivered violently, gazing around him with dislike at the snow that covered every visible surface. "And why do they call this the Black Mountain anyway? It looks pretty friggin' white to me - are they having some kind of a joke with us or what?"
"I imagine it's because the stone that lies beneath the stone is ebony in colour, Maichu." Hyoushin reflected, and his soldier reddened, having not realised his Commander was so close behind him. "Either way, such things are immaterial. We are not here to discuss the view - or the nature of the rocks that form such a peak. We are looking for the place in which Genbu no Miko's Shinzahou was once enshrined. This is, I believe, the location where Ashitare lost his life to obtain the treasure."
"It must have been horrible." Aoiketsu reflected absently. "To die on a peak such as this one. To have the last thing you see be frozen ice and snow and nothing else for miles. To die all alone in a place like this...Hyoushin-sama, is that truly what happened to Ashitare?"
"Well, someone else must have been here at one point." Hyoushin observed. "Since the Genbu Shinzahou was conveyed from this place. Seiryuu was raised over Sairou's skies, was he not?"
"Then someone else was here too?" The soldier known as Kayu frowned. "And he what - stabbed Ashitare in the back and ran off to the Shougun with the holy treasure?"
"What exactly happened on this mountain, only those who were here know for sure." Hyoushin admitted. "All I know is that this is where Genbu no Shinzahou was concealed, and it was here Ashitare came to claim it. Lord Kikei's sources claim he died away from the mountain - that he was slain in the valley below, by some unknown force. Perhaps this is true, although the stories of some of the local residents have indicated otherwise. But that the treasure was kept here once, this seems beyond dispute."
"I found something, Commander." Maichu gestured across the landscape to where a rock solid mound of frozen earth rose out of the land. At first glance, it seemed like just another stretch of uneven terrain, but in the midst of this mound was a sturdy piece of wood - a branch from one of the pine trees that had flanked the lower ledges and which had been carefully stripped of all needles before being thrust into the earth.
"What the hell?" Kayu looked bewildered. "How did that get there?"
"Someone evidently put it there." Hyoushin said frankly. "Although it can't have been there long...the elements would soon have beaten it down."
"So we should investigate it, sir?" Aoiketsu sent his Commander a questioning glance.
"It looks like a twig in the earth to me." Maichu snorted, reaching out to tap it with his hand, but as he did so, a red flicker of light flared out around the mound, pushing him back as it flared into a ghostly crimson barrier. With an exclamation, Maichu tumbled to the floor, and Aoiketsu hurried to haul his friend up, staring with uncertainty and disbelief at the strange, glimmering light. In a moment, the glare had faded to nothing once more, and Maichu bit his lip, gazing up at his fellow soldier in confusion.
"What the hell was that?" He whispered. Hyoushin's brow knitted, and he took a step or two towards the mound, eying it keenly.
"Maichu, are you hurt?" He asked softly.
"No, but friggin' confused." Maichu dusted himself down, shaking his head. "At least some of the snow round here is fresh an' soft enough to fall into. But yeesh - what was that, Commander?"
"Red light." Hyoushin remarked absently. His left hand closed around the hilt of his sword and he pulled it from his belt, pausing for a moment, then extending it towards the marker. Again, ruby light glimmered around the mound, and he paused, drawing back. "Protecting this place."
"Do you think it's Ashitare? Is the Shinzahou here?" Kayu demanded, and Aoiketsu snorted.
"Seiryuu doesn't go around making bits of snow glow red, Kayu." He said disparagingly. "Maichu and I went to get Suiko's scale and it was protected by blue light. He's the Azure Dragon, after all - why would this have anything to do with him?"
"Yet I feel Kayu might be along the right lines, even if he has settled upon the wrong deity."
Hyoushin returned his weapon to its sheath, gazing at the mound thoughtfully.
"I am not an expert on the ways of the Beast Gods, but is it not true that the God who guards the southern lands is the Phoenix Suzaku, and that he manifests himself with red light?"
"Suzaku?" Maichu's eyes widened. "You mean those damn southerners came all the way up here? And what...is this some kind of shrine? Something to keep us out?"
Hyoushin pursed his lips. Then, he shook his head.
"I think...it's a grave site." He said at length. "And that we have discovered the one whom Ashitare fought for the Shinzahou. The war between Kounan and Kutou was bloody...and I imagine that this mountain saw a fierce fight. We know that Ashitare was half wolf, half man - I cannot imagine anyone having put up a battle against him for very long. Yet, Ashitare was buried in the form of a wolf, not as a man...so whatever happened on this peak, it stole the life of two men. One of which was Ashitare...and the other..."
He gestured towards the grave.
"One of Suzaku's."
"One of the Suzaku Shichi Seishi?" Aoiketsu glanced at the Meihi, who nodded.
"That would seem likely." He agreed. "And that someone placed a barrier around his resting place, to prevent people such as you or I from disturbing his remains. In which case, this grave has been here as long as Ashitare has been dead - the barrier has protected it even against the elements."
"Spooky." Maichu shivered. "Do you think his ghost haunts here? I've heard stories about soldiers killed in battle..."
"Before and beyond the grave." Hyoushin pursed his lips. "I don't know, Maichu. Perhaps."
"Ghosts aren't real, are they?" Another soldier asked hesitantly. Hyoushin spread his hands.
"I was told that the one who guarded the Shinzahou was in Hokkan, both before and beyond the grave." He said simply. "Though I cannot imagine that a warrior of Suzaku is protecting a treasure of Seiryuu. So no, I think you can relax on that account. I do not think we are about to encounter a Suzaku spirit."
"Hyoushin-sama! Over here!"
As one of the men let out a yell, the group turned, seeing for the first time that the high rising cliff face behind them was actually not just a cliff face but that beneath the overhanging, snowy rock there was what appeared to be a great metal door, carved with the image of Genbu. Hyoushin's eyes narrowed.
"And this must be the place the Shinzahou was." He reflected. "Although I am losing faith that we will find our treasure on this mountain. I can't believe Seiryuu would leave something so precious so near the dead body of an enemy. Still, we must investigate fully. Open the door - we will go inside."
"It's damn heavy." As the soldiers hurried to obey their Commander's instructions, Maichu grimaced, casting Aoiketsu a rueful look. "Why is it we spend all our time shoving open doors and dividers to get holy treasures, Aoi?"
"I guess it's a good way of keeping people out?" Aoiketsu grinned back. "But you heard the Commander. Do you really think a Suzaku warrior is buried in the snow here?"
"Well, it did glow like a beacon." Maichu looked uncharacteristically thoughtful. "Guess it must've been."
"It's still a terrible place to die, Maichu." Aoiketsu shivered, and Maichu laughed.
"But he was the enemy, so it's not so bad, right?" He teased. "It wasn't Ashitare who died on this bleak mountain after all. Was it?"
"From what Hyoushin-sama said, it sounded like he did...or something." Aoiketsu sighed, renewing his effort against the door. "I don't understand about the Shichi Seishi. Seems to me they had some pretty weird abilities, some of them."
"Remember, Shougun was one of them." Maichu said warningly, and Aoiketsu nodded.
"I know." He agreed. "But then that girl last night - she did say that someone vaporised a bunch of people to set Ashitare free. That's sort of frightening, when you think about it. It's a damn good thing he had control of it - and that he was on Seiryuu's side. I mean, imagine what you could do with that kind of power..."
"Didn't help him in the end, though, did it?" Maichu said pensively. "Ashitare died in the snow. Shougun in some strange world we don't even know anything about. God knows what happened to the others, but they all died, didn't they? All because of Suzaku an' their people."
"Guess the least we can do is find Yui-sama's treasure, then." Aoiketsu reflected, as the heavy door finally creaked open beneath their pressure, the frozen hinges giving way to the soldiers' concerted effort.
"Shit, it's dark in here." One man exclaimed, and Hyoushin eyed him in faint amusement.
"I believe it's what's called a cavern." He said lightly. "Kayu, a light, if you please."
"Light?" Kayu looked foxed, and Maichu sighed, rolling his eyes as he reached into his pocket, producing flint as he sparked one of the ancient torches that hung in sconces around the walls. It sputtered and flickered for a moment, the blazed brightly, and for the first time the Kutou warriors were able to see their surroundings.
"It just looks like a big ugly cave to me." Maichu reflected. "Nothing special."
"Appearances can be deceptive." Hyoushin said thoughtfully. "Walk on, all of you. And be careful where you tread."
"Where we...?" Aoiketsu glanced down at this, letting out an exclamation as he registered the fact the floor was covered with human bones. "Shit! Hyoushin-sama, are they...?"
"Human bones? Yes." Hyoushin nodded. "I imagine that many thieves entered here before, to try and retrieve Genbu's treasure."
"And something slaughtered them?" Kayu swallowed hard. "Are you sure we should be in here without our armour, sir?"
"We will be quite safe." Hyoushin assured him. "The guardians of Genbu no Shinzahou are no longer here, as their treasure no longer is, either. Wherever it is now, it is not on Koku-zan."
"But what if Ashitare and the Seiryuu one are...?" Maichu asked hesitantly. Hyoushin shook his head.
"I believe we will find this cave empty." He said briefly. "But to report to the Emperor, I must be able to say we have at least checked. Don't hesitate - they are only bones, nothing more. They cannot hurt you...they are long beyond putting up any kind of fight."
"We better watch Aoi - he might keel over." One soldier remarked, causing laughter from several of the others, and indignation flickered in Aoiketsu's eyes.
"Shut up! I'm fine!" He snapped.
"Well, I guess none of them are exactly bleeding." Maichu glanced at the ground, then offered his friend a playful smile. "So you're all right. Don't be so stuffy, Aoi - it doesn't suit your particular beauty, pulling those kinds of faces."
"Oh, can it, you idiot." Aoiketsu grimaced back at him. "You're meant to be looking for a holy treasure, not picking on me."
As the soldiers meticulously fanned out and examined the high-ceilinged cavernous chambers that had once been the shrine and resting place of Genbu no Shinzahou, it soon became apparent that Hyoushin's Meihi informers had been right. The cave was long since abandoned, and despite their search, they could find no evidence that anything mystical still remained.
"It really is just a cave." Maichu said disgruntledly. "After we came all the way up here. Damn northern mountains - I really don't like Hokkan!"
"But we have done all we can, so I imagine we will be returning to Kutou soon enough." Hyoushin said slowly. He reached for the mirror that hung at his belt, glancing at it, then rubbing his hand over the shiny surface.
"Kintsusei-sama?" He murmured. "It's Hyoushin, making report on Koku-zan."
"Hyoushin?" The voice began as faint, the image grainy, but as the men gathered around they could see their Emperor's face glittering in the smoky, clouded glass of Kikei's enchanted mirror. "What have you to tell me?"
"Little, Sire. There is no sign of any holy treasure and it seems an impossibility from local sources that Ashitare is the Guardian of our Shinzahou." The Meihi reported gravely. "We have found no leads to tell us where to search - with your permission, I will bring the men home."
There was a pause, then,
"I will speak to Kikei, and have him consult Suiko again. As yet he hasn't managed to raise her a second time, but before you leave Hokkan, I'd like to ask her for more details." The Emperor said softly. "Take your men to Touran and await my contact, Hyoushin...I will let you know as soon as I can what the situation is."
"Yes, Sire. My apologies for having failed in your mission."
"No, it's not your fault. You've done well and been as diligent as ever, I'm sure." The Emperor sighed. "I will speak to Kikei directly...and contact you as soon as I have more to tell you."
"As you wish, Kintsusei-sama." Hyoushin inclined his head slightly. Then, as the mirror faded and dulled, he glanced at his companions.
"You have heard your Emperor's instruction." He said quietly. "We will return to Touran, and await his command."
"At last." Maichu murmured. "I never thought I'd be happy to go back to that frozen excuse for a city, but at least it has wood fires!"
"Do you think we'll stay in Hokkan and continue looking, Hyoushin-sama?" Aoiketsu asked as they left the cavern, passing the mysterious grave as they did so. Hyoushin eyed him for a moment, then he spread his hands.
"As the Emperor wills it." He said simply. "At least we have ascertained one thing of use...that wherever Seiryuu no Shinzahou is - it is not hidden on or around the Black Mountain."
---------
"I never thought I'd actually be glad to be in Kounan."
As Hikari gazed out of the window of the big house towards the mountains, she let out a sigh, a pensive expression in her dark eyes. "But I really am, Shishi. When we came over that border...I felt that we were less likely to be in danger. We got the Shinzahou, and finally, we've left all that snow behind."
"You're telling me." Shishi sighed, dropping down beside her. "I've never been to Yukigase before, but like you, I'm damn glad that it's within Southern borders. Kashira an' Chichiri's old friend might be as weird as anything, but he has a nice big house an' it has nice warm fires. Even a bandit needs to thaw out from time to time...an' now we've crossed into Suzaku's land, the Shinzahou should be safe enough. Right?"
"I guess so." Hikari shrugged her shoulders, stifling a yawn. "I'm just glad we've stopped walking."
It was three hours since the travel party had left the farm belonging to Amiboshi and his family and, as the sun had climbed in the sky, the weary group had finally stumbled through the last of the mountain path and into Kounan, reaching the northern village of Yukigase and registering that, after what had seemed like endless tracks through snow, they were finally moving towards home. Once he had realised they were indeed in Yukigase, Chichiri had immediately turned away from the possibility of staying in an inn, instead approaching the home of the village elder with the remark that "An old friend of Suzaku's lives in this area, you know."
The 'old friend' had proven to be the strangest looking man that Hikari had ever seen, and it had only been her weariness and the strong reminder of Chichiri's words about appearances that had prevented her from laughing out loud at seeing him. He was of a similar age to the two Suzaku Seishi, built like a brick wall, with both height and width to his brawny body. And yet, despite this, his hair had been woven back in a very feminine style and he had been robed in the most delicate of woman's attire, his face made up like a city courtesan as if attempting to conceal the truth of his gender from prying eyes. At the sight of them he had exclaimed, then ushered them into his home, ordering the house staff to prepare both rooms and food for the dishevilled wanderers, and as they had settled down to eat a hearty meal, Hikari had realised that beyond this oddity's appearance beat a strong, kind heart.
"Tamatama-san is strange." She said now, resting her chin in her hands as she considered. "Dressing up like a woman, when he's so obviously not one. Yet...he seems kind enough. And if he's a friend of Tasuki and Chichiri's, I guess he must be a good person."
"He did feed us." Shishi said ruefully. "And at short notice, too. I guess you're right."
She shot the schoolgirl a sidelong glance.
"Aren't you tired?" She asked. "You looked all in on the farm, and we did just walk through the mountains in the cold. Yesterday you had plenty to say about that...are you all right?"
"You had plenty to say too." Hikari reminded her, and the bandit flushed.
"Touche." She acknowledged. "But I thought we'd left the hatchet buried in all that friggin' snow. Didn't we?"
"We did." Hikari agreed, turning to face her companion as she made herself more comfortable in her seat. "And I was trying not to complain. That's all."
She shrugged.
"I am tired." She admitted. "But I'm also too hyped up to sleep. I've a lot of questions, now. A lot of things I don't understand and a few things that I do. What happened on the farm...has sunk in, now. What I did, and everything. It was...sort of instinctive at the time. Strange. Chichiri said he and Tasuki had to protect the Shinzahou, and were drawn to it. But I didn't think I would be drawn to protect them, too. When I think about it, it scares me. I could've been killed. But..."
"But you weren't." Shishi reflected. "Chichiri did say that you had powers stronger than his. You just can't use them yet. But I guess you did use them a little bit today. And I'm glad you did, too. I mean, I couldn't see this Suboshi ghost dude, and I'm not sorry about that. But he sounds pretty damn crazy to me."
"He was angry. But I feel sort of sorry for him...for both of them." Hikari sighed. "I don't know why, exactly...I just do."
"Amiboshi, I understand. His brother's a nut-job." Shishi snorted. "But I'm sorry, I wouldn't feel sorry for a ghost who tried to kill me. Chichiri said the brat killed your Dad's family, after all - and you're going to be all right with that?"
"I don't even know really who my Dad is, at the moment. Whether he can be Sukunami Taka and Sou Kishuku, and if not, which one is more real." Hikari sighed, rubbing her temples. "And it isn't that. I think it's just...he was angry, but he was also sad. And I felt bad that someone my age had to die and was made to do evil things because of a war. That's all. Amiboshi said it was Nakago's fault - seems to me like everything bad that ever happened in this world was connected somehow to that guy."
"No kidding." Shishi nodded, a dark expression crossing her gaze as she did so. "Nakago was the ultimate in ultimate crazies. Until your Dad put a stop to it...he would'a destroyed everything."
"Dad must've been strong and brave both." Hikari reflected. "I wish I knew more about it...There's so much I don't know and it's driving me nuts."
"Well, if Chichiri sends you home, you'll be able to ask him. Right?"
"Sure. If Chichiri can." Hikari looked troubled. "He looked even more ragged than me, when we got here. You think he'll be all right?"
"Chichiri'll be fine." A fresh voice entered the conversation at that moment, and both girls turned to see Tasuki lounging in the doorway. He offered them a wolfish grin at their surprise, coming to sit down in an empty seat.
"He's sleepin' like a baby." He added. "An' you should be followin' suit, Hikari. It's still a long way to Reikaku-zan, an' we won't be stayin' more than a day or so here in Yukigase."
"Hiki's still coming to grips with being the heroine." Shishi explained, and Tasuki chuckled, shaking his head.
"It should come natural to Tama's daughter, doin' somethin' like that." He reflected. "Though you were damn brave, kid. Your Pa'd be proud, that's for sure. You were every bit their daughter, this morning."
He glanced from one girl to the other.
"And you two have stopped killin' each other an' decided to be friends at last?" He asked lightly. "'Bout time."
"I guess we have." Hikari looked self-conscious. "I mean...well...we called a truce."
Tasuki looked amused.
"You two are jus' like Tama an' me, when I think about it." He admitted. "First time we met, we more or less tried to kill each other. But he's one of the people I respect the most, an' that's no lie. By the time he left for your world, Hikari, your Pa an' I were good buddies. I guess it's jus' the same with you two...two strong personalities clash to begin with. That's all."
"I don't know if I'm all that strong." Hikari looked doubtful.
"This morning begs to differ." Tasuki shrugged. "Don't under-rate yourself, kid. You do all right...you're Suzaku's blood in more ways than just one, an' you should remember that. It served you well this mornin', an' no doubt it will do again, if the time comes."
"I guess so." Hikari said thoughtfully. "Maybe."
She eyed him curiously.
"Chichiri will really be all right?"
"Yeah." Tasuki nodded. "He has a habit of giving everything, when it comes to protecting something precious. Hell, I guess it's a Suzaku Seishi failin', when it comes to that. We all do - did - it. But Chichiri's a damn strong individual. Even if he don't look as much the fighter as all that, he is one - Tamahome aside, maybe he was the strongest of us all, on reflection. He'll be fine with some rest. Trust me - he's pushed himself further before, an' lived to tell the tale. Only difference is that this time there ain't no Mitsukake on hand to heal him."
"It was nice of Tamatama-san to let us stay here like this." Shishi reflected. "He's an old buddy of yours, Kashira? Really?"
"Well, more accurate to say he was a buddy o' Nuriko's." Tasuki said ruefully. "But yes. In a manner of speaking. He's as brain-kinked as Nuriko was - but as good a person, too. Makes me remember...to be honest. I almost wish we had made a detour to Koku-zan, on our way back. I ain't been to pay my respects to Nuriko in a long time - not with him bein' reborn an' all. But even so..."
"You miss them all a lot, don't you?" Hikari realised. "The other Seishi. And...Mum and Dad? You miss them, too?"
"Yes." Tasuki said frankly. "But we all know how things are. Tama and Miaka are in the other world an' I doubt they can come back here again. Not now. An' the other four have new lives to lead. So there's just Chichiri an' me left. But at least there's that, you know? I ain't complainin'. Life's fine. An' we have our memories - so it's not like they've all really gone."
"When I go home, I think I'm going to ask Dad about his memories." Hikari decided. "I want to know about Tamahome some more...and I want to know from him."
"Well, when you do, tell him we ain't forgotten either." Tasuki said reflectively. "Chichiri an' me - neither one of us ever will. Not so long as we live."
"Promise." Hikari nodded. "I'll tell them that. And how kind you've both been to me, too. I don't know if I like this world any more than I did when I first arrived in it - but at least I haven't been completely on my own here. It makes a difference...to know people care what's happening to me."
She pinkened slightly, and Tasuki laughed, getting to his feet.
"That's what it means, doin' Suzaku's work." He said lightly. "I'm goin' to go help Jin with collectin' firewood. You girls stay here, an' Shishi, make sure Hikari gets some rest, huh? I'm countin' on you."
"Yes, Kashira." Shishi nodded. "I will. Don't worry."
With that, the bandit leader was gone, the door swinging shut behind him, and the two girls were once more alone.
"You know, he is right." Shishi reflected. Hikari nodded.
"I know. And I will." She agreed. "But not just yet. I guess...my brain just needs a moment or two to compute it all. That's all."
"Suit yourself." Shishi shrugged. She cast her companion a glance, an amused grin touching her lips.
"You know, it's pretty damn funny, when you think of it, that your folks called you Hikari." She added.
"Huh?" Hikari looked startled.
"Well, don't you think so?" Shishi demanded. "Since you've started glowin' red at random intervals?"
Hikari grinned, a sheepish expression entering her dark eyes. Slowly she nodded her head.
"When you put it that way, I suppose it is." She agreed. "I never really thought about it before, though. I just thought my folks were being airy-fairy or something. My brother's name is Makoto - truth - so I thought it was just like that. Light and Truth - you know? Some weird optimistic thing - my mother's kinda like that."
"Well, at least it's better than being named after a fruit." Shishi grimaced. "On balance, Hikari ain't such a bad name. An' I suppose it suits you pretty good, now we know you're the Shinzahou."
"A fruit?" Hikari blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"My name." Shishi pulled another face. "At least yours means something."
"But you're Shishi." Hikari looked confused. "Aren't you?"
Shishi laughed ruefully, nodding her head.
"Yeah." She agreed. "At least, since I was two or three."
"It's not your real name?" Hikari's eyes widened, and Shishi shook her head.
"No." She admitted. "My real name is Karin. Kou Karin. Sucks, doesn't it? S'why everyone calls me Shishi."
"Karin?" Hikari frowned. "Why on earth?"
"Well, it's my mother's fault." Shishi shrugged. "She had a sister who died before I was born, an' that was her name. So when I was born, she wanted me to have it. Kashira - Papa - was too shell-shocked by bein' a Dad an' by the fact I was a girl, so he did nothin' about it. It was Aniue, really, though, who started the whole Shishi thing. Because I had red hair, an' was into everythin'. He began jokin' that I was Papa's cub - because Papa's a wolf, an' all of that. But I ain't a wolf cub. I'm a lion cub. An' so Shishi sort of stuck. These days everyone calls me it - even Okaasan."
"And she's all right with that? With the fact you're not using her sister's name?"
"Yeah, she's kinda resigned to it now." Shishi nodded. "I never answer to Karin, anyway. I don't believe in having someone else's name. Shishi is mine, and besides, a lot of people in my life have more than one name. Papa is Tasuki, an' Genrou, an' Shun'u. Aniue is Kouji. Chichiri is Hou Jun. It's just normal."
"You don't call Chichiri uncle, either."
"Well, I never have." Shishi shrugged. "He's always been Chichiri. Jus' like I call Papa Kashira. Because that's how it is. I'm family to Shichi Seishi, but I ain't flauntin' that fact. They're my people, but I ain't usin' it to gain any advantages or favours. Besides, when you grow up with the bandits, it's dangerous. Kaou-zan bandits tried to kidnap me a lot of times, when I was small - that's why Papa taught me all the escape routes, so I could get away if ever there was trouble. They never did manage to grab me - but it's risky, if people know you have ties like that. So they're Kashira an' Chichiri. It's safer that way."
"You do call Tasuki Papa, though. You did it just now." Hikari bantered, and Shishi pinkened, shrugging her shoulders.
"Well, he is my Papa." She admitted at length. "An' I'm still his daughter too, as well as a bandit. I want to be jus' like him, when I grow up...he's the most important person to me, if you wanna know."
Hikari frowned, glancing at her hands.
"I wonder what my parents are thinking right now." She admitted. "We had a big fight before I left...before I ended up here. I don't know if they'll forgive me. I'm not sure what's worse - that they might hate me like crazy...or that they might be frantically worrying about me. I did something pretty stupid, and right now I feel bad about that...however I look at it, I messed up in a big way."
"What did you do?" Shishi's bronze eyes sparked with curiosity, and Hikari sighed, shaking her head.
"It doesn't matter...it's complicated." She said vaguely. "And I don't really want to talk about it."
"Okay." Shishi shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever it is probably isn't that important anyway. I mean, it ain't as bad as you think it is, that's for sure."
"Huh?" Hikari looked bemused. "What do you mean?"
"Think Suzaku'd have chosen someone really evil to have his power? Dummy. Of course not." Shishi said scornfully. Hikari stared for a moment. Then she spread her hands.
"Well, maybe I'm not evil." She hazarded. "But it was still a pretty stupid thing to do."
"You know, you say that a whole lot too much."
"Hrm?"
"Stupid." Shishi grinned at her, laughter in her gaze. "Everything's stupid to you - you oughta watch that."
"I don't understand."
"Guess you're the one who's actually stupid, then!" Shishi chuckled. "But I'm serious. You called that ghost stupid. You called me stupid. You call everything stupid...after a while it gets kinda boring."
"Oh." Hikari pinkened. She nodded. "Maybe."
Shishi got to her feet, stretching, then holding out her hand to her companion.
"Kashira said I was to make sure you did, so you better come get some rest." She said frankly. "Let's go find Tamatama-san and ask him where you're to sleep."
"But..."
"Kashira is Kashira, Hiki." Shishi shook her head. "You do as he says, okay?"
"Fine." Hikari held up her hands in mock surrender. "I'll come. I guess you're probably right, anyway. I just...don't like being on my own, that's all. The first night I was in this world, I couldn't sleep right for feeling awful about Chichiri's family and being homesick and stuff. Last night I was gawped at by a ghost. And it's still...when I'm on my own, that's when I feel...that I miss my home most."
Her voice shook slightly, and Shishi pursed her lips, gripping her more tightly around her wrists.
"Then I'll stay, till you sleep. And I'll annoy you till you'd rather sleep than stay awake." She said decidedly. "Okay?"
Hikari eyed her companion for a moment, then a faint smile touched her lips. She nodded.
"All right." She agreed. "Thank you, Shishi. You...aren't stupid. I was wrong about that."
Shishi laughed.
"You neither, even if you are a bit weird." She responded. "Now come on, will you? You are slow, that's for sure!"
"I'm coming! I'm tired!" Hikari protested, as the bandit gave her a tug in the direction of the door. "Woah - slow down a moment, will you? Not all of us are mountain lions, you know!"
"Pipe down else you'll wake Chichiri an' then Kashira'll be on both of our cases." Came the unsympathetic reply. "Sooner you sleep, sooner your chances of going home, after all. Right? So shut up an' do as I say...I told you I'd stay with you, so you ain't got any reason to complain about bein' abandoned! Get movin' - or do I have to drag you all the way?"
"I said I was coming." Hikari objected, but as she allowed the impetuous redhead to pull her out of the room, she felt a flicker of warmth stir up inside of her.
"Maybe it isn't so bad, being stuck with Shishi after all." She reflected, as they went in search of the house's enigmatic master. "After all, she's not that far from my age, and...well...I guess now we've got past the misunderstandings...maybe we could be friends. At least, until I can go home. She's right about that too - and I can't worry about Mum and Dad until I'm in a position to see them. Best thing I can do is rest so we can leave Yukigase quickly. Once we're back in the mountains - and once Chichiri's magic has recovered - then we can think about that, and I can work out what to say to them when I get home. But for now, I'll do as Tasuki wants and get some sleep. Otherwise I'll hold everyone up, and I'm not going to do that. After all, this morning I wasn't useless. And...and I'm not going to be useless again. So long as I'm here...I'm not going to be useless to anyone again!"
------------
"How long is this likely to take, Kikei?"
Kintsusei sent his companion an anxious glance, pacing across the floor of the Seiryuu Shrine as the Priest prepared his spell, flitting between the sacred scale and the flickering flame as he concentrated his spiritual magic.
"If my Lord would remain a little more patient..." Kikei raised his gaze at this, faint annoyance in his expression. "It is a complex procedure, and Suiko is weak in this form. Drawing her from the scale without the Shinzahou is difficult and delicate - whatever sparked her into life so readily the last time is obviously not present this time. I am doing my best, but I need to concentrate...it isn't as easy as it might seem."
"I'm sorry." Kintsusei sighed, bowing his head in acknowledgement. "Do what you must, Kikei. I am just eager to send word to Hyoushin as soon as I can - I feel so much time has already been wasted."
"I understand, Sire, and I am as anxious as you to find out more about this treasure's location." Kikei agreed, bringing his hands together over the scale once more as he closed his eyes. "Just a little more time, if you will indulge me. I think...that maybe...I have located her energy, sleeping deep within the scale."
Kintsusei's gaze flitted to the treasure, and he frowned as he watched it glitter faintly with blue light.
"The last time, it responded much more readily." He realised, keeping his thoughts to himself as the priest's expression became one of intense concentration. "Was it because she used all her strength then, to give us the little information she did? Or was it something else? Was it...Aoiketsu's blood, after all? But surely not...even one such as he...surely he can't have so much power over one of Seiryuu's artefacts?"
"Sire!" Kikei's voice interrupted his musings at that moment and he glanced up, a gasp escaping his lips as he saw the flames flutter and then glow with a distinctly azure light. Slowly but surely, a shadow of a woman's form became visible once more in their flickering depths, and he moved towards it, once more mesmerised by the beauty of the ethereal mage.
"Suiko." He murmured. "We are honoured by your presence once again."
"Koutei-heika." The woman's voice was little more than a whisper, as she fixed him with her unearthly blue eyes. "How may I serve the Emperor of Seiryuu's Eastern lands?"
"We've been unable to find the Shinzahou, Suiko-sama." Kikei said softly. "The Emperor sent his man north, but he has been unable to trace any sense of it. We were hoping you might give us a little more information on its whereabouts."
Suiko sighed, clearly irritated by the request, and she spread her hands, faint blue ash dropping to the floor of the shrine as she reached out to touch Kintsusei on the arm.
"The Shinzahou is no longer in the North Country." She said softly. "It has moved. And so your man may search, Koutei-sama. But he will not find...no matter how much snow he digs through."
"Moved?" Kintsusei paled, staring at her in horror. "But how? Who...? How could that happen? Where has it moved to - has whoever is guarding it taken it somewhere safer - somewhere away from prying hands?"
"Seiryuu has relinquished hold of his treasure." Suiko said evenly, her ghostly hair fluttering in an imaginary wind as she fixed her gaze on him. "Suzaku now undertakes to care what was once hidden in the snow. It moves south, in the hands of those marked by the Phoenix."
"The Phoenix?" Kintsusei whispered. "Suzaku?"
"Surely you jest, Suiko?" Kikei asked sharply.
"I do not joke about holy treasures, Lord Priest." Suiko shook her head. "The treasure has crossed from the land of snow to the land of the sun. It is now the burden of the men of the red bird...you will not seek it out in the North."
"Kounan." Kintsusei bit his lip, fear flickering in his heart. "But why...what would they want with our treasure? And why would they even...why now? Can it be true...are they planning to invade Kutou? There has been a stronger military presence at the Eastern border in recent weeks...Kikei, do you think...?"
"Suiko, can you tell us exactly where the Shinzahou is now?" Kikei demanded, and Suiko shook her head.
"I have not the strength for such a task." She said flatly, as if it was the Priest's own fault that this were the case. "It moves south. That is all I can tell you. I am not a map, nor a guide to the four lands. I am a mage of Seiryuu - my concern is the Eastern Province. Without the Shinzahou, I have no power to be any more than you see me now. It is the power of the Shinzahou that calls to me - not my power in seeking it out."
"But it is definitely now in Kounan?"
"As I said." Suiko inclined her head slightly. "Borne by the men of the stars of the South."
With that her form flickered and faded into a cascade of ash, and as the fire died back, Kikei and Kintsusei exchanged glances.
"Why would they do this? Why would Reizeitei endorse such a thing, if not to launch an invasion against Kutou?" Kintsusei was the first to break the silence, and Kikei clenched his fists, looking frustrated.
"This is what comes of sending a soldier to do a priest's job." He muttered. "Infiltrating the North is enough of a bother...but that now we might have to investigate the Southern lands..."
He faltered, shaking his head slowly, and Kintsusei could see that his mind was working through the options carefully one by one.
"I will contact Hyoushin and tell him." The Emperor said softly. "He can head south, instead of east...and find the Shinzahou. Touran is not so far from the border with Kounan, in the final analysis. A few days riding..."
"Hyoushin has already failed." Kikei shook his head. "Recall your useless heathen, Kintsusei-sama. He is a man of arms and he is dead to Seiryuu's magic. We need another strategy - and he will not do.".
"Hyoushin isn't a useless heathen."
There was reproof in Kintsusei's tones as he glanced at the priest, censure in his dark eyes. "He's done well, following the instructions he was given...and I trust him more than any other to carry out my orders to the letter when it comes to travelling into other lands."
"As you say, my Lord." Kikei inclined his head as if accepting he had gone too far, his beady eyes heavy-lidded as he met his Emperor's gaze. "But be that as it may, you must realise that to send soldiers into Kounan is a risky premise. The South is not like the northern territories - war is still fresh in the memories of our people and their own. To send Hyoushin and his retinue across that border unarmed would be reckless - to send them armed could be seen as tantamount to a renewed declaration of warfare. Kounan is a strong power these days - stronger than it's probably ever been. You said yourself that their military presence at our border is already increased. Do you really want to take such a risk, with Kutou in such disarray?"
"No." Kintsusei sighed, looking troubled as he slowly shook his head. "I do take your point...and you are right. I just...am not sure in whom to put my faith, if not in Hyoushin. You and he are the only ones in whom I have complete trust, Kikei - and I can hardly send you to Kounan, can I?"
"No, my Lord." Kikei seemed faintly amused at this idea. "But as you trust Hyoushin's judgement to choose his men, maybe you can put equal faith in mine? On reflection, I may...have a suggestion which could solve the problem at hand."
"A suggestion?" Kintsusei cast him a startled glance, and Kikei nodded his head.
"Yes, my Lord." He murmured. "If you will follow me - I have someone to whom I'd like to introduce you."
"Someone...?" Kintsusei frowned
Kikei nodded.
"Someone who, by coincidence, I had summoned on an entirely separate matter." He agreed. "But in the circumstances, my Emperor's need is evidently greater, and must take priority to my own affairs."
"I see." Kintsusei felt confused, but he nodded his head. "Very well. I do trust in your judgement, Kikei - if you think there is another way to relieve Kounan of our treasure. The situation is delicate, as you've already remarked - that the men of the South have gone north to seek our holy treasure really does make me nervous about a potential attack by Reizeitei's army on our badly defended lands. Yui-sama's Shinzahou must be retrieved at all costs - who knows what other tricks Kounan might have up their sleeves?"
"Indeed, given that two of the Suzaku Shichi Seishi still live, my Lord." Kikei agreed softly. "And it seems, from Suiko's testimony, that they are the ones who currently bear the Shinzahou. We do not know if they have possession of their own Shinzahou already, but we can't risk the fact that they might. With the power of their holy treasure and our own, they might even find a way to raise Suzaku."
"Something we can't allow." Kintsusei steeled himself. "No, you are right. Sending Hyoushin south at the moment would be dangerous for him as well as unwise for Kutou. I will hear your suggestion, Kikei - you are intelligent and if you can find a way to get Yui-sama's earring back from the South without sparking a war..."
"I believe so, my Lord." Kikei nodded his head, pushing back the dividing door that led towards the suite of rooms he called his own. "If you'd just step this way."
Kintsusei stepped carefully into the outer chamber, which operated as Kikei's unofficial study, and as he did so, he became aware of another man waiting beside the wood-carved desk. At their entrance, the man bowed his head, as if he had been carefully instructed to do so, and as Kintsusei gazed at him, he felt a sense of unease well up inside of him.
"Kintsusei-sama, may I present Geiyo Miramu." Kikei said softly.
The stranger raised his head, meeting the Kutou leader's gaze for the first time.
He was only a young man, Kintsusei decided - certainly not more than five years older than Aoiketsu and his companions, but somehow, there was the sense of age and experience in both his expression and his bearing. Thick dark hair was tailed back from his face in a long braid, with stray wisps falling around his face that gave him a faintly wild look. He was dressed all in black, except for the red-threaded kanji character for 'shadow' slashed across the weaving collar of black leather at his throat. Gold earrings glittered in the lobes of his ears, but his overall appearance was simple and unshowy, giving the impression of a man who relished life living in the shadows. He was unarmed, as befitted palace security, yet even so he had an air of danger about him, and although he was lithe rather than brawny, the Emperor had the impression that he could hold his own in a fight.
A faint curl of a smile twitched at the edges of his lips at the Kutou leader's scrutiny, and Kintsusei realised that he was not at all phased by the fact he was standing within a royal palace, or before an Emperor. Despite his position, Kintsusei was unnerved by the intensity in the stranger's eyes, their unusual, deep indigo colour giving the impression they had been carved from some kind of bewitched gemstone as they glittered with interest and anticipation.
"It's my pleasure, Koutei-sama." He spoke in soft tones, tinged with an unfamiliar accent, and Kintsusei frowned, casting Kikei a quizzical look.
"I don't understand." He murmured. "This man...you think...this man can obtain Yui-sama's treasure for us?"
"I have no doubts that he can, my Lord." Kikei's lips curled into a smile. "You seek someone who is discreet, after all - someone who will not attract attention if he crosses borders. And someone who cannot be traced easily back to you. Miramu is exactly suited to such stealthy tasks...and I have great faith in his abilities."
"You are too kind, Kikei-sama." Miramu acknowledged the compliment with a casual, almost insolent nod of his head, and Kintsusei pursed his lips.
"Geiyo Miramu." He reflected. "That is your name?"
"Yes, my Lord. The name my mother gave me, when she birthed me." Miramu agreed, turning his strange eyes on the Emperor.
"Geiyo is a name from the West. Are you...?"
"Sairou born?" Miramu interrupted, and Kintsusei nodded. Miramu smiled, but there was a cold amusement in his smile, and he nodded again.
"Yes, Sire. You are very astute."
"Why would a man of the West offer his services to a King of the East?"
"I do not care to whom I offer my services, as you so term them." Miramu said softly. "I have no particular allegiance to Sairou or to any other land or people. I have one requirement, and that is that I am well paid for the errands I do. You are an Emperor, my Lord, and Kikei-sama has always been both generous and prompt with my payment whenever he has sought my help in resolving...matters of delicacy. It doesn't concern me whether you worship the dragon or the tiger - coin is coin to me."
Something danced in his eyes, as if he'd made a joke that neither of his companions could understand, and Kintsusei's unease grew. He glanced at Kikei.
"What sort of services...what sort of errands?" He asked softly. "Kikei..."
"Matters concerning your security, and the security of Kutou." Kikei said frankly. "You surely don't think it a coincidence that rebel leaders have disappeared or died in mysterious circumstances, or that stolen sacred artefacts have been silently returned to their rightful locations without a murmur or a fuss? Miramu has been working behind the scenes for me on and off for almost a year and a half, now. In that time he has relocated several desecrated treasures belonging to Kutou's crown, and rid you of several violent and homicidal enemies without further provoking the unsettled political state of this country. Such a man who can slip in and out of shadows is a prized asset indeed...I believe he is what we are looking for, to resolve our little Shinzahou problem."
"You're an assassin?" Kintsusei stared at the westerner, aghast, and Miramu gave a low chuckle, nodding his head slowly.
"One of many things I've been called...one of the more pleasant, I have to admit." He reflected. "If the coin is right, then yes, Sire. I will be an assassin. I will steal, I will kill, I will do as I am bidden to get the job done and to earn my wage. Every man has to forge a living, after all - this is mine."
"You think sending an assassin to Kounan is less risky than sending a soldier?" Kintsusei sent Kikei a bewildered look. "Are you sure?"
"Miramu is from the West." Kikei smiled. "He has no obvious affiliation to my Emperor or his desires...a random theft in the night...and no way to trace it back to Kutou."
"Well, perhaps, but..."
"Desperate times, Sire." Kikei looked troubled. "Unless you wish to see Suzaku spread its wings over our skies, then we have to act...and decisively."
Kintsusei sighed, slowly shaking his head.
"This is something I hope never to see – Suzaku descending on us like a bird of prey." He said heavily. "But still, to send a professional killer into enemy territory…we are not talking about fighting ordinary men, Kikei. You said yourself that those who possess the Shinzahou are men of the Beast God. We can't look at them as we would look at any other enemy."
"On the contrary, my Lord, I see no reason why they should prove a greater threat to you – or to I – than any other man of the South." Miramu said softly, folding his arms across his chest as he considered the matter carefully. "They are human, after all. All men have weakness, particularly those men who others have put on a pedestal. In fact, I almost relish the chance to pit wits against Celestial Warriors…It would be a good test of my skill, if I could indeed relieve them of the treasure."
He smirked slightly, and again the Emperor had the impression that he was enjoying some secret joke at their expense.
"I'm sure your Highness would have no material objection if in the struggle, one or both of them were to lose their lives?" He added playfully. Kintsusei's frown deepened.
"I am not sending you on an errand to kill, Geiyo Miramu." He said firmly. "The death of Celestial Warriors within Kounan's own borders would indeed excite suspicion and I have heard how thorough Reizeitei is becoming in maintaining his country's peace. If I agree to this, then the understanding is that you will do nothing more but relieve them of the treasure – the Shinzahou which belongs by right to Kutou. Is that understood?"
Miramu's eyes narrowed, and a lazy smile crossed his lips. He nodded his head, dark braid falling over his shoulder as he bowed once more before Kutou's Emperor.
"As you wish." He said softly. "There are many ways to achieve the same end, my Lord. But I will tell you this. If my life is threatened, I will not hesitate to kill my opponent, whatever the orders given me. My own protection ranks higher than any order from any King, no matter how high his rank or how great his riches."
Kintsusei eyed him once more, then slowly, nodded his head.
"In this, I believe all men of arms are alike." He acknowledged. "We defend our own person at others' expenses…yes, Miramu, this I understand. But if it can be avoided…"
"I understand, Sire." Miramu nodded. "And you have my word that I can retrieve the Shinzahou for you – you needn't concern yourself. I have never yet failed to complete a mission – and I have many, many tricks up my sleeve."
"Then Kikei, I will leave the final details to you." Kintsusei sighed. "I must contact Hyoushin and tell him he is recalled to Kutou. I won't pretend I'm not glad he's coming back – that the palace is more secure when he is here than when he is not. Do as you see fit, my Priest of Seiryuu – I have faith in you to do what is best."
---
"Your Emperor is a well-meaning man, Kikei-sama." As they were left alone, Miramu cast the priest a glance, an enigmatic smile on his face as the older man nodded.
"Indeed he is." He agreed quietly. "For Kutou, he has sworn to give everything he can."
"Such men are weak." Miramu reflected. "Like the men of Kounan – in the end, they lack the final, decisive instinct to seize what they need. He means well, but unless he does more than mean well, your country will not prevail, Lord Kikei. To win a war, you must be prepared to spill blood."
"My Emperor would claim that this is not a war, Miramu."
"Then he is a fool as well as weak." Miramu said pragmatically, slipping his finger absently into the fabric of his sash as he drew out a slim, silver dagger. He glanced at it for a moment, then grinned. "Just like your palace security…appearances are deceptive, and he needs to be more aware."
"Well, in that regard, you and I will act for him." Kikei rubbed his beard smoothly. "In order to retrieve the Shinzahou."
"Is it your Emperor's will I serve, Kikei-sama, or your own?" Miramu asked, and Kikei smiled.
"In this our will is the same, so you serve us both." He said softly. "You ask too many questions for a man who professes just to follow orders for money, you know."
"It's no concern of mine what the politics are. I just like to be in the picture before I begin to act." Miramu shrugged. "That's all. I wonder why it is that I'm only meeting Lord Kintsusei now, if I have been doing his bidding all this time."
"Kintsusei-sama is a soldier – he believes in direct confrontation, not subtle, hidden methods." Kikei admitted. "That is why up until now you have not been introduced to him. I am not sure he would have ordered such covert removal of his enemies – he has not been trained that way, after all. But now, the time is right. Go to Kounan, Miramu, and do as you've been bidden…but listen to me on one point. Should the blood of Suzaku's men be spilt, it matters little to me or to Kutou in the long run. Kintsusei-sama seeks peace for this country – to achieve that, sacrificing a few southerners seems a small price to pay. Do not let his reservations prevent you from carrying out your firm objective."
"I see you do have the rebel spirit inside of you, Lord Priest." Miramu looked amused. "Very well. I understand your meaning. And do not concern yourself…I will not be traced back here. I am very adept at covering my tracks."
"So I already know." Kikei acknowledged with a nod of his head. "I leave it in your hands, then."
"Yes, my Lord."
Miramu bowed his head once more. Then, as Kikei watched, he faded out of view completely.
"You can have faith in my success." The words echoed out of the seemingly empty chamber. "After all, there's never yet been a mission too difficult for me to complete. I will obtain Seiryuu's Shinzahou - whatever it takes to get it!"