A/N: It's been a long time coming but I've finally updated this fic. More will be coming soon hopefully my musi will stick with this one for a while. Thank to all my readers and reviewers. - Xinn
As Yusuke stood, his friends and, comrades looked upon him as if for the first time. To Yukina, Shippou, and Jin he looked as if his limbs were unfurling themselves, like petals of a flower seeing the sun. The humans of Inuyasha's group couldn't help but to admire him. The Mazoku's face was stern, and as lordly as the former spirit detective denied he was. It was an obvious growth from the belligerent youth Genkai recalled, with a flicker of pride. The decidedly blatant mark now branded above his brow spoke to true and unquestionable status. But as enamored by this side of their' former teammate, Kurama and Hiei were far from blind.
Yusuke didn't know what to feel as he gazed upon his new foster father. As now sole heir to the territory of the south, the former delinquent knew he was taking on a responsibility that he would regret. For a man who hadn't thought he could ever make it passed junior high school let alone conceive to even be in the running to rule anything, let alone twice, the former spirit detective was experiencing a wild range of emotions.
Melancholy and pride warred within him, as the young lord held onto his composure. Kagome reached for his hand, taking hold of the callous riddled digits. She unconsciously picked up on his unease and sought comfort because of it. And as their fingers intertwined, father and daughter watched as Eki tended her master. The old lord looked positively ashen in his sunken thrown. His fae servant was at his side the instant he collapsed and pouring an unknown concoction down his gullet. Curiously worried as he was Yusuke wasn't about to ask any questions.
"Hey what's wrong with – oww you bi-" Everyone ignored Genkai's rather effective method of shutting Inuyasha up, the rest of the mismatched groups' attention rested solely on Eki. The loyal court physician waited patiently as her remedy took effect, stirring her lord into wakefulness. "Susa-san, please send for the household staff," as the demon bowed and turned to do as he was asked the healer turned her attention to the young master. "My lord, the vassals will show you and your guest to suitable quarters-" "No," it wasn't the new heir but Susamajiigashu whom interrupted her. His voice was harsh, nearly cracking in exhaustion.
Yet despite his obvious infirmity Eki did not disobey, even for the desire to see him well. There was no cure for old age, and she knew better than to contradict him in front of another lord, especially in his vulnerable state. "I have much to discuss with Reizen and Genkai-sensei," Susamajiigashu tilted his head toward his fellow lord, and his 'sons' guest. "I welcome you all into the court of the south, the vassals will see to your comfort if you wish to remain."
Everyone save Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Kagome nodded their heads. Kagome refused to leave her newly found father's side. She almost instinctively felt terror at the thought of letting him out of her sight, as if somehow he would disappear into nothingness if she did. Inuyasha wanted to protest loudly against Kagome remaining with Reizen alone. But once again Genkai was very effective shutting the surly mutt up. The former old woman had burned his hand with her Reikai and dispensed him off to Kurama.
Sesshoumaru on the other hand was more concerned with straying away from his own territory for too long. Though the Daiyoukai's routine travel was quite frequent, his trek outside of the western boarders would be noted. And he wanted news of his interest in a female to remain hidden from his own court. And that meant returning to the west, he didn't dare add his unease around Reizen to his mental reasoning, "I have other duties to attend." Without another word Sesshoumaru left not acknowledging the servants that had bowed to him as he passed them entering the glade.
The brightly garbed household staff didn't bat an eye when Eki ordered them to lead the strange group to the guest pavilion of their' master's house. The silver haired fox had to drag the pup Genkai had dumped on him by his hair, while Shippou surprisingly went with Miroku without question. Susamajiigashu gazed upon the four remaining beings in his glade. "Eki, I would have you send word to Mizunonaka, I want her here immediately understand?" It took almost every ounce of self control to say "Yes," but the little healer managed to stay obedient.
After his physician was gone, the old lord turned his attention to the future of his kingdom. Reizen stood still, proud under Susamajiigashu's tired gaze. The ice eyed female, his daughter Kaezen was plastered at his side. "We are going to have to work quickly to solidify your place in court. My death is not a far off thing Reizen." "Isn't that why you marked Reizen-sama in the first place, to show your approval?" Kaezen chimed in, no longer silent as she should be. The dolphin thought that the Toushin would rebuke the pup for speaking out of turn, but he did not.
Instead the bloody eyed demon answered her, "that won't counteract greed and his former successors following Kagome." "And besides," he added, "no one wants to deal with the new guy." In that moment, any hidden lingering doubt in the ailing lord's mind was completely dismissed. "Your father is right, and then there is the added pressure of establishing a strong base of power, so that he can lay waste to anyone who would contend with his rule." Susamajiigashu informed her, intrigued by the obviously intelligent youngling.
Reizen's child appeared for all intents and purposes a human female, and a strange one at that. It was only the arctic pigment of her eyes that gave her away. It was exact opposite of her sire's orbs. She was a petite thing, just as the tales of the reincarnation of the Shikon miko led him to believe. And he had to wonder what village had the child grown up in? Had her mother been foreign to Japan or human world, and that foreign magic was how her offspring was able to survive having the power of a miko, while remaining partially demon?
Pushing in negligible questions to the back of his mind, Susamajiigashu turned his attention to more pressing matters, namely addressing the securing of his foster son's rule. "I need to know the crux of your level of education in matters of state." He told Reizen bluntly. Yusuke wasn't arrogant enough to believe Susamajiigashu didn't notice his grimace. He was hoping that there would be more time to get his story straight with the help of his former mentor. It wasn't as if he had any idea what would constitute as education five hundred some odd years before his time.
He had barely been able to get through junior high let alone anything that would be considered lording over a large territory. His tour as Raizen's heir didn't count, as mainly Yusuke was trained in fighting, leaving the secular matters to Hokushin. And not for the first time, Yusuke wanted to throttle Kurama for his part in placing the former spirit detective in this position. "Not much, I've travelled a lot. And this is probably the largest group that I've ever led." The former punk answered truthfully.
This was a disappointing if expected answer for his predecessor. The fact that his former tutor seemed to have willfully not informed her new lord of her charges capabilities meant one of two things. Either his biological sire had no intention of seeing to his son's ascension, and thus pretty much ignored his need for training, or Reizen was much younger than Susamajiigashu assumed. The dolphin believed the later, because the former was highly unlikely given the rarity of Toushin offspring. "In that case, Genkai-sensei," the lord called the spirit wave master forward.
The once elderly woman grit her teeth against being beckoned, "yes lord?" Kagome prayed that the obviously tired demon didn't notice the overt sarcasm laced in the mentor's voice. "Tomorrow you will be working with Mizunonaka-san, my minister of the great council of state. He will see to it that Reizen's education and household are established." He turned his attention to his heir and technically his foster granddaughter. "I need to know how is it that your daughter is human and not hanyou." A low growl vibrated in the back of Yusuke's throat, "why?"
The section of the mountain fortress they were led to was well behind the high walls of the outer courtyard. There were few beings traversing through where they were being led, and even fewer guards. Hiei kept his eyes moving, as he was forced to otherwise slow down like the others. He ignored the idle chatter of the Inu-hanyou's group with the former shenobi of his own group. He was didn't really care what any of them had to say while he was mentally arguing with Kurama.
(Getting involved with this is a bad idea. Kurama we're supposed to be keeping a low profile.)
The pyrokenetic demon didn't really care if he attracted the attention of their' unseen enemies. Yusuke's tantei were more than able to handle the militants of Spirit world. But he understood that none of Kaezen's group would be ready for the hammer of king Enma's forces to fall. The strongest, Inuyasha wouldn't be able to handle the buffoon if the carrot topped human were here. He was surprised the always sly fox would suggest that they settle in this most conspicuous of situations, regardless of the trouble Genkai's murderous escapade might have drawn.
.:You wound me Hiei:.
The fox teased his mate mercilessly as he dragged an all too stubborn hanyou pup by his arms. Even as Inuyasha spat curses, and tried with all his might to gain escape, Yoko kept a firm grasp on him. Whatever the connection between the brash young half breed, and his friends daughter, the former thief had no intention of letting him interfere. Already the florally inclined reincarnation could assess the boy's potential and could tell he would become a formidable force paired with the right teacher. And idly he wondered if either of the spirit wave masters' would take him on.
.:It's an exceptional con when you really think about it, by taking Yusuke as heir, Susamajiigashu is unintentionally providing him a cover Enma wouldn't be any wiser to:.
Hiei didn't even have the privacy of his own mind to admit that it was a good plan. Enma was too arrogantly stupid to look closely at the goings on in the ruling courts demons. The death god would be more concerned with Naraku and demons like him. The murderous thief was sending souls in-mass to Spirit world, which was sure to capture the royal's attention. At least the arrogant terrestrial being wouldn't pay any mind to Yusuke's group until he received word that the rightful guardian to the Shikon no tama was really the daughter of a very dangerous demon. This presented another potent question.
(For how long?)
His lover sighed audibly, though the human priest whom had been watching them attributed the sound to his friend's continued struggles. Truthfully the fox was exasperated by the thought of the complicated problems that were presented by Hiei's question. He knew time was a major factor in the plan that was still taking shape in his mind. But that made it no easier to go over all the ways that this could go wrong, especially with his mate being able to pick it apart with him.
.:We're going to have to work fast to prepare Kaezen and her friends for what is coming:.
(We'll talk to Genkai; we need to figure out which of us is teaching who.)
Late in the day Mizunonaka received word from his liege that he had need of him. The heron demon felt his usually calm pulse race. His mentor and friend had been dying for a long time now, the passing of his youngest son and the ascension of his latest heir had just shortened his already infinitesimal time in the land of the living. Susamajiigashu knew this, and had left court to live quietly in his mountain estate, leaving Mizunonaka to slow down Kataiyouji's political maneuverings.
Susamajiigashu's had left in order to conceal just how bad his condition was, all he had done was embolden the Onikuma that had been insinuated themselves in the south. This problem was compounded by the political leanings of independent factions that already occupied court before the slow but steady invasion of land dependent demons from the east. With the south so close to being taken over, the retainer didn't know what to feel as the young scout told him Susamajiigashu had a new task for him. "Problems Mizunonaka-san?" The official grits his teeth into an almost painfully pleasant smile.
"Bakku, I am well." The bear demon standing before him was one of the slimiest corrupt menace to ever step foot in Kagoshima. Not because the politician supported Kataiyouji, but because he was a greedy and manipulative bureaucrat; putting it mildly Bakku was above nothing. The calico Onikuma grinned back, only giving the soldier now looking at his boots a cursory glance. He had no interest in the servant beyond the juicy little tidbit that Bakku just overheard. "But you are being called away from court. Surely there is some pressing matter if Susamajiigashu-sama would call his most competent minister away?"
'You would like that wouldn't you,' Mizunonaka thought sardonically. No one could say the rather oily Bakku wasn't without ambition and enough brains to pull it off. Again the court official was forced to question the wisdom of his liege calling him away from the main household, while threats were so close to banding together, if only to have a shot at the thrown of the south. Mizunonaka had to think fast, "our lord will be returning to court soon, perhaps to finally confer the lord heir to a house rank." It was a blatant lie as Susamajiigashu would never give Kataiyouji territory to use against him, but the heron demon was short on options.
Big dark eyes blinked guilelessly down upon Mizunonaka's thin visage. Bakku searched the bland features of his political counterpart for a lie, but Susamajiigashu's supporter was no easy read. It was entirely possible that the old half Amemasu was so far gone that he would have no choice but to finally establish Kataiyouji's household. The bear demon's paws flexed dangerously under the concealment of his colorful sleeves. Kataiyouji's position it seemed would be that much harder to compromise. "Perhaps," Bakku responded, excusing himself.
Happy to have gotten rid of the pest, if only for the moment Mizunonaka dismissed the scout, he had to square away his affairs here. Or at least as many as he possibly could before leaving, the summons was too short notice to properly prepare those loyal to Susamajiigashu at court. But at least his allies would be forewarned on the impending shit storm headed their way. The heron demon would leave tonight, as quickly and quietly as possible.
Susamajiigashu wasn't at all put off by the particularly fierce gaze now fixated upon his own beady orbs. He was far too old and far too close to death to really feel any fear to a decidedly real threat to his life. Reizen was still young, younger yet than Kouga whom was by far was the youngest lord of all the territories in Japan. The fact that the Toushin had to ask why he would need to explain his daughter's existence, spoke to just how new he was to the mortal world. Reizen it seemed had no concept of the prejudices against hanyou in this world.
"Many demons in this world view hanyou as weak and humans liken their very existence as a betrayal to the race. Half-humans are often either abandoned or killed because of their unpredictable nature. My friend Inuyasha was kicked out of his own home, and his mother was murdered because of this." Beside his heir, the Shikon miko trembled at her although accurate brief explanation. There was a measure of painful fear in the girl's eyes, laced with defensiveness that was meant to cover the fear. But she was not looking at her father. She was staring pointedly at Susamajiigashu.
Undaunted still, the old dolphin made a confirming noise in the back of his gullet. Though some part of him still felt doubt that Kagome really being a hanyou. Susamajiigashu couldn't feel demonic energy coming off the girl. And yet there was no other explanation. At least there seemed to be no explanation that either father or daughter were willing to give, so Susamajiigashu was forced once again to come up with his own conclusions based on what little information he could discern from either one.
"The prejudice against hanyou runs deep," he agreed with Kagome, "and you will be under even more danger because of it." Yusuke's growl did not cease, "and what do we do about it?" The thought of mass murder came to mind, but his teacher whom had remained pretty much silent thus far had presented a solution before he could register yet another obstacle to deal with. "I'll be teaching the girl how to defend herself." She announced without missing a beat, "and an honor guard should be established as soon as possible."
Kagome wanted to argue but was cut off by her father. "Hiei and Jin can handle that." "What about Touya and Puu?" Yusuke gave Genkai a look, "somebody is going to have to keep an eye on Yukina." "True." Kagome wasn't amused, "I don't need all that. I can defend myself." His daughter hissed, attempting to not sound juvenile. It failed as Kikyou's reincarnation was ignored. She tried to pull away from her father to no avail. Yusuke didn't even look at her. "Yes you do." And though he didn't see it, he knew the determined set of her jaw was there.
The former spirit detective could practically hear her molars grind. The elder Mazoku tightened his grip on her hand in warning when he felt his daughter took a deep breath in order to start a tirade. It didn't stop Keiko's daughter in the least. "I can take care of myself I don't need minders." She all but yelled, finally being able to pry out of her father's grip. Without even thinking the young miko turned to Yusuke, her hands on her near non-existent hips, her teeth grit in visible rage. She would not allow anyone railroad her, even her progenitor.
Just as impulsively the former spirit detective rounded on his progeny with an ugly scowl decorating his features. It was a familiar expression that had Kagome digging her heels in all the more. But instead of yelling like Inuyasha was so fond of doing, her father stared her down. What Kagome didn't know was that Yusuke was battling the urge to do just as his daughter expected. At the same time he fought for words to say.
But He needn't say a word. Because, the more Yusuke continued to stare, the more the burgeoning Mazoku felt like a foolish child. All the while the former street punk fought his natural instinct to want confrontation. And just as the Shikon priestess was about to break down, and apologize the elder half-breed finally snapped, "Talk to her." Kagome flinched as Genkai made to drag her away. She really had fucked up now.