Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
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Chapter 11
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Mai bent in half, resting her hands on her knees and panting heavily. She struggled to catch a breath, as she was feeling completely drained out of energy already. Akira was leading the way towards Isao's village and he set quite a harsh pace. The three of them were running for a couple of minutes, but now the girl reached her limit and had no strength to go on. Jaken looked at her with worry.
"Mai, are you feeling sick again?" the imp asked with concern, as even he wasn't tired yet and Mai looked like she was going to die from strain.
The girl shook her head, angry at herself, that her stamina was so low.
"Just tired." She answered, straightening her back and beginning to march, as she couldn't run anymore. She knitted her eyebrows and clenched her fists. Sesshomaru could die, if they wouldn't get to him on time! If only she wasn't that weak… Actually, Mai had no clue what was wrong with her – they had been travelling for almost three months now, so she should have been able to regain some of her stamina, but it was getting worse instead of better. Perhaps she should visit Kaede once she got her husband back.
"Come on, Mai!" Akira called to her, as he lightly run forward. The boys movements were light, like those of a cat's – apparently he took his training very seriously. The girl took a deep breath, filling her lungs with as much oxygen as possible and followed young Maeda with Jaken running at her side.
When the wooden huts of the village were in the range of sight, Akira made a gesture to stop. Jaken braked and Mai leant heavily against a tree, her eyes closed. Her lungs felt like on fire because of the exhausting jogging. Young Maeda narrowed his eyes, observing the villages whereabouts.
"It seems, that the soldiers are no longer there." He muttered. Mai and Jaken exchanged worried glances. The girl felt, as though her heart stopped. Akira bit his lower lip. "You two wait here. I'll go to the village and ask."
The boy jumped out of the bushes and ran to the village, as though he wasn't tired at all. The girl and the imp were watching him.
"That kid's dependable?" Jaken asked, seating himself on the ground.
"I guess so." Mai muttered, joining Jaken and stretching her aching legs. "Hey, Jaken, how come Sesshomaru got brainwashed?"
The imp looked at her, wrinkling his forehead. He scratched his chin, apparently confused like her.
"No idea." He replied at last, shrugging his shoulders. "I understand, that Yadori Sanagi took control over a weak mouse hanyou, but Sesshomaru-sama shouldn't be affected… Those parasites are weird."
Mai sighed. The whole situation was disturbing – her husband brainwashed and kidnapped, weird insects and a mysterious woman in black. She had a really bad feeling about this. Damn, if only Sesshomaru was here, it wouldn't be so scary…
After long minutes of sitting hidden in the bushes at the edge of the forest, the girl saw Akira returning. The boy was riding a horse, he must have gotten in a village, while leading another one. Mai and Jaken stood up to meet the young Maeda. The girl felt, that retrieving Sesshomaru wouldn't be easy.
"Where is he?" she asked.
Akira lit his lower lip, looking uneasy – a sign, that he didn't bring good news.
"The samurai and the woman in black are no longer in the village. The villagers said, that they rode north, taking the demons with them." The boy reported. Then, he looked Mai in the eye. "Teacher is with them. I believe, that they will head to Fuefuki, the capital of this province. I know a shortcut, so we could catch up with them and catch them in the city."
Mai nodded, not having any better idea anyway.
"Okay, lead the way." She replied, climbing onto the spare horse and helping Jaken up. Akira waited for the two to sit firmly on the saddle and then her kicked his horse's sides. Mai yelped, when her steed followed the boy's, galloping at great speed. She clutched the reins tighter and held herself on the horseback with the help of her knees. Jaken held the back of her kimono in a steel grip of his small green hands, praying not to fall off.
The ride was quite a challenge. The girl's riding skills weren't the best and Akira chose a path through the wild. Mai had to nearly entwine the hose with her legs to stay on its back, as the animal kept jumping over the numerous obstacles, like fallen trees or brooks. She wanted to close her eyes, when the two horses were making a slalom between trees.
"Ouch!" Jaken whimpered, when Mai ducked, when riding under the low-hanging branches. But, the imp didn't make it on time and he got hit squarely in his forehead. The imp felt a large bump developing on his head.
Akira glanced over his shoulder, checking if the others were still after him and hurried his horse, when they rode onto a meadow. He wanted to get use of the open space and cover as much distance as possible. The steed neighed and darted forward like an arrow. Mai's and Jaken's horse had no intention of staying behind and began racing with the other animal. The girl clenched her teeth, thinking, that the inside of her thighs would be a bloody pulp after the crazy chase.
"Akira, slow down!" Mai shouted, but the boy apparently didn't hear her. She desperately gripped the saddle, as the horse was out of her control anyway. They rode up the hill and the girl saw a blurry image of buildings before them. She yelped, when the horses picked up more speed, while galloping down the hill. She shut her eyes close, thinking, that it was just like a rollercoaster ride. She never liked those.
"Mai!" Jaken tugged her kimono. The girl opened her eyes and saw Akira slowing down. She felt relief, grabbed the reins and pulled them, stopping the steed. The horse neighed and slew down. The girl was breathing heavily, happy that the crazy ride was over. Akira turned his horse, so that the two steeds were side by side.
"It's the capital of Kai province, Fuefuki." The boy said, pointing the buildings, that were not so far away anymore. Mai looked ahead. The town was looking pretty much like a mix between Kanazawa and the capital of Echizen – there was a stronghold in the central point, which was surrounded by workshops, houses, markets, that were enclosed by a city wall. Beyond the guarded walls were rice paddies, farmer's huts and the places, where the poorest led their miserable existence.
Once their group reached a small tree coppice, Akira dismounted, jumping off the horse lightly. Jaken tried to do the same, but ended up falling on his butt. Mai carefully slid off the saddle, feeling, that her legs were wobbly like a jelly. She lifted her hand to her mouth, feeling queasy.
Akira nearly rolled his eyes, seeing his two companions pale. He narrowed his eyes at Jaken.
"I think, that it would be better if you stayed here with the horses, mister demon." The boy said, passing Jaken the reins. "Those people could catch you too."
The imp opened his mouth to protest, but Mai aided Akira.
"Akira's right. The bugs could attach themselves to you too." She said, sealing Jaken's fate. Then, she turned to young Maeda. "I hope, that Sesshomaru will be there."
The boy nodded, sharing her worry and the two of them made their way towards Kai's capital, leaving the imp behind. Mai quickly got herself a cloak to cover her fine silk kimono, not wanting to get any unnecessary attention. The crowd near the front gate was big and the guards weren't questioning newcomers, so getting in the city was no problem at all.
"I think, that he should ask at the market." Mai suggested, as the market was usually the place, where people gathered to gossip. If anyone heard of youkai in the city, that would be the best place to gather information.
"It's a good idea." Akira agreed.
On their way Mai was looking warily around, searching for any alarming signs. Unfortunately there were none. Everything looked all right – the people were lively, minding their own business, as though nothing suspicious was going on. The bustling was getting louder near the market, which was filled with people. It seemed to be an everyday market crowd, but Mai noticed, that something was different. The people were talking among themselves, but seemed to be focused on something. Akira noticed that too. The girl and the young Maeda exchanged glances.
"Excuse me," Mai gripped the hem of some woman's sleeve. "What's going on?"
The woman send her a surprised look.
"You don't know?" she began to wonder. Then, she giggled. "You must be new in Fuefuki then."
"Mhm." Mai muttered an agreement, gesturing the woman to continue. She straightened the wrinkles on her kimono, not hurrying to answer.
"Lord Takeda is offering money to everyone, who knows, where youkai are. A silver coin for any information and even up to five golden ones, if the information is accurate and they'll catch the demon." She explained, looking at Mai, as though she was talking to a child.
The girl furrowed her brows.
"Who catches youkai?" she inquired. The woman shrugged her shoulders.
"A bunch of people, who came to our lord one day. I think, that they call themselves Black Moon or Black Sun, I don't know…" she was playing with her lock. Then she gasped, remembering something. "I've got to go!"
When the woman ran off, Mai and Akira leaned towards each other, whispering.
"It's Black Sun. I've seen such emblem on their clothes." The boy whispered, glancing sideways, checking if no one was listening.
"So they have the daimyos pinpoint the location of the youkai for them." Mai was thinking aloud. "Using people's greed, how low…"
The girl craned her neck and looked around, searching for any sign of the mysterious group called Black Sun. Of course they weren't showing just like that. If they got the daimyo collaborate with them, the most probable place, where they could be, would be…
"The castle." She muttered. "They must be in the castle."
Akira sent a doubtful glance at the stronghold, towering over the city. The castle of Takeda Clan was impressive and probably heavily guarded too. The soldiers at the entrance were letting only a few people pass.
"We won't get there even if we were shinobi." The boy sighed. He looked at Mai and confusion covered his face, as the girl began dragging him towards the building, the determined gleam in her eyes.
"Akira, you know of the current political situation?" she asked. The boy nodded.
"Master Sekiguchi is always up-to-date." He said, meaning it as a yes.
"Tell me, how's the things going on between Kai and Echizen." Mai demanded, the look on her face indicated, that she had an idea in her mind. The boy wrinkled his forehead, thinking.
"If I remember well, they're neutral." He said unsurely.
"Not in state of war? You're absolutely sure?" the girl kept asking.
"I'm sure." Akira answered. He looked at his companion. "Mai, what are you planning?"
The girl smirked.
"We're going to walk through the main gate." She announced, dragging young Maeda right to the guards. The boy gawked at her and swiftly covered his face with the hair, not wanting to be recognized as the banished heir of Kaga province. Mai, on the other hand, got rid of the cloak and readjusted her disheveled kimono. She straightened her back, mentally encouraging herself. She quickly reviewed in her mind, which clan was supposed to rule Kai province now – she remembered, that it should be Takeda family.
She marched straight to the main gate, leaving young Maeda a couple of steps behind. The guards blocked the entrance with the long spears, glaring at the girl warningly. However, Mai returned the look, doing her best to behave high-and-mighty.
"Tell your lord Takeda, that the heiress of Echizen has come to discuss urgent matters." She said before the soldiers managed to ask a question. The two men exchanged glances, looking amused.
"Heiress of Echizen? You?" one of the guards snorted, scanning Mai up and down – after all she was a short woman and her clothing looked very non-regal right now, after the crazy ride to Fuefuki. But, the reaction of the soldier didn't make the girl loose cold blood.
"What is your name?" she asked the soldier calmly. The man leaned on his spear, eying Mai, as though she was some harlot, who was hitting on him.
"Shino Ginjiro." He gave her his name, smirking, as though he was expecting something a massage with a happy ending from her.
"I'll remember it." Mai said solemnly to him. "I shall have lord Takeda add it to his execution list. Now, get someone, who knows my face. I am in a hurry."
The smirks fell from the soldiers faces, as a suspicion began sprouting in them – judging by the unsure looks on their faces, they weren't so certain, that the girl wasn't the princess. Mai glared at them with irritation, mimicking Sesshomaru, when he was exceptionally impatient. For a longer while the soldiers weren't answering and gawked at her, estimating the chances for the girl to tell them the truth.
"Ginjiro, call Toramasa-sama." One of the soldiers said to his companion, eying Mai suspiciously. Ginjiro seemed to be a bit reluctant, but nodded and hurried to get the man, his friend mentioned.
When the soldier left, Mai did her best to keep up the front of royal princess, of course with exception of being frail and demure. She was beginning to get nervous – she suspected, that lord Takeda harbored the demon-kidnappers and most probably their victims too. Even if they let her in, wouldn't it be too dangerous for her? After all, she was the youkai's wife. It would be a miracle if she wouldn't be captured. Even so, she had to give it a try.
"What is it about?" The girl heard an annoyed voice. She craned her neck and noticed the newcomer – it was a fatty in his fifties, the fancy robes indicated noble blood. She exhaled discreetly, preparing herself for a spy action. She looked at him, but waited for the man to make his first move.
When the one, who was called Toramasa-sama, set his gaze on Mai, he let out a gasp. The girl stiffened – she had been definitely recognized. The bad thing was, that she had absolutely no idea, who the man was.
"Amayami!" Toramasa exclaimed, making the two guards exchange panicked glances. The fat man quickly closed the distance between himself and the girl, his huge belly quivering like jelly. He smiled widely, tears appearing in his eyes. "Look at you! Only four years passed and you've became such a fine woman!"
Mai smiled nervously, when the man grabbed her shoulders, as though he wanted to close her in a bear-hug. She delicately pushed him away, twisting the corners of her lips up, faking happiness.
"You look so… healthy!" she returned politeness, wondering, who the man was to Amayami. Whoever he was, he was well-nourished. She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling like a child on Santa's lap. She had to be careful not to make an blunder. She bit her lower lip. "I need to speak to you in private."
Toramasa furrowed his brows, feeling disturbed by the seriousness in her voice. He nodded and led her inside the castle. Akira hung his head and went after them. Mai followed the fat man, as they were strolling through long corridors of Takeda's castle. When she found herself in a chamber, which seemed to belong to Toramasa's private quarters, she and Akira sat by the table and their host seated himself in front of them.
The man sighed, his jovial face suddenly becoming grim.
"I didn't expect my sister's daughter to show up in Kai all of a sudden. Especially, that there are rumors, that you eloped with a youkai lover." Toramasa said. Mai didn't answer him right away, but the blush on her face betrayed her. The man, who was supposedly an uncle of princess Amayami, smacked his forehead, groaning with dismay. "Amayami, this man is a demon?"
Mai shrugged her shoulders, already used to such kind of reactions.
"He's a very powerful youkai. And we're married." The girl explained.
Dear gods!" the man exclaimed, looking at her, as though he thought of her as of some loony. "Married to a demon?! I thought, that you ran off with some fisherman and the rumor grew bigger, but something like that… you used to be such an obedient girl… If you were my daughter, I would fling you over my knee and smack you."
Mai rolled her eyes. Seeing the disapproval on her fake uncle's face, she decided that it was best not to let him complain further and it was the high time to get to the point. She cleared her throat. "The thing is, I'm looking for people calling themselves Black Sun. I've heard, that they're in this castle."
Toramasa glanced sideways nervously, as though expecting someone to eavesdrop. He lifted his finger to his mouth, gesturing to keep the conversation quiet. He leaned over the table.
"Girl, it's not safe for you here. The Black Sun came here a few month ago and offered lord Takeda mountains of gold in exchange for help with hunting demons. Takeda trusts them entirely and if he finds out, that a youkai's spouse is here…" Toramasa shook his head. "I advise you to leave the castle before the news of your arrival spreads. Go to your husband and get as far from Kai province as possible. I'm telling this you as your uncle."
Mai furrowed her eyebrows, as the information of the Black Sun's whereabouts had been confirmed.
"Where they keep the demons?" she asked.
Toramasa sighed heavily.
"Amayami, please, leave before it's too late!" he insisted, but the girl was stubborn from nature and was desperate to get her husband back.
"The demons, who are being held captive, where are they?" she repeated calmly. The fake uncle shot a nervous look on the door.
"They are in the castle's dungeons, locked and guarded by the Black Sun and Takeda's retainers. Amayami, don't get involved in this, there will be only trouble. Now get out of there!" Toramasa hurried her.
The girl stayed in the same position as before, wanting to ask the man for help. She was opening her mouth to ask the last question, when the door to the chamber suddenly opened. Mai quickly turned her head to see, what was happening. A group of samurai stormed inside, making place for someone more important.
"Welcome in my castle, Amayami-hime."
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Author's Note:
It's the end, all I've got. Sorry for the abrupt end, guys. Thank you for reading and all the wonderful reviews you wrote.
Check out my new fanfiction "Albus Potter and the Scepter of the Fallen." I'm trading virtual hugs and cupcakes for reviews. ;-)