Thirteen

Trust

A voice was whispering to her, invading Etsuko's mind as she bordered between the real and fake world, twisting the images she was seeing. As she woke, her body instinctively went to pull her sword free, Etsuko desperately trying to remember her dream... forgetting it as she blinked away the spots that impaired her vision. Pointing her drawn weapon at the one who had disturbed her, Etsuko clutched the front of her head, not liking how her throat still burned from the previous night.

"What?" Etsuko demanded, the individual who she still couldn't make out waiting patiently as she oriented herself. Several empty bottles clattered to the ground as she left her small bedding nest that had been drunkenly made by herself, the noise from her own throat briefly deafening Etsuko she stumbled to her feet.

"I'm sorry ma'am. Range has called for a company meeting and needs you." One of her younger squad leaders quietly, and smartly explained. "We'd like to know what drills we're doing today as well."

"What time is it?" Etsuko asked, hurrying as she grabbed her crossbow and quiver.

"The sun's been up for about four hours. You had a-uh… long night." The hesitant arbalest commented, reminding Etsuko of her headache.

"Alright." Etsuko eventually sighed out, finished equipping herself. "Look, just… do target practice with the Sixtieth, or something. I'll return with new orders."

"Yes ma'am." The Inkling acquiesced, dodging out of the way as their platoon leader stormed past them.

As Etsuko went down the small hallway, carefully leaning on the wall for support as she made it down the fifteen hazardous stairs, she couldn't help but notice some very out of place Inklings among her platoon. A couple orange tinted heads hung around the open, empty bar, each staring down silently at the wooden counter. These Inklings were barely over the age of sixteen, but had the posture of broken veterans.

Etsuko copied her platoon and ignored these miserable creatures, not wanting to remind herself of her own problems. Sliding the exit door of the building and taking her first steps into the town that was eerily quiet despite the regular hubbub of motion between the warriors of her brigade, and the people of the town, Etsuko was about to move towards the hall where her general was residing, but was halted by a voice.

"Hey."

Turning to the hooded figure who was currently leaning beside the threshold of the building her platoon had taken over, Etsuko felt brief confusion. Checking to make sure the Night Blade hadn't brought friends, the arbalest tried to remember where she had seen this particular mutant. "Kageani? We've met before, correct?"

"We have." The Night Blade said, immediately standing straight before performing a proper bow, making a bewildered Etsuko wonder why this Inkling was being so polite. "I never had the chance to thank you."

"Thank me? You'll have to forgive me, but for what?" Etsuko asked, sharing awkward looks with some bystanders who were witnessing the interaction. As the bowing mutant raised his head, Etsuko understood that he was confused as well.

"You… have you already forgotten? You distracted the horde of sharks so that the three of us could escape." The Night Blade reminded her, Etsuko blinking several times at the memory. "I must admit, I'm now worried for you."

"Excuse me?" Etsuko returned.

"To forget such a self-sacrificing moment as if it meant nothing. Do you normally survive certain death situations?" The Kageani asked, his tone that of concern.

"N-no. It's just… a lot of things have been going on. I apologize again, but I must be leaving." Etsuko quickly said, glancing towards the hall where suspiciously few warriors were training in front of.

"I'm aware, but your meeting isn't in the normal location. I've been sent to retrieve you." The Night Blade informed, his words perplexing her. "I was the one who sent your warrior to wake you, platoon leader."

Glancing around the dirt road, Etsuko could see several other lone Night Blades standing very much out of place, or being accompanied by familiar figures who were hastily making their way towards the two separate gates of Kamakessai. Understanding that this wasn't a normal meeting at all, Etsuko nodded. "Well then, Kageani. Lead on."

Bowing slightly at her words, the Night Blade turned on his heel and began heading towards the southern gate. "It's Shippai, by the way. We're not all named Kageani."

Etsuko snorted, getting an immediate reaction from the cloaked scout. "Could have fooled me. So what does 'Shippai' mean? I know that all of your names have a meaning behind them."

"You're not wrong." Shippai said instantly, the hints of a sad smile being masked by the shadows of his hood. "Come, Etsuko. We have some ground to cover."

Etsuko stood motionless as she watched the back of the cloaked one move without her before shaking herself from the hangover that was receding. For some reason, Etsuko believed she had touched a nerve on the Night Blade, and didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

After checking to make sure her two guests were still asleep in Range's quarters, Kichi silently moved through the large hall. Two of Range's guards stayed beside the door and nodded to her, apparently knowing why Kichi was there. If Kichi wasn't mistaken, these two were named Masaru and Ran, and hadn't been at the welcoming party that had been thrown last night.

Kichi scoffed at the new memory of her general forcing drinks into the new officer's hands, sharing loud stories and laughing at all of their childish jokes. After Kikimo and Tetsip became unintelligible, Kichi had decided it better to leave, her one and only drink having been untouched. Range's words haunted her as she tried to sleep, the task she had been given making her review each word the two had drunkenly slurred.

The two officers seemed trustworthy, but the seriousness of her general's tone had made it seem they were enemies. Maybe she doubted them because the two Inklings were closer in age to the garrison general who had once imprisoned her, but it wasn't as if they were nefarious lords hiding inside of a fortress. Besides, what sort of mission was discovering someone's trustworthiness? Perhaps this was just a reminder from her general to become more aware of those outside of the company, and to learn from more experienced commanders.

So while the two officers remained incapacitated for a few more hours, Kichi would ask the one person she knew she could always trust about her mission. Unfortunately, Kichi hadn't been able to converse with him during their march back, having been called back to the front to listen to her general interview the older officers. As she entered her room, shutting the door on her guard, Kichi glanced at the stationary form of Akurai, calmly sitting on his knees with his eye closed.

"Akurai." Kichi softly greeted, wondering if the warrior was awake. As his eye quickly opened, hardening into something like a glare, Kichi swallowed hard, never too sure about what that constant, unrelenting gaze was truly staring at.

"Commander Kichi." Akurai returned, bowing to the point where his head hit the mat he sat upon. After showing his deference to his commander, Akurai began to raise himself, before Kichi halted him by sitting down in front of him.

"You'll have to forgive me, Akurai. I know you would much rather be resting." Kichi breathed out, knowing that the warrior before her had a tendency of staying awake for days at a time, and with the trials he had faced through being trapped in a cave surrounded by water and sharks, to near immediately setting out to discover the ones they had recently brought to Kamakessai... Kichi could understand that the one before her was most likely exhausted.

Akurai said nothing, his silence meant to confirm her words without making him seem rude. Kichi could only nod at this calm demeanor, and the unspoken words the warrior gave her. Knowing she wasn't going to have a casual conversation with meaningless chit-chat she could expect from Taiki, Kichi moved onto why she had summoned the single-eyed warrior who sat patiently, waiting for her orders.

"Akurai, why have you refused the promotion I've given you?" Kichi eventually asked, watching the older warrior's eye shift away from her.

"If this is all you wanted…" Akurai slowly said, his body language showing his want to leave.

"It isn't. Answer the question." Kichi commanded before he could get his feet from under him, getting a small sigh from the warrior, who by all rights was already a sub-commander. Even if the one eyed Inkling refused the title, he commanded too much authority to be a simple platoon leader anymore.

"I do not want to be a part of the…" The warrior eventually trailed off, obviously not wanting to finish his thought.

"Please, finish what you were saying."

"Games… officers play." He eventually finished, looking as if he had just shamed himself greatly. As Kichi gestured for him to continue, he began speaking. "I have seen how… tainted, warriors become when given power beyond their weapons. I prefer the way I am."

"And what is that?" Kichi asked, getting a response instantly.

"A tool. For you."

"For my family, you mean." Kichi stated, as if it was a known fact. Akurai said nothing to this, so Kichi continued with leading the conversation towards her goal. "Or for my uncle Basti, yes? You and Range both served him, yes?"

Akurai closed his single eye, sighing inwardly at some memory. Eventually, he nodded, "Yes. Though, not at the same time."

"Yes, yes, I know. I might have been young, but I remember how the pale general used to serve my father. You might not know this, but he has changed much, since his time with us." Kichi explained, scoffing at the memories. Even though it had been several years ago, Kichi still remembered how happy Range had been with her and her family... or, perhaps it was just her childhood memories twisting over time to make it seem as such.

"I wouldn't know." Akurai eventually agreed. "May I ask why you've ordered me here?"

"I was wondering… if my uncle has taught you both to be so untrusting of your kin." Kichi slowly asked of the warrior, appraising the reaction of Akurai, whose eye darted away from her once more. "I'm beginning to understand that I've overlooked something critical in my own training. Perhaps it was because of his treatment towards me and my father. Perhaps it is because my military conscription started in an officer school as opposed to becoming part of a squad. I do not know what you, or Range has seen while serving my uncle and father, but it has obviously put doubt in your heart to every officer you've come across."

Akurai remained silent as she finished her small speech, probably wondering if she was chastising him or not. Perhaps she was chastising him, Kichi realized, but not because of anger or disappointment in him.

By all rights, she should be angry, Kichi realized long ago. If someone had insulted her father or uncles by doubting them, Kichi would have been infuriated even if she couldn't actually do anything besides being infuriated. But after spending time with Range, who had been nothing but honest and genuine with her, she couldn't see him hate her father without a valid reason. After watching the unwavering loyal warrior that was Akurai, and the way he seemed to shy away from conversations about her family, Kichi realized she had been blinded to something... that she still could not see clearly.

"Akurai, I want to know how you trust someone." Kichi eventually spoke, her thoughts keeping her silent for far too long.

"W-what?" Akurai asked, his voice showing surprise, which was very out of character for the stoic warrior.

"Do you trust me?" Kichi asked, raising a palm up as Akurai moved to grovel in respect and deference. "Your loyalty is not being questioned, but do you trust me? My father? Basti? Range? How does Akurai, the warrior, determine who to trust?"

Akurai said nothing for a while, his body and expression returning to a perfect stillness. After a small time, he eventually breathed deeply, as if he was steeling himself for death.

"In my village, there used to be a ragged old warrior, who would instruct us despite not being a part of the village's outpost. She told us, 'There are two kinds of officers. Killing officers, and murdering officers.' She would say all sorts of things we wouldn't ever understand for years, but eventually I came to understand the difference. Killing officers will get their warriors killed, but it won't be their fault. Murdering officers will get their warriors killed, so long as their own goals are completed."

As Kichi was about to interject, Akurai continued, ignoring her. "I do not wish to be either one. I have decided where my loyalties lie, commander. I am a tool for the single purpose of killing your enemies, and those of your family. To ask whether a tool trusts the one who handles it... is a pointless question."

As Kichi sat there stunned, Akurai lowered his head, signaling he was done speaking. Kichi dwelled on his words for a moment, understanding that he had left his explanation open for interpretation on purpose, allowing her to form her own opinion on those she had directly asked about. Suddenly realizing that honesty and loyalty weren't always synonymous with each other, Kichi dismissed the warrior, not even looking as he bowed and moved to the closest exit.

Yet he hesitated briefly, which wasn't normal for the self-proclaimed tool. Kichi was about to ask what else he had to say, before he spoke anyways.

"Taiki." He eventually whispered, glancing back towards his commander.

"What?" Kichi asked, confused. Akurai rarely spoke of the younger Inkling, and Kichi had believed the warrior was only bothered by the Tenth Company adjutant that frequently visited.

"I trust him. He's a good man, and acts honorably despite his age. I apologize for not being of help, commander." Akurai quickly said, before leaving. Understanding that that was Akurai's way of passing off responsibility to such questions to her friend, Kichi scoffed. Perhaps she would go and discuss this with Taiki... but first she would have to have something done about her original mission.

"Guard!" Kichi called, waiting to hear the door slide open and continuing once it had. "Bring me Sumiye and the Tenth's female logistic officer if you can find her. I have need of them."

Isamu felt very out of place, standing among the older platoon leaders who were casually chatting among the trees. Although he had met and spoken with each of them, the age and experience was too great for Isamu to consider himself an equal among these warriors. The fact that he had been brought to this secret meeting had only confused him, as he was by no means worthy of such a thing.

As their pale general showed himself, coming out of the trees while quietly talking with Kagehaha, every platoon leader silenced themselves. As expecting looks followed the glaive wielder, Isamu's general didn't even seem to register their existence, his words an inaudible whisper to all but the Night Blade matron. After he was apparently done with his private conversation, and Kagehaha had departed, Range quietly made his way to a fallen tree and sat for several moments before speaking to the conclave that had formed around him.

"This all seems a bit unnecessary, doesn't it?" Range asked, before shaking his head in thought at the unanswered question. "Hidden in the woods, the Tenth's general has a secret audience with his platoon leaders. Sounds like the start of some scheme... right?"

Isamu felt perplexed at Range's words, his tone completely different from the jovial, loud shout he would carry himself with, quickly getting to the point. It was unlike his general to be this hushed, his words carrying a severity to them that forced the younger warriors before him to remain silent.

"If you have similar thoughts, you would be right. I ask something from all of you today, that I normally wouldn't under any circumstances, for we are somewhat pressed for time. I ask for your blind, and unwavering loyalty for this task I have for you."

Isamu felt the air change to that of calm confusion, no one Inkling willing to speak up in front of the general. Obviously, he already had their unwavering loyalty, so why was he asking for it? He began to worry, knowing that Range was acting very differently, and began to wonder if this had something to do with their guests.

"Most of you know me before I was your commander. Many of you still have your reservations about my character, which I have tried to relieve by always explaining my actions, so that you all understand my reasoning. Yet, for now, I cannot fully explain myself, for there are too many things I do not yet know." Range cleared his throat, rubbing his temples as if he was fighting exhaustion. "To get on with the point then…"

After sighing to himself, the pale warrior locked eyes with every single one of his subordinates, and after several long seconds, Range told them the task he had of them. "You are to gather as much information about the Twenty-First Company as possible, from every source you can. In three days, we will march to the eastern coast, and remove whatever threat that killed hundreds of our people from our lands. Discover why our new friends were routed, and by what. Discover every detail of how such a defeat was possible, and why over three hundred Inklings are dead somewhere within this delta."

"This seems a bit much." Naoki mumbled, scratching his face while avoiding everyone's eyes but their general's. "There's no reason for us to-"

"Plot in the woods?" Range interjected, standing from his impromptu seat. "There is reason, Naoki. Our foe might be much closer than you think."

Silence once more deafened the surrounding trees, every single Inkling present understanding the thinly veiled warning. Range would go on to speak, his vision lingering on the female scout leader that had been the closest to him... in all sense of the phrase. "If you feel this is too dishonorable for you, I understand. Whether you aid me in learning more about our new found friends or not is up to you. But whatever you decide to do... do so quietly."

"Sir… If I may ask something?" Rafu, the new guy, raised his hand as he stepped away from the other harquebusiers. After getting a nod from their leader, Rafu continued. "What should we do if we discover something… questionable? Do we go directly to you, or…?"

"Speak with one of my bodyguards. This will be the only time where I am not watched for the next few days. They will discretely pass the word on."

"I am no spy, sir." Saki, the spear warrior nearly growled, anger expressed only with her words. "I will not disgrace myself in pretending to be one."

Getting a few grunts of approval, Saki stood to face the blinking general... and as the leaders turned to see Range's reaction, all they received was a shrug.

"I cannot force any of you to do this task. I can only ask. I will not hold it against any one of you to refuse to actively search for damning information about your fellow warriors. All I ask is if you overhear something, perhaps while their warriors are drinking, and slip something of importance, to discretely report it." Range casually spoke, looking at the individuals who had agreed with Saki. "If you feel I have slighted you, tell me now and I will apologize. If not, return to your platoons."

After a small moment of no one stepping up and demanding an apology for slighted honor, the sixteen warriors began to filter out of the forest. As Isamu waited for his general to finish speaking to Taiki alone, he eventually turned to the lone messenger.

"Isamu?" Range asked, exhaustion evident on the general's face. Gazing at his subordinate as he leaned against his weapon, Range seemed to peer into him, and sense that the messenger he had summoned was requiring something of him. "Do you need something?"

"Um, yes. I want to know… are... you okay?" Isamu asked, his original question being interrupted as his general's face suddenly relaxed.

"What?" Range returned, shaking himself as if he suddenly became aware of his own tiredness. "I'm fine. I didn't sleep last night is all, so get on with your question."

"Right… If you'll forgive me in advance, I was wanting to request something." Isamu said, unintentionally gripping his sword's handle in nervousness.

"Oh? What is it?"

"I wish to stop being a runner, sir. I would like to return to a platoon." Isamu said, getting a confused look from Range. It was obvious that his general hadn't expected him to give up his relatively cushy role.

"May I ask why?"

Isamu remained silent for a time, gathering his thoughts. "I wish to… be strong, and to do that, I need to fight. I want to become a real warrior."

Range stared at him in an appraising look for several long seconds, his face eventually turning to disappointment. As Range got closer and raised his hand, Isamu believed he would be struck down for his selfish request, but the general's palm only softly grasped his shoulder.

"Okay."

"O-okay?" Isamu asked, nervous.

"Okay. I'll find a replacement for you. Until then, continue working as normal, yeah?" Range asked, getting an excited nod from the younger warrior before him.

"Of course sir! Thank you, general!" Isamu said, his joy hard to contain.

"Do me a favor though." Range returned, stopping him from moving away with his hand gripping his shoulder.

"Sir?"

"Speak with your toad lady. She's been around here for a while, and might know something about Kikimo."

"Of… of course, sir." Isamu agreed, getting a satisfied nod from his pale general. As he was let go to return back to Kamakessai, Isamu turned to watch his general leave, reentering the forest with a half-smile on his lips.

Wondering if his general was truly alright, Isamu hesitantly made his way back home, wondering if that was the only reason as to why he had been allowed to join the covert meeting.

"Why do we not go back, Kantoku?" Kaito asked the still Inkling, whose arms were spread wide, as if he was about to soar and embrace the heavens. In front of them, the vast blue unknown stretched as far as the eye could see, with barely a cloud in the sky to dot the horizon. "Back to Kamakessai, I mean. It is obvious you were enjoying yourself amongst them."

"I was, young Kaito. But just because I can go where I please doesn't necessarily mean I should go where I please." Kantoku immediately quipped back, as if he was long prepared for such words Kaito had spoken. "At least for now, anyways."

"And in the meantime?" Kaito asked, the expressionless mask almost turning towards him. Kantoku's shoulders shifted as he swayed with the sea gust that threatened to push them closer to the ledge, keenly aware how his general was being a bit too precarious.

"I know not. Perhaps we might take a page from The Marching Hunger's book." Kantoku offered, deciding to finally come back from the sheer drop he balanced on, turning to his two Inklings and few hundred metal clad beasts. "Have you heard of the food called 'sushi'?"

As Kantoku brushed past him, Kaito answered, following in the masked one's wake, the girl not far behind. "Of course. It is raw fish, usually wrapped in a seaweed or with grain. Do you refer to general Basti, of the southwest?"

"I do refer to that creature! He eats his enemies you know!" Kantoku joyfulyl told him, as if that was supposed to be an interesting fact as opposed to outright horrifying. "He's quite famous, with his roving pack of 'Ghouls'. Can you believe that they adopted our people's mountainous myth as their company's name? He's trying far too much, if you ask me."

"I… don't know what you mean. Wait, are you suggesting that we're going to consume…" Kaito trailed off, the tilted head of his general suggesting confusion. As if realizing what his subordinate was insinuating, Kantoku quickly shook his head.

"No, of course not! It was merely a joke. We shall not be carving, then feasting upon our fish nemeses. Remember Kaito, don't eat anything an Infernal wouldn't!" Kantoku happily said, freely repeating knowledge he had given a hundred times over.

"This is my first time hearing your opinions on another title bearer, Kantoku. Is there something you're thinking about?" Kaito asked as they began moving the beasts eastward, wondering if this southern detour hadn't been for any greater purpose.

"Ah. I suppose I was just dwelling on the past. Before he went and joined Kyokan and his loyal lieutenant, Rairan, the two of us used to patrol these lands, back before he had left the Monster Corp." Kantoku listlessly explained, revealing he had prior history to the right hand of the Blood Lord.

"He left? Why?" Kaito asked, getting a shrug from his mentor.

"I know not! There was always a... hunger in that one's eyes. Our master was furious when he said he was leaving, I tell you. That was quite a spectacle, Kemeno shouting her lungs out as he walked off into the sunlight."

"Wait… Squid Lord Kemeno? The Bulwark of the South was your master?" Kaito asked, stunned to a standstill. For months he had spent with Kantoku, he had never once mentioned that a Squid Lord had personally trained him, let alone who he knew outside of his own cohort of beasts. "When was this?"

"Oh, well, Basti left to join that gargantuan Kyokan say, sixteen, seventeen years ago? That means I was scouted nearly twenty years ago, give or take a few. Have I truly never mentioned my past to you, young Kaito?"

"Uh… no. I knew you had a title, but this is the first time you've ever talked about anything from before we met. Wait, that means you're almost… forty? How long have you been campaigning?" Kaito asked, his entire expectations being shattered. For all this time, he had believed the general to only be a few years older than him, not an entire lifetime ahead of him.

"A while, I suppose. I believe you are forgetting that officers don't just up and quit once they finish their ten year conscription, Kaito. Not that I ever would! Ha! The idea of me in some town like Kamakessai is a laughable notion when I can be here with my lovely pets!" Kantoku laughed, then laughed some more, his hands grabbing at the thick hide of his large Colossal as it moved away.

"I knew that, I'm just surprised is all. A student of war from a Squid Lord, who's been a general for over a decade. I'm surprised you haven't left your mark and became a well-known officer by now." Kaito said, actively choosing not to regret his words as his mouth spoke them despite knowing how insulting he was being.

"Well aren't you getting full of yourself. I've received a title from Strategic Command, child. What more do you want from me? Should I go gorge myself on the flesh of my enemies in front of several thousand witnesses? Perhaps I should horribly maim thousands of jellyfish, then prop them up, like Satsujin, The Black? What action should I do to become a whispered name, where everyone reveres and fears me as they do Kyokan, young Kaito?" Kantoku asked, stepping closer than a normal Inkling would have been used to.

"I didn't mean offense." Kaito offered.

"I'm sure you didn't. There are plenty of regular generals and commanders, who have been commanding for much longer than I have been, who won't get any recognition by the common troops, or let alone our kinsmen, Kaito. Kikimo, for example, has been a mere commander for twice as long that I've been a general. There are certain limits in individuals that they can't, or refuse to overcome. Some officers are meant to command at the company level, while others are trusted with quarters of our country." Kantoku educated, deciding to continue speaking before letting Kaito have any more say. "There are commanders you will never hear about, doing what they can for our fellow people, Kaito. Tasks that have to be done, whether anyone wants to do them or not. Do not forget that you are among their lot now, Commander, Kaito."

For a moment, Kaito found it hard to look at the metal mask that concealed his general's face, knowing there was a look of disappointment behind the iron. When he finally recovered his voice, he found he could only say a few words.

"Yes, sir."

"Good!" Kantoku immediately chimed, his sincere tone replaced with a happy one as he turned to the much younger girl hiding behind the massive tentacle of his general's favorite pet. "I hope I didn't scare you, little one! Uncle Kantoku had to teach uncle Kaito about knowing his role, which required a bit more aggression than you might have been used to! Please forgive me if I have hurt your feelings!"

As he watched Kantoku bow as low as he could to the small girl, Kaito released a laugh, getting the attention of the creatures around him. As Kantoku turned to the source of laughter, Kaito quickly gained control of his sides, returning to his standing position.

"Yes, Kaito?" Kantoku asked.

"I just imagined you in a village, placating small children." Kaito admitted, digging a finger under his mask to wipe something out of his eye.

"Ha! That would be a sight indeed. Perhaps I should try it at Kamakessai's end of Arashi Week festival!"

After a brief pause, the words sank into his mind.

"Wait, what?"