Chapter 25 - Unprepared at best.
The expanse of blue ocean was a sight he'd not laid eyes on in a long time. The glistening surface and rolling blue waves brought with them a bag of mixed emotions for the Inu No Taishou. Hidden in the belly of a cargo ship the old Daiyoukai gazed out through a port hole window at the beautiful seas outside. Hundreds of years ago he used to cross these very same waters by ship or by his own power whenever his business brought him to the mainland. Back then he was free to travel without worry, now a days one needed a passport. Personally lacking such paperwork the youkai had little choice other than allowing himself to be smuggled into the country. Sakagami made the arrangements and managed to procure a very spacious travel compartment for him. A dog kennel.
'Normally I would order a set of forged papers to grant you a passport and drivers license but unfortunately we are pressed for time and simply cannot wait. The best I can do is register you as a search and rescue dog and ship you there as cargo. Your requested items from Tibet will be shipped along with you.'
The Historian's words still rang through his head as he pried open a long crate that bore the same shipping label as his kennel. Inside he found a fresh set of clothing that was black as night and looked like something issued to the military. Beneath that was his armor salvaged from his final battle as a hunter. All of it broken. The Lady Dragon had been a formidable foe and she had proved that by crushing and puncturing his armor while he was still in it. Remarkably though the Tibetan monks that nursed him back to health also managed to recover every last little piece. Along with his other possessions Including the two wicked swords that lay at the very bottom of the box.
With a little sigh he began to unbutton his Chinese shirt and set to work getting dressed. The combat uniform had the benefit of possessing many pockets though he didn't care for the steel toed boots that were included with them. Thankfully his hunters boots were still in good shape, his bracers were also semi intact. Unfortunately the rest was probably of little use to him. The armor itself was a copy of a late era samurai's although it was modified to fit together as one solid suit. Even the helmet, which was stylized after a samurai's with a closing face place that met with the helm, connected to his neck armor. The helm though was decorated and formed to look like the head of a snarling dog. At the center of it's 'forehead' was the emblem of that all seeing eye.
These emblems, four of them all together, were given to him by his master, each one embedded with spells that would aid him in his task as a Hunter. One for each bracer, one for his helm and one for his breast plate. All of which would need to be fixed again back into place. Only two would come with him for this mission. Had he been given this all a day or two ago he would have managed to repair a good part of the suit. Fixing one of the bracers he gazed out to the little window once again, seeing the fiery colors of the sun set over the ocean waves. Reminding him of how little time remained for him to prepare.
If memory served him right, Sakagami mentioned that the boat ride would be no more than twenty four hours. Unfortunately half of that time was lost as possibly every member of the ships crew came down into the cargo hold to look at him. All staring in awe, daring one another to try and pet him, even making humiliating comments, like saying he was big enough to feed a family of ten. If only they knew exactly what they were taunting. Had any of them known that he could possibly eat a family of ten, things would be different.
How lucky they were. It was frustrating to have to wait all that time while being treated as a side show. The thought of murdering all these fools in the dead of the night was a tempting one, wisely though he dismissed it as he buckled on the weapons harness around his frame. Finally he tugged out his weapons and lifted them both into the light. The twin swords Kokoro and Seishi. Each one about the length of a katana although they were much heavier and were doubled edged. Along the gentle curve of the blade ran a ridge of wicked razor edged hooks, meant to saw through flesh painfully. Each blade had a slate grey sheen with runes of magic that also made up the blood groove along the weapon.
These blades carried with them a terrible power and equally terrible memories, yet they were the only weapons he had. With a soft sigh he slid the blades into the partial sheath of the harness. Settling them right off his hip before gazing about. There was little more he could use from his old gear, everything else was too damaged to be worth while. He was still quite under prepared but it was better than nothing and as he closed the lid on that shipping crate he pondered over what he would face. Or more exactly, ponder over what little he knew of what he'd face. Sakagami had informed him that an earthquake shook the city and possibly awakened a very ancient Fae creature. But told him little else.
The historian had come to him knowing what and who he was. The city right now lacked a demon of authority, a Taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru having somehow vanished after the old Daiyoukai fled Russia. Now the burden of the role fell onto him and Sakagami did his best to help him prepare, but he lacked almost all of the important information. More precisely, what he was going to face. The historian knew little else. Or maybe he cannot reveal anything more? The thought that this could be a trap of some sort weighed on his mind.
Granted Sakagami had yet to give him any reason not to trust him. He was after all cursed by one Dog Demon, to think that he would consider crossing another one? Perhaps Sesshoumaru himself put the poor man up to this? No, that did not sound like something his eldest son would do. Somehow he doubted that Saka was out to get him killed, though he suspected he was looking for something else. Closing the lid tightly on the crate he stood up and took one last look around, making sure he did not forget about anything.
Once he was satisfied that he'd left nothing for the ships crew to stumble over he turned and crawled his way back into the kennel. A slender finger reaching out to hook onto the wire door before pulling it shut. The latch giving a soft click to tell him it was secure. With a deep sigh he let himself transform back into his canine form. Shaking off his fur a moment before he climbed up onto a large and overstuffed pillow to settle in for a nap.
…...
Sometime during his confinement in that little tomb in absolute darkness, he had snapped.
The torment and self torture proved too much and with a desire to escape it all he let go of his memories and simply stopped caring, stopped feeling and stopped resisting. He had also stopped responding to his captors touch as he lay curled up in the corner of his tomb. Many times he heard 'that voice' in his head and felt those cold fingertips caressing his face and brush back his hair. But each time he failed to answer or even respond, remaining motionless. Physically his body was still there but mentally he was elsewhere. Deeply lost in a dream world he crafted for himself. In that dream world he was wandering free through the country side, in the warm sunshine and amidst a world that felt like home. Here in his dream world he was not stuffed into an oversized stone coffin and left to rot, thus he was very stubborn about leaving it.
Then someone flicked his nose.
Instinctively he flinched and shifted a little, though any attempt to settle back down was thwarted by another flick to that sensitive appendage. He curled up more and hid his face into his folded arms trying to escape the teasing. Not caring about fact someone was there and summoning him. He wanted no part of what was going on here, he was happy where he was! Yet despite his resolve his grip on that dream world wavered a little as he felt two sets of hands grabbing his arms, tugging at them and forcing him to acknowledge his visitors. His head tilted a little as he heard a female giggle to his left, followed by another giggle to his right. Lifting his head he opened his eyes in time to feel a blind fold being slipped on, if he were normal he would have flinched. But in his current state he barely responded to it and tried to nest his head back in his arms.
"No-no! Don't go back to sleep, you must get up now."
The voice had such a sweet, musical tone to it, the woman sounded as innocent as a child but the strength of the hands pulling at him told him otherwise. Both women were tugging on his arms and urging him to rise, when he showed no sign of obliging the two began to drag him out of the corner instead. His stubbornness cracked and after a moment he finally obeyed. Awkwardly rising to his feet, ligaments and flesh long unused for years aching from the sudden movement. The awkwardness didn't end when he finally succeeded in standing and one of the girls moved quickly to brace him with her own body. His free hand came up for the blind fold but was stopped half way as someone grabbed it.
" You will need that, for someone who has not seen light in so long the dimmest candle glimmer would be painful. "
The two women gently tugged at him, urging him along with them and for the moment his obliged. Something within him rejoiced if only a little. Someone was with him, the solitude has come to an end. Then realization sunk through his fogged mind, they were moving him out of his tomb. He dug his heels into the dirt and let his head sink a little as he pushed back against the two.
"Where...are you...taking... me?"
His voice sounded strange, it sounded rough and old, it crackled like dried bark and it made him wonder a moment if it was even his voice. Unused until now it sounded unrecognizable. Petite hand reached up and cupped his face as warm breath brushed over his ear followed by a sweet tone. "You need a bath, we are taking you to be cleaned."
With those soft words a sense of calm washed over him, some little voice in his head told him it was alright. Nothing wrong with a bath right? Thus he no longer put up a fight as the women lead him away. He did though suffer a bit for the travel, his limbs so stiff creaked painfully as he moved. Because of that the walk felt like it lasted forever. When the first smell of humidity and sounds of a water fall reached him though he breathed a sigh of relief.
The girls only giggled. They sounded so innocent, so sweet, it was alluring almost. Then the two women grabbed at his clothing and stripped him down so fast he didn't realize he was naked until they pushed him into a pool of water. He stumbled and gasped a moment as he flailed about in a bid to hold his balance. Once he was finally standing on his own he slowly reached up for that blind fold once more.
The first splash of cold water down his back made him flinch! The second splash caused him to further shy away. The sensation of water running over his skin was alien now to someone who has spent so long in a dry environment. Soft hands gently took a hold of his arms, guiding him under a steady stream of water. It took a few minutes to get past the initial chill but once he was used to it he dared to relax. A clawed hand once more coming up to his blind fold, only to be smacked away as a sweet sounding giggle rang near his ear.
"Kneel down for me? You're so tall!" The same hands that still held his arms gently tugged on him, the youkai reluctantly sinking down to one knee then the other. Once he was settled down the two women went to work. The smell of fragrant soap filling the air as his hair was washed and his body scrubbed down. Unfortunately he was not used to being tended to like this and he did fight back, the feeling of embarrassment cutting through the dream like fog over his mind. Pulling away from the two women he attempted to get up when a wave of weakness sapped his strength. It was the same women he was trying to escape who caught him before he could hit the floor.
'Settle my Treasure. Allow my aids to rid your of the years of dust.'
It was a voice he'd not heard in some time, yet he could never forget it. Strength flowed back into his limbs as he sat back once more. Allowing the girls to continue cleaning him, tilting his head back a little as he felt fingers work the tangles from his hair. "You released me. Why?"
'You were ready.'
"Ready for what?" His voice faltered him a moment as he felt one last good splash of water over him. Without thinking he resorted to his own canine instinct and shook off! To the Delight of the two women by the sounds of their giggles. Coaxed back to his feet he was lead out of the pool of water.
'Ready to come back to the living. Soon you will hunger, you will thirst and you will feel. You have dwelled in your 'death' for many years now, it is time you learned of your new life My Treasure.'
Coaxed to sit on a chair he listened carefully to the words echoing through his head while he was being dried off. One of the women leaning close to whisper to him as she drew a comb through his silvery hair. "We are charged to take care of you. If you desire clothing, care or sustenance you will come to us." Delicate fingers ran through his tousled bangs, encouraging him to lean his head back. He began to voice his response when soft lips captured his own and smothered his words. In an instant his body went ridged and he roughly pushed the woman away. Though when one retreated the other slipped in and did the same.
Despite his hair still being caught he quickly turned his head to the side as pushed back the other one as well. "If this is what you consider 'care' I am not very interested!" A deep growl rumbled in his chest moments before something slapped him so hard across the face that his head snapped to the side. It caught him completely by surprise, never did guess these woman had this much strength.
"We hold your life in our hands. Remember that." Her sweet tone was like a sprinkle of sugar over her venomous words. As if she took pleasure in telling him that. In a small show of defiance he turned away from her and said nothing more. Silently suffering the humiliation of being groomed and brushed like some show dog. When he was finally dressed he was lead off by the two women into another chamber. Once he stepped inside he was immediately hit with the scents of food and wine and his stomach awoke from it's years of slumber with a growl.
"You can take off the blindfold now." The voice was so soft he almost didn't hear it. Reluctantly he reached up for the strip of cloth, pushing it away from his eyes as he chanced a cautious peek. The light in the room was very dim but still managed to sting his eyes. Yet he was determined to look around. The room was large and surrounded on all sides by stone. Yet there was very nice looking furniture that included a large bed, chests for items, a table filled with food who's delicious smell was distracting him terribly.
A soft giggle caught his attention. His gaze drifting to the two women behind him, taking in their sight for the first time. Staring at them in confusion. The two women stood maybe five feet tall. Their skin almost the color of porcelain and their eyes were a very snowy shade of light blue. Their hair may have been long if it wasn't bound up in a bun. Both wore a household yukata, both looked just like servants of a noble Japanese household. Yet he knew very well he was no where near Japan. Or was he? He stared at them in wonder as one shuffled her way right up to him, whispering softly.
"Why so disappointed? We only look like what you enjoy." A smile appeared on her face that looked as sweet as her words. Feigning timid she slowly reached her hand up to cup his cheek, drawing his face back to her as she leaned in close. Bathing his lips in her warm breath. "We can look like any woman you want, simply wish for it. As long as you remain ours, we will grant it." It was a bargain she offered and one he could not refuse. When her lips caught his this time he remained still.
He no longer fought.
...…...
Awakening with a start the youkai lifted his head and slid a little off the pillow. Much to the fright of a couple men peeking into his kennel. Golden orbs narrowed on the two gawkers as a little growl rumbled in his throat. The men immediately recoiled back much to the laughter of a third person that he had yet to see.
"That dog is massive! When I saw this box I thought they had a tiger in here!"
"It looks friendly to me. "
"Yeah? Why don't you reach in and pet him?"
"Like hell!"
"Shut up! Just help me load this thing already!"
'I swear if this humiliation continues this boat will reach the harbor without a crew!' The dog glared daggers at another face that appeared on the other side of the wire door when realization hit. Japanese. They were all speaking Japanese, even the fool who was trying to sooth him with a 'nice doggy'. The kennel trembled a little as something heavy fell on top of it. Curiously he watched through the vent holes as a harness was pulled around the kennel and hooked into place. A moment later he felt the entire kennel lifting into the air as the men around it grunted with the strain.
"Wow! He's as heavy as a horse! He's got to be 300 lbs! Maybe 350! "
'I am 220lbs thank you.' Another growl rumbled from the crate but the men this time ignored it as they hauled the kennel out onto the unloading bay of the ship. The cold morning air and crisp sunshine spilling into the kennel as it was set on a platform. Much to the relief of the men as they dropped it in place, one taking a last peak and offering him a cheerful wave before vanishing back into the dark belly of the ship. With a snuff the dog scooted to the front of the kennel and gazed out over the dock. Everywhere he looked there were people busily rushing about. Many operating forklifts that hauled large pallets of cargo. The air smelled of the ocean, diesel and fish, it was similar to the harbor in china yet not.
He was back home. The thought brought with it a strange feeling, the words hanging heavy in his mind, or perhaps it was his heart? It had been hundreds of years since he'd seen his homeland. Ever since the day he died he never again came back. Never expected to come back, yet here he was. The sound of an engine derailed his train of thought and he gazed over in time to watch a fork lift cruise up to the pallet he was sitting on. The machines long arms slid under the wooden platform and the machine groaned with the strain as he was picked up. The operator looking past the windshield with a worried expression on his face. The pallet though rose with some effort and the youkai settled back as they went for a ride.
Unfortunately the forklifts luck ran out when it reached the back of a flat bed truck. The machine made a horrible grinding sound and the entire thing came to a halt a few inches too low to clear the truck bed. The forklift came to a halt as a few other dock workers ran over to offer their help. All of which chattered over the best way to get the kennel in when a shout rose above their din. A voice the youkai recognized. Peeking out of a vent hole he spotted Sakagami quickly making his way up to the forklift. Panting some from the exertion as he waved a fist full of papers and motioned to the men to stop. "Hello! I'm sorry this is my cargo here, I have the proper paper work. If you don't mind I will take the dog out of his box? He has to be tired of being cooped up in here."
More like tired of the foul company he had to keep while in the box. Giving a snuff the youkai listened carefully as papers were unfolded and the operator gave his thanks. The fellow must have been convinced as a minute later the pallet was lowered back to the ground with a heavy thump!
Sakagami stepping up onto it before he crouched down and opened the door to poke his head inside. "Good morning! I hope you had a pleasant trip." His smile and wave brought him some relief, at last he could get out of this box and get away from this humiliation. That relief dried up though when he spotted something clutched in his friends hands. A collar and Leash.
A sweat drop rolled down Saka's bow as the dog eyed the collar. Quickly looking about to make sure no one was close enough to over hear he lowered his voice to a whisper. "I'm sorry, I really am, but there is a leash law here. I promise you I will make this as quick as possible!"
Now he knew how Fooie felt. When the puppy first saw the leash and collar he was not happy. But in time he grew used to it, as he would have to grow used to it if he wanted to get out of here. His mind briefly drifted back to his pet dog that he was forced to leave in China. It was a difficult decision to make and one he knew probably traumatized the Border Collie. But it was simply too dangerous to bring him here to Japan. Thus he had to leave the dog in the care of Hua Tong and the three children who had befriended him. This was the first time he'd been apart from that poor dog since he first acquired him and he could only imagine how lonely Fooie must feel right now.
The collar was buckled into place around his neck bringing his thoughts back to the task at hand. With another soft growl the youkai padded his way out of the box and out into the sun shine. Then he watched in fascination as the forklift operator promptly jumped on top of his vehicle while other dock hands backed off and gave him plenty of space. Unphased by it all Saka moved over to the forklift operator and casually took his papers back with a smile. Before he turned and lead the large dog away.
Sakagami practically marched his way through the docks, doing his best to avoid the dogs discontent looks. Which was more than he could say for the rest of the dock's population as people stopped and stared at the huge dog. The historian did not need a demons acute hearing to catch the hushed voices and gasps from those they passed. All the attention was making him feel a little self conscious and a little afraid as he could feel the demons annoyance through the leash in his hand. Picking up his pace a little the historian made a quick path through the docs, only breathing a sigh of relief when they finally reached the street and the black minivan that was packed there. For the demon's sake he did not waste a moment as he opened the sliding door of the van and let the dog climb inside.
The van had such a strong smell of plastic and glue that the youkai's nose crinkled the moment he stepped onto the carpet covered floor. Though now was not the time to be complaining, he knew he was cranky because of his trip and did his best to subdue it as he let himself transform back into his human form the moment the van door slid shut. Settling to a seat as he sighed and reached up to unbuckle the collar. Only to have his fingers touch his own warm skin instead. Well that was a first. He knew things disappeared when he shifted from human form to dog, but he never knew it worked in reverse as well. Under different circumstances he would have been fascinated. Right now all he did was growl a curse so furiously that it spooked Sakigami who happened to open the driver side door at the same moment.
Cautiously the Historian poked his head into the van and gazed at the disgruntled youkai in the back. Clueless really as to what could have upset the demon. It could have been the choice in vehicle or perhaps he was still flustered after being gawked at like a circus side show all through the docks? Swallowing back his fear he dared ask the obvious question. "Is all well Ancient One?"
"As well as can be." The youkai answered with a wave of a hand to dismiss the issue, there were bigger problems at hand than being stuck in a collar and leash. Settling back against the side of the van he consciously curbed his ill temper and closed his eyes. "Come inside and update me on the situation please."
The Historian needed a moment to feel assured of that before he climbed into the drivers seat and shut the door. Reaching for his briefcase he quickly produced a file that he passed over to the youkai. "Here, some reading material to keep you busy. It's a long drive through the mountains and over to the eastern sea board."
The offered file almost went unnoticed, the youkai having discovered a few things of interest in the back of the van. A case filled with unique tools and small weapons and a cooler packed with a few food items and cans of iced tea. One of which he cracked open and helped himself too before noticing the offered file. Taking both he retreated back to his spot in the cramped minivan and settled to read. Though the moment he lay his eyes on the first page a single word jumped out at him. "Taijiya?"
The van rumbled to life at the turn of a key and Saka was about to merge into traffic when he heard the youkai's question. A little smile playing over his face as he fixed his sunglasses. " Yes, there are still demons in this world, so there are still demon hunters. They were actually the first ones to detect the presence of the ancient power after the earthquake. They were tracking a series of spikes in supernatural activity in the city when they stumbled on this. Fae folk though, are not something they typically deal with often and they began reaching out for help with the issue."
Falling silent for a time the youkai looked over each page of the files report. Though so far he did not see much information on the power itself. In fact all of the information was partial at best, eye witnesses reports of what little they have seen and heard. Even a composite sketch of a woman with hair that nearly touched her feet. She almost looked like a Ju-on. A few details stood out for him though, one he voiced with concern as he studied the picture. "This Fae is situated in an old part of the subway system? I was under the assumption that she was overrunning the city?"
A little color or embarrassment appeared on Saka's face as he did his best to hide from the rear view mirror. "To be truthful Ancient One I have not gone to see any of this for myself. Simply hearing the stories about her was more than enough to convince me to seek someone like you. But you're right, she is holed up in the subway for now, not going anywhere yet her corrupting power is oozing up onto the city streets above her."
"Are you certain she is not simply toying with the Taijiya while preparing for an attack?" The youkai's words carried with them an unnerving ring that caused the historian to tighten his grip on the steering wheel. Not offering an answer as he stared hard at the road ahead. He didn't want to consider that, they had no idea what this fae woman was after. Why she even awoke. Faerie were well documented in other parts of the world but not in Japan. That was why he sought this demon out, he must know about this queen, he must know what they could do to stop her. He was there only...
"I am going to be honest Sakagami, I am not familiar with this woman. For this reason I am unsure what I can do for you. I am afraid I cannot-ulp!" The youkai's sentence was cut off as the van swerved wildly to the left and right before the driver slammed on the breaks and brought it to an abrupt stop. The youkai having to brace himself from being tossed around in the back as file pages flew through the air. When they finally came to a stop the youkai gave a low menacing growl as he turned to glare at the Historian. Only to recoil back as Sakagami stared at him in horror, looking on the verge of tears. Really now. A grown man was about to start crying?! He didn't like seeing a women cry but was unsure how he felt looking at this!
"I brought you here because I thought you would recognize this monster! You are probably as old as this Fae monster. You've lived for thousands of years, probably the oldest demon on this side of the planet. I'd think that something so ancient as you would know better than...anyone?" Sakagami stopped as he noticed the veins pop one right after another over the youkai's brow. Very slowly he sunk back down in his seat under the demons icy cold glare. Till something cracked loudly and made him jump! For a split second he considered bailing out of the van but only managed to get as far as ducking down into the driver's seat.
Taking in a slow deep breath, the youkai tried to stifle his anger. Filling his head instead with happy thoughts that often included crushing the historians rib cage under his boot. Releasing all his anger and murderous thoughts as he exhaled through his fanged teeth and calmly released his hold on the now crushed arm rest. Drawing another breath he brought himself into an almost zen like calm before he regarded the miserable Historian in the front seat.
"First off, I am not as old as you label me human. Secondly I am expertly knowledge in demons both here and from the mainland. Do not assume because I battle Fae that I am an expert of their kind. Lastly, allow me to finish you pathetic little wretch!" All his effort to settle his temper down was lost in those few moments and it was taking all his self control to stop his fist from reaching Sakagami's face. Drawing in a deep breath he once again attempted to dispel his anger so he could finish. "If you so remember, I have agreed to this and I will see it through to the end. Have I made myself clear?"
A little squeak from the front seat was enough of an answer for him as the youkai began to collect the paperwork spilled over the back of the van. One sheet though caught his eye as he neatened a stack, his gaze drifting over to a map of Tokyo. "It amazes me how much things change, I remember Edo being little more than a fishing village."
Climbing back into the driver sear the Historian buckled his seat belt and caught the sight of the youkai pouring over the map from the rear view mirror. " Edo then and Tokyo now, either name you decide to use you are still referring to a remarkable city. Between the 1600's to the mid 1900's that city was destroyed by either fire, quakes or war every fifty years and yet it rose from the ashes each time stronger than before." Sakagami's chest swelled with pride and renewed confidence as the van merged back into traffic.
"Then it is at least a hundred and fifty years overdue." The youkai smiled as he studied the circled points of interest on the map. Area's underground where their enemy was supposedly sealed marked with black lines. "What is the state of the city right now?"
"The area outlined in that map is evacuated, the public was told that the train station and subway tunnels around it are not stable. If you flip that map over the map of the subway system is shown there along with the closed off tunnels." Sakagami explained as he skirted around a slow moving car, the youkai turning the page over. A brow arching as he turned the page over again, a look of confusion slowly creeping over his face. The subway map looked like a child took some crayons and drew lines all over the city. Thirteen lines all together of varying colors, all compacted into a tangled knot in the center before branching out into the city. He'd never seen a train system map quite like this.
A snicker from the front seat caught the youkai's attention a moment later and he cast a side long look at his friend. This time though he couldn't blame him, it had been hundreds of years since he'd set foot in his home land. So much had changed in that time. As the van climbed the mountain road the land around them became more visible. He knew this mountain, he once stood near the top and gazed over a land that was thickly covered in forest. Here and there smoke would rise above the tree tops from the cooking fires of small villages. This area was once part of the Western Lands he controlled, the very same territory he used to patrol. Back then he knew every one of the village heads, he also knew the tengu that used to live on this mountain as well.
Now all he could see was a land cut, carved and reshaped by human hands. The majestic forest broken apart by rooftops and taller buildings, paths were carved into the land for roadways and a thin layer of smog blanketed the area. The longer he gazed out the window the more he felt a sense of loss, yet at the same time awe. After a few long moments reality sunk in and he couldn't stop the bitter smile that spread over his face. He was not home. One cannot truly come home when home no longer exists. Drawing his gaze away from the window he shuffled the papers resting in his lap and settled in. They had a long way to go and he had much reading to do.
...
"Furui? Ancient one? Wake up!"
He wasn't sure when but sometime during the drive he'd nodded off. The rhythmic drone of the van's motor and the gentle rocking motion of the vehicle had been rather soothing. All he did was close his eyes for a little break after reading and out he went like a light. Only to be awakened by a hand on his shoulder, gently shaking him back to wakefulness. A groggy eye opened a slit and gazed to Sakagami who smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry Furui, but we are almost into the condoned part of the city. I have a pass to get through the check point but I don't have one for you."
They had already reached the city, the youkai gave a large, fang baring yawn before he stiffly sat up and gazed out the van window. His first impression of Tokyo was that it contained an awful lot of ugly concrete. He remembered some of the cities he traveled through in Russia, how the buildings had some decorative architecture that lessened the harsh looks of the buildings. The huge buildings in Tokyo on the other hand were mostly featureless concrete, straight lines and looked like they were practically built on top of one another. Many buildings were raised in a hap-hazard manner, as if no one took the time to plan where they would go. It amazed him that anyone knew how to get around a place like this.
Remembering his friend he cast him a sidelong look as the corner of his mouth quirked into a little smirk. "Will a dog need a pass to get beyond the security line?"
"Last I checked no, but I do hear they sometimes strip search dogs."
"As long as there are no cavity searches."
Sakagami couldn't help but give a little laugh to their light hearted banter. Reaching into the passengers side seat he pulled out a small bag and tossed it over to the youkai. "Here take this. Inside is a mobile phone and a list of phone numbers. As well as a few other little helpful things and just in case you are caught by the Taijiya, my contact information."
Catching the bag the youkai arched a brow a moment at his friend. "Our agreement?"
Sakagami smiled and slide back into the drivers seat. " Yes I am honoring it. No one knows of your presence here including the Taijiya. So if they see you they will think you are a rogue demon or worse. I am sure you know how to deal with a few demon hunters, but just in case they do get lucky and take you prisoner. I just ask that you please not seriously injure or kill anyone while fighting them or fleeing."
That was potentially a tall order right there. Sadly he harbored a long standing grudge with the Taijiya. In his career as an active Daiyoukai he commanded a sizable territory where both youkai and humans were his to deal with. One of those humans was a Daimyo he personally chased off from the western lands.
The Taijiya entered the picture when that Daimyo contracted the hunters to dispose of him.
The Demon hunters rallied nearly every able bodied warrior they had and set on the march through the mountains to his domain. When it was all over barely a quarter returned the way they came. The Youkai though could not take all the credit for their defeat. The hunters also managed to anger the Tengu Lords that lived in those same mountains. They also ran into many lesser taiyoukai of forests and rivers that took out many of their number. By the time they found him, they were a fair number smaller than what they started with. In the end though all the blame was placed on his shoulders.
Every decade or so since, the Taijiya would try their luck again. Usually their strongest and most gifted fighters came looking for him. Each looking to make a legend of themselves. Very few of those promising fighters ever returned home. As the years continued and he grew larger and stronger the demon hunters began to leave him alone. That was until one very confident young man appeared one foggy morning in first month of the harvest season. He offered no reason other than to avenge his ancestors and he had the skill to nearly succeed in his mission. He was fast and athletic in ways he'd never seen before. The acrobatics were worthy of awe even from him. Till the young Taijiya managed to slip a blade through a chink in his armor and slice him a grave wound.
That young man would have won, had the youkai not crushed his leg right after. Rending him pertinently a cripple. It was out of anger that he decided to punish that young man so severely and it was something he came to regret later. It rekindled a flame of bad blood between himself and the Demon Hunters that remained until the day he succumbed to death. Now here he was, expected to work close to them yet remain unseen.
Sinking down to all fours he began to unfurl his youki when something caught his attention. A charge in the air, slight as it was, but still there. It caused his nerves to tingle and pricked at his skin. A charge he'd felt many times before and it made his blood run cold as he rose back up. His eyes narrowing as he gazed through the windshield. Wherever this charge was coming from it was getting stronger by the second. With his heart in his throat he just barely managed to hiss out a warning. "Something is approaching!"
Sakagami looked up into the rear view mirror as he slowed the van, his silver eyes widening a little when he caught the concerned look on the old demons face. "Furui what is it?" He wanted to ask more but never managed as something heavy landed right onto the roof of the van.
End.