Chapter 36: Tempting the Flame
Satori glanced at her new mate's side of the bed – the one she'd spent three days with locked in their quarters, and a sultry smile lit her features for a moment as a shiver went up her spine at thought of what they'd spent the time doing.
It had been better than she had hoped – much, much better. While Touga had prepared her before breaching her when breeding her and she had felt some pleasure, it had been a cold act, really – neither of them held any deeper feelings for each other and she'd been glad when it was over and she had found that she was, indeed, pupped. She could not regret her son, as obnoxious as he was being, but she was sincerely happy that she was now eternally tied to the one she'd loved for what seemed like forever.
Masao had already left, as it was his day to return to duty, and would be attending Touga already in his study. She, however, had decided to lounge in bed a little longer before getting up and joining Izayoi in her duties. Although, I do believe that the little human that is more than a human is probably already hard at said duties. She is nothing if not conscientious about them. Stretching her body in an almost feline manner, Satori finally rose gracefully from her bed.
I wonder who she destroyed yesterday? That flare of reiki was quite strong, though tightly controlled. Which is a good thing, she thought ironically, since if she didn't control that energy, she might depopulate the palace entirely – and we do need some of this rabble around here.
Deciding not to bother with sending for her maidservant she dressed herself, eager to get back into the thick of things... and kill Teruko. Fangs glinted in the morning light as she grinned with the pleasure of that thought... Oh, I can almost taste her blood, she mused, her grin softening into an almost whimsical smile as she shuddered with the pleasure the mere idea brought.
She couldn't help but wonder what the overwhelming aura of confusion and worry was, however, that hovered over the palace and its environs, and wondered what had been happening while she'd been otherwise occupied. As Touga was calm, it was obviously something he had instigated and she very much wished to know what had all the youkai here in such an uproar.
Her senses idly sweeping through the palace, she blinked in surprise when she realized that there were far fewer youkai here than there had been three days ago – and then she grinned ferally when she realized that Touga was sweeping the place clean.
"So that is what the fear and worry are over," she murmured softly as she finished her morning ablutions and, fully dressed and ready to face the day, headed out of her quarters to find her breakfast – the morning meal would be served soon. After the last few days of activity, she certainly needed the food.
She completely ignored the speculative glances tossed her way as she headed for the dining hall, not interested in answering them – she didn't answer to anyone. Well, only two people, and none of this riff-raff staring at her were one of those, so she had no care what the looks were for.
However, she did frown as she noted that there was a certain tension also hovering around certain beings – only a few here and there, and wondered what that was all about – it seemed suspicious. Perhaps I should stick closer to Izayoi for the next few days until we see whatever this tension is about dissolved. It would be a terrible shame if someone were to stick their neck out by thinking to attack the new Lady and not have that neck chopped off. And knowing the fools that I'm sensing the tension from, it could only be about that.
Yes, if they are going to stick their necks out, I would be greatly remiss in not chopping them off, since they are being offered so freely and easily, she ruminated with a fangy smile that caused a passing servant to lower her head and scurry by while trying to fade into the background.
Satori completely ignored the serving girl, having no interest in the coming and goings of those here in the palace to serve, and continued into the dining room to take her seat at table. She was a few moments earlier than the rest of those that belonged at the high table, and she used the time to look around and begin to take a tally of those that were missing. When she got to the place that Madoka, Lord Ayumu's third daughter usually sat, and found it as empty as a tomb, she couldn't help the grin that crossed her face – she wondered if that were who Izayoi had eliminated, or whether she'd been booted from the palace. The girl's name suited her to a 'T' – she was quite round, almost what you could call fat for a youkai, and as lazy as they came. That's why she was still unmated – no youkai male worth his salt would want a fat, lazy mate. Lord Ayumu was probably quite glad she was off his hands, no matter how that had come about.
Just then Izayoi entered the room, her attendants behind her and took her seat quietly, her eyes far away and a tiny frown on her face as she paid attention to whatever sense was speaking to her. Satori watched her, eyes narrowing, and then looked up as Touga finally entered, a rather more normal look on his face as he spoke to her mate.
Masao looked up and caught her eye as he moved to take his seat near her and winked before looking back at his Lord. When Touga took his first bite, everyone began eating and conversation picked up, though the normally louder buzz was considerably softened by all the vacant seats.
"So," Satori began after she'd taken her first bite, "who was it that eliminated Madoka, that fat, lazy dolt?"
Everyone looked at her, and then Kenj finally answered, "It was my Lady. She decided, along with her few friends, that it would be a good idea to try her hand against Izayoi-sama – and found out that it wasn't," he finished complacently. He looked up at Izayoi, who looked a little confused, having been pulled from her preoccupation by the question, and said, "The female you fought yesterday, my Lady – that was her name. Madoka."
Izayoi looked down at her plate and shuffled her chopsticks through her rice. "Oh. I didn't know. It seems such a shame that I didn't even know the names of those I killed." She sighed, then, and shrugged. "But it's not like I'm always going to know who I'm killing, especially in war, so there's no point in worrying about it, I suppose."
Touga looked down at his bride, knowing that he'd somewhat tired her out yesterday running through a portion of the palace that wasn't on any maps to ferret out any spies. It was unfortunate that the maps of the palace were early ones only, and that much had been added on since then. He determined to have a complete and updated map made so such a thing would not happen again. But the results of her sweep had pleased him greatly – she'd found every last single spy and they'd been sent from the palace. He couldn't be happier with the outcome.
"Are you still that tired from yesterday, Izayoi?" he asked quietly.
After a moment, she sighed and shook her head. "No, not really. I've marched much farther, of course. I suppose that it's simply the whirlwind of activity since I've been here – there's been no chance for me to just sit down and take it all in. I feel a bit overwhelmed, Touga, that's all." She met his gaze with her own quiet one. "But don't worry, I'll be fine."
"And what is on your schedule for today, then, my Lady?" he asked with a small, intimate smile that no one at the table missed.
Rolling her shoulders to rid them of her tension, Izayoi said, "Morning court again, and then a visit to my little kitsune friend. After that I am not sure."
Touga nodded his head jovially at her, then finished his bite before saying, "After the afternoon meal, you may have a period to rest in our chambers – it would be good for you, I think, and then later I will have you attend the meetings with my Generals. You are very good at noticing holes in plans, and I'd like your input into what we are speaking of. Of course, nothing can be finalized until the other Lords arrive and agree to whatever battle plan we've come up with, but I don't think that will be too much a problem-" he frowned, "-except with the Eastern Lord. He's not going to like where his wolves will be, but we will have to see what he has to say when he arrives – which actually should be tomorrow. The Southern Lord will also arrive either tomorrow or the day after, so enjoy your break this afternoon, my love, because from here on out, it's going to get much more intense. We leave for the North in no more than three more days."
At that, the room fell silent for a moment as all the youkai auras rose in excitement and Izayoi firmed her determination. She may not like what was to come, but it had to be done. There were no two ways about it – Ryukotsussei must die. Without a word, she bowed her head to her husband obediently and fell back into her own seemingly morose thoughts.
Satori, watching the whole thing, didn't think that Izayoi's unhappy reaction really had anything to do with the coming war – something else was bothering her, and she decided she'd get her aside after the meal as they moved towards the courts and ask her what was wrong. With her senses, she was a resource not to be ignored, and if she was feeling something that was disturbing her so greatly, then there was definitely something wrong. It just remained to see what that something was.
Although... maybe she is picking up on the disturbed auras that are aimed at her. It is very possible that's it...
As the meal was finished and everyone had acknowledged the alpha, Izayoi stood and smiled up at her husband as he brushed a gentle hand against her cheek, her heart clear in her eyes, just as his was in his own. It was an intensely private moment, carried out in front of everyone still in the room.
"Are you sure you are alright, my love?" he said softly, his tone low enough so as not to carry more than a few feet.
"I'm sure, Touga. I'm just tense with the coming war, as are we all," she said, brushing aside her worry – though Satori knew she wasn't being quite truthful. "I will be fine, you know," she said with a gentle smile as she raised her own hand and caressed his, interestingly enough to those still gathered not even seeming to be embarrassed at the very public showing of affection.
Touga smiled at her in return, desperately wanting to kiss that softly smiling mouth, but knowing that now was not the time – if he did, it wouldn't end with just a kiss, and he'd be forced to speed through the halls of his own palace for their chambers. Perhaps later, when they retired for the night...
He brushed that thought away as his body began to respond and slowly ran a finger across her lips with a longing look before just as slowly letting his hand drop from under hers, her hand falling to her side as he did. She had the same yearning look on her face that he did, and he sighed, lowering his head to run his lips across her cheek. He dared not allow himself more.
"Tonight," he whispered, low enough that no one else would hear, and couldn't help how his body tightened as her voice caught in a little gasp of want and her body swayed towards his.
"Tonight," she repeated in that same low whisper, knowing he would hear it and no one else. Her voice, husky with want left her mate hard and in pain and it took every bit of control he had to back away from his wife and head for the doors. He held her eyes until he disappeared, and he knew that she knew that she was in for a long night of passion when they retired. From the look on her face, he knew she did not mind.
Masao, sharing just such a look with his own very new mate, finally broke her sultry gaze and followed his Lord from the room, falling into step behind him. "I am surprised," he said carefully after a few moments, "that your wife, who seems so shy in some ways, would be so open with the affection you share."
Touga, still hard and hurting, spoke, his voice tense as he strode stiffly through the halls towards his council chambers – and temporary war room. "Izayoi cannot help her response to me just as I cannot to her. It matters not who is present or who is not," he said tersely.
His General nodded, knowing to question things no further. Besides, he could hardly say anything, when he and Satori were no different. Mayhap even more uncaring of who saw them and who did not, though only time would tell, for it was well known that Touga and his bride made no efforts to hide the sounds of passion coming from their chambers almost every night – several times a night. And he certainly didn't begrudge his Lord the happiness that he had with the little miko who was no mere miko – just as he knew that he had her to thank for his own newfound happiness after centuries of misery.
Sometimes in the last few days he'd found himself almost wondering if he were dreaming – until Satori would touch the shimmering bond between them and soothe those fears with her touch. He would do whatever he could to protect his Lord's new bride, and he knew that his mate would, as well – they both knew who was responsible for their new bond, and he knew that Satori actually liked the young woman, too. He had to admit – she was easy to like, human or not.
He turned his mind away from such thoughts with an inward sigh, almost tentatively touching at his bond with his mate and feeling comforted at the sense of affection she sent down it. With that, he set aside everything else and began going over the plans that he and his Lord and the other Generals had been working on.
It was time to go to work.
~oOo~
"There is something on your mind, Izayoi-sama," Satori said softly as she walked up to join the young Lady of the West as they headed for the women's courts. "It is not the coming war, either, is it?"
Izayoi looked a little startled as she looked over at her, but then shrugged after a moment, not really surprised the other female had caught on to her preoccupation.
"No, Satori-sama. There is some danger coming to me – and it feels as though it will be today," she sighed, finally speaking of what had been bothering her all morning. "But had I told Touga he would have put a ton of guards on me and restricted me to our chambers – and now is not the time for such things. There is danger all around," she added, shrugging slightly, "and one cannot be protected from it all."
'And I will be with you, anyway,' Kirara almost hissed into her mind, her own hackles rising at what her mistress had said – and what her own feline senses were telling her.
"I know, Kirara," Kagome said, putting a hand up to pet her almost constant companion. "I know. Still, it would be best to be alert, because whatever is coming is coming soon. Today, definitely."
"Hn," Satori hummed in response, her own eyes narrowing as she sent her own senses out to test the air in the palace. There was a definite sense of very heightened tension invading certain auras, and she knew the little Lady was right. Something was coming... and she was determined that she'd have a definite part in what was to come – it had been some time, after all, since she'd had a good fight. Let the fools thinking to attack do so... she could use a good taste of blood as a warm-up to battle, after all, and there was no doubt that there would be bloodshed.
None at all.
"I do believe that you are right," she said, haughty unconcern for what anyone else was planning clear in her voice. "But it matters not what the rabble plot – they will fail," she finished, looking down at her pristine claws as she clenched a hand in enjoyment at the thought of the killing to come.
Izayoi glanced over at the other female wryly. "I wish I had your confidence," she sighed. "But I hope you are right." Straightening as they entered the court, she moved gracefully up to her seat on the dais, her face calm now and not showing her apprehension at all, to the approval of Kenji and Satori, and Nami and Mine as well.
It was clear she was more than capable of what was being required of her, and quietly, a few more of the youkai females in the room, also noting her manner, began to begrudgingly approve of the woman that Touga had chosen.
And as the first pieces of business were brought before Izayoi, they all watched as she showed them all once more just what she was capable of – and ignored the black eyes burning with hatred that glared at her from the shadows – though she did note the sense of excitement mixed with nervousness that hovered over Teruko, and knew that whatever was coming had something to do with her. It was amusing to note the way the female looked away, however, when Satori caught her glare and returned it with an icy, dangerous one of her own.
Inside, Izayoi giggled, even though she was still worried about what was to come.
And so the morning went...
~oOo~
Hitoshirezu sauntered past the central staircase that led to the healer's floor and nodded with approval – Teruko had been good to her word and the entire staircase was blocked off as workmen replaced several 'faulty' steps. He hadn't doubted she would be, though, not with as much as she hated the little human miko. He wondered idly as he moved past how she'd gone about getting that done, and then shrugged, brushing the thought off. It didn't matter – it only mattered that it had been done.
He continued on down the corridor, which eventually narrowed and darkened, and then turned to the left to enter a small area where there was a secondary staircase to the aforementioned healer's floor. It was here that he had set his ambush, and he was pleased to see those he'd hired already in place and faded into the woodwork of the dark area. No one would see them until they were upon them. With a nod he turned to the right, which led to a small, out of the way room, one that was no longer even used for very much, and smiled... soon, he would be having a taste of what had so enthralled the dog – perhaps she was a good bed-partner? Well, within a mere quarter-candlemark's turn, he would be finding out, and luckily for him, though the female was human she was quite beautiful, so his part would occasion no difficulties for him.
His body hardened at his thoughts, and he laughed softly as he adjusted himself, reaching down into his hakama and stroking his hardened flesh as the blood surged quicker through his veins. Soon, he crooned to his now turgid and eager flesh, soon.
Taking a seat on the futon that had been thrown in the corner, he lounged back and put a hand behind his head, still stroking his hard on so as to soothe the ache until it was time, his eyes glued to the candle settled on the small table at the other side of the room.
He smiled wickedly, his eyes flashing as the wax melted just that much more.
Almost time, my dear. Come to me here and find pain and horror enough to destroy your mind. Or mayhap you will actually enjoy what I am going to do to you... or would if I weren't deliberately trying to break you.
His smile widened, his fangs becoming visible as his time drew nearer.
~oOo~
Tense, Izayoi stood from the dais as morning court ended, her worry going ever higher as she felt danger drawing a noose around her. Her attendants seemed to feel at least some of that tension, as they all drew close around her and prepared for whatever it was that was coming.
With the room empty, she let go of some of her reserve and her head lowered as her hands clenched. "Well, shall we go and find out just what is in store for me?" she asked, her voice tense and stilted.
Kirara, fur standing on end and with a snarl on her usually sweet, kittenish face, said, 'It does not matter – it will not succeed!'
The others echoed her sentiments, but Izayoi knew better. Whatever was coming was something she was going to end up facing by herself. Somehow, she would be stripped of those around her and would have to face the danger alone.
Drawing every bit of cool hauteur from years as a royal around her, Izayoi straightened her posture and stepped out of the room, heading for her next destination – the healer's floor.
The first sign that something, was, indeed, wrong, came when they arrived at the main staircase – and found it under construction, the workmen's leader explaining that several of the steps had been found to be unsafe and were being replaced. Concerned, Kenji exchanged glances with his sister...they hadn't noticed anything wrong with those stairs.
Satori, also suspicious, glanced at Izayoi and then pinned the workman with a cold gaze. "Who gave the order to have this work performed?" she asked, her voice frigid.
The workman, falling all over himself with sudden worry, stuttered, "The head of housekeeping, my Lady! She said that she'd had complaints that certain steps were becoming unsteady."
Everyone glanced at each other, sure that was a lie – but also sure that the workman and his crew were not in on whatever scheme was being played out, and so they all turned away from the stairs and drew around Izayoi, who was looking thoughtful.
"It seems this ploy has been well planned," she murmured.
"My Lady, I suggest that you cancel your visit with Aki. He will understand," Kenji urged, not liking where this whole thing was going at all.
Izayoi was silent for some moments as she thought about things, glancing up once more at the closed off stairwell. "Is there another way to the healer's floor?" she asked in a voice filled with pensiveness.
Kenji once again glanced at his sister, and then reluctantly said, "Yes. It is past this staircase and down that hall there," he responded, tilting his head in the correct direction. "But it is rarely used, and I like not the thought of taking you that way – I feel as though we are being herded that way, my lady, for purposes that hold no good for you."
"Oh, you are right – we are being led by the noses," she agreed, that pensive note still in her voice as she looked down the somewhat darker hall they would have to traverse. "But if we don't go along with it now, they will just keep trying, and we don't have time for this. Battle comes soon, and there is much still yet to do. As much as my heart is screaming that I don't want to take this route, it must be done. We must spring the trap and face what comes," she sighed, fear surging higher inside her, though she knew her words were correct and that there was no backing out of what was to come.
Reluctantly, she turned and inclined her head for Kenji to lead the way, which he did after motioning for the others to draw closer to their mistress. Satori did, as well, her stripes already going jagged and her claws glowing green as her body prepared for combat. She just knew it was her chance to get her claws into Teruko, as she'd been itching to do for a while now. Somehow, something else always came up and stopped her, but now... oh, no – if Teruko were anywhere around here, it would finally be time.
For some ways as the corridor narrowed and became darker, nothing happened.
But while others might have relaxed, those surrounding Izayoi did not, knowing that the ax was going to fall sooner or later and as the next set of stairs came into sight, they knew it was 'now', and not later.
While they were all tensed and ready for whatever was coming, it was still a shock when the corridor was suddenly filled with about fifteen youkai, all intent on attacking those surrounding the human woman – and there was even a male nekomata with black stripes all over his body and angry red eyes that leapt at Izayoi, startling her, even as Kirara jumped from her mistress' shoulder and transformed mid-leap with a roar, catching the younger and not quite as heavy male off-guard at her weight. The two tumbled to the ground and away, and Izayoi stumbled backwards, about to bring up a shield around herself as the fighting continued – although, interestingly enough, none of those there came anywhere near her.
But before her barrier could form, Izayoi tensed in alarm as hands grabbed her from behind – harsh hands, claws digging cruelly into her skin causing her to cry out as she was swiftly detached from her companions and dragged away into the darkness of the corridor. Although the others had heard her cry, they were unable to reach her in time and she disappeared, gone between one second and the next.
Struggling angrily against those clawed hands still dragging her backwards, she was stunned and taken off-guard when she was pulled into a small, dark room and thrown onto a thin futon. It was then she saw the face of her attacker, and suddenly, she knew her worst fears were true – it was the male she'd seen the other day in court – the one that was challenging her. And now she was going to find out just what he had planned for her...
She could still hear the cries, shouts, and growls from her companions and their attackers, though it became faint as a barrier went up around the room, and pulling herself up onto her elbows, she stared angrily and with mistrust at the smirking male.
"Could not face me in honest combat, so you had to go and plot in the dark like a weak thing of little power and less sense?" she spat, knowing that insult would definitely get a reaction.
It did, and the smirk disappeared from the male's face as it turned to a snarl, instead. "I'm not here to fight you, woman, I've been commissioned to destroy your mind – and that's what I'm going to do. An honest challenge would be wasted on one such as you, a mere human, anyway," he finished spitefully.
Izayoi laughed angrily. "Famous words from one who hides in the dark," she hissed, slowly sitting up and preparing her reiki as she glared fiercely at the male who was once again smiling at her.
"Ah, but the dark suits such beings as me, as well as such acts as are about to take place here, little Izayoi," he husked, beginning to loosen his haori as Izayoi's eyes widened in sudden comprehension – and rage.
Hitoshirezu had to admit he was impressed when her response to her sudden understanding of what was coming was not fear, but rage, and he felt himself harden even more as his haori and under-yukata fell open and his hakama slid low on his hips, perfectly outlining his very large erection. But he was very sure he knew why she wasn't frightened, yet... and that would change in just a few moments. He prepared himself for the unpleasant sensation of reiki crawling over his body as he approached her and reached out to push her back down onto the futon she'd half-risen from.
What does he think I am? Izayoi was shocked by the flood of uncontained rage that went through her body with the realization of what he was about to try – did he think her a whore who would welcome the touch of anyone? As if she would ever let someone touch her that was not her husband, her mate – who she could feel at this moment racing for her position, summoned by the knowledge that was humming along their bond. Bringing her hands up, she pressed them to the male's chest and let her reiki loose, glaring angrily into the eyes of the one who had dared to touch her in such a manner.
But to her stunned dismay and shock, he did not fade into dust; instead, a grimace crossed his face and his features changed, and she realized then what she had not noticed before – this male was hanyou, not full youkai, so once his youki was purified from him, which was probably only temporary, anyway, he was still able to continue the attack.
Opening the eyes that had fallen closed as he'd gone through the discomfort of being purified, Hitoshirezu smiled with satisfaction at Izayoi's horrified features and began tearing at her clothing, knowing that he didn't have much time.
"And so you see, now, why your confidence was so misplaced, little human bitch," he hissed as his eyes flashed with pleasure at what was about to come. "Once I am finished with you, you will be too damaged and shamed to ever face anyone again, and so will be no danger to those who are paying me."
So stunned she was unable to move for several seconds, the feel of his hands trying to rip her clothing open shocked her back into reality and she began to struggle, twisting and turning and attempting to the knee the male that was becoming quite angry at her defiance. As one hand ripped her clothes down one shoulder, tearing the delicate fabric, she turned her head and bit him, spitting the blood she drew back at him, and then was stunned again as he backhanded her. Head ringing from the blow, she stilled for a moment, and that allowed him to rip her obi away, loosening her clothes enough that they began to fall open.
Shaking her head to clear it, she desperately summoned all her strength and wrenched one arm from where it was pinned beneath her and, with her lips drawn back in a snarl, drew it across the man's face, trying to claw at his eyes. She got one good blow in, and the beast drew back, blinking wildly as his eye watered, and then his own features drew up and he hit her again, harder this time.
She fell back, definitely stunned this time as he began to fondle her bared breasts, but the feel of another male touching her in such a forbidden zone woke her up almost instantly. Unable to do much more physically, she began to feel real fear. Still, she was determined to fight and began to desperately cast around for anything she could do until help could reach her.
Suddenly, she remembered something that gave her hope and she closed her eyes and went limp, fooling her attacker into thinking that she had given up. Let's hope I was right about purifying evil intent from humans, she thought, before once more bringing her reiki to bear, letting her purifying energy flood her whole body.
Beginning to glow brightly pink, she kept her eyes closed as she brought up the one hand the male had freed and elbowed him fiercely in the face as he brought his head down to lick at her neck, and the glow brightened as he flinched back at the blow.
Knocked slightly backward by the blow, Hitoshirezu again slapped her and then laughed. "You stupid bitch," he rasped, even as a confused frown began to crease his face, "I'm human right now, so you can't purify me!"
Not answering his words, Izayoi continued to raise her reiki higher and higher, ignoring the embarrassing and enraging fact that her clothes lay open from her waist up, and that the now human man was seeing and even touching her. Her brow furrowed deeply and she opened her eyes as she watched the man become more confused and shake his head, almost as if wondering what it was he was doing. As he began to pull away from her in his confused state, she pushed hard against him and he fell over backwards, looking up at her as she struggled to her knees and pulled her torn clothing closed as best she could. She could feel the palace shake around her as Touga roared in anger, and she knew it would only be moments before he would break through the barrier surrounding her, even as some of her companions were nearing the barrier, as well. She didn't want him to see her in such disarray, but there was no help for it, and so she returned to the contact with the man, who was now almost unconscious and whose body had also lost its arousal.
Apparently, she'd been correct about the ability to purify the evil intent from a being, but as the male finally fell unconscious, she pulled back her reiki and sank down onto her thighs, the fear and horror over what had almost just happened suddenly striking her and sending tears down her cheeks.
That was how Touga found her when he punched through the barrier as though it weren't even there, his eyes red and stripes jagged as his fangs lengthened and he came very close to transforming. It was very clear from Izayoi's state of dress and her tears what had been going on, and in an instant he was hovering over the prone man, ready to sink his claws in and kill the one that had dared to touch what was his in such a way.
His little wife's voice broke through his haze and he stopped, turning to look at her.
Hands clenching her clothing tightly closed, she sniffled and shook her head. "I have purified him of his evil intent, Touga, but I think that we should h-hold him for questioning. I don't know if his evil will return when his youki does, b-but nonetheless," she hiccuped, "I think it would be helpful to know just which quarter this attack came from."
Kenji and Kirara burst into the room just then, both snarling with rage as they comprehended what had gone on there, and falling back into her kitten form, Kirara hurried over to her emotionally distraught friend and curled up in her lap, trying to calm her with gentle purrs. Without even realizing it, one of Izayoi's hands began petting her companion, and her emotions slowly calmed a bit.
Touga watched this with angry eyes, though the anger wasn't for her attendants but for the male lying at his feet unconscious. The one he wanted to kill – but that he would have to let live – at least for now. Kicking the unconscious man to the other side of the room in frustrated rage, he watched as his body bounced off the wall and fell heavily to the floor, and a growl rose from his throat as he released his displeasure that he could not simply kill his opponent.
After several moments he said tightly, "I want every being involved in this plot apprehended now and taken to the dungeons to await my pleasure. All of them, Kenji," he warned, and Kenji bowed, immediately disappearing as his sister and Mine entered the room and went to their disarranged mistress to help her up and try to repair her clothes as much as possible. They moved away fast as did Kirara, however, at Touga's warning growl as he strode over and pulled his wife to him and looked her over. His face tightened with rage at the bruises evident on her fair face.
His heart softened at the drowned look in her eyes, and he lowered his head and gently nuzzled her damaged cheek, pain running through him at what she was being faced with because he had chosen her. But it didn't take a moment for him to realize that her life would have been even worse had he left her to a human husband, and after a moment of restoring his own equilibrium, which was extremely difficult to do, he wiped the evidence of her tears from her cheeks.
"I am pleased that you were correct about your ability to purify evil intent from humans, my love," he sighed as he pulled her into his frame, relieved when she sank into him and did not shrink away in fear, as some women might have done after such an attack.
Clenching tightly to her husband's clothing she shivered, more tears falling from her eyes. While she was prepared to face anyone she had to in open combat, this was an attack that was very different – it was an attack against the core of what she was – feminine, and it was very damaging for all that. If he had succeeded, she surely would have been just as destroyed as he'd gloated she'd be, and she could only feel overwhelming gratitude to whoever had made the rules that her belief that she could purify evil intent from humans was correct... otherwise things would be very different right now. Closing her eyes, she held to him almost desperately, and Touga, without a second thought swung her up into his arms, carefully folding her torn clothing over her to conceal her state somewhat.
Nuzzling her comfortingly, he raised his head after a moment and looked at Nami. "Make sure he is given a very nice, uncomfortable cell beneath the palace. Where those who are condemned to die are placed," he added harshly, once more looking down at the prone male with his lips drawing back in a silent snarl.
Nami bowed immediately, and without further ado he left that room, stepping over the bodies of the attackers as some of the guards that he'd summoned began gathering their remains for disposal.
Satori met him at the turn to the stairwell, knowing at a glance what had happened. Her features tightened.
"Was Teruko here?" Touga growled, trying to keep calm so as not to further upset his wife, who still had her face pressed to his chest.
A displeased snarl flashed across Satori's face. "No, or her body would be amongst those laying here in the hall," she said, her voice deepened with disappointment as she flexed her clawed hands. "But they were certainly well-prepared – they had fifteen fairly strong youkai lying in wait here in the corridor. This took planning and authority."
They exchanged knowing looks and then Touga began to move away, determined to take his wife to their chambers and help her calm down and get changed into something new. Once she had calmed somewhat, perhaps had a sleeping draught given to her, then it would be time for him to gain some answers – and revenge.
Izayoi shuddered, feeling her love's anger and hatred through their bond, and couldn't help but feel warm at his anger on her behalf, despite her shame at her own hatred towards the beast who'd hurt her – but she couldn't just forgive this attack – nor whoever it was that had planned it. At least not right now.
She snuggled deeper against her mate, her emotions still wildly fluctuating as he moved through the palace, a barrier up around them and taking a rarely used route so as not to expose his beloved to any curious eyes.
A small smile crossed her tear-stained lips as he purred at her, nuzzling her behind her ear.
"Be calm, little mate, and know that whoever was involved in this plot will not be around to try it again," he soothed, and she nodded obediently, though she knew that he couldn't kill everyone in the world that might take issue with her – even though she also knew he would argue that point.
He would quite happily kill anyone and everyone that had any thoughts of harming his wife.
Quite happily... as that bastard now being introduced to the dungeons was about to find out.
~oOo~
Touga slid the doors to his chambers closed and his eyes immediately ignited, spilling red light across the floor as his anger swelled.
Now that his wife was sedated so that she could sleep off the effects of the attack and gain a little distance from what had happened, the rage that he'd been keeping tight control of so as not to upset her further was unleashed and he was very close to changing into his true form. After he was done punishing those that had dared to raise their hands to his beloved, he would probably have to go off for a little while and take his true form so he could truly calm down.
But for now his black blood was screaming for vengeance, to make those that had harmed his love suffer, and he was most eager to do so. Moving swiftly through the much emptier than normal corridors, he swiftly descended to the levels of the dungeons that even Takako had not seen, and smiled wickedly as he took in the full cells. He'd known he could trust Kenji to do as he'd been bid...
He turned his bleeding eyes and jagged, elongated fangs to the just as disarranged Kenji, who was also very angry at what had happened to the girl he cared so much for, and so looked just as Touga did, his own eyes just as red and fangs as long. "What have you found out so far?" he growled out in a lower than normal register, showing again that he was very close to changing forms.
His own change close upon him, Kenji gathered what control he could and began to lead the Lord of the West around the various cells full of shivering beings.
"It began with this female, here, as far as I have been able to make out. She complained to the head of the servants that the stairs were coming loose, thus forcing the housekeeper," he motioned to the woman who was sitting in a cell with a bewildered but quiet look that showed her own innocence in any plotting, "to order them repaired."
"So after complaints of problems with the stairs you ordered that the workmen come in and fix the problem?" he asked her to be sure, and was not surprised when the woman nodded.
"But my Lord, it was not just one complaint. There were a couple others, as well. I could not ignore them, as you know," she said with a respectful though still somewhat confused bow.
Touga's eyes brightened, sending red light around the dim space and giving it the feel of hell. He had no problem with that – those who had plotted to harm Izayoi would indeed find this place was hell.
"Who where the others?" he asked, his voice still rumbling and angry.
She quickly rattled off a couple of names, and Touga frowned, not sure what to think. The few names mentioned, besides one, were very quiet in the courts and really did not involve themselves in the drama that surrounded so many of the other spoiled females, keeping their bearings and bringing honor to their houses. But one of those names...
"Nanami," Touga mused, his red eyes blinking. She was a bit more of a player in the courts, though she usually put her own weight behind others, as she did not seem to enjoy being up front. She had joined with Teruko before...
He was absolutely positive that Teruko had been involved but so far had no proof, for it indeed looked as though the stairs truly had been sabotaged and had to be repaired. So who damaged them so that this whole scheme could move forward?
He looked at the head of the servants and then motioned Kenji to release her. With a relieved bow, the woman was led carefully out of the dungeon after being exhorted to continue her duties – but that from now on, any such damages were to be reported to him before anything else was done. With her nod, he turned from her and also motioned for the very frightened workmen to leave, as well as the small female that had first complained of the stairs. As soon as their cell doors were opened, the shivering males and the female disappeared quickly, somehow knowing that they had just escaped execution.
Touga's eyes darkened even more as his animal nature came to the fore; despite his humanoid disguise, his human skin, he was an animal, plain and simple. And animals didn't play around like humans did sometimes when it came to eliminating a threat – they simply reacted, destroyed what they perceived as that threat, and that was it.
The beautiful animal that was Touga in human skin was just about to deliver said justice to the one who had actually laid hands upon what was his.
"The male that attacked her...?" he asked Kenji, his voice beginning to rumble so much in such a deep register that it was barely understandable as human speech, but the animal that was Kenji understood, anyway, and shook his head regretfully.
"He is dead, my Lord," he said, looking towards a particularly dark cell for a moment. "When you kicked him into the wall," he explained to the very displeased inuyoukai as he looked back at Touga, "he was in his human form and you broke several ribs – one apparently punctured his heart."
Now angry at himself, he was ready to break something to let out the great amount of rage that simmered and boiled within him – until a peculiar thought came to him. I have Tenseiga... perhaps I should use it in this instance and return that bastard to life so that I can question him before killing him again. He palmed the sword that lay quiescently at his side, and it responded, pulsing to let him know that what he was wanting to do was not right. He had already killed the man; it was his own anger that had taken his revenge away from him and if he did bring him back, torturing him to death a second time would not be right.
With a reluctant growl, Touga knew that what his sword was telling him was true – he was an animal, yes – but he was an animal of power – and more importantly, control. As much as he hated it, he knew that Tenseiga was correct, and since the sword was made of his own fang, that justice it was demanding from him came from his own sense of right and wrong.
If I return him to life I will have to leave him alive. But he would be a danger to others... A thought came to him, then, pausing his gathering anger and narrowing his eyes. She purified the evil intent from him. Because of the levels of purity he was exposed to, his youkai blood is completely disintegrated, meaning he is simply human, now. So... perhaps it would be worth it to return him and get all my answers from him. I could decide what to do with him later.
Tenseiga pulsed again, then, and Touga let out a disgruntled growl; apparently, the man's soul had already passed on and could not be returned. Sometimes, certain souls fought the soul gatherers and so that kept them on this plane longer; others did not, accepting their death and going into eternity immediately.
Apparently, this being was one of them.
So now what? Are we left with no answers? I cannot accept this!
"Find Nanami and bring her here. I will have whatever answers from her that she has, even if I have to strip them from her one inch at a time," he growled at Kenji, who bowed and left the dungeon at a crisp stride, wanting the same answers his Lord was looking for himself. He was very fond of Izayoi and extremely angry at what had been done – as well as angry at himself that he hadn't been able to stop it.
He felt it was a failure on his part; that others had managed to stop him from doing his job – which was protecting the Western Lady, was definitely a failure and one which would not be allowed to happen again.
And so he would leave no stone unturned in his search for answers, and if Nanami had any, he would gladly rend those same strips off her hide until she gave them up.
His lip lifted as a fang glinted in the low torchlight; for Izayoi, he would do whatever he had to do to make sure she was avenged – and that she remained safe from now on.
No matter the circumstances.
~oOo~
It wasn't half a candlemark later that Kenji re-entered the dungeon with Nanami firmly in his grasp; she was quite angry, but there was a fear in her that wasn't hard to see.
He shoved her towards a still very angry Touga, watching as she fell at his feet with blank eyes, and smiled a bit with glee when he saw his Lord's still red eyes pour bleeding crimson light over the now shivering female on the ground.
"I want to know exactly what you know about the so-called 'damage' to the main staircase to the healer's floor – and how it became damaged, now, woman," Touga demanded, and even Kenji's hackles rose at the sheer force that was pressing down on the now-terrified female.
"I-I don't understand, my Lord... I know of only one damaged step to the stairs!"
"So... you do know somewhat of what I wish to know, then," he returned, his voice deeply aggravated. "Who damaged the stair you speak of and why?"
"I-it was me, my Lord! But it was just supposed to be a chance to embarrass the human woman! There was no true danger to her!" the shaking female almost spit out in her fear.
"Who was it to suggest this 'prank', then, Nanami?"
"It was Teruko, my Lord." The woman looked down, then sighed. "Well, not directly. It was one of her ladies that suggested that it would be a funny sight to see the so-called Lady of the West stumble on a broken step and fall on her rear. I thought so too, and so I damaged the one step. But it was only the one!" she insisted, not knowing at all why she was there, but not having missed the fact that the workmen that had been summoned to fix the staircase were fixing more than one step.
"I see," Touga answered, glaring angrily at the female at his feet. So she wasn't directly responsible for planning the attack on Izayoi, nor for planning her death; still, for her to plot at all against his Lady was not to be tolerated. But the fact that the trail did, indeed, lead towards Teruko was satisfying to him; however, it wasn't enough – the link was still too tenuous.
All he could do for now was continue to watch her – sooner or later she would slip up and then he would have her, and her blood would satisfy Satori quite nicely. He would allow her to kill the arrogant bitch; she'd marked her as prey long ago, and he knew that she would take her time in the killing, too – the only downside for him was that he may not actually get to watch that wench get her comeuppance.
He sighed, some of his tension easing a little as his blood settled somewhat, allowing him to think more clearly. He pushed aside thoughts of watching Satori kill Teruko and looked down at the frightened female at his feet.
"You are hereby sentenced to thirty lashings for plotting against the Western Lady, whether it was as a joke or not; I will not tolerate any such behavior, and your punishment is going to show everyone here in the citadel just that." As the female cried out and began pleading for mercy, he looked again at Kenji. "Take her and put her in a cell near the battlegrounds, as well as whichever one of Teruko's females gave her the idea – at first light tomorrow, every being in the palace is to attend their punishment. I want all to know of my displeasure towards those that would plot to harm my Lady – even in a peripheral way," he finished, pushing the clutching hands of Nanami away from him as he stepped around her.
Kenji nodded, not even bothering to ask any other questions. Taking ahold of a now crying Nanami's arm once more and briskly pulling her up behind him, he led her away, leaving the dungeons behind with quick orders to one of the guards to dispose of the now human man's body that lay in a cell in almost solitary splendor.
He paid not one whit of attention to the pleading of the woman behind him as he led her away – she had brought her punishment on herself and he had no pity for her.
~oOo~
Red eyes closed in enjoyment as the wind of his passage ruffled his fur, and Touga sped through the air, heading with speed towards the Northern borders. He honestly hoped to find dragons attempting to steal across his borders and spy, because he definitely needed the violent outlet for his unabated rage.
Having allowed his temper to override his control had caused him to kill the fool that had harmed his wife far too easily – he'd already been unconscious when he'd kicked him into the wall and so hadn't even felt the deathblow. And his sense of justice was still intact, despite his rage; he'd been unable to simply bring the fool back, question him, then kill him again – very slowly this time, much as he'd wanted to. That ability to override his instinctual side was what made him youkai rather than merely animal, and it was his stature that made him daiyoukai.
But that meant that his instincts were frustrated and howling agitatedly within him, and he sincerely hoped to find someone to kill – the feeling of combat, of sinking his claws into an opponent was everything he could need at this time. Despite his ability to control his animal nature and appear almost human, he still felt the call of the wild blood within him, and it definitely took a toll for him to fight off such terrible rage.
He didn't think he'd ever forget Izayoi's wide, tear-stricken gaze when he'd burst through that pathetic barrier and into the tiny, dead-end room that bastard had taken her into, nor the wounds she'd received – when he'd gotten her back to their chambers, he'd discovered the claw marks in her shoulders to go with the bruises to her face. He growled, trying to put the matter out of his mind so that he could calm down. My poor love, he thought, her peaceful slumber under the influence of the sleeping draught that Koneko had given her when summoned humming along their bond and assuring him that she was still safe. She should be – she was attended by Mine and Nami as well as Kirara, of course, with Kenji and Arata ranged outside the entrances to their rooms. No one would be getting in without his permission anyway – not with the barrier he'd put up over the area.
That was the only reason he'd allowed himself to leave and take his true form as he'd so needed to do – his knowledge that she was safe and sleeping deeply, which she'd needed, anyway. She would sleep for the rest of the day and into the morning with the strength of the tonic that Koneko had used.
His attention shifted as he neared his scent marks along the borders and he sniffed deeply, checking to see if any of the borders had been breached. With wild exultation, he realized that they had – there was a force of fairly strong dragons creeping slowly through a small valley near the slayer's village, and with a snarl, the gigantic inuyoukai changed his course, heading to intercept.
This was just what he'd wanted, and he didn't even attempt to hide his presence as he dropped out of the sky into the midst of the shocked youkai. Within moments blood was staining his silver fur to match the bloody eyes he was looking at the world through.
The valley turned red as well, and Touga howled, immensely enjoying the feel of their flesh separating under his claws.
I needed this! was his last thought for some time as he lost himself in the fight and the taste and smell of blood.
~oOo~
Edited 01/01/14