Chapter 37: Danger On All Sides
"What news? Ichirou asked the servant hurrying towards him with a message scroll.
The man came to a halt and then bowed. After remaining down the correct amount of time, he stood and held out a tightly bound scroll to the heir of the Setsuna clan. "This has just arrived from my Lord's guards at the gates," he said respectfully as Ichirou took the scroll.
He nodded dismissively to the man, who bowed once more and then headed off to continue his interrupted duties. Ichirou paid no more attention to him as he disappeared, looking thoughtfully at the bound scroll he held. After a moment, he sighed and headed for his father's study, excited and worried all at once.
And so it begins, he mused. I wonder which of the Lords it is that has responded to father's decree? He frowned. It is awfully soon... father barely sent the news out a few days ago. Perhaps it is a notification of something else?
His frown deepening as he walked briskly along, he lifted the scroll and looked at it, trying to see which Lord's seal was on it – but oddly enough it carried no seal, which was strange on the face of it. It made him more concerned, because if someone was trying to hide their hand in the game that his father had initiated, it could cause havoc in what was already an unstable situation.
Arriving at his destination to find his father already hard at work in his study, Ichirou tapped softly, then waited for his father's voice to beckon him in.
He lifted the scroll up as his father met his gaze with a questioning expression, his hand held paused over the set of scrolls that he was working over. After a moment, he put his brush down and held out his hand to accept the odd scroll, his brow cocked.
"This just came, I take it?" he asked with a wry twist of his lips as his son nodded. His brow rose higher as he looked down at it and examined the plain parchment. "Hm," he said, opening it after a moment. His brow cleared as he read. "Ah... it is from Lord Souichi. He is letting me know that he will abide by our alliance and stand behind me no matter what happens." Hiraku sat back with a satisfied smile. "His backing, despite the fact that he is new and has no real clout with any of the other Lords, will be a great help. It is simply another tie to the Shogun, which will give the other Lords pause when plotting to be rid of me," he added, that air of satisfaction settling strongly around him as he smiled.
"But why was the scroll sent with no seal?" Ichirou asked, that question still bothering him. "Is he planning to be a silent ally, hiding his ties to us?"
"No," his father waved a careless hand. "He simply hasn't chosen an official seal yet, I suppose. It doesn't matter. What matters is that he has thrown his hand in with us, and will let his fortunes follow our own. This is a boon, no doubt," he added, looking at his heir with a pleased expression. "And it is all due to your ploy of giving up land so as to impress the Shogun while being able to control what lands we gave up. That particular area does not hurt us at all to lose, and the gains definitely outweighed any loss we might have suffered in sheer area. I am extremely proud of that plan of yours, Ichirou – I could have done no better had I tried."
Ichirou colored but said nothing, waiting for his father to continue.
Hiraku tapped the scroll he was still holding against his cheek, a highly thoughtful expression settling in his narrowing eyes. "I expect we will be receiving more of these from some of the other Lords as word spreads of what I have done. It will be interesting to see which of my so-called allies will stand behind their words and which will turn on me, seeing a chance to take our great wealth for themselves."
Ichirou nodded quietly; he knew exactly what his father was talking about and there was nothing really to say. After a moment, his sire's eyes cleared and he waved dismissively at his son. "Go, Ichirou, then, and attend to your own concerns. I must complete this assessment of our holdings," he finished, mind obviously already back in his statistics and numbers.
Bowing, Ichirou headed out of his father's study, and pausing for a moment, oddly hesitated over where he wished to go; he glanced down the corridor and then let his feet send him in the direction of the family wing and his little wife. He was coming to care for her more and more, and he knew she felt the same – she was not very good at hiding it. For some reason, he felt the need to see her, to talk to her.
Perhaps she would be up for a little afternoon dalliance? That thought had barely faded before his feet sped up and he pushed politics and everything else aside. Airi... what are you doing, little wife?
He didn't notice the narrowed eyes following his progress from the shadows... after a moment, those eyes shuttered and disappeared into the gloom of the hall as he hurried on his way.
~oOo~
"I'm fine, Touga," Izayoi sighed as she once again reassured her hovering husband that she was recovered from her ordeal of the preceding day. Or at least as recovered as could be expected for someone who had nearly been raped not one day earlier.
She still felt a little shaky and it would take time for that to ease, but she was surprisingly recuperated for someone who had been assaulted in such a way. There was no odds, she thought, that it was because the man had not succeeded.
Still, there was damage control to be done.
Fortunately, she had already discharged her duties yesterday before the attack had come and so hadn't been missed in court or anywhere else, but she had not attended the mid-day or evening meals and there would be questions. There always was when it came to the lives of the Lord and his Lady.
Her wandering mind was brought back to her husband as he palmed her cheek tenderly. "If you are certain, beloved," he said gently, a lingering question still in his voice, and Izayoi nodded. He sighed. "That is a good thing, then, since the Eastern Lord and the Southern Lord are within hailing distance of the city and will arrive with their forces by noon," he added, his hand falling away as his wife nodded again in answer to the question still in his eyes.
"Time moves apace, then – and we need as much time as possible to plan our attack," she replied, smiling at him slightly and then straightening her shoulders firmly. "But what will we tell those here in the palace about my absence yesterday from the meals?"
Touga frowned thoughtfully, watching his wife adjust her chihaya to lay better across her shoulders and brush an errant lock of shining obsidian back over said shoulder. "Hm. I suppose we could just say that you were overly tired after the excitement of the last weeks since our wedding and the excessive training, and took the afternoon and evening to rest quietly in our chambers," he said, absently adjusting Sou'unga over his shoulder, ignoring the hissing complaints of the evil blade and then tightening his gauntlets while his mind plotted.
Izayoi shrugged gracefully. "I suppose that will work," she replied, "it's not as if it were not true, after all. I feel much more rested and ready for what is coming for the extra sleep last night."
With a nod, Touga moved away a little, his eyes narrowed as he brought his shrewd mind to bear on the problem. For it would not be good for anyone to think that Izayoi was weak or an easy target just because of one fool with a plan that had almost worked – others might be tempted then to try, and they really did not have time for such foolishness.
"Satori will back us up, and since you have healed your abrasions there is no evidence of anything else – except my rush through the palace to your side yesterday." He frowned. "Hm. What of that?" he hummed slowly, head tilted to the side in a way Izayoi found very charming.
She waved a small, elegant hand dismissively. "That is not hard. We could always say that I had encountered a traitor and was holding him for you, which is why you were moving so quickly, since there is little I can do to keep a determined youkai held immobile without actually purifying him and we didn't want him dead before gaining whatever answers he held."
Eyes brightening, the inuyoukai beamed at his bride of just weeks, approval simply shining from him. "That is a very good idea, my love! It answers to everything – and even gives the reason you were so tired and had to retire – you had been holding a youkai captive without killing him for some time so that I could question him, and such a maneuver takes great concentration and power as well as precision so that you do not accidentally kill the being in question. It's perfect!"
Izayoi nodded, a pretty cranberry color washing across her cheeks at the approbation coming from him and then turned away in charming confusion when he smiled wider at her. His smiles were dangerous – they always had an affect on her, and of course he knew it. She sighed.
"I suppose it is a good thing that I did not give too much detail this morning when I and the rest of the court attended the punishment of the two that we apprehended that were involved in the attack on you, at least minimally. I simply said that they were being punished for plotting, but left it vague as to what it was they were plotting over."
"Well," she said, pushing those unfortunately inappropriate feelings aside with determination as she met her husband's gaze, not answering to his last statement, "we should probably go, then, my Lord, since breakfast is ready." The bell chimed just as she spoke, and Touga grinned as he swung around to lead her from their chambers.
"Already you know the way the palace functions and you've learned to keep the time here! You were meant to be right where you are, my dear," he said expansively, ignoring the sideways looks from passing servants. His voice lowered, then. "Still," he said lowly, almost to himself, "I will always blame myself for what happened... I should have gotten there sooner."
"Don't be ridiculous, Touga," Izayoi said sharply, though her tone was also low so only he could hear. "You couldn't have done anything more than you did – and it was enough. You protected me, came when I needed you most, so there should be no regret within you."
Surprised by her sharp tone for a moment, he sighed inwardly as she spoke. It's not that easy, Izayoi. I can't help feeling that I failed – no one should ever lay a hand upon you in such a manner. Your father would be most angry were he to know what happened. And here I promised him I would protect you... if I have failed so badly already, what is still to come?
It made the great inu uneasy, that he could lose his mate so seemingly easily and right inside his own home. What of the war?
The reality of what was coming and the possibility that he could lose his bride suddenly sent a cold chill up his spine. He hadn't really considered what the coming war could mean... and now he couldn't seem to stop all the bloody scenarios that could come to pass from parading through his mind.
The thoughts began to affect his aura and all of a sudden the corridors of the palace emptied, everyone scurrying into hiding from the great predator in their midst. But Izayoi merely looked at her husband and frowned, wondering why he was abruptly so tense.
"My Lord, what worries you?" she asked, tentatively touching his arm as they walked to get his attention.
He actually started, his fearful imaginings so vivid that he'd almost forgotten where he was. He blinked as his mind cleared, then looked down at his tiny wife, really noticing for the first time just how small she was. It didn't help his sudden concerns.
"I do not want you to participate in the coming war," he finally murmured, his gaze skittering away from hers as she looked at him in surprise. "I fear to lose you..."
Now it was his wife's turn to blink. "Touga," she said blankly, "do you not think I fear the same with you? I have no desire to go to war – I fear what will be lost to battle with every beat of my heart. But... I fear more what will be lost if we do not go to war. Ryukotsussei must be stopped - there is no choice – and I will not be left behind, so do not think to do so. After all," she said wryly, "was this not why you married me in the first place?"
Touga sighed inwardly, knowing she was right but still not happy at all. He knew it would only get worse as they drew closer to battle, too, and he forced himself to put those thoughts away. He was the Lord of the West and he had a duty to his lands and his people. He could not spend the time he should be planning on worrying uselessly over his wife – who was very capable of defending herself. It was not as if she were helpless, as she'd proved once again yesterday.
Reluctantly he nodded. "You are quite right, my love. I know it – I just..." he trailed off.
Izayoi looked at him sympathetically. "I know... I have had many bad dreams... losing you... I could not survive such a blow, in truth," she admitted lowly, a hand coming up to clench in her chihaya. "If you fall, my Lord, so will I," she added, finally meeting his stunned but somehow understanding gaze. "I will not suffer the loss of you and try to remain behind. There would be no point – I would be too crippled to function in any way."
Attention so caught up in his little wife that he did not even notice the splendor of his surroundings, he came to a halt outside the doors into the dining room, a clawed hand coming out to take the hand that had clenched in her top and gently pry her clenched fingers open. He smoothed them lovingly as he watched his actions as though he could not look away from his hand and hers. "As you say," he finally said, his eyes flitting up to meet hers with an intensity she couldn't have looked away from had her life depended on it, "I also could not function were I to lose you. If you go, Izayoi, I will follow. From now until forever I will not suffer any separation between us. Where you go, I will go."
His words echoed in the hall with power, and Izayoi knew them for exactly what they were – a vow. She allowed her fingers to twine with his for a moment as she returned the intensity of his gaze. "Then I no longer fear to go into battle, my Lord, for if we will never be separated then death holds no fear for me."
He held her eyes for several long moments until a throat clearing itself broke the two from their world. Touga looked up and Izayoi blinked and stepped back, her hand falling to her side as he also let his hand fall. It was Satori and Masao, who were smiling knowingly at the couple, though Satori shot a sharp, measuring look at Izayoi. Kajiko, dressed as the heiress and warrior she was as was appropriate, frowned just a little as she wondered at the odd undercurrents in the hall as she approached the group, but then her brow cleared as Touga inclined his head in acknowledgment of them and pushed the dining hall doors open for the gathered group. Izayoi avoided Satori's glance and quietly followed her husband into the room, settling gracefully next to him on her cushion and folding her hands demurely as she waited for the meal to begin.
It was quiet for several minutes as the normal dance of people finding their seats took place, and then Touga looked at Kajiko, who was seated across from Sesshoumaru, and forced himself to smile lightly as the servants began bringing in the meal. "I have heard from the outermost outposts. Your father and his forces are approaching and will arrive by noon. I am sure you will be pleased to see him," he said conversationally.
Nodding complacently, she returned his smile with a small one of her own. "Of course it will be good to see father. I know that mother will be with him, as well – she has waited for this day for many years. As have I," she said, her voice and smile sharpening with spite as she thought of Ryukotsussei.
Not at all surprised, Touga merely nodded, glancing at his own heir, proud despite the distance still between them at the calm demeanor and aura of power his son was putting out. He knew that his son loved battle and would enjoy the coming war quite a bit.
As soon as the servants withdrew he took his first bite, knowing that it would be some time before they would be able to eat again – since their allies would be arriving so near the normal mid-day mealtime, he and most of those at the head table would not be attending it, so it would be dinner before he would be eating again. Of course, a youkai had no real need for regular meals as they could go for weeks between feedings, but his wife might miss the food. There wasn't much of her to begin with, but then again... during the next few weeks there wouldn't be much time for sitting down for comfortable meals, either. He knew she would survive.
He sighed inwardly. I need to stop thinking of all these things and get my mind back where it belongs.
The meal passed quickly with little conversation, the youkai gathered all letting out a sense of muted excitement as the time for combat drew ever nearer. Just two more days and the palace and city below would be nearly stripped of every available being, save for those who were left behind as a line of defense and those who were not participating in the war. Even Touga himself, his worries about his wife aside, couldn't help the excitement beginning to heat his blood as the time came nearer for him to finally and completely cross swords with his most hated enemy.
Finishing his meal quickly he sat back and awaited the rest of those at the table, his mind enumerating everything that needed to be accomplished before noon. He glanced down the table at his newly returned Head councilman and caught his eye. "Tell me of Hisashi, Tsutomu. Has he said anything to you, or does he hold his silence?" he asked curiously, wondering just what his previous head councilor was plotting from his place in whatever prison Tsutomu had devised.
At that question, an amused and cynical spark lit the older male's eyes. "Ah, yes, our good friend Hisashi. He is most... displeased with his accommodations and loudly proclaims his displeasure, but he cannot break free of my trap and so languishes in unpleasant discomfort. Other than complaining and threatening me, however, he has said little of significance. I've no doubts he won't, either – he's well aware of the consequences of allying himself with the snake and he fears you quite strongly. It's a shame, really," Tsutomu opined with fake regret, "as it means I must expend so much time trying to torture answers out of him. It is very aggravating," he finished as Touga grinned wickedly and various knowing chuckles and laughs broke out around the table.
A small voice cut through the humor like a sharp knife. "What are we going to do with him when we leave to go north?" Izayoi asked. "I do not like the idea of leaving him behind – it is not wise to have enemies loose behind you. Is he in a place that you can keep him indefinitely, even if your attention is on other things?"
Tsutomu eyed her calmly. "That is something that we need to decide. I can keep him where he is right now because I am not using any power for anything else. However, when we go into battle I will not be able to concentrate on him and he could easily break loose at that point." He turned a suddenly burning gaze on his Lord. "What say you, my Lord? Has he outlived his usefulness?"
Eyes turning contemplative as he considered that, Touga was silent for some few moments, though before he could speak, Sesshoumaru did.
"The time for games has passed. Kill him and have done with it."
Several nods around the table agreed with Sesshoumaru's words, and Touga did, as well. But... "Yes... I think you are right, my son... however," here he grinned wickedly, his fangs glinting whitely in the bright room, "I think that his body would make a nice gift to Ryukotsussei, don't you? That bastard would definitely be discomfited to see his spy dead and dropped on his doorstep; it would let him know that we are on to him yet would not necessarily give away our coming feint against him. The only downside would be not being able to actually see his face when he realizes that we know about Hisashi's ties to him," he sighed regretfully, "but one cannot have everything, I suppose."
Sesshoumaru actually looked interested at that ploy of his father's; it would indeed be quite amusing to do just what his sire had suggested. A smirk spread over his face as he imagined the dragon's face. "How amusing, father... would that I could witness his shock when he sees his bought and paid for traitor dead on his border."
Izayoi's brow rose in surprise at Sesshoumaru's easy answer to his father – an answer without any of the anger or bitterness that had been there lately. For a moment, she felt almost jealous as she watched a matching smile wash across Satori's face; it was completely clear the tie between she and Touga as her resemblance to their son heightened. A peculiar and painful thought crossed the surface of her mind, then, and she had to restrain a small gasp as the claws of her nemesis, jealousy, tore great rents in her control; it was doubtful that she would ever bear a child of her own. Miko or not she was still human, and she didn't think that Touga would really desire to sire a hanyou, despite his previous words on the subject – especially when he already had a powerful full blooded son as his heir. Frowning at herself, she shoved that worry aside and turned her mind away from such thoughts; they were useless and could only bring her sadness. Now was not the time for such angst, anyway.
She forced herself to speak. "The shock factor would definitely give us another point against him, but I think that to kill him and deliver his body now would waste a chance that we've been given." As everyone turned towards her with curious eyes, she continued. "I think that mayhap it would be a better game to wait until we are actually facing him in battle; when he thinks to gloat about his spy as I'm sure he will, then would be the time to drop Hisashi's body in his lap." She shrugged as everyone thought about that. "And it would have the added bonus of allowing you to see his face fall off, Sesshoumaru. What say you, my Lord?" she finished, meeting her mate's interested gaze.
She didn't notice Sesshoumaru's approving eyes because of that, but everyone else did, and Satori had to smile – slowly but surely the little human hime was winning her stubborn and icy son over and one day she would almost bet that he would end up being her most ardent supporter. She found that fact somehow very amusing.
"I second that idea, Touga," she said after a moment, sharing a look with her son. "I would also love to see his face fall off, as your lady phrased it."
Tsutomu had to laugh at the eager look that took over his Lord's face. "I see that I will have to keep Hisashi waiting for a little longer, then," he said wryly, no one at the table really needing to hear Touga's answer – it was written all over his face as he obviously imagined the look on Ryukotsussei's own when the traitor's body was thrown at him. A very large smirk had stretched his cheeks and he almost looked like he wanted to purr. Kirara, who had followed her mistress from their chambers and was laying quietly at her side, cocked one ear and sniffed.
'You look as though you have been rolling in my catnip, Touga," she said coolly. 'It is almost amusing.'
There were muffled chuckles around the table as the inuyoukai turned an insulted gaze on the tiny neko. "I am no cat to have my mind clouded by an herb, Kirara," he tossed back, turning up his nose and flicking his fingers at her. "I will leave that particular weakness to you felines."
Before Kirara could reply to that little insult, Kajiko spoke up, quieting the verbal byplay and snickering around the table. It was unusual for her to speak much; she was almost what could be called taciturn – much like Sesshoumaru.
"Have you then decided on a battle plan, Touga-sama?" she asked.
Touga studied her for a moment and then said, "Yes and no. We have come up with three different scenarios, but which one will ultimately be used depends on two things. What your father and the Eastern Lord feel most comfortable with, and the circumstances that greet us when we arrive in the vicinity of the border with the north."
Her brow shot up. "Circumstances?"
"Once we know whether we have managed to keep that bastard from knowing we are coming or not. If we have succeeded in keeping him in the dark, then there will be no more than his usual amount of soldiers at the border, but if we have not, we may be meeting his entire army."
"Ah," she nodded. "Perhaps I will take a nice, quiet jaunt towards the border and take a look for myself, then," she added, before taking another bite of her meat.
Touga's face became stern. "I would rather you did not – or at least that you don't go alone. It is too dangerous – just yesterday I ran into a passel of the beasts that had slipped across the border. I am positive your father would say the same."
"I will go with her, father," Sesshoumaru said quietly in between bites. "I would welcome the chance to spill dragon's blood." His hand clenched for a moment, his claws glowing, before calming his poison once more.
Before Touga could respond, Arata spoke up, and the daiyoukai didn't miss the quick glance that he flashed at the Southern heiress. "I will also go – I would welcome the chance to get out of the fortress for a little while."
I wonder what that's all about, Touga thought, a faint questioning look in curious eyes – eyes he hooded quickly. "Very well, then I hope you enjoy your little outing. It need not be said that if you find him moving troops towards the borders that you inform me immediately."
The three nodded and continued eating. Mine looked at her husband from the corner of her eye, wondering why he had not volunteered to go along. "I would have thought you would have wanted to go, as well," she said in a low tone that wasn't meant to be heard by anyone else.
He flashed a glance at her. "I am needed here right now, though I would dearly have loved to go, you are right," he returned in a tone that was just as low. Mine frowned, worried that he blamed himself for what had happened yesterday to Izayoi – he hadn't been able to find any information out beforehand to take to his lord, and was quite upset with himself for that.
But it wasn't his fault – he could only act if he actually overheard someone speaking of the plot, and he hadn't. Those involved had been very close-mouthed about it. She sighed inwardly and made plans to talk to him after they had retired for the evening.
While they had been speaking the topic had moved on, and when they once more began listening to the talk around them, Kenichi was not surprised to find that Teruko was under discussion – he hadn't missed the fact that she had not appeared for the meal, and neither had anyone else.
Was that a tacit admission of guilt in yesterday's attack on the Western Lady?
"Kenichi, you will attend me after the meal for a few moments," Touga said, looking down the table at him as everyone else looked speculative.
He nodded, but didn't say anything else and the talk moved on as the meal came to an end, everyone finishing off their plates and then leaving the dining room to the servants for cleaning.
"Come, Izayoi," her husband beckoned, "from now until this war is over, you do not go anywhere outside our quarters without me. We need to go down to the marshaling field so that we can make sure there are enough tents and provisions for our own people as well as those that are coming."
Izayoi fell into step with her husband quietly, walking at his shoulder as those who were going off to the borders wheeled around and disappeared outside. Honestly, she didn't mind at all that Touga was keeping her near, she was still feeling very shaky inside after yesterday's near-rape.
It came so close to succeeding, she sighed inwardly. Although I am pleased to know that I was right about purifying the evil intent from humans, it came too close for comfort.
If Touga hadn't come when he had...
Yes, she had pretty much already taken care of her assailant by the time her husband arrived, but the fact of the matter was that it could so easily have turned out differently.
It would take a while for her to come fully to terms with the attack, and until then she felt much safer being with Touga no matter what he was doing. It was apparent that he felt the same way; if she had still had other duties, as she would have if they weren't gearing up to march on the North, he would have stayed with her while she discharged them.
She knew that she was safe while she was with him, and right now she needed that reassurance, needed his presence to help keep her calm.
She could only hope that she would never have cause to purify another being because they were trying to force themselves on her. No one was allowed to touch her but her husband, and she had no problem killing anyone who thought to take what belonged to only him.
Her eyes went bleak and cold.
So who was it that paid him? I doubt it was Teruko – she needs Touga free and clear to mate her, and that man said he was paid to destroy my mind, not kill me. No... that attack wouldn't have suited Teruko's ambitions at all. So it had to be someone else...
"-you to track down Teruko and watch her like a hawk, Kenichi," she came back to her surroundings to hear, and she listened to her husband's orders to the elemental with curiosity. "I want to know what part she played in the attack on my wife. If you even once hear her admit to anyone that she did, then I want you to grab her and bring her to me, is that clear?"
Kenichi bowed to his Lord. "Yes, Touga-sama." When Touga nodded in dismissal he broke away from the group and turned down a different hall, headed back to the wing of the palace that had rooms for the higher members of the court.
Touga continued leading the rest of them, from Kirara, who was curled around Izayoi's shoulders, to Nami, Kenji and Mine towards the main entrance to the palace. The other two lords would arrive soon, and their forces would swell the ranks of soldiers that were camped out in the marshaling field.
It was a good think they were leaving in two more days to head north, because he didn't think the city could handle so many at once – room was going to be at a premium, that was for sure.
Still, that was a good thing when it came to this war they were about to start, because they would have need of every sword they could gather to defeat Ryukotsussei and his forces.
He could only hope that they didn't have to drown the lands in blood to do so, because their homeland had already seen enough of that.
More than enough, if the truth were to be told.
~oOo~
High noon greeted the residents of the city with soldiers marching through the streets to the huge marshaling field, which was the only place big enough to house the forces being brought by the other two Lords.
Once they were all settled into their tents for the next few days, the two cardinal Lords would retire to the palace to confer with Touga and his Generals so that they could come up with an acceptable battle plan.
Izayoi was getting tired of all the surprised and even hostile reactions towards her presence; they all assumed her to be merely human since she had been suppressing her aura so as not to make everyone uncomfortable, but with an irritated sigh, she realized that she was going to have to let her aura go so that everyone got the message that she was no weak being with no power or strength.
The moment that her aura burst into vivid life and flared dangerously around her the muttering and cursing came to a screeching halt and every person on the field turned to see where such a powerful, dangerous aura was coming from.
Tamotsu, already having met the inuyoukai Lord's human wife, simply watched with a faint smile as his Southern counterpart, Lord Atsushi, got his first whiff of the human woman's strength. After a few moments of watching him watching Izayoi, who moved easily through the milling soldiers at her husband's side, he asked, "Surprising, is it not?" wryly. "She is nothing like any other human I've ever seen."
"So that is what Touga was up to this summer," Atsushi murmured, his voice deep and his presence commanding. Even in humanoid form, he looked the bird of prey he really was. "Clever."
"Oh, it was a clever ploy, all right," Tamotsu replied. "But make no mistake – this isn't anything like an arranged marriage at all. Touga fell to the mortal priestess and she is just as fallen."
Atsushi watched with a weighing look as Touga made his way towards them, his wife just behind him as was proper. He could not deny that the woman was beautiful, for she was, her delicate Japanese features drawn with a fine hand and her oddly blue eyes piercing a person right through their heart. Being a hawk, he did not have a very good sense of smell, but what he could scent out was surprising. She obviously had a love of cleanliness, which was a good thing when your husband was youkai, and especially Inuyoukai.
But it was her direct, open gaze that caught his attention the most – this woman, despite her still tender years, was comfortable with herself and her power and had no need to hide. He was impressed.
"Atsushi, Tamotsu, welcome to Kangetsu Yamajiro," Touga said as he came to a halt and looked at his counterparts from the South and East. "I would like to introduce my wife, Izayoi, to you both."
Izayoi bowed correctly and then straightened, looking up and meeting the gaze of the Lord she had not yet met. "Atsushi-sama, Tamotsu-sama," she acknowledged. "We of the West are glad to see our allies. If it pleases you, rooms have been made ready for you and servants assigned for your comfort while you are here. Will you enter into the palace of the Winter moon freely and without strife?"
Atsushi's brows shot up, as did Tamotsu's – who had taught her how to greet youkai and invite them into your home? The words were really more formulaic than a true question of their intentions, but he was definitely surprised that this little human woman that had only been wed to Touga a few weeks before would know such a thing.
"I will enter into the house of my ally freely and without strife," both he and Tamotsu answered, finishing out the small ritual. Looking at the tiny woman, he asked quizzically, "Who taught you that welcoming, Izayoi-sama?"
Touga answered for her. "I have planned to go against Ryukotsussei for many years, you all knew that. When I heard of the powerful hime of Setsuna, who happens to already be my ally, I dispatched Kenji to see if she would make a suitable bride, for with her strength on our side Ryukotsussei is at a distinct disadvantage. So I had Kenji train her while she was studying at the shrine she was sent to for training."
"Ah." Atsushi bowed lightly to her, then looked at Touga with eyes that had gone deadly. "We should go into council and decide on a battle plan, because we have little time."
"Oh, hai, you are right," Touga answered, his own eyes grim. With a gesture, Izayoi once again fell into step behind him as the two Lords walked at his side. "I and my generals have come up with three different scenarios. However, my heir as well as Kajiko and a few others are heading even now for the borders to see what they can see. When they report back, we may have to change things up."
"So that is why my errant daughter is not here to greet me," Atsushi rumbled, amused. "She is lucky that her mother didn't arrive sooner – or she would have been joining that little excursion."
"Where is your lady, by the way?" Touga asked.
"Oh, do not worry, she is here. She has taken on the task of getting our soldiers settled." He shrugged, looking a little sheepish as Tamotsu rolled his eyes at him. "Arguing with her would have done no good, so I just acquiesced to her demand. I'm sure she will be along later to disturb our council with her caustic tongue."
Izayoi had to suppress a giggle; it was clear from the Lord's eyes that he loved his wife and was only playing.
The Lord turned his head to look over his shoulder at their entourage, then flicked a quick, thoughtful glance at Izayoi. "I see you have chosen the best of the best as protection for your wife," he said, his tone irritatingly bland.
"And you do not do the same for yours?" Touga shot back, not at all put out at the insinuation.
Atsushi laughed and nodded. "Correct you are. And it only took me twenty years or so to get her to behave and stop trying to escape her bodyguards," he sighed. "For my wife, that's a record. It usually takes forty to get through to her."
At that, Touga laughed heartily, and Izayoi almost stumbled over her own feet at the beauty of it and her sudden, shocking desire that was completely inappropriate to the moment. "Ah, but you cannot deny, it is time well spent, eh, Atsushi?" he asked slyly.
Thankful that she was walking behind them, Izayoi put flustered hands to her cheeks to cool them as she listened to the banter – and heavy innuendo. As far as she was concerned, she would be glad when they arrived back in the palace and were seated in the council chambers. They would be all business then, she knew.
Still, she couldn't deny that she was curious about this Southern Lord. He was quite beautiful, as were most youkai, with hair that ran down his back in golden brown profusion. His eyes were piercing and sharp and golden, and Izayoi knew that not much got past him, though she was equally sure that many had tried.
It was a somewhat long walk up through the city to the palace, and then through the palace to the council chambers, so Izayoi let her thoughts wander as they walked, the three Lords bantering back and forth lightly as they would not even begin to speak about their plans until they were behind closed doors and soundproof shields.
Just as they reached the gates into the palace proper, Touga ordered the entire procession to halt, and then he moved a little bit away from them all. His hair and clothing began to whip around with the force of his aura as his power manifested, and everyone watched on in awe as a huge, blue kekkai* formed over the entire city and palace area.
"Touga?" Izayoi's sweet voice broke him from his trance as he allowed his power to die back down. When he looked over at her, she asked, "What... what did you do?"
"From now until we march, not only is the palace on lockdown, but so is the city. No one goes in or out without my express permission until we actually march for the North. We cannot afford any disaffected fool running to Ryukotsussei with tales of our plans," he replied.
"Oh," she said, still continuously surprised at how powerful her husband really was. "I see. But will such an expenditure of strength leave you tired?"
He shook his head as they all turned and once more continued on into the palace proper. "Only a little. I can adjust quite easily, my dear, since it really is such a small bit of energy. After a good dinner and some sleep tonight I will be fine in the morning."
Izayoi looked a little dubious, but didn't say anything else as the males began to banter between themselves once more. It wasn't like she couldn't feed him healing energy if he needed it, anyway, so she supposed it didn't really matter.
'Do not worry so, my Kagome,' Kirara purred from her now ubiquitous spot on Kagome's shoulder, wrapped around her neck. 'Just as you were able to blanket the palace with your aura and track down all the little spies without particular harm, so Touga is also capable of doing this.'
With a little, almost sad chuckle that the males didn't even notice, Kagome said, "I know. I suppose I am just being silly."
"Caring for your mate is hardly silly, Izayoi-sama," Satori broke in, a faint, lascivious smirk on her face as she thought of her own mate. "It is no different than the no doubt over the top ideas that came to Touga's mind when thinking of protecting you." It was clear that though she did not know specifics, she knew Touga well enough to know that he would get a little crazy about protecting her.
"You are so very correct," Kagome replied, thinking back to earlier and her husband's revelation of his sudden desire to keep her out of the coming war. "He wanted me to stay out of the coming fight, even though this was why he cast his eyes upon me in the beginning – for the advantage my skills would give him over the dragon lord."
Satori rolled her eyes, somehow not surprised. "It is to be expected," she said with a shrug of slender shoulders, "he is merely a male, after all. They get out of hand sometimes, and we must take them to task and straighten them out. It is a female's lot in life, I suppose."
"It seems the caustic tongue isn't left to my mate," Atsushi said, with an ironic glance at Satori, who merely smiled faintly at him, almost daring him to take offense to her words. "I'm sure you and she will get along famously," he added, to Touga's amusement and Tamotsu's, as well.
"Most likely," the female inuyoukai shot back, that faintly catlike smile still on her perfect lips. "She is female, so of course she will have better sense than a male."
"You are Sesshoumaru's mother," he said after a moment spent studying her over his shoulder.
"Is it that obvious?" she answered drolly, actually wanting to roll her eyes again. "I had been so certain that no one would guess the relationship between he and I. What gave it away?"
While most of those present simply laughed, Izayoi stayed silent, suddenly feeling awkward, as though she were an unnecessary fifth wheel. It wasn't a very comfortable feeling, and she withdrew somewhat, almost trying to shrink into herself.
However, there was one person there that saw her reactions, and who could sympathize – Masao. He moved forward, coming to walk just behind the still new wife of his lord. "Do not feel alone," he said softly, knowing she would hear. "I feel the same jealousy ripping at me when I am forced to acknowledge the bond between them. Even though that bond is restricted to Sesshoumaru, as they both insist is true, a child between them is a very strong tie nonetheless, ne?"
Izayoi stiffened at first when Masao started speaking, but as she heard his words she lost her bearing for one moment as she nodded in agreement, her roiling emotions visible on her face for one split second. "Hai," she whispered, before locking those feelings away and forcing herself to think on other things. Now was definitely not the time to be thinking about such petty feelings.
Tamotsu, looking over his shoulder at something else, caught that look and frowned, wondering. What could have such a look of pain on the lady's face? He glanced at Touga, who was still bantering with Atsushi, and was surprised that he hadn't seemed to notice. Was his wife blocking him, not wanting him to know that her emotions were in such an uproar? It was possible, he conceded to himself – she seemed the type to try to keep her emotions hidden from the masses, to keep her bearing no matter the circumstances. And as her face smoothed out once more, that flash of pain gone as though it had never existed, he had to hand it to her – young she may be, but she was strong - and not just in power.
Touga had gotten extremely lucky in finding her, there was no doubt. Still, he couldn't help but continue to wonder what had caused that look on her beautiful face. If at first he was inclined to think that it was because Touga's feelings were involved with someone else, he knew that was not the case – the inuyoukai made no effort to hide the bond he shared with his wife, or the fact that he loved her with all his heart and soul. That was why that expression had confused him so much, because it was just as obvious that she returned her husband's feelings.
After a moment more spent pondering on the matter, he shrugged it off and tuned back into the discussion, not wanting to miss anything that might be important.
As soon as the ookami's attention was off of her, Izayoi spoke once more in a low tone to the inuyoukai that was following behind them all. "You hide it well. You have impressive control," she finished.
"Thank you," Masao responded, before moving back to walk with his mate, letting the subject go, as now was not the time for such things – truthfully, it was never the time for letting such things out. Jealousy was never a good thing, and could very easily lead to huge problems in a mating.
And under the eyes of all the citizens of the city, the group of Lords and their attendants moved through the palace gates, heading inside to finalize all the planning for the war to come. Many eyes flared redly for a moment at the thought of the bloodshed and battles ahead...
Then they shuttered, and everyone turned back to their own tasks.
Just two more days...
~oOo~
"Open the gates!"
Nori, Lord of Takeda, watched coolly as the gates into the hei of the Hojo palace opened slowly and waited calmly for them to bid him to enter. As allies with Hojo, he would be allowed entrance without question, especially if his messenger had already arrived, which, baring unforeseen circumstances, he should have.
So Hojo will know why I am here. It shouldn't take long to gain his agreement against this wedding that Setsuna has planned. I think we could probably leave as soon as tomorrow or the day after to confront him of this madness and force him to break such a hellborn agreement.
Takeda was so engrossed and determined to gain Izayoi's hand by fair means or foul that he was forgetting who he was truly setting himself up against; Touga, Inu no Taisho and Lord of the West – an opponent he could never hope to best in any way whatsoever. It hadn't occurred to him that the Western Lord would not accept the agreement being broken, and would challenge him for his interference.
It was, in the end, perhaps a good thing for Takeda that Izayoi was already wed to Touga and out of his reach. It could very well have meant his life, which would have left his clan leaderless and easy prey for some other ruthless and ambitious Lord.
But when a woman of such fire and beauty as Izayoi was involved, men ofttimes forgot themselves and even their responsibilities and that was why many an empire had fallen in the manner they had.
She was a castle destroyer, through no fault of her own.
Nori nudged his horse forward as his escort drew in closer to him as he was waved into the gates, and he wasn't all that surprised to see the Lord of the clan already waiting at the next set of gates. I'm sure he's as outraged as I am at the news I sent him. To think, Setsuna would turn away two perfectly acceptable offers for the girl to turn around and gift her to a youkai. Even one with the stature of the dog general, for Izayoi is human and should never have been forced into such an alliance. It is the height of blasphemy for a priestess to be joined so to a youkai.
Once more gentling his horse to a halt, he shifted in his saddle and gladly swung his leg over, dismounting and landing on his own feet for the first time since his last night's camp. He ignored the cramping feeling in his legs and forced his tired body to cooperate, approaching the Hojo Lord and greeting him.
"Hojo." He bowed correctly to one who was technically his equal, as Hojo returned the sign of respect, and then Nori immediately introduced the topic of conversation that he had traveled so far to bring up.
"You received my messenger?" he asked as the older Lord turned and led the way through the baileys of his palace to the actual entryway.
"Last evening," Hojo grunted. "Come, follow me to my study, where we may speak freely."
Nori nodded and fell silent, striding easily along besides the older man despite his day in the saddle. It didn't take long before they arrived at their destination, and they were quickly settled on comfortable cushions and sipping from bowls of warm sake.
As the warmth of the rice wine spread through his body, Takeda sighed, and then opened the subject up again. "I am sure you were quite as surprised at I at this madness of Setsuna's. To give his daughter, a priestess, to a youkai as wife? I still cannot understand what he was thinking."
Hojo looked studiously at his fingers as he steepled them, obviously lost in thought. "Tell me," he said slowly, "what it is that you wish to do in these... circumstances."
Nori looked surprised. "Surely that should be obvious!" he exclaimed, staring at Hojo with furrowed brows. "We must put pressure on Setsuna to force his hand in this matter. This blasphemy must be stopped!"
Under beetling brows, wise eyes nodded knowingly. "And what of the lovely Izayoi, then? Who would be the one to receive her hand? You would not be here if you did not wish her for yourself. Why should I stick my neck out to help you gain a bride?"
A bit taken aback to be called out in such a manner, Nori frowned, and thinking quickly, said, "I would be lying if I said I did not wish to have her as wife. But surely that is something that can be taken care of once we have stopped the wedding already planned for her. At that time, any who wish to vie for the hand of the fair Izayoi can then take up the matter with Setsuna in the same manner such things are always conducted."
"Hm," Hojo hummed noncommittally. After a moment of considering the much younger Lord before him, Hojo opened a drawer in his desk and took out a scroll – one that, to Nori's astonishment, carried Setsuna's seal. His eyes narrowed at that, a sense of unease rolling through him as he stared at it like it was a snake. "Your messenger arrived a little too late. I had already known of what Setsuna was doing." He tossed the scroll down in front of Takeda. "I suggest you read that missive – it contains knowledge that you really need to see."
Reluctantly, knowing instinctively that he wasn't going to like what that scroll had to say, he picked it up and unrolled it, beginning to read as soon as the bold characters were visible. It was quiet for several seconds as he read, until he reached the declaration of Izayoi's marriage and the fact that she had already removed to her new home and taken over her new position – as wife to the Inu no Taisho and Lady of the West.
Red rage overtook him and he threw the scroll back down onto the desk, his teeth clenched in a maelstrom of anger, disappointment, frustration and vengeful thoughts. It took him several minutes to control his temper enough to be able to even speak.
"So he has already done this evil deed. But I don't understand why a youkai Lord would desire a human wife – and especially not a priestess! This whole thing makes no sense! What am I missing?"
Hojo, who had watched the changing expressions on the younger man's face quietly, spoke up. "He needs her power," he said, meeting Takeda's surprised look calmly. "He is about to go to war with the Dragon Lord of the North, a most vile youkai. Izayoi's power gives him something that the dragon cannot really defend against."
Nori blinked as he took that in. "I see. But still – to take her to wife? Why did he not just call on Setsuna as the allies they are and gain Izayoi's assistance that way?"
"That is something that only the Western Lord knows. So you see, your arrival here is to no avail – it is too late to gain the hand of the Setsuna hime."
"While it may be too late to gain her hand," he returned crisply, "surely you see the implication! Setsuna must be mad to have allowed such a thing! We must remove him from the Lordship before he does something else even more damaging."
"Such as what?" Hojo asked drolly, pouring them both out some more sake.
"Who the hell knows?" he burst out impatiently. "I had thought you would see the opportunity here. If we can force Hiraku to step down, then his son can be put in place as Lord – and through him, we can basically rule Setsuna ourselves, if we are careful. It is not that different than your family's relatively recent regency of the Shogunate."
Brow darkening with a bit of anger at mention of something that had caused his family's fall from grace, Hojo snapped, "Are you driven mad by desire, or did you not just read that scroll? Setsuna is no more insane than you or I, and he is a master of political maneuvering. He has far too much backing for any of us to try such a thing! He practically has the Shogun in his colors! If you were to try your hand against him you would fall and could possibly lose your own lands." His voice calmed a little, then. "And you don't seem to realize that Ichirou, his heir, is a chip off the old block – never could he be 'controlled'. As it is, one of my sisters is his wife and we are bound by our alliance through that marriage and my own sworn word. You can continue to try to take vengeance on Setsuna because you did not get what you wanted, but you won't find any allies to help your case against him. No... with that announcement-" he indicated the discarded scroll, "-he has tied all our hands. Unless something terrible happens and the Shogun withdraws his support of Setsuna, we can do nothing without risking our own holdings. I will continue to sit back and watch this situation. You should do the same – for if Setsuna fails in what it attempts then it will fall, and there will be much wealth that can be gained in its destruction. But remember this – it is not just Setsuna you will be taking on... for the Western Lord is also bound to his alliance to render any aid Setsuna requires, and I don't think you want to face a youkai army. You would not have a chance."
Face hot with frustrated anger, Nori drained the rest of his sake and then stood and bowed to the Hojo lord, who returned the short gesture. "Then I will take my leave of you, since there is no point in my presence here. I will return home... for now." With that, he followed the servant that had been summoned to lead him back out to his men, and fuming, frustrated and angry and irritated that he would be back in the saddle immediately heading back the way he had come he arrived back out in the yards, to the surprise of his men, who were awaiting word, and with curt orders for them to mount up, he watched stonily as the huge gates swung open once more to allow him passage.
If I cannot have Izayoi, and I cannot convince any of his other allies to side with me, that leaves only one other option...
Takemaru.
I am sure he would be most pleased to have my backing in his coup attempt.
And because it is too late to gain Izayoi, I will instead gladly watch as Setsuna falls to the warrior he forced from his lands.
Since vengeance is all that is left to me...
I will take it gladly, he thought as he listened to the booming sound of Hojo's gates shutting behind him with finality, his face stony.
Yes... quite gladly.
He was already busy wording the letter he would be sending to Setsuna revoking their alliance as soon as he returned home as he led his tired group of men into the deepening gloom of dusk.
~oOo~
Edited 01/01/14