Chapter Thirty-One (Part 3)(End of Arc 2)
Day Eighteen
When Mitsuhide emerged from the Silver Sea, he was changed. The Sea darkened, its waters turning black as the void, for the Heart no longer rested on the Sea bed. It resided within Mitsuhide. It was him. And he was the Heart. They were one, bound, merged and united into one form, one unit, one entity.
God.
His form loomed, as tall as Izanami in his true form. Lightning zipped across his skin and along the great legs and arms of his hair which hauled him from the Sea, like a monstrous creature rising from the depths.
Mitsuhide felt the realm all around him, as if it were as much a part of his body as his actual body was. An endless rush of knowledge came to him through the fusion, knowing all there was to Yomi and the other two realms. Its history became his history and memory. Its power became his power. Its nature and laws merged with his own. The will of Yomi became his will.
He was not what he once was, yet he still was to some extent. His body was young, but his mind was now as old as Yomi itself. Mitsuhide felt as ancient as the passage of time.
But he retained who he was. He was Akechi Mitsuhide.
His identity, his core, his heart and soul, remained as it was, but evolved into something greater.
He set himself down on the shore of the Sea, and his form retracted back to his humanoid Oni appearance. But he maintained the glow, shedding light across the cavern where the Sea had grown dark. Izanami stood before him, and he stood before her.
The Ancient Goddess gazed into him, as he gazed into her. As equals, the acceptance and understanding passed between them.
: Akechi Mitsuhide, her voice sighed in his mind. Now, you are the true Emperor and God of Yomi. May your reign last eternal.
She floated back, and bowed her head. Her form stretched and thinned, until she blinked out of existence, and her essence traversed through space to where she was needed.
He stood alone on the shore, comprehending and accepting what he had become, feeling all that there was, yet still retaining himself.
Omi-no-Kata flitted to him from the right, and he turned to look at her. Though the changes in her expression were subtle, there was a small frown on her brow, but it disappeared and a smile of pride touched the corners of her lips and when she reached him, she knelt down and bowed before him.
"Emperor," she greeted. "You have succeeded."
"I have," Mitsuhide agreed softly, his voice sounding through the cavern, and within her at the same time, making her jump. "Thank you, aunt. Thank you, both of you." He turned to his mother on his left.
Except she was not there.
Mitsuhide frowned, a flash of concern beat through him, and both he and Miyoshino made their way to the other end of the cavern.
Lady Akechi sat on the ground, looking dazed as she stared at her lap. Mitsuhide smelled blood.
"Haha-ue," he called with alarm, arriving at her side instantly and knelt down in front of her. She looked up at him. Blood was trickling from her mouth, and Mitsuhide sensed a chaos of energy within her, as if her internal body had been struck abruptly and jarred the pathways required for her energy to flow, stagnating it instead and sending it through the wrong channels.
"Dear sister, what happened?" Omi-no-Kata gasped.
Mitsuhide's previous sense of triumph, vaporised in an instant. "Was there an attack?"
Omi-no-Kata's eyes flashed to him, her face now worried. "There was a moment during the ascension where there was a fluctuation in energy, but it disappeared as soon as it came. I was not aware of any attack however."
Mitsuhide took his mother's shoulder, letting her lean against him.
"It is because . . ." Lady Akechi began, her voice weak and croaked. "Because you and Aki are connected. I did not realise . . . how much."
Mitsuhide's blood turned as cold as ice.
"Something has happened at the castle," Lady Akechi breathed ". . . her fate . . . would have been shared by you. I diverted the disruption and trial meant for you, to ensure your ascension."
It felt like Mitsuhide's throat closed up. It was as if someone held his heart in their hand, and gripped it on the verge of it bursting from pressure.
Omi-no-Kata stiffened as she listened.
"What happened at the castle? What happened to Aki?" Mitsuhide's demanded. His voice wavered as indescribable fear gripped him in its paralysing hold.
"How do you know it?" Omi-no-Kata asked.
Lady Akechi shut her eyes, exhausted. "Fire and blood . . . a flowering quince . . ."
Omi-no-Kata looked confused. But an instant realisation came to Mitsuhide through his evolved mind. The vague connections were joined instantly.
"The flowering quince is the mark of the Oda," he hissed. "They attacked the castle."
Omi-no-Kata's eyes widened.
"I must return there immediately," Mitsuhide snarled. "If they have so much as touched Aki, I will tear them apart where they stand."
Even his mother shied away from the malice in his voice.
Omi-no-Kata grabbed his arm however. "No, wait," she said sharply. "You stay here, tend to your mother. The coronation is not yet complete."
"But –!"
"I will return to Tara castle," she said, her voice as firm as a strike which blocked him in his tracks. She drew Mitsuhide's gaze. "I will not return until I have uncovered what has happened. You must wait for me."
The strength in Omi-no-Kata's eyes was unyielding. Her resolve was solid. It did not lessen Mitsuhide almost uncontrollable desire and need to leave Yomi and return to the human world to check on Aki's safety. His heart beat with an irrational fear, so strong it threatened to suffocate him.
Lady Akechi placed her hand against his chest. "Jubei," she said softly. "Be calm. Wait for Miyoshino's news. Do not jump to any conclusions."
Her voice calmed him enough to reign in control over his suffocating fear. It was still very much there, but Mitsuhide now channelled it.
He took a deep breath, and nodded. "Go, Miyoshino-dono. Be swift."
Omi-no-Kata nodded, and stood. She left the chamber, a dash so quick she was gone within a blink. Mitsuhide picked his mother up in his arms, and followed close behind through the Ancient Maze and back to the palace. He feared for his mother who – despite having wiped the blood from her mouth – flitted in and out of consciousness. Her internal energies raged destructively within her. It was what would have struck him, and killed him during the ascension, had she not taken the strike for him.
His love for his mother knew no bounds, and he hurried to the palace where he could heal her with his newfound knowledge and the aid of the healers. Without Mitsuhide's father, he was the only one left to Lady Akechi. He would never fail her.
It was not just his mother he worried for though. His mother was strong, despite the ascension strike. But what of her vision? Fire and blood? At Tara castle?
Aki was alone, with only Kenji and Makoto to fight beside her. If an attack came from humans, the three of them were almost guaranteed a victory. But against Oni, against the family who bore the flowering quince, Aki and her ability was not enough.
Mitsuhide's heart ached so much he wished it did burst, to release him from the suffering it felt. If Aki had fallen into danger during his absence, then he had failed her.
It was a horror greater than the yawning maw of the void. It nearly did paralyse him. Only the fact that he had to save and cure his mother kept his legs moving.
x
Day Nineteen
Midway through the final days' celebrations and pilgrimage, Mitsuhide felt his aunt's return to Yomi. Though she did not rejoin them until the full coronation's nineteen days drew to a close, and she joined the family in the private sitting room.
Everyone spoke over each other, an unusual sight amongst so many Purebloods who were always composed. But not at this moment.
When Omi-no-Kata entered the room, everyone turned to her, firing questions all at once. Mitsuhide flashed a harsh stare at all of them to be silent, of which they obeyed instantly.
"So the castle was not attacked," Omi-no-Kata started, bringing a few sighs of relief to some. Mitsuhide however, was not one of them. Something felt wrong in his heart. Something dreadfully, horribly wrong.
"What I gathered from Makoto, is ninjas attacked Osamu in her sleep. When Makoto reached her, she was already in combat with Kenji against the ninja. There were three, but he said there may have been more."
Mitsuhide's body turned so cold it became nauseous. It became so strong, he almost felt he was going to vomit.
"During the fight, a fire started somehow, which has burned a section of the castle. Makoto and Kenji ordered her to flee, and she did, and Kenji was killed in combat to cover her escape. Many other guards were killed by the ninjas, though one of the ninja was killed by Kenji's blade and fire before succumbing to the remaining ninjas himself."
A pulse of shock struck Mitshide to hear that Kenji had been slain.
"Akito Kenji is dead?"
Omi-no-Kata nodded grimly. Given how much time Kenji spent at Inabayama castle, he and Omi-no-Kata were well acquainted. His loss was an unexpected sting of remorse. He was one of the few who knew the truth and remained loyal. He was as skilled as any of the greatest samurai. To lose him was a blow which the Akechi felt keenly.
"Makoto and the guards engaged the remaining two ninjas," Omi-no-Kata continued. "But the two ninjas left suddenly as soon as Osamu had fled, and Makoto feared they gave chase after her, so he searched after them in the castle while the guards worked to put out the fire."
"So where is Aki?" Mitsuhide asked abruptly. The castle's damage was a minor setback, one which could be repaired.
Omi-no-Kata hesitated before she spoke. But the pause said it all.
"Makoto did not find her. Both she and the remaining ninjas are no where to be found. All he found was her wakazashi in your study – and blood. He sent a mock request for your return from the temple in accordance to maintaining the image in front of the other humans. But they will expecting you back as soon as possible."
Chigusa's face paled. Her father took her arm to sit her down. Yorinari placed a hand against Omi-no-Kata's back in comfort. Mitsuyasu's expression darkened.
Mitsuhide stood, and left.
"Mitsuhide! Wait!" He heard Mitsuhisa call after him and hurry behind, while the rest erupted in a chorus of voices over-lapping each other with confusion. It did not take everyone to realise why there had been no ambush during the coronation, because whatever their enemy had been planning, had been focused on an entirely different target, one which had been left utterly defenceless.
Mitsuhide could barely think. A red film glazed his vision as a terrible fury surged through his core, burning everything it touched. He did not know what he would do if Aki had been taken from him. He feared what he would do if she was.
He tortured himself in realising his error, in being foolish enough and selfish enough to think that the Taira-Oda would target him during his coronation, to think he was the most important entity in the world during the last nineteen days.
Fool! He hissed to himself as he darted into the palace's stables and mounted one of the Shadow Horses. Its eyes were as red as his, and black smoke like mist wafted from the beast like a black fire.
Regardless of whether I am God Emperor of Yomi or not, it makes no difference, because Aki is the key. I should have known they would come for her after they said they would. Why did I not bring her with me? To hell with the laws!
Mitsuhisa darted into the stables. "Mitsuhide!" He called.
"Do not stop me, uncle," Mitsuhide growled, pushing his mount forwards.
"I am not going to," Mitsuhisa said, dashing to the side and mounted another of the Shadow Horses. "I am coming with you."
"Then keep pace," Mitsuhide ordered, and without further ado, he galloped out of the stables.
The two horses and their riders rode along the roads out of Yomi, pushing their steeds hard. Mitsuhide's monumental achievement of stepping into his birthright was dwarfed by the shock of fury and fear which gripped his heart. His mind narrowed down to a single goal – to reach Tara castle.
As they passed the threshold between Yomi and the human world, Mitsuhide's and Mitsuhisa's transformation withdrew to their human forms, and likewise, the Shadow Horses became black mares to merge with the mortal realm. It was approaching evening in the mortal realm, and the sun's deep golden light was a contrast to the cold colours of Yomi. The air was slightly warmer than in Yomi, and it smelt faintly of pollen as flowers and new leaves began to bud with the approach of spring. Birds chirped, their song light and sweet.
They fell silent as the two Purebloods galloped passed them, sensing Mitsuhide's anger like an approaching natural disaster. Nature held its breath.
The two men arrived at the town, charging through it, barely giving people enough time to dive out of the way as they exclaimed in surprise and shock. Some of them realised who the two men were after they had passed, and shouted after them of the attack and their confusion and fear.
Once Mitsuhide and his uncle arrived at the castle, the gates were sealed, signifying the lockdown in security since the ambush and fire. Smoke still perfumed the air, and black scars marked the sides of the castle where Aki's quarters had been situated.
The guards patrolling the outer wall with weapons drawn, saw the two Lords arrive, and sprung into action.
"Lords Akechi Mitsuhide and Mitsuhisa have returned," Mitsuhisa called up to them. "Open the gates!"
Barely a second had passed and the gates opened, allowing the two Lords to enter.
"My Lords!" Guards exclaimed as they approached them instantly, taking the reins of the two horses. "We are so relieved you have returned! There was a surprise attack. Akito Kenji was killed and Osamu-sama is missing."
Mitsuhide dismounted and ignored them all as he strode into the castle, leaving his uncle to deal with the guards. Mitsuhide only needed to know one thing, and the answer was in his study.
He streamed through the rooms and corridors like a wraith himself. The smell of smoke was strong in his nose, as was the cold reek of Death by the blood spilt. The clunk of wood and the hammer was a constant drone inside the castle as repairs were made. He could hear Yuko weeping somewhere nearby.
As he approached his study, he recognised the smell of the blood before he even opened the screen. Though his study was remarkably tidy, there were droplets of blood dotted across the tatami. It was heaviest near one of his cabinets, which had since been wiped so the blood was not visible on the wood. But the smell remained.
It was Aki's blood.
Mitsuhide stood in his study, staring down at the blood on his floor. The last time he smelt Aki's blood was after the latest battle against the Oda. This was hers.
Which meant she had been wounded.
His fists clenched, so hard it could have crushed stone to dust with ease.
He heard Makoto, and Yuko in fact, realise he was here and found him. Mitsuhide heard Yuko drop to her knees instantly and lower her head to the ground so fast that it actually thumped.
"We are so sorry, Akechi-sama. We failed in our duties," she cried.
He felt Makoto bow from where he stood. The kendo master wheezed, a sign of the smoke he inhaled during the attack.
"I do not ask your forgiveness, Mitsuhide-sama," Makoto rasped, his voice rough as if he had been coughing until his throat was raw.
"Where is Osamu?" Mitsuhide said. His voice was as sharp as a blade held to the throat, taut with a tension that was ready to snap.
"I do not know," Makoto answered bluntly and truthfully. "I knew the ninjas pursued her. But when I caught up, none of them were to be found. Only her wakazashi was left behind on the floor of your study. I do not know if she was kidnapped, or managed to escape. But if she escaped, I would expect her to have revealed herself by now."
Mitsuhide inhaled a slow, deep breath. The scent of Aki's blood, fuelled his bloodlust.
"My-my Lord," Yuko stammered. "I . . . I saw them take her."
This time, Mitsuhide did turn around to face them, his heart quickening and his eyes focused on Yuko's prostrated form. He knelt in front of her and propped her up so he could see her face.
"Who? Who took her. Where?"
"It was only one of them," Yuko hiccuped, but tried to bring herself under control. "He was carrying her because I think she was unconscious. She was not struggling, and her face and head was covered in blood. He, he was not wearing a mask. I saw his face, but I did not recognise it."
Mitsuhide's breath caught in his throat. He did not ask her to describe the face. Instead, he touched on her mind, able to telepathically sense and see all of those around him due to his newfound and enhanced power. It was like his psychic connection with Aki, except it now stretched to everyone, and in far greater depth.
Yuko did not know what he was doing, nor sensed it, for she was just human, like everyone else. But he saw her memory, for it was at the forefront of her mind. She saw the ninja leave the castle through the garden, holding Aki dressed in her white night robe in his arms. She was limp, and indeed, her face was covered in blood, from her nose, down her neck and front. But there was a wound against her head which matted her hair, and this one bled.
The ninja's mask had been pulled down beneath his chin, and there his face flickered in the firelight.
A snarl of fury hissed through Mitsuhide's teeth, coupled with a feeling of utter hopelessness.
Oda Nobuhide.
They had sent a Pureblood himself to retrieve her. The Oda had sent Mitsuhide's enemy into his very house, and stolen the greatest treasure he had.
Mitsuhide stood and turned away from them, not letting Makoto and Yuko see the expression which twisted across his features.
"Leave me," he whispered.
He heard both of them hesitate. But after a beat of silence, they obeyed, sudden wariness wafting from them in waves, as if they detected his rolling rage shift in another direction. They retreated from his study.
Mitsuhide was left alone, and there, he sank to his knees. He gritted his teeth, holding back with all his might the howl of anguish which threatened to escape. He pressed his hand against his chest, holding himself to prevent himself from shattering into a thousand pieces as his heart was torn apart, leaving a gaping void of agonising vulnerability.
His heart was gone. Aki was gone. She was stolen. His other half, his beloved betrothed.
Mitsuhide's horror manifested within the earth, as its tectonic plates groaned and roared its terrible fury across the land.
X
Far across the East China Sea, over the vast Empire of the Middle Kingdom, high within the mountain ranges of the Empire's west, one of many Godly dwellings resided on Mount Kunlun. It was a temple complex of sweeping roofs, white walls, elegant pavilions and pagodas, beautiful gardens and flowing water. Cranes cried out in the distance, returning to the Crane Pool from their winter migration as spring returned to the mountain.
The soothing melody of a guzheng floated through the night-time air. It was a contrast to the worried pacing of the Matchmaker God.
The musician tuned his old friend out, focusing on the notes he plucked and their vibrations through the air. The notes floated out through the open doors to the pavilion which overlooked the vast landscape beneath the mountain. A lily pond sat just beneath the pavilion, and its lilies grew with the promise of a full bloom when the weather warmed. Trees arched further down the pond where a stream flowed down the hill from it, bubbling over little rocks to meander its way through the multi-layer garden of the residence. Moonlight filtered between the canopy of leaves.
"Pacing will not change what has happened, Yue Lao," the musician said smoothly. "This is what was meant to be."
Yue Lao stopped his pacing for only a moment, stroking his beard vigorously to convey his worried agitation. "It was not supposed to happen like this, Baihu. Those Taira descendants got in the way. I was almost too late to protect her from that fate! Me, a God, failing in something so simple and yet so vital!" He exhaled sharply to try and calm himself down. "Hai Ting is alive, which is good. But she suffered a major head wound. She has not woken yet, and that makes me worry. Why didn't those stuck up Superiors get involved? That's twice it's nearly gone wrong now." Yue Lao huffed. "They brought her here. Why don't they protect her?"
"That is because Mitsuhide is a Superior himself," Baihu said simply. "There is no need for the Superiors to step in while Mitsuhide is by her side."
Yue Lao turned his attention back to the woman sleeping on the bed. The female disciples had changed Hai Ting into a modest and comfortable hanfu, but they had to cut her hair short in order to treat her head wound. A bandage was wrapped around her head.
"But he was not there this time around because he was ascending," Yue Lao retorted.
"Which is why I sent you to their town in the first place," Baihu said. "What better temporary guardian than a God of our Celestial Bureaucracy?"
Yue Lao sniffed. "It is what is written in the Star Lord's book of fate, therefore I cannot argue. Aiya, such a shame though. I would have wanted nothing more than to see these two love-birds reunited after the ascension."
"It will come, but not as soon as you hoped," Baihu said calmly. "The Superiors will deem what is necessary on their side, and we do what we must on our side. Unlike the human politics between the two lands, the Celestial are on far friendlier and compatible terms. There is a great deal to be done. The Superiors shall work with Mitsuhide, and we shall guide and train Hai Ting. She is one of our own, after all."
Baihu looked towards the young woman. He knew her very well already, for fate deemed her his newest disciple before she came; and she knew him, though she would not know it yet, for that still lay in her future. Her spirit resembled Baihu's form, the white tiger. But the wound to her head distorted much of what he sensed within her, particularly her mind. Hai Ting's power and ability had not been hindered. But something had been broken off, though Baihu was not sure what.
To his azure gaze, he saw her cold green aura pulse with strength. Mingled within it, were silver wisps.
The mark of Yomi's God Emperor.
Though the two were not joined, the string of destiny – made certain and physical by Yue Lao – tied the Seer and the God Emperor together. They were spiritually bonded for life.
How curious it was, that a human mortal would possess such an aura and destiny. But that would only last a short while, as immortality was the journey she was to make to ensure the God Emperor of Yomi fulfilled his own destiny. And Baihu was the Master to teach her.
A different vibration groaned through the air, and was felt within the ground, the rumble of a distant earthquake.
But this, though faded from distance, was potent in its sweeping wrath. The cranes called out in alarm.
Baihu frowned, glancing out past the pavilion. Despite Mitsuhide's young age, the power Baihu sensed was great and – in this sense – terribly frightening. The young God's emotions were powerful. No doubt the realisation his betrothed was missing unleashed a temper that had never needed to rear its head until now.
Yue Lao felt the same thing, and turned his gaze towards the east, worried. "He is going to think the Oda still have her. Do you want me to . . . ?"
Baihu nodded, answering Yue Lao's implied question. "Yes. Return to his castle and inform him of the events which took place. Reach him before he begins a war, one which he will loose if the Oda pretend they did not lose to you and still have possession of Hai Ting. They will use her as a shield, as a bargaining chip, and Mitsuhide will be forced to comply. Wait there for my summons."
Yue Lao stroked his beard. "It will be hard. He will demand to see her. That she be returned."
"And that is why you must wait for my summons. A new chapter has begun. Almost all of the pieces are set now, but there are a few which are still blurry to my Sight. Once Hai Ting wakes and I have assessed her, then I shall invite him to my residence."
The silver wisps within Hai Ting's aura zipped with a sudden burst of energy in reaction to the groaning earth, and she stirred.
Yue Lao gasped. "She is waking!"
The two Gods turned their attention to her, and Baihu stopped playing the guzheng as he too, held his breath.
Hai Ting blinked, her eyes a dark brown rather than glowing green of the dream realm. Pain and exhaustion were the first things to cross her expression moments after her eyes flickered open.
"Hai Ting, can you hear me?" Yue Lao asked, sitting on the rosewood chair next to her bed. "Hai Ting?"
She tried to sit up, and winced, bringing her hand to her head with a groan of pain. Yue Lao helped her sit up, and she squinted at him through tired eyes. Confused eyes.
"Who are you?" She croaked. "Who is Hai Ting?"
She spoke in Chinese, which surprised Baihu as he watched carefully. Given her proximity and integration into Japanese society, language and culture, he half expected her to use the language she had spoken fluently for nearly the last decade. Instead, it was her mother's mother-tongue which came to her first, followed by two alarming questions.
Yue Lao looked taken aback, but recovered quickly and he frowned. "I am Yue Lao, the merchant. We met in Tara in the Land of the Rising Sun. And you are Hai Ting, a Lady of the castle, and were called Osamu there. Can you not remember?"
She looked at him, and then turned her gaze to Baihu, blinking sleepily and with confusion. She squinted, as if the gentle candlelight was too bright due to her throbbing head.
"What? I . . . I don't remember," she said, and then looked down at her hands. "I don't remember anything."
x
As it so happened, midway through the earthquake which saturated the air with screams of panic and terror, the red string around Mitsuhide's wrist burned so strongly that it overcame his fury because of the intensity of the pain. Through the red veil of his rage, he glared at his wrist, which he gripped, as if his grip could prevent the intense pain from ripping up his arm and straight into his heart.
The red string glowed brightly, and in that moment, Mitsuhide realised the string was not just string, but of a far greater magic that he had never anticipated nor encountered.
Its intensity swallowed his awareness, cutting him off from the burning ache of his heart and the screaming of his mind.
Mitsuhide found himself in a dark place, one where he was both aware of his body, but also not. He heard the concerned voices of his family, and felt their touch on his body. But he could not see, nor could he move nor speak. He floated in darkness, in a place as dark as the purest night without stars. He had no body here. Not even his emotions. Only his awareness kept him company in the blackness.
As he floated, he realised how exhausted he was, and the darkness gave him a respite from the suffocating grief of his heart. Mitsuhide did not know if he slept, or if his awareness simply became less engaged. The void was quiet, and it was a welcome peace away from his destructive thoughts of blood and war, of not having to face how half of him was missing.
Time seemed non-existent in the void. Unimportant. And because of that, it took him a while to realise that someone else was in the void with him.
An old man, dressed in flowing robes of red and white. The white-bearded old man floated upon a cloud, and held a tall, wooden staff of which red string looped gracefully around the top.
Though Mitsuhide could not remember this man, he recognised the old man's signature as being that of a fellow God. But he was not one of this land. The old man was older, from an ancient Empire. But this old man was known across multiple lands, including the Land of the Rising Sun, by different names. His origin however, was the Middle Kingdom.
An aura of patient age emanated from the old man, and his soothing, grandfatherly presence eased the bind of the red string which held Mitsuhide in limbo.
: You must forgive me for binding you so suddenly, Akechi Mitsuhide, the old man spoke kindly in Mitsuhide's mind. War would not have been wise, as the circumstances are not what you think.
Mitsuhide felt the darkness receding, as if he rose from deep waters towards the surface.
: When you wake, I ask that you grant me entry into your castle, so I may explain to you and your esteemed mother and uncles the true events of what transpired during the attack. I shall be waiting by the gates, the old man said.
When Mitsuhide reached the surface, the name of the old man came to him with recognition at the same time he woke.
"Yue Lao," he said with realisation as he sat up.
Lady Akechi was sitting in the room beside him, and she perked up with surprise to see Mitsuhide awaken. "Jubei?" She said with relief. "Jubei, you are awake. You have been comatose for three days."
Mitsuhide's eyes widened slightly. "Three days?"
"Yes, we were worried . . . we were worried that Osamu's disappearance brought on a heart sickness. We sent ninja to investigate her whereabouts. One of them returned earlier today to inform us that the Oda hold someone prisoner. But they cannot confirm it is Osamu."
Mitsuhide looked down at his wrist instead, at the red string tied there, and though he did not smile, he felt a twinge of hope, despite the tension which still remained with his existing anger. It had cooled however, and Mitsuhide was able to take a deep breath.
"Nevermind the ninja," he said. "There is someone else who knows." Mitsuhide got up, and turned to help his mother to her feet. Though he sensed she had recovered a lot from taking Mitsuhide's unexpected trauma at the ascension trial, her internal magics had not yet made a full recovery, which affected her internal body, her organ function, energy, and ability to channel magic.
"What do you mean?" She asked, looking confused.
"I will explain shortly. First though, let me help you to the private hall. Uncles, I want you three to meet me there as well. Chigusa, you too," he said. They heard him from elsewhere in the castle, and heard them murmur their compliance. His mother's brother and Chigusa must have followed behind Mitsuhide and Mitsuhisa on the first day, and stayed to offer their help to Lady Akechi.
Mitsuhide let his mother lean on his arm as he escorted her to the private hall, before he then made his way to the front of the castle. The night was louder than usual, as more guards were posted on duty, still tense and alert after the attack. They stood to attention when Mitsuhide emerged into the front courtyard. The men looked very surprised, and greeted him with vigorous formality. Mitsuhide greeted them in return, in a far better state of mind then three days prior. His anger still rolled, but it had calmed and was better directed.
He asked the gate captain to open the gate.
The gate captain frowned with reluctance.
"I am not leaving, captain," Mitsuhide assured him. "I am awaiting a visitor, who has been waiting patiently on the other side of the gate."
The gate captain raised an eyebrow. "The old man?"
"Yes."
If the gate captain was expecting more, he received none. Therefore, with that same reluctance, he asked the guards to open one of the gates, though only partially.
On the other side, indeed, Yue Lao waited. The old man appeared as human here as he had previously, in simple white robes, with his back hunched, and leaning on a hip-level cane of gnarled wood.
Seeing Yue Lao now, made it clear just how much Mitsuhide had missed previously. The old man had kept his essence well hidden. Though Mitsuhide had wondered whether he did sense anything previously, he had never thought to pursue it, for he never felt any danger, and still did not either. Yue Lao was not an enemy, that much was certain. However, he most certainly was not human either. And as the two locked eyes, that understanding was conveyed in a flash.
"I apologise for keeping you waiting at this late hour, Yue Lao," Mitsuhide greeted.
Yue Lao waved a hand and laughed. "No worries at all," he said happily. "Your guards do a fine job," he complimented as he walked in through the gates, humbly bowing his head to the guards as he passed. "I would never blame them for waiting for confirmation before opening the gates to the castle. Their security is impeccable."
Mitsuhide noted how some of the guards stood straighter from the compliment. He offered his arm to Yue Lao to lean on, as a young man would to his grandfather.
"You are a good young man, Lord Akechi," Yue Lao said as he took the offered arm, and leaned on it as an old man would, making his appearance believable without a doubt. If Yue Lao was what Mitsuhide thought he was, then all of this was just for appearance.
"You are my senior, Yue Lao. No matter my rank, I treat my seniors with respect," Mitsuhide said. "It is late this evening. After our discussion, allow me to extend my hospitality to you and stay the night."
"Oh, why thank you. My old bones could do with a comfortable bed," Yue Lao agreed heartily, playing along with the farce.
When they were within the castle and the screens to the private hall were shut and sealed by magic, the farce fell away.
Around the room, his three uncles, his mother, and Chigusa sat, looking at Yue Lao with guarded eyes.
"The trader from the Middle Kingdom," Mitsuyasu inquired. "What is your purpose here?" His eyes flickered to Mitsuhide, as did they all, wondering what he was thinking. None of them had sensed from Yue Lao what Mitsuhide had, and therefore Mitsuhide introduced him.
"Yue Lao is most certainly his name, and he is from the Middle Kingdom, though his profession as a merchant is a front. Am I correct?"
Yue Lao smiled and nodded, and bowed to his audience. When he straightened, he did indeed straighten, and stood as tall as Mitsuhide. Though his hair and beard were long and white and his skin as wrinkled as a dried grape, his posture demonstrated an underlying sense of grace, strength and skill. Essence of divine magic leaked from him, licking around his feet like sighing clouds. Despite that sense, Yue Lao remained humble as the old man he was. He sat down, submerging himself into the cloud as if it were a raised cushion, to signify his divine origin.
"Indeed, my name is Yue Lao. But you may know of me as the Matchmaker, God of Love and Marriage."
His audience gasped, their eyes wide as they found themselves in the presence of a neighbouring God. Mitsuhide too found surprise surge through him. Yue Lao being a God was not that, but it was of what Yue Lao was God of.
"Is that why you tied the red string around my wrist?" Mitsuhide asked, the meaning of the action finally dawning on him as he also sat down.
Yue Lao nodded. "Indeed! You and Osamu are destined to be together. But the path is not an easy one. Therefore I tied the string around both of you to ensure that no matter how far away you both may be, fate will still be met."
In that moment, Mitsuhide realised Yue Lao knew where Aki was. His heart quickened.
"Forgive us for having greeted you so poorly," Mitsuyasu said, sounding taken aback, though he had the courtesy to disguise it better than Mitsuhisa beside him. "If we had known a God had come to our town, we would have arranged a welcome befitting of your station. We have not had any visitors from the Middle Kingdom in many decades, certainly not Gods, for we do not even have Superiors grace us with their presence." Mitsuyasu bowed, and the others followed.
"No need for such formalities," Yue Lao said cheerily. "I am an old man and have been alive for a very long time. Unlike some of my fellow Gods and Immortals in the Celestial Bureaucracy, I am not so bothered by formal traditions between ranks."
"But, why are you here?" Mitsuhisa asked with curiosity as they sat up again. "As my brother has said, not even Superiors visit Tara. So – with all due respect – what brings a foreign God to our lands?"
"You came because of Osamu," Chigusa realised quickly in her musical voice. "She is of your kin."
Yue Lao nodded approvingly. "You are sharp, young Pureblood." Before the others could ask why, Yue Lao continued. "As you know, Osamu's true name is Hai Ting, and though her blood is half, she is of the Middle Kingdom, and the blood always calls an individual home in the end, though sometimes not always under the best circumstances."
"Where is she?" Mitsuhide cut in. It was the only question he cared to have answered.
Yue Lao looked at him for a long time. "She is safe. And I will tell you where in a moment. But first, I must tell you what happened on the night of the attack, and why Hai Ting is where she is now."
Though Mitsuhide was impatient to know where Aki was, just knowing that she was safe, was like a huge weight being lifted from his shoulders. Mitsuhide had not known Yue Lao was a God until now, but even before that, the old man had never given Mitsuhide any reason to distrust him. And likewise now, Mitsuhide detected and knew the truth of Yue Lao's words, as one Higher Being to another.
"I had come to Tara in the winter for Hai Ting, because she serves a greater purpose that is tied to both our land and yours, and primarily above all else because of the role she will play in your future, Mitsuhide. We do not know exactly what that is yet, for even to the Gods, there are some things fate has not fully revealed," Yue Lao began to explain. "The time of your ascension and coronation was fated to have a catastrophic event, and naturally you all, including us, believed it would consist of an attack to prevent your claim to the throne of Yomi.
"However, the Oda used your ascension as a distraction to target Hai Ting instead, because during your ascension, there is nothing you could have done. A Seer is a rare and valuable thing in the world. The Oda, infiltrated the castle during the night and attempted to kidnap Hai Ting in her sleep. Thankfully, she was woken prior to the kidnapping and as a result, was able to fight back and raise the alarm. I regret to say that I also was not expecting a direct attack on the castle from within, therefore my arrival was later than I wished. When I did arrive, Oda Nobuhide was escaping with an accomplice. Suffice it to say, I intercepted them, though it was not as easy as I wanted. You Purebloods put up a fight, and I did not come out unscathed." Yue Lao winced.
"Nevertheless," he continued, "I killed the accomplice, but Nobuhide escaped. I did not give chase, for my priority was Hai Ting. She had suffered a traumatic head wound involving an internal bleed on the brain. Human medicine is not advanced enough to have healed her, and the three spiritual realms of Japan forbid entry for humans. Therefore I took her to the Heaven of the Western God, Baihu, the White Tiger, in Kunlun, where Baihu treated her. I returned here to bring this news to you, Mitsuhide, and to invite you to his residence once he sends me his summons."
There was a brief moment of silence before the questions started pouring in.
"The Western God?" Yamagishi Mitsunobu clarified with subtle amazement. "One of the four great generals to the Yellow Emperor himself."
"So she is in the Middle Kingdom," Chigusa repeated, more to herself than anyone else.
"Kunlun is the legendary mountain range renowned for its Taoist philosophies and teachings. A great many Gods make their residence within those mountains," Mitsuyasu said.
"Is it true that legend says Kunlun is actually the spine of an ancient deceased dragon? Hence why its energy is so divine?" Mitsuhisa asked.
The relief Mitsuhide experienced to hear that Aki was alive and not in the hands of the Oda was a blessing from Heaven itself. He made the connection instantly in understanding why Aki had been taken to the Western God instead of the other three, for the Western God was the White Tiger, and Aki's spiritual form was that of a white tiger herself.
His relief was stunted however, mingled with bitterness. Any of the three realms could have helped her, to heal such a traumatic head wound. But they did not, because of their laws. It almost cost Aki her life, and Mitsuhide had not been there to save her. She had saved him in the Valley of Wails while not even present. Yet here, Mitsuhide had not even been aware such a catastrophe was occurring until afterwards. How could he call himself a clan leader, an Emperor of Yomi? He was so disappointed in the supernatural realms of his land. There had been no help for Aki here. She had to be taken to the farthest edges of an Empire thousands of miles away to receive the medical treatment she needed.
Mitsuhide found himself clenching his fists while his relatives talked discussed between themselves and Yue Lao.
I am angry, he thought to himself. Angry at so many things.
He was angry at the three realms and the ridiculous laws which hindered how well he could protect Aki. He was angry at the Oda for showing the greatest disrespect by infiltrating his castle and targetting her. He was angry that Aki was so far away from him, in a totally different land of which he had no jurisdiction over and therefore could not find her. He was angry at himself, for feeling like he had failed her again.
Never blame yourself. They were words Mitsuhide knew she would say to him. He knew without a doubt that she would forgive him, because she would actually say that there was nothing to forgive, because he had done nothing wrong.
And it was her blind devotion to him which brought the greatest anger to Mitsuhide. Because he had failed to protect her when he swore that he would.
He had so badly wanted to destroy everything just three days ago. He wanted to go directly to the Oda's castle in Owari and kill every single one of them. He would have ripped the land to pieces to find her, to redeem himself, as Kenji finally managed to achieve when he died defending her.
Mitsuhide had lost his honour, and he could not regain it until he was able to prove to Aki and himself that he could defend her. He had to see her.
Why had Yue Lao not brought her back if she was recovered?
He turned his attention to Yue Lao. "When will Baihu send his summons?" Mitsuhide voice was cold.
"Soon," was all Yue Lao said.
: And what if I were not patient enough to wait that long? Mitsuhide asked telepathically, his voice taking a dangerous line.
: Then you will be considered an enemy, Yue Lao said simply. In the same way you would not grant entry for a Divine Being into Yomi without invitation, we do not grant entry for demons to step onto our holy grounds without prior invitation. I understand your frustration, Lord Akechi, but please be patient, Yue Lao's voice softened. There is still much to be explained to you, but I am not the one who is meant to clarify why Hai Ting has been brought to the Middle Kingdom. You have newly ascended, Mitsuhide. While we wait for Baihu's summons, I suggest you look to solidifying your rule over Yomi. I will remain here, a political exchange so it were. I cannot leave your castle until the White Tiger summons me back to the mountain. Until then, I am figuratively barred. Does that comfort you?
Mitsuhide sighed, relaxing his hands and he shut his eyes for a moment. Yue Lao was the Matchmaker God. He tied the red string around Mitsuhide and Aki, making what was metaphorical, real. Of all the people in the world, it was perhaps Yue Lao who knew best the relationship between the two of them. Yue Lao was trying to help, and to prove his honesty and the reputation of the White Tiger, the Matchmaker God himself offered himself up as a willing prisoner for exchange.
: You are not my prisoner. I understand what are trying to do, and I apologise for my hastiness.
: You are a good and honourable man, Mitsuhide. My statement still stands however. As a good faith exchange for the moment, I will stay here. I know it is hard to believe the words 'trust me', under such circumstances, but that is what I am asking of you today. You must trust me that Hai Ting is safe, and is where she is meant to be despite the circumstances which led to it.
It was hard to swallow, to accept. But Mitsuhide did, though it turned his mouth dry, as if parched by sand and dust. If he had to wait, then he will. No matter how long it took and how it agitated him so.
Because regardless of his raging emotions and the ache of his heart, his connection to Godhood forced him to see and feel the weaves of fate, and to feel in his spirit that indeed something was in motion, as it should be, even if he did not understand it yet.
X
1 Month later; Mid-April
Baihu stood a few hills higher than the training courtyard, where a pagoda shielded him from the sunlight. Another pond sat close by, and the sound of water gurgled softly as tiny streams left the pond to meander its way down into the lower ponds over the levels of hills, tucked between the stone garden. Trees curved overhead, flowers perfumed the air, and birdsong sang over the rhythmic shouts of his sixteen disciples training below. A wind chime tinkled on the pagoda's overhang.
A table of deep rosewood rested behind Baihu, with a tea-tray sat atop in preparation for his guest. Three beautiful stools sat around the table of the same rosewood.
It was a peaceful environment, very simple compared to the politics and games of the palaces of Heaven. Baihu was too old for that, despite his appearance.
As he stood, resting his hand on the low banister of the pagoda's delicate fence, Baihu watched as his First Disciple led the drill. The First Disciple walked between the rows, correcting posture and form as he went.
Baihu's blue eyes turned to the newest disciple, the sixteenth. Despite it being only a month, she had picked up the forms with striking speed. Though she had no Tai Chi nor Kung Fu experience, her martial ability from her previous experience as a Samurai translated across to the forms of the Middle Kingdom. Her body adapted quickly, and flowed through the forms as if her body had known them instinctively.
It was expected, for she was of the Middle Kingdom, no matter where she had lived previously. Her body and mind absorbed the material like a sponge, as if she had been parched from her heritage and lapped at it like a man would drink water from a spring after having spent too long in the desert.
The concern however, was Hai Ting did not remember her past. She did not recall her blood family, nor how she had lived in the Land of the Rising Sun for almost a decade and established herself a Samurai. She did not even remember her own name, let alone the demon family who had taken her in.
The head wound she had suffered resulted in memory loss. During the past month, Baihu had worked to remedy the condition, but no short-term solution fixed the problem. There was a long term solution however. Therefore, Baihu had spent the month simultaneously wondering how best to explain this development to the God Emperor of Yomi.
At last, he had an answer.
Baihu sensed the two Gods long before he heard their footsteps come from behind him.
"High God Baihu. I introduce to you the God Emperor of Yomi, Akechi Mitsuhide," Yue Lao announced. "Your Majesty, Mitsuhide. This is the Western God, the White Tiger, Baihu."
Baihu turned. At the entrance to the shade of the pagoda, stood Yue Lao, and a second man. This second man, though young, bore a powerful presence. Tall and exotic in the formal robes of the Japanese, Mitsuhide possessed a regal bearing. Powerful, yet gentle. Patient, yet concealing the potential of terrible anger. Kind, yet capable of malice and cruelty.
Mitsuhide was young, and his positive and generous qualities were far greater than his negatives. But if pushed in the wrong direction, the God Emperor of Yomi was not an enemy one wished to have. When one was young, their hearts held greater sway over their emotions and actions than the mind and logic had. Though Mitsuhide had done as Baihu and Yue Lao requested, by waiting, it would be easy for Mitsuhide to sway in a very different direction if Baihu chose his words poorly.
Mitsuhide's eyes locked onto Baihu's, and an understanding of respect passed between the two. Mitsuhide was no fool. Rarely would Mitsuhide find his equal in his long life, but Baihu, most certainly was one of them. And Baihu's advantage was his incredible age. He emanated peace and stability, understanding, knowledge and patience.
Mitsuhide placed his arms by his sides and bowed in respect. "It is my greatest pleasure to finally meet you, High God Baihu. I have been very anxious for this encounter."
Though Mitsuhide spoke Japanese, Baihu understood and spoke the language as easily as his own mother tongue.
Baihu bowed in equal respect, clasping his raised his hands before him as he bowed. "As have I," Baihu agreed in Mitsuhide's language. "It is an honour to meet you, Your Majesty. It has been a long while since Yomi last had a God Emperor."
The two of them rose and Baihu held his arm out to the table. "Please, join me for some tea. I trust Yue Lao led you to Kunlun without any issues?"
"Admittedly, I am still new to my power. I had not flown before as such until today," Mitsuhide said lightly. Baihu was impressed by Mitsuhide's ability to adapt to his new environment in a foreign land and conceal his wariness simultaneously, despite being demonic in nature.
"He was very impressive," Yue Lao praised. "A white dragon. Learnt on the first try. When I first flew, many moons ago, I kept falling off my cloud," the Matchmaker laughed as he poured the tea.
"In answer to your question however, Yue Lao was a clear guide," Mitsuhide said. "The Kunlun Mountains are far more beautiful than I imagined. I expected resistance to my demonic essence, and was surprised to feel none. Why is that?"
"Many legendary mountains in the Middle Kingdom offer training to all backgrounds, as long as the heart and spirit of the seeker is true," Baihu said, receiving his cup from Yue Lao. "We are not biased against one's origin. There are as many good demons as there are corrupt Heavenly celestials. Even select humans are permitted to study to achieve immortality. The temples for study and training are open to all, though only the most diligent and honest pass their tests."
Mitsuhide looked thoughtful as he received his cup of tea from Yue Lao.
"Take me as a perfect example," Yue Lao said, reminiscing. "I started off as a human, before I eventually attained immortality through years of training and meditation."
Mitsuhide glanced at Yue Lao and tilted his head as he took a sip of tea. Baihu sensed the path Mitsuhide's thoughts took, and therefore was unsurprised when Mitsuhide's turned his eyes back to Baihu.
"I trust you know why I am here, High God," Mitsuhide said, his tone changing as he placed his cup back down on the table.
Baihu allowed his eyes to linger on the artwork of his cup for a moment longer, before he took another sip and placed it down on the table, turning his ancient stare to Mitsuhide.
The young God Emperor matched his gaze without so much of a flicker of doubt. The resolve in Mitsuhide's eyes was as unyielding as the steel of his sword, if not stronger.
He will become extremely strong in the future, Baihu thought. Like the Jade Emperor.
"I will not lie to you, Mitsuhide," Baihu started. "Hai Ting, the one you call Aki, is indeed here and under my care. I will bring her here for you to see. But there is something you must know first.
Though Mitsuhide's outer appearance did not change from his calm demeanour, there was a tension beneath the surface which grew taut.
"The Aki you knew, is not quite the same now."
"What do you mean?"
Yue Lao exhaled heavily and answered. "When she woke, she did not recall her past. Whatever head wound she sustained in the Oda's ambush, caused her to lose her memory."
Mitsuhide blinked, his perfect control cracking. "She lost her memory?"
"Yes. Including her name."
Mitsuhide looked taken aback, and Baihu both sensed and sympathised with the sudden turmoil which rolled within the God Emperor's heart.
"Do you still wish me to bring her here?" Baihu inquired.
It was a moment before Mitsuhide recovered himself, and smoothed his expression with a mask Baihu knew only too well.
"Yes, please."
Baihu nodded and rose. "Very well. Bear with me a few minutes."
He left Mitsuhide and Yue Lao behind as he strode away from the pagoda and wound his way down through the steps of the stone garden to the edge of the training courtyard. The disciples stopped and grasped their hands, bowing from their marks in their martial grid.
"Master!" They greeted.
Baihu nodded. "Proceed. Hai Ting, come with me."
The disciples obeyed, returning to their drills, while Hai Ting stepped out, and followed behind Baihu as he led her back up through the stone garden.
"Master, have I done something?" She asked nervously as she trailed behind him.
"No," Baihu assured her. "I am actually going to introduce you to a visitor."
"A visitor?" Her voice grew slightly higher with curiosity and subtle excitement. "Will they help me remember my past?"
"I do not know," Baihu said softly. "But he is a highly respected God of the Land of the Rising Sun. As my newest disciple, it is good for you to make new acquaintances."
They turned the last corner, and arrived at the pagoda. Mitsuhide stood, and the recognition flashed through his eyes as he laid his gaze upon Hai Ting.
She looked up at him, her eyes widening with wonder and awe. But there was no recognition in her eyes.
"Hai Ting, this is the God Emperor of Yomi from the Land of the Rising Sun. His name is Akechi Mitsuhide. Over the coming years, he and I will be in close correspondence with each other. Therefore you may see him in Kunlun in future."
Hai Ting's eyes flickered to Baihu, and her astonishment over being introduced to such a high standing God was as clear as day in her expression. She swallowed, and quickly clasped her hands and bowed before Mitsuhide.
"I am honoured to meet you, Your Majesty. I am the sixteenth White Tiger disciple, Hai Ting," she greeted formally.
Though Mitsuhide did not speak the tongue of the Middle Kingdom, his heightened telepathic ability allowed him to bridge the gap in understanding, even though he himself was too young yet to know all the tongues of the world.
"Hai Ting," Mitsuhide finally said. "An elegant and fitting name. I sense great promise within you."
Hai Ting raised her head, looking between Baihu and Mitsuhide. Both men realised that despite her previous fluency in Japanese, that too, was also forgotten.
"He compliments your name, and expects great things from you," Baihu translated.
Understanding crossed Hai Ting's expression and she smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she addressed Mitsuhide. "I will strive hard to attain Immortality and uphold the name of my Master."
Baihu nodded approvingly. "Now return to your training," he encouraged her. She bowed to all three of them again, before she then walked back the way they came.
Baihu turned to look at Mitsuhide, who was watching Hai Ting's retreating figure in silence, until she passed beyond the pillars of the stone garden and out of sight. It was as if Mitsuhide visibly deflated, and he turned, sitting down slowly with the look of a defeated man. Though Baihu had never fallen in love himself, there was something about the look of defeat in Mitsuhide's posture and expression which squeezed Baihu's chest in a way he had never experienced before.
Yue Lao poured more tea. "Here, have some tea," he said soothingly.
Mitsuhide took the tea and stared at it blankly. His face had gone paler than before. "She does not remember me," he whispered.
Baihu sighed. "I had hoped that by seeing you, it would have jogged her memory, given the bond between you two. Seeing as it hasn't, it confirms the last thing I can do to rectify the issue."
Mitsuhide looked up at him, seeming very tired all of a sudden. "Have you tried everything?"
"I have, except one. And this is what I wish to speak with you about. It is not easy, but this will work to the favour of all, particularly you, Your Majesty."
Mitsuhide took a deep breath, reigning back in his control. He took another sip, and rested the cup back down. "I will listen to you, before I make any judgement. She mentioned immortality, and I have seen her white tiger form before. I take it this is why she is under you care, and not a student of another God, for you are the White Tiger God."
Baihu nodded, pleased Mitsuhide was already aware of Hai Ting spiritual form, and surprised by how quick he had jumped to the correct conclusion despite the emotional pain he was experiencing.
"Correct," Baihu said. "It is in Hai Ting's destiny to achieve immortality in her life, and it will be a long process of multiple ascension trials in accordance with our lands, over many centuries. I believe Hai Ting's memories are not lost, but simply disconnected, and will return to her once she completes her first ascension trial. Upon completion of the first trial, her true path to immortality begins and her life will extent further and further until all trials are complete and true immortality is attained.
"As a white tiger spirit, she must pass her first stages of training, study and trial here, at Kunlun under my guardianship, where the energy is purest. Though you are more than welcome here, Mitsuhide, there is one thing you cannot do, and that is to be within close proximity of Hai Ting. While she trains here, the energies she will absorb to establish her first ascension are divine, and your demonic essence has the possibility of causing discord within the cultivation she will accumulate as her foundations. After her first trial, the most dangerous period will have passed and at that point, she can return to you. But until then, I can only permit you to watch over her from afar. Though I assure you, she will be under the strictest watchful eye while as my disciple. Even here in the Middle Kingdom, Seers are rare. Therefore I shall be training her myself."
Mitsuhide listened intently, absent-mindedly turning the tea cup with his fingers. He did not speak. Instead, he stood, and stepped over to the banister, as silently as a breath of wind, and looked down over the disciples training in the courtyard. His eyes remained fixed on Hai Ting.
"How much time?" Was all he asked in the end.
"Ten years," Baihu answered truthfully.
Mitsuhide rested one hand against the banister, while the other touched over his heart. A crinkling sound, like paper muffled between softer materials, arose from where Mitsuhide touched over his chest. For Mitsuhide's age, his eyes were deep with thought and understanding wisdom. Though Baihu sensed Mitsuhide's turmoiled heart, Mitsuhide came to a heavy acceptance.
"Ten years," he finally breathed. "Aki may have forgotten me. But she is still the Aki I know. She is still in there, though she may be asleep." He turned his stare to Baihu. "I shall watch over from a distance, and wait. I will wait for ten years."
x
A/N: Hi guys and girls. So that is the end of the second arc. There are not many of you left who still read this story (literally single digits now), but for those of you who still do, I just wanted to express my gratitude and thanks for continuing to read it and your loyalty to the story, despite the many years it is taking to write it. I don't know who you are. All I know is that you show up on the statistics graph and it makes me very happy to see some of you are still there. Therefore, thank you! I am also writing this note because in a few months time, I will be moving to a different country for work. I don't know if I will still have access to fanfiction there, but if I don't, I will be publishing this story and its future chapters on whatever other site does the same job. My pen name Ayyarin will be the same, and the name of this story will also be the same. So if you are interested in following Aki and Mitsuhide's love story, their journey will still be continuing, just maybe on a different website if not here. I will have read over it again by then as well and corrected the typos and edited some other stuff.
In the meantime, I will continue to post here until it is time for me to move. I hope you have enjoyed the journey of the story so far. Once again, huge, huge thanks!
-Ayyarin