Song of Night
Back again for another chapter. I don't really have a lot to say for this intro so I'll just start, shall I?
Cause here in this blue light
Far away from the fireside
Things can get twisted and crazy and crowded
You can't even feel alright...
- Mary Black * * *
Larva's eyelids flickered open. He sat up uneasily and tried to recall why he was lying on the deck floor. Memories of a fight, Japanese Shinma, a fire-wielding princess and then sleep cast by a girl with strange dimensions. His fingers gripped the coarse floorboards for reassurance that he was still on the ship and awake. His head felt bruised and the image of the Toorima Hime suddenly burned in his soul. That humiliating defeat! If you could call it a defeat. Pazusu had intervened to save Larva from a sticky death and Miyu had exited. Pazusu...
Larva glanced about to find his father had already risen and was standing silently at the side of ship, gazing darkly into the murky waters. There was no doubt about it, Larva was in for it. He rose unsteadily and noticed with vague embarrassment he was the last to rise, or else everyone had been moved to their cabins. Pazusu did not turn though Larva saw him move slightly, he knew he was awake. Larva moved towards his father and stood beside him. There was a long tense silence. Larva realised Pazusu was waiting for him to talk. There were no other words for it.
"I'm sorry, father," Larva murmured. He felt slightly arrogant. Why was he being scolded? He was a mature Shinma old enough to pick his own fights. Why should he be disciplined?
"What," Pazusu hissed with the venom on a cobra, "were you doing?"
"I am allowed to choose my own opponents!" Larva snapped back.
"Usually I would agree but I specifically forbade you from fighting HER!" Larva stared angrily ahead, refusing to meet his father's gaze. "What is more," Pazusu continued, "is that if I had not intervened then you would be no more than cinders."
"You shouldn't have interfered," Larva snarled. In a quick movement Pazusu had grabbed Larva's wrist.
"Not even gratitude! Larva, your pride is higher than your sense!" Larva would have retaliated but feeling the blistering palms of his father filled him with guilt and he could come up with no cutting reply. Pazusu released Larva's wrist. His face showed disappointment. "Larva," he said softly. Larva did not turn to face him but listened none the less. "I dislike having to treat you like a mere underling Shinma but one more foolish fight or act of selflessness and you shall not participate in this voyage. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you!" Larva growled turning away. He turned to stand at the prow of the ship, the cold breeze whipping his aqua hair. The sooner he got off this ship the better. Feeling he needed to stay on relatively good terms with his father he turned back to Pazusu... but he had already gone.
Fixing his blood red eyes on stars he muttered, "I'll find you, Toorima Hime and next time I'll win and gain back my father's trust." A wind carried his words upwards into the night.
* * *
The villagers had once called it the Chou (butterfly) House. It had been called that when there were villagers but now the small village shadowed by mountains was as desolate as the precipitous slopes around it. The houses were empty, plundered and valuables stolen. Miyu and her group had made quick work of the Shinma village. The villagers had not expected attack and fought poorly. After mercilessly returning them to the Darkness Miyu chose the Chou House as her home. It was dusty and dark but the sliver moonlight butterflies still lived on, their wings catching the silver rays of Lady Diana herself. Miyu was not the best at cleaning homes but it was comfy with a few stolen rugs woven finely depicting Japanese scenery had been strewn over the dirty floorboards and candles and joss-sticks burning incense to hide the musky smell. Mei had taken to sleeping in a nearby hut but Miyu rarely ventured in there. Both respected each other's privacy.
The darkness cloaked the area. It was desolate and quiet, not even the song of the birds disturbed the silence for one simple matter, there were no birds. Shinma stayed away, they knew of the Vampire Princess and the village now held an ambience one might feel when entering a ghost town. In the central square suddenly a small pinprick of light appeared in the air. It grew, illuminating the huts around it. The village was now cloaked in a somewhat rudely bright light. Then through the portal gate Miyu stepped lightly followed by a panting Tamae, Oki, Mei and calm as ever Kaya. Miyu turned and observed her crew.
"Tamae, stop panting like a dog!" Kaya scolded and Tamae made an effort to straighten her spine and keep her breathing to a quiet minimum. She turned back to Miyu but her mistress was beside Mei.
"Does it hurt?" the vampire whispered, her hands touching Mei's arm. The fresh scent of blood hung around her, reminding Miyu that she had not fed for a long time. She would ask no such favour of Mei in her current state. "Let us enter my hut and I shall tend to you." She rose offering a hand to Mei but the warrior got up refusing help. Miyu did not expect a different approach. Mei, despite her loyalties and humbleness had an inner pride.
"Miyu!" Tamae called indignantly. "What about the loot?" She ran her finger down a mythril dagger she had grown fond of.
"Leave it here and we shall share it out tomorrow," Miyu ordered. She saw the disappointed look on Tamae's face as she stooped to drop the dagger in the mud. "But Tamae, you can take the dagger, on me," Miyu smiled. Tamae's face split into grins of contentment and she hugged the blade to her breast. Miyu turned to her hut.
"Thank you," Tamae whispered before following Kaya back through the portal.
* * *
Miyu reached out and pinched the end of a joss-stick. As her fingers drew away the incense was now smouldering, giving off a woody scent. Flickers of silver signalled the awakening of the butterflies. She repeated the process to two other joss-sticks and then sat at a low table opposite Mei on the floor. At her own the will the candle placed between them burst into life. The butterflies fought to get near the light but Miyu brushed them away.
"Mei, this is merely a flesh wound," Mei muttered and touched the broken skin. She winced and tried badly to conceal it. Miyu's lips turned upwards in amusement.
"Mei, stop being so noble," she sighed getting to her feet once more and searching in a little painted cupboard for medical herbs.
"Is there anything I can do?" Mei asked, feeling useless.
"You could put on some jasmine tea. I'd ask you if you feel up to it but your going to prepare it anyway." Mei laughed dully and rose to retrieve the kettle and some jasmine.
"Am I that predictable?" she asked whilst filling the kettle with water and placing it on a hook over a small fireplace.
"Oh, goodness yes," Miyu replied, flames bursting from her hand in an arch and lighting the dried wood in the fireplace. She found the herbs she was looking for and brought them over to Mei. Her fingers reached between the burnt cuts in the cloth and Miyu pressed the herbs against Mei's skin. The Shinma hissed, her hands knocking the kettle as the healing properties flowed into her bloodstream. "Please sit," Miyu ordered. "I'll tend to the tea."
"I want to help," Mei replied defiantly.
"If you don't do as I say you shall make me angry," Miyu murmured warningly stirring the contents of the kettle. "But if you insist bring in some of the stolen loot that looks precious, which the others won't want."
Mei obeyed and left without a word. Miyu poured the tea into two separate china cups and placed them delicately on the table, sitting before her own cup. Mei returned with a few stained pieces of parchment. Miyu looked up inquisitively.
"Maps," Mei stated placing them on the table. Miyu leant forwards. "Maps to an old artefact," Mei continued. "I found them in a pretty gilded box." She screwed up her eyes, trying to depict the western letters. Memories of the language came back to her. "The... Toran... oko. The Toranoko in the temple of Oniyuri?"
"The Toranoko? That's Japanese for tiger cub. A treasure called the Toranoko, why do I know that name?" She closed her eyes trying to remember.
~~~
"Lorne?" She was running across a field, the grass wet beneath her feet.
"Miyu, I was looking for you." He stood, light blue hair held back in a ponytail and a single black bead hanging from the tip.
"I'm here now!" She stood before him, younger and smiling trying to stand as tall as he was. His eyes had been grave. She knew what he was going to say. She had heard it before. "You're leaving..."
"Miyu... I have to-"
"WHY?" she had shouted.
"You know why. I have been alone all my life. I know I have family in the West. A brother. I have written to him saying I am coming. He expects my arrival."
"I don't care!" she had cried. "Why do you need family when you've got me?" She knew she was being unfair but she was attached to the Western Shinma. Both child had been orphaned and both had protected after each other from the hunting Shinma.
He was silent.
"I'm sorry," she had whispered, her hands closing round his waist so she could hug him. "I'll miss you..."
"I'll miss you too, Miyu."
"Lorne? Why did you come to Japan?" she had asked softly.
"After my parents died a Japanese Shinma made me his apprentice and we came to Japan searching for an ancient talisman called the Toranoko. It's meant to give you great power. But we gave up. It's too well hidden. Maybe you will find it someday, Miyu."
"Me? How could I?"
"I know you will be strong, Miyu. You are a vampire and were born to be strong."
"I'm going to miss you so much, Lorne." She fought back tears.
"Maybe we'll see each other again."
"Maybe." She knew it was a lie. She would never set eyes on his smiling face again.
"Miyu, take this before I go." He handed her a book, a leather bound diary. "It is my discoveries with my master. Clues we dug up about the Toranoko but could never put to use. Goodbye, Miyu." And he had gone.
~~~
Miyu's face was emotionless, though inside she felt mournful pangs. She would never see Lorne again for she heard from wandering Shinma of a boat destined for Japan that had crashed on the rocks and all the passengers had been killed. I miss you, Lorne, she thought to herself. Though she no longer cried for him anymore it felt good to remind herself of young vampire days before she had defeated Mei or any of the others or become the Toorima Hime.
"It is a talisman," Miyu said suddenly. "It gives you excessive amounts of power. No one has ever found it... until now." She grabbed the maps and held them tight, reading them.
"Miyu," Mei called over the map. "How do you know this?"
"I had a friend..." Miyu murmured half-listening. "He was once searching for it but gave up... the Oniyuri temple in the heart of the jungle?"
"Miyu," Mei touched Miyu's fingers. "You are so tense. Be careful or you'll rip the map."
"I'm sorry, Mei, it's just that Lorne... the Shinma I knew was very close to me. I knew him since the beginning."
"What of him now?"
"He's dead," Miyu looked downwards, refusing to look Mei in the eye. "I just feel if I can steal this talisman before anyone else then I would have carried out Lorne's life ambition." Mei took the map back and stared at it with tired eyes. Miyu watched her decide with baited breath. Though Mei was her servant if she refused to go somewhere Miyu would not force her. "Well?" she asked.
Mei looked up with a half-formed smile on her lips. "Sounds like a challenge," she beamed. "Bit of fun. Why not?"
* * *
Pazusu sat in his cabin, the desk before him. It was a beautiful room, one suited for a scholar with maps and charts pasted to walls and kept tidily in desks and piles, compasses and quills in inkpots placed neatly in the leather topped desk. Pazusu had searched the ship but it was hard to believe they had been robbed. Unlike the typical thief that leaves your rooms in ruins, the cabins were tidy, unchanged apart from a few gaps where the stolen items had been. The weapons room had been most noticeably plundered. Dusty outlines of weapons lined the walls and shelves. A valuable mythril dagger had been taken along with spears and long swords.
He sighed, and pulled open the drawer in his mahogany desk. In times of frustration he felt soothed just to pour over his maps. The Toranoko was so nearly in their grasps. He faltered. Where the gilded box sat that contained the vital clues to the talisman now only a square patch in the dust remained.
"What!?" he yelled standing up. Turning he noticed the old katana that had once been pinned to the wall had now also vanished. So his study had also been at the mercy of the Toorima Hime. His fist shook slightly as he exited the cabin.
In the corridor Cait Sith had been sharpening one of his knives. He looked up, surprised as Pazusu burst into the open.
"Lord Pazusu?" he began. "Something the matter?"
"The Japanese Shinma," Pazusu paused to place a hand to his temple, trying to calm himself. "They took the maps leading to the Toranoko."
"Oh god!" Cait Sith rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Those damn interfering fools!"
"Hope is not lost completely. I have vague memories of the layout of the land and location. We can ask around." Pazusu sighed. "The Toorima Hime has made things difficult for us."
One deck up Larva stood once again in Lemures' cabin. Lemures was sitting on his bed with a look of pure jealousy etched across his face. Across the room on a wooden chair sat their third friend, a man with more brawn than brain named Spartoi. Despite his slight lacking in mental ability Spartoi was a powerful fighter. He now listened with interest.
"I can't believe it," Lemures hissed. "You had to fight her AFTER I got knocked out cold?"
"It wasn't much of a fight. She was too powerful, even for Lord Pazusu," Larva replied sullenly. He had imagined telling his friends of the fight with the Toorima Hime filled with pride, but right now he just felt irritated.
"Lord Pazusu even had a try?" Spartoi asked.
"Uh. yeah," Larva muttered. He would never admit Pazusu had saved his life.
"And he lost?" he said disbelievingly. In Spartoi's eye Pazusu was the unbeatable Shinma.
"If you want proof have a look at his scorched hands," Larva said.
"Burnt hands?" Lemures raised and eyebrow and got up. "Cool. Hey! Why don't you have some battle scars?" He grabbed Larva by the shoulder and stared at his uncut hands.
"If you want proof I fought her you can ask Pazusu," Larva snapped. "That is if you don't mind having the shit lectured out of you," he added bitterly.
"Language," Lemures pointed out, forgetting the fact that he had a dirtier mouth than the ship's water closet.
"Are you coming with us? To the Oniyuri jungle to retrieve the talisman?" Spartoi asked.
"Of course," Larva said. He spotted Spartoi's shifty expression. "No, Pazusu hasn't forbidden me yet."
They all turned at the clunking of boots along the wooden corridor outside. The door opened with a mournful groan and Pazusu stood in the doorway. Larva turned away staring angrily at the wall. Spartoi leapt to his feet.
"Anything wrong, sir?" he asked.
"It's the maps to the Toranoko," Pazusu started.
"What about them?" Larva muttered.
Pazusu ignored Larva's cold reception. "They've been stolen." Larva spun round, eyes wide.
"WHAT?" Spartoi also looked outraged.
"Those Japanese bast-" Lemures glanced up at Pazusu, "Uh. idiots!"
"We'll still continue through the jungle, however precarious but it will take a day longer. We're setting off now," Pazusu ordered.
"At night?" Lemures moaned.
"Now!" Pazusu snapped and the three Shinma shuffled out the room.
* * *
Miyu stood outside the Chou House, the wind tousling her hair. Tamae shivered in the cold night wind and Kaya placed a hand on her goosepimply shoulder. Oki stood next to Mei in the shelter of the doorway.
"Why have you called us out so late?" Tamae mumbled. Her fingers were already turning blue.
"This is our new target," Miyu announced holding up the map. Kaya leaned in trying to depict the Western letters.
"The Toraneko?"
"The Toranoko," Miyu corrected. "An ancient talisman that gives you great power. It is our new goal."
"Will it give us all great power?" Kaya asked with slight accusation in her voice.
"Miyu does not intend to keep the power for herself," Mei answered coldly. Kaya nodded quickly and silenced herself.
"Are you going to ask any of the others to join us?" Oki asked.
Miyu considered this for a moment. She had other followers dotted over Japan but judging from the map this did not look like a large operation. "No, I shall not bother them."
"How far is the Oniyuri jungle?" Tamae asked. "I'm not complaining but just after the last looting I feel I need a break to enjoy my new found prizes."
"I'm not forcing you to come," Miyu replied softly.
"I'll come!" Tamae exclaimed quickly. "No complaints! I'm just curious."
"Not that far as journeys go. It would take us six days walking but if we use Kaya's portal that time will be greatly shortened." Miyu turned to Kaya as if signalling her.
Kaya closed her eyes, summoning forth a power. Instinctively she held the staff out before her and murmured the incantation. By the faint glowing of the orb in the staff indicated the presence of magical energy. Kaya's eyelid flickered as she reached out with her powers scanning the lands like a great hand. Without warning her eyes flicked open.
"The temple had many wards around it. The nearest I can take us will be the outskirts of the jungle. It will be a one day trek from there."
Miyu nodded, satisfied. She had expected difficulties would crop up. Talismans of this great a power usually had wards and tricks surrounding them. She remembered the leather diary Lorne had given her. It would be wise to take it with her and consult it for further clues.
"Isn't the Oniyuri jungle near where Eriko lives?" Tamae asked.
"She was seen there last," Miyu answered. "But Eriko migrates a lot so she may no longer be living there. Come, let us leave. Remember, we have competition with the Western Shinma so time is vital. The more we dawdle the less likely we are to reach the temple first. Kaya, the portal."
Obediently Kaya twirled her staff in the air and the thin circle reappeared. It flickered slightly, signalling that this brand of magic was costing her a lot of energy. Miyu turned once more to her servants and gave a playful childish smile.
"A race," she murmured. "How fun!" Then she had disappeared into the portal's glow.
* * *
The Western Shinma assembled on the deck. The wind tousled their hair and rippled through their cloaks. Pazusu observed the ranks before him. Cait Sith and Spartoi stood near the front with their comrades, a female water demon named Water Lipper, a dream controller named Night Gia, and a fire wielder named Amy. He noticed Larva hung back, Lemures nearby, obviously not wanting to come to terms with his father.
"Our destination," Pazusu called. "Oniyuri temple in the heart of the Oniyuri jungle. The trek will be long but we have competition. The Toorima Hime also knows of the talisman and no doubt she will have set off to claim it. No one underestimate her or her followers. If you recognise the Shinma you see along the way inform the group. Do not tackle it alone." These last words he aimed directly at Larva, but the tall Shinma merely turned his head arrogantly.
"These Japanese Shinma do not scare me," Night Gia muttered.
"If you want proof of their power observe," Pazusu said between clenched teeth. He held out his blistering palms. Night Gia almost took a step back in shock. "The power of the Toorima Hime herself," Pazusu continued observing Night Gia's wide eyes. Be particularly wary of her. Her name is Miyu and she is the last vampire."
"A vampire?" Cait Sith snapped. "So that's where she gets her power."
"Be constantly on alert," Pazusu warned, then waving his hand he disappeared through a portal. The other Western Shinma also vanished along with their master. Only Larva remained. He reached into his robes and pulled out a macabre mask, painted white in colour with black streaks across the cheeks and the eyeholes thin slits giving the mask a sullen expression. Placing it over his face he paused.
"I will not be defeated by a mere child," he hissed. "Miyu's life is mine." And he vanished.
* * *
TBC...
Phew, look at that! Three chapters! *Looks proud* Thank you for the reviews! ^_^ You make me happy and I treasure each one. Now I have you all drowning in honey mush I will tell you... ahem... REVIEW! Thank you, come again!
Back again for another chapter. I don't really have a lot to say for this intro so I'll just start, shall I?
Cause here in this blue light
Far away from the fireside
Things can get twisted and crazy and crowded
You can't even feel alright...
- Mary Black * * *
Larva's eyelids flickered open. He sat up uneasily and tried to recall why he was lying on the deck floor. Memories of a fight, Japanese Shinma, a fire-wielding princess and then sleep cast by a girl with strange dimensions. His fingers gripped the coarse floorboards for reassurance that he was still on the ship and awake. His head felt bruised and the image of the Toorima Hime suddenly burned in his soul. That humiliating defeat! If you could call it a defeat. Pazusu had intervened to save Larva from a sticky death and Miyu had exited. Pazusu...
Larva glanced about to find his father had already risen and was standing silently at the side of ship, gazing darkly into the murky waters. There was no doubt about it, Larva was in for it. He rose unsteadily and noticed with vague embarrassment he was the last to rise, or else everyone had been moved to their cabins. Pazusu did not turn though Larva saw him move slightly, he knew he was awake. Larva moved towards his father and stood beside him. There was a long tense silence. Larva realised Pazusu was waiting for him to talk. There were no other words for it.
"I'm sorry, father," Larva murmured. He felt slightly arrogant. Why was he being scolded? He was a mature Shinma old enough to pick his own fights. Why should he be disciplined?
"What," Pazusu hissed with the venom on a cobra, "were you doing?"
"I am allowed to choose my own opponents!" Larva snapped back.
"Usually I would agree but I specifically forbade you from fighting HER!" Larva stared angrily ahead, refusing to meet his father's gaze. "What is more," Pazusu continued, "is that if I had not intervened then you would be no more than cinders."
"You shouldn't have interfered," Larva snarled. In a quick movement Pazusu had grabbed Larva's wrist.
"Not even gratitude! Larva, your pride is higher than your sense!" Larva would have retaliated but feeling the blistering palms of his father filled him with guilt and he could come up with no cutting reply. Pazusu released Larva's wrist. His face showed disappointment. "Larva," he said softly. Larva did not turn to face him but listened none the less. "I dislike having to treat you like a mere underling Shinma but one more foolish fight or act of selflessness and you shall not participate in this voyage. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you!" Larva growled turning away. He turned to stand at the prow of the ship, the cold breeze whipping his aqua hair. The sooner he got off this ship the better. Feeling he needed to stay on relatively good terms with his father he turned back to Pazusu... but he had already gone.
Fixing his blood red eyes on stars he muttered, "I'll find you, Toorima Hime and next time I'll win and gain back my father's trust." A wind carried his words upwards into the night.
* * *
The villagers had once called it the Chou (butterfly) House. It had been called that when there were villagers but now the small village shadowed by mountains was as desolate as the precipitous slopes around it. The houses were empty, plundered and valuables stolen. Miyu and her group had made quick work of the Shinma village. The villagers had not expected attack and fought poorly. After mercilessly returning them to the Darkness Miyu chose the Chou House as her home. It was dusty and dark but the sliver moonlight butterflies still lived on, their wings catching the silver rays of Lady Diana herself. Miyu was not the best at cleaning homes but it was comfy with a few stolen rugs woven finely depicting Japanese scenery had been strewn over the dirty floorboards and candles and joss-sticks burning incense to hide the musky smell. Mei had taken to sleeping in a nearby hut but Miyu rarely ventured in there. Both respected each other's privacy.
The darkness cloaked the area. It was desolate and quiet, not even the song of the birds disturbed the silence for one simple matter, there were no birds. Shinma stayed away, they knew of the Vampire Princess and the village now held an ambience one might feel when entering a ghost town. In the central square suddenly a small pinprick of light appeared in the air. It grew, illuminating the huts around it. The village was now cloaked in a somewhat rudely bright light. Then through the portal gate Miyu stepped lightly followed by a panting Tamae, Oki, Mei and calm as ever Kaya. Miyu turned and observed her crew.
"Tamae, stop panting like a dog!" Kaya scolded and Tamae made an effort to straighten her spine and keep her breathing to a quiet minimum. She turned back to Miyu but her mistress was beside Mei.
"Does it hurt?" the vampire whispered, her hands touching Mei's arm. The fresh scent of blood hung around her, reminding Miyu that she had not fed for a long time. She would ask no such favour of Mei in her current state. "Let us enter my hut and I shall tend to you." She rose offering a hand to Mei but the warrior got up refusing help. Miyu did not expect a different approach. Mei, despite her loyalties and humbleness had an inner pride.
"Miyu!" Tamae called indignantly. "What about the loot?" She ran her finger down a mythril dagger she had grown fond of.
"Leave it here and we shall share it out tomorrow," Miyu ordered. She saw the disappointed look on Tamae's face as she stooped to drop the dagger in the mud. "But Tamae, you can take the dagger, on me," Miyu smiled. Tamae's face split into grins of contentment and she hugged the blade to her breast. Miyu turned to her hut.
"Thank you," Tamae whispered before following Kaya back through the portal.
* * *
Miyu reached out and pinched the end of a joss-stick. As her fingers drew away the incense was now smouldering, giving off a woody scent. Flickers of silver signalled the awakening of the butterflies. She repeated the process to two other joss-sticks and then sat at a low table opposite Mei on the floor. At her own the will the candle placed between them burst into life. The butterflies fought to get near the light but Miyu brushed them away.
"Mei, this is merely a flesh wound," Mei muttered and touched the broken skin. She winced and tried badly to conceal it. Miyu's lips turned upwards in amusement.
"Mei, stop being so noble," she sighed getting to her feet once more and searching in a little painted cupboard for medical herbs.
"Is there anything I can do?" Mei asked, feeling useless.
"You could put on some jasmine tea. I'd ask you if you feel up to it but your going to prepare it anyway." Mei laughed dully and rose to retrieve the kettle and some jasmine.
"Am I that predictable?" she asked whilst filling the kettle with water and placing it on a hook over a small fireplace.
"Oh, goodness yes," Miyu replied, flames bursting from her hand in an arch and lighting the dried wood in the fireplace. She found the herbs she was looking for and brought them over to Mei. Her fingers reached between the burnt cuts in the cloth and Miyu pressed the herbs against Mei's skin. The Shinma hissed, her hands knocking the kettle as the healing properties flowed into her bloodstream. "Please sit," Miyu ordered. "I'll tend to the tea."
"I want to help," Mei replied defiantly.
"If you don't do as I say you shall make me angry," Miyu murmured warningly stirring the contents of the kettle. "But if you insist bring in some of the stolen loot that looks precious, which the others won't want."
Mei obeyed and left without a word. Miyu poured the tea into two separate china cups and placed them delicately on the table, sitting before her own cup. Mei returned with a few stained pieces of parchment. Miyu looked up inquisitively.
"Maps," Mei stated placing them on the table. Miyu leant forwards. "Maps to an old artefact," Mei continued. "I found them in a pretty gilded box." She screwed up her eyes, trying to depict the western letters. Memories of the language came back to her. "The... Toran... oko. The Toranoko in the temple of Oniyuri?"
"The Toranoko? That's Japanese for tiger cub. A treasure called the Toranoko, why do I know that name?" She closed her eyes trying to remember.
~~~
"Lorne?" She was running across a field, the grass wet beneath her feet.
"Miyu, I was looking for you." He stood, light blue hair held back in a ponytail and a single black bead hanging from the tip.
"I'm here now!" She stood before him, younger and smiling trying to stand as tall as he was. His eyes had been grave. She knew what he was going to say. She had heard it before. "You're leaving..."
"Miyu... I have to-"
"WHY?" she had shouted.
"You know why. I have been alone all my life. I know I have family in the West. A brother. I have written to him saying I am coming. He expects my arrival."
"I don't care!" she had cried. "Why do you need family when you've got me?" She knew she was being unfair but she was attached to the Western Shinma. Both child had been orphaned and both had protected after each other from the hunting Shinma.
He was silent.
"I'm sorry," she had whispered, her hands closing round his waist so she could hug him. "I'll miss you..."
"I'll miss you too, Miyu."
"Lorne? Why did you come to Japan?" she had asked softly.
"After my parents died a Japanese Shinma made me his apprentice and we came to Japan searching for an ancient talisman called the Toranoko. It's meant to give you great power. But we gave up. It's too well hidden. Maybe you will find it someday, Miyu."
"Me? How could I?"
"I know you will be strong, Miyu. You are a vampire and were born to be strong."
"I'm going to miss you so much, Lorne." She fought back tears.
"Maybe we'll see each other again."
"Maybe." She knew it was a lie. She would never set eyes on his smiling face again.
"Miyu, take this before I go." He handed her a book, a leather bound diary. "It is my discoveries with my master. Clues we dug up about the Toranoko but could never put to use. Goodbye, Miyu." And he had gone.
~~~
Miyu's face was emotionless, though inside she felt mournful pangs. She would never see Lorne again for she heard from wandering Shinma of a boat destined for Japan that had crashed on the rocks and all the passengers had been killed. I miss you, Lorne, she thought to herself. Though she no longer cried for him anymore it felt good to remind herself of young vampire days before she had defeated Mei or any of the others or become the Toorima Hime.
"It is a talisman," Miyu said suddenly. "It gives you excessive amounts of power. No one has ever found it... until now." She grabbed the maps and held them tight, reading them.
"Miyu," Mei called over the map. "How do you know this?"
"I had a friend..." Miyu murmured half-listening. "He was once searching for it but gave up... the Oniyuri temple in the heart of the jungle?"
"Miyu," Mei touched Miyu's fingers. "You are so tense. Be careful or you'll rip the map."
"I'm sorry, Mei, it's just that Lorne... the Shinma I knew was very close to me. I knew him since the beginning."
"What of him now?"
"He's dead," Miyu looked downwards, refusing to look Mei in the eye. "I just feel if I can steal this talisman before anyone else then I would have carried out Lorne's life ambition." Mei took the map back and stared at it with tired eyes. Miyu watched her decide with baited breath. Though Mei was her servant if she refused to go somewhere Miyu would not force her. "Well?" she asked.
Mei looked up with a half-formed smile on her lips. "Sounds like a challenge," she beamed. "Bit of fun. Why not?"
* * *
Pazusu sat in his cabin, the desk before him. It was a beautiful room, one suited for a scholar with maps and charts pasted to walls and kept tidily in desks and piles, compasses and quills in inkpots placed neatly in the leather topped desk. Pazusu had searched the ship but it was hard to believe they had been robbed. Unlike the typical thief that leaves your rooms in ruins, the cabins were tidy, unchanged apart from a few gaps where the stolen items had been. The weapons room had been most noticeably plundered. Dusty outlines of weapons lined the walls and shelves. A valuable mythril dagger had been taken along with spears and long swords.
He sighed, and pulled open the drawer in his mahogany desk. In times of frustration he felt soothed just to pour over his maps. The Toranoko was so nearly in their grasps. He faltered. Where the gilded box sat that contained the vital clues to the talisman now only a square patch in the dust remained.
"What!?" he yelled standing up. Turning he noticed the old katana that had once been pinned to the wall had now also vanished. So his study had also been at the mercy of the Toorima Hime. His fist shook slightly as he exited the cabin.
In the corridor Cait Sith had been sharpening one of his knives. He looked up, surprised as Pazusu burst into the open.
"Lord Pazusu?" he began. "Something the matter?"
"The Japanese Shinma," Pazusu paused to place a hand to his temple, trying to calm himself. "They took the maps leading to the Toranoko."
"Oh god!" Cait Sith rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Those damn interfering fools!"
"Hope is not lost completely. I have vague memories of the layout of the land and location. We can ask around." Pazusu sighed. "The Toorima Hime has made things difficult for us."
One deck up Larva stood once again in Lemures' cabin. Lemures was sitting on his bed with a look of pure jealousy etched across his face. Across the room on a wooden chair sat their third friend, a man with more brawn than brain named Spartoi. Despite his slight lacking in mental ability Spartoi was a powerful fighter. He now listened with interest.
"I can't believe it," Lemures hissed. "You had to fight her AFTER I got knocked out cold?"
"It wasn't much of a fight. She was too powerful, even for Lord Pazusu," Larva replied sullenly. He had imagined telling his friends of the fight with the Toorima Hime filled with pride, but right now he just felt irritated.
"Lord Pazusu even had a try?" Spartoi asked.
"Uh. yeah," Larva muttered. He would never admit Pazusu had saved his life.
"And he lost?" he said disbelievingly. In Spartoi's eye Pazusu was the unbeatable Shinma.
"If you want proof have a look at his scorched hands," Larva said.
"Burnt hands?" Lemures raised and eyebrow and got up. "Cool. Hey! Why don't you have some battle scars?" He grabbed Larva by the shoulder and stared at his uncut hands.
"If you want proof I fought her you can ask Pazusu," Larva snapped. "That is if you don't mind having the shit lectured out of you," he added bitterly.
"Language," Lemures pointed out, forgetting the fact that he had a dirtier mouth than the ship's water closet.
"Are you coming with us? To the Oniyuri jungle to retrieve the talisman?" Spartoi asked.
"Of course," Larva said. He spotted Spartoi's shifty expression. "No, Pazusu hasn't forbidden me yet."
They all turned at the clunking of boots along the wooden corridor outside. The door opened with a mournful groan and Pazusu stood in the doorway. Larva turned away staring angrily at the wall. Spartoi leapt to his feet.
"Anything wrong, sir?" he asked.
"It's the maps to the Toranoko," Pazusu started.
"What about them?" Larva muttered.
Pazusu ignored Larva's cold reception. "They've been stolen." Larva spun round, eyes wide.
"WHAT?" Spartoi also looked outraged.
"Those Japanese bast-" Lemures glanced up at Pazusu, "Uh. idiots!"
"We'll still continue through the jungle, however precarious but it will take a day longer. We're setting off now," Pazusu ordered.
"At night?" Lemures moaned.
"Now!" Pazusu snapped and the three Shinma shuffled out the room.
* * *
Miyu stood outside the Chou House, the wind tousling her hair. Tamae shivered in the cold night wind and Kaya placed a hand on her goosepimply shoulder. Oki stood next to Mei in the shelter of the doorway.
"Why have you called us out so late?" Tamae mumbled. Her fingers were already turning blue.
"This is our new target," Miyu announced holding up the map. Kaya leaned in trying to depict the Western letters.
"The Toraneko?"
"The Toranoko," Miyu corrected. "An ancient talisman that gives you great power. It is our new goal."
"Will it give us all great power?" Kaya asked with slight accusation in her voice.
"Miyu does not intend to keep the power for herself," Mei answered coldly. Kaya nodded quickly and silenced herself.
"Are you going to ask any of the others to join us?" Oki asked.
Miyu considered this for a moment. She had other followers dotted over Japan but judging from the map this did not look like a large operation. "No, I shall not bother them."
"How far is the Oniyuri jungle?" Tamae asked. "I'm not complaining but just after the last looting I feel I need a break to enjoy my new found prizes."
"I'm not forcing you to come," Miyu replied softly.
"I'll come!" Tamae exclaimed quickly. "No complaints! I'm just curious."
"Not that far as journeys go. It would take us six days walking but if we use Kaya's portal that time will be greatly shortened." Miyu turned to Kaya as if signalling her.
Kaya closed her eyes, summoning forth a power. Instinctively she held the staff out before her and murmured the incantation. By the faint glowing of the orb in the staff indicated the presence of magical energy. Kaya's eyelid flickered as she reached out with her powers scanning the lands like a great hand. Without warning her eyes flicked open.
"The temple had many wards around it. The nearest I can take us will be the outskirts of the jungle. It will be a one day trek from there."
Miyu nodded, satisfied. She had expected difficulties would crop up. Talismans of this great a power usually had wards and tricks surrounding them. She remembered the leather diary Lorne had given her. It would be wise to take it with her and consult it for further clues.
"Isn't the Oniyuri jungle near where Eriko lives?" Tamae asked.
"She was seen there last," Miyu answered. "But Eriko migrates a lot so she may no longer be living there. Come, let us leave. Remember, we have competition with the Western Shinma so time is vital. The more we dawdle the less likely we are to reach the temple first. Kaya, the portal."
Obediently Kaya twirled her staff in the air and the thin circle reappeared. It flickered slightly, signalling that this brand of magic was costing her a lot of energy. Miyu turned once more to her servants and gave a playful childish smile.
"A race," she murmured. "How fun!" Then she had disappeared into the portal's glow.
* * *
The Western Shinma assembled on the deck. The wind tousled their hair and rippled through their cloaks. Pazusu observed the ranks before him. Cait Sith and Spartoi stood near the front with their comrades, a female water demon named Water Lipper, a dream controller named Night Gia, and a fire wielder named Amy. He noticed Larva hung back, Lemures nearby, obviously not wanting to come to terms with his father.
"Our destination," Pazusu called. "Oniyuri temple in the heart of the Oniyuri jungle. The trek will be long but we have competition. The Toorima Hime also knows of the talisman and no doubt she will have set off to claim it. No one underestimate her or her followers. If you recognise the Shinma you see along the way inform the group. Do not tackle it alone." These last words he aimed directly at Larva, but the tall Shinma merely turned his head arrogantly.
"These Japanese Shinma do not scare me," Night Gia muttered.
"If you want proof of their power observe," Pazusu said between clenched teeth. He held out his blistering palms. Night Gia almost took a step back in shock. "The power of the Toorima Hime herself," Pazusu continued observing Night Gia's wide eyes. Be particularly wary of her. Her name is Miyu and she is the last vampire."
"A vampire?" Cait Sith snapped. "So that's where she gets her power."
"Be constantly on alert," Pazusu warned, then waving his hand he disappeared through a portal. The other Western Shinma also vanished along with their master. Only Larva remained. He reached into his robes and pulled out a macabre mask, painted white in colour with black streaks across the cheeks and the eyeholes thin slits giving the mask a sullen expression. Placing it over his face he paused.
"I will not be defeated by a mere child," he hissed. "Miyu's life is mine." And he vanished.
* * *
TBC...
Phew, look at that! Three chapters! *Looks proud* Thank you for the reviews! ^_^ You make me happy and I treasure each one. Now I have you all drowning in honey mush I will tell you... ahem... REVIEW! Thank you, come again!
