Pt 10
Miya eyed the surroundings, ever conscious of the unwarranted nervousness that gnawed at her stomach. Tomorrow the tournament would start and she knew she was ready. She had survived this far yet she had little idea what she was up against. Being unsure of what would happen was almost as annoying as being injured. The arena was identical to the one at the castle and Miya was grateful for the little bit of familiarity. She suspected that Hiei purposefully orchestrated the similarity.
She could see different fighters practicing in the distance. Hiei had forbidden her to train while they were there.
"The field is exactly what you're used to so practice is pointless. The only thing achieved when a fighter's shows off is someone else identifying your fighting pattern and using that knowledge to defeat you. Watch the opponents train to learn what you're up against and rest, that is all you need to do when we get there. We've trained enough on the journey."
That was true enough. Hiei wasted no opportunity on the trip there to train. He asked no questions about the sword, merely honed her ability to project energy through it. He had made a few remarks about it being unwise to enter battle with an unfamiliar weapon but Miya chose to misinterpret him, telling him that she would remember that next time she was in a war. Hiei scowled and let the subject rest.
Yukina helped in her own way, pointing out which plants were poisonous to smell, which had incredibly sticky or slippery sap and which would grow the easiest. Miya had quite a collection of seeds by the time the castle where the tournament was to be held came in sight.
Ryoutou had stayed behind claiming he was much too old to be running all over the place. Unfortunately though, Yukina brought Chi and Yaku along and although they were excellent cooks their constant chatter was annoying.
From her perch high up Miya could see another procession entering the tournament grounds. At the head of the procession rode the last person she ever wanted to see again (well second-to-last, if one counted Lord Hiei). Lord Hiei! She had to find him, and find him fast! Ironically at his side was the only place she would be safe. She knew the man had seen her and would come after her. Hurriedly she slid down the tree-trunk and made a dash for Lord Hiei's chambers.
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She didn't make it. One hallway from Lord Hiei's door he caught up with her, grabbing her arm and dragging her to him.
"What have we got here?" Lord Jougen snarled in her ear. "You thought you had gotten away from me ne? Well lady Luck is on my side. Did you miss me?" Miya wrenched away from him.
"Get your filthy hands off me, bastard!"
"Still the feisty one I see. He eyed her clothes and sword. "It looks like you've done pretty well for yourself Koji but it all ends here boy. You're my property. You're coming home."
"I don't belong to you," Miya spat at her former lord, "I never have and I never will. I am here to fight for my Lord." Jougen threw his head back and barked out a laugh.
"I see someone finally had the presence of mind to tame you! Too bad they forgot to teach you some respect." He grabbed her arm again. "No matter, I'll fix that."
"What do you think you're doing?" Jougen turned at the cool voice.
"Hiei, it has been a while. I'm just securing some run-away property of mine."
"I'm sure I heard him tell you to let go."
Jougen's fake pleasantry fell.
"Look Hiei, this is like an internal matter, understand? It's none of your business so keep out." Hiei glanced from Jougen to Miya who, for some strange reason, had a look of utter relief on her face, and back to Jougen.
"Unfortunately Jougen this is my business. You see you're man-handling my fighter."
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"You're what?!"
"Is you're hearing faulty Jougen? You're holding on to the arm of my fighter. Let go or I will be forced to give him permission to do whatever is necessary. You wouldn't mind that, would you Kirai?" Miya vigorously shook her head.
"Not at all, my lord, in fact it would be my pleasure."
"I did not spend so much time training Kirai for you to just take him from me. That wouldn't be very smart; he has a good chance at winning the tournament. Besides, my sister is quite amused by him. It would upset her greatly if I let him go."
"What happened to you Hiei, suddenly developed a fetish for handsome young men."
Jougen snarled and Hiei glared.
"Gentlemen!" A masked lord stepped between the two. The mask he wore seemed to be made of pure ivory, a look of infinite wisdom skillfully painted onto it. "Don't tell me that warriors of the court are squabbling like commoners. If our grievances cannot be negotiated then we settle by way of a duel." Both lowered their eyes in respect for the powerful Elder Lord Kenjin. Miya quickly followed suit. "What would be the matter here?"
"Respected Elder," Jougen began, releasing Miya's arm. "This boy is my property. He ran away from my House a year ago. I would recognize him anywhere. I came to reclaim him and Lord Hiei insisted that the slave belonged to him. I merely wish to regain what I had lost."
Elder Kenjin nodded gravely and turned to Hiei.
"What do you say in your defense?"
"Kirai is a fighter that I trained for this very tournament. I do not deny that at one point Lord Jougen most likely owned him but I bought him from a dealer who will testify that he lived in a free village prior to capture. Lord Jougen's inability to run his house is of no consequence to me. Kirai has not tried to leave my house in the time that I owned him. And I do have papers to prove that I, in fact, did purchase him. I challenge Lord Jougen to produce his proof of purchase."
"Jougen?" Jougen scowled at Hiei.
"Koji was born while his mother belonged to me. There is no proof of purchase because I didn't buy him."
Shinbi! Hiei thought. Then he would not have purchase papers for Miya's mother either. He kidnapped her from Kurama.
"Then show me the mother's proof of purchase."
"She's dead! Why the hell would I keep a document like that around for fourteen years?" Nice cover-up! Hiei thought.
"I'm afraid, Lord Jougen, that the evidence is against you. I have to declare Hiei has ownership of this boy. Incidentally, what is your name boy?" Hiei hid a small smile when Miya proudly said,
"My name is Kirai, Sir."
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"Forgive my rudeness Elder but I must challenge this decision. We should settle this matter in battle!"
"Do you accept Hiei?"
Hiei nodded.
"On one condition: that Kirai be the one to fight Lord Jougen."
"What!?"
"This is unusual, Hiei, involving a slave in a battle between Lords."
"I understand that, Elder Kenjin but I think it is only fair that Kirai have a hand in deciding his own fate."
"Agreed."
"No!" Jougen yelled. "I will not accept that…"
"What's wrong Jougen?" Hiei interrupted evenly. "Are you afraid of a slave?"
Lord Kenjin, Hiei, Miya and several passers-by stared at him, awaiting an answer as he sputtered. He glared at the unwanted attention.
"Fine! I accept the conditions! On the tournament ground in one hour, if you don't show up or you surrender the fight is forfeited. Naturally, the first to die loses."
He stormed off down the hall.
"I do hope you know what you're doing Hiei. Jougen is not a man who easily forgets once he believes someone has wronged him."
"Neither is Kirai." Miya looked at him from the corner of her eyes, slightly surprised at the sudden vote of confidence her Lord was giving. "Let's go." She nodded and followed him.
"Best of luck, Fighter Kirai." Miya turned and bowed low from the waist.
"Thank you Respected Elder."
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"What is it?" Hiei snapped.
Miya jumped. She thought he hadn't noticed her questioning glances.
"I didn't know that there was someone who…outranked you."
"There are a lot of things you don't know." His surliness was back.
"My Lord? You spoke almost as if you were sure I had a good chance, as if there was a small possibility I would be able to beat a fighter that has so much more experience than I do."
"Elder Lord Kenjin has seen many battles and though he does not show it, he has reached a level that most Yokai Lords only dream of. He does not ever find it necessary to address other Lord's slaves directly. The only exception he makes is if he senses something great in one of the fighters and even then, I have never seen him openly biased in anyone's favor as he was to you today. Besides, you have too many people who believe in you, who are cheering for you from the sidelines and too many who would be disappointed if you lost." They walked the rest of the way to Hiei's chambers in silence.
"Lord Hiei?" Miya called as he pushed open the door.
"What is it now?!?"
"My Lord, will you be one of the ones cheering for me?" The childlike way she asked surprised him. He stared at her, finding her avoiding his eyes. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Yukina, standing in the doorway to her room waiting for his answer. His gaze hardened into a glare.
"Don't be a fool Kirai!"