The next morning, Byaku decided to postpone her search for Kohaku, and instead search for Shihai. She knew it was more important to her mother to locate Kohaku's whereabouts, but there was an unsettled disturbance within her she couldn't ignore.
She began her investigation at the remnants of the elder's hut. While she was jostling through the rubble, she observed a trap door she hadn't noticed earlier. She carefully peered inside, and after she detected no signs of danger, she let herself fall down a vertical chute. It was a long fall, but before she touched the ground she raised her hand and caught Kiara's paw lessen the impact.
The secret compartment was a long hallway illuminated by torchlight, with ritual drawings meandering the walls and an extravagant carpet leading the procession. The two followed the carpet until they met a large door. Byaku could not open it. Before she made her next move, an obscure noise obstructed her thoughts.
Following the noise, she found another wing that lacked any source of light, but instead was completely dark. Straining to hear, the noise led her to a very old prison cell. Inside, was a middle-aged man, who seemed very sick, like a person who hadn't eaten in weeks. Using her own strength, she was able to rip the bars apart to create an opening so that she could rescue the man. She tried to comfort him, telling him "everything is all right now," but he was unresponsive.
The search for Shihai was temporarily postponed, as she brought the man to the local clinic. The clinic was already full with the villagers that had attacked Byaku the previous night, but one had recovered, allowing for the man to be treated.
"You look much better," she said to the recovered patient.
"I don't know what happened," he began. "All I remember is performing the ritual with everyone else. After that everything is black."
"Do you know who this man is?"
"This is... impossible! This is the elder's father, but that can't be! The elder told us he drowned in the river! We even had a funeral!"
"I see. Shihai must have imprisoned his own father to gain the position of elder, but why would he want it?"
"The only reason would be that the elder gains possession of all the shikon shards that are claimed from the invading youkai, but it is the elder's sacred duty to protect those shards from evil!"
"Sacred duties are easily abused," she stated, thinking of father. "Do you have any idea where Shihai might be?"
"There are times when no one in the village knows where he is. They say he goes for walks near the river, and then seems to vanish for short periods of time. We never questioned him. Before the rituals started, he was a most respectable elder. Please, don't hurt him. He is a fine young man."
"Don't worry, I'll find him and bring him back."
When she arrived at the river, the first thing she noticed was that it was connected to the waterfall that seemed to enjoy making fools of people. As she walked toward it, she observed that the wind was becoming more intense, and with so many mirages it would be a miracle not to become lost. She knew this would be an ideal hideout.
Using the kazanna to manipulate the wind, she was able to make her way to the waterfall, where on the ground she saw footprints leading behind. She followed them, revealing a secret cave with only one path. As she neared the end, she noticed two shadows. Peering around a corner, she tried to scope the situation.
One of the shadows belonged to Shihai; the other, she did not recognize. Shihai was giving the other a pile of shikon shards, but the other was displeased.
In a harsh tone, he said, "Four are missing. Without them, the first stage cannot be complete. What happened with the four ogres you called here last night?"
"He was defeated," Shihai responded meekly.
"Defeated? By whom?"
"Taijiya."
"Where is she?"
"She must have left by now."
"You fool! Those shards are crucial! Hurry! Summon four more ogres before nightfall, or it will be too late!"
"Yes, Tsubasa-sama."
Shihai rose slowly, and began to leave. He was looking down, at his own shadow, so he did notice when Byaku blocked his path.
"I won't let you summon them and put the village in danger," she said strongly, pointing the tip of her blade at his throat.