Chapter 4
The Breakfast of Dreams
The place to Anubis' left remained empty, though a steaming plate was set upon the mat. Anubis nursed an early morning headache, as he sat quietly at the head of the tables. They filtered in, slowly, ushered by wispy spirits, or the frog emissaries. Takara was walking stronger, moving on her own, but Naaza still attended her as if she would drop at any moment. Together, they bowed to the empty place, murmuring a prayer for Kayura's well-being. They settled together, the kitsune leaning towards Naaza without even thinking.
Kaori touched his hand, her placement at his right a distinct honor. He curled his fingers into hers, losing himself willingly in the cold of her touch, and the icy eyes that warmed only for him. Rajura was settled beside her, his eyes on his plate, his fingers listlessly pushing the vegetables around. He looked up as the shoji slid aside again, allowing entrance for some of the Troopers, led by the small frog spirit.
It seated them at the other end of the table, Ryo and Touma at the head, while Shin, and the still groggy Shuu took seats to Ryo's right. Rajura noticed that Shin tried to sit closer to his brethren Troopers than to the strange sorceress who was whispering spirits-know-what to the snake. Anubis remained silent, communicating with the yuki-onna on some level that no one else would ever understand.
Only two places remained, between himself and Touma. They entered without escort, both clear and awake, to take the two remaining cushions without word. Rajura faltered a moment when Ashe smiled cheerfully at him. At the head of the tables, Anubis seemed to be shaking himself out of his trace.
"To the dawn of a new day, and a dragon's song to fill the heart with wonder," he murmured, lifting his tea.
The Troopers looked bewildered as each of the natives lifted their cups as well. Ashe and Touma caught on quickly, each lifting their cup and repeating the phrase softly. Anubis smiled at their willingness to adapt, he felt a slight bit easier about asking for their help.
"How did the night fare you?" Anubis asked of the Troopers. Comfortable that an opening prayer had been said, those hungry fell to the plates before them.
"Well enough," Ryo answered. His eyes bore dark circles, and the haggard lines of a restless night. Punctuating his remark, Shuu yawned full and loud, covering his mouth with the back of one of his large hands.
"Weird dreams, though," Shin observed quietly.
Takara's attention moved quickly to the slim young man. "What manner of dreams?" Naaza arched a brow at the fervency of her question. "Please, you must understand, dreams in the Youjakai hold a power beyond reckoning. If it... speaks... to you, you must listen."
Shin shrugged slightly. "It was a dream of a mountain, but at the base of the mountain lay a tomb. It was dark and mossy, and wet, like the walls were crying." He sighed and shook his head. "That's really all I remember, is the tomb. I know... I know there was more."
Takara rubbed her long face. "Domo arigato." She folded her hands in her lap then, and stared at the empty plate before her.
"This is really good," Shuu mentioned around a mouthful of smoky fish. He pointed across the table at Seiji's untouched onigiri. "You gonna eat those?"
"Yes," Seiji snapped without thinking. "Ow!" he twisted to his right, receiving a harsh elbow to his ribs. Clearing his throat, he rephrased himself. "Yes, Shuu... yes I'm going to eat them."
Touma laughed. "Wrong side of the sunshine this morning, Seiji?"
Ashe chose then to ignore the Troopers side of the table, as she focused on the lack of a plate before Takara. "Takara-sama, you do not take breakfast?"
Takara's smile was full of canines and sarcasm. "I-"
"Takara is not feeling well," Naaza interposed, laying a hand on the redhead's arm.
Rajura stared at Ashe in her audacity. His brow furrowed, darkening his single eye, as she flashed him a smile. Was she meaning to drive stakes between them all? Naaza pushed his plate away, and threatened to rise.
"Naaza-sama." Kaori's voice brought all conversation at the table to a standstill. "Was there not something you wished to ask of Suiko?"
The yuan-ti blinked, the vertical slits of his reptillian eyes narrowing as he stared the winter woman down. "Yes," he drew out the hiss, perhaps for effect. "In fact there was." Naaza settled back down at the table, while Takara leaned back slightly.
"The river is the source of our fresh water," he began using the words as a tool to calm himself. "You know that Kososu, the river's spirit, recently returned to his banks. He is ailing, ill, so we cannot draw water from the river until he is cleansed.
"Normally, this is a task that Kayura would complete," he continued, scowling down at his tea. "But-"
"I would be honored to," Shin answered, sparing the MaSho the agony of the question.
Naaza nodded slowly. "Very well, I will take you to the river's source after you are finished."
Shuu clapped his best friend on the shoulder. "I'm going to!"
Naaza nodded, and slowly, blatantly, wrapped an arm around Takara's waist. In the silence, Rajura could hear his own heartbeat, slow and steady. Eyes refused to meet one another. In the heavy air, the Troopers continued to eat.
"Anubis," Ryo's voice finally broke the silence. "This war, this Keiji guy..."
The Yami MaSho held his hand up, as if to hold the question at bay. "We set out tomorrow once Hitomi returns with the report from the East. He has spread his corruption all through the Southern Barrens. Awakening akuma flock to him; we estimate his army in the thousands."
"But, this place?" Ashe jumped into the breath of thought. "I was told it was created from the negative aspects of humanity. Hatred and bitterness and the like." She gestured at the table. "But, yuki-onna, the lungs... those have no associated negativity."
Rajura rubbed his neck. "Arago was the creation of the negativity. This was once the City of Desire... so I guess you could say that is what the youjakai really is. A manifestation of desire."
"Kayura wanted so badly to create us a paradise, a beautiful place where we could have our wishes fulfilled." Anubis shrugged, and reached for Kaori's hand again. "The youja had fled, scattering; but many simply returned to their original states... sennin, hotoke, and gaki alike."
"The youjakai had begun to awaken as you laid the killing blow upon Arago's armor." Kaori's wintery soft voice continued, her eyes upon Shin. "Many of us were ashamed to learn how corrupt our home had become, and we took steps to... improve it."
"An army of gaki is perhaps the most terrifying sight in all of eternity." It was Naaza's turn, his deep voice rumbling with distaste. "Before we even returned, so much had already been done. Buildings flattened, the river had carved out new banks. We had come home, but it was totally new to us."
"Kayura was the one who united us," Takara reminded them. "She called together the great leaders, the yosei princess, the lung lords, even the voice of the vagabonds, and of those too fearful to come out of hiding. Together we built this-" indicating the structure they sat in, Takara grinned, toothy and wide. "But we were oblivious to Keiji until it was too late.
"After he had ravaged no less than ten small villages, did he finally let a messenger get through to us. The news nearly broke Kayura's resolve, which is why she has undertaken a journey to the North, to seek the guardian there, to discover why this evil has bubbled up from the South." Takara sighed and began to rise. "Suiko, if you would meet me by Kososu's side, by midmorning, I would be greatly humbled."
Shin nodded, but his eyes were upon Naaza. The MaSho pushed himself to his feet, and followed the fire-haired sorceress from the chamber. Anubis took to rubbing his temples again.
"He hasn't changed a bit," Shuu observed quietly, before shoving another mouthful of rice into his face.
Ryo cleared his throat. "Anubis, if you say we can't leave until tomorrow at the earliest, what do you suggest we do today?"
"Rest," Kaori responded in his place. "Sleep and dream." She inhaled deeply, her ice blue eyes closing. "There is something in the air, an electricity, a portent. And it knows something we do not." She rose as well, then, gathering about her the snowdrift kimono. Bowing once to her left, to honor Anubis, then bowing once again to the remainder of the room, Kaori slipped from the room.
His view of his friend unobstructed now, Rajura chuckled softly. "Do you ever tire of her riddles, Anubis?"
With a harrumph, the Yami MaSho shook his empty chopsticks back at him. "No, I do not," he answered with humor in his eyes. "And if you ever would find a good woman, you would understand."
"Touché!" Rajura bowed his head to that, chuckling heartily.
Ashe was the next to rise, excusing herself on account of the tasteless humor. As she slipped out, Rajura furrowed his brow, looking hurt. But the Troopers all knew Ashe better than that.
"Something's up," Ryo mused quietly. "Somebody go keep an eye on her."
"I will," Seiji and Shuu offered simultaneously. They peered across the table at each other, hard gazes meeting for a moment.
"I want you to come with me," Shin mentioned, tugging on Shuu's sleeve. Shuu's big brother attitude turned on almost instantly, as he looked over at his buddy. He looked back to Seiji, and scowled.
"You win this time," he muttered, sitting back down.
Seiji excused himself an instant later, but palmed a few onigiri as he left the table. He left the hall slowly enough, but broke into a sprint just past the door. The echo of his footsteps died away, leaving the dining chamber in total silence.
"Rajura, take Rekka and Tengu to the Map room?" Anubis asked politely as he too rose. "I will show Suiko and Kongo to the riverside."
Rajura was staring out the shoji door, wondering at the exchange he had just witnessed. The Troopers had nearly fought over a girl in their midst. He knew he had been mistaken allowing the girl to come; she would just be a wedge Keiji would use to drive apart the tight knit group of Troopers. The Gen MaSho shivered but nodded mutely, glancing back to his compatriot.
"Ashe! Ashe, wait up!" Seiji called after the fleeing blonde. He stifled a few of his choicest curses as he lowered his head and poured on the speed. There was no way that Ashe was faster than him. It simply couldn't be. He gained on her as she fled to the central chamber, and closed the last few feet before she made it to the Western wing.
Throwing his arms around her, he tackled Ashe, twisting in midair so he took the brunt of the fall on his back.
"What is wrong with you?" he demanded, as she buried an elbow into his ribs. He clamped his arms tighter around her as she struggled.
"Damn you," she growled. "Can't you hear it? Can't you of all people hear it?" Both of her elbows ground hard into his ribs. "Rei, my ass. Get your paws off me!"
"Either I can let you go, and we can go about this rationally;" Seiji grunted, trying to get a better grip on her. "Or I can drag you back to your room like this."
Ashe relaxed, but only long enough for Seiji to release her. She was on her feet quickly, and moving down the Western corridor, thankfully at a slower pace. Seiji nipped up, regaining his feet in one smooth movement. As he followed her, he listened intently for the sound she claimed to hear.
The corridor was darker than the others, lacking sconces or candles, but windows of rice paper allowed pools of radiance to spill like water over the floor and walls. Ashe seemed to move intently, pausing to listen every five, or six steps. Finally, she turned to the wall, testing with her hands for a break in the darkness. Seiji bit his lip, and decided to make himself useful.
After a few silent moments, he stood behind her clad in his body armor. Korin's natural soft light pulsed with his heartbeat, and quickened as he stepped up behind Ashe. A few feet away from where she was searching, a doorway was revealed. In the warm, golden glow, Ashe smiled up at her friend, before stepping through the doorway.
Seiji took a step in after her, but bounced back clutching his nose. Eyes watering, he swore softly to himself. The white padding of his gloves came away stained red, the spattered fingers he pressed to the opening of the door. It was solid. A force field of some kind. His heart sunk into his stomach as he wondered if they were really allowed to be here. He could see Ashe beyond, kneeling between two small lit braziers, comforting a small child.
Ashe held him, gathered him to her chest and cradled the small child lovingly. He sobbed still, as she slipped to her knees and rocked him. She pressed her cheek to his hair, dark as night and soft as down. He was perhaps, only three. She kissed his forehead, and paused, blinking. Raising a hand, she brushed away his bangs, revealing a tiny nub in the center of his forehead; warm to the touch, it was undeniably a horn, though no larger than her fingernail.
The boy opened his eyes, and Ashe stared into a pair of golden orbs that pulled her in like quicksand. She took a deep breath, preparing to speak, to ask, to continue breathing. But the child smiled, and whispered.
"Will you help me find my toys?"
Ashe touched his face once again, and slumped over, senseless.
Seiji hammered his fists against the barrier, and screamed her name. The child within, smiled sweetly over Ashe's flaxen hair.
She was flying, soaring, coasting like a hawk. No, she was upon the back of something that was doing that. Her fingers were twined in soft, silken hair, the color of jet. Between her legs, the creature was striped and warm, honey gold, black, white, and auburn. Cloven hooves beat against the wind, carrying the strange creature, and her, further and further from everything she had ever known.
Be not afraid, a soft whisper touched her thoughts. I am Kado. I need your help.
"My help?" her voice seemed foreign, resonant, reverberating with a metallic tone. "Why me?"
Because you are Kama. The creature seemed to laugh. What does the name, Kama Toshitada, mean to you?
"Nothing." Ashe answered hastily. "Wait, no, he was a warlord... son of a tiny Ainu daimyo, in the North."
Smart girl. The creature tipped it's head back slightly, allowing Ashe to see the singular fleshy horn that rose from between it's liquid honey eyes. Ashe's heart nearly stopped. A Ki-rin! My toys are missing. The Ki-rin continued, gently pulling her out of shock. And I want you to find them for me.
"Toys?" Ashe furrowed her brow.
Toys. Kado repeated, he began to spiral down, galloping on air. This is the past, my toys are no longer where they once rested. Ashe peered down, to see a seething mass of warriors, arrows flew through the air, piercing leather and mail armor, cutting through the ranks. Kado spiraled to an ancient shrine.
You are of the Kama clan, child, Kado mused as his cloven feet tamped down upon solid earth. One of the four clans I chose to protect my treasured toys. Once they were here, all in this shrine. Go... go look.
Ashe slipped from his silken back, as he stretched out his goatlike head and gently pushed her along. Ashe moved quickly, padding forward into the old shrine. Her hands groped through the cobwebs, and she gently pushed her way into the dim interior. It wasn't dim for long...
Four cushions lay upon the altar, arranged as a cross, with four lit candles as the central piece. A red jewel, a black jewel, a bowl of water, and a short, gnarled piece of wood lay upon the cushions. Kado touched his muzzle to the small of her back.
Find them for me? He asked, flickering an ear. You and your friends are meant to.
"My friends as well?" Ashe's voice echoed still, and she lifted a hand to touch her face. Cold steel brushed against her cheek, and she jerked her hand back, looking for the first time at it. Armor. Black, and gray, tight and molded to her. Ashe's heart hammered.
You should wake up now, child, Kado breathed softly. Do not fear the Oni.
"What?"
The river was black and oily, flowing sluggishly through its wide banks. Takara handed Shin a large platter full of fruits and vegetables. He was to offer it as he waded in the dark water. Laying the platter upon the surface, he watched as it bubbled and frothed. This long lake served as the Kososu's home, not far to the west of the donjon's outer walls. Shin wondered where the spirit himself was, but kept his thoughts to himself.
He rested the butt of his yari against the river bottom, and lowered the mempo of his helm. He felt the taint of the river like a foul taste in his mouth, an oily residue that clung to his skin, and a darkness that clung to his heart.
"Don't worry," he whispered to the thick water. "I'll fix you. You'll be fine. I promise."
The water surged around his knees, eddies forming in response to his quiet promise. Already his armor had begun to pulse with a heartbeat all its own, glowing softly in the filthy waters. Slowly, he lowered the tip of his trident into the liquid, closing his eyes and listening to the voices surrounding him. Naaza and Takara had begun to chant, singing to the river to keep it quiet, to keep the river spirit steady. Around his knees, the water began to clear, to flow a little more free.
An audible sigh slipped through the trees, whispering through the branches and causing a fall of quiet cherry blossoms to rain down. The petals floated lightly upon the surface of the water, clearing away the murk as they settled, and eventually sank. Shin slowly became aware of a little, old man standing in the water beside him.
Opening his eyes, the Trooper smiled at the figure, and bowed his head in reverence. The spirit of the river, Kososu, bowed back, and laughed, bubbling like a quick brook. The figure dissolved into water again, and splashed back into the river, carrying its laughter away.
"Well, that was easy," Shin observed as he climbed out of the water.
Naaza offered him a hand up, while Shuu offered the other. Shin accepted both, and laughed, at the affronted frown Shuu wore. Takara was leaning over close, listening to the river spirit, smiling and laughing at the bubbling voice.
"Nicely done," she congratulated as she rose. "He is very pleased with your skill. But he warns us that there is some ruckus going on back at the donjon."
"Ruckus?" Shin's brow furrowed, concerned.
"I bet Ashe's messed something up," Shuu grinned, giving his best friend a little nudge. The other shook his head slowly and dismissed his yoroi. The fresh scent of water clung to his hair and clothing. Reaching up, he patted the solid shoulders of Shuu.
"You and I both know she wouldn't do anything intentionally." Try as he might, Shin couldn't keep a straight face. Shuu's hearty chuckle quickly caught up with him, leaving the two breathless by the riverside.
Naaza raised a brow, and smirked, curling an arm around the kitsune's waist. Beneath her dress, her nine tails twitched. If the river was right, the return home was not about to be a good thing.
Ashe grabbed the first thing she felt beneath her hands and shoved with all her might. Curses and flailing limbs surrounded her, and she found her voice.
"Let me go, I have to find them!" her voice was hoarse, raw as if she had been screaming. "Kado? Kado!" Ashe twisted, finding her feet while her eyes saw nothing but darkness. There were hands, grabbing her, pulling her back down from her feet.
Ashe thrashed, punching something soft and giving. Someone grunted, and fell.
"Ashe, snap out of it!" Ryo's voice bellowed at her, suddenly, her cheek stung, and she fell to her knees.
Pressing her hands against the side of her face, Ashe was silent. No one touched her, no one spoke. Whoever she had punched rose to his feet, groaning. Ashe opened her eyes slowly, the darkness giving way to the soft light that rose from the Korin yoroi. Touma held his ribs. Seiji, in his under gear, supported Tengu. Ryo seemed to vibrate, his fists balled.
"What the hell is she doing in here?" The voice that broke the silence came from the entrance. Rajura ground his teeth. "Get out. All of you, get out."
Ryo turned, blocking Rajura's view of the girl. "Not until we know what's going on here."
Rajura looked past them both to the darker recesses of the chamber. "The Oni yoroi." He said quietly. "Where is it?"
Ashe coughed, a gut wrenching sound that nearly knocked her off her feet. "Houston, we have a problem..." Sarcasm fell off each word like molten lead, striking their ears and solidifying as the creak and clash of armor. Ashe lifted her hands, clad in gray cloth padding, and midnight steel. She laughed nervously. "Kama Toshitada..."
She began to laugh, tears brimming in her eyes. In the face of four angry men, she laughed; clad in the armor of the Oni MaSho, Ashe laughed until she cried.