Chapter 12, Homely Troubles (part II)
Author's Note: Here is Homely Troubles 2! A couple interesting things happened in this chapter and is somewhat creepy. Heck, I even got creeped out writing it, lol. Hope you'll enjoy. Anyhow, the connecting chapter is done! Ai and gang will be back next chapter as well as the action!
Reviewer's Corner:
Chaoskatsunedancer: Xie xie ni! Arigatou! I'm descriptive writer all right! As for Nuriko, he's the big sister (or big brother, depending on whom he was helping) type. I, for one, prefer to see him as a guy, probably because I have a crush on him. As for Sesshoumaru, I was planning on a scene for him, but I'm still not sure about when I'll insert it or how it'll turn out.
Anime-luver4ever23: I know it's confusing, I was trying to be "hooking", but I guess I'm still a newbie.
Kim Conner: Wow, I'm glad you like it and think it's funny. Anyway I'm not pairing Ai with Suboshi, it's Amiboshi. (I still can't forgive Suboshi for he's done to Tama's adorable family) As for other candidates, (it was a tough decision), they are all so violent! Wouldn't make a good parent, ne? Well, my best friend Bailey the Blondie and I also discussed this over, we decided on Amiboshi cuz he's young and nice. Lol.
Genki Birdie: I have more people telling about the tenses than there are stars in the sky. Ok, maybe not. But thanks anyway. I made minor changes and edited some of the previous chapters, mainly because of tenses. The old buildings… it's sort of explained. It's like she has a "connection" with old things, if you know what I mean. It's like the chapter title, Premonition. Yeah. Anyways, use your imagination. Also, I have to admit I didn't plan this thing very well. I didn't explain a lot of things when I was supposed to. Now, I'm struggling to catch up. After all, this is what Chappie Twelve is for!
"Kagura, you have failed once again." Naraku's cold voice seemed almost like an emotionless monotone, yet it pierced through the air like a knife.
"Yes, Naraku-sama. But next time I swear I'll kill them all!" Kagura said through clenched teeth. "All I ever get from you are hollow promises, Kagura." Naraku paused, studying his incarnation, "It makes me wonder if it's still worth the trouble to keep you alive." Kagura's eyes grew wide in fright as a small red ball, glowing with demonic aura, appeared on Naraku's palm. A twisted grin danced on Naraku's lips as he squeezed the glowing object. Instantly, a wave of tremendous pain ran through Kagura's already worn-out body, causing her to scream out. "Remember Kagura," Naraku's eyes were filled with satisfaction, "I hold your heart in my hand. You will do as I say, and I don't appreciate excuses for failures."
Seiryu celestial warrior Soi walked down the long, winding verandah corridor that ran across the central garden of the Kutou palace. The night was clear, the cool night breeze carried the calming fragrance of roses. However, summer had ended. The few withered blossoms that were left clung desperately to their stems. Still, the unhealthiness the garden could not be blamed solely on the coming of fall. Instead of looking splendidly golden, the leaves were drearily withered. The fall and winter could not kill the garden, they would only put it to sleep, let it rest for the rebirth in the spring. However, though hard to notice, Soi could see the unnatural ugly brown spots on the leaves and branches, unusual amount of pine needles, and the lack of birds, animals, and insects in the garden. They were subtle signs indicating that the garden was slowly dying.
It's all Nrarku's fault! Soi thought angrily. She could feel the demon aura and poisonous miasma leaking from the quarters, slowly killing off the animals and plants around it. Pretty soon, a couple of guards and servants would perish, too. If it wasn't for her strong chi and powers, Soi was not sure if she could stand it, either. Why had Nakago-sama sought alliance with this wretched demon?
Soi chuckled silently to herself. Why? It was simple; he did it for power. For Nakago-sama, everything came down to power. Even her marriage to him was nothing but an act convenience, to justify their chi-enriching ritual and to win over the hearts of the people of Kutou. Deep in her heart, Soi yearned for more. But from time to time, she forced herself to be content.
A gust of wind rustled through the leaves, frightened off a crow. It gave off a desperate cry while flying off, its wings dark against the dusking sky. Soi drew her cloak tighter against her robe. A chill had ran down her spine and she didn't like it one bit. Something was amiss, but she had no idea what. She strained her senses and very faintly, she heard a moaning cry.
Instantly alert, Soi searched towards the sound. Her sandaled feet stepped soundlessly on the cool wooden floor. The cry was followed by several low moans. As she neared the source she could feel the dark aura growing stronger and stronger. It fell like a dark curtain around her heart, making her feel hard to breathe. She stopped to elevate her chi before advancing again.
Soi followed the noises down the verandah corridor towards a dark corner of a hall that belonged to Naraku's quarters. The demonic aura was thick, ominous, and strong. She could clearly see the tendrils of black fog escaping from a trap door that lead to an underground basement. For a moment her hand hovered above the hatch, wondering whether or not she should open it. In the end curiosity prevailed and she opened the hatch. The opening revealed a dark passageway with creaky wooden ladders. As soon as she entered it, Soi was overcome with a wave of dark chi and an unbearable rotting smell. Wanting to get this over with, she hurried down the stairs. But what she saw next shocked her.
Instead of a darkened, dust-covered storage room, she saw a pit filled with green, toxic slime. Various demons slithered in and above the pit, making disgusting gurgling noises. They glowed eerily. In the midst of it all, covered in tattered kimono, was a figure of a young woman bound by chains. Her figure was strangely familiar… Kagura!
Without thinking, Soi stepped into the slime and ran to Kagura. At first, she thought she was unconscious, for her breathing was weak and shallow. But as she was leaning closer, Kagura's eyes suddenly shot open; they glared a fierce, deathly red.
Soi nearly stumbled, "You…you're awake!" "Get out! Before I kill you!" Kagura hissed, angry for being seen by a human in such a humiliating state. Soi recovered from her shock and smirked, "All chained-up like that?" Kagura launched at Soi, but the chains held her back. They wrapped tightly around her and sent energy sparks to Kagura's body, causing her even more pain.
Soi's expression unexpectedly softened, "Your Master is torturing you? For failing to retrieve the jewel shard?" Kagura's silence answered everything. "I see," Soi got up, "I'll go get some bandages for your wounds, and some food as well."
"I'm a demon," Kagura replied coldly, "I do not accept human aid."
"I'm afraid a person who's all chained up has no say in whose aid he or she receives, demon or not," Soi said firmly and left. Soon, she came back with supplies.
Kagura didn't say a word while Soi worked, she just glared at the older woman. Why was she showing her sympathies? They had nothing to do with each other. If she thought that one mission could form a bond between a demon and a human, then she thought wrong. She's lucky that she didn't kill her…
"There, you are all done," said Soi, "Wiping sweat off her forehead. She covered up her nose, her head felt dizzy. The smell and the demonic chi had really gotten into her. The only reason why she didn't faint or get devoured by demons was that her own Seishi aura protected her. She couldn't stay long, so she left a plate of rice cakes and fish beside Kagura. "Eat," was the only thing she said before climbing up the stairs and out of the trapdoor. Kagura glanced at her bandaged body then at the food. She hesitated, then struggled to pick up a rice cake with her chained hands. She had never eaten human food before and as she chewed, it tasted…good.
Soi practically ran down the verandah. Her lungs welcomed the fresh chilly night air. The depressing demonic aura slowly faded away as she got further, and when she reached her own room, she couldn't sense it at all. Soi tore down her soiled royal robe, it was covered in slime. She told a maid to throw it away and burn it then shut her mouth. The maid followed her orders obediently. Soi changed into her nightgowns and fell on her bed, shocked and exhausted. "I can't even find peace in my own home" was her last thought before she fell asleep.
Naraku stood in the shadows of an oak tree, watching the last of the sparks go out in the midst of a small mound of ashes. Just moments ago these ashes had been finely-woven silk. The maid who brought it here and set it on fire had gone, back to her daily life, prepared to forget about what happened that night, as her Lady had instructed her to. But Naraku wasn't going to forget. He would use this to his own advantage, right in his ally (and his biggest enemy)'s backyard.
The wind blew through the leaves, some of them, dead and hay-yellow, rustled and dropped to the ground. Pretty soon they would cover up the earth like a carpet, then they would rot away, turn to dust, just like his family were right now.
Tamahome knelt beside the mounds that served as graves to the people he loved the most. Some day he would erect proper tombstones for them, using the money he earned and saved himself.
It's been a whole year now. A year ago on this fateful day, just days after the Festival of the Stars, his whole family was slaughtered. Now, he was at their graves once more. He knelt there the whole night just like last time, his hand clutching tightly the necklace Yuiren, his youngest sister, had made for Miaka using shells, featheres, and her two tiny hands. Miaka… Tamahome felt like kicking himself. He didn't keep the promise he made at this very spot to his father and siblings. He didn't protect Miaka. Instead he watched helplessly over her lifeless body, just like he did theirs. Now, the only thing he could hope for was that his family would be reincarnated. And were now happily living, but as someone else, just like the barren trees would blossom again in spring. He did believe in reincarnation. After all Miaka came back…
Unable to think, unable to reason, Tamahome brought his fist into the ground. Everything, everyone, he held dear was torn away from him. The hope he held for finding Miaka again was fulfilled but at the same time crushed. It would never be the same…
After what seemed like an eternity, Tamahome rose and walked back into his hut. This small and shabby house had once been his home. But it wasn't anymore, It's just a hut now. It once had been full of poverty and hardships, but also filled with laughter and life. Now, it's cold, bare, and empty. All sense of warmth the word "home" brings was gone. What's left were heartbreak and sorrow. Tamahome strained his ears, as if he expected to hear Gyokuran's laughter, or Yuiren's crying of her Oniisan to come home, or his father's occasional coughing and asking whether his life in the city was comfortable… But he heard nothing except the wailing wind.
Tears streamed down his face. They just wouldn't stop.
Even in its decline the Konan palace looked majestic. Every wooden beam, stone pillar, wall painting, and window curtain reflected its intricate craftsmanship. However, the palace, once so full of bustle and life, was much more empty now. Since Kutou took over, more than half of its servants were dismissed, nearly all of the royal advisers were sent home, and the guards and troops were kept to a minimum. Hotohori knew he was extremely lucky that he was still standing in these walls.
If Kutou was still ruled by the greedy, corrupt emperor, Hotohori was sure he would be chased away or even executed a long time ago. His palace burnt, looted, or being taken as a resort. But it's Nakago who ruled now, he was sly, observant, and patient. Nakago would not completely take over Konan until he made sure that Suzaku's powers banished and his Warriors powerless and without hope. But since they still had their powers, and another Priestess was promised, Nakago halted his move. He would play with them a little longer. But he wasn't careless. He made sure Konan and its Emepror were under his power, and that Hotohori would do as he says. With Konan as a satellite country, Hotohori managed to make the burden of taxes and abuse as light as he could with the little amount of political power he's got left. However, Hotohori was sure that Nakago wouldn't be very happy with how things were going recently. Especially his involvement in them. Soon, he would make his move…
A great wind somehow got past the doors and drapestries and blew through the hall. The torchlight flickered and died. A dark presence entered through the throne room, Hotohori could feel it. By the haunting moonlight, the young emperor could make out the dark shape of a man crouching on the ceiling. The Kutou ninja had come.
Hotohori's hands rested firmly on his sword, but his tone, though cold, was as smooth and polite as always. "So, we humbly ask what is it that Nakago wants this time?"
"It's Nakago-sama to you, Koan-scum," the black-clothed man spat and scolded. Then he got down to business. "His Highness wants to remind you that Konan was still under Kutou's rule, and that you are extremely lucky that His Highness is generous to you. Or you'd been dragged off your throne and beheaded a long time ago."
"How kind of him," Hotohori replied emotionlessly.
"Indeed," the man smirked, "but Nakago-sama feels that he deserves some thanks. He demands that your harvest-tax be paid as soon as possible."
Hotohori was in an outrage, "How could he expect that from us? All the taxes have been doubled or tripled, and we didn't have a good harvest this year. Suzaku has been banished for heaven's sake, and my people are starving."
"I'm afraid that's not my concern," the man replied coldly, "and Nakago-sama specificly told me to tell you that if you dare to try anything, let's just say we're a step ahead. Let this be a warning." At that, the man-in-black melted into the ceiling and disappeared.
Hotohori's spirit remained sullen long after the torches had been relit. What did he mean by they're step ahead? Was Nakago threatening him? But his politican instincts also told him that his country was still safe from total annihilation, for the moment. It seemed like Nakago was aware of their recent activities but still unaware about their big secret: Suzaku's power source. Hotohori believed that he felt something from Suzaku, but didn't exactly know about the Feather. Hotohori swore that he would protect Ai and the Feather from harm; they were his homeland's only hope against domination.
Suddenly, Hotohori felt himself awash in Chi. Chiriko must've felt it too, for he bursted through the door.
"Your highness, I think Mitsukake's in trouble!"
So, how'd ya like it? R&R please!
