Wildfire
Chapter four: Trials and Decisions

By Funara

Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me.

Notes: I know, I know, it's been over a month since I updated, but first I had finals, then graduation, then Regentses, and I just got back from camp. So all in all, I had very little time. However, this chapter, as bad as it may be, finally got done. Enjoy!

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The royal throne room was filled with the sounds of quiet, discreet conversations, the usual prelude to a full court session. Kurama leaned forward on his throne, expression serious as he contemplated the scene before him.

He had doubted the wisdom of holding another meeting involving the royal assembly so soon after the disastrous first one, but he'd had no choice—the assembly was required to be present whenever the imperial court was in session. And so, the thirty members of the royal assembly stood along the walls of the throne room, waiting for the session to begin.

Homura was dressed in a simple white linen tunic and master of ceremonies, as usual. He nodded towards the two guards who stood at the far end of the hall, motioning them to open the doors. Silence fell as the two brother generals entered, followed by a prisoner. Two soldiers held onto the captives. Behind them followed three more soldiers.

Homura cleared his throat. "Generals Shiba and Warade, please address the court. Inform us of what occurred."

They glanced at each other before Shiba spoke. "Our mission yesterday was successful—we took back the village of Honetadare and during the process, also took prisoners. We did not find the Orb or the priestess, nor did we communicate with the soldiers from Alaric—they left before we pulled out. The man behind me is Tarukane Gonzo, head of the organization that invaded Honetadare."

The gaze of the nobles rested on Tarukane, and Kurama could feel the general repugnance. The man was obese, his drooping jowls heavy with fat, and his small eyes were greedy. There was a strange protrusion—a lump, really—from the top of his head, as though it had been molded that way. His robes were gritty and sweaty.

"Tarukane Gonzo, you are in the presence of the royal court of Gandara," began Homura. "Your invasion of the village of Honetadare was a crime against the nation, and as such, you will be tried and sentenced at a later date. The current session regards information you may be able to provide to the court. What you say may or may not influence your sentence. If you know you have no information, you may leave."

The gem dealer made no move.

"Very well. We have been informed that your takeover of the village occurred around five days ago. In your time there, did you witness anyone unusual passing by the village?"

Tarukane snorted. "I didn't go outside my quarters. All the dirty work went to others."

"Then did any of your subordinates ever report such an incident?"

He shrugged. "We had all sorts of freaks around us. One more wouldn't have made a big impression. He probably got killed by the patrol, unless he looked important."

How much are we going to tell him? Kurama wondered. He obviously knows more than he's letting on.

"What if the person was Sosen no miko?"

Tarukane's face took on a closed expression, and he looked suddenly wary. "The priestess of Sosen? Not a chance—she always stays in her temple doesn't she?"

"Your men would have recognized her robes, even if none of them knew what she looked like. Did they report anything of the sort to you?"

Tarukane hesitated. "No."

Homura frowned. "Then we may assume that you did not capture her and hold her against her will? To do so would have been a grave offense against Sosen himself, I'm sure you are aware."

Tarukane shook his head, his expression still closed. "I didn't do anything."

Homura waited a moment. "Then that is all. If you suddenly remember something," several assembly members smirked slightly at this, "or have other information to share, you are free to tell the court. Your trial is not scheduled for a few weeks. Until then, you may stay in your cell." The guards advanced at these words and led him away, accompanied by Shiba and Warade.

There was silence until the doors shut behind the departing group. Then Homura relaxed a little and turned to the three soldiers left. "Now, there is another matter that must be addressed. This also deals with Honetadare. Kazemaru-san, please address the court."

One of the soldiers stepped out from behind the other two and knelt with one knee on the ground. Kurama noted in surprise that he wore the uniform of a ninja, rather than the traditional military garb, and that his forehead bore a Buddhist manji.

"I am Kazemaru. Yesterday, I led a group of foot soldiers under Generals Shiba and Warade into Honetadare. During the mission, two of my soldiers were separated from the group. I was unable to find them until a member of another group informed me they had vanished into a tower. When I had reached the room at the top of the tower, I saw that one of my soldiers was being threatened by someone I didn't recognize. I threw a blunt throwing star at him, and he was knocked unconscious."

"Was there anyone else in the room besides your two men and the assailant?"

"There was a young girl."

"Sou ka. Arigatou gozaimashita." Kazemaru rose and stood off to the side. "Would the two young men who were involved please identify themselves and tell the court what happened?"

They advanced, and, unsure of what to do, mimicked their captain's actions. Kurama smiled a little. The two boys looked a little younger than himself, maybe eighteen or nineteen.

The shorter, black-haired teen nudged the orange-haired one, indicating that he was to go first. "Well, I'm Kuwabara Kazuma, and I was in Kazemaru's group yesterday." Kuwabara felt incredibly stupid but was determined not to mess up. "In the middle of the fighting, I saw one of my friends go down, so I went to help him and saw one of Tarukane's guys try to kill him. I fought him off, but he ran away, so I went after him." He glanced at Yuusuke, but the other boy said nothing.

"Anyway, I chased him into this tower, and we fought, but he eventually ran into this little room at the top. When I followed him, he was holding this girl hostage, so I couldn't do anything. But Urameshi burst in and killed the guy." Kuwabara stopped, and Yuusuke took this as his cue.

"I'm Urameshi Yuusuke, and I was in Kazemaru's group too. Well, I followed Kuwabara when he chased after that guy, and when I saw the guy holding Yukina—well, the girl, hostage, I threw my lance at him and killed him." He paused, but no one said anything.

"We were gonna take her back here with us, but right then, another guy showed up, and it turned out he was her brother. He wouldn't let us take her back with us, so I tried to fight him, but it wasn't really working until Kazemaru came in and knocked him out. Umm…oh yeah, and I thought Yukina might have been Sosen no miko, but I never found out if I was right."

"Why did you think she was Sosen no miko?"

Yuusuke blinked, then scratched his head. "Well, I figured if she was locked up in a tower, that must've meant that she was important. I don't know what the priestess looks like, so I figured it could've been her."

Homura nodded. "Thank you." And paused, before adding, "That is all. Please wait next to your captain." The two boys moved off to the side.

The guards once again opened the doors at Homura's signal. This time, only a single figure entered, accompanied by a guard. When she stopped in front of Kurama and his advisors, she bowed respectfully, her long, sea-green hair, three shades greener than her kimono, falling around her shoulders. She was probably younger than the two boys who had come before her, but her youthful appearance belied the determination in her crimson eyes.

Yukina gazed steadily at the white-garbed man in front of her. She was determined to make a good impression, and though she might have felt safer if her brother had been with her, she had made the decision to leave him behind, because his attitude toward the two soldiers who had aided her was not one that would have helped her case. The guards had spoken to her and not Hiei, and she had made the decision on her own but made sure to whisper it to him as she was leaving.

Homura began. "According to the story we have heard from our soldiers, you were found imprisoned in a tower. Would please identify yourself and relate the circumstances of your capture and incarceration?"

Yukina nodded. "My name is Yukina, and I originally come from a city in Alaric. I used to run a flower and vegetable stand to support myself and my brother, and I often took trips back and forth from my home to the stand. I was captured by Tarukane's men on my way home one day."

"How long ago was that?"

"About half a year."

A murmur went through the court. Homura continued. "Do you remember where you were brought? The main headquarters, perhaps?" If she could tell them that, it would be much easier to pin down the rest of Tarukane's henchmen.

Yukina shook her head. "I'm sorry. I was blindfolded and drugged, and when I woke up, I was in a dark cell. I don't know where they took me."

It was a pity, but he hadn't really expected her to know. Homura went on. "Do you know why you were captured?"

She hesitated. "I don't know."

Homura noticed her delay. "Not an idea? Nothing?"

"Perhaps they had intended to sell me as a slave."

Homura frowned. "Tarukane Gonzo was a gem dealer, generally, I believe. It would seem unusual for him to sell slaves."

Yukina said nothing, but her heart was pounding. She hadn't intended to tell them about her tear gems, the strange phenomenon that took place when she cried. She was fully aware that they might try to take advantage of it, as Tarukane had done.

"But I suppose he might have wanted to make something more on the side. It's not implausible." Yukina nodded.

"So, the facts are that Tarukane had imprisoned you for about six months, and you were unaware of where you were. Would explain the situation that occurred in Honetadare yesterday?"

She inhaled quietly. "A man burst into my room while I was there. I didn't recognize him, but he dressed like Tarukane's men. When he saw me, he grabbed me and put a knife to my neck and ordered me not to move. A few seconds later, an orange-haired young man ran in," she indicated Kuwabara, "but he couldn't do anything, because he didn't want me to get hurt. After that, a black-haired boy came in and threw a lance at my captor and killed him." She gestured towards Yuusuke as well.

"The two of them were about to get me out, but then my brother appeared. He had been searching for me since I had disappeared. Yuusuke-san tried to convince Hiei to allow me to go with them," Yuusuke looked surprised that she had remembered his name, "but Hiei wouldn't allow it. And that's when Yuusuke asked me if I was Sosen no miko, and Hiei stepped in fron—"

"Are you?" Homura interrupted.

Yukina blinked and then blushed. "Oh no. I would never be strong enough to be a miko, especially one serving Sosen-sama."

Homura smiled at her modesty. "All right, continue then."

"Hiei and Yuusuke-san started to fight, and I was too scared to stop them. Kazuma-san didn't move either, but I think he was hurt." Yuusuke elbowed Kuwabara, smirking, and Kuwabara gave him a look that clearly said 'shut up.'

"Oniisan had the advantage but right then, another man came in and threw something at him. He fell to the floor, and I rushed to help him, but the man said he was unconscious." She paused. "After that, we came to the palace."

The room was quiet for several moments before Yukina spoke again. "My brother was just protecting me—he thought Yuusuke-san and Kazuma-san were threats to me. Please, let him go."

Homura sighed. He had no sister, but he had two children, and he knew what it was like to be protective. But—"I'm afraid that is impossible. He seriously injured one of our soldiers and threatened another. Regardless of his intentions, he must be put on trial."

The red-eyed girl looked horrified. "He didn't intend anything towards Gandara! He only meant to protect me since I had been kidnapped already once—please, won't you take that into account?"

Homura shook his head regretfully. "All of that will be settled at his trial. I cannot discuss that now. You yourself will be released, but your brother must stay."

Kurama felt sympathy well up inside of him as tears formed in the girl's eyes. All Homura had said was true, but they could still do something for her, couldn't they? He leaned forward, an idea occurring to him. "There is something that we can do to help you."

Yukina's tear-filled gaze jerked up to meet the emperor's kind one, and she was not the only one. Most of the heads were turned in Kurama's direction, and the expressions on some of their faces were less than friendly.

Kurama was aware of the glances but focused his attention on Yukina. "Instead of going back to Alaric, you can stay in the capital city until your brother's trial is over. You would be able to visit him, and I think it would help, ne?"

"Your Majesty, I don't think that—" an assemblyman began, but Kurama waved him away and concentrated on Yukina.

"It is your choice. If you accept, the government will aid you in setting up temporary house and will give you an allowance with which you can support yourself."

She was shocked, but overjoyed. It wasn't what she had hoped for, but it would afford her a sense of comfort to know she was near her oniisan. She hastened to accept. "That would be wonderful! Oh, thank you so much, Your Majesty." She gave a deep bow, not knowing how else to express her gratitude.

Kurama smiled. He knew the assembly, and possibly his own advisors, would protest, but he would deal with it later. This sort of thing was one of the real reasons he had accepted the position of emperor: to aid those who had done nothing wrong.

"Then you will be released tomorrow."

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Yuusuke's stomach complained loudly, the gurgling sound reflecting the fact that he hadn't had breakfast. On top of that, he'd had trouble falling asleep last night and this morning, and to top it off, he'd been awakened far too early by an over-eager Kuwabara. Yuusuke glared at Kuwabara's oblivious back.

He hadn't been able to get much out of his orange-haired friend in his state of sleep deprived grouchiness, but he could guess what this was about. Kuwabara had been ecstatic at Yukina's release and the emperor's decision, and Yuusuke had a sneaking suspicion that wherever they were going had something to do with the slender maiden.

As they reached the main gate of the palace, he discovered that he was right. Several guards were waiting with Yukina, and their captain looked up as the two boys approached. He eyed them for a moment before saying, "Names?"

Kuwabara wasn't deflated by the commander's brusque manner—instead, he brightened up even more when Yukina smiled shyly at him. "We're here to escort Yukina-san to her new home."

The officer raised an eyebrow, sparing a moment to glance down at the piece of paper in his hand. "Names?" he repeated.

"Fine, fine, Kuwabara Kazuma. He's Urameshi Yuusuke."

The officer finally nodded and let them pass. Yukina walked next to Kuwabara, while Yuusuke amusedly eyed the couple, his arms crossed behind his head.

"Ah, Yukina-san!" Kuwabara began.

Yukina smiled. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Kazuma-san. Thank you for coming with me—and Yuusuke-san too." She glanced back at Yuusuke, who grinned.

Kuwabara blushed. "It-it's no problem at all! It's my pleasure to escort such a beautiful girl on a beautiful day like this!"

Yukina blushed and giggled. Such a kind person. Yuusuke merely rolled his eyes.

The conversation continued in this manner until the motley group reached the capital city. There, the noise level was too high to continue a private conversation, and Yuusuke and Kuwabara only shouted to each other when trying, and often failing, to verify the way to Yukina's new home.

By midday, all of them were lost and hungry. They bought large buns stuffed with sweet rice and meat and continued to walk, Kuwabara and Yuusuke occasionally unsticking their mouths to argue.

"Maybe we should take a left here. The directions say take a left at the fruit seller's stand."

"No, that was the other fruit seller's stand. We already took a left there. Let's keep going."

"We didn't pass a fruit seller—I woulda seen it. No this is definitely the lef—"

"Look, the last time we took your advice we ended up back we started, so let's just keep walking and we can come back if we have t—"

"No way, Urameshi! I know what I'm doing; I grew up near the city! Not like you who—"

The argument quickly dissolved into fisticuffs. Yukina sweatdropped.

After backtracking and taking more wrong turns, they finally arrived at the edge of the city. The buildings had thinned out, and alongside the river that marked the boundaries, there were a few small but sturdily built houses, their wall made out of packed earth and stone, their roofs thatched.

"This must be the place," said Yuusuke, noting the governmental seal on the walls.

"Yeah," replied Kuwabara, rapping on the walls. "'Edge of city, next to a river.' I wish the directions had been better though."

Yuusuke rolled his eyes and continued examining the structure. "This's better than the welfare house they gave me and 'kaa-san."

"Welfare houses?" Yukina asked from behind him.

"Yeah, we got one after 'tou-san died."

"Oh…I'm sorry."

Yuusuke waved his hand dismissively. "It was a long time ago. 'Kaa-san and me are both over it."

"Sou ka. It must have been difficult, after your father died. When my mother heard that my father had died…she fell ill and didn't recover. But that was a long time ago too." Yuusuke glanced over in surprise to see her gazing into the distance.

"What did you do after your parents died?" he asked.

Yukina turned to face him, a smile on her face once again. "My brother took care of me. We had very kind neighbors, and they helped us open a flower and vegetable stand. Later on, Hiei joined the army, and I took care of the stand mostly by myself. And then, well, I was kidnapped, and Hiei tried to rescue me, and I met you and Kazuma-san. But Oniisan is still imprisoned…" she trailed off.

Yuusuke looked around uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. Just then, Kuwabara called from the other side of the house, "Oi! Urameshi! Yukina-san! Where'd you two go? Shouldn't we go in now?"

Yuusuke sighed silently in relief as Yukina called back, "We're coming, Kazuma-san!"

The inside of the house resembled the outside in its simple, utilitarian design. A wooden bed frame, unusual but necessary because of the dirt floor, was placed in a corner of the room. Across from the bed were an ordinary wooden table and a single chair. Halfway between the table and the bed was a door, which, when opened, led to a smaller room with a few shelves along the walls.

"Not bad," Yuusuke commented. Kuwabara nodded.

Yukina moved around the main room, running her hands over the walls and the bed. "I'm checking for problems," she said in reply to the two boys' questioning gazes. "Oniisan usually did this, but…" She turned back to her work.

Finally, an hour later, Yukina had finished her inspection, and the three of them had cleaned the house up a little. They stood in the doorway for a moment, gazing at what would be Yukina's new home.

"Thank you for helping me," she said after a pause.

"No problem," said Yuusuke at the same time that Kuwabara said, "It wasn't a big deal."

"Well," Yuusuke started as he closed the door, "let's go back to the city, ne? I've got the money the emperor promised Yukina, so let's go buy what she needs."

The trio walked back towards the capital.

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"I simply don't understand what the objection is, sir."

The representative, a fairly young, pale skinned man with a high forehead, shifted uncomfortably. "Well, you see, Your Majesty, those houses are usually reserved for persons seeking asylum—not, well, people awaiting the trial of relatives."

Kurama resisted the urge to bury his head in his hands and groan. He'd expected this sort of reaction when he'd granted a house and an allowance to the sister of the captured soldier, but he didn't think that the assembly would be so stubborn. The councilman had been harping on the same point for the past ten minutes. "That may be the traditional use, but I've made an exception. I am allowed to do so, aren't I?"

The assemblyman sighed resignedly. "Yes, of course, Your Majesty. I was just making a suggestion." He sat down.

"Have you finished, sir?" Homura asked. The young man nodded. "Then let us address the next issue. His Majesty will speak."

Kurama gazed at the assembly members gathered in the imperial throne room before beginning. "Yesterday, we heard testimony from our own soldiers as well as the captives brought back from Honetadare. Unfortunately, they were able to provide us with little important information, so it seems that we have reached a dead end as far as that venue is concerned."

A hand went up tentatively from the front of the hall. Homura raised his gaze, and Kurama paused. "Yes?"

A young man, probably around the same age as Kurama himself, stepped out, looking nervous and a little embarrassed. "Your Highness, we might question Tarukane more thoroughly."

Kurama raised an eyebrow. "I believe Homura-san has already done an excellent job as regarding the questioning."

The representative turned pink, and Kurama's slight irritation faded a little. "Well, Your Majesty, I was just thinking that there are methods we didn't use. And they work sometimes, though I guess they couldn't be administered in a—ah, public place…" he trailed off, looking uncomfortable.

Kurama suddenly understood. "I will not tolerate torture as a form of information gathering," he said quietly.

The young man nodded anxiously. "I-I see, Sire. It was just—just a thought." He slipped back into line as another man, older and calmer, stepped out.

"Your Majesty, what about the soldier that we captured? Perhaps he would be able to tell us something?"

Kurama shook his head. "I thought so too, but a messenger arrived from Alaric early this morning. His message, we were informed, had to do with that particular soldier, and I'm afraid that the option of questioning him will be taken from us." He nodded to a man in the far left corner of the hall. "Bring him in so that he may deliver his message."

The doors opened, and a tall man strode in, garbed in the protective hooded cloak of one who had traveled a long way. When he reached the end of the carpet, he did not bow or kneel, but merely lifted his hood. The assembly gasped.

It was Shigure.

Kurama tensed at the sight of him, though he knew there was no reason to do so. Perhaps it was a result of the collective intimidation that ran around the hall. Only ten representatives had seen Shigure before, so the other twenty were very likely unnerved by the stitches that ran irregularly across his features and the golden rings slicing through his skin. What Kurama personally disliked, though, was his disdainful expression.

Kurama mentally shook himself and gathered his thoughts. Now was not the time to form reasonless suspicions. "Welcome to our court, Shigure-san. We did not expect you."

Shigure smirked. "It seemed slightly redundant to send a messenger to announce the coming of another messenger. Perhaps Gandara can afford to do so, but Alaric cannot."

Kurama refused to be provoked. 'Would you tell us of the message Mukuro-san has sent?'

Shigure did not hesitate. "Her Majesty requests that you neither question nor detain the soldier you have captured. She would like you to return him immediately." He paused and gazed directly at Kurama. "If not, she will be severely displeased."

Kurama met the Alaric general's gaze and said firmly, "I have no intention of returning the soldier until he has been tried, sentenced and has served out his punishment. He has committed a crime against one of Gandara's soldiers and must accept the consequences."

Shigure's expression remained unchanged. "I see." He turned on his heel. 'I will inform Her Majesty of your decision."

"That is not necessary." Shigure turned to see that Kurama had risen from his throne. "I will go to Alaric myself and inform Mukuro-san of my decision."

Shigure looked surprised for a moment before his expression became guarded. "There is no need for you to undertake such a journey, Your Majesty, for such a trivial reason as this."

"Oh no. I do not believe it is trivial at all. I wish to clear up any misunderstandings this decision may cause. Additionally, there are other issues I wish to discuss with Mukuro-san." Like what her soldiers may have found in Honetadare. They're the only source we have left.

Shigure said nothing for a long moment. Finally, Kurama spoke again. "I assume Alaric is amenable to such a meeting?"

Shigure looked up suddenly, a queer smile spreading across his face. "Of course. There is no problem." His gaze hardened, though the strange smiled lingered. "In fact, we can leave tomorrow."

—to be continued—

Sou ka—I see.

Arigatou gozaimashita—Thank you very much

Oniisan—Brother

Ohayo gozaimasu—Good morning

Kaa-san--Mother

Tou-san--Father

Notes: Yes, this chapter was not exactly the most exciting, but the next chapter is a pivotal one. I hope. So, stay with me and enjoy.