"What do you say now, Kagura?"
Scowling, Naraku's fuming incarnation voiced no opinion. Her scarlet eyes burned through the glass of Kanna's mirror. At last, her ruby lips moved.
"She was capable."
He chuckled. The fluid sound coiled around his daughters; tying them together in an infernal knot. Kanna's onyx black eyes stared stonily ahead as Naraku and Kagura's own eyes of red scrutinized the circular glass. In its image, Mizoshi's ebony hair blew—unrestrained—around her body. The cruel, unforgiving wind propelled the flame orange fabric of her kimono around her scantily clad feet. Those shoes wouldn't last long if she encountered bad weather.
"Hmph. So, she's met the mutt." Kagura's words were hollow.
"Don't sound so sulky, Kagura," Naraku rebuked her. "Truly, you were not wishing for the girl's death?"
She grunted again and tossed her head prettily, making her precious green jade earrings sway from side to side.
She always knows how to put on a show…
Returning his attention to Mizoshi, he watched her—a heavy feeling encasing his… well, for lack of a better term, his heart. Even though many believed he did not possess such an organ, he himself sometimes included amongst them.
"Now, what is she doing?" his youngest, most impatient child hissed.
"Traveling," Naraku answered sarcastically.
"Do you really think she can find food?" Kagura huffed. "Why, that would entail she actually be able to navigate the world around her. Where would she be without you?" Her burning gaze switched fiercely to him. "Where? Actually, that's some insight into the girl's character--"
"Kagura?"
She stiffened. "Yes?"
"Go outside."
"What?" His child pulled a severely affronted look. "You're telling me I can't watch Mizoshi's misery as well? Why keep all the fun to yourself?"
Coldly, he glared at her. He knew not what his gaze manifested as, but it must've been genuinely terrifying. Immediately, his incarnation was backing off; full lip quivering with well-placed apprehension.
"Well, what else are we watching?" Kagura demanded.
Naraku settled back against the wall. Surveying her. Menacingly.
Disconnectedly, the wind sorceress—his wind sorceress—got up and shuffled to the door. However, before she left the room itself, she glanced over her shoulder, seeking his penetrating eyes. Her expression was unfathomable. Then, she took her leave at last.
Was that a threat?
Obviously, he would have to deal with the unruly woman later on. Still, she had raised an increasingly important point. Again, his crimson gaze was fastened on the glass. Mizoshi was still walking.
Why am I watching her? Haven't I better things to do?
Mizoshi moving through more dense swirling mist in the glass of the mirror clouding his brain, he sighed.
Hopefully, the agents are scattering Inuyasha's intent focus to have my head. Besides, with that nuisance out of the way, I can prepare.
However, this speculation did not distract him as much as he would've preferred. Naraku's eyes were still trained on that female teasingly walking up the hill. Walking. Away from him.
She should be with me!
As he watched her longer, his temper blazed unrestrained--hands clenching and unclenching in the same rhythm of his heartbeat.
How easy she treads without any support.
Indeed, Naraku yearned after her seemingly fleeing form. This spider was possessive. Ridiculous to think that he would toss the little bird into the air to find its seeds. A bird's natural home was the azure open skies. Why should it ever wish to return to a shadowy dark, dusty, cobwebby corner? The spider recognized this now.
What if Mizoshi desires never to return?
Anger brimming, he watched the orange-feathered bird hop along the trail. A snarl escaped his marble lips.
Mizoshi…
Mizoshi swayed with the wind as her destination came nearer. She was now rapidly approaching the summit of the final incline. Soon, at the top of this landmark, she would discover if there were any truth to the old grandmother's words. If not, Mizoshi would not only feel foolish, but would've gone at least five miles out of her way. For nothing.
I could find food. Possibly.
She was starting to get hungry. That undeniable, bubbly, growling urge was starting to settle deeper and deeper.
Still, I can't turn back now.
Approaching the top of this Point Honou that thankfully wasn't a true mountain, Mizoshi walked across the snow-dusted tips of grass to the exact center of the landform. However, in her path were odd fragments buried under the inconspicuous white snow. Mizoshi soon discovered the mysterious pieces were becoming more common as she reached the center of the hilltop. Stepping over yet another one, her cautiously optimistic mood considerably darkened.
What are these strange pieces?
Giving into curiosity, Mizoshi sat down and picked up a long hollow piece that was reminiscent of a bulky tree branch, but threw it down immediately upon further inspection and further confirmation.
They're bones. Frozen bones.
Are they human? Or animal?
The entire hilltop now seemed cold. Unnaturally so. Though there was nothing she could visibly see with her feeble hanyou eyes, it was if she could feel more advanced eyes of possibly a youkai sort examining her as carefully as she had studied the debatable human bone.
What's watching me?
The piercing wind did not answer her racing thoughts.
I have to get out of here.
However, Mizoshi was forced to remain seated when she realized she had waited entirely too late. Ripping through the dense clouds was a gigantic red bird. It flew unerringly to the hilltop and only stopped when its curving, hooked feet touched the frosty ground. Those feet were wickedly sharp and yellow. Amazed, Mizoshi forced herself to look upwards to behold the rest of the phoenix demon's body.
The body itself was heavily plumed with ruby red feathers, each of which seemed to burn with a fiery inner light. These feathers certainly were an impressive display with the being's wings outstretched from end to end.
Predatory wings. Feral claws.
Forcing herself to seek more detail from the creature that would probably end up becoming her murderer, Mizoshi noticed the scarlet feathers followed the entirety of each wing until it reached a deep crest of white.
Red and white. White and red…
Wanting very much for the spinning in her head to stop, she gazed at the phoenix demon's head. Fierce fiery golden eyes stared out at her. The exact same hue of her own eyes. This was the only "proof" she had of her heritage, and suddenly, it seemed so insignificant now in the face of this youkai.
Surely, this powerful man-sized demon cares not for a mere slip of a hanyou.
I'm in trouble.
Threateningly, the being's huge, gold beak opened with a territorial screech. Asserting its authority, the phoenix youkai tossed its ruby head; the snowy white plume attached at the crown swinging with it until it resembled a wicked sword being sharpened from side to side. A sword being sharpened just for her.
"Please," he voice trembled. "P-please. I-I-I only w-wanted…"
Shaking from head to foot, Mizoshi cowered in the grass. In response, the being emitted a flash of strong orange light. Instinctively, she closed her eyes--waiting for the great finish.
Am I burning? Am I aflame? Am I dead?
"Hanyou, look at me," a soft feminine voice instructed mutedly.
Did it speak?
Mizoshi was stunned to find a woman standing in front of her instead of an enormous bloodthirsty bird. This unusually beautiful woman.
Youkai have a demon form, don't they? So, the phoenix bird has only transformed.
And yet, this did not help her situation. The danger had simply taken on a new form. In a kind of awe, she stared at her distant relation whilst the woman stared back in kind. Tipping her head back, she dumbly surveyed the bird-turned-lady.
Around her body was a sumptuous crimson silk kimono; the fabric embroidered with iridescent pink lotus flowers. Her hair blended in with the predominant color of her clothing--the crest of white at the bottom of her long mane the only trace that it existed at all. Indeed, the woman's vermillion tresses poured like lava over her left shoulder. Hesitantly, Mizoshi gazed into the demoness's eyes to check they were still the same old yellow greeted her whenever she herself happened to glance at her reflection in a convenient mirror. They were. Unfortunately, the woman's eyes carried no hint of gentleness and were keener than a hawk's. And they were focused right on her.
"Hanyou, why have you come?" Her arm gestured lazily. "There is no place for you here."
Now, it's my turn to speak. But, what is my excuse?
At a complete loss, Mizoshi decided on honesty.
"I-I heard of-f this place," she stuttered. "I came to s-see where I come from."
The woman glared at her. Apparently, this answer did not please her.
"Where you come from is where you were born," she sniffed. "This is a sacred spot, treasured by the few true phoenix demons that are left."
"Only a few?"
Shock registered on the woman's face, as if she had expected another timorous apology instead of a curious inquiry. Then…
"Yes, hanyou. If you've heard of Point Honou, then you've heard of the War of the Dragons. This is the last possession we own as a clan. Consequently, many wisely choose to not tread where predators lurk." The woman's flaming eyes flickered hypnotically in time with her warning words.
"I meant no harm!" Mizoshi wrapped her arms around herself tightly. Whether to stave off an attack or the increasing chill, she could not account for. "I have recently heard of this place, but didn't realize--" Helplessly, her gaze fell on a bleached, now unmistakably human bone. The woman's same hued eyes followed her own.
"Yes, we do on occasion…dine upon reckless humans that intrude this sanctuary." The woman cocked her head to the side. "However, a hanyou of our blood is a rarer find."
An uneasy silence passed between the two females. A cold sweat had broken out on Mizoshi's back.
"What is your name, hanyou?" The regal woman watched her expectantly.
"Mizoshi," she replied breathlessly. "Matsumoto Mizoshi."
The woman's lips twitched in what should've been a smile. "I am Suzaku."
Another uncomfortable pause.
"So," Suzaku at last spoke, "what have you come to find?"
"A being like you."
"You traveled all the way here to find a possibly lethal being like me?" She shook her head in wonder. "Never mind. I meant no disrespect."
"Actually, that's not the entire truth," Mizoshi said tentatively. "My first priority when I started to travel was to gather food."
"Is that so?" This did not seem to surprise the full-fledged demoness.
"Yes." Mizoshi bowed her head in defeat. "But, aside from stealing, there's no trace of any."
"Hardly surprising in the winter months." Suzaku tapped a finger on her chin. Mizoshi shivered when she glimpsed her sunset-colored talons. She considered for a few seconds longer while Mizoshi waited stupidly in the snow.
What can she be thinking?
"All right, Mizoshi. I will help you. You wished to learn of the phoenix demons, did you?"
"Y-y-yes?" Her voice quivered in uncertainty.
Do birds play with their prey before they eat it?
"Then, I shall." Suzaku's eyes rose heavenwards. "After the War of Dragons, our numbers were badly shattered. Less than two hundred phoenix demons remained. There was a great tear in the phoenix demon clan, and many blamed the other for our shared defeat. Those rebellious youkai sought to carve out their own nests, and many did not survive the attempt." Suddenly, her eyes snapped back on Mizoshi meaningfully. "Do you not see, hanyou? Our greatest strength has always been in our allies. No phoenix bird can survive on land for long. The air is our sole home. However, due to that same destructive pride that cost our defeat in the fabled conflict, those phoenix demons ended up as piles of ash and feathers."
Mizoshi brought her knees to her chest and made no comment. She simply listened.
"Other phoenix demons intermingled with humans to preserve their race," Suzaku went on crisply. "Hence your birth, Mizoshi."
Hand mindlessly tracing patterns in the snow, Mizoshi's attention remained raptly focused.
"I'm hearing it. After all this time. Tales even father couldn't share with me.
"However, the bulk of phoenix demons remained together. Still, after hundreds of years, our race couldn't survive long. Especially when the humans and youkai both hunted us for sport." For the first time, Suzaku's brow furrowed in pure emotion. "Now, less than twenty phoenix youkai remain. Ours is a bitter fate, Mizoshi. In a few more centuries, this number will be reduced by more than half. A few more years later, we will all be destroyed." A poignancy in her tone revealed the sorrow beneath her dignified composure.
Mizoshi was dumbstruck. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because the hanyou are our last chance," Suzaku very nearly whispered. "Our redemption. They might survive; completely blending in with human society after each successive generation."
Mizoshi could no longer bite down her own anguish.
"It hasn't worked yet," she remarked with scorn. "My eyes have marked me all my life. My abnormal, golden eyes. They are part of the reason why my human mother and my brother are dead."
I'm not going to even mention my "other" brother…
Suzaku's face returned to impassiveness. "Ignorance. Sheer ignorance."
For some unnamable reason, Mizoshi couldn't cease talking.
"My human mother, Kasumi married my already hanyou father, Jiro. We were forced to move after his death when I was eight. He…protected us. Even after his demise, we lived happily enough in a village by the ocean.My family was ostracized all the same, but we didn't care. Then—"
A great rush of breath left her lips. Hastily, she wet them.
"—we did." The heartbreak was building. "When they came at us—chased us into the woods. I would've died too except for…"
"It's a hanyou's lot in this life, isn't it?" she smoothly intercepted. "Not accepted either by their youkai blood or their human blood." Suzaku had so straightforwardly navigated the predominantly complicated injustice.
Beginning to regret her outpour to a being that cared not a whit of sympathy for her; Mizoshi unsteadily got to her feet before this much taller bird-woman.
"But, your mother was understanding. She accepted your father for what he was. Surely, there is a man who could provide the same," Suzaku reasoned.
Whatever possessed Mizoshi to say what was now boiling in her mind, she would never forgive it. Ever.
"Suzaku, there is someone. Another hanyou. The hanyou that saved me from--" Immediately, her forthcoming dialogue was clipped. Horrified, she ran over mentally what she had almost uttered.
What would Naraku say? He would consider it a supreme betrayal if I even dared mention him. Especially now when his powers are so weak…
Still, what horrified her more was Suzaku's own reaction.
"Yes, better that you stop, Mizoshi. His influence is overpowering. I'm sure you are wondering if this dark hanyou will silence you should you speak another syllable."
Her heartbeat thudded rapidly in her cold-reddened ears. "Dark…hanyou?
"I believe he goes by the name—Naraku."
As she watched the omniscient being tear apart all notions of secrecy, a frigid snow began to fall.
Author's Note: My brain is overflowing with descriptions. I like adjectives well enough, but that was packed full of 'em. This will be the last OC for the story, although Ken may be returning for one more appearance. The Band of Seven will be coming. With all these appearances, I have no exact idea when this fic will be ending. Every time I try to close this fic, I get another idea. Plot bunnies everywhere!