Chapter 2: Rooster Knows Best

"So Akiko wouldn't let you go after your arch nemesis?" Sorano summed up the last bit of conversation. Haruki nodded, briefly wondering if Sorano had difficulties 'outside'. His hair was brightly red, like the comb on a rooster. He was the rooster, and that knowledge made his appearance less surprising. Those on the 'outside' didn't have access to this information. Was he treated like a foreigner? Besides his hair, all his other features were distinctly Japanese.

"I cannot go against his wishes, even if I wanted to," Haruki said, accepting the skin Sorano offered him. He took a sip, and was surprised by the contents. It took a fair amount of self control not to cough after he swallowed. "A little strong don't you think?"

"You always were a light weight. Must be that womanly figure of yours, the one you feel the need to parade around like it's a gift from the gods," Sorano couldn't hold back the laughter. "That there, Rat, is some of Maruko's best stuff. Sake with a punch."

"She is going to blind someone one of these days. It will probably be you; it'll serve you right for encouraging her. How is she doing? Akiko seems certain she'll return to the 'inside' any day now."

"He's been saying that for years, since she setup her teahouse some ten years ago. Maruko isn't going to give up. It isn't in her nature." Sorano said voice full of admiration. Of them all, Maruko was the least likely to bend to Akiko's will.

"No, I don't suppose it is. Her animal is known for stubbornness." Haruki answered.

Sorano laughed. "You're just jealous she is 'outside', living more free then any of us. Living it up while you have to pay Akiko lip service. Couldn't pay me enough to be that close to god." He fell into another fit of hearty laughter. He always thought himself rather clever.

Haruki suppressed a smile. "It does have perks. Pros and cons to everything my dear rooster. I get free reign with all the pretty house maids," he made it sound like a joke, but Sorano knew exactly how serious he actually was.

"You'll get tired of maid girls. They have no personality; only spend the night with you to ensure their jobs. They have families to feed. They have no spunk. The subservience might be a turn on for a while, but it gets very boring. Leiko's so timid. I can't get her to do anything fun, or act on her own."

"Are you sure it isn't you that is bored."

Sorano narrowed his eyes dangerously at Haruki. "I love Leiko; it isn't the same as you and your countless maid girls. You wouldn't know love if it came up and bit you and if by some small chance you are blessed enough to bump into it by mistake, you will understand. Until then it is like trying to describe sex to a virgin."

"You were lucky to convince a woman in the Zodiac to be your partner," Haruki pointed out.

"You should lay claim to one of them. Only two left, and a younger one coming up if you feel like waiting. You might be hard pressed to get to Maruko or Rini. Neither likes you very much. Best start bringing Kaida candy, maybe the sweetness will rub off on you," the rooster muffled more laughter.

Haruki shook his head, and then a memory returned to the front of his mind. "I did see a beautiful woman when I was sent to the Shikyo-te village," he paused to narrow his eyes after Sorano rolled his. "She was not a normal woman-"

"No I don't suppose normal women hang out in a ninja village . . ." Sorano loved to add his comments.

Haruki only continued as if Sorano had never spoken. "She had hair the color of snow, eyes the frosty blue color of ice. He skin was pale-"

"As pale as yours, Haruki-chan?"

Haruki ignored him again. "You could have mistaken her for the Snow Woman. She had no shame either, wore clothes that revealed more then they hid. It is amazing anyone in the village could get anything done, her dressed like that." Haruki couldn't help but reflect on her . . .

oxoxox

It was very hard to concentrate with her there. He wondered if she were cold wearing that costume of hers. Her clothing consisted of a short skirt made of thigh length leather panels, the panels in the middle, both front and back, were colored blue. Her top was a black shirt, one that didn't cover her stomach. Over top was a stiff, slightly winged blue mantle. The costume was no where as grandiose as that of the Grandmaster. She wore a white mask on top of her head.

What did that mask look like?

"It has been a long time since we have done business with the Sohma clan. What is the purpose of this contract," Grandmaster asked, pulling Haruki out of his silent reverie.

"We need something returned to us," He went on to describe Nekai to them both; he had deduced that the woman was there to hear everything with her own ears. "Be wary, he is possessed of a demon," he felt the need to warn the woman that would be going after him, who he glanced at as he made mention of it.

"Be not concerned. The fact that she is a woman is well compensated for. There would be no better operative I could send up against a demon. Hakuma is very talented. You know the price; the Sohmas are always very generous to Shikyo-te."

"He must be returned to us alive," he added.

"I shall be gentle," The woman spoke for the first time. She reached up and pulled her white mask over her face. Haruki immediately sunk. It was a rather artistic rendition of a cat, the face painted in the color blue. In the same moment, a dense mist collected at her feet, it coiled upwards engulfing the woman in the mist. When the mist cleared she was gone.

It was at that moment Haruki decided that he had to see her again. More deeply then that, he wanted her more then he had ever wanted any of the Main House's pretty maids.

oxoxox

"Do you always zone out like that Haruki?" Sorano asked. Haruki shook his head.

"Must be the sake," that was when Sorano punched him. Haruki grabbed his shoulder and exaggerated the injury.

"Never blame the sake," Sorano's voice was for once very serious.

"She wore a cat mask, that woman. She was lovely, but I may have to despise her on principle," Haruki said, ending the subject. He stood and nodded to Sorano. "My bed calls to me, another night Sorano?"

"Another night Haruki."

Still with me? That is great. The next chapter is where the plot begins to thicken. Remember to leave a review. It will make my Muse, named Kabuki, very happy.