Koiji

(Love's Pathway)

A TGS-based story

By C.S. Hayden © 2006-2021

Disclaimer: Gargoyles is the property of Disney and Buena Vista Television. Characters from the fanfics of Kimberly T. appear by permission. Roslin is the property of Kiwifluff, Mozu's #1 fan. All original characters and plot are the creative property of Christi Smith Hayden.

Part X

Watching the two lead characters in her play stomp off in two different directions was not something Beatrix was prepared to deal with. A born organizer, she had to work her rehearsal schedule around other people's activities. She had made room for her healer study sessions with Master Kado, Kirin's classroom duties, Prong and Li Kao's mystic studies, and more. Everything was working out perfectly – until this lovers' quarrel threw all her planning out of joint. She backed into Prongs and slid down to the floor.

"Bea?" Lucy gently slapped her furry cheek. "Bea, it's going to be okay."

"I just lost Beatrice and Benedict. The play is ruined."

"It'll be fine," Graeme said, over Lucy's shoulder. "Ariana loves this play. She's got three different versions on DVD at home."

"That's right, Bea." Lucy smiled as she helped the badger-faced gargoyle sit up. "Rehearsal was going really well. Let's stop here for tonight and let everyone settle down. I'm sure it'll all blow over by tomorrow night."

"You think so?"

Midori knelt by her. "We'll use the time to finish the costume fittings. It will all be well, you'll see."

"Now, where is he?" Dorcas narrowed her green eyes. "Mawson, before you wander off, I need you to try on your outfit."

"But -"

"No buts, let's go." Firmly grasping his arm, Dorcas steered Mawson back to the dressing room. She shot a quick look over her shoulder and tilted her head in their direction. "You're the same height as Tiberius so it shouldn't take long at all. Your color is close too, so that's a plus. How do you feel about wearing black with gold trim?"

Dodger waited until they were out of sight. "Okay, Dorie's gonna buy you some time. I'll stay here an' keep an eye on him," he said in a quiet rush. "Biscuit, you an' Midori go find your sister. I've never seen her that upset."

"Thanks, Dodger." Graeme glanced at Lucy.

"I'll stay here and sort things out," she said. "Go on, hurry!"

"And that's why I love you," Graeme said, landing a quick kiss on her forehead before dashing off.

Midori was already out of the pavilion and racing towards Tancho in the field. He had his hands cupped and heaved her into the air. He planted his feet more firmly to toss Graeme but the tall Tengu managed it easily. As soon as they had gained enough height, Midori drifted towards him. "I'll check the young females quarters," she called out. "Where will you go?"

"When Ari is really upset," Graeme said, "she normally goes to talk to Dad but they've been on outs lately. I'll check with Mother first – she'll want to know."

"Sounds like a plan," Midori said, shifting into the wind. "Call me if you find her."

"You too."

The two gargoyles split up and glided off in different directions.

Kirin had fully intended to get drunk. It wasn't a wise choice, he knew this from experience, but when the other option was beating the leer off that rude upstart's face, it was the safer course of action. When he met Kado walking through the compound, he had thought he'd found a suitable companion to share a wine jug. Unfortunately, Kado had other less pleasant plans for Kirin.

"Ow!" As blood filled the glass vial, Kirin grimaced. "Is this really necessary?"

"Yes, actually," Kado said mildly. "You asked for a check-up and we're going to give you the works." He put the full vial in the plastic rack and began to fill a second one. "Since the Manhattan clan started doing medical research with Xanatech, we've had the chance to upgrade our methods. One of their doctors came over to review our medical journals, nice fellow, a bit of-" Kado glanced over at his assistant, "What did he say he was, Toshi?"

"A bit of a foodie, Master." Toshi grinned. "Dr. Blackwell likes to travel and he likes to cook."

"Anyway, the human doctor who originally examined you passed away a few years ago but we were able to get his office records from his family. Kawa and Toshi have been going through them but it's been slow."

"Horrible handwriting," Toshi muttered as he labeled a plastic cup with a black marker.

"Dreadful," Kado said. He removed the needle, put a wad of gauze on the injection site, and folded up Kirin's arm. "Lucky for me, I have apprentices with better eyesight to do that job."

Toshi rolled his eyes but wisely said nothing.

"Overall, I concur with my Tengu colleague, O-tama." Kado held up a piece of homemade paper that he must have been given by Mozu. "You have managed to lose some weight since your last exam here, which is quite good, and your general health and physical conditioning have improved."

"If you lived with a clan of survivalist gargoyles who raise their own organic food and don't use refined sugar, you'd lose weight too." Kirin shrugged. "I rarely eat sweets anymore. I got out of the habit."

"That explains her notation that you drink too much."

"Well, yes."

"Honestly, can't blame you." Kado took the plastic cup from Toshi and handed it to Kirin. "Which is why, when you have finished with this, the first round is on me."

Kirin examined the cup. "And what exactly am I doing with this?"

"Sperm sample." Enduring Kirin's baleful look, Kado said, "We are reexamining your condition, are we not?"

"Fine." Kirin refrained from sighing and wondered just how much more worse his evening was likely to get.

"Toshi will show you to the exam room and then we'll both go up to the front office to give you some privacy."

The younger gargoyle led the way down the inner corridor. "I understand that you've done this before," Toshi said as he opened the door, "so you probably don't need the full explanation of the procedure. Just be sure to wash your hands before and after. Put the sample here," he indicated a small insulated cabinet in the wall, "and that's it. Do you need any visual aids?"

Kirin raised his eyebrows and looked down his nose at him.

Laughing, Toshi took a computer tablet out of a drawer and set it up on the counter. "One of the London clan started a private website a few years back after the big mess the World Council made of the breeding season. Eligible gargoyles can post their photos so they can meet potential mates but it also has a passworded section where he streams adult content."

"Adult... content?"

"You know, pinups, movies, soft porn." Toshi shrugged. "Mostly Godiva videos from Las Vegas but that's not to everyone's taste." He glanced at the doorway and lowered his voice. "Master Kado refuses to admit it exists so Kawa and I get to do the 'intro to garg porn' speech."

"Interesting." Kirin could see why the older healer felt that way. "I think I can manage on my own, thank you."

Toshi bowed and slid the door shut. Kirin waited as his footsteps trailed away before taking the tablet and putting it back in the drawer. He had never had an interest in watching others having sex; to him, it was a deeply private moment. Leaning back against the exam table, he allowed himself a moment to reflect. The night had started well enough. He loved fishing and the students had been excited about seeing the shark. Everything had gone downhill at the rehearsal. He shouldn't have let so many things get to him. He never even told Ariana how beautiful she had looked with the jewels in her hair.

Kirin held that image in his mind's eye and got on with the task at hand.

In the courtyard just outside the young females quarters, the members of the Chinese sky dance troupe were getting ready for the evening's performance. Lavender-skinned Kwan Lin saw Midori circling in and called out, "Midori! What do you think? Those metallic scarves you found for us are the perfect touch, are they not?"

Politely, Midori forced herself to slow down to answer. "Yes," she said as she landed, "the gold threads in the fabric give just the right amount of sparkle. I can't wait to see your performance." One of the first events proposed by a visiting clan was sky-dancing, an activity done by many clans. The event practically organized itself so Midori had been grateful for the suggestion.

"Oh!" Kwan Lin hurried over and lowered her voice. "I was wondering, are you looking for Ariana by chance?"

Midori blinked. "Yes, actually. Have you seen her?"

"Yes. She practically flew into the building, her descent was so fast. She seemed," Kwan Lin frowned, "angry and upset. If it wasn't for our sky dance preparation, I would have gone after her to see what was the matter but I thought I should give her time to calm down."

"Your instincts were right. There was a little trouble at the play rehearsal, that's all. I'll go check on her." Midori bowed to the Chinese gargoyles and they likewise bowed back.

Pausing just inside the door, Midori took the time to text Graeme. FOUND ARI. WILL SORT IT OUT. Even though Ariana and Graeme had different interests now that they were grown, they still cared about each other very much. She didn't want Graeme to worry.

The young females quarters was a long building laid out in a series of rooms. Two of the nicer rooms in the front that were usually used for entertaining were currently reserved for visiting guests. There was a small kitchen, bathroom, and a shower room. Towards the back, there was the room for the older unmated or widowed females that maintained the building and provided a certain level of supervision over the younger females. The last big room was where Midori, her sisters, and now Ariana kept their things.

The first thing she saw was the sequined halter top laying across a bench. Midori had been afraid to find it ripped to shreds after the fit of temper Ariana had displayed earlier. "Ari-chan?" she called out cautiously. "Are you all right?"

There was a heavy sigh from the corner of the room. Midori could just see the top of Ariana's head over the lid of her open trunk. Midori picked up the halter top and moved it to the bin for hand wash only. It had puzzled her when she had visited Manhattan that they didn't sort laundry as meticulously they did in Japan. Moving carefully, she came closer and sat down.

"Ari-chan," she said softly. "It's just me."

"I know." Her arms and wings lifted up as Ariana began the complicated maneuvers it took to get dressed. "Give me a minute."

Midori knew better than to offer help. Her phone buzzed and a message from Graeme appeared.

SHE OKAY?

YES, she typed back. NEEDS TIME.

"Is that Graeme?" Ariana asked, her voice muffled by the shirt over her head.

Midori gave a dainty snort. "You know your brother. He worries about you."

"I guess I ruined rehearsal, huh?"

"It was winding down anyway, and besides, you had help." Midori thought for a moment. "Kirin stomped off in a snit too. Beatrix had a meltdown but Lucy's dealing with her. Dorcas took Mawson off for his costume fitting so Dodger's going to supervise that. Everyone's occupied so it's okay. We'll sort this out."

"No, Midori," Ariana said as she stood up and tugged a vintage Sailor Senshi t-shirt in place, "it's like Mother is always telling me – I never think things through. As much as I love wearing whatever I like, I should have known better." She paused and bit her lip. "The Tengu are even more conservative than Ishimura. They thought my 'Lara Croft' outfit was shocking, if you can believe that! Kirin's been living with them for years and the way I was dressed tonight – it must have been too much for him."

Midori realized she was staring with her mouth open. "But Ari-chan, I was the one that put your outfit together. You can't take all the blame – it's my fault too!" She threw her hands up. "No one could have known Kirin would have overreacted that way!"

"But I should have realized it." Ariana sighed and studied her image in the mirror. "It took a lot for Kirin to come back here. You've heard the stories that's been going around. It's enough to make anyone snap!"

"Nonsense."

"He caught Mawson looking at me and claimed Mawson was trying to pick a fight with him."

"Well...," Midori bit her lip and said, "that's probably correct. Mawson did come to the temple the other night with Yong and asked a bunch of questions about Kirin."

"What?"

"You and Mawson did hit it off in Manhattan. If he could ease back on the whole alpha male thing, it would be a good match." When Ariana looked at her with a horrified expression, Midori held up her hands. "I've seen you with Kirin. It's a stronger connection and you seem so much more happy with him. I'm just saying if Kirin hadn't come along, Mawson would have been a good option."

"What am I doing wrong, Mi-chan?" She flopped down on a bench. "Is it always going to be so difficult? Why can't I act like a proper female?"

"No." Midori knelt in front of her friend. "Don't be so hard on yourself. "

"There's something else." She paused. "I think it's safe to tell you."

"Neh?"

"Do... do you remember when everyone came to Manhattan and that one night when everything came to a head?"

Midori blinked. "You mean when the Yakusa and the rogue gargoyle were fighting in the streets or when that awful creature possessed Lucy and Graeme had to do that thing with the canopic jar or -"

"That really, really odd moment-," Ariana said softly, her brow ridges crinkling with uncharacteristic fear.

"-when everything sort of blurred," Midori whispered breathlessly, "and then snapped back into focus?"

"Yes." Her voice shook. "It's starting to happen here too."

Stunned into silence, Midori had hoped to never relive that moment but could not help thinking of it. The closest she could come to describing the debilitating sensation was spinning in a dance and then being spun in the opposite direction and then back again. She had only been the merest observer on that night but she had seen how profoundly it had affected the Timedancer and his family. It was the only time that she had ever seen Ariana in a truly vulnerable state – until now.

Steeling herself, Midori reached out and took Ariana's hands. "No matter what happens," she said, "I will do everything I can to help you. I may not be a warrior or a time traveler but I am your friend, Ari-chan." She tightened her grip. "I will not let you fall from the sky."

"What?"

Midori shrugged and released her hands. "It's an old Ishimuran saying. It means I've got your back. How can I help you make things right?"

Ariana sniffled and gave a half-hearted laugh. "Well... I need to smooth things over with Kirin. I don't even know where to start with him."

"Leave it to me."

Graeme slammed open the door and charged into his parents' rooms. The lights were off but a familiar voice broke the silence.

"You know," Brooklyn said with an edge of sarcasm, "there's this thing called knocking that's all the rage. I think they have it in Japan too."

Graeme's shoulders dropped. "Sorry, Dad." He came around the corner into the living area and found his father with an open laptop. It wasn't that unusual to find Brooklyn doing so, even if he did use the hunt-and-peck method of typing. "What are you doing?"

"Updating the clan on current events," Brooklyn said. "Lex sent an email nagging me for news. They'll get it when they wake up." He glanced up over his shoulder. "You look kind of stressed. What's up?"

"Rehearsal was cut short." Graeme wandered into the kitchen area and retrieved two beers. "Ari was tarted up, Mawson was full up, and Kirin basically blew up."

Brooklyn raised a brow ridge as he took a beer. "I think I want to hear the long version, thanks."

"I was focusing on the play so I wasn't really paying attention," Graeme said, taking a drink, "but Ari showed up prancing around in jeans and a halter top. Mawson took this as a sign to start flirting with her."

"Uh-huh."

"When Kirin turned up, Mawson started making smart ass comments. I don't know what he was thinking." Graeme paused and made a face. "No, I know exactly what he was thinking. He's lucky Kirin didn't react to him. I know I wanted to smack him around a few times."

"That's understandable," Brooklyn said. "What happened?"

"Oh, Kirin asked to have a word with Ari. They walked away from the pavilion and the next thing we know, they're yelling at each other in Japanese. He said something I didn't catch and then she screamed and hit him."

"Really?"

"Not even a good hit! It was practically a slap!"

"Huh."

"Yeah, it was weird. It was like she was going to deck him and then wussed out in mid-swing." Graeme felt his phone go off in his side pocket and pulled it out. "Oh, good. Midori found her."

"Where?"

"Young females quarters." He typed a response and got one back almost immediately. "Midori says Ari's okay but she needs time."

"I can break the code on this one," Brooklyn said. "They're having girl talk. It's probably for the best." He took another sip of beer. "Midori knows more about relationships than she does. I'd send Sata to check on her but she went to meet with the council of elders."

"Mom would at least be allowed in," Graeme said. "The chaperone that they have there is one tough chick. You can't persuade, beg, or bribe her."

"Sounds like you tried, eh?" Brooklyn smirked.

"Maybe." Graeme rubbed the back of his head. He had tried to follow Lucy in there when they had a fight earlier in the week. The chaperone had thrown him out like a heavyweight judo champion.

"So...," Brooklyn studied his email, sent it and closed the laptop, "...you want to go get Kirin's side of it?"

Graeme was grateful that he didn't have a mouthful of beer when his father said this because the spray would have covered the room. "Well," he said carefully, "I didn't see that coming."

"Yeah, yeah." Brooklyn reached back and ruffled the hair on the back of his head. "Sata locked up my gauntlet so I can't shoot him. I might as well talk to the guy." He signed. "I'd rather talk to your sister. There's something you need to know – Ari thinks she's at a flux point."

"Another one?" Graeme's stomach sank. The last one five years earlier still gave him nightmares – he nearly lost Lucy in it. "Is she sure?"

"She told Sata about it and it made some sense. Things have been happening to Ari really quickly. Your sister tends to be more reactive to events in the time stream. You analyze and think before you act."

"You're worried for her."

"I'm worried for us all," Brooklyn said grimly. "We're not surfing the Phoenix Gate anymore. There's no chance to go back and fix stuff if it goes the wrong way."

"Great."

Using persuasion and the promise of chocolate, Midori managed to pry Ariana out of the young females house. They were fortunate that most of their peers were gathering for the sky dance exhibition just outside the temple gardens. China, Korea, Ishimura, and London would be performing in teams of three or more. As a rule, sky-dancing was usually taught to hatchlings as a game to strengthen their wings but it also served as an innocent way for couples to get acquainted. The same moves in a sky-dance would eventually be used by couples during a breeding flight so it was a good way to judge the potential qualities of a suitor. For this reason, quite a number of gargoyles, both visitors and residents, had found good roosting places to view the performance.

"Wow," Ariana said, "it's a bigger turnout than I thought there'd be."

"I don't know about your clan," Midori said, "but a skill in sky-dancing is considered very desirable skill." She pointed to a group of her rookery sisters. "Taeko put together a great routine based on a traditional owara dance about fireflies. Their outfits have LED lights sewn in that light up when they perform."

"That will look really cool." Ariana looked around. "Lucy said that they're doing doing a variation of a Maypole dance with ribbons. Apparently, the Caldonian clan is big into sky-dancing and Dorcas learned how to do their version while she was there."

"Ariana! Midori!" Takakura wove through the crowd, leading with his nose. "I don't suppose you've seen my wayward brothers, have you?"

"Tancho and Mozu were at rehearsal earlier," Midori answered. "I'm sure they'll be along shortly."

"How's the council meetings going?" Ariana asked. "Dull?"

"The dullest," Takakura said with a sigh, "but I try to put on a good face and pay attention. Luckily, most of the delegates wanted to see this." He took on a snooty voice not unlike Doryo, the querulous Tengu elder. "'So good to see the younger generation taking an interest in traditional arts!'"

Midori laughed. "Well, it does help them tolerate the parties and loud music better."

"Hopefully I can get in on more of that," Takakura said. "It's been depressing hearing about all the stuff Tancho has been doing. He's been all over the place – playing baseball, meeting artists, and snacking in the kitchen. He's so lucky!"

"What about Mozu?" Ariana teased.

Takakura frowned. "Don't get me wrong – I'm happy for him. Mozu has put up with my crap for years. He deserves to find someone he likes. I just wish he'd stand up to her a bit."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, Roslin snatches him up at sunset, keeps him doing stuff all night, and sends him back completely wiped out. She's exhausting and he's too nice to stick up for himself."

"Ah." Ariana bit her lip. "So... you're what, fifty percent jealous, fifty percent overprotective sibling?"

"You could say that." Takakura sighed again. "Don't tell him. Our squabbles have been the backbone of our whole relationship."

"Yeah, Graeme and I are that way sometimes too. He threatened to use his nun-chucks on Kirin if he didn't behave." Ariana frowned slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing."

Before they could continue their conversation, the London sky-dancing team arrived. They were one of the larger groups – Prongs and his hawk-headed mate, Agnes, Lucy and Musgrave, and Dorcas and Dodger. Ariana had seen the may pole dance performed when she and Graeme had visited the Marter estate when they were much younger and knew it was performed in pairs. Dodger had brought along the equipment box from rehearsal.

"Midori, where do you want the extra lighting?" Dodger asked. "I got the extra spot lights and a couple mounted on drones if Biscuit turns up to run them."

"I'll check on him right now," Midori said, taking out her phone.

Dorcas opened her bag and began handing out spooled ribbons. More gargoyles began to arrive and in the midst of all the fuss, Tancho, Mozu and Roslin walked up. She ran ahead with a bundle of material in her arms, headed straight to the Londoners. Takakura went to meet his rookery brothers and as they got closer, Ariana could just hear their voices.

Tancho was ambling along in a relaxed slouch. "I was perfectly willing to take one for the team -"

Mozu shuddered. "I know what you were planning to do but no, absolutely not."

"Well, he is kind of cute in a sullen bad-boy way. I'd keep him too busy to chase anyone."

"Trust me, he's plenty busy right now."

Takakura stopped in his tracks right before he reached them and gave a hard stare to his rookery brothers. "Featherhead, what did you do?"

Mozu looked around guiltily. "Mawson was rude to Roslin," he said in Osaka-ben, "when she was helping sew the costumes. He made her go fetch him a drink and I, um, added some additional flavoring." His nosepad went bright pink. "Well, I didn't like the way he was ordering her about. So disrespectful!"

Tancho and Takakura both leaned down so they were eye-to-eye with him. "Please tell me you didn't poison him?" Tak hissed. "That would be so bad...!"

"No!" Mozu's feathered crest rose up indignantly. "I just dosed him with some powdered daikenchuto I had handy."

"Dai-what now?"

Mozu rolled his eyes and muttered. "Daikenchuto. It's an herbal laxative for patients with intestinal problems. We were comparing medicines for common ailments earlier tonight."

"So...," Tancho stood up, looked around for a moment, and ducked back down, "when you said he was busy...?"

"He probably won't come out of the privies tonight." Mozu looked over at Roslin who was chattering away with the Londoners and smiled slowly when she glanced coquettishly back at him. "He may very well spend the day there."

Takakura grinned and swept Mozu into a one-armed hug. "I've never been so proud."

"And you two know nothing about it, right?"

"Absolutely."

"No problem."

Ariana raised her browridges. "Everything all right, guys?" The bit where they all started talking in the Osaka dialect had been a little suspicious but they were acting normal now.

"Oh, yeah," Tancho said mildly. "Has anyone seen Master Kirin? We thought we'd check around here first before we fly over to the watchtower."

"I haven't seen him," Takakura said. His eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"I have," Toshi said, walking up behind Tancho and putting a companionable hand on the taller gargoyle's shoulder. "He came to the clinic earlier."

"Was he... hurt?" Ariana certainly didn't think she'd hit him that hard.

"No, just visiting." Toshi shrugged, but glanced over at Mozu. "Master Kado invited him to go drinking. They were gone when I finished cleaning the exam rooms."

"Really?" Midori tapped her chin with the papers in her hand. "Do you know where they went?"

"I'm not sure but Master Kado has two or three places that he likes to go. I doubt they'll go the formal wine garden." He thought for a moment. "They might have gone to Suna's place, down by the docks. I heard them talking about her. It seems Kirin was a fisherman's apprentice for a time."

"Hmm... I have some things to say to him but I'll need to find someone to emcee this thing." Midori turned to Ariana. "What do you say? It's all scripted out."

Ariana made a face. "I don't know, after everything that's happened tonight, I don't think I'm the best choice." She glanced at the long-nosed Tengu next to her. "Tak's got a good speaking voice. He could do it."

"What?" Takakura's wispy eyebrows shot up his forehead.

"That's right, Tak," Tancho said. "Use your big mouth for the greater good."

"Besides," Mozu said with a tilt of his head, "wouldn't that make Taeko very happy with you? Hmm?"

Takakura glared at both of his rookery brothers. "Fine," he said at last, "but if that script is in English, someone will need to go over it with me. I speak it well enough but some written words trip me up."

Ariana took the papers out of Midori's hand. "That I can do," she said. "Let's go find some better light for reading and I'll help you."

Midori waited until Ariana and Takakura were farther away before saying quickly, "Okay, I don't have a lot of time so let's be quick about this." She jumped onto a nearby wall, ran along it until she came to a building, and scaled up it to the roof. "Are you guys coming or what?"

"As you wish," Toshi called. He chuckled and glanced at Tancho. "When she's in a mood, it's best to just nod and go along."

Tancho grinned. "Sounds fun." He glanced back at Mozu. "Coming?"

"I'll catch up."

The years had worn away on Suna like smooth stones polished by the ocean tumbling them in the surf. Like his other mentors, she had grown smaller with age but her excellent humor and cutting wit soon disabused anyone of the notion that Suna may have gone feeble. The sandy color of her hair had gone pure white but she still had the most wonderful wide smile for Kirin when he walked in the door of her izakaya. They had gotten along very well when he was a hatchling following his father down to the docks. She wanted to know everything Kirin had done since leaving Ishimura and their enthusiastic chatter soon sent Kado dozing on the bar top.

"Iye-e-e-e! You caught a shark!" Suna grinned. "What did you do with it?"

"Sakaki had it sent to the kitchens," Kirin said, "along with the tunas. I expect it will be on the menu soon enough."

"Namasu would be so pleased that you still fish," Suna said as she wiped the counter. "I know I am."

"I've fished for salmon in Hokkaido, trout in mountain rivers, the mackerel run off the coast of Kyushu, and all the places in between." He frowned over the top of his cup. "I still don't like eels. Grilled unagi is popular in Kyoto right now."

Suna shrugged. "It's an acquired taste. I prefer squid. The fleet should be bringing some in for the summer festivals."

"Mmm, those are tasty when they're grilled with salt." Kirin finished his drink but the liquor tasted flat in his mouth. "Auntie, I've always wondered – after Uncle passed away, why didn't you –?" He nodded to Kado, who was snoring and drooling on his sleeve. Kirin had only been a hatchling at the time but he knew that Kado had been one of Suna's suitors back in their younger days and they had remained close friends even after she had chosen someone else.

Polishing a glass, Suna took her time to answer. "The heart wants what it wants," she said very quietly. "A healer must tend to the needs of the clan before the needs of his own heart. I would have always been poor second to that. A good mate is the mirror of your soul," her eyes grew misty and distant, "a clear sea all the way to the horizon and the starlit sky dancing upon it."

"That's lovely."

"The sea encourages poetry," she said. "My mate was the wind in my sails. Females weren't really encouraged to go out with the fleet but he knew it was what I wanted. In time, I found that I was a better harbor manager than a fisher and but he let me try and that was the important thing."

"So it is." He studied his empty cup and she refilled it without being asked.

"Rumor has it," Suna said, "that your heart now has room for another."

"I'm hoping so."

"That's a good thing. I never liked that other one." She wrinkled her nose.

"Well, we had a fight earlier." He sipped his drink. "I may have scuttled the whole thing."

"There's always a calm after the squall," Suna said wisely. "It's best to get everything sorted out before you set sail."

"Auntie...," he attempted to glare at her but Suna was leaning against her hand and smirking at him. It was impossible to be cross with her even when she made horrible puns. "Good advice as always."

"That's my boy." There was a rattling noise as the door opened. "Good evening," Suna called out. "Aren't you kids supposed to have something going on tonight? I doubt this is where you should be."

"Good evening, Suna-san. You're quite right," Midori's cheerful voice rang out. "We have an event to get back to but first, I need to have a few words with your guest here."

"I was begin to wonder if someone would."

Kirin turned his head to see Tancho and Toshi following Midori into the izakaya. Tancho, at least, mouthed an apology as he ducked under the doorway. Kirin turned back to Suna, who shrugged. "I'll just take these empties to the back," she said as she picked up a crate of bottles, "and give you a few minutes to talk."

"Well, what now?" Kirin asked as Midori took a seat next to him. "Just a second," he reached over the bar for the bottle and topped off his drink.

"Look, I've known Ariana for years," Midori said, "so let me clue you in on a few things. She's a great friend, an awful cook, and the most amazing fighter I've ever seen. In short, she's a big tomboy so she's a little insecure where romance is concerned. This boy-girl thing is totally new so you really need to be clear about what messages you're sending out."

"Neh?" Kirin shook his head, trying to clear the alcoholic fog in his head. "I'm not sure what you are saying."

Midori sighed and looked at Tancho who shrugged. "You know the way Ariana was dressed tonight? The glitter halter and jeans? I put that outfit together because I thought she needed a little ego boost. That's all – it had nothing to do with you or with other males or flirting or anything else." She cocked her head and glared a little. "She's not like an Ishimura female so you need to get that straight. You can't judge her by anyone else – Ariana is her own gargoyle."

"But..." Kirin frowned. "She was talking to those other males, the way she was acting-"

"Exactly! They're in the play – and besides, they're her friends. That's not going to change just because you're courting her." She narrowed her eyes. "You spend a lot of time with Sakaki-san. Is that any different?"

"That can't be helped – I'm teaching in the rookery!"

"And Ariana knows that. She trusts you – why can't you trust her?"

Suna came back in with fresh glasses. "She's got a point."

Kirin couldn't help but to look away. "You are quite right, Midori-san. I allowed Mawson to provoke me and I over-reacted."

"Mawson?" Midori raised her brow ridges. "He was asking me about you last night. What did he do?"

"I suspect he was trying to start a fight." Kirin shrugged. "If I get into another one, Kai will kick me and the Three all the way back to Osaka."

"I hate to tell you this, sensei," Tancho said with a roll of his eyes, "but Tak says that he's received several formal requests for you to fight in the tournament. Some of the clan reps made a point of talking to him about it after their council meeting."

Kirin cursed under his breath and tossed down the last of his drink.

"You know, that might be the simplest thing," Midori said thoughtfully. "If you sign up for the tournament, you don't have to fight in the elimination rounds because master-level participants only compete in the higher tiered fights."

"How do you know-?"

"Please, I was on the organizing committee." Midori shrugged. "With bigger gargoyles like Mawson and Happa signed up, the tournament staff thought it would be good idea to allow some of the older warriors a chance to participate, just so there's more of a challenge."

Kirin winced and reached for the bottle again but a firm hand deliberately moved it away. Mozu stuck his beak in Kirin's face and sniffed deeply. His yellow eyes narrowed. "Sensei, open your mouth," he said sternly. "I need to smell your breath."

"When did you get here, Mozu?"

"Kirin-san," Mozu said in much the same tone as O-tama when she was cross, "I need to know how much you've been drinking. Let me smell your breath...now."

Grumbling, Kirin leaned over and breathed on the birdlike Tengu.

Mozu frowned and clucked his tongue. "Oh, sensei. What have you been drinking?" He began pulling things out of his clothes. Like most healers Kirin had known, Mozu kept the tools of his trade on him at all times from a cleverly-designed first aid kit that fit in his obi to hidden pockets for powders and tonics. Toshi, Midori, and Tancho were watching in fascination as he began to assemble the hangover cure. "Could I get some hot water and a cup?"

"I've got this, Auntie," Toshi said as he came around the bar.

"Should he be back there?" Kirin asked Suna.

"Oh, Toshi's a good kid," Suna replied. "He used to work part time for me before Kado took him on as an apprentice."

Toshi put a cup on the bar and then held up a teapot and a larger water jar. "How much water?" Mozu glanced up and pointed to the tea pot. "Hot water coming up. Need anything else? There's some fresh ingredients back here for drinks."

"Any ginger or mint? I've got dried but fresh is better."

Toshi ducked out of sight, clanking and rattling things behind the bar. "Here's the mint," a bundle landed on the counter, "no fresh but here's some ginger syrup," a latched jar appeared, "and do you need a suribachi?" Toshi stood up with a ceramic grinding bowl and a thick wooden stick in his hands.

"Yes, please... that would be very helpful, thank you."

The smell of bruised mint leaves roused Kado on the neighboring barstool and he lifted his head off his arms slowly. "What's going on?" he asked querulously.

Sighing, Kirin said, "Mozu has decided to sober me up. He was a wonderful student when I was teaching him but working with O-tama has made him ever so bossy."

"As it should be, sensei," Mozu said without looking up from his work. "You need a keeper."

"Alas, she's not speaking to me."

"A good thing too because your breath is vile." Mozu tipped the contents of the suribachi into the empty teapot and Toshi poured in hot water from an electric kettle. Aromatic steam wafted up, making everyone sniff and straighten up in response.

"Toshi," Kado said slowly, "I'll have a cup of that as well."

Mozu looked stricken but Toshi chuckled as he got out an extra cup. "Don't worry," he said. "I expect Master Kado has been matching Kirin-san drink-for-drink. It couldn't hurt him."

"So, what did he just make?" Midori asked, leaning into Tancho.

"That's the secret Tengu hangover remedy," Tancho said. "Our homebrew is really strong so Mozu has a lot of practice making it."

"Very funny," Mozu said as he rinsed the grooves of the suribachi with more hot water and added it to the teapot. "It's not that hard to make. You could do it if you wanted to."

"And wind up as O-tama's junior apprentice?" Tancho laughed. "You boss me around enough as it is!"

Mozu poured a little of the tonic into a cup and swirled it around, checking it carefully before pouring it evenly into both cups. He narrowed his eyes at Kirin. "All right, sensei. Time to take your medicine."

Kado was sniffing his cup curiously. "What an interesting smell," he said.

"The smell is deceptive," Kirin said grumpily. "Are you sure you want to try it?"

"Bottoms up," Kado said and clinked cups with him.

Both inebriated gargoyles downed their tonics simultaneously and slammed the cups on the bar. Kirin winced and grabbed the bridge of his nose, grimacing and making inarticulate gagging sounds in the back of his throat. Kado's eyes widened as his pupils dilated and he spread out his fingers on the bar, staring at them.

Suna came up next to Toshi behind the bar and stared into their faces. "What did you do to them?"

Tancho shrugged. "Sudden sobriety can be a little alarming, or so I'm told."

"I've never had to dose Tancho," Mozu said with a small smile for his rookery brother. "He's the sensible one."

"Good to know."

"What a curious sensation," Kado said hoarsely. "My head is ringing like a bell, it's so clear."

"Lucky you," Kirin muttered. He yawned, making his jaws pop. "Hangover tonic is effective, don't get me wrong, but the rush to the head can be brutal if you take it when it's fresh. It's more soothing when it steeps longer."

Kado pulled the teapot over and looked inside. "I have to find out what's in this," he said. "Toshi, prep a station in the lab. Mozu, I want you to show me step-by-step how to make this tonic." He caught the alarmed look on Midori's face. "Tomorrow night, that is. I'll want to clear my schedule for this."

Mozu bowed. "It would be my honor, Master Kado. I'll bring my apprentice journal."

"Make a copy of the recipe for me!" Suna called out as they were leaving.

Takakura was proving to be a quick study. Ariana wasn't sure if this was due to Kirin's teaching methods or to Tak's natural verbosity but he had already read through the script once with her and again with Taeko. The Ishimuran gargoyle had shown some interest in Takakura initially but had kept a certain distance since their first meeting. Personally, Ariana thought this was a combination of Taeko's security duties and Tak's ego problems. At the moment, they were getting along well so Ariana decided to slip away.

"Biscuit!" Dodger called out. "It's about time you got here!"

"Yeah, it's a good thing Midori texted me. I'd forgotten all about it."

Ariana winced and looked around. Graeme sailed in for a landing only a few feet away and swept her up in a one-armed hug. "You okay now?" he asked, bumping brow ridges with her.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Uh-huh." There was a disapproving tone in his voice.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"And I don't have the time," Graeme said, stepping away from her and heading towards the Londoners. "But it's gonna be okay."

Deflating visibly, Ariana let out the breath she'd been holding. She turned and walked right into a muscular crimson chest.

"Me, I have lots of time," Brooklyn said. "So let's talk."

"I don't know, Dad, I-"

"I don't want to talk about him," Brooklyn said remarkable restraint. "I wanna hear about your time flux problem."

Reluctantly, Ariana knew he had a point. Brooklyn had more experience with time travel than the rest of the family. "Okay," she said, looking around. "Let's find a less crowded spot, shall we?"

Finding somewhere to talk was easier said than done. There were gargoyles perched on all the walls and rooftops around the temple gardens waiting for the sky-dancing to begin. The inside of the temple was no better because sound echoed no matter where you went. Ariana finally led Brooklyn into the back porch where she had made tea for Washi, the elder who had told her about the Tengu. No one was in the back garden since the temple was blocking the view of the performances so as long as they spoke quietly, their conversation would be kept private.

Brooklyn took a deep breath. "Your mother has told me what happened the other night," he said. "Are you sure you're at a flux point?"

"I've been thinking about it," Ariana said quietly. "So many things have happened in such a short amount of time – I mean, I'm impulsive, I admit it, but when I took the long view and analyzed it – it has all the signs of another crucial point on the timeline. Mom says that something happens here in Ishimura that shapes gargoyle-human relations to come."

"Did she say what?"

"She wasn't sure. She was going to meditate on it."

"Swell." A few gargoyles flew over and they both watched silently as they passed by. "So, these visions... what's setting them off?"

"I think," Ariana said slowly, "it has to do with something I witnessed as a kid, in the future."

"Why do you think that?"

"When I was fighting with Kirin earlier, I hit him like a little kid." She cocked her head. "There was this weird moment when I couldn't focus. For a second, it felt like I had traded places with my younger self."

"Huh." Brooklyn stared out into space. "How far up the timeline, do you think?"

"We were on an island. There were gargoyles there from all over to start a new clan." She frowned. "There's one that reminds me of Kirin – he doesn't look like him, but he sounds like him. He spoke in Japanese and he called Mom 'the Ancestress.' It was the first time I ever heard her called that."

"Really?" Brooklyn leaned against the garden wall. "Not from the last time we were in Ishimura for the World Gathering? That's the first time I heard her called that."

Ariana closed her eyes for a moment. "We had been invited into a big building but you and Graeme saw a vehicle outside and stopped to look at it. Mother and I went inside." Her eyes opened but her gaze was faraway. "There was a central room with eggs in it. All the clans had donated a egg to make up a rookery for the new clan. That's where we met him. He looked at us, bowed very low, and said, 'The clan of Ishimura greets you, most noble Ancestress.' Then he tilted his head, and smiled." A wave of vertigo swept over her and Ariana staggered back. Firm hands lifted her up and seated her on the garden wall.

"Sweetie? You okay?" Brooklyn was looking into her face. "It hit you again, just now, didn't it?"

"Yeah," she said slowly. "That was weird."

"Whatever it is, it's only affecting you." Brooklyn's brow was creased with worry. "I don't like that."

"That just means it's my fight and not yours." Ariana pulled one leg up and wrapped her arms around it. "As if I needed more complication in my life right now."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, Kirin." She made a face and gave a rueful laugh. "It seems you and he have similar opinions on my wardrobe choices."

"What?" A variety of expressions from disbelief to discomfort went across Brooklyn's face before he finally said, "Okay, fine – what did he say?"

"Apparently, the way I dress reflects on him so I shouldn't be showing so much skin." She gave an unladylike snort and rolled her eyes. "As if!"

Brooklyn's silence answered her.

"Oh, come on!"

"Ari, what am I most comfortable wearing?"

"Your ratty old loincloth."

"What am I wearing right now?"

Ariana glanced at her father who was standing there with his arms crossed over a basic Ishimuran tunic in dark blue, complete with hip panels and embroidered trim on the sleeves.

"This is Ishimura, not Manhattan. It doesn't matter how high I rank in our clan or that I'm the Time Dancer. Here, I'm the mate of Sata, legendary samurai warrior and that means I can't go around dressed like a gaijin barbarian." He gestured to himself. "Because I love my mate, I'll follow local customs and wear this somewhat itchy outfit. Relationships are all about give and take."

"Oh..." Ariana considered that and felt horribly ashamed of herself. "I didn't think that part through."

Brooklyn leaned towards her and bumped brow ridges with her. "You and me, kid – we're all about action. Thinking things through, that's a learned behavior but it's not impossible."

Takakura's voice reverberated through the air. "Most honored guests, welcome to the Grand Miai sky-dancing exhibition. Since the first time the winds filled our wings and freed us from the ground, the night sky has been our stage..."

"That's my cue," Brooklyn said. "Graeme asked me to help him with the drones for the London team." He raised one brow ridge and looked at her. "You gonna be all right?"

"Yeah," Ariana said. "You go on, I'll be along in a minute." She allowed herself a few moments to simply breathe – there was so much to think about. Both Midori and Brooklyn had made good observations and she was torn about what to do. Takakura was introducing the Chinese team that would be doing 'the winding dragon' and she owed it to Kwan Lin to at least watch the performance. Ariana sighed and heaved herself off the garden wall.

The gate creaked behind her.

"Ariana?"

She froze at the sound of his voice. Hesitant footsteps crunched in the gravel.

"Please, Ariana," Kirin said breathlessly, "I cannot greet the dawn knowing that you are angry with me." His voice dropped. "Please."

Ariana couldn't bring herself to look directly at him as she turned. "I don't know if I can," she said finally. "I mean, we were supposed to be courting and you –"

"—We-"

She nodded. "We were really mean to each other." Breathing deeply, she tried not to cry. "What if that's how we really feel?"

"It is not how I feel." He took a step closer and dropped to his knees in the most formal bow, lowering his head and touching his fingertips to the ground.

Ariana felt her heart skip a beat. Her mother had told her of this Ishimura custom, of one gargoyle acknowledging the dominance of another – Sata had done it herself when she had decided to be Brooklyn's mate. It took Ariana a minute or two to respond.

"Kirin, you practically called me a slut."

"I know," he said, shaking his head, "and I regret ever saying it."

"Then why did you?"

"When I saw you dressed that way with all those males around you, all I could think of was how Ikeike would taunt me by parading herself in front of other males." He sighed bitterly. "She liked to provoke me because she found my anger exciting. She liked me challenging other males and fighting them for her so-called honor." He looked away. "When I saw you dressed like that, my first thought was that you were playing the same kind of games with me so that's why I was so angry with you."

Blinking, all Ariana could do was to stare at him. "Boy," she said at last, "she really screwed you up."

He lifted his eyes to hers. "Yes, she did."

"Well, that's not me. I told you that we shouldn't play games with each other and I meant it."

"Then what about you?" His eyebrows knitted together unhappily. "I am what I am, bishoujo – you can't dangle such temptations in public and expect me not to say a thing! I may be stubborn and set in my ways but I have had enough of swallowing my pride for a female's whims!"

"I don't what bothers me more – the big deal you are making over this or that you would even lump me in with her." She sniffed and looked away. "I know I'm not like the females you're used to – I'm a New York City girl. I like clothes and I like to wear lots of different things. I'm sorry that you don't approve of that."

"I never said that." He rose to his feet. "I only wish that you had shown it to me earlier, before you attracted such a crowd."

Glancing over him, she asked coyly, "Are you saying that you were upset because you didn't see it first?"

There was the distinctive huff of his whiskers blowing out. "I suppose that might have been part of it, yes."

"So," she hid her amusement, "you DID like my outfit."

"Wench."

"Well, I suppose I could be a little less flashy since it bothers you," Ariana said. "However, we need a little give and take here. What will you do for me?"

"I will try not to lose my temper and I promise not to compare you to other females," Kirin said, "because you are not that kind of girl." He tilted his head and smiled.

At that moment, the 'winding dragon' of the Chinese gargoyles whipped overhead, the metallic scarves in their hands snapping in the breeze. Ariana swayed and leaned into Kirin as they both watched the sky-dancers pass by. He tucked his arms around her in response and sighed wistfully when she snuggled in against his chest.

"We really should be watching this," Ariana said softly. "Kwan Lin suggested it and Midori helped organize it."

"Yes, she said as much." Kirin blew his barbels out. "Your friend found me and gave me a scolding."

Ariana laughed. "Mi-chan is scary like that."

"Yes, but that just means she is a very good friend."

"Toshi said you went to the clinic earlier," Ariana said, reaching up to touch the edge of his jaw. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't think I'd hit you that hard."

"Please... ," Kirin snorted, "you've hit me much harder." He nuzzled his cheek into the palm of her hand. "I knew you didn't mean it."

"Still, I shouldn't have done it," Ariana said. "It was childish and stupid and I know better."

"We all have those moments," Kirin said, "even I do, as old as I am."

"Oh?"

"I would much rather stay right here with you than brave that crowd out front," he said, "but we need to be there for our friends. So many of them are there for us, whether we want them to or not."

"True." Ariana closed her eyes and listened to the low thrum of his chest. It wasn't just the sound of his heart beating or the rumble of his voice. His arms were crossed at the wrists, just circling her, and yet she felt calmer than she had all night.

"Ari-chan? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. It's just-" she took a deep breath and let it out, "-this just seems right, y'know? It's been an emotional roller coaster tonight. Sometimes you need quiet to balance it out."

"Did my words hurt you that much? I'm truly sorry about that."

"It wasn't that, it-" Ariana paused, uncertain how much she needed to say. "Okay, how much do you know about the Phoenix Gate?"

"Not much," Kirin said, leaning back to regard her curiously. "Just what is commonly know in the clan scrolls about Lady Sata. Why?"

"Since you're involved with me, you should know that because we traveled with it, we sometimes react to events that are supposed to happen in the time line."

"What kind of reactions?"

"Little things." She shrugged. "Dizzy spells, moments when I remember something that happened in the future when I was a kid, things like that."

"You were a kid in the future?" Kirin took a step back, letting her slide out of his arms, but catching her hands and holding them. "How does that work, exactly? Do you age backwards"

"It's a long explanation that I'd rather not get into right now," Ariana said. "It involves diagrams and white marker boards and a certain detachment from reality."

Kirin began to laugh softly.

"I'm serious!" Ariana scowled at him. "When Graeme had to explain this to Lucy, he did a whole audio-visual presentation on his laptop."

"No, bishoujo, I'm laughing because of all the things that have happened tonight, this is something that neither of us has any control over. It's good that you're telling me about it. It means you trust me." He lifted her hands and kissed them. "I am honored."

"...And you're okay with that?"

"In my wanderings, I learned most faiths have a proverb to not worry about things you can't change and to concern yourself with the things that are right in front of you." He leaned forward and gently nuzzled her brow ridge. "Right now, you are all I care about."

Barely breathing, she met his eyes. His gaze was unwavering and steady but yet kind and totally focused on her. All the chaos in her world suddenly came into balance.

A drone zipped into the garden and stopped a few feet away, hovering at eye level.

"What is that?" Kirin asked out of the corner of his mouth.

Ariana glared at it. "Dad?"

The drone blinked at her, shot up, shot back down, and blinked again.

"Oh, honestly, Dad!" Ariana pulled away and took Kirin's hand. "Dad's helping Graeme run drones for the London team and it seems we're being paged."

"All right, but you'll have to explain this drone thing," Kirin said as she led him away.

"It's another long explanation..."

"Darling, I have all night."

To be continued in Part XI...