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Betaed by: The Awesome Zim'smostloylaservant
Queen of Shadows
A Jackie Chan Adventures Fanfiction
Written by Eduard Kassel
Created by Nocturne no Kitsune
Beta'ed by Zim'smostloyalservant
Adopted to Finish what a Friend BeganSummary: Revelry! A party is hosted, and the Shadowkhan toast their victry with allies and collaborators, most prominent being a snub of three gold coins from Shendu himself. Which was in fact a cover for the dreaded demon sorcerer to spy on the Shadowkhan.
And Jade receives a personal slave from the kitsune. Bound by magics and threats on the lives of her kin, what role will this Koeri play in Jade's subtle struggle amidst dark forces?
And meanwhile, Lord Rokutaro reveals to the Shadow Shogunate the weapon he has been developing all along. A mask!
Kitsune & Crustaceans
Jade had not realized the Shadowkhan had constructed a new structure in her courtyard. She was glad it wasn't too close to the grove. But even so, this had been her only permitted outdoor space before her punishment, and for it to be altered, much less without her knowledge, stung.
It was about the size of a shed, or maybe a shack? Constructed of the same black and grey stone as everything else. Elegant, with a curving roof of tiles, and the walls constructed to evoke paper walls and wooden columns.
It still seemed pathetic besides her, no, 'the' tower.
"This will be Koeri's residence. Her world is the Queen's plateau, save when she accompanies you into the Fortress proper. Perhaps when the Kyushu Fortress is ready for royal residency, she may accompany you beyond these walls."
"I am grateful to serve," the blue and red fox woman said, bowing deeply to Hiruzen. Her face was like a mask, smiling serenely. Impressive, especially as Hiruzen, Jade could tell from his body language, was trying to find fault.
'Can she teach me that?' Jade wondered.
"Your Majesty, by consensus of the Circle, you once more have liberty of the plateau. But you shall be accompanied by both a visible shinobi of Chunin rank at all times, and Koeri," Hiruzen said.
Jade couldn't suppress a smile filling her face. She tried to force it down, then decided, why?
"I am grateful, Yojimbo," she said, looking to Hiruzen. But she didn't bow her head to him; she was the one who was supposed to be royal.
"Koeri has had her duties explained. You will show her the tower itself, and she will answer all your questions regarding her role," Hiruzen declared.
Hiruzen left. When she and Koeri had stepped into the tower, the Yojimbo had excused himself as if it were any other time he had to leave to attend some duty.
The difference was, she was now left alone with this elegant fox-woman.
Granted, there were, no doubt, shinobi watching to make sure their Queen did not fall down the steps or choke on a dumpling or something. But still…
Jade walked forward to the center of the ground floor with Koeri following, her black kimono flowing slightly around her, her hands concealed in the wide sleeves held to her chest. With a now reflexive gesture, Jade ordered her to stop.
Jade walked around her, looking this kitsune over. Her hair was not held up by pins, it fell in a black cascade. Jade would never have guessed it was white as milk recently.
The tail brought her up short. It was blue now, save for the tip, usually depicted as white on foxes, but was now red. It looked fluffy, very fluffy.
Reaching out and grabbing it, she confirmed it was, and pleasantly warm.
Koeri giggled.
Jade let go, and felt her face lit up.
'Why isn't there a melt-through-the-floor spell?! What the hell am I doing?' Jade thought, turning her back.
This was, this was so weird. It was like she had never seen a grown woman before, treating her like a zoo animal, or what?!
Well, aside from that warrior trying to kill her, she hadn't seen any women since the Book of Ages. Most of the bizarre female things at the banquet didn't count. And they had been separated by so many barriers, anyway.
What was wrong with her?
"Nothing's wrong, it's alright," Koeri said. Jade lowered her hand from her face enough to look at the kitsune. She had not moved, though her tail was waving gracefully side to side. Jade couldn't help but follow it. It was a giant fox tail.
How long had it been since she had seen something beautiful that didn't have an undertone of horror in this castle of monsters?
"Grabbing a tail is poor manners, but children grab their family's tails. Among the kitsune, the most basic children's game is trying to catch your playmate's tail while keeping your own out of their hands.
"As for adults, you cannot truly groom your own tail, it is a social activity. So, if Your Majesty is willing, I would like you to groom my tail tonight. I do prefer a woman's hand to the brush, and you are the only one present who is not a smelly human," Koeri said.
"Yes, that is fine," Jade agreed, gulping a little as she was pulled out of the hole she had dug.
X X X
It was possible to feel embarrassed about a room even if it was tidy, Jade had come to discover.
She had shown the elegant kitsune the tower, save the door that never opened. And she felt like she should know more or have something more to offer. Summing up what she did on an average day, it reminded her of how dull her life was when you weren't aware of how stressful an act she put on.
And she did not like the woman in the bedroom! This was the place where she could plop on the bed, hair down and just, be! And she was looking it over with that same smile.
"May I see?" Koeri asked, gesturing to the box holding the hair pins.
"No," Jade snapped. She put a hand to her lips; well, that was rude. The kitsune blinked at her, her ears perking up in surprise. And laughed, giving a smile, one that didn't seem like a mask, and tilted her head.
Jade had never been one to be jealous of the pretty girls. She was a proud dirt and trouble tomboy. But Koeri only really needed glowing red eyes and she could be a kitsunekhan. If tribes came with girls.
"It must have been hard for you, Your Majesty. To be a woman alone. Even devoted men cannot replace a woman's influence. A man raised only by women could never be the best man he could be, and likewise a woman cannot blossom surrounded by the masculine so.
"That is why Hiruzen-sama has brought me here. The Shadowkhan trust rarely and miserly; it was my clan's honor to fulfill their need, and my honor to depart from them to serve you that my clan may prosper from my loss.
"I am yours, 98th Queen of Shadows. If you wish me to live as a fox and never speak, serving as your pet, I will. If you wish me to teach you in lore and magic with strict discipline, I shall. If you only wish me to be a companion of idle entertainment away from the men, I shall do so.
"The magics that have changed me make me unable to harm you. Unable to defy any Shadowkhan. I daresay I am safer than any of your men. You need not fear my thoughts or my words. They can be whatever you wish them to be, you need only command it.
"What would you have me be, Joo Heike?"
"…Would you be my friend? That's something they could never bring me, even if they conquered all Nihon," Jade said. She sounded more tired than she was.
"As you wish. Tell me, do you dance?"
X X X
"This, is foolish," Jade declared. She was standing in the hobby room, tables moved aside at this section for a clear space. And she was trying to will her face to stop flushing in embarrassment, and call on all the royalty she had managed to act. Only to deflate as the blue kitsune giggled into her sleeve. It was irritating how this woman could make her feel like a silly girl so easily.
Of all the things she expected of a slave, this wasn't it.
"You only say that because you tripped, that kimono is too tight for dancing," Koeri said, kneeling down. She pinched some of Jade's purple kimono and felt the material. Jade stepped back and snatched it away from her, lips pulling back.
"Then why not tell me to change?" Jade demanded.
"One little fall, which I caught you from, will be remembered more than any words. When you wish to dance now, you will give more thought to your legs."
"I'm… not sure I have any kimonos like that," Jade admitted.
"Do you just walk everywhere, or be carried by men?" Koeri asked.
"…"
"Oh, my dear Majesty, we have much work to do. I will need to speak to your tailor," Koeri said, covering her mouth and shaking her head.
"That won't be necessary. I will not be dancing," Jade declared. Turning away, she walked over to where the carrying case for her tsuchibue rested.
"And why is that, Your Majesty?" Koeri asked, sweeping in beside Jade.
"Because it is stupid," Jade declared. Really, what more did she have to say? Thankfully, the kitsune simply followed and watched, eyes seemingly closed though, as Jade selected a cushion and started to play the Song of Autumn.
It was a complex song she had yet to fully memorize. As was evident when she hit a sour note. She stopped, frowning. She hated that, it ruined all the right notes and rhythm up to that point!
"I suppose that is a stupid instrument," Koeri said. Jade pulled the ceramic flute to her chest.
"It most certainly is not!" Jade objected.
"Then the song is what is stupid? I expect you did not learn this skill without failing at first. Perhaps failing at it for a long time. You cannot expect to succeed at anything if you are quick to give up, especially when making excuses rather than admitting a failing like a proper lady, Your Majesty," Koeri said.
"You can't make me do anything," Jade reminded the woman. The kitsune woman sighed, and her shoulders slumped while she frowned slightly.
"I have displeased you. Shall I take my life to redeem my honor?"
"What?! No, it's only dancing!" Jade shrieked.
"Very well then. Dancing is not necessary. I suggest it, though, because you seem restless, and your actions, as I understand, have shown a certain unwise boldness as a result. I expected a physical yet safe and feminine outlook may be to your liking. But if you regard it as stupid, then we shall try something else."
Later:
Jade smiled as she read the proposal, an honest smile for once. Perhaps it should have been as big as her grins back home, but it was more a relaxed relief than a celebration of expression.
Ikazuki wanted to raid Awaji Island. A punitive expedition for the "assassination" attempt. An interesting way to describe her blunder.
The proposal was to attack the isle's main coastal castle/settlement, with one General leading it. A perfect set up for the heroes, it seemed to Jade. One General, isolated, with only soldiers backing them up. She could even make it so no officers were present, justifying it as not overcommitting while they reorganized forces for integration of the new territory.
The Kyushuian's death, while unfortunate, made sense as a "darkest hour" deal. Like the warrior was Kenobi and Kyushu was Hoth. And nothing brought heroes together like such tragedy and the recent failure of those two.
Awaji was an ideal target, and she was certain Tobe knew that. The Shadowkhan were about to run into a trap.
But she had modifications to make.
Her smile slipped; two bad things here. Firstly, what she saw as maximizing this, would mean a lot of civilian casualties now to save lives later. More lives saved overall, but unleashing horror this time, no less. And secondly, this time, rather than dealing a bad hand, she was going to actually send a Shadowkhan to its doom, exploiting their loyalty.
The fact it bothered her, made it all the more necessary to do it.
Throne Room, Later:
"The honorable General of the Buke Tribe is recognized," Hiruzen said. Ikazuki straightened at the table, looking over his fellow Generals and looking to the Queen on her throne.
Her expression was passive and detached, not just the veil. She had truly progressed a great deal. She spoke from the throne, not only looking to him but to the assembled in general. Her voice carried well.
"My Queen, you have read my proposal regarding the Shirogeta Clan's domain?" Ikazuki asked.
"We have, General Ikazuki. We are pleased at the prospect of chastising these humans. Even if they did not invade with designs upon our life, for them to venture so far into our territory is unacceptable. It all but proclaims they do not respect and fear us as they should. Respect cannot be easily forced on someone. Fear, on the other hand, is fairly simple to instill.
"It is especially necessary now. While General Ozeki has already departed to assume his duties as Prime Governor of Kyushu, such skilled, and bold, agents of humanity could cause unacceptable delays. A raid, in force, on Awaji will remind them of the penalty for those who raise the ire of the Empire of Shadows. Those who raise the ire of the Queen of Shadows." Her hands remained in their proper place, but the narrowing of her eyes gave evidence to the vehemence of her last words.
"Then I shall begin preparations," Ikazuki said.
The Queen shook her head.
"No, you shall not. General Tsume of the Gani Tribe, I task you with avenging the honor of myself and the Empire" the Queen said. At her look and words, Tsume rose and bowed deep, clicking and clacking away.
"You honor me greatly," the General said.
"General Tsume… that is rather irregular, Your Majesty," Hiruzen said. Despite surprise and already rising anger at being passed over for the cannibal, Ikazuki realized Hiruzen had not known this. Either the Queen was acting on her own again, or someone had gotten her ear.
Given the cold look she gave Hiruzen and the Circle, he was inclined to believe it was the former.
"On the contrary, my Yojimbo. I believe he is the most qualified. Our goal in this venture is terror, not conquest, and who better to squeeze the most terror from a single great raid than the Gani Tribe?
"Also, as they can travel underwater, we will not need to disrupt General Kuro-Ro-Chi's operations to carry out this action. The seeming suddenness of this force emerging from the waves themselves, will also demonstrate to the humans we can strike at will with no warning of even a ship on the horizon.
"To be honest, General Ikazuki, I am surprised you did not suggest such a course. Or perhaps your first thought was to gain still more glory rather than how best to avenge my honor?" the Queen asked.
Time for a tactical withdraw, Ikazuki realized.
"I have committed an oversight. I ask your forgiveness, Joo Heike."
"It is granted," the Queen said, with a slight wave of her right hand. Now he was wondering if she was smiling behind her veil.
"General Tsume, do you accept this mission?" the Queen asked.
The Gani General rose from the table and walked to stand near Hiruzen and kowtowed to the Queen.
"I accept this honor. We will leave not even bones or hair on the shore of Awaji. Nor a drop of wasted blood," he said. His clacking mandibles gave an impression of excitement, Ikazuki observed.
"Leave enough to let them count the dead, if they dare. But such details will be conveyed in my written orders. I will expect you to inform me of any needs and the timetable for this expedition before I send the detailed orders.
"Hiruzen, is there any other business?" the Queen asked.
"One final item remains. It would appear that the so-called Sage has reemerged on Honshu, paying respects to the site of the warrior Toguro's cremation. One of our shinobi allies claims to have interrogated a man who met this so-called sage and spoke with him."
"Really? I had wondered if this Toguro had not been mistaken for a sage in the rumors," Kuro commented.
"Apparently not, though there is no proof this man is a sage still, or even if this is in fact the same man from Kyushu. Though the shinobi claimed that the target claimed Toguro as his younger brother long estranged. And not just a man of great stature, as some have said. He was built like a sumo, the chunin reported," Hiruzen said.
"A sumo? With magic? Was there a name as well?" the Queen asked.
"No, the encounter was brief. Apparently he is not following the war, as thought. He claims to be guided by signs, seeking a child. The Chosen One still lives, at last report, so it seems likely this is some dynastic matter and he is no true sage," Hiruzen concluded.
The discussion of the potential threat continued, to no real merit. If he was working with the Shirogeta Clan, he would be flushed out or he would not. And if he was unaffiliated, fleeing Kyushu implied he was either unable or unwilling to confront their forces relevantly.
The Queen remained silent through the rest of the meeting.
Tobe Castle:
"It will need to be a trap. It is imperative the Shadowkhan not understand what has happened. So they must be lured into an ambush. No witnesses must return to report what they have seen. That is vital — they must be fearful and offended, with ignorance vexing them. That will force them to dance to our tune," Rokutaro explained to the Inner Circle.
"Tobe itself is most secure, Lord Rokutaro," Gurando suggested.
"It is also too great an asset to casually compromise by luring a General here," Rosuto said. He continued refilling his sake.
"The Generals of the Shadowkhan are also their administrators. Given time, Himitsu can determine where they are now in their territory. If they are anything like normal politicians, if we create a crisis in their territory, the closer to them the better, they will try and resolve the issue personally rather than call for their peers' aid and seem weak or incompetent," the archer said.
"Not a bad plan, but that is not our course. After the chance encounter deep in their territory, we can only assume the Shadowkhan will take any invasion seriously. We can use that, but as bait to lure the tiger into the pit. We will be using Awaji Island for our trap. Kyouku-san will raid their coast and make it clear his ships are operating from a certain port there. The Shadowkhan will want to deliver a sharp lesson, but not overstretch themselves. A General will come, to his doom," Lord Rokutaro declared.
"Will you be needing me?" Nonki asked. The musician was lounging on his mat, and took a long drink from a sake gourd.
"No, I will not risk your presence here being exposed prematurely again. And you will not go without my permission, or I will consider our pact broken," Rokutaro threatened. If Nonki was offended by the command, he gave no sign, instead stretching out and actually lying backward and stretching his legs under the table. As if there were any doubt, he put his straw hat over his face.
Murakami and Rokutaro glared at him, along with Gurando and Rosuto, but Yasashi spoke up before anything else could be said.
"I would face this General; the enemy knows of my presence. And I would redeem myself for past failures," she said, bowing to Rokutaro.
"Yes, it was our intention to send you. You will be accompanied by Himitsu, who is also known to the enemy," General Murakami said. Himitsu frowned at that.
"Very well, but there should be a third," the wizard said.
"I shall be the third," General Murakami said.
"…Truly?" Himitsu said with a chuckle. The General's eyes widened, and he rose to his feet.
"Then four," Rokutaro said. At his master's words, the samurai took his hand from the hilt of his sword and returned to his seat.
"Gurando, your great strength could be useful in this sealing," the Lord of Tobe said.
The giant smiled and bowed.
"Of course! I look forward to doing battle with an Oni of such caliber. It will be a victory to sing of," the siegemaster laughed.
"Then our course is set."
Castle of the Long Casting Shadow:
Hishu had not known what to expect when he was summoned to General Tsume's quarters for a private audience with the Gani General.
The diminutive General could tell when he crossed into the Gani sector of the Fortress first by the attention of disgust or disappointment being replaced with apathy.
The Gani did not move in groups, he noticed as they made their way through their corridors and courtyards. Following his escort, a Gani officer wearing a necklace of large fish skulls, he observed the Gani had little of the synchronization of other tribes. Even moving together, it was a group of individuals.
And they kept noticeable space between one another. He saw it violated in front of him, leading to a fight he was certain was no spar. But there wasn't a lack of discipline, as one yell from the officer and the two Gani disengaged and made way.
He heard them resume as they continued. The officer didn't seem to care.
Tsume was eating when they arrived, his receiving room dominated by a long table, and a great many cages. Most were empty, while others held animals ranging from a trembling deer to frantic mice.
As Hishu took his seat opposite the table, Tsume opened the mice cage, and delicately plucked a rodent from it. The acts of the mandibles were swift, but still unpleasant to watch.
"General Hishu, I am pleased to speak with you before I depart," Tsume said.
"I am honored," Hishu said, bowing his head. The black carapaced General leaned on his table, his great claw resting on it.
"Too honored, I think. You lack pride. You will take part in the Ceremony in two days time, you are to be a father. A son so young, their pride is their father. But they cannot take pride in a father who has no pride. It is your duty to cease this nonsense and stand tall for those who will look to you," Tsume said.
"Stand tall? Dono, I have disgraced myself, all tribes look down on me now. And are right to do so," Hishu protested.
"Your failure was spectacular, it is true. But the circumstances were unique and near impossible to be repeated. And such disaster will give you drive that once favored Generals like Jirobo could never have. And as for the others despising you, they despise the Gani as well. They fear us even, foolishly," Tsume said, devouring another terrified mouse.
"Every tribe was created by a Queen. Our Queen Mother was tricked horribly by a lady Ryujuin's court beneath the waves. It cost her, her hands devoured and sent back to the daylights bleeding and disgraced.
"She birthed us from her hatred for that treachery, and the terror she had felt at her maiming; and finally the horror at a life as a cripple with such enchanted wounds. We were born from her desire to make others feel as she had.
"Our first great victory was marching into the waves, and bringing that fish-woman out wriggling from the waters. We carried her far inland, keeping her alive as we snacked upon her arms and other nonessential pieces," Tsume recounted, getting up from the table to go to the deer cage, "When we reached the fortress of the Buke Tribe that the Queen was recovering at, she was delighted. We had saved the best parts for her, and our Queen Mother hosted our forefathers in a grand banquet as the first General fed her her rival piece by piece in place of her lost hands."
Tsume seized the doe as she tried to bolt, and with the same claw decapitated it. He ate the head, in what passed for three bites, Hishu supposed, squirming on his seat.
"What I am saying is that we exist to bring terror. It is our duty to not only defeat enemies with great strength, but to break them with fear and cruelty.
"Also, that Queen was a passionate eater even by the standards of royalty. Few Queens appreciate even devouring human flesh. And the current one, has little use for us. Little use and much scorn is what we receive from our own kind. But we carry on, and without despair. Because we know ourselves and our purpose.
"We are born to a fate, each tribe with its role and each Shadowkhan possessing their measures of talent and will to move forward. To wish for a kinder fate is folly. A Gani is a Gani, and will never be anything more, he can only aspire to be the best Gani he can be; and require and expect no appreciation for it.
"So that is my boon to you, from one outcast to another. Because of your actions they will try and malign your tribe, to beat you down and keep you there. It is your place to find your role despite that," Tsume finished, turning to look Hishu square in the eye. The younger General hesitated, but a determined look crossed his face, and he gave a curt nod, which Tsume returned.
The meeting ended soon after, and Hishu made his way back to his own quarters, deep in thought.
Queen's Tower:
As a rule, Jade did not care much for clothes shopping. Because her mother loved it, at least with her.
Oh, she never forced too much of the stuff Jade didn't like, though she maintained Jade had to 'look nice sometimes'. The buying wasn't the problem, it was being treated like a Barbie doll, trying on outfits she would never ever wear.
Wondering how long it would be until she spoke to her mother again, Jade wished maybe she had not been so vocal about some of those trips. Being denied what she enjoyed lately had made her wonder if her mother might not have been recapturing a little something lost in those outings.
Now here she was, standing in only a close fitting robe and her under wrappings, being measured by a tailor Ninja Khan and his seeming assistants. Namely a pair of sumos who held bolts of silk and a samples of dyed silk respectively.
Koeri was inspecting the silk, having seen the samples of dyes. She had decided Jade needed new outfits, and was taking charge of it. Well, she said she was teaching Jade too; as a woman should not let men pick their outfits often or something.
"No pink! Only dark colors!" Jade objected to one sample she saw Koeri examining.
"Not even for the design?"
"No," Jade said.
"You already have clothes using lighter colors for the design, Your Majesty," Koeri pointed out. Jade found it convenient to ignore that statement.
"Don't let her have any pink," Jade ordered the Khan.
"Perhaps you would care to learn how to dye silk in such a manner?" Koeri asked.
"You know how to do that?" Jade asked. This was quite a talented fox woman it seemed.
"No, but he likely does," the fox said, grinning. The tailorkhan suddenly looked like he wanted to be somewhere else as Koeri flashed him a grin full of pointy teeth.
"…You play any instruments?" Jade asked. Yes it was a clear change of subjects, but she was queen right? If she said they were changing subjects would be changed.
Soon:
The answer to the question turned out to be yes, and quite well. Unfortunately, it also turned out Koeri could not sing, and was apparently unaware of that fact.
Jade was now enduring a concert fr one in the hobby room. For one because she was certain her unseen shadowkhan handers had long since bolted.
Well, Jade supposed, no legend ever said the kitsune were supposed to be perfect.
'Now were ear plugs invented in this time period?' Jade wondered hands clapped over her ears as the kitsune made her horrible noises. Eyes closed and seemingly oblivious to the suffering she inflicted o the world, and most importantly Jade.
Tobe Castle:
Lord Rokutaro looked over his castle and the great town beyond. And to the sea, a salty wind plucking at his hair. He felt a memory of youth standing her with his father so long ago staring out at this same sea and sky. The town had changed of course since then, and he certainly had.
He wondered if he might even look young, standing next to Himitsu. The wizard was not pleased about being summoned, which was fortunate. The daimyo did not want him pleased at the moment.
"You offended General Murakami today. A needless, useless act. You are comrades. Dislike each other as much as you want, but you fight beneath my banner; you should behave properly in matters of relevance, at least," Rokutaro declared. Himitsu laid a hand on the railing.
"He is a fine samurai. But many fine samurai have been sent to Lord Enma's Hell by the Shadowkhan. You seek to win a war, I seek to survive it and gain what I need to achieve my true goals. So if I think you are sending me into danger with insufficient forces, I will not accept it quietly. Lord Rokutaro," Himitsu said.
Rokutaro turned to give his full attention to the ancient man. Himtsu's eyes shifted, but nit his head as he felt the Lord seem to search for something in his posture.
"Nonki is detached to a degree monks could envy, I can see how he hates suffering but sees so little point in resisting it on a grand scale. But you… Are you truly so apathetic to your people's suffering?" Rokutaro asked.
"They suffer under the samurai and daimyo as well. Perhaps not as much, but still. Everywhere I have traveled, people are oppressed. It is the natural state of mortals.
"Your struggle may be worthy, but it will not triumph because it is right. It will triumph because of… It. I would not have aligned with you had you not shown It to me. That was when I realized you were a man willing to do what was truly needed to make your dreams a reality. A man who could help me get what I want. And therefore whom I would help in return," Himitsu said turning his back to the daimyo.
"Do not speak of It in the open. It has provided us with what we need, that will be enough," Rokutaro warned.
"I am guessing It has provided you with far more than just one mask. But do not worry, what you do with It is not my concern. But I would advise you to be cautious. Your ancestors were not fools to seal away what they could not understand. And even I cannot fully understand it.
"As a man who has had to live with the consequences of reaching beyond his limit, be cautious. The seeming path to victory may conceal the pitfall of one's own destruction," Himitsu said glancing over his shoulder at the nobleman. Rokutaro meet the older man's eye unwavering, expression unchanging.
"I have had decades to contemplate that. Do not think that because I am less learned than you in magic I am a fool. I assembled the Inner Circle because I knew the Shogunate in the Shadows would require every asset it could grasp. After that near disaster, this is your chance to show you are useful as more than a spy and fetcher of the exceedingly exotic," Rokutaro said.
"Well, I had best prepare, then. After all, the sooner the Shadowkhan fall, the sooner I collect my own prizes," Himitsu said.
He was courteous this time when he withdrew. Himitsu needed him, but for the moment he needed the wizard as well.
'Humanity — even as we struggle against an outside foe, we cannot help but play dangerous games with even our allies. A strong leader is necessary if we are to overcome and triumph despite our flaws,' the daimyo thought, looking over his domain.
Queen's Plateau:
Koeri frowned as she arranged her nest in the stone shack provided. It was well built, and with the door closed, kept any hint of chill air from entering yet did not overheat. The work of the Sumo Clan — apparently their reputation of being able to build stronger and more comfortable structures with uncut logs and loose stones than most could with the finest material, was not exaggerated.
But it was clear that they wanted to remind her every night for the rest of her life that she was merely a servant wedged into this place. One that could easily, maybe even eagerly, be discarded like she never was.
She might suspect the girl Queen to have a hand in something like this. But the girl was not that clever. Clever to a degree, she saw, but not that clever.
Making the most of the space, having folded her clothes and put them away in her trunk, she shifted into a fox the actual size of a fox. From this perspective, there was quite enough room after all.
She had pushed some boundaries to discover what the Queen wanted or would accept. It was not as bad she had feared; the 98th Queen was a child, but she had a good head for judgement in the court, it seemed. The problem may actually be she had not been a child enough, her maturity a mask donned rather than truly grown into.
She liked food and music. She enjoyed wearing clothes but disliked spending time on them. She liked being outside, but was suspicious of company for much of it. And she seemed to have a fixation on hygiene, practically swooning on her bathhouse privileges being reinstated and eyes going wide at a sarcastic suggestion of being able to now get dirty hunting snakes under rocks.
She also had no appreciation for the art of singing. Putting out her foxfire illumination with a flick of her tails, Koeri began to sing herself a song. An elegant thing of nights and autumn passing over mountainsides and valleys. Only the Kitsune language could bring out its true beauty.
BOOM CRACK!
Yipping as something slammed into the wall of the building, Koeri knocked down the door, growing large as she could as she bolted out.
Only to be grabbed by the scruff of her neck. Blinking, she realized, turning away, that she had nearly run into the little blue Queen. A Shinobi Tribe member was holding her, and two more stood stood beside the Queen.
"I told you no more of that singing! It's not singing, it's something yipping while dying a painful death and wanting everything, even inanimate objects, to suffer too! So stop," the Queen declared, stomping a foot.
Blinking, wondering how the Queen had even heard her wonderful song, she watched her go, before the Khan dragged her back a few paces and threw her into the hut.
"It's official, you are ordered not to sing, or what you think singing is. Disobey and suffer," the shinobi said, before slamming her door shut.
"…Brat," Koeri spat, rubbing her snout.
Night of the Half Moon:
The Court of Beginnings was truly beautiful, Hishu thought, entering with the other Generals. Ozeki was absent, of course, having assumed his new office overseeing the newly conquered territory. And Tsume had abstained, choosing to leave as soon as possible to oversee preparations for the great raid. The others had either not left since the banquet, or their duties had kept them near enough to make this occasion.
The duties of a General, the brother-father of a tribe. By birth he had inherited the post, but he had yet to assume the duties. Hiruzen-sama had made it clear, before everything went wrong, that every tribe was unique, so each General's role both as leader of his tribe and their representative in the race as a whole was unique.
And Tsume, of all Khan, had provided him with sage advice. Come to think of it, Hishu admitted that the other's hunger did not repulse him as much as it seemed the other Generals. The method was needlessly cruel, and messy. Very messy. But the act itself, to devour, was to depower others and empower yourself.
That thought… phrase… Idea? It had struck a cord with him, a feeling that a fire of truth had been lit in him. But he could not understand yet what the fire revealed.
Kamisori poked him on the top of the head, bringing his mind back to the present. Hishu blushed at lapsing and hurried to reach his place in the circle.
The stones of the courtyard did not match. Several had been moved and replaced, the design of the circle itself expanded. Expanded to accommodate him. The spot he took was pristine, blank. His tribe had yet to be graced with a name; hopefully that would end tonight as his brothers were born.
And here she came, Mother.
She was dressed in the white finery of the ceremony, painted to call to mind a pure goddess of the heavens, a rejection of the corruption and sterility of the Yomi that Kagehime had escaped.
And as she ascended the pedestal using a short set of stairs immediately removed by a Kamikiri, he could feel her! Chi, shadow chi, life itself rose from her, spreading like a cloud. He could see himself crawling to her in adoration, in worship. His shadow was already reacting, wanting to stretch, to seek out what called to it with a song that was a thread of the world.
She looked at him, as the prayers were said. There was no hate there, but confusion. Shame? She should never feel ashamed, she was perfect.
It was with a sigh and no need for effort that he loosed his shadow at the appropriate time. The presence of the others, feeling them struggle to gain purchase, to hold it, and battering against their neighbors… it seemed so foolish.
His shadow was small, thin, patient. It twisted through an opening without haste. There was no need to shove or tug, the way was clear and right, the convolution was immaterial. And when his shadow touched hers, it was greater than anything he had heard described. Life flowed into his shadow, and bloomed.
It was enough, he felt, as the blossoms in his mind spread. Without disturbing the others, he released.
All was well.
X X X
Jade did not lose her balance as their shadows' withdrew from her. This did get easier, and to her surprise the new addition had not made the load "heavier".
Truthfully, Hishu's shadow was distinct as the others were not. All of the shadows were gentle and inviting when you truly let yourself feel, but his had a charm she could not quite describe. To give her chi to them was a task. To him, it was a good feeling. It reminded her of picking out a gift for Jackie, the happiness of giving to someone close?
Regardless, she felt alright after this ceremony, and the Kamikiri attendants did not need to rush to her assistance. A bit drained, as was the norm, but fine. She could probably hop down, but such would be scandalous and serve no purpose.
Opening her eyes to the lovely night, she looked around to see how Hishu had done.
"What?" she asked. Her question was added to the bafflement of the other Generals, even Hiruzen coming to her side now rather than Kamikiri with the stairs. She did not protest as he picked her up, shifting her to his back.
The wedge of the circle for Hishu did not hold the lumps of "mother"-chanting new Shadowkhan in it. It was covered, literally covered, as in hardly any stone visible, with a blue swarm.
"The Swarm of Shadows," Jade said, as Hishu stepped forward from his appointed place and seemed to still them with his presence.
He looked to the others, and to her, clearly seeking guidance.
"High Priest. Assist him," she ordered Sanshobo. She squeezed Hiruzen's shoulders, which he understood to be her wanting to leave.
This was a flavor too weird. And locusts had been what she wanted? Wanted, as in idle dreams like a sci-fi nerd dreaming about the Terminator only for one to them kick down his door and shoot him?
She really, really hoped she had not just lost humanity this war.
X X X
The wind was with them, as was the tide. The ship was fine but not so grand. With this crew and speed, it was said their arrival was guaranteed to be as swift as possible. Long before the Devil of the Sea would make the coast of Shikoku bleed.
Yasashi disliked sailing; the water made her stomach uneasy. And it reminded the warrior woman of that long ago crossing, escaping Fallen Shikoku. She would much rather have taken Himitsu's Roc feather. Among other things, it would mean not sharing a ship with Gurando. She turned her back to the sea and saw him sitting against the mast.
He was holding his court, as usual. Drawing sailors this time into good humor and tales of past exploits of battle, barter, and bedding. This was a man who had built his life on learning how to defend people and then turning around, using that knowledge to break castles and slaughter its people.
She knew his goals, to be a daimyo himself, to stand equal to those he served. And she was certain he would still smile so easily, but those his rule was inflicted on wouldn't. Gurando's necklace was a trophy, not to every strong wall he built to defend, but to every wall broken down.
The Demon Queller was not certain if she hated the man so much, or how much humanity seemed to love a son who had brought it such misery.
She had made it a point to take human life only when there was either no choice, or the human was so far gone into darkness they were no better than malicious youkai. Yet she was watched with wariness by humanity, because her methods were strange and her gender was wrong in their eyes for what she did.
She saw Murakami by the helm. He shared her disgust for the giant; he even wore his armor here with such risk. A man of bravery and principal. But his principal meant he despised her as well.
Which left only Himitsu, hiding somewhere below working his magic on their behalf. He did not hate her, but it was likely that he simply did not care.
Her comrades left little to believe in. So, to serve humanity in addition to vengeance, she must believe in Lord Rokutaro himself, that a better hand wielded such flawed weapons.
That those innocents, like she once was, would die for this plan… they would be lives spent toward averting future tragedies.
Claiming a space on deck, heedless of the busy sailors' protest, she began her katas, Houka singing through the air.
Things were reaching a climax, and she would be prepared for it.
Author's Note: Well here we are again. Enjoy, but best not get used to this.
Long days and pleasant night to you all!