The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind

is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of

fear is fear of the unknown.

– H.P. Lovecraft

Sciamachy

Kurama's POV

Initially, all appeared to be well.

Both combatants fought with a tenacity which entranced the audience, pulling even some of our own to their feet while the Oni's cheers rang against the trees, burly men beating their chests and the ground with heavy fists. Wrapped in a dance known to them alone, Hiei and Karasu met one another blow for blow, feet carrying them to the far side of the clearing. Yusuke's jeers sounded at my right as he reclaimed his seat, uncaring of the thick compress secured to his nose. Even father appeared to enjoy the match, lips lifting when the scent of both men's blood reached even here.

But then Rui spoke in her strange tongue.

And Yusuke's laughter died.

Father's smile fell as he rose, sightless eyes tracing Karasu's path skyward. "Stop the match."

Yana appeared at his side, brow knit. "My lord?"

"Gather however many men necessary and stop them, Yanagasawa. Be sure to take Suzaku with you."

The knight lingered a moment longer – doubtlessly awaiting further instruction – yet when none came he clapped a fist to his chest and hurried away, leaping over the side of the platform.

"Father, what is the meaning of this?" I demanded, ripping my eyes from the twirling kama, from the sight of Hiei's blood raining upon the grass. "You will bring shame to both if you–"

"No, Kurama, he's right." Yusuke said even as Shizuru gripped my sleeve, face paling to ghostly white against his wild mane. "Are you–" He shook his head, eyes wide. "Don't tell me you can't feel that?"
In that moment, the flowers screamed and a choking presence filtered in, one which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on-end. I swallowed, praying for calm and glancing back at the clearing. Karasu hung in the air still, listless as ever, the breeze intensifying about him with each passing second. Hiei maintained his crouch though something was different, something I couldn't quite place.

Then his face caught my eye. Snarling teeth, pupils shrunken to pinpricks, something altogether sinister swimming within ruby depths–

I'd seen this before.

"Hiei!" Shizuru's hold alone stopped me from rushing the arena. Memories came forth in tandem, horrors from childhood I thought were behind me: the darkened library, forbidden fruit crushed underfoot, a bloodied mouth, a child's cry.

That could never happen again. "Hiei, don't!"

But it was too late. A foreign scream tore from his throat, one too high-pitched and far bigger than his body should hold. Flames encased his right arm, then, purple fire springing from elbow to fingertip, wrapping around the dragon tattoo and burning skin, meat, bone–

A growl swallowed the scream and suddenly he was airborne, gripping the Tengu's blades and snapping at his throat.

"Hiei!" Yusuke cried as Yana and a handful of other knights burst through the trees, Suzaku leading the charge. The taller man ordered them to fan out while Suzaku stretched out his left arm, hand-guard falling away to reveal runes racing across his palm. Fingers splayed, he muttered softly to himself, eyes never leaving Hiei as the strange characters ran faster and faster across his skin.

Finally, a soft light illuminated his palm and he stopped, shouting. "Bindan!"

With that one word, the dragon sprang to life, fleeing Hiei's arm to wrap around his throat with surprising speed. The ink tightened its hold in time with Suzaku's fingers, the members even then slowly curling into a fist.

A choking sound and Hiei pulled back, eyes wide and unseeing, gasping desperately for air. Karasu landed a decisive kick to his sternum, following him to the ground even as the flames fought on, dragging another strangled scream from his throat:

What was going on?

The knights watched on as Karasu lifted Hiei's chin with a scythe, my friend struggling to breath due to Suzaku's hold. Saliva fell from his lips as he reached past the blade to grip the Tengu's pale wrist, claws bursting from impossibly swollen fingers, jaws opened wide in a snarl.

One last stuttering cry and Hiei's hands fell away, eyes rolling to the back of his head.

Stunned silence filled the stands as the knights surrounded the two and forced Karasu away, gripping sheathed blades with practiced ease. The masked man backed away without a fight, lower his kama without being commanded to do so. A word from Yana and Karasu retreated a step further, taking in each man before focusing on his mistress. At Rui's nod, he bowed his head, tucking his weapons under either arm and gliding toward her with easy steps.

"What was that?" Shizuru breathed, glancing first to Yusuke then to myself.

My cousin did not respond, and I found I had no words for her, either. We watched mutely as Yana scooped Hiei up with a steady arm, throwing him over one shoulder before turning, Suzaku following one pace behind. The knight's hand remained outstretched, fingers imitating spider's legs as he concentrated on the unconscious man. At every twitch and involuntary muscle spasm, the characters moved, dark ink's grip around Hiei's neck fluctuating with each breath. A brutal punishment, one which could sever his life at any moment–

I'd forgotten such magic existed in Gandara.

"Take him to the castle." Father commanded as I took in the cuts marring Hiei's body, his ruined arm, the blood leaking from his ears, nose, and split cuticles. "See to it that my healers tend to him personally."

"Yes, my lord." Each knight dipped his head save Suzaku, whose attentions on Hiei never faltered even as sweat beaded his brow. They retreated then, my companion's the last face to be lost to tender orchard leaves.

"Okay, that was weird." Yusuke mused, settling back on his throne, dirty foot perched on a wooden arm. "Stupid weird. Has anything like that ever happened to him before, Uncle?"

Rather than answer, father reclaimed his seat, smile returning by degrees. "Do not worry, nephew, Hiei will be fine."

Yusuke's lips pursed, wincing at the pain the action obviously caused him. "That's not what I–"

"Everything, whether mortal or a kingdom, has its secrets, Prince Yusuke." Father's voice overrode his with ease, tone level, assuring, even. "You know this better than anyone."

A sharp breath and Yusuke's mouth clamped shut, shoving his palm against the orifice before glancing away. Normally such a reaction would have blessed me with a smile, but not today. No, Hiei's screams still rang in my ears; burned flesh clung to both nostrils and strange flames even now lit my retinas. I fought to keep my hands still as the flowers' cries rang out, writhing beneath the weight of his freshly-spilled blood.

Such was too much to ignore.

Thankfully, Shizuru shared my sentiments. "Was that the result of the Tengu's power, King Yomi?" She leaned forward, never relaxing her hold on my arm. "Forgive me, this is the first I've seen of their kind."

"I cannot say, Lady Shizuru. Other than my father's accounts, I know little of them." He turned his head, following the trees' promptings. Karasu knelt before his mistress, wings a downy mass at his back as he crossed his weapon's handles, laying them reverently at her feet. Red dripped from the blades, coating the grass, dying the corners of her pale robes, though the Koorime seemed unconcerned about those things. Rather, Rui's fingers delved into his hair, combing through the tangled mass as she cooed to him in their mother tongue. The Tengu returned her affections by leaning into her touch, eyes closing in a look of pure ecstasy. He was heedless in her hands, uncaring of the injuries dealt by Hiei's blade or the horrified looks cast his way.

Somehow, I could not reconcile this man with the warrior from moments before.

Yusuke's glare smoldered at the display, though he held his peace. Shizuru licked her lips, tilting her head toward father. "Aside from their physical might and the power of their gaze, what abilities do Tengu possess?"

Father's finger tapped against the giddy branch, scars at the bridge of his nose deepening. "I recall the late king saying they command the wind, though even he was unsure of the validity of such claims."

An uncomplimentary sound as my cousin blew against his hand, which father graciously ignored as he rose to address the crowd.

My mind tuned out the proceeding speech, turning back to the concluded match without my permission. Once again, I felt the anticipation of the fight, experienced the dark pull of Karasu's eyes. Savage growls found me there, along with razor teeth and reptilian eyes. Hiei's anger burned against my skin, transporting me to the realm of nightmares, where lightning lined the walls and bruises sprouted upon a too-young face. Blood, tears, a shattered scream–

Things I longed to forget.

"A five-pronged blood seal."

Shizuru's voice reached my ears, words nearly drowned out by father's raised baritone. Brow knit, she continued murmuring to herself, tracing some unknown pattern on the back of one hand.

I leaned forward under the pretense of fanning her with an outstretched branch, mouth stopping inches from her ear. "What is it?"

She licked her lips, pink darting across plush coral before shaking her head, staring pointedly at her lap.

Her reluctance caught me off-guard, though I did my best to hide it, head turning to watch the clearing. Several Oni surrounded a squat ram with red skin and curling horns – their last fighter. Garbed in an orange plaid and tan trousers, the one called Enki received their advice and well-wishes with grace, grinning as he passed his club from one boisterous arm to the other. Karasu rose, though he did not afford his opponent even a passing glance. No, his attention remained on Rui, feathers shielding her from the sun while she focused on father.

"Bird boy's about to get it."

My gaze shifted to Yusuke, fanning Shizuru still as she sat lost in her thoughts. Placated poise forgotten, my cousin sat with one leg drawn in while the other bent toward his chest, toes curling around crossed ankles. Halting hand having moved to his chin, Yusuke fought the urge to grin, satisfied instead balancing a smirk atop bruised knuckles.

Yusuke had always been sly; it was the reason he was crown prince despite having three brothers older than he. "Oh? How did you come to that conclusion?"

This time he did grin, teeth flashing as his chest vibrated with a chuckle. "Unlike your boorish brood, our people live to fight. The worst thing you can do to a ram is tell him he has to wait for a good brawl." Though he was careful to keep his voice low, our muted conversation garnered quite a glares, especially from the elder Gandarans. Yusuke, however, couldn't have cared less about father's words and I'd heard such speeches my entire life. "Especially after watching so many matches and seeing birdy fight?" He shrugged, hands delving into his braids and leaning back. "He's as good as dead."

I raised a brow, noting father's closing statement with gratitude. "I thought killing during tournaments was not allowed in Tourrin?"

He opened one eye to stare at me, having closed both while reclining. "It's not, but don't worry – after what he did, he'll wish he was dead."

Only then did I see the extent of Yusuke's anger toward the Tengu, the bitterness toward his defeating our companion so easily. My cousin was not one to hold grudges yet something about Karasu set him ill at ease, bringing out the rudimentary parts of his nature he normally ignored–

A special talent, to say the least.

Applause and father reclaimed his throne, face fixed on the arena as the combatants came forth. Karasu strode to his place with flawless grace while Hokushin escorted Enki to the opposite side of the clearing, mouth set as he listened to the younger ram's excited yammering. The Hornless offered no words of advice or encouragement, no partiality toward his countryman other than acting as a guide: Such was his role.

Karasu glanced back toward his mistress once more, taking in both her sure stance and the coated kama lying still at her feet. Rui smiled for him, fingers of one hand stretching as far and straight as they would go. A subtle gesture – one I couldn't hope to understand – though the motion set him at ease for he turned to face his opponent once more, open palms revealed to the Oni without pretense.

Hokushin's gaze shifted between the two men before he raised one arm slowly, with steady determination. Then, just when it seemed he would leave the limb to hang forever, he brought his hand down, striking a thigh with a decisive 'clap'.

Enki shivered with obvious excitement but refused to make the first move, doubtlessly recalling Hiei's mistake from the previous match. Precious seconds ticked past in which absolutely nothing happened, the silence in the stands as full as the trees which held them. Then, slowly, Karasu lifted both hands level with his chest, wrists limp, before throwing both into the air, palms facing upward. He maintained this stance despite the jeers thrown his way, meeting Enki's confusion with his unnerving stare.

Yusuke blinked, feet brushing the ground as he leaned forward. "Is he . . . giving up?"

Even as one who did not know the language of the mute, Karasu's stance could signal nothing other than surrender. In the face of the last match, however, the Tengu's submission left me speechless.

The Oni were not so subtle in their opinions. "It's a trick! Don't fall for it, Enki!"

"Keep the heid!" Another shouted, a spirited ram not chosen to fight. "Batter the bawbag!"

This was all the encouragement the warrior needed. Banishing all but the thrill of the fight, Enki screamed to the sky, charging Karasu with abandon.

"Ekki berjast." Rui murmured, her voice reaching my ears due to her proximity, though Karasu heard her all the same. Wings tucked close to his body, he allowed his legs to carry him back, narrowly dodging a bludgeoning by the ram's horns. Still, his hands remained upraised and not a hint of a breeze appeared.

A fact not lost to Yusuke. "Enki, stop!" He shouted, jumping to his feet. "He doesn't want to fight you!"

But the ram was too far gone, lost to the throes of adrenaline and the desire to establish himself among his peers. Another lusty yell and Enki rushed his opponent, club swinging with abandon. Karasu dodged the first two strikes just as he had before, fleeing despite his opponent's speed. However, the ram then stepped purposefully on the Tengu's foot, blocking his retreat before bringing the weapon down full force.

Karasu made no move to block the blow. Rather, his hands remained upraised, acting as masochistic markers toward the Oni's true target. The stone club met his face with a sickening sound, striking from jaw to cheekbone without mercy. Karasu allowed the momentum to carry him to the ground, though he did not acknowledge the blood seeping from twisted metal nor the swelling already emerging beneath one eye.

No, the Tengu reacted only when a definite fissure lined the mask, racing downward with sickening speed. Rather than pain, however, his eyes widened in inexplicable horror, fear lighting those dead depths even though he refused to defend himself.

"Stop!" Yusuke screeched, only fear of insulting father keeping him from rushing the clearing. "I command you to stop!"

Still, Enki did not heed his words. Thinking only of the present victory, the ram ignored Karasu's still hands and wide, winsome eyes, flashing club raised for the final blow.

Two things happened then, neither of which I could have predicted. First, Rui appeared before her fallen warrior, face fixed in a cold mask while staring down his opponent. Hokushin materialized next, legs spread wide as he stopped the club with his staff, catching it at the highest point possible. A muted screech and blue erupted from the joined weapons, lightning racing down the Hornless' arm, eating away plaid and tunic from wrist to shoulder blade. Despite the blackened skin and cuts left by the strike, Hokushin's stance never wavered, his expression stoic as ever. Finally, Yusuke's guardian twisted his torso, long limbs allowing him to pivot Enki to the ground.

The Oni fell with a grunt, body hitting the earth with a resounding rumble due to his girth. He made to rise again but Hokushin was already there, staff positioned inches from his larynx.

"Did you not hear your lord command you to cease fighting?" Hokushin demanded, heedless of the blood dripping from his bicep and elbow. Enki's brow furrowed as clarity returned to his gaze, all traces of battle-lust gone. "You would disobey our prince so callously?"

Enki's eyes widened at this and he turned his head to take in Yusuke, who stood still with his foot upon the platform's banister. Fists clenched at his side, my cousin's face still held traces of shock though anger was quickly taking up residence, lips parting to flash teeth. "N-no! I would never–"

"Or would you dishonor your house and clan by battering an opponent who does not wish to fight you?"

Brows lost in sandy hair, Enki shifted his gaze to stare past Hokushin. Rui had yet to move from her defiant stance, shielding Karasu's body with her own without hesitation. Jaw set, she maintained her icy mask, frigid glare smoldering within her pale face. Karasu hands had fallen the moment his mistress appeared and now both appendages were occupied, one clinging to the shattered remnants of his mask while the other gripped her robes, fingers trembling at their tasks. He surprised me further when tears welled beneath drawn lashes and he began to weep, black collar shuddering as he buried his bloodied face into her skirts.

"Karasu lost the ability to speak as a child." Rui's tone matched her composure, frost-tinged words reaching even here as she placed a hand on the Tengu's head. "He was surrendering to you the only way he knew how."

Enki tried to speak a few times but when his voice failed him, he swallowed hard, shame drenching his face as Hokushin allowed him to rise. Rather than roll to his feet, however, the ram knelt in Yusuke's direction, horns brushing the ground. "Forgive me, Lord Yusuke." He said before turning to the Koorime, his head never leaving the grass. "And you, Lady Rui. I did not mean to offend in any way. Watching the Tengu's matches spoke to my blood and when I realized we would fight one another–" Here his voice trailed away and he swallowed, dipping his head further. "I could hear nor see nothing other than the chance to battle a worthy opponent. I swear by the horns of my ancestors I would never force an unwilling man to fight."

Whether Rui did or not remained unknown; she softened neither her glare nor her posture. However, Yusuke retracted his foot, arms crossing at his chest. "Yeah, we all know that, Enki." The ram raised his head at his lord's voice, watching as my cousin pulled at the compress at his nose. "Just know next time it happens, I'm batterin' yer dafty dowp til yer da don't recognize you!"

The ram grinned at this, rising to his feet. "Aye!"

Enki was promptly named the champion, a fitting end to a tournament honoring Tourrin's prince. Rui and Karasu refused the offers of our healers in favor of the privacy of their own chambers, the lady assaying their concern with assurances of the Tengu's endurance and inherited traits. They made quite the pair fleeing the clearing as the onlookers stormed the grass, black wings and red-dyed robes swallowed readily by overeager trees.

I exchanged pleasantries with Yusuke's people along with father and the other nobles, yet my mind continued to trace over what we'd just witnessed, not quite able to process it all. Hiei's anger and the memory of his blood shriveled my stomach, his screams tapping already frazzled nerves. Also, Karasu's behavior puzzled me to no end, for I could not account for the change in his demeanor between Hiei's match and his bout with Enki. Logic failed as countless horned men gripped my hand and arm, retracing both fights with tactical precision. The Tengu had fought my companion without reserve or mercy, showing no remorse as he dragged out impurities from his opponent with each drop of blood. Not that he seemed overjoyed with the task. No, as with everything, Karasu met Hiei's wrath with cool indifference, refusing to panic even when the shorter man lost control of his faculties.

With Enki, on the other hand, Karasu showed no will to fight, even though the ram was obviously a weaker opponent. Rather, the Tengu approached him without a weapon of any sort, forgoing personal safety entirely by raising his hands. He'd made no move to defend himself, either, choosing rather to retreat until Enki landed a cruel blow. Even then, Karasu appeared unencumbered by personal pain. No:

He reacted only when his mask broke.

"Prince Kurama?"

Only when she called my name did I realize Shizuru had left my side, voice subdued as she weaved through the throng of sweat-soaked men. Alarm iced my veins at her drawn look, apprehension and hints of fear pulling at her brows and mouth.

I'd never seen such a look on her face before.

Stifling every desire to run to her, I forced my feet to keep an orderly pace, reaching her in a few easy strides. "You appear pale, Lady Kuwabara. Is something the matter?"

My fingers shook with the urge to touch her, to examine her with my body rather than my words. I noted Yusuke watching her out of the corner of my eye, face darkening even as he listened to a ram with veiled disinterest. If any had harmed her, especially among his own brood, the Oni prince would see to the matter personally.

Such was his nature.

Shizuru shook her head, breath airy. "No, my lord, everything is fine. Only," She bit her lip, unwilling to meet my eye. "The excitement and heat have fatigued me. My ladies withdrew for Schloss Wald after Lord Hiei's match, and I fear I may faint along the way." A glance at the rams surrounding her, alongside the Gandaran men who spared her not even a cursory look. "I know it is impertinent for me to ask, but would my lord be willing to escort me back to the castle?"

Boots creaking, she swayed first to the left, then to the right, fists pressed against her stomach. Shaking her head, she appeared ready to retract her request when one knee buckled, sending her careening forward. I caught her instantly, not willing for any part of her to brush the ground. "Lady Shizuru–!"

Only then did I discover her ruse. Shizuru's heart beat against mine in a steady rhythm, one untouched by stress or natural extremities. Her skin remained cool to the touch against my cheek and no sickness emanated from her, nor the heavy smell which always accompanied exhaustion. No, she was healthy and whole, resilient as a fox and just as clever.

The twinkle in her eye said as much.

"Would you excuse us, my King?" I glanced at father and helped her to her feet, allowing Shizuru to lean on my arm. "The lady feels unwell – I would escort her to her ladies personally."

Father hummed, breaking off his conversation with Enki to nod in my direction. "Of course, my son. Please see to Lady Shizuru for us."

I nodded, supporting much of Shizuru's weight upon my trapped arm as we left the clearing. Yusuke glanced my way once and grinned, brows wiggling before he winked.

Surely, he'd performed the same stunt any number of times.

Soon enough, the trees engulfed us in their wild, wonderous folds, carving a path to Schloss Wald free of prying eyes. However, Shizuru clung to me still, refusing to relinquish her hold until we reached the peach trees, the belly of the royal orchards. Her hands fled then, falling to her sides amid velvet whispers. Only then did I realize the strength of her grip, the perfect imprint her fingers left on the cloth, muscles immediately mourning the loss of her touch–

I swallowed as the leaves laughed overhead, great boughs craning to watch us.

"Shizuru." Her name sounded thick on my tongue; foreign, as though spoken the first time. Normally, the syllables brought great joy for they belonged to the most beautiful woman in the world. However, I'd never spoken her name outside the castle walls, and then only in the company of Yusuke or Hiei. I trusted the trees to keep my secret – they'd guarded many in my lifetime – yet for some reason, my throat constricted beneath them, paralyzed by sensations I could not place.

She stopped willingly, shuddering before leaning against the trunk of an elder peach, tracing calloused bark with one finger. Though I couldn't see her face, tense shoulders gave away her anger, back straight despite the dip of her body.

Before I could question such a thing, however, she posed one of her own. "How did Hiei receive the mark on his arm?"

The leaves shivered, parting the canopy for an instant before wrapping us once more in dull shade. I watched the sunlight dance across her hair, her hands, painting each detail in colors only a master artisan could concoct. The shift lasted only a moment but the sight of honey fronds braided tight at the nape, the elegant curve of her neck, muscles along her spine smooth and taut:

I knew the image would stay with me the rest of my days.

"Honestly, I am not sure." The trees were listening – I could tell by their silence and undeniable fidgeting – though they made no move to stop us, lily leaves lifting to touch my ankles as I traversed to her side. "The dragon appeared after an incident when we were children."

Lips pursed, she finally glanced at me, eyes shuttered and sharp. "'Incident'?"

"I do not remember the details – it was long ago and we were both very young." Mouth twisting in a scowl, my stomach turned as the memory visited once again: bloodied lips glistening in a dark room; the dragon twisting against raw skin, threatening to eat me alive. "All I know is that Hiei disappeared for two days after an incident in the library and when I saw him next, he possessed the tattoo. Kaito claimed it was a gift, a testament of his strength and loyalty to the crown." Her gaze darkened further, fingers threatening to splinter the wood. "Why, is something the matter?"

For a moment, I feared she would not answer. Unadulterated rage filtered into her gaze – razed cinnamon; a traitorous emotion unfamiliar with my presence. Dark veins surfaced on the backs of her hands and both members shook, one digging further into the still tree, the other burrowing beneath her skirts.

Finally, her lips parted, voice barely above a whisper. "That mark is a seal, Kurama – a powerful one."

My body lurched as if struck, lungs sucking in a sharp breath. Something deep inside rejoiced in her calling me by my given name, though her words hung between us like a tainted thing, banishing any pleasure which could be derived from omission of niceties.

Of course, I knew of seals. A powerful magic, seals were used by many kingdoms, each of which put their own spin on the art. The Oni, for example, placed seals upon their king at his coronation, a ritual lasting several days conducted by the Hornless. Much like father acted

as the voice of Gandara's forests, Tourrin's king became the representative of both Dagda and Lugh upon his crowning: a double-edged sword, for while the Oni king could hear the voices of his gods and was granted their might to use at will, such power was impossible for any mortal to control. Many Tourrite kings were driven mad before their soothsayers developed seals, a method to aid in controlling his power–

The Hornless were formed for just that purpose.

As for Gandara, seals were not developed here until the Dragon's War, and even then with mixed results. Originally intended to control the beasts, the practice was soon outlawed for a number of reasons, namely due to mortal danger of the caster. If even one thing went awry during the ritual – which itself took quite some time – both the recipient and the caster would likely die; such happened countless times during that bloody war. Also, another flaw presented itself in the possibility of the caster abusing his or her power because, frankly, the recipient could not stand against the magic. Such corrupted the soul of both, leading to unsatisfactory ends, especially when further experimentation proved seals could be used on Gandaran and dragon alike. Thus, sealing was forbidden at the close of the war, taught thereafter only to the royal house as a precaution for Gandara's security:

How did Shizuru know of the practice?

She turned to me, then, brows raised. "You didn't know?"

I shook my head, unable to manage a verbal admission.

Disappointment dissolved her surprise, pulled at her mouth, leaving behind something decidedly dark.

Before she could admit as much, however, I pushed forward. "I thought knowledge of seals was limited to my bloodline, my lady."

Back to formalities, a habit my tongue set to readily. Rather than comment, however, she smirked, a perfectly chiseled, sloping line. "Knowledge is limited only to those who have given up learning, my lord."

I bit back a curse, though refused to let my frustration show, choosing instead to escort her deeper among the trees. "Tell me – what is a five-pronged blood seal?"

She frowned as the fragrance of fruit pressed to her skin, though the boughs knew better than to offer their treasures now. Fingers curling around my arm, she picked at a stubborn cuticle with her thumb, a nervous habit left from childhood. "You've never heard of it?"

A sarcastic comment rose – some quip about Kaito's lax pace in teaching which had long-since led me to seek things out for myself in the library – though I simply shook my head. "No."

Another lapse of silence and copper tinted the air, soft red budding at her middle finger. "Shizuru–"

"Seals are difficult to pull off, even under the best circumstances. I assume you know the risks involved?" At my nod, she continued, mouth twisted to one side. "Blood seals, however, are an entirely different beast because what goes into them isn't simply thoughtless words and symbols. Surely you can guess what they call for, Kurama."

This was not a question but a demand; even in her anger, she would never insult my intelligence. "Blood."

An affirmative hum. "And lots of it, from both the caster and receiver."

I bottled the shudder as soon as it rose, fighting back red-hued images.

When the expected commentary did not come, she continued. "There are six blood seals, each more complicated to cast than the last, yet each additional prong comes more stability, control. The five-pronged seal is the second most powerful."

The breeze found us beneath the apple trees, brushing her skirts against my knee. "With six prongs being the strongest?"

"No, the seven-pronged holds that spot." At my look Shizuru shrugged, pulling her pipe and tobacco from a sleeve pocket. "The number six does not care for Gandara – our ancestors discovered that during the Great War."

I nodded, stepping away so she could enjoy her recreation in peace. "How much more power dwells in seven prongs than five?"

She closed her eyes as she inhaled, holding in the sweet smoke for several seconds. When she finally exhaled through both nostrils, a calm had overtaken her face which was absent before, one I could not invoke even on the best of days. "With five points, both parties generally live through the ritual, though a great deal of blood is called for. With seven points–"

Here she stopped, taking another long, deep drag. I knew she would not be hurried so I didn't try, though my ears ached with longing.

Finally, she exhaled, leveling me with a look. "The seven-pronged seal irrevocably involves death."

The fig trees hissed overhead, though it could very well have been a trick of the wind. "Of whom?"

Shizuru did not comment on the sudden softness in my voice, the perpetual cold seeping into my features. Both intoned shock, something a member of Gandaran royalty was not allowed to express:

She'd learned as much during our time together.

"A chosen soothsayer and, eventually, either the caster or receiver – whomever loses the battle of wills."

Both Hiei and Suzaku's faces flashed before my eyes, both healthy and whole before falling in a bloody heap, bodies torn asunder by an unseen force.

Pressure on my shoulder and Shizuru's smile filtered through the red. "We're dealing with the five-pronged seal, Kurama – neither of them should meet that end."

I returned her smile as spider lilies giggled, thick fruit swaying overhead. Before I knew it, my hand reached up to grip her own, an action she allowed as our arms fell between us and we continued on our way. "So, Suzaku is the maker of the seal and Hiei the vessel."

"Yes, though I have no idea why."

Truthfully, I didn't, either. Nothing from that winter day hinted such extreme action necessary, and this went far above any punishment Hiei could have allocated for removing the knight's finger.

Shizuru shifted her grip as we entered the nut groves, pressing gently against my knuckles. "And asking either is out of the question."

I acknowledged as much with a grunt. "I could demand an answer as the prince, though Suzaku serves father directly and is under no obligation to answer."

Another drag and she tipped her head back, smoke pouring from her lips. "What about Hiei?"

"According to Gandaran law, Hiei belongs to me as a piece of property might, though I have never entertained that thought." I shook my head, refusing to allow the balm of walnut to soothe me. "If I pressed him using my authority as prince, he would have no choice but to answer."

Her face softened further, morphing into a look I'd often seen mothers give their children. "You don't think he'd forgive you."

"I know he wouldn't." I returned the press of her fingers, facing forward. "Hiei would never trust me again."

We continued in silence from then on, lost in our own thoughts and the feel of each other's hands. Gone was the girlish grip from years ago: Shizuru's hand fit almost perfectly against mine, though her fingers were slimmer, softer; nails tracing the back of my hand the way they would a childhood toy. This was the first time she'd allowed me to hold her hand as a grown woman and, though my concern for Hiei grew with each passing second, I found myself unwilling to quicken the pace, wanting to enjoy her touch as long as possible.

It was the most selfish thing I'd ever done.

However, she made the decision as we crested the almond rows, hand slipping from my grip without resistance. Tapping out still-clinging ash from her pipe, she returned the instrument to her sleeve before slipping the arm back through mine, face a mask of exhaustion. I allowed her to lean against me as day broke through and we left the orchards behind, Schloss Wald stretching before us in twisted increments of wood and stone.

Talk of the seal bristled my brain even after we entered the castle gates, a manservant immediately taking Shizuru from me. A quick word and another appeared, ready to take me to my companion.

Still, as the ancient walls embraced with open arms, I could not help wondering why our people would do such a thing to Hiei:

What enemy were they guarding against?

A/N: Hello and welcome to chapter nine! Initially, I intended for this to be longer but decided against it, settling with everyone seeing the last half of the tournament from Kurama's perspective as well as learning a not-so-pleasant side of Gandara's history.

Thank you all for your lovely reviews as well as the follows and favorites for this story! Each one motivates me to crank out the best possible story for you guys.

Also, big shoutout to my beta reader Candid Ishida! Thanks for all that you do!

So, a sweet moment for unnecessary brutality plus info on a yucky seal. Back to Hiei next chapter! Feel free to leave your thoughts in a review of PM me.

Scottish phrases:

Keep the heid – stay calm, don't get upset

Batter the bawbag – beat up the scrotum

Dafty dowp – silly butt

Icelandic Phrases:

Ekki berjast – Don't fight