Chapter 9: War
To say the Blue foxes were in disarray after their clash with Shun and his followers would be an understatement. The entire town of Scepter was on high alert and they had only heard whispers of what had transpired in the forest earlier that day. All the townspeople knew was that their King had been gravely injured and – although Seri tried her best to keep the details of the situation hidden for now – it didn't take much for the people to guess that it had been a Red fox who had done it.
The mansion was in uproar and Seri had her hands full with monitoring Reisi's condition, managing patrols and keeping the Blue fox tribe in some semblance of order while her King fought for his life. Although it was a heavy burden, the Captain handled her duties efficiently, as always. However, even the most reliable foxes can miss something under such great emotional and physical strain, and Awashima Seri was no different.
While the Captain valiantly kept the order in front of the guards, nurses and townsfolk who were all looking to her for guidance, the Blue Fox council had gathered behind closed doors and away from the pandemonium outside.
"Hah," Shisou all but cackled in the face of his fellow council members, more than a little pleased by the turn of events. "I told you cowards that this would happen. It was only a matter of time before those filthy Reds decided to take advantage of our King's weaknesses."
Most of the council was not pleased by Shisou's smug attitude, but a few were nodding their heads in agreement with the raving old fox.
Yuko scowled. "What an outstanding fox and council member you are, Shisou. Rejoicing at the fact that your King was almost killed today."
"Watch your tongue, you old hag. I have been on this council far longer than you, so have some respect," Shisou scoffed. "Besides, we all knew that half-breed was weak. Today's events only serve as further proof that I've been right all these years." He sat back as he rubbed his long, scraggly beard, radiating a smugness that had the rest of the council unamused.
"I would never dishonor our King like Shisou, but he is right about the attack, Yuko. This is serious, not another one of your petty arguments," interjected another fox, whose beard was graying but was far shorter and more well maintained than Shisou's.
"To my understanding, the attack was coordinated by a group of Red fox traitors who did not have the approval of their King. If anything, I think they were shown fair enough consequences by being burned alive in front of both Red and Blue foxes for their treason," Yuko replied with the grace and authority that she always held, even in the face of Shisou and Ayaka's blatant disrespect of her.
"But that was only their leader! The rest of the traitors were spared and taken back to the Red fox village," yet another council member interrupted, "Why were they not made to pay for their crimes in the same way? Our King was almost killed, but we are not even allowed to punish those who raised their hands against us?"
Ayaka was quick to back up his fellow councilman, "I agree with Ieyasu, the rest of the traitors should be burned for having a hand in our King's assassination attempt. This is no longer a matter we can leave to the Red foxes; this is a matter that now concerns our pride and honor as a tribe."
Yuko simply glared at him, "Then what are you suggesting? That we declare a full-on war over a matter that has already been resolved? Where the tribe in question has already dealt the punishment we would have dealt in their stead? I know you foxes to be foolish, but I did not know how foolish until this moment."
Shisou stood and slammed his palms on the table. "You are a fool, Yuko! Even now, you are blind to what is happening right in front of you. You sit there and spout nonsense as if you are above us all, as if your intelligence and quick tongue will be able to change the fact that I was right all along. We will go to war with the Red foxes because they attacked us. It was only a matter of time!"
Ayaka nodded, "I hate to agree with Shisou, but he is right in this instance. We cannot stand by and let another rogue group attack us. We must show the Red foxes that we are not a tribe to be trifled with lightly."
"Why risk more bloodshed over a rogue group that does not have the same ideals as their tribe? It is as if the Gold's were to declare war on us because Shisou challenged their leader all those years ago. One rogue action does not constitute the punishment of all peoples," Yuko countered with conviction.
"I stand with Yuko on this," added Kikiyo, one of the younger members of the council, "I am not happy about what has happened to our King, but I think it reckless to declare war, especially if the King himself would be against it. If the one who was attacked does not wish for further conflict, then who are we to insight vengeance in his place? Are we not the King's council as much as the people's? Should we not take his highness into consideration?"
"But there is unrest amongst the people, as well. Should we not consider their unease and do something to quell their fears? At the very least, we should bring all those involved to justice," added yet another member of the council.
"You are all being ridiculous! This is no time for order and pleasantries. We were attacked in our very land and you all sit here, pandering to your lofty ideals and morals as if the blood of yet another one of our Kings is not on the hands of those Red foxes! We need to destroy them, or we will never be safe!"
"Congratulations, Shisou, you've spoken like a true barbarian. You care not for our King, so do not use him to gain our sympathy. You only wish for war because you miss the glory and the pathetic sense of power you felt during the Great War. I will not let your selfishness endanger the lives of the rest of our people," Yuko replied, her words laced with ice.
This only served to make Shisou angrier, his yelling becoming more vicious. "And I will not stand for your insults when your cowardly way of thinking will lead to our demise!"
"That is enough," the only voice any council member ever truly listens to was finally heard.
The room fell silent as all eyes shifted to the head of the table, waiting for Zenjou to continue.
"I have heard all your arguments and counter arguments, and although most of you make valid points, the fact still remains that an act of aggression was shown from the Red foxes. As such, we will now vote for what to do next, as we agreed in our previous meeting."
Shisou grins.
Yuko's steel blue eyes widen in disbelief. "Zenjou-sama, you cannot seriously be considering war? That is absurd."
"Quit your whining, hag. The head of the council has spoken and it's time for you to finally listen to reason." Shisou's words were dripping with self-satisfaction, and it only served to infuriate Yuko further.
"If you two would let me finish, I think you'll find the vote to be much more civil than either of you may think," Zenjou interjects, curtly, not keen on being talked over.
Yuko and Shisou quiet down immediately, but neither looks pleased.
Zenjou suppresses a sigh and continues, "We will not be voting on war, but rather the prospect of war." When the elderly Blue fox only sees looks of confusion, he continues, "The middle ground I seem to have found is that you all agree there should be some sort of punishment for the Red fox's actions against us, but war seems too harsh a route to take. I propose a compromise. We will ask the Red foxes to hand over the remaining traitors so that we may deal with them as we see fit. This will satisfy the need for retribution and put the people at ease knowing that the rogues who threatened their King are no longer at large. It will also help separate the rest of the Red fox tribe from the traitors and reinforce our tentative peace by showing they are willing to cooperate with us without any further bloodshed." Zenjou pauses here to make sure the rest of the council is following along.
Once he receives several nods of affirmation, he continues, "The vote is as follows: If the Red foxes agree to our terms, we will resume our previous relationship and keep the peace. However, if they refuse, it will be seen as an act of treason and we will have no choice but to declare war.
Before anyone can retort, Zenjou brings up his hand to silence then. "There will be no further discussion. The vote will be taken now," he says, leaving no room for argument.
"All those in favor, raise your royal tassels," Zenjou says. He counts the tassels in the air and moves on. "Those against the motion, please raise your tassels."
After counting both votes he turns to face the rest of the members fully. "With a vote of 7 to 5, the motion carries. We will send word to the Red foxes of our proposal tonight and have our verdict in the morning. This council meeting has been adjourned." With an air of finality, Zenjou rises from his seat and exists the room, leaving the rest of the members to continue arguing amongst themselves.
-.-.-.-
Fushimi enters one of the more lavish rooms in the Blue fox mansion. As he closes the unnecessarily large oak door, an eerie thud resounds through the enormous room. At the end of the long blue carpet that adorns the white marble floors sits a desk made of the same oak as the doors he had just entered through. Zenjou sits behind his extravagant desk, staring at a piece of paper placed atop the polished oak.
With the same nonchalance he showed when completing all of his duties, Fushimi approached the intimidating desk and the even more imposing man behind it.
"You asked for me, Zenjou-sama?" he asked when he was finally close enough.
Zenjou speaks without lifting his head from the paper on his desk. "Yes, thank you for coming so quickly. I have a message I need you to deliver to the Red foxes."
"May I ask what the message entails?" Fushimi does not visibly startle, but the lack of indifference in his tone when he answers is all Zenjou needs to hear to know the younger fox is surprised.
Zenjou finally looks up and gives Fushimi a placid smile before folding the paper on his desk and slipping it into an envelope as he answers. "No, you may not. This is private council business. I would like for you to handle this swiftly and with the utmost discretion. Is that clear?" He asks, shooting Fushimi a sharp look before closing the envelope with his official royal seal.
Fushimi's façade falls quickly, and his displeasure is clear on his face. "Not to be rude, Zenjou-sama, but I am an elite guard, not a messenger fox."
"Given the current circumstances, I much rather send someone who I know can defend themselves than a mere messenger. Besides, I know of your connections to the Red foxes, they will be more hesitant to harm you than most," Zenjou gives him a knowing look, and smiles once again when he sees any further arguments die on Fushimi's tongue.
"Now then, take this and deliver it quickly. I would like a response from them tonight, if possible," he says, handing Fushimi the letter over his desk.
Fushimi begrudgingly takes it before turning to leave. "As you wish, your excellence," he says sardonically.
He can feel Zenjou's gaze on his back all the way to the door and only feels relief when he finally shuts the heavy oak door behind him.
Fushimi makes his way down the corridor, but instead of heading out to deliver the letter, he takes a turn at the end of the hall and walks down two lesser frequented walkways before he reaches a secluded room at the back of the mansion. He usually uses this room to study or lounge in peace when his room and workplace become to crowded, and he knows rarely anyone comes to this side of the mansion.
Without hesitation, Fushimi pulls out the letter and, using his residual fire magic, gently melts only the bottom layer of Zenjou's royal seal. The envelope's flap gently unsticks and pops open, allowing Fushimi to pull out the letter inside. What he reads is simultaneously better and worse than what he had feared. Better because he never thought he'd see the day the council actually tried to compromise with the Red foxes, and worse because he knew this poor attempt at peace would end in war regardless.
He curses under his breath after reading the letter and quickly puts it back in the envelope. He once again warms the bottom of the seal to have it reattach to the other side of the envelope and then uses his ice magic to quickly cool the seal back into place.
Once all evidence of his disobedience is removed, he walks back out into the hall and does his best to keep his steps slow and measured as he walks back to the front of the mansion. If anyone sees him walking too briskly, they may suspect something and Zenjou was the last council member Fushimi needed breathing down his neck.
He makes his way past the medical rooms and Reisi's chambers until he spots Seri giving a set of guards orders. He walks up to her and ignores the curious looks of his fellow guards as he interrupts her.
"Captain, we need to talk. Now," he says, using more emotion in his voice than he normally would to make sure she knew he was serious.
Seri flashes him a confused look before her features harden at the serious look on his face. "Very well. Back to your posts men," she says as she waves off the other guards and follows Fushimi to the end of the hall.
"What is it?" she asks, cutting to the chase as soon as they are out of earshot from any other fox in the vicinity.
"Zenjou asked me to deliver a message to the Reds. The council wants Mikoto to give the traitors who injured Reisi to us or they will declare war," Fushimi answers grimly.
Seri cannot help her eyes from widening before narrowing in displeasure. "They're taking advantage of the King's condition to go behind his back. Everyone knows they cannot declare war without his permission."
Fushimi scoffs. "Then now would be a great time for him to wake up and stop them, because unless he does, they're technically in charge and they can do whatever they want. Including declaring war on the Reds under the guise of justice."
Seri scowls. "Go deliver the message before they get suspicious," she orders.
Fushimi balks at her sudden request. "Wait, what? You want me to actually deliver this letter?"
"Do you have a choice? If you don't do it, they will just send another messenger and suspend you from active duty when I need you on the front lines if the unthinkable does happen. There is nothing I can do to stop this, so we must do what he we can in the King's absence."
Fushimi's ears twitch in annoyance at the top of his head but he knows he'll have to go to the Red fox village one way or another. With a deep sigh, he acquiesces, "Fine but let that useless King of ours know what's going on as soon as he wakes up."
Seri chooses to ignore Fushimi's jab at Reisi as she replies, "I will. The medics say he may be unconscious for a few days given the severity of his injuries but let us hope it is not too late to stop this by then."
Fushimi gives another heavy sigh and heads for the doors at the other end of the long hall. Before he can get to far, Seri grabs his wrist. He looks back to her and raises his brow in question.
Seri looks uncharacteristically hesitant for a moment before she says, "Tell Izumo I am sorry I was unable to stop the council, but that I will still do all I can to prevent a war."
The younger fox guard is taken aback by her request but nods, nonetheless. "Alright. Just ask him for his hand once this is all over so you can stop using me to play telephone."
Before Seri can compose herself enough to reply or send spikes of ice his way, Fushimi retreats without a second glance at the now red and fuming Captain.
-.-.-.-
Misaki trudges through the woods surrounding the Red fox village as irritation radiates off him in waves. The snow that falls from the skies melts before it can even touch his ears as they are help flat at the top of his head in frustration. He knows patrolling the boarder is important, but he much rather be by his King's side when there are traitors in their midst. In comparison to dealing with traitors, patrolling seemed like such a menial task for the village's vanguard.
Before the short, scruffy fox can continue melting his way through the thick layer of snow on the forest floor, his red ears perk up at the sound of footfalls not too far from him. He immediately reaches for the sword at his side and pulls it from its sheath. "Who goes there?" he yells into the snow-covered woods.
He hears a very familiar "Tsk," sound before he sees a dark pair of ears peak through the overgrowth just in front of him. Rather than be settled by the familiarity of the fox in front of him, it only serves to raise Misaki's haunches and he bares his teeth at the black fox he once called friend.
"What do you want, deserter?" the russet fox sneers at Fushimi.
For once, the other fox does not make a joke or pass at his old friend, which serves to unnerve Misaki even more.
Fushimi simply sighs at Misaki's antics. He had already had his fair share of annoyances for the day. "Sorry little fox, but I can't play with you today. I have some urgent business with your King," he says.
Misaki growls, "What business would someone like you have with Mikoto-san?"
"Something little foxes like you wouldn't understand. Now, let me through so I can get this over with."
Fushimi attempts to side-step the seething vanguard, but Misaki holds out his sword to block his path. "If you mean any ill-will towards Mikoto-san, I will not let you through," he says, voice dropping dangerously low.
Fushimi scowls and glares down at the smaller, Red fox. "All Kings are useless, and I hate them equally, but right now I have order to deliver a message. As much as I love showing you exactly how pathetic you are at fighting, I actually have work to do. So, go back to skipping in the forest, and let me pass."
The tension between them is thick and Misaki knows that Fushimi will be sending daggers his way as soon as his stance and the grip on his sword changes. They both attempt to stare the other down, but they can both tell it is more a matter of pride than actual hostility at this point. They were both always just too proud, weren't they?
To Misaki's surprise, Fushimi is the first to back down. He breaks their staring match and gives a long-suffering sight as he raises his hands placatingly. "I'm really not here to cause trouble, vanguard. I have an urgent message I need to deliver to your King from the Blue fox council and it's more important than our petty grudges."
Misaki is at a loss for words but sheaths his sword and hearing Fushimi's surprisingly calm words. Once the sword is out of the way, Fushimi continues walking towards the entrance of the Red fox village.
Before he can get too far, Misaki finally finds his voice, "Wait, I at least have to escort you to the King. It's a vanguard's duty."
Fushimi sighs for what feels like the tenth time that day. "Fine. If you want to be his loyal lapdog, lead the way," he says as he dramatically outstretches one of his arms.
Misaki's ears bristle at the jab but he refuses to let Fushimi get a rise out of him when he is trying to fulfill his duties. "Right this way, Blue fox messenger," he quips back and walks in front of the other fox to lead the way. The only sign of his annoyance is the way his russet tail jerks back and forth as he walks instead of gently swaying with his movements.
Of course, Fushimi picks up on the irritated gesture and smirks. "Some things never change," he thinks as he obediently follows Misaki into the village.
As they make their way through the village, Fushimi can feel all the Red foxes around them staring him down. He walks behind Misaki as if he doesn't even feel their heated gazes on him because he knows they won't attempt to approach or attack him as long as he's with the Red vanguard. The village is the same as he remembers it. Quaint and cozy with dozens of cabins scattered about. But he does notice that it's emptier and the atmosphere isn't nearly as high energy as it used to be. He supposes having your tribe divided would do that.
Fushimi is snapped out of his brief musing when Misaki halts in front of the largest cabin in the village. "We're here," he announces and knocks on the front door.
They hear movement inside and wait a few moments for someone to open the door. Izumo greets them with a strained smile that almost instantly drops when he sees Fushimi.
"I'm assuming this isn't a friendly visit," the blond fox says flatly.
Fushimi almost feels bad when he sees how visibly exhausted Izumo looks, but he doesn't have time for pleasantries, so he simply pulls out the letter without answering. "I came to deliver this," he says instead.
Izumo eyes the letter wearily but extends his hand to take it, nonetheless. When he sees Zenjou's royal seal, he visibly pales.
"The council would like an answer by end of day, if possible," Fushimi says.
Izumo just nods his head, staring blankly at the letter instead of at Fushimi when he answers, "I'll go over it with Mikoto now."
As Izumo begins to back away Fushimi adds, "The Captain also sends her regards and asked me to tell you she's sorry she couldn't stop them."
Izumo pauses in his retreat and gives Fushimi a sad smile, though the black-eared fox can tell this one is at least genuine.
"Tell her I understand. I know she doesn't hold any real power over the council. I'm sure she couldn't have stopped them even if she tried."
Fushimi rolls his eyes. "Tell her yourself the next time you see her. I'm done playing messenger for the day."
Izumo gives a small chuckle. "Hopefully I can see her under better circumstances. How is your King, by the way? I almost forgot to ask because I was so surprised by the letter. Mikoto will burn my ears off if I don't at least ask about Reisi's condition while you're here."
Fushimi clicks his tongue. "He's sleeping on the job, which is why I've been forced to play errand boy for the council. He's stable, but still unconscious. The healers say he'll likely stay that way for a few days while he recovers."
Izumo wears a grim expression as he nods, and Fushimi knows he's come to the same conclusion as he and Seri. As long as Reisi is unconscious, no one can oppose the council.
"Well, that concludes my mission, so I'll be heading back. I'll see you around, Mi-sa-ki," Fushimi says, allowing his voice to carry his usual mocking lilt as he says Misaki's name now that his duty was fulfilled.
Misaki squawks and nearly jumps out of his skin when Fushimi teasingly runs a head through the fur of his tail as he walks past him and towards the entrance of the village.
"Keep your hands to yourself, pervert!" the Red fox yells back.
Fushimi only laughs as he raises a hand in farewell, swishing his black tail back and forth in amusement. He doesn't even glance back at the agitated fox he leaves in his wake, which only serves to anger the vanguard even more. Misaki glares at Fushimi's retreating figure with his russet ears plastered to the top of his head in irritation until the black fox is completely out of sight.
"Easy there, Misaki, you might need to save that fighting spirit for later," Izumo says when the younger fox finally starts to relax.
Misaki flicks his ears in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Izumo just holds up the letter. "We'll have to see what the King has to say about this." And with that, the blond fox finally retreats back into the King's cabin, leaving one confused vanguard behind.
-.-.-.-
Mikoto is in his room lying on his bed and attempting to rest. It had been an incredibly long day but sleep still eludes him. It feels like he hasn't slept nearly as much as he should since the day Totsuka died…and now with Reisi injured, his worries have been multiplied. As he tries to clear his turbulent thoughts in the hope of finally finding sleep, he hears a knock on his door. He's about to tell whoever it is to go fuck themselves and let him sleep when Izumo steps into the room.
Mikoto greets him with a scowl. "I told you to let me sleep," he all but growls.
Izumo brushes off the King's hostility as he always does, "Sorry to disturb your beauty sleep, King, but we've received an urgent message from the Blue fox council."
Mikoto still doesn't move from his spot on the bed, but his shoulder tense. There was never good knew involved when the council was involved. "What do they want?"
"I don't know yet, I haven't opened it. It is an official document after all," Izumo says.
Mikoto lets out a harsh laugh. "As if you've ever cared for formalities. Read it and tell me what it says," he orders.
Izumo lets a small smile slip onto his lips at the light jab and quickly melts Zenjou's seal off the envelope to open it. The letter is simple and much shorter than Izumo had imagined given how formal and traditional the Blue fox council tended to be. He reads over the words carefully and then re-reads it thrice to make sure he wasn't misinterpreting the vailed threat.
"What is it? Did they write a novel about how much they hate us?" Mikoto asks, having grown impatient. He turns his head in Izumo's direction and frowns at the pinched look on the blond fox's face. "Is it as bad as I think it is?"
Izumo runs a frustrated hand through his hair, causing his ears to flick back and forth for a moment. "It depends on how you look at it, I suppose."
Mikoto's frown deepens. "Are you going to tell me what it says, or not?"
Izumo lets out a sigh. "I assume you want the short version, so I'll keep it brief." Mikoto grunts and Izumo continues, "The council wants us to hand over Shun's fellow conspirators as a peace offering so they can punish them as they see fit. If we do not comply, they will see it as an act of treason and declare war."
They're both silent as Mikoto takes in the new information. It wasn't outright war, but a high chance of it.
"Do we know of Reisi's condition? If he were awake, he would never let them do this," Mikoto asks, gaze focusing on his second in command.
"According to Fushimi, he's stable but still unconscious. The doctors say he may stay that way for a few more days given the severity of his injuries," Izumo explains.
Mikoto's features harden. Although he's happy Reisi is at least stable, they may not have time to wait for him to wake up.
"What should we do, King?" Izumo asks.
The hard look on Mikoto's face does not falter as he answers, "You and I both know Red fox tribe rules. We deal with our own, and that's final."
"But-"
Mikoto cuts Izumo off before he can protest, "Some of Shun's men are good foxes who were just mislead and driven by their own grief. And I can't say I was much better after hearing that Totsuka died. I don't condone their actions and they'll receive punishment equal to their crimes, but I will not send them to the Blue's like livestock to slaughter. I know Reisi may still hold a grudge against me for what I did, but I know if he were awake, he wouldn't want this either. What peace can be gained through more death?"
Izumo is momentarily stunned, both at the conviction in Mikoto's words and the sheer quantity of them. Their King was known for many things, but his eloquence in speech wasn't one of them. Finally, the blond fox snaps out of his shock enough to laugh at how level-headed his King sounded for once, "That Blue King really has rubbed off on you after all these years, huh?"
Mikoto just scoffs, "What? I know I let you do the thinking most of the time, but that doesn't mean I can't do it at all."
Izumo just shakes his head in amazement. "They were right to make you King, you know? For all the shit everyone gives you about being too brash, they miss all the qualities that make you truly great."
Mikoto is a little taken aback by his friend's sudden compliment but allows himself a small smile. "We aren't going off to our death quit yet, no need for such sentiments."
Izumo returns Mikoto's smile and chuckles at his reply. Even if they were going off to their death, he wouldn't regret staying by Mikoto's side.
"We still need to give the council their answer. Fushimi said they'd want it by tonight, if possible. I'm not sure whether delaying our response will make the situation better or worse, but I think we shouldn't risk it. We just have to hope the Blue King wakes up in time to stop them," Izumo says, tone a little more serious.
Mikoto nods, equally as serious again. "Then let's go pay those old geezers a visit."
-.-.-.-
Mikoto and Izumo arrive at the Blue fox mansion a few hours after the sun has set. Izumo had taken the time to write their response to the Blue fox council's demands, while Mikoto wrote a letter of his own for a very different purpose. They were greeted at the front gates by Seri and a few of the honor guard.
"Seri-chan, how kind of you to greet us," Izumo greets, smiling playfully at the Blue fox Captain.
"I'm surprised to see you both here so soon and with so little protection," she replies, ignoring Izumo's tone.
Izumo chuckles. "We aren't here to cause any trouble. We thought the less red fur you saw, the less likely we were to get attacked on sight."
Seri nods. "I suppose you have a point, however, no matter how few of you there are, I cannot let you pass this point."
"Ah, there won't be any need for that. We just came to deliver our response in person," Izumo says, pulling out the letter he had written and sealed with Mikoto's royal emblem. He notices the honor guards on either side of Seri tense when he reaches for the letter in his breast pocket and he sends them a smile as Seri gestures for them to stand down.
Seri takes the letter and tucks it away in the folds of her Captain's robes. She hesitates for a moment before speaking again, her ears slightly pulled back at the top of her head. "I am truly sorry that I could not stop them, but I will do all I can to carry out the King's true will in his absence."
"I know, Seri-chan, Fushimi let me know. No need to apologize twice." Izumo gives her a soft smile even though he knows she can't see it while she stares at the ground between them. "It doesn't befit you to be so docile, Captain," he adds in a teasing tone, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
Seri huffs, ears perking up once again, and Izumo grins even wider at having improved her mood.
"How is he?" Mikoto asks abruptly, popping the pleasant bubble Seri and Izumo had seemingly created.
Seri snaps herself back into her stoic Captain persona before turning to address Mikoto for the first time since they had arrived. "He's stable and resting for now, but there is no way of telling when he will wake. The blood loss was enough to have him unconscious for at least a few days, so the medics are unsure how long it will take him to recover given his other injuries, as well."
Mikoto grimaces. If only he had been there sooner.
Seri seems to sense his guilt, so she adds, "I blame your rebels for causing my King such grave injuries, but I am not so narrow-minded as to not recognize that things could have been much worse if you had not come to warn us of the attack. Were we not there to intervene, I fear my King may not have made it out with his life, and for that, I thank you."
Mikoto is at a loss for how to reply to Seri's genuine thanks. He thought all the Blue's would be at his throat during this exchange, but it would seem he was mistaken. He can't muster up any words in response, so he merely grunts in acknowledgment.
Izumo rolls his eyes fondly at Mikoto's antics and steps in to answer Seri instead, "Please excuse my King. We appreciate the sentiment Seri-chan. Just keep us in the loop about his condition if you can. I know my King is far more worried than he's letting show."
The Captain nods. "I will do my best. Once I give the council your response, I am unsure of how things will change, so I can make no promises."
"I understand," Izumo replies and then turns to Mikoto. "Let's go."
The two Red foxes take their leave and Seri pretends she doesn't see the Red fox King dash into the woods behind the mansion just before their backs disappear in the distance. She can allow herself to turn a blind eye at leas this once, for the sake of her King. If she has learned anything in the last few weeks, it is that the Kings' connection is real. If it weren't, Reisi may very well have died in that ambush. If the council gets their way and Reisi is unable to stop them from declaring war, the least she can do is allow the lovers a small reprieve while they still have the chance.
-.-.-.-
Mikoto parts ways with Izumo once they are out of sight of the Blue fox guards. He slips into the thick forest just outside the mansion and takes the tiny stone path that leads to the back of the large building. Reisi had snuck him into his room at the mansion once or twice when they were kids, before they realized just how dangerous that was given both of their positions as future Kings of their tribes.
He still remembered the pebbled path that lead to the back entrance and he sincerely hoped Reisi hadn't changed his room after all these years. He uses his Red fox magic to lift him to a balcony on the second floor of the building and gently opens the window to what he hopes are still Reisi's quarters.
When the large windows are open enough for him to slip inside, the scent of snowdrops and lilacs that greets him dispels any doubts as to whose room this is. Although Reisi's soft floral scent is marred by the stench of blood and antiseptic, Mikoto would know his lover's scent anywhere. The Red fox quietly draws the blue curtains aside and enters the large room, making little to no sound as he floats over the lavish stone floors.
Mikoto comes to a stop only a few inches away from Reisi's bed and just watches the other King's bandaged torso move up and down as he takes steady breaths. The Blue fox seems to be sleeping peacefully, but Mikoto knows he is unconscious due to blood loss and most likely under the influence of painkillers. The Red King looks down at his lover with sad eyes filled with longing, and most of all, regret. Regret that he had lashed out at the fox he loved most when the other was only trying to comfort him. Regret that he had stewed in his anger so long he hadn't even realized there were traitors in his own home. And regret that he hadn't apologized to Reisi sooner and maybe avoided all of this mess.
"I'm sorry," he says softly, finally breaking the silence. "I was wrong to hurt you. I know you were only trying to help, but I- I was just so angry." Mikoto sighs as quietly as he can as he runs a hand down his face. He should be saying this to Reisi when he's awake, and he's angry that he doesn't have the luxury to wait that long.
He pulls the letter out of the front pocket of his robes. "I'm sorry I can't tell you all this in person, but I hope we'll be able to talk when you wake up. For now, I can only give you this," he says as he places the letter with a drawing of a snowdrop on Reisi's nightstand.
As he continues to watch Reisi sleep, Mikoto can no longer keep the urge to touch the other fox at bay. He tentatively reaches over and strokes Reisi's sharp cheekbone and notices that it is sharper than he remembers. He hopes his actions hadn't driven the other to skip meals, but knowing the Blue fox, he had probably skipped at least a few. He traces the bags under Reisi's eyes and could tell that his lover was lacking sleep, as well, which only served to make Mikoto feel even more guilty. He gingerly runs his index finger from Reisi's fine nose to the top of his defined cupid's bow, and finally over his slightly chapped lips.
He stops there and stares at Reisi's pale lips, remembering what they looked like pink and plump after sharing one too many kisses. A bittersweet smile graces Mikoto's own lips at the thought and the longing he felt earlier returns ten-fold. The Red King can't help but lean forward and press his lips to his lovers for a brief moment before pulling away, feeling his heart clench.
"Wake up soon, my love," he whispers only a few inches away from Reisi's pale lips.
With those parting words, Mikoto turns to leave the room, only allowing himself one final glance at his lover before stepping back onto the balcony he had entered from. He closes the window just as gently as he had opened it and leaps from the balcony onto the snowy forest floor below. Mikoto looks up at the waning moon and, for the first time, doubts if his decision to deny the Blue fox council was the right one. He's putting all his hope in Reisi waking up soon and the council taking more than a few days to officially declare war on them.
As he begins to run back to his village through the thick forest, he hopes his gamble pays off.
-.-.-.-
Zenjou walks down the mostly empty halls of the mansion until he makes it to the doors of the council's meeting room. As soon as the Captain had given him the letter with the Red fox's reply, he had called an emergency council meeting. When he enters the room, he is met with disgruntled glares from the members who were woken up for this meeting, and with curious glances from those who had been expecting this meeting to happen sooner rather than later. But most of all, he noticed the sinister excitement in Shisou's eyes as he stares from him across the table.
Zenjou takes his seat at the head of the table and waits for all the members to do the same before speaking. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. I know we only had a meeting this afternoon, but the Red foxes have already given us their reply."
"Well, then, out with it Zenjou," Shisou urges, more eager than anyone else to know the response.
Zenjou pulls out the letter he received from Seri and holds it up for the rest of the council to see. "According to this letter, sealed and delivered by the Red King himself, the Red foxes have refused to comply with our demands to hand over the foxes involved in the conspiracy to assassinate our King."
Most of the councilmembers stare at Zenjou and the letter in shock, but Shisou cannot hold back his excitement.
"Finally! We'll finally get another chance to eradicate those Reds for good," Shisou cheered in manic glee.
"Eradicate? Do you know how many Blue foxes we will lose in your ill-advised vendetta? We'll lose enough soldiers as it is simply trying to overpower the Red foxes in this foolish war of pride!" Yuko yells back.
"You foolish fox," Shisou laughs. "While you've all been sitting around grooming your tails, I've been developing weapons to help us eliminate the threat once and for all."
Yuko's eyes widen. "Zenjou, surely you cannot condone such an act of genocide!" she pleads with the head of the table.
Zenjou lifts a had to silence them all. "So the council has voted, so it shall be, Yuko. The council passed this motion earlier today and unless there is a majority to overturn this motion, we have but one option left to us," he says evenly, his voice as commanding as it has always been.
Yuko visibly pales and franticly looks to her fellow foxes of the council. "Are we seriously going to condone this madness?" she asks, desperately trying to reverse this horrible decision.
When she only receives looks of remorse or indifference from the other members of the council, she knows she cannot change their minds. The proud fox deflates and glares down at the polished wood of the table in frustration. This was a horrible decision, and she didn't understand how the others couldn't see that, too.
Once everyone is settled, Zenjou speaks again, this time with an air of finality. "With no further arguments, it is time to announce our intent. When dawn breaks, we declare war."