Chapter 20: The Master of Irrevocable (Part 9)

"We're not currently interrupting anything right now, are we?"

"That depends, what did you wish to interrupt us about?"

Smiling at Akito's playful words Merlin inquired, "It's something a bit outside the usual suspects, if that will perhaps pique your interest. Or are classes and education for the day that much more important?"

The tutor for the pair of young royals - a stern Kappa who's expression soured as he stared at the trio of intruders - opened his beak to no doubt tell Robin, Merlin and Charles to buzz off until Yasaka quickly spoke up with, "That's acceptable, we have an hour to rest and recuperate at this time anyway, do we not?"

The last bit was obviously intended for the tutor as the Yokai backed down with a grimace, gruffly commenting, "Keep your guards close, your highnesses."

While the not so subtle admission of suspicion - Merlin almost giggled, delighted by the wordplay she'd invented on the spot - left Yasaka bristling Akito quickly fluffed his sister's head, the younger Kitsune silenced by the gesture as the older affably replied, "Of course, instructor. Now come along, we shouldn't keep our guests waiting."

Before any further comments or mention of skullduggery could be raised the group was rushed out of the room before Akito lead them along the halls in a seemingly arbitrary direction, a subtle motion of his tail leaving the pair of guards following them at a clearly reluctant distance.

"And just what did you wish to speak about? Unfortunately setting aside our responsibilities isn't entirely an option, since so much of the palace is still wary of you and would no doubt interpet that in a billion different ways."

Allowing some regret to enter her voice Robin began with, "It's a topic of admittedly sensitive nature, one that we ourselves are still uncertain of."

"That doesn't sound particularly enjoyable or fun to debate on, now does it?"

"No, it doesn't. But it's something we may be able to use to help aid you in the current crisis facing your people."

Yasaka's ears twitched slightly, tone wry as she asked, "Is that not a slightly overblown bit of wordplay? Crisis?"

"That depends, are the circumstances of your mother's death and the possible hand of China in it - in a provable way, mind you - not potentially a crisis?"

Both Kitsune fell dangerously silent at Merlin's words, tails and ears taut before Akito lightly inquired, "And you're certain that such a thing is a possibility?"

"Was it not before?"

"Not in any way that would have left us satisfied or further able to pursue the matter. And now you're saying that there might be such a method?"

The younger Yokai's golden stare was intense in its scrutiny, Robin meeting it with calm assurance as she explained, "Harris believes that a curse or poison unknown to your people may be the culprit, our unique brand of investigation and power perhaps able to shed light on the exact circumstances where other means of investigation have failed."

The siblings shared a glance, Charles obviously hesitant to so freely offer his take on events but inevitably adding, "They truly might be able to help you, Akito. Trust me when I say that they can do things I never thought I would see in my life, or are at the very least foreign to how we understand most magics work."

There was a slight air of awkwardness between the Vampire and Yokai as they met gazes - the events of the bath and the reveal of the bloodsucker's gender no doubt a still unaddressed topic - but the prince eventually settled for a nod of his head, remarking, "If you believe there exists some measure of closure for our mother's demise, that there truly was a foul hand at play rather than mere misfortune…"

A hard, calculating anger briefly played across both royal's expressions, Merlin and Robin sharing knowing glances of approval at how they elected to display their frustration.

"Then you have our aid. What do you require?"

"A sensitive and highly frowned upon request. We need to see your mother's body, or at least what might remain of it."

Both Kitsune flinched at Robin's words, Yasaka seeming highly uncomfortable while resigned melancholy colored Akito's features.

"I see...our mother's body does indeed rest within the halls of the palace and we can bring you to it."

"But?"

Merlin's understanding word had Yasaka quietly sighing as her appendages drooped while Akito fought back a bitter expression.

"No matter, it's just that doing so brings back...unpleasant memories."

Charles looked entirely ready to intervene on their behalf until the prince clapped his hands, decisively announcing, "Enough. Pity and misery doesn't provide any meaningful sense of conclusion to this tale, only action. Do you still desire to come along, sister?"

Squaring her shoulders and setting aside the clear disquiet she had momentarily displayed the princess announced, "Do you think me weaker than you, brother? I shall walk right alongside you."

"Very well. But if you start to cry I'm going to never let you forget it."

"Hmph! As if I am the one who will be fighting back tears. You merely focus on not becoming a blubbering mess, big brother."

While the interplay was clearly designed to hide their equal disquiet with the situation at hand both Yokai began to lead the trio deeper into the palace without further comment, Charles hesitantly asking, "What exactly happened after your mother died? I mean, she must have had friends or allies that wanted answers, right?"

Lips momentarily curling in clear displeasure Akito's features swiftly smoothed themselves out into false placidity, the Kitsune explaining, "She did. While her decision to move the capital wasn't very popular abroad for obvious reasons in Japan's circle of influence it was a highly radical and novel one. Both gods and Yokai alike had never much enjoyed our homeland being subservient to another power and this was just the grand, momentous occasion they had been waiting for."

Yasaka's tails swished to and fro in clear agitation, voice tight as she explained, "When she died all we ever received were unsatisfying answers, denials of responsibility and a complete and utter lack of closure as to why our mother was torn from us in just a few short days. Matters only became worse when my brother and his escort were seized by a Devil raiding party when it was expected he would take up the mantle."

A more gentle expression manifested on the tiny woman's face, head bowing slightly as she announced, "Words cannot truly explain how grateful I am that you returned my brother, both for political and personal reasons-EH?!"

Merlin promptly pulled the tiny Kitsune into an affectionate hug - ignoring the way the trailing guards tensed and bristled at the action - as she cooed, "Oh aren't you just the most precious and polite little fox~! Don't worry, master and I were more than happy to aid your older sibling in his time of peril."

"T-that is most appreciated, now kindly put me down?!"

Humming happily to herself in clear enjoyment the magus did as requested, Yasaka smoothing out her robes with a slight blush of mortification as they continued on their trek.

For a time all was silent until Charles seemed to dredge up what courage she could manage, haltingly tugging on Akito's sleeve before asking, "What...what was your mother like? I've heard much about what she did but not how she used to act to the people who personally knew her."

Blinking at the inquiry Akito quickly recovered his wits, fondly reminiscing, "She was an incorrigible prankster and fun-loving woman who merely disguised herself as a serious empress who saw to the state. If there was a situation that could be engineered at someone's expense then you could be assured that she was contemplating carrying it out."

Yasaka proudly nodded, adding, "She was the one who convinced the Emperor to move the capitol, stating that it would be the greatest joke ever played on the buddhists to date, that their long-held vassal territory would suddenly and abruptly elect to chart its own course."

Wry, melancholy expressions once again graced the pair's features.

"The joke never quite landed, as you can no doubt infer."

This time her hesitation was far more brief, Charles reaching out and quickly taking the male Kitsune's hand in her own as a gesture of empathy that the Yokai was quick to return with a roguish grin of genuine gratitude, the Vampire huffing at the display even as a small smile curled her lips upwards.

Yasaka rolled her eyes at the private moment - Merlin fighting down her instinct to coo at the interaction while Robin just nodded in satisfaction - before turning to the summoned duo, curiously asking, "You haven't spoken openly of what your 'master' intends to do. Nor is he here presently, is there some other scheme in the works that he works towards, delegating this particular reveal to your domain?"

Playing coy Merlin languidly responded, "Oh, I'm sure master Harris is well aware of where his talents and areas of expertise lie, no doubt he intends for us to act on our own and make decisions as we see fit."

"That isn't a straightforward answer."

Smiling in reassurance Robin added, "I'm sure if you approached him directly and asked what you just did of us he will respond as honestly as he can."

A more wry look graced the tactician's visage.

"I'm even more sure he would be quite happy to wax poetic about his great schemes and plots to any that are willing to listen without threatening to kill him for it."

Raising an eyebrow at the last bit Yasaka nonetheless looked intrigued, musing, "Well then perhaps I shall follow through on that offer, I'm sure that Harris will be amenable to some friendly conversation."

Merlin smirked, knowing that her summoner would indeed be happy to indulge the little fox's visit and questions. Alongside a few other benefits but there was no need to inform the Yokai princess of them lest she get cold feet.

"We're here."

The simple but muted statement from Akito sobered up the brief moment of festivity and comradery that had manifested, the group treated to a somber and quiet bit of architecture that could be identified as a tomb even before stepping foot inside, so nostalgic and deafening was the atmosphere.

Rows upon rows of shrines, statues, monuments and other means of honoring that weren't exclusive to the Japanese culture filled the auditorium to bursting, each memorial decorated with simple but effective iconography and standards of royal gold, red and white as the Yokai siblings led the trio deep into the halls, occasionally stopping to bow or offer up a quick prayer to one of the markers.

Even Merlin kept her usual irreverence and happy-go-lucky nature under wraps, deciding that now wasn't the time to be loose and flighty with either words or actions...especially not with the guards clearly having no faith in the newcomer's ability to be respectful or mindful of their position.

Eventually they arrived near the center of the mausoleum, both Kitsune's moods having taken a sharp turn for the melancholy and saddened as they slowly bowed deeper than they had at any of the other graves, quietly murmuring something even the trio with their enhanced hearing couldn't make out.

"Here."

The terse statement followed Akito stepping forward and placing his hands atop of a particularly ornate and decorated altar, a brief scent of smoke, cherry and pine accompanying a blue flash of fire before a perfectly pristine and preserved body manifested atop the altar, clad in resplendent robes that complimented their wearer's beauty.

Kaiyo had very much passed down her looks to her children, being a combination of Akito's confident and royal features while she possessed Yasaka's eyes and tail coloration, as well as a supernaturally voluptuous form that would no doubt serve her daughter well if she took after her in that particular regard.

The trio remained silent, allowing the Yokai brother and sister a moment to work through their emotions before both took a step backwards with practiced neutrality, Akito tonelessly stating, "Do what you need to."

Merlin and Robin moved forward without delay, Charles hesitantly asking, "Was there not a cremation or other means of ceremony?"

Yasaka miserably nodded, softly replying, "There was, but we requested that mother be preserved regardless. Brother and I…"

She gazed towards Robin and Merlin as they respectfully crowded around Kaiyo's body, silently going to work as they applied their respective brands of magic as something resembling a mix of ice and hope colored her eyes.

"We held firm in the belief that there might one day be a wanderer or god that could truly ascertain what had happened to mother."

Nodding in understanding the Vampire approached the pair of women deep in their craft, Robin pulling out some kind of metallic staff with a softly shining blue orb atop of it as Merlin prepped her own catalyst, quietly murmuring, "Are you all set to go? We might need to time this right depending on how subtle this potential curse or venom is."

"Assuming it's either of those things."

"Come now, Robin, what could it be other than the most obvious forms of low cunning?"

The tactician set her staff onto the ground before idly responding, "Voodoo, perhaps."

"Does that not count as a curse? And really? Voodoo?"

Merlin's skeptical words didn't faze her fellow white-haired partner, the hybrid softly snorting as she responded, "Yes, voodoo. Set up a proxy for Kaiyo, have them share sensations and effects and you have a rather inspired crime."

"It's still a curse."

Rolling her eyes at Merlin's pout and denial of basic terminology Robin merely asked, "Ready?"

"Of course."

Without further ado the magus closed her eyes, laying her staff over Kaiyo's body and allowing her energy to spill forth, summoning a bouquet of two flowers enhanced by her own mastery of the craft that went a bit beyond what their more contemporary counterparts could do.

Lotus and Begonia, two flora with known connection to certain effects. If lotus was exposed to malignant or corrosive 'spiritual energy' then it would wilt and die, leaving things pretty clear cut that there was foul play at work. Begonia was similar, although it would only shrivel and perish if it came into contact with poisons or other kinds of debilitating products.

There was no immediate reaction, Merlin nodding to Robin as the tactician closed her eyes and released a slow, calming breath as the Hammerne staff raised up in her hands began to pulse with a steady, lazy light-

-and both Kitsune recoiled at the pure, utterly malevolent energy that arose from Robin's form, streamers of black and purple chaos twisting and writhing like sentient snakes as the duo found it hard to reconcile what they were currently feeling with the calm, polite and even humorous woman they had spoken too over the past few days.

"It's now or never."

Even Robin's voice had changed, an echoing cadence of malevolence and male cruelty a counterpart to her composed and soothing tones while Merlin acted as if this whole scenario was completely normal, once more bringing her blooming staff above Kaiyo's body as the tactician's own instrument went about its work.

Inbetween Grima's own malicious energy and the Hammerne staff's ability to restore and repair, whatever curse that might have afflicted the Kyuubi began to surge, the flowers adorning Merlin's tool wilting in quick succession as she turned to Charles, swiftly nodding as the Vampire strode forward, focusing on her own unique brand of abilities as thin, leftover streamers of crimson kept within the woman's body thanks to the stasis spells congealed above her heart and next to the shriveling flowers, Yasaka and Akito focusing on the blood as their naturally attuned senses informed them that while it was nowhere near as blatant as Robin's outpouring of abrasive malice there was just something...wrong about the teardrop-sized orb of blood that Charles was struggling to keep floating in place, sweat dotting her brow-

-and with a sharp motion the bloodsucker swallowed the orb whole, delicate throat bulging slightly as it entered her body.

"GUH?!"

Which promptly caused her to double over, heaving and retching as midnight tears leaked from her eyes, Akito darting forward to hold onto her seizing body as he made to ask what was wrong before Merlin sharply informed, "Let her drink from you, quick!"

To the Kitsune's credit he didn't hesitate for so much as a moment, bringing Charle's head to his neck where the Vampire promptly sank her fangs into the male's flesh, greedily drinking in great gulps of red as pleased - borderline sensuous - moans escaped her whenever she paused for breath, Akito finding the whole experience to be really something of a turn on until at last the Vampire released him with a loud exclamation and ragged intake of air, shuddering with some unidentifiable emotion as blood trickled down her chin.

"That was...something."

"Did I taste good?"

Not losing any of his roguish charm despite the slight bit of lightheadedness he felt the Kitsune was treated to a brief tinge of pink coloring Charle's pale skin before she shook herself as if to shoo away an irritating insect or some other kind of vermin.

"Ugh, whatever was used on your mother is...vile."

Yasaka blinked, worriedly asking, "Wait, you have the curse or whatever it was that killed mother inside of you?! How are you alive?!"

The Vampire shrugged at the Kitsune's outburst, having to avert her eyes at Akito's equally concerned look lest the warm feeling within her stomach distract her from the matter at hand.

"Blood is the medium of the soul. Yes, it's vile, but whatever magic was used to kill your mother is now a part of me since it was subsumed, not activated."

"...That's incredible. And you're certain you're alright?"

Managing to send the male Kitsune a brief smile of assurance Charles nodded, replying, "Yes, your blood was an excellent counterweight to whatever foul corrosion afflicted lady Kaiyo."

Crimson orbs took on a far more serious tint.

"And I would say this proves - beyond any semblance of a doubt - that there was a conspiracy to kill your mother."

"Now isn't this interesting as well as damning? Glad to see my hunch was right on the money."

Hands laced behind his head Harris reclined on the provided futon, trying not to be jealous about the fact that Merlin, Robin and Charles had been offered a tour of the palace by a nervous but well meaning attendant, no doubt as a result of their earlier travels through the place that had garnered no shortage of whispers and muttered conversation.

Even worse, Akito had gone along with them so it was basically a guarantee that Charles was blushing up a storm as the Kitsune teased her to tears...shit, if they felt pressured and bold enough they might even sneak away to fuck and that was not something Harris felt was fair. He was stuck doing research and plotting while they were off having young, passionate and forbidden sex?

The height of uneven distribution of responsibility.

Chuckling to himself Harris let his mind wander, considering all he knew about the details of the curse or stigma his companions had brought to his attention and what he remembered from his past life. The whole thing was fairly similar to what one of his companions and associates had used to speak about when passing the time, an old tale that dealt with the hubris of greed, jealousy and insecurity.

But the neat intriguing fact? It wasn't a story that had been regaled or made public until several centuries in the future, a far more important bit of info considering he now existed in a world of magic and supernatural happenings. If his hunch was right - something that had all but been confirmed with these latest observations - then his next meeting with the Hindu god was going to be the proverbial nail in the coffin of his current theory.

And if it didn't go as planned? Well he was no stranger to improvisation or coming up with new schemes on the fly, not to mention that there was no guarantee his latest plot would even be noticed.

The little bit of malevolent ingenuity that had killed Kaiyo must have been incredibly subtle and finely crafted to slip under the radar of several yokai, beings that were well known for their attunement to natural energy and other mumbo jumbo.

"Well, nothing for it. Might as well take a nap."

Letting his eyes drift closed Harris decided a bit of shut-eye never hurt anyone as he prepared to sleep away the next few hours-

-and blinked as there were a few unexpected knocks on the door leading to their room.

"Huh. Here's hoping that's not the execution squad."

Sliding open the entryway he realized that it was indeed not an execution squad but instead an adorable little fox lady with a pair of guards standing a respectable distance away.

"Well this is a pleasant surprise. I would have assumed you would be off with your brother and my companions, princess."

Offering an appeasing smile that didn't even come close to reaching her eyes Yasaka replied, "I elected to speak with you instead, there has been precious little opportunity to hear of your own tales and doings across the world, something I find quite intriguing."

"Well I don't think I'm in any position to deny the request of royalty, princess. I'd be happy to inform you of all my adventures and dealings over the years."

A wry expression adorned the Yokai's features, voice utterly flat as she remarked, "If half the rumors regarding your interactions with lady Amaterasu are true then that is a blatantly false statement. You seem to hold little - if any - respect for those in aforementioned categories of royalty."

Chuckling at her observation he languidly replied, "You earn points for honesty and self-awareness, princess. And since we're on the same page, how about a transaction? You offer me a tour of the palace without restriction and I answer any of your inquiries bar almost none?"

Ignoring how the armed and armored protectors seemed half a second away from kicking his knees out from under him for the blatant disrespect of his words Harris met Yasaka's steady gaze, the girl merely tilting her head in genuine curiosity and relief as she mused, "An exchange of services? Acceptable. Please follow us at a distance, if you will."

The last bit was directed towards her protectors as they very begrudgingly accepted her orders, Harris amusedly observing, "You should probably go easy on them, any more decrees or edicts that state they have to let us do as we please and they may just slit my throat while I'm sleeping."

"Hmph, you must not think very highly of our people's discipline."

"On the contrary, it's because of that discipline that they would try to off me."

Shaking her head in resignation at his words Harris grandly gestured to their surroundings, asking, "Lead on, princess. I trust in your ability to show me wondrous sights and my vocal cords are at your command."

"Is silence too much to ask for?"

Grinning at the bit of cheek he allowed the smugly satisfied Kitsune to lead the way, tails lazily swaying behind her as he reflected that this was a fun alternative to just sleeping away the hours.