Author's Note: The threads are starting to come together, but there is still quite a lot of weaving to be done. I've always rather liked Sen; the scene where she whacks Kazama with her fan and then lectures him on courtship is priceless. She also has a pivotal role to play in this story and I hope that you, like me, will wish her success finding love and happiness, in between trying to deal with war, Shinsengumi and Kazama - not necessarily in that order.
Thank you to everyone who has waited so patiently to get to the actual Teachings of the Demons. I'm afraid that you're now going to get an overload. Fortunately, there are moments of humour and romance along the way, and the occasional sword fight. Actually, the romance part is rather important.
And now, the Oni. With a little bit of Saito-ness and a dash of Hijikata.
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Chapter 18 – The Trials and The Gifts, Part II
Kazama reluctantly agreed to accompany Amagiri on a visit to Sen-hime, ruling Oni princess for the Kyoto region and the leader of the Okikurune clan. Part of the difficulty was that although formal letters had been sent announcing his and Amagiri's presence in her region, this visit should have taken place as soon as they arrived in Kyoto. The bigger part of the problem, and the reason for avoiding the courtesy visit in the first place, was that Kazama and Sen agreed on very little and by Oni tradition the Princess of Kyoto outranked all of the other clan heads. Also, like most full Oni now living in Japan, they were close cousins and had known each other since Sen was a young child.
Kazama still considered Sen a child. In Kazama's defence, she was no more than sixteen and occasionally given to impulsive action. The death of her mother two years earlier had left her without immediate family, and it was only in open defiance of her mother's brother that she had left the family estates in the countryside for the clan leader's traditional residence within the borders of Kyoto itself. Kazama, now in his late twenties, had always been serious about his responsibilities and the traditions of his own clan. Kazama standing on his dignity, or playing the role of an elder, tended to bring out the worst in his vivacious cousin.
Then too, by and large, the Oni were stubborn traditionalists; Sen was not only a firm believer in her family's unorthodox views on Oni powers, but also strong enough personally and politically not to be easily ignored. Of course, the Okikurune clan claimed that the other Oni were the ones with unorthodox views, but the world had changed several times in the thousand years since Sen's distant ancestors had formed the first loose alliances between the regions and united Japan's Oni into a recognizable political and societal structure.
For once, Amagiri was glad that the younger Oni did not get along. He wanted to speak privately with Sen-hime, which would no doubt be easily achieved. The only question was which of the cousins would irritate the other one first.
"I don't see why I need to go," Kazama growled as they made their way toward the large house surrounded by ornamental gardens. "Osen-chan's always happier to see you than me anyway."
"I will give Sen-hime your regrets if you wish," Amagiri said patiently.
Torn between duty and preference, Kazama paused. He really didn't want to see his cousin. He wanted to see if he could get another look at the Oni girl he'd seen the night before. Also, if Sen had noticed the magic he'd used on the girl then she would be in a scolding mood. He was glad that Amagiri either hadn't been there at the time, or had forborne to comment.
"Alright, then I won't go," he announced abruptly.
Amagiri looked surprised, but merely bowed.
"As you wish. Do I have your word that you will not intrude upon the Shinsengumi compound while I visit Sen-hime?"
Kazama glared at him.
"You can't control my movements, Amagiri."
"I believe that is self-evident," the red-haired man replied drily. "However, I am your bodyguard. If you choose to place yourself in danger then I must do my best to accompany you."
"Would you call that danger? I wouldn't."
"You may underestimate them. In any event, it would be unnecessarily inflammatory to show yourself at their home while they are still assessing last night's injuries. Finally, I do not believe it would assist our allies if we become better known to these men before we need to fight them in earnest."
"I won't let them see me."
Amagiri considered his options. They should leave Kyoto soon in order to deliver the information they had gathered over the last few days. But he very much wanted to speak with the princess. On the whole, he thought there was a good chance that the unknown girl would sleep until late morning, by which time they would have left.
"Then I have your word to take no action of any kind against the Shinsengumi or the girl today? And we will leave Kyoto as soon as my business with Sen-hime is complete?"
"Agreed."
Satisfied, Amagiri bowed and walked on alone. As infuriating as Kazama might be at times, he kept his promises and rarely played word games.
The door to the Princess' home was opened by her bodyguard and companion, the shinobi Kimigiku. The tall woman looked as lovely as always. Today she wore a deep purple kimono suitable to a proper lady-in-waiting.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Kimigiku-san." Amagiri bowed politely.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Amagiri-san. The princess is waiting for you."
She closed the door while he removed his sandals and then led him down the hall and into an elegant drawing room.
"Amagiri Kyuujyu-san, Princess," Kimigiku announced, as though the young woman hadn't know the tall warrior all her life.
"Come in Amagiri! I take it that Chikage wasn't brave enough to show his face?"
"Sen-hime," murmured Amagiri, bowing deeply. "Ohayo gozaimasu."
He didn't comment on the slur on Kazama's courage. He was very curious to find out how much the young princess knew about last night's activities. He tended to take Princess Sen more seriously than Kazama, but he also understood Kazama's prejudice, given her age, gender, and lack of experience.
Amagiri seated himself across from the young woman at her invitation and watched Kimigiku pour tea into heirloom cups. He did not underestimate the shinobi at all. She was devoted to her mistress.
"What troubles you, Amagiri? I would be happy to exchange information with you."
"Thank you, Sen-hime."
"My first question, then: Why did Kazama invoke Soul magic in my city last night? I know of no strange Oni in Kyoto."
Amagiri kept a careful guard on his face. Sen-hime looked like any innocent human girl in her mid-teens, except that her eyes were a deep pink. Her long brown hair was worn loose at the back and held in cloth-of-gold laces to either side of her face. She was slim and small, and one of the foremost initiates of Soul magic, which itself was a rare manifestation of the Gift of Soul.
"He believes that he has located an unknown Oni fullblood, princess. A girl."
"Not possible," Sen said flatly. "I would have known."
"He is correct nonetheless. I believe that she has been carefully shielded for a long time. It is my theory that being entirely unaware of her heritage, and with no powerful kin nearby, her adult powers have only begun to manifest recently."
Sen-hime's brows drew down over her large, luminous eyes.
"If you are correct – if my cousin is correct – then how could he be stupid enough to terrify her with Testing magic before she could be taught even the least part of who we are? And not just stupid – unkind, too."
"He may have thought she was lying to him in denying her heritage."
"He's an idiot," Sen fumed. "I mean, I already knew that. If only you'd all stop fawning over him…"
Amagiri sipped his tea, torn between misgivings and amusement. Kimigiku cleared her throat, and Sen immediately looked apologetic and smiled, her face going from storm to sunlight in a heartbeat.
"I believe it's your turn to ask a question, Amagiri. It's really not your fault Chikage is, um, difficult."
"Kazama-sama is an intelligent man and a careful leader, Sen-hime. It is regrettable that his actions last night may not have been appropriate. However, you appreciate his circumstances, do you not?"
The young Oni blushed but was firm in her response.
"I appreciate that we do not agree on the best path for the Oni to survive the coming century. Although I would think that the current state of our race is the best evidence for my position that any intelligent man would require."
Amagiri continued to keep his expression neutral, but he was secretly satisfied. This was the opening he had wanted. Sometimes age and experience could counter inborn talent.
"My question, Sen-hime?" he asked, patiently.
"Go ahead. You're pleased about something, so I might as well find out what."
The big Oni's face relaxed into one of his rare smiles.
"Indeed. My question is simple enough. What do you know of the current leadership of the human police force known as the Shinsengumi?"
The princess and her bodyguard were clearly surprised. They exchanged a glance, and then Sen gestured for the shinobi to answer.
"The Shinsengumi are a strong enough martial force, but they would need to grow significantly in order to be more effective either in this city, or in the current political situation generally. Their leaders, however, are without question the most formidable human warriors I have observed. There is a significant gap in ability between the commanders and captains, and the ordinary soldiers, although the soldiers are disciplined and well-trained."
"Could you be more specific, Kimigiku-san?"
Sen nodded permission to her bodyguard to continue.
"The core of the Shinsengumi strength is made up of a group of men from Edo who trained together for several years before coming to Kyoto. The leader, Kondō Isami, is a master of the Tennen Rishin style and a powerful fighter. However, in terms of overall strength of mind, body, and skill I would say that his students have grown beyond their master, who is nevertheless the heart of the group.
"I have not had the opportunity to personally assess their skills, as we generally try to avoid contact with the human authorities; however, from my direct observation, I believe that Hijikata Toshizō-fukuchō would be a dangerous opponent for any human, and many of the lesser Oni. The captains Okita, Nagakura, Saitō and Harada are also exceptional. The youngest captain, Tōdō, may perhaps attain this level one day. Of the captains, I estimate that Saitō is the most likely to match the Vice Commander in overall potential; but he is flawed because he requires himself to set aside his feelings."
Amagiri was both impressed with the quality of the information and very thoughtful.
"These men, Hijikata-fukuchō and Saitō-taichō, can you describe them to me?"
"Easily. The Vice Commander has black hair and purple eyes, and is strikingly handsome. Captain Saitō has hair like Shiranui-san's and blue eyes. He has the ability to conceal his ki so as to be less noticeable to others."
Amagiri nodded his thanks.
"Well, my next question is obvious then, Amagiri," said Sen, after they had all sat in silence for a couple of minutes. "Why did you ask about the Shinsengumi?"
The red-haired Oni felt truly uncomfortable, but he had known from the start that it would come to this.
"Sen-hime. Kimigiku-san. I think… although it seems impossible… that some of these men are directly descended from ancient Oni bloodlines. No, not just that – it's as though some of our strongest bloodlines have come together so that they have the… latent potential… to match their ancestors. Perhaps it is a genetic fluke. It would certainly draw them together, however unconsciously."
The two women were staring at him blankly. Sen-hime shook her head emphatically.
"I could not – could not – have missed that. Amagiri, you know I value your judgment highly. But this is not credible. The latency would have to be absolute for me not to notice. In which case, meaning no disrespect, how would you have even known to look?"
"Princess," Amagiri responded gravely, "I don't know if I believe it either. But if I were of your clan, and I believed the – ah – stories of your clan, then I would look to the Oni girl as the cause of any significant change among these men. In fact, I thought that you were strongly in favour of the importance of love-matches to the demon clans, including matches with the strongest of human-kind."
The princess rose abruptly and began to pace.
"The Western clans have never believed. Never. You are polite to my face, Amagiri, but the Kazama and Amagiri clans have long called our stories myths. Even as Oni numbers fail, and we become dangerously inbred, you have always questioned the validity of the legacy of Suzuka-gozen. There are fewer and fewer true births, and the Gifts have dwindled except among the elite. In my generation, how many will pass the Fourth Trial, the mythical trial? Almost none – perhaps none – because the Trial of Heart has become all but ignored as every generation breeds for power and pure bloodlines alone, and then wonders why they have so few children. Especially girl children."
She stopped, taking a deep breath. Her magenta eyes were intense with a combination of anger and sorrow.
"You have heard all of this before, Amagiri. Why do you raise it now?" Her voice was suddenly weary, and older than it should be for a girl her age.
Amagiri bowed deeply. When he raised his head, his eyes were clouded and uncertain, far from their usual clear blue.
"Sumimasen deshita, Sen-hime. I have met a man who is a human and who is becoming an Oni. Not a half-blood – I think he was already that. He is changing from one thing to another as far as my senses can understand it. And Shiranui – of all people! – came to me of his own accord because he thought he had seen something that was too important to ignore."
"What of the Testing Ritual? What did it show? Did it injure the girl or this human?"
"I could not prevent it, Princess. I was not close enough, and Kazama-sama would not have listened in any event. The girl was clearly a full-blood and the magic frightened her badly; it is likely that there was also physical pain. The man was strongly affected as well, even though a human should have noticed nothing. I'm not sure what would have happened had Kazama not ended the spell. Forcing a change on a mind and body that is still – shall we say – "adapting", would likely kill the subject."
With a profound sigh, Amagiri rose to his feet.
"I have speculated too much, and stayed too long. Forgive me, Princess, I must go."
"Of course."
"Then I leave the matter to your discretion. Good morning, Sen-hime, Kimigiku-san."
Face once more impassive, Amagiri left the stately home. Inside, a teenaged Oni princess paced up and down and tried to work through the ramifications of what she had heard. She reviewed the conversation with Amagiri and listened to what he implied but didn't say. Kazama Chikage was among the strongest and most disciplined of her generation. For him to be unaware of the man Amagiri described, who could not have been far away, meant that he had truly been intrigued by the Oni girl.
Did the potential for good outweigh the danger of conflict among a race already dangerously reduced in power and numbers? A great deal would ultimately depend on Kazama Chikage.
Despite a sleepless and exhausting night, Saitō Hajime found himself unable to rest. Even his favourite place under the sakura tree and the discipline of meditation brought little peace. He had bathed and changed his clothes and scrubbed the worst of the blood out of his blue haori. It went without saying that his sword had been cleaned and oiled and polished.
He had checked on Heisuke and Sōji, and been told by Yamazaki that the former was still unconscious, but the latter was awake and in his own room, although unable to move around much for now. He had made a note of Yamazaki's reticence concerning Sōji, and resolved to learn the cause. Later.
Harada was on guard outside Chizuru's room, since they were all still concerned about the two – no, three – powerful men who had escaped them at the Ikedaya. He would look after her, Saitō mused; Harada could be blunt, but he seemed to know what to say to people when they were upset.
Finally, he gave up and went to wait outside the Vice Commander's room. Once there, he found his concentration much improved. That was the advantage of accepting the inevitable. When Hijikata eventually opened his door to look for somebody to send to fetch the Third Division Captain, he saw the man already there, kneeling with his eyes closed and his hands lying lightly on his thighs.
"Alright Saitō. Let's have it then." He motioned for the captain to come in and sit down.
Saitō inclined his head politely and rose to his feet.
"Yes, Vice Commander."
A/Note: I guess Saitou will have to On-i up now. (Please forgive me...) Quick! Why is Sen so sad? Because she's an On-i child. (Stopping now.)
To all my readers: thank you very much, merci beaucoup, danke sehr, arigatou gozaimasu. I appreciate your comments, encouragement, humour and patience. :)