Chapter 6: Here There Be Dragons
Takako was woken just before dawn by the flickering demand of her father's mirror, and turning to rise from her bed, she presented herself before the dragon mirror she'd carried with her from home. It was the perfect way to communicate with her father – it looked like nothing more than a fancy looking glass inside her wardrobe, but in truth was anything but.
Patting back a yawn, she brushed her tresses back over her shoulder as her sire appeared in the mirror, and she bowed to him deeply. "Father," she said softly.
"Takako," came his deep voice. "Have you any information for me?" he asked.
She sighed, impatience lowering her brow. "Not much, father. Never have I found a Lord more close-mouthed than this dog. He gives nothing away. All I can say is that he left yesterday for an apparently lengthy stay at the estate of an ally. But who that ally is and what his visit is for, I cannot find out. No one seems to know," she said frustratedly.
Her sire's expression did not change, but she felt his displeasure even through the mirror. With nothing to say, she waited for him to speak.
"I have just been appraised of a situation that may change that, my dutiful daughter," he said, an edge to his voice. "There is a fox youkai, by name Arata, who arrived at the palace yesterday. He is a childhood friend of the dog, and no one is more trusted by him. Seduce him. Do whatever you must, but whatever is going on, Arata will know. Get the information." Or else, was the silent qualifier, and Takako's muscles tightened in fear. She knew her father's wrath and did not want to be on the receiving end of it.
She bowed lowly once more. "Yes, father. When will you visit me again?"
"I won't," he said coldly. "I will wait for you to contact me with information. Make sure that you have some – and it had better be worth the time and effort that has gone into having you set up in that bastard's palace, Takako. I do not have to remind you of the price of failure."
She shook her head, choking out, "No, father."
"Good," was all that came back before the mirror cleared and once more became an innocuous, innocent seeming item that would be found in any noble lady's room.
With a relieved sigh, Takako closed the wardrobe door and moved to her window to watch the sun rise.
Arata, hm? A fox. This will not be easy – kitsune are not easy to trick.
But I dare not fail...
She shivered with fear at the thought.
No, I dare not fail.
~oOo~
Ryukotsussei turned from the mirror with a scowl on his face, angered at his daughter's lack of progress. "Damn it! Can no one do what is required of them and actually succeed?" he rasped, his reddish-orange eyes swirling with angry fire.
His advisers cowered with fear, but one managed to ask, "My lord... why is it so important to know what the dog is doing? Would it not be easier to just invade and have done with it, especially if he is distracted at this time?"
He whipped around in agitation to stare heatedly at the one that had spoken. "Do you take me for a fool?!" he hissed dangerously. "If it were just about taking his lands from him then indeed, I would do so. But..." his voice turned smooth, pleasure causing him to almost purr, "... then there is the Shikon no Tama. I have information that the dog has it. Were I to attack his lands, however, I would never find it, for you can be sure he has not hidden it within his palace. I believe that his sojourn with this 'ally' of his has to do with the jewel... which is why I am doing what I am doing," he said, his voice going cold again.
As he named the Shikon there was much hissing and whispering between his advisers, and he watched them, amused, as they all stewed over his revelations.
Then...
"But sire... would not the bastard dog use the jewel for his own purposes?"
At that, the dragon lord laughed, his voice sibilant. "You would think so, would you not? But he is weak and instead searches for a way to destroy ultimate power. Destroy it! Can you imagine? He should not dare to call himself youkai, for no true youkai would throw away such power. And that is why time is running out. I can not allow him to find a way to destroy it before I can get my hands on it."
And his advisers were silent, left with nothing to say, for they could also not understand the desire to throw away ultimate power.
What kind of fool was this dog lord, anyway?
~oOo~
Takemaru cried out, shuddering in his sleep as his dreams overwhelmed him. Shooting up from his sleeping mat, he wiped the sweat from his brow with frustrated anger.
Still! Still, after all these years the dreams will not leave me alone. I can't find peace, and it's all thanks to those damnable beasts that walk among us wearing our own faces!
His mind flashed back to the visions haunting his nightmares.
They came so swiftly, he thought. We could never have had the time to find a defense – and none of us were warriors. We were nothing more than bloody sport for those creatures!
He could still hear his mother's desperate screams as they'd split her husband apart in front of her as well as beheading her infant daughter... and the desperation and horror that had infiltrated her screams as they'd stripped her and raped her. The beasts had used her for hours, her screams finally dying down as she'd slipped into death – though that hadn't stopped the filthy animals.
The only reason they hadn't found him was because he'd been in the edges of the forest gathering firewood. He'd been all of six years old... and when he'd heard the uproar he'd gone running... only to run right into the lowest depths of hell. The youkai had been so involved in spoiling his mother that they'd never even noticed him, but with nothing left of his family's farm – or his family – he'd fled, frightened, grief-stricken, and alone, until he'd made his way to the village that lay a day's walk away, and been, fortunately for him, taken in by the headman of the village. Once they'd gotten out of him what had happened to his family, of course.
He hadn't slept a night since without hearing his mother's screams in his dreams... or seeing the tiny, headless corpse of his newborn sister where she'd been flung after they'd murdered her, or his father, split in two, the horrible stench of death and bodily fluids leaving a taint he could still smell even these many years later.
That wasn't even the worst of it.
The village headman had insisted on going back to bury the dead...
What they'd found had scarred him for life.
The youkai, once done with his mother, had proceeded to eat her... and his father. They hadn't bothered much with his sister, since she was so tiny. There was almost nothing left of either of his parents except bloody shreds. It was the most savage, disgusting field of death he'd ever seen... and as a warrior in the years since he'd seen quite a lot.
But nothing ever took away the horrors that he'd seen in those long ago days of his childhood, and he had not once since had a peaceful night's sleep.
Not in eighteen damn years.
The dreams were even worse now with the youkai auras in the palace and so close... he couldn't relax at all, something inside him wound up so tight that he knew it would never release until every tiny hint of youki was gone from the palace and surrounding areas.
And these are the creatures that our Lord would have us in bed with.
He should walk in my dreams for one night, Takemaru thought bitterly, and I bet he wouldn't be so eager to align himself with them afterward.
No... he wouldn't be eager at all.
With a ragged sigh, he pulled himself from his bed and prepared for the new day...
And his dawn meeting with one of those beasts in human clothing that he so loathed.
~oOo~
Touga had been up for some time already as false dawn came and went, and he studied Sou'unga with a pleased look in his eyes.
For the first time in over three hundred years he was about to leave the damn sword behind while he went off to do something else.
Thanks to Izayoi's assistance.
She'd seemed preoccupied over dinner but he hadn't thought much of it – until she'd approached him and asked him why placing Sou'unga under a barrier of his power wouldn't be enough of a precaution against the sword gaining control over someone.
He'd explained that while his barrier would keep out humans, other youkai could possibly get into it and that possibility was just too dangerous. She'd nodded as though that had been the answer she'd thought to receive and then proceeded to offer her services. If he put up a barrier to keep humans out, she could put one up to keep youkai out. With both of their powers in play, only one more powerful than them both would be able to break such a defense.
He'd been taken aback... for all of five seconds, and then he'd thought about it and agreed that it would work.
Now he could look forward to not having that evil sword against his back and whispering its hatred in his ear all day. He was quite pleased with that.
Standing, he stretched, loosening his muscles and warming his body for the combat that was coming. He wondered just how competent the Captain was...
He had to be quite good to be said rank at such a young age... most did not reach Captain's rank until thirty at least, and he knew Takemaru had to be quite a bit younger than that.
He couldn't be much past twenty-three summers or so...
Touga found himself quite looking forward to his morning spar as he hadn't in some time – back at home, most of the time his partner was Sesshoumaru. Not that his son was a poor partner, because he was one of the best – but after a while a change was needed, and this was a good chance to measure the Captain's talents with a weapon.
I wonder if Hiraku would be willing to give me a spar tomorrow... I know he is trained as a warrior – very few Lords are not. And from what I understand he is much like a youkai in how he rules – rather than staying behind and leaving things to some General, he leads the warriors into battle himself.
Yes, he knew a great deal about the Lord of Setsuna.
For instance...
The reason he was so open to youkai.
Very few knew that Hiraku had, as a young child, been stolen from the palace by those determined to hold him for ransom. He had been quite precocious even then, however, and had managed to escape, but could not find his way home.
He had been found by a raccoon dog, who had graciously led him back to his family, leaving the young heir with a child's hero worship for youkai. At least some of them.
As he'd grown that hero worship had disappeared, but in its place had developed a clear-sighted approach to the matter of the different species... unlike most of his kind, he did not believe that evil was a racial characteristic, but a choice...
Just look at the evil humans that had stolen him from his home, and the good-hearted youkai that had led him back to safety.
He had raised his children with that same belief, and that fact gave the hope that it was possible for the races to live in peace...
If only more people could see the same things.
Touga wasn't blind enough to think the fault for that lack lay with humans only, however. Simply look to his own son for evidence to the contrary.
He sighed. Sesshoumaru was so stubborn and had no respect for anything that was less powerful than he, himself. Which was most beings, since his heir was quite powerful. It was frustrating to Touga to watch his son so isolate himself from everyone around him simply because he was stronger than they.
The boy was just asking for trouble.
And Touga had an idea that Izayoi might just be that trouble, because there was no chance she would allow his recalcitrant son to walk all over her. Sesshoumaru would definitely be in for a surprise.
Chortling to himself at the thought, he turned to the ewer of water and splashed some on his face before drying himself, and then began to dress leisurely. He still had plenty of time.
~oOo~
"You have to find the shards, wench! You can't go home unless you want Naraku to find them all first. After all, it's your fault the jewel got broken, anyway, you know!"
Naraku... evil, created hanyou... Onigumo and Kikyou...
Izayoi whimpered in her sleep as a familiar but forgotten voice echoed through her dreams, whispering words she half-remembered – words that made her angry, words that made her sad.
"Kikyou wouldn't have put anything else before her duty. You're the shard detector, so get to detecting! Why can't you be more like her?"
"No," she moaned, still held in thrall to nightmares with no name. "I am not Kikyou! I am Kagome! Ka-go-me!"
Her brow furrowed and she thrashed in her bedding, flinging the covers away from herself.
"I broke the jewel... I have to put it back together. It came from me..."
Izayoi shot straight up from her sleep, wide-eyed at that memory in the guise of a dream, completely awake in the matter of a split second.
The Shikon no Tama... it was born in my body – in me as Kagome... and then it was ripped from my side – Mistress Centipede! Then broken somehow...
"I was searching for the shards..." she said aloud as certain memories became clear. "My companions. I had companions in the search. But who were they?" she murmured, deep in thought. I... I can't remember! It was all there, hovering just out of reach, tantalizing and teasing but giving away almost nothing.
With a frustrated sigh she stood and walked to the little stand with her water pitcher upon it, and taking a small cloth, dipped it in the water and rubbed her face down with it, cooling her heated skin.
"I need to talk to Kenji," she said to herself. Stepping to her door into the gardens, she slid it open slightly, actually glad to see dawn lightening the sky. Mei will not be here for some time yet... no matter, I will go to the baths myself and prepare for the day. I do not need an attendant to dress myself in my miko attire.
Moving quickly, she gathered her necessary supplies and then left her rooms to head for the baths, determined to catch Kenji before breakfast.
Some might be surprised by her desire to go to the kitsune with her troubles and worries and not her father or brother, but the truth was, while she loved her family fiercely, Kenji was her friend and a trusted adviser. Plus, he knew more of the circumstances and causes of what was happening to her than her family did.
Neither her father or brother could really help her with this...
But Kenji could.
Unlike most mornings, she didn't linger in the hot water, instead washing quickly and dressing, then hurrying from the room to find a servant.
Grabbing the attention of a passing house servant, she asked them to send Kenji to the main gardens and then headed for her favorite spot to sit and await his arrival.
The cool, early morning air felt good against her cheeks and she sighed deeply, trying to rid herself of the tension that came with her strange and frightening dreams.
She felt Kenji coming long before he would have been visible and smiled as he stepped into her purview, though her eyes were closed. "I didn't wake you did I, my friend?" she asked, suddenly wondering if he'd been sleeping.
"No," he said, sitting before her and meeting her eyes as she opened them, the pale light of early morning only deepening the unusual blue. "I was awake and readying myself for the day," he replied easily, though a small frown made its way between his eyes at the hints of darkness in her own. "Something troubles you, Izayoi?" he asked informally. She had insisted that he always address her by name – at least when alone.
"I had more dreams last night... about the Shikon no Tama, Kenji. They were... incredible, and I can't understand how what they revealed came to be," she said slowly, meeting his eyes with a certain desperation in her own. "These dreams make no sense and only deepen the mystery!"
Kenji settled a clawed hand over her own and squeezed, an understanding expression on his mobile, handsome face. "Tell me."
She nodded, clasping his hand tight. "The Shikon no Tama was within Kagome's body when she was born. She... I, had more control of it than any other miko because of that." She watched the stunned look take over his eyes and continued, shaking her head. "That's not all. It was ripped from her body by a centipede demon and then later broken into many, many shards. She joined several companions and journeyed to re-gather the shards because she felt it was her duty. That's where Naraku comes into play. He was a... created spider hanyou who was also after the shards. He wanted to complete it and use it, and I and my companions were ranged against him."
Kenji blinked at her as he struggled to take that all in. How could it have been born within her? I don't understand that... it is certain that this future she was sent from must have been strange, indeed. "Was there anything else?" he asked after taking that all in, still clasping her hand for comfort.
"Nothing of overwhelming importance. Just that the hanyou Naraku was created from the soul of a dying human named Onigumo, who offered himself to youkai. There was something he wanted... a woman..." she trailed off, her brow furrowed as she searched her memory for anything else, then shrugged in frustration. "No... that's it," she sighed.
Kenji squeezed her hand once more then let go and sat back to think things through. Silence fell as both got lost in their thoughts, but the silence was comfortable and neither was too willing to break it as they pondered on the events shaping around them.
A few sakura blossoms fell unheeded to the ground as they desperately tried to work their way through the glimpses of a future future that was somehow shaping this past.
~oOo~
Touga slid his door shut quietly as dawn painted the rice paper of the walls a beautiful shell pink and made his way to the yards to meet his opponent. He could feel the Captain's shifting aura heading in the same direction and smirked inwardly.
Yes, Captain, come find your doom. For if you challenge me, that is what I will be.
Moving fluidly and silently, he made his way out of the rear doors of the palace and approached the practice yards, pleased to see Takemaru just making his way towards him. At least the human is prompt, he thought.
"Captain," he said coolly as he came to a stop in the center of the combat ring opposite Takemaru.
"Inu no Taisho," he replied, his tone just this side of insolence. "Are you prepared?" he asked.
"I am always prepared, boy, remember that," Touga replied easily, ignoring the disrespect as though it didn't matter – angering the Captain further. He drew Tenseiga, waiting patiently for his opponent to draw his own sword.
"And what magic tricks will that sword do?" he asked, staring at the pristine katana. "For it does not look as though it has seen true use as a blade would."
Touga laughed as he held up Tenseiga, letting the light hit its edge and gleam in the early morning sun. "Tenseiga is a sword that cannot cut, Captain. That is why I chose it for today's spar – after all, I would not wish to truly injure my ally's man, now would I?" he asked.
"A sword that cannot cut?" Takemaru asked incredulously. "Who would forge such a thing?"
"Not anything of this world. Tenseiga is the sword of heaven, created from my fang. It can raise the dead to life by destroying the pallbearers of the underworld as they come to take the victim away. So you see, Takemaru – you are in no danger. Satisfied?" Touga finished with a mocking salute.
A sword... of life? In the hands of a youkai? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!
Face going blank, Takemaru raised his own katana, and silence fell as the opponents watched each other for several seconds...
And then Takemaru attacked, coming in low and catching Tenseiga mid-blade. Pushing his shoulder into his opponent, he disengaged and rolled to the side, twirling to catch the blade descending on his head on his own sword as Touga moved fluidly from blow to blow. Metal screamed; Takemaru leapt back, giving himself some breathing room for a few seconds.
Touga raised Tenseiga, and beckoned Takemaru with his other hand. "Come at me again, boy," he taunted. "Let me see what you can do – don't hold back!"
Teeth gritted and lips pulled back in a grimace of anger, Takemaru charged him again, bringing his blade up to catch the oncoming blow only to be forced to reverse his sword as Touga switched directions mid-blow in a move that was extremely difficult to master, yet was made to look easy by this youkai. Nevertheless, metal once more screamed out as the two swords met again as their masters locked their arms and pushed against each other.
Once again the Captain was forced to disengage and jump away; he was no match for Touga's youkai strength and could never hope to overpower him in such a manner.
But Touga's blood was now rushing with the high that combat brought and he immediately pursued, swinging a mighty sideways blow that would have taken a true opponent and cut them in half. Takemaru just managed to block the blow, but he was pushed back and barely recovered himself enough to avoid the next swing.
Breathing heavily, rage and determination flooding him, he didn't let himself falter, instead meeting the next attack head on, and in a move that actually caught Touga off-guard, twisted around him, catching him on the side with the tip of his blade.
Touga withdrew, looking down at the slight bleeding along his side with a delighted grin. "I am impressed, boy! That was a fine move. Now... let's see what else you can do!" he said, rushing at the Captain with a feral grin.
Takemaru grinned just as savagely. "I am no boy, youkai!" he snarled as their blades met again.
"Ah, but to me you are just that. I have seen centuries and you have seen, what, maybe twenty-three summers?" he taunted as they spun and danced around each other with blades singing.
"Close... twenty-four," he growled out heavily. "But I have seen and done much in those years. If you wish to keep seeing me as a boy, however, that is fine by me," he laughed disdainfully as they exchanged another flurry of blows, "because in the end, you won't see me coming," he finished in an openly threatening voice.
Grin tightening, Touga decided it was time to show the little whelp just who he was up against. Changing his grip on Tenseiga mid-stroke, he went from a right-handed attack to a left-handed one in the blink of an eye...
Takemaru couldn't compensate fast enough and suddenly found himself with a swordpoint to the throat.
There was silence for a moment, and then Touga said, "Remember this, Captain... I do not need to see you coming to defeat you - I could almost do it in my sleep. You are nowhere near my equal." He held Takemaru's frozen gaze with his own suddenly icy one and finished, "Hate me as you prefer... but do not attempt to challenge me – or it will be the last thing you do." After one last glance, Touga removed his sword from Takemaru's throat and bowed mockingly before turning away and sheathing Tenseiga with a flourish.
"Thank you for the spar, Captain. It was... interesting," he said dismissively over his shoulder as he moved back into the palace.
Takemaru stared after him with frustrated hatred churning through his gut before swiping his blade through the air to remove the slight bit of blood staining the tip of it, then sheathed it and turned to walk away.
One day... my blade will be covered in your blood, dog!
~oOo~
Far across the landscape of Nihon Sesshoumaru stopped his men with a raised hand and instant silence fell as he listened intently to the sounds of the morning.
Closing his eyes, he tilted his head into the freshening breeze and inhaled, his sensitive nasal passages processing the scents he was picking up in an instant. Eyes narrowing, he stiffened and motioned silently to the rest of the patrol to follow him. Within moments they'd all melted back into the forest, and no one that hadn't seen them would even suspect that anyone had just been there.
The slayers village... and the scent of dragon, Sesshoumaru thought with disgust as he followed the cold scent of dragonblood. Disgusting vermin. But what are they sniffing around here for? For that matter, what are they looking for so desperately in our lands? They are sneaking across our borders too often to be just randomly wandering around. They are searching for something.
Again calling for a halt with hand motions, his men stopped silently, not a noise to give away their position passing. Sesshoumaru looked over the small arroyo drop off they had come to a halt on. Below them and just to the left two dragons were watching the slayers village with intense eyes. Motioning his men to stay back, he leapt silently over the edge headfirst, his sword coming out in mid-air as he twisted and in a completely silent strike, one dragon lay dead with Sesshoumaru standing before the other, sword pointed at his heart.
"Speak, vermin. What business do you have in the West?" he asked coldly, his expression frozen in open disgust.
The dragon paled, but without answering pushed himself forward onto Sesshoumaru's sword, effectively committing seppuku. Sesshoumaru stared at the beast for a moment, then yanked his sword out of the male's body, swiping it disdainfully through the air.
"Pathetic. Fitting deaths for members of a weak species," he said, then poured his acid over the bodies, watching coolly as they melted away.
Sheathing his sword after shaking the blood completely off it, he turned to stare at the slayers village, wondering what the dragons had been watching it so closely for.
Father... what secrets of yours do the vermin hunt? And why do they watch a village of humans?
Turning away after a silent moment of consideration, Sesshoumaru led his men on, continuing in his patrol. He would signal his sire later and inform him of what was going on when he responded.
Until then, he would continue clearing the Western borders of dragons.
~oOo~
Arata watched Takako surreptitiously and caught her eyeing him again. Smirking inwardly, he settled back to wait, idly talking to the group of courtiers he'd attached himself to first thing that morning.
It's only a matter of time before she seeks me out. I am certain that letting that spy know of my status as Touga's friend and confidante has been relayed to her. She will be unable to resist what she thinks of as a direct route to knowledge of his plans.
He was well aware that the woman had some sort of link to her father here with her in the palace – there was no way she wouldn't have. But he would be interested in finding out what it was... and destroying it. He was certain he could do so once he'd reached her bedchambers...
Inwardly, he rolled his eyes. Being a kitsune, his sense of smell was as good as an inu's and he wasn't looking forward to this particular job much – the woman was a whore, and that was putting it mildly. She scented of so many males even he couldn't pick out any one person's scent. The things I do for you, Touga. You'd better be grateful.
By midmorning Takako had finally meandered her way around to Arata's group and had begun flirting with several of the courtiers lightly, playing demure until she was actually introduced to him. And then he poured on the charm, grabbing her attention and keeping it on him all day as he talked and laughed and spoke of his friendship with the Inu no Taisho...
Takako was hooked... and in return, she tried to hook him.
He let her think she was succeeding.
Let the games begin, whore.
~oOo~
"-having problems with mako hiding along our shoreline," Izayoi heard her father's voice say as she worked on a portion of the garden. She had decided to take up zen gardening that morning, as it was a calming and spiritual occupation and actually encouraged a light meditative state. With as much turmoil as was in her life right at that point, she needed anything that could help calm her and give her time to think things through without panicking.
Pirates? she thought idly as her father continued speaking to whoever his companions were. They must be led by a fool to hide in Setsuna lands, for father is notorious for his lack of tolerance for their like.
"What will you do?" came Touga's voice.
As they stepped into her space Izayoi sat back on her heels from her kneeling position and watched as her father grinned slyly. "Well, you see, I have rather good spies in my ranks... and just this morning after breakfast they delivered to me the area these rabble are hiding in. I plan to lead a patrol to rout them out and destroy them. Would you care to come along, Touga?" he asked, wryly amused because he knew the youkai lord would accept his invitation.
"I would enjoy such an outing, Hiraku," he grinned.
They both turned to look at her as she said calmly, "One wonders how mako have managed to stay hidden on Setsuna land with the patrols that you set, father. Perhaps you should look to some of the army – might someone be turning a blind eye to certain activities for... certain perks?"
Hiraku froze at that, eyeing his daughter thoughtfully. "Indeed... I had not thought that far ahead, yet, Izayoi. What made you think of such a thing?"
She shrugged gracefully as she continued working on her gardening. "It makes sense. Those thieves couldn't be hiding out unnoticed for long – so someone, somewhere, knows they are there. I bet I know where, too. It's that cove along the northern rim where the land dips into a cliff and there's only a narrow entrance from land or sea."
He blinked as Touga looked on with fascination at the young woman calmly trimming the flowering bushes she was currently working on as she spoke of matters most human women were too dull to understand or even care about.
"How...?"
"Well, from the point of view of the mako, anyway, it would be a perfect spot to hide, ne? Especially as it has that rather deep cave just there to store their stolen goods," she replied.
Hiraku's mind went back to years past when his children were still small and his wife still alive. They would often take them to that cove, guarded by a troop of the army, of course, to play in the water during the summer. He smiled sadly, his eyes reflecting that sadness.
"I'm not surprised you remember that cove," he finally said, sighing deeply. "You always did have an excellent memory."
"Who wouldn't remember pleasant memories of childhood spent with their family?" she asked softly, not looking at either man.
"But you were so young," he replied. "Not many people remember things from such a young age."
At that, she laughed, an ironic sound to it. "Father, I'm remembering things from a life I lived in the future. It's obvious that I am a plaything of the gods, and strange circumstances seek me out. Why should such a thing as the past be any different?"
Touga chuckled at her response. "Oh, hai, you do seem to be a nexus for important events. But is that really a bad thing? We youkai thrive on such excitement."
A lovely peal of laughter came from her throat as she tilted her head into the breeze, eyes closing. "At the least, my life is not boring," she agreed after a moment, eyes twinkling as she opened them again and met his gaze, then looked at her father. "So... when do you go?"
He didn't pretend to misunderstand her question. "Tomorrow morning after breaking our fast. It is only about a half hour to that cove from here. We should be back by that afternoon after clearing out the pirates."
"How many are there?" she asked curiously as she went back to her trimming.
"According to my informant, about twenty."
"No challenge for a squadron of your army, then. Are you going to take one that comes with us from the Winter palace?" she asked. "It would be less likely that they would have any contacts within the mako, unlike one of the squadrons that are here year-round."
Hiraku looked thoughtful at that, considering her absently as he mulled over his options. "But then how will I find the traitor?" he mused.
Touga broke in, then. "If you bring together in formation the squadrons of your army that reside here year-round and which most likely would contain your traitor, I can find him for you. Announce point blank that mako have been found in your lands and you want to know who has been aiding them. I will do the rest," he offered.
Tilting his head, Hiraku studied Touga for a moment, then said, "That sense of smell thing, again, eh?" he asked, a wry note in his voice.
He inclined his head in agreement. "Yes. My sense of smell. I will be able to scent out the guilt and fear in the one who has aided the vermin infesting your shoreline."
Hiraku smiled widely. "You, my friend, are a most useful ally to have, do you know this?" he chuckled, and Touga grinned in return.
"I am pleased to be of service," he returned.
"It is too bad that there are so few of us that are willing to see the similarities between our races instead of concentrating on the differences," Hiraku sighed, shaking his head. "think of the things that could be accomplished if we were united in our goals."
Both men turned to look at the young woman still on her knees gently trimming the bushes before her as she spoke softly.
"Though a swift stream is
Divided by a boulder
In its headlong flow,
Though divided, on it rushes,
And at last unites again."
Touga looked at her, fascinated. "Emporer Sutoku... but that poem is speaking of love between a male and female. Why do you quote that here?" he asked, not even noticing her father's interest.
"Do you not think that it could equally well describe what you are both attempting with your alliance? Our races, divided, nothing but strife, the boulder, between us... but there is the possibility of unification." She shrugged again, a graceful, spare motion as she glanced at him over her shoulder. "It seemed to me to fit."
Nodding, Touga had to agree. It could, indeed, fit. "You should quote poetry more often, Izayoi," he said softly. "You have a lovely voice and do it great justice."
She blushed and looked down; her father nodded. "Why don't you do that? Perhaps this afternoon in the gardens you could quote a selection of poems for us, my dear."
Short locks brushed her cheeks as she bowed her head in agreement to her father's words. "If you wish, father." Sitting back once more on her heels, she looked over her handiwork and nodded, pleased. "I believe I am finished here for now. I suppose I had best go look over our collection of poetry to make my selections."
She stood up and bowed to her father and Touga and said with a light smile, "Please, excuse me, then. I will see you at lunch." Turning as the two men nodded, she hurried back into the palace, ordering a passing servant to go clear the debris from her trimming as she went.
Touga openly watched her walk away; Hiraku watched him for a moment with a slight smile. "It is interesting how you lead us in directions when we walk that will bring us to my daughter," he said. "You seem to be highly aware of her at all times."
Turning to look at Hiraku as Izayoi disappeared from sight, he cocked a brow and asked, "Is that not what this is all about? I am here for the summer to woo and win your daughter's hand. Some would not care, of course, and simply take her as an alliance offering – but I would not take an unwilling woman. If this solution were to fall through, then I would simply have to seek Izayoi's assistance against the dragons as an ally."
Hiraku tilted his head, curious. "But you do not think that will be necessary, do you?" he asked, eyes narrowed shrewdly on his youkai ally.
And Touga smirked, his eyes lighting wickedly. "No... it won't be. At the end of my stay here, Izayoi will leave with me as my wife," he replied.
"And how can you be so sure?"
"Because she is as attracted as I am. It is only a matter of time."
Hiraku simply laughed and shook his head, and beckoning Touga, headed for the army training yards.
It was time to find a traitor.
~oOo~
Under the heat of the late morning sun several hundred warriors wearing the Setsuna colors were lined up in silent ranks as Hiraku stood at the head of the ranks and studied them all with a cold, blank expression. Touga stood just to the side, the same expression on his face.
"It has come to my attention as of this morning that there are mako operating off my shores and hiding along the shorelines in my lands. Apparently, they have been here for some time, which means that some of you are traitors, as they could only have continued to operate here if your patrols were turning a blind eye." He swept his icy gaze over the men lined up before him. "We are about to find out just who has been involved." He started to turn away, and then stopped. "Oh... and when the guilty parties are gathered before me, the punishment will be severe, do I make myself clear?"
He could almost taste the fear suddenly and knew that there were a few that were guilty, and that Touga would have no trouble finding them – he could almost smell the stench rolling off the men himself.
Sure enough, Touga paced through the gathered men quickly; every person he indicated was pulled out of ranks by men Hiraku knew were not involved – those few troops that came with them from the Winter palace. By the time all was said and done almost forty men had been found guilty, the highest ranking one a lieutenant named Yoshi.
Once they were gathered they were brought forward for sentencing, and Hiraku stared at them sternly. After a few moments of silence during which the men sweated terribly, he began handing out sentences.
Yoshi received the worst penalty – death. As a ranking officer in Hiraku's forces he had been given great authority and had abrogated it and the trust given and turned against his Lord, subverting some of his forces. He was beheaded immediately.
Once that was done, with the rest of the squadrons watching the remaining men were whipped, and by the time the whole thing was over, they had been well and truly cowed – it did not pay to turn against Lord Hiraku.
Once again addressing his men, he said, "Remember this day the next time any of you are tempted to break my laws. I will not go easy on you." Dead silence met that. "Tomorrow morning we go to rout the miscreants from my lands. The troops that will be going will be notified this evening by their commander."
With that he dismissed the rest of the men and had the injured taken to the barracks and their wounds treated.
Clapping Touga on the back, he turned away and led the male that was quickly becoming more friend than simple ally back into the palace for lunch.
Neither man noticed the man watching quietly from across the courtyard...
That man turned silently and headed towards the other end of the palace training yards...
The ones that the palace guard used to train.
~oOo~
Takemaru looked up from his desk as Hayate rapped against the frame of the door. "Yes?" he asked neutrally.
"Sir, there is a man here requesting to see you. He says his name is Taichi. Will you see him or not?"
The captain considered his aide for a moment, then, curiosity getting the better of him, said, "Send him in."
Hayate nodded and left the room, within a few moments, a man attired in regular army colors stepped inside in his place. Takemaru showed nothing outwardly, merely eyeing the newcomer as he stepped forward and then bowed.
"What reason could you have to request to see me?" he asked after a moment, and the big man straightened and then knelt before his desk.
"It is a well known fact among all here at Setsuna that you have a virulent hatred of youkai, Captain," he said obsequiously. "Are you aware of what just took place out in the army yards?" he asked.
A frown furrowed Takemaru's brow, and he became even more curious. "No. Enlighten me."
"Some of the men were accused of being traitors that were aiding some mako hiding along the Setsuna coastlines. That youkai – the high one... he came with Lord Hiraku and when the men were all lined up, he went through and pointed out those he felt were guilty. Those men were whipped while their lieutenant was killed." He met Takemaru's gaze with a virulent one of his own. "I can assure you," he said softly, voice barely audible, "that if you were to oppose the Lord and his pet youkai, these men would ally themselves to you."
Takemaru stared at the man for some time, moving not an inch as he considered what he had been told. Despite his hatred for youkai, he wasn't stupid – he knew enough of his enemy to know that inuyoukai could scent out things such as guilt and fear, and so he was pretty certain that those that had been punished had actually been guilty.
He was not a fool; allying himself with those that had already turned traitor was just asking to be overthrown – if they'd turned on one Lord, they would turn on another.
"I have no need to ally myself with those who would turn against their Lord for something as low as profit. I am not interested," he said coldly. "Leave."
Taichi flushed angrily; he hadn't been expecting to be turned down at all. "You would turn down men that would fight at your side against those beasts and the Lord that brings them into our midst?" he asked incredulously.
"Turncoat once is turncoat twice. I will not ally myself with those who have already shown their lack of honor, not for any reason." He didn't bother to deny that he sought to destroy the youkai here in the palace, because no one would believe him if he did.
Standing up and clenching his fists, Taichi snapped, "You'll regret that," before turning and storming from the room.
Takemaru watched him coldly, then turned dismissively back to his work.
"I doubt it," he said, not concerned at all.
Good riddance, he thought. I have no use for disloyal men that are just as likely to turn on me.
When I go against the Lord of this realm, I will have trustworthy men at my back that believe the same things I do.
It's as simple as that.
~oOo~
After lunch, Hiraku led the court outside to the performance area of the gardens – a separate area of beautiful soft green grasses used for musical performances or for the occasions when a traveling troupe of comedic actors would come through.
Once everyone was seated comfortably, Izayoi settled gracefully to her knees in kimono layers, which she chose to wear for this reading herself, though she wasn't wearing the full formal layers as was Airi, who was seated quietly beside her husband.
Into the silence Izayoi spoke, her voice melodic and warm, pacing out the verses in measured cadences.
"Deep in the mountains,
Striding through red, fallen leaves,
A stag calls for a mate,
And hearing its plaintive cry,
I am struck by autumn's sadness."
She stopped, and everyone pondered the meaning of the spare, stark words.
Touga's voice broke the stillness.
"What made you choose that one?" he asked, an odd light in his eyes.
Izayoi brushed back a lock of hair the breeze had pushed over her shoulder and thought about it for a few seconds, her eyes far away.
"Last autumn, I was in the woods surrounding the shrine and I heard just such a cry. It was so melancholy in sound," she sighed. "When I found this poem, it evoked that memory."
"I see," he said, and as Izayoi caught his eye, she had the sudden unnerving feeling that he really did see. She dropped her eyes and continued with her next choice.
"Lifting my gaze,
To the broad expanse of the sky,
I see the same moon,
That once rose in Kasuga,
Over Mount Mikasa!"
Noting her father's expression, she said, "I can understand Abe no Nakamaro's words, for with everything that has happened to me lately, from the future to the past, I have been confused, storm-tossed and feeling lost in my own home. It was hard to find anything stable, anything that was the same to comfort me. But," she said slowly, "though my memories are shifting like grains of sand from the future to now, it is the same moon, and the same sky that presides over them, and in that, I can find solace."
"A beautiful choice," Touga said softly, and her brother nodded, a sympathetic look on his face as he watched her.
She smiled lightly at him, then at Touga, before moving on.
"The cherry blossoms
Have faded now in hue-
Gazing emptily
Upon the long spring rains,
I, too, know what it is to age."
Without prompting, she gazed sadly at her father. "This one reminds me of mother. That she did not get the chance to gaze on the spring rains and ponder on the years that had passed. It makes my heart hurt when I hear it," she sighed, blue eyes dull as she searched her memories of her mother. "And it hurts even more that I remember so little of her – mostly just her kind heart and how much she loved you, father."
Hiraku's eyes had saddened greatly as the words of the poem were spoken; it also reminded him of his wife – that he was watching the time pass as he aged... alone. Without her. He met his daughter's gaze with approval and nodded. "It is understood." He ignored the murmurs from some members of the court at mention of his deceased wife.
Touga said nothing, it wasn't his place, but he noted the look in Hiraku's eyes – he still grieved the passing of his wife. He must have loved her very much, he thought. That must be why he has not taken another.
After a few contemplative moments, Izayoi continued with her next choice, a rather mischievous expression in her eyes that caught Touga's attention.
"Let the wind in the sky,
Blow shut the cloudy passage
So that I may keep
The forms of heavenly maidens
Before me a while longer."
There was a nervous titter from Airi and a few of the other women, and Touga and Ichirou actually laughed. Hiraku raised a brow at his daughter.
"I thought the men might appreciate that one, father," she said, laughter in her voice though she didn't let it out.
"What need have we of heavenly maidens when those that are earthbound here are already so fair?" asked Touga, a smile creasing his cheeks as he considered her.
She blushed charmingly as Ichirou laughed again. "I thank you for the compliment on behalf of myself and the other ladies here, then, Touga," she said, eyes still sparkling mischievously. Oh... he should smile more often... it's beautiful, she thought.
He inclined his head in a courtly manner, his smile still holding her captive. "That was an entertaining choice... and well delivered. I am eager to hear your next," he prompted gently, and Izayoi nodded.
"I have chosen one last one," she said. "It spoke to something inside me when I read it. Perhaps one of you will see the same thing I saw in it."
"When I see the moon
A thousand thoughts conspire
To make me sad
Even though the autumn
Was not meant for me alone."
There was a contemplative silence, and then Touga said, "Like the autumn, you realized that even though the situation you have found yourself in is upsetting, you understand that you are not alone."
She smiled brightly at him, surprised. "Aa. Very astute of you, Touga," she said softly. "I am not alone, and so I need not feel sad, no matter how much confusion seems to be around me."
After a few moments of silence, Hiraku smiled at her and said, "That was well done, daughter. Excellent choices. Perhaps you will entertain us again with more at another time." He looked up at the late afternoon sun, and finished, "Why do you not go rest a little before dinner, my dear?"
As the court began to rise and drift away at Hiraku's gesture of dismissal, Izayoi nodded to her father. "I would actually be grateful for the chance, father. For some reason, I am tired today."
"Then by all means, my dear, go on. We men will entertain ourselves until dinner."
She rose gracefully from the ground and bowed respectfully, then moved away. Once again, Touga's eyes were on her, as was his mind. He was finding her more and more fascinating. She has so many facets! She can go from demure lady to warrior priestess in the blink of an eye, but she is not fake at all. No... all her facets are true to her. It is endlessly intriguing.
Hiraku once again watched Touga watching his daughter walking away with definite amusement in his eyes.
My daughter has certainly caught the attention of a most powerful Lord. And she doesn't even realize it, he chuckled to himself.
I wonder if she ever will, or if she'll have to be told.
He shook his head, laughter gleaming in his eyes.
~oOo~
Touga glanced down and reached into his obi, pulling out a small, round stone, he eyed it, brow furrowed. After a moment, he looked up to meet his host's curious gaze. "I must take my leave of you for a short time – my son and heir is requesting an audience, and Sesshoumaru is well aware that only things of urgency are to be brought to my attention this summer," he said apologetically.
Hiraku waved a hand, dismissing his concerns. "You are as much a Lord as I, it is understood that you have responsibilities. Go, do what you need to do, I am not offended at all. We will see you when you return."
Touga nodded shortly and turned to leave the palace, reaching the front steps, he folded himself into his orb form and shot across the sky, heading for the agreed upon meeting place.
What could have rattled Sesshoumaru's nerves so much as to contact me now? I doubt he would do so unless it was of the utmost urgency. He would be determined to take care of everything by himself if he could.
He scowled.
I bet it's about dragons...
Arriving at the meeting place, he folded himself out of his orb and landed lightly before his son. "What is it, Sesshoumaru?" he asked.
"You seem to have a problem with vermin, father. And they seem to be interested in the slayer's village," he reported.
Touga stiffened, his gaze going lethal. "I see," he said slowly, thinking things through. If I add guards, the bastard will know something is there. But do I dare leave it alone?
"What did you do with the scum you caught there?" he asked.
"Actually, the answer to that is interesting. The first I killed – the second, when he realized he could not escape, committed seppuku by thrusting himself onto my sword," he replied coldly.
"So they've been ordered to kill themselves rather than be taken captive," he mused. "I am not surprised that he would discard his own men so. You have done well in bringing this to my attention."
Silence fell while he considered the ramifications of dragons watching the slayer's village. Obviously they do not know, or they would have already attacked. They are simply looking still.
"You are to go to the headman of the slayer's village and warn him that there are spies watching him. Mention Ryukotsussei. He will understand. Then warn him to step up local patrols, and to remember to send Kirara if anything threatens. You are also to step up patrols along all of our borders." He glanced up at his human-hating heir and narrowed his eyes. "Oh... and Sesshoumaru? You will be polite, even if it kills you, are we clear? You will not shame the blood you carry by acting less than your station, dislike humans or no."
Sesshoumaru merely continued to stare silently at his sire, not saying a word. After a moment, Touga turned away. "Dismissed. Continue to do as you have been doing."
Even as he folded himself back into his energy form, he could feel his son also disappearing into his.
Do not disappoint me, Sesshoumaru. I am counting on you, and I will be watching.
Watching closely.
Within half an hour he was back in Setsuna as though he'd never left.
~oOo~
Edited 8/12/13
