Chapter 7: A Dangerous Game
Touga had to admit that he was impressed with Hiraku and the silence with which he and his men moved. They were apparently nearing the area that the mako had taken up in, and Hiraku had ordered silent movement.
But then...
Frowning, Touga reached out with his youki, noting the resonance that came from other youkai auras touching against his. He immediately pulled back so that those others would not notice his youki.
Reaching out, he clasped a hand to Hiraku's shoulder, at which the human male glanced at him questioningly. Moving close, he whispered, "There are youkai ahead, along with the humans. Hold back, and allow this one to scout ahead – I would see just what we are dealing with so that we may not stumble blindly into a trap."
Hiraku considered him for a moment and then silently signaled for his men to come to a halt. "Go ahead, my friend," he whispered back, and Touga grinned tightly at him before disappearing in a faint streak of light into the narrow canyon ahead.
After about ten minutes, Touga returned.
"There are snake youkai with them," he said, his nose wrinkled in disgust. "It appears that the youkai are their customers. It seems the entrepreneurial spirit can overcome racial hatreds quite well."
Hiraku chuckled silently. "Of course," he returned dryly. "Greed is apparently something that ningen and youkai alike may suffer from. How many of these snakes are there?"
"I saw two, but there were the youki signatures of at least four, but not more than five."
"Hm," he said thoughtfully, eyes narrowed as he started planning his attack. "And their placement?"
Almost all of the humans are on the beach, along with the two snakes I saw. But there are about five humans in the cave along with the rest of the snakes," he replied.
It was quiet for a few minutes, Touga curious to see what the Setsuna Lord would come up with, then Hiraku motioned for his captain to come forward. "This is what we are going to do. There is a little known second path into the cove from the cliff, though it is steep and narrow. Captain, you are to take twenty of the men and go in from the main entrance. The remaining men and I will come in from the cliff path, which opens out onto the other side of the cove. And Touga," he grinned evilly, "there's a certain place that you, being able to fly, can reach that leads into the cave. You should be able to go right in and take those inside... out."
Touga grinned tightly back, his blood beginning to heat in his body with the promise of battle. "Say no more – it will be done. I will wait for the sounds of combat from outside. Does this suit?"
Hiraku nodded, his grin widening. "Then I and those coming with me will go first, as it will take us longest to get into position. Captain, follow me in a thousand count. When you reach the second turn before it opens out into the cove, hold your position and wait until you hear my signal. Then attack."
The Captain merely nodded and divided his men quickly to the Lord's orders. When they were ready, Hiraku motioned for his group to move out and they disappeared into the scrub brush surrounding the area like phantoms.
Touga listened to the count being kept by a soldier in a whisper and shrugged his shoulders, shifting his armor into a more comfortable position on his broad shoulders. He could hardly wait for the battle to be joined, and his muscles bunched and released in preparation for movement.
He truly lived for battle – as did most youkai. Youkai were, at heart, primal creatures, and they responded to the primal parts of life with everything inside. Hunting, fighting... and rutting. A youkai always threw everything of themselves into those three things.
He grinned inwardly at the last one... very soon now he would have a permanent partner for that particular primal need, a very beautiful and powerful one, and his youkai blood burned even hotter at the thought.
After a moment, however, he pushed those thoughts aside for later consideration and instead concentrated on the here and now.
Battle.
He absently flexed his claws as the count began to near a thousand, his body tensing as he prepared to move.
Almost...
The moment one thousand was whispered, he was gone, lifting up into the air while those on the ground moved into the passage into the cove.
He was a little surprised to hear the sudden shouts and clashes of swords almost as soon as he was in position – You move quickly, Hiraku – it appeared that the human Lord also enjoyed combat. I still have to ask him about that spar, he thought absently as he leapt down into the hole that had been worn into the cave's roof over millenia underwater.
Still stunned by the attack outside and confused, the humans were easy targets, all of them falling within moments to his claws.
The snakes were a tiny bit more challenging, though not much.
Drawing Tessaiga for only the second time he attacked the first snake, who just barely managed to parry that stroke, though he wasn't prepared for the second and perished with barely a scream.
His speed put the rest of the snakes off and they backed away, eyeing him warily.
"Come at me... or all of you snakes cowards? Isn't there one snake on the face of this earth with at least some honor?" he taunted, and with that, the rest of the snakes charged, their reptilian hisses and cold blood smell turning Touga's stomach. He had no love for cold-blooded things...
Two of the sneaky bastards ran at him at the same time, and with a feral grin, he sliced one low across the belly, disemboweling him, and then whirled to catch the other ones blade on Tessaiga. Pressing into the attack, he threw the snake away from him, not missing a beat as he crashed into the wall and slumped forward, dashing towards him and beheading the stunned youkai in a spray of blood.
One last snake remained – he must have come in from the outside after Touga had gone back to his ally's side. That one was extremely wary, and the daiyoukai was positive that if he thought he could escape, he would run.
Unfortunately for him, that wasn't an option.
Touga waited patiently for the snake to come to the proper conclusion and attack, taking note of the large boulders that sat along the wall in this part of the cave. High ground...
The snake caught that at the same time as Touga, and leapt, landing on the largest of the boulders. He laughed, thinking he'd outsmarted the inuyoukai...
Touga just laughed back and floated up to meet him, landing on one of the other boulders right next to him and attacking as though his maneuver had been for nothing.
He had him disarmed quickly enough and with a fangy smirk, cut him in two with a mighty overhanded stroke.
Absently swiping his sword through the air to rid it of some of the blood, he leapt down from the boulder and headed for the outside of the cave where the sounds of combat were still going.
Most of the fighting was, in fact, done, with the majority of the mako already dead, though a few had been captured. What caught Touga's attention, however, was Hiraku, who went from running one opponent through with his katana, straight into combat with the remaining snake youkai, who had apparently killed a few of his men already.
At first, his instinct was to offer assistance to his ally in this battle – but he hesitated when he saw that all the rest of Hiraku's men were watching the fight very avidly, even hooting at the remaining youkai with jeering voices.
When he actually paid attention to the fight, he could see why.
Hiraku was an excellent warrior.
Elegant, clean, his movements carried strength and power and he was extremely fast – for a human, though he would definitely be equal to even some youkai – as the snake was now finding out. Snakes were not really the strongest of fighters, though against humans they were often quite strong enough.
But not this time. The snake quickly caught on to the fact that he could not beat his opponent and desperately began searching for an escape while trying to dodge Hiraku's sword. Within moments he was dead – run through the heart in a move that Touga hadn't seen before – and that was saying a hell of a lot, because he was pretty sure he'd seen just about everything.
Leaping down to land next to Hiraku, who was now swiping his own sword through the air to rid it of blood before sheathing it, he asked, "That last move... where did you get it? I have never seen the like," he said, interest flashing in his eyes.
Hiraku eyed him, then chuckled. "It's one I developed, that's why you haven't seen it before. My father was very... enthusiastic as a warrior, I suppose you could say, and he was strict with my training. I was trained to fight blind, with only one arm, or even just using my body and no weapon."
A light dawned in Touga's eyes and he grinned, his blood still up from the battle, short though it had been. "I meant to ask you yesterday, but I got side-tracked – would you be willing to spar with me in the mornings? I would love to see some more of your style of swordplay," he said.
Still chuckling, Hiraku shook his head wryly. "You would soon have this old man on his back, I am certain, but I would enjoy such sport, I must admit. Very well... one hour past dawn in the guard training yards-" he suddenly grinned nastily, "-where we may annoy Takemaru with our presences, yes?"
A deep-throated laugh of appreciation was his answer as Touga agreed. "Yes, I believe you and I will be great friends, Hiraku. I really like the way you think."
Hiraku's grin turned sly. "I thank you, Touga – I do try so hard to please, after all." Laughing once more, he sobered after a few moments as he turned to survey the battle site. Motioning his Captain over, he quickly gave orders for those that had been captured to be tied up and the dead to be gathered and then burned. The few of his men who had been killed were to be taken with honors back to the palace for proper burial. After that, any stolen goods that had been found were gathered up and parted out to a detail of soldiers with orders to carry the items back to the palace.
Within half an hour there was a foul stench as the funeral pyre burned strongly, and with one last look at the little cove, Hiraku turned his men around and they began the – thankfully – short march home.
Touga walked at Hiraku's side, regaling him with stories of battles and duels that he had personally been involved in over his lifetime.
It was a good distraction, and before he even knew it, Hiraku found himself walking through the gates of his palace - only to find his son waiting on the steps with a grave expression on his face.
Something had happened...
Hiraku curtly dropped orders for the captured pirates to be taken to the palace holding cells, and then, with a concerned Touga following, motioned for Ichirou to also follow him as he led them to his study.
~oOo~
"Speak."
Hiraku wasted no time in chatter, demanding the news with a somber authority that Touga could well appreciate.
"Word came about an hour ago – there are more samurai the Shogunate is going to be awarding lands to."
Hiraku sat back and considered those words and their ramifications.
Every bit of land that was given to the samurai as reward for victory in battle for the Taishogunate* was more land being taken from a noble house. So far, with his political maneuvering, he had managed to keep all his own lands.
He had long ago looked at the political situation in his homeland and decided to play the fence. He would keep his lands, his noble name, and his family safe by getting his fingers around as many powerful people as possible.
To that end he had sent a tribute of one of his best army units to the Taishogun, headed by his most loyal man – his younger brother. Kohaku had never wanted to rule as Lord – he found it too confining and was perfectly content leading the life of a warrior. He was an excellent one, too, having benefited from their father's single-minded training just as well as he had.
That was a perfect bonus for him, for if Kohaku was ever awarded lands for his service, which was likely, then those lands would immediately become Setsuna lands... under his control.
"Do we know who is going to lose land this time?" he asked his son after careful consideration.
"No word yet, officially, but... it is believed it will be the Hojo," he said, a wry acceptance in his voice as he thought of his own bride – a daughter of that clan. "They are still paying for losing the regency, it seems – many misfortunes are befalling them."
Hiraku nodded almost absently. "Still – the Hojo clan is not finished, not by far. I still believe that they have a powerful part yet to play in the future of our country."
Touga, who'd been silent all that time, finally spoke. "So... the warriors are once more taking the role of noble from their predecessors. It is ironic... if it is so easy to take the lands of the nobles now to gift to the samurai, what do they think will happen in a generation, when they have themselves become known as nobles and another up and coming samurai wants land?"
Hiraku laughed dryly at that. "Verily, I have wondered the same thing myself many times over. Still... it is best to be prepared. Though I have done all I can to avoid being caught in this same situation, it seems as though every day there is a new samurai trying to gain someone elses lands." He turned to the wall behind him, where there was a hand-drawn map of the lands under Setsuna control.
It was a fairly impressive chunk of land, Touga mused as he also studied the map.
Ichirou stood and moved closer to the beautifully drawn parchment, pointing out a section of land near the southernmost areas of land under their flag as his father glanced sideways at him curiously. "Here, father. I think it would pay to strike first, so to speak. Why don't we offer that land to whatever samurai the Taishogun deems worthy?"*
Hiraku looked at his son for a moment, then back at the map. "Tell me, Ichirou – why? And why that particular part of our holdings?"
"For several reasons, father. That piece of land is one we really do not use for anything. It is empty and though it is relatively fertile land, with good water passing through it, there really aren't many natural resources there. But..." he smirked, "to a new man, one with an eye for looks... well, that part of our holdings looks most attractive. We pacify the Taishogun with giving up a piece of land before we are even asked, meaning we will have done our duty in also giving land to another, while not losing anything of real value ourselves, since we are choosing which lands to give and not waiting for the Shogun to do the choosing for us."
A wide smile broke out on Hiraku's face and he clapped his son on the back. "You have done well, Ichirou. You will be most effective when it is your turn to rule. I will take your suggestion." Sitting down at his desk, he quickly took out his writing supplies and expertly mixed just enough ink and in a strongly masculine and neat hand, penned a communique to the Taishogun, Ashikaga Takauji,* offering the southernmost section of his lands for whichever vassal he had deemed worthy of such an award. It wasn't a huge loss of property for them, though it was nice enough sized to pacify the Taishogun.
Sending for one of his message runners, he soon had the message sent off and figured he would have word back from Ashikaga in a few weeks. In the meantime, they would simply ignore the situation.
Touga once again broke his silence. "Ningen politics are so different, yet, oddly, there are similarities," he said. "Our struggles are mostly about our personal power, though as a Cardinal Lord, I do have to contend with those that might wish to take my lands from me. Such is the fight with that damn dragon of the North. But we have nothing like this... you have to balance yourself so carefully between the Taishogun and the other noble houses that might not like your rapport with Ashikaga. You seem to handle it quite well, however."
Hiraku nodded soberly. "It is a very delicate balancing act. I have managed to ally myself with quite a few of the more powerful noble houses, most of which side with Emporer Go-Daigo. Yet I also have strong ties with the Taishogun. And now-" he smiled almost dangerously, "-I also have allied with you. I will do what I must to maintain my family's power base – as well as their safety."
After a moment, he turned once more to Ichirou, who seemed lost in thought. "Were there any other messages?"
"Oh, hai, father. It seems that the samurai aren't just content to gain lands outright any longer – they are taking over the noble houses from within, using the stewardship excuse – which simply means that the noble family in question becomes little more than figureheads as the stewards become the real power," he replied, anger sharpening his voice.
"Our country is becoming nothing more than a military state," Hiraku sighed as he considered that. He shook his head. "Ah, well, I can only do what I can do to avoid that fate for my own family. We have held these lands as the Lords of Setsuna for generations, and I will not be the one to lose them."
"And I am bound by the terms of our alliance to aid you in such matters," Touga said, eyeing Hiraku with a smile. "You are a formidable opponent – whether across a battlefield or in the political arena, and it appears as though you are training up the next Lord quite well. I could only wish to have such luck with my own heir," he sighed, suddenly disgruntled.
"Is not your heir most powerful in his own right?" Ichirou asked, curious.
"Hai, he is that," Touga replied, a flat look on his face, "but he does not have the wisdom to go with that power. He is blinded by his own power, and sees little of worth in what does not equal his strength. He has not yet learned that not all power is the same," he finished, frustrated once again as he thought of his only son.
"We can only hope that he gains that wisdom, then, as time goes by, or his time of ruling the West might be a time marked by much blood," Hiraku said slowly. "I can only pray such a time when he might become the Western Lord is far, far in the future, however. You are, after all, by youkai standards still fairly young yourself, and might expect a great many more years yet, ne?"
Touga nodded, his expression easing. "I am considered the equivalent of twenty-five in human years, I believe is what it comes to. For a youkai that is still very young. We are not even considered middle-aged until we are around two thousand or so. Though you understand that is a round figure – each race of youkai differs somewhat. Inuyoukai are among the longest lived – along with dragons, unfortunately," he finished sourly.
Hiraku chuckled. "You really despise them, don't you?"
"Oh, you have no idea," Touga shot back immediately, his dislike written all over his face. "Though... I have to say I do not like anything cold-blooded. The scent of one with cold blood is most displeasing." He tapped his fingers on his thigh, shifting his armor a bit. It was getting uncomfortable – they had come straight here from the battle and hadn't had a chance to even clean up and change.
Ichirou laughed aloud at that, while his father merely shook his head, amused. "You are not alone – I also, have an extreme dislike for snakes, and I have to agree with you about the smell."
Touga blinked, surprised. "You can smell snakes?" he asked, not having realized that humans could scent what he'd always thought of as a very distinct, though faint, scent – at least, too faint for humans to catch.
The Setsuna Lord nodded with a wrinkle of his nose. "I know not what you smell, but for me they carry a dry, dusty scent that carries a faint edge of something... I don't know... cold? Alien?" he shrugged after a moment with a wry smile. "I don't know how to characterize it – it is different from anything else and repulsive with it."
Touga laughed at that, truthfully surprised that the human man smelled that much of the cold blood. "It is the scent of their blood that you are describing. It is, unfortunately in this case, much stronger to my nose. I always lament my strong sense of smell whenever I am in close range to anything cold-blooded. Not the best time to be an inu, I assure you." More laughter echoed as he finished his statement with a deprecating shrug of his shoulders.
The moment of levity was brief, however, and once more Hiraku looked at his son. "If there was no other news of import...?" he asked leadingly, and Ichirou sobered.
"There was one last thing, though whether you think it important or not remains to be seen," he said slowly. At his father's nod, he continued. "It seems that Tadayoshi* and Tadafuyu* are at it again, trying to drum up dissenters against the Taishogun. And they seem to have scored big – they've gained the Mori clan* as allies. But there was no word as to why the Mori have changed sides so openly – and abruptly."
Hiraku's brows had risen into his bangs at that. The Mori had always been firm backers of Ashikaga. It must have been something big for them to remove themselves as vassals of his Shogunate and turn to his brother and his brother's adopted son.
After a moment, he said, "I must have Hayate send one of his better spies out – I think I would like to know more about that. A division like that is potentially dangerous..." he trailed off thoughtfully. He shifted, then, seeming to remember his armor and bloody state for the first time. He looked down at himself ruefully, then over at Touga, who still looked pristine though uncomfortable in his heavy armor.
"Perhaps we should withdraw for a little while to refresh ourselves after a morning and afternoon of battle and then political maneuvering," he chuckled as Touga agreed wryly. "Since it is near dinner, we will meet again then," he finished, and Ichirou and Touga both nodded. The daiyoukai was pleased with that – there would be about an hour for him to just do what he pleased.
The longer he was here, the more he liked what he was seeing.
And that didn't even have anything to do with Izayoi.
No... she was a completely different matter.
All in all, his summer here was going to be most productive, in more ways than one – he was certain of it.
~oOo~
After a nice bath, Touga felt much more himself and redressed quickly, though he did not don his armor again. Instead, he placed it back within his rooms and left it under a barrier. After all, he didn't want some human – like Takemaru – getting into his rooms and tampering with it. Of course, he would be able to scent if someone had, but they might not know that and attempt it anyway.
And since repairing such advanced armor was a lengthy and costly project, he preferred to simply avoid the chance.
Taking a few minutes, he looked around his rooms, just enjoying the simple beauty of them.
It was undeniably a room meant for masculine guests.
Dark woods abounded, though highly polished, offset by reds and deep greens. Tatami mats covered the floors, and the rice paper walls had various delicate hand-painted scenes of the natural beauty of the Setsuna lands around the palace.
The furnishings were of the highest quality, though done in a minimalist style – something that Touga appreciated – he was not a fan of the ornate or overly done. That was why he liked the haiku poetry so well – painting an entire scene in so few words. It was spare and so beautiful to him.
And Izayoi read them so wonderfully, too. Her voice is perfect for such things. I will certainly enjoy her reading me poetry for many, many years to come.
He noted with appreciation that someone had paid attention to the fact that he carried three swords, and had provided him with stands for all three. Going unarmed while inside the palace was simply out of respect for his ally, but normally he carried at least one blade on him at all times. He wondered who had noticed his multiple swords.
Probably Izayoi herself. After all, she was the one who paid attention to Sou'unga. It was certainly no servant that thought of that.
His mind seemed determined to turn to the hime and he idly wondered what she had done all day with them gone. Slipping out the door into the garden, he wandered through the beautiful area with a discerning eye. He had long been a fan of Zen gardening as a form of relaxation and even meditation, and it appeared that someone here was the same.
Though he had seen Izayoi working in the garden yesterday in just such a manner, there had to be someone else, as well, because she had just recently returned home from the shrine. He pondered on it for a time as he wandered, and decided it was probably Hiraku himself. He appeared to be intimately acquainted with meditation and the concepts of Zen gardening – minimal interference, just enough to bring out the natural beauty to be found in the form of the plant, and a deft hand.
It is a shame in some ways that Hiraku is not youkai...he will have too few years here before death finds him. He remembered back to the references to his dead wife. Though... perhaps he would not see it that way... death might be a relief to him in some ways. If I had one I loved like that, I too, would not want to be separated from them by death.
Again his mind went to Izayoi, and he had to admit – it was entirely possible it would come to that. The little spitfire was exactly to his tastes...
He sighed. She was still so young. Sometimes it was hard to see it, though. She seemed so much older than she was in some ways... she has an old soul – and a young one, if Kenji is correct and she was sent here from the future to try to correct what went wrong. She is such a puzzle.
But it was apparent that she was important in the plans of the kami, if her being sent through time in such a manner was any indication. For who else had been through such? Not even youkai could claim such importance in the schemes of the gods.
Danger swirled around her in strong currents and she fought her way through them all with courage and a grace not many could lay claim to. He thought then of Satori, the mother of his heir.
As far as inuyoukai went she was the pinnacle of power, beauty and breeding. Elegant, absolutely beautiful, and her bloodlines were of the best, second only to his own. But there was no real warmth in her – at least, not much. For all that she was everything that he had named, Izayoi's slender figure held more grace than Satori. She was so small for one with so much on her shoulders.
And yet she held herself with all the pride of her noble name – without being cold and arrogant at all. As far as he was concerned she was much more to his taste, human or no.
Though... no normal human was such a cipher – she was, somehow, the crucible of events shaping themselves at this time. He wondered what she would become as she matured, as she grew into her stature.
Something immeasurably powerful and beautiful, no doubt.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a clear voice singing – in a language he hadn't ever heard. Frowning, he took note of the aura – Izayoi. But since when does she speak a foreign language that even I haven't heard?
Careful to keep silent he moved in on her position, then stopped to watch her from behind a few bushes.
Seemingly unaware of his presence she continued singing, her face blank, as though she were in a deep trance, her movements of trimming the flowers before her mechanical and almost awkward. Concerned, he stepped out and knelt at her side.
"Izayoi?" he asked slowly, tapping her arm with a clawed hand. It took a moment, but she started and her eyes cleared as she looked over at him in some confusion.
"When did you get here, Touga? I don't remember seeing you a moment ago," she said, her confusion deepening as he began to speak.
"I was not here a moment ago. I heard you singing in a different language – one I have not heard before, and wanted to know what language it was. But when I arrived you seemed... not yourself," he replied, eyeing her carefully.
She blinked, her mind turning inward as she tried to push through the odd haze in it. A foreign language? she thought. Where would I have learned such a thing?
But just as she was about to give up and stop looking her mind opened and was flooded by images that she could not understand, though she felt she should. One thing, however, stuck out in her mind – the language.
She looked up at Touga, stunned. "It is a language called English. Where it's from... I don't remember... but I can remember how to speak it now." She hesitated, turning away from his intensely interested gaze. "It's another memory from Kagome's life," she said softly.
"Fascinating," he breathed lightly. "And what were you singing in this language called English?"
Her frown deepened as she searched her memory. Her eyes cleared after a moment. "It is called Reflection."
"A most auspicious name," he said slowly. "Tell me."
"Who is that girl I see staring back at me, why is my reflection someone I don't know... when will my reflection show, who I am inside, when will my reflection show, who I am inside?" she sang slowly, only giving voice to the parts that seemed to speak to her situation.
The division in her mind is truly great if her memories of her future life are being brought out in such a manner. A foreign language... so, in that future life, she is even more educated than in this one. It would be interesting to be able to see into her mind. The knowledge she must hold...
Still, in this moment she was a confused and troubled young woman that he was highly attracted to and beginning to care for already, and he reacted to that. Standing, he pulled her up with him gently and wrapped his arms around her stunned body. She stiffened, but as he pressed her face into his shoulder but made no other moves, she relaxed a bit and accepted the comfort for a precious moment.
"Do not worry at what lies within your mind, Izayoi. Let it come as it will. And don't forget your meditation. When some new, disturbing memory comes use that skill to defuse the emotions and confusion it leaves swirling inside you."
After he finished speaking, she pulled away rather awkwardly with a deep blush and mumbled her thanks, obviously too embarrassed to look at him. He chuckled at her. "I merely offer comfort, Izayoi. I can see what this is doing to you, and I regret that there is not more I can do. But if you ever need a sympathetic ear and Kenji is not available, I will place myself at your disposal."
She flashed a quick glance up at him and smiled shyly before looking back down at her fingers, which were twisting in her hakama with nervousness. I have to stop reacting like this to him - he isn't for the likes of me... "Thank you, Touga," she said softly, a blush still kissing her cheeks, completely charming her companion, had she but known it.
Touga bowed his head to her with an enchanted smile. "It is my pleasure, Izayoi, make no mistake. I would have the company of a beautiful woman. What male with eyes would disdain that?" he asked smoothly.
At that, she actually chuckled, her blush receding a bit as she cast a speaking glance at him. "Flatterer," she tossed out at him, and then she stared in wonder as he threw back his head and laughed in honest amusement. Oh... I didn't think he could be any more gorgeous. I was wrong.
"Ah, my Lady, you bring me to my knees in shame that you would think my words mere flattery rather than humble truth," he said after he regained his breath. "You are truly a breath of fresh air, Izayoi." He gestured for her to walk with him, and with a glance at her work, she sighed and nodded.
"I suppose I can finish later," she smiled at him.
"Is this what you have spent the day doing?" he asked.
She paused in her step for a moment, then flushed guiltily. "Only partially. Earlier, I admit, I left the palace confines. I needed to get away. I went with the servants to pick fruit from the orchards. It allowed me something different for a time – to pretend to be a simple servant with no responsibilities to anyone but whatever chore I was assigned," she said deprecatingly.
He cocked a brow at her admission and then smiled, knowing what she meant. "I see... I promise I will not speak of this to your Lord father, my Lady. I understand what drew you out. Sometimes... we all need a taste of something different than what we have. It keeps us humble."
There was silence for a few minutes, and then he smiled. "So... what will you do after the evening meal?"
She shrugged lightly. "Probably gather fresh flowers and arrange them. You've seen the huge decorative fired clay vases we have. They take a fine hand to fill in a manner that brings positive energy. According to father, I have that talent." She smiled lightly. "I'm not so sure I agree – I think that father is just humoring me, but I won't argue with him, as it pleases him."
"You love your family a great deal, it is apparent," he said, a rather enigmatic expression on his face.
Looking a bit surprised at the odd expression on his face, she nonetheless nodded. "Aa. Is there something wrong with that?"
He shook his head with a sideways glance at her. "Not at all – it is simply something not commonly seen. There does not seem to be much affection in many of the noble families. Especially for the daughters. I suppose it is because, from birth, they are seen as nothing more than something to barter away for alliances." He wanted to see her expression at mention of the fate of most hime.
"Ah, I guess I can see your question when taken in that light," she replied lightly enough. "My fate will eventually be the same. I have known that since I was a small child. But I know my father loves me, and so he won't send me into a situation that will harm me in any way. He will look for the best match possible all around – one that will benefit himself as well as me. It is the best I can expect." She turned her face into the dying sunlight for a moment, the pale glow catching her eyes just so causing them to flash. "I would have been just as happy living on the shrine and training to be a miko full time if that had been my fate, but it is not."
He chuckled inwardly. No, that is not your fate, little woman. Your fate is much, much different. Priestess you may be, miko you will never be. "In your position that is understood," he said placidly. "Who do you think you will end up being married to?" he asked, suddenly curious. He wanted to know what she thought...
Izayoi glanced at him, surprised at that question, but answered anyway. "There are several candidates, I suppose. Father will choose the one that will benefit all of us the most."
There was something in her voice as she said that.
"Do you fear such a fate?" he asked shrewdly.
Faltering in her step, she came to a halt and looked up at him uncertainly. "Why the sudden curiosity for something that surely cannot interest one such as you?"
"Why the hesitation in answering?" he countered gently.
"I... if you really must know, then yes, I do fear what is to come. After all, I don't know what to expect, and it is human nature to fear the unknown. But I will not shame my family's honor and name by behaving in a manner unbefitting of my station," she returned.
"I did not mean to imply you would, Izayoi. I was just curious about how a female might feel about being sent away to another family, having to leave her own behind."
After a moment of studying him, she nodded. "I suppose I can understand your curiosity. It is different for youkai females, ne?"
Having led her finally back to the steps back onto the covered portico he stopped and stared up at her as she halted on the top step. "Partially, yes." He glanced up at the sky, then. "It is time to prepare for the evening meal, Izayoi. I will see you at dinner," he excused himself, and Izayoi nodded with a sweet smile.
"Thank you for the pleasant conversation, Touga," she said before turning swiftly away and slipping into her room.
He stood and stared at her door for a while, then turned and headed for his rooms.
For his first real interaction with the woman privately, that had gone quite well.
He smiled as he readied himself for dinner.
~oOo~
Airi whirled into her rooms, her hand over her heart as she breathed heavily in shock and the fear of getting caught. She'd been following Izayoi around, wanting to learn more of the girl's strangeness. She hadn't missed the things that were said between she, her father, and Lord Touga while she'd been reading that poetry.
There was something strange about the Setsuna princess, and she was determined to find out what it was.
But she definitely hadn't expected to come across the Western Lord, a youkai, embracing the young woman. Shocked, she'd stared for several seconds, jealousy turning her eyes a definite shade of green. Youkai he might be, but Touga-sama was the most beautiful male she'd ever seen. Who wouldn't want someone that looked like that paying attention to them?
And now that she knew the secret between men and women, she couldn't help but imagine what laying with someone like him would be like.
Narrowing her eyes as she stared blankly at her door, she clenched her hand. She knew how to put a stop to that... Darting over to her small mirrored vanity, she straightened herself up, brushing her hair out and putting a bit of color on her lips. She might not have the looks that Izayoi did, but she was certainly not ugly herself, and what man didn't like to look at a pretty woman?
Takemaru, despite his odd nature was no different, she was sure.
Sending for her maidservant, she ordered for her to send Takemaru to the gardens, and with a last glance in her small, precious mirror, left her room, looking around furtively to make sure the daiyoukai and Izayoi were no longer around.
A few minutes later, Akatsuki escorted the Captain into her mistress' presence with a bow, then excused herself and disappeared.
The Captain wasted no time in speaking the moment the maidservant was out of hearing range.
"How can I serve you, my Lady?"
"Well, you know that you said if I was afraid at any point to tell you?" He nodded encouragingly, and she continued. "I'm not afraid for myself, but... I accidentally saw something a little while ago I wasn't supposed to see, and..." she trailed off, trying to sound worried, and succeeding, had she but known it.
"Yes?" he encouraged, beginning to frown.
"Well, I saw the youkai-sama out in the garden walking, and then he came across Izayoi-sama. At first he just spoke to her, his manner all that was proper – and then... out of the blue," she said, lowering her voice rather dramatically, "he grabbed her and embraced her! She looked frozen with fear – as though she couldn't move, Captain. He let her go after a moment and she moved away from him a bit, but... I don't think she liked what he'd done, but was afraid to say anything."
Takemaru had frozen the minute he heard the word 'embraced'. The filthy animal! For him to put hands on the hime-sama! I wonder what her Lord father would say were he to hear this?
Thinking quickly, he looked down at the young woman before him. She will be easily led... "It is good that you have brought this to my attention, Airi-sama. I will do what I can to bring this to her Lord father's attention. As always, if you see anything improper or worrying, please, don't hesitate to call on me." He bowed rather absently to the naive young girl, then excused himself to think over his next move.
This must be handled delicately, he decided, thinking over his Lord's refusal to hear anything negative about his guest. So, do I wait and hold onto this situation, or do I go to him now?
After some consideration, he decided to wait. The more he could get on the youkai the better his chances to open his Lord's eyes to the true natures of the beasts he was trying to befriend.
With one last glance back into the private gardens, his lip curled in a rather human snarl.
Your days are numbered, youkai. For putting your hands on Izayoi I will kill you...
One way or another.
~oOo~
Hayate watched placidly as Takemaru finally took himself off to his bed, still muttering to himself as he had been since returning from the palace earlier that day.
Apparently, he hadn't liked what he'd been told too well.
Unconcerned, however, with the news Takemaru had come across, Hayate simply ignored most of the man's ranting, since that was what it was.
Oh, there was no doubt he was enraged, but really – what business was it of his what went on in the palace?
And that was where Izayoi-hime came in.
Hayate was now convinced that the Captain was obsessed with the beautiful daughter of their Lord – and was reacting with jealous temper over anyone who got to interact with her - but especially the Lord's youkai ally.
It was time to go to Lord Hiraku again...
Once seated in the Lord's dim, candle-lit study, Hayate wasted little time in getting to the point.
"Airi-sama has passed Takemaru his first bit of information – and he was most displeased. Apparently, the youkai-sama embraced Izayoi-hime in the gardens this evening, though the contact was admittedly chaste, she said. Still, Takemaru ranted for hours once he found out." He stopped and met his Lord's eyes. "He is obsessed with your daughter and wishes her for himself."
Hiraku's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So... he thinks to take something that is so far out of his reach, does he? My Izayoi will never be for him. Anything else?"
"Actually, yes, my Lord. Have you decided what information you want fed to him about your alliance?"
"Oh, absolutely," he almost purred. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he said, "Tell him that I have allied myself with Touga for political reasons. With the political situation what it is right now, I felt that having an ally none of them can touch would benefit us greatly. And... we are bound to do the same for Touga. Keep it simple, and don't go into too many details to him – he doesn't need to know everything. Besides... if you gave him too much information, he would become suspicious."
The spy bowed to his lord and stood, letting himself out of the study silently as he disappeared back to his new quarters in the barracks – right next to Takemaru's room.
Perhaps he would hear something of what made the man scream at night.
It had to be something important to make him scream like that every night, after all.
~oOo~
Touga did not sleep that night, instead choosing to spend the quiet, dark hours in meditation. Despite not sleeping at all, he was refreshed and ready for the day when he roused from his trance to prepare for his spar.
He was looking forward to it – he was actually going to learn some new moves. That hadn't happened in centuries. He idly wondered how good Ichirou was – he was certain Hiraku had undertaken his training in much the same manner his own sire had done with him. While still fairly young, he'd still have many years of training under his belt – so he was probably a fairly skilled warrior already.
And even Izayoi, though she only has about three years of training – with her bow she is unequaled. Even I could not beat her with it, I am betting. Her staff she needs to work on though she has much talent with it and much better than average skill for a mere three years.
It seems the warrior blood in the Setsuna lines is most strong.
That bodes well for me... but not for Ryukotsussei.
Finished tying his obi, he grabbed Tessaiga and Tenseiga and left his rooms, heading for the training yards set aside for the palace guards, an inward smirk at the anger Takemaru would soon be feeling. The man is an aggravation.
He arrived just as the Lord of the place strode into sight, his own katana sheathed and ready at his side. "Ah, good morning, Touga," he greeted. "Punctual, I see."
Touga bowed slightly, a touch of irony in his movements. "But of course, Hiraku. Always. I dislike being late for anything, let alone battle."
"Hm," Hiraku looked amused, then glanced down at his swords. "Two katana, Touga? Am I that formidable an opponent that you need two swords to defeat me?" he chuckled.
"Though I have been trained to fight with two swords at once, that was not the reason I brought both of these out here today," he returned, amused at the banter. He drew Tessaiga. "This is the fang of earth, Tessaiga, forged from my fang. It can kill a hundred youkai in a single swing." He resheathed it, then drew Tenseiga. "And this is Tenseiga, also forged from my fang. It can raise a hundred people from the dead and return them to full life with one swing – it is known as the fang of heaven."
Looking completely fascinated, Hiraku looked Tenseiga over carefully. "The blade is so pristine," he said wonderingly.
"That is because Tenseiga cannot cut anything that is of this world. It is only deadly to those beings of the spirit world," he said, letting Hiraku look his fill. "The reason I brought both is because I normally use Tenseiga when sparring with humans – so they will not be harmed. But... you are a more than competent warrior and I did not wish to insult you by simply choosing Tenseiga. I decided to leave it up to you."
Wryly, he shot Touga a look. "Come now, my friend – I may be a competent warrior, to humans. But I am sure I am as a child to you. You could use any sword, I am certain, and refrain from injuring me."
Shrugging, Touga grinned. "Do not be too certain that I am that much better than you. While I have had centuries training with a blade, I do not know everything. For instance, that move you did yesterday... I would have been taken off-guard with it. You said it was one you had developed?" he prompted.
Hiraku nodded, drawing his weapon, he repeated yesterday's movements, showing the interested inuyoukai the move in slow motion. Touga's eyes lit up. "Ah... I see... that is most interesting! It would be extremely difficult to counter that."
Smiling deprecatingly, Hiraku bowed lightly. "I am honored you think so. Actually," he looked thoughtful, "there is a move that I also developed that you might like to incorporate into your own style – from what I've seen of it this move would work well with the way you utilize a katana – and works just as well when using a larger sword like your Sou'unga."
Touga's brows shot up. "I am eager to see this, then."
He beckoned to him with one hand. "Come at me at a quarter speed so that you can see the move," he said, and Touga leapt, bringing Tenseiga up to catch Hiraku's katana mid-blade. Within moments he'd been disarmed, and he blinked, stunned. "How did you figure out such a move?" he asked, eyes narrowed as he picked Tenseiga up and concentrated on Hiraku's explanation.
"I was practicing with a staff one day, for light entertainment, and my opponent, who was not overly skilled in staff fighting, came at me with it as though it were a battering ram. I flipped my own around in the same way and crossed weapons with him – and then it occurred to me that with a barely there flick of my wrist I could throw him off and disarm him." He grinned. "It worked. Needless to say, it isn't really much of a move for real staff fighting, because no one is really going to use a staff the way that man did. But... as I thought about it, I realized that move would work quite well with a sword."
"Show me again, slower this time," Touga said, once again crossing swords with Hiraku. Again, Tenseiga ended up in the dirt, and the gathering guards hooted and clapped and took bets on the side as their Lord proved why he was considered a brilliant warrior. Until Takemaru stalked over and growled out orders for his men to leave. He sneered just slightly as Touga once again took up Tenseiga, then at the warning look from his Lord, turned on his heel and strode off to the other side of the yard.
Hiraku's eyes gleamed with laughter. "Somehow, that was rather satisfying," he said, and Touga chuckled.
"I'm sure it was," he returned. "I know I was satisfied the day I sparred with him when I put him in his place."
Bringing his sword up, he signaled his readiness to begin the actual spar, and in a whirl of dust the two crossed swords. The clashing of metal was heard all over the yard as the two danced the dance of the blade – and that's exactly what it was, as two masters pitted their skills against each other.
Takemaru was watching from the other side of the training yards and he was admittedly stunned. He'd no idea that his Lord was so skilled with a blade. It was obvious he was a master, as was the youkai he was fighting.
Touga's mind was going along the same lines. "Once in several centuries a human is born that becomes the equal of any youkai with a blade, despite his lesser years," he said between clashes, "and I think you are that human, Hiraku. The sword sings for you."
That was a mighty compliment and Hiraku thanked Touga, even as he blocked another blow and opened into another set of complicated moves.
Neither male, as focused on each other as they were noticed Izayoi step out of the palace doors, and eyes coming to rest on them, move slowly over to watch. She was dressed in her now usual miko robes, with her bow over her shoulder and her staff in hand.
Her expression was also tight with tension.
But watching her father and Touga spar was taking her mind from her nightmares, and she watched, entranced, as the two moved almost faster than the eye could see, their blades singing, the sounds high and clear.
They battled for endless seeming minutes before Touga got the upper hand – barely, and landed first blow. Breathing a bit heavily, Hiraku stepped back and acknowledged the point with a grin.
Izayoi clapped in appreciation, a small smile on her face. "Well done, Touga, father. That was a beautiful spar."
Hiraku frowned a little. "Izayoi... what are you doing out here with no escort?" he asked sternly, Hayate's words from the night before still circulating in the back of his mind. He cast a surreptitious glance toward the Captain, and indeed, the man was watching Izayoi with a certain intensity that had his hackles rising.
"I am sorry, father. I knew, however, that you and Touga were out here, so I didn't see the need to track down Ichirou or Kenji. Actually, I believe those two are out sparring on the army side of the yards."
He shot a certain look at Touga, then turned his gaze on his daughter. "We must speak after the morning meal, Izayoi. There is a very specific reason you should not be out here unescorted again."
Frowning, she eyed her father and then nodded obediently. "I understand. But... since I am out here already, would either of you be willing to oblige me with a light spar with the staff this morning? I find I have some... tension that I need to work out, and aggression works well for that."
"More nightmares, my dear?" her father asked sympathetically.
She hesitated, then said, "You could say that, father."
Touga spoke up, then. "I would be willing to be your opponent, Izayoi."
Nodding, she motioned for a guard to approach, then ordered a staff fetched for Touga. "I thank you, my Lord."
"It is my pleasure, my lady," he said, his voice smooth and deep, sending a shiver down her back.
Hiraku stepped back and watched as a staff was handed to the inuyoukai and he proceeded to spar with Izayoi, taking great care not to harm her.
It was clear that he would make her an excellent teacher – one who would make sure she remained unharmed while sharpening her skills.
So far, he was comfortable with Touga being the one to have his daughter. From what he had seen to this point, the male would take care of her, yet not stifle her.
That was the best that he could hope for in a marital alliance – though he secretly prayed that, as in his own marriage, his little daughter would find love.
He hoped for that for both of his children, actually. If the kami were generous, his prayers would be answered.
He was forgetting the Shikon no Tama, however...
~oOo~
After the morning meal, Hiraku pulled Izayoi away, escorting her to her rooms so that he could take the time to warn her.
"You must not go out into the yards again without your brother, I, myself, Touga, or Kenji with you, my dear. It seems that Takemaru has a... rather unhealthy obsession with you. He desires you for himself." As Izayoi blushed, he shook his head. "You are a beautiful woman, my daughter, and he is not blind. But he overreaches himself... and there is no telling what he might do in his madness to have you."
Izayoi simply nodded, too taken aback to really question her father on what made him think such a thing, and within moments he sent her into her rooms with a gentle push.
"It is time to prepare for Formal Court, my dear. Did you forget it is to be held this morning?"
No more was said as she rushed into her rooms and began to prepare, knowing she didn't have much time. She had, indeed forgotten – and this was the first Formal Court since Touga had arrived.
"Oh," she closed her eyes nervously, trying to gather herself. "I will not shame my house by failing," she said to herself firmly, and straightening her posture, held herself proudly and with confidence. "I am prepared for this... I have had enough training, after all, and Kenji will be there, too."
Taking a deep breath, she held it, then released, and finally feeling a bit more confident, she brushed her hair back neatly, running her fingers through the short locks at her cheeks and her bangs. Tying the length of her ebony hair back with white ribbon, she deemed herself ready and headed out of her rooms towards the formal audience hall.
It was time to prove herself to all those who would be attending – because not only would she be responsible for Touga's welcome, but she would be expected to fully participate this time.
She would prove that she was every bit as capable as any man.
She would.
~oOo~
A/N: All information in this chapter was taken from Wikipedia.
First Annotation: Taishogun. This is the proper form of the word, shogun being a shortened form, almost slang. Taisho, of course, means 'General'.
Second Annotation: Ashikaga Takauji – He was the first Shogun of the Ashikaga dynasty, taking power from Emperor Go-Daigo in 1336 after the Kenmu restoration that lasted a mere three years. He held onto his power, though barely at times due to the power struggles between the Northern courts (Shogun) and the Southern courts (Emperors).
Third Annotation: The Shogunate was responsible for handing out land grants for those Samurai that performed above and beyond in battle, and after a time, the freely available land began to run out. When that happened, one of two things would be done; either land was taken outright from some noble house, or the Samurai was appointed as a sort of 'steward' to the noble, basically controlling the lands and everything in them, and the noble simply was given 'rent'.
Fourth Annotation: Tadayoshi and Tadafuyu – Tadayoshi was the brother to the Shogun Ashikaga, though they never agreed on anything, and almost constantly fought. Tadafuyu was his adopted son.
Fifth Annotation: Mori clan – an influential clan that had backed the Shogun until switching loyalties to Tadayoshi in 1350 or so. They remained estranged from the Shogun until realigning with Takauji in the 1360's.
Edited 8/12/13
