Chapter 8: Judgments of the Wise
Stepping with stately grace onto the low dais at the head of the room, Izayoi bowed respectfully to her father and brother, then took her spot to the opposite side of her father from Ichirou at his acknowledgment. Whispers passed back and forth through the great room as everyone wondered where the youkai Lord was and what would be happening in this session of court.
The room was already full and it was apparent that today's session would be long; there was much to be brought before the Lord for his consideration. No one missed the fact, however, that this time, Izayoi was seated much closer to the front and her father... which more than likely meant she would be participating in the judgments this day.
The murmuring swelled louder through the room for several moments, and then Hiraku raised a hand, and silence fell as all attention turned to the front of the room.
"This day's court is now open." He gestured to Hikaru, and his assistant unrolled the parchment he held and began to read from it.
"To begin this day your most honorable ally the Lord Touga comes before you," he said as the doors into the room opened and Touga stepped through following Kenji. Breathless silence followed him as he strode confidently to the dais and bowed his head lightly to Hiraku and Ichirou – as well as Izayoi.
Hiraku returned an equal bow of his head, as did Ichirou and Izayoi, and then, knowing what was expected of her, she stood and addressed Kenji. "What does the most honorable ally of the house of Setsuna wish of us this day?" she asked, her tone formal and cadenced - careful.
"Izayoi-sama," Kenji bowed deeply, "my Lord Touga would sit with you in court to learn more of your ways. It is his belief that allies should strive to learn as much as they can from and of each other."
"We of the house of Setsuna then welcome our ally to sit with us and learn of our ways. We are honored that you have chosen to learn more of us," she returned, gesturing for him to take a seat on the pillow placed next to Ichirou.
Touga ascended the dais and sank elegantly down onto the pillow, then spoke for the first time that morning. "Izayoi-sama, I return your assistant to you and thank you for the use of his skills."
Once again bowing formally, Izayoi said, "The pleasure was mine, my Lord. I am glad you were pleased with his assistance." With that, Kenji moved to sit just to Izayoi's side as she once again took her own seat with a twinkle in his eye – it was clear he was pleased with her performance. She had, indeed, learned the youkai ritual of welcoming another into their court very well and performed it flawlessly as though she'd been doing it for years.
Now that Touga had been formally welcomed to participate in the Setsuna court, matters moved forward much more informally between the males on the dais as they easily awaited the first matter up for consideration that day. It was clear there was a certain camaraderie forming between the three males to everyone there that day, and there was much whispering about that fact.
They were clearly becoming more than just allies – they were becoming friends.
The first matter up for judgment was a feud over land. Two farmers claimed as their concern a certain field that lay between them, and since no one could come up with an acceptable compromise between the two in their village, the matter had been sent to the Lord, instead.
Hiraku considered both men for a moment and then said, "Hikaru, bring forward the land grant records so that we may see who rightfully farms that parcel of land." Both farmers looked surprised that there were records of their grant, but both looked interested. It was clear they both truly felt they had the rights to the land.
Touga looked intrigued. Most ningen Lords didn't keep records of land grants to small-time farmers within their domains, but it was clear that Setsuna was run a little differently than most. He glanced sideways at Izayoi... Or perhaps it is run a great deal differently...
It wasn't long before it was found that the particular piece of land in question belonged to both farmers; the field had literally been divided right down the middle. With that evidence neither man could argue, and both left the room, not perhaps entirely pleased, but certainly with nothing else to argue and fight about.
Most of the morning was taken up with disputes of a similar type – arguments over water rights to several small lakes and streams, questions of proper tithes to the Lord, and a fairly serious notification of a rather large and strong group of bandits that had taken up attacking people along a certain stretch of road leading south out of Setsuna lands.
There were two landless and houseless samurai requesting the honor of joining Setsuna's army, which is where Touga came in quite handy; with everything that was currently going on, Hiraku was rightly leery of anyone attempting to gain proximity to his family. Touga was able to scent out quickly that both were sincere, however, hiding no ulterior motives behind friendly eyes, and both were sent to Hiraku's General for testing – he would not, of course, accept those who were inferior warriors. If they were to prove competent, they would be accepted into the ranks of the army.
Then came a truly different problem than anything that Hiraku had ever been faced with, and he was actually left at an impasse – he had no idea how to make a judgment between the two sides.
It seemed that two women had given birth on the same day, one to a living child, and one stillborn. However, the miko who had attended the birthings was killed along with her attendants by a bandit attack on the village within minutes of the last woman giving birth. Now, both women were claiming the living child and there was no one to say who was really the mother of said child.
Touga was also uncertain; normally he would be able to scent the child's provenance, but because of the circumstances, the scents on the child were completely muddled and it carried the scents of both the women as well as another who had been nursing the child in the meantime.
The whole situation was about to cause a small war within the village as the two families fought it out, and the headman, having no other choice, had brought the problem here.
It was then that Izayoi spoke out, and everyone in the room, including those with her on the dais, looked at her in shock at her words.
"Take the child and split it in half, and give each woman a piece of it," she said, her voice cold.
But the reaction from the women was just what Izayoi was looking for – she wasn't interested in what the court thought of her words. One of the women immediately began to cry, begging for them not to harm the child and to just give him to the other woman. That woman simply looked at the first in disgust and that was all Izayoi needed to know.
Whilst everyone was still shocked at her callous seeming words she addressed the woman carrying the child – the headman's wife. "Give the child to the woman who begs for its life, for she is the true mother of the child," she said, turning a stern gaze on the other woman, who was now staring fearfully at her, "it is unconscionable that you would try to steal another woman's babe in such a manner." She looked at her father, who was just as amazed as everyone else in the room as he understood that they had just witnessed her very unique way of discerning the truth. "I believe that there should be some form of punishment for this woman, father, don't you agree?"*
Hiraku studied the woman before him who was now looking even more frightened and hummed thoughtfully. "Indeed," he murmured. Letting his eyes wander for a moment, he considered different punishments, and then spoke, pinning the woman with a disgusted gaze. "For your dishonesty and the trouble you have caused, your family must provide this woman's family with two barrels of rice – one this season, and one next. I am most certain that your husband will punish you more than I ever could for being forced to part with such bounty."
With a flick of his fingers he dismissed the disputants, the woman who'd been reunited with her son thanking Izayoi softly with damp cheeks as they turned to leave. Izayoi smiled and tilted her head in acknowledgment.
Touga, meanwhile, had been watching and listening to her avidly and had been stunned and pleased with her wisdom. Her cold-seeming words had hidden her true purpose, exposing the liar for what she was in a quick and easy manner. He was most impressed.
Then she surprised him even more when she turned to him and asked in a low voice, "I thought that you would be able to scent out which woman was lying, my Lord... ?"
He appraised her for a moment and then responded. "The room is closed in with many people within it. There is a smell of dishonesty and other intrigues already here, and with the group of people that were surrounding the women so closely anyway, the scents were too muddled to tell for sure. I would have had to have taken the women to a separate room to clear the other scents to know for certain."
She nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. Not to question you, my Lord, I was simply curious."
"No offense taken, my Lady," he smiled charmingly, and she blushed and looked away.
For kami's sake, Izayoi, control yourself! He's beautiful, but out of your reach.
As if the last judgment hadn't garnered enough surprise in the court, the next group to come forward was completely in Izayoi's purview, and it was a serious matter.
It seemed that a small village on the edge of Setsuna lands had recently begun to falter under an extremely dark aura, and none in the village could break free of it. It was draining the life from them all, and finally, the headman had gone in search of whatever was causing the problem.
He'd found the cause and even found an itinerant monk to place a sutra on the object to at least contain it – but it was too powerful for him to cleanse it, so he had been advised to take the object to a miko with strong powers. When he'd approached another village, one with a miko, she had also been unable to purify the dreaded object, but had recommended that he bring the thing to her, as she would be able to cleanse it.
Izayoi could feel the chill from the thing despite the sealing sutra as soon as the man approached the dais and with a suddenly deadly serious expression stood and approached him, ordering him to hand the object over. When she opened the pouch it was in it was revealed to be a simple-seeming stone, medium-sized and dark gray in color; as soon as she saw it, she knew what it was.
She turned to face her father. "I must take this outside, away from everyone here. This stone is used by certain lower youkai to harvest the life force of human and youkai alike. I will need to place a barrier and then purify it."
Concerned, Hiraku studied her for a moment, and then nodded. "Once you are done, return here."
"Oh, hai, father, for this is a most serious issue. Simply purifying this stone will not solve the problem, for that youkai must be hunted down and destroyed or it will simply continue to place such stones wherever there are people it can steal energy from."
She turned and moved out of the room, people moving back away from her in fear of what she held as she passed. Izayoi herself paid no attention, however, she was only concerned with the evil thing she carried.
She moved hurriedly out into the middle of the gardens, knowing that no one would be out and about in them at this time of day. Setting a barrier around herself, she set the pouch down and removed the stone from it. Infusing her purifying energy into her hands, she stripped the sealing sutra and smiled grimly as the stone immediately reached out attempting to harvest her life force.
But it was no match for her reiki and within moments it was nothing more than a slightly melted rock, of no danger to anyone. She hefted it for a moment, studying it, and then sighed and lowered her barrier. Heading back inside, she motioned for a passing servant to attend her, and tersely ordered him to dispose of both items.
With that, she turned back towards the audience hall and re-entered, calmly heading back to the dais. She noted everyone's questioning looks.
"It has been purified and disposed of, there is no need to fear," she said clearly as she once more took her place on the dais. She looked to the headman of the village it had come from. "When did this begin?"
"About a moon cycle ago, my Lady," he said, bowing deeply.
She nodded, her gaze going thoughtful. "And when did you find this and leave your village?"
"A quarter of a moon cycle ago."
"Izayoi?" her father prompted, and she looked up to see he and Ichirou and even Touga eyeing her.
"Pardon, father, I am simply thinking." She met his gaze and sighed, knowing he wasn't going to like what she was going to say. "Father... I am going to have to go to this village and hunt down this youkai. It is a plague on the land and must be destroyed. It cannot be allowed to continue to roam freely."
At her words, an uproar broke out in the court – to allow the hime-sama, reiki-wielder or not, to leave the palace to go into battle? Unheard of!
"Silence!" her father roared after a moment, his anger palpable. He waited for the room to quiet, then turned to his daughter. "And why must you be the one to deal with this particular problem?" he asked, his displeasure clear.
"This youkai is strong and not everyone would be able to purify it. I would not be able to live with myself if I hid behind those with less power and sent them to their deaths," she replied calmly.
"And you think I will let my only daughter leave the safety of the palace at the side of some man and go off into the wide blue yonder?" he asked again, though he could understand her feelings on the matter.
"No," she actually smiled at him, a dimple peeking through to charm the so-far silent Touga, had she but known it, "but I am not mistaken in that you will be taking a contingent of the army out tomorrow to deal with this bandit problem, ne?" She waited for him to nod slowly, and then continued. "The village in question is quite near the same area. What could be safer for me than to travel with you and the army to dispose of this youkai?" she asked winningly.
Her father sighed at her. "Izayoi – we won't be traveling in carriages at a leisurely pace. We will be moving at a rather quick march. This is not a good idea."
She looked almost insulted for a moment. "I can assure you, father, I can keep up with your pace. After all, when training I did not use a carriage to travel – I walked, just as did the other miko and trainees. I am capable of walking many miles in a day with few stops and of sleeping on hard ground. There was no favoritism in miko Kiyoko's training regimen."
It was clear that Hiraku was taken aback, but Touga was quite pleased. After all, as his wife she would be expected to be part of any combat effort, especially against the north, and he really wanted to see just how much stamina she actually had. It was clear she was no spoiled, pampered hime, but he needed to know just exactly what she was capable of.
That was why he had not offered to take care of the problem himself – he could have done so quite easily.
He caught Hiraku's eye and said, "Perhaps it would be good for you to see just what she is capable of. So far, you have only seen a small portion of her capabilities. It would not do to underestimate her," he said, his voice carefully neutral, so as not to seem as though he were pushing.
Ichirou, who had been silent up until then, surprisingly added his support to Izayoi's case. "You cannot protect her forever, father – and you know she is destined for great things," he said quietly. "I am positive that she will face much worse in her lifetime than this rather simple task."
His words were vague to those not in the know, but to Hiraku and all those on the dais, human and youkai alike, they were quite clear – Izayoi's destiny had been chosen by the kami and safety was not something she was guaranteed. All he could do was support her as best he could. At least this time she would be surrounded by her father and brother, most likely by Touga, as well, as it seemed clear he wished to also go, and an entire unit of their army. It was as safe as he could make her, and Hiraku had to agree – her destiny was not one of being a pampered hime living out her life within palace walls.
She was destined for much, much greater.
Finally, though all could tell he was not happy about it, he inclined his head in agreement. "Very well - we will travel first to deal with the bandits and then we will escort you to this village and track down this youkai."
A stir of shock went through the court, though everyone was careful not to draw their Lord's ire by yelling, and it was clear that this day would be providing fodder for gossip and intrigue probably for years.
Hiraku looked to the bowing headman, then motioned for Hikaru. "Make sure to give this man a place to sleep for the night and show him to the kitchen so he may have a hot meal." As Hikaru bowed, he stood from his place on the dais and declared, "This day's court is over."
With that, the room began to empty and Touga stood and offered his arm to Izayoi, who rose gracefully and took it, both turning to follow her sire and brother from the room as they headed for the mid-day meal.
~oOo~
The rest of the day passed quickly, Izayoi retiring to her rooms after the evening meal to prepare a small traveling pouch for herself. She would carry very little, save a light cloak and her own travel rations and a small comb – and, of course, her bow and quiver of arrows.
She had considered taking along her staff, then decided against it, deeming it unnecessary – any close fighting would more than likely be done by the army. Her father would demand that she stay as far from actual combat as possible, and her skill with her bow allowed for that – she would be able to destroy the youkai without ever getting too near it.
With her things ready for travel, she disrobed and settled into a soft night yukata and had Mei take her miko robes to be washed and then hung to dry so that they would be ready by morning.
Her mind wandered back to the meeting she'd had with her very unhappy father after the mid-day meal. He'd given her his orders for what she was to do during the battle with the bandits – which was much of nothing but hide. She'd actually managed to talk him out of that, to an extent – if they could find her a good place, perhaps in a tree that she could see and shoot from, he would allow her to fire and pick off as many of the bandits as she could.
But he was going to bring an extra contingent of men whose only task was protecting her – and knowing that her father wouldn't give on that one, she'd chosen not to argue and take what she could get.
During the march she was to stay near he, Ichirou, and Touga at all times, or any one of them as well as the men that were there to protect her. And during the hunt for the youkai, she would take he, her brother, and Touga with her, or she wouldn't go, and that was that.
She'd sighed with relief at that one, glad he'd not insisted she take the whole army after the youkai – that would only endanger those men as the youkai would attempt to use any stones he'd placed to suck away their energy.
That wasn't even mentioning how difficult it would be to hunt a youkai with an entire army unit tromping along with you – stealth and speed would be what would catch the beast, and she could do that better with a small group. It would have been easier, of course, to do it alone, but she knew he would never go for that and so didn't even attempt to argue for such a thing.
At that thought, Izayoi sighed and smiled wryly to herself. It would have been so much easier to have been born a simple farmer's daughter – then I could be a priestess and deal with these things without all the hassle that comes with being a hime, instead.
But the kami had made her who she was, and with everything she had seen in her dreams lately, she was Izayoi because that was how it was meant to be. For some reason, this place, at this time and as this person was where she was needed, and she wouldn't argue the point. Besides, she couldn't say that she regretted her place – if she wasn't in the rather unique position she was, she wouldn't know the beautiful people she did... Kenji, her father and brother... Touga.
She flushed as she thought about him and slid her door open into the garden, stepping outside quietly to look around – she really didn't want company. It was deserted in the moonlight and so she walked daintily down the steps and sighed as her feet touched the cool grass. She knew she would get reprimanded by Mei for wandering around without shoes again but the coolness felt so good against her skin she couldn't bring herself to care. She'd just have to be careful not to stain her feet.
Touga... her mind wandered back to the powerful youkai, and she shivered. He was so beautiful and fascinating! And not at all arrogant towards those who were lesser than he – for even she and her brother and father were not his equal, in power or longevity of life, at least. And yet he treated them no differently than he did anyone else, even other youkai.
If only more ningens and youkai could interact in the same way! she thought wistfully. The future could be so much brighter. But prejudice and hatred was strong, and mostly, she realized, it was because they just didn't understand each other – they didn't take the time to try. That was the difference – Touga did, and her father was willing to reciprocate.
So they had differences... that just made it even better, in her eyes. For who wanted everyone to be exactly the same? That would be endlessly boring. But suspicion was rife between ningen and youkai, and far too few were willing to try to look beyond.
She could only be glad that Touga was one who was willing to do so, for she could never regret knowing him. For the first time in her life she actually cursed her eventual fate of being married off to some human husband and being locked away as human wives were – her loss of freedom, as well as his company, and Kenji's, suddenly weighing heavily upon her.
She sat down upon one of the stone benches near the koi pond, fingers clasped in her lap demurely as her aura saddened. But that is my fate, and I cannot escape it, she thought unhappily. All I can do is appreciate the freedom I have at this moment and keep these days bright in my memory to take them out and look at them when my life is no longer so happy.
A cool breeze brushed a lock of her hair over her shoulder and her fingers absently came up to play with it as she wandered through her own mind. As much as she was fascinated by the Western Lord, she could only wish she weren't also attracted to him, because that was something only doomed to cause her discomfort and pain. Her destiny was to be married off to some human Lord, probably one a great deal older than her, while his... well, he would probably find a beautiful youkai female one day and that would be that.
Allowing herself to think of him, to dream of him, was an exercise in futility for her and she tried to force her mind into other pathways, determined to push him in all his attractiveness aside. It would have been so much easier if he were only physically attractive.
He is not for the likes of me. I need to start keeping him at arms length, attracted or not. I would not embarrass myself mooning over one so high above me, nor leave my heart open for such heartbreak when I eventually meet the one my father has chosen for me.
But one small part of her mind couldn't help but think... Oh, but if he were for me...
She shook her head then in frustration and put the gorgeous male out of her mind.
He is like a star in the sky – beautiful, but never to be reached, only dreamed of.
With that last stern thought, she turned her mind to other things as she continued to wander the gardens.
~oOo~
Morning came early to those taking leave with the dawn, and Izayoi opened her eyes to Mei's voice exhorting her to rise and hurry to the baths if she wished to take one before leaving. Knowing she would regret it if she didn't take advantage of it, she rose silently and allowed the maid to slip her yukata over her shoulders, then followed her out of the room and down silent halls to the bathing chamber.
Hurrying through the bath she usually lingered over, she rushed back to her rooms and was dressed and ready to leave in less than an hour. Slipping from her rooms she made her way to the dining room, knowing her father would have a quick breakfast ordered for them. Sure enough, when she arrived she met her father and was followed within moments by her brother and Touga, as well.
With barely the merest pleasantries exchanged, the small group ate the food the silent servants set before them. It was a swift meal, and Izayoi was actually the first finished, standing at her father's nod and gathering her weapons, preparing herself for the march to come.
She was actually looking forward to the physical activity; since returning home she had done little that could be considered really strenuous, and she didn't want to lose her conditioning – it would make things very unpleasant when she was inevitably forced to regain it.
As the three males finished their light breakfast of rice and soup and roasted fish, Hiraku looked his daughter over with approval – she looked competent and professional, and he had little doubt she would make him proud while proving her words about her training true.
After all, as he'd said before – she may look like a delicate flower, but she had tempered steel at her core.
With a glance at his companions, he straightened and led the way from the room, Izayoi following behind him with her brother and Touga in her wake. She had agreed to such, for protection's sake – at least while traveling.
The army was ready and waiting when they arrived in the yards, and with little ado and much shouting, they wheeled around almost as one man and followed their Lord and his companions from the palace, marching at a steady pace to leave through the wide open gates in the hei* and out into the waking world.
Izayoi had no problem with keeping pace with her father and the others, though she mused to herself that it was much different marching at the head of an army. It was actually exciting, raising her blood and leaving a delicate flush in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eye.
Touga watched her carefully as they marched, pleased with her actions and reactions – it was apparent that she was most definitely a warrior, her blood stirred by combat and the accoutrements of war as much as any other warrior there. She was so very vividly alive, color high and eyes wide and fierce and proud as they moved swiftly across the landscape.
The day passed quickly as they moved, Izayoi learning some of the songs the men sang as they marched and listening intently to tales of battle and glory. So involved was she in the stories and tales that she was surprised to find that the day had passed and that they were to make camp for the night as soon as a suitable site was found. She glanced at the setting sun, frowning a little at the idea of stopping so early.
"Father, how close are we to the bandits? If we make camp now, how long will it take to reach their position on the morrow?" she asked, her brow still furrowed in thought.
"Actually, we will hold position come morning, daughter, and send out a small contingent of men to track the bandits. We are not certain of their exact location, and cannot engage until we know for certain where they are," he responded off-handedly, keeping his eyes peeled for good ground to make camp as they moved at a slightly slower walk after the long day.
At that, Touga moved forward and cleared his throat, gaining Hiraku's immediate attention. "If I may... I can search quite quickly while you all make camp," he offered.
Surprise rose in Hiraku's eyes, but only for a moment, and then he recalled that his new friend could fly. He would indeed be able to track down the bandits much, much quicker than his own men could.
A thoughtful look settling on his face, he nodded, accepting Touga's offer immediately. "That would indeed, be greatly appreciated, my friend," he intoned, then raising his voice he gave the order to move off the road they had been traveling on and make camp in the huge meadow to the left side of it. It was a good spot – there was water and they were not too far from the area the bandits had been said to be operating in. Once Touga found them, they could plan their assault and hopefully finish this particular task off.
As they found good spots and settled down to rest, Hiraku spoke to Touga, Izayoi and Ichirou listening closely.
"South of this place there is a small area of rolling hills where the land gently folds around itself and the road winds around and through several narrow canyons. I have no doubt that this is where the bandits are active." Brow furrowing in deep thought, he was silent for several minutes while the meadow became a hive of activity as the officers shouted orders and soldiers gathered wood for their fires as well as for the Lord and his companions.
After a short time, he spoke once more. "If I recall correctly, about halfway from here to the next village along this road there is a path that breaks off from the main road. It was used in times past by hunters and trappers, and it leads into the wilds where there are no villages or human habitations. Some ways down this path, it comes to an area of cliffs and rough ground. In that area there are a couple of larger caves. As I've thought over the area here, this is the only place I can think of that they would be hiding – it would provide the best cover for them, and really, for a determined bunch of bandits, it would not take long to reach the road from those caves when they feel the need to bestir themselves to cause mayhem." He looked over at Touga with a small smile. "It is my best guess as to where they are hiding, and a good place for you to start your search. I hope that helps to narrow things down for you, my friend."
Touga considered his words, impressed with the knowledge of his lands that this man had. Most Lords did not know their own lands half so well... especially not lands that were at their borders and usually far away from their palaces.
He nodded after a moment, smiling over at the Setsuna Patriarch jovially. "Oh, aye, that sounds to be the best area to begin my search, I would have to agree."
Izayoi, who had been listening silently as had her brother, frowned. "But father," she began, looking around at the fires now beginning to dot the meadow as darkness fell, even as she enjoyed the warmth of the fire now burning merrily before her, "that terrain is not going to allow an army to be effective. How are we to draw them out to an area that we would have room to fight?"
At that, Hiraku chuckled, eyeing her warmly. "What is this 'we', daughter? I doubt you will have much to do with the combat-" he broke off abruptly, then, suddenly serious as something occurred to him. "Perhaps I should rethink my stance on that," he murmured slowly, to everyone's surprise. It was clear that he was strategizing, and, immediately interested, Touga and Ichirou pinned him with gazes just as sharp as Izayoi's had become.
He nodded absently at his General as the man approached and bowed, then motioned for the him to sit.
"Father...?" came Ichirou's voice, and Hiraku stirred and looked over at his son questioningly.
"Hai?"
"What did you mean about Izayoi?" he asked.
Hiraku waved a dismissing hand at his son as he reached into his small travel pouch and took out his travel rations, as did most of the others around the fire. "It is just a ghost of an idea, my boy, and I cannot develop anything further than that until I know where the bandits are. Then I can begin to create a battle plan."
Touga, finishing with his portion of rations quickly, stood and nodded to his companions before bowing elegantly to Izayoi, who flushed slightly, then gave Hiraku a small salute. "And that is my cue to head out and track a group of bandits. I will return, hopefully shortly." With that, he lifted into the air and with no further fanfare was gone, disappearing into the darkness as though he'd never been there.
Izayoi's eyes had followed his departure as though she could not deny her eyes their will until he could no longer be seen before jerking her gaze back to the fire and hoping no one had noticed her errant orbs. Her hope was in vain, however, for her father had noticed that... and much more.
He could not deny he was pleased; it was apparent that Touga had been quite correct when he said that he would, indeed, be leaving at the end of summer with a new wife. Izayoi was obviously fascinated by him. It was easy enough for him to see that she genuinely liked him personally and even more easy for him to see the attraction she had to the inuyoukai lord, as well. It appeared that their plans and hopes would come to pass.
As a father, he could only be pleased that she was so moved by the one he had chosen for her; he knew his daughter's heart, and barring some unforeseen circumstance, he knew she would fall in love with Touga – she was already well on her way. He was even happier for the fact that the male he had chosen for her was also just as drawn to her. Touga made no effort to hide how he felt towards the woman who would soon be his wife and Hiraku was willing to bet that he would also come to love his beautiful daughter in return of her own feelings very soon.
Not only that, but every day spent in the male's company set his mind and heart at ease more and more – he was an honorable, powerful, easy to like male that would treat his daughter better than any human man would. As much as he loved his daughter, that fact could only make him happy and increasingly certain that the bargain he had struck with Touga for his daughter's hand had been one of the best decisions he had ever made. He was almost totally positive he would never come to regret it, no matter what the outcome of their time as allies was to be.
"So... tell me, Izayoi," he began idly as he tore a strip of his dried meat off to eat, "what do you think of our most esteemed guest so far? He is different, ne? Does he conform to the ideas you had of him from Kenji before?"
Startled, Izayoi blinked at her father in mid bite, slowly finishing it off as she thought about his words, trying not to blush and give her true thoughts away.
Settling her hands back in her lap, her traveling pouch held gently in one as she stared into nothingness, she considered her words carefully, not noting the interested gaze of her brother – or the rather curious one of her father's General, who was still carefully eating his own meal.
"I... think he is more than I had thought he would be from Kenji's words, father," she finally replied in a low tone that they all had to almost strain to hear – as though she were speaking to herself. "He is larger than life, yes?" She sighed and shifted her position before looking up into the fire, the dancing flames mesmerizing her – reminding her far too much of the fiery golden eyes of a certain someone. "One cannot meet him and remain unchanged. It is my belief that we will all carry some mark for the rest of our lives as the result of this summer... and I can only hope that for the majority, it will be a mark of hope, of friendship and of understanding."
Ichirou nodded agreeably before taking a long drink from his waterskin; the dried meat was salty and would dry your mouth out quickly. "Hai – your words are fair, Izayoi – I agree. He is... to be trusted. Even in such a short time, I have learned that his honor is all – he will never turn coat against one he has called friend and ally. He is a likeable being – youkai, or not. I will not be the one to break our alliance."
General Hideyoshi listened intently to the talk of his Lord and family, not having had as much contact with the youkai Lord, though his instincts were not giving warning; he felt that the male was indeed trustworthy... at least so far. He had always trusted his instincts and they had never failed him yet, so until they began to say differently about his Lord's highly unusual ally, he would say nothing and simply follow the lead of his commander. He had always trusted Lord Hiraku, and he saw no need at this point to question his judgment.
But he was curious, and if his Lord would be willing to answer...
Diffidently, he broke into the once more idle conversations between father and children. "My Lord... would you permit a question?" he asked slowly.
His tone obtained the attention of all three of the Setsuna family members; as one, they all stopped speaking and turned their attention to him. At his Lord's nod, he continued.
"This alliance with the honorable youkai Lord... it is... unusual. How did such a seemingly impossible thing come to pass – especially since I have gathered from the talk that until this visit, you had not met each other?"
The question was asked simply, with no edge or sound of fear or hatred at the mention of Touga, so Hiraku decided to answer. The more of his people that he could sway to his own opinion of the inuyoukai, the better things would be.
"It was simple providence," he said, his voice deep with amusement as a chuckle broke from his chest at his memories. "And an unusual series of events, commencing from when I was a child. I never learned to fear youkai just because they were youkai, and so when I came across a severely injured youkai male one day, I saw no reason not to help him. I am sure you remember – it was about ten winters ago, give or take a moon or two that I had an injured youkai brought to the palace and kept him there until he was healed."
Hideyoshi closed his eyes in thought, then opened them again... ten winters ago he was serving under the previous General, and had been gone for leave to see his family. He did remember, however, on his return, the talk of such a thing. "Vaguely, my Lord. At that time, I had gone home on leave to visit family, but when I returned, I remember there was talk of such."
"It turns out he was a vassal to Lord Touga. That is what began our correspondences. As time went on, it became clear that he was an honorable being and I was pleased to find that he thought the same of myself, as well." He tossed a piece of dried mushroom into his mouth and chewed it thoughtfully. "It was a slow progression from first contact to signed allies, I will admit. But I find I have no reservations in my alliance, and how many can truly say that, hm?"
Nodding soberly, Hideyoshi agreed, and the conversation once more became desultory as they awaited Touga's return.
No one paid any attention as Izayoi rolled herself in her cloak and prepared for sleep, though it did not come soon to her and her thoughts were drawn into the darkness of the night as the stars mimicked the silver flashes of the inuyoukai's hair in her mind's eye.
I will never forget any part of this summer... and in the years to come, I will carry memories of silver and gold close to my heart as I mourn my freedom to marriage.
How I wish I... had been born youkai...
~oOo~
First annotation: For those who know any bible stories, you might recognize that judgment of Izayoi's. I shamelessly lifted it from a tale of King Solomon and his legendary wisdom.
Second annotation: Hei=low roofed defensive walls of a castle.
Edited 8/12/13
