Chapter Ten: An Accounting of Battle
Moving slowly over the darkened landscape beneath him, Touga kept his eyes sharp and his ears open – and his nose busy as well as he searched for the hiding place of the pack of bandits that were operating in the southern reaches of Hiraku's lands. The scent was yet faint, but it appeared that Hiraku's guess as to their whereabouts was correct.
He had to say that the longer he spent in the man's company, the more he enjoyed said company. Hiraku was a man of his word with a strict sense of honor. You could bank everything you owned on his word and not lose a a single copper piece. On top of that, he was extremely intelligent with a likeable personality and clever tongue.
He could only wish that the man was actually a youkai, for he would die far too soon by Touga's count, and he could already tell that when he did pass, he would be truly missed by himself. The only comfort at all in the situation was that his son and heir, Ichirou, was much like him, and he liked him greatly as well.
Luck was definitely with him in this endeavor of his – for not only did he truly like his ally and his heir, but the woman who would be his wife if he had anything to say on the matter was more than he could have ever hoped.
In his mind, she was absolutely perfect. Beautiful, graceful, and just as highly intelligent as her sire and brother, she had a sweet and comely personality that had fire and steel hidden at the core of who she was. She would bend, but she would not break. And despite the fact that she was young, he knew without a doubt that she would be able to handle the position as his wife and Lady of the West quite well.
But looking within to his deeply buried heart, he knew completely, despite the truly few days he had spent in her company, that even had she not been a miko of extreme power, he would have wanted her for his own and his courts reactions be damned. He would have her, and could only thank kami she was a miko of such power that none would be able to touch her.
She would take her place at his side, and he would keep her there through the rest of his centuries.
Moving slower and narrowing his eyes, he shook himself back to attention as he caught the glimmer of firelight and the faint sound of voices from back within a cave. Unable to make out what they were saying due to the echo, he searched out their sentries locations first, proving that they were, indeed, the bandits he'd been searching for.
Taking careful note of the layout of the area and where the guards were located, he turned and made his way back to Hiraku's side, eager for the night to pass and the light of day to open the way for their attack. He wondered what her father would decide to do with Izayoi while they fought; would he leave her at their campsite with her guards while they went into battle, or would he give in and allow her to accompany them all?
His ruminations were broken as a tingling sensation overtook his body, and knowing what that meant, he instantly morphed into his light form and turned in a different direction, heading north at a high rate of speed.
It was rare that the one calling for him now summoned him, as his position deep inside Ryukotsussei's council and marriage to one of his daughters, even, meant that it was difficult for him to get away. He was only to contact his true lord when he had something of great import to pass on, so Touga would never refuse a summons – no matter what else he was doing at the time.
Finally reaching the small cove just his side of the border with the north that was their designated meeting place, Touga re-formed and landed, waiting patiently for his man to also draw himself back into his corporeal form.
"My Lord Touga," Kenichi breathed deeply as he formed a solid body once more, "there are some things of import to tell you. I know with his actions lately that you suspect he has learned that you hide the jewel – you are correct. He has gained a spy set very highly in your court, though I have yet to find out who it is as names are never spoken and the male always appears to Ryukotsussei robed and hooded."
Touga was extremely angry at this, but not surprised – he'd already figured out that if the dragon truly was searching his lands for the Shikon no Tama, that someone high up in his trust had turned on him.
He nodded. "Go on."
"One other thing. My beloved Mine found out just this day that her father has been building up his army greatly."
With a frown, Touga said, "We have seen no evidence of a buildup on his part. Is she certain?"
"Aa. He is hiding his actions by keeping his new soldiers hidden in the Northern mountains."
Touga inhaled deeply, then sighed and let it out, his voice going more serious as he asked, "How high are the numbers, do you know?"
"Not exactly – but she said they were great. But... Mine did say that many of the new recruits are lower level youkai with little knowledge of combat and that in the end, he was really trying to overwhelm the West with numbers rather than skill," he replied.
"Hn." He considered things for a few moments, and then, knowing that his man could not afford to stay too long, said, "Return to your post, my friend, and keep doing what you have been doing. But-" he paused for a moment, then finished slowly in an even more serious tone than before, "-do not place yourself or your wife in danger. If it looks like things are coming to a head, do whatever you have to do to make your way back to the safe-house that was prepared for you, then signal me. I will come as quickly as I may."
Kenichi's eyes softened just a bit, thinking of the many differences between his Lord and Ryukotsussei. The dragon expected his men to stay no matter the danger – he considered them all expendable whereas Touga did not, and would rather lose an edge than lose his man's life.
That was why he would follow Touga into hell if he called for such.
Bowing deeply to his liege, he dissipated, and made his way back to Ryukotsussei's palace and his bed – the one where his beautiful wife lay sleeping, making it unlikely that anyone would discover his absence at this time of night.
Lifting his head into the cool night air, Touga scented it deeply, then looked over towards the border with the north and narrowed his eyes.
It seemed that Ryukotsussei was determined to take the Shikon no Tama and the West. It would come to war, there was no getting away from that – so someday, it was possible that he would end up being not only Lord of the West... but of the North, as well.
Wrapping himself in his light, he headed back to finish his interrupted trip to the place Hiraku of Setsuna and his forces camped.
Of course, in order to win the Northern lands, I have to win the war and kill Ryukotsussei. With Izayoi at my side, though, and my army, which is superior in training to his... I think we will be as strong as we could possibly be against him.
After everything he'd seen of her so far, her hardy nature that made her fully capable of functioning as part of an army and the fact that she was truly a power unlike anything seen since Midoriko, his confidence in their chances against the brutality of the North had risen quite highly.
Still...
It would not do to be overconfident.
Unlike Ryukotsussei, he did not suffer from that particular malady...
Such overconfidence would surely be the dragon's downfall.
~oOo~
Dark eyes gazing thoughtfully into the fire took in how late it was getting, and began to wonder if perhaps he had been wrong in his guess as to where the bandits were hiding; if he had been correct, surely Touga would have returned by now.
Hiraku glanced around the now low-burning fire, taking in his son and daughter's forms, then glanced over to where his General was curled up asleep and yawned slightly, hoping his ally was faring well and that nothing untoward had happened. He couldn't think what could possibly be hiding in his lands that could harm the daiyoukai he was fast coming to call friend, though.
With a sigh for old bones, he stood and moved to the small woodpile that the soldiers had gathered for them, and picking up a good third of it, built the fire back up as he waited. Despite the season, it was a bit chilly this late – or early, depending on how you were looking at it.
Once the fire was blazing nicely once more, he moved back to his spot and sat down, drawing his cloak closer to his body and inching just a bit closer to the fire as the few trees around the edges of the meadow rustled gently in the slightly chilly breeze.
I am getting too old for this, he thought to himself wryly. Yet there is truly no rest for the wicked – which is what many of my fellow Lords would think me for allying with youkai. It is too bad that they are so short-sighted and easily frightened by old wives tales and stories meant to scare children into behaving.
Yes, there are many times I have killed youkai for leveling villages and destroying farms – yet for anyone paying attention, those are always low-level youkai – insects and boars with low intelligence. It is no different than bandits raping and pillaging – do we hate and condemn humanity as an evil race because of the actions of a relative few?
He sighed once again and shook his head, propping his arm on a knee as he allowed his thoughts to wander.
I wonder how Hachi has been doing. I have not seen him in what... four years now? He usually comes around every four or five, so I could see him at any time. Though he may not show up if he senses Touga here. He always did prefer to stay away from the more powerful youkai.
He chuckled softly as he thought that – tanuki weren't particularly powerful, and preferred to stay away from those who were for safety's sake. Touga would definitely make Hachi nervous.
But tanuki could be brave when it counted, as Hachi had proven when he had taken a lost human boy under his wing and helped him find his way home – bandits on their tails or not. And he would always be grateful for that fact, because without his intervention he very well may have been killed.
He was drawn from his memories by the arrival of Touga, who set down gently a few feet away and then moved quietly to the fire after taking in the sleeping forms around it. Choosing a spot close to Izayoi, which Hiraku noticed with a wry smile, he sighed gratefully as he discarded his armor for the night, and then sat and held his hands towards the flames, enjoying the heat.
While youkai didn't feel the cold in the same ways that humans did, that didn't mean that they didn't enjoy a nice warm fire, and Touga let the heat of it soak into his form. After a few moments, he looked up and caught Hiraku's wry smile on him.
He tilted his head questioningly, and Hiraku gestured to Izayoi, indicating his proximity to her. Touga chuckled as he caught Hiraku's meaning.
"I already see her as my wife, so thought is no longer needed – you will find more and more as time passes that I will automatically take a place near her so that I can protect her." He shrugged as he looked into the fire. "It is an inu thing, I suppose you could say. We protect whats ours to the death."
"That... actually is a reassuring thing to me," Hiraku said. "It tells me that I chose correctly when I agreed to give my daughter to you. Unlike a human husband, you will not stifle her spirit or leave her behind when danger threatens as some cowardly men have been known to do."
He said that with a tone loaded with disgust, and Touga knew what it was he spoke of. The incident in question had become notorious – even in youkai circles.
A Lord of a lesser known clan had come under attack while on the road, and his soldiers had been overrun. Instead of attempting to protect the carriage that his heavily pregnant wife was in, he abandoned her to rape and murder, losing his child as well. When the woman's family finally found out, they had broken their alliance with him and instead attacked his lands, killing him most slowly when they took him prisoner at battle's end.
That such cowardice had masqueraded as a respected, though lesser, Lord, had disgusted the Shogun when he had heard of it, and he had ordered that all males of that line be conscripted into the army to prove their courage and honor in battle. Only once they had done so could they be freed from his service and regain their property and families.
Hiraku was certain that such things had happened before, many times in the poorer classes, and he could only be glad that Izayoi would always have Touga's great strength to depend on if she needed it. Warrior or not, she was still a female and there were some things she would not be able to defend herself from.
Like Takemaru, he scowled as the man's name went through his mind. That is one I will be keeping a very close eye on.
"What thoughts are so heavy that they bring such a look to your face?" Touga asked after a moment, interrupting his ruminations.
Hiraku's expression lightened a bit as the inuyoukai spoke, reminding him that there was another there who would definitely protect Izayoi from the dangerous man.
"Your words brought Takemaru to mind. The danger he poses to Izayoi with his desire for her. That he would dare exalt himself so, thinking to have her... he must be out of his mind, although, from what I have been hearing from my man and gossip about him, I begin to wonder whether he really is crazy." Hiraku sighed. "With the way I've been told he screams at night, every night, I would hate to accidentally wander into his dreams, that is for certain. Such nightmares as must overtake his mind would overbalance anyone, I suppose."
"Agreed," Touga said, "but he is still a danger, no matter the cause. Though it would be interesting to find out what it is that makes a hardened warrior scream so at night. You say it is every night?"
Hiraku grunted. "Hai. My man sleeps near to him and has said that it is literally every night, and that the man does not sleep much at all. I'm surprised his health has not been affected by this."
Touga was silent for a time, then said, "It being something of such long standing and severity, I would say it was something from his childhood. It would be most interesting to dig into his past and see for ourselves what monsters haunt his dreams."
Hiraku nodded, but was silent for a minute. With his more than average virulent hatred for youkai, I have the feeling that it has something to do with your race, my friend. Such hatreds can bring untold strength to a man when confronted with the object that is hated. I fear that there will be a final confrontation between you both. I can only hope that he doesn't take anyone else with him when you send him to hell, as I'm sure you will.
"Aye," he said finally, "and such was also my thought. I am very interested in the past of the one calling himself Takemaru... of Setsuna. Mystery swirls around the man with deeply dangerous currents, you agree?"
Poking the fire and stirring it up with a long stick, Touga nodded, his eyes narrowed in thought. "Indeed. From where in Setsuna lands does he claim to hail?" he asked slowly.
Shifting slightly as his bones ached with the chill, he glanced around with narrowed eyes. "He never gave an exact location, come to think of it, only saying that his family lived in the southern portions of Setsuna lands. Which we are now in."
"Hn... well, as you say, more must be learned of his antecedents. Perhaps the answers lie there – but they definitely lay in his past, at least where it concerns his night terrors." Touga blinked as the fire sparked, casting a glance over at his companion, then looking at the position of the moon in the night sky. "Perhaps you should follow your children into sleep, my friend," he said softly. "You look tired. I will keep watch."
A sigh broke from Hiraku as a small smile teased the corner of his mouth. "I probably should. It is just that my mind tosses and turns more than an old man on a hard wood floor trying to see my way through all the dangers that seem to be coalescing around us. I suppose I should meditate for a time to quiet my inner turmoil."
Touga nodded as he watched Hiraku close tired eyes and position himself with folded legs and hands rested palm up on his knees. He closed his own eyes as well, sending his aura out, first in a pulsing pattern meant to summon a certain servant of his, and second to cover the lands around the army, warning all others to stay away if they valued their lives. Once he perceived no threat and felt that his little servant had heard his call, he relaxed and lost himself to his own thoughts.
As the night passed in slow cycles above them, Touga watched over his companions and pondered the path the future was trying to lead the past down.
It was quite intricate, and dangerous in more ways than one, but the promise that lay in their victory was beautiful. He would do all he could to see that promise was realized, and that such a future was theirs.
~oOo~
Myouga sighed deeply, swiping a nervous hand over his little forehead as he scuttled high upon the ceiling of the citadel as swiftly as his little flea body would take him. As much intrigue as was already afoot in the fortress, there were plenty of others working on Touga-sama's behalf to find any traitors to him and the West, so he would really not be missed.
He was a bit surprised to receive the summons, but not inclined to make his master wait, he headed for a high window and slipped through the matting covering it. Pulsing his own youki he called for his transport, and within minutes a black crow appeared and swooped close, and Myouga jumped straight into the feathers, using his youki to take control of the bird's mind and direct him towards his liege's signal.
He wondered what could be of such import that his Lord would be calling for him – and now, in the middle of the night. He was well aware of where his Lord was and knew some of what was going on, and couldn't really see where he would come in useful. But if it was for Touga, it didn't really matter what the reasoning, he would answer the call and fulfill his master's will to the best of his ability.
Settling down into the feathers comfortably, he kept out of the wind and was reasonably warm. But as busy as he'd been, and now being summoned with no warning he was hungry, and wriggling a little further down he managed to find a nice little place to get a bit of a snack from his ride, who wouldn't even feel the bite or the loss.
A few minutes later, feeling replete, warm, and knowing that even as the crow flies he had a ways to go to meet up with his Lord, he allowed himself to doze off, his little mind following the thought that he hoped his new assignment would be interesting right down into sleep as the crow flew on into the endless-seeming night.
~oOo~
Lips thinning in displeasure as he glanced around at the pre-dawn army encampment that was just beginning to stir, Touga wondered what was taking his vassal so long just as he lifted his head and caught sight of a lone black crow beginning to circle its way in towards him.
Finally, he thought, a bit annoyed, though he knew it was a long trip, and that the old flea that was his loyal servant really couldn't have arrived any sooner. But he wanted to speak to the flea away from the others so he could pass on his instructions in privacy.
As the bird came in close, Touga could feel the tiny youki that presaged Myouga's arrival head for him, and holding out a hand, allowed the flea to land within it, then clasped it quietly closed and glanced around to make sure no one had noticed.
No one had, and making through the trees as though he were going to relieve himself, he stopped when he was far enough back that no one would be able to hear him and held up his hand so that he could look on the tiny insect.
"Myouga," he said softly, "you arrived just in enough time for me to impart to you your new instructions."
"I'm sorry, master. I left as soon as I received your summons," the tiny bug squeaked, and Touga nodded.
"Hai, that is fine. Listen." And he proceeded to tell him everything of his plans and of Takemaru and the danger he could possibly pose to those plans. "... you to find out all you can about this man. He claims to be of Setsuna descent, but I have my doubts. He also claimed to be from the southern portions of Setsuna lands, which we are now in. Search everywhere, but get me some answers. I want to know everything you can find out about him, and as swiftly as you can."
Nodding, the tiny flea bowed to his master, then hopped from his hand to the leaves of a bush. "I will do what I can, my Lord. Where will I find you?"
"I am guesting in the Summer palace of Setsuna's Lord."
Myouga blinked. "Summer palace, milord?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes. He owns two, the Summer palace and the Winter palace."
"Hm. That is something, isn't it? Most ningen can't afford more than one palace," Myouga mused.
Touga agreed. "But Hiraku is not most ningen. He is very wealthy – perhaps even almost equaling me. But he is more than that – he is an honorable man." He glanced around at the deepening light, then said, "Go. Find out everything you can and then return to me."
Calling his crow in once more, Myouga bowed again to his master and then watched him walk away before hopping onto his crow and disappearing, wrapping his mind around what he needed to do. He would begin his search in the nearest large trading town – perhaps one a group of samurai called home, hoping to hear something of the man named Takemaru.
He sighed. This would be a long assignment.
~oOo~
Mind settled now that he had set his vassal onto finding information – which was his greatest skill, after all, Touga moved back towards the fire that was now simple glowing coals just in time to greet the slowly waking Hiraku. Ichirou was stirring, but Izayoi was already awake and looked as though she were ready to face the day.
Sitting down and opening his pouch, he began to eat his breakfast. Between bites he asked what Hiraku's plans were.
"Is the place still all rocky verge meeting suddenly with trees?" he asked, and Touga nodded.
"Hai. It is going to be difficult to battle them in such close quarters, but not impossible."
Hiraku was silent for a time as he ate his own meal, lost in thought, then said, "It would seem that they could keep us off them indefinitely with that cave... but what if we were to smoke them out?"
Touga considered that, then nodded. "If you were to take a select force into the woods surrounding the cave and hide them in the trees and brush, we could then smoke the bandits out of the cave and attack from the verge above forcing them into the trees and the men hidden within them. I think it could work."
Archer's work. I could take out some of them with my arrows as they ran from the cave. But... "For that to work, the wind would have to be blowing in the right direction – in other words, into the cave. And that will make it difficult for those stationed on the verge, because they would be trying to see around a lot of smoke. In some ways it would be better for it to blow into the woods, except that those trying to fight the bandits would then also be unable to see their targets."
"True," Hiraku mused, "but those on the verge really don't have to hit anything – they just have to seem as if they are. All they have to do is fire into the smoke and force the bandits into the woods. But how are we supposed to hope the wind will work in our favor?"
"We don't. At least last night, the air was calm near the caves, and I don't think that's changed today. Still," Touga said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "we have to force those men out of the cave somehow."
Izayoi frowned, thinking. "What of the area along the road they have been striking from. Would it not be a better battleground than trying to fight them on their home ground?"
Ichirou, who'd awoken during the conversation and followed it avidly, nodded in agreement. "Hai. I agree with her, father."
"And how do you intend, then, to draw them out to the road?" Hiraku asked, amused as he eyed his children.
Silence fell as they took in that question and thought about it. It appeared that there really was no easy answer to the problem of the bandits, and reluctantly, Izayoi and her brother gave in to the fact that going straight to the caves was the only way.
"I agree that fire will be our way of getting them to leave the cave," Touga said after a little bit, "but... perhaps we need to make the fire bigger than we at first thought, and wait to attack 'til later and closer to the road. There is a place where the path to the road narrows down through a ravine, and then suddenly opens up about halfway through before narrowing again. It is a perfect spot for an ambush."
Hiraku blinked, then his eyes turned thoughtful as he considered that. "Hai, hai, that does sound good... but setting such a fire as we would need to force them from the cave will be difficult."
At that, Touga began grinning quite wickedly, and surprised, the rest of the group eyed him askance. "Not necessarily. If you would give me but a small amount of time, I will go back to the palace and get Hikaru. He is, if you remember, a fire elemental..." he trailed off as everyone's faces cleared and grins broke out instead.
Hiraku nodded. "We will await your return most patiently, then, Touga, my friend."
Wasting no time, Touga stood and formed into his light orb, disappearing quickly from sight. It was quiet as they all watched him go, and then General Hideyoshi, who had been listening to the conversation silently said, "He makes a most useful ally to have, does he not?" in a rather rhetorical manner; Hiraku answered, however.
"Aye, that he does. But he is above all things honorable, and I stand lucky to be considered an ally by one such as he."
Hideyoshi simply nodded solemnly, Ichirou nearly copying his expression.
We all are lucky to have known him, father... in any capacity, Izayoi thought, still watching the sky as the turmoil that he was causing in her continued. Every moment spent around him was precious to her, yet conversely caused her discomfort that was quickly becoming pain as she thought of her future. She knew that she would forever cherish the days of this summer, and spend the rest of her life longing for them once they were no more.
Hiraku caught the yearning look on Izayoi's face and with an inward smile, knew that Touga was correct – he would, indeed, be leaving here with her as his wife at the end of the summer. It was clear that already she was falling for the larger than life daiyoukai, though she did not realize her heart fully, yet. It was still early days, after all. But it was inevitable, really. Touga was quite the most beautiful male Hiraku had ever seen – even he, another male who most definitely did not swing that way, could see and admit that. He was honorable to the extreme, had a very warm and open personality with those he befriended and cared for, and he was strong – very possibly the strongest daiyoukai in all the lands. What was not for a young maiden to love?
But what pleased his heart even more was that it was obvious that the feelings Izayoi was developing for the inuyoukai were most definitely returned, as was shown by his words last night – and his actions. Inuyoukai did not bother protecting things they had no care for, but were very careful and loving with those they did. He would protect Izayoi to the death – and not just from physical harm. Anything that hurt her, in any way, would be disposed of immediately.
What more could a father who loved his daughter dearly want for her?
Just then, the ball of light that was Touga's fastest mode of travel flashed back across the sky towards them, and they all watched as it landed and two people emerged from the dying light.
Hikaru bowed to his Lord as Touga once more moved to sit near Izayoi, which she noticed with a blush of confusion, lowering her eyes to her lap. Hiraku laughed inwardly at her maidenly confusion, as did Touga, and then after a moment of watching his daughter with a fond air, he sobered and turned his attention to Hikaru.
"We find that we need your help, Hikaru," Hiraku said, and the fire elemental looked intrigued.
"In what way, my Lord?" he asked, his body beginning to heat with excitement at the thought of battle, as most any youkai would.
To the background noise of the soldiers readying themselves for the day, Hiraku explained the situation, laying everything out in a quick and concise style that Touga especially appreciated.
Hikaru looked thoughtful afterward, then nodded. "I can easily set fire to anything I wish to burn. How am I to get to the place that I am needed?"
"I will carry you and attend you for safety's sake – so that you are not left alone in case there are more of the bandits than we are currently aware of," Touga replied.
When Hikaru nodded in acceptance, Hiraku quickly set everything in motion. One third of the group would force march to the other end of the road that lay at the border of Setsuna lands to make sure there were no interruptions to the battle, and also for the safety of any civilians that might be taking that road. Another third would basically stay here, guarding this end of the road from the same, and the final third would set up the ambush while Hikaru and Touga set fires and hopefully smoked the bandits out of their hole.
The first third left immediately, and would be in place within an hour. By that time, the third going into actual combat would already be in place and Hiraku made them ready to leave, surprisingly, at least to Hideyoshi, choosing to take Izayoi with them. She would be stationed along the rim of the canyon, having high ground that would hide her behind a hundred foot sheer drop – no one would be able to get up above from within the canyon to threaten her with any harm. Of course, her brother and several others would also be with her, while Hiraku himself would be leading the charge within the canyon walls.
Within minutes they were on the move, and Touga and Hikaru left them to head to where they needed to be. They could only hope that the bandits were smoked out fairly easily, or this battle could end up going through the night hours and into the following morning. Not a pleasant thought.
Izayoi was silent as they moved at a rapid pace, thoughts disquieted and bothersome though she could not pinpoint a specific reason it was so. She simply had a bad feeling, though it was not necessarily about the coming battle. Frowning, she pushed outward with her aura, searching the area for any threats of a youkai nature, but felt nothing strongly but Touga and Hikaru. Yet something still felt out of place...
Ugh. I hate it when my senses are so vague. It does no good, does nothing but unsettle me, and I need all my mind on the battle to come. This is no time for outside worries.
Ichirou kept an eye on his sister, wondering if she would tire soon. It was so hard to believe sometimes, the strength she'd shown so far – she looked like such a delicate flower, yet his father was correct – she had a core of steel that would never fail.
But he would never have believed just how strong she really was. Every time it seemed just that little bit more was expected from her she always rose to the occasion, even when he would have thought she'd reached her limit. It makes me wonder just how strong she truly is. What catastrophe will come that we will think she will surely fail in the face of... only to watch her once more rise above?
In some ways he was proud that his sister displayed such strength of heart, mind, and body. But there was another side that felt that she shouldn't have to worry over such things – that she should only live a comfortable, easy life. A side that felt some anger at the kami for forcing his little bit to live a much more difficult life than she should have by right of birth.
He loved her and wanted the best for her, always. In marriage, he felt his father had indeed chosen the best possible husband for her. He would protect her and keep her in the manner she was entitled to as a hime of Setsuna, without tying her down and destroying her spirit. But that was about the only thing in this incredibly convoluted conundrum that he was happy with...
Morose thoughts saw the two occupied quite nicely so that it almost seemed like no time at all had passed by the time they arrived at the chosen site, and rapidly dividing his forces up, Hiraku had the rims of the canyon on both side lined with archers, and those at the rear of the arroyo hidden so that once the bandits headed into the narrow space they could close the trap, making sure no one could escape.
That left those at the front of the canyon to settle in, and then the waiting began – the worst, and sometimes longest, part of any battle.
For Izayoi and Ichirou, it was right back to those morose thoughts, knowing that they had plenty of time before battle would come to interrupt them once more.
~oOo~
Hikaru and Touga traveled swiftly and soon were within sight of the cave holding the bandits. It was large, and the opening was mid-sized – which was actually good for them, since it would be a good draw for the smoke.
There were a couple of sentries, and from their talk it was apparent that this group of bandits was fairly well experienced – when they saw the smoke, they were sure to suspect that they were under attack.
Nonetheless, with the strength of the fire that Hikaru could call, they would be forced to leave the cave anyway – unfortunately, they would probably leave it in fairly neat ranks, instead of in an easier-to-destroy panicked stampede.
Looking the area over carefully as they moved around as quietly as only youkai could, Hikaru decided to set the fire on the left side, leaving the right side as an escape route, as that side had less to burn anyway. It seemed the bandits had cleared that side to make bringing back their stolen booty easier. After a hurried consultation with Touga, he moved into position and began to ramp up his body's energy and heat. Before long, anyone looking at him would see a shimmer such as is seen across the ground on very hot days – a mirage resembling water.
It only took seconds, and as his hand, where he sent the coruscating power, burst into flame, he reached out to touch a stunted deadfall and just that quickly, the fire was set. Moving around his chosen area, he did the same thing to trees, bushes, and the old leaves and twigs on the ground, even.
Soon, Touga was forced to retreat from the smoke and heat, thankful that he was not trapped in that cave, which was beginning to draw the smoke towards it. It was only moments 'til the rapidly escalating fire was noticed...
Withdrawing swiftly, he and Hikaru disappeared into what undergrowth was still left, waiting breathlessly for the men to begin to march out of the area. Despite the fact that they knew it was a trap they had no choice – the only way out was the way they were going, and all they could do was keep their eyes open for the exact spot the ambush they knew was coming actually was. After all, there were several possibilities.
Keen hearing listening to the men as they passed, Touga was interested to note that they were assuming that this particular attack was coming from another group of bandits that wanted this area. They had no idea that they were facing Setsuna's Lord and a hardened army and that was a definite benefit for them, because they wouldn't be expecting the professionalism that they were about to meet face to face.
As the men passed, Hikaru and Touga followed, the fire elemental forcing the fire to also follow so that the bandits would be unable to simply halt or even backtrack. He was literally driving them into the trap, and despite the unusual nature of the fire following them, the men didn't seem to think anything of it.
Perhaps they were unused to youkai, and had never seen a fire elemental? It seemed so.
Before too long, they reached the area where the ravine was, and catching sight of some of Hiraku's men, Hikaru began calling the fires back to him so that they were all out, making sure that none of their allies were harmed as the bandits began to pass into the ravine. Within minutes, they were all out of sight around a small bend, and that was it – the men stationed there began to close in on them from behind, keeping just far enough back so that the ruffians were unaware they were there.
Definitely nervous now, the roughly dressed men of the gang of miscreants were moving close to each other with hands to weapons. They had suddenly realized that this was actually the best place for an attack, and hoped that the other band of troublemakers they thought they were facing weren't militarily-minded enough to realize the significance of such a place. Slowing, the leaders of the group became much more cautious as they came to the place the area widened out.
It quickly became apparent to Izayoi as she watched from the rim of the canyon that something was very wrong – the amount of men down in that canyon was far too small to be the full accounting of the large band they'd been told was terrorizing this area. Eyes widening, she leaned over and whispered to her brother her concern.
Startled, Ichirou thought back to the information they'd gotten on the gang, and quickly decided she was right – but there was nothing they could do at this point; the moment the last of the group had moved into the canyon, the battle became unavoidable. They could only try to watch for any others sneaking up on them from the road, since they definitely weren't back at the caves.
Izayoi nodded to her brother her understanding, and quickly had her arrows point first into the ground around her for easy reach during the fight. But her worry wouldn't stop poking her in the back...
Which was why Touga's appearance seemed like such a god-send. After a hurried and whispered consultation with him, he immediately took to flight heading for the road. He knew that if the other part of the group was coming back from the road, Hiraku and his men could end up being caught in a vice with no warning, being attacked from behind as well as in front. That could be a very bad situation, and he could only admire Izayoi's quick memory for detail in noting the size discrepancy of the group from what they'd been told to expect.
It was soon apparent, however, that the other half of the gang was not going to be a problem – they had run into the third of the army that was stationed where they had camped last night, apparently having gone on a village-destroying spree. They were drunk and carrying a great deal of stolen items along with some of the women from the village, which made them an easy target for the hardened soldiers led by General Hideyoshi.
That battle was short and very much to the point.
Hurrying back to the rim of the canyon and Izayoi's side, Touga quickly had their nerves settled, although Izayoi's miko training came to the fore and she could only hope this battle finished quickly – the survivors of the attack on their village would need all the help they could get, and she was determined they would get plenty – after all, there was a whole cave full of stolen goods that could be very helpful in getting the villagers back on their feet in a timely manner.
Still, she knew that she couldn't be worrying about that while going into battle herself, and setting it aside, she once more focused on the bandits milling around down in the ravine and waited for the signal from her father.
A small fire blossom arched over the rim of the canyon, and immediately arrows filled the air, arcing over the rim and landing down amongst the now panicking men. The leaders quickly realized that this was no attack by their arch-rivals and with no recourse, battle was joined as the archers were signaled to stop firing.
With a loud yell, the trap was closed from both ends as the Setsuna soldiers attacked smoothly, swords clanging and even Hikaru's fire being used to set some of the men on fire.
That was one thing Izayoi couldn't stand, and she expertly picked off those men with an arrow to heart or head to kill them quickly, lessening the screams. Touga was most impressed at her speed and accuracy in actual battle – she didn't hesitate at all, she found the best shot and released immediately, smoothly moving on to the next one without fail and not once endangering any of their men.
"You are truly a fine shot, Izayoi," Touga said, an admiring look in his eye. "Even I, with my senses, could do no better. I think if we were to have a competition between us with the bow, you would most definitely win."
Izayoi flushed becomingly, but did not look away from the battle, her expression grim as she watched the last of the bandits fall to Setsuna swords. Only one was left alive – the one deemed the leader of the group, and he would be interrogated before being put to death.
Brushing her hakama off, Izayoi stood from her kneeling position and began gathering her unused arrows to put back in her quiver. Suddenly wondering, she looked up at Touga.
"I am surprised that you stayed up here, where you really had no purpose, rather than down there in the thick of battle," she said, though it was clear it was a question.
Ichirou chuckled at his sister. "Hai, you beat me to it, little bit... I also wondered the same thing."
Touga smiled at her and said, "I chose to keep close to you just in case, little hime. It would not be a good thing to allow you to be harmed, would it? Imagine how your father's court would react – you would never leave the palace again without huge escort and only for traveling. Would you lose your freedom so soon?" he asked, eyes twinkling.
Blushing slightly at his manner, Izayoi had to agree – that probably would be what happened, and she would not be able to stand it. Her prison was coming soon enough, she wanted at least this summer to enjoy the only freedom she would ever know. Eyes dimming as she looked away with a resigned expression on her face, she simply nodded, not catching her brother's laughing gaze as she turned away to begin the climb down to the head of the canyon.
"Laying it on a little thick, aren't you?" Ichirou said sotto voce, knowing Touga would hear him and that Izayoi would not. "You will never keep her in a gilded cage and you know it as well as I and father do."
Touga chuckled under his breath as Izayoi moved ahead of them and glanced at Ichirou. "True – but she does not yet know her fate, and believes that after this summer visit of mine is over she will be married off and that will end her little bit of freedom. She dreads that future."
Ichirou chuckled in return, shaking his head as the inuyoukai pulled ahead to walk next to his sister, carefully lending her a hand on particularly steep portions of the climb down, his touch tender and gentle. He did not miss the shivers that would run through her practically every time Touga touched her.
Oh, don't worry, little bit. You are not meant for the same prison that most hime inhabit... this summer just presages even greater freedom to come for you.
Still chuckling inwardly, Ichirou continued to follow his sister and her soon-to-be husband, though she knew it not, back down to the bottom of the canyon.
He conveniently put out of his mind the dangers that she would face as part of that 'freedom'.
~oOo~
Smoke still roiling slightly through the burned-out area near the caves made taking stock of what was stored there and carrying it out an uncomfortable chore, but it had to be done. Ichirou took charge of that endeavor, while Izayoi worked on taking care of those injured in the battle.
That included her father.
Upset to see him injured, whilst yet knowing it was relatively minor and would not cause him any lasting damage, Izayoi expertly had him cleaned and bandaged and resting at least somewhat comfortably as others took over the tasks he would usually handle himself. He'd been battling his own opponent when he'd been struck from behind when another soldier and bandit fighting behind him had gotten too close, and his left arm had received a somewhat deep cut from the edge of the soldier's katana.
It was something expected, however, in a battle in such close quarters and there were several other injuries of the same type for her to take care of, keeping her relatively busy while her sire rested and watched her work with a proud eye.
After all the injured were cared for, she sat down with her father and relayed Touga's report on what had happened with the other half of the gang and her thoughts on what to do with the recovered booty that was even now beginning to find its way to where they were.
"For any of the stolen goods that might be put to use in rebuilding the village or restoring some goods to the dispossessed villagers, I will give you free reign in deciding, my dear," said Hiraku wearily, the blood loss tiring him more than anything else the day had brought.
Thankfully, it wasn't a dangerous loss, but still – if any of those bandits had been riding horses when General Hideyoshi had taken care of them, she was going to insist that her father ride one for the rest of this campaign – which still was only half completed, as they still needed to hunt the youkai down that was setting those life-force stealing stones around the area of those several small villages just to the north of here.
She wondered idly if any of those bandits had been exposed to any such stones and been killed because of it while raiding those same villages. But Hideyoshi was very thorough, and she doubted any of the bandits had survived the clash with him to answer such a question.
With a gentle sigh, she sat down for a few minutes near her father as Ichirou, Touga, and Hikaru also gathered to decide what to do next. The battle and subsequent cleanup, body disposal, and retrieval of the stolen goods from the cave had taken most of the day, and it was quickly decided that they would return to last night's camp. A runner was sent to gather the other portion of the troops that had held the road into Setsuna lands, and with that, everyone gathered what was to be carried and moved out, admittedly slower than they had arrived, but at the least, triumphant.
There was a bit of controlled chaos when they arrived back at last night's camp, General Hideyoshi still dealing with the bodies of the bandits they'd fought while making sure that the captured women from the village that had been attacked were given food and allowed to warm themselves around several fires that were already burning.
Izayoi, though tired from the day, immediately put her bundle down when she reached the area designated to hold the items taken from the cave and headed straight for the women to make sure none were injured or needing care.
One of the younger women, a girl of about her own age was pregnant, about four months along, and was in some distress with the upheaval of the past day and ungentle treatment by the former bandits. It turned out that her home was gone, burned to the ground, and her husband was dead, as well. Izayoi's heart bled for her, as her only remaining family had died in the attack, as well, leaving her with absolutely nowhere to go or any way to take care of her child and herself.
The other females, in good shape but for a few scrapes and abrasions, had also some tales of woe but none were as unfortunate as the younger one, and once they had all been tended, she comforted the frightened teenager while giving her a soothing and relaxing tea. Once the poor girl had fallen asleep, Izayoi went back to her father and brought the girl's plight to him, along with her idea.
"I would like to send her to the shrine, father. As it is a training center, there are always people needed to tend to the day-to-day activities such as laundry and cooking. She would be welcome there and could raise her child in relative safety. The only problem right now is her pregnancy. A carriage ride at this time would not be a good idea, as it could cause her to miscarry the babe. Can she not be cared for at home until the child is birthed and then we can send them on?" she asked. "I know it is not the best solution, but we cannot just abandon her and the child to starvation and death."
Hiraku rubbed his chin thoughtfully; he agreed with his daughter – they could not abandon the young girl who had just been orphaned and widowed in the same day through no fault of her own. "How does her pregnancy seem? Is it stable or is she in trouble?"
Izayoi shook her head. "From all I can determine, she is fine, though in shock. She should probably take several days just to rest, but after that, she could do light work around the palace. As long as it did not require her to carry heavy loads or bend too much. At least until closer to the end of her term, of course, when she will have to rest more."
"I suppose we could send a detail of those soldiers that were injured in the fight back to the palace, and she could go with them. They would be walking slower anyway, due to their injuries, and would stop several times for rest." He narrowed his eyes. "However, I have what might be a better idea." Motioning over Hideyoshi, he soon had the Captain under him who had been tasked to take stock of the stolen items from not only the village, but from the cave, there as well.
Curious as to what her father was thinking, she glanced at her brother, who shrugged, not knowing his father's mind, either. It wasn't long before they found out.
He was going to have his builders help the villagers rebuild their village. The young widow would have a new house built for her, as well, and would be given a goodly share of whatever was needed for herself and her child, as well as some things that would mark her as relatively wealthy in their little village. She could then choose to remain unmarried, or on the other hand, most young men could be induced to marry her, child or no, as a wealthy widow. She would have her pick if she so chose, and would not have to leave the people she'd known all her life making things even harder for her to bear.
Izayoi had to agree that was a better idea than hers, as the young woman would not have to travel at all, and could simply camp out with the others of her village as they waited for their huts to be rebuilt. Relieved for the poor girl, Izayoi finally took a break and sat down, taking a spot very near Touga without even realizing it. Tilting her head back and closing her eyes, she let her own weariness take over, and sighed, ready to eat and then sleep. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
"Are you alright?" came a low, rich voice, and Izayoi shivered as she heard it. She could never mistake his voice for anyone else – he didn't sound like anyone else she'd ever known. It wrapped smoothly around her battered nerves and soothed them, whilst also making her hyper-aware of him.
"Yes," she sighed after a moment to get herself under control so that she didn't melt into a puddle right in front of him. "Just tired. It has been a long day."
"It has," he returned, his voice low as he ignored most of the talk going on around them both to concentrate on her. "And tomorrow will be just as long, if I'm not mistaken. Probably the next day, as well. We do, after all, still have to track down a youkai, ne?"
At that reminder, Izayoi looked back down at him with a quirked brow, and with a quick glance at her father and brother to make sure they were not listening, said, "True, though one has to wonder why we are all going to destroy a youkai I know for certain you could track and destroy probably within hours on your own."
At that, he grinned and winked at her, enjoying the startled look on her face as he did.
"Oh," he said gaily, "you are completely correct, my dear. But I find myself curious as to your capabilities. I have seen how you hold up in a combat situation, now, true – but not against youkai. I find myself absolutely dying to see you in action."
Despite his flippant manner, she could tell his answer was honest, and she was truly surprised that he was so curious about her. Why does he seem to want to know how well I can fight different opponents? Is there something more to his visit here than there seems?
"Why would it matter so what one small human hime who happens to have some spiritual gifts does in combat against different foes, my Lord?" she asked, her voice still low so as not to gain her father's or brother's attention. "It can make no real difference to one such as you, Touga-sama," she added almost sadly, "for I am just a frail human who will die in so few years compared to your own that I am sure we humans must seem to you like ants that scurry across the ground one day and are dead and gone the next."
He tilted his head to look at her, his smile fading as he thought about her words. In some ways, she was right. Humans were so short-lived compared to youkai that sometimes they seemed like little more than what a pet mortal dog must seem to a human with their even shorter lives –there one day and gone the next, as she'd said.
But... she was not destined for such, though she knew it not, yet. Her life would be akin to his.
After a few moments contemplation, he said, "Certainly, at times it seems so. But in truth, humans instead remind me to slow down and pay attention to the days, rather than centuries. Most youkai notice little the coming and going of the seasons, because we have seen so many of them and will see so many more. But yet, when one does finally reach his or her deathbed, they cannot look back on their lives and remember anything that was really worthwhile – like the changing of the seasons, and the beauty that lay all around us that we were so blinded to. It is something that I have found-" he glanced at her fascinated face, "-is a gift that humans can give to us – to remind us to slow down and truly see what is around us – and even more, to remember it."
"Oh," she breathed, her imagination captivated with his words. To see so many centuries go by that they all blended together and meant nothing any longer? "It must be a very lonely way to live. I never... thought of that before."
Touga chuckled lightly. "You are right – it can be very lonely. I am becoming convinced that every youkai should marry a human just so we can slow down enough to remember ourselves."
Izayoi shrugged one shoulder, a graceful, spare motion that had Touga's eyes glued to it, and then sighed again. "But it would be a worthless endeavor for a youkai to marry a human, Touga," she said, her expression sad. "For who would want to marry a person only to watch them fall old and then die while they remained yet young and full of life? Such a thing would be terrible," she finished. "I could not go through such – I think I would die shortly after of a broken heart."
"I gather from your words that such bonds among youkai were not part of your training with Kenji," Touga said with a small smile.
She blinked, then shook her head with a light blush. "No... it wasn't really necessary for me to know about those kinds of things."
Leaning forward slightly to stir the fire back up, he took note of the sudden quiet around them, though he said nothing to draw Izayoi's attention to it. Instead, he said, "The bond between youkai spouses is deep. We are a jealous race, little hime. When a male decides he wishes to find a permanent partner, he gets rid of any mistresses or concubines, and a female will get rid of any lovers. Then the search for a partner begins. But when one has been found, a deep bond is formed. It is different than any human marriage. It is an actual spiritual bond – and if the partner happens to be human, the youkai partner's youki will bind itself tightly to the human's aura, giving them the same lifespan as their youkai partner. When we do choose a wife, or as some youkai say, a mate, we do not let even death separate us, for we are selfish creatures in the end and what we claim stays ours, death notwithstanding."
Eyes wide and pretty lips slightly parted in seeming awe, Izayoi took in his words, shocked. "So... you mean that the human half-" her brows furrowed as she worked his little speech through her mind, "-of the pairing will gain the lifespan of a youkai? Of her husband's?"
"Yes. As I said, we are selfish, and when we claim something we make sure it stays claimed. I am no different – when I do finally take a bride, I will make sure she has my span of years. I have no room in my life for temporary things, little hime. And if my bride were to be human-" he added, an odd light in his eyes as he met hers, "-she would remain forever young and beautiful as she stood by my side through the centuries."
"O-oh," she stuttered cautiously, her mind whirling with his words as she forced herself to break his gaze. And the little thought, I wish I was that lucky bride, slipped quietly through her mind, only to be buried. I must stop such desires – he is destined for far greater than me. But as true as she believed that thought was, it caused her nothing but pain to think it - and even more to acknowledge it.
Forcing herself back to reality, she nodded finally. "I see. Well, she is a lucky woman you will call wife, I am sure," she said briskly. "But I have no doubt that you will not need to worry about her lifespan – surely one such as you will wed a youkai female with standing as regal as yours."
A lighthearted sparkle in suddenly very golden eyes, Touga smiled widely at her. "Do not be too sure of that, Izayoi. For there are some very comely and strong human females I have seen in recent days. Who knows? Perhaps I will choose someone very much closer to your home than you think."
She blushed deeply at his insinuation, not so naïve as all that; not daring to even let herself think over his flirtatious words, she stood quickly and nodded to the group. "I am going to check on the women once more before I turn in for the night. I will return shortly," she said hurriedly before bowing politely and spinning on her heel to walk rapidly away.
A bit of laughter came from two throats and Touga turned with a grin to meet Hiraku's and Ichirou's openly amused gazes. "Well, that certainly got her attention, I must say. Not that I'm sure she believes you would really wed her, but she is not used to flirtation and you made her blush quite fiercely," Hiraku chuckled.
"I think it is time I start laying a few hints in her direction, you agree? And perhaps begin the pursuit. So far I have really done nothing, but there is only so much time this summer, and I would not want to waste any of it. After all," he said, suddenly sobering, "I would like this summer to be one she remembers with happiness. One that will give her good memories of romance to look back on when things are tough and not so happy, for as much as I would wish otherwise, there are always bad times as much as there are good in any pairing."
Ichirou met his father's eyes with a very slight nod showing his total approval of the one he had chosen for his sister, and then Hiraku turned to look at Touga with approbation. "If there is nothing else, this I can take to my grave for comfort in ageless sleep – that my daughter is in the best hands she could be in. It matters not one whit to me that you are youkai, save that your great strength will always be there to protect one who I love so much – more than any human could."
Touga bowed his head in all seriousness and nodded. "Hai. When you go to the great sleep, you can go without worry for her. But that also extends to your son, as well. We will be allies as well as family, and I will always come to his call if he be in need of my help. I find nothing of shame in calling you ally... and family both."
Goodwill firmly burning in every heart around the fire, comfortable silence fell as everyone drew into their own thoughts, and then later still, into sleep.
But Touga did not sleep, instead watching over those he was beginning to care greatly for. And if his eyes lingered on Izayoi longer than any other, no one there would fault him for it.
It would only make them all the happier.
~oOo~
A/N: I apologize so much for not getting this out yesterday! I was so fogged on my meds that I worked on the next chapter of Windows on the West, and wrote that one shot, but completely forgot that yesterday was Saturday! Please, please, forgive me!
Amber
Edited 8/22/13
