Chapter 38: Time Waits for No One
Ryukotsussei slammed his hand down on his throne, angry yet again as his plans seemingly unraveled from around him.
That damn dog had managed to seal off his palace and evict every last spy from inside it and the city below, and now he was completely blind to what that bastard was doing. But some sixth sense told him that he had better begin having his hidden troops amass in the fields surrounding his palace, because the time for battle was coming.
"Damn that dog!" he shouted, getting the feeling that control of the situation was slipping further and further away. "And I still do not know where the Shikon no Tama is!"
After a moment spent fuming, Ryukotsussei snapped his fingers at one of the servants at the back of the room. "You! Go find General Ryukenshu and send him to me immediately!" He slumped back on his seat as his vengeful thoughts turned to his traitorous daughter Mine and her thrice-bedamned husband. The spike they had placed in his wheel over the killing of his wives and children still sent rage pulsing through him, and his so-called 'heir' and the brat's mother were still in residence with her clan – just in case. They hadn't taken his attempt to calm their concerns at all well, and he couldn't do anything about it since he needed their support for the coming war with Touga.
If he had the Shikon no Tama... I wouldn't need anyone's support.
His clawed hands clenched, digging deeply into his own flesh though he barely felt it, drawing blood to pool at his feet. It all came down to that blasted jewel – and his own inability to find it. He scowled. It seems there is no choice. I will have to defeat the bastard dog first, and then once his lands have fallen to me I can take them apart until they give up their secret. I had not wanted to do it that way...
Touga was a dangerous opponent. He was definitely his equal, and perhaps, though he hated the thought, was even stronger than he was. That was why he'd wanted the jewel in hand before he ever made a move.
Unfortunately, that hadn't happened.
He turned his attention to his General as he entered the room and bowed deeply to his master. "You have need of me, my Lord?"
"I would not have called for you otherwise," he retorted sarcastically. "You are to begin moving the hidden soldiers from the mountains to the plains around the palace. Quickly, Ryukenshu, quickly. Don't waste any time. I want them all here within three days, no more, are we clear?"
Ryukenshu bowed again, not meeting his Lord's eyes, as he didn't want to push the obviously already enraged male into feeling that he was being challenged. "Yes, my Lord!" he said with military crispness, and then turned on his heel and left the room at a brisk clip.
I wonder what Kotake and Koume are up to? I have not seen them for a few days... Standing abruptly, to the startlement of everyone in the room, Ryukotsussei strode out of it without another word to anyone, to the ultimate relief of everyone there. The only time one was safe was when the foul-tempered brute was not around.
Touga had no idea just how many people in the North actually hoped he would win and defeat the insane dragon Lord that held all their lives in thrall to his nasty temper and need to subjugate all those around him in the most violent of ways.
~oOo~
"Stop quibbling just to do so, Tamotsu!" Atsushi shouted finally, his hand pounding into Touga's council table as everyone fell silent. "We all are going to have to do things we might not necessarily like! It's war! But I am not willing to leave my forces in more danger because you want us to allow your wolves to take a lead in this." He rubbed his eyes, tired – they had been at it all morning, and that after being at it all day yesterday and into the night. "Your wolves are not dedicated warriors, and you cannot now expect us to use them as though they are. If you don't like what part you and your ookami are going to play, then go home and let the rest of us get on with it. We leave tomorrow, and there is not much time left to play your games."
Tamotsu bristled at Atsushi's words. "And yet you expect me to allow my pack to be used as little more than throwaway bodies! Would you accede to such? I highly doubt it!" he retorted angrily.
Touga smirked as he took in the angered vibes of the room, and held up a hand before Atsushi could answer Tamotsu's words. "I had already taken into account Tamotsu's likely unwillingness to go with either of those scenarios. And so I have come up with an alternative, after receiving word from those that went to overlook the borders yesterday," he indicated Kajiko, Arata, and his own heir with a wave of his hand. Interested, everyone looked at Touga curiously.
"And so?" snapped Naomi, Atsushi's wife. "Let's hear this new plan that you've been keeping to yourself while we all wasted time arguing!"
Satori cocked a brow at the sharp query and a small smile tilted her lips as she looked at the deceptively small firebird.
"It seems as though we have managed to keep Ryukotsussei from knowing our plans. While he has troops guarding the frontier and has begun slowly moving his 'hidden' youkai down from their mountain hideout, he is not yet prepared for war. So... we march. Once we arrive in the vicinity of the border, your wolves-" he smiled thinly at Tamotsu, "can cross the border first and attack those troops that are just sitting there. Once they have been routed, we will all continue to march until we reach the bastard's palace. And then we will see what we will see when we arrive there – because obviously none of us can make plans based on information we don't have."
This time it was Atsushi protesting Touga's words. "So, what – are the rest of us just supposed to sit around while Tamotsu and his ookami have all the fun? That is not why I have joined this effort!"
"I did not say that we would not be participating, just that Tamotsu would lead his wolves against them first. Once he has attacked, we can sweep in behind and take advantage of the confusion and absolutely slaughter any forces he has guarding that border. It will cripple his ability to respond to us, because the more of his actual warriors we kill, the less he will have to face us with later."
At that, the table fell silent as all those around it considered what had been said.
"And what of your wife?"
Everyone around the table looked up at that quiet query from Kajiko.
Touga considered her for several seconds, then said, "Izayoi already knows her part in this war and who her main opponents are to be. Worry not about that."
It fell silent again for several long moments, and Touga smirked to himself. "So, are we then agreed?"
Slowly, nods from around the table indicated the success of one of his plans, and he nodded in satisfied return. "Then let us go to the mid-day meal and relax while we may – we leave at dawn tomorrow."
It was a quiet group that stood from around the table and began to trudge from the room, solemn thoughts weighing heavily on more than one mind.
~oOo~
"He failed, sister," Koume hissed, displeasure clear in her voice as she looked at her counterpart.
"We should not have expected anything else, Koume," Kotake shrugged. "It was no odds that the dog lord would have many guards around the woman, and she herself is not helpless." Her brow furrowed. "However... it is curious that he did fail, in a sense... he was hanyou," she said disparagingly, "and so one wonders what could have happened, for even if she had purified him he would simply have reverted to his human blood and still been able to complete his task. I find myself very curious as to how his failure played out."
Koume waved an impatient hand. "It does not really matter. It only matters that he did fail. So much for keeping that wench out of the battle."
"Yes," Kotake purred thoughtfully, "we must accept that we will have to face her ourselves and destroy her. But it will be such a pleasure to do so that I find myself almost glad that our previous plan was a failure. My blood already races with excitement for the coming challenge!"
Koume's expression eased and became just as devious as her sister's as she thought about it. "Oh, hai, you are right about that. And it is not as if she could know anything of our natures to attempt to use them against usss," she added with a sibilant hiss. "Perhaps I have been fretting over nothing – she isss just human, after all. Reiki or not, she can not possibly be a true threat to us, merely an inconvenience."
A small dragon writhed into the room and climbed up Kotake's arm, slithering around her limb until it reached her ear, then hissed to her in the language of the dragons. The dangerous female smirked and then stroked the smaller dragon's head with a pleased expression. "Thank you, Ryuaoi. Beckon him in to our chambers, then, and we will see what the 'dragon lord'-" she snorted "-wishes of us."
The small blue dragon immediately slithered back out of the room, and a few minutes later she was back, leading Ryukotsussei behind.
"Have you had any success in finding the hiding place of the jewel?" Koume asked as the little blue dragonlet curled around her proffered arm, and hissed in pleasure as her mistress idly caressed her scaly body with a loving hand.
Ryukotsussei's angry expression at mention of the jewel gave away his lack of information on its whereabouts; Kotake nodded thoughtfully, her eyes giving nothing of her thoughts away to the angry Lord.
"Wherever it is being held, it must be behind a very strong shield for it to have escaped the notice of all youkai; you know as well as I if any had sensed its resting place they would have already attempted to take it and then everyone would know of its whereabouts."
His teeth clenched for several seconds as Ryukotsussei attempted to regain his temper; after managing to calm himself a little, he snarled, "And that dog trusts almost no one; even most of his council don't know where he has the jewel. If anyone does, it would be his two closest friends, Kenji and Arata. But both are far too powerful and sneaky for any of those I had in place in Touga's palace to apprehend, and now I can't even reach into the palace for he has closed it off and it may as well be a dead zone."
Koume frowned. "He must be up to something, then, if he is clamping down on all those going in or out of the palace. But what?"
Ryukotsussei sighed. "I'm not sure, but knowing that damn wily dog, it could only be something dangerous for me. I am having all the extra soldiers I have been adding to my army brought down from the mountains to surround my palace. I think I will have to change my original plans; I am not going to be able to find the Tama first – I will have to destroy the dog and then find where he has hidden the jewel once he is destroyed and I have taken over the West."
Fingers still idly scratching the small dragon, Koume nodded. "It seems so; for once the guardian is gone, the jewel may reach out and then you will know where it is." Though it will do you no good when it is in our hands, right, sister?
Too right, Kotake purred. Aloud, she said, "So you believe that he will be coming to war against you, then?"
"I'm not certain, but better to be prepared. And it is just what that bastard would do, anyway, so yes, I believe that he will be bringing the battle to us. He would only have closed off the palace and the city below for something very important, for he knows that such an action only announces that he is up to something."
"I see," she said, nodding to herself. "Then we will adjourn to your palace so that we may be in place for whatever it is that is coming."
"That would probably be for the best," Ryukotsussei replied after a moment; and while they were there in his palace, perhaps a bit of dalliance could be had as they waited for whatever was going to play out to do so?
The scent of arousal curling off of Ryukotsussei's body made both females eyes lower; until and unless he rid himself of all his other young from his wives and concubines they would not allow him to breed them.
No... with their plans to take the jewel for themselves and set themselves up as the new ruling house of the North, his haggle of wives, concubines, and young would only be in the way. Once they were all gone...
Then it would be time to breed their own young, just as their mothers had bred them.
Once this war was over and the jewel was in their hands, things could begin to be ordered the way they saw fit, and Ryukotsussei and his pointless savage barbarism would go the way of all their other opponents.
Killing was a necessary thing, and they didn't mind doing it at all. But to kill your own just because you felt like flexing your claws or because you were in a foul mood was simply ridiculous, and neither female was the type to do such. No... kill their necessary opponents they would, including this little human wife of the dog Lord, but one should only kill when it was needed, and not just randomly.
Both females smirked inwardly at the coming bloodshed – war was always so satisfying with the sheer amounts of that sanguine liquid that was spilled and spent and so freely available.
Yes... much better to enjoy the blood of one's enemies... just as they would one day soon be enjoying Ryukotsussei's blood, as well.
Purr.
~oOo~
The mid-day meal was much quieter than most; while youkai had a particular love of battle and bloodshed, that didn't mean that they also did not fear it – for who wishes to die? And even more, who would wish to lose their mate and be left behind to continue on in such an agony of spirit and flesh? No... all those who were bound together by will, those that were considered to have found 'tamashii no awasemono', the entwining of souls, always feared the loss of their other halves for if one half of the entwined pair died the other would follow, either at another's hands in combat, or their own in a form of suicide.
This was what was weighing on Touga's mind – for despite his responsibilities to the West, he was all too aware that if his wife was killed and he could not save her with Tenseiga, then he would lose himself to reality and would fight until he died so that he could follow her.
And that left him in a terrible coil; what to do with his lands? Sesshoumaru was in no way ready to assume the rule of them, though he was his sire's heir.
There was only one thing left for him to do in case the battle went ill for him – he would have to declare a regency; while Sesshoumaru would be considered the de facto Lord, until he was deemed ready he would not actually have the rule of the West. Despite the fact that he knew his son would hate him forever for passing over him and giving the West to another even temporarily, and that thought hurt terribly, he was bound by his responsibilities to provide stable leadership for the lands he called his. After thinking over everything and considering every available person, he was left with only one possible acceptable person to be regent. One who would be assured of training his son and then turning over the control of the West when he had finally been deemed ready – Sesshoumaru's mother, Satori.
She would never keep the rule of the West away from her own son once she had decided he was fit as another might, and he knew she was more than strong enough to rule these lands with an iron hand as well as whip their son into shape. Of course, if she or Masao fell in battle, then that would leave him in a coil, once again with no one to take over the rule of the West until Sesshoumaru had straightened himself out.
So... who else would I trust to leave in charge...?
A muffled chuckle from further down the table drew his eyes to Kenji, and he nodded to himself; if both he and Satori were gone, then the fox would be regent. And while he knew that Sesshoumaru would probably challenge Kenji once his wishes were read, he knew that the fox was more than capable of defeating his son. Kenji was far older than Sesshoumaru and had been training for centuries, which was why he had felt so comfortable sending the kitsune to Izayoi to train her. Sesshoumaru, while strong, was not yet at Kenji's level of skill, and would not be for a long time yet to come. In fact, as long as Kenji continued training himself and growing in his power, it was very possible that Sesshoumaru would never be able to defeat him – they might well battle it out to a draw. While he knew that his son would one day definitely be strong enough to challenge the fox, he also knew that it was up in the air who would actually win such a battle.
But that was far in the future, and he trusted Kenji to keep the regency only until Sesshoumaru was ready – unless, of course, he never learned what he needed to learn to become the ruler he knew his son could be. In that case... then Kenji was still his best bet; if he was left to rule the West, though he would not be too happy about it he would rule it well, at the very least.
After the meal, then, I will draw up a proclamation detailing my wishes if I do not return. Though I had best take Satori and Kenji aside and speak with them first, before anything else. It would not do to shock either of them in such a manner.
It was such a difficult thing to think of losing his sweet wife after having her for such a short time. He could feel her through the bond between them, and knew that she was thinking on basically the same things. He could feel the absolute horror she felt when the thought of losing him crossed her mind. Setting down his chopsticks, he turned his head and met her anguished gaze.
"Don't think on such things, my love," he said, completely ignoring the fascinated gazes of all those at the table. "If it happens, then it does, and we will still be together on the other side. As you said the other day – I no longer fear to go into battle, for if we will never be separated then death holds no fear for me. But I have no plans to die anytime soon, and nor will I let you go so easily. After all, this is why I had Tenseiga created – so even if you were to fall I would be able to return you to my side."
Neither paid the least bit of attention to Sesshoumaru's furrowed brow at mention of one of the two swords his father had given up two fangs for. So that sword... it can return a being to life who has died? What is the purpose of that? If they fell in battle then they were not strong enough to triumph, and what is the point of returning someone to life who is weak? At least if they died in battle it was an honorable death.
Izayoi, caught in her husband's eyes, could only nod. What else was there to say? None of them were planning to die. If it happened, then it did, and then whatever was to come would do so. "As you say, my Lord," she finally murmured, lowering her gaze to her bowl and taking a bite, though she was really not feeling so hungry anymore. She knew she needed to eat, though – she would need all her strength to face what was coming.
Touga watched her for a moment, and then picked up his chopsticks and continued eating one of the last hot meals they would be having for the foreseeable future. "Satori, Kenji, I would have you attend me after the meal. I have some instructions to impart to you both."
Satori, meeting his gaze with a frankly weighing one of her own finally nodded, pretty certain she knew what the coming discussion was going to pertain to. She glanced, then, at her son, and sighed inwardly. I can do nothing but accept Touga's trust if he does not return. Sesshoumaru is certainly not ready to assume the mantle of Lord, and I cannot in all good conscience simply leave the rule of the West to one who is not capable of doing so in an appropriate manner, whether he is my own son or not. And that is if he does not die himself in the coming war... no, I must not think that way. Sesshoumaru will not falter. There are very few beings that are as strong as he is, and most of those are here in the West.
But oh, he will be so angry if it ever comes to pass that I must be regent in his father's place. Touga, you had better not let that dragon best you and leave this all to me.
Kenji, on the other hand, had no idea of what his Lord could have to say to him, never having considered that he would ever be put in the spot he was about to be, but simply bowed his head to his Lord and continued eating, his own thoughts heavy with battle and worry for those he cared for, as well.
He was well aware that his own parents would be arriving this very night to participate in the defense of their homeland, and Nami, of course, would be going into battle at Izayoi's side, as would he. His whole family would be involved, all save his younger sister, who was recently married and heavy with child. Her husband would also be staying behind since no one would be left to care for her if he left, let alone if he were to die.
Kirara was probably the only one in the room that was not worried about the battle to come; as much as she didn't know everything, she did know this; both Touga and Izayoi would be returning from this war. No... this war, while necessary and inescapable, was not the final showdown between Izayoi, Touga, the dragon, Takemaru, and the jewel. That would come later. But she could not say anything, as she'd been cautioned by the kami already; if Touga and the others felt too much confidence they would make mistakes and then things could most certainly fall into chaos and ruin.
And so she simply purred comfortingly into her mistress' mind as she dozed next to her, already having finished her meal. There would be little time for catnaps for a while, so she was taking advantage of the chance now.
Around her, beings steeled by heavy thoughts and the excitement of the coming battle continued eating almost mechanically, and the dining hall once again fell almost completely silent.
~oOo~
Touga studied the two people sitting in front of his desk looking back at him for several moments as he gathered his thoughts, then said, "I am going to be putting in place contingency plans in case... in case I do not return from this war." Both Kenji and Satori's gazes were solemn at mention of such a possibility. "Satori, you are my first choice to take over as regent should I fall in battle. Sesshoumaru is not ready to take over rule of the west, and I cannot allow him to do so until he is."
Satori nodded, her expression almost sympathetic; she knew how much this decision was hurting her son's father – he knew what such an action would mean to his already shaky relationship with Sesshoumaru, but as the Lord of the West, his duties to his lands had to come before his own wishes.
"You are going to draw up a proclamation of such and have Shiisaa keep it in a safe place?" Kenji asked, his mind already on the possibilities of what could happen if his Lord did indeed fall.
"Yes," Touga replied, looking at his friend and vassal oddly. "Of course. But that is not why you are here, Kenji. In case neither I nor Satori return from this war... you will be regent in my place until you feel that Sesshoumaru is ready to rule."
Eyes widening and rounding in shock, Kenji stared at his Lord, his mind racing. His first reaction was to ask to be passed over – he had no desire to rule Kangetsu and the West – not even for a while. But after a few moments spent pondering his Lord's serious face, he nodded – very reluctantly.
"And if I also fall?" he questioned curiously, wondering who his lord's third choice was going to be.
Touga sighed. "Then Tsutomu will take over the regency."
Kenji frowned curiously. "Why do you not have Arata do this?"
Touga looked at his friend like he had lost his mind. "Are you mad? Arata, rule the west? No, he is not suited to such endeavors, and I've no doubt he'd tell you the same. No..." Touga's eyes narrowed, "Arata would run so fast if he thought such a thing was going to happen that I doubt any of us would even see him to chase him down and bring him back." He chuckled at the thought of the playboy's shock at finding out about his possible advancement.
Really knowing that Arata's personality was completely unsuited to rule of a large territory, Kenji finally nodded – still very reluctantly.
Unhappy about it and not trying very hard to deny it, Kenji sighed, knowing his duties in this. "Very well, my Lord. I accept your charge, though under duress, mind. I've never wished to rule the West, and neither do I even want to do so in the relatively-" he smiled sardonically, "short term."
"Noted." Touga beckoned his assistant over and handed him the parchment he'd just finished writing on and signing. "This is to be sealed and kept in the secret archives until and unless I do not return from this war. Are we clear?"
Shiisaa bowed to his Lord. "Quite clear, Touga-sama. I will take care of this matter right away."
Waving Satori and Kenji away, Touga sat back a bit and once more considered something he'd been thinking on for some time, and after once more affirming his decision, he stood and left the room, spreading his aura out to find a certain kitsune of his acquaintance. Arata had taken off as soon as the mid-day meal had ended, and the inu had no doubts he was using his new toy in probably very creative ways just on the off-chance that his Lord would, in the end, decide to keep Takako's mirror for himself.
It did not take him long to track the male to his own quarters, and surprised that the kitsune was not playing with the mirror, Touga tapped on the shoji, then went inside when beckoned.
He got right to the point, since he had other things to do.
"I have made my decision about Takako's mirror." He eyed Arata's still form with slight amusement. "You may keep it – I have no need of such a thing, as I prefer... other... methods of scrying and travel. Enjoy." Without waiting for his friend's reaction he turned and slipped back out of the door, closing it quietly behind him as he once more headed for the family section of the palace.
It was time to gift his wife with what he'd had made for her for their coming war with Ryukotsussei. It had taken some time, but the spidersilks he'd commissioned for her in the form of her miko robes were finally ready – and just in time too.
He couldn't stop the inward smile of relief about that – every little bit of safety that he could wrap her in gave her just that much more chance of surviving what was to come. She would have her entire retinue around her, Kirara with her as well, and the spidersilks were like armor – it would take a mighty blow indeed to truly harm her through them. Of course, there were places that the clothing would not cover, but nothing was ever perfect. And he knew that his wife's strength was akin to the most powerful of beings to ever exist; most injuries she would be able to heal herself from if they were serious. Yes, it would deplete her strength faster, but better that than dead.
Touga knew she worried just as much for him. And he couldn't deny that worry was appropriate; Ryukotsussei was a dangerous opponent who had no honor to speak of and would not hesitate to use any advantage to win, whether it was dishonorable or not. While he was confident in his abilities and strength, he wasn't a fool and knew the danger of overconfidence all too well and had no intentions of falling into the trap that such a thing was.
Turning the final corner into the corridor where he and his wife's private chambers were located, he nodded in dismissal as Mine and her husband looked up at his approach; from now until the battle was engaged he would not be leaving his wife's side, and so her attendants could go and spend their final evening of peace doing whatever it was they chose to do. Most would spend this time with family, though some, those who did not have much in the way of relatives would probably spend their day and night with a lover.
He would also be doing the same.
Sesshoumaru had chosen to spend his time in the dojo training, which had not surprised Touga at all; his son was definitely a hard worker, and if he could just overcome his few faults would be a fantastic Lord when his time came. He sighed and shook his head as he remembered the look in his son's eyes at the table as they'd spoken of Tsutomu and what to do with him, a small smile taking his lips at the knowledge that it had been the first moment between the two of them without any of the strife there usually was. After a few seconds of remembering, he put all thoughts of other things aside and entered his rooms, wishing to spend these last hours in Kangetsu with his wife. There would be little time for each other for the foreseeable future, after all.
~oOo~
Shinji shivered in the pervasive chill as he did his stint on guard duty at the small compound Takemaru had taken his men to so as to avoid the coming war in the North - and so they could hole up for the winter in at least some comfort as he slowly gathered more men to his banner.
He blew on his hands as he held them over one of the small heating stoves on the walls for those on duty, lost in his ruminations enough that his forbidding countenance kept the others out there with him from speaking to him and interrupting his thoughts. He was recalling the earlier conference Takemaru had called to speak to some new men who had heard of his need and wanted to hear what he had to say for himself. Not surprisingly, they now had several more men.
It had always astonished him how so many of those who were mad were also so entirely charismatic and could persuade so many into buying into their particular brand of madness. Take Takemaru, for perfect example. The man was insane, yet was able to so seemingly easily win men to his side that were honorable warriors and not simple turncoats, thieves, and murderers. Even he, if he were not already solidly Setsuna's man, would have ridden to the man's call. He could probably sell ice to Yuki Onna, he was that mesmerizing, that much larger than life.
Yet there was no denying he was mad – not to one who knew the man's background and knew what was really going on as he did. He'd even felt a distant sense of guilt with as close as Takemaru was drawing him, trusting him and giving him second in command status – because it was all a front, and sooner or later he would betray that trust – for the greater good. He could only feel sad that the man was so mad; if he had retained his sanity he would truly have been a force to reckon with and would most definitely have risen to much power and influence.
Unfortunately, he had not retained his grip upon his mind, and there were two reasons for that; his fear and ultimate hatred of all youkai – and his desire for the hime, Izayoi. Many a good man had been lost to such a woman, and if he didn't know the woman in question himself, know her gentle spirit, he would have been tempted to blame her for being a castle destroyer. But to be fair, it was not a woman's fault how she was born; some were beautiful beyond all reason and some were not. It was just the way things were, and he couldn't truly blame a woman for what was a simple accident of birth. Some women, though, knew that they were beautiful, knew what affect they had on the men around them and used that against them with spite in their hearts. At one time he had known just such a woman and had come to hate her – until he'd confronted her with the intention of killing her for being so manipulative, and she'd told him why she was the way she was with pride and scorn on her face and pain in her eyes. He'd been unable to deny her words, and after staring at her for some time he'd simply turned and walked away, his outlook on life and the relations between the sexes forever changed.
His mind still rang with her passionate, hard words anytime he remembered her, standing cold and remote in the ruins of his family's palace after the war she'd been the cause of had wiped most of his family from the earth and all of their wealth into other clan's hands.
"I only play the roll that men have forced me into, Shinji. I was born with looks that the male of the species finds attractive, and this is the only worth they will allow me. So I use what I have; it is the only way I can turn my hand to protecting myself and gaining what safety I can in this life, since a woman is useless, of course, for anything other than warming a man's bed." Her words had been so bitter and angry; even now they hurt him and made him cringe inwardly. "But when anything goes wrong it is a man's prerogative to blame a woman for it; so go ahead, crucify me for playing the role you and all others of your sex have cast me into too well! Blame me for the fact that a man cannot think past the head between his legs, but don't bother to curse me, because the kami already have. They made me a woman – and they made me beautiful. There is no more potent or deadly curse than that."
He'd been unable to deny her words or defend his sex from them, for she was right, and the foibles of men when it came to a woman with a comely face and figure were not the woman's fault. He had come to believe what she'd said – that beauty was a curse, and he'd searched his soul for a long time after that and had come to realize that too often, those that weren't necessarily the most beautiful were often the best women. If he ever decided to retire and settle down, he would look for a good woman – one that may be plain of face, but would have a beautiful, giving and loving soul.
It was just too bad that more men hadn't come to the realizations he had. Takemaru's hatred of youkai had been exacerbated into the madness he now suffered from because of his desire for a beautiful woman – Izayoi. She was a rarity in any species – beautiful inside and out, but Takemaru didn't want her for her lovely heart or intelligence, only for her fair face and enticing body. Hell, the truth was he didn't even know Izayoi and like most human men he had no desire to look beyond her beauty to see her true worth. Her intelligence, kindness, caring heart and power would have held no value to him, only the pleasure he could have found in her body.
He could only be glad that the man would never have Izayoi, for he had known her since she was a tiny child and she was and always had been a sweet, loving person. The inuyoukai who had taken her as his wife, however, was worthy of the girl from what he'd been told - he held her intelligence in high esteem and did not treat her as nothing more than a bedwarmer.
She was treated as his equal.
He came back to his current circumstances as a chill wind sprang up and swept his clothing against his skin with icy, biting fangs and shivered at the fell voices and faint screams and cries he could hear in the gusts. He was surprised, however, when what he'd thought his own simple fancy because of his mood turned out to be real; the men around him also noticed the otherworldly sounds and were moving closer together with hands to their weapons. He frowned as he listened harder to what they could all now hear and with a curt gesture he motioned several of his bowmen forward as he turned towards the arrow slits in the walls of the compound to look out over the area before the small castle.
A brilliant red-orange glow met their eyes as the nearest town, several miles away, burned; it had been attacked and there was a possibility that whoever or whatever had done it would find their way here. With no hesitation he ordered the alarm sounded and had a runner go for Takemaru. It looked like battle might be finding them sooner than they had thought, though for a town of that size to be attacked and overcome Shinji doubted that those who'd done it were human.
While Takemaru had ordered that any who came for help from the nearby towns were to be given all assistance, in truth, there was little they could do against a youkai force. There just weren't enough of them to fight a group of supernatural beings. He wondered if Takemaru would let his hatred overwhelm his reason and try to fight a battle he couldn't win.
"What news?" the man himself demanded as he climbed the ladder and entered the walls of the hei.
Shinji motioned him forward and pointed out the fire on the darkened horizon. "An attack; for a town of that size to be ravaged so quickly I would say the force was youkai."
Takemaru tensed as he stared out into the night, the wind faintly beginning to bring the smell of burning wood and flesh to them. He shook his head after a few moments. "Up the guard on the walls and keep strict watch; if any human reaches us and asks for asylum it is to be given, but there is little point in us riding out there now. The town is already destroyed and there's nothing we could do to save it. It is just one more thing the youkai must pay for," he said coldly, still not having looked away from the glow.
Shinji nodded and soon had most of the men on the walls keeping a tight watch; none of them wanted to fight a battle against youkai in the dead of night, but if they were attacked they would have little choice.
He looked out the slit again at the bright light of the burning town as Takemaru himself took up a position as close to the gate as possible.
I wonder what youkai did it... and why?
~oOo~
Teruko watched from the shadows as Touga headed for his rooms at a good clip, a scowl upon her face – before a sly, satisfied grin crossed it and pushed the sour look away.
It won't be long before that human that is so enamoured of Izayoi is ready to meet with me. But before I do I want him well and truly ready for what I'm going to feed him. He hates Touga virulently, and it won't take much to turn that hatred onto that bitch, as well. Then... when she is most vulnerable, perhaps after this war is over and they travel to Setsuna, Takemaru will kill her and my problems will be solved – and Touga won't even be able to pin this on me. How perfect is that?
When her family's servants had come back from their intelligence-gathering, she'd been most interested – and pleased – to find out about the dissension in Setsuna's house over what he had done. Takemaru was absolutely perfect for her plan – all she had to do was soften him up, so to speak, and then she could feed him her carefully plotted lies.
Enjoy that bitch for as long as you can, Touga, but I promise on my house's name that you will not have her for long.
After a few more moments of staring down the now empty corridor she turned and made her way to her own quarters so she could look over the map of a certain region – and plot which human village or town was to fall next. She had much planning to do before leaving on dawn's tide for the North.
Of course, there was no saying that the woman wouldn't fall in battle, and then those towns that had been destroyed would have fallen for no reason – but that didn't matter to Teruko at all.
They were merely humans.
And besides – the air smelled so much sweeter without their stench hovering like a miasma over the lands.
She chuckled slightly as she slipped into her rooms.
I'm just doing everyone a favor in getting rid of the vermin that infest the lands, that's all.
I should be thanked.
She grinned as her door slid shut behind her, already planning what to tell her servants now that she would be mostly out of touch while war was being waged. Servants were, after all, somewhat dim and had to be given their instruction in firm and insistent terms, and she wasn't about to have her beautiful plan destroyed by incompetent servants.
~oOo~
Touga stirred slowly and tilted his head down to look at his still-sleeping wife with a slight, pensive smile that was touched with melancholy – he was unable to fight off the thought that after tonight, he might never get to see his wife so comfortable in their bed again.
Nonetheless, he was not the type to hide from reality, and so he leaned down and brushed a gentle, loving kiss across her porcelain skin, knowing that time halted for no one and that the evening meal would be called soon.
Thick, sooty lashes quivering like butterfly's wings against her cheek for a moment, Izayoi sighed as she was pulled inexorably up through the layers of sleep and blinked unfocused eyes as she caught Touga's intense gaze on her.
"Hm... what thoughts are leaving such a gloomy expression on your face, husband?" she asked, her voice still hushed and husky from sleep.
It made certain parts of her mate's body tighten in ways that were inappropriate to the moment, and Touga gritted his teeth for a few seconds as he fought his always present need back. Once he'd regained some control, he answered her query.
"The same thoughts that have been running through my mind for days, now," he replied with a sigh as he pulled away from the embrace they'd fallen asleep in and reluctantly stretched. "The same thoughts running through your mind – the minds of any youkai with someone to protect."
Izayoi nodded solemnly as she watched her husband climb from their bed, heedless of his nudity, and brush his fall of silver hair back over his shoulder with a grimace.
"Come wife, it is time to ready ourselves for the evening meal," he said as he strode over to his chest of clothes and began dressing. He flashed a suddenly amused look her direction as he was forced to push yet another lock of hair back. "I think I will let you put my hair back up, my love – I absolutely detest dealing with it sometimes," he shrugged at her questioning glance.
Unable to stop the smile that formed, though it was small, Izayoi stood gracefully and slipped her yukata on so as to keep her husband from losing his focus. "I don't mind, Touga," she giggled a little as he shook his head and continued dressing; as always when presented with her nudity, he lost focus until she was once again covered. "But only if you return the favor and do mine – I also get tired of dealing with it at times."
"Done," Touga replied instantly with a roguish grin. "There is no greater pleasure for me than touching you – in any way," he winked, his grin widening at her blush.
"Behave, husband, or-"
Whatever she was about to say was cut off by a frantic knocking on the frame of their door, and Touga growled, irritated. Setting his obi in place with one last twist of fabric, he snapped, "Wait, Hiroki," recognizing the youki of his personal servant easily. He glanced at his wife, who was still dressing. "Let me see what has him in such an uproar and then we can finish getting ready, my lady."
Izayoi merely nodded as Touga turned and left their bedchamber to go into the sitting room. She adjusted the fit of her hakama to be more comfortable as he slid the fusuma separating the two rooms closed so she could retain her privacy while he attended his servant.
"Enter," Touga commanded curtly as he turned from the fusuma to look at the door that was already sliding open to allow a rather hassled-appearing male in. He bowed immediately he had closed the shoji behind him.
"Speak, Hiroki – what has you in such a panic?" Touga asked with barely held patience. Couldn't the drama stop for even one day?
"My lord, there is a disturbance in the city below. The family of General Masao has arrived, as well as the family of his former mate, and they are demanding entrance into the palace – and the heads of whoever killed his previous mate," the man reported in a rush, and Touga stiffened, his eyes flashing with deadly light.
"Is that so?" he asked softly, a dangerous edge to his voice that oddly enough seemed to calm his servant.
"Hai, my Lord. Masao ordered me to inform you-" the male's eyes flickered towards his bedchamber and then back, "-because of the involvement of your Lady in this matter."
"Very well. Return to Masao and tell him and Satori to meet me at the gates into the palace in a quarter candlemark."
Hiroki bowed again and slipped from the room, and Touga stared after him with narrowed eyes for several seconds. The fusuma sliding open drew his attention, and he met his wife's now solemn eyes.
"Come, my love, let us finish readying ourselves so that we may attend to this... problem. We knew this would happen sooner or later, Izayoi," he added as he caught the echo of her unhappiness humming along their bond.
"They have every right to demand answers, Touga," she sighed as she motioned him to sit before her so that she could begin to comb his hair up into his accustomed topknot.
"They have no right," he said, that edge back in his voice. "She attacked you and you had every right to fight back. If they wish to dispute the matter, then they will quickly find out just how much patience I have with those who attack my wife, and that is exactly none."
Izayoi didn't respond; what could she say to that? The two finished grooming each other in a hurried fashion, as they didn't have much time before their quarter candlemark was up, and without further ado left their chambers and headed for the palace gates.
They didn't have to get very close at all before they could both hear the uproar at the gates, shrill female voices demanding entrance and their male counterparts demanding audience with Touga and calling for the death of whoever it was that had killed their daughter. They seemed to think it was Satori who had done so, as the uproar increased dramatically as Masao and Satori came into view, also making for the gates.
Eyes narrowing angrily, Touga snarled warningly as they reached the gate. "Silence!" he shouted dangerously, and an uneasy quiet fell as the guards fell back from the gate so as to allow him to confront those causing the disturbance. He motioned curtly for them to open the gates.
They had barely been opened before he was once again being subjected to shrill demands for the death of whoever it was that had murdered Masao's former mate. The female shot a malicious look at Satori as she said this, and it was clear that this was his former mate's mother.
Youki rising in agitation, Touga once more snarled out a demand for silence. "You will not come into my realm and demand anything of me! That nasty-tempered bitch you birthed attacked first, with many witnesses to her assault, and she paid for her impertinence with her life."
"That wench," the female pointed at Satori and shrieked back, obviously infuriated, "probably antagonized her! It is no secret that she wants Masao as hers!"
"Hai, Touga-sama," Masao's father broke in, "it is widely known. I've no doubt the circumstances were brought about by her scheming."
Satori's light, scornful chuckle sounded loud in the charged air. "Unfortunately," she said with a regretful sigh, "I am not the one who killed that useless bitch. Oh, don't get me wrong – I would have loved to be the one to savor her blood, but alas, she attacked someone above her in every way and paid with her life for her impertinence."
"You lie!" the female hissed back, hatred burning in her eyes.
A chilling growl followed those words as Masao's temper began to get the better of him. "She does not lie, bitch. But if you wish to keep accusing my mate-" he ignored the shocked gasps from his parents and his former mate's parents, "-then I'm quite sure she would enjoy taking your life."
Touga had remained silent for a few minutes, just watching, but when the female demanded to know who it was that had killed her daughter if it hadn't been Satori, he growled again, the weight of his youki pressing heavily on all those in the courtyard and rich with aggression.
Before he could actually say anything, however, Izayoi stepped forward with her chin held high. "I am the one that killed your daughter. I had no choice, as she attacked suddenly and without any warning or even words exchanged."
Apparently, those gathered hadn't noticed the presence of a human woman, because there was a furious silence that was almost immediately broken by a scream of outrage.
"You lie! You are a worthless human wench – how could you have killed my Leiko? She would have been bathing in your blood the moment you raised a hand to her!" She glared disparagingly at Izayoi, and then at Touga. "You actually allow this... this... creature to speak so to her betters? What weakness is this?"
Now Touga was furious, and his swelling youki betrayed that fact, as did his reddening eyes and lengthening fangs. Even the shrill, arrogant female that had done most of the demanding and yelling was frightened into silence as everyone there bowed to the alpha.
"Silence, bitch! You dare to speak so to my lady? Izayoi is above you in every way, and if you wish to dispute my choice then I will gladly destroy you and your entire house!" he snarled dangerously, his voice loud enough to almost cover the shocked gasps of the four. "Your miserable daughter attacked my mate and Izayoi defended herself. It was your daughter's foolishness in attacking one so much more powerful than she or indeed any of you that led to her demise. Do you wish to follow her to hell?" he asked, raising elongated claws up in open threat.
Masao's father stepped forward slowly, clearing his throat and bowing submissively. "Ah, Touga-sama, perhaps we could be enlightened on the exact circumstances of Leiko's death?"
Touga was little inclined at that point to answer, but turned his head down to look at his wife as she touched his arm with her tiny hand. "My lord, they have the right to know what happened. If I were in their place I would also wish to know."
With one last warning growl and threatening glare in Leiko's mother's direction, he subsided and allowed most of his youki to calm once more.
"My lady and I had gone to welcome Satori to the citadel as is her due as mother to the heir. While greeting her, Masao and his former mate appeared, and when Leiko immediately threatened Izayoi, I informed her just who she was and ordered her to show the appropriate respect. Leiko refused, attacking my wife without warning. Izayoi purified her." His eyes flashed warningly. "If you wish to dispute any of what you have been told or challenge it, then I will gladly face any or all of you in combat right now."
Everyone there blanched and there were no takers, though Leiko's mother glared sullenly at Touga, obviously still infuriated.
Voice overflowing with lethal threat, Touga turned the full force of his attention on the female, who looked shocked and then stepped back in fear.
"Know this: to touch my lady means death. If you attempt in any way to harm her you will gain a most painful demise. If you wish vengeance for a bitch that deserved her death, then you will challenge Izayoi to a fair fight. I will warn you, however. If you do, you will find yourself following your spoiled and selfish brat to hell straightaway. Make your choice now."
Izayoi, hoping to frighten the woman enough to keep her from challenging her, as she didn't want to be responsible for yet another pointless death unleashed her full aura, which she habitually kept somewhat subdued so as not to make anyone too uncomfortable.
The reaction was immediate. All four of the youkai that had appeared at the gates demanding entrance jumped back with hisses and shocked gasps, all of them staring at Izayoi as though she were a viper that had just been revealed in their midst.
"Please, I ask that you desist," Izayoi said, a tortured look in her blue eyes that had Touga getting angry all over again. "I do not wish to have more blood on my hands, but I will defend myself if I am attacked," she finished resolutely.
When no further words were forthcoming from any of the four, Touga spoke. "Remember my warning and take heed to it, for anyone who attacks my mate in any way will face my wrath." He looked to Masao's parents, and said, "We leave for the north at dawn. I suggest you go down to your house in the city and rest while you may."
"We didn't come here to go fight in support of one who would allow such an injustice on behalf of a wretched human," Leiko's mother said sullenly.
A terrible smirk bared lethal fangs in her direction, and her mate yanked her back by her arm with a warning growl in her direction. "Ah, but you don't have a choice, bitch," Touga answered silkily. "You will participate, or you will be thrown from the West and will lose any wealth and standing you have. I'm sure Ryukotsussei will be most pleased to be able to sample inu blood, and you would make him a tasty snack."
Now subdued in front of Touga's threats, Leiko's father nodded jerkily as he forced his wife to keep her silence. "We will be ready, Touga-sama," he said with a hasty bow before he turned away and headed back down into the city, followed by Masao's parents.
Everyone looked over at Satori as she sighed lightly. "How disappointing. I had so hoped that bitch would attack. I would have enjoyed running my claws through her, but I should have known – Leiko got her cowardice from somewhere, and now I know where. What a waste."
All the youkai present laughed at that, but Izayoi did not as she watched the retreat of the four with sad, knowing eyes.
She was absolutely certain that they had not heard the last of this particular subject.
