Chapter Fifteen
"You know, considering the severity of the situation, Hyoushin, I didn't imagine it would be quite so difficult to make you drink the remedy."
Chichiri sat back in his seat, a look of amusement on his tired features as he glanced from the vessel in his hand to the patient who lay still propped up by pillows in the makeshift bed. He had returned from Hokkan half an hour earlier to find that Hyoushin was still fighting against the effects of the venom, and after a few minutes discussion, the Meihi had agreed that Lirayi's theory about the source of Miramu's poison had probably been the correct one.
And yet, when it had come to the actual remedy itself, Hyoushin had been reticent to drink it, eying it with a mixture of wariness and loathing as he had put it to his lips.
"Herahisa." He said softly, and Chichiri nodded, setting the vial down beside the bed as he folded his hands in his lap.
"That's what Bakaru said." He agreed. "Herahisa. It seems like pretty powerful stuff – I brought some seeds back with me to try and grow some myself. The settlement physician wrote the formula down for me in Meihi script, which I can't read, but I hoped…maybe when you're feeling a little better, you might help me to decipher it?"
"That depends on how much more of the stuff you intend on forcing down my throat." Hyoushin said darkly, suppressing a shudder as his gaze fell once more on the empty glass vessel. A faint greenish residue coated the bottom, and the vague scent of powerful mixed herbs still lingered in the chamber, despite the fact that all the windows had been pushed open as far as they could go to allow air into the warm, stuffy chamber. At his expression, Chichiri chuckled, slowly shaking his head.
"And yet you already seem better." He observed. "A patient who fights back is a patient who lives – at least in my experience. What's so terrible about herahisa if it's saving your life, Hyoushin? Miyoki-sensei seemed quite certain that it was powerful enough a potion to absorb at least half of the toxins in your body, even though you were attacked early this morning. He said that within twenty four hours of the attack the remedy is still likely to save your life – you shouldn't treat it with such loathing. Surely it's better than being under the influence of that venom?"
"It is easing." Hyoushin admitted reluctantly, shifting slightly on his pillows as he struggled into a more comfortable position. "The heat makes it hard to know if it is my fever or the general temperature of the day. But the pain in my side is less than it was…and I am able to breathe better. Between Myoume's ministrations and that potion you have brought, I think perhaps I may yet fight it off."
"Myoume, now?" Chichiri eyed him keenly. "It was 'Toroki' when I left."
"Perhaps it was." Hyoushin agreed, and Chichiri was surprised to see the flicker of something deep in the amethyst eyes. "But she seems to prefer her real name to her stellar one."
"I see." Chichiri pursed his lips. "So my instincts were right – she did have something to do with your condition changing as it did."
"Her powers are mysterious and incalculable, yet she managed to bring me some relief by using them." Hyoushin acknowledged. "Yes, Chichiri. It seems I have been suspicious of foreign Seishi for no apparent reason. After all, you have treated me with unreserved kindness since the incident this morning, and she too has put herself out to help me. I remember quite clearly now too that it was her intervention that drove Miramu back into the forest. I do not think I would have held out much longer against him – certainly not long enough to strike any kind of blow. Therefore I owe you both my life…and as a Meihi, that's a debt I won't forget to repay."
"Your people are very serious about such things." Chichiri reflected. "It's repayment enough to see your condition improve. I know Myoume would say the same, too. We're all parts of a giant puzzle, and the Gods have been playing games with us – but finally the pattern is starting to pan out before us. Why wouldn't we help you? Clearly that's why you came – to ask for our help, after all. We're giving it unreservedly...as a Meihi, I would have thought you'd understand that better than most."
"True enough." Hyoushin inclined his head slightly. "I cannot argue on that point."
"Bakaru said you were strong…resolute about protecting your country and all of its people, regardless of the cost to yourself." Chichiri said softly. "And Aoi and Maichu have both said it too. It's true, isn't it? You're a fighter…no matter what you've encountered in the past, you've always forged through it. Correct?"
"Yes, I believe so." Hyoushin agreed. "As I said before, life is there, whatever its nature. You have to find the will to live it, no matter what."
"So why so much hatred towards the herahisa?" Chichiri scolded. "It makes no sense…a man willing to fight and die for his Emperor's sake is afraid of a little bit of northern mountain weed?"
"I dislike herahisa and always have." Hyoushin pulled a face. "It is essentially a poison counteracting against another poison. Yes, it is effective, but it makes one nauseous and giddy while it works and I do not like the sensation."
"I would have thought that, in contrast to the poison, a little queasiness would be nothing." Chichiri said frankly, and Hyoushin offered him a wry, rueful smile.
"Perhaps." He acknowledged. "My mother said much the same thing the first time around. I seem to recall her telling me how hopeless I was, complaining about such a little thing when my life had been in such danger. But the smell and the taste of herahisa is vile…and a memory I would rather not relive too often."
"Well, Miyoki-sensei seemed to think two doses should be enough." Chichiri responded. "One now, and one later this evening...though he gave me enough for three, so it depends on how quickly your condition improves."
"I see." Hyoushin sighed. "All right. I can see that I will have to comply…although I cannot pretend to be happy about it."
"That's pretty ungrateful, you know." Myoume pushed open the door of the chamber at that moment, a glass of water in her hand as she eyed him reproachfully. "Here. That will take the taste away some, no doubt. But Chichiri went to a lot of trouble to help you – you could at least be grateful that he did."
Hyoushin started, staring at her in surprise, and Chichiri saw the prophet's cheeks pinken at the sudden scrutiny.
"You worried a lot of people." She said bluntly, setting the drink down firmly at the bedside. "It wouldn't hurt you to be a more compliant patient, even if you are feeling better now."
"I suppose that did sound somewhat ungrateful." Hyoushin admitted, offering Chichiri an apologetic look. "I am sorry. It was not meant to sound that way."
"It's all right, you know." Chichiri held up his hands, shaking his head as he did so. "I'd rather you argued about it, to be honest. As I said, it means you're fighting back. Miyoki-sensei also gave me something with which to treat your arrow wound, too…I told him your left arm had been damaged by the poison, and he said that it might help, at least some. Whether or not you'll recover the use of that arm fully, he didn't know and nor do I. But he seemed to have treated a lot of people for gendoku-ja poison in the past. So I trusted that he knew what he was doing."
He paused, his expression softening as he remembered the look on Lirayi's face.
"Your sister is worried about you." He added gently. "For her sake, don't fight me too hard, all right? She was all for coming back with me to nurse you, but Bakaru put a stop to it – he didn't want her to be getting in your way."
"Rayi…" Hyoushin's eyes clouded, then he nodded. "I'm glad that he put his foot down and didn't let her come. I would rather she did not see me quite so incapacitated – and I would be constantly worrying about her, too, if she was here while we were in Kutou."
"Your going to Kutou depends on how quickly you heal." Chichiri told him frankly. "Even if you can communicate with Kintsusei-sama – even if you do want to do it with all your heart and soul. There are too many people who'd be upset if you died a needless death, after all."
"People?" Hyoushin repeated. "Lirayi, perhaps. But…?"
"Aoiketsu. Maichu." Chichiri counted them off on his fingers. "Bakaru. Kintsusei-sama himself, no doubt. And the people here too, Hyoushin. We've all got somewhat involved in the life-saving effort – even my young daughter keeps asking me how the Tenshi-san is doing, whenever I leave this room."
"Tenshi…san?" Hyoushin stared, and Chichiri smiled sheepishly.
"She thinks you look like an angel, you know." He admitted. "And though I've tried to explain to her about Meihi and whatever, she seems to find it easier to call you that than to remember your real name. But it's thanks to her that there's been such a plentiful supply of water…the poor girl's been working flat out at the well, bless her, because she wants so much to help."
"An angel, am I?" Hyoushin snorted. "I don't think anyone has ever likened me to that before."
"Meikyo sees the best in things, though." Myoume sat down on the end of the bed. "She's that way with everyone. And Chichiri's right. She asked me too, when I went to get you that."
"I see." Hyoushin grasped the glass in his right arm, sipping the water gingerly. "Then I should thank her as well as you, should I not?"
"Perhaps, later." Chichiri agreed. He reached out his fingers to brush Hyoushin's brow, nodding approvingly.
"Whatever you say about the weed, you know, your fever has already come down." He added. "Most remedies don't act quite so swiftly…I'm impressed."
"I told you. It's a poison that counteracts another poison." Hyoushin lowered his glass. "If you drank it under any other circumstances, it would likely kill you. Perhaps I should see Miyoki-sensei's writings before you try and do anything with it, Chichiri – an exact translation will be necessary if you do not wish to cause unnecessary suffering to potential patients."
"I have no intention of dabbling in something I don't understand without proper guidance." Chichiri assured him. "But I'd appreciate your help."
"Well, I can translate." Hyoushin took another sip of water, setting the glass aside as he reached across to brush his left hand with the index finger of his right. "So long as this arm remains like this, I cannot attempt to write…although I suspect my writing would horrify you in any case. My Chinese script is quite awful, even after all these years…there is no logic to the characters or their structure and no manner of simplification that I can see."
"Meihi is a mixture of lines and curls." Chichiri reflected. "Bakaru said that the people of Hokkan all once used that script…but I certainly can't make head nor tails of it."
"Yes, it was commonplace at one time." Hyoushin agreed. "The Meihi kept it where the Hokkan-jin standardised their language in a most ungraceful manner. But the plaques that commemorate Genbu no Miko are written in the old script…it was almost nostalgic to read it."
"Aoiketsu told me that you fight normally with that hand, also." Chichiri pursed his lips. "That's the case? It's unusual if it is, you know."
"I have never pretended to be a usual soldier." Hyoushin said ironically. "Yes. I am left-handed. I always was, even as a child - though the years inbetween probably strengthened that fact."
He stretched his right hand, and Chichiri could see the faint white criss-cross patterns etched into the man's chalk-fair skin.
"I believe the fingers on this hand have likely been broken many times in the past." He said simply. "It suffered badly by the whip in my time as a slave, since slavers assume that your right hand is your working hand and so endeavour to weaken you. Though it is well-healed after all this time, it has never been quite as strong as my left. When I began training, it seemed natural for me to bear the weapon in the other hand - and Kintsusei-sama had my blade fashioned especially for me because of it."
"It is an unusual weapon, true enough." Chichiri admitted, his gaze flitting to the sword that stood propped up against the door. "But Miramu's aim does seem to have been a deliberate attempt to weaken your ability to defend yourself. Your life is probably safe for now, Hyoushin - but I don't know what to do to heal that arm. Without use of it - you can't fight at all?"
"No better than a beginner." Hyoushin acknowledged, a faint note of bitterness in his tones. "I am afraid in that respect I am of little use to anyone, now."
"Right now your best use is your being alive." Myoume said softly. "That's our priority. You recovering and living. Anything else can wait."
Hyoushin sighed, rubbing his temples.
"It is hot in here." He murmured. "And the herahisa makes my head muggy. Would it be an imposition if I asked to get up?"
"Are you sure you're up to that?" Chichiri eyed him anxiously, and Hyoushin offered a wry smile.
"There is one way to find that out." He responded. "I would like to try. Outside must be cooler than in here, surely…and I can see tree branches from here outside the window. Surely there is some shade? Besides, you promised to let me speak to Seiryuu no Miko when I was better able…and I would like to do it as soon as possible."
"Woah there." Myoume put up her hands. "An hour ago you were fair gasping for breath, and I was afraid you wouldn't even last till Chichiri got back. Now you're demanding to go outside…and more, to ply Hikari with things we've not even discussed with her yet…?"
"We don't have time to waste." Hyoushin said gravely, and Chichiri frowned, realising the truth in his words.
"Hyoushin's right." He said frankly. "We don't have time to hang around and wait for him to convalesce properly. Some fresh air may well do him good – there's a slight breeze coming off the mountains now, and in the shade of the plum trees he might well feel less suffocated."
"And Hikari?" Myoume raised an eyebrow. "Should it really come from him, all this theorising we've been doing? The two of them have only spoken as rivals…do you really think it's a good idea?"
"Hyoushin and Maichu came from the North to seek her help." Chichiri got to his feet, holding out a hand to the Meihi, who gazed at him in surprise. "Of all people, Myoume, the call for help should come from Kutou's people. She's already promised Aoi, you know…she's said she'll help Kutou if she can. Yes, I think it's right this way. I'm Suzaku's, and you're Byakko's. But Hyoushin and Maichu are Kutou-jin. And Kutou should be the ones to ask Seiryuu no Miko to save their land, in the end. Otherwise it'd be wrong, wouldn't it?"
Myoume sighed, a troubled look entering her indigo eyes as slowly she nodded her head.
"You're right." She acknowledged. "I just…he's not that strong yet, you know. Maichu said he hadn't eaten right since they left Hokkan, and…"
"I am still in the room, surprisingly." Hyoushin murmured at that juncture. "And able to hear and participate in conversation, even if I am considered just a patient in this exercise. It is my wish to go outside, Myoume. And my wish to speak to the Miko. Therefore any risk should fall on my head. Culpability will not be yours, if it proves to be a foolish gesture."
He grasped Chichiri's hand firmly in his own right fist, pulling himself unsteadily to his feet. As he did so, he tried to put his left hand out to support himself, but the movement caused pain to jerk through his injured limb and he gasped, the arm falling heavily against his side as he stumbled.
"Careful!" Myoume was quick to support him, sending him a reproachful glance. "Here or not, your judgement is shot…either by fever or herahisa, whichever you prefer to blame. At least take it slowly, all right? We'll get you outside – but stop trying to do too much! You're still badly hurt, you know…a little bit of green slime isn't going to magically fix everything Miramu did."
"Green slime." Hyoushin pursed his lips. "Yes, that is an adequate assessment."
He took a deep breath, and Chichiri could tell he was steeling himself ready for the short trip from the sickroom to the world outside. As he glanced at his companion, he realised that Myoume's concerns bore some weight – the Meihi's fever had clearly taken its toll on a body already tried by the warm climate and the stress of being on the run.
"Well, I'll mention it to Aidou." He mused aloud, as he made sure Hyoushin was steady on his feet. "She won't brook opposition from anyone, so that'll be all right."
"Aidou?" Hyoushin sent him a quizzical glance, and Chichiri nodded.
"My wife." He said cheerfully. "She's an excellent cook, and I'm sure she'll prepare something for you to eat when it's a little cooler outside."
"I'm not hungry, you know. And if you make me drink more of that green solution, I'm likely to remain so, no matter how much food you give me."
"Aidou doesn't like waste." Chichiri said mildly. "So I'm sure you won't get much choice in the matter."
"Aidou-san is a good cook." Myoume's expression cleared at this suggestion. "And Chichiri's right…she won't let you waste anything she's made. You need to rebuild your strength in any case. If Maichu's right about you not having eaten properly…how long have you been travelling?"
"Long enough." Hyoushin said vaguely. "I'm not a weak man, Myoume. My body can handle a few days without food. When I was in bonds I would sometimes work dawn till dusk with nothing but scraps of bread as sustenance for the week long. I am in no danger of starvation."
"A week…" Myoume's eyes opened wide with dismay, and Hyoushin nodded.
"Such things happen." He said frankly. "Are we going outside?"
"I can tell you're used to being in a position of command." Amusement flickered once more in Chichiri's ruby gaze, but nevertheless he nodded, gesturing to Myoume to open the door as he helped the tribesman towards it. "Yes, we're going."
"Hyoushin-sama!" As they stepped out into the bright Kounan sunlight, there was an exclamation, and Aoiketsu hurried towards them, Maichu in hot pursuit as they registered the frail but determined form of their Commander. "Hyoushin-sama…you're…you're up!"
"Strangely, it seems I am." Hyoushin agreed. His gaze flitted from Aoiketsu to Maichu, then he offered a faint smile. "Thank you for your concern."
"Concern?" Maichu echoed. "That's a friggin' understatement…shit, sir, don't scare us like that!"
"Is he all right now? I mean, he'll live, right?" Aoiketsu glanced at Chichiri anxiously, and Chichiri shrugged.
"With a little luck and some help from his Meihi brethren, yes. I think so." He agreed cautiously. "But you two would be better off practicing your sword techniques in readiness for your trip home – not bothering Hyoushin when it's hot and he needs to rest. Miramu's poison has hopefully been caught, but even so your Commander's had a heavy enough day of it with one thing or another. Give him some space, okay?"
"Space?" Aoiketsu started. "But…"
"It's okay." Maichu grabbed his friend firmly by the arm. "Tasuki gave me my blade back, so I might as well get some use out of it. An' that shinken thing that Hikari lets you swing around is a damn fine blade, Aoi-kun – I want to see whether it's any easier to knock out of your hands in any case."
"Thank you." Chichiri grinned. "Have you seen Hikari, by the way? She's not left the farm?"
"She's helping Meikyo weed." Aoiketsu shook his head. "Shishi took Eiju to the mountain to practice swords with Kouji-san, so Hikari told Aidou-san she'd do his chores for him. Why?"
"It's time we spoke to her about…Kutou and Seiryuu." Myoume said quietly. "Do as Chichiri said, Aoi…you'll need all your wits about you when you go to Kutou, and you're still not one hundred percent confident with that sword yet. You have to trust in it more if you're going to be able to protect Hikari – I think she's going to need everything she can get in terms of help if she's going to raise Seiryuu and save your country."
At this, Aoiketsu's expression became grave and he nodded.
"I will." He agreed. "I'll be strong enough…I promise."
"Then lets get moving, bonehead." Maichu gave his arm a tug. "Come on."
As the two young men headed back across the grass, Hyoushin watched them with a thoughtful look on his face.
"I was right, in the end, to let him come." He murmured softly. "Even though sometimes he is foolhardy…I was right."
"Maichu, you mean?" Chichiri asked, and Hyoushin nodded.
"I did not know what would greet us, here." He admitted. "Myoume…your vision still troubles me. If I must believe – and now I think I must – that your gift is everything that I've heard it is, the words you spoke in the cave in Sairou are true ones. And though we now know the identity of the tribal traitor – I am more concerned about your words to Maichu. Do you remember them, even now?"
"Yes." Myoume said soberly. "I can't put your mind at rest, because I don't know enough to do that."
"And Kayu? Him too?"
"Hei Kayu…" Myoume's eyes narrowed, and she sighed heavily, shaking her head.
"I can't explain those things." She said at length. "No matter how dearly you want me to, Hyoushin…it's beyond me."
"You can't…or you won't?"
"Both." Myoume acknowledged. "Toroki speaks when she wants to speak. I don't know the precise meaning of that prophesy. Potentially Maichu is in danger so long as he is in Kounan. What from, I don't know. Something…that's all that's clear to me. I don't want to speculate any further than that."
She reddened uncomfortably, dropping her gaze.
"I already did that enough." She admitted. "I assumed you were the tribesman, and look where that got us all."
"Many others have also made that assumption." Hyoushin said evenly. "Not just you."
"But based on my prophesy." Myoume said guiltily. "If I'd not spoken, you wouldn't have been exiled like this. Or, probably, hurt."
"But I would also not have come to Kounan." Hyoushin pointed out. "And Kounan is where Sukunami Hikari is. So all things come full circle in the end. If you were a catalyst for anything, Myoume, you were one to bring Kutou in touch with its Miko. That's all. You have guilt for nothing else."
"Well, you two certainly have become friendly in the short time I was away." Chichiri observed merrily, humour sparkling in his ruby eyes as he absorbed the sudden embarrassment that crossed Myoume's expression. "Perhaps Suzaku has a stronger influence on people here than I thought."
At that moment they reached the herb garden, and at the sight of them, Meikyo was on her feet, clutching her handful of weeds to her chest as she hurried towards them.
"Papa!" She exclaimed. "And…Tenshi-san, are you feeling better now?"
Hyoushin just stared at the girl, taken aback by this sudden, friendly greeting, and Chichiri laughed, reaching out to ruffle his fingers playfully through the small girl's unruly red hair.
"Mei-chan, you shouldn't be yelling…and if you get mud all over your clothes, your mother won't be pleased." He said softly. "Besides, you already know that our guest's name is Hyoushin-san. He's not an angel."
"I know." Meikyo looked sheepish, raising big ruby eyes to the Meihi's perplexed amethyst ones as she did so. "I'm sorry, Hy…Hyoushin-san. But you look so pretty like an angel, and so I just thought it fitted somehow. It's easier to remember."
"I…" Hyoushin was lost for words, and Chichiri's smile broadened.
"Hyoushin, this is my younger child – my daughter, Meikyo." He explained. "Meikyo, thank you for helping to bring in so much water. You've worked hard today and I'm proud of you."
Meikyo beamed at the praise, dropping the weeds down on the ground as she clasped her hands together behind her back.
"I wanted to help." She told him. "Because Papa had a patient, and everyone else had important things to do, too."
"Then I should thank you also." Hyoushin seemed to gather his wits at this, bowing his head slightly towards the exuberant youngster. "I am grateful for your assistance, Meikyo. It is very hot in your country, and the water has been most welcome."
"It's all right." Meikyo assured him. "Hikari-neechan and Shishi helped me, too. You're a friend of Aoi-nii's, aren't you?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes." Hyoushin agreed. "I suppose I am."
"Then you must know Hikari-neechan too, right?" Meikyo asked innocently. "Since she and Aoi-nii like each other, you must do. Hikari-neechan said you were like Aoi's father because his real one got killed in the war with Kutou. So in that case, I guess you must be glad to have come here, where they are."
"Meikyo, what are you talking about?" Chichiri could barely suppress his mirth now, shaking his head. "Poor Hyoushin's head is still confused enough without you adding more to it. Hikari was with you – she's not still? It's her that he really needs to see."
"I'm here, Chichiri." Hikari emerged at that moment from the vicinity of the well, wiping her wet hands on her apron as she faltered, registering the presence of the wounded Meihi. "Oh. Hyoushin-san…I…didn't realise…"
She faltered, trailing off awkwardly, and for a moment there was silence. Then Hyoushin offered her a faint smile.
"I realise I have no right to ask this." He said quietly. "But I would be grateful if you would join me in the shade of the plum trees for a while. I have something of import of which to speak…and I have already wasted almost a whole day with my incapacitation."
Hikari's eyes widened at this, and another brief silence followed. Then she spread her hands, nodding her head.
"If…if it's all right." She said softly. "I mean…if you're…up to…you know…"
She faltered, and Chichiri cast her a keen look.
"It's all right, Hikari." He said quietly. "I know what Hyoushin wants to talk to you about…and it's something that you should hear from him, I think – not from anyone else. He's not our enemy…you know that, I think, now?"
"Ye..es." Hikari agreed hesitantly. "Yes. I…I know. After all, Miramu attacked him. And…and Aoi believes in him…so…so I will, too. It's all right, Hyoushin-san. I…I'll listen to what you want to say. Whatever…whatever it is."
The shrine of Seiryuu was empty for once as Miramu dropped soundlessly down from the beams, glancing around him for any sign of the enigmatic Hin priest as he did so. Kikei was nowhere in evidence, however, and Miramu smiled, a glitter of satisfaction in his indigo eyes.
"The cat's away and the mouse is going to play." He murmured to himself, stalking purposefully across the chamber to the furthest wall as he did so. "Kikei's usually here, so I probably don't have long – he must be with the Emperor, pandering to his latest tantrum. It's almost amusing, the way that Kintsusei has suddenly become decisive and almost ruthless in his decision making, just on learning of the death of his favourite. If I had known it would make him such an interesting specimen, I would have killed Hyoushin long before this. It seems the Emperor does not know how to cope without his ghost-like shadow."
He paused beneath the arcing gold stomach of the dragon god, glancing up at the gilted scales as he ran his fingers briefly against their surface. The metal was cold and hard to the touch, and he smirked, nodding his head in approval.
"A bleak, ice-cold metal statue, yet men bow to you and pray." He reflected. "This deity business is as ridiculous in this land as it is in my own. And Seiryuu is just as greedy and unforgiving a master as Byakko in the West. To be the God's man means to not be your own man – no wonder all of Seiryuu's Seishi died or fled the shackles of their curse. I would do the same. In fact, perhaps I might say that I did. Even so, though…Kikei is willing to go up against this force on his own. To use the Miko, he said – to manipulate her enough to make her wish the power of Seiryuu into his hands, and then…what? Why does he not fear the spirits of the Seiryuu departed? Motley and disjointed a body they may have been – but even so…is he right to dismiss them so casually?"
As he leant against the statue, pondering this thought, he caught sight of a slight slit in the far wall of the chamber and his brows knitted as he remembered the secret recess where Kikei had been housing the blessed treasures and relics Hyoushin had gathered. Although he had often used it as an excuse for his convenient, swift entrances and exits, he had never felt inclined to delve into the depths before, but for some reason that morning was different.
It was a sacred treasure trove, he mused idly, amusement in his expression as he sauntered towards it, placing his hands against the wall as he gently slid the dividing screen back to reveal the stairwell beyond. Casting a glance behind him to ensure that Kikei had not returned to his base, he stepped inside, pulling the screen across behind him.
"I can conceal myself, after all." He reflected. "But it would be hard to explain how a door managed to open by itself."
The steps down were cold and dark, lit only by the faint glitter of glow-stones embedded into the soft-stone walls. Old carvings of the dragon appearing in the sky above Kutou had long since had their bright colours worn away by time or concealed by dust and spider-webs, and the once illustrious images now looked sorry and chipped, as if Kutou's spiritual self was as war-torn and ragged as its physical one. Once the chamber beneath had been used to host special, sacred blessings, but as time had gone on, it had become more and more neglected, and as Miramu descended deeper into the vaults beneath Seiryuu's most holy place, he reflected on how infrequently this place was disturbed.
"Yet Kikei has been here many times recently." He mused to himself. "To deposit and check on the treasures he's hoarded. I wonder if he can really manipulate that girl…if she is the Miko after all. With all these holy treasures – can he dictate the way in which Suzaku's own Shinzahou acts? Somehow I have my doubts – for a priest, his understanding of holy powers seems to be somewhat limited."
He smiled humourlessly.
"Oh well. I suppose we can't all be Shichi Seishi."
As he reached the foot of the winding stairway, he found a big wooden door greeted him, dark planks of old oak or cedar varnished with something thick and almost black to keep out the marauding insects and the wear of time. Set into this broad panel was a tarnished gold handle, moulded into the shape of a dragon, with its curling tail hooked around to make a handle. Despite his natural scepticism, Miramu had to acknowledge a faint kind of beauty and grace to the handiwork, and as he slipped his hand around it, he had the impression that it had been crafted by someone who had held his faith dear.
"Someone who cared enough to put heart and soul into his rendition." He muttered. "Dammit…someone as crazy as Myoume."
The thought of his sister sobered him somewhat, as he remembered once more her expression in the grove in Kounan.
"She seemed truly cross with me, then." He acknowledged. "And I am fool enough to let it prey on my senses. I should know better by now."
He gripped the handle more tightly, expecting to find it locked, but to his surprise it swung back, letting out a faint creak and groan as the ancient hinges protested at the sudden movement. Stepping forward into the vault itself, he was immediately struck by the glitter of Shinzahou in the darkness, and something about the faintly ethereal light made him pause.
"The power of three Gods confined in one place." He reasoned. "Byakko. Genbu. Seiryuu. Yet they're mere trinkets at best. Unless you can unlock that magic…Kikei, there must be more to this than what you've told me. I don't understand…with holy power comes holy guardians, and not all of them are as unwilling to cross paths with their destiny as I am."
"What are you doing down here?"
A voice startled him and he swung around, meeting the indignant azure gaze of Seiryuu's mage spirit as he did so. "This is not a place for dirty Byakko rubbish. Get out. I don't need your company."
"Suiko." Miramu gathered his wits, staring at her in surprise. "So this is your playpen, is it? You're locked away down here – an all powerful mage trapped beneath the ground?"
"I'm not trapped." Suiko shook her head impatiently, wisps of ghostly blue hair flying out around her face as she did so. "I choose to be here, to protect Seiryuu's treasures from harm. That's my job. I'm Seiryuu's mage. You wouldn't understand that. You're Byakko's…and even he didn't want you."
"I think you'll find that I chose not to follow his guidance, not the other way around." Miramu said frankly, and Suiko snorted.
"So you say." She said derisively. "But if you had any real strength, you would have answered his call. Even your mad sister has more wits about her – even if she is a dirty tiger's witch slave, she at least had the courage to become that. Not like you."
"Shut up." Miramu said evenly. "I don't need to take insults from someone who isn't really alive. You have no idea what you're talking about, as usual – and you're much more pleasant company when you're not speaking."
"Then go away." Suiko pulled a face at him. "I told you. I don't want you here."
"You're down here alone?" Miramu made no attempt to leave, and Suiko nodded her head, gesturing to the chamber around her.
"Do you see anyone else?" She demanded, and Miramu grimaced at her.
"Kitora's not around, then?"
"I don't care where Kitora is." Suiko snapped. "She's tainted because you're tainted. I hate both of you, and I don't care what you do."
"Seiryuu must be cringing up there in the heavens, when he reflects that the best he could do in terms of a protective mage was you." Miramu retorted cruelly. "A sulky, petulant princess – that's all you amount to in the end. No wonder Kutou's in such peril, if you're the best he has to offer."
"You think you're so smart." Suiko spat back, and for a moment a glimmer of blue light flickered around the edges of her body, making her appear more like the mage she was and less like the sullen adolescent she was prone to becoming. "You're the one who's truly ignorant. You run around doing errands for that nasty, dirty Hin Priest, yet you don't even understand why you do them. You're as disgusting as he is, Byakko no Amefuri. You smell of cat-magic – cat magic and blood."
"Oh, I see." Miramu's lip curled derisively. "And you, I suppose, are an expert on Kikei's plans and schemes? An empty headed spirit conjured from an ancient lizard scale holds all the secrets to the universe, does she?"
"Don't mock what you don't understand." Suiko's eyes hardened, and for a moment Miramu thought she might attack him, as the flicker of blue magic strengthened and danced between her fingers. "You humans are fools. All of you are fools. You don't listen and you seek to manipulate and dominate…you don't know what you're doing, and you seek to mock me? I have existed since before your lifetime, and before the lifetime of even your predecessors, Byakko no Amefuri. I know much more than you. And I know what that Priest intends to do…if you are fool enough to continue helping him."
Despite himself Miramu took a step back, realising as he did so that the mage's aura was stronger near to the Shinzahou and that he had been foolish to antagonise her temper. She was, he knew, flighty and unpredictable enough to attack him and, despite his bravado, he realised that a Seishi was likely no match for a God's own chosen spirit. He held up his hands, offering her a rueful smile.
"I should know better than to insult a lady of Seiryuu, even one born from dust and dragon relics." He murmured. "Very well. If you are so wise, Suiko-sama, tell me what it is you think I don't know."
Suiko's eyes narrowed to mere slits, sparks of azure fire darting from them as she eyed him suspiciously. Then she shrugged, spreading her hands as the flares of blue light disappeared.
"I suppose I could." She said silkily, her temper suddenly dissipating as quickly as it had come. "Since it doesn't matter either way where you're concerned, whether he succeeds or not."
"Doesn't it?" Miramu leant back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. "I see. And why not?"
"Because you'll be dead, I suppose." Suiko said flippantly, and Miramu's eyes narrowed.
"That's not a subject to joke about." He said sharply. "What do you mean by that, Suiko?"
"What I said." The coldness was back in the mage's eye now, as she regarded him rather like a hunter gazing on her prey. "Kikei is going to eradicate this world of all the Celestial Warriors, one by one. He plans to manipulate Seiryuu no Miko's power to do that…and then try to absorb the remaining beast magic for himself. He is a fool, but this is his plan. And you are doomed, so long as you continue to help him. Ironic, isn't it? You will die because you helped a dirty treacherous priest."
Miramu stared at her for a moment, unable to conceal his dismay, and Suiko let out a peal of cold, amused laughter.
"So you do value your life then, Shadow of the West?" She taunted. Miramu frowned, shaking his head.
"I don't care about it either way." He said flatly. "Life is not something I asked for. Death is something I've often sought. Either way I don't care if I survive or if I don't. It's not of interest to me."
"Liar." Suiko snorted. "You can say that, but I saw it in your eyes. You were afraid for a moment there…and you believed me enough to show me that fear. You do care, Miramu. You care a lot."
"Perhaps not about the things you think I do." Miramu snapped back. "Don't presume to read my mind, because you can't possibly know what I'm thinking."
"I'm telling the truth." Suiko folded her arms across her chest, tossing her head as if offended by his sharpness. "That is what Kikei wants to do. I know, because every time his fingers touch the sacred water of this shrine I hear it echoing around me like some ghost trapped in the walls of this place. I don't like it – I don't like what's in his head, and I don't like him. He's a fool, like all humans are. And people will die because of it. Noone listens to me. Noone cares that I know more about Seiryuu than anyone."
"You can cry on someone else's shoulder about that, Suiko. I just want the facts, not your ego." Miramu said bluntly.
Suiko merely poked out her tongue, and Miramu sighed.
"Seiryuu no Miko isn't here, anyway." He added. "So I don't know what you're fussing about."
"When the four Shinzahou are in Kutou, she will be." Suiko said stubbornly. "I'm not wrong. You'll see."
"Then it is that girl after all?" Miramu raised an eyebrow. "Hyoushin was right – Sukunami Hikari is Seiryuu's prodigal priestess?"
Suiko folded her arms, an obstinate expression touching her features, and Miramu sighed.
"I'm not going to kill the brat." He said flatly. "It's a curiosity – nothing more. If Kikei needs her so badly, why do you think I would hurt her?"
"He will try to. I don't trust you and I don't trust him."
"Well, I don't trust him either." Miramu responded. "The only one I trust is myself, Suiko. And then not all of the time."
He pursed his lips, running his fingers through his dark hair as he considered her words.
"Your reticence confirms it enough." He added. "But you have my word I won't go killing her. She's in Kounan – where my sister is. I won't go there, so you can stop behaving like a spoiled baby over it. Your precious Miko might well be in trouble if Kayu and his soldiers get her – but she's not at risk from me. At least, not at the moment."
"Hyoushin will find her first." Suiko's eyes glittered contemptuously. "I made the boy understand – you'll see, he'll get to her before that silly Kayu does."
"That will be hard for him." Miramu said bluntly. "Since he's already dead."
"Dead?" For the first time real horror flickered in the mage's blue eyes, and Miramu smirked, nodding his head.
"I took care of that little problem a few days ago." He agreed casually. "So you'll have to put your hope in some other guileless fool, Suiko. The Meihi is no longer a part of the puzzle."
He tut-tutted, shaking his head reprovingly.
"You shouldn't trust a man who has no soul to do a God's bidding." He added. "I suppose you're the missing piece of the puzzle – the one who sent Maichu after him and guided them to the South was you after all, wasn't it? But you sent him to death, Suiko-chan. Sorry about that."
"I don't believe you."
"One thing an assassin doesn't lie about is the people he kills." Miramu said quietly. "Especially when he does it for money."
Suiko was silent for a moment, as if considering this. Then her eyes glittered with cold, icy fire.
"You had best hope you are wrong." She said softly, an edge of danger to her words. "I am sent here to protect this land, Byakko no Amefuri. And protect it I will, no matter how many of its people you seek to hurt. If Hyoushin is killed...if the mission to retrieve the Miko fails...everything here will be destroyed. My land, your land...everything. But before it is, I will ensure that you understand what it means to cross Seiryuu's magic. My master will not be bested by a tiger's reject. Remember it."
"You're almost scary when you speak like that, you know." Miramu told her flippantly. "But as I told you, I don't care too much about my own fate. So in the end, your threats don't have much effect, do they?"
He shrugged.
"Besides, my fate is already written." He added lightly. "You may be Seiryuu's mage, but you can't change it. Whatever happens to this world...is it really anything to do with me? So what if it all ends - do you think there's so much in this world that's worth preserving?"
Suiko reached out a ghostly hand, brushing it against his cheek and Miramu started, feeling a prickle of strange energy run through him at her touch.
"It doesn't matter what I think." She said coolly. "It's what you think. You're a liar, Miramu. I can feel it from the water that runs through your body. You pretend not to care, but like all stupid humans, you do care. In the end, what do you care about more - that's the question?"
"It's also none of your business." Miramu swiped her hand away, glaring at her in annoyance. "I've moved too far along this path to change it now, so don't think you can appeal to my conscience. It died a long time ago, when I slit my father's throat. Do you understand how many people I've killed since then, Suiko? I've felt nothing for any of them. Nothing at all. My heart is not something you can appeal to...it's gone, if it was ever really there at all."
Suiko eyed him for a moment, and Miramu had the faint impression of the predator in her gaze. Her mouth twitched into a derisive smile and she stood back, nodding her head.
"Lie to yourself too if you like, Byakko no Amefuri." She said sweetly. "In the end, it doesn't matter what you say...does it? You and I both know that you're a disgusting piece of tiger refuse, after all. But now I know something else about you, too. My magic never lies...you try to kill it, but it still lives inside of you. Your heart."
"Then you really are deluded, if you believe that." Miramu held up his hands. "These fingers have spilled blood many times without remorse. Or does Seiryuu not consider that evil?"
"To be evil, Miramu, you need to be strong." Suiko told him disparagingly. "You are not evil. You are not strong enough to be either goodor evil, and you know it better than I do. You hate yourself more than I hate you, which is pitiful...no wonder you act in the shadows like a coward. You may have killed Hyoushin, but even now you envy his strength nonetheless. All these things flow through you...I can feel them, even though you deny them."
"Shut up, you stupid witch." Despite himself, Miramu was discomfitted. "You're as bad as Myoume, digging into things that are none of your business!"
"Ah yes. Myoume. Toroki. The mad tiger slave." Suiko's expression became thoughtful, and Miramu's indigo eyes darkened.
"What about her? She's nothing to do with you."
"No, nothing at all." Suiko agreed casually. She eyed him for a moment, then shrugged, gesturing to the door with a sweep of her hand.
"Leave. I'm bored with you now, and you're making the air smell funny."
"Believe me, I've had enough of you and your whining company, too." Miramu snapped. "You needn't worry about me coming here again. But you can't stop Kikei now. Hyoushin may have been your plaything or your puppet, but I'm not someone you can manipulate with your water witchcraft. I care nothing for Kutou, or for its people. Remember that. I'm an assassin who works for coin - and that's all."
"That's all." Suiko echoed, and there was something in her azure eyes that Miramu did not like. "If you say so, Byakko no Amefuri."
"Stop calling me that!" Miramu exclaimed.
"Why? Because you're afraid of what Kikei might do if he knew you were really one of them?" Suiko taunted, and Miramu's brows knitted together in anger.
"Because it's not who I am." He shot back. "And it never will be. Understand that, you stupid hag - Amefuri is something I never will be!"
With that he focused his mind on suppressing his energy, shifting his form from the darkness of the crypt-like chamber to the palace grounds. Once there, he sank down against the wall, letting out his breath in a rush as he tried to get a grip on his temper. And yet it was not just anger that swirled within him, but fear too, as he contemplated Suiko's revelations.
"Is she right about Kikei?" He wondered softly. "And if she is...what do I care about it? If this world dies...but..."
He frowned, reaching down to pluck a wild flower from the grass that grew nearby.
"Whatever I do, I suppose I have to do it soon." He reflected. "It's no business of mine how Kutou suffers, or whether or not its people die. This whole world is full of corruption and pain, and I don't care if Kikei seeks to destroy Amefuri's spirit along with it. I have tried so many times to die without success...maybe that Priest will be able to break the curse my sister's prophesy put on me ten years ago. And yet...and yet..."
He frowned, tossing the flower to the ground in a sudden fit of frustration.
"Damn her." He muttered. "Damn that witch! I should know better than to dabble with her or her kind. Monsters drawn from ancient treasures...I should have known that involving my blood and my talents in this would end badly. And now...with Kikei closing in on Seiryuu no Miko...what else is there left for me to do? He will get what he wants, if Kayu is as diligent as he always appears. And then I will have to decide...whether to kill her, or him, or both..."
He grimaced.
"Or to stand back and do nothing, while he destroys everything in this world."
It was not far to walk between the Ri farmhouse and the sheltered shade of the family's plum and cherry trees, and as Hyoushin settled himself as comfortably as he was able, he realised that despite his complaints, the heavy cloud of fever and pain that had increasingly hampered his breathing had begun to wane. Even the faint dizziness of the herahisa at work was preferable in comparison, and ruefully he scolded himself for his childish protestations.
"It just reminded me so much of when I was a boy, and how much my mother chided me for my cowardice then." He reflected, sitting back against the hard trunk of the tree as he let out his breath in a rush. "As Chichiri says, I am a soldier willing to die for my country. It's been a long time since I let my childhood opinions dictate my adult actions – so strange that it should come back to me now, when I am as far from Kutou as I could possibly be. Perhaps it is Myoume's dabbling in my memories – else why should such a thought be so prevalent in my mind almost thirty years on? If not for her interventions – would I even have remembered being bitten by a snake at all?"
He glanced at his young companion, watching as she seated herself across from him, spreading her skirts absently across the grass as she sent him a doubtful look. Despite her words there was hesitation in her hazel eyes, and Hyoushin frowned, taking in the young girl's appearance properly for the first time.
She was young, he realised – younger than Aoiketsu or Maichu, and dressed in the attire of a village girl, it seemed hard to believe that she had truly come to Kounan from a different world. For a moment he doubted his conviction, then he frowned, remembering his conversation with Chichiri.
"He believed it too. And confirmed her place of origin." He reminded himself. "Appearances can conceal things, after all – however she appears, I must have faith that this child is the one I am looking for."
As the silence began to grow oppressive, Hikari twisted her fingers together in her lap, letting out a heavy sigh as she did so.
"I guess this is awkward, huh." She murmured. "Since the last time we spoke…it wasn't really like this."
"The last time we spoke, you told me in no uncertain terms that you would never let me near Suzaku's Shinzahou." Hyoushin said softly. "You had no doubt in your conviction then that I was your enemy…no doubt it is difficult for you to entertain the possibility I am not."
"Aoi trusts you." Hikari admitted, spreading her hands out before her as she continued to avoid his gaze. "But I…you…I don't really know how to…talk to you. Or why you need to speak to me so suddenly. Chichiri seemed to think it was all right, so I agreed, but…even though you're Aoi's ally, Aoi's from Kutou. And me…I…"
"You're not." Hyoushin finished the sentence for her, and Hikari shook her head.
"I'm not." She echoed. "I suppose I am…confused by it, that's all. I mean, when you apologised for Jin I thought maybe you weren't a bad person after all – that Myoume had been wrong and that you weren't the one we were really fighting. But you were still in our way, so…"
"So I took the Shinzahou and it is now in Kutou's hands." Hyoushin agreed. He pursed his lips, considering this for a moment. Then he sighed, shaking his head.
"Well, so be it." He added. "There is nothing to be done about it now, after all."
"You went to all that trouble to get it, and now you don't care about it?" Hikari eyed him cautiously. "Why not? Why did you persuade Bakaru-san to give it to you if you don't mind the fact it's in their hands now? Do you really want to help us? Or…what do you want, Hyoushin-san? I don't understand. You came here…you and Maichu…and now you want to talk to me – alone?"
"I came here – we came here – to find you." Hyoushin said simply, eying her keenly as the young girl's expression became discomfited. "Yes, I think you understand better than you want to admit why that might be. You see, when I was in Hokkan – when I retrieved the Shinzahou from Bakaru – I also learnt something else. From your own words, I discovered that you claim an acquaintance with Hongou Yui-sama…Seiryuu's one time Priestess."
"Yui-san?" Shock flickered in Hikari's eyes. "But…what has that to do with anything? I told you then, she's not going to come back and be a Priestess for you, even if I could somehow contact her – and I can't, so if that's your idea…"
"That's not my idea." Hyoushin held up his good arm, stopping her protestations in mid-flow. "Hongou Yui failed in Kutou once already, and I am not such a devotee of Seiryuu to trust in her trying a second time. No. That is not my purpose. But you do not deny to me that you have met her? That you and she claim an acquaintance after all?"
"Yes." Hikari agreed slowly. "She and my mother are best friends and have been for a long time. But I still don't see…"
"How old are you, Hikari-san?"
"Fifteen." Hikari frowned. "Why?"
"Hongou Yui last came to Kutou eighteen years ago." A flicker of hope flared in Hyoushin's heart as he regarded her. "So it is true…beyond all doubt. You are indeed from her world – from the Miko's world."
"That's what you wanted to know?" Hikari stared at him, dismay in her hazel eyes. "Do you always sneak around when trying to find things out from people? You could have asked me straight, you know – tricking people isn't nice!"
"I apologise." Hyoushin bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement of her words. "You are right, of course – I have spent too long at Kutou's court, where such methods are a survival technique as much as anything else. Yet had I asked you directly – would you have been willing to answer me in kind?"
"Maybe." Hikari said cautiously. "Depending why you wanted to know."
Hyoushin was silent for a moment, contemplating. Then he nodded.
"All right." He said at length. "I will continue in your way, not my own. You are Suzaku no Shinzahou, are you not? Suzaku's power was sealed inside of you after his last summoning – and that is why you are in Kounan at this present time. This is why you could be so sure of whether or not I would locate it – you are obviously the only one who has any power over the treasure of Suzaku, and that is why you are so precious to the South."
A look of horror flooded Hikari's features, and Hyoushin knew that Aoiketsu had spoken the truth. He offered her a faint smile.
"You do not like my directness after all." He murmured. "I cannot win, can I, in my mode of approach?"
Hikari eyed him for a moment. Then she sighed, shaking her head.
"Aoi told you that, didn't he?" She asked resignedly. "He said he wouldn't, but I suppose…it was him who did."
"By accident, yes, he disclosed it to me." Hyoushin agreed. "But Chichiri has also confirmed it, Hikari-san."
"Chichiri…did?" Hikari's eyes widened. "He trusts you that much already, even though you've just come here…even though…"
She trailed off, and Hyoushin could see that she was fighting something out with herself internally. He pursed his lips, gathering his strength as he struggled onto his knees, carefully bowing his head towards her in a gesture of submission. She faltered, staring at him in confusion as he raised his gaze to hers, maintaining his position as he tried to ignore the twinging, stabbing pain that darted through his left arm and across his side.
"Sukunami Hikari, I have come from Kutou to find you." He said softly. "As Suzaku no Shinzahou…no. You asked why it was I did not care about Hokkan's Shinzahou – the reason is simple. Suiko, Seiryuu's mage predicted that the uniting of the four Shinzahou would mean the coming of the Miko who would protect our land from its own destruction. And now I understand that prediction. By fair means or foul, three treasures are now in Kutou. You are the last one…the final piece in that puzzle. The truth is that Maichu and I came to Kounan to find Seiryuu no Miko. Hikari-sama…that Miko is you."
"What?" Abject shock flared in Hikari's hazel eyes and she shook her head, holding up her hands in protest.
"Wait a minute, back up! I'm Suzaku's – you said so, so you must know what that means! How can I be Seiryuu no Miko…when I'm in Kounan! What…"
"Aoiketsu is the son of Seiryuu's greatest and most powerful Seishi, Nakago." Hyoushin said gravely. "A man killed in the war between your land and our own. He is your guardian now, is he not? His father's blood drives him to protect Kutou's Priestess from harm."
"But I…"
"You are from the Miko's world." Hyoushin continued. "There is no mistake. You have been sent to Kounan, true enough…for what reasons only the Gods know themselves. And you do possess Suzaku's divine power, sealed within your body. But you are Seiryuu no Miko. The only one who can wish for peace in the East…is you."
Hikari fell silent at this, biting her lip as she struggled to absorb his words. Hyoushin did not take his gaze off her, watching the mixture of expressions that flickered through her hazel eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, then she hesitated, shaking her head.
"It's hurting you." She said softly. "Bowing like that, when there's no need. You don't have to beg me for anything, Hyoushin-san…it makes me feel funny, if you do."
"Considering our past encounters, I wished to confirm to you my honesty in this matter." Hyoushin admitted. "But yes…it is not comfortable with my arm in this condition."
"Then sit back against the tree…if you want, I can fetch you something to drink." Hikari offered, reaching out a hand to help him, and as she did so, Hyoushin offered her a smile.
"Suspicious of me though you are, you still show me kindness." He said quietly. "Thank you, Hikari-san. Aoiketsu believes in you – well, if Chichiri's young girl spoke correctly, he is more attached to you even than I realised."
"I…suppose that's true." A faint colour rose in the girl's cheeks at this. "It sort of…happened that way, but…I don't think it's a bad thing. I mean…Myoume says we need to work together, after all. That he's here to protect me."
"Yes, perhaps." Hyoushin acknowledged. He sighed, eying her with a slight shake of his head. "Though it's almost a shame, really, but even so…"
"A shame?" Hikari looked startled. "Why is it a shame, if Aoi and I are close? Isn't that the right thing – I mean, if you…if I am Seiryuu no Miko…shouldn't we be close?"
"That was not my meaning." Hyoushin shook his head, wincing as she helped him back into a more easy position. "There. That is better…thank you. No, I was not thinking of you both as Miko and Guardian when I made that observation."
"What, then?" Hikari was confused. "I don't understand – why should it be bad? If he's happy, and I am…Is it because he bailed on his duty as a spy? Because if it is…"
"Aoiketsu was right to come here, and, it seems, right to follow his instincts and trust in you people." Hyoushin shook his head. "It is the rest of Kutou who are mistaken, not that boy. No. You misunderstand my thought processes completely."
"Then explain them to me, please." Hikari settled herself back on the grass. "Because I'm finding it hard to reason out myself…it seems sort of stupid to say something like that and I…I like Aoi a lot, so it upsets me, if you think it's a bad thing. Aoi has a lot of faith in you, and I…don't want that to be a problem. I can't change the way I feel, after all. And nor…nor can he. So if you really want my help, I need you to understand that."
"I think perhaps I do understand – a little more than you think I do." Hyoushin said frankly. "It is just the fact that Aoiketsu has always been schooled to put Kutou first. He is the best young soldier I have ever trained, and he has had an education worthy of a Prince…all for this end, because it was his mother's dying wish. But he has never formed bonds with people outside of the Imperial Guard. Till now they have been his family and his friends together. He's never really seen the world until now, and that he has found someone for whom he can care…"
He sighed, shaking his head.
"But it is ill-fated, to love a Miko." He said matter-of-factly. "You do not belong here. You will go home. And so I think it is a shame...that of all women, it isyou he has chosen to love. He is a boy with much promise in many fields…and undoubtedly he has a good heart. Yet he has always shied from women, and love is not something he has ever given freely. It will hurt him, I think, when you part. And this is what concerns me most of all."
Hikari's eyes widened at this, and Hyoushin saw a flicker of realisation dawn in her gaze.
"You really are like his father, aren't you?" She murmured. "Even if you are his Commander, and even if you have trained him to fight…he's still more important to you than just another soldier…isn't he?"
"All my men are important to me, Hikari-san." Hyoushin said simply. "They are people – with lives to keep or lose depending on the skills I teach them and the efficacy with which they learn. But perhaps you are correct…Aoiketsuis a little different from his fellows in that regard. His mother asked me to raise him and I gave her my word…Nakago's son, for the sake of Kutou's peace. But even if he had not been…I do not imagine things would have been done differently. He is one for whom I have made many choices and decisions as he has grown. It is yet my hope that they will prove to be the right ones in the end."
Hikari's eyes softened, and slowly she nodded her head.
"I think they were." She said thoughtfully. "When we first found out who Aoi was, Shishi challenged him to fight, but he refused…he said he wouldn't fight people who he didn't need to fight. I know now that Aoi's a better fighter than Shishi – he could have killed her, if he'd wanted…or probably any of us. But he didn't. He…he's not like that. And he's always said that it was because of the way you taught him. That the reason Kutou's army no longer raided and pillaged was because you made sure they didn't do it…and he'd taken those things to heart."
"You perhaps give me too much credit." Hyoushin glanced up at the sky, digesting this carefully. "I have an element of self-interest too, Hikari-san. My people were killed by the raiding Kutou army, after all…and my siblings and I taken as slaves. There is no way I could inflict that type of warfare on someone else...I know too well what it is like, after all."
"Aoi said you didn't talk about your past at all." Hikari looked surprised, and Hyoushin nodded.
"I do not." He agreed. "And I shall no further, if it is all right with you."
He rubbed his left arm absently, eying her quizzically as he did so.
"You have not answered my request." He murmured. "To accept your role as Seiryuu no Miko and to raise the Dragon to protect Kutou. I am not Seiryuu's devotee – I am a Meihi, and I have never followed the cults of the four gods. But I have come to believe that it is possible to save Kutou by this method. I have seen other countries at peace…I have seen the potential for it in my own land. Though it will also rely on the will of the people – Hikari-sama, I am quite certain that the first move must be made by you."
Hikari was silent for a moment, and Hyoushin could tell she was thinking this over carefully. Then, eventually, she nodded her head.
"I'll try." She said honestly. "I was prepared to raise Suzaku in any case, but Taiitsukun kept saying I couldn't, and I didn't know why. Maybe this is the reason – I'm here for Kutou, not Kounan. It's messed up, but if Chichiri also thinks its true, then I guess I'll believe it. And I'll try. I promised Aoi to save his land if I could, and I told you before that I can keep my promises too."
A flicker of resolution burned in her hazel eyes, and at the sight of it, Hyoushin smiled.
"Thank you, Miko-sama." He said sincerely, holding his right hand out clumsily to clasp her fingers in his. He squeezed them for a moment, then released them, nodding his head.
"It is well, then, my coming here." He murmured, more than half to himself. "Despite the danger and the inconvenience I have caused…if I can return to my homeland with Seiryuu no Miko, I trust all will be well."
"In which case, there's something else we should begin to look into, you know."
At that moment Chichiri materialised beside the tree, making both jump as they gazed at him in surprise and confusion. He offered them a grin, tipping his kasa in their direction playfully as he did so.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle anyone."
"Were you listening?" Hikari asked, and Chichiri nodded.
"Some." He admitted. "But I wanted you to decide for yourself what to do, Hikari-chan. The request has to come from Kutou, you know – for the Miko's help. Not from us. Now you've accepted it, there's a lot we have to do – not least strengthen your own magic."
He folded his arms, regarding them thoughtfully.
"And perhaps it's time that we unearthed the relic of Hisei, too." He reflected. "I'll speak to Tasuki – I think that's our next port of call. Somehow the spirit of that feather must be able to help us, considering Doryoku's power within Shishi, and the bits and pieces I've heard about the other mage spirits. Perhaps she'll have some advice – or provide us with support. Either way, I think that's what we should do next. Wake Hisei, and ask her advice on how to save Kutou."