Chapter Twenty Three
"This is Kutou's capital city, huh?"
Shishi glanced around her, chewing absently on her lip as she took in their surroundings. Along each side of the narrow streets, people of various ages and sizes were beginning to emerge for the day's business, some robed in the garb of travelling traders whilst others, dressed in the torn rags of the city's poorer elements clustered at corners, waiting for the chance to earn or beg a day's food and water. Children and adults alike worked to bring the street market to life, and although the wares were somewhat limited in their range, it was no different from the general market trading that the young bandit had seen in Souun for most of her life. In fact, she realised, if it had not been for the occasional scorch marks on some of the older buildings, or the heaped rubble that lay around the broken walls of abandoned, battle-destroyed properties, it would have been easy to forget that there was a civil war going on at all.
"For a country at war, things seem pretty calm right here."
"This is the centre of the Emperor's power, so it is relatively secure." Hyoushin agreed, nodding his head slightly in acknowledgement of her words. "Sadly that is not something which has been maintainable for the whole of Kutou. At different times, different elements of rebellion have risen up across Kutou's land. The most recent was in the territory between this city and the southern border that divides us from your own land. The blame has likely fallen on Kounan's influence, but I am coming to believe that it is all part of Kikei's plan to weaken the Emperor and make him more dependant on his Priest's advice."
"That would fit with what we already know quite nicely." Myoume said grimly. "All right. How far is it to the palace? Even cloaked as you are, Hyoushin, you're bound to attract attention - we can't cover all of you, after all, and even if this is the land you were born, I don't see any Meihi in the streets of the city. You stand out. And besides, we both know that walking anywhere takes its toll on you at present. You were a little warm when we left the cave – if it's too far…"
She faltered, and Hyoushin shrugged his shoulders.
"I believe it is not too far for me to reach the palace successfully." He said mildly. "I do not feel as weak as I did when in the south."
Shishi cast him a doubtful look, taking in his faintly flushed features and the tired, pained expression that glittered in his amethyst eyes.
"You sure don't look much better." She said bluntly. "Are you sure you're gonna get there without fallin' down?"
"In my Emperor's name, you'd be surprised at what I was able to achieve." Hyoushin sent her a faint smile. "But Myoume is right about my appearance. Even with my hair loosed around my face, and dressed in this attire, someone may yet associate me with the disgraced military Commander Tou Hyoushin. It is not wise for us to remain on this path."
"There will be palace guards around, too, who may recognise Aoi and I." Maichu added. "But I know a better way - a less crowded way - if you trust my navigation. There's a series of streets and passages that aren't patrolled so regularly, and I know the usual times of the guards thanks to living in that place for so long. Aoi probably does too - so I'm sure we can get there."
"Secret passages, huh?" Hikari eyed him curiously, and Maichu shrugged, a faintly ironic glint in his dark eyes.
"Escaping patrols after curfew is rather a talent of mine." He admitted ruefully, catching his Commander's gaze as he did so. "It doesn't always work, but...I...got quite good at it."
"Yes, I can imagine." Hyoushin said softly. "But yet, in this circumstance, Maichu, I think we'll overlook the manner of your learning. Tell me instead one thing - this route of yours will take us towards the rear of the palace?"
"Yes, that's right." Maichu looked surprised. "Isn't that the best place to head for? We're going to the shrine - right? It's easier to get there from the back than the front, and the rear entrance is easier to negotiate."
"Spoken like a true professional in the sneaking department." Myoume snorted, and Maichu shrugged.
"Soldiers need to get out and about from time to time." he defended himself. "And it ain't hard when you live within the walls to learn the weak points in the defence. It's gonna help, ain't it? Stop complainin'. I've got to have some use, after all, now I'm here."
Aoiketsu cast his friend a quizzical glance.
"Maichu, this path of yours is going to go right through the red light district, isn't it?" He said quietly, and Maichu shrugged his shoulders.
"It ain't the same kind of place in the day as it is at night." He said carelessly. "Noone will mistake you for a courtesan at this hour, Aoi - don't look so worried."
"Red...light...district?" Shishi repeated, and Hikari shivered, pulling her cloak more tightly around her body.
"I've had enough men trying to drag me away since I got to this world." She said emphatically. "What if we get mistaken for local employees? Myoume, Shishi and I are all girls, after all. We might."
"I doubt it." Maichu said frankly. "I mean, Myoume...might. But then she's freak-ass scary when she wants to be, an' I doubt any sensible person'd want to tangle with her too much once they'd realised it. Besides, I told you. At this hour, you won't find any trouble. All last night's clientele are either back in their beds, barracks or sleepin' off the alcohol someplace discreet."
Hyoushin sighed, shaking his head slowly in defeat, and Maichu eyed him sheepishly.
"Sorry, sir." He added apologetically. "I guess I probably snuck out behind your back a few times before this."
"Hang on." Shishi put her hands on her hips, glaring at Maichu indignantly. "Myoume might, but Hiki an' I wouldn't? What's that meant to mean, Maichu?"
"I wouldn't have thought it's a compliment, Shishi, to have a soldier liken you to a prospective prostitute." Myoume said wryly, and Shishi shook her head impatiently.
"That's not it." She objected. "He's implying that the pair of us are kids, and I hate that. Hiki an' me aren't babies, all right?"
"Don't even try and answer that." Aoiketsu held up his hands, casting his bewildered friend a knowing look as he did so. "We don't have time to dig you out of the hole afterwards. Just lead the way, huh? We'll trust your navigation. The route I took last night was fairly open, and in the light of day, with the Commander too - we'd attract too much attention."
"I guess that makes me tour guide." Maichu relented, nodding his head. "It should be fine, though. An' we'll get there more quickly if we take this route. Besides, strange folk are more or less expected in that quarter. Noone will even look at us - it's kinda how it is."
"You are a really sick jerk, you know that?" Shishi said frankly. "Shit, I guess it is true, after all - that bein' a soldier is an excuse to grope women an' drink alcohol."
"I wouldn't have thought bein' a bandit was much different." Maichu shot back. "Besides, that ain't true. It's just like I said. Sometimes with all the trainin' an' shit, a guy has to get out an' let his hair down some. That's all."
"What about you, Aoi?" Hikari cast Aoiketsu a suspicious look, and he sent her a startled glance. "Did you let your hair down in this place, too?"
"No!" Aoiketsu's eyes widened and a slow flush rose in his cheeks as he realised her motivation for asking. "No, of course not!"
"It's all right, Hikari." Maichu cast her a grin which was very close to his usual rogueish, carefree one. "I only ever got him to this district once that I can remember. He got drunk pretty quick, passed out an' almost got mistaken for one of the tavern whores by a very drunken market trader. If I hadn't been with him..."
He shuddered, shaking his head as Aoiketsu's red cheeks deepened in colour.
"Shut up!" He protested. "It wasn't like that! You made me drink more than I was ready for, and then...it wasn't my fault, and I didn't...you...it was you and Kayu, and..."
He faltered, biting his lip as a shadow crossed his friend's features.
"Kayu." Hikari murmured. "He really was your friend, wasn't he?"
Aoiketsu nodded slowly.
"War breaks up friendships and families, though." He said sadly. "I'm sorry, Maichu. I didn't mean to...drag up a memory like that."
"It's all right." Maichu said softly, shaking his head. "It's how it happened, after all. Forget it. Just follow me...it's this way."
He set off down the street, and, after exchanging glances, his companions headed after him.
"I shouldn't have said that." Aoiketsu berated himself, as they crossed into a rougher and less well populated area of the town. "I wasn't even thinking about it, but right now..."
"Maichu has a demon to face which will haunt him a while yet." Hyoushin said softly. "It makes me angry, Aoi, but you are not to blame. You should keep that memory of yours - the memory of your friend as it was before all of this. Don't let the war or his manner of death taint the fact that he was once your comrade and that you enjoyed spending time in his company. For Maichu's sake, I think...it would be better to remember Kayu as he was, not how he died."
"Yeah." Aoiketsu nodded slowly. "I think...I couldn't do anything else. I'm angry too - but not at Maichu or at Kayu, really. At Kikei...I'm really angry at Kikei. But not at anyone else. It's just what I said...war breaks people up. And I'm sick of it. I'm sick of war."
"So is everyone." Shishi said, her tone unusually thoughtful. "Aoi, while we've a chance, tell me again what this mystery informant of yours spilled out last night? I mean, about Doryoku - how did they even know about that? Hyoushin-san was the only one from Kutou who saw her rise inside of me that time, an' it ain't like he had much chance to report that back to Kutou's bigwigs - right?"
"I don't believe I discussed it with anyone, in fact." Hyoushin agreed. "As you say, the manner of my dismissal rather prevented me reporting even to my Emperor on the matter."
"I suppose that's less important than whether the informant's information is true or not." Myoume reflected. "It'll be dangerous, either way."
"I think that it was true, what they said." Aoiketsu said slowly. "But there's not much I can say about it other than that. I'm going to catch up to Maichu before he disappears off on his own, going at that pace. You guys hash it out among yourselves - I've told you all I know about it."
With that he hurried off in the direction his friend had gone, hauling him back with a strong, friendly, arm, and Myoume frowned, her gaze drifting after him.
"If Aoi's source is right - if that barrier was erected by the mages, then it'll consist of powerful magic." She reflected. "You'll have to let Doryoku take full control of your body again, Shishi, like she did in Hokkan. And you'll have to trust everything to her to enter the shrine. Any hesitation...you might not survive the experience."
"I don't want you to get hurt on my account." Hikari said quickly. "I really don't, Shishi. Especially if Myoume is..."
She faltered, biting her lip, and Myoume's gaze softened.
"Don't think about that." She said gently. "Think instead of why you're here, and how important that is. No matter what happens to any of us, Hikari, you must succeed in raising Seiryuu and in making the wishes you've come here to make. If you can do that, nothing else matters. Remember that even if all of us who are with you die today, you still have a world and a family waiting for you to go back to them. When you've done this, you can go home. Don't let yourself be swayed by our fates. Your duty here is far more important and you mustn't hesitate either."
Hikari was silent for a moment, then slowly she shook her head.
"I hated this world, when I came." She whispered. "But I've come to...to understand it. Even like it, in parts. The people here are important to me - Chichiri and his family, Tasuki and the mountain, Shishi...you, Myoume...Aoi and everyone else I've met along the way. How can I not care if those people are hurt? It's not possible. I'm too involved with you all to be that cold."
"Even so, you must do the Miko's duty and raise the God." Hyoushin said quietly. "If you fail, everyone will die, not just a handful of people willing to take the risk and fight. Remember that when you enter the vault and face the mages."
"Suiko and Kitora, huh." Shishi's eyes narrowed. "Well, it's all right. Doryoku says she'll help, and I'll trust her - I do trust her. She'll get me in and I won't leave Hikari's side. Somehow Do-nee and I will defend her, and it'll be okay. I'm resolved, and I'll make sure Hiki is too. You can count on me."
Myoume smiled.
"I have no doubts on that score." She admitted. "You're as determined as your father, when you want to be - and I'm glad you are."
"We're not going into the shrine proper, are we?" Hikari asked hesitantly, and Myoume shook her head.
"No. The rest of us will, but you and Shishi won't." She agreed. "It's better that we occupy the Priest and the Emperor while you get past the mages. You have a tough enough job as it is, after all. We'll buy you as much time as we can, all right? Shishi, does Doryoku fully understand what we're asking her to do? When you freed Maichu, you split the rock - right? You'll have to do the same to break into the vault from outside - do you think that's doable?"
"Do-nee says so." Shishi agreed. "I'm going to leave it in her hands and trust her judgement to get us inside the shrine. Then I'll do my bit, too - but for that part, I think it's down to her. She knows better than me, after all, what her power can do. And I've learnt a little - but I guess I'm still some way from being perfect."
"There's not been time for you to practice much." Myoume said regretfully. "But do your best. You too, Hikari. We'll be counting on you both."
Hikari frowned, a haunted look touching her hazel eyes. Then, slowly, she nodded her head.
"I know." She agreed. "And it'll be all right. Somehow...I won't let you or Kutou down. No matter what, Myoume. Somehow...I'll find a way to do this."
"It is well that you find your resolve now." Hyoushin reflected. "Because we are very nearly at our destination. We will soon part ways - and whether we meet again or not is unknown. But you have Suzaku's strength, and Shishi has Doryoku's. I will trust that this will be enough to get you through."
"Almost there?" Shishi looked startled. "Shit...I guess this really is a quick cut. But...that wall...is that...?"
"The rear of the palace. Yes." Hyoushin said lightly, and Hikari's eyes widened in horror as she registered the severed heads that adorned it.
"Those aren't...real, are they?" She asked faintly, and Hyoushin cast her an odd look.
"Not real?"
"Those heads." Hikari swallowed. "Please tell me they're not...real people's...heads..."
She faltered, and Hyoushin nodded.
"The traitors of Kutou are displayed thus." He said simply. "I imagine they are the heads of those who killed Koku Maru and his regiment through uprising in the Southern Province...although it is somewhat difficult to tell now they have been there for some time."
"I think I'm going to throw up." Hikari bit her lip. "You can't be serious. What kind of people think it's a good decorating idea to stick severed heads on the outside walls of a royal palace?"
"It's not an uncommon tactic, Hikari-chan." Myoume offered her a smile. "I doubt that Reizeitei-sama subscribes to it, because the general elegance of Kounan's palace forbids it. But a soldier King rules here, and in a land where unrest is constantly needing to be put down. Traitor's heads are unpleasant to look at – that's the point of doing it. To remind people that rebelling against the Emperor holds terrible penalties."
"Indeed it does." Hyoushin reached across to brush the hilt of his sword with his good hand. "So has this blade been employed at times in my Emperor's name. Though none of the heads currently on display are my handiwork - I have never shirked from that duty if it is a traitor to the Emperor."
"I thought you were a Meihi!" Hikari objected. "And that they believed in peace and stuff. How does decapitation fit into the peace ethic?"
"It does not." Hyoushin said frankly. "It is a vestige of Hyoushin's duty, not of my own heritage. I am not a good example of a Meihi - my hands have been stained with the blood of one who has fought in battle many times. I apologise if it distresses you, Hikari. But this is Kutou. This is precisely why you are so needed. So that there is no longer a necessity for such distasteful modes of punishment."
He offered her a faint smile.
"In most cases, the men are dead before the head is struck." He added. "And even if they are not, it is a quick, clean blow. There is no additional suffering - even when their crime is as great as treason against the Emperor himself."
"I don't need the details of it." Hikari held up her hands. "I don't want to know any more. It's bad enough that it happens! And that we've got to...somehow...get past those things to get into the palace grounds!"
"That's easy enough." At that point Maichu turned, offering her a grin. "There's a soldier's entrance somewhere along here...an...er...unofficial one, but one everyone in the barracks knows about. We can slip in that way."
"Everyone in the barracks?" Myoume cast Hyoushin a questioning glance, and Maichu looked rueful.
"Perhaps not the ones in charge." He amended, and Hyoushin offered him a rueful smile.
"You would be surprised at what we know, Maichu." He said lightly.
"You mean...you know where we're going?" Maichu looked somewhat discomfited, and Hyoushin inclined his head slightly.
"I would be a poor Commander if I did not know my men's movements." He said calmly. "But since I do not currently hold any official authority over you, you need not worry about being disciplined for such knowledge."
He shrugged.
"On the contrary, your tactic seems a sound one. Lead on."
So it was afoot.
From his alcove beneath the glittering blue roof of the Kutou royal palace, Miramu observed the group of travellers slip carefully and purposefully through the hidden passage, stepping cautiously into the courtyard at the rear of the grounds as they glanced around for any over-zealous guardsmen on duty. As his gaze fell on one of the cloaked, stiff figures, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and he slipped his fingers absently against his quiver, running his touch pensively against the shiny metal barbs that lined his arsenal.
"So Aoi really was telling the truth." He reflected. "Somehow you did survive my curse, Hyoushin. I should respect you for that, shouldn't I? That your boasts about the Meihi were not idle ones after all. Yet your movements are the movements of a man on the verge of giving up – is it truly worth that much to you, then, to see your Emperor again?"
A wry, humourless smile touched his lips.
"Well. Maybe you are his lover after all."
He tilted his head on one side, remembering Aoiketsu's hot indignation when he had made the suggestion on their ride south.
"Or perhaps this is just a case of loyalty stretched to extremes." He acknowledged. "It is foolish, but maybe I underestimated that Meihi will of yours. Who would have thought that Suiko witch was right? You aren't so easy to remove after all. And now..."
His gaze flitted to the female members of the group, darting over Hikari, then Shishi, and resting finally on his sister. His gaze softened, and he slowly shook his head.
"I bring chaos. I bring death." He muttered. "And today will be no exception to that rule. It is, after all, the only way I have ever lived. I brought pain by being born, and I continue to bring it every day I am alive. I'm sorry for that, Myoume – that you've come so far under such a huge shadow. Today I'll make you cry, I've no doubt about that. But I…I've made my mind up. What's to be done…and that's that."
He fingered the arrows again, watching as the group divided into two. As he sat there, he saw the young, red-haired bandit grab the Miko by the arm, giving her a little tug as they headed off in a direction Aoiketsu had indicated. Hikari had faltered, glancing back at the group, and as he had watched them, Miramu felt a flicker of sadness stir within his soul.
"How pathetic." He murmured ruefully. "The angst of a teenage girl torn between her duty and her love for a mere Kutou soldier. With such emotions, can she really control the power of Seiryuu? I wonder. Still, that other child…the flicker of Genbu's magic flares from her now like a beacon. When I saw her the last time, she was just an ordinary bandit – but now she's something else. If Hikari has that strength, too – maybe she'll somehow pull it off."
He shrugged, getting to his feet as he prepared to alter his own location.
"Those things don't concern me, after all." He reflected. "I have other things to do. I don't have much time, and I have to be ready for what I intend to do."
He touched his bow gently, a look of resolution glittering in his eyes.
"Two people will die in that shrine today, if I have my way." He said softly. "I'm sorry, Aoi, that I didn't tell you all the consequences or facets of my plan. If I had, would you try to stop me? Probably. Almost certainly, judging by the way you spoke to me last night. Still, assassins never do tell the whole truth when they enter into a deal. Devils must act on their own will more than anything else…so long as Myoume is safe, nothing else matters to me. Kutou, Byakko, Seiryuu …all are incidental. So long as I protect my sister…that's all that counts."
"I still don't understand why you've brought me here so early in the morning, Kikei."
Kintsusei stepped into Seiryuu's shrine, pausing to meet the dazzling azure gaze of the impressive dragon statue that loomed over them. There was a glitter of something that appeared to the troubled Emperor to be judgment in his gaze, and he faltered, biting his lip as he found himself compelled to look away.
"I cannot even meet Seiryuu's gaze." He added softly. "This is not the place which I would choose to be at present."
"We are all running short of the time to make choices, Heika." Kikei said briskly, folding his hands in the voluminous sleeves of his robe as he did so. "If it was not so, I would not have requested your presence at such short notice. But things are moving swiftly – I have had word that the girl, Sukunami Hikari and her travelling companions have entered Kutou. More, that they have somehow made swift progress towards the palace and the vault where I have secured the Shinzahou."
"Towards the…" Kintsusei's dark eyes widened and he stared at his companion in alarm. "Seiryuu no Miko is…coming here? With…people from the South?"
"So it seems." Kikei inclined his head. "Miramu seems to have seen or heard something regarding it, and he reported the information back to me. You need not look so concerned, Heika – I have taken precautionary steps to prevent any foreign agents from infiltrating such a precious place. The mage spirits are protecting the Shinzahou, and the spell will not permit anyone but the Miko to enter. I have told Miramu to kill any who try to oppose us – diplomatic negotiation is not something that we are able to enter into with a land like Kounan, after all."
"Kill…?" Kintsusei frowned. "I'm not sure that slaughter within the palace is a good idea. There could be political ramifications, and…"
"I'm sure these are not people who would think twice about harming you, my Lord. That must be my priority." Kikei said simply. "Have you forgotten that they have withheld our Miko from us – possibly even brainwashed her into believing their lies? And not only that, there are likely bandits among the party – bandits who may have the blood of a Meihi on their hands."
"Hyoushin." Kintsusei's eyes darkened, and slowly he nodded his head. "Yes. I understand your meaning. The time for discussion and caution is over…if we can persuade Seiryuu no Miko to our cause, Kutou need have nothing left to worry about."
"And then, my Lord, if you truly seek revenge on those who slew your companion…" Kikei trailed off, and Kintsusei's gaze became resolute.
"This is something I must have, for my own peace of mind." He said softly. "Hyoushin was my friend, not just my protector. Of all men, I trusted him."
"I understand your faith, and your grief – although it still troubles me that he was in the South and that he went there so directly." Kikei said evenly. "Without reporting his thoughts to you – that makes me still wonder what his true aims were."
"I do not believe that Hyoushin betrayed me." Kintsusei shook his head emphatically. "The word was one he didn't even understand, when first I took him in. No, Kikei. Your protection of me is beyond reproach – but I will not believe him capable of such deceit."
"It's amazing what men can do when circumstances become desperate." Kikei murmured. "Still, the situation remains the same. For whatever reason, he chose not to tell you his suspicions. And probably, because he travelled without such protection, it cost him his life. There are, after all, many nefarious folk in the South. We know this from our own dealings with them in the past – men who will slay as soon as look at someone from other lands. With his unusual, distinctive appearance, I'm sure he must have attracted much attention."
He spread his hands.
"Such is the tragic fate of the Meihi." He added softly. "Hyoushin is not the first of his people to be slain on account of his appearance, and likely will not be the last. I am sorry for your loss, Heika – but you must go on without him at your side. He is, after all, beyond our reach now."
"Not quite true, I'm afraid, Kikei-sama."
The voice was soft-spoken, yet distinct and familiar, and at the sound of it Kintsusei swung around in disbelief, sure that a spirit had descended from the heavens in order to make contact with them. In the doorway of the shrine stood a figure, the bright light from the hallway behind him making him appear more of a ghost than ever.
He was robed in unfamiliar village costume, the dark colours of the rough Southern-dyed fabric somehow in stark contrast to his fair complexion. Any ties which had held his thick mane of hair back from his face had clearly long since been lost, since his straight silver hair lay loose and untamed across his shoulders, and there was a glint of something in the amethyst eyes which made Kintsusei's breath catch in his throat. There was nothing of the smart, unflappable military officer in this interloper's appearance, and yet there was no doubting the man's identity, for at his waist hung the familiar, distinctive carved hilt of the blade which he himself had presented to the tribesman so many years earlier. Yet even so, Hyoushin seemed almost like a stranger stood before him, for in all the time he had known his Meihi companion, he had never seen so much emotion flicker through that often impassive violet gaze.
He swallowed hard, struck speechless by the unexpectedness of the interruption, and from his sudden tension, he could tell that Kikei had felt the same way. The Priest muttered something under his breath, and Kintsusei half wondered if it was a spell of exorcism, for at that moment he almost suspected that the apparition before him was not man at all, but an angry soul come back to wreak his revenge.
As the man strode forward, however, the illusion was broken, and the Emperor noted a faint hesitation in his movement. He frowned, his sharp eyes soon picking up the way the Meihi's arms were folded across his chest, as if the man was in pain but trying to conceal it. He bit his lip, somewhat unnerved to see his old friend moving towards him in such a way, the usually guarded, impassive gaze open and flaring with a mixture of emotions.
"Hyou…shin?" He whispered, and the man paused, meeting his gaze for a moment in silence. Then, and without a word, he pulled his sword from its scabbard, dropping it on the floor at the Emperor's feet. It did not escape Kintsusei's notice that the gesture was performed with his right arm, rather than his stronger left, and the Emperor wondered with a jolt whether Hyoushin's usual sword arm was the cause of his friend's discomfort.
"As you see, my Lord, it is not so simple as Kikei-sama thinks, to slay a Meihi."
He spoke in soft, even tones, but for the first time in eighteen years his expression betrayed the true anger that lurked beneath the man's words.
"Kintsusei-sama, I present myself to you as proof that I am not dead...and I give you my sword as proof I have not come here on any enemy-bound errand, as your Priest would have you believe. Contrary to the words of snakes, I am not a man whose loyalty can be bought. And if my Emperor seeks to put an end to my life, then I have come to him in person, for it is his deed to do, not the deed of a rogue assassin with a quiver full of poisoned barbs."
His voice shook slightly, and with a jolt Kintsusei heard the tint of a Meihi accent touch the edges of his companion's normally featureless tones.
"Hyoushin, what is the meaning of this?" He murmured, holding out his hand to his friend. "They told me you were dead...slain at Suzaku's hands. Yet...here you are..."
He faltered, and Hyoushin's eyes glittered with contempt once more as he flung his right hand in the direction of the startled, slightly discomfited Kikei.
"You should ask your Priest." He said softly. "It seems that he felt I was a threat to your Majesty's success, and so he took steps to ensure that I would be so no more. I can only imagine that he thought me some kind of a traitor - although on what treason I cannot imagine. I have been to the four corners of this world in search of Kutou's peace, my Lord. But I will not be slain at the hands of a Sairou rogue. If you seek my death, then do it, by all means. But at least honour our friendship enough to do it by your own hand. After all, my life is yours to do with as you will. I will not fight you, if you choose to slay me. And if you believe me a traitor, then you must do as you see fit. In consideration of what will follow, I feel it almost better to die swiftly at the hands of an experienced soldier than in the aftermath of what is to come."
"I don't understand." Kintsusei shook his head in confusion. "Hyoushin, why would you imagine I...or Lord Kikei, for that matter - would ever want to see you dead? You're not acting at all like yourself, and it's worrying me - what ails you? What has happened? Why do you confront me in this manner...I don't understand?"
Hyoushin's eyes narrowed, and Kintsusei was aware of the same icy flare of hatred searing up inside of him, just as it had done all those years before when he had confronted the soldier in the sacred cave.
"Lord Kikei's man, Miramu." He said softly, reaching into the folds of his cape and pulling out the remains of the blooded arrow. He glanced at it, then tossed it towards the Emperor, who caught it, staring at it in disbelief. "I was attacked and left for dead. Clearly someone felt I was in the way."
"Miramu..." Kintsusei's eyes widened, and he turned, sending Kikei a startled look. "Kikei...do you know anything about this?"
"Miramu is a rogue - a mercenary who acts for whoever pays him." Kikei shook his head. "The story that reached me told me Hyoushin had been slain in Kounan. Probably the Suzaku warriors sought to end his life, so paid a higher bid for the man's services. He has no overriding honour, Kintsusei. That he would act so towards one you trust grieves me - but you must believe that this was not of my doing."
"On the contrary, Kikei-sama, I have every confidence that it was of your doing." Hyoushin spoke coldly, and Kintsusei shivered at the ice in the man's tones. "Perhaps because I have come to learn a good many things, over the course of the past few days. Things which, if my Lord Emperor came to hear of them, might make your position more tenuous. You are, after all, the one who compelled Kintsusei-sama into this course of action. Gathering treasures, stealing relics, raising mages from their sleep. All in pursuit of Kutou's peace, or so you said. But it's not the truth, is it? It's not your final ambition. At the end of all of this, Kutou will have peace - sure enough. But at what cost, Priest? At the cost of all living souls?"
"Hyoushin, you're rambling. Your eyes are wild...you're not making any sense." Kikei said frankly. "What poison tainted that arrow I don't know, but you..."
"Shut up!"
Before Kikei could finish his sentence, a fresh voice interrupted the conversation and as all eyes turned to the door, Kintsusei stared in shock at the young soldier who stood there, sword drawn and eyes blazing with anger. Behind him, one of his fellows stood ready to pull his own weapon at a moment's notice, and something about the clouded darkness in Maichu's gaze told the Emperor that something serious had occurred since the last time he had seen his wayward men. And yet, it was Aoiketsu and not Maichu who drew most of Kintsusei's attention for, far from the well mannered, gentle young man he had seen grow at the Imperial Court, the soldier who stood before him had the look of a resolute killer about him, anger and indignation glittering in his seiran eyes as he advanced towards them.
"Shut up, Kikei! You're lying! Stop trying to compromise Hyoushin-sama's word in front of the Emperor!" He exclaimed. "Hyoushin-sama could have died - he's come here even knowing that it might kill him, to stand before Kintsusei-sama and tell him the truth. The truth you tried to prevent him from hearing! You are the only one tainted, not the Commander! You are the liar, not him!"
"Aoiketsu, you forget yourself!" Kintsusei found his tongue at last, and Aoiketsu hesitated, as if registering the fact he was within the shrine and before his Emperor. He stood for a moment, then he dropped to his knees, his grip not loosening on his weapon. As he did so, Kintsusei caught sight of the glittering ruby and pearl of the hilt and his eyes widened in disbelief.
"That sword…" He murmured, and Aoiketsu raised his head, meeting his Emperor's gaze.
"Suzaku's sword." He said frankly. "Hotohori-sama's shinken, entrusted to me by Seiryuu no Miko and Reizeitei-sama of Kounan to do what's best for this world."
"Suzaku…" Kintsusei breathed, and Kikei's beady eyes narrowed as he spied an opening.
"So it seems they are traitors after all, my Lord." He said evenly. "To come before you with a foreign weapon drawn – and to feed you lies about those who have remained by your side. You should not let them sway you – Hyoushin is clearly on the verge of madness, and as for the young fools who follow him blindly…"
"We don't follow anyone blindly." Maichu said darkly, his fingers closing around the hilt of his own weapon. "I'm sorry, Kintsusei-sama. If you want to put me to death for drawing my weapon in the shrine, then that's all right by me. I've come too far to not go any further – and that Priest…I'm not going to listen to him tell any more lies. Kayu…Kayu is dead because of him and his manipulations and I won't let that go."
"Kayu?" Genuine distress flared in Kikei's gaze for the briefest of instants, followed by anger. "What do you mean, you stupid boy? Why would I want to see that young man dead? Kayu is like my son…why would I want anyone to bring him harm?"
"You sent him to Kounan to find Suzaku's treasures." Maichu said blackly. "Because of that, he's dead. Because of you and your schemes. I promised myself I'd avenge Kayu one way or another. So I will. Even if it means my head is spiked outside next – I will."
He made to lunge forwards, but before he could do so, the final member of the group made her presence known, grasping him by the arms and pulling him back as slowly she shook her head.
"No, Maichu." She said softly. "I know how you feel, but no. We will talk first. That's why we came. No blood…not yet. There is far too much at stake, in this holy place, to start fighting."
"Who are you?" Kintsusei stared at the stranger in confusion as Maichu struggled in vain against her grip. "Why are you here, and giving orders to my men…what has happened and why have I not been made aware of it? All these things flying around – a man of Kutou with the sword of Suzaku, a strange woman and my old friend, risen from the dead as if a ghost before me…I don't understand any of these things! How is it…what is going on?"
The strange woman raised her gaze to his, and as he saw the odd glitter in her blue eyes, suddenly he realised who she was.
"Toroki?" He murmured, and the woman slowly inclined her head.
"Forgive my rudeness, Kintsusei-heika. I'm not here to offend or inconvenience you at all." She said softly, her gentle Western tones somehow soothing and hypnotic to the ruffled Emperor's senses. "But I spoke a prophesy to your men in Sairou, and I feel I should repeat it to you, here and now, so that maybe you can understand the reasons we are here…and how it is that your soldier Aoiketsu bears the sword of Kounan in his grasp."
"You can't seriously be going to listen to the babble of a foreign witch, Heika?" Kikei sent the Emperor a doubtful glance. "She's half-mad, that's for certain – just look at her, with that glint in her eye. Miramu has often said as much, and he's right – she's crazy, driven mad by the things she's seen."
"Probably." Myoume agreed, even as she released her grip on Maichu's arm and stepped forward. "Yet there is no help for men who close their ears to warnings."
"I will hear her out, Kikei." Kintsusei raised his hand to prevent the Priest's interference. "Speak, Byakko no Toroki. Why do you invade my shrine and corrupt my men in this way? Your involvement has been twisting through this for long enough – I want to know your motivation in all of this!"
"To prevent a prophesy visited on me when I was ten years old." Myoume said simply. "A prediction whereby the whole of this world would be ripped to shreds and destroyed, and each and every soul living in it would be turned to dust. From Emperor to beggar, none would be spared. This is my one and only motivation. To save the lives of all those people, even at the cost of my own."
"I see." Kintsusei frowned, gazing at the young woman as he tried to work out whether or not she was telling him the truth. "And for this reason you have come to Kutou? Is it true that, even being of Byakko's people, you have allied with Kounan and even become involved with Seiryuu no Miko?"
"Seiryuu no Miko is not with me – as you can see, all who accompany me are the soldiers Aoiketsu and Maichu, and their Commander, Tou Hyoushin." Myoume said evenly. "But for you to hear my prophesy, Heika – that is enough. As I told your men in Sairou, one of tribal birth would betray you, and turn the world to darkness. That man is your Priest, Kikei. It is not the Meihi Hyoushin, whatever you may or may not have been led to believe."
"Kikei?!" Kintsusei's eyes widened. "But…that's not…"
"It's ridiculous." Kikei snorted. "You know nothing about me, or my work for the Emperor, wench. Nor do you have any knowledge of my heritage, either. You are grasping at straws, when it's quite clear that Hyoushin is the one your prophesy speaks of."
"I thought so myself, to begin with." Myoume admitted. "But I was mistaken in my judgement. I did not know that Kintsusei-sama was supported by a Hin priest. Once I knew that, then it became far more clear."
"How could you know that?" Kintsusei demanded, and Myoume shrugged.
"I am Toroki." She replied evenly. "That is all."
"And you expect us to believe this?" Kikei raised an eyebrow. "That a man who fled into Southern clutches is actually here to save the Emperor, not to harm him?"
"Hyoushin-sama is a Meihi!" Aoiketsu snapped. "They have honour, Kikei – something which obviously the Hin do not!"
"What would you know about the Hin, you pathetic boy." Kikei's expression darkened. "They are gone – slain – and at the hands of people such as your family and those before them. You have no right to speak about honour, when you bear the blood of the Kaiga family!"
A flash of fire entered Aoiketsu's seiran gaze at this, and despite himself, even the Emperor was taken aback to see it.
"Shougun..." He whispered, as for a fleeting moment he saw the spirit of his long dead Commander rise up within the young boy's eyes. For the first time since Aoiketsu's birth, he saw a true resemblance between the fearsome, golden-headed Hin Seishi and his dark-haired, half-Eastern son.
"Do not insult me." Aoiketsu's voice shook, as he fought to keep his grip on his rising temper. "I am no such thing. Kaiga Aoiketsu does not exist. I have done no harm to anyone of tribal blood and I have every right to speak of the Hin in whatever way I choose to. After all, I am a man of tribal blood. Just as you are - I am Hin."
"What kind of nonsense are you speaking now?" Kikei demanded, and Aoiketsu's eyes narrowed, flickers of blue fire dancing between slitted lids and the Emperor bit his lip, remembering the way Nakago had glared at his enemies from atop his horse, in the moments before giving the order to slay the Kaiga family.
"No mercy." He realised. "Just the will for revenge. Aoiketsu – is this the legacy your father bequeathed you after all?"
"Aoiketsu, calm yourself. I have already told you I will not tolerate that reaction – here or anywhere else."
Hyoushin did not raise his voice, but something in his tone seemed to penetrate the young soldier's rising fury, and he stepped back, seemingly remembering where he was and who he stood before. He cast his Emperor a troubled glance, then turned his attention back to the disbelieving Priest.
"I am Gi Aoiketsu." He said quietly, sounding much more like his usual self, and though the seiran eyes still flickered with indignation, Kintsusei realised that the boy had regained his self-control. "Gi Ayuru was my father. If you do not believe me, I'm sure the Emperor will bear me out. Nakago sired me, Kikei. I have Hin blood, just like you. But unlike you, I choose to fight for my Emperor and my country. The Shougun sought to bring new life and peace to Kutou - he was one of Seiryuu's chosen and he sought to change this land! I'm not him, and I don't have his power. But I will do something to help continue what he started. And if that means killing you - then that's what I will do."
"Gi..." Despite himself, Kikei paled, and slowly Kintsusei nodded.
"The boy is right, Kikei." He agreed quietly. "He is Nakago's son. Kaiga Gin did not sire him. Gi Ayuru did. It was Aoiketsu's diluted blood that broke through Suiko's shrine seals...he is truly the son of Seiryuu's chosen Shougun. And if you look at him, you can see it in his face."
He frowned.
"I still don't fully understand what this meeting is about." He admitted. "Why you have come here…and Miramu, why Miramu has not…"
"Miramu has not, and will not." Aoiketsu said evenly, fumbling in the folds of his clothing for something and drawing it out. As he did so, Myoume let out a gasp, disbelief flooding her seiran gaze.
"Miramu's dagger!" She whispered. "Aoi-kun – why do you…have that?"
"Miramu won't be rescuing anybody, or interfering in our progress." Aoiketsu did not meet the prophet's eye, as he tossed the distinctive, carved dagger down to join Hyoushin's own discarded blade. "This is my proof of that fact. Miramu is dead. Kayu is dead. Your path ends here, Kikei. With us."
"Miramu is…?" Colour drained from Myoume's face at this, and she cast the young soldier a horrified look. "Aoi-kun, what do you…how can you…what do you mean? That isn't possible…Miramu isn't…"
"As I said." Aoiketsu said flatly. "Miramu is dead. Would I have been able to take his weapon so easily, if that wasn't the case? He hurt my Commander and I couldn't forgive that. He killed Hikari's friend and I can't forgive that, either. He deserved to be stopped, Myoume…for everyone's sake. He's no longer an obstacle in our path…or a shield for you, Kikei. So I suggest you start telling the Emperor the truth about your plans and your actions, before we come and slit your throat, too. I'm not afraid of blood – not this time. Whatever hesitations I might have had then, I seem to have got over them and moved on. Maichu, Hyoushin-sama and I came here with one goal and one goal only – to eradicate the threat behind our Emperor's throne. And, quite clearly, Kikei – that threat is you."
"No kidding." Maichu muttered. "I don't want to be tricked into spilling any more blood but his blood…he's messed with things once too often and I won't forgive that, either."
"Kikei?" A flicker of concern flared through Kintsusei's senses, and he turned to face his Priest, his unease growing as he took in the expression on the older man's face. The Hin's lips had thinned, his dark, penetrating eyes as hard as glass beads as he stared from the gathered intruders to the Emperor he had crowned almost twenty years before. For a moment nothing moved. Then, at length, the man sighed, bringing his hands together beneath the heavy folds of his robe once more.
"This is inconvenient." He said lightly. "To think that a warrior of Miramu's calibre could be defeated by a boy like you, Aoiketsu. Kayu always said you were skilled – well, do I have you to blame for that, too? Do you bear the blood of your friend on your blade, when you come here claiming to act in your Emperor's name?"
"No. That was me." Maichu said frankly, and Kikei's eyes widened as he stared at Maichu in disbelief.
"You?" He demanded. "You killed Kayu?"
"Yes." Maichu said evenly, though Kintsusei thought he detected a slight waver in the young man's voice. "He tried to kill my Commander. I'm trained to defend my allies – even against my friends. Kintsusei-heika doesn't believe Hyoushin-sama is a traitor, nor did he discharge him of his duties. I believe that – I believed it when I left Hokkan and I believe it now. But Kayu wouldn't listen. He attacked an unarmed man, and that's a coward's deed. To attack the Emperor's ally is also treason, and I've been trained to fight traitors, no matter what the risk. So I fought him. And I won. Because in the end, I was stronger than he was."
"Hyoushin, this is true?" Kintsusei turned horrified dark eyes on his Meihi companion, who slowly nodded his head.
"Hei Kayu was a puppet." He said quietly. "Sent into foreign lands on the whim of an evil manipulator. He was not a traitor to his Emperor. He was a fool – but in the end, he left Maichu with no choice. It was a quick, decisive battle. And Kayu was killed."
A cold feeling began to curl up within Kintsusei's heart as he glanced from the Priest to the Commander, indecision and panic fighting for control of his heart as he tried to gauge the rising levels of tension that were beginning to stifle the atmosphere within the shrine.
"Kikei has supported me since he first came to ask me to take the throne." He said slowly. "Hyoushin has supported me as my defender since that day, also. How should I doubt either of these men, whose actions have ensured that I am still Emperor after so many years of civil strife?"
"Kutou's civil strife is suspiciously close to the areas where war protégés of Kikei's are currently established." Hyoushin said coldly. "Kayu was simply the culmination – he was not the first puppet. Forgive me, my Lord, but if this continues, you will only serve to be his next one."
Kintsusei's eyes widened at this unusually direct criticism, and Hyoushin bowed his head slightly as if in apology.
"I have come too far to speak in any way other than the exact truth." He said frankly. "We do not have the time for anything else."
"Time, you say." Kikei's eyes narrowed, and he nodded. "Very well. If it is time that concerns you, Tou Hyoushin, I'll give you plenty of it – time in a different world to this one, where you are no longer a thorn in my side!"
Before Kintsusei or any of the gathered intruders could react, he had thrust his palms together, muttering something under his breath as his fingers became encased in a soft, blueish haze. He pursed his lips, eying Hyoushin as if he were no more than a rat scurrying across the floor of the shrine. Then he pushed his hands forward, sending a flare of eerie, bitter flame across the chamber towards where the Meihi stood.
Although in comparison to the Seishi magic that Chichiri and Myoume both wielded Kikei's sorcery was weak, the force of his hatred clattered against the pale-skinned man's battered, fever-ridden body, knocking him flying as it made contact with his skin. He tumbled to the ground, his head striking the hard stone floor as he fell, and as the haze of strange light faded and died, the Meihi lay crumpled on the floor like a broken china doll.
"Commander!" Aoiketsu darted forwards, dropping down at Hyoushin's side as he tried to rouse the fallen man in vain. "Hyoushin-sama! Dammit, Kikei, you're going to pay for that!"
"Stand back, boy, or you will be next." Kikei said darkly. "I have heard enough. I will not listen to any more. I've worked far too hard for far too long to let anyone interfere. Stand back or I will kill you next. You may be Nakago's son, but you are not him and you have nothing with which you can fight my sorcery."
"Kikei!" Disbelief flooded Kintsusei's expression, followed by horror as he realised the truth of the situation. "You…you mean you…have been plotting against me? All of this time…"
"Not exactly, Heika." Kikei shook his head, even as his fingers glittered blue for a second time. "You've not been in my line of fire. As I've told you many times, you are the only claimant to this throne. To lose you would be to incur anarchy of a level even I don't seek. But to maintain some control on Kutou, I've been forced to go through this petty procedure of maintaining the civil unrest. At least, until it reached such a level that Seiryuu no Miko would be drawn here. With her power – with the power of the Shinzahou – at last I won't be shackled any longer. This powerless position has trapped me for far too long, and I am tired of it. I don't intend to die a weak shrine Priest, with no political power or influence in this world. I will be more than that."
He offered the Emperor a cold smile.
"Your choice is simple, Kintsusei-sama." He added. "I have use for you – I have no desire to kill you. So long as you are compliant, I will not kill you. It all depends on you – and on how much you value this existence you call a life."
"Kikei!" Maichu exclaimed, anger flaring in his dark eyes. "I told you, I'll slit your throat first! You're not going to hurt the Emperor – dammit, you're not going to leave this chamber alive!"
"I'm not afraid of you." Kikei said scornfully. "By your own confession you betrayed a friend and stained your hands with his blood. Kayu was not my puppet, Shi Maichu. He was my adoptive son. And I will be the one to avenge him – by sending you to face Seiryuu's justice."
The haze of blue around his hands brightened, and Myoume let out an exclamation, reaching across to pull Maichu back.
"Look out!" She exclaimed, and Maichu started, staring at her in bemusement.
"I can see his stupid magic – I'm not going to let him hit me." He objected, but Myoume shook her head.
"No. Not that. Not that." She murmured. "Something…else."
"Something else?" Aoiketsu cast her a startled look, then his eyes opened wide with realisation. "Something…"
"You lied, and despite my senses I almost believed it." Myoume said reproachfully. "Aoi-kun, it was a low blow…what are you trying to achieve?"
Before Aoiketsu could respond, however, there was a whoosh of air and something shot through the middle of the chamber, piercing the stone mere inches from the place that Maichu had previously been standing. As the soldier let out an exclamation, Kintsusei's eyes widened with disbelief as he realised what it was.
"An arrow." He whispered. "But…surely…"
"I guess you're seeing a lot of dead people today, Heika." A voice from the rafters cut across him, and Kintsusei glanced up, seeing a black-clad figure perched against the beams, his bow slung carelessly over his arm as he toyed with a second arrow. "My apologies – I imagine it must be quite a shock."
"Miramu!" Kikei exclaimed, and the assassin slowly inclined his head in an amused, lazy nod.
"That's me." He agreed. "At your service, as ever."
He glanced at Aoiketsu, and a faint smile touched his lips.
"I guess it's now about to become interesting." He said softly, twitching the arrow against the fibre of his bow string. "Now I'm here, the party can really get started."