Chōjūrō flexed his hand around the hilt of his sword casually. He had been awake for hours now and the sun hadn't even risen. The constant howling surrounding the village was beginning to grate on his nerves. Then, there was that Koga's eyes. A slow chill crept up his spine, and it was cold. Almost unnaturally so. He could see his breath fog the air.
Chōjūrō shivered intentionally, trying to shake his thoughts, worry and the evening chill from his body. But every time he closed his eyes he saw those piecing yellow orbs of Koga. They weren't the eyes of a human, they couldn't be. That piercing color was unlike anything he had ever seen. Well, almost anything. Chōjūrō's attention was brought back to the howling wolves. Those eyes would have made more sense on one of them.
The swordsmen let out a small chuckle. If only to break the constant howling, but it went on unimpeded. Frowning Chōjūrō found himself wishing he had brought something to pass the time. Not that it would have mattered. He was sitting on pins and needles by his door listening for any possible disturbance in his Mizukage's room. Straining his hearing to hear above the seemingly deafening howling of the wolves.
A scroll slipped off the edge of his bed landing with a raucous clatter on the barren wooden floor. Chōjūrō shot to his feet in fright and for the moment the howling seemed much quieter in comparison to the intrusion. Chōjūrō shook his head and replaced the scroll on his bed. He drew in a deep breath, then let it out.
This time he did find a measure of calm as the howling slowly began to die out. It was also getting marginally warmer. Chōjūrō took in his room again and cursed at the lack of a window or any other feature besides the double bed dominating the room. Still, he guessed it was dawn. The wolves would go back to sleep he hoped. Chōjūrō pressed his back against the wall and slid down it slowly trying to find some relaxation.
He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there. His thoughts inevitably strayed back to the Fourth Shinobi War. His last triumphs. He wished he could be as confident as he had been then. He felt so heavy now. As if his limbs were made of the densest lead. His door sliding open drew his attention. He could hear snarling just on the other side. Chōjūrō struggled to get to his feet, but his limbs didn't respond.
A dark elongated face poked through the door way. The snarling shadow of a wolf crept into the room. Those yellow eyes locked onto Chōjūrō who was shivering in fright. The wolf slavered and growled as he crept up to the sitting swordsman. Finally, Chōjūrō's limbs responded, he formed a seal.
"Release!" Chōjūrō yelled attempting to dispel the genjutsu. But it didn't dispel. The wolf growled at the shinobi's intrusive volume. It leapt at him teeth seeking his throat. Chōjūrō cursed his body for not reacting in time as he felt teeth wrap around his neck. The sound of the Mizukage's door clicked shut and suddenly the room seemed empty. His door shut.
Chōjūrō jumped to his feet shaking his head. It was a nightmare, not a genjutsu. The swordsman shook his head and steeled his nerves the best he could throwing open his door. Standing just outside his door with her hand up to knock was the Mizukage, who had apparently just left her room. She seemed surprised by Chōjūrō's sudden emergence but after studying the man, he could see her lips quirk like they did when she was amused.
"Did you get any sleep Chōjūrō?" The Mizukage teased, her eyes seeming to glance at the bags under his eyes. Chōjūrō felt his cheeks grow hotter under her gaze. He looked at the ground to avoid any more embarrassment.
The Mizukage giggled and shook her head. "That howling kept you up. I knew it would. You need more confidence." It wasn't the first time he had heard that. "Well, let's find our host. No matter what I ask of you, I need you to just do it without question. I have a plan." Chōjūrō frowned a little at the request, but nodded. There probably wasn't enough time to fill him in, but he considered asking for more details as they entered the front room.
Their host Koga was nowhere to be found. The rocking chair was cold and empty, but there was a small sign of his presence. Water boiled in the lit fire place. The mystery didn't last long as the front door to the small home suddenly opened letting in the chill and light from the outside. Chōjūrō shivered slightly as the wind pierced to his bone. Or was it catching a glimpse of those glowing yellow eyes that Koga sported?
Whatever his inner turmoil, Chōjūrō did his best to seem at ease, though he was sure he only partly succeeded. Koga's eyes seem to study him and the Mizukage constantly, almost like he was constantly analyzing them for a weakness.
"Good morning Mizukage-sama, Chōjūrō-sama," The wolf-eyed man said with an overly polite bow. "I hope you haven't been waiting long." The man held a large wicker basket up. The contents were obscured by a clean white cloth. "I had our best chef prepare a meal to break our fast. Don't get your hopes up too much though." Koga chuckled making his way past them to the low table setting the basket down.
"She may be our best chef, but in a small village like this, that isn't exactly a ringing endorsement," Koga began to unpack the basket the contents of which were several clay bowls all individually covered with white cloths. He removed the cloth on the bowls and placed them on the table. Four on the side with two cushions and one on his own side of the table. Setting the empty basket aside he gestured for the two to sit.
"Please, share breakfast with me and tell me of your journey," The man smiled, but Chōjūrō noted that the smile never reached his eyes, not once. The Mizukage did not seem disturbed in the slightest, folding her legs beneath herself and sitting on one of the cushions around the low table. Chōjūrō followed suit, his stomach growling at the scents filling his nose.
The Mizukage chuckled, "Thank you so much for the meal. I am sure it will taste fantastic compared to our road rations." Chōjūrō, didn't doubt that considering the bowl. It looked like natto and a fried egg on rice, and in the other bowl was miso soup. Koga seemed to smile waiting for them to dig in. Chōjūrō noted that their host had the odd number of bowls. Only one, to their two, and the contents seemed different. That brought a small frown to his lips but instead he glanced to his Mizukage. She nodded.
Breaking his chopsticks Chōjūrō called, "Itadakimasu." Then he proceeded to dig into the meal, quickly followed by his kage. Their host also began eating, but what Chōjūrō saw him eat almost made him lose his appetite. Koga plucked a piece of red, bleeding meat from his bowl. It was practically raw, though that didn't stop the man from popping it into his mouth. The razor-sharp teeth within were not lost on Chōjūrō either. The swordsman ran his tongue along his own shark-like teeth in response, taking solace that he had a little monster in him too.
The meal was eaten in silence. Koga seemed unwilling to offer any details and the Mizukage seemed fine letting him stew as to their presence. The food itself was okay. Nothing special, but better than road rations as Mei had put it. Their host seemed to match their pace, and it wasn't too long before they had all finished, near the same time.
When it became apparent everyone had finished, Koga cleared the table, replacing the bowls into the wicker basket and setting it aside. The village leader placed three teacups onto the table. Two in front of his guests and one at his own side. Then he removed the boiling water from the fireplace and began to fill each cup. Once filled he replaced the kettle and took a box from the hearth.
When Koga placed the box on the table and opened it the swordsman was unable to hide his surprise. Inside was a chakin, a tea caddy, a tea scoop, and a tea whisk. All of them were of extremely intricate design. It was then that Chōjūrō noticed the bowls themselves were quite deep as was appropriate to the climate to keep the team warm. On the bowl was etched many howling wolves. The entire set matched and seemed to be entirely hand made. Even the small chakin sported a crescent moon.
The pair waited patiently while the host served them all tea, and when finally finished he sat across from them and offered that disarming smile of his. The mist-nin was under the impression that this man was far more informed than a small village would suggest. Koga seemed about to say something, but Chōjūrō was jarred when Mei was the one to break the silence.
"Thank you for your charming hospitality. I think it appropriate that I reward you with the reason of our visit. We are passing through on our way from Konoha taking in some of the local sights," The Mizukage began in a half-lie. Koga seemed to pick up on it immediately his eyes scanning her.
"But Milady, we are quite out of the way," Koga replied, "There is nothing to pass through us to. Perhaps you are searching for something around here then?" Chōjūrō was surprised at the man's sudden abruptness. Not to mention his cunning. His kage seemed to take it in stride though offering a smile.
"You are forward," Mei purred, "I like that in a man." Chōjūrō wasn't sure, but thought he could see the host's cheeks tint red beneath his hood. "Very well, I won't insult your intelligence. I came here looking for Kensai." Koga immediately stiffened at the name. It was subtle, but still obvious enough for most to have witnessed it.
"Kensai is no longer here," Koga replied, "I fear your trip has been wasted."
"Then where is he," Mei questioned not losing any momentum.
"He left us a long time ago," The man fire back. Chōjūrō got the impression that there was much more intellectual maneuvering going on between the two that he was missing.
"Oh? But where did he go?" She asked innocently drinking from her tea. The wolf-eyed man seemed to follow suit taking a drink as well before answering.
"I do not know, he left quite some time ago," Koga replied, seeming a little rigid and defensive. Chōjūrō did pick up on this and flexed his hand as the air suddenly grew thick with tension. He felt like he was the only one picking up on all that tension though as the two-conversing had an air of ease thickly masking their rigid posture.
"I sincerely doubt that, if he left he would have taken his swords that you carry with him," Mei countered having sprung her first trap. Chōjūrō glanced at Koga who simply smiled. The mist-nin picked up on Mei's slight frown at a lack of response to her trap.
"As I said, he left us a long time ago. In fact, he left this world. To heaven or hell, I do not know which," Koga replied escaping her trap. Mei seemed to chew the inside of her lip. Then her resolve seemed to firm and become even a little devious and aggressive. Chōjūrō shivered as he always did when she was like that.
"Then I seek the Ookami clan," Mei smiled, "Can you point me in their direction."
"I am afraid the clan died with Kensai," Koga answered.
"But you wear their crest," Mei countered lightning fast.
"It has become an heirloom of our small village as are these swords," Koga replied shooting down her argument, "All elected village leaders wear it."
"You are being dishonest," Mei announced standing quickly. This action was mirror by everyone in the room and the tension was palpable. Chōjūrō suddenly found it hard to breath as he tensed preparing to reach for his sword.
"I have not told you a lie," Koga pleaded.
"I never said that, but you aren't telling me the whole truth," Mei clarified gritting her teeth and offering a sneer. "Prove to me the Ookami is dead. Remove. Your. Hood." She emphasized every word and Chōjūrō wondered if she knew something else. The man seemed to visibly wince for the first time since he had met Koga.
"I cannot do that as I am quite shy," Koga answered, but the argument fell flat even to Chōjūrō.
"Now you are lying," The Mizukage giggled, "Chōjūrō execute this man for his was crimes during the Fourth Shinobi War." Chōjūrō was shocked. He hadn't heard of this, but thinking back to that morning he steeled himself quickly. Trusting in his Mizukage he quickly reached up and grabbed the hilt of his sword. Suddenly a short rasp filled the air and Chōjūrō froze, handle of his sword in hand and began to tremble.
The mist-nin could feel the pain in his cheek, but it wasn't possible. He rapidly blinked his eyes several times. A split second before Koga had been standing in front of him with the tea cup in his left hand, and his right hand empty hanging by his side. Now he stood almost identically to just a moment before, but in his right hand was the katana, pointed to the floor with a single drop of blood dangling off its tip. Koga was visibly frowning.
Chōjūrō reached up with his free hand feeling and rubbed at the pain on his left cheek. His fingertips came away covered in blood. The cut was shallow, but irrefutable proof. Koga had sliced his cheek and Chōjūrō hadn't even followed the movement.
"I would advise against drawing your blade against me Swordsman," Koga warned, "If you draw that blade in my home I will kill you." Chōjūrō felt the air stifling him. He was unable to breath, his confidence chafing. But his kage had commanded him. He visibly calmed his nerves and forced confidence to the forefront. He was about to draw his blade when Mei help up her hand.
"That is enough Chōjūrō, I have made my point," Mei smiled, "So fast for a simple villager. Why don't you remove that hood? I know what it hides Ookami." Chōjūrō slowly removed his hand from his sword letting out a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure he could match their host's speed. Koga sighed, seeming to deflate slightly as if in defeat.
"You have me in a box," Koga's smile returned though it was strained. With a flick of his wrist, the droplet of blood threatening to drip of his sword was shaken off, splattering to the floor, leaving a clean blade behind. The wolf-eyed man returned the blade to his sheath, allowing everyone to relax. Then he removed his hood. Mei didn't seem surprised at what was underneath, but Chōjūrō couldn't stifle his gasp of surprise.
Underneath the hood was the long silver hair of a mid-aged man. Chōjūrō noted that it was perfectly straight, with not a strand out of place and long, reaching well past the man's shoulders. As Koga pulled the hair from the cloak and let it lay, Chōjūrō focused on the stranger's ears. They weren't on the side of his head, nor were they human. Distinctly wolf-like ears sprouted instead from the top of his head. Chōjūrō wondered if they were fake, but they seemed to twitch slightly in response to auditory stimuli.
"It would be my pleasure if we could start again," Their host began, "I am Ookami Koga, last remaining member of the Ookami Clan and son of Nori, the man you know as Kensai. It would please me if we could continue our tea before it grows cold. Then we can discuss frankly, what it is I can do for you." Koga offered another smile gesturing the cushions. This time the smile seemed to reach his eyes.
Mei sat down, Chōjūrō followed suit and their host was last. They all drank from their tea for a few moments, before Mei spoke again. Chōjūrō continued to study the man and couldn't help but find his eyes drawn to the four deep scars on Koga's left cheek. The ran parallel and seemed to have been from the claws of an animal.
"You said your clan was dead, but I didn't detect a lie. Why?" Mei asked with interest.
"I didn't lie. I do not believe a clan can consist of a single individual."
"I know many who would disagree…"
"I know many who would agree." Koga countered studying the kage with his golden-yellow eyes.
"You are a treasure," Mei giggled giddily, "And so cute too." Koga seemed completely thrown off guard. His cheeks tinted red and he seemed to stammer for a second unable to form a sentence.
"I will be blunt," Mei continued producing that scroll she had showed Chōjūrō the previous day, "I am not interested in the disappearances surrounding this region and you haven't been judged guilty of any war crimes. This land is not beholden to the laws of either Fire Country or Water Country and does not fall overtly under the jurisdiction of either nation or their respective villages, but of course you know that. Kensai settled here for that reason."
Koga seemed to listen patiently willing to hear the woman out.
"That means I am here for another reason, and that reason is simple. I have a contract detailing an agreement between the Ookami and the Mizukage. It states that the Ookami clan is obligated to answer any call made by the Mizukage, should they seek an advisor. I hoped to use this contract to appeal to Kensai's honor and have him return to Kirigakure once again as Lord Commander of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. I want to rebuild that order given the calamity once again befalling the lands." Mei laid all her cards onto the table.
Koga seemed to easily adapt to the information and even read the scroll Mei offered him. He paid attention to the seal, likely scanning for any evidence of forgery, but seemingly satisfied he handed it back and began to think.
"So, your trip was wasted then," Koga offered with a shrug, "Kensai is dead."
"How did he die?" Mei asked sipping from her tea. Koga seemed to consider the answer to that question for a while. Chōjūrō was beginning to wonder why when their host voiced his concern.
"I don't suppose you would believe me if I said he died during the Fourth Shinobi War defending this village," Koga offered half-heartedly, but wasn't surprised when Mei shook her head.
"No, you are clearly a skilled shinobi and would have certainly assisted him in defending the village. But our intelligence suggests only a single shinobi was ever witnessed around the village during that war. That means he died before assuming you were the shinobi defending this village," Mei once again confirmed Koga's suspicions laying out her intelligence.
"I killed him," Koga answered, "He was a despicable man who lived past his prime and I killed him just over ten years ago." Chōjūrō found it hard to believe that Koga could defeat such a mythical figure. As he considered the information more though it made sense. If Koga was in his early thirties now, then he would have likely been a disciple of Kensai for the better part of fifteen years. Then at the age of around what Chōjūrō guessed was twenty, the fight must have taken place. The would make Koga in the prime of his life, whereas Kensai would have been pushing sixty, far past his prime.
"Then I believe you are a suitable replacement," Mei announced driving to the heart of the reason of her visit to the humble village. Koga seemed to consider for several moments. Chōjūrō glanced at Mei and noticed she seemed a little nervous. It was a gamble he realized. This Koga might not feel committed to honor any sort of agreement his clan made. But it didn't feel right to Chōjūrō. This man did seem honorable. Even with his dishonesty, he never told an outright lie. There was honor there, but was it enough?
The Mizukage suddenly grabbed the contract from the table and threw it into the fireplace shocking all those present.
"I am sorry Koga, perhaps I should start again," Mei explained. She had refined her strategy and that fire Chōjūrō knew her for was burning in her eyes. The fires that meant she saw victory close at hand. "The Fourth Shinobi War and the following two years have been a time of forgiveness. Koga, I desperately need skilled help. I want you to return to Kirigakure of your own free will, not bound by the agreements of your ancestors. More than that I want to offer you the tools to redeem yourself and your clan."
Chōjūrō could tell she was fishing, but she certainly caught something as Koga's eyes lit up at the mention of redemption for himself. The small tell was not lost on Mei who drove in the advantage. "I believe the world can once again know the honor of the Ookami clan. If you would accompany us back to Kirigakure and merely listen to what I must say I am willing to return the untouched Ookami estate back to you. I am also willing to pay back in full the sum that was confiscated from the Ookami clan following the attempted coup. Additionally, I will issue a full pardon for your clan. At that time, you may enter our ranks of shinobi as a jonin, befitting the rank of a clan head, or you can live in your estate in peace. Hell, you could sell it all and come back here, I just want you to come back to Kirigakure for one week and hear me out."
Koga seemed to struggle to process the volley of information. There was conflict in his eyes, but Chōjūrō could tell it was a losing battle for Koga, and a winning battle for the Mizukage. She had always been adept at finding the right thread to pull. It was how she had brought about such radical change to the Bloody Mist.
For a while silence settled on the trio. They drank their cooling tea in silence. Only when they had all reached the bottoms of their cups did Koga finally speak.
"I don't know if I am qualified for the position you have offered as Lord Commander of the Seven Swordsmen. So, I must respectfully decline that position for the moment," Koga explained causing the Mizukage to frown slightly, "However, I am willing to take you up on your other offers. I will accompany you back to Kirigakure, not for the treasures you offer, but because of your goodwill in terminating such a binding contract."
"Then it is settled," The Mizukage exclaimed standing up, "I know you have at least some packing to do and matters to settle so I will leave you to it. If you could get a female villager, or perhaps a ruggedly handsome young man to show me to where you bathe I would be delighted." Koga's cheeks tinted red at the less than subtle hints before clearing his throat and opening the door of his home. Chōjūrō could see about ten people eagerly waiting outside.
"What are you all doing you nosy cretins?" Koga reprimanded causing the crowd to chuckle a little. Shaking his head, he called to a woman to escort the kage to a bathing area. Chōjūrō departed with them briefly accompanying the women, but remaining distantly apart from Mei as she bathed, despite her offers for him to join her for a back rub. That woman never ceased to amaze Chōjūrō.