Eighty-one years ago, Touke had learned a terrible truth.

It was an ordinary spring afternoon. It was still cool above Unkai, though cooler below, as it was early in spring. Yet the flowers were starting to bloom. She doubted how much blooming was going on in the world below. The kingdom was still a mess. She tried not to be too discouraged. She had only been on the throne for two years, and everyone around her said they were doing well so early in her reign. She was sure that was because she had left filling most of the posts to her Chousai and her Saiho—they had a greater intuition for who would be good at what than did she. She still didn't entirely understand the government after two years. She was even still having trouble reading the requisite documents. Sometimes she still had to have Aku read them aloud.

She was sitting in the Naiden. This was where she held court in the afternoon. Individual members of the Rikkan, and occasionally other officials, would come here to bring individual issues to her attention. This was supposedly the furthest anyone else, besides the Sankou and Saiho and select bodyguards, were allowed to come into the Inner Palace, just as the Gaiden, where she held court in the morning, was the furthest she was supposed to go into the Outer. She bent these rules all the time, but that wasn't the point. So it was here she was receiving her Chousai.

The Naiden was a pointlessly ornate place. The arching, gold and ruby covered ceiling stretched far over her head. The stone pillars were ornately carved with religious icons, including Seioubo—or maybe that was Hekika Genkun?—surrounded by her twelve Kirin and many nyosen. Apparently, Aku particularly liked that one. Curtains of red and blue silk hung off the walls. The throne here was a little less ornate than the one in the Gaiden, but it was still over the top. She was slowly growing accustomed to the opulence of her new home, but she knew it would take ages to adapt fully.

As she was trying to pick her way through a report Shoushito from the Ministry of Earth had handed over to her, the Chousai entered. Kokumei walked smoothly into the Naiden wearing ministerial robes reflecting a significantly lesser status than she held—much simpler with fewer layers and shorter sleeves, more fitting to a minor functionary yet important enough to live in Soufuu. She approached Touke, and when she grew near enough, dropped to her knees, shuffled the rest of the respectful distance, then put her hands and forehead to the ground. "Your Highness."

It still felt weird seeing people do that. "Stand up, Kokumei."

The use of the Chousai's azana signaled that this was to be an informal meeting. Kokumei smoothly popped up to her feet with the grace of a predator, clasping her hands behind her back. "What's the problem?"

"Problem?"

"Your summons sounded rather urgent."

She guessed they might have been. The news had put her into something of a panic, and she had shouted to have the Chousai brought to her. With a long breath, she said, "I heard a rumor."

"What kind of rumor?"

"That you killed King Kommu and the Saiho."

An expression Touke couldn't quite interpret crossed her face, but if she had to guess, it was a little angry. "I did not kill the Saiho. In fact, I tracked down the group of soldiers who did, and tore them apart with teeth and claws. Filled my belly while I was at it too."

The idea of Kokumei eating human flesh was a little disturbing, but didn't entirely surprise her. "But you did kill the King."

"Chopped off his head with my favorite sword, yes. And got a certain satisfaction from it, I might add." She didn't appear at all regretful.

"Why?"

Kokumei sighed. "You're aware that, at the time, the former Taiho was in Shitsudou."

"I am," Touke said, a little slowly. She wasn't sure what the point was yet.

"You know it would take six to twelve months for the Taiho to die. And six to twelve months for the King to follow him."

"Yes, I do."

"In that time, the King could have committed any number of atrocities, a downswing he was already taking. I saw no crime in expediting matters."

The question Touke really wanted answered hung on her lips. After a few seconds she decided to ask it. "If I Fall, will you kill me too?"

Without hesitation, Kokumei said, "Depends on how you react to the Shitsudou. If you attempt to mend your ways, I will stand back and watch. If you only grow worse, I will commit regicide a second time. And I won't hesitate an instant, no matter the respect we may share."

Touke let out a long sigh. "So how can I trust you?"

For a long moment, Kokumei said nothing. Then she said, "If you put great weight on my more distant past, I suppose you can't. But if you remember it was I who put you on the throne—physically speaking only, of course, as I'm no Kirin—then you can. As long as you don't betray your people and your kingdom, I will not betray you. It's really that simple."

Touke considered that. And considered it. Finally she said, "Alright. I'll let you stay on as Chousai."

With a deep bow, Kokumei said, "I thank you, Your Highness. Is there anything else? I was in a meeting with the Daishikuu and Daisouhaku when you called me."

Touke was pretty sure those were the heads of the Ministries of Winter and Spring, but she could be wrong. After two years, she still wasn't entirely sure what the Ministry of Spring did. "Alright, you may go."

Kokumei deeply bowed again, and was gone.

After eighty-one years, Touke still wasn't sure how to feel about this. It was a weird thought, that the person who had guaranteed her spot on the throne was the very person who had murdered the last person to sit on it. Though Kokumei couldn't be considered an usurper, as she had not taken the throne for herself, returning home and leaving the throne to the Provisional Court. After learning this, Touke had investigated a little, and discovered part of the reason so many considered General Sei Mei a hero was this very act. It was a weird thought, to know that, should she Fall, Kokumei would put her under the sword without hesitation. It was strange to know who would be her murderer in head of time.

Yet, she did not hold it against Kokumei. She completely understood. Had she been in Kokumei's position, known what she'd known and had had the resources she'd had, she probably would have done the same thing. And she didn't fear her. Sure, Kokumei could slaughter her in a duel anytime she wanted, but she knew that would only come when it was time for her to die anyway. And Kokumei would do it for the Kingdom. She couldn't fear or hate.

But it still felt weird.

A Minister walked through the door. After examining the strong-bodied, red-haired man for a quick moment, she recognized him as the Daishiba, Sei Chou, previously General of the Forbidden Army of the Left, one of the men who had rebelled against the former Chousai. He had presented her with the sword she was even know holding. He did exactly as Kokumei had done those years ago, and as everyone always did—walking forward, dropping to his knees, shuffling the last short distance, then putting his forehead to the ground. "Your Highness."

"Daishiba. You may sit up." Sei Chou did, calmly meeting her eyes. "Do you have an update for me?"

"Nothing new, I'm afraid."

"So we don't know who's sending the spies?"

"I have a list of suspects, but nothing concrete."

Touke let out a short sigh. She had hoped there would be some development. She was starting to get very nervous. "Who's on your list?"

"Mostly minor governors throughout the kingdom, those who have the most to gain, and the resources to get it done. Lord Governor of the District of Kei, Lord Governor of the Prefecture of Mukai, Lord Governor of the Prefecture of Ouhan—"

"Ouhan?" repeated Touke. "Wasn't that the first city we took in the war?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I believe it was."

"What was the Governor's name?"

"Governor Fun, I believe."

"Hmm." Touke didn't remember him very well. He had seemed nice enough. "Do we know what they're after yet?"

"We are not sure."

"They could be going for me or the Saiho."

The Daishiba tilted his head a little. "They would be fools to. You can both defend yourselves. You with your blade, the Taiho with her shirei."

"Yes, but they can always get lucky. I want the guard around Jinjuu Manor doubled, and—" She heard the rapid patter of light footsteps and heavy breathing. In mid sentence, she broke off, and looked toward the door.

Running at full speed into the Naiden was none other but the Saiho herself. She didn't seem to be wearing any clothes, so Touke very consciously looked at anything but her exposed body, keeping her eyes on her eyes. "Touke!" she shouted as she ran in. Then she glanced at the Daishiba, who had put his head to the tile with a heavy thump, then down at herself. Apparently, she had taken Kirin form and lost her clothes. Again. Undeterred, she said, "I was in the city, and I was being followed. I thought you should know."

Touke gave a worried glance at the Daishiba. The Daishiba of course didn't see it, head pressed to the ground, but she knew if he could their faces would match. They were going for the Saiho. It was possible, anyway. She knew Kyourin could protect herself, but she wanted to be sure. She would take no chances with her Kingdom. "From now on, you are to go nowhere without an escort."

Aku's face collapsed. Touke wasn't sure with what emotion, but she looked a little crushed. Then a worried expression grew on her face. "Is something going on?"

"No, nothing you need concern yourself with." Touke felt a little guilty for saying it, but she didn't want to worry her little Kirin. It was probably nothing, innocent spying. But she had to be sure her Saiho was safe. She had to be sure.

Kyourin frowned at her. She obviously wasn't convinced. But she said, "Okay," and walked out.

With a long sigh, Touke turned to the Daishiba. "You can look up. She's gone." So he did. "As I was saying. Double the guard around Jinjuu Manor. Make sure her Daiboku is with her at all times. Even in her bedroom as she sleeps, if possible. I want her to never be left alone."

"Understood, Your Highness," he said, bowing his head.

"Good. You may leave. Send in the next." Without another glance at him, she pulled a scroll of paper off the table next to her, and got back to reading. She should have a few minutes until the next demand on her time arrived. Though, it seemed, even after eighty-three years, her time was yet always demanded.


Aku let out a yawn. She had just woken up, and she wasn't fully prepared for the day yet.

She slipped out of bed, threw on a light robe. She would normally just walk around Jinjuu Manor unclothed, but her Daiboku had been around at all times lately, and she didn't want to make her uncomfortable. Aku knew Meiri was now following her constantly at Touke's orders. She had never been told why. Not that it really mattered, she guessed. Touke was just worried about her. It was a little annoying, but she would allow it. It was also a little touching that Touke worried about her, that she still cared about her, so she didn't let it affect her too much.

Apparently queued in by the noise of her dressing, Aku's primary maidservant, a small orange-haired girl named Hokumi, entered the room. She deeply bowed her head, and said, "Good morning, Taiho."

"Good morning, Hokumi."

"Can I get you anything?"

"Some tea and fruit would be nice. You know the room."

"Yes, Taiho." Hokumi bowed again, and was on her way.

Aku stretched, raising her arms above her head and arching her back. She shook herself a little, and moved into the rest of Jinjuu Manor. She marched off to her favorite room, the one with the golden curtains everywhere. She slipped through the sea of silk to a divan, and sat there. Nearby, on another divan, was her Daiboku. Her Daiboku, her chief bodyguard, was a strong-looking, burly woman with short brown hair and shining purple eyes. Aku thought she was rather beautiful, in a severe sort of way. "Good morning, Meiri."

"Good morning, Taiho," she said, sitting up from her resting position.

"Quiet night?" She hoped by asking, Meiri would let something slip.

"Quiet night. Other than that little scuffle in the Ministry of Winter."

Aku frowned. "What kind of scuffle?"

"Oh, just a little fistfight between a couple minor officials. Nothing to worry about."

Humming a little, Aku fell back against the divan. "Well, that happens sometimes, I guess. Humans are weird like that."

Meiri smiled at her. "Yes, we are."

"Ninety-eight years, and I still don't understand you," she said with a sigh.

"Eighty-four years, and I still don't understand you."

Aku smiled at her. "We're even then."

A few minutes later, her breakfast came. She offered Meiri some of it, but she didn't take any. Apparently she had eaten before Aku had gotten up. Aku ate her fruit, fresh and dried both, finishing off about half of what she had been given. She drained the tea, though. When she was done, she walked over to her library, trailed by her Daiboku. This was a simple space, basic shelves with bound books and loose scrolls, a couple reading chairs strewn about, a large balcony overlooking Unkai. Most of it was philosophy treatises, the favored reading of a Taiho some generations ago. She walked over to a map she had spread over a table, and hovered her finger over it.

"What are you doing?" Meiri asked.

Aku said simply, "It's that time of the month." Once a month, she picked a random place on the map, traveled there, and investigated how things were going in the area. The sentiments of the people, if the laws were being properly enforced, if the building was going according to plan, the tax rate, all kinds of things. She had used to do it more often, but as Kyou had stabilized she had cut back on her trips.

"Is this really the best time?"

Aku found herself frowning again. "Why, is something going on?"

Her mouth opened to answer, but then she closed it again. "No, nothing. Never mind me."

With a sigh, Aku closed her eyes, let her finger fall on a random spot on the map. She opened them. "It seems I'm going to the city of Menshou. Funny name for a city." It meant an overflowing of noise.

"That it is. What province is that in?"

"E."

"That's a long trip. Could you pick something in Ten?"

Aku frowned. "It will only be two days there and back."

"More like five." At Aku's weird look, Meiri said, "You are not to go anywhere without an escort. Our kijuu are slower than you."

Aku let out a long sigh. "Fine." She ran her finger over Ten Province, looking for a place she hadn't been before. "How about Kouku?"

"Where is that?"

"Zan Prefecture." That was even in the capital district.

"That will do," she agreed.

"Alright then. Gather this escort I'm apparently not allowed to leave without. Meet you at the Forbidden Gate."

"Yes, Taiho," she said with a bow.

Aku dressed in clothes more appropriate to be seen in public in. She grabbed her head covering as well, though it was likely people away from the capital wouldn't recognize her as the Saiho anyway. No reason not to be cautious. She skipped off to the Forbidden Gate. She always hoped moving like she had when she'd been cheerful would make her feel cheerful again, but it never worked. She had to wait only about a minute before five men, including her Daiboku, showed up on kijuu. Most were on tenba, big dogs with wings, but Meiri was on a sekko, a sort of tiger thing. They were all much slower than her, and she let out a little sigh. "I'm going to fly. One of you come down here to pick up my clothes."

"Yes, Taiho," said Meiri. She jumped off her sekko, walked a little closer, and turned to her men. "Avert your eyes," she ordered.

Once everyone was turned around, Aku undressed, then took on her true form. It always felt good shedding her artificial skin. She waited for Meiri to gather her clothes, then they took off. There was a freedom in flying she had always loved, the wind under her feet, blowing her mane. If she were in human form, she would have let out a long sigh of relief.

They flew around the mountain, then set out for the northwest. Aku ran at full speed, occasionally looping back to fly circles around her escorts so she didn't get too far ahead. Kouku was pretty nearby, so it didn't take them long to get there. Once they got close, Aku flew down, hugging the ground to make it less likely they would be spotted. Kirin had a certain glowing, sparkling quality to them, so she would be pretty easy to see. She dove into the trees a distance from the city, waited for her men to land and avert their eyes, then changed back and got dressed. She regretted a little taking human form again, but it would be a bit conspicuous to walk around in a city as a Kirin. Her escort told their kijuu to remain here, and the six of them headed off for the city.

When they rounded a hill, their eyes falling upon Kouku, Aku immediately decided it was nice enough of a place. It was a small, walled city, a narrow river running by its western edge, sparkling in the angled sunlight. It wasn't as colorful as other places, at least from this distance, but it didn't seem too terrible. The buildings looked solid and stable, there were no tent cities. It didn't seem too bad. But corruption could hide, so she didn't turn back.

She decided upon examination, and upon talking to a couple city officials and residents, that the place was indeed managed well. That wasn't so bad then. She would make a report to the Ministry of Earth that Kouku of Zan Prefecture was in a good place, and be sure to congratulate the people responsible. She was just about to leave the city when she noticed a hastily-constructed stage set up near some covered wagons. People were busy on the stage, setting up props and things. "Ooh," she said, "are those traveling performers?"

Her escort turned to look as well, and Meiri said, "Yes, Taiho, they are."

"I would like to catch the show."

The soldiers glanced between each other for a moment, Meiri shrugged, and the six of them started off for the slowly gathering crowd. The show was nothing special, but nice enough. It detailed the recent fall of the King of Sai. Aku knew the circumstances already—too many executions, in short, leading to revolt—so it wasn't a surprise as it was to the rest of the audience. But it was interesting enough.

When the show was over, Aku walked over to one of the players, and asked to be shown to their boss. She congratulated the manager on a job well-done, and handed her a modest donation.

She was just saying goodbye when there was a gasp from behind her. "Japanese! You're speaking Japanese!"

Blinking to herself, Aku turned around to look in the direction of the voice. There was a young woman, probably only a little older than Aku had been when she had become immortal, with deep black hair, dark eyes, and strangely pale skin. It took Aku a moment to place the term Japanese. "Are you a kaikyaku?" she asked when she figured it out.

"I can't believe it!" The girl charged over to her. Before she could get too close, two of Aku's guards darted forward, one grabbing her by each arm. "Hey, what—"

"It's okay, let her go. She's just a girl." Her guards did, looking a little embarrassed.

As soon as she was released, not even looking a little wary, the girl again ran at her, and grabbed both her hands. They were very warm and soft. "I haven't heard my native language in five years. No one here speaks it."

"Technically, I'm not speaking it either." The girl looked a little confused, so Aku said, "I'm tensen. Immortals cross the language barrier without thought." The manager had given her a really weird look when she had said she was a tensen—generally, the only two tensen in any kingdom were the king and the Kirin—but she said nothing.

"Oh." The idea seemed to confuse the girl a little bit. She let go of Aku's hands, and made a little bow. "My name is Mononobe no Chiyono. What's yours?"

Aku paused a moment to moment to memorize the long foreign name. "I'm Aku."

"Would you like to go somewhere and have tea with me? It's only, I never get to hear Japanese, and I would really like to hear more." Chiyono glanced at Aku's guards, and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. You're an important person, aren't you?"

A wider smile wandered onto Aku's face. "You could say that."

"I'm sorry, you probably have things to do and I wouldn't want to take up your time. I'll just—"

"No," Aku said, "it's fine. I've never spoken with a kaikyaku before. I wouldn't mind it."

"Taiho," Meiri muttered in her ear, "we should really be getting back to—"

"Nonsense. I have time to spare. Let's go."

Chiyono turned to her boss. "Is it okay if I go?"

For a long moment, the manager just looked at Aku. Aku strongly suspected she strongly suspected correctly who she was. "Alright. Have a good time." Chiyono bowed, and followed Aku out from behind the stage.


Kei: 詣

Mukai: 婺絵

Meiri: 命理

Hokumi: 瀑妙

Shinsei: 滲婧

Mehshou: 沔訬

Kouku: 皋怘

Zan: 懺

Japanese: I'm not entirely sure what term she would actually be using here. I know she wouldn't actually be saying 日本語, as that term didn't start being used until a few hundred years after she left (at least I'm pretty sure). I looked for old names for old forms of Japanese and just found modern names referring to ancient Japanese. So, I just went with saying "Japanese".

Mononobe no Chiyono: 物部(の)千代野 (The surname-no-given-name format is the name structure used a thousand years ago in Japan, reflective of the time period this story happens in. The Mononobe Clan is an ancient Japanese family, back during the Asuka Period (592-710), who strongly opposed the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. I have no idea if Chiyono is a name that would have actually been used in this time period. I didn't feel like putting too extensive of research into it.)