After a short time wandering around, Aku found a hotel they could get tea in. Aku led the way inside, asked around for a couple pots of tea for her, Chiyono, and her guards, and went to find a table. Her guards were tactful enough to sit at a different table, separate from her and Chiyono. As soon as they sat, Aku asked, "How do you write your name?"

Chiyono reached for her hand, and once she had it, wrote thing-section in her hand. Which was nonsense. Aku supposed it meant something different in Yamato. "That's my surname. My given name is—" She wrote thousand-generation-field.

"In our language, that would be pronounced Bubbu Sendaiya."

"Yes, I know, but I don't use it, if I can help it."

"Why not?"

"It sounds stupid."

Aku let out a little laugh. "I guess it does. Bubbu."

Chiyono giggled herself. "How is yours written?" Aku took her hand, and wrote her name. "Pretty name," she said immediately.

"It was chosen—" —by herself— "—for a reason." She took a glance around and, seeing no one was watching them, pulled her head covering back enough to show her hair for a moment.

"Ooh," said Chiyono, admiration on her voice. "Very pretty. Why do you cover it?"

"People might know who I am if I don't."

"Why don't you want people to know who you are?" she asked a little suspiciously.

"As you said, I'm an important person. People would treat me differently."

Just then, a waiter arrived with their tea. As the woman poured their first cups, Chiyono seemed to consider that information. When the woman was gone, she asked, "Just how important are you?"

Aku thought how to answer that for a moment. "Let's just say, very important."

"Are you the daughter of the Lord or something?"

Aku knew she meant the governor of Zan, so she just smiled. "Or something. Tell me about yourself. I've never known anyone from over there."

So Chiyono did. She said, mildly to Aku's surprise, that it wasn't really that different from here. The environment was similar, the culture was similar. The major differences were the government and how people looked. Apparently, their emperor was not immortal, nor was anyone in the government at any level. And everyone had black hair and pale skin. Very strange.

Chiyono had grown up the daughter of a nobleman, a very important man, holding a position in the government Chiyono called Oomuraji. The word was written Dairen, meaning something like great leader. His name was Mononobe no Moriya, and he was apparently very full of himself. Apparently, the Mononobe Clan claimed to be descended from a Yamato god, so that explained that a little. Chiyono lived a pampered childhood, living in a palace herself, learning to read and write (apparently she could read the writing here, which was very rare in kaikyaku), dance, play musical instruments, all kinds of things nobles did. But that all ended when she turned eleven.

When her father rode off to battle, her home was suddenly struck with what Aku knew was a shoku. Chiyono, almost before she realized something was happening, was sucked out of her bed and into this world, finding herself suddenly floating in a sea of black. Fishers found her desperately trying to swim, and brought her ashore. And Chiyono arrived in the Kingdom of Kei.

It was common policy in Kei, and had been for generations, to assign kaikyaku to itinerants. So Chiyono had found herself with a group of traveling performers. Over the years, she gradually learned the language, up to the point now where she was almost fluent. She had been practicing her reading and writing, so she was caught up on that too. She had been here for five years, now sixteen years old, and had pretty much given up on ever going back, so had accepted that her life would continue here until she died. The thought didn't depress her anymore.

Chiyono, Aku realized, had had a much easier time of it than many kaikyaku. Kaikyaku who had come here at older ages, or ones who were less determined, had great trouble learning the language, but Chiyono had picked it up just fine. Most kaikyaku were uneducated, and couldn't read or write, but Chiyono had known a lot of it, and had learned the rest to literacy. In addition, she had skill with dance and music, so she had fit in with the traveling performers easily enough. It had turned out very well for her. She still missed her homeland some, but it didn't trouble her too much. She still found this world strange and confusing, but she had learned to accept that it was different from her home, and was getting used to it. Aku said all this to her.

"Oh," Chiyono said earnestly, "I'm fully aware I've had it easy. I've met another kaikyaku, and he has a terrible time of it. Could barely speak a word of the language, was living as a simple, mute servant. I'm very lucky, I know that."

"You could be doing better for yourself than living as an itinerant," Aku decided.

"Yes, I guess I could. I never put much thought into it, though. I've always felt fortunate to have what I have, so I've never wanted more."

Aku cocked her head a little, frowning, a little surprised. "Don't you miss your old life of easy wealth?"

"Not really," Chiyono said with a shrug. "See, I had never earned that. Now that I actually have something I've earned, I feel much better about it. These clothes I'm wearing may be simple and scratchy, nothing compared to that beautiful silk you're wearing, but I earned them. By the way, why are you wearing boy's clothes?"

"They're more comfortable to play around in." Aku considered for a second. She only had to consider for a second. This girl was obviously intelligent, and dedicated, and, something the officials would appreciate, seemed to take to authority well enough. From her story, Aku understood she did what she was told. It seemed simple enough to her. "How would you like to earn something better?"

"Something better?" she said, her voice curious.

Smiling, Aku said, "I'm much more important than you gave me credit for."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. I live in Soufuu Palace."

"Soufuu Palace?" asked the girl, obviously a little confused.

"It's the royal palace in this kingdom." Chiyono's eyes widened—only the highest of the high in a kingdom lived in the royal palace and, as receptive as she was, she had likely learned that by now. "Now, the government's efforts are expanding, and we're a little short on clerks. I can get you a low-level position, for now, in the Ministry of Fall, Winter, or Spring."

She frowned a little. "You're high enough in the kingdom to guarantee me such a job?"

"Yes, I am." At Chiyono's dubious expression, she decided to let the misdirection die. "Do you know what a Kirin is?"

"Vaguely. The Kirin is a holy beast that chooses the ruler of a kingdom according to the Will of Tentei, right?"

"That's exactly right," Aku said with a big smile. She was right: this girl was very well educated for a kaikyaku. "And I'm the Kirin of Kyou." Chiyono's eyes widened for an instant, then she let out a laugh. "What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry, but you just can't be. For one thing, Kirin have golden hai—" Then she stopped, frowning. "Except the Kirin of Kyou, who is red."

Aku was smiling wider again. Chiyono really was informed. Not even everyone in the capital knew that. They thought it was a metaphor or something. "I assure you, I really am the Kirin. And I'm offering you a position in Soufuu Palace. Depending on how high I can get you, I might even be able to make you a sennin."

"A sennin?" Chiyono thought for a moment. "You mean I'd be immortal?"

"Yup."

Chiyono hesitated for a long moment. Eventually she said, "Let's assume you are the Kirin. You say I'd be earning this. But I never did anything to. I didn't go to the university or anything."

"Everyone gets on-the-job training in how the government functions. You'd be no different. And you can already read and write, and you're pretty smart, so you'd catch up quickly. And then you can start earning your silk." Again, Chiyono was silent for a long moment. So Aku said, "Just try it out. If you don't like it, if you don't think you can do it, you can quit, go back to a simple life. I'll track down your troupe for you and you can join them again, if that's what you want. It's really your choice."

Chiyono thought about it for a little longer before shrugging, saying, "What could it hurt?"

"That's the spirit!" said Aku with a huge smile. She finished off her tea. "Should we go now?"

"Right now?" she said with a frown.

"Do we have any reason to wait?" Chiyono clearly couldn't think of one. "Besides, if we get back too late, Touke would probably worry."

"Who's Touke?"

"Her Highness Queen Meirei to you."

They left the hotel in high spirits. Her decision made, Chiyono seemed cheered by her developing circumstances. Aku thought she had plenty reason to be. It wasn't often someone was invited to work at the royal palace. They first went to the troupe. Chiyono said goodbye to the friends she had made. Aku could vaguely tell the difference between their language and the language Chiyono had been speaking before. The automatic translation messed with her perception a little. Chiyono didn't tell them where she was going, which was probably for the best. It could have caused quite a stir if she had. They left the city with Aku's escort.

When they neared the kijuu, Aku asked, "Have you ever flown before?"

Chiyono frowned. "Flown?"

"On a kijuu."

"No, of course not. A person of my status would never have had the opportunity."

"I thought so." There were three options for them getting there. One, Aku could have one of her guards fly with her new friend. Two, Aku could call a shirei for Chiyono to ride on her own, but if she hadn't ridden a kijuu before that was probably a bad idea. Three, Chiyono could ride on Nansou with Aku. Aku, after a glance at her, decided on the third just as they entered the clearing the kijuu were waiting in. "I'll have you fly with me," Aku told her with a smile.

Meiri said, "Taiho—"

Before she could get going, Aku said, "I've decided." That shut Meiri up, as it always did. "Nansou." With only his name, Nansou popped out of her shadow. Chiyono was surprised at the appearance of the large creature, but didn't seem frightened. She had clearly never learned to tell the difference between a youjuu and a youma. "This is Nansou," Aku said, stroking his chin a little. "We'll be riding him to the palace."

It took Chiyono a short moment to compose herself. "Hello, Nansou," Chiyono said. With a little bow, she continued. "I apologize for burdening you." Aku smiled. That was adorable.

"It is no burden," Nansou said in his growling voice.

That made Chiyono jump again. "You can talk?"

Nansou didn't deign to reply. Aku said, "He doesn't talk much, but he can. Come, hop on." Even as she said it, Aku leapt up onto Nansou's back, and stretched down a hand to pull up Chiyono. She got a mild thrill when Chiyono wrapped her arms around Aku from behind. Huh. A smile on her face, Aku said, "You're not supposed to touch me, you know."

With a little frightened noise, her arms loosened, but immediately tightened when they suddenly sprung into the air. After her shout of surprise, she yelled into Aku's mane, "I'm sorry, but I'm worried I'll fall off!"

"It's okay, I'm teasing you. I don't mind. You might want to not when we get to the Palace, though, especially considering your social status."

"Okay." A short silence. "What will be my social status anyway?"

"That depends on how good of a position I can get you. Which Ministry would you like to work in?" she thought to ask after a moment.

A little lowly, Chiyono admitted, "I don't know anything about government."

"That's okay," Aku said with a shrug that made Chiyono grip harder. She smiled. "It's not too complicated. The ones I can probably get you in, that I know have a lot of work to do, are the Ministries of Fall, Winter, and Spring."

"Okay. What do those do?"

"The Ministry of Fall deals with law, promulgating and executing."

"Executing?"

"Running trials and stuff."

"I don't think so. The others?"

Aku shrugged again. She hadn't thought that one would be likely. "How about the Ministry of Winter? They deal with the economy."

"What about the economy?"

"Oh, you know, stamping coins, regulating trade, that kind of thing."

"Hmm. Probably not."

"Okay. The Ministry of Spring, then. They deal with the school system, and religious things like ceremonies and festivals."

Chiyono seemed to consider that for a while. "That might work."

"If all else fails, I can get you into the Ministry of Heaven, but that would be boring servant stuff, a total waste of your talents."

Sounding a little forlorn, Chiyono said, "That's probably all I'm qualified for."

"Nonsense. My sponsorship is the only qualification you need."

"But then I'm not earning it, am I?"

"The earning of it comes after. This is the only situation I've ever found where I feel the ends justify the means."

Chiyono gave a little nervous laugh. "Okay then."

On the way to the palace, Chiyono asked about her life, so Aku decided to answer. She talked about growing up on Houzan, playing all the time, messing around during shouzan. Then running off to find her lord, finding Touke. Then some stuff about advising Touke and governing Ten province. Aku was worried most of that last stuff would be boring, but Chiyono seemed to find it interesting, so that was okay.

Soon they were arriving at Soufuu Palace. They didn't go the way they came in—it wouldn't be appropriate to use the Forbidden Gate—so they instead chose a less-frequently used gate, still high up on the mountain. When they landed, Chiyono immediately ran to the door and stepped inside. Apparently, being that high up off the ground made Chiyono nervous. Aku still didn't entirely understand that feeling. Being able to fly, heights had never bothered her at all. She usually enjoyed them.

It was starting to get late, but Aku figured it was still early enough that the Ministry would yet be active. So they headed in that direction. The whole walk, Chiyono stared blankly at her surroundings, her mouth agape. Aku figured this kind of frivolous, casual extravagance was completely beyond her comprehension. Honestly, it was beyond Aku's as well. But this place was built for humans, so she didn't really have to understand it. She was much more comfortable at home, in the much simpler Jinjuu Manor. Jinjuu Manor actually somewhat reminded her of Hourou Palace, which might have been intentional.

Soon, they were in the buildings dedicated to the Ministry of Spring. Kyourin immediately stopped a Shikan and asked where the Shousouhaku was. To the best of the Shikan's knowledge, he was in his office, so Kyourin headed that way. Normally, she would go straight to the Daisouhaku, but she was likely busy, and might be annoyed by being presented with this issue. Really, the Shousouhaku was probably aiming too high as it was, but Kyourin wasn't entirely sure who she should be asking. She didn't know the lower ranks very well. In Ten Provincial, yes, but not so much on the kingdom level.

The office of the Shousouhaku was little different than any other one could find. Wood desk with engraved metal accents, similarly decorated shelves filled with scrolls and books, comfortable-looking chairs. The Shousouhaku, an aged man named Tesshuku, looked up on Kyourin entering, and stood. "Taiho," he said with a deep bow, then retook his seat. "How may I help you?"

"The real question is how I can help you." Kyourin paused for a moment to take in his confused expression. "You've been looking for clerks, right?"

"Yes," he said, a little suspiciously.

"I've found one," she said, gesturing to Chiyono.

The Shousouhaku turned his gaze on Chiyono. After a moment he said, "Sennin?"

"No," Kyourin answered for her.

"She's young."

With a bow of her head, Chiyono said, "I learn quickly, and I'm eager to work."

He considered that for a moment. "What's your name?"

"Mononobe no Chiyono." She flinched, apparently realizing her mistake.

With an expression marred by distaste, Tesshuku looked up at Kyourin. "You brought me a kaikyaku. Can she even read?"

"Of course I can," she said, sounding a little offended.

Tesshuku obviously didn't believe her. "Here, read this," he said, holding out the scroll he had been pouring over when they'd walked in. Chiyono walked over and, with a somehow subservient voice, despite her obvious defiance, started reading aloud at a fluent pace. It was something about the upcoming solstice celebration. Chiyono hesitated once, but other than that read through it perfectly fine. After a while, Tesshuku waved for her to stop, took the scroll back. "Okay, you can read. If the Taiho wishes, I can give you a minor role in the Ministry. It may take a day or two to decide where you are most needed. In the meantime, await our word. Where are you staying?" Chiyono frowned, and glanced at Kyourin. "So we can alert you when we have a position for you."

"Well, she isn't staying anywhere," Kyourin said. She thought for a moment, then said, "I figure we can put her in the dormitories here in the palace—" Built into the mountain were simple homes for minor officials working in the palace. "—or those for the University." A second of thought. "Or, better yet, she could stay with me."

Tesshuku give her a very strange look, clearly thunderstruck. Her Daiboku, who she hadn't noticed had been following her (but of course she had been), had a similar expression. Even Chiyono herself, who obviously didn't quite understand the significance of the offer, looked surprised as well. "You can't be serious."

"It's not like I'm giving her a place in my bed with me or anything. I have five bedrooms, and I only use one. She can pick one and stay there for a while."

"But, in Jinjuu Manor…"

"I've had guests before."

"But a common kaikyaku…"

"As if that makes a difference." At Tesshuku's expression, she amended, "It doesn't to me, anyway. Kirin sensibilities and all that."

Tesshuku let out a long sigh. "If it's what the Taiho wishes, I can't stop you. I'll send a messenger to Jinjuu Manor when I have news."

"Thank you, Shousouhaku."

"It was my pleasure, Taiho."

Liar. Smiling to herself, Aku left the room, leading her hangers-on clear across the Palace to Jinjuu Manor. This was fun.

Today, she didn't feel so miserable.


Tesshuku: 悊叔