Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rosario Vampire. I am merely twisting the creator's vision into my own dream. If the supernatural, sexuality, or violence is offensive to you, then you should not read this.
Chapter 308
Tsukune did not know what to expect from the meeting. Lieutenant Tanaka Ito had not even been clear who the meeting was to be with. All he knew was when and where to meet with his friend. The where by itself was enough to give Tsukune a touch of nervousness. He was going to meet with Lieutenant Tanaka at the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace was more than a single building. The area also included gardens, satellite buildings, and more modern structures for administrative offices. Tsukune and Inair, in their best company uniforms, arrived to meet with Tanaka at the offices of the Imperial Guard under the National Police Agency.
"I am glad you could make it," The lieutenant said as he greeted his friends. "How are you feeling?"
"I am well," Tsukune answered. "And you?"
"I'm wonderful today," Inari smiled. "How are you doing? I hope you are not working too hard."
"Good, good," Tanaka nodded. "Work is going well. Mostly just a lot of paper work these days. I have to justify all the money that was spent to arrest one old man."
"I understand," Tsukune offered a sympathetic smile.
"As much as I would enjoy a break, we should take care of business," Tanaka told the other two. "Is there anything you need before the meeting?"
"We are all set," Tsukune answered.
"Alright," Tanaka nodded. "Then let me show you the way."
XxxxX
The way to the meeting was surprisingly long. Tsukune and Inari followed Tanaka into one of the older buildings of the palace complex. As soon as the pair entered the building they could feel the energies that had been worked into the place. Because they could tell that some force was at work within the building they were feeling defensive and kept their senses alert. For the pair there was no hiding how the ancient warriors on the painted wall panels watched them.
Above them, the ceiling was painted to show ranks of soldiers dressed and armed for battle. There were no battle scenes. Instead, the soldiers from Japan's history were marching in parade above the visitors. One detail that stood out to Tsukune was how the painting mostly hid the soldiers feet in swirls of mist. It was a celestial host, that marched along above the corridor.
Within the building, the path to the meeting place was unusual. To Tanaka Ito it was only a little strange how long it took to travel from the front doors to the destination. Tsukune and Inari could feel the changes to the building as the continued the journey. It was a twisting of the physical space that would normally be hard to measure without a view to the outside to compare things to. Above them, the celestial host was also changing. Among the armored warriors over head, youkai had joined the parade.
"You have been here before, correct?" Tsukune asked.
"A few times," Tanaka admitted.
"Did you know that we are not in the same place any more?" Tsukune questioned, even though he suspected the answer.
"What do you mean? Tanaka asked.
"The building has changed," Tsukune explained. "If you measured the distance we have traveled from the entrance you would see that we have been walking too far for the size of the building as you see it from the outside."
"Are you sure?" Tanaka asked, starting to feel a headache coming on. He really disliked it when his reality was messed with.
"Yes," Tsukune said with a nod. "We have..."
"Don't tell me," Tanaka cut him off. "I am happier not knowing. The world is strange enough as it is, I don't need to know how strange."
"If you really want it that way," Tsukune shrugged.
"Yes," Tanaka confirmed. "Besides," He paused beside a sliding door panel. "We have arrived."
Before anything else could be said, the door slid open. Kneeling within the door was a woman in a full kimono. Lieutenant Tanaka recognized the assistant to the Imperial Cosmologist.
"Please," The woman said as she made a deep bow. "Please come in."
The ancient little office radiated tradition and pride in equal measure. Tsukune and Inari had their shoes off before they stepped through the doorway. Tanaka, more used to a modern office hesitated before following their example. Inari knelt within the doorway to arrange her and Tsukune's shoes, leaving the other woman to take care of the lieutenant's. The two men entered the office with Tanaka leading the way. A pair of thin cushions in front of the low desk had been set out for them. The assistant closed the door of the office and then moved to kneel at her master's shoulder.
"Sir," Lieutenant Tanaka addressed the old man in formal robes behind the desk. He bowed at the waste as he spoke. "I have brought Aono Tsukune as you have asked." After his bow he turned to Tsukune. "Aono Tsukune, allow me to introduce to you the Imperial Cosmologist to his majesty's court."
"It is an honor to meet you," Tsukune offered a modest bow.
"It is good of you to come, Lord Aono," The old man made a small, seated bow. "Please, both of you, make yourselves comfortable."
The two men knelt on the cushions set out for them. Inari automatically moved to kneel at Tsukune's shoulder. Once they were settled into place, the old man spoke again.
"Lord Aono," The old man began. "I serve in an old and honored position with the Imperial Court. In truth, the existence of my office if seldom remembered, even historically, but that does not lessen its importance. On the contrary, the fact that I am often forgotten reflects on how well this office as satisfied its duties. My job as the cosmologist to his majesty is to help protect the nation against those unseen forces that exist around us all every day." He gave a ghost of a smile. "Much of the time my task is a simple one. I make sure certain traditions and treaties are observed. To help me with this are the temples and the spiritual orders that maintain them."
"But at other times there are more serious threats to contend with," The old man continued with his face taking on a more grim expression. "When possible, the allies whom have long been honored help to keep the balance. When that has not been enough, The person holding this office has had to make special arrangements."
"One such time called for hiring the services of someone from outside of Japan," The Cosmologist explained. "In the late Meiji Era there was a minor kami that was confused by the changes happening around it as the nation was trying to find a place in the then modern world. In exchange for a land grant on a southern island, the Imperial Cosmologist of the time hired an exorcist to protect the nation. The encounter is historically known as the Meiji Tokyo Earthquake."
"The 'quake' was caused by the kami. The after shocks were the battle between the kami and the exorcist," The old man told his audience. He paused then to give the two men to process what he had told them.
Tanaka tried to keep his discomfort from showing. This was turning into another of those times when he was being forced to be aware of how disorderly the world really was. Ito had always liked an orderly life.
Tsukune nodded as he thought the story over. It made sense that there had been problems in the past, just like it made sense that they would be covered as well. The part that stuck in his mind was the mention of an exorcist. He gave the cosmologist a questioning look.
"Exactly so," The old man nodded. "The exorcist returned eighty years later to claim his land and started a school there. He has done his part in protecting the lands and peoples of our nation. Unfortunately he has set himself a task, that while it does and will continue to benefit us all, he cannot free himself to take a more active role in the greater world."
"I understand that the exorcist was unavailable to protect everyone," Tsukune spoke up. "By why could you not do something to keep Fairy Tail out of Japan?"
"If a youkai starts to become a serious problem," The cosmologist answered. "I can ask a temple to send a master of their order to deal with it. A devout and trained holy man or woman can bind the power of a youkai. But when the youkai band together and take up weapons or use money to control human agents, it becomes a much larger problem."
"I can see that it would," Tsukune nodded.
"The world has changed," The old man said. "And the ways of evil have changed with it. In accordance with the traditions of fate and destiny, when great evil arises, a champion will also appear. Once it was the exorcist. His legacy has helped to keep the nation safe. When a new evil took shape, a new champion was needed, and the exorcist provided us the service of finding one."
"This sound, if you will forgive me sit," Tanaka spoke up. "A little to much like some kind of old story."
"And I don't think I like where this story is going," Tsukune added.
"Ahh, but it is an old story," The cosmologist exclaimed. "One of the oldest as a matter of fact. At the beginning of our history, as the oldest stories tell us, there was strife in the land without ending. One man was chosen to unite the people and establish order. He helped to make the land safe for all. That champion was chosen by the very spirits of the world, born from a union of human and kami."
"You're talking about the first emperor aren't you?" Tanaka asked with a frown.
"I was," The old man nodded. "And a few years ago when only suffering and ruin could be seen coming to us all, a new champion was chosen. Lord Aono was chosen and prepared by his predecessor, but the final selection came from the land herself. And when he had been chosen, I was given the first knowledge of him."
"Bound by gold on his right, supported by iron on his left, and carrying Nippon's favor given by her own hand," Tanaka Ito recited from memory.
"That is correct," The cosmologist nodded.
"The gold is gone now," Tsukune held up his arms so his wrists were exposed. "Tetsu Odari is made of iron. As for the favor," He lowered his left arm but brought the fingers of his right hand to his chest. "It is a part of me now."
"As you are a part of the nation, Lord Aono," The old man smiled warmly.
"Excuse me, sir," Tanaka questioned. "But why do you keep calling him lord?"
"Lieutenant Tanaka," The cosmologist turned to answer the question. "I believe you were present recently when Lord Aono laid claim to the title of lordship so that he could pronounce judgment upon a renegade. It is not without precedent that a man, a leader take it upon himself to impose order, and there by he becomes the embodiment of law."
"I remember that night," Tanaka said. "But that was just..."
"Good lieutenant," The old man smiled. "Let me explain." He reached into his robes and produced a folded document. He unfolded it and smoothed it out on his desk. "In recognition for his services in the past for the greater good of the nation, and in the interest of retaining his services into the future, His Imperial Majesty has chosen to recognize Lord Aono's claim." He turned his attention specifically to Tsukune.
"I have a letter from his Imperial Majesty," The old man said while lightly touching the letter on his desk. "By his decree, held in confidence to the royal family and officers of the Imperial Court, that the title of Tasogare Omo of the Imperial Court be conferred to Aono Tsukune, and that a payment of or equal to twenty Kuko shall be rewarded annually." He took the letter and passed it to Tsukune.
Tsukune allowed himself a moment to examine the document. It was written out formally, and while he was no expert, the seals on the letter looked real. After reading it through he looked back at the cosmologist.
"This is a high honor," Tsukune said carefully. "But I am not sure I can accept it."
"That letter is just for formality and tradition," The old man said. He held out his hand and his assistant handed him a thicker document on modern paper. This document was several pages long and covered with crisply printed ink. "You have been hired as a consultant by the police during the recent troubles. This is a renewal and revision of the same contract. You will continue to receive a small retainer, and in exchange the government of Japan asks that you continue as you have." He passed the contract to Tsukune as well.
Tsukune considered the contract he was being offered. While having a long term contract would be good for his business, he didn't really need it. In spite of the demands on his time while investigating Tate no Kai he had managed to grow his company, largely thanks to Inari's diligence. He had to think things through carefully.
"How does that work exactly?" Tanaka asked while Tsukune thought things through. "There are no lords anymore."
"It is an honorary title," The cosmologist explained. "Much like being a distant relative of the royal family, or a descendant of a daimyo or samurai. For the majority of people it will be nothing more that a curiosity. For a select few, those who are related by ancestry to lords and still give value to such, Lord Aono will be a member of the social elite. The true value will be within the unseen world where he will be Tasogare Omo. He will be the lord of the boarder between light and dark."
"It will be more than just being on retainer," Tsukune said thoughtfully as he went over the contract, already for the second time. "This says that I will be a ceremonial member of the imperial household to be at the service of his Imperial Majesty..." He worked through the next few pages. "Diplomatic status accorded to members of the household..." He looked up from the contract. "This makes it sound like I will be somewhere between a distant cousin and a personal servant the emperor."
"There may be times when you need the authority for dealing with difficult situations," The old man observed.
"I would like to accept this," Tsukune said after a long pause. "However, I will need to be able to extend this authority you mentioned to subordinates. There will be times when I will need their aid, and I cannot make use of their support if they cannot be recognized as having the authority to act."
"That is reasonable," The cosmologist agreed.
"But it cannot be specific to names," Tsukune added. "Unless you intend to doing contract revisions and additions as I hire or lay off people."
"A provision will be added as you suggested," The old man said. "With an executive order being sent to the National Police. You will just have to provide current lists for who will carry your authority."
"That is reasonable," Tsukune gave the man a crooked smile. "Then it would be an honor to accept your offer. Send a copy of the revised contract to my office and I will have my attorney go over everything before I sign it."
"I am gladdened that we could reach an accommodation, Lord Aono," The cosmologist said with a seated bow.
"As am I," Tsukune returned with a bow of his own.
"Thank you for assisting in making this meeting a success, Lieutenant Tanaka," The old man offered. "I will not take up any more of your busy time."
With that the meeting was officially concluded. Tsukune left the unsigned contract behind but was careful to fold up and pocket the formal letter. Neither he not anyone else said anything until they were back out in the open air once more.
"Haaaa..." Tanaka gave a relieved sigh.
"Yes," Tsukune nodded vigorously.
"So what are your plans now, oh noble lord?" Tanaka teased.
"Now I am going to take care of some personal business," Tsukune answered. "I have some loose ends to take care of, and a few debts to pay off. After that, I can finally get on track for a normal life for a change."
"That is something I can understand," Tanaka nodded. "I miss having a normal life."
"I'm not sure if I will ever have a life that matches your idea of normal," Tsukune said as he held his and out to Inari. "But I think I am going to try to spend a little time trying. Have a good day."
"I wish you a safe trip home," Tanaka said.
They parted company after that. Tanaka returned to his office. Tsukune and Inari returned to where the mini van was parked. Tsukune was ready to relax and take a little time for himself.