a/n: Not gonna lie—there's not a lot of Sesshōmaru and Rin in this chapter. It's mostly Tōga being politicky. More substantial author's note at the end of the chapter.
SONG OF THE WEST
an Inuyasha fanfic
xx.
The Northern capitol of Hyōkusui rested nestled between three large mountains like a pool of civilization, its many rows of manors and shops and storehouses visible from miles away and drawing the eye towards the middlemost mountain, where the proud grey castle of Imperial Lord Katsushika sat like a glamourous beacon. Like a trail of ants on the main road, travelers pooled into the city and the temporary tourist settlements along its borders. And, despite the sun still shining over the land, the city was already alive with merriment.
It was like she remembered from Yobetsu's summer festivals, only much larger and perhaps more extravagant. Rin only wished their group would have arrived slightly later in the day, so that she might have been able to see the way the city lit up in the nighttime darkness from their current perch on the sizeable mountain to the southwest of the city.
Lord Tōga gave a light-hearted scoff upon seeing her amazed expression. "Wait until you see Inugawa. It's far more beautiful than this den of debauchery."
"Hyōkusui is more defensible," Seiten mused. "Any enemy army would either have to battle their way through the front or exhaust themselves scaling mountains. Inugawa has the sea at its back and the manor is safe on the island, but…"
Tōga cut his companion a look of discontentment. "Leave it to a warrior clansman to not appreciate beauty. At any rate, our next move is your choice, Seiten."
Seiten glanced at the ant trail of travelers and frowned. "I'll stay with the dogs in case anything goes awry. There are far too many people coming and going for my comfort."
Tōga nodded and turned his golden gaze to Rin, who blinked in return.
"I get to choose?" Rin asked, slightly excited.
Somewhere behind them, Sesshōmaru made a sound of disapproval. "You cannot go with us."
"I don't want to go to the castle," Rin explained as she absentmindedly began to smooth Hikari's mane. "I kind of wanted to go to the festival. That's all."
Seiten stiffened. "A young woman unaccompanied on the busiest day of the festival…"
"I've been alone at a festival before, Master Seiten," Rin pointed out.
"You were put on trial for murder and almost died," Sesshōmaru retorted.
Rin frowned. "That really didn't have anything to do with me, though."
"All the more reason for you to stay," Seiten said. "What if something happens to you again, and none of us are nearby?"
Rin shifted uncomfortably atop Hikari. It was odd—though still wholly unused to it, Rin was grateful that there were people that cared about her safety for the first time since her childhood; however, being monitored as if she were a fragile doll was becoming slightly overwhelming. Yes, she had needed Sesshōmaru's help in the woods that day, but she had successfully saved two other people and had survived much else in the nine years prior to meeting the Inu no Taisho. She did know how to take care of herself, even if not by way of physical strength.
Tōga's next words surprised everyone.
"She can attend," the older man said simply.
Rin beamed.
"However, once night falls, you cannot be on the streets," he said. "Buy an inn room and wait for Sesshōmaru and I to return. Is that clear?"
Rin noticed that his voice was a bit more stern than usual. It was perhaps the beginning of the hour of the monkey; the sun would be completely set in the middle of the hour of the dog, giving her a decent amount of time to explore the city. And even though much of the amusement would occur after nightfall, because it was the third day of the festival, there would be some activities and plenty of merchants around for the daytime stragglers.
The young woman nodded. "I'll do that, then!"
Tōga faced Seiten, who, once again, seemed bewildered at the choice of his Master.
"This is where we'll depart from you," Tōga said warmly. "At best, we'll be back by fourth watch."
"And if the Imperial Lord holds you hostage with wine and music?"
"Dawning, then."
And so Lord Tōga, Lord Sesshōmaru, and Rin descended the mountain. Now that the city was in view, the journey didn't seem so long: quickly jagged rocks, grass, and pine trees became the makeshift tents of poor travelers and the grand settlements of mid-tier merchants, which eventually turned into the smaller buildings of the city's outskirts, until finally the three found themselves in Hyōkusui's thronged center, surrounded by market stalls filled with trinkets, ambrosias, and commonplace festival games. Surprisingly, the Inu no Taisho's presence did not cause much ado as it did at their previous stops, perhaps because the sight of a wealthy Lord was commonplace in the Northern capitol, or because Inu no Taisho barely ever journeyed this far North—nor did he ever have any desire to outside of his current mission. It was a nice change of pace for the group, especially Sesshōmaru, who greatly disliked the attention given to him as a byproduct of his father's supereminence.
Lord Tōga released Sai Hu's reins to point towards a sizable wooden structure peeking over the nearby buildings. It was wider than it was tall, with three floors and a sloping hip-and-gable black roof. Its gate, pillars, and eaves were the color of cinnabar, and attached to the equally-red soffits were yellow festival chōchin, unlit due to the time of day.
"You'll be staying there," Tōga said to Rin. "It's quite nice, equipped with own communal baths. Just bear in mind what I told you about nightfall."
Rin nodded and began to scan her surroundings. She could already feel her stomach gurgling restlessly at the smell of savory and sweet foods in the area.
She felt something hard and heavy being tucked into the part of her braid near the nape of her neck. When she reached up to feel it, she could blindly make out the shape of a small butterfly and the sensation of metal warm from sitting in the sun all day.
Tōga smiled warmly. "So much has occurred since you first began traveling with us. Enjoy the festival!"
Rin smiled in return.
It's only a few hours in broad daylight, Tōga thought to himself. Sesshōmaru was left to his own devices at a much younger age.
Then, as he was riding to draw level with Sesshōmaru, who had forged ahead out of distaste for the early revelry, Tōga caught something odd in the corner of his peripheral vision. Nearby, immediately beside a city stables, an otherwise non-descript man donning purple, blue, and white was watching him closely, only turning away when Lord Tōga happened to meet his gaze. Even from far away, the Imperial Lord could make out the crest on his shoulder and the medallion hanging from his obi.
"Sesshōmaru," Lord Tōga whispering, moving closer to his son's side. "Glance to your left. Don't turn your head too quickly."
Sesshōmaru obeyed and then scowled. "One of Ryūkotsusei's men."
"He must have sent someone to report on the events of the festival. There's not much reason for one of his men to come here when Urayama had its midsummer festival mere days ago." Tōga's eyes narrowed. "Change of plans. Return to Rin and stay with her for the remainder of the evening."
Sesshōmaru pulled the reins of his horse so roughly that the animal grunted unsatisfactorily. Before he could utter the complaint that was no doubt preparing to issue from his lips, Tōga spoke sharply:
"That was an order, not a suggestion. I thought seeing her pummeled was enough to end these sorts of reactions from you, but I suppose not."
Sesshōmaru huffed. It had been the older man who decided Rin could attend the festival in spite of his and Seiten's protests. Now that the idea had proved itself to be a bad one, he was being saddled with the responsibility of his father's miscalculation, forced to babysit while there were more important conversations to be had. It was one thing to watch over her in the village where there were only commoners and quite another to watch her here.
He found his mind drifting to Rin again, the memories of the blood smattered on her face when he'd found her in the forest still fresh. The bruising on her face had finally faded into nothing, and though her ankle had healed as she'd stated days prior, she still favored it slightly. She had her horse and knew how to get back to Seiten in the event of an emergency, but…
Sesshōmaru threw an incisive glare at his father before willing his horse to turn. Tōga rolled his eyes.
Rin wasn't too far from where they left her. She had dismounted and was leading her horse at a slow trot by the reins, taking in the festival wares as she took her time walking towards the inn. She was surprised when she pulled up beside her.
"You and Lord Tōga really don't trust me alone anymore?" She asked as she mounted the horse again.
"Blame him," Sesshōmaru said simply.
Rin didn't seem entirely convinced. Suddenly, she smiled. "Does this mean I can stay out later than sunset?"
Sesshōmaru rolled his eyes and began to ride towards the hotel. Rin followed him, slightly happier.
After wending their way through the nightmarish urban layout that was the city of Hyōkusui, a weary traveler, upon reaching the base of the Mount Shigeyama, was met by Shitennō's large red castle gates and a host of castle guards and servants, behind all of which, even more formidably, rested an abundance of stone steps that ascended the remainder of the mountain. The castle was famous for those stairs, and given Imperial Lord Katsushika's reputation for flippancy and changeability, were treated as somewhat of a death march trail by courtiers and visiting lords alike. Though he was climbing in age, Lord Tokudaiji still considered himself sprightly due to constant travel, and still found himself slightly exhausted by them. It was no wonder that Katsushika found himself unmotivated to ever leave his manor and ensure the safety of his holdings.
The guards were initially confused when Tōga approached the gates with no servants, no carriages, and no grand caravan, but the bewilderment was dispelled as soon as his heavy mondokoro medallion glinted in the sunlight. He was then promptly directed inside, and his horse taken to the stables. The stairs were overcome, and a senior servant met him at the gate, donning the greens and browns of the Katsushika clan, informing him that the Northern Imperial Lord and the other visitors were playing dakyu, and would he like to join them? Tōga begrudgingly assented. Again he was led around the castle's exterior, through the ornately decorated gardens, until finally they arrived at an unsteep portion of the mountain that made up the playing field, where covered platforms had been set up for the convenience of the noble visitors and the extraneous, less genteel onlookers were forced to stand in the hot sun. Tōga instructed the senior servant not to announce his arrival, but it only took a chance glimpse from one the visiting Lords for him to receive a steady chain of bows, kind words, and attempts at small talk, which he bravely fought his way through until he at last reached Katsushika's platform, which was gaudily outfitted in with fabrics in a variety of bright colors and the claw-like markings that made up his clan seal.
Keitaro Katsushika was older man, having long reached his physical prime by the time Tōga had first ascended to his position two decades ago. Despite his once bulky physique having gone soft over the past few years, he was still physically imposing, standing a few digits taller than the younger lord at around 196 centimeters. Though his dark brown hair was becoming greyed, those same annoying yellow eyes still sat arrogantly beneath his thick dark brows.
Because he was technically a family elder, Tōga was obligated to bow to him. Katsushika didn't bother to move on his zabuton.
"Imperial Lord Tokudaiji," Katsushika said, greeting him. "I did not realize you were attending; you sent no letter."
"How would I send a letter from the middle of the forest?" Tōga jested, already aware that Katsushika would not laugh. Despite their lord not asking them to, the nearby servants prepared a place for Tōga to sit.
The Western Lord took a brief glance at the ongoing game. Two cavalry-like teams of about fifteen people each were hard at work on the playing, fiercely battling over the leather ball.
Katsushika took a sip of his drink—alcohol, by the smell of it. "Weren't you good at this?"
Tōga scoffed. "I still am. But it's no fun when everyone is afraid of hitting you."
Katsushika grunted and waved his hand for the servants to leave. When they were gone, he began:
"I apologize for what occurred in Yobetsu last month," Katsushika said, his eyes still on the game. "Lord Yukinaga dispatched a letter as soon as he returned to his castle after the trial, and my daughter filled me in on everything else. Who would've thought Lord Kusakabe to be such a scoundrel?"
Tōga was surprised that the older man brought up the subject so soon, but at least he wouldn't have to be bothered with anymore useless bits of small talk.
"Oh, I'm fine—all appendages intact," Tōga said. "As for Lord Kusakabe, I did have something to discuss with you."
Katsushika grumbled and took another sip of his drink. "I figured you didn't come here for leisure. Rest assured; all potential conspirators have been addressed."
"The plan was certainly executed by more than a few villagers," Tōga said, recalling the three supposed conspirators from Rin's village.
"Precisely. That is why I sent Shūran to the border to oversee the change of the ruling family."
Tōga raised his brow. "What?"
"We've switched around a few courtiers. Yorimitsu of the Tsuguru clan is lord of that territory now."
"And what of the Kusakabe clan?"
Katsushika let out an ill-timed laugh. "Farmsteading."
"You were hasty," Tōga said sharply.
"Hasty?" Katsushika cried indignantly, finally pulling his eyes away from the dakyu ball. "Conspiring against an Imperial Lord is an act worthy of clan annihilation! If anything, I was too lenient!"
Losing land and title and being sent to the fields was ultimately far better than outright massacre, but this was only slightly comforting to the Imperial Lord of the West. Katsushika was a flippant man, and his son Shūran was only slightly less so, not as thoroughgoing and sharp as Sesshōmaru or Katsushika's oldest child Tōran. If Shūran had "overseen" anything, things may have been left mismanaged And if this new Lord Tsuguru or any of his courtiers happened to harbor Eastern sympathies as in the Asano court…
"We don't yet know if Kusakabe was a conspirator," Tōga pointed out.
"I thought that was the conclusion agreed upon at the trial?"
"The 'trial' was hasty as well."
Katsushika snorted. "Who else could have done it, then?"
"Did you receive a missive from Kusakabe concerning the Eastern border a few months before his death?" Tōga asked.
Katsushika took yet another swig of his drink. "I did. Why do you ask?"
"He sent me one as well. I received it merely a week before I arrived in Yobetsu."
"And here I thought you'd simply been on another one of your commoner adventures," Katsushika exclaimed. "I sent guards down there to observe the situation as soon as I received it. It was only a small skirmish between some Eastern soldiers and a Northern farmstead, not some grand conspiracy as he implied." The older man paused briefly and set his cup on the table. "Though I have no idea why he told you this."
"Lord Asano died. He might've thought it easier to simply address the letter to me," Tōga lied, ignoring the slight. In reality, both Imperial Lords knew the truth: even outside the West, Tōga was known for being willing to lend a hand, while Katsushika was decidedly not.
"So you responded to the call, and you were almost assassinated," Katsushika said as if he had just given a wise aphorism. Tōga fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Danger comes with the job," Tōga replied pointedly. "But the commoners at the trial mentioned a man with an Eastern accent who supplied with the poison. The poison allegedly had Kusakabe's seal on it. It can't be coincidental that a man from the East would cause an incident that resulted in Kusakabe's death."
"Why would someone else blow up a hotel simply to kill Lord Kusakabe?"
'Why go through the trouble of framing him at all? Someone knew he would complain, wanted to kill both of us with one stroke, and then covered their tracks once they realized I was still breathing."
"And you supposed Onigumo ordered this attack?"
No – Lord Tōga firmly believed Ryukotsusei was the ultimate source. But he was unwilling to reveal this on account how flippant Katsushika was acting and how much he was drinking.
"That would all seem plausible if Lord Onigumo weren't a fool! If anything, that lotus eater would be searching for more women to plow through, not killing people over farmland," the Northern Lord exclaimed.
The deep sound of the horagai bellowed, and the final-colored flag declared the winning team was placed.
"You've made me miss the round," Katsushika said crossly. "But since its borders you want to discuss, I was told the Asano clan is no longer in charge at Asagawa."
Thankfully, unlike his attempted assassination, all potential news involving Sara's murder of her father and the actions of the wicked courtiers managed to stay unknown to the public due to Lord Motozawa's thoroughness.
Lord Tōga cleared his throat. "Lady Asano was still aggrieved by the death of her father. She stepped down voluntarily."
"An uncharacteristically wise decision for a woman her age. Lord Asano was a fool; whoever thought of tying an estate to a daughter!" Katsushika scoffed.
"You say that as if Lord Asano intended to only have a single daughter," Lord Tōga said.
"He had ample time to remarry after his wife's death. Not everyone can be as lucky as you and immediately have a son," Katsushika said. "When Tōran's mother died, I did my duty and remarried until I had Shūran. And, of course, there are always concubines."
Katsushika's inner chamber struggles were well-known to all but the man himself, it seemed. The reality was that Tōran and Karan's mothers might have still been alive, and he might have long had more than one son, if not for the scheming of his various kept women. It was a simple philosophy: fewer pillow mates, less drama.
"Speaking of," Katsushika started, preparing to change the subject again. "How is my niece? She never sends letters anymore."
Tōga held back his smile. His wife was an unwavering woman and had been that way since her girlhood—if she suddenly disliked someone, she'd sever them from her reality for good. Not that she ever liked her uncle-in-law; in the past, she had always been bound by formality to send him the brief, annual letters. As soon as she'd married and escaped the confines of the palace, she had stopped.
"Princess Saeko is as well as ever."
"I heard your son gave Lord Yasutoki quite the fright a few weeks ago," Katsushika said pointedly. "I received letters from Lord Naozane and young Lord Ishino a few days ago. I suppose it's only proper for me to thank you two for cleaning up that mess. How uncivilized to use such a tragedy as a pretext for violence!"
There was no indication that Katsushika ever intended to examine the situation himself. Tōga bit back his annoyance. "I assume you launched an investigation into the inciting incident, then?"
"What is there to investigate?" Katsushika scoffed. "Lord Morikawa has already stated that no soldiers were around that part of the wall when those tribesmen children were attacked. I'm more apt to trust his word over those of a few random savages."
"The lack of soldiers would give an off-duty guard or a civilian the perfect chance to cause harm," Tōga said roughly. "The tribesmen were upset at the lack of an investigation, which led to the destruction of scores of Northern villagers—civilians under your care. I urge you to be thorough and investigate the claims."
"I am your elder; who are you to attempt to scold me?" Katsushika said haughtily. "In addition, the situation is over—you scared them all away. And if those tribesmen attempt to attack again, I'll simply send more soldiers."
Tōga knew he wouldn't get anywhere with Katsushika. Very few people ever did. Speaking to him was like speaking to a stone wall. Still, it was vital to be able to say that he attempted to advise the man first before censuring him before the emperor.
The horagai bellowed again, signaling the end of the game once and for all. By the time the other noblemen stood from their seats, Tōga was already up and walking down the stairs to find a servant to fetch his horse.
"Not staying for supper?" Katsushika called out.
"It's a long road back to Inugawa," Tōga replied as politely as possible.
"Lord Ryukotsusei should be here soon," Katsushika said. "I was certain you knew this, considering how much you spoke of the East."
Tōga paused. "Ryukotsusei is attending?"
"Yes, unfortunately. Unlike you, he sent a letter. Quite surprising, since he barely leaves his territory."
Ryūkotsusei was a private man, and had been reserved around everybody—even Tōga, in the days of their long-gone youth, during their long-gone friendship. If he had stepped out of his lair in the East for something than his once-a-year required appearance before the Emperor, especially to visit Hyōkusui, the holding of a man he loathed, it couldn't be good.
Tōga released a wry laugh. "I must request more of your hospitality then, Uncle."
Katsushika rolled his eyes and stood from his zabuton, bidding the servants to come forward and clear his platform. "Don't act so coy now. Come; I have much planned for the evening."
a/n: Much like last week's chapter, I secretly wrote this whole thing at worked, typed it up at my leisure, then finally printed out a completed chapter and snuck it into work to proofread it….and now it's here! Yay!
Also, we're finally at chapter twenty! I've already outlined twenty-one and twenty-two and I can confidently say that we're about 1/3 through the plot. There's a LOT more to come so buckle up for this long road trip!
Once again, thank you for all the kind comments! Until next time!