Chapter 12 Mancala
Summer had waned, autumn and winter had also passed in their time. Rin had decided to spend the remainder of the gentler weather with Kaede, learning about flowers and herbs, as well as about humans in their natural state. At least these humans had proven their kindness, unlike the ones in Rin's past. Shippou also spent most of that time in the village, which was likely part of the draw for Rin. As the nights grew frosty, Shippou was enrolled in a study program run by kitsune, to learn more about his abilities and develop his kitsune skills. For Rin, winter was spent with Sesshoumaru, Jaken, and Ah-Un in comfort. This kept her in good health, and she spent time with her Sesshoumaru-sama. In turn, Sesshoumaru made time from his duties as Lord of the Western Lands to spend time with Rin. Of course, there were many Family Game Nights. Though not all of them were on Thursdays. Demons did not always track individual days the same way humans did.
Now spring had returned. With the warming weather, Sesshoumaru returned Rin to Kaede's village. Jaken and Ah-Un camped near the Bone-Eater's Well, by the giant stump table, in what was being referred to as 'Family Game Camp' by Rin and Shippou. They tended to giggle while they were saying it, which only made the adults smile and indulge the young ones' silliness.
His responsibilities thus managed, Sesshoumaru turned his mind to his other great task; preventing the extermination of his entire species. To that end, he waited outside the village for his half-brother, sending a flare of his yoki up in a slight challenge. He knew Inuyasha would not be able to resist the call.
Sure enough, the hanyo showed up almost immediately. "Grrr, what do you want, pric….errr, you?" Inuyasha remembered at the last moment he was supposed to be trying to get along with Sesshoumaru.
"This one has a mission of some delicacy that needs to be handled with care. There is also a trifling errand that needs someone to run. This…ah, I thought that as the other dog demon in 'Silver Dogs Design', you would be the logical one to run the…"
"Hold off! I ain't an errand lackey to be sent off like your toad, Jaken.," retorted Inuyasha, gruffly. "I'm not running your stupid errand. But, if you ask, nicely, I might be willing to 'handle' your delicate mission. I can do delicate, if I want to."
The daiyouki narrowed his eyes slightly, then responded cooly, "Jaken is an imp demon, not a toad demon. If you can not tell the difference, how can I possibly entrust a task of diplomacy to you? No, I suppose you are not ready to be a partner in this enterprise yet. Perhaps when you have a couple more centuries under your fur you will be more prepared."
The hanyo began to sputter with annoyance, "Oi, I can be just as diplomatic as you can. I'll just have to prove it to you. Gimme that mission, I promise I'll take care of it, you pompous ass."
"Do you promise to take care with this mission? It is of vital importance to our future."
"Yeah, yeah," Inuyasha struck a mocking pose, lowered his voice and said in unctuous tones, "I swear on my father's sword to complete this given quest to the best of my natural abilities. Now, just gimme already."
"Very well. Since you have sworn such a binding oath, I will, reluctantly, allow you to take this greater task upon yourself." Sesshoumaru paused for effect, then spoke, "I charge you to journey to the northern mountains, once there meet with the wolf clans. Speak with Kouga and his pack. Find out what other games or toys they may have to share. Then, most importantly, speak with Kouga and convince him to join our enterprise. From what I have read in the papers the miko left with us, I believe we will need him and his pack in our future endeavors."
"You want me to do what?! Talk to Kouga? That's your important diplomatic mission that you made me promise to do? You are so full of crap," Inuyasha fumed. "What are you going to be doing then while I'm carefully NOT beating that jerk, Kouga, into pulp?"
Sesshoumaru looked at his half-brother carefully, "I? I shall be speaking with other youkai about what games they may have knowledge. Some I may try and convince to join us."
"Oh, yeah? Like who?"
"Bokuseno for one. He the oldest demon I know. Perhaps Totosai. Though if you happen to come across the flea, Myouga, you might consult with him. He tends to check in on you rather than me. And last," Sesshoumaru allowed a slight grimace to mar his impassive face, "last, I will go to speak with my mother. Unless you would like to trade assignments?"
"Bokuseno AND your mother? No, thanks, bro," Inuyasha used the shortened word that he'd heard Kagome call her brother, Souta, knowing it would needle Sesshoumaru. He also knew there was nothing Sesshoumaru would do about it as he was trying awfully hard to keep the peace between them. It might not be as satisfying as calling his half-brother an ass, but it was so much better than just going along without some form of rebellion. He continued, "I think your little errand is going to be much more of a diplomatic headache than mine. At least if mine goes badly, I get to fight. I doubt that will be an option with your mother. I'll see ya' in a couple weeks at the 'Gaming Table'. Good luck. You'll need it." He snickered as he ran back to the village.
'That went about as I expected it to,' thought Sesshoumaru, smugly. 'I not only avoid trekking over the mountains as winter thaws the snow, but I also avoid having to deal with the wolves after a long over-wintering in their dens and caves. I still need to speak with Bokuseno and have a long conversation with Mother. However, I would have had to do that anyway. Avoiding dealing with the wolves, in addition to the others, was a brilliant strategy, if I do think so myself.'
With that thought, Sesshoumaru summoned his youkai cloud and flew off in the direction of Bokuseno's glade. He had much to discuss with the tree demon.
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Sesshoumaru landed just outside the area Bokuseno claimed as his territory. He walked gracefully between the trees until he approached the glade proper. The magnolia tree demon's home had already shed its winter cover, green leaves and sprouting flowers carpeted the forest floor, lit with slanted sunbeams. Sesshoumaru walked carefully to the ancient tree placing his hand upon the bark.
"Ah, young one, you finally decided to drop by for a visit. To what do I owe this honor, Lord of the Western Lands?" the elderly tree's voice echoed down from the green filled canopy.
"Greetings, elder. This Sesshoumaru requests a consultation. There are matters of grave consequence that would benefit from your wisdom."
"Oh, ho!" A craggy face appeared in the bark of the great tree, slightly above Sesshoumaru's eye level. "Grave consequence, you say? Say on, Western Lord. If there is wisdom to be found, it is yours to receive."
The formal pleasantries exchanged, Sesshoumaru gave the tree youkai a quick outline of the more recent events. He wasn't sure how much was new information for Bokuseno and how much the tree demon was already aware. The daiyoukai included the details of Naruku's defeat, the purifying of the Shikon Jewel, how the wish had whisked Kagome away. He revealed her fears of a future without demons. He spoke of the miko's tradition of 'Family Game Night' and the catalog's clues. He explained his hopeful plans to save the youkai and of the compromises he had made, the allies he was courting, the truce with Inuyasha. In his abstract recitation of facts, he even mentioned the promise he had made to Kagome. The promise to be there to meet her in the future. As the last words ran out his mouth, he was surprised to see a smile stretch the bark clad face of the tree youkai.
"Some of this is not news to me. The trees and bushes spread the word of Naruku's demise. That was a deed well done, by you and your extended pack." Sesshoumaru almost startled at the term, but held onto his stoic mien with some effort. Bokuseno continued, "I'm sorry to hear of the disappearance of the Shikon Miko. I rather liked the young lady. Still, Goshinboku is certain that she was returned to her own time. Or at least as certain as it can be. The stream of time is difficult to read and even harder to interpret.
"Now, as to your plan to save the youkai, show me this catalog of which you speak. Let me see what I can glean from its paper." Sesshoumaru brought out the catalog. Bokuseno's face disappeared and then reappeared a bit lower to make it easier to see what Sesshoumaru was holding.
"Hmmm, yes. I see. Quite. Ahhh, interesting. No, I do not recognize those symbols or references either."
Sesshoumaru patiently turned the pages and listened to the tree's rolling commentary. When Bokuseno was done, he waited to hear the wisdom of the ancient tree.
"I see how you might use this as a guide. I believe your interpretation of events thus far is as valid as any other. Clearly you will need to collect other games and pastimes from older demons and human communities. You will also need to be flexible as the willow branch and as clever as a kitsune to hide in plain sight. I shall weave my bark and branch to make even stronger protections for my glade and myself. I may be able to assist in hiding others. Goshinboku is alive both now and in the future, as the miko confirmed." Sesshoumaru nodded in response. "Excellent. I shall consult with it to strengthen my own barriers."
Bokuseno continued, "Now, take this wood from my branches," there was the thud of tree limbs falling. "That paper will not last 400 years as it is, and you will need to consult it often. Make a chest of my wood to store your catalog and any other papers you need to preserve. The strength of my youkai should keep its contents safe."
"Is there any more wisdom this old tree can impart to you, young inu?"
Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. "Do you know of any games that might be of interest?"
"Interest to you? Hmm, I suppose I could throw a stick and have you bring it back to me. Would that be enjoyable?" the old tree could scarcely contain his mirth, while the dog demon straightened his posture and narrowed his eyes, giving the other demon a cold look.
"This Sesshoumaru does not find that amusing."
"No? Well then, how about a game of Mancala?" a board with two rows of cups appeared on the surface of a low hanging branch. In the first pair of cups were several seeds. "Would you like to move first, young one?"
Sesshoumaru inclined his head in agreement and sat beside the board to make his move.
"Excellent, young inu. And while we play, you may tell me more about this promise you made to the young miko, Kagome. Do not be bashful. It may have more importance than you realize. I cannot judge unless you tell me all. Even then, it may not be apparent until later in time."
A/N: Mancala is one name for games in the count and capture family of games. It is the one most familiar to the author, so that is the one I chose to use. There is some evidence that these games may date as far back as 5,870 to 240 BCE. Mancala is considered one of the oldest games, certainly the oldest still being played continuously.