Chapter Sixty-One
The cramped space above the ceilings was dusty, layered in cobwebs, and smelled slightly of mold. As a princess, Misao had half a mind to scold every servant in the palace and demand that the place be thoroughly cleaned if only to avoid having to bathe in the debris during her clandestine adventures. The mischievous child inside of her, however, that fancied herself a spy or even an undercover agent, found the untouched portions of the palace to be exciting. Restless butterflies danced in her stomach while sneaking about, and she loved listening in on other's conversations. She had since very young.
Her size, of course, made her the perfect eavesdropper, as she could hide nearly anywhere without notice. Her proclivity for mischief had been a source of distress for her mother, and amusement for her grandfather. It was the very reason why she had been assigned a personal bodyguard. At least, that was the argument that had been provided to her father. The princesses of the Sky Palace were, of course, well looked after, but only the Emperor's favorites deserved special care. Still, having a personal bodyguard was fairly unnecessary when they were all confined to the palace. A lady's maid was good enough.
Misao had run off every lady's maid she had ever been assigned, and, mostly out of desperation, her father had agreed to the personal bodyguard simply so he wouldn't have to deal with her any longer. What he hadn't counted on, was her running off three personal bodyguards before Aoshi had been assigned. The process had been long and arduous, but having him inside the palace had been the plan from the very beginning. One her grandfather had secretly orchestrated.
Planted and sprawled on a wooden beam, Misao sighed and dropped her face into the crevice of her crossed arms. Sometimes, or rather most times, spying was not as exciting as she would have liked. Spying on the Emperor took a lot of care, but also a lot of time. They were currently at nearly six hours in their recent position. Even then, they were tempting fate. It was imperative that the room feel completely unoccupied upon her father's entrance, otherwise he would know immediately. He was a sensitive old man, and much more cunning than she would like to admit.
Below her, scrunched between two lower ceiling beams, Aoshi lay flat on his back. His eyes were closed, and his body was completely still. In a glance, he appeared asleep, but she knew he was as awake and alert as always. Her pixy form afforded her many advantages that he did not have, but despite his tall and imposing form, he could make his presence vanish even faster than the wind. Rolling herself off the side of her perch, Misao fluttered her wings just enough to allow a soft landing upon his chest. He did not react to her, and even though she knew he should not for fear of alerting anyone to their hiding spot, she still pouted.
An idea popped into her mind a moment later, and she grinned before assuming her full form. Now straddling him, with her hands braced upon his chest, she further pronounced her pout when he popped one eye open.
"I'm bored, Aoshi-sama. Entertain me."
The whisper was nearly inaudible, since she was still aware of their predicament. A little push of wind carried the words to his ear, and his other eye opened. Those piercing blue eyes studied her intently, and a portion of her playfulness dimmed. She was used to him ignoring her teasing, or simply allowing it without response. One hand carefully lifted to gently cup the back of her head, and she leaned forward at his urging. With his lips next to her ear, he whispered his response.
"Be still and quiet. Your games will get us killed."
A soft huff pushed from her nose, and she flattened herself across his torso to drop her head onto his shoulder. His hand remained, but rested upon her neck.
"Are we even sure he's coming in here today?"
His lack of a reply was enough to confirm that she was stuck there for however long it would take. A slightly deeper inhale of air into his lungs pushed her upwards on his chest.
"I told you to stay in your room."
"But…" What if they captured him? What if he was caught? Without her there, what kind of an excuse could he make? The chances were slim her father would accept any excuse, but they were at least higher with her there. She could take all the blame. She was, after all, such a troublemaker. Aoshi-sama would merely be doing his job by trying to bring her to heel.
His chin turned into her hair, and the heat from his mouth warmed her when he spoke.
"Return to your other form, My Lady."
Pouting, she ignored him.
"Do not be spoiled."
Her face jerked towards his hard enough to jar their noses together, and she frowned at the accusation.
"When else can I be this close to you?"
The hand on her neck tightened, and his eyes seemed to frown.
"How much closer does My Lady wish to be?"
His other hand appeared out of nowhere to rest on her bare thigh, and the intensity of his gaze seemed to consume her own, what with the nonexistent amount of space that was between them. Awareness struck her, and her face burst into shades of red. Her mouth moved, but no sound would come out.
"You do not seem to understand the consequences of your actions. I will educate you this once, and you will not be this reckless again."
The firm press of his mouth melted every muscle in her body down to the tensed spread of her toes. Something spiky and warm fluttered in her chest, and she forgot where they were and why they were there. The sudden invasion of his tongue was unexpected, and she would have jerked if not for the way his hands tightened around her in preparation of her reaction. With slow and purposeful motions, he ended the kiss gradually to lessen any noise or disturbance of the air, but such knowledge went well over her head as she drifted euphorically along wherever he guided. When it was over, her eyes remained closed to soak in the experience, and therefore missed the vexed way his features creased at his lack of self-control.
"I will accept my punishment later, My Lady. Remember to be more careful of your actions in the future."
"Wha…?" Aquamarine eyes popped open, but before she could argue with him, their target finally entered the room below. The hand at her neck shifted to press over her mouth, and she could tell that Aoshi was no longer focused on her. Whatever moment they had just shared had ended. It took all of her self-control to fight back her frustration and rage.
From the cadence and sound of the footsteps below, there were two people entering the private study of the Sky Emperor. For a few moments, there was nothing but the shuffling of cushions, slosh of liquid, and creak of the floorboards. Since the Emperor was not one for small talk, it was not surprising that there was no immediate conversation between the two occupants.
"What news of the girl?" The Emperor's question was abrupt in the silence, but the second person answered as if prepared and expecting the topic.
"She is being sheltered at Takani Laboratories. We have been unable to infiltrate the building due to a powerful fox barrier."
Misao recognized the second voice. It was a man by the name of Tamono Eibin. He was a lesser official that had skulked around old Ōkubō whenever he had used to come to the palace before. It appeared that the old man's death had resulted in Tamono's advancement in rank. His voice hissed and rasped like the snake he was.
"She never leaves the building?"
Now to figure out who they were talking about.
"Not since we have learned of her. However, security footage shows her leaving the building a few times before, but always with the fire demon."
Misao's dark brows lifted. Did the fire demon have a girlfriend? If so, Yahiko had failed to mention it. Was her father trying to manipulate the fire demon through some girl?
A low grumble of air vibrated the room, a sure sign that her father was irritated.
"That damn fire demon. If only I had found a way to dispose of him like the rest of his kind. He's nothing compared to his father, and yet…"
Misao's eyes glanced down at Aoshi, but the kijin was focused hard on the words and inflections in their targets' voices. The Emperor had just confirmed that he had wiped out the fire demons on purpose. They had suspected it was due to their strength, but had not heard him confirm as much just yet.
"Forgive me, My Emperor. Is there a reason why he cannot be killed?"
There was a pregnant pause as the Emperor decided upon his next words.
"Tell me Tamono, do you like having an atmosphere? Breathable air? Livable climates? How about water, never mind whether it's clean or not?"
"O-of course." The hesitation in Tamono's voice was clearly not because he didn't mean the answer he had given, but for the multitude of questions such a suggestion compelled. Misao knew that she had many. Were fire demons really so powerful that they could affect the climate?
"I cannot kill that fire demon because his death would make this planet unlivable."
Though his voice was steady and his words clear, something was violently knocked off onto the floor to betray his true feelings on the matter. The fit of impatient rage was uncharacteristic for the sky dragon. Finally, it was too much, and Tamono tentatively pushed.
"Because the absence of an elemental race would imbalance the world?"
"No, you imbecile! Because without a vessel the Kagu-tsuchi would consume the entire planet in flames!"
This time, piercing blue eyes shot to hers, and Misao frowned around the hand still covering her mouth. This was new, and for the Emperor to shout it down upon a subordinate meant he was losing his cool. Something about this Kagu-tsuchi had become stressful for the Sky Emperor, and anything stressful for him was an advantage for them.
"O-of course, My Emperor. Forgive my ignorance."
The snake was putting all of his effort into appeasing the angry sky dragon, but luckily for them, the Emperor's lips were officially loose.
"Unfortunately, Tamono, you shall have to be disillusioned of such ignorance if you are to assist me in this. Ōkubō was aware, and was capable of handling the fire demon appropriately. Do you believe yourself still up to the task?"
"Yes, My Emperor." The confirmation was immediate, and Misao rolled her eyes as she imagined the snake sitting proudly before the sky dragon.
"Have you heard of the Kagu-tsuchi before?"
"I'm afraid I have not."
"Then know this, in order for the Kagu-tsuchi to dwell in our world, it requires a fire demon vessel to contain its power. From what I have seen, it has assumed the form of a sword, and appears as nothing more than a tool. However, only a select few of its vessels have been capable of wielding that sword. According to the legends, it grants them immense power over both life and death. However, while studying ancient texts, I discovered that a sword is not the Kagu-tsuchi's true form. It is not a mere weapon, but a god."
"A god?" Awe had filled the snake's slithery voice. "Like Raijin and Fujin?"
"Greater, so it is said. According to the legends, all lesser gods were born from the Kagu-tsuchi when it fell to Earth from the Sun. When the Kagu-tsuchi realized that it could not safely dwell upon the Earth, it created a vessel to contain its power. This vessel was the first fire demon, and the Kagu-tsuchi was passed down through that line of fire demons to the one we have today. But the fire demons are mortal and imperfect vessels. They are, therefore, unable to indefinitely contain its power."
Something close to a roar of frustration shook the palace.
"If only I could have taken the power for myself, but taking it by force seems to be impossible. Then those damn humans got in my way! I all but handed them the boy to see if their science could help remove the Kagu-tsuchi while still in sword form, but they hid him from me. They even tried to harness the power themselves. Ignorant fools! We are lucky they did not destroy the planet when they damaged that boy's core."
Heavy breathing filled the room below, and another low rumble calmed the Emperor from his outburst.
"I see now how lucky I truly was. If they had inadvertently discovered the truth, the Kagu-tsuchi would have been lost to me forever. I cannot allow it to assume its true form. As a sword it can be manipulated, but as a god…"
His rambling seemed more for his own benefit than Tamono's, but soon enough his voice lifted again and demanded obedience.
"We must get that girl away from him. I will figure out how to deal with him later, but right now we cannot have them together. It is much too risky."
Ready and willing to follow any command, Tamono offered a plan.
"Tatsumi-san is on standby. Upon your order, he will break through the barrier. It would be messy, with a lot of casualties, but he could get the job done. He is prepared to give his life for you, My Emperor."
"Tatsumi is a good man, but even that is too risky. I cannot make enemies of our Prime Minister. He is not a demon to tolerate that type of blatant destruction and chaos, even from me."
"You have but to simply deny any connection to Tatsumi's actions."
Misao sneered, but the Emperor denied the suggestion without hesitating. Clearly, not out of any attachment to his pawn, however.
"Aritomo Yamagata is not a fool. If he investigates, it will only hinder our actions."
"Of course, Your Grace." The snake pondered their options out loud. "She is only a human. Surely it will not be that hard to kill her."
The hands resting on Aoshi's shoulders tightened into his clothes.
A human?! How?!
Her face must have said as much, as the blue eyes of her kijin bodyguard softened as he gazed up at her.
"Humans, as I recall, are very fragile. What threat could she possibly pose? Even if she was revived with a Death Power, her body is simple to destroy. Like an animal."
A revived human. I didn't know that was possible. A fierce scowl marred her expression, and the hand at her mouth released her to instead caress her check. It doesn't matter. I won't allow him to keep getting away with this!
"Humans are not to be underestimated, Tamono. I do not care if she is only a revived one. There is too much at stake. Especially with her so near the Kagu-tsuchi."
"Are you suggesting that a mere human is capable of controlling such a power? That cannot be possible, My Emperor, when you yourself were unable to take it. Humans are mere ants compared to demons. They are nothing compared to a dragon."
"It is because they have no power that they are dangerous. It is the very reason why I had to destroy them. I did not understand it immediately, and it was nearly my downfall. The ancient texts outlining the legends of the Kagu-tsuchi placed too much significance on those lacking in power. The most powerful of the gods seems to be much too attached to the weak. I had no choice but to remove them from the equation."
It was no surprise to Misao or Aoshi that the Emperor had purposefully wiped out the humans. After all, Misao knew first hand exactly how he felt about them. The truth behind his manipulation of the war, however, was not something either had expected, and they listened intently as he explained the secret he had learned over three hundred years prior.
X
It was another three hours before Misao was able to make it back to her rooms. By that time, the last thing on her mind was of how her bodyguard had decided to overreach his boundaries in the cramped space of the ceiling rafters. A spoiled princess she may have been, but she was also committed to the death of the Sky Emperor. Information towards that end would always be prioritized in the moment. Misao was also, however, exceptionally adept at compartmentalizing her rationality and her emotions, and could take either out when the situation called for it.
Still, the information they had learned from her father had consumed her mind with rage, grief, and thoughts of revenge. Therefore, when Aoshi went down on one knee directly inside of her rooms, it took her a moment to remember to pout.
"My punishment, Princess?"
His voice, which he had refrained from using for over three hours, tickled her bruised heartstrings and reminded her of what he had done. Crossing her arms, Misao fisted her hands until her knuckles ached. She knew what he meant, and it hurt. He thought his actions reproachable, but for the wrong reasons.
"You really messed up, Aoshi-sama." She tried to sound haughty, but failed to completely contain her tremors.
"I know, My Lady. I do not expect forgiveness."
"Then you leave me no choice." Matter-of-fact but slightly shaky, she lifted her chin to pass judgment. "From now until the day you die, you will stay by my side and never leave." Her voice trembled, and her hands dropped to her sides. "You're mine! Got that?!"
"My Lady…"
"Call for my grandfather!"
The door between her outer rooms and her inner bedchamber slammed between them, and Aoshi's bent head lowered even further into his chest. A moment later, and the presence of another stood next to him.
"What did you do this time?"
The older voice was still strong, and just as mischievous as his granddaughter's own playful lilt. Without raising his head, Aoshi swallowed.
"If she will not punish me, Okina-sama, I would ask that you do so in her place."
"Sounds to me like she did, though." The elder laughed, and clasped his hands behind his back as he stood before the kijin. "Trailing around behind her for the rest of your life would frighten most grown men."
"She only said that because she knows I cannot. It is not a punishment if I cannot fulfill her demand." The kijin's soft voice suggested otherwise.
"Good answer." The teasing quality in Okina's voice disappeared, and there was something sharp about him now. "Very well, boy, if I am to punish you, I must at least know what I'm punishing you for."
Finally, Aoshi hesitated.
"I took advantage of her naivety. Though it is no excuse, I was concerned that her lack of boundaries might one day place her in harm's way, and thought a demonstration might deter her."
"Stand up." The command walked over him before he could finish his statement, and Aoshi immediately stood straight and tall. A tonfa appeared in the shorter demon's hand and slammed into Aoshi's stomach hard enough to drop him back to his knees. When he spoke again, Okina's voice was clearly angry.
"Let me explain something to you, boy. I know you are not ignorant of my granddaughter's affection for you, just as I am not ignorant of it. You, however, should not concern yourself with who she loves, or the boundaries she might one day cross. The only thing that you should know is that I have been against this ridiculous affection for you from the start, and I've already expressed my disapproval to her. I will never allow her to be with you."
Harsh blue irises lifted sharply, and Okina's own dark eyes narrowed.
"Does that anger you?" Aoshi's chin turned away, and his head reluctantly ducked back into a bow before the old wind demon. "Focus on what you came here to do. Leave my granddaughter to me. I will trust you with this nation, but my family means more to me than some country does. I will not trust her happiness to someone too busy with others to take care of her properly."
His hand jerked dismissively.
"Get out. I will hear the report from Misao."
When Okina entered Misao's bedchamber, he found her face down on her bed like a child after a tantrum. Despite his harsh words to the kijin, he smiled to see her so worked up. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he lightly smacked the back of her calf to gain her attention.
"He's such an idiot."
The muffled claim was thick with petulance.
"Then why bother with him? Forget that overpowered ogre. Tell me what you heard."
An overexaggerated sigh mixed with a groan released her irritation, before she pushed herself upright.
"Just ask Aoshi-sama. He'll tell you verbatim."
"I'm asking you, girl. Something you heard clearly upset you."
Misao's eyes dropped to her lap, and her voice lowered.
"They found a human."
Okina frowned.
"That's impossible."
"Well… they said she's a 'revived' human. Does that mean anything to you?"
A deep breath lifted his chest, but he decided against elaborating before she explained herself. If there really was a necromancer out there, then it was cause for concern.
"It does. What else did you hear?"
"…He's going to kill her. Just because she's a human." Her hands clenched in the blanket covering her bed. "Just like he did to Mom when he found out that Grandmother was human." The grind of her teeth was nearly audible, and the pain on her face was sharp. "I hate him so much." Rage-filled tears glistened on her lashes, and Okina hugged her tense form to his chest.
"I know, little girl. You are not alone. He will pay for what he's done. I swear it."
As she cried bitter tears, Okina decided it best to obtain the remaining information from Aoshi. Whatever the news, it was time to hasten their plans.
X
A/N: This wasn't meant to be a full chapter of just Misao and Aoshi, but I'm rather okay with it, lol. Their relationship is a bit complicated, but I guess it was in the original as well, so I'm glad I get to work with that in my story. I imagine it's not really a surprise that the Emperor is behind a lot of the bad things that have happened to Kenshin, but the reason why was what I wanted to highlight. The Kagu-tsuchi is a real part of Japanese lore, BUT, and this is a big but, I've butchered the original lore to make it fit into my story, so take it with a grain of salt. If you would like the true lore, please look it up. It's very interesting. For my next chapter, Kaoru and Kenshin share some moments together, Kaoru remembers more of her time in the Veil, and Kenshin speaks to Sōzō.
On another note, I forgot to mention this in the last chapter, but you guys make me so happy. Especially when you start piecing together the details from earlier chapters. I had to brag about that to my man, even if he just looks at me like I'm a special case. XD Love my readers! And to continue my little tradition of sharing the love, please take a moment to breathe and remember that someone in this world (and someone not in this world) loves you.