CH. 18


It wasn't necessarily considered unusual to see a member from one of the three prominent families of Jujitsu society step foot on either campus to meet with the elders or higher-ups, or with the appointed principal of the respectable school. To discuss either important or sensitive information, a new discovery, or something else. By a prominent member, the current head of said family. Seeing someone other than that wasn't quite uncommon, they possibly were a stand-in or delivering. Whatever the reason it didn't warrant raised brows from some, that didn't dismiss the surprise when they came.

Such was with Yoshinobu Gakuganji when someone from one of the families requested an unscheduled meeting with him on the Kyoto school grounds. Gakuganji was glad Mai was off on an assignment, sparing her from their presence and targeted words, which would make this meeting unpleasant for her.

Gakuganji sat behind a crafted and oriented oak desk in his vast office, positioned center of the campus, waiting for them. They were soon, a quarter past noon, though Gakuganji knew they'd possibly stroll in five minutes after their said time despite being the one who scheduled it. It was rude but he knew the position and weight the three families held, so like most in his position as a higher-up he allowed it. This family followed the conservative tradition of the society, respecting. The least he could say for the current head of the Gojo clan.

Detest rested on Gakuganji at the thought of the disrespectful, egotistical, and outright delinquent blue-eyed man. If not for the power he wields and status…. Gakuganji and the other higher-ups wouldn't bend. That man constantly stepped on the structure and governing laws of their society like ants…many times Gakuganji sometimes wished there was a way to knock him down a that or if that time came he let it be. Gakuganji glanced momentarily at the grandfather clock against the wall of the office, it was five minutes until their 'initial' arrival. Switching his thoughts away from Gojo, he pondered what this unscheduled meeting could possibly be to request him and only instead of all the higher-ups. There clearly was reason, he doubted it was serious or threatening to their world and the world as a whole. Nothing unusual was stirring or rising, no threats since The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.

Eliminating those reasons Gakuganji couldn't think of anything else. Maybe a member of their family was to be enrolled, if so then he would have been notified directly by the current head of the family, if he wasn't in an inebriated condition, and if he happened to be that man would send either one of his sons or someone else of higher rank or he'd learn it from Mai. Which he hadn't so that wasn't it. The clock struck 12:15 and just as he predicted they weren't here. Gakuganji was careful to hide his irritation marking itself on his aged, hanging face.

"Such disrespect," he muttered to himself, being mindful it remained at a level only his ears could hear should they suddenly come in and hear it.

One wrong word could they deem or felt possibly insulted, who knows how they'd spin it to their father.

Five minutes passed, then ten. They still hadn't arrived, Gakuganji let out a long, drawling sigh. This extra time he could have been polishing his guitar or writing new lyrics, he still needed a drummer if he was going to sit here this long. Another drawling sigh left Gakuganji, lengthier than the last. It was now 12:30 and still no sign.

Impertinence is the word Gakuganji felt. That's what this was a brazen impertinence. Whatever happened to respect, this new generation lacked it. Five extra minutes passed and Gakuganji finally heard approaching footsteps outside his office. Finally, he thought setting his eyes on the office door.

The footsteps stopped at the door, he saw their shadow sip slightly through the threshold, and without a proper knock or announcement or any formality, they just opened the door and stood there for a moment, dressed in traditional attire that resembled most of his clan members. A white long-sleeved shirt with buttons at the color underneath his dark blue kimono. With light-colored hakama bottoms, sandals, and three added piercings in his left ear that complemented his arrogant smirk directed on Gakuganji as they confidently crossed the room, swung the door shut carelessly, and locked it.

The last action rose one of Gakuganji's long brows, locking the door was unusual. That wasn't all he observed, there was this look in their sharp brown eyes that was telling of a secret a delicious one that boarded on….hunger? Desire? Possessive desire? He wasn't sure but it made their arrogant smirk turn into a confident smile stretching ear to ear. It resonated in the way they spoke.

Gakuganji stood from his chair and greeted them with hospitality and respect, "Zen'in Naoya welcome. Impeccable timing."

The young man scoffed, stopping before the desk, dismissing the old man's subtle chastising, "Time isn't something you need to concern yourself with. As for myself, the timing couldn't be more impeccable."

"I'm sure. Now, why have you requested we meet? Alone it would seem and without the other higher-ups. I assume your father hasn't any inclination about this?"

"Not yet. He's busy finding nirvana at the bottom of a gorge. Making this easier for me, the three times he didn't help."

"The last time," Gakuganji repeated with caution and intrigue. He kept his ears sharp following every word the young Zen'in said. "What do you mean?"

Naoya said nothing and swept an unimpressive glance around the office. Tempted to say something but held back, he didn't come here to verbally slash the place, he could do that any other time. He had another….desire and he needed Gakuganji in a good mood to do so, for this work.

So he answered the old man's question, "Two words," he said coolly, maintaining that confidence slipping a hand inside his shirt, pulling out a 5x7 picture the back to Gakuganji, "Bishop May."

He turned the photo around, placed it on the desk, and slid it across. His eyes steadily followed it and set particularly on you, he didn't notice the raw shock covering Gakuganji. The old man forced himself to blink a few times to shake the shock from him and assure himself this…was an actual photo of you. A photo of you now. At this very day and time, the photo was slightly blurry but it was quite easy to make you out in the flower market among the vendors and customers tucking some books against your chest. Those distinctive you and uncle shared from the family you both held from, a shade of purple hair and shade of amber eyes. Yours a soft orchid purple, longer than Gakuganji last saw you.

Your uncle had a darker shade of purple and his eyes held a deadly ferociousness, Gakuganji remembered well. Very well, the fibers in his body from memory shook. The rage in Zabari's eyes was like a blazing sun when he found out about your disappearance. The man let out such a rage-fueled roar, if not for Masamichi's intervention and that others Gakuganji was quite sure Death would sitting next to him. A man like Zabari, his position, and title….it made absolute sense his strength.

And Gakuganji knew it was idiotic he and the other elders invoked Zabari's wrath. Gakuganji didn't stop the thought if your return…meant you came for retribution. If it did….did the others know? He needed to inform the other elders immediately. As the intention stirred in him to take action, it dawned on him suddenly, how did Naoya discover your presence and secondly what did he want with you, though Gakuganji had an idea where this was leading remembering what the young Zen'in said.

"She's back," Naoya continued his eyes never lifting from your image.

It took Gakuganji a moment to find his words and keep his voice even without any detection of concern, "So it seems. Or it could be an illusion of the eye."

A deep chuckle climbed from Naoya that could raise goosebumps in others, matching his trailing gaze on etching in every feature the photo offered, "It's no illusion," his voice lowered dangerously, "None at all. It's her complete body, frame, and all. Matured of course but all the same, it's her." His eyes trailed as low as they could go on the photo.

Gakuganji didn't lift his eyes, he couldn't deny Naoya's words. It was clearly you, flesh and all.

"Is this what you wanted to meet about? Her return and refusal to inform the rest of us?"

Naoya couldn't tell if Gakuganji was intentionally playing a fool or not. But didn't mind humoring him, "Not necessarily. No. The rest of you elders don't need to know her of her arrival, yet."

"Yet?"

"Yes. Yet. There isn't any need to play this ridiculous game of cat and mouse, you know exactly why I'm here and showed you the photo." Naoya took the photo back and Gakuganji watched him tuck securely back inside his shirt.

Against his resistance to answering Naoya's directness, Gakuganji lifted his eyes to meet Naoya's unabashedly displaying his reasoning for the meeting and something darker.

"You intend to marry her."

"I don't intend. I will," Naoya boldly declared crossing his arms over his chest.

"How do you propose in doing so? You know the blockade presented."

Naoya chuckled dismissively, his arrogant grin returned, "This isn't any blockade, you know that. I know. Everyone does, her family is gone leaving her a lost pup. That guard dog uncle of hers is gone. His jurisdiction doesn't hold up. No price needs to be paid. She's a free game and in a hunt, the first to discover gets the game. Not to mention the agreement."

Gakuganji was silent for a moment, "You're correct. Yes," Naoya's smile grew to his ears, "however you forgot. Her uncle had his contingency."

Naoya's smile dropped and was replaced by a sharp anger. He knew who Gakuganji meant.

"That doesn't change the agreement!" He snapped raising his voice. Slamming a fist on the desk. All traces of confidence nearly faulted. "It's immiscible! It doesn't stand! The stature of limitations is gone! She's of age! I was guaranteed by all of you!"

Gakuganji calmly sat back in his chair, being mindful to choose his words and the appropriate counter. He stroked his long bread immersed in thought, trying Naoya's patience. He could feel the young man's rage rising. The proposal Naoya was trying to set in motion could benefit and eliminate any traces of their involvement a decade ago. The only issue was Zabari's contingency and Gakuganji knew he would hold onto that and wouldn't make it easy.

"You'll need further proof of her presence." He said tactfully.

"What? I presented a photo what other proof do you need? A lock of hair?" Naoya smirked to curve his anger.

"No."

"Then what? Further photos that I can get."

"Perhaps."

"Fine. I'll get extra photos."

Gakuganji shook his head, "Not any pictures, one needs to be her location. Where's she staying? That will provide confirmation. Can you get that, the sooner the better."

Naoya's smirk almost dropped again, his voice tightened with levels of irritation at the slight obstacle, "I don't know where she stays. From what is told to me she mostly departs to the sky and since they don't have flight of their own, they can't discover her location."

"Then it could possibly cause you a problem. Should she present herself back your chances might be lowered slightly."

An idea sprung in Naoya's eyes with a devious gleam, "If she does and wants to return back have her stationed in Kyoto. You and the other elders can vote on that. Tokyo has enough teachers and sorcerers. That doggie uncle's contingency can't interject about that, right?"

"Yes."

Naoya almost felt victorious, yet the looming feeling of a 'however' was evident.

He snarled "What?"

"Gojo. You know as well as I his words hold control. They went to school together and considering he knows your intentions, I suspect he wouldn't allow it."

"He never cared honestly about her. They weren't buddies by any means. If anything it'd be that ridiculous ratio sorcerer or that pencil manager. Neither have weight."

He wasn't wrong about that, or everything else he said.

"Until then," Naoya continued slipping his hand back inside his shirt, pulling the picture out again, and handing it over to Gakuganji, "you have visual proof she's back and I intend to receive what's owed to me a decade ago. As the next heir of the Zen'in family, I expect great things."

Gakuganji took the picture and set it down, his eyes remained with Naoya's until he turned around breaking it to leave.

"I'll get you further evidence," Naoya added stopping before the door, "not a soul to anyone other than the rest of you ancient bones. Oh," his smirk slithered back on his lips, "be careful with the photo I do enjoy it."

With nothing else to say Naoya leaves, leaving the door open. As he walked down the hall a thought throbbed in his mind. How would find your location, the picture he left was two weeks old, and since then no sightings of you. Where could you be?

He wasn't the only one pondering that question, Ziad wondered about it too. He arrived at one of the three buildings you rented out for your business, there wasn't any sign of you or trace his eye could find.

Since the dinner, two weeks ago and a few days after it you just….just up and left in the middle of the night, without a word or anything. Not even Roselyn knew, you even left your phone. A dangerous thing to do. He and Roselyn knew you weren't supposed to, at least you'd be…punished and they didn't want that. You had for a few days recently and it wasn't hard for him and Roselyn to know that's why you left. Every fiber of his body raged, Ziad felt it pulsating and it still remained. It wouldn't stop until he found you, as a Medjay it was his duty but for you, it was his desire. He wanted you back, he needed you back….if anything happened to you while you were astray…then he failed. The guilt anchored on his chest, why was this island of Japan so damn big!?

Why were you hiding your presence!?

He was a Medjay, he should be able to find you. His eyes do another sweep of the building and using the limited curse energy he had, his senses pick up nothing. Not even your sweet floral scent, no matter whatever fragrance you wore it was never covered. It was comforting, it was the first thing he remembered after he woke when you…protected him. You weren't by him, you were dealing with your own loss. A loss he knew he could never repay and one didn't require him to.

But, his hands clenched into fists so tight he felt his nails puncture his palms and slow drips of blood slowly fell, he wanted to. It was his choice.

With no sign of you, he turned and sprinted away to once again check the other two were here somewhere, he was going to find you no matter the cost or until Roselyn called him to return back because you returned. Until then, he flipped off the side onto the next roof landing gracefully, and sprinted, he would keep searching.

You were here, he repeated to himself fueling his drive, you were, he just needed to know where.

You had an answer for that, the Nile. You were at the Nile sitting alone on the steps of an immaculate temple watching the frozen sunset.