Three Hundred And Twelve
Shiro, Shaeula, Daiyu and I moved through the streets of Kyoto, the silver skies above illuminating the many buildings and odd structures around us. Lanterns strung overhead on long chains, burning in a rainbow of dark colours, gave it a completely different feel to Tokyo. Fortunately, we encountered no difficulties as we followed Shaeula’s lead towards the Night Parade, the few creatures out and about in Kyoto either in other areas or steering clear of us. Perhaps they fear a confrontation. After all, last ti I was here I did defeat a couple of powerful denizens…
“Over there-there.” Shaeula pointed elegantly, and already we could see nurous strange and frightening Yokai perched on the surrounding buildings, looking down on us. There were Oni, Kitsune, Kappa, Tengu and many weirder creatures that I couldn’t even put a na to. The atmosphere seed… tense… sohow, far less boisterous than the raucous festivities that we had witnessed in our prior etings, and I was starting to get a bad feeling. It’s not Foresight or anything like that, but I do feel a bit… wary.
Daiyu was on edge, seeing so many dwellers of the Spirit World before her, and she moved closer to instinctively, readying herself for battle. Shiro, anwhile, was only curious, perhaps trusting my words that Nurarihyon wanted, no, needed her cooperation, according to the visions from the Kudan accompanying him.
“This is seriously amazing, Aki. We’ve nothing like this in Tokyo, do we?” she gushed, her curiosity and instincts piqued.
“Not that I’ve found, just isolated communities, and a lot of zombies and insect monsters.” I admitted. “But then, I’ve hardly scouted all of Tokyo. The Greater Tokyo area is a big place.”
“True.” Shiro conceded. “By the way Aki, girls don’t like it when you nit-pick at everything they say! Just so advice from this princess.”
“I’m sure my sis has told that before.” I said, a wry smile on my face, happy she had tried to lighten the mood. We slowed to a halt, the Yokai, thousands of them, still watching us. It was then a large group of muscular Oni ca through the streets towards us, led by the familiar sight of Red and Blue. On seeing us, Red’s face curled into quite the malicious grin, his fangs showing, bone white against his crimson flesh.
“Well, we et again, little man-thing.” He had a gourd over one shoulder, and he took a swig, before wiping his mouth ssily. “And daughter of Urakaze.” He nodded at Shaeula, who returned his greeting with an airy wave of her hand, still confident. “These two are new, no?”
“Get to the point, will ya?” Blue complained. “We’ve been bored waiting for ya, and now even the booze is running out. I was beginning to think ya were never coming back. That might have been smart.” She snorted, the sound deafening. “So of the Numbers, they’re wagering on whether you’d co back, or whether ya’d survive if ya did.” She paused, her smile grim. “My tally was on ya not returning. Guess I lose.”
“Har. Har. Har.” Red laughed boomingly. “Blue here always was one to go with her gut. …” his smile changed, and his dark gaze was serious. “… I knew you’d co back. After you walked out of here, the old Kijo bitch dead and gone. You’ve got guts, for a foolish little creature.” He looked at Shaeula then. “Besides, no daughter of hers could be a coward. Old Four Tails placed all her treasures on your return too, and your survival. That…” he belched, and I could sll the stink from here, Shiro and Daiyu looking disgusted. “... I’m not so sure about.”
At his words, laughter broke out amongst the watching Parade, a mixture of hoots, growls and cawing. Well, this is about Yamato-san, right? But it’s not like I broke any agreents. I left him there, alive, just as I promised. Though I admit that’s only the words, not the spirit of the agreent. “Well, can I get in on that? I’m willing to wager that we’ll walk out of here alive.” I said confidently.
“Indeed.” Shaeula grinned. “I can see-see several Kamaitachi and other weasel Yokai watching us. Do hurry along and tell my mother I have co-co to claim the true bodyguards and servants I was promised. I have great-great need of them.”
“Uh, Aki, you’re being quite forceful here.” Shiro whispered. “We are pretty outnumbered, and they all seem strong.” Daiyu nodded, not understanding her words but getting the idea from her facial expression and tone.
“There’s nothing to worry about.” I said loudly. “In fact, I’ve no idea why our welco is so… unwelcoming. It’s rather disappointing.”
“No idea, ya sure?” Blue chuckled bitterly.
“Yes, I’m sure. So, shall we go? I need to speak to Nurarihyon.” I said fearlessly. I’m still confident that we have the upper hand in negotiations here. After all, he needs Shiro and Tan more than we need him, I’d say.
“Fine.” Red declared. “I admit to being curious about how this’ll all play out. No matter, if you die, I’ll pour out what little booze I have left for you, just like I did for that foolish idiot that was my bro.” he tapped at the gourd.
“Oh yeah, I promised you so booze, didn’t I? Well, it so happens we can make good on that tonight.” I smiled at the sudden look of interest in the eyes of Red and Blue. “But before that, business, right? We shouldn’t keep Nurarihyon waiting, and Shaeula wants to reunite with her mother again.”
“This way.” Blue gestured, and we swept down several twisting streets, until we reached a larger open area, a modest park, where the massive snake-drawn pagoda-style shrine house was waiting, along with the massive carriages and stranger dwellings from our last eting. Fires were burning here, great bonfires, the flas yellow and purple, and thousand more Yokai were milling about, a crazed circus of monsters. Wait, is that…
Seeing where I was looking, Red laughed. “Yes, that’s him.” The golden cage, hoisted high on a long, shaved tree-trunk, was dangling on golden chains, a sad, barely conscious figure in rags within. “Our prize.” Ugh, the golden bars below the cage are rather… rusty-looking.
“Not that it was as rewarding as we hoped.” A voice said suddenly in my ear, a brush of warm flesh against my cheek. I jumped, reaching for Cutting Twilight, only to see it was the four-tailed foxwoman. She then darted backwards as a blade of wind furrowed the ground where she was standing, Shaeula glaring at her, irritated.
“Well, is that any way to greet your senior in the Numbers?” the Kitsune grinned, seemingly pleased at her joke. “Your mother would be so sad you are treating poorly.”
“I would have no-none issues if she carved you apart with her winds.” Urakaze disagreed, erging from the crowd, flanked by four large, powerful looking Kamaitachi, two male and two female. “You foxes are so very-greatly irritating.”
“Indeed they are, my dear mother.” Shaeula agreed, smirking. “Father has his share of troubles with foxes as well-well. As for this one, she should keep her hands off-off what does not-not belong to her!”
“Really? How sad for .” The kitsune sighed theatrically, rubbing at her eyes and shedding what were clearly a scattering of fake tears across her beautiful face. “I believed you were one who understood a man of power should have many dalliances with the beautiful, wise and powerful.” She licked at her sensual lips, and tugged at the chest of her yukata, exposing an expanse of creamy white cleavage, her golden tails twitching behind her.
“Shit, Aki. I do not approve of her.” Shiro pouted, a bit lost but making her own interpretation of events. “This one’s no good, she strikes as a bit of a slut. She won’t remain faithful! You’d never be sure her children are yours!”
Uh, I feel a sting in my conscience when Shiro says that. Before I could answer her, Shaeula spoke for . “Of course I understand that. How could I not-not? And I am indeed proud of all-all the females, my sisters, that Akio has chosen. They are beautiful, wise and strive to better-better themselves, and support Akio as he does what he surely must-must. But dalliances?” she snorted, disgusted. “Unless they can pledge heart-heart and soul, unless they seek eternity together with him and us, I have no-no use for them. Nor for you-you.” she snorted. “Shiro is indeed correct. You are not-not faithful, are you fox? If Akio wishes to seek pleasure, we are here. There is no-no room for you!”
“Well said.” Shiro agreed, blushing. “As for the pleasure bit, Aki, uh… well, soon, I hope? After all, we are here for a reason, right?”
Yes, we are. Feeling a bit sorry for the overwheld Daiyu, who was only here as leaving her with the others was a bit cruel, I nodded. “Yeah, sorry, but I promised to be loyal to those I cherish, no matter how arrogant and insincere that sounds. So while I’m sure you’d be… fun…” the kitsune snorted at that. “… I think the price would be rather too high for my tastes.”
“I see.” She smiled. “Well, it is quite true that we foxes are always seeking pleasure. Tamamo-no-Mae, may she rest wherever she now dwells, was said to have a thousand lovers after all, and her blood burns in all of us foxes of many tails.” Her smile was now wicked. “But perhaps if you were strong enough to dominate , body and soul, I would be constant…”
”Enough.” Urakaze growled. “I have no wish-hope to see my daughter’s husband wasting his ti and love-passion on you. Get to the point-reason you are here.”
“You’re no fun. Your daughter seems to have inherited your prickly nature.” The kitsune sighed, pulling out a beautiful fan and snapping it open, shading her face. “Well, greetings. You have returned. As I wagered you would.” There were grins and cheers regarding that, and old coins, small bars of precious tals, Etherites and more were changing hands, so thrown by the crowd at her feet. Urakaze was collecting so as well, from Blue, who had a sour look on her face as she handed over a necklace made from what looked like black pearls.
“Of course. We have common purpose. I have brought the one Nurarihyon wishes to et, and who requires a healer which was promised to us.” I gestured to Shiro.
“Aki, you bastard. Give so warning first!” she complained, her single eye looking down shyly. “You know I’m pretty much a shut-in, apart from you and the gang. I don’t do well with people I don’t know, let alone a crowd this big. A crowd of Yokai!”
“You’ll be fine. You have to get used to this sooner or later. After all, when you are healed, you’ll have no excuse to stay isolated. You’re no longer the weak and fragile Shiro, but Shirohi, noble princess of the Hungry Ghosts!”
“Ugh, I know I ask you to call Shirohi, but it feels weirdly unpleasant when you do… but I guess it did make feel a little better.” She sighed.
“I see.” The kitsune darted closer, and Shiro hid behind . “How marvellously shy. And I sense sothing within you, buried close to the surface.” She licked her lips, hungry now rather than seductive. “Such divine power. No, deeper, more.” She shuddered. “How I would love to explore your body, finding all your secrets, unwrapping them one by…” the kitsune jumped back, sensing my anger. “I see. I got carried away again.” she apologised. “But when your wounds are healed, I dare say you will be a true beauty. Letting that pass is sothing I will regret forever…”
“Well, at least you’ll be alive to regret it.” I warned. “Shiro’s mine.”
At my words she clung to tighter, and Shaeula laughed. The kitsune rely shrugged. “Selfish indeed, hoarding so many treasures for your own. Well, I do so like a strong man. But enough of this.” She gestured to the cage, which was swaying gently, even lacking the breeze. I could see Yamato-san inside, and his eyes were open, though I could detect little consciousness there. His body was crisscrossed with cuts and scars, and it looked like he had suffered other indignities, his hands bare of nails.
“Such a sha. He seed so… vigorous at first, struggling and screaming.” The kitsune said.
“Ya, he cried like a child.” Blue laughed. “Cursed ya out sothing bad too, saying it was all your fault. I can’t stand a weakling who can’t take responsibility for his own actions. How about ya, Red?”
He snorted. “No way, I hate cowards. Even my stupid bro, who I’m sure was the product of an affair now, died in battle. Poor dumb bastard.”
“Such sweet despair.” The kitsune laughed. Urakaze was watching, stone-faced, and I was once more reminded of how dangerous, alien, the Hyakki Yagyō was. “It flowed like the finest sake, and our mighty and vengeful Lord Nurarihyon was pleased. It assuaged our humiliation.” Her grin was hidden behind her fan, but I could imagine it was ugly.
“The Parade suffered many losses.” Urakaze agreed. “Many-most of the Numbers and their followers, they were angry. Even now, so are likely-certain to be considering a challenge to you, daughter. Though they had best-wisest not be foolish. Now is not-never the ti for such.”
“Indeed.” Shaeula addressed the crowd. “I am Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan, daughter of Urakaze, the Twentieth, and Prince Shaetanao Gar Shae Dannan, one of the noble-noble Princes of the Seelie Court. I respect the traditions of both the Fae and the Yokai. But as my mother says, now is not-not the ti for a challenge. We are here on business with … Lord Nurarihyon.” She felt it better to award him such an honorific, perhaps to respect her mother. “I will make myself available for challenge soon. Perhaps it will not-not be as difficult as you think to find .” She snorted. “Now, do excuse , mother. Please continue.”
“There is little-nothing else to say.” Urakaze shrugged. “We are creatures of strength. The Kijo Matriarch perished, and your… husband…” she eyed judgingly. “… he t our Lord and returned. That ends the matter for .”
“For all of us.” The kitsune agreed. “Well, many may still resent the outco, but those who disagree, they can simply prove their will by force of arms.” She snorted. “My poor, foolish fox, who perished at your hands…” she waved her fan. “… well, we all saw what happened to him. That gives others pause. So our little toy here, it was quite a sha when it broke so easily. At quite the convenient timing too.”
Again, I’ve done nothing wrong by the terms of our agreent. “Well, I can think of several reasons. He… well, he wasn’t the most ntally strong, was he? Otherwise he would have taken responsibility for his own mistakes, not pushed the bla onto us. And his power ca from Kannon, right? A Goddess of rcy. Perhaps she withdrew her favour? Since he had acted in a way that went against her will?”
“There are no divine beings that have any rcy for the weak like us.” The kitsune sighed. “Well, that is quite interesting. How do you know that the touch of foul divinity on him has gone, his adherence diminished?”
“Easy.” I tapped my Eye, which burned a brilliant orange. “I can see inside him, and compared to before, he’s pretty wrecked. I have experience, so I saw imdiately.” Yeah, there’s still a few fragnts lingering, it was hardly torn out cleanly. Perhaps that’s why it’s a little weaker now Aiko has it. It’ll take ti for the Divine Favour to bed in and recover the damaged areas, I’d guess… “It looks like he’s still generating a little adherence…”
“True.” The kitsune agreed. “Well, aren’t you quite the clever one. I’m impressed. Perhaps I shall win the second part of our wagers after all.” She looked around, smiling. “Well, our gain is far more disappointing than we hoped, so you’ll have to excuse us if we are… disappointed. But yes, you are here for a reason.”
The great doorway to the shrine-ho of Nurarihyon opened, and out ca a gushing flood of dark water, splashing to the ground and etching a small lake into the park, several unlucky Yokai flailing and splashing in the sudden deluge before dragging themselves out of the water. Seeing this, the Yokai turned to the lake and bowed, which was comical in a lot of cases, as their forms were quite unsuited to it. A vast shape then leapt from the open door to the larger space within the shrine, and splashed down into the water below.
“What the hell?” Shiro was puzzled by the sudden event, and Daiyu was raising Qi, ready to defend herself, but with a gesture I stopped them. Floating in the water was now a very strange creature. It was a massive fish, a dozen tres long, with the face of a dragon, and a wide, chubby body. A long tail, split into two, was waving behind it, and as the doors to the temple shut, I realised I could see a familiar face upon the back of this fish Yokai. It’s that doll Yokai. Seirei. Nurarihyon’s wife.
One of the most powerful Yokai here, a massive snake with a wizened, bearded human face, slithered over, belly on the ground. “Great Lady Seirei, it has been too long. I offer you my praises!”
“It has indeed. So, what do you wish for, snake?” she answered solemnly.
“I could not dare dream of wishing for anything.” He intoned subserviently. “Neither I nor my daughters would dream of requesting anything from Lady Seirei, when you have so graciously presented yourself before us.”
“Most wise.” She pursed her small lips, adjusting her golden sash. “My husband, he wishes for to co greet our guests in his stead. He is mightily angry, his wrath supre. If I was bold enough to wish, able to, I would only wish that his anger would diminish, the object of his ire to be removed, destroyed. But alas, I have no wishes of my own.” She glared at us then. “We et again, it seems fortune is not kind. What do you wish for this day, which perhaps my dear husband should wish is your last?”
Yeah, while Nurarihyon radiates nace, and he was threatening with nearly every sentence, I’d say his wife here is just as scary. “I have no wishes, lady Seirei. Only hopes and a fair exchange. My companions also wouldn’t dream of wishing for anything from you. You should save your gifts for your husband, who no doubt cherishes them and you.” I’ll ladle on the flattery…
“I have seen many strange things already.” Daiyu muttered. “But this is perhaps the strangest of all. Perhaps only those from Kunlun would have seen such sights.”
“So, you are the wife of Nurarihyon, lady Seirei? As one-one of the Hyakki Yagyō now, I greet you and offer you my respect.” Shaeula displayed her noble etiquette. Shiro stood frozen, unable to co up with anything to say, so I grasped her hand behind my back, squeezing her reassuringly.
“Well, my dear wishes back at his side. He told he definitely did not wish to have the sly cheat who devalued his prize drowned in the depthless black waters of his sea, nor did he wish for such a person to share the fate of the fool in the golden cage.” She took a breath. “My dear is generous and kind, he will overlook such a transgression, even if he does not wish to.”
The kitsune was barking a laugh now, her tails wagging happily, as the barbed words flew at us. Putting that aside, I continued. “Well, I do feel bad for Yamato-san. I don’t think the fate he received was justified, it seems disproportionate. Yes, people died, and at the ti I could have happily killed him, but when I cald down… well, perhaps it’s a last rcy from Kannon, shielding him from tornt. But I am sure Nurarihyon is more interested in the bigger prize. The defeat of the golden-eyed monster. I have brought the one who can defeat it.” Stepping aside, I revealed a nervous Shiro, who looked at accusatorially.
“Aki, I hate making a spectacle of myself, you know that!” she mouthed at , before Tan took over, a small rcy perhaps. Her eye and hair turned crimson, and flas started licking at her long locks.
“Indeed. I have heard a little about these prophecies and this creature.” Tan declared, drawing awed and fearful gasps from the Yokai around us. The kitsune was flushed and breathing heavily, tails writhing, and I felt the urge to toss her in the lake to cool her off. “However, I am not pleased at being compelled to serve the ends of others, without suitable… compensation. After all, I thirst for strength.” Tan continued.
“You should not be here!” Seirei gasped, eyes going wide. “You are reeking of divinity, such a being cannot possibly stand here without tearing apart the fragile balance of the Boundary!”
“Yet here I stand.” Tan said mockingly. “You should be most thankful I am here. For if this threat is as grave as you fear, it will take strength such as mine to face it. For the compensation.”
Many of the Yokai seed alard by Tan’s presence, drawing away, only the kitsune, Red and Blue, and Urakaze seeming largely unphased. Seirei stood motionless, before leaping down off the strange dragon-faced fish she rode on the created lake, landing softly. Striding forwards on short legs, she gazed at Tan, troubled.
“I have no doubt my dear has little wish to trust such as you. But he has no choice.” She sniffed, saddened. “Do you wish for compensation?” she asked. That’s not good.
My expectations were betrayed though, as Tan rely smiled, tilting her head arrogantly, fiery hair streaming out behind her. “No, I do not wish for such. It is he who wishes the princess healed. I admit to wanting such as well. After all, to dwell here, joined to a wounded body, is quite pitiable for a being as noble as I. But that is no wish.” Her eye glead ruby red. “Your ability to twist causality is indeed powerful, creature. Passing off the price to those that wish is clever. So we shall not wish, but demand. Show us this healer, before my patience grows thinner. I am so very thirsty, after all.”
“I hear you.” Red chuckled, only to be silenced as Blue cuffed him, hissing at him to be silent.
“Yes.” I glanced at the hanging cage, where Yamato-san was hanging, mumbling to himself, mind seemingly shattered, eyes vacant. I paid the price because I wasn’t strong enough to save him. But if I don’t get the healer to help Shiro, then was the price worth paying? “I’m sorry the Parade seems unsatisfied, but we agreed to help each other, and I’m here to do just that. Now we need help healing Shiro, so she and Tan can do her best.”
“I suspect my dear husband wishes circumstances were far different, and he could freely chastise your arrogance.” Seirei snorted. “Alas, such a wish is beyond even my power.” With that she gestured, and all of a sudden the fish disappeared, the lake water rippling. “But my dear did wish that the one needed should recover from her wounds. Be grateful.”
“Is that… Har. Har. Har.” Red grunted out a series of slow laughter. “It’s been a long ti since we saw two of the Single Digits, right Blue?”
“Shut up, will ya? If ya draw the ire of Lady Seirei, it’ll be ya up in the cages, enjoying the taste of blades and whips rather than booze.”
Is it that weird fish? Is it the healer? If so, considering it ca out from Nurarihyon’s Territory with his wife, it must be powerful… The water rippled, and suddenly two purple horns broke the surface, swiftly followed by long indigo hair, and a feminine, elegant face with dark eyes. Bare shoulders were next, and then a ripe body in a deep black gown. Soon the horned woman, looking nothing like the Oni, with their crude, angry features, was ashore, dripping dark water, the hem of her robe trailing behind her bare feet.
User Comments
0 comments from readers