Suzume got back up, panting for breath.
"So you're not completely useless," her grandfather said to her as he rubbed the spot on his neck where the blade had been inches from ending his life.
"Thanks," Suzume replied snidely.
"You've got quicker responses than my men."
Her grandfather looked past Suzume to see several guards who had just arrived. The soldiers did not seem surprised to see the incapacitated yokai lying on the ground. "Take these things away," her grandfather said with an imperious wave of his hand. The guards hurried into the room and gathered up the incapacitated yokai dragging them from the room. Suzume watched them go, shaking her head. Was everyone keeping yokai from me my entire life?
"This isn't the first time, is it?" Ryuu asked Lord Kaedemori.
The old man glared at him for a moment, and for a second Suzume thought he was not going to answer at all.
"No, it is not. Come." He gestured for them to follow him.
He led them into the adjoining chamber. His audience chamber was lined with empty armor. The voids of darkness in the helmets seemed to be staring at them as her grandfather led them to a table at the far end of the room. Everyone sat down, and Suzume looked around at the dreary room. A servant came in and when he saw the disheveled state of Lord Kaedemori he tutted.
"They were back again," the servant said. "At least let me dress you, my lord."
"Do something useful and bring us tea," Lord Kaedemori snapped.
The servant only shook his head and left to fulfill the command.
It felt strange to be in her grandfather's personal chambers. He appeared to be dressed for bed, his hair unbound from its typical top knot. She could see how his hairline receded at the temples and he seemed so much older and shrunken in his night clothes.
The servant returned with the tea. He poured each of them a glass before backing out of the room, leaving them alone. No one said anything as they drank their tea.
It was Ryuu who spoke first. "You have some explaining to do."
Her grandfather sighed and set down his teacup. "This goes back generations. Our clan owes all our success and power to the blessing of the forest guardian, Akio."
"And what price have you paid for that?" He looked away toward the empty suits of armor on the wall.
"Nothing important. We honor him with offerings just as one would any other deity."
"And then what changed?" Ryuu prompted.
Her grandfather pursed his lips. "Several years ago someone of my house made a deal with him, for power. The agreed payment was not made and he's started causing problems. It is nothing that we cannot handle."
"What sort of deal did you make?"
Lord Kaedemori turned those dangerous obsidian eyes toward Ryuu. "It wasn't me who made the deal, but my daughter, Izume."
Suzume felt her entire body go cold. "What sort of deal did she make?" Suzume asked.
"You'd have to ask her that."
"You know, don't you?" Suzume slammed her hands down on the table. She was sick of secrets. Anger burst out of her like fire.
The old man glared at her for a moment. "Izume was never forthcoming with me. But she is my daughter. Not long after she disappeared into the forest, she was chosen as a candidate for the emperor's bride."
"She made a deal with this yokai to become empress."
Her grandfather did not answer but continued to stare at Suzume.
"Where is Izume?" Ryuu asked.
Her grandfather looked away from Suzume to focus on Ryuu. "No one knows for certain. She disappeared without leaving a trace and she took her son with her."
It stung her to hear that. Had her mother cared so little for her that she cast her aside?
"The emperor knows you're communicating with her," Ryuu said.
"Does he now?"
"Either you can cooperate or you will be arrested for treason. Those are the terms the emperor has set."
Her grandfather smiled as he leaned forward. "I will make you a deal. Help me with this problem I'm having and I will tell the emperor everything I know."
"We don't need to make a deal."
"Oh, but you do, because once I am gone, it will be her the guardian tries to collect from." He nodded toward Suzume.
"I'll do it." Suzume stood up and both men stared up at her. Her grandfather had a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
"What?" Ryuu swiveled toward her. "Are you insane?"
"You want to find my mother, don't you? Well, so do I. I have some questions for her."
"Are you certain you are up to the task? Akio is nothing to be trifled with," her grandfather said, his hands were folded on the table in front of him, his dark eyes intent on her.
"You don't know what I am capable of."
Her grandfather inclined his head. "Then stop this yokai and I will tell you everything I know."
Suzume bowed and walked out of the room. Ryuu came chasing after her. He grabbed her by the elbow before she could storm away. "You don't need to do this."
"It may not matter to you, but I need to find out why I am this way."
She yanked her arm free and was turning to walk away when Ryuu said to her retreating back, "Your mother asked me to watch out for you."
Suzume turned to face him, eyes wide. "What?"
"I sent you to that shrine for your own protection."
Suzume felt as if the ground was swaying beneath her feet. "Who are you to her?"
She could already see him shutting her out. He hadn't meant to say that much. But she'd had enough of the secrets. She grabbed him by the arm, forcing him to turn around and face her.
"Why are you looking for my mother?" She demanded, meeting his gaze with a steely resolve.
Ryuu sighed heavily. "I've known your mother her entire life. I met her when she was very young."
"And?"
He rubbed the back of his neck not meeting her gaze. "I didn't think you should know."
"Know what?"
He turned to face her at last. "We were lovers."
The word sent a ripple through her. The rumors were true then, this was the man her mother had cheated on the emperor with.
"So, it was you," Suzume said. It was difficult to look at him, staring into the face of the man who had ruined her life. "And when you were caught, you just decided to hide me away in a shrine? Why?"
He reached for her, a tender gesture, but Suzume knocked his hand away before he could touch her. He recoiled, dropping his hand to his side.
"The palace is a dangerous place; your grandfather is a dangerous man. If he found out what you are-"
She shook her head, no one had ever consulted her, so it shouldn't have come as such a surprise.
"I thought she was better than this. I thought..." I thought she cared more about her position as the emperor's wife than to just throw it all away. She threw me away when I was no use to her.
She turned to walk away from Ryuu but he grabbed onto her shoulder.
"I love your mother. I will always love her."
Suzume shook him off. "The two of you ruined my life with your selfishness."
"If you'd let me explain."
"I don't want to hear it." She marched away from him.
31
Rin crept down the hall, keeping to the shadows. She turned both ways, making sure she wasn't seen. When she knew the way was safe, she slid into the chamber. The old shrine had been painted in recent years and the ofuda plastered to the walls were new. As soon as she approached them they sparked with spiritual energy. This wouldn't be as easy as she had hoped.
The three yokai captives were seated around the open courtyard. It would seem they could leave any time they wished. But a barrier sparked all around the space, and if any of them got too close it would burn them to a crisp. It would be the same for Rin if she got too close. Two of the space's occupants glanced up as she approached. The monkey yokai and the boar yokai watched her warily. The wolf yokai kept his bac
k to her, but she saw how he straightened up as she approached. He had sensed her as she got closer.
"What are you doing here?" the money yokai asked as he stood up, and Rin saw the hopeful expression.
"I'm setting you free if you keep quiet." Incapacitating the guards had been easy. With her fox magic she could transform into anything and they hadn't even thought to question one of their own. She'd knocked them out before they knew what was coming. But they wouldn't sleep forever and there was always the risk of someone discovering their unconscious bodies.
"I know you. You work with that exorcist." The boar yokai pointed his hoof at Rin.
"Would you rather die in here?" Rin snapped at them.
The wolf yokai had yet to look at her, but she knew he was listening to every word. The other two yokai watched her but kept their mouths blissfully shut. Rin paced the length of the barrier, searching for the seal which locked them in. Fortunately, it was not an overly complicated one. She could burn it with her fox-fire and destroy it but there was always the risk of starting a fire that would burn out of control. As she puzzled over what she was going to do, a figure approached from the shadows. Rin spun around to face them, her hands up in a defensive pose.
"I should have known I'd find you here," Hikaru said as he stepped out of the shadows.
Rin relaxed to see her husband. She hadn't told him where she was going because he was practical and would have stopped her. But she should have known he would have noticed her missing from their bed. "Do you mind?" She nodded toward the charms on the posts which were sealing the yokai in.
"How are we going to explain when the prisoners are found missing?"
She looked to the prisoners and Hikaru followed her gaze. The wolf had yet to lift his head, but Rin could see the collar around his neck gleaming in the moonlight. It had been hundreds of years since she had seen the face of her old friend. She hated to have their reunion be this way, but they didn't have much other choice. She didn't know much about this generation of Kaedemori, but from what she'd seen since she'd been here, there was no doubt they would kill these yokai. And she couldn't stand by and let that happen.
Hikaru sighed. He knew the history that lay between Rin and the wolf better than anyone else. And because of that he would override his better judgment and help her. He walked up to the charms on the wall and pulled them off with ease. The barrier flickered and fell. The two yokai rushed toward the door and to freedom without a backward glance toward the okami, who remained seated on the ground with his head down.
As far as she could tell, he wasn't injured.
"The barrier is down." Rin took a step toward him but she couldn't bring herself to get any closer. It hurt to see him collared, knowing it was her fault.
"Just go," the wolf said, his voice low but full of intent.
"Enough of this, Shin," she burst out, no longer able to hold back or pretend they were strangers.
He lifted his head, his golden eyes meeting hers for the first time in hundreds of years. The last time she had stood face to face with him, he had exchanged his life for hers, becoming the eternally bound servant of Akio.
Tears pricked her eyes but she refused to let them fall. She took a step toward him and he growled like a feral dog. She held her ground, glaring at him.
"Does your pride know no bounds?" she snapped.
Hikaru came and put a hand on her shoulder. Shin's eyes flickered toward Hikaru, and she saw that same sadness cross over his gaze.
"You found him again." He lowered his gaze back to the ground.
"Do you think either of us like seeing you this way?" Hikaru asked. He was normally stoic, but there were frustration and anger reflected in his eyes. "I wouldn't have let this happen if I knew this is how you'd live your life."
Shin's eyes snapped up to Hikaru. "I hoped neither of you would ever have to gaze upon on this pathetic form again. Do you think I'm happy being reduced to this?" He snatched at the collar as he stood and glared at the both of them.
But the fire died out him and he sank to the ground again. "I'm tired of fighting. Leave me to the humans, at least then I'll be at peace."
Rin marched up to him and slapped him hard across the face. Hard enough that he almost fell backward.
"I hate seeing you this way."
"If it was my choice, you'd never see me again." He reached for the collar and then his hand dropped to his side.
"It's not the collar," Rin sighed in exasperation. "All the light has died from your eyes. Now more than ever, I need you."
She saw a glimmer of hope there in his expression. "What can I do bound to Akio?"
"The dragon is regaining power and he needs you by his side."
Shin balled his hand into a fist. "I can't do anything for him."
"You were his eyes. You were his right hand once."
For the first time she saw real hope shining through. "Akio will not let me go easily."
Rin nodded. "I know, but if I cannot be with him, someone has to be there that he can trust."
Shin did not question her or ask her why she had left the dragon behind. But as he had sent her to the dragon, so it was her to turn to send him to their former master.
Shin stood up, and there was a ghost of the old him in his expression. But it was quickly wiped away and replaced by a snarl. Rin felt the energy and she turned slowly.
Ryuu stood in the doorway. His presence seemed to fill the space.
"I found the guards in the hall." He said it calmly. There was no accusation in his tone.
"You," Shin growled, and stepped in front of Rin and Hikaru.
Ryuu held up his hand. "I have no intention of raising the alarm."
Rin reached for Shin, trying to hold him back. "Don't." She shook her head.
Shin looked at her as if she'd lost your mind. "You know who he is, don't you?"
Hikaru stared at Ryuu. "We know exactly who he is."
"Then let's end this here." Shin growled again.
"I'd rather not fight you," Ryuu said blandly and rested his hand on the pommel of his blade. Shin's gaze flickered toward it.
They could all feel the weight of the blade. It was not human forged, but a great yokai blade. Blades like that could only be wielded by the strongest yokai, and by all rights he never should have been able to lift it, let alone wear it with ease. But there were many things about him that made no sense at all.
Ryuu said to them, "I wanted to speak with you, but the timing wasn't right."
Rin wanted to burst out laughing but this wasn't funny. Not even a little bit. "Did you really think we wouldn't recognize you?"
Ryuu lowered his head as if chastised. "I suppose not. Thank you for keeping my secret."
"It wasn't for your benefit," Rin snapped.
Hikaru grabbed onto her. She could feel herself losing control. Now was not the time or place and even if she wanted to tear him apart, piece by piece, it wouldn't change anything.
"If you let me explain."
"There's nothing you need to explain," Hikaru said calmly. He stood between Rin and Ryuu now.
"Only one thing matters now. Will you let us go?"
Ryuu stepped aside. "I was never going to stop you. But if you would do me a favor, don't tell Suzume about this."
"Why should I keep it from her?" Rin challenged him.
"Because I want to explain everything to her. It's the least I can do."
There were so many things she wanted to say. So many questions, but now was not the time or the place. And that was why Ryuu had chosen now, when she was trying to free Shin. This was the price for her secrecy. And she would have to pay it.
"Tell her soon, before I do," Rin said.
He nodded his head. "I promise."
He bowed to them and then walked away. Shin watched him go, mouth half open. "Are you going to let him go?"
Hikaru and Rin shared a look, their thoughts were the same on the matter. "Even if we tried to stop him, he could defeat all three of us wit
h ease. We're no match for him." But that was only half the truth. She could tell Shin, who at one time had been her closest friend. It was her fault Ryuu was this way and now he was too strong for her to stop him.
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32
Early the next morning they headed into the forest. Suzume's eyes were heavy from lack of sleep and she'd woken to even more bad news. The yokai they'd captured the night before had escaped. Everyone was on edge as they traveled. Fortunately, Rin and Hikaru knew this area well. As it turned out, they had lived and tended to a shrine in the foothills of the mountains into which they were journeying. But the pair of them had been hesitant to go into the forest. According to them, the guardian of the forest was a dangerous yokai one known for his mercurial temper. But after some serious wheedling on Suzume's behalf, she wore down Hikaru and he agreed to guide them.
Finding her mother could put her one step closer to figuring out why she had a piece of Kazue's soul inside her. If Suzume had been born with it as the old man claimed, then her mother had to know something and she had a feeling this forest guardian knew how it had happened too.
They made their way through the forest by foot. Sunlight could hardly permeate the thick canopy of foliage overhead and as a result, the forest was left in a dim twilight. Fog collected, making visibility limited. The entire forest prickled with spiritual energy, making the hairs on the back of her neck rise up on end. At the head of the group was Ryuu, followed by six of the warrior priests they'd brought. Suzume had been avoiding him since the night before. There was no excuse he could make that would let her forgive him. Between her mother and him, they'd ruined her life. If he'd never suggested she go to the shrine, Suzume would have continued living in the palace with her father. The emperor had already proved his willingness to protect her. He was the only one who really cared for her.
The Song of the Wind Page 22
