by JK Ensley
“As it should be,” Dofarel whispered, before resuming his magical tune.
Jenevier was swept away in his enchanting song. Even though she would almost rather eat stones than admit it… her contact with the ancient Elven King was beyond euphoria. It truly was a magical sort of Wonderland. When his humming finally ended, she tried to resist coming back to reality.
“I do not believe either one of us could stand a moment longer,” Dofarel whispered softly. “Your surrender tempts me past my strength, lovely Angel. Open your eyes.” He lightly ran his fingers down her iridescent cheek. “Open your eyes now, Kagi Naga, or I will succumb. I will sing you right into paradise… and never let you go.”
Jenevier smiled as she ever so slowly obeyed. She glanced over toward Kias then.
“Jezreel never stood a chance, did she, Elf?”
Kias smiled knowingly as he bowed toward her.
“Jezreel,” Jenevier said, sighing. “Once again, sweet sister… I am jealous of you.”
Jezreel only blushed.
“And…” Jenevier waited until Jezreel met her gaze. “I now understand why you have birthed seventeen precious children. In truth, I am surprised there are only seventeen offspring to speak of. Were it me—”
“Jenevier!” Jezreel blushed even brighter. “Hush now.”
Jenevier chuckled. “Who would have ever thought you would turn out to be the shy one of our pair? My, how things have changed.”
“Yes,” Dofarel said. “So it is when you find yourself lucky enough to be wooed by one with Elven magic.”
“Yes.” Jenevier smiled as she glanced down toward the enchanting gardens below them. “Tell me, my friends. How much stronger is the pull… when partners both share such magic?”
“What are you—” Kias’s words caught in his throat when he followed Jenevier’s sparkling gaze.
“Ahh.” She smiled and gently patted Kias’s shoulder. “First love is a precious thing indeed.”
“But…” Kias paused.
“Apologies, good Prince,” Jenevier said. “It seems my guest—although normally rough and grim—seems to be easily making your fair daughter smile like the sun. Listen. I can hear her giggles from here.”
“But… How? He is not even—”
Jenevier only patted his shoulder again as she turned to go. “Remember, Kias. Call to mind what it is you already know.”
He turned to face her then.
Jenevier smiled. “Never forget to see past the wrapper, Brother. And that man standing down there.” She motioned with a nod toward Baytac. “There are precious few warriors I have known who could stand against his ferocity. It is as he said when first we met. He is more than just his skin… much, much more.”
“I know he is,” Jezreel whispered. “I have always known.”
The two old friends shared a knowing smile before Jenevier turned to Dofarel.
“I owe you a great debt, good King. Alas, you will have to claim it on a different day. I must return to Jinn and reveal what it is you have so graciously shared with me. Gratitude, Elf.”
King Dofarel elegantly bowed toward her. “It was my greatest pleasure, Empress Naga. I will try to exude grace and patience, while I await our next joining.”
Jenevier smiled. “I will admit… I am sort of looking forward to it myself.”
*****
So… where’s that dark Elf you were fighting with before?
“Nilakanta, what are you implying? That I force every rare creature I meet to stay always at my side?”
The Dragon snorted out a puff of hot air, blowing her curls in every direction.
Who is it you think you are talking to, Naga? You collect strays the way Dragons collect gems.
“Strays?” She snorted out a laugh. “The only stray I need is you, Brother.”
A stray, am I? He took to the skies as soon as she landed on his back. Naga, one day I will have to show you. One day I will finally shut that smart little mouth of yours.
She giggled. “Yeah. Yeah. Promises and threats. One day, Nilakanta, I will hold you to all those hollow words.”
She felt him laughing within her.
Hollow words… Oh, Naga, the look on your face when that day comes—it will be priceless. I almost cannot wait.
They softly landed in the field just outside the Iga village.
Jenevier laughed. “I almost can’t wait, either.”
She sent her beloved Dragon a quick wink before heading off into the village proper.
*****
Orochimaru drummed his thumb against his chin. “So… the Elf King believes it has something to do with the caves?”
“Not the caves, no.” Jenevier shook her head. “The stones. The Urimtheim.”
“Have you told Munenori?” Hanzo asked.
“That’s actually who I was looking for,” Jenevier said. “I thought I felt him here.”
“He was,” Saizo said. “But he left for the Great Valley just before you arrived.”
“Is that so?” she mumbled, mostly to herself.
“Yes, it is,” Sasuke said, nodding. “Tell me, Madam Empress. Why is it you are so fond of that old man? He is very nearly a hermit… of sorts.”
“Old man?” Jenevier furrowed her brow. “I am curious about something.”
“What is it, Milady?” Hanzo asked.
She turned to face the friendly Shinobi Elder. “Why is it you see Munenori thusly?”
Hanzo smiled gently. “Meaning?”
“Meaning… as an ageless, white-haired, older man. I saw clearly within Mika’s mind—the day she first brought him to me—you Shinobi do not see the man as he truly is. I mean, you see Tenshi as a sapphire-curled giant of a man, do you not?”
The gathered Elders simultaneously agreed with nods and murmurs.
“So then… why is it you cannot see Munenori’s true angelic form?”
“If he is not as we have always known him to be,” Orochimaru said. “Then tell us, Empress Naga. What is it your eyes behold that has been made secret to us all?”
“Well…” She studied on it a moment. “You know what Jophiel looks like, correct?”
“No, Milady,” Saizo said. “We have never met your Jophiel.”
“Never?” She looked to each man as they shook their heads. “Uriel? Gabriel?”
The steady look in their eyes answered her questions, minus their accompanying denial.
“How can that be?” Jenevier sighed. “You were at mine and Yui’s wedding. I know you were. I danced with each of you. I remember.”
Sasuke chuckled softly. “And what has that to do with your angelic kin?”
“Because they were there—the Archs. They were all in attendance. Did you not see them?”
Hanzo gently patted her shoulder. “There were many guests at your wedding, Milady. We could not have possibly met them all.”
“No,” she protested. “These were not normal guests. There is no way you didn’t notice these glorious men. Such a thing is not possible.”
“Oh…”
Jenevier turned to Sasuke as he spoke.
“You mean the handsome young man with long brown hair? The one who walked you down the aisle.”
“Brown hair? Vittorio?” She shook her head. “Vittorio stands as equal in height and build to Tenshi. And his hair is beautiful spun silver. It doesn’t just look like silver, no. Vittorio’s rare locks are actually the same as that precious metal… and his thick braid hangs down to the backs of his knees. He is amazing. Even among his own kind.”
The Shinobi Elders just sat there, silently staring at her.
“I saw him thusly.”
When Jenevier heard the timid voice behind her, she turned to find a woman bowing from her waist.
“Raise your head, Milady,” Jenevier said. “Let me see who it is I now speak with.”
The woman remained, bowing reverently.
“Pardon her, Madam Empress,” Hanzo said. “This is Inari. She doesn’t make eye cont
act, out of respect. That is where her power lies—in her eyes.”
“Yes,” Orochimaru added. “Inari can kill with but a look.”
“With but a look?” Jenevier took the other woman by the shoulder, gently raising her up. “Eyes that can kill, huh? I’d like to have a look at those for myself.”
The young woman was lovely, yes, but her eyes were the same bright lavender as all her kin.
“It is not how her eyes look that will kill you, Milady,” Saizo said. “It is what she can see with them that makes her so deadly.”
“What she can see with them?” Jenevier gazed at the other woman. “Tell me, Inari. What can you see?”
“I can look through another’s eyes and peer right into their body… if I so wish. My vision travels down along your blood vessels, your bones, your organs.”
“How very morbid,” Jenevier mumbled.
“She can not only see such things,” Orochimaru added. “She can crush them as well.”
Jenevier raised a single brow. “You can crush my organs?”
Inari closed her eyes and nodded only once. “All that I can see… I can also destroy.”
“Wow,” Jenevier said, smiling brightly. “I almost envy you this gift… almost. Were I blessed thusly, Uriel and Jophiel would have met their ends long ago.”
The other woman tilted her head to the side, furrowing her brow. “You mean, you’re… you’re not afraid of me?”
“Afraid?” Jenevier snorted out a laugh. “What have I to fear from you? If you wished me dead, I’m pretty sure the last thing you would do is announce your presence and disclose your hidden secrets.”
Inari smiled. She had a lovely, gentle smile. Jenevier matched it.
“So, Inari, tell me what you saw when you looked upon my beloved Vittorio.”
The woman blushed. “Never have I seen his equal, Milady.”
Jenevier smiled knowingly.
“I saw many Angels there that day,” Inari said. “Many Guardians as well. Only Vittorio made my breath catch and my pulse quicken.”
“I know.” Jenevier took the woman’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Did you get to hear him speak?”
“Only from a distance, Your Grace.” Inari blushed. “Although… since I was too shy to actually approach him, I couldn’t clearly make out all his words.”
“That’s not because you were standing too far away.” Jenevier chuckled. “Vittorio has a strange accent. I love to hear him talk. His voice alone gives me butterflies.”
“He must love to hear you talk as well, Milady.” Inari blushed even brighter. “He didn’t take his eyes off of you the whole evening.”
“Ah, yes.” Jenevier sighed before smiling softly. “Vittorio and I… we have a special connection. One meant for just the two of us.”
After a few quiet heartbeats lost in fond remembrance, Jenevier focused back on the woman before her.
Inari smiled knowingly. “And… does the Emperor see your Vittorio as he truly is?”
“Yes. I believe so.” Jenevier tilted her head to the side. “Why do you ask?”
“I saw the three of you speaking together at the Kougai,” Inari said. “I saw Yui suddenly pull you against him—wrap his magical hair about your waist.”
Jenevier chuckled. “You saw that, huh?” She smiled. “Fret not. Yui sees the truth in all my angelic kin. Yet, he has nothing to fear, and he knows it. I love the Emperor with all my heart.”
The shy ninja bit her lip and looked down, blushing.
“So, Inari…” Jenevier waited until the woman met her gaze once more. “You see Munenori as he truly is as well?”
Inari nodded. “Yes, Madam Empress. He is as unique and beautiful as is any Angel.”
“Does Munenori resemble the dark Angel you destroyed in battle that day?” Hanzo asked. “The one who stood by your side during Lala’s Kougai—Tenshi’s father.”
“You mean…” Jenevier looked from one Shinobi to the other. “You can all see Vindicus? The way he truly is?”
“Yes,” Orochimaru said. “He stands as Tenshi and Daichi’s equal.”
“Yes, he does,” Jenevier mumbled. “But, how is it you can—”
“We can see the fallen, Milady,” Sasuke said. “They can no longer disguise themselves, not from us. That is for our protection.”
Jenevier met Saizo’s gaze as he began to speak.
“Tenshi and Daichi never hid their truths from us,” Saizo said.
“Probably didn’t know to,” Hanzo added.
“Yes, probably,” Saizo agreed. “But as for your Archs and Guardians and even your Senpai… we see them only as they wish us to see them.”
“Well…” Jenevier studied a moment. “If you can see the fallen ones, have you ever looked upon Vybius? Umm… Ahriman.”
“Not with the knowledge of whom it was we were looking upon,” Hanzo said. “Yet, we have seen many fallen ones that do not choose to grace us with their names.”
“Every human should be so lucky,” she mumbled, mostly to herself. “The only reason I asked is because Munenori shares many of the same physical attributes that Vybius does. Although, I am glad you have never looked upon Vybius. I love you all too much to ever wish such a curse upon you.”
“Why?” Saizo asked. “Is he vile and hideous?”
Jenevier nodded. “On the inside, yes. Yet, his shell, his wrapper… he transcends mere beauty. He is a magical-looking viper, to be sure.”
“You love him.” Inari wasn’t actually asking, simply stating what she found obvious.
“I did once, yes,” Jenevier said. “I counted him as friend and brother and desired lover, all. Yet… as much as I once loved him, I hate him a thousand fold. Once his spell was broken…”
Jenevier’s words fell off, and all were silent for a time.
“I can tell you what Munenori looks like,” Inari said, turning to the surrounding Shinobi elders. “He is as the perfect Shinobi. He stands equal, no… superior to you in build and ability. His skin is as pale as death, and his hair changes color in the light—moss and then lavender.”
“Yes,” Jenevier added. “And his eyes as well.”
Inari nodded. “He is beautiful and elegant. He normally wears his hair loose. But when he comes here after visiting the palace…” She glanced sideways at Jenevier. “…it’s a beautiful flowing braid that brushes against the backs of his calves.”
Jenevier blushed. “Yes, ‘tis true. I cannot keep my fingers out of his mesmerizing mane.” She glanced away. “…I love my Senpai.”
Hanzo smiled. “As it should be. Now, you must go fill him in on all you have enlightened us with this day. His is the home carved out of the cliff at the far end of the Great Valley.”
“Yes,” Orochimaru said. “Past the nesting grounds and through the Valley of Dragons, you can’t miss it. There is only one such structure. He claims no neighbors.”
“Thus, why we call him a hermit,” Sasuke said, smiling.
*****
“Wow. Just look at it, Nilakanta. Have you ever beheld it’s like?”
Yes, Naga. I have lived here for eons. This is neither the first nor the thousandth time I have looked upon Munenori’s abode.
“I can’t believe I have lived here all this time, and he has never invited me over.”
Correct me if I am wrong, Little Fire, but things did not go so well… the last time you two were alone together. Munenori is wise. He will not err thusly. Well… not twice.
“Oh, don’t be silly. That was back when I lost my essence and wasn’t even my whole self. Today is different.”
Truly? How so?
“Because, my handsome Dragon mate, I now claim full control.” She snickered. “I am master of my fate, owner of my strength, the fiercest Death Angel to ever fly throughout the layers.”
Nilakanta laughed. All true, little one. You are an awesome creature, yes. Alas… I fear you are still not yet on the level of a Dragon.
“True.” She winked back
at him as she headed toward the doorway. “But we all need aspirations, now, don’t we?”
Her beautiful bonded brother was still laughing within her as she crossed the carved-stone threshold.
“…Wow,” Jenevier whispered. “Would you look at that?”
The giant domed room she had stepped into was massive, on a scale she could barely even imagine.
“It’s as large as the whole mountain.”
Her whispered words came back to her, echoing off the carved stone walls.
“Hello?”
Hello… Hello… Hello…
“Senpai?”
Senpai… enpai…
“Are you home?”
you home… home…
“Munenori, it’s me—Naga. I came for a visit.”
isit… isit…
When her words quit bouncing around her, everything fell quiet. The thick silence was eerie, cold, creepy. A shiver ran down her spine.
“Is this a home… or a grand tomb?” she barely whispered. “It feels so hollow, so desolate. How lonely this place must be. Poor Senpai.”
Jenevier cautiously took a few more steps inside, moving deeper within the strange cathedral.
“Psst… Senpai,” she whispered loudly, jumping slightly from the accompanied, hissing echo.
“…Munenori… Answer me.”
When she had ventured about halfway across the enormous room, she spotted a couple closed doors gracing the opposite wall.
“Perhaps he’s in there.” She looked back the way she had come. “…Damn, what an entryway.”
Jenevier rapped softly on the door before carefully trying the gilded knob.
“Munenori? You in here?” she whispered, as she slipped inside the darkened, candlelit room.
Jenevier’s eyes went wide. She nearly gasped. Candles were everywhere, hundreds of them—cream in color, flickering and dancing, lighting up the entire room.
Is this some sort of shrine… temple? she thought.
A shadowed, noiseless movement in her peripheral caused Jenevier to slowly turn. When her gaze found Munenori’s—standing there, wide-eyed, staring back at her—they both froze.
“S-Senpai?”
Her tiny word caused the light of realization to flicker in the other Angel’s mossy lavender eyes.
