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Detective Saitō, the peacekeepers, Chūnfēng and Prince Ōhiko are pleased to see their king is back. However, he soon remembers a Storm Stones activity is very isolated. Only the buildings closest to it would be effected. Then he begins to question why is his lover putting up a barrier and why is there a Dragon? He decides to pay Einar a visit and the Soul Drinker is soon telling him, “You are correct, my sweet Ink Summoner, Storm Stones have a very limited rage. All you would see is a small cloud hovering around your hight or little higher.” The Westerner begins to frown. “Yes, those mountains around Nara have been known to produce weak Storm Stones, that would not require me to put up a barrier… wait.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoAW9QUwGp
Einar closes his eyes and begins to look at the vision which is occupying his thoughts. “Hmm, no that is no Storm Stone Tenjō is holding… it is a lock on stone. And I appear to be holding up an Illumination Stone whilst another hovers above us. The Forest Dragon I am hearing is Rì chū, which makes senses when those mountains around Nara are his home. The more I look at the vision, the more it makes little sense. It seems to be a mash of three separate events and the fire mother is seeing may be happening at the same time or later. Wait, the lieutenant you let go could be causing the fire.”
Yūrei gives him a kiss and tells him, “That’s it the men we have locked up at Handa Gokuraku-ji are evidence against him so, therefore they have to die. I best get back and get everyone to a safe place before he attacks.”
The Soul Drinker pulls him close. “It is a shame you have to go, I was hoping you would stay for lunch and fun.”
They kiss and the Great Warrior offers, “Why don’t I send Commander Ōtomo to you?”
Einar smiles. “Only if he wants to be pleasured.”
The Masked Warrior gives a sharp nod, then steps through the portal to discover Detective Saitō has uncovered a former member of the Kuro Koi is hading at the temple for over a year.
“Rin, is clearly not after him,” states the king, rubbing the side of his neck. “Nor would he start a fire. He seems to be a man who prefers to stab or beat his victims to death. It is going to be Lieutenant Nakan who is going to finish what he started. I had a feeling letting him go would be a mistake.”
Akito takes hold of his arm and stresses, “You did not know this was going to be a possibility that he would come after his surviving men. All we can do is keep them safe… the question is where?”
Mr Nakagawa comes trotting down to them and offers, “Asuka and I could take them back to town and place them in prison.”
Yūrei shakes his head. “Prison is not for them. All they were doing was carrying out orders. They now know they were lied to and if it were not for this place they would be dead. The problem is, we have no idea if it was them who attacked Kuru or it was another party.”
“You are right, Mèng,” agrees Commander Ōtomo. “We cannot just go pointing fingers at them, when we do not have any evidence.”
“Exactly… on second thoughts, I wonder if General Ōtomo or Kuru could confirm if they were part of the party who attack them.”
Detective Saitō places a hand to his chest and says, “I am happy to escort them back to town.”
The Great Warrior pats him on the arm and responds, “All right, just be careful.”
Katsuhito performs a slight bow. “We will be taking extra care.”
“I will join them. Unless you would like me to remain?”
The Masked Warrior smiles. “Asuka, I am not making that choice for you. Even though nothing is going to happen here until the new moon at least one of us needs to remain, just incase something happens sooner.”
“When you put it like that, I will remain and you can get back to town. The reason I suggest this, is because I think they will be less incline to do anything whilst you are there.”
“Fair point. All right, see you later.”
Detective Saitō helps Mr Nakagawa to gather up all the men, placing them on to a cart and make their way back to Hakatacho. Once they arrive in the bustling town the bandits are placed in prison and the General is summoned to look at them. Hideaki takes his time looking at each of the young, frighten men.
“I am sorry, your grace, it is hard to tell.” He sighs and shakes his head. “It all happened so fast.”
“I completely understand. Now boys, do any of you recognise him?”
When all the men shake their heads they notice a small woman comes stepping out from the shadows. It is not until they see her eyes they realise they are dealing with a Dreamer.
Zhìhuì folds his arms and continues to scan the bandits. “They are telling you the truth. Which means they where on that mountain long before Hideaki and Kuru were attacked. All of them are on edge… however there is a hint of fruition in some of them… or should I say anger. I for one say you all have every right to be angry and upset when you were used by your own leader who sentenced you all to death. Wait, Asuka is not with you, Son?”
The Great Warrior quickly explains and asks, “Why is something going to happen to him?”
“No, he is going to be fine… most likely bored out of his brain with nothing to do.”
“Do not worry, Zhìhuì, my brother will no doubt be challenging the monks to a game of either chess or Go.”
“Ah, see, Son, he will be fine.”
“It is good to hear, Mother.” Yūrei wishes he could send Einar to Commander Ōtomo, but he knows the high damp air would soon have him gasping. He does though wonder why Asuka was in a way keen to remain, he begins to wonder if he should head back or remain where he is. Then it occurs to him, perhaps Asuka is wanting some alone time and decides to go the Red Dragon to make sure Lieutenant Nakan has not returned.
The owner is pleased to see the king, and escorts him to a private room. “No, he never returned,” she says, stroking his chest plate. “Why don’t I get you out of this armour?”
Yūrei nods and helps her to remove it. They go on to remove their Kimonos and Madam Orchid places her legs around him. They kiss and the Great Warrior allows her to place him inside and she whispers in his ear, “Ooh, he is nice and big.”
“I am glad you like him and just tell me what position you favour.”
Madam Orchid giggles and they go to try different positions and the Masked Warrior discovers she likes to be taken from behind either on all fours or with her head upon a pillow. However, even though he is having a nice time he cannot help but wonder if Commander Ōtomo is all right all alone at Handa Gokuraku-ji Temple.
✫✫✫
Asuka is taking a stroll around the village and comes across the farm were Watanabe-san lives and notices on the sign he has sacks of rice for sale. He decides to pay him a visit and before he even reaches the front door is opened by the young man who bows.
“Commander, please come in.”
They both take a moment to remove their boots before they continue in to sitting room.
“I have to confess I was just on my way up to the temple to see if uncle was still there,” explains Takumi.
Asuka goes on to inform him where the king is and the young man seems a little disappointed. “Ah, let me guess you were hoping to see him again?”
“Yes, and invite him to lunch, for it has been a long time since we had a meal together.”
“When he returns I will inform him and I am sure he will be happy to join you for the evening meal.”
Watanabe-san gives a happy nod. “In that case, would you like to have lunch with me?”
Commander Ōtomo performs a slight bow. “I would be delighted.”
They move on down to the kitchen combine dining room and Takumi goes on to finish cooking the meal. He has done gilled fish on a bed of rice with steamed winter vegetables. Asuka finds it all to be wonderfully flavoured with herbs and thinks, he is his kind of man who is a good cook and only speaks when he has something to say.
Watanabe-san finishes his mouthful before he asks, “What do the Aoi Koi actually do, when their leader is a god?”
“Well, he mainly sends us out, like this, to investigate when he is unable to. Tenjō never needs us to protect him. Nevertheless, we feel obligated when he is the only living Light One.”
Takumi is a little surprised to hear his guess refer to his family member that way. “What do you mean by that?”
“Forgive me, it is not only the Healers, it is also the Father of the Gods who have confirmed Tenjō is last of his kind. You have to understand since the Dark Time Light Ones have become very rare. This is because in that awful time the Soul Drinkers who where Light Ones discovered to their horror their magic was useless against anything which came from the Shadow Realm. So, in order to survive they had to change their tactics and switch to using Obscure, Forbidden, Dark Arts instead. Some even begin to use the Lost Arts, which is one of Einar’s, otherwise he would not have Shadow. This is the problem, once they chose the other arts they were no longer Light Ones.”
“So, wait, they could not go back?”
Asuka shakes his head and eats more of his meal.
“Ah, so that means his father, nor his family fought in the Dark Time.”
Commander Ōtomo smiles. “Correct. This is what Dōngjì fēngbào told me, some of the Light Ones luckily had children who were too young to fight so, they were sent either to north or southern China. To be honest I wish I had been born when Einar and Tenjō first met because Tenjō was being treated as a mortal child and not a god. This was also the beginning of the Clan Wars. Mèng brought Einar with him because he knew he had good knowledge of dealing with rival clans and creating peace. Apparently Mèng never warned Tenjō’s parents what his husband was like. I should ask have you met Einar?”
Watanabe-san puffs his cheeks as he thinks and answers a moment later, “Yes, a long time ago… I can only vaguely remember him.”
“Ah, in that case allow me to give you a bigger picture. Einar is a man who is not afraid to speak his mind or put us mortals in our place. This is what I would have loved to have been a witness to, he was in a meeting along with of course Mèng and Tenjō. Einar had been sitting quietly listening for over two hours at the leader of the Yamato rattle on about how they were going to defend themselves against the opposing clans and no one was agreeing on any tactics. This is when he stood up and said in a loud voice, ‘Your weapon and your defence is sitting right there’, pointing his hand at Tenjō. Then he pointed the same had at Tenjō’s father and snapped, ‘When are you going to wake up and realise he is a god. And not just any god, Tenjō is a Light One. That makes him more powerful than me’, patting his own chest. Then he called the leader of the Yamato an idiot for not understanding that Tenjō would never become a full man, that he would remain a youth for all time. Of course his outburst shocked everyone and that is when the leader realised he was dealing with an elder Soul Drinker who will literally tell you if were in front of people.”
“Ooh, you are right, to have seen their reactions would have been amazing. Did he do anything else?”
“Yes, apparently one morning he used his abilities to shake the entire courtroom,” replies Asuka with a laugh to his voice. “Again I wish I was there to get the full picture for I do not know what made him do it.”
Takumi is also disappointed and releases a reflecting sigh.
“I am sorry, lad. This is the problem, I only get to hear bits and pieces of what happened during the Clan Wars. I thought one day I will ask Einar to tell me why he shuck the courtroom.”
“You must, you must.”
They both laugh and finish their meals then they move back to the sitting room where Commander Ōtomo goes on to tell the young man more stories of Tenjō and Einar and a picture begins to emerge if it were not for the Westerner’s help the Clan Wars would not have come to an end. Takumi also begins to understand Einar is quite fun man to be around especially when he is playing his adventure game which he hopes one day to play it. It also becomes apparent Asuka is in love with the Westerner. This prompts Takumi to question, “I would like to know when you got to know him. I can see it being a very interesting story. Please tell me, of course only if you want to.”
Commander Ōtomo has a drink of the warm, sweet tea and answers, “Well, I would say it was more dogmatic than interesting.”
“Ooh, you have grabbed my attention already. Please continue.”
Asuka smiles, he clears his throat before he tells him, “It was coming up to the wet season and one morning when I was in my early twenties he appeared at the Main Court in Nara. He was informing Mèng and Tenjō that there was going to be an awful storm that will hit the southern island in five days time. It was the small town on the southern-west coast who were going to be hit the worst. Before I knew it was in that town and with the lovely Einar.”
Watanabe-san is a little shocked and asks, “What? You just ended up with him?”
“I swear that is what happened, he was literally standing to my right. I was just like staring up at him in shock and disbelieve that I was along side the famous Ink Heart. Naturally I began to make sure I looked smart and nervously asked him, ‘what would you like me to do?’ That is when his head turned to me and those stunning, unusual blue eyes looked at me. His right hand gracefully pointed at the street in front of us and he answered, ‘we will go this way’. I gave a quick bow and followed him. More like trotted along side him for he has not only a bigger stride than me, his glide is a lot faster than Tenjō’s. When we were feet away from a large hall Einar just flung opened the doors and glided inside, making everyone gasp and bow. Once he was standing at the top he announced why he was there and what was going to happen.” Asuka sighs and shakes his head. “There was of course one man who had to question him.”
“What? The idiot!”
“That is exactly what I was thinking. Einar looked to me rolled his eyes, then vanished to reappear in front of the man, making him flinch and asked, in a dramatic voice, 'what am I?’ Beads of sweat ran down the man’s face and he quickly responded, “Soul Drinker’. Einar gave him a clap and questioned, ‘and what can my kind do?’ It was clear the man did not want to respond. Einar just giggled, patted the side of the man’s face and carried on addressing the other people to tell them get to high ground. Then he just glided away and I quickly followed to find him stood outside with his arms folded and he stated, ‘sometimes I question why I bothered to save your…lives when you question me’. Then a chuckle came from the back of his throat. What I did not know back then was when that happens it is Shadow who is telling him to show his power and scare the pathetic creatures. That is why he was patting the lovely, cloth pouch, that always hangs from the left straps of his Hakama, which houses Shadow. Then his eyes looked directly at me, his eyebrows rose and he asked, ‘well, why do some of you mortals have to question me, hmm?’ I knew he was testing me and I responded, ‘well, it is because sometimes your amazing abilities are beyond our comprehension’. I watched his lips form into a soft smile and a groan came from deep within his throat as he responded, ‘yes, exactly’. We both laughed and that was the start of our wonderful friendship.”
Takumi places a hand to his chest and says, “That is wonderful story and it really shows Einar hates being questioned when he is trying to help us.”
“I forgot to mention he muttered, ‘if I had a penny’. Which meant it was not the first time his abilities had come into question, it had happened many times before. And this is why he hates it. Sometimes he will snap, ‘seriously!’ And the person would just go quiet. Then his hands will go to his waist and I am not kidding this is what he says, ‘you worthless, pathetic creatures! I saved your miserable race and this is the thanks I get! I should never have bothered throwing my life on the line, if I knew this is how you were going to treat me, centuries down the line. You stupid, worthless mortals need to remember your history!’ I should say he only does this for dramatic effect, he doesn’t really mean any of it. It is just to shock us mortals in to realising he has been through this countless time before. It is why I love him because he just doesn’t care how people perceive him and as a result he is a wonderful, fun man to be around.”
“I agree. You are starting to make me wish I could get to know him better. Thank you for sharing your experience with Einar with me.”
“You’re welcome. Anyway, I had best get back to the temple.”
Takumi is a little disappointed to have the Aoi Koi leaving, he was hoping to hear more stories. He escorts him to the front door and helps him to put on his boots and they bow to each other before Asuka leaves.
✫✫✫
Commander Ōtomo briskly walks up the road to the temple to be greeted at the entrance by a young monk who quickly informs him, “The Western Soul Drinker is here in the back garden.”
Asuka puts on his boots and quickly runs around to see Einar appears to be staring at his Compass. “Found anything good?”
The Westerner emits a soft chuckle. “You could say that, sweet dumpling. There are two portal stones here. The one at the front of the building belongs to Mèng. However, the one that is in this very garden has not been tainted by the touch of an Ink Summoner. Let me guess, you dropped it?”
Commander Ōtomo shakes his head and looks at the compass. “I wish it was. Odd, why there is a second one here?”
“Exactly. So, someone is going to portal in and what, unleash a load of Fire Pixies, because that is the only way anyone can set a fire in these conditions.”
Asuka happily claps his hands and questions, “Ooh they sound interesting and dangerous.”
Einar chuckles. “Well, you could say that. They are cute little things with adorable faces with large red eyes, that sparkle like rubies. They have this almost sweet, innocent appearance. Yet you are sadly correct, my sweet dumpling, they are deadly. Within seconds an entire building can be alight and they are just dancing around without a care in the world. And I should add singing as they go.”
The Commander wraps his arms around his body. “Oh, that is a little creepy.”
“Hmm, just a bit. It is a good job you mortals cannot control them. On the other hand it is only us Soul Drinkers who can, and that is only because we look like the ones who summon their bunny transportation.”
Asuka is a little surprised and is keen to know more, “What? Really, a rabbit would bring them?”
“Yes, I am not kidding an eight foot tall bunny, that is including their lovely long ears, would come hopping in to place the stone and then buggers off to leave the pixie to do its work.”
“Oh my goodness, I do not think I would like to encounter that kind of bunny.”
They both laugh and the Westerner states, “The problem is they are cute and fluffy with stunning red coats, that reflect gold in the light. You do find yourself wanting to cuddle it and stroke it. But before you know it, you are flat on your back with a set of large teeth aimed at your head and razor sharp claws digging into your arms.”
“My, it sounds like you are going on experience,” states Asuka, watching him raise his eyebrows.
Einar places a hand to his chest and shakes his head. “Hmm, well, kind of, it was Mèng who was pinned to the floor by a rabbit. I just stood there and laughed as I told him they are not the kind of bunnies who like to be patted. Lucky for him I could explain to the Fire Pixie that my love meant no harm and once it had translated the bunny released him.”
Commander Ōtomo nods in agreement. “He is lucky the pixie understood you. I also now know not to try patting an eight foot bunny.”
They both laugh and the Westerner gives him a pat on the arm which makes the mortal blush.
Einar turns his attention back to his floating compass. “Most mortals are afraid to portal. In fact you Aoi Koi are the only ones I know of who are happy to encounter a Gate Guardian without screaming in terror and running for your life. Looking around everything is covered in snow, so…”
“It must be started inside… Then could we just be dealing with an accident?”
Einar takes hold of Asuka’s shoulder and smiles. “Now we are thinking alike, sweet dumpling. All you need is a stray spark from a brazer to hit either cloth or paper and puff this place would be well alight within minutes. Because when you look around outside there is no physical way anyone out here could set the fire—”
“Unless they had an accelerant,” blurts the Commander, quickly placing the fingers of his left hand to his lips and bows. “Sorry, for cutting in.”
“No need to apologise, my sweet dumpling, because you are right, a small barrel of oil shoved say under the building with a rag sticking out the hole acting as a wick would soon have this place alight. The problem is, as you know portals are noisy and anyone would hear someone making their why through the snow. Unless like me or an Elemental, you can float above it. This is why it is beginning to look like either someone does it deliberately or it is an accident from within.”
Asuka is a little puzzled and shocked to hear the Westerner suggest the fire could be started deliberately. Then it dawns of him, he must be thinking of the castle for it is looking more and more likely that was started from within and the Bitō Clan were just blamed. “Yes, we have to bare that in mind that someone could also be behind it.”
Einar releases a deep groan within the back of his throat and he frowns. “It is, I’m afraid something we cannot rule out.” He quickly clears his throat. “Anyway, that is enough investigating for now. I was thinking hows about a nice pot of tea. Care to join me?”
Commander Ōtomo gives a sharp nod and escorts the Soul Drinker inside to a warm sitting room where a young monk brings them a pot of tea and some dried Goji berries.
The Soul Drinker lies down and rests his head upon the mortal’s knee. “In three days time, the new moon will begin to rise and then what I am seeing within my vision will begin to unfold. The thing is, I am still not smelling smoke or seeing the glow of a fire and I still have no idea why my love is holding a baby. I have not had a vision like this in really long time, that leaves me so stumped.”
Asuka strokes the Ink Heart’s lovely, soft wavy hair and responds, “You almost sound frustrated.”
Einar’s eyes narrow and he frowns. “I guess in a way I am. The thing is, my love has done things which should have had an impact on the vision by now. Yet it remains the same.”
“I sometimes wish I was capable of seeing into the future, then we could discuss what we are seeing as it might help to understand it better.”
“You are sweet. Trust me though, having my capabilities is not a blessing it is a curse. The reason I am saying this is already clear to you. Not a single vision is clear or concise because we only get bits and peaces and it up to us to fill in the gaps. Then you get visions like this one where you cannot, no matter how hard you try, fill the gaps and it remains a jumble of information. All I can do is wait to see what happens.”
“I see what you mean, for you cannot even call it a warning vision.”
“No, when it is just the three of us standing somewhere in the dark… why am I holding up an Illumination Stone? I do not need to call a Dragon when they can easily smell two Soul Drinkers with an Ink Summoner.”
Asuka strokes Einar’s chest and questions, “Are you trying to show them something that is hiding in the darkness?”
The Soul Drinker moves the mortal’s hand inside his undergarment and smiles when he feels his fingers start to play with his left nipple. “That’s the problem, I am unable to see or sense anything. Anyway, that is nice… I am glad you are starting to give in to your feelings for me. And all I am doing is talking about that damn vision. Tell me has anything happened here whilst the others have been gone?”
Commander Ōtomo sighs and shakes his head. “No, I was hoping for some kind of devilment, sadly no, for I think we have uncovered everything that has already taken place here. You turning up is a welcome break to just wandering around and doing nothing.”
“Oh, poor you, you do sound board, my poor sweet dumpling. What would you like to do?”
Asuka gives him a kiss and asks, “Does that answer your question?”
Einar sits up and returns the kiss. “It certainly does. The problem is I am not prepared.”
“Neither am I. We should not let that stop us from just kissing and cuddling, hmm?”
“Ooh, I agree to that,” answers Einar, gently taking him into his arms and gives him a passionate kiss.
Asuka is careful to hold up the Soul Drinker’s head upon his arm so he does not begin to choke on his own fluids whilst he kisses and softly suck his nipples, which is clear from the moans he quite enjoys. Suddenly Einar sits up right and his eyes start to stare at the screen doors, which lead into the garden. The Commander clicks the Ink Heart is experiencing a strong vision and he likes it when he starts to mutter in his own language.
Asuka takes hold of his hand and speaks softly to him, “Einar, what are you seeing?”
The Soul Drinker’s eyes open slightly wider and his lips form into a soft smile. “Ah, that explains why I am still dressed in my Yukata. I quickly put on a pair of Hakama and thick coat, because I am awakened by an earthquake and that is why I am here with Mèng and Tenjō. Oh, no there are people crying for help and this very temple is well alight.” He starts to cough and wave his hand in front of his face. “We can also rule out the fragrant oil, for I am not smelling it. Just a lot of paper and wood varnish.”
“Ah, you’re right that is a good thing and with the sounds of things it is going to be a bad earthquake.”
“What I felt within my tower was quite a mild tremor. Nothing that would course a lot of damage. However, here it is going to be a completely different story. Rì chū along with another Dragon are flying around dropping water on to burning buildings… That is why there is dampness to the air and that is another reason why I nor Tenjō can remain. I see now we are in a filed that is covered in a thick blanket of snow. The glow from the fires can be seen and there is still a hint of smoke in the air. I think we can guess now why my love is holding a baby.”
Commander Ōtomo places the Soul Drinker’s head down upon his lap. “Yes, oh the poor thing… It still does not explain why his Watcher has appeared.”
“No. Never mind something has to remain a mystery. I thought they would be back by now?”
“I’ll give you one guess where Mèng is?”
The Ink Heart smiles. “Red Dragon, having fun with a lady. I cannot see the others doing that.”
“No, they are not the type to have random sex, unlike us… I so want you.”
They kiss and Einar offers, “Come back to mine and we can prepare ourselves.” He yawns and continues, “Or just have a nap together… that vision was strong. Ooh I am going to go.”
Asuka helps the Westerner to rise and watches him put out his left hand and seems to hesitate. “No, I think I will pay Tenjō a visit to, one check how he is doing and two see if he’s had another vision.”
The Commander is a little concerned when the Ink Heart rubs the side of his head. “Are you sure you are up for that?”
“You are wonderful. Seriously I will be fine. To be honest I never like sleeping in the day, and if I have to then I cannot think of a better place than a Healer’s humble abode.”
“You make a valid point. I might as well join you.”
Einar pulls him close and starts to kiss the side of the mortal’s musclier neck. “I like you keeping me compony. Come.” He goes on to open a portal to the town and together they trot over to Dōng cháo’s home.
ns 15.158.61.12da2
