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A monk, wrapped in lovely deep orange cloth comes out of the temple to guide the men to a cosy stable and tells them to get inside and leave horses to him.
Akito, Katsuhito and Asuka run with their king over to the temple and once inside they help him to remove his boots, gloves and the cloth from around his head.
A young monk comes trotting in to offer the men a warm towel to dry their hair and faces. He goes on to show them into a warm room where the Kannushi is seated, pouring his guests each a welcoming cup of tea. “Gentlemen, please come sit by the brazer and have some lovely green tea. I am Hibiki and welcome to my temple.”
Yūrei picks up a cup and places his fingers around it to warm them. “Thank you. I am King Mèngjiàn, the man to my right is Commander Ōtomo, and Mr Nakagawa are Peacekeepers of the Yamoto and the last man is Detective Saitō of the Hatsugano, Izumi police. We are here to see Ōhiko.”
The Kannushi grows concerned and enquires, “Has his guard informed you of the strange men who are hiding in the forest?”
“Unfortunately, Takahashi Sanjō has been attacked he is currently being treated by a Healer.” The Great Warrior notices a man in the doorway drops to his knees. He quickly sets his cup down and goes to him. “I am sorry to bring you such bad news. Be rest assured he is in great hands. The Healer is doing everything he can to help him. He is also treating your sister.”
Prince Ōhiko places a hand over his mouth to muffle his anger and upset. The Masked Warrior pulls him close and gets him over to the brazer. The Prince grips the king’s right forearm and asks, “Was she also attacked?” Yūrei does not have to say anything just a nod is enough to make Ōhiko sinks his forehead into the legend’s shoulder and release a muffled cry.
The Great Warrior strokes the shaking prince’s back and tells him in a soft voice, “She is fine. Dōng cháo is a great Healer, he will take care of both of them. Now you understand why I am here, I got your letter and once the storm is over we will see your son.”
Prince Ōhiko grips the king’s arms and takes a deep breath before he responds, “Who sent… those stinky men?”
“Major Kikuchi of the Yamato. The thing is I think he is being driven to do this. Katsuhito, Asuka, when exactly did he change?”
Commander Ōtomo plays with his moustache and replies, “I would say a year ago… all of a sudden he was having a go at Satō for no reason whatsoever.”
“I agree, because it was a shock for all of us,” responds the Peacekeeper. “We thought at first perhaps he just got him on a bad day. Emm… Tenjō told him off and put him to work in the kitchen as punishment for his unnecessary outburst.”
“Tenjō never thought he would go this far and I agree with our lord he is getting help from somewhere. I mean how else would he know where to find the family when it is clear for the past twenty years they have kept a very low profile. Would you not agree, Detective?”
“Yes, Asuka, for I had no idea the family would be somewhere so remote. Then again, I am thinking perfect place to hide. Those stinky men shouldn’t even be anywhere near this place. Another thing, how is he aware of how many people survived that night? Unless he heard about it through your leader?”
Both Peacekeepers shake their heads and Commander Ōtomo answers, “He knew that some of the family managed to escape and disappear into the night. I will say this, the Captain’s behaviour has really upset Tenjō. The man he knew is gone, yet there is noting to explain his sudden change in behaviour. Tenjō has not seen him since our king placed him under house arrest… And I know why, he is going to tear that man’s mind apart to find out why one of his own officers has betrayed us. It is why he has been keeping his distance, because he is so close to losing control.”
Yūrei slaps the right side of his masked face and declares, “I’m an idiot! That is why he is barely speaking and when he dose it is in small bursts or he’s really cryptic. That is also why he is surrounding himself with monks they keep clam. Oh this storm has hit Hatsugano he is not going to be able to hold it. You three must have noticed how quiet he was?”
Katsuhito grips the king’s arm and asks with a face full of worry, “Can you control him?”
The Great Warrior’s eyes open wide and he shakes his head. “No, I am afraid even I cannot stop him from exploding… Dragon… Stupid! That is why he wanted me to find Rì chū.”
Both Peacekeepers release frustrated sighs and bow their heads.
The Great Warrior places Prince Ōhiko face between his hands. “Listen to me, I will not allow the Bitō Clan to claim the last of your family and I will be back.”
The prince uses a cloth to dry his wet face. “I am so glad my message got to you.”
The Masked Warrior gives him another embrace before he rises and trots out of the of the room, to the entrance to put on his boots before he opens a portal back to Shijooji and runs over to the Golden Duck to see the very Dragon he is after is seated by the stage having a late lunch. He trots over to him and blurts, “I need you.”
Rì chū’s stops mid-eating, his right eye looks up at the Eternal. “I am eating. Sit and have some duck.”
“Sorry, this cannot wait, Tenjō is losing control.”
The Forest Dragon slaps his chopsticks down on the table and uses his abilities to pull the king towards him. “He is a Light One they are always turbulent. Now let me eat.”
“Rì chū, he is at Hatsugano and he is barely keeping it together.”
A deep growl comes from deep within the Forest Dragon’s throat and he shakes his head. “Fine,” he says as he stands up. “Take me to him. Yūdai, could I have my meal to go?”
“Yes, of course,” calls the elderly owner and sends one of the girls over to place the last of Rì chū meal in to a bento box and hands it to him.
“Thank you, my dear. Come on, Eternal, get that portal open.”
Yūrei bows to him and opens a portal to now windy Hatsugano and they make their way over to the Healer’s home. Once inside Dōng cháo presses a finger to his lips and guides them to a back room where Zhìhuì is seated with Tenjō and Daigo.
The Forest Dragon picks up the Soul Drinker, making him emit a sharp, “Ah! Put me down!”
“No, you are coming with me and so is Mèng, he had to interrupt my meal because you are about to lose it. Healer, got another room?”
Dōng cháo nods and shows them into a far back room. He goes on to light a small stone brazer before he leaves.
Rì chū plonks the Light One down on a cushion and takes a seat in front of him. “Tenjō, listen to me he is doing this on purpose to get you like this, angry, frustrated. That bastard knows you. He knows what will get your blood boiling and he knows you are unable to vent… deal with it the same way as a mortal or a fellow god. Hmm… what do the mortals say?” The Forest Dragon holds up his right little finger, which is missing it claw, and wiggles it. “He has got you wrapped around his little finger. You know there is no explanation for his odd behaviour. I bet he got his Healer to check him, you did, didn’t you?”
The Masked Warrior watches his dear friend press his lips together and bows his head. “Tenjō, you naughty boy, you did it without his consent. You certainly are not well, when you, YOU go breaking rules. It is no wonder you are hitting boiling point.”
Rì chū sucks air through his teeth and blows the Soul Drinker a kiss. “Ooh, I like it when you play dirty. This is what that captain wants you to do because he knows you are a man who likes rules. Come on, think for a moment, how long have you had him in the Yamato?”
When Tenjō places his left index finger to his lips Yūrei steps in, “See you are having to think about it, which means it has been some years, right?” The leader of the Yamato nods. “There you go, Rì chū is right, he has taken the time to get to know you. Shouji, has woken up and realised he will never be leader or your best man because he is not—”
“Satō,” answers Tenjō with a sigh and closes his eyes.
“Why?” Rì chū’s right eyebrow rises, he removes the lid on the bento box and starts to eat. He finishes his mouthful and enquires, “Why do you always have to have a member of that family by your side? And why did you not make him captain?”
“Erm… I guess it is my father’s fault, he drummed it into me from when I was a child to always have a Satō as my right hand man. Ken’ichi son Noboru told me when my father was a teenager he was poisoned and back then his father was just soldier that had not long joined the Yamato. His mother was an expert botanist in poisonous plants and Ken’ichi knew what to do to neutralise the poison and saved my father’s life. Noboru went on to tell me that my father was not only the last of the Yamatos, he was the last to hold the title of Heavenly Warrior. Toshirō’s father was my Major who became…” Tenjō sighs, “Oh no.”
Yūrei grips his dear friends shoulder and asks, “What have you remembered? Come on, tell us.”
“Saburō, Toshirō’s father suddenly became very ill and there was nothing my Healer Gǒuqǐ could do to save him. It was very puzzling because there was nothing the matter with him the day before, yet over night his internal organs were falling. Gǒuqǐ discovered a nasty poison had been placed in Saburō’s water, that he kept by his bed. The last one to see him was Shouji who was Captain at the time and Toshirō was a Lieutenant. That is why I could not give him his father’s position.”
The Great Warrior nods in agreement, “True you could not move him up an entire rank. Bastard Shouji thought getting Saburō out of the way would make him your right man, but he does not know why you always have a Satō by your side. Bastard he has done all of this to get your attention and to make you unstable so he can become leader.”
The Soul Drinker releases another sigh and shakes his head. “I played right into his trap. I bet he is not even at the Main Court.”
The Great Warrior slaps his own masked face and calls himself, “Idiot! You stupid, foolish idiot!”
Rì chū’s drops his chopsticks into his meal and questions, “No, how did you allow him to play you?”
“Oooh, I am an idiot, I allowed him to get me angry so I would place him under house arrest… no, no, Satō, he could be in danger.”
“Go,” orders the Forest Dragon. “You know I will look after our Light One.”
Yūrei gives a sharp nod and portals to Satō’s office to find it empty. This makes him go to his home which lies just outside the court grounds and knocks on the door. When he gets no answer the Great Warrior makes his way around the back and he begins to hear a woman is making passionate sounds and she says, “Toshirō.” The Masked Warrior takes this as a nice sign the couple are fine and leaves them to it. He quickly makes his way up the street to see a guard is standing outside Major Kikuchi’s home.
“Your highness,” he says, performing a deep bow.
“Excuse me, I need to make sure Shouji is inside.”
The guard opens the door for him and follows him inside. “I have just given him lunch. He is in here, your highness.” The young man opens a door to a small room and the Major stops eating.
The Great Warrior beings to sniff the air and Shouji offers, “It is roast chicken with steamed vegetables. Care for some, your highness?”
“It is not that which I am smelling,” answers Yūrei as he makes his way over to the cupboard and slides open the door to discover a boy is inside. He grabs hold of his topcoat and pulls him out. “It is you who I am smelling. Who are you, boy?”
The young man is dressed in simple clothing and is clearly not a well off. He looks to the Major who quickly stands up and says, “I swear, your highness, I had no idea he was—”
“You forget what I am,” snaps the Masked Warrior, “I am a god and I heard this cupboard door close the moment I entered the house. This is your message boy. It is about time you started specking the truth. After all I am your king.”
The guard hurries forward to stop the man from getting up and feels his highness pat him on the back. “It is all right, lad, let him rise,” he says in a much calmer voice.
The man slowly gets to his feet and bows. “He has been using me to find members of the Sasaki family so he can get the stinky bandits to kill them. The Major used stolen Dragon money to pay me and the bandits to play the role of the Bitō Clan.”
Yūrei gabs Major Kikuchi’s arm and questions, “Why are you doing this? That family did nothing to you— Wait, Dragon money, you mean this.” The Great Warrior goes on to show the message boy this pouch of jewels and gold.
“Yes, that,” the man goes on to open the other side of the cupboard to revel a chest that is marked with mountains and a full moon. He opens the lid to show it is full of what the king showed him. “He claims there is more where this came from.”
The Great Warrior gives the Major a shake and expresses, “You really are an idiot, stealing from a Mountain Dragon is suicide. I bet the Dragon is searching for this.”
Shouji scoffs and says, “Please, there are no Mountain Dragon’s left.”
The side door opens and an elegant men with long silvery hair, that is flowing around a set of grey horns, which go white at the points, that match his light grey Hanfu, steps inside. “You foolish mortal,” he announces with sexy smoky voice, “I am the very thing you thought was extinct. So, you thought that gave you the right to just walk into my home and steal from me, hmm? How on earth did you find my cave?”
The message boy looks up at the Dragon and answers, “He followed your scales.”
The Mountain Dragon leans forward so his face is level with the trembling mortal. “What? You mean he followed my shed scales and did not take that as a sign I was alive and kicking. That means he must have been watching my cave and waiting for me to leave. Or he arrived when I was already out. Which is it, thief?”
Yūrei gives Major Kikuchi another shake. “I suggest you answer him. Do you know what Mountain Dragons can do?” Shouji shakes his head and the king laughs. “The name is kind of a clue. Also his home, that you invaded, was built by him. Go on, do it, Mountain Dragon, call some rocks.”
“Forgive me, my name is Chén fēng (Dust wind) and you are?”
“King Mèngjiàn.”
The Mountain Dragon drops to one knee and bows his head in respect. “Your highness.”
The legend emits a soft laugh and tells him, “Chén fēng, please you do not have to bow me when it is clear from your scars you are my elder.”
“Yes, they are a bit of a give a way,” answers the Mountain Dragon, placing the fingertips of his right hand to the side of his face. “I am tempted to fulfil your request, even if it means destroying this house. Then again, it might teach you, thief, that stealing from a Dragon has consequences. And giving that I am an elder, that gives me the right to deal with you as I see fit. I think you would not even last a year in the Mine, giving how fat you are.” He pokes the Major’s stomach. “You are too old and fat to even make into a pet. King, I am afraid I will have to hand him over to you. What are you going to do with him?”
Yūrei sits Shouji down and explains, “He has not only stolen from you, he has also hired bandits, assassins to killed the Sasaki family, myself and Tenjō. We can also add to that rape.”
Chén fēng’s eyes blink to show he is shocked. “What? He has been using what he stole from me to kill innocent people. Was that not enough? You had to go and rape…” The Mountain Dragon notices the king is holding up two fingers. “You saying he did it twice?”
“Two assassin ladies, he told them to seal the deal they had to have sex with him. And the one he took personally to my village he carried on rapping her for two days. You made damn sure she was carrying your child. Infect I would not be surprised the other lady is also with child. That was why the girls were presented to you topless. It was so you could see they were at that stage when you could get them impregnated.”
“No, no, he paid for them, so that made them his property to do with as he pleased. What’s the matter? Not getting enough of it at home, so you have to rape girls?”
The Great Warrior points his hand at Major Kikuchi and enquires, “Why did your wife leave you?”
When Shouji does not respond the message boy does it for him, “She left because he was having creepy sex with her and also he expected her to have sex with the boss of the bandits.”
Both the Dragon and Eternal stop Major Kikuchi from getting up and push him to the floor.
“You pimp,” grumbles Yūrei, crouching down in front of him. “Out with it, why have you turned against everything. More importunely why are you trying to get Tenjō to lose control?”
“Wait, back up, he is getting Tenjō to his limit?” Chén fēng asks, watching the king nod. “Moron! You absolute moron. Oh please tell me, Mèngjiàn, you have a Dragon with him?”
“Yes, the lovely Rì Chū.”
“Lovely? I would not go that far. He is a grumpy old Forest Dragon.”
“I know, and that is why I love him. He is a real softy really.”
“Hmm, yes, especially when it comes to a Light One. You do realise you’ve lost him.”
“Erm… he is already his pet.”
“Is he now? Well, you should think yourself lucky, thief. You cannot even fathom what would happen if a Light One lost it. I am not exaggerating, he would destroy an entire town.”
Then Masked Warrior sighs and shakes his head. “More like he wanted him to flatten all of Izumi and Nara.” He claps his hand in front of the Major’s face and shouts, “Wake up! You fucking idiot! He would not have just taken out his court. His pulse of energy would radiate out in a circle, rendering anything it touches to dust. And once it is over it will take the land centuries to recover. Their true name Soul Devourer is kind of a clue, that they devour life energy, which exists in everything. Why do you think he floats? It is because if he did not, he would leave behind a trail of decay.” The king taps him on the head and asks, “Do you really want him to obliterate tens of thousands of people, in clueing you, hmm?”
Major Kikuchi swallows hard to try and rid the lump of fear within his throat. “No, I do not want that at all. You are right I have been an idiot… I should not have let him talked me into it.”
“Who?” Chén fēng demands, tapping the mortal’s leg with his foot.
Major Kikuchi emits soft sigh and responds, “Lieutenant Nakan Yuuji. I sent him to our leader to establish where he was so he could send his men into attack.”
“You disrespectful fool,” grumbles the Great Warrior. “You allowed them to attack temple and a poor monk nearly lost his life. If it was not for Commander Ōtomo of the Aoi koi he would have died.”
“No, no one was meant to have got hurt. He said that his men would only scare the monks because their target was our leader. It was also Yuuji who took the treasure from the Dragon’s cave and left it with me, to use how I wanted. I haired the assassins because he just kept failing to take Tenjō down. It was his idea to go after the Sasaki family. I swear he lied about everything and I was a fool to have been sucked in. Yuuji’s next target is the isolated temple that lies at Mount Kunimi-jo.”
The Masked Warrior is not about to reveal member of the Sasaki family is hiding there.“What? Why?”
“I wish I knew, your grace. He just seems to be attacking any temples that are around the former Sasaki castle. It was also his idea for us to meet at the White Phoenix and it was him who was messing with the girls and I took the wrap for him. He did not care that they were really boys. The reason he was being a bastard towards those ladies is because he wanted to ruin the owner’s reputation. I will never take the wrap for him again I don’t think Madam Kuru, would let me leave with my balls in tacked. She held a knife to my bits and threaten to cut them off.”
Chén fēng emits a pleased chuckle and states, “This Madam Kuru sounds like my cup of tea. For her to threaten to take your very manhood what exactly did Yuuji do?”
“We were both in the wash room, we each had a girl to wash our backs and hair. He is a big man and he gabbed his girl and mine ran for help. This is no lie, before Madam Kuru walked in to the room Yuuji had placed the girl on my lap.”
Yūrei folds his arms and questions, “Because he was not allowed to play with the girls is that why he keeps chuckling a strong scented oil around the outside of her establishment?”
Major Kikucki nods. “It is also because he is not allowed back in Dancing Dragon. The reason he will not target that place is something to do with the dealer.”
“Ah, he recognised his tattoos the dealer is a member of the Murakami family. They are trained in piratically every marcel art you can think of. They are also great sword smiths and archers. The other reason, the Murakamis are related to the Satō family.”
Shouji’s eyes widen with fear and he gasps, “Shit!”
The guard giggles and states, “Everyone knows, you do not mess with the Satō’s without my family coming down on you like a ton of bricks. And here comes my father to throw you both in jail.”
Just at that moment the front door opens and a set of feet come hurraying down to the room and a late middle aged man, who is dressed in a fine red with gold topcoat, a beige Kimono and matching Hakama enters. All of his, almost white hair, has been blatted and placed into a neat bun on top of his head, which is being held in place by a hairpin that has a silver moon digging off it.
He walks over to the guard and takes hold of his shoulders. “Yoshi, my son, I got your message. Are you all right?”
“I am fine, Father, the King and the Mountain Dragon are currently having a word with Major Kikuchi.”
The man steps forward and performs a deep bow. “Your highness and my lord, I am Major General Murakami Tatsuya. I am sorry for interrupting you both.”
Chén fēng gets the man to rise by placing the fingertips of his left hand under his chin. “Not at all. We are about done, wouldn’t you say, King?”
The Great Warrior nods and smiles. “Just one question, Shouji, is Lieutenant Nakan with his bandits?”
“No, you will find him at the Red Dragon in Hatsugano.”
Mr Murakami covers his son’s ears and emits a nervous chuckle as he tells them, “Let’s just say it is a place where a young boy should not go.”
Yūrei winks his left eye and replies, “Ah, I understand.” He looks to the Mountain Dragon and states, “I can tell from your frown you are not joining me?”
Chén fēng emits a soft giggle, he goes on to pick up his cheat and answers, “Yes, I am afraid you are on your own. Here, drop that in a cleavage and I am sure you have the girl telling you everything.”
The Great Warrior takes the diamond and laughs. The Mountain Dragon pats the side of the Eternal’s face and says in Mandarin, “Just remember why you are there.”
“Oh, don’t you worry I am going there to take him down and drag his butt to prison.”
“Now there is a good pet. See you later.” Chén fēng taps the end of the Masked Warrior’s nose before he leaves.
Yūrei makes sure Major General Murakami is all right handling the Major on his own before he portals back to the city and makes his way across the square, down an ally to the Red Dragon.
ns 15.158.61.5da2
