"What do you think I am?" Izume's face was flushed with anger as she balled her hand into a fist at her side. As her mother glared at her, Suzume saw her own anger reflected back at her. She'd always thought her cold and detached, but she realized now that had not been the case. It was all a mask behind which she hid her true feelings. Maybe the priestess was right and they were not so different.
Suzume scowled at her. "What else can I think?"
There was a flush on Izume’s pale skin. "It is not possible. He is sterile."
It gave her some small relief. At least the emperor really was her father. But it didn't change the fact that her mother had lied to her her entire life.
"Then what you said before, it's true?"
Some of the color had left Izume's cheeks as she nodded her head. "It is."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"How could I? The fewer people that knew, the better. If you grandfather had known what power you had he would have used you as well. I was trying to spare you." Her voice rose.
"Why didn't you take me with you?" She hated how hurt and upset she sounded. It had never been about the lies. The least her mother could have done was kept the family together.
A leaf fell down from the tree and landed on Izume's shoulder. She plucked it off her clothes and rolled it between her thumb and forefinger.
"Does it matter what my reasons were?"
"How could it not? I thought my father didn't love me and I had been exiled. I was left feeling completely abandoned."
Izume reached for Suzume, but stopped when Suzume stepped out of reach.
"I would rather you told me the truth. I wanted to be with you."
Izume's hand fell to her side. "I wish I had been better to you."
They held each other’s gazes for a moment. Scars remained, and it would take time to heal. But for the first time since she'd left the White Palace she felt she could understand her mother.
"Then do better. What is it he's done? Who is he working with?"
Izume shook her head. "I can't. If he finds me-"
"He won't. If you can help me, I'll find a way to protect you from my grandfather."
"How could you possibly?"
"I have the emperor's seal. I'll beg him for your protection." Suzume removed the seal from where she'd kept it hidden in her pocket.
"You're not a child anymore, are you?" This time when Izume reached to cup Suzume's cheek she let her and she took comfort from the gesture. For so long she'd been deprived of her mother's love. But now that everything was out in the open, she felt as if they could move forward together.
"Right before we left the palace, your grandfather was approached by a strange man. He asked for you." Izume looked at her daughter. "In exchange for you, he would help your brother become emperor. That's all your grandfather wanted."
"Hisato." Suzume clenched her hand into a fist.
Izume nodded her head. "That was the man, but how did you know?"
It was all coming into place now. Her grandfather had been working with Hisato all along. Which meant her father was in danger. She had to get back and stop him.
38
Yokai were arriving at the palace by droves. Each day it felt more and more like the palace of his memories. But despite that, Kaito felt as if there was an empty void inside him. One that no matter what he did, he could not quite fill it. The yokai were drawn here, not only by his command, but the promise of a wedding. His marriage to Ai was to be the symbol of the new age. It would not only bind Ai, the daughter of one of the eight, with Kaito, the chosen leader appointed by the eight, but also signify Kaito's devotion to yokai.
The rumors had been floating around the palace, and everyone knew the story. The once great dragon brought low by his love for a human woman. If he wanted to take control of his kingdom then he would have to marry a yokai, and someone as powerful as Ai would only lend strength to his own image. Though he did not delight in marrying Ai, his rise in power should have been some comfort. His newly repaired barracks were swelling with willing soldiers. The halls were restored to their previous splendor and everywhere there was music and laughter. At times it felt as if no time had passed at all. Those centuries trapped in stone were nothing but a nightmare.
But instead of glorying in the return of his previous position, Kaito most often skulked around the palace, avoiding the groveling attention of the courtiers, and more often dodging Ai as she tried to drag him into wedding plans.
There remained only a small part of the palace which had not been repaired. And it was here he escaped. The ocean had reclaimed most of it. The walls crumbled into the sea, and crabs and barnacles clung to the rocks beneath his feet. Kaito stared out to the horizon, watching the white tips crash against the far distant shore. From here he could see the human village. He'd tried going to the town and found he could reach it with ease. Suzume was gone. And perhaps it was the best. Caring about her, even thinking about her, was dangerous. She was his blood, even considering it was an abomination.
Footsteps approached from behind. He thought he had found a place to himself but it would seem he had thought wrong.
"Leave me now before I rip open your guts and choke you with them," he said.
"I see your temper hasn't improved," the intruder said.
A familiar face strode toward him. He blinked for a moment, because he could not believe it was real.
"Shin?" he asked.
"It's been that long that you've forgotten my face?" The okami smiled, revealing his pointed canines.
Kaito rushed forward and the two of them embraced.
"What are you doing here?" Kaito said as they broke apart. In all the centuries, there was no one he had trusted as he trusted Shin. To have him back was like a dream. He had not realized how much he needed him until he was standing in front of him once more.
Shin grinned back at him. "I thought since you've finally woken, I'd pay a visit."
Kaito shook his head in wonder, and then his gaze fell on the metal collar around the wolf's neck. Seeing that had the same effect as a bucket of cold water being dumped over his head. Things could not go back to how they were. Everything had changed. And despite his friend's teasing, he was not here for a social call. He'd been sent by that bastard Akio. The guardian of the forest had been summoned to the palace just like all the others who served him. But unlike the others, he had not made an appearance.
Even before Kaito had been sealed in stone, Akio had been defiant. He was a constant thorn in Kaito's side. Now that he was back, Akio was no different. He supposed it was some comfort that some things never changed.
"It's good to see you, even if I know it was not by your own choice," Kaito said, trying to force some levity into his tone.
Shin nodded his head. "Akio thought it would be poetic to send me as a messenger." There was a bitter note in his voice.
It was to mock them both—Kaito, who had once struck fear into the hearts of everyone on the island, and Shin, one of his four great generals and the person Kaito trusted above all others. He'd been the first to swear himself to Kaito, before the eight had even chosen him to rule Akatsuki. They'd been through everything together, and only a cruel twist of fate had separated them. Now the most brilliant, strategic mind and loyal friend had been reduced to a mere messenger.
If Kaito saw Akio, he would tear his head from his neck. Once he had his army, he would make sure Akio paid and Shin was freed.
"I know that look. Don't get carried away," Shin said, placing his hand on Kaito's shoulder, as if reading his thoughts.
"You think I'll stand for this insult? I never should have let you go to him in the first place."
Shin only shook his head. "I made my choice."
Kaito bared his teeth at his friend in a mostly playful gesture. "Well I need you here. These men I have now are incompetent, none could stand up to you."
Shin chuckled. "You flatter me, my friend."
They were silent for a few minutes
as they stared out at the ocean together.
"I'm assuming Akio sent you with some excuse as to why he's not coming."
Shin nodded. "There is trouble with the humans near his domain. He cannot leave right now because of it."
Kaito has expected as much, and he would deal with Akio in time. But for now, it was good to have Shin here to help him. Perhaps this was what he was missing, having someone close to him that he could trust.
"When do you have to be back?"
"I can't stay long. He'll grow suspicious if I linger."
"I'm not worried about him." Kaito waved his hand to dismiss the idea Akio could be any threat. "I'll send my own messenger telling him I've held you captive."
Shin shook his head. "As much as I appreciate the offer, I don't think it's wise. He's made allies with some powerful beings."
"I may have been gone five hundred years, but I'm not weak." Kaito laughed.
But this wasn't their usual banter. Shin's expression was sober.
"Who?" Though Kaito asked, he suspected he already knew.
"There were talks with a man. I don't know how to describe him. He wasn't human, but he wasn't yokai either."
"Kazue's son," Kaito
Shin shook his head. "No, not him. This thing was different. He had a priestess with him. She did something to a man, made him into a monster..."
"A priestess?"
Shin wouldn't meet his gaze, and Kaito grabbed his shoulder and squeezed. "Tell me."
"It's that priestess you were traveling with before. She used a song and it turned a man into a monster. He felt like a yokai, but he could use spiritual powers like a priest."
Just like Kazue's son.
Kaito turned and paced away from Shin. This couldn't be a coincidence. But all accounts of that half-breed had been he fought like a yokai, and could wield spiritual power like a human. Could it be he was trying to make more like him? And using Suzume to do it?
He stopped pacing and turned to face Shin. "Where are they now?"
"I don't think you should go to her."
Normally he would have taken Shin's advice, but there were too many questions he needed answered. Suzume had sent him away, and ever since then there had been nothing but strange rumors. She wasn't acting as she should. If he could face her then he could hear the truth from her own lips.
Kaito grabbed Shin's shoulder and squeezed. "Help me find her. I promise I will not make the same mistake again."
Shin shook his head. "I must be a fool for doing this. But she's northeast of here, heading back toward the human capital. Whatever you do, don't get too close to the capital. The humans there are more powerful than they were in the past.
Kaito grinned. "I promise to be careful."
He transformed there and launched himself into the sky, leaving Shin behind. As soon as he set out, that feeling of unease coiled in his stomach. The command she had given him would prevent him from searching her out. But he could not sit still and wait for her to come to him any longer.
If he could see her face at least maybe he could prove to himself that she was not of his blood, that she was not betraying him. Perhaps he could continue on with his life as it should be. Maybe at last he would find peace.
The journey there took longer than it should have. If he let his guard down he found himself wandering off track and away from where he should have been. But as he got closer to the human dwellings, the pain intensified. Her power to hold him back was stronger than he thought it would be.
As he drew closer Kaito started to spread out his senses to search for her, and at first he found nothing. Then as if someone had lit a candle in the dark, he felt her close by. Kaito zoomed toward her, eager to be reunited once again. He saw her on the hilltop, the wind catching her hair and tossing it behind her. She seemed powerful and he had to admit, beautiful. Perhaps she'd come to her senses at last and that was why she had let him approach. Whatever her reason, he was glad for this chance.
But as he drew closer to her, she formed a ball of fire and shot it toward him. He swerved in time to miss it, and flew out of range to avoid her attack. He hovered overhead, watching as fire encased her. This wasn't right. This wasn't like her. It had to be Kazue who'd taken control over her body again.
He risked coming in closer, and this time she didn't attack him. Kaito landed and then slowly approached her. Flames crackled in her hands as she scowled at him.
"Enough of these games," he said. "It's time you came back to me."
She threw her head back and laughed. "Are you really such a fool? Isn't it obvious? I don't need you anymore. I've grown more powerful."
He felt her power. It radiated off her like the heat of her flames. Her eyes were strange—it wasn't Suzume, but reminded him instead of Kazue, in the moment just before she had sealed him.
Kaito stepped toward her. "This isn't you."
"You think you know me?"
"I do. Give up this game before you hurt yourself."
She laughed again. It was high and disjointed, not like Suzume at all. Then it struck him, the reason he could approach her at all. It wasn't because Suzume had welcomed him, it was because this wasn't Suzume.
"You're not Suzume."
Hisato assumed his own form. "You are correct, but she is mine."
"What have you done to her?" Kaito growled as he lunged for Hisato, but he only leaped out of the way.
Even taking that step forward filled him with pain. Kaito fell over to the ground as Suzume's command rippled through him, keeping him from getting closer. She was nearby. If he could only fight it, he could get to her.
"Come and find her, if you can." Hisato waved his hand behind him and a portal opened up. "Before it's too late."
39
Suzume returned to the White Palace a woman on fire. As soon as she arrived, she did not even stop to wash the dirt off or change out of her travel clothes and instead went straight to the emperor. He had to be informed about her grandfather's intentions. Ryuu chased after Suzume as she hurried down the hall.
"You can't just rush in there," he said.
"You know what he's plotting and you'd try and stop me?" Suzume challenged him.
"It's not that I'm trying to stop you. There's an order to these things."
She yanked her arm free of his grip. "I'm not going to wait around. I've been playing by the palace rules all my life. The emperor needs to hear this."
She turned on her heel and continued down the hall. Ryuu didn't try to stop her now. When she reached the audience hall, there were guards at the doors holding their ornamental spears and they thrust them out to stop her from entering.
Suzume pulled out the seal her father had given her and flashed it in front of their faces. "I need to speak with the emperor now!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the chamber walls.
The guard closest to her glanced at the seal and nearly collided with his companion as he turned to open the door. The pair of them stumbled so much in their haste to open the door that their decorative spears got tangled up in one another. After they dislodged their weapons, together they opened the heavy double doors. Suzume waited only long enough for a space large enough for her to slip through before pushing past them.
Council was in session and the hall was filled with men. All of whom turned and watched as she marched toward the front of the room, her gaze fixed on her father who sat obscured by a screen. Her grandfather, who prior to her visit had retired from public life, had resumed his place at the top echelon of the emperor's counselors. Her grandfather raised one curious silver brow in question as she approached. He had likely started spreading rumors about how she'd set his palace on fire. Judging from the hushed, almost terrified way the courtiers all stared at her, they all knew. Not that it mattered. Her only concern was protecting her father.
"Princess Suzume." His voice was distant and imperious. For a brief moment it gave her pause. This was the father of her memories, not the warm man she'd come to know. "Why have you
interrupted our council meeting?"
She bowed, realizing court protocol dictated it. The courtiers all whispered to one another, their voices like a low-level buzz.
"I apologize for my intrusion. There is an important matter I must speak with you about." Her head swiveled from her grandfather. Then back to the emperor. "Alone."
"A woman has no place here. How dare you," said one of the noblemen standing beside her grandfather. He was one of the minor lords who served her grandfather.
She glared in his direction, and the man visibly shrank.
"Lord Yamato is right. She had not even dressed properly," said another lord scornfully.
Fire prickled along her skin and it took all of Suzume's self-control to keep herself from bursting into flame in front of the entire court.
More men shouted out their disapproval until their voices overlapped one another into a collection of angry shouting. The emperor raised his hand, silencing them all with his gesture.
"Princess Suzume, I gave you my seal believing you would use it wisely. We will speak later." His tone was meant to be final.
There was a slight smirk on her grandfather’s face. He thought he had won, but she wasn't going to let him get away with this. She would have her revenge for how he ruined her life.
She turned and pointed her finger at him. "Lord Kaedemori is plotting to overthrow the throne."
Utter silence followed her proclamation. No one moved, as if everyone feared the first to exhale would be executed. She could feel her grandfather's stare on her, but she kept her gaze fixed on her father. It was difficult to read his expression through the screen.
At last it was a member of the council who broke the silence. "We cannot be wasting time on the fantasy of a young girl." He too was another one her grandfather had in his pocket.
"This isn't a fantasy. He has plotted with yokai to-" Suzume tried to defend herself.
"Your majesty, send her away. She's clearly hysterical," shouted a counselor, cutting her off. "Yokai? These are nothing but fairy tales."
Suzume took a step closer to her father, and the guards at the foot of the throne held her back. "Father, you know this is true. I have proof." She pushed against the guards but no matter how she struggled she couldn't get any closer to her father.
The Song of the Wind Page 27