ShipTeaser

  “Just what are you doing, you sly old fox?” Saionji-san asked, clearly a bit puzzled by the move.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Kudou-san grinned, stroking at his long white beard regally, clearly enjoying the disfort of his political oppos. “I’m putting my weight behind Akio-kun here.” The way he addressed me ged, as if to show his new closeo me. “Tsukuyomi was the baweeremes, and now the reason for that has finished.” He addressed his own fa. “Now, I’m not saying you have to join me, you make up your own minds, but Akio-kun is right. It’s no longer a choice between trying to recim past glories or protect what we had. It’s a choice betweeher we try and stand alone, or join the new order.”

  “I think, having seen you in a, I agree with Kudou-sama.” Taishakama-san, one of the Tsukuyomi fa didates I had taken through the Kyoto Boundary said. He was followed by Esu-san, and Kinkawa-san then got up too.

  “Well, I’m not so fixated on being a priest as you all.” He grinned. “But I know you’re strong, man. So I’ll follow you.” I guess his gangster look matches his personality. With that the exodus started, and soon around a third of the Tsukuyomi fa had joined behind us, though the majority was uaiant. Even so, it’s quite the haul.

  “Why would you do this?” Uchida-san grated. “Letting an outsider e in and make a mockery of the cve…”

  “Who invited him, eh?” Saionji-san broke in, to much ughter from the crowd, enjoying his disfort. Uchida-san turned red with anger, but seeing the situation, he swallowed it down, keeping himself as calm as he could.

  “I did, yes. And I stand by it, as clearly he has some influend power. However… are you really satisfied to be a pdog to the gover and the nobility, Kudou? And to this boy who disrespected the noble Lady Diviner, and even the Priestess of Ise!”

  Well, there is that. I g them. The Diviner was still o me, still, silent a my gaze could pick out the miremors that shook her. The Princess, however, merely looked fused, as if she wasn’t sure how she had e to be sitting there.

  “Disrespect? It certainly was shog, but…” Kudou-san frowned, looking at the Diviner as I had. “… I khe Diviner had informed me of the uping disaster and her death. I grieved, but what could I do? I’ve always felt…” he said. “… that you are like a daughter to me.” He turo me with a sly smile on his face. “She’s not twenty though, not even close. Though I shouldn’t speak of a woman’s age so carelessly. To think she looks so young still. That or you are a dangerous ftterer, Akio-kun.” He g Eri and Shaeu. “Well, perhaps both are true. But… I too wish for the Divio survive. And perhaps live a life she has earned. Even were I opposed to this Ministry, I would be thankful for your sideration, Akio-kun.” He turned back to the cve.

  “The ten minutes of chaos with Akio-kun and his women may have seemed to derail everything, but those of us with sharp political minds gleaned much. Do you deny it, Bankei, my old friend?”

  The nominal head of the ral shrines and temples agreed. “Why else would I have allowed it? This humble one is hardly se, Yasuhide-san.” He addressed everyone in his role as moderator. “This first session was to establish a leader, before we moved on to other matters. Perhaps we should have decided on our course first, as the young man and Yasuhide-san are right, there really are only two paths now. But… you all know us. We have stood at the head of the faiths for years. But… his character is a mystery.” He poio me. “Therefore we o see it. After all, power without the wisdom to use it properly is dangerous.”

  “Hence ere cheg him out, right?” Kinkawa-san said triumphantly. “I k wasn’t just to grab a few bits of Kyoto.”

  From the Susanoo benches, Mine-san spoke up, a female mirror to Kinkawa-san. “Well, like yeah, totally! He retty badass, I’m not going to lie, but… he shared his water with a kami so I could get a blessing. There was like, nothing in it for him, but he did it.”

  On hearing that, Shaeu eyed Mine-san appraisingly, causio look away, face red. Still, she tinued. “He helped Yamato-sama too. I don’t think he’s a bad guy, and the girls obviously like him. I don’t think they’d be so taken with him if he was a selfish man.”

  Well, that’s not true, I’m plenty selfish. Even so, I like to be fair when I be.

  “Most of us have had the opportunity for our fas to see him in a.” Bankei-san opined. “And those that haven’t have at least a favourable impressiht?”

  Saionji-san shrugged. “I wouldn’t have invited him to be my ally if I didn’t. Yes, I get it. The chaos was insightful to his character. A self-made man, rags to riches in both financial and power terms. Yet one who is looking to work with others.” He paused, thinking a moment, before tinuing. “Though somewhat reckless, the way you rode over the objes of our Lady Diviner. You might want to think a bit more, Akio-sa you get yourself into trouble you ’t get out of. But then, you’re ruthless too. Kondou Kazuo. I expect everyone has heard of him. After all, he is Japan’s most prolific serial killer. There was a story in the hat he fell into a deep a and is likely to die when the maes keeping him alive are switched off.”

  Haru-san fli that, but Shaeu whispered to her reassuringly. Saionji-san didn’t miss that nuance. “I expect you had something to do with that, right Akio-san?”

  “Those who do terrible things will find that this new world isn’t kind to them. And now we know there’s an afterlife of sorts. I’m not sure if there’s a Yomi or a Western-style Hell, but if there is, he’ll be enjoying a ernal vacation there soon enough.” I decred, not firming, but not denyiher.

  “I see. Well, abusing piven by the kami is certainly something we would disapprove of.” Bankei-san agreed with me mildly. “So, having said all that, you support him, Yasuhide-san?”

  “I want a future where my granddaughter Shiori, the Lady Diviner and everyone associated with the shrines and temples of this nd live happily, with honour and respect, and the Gods have the worship and adoration they deserve. It seems to me that Akio-kun is aiming for a simir goal. But…” he frowned. “… the danger ing is likely to be signifit. And looking at the girls around him…” he Eri. “… as well as the aid he has offered my Shiori with this Chirurgery… Akio-kun is best pced to make us stronger.” He turo Takakura-san then. “Takakura-sama, if the nobility and also mainstream politis support this Ministry, then I shall as well.”

  “Well, I just say a few st words?” I said, as Kudou-san came to a clusion. “It’s true. I want a world where we all live in peace. But to do that, we o make sure that power isn’t abused. And we o make sure that whatever threats are ing, be it this Red Dragon, or anything else, we are strong enough to defeat it. And the best way is to work together. That’s what the Ministry is for. Sure, there’ll be some inveniences, some cessions…” I frowned. cessions, not sacrifices. I don’t eople like the Divio have to suffer. But in life there is always promise. “… but w together is the best way. I didn’t get this strong alone.” I decred. “And even this m, with the help of Yamato-san…” I him as he looked back at me, his fa expressionless mask. “… and your children, Hikawa-san, we were able to grow stroill.”

  “I have my itments.” Hikawa-san said. “But were my son and the twins here, I would allow them to sit behind you.”

  “Great, because the twins are actually amazingly helpful. Their gift is something special. And Ren-san improve everyone’s light element. I’ll be w them hard, but in exge, I’ll make sure they are alrotected. That goes for everyone else.” I finished my pitch strongly. “Those of you who have gifts within your bloodlines, or have family who do, please get in touch with Haru-san here.” At that she looked at me, before nodding, uanding I was giving her secretarial work, as well as work the Ministry would find helpful. “Chirurgery is a limited resource, but I io prioritise those prepared to work with us, and those of you with talents, we should help them to flourish, as even seemingly useless ones might turn out to be the key tthening others. If I had to sum up my position in one go, it would be…” I took a deep breath, as this was my slogan that would form the basis of my support.

  “Owig is easily snapped, but a buied together ot be broken by human hands. And buied together, strengthening each other, well, even fate ainy will not break them. What one ot do alone, five . When five are not enough, then fifty. If someone is fag iable death, then five thousand will oppose it. Preserve what is good, crush what is evil, and together make the future a shining one, where nobody has to stand alone.”

  ********

  “… if someone is fag iable death, then five thousand will oppose it. Preserve what…” The Diviner, her mind in turmoil, processed the words that Oshiro-san spoke, trying to stop the tremors that afflicted her, the tears that stantly flowed. Five Thousand ot turn aside my destiny. Even so… I don’t want to die. If there was only a way, someohat could avert my death, then of course I would take it. The visions were a stant burning in her mind. Before, her gift had been sporadic, but sisukuyomi had given his true blessing, they had been her stant panioing into her psyche like poison.

  “Well, those are fasatiiments, and this humble one approves.” Bahe leader of the ral shrines and temples was saying, but the Diviner could barely hear him, so ed up In her own troubles she was.

  Even so… if I must die to avert disaster, then I shall. I have that much pride left in me. She had struggled her whole life, since she first awakened as a young child, and though the path had been hard, and she had given up much, all the hopes and dreams of an ordinary girl, living nameless and unseen under her veils, she had resolved to do her duty and serve Tsukuyomi, fighting fate and leaving her mark on the world through that. Nameless and unseen. I… barely remembered my true name. Where… how… her thoughts were scattering, as she could feel the touch of others for the first time in… well, as long as she could remember.

  It… is warm. He was holding her hands, Oshiro-san, the ohat had sheltered the Princess of Beasts, who even now was grinning proudly as he raised, alongside Yukiko, the Princess of Heaven, one of her few friends. He has turned aside the fate of the Princess of Hungry Ghosts too, if he is to be believed, and I have no reason to doubt him. Even so, she will still have to face a terrible threat, and somehow triumph, despite being far weaker now that her hunger has been curtailed. Was that ge for the better? She bit down on her lip, ruby blood trig, to match the red of her eyes nobody had seen until he cimed to. Iher hand a simple young girl was holding her, and it felt like her youth that she had never had. Perhaps if I was born ordinary, I would have held hands like this with a friend, walking through Kyoto, buying charms for success in academics, love, money…

  “So, I think that we should decide.” Saionji Gin-san was saying to his rival Uchida Ren-san, trying to assert his position. Meaningless. Much like foolish charms. Even the Gods ot turn aside defiures, so what a humble charm do? Still, if I was born ordinary… she sidered the hands that held her again, shivering at their touch. Perhaps someone would call my sukiko-, they might have said. Perhaps a niame. Tsuki, maybe. Perhaps I would have held hands like this with a boy, kissed, seen fireworks at a festival, wore a beautiful kimono like the Princess of Beasts… no. I ot be weak. Not now. I have e toiven so much.

  There had been too many visions, too many shocks, and she was worn down. Yukiko was her friend, and she had no wish for the Red Dragon, or the dark jaws with eyes of gold, to snuff her out. She is a little like me. A role thrust on her, a blessing she did not ask for, but the duty to carry the burdens. I must be strong, for her, if not for myself. Quelling her shudders, she realised that the girl, Mori-san, was looking at her, a trace of on her features, her dark onyx eyes sympathetic.

  “I’m sorry.” She said, her voice barely a whisper, as if she khat the Diviner would hear her. I suppose she would know, sidering. “Akio didn’t mean to cause you trouble. He didn’t know that you’d die if… really. You’ll die if someone sees your face?” she seemed shocked by it, but also accepting.

  “I shall. I k from the first moment my gifts stirred. I am not hidden fious reasons, like those from some other tries.” She murmured back, her words barely audible. “But… he was right. I surely ot die twice. And as my death is definite, if his as are to be the cause, then I suppose I e him, for they were already predestined.” She then looked up in surprise as the grip on her hand from the girl had tightened unfortably, and if she was not blessed by Tsukuyomi, perhaps her hand would have bruised, bones cracked.

  “Don’t say that. Haven’t you listeo us at all?” Mori-sahed, annoyed. “Matsumuro-san…” she said the name deliberately. “… Akio has a terrible habit of wanting to help people in trouble. Well, it seems to mostly be girls…” she sighed. “… but he wouldn’t overlook anyone he help. It’s not like he’s a saint or anything. He doesn’t go out of his way to find people in trouble, and if left alone he be zy, but… when someoers his sight, he won’t be able tet it. So just give up. He’s going to help you, whether you want help or not. I am too.”

  Really, this girl. I see in her eyes she is jealous of me. It is quite the fasating experience. I am used to reverence or fear, but never jealousy of me. Perhaps my gift, my e to the Gods, but never me. As a woman. She has not even seen my fad yet… a soft giggle escaped her lips, the tension loosening up, and Mori-san tilted her head questioningly.

  “It is nothing. I… I do not wish to die, but I do not wish to abandon all I have struggled for all these years, averting cruel destinies. I would rather die proud of what I have aplished, than throw it all away and cower. I ot leave Kyoto, as you asked. Though I do appreciate the suggestion.” Her lips curved into an unseen smile.

  “I get that. Well, kind of.” She said with a quiet sigh. “I admit, I’m a shallow girl. I was only happy when with Aiko or Akio, I only yearned for their pany and friendship. And love. But now … I t others as friends, rivals. It’s holy surprising to me. But if I think of Aiko… she’s dedicated a lot of her life to learning kyudo. It’d be like giving it all up at this te stage, right? But you are thinking about it all wrong.”

  “Oh, how so?” Her trembling and tears had stopped, the versatio her inner equilibrium for the first time in a while.

  “Well, isn’t death a cruel destiny for you? And if you want to avert the fates of others, than you ’t criticise Akio for wanting to turn away yours, you? He learnt light element since you said he to be the one you are looking for, but… does it matter if he’s the one you are waiting for? You could wait and wait, and he might never e. But Akio is here now, Matsumuro-san, a hand. So what if he’s not perfect, a match for whatever vision you’ve seen? He’ll do his best, isn’t that enough? You aren’t alone. Kudou-san worries about you too, so much so that he came to us because we want to help you. Princess Mikasa too.” Mori-saured, and the Diviuro see Yukiko eyeing her worriedly.

  Yes, people do worry about me. I am lonely yes, but… not alone. Ining her head in reassurance, she turned baori-san. “I see. I have thought along the same lines. But to save Yukiko. Oshiro-san… he does fit much of the person in the visions. After all, he has two Princesses by his side. But much is not all.”

  “Damn, you’re frustrating.” Mori-san squeezed her hand again. “What have you got to lose? You’ll die if you are right, and you might die if you are wrong, but you’ll live if Akio save you. There’s no reason to turn him down. And if this prin a white horse you are waiting for es charging in, well, I’ll be gd to see the back of you, he take it from there and whisk you away to safety.” Her smile turned bitter. “Otherwise I see how this will go.” She groaned. “I hate this. But… I know what it is to feel that the world is shit, grey and lifeless, that only bad things are ing ahead. So… if you help Akio, try your best, well, miracles do happen. Shaeu said sht?”

  I have nothing to lose. It’s true. Though… it is likely that if they get involved with me, they will share my fate. But… who am I to tell them not to try? She is right. I have been doing this for nearly thirty years. It would be hypocrisy to turn them away now. And… I do wish to live. I wish it dearly…

  ********

  Well that was a tough versation to hear. Even though Eri and the Diviner were whispering to each other quietly as mosquitos, I could hear them over the noise of the crowd with ease, and when I started hearing it, I couldn’t stop myself from listening, Split Thoughts easily allowio process the versation as well as the cve.

  I’m gd though. Eri’s really grown up. To think she’d admit to having other friends than Aiko. I expected she meant Yae-san and Rika-san. They were good girls, despite being fshy and outgoing, uhe shy and pin Eri. Though Eri isn’t so pin anymore. After all, she looked geous in her shrine maiden attire, and was even wearing some makeup to atuate her pretty face. I’m gd she realises it isn’t just girls I help though! I helped Shuta-san too! It just seems that everyone I run into in trouble tely are girls…

  “I don’t disagree.” Saionji-san was saying. “Ahose with talents should be prioritised. But those of you in minor shrines where your bloodlines have thinned should not be fotten. After all, there might be some hidden gems.”

  “But surely those in the faith should be prioritised above soldiers or the nobility.” Uchida-san argued back. “You said so yourself only twenty minutes ago!”

  “Yes, well, I’ve seen the error of my ways.” Saionji-san was trolling the flow, keeping Uchida-san on the back foot in the debate. “Akio-san, if I may ask…”

  “Go ahead.” I gave my agreement.

  “Assuming that you tinue your itments to the nobility and the Ministry, how many of our priests and shrine maidens you perform Chirurgery on? Is it a ft number, or is there hope frowth? others learn it?”

  All good questions. “Well, as I grow more skilled, I do more, though I have many other things I have to do as well. And Shaeu do it too, though she insists on only perf it on females for… cultural reasons, I guess? As for it be learned, yes, in theory, although it is a rather challenging ability. I doubt that many will have the aptitude.” Without a sight-based ability or some other sense of a person’s work, it’s fumbling blind and easily do more harm than good.

  “I see. And would you be prepared to share such prerequisites, and perhaps offer teag? It would go a long way to establishing cooperation, and it would take some of the burden off your shoulders.” Saionji-san asked.

  That’s sly. But it isn’t unreasonable. “I agree to that. Though I would have to insist that the Ministry keeps a list of everyohat Chirurgery is performed on. I don’t want to accuse anyone of impropriety, but the st thing we want is for yakuza and anised crime gangs to start p up.” It’ll happen sooner or ter. In fact, odds are there are a couple of yakuza families with didates already. Even so, keeping a handle on things from the start will prevent problems ter.

  “You heard him, Uchida.” Saionji-san smiled. “Really, I see little choice. He’s right. W with the Ministry from the start is the best course of a.”

  Wait, Saionji-san is falling into lih my pns now? That’s… quite the turnaround.

  “It seems so.” Uchida-saed. “Yamato, what do you think?” he addressed his son, who had seen me in a.

  “I think it’s iable too. Even so, we should have a position of authority equal to Oshiro-san at the least. In fact, in matters of faith and the Gods, our voice should be heard loudest, as we have taken care of Japan’s faith for fifteen hundred years, and to go unrewarded for that spits in our faces, and those of the Gods themselves.”

  Well, looks like the major decision is reached, although now we are arguing shares and roles, I expect things to get very messy session after the break. “Well, I’m not speaking for the Gods, so I certainly allow other voices.” I ceded. “However, I also ’t make any decisions on that, aher Takakura-san, without the other partits…” as I detailed ih more of the pructure of the Ministry, Saionji-san decred a branch should be pced in Kyoto, and that sparked fresh discussion…

  ********

  “It seems clear to me that as the heart of the faith, a branch of the Ministry should be in Kyoto.” Saionji-san decred, and the Diviner, as she still thought of herself as, pohat. It does make sense. From what Oshiro-san has described, there will be bureaucracy, military, w enfort, political, legal legistive and research elements. Faith should definitely be included too. And likely the Imperial Family. She looked at Yukiko, her veil shifting as she moved. I do not need my gift of prophecy to see work there in your future, should you survive. No, you will survive! Her hands were still being held, otherwise she would have ched her fists determinedly. It was annoying, but she khey were holding on to reassure her. But I am fine now! My mind is clear. Although…

  She pulled at her hands, and they released her. She nodded politely, pg them in her p, while she listeo the arguments of Amaterasu and Susanoo, uo tell the differeween them now. And Yasuhide has effectively disbasukuyomi, throwing in his lot with Oshiro-san. He has the favour of the moon indeed…

  “Perhaps we promise.” Saionji-san was grinning. "A Ministry needs vice-ministers. One of us, as the most worthy, should surely take up such a post. Although..” he assumed a look of pity. “As a Chosen of Avalokitesvara, I have divine qualifications. And as I made a promise to Akio-san, for the good of all…” he was ying it on thick. “… to not abuse my gifts, I should not only be pensated, but I would have the time and leisure to devote myself to keeping the faith in order.”

  Uchida-san was thrown off by that, but rapidly tered. “No, it would be a waste. Yifts, much as my sons’, should be put to defending Kyoto. After all…” he turo the crowd, looking at her. “The noble Lady Diviner has foreseen her death, and as she never leaves Kyoto, that means some disaster here. You would be better served in the defence of Kyoto, rather than pying at politics. I should be vice-minister, and my son Yamato could head up the local branch here.”

  “Ah, but those mighty Golden Warriors should be at the forefront of any line of defence. If I am too useful for leadership, then surely your son…”

  As usual, they seek power, influe is always so tiresome. One blessing is Yasuhide sheltered me from that as much as he could. Power. I must… make a choice. Tsukuyomi bade me find someoo accept his blessing. Doing so will remove muy strength, though doubtless what I already possessed will remain. But… it is the most important task I have beerusted. But there was no guidance given to me, no visions. Does that mean… I am free to choose?

  As she pohat, the argument was ing to a head. The old monk Bankei was trying to moderate, but they were going in circles, and just listening to them was giving her a headache. I am trying to think about something more important than these petty squabbles. I will likely be dead soon, and all they argue about is this? Feeling rather irritated, she stood, drawing all eyes.

  “Lady Diviner, do you have something to say?” Bankei asked solemnly.

  “I do.” She decred. “This squabble is unseemly. A disaster is ing, ohat will surely take my life, leaving my work undone, but do you think I shall perish alohose of you whue over who shall be in charge of what, would do well to sider that soon you may be dead.” At her words there was a shocked silence, only for the Princes of Beasts to burst out ughing.

  “That is quite-quite true. Fools divide the spoils before the battle is even won, do they not-not? I like you, Tsukiko. I think you will be a fine-fine ally for Akio and I. Your death? Bah…” she spat, annoyed. “I have no wish to see you die, and nor does Akio. You like the moon, yes-yes? Well, the moon in the nds of the Fae is quite-quite the sight to see, so huge that it cover much of the skies above. Until you have seen such, I shall not-not allow you to surrender…”

  “I am not giving up!” she decred, surprising herself. “Though I am not so foolish enough to believe I turn aside a fate that Tsukuyomi has decreed iable, I shall not turn my face away. Until the st minute I shall strive and struggle.”

  “Oh, Diviner…” Yukiko said, her eyes behind her gsses tearing up. “… you gave me fidence, a little hope, so I’ll stand by you. After all..” she swallowed. “The fmes of Amaterasu burn within me. I’ll bze until anything that threatens you is ashes!”

  “I like this much better.” Oshiro-san said with a bright grin. As he looked at Yukiko and I with his grey eyes, he nodded, as if pleased with something. “Yes, I’m not asking you to deny your fears, I’m just asking that you don’t give up until the end. And we have more than ten minutes until the end of your world, right? If you’ve resolved to fight, then we’ll help you.”

  “Right.” Mori-san agreed. “I’m still weak, but… I’ll do my best.”

  “I too. I have died. It is… unpleasant.” Haru-san eournfully. “I would like others to avoid that fate if they .”

  “Well.” Bankei decred. “I think this is as good a time for our recess as any. It is somewhat early, but we shall resume as pnned. I suggest that for our session, you all prepare your thoughts on what cessions the faith would require from this Ministry, as well as those repared to give iurn. We shall open the floor to all speakers, though do try and be brief and not repeat previously raised points, as our time is finite.”

  “Well, I’m hoping I don’t have to waste my time demonstrating my abilities sihings went a bit different to how it seemed to be going, thanks to Kudou-san here.” Oshiro-san Yasuhide. “So, we have some time. Matsumuro-san, Princess Mikasa. We should talk. If we are going to fight fate, we need a solid pn, and I o know precisely what we are up against.”

  Seeing his fidehe Diviner found herself nodding. “Very well. Yukiko, e. We have much to talk about. Much that is frightening and little that is hopeful. But…” she smiled under her veil. “… little is not nothing.”

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