Yasaka led the God of devils back toward the palace through corridors that had never felt so narrow before, while the night rain whispered over the tiled roofs beyond the shoji screens and the lanterns trembled softly in their iron cages as though some unseen wind had passed among them.
Haruki Yamashiro walked three paces behind her, neither hurried nor slow, clad in clothing so plain that it seemed almost baffling when measured against the terror attached to his name. He wore simple gray pants tucked into dark boots, a pale shirt without embroidery or sigil, and a long black coat that moved behind him with the quiet grace of smoke following a flame. No crown rested upon his brow, no divine jewel glittered at his throat, and no attendants marched at his side bearing banners, drums, or the other useless ornaments gods so often demanded when entering foreign courts.
He was strange, even among gods, and stranger still were his mannerisms compared to others of his kind. The gods were vain creatures by nature, even the kinder ones, and Yasaka had lived long enough beneath their gaze to understand that divinity almost always carried with it some hunger for acknowledgement. They delighted in rituals performed in their honor, in temples built to glorify their names, and in the endless praises sung by those who sought their blessings.
Haruki Yamashiro embodied none of those qualities. He did not seem to care that her Youkai were practically tripping over themselves in their haste to kneel before him. He paid no attention to the fearful gazes that lingered upon him or the cautious manner in which everyone avoided offending him.
They had not even given him a proper divine reception. Granted that was because he was too new a god for ritual to have formed around him, and too infamous a being for anyone to risk improvising poorly in his presence. Even so, most gods would have taken offense at such uncertainty. Some would have interpreted it as disrespect while others would have demanded immediate correction. Haruki ignored it entirely. He did not acknowledge the fear with satisfaction, nor the wonder with pride. It was as though the reactions of those around him simply held no value in his eyes.
That was dangerous in its own way, Yasaka thought. A god who cared nothing for worship might simply care for stranger things.
Even more curious was his behavior after he had asked her to take him to Amaterasu-sama. He had allowed her those few desperate moments without interruption, standing silently beneath the cedar trees while Yasaka clutched her daughter hard enough that Kunou had begun to squirm and protest faintly against her breast. He had not hurried her, sighed in annoyance, reminded her of his importance as those accustomed to worship usually do, or demanded immediate obedience.
That patience should have reassured her. It did not. It only deepened her unease because she could not tell whether it had been kindness, amusement, or simple indifference. A pleasant demeanor was never a guarantee of mercy. Therefore, she had quickly cut short her reunion with Kunou despite the overwhelming relief flooding her heart. She had ordered a contingent of guards to watch over her daughter and ensure she rested properly before leading Haruki Yamashiro toward the chamber of the sun goddess.
And only then had dread of an entirely different kind begun sinking into her. She had left the Queen of Takamagahara sitting alone in the audience chamber without permission, without bowing, without even a word of apology. At the time, she had been far too distraught over the possibility that her daughter had truly fallen into Tezcatlipoca's grasp to care about offending Amaterasu. Her terror and desperation had overwhelmed every other concern. Now, with Kunou found and breathing, the consequences returned like a tide she had only briefly held back.
She could only hope that Amaterasu would overlook her transgression out of consideration for their long friendship. But to make matters worse, Yasaka now returned to that same chamber with another foreign god behind her, and this one carried a reputation so black that even hardened warriors lowered their voices when speaking of him. Bringing Haruki Yamashiro into Amaterasu's presence without warning or permission could be taken as an insult, threat, or betrayal. In the worst case, the palace might become the battlefield of two gods. Yasaka's hands tightened inside her sleeves as she walked. Come to think of it, I wonder how strong he truly is?
Amaterasu was the Queen of Heaven, one of the most powerful deities in existence. She could stand beside the likes of Serafall Leviathan and the Seraphs of Heaven and not be found wanting. But what about Haruki Yamashiro? How strong was he?
He had done surprisingly little since ascending to godhood. At least, surprisingly little in public. Nevertheless, Yasaka knew better than to underestimate the being who had orchestrated the extinction of the vampire race and engineered the chaos that had nearly torn the Underworld apart. One did not achieve such feats through luck.
At last they reached the carved cedar doors leading into the inner meeting chamber. Two Youkai guards stood on either side, both rigid with terror, both staring past Yasaka toward the man behind her with the pale faces of soldiers who had already died in their minds.
Yasaka turned slowly to meet the God's gaze. His expression was pleasant enough, almost mild, though that mildness only made the dark depth of His eyes more difficult to bear. The lanternlight touched His pale skin and raven hair as gently as it would have touched a court musician or wandering noble, and for one disorienting instant Yasaka could almost imagine Him harmless. Then her instincts screamed at her for the lie.
"This is the meeting chamber where Lady Amaterasu awaits, Yamashiro-sama," Yasaka said courteously, bowing low enough to show respect without dropping her gaze so completely that she could no longer watch his hands.
Haruki inclined His head slightly, as though permitting her to proceed and Yasaka opened the sliding door slowly.
The chamber within remained exactly as she had left it in form, with the tatami floor still bearing the spilled stain of overturned tea near the ceremonial tray, the incense still burning in a bronze holder beside the tokonoma alcove, and the shoji screens still showing silver rain drifting across the dark gardens beyond.
But the mood within the room had changed completely. Amaterasu Omikami now stood in the center of the chamber rather than kneeling at the tea place, and the serene goddess who had earlier spoken with such careful composure now looked like a mouse that had heard the soft footfall of a cat behind it.
Yasaka had seen Amaterasu angered before. She had seen the goddess displeased, saddened, amused, and distant. She had never seen her afraid like this.
For one impossible moment Yasaka forgot what to do. The Queen of Heaven herself seemed frozen within her puppet body, golden eyes fixed upon Haruki Yamashiro as though his presence had entered the room before his body had crossed the threshold. Yasaka, finding herself entirely out of her depth and unwilling to trust instinct in a chamber now occupied by two beings whose displeasure could destroy her people, chose the most logical course available and fell back upon ceremony.
"Most Exalted Amaterasu-Omikami, Golden Empress of Takamagahara, First and Brightest Among the Kami, Mother of the Imperial Line, Mistress of the Everlasting Sun, Radiance Before Which All Gods Must Bow," Yasaka recited, listing only a fraction of the countless titles borne by the goddess, "may I present Lord Haruki Yamashiro."
She had no idea what titles properly belonged to the God of Devils, as "Lord" felt painfully insufficient, and could only hope he did not take offense at the inadequacy.
Haruki looked from Yasaka to Amaterasu with a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Mouthful of titles you've got there," He remarked with an amused grin. "At this rate you'll need an entire afternoon just to finish introducing her."
Yasaka's heart gave a frightened little lurch at the irreverence. Amaterasu's expression did not change, though the golden light around her flickered almost imperceptibly.
Haruki stepped into the room as though entering a common inn chamber rather than a sacred meeting place prepared for the Queen of Heaven, and then his gaze settled fully upon Amaterasu.
"You can stop trying to escape that puppet body of yours," he said pleasantly. "You won't be able to leave this place without my permission."
What?!
For several seconds she could not make sense of what he had said, and then understanding struck her all at once, bringing with it a horror so vast that it felt almost abstract. Amaterasu had been attempting to abandon the projected vessel and withdraw back to Takamagahara. Haruki had known and more than that, he had prevented it. He had fixed the Queen of Heaven's puppet body in place with such ease that he mentioned it as one might mention a door left open.
The absurdity of it made Yasaka's skin go cold. Haruki had not even entered the chamber until now. Had he sensed Amaterasu's attempted escape from leagues away while telling a child a story beside a fire, then reached across Yasaka's domain and placed a hand upon the exit of a goddess' own projection as casually as closing a fan?
It was ridiculous!
A puppet body was supposed to be a safeguard, a projection meant to prevent precisely this kind of danger. If Haruki could make that precaution meaningless before even laying eyes upon Amaterasu, then what else could he do?
She imagined a hand reaching from one mountain to another and closing around sunlight itself, and even that image felt too small for what had just occurred. How much power did one need to forbid the sun from leaving?
Amaterasu seemed to recover from her shock with visible effort. She bowed then, deeply and elegantly, and the sight of the Queen of Heaven lowering herself before Haruki Yamashiro made Yasaka's mouth go dry.
"Forgive my discourtesy, Lord Haruki Yamashiro," Amaterasu said in a voice that remained smooth despite the fear Yasaka could sense beneath it. "Your appearance today caught me unprepared, and I regret allowing that surprise to overwhelm me. I had not expected the honor of encountering You within this humble chamber, and I would have preferred to greet one of Your stature with my true body and with rites worthy of Your arrival."
Haruki laughed softly. "A perfect apology," he said. "You turned that around rather elegantly."
Amaterasu inclined her head lower. "I merely sought to correct an unfortunate first impression, my Lord."
The words were graceful, but beneath that elegance lay unmistakable fear.
"If it pleases You, my Lord, please take a seat," Amaterasu said, gesturing toward the place across from her with both hands lowered respectfully. "This chamber has already been prepared for a sacred meeting, and although I regret the inadequacy of the welcome, I would be honored if You allowed us to receive You properly."
Haruki glanced toward the tea set, then toward Yasaka, then back to Amaterasu.
"Relax, Amterastu," Haruki said, chuckling as He sat with little regard for formal posture. "I'm not here to harm you or yours. I have important business with you and would rather finish it without committing a deicide."
"Then I shall receive Your words with the seriousness they deserve," Amaterasu said, inclining her head. "Still, if my lord permits, a cup of tea may steady the air between us before such business begins." Her gaze slid toward Yasaka. "Yasaka, would you prepare tea for our guest?"
"Of course, Amaterasu-sama," Yasaka replied at once.
Her hands moved from habit before her mind steadied itself, and for that she was grateful, because ritual at least gave her something she knew how to control. She knelt beside the tea utensils once more and signaled silently for fresh water, a clean bowl, and the ceremonial caddy reserved for divine guests. A servant appeared and vanished like a frightened ghost, leaving behind what was needed without daring to look at Haruki directly.
Yasaka prepared Koicha from the finest Tencha stored within the palace, a tea reserved for emperors, gods, and the most exalted of guests, where even the smallest discourtesy could become an insult. She warmed the bowl, measured the powder with practiced precision, and slowly kneaded it into a thick, emerald liquid until every movement reflected centuries of tradition.
Haruki watched her curiously. His gaze rested on her hands, then the bowl, then the rising steam, like the ritual interested him in the way an odd bird might interest a traveler.
When the tea was ready, she placed the bowl before Lady Amaterasu first, then prepared Lord Haruki's with equal care, and finally served herself, though her mouth had gone so dry that she doubted she would taste anything if she drank. Lady Amaterasu received hers properly, bowed to the guest opposite her, rotated the bowl with elegant grace to avoid drinking from its front, and took a measured sip with the reverence of one who knew every layer of meaning bound into the gesture.
Lord Haruki picked up His bowl and drank from it like any man drinking tea on a cold night. Yasaka nearly flinched. He did not rotate the bowl, did not bow over it, did not pause to acknowledge the place of honor, the host, or the god opposite him. He drank because tea had been placed before Him, and apparently that was all tea required. It was too deliberate to not be an insult.
Amaterasu's expression remained composed, though Yasaka sensed the faintest ripple of offense pass through the room and vanish immediately beneath fear.
Haruki lowered the bowl. "This is good," He said, glancing toward Yasaka. "You brewed this well."
"I am honored it pleases you, Yamashiro-sama."
Amaterasu took another delicate sip before speaking. "I must confess, my lord," she said after a measured silence, "had you not appeared so suddenly before me today, I would eventually have sent an invitation from Takamagahara. It's only proper that the Shinto heavens acknowledge a divine sovereign whose rise has altered the balance of the world so profoundly."
"Oh?" Haruki asked, with one brow lifting faintly. "Is that so? Forgive me if I doubt your sincerity. Your reaction today didn't particularly suggest that you would be ecstatic to see me."
Yasaka felt heat rise behind her ears despite the danger, because his bluntness cut through Amaterasu's velvet diplomacy with the ease of a blade through silk. There was something refreshing about someone who refused to play along.
"You jest, my lord, though I accept the fault was mine," Amaterasu replied smoothly, though the careful lowering of her gaze betrayed the effort behind the answer. "I was startled by the suddenness of Your arrival and ashamed that I could greet one as august as You only through this projected vessel. Such a form is hardly suited to honoring an encounter of importance."
"I'm sure that's one explanation," Haruki said with a grin. "Or perhaps we can allow a little realism into the room and assume that you were afraid I would destroy you while you were inside a puppet body where you could not show your full power."
Yasaka stared at the tea between them and willed herself to become invisible. He was saying the quiet part out loud, she thought internally cringing. Normally, when speaking to someone of such importance, much less the Queen of Heaven herself, one was expected to flatter or at least politely indulge whatever narrative the goddess wished to present.
It was neither wise nor courteous to call a deity out on their bullshit. Diplomacy, after all, rested upon allowing certain truths to remain unspoken. Evidently Lord Haruki has low regard for the concept.
Amaterasu's fingers rested lightly atop her knee, barely keeping her smile.
"You mock me, my lord, perhaps rightfully so," the goddess replied softly. "But recent days have taught many among the divine that sudden visitors often carry ruin in their sleeves, and caution is a habit that grows quickly when calamity walks freely through the world."
Haruki's eyes gleamed with amusement. "That's fair enough," he said. "I've noticed you have something of a pest problem here, but I didn't come for that, and I certainly didn't come for useless repartee."
A pest problem. Yasaka felt a flare of helpless anger at hearing Kyoto's nightmare described so lightly, then smothered it immediately because anger was useless here and possibly fatal.
Amaterasu placed her tea bowl down carefully.
"Then I am eager to understand the purpose of your visit, my lord," she said. "To the best of my knowledge, the Shinto Pantheon has taken no action intended to offend you, impede you, or draw your august attention toward our internal affairs, though if some error has occurred unknowingly, I would be grateful for the chance to correct it before misunderstanding deepens."
Haruki leaned back slightly. "I came because your mother, or your stepmother, or whatever arrangement your family tree prefers, has something that belongs to me."
The room became very still. There was only goddess who could be referred to as the mother or stepmother of Amterasu, but she was a goddess that has never left her domain. How could she have taken something that belongs to him?
"Izanami no Mikoto?" Amaterasu asked carefully. Her voice remained serene, though Yasaka heard the tension beneath it at once.
"Yes," Haruki replied curtly.
"That's news to me, Lord Haruki," the goddess continued. "If the Queen of Yomi has committed some act that has offended you, then I assure you it was neither done by my command nor with my knowledge, and I would deeply regret any harm caused by matters hidden from Takamagahara."
"So you didn't know," Haruki said.
"I did not, my lord."
"Very well," he replied. "It hardly makes any difference. As queen of your pantheon, I believe it would be in your best interest if this matter were resolved peacefully. Am I right?"
"Of course, my lord," Amaterasu said at once. "I would do everything within my authority to resolve whatever difficulty Izanami no Mikoto has caused before it grows into something regrettable for any side involved. May I ask what exactly she has done to earn your attention?"
"No."
Yasaka felt her breath catch. The answer contained no anger, no explanation, and no apology. The sight felt strange and almost dreamlike to Yasaka, for here was someone speaking to the mightiest goddess of the Shinto pantheon in the same tone one might use when addressing an ordinary servant.
Amaterasu lowered her eyes slightly. "Then I shall not pry beyond what you permit, my lord."
"I'm glad we understand each other. For now, you only need to pass along a message."
"As you wish," Amaterasu said. "What message shall I deliver to the Queen of Yomi?"
Haruki looked toward the hanging scroll in the alcove for a moment, where Amaterasu's own painted radiance glimmered faintly beneath the lanternlight.
"A god's domain is a fickle thing, I have learned during my brief tenure as one," he said. "Divine kingdoms are embodiments of the concept and authority of the deity who rules them, and in many ways they are extensions of the god themselves, their place of power if you will."
Amaterasu listened without moving, wondering no doubt like Yasaka where he was going with this.
"You always need the deity's permission to enter such a domain properly," Haruki continued. "It's also unwise to challenge a god in the heart of their own realm, since even a weak god may become troublesome when standing inside the manifestation of their own nature." His smile returned faintly. "Of course, I don't need to fear Izanami. I could simply force myself into Yomi if I chose to. But I would prefer to avoid harming her unnecessarily."
Yasaka's mouth went dry again, struggling to believe what he she was hearing. He sounded utterly certain that, should it come to conflict, the combined might of the Shinto pantheon would not be enough to deter him.
Amaterasu bowed her head. "Your leniency does you great honour, my lord, and I thank you for extending mercy before the matter can escalate into something irreversible."
"I am glad we agree."
"You wish for me to tell Izanami no Mikoto that you desire entry into her domain?"
"Precisely."
"She will know why?"
"She will know why."
The goddess' gaze lowered in thought for a brief instant, though Yasaka could see she dared not take too long.
"I am aware that you gods like symbolism and theatrics," he said. "So I will give you one week to bring me a response in the affirmative. If she refuses, delays, or attempts some clever little evasion, I will be forced to brute force everything, and I suspect that would be unpleasant for Yomi, Takamagahara, and everyone else nearby." He smiled pleasantly. "We wouldn't want that now, would we?"
The brazier crackled softly and rain pattered against the roof as Yasaka forgot to breathe, watching Amaterasu bow deeper than she had ever seen the sun goddess bow before. Yasaka no longer knew what to think, as every rule of etiquette and propriety regarding the treatment of gods that had been drilled into her since childhood had just been shattered with complete impunity, yet no one seemed inclined to object or even acknowledge it.
"No, my lord, we would not," the Sun Goddess said. "One week shall be enough, and Yomi shall open its gates to you by our leave if such a result lies within my power to secure."
"It does."
"Then I shall depart at once to carry your message with the urgency it deserves," she said. "I thank you for granting me this audience, Yamashiro-sama, and I ask your leave to withdraw from this vessel and return to Takamagahara so that the matter may be placed before those concerned without delay."
Haruki watched her for a moment, and then he nodded. "You may go."
The golden light around Amaterasu brightened faintly, and Yasaka felt the pressure binding the puppet body release with such suddenness that the air itself seemed to exhale. The sun goddess rose, bowed once more to Haruki, then turned her gaze briefly toward Yasaka.
There was an apology in it, along with fear and a quiet warning. Then the puppet vessel dissolved into motes of gold that drifted upward like sparks from a dying flame before vanishing into the cedar scented air. Yasaka remained kneeling long after the light disappeared.
Lord Haruki then carefully set down the empty tea bowl before rising to his feet. "Well, it would appear my business here is concluded. Thank you again, lady Yasaka, for hosting this unexpected meeting and for the delicious tea."
"It's a great honour to be of service to you, my lord," Yasaka replied with a deep bow.
He is leaving! she screamed internally. Do something!
Yasaka was not someone whom anyone would describe as impulsive or reckless. Flirtatious and playful, certainly, for such traits were deeply ingrained in her nature as a kitsune, but impulsive decisions had never been among her habits. One did not rule over a collection of eccentric, powerful, and often unruly youkai clans for as many centuries as she had by acting on fleeting emotions.
However, she had reached the end of her rope. Every passing day was spent beneath the shadow of dread, haunted by the fear that she might awaken one morning only to discover that her people, her daughter, and everything she had spent centuries protecting had been offered up in some profane ritual to satisfy the whims of a god she could neither challenge nor escape.
And so, with desperation steadily eroding her caution, she made a gamble. Just as Lord Haruki was about to leave, she finally gathered the courage she had been struggling to summon throughout the entire meeting.
"My lord!" she called out hastily.
Haruki paused and turned toward her, a trace of curiosity crossing his features.
"If it would please you," Yasaka began, carefully choosing her words as she attempted to frame the request with all the dignity and formality her station demanded, "the Western Youkai Faction would consider it a tremendous honour to host you as our esteemed guest during the coming week, until the day of your scheduled meeting with Lady Amaterasu. We would consider it a great privilege to offer you our hospitality during your stay."
The reason she was doing something as reckless as inviting the Prince of Ruin into the very heart of her faction with open arms stemmed from two considerations.
The first and most important reason was Tezcatlipoca. Ever since Lord Haruki had appeared, the suffocating malice and ever-present gaze of the dark god had grown noticeably dimmer, as though Tezcatlipoca himself had become reluctant to draw Haruki's attention. The oppressive feeling had not vanished entirely, but its intensity had weakened to a degree that Yasaka could now breathe in peace.
At first she had attributed the change to her own state of mind. She had been terrified for her daughter, exhausted from months of anxiety, and the shock of suddenly finding herself face to face with the infamous God of devils had certainly not helped matters. Under such circumstances, it would have been easy for her senses and judgment to become clouded.
However, after witnessing Amaterasu's reaction to Haruki, Yasaka found herself reconsidering that explanation. The Sun Goddess had been truly frightened. The sight of a being as powerful and revered as Amaterasu treating Haruki with such apprehension forced Yasaka to wonder if there was a deeper reason behind the sudden weakening of Tezcatlipoca's presence.
Perhaps Haruki was one of the exceedingly rare individuals powerful enough to make even Tezcatlipoca hesitate. Perhaps the ancient god viewed him as a genuine threat. And if that were true, then it opened possibilities that had never existed before. For the first time in a very long while, she could imagine a scenario in which Tezcatlipoca was not the strongest force involved in her predicament. If Haruki's presence alone was enough to make the god withdraw his gaze and temper his malice, then perhaps there existed a path forward that did not end with the destruction of her people. Perhaps, if she played her cards carefully and earned even a fraction of Haruki's goodwill, she could use that fact to her advantage.
The second reason was considerably simpler, and admittedly far less logical. As one of the most powerful Youkai in existence and one of the foremost masters of Youjutsu, she had developed an instinct that had rarely failed her - an almost uncanny ability to discern the general nature of a person through little more than their presence alone.
And from everything she had seen and experienced since his arrival, Lord Haruki did not seem nearly as terrible as either his reputation or his actions suggested. The stories surrounding him painted the image of a monster in human form, an unstoppable calamity whose every step left ruin in its wake. But the man she had shared tea with had not been entirely violent or unreasonable. She was fully aware of what he was capable of, and she had no intention of underestimating him, but she could not ignore the growing feeling that there was far more to him than the terrifying image known throughout the world.
Haruki looked at her for a moment before a smile appeared on his face, one eyebrow rising slightly in amusement.
"Sure," he said. "It wouldn't hurt to drink more of your tea."
...
...
...
"Lady Yasaka, Lord Haruki has entered the bath," one of her handmaids informed her in a neutral tone.
"I understand. Thank you," Yasaka replied with a gentle smile.
She was still surprised that Lord Haruki had accepted her invitation so readily, and if she were being completely honest with herself, she was more than a little concerned that she had somehow walked directly into a trap of her own making. She could only hope that in her desperation to rid herself of one looming evil, she had not willingly welcomed something even more dangerous into her home. The decision had already been made, however, and there was no value in second-guessing it now. She would have to live with the consequences and pray that fortune remained on her side.
Now came the second part of her strategy. If she intended to secure the goodwill of the God of Devils while he remained within her domain, then she needed to ensure that he felt genuinely welcomed and honoured. That was precisely why she had arranged for attendants to serve him and why she had personally instructed them to offer assistance during his bath.
With those thoughts in mind, Yasaka calmly made her way toward the bathhouse, her heart carrying equal measures of anticipation and anxiety.
The bathhouse reserved for the leader of the Western Youkai Faction looked like something out of an ancient fairy tale. Massive spiritwood trees grew directly through the polished stone floor, their silver leaves glowing softly with ethereal light that illuminated the chamber in gentle hues of gold and blue. Crystal-clear water flowed from a natural waterfall cascading down a cliff of jade-colored stone at the rear of the chamber, filling a series of interconnected pools fed by sacred underground hot springs.
Thin streams of steam drifted lazily through the air, carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms and wild mountain flowers. Small spirit lights danced above the water like wandering stars, while glowing lotus flowers floated across the surface of the pools, their petals radiating a soft luminescence. Yasaka entered quietly and made her way toward the largest pool.
She saw Haruki seated beneath the gentle curtain of falling water as attendants helped him settle into the spring. The warm waters rolled around him in rippling waves while the faint mist gathered around his figure. As though sensing her presence immediately, he lifted his gaze and met her eyes directly.
The sudden eye contact caused her heartbeat to quicken. Whether that reaction stemmed from fear, attraction, or some complicated mixture of both, Yasaka could not have said with certainty. And if she was not flattering herself, she thought she caught a flicker of surprise in his eyes as well.
There was no denying that the being before her was extraordinarily beautiful. During her long life, she had encountered countless supernatural beings renowned for their appearance, yet Haruki effortlessly surpassed all of them. The attendants she had personally selected for their professionalism and self-control were clearly struggling to keep their attention elsewhere. Yasaka could hardly blame them.
Tonight's garment had not been left to chance. Nothing was. The elegant scarlet robe she wore had been selected because it complemented the pale tone of her skin and accentuated her natural beauty without appearing vulgar. The silk itself had been woven by master craftsmen among the spider Youkai and shimmered subtly whenever it caught the light. A delicate perfume crafted from rare flowers and sacred herbs lingered upon her skin, producing a fragrance that was both seductive and memorable. Her golden hair had been brushed and arranged to frame her features perfectly, while the jewelry she normally wore had been removed to create a softer and more intimate appearance.
If she was going to negotiate with one of the most dangerous beings in existence, she intended to make every advantage available to her count.
With a subtle gesture, Yasaka instructed her attendants to remove her scarlet bathrobe. The rich crimson silk slipped from her shoulders and pooled upon the floor, revealing pale skin carefully prepared for the occasion. She maintained eye contact with Lord Haruki throughout the entire process before slowly descending into the spring.
The warm water embraced her skin immediately, and gentle ripples spread outward around her as she crossed the pool toward him.
Haruki observed her approach. His gaze traveled over her with calm appreciation, almost like a person examining a masterfully crafted work of art. But despite that appreciation, Yasaka found herself strangely unsettled by the absence of the reactions she was accustomed to receiving. There was no visible lust, no loss of composure, and no indication that her carefully planned appearance had disrupted his thoughts in the slightest.
"May I assist you, my lord?" she asked softly, her posture respectful and accommodating as she knelt beside him. "As your host, I would consider it a privilege to personally ensure that your stay is comfortable."
Haruki offered no immediate response, however, neither did he refuse. Taking his silence as permission, Yasaka moved behind him and began gently washing his back. Her hands glided across skin that felt almost unreal beneath her touch, as though it had been carved from flawless marble.
"I wanted to personally thank you for saving my daughter today, my lord," Yasaka said quietly after a few moments. "You may not realize how much your actions meant to me. There are few fears greater than helplessly watching danger approach your child while being unable to stop it. Every time she left my sight, I wondered whether I would see her safely return. I am the leader of an entire faction, and yet there were moments when I felt utterly powerless to protect the person most precious to me."
Her hands slowed slightly. "When a mother reaches the point where she begins fearing what tomorrow might bring for her child, every day becomes exhausting. So regardless of your reasons, I want you to know that I am sincerely grateful. You saved my daughter when I could not."
"It was no problem," Haruki replied calmly. "I simply heard a child crying alone in the darkness and being called by something sinister, and I did what any responsible adult would do."
Yasaka blinked several times. The answer was so unexpected that for a brief moment she found herself unsure how to respond.
She had all but openly declared herself indebted to him. The implication had hardly been subtle. Anyone with even a basic understanding of supernatural politics would have immediately recognized what she was offering. A favor owed by the leader of the Western Youkai Faction was an extraordinarily valuable thing, the sort of opportunity that powerful beings spent decades attempting to acquire.
Most gods, devils, and supernatural leaders would have seized upon such leverage without the slightest hesitation. Many would have begun calculating how best to exploit that debt before she had even finished speaking. Some would have demanded material compensation, whether in the form of territory or political support. And then there were those whose interests tended toward more personal forms of repayment.
Yasaka was hardly naive regarding her own position in the supernatural world. She had been considered one of its great beauties for centuries, and throughout her long life she had encountered no shortage of powerful individuals who viewed a debt owed by Yasaka as an opportunity to pursue desires that extended well beyond politics or material gain. Some were discreet about such intentions. Others were embarrassingly transparent. Either way, she had long ago learned to recognize the look in a person's eyes when they began imagining what concessions they might extract from her.
It was a reality she had grown accustomed to navigating and she would gladly give her body to Haruki if it meant he would help her. Yet Haruki did not appear to view the matter that way at all. There was no attempt to leverage her gratitude into future obligations.
I simply did what any responsible adult should do…It was such an unexpectedly humble response.
Unfortunately, experience had taught her that what a responsible adult should do and what adults actually did were often very different things. The supernatural world was filled with individuals who exploited the weak for their own ambitions, and children frequently suffered because of it. Humans were hardly innocent of such failings either, though their comparatively short lifespans often encouraged stronger protective instincts toward their children.
To hear such a simple sentiment spoken so naturally by the God of Devils was very surprising.
"Perhaps," Yasaka replied softly. "But there are many who could not have done so, and many more who simply would not have done so, my lord."
He offered no response beyond a quiet hum of acknowledgment as Yasaka continued tending to him. She leaned in, her breasts brushing against his back as she worked her hands over his shoulders, her nipples hardening at the contact. She could feel the heat of him, the solid weight of his muscles beneath her touch. Her tits sometimes got in the way of her rhythm, her hard nipples pressing against his skin as she moved.
Curse of being well-endowed, she thought, but then an idea struck her. A drawing idea that would soon reveal what kind of man she was dealing with.
She dipped her hands into the water again, then cupped her breasts, squeezing just enough to let the warm water trickle down her cleavage. Then she pressed her bosom against his back once more, using the slick heat of her skin to glide over him. The soap made her tits slippery, the friction delicious as she rubbed them in slow, deliberate circles over his shoulder blades, down his spine.
"You don't need to whore yourself out in order to gain my favor," Haruki said dryly after several moments had passed. "You supernatural beings are always so unnecessarily dramatic whenever you need help. If there is something you wish to ask of me, you could simply ask."
Yasaka released a soft sigh and shook her head with a faint, self-deprecating smile as she continued pouring warm water over his shoulders.
"I suppose I should simply speak honestly, my lord. It was rather foolish of me to dance around the subject and attempt to guide the conversation toward my concerns through implication and gratitude alone. You have seen through my intentions from the very beginning, and I suspect you did so the moment I invited you to remain within my territory."
Haruki glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "It was fairly obvious."
"Yes, I imagine it was," she said with a soft laugh. "In my defense, desperation rarely improves one's judgment. If I am not mistaken, my lord, you are aware of the monster haunting my people and our homes?"
"I sensed that the Kyoto spirit leyline has been infested," Haruki replied calmly. "It reeks of rotten corpses."
"Yes. They have," she said, her expression darling at the fact. "It began a little over two months ago. At first the changes were subtle enough that most would not have noticed them. Small distortions within the flow of spiritual energy. Isolated incidents involving corrupted spirits. The sort of abnormalities that occur naturally from time to time. Unfortunately, they did not remain isolated."
Haruki remained silent, allowing her to continue. She did not slow herself, perhaps fearing that he would shut her down before she even finished explaining.
"The contamination spread gradually through the network of leylines beneath Kyoto. I quickly realized that this was not some naturally occurring imbalance. Something was actively forcing its will upon the land itself. Much to my despair, the Azetic god of conflict and malice had set His eyes upon my home."
"Tezcatlipoca…" Haruki said, contemplating. He did not seem afraid or surprised by the revelation, which gave her some measure of hope.
"Yes," she said, cringing instinctively at the name. "He seized portions of the leyline network and began infusing them with His malice like poison through a living body. Wherever His malice touches the spiritual leylines, the energy itself becomes twisted. Sacred sites begin to decay while spirits become violent. We had to put down several lesser Youkai due to corruption. Entire regions gradually become saturated with an atmosphere of fear, paranoia, and hostility. Every day I find myself fighting to reclaim another region of the city before his corruption takes root completely."
"And how successful has that been?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm still alive and Kyoto has not collapsed into a spiritual wasteland. Considering who I am against, that qualifies as success."
"That bad?"
"Far worse." She folded her hands together. "My lord, the leylines are the foundation upon which the entire spiritual ecosystem of this region rests. Every shrine, every sacred grove, every spirit, every Youkai community, every supernatural settlement depends upon them in one form or another. If enough of the network falls under His control, the consequences would be catastrophic. The spirits would either flee or become corrupted which has become more often than in the past. Countless Youkai would lose access to the energy they require to survive."
"And you've holding it back all by yourself?" he asked curiously. "No help from your gods?"
"Lady Amaterasu came today to tell me that the gods will do nothing while my people die," she said frustrated. "Every single day. I have spent months diverting my power toward containing the spread. I have mobilized all yokai clans, and every expert available to me. We seal one section only for another to begin deteriorating. We cleanse one region only to discover three more have become corrupted during the process. To tell the truth, my Lord, It feels like attempting to stop an ocean tide with one's bare hands."
Haruki leaned back against the stone. "Why is he doing it?"
"I can't say with certainty why he is doing this" She frowned thoughtfully. "I wish I did. However, based upon his nature and everything I know of him, I strongly suspect he desires the spiritual energy itself. The Kyoto leyline network has accumulated natural spiritual power for thousands of years. It is one of the richest concentrations of pure spiritual energy in the world."
"And he wants to consume it," Haruki said thoughtfully.
"That is my fear," she said, lowering her voice. "I fear that he sees my homeland as little more than a banquet."
"That is certainly an interesting tale," he said after a moment. "But why are you telling me all of this?"
Yaska lowered her gaze briefly before gathering her courage. "Because I wish to ask for your assistance in dealing with Tezcatlipoca," she admitted. "I am at my wit's end, my Lord. I no longer know what to do. The Shinto gods are terrified of provoking him, and I lack the strength to force anyone to listen. I fear they have abandoned me and my people to be a sacrifice to satiate the mad god
"I am not powerful enough to force myself to be heard. I am not influential enough to compel action. My protests are acknowledged politely and ignored immediately thereafter. Those who sympathize with my position lack the strength to oppose him and those who possess strength lack the will to act. It turns out that impending catastrophe becomes surprisingly acceptable when someone else is paying the price. You, however, are powerful. Tezcatlipoca may ignore me and see me as someone too beneath Him to negotiate. But I don't believe He can afford to dismiss you."
Haruki raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you asking for?"
"To be a third party," she said quickly. "I am not asking you to fight him on my behalf. I would not dare ask you to wage war for my sake. I merely ask…beg that you stand beside me while I negotiate so that He may listen to me. I ask that you bear witness, while I attempt to make a deal to save my people and see that he keeps his words."
Haruki studied her for several moments before speaking. "You wish to negotiate with someone who is draining your home and preying on your people?"
There was no mockery in his voice. She did not know why he was asking her this, but she would answer anything to satisfy his curiosity if it improved even slightly her chances of securing his help.
"What choice do I have?" she replied quietly. "I'm not strong enough to defeat him nor strong enough to make him answer for what he has done. The gods of these lands are too frightened to oppose him despite knowing the suffering he causes. Every path before me leads to failure. If bargaining with my people's tormentor is the only means available to reduce the number of graves I must dig, then I will bargain. Pride has little value when measured against the lives of thousands. I can endure humiliation. I can endure being looked down upon if it means fewer Youkai children vanish into the darkness."
"So you would tolerate his crimes?"
"If it prevented further suffering, then yes," she replied easily. She was long past seeking justice or vengeance. She only wished to prevent further tragedies.
"And what if he asks for your life in exchange?" he asked. "Suppose he agrees to leave your people alone only if you offer yourself as tribute. Would you accept such a bargain?"
"If he swore to leave my people in peace," she said without hesitation. "and if you stood witness to that agreement, then I would give my life willingly."
"Why?" Haruki asked.
She could not tell from his detached expression how he was feeling. "Because my life is worth less than the lives of my people," she replied earnestly.
"And your daughter?" Haruki asked. "Do you wish for her to grow up as an orphan?"
That question struck directly at her deepest fears, forcing her to confront the very real possibility that she might one day have to leave her daughter behind. It was a thought she tried not to dwell on, yet one that had haunted her constantly ever since Tezcatlipoca's shadow had fallen over her people.
"No," she answered softly. "I do not. The..the very thought tears at my heart. I know what it means to lose a mother young. I know the emptiness it leaves behind. Every instinct within me wants to remain at her side, to watch her grow, to guide her through the centuries ahead. But I am more than a mother. My people depend upon me. If Tezcatlipoca's cruelty continues unchecked, then my daughter may lose her people, her home, and everything she has ever known. If someone must be sacrificed to prevent that future, then the cost should be mine."
She lowered her eyes, and smiled sincerely. "I would lose only myself."
For a long moment Haruki said nothing. The silence stretched on while the water gently rippled around them. Yaska resumed washing his back in slow, rhythmic motions while anxiety twisted in her stomach. She could not guess what thoughts lay behind those calm eyes.
The more she considered her request, the more foolish it seemed. She had met this man scarcely an hour ago. She was asking him to involve himself in a conflict that could place him directly against one of the most dangerous beings she knew. What reason did he have to help her? The answer was none. Realizing her mistake, she hurried to add more.
"Of course, my lord, I would repay you for any assistance you provide. Anything within my power, provided it does not require me to betray or sacrifice my people. I would do everything I can to compensate you."
"You have nothing that I need," Haruki replied simply.
The words struck her like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over a sleeping man. And was that not the truth? Of course she had nothing he needed. What could someone like Yasaka possibly offer someone like Haruki Yamashiro? Why had she expected anything different?
From his perspective, she must have looked utterly absurd. They had known each other for barely an hour. During that short time she had effectively asked him to involve himself in a conflict with one of the most dangerous beings in existence, a creature feared by gods and powerful enough to hold an entire region hostage through little more than its presence. And what had she offered in return? Her gratitude? Her friendship? A favor?
Haruki was a being whose name alone caused gods to hesitate and powerful factions to reconsider their plans. People vastly more influential and stronger than herself would gladly bankrupt their treasuries for the opportunity to earn his goodwill.
How desperate must she have appeared? How foolish?
She prided herself on being composed and experienced. But somewhere along the way, months of fear, exhaustion, and frustration had eroded her judgment. She had become so consumed by the desperate need to save her people that she had stopped considering how her requests might sound to others. Yasaka found herself silently wishing the warm spring water were deep enough to sink into and disappear from sheer embarrassment. It had been a desperate, emotional, poorly planned request.
"Oh," she said softly, carefully keeping her voice steady. "I apologize for ruining the atmosphere, my lord. Recent events have made me rather impulsive. Please disregard my foolish request."
"I didn't say I wouldn't help you," he said.
Yasaka blinked, convinced she must have misheared. "Pardon?"
"I said you have nothing I need." He sounded mildly amused. "Those are two different statements."
"I don't understand," she asked, her tone sounding more hopeful than she wanted it.
"I know." Haruki sighed. "It is apparently a very difficult concept."
"M-my lord?"
"I don't need payment," Haruki clarified. "I can't bring myself to ignore children being taken by a monster in the night. As it happens, I was planning to deal with Tezcatlipoca eventually." He shrugged. "I might as well do it now."
He spoke as casually as someone discussing the weather. To Yaska, however, his words felt miraculous. The crushing weight she had carried for so long seemed to crack apart all at once. For months she had begged for assistance and found only excuses, fear, and silence. Allies had distanced themselves. Yet this man, whom she barely knew, had agreed within the span of a single conversation. The sheer absurdity of it left her almost dizzy. At the same time, a small part of her remained terrified. Why? Why would he help when he stood to gain nothing?
The question lingered in the back of her mind. Powerful beings rarely acted without purpose. There was always a price somewhere. Yet even as suspicion whispered its warnings, she found herself unable to care. She had been drowning while everyone else watched from the shore, and Haruki had been the only one to simply reach down and offer his hand, for the first time in many months, hope felt like something more than a cruel joke.
"Why?" she found herself asking.
"Why what?" he said, glancing at her curiously.
"Why help me?" The question emerged almost as a whisper. "You gain nothing from this."
For the first time, Haruki looked genuinely bewildered before letting out a quiet, almost incredulous laugh, as though he could scarcely believe what he had just heard.
"My dear Lady," He said mirthfully. "Has everyone around you become so accustomed to attaching a price tag to basic decency that the concept of helping someone without demanding compensation has become incomprehensible?"
The kitsune found herself unable to answer. And that silence told him everything he needed to know.
AN: This story is back, and I have to say, I'm really surprised by just how many different types of tea exist in Japanese culture, each with its own meaning and etiquette attached to it.
Anyway, Haruki may come across as an emotionless asshole in this chapter, but that's largely because we're seeing him through Yasaka's POV. She only knows him through his reputation and the stories told about him, not the person behind them. His questions and reactions aren't meant to be malicious. He's so wrapped up in his own thoughts and goals that he rarely stops to consider how his words might affect the people around him. Which, admittedly, doesn't always make him look any better.
Advanced chapters are available on my Patreon. If you want to read ahead, vote on which story gets updated each week, or simply support my writing so I can focus more on it, you can check it out here: /abeltargaryen?