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Chapter Text

Check out Ayakashi!Kenshin by the amazing Cailann!!

~☆~

Sleep found Kenshin on rare occasions. Visions of her usually followed so it wasn't all bad, he supposed…

Sometimes her strawberry curls danced in the wind by the river and eyes of warm, molten amber glistened happily when she gazed down at him as the water did in the sunlight. Oh, how his Isehime loved summer day picnics… and how he wished he had taken her out on them more. Even if just for her to brush her hands through his hair while resting his head in her lap or to watch her breathing as she napped under the shade of a tree. Other times, he was chasing her through the forest like a children's game-- that he usually let her win-- as her laughter and favorite haori flowed behind her. The dark of the woods acted like a maze as he rounded each corner on her heels, the fragrance of strawberries and lilies drawing him along like a puppet on a string until he caught her in his arms to carry her through the doors of their private cabin hidden away into the forest. 

Sometimes, though, it was a completely different woman that raced through the forest of his sleeping mind's eye with hair black as night and eyes gold as sunshine. Her skin matched the pale, golden light of the moon and her dusky pink lips could never settle between a smirk or a grin as she paced up the stairs of the same cabin herself. She wasn't his Isehime but gods damn him if she didn't invoke the same sense of protection and belonging. And when she stopped and opened her arms for his embrace, she felt like… home . Not the homes he grew up in that were full of cunning plans, political ambition, and disdain for anything or anyone considered too different. No, she was unconditional acceptance and unending love. Festive evenings and lazy mornings. Plums and sake. Parchment and daffodils. She was home. And she was his even if he couldn't touch her during waking hours.

Even if he didn't know her name...

~*~

Finally!

After weeks of preparation and a thoughtful approach of presenting her own family's tree, Haruka was one step closer to turning her 'hobby' into an enjoyable career. Her wardrobe may appear a little questionable to the common eye with the generations-old cloak still draping her shoulders, but it was a great finishing touch alongside her collection of old photographs. In fact, the fur-collared cape could be found in the background of a mid-nineteenth century photograph of her earliest known ancestors-- the Akechis-- when they visited Europe. Even the jade pendant that called her neck home since her seventeenth birthday was featured in the presentation's centerpiece and had miraculously survived the generations. It was that photo that pushed her to seek a genealogy certification. Her spare time and casual research had proved rewarding with the discovery of a complete missing branch of cousins from a runaway great-granduncle during the Depression, but all roads ended with the Akechis as no further trace of a paternal line could be found preceding them.

She needed resources that would only come with a career change.

Sure, her time as a historian had been fruitful, but as a certified genealogist, she'd now be able to help fill missing gaps in historical family trees-- as well as her own. Fingers-crossed that her presentation was enough… Either way, a drink was in order! 

Then again, maybe not. She should have known all the local watering holes would be filled to capacity on a Friday night. There hadn’t been a problem working around the certifier’s schedule to fit her in but now she regretted accepting the late-night time slot. Well, there’s always tomorrow...

The city grew quiet behind her with each block she passed toward home, her feet carrying her down the familiar path on their own. It was only by chance that a stray cat screamed and darted across her trail, startling her enough to drop her bag... and surprising a follower to stumble in their own path. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end while she watched the figure from her peripheral sight double-track as if they had taken a wrong turn, every fiber within her screeching in warning. Oh, boy… something's not right.

Rising back to her feet with the strap resecured over her head like a messenger pack, Haruka took a right turn where she would have normally taken a left. The figure continued after her, matching pace in an effort to conceal the tick of their steps within hers. Yup, definitely not right… but I can't just start running now. I'm too far from home for that and I'd just be showing them where I live for later!

She increased her speed in minuscule increments as she turned another corner that had now formed a backward S from her original destination; her new shadow still tailing her all the while. They're going to realize I'm onto them soon… Come on, girl, think! Oh, the creepy woods!

Despite the economic and industrial growth over the decades, there was one patch of dark thicket nearby that remained untouched. A gray mist wisped through the trees every dawn and, since the erection of a small memorial temple in the eighteen-hundreds, no one dared to cross beyond the now decaying wooden fence.

Until her.

Haruka’s knuckles turned white around her bag strap as she inhaled a deep breath to steady her nerves before sprinting down a tight alley, knocking trash cans to the ground to impede her pursuer. She heard a curse as they tripped through the debris and the raspy depth told her it was a man… and somehow familiar?

The poorly painted fence came into view once bursting out of the alley. A single post seemed sturdy enough to plant her palm on for an assisted vault over and she was on the other side streaking into the woods without breaking stride. Only when the moon and city lights darkened did she stop to brace her shoulders against a tree trunk and listen for signs of her pursuer while scrambling for the keychain pepper spray now that her brain could function enough to remember its presence.

Several twigs snipped and snapped under the unexpected weight of the new visitor. Harsh huffs of exertion she recognized seconds before his voice filled the distance between them. "Haruka? Come on, it's me!"

Bad idea, bad idea... "Teruto? Why are you chasing me?"

"Well, I meant to surprise you… thought you might like to get a drink after your big presentation tonight."

Very bad idea!

Teruto had been a college friend of a friend that had joined them occasionally for their morning jog and was often found among the group she currently socialized with. However, other than the odd night out, Teruto wasn't much of a permanent fixture in her life… and she absolutely did not tell him about the presentation.

Her finger hovered over the mini-spray can trigger in preparation when the thought crossed her mind to save the spray. Silently, she slipped down the trunk of the tree into a crouch as his crunching steps neared. Once the twig beside her cracked under his boot, she struck the sturdy branch across his eyes. Both momentum and surprise knocked him to his knees, giving her the perfect window to keep running… and running… and running… 

Damn, there’s a lot more land hidden back here than I thought… Am I even near the city anymore?

Only when her lungs were on the edge of implosion did she stop again to listen for signs of Teruto. Yet all was quiet, the local wildlife no doubt startled into silence by her intrusion. Haruka continued forward, pulling the sweep of her cloak closed as an eerie chill swept through the trees and a band of opaque fog descended over the land. She'd only taken a few steps when the silence was shattered by various shouting and an indistinguishable noise she couldn't quite place.

Is that… growling? Is someone watching a Godzilla or Jurassic Park movie? Whatever they're watching, being with a group sounds better than trekking through the woods alone.

Before she could finish her next step, a snarl from her left sent a cold sweat of dread down her back. Wh-why would someone put surround speakers this far into the trees? A snap of jowls and the crunch of leaves under a hurried gait confirmed it was definitely not a fictional creature that now had its eyes on her as she sprinted through the forest once more. She spotted the light of morning shining through the trees as the woods opened up into a valley ahead. Haruka pushed through the burn in her legs and lungs as she scampered out of the thicket from one danger and into another. 

The valley formed a picture reminiscent of her imaginings when reading battle scenes in fantasy novels as a teen. Snarling, animalistic creatures the shape of panthers, wolves, and bears-- a select few appearing to form a combination of all three-- bounded from the mountains, many without tails or eyes while others had up to six of each. None appeared to be the same as another and the first rays of dawn showed their mix of fur and scales varied wildly across the color spectrum. But every one of them boasted snapping jaws as they viciously attacked a band of shining armored men wielding spears and katanas.

There was no doubt of what her pursuer was now-- even if she didn’t know exactly what that was-- but at least she knew where to run for a measure of security. She sent a prayer to the heavens as she cleared the first frontline of warriors with the schink of steel against gnashing teeth only inches from her ponytail. Dear Dad, thank you for forcing me on five-kilometer runs every morning. The stamina really came in handy today!

Until the second wind she caught in the forest was knocked from her lungs when she was thrown to the ground. The earth tumbled twice before she stabilized on her knees and spotted the one that side-tackled her. A brunet with an eyepatch in well-fitted black and blue armor and a helmet adorned with a massive crescent moon arced a gleaming katana over his head aimed straight at her.

"Hey, wait!" She fell to her back, crossing her arms over her in panic now that the cloak caught beneath her knees kept her immobilized.

"Dammit, Lass!" The man growled as he snatched her arm to set her back to her feet. "I thought you were one of those things! My orders were for medical teams to wait until after the frontline clears the hostiles, then they can gather wounded."

"What?! I'm not--" A snapping snarl interrupted her. The man whirled at the sound, pulling a second blade seemingly from thin air to slice the creature into thirds before rounding back to her. 

"Go! Tell the others to fall back!" He turned again as another fiend bounded after him, shouting the same order he'd just given her to those around him. 

For the third time that day, she sprinted as if her life depended on it-- which was very likely at this moment-- remembering to pull the hem of the cloak into her arms with her bag this time. She’d just spotted the outline of tents at the edge of the field when the earth turned sideways once more and her head slammed into the ground, scrambling her speech as she fought against gravity to stand again. "Bock… fob black…"

"A woman?" Her vision still swam but she could make out the figure of another man in the early light of day with obsidian hair and, even through the blur of recovering sight, found his bright carnelian eyes as his fingers gripped her chin and… was he really wearing a feather boa out in this mess? "You're not one of ours, who are you?"

"Fall back…" she squeaked again, oblivious to the question. "Moon Man said 'fall back'."

"Moon? Masamune?" Her vision restored in time to see the new man turn to spot the one that nearly sliced her in half. "Date?! Why are you falling back?" 

It… must have been her vision still on the mend. Had to be. There was absolutely no way that man just leapt half a football field in one jump to stand beside her again. "We didn't anticipate these numbers, they just keep streaming from the mountain!”

As if waiting for their cue, a band of the howling monsters surged from the rocky base at the edge of the field. Masamune grabbed her arm--in a protective maneuver this time--  as he directed his attention toward the other man. "We have to reform the line, else we'll--"

A new blur of green and yellow fur tackled him to the ground, chomping and ripping at any part it could get its teeth into. Panic pulled a screech from her throat at the sight of the scuffle between man and beast. Instinctively, she took a lurching step to run before stopping in her tracks when her path was blocked by two more creatures. One of the eyeless variety with a coat of silver fur that seemed dependent on the commands of its companion, which possessed a third eye with a sleek coverage of gleaming scales that faded from scarlet to magenta in places. Both with foaming snouts that reminded her of starved wolves from survival flicks.

"Don't move…" the voice of the red-eyed man whispered from behind her.

"You seriously think you have to tell me that?!" 

Hungry yowling abounded all around, alerting that more hostiles were swarming the area. The silver eyeless one lunged toward her but the red-scaled leader snapped at its thighs before reprimanding a golden newcomer that tried to follow suit. Her breath caught in her chest at the first movement and-- against the sound advice of every cell in her being screaming 'don't move!'-- her feet scrambled backward. The world slowed around her as the red leader finally gave up and leapt onto the offensive as mob mentality took over, claws arching toward her while she fell to the ground. The black-haired man went for his sword but fangs from a purple scaled beast at the flank caught his shoulder, leaving her open to the jaws of the alpha.

Haruka always heard of near-death experiences flashing highlights of life for those fortunate enough to survive their traumatic events. To say hers had been uneventful would be the understatement of the century. The grind of university and then work later at the museum never left much room for socializing, and even then she mostly remained on the outskirts of her small circle. In fact, her happiest moments had been with Dad on her heels pushing past her limits during morning runs. Then there were camping and rock climbing trips where they were separated completely from the city and technology for forty-eight hours. Happy times… but regret for not experiencing more when she had the chance now as she was on the brink of death. 

Her breath never left her chest and she never screamed as the crimson claws came down upon her the same moment the earth met her backside. Time restored to its normal speed with the release of what she thought would be her final breath. However, instead of razors shredding into her, a gust of wind blasted from her place with enough force to knock every warrior across the field to their backside the same as she.  

Her own black locks whipped wildly as the blast continued to spin over the area, stinging her eyes as she pushed to her knees in time to witness the fur and scales of every mountain fiend disintegrate into a vibrant blue haze. Only when the physical presence of the final fiend had been wisped away did the abrupt typhoon slow and dissipate, leaving the warriors untouched. The assailants were gone… but in their place remained wafting orbs of varying sizes in the same blue that swirled around the field only a moment ago, many still spinning like dreidels from the wind’s force with one whirling right towards her. 

“Hold on!” Her arms reached out to catch it before it spiraled further out of control. What there was of it to catch anyway as it had no body, only a wisping aura of that rich blue that faded to turquoise in its center. Strange, also, was how the little thing looked like a ball of fire but held no heat. In fact, it seemed more attributed to wind as the orb emitted a soft whispering breeze that gently lifted the ends of her hair as it hovered in the cradle of her arms. “There, isn't that better?”

All the orbs on the field remained as still as the one in her arms until it finally bounced about happily around her. The whole field glistened with vibrancy as the others followed suit and the color reflected from the warriors' armor and still drawn weapons. Two of the nearest orbs danced their way to join the first as they now clung to her like cats demanding cuddles. The action caught the attention of the other orbs and slowly they joined her side as well. The spectacle gathered an audience of men who only moments ago were fighting against the now friendly blue beings. Through the crowd came Masamune with the black-haired commander, both glancing about the field in awe and confusion until their gaze settled on her. 

“That was one hell of an Awakening, Lass!” Before the one called Masamune could reach her, her new friends formed a protective barrier that blasted him back to the ground once more. 

“Whoa, guys, wait!" She was on her feet in the next instant, rushing through the dispersing shield and helping him up again. "I don’t think he means any harm.”

“Blazes, has no one trained you?”

Like… this is supposed to be normal? "Oh, yeah… sure! Every weekend a mentor and I hike up the mountain hunting down rabid, teethy, beast things and magically turn them into cute little snuggly guys."

His brow and lips twisted into a pout as he dusted off his armor. "A simple 'no' would've  been fine…"

"Trained or not, the kitsune came just in time." The red-eyed man spoke as he joined them once her guardians showed no signs of defense. "You should release them."

“First of all, how are you two still alive? I saw those things latch into both of you! Secondly... I have no idea how to do that.”

“Simple. Command them.” 

"Okay… everyone may go?" A quick glance about the field showed no movement from the little blue beings.

An eye-roll from the commander. "You have to mean it."

But they’re so cute now! Haruka took a deep breath to steel her nerves as she tried to face each flame and called firmly to those gathered. “You're all free to go… wherever it is you're meant to go to."

A gentle breeze blew across the field as the blue lights slowly dimmed, fading into the day's early light. Several stole a final nuzzle into her cheeks before leaving. However, the first three remained after all the others had disappeared. Two perched on one shoulder each and the third settled back into her arms, very much like that stubborn cat she had as a kid. Something must have seemed funny to the small audience because the commander chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. "A bloodied mortal whose powers have only just awakened and she already has familiars… what are you called, kitsune?"

"Hayakawa, Haruka. So you can call me that instead of 'kitsune'... and what do you mean by ‘bloodied mortal’?"

Masamune's only visible eyebrow arched as he tilted his head. "You don't know, Lass? Where do you come from?"

"Haruka," she corrected pointedly. "I grew up in Nagaoka before moving to Kyoto to work at the museum."

The two men locked gazes a moment before Masamune turned to direct the gathered warriors to start breaking down their nearby camps, leaving the commander to speak with her alone. "There are two realms that exist side-by-side. The mortal realm, from which you hail from, and ours..." 

Without another word, the feathers she thought formed a festive boa earlier turned into a massive spread of crow-like black wings as they sprang from his back. The loud flutter of feathers startled her backward and she would have fallen again if not for Masamune rejoining them at that moment to catch her. Her gaze flew to him and only now, in the full light of morning, did she notice the crescent moon she thought a simple helmet embellishment were twin twisting horns the color of the moon. His 'armor' that she had mistakenly taken to be well-tailored turned out to be scales ranging from black to the indigo of a clear night. There were even several tiny, reflective silver accents scattered about to give the illusion of twinkling stars. 

The commander continued. “Only ayakashi or those with an ayakashi’s blessing can pass through the veil that separates our two worlds. It appears you came alone which means you have ayakashi blood-- kitsune, by your abilities to help the dead pass on-- making you what we call a ‘bloodied mortal’. That can be dangerous as many of our kind tend to be very territorial of their lineage-- especially ones that show great abilities-- and I assume you have no idea who you are related to?”

Shock stole her voice, rendering her only capable of shaking her head in the negative until a comment snagged her attention. “The… dead?”

“You saw for yourself those three kitsunebi that chose to stay by your side were once fierce fiends. Before that, they were once living people who met untimely ends to tragic means or war times. Such souls sometimes need assistance to pass on but malice and jealousy fill them if left too long, contorting them into the vicious beings you saw earlier. Kitsunes are the only known ayakashi capable of offering such assistance to those who remain but they’ve been on the brink of extinction for several decades. Many of those you passed today were likely once kitsunes themselves.”

“Okay...” Her eyes glanced to each of her new ‘familiars’ as all he said settled upon her. Well… that makes sense actually. Ayakashi, huh? Who knew? “Okay.” She repeated in finality.

Masamune released her shoulders when he knew she wasn’t in danger of collapsing again. “‘Okay’? Just okay?” 

“What else am I supposed to say? I may not have believed my eyes at first but I felt you tackle me to the ground and I felt the fear when I thought I was about to be chow for Chompies. And compared to what I was running from , I’ll take the Chompies. Thanks.”

The commander let out a round of laughter as his wings shimmered and shifted, settling as a haori over his shoulders. "I am Oda Nobunaga. You may rest with my people until we find whose line you belong too, and even after should you choose."

She didn't even consider a contradictory response as she matched the duo’s pace, heading towards the camp that outlined the horizon. This would be the best step toward filling those gaping holes in her family history, a few hours-- or days! -- wouldn't hurt anyone.

Chapter Text

“Tokugawa!” Kenshin’s baritone crackled across the central camp like thunder from an approaching storm as he landed from flight ahead of Shingen and Yukimura’s arrival on horse. “What happened? I expected the battle to last much longer.”

“I only just arrived myself,” he may not have rolled his eyes but Ieyasu’s irritation was clear in his voice. “How you and Masamune actually look forward to these skirmishes is beyond me… Aren't you supposed to be holding back the beasts on the other side of the mountain?"

"There are no more to hold back." 

"What?" Ieyasu froze in his tracks. 

"A strange wind gust knocked me out of the sky to the ground and the Twisted-Ones were gone when I managed to stand again, reverted back to their previous selves. I assumed someone among the Oda devised a way to ruin my fight."

Ieyasu shook his head as he stopped at the tent flap. "Nothing that was planned beforehand, at least. We'll find out more soon when the others ar--" 

A commotion from the camp entrance stole his attention as a horse barrelled its way through the footpath it was almost too large for until rearing on its hind legs before the tent. Masamune leaped from its back before the dust settled to the ground and reached for the reins, holding a hand out to a passenger who slapped it down. "No, thank you!"

Kenshin could only hear the voice of Masamune’s passenger, alerting him of a woman and it took all he had not to snarl as he rounded the horse. "Date! At what point did you find time to pick up a--"

The growl halted in his throat when his eyes landed upon the woman. Moon pale skin… hair as black as night… eyes as golden as the morning sun that shined upon her… this was the woman that had ensnared his dreams of late. Here . No longer an apparition but living flesh!

Her leg swung over to dismount, Masamune reached a hand out in an attempt to steady her but her tied hair snapped over her shoulder with her refusal of help. "Don't!" Three blue sizzling orbs formed a rotating triangle as if from thin air, flame-like extensions flared in promise of pain. "I think you've done enough for now."

Masamune backed away with both hands raised to show he meant no harm. "Come on, Lass! It wasn't that bad. I was just trying to get you here quickly."

"You almost killed me is what you did, and look at the poor horse! Someone get her some water, please!"

Masamune turned to a nearby water trough but the blue orbs followed and he froze before them. "Lass?"

"It's okay, boys. Let him tend to her." The trio flew back to the woman at her word, one perching on each shoulder and the third settling within the cradle of her arms. 

Kenshin backed away at the sight of the blue beings despite the screaming need to be near her, memories of a riverside battle with another kitsune surfacing. "Kitsunebi?"

The woman's eyes fell to him finally and widened as she nearly stumbled in her path. A dash of pink colored her cheeks as her eyes trailed over him and he had to fight the urge of reaching out to trace the blush, to feel the warmth beneath his fingertips for final assurance she was real even as the fragrance of daffodils tickled his nose. When her eyes met his at last, she remained just as stock-still as he did and-- unless he imagined it-- her own wrist twitched in an upward motion toward his face before she blinked and scratched her head instead. “Y-yes, that’s what Oda called them, too. And ‘familiars’.”

“Truly? You don’t have the typical colorings of a kitsune.”

“Probably because I wasn't born here?” She shrugged. His brow arched at that but there was no time for further explanation as Oda and Shingen both arrived, each followed closely by Hideyoshi and Yukimura respectively. The woman released a sigh of relief upon the sight and marched to join Oda's side. "Please keep him away, he tried to kill me and the horse."

"Date!"

"I did no such thing!" Masamune retorted while slicing an apple for the animal. "Look at Kameko, she's in perfect health."

Nobunaga ignored him, making his own way into the tent as a signal for all to join. Shingen caught the flap after him and held it open for the woman with a smile that Kenshin suddenly wanted to slice off his friend's face. Thankfully, she only nodded in polite acknowledgment before moving on and taking the seat Oda signaled for her at his left.

"My Lord." Hideyoshi fell into his place at Oda's right as his eyes cautiously inspected the woman across from him. "May I ask our guest's name… and why is she needed here?"

"I will explain once everyone is settled."

Hideyoshi nodded obediently even as the woman smiled apologetically. The new face present at the council table drew eyes from lords and retainers alike as they gathered to give reports of their camp's recent phenomenal experience that came just when they were to be overrun by fiends. Kenshin watched from the corner of his eye as the woman shrunk with each mention of the soldiers being knocked to the ground. What could she have to do with it?

Only after Yukimura and Shingen gave their account from the north point did Oda finally speak. "The impeccably timed event that we all seemed to witness came from a rather unlikely source… an Awakening."

Scoffs of disbelief grumbled from those gathered until Hideyoshi voiced the mutual feeling. "An Awakening of such magnitude is unheard of… " 

"Our people have been in one war or another for generations and only makes sense our talents are discovered at the end of childhood. But what of peace times? Does it not make sense our natural magic could remain in slumber, possibly even passing onto our children's children undisturbed until needed? I believe that is the case of the bloodied mortal before us, Hayakawa Haruka. It was the awakening of her latent heritage that saved us today."

Kenshin’s shocked eyes turned upon the woman the same as the rest of the tent. Bloodied mortals alone were a rarity as many viewed mortals as inferior and refused to mingle with them aside from having them as servants. Those that possessed an inkling of talent were fewer and far between, most then were simple empaths or mind-readers with an occasional magic crafter here or there. Only one with such a substantial amount of power had been heard of but legends indicated they were killed by their own talentless brother before reaching full potential. 

What, exactly, could one awakening well into adulthood be capable of? She certainly didn’t seem dangerous any more than the common human as she tried to bury herself into the earth away from the inquisitive gazes. And why in the blazes would the gods give him visions of a mortal ? Mortal blood in any increment meant weakness of mind and body, regardless of ayakashi ancestry.

"Who does she belong to?"

Kenshin's question pulled everyone's gaze to him and away from Haruka, whose knuckles regained their natural color after releasing the cushion beneath her. Though whitened again when she clenched them into fists upon her thighs with an eye roll in his direction. "I 'belong' to no one." 

Several chuckles sounded at the venom lacing that single emphasized word. Sasuke peered around Kenshin to clarify in a stage whisper. "He means the ancestor you're descended from, not necessarily a sentiment of possession."

"Oh." Her eyebrows smoothed from the furious furrow she displayed a moment ago. "I have no idea. I've traced my family back six generations so far and, in the few journals I've located, there's been no mention of special abilities or mystical other worlds."

Her fingers flitted absently to her throat and tugged a dual stranded gold chain that would have immediately caught his eye had both not already been glued to her every movement. Acting as her worry stone was a teardrop-shaped jade pendant with a gold ring crowing it… why was it so familiar? Her eyes met his once more and the pieces snapped into place in his mind like the final move in a game of Go. The golden eyes. The necklace. The kitsunebi. Blazes! She’s even wearing my old cloak!

“Akechi…”

He hadn’t meant to speak the name aloud but shock gets the better of everyone from time to time, even the God of War. Haruka’s eyes widened as the room fell deafeningly silent while all gazes fell to her again. 

Ieyasu sat straighter at the name, yet scoffed. “Impossible, you saw him lose to the river yourself and he had no children when he died.”

Kenshin did not respond, only lifted his hand to Haruka. “Your necklace please.” She blinked cautiously but obeyed by lifting it over her head and into his palm to pass to the other blond. “You should recognize this, Tokugawa.”

He snatched it unceremoniously, skepticism clearly coloring his features until they wiped clean in disbelief upon his inspection before he glared up to the woman. “Where did you get this? This was my aunt's before it passed to her daughter. ”

She was uncowed by the venom dripping from each word, in fact, she seemed miffed at the implications behind the question. “Unlikely. It’s been in my family for six generations, plus myself. My father passed it to me on my seventeenth birthday.”

Ieyasu snorted. “Lies. The owner of this necklace drowned in river rapids only ten years ago.”

Haruka cut her eyes while pulling her knapsack into her lap and shuffled through it. “Akechi, correct? As in… Mitsuhide and Mai Akechi?”

Ieyasu’s brows nearly fused with his hairline at the familiar names none gathered in the tent had yet mentioned while she continued to search through her bag.

"Yahaha!" With a tune of victory, she pulled forth a small, flat rectangle and handed it Ieyasu. "Is this them?"

His eyes fell to the rectangle and-- unlike the necklace-- accepted it almost reverently into his grasp. He stared down for several long moments before glancing back at her while passing the rectangle to Hideyoshi. “This… painting, when was it made?”

“The picture? It was taken in the mid-nineteenth century… nearly two hundred years ago.”

The 'picture' made its way into Oda's hands. "This is their child shown here?"

"Yes. Jubei Akechi, only child." Haruka's eyes lit up as she continued to pull similar rectangles of varying sizes from her bag. "Went on to have two daughters of his own who each had a son. Things get tricky from there as one of those boys ran away from home and was never heard from again while the other managed to keep the bank Mitsuhide founded together through the Depression and beyond. That was my Great-grandfather, Hayakawa Takahiro. He had a son-- Hayakawa Setsuo-- who had my dad-- Hayakawa Masaru-- who had me." With every name she listed, Haruka planted a new picture in a forming line, each image featuring those she named and improving in clarity up to her father. 

Ieyasu remained so still, Kenshin began to wonder if he'd forgotten how to breathe until he released a single question. “How is that possible?”

“I’ve been wondering the same thi--”

"Not you," he snapped as he stood to his feet to glare down the dragon beside her. “Uesugi! You saw them fall into the river. You said they were lost!”

Eyes shifted to Kenshin now only for him to respond with a raised eyebrow. “Indeed, I thought they were. Who'd have known they'd survive and escape to the mortal realm. With my cloak nonetheless.”

Haruka gripped the lapels tighter around her as if to defend against the claim. “I always wondered how it has remained in such great shape after all these years. It really is magic, huh? I'm guessing the pendant is too as I've never had to polish or clean it… oh! Can I have that back now, please?" 

Ieyasu blinked back to her in bewilderment until she opened her palm to him now. He lifted his fist as if he only now remembered it still clasped within his grip. Slowly, he opened his fingers and carefully dropped the trinket into hers. His jaw ticked before he focused his gaze fully on her and all the anger evaporated from his features for a moment. "You have his eyes."

No one attempted to stop Ieyasu from storming out of the tent and Oda forged ahead with the next topic. “Any word yet on the remaining pool sites?” 

“Yes,” Shingen pulled forth a small stack of messages from his sleeve. "Several messengers were waiting for me here with word that the Twisted-Ones retreated back into their dens around the same time of the blast, which tells us they felt a disturbance even though they were outside the purification area and remain as they are.” 

Oda watched as Shingen rearranged several tents among the map at the war table, indicating camps that still held guard against the beasts. Three tents were spaced unevenly along the south side of the mountain chain and one final tent held vigil at the northernmost point of the range. Oda nodded his head once Shingen finished and stood from his place. “Then we must act while they’re subdued. Hayakawa, you will visit each site and cleanse them the same as you did here today.”

The color drained from the woman’s face as she faced Oda with shock wide eyes. “But… I don’t even know how I did that today.”

“We have resources to learn from."

“How long is this expected to take? I have to be back at my regular work Tuesday morning.”

“The faster you get going, the faster you’ll be done. Mitsunari will teach all you need to know along the way and Masamune will accompany you as protection.”

“I will as well,” Kenshin added. 

"One dragon will be enough," Masamune quipped.

"Let him have his fun." Nobunaga chided in return. "If Hayakawa is successful, we likely won't have such a challenge again."

From his side, the woman nearly caved in on herself with a quiet sigh. "No pressure or anything…"

~*~

The traveling party wasn't large to her eyes, consisting primarily of the two chosen lords and a few of their vassals each. Many of those at the meeting had already set out for the other camps while Nobunaga remained behind to search for some kind of hidden mountain spring that was somehow connected to the creatures. The lord called Hideyoshi promised to explain it all to her later if time allowed before hoisting her onto a new horse and rushing her entourage out of the camp.

It was only then she finally met the one known as Mitsunari, who had a book ready for her and began rattling off pages for her to reference. She was more than eager to read and learn but there was one teensy little problem… 

"Uh, Mitsunari," she stopped his own excited prattling before leaning in toward him to whisper so as to avoid further embarrassment. "I can't really read this. It's too… classic , compared to the written language I'm used to."

"Oh, I could assist in teaching the language but--"

"It'll take more time than we likely have. Let's just… prioritize and keep it relevant for now. As much as I'd love to learn the full history, let's go with the crash course. I'll take notes when I can."

" 'Crash course'? I'm sorry, My Lady, but I'm unfamiliar with this term." 

"Essential elements most pertinent to my job, like the beastie things. I've heard them called Twisted-Ones. My job is to help them pass on, right? But I have no idea how I did so to begin with, so it wouldn't make much sense to start with military and government history right now. I need to know how and why I have these capabilities in the first place and then I can start to control it."

"Then these won't do…" Mitsunari glanced over the books balanced on both their laps before reaching and taking back the one in her hands and pulling out a different one from his saddle pack. "Aha!"

"What is it?"

His proud smile was nearly blinding in its magnificence that Haruka wished she'd kept a pair of sunglasses in her pack. "Biology!"

"You guys… have biology?" That's… not quite what she was expecting. Everything seemed so primitive to her eyes she hadn't even thought they'd have any kind of truly advanced education. Thank you for putting me in my place…

Mitsunari nodded, still smiling. "For each known race. Kitsune knowledge has been elusive in recent decades but I think the 'crash course' requirements are available." 

"Great! Then, for starters, what exactly are 'Awakenings' and when do they usually occur?"

"Many ayakashi inherit power from their parents. However, that power remains silent in slumber until the brink of adulthood when it is needed. That is what we call an Awakening."

So… basically, a young ayakashi has to learn to deal with their magic in addition to the normal stress of being a hormonal teenager. Nothing could possibly go wrong there! But… "If passed on from parents, then how are bloodied mortals like me possible? I'm six generations from my ancestor and far more human than kitsune, shouldn't any magical prowess be lost by now?"

"For many races, yes but kitsunes tend to differ from that as they do with many things. For example, not all kitsune children are born with power like other races are and then it’s known to pass only through firstborn lineage.” 

"That's rather specific… but might account for my family's ignorance of it."

Mitsunari's smile dampened at the edges while his brow creased in thought. "As for having those capabilities while so far removed… we may have to add that knowledge to the books ourselves."

Oh? So, I'm an anomaly that's never been heard of? Well, that's just peachy! Haruka puffed out a breath that ruffled her bangs when Nobunaga's words from the battlefield that morning replayed in her ears. "Wait? Why are kitsunes on the brink of extinction?"

Now, the rest of the excitement drained from Mitsunari and his eyes sobered as he glanced over his shoulder quickly before turning back to her. "That may be answered best by someone else."

Seriously?!

Mitsunari's lecture continued into the early afternoon when they stopped near a creek to stretch their legs and rest the horses. It took several moments for her eyes to adjust to stationary ground again and her legs to regain their own strength after being atop a moving mount for several hours but she managed to recover in time to accept the prepared lunch Masamune offered her, all while her kitsunebi hovered nearby. 

Masamune shook his head as he cautiously backed away. “Do those things ever sleep?”

“You ask that like I’m supposed to know.” Haruka sighed as she settled onto the river bank and dropped her feet into the cool water. “You know as much as I do right now. Although, I think I’m slowly starting to understand them more.”

“How so?”

“Well, like right now, I feel they’re still leery of you and I felt their joy along the ride as they played tricks on the other vassals.”

“Wait, they actually have feelings aside from wanting to attack everything?”

“That was when they were Chompies, remember? They’re ‘cleansed’ now, so to speak.”

“We call them ‘Twisted-Ones’, Lass..”

“Mmm… my term is better.” She laughed as Masamune shook his head again before continuing on to distribute other lunches where needed.

"Haruka?"

She'd know that voice even if her ears were sealed shut. Oh no, not him! I'm still a mess from this morning!

Since the night Dad passed the family cloak and jade pendant to her, her dreams were haunted-- maybe 'blessed' was the more accurate term-- by the stunningly beautiful creature now looming at her side. Sometimes they were surrounded by a wildflower field with a fragrance as intoxicating as the sake they shared. Other times, he was chasing her through a fog swept forest to a hidden cabin… "Uesugi!" She finally squawked before her thoughts replayed the not-safe-for-work events that usually concluded the dreams after their arrival at said cabin. 

The man boasted twisting horns upon his head proudly unlike the others around her who disguised their animalistic traits as soon as the earlier battle was over. Two lines of glittering, tri-colored scales traced outward from the corner of his eyes over high cheekbones and down the tendon that connected his skull to his shoulder before disappearing under his yukata lapels. And what eyes they were! Emeralds? Cancelled. The sky? Invalidated. Was there even a substance across any world that could compete with them?

Staring, dammit!

"Your name is Uesugi, isn't it?" 

"My family name, yes. You may call me Kenshin."

"Kenshin?" She confirmed before repeating it once more with confidence and a smile. "Kenshin.” 

“May I?” He subtly nodded to a spot near her.

“Oh, of course, there’s plenty of river for everyone.”

He haunched down, eyes scanning the area for anything out of the norm and only when he was satisfied with what he saw did he truly settle into his place beside her. Silence enfolded, stretching comfortably between them. Though, she did notice one unusual thing… 

"Don't you have lunch of your own?"

"I only require pickled plums when needed. And sake."

Her eyes widened at that. "Really? That's…"

"Impressive?"

"Unhealthy." She smiled apologetically as she munched away. Once finished, it seemed as good a time as any to ask a few of the questions that had circled her head since that morning's council. “So… Is what the other blond man stated earlier true about you witnessing the Akechis fall into a river? What happened?”

“Has anyone told you of how Mai and I were related?”

Haruka shook her head as she sipped her waterskin. “Sorry, no. I was kind of thrown onto the horse right after the meeting earlier.”

“Ah, well then, we should start there. She was my wife.”

Half of the sip she had meant to swallow spewed and sputtered from her lips with the shock of the statement while the other half charged it’s way down her windpipe, effectively blocking off all air intake and choking her until she managed to cough it up again. Her eyes stung and tears welled with the effort of clearing her lungs from the invasion. “Your wife ?!” 

“Yes… she was a Tokugawa princess and our union was decided as a term of peace between our forces but I had no genuine interest in her.”

“Okay… and how does that relate to her supposedly drowning?”

Haruka caught sight of the sift in his eyes before he looked out over the water. “Tokugawa visited unexpectedly some weeks after our marriage, accompanied by Ishida and Akechi, and I hosted them at my private lodge. I thought to bait Akechi into a friendly duel by offering a prize I knew he couldn’t deny. Nearby were several rivers, one with a system of rapids before it washed out to sea. We both let the match get the better of us and didn’t notice those rapids until the woman tried to stop us but fell in herself. Akechi dove after her, I after him, and then the next thing I remember is waking upon a rock as a search party called our names.”

She was silent as she listened, visions of her ancestor dueling the being beside her dancing through her head while even more questions seemed to form with each answer. Why did you want a duel? How did they survive the rapids? Why did they leave and allow their friends to think them dead? 

“Why didn’t you care for her?” Haruka cringed internally as soon as the words left her mouth. Really? R E A L L Y? That’s the one you choose to voice out of all that? Why am I like this?! 

Kenshin shrugged indifferently, oblivious to her internal criticism. “I have no interest in marriage or heirs but, at the time, a few of my father’s retainers still held sway over the clan and so I allowed it."

Haruka remained silent before her mouth spouted out another nonsensical question while the details fell into place. There were still several holes in the story she was provided but there was also a lump in the back of her throat that told her now wasn't the time to investigate further. Standing instead, she fished the research journal from her messenger bag to notate the new pieces of discovered history. However, she overestimated her balancing capabilities between still holding her lunch, journal, waterskin, and hunting down that damned pen that always ran away to the darkest corners when she actually needed it, causing the journal to slip through her arms and tumble down the slope. Her heart dropped into her stomach even as she chased it down, even more so when Kenshin's elegantly taloned hand caught the book at the height of its arc toward the water. As grateful as she was to have the years of history saved, she was mortified by the page that he just so happened to catch…

"When did you have time to do this?"

"Uh…" 

Father never knew where she received her artistic talents. "Certainly not from me! I couldn't draw a straight line to save my life!" he'd say every time she'd present him with a new piece worthy of the refrigerator gallery, small encouragement that inspired a hobby she continued practice in spare moments. Moments that were sparse as she grew and entered university and the working class, but the few she did have were usually spent sketching and fleshing out the mysterious man from her dreams…

Who now gazed upon a stray portrait of himself made by her hand.

"I-I'd have to see the date…" Gently, she sat back in her place by the river and took the book from his hands. "This one was…" she drew her sentences out as much as she could to think up a reasonable story other than the truth. Oh well, to hell with it! Resigning to the truth, she finally answered. "Three months ago."

His brows arched, black and jewel-toned scales glistening with the effort before broaching a single question. "How?"

Haruka turned her gaze to the water so he wouldn't see the fire that was inflaming her face as she tugged her necklace free to circle her thumb over the round of the jewel. "The night my father gave me this, I had the first of many recurring dreams. I was running through a fog laced forest I had never seen before but somehow knew my way through nonetheless. I was being chased… but I didn't fear the one chasing me. Enjoyed being chased even. Then, I reached the steps of a hidden cabin and--"

"Turned around…"

Heart, are you there? You're painfully silent… "Yes," she squeaked as her wide-eyed gaze met his in disbelief when the pounding in her ears assured her heart was indeed functioning. "And then you smiled and--" She snapped her mouth shut once more and turned back to the water, cheeks burning as her imagination easily reminisced the endings of all the dreams he featured in that always resulted in a refreshing cold morning shower. 

Silence stretched between them until Masamune called for the party to move out again. Kenshin was on his feet and marching off before she even pulled her feet from the water and even the afternoon sun couldn't beat off the sudden chill that descended as she mounted her horse. Umm… okay?

Chapter Text

Punishment… that's what this is.  

There was no other explanation for why the gods would send her to him as they did! Dangling visions across his dreams for years… granting a mortal such specific direly needed power that would ensure her a position nearby… 

And she was so very mortal! Every whisper of breeze teased her blood's fragrance across his nose, the unmistakable mark of vulnerability reached him even from the considerable distance he kept from her as they finished their short journey and arrived at the next camp. Any closer and he would surely be able to differentiate her heartbeat among the horses and soldiers. In just the short time he spent at her side by the creek, the little muscle fluctuated rapidly at the turns of conversation. So much harder and faster than his kind… how had he not noticed it before with the other mortal woman?

"Careful, old friend," Shingen sighed as he settled into the seat across from Kenshin. "Keep scowling like that and you're bound to freeze the whole tavern."

Kenshin made no attempt to school his features, learning long ago such actions would only give the tiger a sense of justification he had no intention of giving at the moment. "If I am scowling, it's simply from boredom."

"Then why come all this way into town just to drink? Tokugawa will arrive soon and I'm sure you'd have no trouble coaxing him into a game of Catching Fire in light of recent revelations."

"Boring there, boring here. At least here, there is sake."

" 'Boring' you say… yet I’ve noticed your eyes have rarely left a certain dark-haired angel."  

He's goading for a reaction that I'll never give him.

"Or, perhaps, it's the One-Eyed Dragon who refuses to leave the angel’s proximity and seems intent on winning over her familiars that has drawn out such discontent?" 

"Discontent? I didn't know your aging eyes were beginning to play tricks on you, Shingen."

“Oh? So the inexplicable chill in the air on a midsummer evening has absolutely nothing to do with whatever you're brooding over?”

“I’m not brooding." Despite his denial, warmth began to settle back over the tavern hall once more while Shingen continued to blankly stare him down as he often did Yukimura.

"What troubles you, Kenshin?" 

There really was no hiding from the tiger, especially after the years spent in close proximity. Resigning to humoring his oldest ally this once-- only this once--, he finished his sake in one gulp before settling the cup on the table and leaning closer so only the tiger could hear. "I've dreamed of her, Shingen. For years. I've never known her name nor voice and then to have her within reach only to realize her mortality? She will not survive this role Nobunaga has appointed her."

Shingen's eyebrows arched at the first declaration and then fell back into a mask of mild irritation as he continued. "If left to it alone, yes, but you've already vowed to accompany her. Do you doubt your capability of keeping her safe?"

"Hardly."

"Well, there you have it. I can't imagine calamity befalling her with Echigo's dragon at her side. Just don't kill the other dragon and start another century of war."

"Oh, there's a fun idea."

"I will set all the sake and plum trees in the land ablaze should you try. The people have come to enjoy peace between the clans, let's not ruin that."

Kenshin grunted a weak assent, believing Shingen serious in his threat for once.

"Though, the idea of lasting peace does bring one question to mind…"

Kenshin downed the evening's last sake without a word as he rose to abandon the tavern, knowing the tiger would voice his mind whether Kenshin cared to hear it or not. 

"What is a God of War to do in a world with no war?"

~*~

The next morning proved no less punishing as the little mortal's presence plagued him still as soon as he opened his tent flap...

"Whose idea was this?"

"Her's." Ieyasu answered without greeting from his perch against the tent frame.

"And you allowed it?"

"Nobuyasu can use the practice himself, he needs to learn more restraint."

"And you allowed it?" 

An indignant huff from the personified porcupine. "She needed a release after reading with Mitsunari all night and finding nothing useful. Understandably so, ripping my own hair out would be more pleasant than being near him for that long. Anyway, she's kitsune, she'll figure it out."

“I don’t recall Akechi being known for his swordsmanship…” Kenshin grumbled in defeat as his eyes fully took in the scene. She'd procured a set of hakama and yukata that she'd strategically tied before arming herself with a wooden sword. Her hair was piled in a strange twist on the top of her head and eyes focused on the young Tokugawa before her, nearly half her age but a growing warrior in his own right and frequently by his father’s side during recent battles. "I don't like it, end this."

"Why do you care?” Ieyasu finally deigned to glance his way with eyes that could have been mistaken for daggers. "She is descended from Mai which means she is Tokugawa and mine to care for."

Kenshin turned to fully address Ieyasu, eyes glowing to end a lengthy and potentially dangerous conversation before it began. "By that logic, at the time of her presumed death, Mai was a Lady of the Uesugi. Therefore, Haruka is Uesugi and would be mine to look after."

Another indignant huff but closely followed by a nod of silent surrender as he turned back to observing his son. "The wives wouldn't like the disruption anyway." 

Kenshin rolled his eyes and only then did he see the three kitsunebi flitting about lazily with no true interest in her new lessons. “You three see no way this could go wrong?”

As if his words summoned the action, a surprised squeal snatched his attention in time to see heels in the air as Nobuyasu flipped her over his shoulder to land back flat to the ground with a thud. Kenshin’s eyes flew to the teen whose stance was shock-frozen with terror in his own gaze. “Oh no, I’m so sorry!”

"I told you… restraint!" Ieyasu was by his son’s side and about to administer a light slap to the head when laughter erupted from the woman as she jumped to her feet again, only a little dustier than before. 

“Well, that was fun. Again!” 

Again...? Again?! “No.”

“Uh… yes!” Haruka pushed as she replaced her footing in an amateur's stance. “We all know the worst that can happen now, so what else is there to be afraid of?” 

“What, exactly, is the meaning of this? Masamune or myself will always be nearby.”

“Yeah, that’s great in theory... but you can’t be sewn to my hip and there’s a thousand and one ways something can happen.”

Kenshin shook his head firmly. “Impossible, I won't let that happen.”

“Improbable but not impossible. I read about a whole bunch of warrior women over the night, what’s the issue?”

“Those warriors were trained from infancy.”

A single brow tugged upward with the corner of her lips. “So you’re saying I’m old?”

“I’m-- what?”

The tugged corner turned to a full smirk that she had silenced him a moment. “Look, I appreciate the sentiment. But... I need some kind of skill set of my own so I may be able to help myself if necessary. Yes, I can run but what if I run into a dead end while my would-be guardians are subdued under a heavy ambush?"

Kenshin shook his head at the absurdity.

"If you're so worried, then teach me yourself."

A humorless chuckle that very well may have sounded like a growl to those that eavesdropped. "You wouldn't survive my training. My squirrel barely survived."

Her brow furrowed. "You… trained a squirrel?"

"Yes, he's very capable. Now, enough of this. We have a pool to hunt down for you to cleanse. You want to be useful? Send your familiars off to look within the mountain." He could feel the temperature dropping as he stalked away, ignoring the wide-eyed glances from those standing around as her voice called after him.

"We haven't figured out how yet!"

"Then get back to reading!"

~*~

"Nngh!"

Seven hours later and Haruka wasn't anywhere closer to figuring out her role in the grand scheme of things than she was that morning. Even after drafting Nobuyasu into the research party and clearing through the last records Mitsunari had access to, the only information she'd gained were new stories of ayakashi history. General history at that with only scraps of kitsune specific details and even then it was mostly of her own Akechi ancestor.

Now, with her head flat to table, she gave up searching. Nobuyasu had dozed off an hour ago as Mitsunari's Mini Archive held no help in understanding her newfound abilities or kitsune nature. No information on where these spirit pools were located or how to find them. No information on how the hell she was supposed to cleanse them. Nothing. University research was never this hard! 

A gentle breeze at her elbow told her Familiar Number Two was coming in for supportive cuddles. Number One and Three were off searching the mountain as she had taken Kenshin's advice and asked them nicely to search for what they would know as a 'Pool of the Dead'. Number Three stayed behind as emotional support. She opened her arms to the floating orb with a sigh as their soothing whisper melted the world away. 

For a moment, she imagined she was sitting on a cliffside with the wind in her hair. Rock climbing was Dad's favorite way to spend the weekend and the views that awaited them at the summits were hers. Oceanside sunrises or forest rich sunsets while racing to spot the first star…

"There!" Her hand pointed into the twilight sky. "There is it!"

"What?! Where?" Dad squinted to the spot she indicated. "Na-uh, that's a plane!"

"Nooo, it's not. It's a star!"

"No, nope, no way am I losing to a chipmunk!" A squeal lifted into the air as his arm snaked out and tugged her to him as his knuckles mussed her hair before finding the ticklish spots under her ribs. 

"No, no!" She screeched between giggles of hysteria while fighting a futile fight against the tickle monster...

Haruka sat up in her place and looked around her to confirm she was still in the council tent that currently doubled as her study. "What… was that-- was that you?" 

The blue orb jumped and spun in a small dance in answer. 

A hysterical laugh escaped her. "I've been researching and studying for nearly twenty hours altogether yet you have been the largest breakthrough. You can… summon memories? Do you see the visions you invoke? One jump for 'yes', two for 'no'."

One jump.

"Can you do it at will?"

One jump.

"Can you do it to anyone?"

Two jumps.

"Only me?"

One jump.

"Hmm… I don't really see how that can be helpful to anyone else, but thank you." She sighed as she wrapped her arms around the familiar. "It was good to see him again."

" 'Ey, Lass!" The tent flap bursting open suddenly was enough to send Familiar Number Two on the offense but then the identity of the intruder had it sizzling in its ethereal version of growling. "Are you really going to sit in here all day without even a proper meal?"

"Ah, sorry. Been desperately skimming through the old tomes here--"

"I know and I don't want any of Mitsunari’s bad habits rubbing off on you." Ever weary of Number Two, Masamune set a heaping bowl on the very edge of the table. "I would have brought another if I'd known the lad was here and-- oh, Lass! Have you not rested at all?"

Haruka rolled her eyes as she picked up the bowl. "The clock's ticking. I'll be fine, not like I haven't had weekenders before."

"I don't doubt but if you collapse, Hideyoshi will have my scales!"

The words brought a humorous image to mind and she couldn't help the unlady like chuckle that tried to escape through a mouth full of rice. But any other light hearted scenes would have to wait as another blue orb burst through the tent, stopping above the table's center next to Number Two.

"Numbaw Wree?" Haruka quickly swallowed and readdressed the familiar. "Where's One?”

Their jittery movements were signal enough that something was up but the emotions the little orb stirred deep within her were the truest sign. Worry and fear mixed with an odd sort of triumph that pulled a gasp from her when she realized what that combination meant.  

"You found the pool!" Her dish clattering on the table jolted Nobuyasu from slumber and his clumsy attempt of staggering to his feet provided the perfect window of escape. She quickly slipped through the tent flap and sprinted to her horse. 

"Lass!" Masamune’s worried call was the last thing she heard before galloping out of the camp following Number Three’s lead through the forest.

Chapter Text

Number Three's trail ended only an hour’s ride from the camp at a crevice in the mountain side. So close Haruka was sure one of the search parties would be nearby but hers was the only horse she heard as she dismounted and allowed her legs to adjust to stable ground again. Number Two remained at her side as Three whizzed off above her head along the cliffside until he seemingly disappeared. Only the act wasn’t a trick of the kitsunebi so much as a trick of the eyes. Wedged perfectly at the apex of the crevice was a tiny ledge that jutted out, hiding a perfect crawl space. Not too high… I’m not exactly prepared for a climb but still doable. 

With a deep breath and a nod of finality, she searched along the base until she found the perfect foothold and handgrip to begin her climb. Just like riding a bike… except the bike is Death.

She could taste Two’s restlessness the first ten feet until they realized she was in no danger and turned to find stable grip points in her path as well. 

Just a few more… With a heave of relief, Haruka pulled herself onto the ledge as Two danced about happily.

“Are you intentionally trying my patience? I assure you, I have very little of it.” The voice brought a chilled wind through the crevice and Two flew into the crawl space to hide.

Ah… the afternoon blizzard has arrived. She hadn’t heard him arrive and no idea how he'd found her so fast as there didn’t seem to be a peep of sound along the way but there he was, staring daggers of emerald and sapphire up at her without another horse in sight. “I was wondering when you would show.”

“Were you now?”

“But… how’d you get--” She hadn’t even finished her sentence before he was in front of her. Which should be impossible… her feet were dangling off the edge of the rock! "Oh…" 

Chilled wind whipped in controlled gusts, gently ruffling the ends of his hair and showing off those twin lines of sparkling scales that outrivaled the rarest of gems. The tail of his cloak confirmed the wind circulated continuously and the slight glow of dual colored eyes revealed it was a completely manipulated maneuver.

He seemed to bask in the admiration before taking her hand as gently as if he were lifting a butterfly. "Stand up now, we'll head back and--"

"No." She snatched her fingers from his grasp as if she'd been burned. "I'm continuing on. Somewhere within this mountain is that pool everyone has been searching for. I'm going to find it and I'm staying until I figure out how I'm supposed to fix it."

"You mean you haven't, yet?"

Haruka slumped against the rocks behind her with a groan. "There is nothing in any of the books at Mitsunari's disposal and he is frequently updated from his research teams at other camps. The only thing even remotely close is a footnote dated a hundred years ago simply speculating the existence of a 'gathering site' of trapped spirits. That's it. The biggest breakthrough happened only by chance due to my familiar today…"

"Oh? What was that?"

"I'm not a hundred percent sure, yet. I'll speak of it when I've figured more out. But enough chit chat, have you made your choice?"

"What do you mean?"

"You can follow and help me or leave me and head back to camp."

"I'm not leaving without you." 

"And you're not stopping me so I guess that finalizes your choice." Without another word, Haruka leaned back into the gaping darkness of the crawl space.

~*~

Kenshin growled as he dove after her into the mountain. The short drop opened into a pitch black passageway that held no light. He could see in the dark yes, but how could she with her mortal eyes? 

A soft blue glow shining from the otherside of a corner ahead gave him his answer. Damn it, woman! What are you thinking heading into death without blinking? 

That thought stopped him at the corner and his brow creased. When did I start to sound like Shingen?  

Kenshin shook off the shiver of mild disgust that ran down his spine with a soft sigh as he turned the corner to find her crouched down and peering over a rocky ledge. She still wore the dusted yukata from that morning and her hair had fallen slightly during her cliff climb. He nearly believed he had stumbled through some dream weed and envisioned the scene himself at the end of her trail. Not even two days had passed and she had managed a mass cleansing andlocatied a Pool of the Dead. Maybe he really was becoming like Shingen and worrying for naught? His light inspection continued. Her hakama had earned a tear or two here and--

"Woman! Where are your shoes?" He hissed. 

Her brows creased together as she hissed back."With my horse, Dragon ! They weren't good for the climb and a little scrape won't kill me. And you know my name! Now, quiet!"

He perched himself at her flank before following her gaze down into the cavern below. Beneath them, the ground gave way to a watery surface that swirled and churned violently like the ocean before a storm despite the absence of wind. The bottom of the pool was not clearly visible due to a magnificent light the color of lavender that one couldn't fully look into while each crest of the waves possessed the same vibrant blue luminance of the kitsunebi flitting about his head, casting short bursts of light upon the cave walls. Writhing shadows laced through the scraps of light to reveal a handful of Twisted-Ones lounging about the bank of the pool. 

"We need a distraction. Two, find One and lure the Chompies out." 

The ball of energy zoomed off through the cave as Haruka turned and sat flat on the ground with her back against the rock and ankles crossed. Kenshin followed her lead as it seemed they were in for a wait and eyed the third kitsunebi, the smallest of them, as it settled in her lap. Curiosity got the best of him-- as was becoming habit in her presence-- and he quietly allowed the question to find voice.

"Why do you always keep one nearby?"

Her brows creased as she blinked at the question. "Company."

"Company… simply that?"

"Yes. I mean, I also want one close as I feel our bounds are strengthening but--" a miniscule shake of her head as she cut herself off. 

"But…" he pushed.

"It's nothing."

"Doesn't sound like nothing."

Her eyes narrowed as she evaluated him and he stuffed down what would have been a stifled gasp at the look. A memory came roaring forth of the last time he was on the receiving end of that exact look the night he taunted Akechi until she relented with a head roll and fixated upon a sightless spot on the cave's ceiling. "Fine, but you can’t laugh." 

He sat straighter to show she had his full attention. 

"Since Dad passed I've… been alone, okay? I occasionally meet old friends from university for drinks but I've never really… attached. Never felt like I belonged in the group, just floated around the outskirts. And at work, I guide tours through the museum but tourists are tourists and I know I'm quickly forgotten and any other historian can easily fill my place. But with these guys? I feel grounded, secure. Even if I still don't have a damn clue what I'm doing."

Kenshin's gaze never left her and he felt the corner of lips tug into a ghost a smile, an almost foreign expression that now only cropped up during battle. "Why would I laugh at that?"

A soul-deep sigh of relief escaped her, ruffling the bangs that hung just above her eyes as her gaze rolled back to him. "Just feels silly to say it aloud."

Kenshin shook his head. "It's not--" 

A rumble from outside the mountain shook the very earth they sat upon, cutting off his response and sending small plumes of dust unto them. Whines of surprise escaped the Twisted-Ones as they bounded off to investigate the source of the disturbance, disappearing beyond an opening in the wall of rock. Kenshin dropped to the cave floor beneath and nodded the all-clear for Haruka to join him. "Sounds like those two made a distraction… Jump. I'll catch you." 

Her brow screwed together again in worry before taking a deep breath and facing her back to the fall. He jumped to meet her halfway, catching her knees over one elbow while cradling her back snuggly with the other and her arms instinctively looped around his shoulders for security. She made no move to escape his arms upon landing and he had no desire to release her. In fact, he had half a mind to fly her back through the passageway, back to camp, and place her under guard. The vision of her scaling the mountainside as easily as a goat and the determination that burned in her eyes at his first attempt were still fresh in his mind, keeping his feet in place as he soaked in the incense of a library.

"The…" she tried with a whisper before clearing her throat and starting again. "The Chompies may be back soon."

"They may." He agreed.

"We need to look around."

"We do." He agreed again while firmly planted in his place.

"Don't you think that would be more efficient with me… not in your arms?" 

"Not really."

A humorless snort as she finally wiggled in an attempt to be set free. He conceded only when he thought she might hurt herself against his grip. She approached the water's edge and addressed the remaining floating spirit. "Okay, you're likely the best expert among the three of us. What do you know?"

The kitsunebi spun with a soft breeze before fluttering behind her back and manifesting a gust strong enough to tumble her closure the water. Kenshin caught her before she fell in and glared to the familiar. "There is no telling what is down there!"

"Water," an eyebrow arched as she glanced over the surface. "Water is down there."

Kenshin thanked the gods for the dark of the cave so she wouldn't see the eye roll he fought against. "I would like to investigate first."

"Fine," she groaned while throwing her hands in the air and stomped to a piece of protruding rock, crossing both arms and legs as she feigned an image of patience.

He made quick work of removing his sword and boots. When he untied his cloak, a little imp from within Kenshin thought long dead sprouted an idea. A miniscule smirk bloomed as he casually halved it twice before pitching it into her lap with enough force to snap her out pretending to inspect her nails. He dove into the water just as she started balling it up to repay him.

This… isn't water.

The momentum of the dive pushed him beneath the surface but that is where he remained. Despite the appearance of normal ocean waves, all of his strength was rendered useless against the viscosity of the liquid. Each ounce of force he strained to push himself further seemed to only drain his lungs of air until his vision darkened along the edges… 

Until he was back on the shore of a pool hidden in a mountain.

"Well?" Haruka inquired with a sing-song lilt and questioning eyes. "Any monsters? Eels? Serpents?" She mocked a gasp with a hand over her chest. "Don't tell me you found a fish. My fragile heart couldn't bear it!"

"What?" 

She made no attempt to hide her eye roll or unamused pout. "I'm joking. How long can you guys hold your breath? You were down for a while…" 

"I didn't make it past the surface. It's not water but some kind of paste. I couldn't move and I don't know how I'm back on my feet."

"You crawled-- know what? Never mind. It's probably magic." To iterate her point, she sat flat on the very ledge and dropped her feet knee-deep into the waves, kicking and splashing like a child learning to swim. They encountered none of the resistance he had experienced. "So… how about listening to the glowing spirit ball next time, hmm?"

A low rumble sounded behind Kenshin, standing the scales down his neck and back on end. 

Haruka's shoulders dropped as her back straightened and brow creased in disbelief. "Are you growling at me?"

Kenshin lunged for his sword-- only inches away-- just as the returned creature lunged after him. Teeth that would have sunk into his shoulder were halted by Himetsuru Ichimonji slicing cleanly through the Twisted-One's skull, splitting the halves of the mandible from each other.

Kenshin was on his feet in an instant and lifted Haruka as she scrambled to hers. "Is it alone?"

"Unsure, but…" He needn't say more as her gaze followed his to watch as the defeated creature's material body cracked and flaked into dust that lifted and flew on its own into the blue waves of the nearby pool. The remnants of the creature swirled together beneath the waves until all traces of the carcass were wiped from the cave and gathered in the liquid. "I've never known where they went…" 

"What do you mean?"

"Every one of the beasts that has fallen breaks apart and that strange wind carries the ashes off, but we could never find where they went." 

"Because you could never find the pool." She surmised. "But if this is where they come when they die, why would the living ones want to hang out here? Wait! They aren't really living though... Chompies were just like my familiars once, right?"

Kenshin nodded. "They are kitsunebi that have become filled with jealousy and rage at the living."

"Then… how do they transition? How do kitsunebi physically become--"

A strangled howl startled both as their attention flew back to the pool's edge where the same creature Kenshin just sliced open now sauntered from the water, healed and whole as if it hadn't been touched!

Blazes!

The beast leaped upon them and Kenshin laid in wait for the ideal moment to counter-- but the moment never came. Instead, the creature was knocked to the ground mid-arc and Kenshin blinked several times to ensure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. 

Haruka now towered over the creature with a branch of dried cave shrubbery over her shoulder prepared to strike it again as it flailed about like a fish out of water due to the surprise counter before finding purchase beneath its claws once more, growling as soon as it’s three eyes landed on her. It snarled like a dog guarding a bone and earned a rap across the snout. Now, surprise turned to caution and the creature cowered while backing away. Haruka remained tall and firm in her pose until opportunity opened when she let out a cry Kenshin had only ever witnessed on battlefields at skirmish lines while she swiped the branch in quick arcs toward the beast until it bolted out of sight with a yelp.

Kenshin remained frozen in place, blood going cold in his veins with the increased awareness of the danger she had put herself in. Running colder that he had been just as dumbstruck as the Twisted-One and didn't attempt to intervene! "What. Was. That? " 

For her part, Haruka wiped the short-lived triumphant smirk from her face when she turned to him and dropped the branch with a nervous shrug. "It worked on a bear… once."

"The creature will alert the others."

"Then I better make this quick." Haruka dove into the waves of the pool without further warning.

~*~

Chapter Text

Haruka had never given much thought to death and an even less amount to any possible after . But in between? Well, she did love movies and who couldn't resist a good ghost story? If there was a trap between the living and the proverbial after, didn't it make sense that it be the same as the living world only in a detached state and being?

This wasn't anything she could ever dream up. 

She had taken a deep breath before diving into the waves, expecting to swim into the light at the bottom of the pool. Instead, her feet landed in the middle of an overgrown field with grass and weeds up to her thighs that would have tickled her fingers as it swayed in the wind she could see the effect of but she had no sense of feeling. The realm lacked sound and color as well like an old silent film, stretching on in black, white, and all shades of gray in eerie quiet. Truly, there was no end to the field in front of her. 

Only when she turned to further inspect her environment did she glimpse the dark mass of trees behind her. Just as the field continued on into forever, the perfectly straight treeline continued into eternity in both directions while dense, dark trees mingled and filled all beyond.

Into the woods without delay, but careful not to lose the way…

A burst of light flashed a distance ahead of her just as she took the first step past the treeline. She dashed towards it, forgetting all about losing her way. That light was a familiar kitsunebi blue and the sudden adrenaline in her gut the tell-tale signal to chase it. Every tree she passed was the same as the previous with stray twigs that grabbed at her clothes. Thank God for the sensory absenteeism as she surely would have felt every scrape of skin and snag of hair under normal conditions. Just when she thought she might have lost her way, that bright blue beacon flashed again. So close now, she ducked and dodged as fast as she could through the trees until they broke open in the next moment at the edge of another pool! Only a single, low hanging branch was her saving grace that she managed to latch onto as her feet flew out from under her due to the momentum. Her eyes never left the vision the water gave while she steadied herself. Like a clear window to otherside, Kenshin battled Chompie after Chompie as one replaced another once cut down. 

Gotta make this fast! But what the hell am I even--

A blinding flash of blue burst from the waves of the pond, the vibrancy intensified against the monochrome backdrop. When her eyes recovered, she found an unfamiliar and disoriented kitsunebi flitting about like a fish out of water until finally righting themself. Their flame-like appendages flared the same as a cat encountering a trespasser on their territory and made to dive back through the watery surface. 

Wait! Haruka tried to call and-- though no sound came from her lips-- the angry flame paused as it took notice of her. She wasted no time. You want to help your friends, right? So do I! Maybe we can help each other then?

The being remained still as it considered her words-- thoughts?-- until startled by a newcomer also scattered as they were spit out by the water in another blinding flash. Haruka recovered much faster to catch and steady the spinning kitsunebi as she felt safe to move from her perch and to the other side of the pond.

No wonder you guys are in such bad moods. The water just isn't that nice to you, is it? Playing right into the sugar-sweet tone as if she were coaxing a pair of strays with a fresh can of tuna, the duo inched closer. Now, you guys must be really tired from guarding the area right?  

The newcomer slouched in her grasp as if they were releasing a soul deep sigh. I know, my friend, and you've done so well! But I think it's time for the rest you've more than earned. What do you think?

The pair both pranced in a single bound of agreement. Great! As I was saying before, I'd really like to help you guys and your friends… but something here is stopping that and I need to find out what. Do you know the area well?

The orbs turned to each other and then shivered with obvious excitement before nudging between her hands and where they rested on her hips to tug her along. Okay, okay, I'm following! You guys are the experts here.

They didn't have to tug her far. What she had dismissed as simple overgrown lakeside vegetation, Haruka now noticed the weeds hid the entrance of an alcove not dissimilar from the cave on the other side. The two flitted about like hummingbirds hunting a delicious flower but could not find a way through. You want to go in? Alright… give me a few minutes here. While I clear this away, would you two mind welcoming your friends as they come through and keep the party on this side? It's okay if you don't want to, or they're insistent to keep playing with my friend on the other side for a bit longer. Both bounced again and zoomed back to the pool to await any new arrivals while Haruka tied her sleeves back in preparation to work out the elbow grease and clear out the growth.

Four more kitsunebi were clustered in a group when she had finished and made her way back to the pool's edge. Well, now this is a party! Are we all ready to go on a little expedition? Like school kids about to be set loose upon the interactive section of the museum, the group shivered with excitement and limitless energy as they filed into the alcove. 

Unlike the physical cavern in the living realm, the walls of this alcove were as smooth as glass, rising from the ground to curve overhead and down to the otherside to form a perfect-- almost modern-- tunnel. The presence of the spirits seemed to awaken the tunnel as with each new visitor, visions came to life upon the walls. Soothing, deep hues of blue and purple swirled together to create the scenes as each kitsunebi followed the one that resonated with them along the tunnel. Haruka caught mere glimpses of the few closest to her as she strolled through with the spirits but tried not to pry at the realization that these were the kitsunebis' memories that played upon the otherwise inky black slab.

Just when she thought the dark of the tunnel would be endless, a soft glowing ball of light formed ahead of the same shifting colors as the memories on the wall. Her feet cemented in place before the beautiful beacon, instinct warning this was as far as she went. The kitsunebi also froze in their places as they took a moment to gaze upon the new addition. Moments that felt like an eternity concentrated into each second passed until the first kitsunebi that traveled through the pool's portal came to nuzzle Haruka's cheek before happily dancing and jumping into the light. As if waiting for a sign, the remaining five took turns giving her their thank-you nuzzles before zooming into the light themselves.

With that as the signal her job was done, she sprinted back to the pool just in time to witness Kenshin cut down the last Chompie on the other side and shield her eyes for that blinding kitsunebi blue flash seconds later. She had prepared to catch a wildly spinning spirit like a baseball catcher on home base but the visitor had surfaced from the water as if they had been going for a leisurely swim and not just battling a ferocious dragon that sliced their head from their shoulders. Hi, Friend! There’s-- 

The kitsunebi zoomed right past her as if they hadn't even noticed her standing there. As she turned to follow their path, she noticed the cave entrance now too glowed with a brilliant luminance that would be impossible to miss amid the otherwise colorless world. 

Now all that was left was to figure out how to get back to Kenshin. She had dived in before, maybe this worked the same? To test the theory, she kneeled to the bank and pushed her hand through the water as if she could reach out to the man who now scowled down upon the pool's surface on his side and-- She squealed as something latched onto her arm and she was pulled into the water… Except she landed back in the first cavern wrapped in Kenshin's arms. 

The scowl in his brow and lips were at odds with his searching eyes and hands as he looked her over for any sign of injury. “They stopped coming back… I thought they’d gotten to you.” 

"No-- well, yes, but they were kitsunebi again. Were you able to see anything through the water?"

"No, only the same light. The calm surface has been the only change." His inspecting hands framed her face to force her to look him in the eyes. "How do you feel? Different in any way?"

His touch was a welcomed gift after what felt like hours without all physical senses, hands warmed from the recent workout were a balmy confirmation she was back in the world of the living and she had to keep from melting into it as she shook her head to clear any doubts. "No different, just really really tired now. I'll probably sleep for three days when I finally can." A small laugh as her hands covered his to seal in the warmth for even just a moment more. "We can go back to camp now."

Without a word of warning, Kenshin looped her arm around his neck as he swept her feet off the ground once more and finally flew them both out of the cave.

Chapter Text

Twilight was encroaching when he landed in the center of camp near the cooking fires.

"Blazes!" Masamune dropped the bowl he was filling to rush to his side, forcing Ieyasu behind him to catch it. "She's unconscious! What happened?"

Kenshin rolled his eyes. "She's sleeping. She handled herself remarkably and cleansed a Pool of the Dead."

"Truly? How?" 

"You'll have to wait until she wakes to ask that. For now, I'm putting her to bed." Kenshin shrugged off the other dragon's hand before a concerned finger could touch her head and marched off to where her tent awaited-- Only to find Shingen crouched in a corner. "What are you doing here?"

"Isn't that obvious?" The tiger rose to his feet and waved a hand over the space. In the short time they had been away, Shingen had the quarters outfitted with plush hides, stuffed pillows, and smooth silk robes for sleeping. An ornate table and single chair were established in the corner beside a tall changing screen with an equally decorative wardrobe trunk waiting to show-off its contents. "I couldn't sleep knowing our new goddess would only have the same paltry quarters as the rest of the soldiers. Looks like I've finished up in good time too."

Kenshin wouldn't give the tiger the satisfaction of an agreement. Instead, he kicked back the top layer of bedding to lay her gently into the nest. She remained curled into the same position he had held her in as he pulled the top blanket back over her shoulder. Only then did he notice her hands had entangled themselves into his cloak lapels. With a sigh, he untied the knot holding it together and wiggled free of the restraint before his name fell from her lips in a soft mew. He froze to listen again, uncertain if it was a trick of the ears but her hands reached out and her eyes fluttered open for the briefest of moments searching. "Kenshin?"

"I'm here." He knelt back down so she wouldn't rise to look for him. A sleepy soft smile bloomed once her eyes landed on his.

"Thank you… for today. For trusting me… even if only a little…" she barely pushed the last word out before descending into slumber once more. Not that he complained, he had no response as she had stolen his capability to form words at that moment. Instead, he layered the cloak her hands were still tangled in over her shoulders and left the tent. 

The Tiger leaned leisurely against a tent post with both arms and ankles crossed when Kenshin exited, eyebrow arched and lips twitched into that infuriating smirk of his. 

"Don't."

Shingen guffawed. "I didn't say anything!"

"You don't need to."

"Clairvoyant are we now, old friend? I was simply going to remark on how quickly you left earlier when you heard the lady had run off alone."

"I promised to be her protection and Date can only fly when the moon is visible. It was... logical."

"Logical, sure ."

Ignoring the tiger further, Kenshin stopped in front of his tent. "I must retrieve some items from my home. Please ensure she does not run off again while I am away."

"We are two days away from Echigo, even by your speed. What is so important you must go yourself?"

"Something important and hidden, something that belonged to my grandfather."

Shingen's brow smoothed as he nodded knowingly. "Fair enough... I will assist Date if needed."

With a final nod, Kenshin marched back out of camp and flew off into the night.

~*~

Kenshin made the trip to Echigo in a day and a half as he needed no rest. 

Though he wished he had as his feet settled upon the stone steps of a forgotten tomb. For that's what it was. A hidden vault encasing the last vestiges of a race his grandfather tried so viciously to eradicate while accumulating all their knowledge to use against them. Kenshin himself had only entered the 'library' once before when his father had revealed its existence and he vowed that day to never use the contents of the cavern. Yet here he was slicing a thumb for a blood offer to the mausoleum's lock his grandfather had been paranoid enough to enchant, ensuring only his own descendants had access to the trove beyond. He marched past the groaning doors and located his target before they even completed their opening semi-arc across the dust-coated granite floor. 

Let's see if the old journals of a kitsune priestess will yield any answers…

The distance back to sunlight may have only been several paces but still he felt the weight of a fallen civilization with each step out of the suffocating compound. What right did he have to take from this place-- these people-- when his predecessor had taken all from them already? In what way could he possibly atone for his family's actions, how could he even try when there were nearly none left to make reparations to?

For a moment-- just as the doors of the tomb scraped closed-- an image flashed across his mind's eye like lightning before a storm, a silhouette that was gone in a blink but one he recognized instantly… One that had danced through his dreams for years before moving into reality.

He flew even faster on his return trip, through the night without rest once more, and landed outside her tent in the wee hours of the morning. No lantern light could be seen and focusing his hearing revealed her breath to be slow and even as she slumbered within. He had planned to leave the journals in her tent where she could easily retrieve them but now he wondered if the motion would disturb her rest. He shook his head to clear the ridiculous notion. There was no time for such pleasantries when four other camps still fought to keep Chompies at bay. His shoulders squared with resolve as he lifted the flap to the tent--

"Lord Kenshin!"

Ah, my squirrel has returned. "Sasuke."

The ninja paced to his side and bowed in greeting. "Oh, my apologies. I have only just arrived and didn't realize the time."

"This isn't my tent, only dropping off materials."

"Dropping off… materials? As in a favor? For someone else?"

"Why is that surprising?"

"I normally run your errands. Or Yukimura if I'm away. You've also been known to grab a random passerby and intimidate them into doing whatever needs doing."

"I simply ask and they do it." Kenshin turned back to the tent flap as he softly pulled it open to slip the parcel onto a nearby table. A glance to confirm the soft flutter had not awakened her and Kenshin was back out of the tent where his squirrel still awaited.

"Seems I've missed quite the turn of events in my absence, despite the considerably short amount of time that has passed on this side... I've brought some sake, perhaps you could catch me up. Possibly starting at one very important question."

"What is it?"

"What is Lady Hayakawa doing in that tent?"

Frost penetrated deep to Kenshin's core as her name fell from his ninja's lips, stirring to life an old creature he thought he had boxed away for good. Talons as sharp as his own pierced through the entrapment to sink poison-laced spurs into his very being and if the monster within had its way, Kenshin would have tried to slice his squirrel's head from his shoulders. Instead, Kenshin managed to patch the monster's containment and push a question through clenched teeth. "How do you know her?"

A single brow arched upon Sasuke's usually placid-- if not emotionless-- features. "I'll get some cups for the sake and meet you in your tent."

Kenshin marched to the nearly unused quarters, quickly fixing a wooden flat to use as a table for the sake before folding himself into place upon a cushion. Sasuke ducked into the tent just as Kenshin fully settled and poured two cups. One of which Kenshin downed in one gulp, relishing in the familiar burn. "Answer."

Sasuke settled his cup on the table. "You are aware of my research trips into the mortal realm but not of the nuances or the life I lead there. Mortals have such a vast knowledge of their world and beyond. They preserve and teach their history so that future generations can learn to not make the same mistakes of the past when people choose to. The Lady Hayakawa works at one such institution that I visit frequently and we have even forged a type of camaraderie."

Kenshin drained the second cup Sasuke poured. "She mentioned something… a 'museum'?"

"Correct. I had attended several tours she guided before I noticed she frequented the same coffee house I did and struck up a conversation. It was then I also noticed just how golden-yellow her eyes were, nowhere near the normal color spectrum as the rest of the mortal population and I realized she must have an ancestor from our world. Imagine my surprise some weeks later when she was frustrated over a roadblock in a personal project of hers and showed me a photograph of the ancestor."

"Yes, we know she comes from Akechi."

Sasuke nodded silently before asking his next question while lifting his cup to his lips. "Why is she here? Shouldn't she have been sent back according to the Allied Agreement?" 

"She can pass the dead."

The cup paused just at the edge of his lip. "Truly?"

"I've witnessed it. I only felt the effect of her Awakening the first time but on the second, I assisted her in cleansing a Pool of the Dead. Oda himself ordered her to be protected as she learns and works to clear the Chompies from the land."

" 'Chompies'?"

"So she calls them."

"... Does she know of the time discrepancies between the two realms? I can't imagine her happily abandoning every aspect of the life she leads so suddenly."

Another cup drained, this one more slowly in two sessions as to delay answering as much as possible. "None have spoken of it."

Sasuke set his untouched sake cup back to the table. "Why?"

"She would have left immediately had she been informed. That couldn't be allowed."

"Only to make arrangements during her absence. She would have returned." 

Kenshin shook his head against the assurances. "The risk couldn't be taken at the time. I will inform her once all is finished."

"Though I feel we are now beyond voice of reason, I would like the record to state I believe that to be a very bad idea." Sasuke lifted his cup to his lips once more before releasing a sigh. "I know it was a sudden occurrence but how exactly did she come across The Veil? Her co-workers have been worried about her."

Now Kenshin's cup paused mid path to his lips and hovered in silence. How had she happened upon the entrance to this realm? Why had she crossed it? Just what kind of life had she led on the other side? He carefully placed the cup back to the table as his stomach churned with the full weight of the fact that-- despite having known her for years-- he knew very little of her. 

He would need to remedy that.

~*~

Chapter Text

Haruka's brow creased as she gazed over the sketch filled pages before her as the morning light grew stronger each passing minute. Her sleep had been filled to the brink with visions and her hands itched for a pencil the moment she awoke. Whether they were dreams or memories was still to be determined and she thought sketching out as many details she remembered would have answered the question but instead she found herself perplexed by the images in front of her…

"Haruka?"

Her bones nearly jumped from her skin at the voice until she saw who now opened her tent flap. "Oh, good morning Kenshin…" she started cheerfully until she noticed his eyes. He seemed somewhat surprised to see her. “Is everything alright?”

"Quite… I came to see if you were ready for breakfast."

Maybe it was her imagination. "Breakfast sounds amazing, I feel like I haven't eaten in a week!" She grinned as she tucked her notebook away into her pack… only to notice a new wrapped bundle beside it. "Oh, this is new…"

"I… had them retrieved for you. I thought the journals of a kitsune priestess may shed some light upon the shadows."

"Really?!" With breakfast nearly forgotten she reached for the parcel but her fingers never touched the leather wrapping for Kenshin had scooped it off the table first.

"Ah ah ah," he chided with a rather smug smirk as he held it out of her grasp above her head.

"Oh, come on! I'll eat while I read, I promise!"

"No," he grinned as he ducked outside into the sun.

She couldn't help the giggles that bubbled up as she ducked out after him… and into the bustle of a much busier camp than yesterday morning.

"Whoa, did more troops join us during the night?"

"No… we joined them."

"What?!" She squeaked. "How...?" How did I not wake from that? People saw me sleeping?! Oh God, I drooled didn't I?

"A covered wagon was prepared so we could move on while you rested."

"I didn't stir at all? I'm not usually such a heavy sleeper."

"Your latent capabilities have only just awakened and you cleansed a spiritual gathering place after researching straight through the night without rest. Your mortality was bound to catch up to you at some point."

She didn't have anything to say to that. He had a point even if the comment felt like a slap in the face, souring the light-hearted mood of the morning. It also brought to mind yesterday's early morning confrontation and how he didn't approve of her learning to fight. She had originally thought it was because she was a woman but maybe it had nothing to do with gender after all… but the fact that because she was human then she’d likely never be good enough for anything. Anything. And here she thought they had shared a few special moments in the cave… must have just been exhaustion playing tricks with her mind. Damn, is it possible to mourn the loss of something that never existed?

"Lass!" The warm voice pulled her from dreary thoughts along with an even warmer smile as they neared the serving area where Masamune filled bowls and handed them to those in the breakfast line. "Welcome back to the Land of the Living, come get some food in you. No running off this time either."

Her mouth was already watering from the delicious aromas that pranced across her nose and the sight of seasoned vegetables with fluffy rice was enough to pull a growl from her stomach in anticipation. "Wouldn't dream of it!"

Masamune scooped an extra helping of seasoned vegetables over her rice before calling over his shoulder for the next bin from the kitchen tent. "There's plenty more where that came from." In the next moment, the flap opened and a giant bamboo serving bowl seemingly hovered from the tent. Only when it settled in front of a grinning Masamune did three blue orbs appear from beneath to Haruka's amazement. "They appeared bored of their own tricks and I noticed they were able to move things so I asked if they'd mind helping. I hope you don't mind."

She shook her head with a grin. "Not as long as they don't. That's amazing! And I'm happy to hear you finally made nice with them."

“That might be a stretch… but they have been a help to the villagers nearby, handy to have someone reach the high rafters. Enough of them, you’ve been out like the dead, Lass. You must be starving!”

“Famished!”

Kenshin settled at a makeshift table consisting of a barrel and a rickety slab of wood slightly bowed in the center but flat enough to do the job. She sat opposite of him and tried her best to ignore Masamune’s pointed glare until he was satisfied she was no longer a flight risk and returned to his morning routine. It was a morning like any other she had imagined taking place within an ancient army’s camp. Swords and spears were sharpened at the grindstones while armor was repaired and buffed at the armorers. Retainers tending to duties delegated by their lieges and couriers carried messages to and fro as needed. The bustle of a well-oiled machine… and yet she couldn’t ignore the growing unease within her. She knew the hearty meal sitting in front of her would be delicious but it did little to distract from the eyes she could feel all around her from the various warriors.

“It’s not you they’re staring at.” The barely familiar voice startled her from the building panic as its source joined the meager breakfast table. The tall-- and broad!-- red-head she remembered named Shingen made himself comfortable even as Kenshin’s eyes narrowed in the newcomer’s direction. “The men are not used to seeing our dear dragon here in the presence of a woman.”

“Shingen…” the dragon in question growled in warning.

“Such a shameful reputation he’s made for himself over the years,” the tiger continued with no regard for his safety.

“I am not ashamed.”

"Still don't get why they have to stare." Haruka grumbled.

Shingen's brow rose with the corner of his lip. "You dislike attention? No, I find it hard to believe that one such as you hasn't charmed the whole realm."

Her nose wrinkled in distaste. "No, thank you. I enjoy my quiet peace just fine."

"Peace and quiet, hmm? Then, I imagine you wouldn't be interested in the festival the locals are hosting." Shingen turned his attention to the cup in front of him as if that were the end of the conversation. It would have been too if not for the sudden perk in Haruka's posture.

"Festival?"

"Hmm?" The sneaky tiger glanced back without a care. "Oh, yes. Quite the list of entertainment I hear. Music, dancing, games-"

Kenshin rolled his eyes. "Dreadfully boring to be sure."

"I also heard there is a merchant arriving in time with a supply of Fire-Brewed Sake…"

Haruka watched as one elegant, blond brow rose from the man in front of her. "Fire-Brewed?"

"The one and only. I hear the southern tiger clans have had a fantastic year and the new sake batch is the best in existence." The tiger continued to drink leisurely from his cup while Haruka watched with silent amusement and hid her own grin behind bites of her breakfast. "But, you're right. Likely to be dreadfully boring indeed."

Kenshin gave a noncommittal grunt at that.

"Well," Haruka perked while finishing the last of her bowl. "I think it sounds wonderful and would love to see it. But first… where might I be able to find something else to wear and maybe…" she trailed off, suddenly realizing what she was about to ask and couldn't bring herself to voice it in present company.

Shingen's eyes grew wide as he jumped from his place. "My apologies, dear one, we have been remiss in your needs. I will have a bath prepared for you and–”

“Oh, no there's no need to trouble anyone. I’m fine with washing up in the riv–” the look Shingen leveled upon her told her not to finish that sentence. “... but a real bath would be nice?”

Kenshin rolled his eyes as he stood now. “There is a bathhouse at the edge of town that I’m sure would serve better than anything Tokugawa’s men could put together."

"Great!" Shingen allowed with a conspiratorial smile. "Off you go then! I’ll have a fresh change of clothes delivered. For both of you.”

“I’m not-”

“Yes, you are.”

Shingen was not allowing any protest from the dragon and Haruka had to turn away to hide her amusement. “Oh, I’m sure Masamune wouldn’t mind pointing me in the right direction…”

“Nonsense,” came a quick reply and the sudden chill at her side told her Kenshin had fallen into pace at her side. “Date has rarely stepped foot in Mikawa in years and would have you running in circles all day.”

Haruka glanced over her shoulder to Shingen with a conspiratorial grin of her own before turning back to her escort. “So… you’re in Mikawa often?”

“As necessary to continue peace.”

She couldn’t help the snort when the corner of his lips curled distastefully on the word. “Seems like a burden or a nuisance when you say it that way."

"I am meant to be on the battlefield, peace means no battle. The quiet is unnerving."

"You really are bored!" Dawning realization stopped Haruka in her tracks so suddenly that several pedestrians stumbled off their course to avoid running into her.

"Unendingly so!"

And you have no idea what to do with yourself. So simple yet so dangerous. Even if half the whispered rumors she'd heard in her time at the camp were true, Kenshin was practically raised to be a living weapon with no other purpose. But what's a weapon to do without a war to rage? Remain packed away in storage? Yeah that's fine for a sword but this was a living person! No wonder he seemed so happy striking down the Chompies, he was actually able to put his honed skills to work. However it was still only a temporary reprieve. What was he to do if she somehow managed to truly pass all the Chompies and Kitsunebi to the next world and fix their self-serve methods?

She really had to return home soon and arrange more vacation time than she'd previously set up but that could wait until tomorrow. Tonight, her focus would be finding out what else interested a God of War.

Chapter Text

The bathhouse was divine! Large tubs filled with steaming, floral scented waters while fresh orchids floated all around her as she soaked and read through the priestess’s journal. After only a few hours under Mitsunari's tutelage, the classical handwriting of the journal was already much easier to read. 

Maika began training as priestess shortly after her sixteenth birthday when her abilities awakened in a very non-explosive manner– unlike Haruka's. Maika just woke up one morning and could see, hear, and talk to departed spirits that presented themselves to her. Her parents dropped her off at the village temple that morning and picked her up in the afternoon like a first day of school! Maika’s lovely script continued telling and working through her teenage feelings as her learning and temple responsibilities grew. The normalcy! 

Maika’s journal also acted as her studies notebook so there was a great amount of information to work through from basic biology of ayakashi to fact versus theory surrounding kitsunebi. She detailed her daily chores, practices and training. Maybe Mitsunari would like to help make a guide…

“My lady?” A knock at the door frame pulled Haruka's attention to a female bathhouse staff member. “Your clothing has arrived.”

She called her thanks as she carefully placed the journal in a safe spot before rising from the cozy bath and wrapping herself in a provided towel. Upon following the staff member, she found herself in the middle of a circle of women each holding various clothing and accessories. One with red hair darker than Shingen's stepped forward in front of a large mirror. “Hello darling, I'm Chiyo! Shingen sent us to help you prepare for tonight.” Chiyo's wrist circled elegantly as a gale of warmed air swirled like a cyclone around Haruka so quickly it almost snatched away her towel. Her hair lifted and swirled as if she had stepped into a giant blow dryer while Chiyo carefully watched until she was satisfied and the gust died out. “Perfect, time to work ladies!”

The whirlwind continued as the superpowered assistants zoomed about the room. She felt like a wobbly spinning top from them lifting her feet, her arms, her hair as needed to complete their assigned tasks. She hadn't even realized she was pushed into a chair until fingers gently lifted her chin and a voice instructed her to close her eyes where a flurry of feathers seemed to dance across her face.

“All done!” Chiyo's sing-song voice announced as she pulled Haruka to her feet again and the women exited the room. “Lord Kenshin will be here soon. Have a lovely evening!”

Once the room stopped spinning, Haruka was able to review her appearance in the mirror and her mouth gaped upon the reflection. Her hair had been pulled into a half-updo with gentle falling waves. Her eyes had been outlined in a dark red sweeping design that matched her painted lips and a soft rosy powder dusted her cheeks. The kimono base was a light cream painted with blue and purple hydrangea blooms, finished with a wisteria colored obi and a jeweled hanging wisteria pin.

This kind of makeover would cost a small fortune back home!

It was only after twirling like a little girl did she find Kenshin in the reflection gazing over her as well and turned to him with a gasp. He was dressed in semi-formal robes as well, arranged by Shingen no doubt. A sky blue yukata tucked into black hakama secured by his sword belt. The overlying kimono was such a deep blue it could rival the night sky, it even seemed to have the tiniest jewels sewn in that sparkled in the light. His dampened hair had been brushed out of his face over the valley between his horns to give a clear look into his widened eyes as they traveled up and down Haruka's form.

She could feel a blush burn her cheeks as her restless fingers discovered freshly dried polish on her nails and nervously attempted to peel it. Her glance over the nails showed them the same deep blue of Kenshin’s kimono with small faceted jewels in each center. Oops, nope, no picking! She clutched her hands together behind her back and brought her eyes back to Kenshin who had silently moved inches in front of her. She had to raise her chin to find his eyes again while his hand gently palmed her cheek, careful not to disturb her fresh makeup. 

She could see each scale clearly as they lined from his eyes to his yukata. Finely trimmed in black, a sea green center blended into an icy blue perimeter as they layered over the next scale. Her fingers rose to trail the path they led along with the lone scale that peeked through porcelain skin every so often. A soft tremble shook through Kenshin and Haruka couldn't help but wonder if her dreams were true, if those scales led to his navel basin where their numbers increased to cover more of his back and legs than mortal flesh did. 

The memory sent a flash of heat to her core and a shiver up her spine that seemed to echo through Keshin. A purr turned growl vibrated under her fingertips as his other hand wrapped around her waist, rolling his hips into hers to leave no space between them. 

“Haruka…” Kenshin breathed so faintly she thought she imagined her name on his lips as his head rested against hers, the grip at her waist tightening deliciously. Gods, what would his talons feel like down her back or digging into her hips? Another gasp escaped her as she prayed to whatever deity was listening that he enjoyed leaving marks cause she'd love showing them off. There was no doubting the growl that rumbled from him now as he stepped away, leaving chilled air instead of his warmed hands and breath. “We need to leave now… or we may not leave at all.”

I'm okay with that! She wanted to groan her agreement for the latter but knew he was right. She really did want to experience the festival! So she would be happy with their shared moment for now. Because wow, was that a moment! With a steadying breath, she simply nodded and accepted his outstretched hand as he guided her from the dressing room. 

Having entered the bathhouse from the back entrance, Haruka didn't see much of the town in the morning light and couldn't wait to see the village center. She'd been a history consultant for TV productions to help design studio stages and had a clear mental image of a feudal era samurai town. The battle camps had matched that image so far…

Why didn't her imagination take her down a more fantasy route? Right out the bath house door Haruka had to nearly bend backwards as her eyes counted a five story wooden building stretching as far as she could see down the street. Thick bands of water twice as wide as she was poured freely from each floor and pooled into large wood basins that never overflowed onto the street, allowing for koi tailed children to splash around until they darted back up the falls. Orchid petals floated from colorful rooftop gardens and seemingly faded into thin air instead of littering the streets, drifting their lovely fragrances with them in the early afternoon breeze.

Balconies were staggered in a uniform pattern to showcase merchant stalls visible from the streets that allowed rabbit-eared folk to easily jump platform to platform. For those who couldn't jump-- or fly like the winged tengu and horned dragons– bannered baskets hung from long ropes to the street boasting menus and prices from each merchant. A teenaged boy with deer-like antler nubs poking through his hair dropped a parchment and coins into one such basket and waited as it reeled up to the peddler. Once filled, the basket dropped back down to the boy who scampered off after collecting his parcel.

“See something?” Kenshin's voice reminded her that they had stopped in the middle of the busy street. Though it appeared not to matter as every passerby gave Kenshin a wide berth and nervous eyes. “Many of the vendors serve different specialties when an event occurs. Let me know if anything catches your attention. Stay close to me otherwise.”

“Like this?” She wove her arm around his with a sly smile to rest her cheek on his bicep. “Just taking it all in for now. Do you have any favorites?”

His answering smile spilled warmth to her toes as he pointed his chin further up the path. “There's an Inu ahead that has several types of spiced plums, and many varieties of nuts and berries you might like to try. Better than Date's blends.”

A bark of laughter escaped her as they leisurely paced the street. The sneaky dragon has been watching me more than he lets on. “They must be heavenly then! Oh, is that a stationary shop?” 

~*~

Kenshin watched as Haruka dashed across the street to where a table of colorfully bound books laid on display, his earlier instructions for her clearly forgotten. Her gaze locked on a moderately sized journal that featured glittering gold dragons embroidered on a red silk base. Her next interest was a larger, thinner subject book with a solid black linen binding very similar to the one she drew in. She continued into the booth and gave cursory glances to most items while trying to hide her excitement at the selection of elegantly crafted writing and drawing implements. 

Kenshin had already handed off the two books for purchase when she exited the booth empty handed, to which he raised a brow at her. “Something caught your eye in there, bring them out.”

“Oh no, thank you but I only thought they were pretty. Brushes are very different from what I'm used to writing with, I wouldn't know how to use them.”

True. Kenshin had noticed the odd slender things she used when studying with Ishida and the Tokugawa boy. It was an ink instrument that didn't require a separate ink jar. Mortal magic as he had come to think of several things she kept hidden in that strange locked bag of hers. Like the slender, handheld box that sang to her and lit up her face when she looked upon it.

“I will teach you,” he nodded to the shopkeeper who then scurried to the same items Haruka had just abandoned. “I likely have many matters that have been neglected since I have been here at the frontlines. You can practice by helping me through them.”

Her nose scrunched while her cheeks reddened. “You're… sure? That sounds like a big job for a novice. I'm likely to have wretched handwriting.”

His lips twitched as he gave the shopkeeper payment and accepted the parcel. “You'll do well. Besides, no one will doubt my signature at the end and they would be a fool to comment on it when we next meet.”

Haruka nodded with a smile as she joined his side again and her hands wrapped around his arm like before. Nearly palm to palm until his fingers twitched the final distance and laced between hers loosely, allowing her space to evade if she wished. He beamed with pride when she tightened their joining instead. 

How many years has it been since he's felt the warmth suddenly gushing over him from head to toe like? Felt the ice thawing in his chest and that incessant beast in the back of his mind finally quiet? How long had it been since he felt this… light? He likely would float away into the clouds if she weren't anchoring him as they strolled with her beaming smile and bubbling laughter at the many scattered street performers. 

“Oh, I think I see the Inu! Wow, they do have a lot to choose from…”

Kenshin's eyes followed her as she stepped into the booth– lamenting the loss of warmth just as quickly as he'd held it– to gaze over the varieties and test some of the free offerings before the shopkeeper stole his attention. “Ah Lord Uesugi! I heard you were in these parts and stashed aside some jars of Spiced Plums for you. Hadn't heard you had a lady friend however. Is that the Kitsune the whole town's talking about?”

“Haruka,” Kenshin corrected the shopkeeper as he wrapped up several preserve jars. “What’s the town saying?”

“More like praising and praying,” the Inu snorted and shook his head with an eyeroll. “Saying she's the answer to the Twisted Ones dilemma. That she's immune to their attack and can pass their spirits with only a word. She can freely travel all three realms. Blast flames from her hands, shout thunderstorms into existence… Word travels fast and narratives even faster, it's hard to distinguish fact from fiction anymore.”

It was Kenshin's turn to roll his eyes. How could such rubbish be circulating so quickly? “Some truth there but mostly false.”

“No fear of sudden river flooding then?”

“Only during monsoons.”

The Inu was still laughing when Haurka exited the booth with an arm full of several treat bags and an even larger smile than when entered. “These are delicious! I love the sunflower seeds with the dried berries. The sweet and salty reminds me of what my father and I would prep together for hiking trips.”

“Many thanks, milady. I can have them delivered to where you're staying if you'd like to keep your hands free this evening. Same for you, Lord Uesugi.” The shopkeeper took all their acquired items before calling his teen son from the back whose eyes brightened at the chance to see the battle camp and rushed off to complete his delivery. 

Kenshin preened again when Haruka quickly joined his side after giving thanks to the Inu and her nose lifting in the air with a soft laugh bubbling over. “Something smells like lunch!”

A brow lifted at that. “Why did you send all you just acquired to the camp if you were hungry?”

Her response had him pondering how an eyeroll could look so adorable instead of vexing. “Those were snacks, not an actual meal. Though I did save a small pouch for later. Your nose is better than mine, don't you smell that amazing something? Barbecue I think?”

“I smell nothing.”

Her eyes widened with alarm. “Nothing?!” 

“Nothing,” he lied again while looking to the distance to hide a grin.

“Oh you!” She bashed at his arm lightly when she realized his falsehood before marching off, unaware of the gazes that followed her as others in the street craned their necks to glimpse the woman brave enough to swat the God of War like a misbehaving pet. He chuckled before calling her name and thumbed in the opposite direction she'd been heading.

“It's this way.”

Such a strange coincidence that his new favorite color matched the burning red in her ears.

~☆~