Side One Hundred – Kudou Yasuhide

Side One Hundred – Kudou Yasuhide

“The atmosphere is rather tense, isn’t it?” I observed, stroking at my beard pensively. The Conclave had reopened for the final, decisive day, yet the complexion of things had been irrevocably changed by the events of the prior night.

“Well, what do you expect?” Chiyo-san, one of the most influential of the neutral faction, or rather, the Tyr faction, as we were coining the new block now, was looking particularly bitter this morning. “You have a granddaughter who has been given Chirurgery, right? I have two. And but for the grace that we weren’t in Susanoo and dumb enough to listen to the Uchida boy, it could be us mourning their deaths or maiming.”

True, just seeing the bodies as they were carried out, young men, women and even children... it was enough to make me fear for the future. I may be old, but I don’t remember the war, not like some of the old men of the nobility. So seeing this... it was a first for me. “So, are you having second thoughts?” I asked.

“About what? Our course of action? Hardly.” She snorted, the sound loud enough to draw a few gazes our way. Up on the podium the major players were gathering, but a notable absence was Uchida Ren, who was likely with his son. A grim tragedy. I can’t say that Yamato-kun was well liked, but as one of those Chosen by the Gods, his fate is cruel indeed. Perhaps he may yet wake, but from what I gather, the prognosis looks grim, as he is the only one remaining comatose...

The Diviner was on the dais, alongside the Imperial Princess Yukiko, and Akio-kun was beside them, though his expression was grim, careworn. Notable absences on the Tyr benches were the girl, Mori-san, and Shaeula, the spiritual being. Of course, the Susanoo area was in a shambles as well. Those who had been part of Akio-kun’s training school were mostly absent, understandable as so many of them lost children or grandchildren, while Hikawa-san was now near them on the Tyr benches, though he was listless, barely able to keep his eyes open. Again, hardly unexpected. He must worry terribly for his children, though from what I hear, they’ll all live, which is more than most can say.

“Well, some would say the deaths of so many promising youths of precious bloodlines is an unmitigated failure.” I mused. “To say nothing of the stir it has created, rapidly escaping our control.”

“Oh come now, I know you are wise enough to see through such emotional idiocy.” She growled. “Think about it. Matsumuro-san...” her lip curled as she said the name of the Diviner, which until now had been taboo. “... did say that a time of great danger is coming, which will lead to many deaths and possibly even the destruction of the entire world. The boy agreed.” She nodded at Akio-kun on the stage. “Of course there is going to be danger. But look on the positive side. They managed to retrieve four people alive, and though Mori-san was apparently grievously hurt in the process... well, having such healing abilities is rather reassuring.”

True. Apparently the rescued girls are likely to make a full physical recovery in due time, except for one of them, which will apparently take more work. Though mental scars are likely harder to heal... “Even so, it shows the stark difference between us and the threats we face. Even Akio-kun was helpless to save the boy Yamato and the others.”

As Gin took his own place, followed by Takakura-sama and old man Bankei, the Conclave was ready to start. Casting my gaze around the ranks of the faith, I could see a lot of disquiet, strained faces and hushed whispering abounding. At the back of the room, several soldiers, clearly and visibly armed, were waiting, and everyone was aware there were dozens more stationed around the Imperial Palace, the hospital that the dead and injured had been evacuated to, and also Kiyomizu-dera shrine. Yes, there’s no hiding this. Only portraying it in a way the general public can accept. Well, that’s for younger, wiser heads to decide.

“I believe everyone is aware of the situation that occurred last night, or at least that a situation did occur.” Bankei said, with little preamble, opening the Conclave. “Uchida-san is understandably absent, he wants to spend time with his son, while he can. A grim day.” Clasping his hands together in a gesture of prayer and compassion, he continued. “I believe we now have a greater understanding of what we are here for. It was a high price, but suffering is ultimately a mortal concern. May he be freed from it in his next life.”

As many of us inclined our heads in acceptance of the prayer, me included, Bankei continued. “This humble one is not the right one to explain precisely what happened. If you would, please.” He asked Akio-kun, and I caught a brief glimpse of pain cross his face, before it was once more an expressionless mask. Beside him, the Diviner inclined her head, perhaps in reassurance.

“Right.” He began, clearly feeling the pressure. Considering the circumstances, it would be stranger if he was calm.

“Last night... well, I don’t want to speak ill of anyone, though I suppose some criticism is inevitable.” He sighed theatrically, though I felt he was truly exasperated and angered by it all. “Uchida Yamato-san, as well as the three Chosen who were under Susanoo, decided to venture into the Kyoto Boundary. Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, in fact, it’s generally praiseworthy to train and secure more Territory for what’s to come. I mean, we talked about it yesterday, didn’t we?” he grimaced at that.

“The issue is, they took the Susanoo trainees from my school with them. Now, don’t get me wrong, I take them to the Boundary as well, but only to my safe Territory, to learn and gain experience. Taking them out into Kyoto was reckless in the extreme, and sadly, it led to disaster. But for a miracle and an act of bravery from Hikawa Ren-san...” His father looked both troubled and proud at that. “... there would have been no rescue, for we wouldn’t have known the mess they got into. It was...”

As Akio-kun continued, quite a tale unfolded, of desperation and clashes with the brutal Night Parade. When he was done, recounting the grievous wounding of Yamato-san by the powerful creatures of the Parade, which he was helpless to prevent, due to needing to protect his terribly injured fiancée, he looked down, clearly troubled, before talking of his meeting with the legendary Yokai Nurarihyon.

“... so I can’t say I’ve reached accommodation with the Night Parade.” He concluded. “After all, the way they think isn’t human at all. They don’t object to perpetrating atrocities that would lead to execution here, yet they can change from rage-filled and vengeful one minute, to friendly and jovial the next. Creatures of spirit are mercurial, it seems. But I do know they have a lot of the same fears we do about the oncoming disaster. Provoking them is only going to lead to needless casualties.”

“I see. Well, aren’t you saying that because your own Shaeula is one of the Night Parade?” Gin said mildly. “Not that I don’t understand it. You wouldn’t wish to fight her family needlessly.”

“That’s a factor.” He admitted. “But the matter is done. It was a tragedy, and I still feel terrible. But those that were involved in the killing of our people, and the wounding of Yamato-san, they are all dead, having paid for their crimes. The Parade is certainly dangerous, but I wouldn’t suggest we start a war against them, one we would likely struggle to win, because some of their members did terrible things.”

“I see. Akai...” Gin turned to his phoenix, who was half-listening on the front row of the Amaterasu benches. “... what do you make of it? I must confess...” his smile was strained, for some reason. “I had a good friend of mine do a little research, he’s very good with books.” At that Akio-kun seemed resigned. A strange reaction, there is definitely more going on here than is being said.

“Oh, sorry, sorry.” She chirped, her half-shut eyes snapping open. “The Hyakki Yagyō, you say? Ugh, I don’t like them, not at all, not at all! Too many frightening Yokai! To survive meeting them... I was right, you’re scary.” She scowled at Akio-kun.

“I see.” Gin laughed. “Well, I don’t disagree. To hear of so many Yokai slain, though I notice you declined to give us the details on how...” he shook his head. “Well, I don’t suppose it matters. I myself have been Chosen, so I can easily imagine the dangers. So, you say that the Night Parade will not enter shrines and temples? That’s valuable information, and will help us remain safe.”

“Well, I admit I’ve had some fools bending my ear about withdrawing their trainees.” She admitted. “But tell me this, Oshiro-kun. How will that protect them?”

“I don’t think it will. Obviously, I’ve learned that all my bold talk of I’ll never let anyone die or I’ll protect you without fail...” he looked at the Diviner then, apologetic. “... is just meaningless boasting, without the dominant power to back it up. But just because I can’t guarantee it, doesn’t mean I won’t keep striving for a world beyond the tragedies!”

“Your resolve is praiseworthy.” Takakura-sama declared. “Nobody can promise absolutely. The world can always change suddenly. After all, did Japan expect to lose the War, bombs obliterating our cities? Politicians promised, but could not deliver. Really, other than over-promising, I think you’ve done well. Though I concede, if my granddaughters were amongst the slain, I might struggle to keep my perspective.” He sympathised with the grieving father, who bit his lip, face twisted into a horrible expression.

“Shaeula asked me for my blessing for my children to remain in your care.” Hikawa-san admitted. “Amongst other things.” His strained expression lightened for a moment. “I deny her second proposal, but... if my children still wish to, I won’t stand in their way.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. I am not lying or exaggerating when I say your children awoke to talents that could be the difference between our survival and defeat long-term. And that could go for any of you that Haru-san gathered information on. Those that want to fight can, if they have the will and the talents. Those that don’t, we can find uses for everyone. I don’t want to stop now. It isn’t just I’ve invested a ton of time and effort here, and I’ve made promises to Izumi-san.” He nodded to him. “It’s that I want us to win together. Lest we fail alone. I can’t do it alone. Nobody can.”

I started to applaud, impressed by the change in his attitude. His arrogance and confidence has been dented, yet he’s still resolute in wishing to protect those he cares about and those around him. Nobody knows how strong they are until they taste defeat. It looks like he might emerge better from it, though the guilt will weigh on him for a while, even though most of the fault lies elsewhere. Survivor guilt is not logical. Human nature seldom is. “Well said, Akio-kun. As the former leader of Tsukuyomi, I know it well. The old saw about a single stick, no matter how sturdy, breaking under pressure, while a bundle of thin sticks endures, it is apt here, I think. But we’ve used up a lot of time arguing over this tragedy, without addressing the main points of the day... Gin, Bankei, what do you say? Shouldn’t we get down to details? We can haggle over shares and benefits later. Matters are far more urgent...”

“Well, I have no objection. We intended to cast in our lot with Oshiro-san anyway.” Bankei said, not surprising me. What did was that Gin of all people agreed easily.

“I’m no fool. I still believe I am best placed to head the religious aspect of this new Ministry. Now even more so, considering I doubt Uchida is in any frame of mind for much, assuming his son never wakes, which... I have good reason to believe will never happen. I’m certainly not planning to fight the Night Parade on my lonesome, or throw away my Chosen carelessly. Akio-san is right, we’ve lost too many. This disaster changes nothing, my apologies if it is harsh, and I do give you my condolences for your losses, but we still need the Ministry, we still need your Chirurgery, Akio-san, and we still need to work together. More than ever. After all...” he eyed the soldiers. “just what are we saying regarding the deaths? It was too public, too... unexplained.”

“Regarding that...” Takakura-sama said, drawing our attention. “Fujiwara-sama and Ichijou-sama have called me already, as well as the Prime Minister. Currently there is a press embargo and blackout on news. That won’t last long though. We are currently debating whether to declare it an unfortunate tragic accident, or a terrorist attack, but...”

As I listened, I had a bad feeling that keeping the truth hidden would be impossible. My gaze shifted to Akio-kun, who was likewise troubled, still watching the grieving father of the slain shrine maidens. The other families of the dead were either with the bodies, or hidden away with their grief. A tragic accident, hmm? Gas explosion? Structural failure within the Palace? I wonder if the public will believe that... and if they don’t...

*********

“I think it is time for a recess.” Bankei declared, and I sighed with relief. These old bones do ache nowadays. Perhaps I should have consented to the Chirurgery, if it would strengthen my aging body. Growing old is no fun, no fun at all. Well, apart from getting to watch my children and grandchildren grow... I looked over at the Susanoo benches, which had lost most of their members, but was now effectively an entirely new faction, one that was holding onto feelings of blame and distrust for Akio-kun, an outsider, who had shaken up millennia-old traditions.

Well, it’s only the boy from Aoikaeru shrine that has genuine hatred for Akio-kun. I suspect in his heart of hearts he knows that Akio-kun is not to blame, but he can’t throw his pain and grief against Yamato-kun anymore, can he? I believe time will allow him to think clearly, his grief is too new, too raw, for him to be rational. The group was small, perhaps fifty or so shrines, mostly from Susanoo, though a few from Amaterasu had broken from their leader after he requested cooperation. None too major. They’ll come around in time, I’m sure...

“If you would, I would like to speak to you privately.” The Diviner, no, Matsumuro-san, was saying to Akio-kun. It really is hard for me to even think her name, but I understand why Akio-kun shared it. Just being referred to by a title robs her of her humanity, makes her simply an object of worship. I hope and pray her visions and portents of her death are wrong, or that Akio-kun can turn them aside... before, he swore he would do so before us all, but now... he knows it might not be possible, just as he failed to save Yamato-kun and the others...

“Can I come?” Princess Mikasa asked, standing hurriedly, and Matsumuro-san paused for a moment, before voicing her agreement.

“That’s fine. I have something I want to talk to you about as well.” Akio-kun said seriously. “I ask that you hear me out before judging.”

That sounds ominous. But then, he did mention something about Nurarihyon giving him information that could pinpoint the disaster she fears. Who would trust such a creature, especially with all the deaths? As I watched them go, I couldn’t help but wish I was there too, contributing. After all, I did consider Matsumuro-san to be almost like a daughter of mine, as potentially sacrilegious as that was. Shaking my head as I had fallen into the exact trap of worship and dehumanisation I had just decried, I turned to Chiyo-san, who was frowning, her face thunderous.

“What is it, Chiyo-san? I don’t think things went too badly. A few small idiots who don’t have the excuse of grief might have gone against us, but the vast majority are in agreement. We’ve seldom been so united.”

“I know.” She muttered. “I just can’t help but feel we overlooked something. I am not the Lady Diviner, but I know a bad omen when I feel it.”

Overlooked something, hmm? I couldn’t think of anything that sprung to mind. “Well, I guess we might cover it in the upcoming sessions? Though it seems to be fairly technical, regarding resource allocation, Boundary defence and more. I am not sure what those of us who haven’t seen the spiritual realm can contribute. Even so, we’ll do our best, right?”

“I hope so.” Chiyo-san said, smoothing her aggrieved features. “I do hope so...”