Four Hundred And Nine

Four Hundred And Nine

As Motoko continued to eat daintily and at pace, her eyes narrowed with pleasure, I looked at Natsumi, who was also starting to eat happily. She giggled, raising an eyebrow. “I’m a healthy eater too, but I can’t match Motoko. We rarely get the chance to indulge though. Of course, protein from meat and fish is essential for building stronger muscles, so our diets have always been heavier than is traditionally proper for daughters of nobility.” She lectured me between bites of her boar meat, wiping her lips elegantly with a cloth as the greasy fats clung to her mouth.

“That is correct. A healthy, strong body is the foundation of everything. Other families said there was no use to our skills in the modern world, not for the wives and mothers we were raised to be...” Motoko said, her expression downcast, before, just after she finished another slab of boar, her smile changed, lighting up her face. “It seems that our noble fathers and brothers hardly know everything though. I believe having stamina and flexibility on the bed is much to your taste, no?” She was pink with embarrassment under the glowing light of the great flame behind us, and Kana laughed, surprised.

“That’s not something I suspected you to be thinking, Motoko-cha... err, Motoko.” Kana kept up her new resolution of being closer to the girls she struggled with. “Maybe it’s true that repressed girls are the wildest.” She paused. “Is... was Akio here really satisfied?”

Motoko’s blush deepened, but even so, her hands were still ferrying food to her mouth. All around us the majority of the Tengu were indulging as well, though I did notice a few were abstaining, only eating a little. Ready for what comes next, I’d imagine?

“I cannot speak for him, but he seemed rather pleased.” She confided. “As for me, Natsumi and I discussed it. It was ... heart-warming? Fun? No, words simply do not do it justice. My mother long said I should not learn any bedroom skills, for it would be best if I acclimatised to my husband’s taste, served at his pleasure. She never said that we would find it a pleasure too.”

“It was a bit scary at first. We are always taught by our families and our teachers that it is our duty to serve our husband, and that any indulgence outside of that is sinful, wrong and would shame our ancestors, parents, house...” Natsumi agreed. “Serving... it isn’t that.”

“No.” Motoko agreed, elegantly gesturing with her fork, which she handled as deftly as she would chopsticks. “It is not that we serve Akio, it is that we serve each other. He seeks our bodies and heart, and we seek his. Mutual joy. And very pleasurable too. My heart races, and not from exertion...”

“Damn, do we have to talk about this where I can hear?” Yasaka-san grimaced. I turned to look at Haru-san, worried such talk might be bringing back bad memories of her traumatic torture and death, but she merely shrugged, a slight smile on her face.

“It’s fine, Akio-san. I... I won’t say I never remember it, or certain things don’t make me uncomfortable...” she looked up, thinking. “...but I’m stronger now. Mentally too. Besides...” she pointed at the happy Motoko and Natsumi. “...your relations are nothing like his. They’re smiling. I’d be more worried if they ended up as traditional noble brides. It sounds... very lonely.”

“Yes, that’s it.” Natsumi agreed. “It would be lonely. Giving up Tsumura Arts, never being allowed to train again... having to give up my friendship with Motoko. I’m sure that whatever husband I had wouldn’t mistreat me. Hori house isn’t important, but we are still of the Three-Hundred. But... the life of the nobility is too restrained.”

“Yes, we must fit the mould, and everything outside the mould must be sacrificed. Now, there is good within the nobility. I can still see it; I am not so selfish as to ignore that.” Motoko chewed and swallowed, and I wondered where she put it all. As if to answer that, she let out a satisfied sigh. “This meat is good, but a little heavy. I shall have to exercise after we finish. Besides, that will allow the maximum benefit to my muscles and bones. Although, I cannot be certain that holds true here in the Boundary... but, back to loneliness...” she looked at Kana, her brown eyes solemn. “...I much prefer a world for the nobility where those of us who follow different paths can have those accommodated. And where we can love freely. I still laugh at myself. I thought I was so bold, so courageous, and when I visited Nishimorioka, I was determined Akio was the way towards a brighter future for me. I did not worry about loneliness then...”

“I thought so too. Motoko was so brave, so shining. But... back then all I was to her was a bodyguard, I thought. It was that trip, Hinata, Eri, Aiko and the others, they helped me become more than just that, realise how I really felt, the rules that bound me in place stripped away, they helped me become Motoko’s true friend as well.”

“Sisters, I believe Shaeula calls it.” Haru-san interjected. “I think she’s a little mistaken, sisters don’t share their men usually, but I know what she means. It’s a family, who won’t betray you. Though I still see some interesting personality clashes between you all...” she laughed softly. “No, there’ll be friction, troubles and tears, but... the more I watch from the outside, the more I know it’s all rather sweet. I’m dead, so why do I have to care for convention? There are many people who would snatch happiness from others, trample on dignity and love for their own amusement, so anyone or anything that increases the happiness of others must surely be a good thing.”

“Yes, Hinata. At the time, I thought myself bolder than her. She seemed disinclined to cast her lot in with Akio. I was wrong of course, even then, she liked him. Love at first sight, she boasts. Whereas we just looked for our own gain. Oh, my throat is dry...”

“Here.” Daiyu handed her a pitcher of mater, and Motoko gulped from it gratefully. Daiyu had only eaten a little, and was listening to the conversation, grasping much of it with her modest Japanese, though some nuance was lost, but Haru-san was translating when she wasn’t speaking.

“My thanks. You...” Motoko said to Daiyu. “... are quite the interesting girl. You are what Natsumi and I could have been, were we free from the mould of the nobility. Training rigorously, reaching the peak of the Tsumura Arts...”

“I would never deny the hard work I have put in. I have always sought peaks above peaks, and what lies beyond even that.” Daiyu replied. “I am proud, and I love Cultivation, just as you love your Arts. If you were Cultivators, I dare say you would follow the Dao of swords, or perhaps spears or bows... but it is not all there is. Yes, a lonely life...” she agreed. “...I did not realise I even was lonely. Aloof, proud, isolated, arrogant, like a black lotus standing all alone... No, I now understand why Sects exist. For while the strong are often the lonely, the strongest have something beyond themselves to fight for.”

Daiyu made herself understood, me filling in the more complicated words she hadn’t learned yet, and Motoko nodded. Around us many Tengu had stopped their feasting, though Motoko was still going, as was Arangbō, who had devoured vastly more meat than anyone else, his eyes on me mocking. Oh come on, I’ve not a bottomless appetite...

“Yes, it was vanity, us wishing to merely protect the Tsumura Arts and pass them on. Vanity without purpose. But now...” she paused. “When we returned to Hanafubuki, away from Akio, our resolve wavered. It was easy to get swept up in the moment, to pledge ourselves to a man we barely knew for our futures, but... what did we know of men, of serving, of love, only what we were told, which made such a thing seem frightening, a harsh duty.”

“That’s right, Motoko.” Natsumi agreed. “When it came time to tell my parents... I got scared. So we hesitated and delayed...”

“And then Hinata beat us to you.” Motoko said. “And she, instead of mocking our timidity, understood us, tried to help us come to our own realisation of what we wanted, what we needed. And we realised how wretched we were. Only thinking of ourselves. A one-sided relationship is worthless. Much as our resolve and our will was. Now we are different.”

“That’s right.” Natsumi agreed. “Now we know why we want to preserve our Arts. It’s to teach to Akio, to any other girl who wants to learn, and to teach our children with Akio, and their children too.”

“To perfect the Arts, not keeping them stale. We will take instruction from master Ulfuric, from Shaeula’s brothers and sisters, from Akio...” she looked at Daiyu then. “...also from you.” She held out a hand gracefully, while her other hand moved the loaded fork, though her rapid eating was slowing down. “I think you are like us, and I feel close to you because of that. We can hardly know of your grief, losing your family, home and more... but here you can forge a new one. After all...” she smiled once she had taken another delicate bite which somehow devoured a fair chunk of meat. “... you are definitely of the warrior faction. Just like his sister, Aiko. We should help and support each other.”

“I would appreciate that.” Daiyu took her hand after an embarrassed pause. “I am no master of weapons, my Dao will likely follow a different way, but I shall be happy to share what I have learned. I too want disciples and wish to teach my children... our children.” She corrected. “I respect dedication to an ideal, and honing the body will never betray you.”

“True.” Bell, who had been listening, spoke up. “The training for Way-Wardens is hard, but worthwhile. I must say...” she looked at me with a smile, and I was again struck with just how beautiful elves were, just like in the stories. “... hearing about what such a life is like has me curious to experience it myself. But that is for another time. When I have increased my favourability points with you.” She winked at me. She must have heard that saying from Shaeula or Shiro... why do they all learn the wrong things?

“So...” Motoko let fall her fork, patting her belly. “We got a little off what we were talking about. I apologise, Kana, but it is all relevant.” She rubbed her stomach. “I am rather full. I simply must exercise...”

“Is that it?” Arangbō boomed suddenly, looking over at us. “Are you done? You...” he glowered at me. “... barely even tried.”

“It’s alcohol next, right?” I said, and he looked surprised. “I have to leave room for that.” I grinned. “Besides, honestly, I don’t think I could have beaten you...” I have an idea that might have worked with Body Enhancement, but there’s no real need. “... and even if I could, what’s the benefit? These challenges are to help select for an important task. I need to allow others their shot, right?”

Meanwhile, as I said that, Motoko was addressing Kana once more. “...we rambled, but what matters is that it was pleasurable, and satisfying. Fortunately, our parents allowed us to proceed before our marriage, something unthinkable, but then, our marriage is certain, is it not?”

“Most definitely. I’m never letting any of you go now. That counts for you too, Kana, Daiyu.” I said, ignoring Arangbō, which caused him to growl, annoyed.

Kana sighed. “Seriously, you could have cut down on my pointless suffering by saying something sweet like that weeks ago, rather than forcing us to drag it out of you. But... I’m happy. I can hardly believe it myself. The famous Izumi Kana, who has rejected more boys and men than anyone else for miles around, has been conquered. And I find I don’t mind at all. And I admit, I’m curious. I know more about what happens on the bed between men and women than these two ever did...”

Motoko flushed and Natsumi giggled at that, and Kana continued. “...but that’s all theoretical. Everyone seems to enjoy it a lot, nobody hates it...”

Daiyu was blushing now as well, perhaps remembering our first time, which went beyond the normal.

“... so I dare say I’ll like it too. But...” Kana waved her finger at me. “... I’m greedy. I want to savour all the stages of a relationship. Besides...” she grinned then, her expression terribly cute and impish. “...It’s just me and Hinata left now. At least for now, until the Diviner Matsumuro-san returns. I want to build your anticipation, until you can’t bear to wait to get under my clothes.” She puffed out her decent chest and crossed her legs, drawing my eyes to her.

“Can we please stop?” Yasaka-san complained. “Besides, it looks like we’re getting unwelcome attention. The eating is done.”

“Yes, it is done.” Tarōbō agreed, banging down his staff. The raucous, festive atmosphere had charged the jewel on his staff, which was now shining nearly as brightly as the great flame in the temple. “But sharing food with joy is important. As to eat is to take the life of a boar, to eat in gloom and sombre silence offers no praise for the life the food lived. But just as meat is food for the body, alcohol is food for the spirit.” Tengu were bringing out colossal stone and wood gourds of sake.

“No, you can’t take my booze, Akio-kun! I’m a working adult, alcohol is one of the things that makes work bearable!”

As we joked and bantered, suddenly a colossal mug was thumped down on the table beside us, and we turned to see Arangbō there, his long-nosed mask pointed down at us. Yeah, he sure is a big bastard.

“You may not have much appetite for meat, but your other appetites seem fine.” He nodded at my half-full mug and the girls.

“Yeah, if there was a challenge round for how many women he has, Akio will be number one.” Kana paused, face red. “There isn’t, is there?”

“The flame of lust is a powerful one, but we Tengu are private creatures. Not like the denizens of the Hyakki Yagyō.” Arangbō chuckled loudly. “Such a contest would be a troublesome one. Besides, our women are as hot-tempered as the flame. They would not take kindly to being used as pawns in games of seduction.”

“No way we would either.” Kana insisted. “So, what is next?”

“Wait and see.” Arangbō said. He then glanced at me. “Faltering already? If you cannot drink so little without being drunk, you have no hope of defeating me, even with my belly full of meat.” I could tell he was grinning behind his mask.

Little? I’ve drunk enough to give an ordinary person alcohol poisoning on the Material. But thanks for the advice... I was suppressing Ether Healing so I could enjoy myself, but with a sigh I allowed my learned immunity to alcohol to kick in and sobered up, quaffing another mouthful. At least the flavour is fantastic. But without the buzz of getting drunk, drinking does lose a great deal of appeal.

Seeing me suddenly return to sobriety, Arangbō laughed, emptying his mug, snatching another from a passing Tengu. There were already many lying sprawled on the ground, wings fluttering weakly, defeated. “So, you are displaying some of the fight you showed Haanōbō and Shungbō I see. But I am not as easily bested as they!” he quaffed a significant amount of booze, a feat in his mask. When he was done he belched loudly, before speaking again.

“You wondered what the rifts are?” he said, and I was suddenly alert. Daiyu and the others were listening too, even prince Shōtoku, who had contented himself to eating and drinking a moderate amount, as if to cause no offense.

“They are cursed pits.” He said, shaking his head. “Dark, full of flames as impure as our sacred flame is pure. And the endless tide of the burning damned. There have been many times we have faced such before in the past, the mountain is a sacred site, and power accumulates, dense ether. Such have always been effortlessly destroyed by the mighty Tengu.” He beat his chest happily. “Yet these... these are different. Deeper, darker, deadlier. The first Tengu to enter, they did not come back. Then we sent stronger warriors, but only a few returned, telling tales of burning spirits of our dead kin, animals, monsters, more... and now they spill out freely, numbers increasing each time.”

“So that is why you are holding these challenges?” Daiyu asked, listening, and he nodded.

“That’s right, little one. You are small. You should not compete, this task is too deadly for a tiny creature such as you.” Arangbō answered. I could recognise the slight changes in Daiyu’s expression that indicated she was extremely offended, so I reached out and gripped her hand, giving it a squeeze.

“Daiyu’s actually surprisingly strong. Never judge by appearances, otherwise you might get caught out.” I warned him. “So, how does eating and drinking weed out the strong? The other challenges, I get.”

“They are tradition. If a warrior fears the battle ahead, they can simply bow out. Besides...” he turned, looking at the lord of the Tengu of the mountain. “Our Great Tarōbō is gathering power. Emotion is prayer, and prayer is strength, fuel for the flames of victory. We can afford to lose no more.” His gaze was piercing. “Fungbō and Shungbō may wish you away from this place, but... for victory, you have earned your place.”

I could see that a massive pit, similar to the firepits from before had been dug as we emptied mug after mug of strong sake. “I see. That’s a sensible opinion.”

“Do not mistake me. Should Great Tarōbō decide you should be removed, I will throw you all out myself.” He warned. “But I am a great warrior, Arangbō of the Spring East, and I will not shame myself or Great Tarōbō by tasting defeat...” he raised his mug to me. “So drink, let the flames of your spirit be nourished...”

All right then, don’t mind if I do. Raising my own mug, I took a big swig. Yes, it’s pleasant, but lacks impact...

********

“You fought well, but I am simply too mighty.” Arangbō burped, and beside me Kana fanned her face, complaining quietly about the smell. Empty mugs were scattered all around us, Yasaka-san looking cheery as he sat in a blissful haze of drunkenness. The rest of my group hadn’t indulged too heavily, other than Haru-san, and she was still just tipsy.

“There’s not much point in drinking just for the sake of it.” I said mildly. “But you Tengu certainly like booze. Just like the Night Parade.”

“We have no wish to be compared to those scoundrels.” Arangbō snorted sourly. “But it is true. Fuel for the spirit.” He finished off the dregs in his mug noisily.

“In that case, we are already trading alcohol with the Parade, a lot of interesting and exotic kinds. I am sure we could come to some arrangement too. I bet if you Tengu could walk the mortal world again you’d love all the bars in Shinjuku. As much exotic booze as you could wish for...”

“And we have a champion.” Tarōbō’s staff banged down. All around us were scattered fallen, drunk Tengu. “Arangbō, once more you show your fiery appetites.”

“A man should be sizeable in both muscle and hungers.” He boasted, before clapping me on the shoulder. “But when one shares sake with another, they become closer. Beware though, the next trial is a terrible one.”

“Yes. Your performance was also satisfactory. But...” Tarōbō waved his staff. “I gained little joy from you. A shame. Your words are true. Drinking for rote triumph is worthless. So...” several more Tengu were given the right to battle the rifts. “Now, I must ask our visitor a favour.” He looked at me, his eyes full of energy, shining like rainbows from the aether he held. “Shungbō, Akio... fill this pit with lingering flame. For the next challenge is... only those who can pass through the flames and be fit to fight are worthy.”

I see. Quite a nasty challenge. “I shall do this.” Daiyu said, surprising me, her black eyes gleaming as she looked at Arangbō, who had insulted her. As he chuckled, her gaze only hardened.

“Are you sure?” I asked, weighing up her abilities. “It’ll be hard for you...”

“Trust me. I have a way. I am no fool, to try and tame a tiger without the proper bait and tools.” She said, and I nodded. Daiyu’s strong and brave, and she has no illusions of her own strengths, she can view herself objectively. If she says she can do it, I’ll support her.

“I see. This is my time to shine as well!” Kana piped up, and I looked at her, puzzled.

“What? You don’t think I can do it? I saw the look in your eyes when Daiyu volunteered. It was all I can totally trust her! But you don’t trust me?”

As Bell giggled, enjoying the spectacle, Haru-san made Chen Na step forwards as well. Three volunteers from our group... “No, of course I trust you. I know you wouldn’t do anything to make me worry, right?”

“No, you can totally worry a bit.” Kana winked. “I’m your girlfriend, if you don’t worry, I’d feel you didn’t care enough. But... Kṣitigarbha’s Favour... I think I can make this work. No, like Daiyu, I know I can.”

“All right then.” I patted her head, Daiyu’s too. “Just... be careful, all right?”

“I’ve seen how deadly your Foehn is. Daiyu has too, right? But it’s your fire. There’s no way we’ll be hurt by that, don’t you think?” As Daiyu agreed with Kana, I frowned.

“I wish that was the case. Don’t take it lightly, or else you’ll get burned.” Stepping forward, joining the arrogant, red-robed Shungbō by the large pit which was some fifty metres across, dwarfing the previous firepits, I held in a worried sigh, not wishing to belittle the girls or damage their confidence. If only Foehn was so accommodating. Oh well, worst case, I have Ether Healing...