Chapter Text
The road stretched out before the cadre moving in harmony with the land, the dirt still damp from recent rain, spring having fully surrendered to summer. Sounds of birds and insects in the trees accompanied the only other sounds of the travelling samurai, boots crunching and the bumping clunks of the carriage. Already the day’s sun told Koji the hour was moving towards evening and another night of camping on the side of these Lion land backroads.
Koji walked aside their carriage with Fuma, Tsuya and their small attendant servant band of 3 peasants. Inside the carriage Kirigaya fanned herself lightly as the vehicle was borne along by the small pony. Ahead of their small procession Tora walked.
The Lion warrior walked with a familiarity of these roads yet Koji could still see his head tilt and gaze move at every sound. Armored as was his way and holding his nodachi, Ushinatta, in its sheath he more patrolled then traveled. Only Ko-Yurei, the cadre’s white cat, resting lazily across his shoulders, softened Tora’s otherwise military bearing.
“Even here, Tora is still on guard.” Koji remarked looking at Fuma.
Fuma said nothing, only glancing at Koji before his eyes fell back to the dirt. The Scorpion had yet to mutter a single word in five days since they had departed Iron Quarry village. More concerning to Koji was that Fuma was not observing everything as he normally did. Instead he walked head low, eyes unfocused and clearly lost in his own mind. Beyond all of this though was the pallor of Fuma’s skin, evidence of the last of his body’s fight with the poison from Ujimasa and the nightmare of Iron Quarry village.
Koji looked away from Fuma and met his cousin’s ice-blue gaze. Kirigaya glanced at him then Fuma, Koji’s only response a small smile as he saw her fan flick in a concerned manner. Despite his recovering state Fuma had insisted on walking and not riding in the carriage. Kirigaya had not pressed the issue.
The Scorpion’s melancholy had left him absent and not merely quiet company. The man had done little besides sit with his thoughts and silence. Not once had he and Kirigaya played Go in camp and while Koji had tried he just could not provide the challenging game Kirigaya needed.
Even now as Tsuya held a rice ball out to Fuma Koji saw him look at it with the same disinterest he showed everything and then keep walking. Tsuya glanced back at him and with a sigh Koji accepted the rice ball instead.
A cool breeze from the mountains on their right brushed Koji’s skin, the cool air welcome from the summer heat of the day. Looking westward the Spine of the World Mountains speared towards the heavens, even in summer the tallest peaks were snow capped. The trees along their slopes swayed as the breeze came down from on high. Despite himself, Koji could not help but enjoy the view of these lands. Not many Crane would see the mountains like this from within Lion lands.
Most of the Crane’s lands were the coastal wetlands or low hills ripe for rice harvesting. Here forests and fields of swaying grains made up the landscape, framed by ancient mountains. Rivers snaked their lazy way out into the great golden fields of the Lion and carved valleys in their western border mountains. Less than a year out from his gempukku and already he had seen sights some Crane never would.
Their travels had avoided the main roads and highways giving them a chance to enjoy the countryside. Well most of them, Koji remarked to himself glancing at Kirigaya. She had not taken to camping well and likely never would. No way stations or inns were along their chosen route and in some ways that was better.
Kirigaya had politically thwarted Matsu Sawakoshi’s attempts to claim Iron Quarry village for the Lion. Even with the nightmare brought about there by Ujimasa and The Hollow Lords cult they had still stopped a very proud Lioness from her goal. Then there was the simple fact that Tora had all but confirmed his aunt would certainly take offense at their involvement in Iron Quarry.
Matsu did not handle offense well, least of all from Crane.
“We should make camp,” Tora announced from up ahead.
“Surely we can press a bit further.” Kirigaya countered, hope in her voice.
Tora glanced back at Kirigaya, a look of apology on his scarred face, but his choice was set. Kirigaya pursed her lips, the road weighing on her. It had been weeks since they had a proper rest in something beyond tents and ruined homes. Moreover this may be the furthest most of them have travelled and their journey was far from over. Crab lands lay well to the south and Shiro Kokushitsu was near their most western edge.
“Very well,” Kirigaya sighed, resting back into the carriage.
“Is there a stream nearby at least?” Koji asked, seeing his cousin's rumpled expression.
“A small one.” Tora nodded.
The servants got to work swiftly raising the tents and starting a fire for warmth and cooking. As they worked Koji alongside Tora walked a perimeter around the camp and checked to make sure nothing haunted the stream be it man or worse. Once sure it was safe they waited patiently as both Tsuya and Kirigaya refreshed themselves in the stream. Kirigaya had insisted they all take a chance to bathe, even the servants. It was some small blessing but even Koji had to admit he was beginning to miss the feel of a real bath and bed.
The sky was painted in the colors of sunset when they had returned and Tsuya began to cook, the scent making them hungrier. Koji relaxed, rubbing his aching calves and thighs from the days of walking. Around the fire the others sat each to their own.
“Here you are,” Tsuya chimed happily, placing a plate of rice, grilled fish and vegetables in front of Koji. The smell immediately made Koji’s stomach grumble loudly in anticipation. Agreeing with his gut Koji bowed, taking the plate and diving into the meal with less than courtly decorum. Tsuya distributed the rest of the plates, each meal portioned for their needs.
“I know you may not feel like it, but please eat,” Tsuya said softly, placing Fuma’s plate before him with a soup of healing herbs and roots as well.
“I am not hungry,” Fuma said.
“Dear Fuma, please.” Kirigaya asked and commanded in one breath.
Fuma’s eyes looked at her, Koji seeing a brief flash of…pain? The Scorpion had not been wounded from what Koji knew but perhaps the poison was still aching? Tora had only just truly recovered from the poison of the creature from Kosetsu.
“Fuma.” Tora said sternly but with care. The two shared a glance and Fuma relented, turning away to change his mask. The cadre averted their eyes, letting the scorpion don the cloth mask he wore for meals in place of the normal red snarling oni mempo.
“How much longer to the pass, Tora?” Koji asked, taking a bite of the fish that was seasoned perfectly.
“We should arrive at the Lion gate mid-morning.” Tora said, taking a bite of the fish.
“There is a way station half way through the pass.” He added, giving Kirigaya a nod.
“That will be most welcome, sleeping on the roadside is becoming…tiresome” Kirigaya lamented.
“Not one for sleeping under the stars, cousin?” Koji prodded with levity.
“I have a tent, Koji.” Kirigaya deadpanned.
A soft chuckle passed through the group except Fuma, Koji saw him from the corner of his eye. He ate his food like he was a puppet and the strings of basic animal need were the only thing animating him.
Dinner had passed and night had fallen on their small roadside camp, another night in the countryside. The faint sound of crickets accompanied the fire and the stars overhead shined down on them. Koji rested back on his hands looking up at the stars above, his katana rested at his side with a freshly polished and oiled blade. His thoughts drifted around nothing and everything, not once nailed down to a single topic.
“Where is Fuma?” Tsuya interjected into the silence as she walked over.
“Being our stray cat.” Kirigaya said, looking up from her small book, ink brush pausing on the page.
“I need to check on his healing.” Tsuya insisted.
“He is healing Tsuya,” Koji said, looking away from the heavens above.
“I am worried about him, after learning that…” Tsuya trailed off, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Tsuya, let him be. He will be fine.” Tora declared.
“All you men do is brood,” Tsuya sighed, shaking her head.
“That’s not fair, I meditate.” Koji countered with a smile.
“Well then Tora, let's check on your wounds at least.” Tsuya smiled, rolling her eyes as she sighed.
“You won’t take no for an answer?” Tora asked, looking up from cleaning his armor.
Tsuya raised her eyebrows at him and Tora with a grumble set his breast plate aside.
“For as many wounds as you take Tora, you would figure this would be routine.” Koji chuckled at seeing the massive Lion warrior curtailed by the mothering phoenix. Tora snapped his eyes to Koji for a moment with a glare but no real malice behind it.
“Says the unwounded man.” Tora jabbed back.
“A testament to my skill and luck.” Koji said back with a smile.
Tora only grunted as he pulled his upper robes free letting Tsuya do her work. His bruises are fading from the fresh purple to the sickly yellow, places where he had been pummelled to hold the cursed back. The four wounds from Kosetsu had scabbed over, fresh pink scars now joining the tapestry on his body.
A faint tingling built on the single scar over Koji’s heart, a scar for Kosetsu as well. While not enough to be a wound it was enough to have been a duel winning strike. The only time Daisuke could say he had bested Koji and in the end…Koji touched the faint ridge of skin. He had not even felt it happen, not until after he had dealt the final blow to his now long gone friend. Pushing his thoughts aside he saw a shift of movement across from him.
Kirigaya shifted where she sat, her eyes glancing away from Tora and meeting Koji’s own for a moment. In the many years he had known her Koji could never recall seeing that expression in her face. A faint heat had blossomed in her cheeks and she quickly hid it by looking away. Koji tilted his head seeing her act almost…embarrassed?
Koji rolled over in his bed roll for the uncounted time that night since laying down. Everything in his body cried out for rest, and he shut his eyes, trying again to find it. Only memories greeted him in the dark, memories of the battle at Kosetsu and the nightmare at Iron Quarry village.
His eyes snapped open as he looked at his hand, the faint feeling of weight as he closed it softly. Adachi’s grip on his hand as the brave Daidoji breathed his last through blood filled lungs. The jolt of steel hitting bone as Koji seconded Daisuke, his friend's head rolling away from his body. A final absolution of honor, the samurai’s own wakazashi in his belly.
He sat up on his bed roll, rubbing his temples. Rest was what he needed and no matter the discipline he tried it did not come. Meditation only pulled up flashes of horrors, the iron scent of blood and the feeling of his sword in hand when it rested at his side free from his grip. With his left hand he grabbed the saya, the blade within rattling slightly from its ill fit. Somehow holding the weapon gave him comfort.
Beyond the canvas of his tent he heard the muffled voices of Tora and Kirigaya around the fire, it was odd that they were still awake. Going to stand Koji paused as he overheard their conversation.
“How is your wound?” Tora asked her.
“Healing, still tight. Sitting properly is becoming irritating.” Kirigaya protested softly.
“It will be for a while,” Tora said. “You know you don’t have to sit in seiza when it's just us.”
“I know, its…habit.” Kirigaya replied, Koji heard her shifting a fraction. A moment of silence and then her voice broke the night again.
“I wasn’t that cold, Tora.”
Confused, Koji stepped from his tent, his sword still in hand. They sat close near the fire, Tora reading from one of Kirigaya’s poem books while she still worked on more in her latest personal book. None of this was what made Koji raise his eyebrows a fraction, this was not abnormal given the comfort all of them had around one another by now.
No, what gave him pause was that Tora was not wearing his tiger pelt. It was draped around Kirigaya’s shoulders and she did not look bothered by it in the slightest.
“Can’t sleep either cousin?” Kirigaya asked, her hands pulling the pelt just a bit tighter about her shoulders. Koji’s eyes glanced from the pelt about his cousin’s shoulders to Tora who turned a page in the book but said nothing. Kirigaya tilted her head as though seeing if he was going to press the issue. Koji looked away towards the road, the moon overhead giving the night a dim but almost ghostly light.
“I am going to walk a bit, clear my head.” Koji insisted, starting to walk towards the path.
“Koji.” Tora called out.
Koji paused, looking back at his friend. Tora had lowered the book, his full attention on Koji.
“Don’t go too far.” Tora said.
“I won’t.”
Koji followed the path for a time, the fire of camp behind him a short way. The night was cooler and the tickle of the breeze cooled it even more. As he walked he yawned but his mind did not turn anymore towards rest. Thoughts, memories and feelings all twisted in his mind. He wished he could speak to his father about all of this, he desperately could use his wisdom. His uncle would offer little in the way of true wisdom Koji suspected, only that he should double down on his commitment to the way of the sword. Yet it was that very path that left him restless walking a road in moonlight.
Sitting on a large flat stone ahead of him, a shadow among the night was Fuma. Koji walked over and sat on the stone next to Fuma who voiced nothing in greeting or protests. He rested his sword at his side, the ever present rattle breaking the night’s soft quiet for a heartbeat.
The Scorpion didn’t acknowledge him, only looking out over the down slope of the path's eastern edge. Koji followed his gaze and saw the bounty of Lion lands stretching out in the moonlight. Far distant flickers of warmth indicated a camp or village given their number.
“You know, I have a feeling of what you are going through.” Koji said, breaking the silence. “Daisuke was my friend.”
Fuma said nothing, only tilting his head letting Koji know he was listening.
“And when he…tried to kill Kirigaya all I could feel was rage.” Koji continued, clenching his hands as he looked down at them. “By the ancestors if my gaze could kill he would have died a hundred times over.”
Fuma shifted a bit but didn't say anything in return.
“Yogo Ujimasa was your mentor, but he was your friend. I know we don’t often talk or see eye to eye but I understand.” Koji said, hoping it was some comfort.
Fuma was silent for a long moment, his eyes falling from the horizon to the middle distance before them.
“It is the worst fact of betrayal, it never comes from an enemy.” Fuma said, finally speaking.
“So I have learned.” Koji sighed as they both looked out at the lands once more. Neither spoke for minutes as they simply sat alone with their thoughts.
“You still have friends.” Koji said standing, a yawn finally telling his mind his body would force it to rest if it must. “You are not alone, Fuma.”
Fuma looked up at him from the stone, offering only a small nod before looking away back to the night. Fuma didn’t watch him go. He just stared into the dark, as if trying to see something no one else could.