Chapter Ten of A Story to Tell

Something Unexpected

Written by Yen (April 2000)

Shura uncapped the vial and poured its contents into the bowl of spice. His father would never forgive him if he ever found out what he was planning.

***

It was the second day of the conference, and all was not well. The trade matter had yet to be settled. Gandara was firm on the tariffs on their side. Despite the agricultural breakthroughs, Mukuro's kingdom could not supply enough grain for two. Their silos were near empty unlike the huge stockpiles in Gandara. If war would break out...

***

They were seated at the conference table. The gong rang, and servants appeared with the day meal.

***

Shura stood beside his seated sire. Before Yomi's plate was placed before him, Gandara's heir took a small bite of its contents.

Mukuro's hand tightened unseen on her lap. Beside her, Shigure was discreetly checking their food with a portable poison scanner.

Enki and Kokou ate their meals without worry.

Only Yomi would have the gall to appoint his own son as his food taster. Shura didn't to seem mind though. He smiled at Yomi as he sprinkled spice extracts on his dish. The other nodded his thanks, and Shura backed off with the spice dish held reverently in his hands.

Without warning, one of the servants cried out when she tripped, her foot caught against a leg of Shigure's chair. Mukuro automatically reached out and grabbed the young youkai's shoulder, but the glass she was holding tilted. Wine flowed out and splashed into her spice plate, ruining its contents.

***

"What a waste," said Enki. Beside him, Kokou sniffed, looking bored. The clumsy servant girl bowed profusely as she took the ruined spice. Mukuro smiled slightly, making sure that the other knew it was all right. She was unworried. It was unlikely Enki would have the girl punished. For the mean time, she will have to eat her meal unseasoned.

Spice from the deserts of Makai was an even rarer commodity than the rare rionite mineral. Its value was a thousand times that of jungle grown spice. So hard to find and to process that it was never exported out. Any found and made was immediately stored in the desert fortress. It is said to extend life.

When Raizen began his fast, refusing to eat and to taste the ningen flesh and blood necessary for his kind, he drank only water and ate only spice. As miraculous as the spice is, it couldn't prolong his life indefinitely. In honor of him, the present ruler of the desert kingdom partook of a daily spice diet. A small plateful of the rare spice each morning served with the day meal.

For this occasion, Enki had the spice allotment divided into three. So valued it was that the living jar holding harvested spice would only release a certain and exact amount every dawn. More couldn't be taken this day to replace Mukuro's share.

Enki glanced sorrowfully at his empty spice plate. He had dumped its entirety immediately on his food.

"Shura," said Yomi simply. Enki looked aside to see Yomi's son start. "... What papa?" He asked. He looked uncomfortable.

Yomi frowned and glanced back at him.

"... Uh okay." Shura slowly walked over to Mukuro and handed her Yomi's spice plate. He did so with great reluctance. Mukuro looked at him curiously as she accepted it.

***

"Sensei..."

"Hmm? What is it, Shura?"

...

"You what?!"

"It was an accident!"

"You gave them rilan!?!"

"I only wanted papa to take it-"

"Whatever for?!"

"... Papa is not as cruel and as cold as he seems." Young eyes looked at him earnestly. "You know that too. He’s just that way in public and when the other lords are around."

"... What are you trying to do?"

"... He's really very nice-"

"Shura!"

***

"Let them have their grain, Yoda."

"... Sir?!"

Yomi glanced at Yoda with a smile and placing his hands at the back of his head, leaned back relaxed and comfortable against his chair. "You heard me."

Enki's mouth dropped open.

"There's a lot more where they came from," Yomi said with a wide yawn.

Mukuro frowned at this then smiled the next instant. "I doubt it." Shigure glanced at her. "It's doubtful you can get more," she continued easily.

Shigure looked alarmed.

"We'll see," Yomi immediately replied, rubbing at his eye.

Yoda stared at him.

Kokou placed down her wineglass and finally looked interested.

***

"Shura..."

"Yes, Sensei?"

"This is all your fault."

"I know that. ... You won't help me?"

"... Do I have a choice?"

***

"Three hundred heavy-duty ATTs."

"Is that all you're going to offer, Yomi? Ten large scale TRs."

"Four hundred."

"Twenty."

"Lord Yomi?!" Yoda finally exclaimed. Shigure's "Lord Mukuro?!" came a half-second later.

Enki looked surprised, and a smile widened his face to enormous proportions. All that for fifty units of rionite...?

***

Later...

"WHAT?!"

Both Yomi and Mukuro had identical expressions of disbelief. Shura took a step back. Seran ignored them professionally at his table. He concentrated on his herbs and potions.

Yomi stared at his son. "Exactly what is it that you put in the spice?" Mukuro remained silent, her eyes focused on Shura.

"... It's called rilan. It's only temporary," said Shura.

"What exactly does it do?" Asked Mukuro.

"... It's an inhibitor."

Their expressions turned blank simultaneously.

Seran finally spoke, "Specifically, it inhibits negative emotions." He glanced at them over his shoulder. "For next three days, you two will be unable to feel negatively."

Yomi remarked, "The conference ends in three days."

Mukuro said, "I won't be able to participate." She blinked. "Shigure won't let me until I come to my senses, he said."

Yomi looked unusually sheepish. "Yoda is still angry about the 500 ATTs for the rionite."

Shura blanched again. Five hundred all-terrain transports when they could have gotten the rionite for none. His ears suddenly hurt. For the next three days he was safe unless Yoda found out. He stared at his smiling unconcerned father. The potion was very effective.

Mukuro smiled at Shura. "I suggest you make sure Shigure never finds out."

"Shura can handle him," Yomi said with certainty.

"Shigure will not attack him outright," Mukuro replied just as sure.

"Shura, you are to remain in your room until further notice."

He didn't complain.

***

***

Enki downed another goblet of wine. Nearby, standing on a table, Yomi was accepting requests. A shiny gold harp gleamed, tucked under his elbow. He never knew Yomi played the harp, and so did many others. His audience had similar expressions of shock. A flash of red appeared, and he caught the rose Kokou tossed to him. His wife laughed when he gamely stuck its stem between his teeth and bowed low to her. His long black hair brushed against the table's surface before he straightened, flipping it back expertly. Audible sighs could be heard from appreciative parties.

He would need to talk to Kokou about her conduct especially when she was drunk.

Laughter caused him to look towards the crowd of prospective males gathered around Mukuro. She looked positively alluring, dressed even in her usual outfit. She was flirting outrageously with one young man in particular. The fortunate youth had a look of charmed admiration on his face. He ignored the looks of murderous envy headed his way as Mukuro tugged at a long lock of hair and pulled his head down to whisper something in his ear. He smiled widely.

Enki felt faint.

***

"Sensei, aren't you going to the party?"

"Keep quiet and study your lessons, Shura."

***

He was about to go to bed when someone knocked at his door. Grabbing his robe and putting it on, he paced to and opened it.

"Good evening, Seran." He jumped aside as Mukuro walked into his room purposely.

"... Mukuro?"

"That's my name."

"..." He closed the door silently before asking, "Why are you here?"

She shrugged. "Seemed like a good idea," she said as she sat down on his bed.

He went and sat down in his chair before continuing, "What happened tonight?"

She stared at him blankly before answering, "Same old thing."

"... Same old thing?"

"You know, the usual thing. People want something." She lay back with a sigh. "Men wanting to bed me, asking for favors and positions." Her nose wrinkled with distaste. "The only difference with tonight is that they are a little less timid." She stretched with a yawn. "Several women even approached me." She smiled. "I was tempted."

He chuckled. "Why didn't you?"

She lifted herself up on her elbows and looked at him. "I was hankering for some male company," she said softly, her tone meaningful.

"You said men wanted to bed you."

She plopped down again and stared at the ceiling. "There was one handsome lad who caught my eye," she admitted. "... But I didn't want to use him." Her eyes closed. "He tried to hide it, but he was quite an innocent. He reminded me of Shura."

He stood up and sat down beside her. "Why don't you tell Shura how you feel about him?"

Her eyes snapped open, and she glared at him in mock anger. "I am not a cradle snatcher," she declared.

He crossed his arms. "What about Hiei?"

An eyebrow went up, and she laughed. "Don't believe the rumors you hear." She whispered, "Nothing happened between us. ... Unfortunately."

"Why?"

Her eyes blurred then cleared. "We are the same, Hiei and I." She sat up slowly and stared at nothing in particular. "We were both abandoned, both used. Yet, we survived and became stronger than the ones who used us. However, even that, we were still slaves to what happened to us." Her eyes focused on him. "Do you understand what I mean, Seran?"

"Yes," he said, and she went on, "There is so much potential in him. One day, I know he will not only be stronger but much stronger than I, but I do not fear him. He does not fear me either." She rubbed her wrists. "Even when he was still weaker than I am, he saved me from myself. He gave me hope."

"And you see the same thing in Shura?"

She answered, "Shura is what Yomi could have been had things been different. Yomi doesn't know it yet, but Shura is his hope. He sees him as a tool."

"He has learned to care for him."

"That was before he got back his kingdom."

"You seem to mind more than Shura does."

"He adores his father."

"He loves Yomi. There is a difference."

"What do you think?"

"There is hope for him yet, and Shura is doing a great deal of work."

"Rilan?"

"Shura wants you all to see that Yomi is really very nice."

"..."

"Those were his words."

"He's still so young."

"Yes, he is."

Mukuro sighed. "I seem to have a fondness for younger men," she observed honestly.

"Unlucky me."

She smiled at him, a teasing glimmer in her eyes. "Why do you say that?"

"I'm older than you," he replied, straight-faced.

"Not too old," she murmured before kissing him.

***

***

"Another toast to his excellency, Lord Yomi of Makai!" Tabash stood up unsteadily and held out his cup towards him. Barely had the others raised their cups when he fell down, stone drunk across the table. The gold goblet slipped from his hand to spill its meager contents across the polished wood before rolling to finally rest against Yomi's hand. He picked it up with a smile as the others laughed and completed the toast.

It was near midnight of the second day of the conference. Enki's ballroom was littered with drunk and sleeping guests who had utilized whatever flat surface or not so flat as makeshift beds. Servants were also present, cleaning up the mess and removing its occupants to be relocated to more comfortable and appropriate areas.

At the table with the only upright chairs, about a dozen youkai nobles and rich merchants were still on their feet, barely. All evening they have been playing and battling for Yomi's favors. A pair of scantily clad twins took positions by his sides. They were the chosen winners from the many who vied for his attention.

The female purred sultrily as she kneeled down at his feet. She began massaging his legs with expert strokes. Yomi glanced down as she slipped between his thighs and rubbed her mouth against his crotch. Her brother was working on his shoulders.

"An interesting night ahead for you, Yomi." He looked towards the only other youkai who was not drunk. "Perhaps," he said as sweet promises whispered into his ears. The pressure below increased.

Bander shrugged. His ancient wrinkled face was decidedly bored. "It is difficult to be entertained these days."

Yomi smiled at that and glanced at the youth behind him. A soft command, and he left him to entertain Bander instead. The old youkai frowned. "You think he interest me?"

Yomi reached down and pulled up the girl by her arm. "Would you like the pair?" He offered. She looked disappointed but obediently joined her sibling.

Bander laughed. "I see you are not interested either." He shook his head at them kindly and tossed a small bag to the older twin.

He opened it, grinned at him and immediately left, dragging his surprised sister with him.

It was Yomi's turn to shrug. "What interest you anyway, Bander?" He asked as he took a sip from his cup. Bander was one of the few Yomi would listen to. He was a rich merchant king who rose through the ranks by sweat and blood and careful thinking unlike the idiots who swarmed around him like flies.

Bander's eyes turned thoughtful. "Lady Mukuro intrigues me."

Yomi almost spit out the wine. He coughed hard when the liquid entered his windpipes instead. "Her?!"

"Don't sound so surprise," Bander looked insulted. "I'm not so old as not to be able to appreciate strength, beauty and brains in a woman."

Yomi coughed harder.

"She," continued Bander, "seemed interested in my son."

Yomi's throat hurt.

Bander frowned. "By all the gods, stop your wheezing, Yomi. It's not so farfetched. In fact, I'm surprised you haven't thought about it."

He finally looked back at him. "Don't tell me you are hoping to pair your son with her."

"And why not?" Countered Bander, "If Isha had been born female instead of male, I would be trying to pair you two."

"You wouldn't succeed."

"Try telling that to the idiots."

***

Mukuro closed the door silently behind her. It was near dawn. Through one of the many high arch windows, which lined the hallway, she could see the pearly rays of the sun rising ever closer to the desert horizon. She hadn't expected to sleep so long.

A satisfied smile curved her lips as she jumped unto the balustrade. Her suite was on the level above this. She preferred the shorter distance. An instant later, she appeared on the balustrade above.

"Good morning, Mukuro." She almost fell off it. Yomi was leaning against the wall beside her door. "Late night?" A smile appeared on his face. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to all the world to be dozing.

She stared at him as she jumped off. "What do you want?" She knew at this moment she should be feeling irritated. All she felt was curiosity.

He straightened and walked towards her, his eyes still closed. Acting on an impulse, she waved a hand over his face. No reaction even though she knew he knew what she was doing. She stuck out her tongue at him and grinned. She always wanted to do that.

"I've been waiting for you."

"Really? Whatever for?"

"To satisfy a curiosity."

Without warning, he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her.

***

***

He would have to inquire more about this rilan when Mukuro didn't blast him to smithereens, not that he would have let that happen.

She tensed then relaxed when he didn't do anything else. Feeling her relinquishment, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

***

Yomi is kissing me... Mukuro blinked as his mouth pressed her lips apart. His hand moved up to hold her head firmly against his; the other, slipped down to her back.

Does he have a death wish or something? Her hand tightened into a fist. It took conscious thought. Feels nice... He has nice firm lips, and he knows how to kiss just right... Her other hand moved to touch his face. Mhmm...

***

Her eyes flickered close as his opened. Surprise widened them as she pressed closer to him, the curves of her body fitted against the contours of his.

He jerked when she kissed him back.

***

Yoda was trying not to slap his face as he stared at what he was seeing. On the opposite end of the hall, Shigure's sword fell from listless fingers. He grabbed at it wildly before it hit the floor. A metallic ping sounded, and he glanced up to see Yoda snatching his reader from the floor and running back into his room. He copied his counterpart's action.

***

The sound of two doors simultaneous slamming shut disturbed them.

***

Yomi blinked at a smiling Mukuro as she released and pushed past him to her door. "Was your curiosity satisfied?" She asked.

"... Yes." However, not in the way he expected.

"Good. Well then, good day. I have to go and clean my mouth."