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Something was amiss.
Kazuha furrowed his brows. His watchful eyes scanned the immediate area.
They were on Narukami Island. Kazuha, General Gorou, and several other resistance fighters had set up a temporary camp in the depths of Chinju Forest. There were some makeshift tents scattered around a small campfire. The soldiers that went unharmed were working away, quietly gathering scattered leaves and using them as coverage and camouflage for their little camp.
The Vision Hunt Decree was in full swing, and they were deep within enemy territory. If they were discovered, they'd all be killed. And that is why everyone, especially Kazuha, was on high alert.
Although it seemed that there was no immediate danger, he still wanted to see what had caused the disturbance in the wind.
Kazuha approached his general, who was tending to some injured soldiers.
"General Gorou," he said in his usual quiet and composed tone.
"Kaedehara Kazuha," the general looked up from where he was crouched. "Is something wrong?"
"There is an odd scent in the air. I would like to request your permission to investigate."
"Permission granted," Gorou nodded. He then turned back, but seemed to hesitate. As the ronin was about to turn to leave, he spoke again. "Be careful, Kazuha," the general whispered with a slight hint of worry in his voice.
"Of course."
Kazuha's soft and silent footsteps left no trace on the forest floor. He looked around the area with watchful eyes, looking out for anything that would catch his attention.
The forest had a mysterious aura to it. Most people steered clear from it due to the heavy atmosphere, which felt almost supernatural in nature. The air was thick, and the area was shrouded in mist. Regardless of the time of day, the woods seemed to be surrounded by constant darkness; the only source of light being the bright blue luminescent plants covering the forest floor, as well as the occasional dim rays of moonlight, if they ever managed to break through the dense foliage.
Within another few steps, he noticed a small branch, snapped, and loosely hanging, just barely attached to the brush it originated from. He gently touched it, and as he did so, the gentle breeze carried over the sound of a quiet rustle. Following the way the wind was showing him, he could hear the distant splashing of a small creek, getting louder as he approached. Within a minute or so, he reached a small clearing within the forest.
His eyes widened as he ducked behind the nearby shrubbery.
In the middle of the forest, there was a silhouette of another person. They were facing away, but Kazuha could just barely make out some distinguishing features. Upon closer inspection, he realised he'd seen this person around before.
Shikanoin Heizou, a renowned detective of the Tenryou Commission.
He was with the shogunate.
Kazuha slowly reached down and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.
While he doesn't tend to shy away from battle, he also prefers not to draw blood unnecessarily.
However, if Shikanoin was to find the resistance camp, there was no way he wouldn't report this to his superiors. And thus, Kazuha had to act.
He watched Heizou for a few short moments, trying to discern what the man was doing and what his intentions were. Perhaps he'd leave, without ever having seen him or the resistance. Or perhaps he was already aware of their presence, and was on his way out of the forest to report his findings.
There was a multitude of different possibilities rushing through Kazuha's head, all at the same time. He inhaled deeply, before slowly releasing a shaky yet quiet breath, in an attempt to calm his racing thoughts.
With his keen sense of hearing and attunement to nature, Kazuha could get a vague grasp on the man's surface emotions. It seemed that Shikanoin was tired, but there also seemed to be a tinge of relief in the way he relaxed his shoulders.
Kazuha watched as the detective crouched on the grass, taking off his shoes and leg armour before standing back up.
The ronin felt the air slightly shift, and he knew that the man was about to turn around. And so he lowered his head, his hand still on the hilt of his sword, choosing to remain hidden for now. The tiny gaps between leaves weren't enough to reveal him, but were enough to let him witness the whole ordeal.
Heizou quickly glanced at the treeline to make sure he was alone, though he didn't really expect anyone to be in a place such as this, especially in the middle of the night. He gently pulled at the choker around his throat, feeling it come undone at the back of his neck, releasing the spell.
He stretched his limbs and released a content sigh. He could feel the unpleasant grip that the magic held on him dissipate. His deer ears flicked excitedly, as the tightness inside his head was replaced by the familiar weight of his antlers.
He stretched as he took a few careful steps, getting reaccustomed to his cloven hooves and fluffy deer legs. It didn't take long, maybe mere seconds, before he was able to comfortably move around the clearing, a spring evident in his feet.
To Heizou, this felt right. As much as he loved his life among humans, he still felt trapped. Moments like this truly allowed him to feel free once more. Free of his responsibilities, of the illusion spell, of the Vision Hunt Decree…
Unbeknownst to him, Kaedehara Kazuha had witnessed the entire ordeal. And he wasn't sure what to do with this information or what to make of it. A little flabbergasted, he carefully scurried to his feet and took a few steps back, still keeping an eye on the direction he last saw Shikanoin.
Then, he heard a twig snap under his foot.
And he knew the detective heard it, too. He felt the wind shift as Heizou whirred his head back, now aware of his presence.
Kazuha swore under his breath.
If he ran, the detective would most likely follow. And he could not, under any circumstance, lead him back to the resistance soldiers.
It appeared that a confrontation was in order.
Kazuha steadied his breath and entered the clearing. He had a hand around the hilt of his sword; perhaps meant more so as a warning, rather than threat.
"Shikanoin Heizou," he spoke.
The detective eyed him warily, his ears angled backwards. Then, recognition flashed across his face.
"Could you be… Kaedehara Kazuha?" Heizou asked cautiously, unsure of what he should do, realising he'd been discovered. "But, does that mean..." Kazuha saw his eyes move quickly as he connected something in his head. His eyes widened. "You're with the resistance." He whispered, exasperated, looking at the ronin with disbelief.
Kazuha nodded.
"Does that mean they are here?" Heizou asked as the samurai narrowed his eyes at him, gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. He didn't answer.
"Quite the predicament we have here, huh?" The detective spoke again as he brought a hand to his chin thoughtfully.
"It would appear so," Kazuha finally spoke.
"It seems that we both have a lot to lose if this were to get out."
Kazuha unsheathed his sword then. He wasn't sure if he should take what Shikanoin said as a threat, but he wasn't going to take any chances.
"We could fight to the death," Heizou shrugged and looked towards the forest. "One of us will emerge victorious, and win the right to keep their secret." He then crossed his arms, seemingly unphased by Kazuha's display of aggression. "Or we could both go our separate ways and pretend this encounter never happened."
"What guarantee do I have you won't rat us out to the shogunate?"
"What guarantee do I have you won't rat me out to the shogunate?" Heizou countered.
Kazuha didn't answer. He eyed the detective, scanning his features for any sign of malice or dishonesty. He found none.
Heizou decided on a different approach. He slowly turned to the side and took a few careful steps towards the creek, before he sat down on the grass. He brought one knee up to his chest and left his other leg hanging off the small ledge, the water gently caressing his cloven hoof.
"Come sit with me," Heizou encouraged, not looking at the ronin, but focusing his eyes on the flowing stream instead. "Or strike me down, if you so wish. Makes no difference to me."
Kazuha stayed silent for a couple seconds. He didn't sheathe his sword, but he did place it down on the grass beside him as he sat down. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Shikanoin sporting a satisfied grin.
"...What are you?" The ronin asked quietly, curiously eyeing the detective's hoofed feet and furry legs.
"A youkai." Heizou figured that if they were going to trust each other, he might as well just be completely honest. Kazuha's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He had so many questions, but wasn't sure how to ask them, or in what order.
"Tell me your story," he said instead, his voice soft.
"How straightforward of you, Kaedehara." Heizou chuckled.
"Nevermind, just… Tell me why you're here."
"Is it really that surprising to see a youkai in Chinju Forest?" Kazuha's eyebrow twitched. Was Shikanoin seriously going to mess with him? He glared at the detective.
Heizou let out a hearty laugh upon seeing Kazuha's irritated expression. He thought it looked cute, but out of place. A frown did not suit that pretty face of his.
Hearing the detective laugh, the ronin exhaled in disbelief, yet couldn't help but smile softly and shake his head at the youkai's antics. He relaxed his shoulders and felt the tension he didn't even notice was there starting to dissipate.
To Kazuha, Heizou looked almost aethereal. His bright and beaming presence perfectly contrasted the dark atmosphere of the forest. The soft smile adorning his lips, the merry laughter that gently reverberated through the trees, and the mischievous gleam in his green eyes, all contributed to make up this otherworldly aura, which surrounded the youkai, that Kazuha could only describe as mysterious, yet enticing. The ronin took note of the way his antlers seemed to glisten, their smooth and glossy surface reflecting the silvery moonlight. His figure was bathed in a subtle blue light emanating from the surrounding luminescent plants, the warm glow caressing his skin and shimmering in the night.
"I'm here to get away, just for a little while." Heizou spoke, his expression turning sombre, yet his smile did not disappear entirely. Out of his pocket, he pulled out the choker that he took off earlier. It laid in the palm of his hand as he shifted slightly to face Kazuha. He extended his arm just enough for the ronin to see it clearly. "I assume you saw this?"
He did, so he nodded, having also slightly shifted, now sitting cross-legged and facing the detective.
"Look closely," Heizou whispered. "See this seal?"
It was a small, round, pinkish grey ornament, attached on one end of the black ribbon.
"It's imbued with powerful youkai magic. Guuji Yae from the Narukami Shrine enchanted it for me." Heizou explained, gesticulating with his free hand as he spoke. "Whenever I wear it, the illusion spell within it helps me conceal my… youkai features."
Kazuha eyed it curiously, before lifting his gaze and carefully examining Heizou's deer ears and antlers. They looked… sturdy. And beautiful.
Heizou looked away in slight embarrassment and put the item back in his pocket.
"Does it hurt?" The ronin asked eventually. "The spell, I mean."
"Good question!" Heizou chimed. He closed his eyes and brought his hand to his chin thoughtfully. "A reasonable conclusion to draw if you think about it. What other reason would I have to take it off otherwise?" He nodded in approval and smiled at whatever was going through his head. "...but no, it does not." He said as he opened his eyes and straightened his posture again.
Kazuha sighed. Before he could ask anything else, Heizou continued.
"It does feel rather… uncomfortable, though. Especially after I've been wearing the spell for a long while." He looked down at his hands in his lap, then scrunched his nose as he searched through his mind for something. "It's a little difficult to describe, but it feels as if… There is this pressure inside my head. Like the antlers aren't gone, or just invisible, but rather hidden away, waiting to be released. As if they yearn to be free, to be seen, and witnessed."
Kazuha nods and gives Heizou a sympathetic smile. He can't exactly… relate, but he can still empathise with the youkai.
"...Is it worth it?" The ronin asks.
"But of course," the detective answers without hesitation. "For the longest time, I wanted to experience a life among humans. Not just that, but I wanted to experience it as one of them." He paused. "Human society is… interesting. It's a lot different than what I'm used to."
" Interesting is one way to describe it." Kazuha mumbled, not looking at Heizou.
They stayed silent for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, Heizou spoke again.
"I don't support the Vision Hunt Decree, in case you were wondering." Heizou had his arms wrapped around his legs now, half of his face hidden behind his knees. "That's another reason why I'm here. Whenever I get an order to confiscate a vision, I come here for a while."
Kazuha gave him a puzzled look. Heizou let out a raspy chuckle before giving an explanation.
"I usually spend anywhere between a couple hours to a few days here, depending on whatever feels 'believable' for the target I was assigned. Then, when I get back to the police station, I simply tell them the target got away."
"Surely they don't believe that." The ronin looked amused.
"Of course not." The youkai snickered. "But they don't have any evidence, nor the time or means to gather any. And they won't fire me for 'trying to carry out an assigned task,' regardless of success."
Kazuha nodded slowly. He was starting to understand, but still had some further questions.
"Pardon me for asking, but… If you don't support the decree, why do you still work for the shogunate?"
"I think that everyone has their role to play in this." Heizou spoke softly. "You choose to join the resistance and fight the shogunate head-on. However, I'm already one of them. Why not make the most of my current circumstances? Why not use my position to hinder their progress? Fight them from the inside?"
That made sense.
Kazuha didn't say anything, going over Shikanoin's words in his head.
"It may not be the most noble or heroic thing to do," Heizou continued.
"But you're not looking for recognition." Kazuha interrupted. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his expression seemed both sympathetic and contemplative. "And it seems you never were. It makes no sense for you to hold such a low rank with your outstanding skills."
"How perceptive, Kaedehara." Heizou looked... Relieved. And happy. His face was adorned with a wide, warm smile, and his eyes sparkled with glee as he looked at Kazuha. He understood.
To the outside world, nothing has changed. A distant sound of thunder menacingly rumbled through the air. The small creek continued to gently flow across the landscape, barevely meeting each twist and turn on its journey into the sea. The brisk breeze kept on, swirling between the falling petals of cherry blossoms and carrying them across the island in its warm embrace. The moon reflected the sun's light in its absence, illuminating the forest, the island, and whatever lied beyond.
Here, however, in the small clearing within Chinju Forest, time seemed to flow differently.
Here, the two men weren't on the opposing sides of a countrywide conflict.
Here, they were allowed to simply coexist.
And so they did. Even if for just a little while.
A grey, shimmering fog had laid itself out across the entire forest. The smell of fresh night dew was prominent all around, the moisture seeping into their clothes. The cool, crisp air felt almost invigorating as it filled their lungs with each breath. The atmosphere was almost magical. Otherworldly.
"I'm sorry for having doubted you," Kazuha whispered. He gently picked up the sword he had placed on the grass beside him and sheathed it.
"There's no need for that." Heizou gave a dismissive wave of his hand, his voice quiet, but warm. "I'd be more upset if you weren't as vigilant and careful as you are, given what's on the line."
The ronin nodded. A comfortable silence befell them for a few minutes.
"I wish," the youkai spoke, "the circumstances of our first encounter could have been different." His words sounded just barely above a whisper. Had it not been so silent all around them, Kazuha might have had trouble understanding Shikanoin's words. He wasn't even sure if they were meant for him to hear. Nevertheless, he responded.
"If this is what it takes for us to meet, be it a battle, an entire war, or divine intervention; I reckon it will have been worth it."
"You'd fight a war for me?" Heizou asked, his voice sounded amused, and his face was adorned with a warm yet teasing smile. "We only just met today."
Kazuha responded with a smile of his own.
"Does that bother you?"
"Not in the slightest."
"Weren't you the one that spoke of making the most out of your current circumstance?"
Heizou snickered.
"Perhaps I should get a warrant out for your arrest, then. And once I capture you, we'll have all the time in the world to continue this conversation."
Kazuha closed one of his eyes, and looked at Shikanoin out of the corner of the other, with a playful smirk on his lips. He crossed his arms.
"While that sounds lovely, it would, however, require you to catch me first."
"I suppose we'll just have to see who's faster, then."
The smile on Heizou's face suddenly disappeared, replaced instead by a blank yet serious expression. One of his deer ears snapped in the direction of the forest line. He heard something.
His eyes were unfocused, his senses instead fixating on finding the source of the sound.
Then, Kazuha heard it, too.
Footsteps.
Slow, careful, and meticulous, but not silent.
"That's the general," Kazuha whispered. He recognized the way Gorou walked immediately.
Heizou nodded. He wasn't very happy about his time with the Kaedehara heir being cut short.
"Perhaps not the best look for you, then, to be sneaking around in the middle of the night with the opposition." In one swift movement, he got up gracefully and reached out a hand to lift the ronin up to his feet. Kazuha grabbed the outstretched hand, accepting the offering.
"Perhaps not," he said with a smile.
"Will I see you again?" Heizou asked hastily, urgency lining his words, together with another unidentifiable emotion. Maybe Sadness? Longing?
"I shall be waiting for this arrest warrant of yours."
Heizou playfully rolled his eyes and smiled. He then realised that he was still holding the ronin's hand. Instead of letting go, he held it up and squeezed it gently together with his other hand. He leaned in closer.
"You better keep yourself safe out there, you hear me?"
"Of course." He nodded.
"And once this is over, I'll seek you out, so that we may discuss cases together."
A rustle sounded nearby. Gorou was getting closer.
"Stay strong, Kazuha." Heizou whispered as he looked into the other man's eyes. He then let go, and after taking a small step back, jumped across the creek, silently landing on his hoofed feet on the other side. He turned his head back to look at the ronin.
"You too, Heizou." He spoke just loud enough for the youkai to hear him over the sounds of the flowing water. Heizou smiled widely, his expression warm, and content. He nodded before giving Kazuha a small salute with two of his fingers.
Then, he was gone.
"Kazuha, there you are," he heard Gorou say behind him. "You've been gone for quite some time. Is everything alright?"
Kazuha turned to face him.
"Yes, it seems like everything's in order. I did not find any traces of enemy soldiers." Not a lie, technically, since he wouldn't really call Shikanoin a soldier. "The disturbance I felt must have been caused by the otherworldly atmosphere in this forest."
"L-like a ghost?!" Gorou's eyes widened as he took a step back and looked around in panic.
"Maybe. Or maybe a youkai. Who knows."
Gorou nodded slowly.
"As long as it's not Lady Guuji Yae…" he looked deflated as he turned around and started moping back to the camp, knowing Kazuha will follow him.
But before Kazuha did so, he spared one last longing look behind him, towards the creek, and the trees beyond.