Chapter Nine of A Story To Tell

Conference of Makai

Written by Yen (March 2000)

"My lady, they have arrived."

Mukuro glanced aside to Shigure who had whispered the information to her and gave a minute nod. It was a barely imperceptible movement, but he saw it clearly enough and leaned back in his seat.

She looked back to Enki, who smiled at her broadly. His wife and chief advisor, Kokou, slammed her elbow into his large pouch of a stomach. He grimaced, and the smile disappeared to be replaced by a solemn expression more appropriate for his duty as the host of this year's conference.

The Conference of Makai took place every year. Deemed more honorific than necessary in promoting stability in Makai, but none had argued when Enki suggested it. The three rulers of the Demon World and their advisors gathered and discuss political, social, economic, military and related issues concerning their respective kingdoms. It was no mere social event.

Mukuro knew that Enki would be inquiring about lowering the tariffs on goods from her kingdom. From the jungles of Makai came the finest in biological technology. The deserts have been slowly terraformed since Enki took command. If all went well, both rulers would have what they want. Metals and minerals were hard to come by in jungles, but abundant in the desert.

"Lord Yomi of Gandara," Enki's chamberlain announced, drowning out the idle chatter of the guests in the cavernous room.

Mukuro turned to see Yomi enter the meeting hall. His stride was calm and confident. His very being radiated quiet arrogance, and indeed, he had the reason to be so. His kingdom of the plains had the upper hand in Makai.

Two steps behind him, Shura followed. Mukuro's lips twitched. He tries so hard to be more like Yomi. Yet somehow, despite that he was a clone of Yomi, he was nicer, for lack of a better term. Few people were intimidated by Yomi's successor. Try as he might, he could not copy his father's persona. Mukuro heard that he had lowered the tenants' tributes behind his father's back and had persuaded notorious bandit groups to join Gandara's forces. Yomi had given an ultimatum to the latter, clear out or be killed. Shura had found a more effective method abet more dangerous. Going unarmed and alone into enemy territory and requesting to be taken to their leader. Yomi would ground him if he ever find out, which was unlikely. Nobody wanted to get Shura into trouble.

Shura noticed her looking at him, and a playful grin appeared momentarily before his face resumed its serious mask. Meeting Shura again would be worth the trouble leaving her territory and going into the hot dry desert.

Following Shura a step behind was Gandara's head advisor Yoda. He shuffled along, trying to keep pace with his long-legged companions. He glared at Shura when the latter tried to slow down and help him. Shura rolled his eyes ever so slightly at Yoda's stubborn pride. No one noticed it except for Yoda and Mukuro.

Her eyes widened when she saw who followed Yoda. Seran's stride was short as he tried to remain behind Yoda. His face seemed tired though when he looked around and saw her, a smile appeared, animating his weary features. She didn't expect to see him again so soon.

"Welcome, Yomi!" Boomed Enki. The host of the conference stood up from his chair and walked to greet him. Mukuro stood up as well, Shigure following suit. Kokou remained sitting, sipping her glass of wine.

"Enki." Yomi said simply. He tilted his head up to look at the massive youkai in the eyes. His no longer sightless eyes were unconcerned and bored. Had she been Enki...

"You are late, Yomi." Both men turned towards her. She tilted her head at them, her expression matching Yomi's. "In this matter, the last will not be the first."

A faint smile touched Yomi's lips. "I was not aware this meeting would be a race." His tone was condescending. "In any case, I and Gandara are in no hurry." He nodded patronizingly and took his seat without waiting for them.

Mukuro's blood boiled though no sign of it could be seen on her face and expression. Enki shrugged at her before taking his seat as well.

Not one sign of her fury was visible as she sat back down. Shigure; however, felt it. His hand moved slowly to the hilt of his weapon. Peaceful in theme this conference may be, there had been no provision for it to be without arms. Mukuro's eyes flickered close for a few moments, and Shigure relaxed. This would be a battle of words and wills, not of blood and weapons.

***

*** 

"Gandara's grain prices are too high." Enki pushed the document across the table towards Yomi and Yoda. "It is higher than in the previous quarter."

"The harvests this time were not as abundant," informed Yoda.

Shura took a deep breath and let it out slowly. His leg cramped, and he shifted uncomfortably. There were no chairs other than the six at the conference table. He and the others had been standing for the past two hours. Thankfully, it was near midday.

"We may consider lowering the bulk rate per ton if there is an additional one hundred units of rionite at no extra cost in this year's quota.

Shura looked up, startled as others present gasped and murmured in alarm. Rionite was a rare mineral in Makai. It could only be found in deep desert mines. A single small crystal of rionite could power a modest household for ten years. To most of Makai, they serve little purpose for it took a certain amount of technological advances to make use of rionite. It was only in Gandara where the stones achieved their desired potential. For the desert youkai, rionite exports to Gandara served as their main source of income. It was not easy to mine, and a unit of rionite was equivalent to a thousand crystals.

"... We can provide fifty units if the grain rate lowers by twenty-five percent."

"Seventy-five units, twenty percent."

Shura suppressed a sigh. Yoda was a born haggler. Enki's offer was fair enough. He glanced to his father, who remained had been silent since the meeting officially started. His eyes were closed. To people unfamiliar with him, he looked like he was sleeping. Shura knew otherwise. Yomi's other senses increased many fold when he was sightless.

Shura shifted again, wishing he were elsewhere. He had been offered to sit with Yomi at the table, but respectfully declined, offering the seat to Yoda instead. He had reasons for doing so, but mostly because he knew Yoda knew better to adhere to Yomi's desires. Yoda understood this too well. How many times he had reprimanded Shura for giving in too easily to other people's demands. Fortunately, he never told his father about his leniency. Though... Yomi probably already knew anyway.

I would not be a good merchant, Shura thought ruefully. My profits would barely break even.

Beside him, Seran yawned discretely, hiding his drowsiness behind a hand. The healer hadn't wanted to come. It took Shura a long time to persuade his sensei to come along. Mentioning Mukuro's name finally made him agree reluctantly.

Shura enjoyed teasing the older youkai about Mukuro though it usually wasn't so entertaining since Seran didn't deny his attraction to her.

"We would like to make a bid for the rionite, Lord Enki." Shigure's statement caused quite a stir. Yomi opened his eyes and glanced at him. "Our artificial farms are doing better than expected. Already, two harvests have been gathered since last year with high-protein yields."

This was interesting. Shura perked up and paid closer attention. If it were true then, Gandara's monopoly over Makai's food supply would be at an end.

Yoda frowned, and Yomi was starting to show interest. His father leaned forward, resting his elbows against the table and steepling his fingers.

Plains, jungles and the desert. It was a common fact that the most suitable place for civilization to take root was on the flat lands, especially the plains and river banks. Though not as varied in raw materials as those procured in jungles and rocky areas, the plains surpassed in the production of food stuffs. The Makai kingdom of the plains, Gandara, thrived on the market demand for their chief produce, rice and grains. Besides meat, it was the staple food base of Makai.

If they can produce grains in great quantity... Shura's eyes narrowed. Papa and Yoda will have to deal more carefully.

*** 

"Interesting," remarked Yomi, his expression indiscernible. "Aren't those farms still in experimental stage?"

It was Mukuro who answered him. "Until recently. The results were very satisfactory."

"I see..." His hand reached up to rub his chin thoughtfully. "May we see a sample?"

One of Mukuro's entourage approached the table and placed a large flat ebony chest on it. At a gesture from Mukuro, she opened it and removed the contents within. There were three separate trays, one of which she placed in the center of the table, the other two were handed to Yoda and Kokou.

Seran approached as well and examined the grain samples. There were ten varieties. Shigure began reciting out loud. "There are twelve other breeds but these ten show the most promise. The experimental offshot of seba has been found to have protein content of twenty-six point-"

Seran shot a glance at him and Mukuro, his face startled. "Twenty-six?!" He looked intrigued though disbelief tinged his words. "Are you certain? You were able to get two harvests of this grain in one year?" He looked back at the rice. "That's incredible! There is only one breed I am aware of with a protein level above twenty percent, and it can be harvested only once in three years."

Mukuro smiled at his enthusiasm. "The artificial conditions within the farms proved to be very encouraging for plant growth. Would you like to see them?"

"Definitely!"

Shura tapped Seran on the shoulder and whispered into his ear. Seran grimaced at whatever it was he was told, and he looked regretfully at her. "... Unfortunately, my schedule permits me little time." He glanced aside, miffed at Yomi and the frowning Yoda. "I will have to refuse the honor." With that, he retreated with Shura back to their former positions.

Before anyone else could speak, the deep sound of a gong rang signaling that the noon meal was ready.

***

*** 

"I still don't think it was wise, Lord Mukuro." She glanced at Shigure, and he continued, "We have revealed our advantage." He looked away momentarily. "Enki could have been informed in secret. Yomi didn't have to know."

"Do you really believe he doesn't know already, Shigeru?"

His dark eyes were startled. "... But how could he?!"

"The scientist who developed the seba variant once worked for Yomi." His eyes narrowed at that bit of information. "We know that, sir." She smiled inwardly. Shigure was one of the few who didn't bother with gender issues. "We kept him in close watch. He didn't inform anyone about it."

Shigure still had much to learn. "He was send to us, Shigure," she told him, "He was one of Gandara's finest. We didn't recruit him as it had appeared. He was send to us."

His face fell then darkened with controlled rage. He disliked being fooled. He reclaimed calm equilibrium moments later. One of the reasons why he was her foremost fighter and advisor after Hiei. "He will be returned to them in a bag."

She shook her head and said wryly, "What good would that do except inform them that we know they knew." She stood up and walked to the balcony of her suite. She glanced back to him. "It is best to make good use of him instead. You have to admit it was because of him, that so much was achieved in shorter time."

Shigure reluctantly nodded. One thing good about intellectuals. They little cared which side they were on as long as they could research properly.

A known secret weapon was best unveiled in public.

*** 

*** 

"Do you think they know we know, Lord Yomi?"

"They know, Yoda."

"Seran is mad that he wasn't informed sooner."

"Give him the data that Maden sent us. That should quiet him down."

"Shura is doing that right now."

*** 

*** 

Seran stared at the information scrolling down on his reader. He flung the flat palm-sized computer across the room suddenly. Shura ducked as it flew by his head like a discus to smash against the wall.

"... Sensei-"

"Just keep quiet, Shura." He sat down tiredly on the side of his bed. "Gods..." He whispered, "I hate this cloak and dagger bullshit."

Shura left his room quietly. As the door shut close, he lay down and stared at the ceiling.

Why do I keep hoping and working for something that seems so impossible?

His head turned towards the table where his black satchel bag was. What else can I do?

~~~ 

~~~

He entered his room and paused. The window was open and letting in chilly air. With a soft curse, he went over to it and slammed it shut. A last gust managed to slip by, and he shuddered. He hated the cold.

"Seran."

He whirled about and stared at nothing. There was nothing else in his room save for himself, his desk, his computer station and his futon.

A laugh, and the air in front of him shimmered. He blinked, and Mukuro was standing in front of him. She smiled at his blank expression. "Finally got you back."

"..." He smiled in return. "I cannot believe you infiltrated Gandara just to get even." He bowed exaggeratedly. "To what do I owe the honor of a personal visit from your ladyship?"

A short while later, he was rubbing a bump on his head. He glared at her who looked back at him innocently. "I assure you that's not how they knight someone in Ningenkai."

"It's the Makai version."

"... Touche."

*** 

"Why are you here, Mukuro?"

"... Something is wrong with me."

?! "... Wrong? You look fine."

She looked away and stared at her right arm. "... My scars are still here."

"... What do you mean?"

When she looked back at him, her eyes were haunted. "Whoever took my scars away released the demons in my mind."

*** 

He ran fingers over her sleeping face before he leaned back and looked at her. Mukuro was sleeping in his bed. His room was the only place he could do this.

His hand covered hers. When you dream, I will be with you.

*** 

Her legs trembled, and she fought to keep them still. He liked it when she moved. If she moved too much, he might do it again. She could feel the warm thick blood dripping from another cut.

Stop it, please...

*** 

She screamed. It was eating her. She fell to her knees and screamed again, but she didn't move anymore. She didn't try to get the acid off her.

Just a little more, and he'll never touch me again...

Shouts and running feet. Icy cold water suddenly hit her.

*** 

It was so cold. She rubbed her shoulders, trying to keep her actions brisk. It would be morning soon, and the sun will come up and warm her cell.

From faraway, she heard another scream. She lay on her side and curled up on the damp cold bench.

This is better.

*** 

She trudged through the snow, dragging her feet and hands weighted down by manacles. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, trying to see through the blizzard.

If I could just take them off, it wouldn't be so hard...

*** 

They wouldn't come off. She sobbed, her eyes blurry with tears as she looked at her blood dripping from badly scraped flesh.

They are as bad as him!

*** 

She was falling. She could see the welcoming waters below. Soon, she would be free. Free from the pain, free from his chains, free from him.

Someone caught her, and she fought him.

*** 

It's all right, Mukuro. She stared at soft blue eyes. They were so sad. It's over, and I promise they will never hurt you again. I promise.

A warm kiss covered her lips. I can't erase the pain you felt, but there is something I can do.

*** 

His hips began to move forward again, and she tensed involuntarily expecting pain. Delicious pleasure radiated from the friction instead. Hands framed her face tenderly, and his lips brushed her forehead, lowered across her cheek to her mouth. He promised softly that he would always protect her.

*** 

Hands slammed down the silk covers and moved between her thighs. They were ugly hands with ugly fingers, pudgy and gross with bloated fats. They began probing her.

*** 

His finger touched her and entered slowly. She shuddered as another slipped in and started a jerky rhythm. She could hear nothing but the soft cries she was making. Her eyes traced the sharp contours of his face longingly.

*** 

It was so warm. She was wrapped in fur. The flames of a fire danced in front of her eyes. A snowflake landed on her nose, and she looked up to see many more falling down. It was beginning to snow hard, but she was not cold.

***

Water lapped against her, and she leaned back to rest her head against his chest. His legs shifted underneath her. She could feel him against the small of her back. She smiled, stood up and turned around. Rivulets of water and bubbles ran down her body as she kneeled down and took him.

*** 

When she woke up, it was dark. She reached out and turned on the lamp beside the bed.

"Good evening, Mukuro." She saw Seran sitting in his armchair in the farthest corner from her. "... Evening?" It was still evening?

His corner was dark, but she knew he was smiling. "You have been sleeping since last evening, Mukuro."

"I was?" She shook her head and stretched. No wonder she felt sore.

"How do you feel?"

"... Very well actually." She was surprised. She had felt awful yesterday. Now...

"I'm glad," he said simply.

"What did you do?" She asked as she got out of bed and stretched yet again.

A chuckle. "Trade secrets, Mukuro."

She tilted her head at him questioningly. "I don't need another session?"

A pause. "There is no need." He sounded strange. "I promise he won't haunt you again."

"... He?" She walked towards him. Shadowed, his right arm left the chair's armrest. Its hand cupped his chin thoughtfully. "The one who hurt you," he replied softly.

"I see..." She leaned towards him, one hand grasping his arm, the other, the armrest for support. She looked into his light blue eyes. They were warm with concern. She kissed him before moving away. "Thank you."

*** 

Seran stared at the open window, the exit Mukuro had used. He didn't feel like closing it. Instead, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. His right arm began to throb in pain.

What is happening to me?

~~~

~~~

He opened his bag and began removing its contents. One particular bottle caught his eye, and he harrumphed. It was not his. Shura's most likely. He had taken an interest in potions and herbs recently. He must have accidentally placed in his bag. He shrugged and tossed it back into his satchel.

He had other potions to make to deal with certain stubborn individuals.

I promised I would always protect her.