Sacrifices

By Melpomene

Fifteenth Chapter

Enemies

IT IS WINTER, too, in that part of Makai. Most of its inhabitants were burrowed in their respective beds, sleeping for once with the blizzard outside. Even the craziest youkai wouldn't dare venture out of their homes. Some of those beings, madder than usual, was out in that wild night. Perhaps, their lunacy has its basis. They believe what they're doing is for the country.

After a while, the being who appeared to be the leader, halted.

"We should set up camp here for the night," he said, gesturing towards the crack in the wall of rock on the mountainside.

"What for?" answered one. "Are you that weak? We'll stop later after we've crossed the range."

The leader shook its head. "The girl won't last long."

"What's so important about the girl?"

He shrugged. "The master's orders are to be followed not questioned."

He walked to their prisoner. He nudged the girl with his booted feet.

"You, woman," he boomed. "Are you alive or dead?"

Botan attempted to rise despite the objections of her body. She was tired, drained of everything. Why won't she just die?

"I'm sorry," she managed to say hoarsely. "May I rest for a while?"

The leader grunted. "Pathetic," he said. "We'll have to stop for a while. Her safety is our priority."

They brought her inside the cave and dumped her in a corner, her eyes still squinting from the glare of light reflected by the snow. The youkai built a roaring fire, which started to melt her frozen body effectively. She was still too exhausted to recover anytime soon. She watched the melted ice pool around her feet, and felt her strength debilitate and flow out with the water.

If they haven't stopped then, she really would have perished. After that hike from Reikai in that extreme weather condition, it was a miracle she survived. Her will to live is amazing. But for her there's really no reason to continue living. Why does she resist?

I'm so tired, she thought. This moment's rest is much help but it won't last long. I don't think I'll last if we start our trek again. But I can't go without seeing if Koenma-sama has done what I asked him to. If only I'm sure they'd be all right… But I'm not so I have to hold on.

She happened to look down on her feet and was surprised as a bright red stain grew on her kimono. Her feet, tucked under the rather thin clothing, were bleeding from the lacerations she got on rocky roads they had to walk on. Maybe the cold of the night was so much it prevented the bleeding and now that she has thawed a bit it started again. She didn't feel any pain, though. Her body was still too numb to feel anything but the drained battered weary sensation. She turned away from it.

Still, I have to accept. I'll never know, she continued with her reminiscing. There's no way I'll know.

Botan sighed. "If only I can see him one last time and hear for myself a promise he'd look out for himself," she murmured. "I'd be content."

She laughed quietly to herself. Oh look, she thought, gazing outside without actually seeing. I must be so tired I'm seeing things. I'm actually seeing Koenma-sama in his cloud thingy.

"Oh, well," she said aloud. Then, she slumped against the rock walls of the cavern and surrendered to sleep.

"MASAGO ARE YOU sure this is where they turned?"

The girl pouted. "Yes," she said firmly.

"Well, I don't see them anywhere," muttered Koenma, peering everywhere.

"Look, I saw what I saw." Masago stamped her foot lightly. "I saw them go north while we were up there and that's here."

Koenma shot her a skeptical look. "North is that way." He pointed to his right.

Masago blushed, which was very noticeable against the white background. "Well, I was facing this way so I assumed its north."

"Humph." Koenma marched away muttering. "Why don't women ever carry map in their skulls?"

"Because our heads have something called brain in it," she retorted, irritated. "Besides, we shouldn't have landed immediately anyway. It's easier to follow them when we're flying."

"I think that 'something' in your head is called air. If we hadn't landed we would have been spotted."

"Of course, we would have been spotted! Fine, you look stunning and all but couldn't you have at least worn a less contrasting color for camouflage? I mean, even the worst archer in the world wouldn't miss you!"

"What about you? Thin-soled loafers, a floor length dress, and a flimsy silk cloak. Look who's overdressed!"

"Well, I cannot help it if I have nothing else available. My winter wardrobe is still locked up in the chests."

"Well, I don't have anything else either! You want me to dress in my uniform? I'd look worse than a knife thrower's assistant clown."

"Good. At least, you know you do not look too nice in that blue and red attire of yours."

"And you know that you look-" Ugly?! Koenma stopped, eyeing the woman before him dubiously.

Masago waited, challenging him with her eyes. "Go ahead and lie. Call me ugly, if you can."

"-like a porcelain doll in your clothes." Koenma stuck his tongue out.

"Humph." They turned away from each other sulkily.

Suddenly, Koenma rolled his eyes. "This is silly," he said. "How did we end up arguing about fashion? You know if we keep on like this, we won't be able to help Botan."

"I guess it's because I'm not really sure whether or not the Heir of Doom is fixedly male or he can be female, too."

"What are you speaking of?"

"Um, never mind. Let's just call it quits. Ok, little sis?"

"Fine. I was wondering, though. Why do you keep calling me little sister?"

"Don't you like it?" Koenma had his eyebrows raised.

"Well, it's ok, I guess." She lolled her head to one side, twirling a strand of her hair thoughtfully on her fingers. "It just sounds… weird."

Koenma smiled to himself. If you only knew, he thought. The truth really is stranger than fiction.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"Well," began Masago, measuring her words carefully. "I believe you should be calling me nee-san instead."

Koenma face faulted. "I can't believe I ever thought of you as modest."

"Hey, I'm just basing it on comparison of your mental maturity with mine."

"I give up. But really, I'm physically older than you."

"I appreciate the buttering up but the truth is never flattering."

Koenma snorted. "I'm not trying to compliment you. I'm telling the truth."

"How would you know?" Masago pouted skeptically.

"I just know." Koenma smiled again. "And I won't even ask your age."

Masago suddenly stopped looking around. "It's rather peculiar. If you're my pretend brother and she's my pretend sister, then you two are pretend siblings, too. How can that be if you're-" she stopped. "Sorry."

"For what? I will ask her but we're not a hundred percent sure she'll accept, right?" Koenma grinned at her rather foolishly.

Masago was surprised. "But…"

"Let's just keep it a secret, okay? I've abdicated."

His half-sister gasped. "But Reikai-"

"Don't worry about that." then, he added silently. You'll find out later.

"Okay." Masago frowned dubiously. "I trust you."

"Good. And I also trust you."

Koenma fumbled around his pockets and brought out a crumpled piece of parchment. He read its contents one last time as if to memorize them.

Okay, he thought. It says here, to stop the Heir of Doom, the Heir of Althea must make a sacrifice to exorcise the spirit of Doom out of the heir itself. Too bad the sacrifice part has been burned off. He fingered the burned edge of the paper. Now, the key is to keep the Heir Althea from Doom otherwise, he shall be able to stop the sacrifice. The Heir of Doom is capable of controlling other people through their mind. The only ones immune are those of the royal line, which includes me, my father, Masago and either one of Catalina's sons. So in actuality the only ones that may be able to stall the Heir of Doom until the heir of Althea is ready is me and Masago.

Having finished, he folded it up. He took something else from one of his pockets. It was an old book, probably a journal. He slipped in the paper between the aged leaves of the diary.

Masago looked at it curiously. "What is that?"

"This is my mother's diary. In here are secrets that can confound the whole of Reikai. Now, I'm giving it to you for safekeeping. Promise me you'll read it later after all this. "

"But…" She spared him a hesitant smile. "That's your mother's. Don't you think you should keep it? And I don't think I should read it. I mean…"

"Trust me, imouto. Please?"

Masago stared back at Koenma's serious face. "Okay," she said. "I promise."

"And I have something else to tell you." Koenma's voice softened.

"It's about my brothers, right?"

"Well, yes." Koenma turned away, slowly walking around and watching for signs of Botan. "One of them is responsible for all this."

"I see." Masago became sadder than ever. "Which one?"

"We don't know. Nobody does so-"

"So we'll have to be wary with both, then," she finished in a firm voice.

"Yeah." Koenma shook his head in admiration. "You're one strong girl. My mother would have loved you for a daughter."

At this Masago giggled. "You really are obsessed about me being your sister, aren't you? Well, I don't mind too much, brother."

"Shh." Koenma suddenly raised a warning hand, eyes narrowing alert. "I see her."

Masago crept to where the prince was, ducking around the thick trunks of the towering evergreens. Koenma pointed below them.

"Youkai," murmured Masago. "I hate youkai. So what are you planning to do?"

"Live bait."

"Excuse me? Are you asking me to go out there and dance the hula? I've done my part masking our presence. You're supposed to be the man. You fight them."

"Geeze, Masago. I was only kidding. We'll ambush them now. Ladies first."

Masago rolled her eyes. "This is suicide. I was taught four different martial arts for self-defense but I don't think I'm quite at par with these beings. I really should have asked somebody else to assist me in this rescue mission, like one of my brothers." She sighed. "The question is which one?"

"Relax. Trust me. I can handle them." Koenma didn't look as sure as he sounded. "Um, would you tell me something? Can you fight at all?"

"Well, yes. If the occasion calls for it."

"It does."

Masago sighed. She ritually tore two slits at both sides of her dress, to ease her movement. She noticed Koenma staring at the shapely black-tighted legs revealed. She smacked him in the noggin.

"Hey!" she said.

"I'm just wondering what you're doing!" sputtered Koenma self-consciously.

"I'm preparing for battle, obviously."

"Good , then you don't need me."

"What?!"

"I can't fight them."

"Why?"

Koenma patted his back, a woeful expression on his face. "Rheumatism."

"Yeah right." Masago rolled her eyes. "You distract them and I'll get Botan." She readied herself and prepared to leap on the attackers. "I'll have to rely on two hundred years of ballet lessons and gymnastics."

With that, she somersaulted in front of the youkai, leaving behind a protesting Koenma.

"Are you crazy?!" the demanded the impressed (and, yes, shocked) prince. "This is suicide."

Nevertheless, he jumped after her, landing a few paces before the others.

"If it pleases you gentlemen," Masago started in her best bossy voice. "I wish to retrieve my favorite lady-in-waiting. I would appreciate it greatly if you surrender her immediately."

Nothing.

"Don't be silly Masago," chided Koenma. "You watch too much of those silly Ningen films. Do you actually expect them to hand over Botan just like that?"

Masago bit her lip as she surveyed one impassive face after another. "Must everything end in violence?" she asked pleadingly.

"Sorry, little girl," said Koenma seriously. "But that's the way of this world. Watch and learn."

He walked slowly, complete with a manly swagger, his glare never leaving the youkai leader. He edged nearer and nearer obviously intimidating at least the weakest of the enemies. One of the captors of the unconscious Botan shrank in fear. The leader, however, grinned hideously.

"Good," he said. "I thought you'd be leaving all the fighting to this little girl here. "Masago gasped indignantly. "Shall we see how strong you are, lanky?"

"Listen, you," said Masago, hands at her waist. "You're fighting me remember?" Gracefully, like a lethal predator, she reverted to a fighting stance.

For a while, the monsters just stared at her, half in disbelief. Then, one of the more insolent ones yawned.

"Listen, sweet cakes," he said. "I sure would like to feast on you-" he licked his lips and smacked them with relish. "- but we've got work to do. Go home."

The others laughed as Masago practically burned in rage and embarrassment. Koenma gripped her shoulder, as if to tell her to keep her cool. He himself stepped between her and the opponents glowering at each of them. He tore off the headband covering his forehead, thus revealing the tell-a-tale birthmark.

"Well if it isn't out friendly neighborhood princeling," said the loudmouth youkou. "Sorry your Highness." He punctuated the honorific with a spit. "- we're not under your sovereignty. You're beyond your borders."

"I know." Koenma's eyes glinted eerily. "But that doesn't change the fact I'm used to getting what I want. This is your last chance. Give us the girl."

There were no laughing faces anymore. They all watched him warily, each man on his guard. The leader of the band strode forward and stopped before Koenma, towering the latter by at least three feet.

"Choose your weapon," he hissed between his gritted teeth, whipping out a dagger from its sheath and starting to gather spiritual strength.

"Alright," said Koenma in his business-like tone. "How much?"

He whipped out a black satchel from his pocket. Everyone held their breath as they expected the worst. And that formidable weapon of destruction that would annihilate them all was…

His wallet.

Mass face faulting.

"THAT'S IT!" exploded Masago. "I'll do it myself. I'm very sorry but you all asked for it!"

After a couple of minutes of pleading and apologizing (from Masago's part), each one of those "powerful" monsters was down.

Koenma stood apart from the fighting, watching from a distance and shifting uncomfortably. "Not bad," he said to Masago. "You're pretty slow but considering these are Class A warriors and you're a spoiled brat from the high court of Reikai…Wow." He walked to where Botan was. "You took them all out. "

"I did not," protested Masago. "They're just unconscious."

Koenma nudged one of the fallen enemies with his foot. "I don't think so." He turned a wide-eyed glance at Masago. "Oh my gosh, I think you killed them."

"I'm so sorry!" said Masago tearfully. One of the youkai grabbed at her feet, sending her a few feet up in surprise. "Koenma, you little-"

Koenma ignored her. "Hey, Botan?"

THE FAMILIAR VOICE slowly filtered into her consciousness. With much effort, Botan opened her eyes and saw two faces peering at her anxiously. "Oh, wow. I must be in heaven. Look, I'm seeing the living people down there. Good for them! Miss Masago and Koenma-sama finally took my advice. They're married!"

Koenma dropped a snowball on Botan's face.

"Idiot," he said. "It really is us. You're not dead and we certainly aren't married."

"Koenma-sama and Miss Masago!"

"How are you darling?" asked Masago, hugging her.

"I'm fine. I'm just a little tired, I guess. What are you two doing out here?"

"It's quite obvious enough."

"Yeah," said Koenma. "You're very stupid alright, Botan."

"Stupid or not, you're not supposed to be here," admonished Botan. "You're both doing Reikai wrong. Get your butts back there!"

"And you've done countless more wrong. Lying under oath. Do you know what the penalty for perjury is?"

"It's for Reikai." Botan sighed. "We all have to make sacrifices for things that matter."

"Yes. So you better not waste those I made."

Botan opened her mouth but nothing came out.

"Never mind. Just trust us."

Botan nodded. "Of course."

"People," interrupted Masago. "Do this later, please? We have to get out of here now!"

She's right. The hillside before them was black with Reikai troops led by Atsumori!

"Quick!" ordered Koenma. "We have to leave quickly!"

He carried Botan and placed her on a cloud that materialized just then. He jumped in after; pulled Masago in and away they flew.

"Koenma-sama," protested Botan. "This is wrong. You have to take me back."

"No," replied the prince. "We've been through this. You're innocent and you know it."

"But-"

"Botan, you twit, didn't you realized you've already been kidnapped a while ago?"

"But sir, isn't it better if we explain everything to them properly than have them pursue and arrest us? Even if you're the prince, you still have to follow the rules. You can't do what you did to the youkai every time the-"

"They might be the enemy, Botan," Masago replied quietly, cutting her off.

"Miss Masago!"

"We're really not sure if it's Atsumori but we can't take any chances."

"But-"

"Just be silent," ordered Koenma. "Save your strength. We're going to need it."

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