24 Youkai

I'm not really sure what I was expecting to see when I first came to Kyoto. I mean, I've seen pictures of the shrines and local houses, but not much other than that.

I didn't expect to suddenly appear in the middle of an underground basement, nor did I expect to come out to find myself standing in a Japanese mansion the size of my school. It was still pretty cool though, and I was already having a blast just using the Eyes of God to see how different Kyoto feels compared to Kuoh.

Shikaku politely told us to wait in a large living room. Akeno and I agreed, and soon we're sitting before a short wooden table, being served tea and snacks by all manners of Youkai.

Akeno looks regal as always. If anything, she looks even more graceful at the moment, gently sipping her tea as she waits in silence. She's clearly accustomed to these kinds of places, and the manners she cultivated in her younger years resurface with ease.

I don't have any practice in this sort of situation, and I don't bother. I'm content with my silence, and the Youkais serving us don't seem to mind either. They seem to be used to guests from outside.

As I wait though, I busy myself with gathering information. I now sit in the heart of Youkai society, and I'd be damned if I don't use the chance to learn as much as I can about Youkai.

And I learn a lot. Their origins, their powers, their culture, their society, their political environment, and a lot more. It's just an onslaught of information, but three years of constant mind-breaking pain eventually numbs the pain. I still get nosebleeds though, so I make sure to only skim through the web of information I'm diving through.

But through it all, I'm glad. Because my eyes show me that Shikaku's genuine in his promise, and he's quickly gathering all the important political figures and a group of other Ungaikyos to serve as additional credence.

It's going to take a while, however. We have maybe an hour or two more of pure waiting ahead of us.

So we wait, and wait, and wait. Akeno looks as graceful as ever, but I've lived with her enough to see that slight quiver on the edges of her lips. She's slowly growing annoyed, and no amount of tea and snacks could slow it down.

Granted, I'm getting antsy myself. I've always been doing something, whether it be training or writing. When I can't do either, I'd usually busy myself by using my eyes. But here? I can't do anything without looking rude, and I'd rather not start getting nosebleeds in the middle of this place.

At some point, I decide to zone out completely by watching my cells work. I'm not really learning anything; I just spend nearly an hour watching the same chemical reactions occur inside my body's various cells, following idle curiosities as time slowly ticks by.

But then, after nearly two hours of silence, the wait ends. The door to the room slides open, and Shikaku enters. And with him comes nearly thirty different Youkais. Half of them are other Ungaikyos, and the other half consists of some of the most important figures amongst the Youkai.

The servants who've served us tea and snacks return, and with ease they carry the table out of the room. Another pair of servants come in with a much longer table, placing it down right before us. Soon, the Youkais sit as we do. One side is filled with the Ugaikyos, the other with representatives of various Youkais.

And on the far, opposite end sits the leading figures of the two Youkai Factions; Yasaka of the West and Nurarihyon of the East.

Yasaka. A Kyuubi Kitsune, gifted a divine blessing rivaling that of the ancient Tamamo-no-Mae. Immense strength, accompanied by powerful magics, and backed by a vicious silver tongue. She leads the West Youkai Faction for a good reason.

She's also, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, with flowing golden hair and sharp orange eyes. She wears a loose golden kimono, with a brown robe decorated with drawn skulls worn over arms. Most eye-catching of all are the nine vulpine tails waving behind her, rising wide and tall and deepening her shadows.

Nurarihyon. A…Nurarihyon. His name is quite uncreative, but it isn't the worst I've heard. A master in swindling and Yojutsu, he often lazes around and spends his time having fun. But holding it together is an unbreaking, bolstering justice. A sleazy man with an undeniable heart of gold.

He looks like an old man, though I know he's far older than any elderly human that's ever lived. His head is strange, shaped like a wrinkly gourd that bulges backward. He wears a regal black kimono, adorned by all sorts of jewels and amulets that hang around his waist.

"Greetings, Yasaka-san, Nurarihyon-san." I say, and Akeno and I bow in sync. "I'm sure you've heard, but we come bearing terrible news."

"We did." Nurarihyon says, smiling wryly as he sighs. "Honestly, it hurts my pride to have found this through kids as young as you two, but my pride matters little here." His smile falls, and he bows. "I apologize to you both. If we knew of the Five Principal Clans' true intentions, we would've never made that peace treaty."

"And I apologize as well." Yasaka continues, bowing too. "We-, no, I had been careless. To know such horrific people live so close to our lands is…infuriating."

"It's fine." I say, before I glance at the representatives. "But I imagine further proof is required?" The two leaders glance at one another for a moment, before they nod. "Then it's fine. I offer my mind to be shared with the others."

"I as well." Akeno says, her smile tight.

So we do. The Ungaikyos rise from their seats, and soon Akeno and I are forced to sit still as our minds are prodded over and over. Some start with Akeno first, and some with I. But the end result is the same. That barely contained fury I'd seen in Shikaku coils in their eyes as well, and soon they begin sharing what they saw with the Youkai representatives.

Before long, the room descends into stilted silence. Some remain still, others begin gritting their teeth, all are furious.

Because it isn't just the fact that their people had been horrendously treated, it isn't just that the treaty they made was violated. More than anything, their pride had been hurt.

Not all the people here are overly prideful, but even the most humble person would be angered at seeing their people be violated, their kind treated as if they're nothing but animals.

It doesn't take much more for the representatives to believe us as well.

And just like that, the Youkai know of the Five Principal Clans' transgressions, and it won't be long until everyone knows. Akeno clearly knows this as well, and she looks fiercely satisfied as she sits there in silence.

The meeting is adjourned, and the representatives leave one by one to inform the rest of their kind. Soon, only Akeno, I, and the two leaders remain in the room. "I assume you still have more you want to say." I say. They nod, and I smile wryly. "If so, can we bring out that small table we had originally? Respect is one thing, but talking with such distance between us is tiring."

They stare for a moment, before Nurarihyon laughs. "Ha! This kid's got guts!" He says, and he snaps his fingers. The servants return, and in no time the table is replaced by the smaller table this room had previously. We move to sit before it, and now we're much closer to one another.

"Now," I say, already knowing what they're going to say. "What do you need, Yasaka-san, Nurarihyon-san?"

Nurarihyon laughs again. "Honestly, you're amazing, kid." He says, and he leans forward. "Tell me, you kids have anything you want? This ain't a small favor; you don't know just how many lives you could've saved."

I can, actually. My eyes are more than able to do it. But I wisely keep silent.

Yasaka hums gently. "I echo those words. What you two have done, it is no small feat." She says, and for a moment that fury returns. It doesn't feel scary however. "That aside," Her anger fades, and she smiles. "Tell us, is there anything you two desire?"

Akeno looks at me, rather confused. She isn't expecting to be paid back, and honestly, neither was I. It was only because of the two hours we spent waiting that I even knew about this.

But those two hours were more than enough for me to come up with a plan, and I can't help but smile.

"Well, there is one thing I want to ask for."

"Oh?" Yasaka smiles, her tails moving slightly. "Do tell. We'll do our best to provide."

My smile only grows. "The two of us would like to learn from you." I say, and everyone in the room turns to me. "From the two of you." I continue.

Akeno looks absolutely surprised, but the two leaders are more contemplative. A silent discussion passes between the two Youkai, and eventually Nurarihyon heaves out a tired sigh. "Damn it, woman." He bites out weakly. "Did you really need to call me out like that?"

Yasaka smiles mischievously. "Well, it isn't as if you are busy with anything, are you?" She hums. "And I do believe your second-in-command would appreciate you doing something for once."

He sighs, before he laughs. "Alright, alright, you win." He turns to Akeno and I, and he grins. "Well, greenhorns, looks like you're in luck."

"We're more than happy to, Hyoudou-san." Yasaka adds, her smile nearing a grin.

Akeno still looks befuddled by all of this, but I'm more than happy with the outcome. "Thank you for your generosity." I say with a bow. Akeno takes a second to follow me, still taken aback by everything.

And just like that, my plan for the future churns on.