Chapter 22: Future Plans

"Yasaka-sama."

The council members stood as one as they bowed towards the sauntering kitsune who seem to positively radiating with power. Even they, who had lived through era of Ancient Practitioners, felt a point of awe at the expertly controlled Ki that swirled in geometric patterns around her golden tails.

Whatever training Yamato Iori had forced her through was apparently paying dividends this soon.

"You may take your seats." She said, a small smile gracing her lips as the group visibly relaxed. Before sliding down gracefully at the head of the long table, joy filling her body.

These last couple of weeks had been like a breathe of nostalgia, spending sun up from sunset training under that relentless man and seeing visible progress was something she had witnessed in years. But while she might've been talented, this wasn't proof of it. It was like relearning a subject that you've dropped after years of disuse.

In simplest terms, Yasaka might've seemed like she was just strolling through the lessons but she still had to deal with the constant exasperation and embarrassment from that fact Iori felt that she should've improved after all these years. And not flexing her prowess in the most simple of techniques. But embarrassed or not, she still took in all the attention he would spare her shamelessly.

But if there was one thing that filled her pride, it was her daughters talent in the arts. And apparently, according to Iori, she was a lot more talented than her own mother. Despite that, Yasaka didn't feel jealous or envious of her own child, only pride that straightened her spine and raised her nose high up in the air. She would definitely be insufferable for awhile after getting her head blown up to that degree.

"If I may ask Yasaka-sama," Nurarihyon carefully asked. Everyone there knew after his little scheme fell through, that he was thin ice with the Yokai leader. And while he regretted the fall out, he didn't regret the benefits from it. Not only had they gotten increased support from the Mountain Shattering School but also backing from a powerful Ancient Practitioner. And if it all took from him was some uncomfortable meetings, then that was fine for him," What has become of Master Shitori?"

Hearing that, the golden kitsune had to hold back a smirk despite who she was speaking to. The old man in question had spent the last couple of weeks at the hip of her master, lapping up any amount of time he would spare. Hell, they even had an argument after she tried to give him a guess house to live in. The senjutsu master had been adamant about staying close in case Iori called for him.

Despite how frustrating the man was, she couldn't say he wasn't diligent. He had written down every lesson pertaining to Ki manipulation, techniques and methods for humans to use specifically. And given his ability to offset sleep for awhile, it wasn't strange for him to practice from early in the morning until late at night. And while he hadn't gotten to the level of actually using his school's prized art, it certainly to the point of making complex structures using the growth of vines alone.

When his school had sent the fifth request for him to return, Shitori had no choice but leave the side of this rare opportunity. She had thoroughly enjoyed watching the old man pull off the expression of some kind of pouting dog, constantly looking over his shoulder as though the immortal would halt his departure.

"He was called back to the Mountain Shattering School and has left just last night." Yasaka said simply. She sipped at the small white porcelain tea cup as a grin tried it's best to stretch across her lips. With him gone, it would mean she could have more time with her master. Especially before the chaos starts.

"Thank you Yasaka-sama." Nurarihyon bowed slightly in his seat, just glad that she seemed like in a good mood this morning. "Then let us start. Xoru-sama, has there been response?"

"Yes." The tengu snapped his beak audibly, a mocking rendition of a sigh," Most factions while cautious displays either apathy or disbelief. We haven't gotten a response from the Church yet. The Grigori expressed their wish to visit the Heavenly Demon. The Devils only requested for more Spirit Plums to be added to their yearly shipment. But nothing from the Satans as of yet."

"I bet we'll get more of reaction if we started killing Strays.."

Marui grumbled, his deep voice causing the tea pots to rattle slightly.

"Why not?" Yasaka asked, her smile still hidden behind the tea cup. Those words sent a wave of silence through the room as they all looked at their leader with a mixture of both hope and disbelief. All of them had been plagued by the presence of Strays in their territory and with the Devils breathing down their necks, they couldn't just outright kill the pests. Only either capture them or scare them away.

"...Are you sure that is wise Yasaka-sama?"

Kiyo asked hesitantly, tiny claws drumming across their large sake jar. The urge to take a large sip was tempting in this moment, but one look at the oni who was smacking his lips while looking at the jar made them think again. They would have to share with this big oath if they popped the cork.

"I must also agree." Akiko added," I hate Strays just like anyone else, but I hate working my people to the bone just for a few more Spirit Plums. We're already going to be cutting it close this year as is."

"We're also going to be raising the prices of our primary export." Yasaka said with a malicious glint in her eye," They've been undervalued long enough."

"Yasaka-sama…"

Nurarihyon tried to interject but was quickly cut off by the exuberant call of the red skinned Oni.

"Here, here!" He slammed a meaty fist on the table, earning a collective glare," I support that notion! You will have the full support of the Oni's! I can't wait to get my hands on that bitch Stray's neck, who think's she's fucking invincible! And I say we double the prices, no triple them!"

"...While I appreciate your support," She was at a lost for words for a moment," But maybe not double or triple. I was more thinking a thirty percent mark up? That would be the bare minimum for us not to be in the red by the end of the year."

"Thirty-percent?!" Xoru shot up to his bird like feet, wings fluttering about wildly," There would be a riot even if raised raised the price by ten! They'll declare outright war on us!"

"They wouldn't declare war." The old man yokai admitted," While some of the younger generation might not know the terror of attracting the ire of the Heavenly Demon, the old will. Especially the Devils from my understanding."

"We're not doing this immediately." Yasaka cut in, easing their worries at a potential retribution," I'll call for renegotiation and an actual seat at the table. We won't be relegated to a mere vassal state anymore."

"How can we sure if this Heavenly Demon is actually what he's cracked up to be?" Kiyo asked, a crafty look entering their eyes," I've heard the Nekomata's have been requesting a meeting with the man…"

Yasaka had to hold back a groan, that clan of Yokai had been relentless in their request ever since one of their branch members had received the direct tutelage of Iori. The girl in these few short weeks had soared through her clan's youth ranking and the elders wanted their paws in the mix. She had received multiple letters with increasing urgency to meet with the grandmaster. Saying such things that it was unfair that the leader was keeping such a boon to herself.

It seems this was there next ploy, they probably bribed the wildly tanuki with some their Ki fermented saki. A delicacy only consumable by Yokai due to its strength.

"I've also received requests from them…" Akiko added, quirking a delicate looking icy brow," It has been getting rather annoying.."

"You too?!" Marui's jaw dropped," Those cats have been getting on my nerves!"

"Same here."

Xoru snapped his beak.

Yasaka began to see a problem as they one and all admitted to be bothered by the persistent Nekomata's, while not all of them had been bribed in the same way as Kiyo they had all ultimately brought this up here. They had even stolen HER technique, annoying someone until they give in.

"Would it just be possible to accept their requests?" Nurarihyon asked, speaking what was on all of their minds," If it's just one meeting then, would it really be that big of a problem?"

She wanted to immediately shout out yes, but kept herself under control. Yasaka knew those cats wouldn't be content with just one meetings, they were all crazy about Senjutsu to begin with the more ancient arts held a certain appeal. But also, felt that if she caved in here that it would set a precedent. Also, it wouldn't be right for her to accept on Iori behalf.

"I can only ask Master Yamato." She felt like that was the only way to get off this topic, a non answer was still an answer.

"That will have to do." The old man nodded," Hopefully they don't do anything rash."