Shadows of the Reborn

Chapter Twelve

Veiled Vengeance

Taizo watched his new host wake up in bed with his parents leaning over him anxiously. Immediately, their questions started, and Taizo smiled.

“So, was it what we thought? Has your inner spirit made contact with you? Did you speak to him?” Okimoto asked with a smile.

Kazuki groggily opened his eyes and groaned. “Give me a minute.”

Chuya couldn’t help but giggle, her voice filled with playful teasing. “Oh, come now. Your father has been sitting here anxiously for hours, waiting for you to wake up.”

Kazuki frowned, “Hours? It felt like only a few minutes.”

‘Uh, yeah, that sort of happens when you are in spiritual form. Kind of out of my control.’ Taizo chuckled apologetically.

Kazuki shook his head and sat up. “So weird.”

Okimoto’s excitement was palpable. “Well?”

“Yes, he called me, and I talked to him.”

Okimoto clapped his hands together. “I can’t even remember what it’s like to have them awake and talking to you.”

Kazuki rubbed his eyes and placed his feet on the floor. “He did ask about your father and grandfather,” he said.

Okimoto lifted his brows in surprise. “Really?”

“I guess he has gaps in his memory.” Kazuki shrugged.

Okimoto placed his finger to his chin, “Well, if memory serves me right, my grandfather was named Hisato.”

Taizo felt the blood rush out of his face, and his knees instantly grew weak. ‘Oh, Gods!’ He said mournfully.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a rush of emotions filled him. ‘Hisato-’ Taizo clutched his chest in anguish. That was his last host, and whatever happened had caused them to be separated and unable to break the bond that was automatically formed when the spirit entered the pools of his host.

What had happened to cause him to forget the last host he had been with for over three thousand years? They were to do something extremely important, and then a flash of power caused his own to retaliate. Something of vital importance needed his immediate attention, yet he could not recall it.

“My father was Hiromitsu, who died in the Youkai war.” Okimoto continued gaining Taizo’s full attention. “My grandfather had helped establish this place with Lord Mitchitaro and Lord Genjiro. Then, he fell ill and died about a hundred years later. Lord Mitchitaro had asked the twins for help, but they had been unsuccessful.”

Taizo felt a growl rise to his lips. ‘He was perfectly healthy!’

Kazuki frowned, “He said he was not sick.”

“I thought you said he had gaps in his memory. Maybe he just doesn’t remember it?” Okimoto shrugged.

Kazuki shrugged, “That’s what he said.”

Chuya got up from her son’s bedside. “Alright, the day doesn’t stop because you woke your spirit. Get up and go about your chores.”

Kazuki glanced at his mother quickly. “He seems to feel more comfortable with just us knowing. Can we just keep this between us and not tell everyone?”

Okimoto nodded, “With no one else getting the call, I would say that is a fairly smart thing to do. It would cause too many tensions that we don’t need.”

Kazuki breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Father.”

Okimoto nodded and got to his feet. “I want you to go to the fields today and help them harvest the grains. I sent Kihachi and Isami to the fishing pond to get us dinner.”

Kazuki groaned, “I was going to go fishing today.”

“Oh, sure. The last time you fell into the pond with how clumsy you are. No, Kazuki, you have more strength and stamina than Kihachi and Isami, so you are tasked with helping harvest the grain.”

Kazuki nodded, “Yes, Father.”

Taizo walked to the rift that led to his pools and exited once his host had left for his daily duties. He could still hear his host should he call for him, but he needed answers from his tree of life.

As he approached his tree, he glared at it. ‘Did you know?’ He demanded.

The tree pulsed softly.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Taizo crossed his arms over his chest. ‘How do we break the thread of fate if my host has already passed?’

The tree remained silent.

‘I cannot do much with my new host until this thread is broken. Where did my host go? Was he greeted by his family when he died? Was he able to meet his son’s?’ Taizo snarled, throwing his arms up.

Taizo began pacing, now furious that he had forgotten Hisato. When Okimoto had mentioned his former host, the faces of the family instantly came to him. However, there was still a large gap as to what had happened. It was almost like a veil had been dropped over his mind, preventing him from remembering the details.

Now, he was in a dilemma. He could not be successful with his new host, Kazuki, if he still had a fate connection with his other host, Hisato. He had to figure out how to break the thread of fate if he were to connect with his current host. There was power there; he couldn’t deny that much, but how much of that power would his new host have access to when the time came? Could they even merge their powers together with this thread still attached to Hisato?

Growling, Taizo kicked a rock at his feet and cursed when that pain ran up his leg.

Kazuki cursed.

Taizo widened his eyes and gasped. ‘Whoops. Sorry about that.’ He apologized to his host.

‘That was you?’

Taizo bit his lip. ‘I kicked a rock.’

He could feel Kazuki roll his eyes. Taizo couldn’t see his host or what Kazuki saw due to Taizo being in his pools, but he could still feel his host.

Perhaps there was a bond there, regardless of him still having one with Histao. Taizo furrowed his brow. ‘Is that possible?’ He asked his tree. ‘Can a bond form with a new host if the former one was not released?’

‘Do you still have journals or histories from the past around?’ Taizo asked his host.

‘There is a library in the main house, but no common folk can go there.’ Kazuki said.

Taizo sighed. ‘I would love to read up on what happened during the Youkai war.’

‘I can always ask my father. I am unsure if my brother Manami can access the journals or scrolls in the main house. It doesn’t hurt to ask, though.’ Kazuki said.

‘So long as it doesn’t create any trouble for you.’ Taizo said. He recalled his host, Sashiki, having journals during his life, and now that fragmented memories of his other host, Hisato also finding them, Taizo was curious as to whether they still existed.

‘Well, it’s almost time to go home for dinner, I just have one more bag to carry to the grain silo.’ Kazuki said.

Taizo snorted. Time sure was different in the realms that existed all around him.

‘Oh, shit.’ Kazuki cursed.

Taizo glanced over his shoulder and walked to the pools of his host. ‘What is it?’

‘I tore my bag.’

Taizo slipped through the rift into his host’s pools and peered through Kazuki’s eyes. He quietly listened as his host cursed under his breath, and he picked up the grain that had spilled onto the ground. He smiled and shook his head.

Once Kazuki had dumped his bag into the grain silo, Kazuki walked to his house in silence. It was dark already, but a few people were still walking around the village. He entered his home and ducked as soon as he entered.

Taizo felt his eyes widen in surprise.

Someone tackled his host, and they both tumbled out of the house in a tangle of limbs.

Kazuki growled and kicked his feet to dislodge his older brother. “Get off me, Kihachi!”

“Oh, will you two stop your roughhousing? Goodness, you will make a mess of all my planters.” Chuya came out and scolded them with a wooden spoon, waving toward them.

Kihachi grinned, clamoured off his brother, and extended his hand to help him. “You are still too slow.”

Kazuki smacked his brother’s hand away with a growl. “Like that is in any way fair.”

Kihachi and Kazuki glanced over their shoulders at the sound of footsteps approaching. Chuya looked up and smiled. “Will Nanako be joining us tonight?”

Manami approached and nodded his head. He was tall, with long white hair bound high on his head in a top knot. His armor shone in the moonlight, and his broadsword hung at his waist. “Her brothers will be joining us.”

Chuya blinked and quickly reentered the house.

Manami entered the house without acknowledging Kihachi or Kazuki, and they both rolled their eyes. Since their eldest brother had taken station at the main house, his demeanour had changed. He was more stern and far less light-hearted than before he had been summoned. It had been a great honor for the family. Despite the protests from Masakuni and Masamichi regarding the seriousness of the particular station, Manami had all too eagerly taken the position.

Now, though, after four years, Manami was more melancholy and quiet. Kazuki had noticed the change and once asked his brother about it, only to be told never to accept the position should he be asked. It was almost as though his brother was drained of energy or life whenever he was on duty. When he came home for a few days, though, he always relaxed and was more himself until he was called back to the main house.

Okimoto entered the main room of the house and grinned. “There’s my boys.”

Manami unhooked his sword, placed it against the wall by the door, and gripped his father’s hand with a smile. “It’s good to be home.”

“How long will you be here?” Okimoto asked, pouring his son’s large mugs of rice wine.

“I am off duty for two weeks. Hopefully.” Manami said, seating himself at the table. “Unless Chijimatsu decides to have another breakdown.”

Kazuki lifted a brow but was interrupted when Masakuni and Masamichi entered, followed by their sister, Nanako. Masakuni and Masamichi were identical twins, and if it weren’t for the large, jagged scar across the elder twins’ face, Masakuni, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. They were tall, built more stocky than Manami, and wore heavy armor. But it came with their positions in the main house, protecting Genjiro and the Princess.

Masakuni’s long white hair was held high in a top knot, while his brother’s was in a lower tail. Their facial markings were emerald green, and a small jagged line on their foreheads signalled they were from nobility but not royalty.

Manami’s new mate, Nanako, also had green facial markings, but they were more elegant and refined than her brother’s, as it seemed was the case with every female. Her forehead also had a jagged mark.

“Chijimatsu always has a breakdown because he can’t handle anything alone.” Masakuni snorted, gripping Okimoto’s hand.

Masamichi grinned and greeted the family. “Well, we can only hope that Genjiro lives long enough for Chijimatsu’s son to grow up before he decides he has had enough of life. The last thing we need is that useless twat to take over.”

Masakuni snorted. “He’s smarter than you give him credit for. Chijimatsu may have some breaks, but he is not stupid.”

Okimoto waved everyone to sit. “Concerns?”

Manami snorted, “Isn’t there always?”

Chuya scoffed, “Enough talk of duties. You can all go out back and discuss it after dinner.”

The curtain over the door opened, and Chuya clapped her hands excitedly. “My beautiful daughter!” She exclaimed.

The female smiled brilliantly and hugged her mother. She was just as tall as Manami, with medium-length white hair braided neatly on either side of her head. “Are you off too?” Chuya asked, guiding her daughter to the table.

“Only for a night. The princess has no need of me tonight,” Chinami smiled. When the Princess called on the eldest daughter to be Princess Haruki’s handmaiden, the family was all too ecstatic to accept the honor.

Two more children entered the main dining room from curtained doors at the back, and Okimoto waved them to the table. Isami and Akiara greeted Manami and Chinami before sitting down.

“Where is Hisashi?”

Manami snorted. “Not coming.”

Okimoto sighed. “Well, I almost have all my children under one roof.”

Masakuni and Masamichi shared a look before shaking their heads. They had been working for the royal family for over a thousand years and knew almost every secret that passed inside those walls. Manami was only four hundred years into his duties and witnessed many things he did not agree with. Despite that, anything that happened within the main house was never discussed outside in the common grounds. They had all been sworn to secrecy.

The twins were the captains of the guards protecting Genjiro, and Manami had been tasked with protecting the only son of their Lord and leader. Hisashi had never accepted his brother’s task and always tried to sabotage Manami. The only saving grace Manami had was the twins. They saw almost everything and curbed most of Hisashi’s attempts to dishonor Manami.

Okimoto never understood the disconnect between the brothers or accepted that his secondborn never came home on his days off duty. Everyone was given a duty when they came of age, and the elders were responsible for keeping the common folk in line and out of the royal family’s attention. The last thing anyone wanted was to disturb the royal family or gain notice.

Okimoto rubbed his hands together with a wide grin. “So when are we expecting my first grandson?”

Nanako flushed, and Manami choked on his rice wine. Kihachi and Isami snickered behind their hands.

“Father!” Manami protested. “We have only been mated a year.”

Okimoto’s teeth flashed. “Your mother was pregnant with you in half that time.”

Chuya smacked Okimoto over the head.

Masakuni guffawed. “I would also like to be an uncle.”

Manami narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you start.”

Masamichi glanced at Kazuki, who silently drank his rice wine. “That’s right, you came of age today.”

Kazuki nodded.

Manami lifted a brow. “Ah, that explains why you wanted everyone together tonight. What duty were you assigned?”

Kazuki flushed, uncomfortable with all the attention. “Father has me working in the grain fields.”

Manami frowned, “You don’t want him training to be a guard?”

Okimoto snorted. “Not until next year. Even that is still too early for guard training, you know that. Seitarou wants his recruits to be fifteen or even older.”

Kazuki sighed. Now, his entire future would be discussed, and he would have no choice in any of the decisions.

Kihachi clapped Kazuki on the shoulder, “Cheer up, little brother. Guard training is not as wonderful as you might think.”

Isami rolled his eyes, placing his long bangs behind his tapered ear. “It isn’t all bad. Be thankful that Seitaro took you under his wing to train for the Crimson Sentinels.”

All eyes immediately turned to Kihachi, and Kazuki smiled, thankful the attention was off him.

Manami blinked at his younger brother. “Seitarou is training you for his guard? That’s a pretty remarkable accomplishment.” He had been offered the position of captain with the Crimson Sentinels, but he had been unable to accept it as Genjiro had commanded him to be a personal guard for his son Chijimatsu.

“When did this happen?” Okimoto asked, beaming with pride.

Kihachi waved his hand, “Last week. I am still far from being given a permanent position.”

“It is still a huge accomplishment.”

“Hayato took station with Shinpachi.”

Manami whistled, shaking his head. “Shinpachi always frightened me.”

Okimoto chuckled. “I think Shinpachi frightens everyone.”

Isami took a bite of his food and chewed quickly. Swallowing, he pipped up, “It’s how he can materialize out of thin air. He vanishes just as fast, too.”

Masamichi snorted, “Well, he is Captain of the Shadow Guard. It’s a rough group to train in.”

Chuya got up and grabbed another platter of food before sitting back down. “Didn’t Hayato’s daughter also get recruited into the Shadow Guard? What was her name again?”

Manami lifted a brow, “A girl? That’s not something that happens very often.”

Nanako smacked his arm. “Females are just as capable as you men.”

Manami chuckled.

“Her name is Arisu,” Masamichi said with a grin.

Taizo listened quietly and smiled. It was refreshing to see everyone laughing together with light teasing. The atmosphere seemed much more relaxed than when he recalled youkai life, and he frowned. He wished he had more details from his previous host, Hisato.

Masakuni finished his meal and refilled his mug. “I overheard Genjiro talking about the twins Seiya and Seizou returning to the island.”

Okimoto growled softly. “Whatever for?”

Masakuni shook his head. “We do have many young ones coming of age this year.”

Manami frowned. “There is no need to have the twins here for that. It’s been thousands of years since our inner spirits were told to sleep.”

Okimoto frowned. “Is there one in the royal family who needs help with their inner spirit?”

“Not that I’ve heard. The princess and Genjiro are fine. If anything, maybe it’s concerning Chijimatsu?” Masamichi shrugged. “He has been rather unpredictable lately.”

Manami rolled his eyes. “He’s fine. His mate is fine, and his son is fine. There is no need for the twins to come.”

Chinami nodded, “I agree. They love to interfere a little too much in our lives.”

Okimoto shook his head, “Well, unfortunately, we do not have a say when they show up or decide to leave.”

Chuya sighed, “I have never liked them. You know they always showed up when our children came of age. Maybe they are coming to check on Kazuki?”

Taizo’s hackles rose.

“Hell, no!” Kazuki snorted. “Keep them away from me.”

Manami glanced at him curiously. “All they do is probe your mind to ensure your spirit is healthy. There is nothing to be worried about. I may not like them, but they seem alright. It doesn’t hurt.”

“I thought all the spirits were in the soul well that they manage?” Kazuki scoffed. “Why do they need to come here and probe our minds?”

‘If they do that, they will know I am awake.’ Taizo hissed.

Kazuki frowned. “I want nothing to do with them.” ‘Have you encountered them before?’

‘I am uncertain. Any mention of them, though, puts me on high alert.’

Okimoto glanced at his son. “While they are here, we can send Kazuki to the ocean to gather shells and seaweed. Once they are gone, I can send Kihachi to get him.”

Manami frowned. “There is something you’re not telling us.”

Kazuki shook his head as his father looked at him. ‘He isn’t going to tell them, is he?’

Taizo closed his eyes. ‘I sure as hell hope not.’

“I have had enough of their interference with my family. There is no need for them to be here when they control the soul well and know full well how the spirits are doing.” Okimoto growled.

Kazuki released his breath.

Kihachi rolled his eyes. “Maybe they are just coming to check on the health of the ones whose spirits are still awake. I mean, Shinpachi and Seitarou’s spirits are not asleep. These two brutes have theirs awake.”

Okimoto nodded. “Maybe you’re right. Regardless, I will not have them anywhere near my family again. My father fought with them in the war and was wary of them.”

“Didn’t grandfather die in the war?”

Okimoto nodded. “We lost too many. My brother Taio died not long after the war. Then, shortly after that, my grandfather died. Both times, the twins probed their minds, saying their spirits were ill.”

“I didn’t know that,” Manami said. “I barely remember great-grandfather and uncle Taio.”

Okimoto smiled, “I’d be more surprised if you did. That was several thousand years ago. You were fifty-eight, and Hisashi was only eight.”

Manami chuckled, “Yet I didn’t fight.”

Okimoto shook his head. ” Your great-grandfather forbid it. You weren’t happy with the decision, but you obeyed.”

“Weren’t you both there?” Manami asked the twins.

Masakuni nodded, “We fought alongside your grandfather. When he lost his twin, he lost himself in grief but continued to fight.”

Manami blinked, “I didn’t know he had a twin.”

“That’s when you got that scar on your face.” Masamichi poked his older brother.

Masakuni snorted, “My face tried to stop a claw, my face lost.”

Manami shook his head.

Okimoto pushed to his feet, “Why don’t we take this outside to the garden? I’m sure the women don’t want to hear about the war.”

Chuya nodded and waved them out.

Kazuki watched his brother’s file from the room with the twins and his father. Sighing, he turned his head to the women, got up, and slipped out of the house. He had just turned thirteen but was still a child in his family’s eyes. Looking around at the yard, Kazuki decided to walk to the barracks house near the edge of the village. There were dimly lit lights indicating that there was someone practicing.

Kazuki sat on the hill overlooking the training rings and watched Seitarou practice his sword swings. He wasn’t a very large male but fit and lithe. The elder was precise and quick with his strikes against the training dummy that sat in the ring, jabbing and slicing with purpose. The man was older than his father and captain for a reason. The stern face rarely smiled, but if he did, it was usually directed at someone who displeased him.

Seitarou had sharp facial features and long silver hair held in a high top knot. His face held dark midnight blue facial markings indicating his family heritage, and Kazuki brought his hand to the mark on his forehead. His family was from a line of nobility but not royalty, which was indicated by the various facial markings of the village’s occupants.

Everyone in the village had either white, silver, or grey ashy-colored hair and tapered ears. Kazuki figured that the pointed ears came from a line of either elves or faere, but he was uncertain. No one actually knew where the almond-shaped eyes came from or the tall, slim builds that most of the youkai had. Some youkai had broad shoulders and were more burly built. One family in the village had dark black hair and red facial markings, and according to his father, they were from the southern regions of the islands.

Kazuki glanced over his shoulder when a soft step signalled he was not alone. “Manami.” He nodded in greeting.

The elder brother sat down in the grass next to him. “You look lost in thought.”

Kazuki nodded. “Just thinking about our markings and why we look the way we do.”

Manami chuckled. “You will drive yourself mad trying to figure it out.” He held up his hand, and his clawed fingers glinted in the moonlight. “I used to ask mother why we had claws and fangs, but I never really got a definitive answer.”

Kazuki remembered his spirit’s request earlier, and he looked at his older brother. They both had the same mark on their forehead, and Manami had one black stripe per cheek and right above the stripe was a red one. The only difference was their forehead mark. Manami held a v-shaped marking, and Kazuki had more of a curved mark. “I was kind of hoping to ask you a favor. Although I am not sure it’s possible.”

Manami lifted a curious brow and waited.

“I was interested in learning about the different youkai that lived in Wa, but I know all the journals and scrolls are in the main house.” Kazuki glanced at Manami with a faint smile.

Manami smirked. “And you are wondering if you can either visit the library or borrow the journals within?”

Kazuki nodded.

Manami chuckled. “That is something you would have to ask our brother-in-law, Masakuni.”

“Oh,” Kazuki said, his heart sinking. He didn’t know the twins well enough to ask them for permission.

“Just ask them. The worst they can say is no.” Manami clapped Kazuki on the shoulder but pulled his hand back when he felt a small tingle of energy. Frowning, he glanced at Kazuki long and hard.

Kazuki quickly interjected, “Please don’t ask.”

Manami’s mouth turned downward, but he nodded with understanding. “Very well, come. Before the twins are sent back on their guard duty, and you miss whatever opportunity you have to ask them for access to the library.”

Kazuki took Manami’s hand and was pulled to his feet.

“Have you gotten over your clumsy feet yet?” Manami asked with a grin.

Kazuki frowned. In the past two years, he had grown so quickly that he often tripped or fell due to his awkward height. “Funny,” he narrowed his eyes.

“So moody.” Manami shook his head.

“You’re one to talk.” Kazuki fired back.

Okimoto sat outside on the long bench below the window as they approached the house, observing the stars while Masakuni and Masamichi polished their swords at his feet. A short barrel was at their feet, and Manami rolled his eyes.

“You know, being off duty means relaxing.” Manami snorted.

Masamichi chuckled, “What? You don’t think we have enough on our plates to protect Genjiro? You think we have time to catch up on maintaining our weapons when we do get to rest?”

Masakuni snorted, “You have it easier than I do.” He shot his twin a glare. “You protect Princess Haruki most of the time and do not have to listen to the constant shouting.”

Manami pushed Kazuki forward, “Kazuki wanted to ask you two a question.”

Kazuki flushed and mumbled under his breath.

The twins stopped polishing their swords and glanced at the youth.

Masamichi who was more jovial and lighthearted, chuckled. “Spit it out already.”

“I was wondering if I could have access to a few journals from the main house to read?” He flushed.

Masakuni lifted a brow, “I don’t see why not. They did move the library last year.”

Masakuni nodded, “It isn’t in the main house anymore, but still lies in the noble’s district. We would have to escort you in and then out when you have finished.”

Kazuki grinned then. “Really? It isn’t a problem?” The excitement was also felt by Taizo who smiled in anticipation. His host could have access to all the journals and perhaps be able to find any recordings of his previous host Sashiki and then his host Hisato, who he had forgotten about.

Nodding, Taizo glanced at his host’s tree and rubbed his hands together.