“What a day, huh?” I muttered, and beside me, Hinata nodded. Ordinarily, she would have been utterly exhausted by the events of the st day, of battles and danger, but instead she was radiant, full of energy, although there were certainly the shadows of on her face. Having arrived back by swift helicopter, I had filled her in on Mayumi-san’s situation, which left her angry but thoughtful.
Seeing that, Ohta-san, who was in the room with us drinking a mug of warm coffee, had her usual impassive, boyish expression break, in her eyes as she g the door to the other room. “She’s… still sleeping. It was extremely traumatiayumi-sama. She’s always been aware of the potential of being kidnapped or attacked, for the nobility it’s a stant threat….” Ohta-san’s usual clipped, impeccable manner of speech was now more informal, and Kazumi-san, who was also here with us, seemed a little weirded out by that. Seeing us looking, she grinned ruefully.
I suppose for bodyguards, it’s rare to see behind the mask, the professional personality. To others, it may look like young women pying pretend, but knowing Kazumi-san, Natsumi, and now Ohta-san… yeah, they take it seriously, train hard, and are willing to be injured or even die, and worse… kill… for their charges if they must. Adopting a manner of speed duct, making it their lives, is nothing in parison.
“…of course, she believed in Ichijou house… in me…” Ohta-san ched her fist, full of self-recriminations. “…but she ut in danger, could have been killed… I’m too weak.”
“I feel that.” Kazumi-san agreed, repeating her past worries. “So… ation anymore. I’ll do what it takes to be able to stao Hinata. You… do the same, Katana-san.”
“But I…” Ohta-san once again g the closed door, troubled.
“You’re overthinking things, Katana.” Hinata broke in. “Mayumi’s strong-willed. Some…” Hinata smiled impishly. “…might say Mayumi’s a bit of a na?ve fool, but I like that about her. She’ll recover, she’s too self-tred not to. Besides, we have Haru-san to help with any lingering trauma. But… if you want to be strong, Katana, there are certainly ways.”
Hinata’s wicked smile was tempting, like the Devil, and Ohta-san seemed unsure. “But… Mayumi-sama…”
“Don’t worry about it. Don’t you get it? If Kira-sama hasn’t worked out what’s best for Mayumi after these events, he’s a fool, and as I’m sure you’re aware, Kira-sama’s not an idiot.” Hinata draped an arm around Ohta-san, who was still uhough I could see her wavering. I exged a gh Kazumi-san, whed.
“Hinata knows what she’s doing.” she mouthed at me, and I had to nod. Despite the chaos, Hinata had remained surprisingly calm, although she said it was because of her trust ihough I disagreed, at least in part. Hinata’s always been strong-willed, she’s just got the ce to show what she do now.
Hinata’s grin deepened as she turo me. “Akio, now might be a good time. Si’s just us in here.” Indeed, uncle Kira… damn, still ’t get used to that, and there’s no way I’m taking his advid calling Mayumi-san by -, she’ll get the wrong idea for sure… was, despite the terrible scare he had endured, and the worry for his granddaughter, starting to mahe political fallout, from which I’d taken a break, as Hinata and Kazumi-san had returned.
“Time for what?” I asked, and Hinata grinned.
“To take stock. I think Katana could do with hearing about my growth.”
I see. Yes, there had been other priorities, so I let my Eye shine, examining Hinata, who released Ohta-san and shivered a little. “They’re right.” Hinata was a little red-faced. “It does feel very intimate when you peek like that. I think I like it though…”
As Ohta-san seemed fused and Kazumi-san chuckled wryly, I set that aside, fog on Hinata’s atus. She wasn’t really a batant, so I’d had little cause to do so before, but now things had ged.
Fukumoto Hinata
Bonded Kin
Chosen Of The Tected Bringer Of Wealth And Prosperity, Ajé-Shaluga
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
261
Fortune
7
Fortitude
251
Majesty
Intellect
303
Charm
6
Resilience
401
League
4
Acrity
313
Determination
2
Precision
323
Fht
Aether
1705
Fate
7
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver Cord
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 3
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 2
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Ether Healing
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Elemental Skills]
Metal Manipution
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus And Root Chakras Of Gold, Silver And Copper
Rank 1
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Fme Manipution
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus Chakra Of Fme
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Earth Manipution
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Root Chakra Of Earth
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Unique Skills]
Ajé-Shaluga’s Golden River Of Prosperity And Treasures
Rank 1
Legendary (7)
Law (8)
Lovers' Link
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
[Level]
30
[Css]
Fae-Bonded 3/20
Wielder Of A Mutated Element 1/10
There were a few surprising points to note, but the ohat grabbed my eye was her Chakras. “You’ve fire element as well? I know you mastered earth, but…”
Seeing my shock, Hinata grinned impishly, looking a lot like Shaeu when she succeeded in pulling a prank on me. “Yes, I’m not just a pretty fad sexy body. You remember how at first, I wao learn wind element, but it was too hard without Chiaki- and Chiasa-? Holy, they might be the two best recruits Adamant has…” Hinata seemed proud of her achievements, and of Adamant too. “…anyway, I lost i in it when I wasn’t going to be an attacker. Earth offers more bes in defence, and the Levels from the Earth Altar, while not so important to me…”
Her cheeks flushed at that, as well they might, as she was clearly thinking of Lovers’ Link. “…are still Levels. Eae ts. But… sihe twins listen to me, and now we have Mount Atago and its rich elemental resources, and it’s easy to get there via the Ring Gate, or just take from the Elemental Silos… I mao make it work. I’ve been waiting to show off!” She giggled then. “Motoko and Natsumi spend too much time on their on Skills, but whe some downtime, go help them learn more elements, okay?” Hinata showed magnanimity for her fellow fiancées. “Though I suppose they are still ahead of me, after the race to gain a Divine Favour, which I ended up beating them to, so… yeah, I’ve had my rewards for now!”
“That’s true.” I agreed. “Anything else would be greedy!”
“Well, I am patible with wealth and prosperity!” she grinned happily. “Do you think the fact I have both earth and fme make a difference? Metal seems to be a posite element?”
“Maybe.” I agreed. “Anyway, it seems that the Favour mostly focuses oher, most of your other Material Statistic gains e from the faheriting the Favour has increased the Ranks of your Silver Cord and Chakra work. Though it seems somewhat inferior to the boost my sis got, for example. Maybe due to its nature, or the work I did with it?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Hinata shrugged. “How any girl find fault with a gift such as this? I’m pleased my fiancé is a man of means.” Her impish smile turned serious then. “Yes, I’m still not a fighter, that’s clear to see. Status-wise Motoko and Natsumi aren’t worse than I am, and they have actual bat sense and talents. But I’m no longer a liability, one you o protect so strictly. And if I master the same sort of attacks Midas used, I’ll not be so vulnerable. Although…” She frowned. “I still don’t gee much metal element. It is as you said when you gave me the description of the Favour earlier.”
“Yeah …due to the incorrectly applied nature of the Seed that enhahe Metal Element, only a very small amount of Silver and Copper Elements are geed, and Gold Element is also signifitly reduced from what it should be as pensation. A bit annoying, but there’s certainly a workaround, other than just Ranking things up.”
“Oh, do tell!” Hinata grinned in anticipation.
“It’s linking the elements to your lunar Chakra. It’s rather difficult, but when you do, geion and ste of your elements increases signifitly. I struggle to expin it, and it seems easier for the Fae, but…”
“I’ll ask Shaeu and Hyath, Asha too.” Hinata nodded. “With the twins or Haru-san’s help, I make progress, I’m sure!”
Seeing Hinata so enthused, Kazumi-san was smiling warmly, while Ohta-san was a little fused.
“It’s fine. You know enough about what’s going on, Katana-san.” Kazumi-san reassured her. “Now… Hinata’s beyond where she needs my prote, so… I simply have to grow stroill, so I recim my role! It’s… not easy though.” She looked at me early, and I didn’t have the heart to refuse her. I’m a jealous guy, if it was a man so passionate about proteg Hinata, I’d probably balk at it, but Kazumi-san… she’s ho, and it’s not romantic love, but friendship. And the more friends my girls have who they trust, the better.
“ you do it? It seems… impossible.” Ohta-san g the dain, clearly downcast, but Kazumi-san was uerred.
“Alone I ’t. But I’m not alone. Anyway, just think about your future path, what you want, and how you achieve it. And… take it from me. I feel rather ie, but I’m still happy for Hinata. Strength is a wonderful thing. Because only with strength and influence she decide her owiny. Mayumi-sama, for all her lineage, doesn’t have that, so she’s a prisoner of what others want for her. But maybe…”
Hinata nodded. “When she bounces back, it’ll make or break her will. Whether she chooses to be Iayumi-sama, or something more, simply Mayumi… we shall see. Anyway… I’m feeling pumped up.” She clutched her Pot Of Faerie Gold. “Ohings settle down, I ’t wait to see just how I influehe Pot with my new abilities.”
Nobody ented on the fact that my Eye identified Hinata as Fukumoto Hinata, not Takatsukasa Hinata, which made sense, as holy, she still saw herself that way, her adoption was just a formality so she could help us take over Takatsukasa house. Other than that, Hinata’s status was quite standard. While she was versing with Kazumi-san and Ohta-san, I took a moment to s my own improvements, of which there had been a number retly.
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
2075 2295
Fortune
42
Fortitude
2057 2279
Majesty
34 35
Intellect
2209 2430
Charm
52 54
Resilience
2550 2821
League
30 35
Acrity
2149 2373
Determination
46 48
Precision
2225 2475
Fht
34 36
Aether
7903 9001
Fate
28 32
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver e
Rank 6
Imperious (6)
Artifice (6)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 6 Rank 7
Imperious (6)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 7
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Aether bat Teique
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Boiling Blood
Rank 1 Rank 2
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Ether Healing
Rank 11
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Aetheric Chirurgeon
Rank 11
Legendary (7)
Law (8)
Adherence Manipution
Rank 5
Noble (5)
Law (8)
Crude Soullight Manipution
Rank 1
Imperious (6)
Law (8)
Split Thoughts
Rank 7
Imperious (6)
Rule (5)
Calcutive Predis
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Artifice (6)
[Elemental Skills]
Chakra Of Space
Rank 3 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Space Manipution
Rank 3 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Third Eye Chakra Of Full Moon Light – Masu
Rank 4
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Light Manipution
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Throat Chakra Of New Moon Darkness – Shisu
Rank 5
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Darkness and Yin Manipution
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Heart Chakra Of Wind
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Wind Manipution
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus Chakra Of Fme
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Fme Manipution
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Root And Sacral Chakra Of Wood
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Wood Manipution
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sacral Chakra Of High Moonlight Spirit Water
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Water Manipution
Rank 7
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Root Chakra Of Earth
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Earth Manipution
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Lunar Chakra Of Seven Primal Elements And Wood
Rank 5
Imperious (6)
Artifice (6)
[Cultivation Skills]
Moonlight Jade Qi Refining
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Artifice (6)
Spiritually Pure Dual Cultivation
Rank 2 Rank 3
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
Spiritually Pure Physique
Rank 3
Noble (5)
Principle (7)
Third Noble Pursuit: Talisman Crafting
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Physical bat Skills]
Spatial Perception
Rank 3 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Rule (5)
Spear Teique
Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Sword Teique
Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
bat Teique
Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Elemental on Teique
Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Void Motion
Rank 2
Noble (5)
Principle (7)
Tsumura Arts
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Practical Skills]
Crude Soullight Crafting
Rank 2 Rank 3
Imperious (6)
Law (8)
Adherence Crafting
Rank 3 Rank 5
Noble (5)
Law (8)
Ether Crafting
Rank 7 Rank 8
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Dvergr Teiques
Rank 2 Rank 3
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Alchemy
Rank 1
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Shapercraft
Rank 2 Rank 7
Noble (5) Imperious (6)
Artifice (6)
[Unique Skills]
Mystic Eye Of The Tree Of Knowledge
Rank 5 Rank 6
Legendary (7)
Law (8)
Kin Bonding Aoration
Rank 7
Legendary (7)
Principle (7)
Foehn, Iinguishable Bze
Rank 7
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Might Of Iructible Jade
Rank 2
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
The Future Reflected By The Moon
Rank 3
Legendary (7)
Fate (9)
Promiwilight
Rank 3
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Boiling Blood Resonance Link
Rank 2 Rank 3
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Soothing Waters Of Self-Sacrifice
Rank 3
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Seven-League Wings Of The Chooser
Rank 1
Imperious (6)
Law (8)
[Level]
148 154
[Css]
Kami-Blessed 12/20 queror 24/50 25/50
Wielder Of A Mutated Element 7/10
Wielder Of Elements, Primal Seven 8/20 11/20
True Faeduine 7/30 9/30 Qi Refiner 2/10 Dual Cultivator 2/10 3/10
Master Of Many Crafts 7/20 16/20
Prodigy Of The Lower Worlds 7/10 8/10
Shaper Of Flesh And Spirit 3/20 5/20
Namebinder 6/20
[Mastered Css]
Fae-Souled 30/30
Wielder Of Elements, Cssic Western 10/10
Wielder Of A Mutated Element 10/10
Territory Rank
3
As usual, there was signifit strengthening across both Skills and Statistiow that I had a clearer uanding of the missing energy obscured by question marks so often, soullight, and the Truesoul it seemed to derive from, I felt fident of making further gains, and the drain of adherence I was experieng with the numerous Favours I was carrying had slowed, the wastefulness less, though obviously it still wasn’t manageable for long.
As I watched on fondly as Hinata was expining something to Ohta-san, the door opened, and Kira-san… Yeah, uncle Kira’s a no go for me, I think... stepped in. Ohta-san looked at him with an expression of yearning, aerpreted it correctly.
“Mayumi’s awake. Still rather shaken, but not physically harmed.” he assured her. “It’s just shod stress. My Mayumi’s a fighter, she’ll e out of it. For now though…” He looked at me and Hinata. “All the pyers have assembled. Are you ready?”
I nodded, an expression of annoyance creeping over my features. “I am. And I’m pissed off.”
“I imagine. I’m ly happy myself, Akio-kun.” Kira-san agreed. “But… iional politics seldom cares whether leased, only that matters run smooth, and face is preserved, as our ese cousins might say.”
“Kazumi, you stay here with Katana and make sure Mayumi is okay.” Hinata ordered, before turning to Kira-san. “Well, Kira-sama…”
“Uncle Kira.” he insisted, and Hinata giggled.
“Uncle Kira then. I shall be apanying you. After all, I rivy to half of this mess, and now…” She raised her hand, and sparkles of glittering dust appeared. “…things are plicated.”
“So it seems. You’ve had it tough too, I know, Hinata-. But then, you were with Akio-kun, so…”
“Hey, he made it here in time, uncle!” Hinata protested. “Eve shouldn’t have been possible. You try running from Botswana to here!”
“True.” Kira-san agreed, g hands in prayer for the two Ichijou House Chosen who didn’t make it. I khat there was at least one more they had uhed, a woman who could heal, if not to mine or Shaeu’s level, but it had certainly hurt Ichijou house’s political capital. “And I’m very grateful, as is my Mayumi. But…”
“Yeah, let’s go.” I held out my arm to Hinata, and she took it, making sure that she resentable still, and o of our private waiting room, there were a number of armed soldiers. Nodding at them, we followed Kira-san, up a flight of stairs to the hospital’s lecture hall, which had been verted into an impromptu meeting room.
Oering, I couldn’t help but frown, as sitting across from us were some familiar faces. Nkosi, still bare-chested apart from his array of beads, some of which seemed o me, subtly different, was sitting with his legs idly slung over the edge of the desks in front of him, which was an irksome position to sit in sidering his choice of clothing. Hinata giggled beside me, averting her eyes, but she nudged me, as my eyes flickered over to Miss Zozibini, who had ged her outfit to another crimson suit with crisp white shirt. She smiled at me, though there was nothiive about it, her beauty cold.
There’s another, who I don’t know. A wizened old man, who could barely have been over five feet tall and was as thin as a rake, his face painted with vermillion and pearl streaks of pigment, eering at us with his azure eyes. He was wearing traditional dress and beads simir to Nkosi, though his chest wasn’t bare, instead he was wearing an ochre mantle and scarf.
“Well, look who it is, it’s our fn pair of dangling balls.” Nkosi sneered, only for Miss Zozibini to raise one eyebrow in reproof.
“Mind yuage, great Nkosi. We are in august pany.” She then bowed to me. “I apologise for his words, but great Nkosi is a simple man, though a noble one.” She then turo the others already here. In one er was the British ambassador to South Africa, as well as the Japanese one, who had finally arrived after making great haste, and the local head of the sute.
Oher side was sitting the President of South Africa, and a number of what looked like high-ranking politis. Taking advantage of my incredible hearing, Kira-san advised me in a barest whisper that the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Defence was here, as well as South Africa’s foremost General, and the room was filled with more armed soldiers and police around the walls.
“Thank you for ing.” The President, whnised us from the Kumba-Stillwater ga, greeted us. As we nodded back politely, his expression softened. “I heard that yranddaughter is awake. How is she?”
“Rather shaken, as you imagine, but thanks to Akio-kun’s timely intervention, she escaped serious harm. Though I must admit…” Kira-san’s expression hardened, as we took our ows with the ambassadors. “…if she had e to harm, we wouldn’t be sitting here so peacefully.”
“We uand that.” The British ambassadreed, as we were all unig in English. “But dwelling on what-if’s doesn’t help resolve this mess.”
“That’s right.” The President sighed dramatically. “This is… quite a messy i. And impossible to cover up. The hotel attack was witnessed by many, and the numbers of the dead…”
“They were a load of hippo-dung rhino-fuckers anyway.” Nkosi snorted bitterly. “Dino’s useless fug goons. Good riddao them. ’t say you’ll miss them, will you?”
“Mr Khetho, please maintain some de.” The President warhough he seemed to quail under Nkosi’s fierce gaze. “As what the Japanese and British are calling a Chosen, yes, you go beyond our expectations, but that doesn’t mean you are above the w. Your as have been recorded.”
“Rha! Those hippo-cocks started it.” Nkosi ughed. “Bunch of vultures and hyenas thinking they fell the Lion of Africa. Stupid heaps of dung.” His snort was loud and derisory, showing what he thought of the dead.
“It’s not a matter of missing them.” The Minister for Home Affairs, a dark-skinned and powerful looking man in his fifties or sixties decred, his voiing in the hall. “Chaos is to be avoided, and this whole i has damaged Japan’s trust in us, although…” He glowered at me then, eyes narrowing. “It seems you were heavy-handed as well. This is not Japan or Britain, and you were not io aid us, unlike South Korea.”
“Sorry but when those under my prote are at risk, I’ll take appropriate a. I’m not so soft as to let harm to me and mine slide.” I was staring at Nkozi and Miss Zozibini as I said that, and he grinned back, while she seemed unruffled, despite her hand in this mess.
“There’s a differeween not letting things slide, and killing ireets. Even a diplomat wouldn’t get away with that!” the Minister tinued.
“Besides…” the General stated, his stare cold and hostile. “…like it or not, these Chosen are military assets on a national scale.”
“Go eat shit.” Nkosi smirked. “We’re for Afriot for your useless gover, which has dohing for South Africa, the people, or Africa as a whole. If you think you use us in yames…” He g Miss Zozibini, whose smile never faltered. “…why not py one of ours?”
“We need calm.” The President decred again, waving a hand. “Yes, it’s true, General. A try without these Chosen is a weak one. And though it was not on our soil… Mr Dino Moloi and his followers, they were South Afri citizens in the main. If one of our Chosen murdered…”
“Murdered?” I raised one eyebrow, rather insed. “As it happens, most of them survived. It was only Dino and a few others who were too crazed to stop who died by my hands, and it was Midas who killed most of the others. In self-defence, I suppose.”
“That’s right.” The British and Japanese ambassadors had exged notes, and were coordinating. “While we would obviously strictly iigate the deaths of any of our citizens abroad… we also adhere to local ws. ons, and thus abilities are allowable in justifiable self-defence, when unwfully attacked, by South Afri w. What isn’t justifiable is the kidnapping of Mr Ichijo, and his granddaughter, which led to the deaths of two bodyguards, and nearly others as well.”
“Yes, it’s an e.” The Japanese ambassadreed, adding his weight to it. “Mr Oshiro here, he is an ior and business partner of Kumba-Stillwater, here to celebrate that, and the recovery of Miss Lindiwe, which was his doing. South Africa stands to be immensely from alliand iment, but… instead, we are attacked relentlessly, and theed as criminals for defending ourselves!”
He’s good. He puts just the right amount of passion in.
“This isn’t fighting off some gangs!” The General pined. “Or killing a carjacker in self-defence! Mr Moloi and the others are treasures…”
“Which you could not trol.” Miss Zozibini spoke up. “Else, you would never have allowed them entry to the Kumba-Stillwater ga, and to provoke ood friend the Fairy here.”
“Fairy? Never mind…” the President sighed, clutg as his temples. “It’s true, we have given a great deal of leeway, which you and yours take full advantage of… but when you were just fighting amongst yourselves… no, this is a mess.”
“Rha! Dino was a fug wild hyena. Greedy and a sger, and ’t be trusted. You’re well rid of him.” Nkosi insisted. “And as for why you let us do as we please most of the time… it isn’t rhino-shit like the goodness of your hearts, or respect for us, is it? It’d be too costly to stop us. And you need us!”
“Precisely why this is a disaster!” The General pressed, and Nkosi snorted, his beads jingling as he crossed his arms insultingly.
“You’re the fool, soldier boy. No good having a gun that blows up in your hand, yoing to have a better fug time going in barehanded. He had ambitions, but was a worthless hippo-t. Rha!”
“Allow me to transte freat Nkosi.” Miss Zozibini took over. “In the loerm, Dino and his cohorts would only have brought you to ruin. Their ambitions were lofty, but their moral characters… to say they had any character at all would be a lie. Besides… all was fair. Anansi tells tales and the oute is now written. A page which is written on ever return to being bnk again…”
As both sides argued over the rights and wrongs of the situation, Hinata held my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. I reached for Eri in my thoughts, and apparently the cert was going rather well. Which is more than be said for here, that’s certain. Damn it, I refuse to accept any fault here. No… Miss Zozibini saw my gre, her lips curving into a rather alluring smile, and she winked, which made my hand tighten on Hinata’s.
“The issue is…” Kira-san was saying now. “…if we are talking about losses, we have two dead Japanese Chosen, and this is not even a question of self-defence. We were attacked in our hotel, kidnapped, and there is ample evidence. What redress for that?”
“It’s true.” The Japanese ambassadreed. “Ichijou house has long enjoyed a diplomatic status, this is tantamount to failing to protect a VIP, no, a visiting politi. Wars have been decred for less! Sans are almost iable!”
“There’s no need for haste.” I shook my head. “Both sides have suffered losses, I uand that. And so long as the perpetrators are punished… all the perpetrators, and pensation paid towards the families of the dead and the injured…” Might as well get Aliyah and Treyvon some cash. They did the best they could, more than I’d have expected against Chosen. “…I let my grievances go. As for if you wish me to pehose I’ve injured… do criminals often take money from the victims legally here in South Africa?” I raised one eyebrow, seemingly curious, and Hinata’s grin grew wider. Yes, the days of me being cowed by political elites are over. I’m still up for a promise, but… if we don’t get the better of the deal, we’ll be seen as easy to take advantage of.
“Rha! By everyone, you mean us?” Nkosi ughed loudly. “Brave little shit, aren’t you? We didn’t hurt you and yours, in fact, we’re getting dragged into this mess for helping, just because I put down a few fpping vultures who thought they could take advantage of me! Fuck, have some dignity and gratitude!”
“Oh really? Then what about Miss Zozibini here?” I scowled, showing my displeasure. "You spun your web, your Spider Tales, and pulled on all our strings. Me, Midas, Dino… so this could all be id at your door!”
“You think so? I’m fttered.” She tilted her head, smiling, dark skin and hair atuating her charms. I blinked, not vulnerable to her allure, strong though it was, the gap between her cool demeanour and her seductive one emphasising her beauty.
“I know so.” I shook my head, and her ugh was bright, musical.
“You give me far too much credit. Yes, you became part of a tale, and I certainly ot deny I set a few strands myself, but… I am not Anansi, nor Qamata. I am no Goddess, with knowledge of all things, of how events will py out. I simply saw a ce. And it was a fair trade, no? Did you not retrieve what you sought here in our Afri ti?”
“Didn’t you get what you waoo?” I shot back. “But… Mayumi-san…”
“Mayumi-…” Kira-san whispered inaudibly to others.
“We hardly be held responsible for the evils of others. I saw the tale, I made small adjustments, so that all the partits were able to write their roles. You came seeking treasures. Poor King Midas and his wife, hands that turn all they touch to gold are cold, and one must be careful not to overread turn to gold themselves. As for Dino… great Nkosi is right. He is a hyena that thinks himself a lion. Hyenas have ing, and sharp fangs, but when against true strength, a pack of hyenas will cast aside their wounded and weak as bait to distract their predators. Sadly, Dino was unaware that in this tale, he was not the predator…”
“And what of you?” I asked.
“We simply pyed our part as well. You would have found flict, it was iable. We merely steered it a little. And in doing so, beed. As did you.”
“But…” I began, only for Hinata to speak up.
“Maybe so. But i matters. Mayumi is the cream of Japanese nobility, a flower loved by all…”
I held in a grin at that. Mayumi-san was certainly pretty, but her personality was too domineering for my taste, without the redeeming charm of Shaeu. Though to be fair, bold women are fine by me. Now that she’s not looking down on Hinata, anyway…
“…if she is left traumatised by this i, it will be a national disgrace, a sp in the face to the nobility of Japan. Imagine if we were to put at risk the daughter of your President for one of our schemes, even if you beed? Wouldn’t it lead to cries for redress, ahat we had no respect for South Afrid its important people?” Hinata’s words were reasonable. “Yes, we came to South Africa to find something, but it was found in Botswana, so you have no cause to pin.” She addressed the South Afri ti, expining everything calmly, her newfound fidence from her Favour shining through. “We are clearly the victims here.”
“Rha! That rude little girl…” Nkosi began, before Miss Zozibini stopped him with a gentle ugh.
“Now, great Nkosi, don’t be rude. The rich have their own styles. Now…” she smiled at Hinata. “I uand what you are driving at. Very… business minded. Now, what will you demand in exge for the humble part we pyed in your misfortuhough bear in mind, without brave Nkosi defeating a number of Dino Moloi’s forces, it could have been far worse, and even without our prompting, your presence here would have drawn his ire in any case.”
“Why don’t you tell me?” Hinata asked, and everyone else faded into the background, as it seemed only Hinata and Miss Zozibini were present. Imagining Hinata with a gleaming aura of gold, fronting Miss Zozibini in a spider web, I wasn’t the only one waiting for their words.
“After all… you’re a ing woman. A spider indeed.” Hinata’s grin was teasi harsh. “If you read a story as well as you say you , you must know this was never going to fly.”
“If you don’t like it, little girl, I e over there and turn you over my knee and give you a fug spanking.” Nkosi snarled.
“If you did that, Akio would kill you.” She ughed, uned, not taking her eyes off Miss Zozibini.
“That rhino-t, I could…” he began, only to stop as he felt my gaze on him. He smirked, to show he wasn’t afraid, and his hand glowed with shimmering light element, which definitely gave off a sense of danger, but I merely stared back, unmoved.
“We adults are talking.” Miss Zozibini’s teasing grin remained. “Dive great Nkosi. He is a leader, but also a man. And men be childish, no?” She spoke as if Hinata was a close friend, her manner charming and informal. “But we would rather be friends, despite his bluster. So… you think I already know the answer you seek?”
“Your fidence says so. Holy, if you provoke Akio like this, you’re either a fool or you’re fident you have something to soothe er.”
“How very amusing. In that case…” Miss Zozibini nodded. “…I hardly believe I am a fool. So yes.” She gestured to the wizened, small man beside her. “I did so happen t the ohing you he most now. So the threads and skeins of the story say. sider it our heartfelt apology for the unfortunate deaths of your bodyguards, and the trauma to the young Miss. If it was just the danger you were in, you would surely have to sider it the perils of being Chosen, no?”
Hinata snorted, realising Miss Zozibini knew more than she was letting on, and had clearly realised Hinata’s atus. She g me, and I nodded. I trust you to hahis. But…what do I need mht now? After all, I’ve retrieved the Seeds…
“In that case, if we receive an apology…” Hinata began.
Nkozi growled at that, but Miss Zozibini had no shame, bowing deeply.
“Indeed. I am sorry. Especially since he bravely defended me from an unfair Scales Of Judgement. The story was crueller than I imagined. But… trust me. The Fairy Mmoatia will not leave… disadvantaged. Four for two. It seems fair to me. Let them be frozen, halted.” She tapped the old man on his shoulder. “After all, what you need most is time. Let our friend here call upon Khonsu, and his moon shall steal your time… holding four, no… five… in a frozen moment. It seems you have a great affinity with the moon. Is it not wonderous, how all these tales e together?”
Hinata turo me, uanding, and I nodded. It’s true. Going to Ameriow is important, any dey could promise my ce of getting the Seeds from Egil Andersen’s corpse. But also… I’m overloaded. So… Narrowing my eyes, I decided to listen to her, despite my annoya hoere used for their ends. Though… I’m not foolish enough to trust her unditionally. I’ll not be strangled by her threads of spider silk like Dino and Midas were…
ShipTeaser
