In the Minamoto clan's grand residence in Heian-kyo's Upper Capital District, Minamoto no Yorimitsu put away the wooden plaque with tied ropes. Although he still wore his unchanging smile, the look in his eyes had become much more serious.
"So, Fujiwara no Kanehira didn't die in the end?" Minamoto no Mitsunaka, whose face was not looking good, spoke from the side.
"Unfortunately, I overestimated the abilities of those leopard cat yokai. Although they paid the price of almost complete annihilation, in the end, it didn't have much effect. Ha… I truly overestimated these so-called Yokai Lord Oyakata; their subordinates are so weak." Minamoto no Yorimitsu spoke slowly, clearly surprised by the leopard cat yokai's utter failure.
"Hmph… what Yokai Lord Oyakata? He's merely a parvenu who rose less than a hundred years ago, barely earning the title of Yokai Lord through dark arts. Essentially, compared to those few at Mount Oe, Suzuka Mountain, Sugo Unten, and Arakawa, he's not in the same league." Minamoto no Mitsunaka said, his tone filled with disdain for the Harima Yokai Lord.
"Indeed… Oyakata's foundation is a bit lacking compared to other Yokai Lords. But to be able to kill two of his yokai generals and repel the 'Beast' shows the power of the weapons forged by Fujiwara no Kanehira and the dog yokai. Once that dog yokai returns to Harima, Oyakata's rule will likely be in danger." Minamoto no Yorimitsu continued, his expression not as grim as his father's.
"Although we failed to kill Fujiwara no Kanehira this time, giving him a chance to defend the Fujiwara clan and preventing our plan from achieving its desired effect, in the end, he and the Fujiwara will still pay the price for tonight's Vermilion Bird Seal incident. All in all, we still won this time, just a small victory instead of a big one. Father, please rest assured."
Minamoto no Yorimitsu was right. As the masterminds behind this incident, the Minamoto clan, although not achieving their full objective, still managed to vex the Fujiwara clan. Compared to the heavily casualties leopard cat yokai, they made a small profit without loss.
"Hmm… that's enough about this matter. Tomorrow, I'll make sure Fujiwara no Saneyori gets a piece of my mind. You performed very well this time, so I'll lift your house arrest for now…" Waving his hand, Minamoto no Mitsunaka said. Minamoto no Yorimitsu merely smiled at his father's "leniency" and said nothing more.
"Ah, right, a new batch of goods will arrive from Kanto soon. They said they need Heian-kyo to send a team of escorts." At this moment, Minamoto no Mitsunaka seemed to recall something and turned to Minamoto no Yorimitsu.
"Kanto? Those Taira clan fellows? Don't they usually never need Heian-kyo to send extra people for their deliveries?" After hearing Minamoto no Mitsunaka's words, Minamoto no Yorimitsu thought for a moment and asked, somewhat puzzled.
"This time it's different. They say they've captured something very valuable, which makes the journey very unsafe."
"Valuable thing? What is it?"
"I don't know. They're being very secretive about it themselves, asking the Onmyoryo to send people but not explaining why…" Minamoto no Mitsunaka said, casting his gaze towards Minamoto no Yorimitsu.
"So, I want you to find out what secret those Kanto blockheads are hiding."
…
After returning to Inari Mountain, the weary Miketsu took a comfortable bath and then slept soundly. Due to the intense battle and long journey that night, Miketsu had planned to sleep in the next day. However, to her surprise, she was woken up by a heartbreaking scream early the next morning.
"Lady Uka! Save me!"
The shrill cry for help dispersed the morning mist of the Secret Realm, startling a flock of birds. Miketsu rubbed her eyes in confusion and sat up from her futon. Then, she saw the sliding door of her bedroom yanked open, and a white, unidentified object shot into her arms at high speed.
"Eh… Konkiku?" After recognizing the little fox in her arms, Miketsu let out a questioning sound. However, before she could say anything more, Tsuruha's voice came from outside.
"Konkiku, get out now! Don't disturb Lady Uka's rest!" The Divine Messenger Tsuruha rushed into the room from beyond the sliding door, urgently calling out to the white fox in Miketsu's arms.
"I won't!" Konkiku said, shrinking further into Miketsu's embrace, with an expression that clearly stated, "I'm staying right here." In Miketsu's eyes, she looked exactly like a naughty child who had done something wrong and was hiding behind their grandparents to avoid punishment from their parents.
"I was clearly thinking of Lady Uka too! Sister Tsuruha, the food you make every day isn't to Lady Uka's taste. What's wrong with me taking Lady Uka out to improve her diet?" Firmly tucked into Miketsu's arms, Konkiku righteously declared.
"No matter what, you shouldn't take Lady Uka to the demon realm! What if something happened to Lady Uka!?"
"The demon realm isn't as chaotic as you imagine. Look, Lady Uka is perfectly fine and lively now! Your thinking is too old-fashioned!"
…
Seeing the situation before her, Miketsu roughly understood what had happened. Because she had previously used her Owl disguise in front of Tsuruha, and given Owl's familiarity with Toga, the matter of her disguising herself as a yokai to go to the demon realm could not be hidden from Tsuruha. Over the past few days, she had slowly and proactively explained to Tsuruha about her disguise trips to the demon realm, but she had concealed Konkiku's role, only stating that she had accidentally learned about Choyo-machi and related matters within the Onmyoryo.
Although Miketsu said this, Tsuruha immediately smelled a rat and knew who was behind it. So, this morning she went directly to Konkiku to question her, and Konkiku immediately ran to Miketsu for protection.
After understanding the whole story, Miketsu gave a wry smile and mediated between the two sisters, admitting that it was somewhat inappropriate for her to have kept things from Tsuruha and that she had promised Tsuruha to explain everything clearly.
Fortunately, after the previous incident, Tsuruha's impression of yokai had greatly improved thanks to Toga. Miketsu finally managed to get Tsuruha to accept the reality of her occasionally going to the demon realm for better food, but with the condition that Tsuruha must always be informed from now on.
As for Konkiku, she was ultimately protected by Miketsu, avoiding any severe punishment. In the end, Tsuruha only assigned her extra patrols and chores, and that was all.
After this, Miketsu resumed her usual life, only sending Konkiku to Toga's side to confirm if he had returned safely. In the afternoon, Konkiku brought a message to Miketsu.
Toga planned to leave tomorrow. They were returning to Harima to continue dealing with Oyakata. Before leaving, Toga wished to see Owl one last time.
What was this about? Was he planning a face-to-face farewell?
Miketsu was somewhat puzzled by Toga's request, but she still had Konkiku relay a message that she would accept the invitation tonight.
…
Day faded, and the moon rose high.
On a mountaintop on the outskirts of Heian-kyo, under the starry sky and bright moon, a low sake table was set on the open grassy ground. On the table sat a pot of good sake and two sake cups. Sitting on either side of the table were Toga and Miketsu, disguised as Owl.
"Ha, it's an honor that you could accept my invitation so punctually, esteemed one." Toga said with a smile, pouring sake into the empty cup from the pot.
"You invited me here, not just for a cup of sake, did you?" Miketsu said slowly in Owl's voice, looking at the filled sake cup before her.
"Of course, it's not just for drinking. As you must know, I will depart for Harima tomorrow to continue dealing with Oyakata. Before that, I wish to discuss something with you." Toga said with a profound meaning, setting the sake pot back on the table.
"Speak directly." Miketsu said bluntly. She wanted to see what this Lord of the Dog Clan was planning, being so mysterious.
"Heh heh, you are straightforward, so I won't beat around the bush.
"Your strength is immense, you discern right from wrong, and you are willing to act heroically for countless beings. You can truly be called a chivalrous figure among yokai, and I greatly admire you.
"Therefore, I wish to truly get to know you here, and I hope we can become sworn brothers and close confidants."
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