Kanko led Sen, Maru, and Hashi through the streets of the capital. The night was dark, and many of the side streets that they passed through were unlit. Sen could see the eye glow of lesser yokai from the corners and caught sight of a bakeneko watching them with its lashing tails. The side streets were also eerily quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. It was a sif they were forgotten little corners, tucked away from the rest of the world. Kanko seemed to know them like the back of her hand, and Sen wondered how long Seiko and her entourage had lived in the capital before they had gone to Murakami. Had it been anyone else, he might have asked.

They reached the outer residences of the palace. Maru had always imagined the palace to have more guards crawling everywhere, but the lack of security made him wonder if the court was really as poor as what the rumors said it was. If that was the case... Kanko halted before what at first glance seemed to be a solid wall and raised one hand, tapping her index finger to the space before her as the wall shimmered and slipped away. She turned to the three and nodded, "The building directly ahead is where Kohaku is staying. He will know that you're coming, so no need to lurk about. Do not go anywhere else unless you want to be killed. Understood?" She barely even waited for them to nod before she quickly slipped into the shadows of a side street and vanished without a trace.

The three passed through the space in the wall, and after they did, it filled back in as if nothing had happened. Hashi looked around. It had been a long time since he had seen the palace, and it was showing decline unlike any he had ever seen. He followed Sen and Maru into the building, and they made their way down the darkened halls. Once, he recalled, this hall had housed dozens of onmyoji of all ranks, diligently working for different courtiers, princes, princesses, and concubines. All of them desperately wished to reach the heights that Abe no Seimei and Ashiya Doman had achieved before them, but soon that would all change... Seeing the old Mystic Hall so deserted made him realize exactly how much time had passed.

"And what do you think will happen?" Sen, Hashi, and Maru halted in the doorway of the room to see an older man sitting across from the man that they assumed was Kohaku. "I feel like I have little time left, and I would like to know, to an extent, what will happen here after I am gone."

Sen got a good look at the onmyoji for the first time and saw what people meant. He had those fox eyes and a smirk on his face that radiated a certain level of insincerity. Dark hair pulled up under one of the black lacquered court hat and fine clothes did nothing to make him seem more trustworthy in the slightest with the smirk that danced on his lips, but when the man before him asked that question, a hint of gravity seemed to pull it from his face. "Well, Tomohito, I can say one thing. You have two years."

"Ah, so soon then..."

"You sound like you already suspected that," Kohaku chuckled and looked up as he continued speak, his brown-amber eyes glinting when he locked onto Maru and Sen, "and one more thing, though you will be long gone before it happens. Unity. Someone among the barking dogs will unify the land and bring about peace. The creator of such peace is uncertain yet, even to me."

Sensing that Kohaku was looking at someone, Tomohito turned to look at Sen and Maru also. "Ah. You have new patrons. I will take my leave. I am afraid that I cannot pay you until my calligraphy sells..."

Kohaku smiled up at the man, "Consider all of my services to you free in exchange for a place to rest my head."

Tomohito gave a small bow before he stood and passed by Sen and Maru, giving them a small nod of his own as he passed and vanished through the sliding painting. "Who was he?" Maru asked as they entered the room and sat down across from Kohaku.

"Emperor Go-Nara," Kohaku shrugged when Sen and Maru both squeaked out a sound of surprise when he said the name. "What? Is it such a surprise that these are the types of people who come for my services?" He snickered as Sen, Maru, and Hashi all made their way inside and sat down across from him. "I am Heishi no Kohaku, loyal servant to the Imperial Throne," he bowed slightly, still with that smug smirk on his face, "and you are Hashioni, Sen, and Maru. Delighted, as always."

"You know us," Maru glanced at Sen, who had also turned to glance at him as he spoke. Maru took a quick note of Hashi, who was watching Kohaku with a mistrustful look in his eye.

"I know everyone and everything that goes on in this city," Kohaku smirked and sat back, his eyes glinting in the light of the dimly lit room, "and Machifusa mentioned that Seiko is the one who sent you to me. It must be rather serious if she has spoken for you."

"We're here on Owari no Hoshiga's recommendation," Maru continued as Sen nodded in agreement. "We hope that you can help Hashi heal the Rot and given Sen some guidance..."

Kohaku's eyes turned to Sen, and Sen himself swore that he saw them briefly glint amber as he smiled at him. "Ah... I can see why that old shinchu sent you here. Hoshiga was always the most perceptive of us, if I am being honest. A shame he has resigned himself to warming the bed of a lesser human lord and playing judge for the shogun," Kohaku sighed, sounding almost disappointed as he spoke. "He could have been the whole of the Bakufu around his little finger..."

"Listen," Maru leaned forward on his knees and frowned, "we're here to try and save Hashi."

Kohaku's eyes snapped from Sen and locked firmly onto Maru. Something about the gaze made him uneasy. Kohaku didn't seem... normal. He wasn't like most onmyoji that Maru had met. there was a certain predatory aspect to his nature that made him feel dangerous, for lack of a better word. "Coming from a demon killer, that is an interesting sentiment," the onmyoji chuckled somewhere deep in his chest before turning back to Sen, "and it has been quite a long time since I have been graced by the presence of a potential Deishi. I am honored, indeed. I wonder," Kohaku raised the tip of his fan to his chin and gently tapped it, "what type of Deishi you will become. Will you be an Onigashima no Tomoyori? A vicious incarnation of Bishamonten who slays even the strongest of yokai? Or will you perhaps be a Watatsumikome? A peacemaker between humans and the divine? Or maybe..." He trailed off slightly with a knowing smirk as he sat back and turned all of his attention then to Hashi, "But I suppose that you would know all about Deishi, wouldn't you," Kohaku's eyes glimmered as he spoke as if he was in on some great joke, "Ashikaga no Sunemito?" Hashi's eyes dropped at the sound of the name, and Kohaku cackled sounding something just outside of human as he gave one clap of his hands, "And to think that I would see you here after all this time! Jimyoin... My, he wound up being ruthless."

Sen furrowed his brow and turned over his shoulder to look at his friend, "Hashi?"

"Once upon a time, he was a mighty warrior who served the Minamoto... until they decided that your Lord Yoshitsune was a threat. Am I wrong?" Sen watched Hashi's face when Kohaku spoke, only to see Hashi begin to scowl as he looked up with a low, throaty growl. Kohaku cackled again and rapped his fan three times against his hand, "No need to get so angry! No one faults you, nor do they fault Jimyoin. All happens according to the will of the Kami." Without saying another word, he reached out and grabbed Hashi's Rotted arm, prompting the yokai to give another, louder growl, "Do you want me to help or not?" Kohaku asked as he pushed Hashi's sleeve away.

Sen grabbed Kohaku's wrist so quickly that Maru almost didn't see him move, "Don't you dare hurt him!" Sen snarled, prompting the onmyoji to give a scoffing laugh.

"Boy," Kohaku dragged his eyes to Sen and smirked, "you couldn't stop me even if you tried."

Hashi used his good arm to lower Sen's and shook his head. Kohaku was powerful and dangerous. He had been when Hashi was a human and he certainly was now, if not stronger than he was before. The onmyoji of the court were the most powerful, and even back then, Kohaku had been whispered about for his strength. there were all manner of rumors about him: that he was a kitsune, that he was a tatarigami imprisoned in a human, that he was actually a yokai taking advantage of the emperor, but one thing was certain. Hashi knew that he acted in the best interest of the country even if it meant killing, stealing, and lying to even his closest friends.

"I cannot do a single thing for him," Kohaku released Hashi's arm and fluttered his fan absently, "save for one tiny thing. Tenbayama in Dewa is home to one of the Seven Divine Wellsprings. If a yokai is plunged into the waters of the pure spring, it can be cured of any illness. This includes the Rot, curiously enough."

"What is the Rot?" Maru asked as he leaned forward on his knees again.

Kohaku smirked, "A curse of sorts, if one wishes to call it that. In the days before history was written, in an era of gods, when humans first began to exist, there was a being known as Yamibakugami - a powerful tatarigami that was created from the first suffering in the world. Everywhere it went, it sowed chaos and discord across the land creating wars, famine, and plagues. In yokai, it corrupted their very nature and sent them into a frenzy, and it was from this frenzy that the gods tasked the first of the Deishi, Yayoi no Shika, with slaying the beast. Despite his best efforts, Shika was unable to destroy the being and thus the Rot persists in its enduring influence, spreading like a plague from yokai to yokai... or sometimes, just from an open wound that takes too long to heal. In your case, I can't help but wonder if it was karma for what you did, Sunemito." Kohaku paused and looked between Hashi and Sen when the room went deathly silent, "Oh... You haven't told him yet, have you?"

"Told me what?" Sen asked as his eyes snapped between the onmyoji and Hashi.

"That he was the one who killed Myugou." Kohaku's casual admittance of this fact made Sen feel like he was lying until he turned to look at Hashi. The yokai had dropped his eyes and was focusing on the corner of the wall far from Sen and Maru. "That he was also the one who killed that little northern brat... Oh, you know, the one who got a contract placed on you. Truthfully, he was a little weasel, but a death is a death, right?"

Maru saw Sen take on a blank look and quickly stood up, pulling him up with him. "We got what we came here for," he spoke close to Sen's ear, and the reassurance made Sen at least nod as Hashi scrambled up to join them. Maru began to her him out of the room as he herd Kohaku laugh behind them

"Beware when you leave the city, Deishi!" Kohaku called after them. "There are birds waiting in the trees."

---

For a long time, the trio walked down the street in silence before Sen yanked his arm out of Maru's grip and turned to look at Hashi, "Why didn't you ever tell me?" Maru stepped away and watched, not wanting to get involved in a private affair between his two companions.

The hurt in his voice made Hashi fill with shame. Promised not to, he signed in reply, refusing to meet Sen's eyes. Myugou didn't want you to know. Said that you would find out when you were ready.

Sen paused where he stood and ran his hands back through his hair as he screwed his eyes shut. Maru watched him from a small distance away. Hashi did kill people, but Maru had a feeling that there was more to that nobleman's son's death than what Kohaku let on. He couldn't see Hashi brutalizing someone for no reason. Still, the revelation about the old man was something he knew that Sen wasn't taking easy regardless of how hard he was trying to keep it together.

"Why? Sen asked as he lowered his hands and finally opened his eyes. "I need to know why, Hashi."

Hashi hesitated and glanced at Maru before he shook his head and made a small sign before gesturing to the man. Not with him here.

"And why not?"

Nightingale.

Maru let out a breathy laugh, "Really? Are you serious? After everything we've done, you still don't trust me?"

Sen snapped his head to him and took a few steps towards him, "You're still thinking about turning Hashi in! Why should we?"

Hashi stepped in between them and shook his head before looking down at Maru and making two signs.

Wind. Spider.

At first, Sen was confused, but right away, Maru knew exactly who he meant. Kazegumo. "So... Kazegumo? Why?"

Hashi shook his head again and stepped back. Not you I don't trust. Don't trust Kazegumo.

"Why not? What have the Sayonakidori ever done to you? We really don't have a presence that far north..."

Hashi narrowed his eyes at Maru and shook his head again before looking at Sen and gesturing for him to follow him. Sen glanced briefly at Maru before following the yokai as he plodded off, leaving Maru alone in the alley. The hunter scoffed and crossed his arms, trying to be more angry at being excluded. He couldn't make himself, though. What Kohaku said worried him. How were the Sayonakidori involved with the slaying of the last Deishi? But more importantly than how was why.

"What have you been hiding from me, Kazegumo?" He whispered as he watched Sen and Hashi walk off into the distance, leaving him alone on the dimly lit street.

---

Hashi sat down beneath one of the old trees in one of the green areas of the town and gestured for Sen to join him. They sat quietly for a moment before Hashi grunted and turned to Sen with a nod, I'll tell you now.

Sen hesitated briefly before he nodded, "Don't hold back. Tell me exactly what happened."

Hashi nodded, Not like Kohaku made it sound. Didn't kill him out of malice or pity. Killed him because he asked.

"He... asked?" Sen furrowed his brow and rotated his whole body to face his friend, "I.. why?"

Hashi took a deep breath and closed his eyes, Everything changed that day. He knew they were coming, so he sent you to Goemaru...

---

Hashi vividly remembered that day as if it happened to him yesterday. A storm was brewing, and he watched Sen sprint down to the village as Myugou chuckled beside him. He watched after the boy with a fond, sad smile before he turned back to Hashi, "I didn't want him to be here when they came. You understand, I hope?"

Hashi watched him with his great yellow eyes and finally gave a small nod after a time.

"They're after the sword and me, by extension," Myugou turned to his old friend and gave on small nod. "When they come for me, you know what needs to be done.

Hashi hesitated a moment, his great clawed hands pausing and tightening around one another as they did, making him frown before he gave a slower, less sure nod. The Blade of Hachiman, that ancient weapon broken into pieces by the Deishi and spirited away out from under the nose of those who would steal it, was what Myugou swore to guard with his life - to watch over it until the next Deishi could come and claim it.

"You must protect Sen for me if the worst comes to pass," Myugou reached out and placed a hand on Hashi's forearm. "He is special, Hashi, even if he may not be..." There was a sound from the trees and Myugou stopped, his eyes going to his old spear before flicking back to Hashi. "No matter what happens," he breathed to the yokai, "they cannot know. Promise me, Hashi."

The yokai didn't get a chance to respond before the masked men leaped from the trees. Clad in all black with those snarling masks...

Myugou had ahold of his spear and had swatted two of them down from the air, fighting with all of the skill and ferocity of a demon with Hashi at his side. Even in his advancing age, the old man never missed a beat, his body lunging and turning with his weapon like a war god made flesh.

But there were too many of them. One of them caught Myugou in the back of his leg, prompting him to collapse and draw from his hip a sword once concealed by his robes. Even wounded, Hashi watched Myugou slay another three of the Sayonakdori assailants before another managed to plunge a tanto into the man's shoulder. Hashi grabbed them and slung them into a tree with a sickening crack as the old man shouted and ripped the dagger from his shoulder, lunging up on his good leg to slam the weapon into another man's throat. Hashi snarled before he felt something grab his arm. He looked down and saw Myugou.

"I'm not going to make it, Hashi," he shook his head, "and I cannot tell them where the sword is, for Sen's sake... Look after him like you looked after me and Jimyoin. Please. Don't tell him. He'll find out... when he's ready." Before Hashi could do anything to stop him, Myugou grabbed the shaft of his naginata and yanked himself forward, impaling himself on his friend's weapon.

All Hashi could do was stare in shock as Myugou gave him one final smile before he slid himself off and collapsed to the ground. Hashi didn't remember much except wheeling on the Sayonakidori in a blind rage, chasing them through the woods and killing the ones who had tried to run, leaving Myugou laying in the courtyard for Sen to find later.

---

Sen had sat by listening with a vacant expression for a long time, and when Hashi finished, the boy looked exhausted. The yokai hung his head and looked away before he felt a hand on his arm. He turned to see Sen, not facing him, but holding his hand on his arm and staring off into the distance. "You didn't kill him, Hashi. Not really," he slowly turned to look at Hashi, tears rolling unbidden down the man's cheeks. "They killed him. The Sayonakidori did."

Hashi looked away, Tried to save him. I wasn't strong enough.

"Nobody could have fought off that many with just two people."

When he was younger, Myugou could have.

"He was Akechi Mitsukage, wasn't he?" Sen's question took Hashi by surprise, and he raised his head and looked over at his smaller friend. "I've been putting the pieces together. His fighting skills, the sword, how he knew that I was a Deishi... Why didn't he ever tell me?"

Wanted to protect you, Hashi replied. Sayonakdori wanted a Deishi. Don't know why. Myugou wanted to be sure that you were ready before taking you away to train. Wanted you to have a childhood, safe and happy. 

Myugou had given him one, even if it was short, and Sen had to smile as he raised one hand and wiped his tears with the back of it. "Let's get back," he spoke softly, looking to Hashi with another small half-smile that made the yokai give a gentle one in return.