The Tempest's Eye

Unlike the rest of the government, Section 14 didn’t sleep. The people certainly did, but they were active with shifts at all hours of the day. Crime didn’t sleep, and the magic knew no rest. But it still made going to Shinjuku Station at night the safest time. Fewer crowds meant stealth didn’t have to be the highest, even if the guards remained on alert.

Yori traveled with Miho and her sister in his car while the Saioji escorted the rest. Of the hundreds Miho claimed to have seen at the auction, they only managed to free fifteen. Too many were scared or just not aware enough of what their situation was to leave. It hurt to know the number was so small, but it was greater than zero.

It was worth it. He would repeat it.

He stopped in the parking lot. Yori looked over to the back of his car, hastily cleaned for Shiori. She looked outside with a mixture of awe and confusion. It was going to be a long road for the two of them.

“So what really happened?”

He leaned back in the seat, figuring it would come to this. ‘Wish she wasn’t so observant, but she wouldn’t be an investigator otherwise.’ Yori appreciated her tact of not bringing it up in the estate. “The power was revoked.”

“Revoked? Your Eye of Akasha?”

“I guess I pissed off Akasha somehow. But the feeling’s mutual at this point.”

“You’re not the Shinobi anymore? What happened that night?”

Yori shrugged. He replayed the events multiple times since it happened. There was nothing that he remembered in the way of Akasha speaking to him. But he never really expected such. The thing just sort of existed and did whatever it wanted. Rather annoying. “I can’t be certain. But I’ve never been the biggest fan of Akasha to start, and this whole system, but I convinced myself if justice could be done, I’d make it worth it in the end.”

He squeezed the steering wheel, feeling the bend that he had put in it. Hopefully, the shop could fix that damage. He did like the car, for as much as he didn’t exactly treat it perfectly.

“But hearing the people there and seeing them. The spectacle, the sin, the gross inhumanity on display, I just wanted to kill them all. Murder them all without any thought. They needed to die. I almost snapped again if it wasn’t for you. For a stranger, you kept me from the edge. Thanks for that.”

She smiled awkwardly at him after such a dark revelation. “And ye think Akasha disapproved of such thoughts?”

“Oh no, I doubt that was the problem. It was probably when I thought the whole thing was wrong and actually meant it this time. I rejected Akasha’s answer to this world. And so they’ve rejected me I guess. Good riddance.”

“But you’re not the Shinobi anymore.”

“I didn’t do it because I was. It was in spite of it.”

“You’re a strange one.”

“We are a pair.” He opened the car door, seeing the time. The train would arrive soon. Miho helped out Shiori. Part of him almost wished there was some resistance or panic from the woman, something that said there was life in her. It was like they took more than just who she was; they stole her soul. But the Veil was hardly much different. People needed to let go of any attachments or desires to their old home so that they could welcome the new one. It was terrible.

Thoughts of the two sisters occupied him until they reached the station platform. He did fear a little that Section 14 might try something, but they were fortunately silent or maybe characteristically so. It was what they were good at doing.

The train had just arrived, and Hiroshi was speaking with the attendants who were watching over it. Miho stepped out in front of him. “What’s gonna happen to ye?”

“Not getting kicked out. I’m still the Guardian in their eyes. So I’ve got that. But they don’t trust me anymore. So they’re giving me a partner, and I can’t act without approval.” It was all going to be a pain in the ass. They basically tied him down. He was going to be useless.

“Ye just need someone that can tame that murderous streak you let out,” she said with a smirk.

“Someone with a little fire would be better than some office drone with a leash.”

“I can’t imagine where they’d find someone that could stand to work with ye.”

“I am an ass, I’m told.”

“And a prick.”

“It's my charm.”

Suddenly, Miho reached as if she was going to shake his hand, but instead went for a hug. It had been some time since anyone actually embraced him. He couldn’t say he hated it. “Thank ye. Whatever hate ye carry, sorrow ye cling to, there’s a good man beneath it all. That’s what I believe. I hope ye can find a place that fills the hole in ye. Ye deserve a better life than what ye think. Thank ye.”

She pulled away from him, giving him a comforting grin. “But what do I know? I’m just a headstrong sorcerer.”

Yori managed to return half a grin to her. Part of him wasn’t so empty as he believed. “And I’m just a useless hunter.” He gave a small chuckle with her as the train signaled their boarding beginning. “Take care of your sister. And stay out of trouble.”

“Can’t promise the second, but on my life, nothing will happen to her again.”

As Miho nudged Shiori along, he waved to the departing. “This new path I walk is one that I chose. That’s my promise to you, Miho.” It was going to be a long recovery for all of them. But despite it all, Miho wasn’t broken by it. She was a strong woman. Perhaps he could learn a few things from her. Some bad habits or better ones.

Yori turned away and marched off towards the exit as the train closed its doors. The case might have been finished, but a new storm rose on the horizon. Japan approached some dark times in the future. One made by his hand.

The world wanted him one way. It wanted everyone to fit neatly. It sought order and called it justice. But as always, humanity would push back against a prison. Rebellion was inevitable. The future was unknown now. But Yori knew he would have to find his place in it. He would have to learn to make a path he wanted rather than the one carved for him.