Flairs 'n the Kishin Roots

Three hours later

Inside the BEH headquarters, units were being dispatched.

“We’ve detected another series of Flair events,” Asa tapped her tablet, sending a cascade of data onto the wall-mounted monitors. “The Suppression and Seal divisions are already situated in various Kishin-rooted sectors, but the readings are off the charts.”

She zoomed in on a pulsating red cluster over the map of Honshu.

“Spiritual pressure has exceeded 4,500 kilopascals per cubic meter,” Asa continued. “ Evacuations are ongoing to prevent mass corruption but its only a matter of time before containment fails.”

“What's the source?” Marcus asked staring outside his window.

“A Class-S Density Alert has been issued,” Asa replied, her brow furrowing. “But they haven’t been able triangulate a singular point of origin yet....." 

She paused.

“And sir? Sector Five is completely unoccupied by our divisions.”

Marcus turned away from the window and went to his desk. He pulled out his phone and read a single encrypted message that made him smile.

“Sector Five is covered,” he murmured, sliding the phone into his pocket.

Then

A knock sounded at the door. The secretary peered in, beckoning Asa over with a gesture. After a hurried whisper, Asa rushed back to Marcus’ desk.

“Sir?” she breathed. “Lady Tomoe is here.”

Marcus smiled. “Send her in, and Asa? Clear my schedule.”

Night had settled over the Akashi compound by the time the clans dispersed.

Naruhito stood alone in the inner garden. He teared a piece of bread and fed it to the Koi fish circling in the pond.

Footsteps approached.

“Father,” Reiji said.

Asahi stopped a half-step behind him.

Naruhito did not turn. “Sit.”

They knelt in silence watching the koi break the surface, mouths opening and closing.

“The others have made their position clear,” Naruhito said at last. “ To refuse this mission would be to forfeit Akashi’s claim to the Shugo-seat……our honor. And we cannot allow that.”

Asahi swallowed, his throat dry

“Now I know what the forest means to our family. What it’s taken from us,” Naruhito’s voice softened. “If you cannot go, I understand. I will bear the responsibility myself.”

“We accept the mission father,” Reiji cut him off. His voice was like a blade clearing its scabbard—sharp, cold, and final.

“Very well,” Naruhito said, his gaze finally turning toward them. “The forest will play with your minds. Show you….memories, visions. Do not believe what you see or hear.”

Asahi’s chest expanded.

He means me

“We understand,” Reiji said.

Naruhito studied him for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Asahi.

“You are junior rank,” he said.

HE UNDERESTIMATES YOU, Arukuro growled.

“I know,” Asahi said quickly. “I won’t slow him down.”

Naruhito stepped closer, reaching out, his hand hovering near Asahi;s shoulder but not quite touching.

“Asahi, if you focus only on your own shadow, you will miss the fall of the blade,” Naruhito said quietly.

Asahi clenched his brows. What does that mean?

Naruhito chukled as if reading his mind. “I know you have doubts….but they are what keeps you alive. Empty your mind and focus on only your brother, he is all you need and all he needs is you.”

Asahi forced his voice steady. “Y…yes.”

“The source of the flair is your main objective, however, if the situation becomes untenable…you withdraw.”

Reiji placed a hand briefly on Asahi’s shoulder.

“We’ll be fine father.”

Naruhito looked at them for a long moment.

“Prepare your koshirae. You leave at dawn”

While they walked along the corridors, Arukuro’s voice chimed in

THOSE WERE WISE WORDS FROM YOU FATHER

“….Yeah.”

Reiji glanced back. “Did you say something?”

“Nothing.”

Reiji hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll finish preparations. Any requests for Kanzaki before I head down?”

“No.”

Asahi paused by an open viewing window. He gazed toward the dense treeline beyond the compound walls. He didn’t know why, but it felt like he was staring directly into the heart of the Aokigahara Forest, miles away.

YOU FEEL IT, DON’T YOU, Arukuro whispered.

IT’S….CALLING TO YOU

“…Yeah.”

ARE YOU STILL IN DOUBT?

“…I don’t know,” Asahi muttered, pressing his forehead against the frame of the window. "Why are you asking?”

WHY? THAT WAS A RHETORICAL OF COURSE

Suddenly, the sheer absurdity of the situation—a millennia-old spirit making a dry joke while his world collapsed. It was too much. A bubble of laughter burst from his chest, turning into an uncontrollable ,hysterical giggle. He buried his face in his hands, shoulders shaking.

It was that hysterical giggling that drew the attention of a few passing retainers.

“What… the hell?” a retainer muttered, staring at the Akashi’s possible heir who appeared to be losing his mind.

Asahi abruptly straightened and cleared his throat.

“Sup Osamu,” he said to the retainer. “Nice Moon we’re having huh?”

He began to walk with a sudden, feigned purpose.

AHH, THAT SEEMED TO DO THE TRICK.

Asahi rounded the corner of the corridor, safely out of the retainer’s sight and shook his head with a smile. 

 “My, my….. to think the great Arukuro just tried to cheer me up.”

IT IS STRATEGIC, NOTHING MORE, the voice rumbled. YOUR LOSS OF COMPOSURE WOULD ONLY INCONVENIENCE ME AND MY DESIGNS.

“Right. Of course. Your grand plans to reclaim the throne as King of Yokai.”

ARE YOU MOCKING ME?

“Nah,” Asahi whispered then stopped dead feigning intense interest in a display of ceremonial Kabuto helmets lining the corridor.

Just as he leaned in, a young shrine maiden passing by slowed her pace, her wooden sandals clicking on the floor.

“Admiring the craftsmanship, Lord Asahi?” she asked, bowing low with a shy smile.

Asahi snapped toward, his neck popping with the effort He offered a stiff nod.

“Ah…yes! The….the craftsmanship. Truly….metal.”

The girl’s smile faltered into a look of sheer confusion, offering a second and hurried away casting a worried glance back over her shoulder.

WHY WERE YOU SPEAKING TO THAT TIN BUCKET? Arukuro demanded.

“Just being rhetorical,” Asahi sighed, finally reaching his quarters and sliding the door behind him.

I STILL DO NOT GRASP THE PURPOSE OF THESE ‘RHETORICALS.’

“You’ll get it eventually,” Asahi muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “But we seriously need to establish some ground rules.”

SUCH AS?

“Honestly, it’s a miracle I didn’t think of this sooner,” Asahi said, his voice dropping to a low, weary whisper.

OUT WITH IT!

“Rule one: No talking when others are around. Or we’ll be chatting in a locked Bureau cell.”

UNACCEPTABLE. I WILL NOT RESTRICT MY THOUGHTS FOR THE SAKE OF MORTAL PEONS.

Asahi groaned, his fingers kneading his temples where a headache was beginning to bloom. “I had a feeling you’d say that. Fine....I just won't answer you. But the second rule is non-negotiable. No taking over my body. Got that?”

A burning silence followed.

Long enough that the room began to feel like an oven.

“Arukuro?

WHAT IF YOU ARE AMBUSHED? Arukuro growled. I NEED NOT REMIND YOU OF YOUR WEAKNESS.

“I’ll ignore that last part,” Asahi snickered. “But if that happens, what do you think you should do?”

THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS. I SHALL SEIZE CONTROL, TEAR OUR ENEMIES ASUNDER, AND FEAST UPON THEIR FLESH WHILE THEY SCREAM.

“Riiight. You see, that was a rhetorical question, because you already knew the answer.”

...OH. I SUPPOSE IT WAS. I AM BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THIS ‘RHETORICAL’ CONCEPT.

“Great,” Asahi sighed, standing up and reaching for a fresh kimono. “Now shut up. I’m taking a shower.”