（最游记同人）镜里镜外(24)

"But what if...by my human carelessness of course...you end with the end?" Hakkai prodded, pushing himself up higher on the pillows in order to meet the other's almost-glare that said, 'are you threatening me?' Through the darkness, he noticed that Shien balked. "I warn you now. There are some situations, destinies which I cannot control. I hold no grudge against you, Shien and I can only admire your loyalty- which makes it all the harder for me to accept your blessing of..." he hesitated to say it. "...power."

Silence as Shien digested the honest words. And Hakkai counted a good three minutes before he received an answer floating in the dim. "I would admit defeat to no other person."

Hakkai nodded with grim satisfaction as he bit his lip. It wasn't what he wanted, but in some absurd sense, he felt like he was granting a dying man his last wish- despite the fact that he already knew which of the two would die first.

"Shien..."

"Hm?" He hadn't moved.

"Find me some paper, a pen, and my seal. I believe there are some new orders I wish to issue...but..." He never issued orders before. He didn't know the etiquette. Worst of all, he didn't know how he was going to get his arm to move.

Shien nodded with partial understanding. "I will write them for you."

***

Day 1: Preliminary investigation

"Who was with Marshal Tenpou before the parade?"

"Me."

"During?"

"Hell if I'd pay attention."

"You are before the military council, Kenren Taishou. Please show more respect."

"My apologies."

"Accepted..."

"Okay then...as the gates were opening..."

***

Day 2: Post-preliminary investigation

"Would you know of anybody conspiring to do this?"

"Let me get the book."

"Taishou."

"Sorry."

"Direct witnesses?"

"Nataku-sama."

"He cannot be interviewed."

"Why?"

"He was just sent to Under Heaven yesterday on assignment by Tentei."

"Mh."

"And Konzen where was he?"

"I don't know. He came later..."

***

Day 3: Follow up investigation

"How is the Marshal's condition, Kenren Taishou?"

"Still unconscious."

"He seemed to come just in time to save you, as if he knew what was happening."

"I don't think-"

"You have not been given leave to talk."

"...m..." for the umpteenth time "...my apologies."

"It is rumored that you were planning on asking for a transfer from his command. To what extent is this true?"

"None of it is true."

"None?"

"It is an absolutely false claim."

"Where do your loyalties lie, Taishou?"

"With heaven."

"Or is it with Tenpou Gensui?"

"..." His teeth clenched. "Fu-"

"Don't answer, Taishou." Goujin ordered, cutting in after a long day's contemplative silence, staring hard at the committee of interogators in tacit derision, purposely overlooking his general's almost-transgression. "That is already out of the scope of the investigation. Thank you. You are dismissed Kenren Taishou. We will call upon you if needed."

He puttered around the Western Army's housing complex, turning from one corridor into the next and when Tenpou's unguarded door caught his eye, he passed into another corridor to push it from his sight. Stark hallways would give way to elaborate balconies overlooking the central garden and its gurgling waterfall. Balconies would give way to endless stairways which would give way to more balconies that gave a view to the same garden and same waterfall from every conceivable angle. A labyrinth that had only one true destination: his own room, Kenren concluded as he stopped his wanderings to kick his idling mind to some semblance of resolution.

And so he puttered, smoking, in the direction of his room when a disgustingly overly energetic major crossed his path and saluted as if it were 3 p.m. and not 3 a.m. Give him a few more centuries and he'll start to get lazy, Kenren concluded.

"Kenren Taishou! I'm glad I found you!"

Kenren offered him a cigarette, which was (obviously) refused due to the fact that in the "In the Military Manual given to us during training it is stated specifically on page 5834, paragraph 3, lines 4 through..."

It's always the fresh young ones.

"Cut the protocol and just tell me what the hell's gotten you so riled up."

"We've been called to duty!" he seemed unnecessarily confused.

"You're not *that* new, kid." Kenren scratched the back of his head, looking down at the young major with a look of growing exasperation. He shouldn't have had to deal with the psychological traumas of green soldiers who were still scared shitless when it came to youkai, battlefields, and fast women (poor souls). "March bravely for the glory and honor of heaven and all that crap but remember, if you're ever disarmed, rip their eyes out."