Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction ❯ In the Garden ❯ In the Garden II ( Chapter 2 )

For the longest time I had no idea where to take this story - my mind went totally blank after the initial story. But I'm getting it now, so for those few who asked me to write more, I hope you enjoy. These two are dratted difficult to write. ~amaretto

In the Garden II

A low hum was the only sound in the room, other than the occasional shuffling of papers as Kijin flipped through the hundreds of pages compiled just that day. "Hmm…Touda, would you mind running another scan of the ninth sector? I cannot help but feel we are missing something in that area"

Touda said nothing, his claws moving lightly and precisely over the keyboard in front of him. The wires connecting him to the network seemed almost to vibrate with the high amounts of energy and information traveling through them. Machinery thrummed as it worked to follow his commands. After several long moments he spoke, "I see nothing suspicious there. It seems no better or worse than any other sector."

"That is no surprise, I don't even know why it bothers me. I simply feel that we are missing something" Kijin sighed, setting his papers down on the table before him.

The serpent made no reply.

Kijin smiled, "We may as well cease our efforts for today. Thank you for your assistance, Touda."

Touda began disconnecting himself from the system, leaving coils of wire lying neatly on top of the machinery. He worked in silence, not bothering to respond to Kijin's words. He turned to leave, moving soundlessly through the large chamber.

"Touda." Kijin's gentle voice stopped him. He waited for the young-old god to continue. "You seem different lately. Less hostile. More cooperative. Even Father has noticed it. Would I offend you by asking after the reason for the recent change?"

"Have I changed? I did not notice." Touda did not turn around.

"You haven't? That does not sound like you Touda, to be unaware of something you might incorrectly perceive as a weakness."

"There is no change to perceived as a weakness."

"You have made a point since your release to ignore any order that did come directly from our Master. Yet of late you have been more than willing to assist me upon request, and a few days ago you aided Byakko in hunting down and investigating new wormholes. Yet you feel there is no change?"

"Tsuzuki requires his shikigami less these days, as the bond between him and his partner strengthens. I prefer to not be idle."

"Is that your only reason?"

Touda turned his to glance over his shoulder, "If you have something to say, Lord Kijin, then say it."

"My apologies. I was going to suggest that perhaps you had found something more important than Tsuzuki to focus on. Something that was having a positive effect on you."

"You are, of course, entitled to your opinion." Touda left.

Kijin shook his head, laughing in his soft way as he moved closer to the window. He looked out at the main courtyard, where Touda had been stopped by a laughing, smiling, white tiger.

"So you may want to take extra care in avoiding her today. I had no idea she took that much pleasure in holding a grudge." Byakko laughed, running a hand through his hair.

Touda only shook his head, staring down at the tiger through his visor. "It is unlike you to provoke others."

"Mmm, but she started it," the tiger looked sheepish. "I hadn't actually meant to make her that mad. I just got carried away is all."

"That too, is unlike you." Touda resumed walking, Byakko trailed along beside him.

"Anyway, how did it go with Kijin today? Have you located anything new?"

"He feels that something is amiss in sector nine, but as of yet we have located nothing suspicious."

"Well, we could always go and investigate the area in person. The system doesn't pick up everything." Byakko suggested, and Touda thought he sounded almost hopeful.

"That is true. It would not hurt to take a closer look." he surprised himself by answering.

"How about tomorrow then? Sector nine is in Suzaku's domain, and she won't let us through today no matter what the reason."

"Tomorrow is fine."

Byakko smiled, but said nothing as they continued walking. He finally spoke up as Touda slowed, having reached his destination. "The garden? You really like it here, don't you Touda? If anyone needs you, invariably they can find you here." He looked up, smiling in amusement. "It's strange."

Touda's face remained expressionless, his eyes masked as always. "Why do you say that?"

"If anything, I would have thought you would prefer to wander outside the palace. Instead you simply confine yourself here, to this small space."

Touda frowned, "I did not see it that way. I like being outside, but going beyond the palace I often encounter those who still fear and loathe me. Unlike you of late, I do not enjoy inviting trouble."

"I see. And I told you already that I didn't mean to make her mad again. Su thrives on threatening our lives. It's the big sister in her." Byakko laughed.

Touda made no reply, instead settling himself beneath his usual tree. He enjoyed it, relaxing beneath the trees and sky.

Byakko looked down at him, and Touda noticed his smile seemed weaker than it had a moment ago. "Enjoy your nap then. I'll talk to you later."

Touda was silent a second, but spoke up as the tiger turned away. "You may as well stay. If Suzaku is as angry as you say, she's going to be appearing sooner or later to vent her frustration on me again. She'll leave me alone if there's two of us."

The tiger let out a surprised laugh, "Are you asking me to protect you?"

Touda said nothing.

"Fine, fine." Byakko stretched out alongside the serpent, sinking into the lush grass with a sigh. "You sure pick nice spots. I can see why you hang out here all the time."

"Why are you always following me?" Touda asked, his voice as level and unchanging as ever.

"Hmm?" Byakko turned his head to look up at Touda, reclining against the trunk of the tree. "I don't know, really. I guess maybe I'm just curious?"

"Curious? About what?"

"You."

Touda stared back at him, nearly invisible in the shade of the tree. "I do not understand."

Byakko looked away, staring up at leaves and bits of sky. "I…you were so different, back then. Before you turned against us. You were wild, angry all the time. It's understandable, I guess, why so many of the lesser shikigami still fear you. But now…you're still unhappy, but it's for different reasons. None of the anger is there. You're calmer, more controlled. As terrible as it sounds, your seclusion seems to have had some positive effects on you. Or is that more to do with Tsuzuki?"

"Tsuzuki freed me, I owe him everything for that. And he understands me in a way no one else can. But it was the seclusion that broke me."

"I would never call you broken, Touda. You are too hard on yourself." Byakko sat up, frowning as turned to face the other shikigami.

"Indeed." Touda did not look at him, instead staring out across the garden.

"It wasn't my intent to upset you. I was trying to say that I like the new you. You're stronger now than you were before, more in control." He laughed softly, "I think that's part of the reason Suzaku is so angry. You aren't the Touda you were before. The old you was easy to despise, easy to brush aside. Not so much now. She's running out of reasons to dislike you."

"Ah."

Byakko laughed, "That's not much of a response."

"What is there to say?" Touda relaxed against the tree, eyes sliding shut behind the visor.

"Nothing, I guess." Byakko lay down on the grass again, sighing as he stared up at leaves and sky.