SenPOV
Amagiri's dispassionate eyes stared down at Sen and Kimigiku. He stood a step outside of the main entrance of the Kazama manor, blocking their way in. Sen glared up at the giant, balled up her fist, and struck him in the chest in the most unladylike of fashions. Kimigiku lunged for the princess, restraining her from further lashing out. Not that her outburst did any damage to Amagiri, but she could cause a dispute of honor between the clans if she wasn't careful.
"Amagiri, I swear if you don't let us pass, I will turn every eastern clan against you!"
"Princess!" Kimigiku scolded.
"I never would have believed that you would use your high standings to settle your own personal grudges," Amagiri frowned.
"This isn't a personal grudge you kidnapped Chizuru!"
"Chizuru agreed to stay on her own free will," Kazama said from behind Amagiri.
Amagiri stepped out of the way and allowed Kazama to pass.
"Seeing as you won't take mine or your shinobi's word for it, you may come inside and see for yourself."
Sen knocked past Kazama and Amagiri and stormed the Kazama manner. She had been here numerous times before and didn't need directions to the common area where she found Chizuru kneeling in front of her dinner. Chizuru choked on her food when she spotted Sen. She went into a violent fit of coughs, turning her face as red as the kimono she was wearing. Her eyes were as wide as the two bowls on her plate, though Sen wasn't sure if that was from the shock of seeing her or the panic of choking. When Chizuru finally recovered, she threw herself to the floor in a low bow.
"Please forgive me for leaving so suddenly, your highness. Though I cannot say that I regret my actions, I can say that I deeply regret causing you such worry and distress."
Sen noticed Kazama raise an eyebrow in curiosity at her statement. Sen shared his interest.
"What could Kazama possibly do for you that I cannot?" Sen demanded.
"My father was at the Ikedaya Inn last night. I needed a message delivered to him, and I would have never asked you or your people to go into such a place. Especially knowing the bloodbath that was going to be occurring there."
"So instead, you sacrifice yourself? You're the sole heir and head of the Yukimura clan; how could you be so foolish and give up your power so easily?"
Chizuru paled.
"You didn't think about that, did you? If you allow Kazama to take you as his bride, the two of you will breed a very powerful offspring, one that will be raised to be loyal to him and to do his bidding. Is that something you want to be a part of?"
Chizuru's mouth fell open. She looked to Kazama, giving him the chance to deny the claim, but his face remained impassive. She opened her mouth, but no air went in, nor did any words come out. All she could manage was to shake her head vigorously.
"You should have come to me before agreeing to such a selfish plan."
"I- I didn't agree to marry him...just...t-to stay with him through the summer," Chizuru's voice was as weak and pitiful as her defense.
"Did he specify where you two would be spending the summer? Did he agree to return you back to my manner or your father when the time had passed? Did you negotiate contact with the outside world or any precautionary terms for yourself?"
All of the color had drained from Chizuru's face as she realized exactly what she had bargained away. She looked again to Kazama to give her some sort of reassurance or contradiction to the realities Sen was illuminating, but his expression never changed from its apathetic stare. Chizuru curled in on herself. Her hands balled into fists, and she hugged herself as though she was trying to keep her innards from falling out of her chest.
"You look unwell. You should go rest in your room." Kazama told Chizuru.
Chizuru shook her head. "I don't want-"
"I never asked you what you wanted."
Chizuru's body sagged in defeat. She stood on trembling legs and allowed Amagiri to lead her from the room. Now alone, Kazama turned his full attention to Sen.
"As you can see, Chizuru is perfectly-"
"Don't start with me, Kazama!" Sen's eyes were burning with barely contained rage.
Kimigiku took a step closer to the princess.
"You are the very definition of despicable! You took advantage of a lady in distress and used it for your own personal gain."
Kazama scoffed. "Would you have gone into that inn to look for her father?"
"Of course not, that inn was no place for a lady with all those ruffians running around slaughtering each other."
A devilish smile spread across Kazama's lips. "Funny you should say that. The Shinsengumi didn't seem to have any qualms allowing Elena to run about in there."
"They let her do what?"
"They practically dropped her into my lap. I didn't realize how feisty and stubborn she is. She took up a sword against me after I opened her seal."
"You removed her marks?!" Sen shouted and threw her hands to the sky in exasperation. Her pinky-purple eyes began to shine until they turned a golden hue. "Has everyone lost their minds?!"
Kazama rolled his eyes as though this was some small matter. "Only temporarily, I didn't have that much time with her before the Shinsengumi stepped in...Don't give me that look, princess; it's a harmless procedure. Painful maybe, but she will recover quickly."
"You know as well as I how unstable a seal of that age can be! If it doesn't close back properly, she could start leeching chi."
"I would never make such an amateur mistake; she will be fine. If you're so worried about her, you're more than welcome to take it up with the Shinsengumi. You're outwearing your welcome here anyway."
"There is nothing more we can do here, princess," Kimigiku said as she placed a hand on Sen's shoulder. "It would be wise to make haste for the Shinsengumi headquarters. We can come back for Chizuru at a later time."
Sen didn't move; she was nowhere near done with Kazama. "Did you actually deliver her message?" She accused.
"Of course, I even offered Kodo the option of taking Chizuru home."
Sen's mouth fell agape. "You went through all this trouble to steal her away, and then you try and...give her back?!"
"Don't look so disappointed by my kindness princess, didn't you once argue there was good in me? While Chizuru is a beautiful pureblood who meets every requirement to be my wife, Elena is the ultimate prize here."
"What did I tell you about thinking of women as trophies to be won!"
Kazama rolled his eyes. "I suppose you are right. After all, how is one to win a prize they already possess. Elena was betrothed to me long ago by her father. I would simply be carrying out our family's agreement."
"Elena's father promised her hand in marriage to you?" Sen repeated, stupefied.
"Yes, the veil clan fled from Ireland after the slaughter of eighteen forty-nine. They came here and took refuge at the Kazama manor for a year or so while setting new roots. Elena was no older than two at the time. Her father offered Elena's hand to strengthen both clans. The veils needed protection in numbers, and we wanted time walkers on our side. As we've already discussed, the attack on oni clans ten years ago wiped out what was left of the Veil and Yukimura clans. I believed Elena to be lost until a time walker showed back up in Kyoto bearing the same name as the girl betrothed to me. I wasn't positive until I laid eyes upon her tonight, now there is no doubt. The girl who came through that portal belongs to me."
"There's a flaw in your logic Kazama," Kimigiku cut in. "If Elena was two in eighteen forty-nine, then she would be seventeen, about the age of Chizuru. When I went to the Shinsengumi headquarters, Lady Takanaka's told me I was doing a fitting for a twenty-year-old. I too, have seen Elena up close, and I agree she looks older than a teenager, perhaps not by much, but she is older."
"Elena is a time walker and therefore exists outside of the logical progression of time. When her family sent her to the future, we have no clue how long she stayed there. If the Shinsengumi were telling the truth about her age, it looks like she spent thirteen years there and then ended up here. We all age at the same rate, second by second, minute by minute. The difference with Elena is that she can move her body to different points in time."
"How do you know so much about time walkers?" Sen asked.
"My father had me study all recorded history of the Veil clan. I'd be willing to bet that I know more about Elena at this moment than she knows about herself."
"Oh really?" Sen challenged. "What is her favorite flower? What is her worst fear? What did she do with her life all those years she was in the future?"
Kazama didn't answer.
"You may know more about Elena's abilities and family history than her, but you don't know Elena. Honestly, Kazama, this plan is borderline delusional! You and I both know that seal has also locked up any memories of her oni life. You're going to try and take Elene up on a marriage proposal which she has no recollection of ever happening."
"As always, princess, your argument is driven by emotion. The agreement to unite the Kazama and Veil clan was strictly business."
"Is it, though?" Sen challenged. "Are you sure this has nothing to do with your pride and how it got bruised when the Shinsengumi took Elena out from under you? Or perhaps it's about how you're still trying to win your father's approval to take over the patriarch of the Kazama clan." Kazama's brow twitched at the mention of the change of power. She burrowed deeper under his skin. "Yes, I heard that your ascension was postponed, and I'll bet you think bringing home your lost bride will sway your father into stepping down."
"You lowly wench!" Kazama spat, balling up his fists in anger.
Sen bit her tongue to refrain from lashing out at him further. She had gotten under his skin; if she lost her composure now, the dig would lose its edge. "For what it's worth, you and Elena will never work if she is as strong-willed as you claim she is; we know this from experience. Chizuru has the exact temperament you're looking for in a wife, but she will never submit to being yours if you treat her like a hostage rather than a lady you're trying to court. Think about that this summer while you keep her here...I will show myself out," she said and bowed low.
"That was reckless of you, Princess," Kimigiku said when they had made it safely outside the manner.
"We don't have time for caution; both Chizuru and Elena have been compromised by Kazama."
There was a long moment of silence as the two mounted their horses and began riding for the Shinsengumi headquarters.
"Princess..." Kimigiku began carefully. "I couldn't help but catch that you knew from experience that Kazama struggles with strong-willed women. What experience were you referring to?..."
A bold crimson hue spread across the tops of Sen's cheeks. "Your perception is as keen as ever, Kimigiku..." She stayed quiet for a long time, biting her lower lip. "When I first came of age, Kazama courted me..."
Kimigiku laughed outright, earning a look of indignity from Sen. "My apologies, princess. I just find it comical that he has now taken a shot at every eligible pureblood female in Japan."
Sen smiled despite herself. "You're right, I suppose at this point he has... Our courtship – if you could even call it that- lasted less than a season. It failed quickly because we couldn't see eye to eye on anything. He was looking for a submissive wife, and I was looking for a partner to help enact political change."
"I see," Kimigiku nodded. "That certainly explains the tension between the two of you."
"The most frustrating part of all of this is that Kazama isn't a bad man. He is a product of his upbringing. His father chose a silent, submissive wife to bear and raise his children and then tossed her aside as soon as Kazama was old enough to apprentice under him. The Kazama patriarch has spent the last three generations building the most ruthless demonic clan in all of western Japan. Each first-born son has been groomed from childhood to be a narrowminded ruthless leader who views women and humans as second-class citizens. I have always hoped that he would break the cycle and choose his own path, but the more time passes, the farther my hope slips."
"Kazama is still young; there is a changing in the tides as the tension between the human clans grows. Sometimes a shift in leadership is all that is needed to open the gateways to negotiations and peace. Perhaps Kazama will surprise you."
"One can only hope. If Kazama is unwilling to open his point of view, I fear he will end up causing more trouble for the oni clans than good."
"I share in your concerns, princess. However, at this moment, I feel our full attention should be focused on how we're going to convince the Shinsengumi to let us past their front gate."
"Leave that to me," Sen said
The ride was quiet after that as both girls settled in for the long journey. Their trip would take the better part of the morning without the use of fast traveling. The girls partook in idle chatter a few times to pass the hours more quickly, but both were too preoccupied with their own thoughts to hold a long conversation. When they finally arrived, they were met by two armed guards at the entrance of the compound. Sen dismounted gracefully, despite her aching posterior, and bowed to the soldiers.
"Greetings, my name is Princess Sen Hime from the village of Yase. I come bearing important news from the Shogunate. I require an audience with your commander."
The soldier's eyes lit up, and he ushered her to the main hall where a small handful of men were settling in for lunch. All eyes turned to her as they entered the room.
"Commanders!" The soldier exclaimed. "There is a princess here with word from the Shogunate!"
A group of three older men across the room exchanged glances. The one in the middle spoke up. "Thank you, you may return to your post now. Please, come in, ladies." He waited for Sen and Kimigiku to take a seat before continuing to speak. "My name is Isami Kondou, I am the command-" Kondou stopped short and glanced sheepishly at the violet-eyed menace he was sitting next to.
The menace spoke next. "I highly doubt you two are from the Shogunate; what business do you have here and why?"
"You are correct; we are not from the Shogunate. You would be wise to train your soldiers to properly vet those passing through your gates."
"Noted," the menace growled. "And your business here?"
"My name is Sen Hime; I am here because, in the middle of December, you and your companions abducted a girl off the streets by the name of Elena Callahan. She has been kept prisoner here ever since, and for some ungodly reason, I will never understand you sent her into the Ikedaya inn last night. There she was confronted by an oni who goes by the name Kazama. He tampered with a seal on Elena's back, and she is currently very sick. I need you to let me see her; there is a chance her life could be in danger."
There was a delicate, measured silence in the room as the small crowd dissected the accusation. Kimigiku watched the shifting eyes and knowing glances passed between the present members and gauged their reactions. Sen watched Kimigiku to see if she would give the signal that they needed to flee. A soldier across the room dressed in a black nagagi spoke next.
"Your shinobi, she came here in December disguised as a seamstress, yes?"
A spiky-haired brunette sitting next to him gasped. "No way! How can you be sure it's the same woman?"
"Perhaps if you moved your eyes about six inches up, you could better assess the situation."
The brunet looked as though he may pass out in shock. As he recovered, he made a show of looking Kimigiku directly in the eyes and examining her face. Kimigiku turned to the soldier in black, met his stern gaze through her lashes, and gave him an innocent smile.
"You have eyes as sharp as your memory; my name is Kimigiku. I was here in December."
"This is twice you have infiltrated our headquarters under false pretenses," said a bespectacled man seated next to Kondou. "I fear you don't understand the gravity of your transgressions."
"I could argue the same to you about Elena. Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of time right now. Elena is sick, yes? I would like your permission to examine her to ensure her safety," Sen said.
"I can assure you Elena is perfectly safe here-"
"If that statement was remotely true, she never would have been at that inn last night!"
"Everyone needs to calm down!" The violet-eyed menace raised his voice above the argument. "Sen, you said you're here because of Elena's entanglements with Kazama. Perhaps you would be willing to share this information with us?"
"As I've stated before, we don't have the time. My first priority is ensuring Elena's safety. Grant me access to an examination, and I will exchange everything I know."
"How convenient, we have to hold up our end before you hold up yours."
"You are more than welcome to send your best soldiers to accompany us. I'm sure the great wolves of Mibu are more than capable of stopping a few young ladies from escaping...unless, of course, your best are on duty elsewhere, the front gate perhaps?"
The violet-eyed man growled and stood. Kimigiku coiled, ready to spring.
"Toshi," Kondou said, holding up a restraining hand. "Perhaps we should allow the ladies to at least take a look. Honestly, I'm more worried about the repercussions Elena may experience if were wrong than the inconvenience of dealing with their transgressions if were right."
There was an immeasurable moment of silence as 'Toshi' considered the words of his companion. Sen froze in place, too nervous to even breathe. Personal feelings aside, she needed to earn the Shinsengumi's trust. Chizuru was already lost to Kazama; she wouldn't sleep well that night, knowing Elena was in danger as well. "I will go check to see if Elena has woken up yet," he said as he made his way to the door. As he slid, the shoji closed Sen barely made out him muttering to himself. "This is just what I needed, another mouthy woman running around my headquarters."