Koiji

(Love's Pathway)

A TGS-based story

By C.S. Hayden © 2006

Disclaimer: Gargoyles is the property of Disney and Buena Vista Television. Characters from the fanfics of Kimberly T. appear by permission. Roslin is the property of Kiwifluff, Mozu's #1 fan. All original characters and plot are the creative property of Christi Smith Hayden.

Author's Note: For more on how Sata and Brooklyn first met, go to The Gargoyles Saga and read the Timedancer stories, "Dishonor" and "The Promise."

Part II

Instinctively, Kirin clutched his shoulder. His fingers found the smoldering edges of a cut that went straight through the shoulder padding of his kimono, and below that, there was a cauterized welt still hot to the touch. The depth of the padding had kept the wound shallow but it was beginning to sting and throb. His swords were lying on a nearby table, and without thinking, he lunged for them, scattering empty cups on the floor. Brooklyn's weapon was one that Kirin did not recognize but that would not stop him from defending himself.

Kai stepped between them. "Brooklyn!" he snapped out. "You know the rule – no weapons in the compound! Put that thing away!"

"Get out of the way, Kai," Brooklyn growled. "This is between him and me."

Kirin thumbed the hilt of his sword up out of its sheath. "So be it."

"You lied to us!" An electronic whine became more audible. "If you think I'm gonna –"

"Dad…" Graeme came through the doorway and put a hand on his father's blaster arm. "C'mon, Dad… power down. This isn't going to solve anything."

"Kirin," Kai said turning his head slightly, "put away your swords."

The weight of his tachi in his hand, however, was strangely comforting. Kirin tucked his two shorter swords into his belt. "I will keep them in their sheaths," he said bluntly, "provided he does the same."

"Brooklyn?" The Ishimuran leader stood his ground. "I realize that your grievance against Kirin is great but I will not have blood shed here tonight."

"Listen to Kai, Dad," Graeme said anxiously. "You need to calm down." He looked over at Kirin ruefully. "Sorry about this – I opened my big mouth. I didn't know that you and Ariana hadn't gone public yet."

"We haven't had the opportunity to do so," Kirin said curtly. "Please believe me, Brooklyn-san, when I say that I meant no disrespect to you or Lady Sata. I couldn't make a formal bid to court Ariana until I'd spoken with her first." He bowed deeply while keeping his eyes on Brooklyn's weapon. "Please allow me to make amends."

"See?" Graeme said, gently pushing his father's blaster arm down. "Let's all talk this over rationally like adults, okay?" Brooklyn scowled briefly at his son but he did as requested and did something that stopped the high-pitched sound. The other three gargoyles let out their breath.

"Yes," Kai said, gesturing to the table. "There is still some sake left. Come and drink with us – it will soothe your nerves." He nodded to a cabinet along the wall. "Graeme-san, will you take some new cups out of there and join us?"

They sat in silence while Kai poured. He and Graeme had carefully positioned themselves between the two combatants. The tension in the room had lessened but it was still present as they lifted their cups, drank, re-filled them, and drank again.

"So," Graeme said, bravely breaking the silence, "Kirin, you and my sister – how did this happen?" He winced at a low-pitched growl from his father.

Kirin decided to appeal to Brooklyn's sense of humor and chose a light-hearted approach to defuse the situation. "She broke her bo over my head, kicked me in the stones, and stole my heart. How could I not fall in love with her?"

"She should have hit you harder," Brooklyn grumbled. "Sata can talk about Japanese mating customs all she likes but I can tell there's more going on than you're letting on. What have you been doing with my daughter?"

"Nothing improper, Brooklyn-san," Kirin replied as calmly as possible. "In fact, tonight was the first time that we actually kissed."

"You're kidding ," Graeme asked incredulously. "What about the hot springs?"

"She told you of this?" Kirin's ears turned slightly pink.

"Not all the details," Graeme said as he narrowed his eyes, "but from what I heard, it sounded pretty kinky." Unconsciously, both he and Brooklyn were leaning forward on their elbows, staring intently at Kirin's throat. They looked like a pair of predators poised to pounce.

"Not that it's any of your business," Kirin said frostily, "but nothing happened then either." He huffed and crossed his arms. "You should be grateful that I have shown considerable restraint in our relationship thus far."

"What are you saying?" Brooklyn snapped. "Are you implying that my daughter has no self-control?"

"We are talking about someone who tried to jump a motorcycle over a ravine."

Brooklyn raised both brow ridges and asked in spite of himself, "Did she make it across?"

"She didn't have the lift," Kirin commented. "I snatched her off the bike just before it crashed. However, it clearly demonstrates her impulsive nature."

"Dad, he's got a point." Graeme nudged Brooklyn. "This is Ari we're talking about."

"Fine, fine… " Brooklyn threw his hands up, conceding the point.

"So, it is agreed that the situation is not as bad as first thought," Kai said, taking the role of mediator. "Kirin has behaved honorably towards Ariana but the fact remains, brother – she is too young." He gave Kirin a stern look as he said this; unless Kirin missed his guess, Kai had his own reasons to be concerned.

"And I am too old," Kirin said frankly. "Do you not think that was not painfully obvious from the beginning? I did my best to correct the situation; I was rude and arrogant but nothing I did would dissuade her. She saw me at my very worst and she threw it all back at me." He smiled sadly at the memory. "I've always admired that kind of inner strength."

"This will not sit well with the others," Kai said, re-filling the cups. "Your situation is too well known among our peers. They will talk – you know they will."

"Let them talk," Kirin retorted. "Has it ever stopped them?"

"Situation?" Brooklyn narrowed his eyes. "What situation?"

"I have been mated before," Kirin said bluntly. There was no point in denying it; if Brooklyn heard it from him, then at least it would be better than anything he might hear from the clan gossips.

Brooklyn's jaw dropped open. "No way." He shook his head. "No-no-no! This cannot be happening!" Crossing his arms, he glared at Kirin. "If you were mated, what happened? Did she die?"

"She chose to leave me." Kirin shrugged. "After I left Ishimura, I heard no more of her."

"'She chose to leave you?'" Brooklyn repeated incredulously. "Gargoyles mate for life – something's wrong here. What are you not saying?"

"Brooklyn-san," Kai interrupted, "there has been precedence for dismating in our clan records. I assure you that the council would have not granted it had there not been good reason." He flicked his eyes at Kirin but otherwise gave away no sign of distress. The dissolution of Kirin's mating bonds had been one of the early trials of Kai's leadership.

Brooklyn narrowed his eyes. "What reason could there be?"

"I'm sorry but only the elder council can reveal the reason for a dismating," Kai said simply. "It is one of the rules involved in it."

"If you must know," Kirin said curtly, "my ex-mate and I grew apart. She asked to be dismated, not I."

"That's not saying a lot – anything could have happened. You're just not saying." Brooklyn clenched his fists. "What if history repeats itself? Who's to say you won't drive Ariana away in the same way?"

Unknowingly, Brooklyn had hit upon one of Kirin's biggest concerns but admitting that now would cause even more trouble. "Brooklyn-san, I assure you that I have nothing but the most honorable intentions towards your daughter."

"Don't talk to me about honor! You lied to me and Sata!"

"No, I said that 'one' among the Tengu wanted to court her." Kirin put his hand over his heart. "Ariana has agreed that we should get to know each other better. I give you my word that I will not pressure her into doing anything that she is not ready for."

"I'll forbid her from seeing you!"

"Dad," Graeme interrupted, "if you do that, Ariana will be all over him like a cheap suit."

Brooklyn gave his son a disgruntled look but he let out a deep breath. "You're probably right, damn it."

Kai held up his hand. "I would like to propose an alternative, if you both would be willing to consider it." When they both nodded, he continued. "Let Kirin continue to spend time with Ariana; however, she must be encouraged to allow other males to court her as well. This means, my brother, that if Ariana does find someone closer to her own age, you must not interfere."

Brooklyn was slowly nodding. "I could live with that. The thing you've got to understand, Kirin, is the fact that Ariana has never really dated. She needs to experience other males besides you."

"What you say is very logical and I can agree with it in theory but," Kirin said slowly, "can you explain it to my heart?" He struck the table with his fist, rattling the cups. "Damn it, I have a right to be happy!" There was an uncomfortable pause as Kirin controlled his emotions and then continued in a strained voice. "I've done nothing but think of her since she left the Tengu. You do not know what it has cost me to return to Ishimura."

Kai reached out and his hand on his shoulder. "I know all too well, brother," he began fervently, "I can only imagine what you're going through—"

"No, you don't!" Kirin shrugged away from his grip. "You have no idea what I have gone through! You've never been clanless! You've never been alone!" He clenched his jaws shut and began to mentally recite Hojo Soun's twenty-one articles of bushido. Halfway through the fifth, 'Accept your lot, in accordance with Buddha and the Shinto gods,' he was finally able to get a grip on his temper. Blowing out his whiskers in a long huff, Kirin bowed reluctantly and said, "I apologize for my outburst, Kai-sama. Please continue."

"It was wrong for the council," Kai said, "to not take your needs into consideration." He paused uncomfortably and the consternation he felt was plain upon his face. "That was painfully obvious to us in the years that followed."

"It doesn't change the fact that you're asking me to step aside again." The sound of Kai's words fell flat and Kirin couldn't bring himself to look at any of them. "If I consent to this, we must agree that it is up to Ariana to make the choice. No one must try to force her." He swallowed and said quietly. "Whatever Ariana decides, I want her to be happy."

"That is a reasonable request," Kai said after a few moments consideration. "Brooklyn?"

"All right," Brooklyn said with reluctance, "but I'll be watching you."

Kirin stood up and bowed solemnly to both Kai and Brooklyn. "If you will excuse me," he said curtly, "I must make my respects to my ancestors." He bowed again and left the room.

"Kai," Brooklyn said thoughtfully, "we need to talk."

o o o O O O o o o

Celadon bowls passed from hand to hand as the females gathered around the table bowed to their hostess, a coral gargoyle sprinkled with golden freckles glittered on her skin. Sata bowed from the waist as she accepted the fragrant bowl of oolong tea. She sniffed appreciatively. "Ah," she said, "I have missed your special tea blend, Red Wind. Even the scent is delicious."

Red Wind bowed in return. "I have missed those evenings when you were teaching Ariana. The Japanese ceremony is a dance which appeals to the eye while the Chinese ceremony is a dance that appeals to palate."

"But both are a good way to reunite with old friends," Sata continued, "and to meet new ones." She nodded to the other females, the youngest of which Sata had already met. "I am so very pleased to see you again, Kwan Lin. Have you continued your healer studies?"

Kwan Lin was a delicate lilac color with short ridged horns but her face was less rounded and more shapely than it had been five years before when she had visited Manhattan. "Yes, Lady Sata," she said with a shy smile. "I've continued gathering data about other clans and their guardian beasts. Hudson was a great help, telling me of the beasts that used to guard Castle Wyvern. How is he? I hope he is still well."

Sata set her bowl down and sighed. "I regret to tell you that we lost honorable Hudson-san to the four winds this past winter." She lowered her eyes respectfully as did the other guests at the table.

"Ah, no!" Red Wind set her bowl down too. "I am sorry to hear that," she said, her usual cool demeanor replaced with true regret. "Hudson was always very kind to me. I shall miss him."

"How did Bronx take it?" Kwan Lin blurted out. Her concern was understandable given the Chinese clan's occupation with the care and breeding of the animal-like guardian gargoyles. "Beasts who are attached to an individual can mourn so deeply that they can literally waste away."

"True," Sata said, "Bronx would lie in front of the fireplace in the Great Hall and refuse to eat or drink but Nudnik would not leave his side." She laughed as she explained, "My son Graeme picked up Nudnik in our travels. He was a clumsy pup when we arrived in Manhattan and he tormented Bronx so with his antics! It was very touching to see Nudnik devote himself to Bronx – he would not let him submit to grief."

"Then," Kwan Lin said slowly, "Bronx survived?"

Sata nodded gently. "He has taken to following Broadway around but he still his melancholy moments. That is why Graeme decided not to bring Nudnik with us, but rather left him to keep Bronx company."

"I am glad to hear it." Kwan Lin let out a deep sigh of relief. "I'm looking forward to visiting more with Ariana and Graeme. I've been busy observing the Ishimuran healers since I arrived so I haven't really had many opportunities to see them." She laughed, a quiet low chuckle. "Li Kao has gone off to the baseball practice so I'm assuming that's where Ariana has gone."

"Yes, my wayward daughter hasn't given up all of her tomboy ways," Sata said with a dramatic roll of her eyes, "but I have hopes of that changing soon."

"Oh?" Red Wind leaned forward. "Has Ariana finally found an admirer?" She turned to the other females. "Lady Sata's daughter was like a little sister to me when I was with the Manhattan clan. I can't believe that she's finally old enough to seek a mate!"

"Neither can I!" Sata shook her head. "One good thing has come from her recent trip to Osaka – the Tengu clan has sent a delegation to our Grand Miai. Brooklyn and I just met with one of them about the prospect of courting our Ari-chan!"

Red Wind lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Is Brooklyn nervous?"

"Like a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs, I believe the saying goes."

"The… Tengu, you said?" a bronze female with a broad face that was nearly as round as a gong but her eyes had the same piercing quality like a hawk. "It has been years since I have heard stories of them. I thought them to be a myth."

At Sata's sharp glance, Red Wing made introductions. "This is Lady Dae from Pukhan in Korea. She will be representing their clan in the formal gathering that the leaders and elders will be having later in the week. Our clans traveled here together."

Sata bowed slightly. "Lady Dae."

"Lady Sata." Dae returned the gesture.

"As to the Tengu," Sata continued, "they are quite real. My daughter discovered their clan living in the mountains above Kobe and Osaka. They are secretive by nature and live a fully self-sustained lifestyle. Being undiscovered by humans for all these years is quite an accomplishment."

"They are a large clan?"

"I do not know," Sata admitted. "They only brought three young males for the Grand Miai. I am given to understand that their last few rookeries have been small."

"Interesting."

There was something in the calculating way Dae smiled that disturbed Sata but she kept her opinions to herself. With a pleasant expression on her jade features, Sata asked, "How are Yong and Jin-ho? We have not heard much from Pukhan since they were last in Manhattan."

"Jin-ho stayed behind but Yong is here." Dae shrugged as if the youngsters were of no consequence. "He is so large, many of our young females find him intimidating."

Sata laughed. "Yes, he was certainly surprised at the way Ariana treated him. He acted as if no one had ever flirted with him."

"Really?" Again the strange smile reappeared, as if she was filing away that information for later. "Yong never mentioned that. I will have to encourage him to socialize more while he is here. Perhaps he will renew his friendship with your daughter."

"I am sure that Ariana will be happy to see him again," Sata answered smoothly before turning towards Kwan Lin, "as well as the other friends she made during the junior leadership seminar that we held in Manhattan."

"Oh, yes," Kwan Lin said with growing enthusiasm, "I am looking forward to that as well."

As the conversation turned to other topics, Sata studied the Korean gargoyle out of the corner of her eye. Knowing Red Wing as she did, Sata knew that her former clan mate was very selective on who she took into her confidences. Still, that small little smirk about the lips was enough to set off warning bells in the back of Sata's mind. She felt naked without her swords.

o o o O O O o o o

"I can't believe this is happening," Brooklyn said. He and Kai had opened a fresh jar of rice wine. Graeme had excused himself after only two drinks, leaving them to finish the rest. "I mean, we arranged that youth conference just to introduce her to suitable males!"

"I know," Kai said, peering at him owlishly. His earlier drinking was catching up to him. "All Happa could talk about when he got back was how much fun it was being with Ariana." He studied his cup for a moment and then deliberately turned it over. "Happa has always been a little shy with females so I encouraged his interest in her."

"You should tell him to make more of an effort."

"I shall!"

Brooklyn drained his cup. "I'm going to look up Mawson. Graeme said that he was interested in Ari too. If this Kirin wants to pursue her, he's going to find he's got competition!"

"You know, Brooklyn-san, Kirin might be too old but he's not bad either." Kai paused thoughtfully. "If anything, it's good that Ariana is fixated on him. He will treat her honorably because he has given you his word and his honor is without question."

"How do you know? You haven't seen him in years."

"The circumstances of his dismating would have broken a lesser male but he bore them stoically." Kai held up a hand when Brooklyn raised one brow ridge questioningly. "We did not realize it until after he left but his mate had spread vicious rumors about him to influence the council. What she did to him was cruel and I have regretted my involvement in it ever since."

As Kai said this, Brooklyn caught the small crease on Kai's forehead and the way that his eyes darted away instead of meeting his. One of things he had learned during his years traveling with the Phoenix Gate was how to read body language. The Japanese, both human and gargoyle, controlled their emotions intensely so any signs of distress were very subtle; Brooklyn knew this firsthand through his mate, Sata. There was more going on here that Kai was willing to admit.

"Tell me this," Brooklyn said carefully, "would you trust him with your daughter?"

"It is not our custom to recognize sons or daughters here in Ishimura," Kai said slowly, "but I understand what you mean." He toyed with his upturned cup. "I think that if Kirin showed an interest in one of our young females and if she showed signs of reciprocating, then I would have spoken to him as firmly as you did. Kirin is the more experienced in these matters and therefore, more responsible for his actions. Even if you made an unfortunate start," he glanced at Brooklyn's gauntlet, "you were right to tell him what behavior you expect from him."

Brooklyn nodded but before he could speak, Kai continued.

"However, Kirin is only one half of the problem. If this was an Ishimuran youngling, then Sakaki and I would take her aside and advise her. A young female, such as Ariana, would be inexperienced and might not fully understand the finer nuances of gargoyle courtship." He sighed. "Happa came to me not long ago for advice on how to court Ariana but I suspect that she did not recognize his overtures for what they were."

"Hoo boy…" Brooklyn rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So what you're saying is that Sata and I need to have a talk with Ariana – straighten her out on a few things?"

"And I will encourage Happa to be more assertive in his courting." Kai looked up at the sound of voices in the compound. "I believe that may be them now. I was there when Happa and Ariana left for baseball practice earlier."

Both males came out of the main hall and watched as a group of young gargoyles came towards them. From their hand gestures, Happa and Toshi were explaining some finer points of the game to a tall grey gargoyle dressed in black with high arched brows and a red headscarf. Ariana was walking next to them, beak agape with laughter. She was giggling so hard that she stumbled into Happa. He laughed and put his arm around her to steady her.

"Well, she's in a good mood," Brooklyn said to Kai out of the side of his beak, "I don't think there's a better time for a father/daughter chat, do you?"

"I wish you luck," Kai answered back. "I must have a word with Sakaki about this. She and Kirin used to work together as teachers in the rookery. He might listen to her."

"Sounds good." Brooklyn gave the Ishimuran leader a brief bow and charged out into the group of young gargoyles as they came past. "So," he said cheerfully, "how was practice?"

"Not bad," Ariana replied. "I've always wanted to play shortstop. No wonder Graeme's always hogged that spot – it's fun!" She was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a sleeveless black shirt. "Where's Mom?"

"Red Wind invited her to tea."

"Again?" Ariana made a face.

"You know Sata – she could live on tea." Brooklyn rolled his eyes. "Now, me – I've got to have something a little more substantial. Want to join me for a bite?"

"Okay." Ariana laughed and waggled her fingers over her shoulder as she took Brooklyn's arm. "Bye, guys – I'll see you later!" All three young males said goodbye and waved back.

"You seem happy," Brooklyn said, trying to sound light-hearted. "Who's the new guy?"

"That's Tancho – he's one of Kirin's students."

"Do you like him?"

"Yeah, he's funny – he doesn't have your sense of humor but he makes me laugh," Ariana answered. "I like him a lot."

"Really?"

"Dad…." Ariana dipped her head and looked up at him through her bangs.

"Okay, okay – can you blame me for being curious?" Brooklyn laughed. "He wouldn't be that so-called Tengu boyfriend of yours, would he?"

"Oh, Dad – don't be silly!"

Unexpectedly, Ariana hugged his arm and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. It startled Brooklyn because she hadn't done that in years, not since she had become so grown up. When she had been a tiny hatchling, he'd cradled her in the crook of his arm during their many travels. It was the same arm that she would grab and tug until he joined her in whatever adventure her imagination came up with. Even when they had butted heads during her tumultuous teenage years, there had been those quiet moments when she'd snuggled in under his arm and they'd forgiven each other without saying a word.

It brought an unexpected lump to his throat.

"Well," he said finally, "you can't blame me for being curious. You seem happier than you were earlier – Kirin's news seems to have cheered you up."

"I never thought someone that would want to come all this way just for me," Ariana said with a self-conscious smile. "Love is like the wind – you never know where it will take you." Her eyes grew dreamy and distant.

"Yeah, it is, isn't it?" Brooklyn mused. "The first time I met your mother, she had knocked me unconscious and I woke up tied to a chair." He chuckled but his laughter died away when he realized how similar that was to Kirin's description of his first meeting with Ariana. He forced himself not to scowl as he continued. "You shouldn't judge someone on first impressions. You should take your time and really get to know them."

Ariana stopped in her tracks and gave him a peculiar look, like she couldn't believe her ears. A slow grin curled around her beak as she stared at him.

Cocking one brow ridge, he asked, "What?"

"It's weird," she said wryly, "but Kirin said almost the same thing to me earlier."

Brooklyn was speechless for a few moments but recovered smoothly. "Did he? Sounds like good advice to me."

"Once you get past that uber-bushido attitude of his," she said, taking his arm again, "Kirin's really easy to talk to. I think you'd like him, once you got to know him."

"Like hell," Brooklyn grumbled under his breath. If there was one thing he was sure of, he was not going to make friends with some aging gargoyle lothario lusting for his daughter.

"Huh?"

"There's Sata," Brooklyn pointed ahead. "Shall we kidnap her before she drowns in more tea?"

It was a purely diversionary tactic. Brooklyn knew there was no way he could keep from voicing his opinion of Kirin and if he did, that would lose any chance he had of convincing Ariana to be courted by other eligible males. Sata, on the other hand, could be counted on to be a soothing buffer between hot-headed father and impetuous daughter.

o o o O O O o o o

The temple was exactly as Kirin remembered it. It was located on the eastern edge of the original Ishimura compound with a panoramic view of Mt. Zao far in the distance. Great care had been taken to preserve the solemnity of the site. Kirin carefully wiped his feet before stepping onto the spotless floor. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, breathing in the aroma of wood oil, incense, and flowers on the altar. The encounter with Brooklyn had left his mind was too jumbled and chaotic to function and he felt the need to center himself.

Kirin approached the golden Buddha enshrined in its alcove and knelt on the tatami floor to perform the ritual obeisance, bowing deeply so that his nose almost touched the mats. Reaching forward, he took two sticks of incense, lit them, and placed them in the holder in front of the clan tablets. "Otou-san," he said, bowing, "Okaa-san – I honor your memory. I hope that you regard your unworthy son fondly from your place among the stars."

Taking a deep cleansing breath, Kirin took the mala beads that he kept in his sash and looped them loosely around his right wrist. Starting at the large central bead, he began reciting the Lotus Sutra, just focusing on the flow of his breath going in and out and letting the familiar words flow over him. By the time he reached the medium-sized bead marking the first median point, his thoughts had settled and he had regained his focus.

When his mother had first started bringing him to this temple, Kirin had not been an especially devout Buddhist. He had merely done it because it was something that pleased her. It had been a way to spend time with his mother in much the same way that he had spent time fishing with his father. Most gargoyles had no set religious beliefs as such but the clan maintained a deep reverence for the temple that they had protected for generations.

The years after he had left Ishimura had been filled with rage and desperation. Kirin had been contemplating his own death when he found himself in a temple on the outskirts of Tokyo. The old priest there, rather than being frightened at a statue coming to life, had guided Kirin back to his Buddhist roots. Faith, he found, was the one thing that no one could take away from him. The second meridian bead caught between his thumb and middle finger, trapped in much the same way that he felt trapped now. He could bow to the demands of bushido or he could follow his heart – he doubted that it was possible to do both. As he continued to chant, he began to unconsciously verbalize his thoughts and saying them out loud seemed to help.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ommmmmmm…

"Merciful Buddha, grant me peace," Kirin murmured while he fingered the mala beads looped over his wrist. "Ease my sorrows."

o o o O O O o o o

Outside on the temple steps, Midori, back in her miko uniform of white kimono top and red hakama pants, paused in her sweeping. She had noted earlier that someone had been kneeling by the shrine and so had chosen to give whoever it was some privacy by doing her less intrusive chores. With so many guests visiting Ishimura, the temple was naturally a prime attraction. What she had not expected was the sound of a familiar voice.

Biting her lower lip, she crept closer to the inner doors.

o o o O O O o o o

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ommmmmmm…

"I should have never let myself hope – but how could I not? I have no worldly possessions – hope is all that I have."

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ommmmmmm…

"Whenever I am with her," he whispered. "I am young again and I feel worthy of being loved."

o o o O O O o o o

"Midori! What on earth are you doing?"

The words were barely audible but Midori jumped anyway. She looked up into Sakaki's butter yellow face, almost glowing in the dim light, and held up a finger to her lips.

Sakaki frowned, creasing her forehead but as she recognized the speaker, her eyes widened. Midori shared her expression and they both leaned a little closer.

o o o O O O o o o

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ommmmmmm…

"And yet I am afraid," he continued, "because she makes me so happy. It can't possibly last – every moment of happiness that I have ever had has been followed by pain."

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ommmmmmm…

"Take this fear from me," Kirin said fervently, lifting his prayer beads to his forehead and then his lips. "It is a fleeting moment in a long life spent waiting for enlightenment. I know that with your divine guidance I will overcome all doubts." His eyes flickered with an inner light.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ommmmmmm…

"I know the task ahead is difficult, that my wants and desires are insignificant." His voice faltered. "But I also know that my soul has been missing its other half for far too long." He drew a shaky breath. "Without her, I have no life."

As soon as the words left his lips, Kirin knew them for the truth. He tried to focus back on his sutras, but try as he may, the chants became hollow. His shoulders slumped and his vision blurred.

o o o O O O o o o

"He's crying," Midori mouthed.

Sakaki nodded and carefully led the younger female away. Once they were beyond the temple steps, she said cautiously, "Say nothing of this, not one word to anyone -- not even to your friend Ariana." When Midori started to protest, she added, "It's very important – I want your word as a servant of the temple."

"But why?" Midori glanced back at the shrine doors. "He's in pain, Sakaki. I can't just let that go."

"I cannot tell you… yet." Sakaki reached out and touched her knuckles to Midori's brow ridges. "Trust me, young one. If you love your friend, keep your eyes and ears open."

Midori frowned. "I've seen Kirin and Ariana together. They were both so happy. What could have happened? Did they fight?"

"I don't believe so," Sakaki answered slowly with a frown of her own. "Say nothing to Ariana about this – whatever it is that's troubling Kirin, it's something that he'll want to resolve on his own." She gave a little half-smile. "I know how he is."

o o o O O O o o o

"Dad is acting so weird," Ariana said to her mother as she watched Brooklyn thread his way thru the crowd in the dining hall. "Has he been drinking?"

"I believe so," Sata said calmly as she took a seat at a hastily vacated table overlooking the garden. All it had taken was a casual glance around the room and Ishimurans were gladly offering their Ancestress a place to sit. "Kai had invited him to go drinking earlier."

"Really?" Ariana raised her brow ridges. "I know that Kai came by to take Kirin drinking. Perhaps they ran into each there – Dad was saying some crazy things earlier."

Sata smiled. "I wouldn't judge your father too harshly, Ari-chan," she said. "He's been dreading this moment for years."

"What?"

"When a handsome young warrior would come to win your heart." Sata laughed softly. "If you had been raised in a rookery, this would have not been a problem but we share a stronger bond with you and Graeme that most gargoyles share with their offspring." She reached over and patted Ariana's hand. "I'm afraid your father's feelings will be somewhat fragile while you are being courted."

"Oh, really?" Ariana thought about the way Brooklyn had been acting and suddenly it all made sense. "Poor Dad… he's a little jealous, isn't he?"

"A little?" It was Sata's turn to raise her brows. "This is your father we're talking about. It's a wonder he hasn't exploded." She watched Brooklyn heading their way with a tray. "Be gentle with him."

"Contents under pressure, got it." Ariana matched her mother's expression as they both gazed thoughtfully at the red gargoyle coming toward them.

Brooklyn paused as he approached the table and stared back. "What?"

"Really, beloved," Sata chided him, "Can we not admire you because you are the handsomest male in the room?"

"Yeah, Dad," Ariana said, "can't you take a compliment?"

"Yeah, right…," he drawled out as he put down the tray. "Coming from you two? I know better than that." This didn't stop him from puffing his chest out and tossing his feathery white hair around as he settled his wings around his shoulders. "You're just being nice because I've got dinner."

"Now, Ari-chan, this is one of things you should be looking for a potential mate," Sata said calmly as she began to move dishes to the table. There were bowls of soba noodles, grilled meat on skewers, steamed vegetables, and pickles.

"A guy that brings me noodles?" Ariana said pertly. Brooklyn smirked but Sata was not amused.

"Being a good provider is nothing to joke about," Sata said as she took up her chopsticks. "I know when you're first being courted, all you notice is a handsome face and strong wings –"

"And a cute butt?"

Brooklyn choked on his noodles.

"Please, Ari-chan – be serious."

"I was just kidding!" Ariana looked at both of her parents. "I know that you were both surprised when Kirin brought it up – I know that I was -- but don't worry, I'm not going rush into anything. A girl only gets chased once in her life, right? I want to enjoy it!"

"Still, you should be cautious," Sata said as she sampled the vegetables. "Don't set your heart on the first male bold enough to court you. This Tengu suitor has announced his attentions but from what I've heard, he's not the only one." She glanced at Brooklyn and smiled. "Do you remember Yong, that bronze warrior from Korea? While I was having tea with Red Wind, I met one of the female chaperones from his clan and it seems he's eager to renew Ariana's acquaintance."

"Really?" Brooklyn perked up at this news. "That's interesting because Graeme was telling me earlier that Happa and Mawson were asking about her too." He and Sata both cocked a brow at other and then turned towards their daughter.

"You know," Ariana said with her chopsticks poised in mid-air, "when you do that synchronized parenting thing, it really creeps me out." She slurped up some noodles. "It's a funny thing – I haven't heard a peep out of Yong since he left Manhattan. Happa and Mawson at least drop me an email occasionally but it's not like they're writing me love letters. It's always clan business or baseball or fight techniques or something." Staring into her bowl, she said quietly, "They've never been interested in me before – I don't see why it matters now."

"Well, um," Brooklyn stammered, "we males can be pretty clueless. That doesn't mean that you should just give up on them."

"Brooklyn-san knows what he is talking about," Sata said with a coy look at her mate. "We traveled nearly a year with the Phoenix Gate before he began to make overtures to me. By contrast, Yoshi always assumed that I would be his mate."

Ariana perked up. "Yoshi?"

"Yes, he was the leader of the Ishimura clan back in the twelfth century. I was his second-in-command, but we had been close since our rookery days." Sata smiled, casting her eyes out over the garden. "There was a wide stream that ran through here then and Yoshi would wade out into it to pick blue and white irises growing at the water's edge because he thought they looked beautiful in my hair."

"Hmmph." Brooklyn glowered and stabbed at his pickles.

"Really?" Ariana propped the corner of her jaw in her hand and leaned against the table. "Was he cute?"

"He was very handsome – bronze with magenta inner wings and horns like a samurai's helmet." She sighed and glanced mischievously at Brooklyn, who was beginning to bristle. "Even before your father whisked me away, however, I knew that I would have made a poor mate for Yoshi. When we returned to Ishimura, five years had passed and my friend Jun had become his mate."

"Wasn't that awkward?"

"Not really," Sata said. "By that time, Brooklyn and I had gotten to know each other and that had grown into love." She shifted in her seat and smiled; Ariana knew without looking that her parents were twisting tails beneath the table. "Do you see how it all worked out for the best?"

"I think so." Ariana toyed with a chopstick, rotating it through her fingers. "Would it matter to you if I pick someone who might not be your idea of the perfect guy?"

"We will be happy with whoever makes you happy," Sata began but Brooklyn interrupted.

"I'm not going to be happy no matter who you pick, sweetheart. Every guy who comes your way is either going to be too old or too tall or too foreign to suit me." Brooklyn gave a heavy sigh. "Gargoyles mate for life, Ari – just because a guy makes the first move, that doesn't mean that he's the guy for you."

By the tone of Brooklyn's voice alone, Ariana upgraded her father from just 'a little jealous' to 'full raging green-eyed monster.' It didn't help that he was deliberately not looking at her. She had been considering telling them how she felt about Kirin but with the way Brooklyn was acting, she decided to back off and try another tactic. "You're right, Dad," she said carefully, "I should probably weigh all my options."

"Yes," Sata agreed in a soothing tone, glancing at Brooklyn. "I think that would be very wise."

"Look, I can tell you two have a lot of girl talk to do," Brooklyn said as he stood up abruptly. "I need some air." He stalked off before either his mate or his daughter could do anything to stop him.

"Whoa."

"Indeed."

"Have you ever seen him like this?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Sata sighed. "Your father can be incredibly stubborn once he gets into one of these moods."

"Do you think—" Ariana hesitated for a moment, "—do you think he's mad at me?"

"Of course not – why would you even think that?"

"No reason," Ariana said with a shrug but her mind was going a mile a minute.

She'd been wondering about Brooklyn's behavior ever since he'd met up with her after ball practice. It wasn't in Brooklyn's nature to be this guarded – he was normally very upfront and open with his family. She knew that Kirin had gone off with Kai to go drinking and that made her wonder if Brooklyn had been there too. When her father had said almost the same thing that Kirin did, it had made her curious but when Brooklyn had made that 'too old or too tall or too foreign' comment, all the warning signs had gone up.

Brooklyn knew.

She had to go find Kirin.

Or whatever was left.

o o o O O O o o o

The incense sticks had burned to ashes by the time Kirin finished his meditations. He made the ritual observances but he did not feel comforted. If anything, reflecting on his troubles had only made him feel worse. Tucking his mala beads back into his sash, he rose stiffly and stepped out onto the wide porch. Below him at the foot of the temple steps, Sakaki was talking with Ariana's friend Midori, who was now dressed as a shrine maiden. The younger female had a broom in her hands and appeared to have been sweeping away fallen leaves from the temple grounds.

Looking up, Sakaki smiled at him. "There you are," she said. "I thought perhaps you and Kai would still be drinking but I'm happy to find you here instead."

"Why is that?"

"He won't admit it but Kai's stomach is not up to an all-night binge." Sakaki glanced briefly at Midori who resumed sweeping. "What sort of mate would I be if I did not worry about him?"

"Kai is lucky to have you," Kirin agreed, but it only made him feel worse. Kai and Sakaki had been destined for each other from the beginning and everyone had known it.

"Will you join me?" Sakaki said, taking Kirin's arm. "I was on my way to check the rookery. The hatchlings have a play period now and I always like to look in on them."

"Trying to catch them in the act, neh?" Kirin managed a rueful smile. "How many times did Miya use that ploy on us?"

"Sometimes the old tricks are still the best."

Leading him through the gardens, Sakaki stopped at a narrow gate. Kirin had to tuck in his wings to fit through but as he did, he stepped into a walled garden lined with dwarf fruit trees and fragrant beds of flowers. The grass was a fine and velvety carpet of emerald green. The clan's current crop of hatchlings was playing here and there under the watchful eyes of junior rookery keeps. He felt almost like he was reliving a favorite memory.

"It hasn't changed much at all," Kirin said finally. "Some of the stonework is new but it's like I never left."

"I know," Sakaki said as she guided him towards a stone bench. "Do you remember all those long talks we had here together?"

"How could I forget?" He sat down and let his wings relax. "The times we had here were among the few happy memories that I took with me."

Sakaki sat down next to him. "Kirin-san," she said gently, "Kai has told me of the sacrifice you've been asked to make."

"It's not fair," he answered numbly. "It might be the right thing to do but it is not fair."

"Ariana is very young," she observed. "It might be seen as you taking liberties with an inexperienced female."

"I know, and I tried very hard to keep my distance." Kirin took a deep breath, held it, and then let it out in a loud sigh. "I got very drunk, so drunk that I was sick the next night. It was my own doing but she thought it was her fault. She was afraid that she had hurt my feelings." He gave her a fragile smile. "I wasn't expecting her to care, not about me."

"So you fell in love."

"Yes." The hatchlings ran by in a giggling, shrieking pack and that gave time for Kirin to regain his composure. "O-tama said that as a teacher, I'm always giving to others. Ariana filled all the empty spaces in me that Ikeike left behind."

"'Ikeike?'" Sakaki laughed. "You're still calling her that?"

"It is what she is!" he snapped, tightening his lips and making his barbels arch back in a grimace. He had gone years without even thinking of his ex-mate; speaking of her left a bad taste in Kirin's mouth.

"Ah." Sakaki nodded wisely. "You know, she left here a few years after you did."

"Did she?" Kirin feigned indifference but inwardly he was relieved. He had been dreading meeting her or worse, subjecting Ariana to her spitefulness.

"Yes, a delegation from the Korean clan had come over on a fishing boat and she decided to go back with them." Sakaki paused to glare at a naughty little male teasing his rookery sister. "She did not even stay for the hatching of her own egg."

"What?" Kirin's eyes widened. "Why didn't anyone say? I would have come back, had I known she was gone!"

"We did not know if you were still alive," she answered contritely, "and when you did call in, you didn't give Kai time to tell you so. For what it is worth, the child has been happy and content with her rookery."

"Her?" He smiled in spite of himself. "It was a girl?"

"Yes," Sakaki smiled back. "Kai and I took an interest in her, just as we did with all the hatchlings. She has her mother's beauty but fortunately none of her disposition."

"I wish I could have been here." Kirin chewed on a barbel. "I would have liked to have had a daughter. Have I seen her?"

Sakaki nodded at the hatchlings playing nearby and crooked a finger at one of them. A tiny olive green female with double-pronged horns trotted over. Curved jaw projections gave her face a winsome heart shape, and she had a spade-tipped tail. A lock of her glossy dark hair had come loose from her ponytail. Ever since the last hatching, Kirin had wondered what his lost child had looked like and his heart leapt in his chest at the sight of her. She was not of his blood but he had always felt responsible for her existence.

"Come here, Keiko-chan," Sakaki said gently, "and let me fix your hair." As she began to comb through the child's hair with her fingers, she commented, "This is my friend, Master Kirin. He once taught here in the rookery."

Keiko looked up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Where do you teach now?"

"My students are all grown up," Kirin answered calmly, although it was all he could do to sit still with his hands folded in his lap. He was fighting the irrational impulse to snatch her up and hug her for all the years he'd missed with her. "I am not teaching at the moment."

"Perhaps you would consider sitting a few classes here," Sakaki suggested. "Two of my junior teachers want to join in the Grand Miai with their peers. I've been having them take turns but it would be nice to let them both go."

"My teacher has been doing this all night," Keiko said and gave a long, exaggerated sigh. When Kirin laughed at her, she hid her face and giggled through her fingers.

"Off you go," Sakaki said, giving her ponytail a last pat. "Go and play… it will be time to go in soon."

"She's quite precocious," Kirin said as he watched Keiko skip away to join her rookery.

"So was her mother but luckily Keiko has a sweet and generous nature." Smiling wistfully, Sakaki lowered her voice. "I'm afraid that Kai dotes on her too much."

"I can not fault him for that." Kirin smiled back. "I would spoil her shamelessly too."

"He still feels guilty for all the pain he caused you."

"It was not his fault," Kirin protested. "I have told him – he was only doing his duty as clan leader. It was Ikeike who twisted everything around to suit her."

"Oh, I know that all too well." Now it was Sakaki's turn to scowl. "After you left, she tried to get Kai to take her as a second mate, especially after we had both laid our eggs and I was so busy with the rookery." Her lips grew pale as she suppressed a growl. "I began to have… accidents."

"What?"

"It only took a few incidents – the worst was a couple of cracked boards where I fell through the dock. The sea was very rough and you know how poorly I swim." She sighed. "Kai had Yama investigate and she was not as clever at hiding her tracks as she thought. She had been on restricted duty for several weeks when the Koreans arrived. I was not sorry to see her go."

"And I am glad that she did." Kirin watched the hatchlings at play for a few moments. Keiko had joined a group playing a complicated game involving hopping on one leg and following a leader and falling in a big giggling heap. He couldn't help remembering the Three at this age and how much he had enjoyed teaching young minds. He glanced at Sakaki who had been patiently watching him with a vaguely amused look on her face.

"I suppose," he said dryly, "I could teach a few subjects, if it will lighten the load on your teachers. I have to attend some clan functions with Takakura to represent the Tengu."

"I think we can work around that," Sakaki said agreeably. "I think you'll find our current rookery will keep you busy."

Blowing his whiskers out in a huff, Kirin commented, "And keep me out of trouble?"

Sighing, Sakaki leaned towards him and rested her head on his shoulder for a minute or two. "You do insist on setting ridiculously high goals for yourself," she said at last, "but then that's how you've always been. You hate to lose." She turned her head and looked up at him. "Somehow, I don't think that's changed, neh?"

"Well," Kirin raised one eyebrow as he met her gaze, "We shall see."

o o o O O O o o o

Sailing high over the harbor, the Three circled in for a landing on the south horn. There on the rocky outcropping, there was a well-preserved watchtower from days long past when it had served as a lighthouse for fishermen returning to Ishimura. The bottom entrance had been sealed to keep out the curious but the top floors were easily accessible to anyone with wings. Mozu and Takakura tucked in their wings and landed neatly on the open-sided roof but Tancho missed and had to circle around for a second try.

"Honestly, crane-legs," Takakura said as he began to follow Mozu down the trapdoor stairs, "how clumsy can you be?"

Tancho merely smiled. "Not as clumsy as you were with those females tonight. How many times did you get your face slapped?"

"They could not help it," Mozu called up. "It's such a big target!"

"Perhaps Mozu can give you some tips," Tancho continued, "after all, he seems to have attracted a pretty female with very little effort at all."

"She has the face of a goat!" Takakura protested, not at all happy at having the tables turned on him. "She doesn't even speak properly!"

Mozu turned at the foot of the stairs and glared at his long-nosed rookery brother. "You leave Roslin alone," he said, jutting his beak out. "I may not understand half the things that she says but she's been very nice to me. You two went off and left me all alone. I didn't know who to talk to or where to go or anything. If Roslin hadn't come along, I would have returned here long ago!"

Takakura and Tancho looked at each other and then back at Mozu. Tancho cleared his throat. "That's quite a speech for you," he commented. "Just out of curiosity, what have you been drinking?"

"Just that Coca-Cola stuff that Roslin kept bringing me." Mozu frowned and looked at his hands. "I feel strangely jittery for some reason."

"That would be the caffeine," Kirin said, his voice echoing from one of the other rooms. The Three located him in the largest room, sitting cross-legged on his futon with piles of paper stacked around him. "You should drink some water and flush it out of your system before you sleep."

"Is it dangerous?" Mozu asked worriedly.

"No," Kirin said mildly, "but if you're not used to it, caffeine can be too stimulating. It can interfere with restful sleep." He looked up from the book he was reading. "I would have dreams where I was running and never getting anywhere. I always woke up tired." Gesturing to the small brazier in the center of the room, he said, "I was about to have some tea – please join me."

The Three looked at the brazier. There was water heating on it but typically no sign of anything else. They knew this drill – if sensei expected to have tea, they were expected to make it. Without a word, Tancho unpacked the tea set, Mozu dug around in his pack for soothing herbs, and Takakura began unloading the odds and ends that had found their way into his pockets. On a small bamboo mat, he set out some jelly buns wrapped in a paper napkin, bags of snack chips, and another napkin containing sweets. To top it all off, he produced several skewers of chicken yakitori that had been rolled up in brown paper and stuffed up his jacket sleeve. Takakura took two small pieces of fallen brick work and used them to prop the skewers on top of the brazier to heat.

Kirin shook his head. "Honestly, Tak," he said exasperatedly. "What is it with you and taking anything that isn't tied down? If you ask at the kitchens, they'd be happy to give all the food you want."

"Where's the fun in that?" Takakura grinned.

"Well, if Kai catches you at it," Kirin said sternly, "he won't be amused. There's already been one complaint and that Hana girl mentioned you by name."

"If it helps, I ran into her later," Takakura said as he turned the skewers. "She was very cold to me but I apologized." He pointed at Tancho. "He was there – he can back me up on this."

"Oh, he apologized all right," Tancho agreed, "and then she hit him."

Kirin winced. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Takakura protested. "I was very polite!"

When Kirin cocked an eyebrow at him, Tancho answered, "She claimed he was leering at her, but he was only dipping his nose so he could look her in the eye." He shrugged. "You know how suggestive that can look."

"Tak….." Kirin rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Well, I suppose we can use that excuse if it comes up tomorrow. We're due in the council chambers first thing tomorrow to make a formal greeting to the clan and establish Tak's right to speak for the Tengu."

Mozu finished making the tea and began to pass around cups. "Then what, sensei?"

"You will be free do to whatever you wish. I will be going off to my private exile in the rookery." Kirin sighed and blew softly on his tea to cool it.

"Sensei? What happened?"

Kirin pretended that he hadn't heard and began reading again.

Takakura raised a questioning brow at his rookery brothers. Mozu shrugged his shoulders. Tancho started to do the same thing but then paused thoughtfully for moment. He smacked the heel of his hand against his forehead. Both Mozu and Takakura mouthed "What?"

"I must be the dullest thing in the world," Tancho began lightly. "Instead of filching trifles or being mauled by cute goat girls, I wound up playing baseball."

"How was that?" Takakura asked on cue.

"You know, it's a lot more fun on a regulation field. Toshi and Ariana gave me some pointers and Happa was pleased enough with my batting and catching that he said I could play in the game tomorrow."

"Then we will all be there to cheer you on," said Mozu. "Won't we, sensei?"

"You can go if you like," Kirin said, "I will be teaching."

"That's a shame," Tancho said, "because Ariana was looking forward to seeing you there." He paused when Kirin gave a sudden huff but when nothing else followed, he continued. "When we came back into the compound, her father met us and he seemed eager to talk to her. He had been with Kai just before that and they both had very serious faces."

Mozu's crest rose up. "Isn't Kai the one that you were drinking with earlier, sensei?"

All three of the young Tengu waited breathlessly for a reaction.

"Master Kirin?" Takakura said politely but firmly. "What happened?"

Without looking up, Kirin said flatly, "They know."

"And," Mozu said tentatively, "they do not approve?"

"No," Kirin said as he put his papers aside, "they do not."

Tancho made a face. "Why? Don't they have eyes in their heads?"

"It is not that – in Ishimura, one might have a mate a generation younger but I am considered too old." He sighed again, deeper this time so that his barbels swung in circles. "Since Ariana has already given me permission to court her, they can not take that away but –"

"But what?"

"I agreed that if Ariana is approached by other younger and therefore more suitable males, I must allow them to do so."

"And this is why you're being forced to teach in the rookery?"

"No, I offered to do it." Kirin took another sip of tea. "I can't bear the thought of someone else courting her – there's no reason why I have to watch it. You three have been out of the schoolroom for ages. I enjoy teaching and it will be a good distraction."

"What was that phrase Toshi used earlier?" Tancho drummed his fingers on his chin. "Ah, yes – this really sucks."

Kirin considered that. "Yes, it does, but it is what I have to do." He huffed again lightly and turned his attention back to his books. "Now if you don't mind, I have lesson plans to prepare."

The Three ate their purloined meal in thoughtful silence, each sneaking covert glances at Kirin. When they had finished and tidied up, they retreated to the watchtower roof. It was originally the place where humans lit beacons to guide ships into the harbor but that had been long since taken away.

"Well," said Mozu quietly, "what should we do?"

"We can't let them do this to Master Kirin," Takakura said just as quietly but with more heat. "It occurs to me that only he promised not to interfere – there's no reason why we can't."

Mozu raised his brow ridges. "I don't know…."

"I didn't want to say this in front of sensei," Tancho said, going down on his haunches, "but Happa was paying a lot of attention to Ariana at practice. Toshi told me that Happa talked Graeme into captaining the other team just so Ariana could play shortstop. It's a position that she's always wanted."

"All right," Takakura narrowed his eyes at the changing colors on the horizon. "It's decided – you watch Happa and take care of him if he looks like trouble. Mozu and I will take turns guarding Ariana. If we have to, we can act like we're courting her. That might scare off potential suitors."

"I don't know about that," Mozu began, "I mean, what would Roslin think if I start spending time with Ari-chan?"

Takakura put his arm around Mozu. "If you have to, ask Ariana to teach you some French so you can woo your goat girl." He winked. "It's a legitimate excuse, neh?"

"Besides," Tancho added, "it's for sensei. How many times has he done things for us?"

Mozu looked cautiously at both of his rookery brothers. "All right," he said, "but I hope you know what we're getting into."

"Hey, we're Tengu… mischief is what we do best."

To be continued in Part III of "Koiji"...