"What's all of this mean?" Sanraku asked, amazed at what he saw.
Sanraku could easily say that he never expected his life to transform into a mysterious tale the way it had these past few weeks. After having learned of Takamuku's demise, he wasn't sure of what to do. It seemed too odd for the military to treat it so offhandedly. Feeling the weight of potentially losing or having to fight his sensei, Sanraku looked to Reijiro for some sort of rationality or normalcy, but his brother and friend was visibly more upset than he was. For good reason, too. Takamuku trained Reijiro for a specific role in the military akin to what Lord Sesshomaru had been assigned to do. He was meant to battle with stealth and Takamuku had told him that he was quite adept. Reijiro, at first, wanted nothing to do with the military, feeling that none of the nobles or foot soldiers gave a damn about the lower class. They only ever sought to exercise their authority on honest people, but there was one noble he admitted he wouldn't mind meeting just once. When Reijiro described that man, Takamuku had a look to his face that was remorseful and heartbroken. Reijiro didn't see it since the man had quickly returned to his calm disposition, but Sanraku saw it as clear as day. Instead, Takamuku offered to teach Reijiro some stealth fighting techniques. He claimed it to be the only way that Reijiro would be able to meet the man he idolized in his youth, so Reijiro took his position in the military far more seriously.
Originally, Takamuku had taken notice to Sanraku's fighting prowess and ability to take down particularly large demons with his bare hands and agility. However, since Takamuku caught Reijiro's attention, he was able to train both of them in secret while quietly serving the House of Inu. Together, Sanraku and Reijiro learned of the inu history from their sensei, but Takamuku could see something in Reijiro that was different. Sanraku, being the faithful and supportive brother, simply watched their training and asked questions when and where necessary. With time, the two gained mastery and knowledge of very valuable things, even learning how to read and do minor arithmetic, and they were called to be introduced to Takamuku's commanding officer. But, he wasn't what they expected. Meeting the general of the inu army was an honor and a surprise, especially when he and Reijiro had received the task of defending the Floating Citadel as part of their test into the military officially.
Once the two came face to face with the kyonshi demons and soon Takamuku, they didn't know what to do. They didn't want to hurt Takamuku in any way, but Reijiro was able to fight through his emotions in order to at least distract their beloved mentor. Though it didn't work, and they received their lecture from Elder Hikozaemon II, the general took notice to their wounds and asked them little questions while they were recovering from battle. They were to be on standby for a while. They did as commanded, but Reijiro had asked personally what they were going to do about Takamuku. The general, a man who typically showed no emotion during political affairs, looked genuinely hurt that one of his pupils had betrayed the House of Inu. He knew something was wrong, and told them this, but he ordered them to be on standby while he looked into it. So, they waited.
Honoring the traditions that Takamuku held dear to him, Sanraku changed his attire one night and started walking to this very place. Not the Camellia Gazebo, per se, but the temple of prophecy beasts. It was a truly wonderful spectacle. He prayed at the Akabeko Temple for guidance until Grand Monk Shishido had come up to him and asked what was wrong. He confessed to the confusion of recent events and was taught how to pray and how to recite the Shimabukuro Law. He found that there were some texts and values that he truly agreed with on a personal level. Shishido offered to teach him further whenever he liked... along with his brother. That's when Reijiro sat beside him and apologized for being so rash and on edge so much. Sanraku dismissed the apology and remained supportive and understanding. Shishido taught them more of the law, and the two had decided that if Takamuku was going to face punishment in any way for something beyond his control then they would leave and perhaps learn more of the Shimabukuro Law. It wasn't long before the general had joined them and sent them on a mission to accompany Lord Sesshomaru to confront a suspect he believed might have had more to do with the situation. Off they went. That's when they faced the "oni girl" as Reijiro had come to name her.
She surprised Sanraku. She was clearly a human on her way to some distant place on her boat, but Sesshomaru was adamant about being the one to fight her. No, he was eager to fight her. When she chose the peaceful route instead, that's when Sanraku was able to really look at her. She was a good-looking woman in her regal garb and commanded the space she was in. Her power was immense and hidden well. If he had been a regular guy, he might have left his post to test the waters with her. He wasn't a perfect soldier. He had grown up around humans along with Reijiro in his youth, so he had no ill will towards humans the way that the nobles did. Well, according to what Takamuku had told them about Lord Toga, the late and great Lord of the West didn't have an ill will towards humans either. If the woman he left the foxy Milady for looked anything like Oni Girl, Sanraku could admit to giving Lord Toga at least one sympathy point.
That was to his point, however. Since reuniting with Oni Girl and Lord Sesshomaru, it seemed that the two had a unique relationship from what he could tell. It was easy to see that they respected each other enough to speak on sociable terms, but there was something else that was there - something that explained why Lord Sesshomaru had hesitated in killing Oni Girl. It didn't look like it was love or even attraction, but it was something lurking just beneath the surface of what he could see. Sanraku could perhaps call it a healthy competitiveness, but that didn't entail what they seemed to share. And then... there was the old man, Kirameku Ha. Another human with hidden power. But, Sanraku found that he admired Kirameku Ha. He was like Lord Hikozaemon II in a way. Both seasoned veterans in combat and respectful to the principles that trained them in their youths and both very firm parental figures. They almost commanded respect just from standing before them. After Kirameku Ha slapped his brother to the ground, Sanraku dared not challenge him. Hikozaemon II was very similar, actually. He cringed at the thought of speaking to the elder the way Sesshomaru had.
Couldn't be me... Sanraku thought at the time.
Many legends and tales have surrounded Lord Toga and his many conquests, battles, and triumphs, but very few have forgotten the might and prowess of Lord Hikozaemon II. Lord Toga's extramarital affair may have managed to overshadow his father's legacy and may have gained popularity among gossipers, but Takamuku was an advocate in preserving inu history in its entirety and he taught Sanraku and Reijiro many things about their elder. He knew better than to challenge Hikozaemon II; in fact, the general revered him very much. This respect he commanded from many is what inspired one of the House of Inu's greatest myths. That Lord Hikozaemon II was Toga's predecessor for the throne. Unfortunately, and fortunately, this was not the case. Even Reijiro was cautious about how he spoke to Sesshomaru in front of the older gentleman, but he didn't do that for Kirameku Ha. Sanraku wondered why his friend challenged the old man in the first place because he was normally respectful around his elders, but Reijiro explained that Sesshomaru's hesitance around Oni Girl made him worry. If their lord was going to put a human above the man who taught them everything they knew, then his position in the military was worthless.
While all of these secrets were of interest, the Green Pheasant's position in all of this captured the young inu's attention the most. The talking bird was a well-spoken family man from what he could gather, and he was much closer to Oni Girl than Sesshomaru, but he also knew Sesshomaru well enough to call him the "evil talking dog". When they spoke, it was as if they were in a similar relationship as in there was no brotherly love shared between them and they weren't the greatest of friends, but there was something just underneath the surface. Something's there, but Sanraku just can't pinpoint what that something could be. Regardless of that, the Green Pheasant gained Sanraku's respect much like Grand Monk Shishido. They knew things. They, in a way, called out to his spirit more. Perhaps... he should really consider a monk's lifestyle in the time he'll likely spend around Lord Sesshomaru and this... fantastic group of mysterious misfits. He kind of liked being around them and seeing all of these things like helping souls find peace and watching warriors stand their ground or defend principles of a higher power and purpose.
"Hmm..." the Green Pheasant replied with concern. "We have to decipher this memory in order to understand the nature of the oath. There was something of great importance to the oath keepers within that moment, in particular. Something that bound them together to start a blood oath. They weren't in immediate danger here, so they were bound by a promise of peace."
"Would the child have been of importance?" Kirameku Ha asked, folding his arms to think of other options. He then slightly turned to Sanraku and offered, "The young man here said that the man in the vision was Lord Toga, a former ruler of young Sesshomaru and his people. Judging from young Reijiro's mention of him, he did not admire their king very much and is in doubt of young Sesshomaru's rule. I'm assuming that the young babe was Sesshomaru, so you were correct in your assumption that this oath was made in his early life. Though, I am uncertain that young Sesshomaru would have been aware enough to understand anything about oaths."
"You underestimate the power of a true blood oath, my friend," the Green Pheasant said, turning to the elder. "You can make one as early as a year old, especially if the young babe is part of a family of relative to decent size. This Lord Toga entrusted the evil talking dog with carrying out a wish that he understood at the time. The location of memories is of significance when interpreting oaths; in fact, it shares a great deal. It's not just a setting to kickstart events. This gazebo is surrounded by camellias. You, my friend, couldn't have been a more perfect ally for such an interpretation. Surely, you must know what the camellia represents."
"It's a pretty, pink flower," Sanraku remarked, looking about to inspect the rotting bushes. It seemed like the bushes had seen better days. "If this gazebo wasn't falling apart, it probably was as beautiful as the vision showed it to be."
"The camellia represents more than beauty, young Sanraku," Kirameku Ha replied, smirking at the pheasant's compliment. "It is a symbol of perfect love, especially when paired with a rose. Your Lord Toga wore loose clothing, so it was a spring day at the time of this wedding he viewed among my humankind. Whoever this Yonamine and Manzo were, they must've been close friends to Lord Toga and his family. This oath could also be a family bond. One that has tied your kind to my kind. A perfect love in which demons and humans could coexist without fighting and sharing similar philosophies. The young lady with Lord Toga mentioned that they fought for love just as this human couple did. That was important to them. Young Sesshomaru was a symbol to both couples of a promising and fruitful life."
"Pfft! That's because he wasn't evil yet!" the Green Pheasant scoffed, fluffing up before flattening his feathers. "But that was an excellent interpretation. I believe you were onto something with the family bond, my friend. The evil talking dog's family was in this vision; meaning, the oath keepers have a vision directly linked to this one involving their families. I believe the fabled wedding gift might just be the key."
"But we didn't see anything resembling a gift in this vision. Only Lord Toga forgetting to give it to the other couple," Sanraku reminded.
"You underestimate the power of the unseen, pleasant talking dog," the Green Pheasant said, narrowing his eyes mischievously. His beak glimmered like he was showing or implying a smirk was there. He then said, "The wedding gift is not a literal thing we have to find. It is the direction you must go to see the next vision, if this is applicable. In our case, it is."
"How?" Sanraku asked, genuinely curious.
"Did you not see the toy that the evil talking dog was holding? I know Lord Kirameku Ha won't know this but certainly you know where the evil talking dog might've gotten that toy," the Green Pheasant replied.
Sanraku's eyes widened before he whispered, "The Akabeko Temple!"
"Whether he likes it or not, he's completing the oath left behind by his family. He's already in position," the Green Pheasant said with a wink. "As for the wedding gift, it seems we have to go back to Sozosora. Lord Toga was headed in that direction to drop off the gift."