10:03pm, 5 days since Inuko began sleeping in the same room as Kiba.
It was a very unusual night. Snowflakes fell gently to the ground, and the entire world was covered in a bizarre winter haze. Although the moon itself was hidden, the world was only illuminated by moonlight and the lanterns that hung from high places. Yes, Okuri caused all this, but there was still only one word to describe this night: Magic.
Inuko sat next to Kiba, high up on top of one of the Lair’s many tall towers. Together, they leaned back, using Akamaru as one big pillow. The wolf didn’t seem to mind at all, and it was actually quite peaceful.
“Kiba?”
The half demon turned his head. “Yeah?”
“Why did Okuri want to become Shogun so badly?”
“Why does anyone want to become Shogun?”
“To have the pleasure of controlling others, I guess.”
“Well, maybe, but that’s not what he told me.” Kiba shuffled a little closer to her. “He said that Bushido is a path that will lead to great things if every Samurai follows it. The two previous Shoguns failed to enforce Bushido, and he saw himself as a better replacement.”
“Interesting.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “So what is this Bushido thing anyways?”
“They never taught you that in the Bushin Geisha?” Kiba chuckled. “The educational system must have holes the size of watermelons…..Bushido works on seven principles: Righteousness, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor and Loyalty.”
“Righteousness?” Inuko turned her head swiftly. “Since when was righteousness a principle of anything?” Kiba shrugged his shoulders. “And your brother doesn’t seem to be very good at benevolence, him running around killing people and all…..”
“Ah, but he only kills people for good reasons. Most people think benevolence is peacefulness, but THAT can be considered benevolence as well.” Inuko gave him a disbelieving look, and he shrugged again. “Bushido’s supposed to be flexible, so that anyone can interpret it in a way that suits their needs.”
“Huh. So, does Bushido have any actual rules?”
“Most are laid down by the reigning Shogun, but some are set in stone: No stealing, no rape, no lying, no disobeying or betraying the Shogun or your master and no killing without good reason. Of course, ‘good reason’ changes from Shogun to Shogun….”
Without warning, Kiba and Akamaru leaped off the tower. Startled for only a moment, Inuko shouted and chased after them.
