Not even a cloud; as a blank canvas, the sky waited the time of the festival, when the blaze of the fireworks would outshine that of the stars, drawing their own constellations by the will of the masters of that art. The population of the village of Senzaikyu, all of them demons, left their homes to witness the duel between the traditional Tamaya and the beginner led by the mysterious Houji.
However, the rumors about that theft of the fox demons’ fireworks had already reached the ears of everyone, and they became truer with each passing minute in which the chief of the fire tribe waited on the top of the hill, alone. That was the meeting place arranged for the beginning of the contest, but the time settled, the sunset, was long gone. But the leader of the Tamaya hadn’t left her tent yet.
Sesshomaru and Yume were there, accompanied by Jaken and the boy Soji. The demon lord kept his eye one the fire demon, but he didn’t return the look; he had eyes only for the Tamaya’s small tent.
“They should be here by now”, Yume whispered.
Suddenly, someone decided to break the already oppressive silence.
“Tamaya!!!”
The source of the shout wasn’t identified amidst the crowd. What matters is that, one instant later, everyone else started doing the same, and soon the people demanded the beginning of the games. Houji smiled when, under the masses’ pressure, the old fox left her hut and climbed the hill, only to stand alone before the warrior. All the voices quieted down.
“You’re late”, he said, loud enough for all to hear. “But, despite what most think of my kind, I am quite patient. Everyone knows that you’ve lost your fireworks. Are you ready to give up the challenge?
She raised her head and met his eyes. There was no other way.
But, all of a sudden, a big, green star sparkled in the sky, followed by a distant burst.
“It’s them!” Yume yelled.
At the distance, the crowd saw the three demons arriving at the village. Kumari pulled the Tamaya’s small cart with no effort, while Ichimaru lighted another fuse rocket, smiling as a kid.
“That’s enough, Ichi! They already saw us, stop wasting their fireworks!” Sazume warned.
“Come on, sister, we’re the heroes! We deserve a proper entrance!”
Everyone, except for the fire demons, was whooping in joy when a red flower burst in the sky. Yume dragged Sesshomaru uphill to watch their children while they returned the fireworks to the leader of the Tamaya.
“I believe this belongs to you” Sazume said while gently taking the hand of the old fox, who dropped tears of emotion.
The bear demon left the wagon to their rightful owners and walked side by side with Ichimaru to the fire tribe chief. Even covered with wounds and their clothes tattered, they stood proudly before Houji.
“And I think this is yours.” Ichimaru dropped Mikami’s sword, Megumi’s broken spear and one of Sajin’s gauntles by his feet.
“They’ve hurt innocent people, stole their belongings and tried to kill the lord of these lands, as well the daughter and the son of another lord”, Kumari declared. Houji could barely contain his anger. “You and your tribe are no longer welcome in my lands.”
“Take your men and go away without causing anymore harm”, Ichimaru completed the sentence.
The chief switched between their eyes, his own red in rage. For an instant, he looked at Sesshomaru, maybe seeking support, but found nothing there. Then, without a word, he turned back and left with no rush. Two of his men ran uphill and retrieved the weapons, their eyes low.
In an instant, a multitude of fox demons occupied the top of the hill, saluting the heroes of the day. Ichimaru and Sazume walked amongst the Tamaya, receiving their thanks under the proud look of their mother. Kumari allowed himself a smile too, at least until Sesshomaru walked to him.
“You’ve kept your word”, the demon lord said. “And, with that, you’ve made your first enemy.” They looked at Houji while he gathered his tribe and prepared their immediate departure. “Now you have a better understanding of what’s like to be a lord.”
He left with his family, which was walking down the hill with the rest of the crowd. The bear demon stood there, alone, and gazed one last time at the tribe that left the village, humiliated. Houji did the same, their eyes met for an instant, and Kumari knew it wasn’t over yet.
