Tiger's Wind, Dragon's Gaze Part 1
Kaboom! The sound of thunder rattled the hall as wind howled and rain battered against the mansion. The majestic mountains of Vale were no stranger to storms, especially heading into the spring. However, this year's storm took a turn for the worse. It was as if the gods formed it from the ether, dark clouds practically forming above them as black as night. It had stopped everything in its tracks. No one on the entire mountain dared to move from their homes, for fear of the wind snatching them up like a monster. It dragged up an icy cold, as if the last remnant of winter still clung to the land. As the Xiao Long Rose family sat in the main hall, with Ruby taking the worst brunt of this storm.
"When is this rain going to stop?" Ruby groaned, looking out the window.
"It'll stop when it stops, Ruby." Taiyang reassured her.
"You always say that dad…" Ruby groaned more, as Balam patted her on the head.
"Come now, young cub. Surely, there is something thou can do in an attempt to entertain thine self." Balam assured her.
Yang walked into the hall with a smile as she carried in some firewood. "You can always help your boyfriend break into the vaults, sis." Yang playfully said.
Ruby blushed red at that. "H-He's not my boyfriend, Yang! He's just teaching me some things about controlling Balam's power…!" she nervously replied.
"Oh, going with the teacher's pet method? Daring, aren't we?" Yang playfully asked as she threw a log onto the fire.
"I'm gonna throw a log at you, Yang!" Ruby nervously called out.
"That is enough for both of you!" their father shouted, causing the two to instantly behave.
"She started it!" Ruby said, pointing at Yang.
"I'm finishing this. You two behave or I'm going to treat you like children." Tai sternly replied.
"Yes, dad…" the two girls replied.
With a sigh, Tai sank back into the chair. As the Xiao Long-Rose family began to calm things down, the Sōtora's day was merely heating up. Down in the basement, the two had been hard at work trying to get into the Golden Nobles vault. Try as they might, the man took the combination to the grave, forcing the two to attempt to break into it. The storm gave them ample cover to attempt it. However, as Azura watched his brother try to slice into it with his new sword, the massive metal door merely took light slashes.
"Come on! Come on! Come on!" Kenshi roared with each swing, sweat pouring down him.
"Ken. It is not working." Azura told his twin in disappointment.
Kenshi fell to one knee, panting. He slowly turned to look at his brother with a fiery, curse-fueled look.
"Then try your Semblance on it. I've seen it break stone and Grimm skulls like eggs." Kenshi said through his heavy breathing.
"Alright. We shall see if it works." Azura replied, getting up and cracking his knuckles.
Before Azura could even power up his Semblance, they heard a loud knock. This caused the two brothers to get quite confused. Who would be out in such a horrid storm? Or why?
"You want me to go get that?" Kenshi asked after standing up.
"I shall get it. You rest." Azura told his twin.
With a nod Kenshi sat down on a bench as Azura climbed the stairs. Adjusting his robes as he arrived at the door, he already found Tai ready to open it. Tai stopped as he looked at his new master, but Azura simply gave him a nod. With a silent approval, Tai opened the door. Soon the frigid wind and rain barreled in, blasting him with its icy sting. Steeling himself, he soon saw a hooded figure roughly as tall as Yang standing before them. The grey hood covering the prospective face in pitch darkness.
"Good day. Is this the Sōtora residence?" an elegant, feminine voice asked through the travel worn hood.
Taiyang raised an eyebrow at this. "It is. I'm Taiyang Xiao Long. And you are?" he replied.
"I am Sato Sen'otome. I am here to see Lord Azura." she answered plainly.
Tai turned to look at Azura, yet he saw the young man in a state of shock. He soon quickly further adjusted his clothes as he rushed past Tai to usher her in. Almost tripping over himself to do so, a rare sight for such a composed lord.
"Please come in, Lady Sen'otome. I will have some tea made for us." Azura assured her as he made room for her to enter.
"You are most kind, young lord." Sen'otome answered as she walked in.
Before Tai could even close the door behind her, the wind slammed it shut. Yet even as it closed, it was as if a small breeze still clung to the room. The guest's cloak fluttered as if still held by the wind as she took it off. A cascade of straight blue hair soon unfurled down her back, shimmering like stars in the night sky. Skin paler than porcelain soon greeted Tai's eyes in the glistening candlelight. Her body reminded him like Summer's, built like a runner, slim yet very fit. Draped over her were simple fur and woolen blue clothing, with finely made moccasins adorning her feet. Yet as she turned around, he soon froze up as dark blue eyes lay on him.
"Thank you, sir Taiyang." she said with a smile, her full lips curling as easy as silk in the breeze.
"Um… you're welcome. Please, follow me." Tai replied, motioning for her to follow him.
"Lead the way." she answered calmly.
As Tai led her into the hall, he barely heard a step out of her. He looked behind him once or twice, making sure she was still behind him. As he motioned for her to sit at one of the seats in the tearoom, he noticed a candle nearby flicker as she passed. He did not know what was going on, but something did not sit right with him about her. Ruby and Yang, however, became far more animated in her presence.
"Whoa…! She's so pretty…!" Ruby whispered in awe.
"Girls. This is our guest, Lady Sato Sen'otome." Tai explained simply.
The girls quickly stood up and bowed politely to the woman before them. However, she smiled and waved off their formal behavior.
"Oh, there is no need for that. We are all equal out here, as I have been told." Sen'otome said with a warm smile. "Now, to whom do I have the honor of meeting?"
Yang smiled at that. "I'm Yang Xiao Long, Taiyang's eldest daughter." She introduced herself warmly.
"You have such lovely hair. I did not know hair came in such stunning imperial gold." Sen'otome said with mild surprise.
Yang blushed a little at the compliment. "Thank you for noticing. I try so hard to take diligent care of it…" she replied to a bit sheepishly.
"I understand the struggle, dear. I, myself, usually keep my hair in a bun to protect it. But I cannot wear that hood with the bun." Sen'otome said with a nod of understanding.
"Maybe I should try that style some time…" Yang muttered to herself; a contemplative look on her face.
"It does wonders for protecting against frayed ends." the mysterious woman answered her, as if hearing Yang's whispers quite clearly.
This surprised Yang before Ruby stepped forward. "I-I'm Ruby Rose. I'm Taiyang's youngest daughter and Yang's little sister…" She nervously introduced herself.
"Oh, dearest Ruby. There is no need to be shy." Sen'otome said with a shockingly motherly voice, slowly putting Ruby with ease.
"Do you want some tea?" Ruby asked, smiling a bit.
"Of course. But do not worry about that. Lord Azura is already working on getting some." She replied, before getting a small smile. "Your eyes are a truly stunning shade of silver, Lady Ruby."
Ruby blushed. "Th-Thanks… I got them from our mom…" she replied, smiling a bit proudly.
"I take it you also got your hair color from her as well?" Sen'otome asked curiously.
Ruby nodded. "Y-Yeah… but I have been wondering if I should try to grow it out like Yang's. I like Yang's long hair…" she replied, looking at her big sister with a smile.
"I think it suits you, Lady Rose. Also, long hair can get in the way of strenuous activity if you are not careful." Sen'otome explained to her.
As Tai sat down in the chair on the other side of the couch, he watched all of this with sheer bewilderment. Yang and Ruby were naturally cagey with new people, yet this woman had them chatting like they knew her for years. He just could not shake the feeling there was something more to this woman.
As Sen'otome made friends in the tearoom, Azura carefully rushed through the halls carrying a full tea pot and tea set. Just as he was about to reach his destination, he had to make an emergency stop as Kenshi came up from the basement. Kenshi stood there as Azura let out a deep sigh of relief.
"What are you doing? Reliving Yūri's balance coordination class?" Kenshi asked with an eyebrow raised.
"No, you fool! Lady Sen'otome is here…!" Azura harshly whispered to his brother.
The mention of that name caused Kenshi's eyes to widen. "Lady Sen'otome? As in, the Lady Sen'otome!?" Kenshi harshly whispered.
Azura nodded, looking around as if someone were listening. "The very same." he replied in a hushed tone.
"What is she doing here!?" Kenshi whispered in exasperation.
"I have no idea… but we need to make sure that everyone is on their best behavior. We do not need this entire mountain being brought down if someone angers her…" Azura replied to a bit fearfully.
The two jumped a bit as they heard loud feminine laughter coming from the tearoom. While Azura was deeply concerned, Kenshi let out a deep sigh.
"It appears we don't have to worry about that just yet." Kenshi sighed.
"Indeed. Now, if you will excuse me Ken, I have tea to deliver…" Azura replied, taking a deep breath.
"I believe you mean tea to serve." Kenshi corrected.
"Right…" Azura sighed before taking a deep breath and heading in.
The two brothers steeled their nerves and entered the tearoom. To their shock, Lady Sen'otome was already in deep conversation with Ruby and Yang. So deep that it worried them how long it took her to notice them.
"Oh, my apologies, young lords. Where are my manners?" Sen'otome said with a small bit of surprise. "Would you like me to help you with that young Azura?"
"N-No, Lady Sen'otome. It is quite all right. As a guest in this home, and one who has traveled so far, you should relax…" Azura politely told her.
This got a faint smile out of the woman. "You Azure and your adherence to traditions. Even outside of the clan, you fail to waiver." she replied, confusing the Xiao Long-Rose family.
"What does she mean, Azura?" Yang asked, prodding for information.
"Can you ever not ask a question?" Kenshi asked in annoyance.
"What's the big deal, Kenshi? Lady Sen'otome is so nice." Ruby replied, more confused now.
Azura sighed. "Because Ruby… this is Lady Sōtora Sato Sen'otome. Back before Ken and I entered our self-imposed exile, she was the leader of the warrior priest family of our clan." He explained, trying to be as respectful as he could.
"Warrior Priests?" Tai asked, catching people off guard as he had remained silent for so long.
"Yes. They are capable of more than just physical combat, Sir Taiyang. They can call upon the aid of gods and spirits, both from nature and even Heaven itself, to use mystical powers that some less knowledgeable individuals would call… 'otherworldly…'" Azura continued explaining.
"Like bringing a mountain down on top of someone with the aid of a local mountain deity, for example…" Kenshi added nervously.
"Please, boys. Do not exaggerate." Sen'otome said as she gracefully took the teacup from Azura.
"Of course, Lady Sen'otome. Sugar? Cream?" Azura replied, offering her sugar cubes and cream to go with her tea.
"No thank you. I prefer my tea plain." she answered before sipping her tea.
"That's so hardcore…" Ruby said in awe.
"The 'plain tea' thing or the 'bringing a mountain down on someone' thing…?" Yang quietly muttered in disbelief.
"Yes." Ruby answered her sister.
"So, how do you perform such miracles, Lady Sen'otome?" Taiyang asked bluntly, shocking the Sōtora brothers with his curtness.
Sen'otome giggled a bit and smiled, gently placing her teacup down. "It is quite simple. I can talk to spirits and deities, asking them for their aid." She answered sweetly.
"Just like that?" Taiyang asked, his tone indicated disbelief.
"Like I can do with Balam… but without needing to be his host…" Ruby quietly noted in disbelief.
"Precisely, Lady Rose. Although, due to not being a Mystic like yourself, I can only call upon a fraction of the power you shall eventually command. Only what they give me. Isn't that right, Lord Balam?" Sen'otome replied with a smile.
"Thou art correct. Though priests such as thou are most delightful to engage with. Few speak so eloquently the spiritual tongue." Balam said as he appeared from Ruby, appearing as a small chubby Jaguar cub.
"How did you know he was there?" Taiyang asked, shocked.
"Quite simply, Sir Taiyang. I sensed his presence radiating strongly within the area and, through contact with a local spirit, was informed of Lord Balam having taken up a Mystic for the first time in hundreds of years." Sen'otome replied with a playful grin.
"And now I remember why Shugenja scare me…" Kenshi muttered as Azura simply nodded in agreement.
This got Taiyang on edge as he sat up further in his seat. "So, you knew about us long before you ever met us? Then why did you act like you just met us when you came in?" He asked, prodding at her for answers.
"I may have known of you, but the spirits can only tell me so much that my own eyes and ears cannot decipher for me. I did not wish to make you too uncomfortable with our first meeting." Sen'otome politely explained.
"Too late." Kenshi muttered.
"Now then, if my spiritual contacts have informed me correctly, I believe that you have two problems that I may be able to aid you with. Training Lady Rose in the use of Lord Balam's power… and opening those vaults downstairs in the basement." Sen'otome noted, deciding to cut to the chase.
"We can start with the latter. Training indoors with an elemental is… unwise." Azura explained, choosing his words carefully.
"It was one vase, I swear." Ruby replied defensively.
Everyone else gave her a look at that. Everyone save for Lady Sen'otome, who gave a knowing giggle.
"Okay… maybe three." Ruby sheepishly admitted.
"We shall start with the vaults, then I will need to assess how far along Lady Ruby is as far as safely using Lord Balam's power." Sen'otome noted before holding up her hand.
In the palm of her hand, a sutra made of glowing, sky-blue aura appeared. Taking the sutra in hand, Sen'otome flung it to the ground before making a hand seal. Then, she began to chant.
"By the Throne of Heaven, Thunder is my Blade! By the Plains of Heaven, The Wind is my Shield! Come forth and guide my hand! Tiger Spirit Shikigami!" Sen'otome chanted as a large amount of aura and mystical energy came out of her, wind and sparks of lightning coming off her before, when she put her hand out, a bolt of mystical energy leapt from her hand and hit the aura talisman.
As soon as the bolt of aura and energy hit the talisman, a light gust of wind swept through the room. A bright, glowing light shone from the energy sutra as sparks of electricity danced through the air. Soon, from the sutra, a shape began to take form. Forming from wind and lightning was the shape of a big cat. With fur of sky-blue electricity and stripes of gentle, light green wind, a tiger made of energy formed, taking the place of where the talisman had once been on the floor.
"Fluffy!" Ruby squealed before rushing to hug it.
The tiger spirit looked at Ruby in confusion as she cuddled it, wondering why she was not afraid or quaking in awe. Meanwhile, everyone else in the room looked on in amazed disbelief at what they had just witnessed.
"Ruby, get away from that! It could hurt you!" Taiyang yelled at his youngest daughter.
"Calm yourself please, Sir Taiyang. My Tiger Spirit Shikigami will bring no harm to anyone without my orders." Sen'otome assured him.
"Lady Sen'otome, I mean no disrespect, but we have tried everything to break into the vaults. What can the Shikigami do to open the vault? It doesn't have thumbs." Kenshi asked in awed confusion.
"I… don't know if that matters, Ken…" Yang said in stunned disbelief, able to sense the power coming off this creature despite her lack of spiritual awareness.
"Sir Raito. We will meet you downstairs at the vault." Sen'otome said to the spirit.
The tiger spirit bowed. "As you command, mistress…" the creature replied before phasing down through Ruby's arms and then the floor, disappearing.
"It just… disappeared…" Ruby said in astonishment.
"Please follow me, everyone." Sen'otome said as she rose from her seat.
With a nod, everyone soon followed her as they made their way into the basement. Like Sen'otome ordered, the Shikigami stood in front of the vault. It was clear to everyone he was waiting for his order. With a simple nod from Sen'otome, the spirit ran forward, phasing through the door as if it were not there. Then, with a sudden, almighty crash, the lock mechanisms busted open. Slowly, the door began to creak open, revealing the undisrupted contents inside, and the waiting Raito.
"Wow…" Ruby and Yang said in unison.
"Thank you, Sir Raito. That is all for now." Sen'otome said with a respectful nod of her head.
The tiger Shikigami nodded and bowed back. "Yes, mistress…" it replied before vanishing in a flash of light and a gust of wind.
Taiyang slowly turned to look at her as the other four rushed off inside the vault. "I have a feeling you're not telling us something." Tai said cautiously.
Sen'otome smiled playfully. "In time, Sir Taiyang. All good things come to those who wait patiently…" she replied.
Tai watched her as she walked up the stairs. Her feet practically skated up the stairs, barely touching the ground or disturbing even a hint of dust. Despite learning of her origins and the demonstration of her power, something still did not sit right with him. He had to make sure that his family was safe from their other worldly guests.