Takashi was desperately trying to hide his nerves. His son wasn't anywhere in the camp, nor in the small ponds nearby. That meant he had gone into the forest. He wanted to go in there and help his son. Giyuu had been quick to make him wait while they made a plan. Takashi knew that was the most logical next step. He couldn't go in there again, and risked getting lost as he and Cassidy almost did.
But Hiroshi was probably lost there already.
Takashi let out a small noise of displeasure as he continued to listen to the captain give out his orders. To hell with the hunting trip. The moment his son is found, they're leaving. He was mentally kicking himself for not giving out that order sooner. At least then they'd all be safe in the litters as they traveled back home...
"You have your orders!" Barked the guard captain. "We are to find Prince Hiroshi. If you pass through the gate, keep your wits and arms about you. We are to protect the prince above all else! Half of us will stay here to guard the camp. The other half is to go into the forest. If there is too much trouble, rip up the protection charm from the priests to send up the signal. Are we clear?!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Then move out!"
Takashi was bouncing one of his legs as he watched half of the guards leave the camp and enter the forest. His son was in there, why, he didn't know. Could it be because Cassidy was sick...? The more he thought about it the more it made sense. Hiroshi always got bothered when someone got sick after Hana passed away. He recalled that time in the gardens only a few weeks ago, where Hiroshi confused Cassidy with Hana, asking if she would give Takashi's voice back.... could Hiroshi be conflating Cassidy to Hana??
"....." He turned around and went to get some armor of his own. He was Hiroshi's father, damnit! He may be a Lord, but he shouldn't be sitting here while his son is in danger!!!
Giyuu was quick to follow him, "I know exactly what you're thinking, we can't be missing both you AND Hiroshi!" He said, as Takashi was grabbing a spare of the guard armor, since his personal armor was back at home. Now that they knew what was in there, he wasn't going to be unprepared again.
"I'm going to find my son."Takashi said, his voice steady. He was focused on that goal. Find his sonH and get the hell out of here and leave this forest behind. You cannot stop me, Giyuu. Not this time." He looked at his advisor who looked ready to slap him on the back of the head.
Instead, Giyuu let out a breath of air and went over to his bag, fiddling around for a moment until he pulled out a charm."Here then. It's a stronger version of the guard's charms. When ripped, besides alerting others to your location, it will blast back those not touching you, giving you a chance to escape. So.. If you find Hiroshi and you're in trouble, hold on to him before ripping it. That way you'll both be safe." He placed the red charm in Takashi's hand. "Be safe, and come back fast. Understood?"
Takashi nodded, carefully tying the charm to his belt. That way he could have easy access. "... Thank you, Giyuu. I mean that."
Giyuu put a hand on shoulder, "Both you and your son come back safely. Be safe, and be smart."
"I will." and with that, Takashi joined the guards in the forest.
----
Hiroshi looked up at the dark sky that he could see through the trees. He could see pretty little creatures flying around. They seemed like little balls of light that were staying near him, so he wasn't completely in the dark. They were all sorts of colors. He really liked the blue ones.``Excuse me!" He called up to them, "Where is someone that can... Um.. Can.. Help someone else get better??? She's not here.. She's back there!" He turned and pointed the way he came,"Back at camp."
The creatures above him made gentle tingling noises, as if they were little bells. Soon enough, they were all lit up as a path for him. He smiled brightly and gave a polite bow. "Thank you very much!!!" And he began to follow the path the creatures were making for him. Their gentle light was able to guide him perfectly. Their little pathway ended at what looked like a very old shrine.
The creatures jingled again, a few flying down to gentle nudge Hiroshi forward. "I-I.. .Right..!" Hiroshi gripped his clothes in tiny fists before looking at the shrine. "U-um.. Excuse me..? These guys said you could help me help someone..!" He looked around and barely saw movement until a large shape started coming to the gate.
Thanks to the light from the creatures, Hiroshi could now see what it was.
With nine long tails billowing out behind it, moving in sync as it looked down at the child before it, it sat down. It reminded Hiroshi a lot of his father whenever the court was in session, regal and ready to take control. He remembered Tanjiro telling him stories of this..!! It was called... Called... He stuck his tongue out a bit as he tried to remember. !! That's right! A Kitsune!! Its fur was a beautiful black, almost making it even harder to see it, even with the creatures helping with their glow. But its fur was dotted with what looked like stars. It made Hiroshi think of looking at the night sky! He gave a polite bow of greeting. "H-hello..!"
The great fox bowed his head in return. "Hello young prince. It seems you are trouble.. That is what the Chimes tell me." He said as the little glowing creatures floated around his head, chiming softly. "I am Nanase. It is a pleasure to meet you. Tell me what is troubling you, and I may be able to help."
"I'm Hidone Hiroshi!!! My teacher Bishop Cassidy came in here earlier and-!!" Hiroshi started, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.
"HIROSHI!!!"
"Father???"
-----
Takashi hadn't expected to find his son in the presence of a large Kitsune, an old one at that if those tails were any indication. He kept his bow ready. This wasn't good. He had no way of knowing exactly how this creature could be. It was always a fifty fifty chance that this one was a kind one. If it was a trickster... Well. Takashi could only hope whatever it would be a little bit of a prank if anything. He carefully went closer to his son, standing protectively in front of him.
The Kistune seemed rather amused if anything.
"Father!" Hiroshi admonished, seeming to think that Takashi was being rude, "Nanase said he can help Cassidy..!"
Takashi looked at his son incredulously for a second before turning his attention back to the Kistune who was apparently called Nanase."....."
the creature smiled as best he could, sensing his unease. "Don't worry. Unlike others of my kind, I truly want to help. Is this about the young woman you had with you earlier, fighting that Cloud Spirit?? Which, might I add, is a feat in itself. When a cloud spirit gets stormy, and that large, it's rare that people can fight against it, much less ordinary humans."
Takashi didn't like the fact that that little 'trip' was now spread around the creatures on this side of the gate. It just gave him a heightened sense of being watched. He reached down gently, taking his son's hand. "I... Am sorry that we have intruded. Once I have everyone back at the camp, we will depart immediately."He said, with a slight bow.
"But Father, he can help Cassidy-!" Hiroshi protested but went silent with a slight look from his father. He knew he had already messed up by sneaking off, so best not to bother his father more if he could help it.
"....It is true. She may be sick, but it's not a normal sickness, since it was acquired here on this side of the Gate." Nanase said. "If not treated properly, she will be sick for a while. I am sure, Lord Hidone, you would want her well sooner rather than later so she can continue to teach your son." He yawned a bit. It was late. They should all be sleeping. "here." He said and knelt down, blowing on a flower right next to the shrine gate. It glowed a gentle blue. "Make this into a tea and have her drink it. It should make her feel better. If you don't, it will take her two months at least to get well."
One of the Chimes flew down and pulled it up before putting it in Hiroshi's hand.
"... It will heal her?" Hiroshi asked, and Nanase nodded in response.
"It will do nothing more?" Takashi asked, still admittedly a bit untrusting.
Nanase simply sat there, his tails fanning out behind him."I assure you, on my honor, it will just make her well once more. The Chimes will guide you from the forest, an extra notion of good will."
The Chimes jingled happily at this notion and already they started making a path.
"Thank you, Nanase!!" Hiroshi said, bowing.
Takashi still didn't know if he trusted this Kitsune, but... He gave a polite bow as well. ".. Thank you. Come on, Hiroshi. You have long since needed to be in bed, asleep. You can sleep in the litter. We'll be taking down camp immediately when we return."
"Right father." the young prince said as he held his fathers hand as they walked, following the lit path made by the Chimes.
"... Hiroshi, you can never do something like this again, understood? You really scared me. I can't lose you.." Takashi said after a beat. "I know you wanted to help Bishop, but just.. Don't go off by yourself, ok?" He knew he probably should've been angry, but honestly all he felt was relief that his son was ok.
"... Ok father." Hiroshi nodded, looking at the still glowing blue flower in his hand, "... I'm sorry Father."
"I'm just glad you're safe, Hiroshi."
...
....
Nanase watched them leave and was still intrigued by these humans. ".... I think it's time to take a trip~... My spells should help me to 'blend in'. Technically.." and there was a soft woosh, and where the large Kitsune once stood, was now a regal looking man with long black hair, and eyes like stars. He looked like a high up noble.
"Lets get there before they leave..~"