"Your brother is missing, my lord," the warrior said as he knelt before him.

Hotaru exhaled with relief. He never wanted to hurt Hikaru. He just wanted to rule. His uncle and kinsmen had insisted he capture and execute him. Since the order had been given, he had been racking his brain on how to prevent his brother's death. The relief of knowing Hikaru escaped felt like a weight being lifted off his chest. But now was not a time to lose the respect of his men by showing weakness. The clan would look to him for leadership now, with Hikaru fled and Father dead. He was really the elder.

"Stop the search for now." He waved to his man to leave.

The warrior bobbed his head before scurrying out of the room.

Hotaru slumped to the ground. His knees could no longer hold him upright. He rested his head in his upturned palms. The clan's lives rested on his shoulders now. He had dreamed of this moment his entire life, but now that it was within his grasp, he feared he would not be the ruler he needed to be. He had to make difficult decisions, but thinking he had to kill his brother had torn his heart to pieces. They may have had their differences, but Hikaru wasn't a monster. Even if he is a monster, he is still my blood. Hikaru mysteriously gone, without trial or official judgment, their neighbors and tenants would suspect foul play, and Lady Fujikawa had disappeared as well. Hikaru might very well have run off with his wife back to her clan house; he might even be plotting to overthrow Hotaru. I am not safe, not yet. I will need to prepare for him to return and challenge me with his wife's army at his back. How can I keep my place and my brother as well?

The tinkling of bells interrupted the night's silence. He glanced up and found an old woman in his chamber. She had long white hair in a single braid, which swung behind her back, the only indication she had moved. She stood perfectly still, a smile on her lips.

Hotaru jumped up. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my chamber?"

"I've come to pay my respects to the new elder." She bowed at her waist.

He eyed her suspiciously. He knew enough of the spiritual world to know this woman was not what she appeared. "Normally in these situations, you would wait until daybreak and present yourself properly."

"I'm afraid I won't have much time to linger here."

His eyebrows rose to his hairline. "Who are you?"

"An old friend of your family's. You could say I made it what it is today."

"How—" He stopped himself; of course, she was a Yokai. What else could enter his room unseen, without announcement, and make such cryptic statements? "What do you have to do with my family?"

"Much, I knew you when you were living in holes in the ground." She grinned.

A tight knot formed in his gut. This was dangerous. He had not realized how little he knew about his family's history. Had this Yokai given them the success and wealth they enjoyed? "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing yet, I just wanted to introduce myself to you." She bowed once more.

"Well, I have a few questions for you, then."

She did not move, but her expression shifted from polite to reserved.

"What are you? How can you enter this place without being seen? How could you know my family for so long?"

"All questions that will be answered in time, young lord. For now be secure in knowing you have no challenge to your position. Your brother will not rise against you, and you shall rule for a very long time. I have seen it."

"You have visions?"

"Something like that." And with another bow she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

As the smoke cleared, he noticed something glimmering on the ground. Hotaru stared at the space where she had been, wondering if he was losing his mind, but then he found a staff with bells attached to the top in a triangle shape. He had seen priests and priestesses use this during exorcisms and rituals. He picked it up and they jangled slightly. A note was tied around the base of the shaker. It read Should you ever need me, ring the bells.

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