The Long Road to Freedom 2: Fire on the Water

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        Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the humanoid Murder that surrounded him, each a jumble of wings and talons and partial beaks save for one, who stood before him, poised and clad delicately in shimmering black feathers and flowing black silks. The leader, in turn, fixed his equally black eyes on the dog before him, amused that the creature had ventured this far into the Tengu territory.

"You are the one they call Lord Sesshoumaru of the Inu Clan, are you not?" He asked coolly.

Sesshoumaru nodded slightly.

"And you are Commander Hiken of the Tengu."

"Then we know each other. Wonderful. I do hope you've found my home...comfortable, despite the weather."

They were empty words, half-hearted gestures in keeping with the tenuous vestige of propriety they were all expected to maintain at first. Sesshoumaru mostly ignored them.

"It is my understanding that Tengu are both crafty and cunning creatures, similar to Kitsune in that you have a taste for riddles and the like. Have I been correctly informed?"

There was a round of caw-like laughter and Hiken chuckled.

"Something like that, yes, why do you ask? Have you a request of me and my people?"

Hiken's entire face pulled into a mocking grin.

"Or is it, rather, you've stumbled onto something your dull canid brain can't wrap itself around?"

There was another round of laughter. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and let the insult pass. It was juvenile, and he had things to accomplish here. Instead, he crossed his arms leisurely into his sleeves, maintaining his stoic expression.

"Seeing, but never seen; protected, but unknown by its protector."

"Hm. That's a good one, pup. Did you come up with it yourself?"

Sesshoumaru let his jyaki weigh down on them all as he narrowed his eyes once more at their master. Hiken cocked his head in a bird-like fashion, seeming to catch the hint. He blinked those glittering black eyes as he repeated the riddle back, all humor suddenly gone.

"It is ambiguous and with no context. What is it referring to?"

"You are either capable of parsing it or you are not; or am I mistaken in believing there is not a riddle or puzzle the Tengu can solve?"

Sesshoumaru allowed himself the subtle hint of a smile. Hiken pursed his lips.

"Our reputation is well earned, however, the more information we are given, the quicker we can give you an answer."

Sesshoumaru gauged his response carefully. "A location of interest to me."

"Location? You are certain?"

Sesshoumaru simply blinked at the needless question.

Hiken shrugged slightly. "If you're sure. Let us meditate on this for a time."

"How long do you require?"

Hiken smiled.

"We'll find you when we're finished."

Sesshoumaru did not much care for that answer but had no choice but to accept it for the moment. He left as silently as he had arrived, joining his traveling party shortly before sundown where he'd left them some miles away from the Tengu border.