“Welcome home, my son.” She whispered. “I finally get to meet you.”
She held him just a tad bit closer, and the baby shifted contently in her hold. Hanako smiled down at him—but then she gasped.
Aika was instantly at her side. “What is it, Hanako-chan? What’s wrong?”
But when Hanako lifted up her head from staring at her son in her arms, she was smiling. “He bears the Dragon’s Mark. My son will be Emperor one day.”
“So it is.” Akashi Keiji intoned from his place at her side. “And you here are witnesses.”
Hanako looked back down at her son in her arms, and leaned forward, pressing her forehead to her sons. “You will be a great emperor and a wonderful swordsman, my son.” She whispered. “You will be just like your father, and you will be his pride and joy, and he will love you very much. I’m sure of it.”
“Normally his father would name him,” The Clever One said, “But I’m afraid that isn’t an option at the moment. So it is up to you, little empress.”
Hanako stared down at the child emperor in her arms, and she saw Shichiro’s looks in his face, even if she suspected that he would get her eyes. “I will name you Kenshin,” She whispered to it, “Heart of the Sword, for you will grow up to be a great swordsman like your father, my little emperor.”
“And my daughter, where is she?” Hanako asked after a moment, and Kenshin was taken from her arms (with some protest on the tiny emperor’s part), and his baby sister was placed in their mother’s arms.
She looked very like her brother, but they were so small it was hard to distinguish much about them. However, her skin was not so fiery red as her brother’s, and Hanako thought her face leaned toward’s Hanako’s own features. She blinked open her eyes, and the baby’s blue shade was darker than Kenshin’s, and Hanako hoped they would be Shichiro’s eyes in time. This baby was still and content in her arms, unlike her brother’s energy, and Hanako smiled down at the sweetness she held, stroking a finger along a velvet, pink cheek. “I will name you Misaki, the beautiful blossom of hope. May you grow to be as great and lovely as Mother Tomoko was.” She whispered to her, and Misaki grabbed ahold of Hanako’s finger and clung tightly.
“I remember when Shichiro was a baby, just a little.” Isao said as he held Kenshin in his arms. “He looks very much like him, back then.”
Hanako looked up from Misaki, her eyes bright. “Do you think so, Isao-dono?”
“Yes,” Isao grinned, “But I must say his pretty eyes belong to you… and his interesting birthmark.”
Hanako flushed slightly and focused on rocking her little daughter. “He will be a great emperor, a true legacy of Hansuke’s line.”
“Just as you will be, a great empress, renowned for restoring the throne.”
Hanako blinked and looked up at Isao. “What do you mean by that?”
Isao bounced a wiggling Kenshin up and down. “I would think it’s rather obvious, Empress Tatsuo Hanako.”
Hanako knew her mouth was hanging open, but in her frazzled state she couldn’t seem to close it. “B-but—I can’t be empress, Isao-dono!”
“Why not?” Isao said, making a face at his nephew. “You have all the qualities of a good empress. Wise, kind, caring, a good knowledge of politics and training in diplomacy… Your harpy of a false mother made sure to prepare you for the position.”
“Exactly!” Hanako burst out. “She prepared me to be a puppet! I don’t have the experience, nor am I knowledgeable enough about people nor strong enough to lead on my own! I can’t do it! I--” She realized then that she was yelling at her husband’s esteemed elder brother, and she subsided into a blushing, embarrassed confuision.
“Ah, but you won’t be alone.” Her brother-in-law pointed out wisely. “After all, you will have the Celestial Guardians to advise you, and my brother will be Emperor and stand at your side.” He looked at her and smiled. “So, you see? Everything will be just fine.”
“I—but I—,” Hanako stammered, clutching Misaki so close that she began to squirm uncomfortably.
“A word of advice, Hanako-chan,” Isao said, and his tone was light while his expression was serious. “Humility is the acceptance of one’s position, neither denying or reveling in it. And if one were to look at history, it is usually not considered wise to run away from duties divinely bestowed. The running is usually unpleasant, and the end of the road usually leads to whatever your fled from in the first place.”
He stood up and walked over to where the exhausted new mother sat, staring at him in confusion and amazement, and gently laid Kenshin next to her. He briefly settled a hand on the soft dark head of his niece, smiled at her, and was gone.
Hanako stared after him, clutching her daughter close, and wondered if he was right.
*****
It was late at night when Hanako was awoken by a cold fox nose pressing against her cheek. She jerked upright in surprise, hand scrambling to check on the safety of her children. “Akashi-dono? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, little empress,” Akashi Keiji said, and she could hear the grin in his tone. “It’s just my family has come to offer their congratulations. Are you willing to receive them?”
“Oh!” Hanako said, startled. “Well, I suppose so, as long as they do not mind my current state of informality.”
“It would be rather rude of them to mind, considering they were the ones who decided to call in the middle of the night,” The Clever One laughed. “Gather your kits and I’ll bring my kindred in.”
Hanako quickly scooped up her infants, one cradled securely in each arm. She was glad she only had had two—she wasn’t sure what exactly she would have done three, only being in possession of two arms.
The shoji doors slid open silently and in filed a glowing, celestial procession. Hanako had met three herself—tall and grand Tamotsu Eiji, the Imperial Dragon; graceful and wise Momoe Chiyo, the Immortal Goose of Karigane; and bright and clever Akashi Keiji, the Fox of Akiyama. Two more had been described to her by Isao—the delicate and shimmering Izumi Miwa, the Koi of Yamazaki; and the fierce and strong Takeo Masa, the Wolf of Miyukimura.
There were three, however, she had never seen before. There were two women and one man—one woman’s hair was a brilliant scarlet flame artfully arranged on top of her head, and she had dark eyes that glowed like embers. She was dressed in a black and white kimono decorated with the figures of cranes, and her hairsticks had crane feathers dangling from them. Because of the crane motifs, Hanako thought it was a fairly accurate guess to say the lady was Chiharu Rie, the Crane of Nagisa.
The second had hair of a tamer auburn shade, which was styled prettily to cover her ears, and dark eyes very like her sister’s. She was wearing a dark green kimono decorated with the images of deer. Since she was the only unnamed female, and because of the deer on her kimono, Hanako deemed she was Masuyo Kaoru, the Deer of Taura.
The man was tall and dress in armor rimmed with white fur, and he bore the two swords of a warrior at his side. His hair was a light golden-brown color, and tied in a traditional warrior’s topknot, and his eyes gleamed a golden-brown, a shade or two darker than Akashi Keiji’s own golden gleam. There was no one he could be but Tsuyoshi Hiro, the Dog of Masaki.
“Well met, Empress Nishimura Tatsuo Hanako.” Tamotsu Eiji intoned solemnly, and the entire coterie bowed. “And congratulations on today’s birth of your children.”
“I thank you, Tamotsu Eiji-dono.” Hanako said with a sincere bow of her head. “And it is my pleasure to meet the rest of your kindred.”
The all bowed to her again, and Tamotsu Eiji stepped forward, his arms outstretched. “If I may be allowed to hold the Imperial Heir?”
Hanako nodded and lifted her sleeping son up to the Dragon, who took Kenshin carefully into his arms. The babe stirred and blinked open his blue eyes slowly. Tamotsu Eiji stared at him for a long moment, before reaching up and laying his fingers upon Kenshin’s forehead. “He has great promise, and he will lead
while the unification of the Seven Realms will still be quite knew. He has great need of strength, so our Divine Emperor instructed me to bless Kenshin in the same way we blessed his father.”
At that, Momoe Chiyo laid her own fingers upon the infant’s hea, and their celestial children all gathered around, touching the child. There was a great surge of light which died down again almost instantly, and then Momoe Chiyo was returning Kenshin to Hanako’s arms, but not before brushing a kiss of benediction upon the tiny prince’s forehead.
“And now for the little princess—she is not the Tatsuo, for she bears not my Husband’s Mark, so she has lesser need of our blessings—however, I shall give her some gifts that wll smooth the path before her.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Misaki’s head. “She will be a grand lady, beloved for ages to come, a model of piety and kindness. Raise both your children well, and the fruit of what we did this night may come to full and glorious bloom.”
Tamotsu Eiji joined his wife and gently tapped the little princess on the forehead and smiled gently. Hanako gulped once, gathered up her courage, and asked, “Is it… my honored brother-in-law said I was to be Empress, once the war is won. Is this true?”
The Dragon tipped his head to one side, raising an elegant eyebrow. “Who were you expecting to be emperor, if not you, Princess Hanako-sama?”
“W-well, Kenshin-chan, because he bears your Mark.” Hanako stammered out.
Akashi Keiji laughed, “Little empress, the war will be over ere a year has passed from now. I do no think anyone is keen on the idea of placing a baby in charge of a newly-renewed empire.”
“Oh.” Hanako mumbled. I hadn’t quite thought of it that way… “But are you certain that I am--?”
“Hanako.” The Dragon said, his voice stern yet kindly, and brooked no refusal and demanded the listener take heed. “All this happened for a reason. Do you think the Heavenly Emperor does not direct the paths of fate?” Hanako stared up at him, in wonder and confusion. He continued, “You were born when you were, for the Heavenly Emperor wanted you to be ready for this very purpose. You were brought into the fold of Katsumi so you may learn and be prepared for the duty that lay ahead of you. You met young Shichiro so you would be comfortable together before your marriage. All this happened when the heavenly Emperor deemed best for the best of all and the fulfillment of his good plans.”
Hanako blinked slowly, musing over what Tamotsu Eiji had said. “..are you saying that Shichiro is special, somehow?”
Momoe Chiyo smiled, knowing and gentle. “We visited him too, upon his birth, to bless him, for the Heavenly Emperor had said that Shichiro would be the guardian and companion of the Imperial Heir that was to be.”
“Oh.” Hanako said, for the second time that night.
Momoe Chiyo laughed, and Tamotsu Eiji placed a gentle hand on the princess’ head. “You have come a long way, young Empress Hanako, and today has been a tiring one. It is not everday, after all, that twins are born to an Empress. We’ll take our leave now, and allow you to get your well-deserved rest after your travail.”
“Goodbye, little one,” The Immortal Goose said. “Have sweet and pleasant dreams, and awake refreshed anew.”
One by one the six children of Momoe Chiyo and Tamotsu Eiji took their leave, save of course for Akashi Keiji, who returned to fox form and his favorite pillow. Then MOmoe Chiyo kissed her forehead one last time and vanished as well, leaving her husband with the very confused Hanako.
“Have courage, dear lady, and be confident,” The Dragon rumbled. “You would not have been given this responsibility if you were not up to the task.” And then he, too, was gone, leaving Hanako all alone with much indeed to think about.
Hanako was very grateful indeed for servants. She preferred to attend to the needs of her children as much as possible, but it was a relief to be able to sleep through the night each day. Still, when she was not sleeping, she sent all but one of the servants away and took care of her children herself—they were her’s, after all.
During the day, Hanako spent her time with Aika, and together they watched over the children--Kenshin and Misaki, and Daisuke and Yoriko. The Clever One could almost always be found curled up in the corner, appearing lazy but keeping watch through slitted eyes.
So it was one bright day in late winter, three months after the birth of the children.
Princess Aika, as usual, was attended by her two head ladies-in-waiting. One was named Ayaka, who chatted happily about anything and everything, but bright eyes that clearly saw more than her happy chatter might betray. She was obviously with child, and sat near her lady, her hands busily darting at a loom.
The other was a lady named Sumiko, with a sharp, intense dark eyes and a kind, motherly smile. Hanako had been surprised to discover the lady was little Sakura’s mother, which would apparently make her the wife of the ever-elusive Ichiro. She also cradled a smaller bundle to her chest, a small boy that had been named Benjiro, and was only six months old. Daisuke was happily playing with a map and an assortment of wooden toys, which apparently his Uncle Ronin made for him. Little Sakura was off in the corner, happily stroking the Celestial Akashi Keiji’s soft fur and happily babbling at him. Yuriko and Kenshin were both currently asleep and lying on a small futon, while Aika played with a wide-awake Masaki, claiming she didn’t get enough time with her little niece. Hanako watched carefully, sitting next to Sumiko in front of her own loom. Lastly was the Princess Yuhime, who was quietly reading in the corner. She was very like Princess Aika in appearance, which Hanako supposed made sense, for she was the Princess’ niece. However, she was much more subdued, and preferred to read or embroider quietly.
It was late in the afternoon, when the shadows were lengthening and Daisuke and Sakura were beginning to awaken from their much-protested nap, when Akashi Keiji’s eyes snapped wide open. He silently slid off his pillow and crept across the floor, appearing relaxed but bearing a strange aura of tenseness that only Hanako appeared to pick up on.
However, she kept silent until he reached his destination, pressing up against her side. Then she spoke, quietly, but Aika’s eyes darted over to her at her words. ‘Is there something wrong, Akashi-dono?”
The fox’s mouth pulled back ever-so-slightly in an understated snarl. “A malignant presence unknown to me has entered the palace compound.”
“I see.” Aika said, carefully drawing her niece closer to her chest. “What exactly does ‘unknown to you’ mean?”
“It means the presence, surprisingly, does not originate in Akiyama.” Akashi Keijji said. “However, that doesn’t rule out my dearest Katsumi’s involvement. There are more ways to attack someone than by simply using the dagger ready to hand.”
Aika nodded, then stood up. “Well, then. I believe my husband must be informed.” She strode to the shoji and called out, “Eikichi! I have need of you.”
A few seconds later, the shoji slid open and in popped a gangly youth that was a bit on the short side. His hair was dark and knotted formally, but both his hair and his clothes were in a slight bit of disrepair.
“What is it that you want, cousin-sama?” He said cheerfully, and grinned brightly, exposing a missing tooth. Since he was a bit too old to lose teeth normally, Hanako guessed it must have been a casualty of some adventure.
“Go and find the Crown Prince Isao-sama, and tell him I request his presence most urgently.”
The boy still grinned, but his eyes narrowed a fraction, a serious look entering them that was belied by the smile on his face.
“As you wish, Aika-hime-sama,” He said, and was gone. Aika ran a hand distractedly over the dark hairs of Misaki’s head, and turned back to face the room.
“Eikichi is my younger cousin,” She said quietly to Hanako and the Fox. “His is clever and trustworthy, and most of all he is swift. My husband will be here soon.”
*****
Isao had been peacefully working in his study and idly wishing for something to happen to spice up the endless doom
that was paperwork. His youth in training to serve his father was bleak and dark, but it was enviable in the fact that there was no paperwork to be done.
It was then that the shoji door was yanked open, and in darted Eikichi, panting slightly from a dash across the palace.
The prince’s glanced languidly up at the interruption, carefully masking the fact that his heart had began to beat doubly fast. He had a feeling he would soon get his wish, and as is often the case, discover the worth of his previous circumstances.
And I haven’t even had supper yet.
“What is it, Eikichi?”
Eikichi took a deep breath, knelt, and bowed. “My lord prince, Princess Aika-sama has sent me to tell you that my exalted cousin requests the presence of her husband most urgently.”
The feeling in his stomach gave a vicious twist, and Isao nodded. “Very well. Go back and attend to the princesses, and I shall be along shortly.”
The messenger paused, clearly conflicted, but at last he bowed again and was gone. Isao sat there for a long moment, staring down at the papers strewn about his desk. The strange, twisting sensation in his stomach increased, and he sighed and got up, making his way over to the chest that sat in the corner. “Ichiro?” he said aloud, as he began to rummage through the chest and prepare himself.
“Yes, my lord?” Ichiro said quietly, appearing as if from nowhere (oh gosh this is crap i know).
“My lovely wife has called for me most urgently.” Isao said, examining a ring carefully before slipping it onto his thumb. “And you know as well as I do that she would not use the word ‘urgent’ if it is not true.”
He took a deep breath and glanced over at the katana, which rested on its stand against the wall. He was not Shichiro, but he was by no means unskilled or untalented in the ancient art of kenjutsu. However… if this was what his heart forebode, he would be better served by his own weapons, the weapons of shadow and silence.
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