“I am sorry, my husband,” Hanako had replied miserably, but he only shook his head.
“No need to be sorry, Hanako-san. Some things are just meant to be, I suppose.”
A little over a week had passed before Tatsuya bothered them again, sending Isao in the capacity of a messenger.
“The last of the Shoguns and their representatives have assembled, Hanako-dono, little brother, and there will be a council of war later in the day. I suggest you prepare yourself accordingly.’
Tatsuya had sent over some maids, and they helped Hanako into her many layered juni-hito, arranging her hair (much to hanako’s dislike), and painting her face as befitting an empress. Then she was left alone for her husband to come and collect her, to escort her to the assembly.
When he emerged, Hanako had to blink at the difference between the Shichiro that stood before her now, and the one that had been huddled against a a wall a mere week or so before. He stood tall, with his shoulders straight and his head held high, and his hair was cleen and bound properly back. His clothes were fine, as befitting his station, and soft blue silk cloth was covering his eyes, instead of rough linen bandages.
He held out an arm to her and smiled. “Well, my Empress, shall we?”
She took his proffered arm and smiled back. “Yes, let’s.” and together they walked to the assembly, Akashi Keiji hopping up from his pillows and trotting along at her feet.
“Remember, little Empress, that you are Empress,” He said, “And stand tall.”
Hanako smiled down at the fox trotting along at her feet, then lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders. “Thank you, Akashi-dono. I’ll remember, I promise.”
They made it to the doors of the assembly chamber, and the fox rubbed against Hanako’s leg. “I have to go now, I’m afraid.”
Hanako felt a frown slipping across her lips as she looked down at him. “Must you? I was looking forward to your support, Akashi-dono.”
Golden eyes sparkled in a foxy face. “I never said I wasn’t going to support you, child. I’ll be there, I just cannot be there as your confidant.”
“Alright, if you must.” She said with a sigh, and the Fox grinned.
“Oi, Shichiro.” He said, and Shichiro turned his head in the direction of hte Fox’s call. “Take good care of her for me, eh?”
Shichiro tightened the grip he had on Hanako’s arm, drawing her closer, and scowled. “Of course. I’m her husband.”
The fox darted forward and bumped his head against Shichiro’s leg. “Then don’t leave her again, if that’s true. She needs you.”
The man swallowed heavily but he kept his head level. “I assure you, I never plan to leave her again.”
“See that you don’t, then,” Akashi Keiji said tartly, bouncing a few steps away, and on the last step he was suddenly a man, dressed in formal kimono. He stepped to the door, an elegant, long fingered hand reaching out to slide it open. He glanced back over his shoulder at Hanako, and for once his golden eyes were calm and serious. “The Heavenly Emperor chose you, you know. Now go forth and show them why He did.”
Hanako felt a flush of warmth in her chest, and she bowed her head in acknowledgement. The Fox smiled and flitted inside.
The Empress stared after him thoughtfully, until her reverie was interrupted when her husband awkwardly cleared his throat. “Hanako-san?”
Oh. SHe had forgotten. Shichiro had told her he could make his way around rather well despite his blindness, but at times like this they couldn’t afford the possibility of displaying a weakness. Therefore, Hanako had been tasked to guide her husband.
“I’m very sorry,” She whispered penitently, “Come, this way.”
With gentle, smooth steps she walked forward to the shoji door, her husband easily matching her pace. She reached forward for the door, grasped it, and slid it open.
There were fifteen mortals in the room, and behind them were eight tall shadows.
Take the step, and your fate is sealed.
The Empress smiled with a serenity she didn’t feel, and together she and her Emperor walked forward.
Tatsuya had deferred his seat upon the raised platform at one end of the room to the Empress, and Shichiro helped his wife settled herself upon zabuton. Then he took his own seat, and laid his sword beside him.
All of a sudden, Tamotsu Eiji was standing beside her, drawn up to his full height, his eyes gleaming crimson. He bowed slightly and swept one hand out to Hanako, his sleeve fluttering.
“Shoguns and Princesses, people of the seven countries,” he said, “Now I present unto you the last daughter of the Miyatatsu, descended from the blood of Emperor Nagaharu, Heiress of the Lost Prince Hansuke, Her Imperial Highness, the Empress Tatsuoko Hanako.” He straightened up and stared at them all keenly, thoughts beyond the ken of mortals flitting behind his vermillion eyes.
“Who now amongst you will be the first to pledge his allegiance to her?”
Tatsuya rose, his face solemn, and made his way to the dais before sinking to his knees. “As Karigane was the first to support Nagaharu in his quest to become Emperor, so Karigane will be first to pledge its allegiance to the Empress Hanako and her family.”
Hanako nodded in acceptance. “I thank you, Shogun Tatsuya, and may the Heavenly Emperor bless you for your loyalty.”
Tatsuya rose from a bow, before grinning and winking once, assuring her she was doing well. When he returned to his seat, the tall woman with the gentle face that stood behind him bowed, and Hanako caught a glimpse of the wings of Momoe Chiyo the Goose spread in respect.
Next was a tall, bulky, broad-shouldered man with snowy hair and a lined face, clad in armor and furs. “Since Tamotsu Eiji-sama vouches for you, I, Osamu-Hachiro, eighth son of the Ishikawa line, pledge the loyalty of Miyukimura to our lady and Empress. Our swords shall always be yours.”
Behind him bowed Takeo Masa, and that sharp, warlike man’s bow she saw the crouch of a wolf.
Third was a tall, graceful lady, with wide dark eyes an a faint smile on her face. “Taura long ago abandoned our Emperor, and all the lands were cast into chaos. Now I, Princess Shimizu Shiori, pledge the everlasting loyalty of myself and my people to you, in hopes that amends might made at last.” Behind her the lady with soft eyes and golden-amber hair bowed as well, and Hanako saw a shimmer of white spots along her back, and Hanako smiled at Masuyo Kaoru, the Deer of Taura.
Isao rose, bowing deeply, and said, “I, as the new Shogun of Nagisa, pledge myself and my people into your service, o Empress, as long as your line sits upon the Imperial throne, and my the Heavenly Emperor cast down blessings upon you.”
Behind him, Chiharu Rie the Crane bowed her scarlet head and spread her white wings in reverence.
Next there came a very beautiful woman whose features were drawn in recent sorrow, and by her hand she led a young boy with wide, solemn eyes.
She sank to her knees and the little boy joined her, and the lady bowed. “I am Princess Matsushita Makoto, wife of the late Shogun Yoshiro, and I now serve my country as the lady regent for my son, the Shogun Taro.”
“Welcome, Princess Makoto, Shogun Taro, and I am very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. When I reclaim my throne, I swear that we will bring peace to the clans of Yamazaki so you may live without fear.” Hanako said, and Makoto stared at her, before smiling faintly and ducking her head to hide her tears.
“Thank you, Empress-sama. That… that means very much to us.” Then the Princess turned to her son, and whispered in his ear. The boy nodded and bowed, a little clumsily, and Hanako lifted her sleeve to hide her smile.
“Empress Hanako, I and my mother and the loyal people of Yamazaki pledge ourselfs to help you,” He said solemnly, and Hanako bowed her head.
“Thank you, Shogun Taro-dono.” She said. “It means very much to me.” And she smiled at the tall lady with the pale skin that shimmered like the scales of the Koi fish, Izumi Miwa who stood protectively over the little shogun.
Ne
xt was a young man who stood barely any taller than Hanako herself, small with a wiry build, with hair dark as night and eyes to match.
He bowed deeply and looked up, a grin touching the corners of his mouth. “My lady and Empress, I am Fujioka Masahiko, a descendent of the direct line of the Fujioka clan, and I stand before you as the anointed Shogun of Akiyama, by right of the choice of Akashi Keiji himself. I have come to pledge the support of my person and my followers to your cause, and humbly beg you that you help me free my country from the usuperous rule of my cousin’s wife, the Princess Katsumi.”
“I accept your loyalty gladly,” Hanako said, “Do you have a list of the strength of your followers, Masahiko-dono?”
He bowed again and handed her a scroll, which she opened and read, her eyes widening slightly.
In his service he had scattered followers from amidst 30 of the clans of Akiyama, for a total of 3,000 men, many of which were serving as double agents in the army of Princess Katsumi. But most impressive were the twenty private shinobi villages that had sworn themselves to his service.
“So many shinobi villages…” Hanako mused thoughtfully. “How in all the lands did you get so many to follow you?”
“It wasn’t that hard,” Masahiko said, shrugging one shoulder free from the dark fabric of his kimono, and Hanako sucked in a breath. There, on his left shoulder, was emblazoned with the shape of a fox in gold and crimson. “The Way of the Shinobi was started by Akashi Keiji-sama himself, and just as the warrior monks of Masaki follow the dictates of Tsuyoshi Hiro the Dog, so do the Shinobi of Akiyama still remember the Fox. When someone shows up with the mark of Akashi Keiji, they listen.”
Hanako glanced over his shoulder at Akashi Keiji, and the Fox winked one golden eye at her.
“I thank you for your service, then, and I promise to aid you when the time comes,” The Empress said, and Fujioka Masahiko bowed in thanks, fully satisfied.
Last came a young man who was dressed more simply than the rest of those gathered. He sank to his knees before the Empress and bowed deeply.
“Empress Hanako-sama, I am Saito Ryota, eldest son and heir of Daimyo Saito Naota of the province of Morito in Masaki. I bear greetings from my father, Saito Naota, and from Nishimura Manami-hime-sama, stating that fifteen clans have vowed their lives and loyalty to your service, Empress-sama, and desire greatly to see your restored upon the throne of your forebearers.”
Behind him, a tall man with strange tawny hair in a warrior’s topknot bowed, and Hanako saw the smile of delight on his face, and her heart ached with empathy.
Tsuyoshi Hiro, the Dog of Masaki, was known to embody loyalty and honor, and it must be tearing his soul apart to watch the country under his governance abandon those virtues, and how pleased he must be to know that all hope is not lost (ugh this sentence).
“Please extend my thanks to Manami-dono and Daimyo Saito-dono, and tell them I am exceedingly glad at the proof that nobility and loyalty still dwells within Masaki.”
Ryota bowed and retook his seat, and Tatsuya stood up. “Now that we have all pledged ourselves in the service of the Empress, it’s time to get down to business, namely, how we plan to defeat the armies of Masaki and Akiyama. Ichiro-san, I believe you have the required information for us?”
Ichiro-san--Hanako idly wondered just which Ichiro-san it was--melted out of hte shadows in the corner behind where Princess Makoto and Shogun Taro were seated, and Shichiro stiffened, a scowl pulling at his lips.
Hanako blinked at that--she had never seen her husband look quite so pouty before, and resolved to investigate as to the reasons when she had time.
Ichiro bowed to Hanako, and then handed a scroll to Isao, who unfurled it, scanned over it quickly, and cleared his throat. “It seems that Akiyama and Masaki have been gathering forces about fifty miles north of the Karigane border, along the North-South road. 10 thousand of the forces are from Akiyama, and the other 23 are from Masaki. We have been slowly gathering our armies for months now, and at the moment we have about 28 thousand men gathered, which leaves us outnumbered by a mere 5 thousand.”
“Not accounting, of course,” Ryota said hesitantly, “For the loyalists hidden amongst the ranks of Misaki and Akiyama.”
“That does seem to even the odds a bit.” Tatsuya said thoughtfully. “Is there any way we could get a proper accounting of those on our side in th enemy’s army?”
“It would be difficult, normally…” Ichiro said, “However, perhaps with the aid of Tsuyoshi Hiro-sama and Akashi Keiji-sama?”
“It would be my honor,” The Dog said with a bow, which Akashi Keiji copied.
“Excellent!” Isao grinned. “Now, as to whether we should try to attack their camp or draw them out to a field of our own choosing…”
Hanako listened to the talk of war and violence, and her heart ached within her. The whole point of the Emperor or Empress was to bring peace and unity to Azuna no Kuni, in order that the seven nations would dwell together in amity and accord (alliteration yay!). And she knew that Misaki and Akiyama would need to be defeated before that peace could be won, yet it still seemed wrong. There was so much bad blood between the lands already, and she felt as if this war would exacerbate it, leaving Misaki and Akiyama bleeding and bitter for what could possibly be generations to come.
Evil had to be defeated, of course, Hanako knew that as surely as she knew she breathed, but... did hundreds and thousands of innocent lives from all the nations have to be dragged into it too?
Was there truly no other way?
Shichiro was listening to the discussion, focusing on sharpening his hearing, trying to pick up on the soft sounds made by the minutests of movements and picturing them in his mind. Tamotsu Eiji had spoken to him, and told him that they had blessed him with senses far superior to that of ordinary mortals. Shichiro had always known this, to some degree… he had always been able to see better and hear far better than anyone he knew, but it was only now, that he had lost his sight, that he truly understood the greatness of the gift.
It was according to this gift that he sensed something amiss with his wife.
Hanako was shifting slightly, the way she did when she was unhappy. He paused for a moment, gathering up his courage, before he reached over to touch her sleeve in comfort. It was just as Shichiro did so, however, that Hanako stood up, startling everyone.
Tatsuya, Princess Shiori, and Isao all paused in a discussion of supply routes and everyone stared at the Empress.
“I thank you all for your counsel,” Hanako said, embarrassment coiling in her stomach that she strained desperately to hide. “However, I feel the need to take a break, to gain some fresh air and some time to think. Feel free to continue without me.” She felt her husband begin to gather himself to stand as well, but she cut off his movement by saying. “DO not worry, my lord husband will stand in as my proxy.”
Shichiro’s head snapped around to face her, the dark blue fabric of his blindfold seeming to stare at her, accusing and betrayed.
She leaned close and flicked open her fan, using it to discretely hide her whispers. “Please do not be mad at me for abandoning you, Shichiro-san, but I really do need to take a break, and you need to learn how to do these sorts of things anyway, because you’ll be the Emperor soon!” She pled. “I am very, very sorry!”
Shichiro tried to keep a firm, solemn face, but it broke into a rueful smile and shook his head. “I could never be mad at you, Hanako-chan. Fine, I’ll be your proxy, but please take Tamotsu Eiji and Akashi Keiji with you, so you won’t be alone.”
“Of course,” Hanako said, and she did just that, leaving the Shoguns and a rather grumpy Emperor-to-be behind her.
Hanako, Tamotsu Eiji, and Akashi Keiji (the latter of which was in his fox form) walked silently back to her rooms. Once they were safely inside the rooms, the Fox rounded on the Empress, his eyes gleaming with concern.
“What has you all in a tizzy, Hanako-chan? I can sense the thoughts whirling about in your head.”
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br /> “Ah…” Hanako folded her hands and looked down morosely. “It’s just, I wish there was some other way to ensure the peace and reclaim my throne.”
“War is one of the saddest realities of our world, little one,” Tamotsu Eiji said somberly. “And the truth is, even when the seven realms are united until your rule, true peace will still be elusive. There will always be conflict, as long as there are mortals that dwell on the earth.”
“I know.” Hanako said, moving over to the futon Daisuke and Kenshin slept, the older boy curled protectively against his younger cousin. “Still… I wish that by the time Kenshin becomes Emperor, the seven realms will have attained as close to true peace as we can manage. I fear this war will prevent that dream from coming true until Kenshin’s grandchild rules.”
Akashi Keiji brushed up against her leg, unashamedly covering the bottom of the outside layer of her elegant juni-hito with red-gold fox hairs. “Have faith, little mortal! I’m sure the Heavenly Emperor-sama will ensure that everything turns out for the best.”
Hanako nodded and knelt beside the futon, reaching out and stroking Kenshin’s head. Shichiro loved running his hand up and down Kenshin’s little head and face, trying his best to feel out Kenshin’s features and picture them in his mind.
She wished her husband could see his son. She wished that the power in her blood would enable her to heal him--but his wounds were beyond the power of the Immortal Goose herself, and Hanako had long known she was unable to heal old wounds. Her skill only worked when the injury was fresh.
She missed his eyes, however. She missed them very much.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw how Akashi Keiji and Tamotsu Eiji stiffened, and she turned to them curiously. “What’s wrong?”
“I sense five malicious presences.” Akashi Keiji said angrily. “And they’re only a minute or so away! How did they get so close without any of us detecting them?”
“There is a faint smell of serpent,” His imperial father replied, and his face was like stone and his eyes like embers, burning in old anger. “I would know that scent anywhere. It seems that the false fujioka princess has been dabbling in things beyond her ken or power. How foolish of her.”
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