I do not own BK-Iroha... neither do I get paid for this or anything.
READ AND REVIEW!!!!! I know this fandom is really limited - so tell me what you think!!!
Done for the Mathombox Gen-fic Challenge/Fic Exchange
Historical people referenced
Zhuang-zhi: philosopher around the 4th century BCE.
Thomas (and Emma) Hardy: famous British writer.
Wagner: famous opera composer etc.
Otto Von Bismarck: famous German leader
Queen Victoria: longest reigning British Queen.
Wilfred Owen: WW1 British poet who condemned war.
Transformation Beyond a Butterfly's Dream
Once Chuang Cho dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know he was Chuang Cho. Suddenly he woke up, and there he was, solid and unmistakable Chuang Cho. But he didn't know if he was Chuang Cho who dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Chuang Cho. Between Chuang Cho and a butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the Transformation of Things.
Zhuang-zhi. Chapter 2.
He who dreams of drinking wine may weep when the morning comes
He who dreams of weeping may in the morning go off to hunt - Zhuang Zhi
He opened his eyes and blinked hazily, for some reason, expecting to see...
See what? He groaned to himself, propping himself up on his elbows and rubbing his bleary eyes.
Kakunojo...
Akidzuki snorted softly to himself. Already it had been three months and he was dreaming of her.
Baka! He chided himself. This is your chance to see what Ryouma-sama saw! Although... right now.
The young man stretched, sat up, swung his legs over the edge of his small cot and sighed. Looking around the cramped quarters of the small cabin, Akidzuki scratched his head and yawned. Already the edges of the horizon were a light pink - any moment now the first mate would be calling them up. Shuffling into his uncomfortable sailor uniform, Akidzuki sighed.
What did you see, I wonder...
Ryouma-sama?
"We're almost there, sonny," grinned his chirpy roommate from above.
"Ehhh..."
"You unnerstand? In a coupla weeks we'll be in sight of the Suez Canal!"
"Suez Canal?" blinked Akizuki.
"You heard. You seen it - naw! What am I askin'? Course you've not! But it's a sight for sore eyes. Just finished, y'know... It'll be my first time seein' the canal - not ol' Egypt though..."
"Egypt?"
"Egypt. A really old country. With pyramids and camels and loud buggers and voluptuous women in black, yeah..."
Akidzuki mulled over the strange words.
English was never my strong suit...
"You've been there?" the young man asked.
"Sure. But this time we've got a nice stop over in Alexandria - and before you know it - CIVILIZATION!!!"
"Civilization..."
Akizuki bent down to tie up the laces of his shoes.
Civilization... huh? Sensei... is this what you saw?
He could still hear the playwright's smooth voice -
To make Japan the greatest nation on earth...
-
Three weeks later, Akidzuki carefully found his land legs on the sagging docks of Alexandria. The air was hot - hotter than even Japan - just standing there, he could feel the heat pressing down.
Like that India... except no elephants... just...
He looked around at the trash, the filthy streets, the grubby vendors yelling, the silent women carrying pots, clothing, food baskets on top of their heads. Wild dogs ran in the streets - little children were running around as well... It looked chaotic. Turning away from the fly-covered slabs of meat, the heady sweet sticky smells of warm fruit and the fermenting smell of hot goat cheese, Akidzuki dove into the heavy crowds, wondering what to do for the four days he was stuck in the large city.
I thought that Tokyo was busy and run down... Akidzuki's neck hurt just from his head turning from left to right. It's so big here... and...
It kinda made him feel depressed.
"Pyramid! Pyramid! A trip to zee anshunt toombs of King Tut!!! Only for 10 dinar! On camel! 10 dinar trip to zee Pyramids!!! Pyramids!!!"
Akidzuki blinked, remembering the conversation he'd had with his roommate.
Pyramids, huh? Perhaps... I've certainly saved up enough.
Handing over the money, awkwardly climbing on to the back of a especially baleful camel, Akidzuki clung hard to the coarse hair, praying that he wouldn't die in a shameful manner - certainly not before seeing the pyramids
Or Kakunojo.
He blushed at the thought of the feisty actress.
She said she'd waaaiiiit-
Akidzuki's thoughts ended abruptly with a jerk as the camel rose smoothly and followed the camel master. Behind the young Japanese foreigner, a line of Europeans followed - loud and cheerful.
"Blimey! Lookit - them - whatchacallits -"
"Hush dear! That's not nice! Arabs they are..."
"Weird is wot they are - all dressed up funny like - and these beasts - camels, huh?"
"Dear..."
"Camels are a common transportation," a snotty voice said from the back of the line. "Not only can they go long distances without drinking, but they can reach quite amazing speeds and their meat and milk can also provide sustenance for travelers."
"Gor! Guess the professor knows what he's talkin' bout, eh?"
"Dear..."
-
By the end of the small trip to the pyramids, Akidzuki wanted to die. Not only because of the squabbling behind - between the Professor and some factory worker on vacation - but the heat seemed too unbearable. That and the endless sand stretched out before them...
It's so different, Ryouma-sama... who'd have thought that the world is so huge. And different? Well... I was always told that there are different lands with different wonders - but these...
"These are zee toombs of ze Pharoahs - anshunt kings of Egypt."
"Tombs?" Akidzuki whispered, eyes trying to gauge the height of the stone triangle.
"Made looong ago... by many, many slaves... inside were treasures for zee king dat died..."
"They believed," the Professor extrapolated haughtily. "That they would take their treasures with them to the afterlife. So even some retainers died with them - mummified of course - with cats and other things."
"Mummified?" asked the sweet housewife with horror.
"They would drain the body of all its liquids and bind it up and put it in special caskets. It's beautiful. You should see it ma'am - they've got a couple in London..."
The woman turned green.
Akidzuki's camel, following the guide, found a resting spot near a small pond with some surrounding trees. Finishing up the last of his water, the sweating ex-Eternal Assassin stumbled in after enthusiastic Arab guide. Inside the pyramid - it was cool, dark and almost...
It was beautiful.
Along the walls were pictures and fancy writing that brought ecstatic oohs and aahs from the group and more explanations from the Professors.
Akidzuki didn't even want to try saying 'hieroglyphic" out loud. The tomb didn't have any of its treasures in it anymore - but according to the guide, everything had been made out of gold and special wood. There was a museum in Alexandria that had some of it on display. Akidzuki decided to go there next.
Emerging from the cool dark, he sighed, feeling even more ignorant, small and alone than ever. Smacking himself on the forehead, Akidzuki shook his head.
Idiot. This is what you're here for. To see the world - to explore the possibilities... to understand your place. So that when you go back - when you embrace Kakunojo - when you find that home in her arms, you will also know who you are. And what I should now do...
"That was amazing," the Professor said suddenly. "It makes me feel... No, it's euphoric to stand here with so much history under our feet!!!!"
Akidzuki blinked.
"I feel so close to the past in places like these!"
Akidzuki shivered.
The past...
The Head...
Some thing's are best left unremembered... but...
Kakunojo's face flashed into his vision.
Some things are best to look forward to...
"This world..." Akidzuki said slowly and carefully, trying to find the right words. "Came to being at the same time, yes?"
The Professor's eyes widened at the boy's accent.
"You -"
"So... does not everything have an ancient past? Even your home?"
"Y-yes... but..."
Akidzuki smiled.
Even we have history, and because we have a history, we have a future, as well. It is evidence we have lived, died and that others have gone before and have gone after us... right, Ryouma? Right, Kakunojo? This is no time to weep for what is done - but to bravely search for what is possible.
Watch me, Sensei... your butterfly dream has transformed into something even more beautiful...
