Now comes the next in my Konoha Kaidan Trilogy. Previous was "Woman of the Snow", but the stories are unrelated to each other, so it's not expected to read the previous one unless you are a lover of classic Japanese lore. Just like before, this one is a cross with a story by Lafcadio Hearn and adapted in a 60s anthology picture called Kwaidan - all of which are well-known ghost stories. Hearn's story was "The Reconciliation" which eventually became "The Black Hair" in the movie. Both tell the same story: an impoverished samurai divorces his true love to marry for prestige, although he comes to see what a hell of a mistake he made. So he leaves to go back to his first wife only to find something uncanny about her...
Chapter title translation: "cold; indifferent".
I do not own Naruto or Hearn's "Black Hair/Reconciliation".
Chapter One
Hiyayaka
For the longest time, a woman's hair was prized above all else, even revered as frighteningly beneficial. Women could obsess about it to the point of madness - the men attracted would find it more desirable as a top priority than the rest of the body. The hair was a true symbol of beauty...and a matter of life or death.
In midst of the nobles allowing everything to get the best of them, both sexes would be caught up in their physical appearances, passionately devoting themselves as though they were deities. But the women were misunderstood: they were believed to be utterly repressed, but the truth was something else. They could be whatever and whomever they wanted without fear of the consequences, even read and write, gain an education like the men.
But for every yin, there is a yang. In the most horrific tales, when a woman wronged in life returned as a vengeful spirit, her long, beautiful hair once so innocent and weak would become a powerful weapon...
~o~
Over the years, in every season, it would only grow stronger and stronger, so perhaps the symbolisms had something to do with it, without either of them ever being aware.
It began in the beginning of the winter solstice when the harvests were over and everything gathered, but then there would be fishing for crabs, shrimp and hunting for what you have to in the woods. Desperate times called for desperate measures. The terrible blizzards had not yet begun, but the unbearable cold started killing any signs of remaining life. When the storms would come, you were never to go out there unless it was urgent. Safe inside the warmth of your home, you would be entitled to a warm fire and food, if you were in the privileged class, that is. The peasants had hand-made warmth by their own, doing everything themselves without the use of servants.
The samurai worked with their hands, too, but even half of the lot considered themselves better than the ones beneath, despite a few fractions having once been in that status and earned it.
Their good fortune could one day end, with their masters' disgraces or deaths, or the warriors committing the act themselves. So nothing lasted forever; there was only enjoying while you could.
During this day, it was bright blue skies over the serene, idyllic white landscape which glittered like countless diamonds. This was on the hills, mountains and forests that surrounded Konoha. A young boy of twelve watched, comfortably spooned against the window which was opened not even halfway so the frigid air wouldn't be let in. There was no fire as it was necessary only when at night, the temperatures were at their coldest. He loved to lay before it to fall asleep faster. He'd done it ever since his parents died of the plague years ago, and his brother would read stories to him while keeping him close. Now he enjoyed it even so.
Wrapped up in a heavy black garment, the boy had ravenesque hair which was spiked backwards like the tail of a duck, tinted with blue like the skies darkening into night - his matching eyes appeared to be depthless. He was Sasuke Uchiha, the youngest - at the present - of the remaining Uchiha samurai clan. A few families within this ancient clan remained today, but he and Itachi were the only ones without being married - though his brother was at the age to choose a bride, and he was considering Hanaru Uzumaki, the elder sister of Sasuke's best friend from younger childhood.
He gritted his teeth. When will you be home, big brother?
And just like that: when you speak of the devil, he would appear. The door opened just as he silently prayed for Itachi's safe return after months of absence. In those times, he had to just learn to fend for himself while his brother was away protecting this village. It was those damned Ame samurai, that's what!
And perfect older brother to come back refreshed as if he hadn't been scarred or slashed. Sasuke didn't know yet, but his elder had the tendency to wash his face at the river in every season, even in winter. Now was no exception; long raven hair tied behind his head, helmet removed and beneath one arm, seemed to be frosted, for you could see the glittering diamonds in the locks. It was like gathered stars against the night sky. Itachi could have any woman he wanted, and here he was thinking about settling down with Sasuke's friend's sister.
"You're back, brother," Sasuke told him, staying where he was. "Did you have to stain your sword with Ame blood?" He was an Uchiha, so he looked forward to the day when he would do the same. To see enemies fall when they dared to set foot on HIS grounds. But it would also make me so strong that even my brother would be so proud of me.
Itachi chuckled as he began to work on his armor, but the servants who came in assisted with the layers. Everything from the outside until they got to the inside where Itachi's powerful, statuesque build was revealed. If only Sasuke could one day have a body like that, and that meant plain hard training without any distractions.
The elder Uchiha glanced his way when he answered. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Sasuke. We got lucky - or rather, I did. The emperor's unit is composed of the strongest besides myself. Kakashi and Gai had their fair share of the brunch more than I, for they were lucked with only two Ame samurai who somehow suffered a dispute in their village and were wandering." That could only mean they refused to commit sepukku in order to avoid dishonor; had they lived, they would have ended up as ronin, or samurai for hire.
Sasuke didn't hate Kakashi Hatake and Maito Gai, but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous that his perfect elder brother didn't get his rewarded share. Another of Itachi's lessons came to mind: you don't defend your country to seek only glory. You can't always be blessed, for someone else deserves a chance.
"So, did you have any luck training today?" Itachi asked with a smile, going to sit in front of him and looking out the window, admiring the view.
"I absolutely did! And tomorrow, if you have time, you can watch me or help me if I did something wrong. I've waited for you to come home for this, as always. Your approval matters more to me than anyone else's, big brother."
Laughing, Itachi reached to poke the boy's forehead with his index and middle fingers like he always did, and it made Sasuke blush angrily. He always did that to him when he would say "sorry, Sasuke, but next time" - and often he wouldn't keep his promise. But what he said wasn't that this time, making the boy happy. "All I could think about was coming home to my little brother just to hear you say that." But then the smile was gone.
"However, Sasuke, I don't know if I should repeat myself to you -"
Oh, not that again. Yet here he was repeating big brother's words of wisdom: "There is more to life than just fighting, becoming stronger and proving yourself - and more than just living off of privilege because there is a chance we might become disgraced. Life has its turns for better or worse," Sasuke said bitterly, looking down at his lap at nothing in particular. Seeing nothing but black which represented an uncertain future and a surprise waiting at the end of the tunnel.
Itachi stood up then. "Well, never mind the lectures today. I assume you haven't eaten before I returned...?" His eyes sparkled, which said that he wanted to whip up what fresh catch he purchased from the village before he returned.
The boy jumped up, eager and enthusiastic. Love big brother's handmade when he is home, doing everything himself and accepting help when he wants it - and a samurai has to have sustenance.
~o~
He didn't understand why men were fond of women's long hair, since he didn't care about such things, and when he told this to his brother, Itachi just laughed and said it was exactly what it was, nothing else. The body - the subject which made Sasuke blush red as his favorite tomatoes - was a matter concerned only when it came to marriage, which was something Sasuke was far from, but he would have to face THAT subject sooner or later.
His brother said that even back in the Heian times, women were obsessed with their hair, taking even up to the entire day of combing and treating it to perfection. These secrets were kept among women, but for the sake of understanding and teaching, some of them would be leaked out. It made Sasuke wonder if it was really that simple or if it was really necessary to know all of that.
"It was the first thing I saw in Hanaru," his brother said when they were sitting before the fire, and he was polishing his weapons. "Many women had their hair touching the floor, some longer than their actual height. But her - hers reached the knees. The sun and maybe fire, or both, resided in that hair which was softer and brighter than even sand. Red streaking through precious yellow like a flame. I've never seen anything like that." His eyes were shining.
Sasuke pondered this out of curiosity. He was only twelve, so he was too young to even think about girls, but someday that could change. He cringed, hoping not. He didn't even like girls, but when he told his brother this, Itachi said he once thought like that, too.
All he could think about was his own future and focusing all his energies to make it happen, uncaring it would have happened anyway because he was an Uchiha. But being an Uchiha meant more than just the name.
Right now, he wanted to just listen to what his superiors said and when he was grown up, he would be his own man with what he learned.
Completely ignoring Itachi's concern with these ideals.
The next day, when the sky was clear again, they were in the indoor training room, that pride was in big brother's eyes which made him happier and more determined.
It would be two weeks later when Konoha's Shin'nen Festival took place that his luck changed, and he had no idea how to handle what happened. This event was a significance of the new year, where it was lightly snowing as evening fell for the hundreds of lanterns to be lit, as well as the candles in small snow domes and lantern images in snowy structures which were made by hand. Music traditional of their people was played, songs sung, and being served was sake, mochi sweets and warmed seafood.
Sasuke hated sweets, but Itachi adored them. I still don't know how anyone could handle them when all they do is make your teeth rotten.
He pulled his heavy kimono around himself, though it could go no tighter than it was. Why did they have to have things like this in this weather? "Because it's to ask for good fortune under harsh circumstances," his brother told him, though beneath that kind face was irritation that he wished his younger brother would start growing up, making Sasuke flinch inside. He hated seeing Itachi disappointed because of something he did.
He decided to just be a good boy and light a lantern or two, sing along - even if he didn't know how to - and then head off to the food stands for anything but mochi on sticks, although he planned to get some for Itachi...before he was beat to that.
"Sasuke, I see you're enjoying yourself," Hanaru told him as she approached him with a plate of steaming dango in hand. They were the tri which Itachi loved more than the rest. The beautiful woman with the fiery hair his brother fondly described was in a lush, heavy kimono of ivory which gave way to a soft blue, covered all over with flowers in many dark shades of blue. Her eyes were dark right now since it was night, but they were bright and clear as the sky without even a cloud. Just like her brother, whom he was expecting to see tonight, but that loudmouth could be off doing whatever mischief he was known for.
He did NOT think of her the way Itachi would assume, but he did see what his brother was talking about. He had no ill-will towards the young woman, but if she and Itachi were to marry, that meant everything would change. He would lose his brother who was always his reason for living. The one who raised him since their parents died when he was only nine and Itachi fourteen. They were raised by their grandfather for a year before the old man died, leaving Itachi to do the rest. A man at fifteen - he was someone special!
A young man and woman were both considered of age when they reached twenty, and thinking of that made Sasuke so impatient. Eight more years was a long way off.
He gazed up at the three fires that roared to the skies, to the heavens as means to kick off the party after prayers were spoken. To make new bonds as well as to enjoy the ones you have - well into the start of the new year. To pray for a bountiful harvest, to wish for the safety of friends and loved ones, and good fortune as a whole.
"Well, it was wonderful to see you," Hanaru told him kindly, walking off to find Itachi now that her favorite part was beginning. She loved these events, and she did a fine job showing no trace of discomfort for the cold.
Sasuke found himself enjoying hot, steaming rice and pieces of salmon when he found himself nearly running into someone and angrily snapped, "Will you watch where you are going?!"
The voice was soft and feminine. "Oh, I'm sorry! I'm just enjoying myself so much that I forget myself. But you don't look like you are."
"It's all right, but it's not like I'm obliged to," he said, looking into the face of the person and holding his breath at what he saw, then releasing it when he couldn't believe what it was. The girl looked to be his age at least, with a smile sweet as her face, and eyes green as the spring grass. "I...just prefer quiet. I'm here because my brother and his woman as well as all our friends enjoy it." He couldn't believe it, but he halted his words in front of a GIRL of all people!
It wasn't just her face he was stricken by, but her hair. Who in the name of the Kami had hair like she did? It was tied back by a dark red ribbon, but it was thick and shiny - and pastel pink. Sasuke shook his head and took a step back, overcome by the thought she could just be a ghost or some kind of faerie instead of a human being. She noticed his air and looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Why was he talking to her? He had better things to worry about than some girl, but here he was exchanging a few words. "Yes, I'm fine," he said irritably, assuming his Uchiha indifference, which Itachi hardly used since he wasn't like the rest of their clan. But she didn't seem affected, which annoyed him.
"Well, I'm Sakura. Sakura Haruno."
What was the irony here: a walking flower in winter? He brusquely answered, deciding to just get away from her. "Sasuke Uchiha," was all he said before he turned to leave her alone, wishing to find either his brother or Naruto. Ignoring the disappointed young rosette who watched the equally young raven leave her without any kind words - but at least she got his name.
Japanese women's hair has long since been a symbol of real beauty above all else, and you can see it yourself everywhere. In both love as well as horror stories, it was a "matter of life or death for the ladies of the court". The information came from an article called "Japanese Horror; Hair; Yokai; Culture; Wa" (though I was protected with my virus defenses, since it was missing something on the webpage).
In Genji Monogatari, there is one character who was popular with the men and then one day got the attention of one man whose infatuation with her hair at first sight was enough to make him fall in love with her. The hair was all it took. :3
Shin'nen - New Year. :) I don't know if a festival of the name exists in Japan, but if it does, can someone let me know?
It was inspired by three real winter festivals: Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival (uses of the hundreds of lanterns), Yokote Kamakura Festival (the sake, sweets and such served as well as the prayers for a better harvest and safety of loved ones, even the candles in the snow domes); finally is the Nozawaonsen Fire Festival (specifically the aspects of the roaring fires blaring, and the participation being a mandatory rite of passage for men native to the village of the name, as well as to forge new relationships and friendships).
I have no idea if back then if feudal Japan had the legal age of twenty as it is today. I tried looking and wasn't lucked.
Reviews appreciated. :D
