Title: The Second Thousand Sword Strokes
Rating: K+
Spoilers: Volumes 2 and 3
Summary: A look at Arikoto beneath the calm when a new Groom arrives at the Ōoku.
A/N: Un-beta'd quicky to get me writing again, and because it is my first foray in writing for this fandom, apologies for all the suck. Words: 100
Disclaimer: Ōoku: The Inner Chambers and its characters (Madenokouji Arikoto) belong to Yoshinaga Fumi, Hakusensha, Viz Media and others I know not of. This work is for entertainment only, no copyright infringement is intended, and the author reaps no profit except heartbreakage by the angst.
The Second Thousand Sword Strokes
He began with the first gentle chimes from the Osuzu Rōka. (One.) Measured slash after measured slash. Breathe in. Right his grip. Breathe out. Swing. (Five hundred.) Bare steel sang as it parted air. (One thousand.)
He finished all too soon; the soft ringing still echoed, like peals of laughter, in his mind. It was only yesterday (a lifetime ago) that he welcomed the melodious jangle. Bare steel bit deeply into mahogany, rent silk, slit pages loose. (One. One. One. One one one one one.)
I pray that he hurts you not. I pray that he pleases you, my Lady.
End.