Chapter 2: Stars Burning Underwater
.iv.
One morning there was an unexpected visitor to the castle. They'd arrived with a contingent of retainers from Igasato, shinobi who'd come to replace those serving at the castle who'd fallen during the war. Hinoka had been unable to formally greet them, as that would've caused too much attention for agents whose strength was anonymity, but she'd risen early enough to watch their arrival from a low-story window.
Most had been strangers too her eyes, despite every one of them having sworn blood oaths to give their lives for her family's sake. However out of the crowd, two individuals had caught her attention: A small man with dark hair gathered in a topknot and narrow eyes had struck her with a resemblance to the kunoichi who'd served Mikoto and then her older brother. The other, a woman whose form and face were beautiful despite her approaching the autumn of life, and most notably her hair-color— green, a color she had seen only on one other Hoshidan.
Hinoka hadn't been able to linger long though, with a fully scheduled day, and soon forgot the two as she attended meetings with the councils and went about her duties.
After she'd finished the midday meal, however, Yukimura surprised her with an unscheduled audience, one where it was just the two of them and a visitor— the peculiar woman from Igasato.
"My liege, this unworthy one is honored to be permitted in your presence," the green-haired beauty said as she bowed low enough to press her forehead against the floorboards.
Not knowing how to respond to such blatant self-depreciation, Hinoka motioned for her to rise from the bow and then looked to her Adviser for an explanation.
"This is Miyokichi," Yukimura spoke with a dour seriousness that he usually reserved for less tasteful matters. "The Saizou clan sent her here for judgement."
Hinoka parroted, "Judgement?"
Yukimura nodded solemnly. "Miyokichi was the wife of Saizou IV, mother of his twin sons. With Suzukaze's betrayal, Saizou V's death and lack of children, that branch of the line has ended. Thus the clan has called upon you to decide what should be done to this widow with no family."
Treason, the clan must've feared their family's honor to be tarnished by the association. The Saizous had served her family for generations, bound a complicated web of oaths, blood-debt, and friendship. Now that she would ascend the throne as queen, Hinoka would be the one they served and considered the foremost authority. The word of Hoshido's ruler meant more to them than any law, and their way of life stood so completely outside the bushido that she felt a bit nervous knowing they'd be shadowing her for the rest of her days.
They'd sent this woman to her for judgement. Maybe because they thought she'd want it, to punish the remaining family of a traitor beyond her reach. Or perhaps as a test to see whether she was full of mercy or full of wrath. The woman hadn't even glanced upward, instead staring at the floor before her, looking more like a prisoner awaiting execution than a subject pleading their case. Everything about the situation filled Hinoka with pity. It's not her fault one son died young while the other lacked honor.
Clearing the lump from her throat, she spoke in an authoritative tone. "I am in need of a handmaid. Miyokichi, I assign that role to you. Serve me well and all honor will be restored."
Once again, the woman bowed low enough to touch her head to the ground, green hair spilling over her shoulders. "My thanks, High Princess Hinoka. May you live a thousand years."
After Miyokichi had been handed over to the head housekeeper, she'd unceremoniously dumped the rest of the meetings onto Yukimura and retrieved her golden kite. Hinoka had flown out until she'd found some roving Faceless and dispatched them— inelegantly. The golden kite moved completely differently compared to the smooth glide of a tenma, which had thrown off Hinoka's aim with her naginata. It'd meant the monsters had actually managed to land a swipe or two on herself, which the royal advisor had spied immediately when she'd eventually returned to the castle. He'd badgered her until she'd gone to the castle's clinic with him.
So Hinoka sat as one of the healer's apprentices dabbed poultices on her injuries then bandaged them up. Festals were in high demand nowadays, so she'd requested the old-fashioned treatment in order to save the castle's stock for emergencies. Yukimura was seated across from her, spectacled eyes watching while a frown tugged at his mouth. She knew her impromptu monster hunt had been reckless, especially going out alone.
Tying off the last of the bandages, the apprentice asked, "Does anything else hurt, Your Eminence?"
Hinoka shook her head. "No, thank you. You're dismissed to make your report to the head physician, I'd like to speak to my Advisor privately."
The girl bowed then left the clinic. Hinoka found her eyes wandering everywhere but the man across from her, the silence between them thick enough to cut with a knife. It caused her to jump when Yukimura reached out and grabbed her wrists. She didn't protest as he turned her hands so that the palms faced upwards.
"Is it true that these," He trailed his fingers down the forking scars that covered her palms and the undersides of her fingers, she saw but didn't feel his touch. "Don't cause you pain?"
"Yes, they don't hurt. I can't feel much there anymore." Hinoka sighed.
Yukimura closed his eyes as if pained but had a sad smile when he opened them again. "…your brother's hands looked much like this, though the scars had faded with time."
Forking pale-pink lines, like stilled bolts of lightning. Ryouma hands had been scarred just as hers were now. "I remember. Didn't he get them around the same time Kamui was kidnapped?"
He nodded. "It happened in Cheve after King Sumeragi, may his memory ever linger, was ambushed and slain. High Prince Ryouma was a child at the time, but he understood the wrongness of what'd happened. He'd tried to take up Raijinto and avenge your father, but the sacred katana shocked him… perhaps it understood that such a fight would've merely ended in his death, thus refused. It's said Raijinto is a discerning blade, able to cut through any armor yet gentle enough that a flower petal would pass from its edge intact."
Hinoka frowned. Was Yukimura trying to imply that she'd done something the katana had needed to save her from? She couldn't remember trying anything foolish— but then again, her memories of that terrible day were far from clear.
"Did Ryouma also have trouble with his sense of touch?" She asked.
Yukimura gave a sigh of his own and finally let go as he sat back. "Somewhat. It was more that his hands shook which interfered with finer control. He needed years practicing with the brush to write legibly again."
Well, I guess I can be glad that's not a problem. Hinoka flexed her fingers, seeing the movement without feeling it, trying to feel grateful. Instead she just felt hollow, like important pieces of her had been stolen away. Her voice broke as she said, "Yukimura, I miss him. I miss…" Takumi, Orochi, Mikoto, and too many others.
"I do too, Hinoka. All of Hoshido mourns with you." He clasped his hands to hers again, this time for comfort. Hinoka wished she could've felt it.
.v.
After Mikoto had died they'd only been able to hold a small mourning ceremony, since at the time all of them had been needed to lead their soldiers in beating back Nohrian armies. Following the peace treaties, the public funeral held in Shirasagi had been for both the queen regent and the princes. It had seemed like all of Hoshido noble and commoner alike had attended to mourn, filling the streets so completely that no paving stone could be seen. As they'd followed the priests and coffins to the Byakuya family tombs grief had hung over Sakura like a cloak and Hinoka too had been unable to hold back her tears. It'd been a day full of sadness, but it'd been cathartic knowing they weren't alone.
That'd happened months ago, before they'd flown to attend the coronation in Nohr, yet the citizens continued to leave cut flowers upon the shattered remains of the city square. It was a detail Prince Leo questioned them about as they walked through the city, discussing the resources needed for repairs. Resentment bubbled up in Hinoka's chest as she explained the offerings, silently seething at how his expression remained calm and collected despite the deaths being mourned having been ended by Nohrian hands.
This prince was younger and less severe than the Nohr's king, and some might even call him more handsome. It put her guard up doubly— for some of the most poisonous creatures drew the eye with bright colors. Still, Prince Leo did gain a sort of boyish charm when his eyes lit up with curiosity. Even subtly cocking his head to the side like a puppy as he asked, "Why don't you replace what'd been here with a monument dedicated to the memory of those lost?"
"A monument is a good idea," she admitted. The family tomb was located outside the city, which made it difficult for Hinoka to visit and tend her brother's headstones. The idea of something closer where everyone could burn incense in their memory tugged at her heartstrings. Where it could be built was its own problem however. Hinoka gave a hard exhale, "But it'll have to be put somewhere else."
At his confused frown, Sakura explained, "The st-statue at the center of the square was the Dawn Dragon c-carved from alabaster sanct-sanctified by Hotoke h-himself. It's been a pil-pilgrimage site for h-hundreds of years, so it'd be b-better to try and re-restore it."
Prince Leo looked to the broken remains again, expression thoughtful. "We have a similar statue in Windmire, the Dusk Dragon made from obsidian and erected by our First Queen to offer sacrifices before. Although these days the area around it is used as training grounds."
"T-that's…" Sakura looked mildly horrified, and Hinoka also found herself hiding a frown at the sacrilegious disrespect. She'd heard many times that the west was full of godless heathens, but to see firsthand the disregard for both the sanctity of life and hallowedness of the divine had her wondering how a disaster hadn't befallen them. Maybe it's yet to come.
Repressing a shudder, Hinoka put a smile on her face and turned the conversation back to Windmire's quarries, inquiring the types of stone that could be purchased.
.vi.
It was yet another night where slumber refused to embrace Hinoka. Not kept up by bad dreams like for her sister, but restless in mind. Since she'd begun to understand the full scope of her responsibilities as queen it'd felt like she truly hadn't time for much else— even sleep. After hours of lying still, Hinoka gave into longing and dropped by the dojo. It was the darkest of nights, when the moon hid itself away, so she'd managed to sneak past the guards standing outside her room. Unnoticed, she ghosted through the dojo's halls alone, and that's how she discovered that Sakura was beginning to train for the sword.
Inside one of the smaller rooms lit by a few paper lanterns, her younger sister held a bamboo sword and was it swinging alongside her retainer, Kazahana.
She remembered how Ryouma practicing was more like watching a dance. He held katanas with such smooth grace that it turned every movement into an artform. It was a rather marvelous thing to admire, if one forgot how the kata were meant to spill blood. Watching Kazahana's form now, Hinoka could tell it wasn't the same. She was graceful, yes, but her swordplay was less like a dance and more like a performance. Sweeping flourishes, wide swings, and what even seemed like a playful look on her face made her seem eager to make a lasting impression. But Kazahana was also young, closer to Sakura's age than Hinoka's, and as Lord Tsukahara's only child she'd bucked the expectations of a nobleborn daughter to fulfil the duties of a son.
Sakura had neither of their grace, and at times her arms shook as she hefted the bamboo sword aloft. Yet her sister's expression was determined and her eyes looked free from the haunted shadows that Hinoka sometimes spied in the light of day. When Kazahana said something that caused Sakura to pause and break out into a radiant smile, she backed away from the doorway and left as silently as she'd arrived.
Hinoka didn't begrudge her sister this pass-time. Sakura had been charged with making arrangements for the upcoming coronation; Yukimura had invited all of Hoshido's feudal lords and their vassals to be present to pledge their allegiance and explain their grievances. The event was to be grand and overwhelming, the first show that power remained in the capital. Having to arrange everything and ensure that noble families with bad blood didn't renew their feuds was not a task to be envied.
Politics, treating people like pieces to move on a game board, that's what this mess was. The very sort of thing she'd ignored most of her life by instead focusing on her training as a tenma warrior. She'd hardly spared a thought for what would otherwise be her responsibilities as a daughter of the royal family— and Mikoto had let her neglect them. Now Hinoka struggled daily to appear competent, when she was truly just making it up as she went.
While she could lead on the battlefield, she hadn't been taught to how to act as a princess let alone rule. And she was soon to be crowned as queen. It's a poor jest! It shouldn't be me, I don't deserve the crown.
That truth made her heart feel hollow, thoughts blurring into self-recriminations as Hinoka wandered through the night-dark grounds. There was the call of crickets, frogs, and night birds but no wind stirred the leaves of the sculpted shrubbery and trees. Although dark, the walk was peaceful and with each step Hinoka felt her mind quieting to match her surroundings. Only when her feet took her into the archery range did she find herself overwhelmed by memories: A knee-height Takumi struggling to draw the string of their father's bow. Him at hip's height winning his first archery contest. Takumi standing taller than herself as he showed Sakura the proper technique for aiming. He'll never step foot in here again. Hinoka's chest grew tight and she left swiftly.
Controlling her breathing she walked to an inner courtyard, to the garden Sumeragi had gifted to her birth mother, Ikona, upon their marriage then she had planted and tended for a time. It was small compared to the rest of the castle grounds but diverse in its mosses, camellia, hydrangeas, peonies, wisteria, red maple, and contained a deep pond. She'd always found this place beautiful, and for some reason standing by the pond helped soothed her.
Despite the lack of moon tonight something glinted in the water, possibly the starlight reflected off a carp's bright scales. It had Hinoka remembering the time Takumi had fallen into the pond. He'd been very young then and had wanted to see the big white and red carp that was rumored to be over a century old. The water lilies made it difficult to watch some of the shyer fish from shore, so he'd climbed up into a nearby red maple tree and then a branch had broken under his weight when he'd been over the water. Ryouma had been the one to jump in and bring their brother out, shaken and soggy but no worse for wear. After Takumi had changed clothes and dried off, Orochi had accompanied him back to the pond and showed him the trick of luring the carp into the open by throwing bits of shredded vegetables onto the water's surface.
It'd been one of the first lessons where Takumi had learned to think of alternate methods to achieve his goals, and he'd picked up the habit quickly. Her younger brother to growing into a clever strategist had seemed so natural. Yet I'm here and he's gone. We sent Takumi out into danger and it took him in the end.
Hinoka had to blink tears away, the chasm in her heart widening with each passing moment. She stared into the water, full of regret. If only she'd been strong enough, maybe she could've done something—
Go under the water.
—yes, she should drown herself. Perhaps then she'd see her brothers, her step-mother, and her father again before they were born into their next lives. Her body obeyed the command, walking into the pond despite the chill of its water prickling like needles.
"High Princess, stop!"
The water was up to her shoulders when she heard the voice, but her foggy mind paid neither thing any heed, and her body kept walking further in. When it lapped at her chin, a pair of hands grabbed and hefted her out. The air was knocked from her as she abruptly landed against the mossy rocks on her behind.
Pain jolted through her, clearing the fog. Startled over the sudden, soggy state of her robes, Hinoka shivered and looked up at the man in ninja garb standing half-submerged in the fish pond. Her teeth chattered as she demanded, "Wh-who're y-you?"
"I am Kou of the Okazaki clan." He bowed low enough that his face skimmed the water. "Please, High Princess Hinoka, do not leave us yet. I know it is difficult, but Hoshido needs you."
What's he talking about? Hinoka tried to recall what she'd been doing, remembered being unable to sleep and taking a walk instead… but how she'd arrived here at the pond was a blank. With how soaked she was she'd had to have gone into the pond, but why would she do that? Panic began to buzz inside her, because she couldn't remember.
Abruptly, Kou's bent form crumpled as a series of coughs rocked him. Hinoka snapped herself out of her daze and ordered him to stop bowing and leave the water, both which he did without protest. She stood and they both shivered in the night air like a pair of miserable cats, so she ordered Kou to escort her back to her rooms, which he again did without protest. Finally she dismissed him for the night, hoping he'd get out of those wet clothes.
Despite the late hour Miyokichi was awake and received Hinoka in her rooms, helping her to quickly change into a new set of robes. The woman suggested she should go to the baths and with how she shivered, she should've gone and warmed herself with a soak. Yet Hinoka couldn't bring herself to get in water a second time that night, so chose to simply return to her futon and forced herself to lie under the blankets until the rays of dawn filled turned the sky pink. It was her own fault that she had to attend that day's duties while sniffling and sneezing, with both Yukimura and Sakura sending concerned looks her way.