Hanzo estate, three days later
As sunrise picked out the garden's shadows and warmed the air, Oboro and Gennosuke stood on the ornamental bridge where they had first met. It seemed smaller, and fragile. Their meeting eyes held more knowledge and sadness, but the same light.
"Gennosuke-Sama…um...what happened to your head?"
"A scratch, Oboro-dono." Gennosuke turned away as Oboro clucked over the bandage, "Our friend Kyohachiro rescued me from a greater injury. We should go in to meet with Yurie-dono and Hanzo-Sama. They've been exchanging messages with both Kouga and Iga, to find a way forward for us."
"Can't there be peace, even now, Gennosuke-Sama? So many people died..." Oboro shivered, and drew close to Gennosuke as he rubbed her back.
"When we met as children, we knew nothing of grudges or death. We pleaded for peace, and our grandparents always stood with us. The feud seemed like a bad dream, ready to vanish. Now it seems a nightmare that even reaches into daylight. Grandfather, Hyouma, and even Jousuke are gone...but I can believe there is a way for everyone, Oboro-Sama, because of you."
"Yes, Gennosuke-Sama! We're together, and it is no dream, but truth. We'll heal the feud all over again, even if I'm as tiny and old as Grandmother by the end. While my spirit is my own, it is yours. I will never cease to love you."
Amazed at her impetuousness, Oboro lifted her face, and stood on tip-toe as Gennosuke embraced her. They kissed with the solemn hunger of lovers sailing a fragile raft away from a shipwreck.
"Should I be surprised our noble leader hasn't arrived yet?"
Yurie tapped her foot. Seated on the study floor, Koushiro made a strangled noise.
"Koushiro-dono...you will have to get used to them, so please start now."
Koushiro squeezed Akeginu's hand in reply. The Iga kunoichi had been unconscious for two days, and still hadn't risen from her futon; Hanzo's men had stretchered her into the study. Only her dark eyes seemed to sparkle more brightly.
Gennosuke and Oboro finally entered the study with apologies, the latter visibly pink, and examining her sandals.
"First issue." Hattori Hanzo, his son beside him, fixed Gennosuke with a stare belonging to history's most enduring shinobi, "Kouga Gennosuke. Why exactly do you expect me to jeopardise the Shogunal succession by keeping you alive?"
"Hanzo!" Koushiro's head rose dangerously, "In front of Oboro-Sama–!"
"Peace, Koushiro-dono. If this is the Shogun's will, I can only obey. After so much bloodshed, I will make no threats. But I ask that you allow me to live, Hanzo-Sama, to serve our lord's will for the nation by joining Kouga and Iga in peace."
Hanzo realised that Gennosuke was serious. Betrayal and death had poured their dregs on him, but he still staked his life on human mercy. The intelligence chief had been outwitting treacherous scum from his mother's knee, but suddenly wanted desperately to see the world as Gennosuke did. And Oboro was beside her fiancee; he couldn't even meet her Mystic eyes. Hanzo spread the famous battle scroll on his desk, Gennosuke's name clearly scored through with blood.
"This scroll is effectively the Shogun's order for your death, Gennosuke-dono. Its official fulfilment renders you effectively dead. So I suppose killing you again is rather needless."
Oboro let out the breath she had held, and pinched Gennosuke's sleeve. A lot of tension left the room, as Yurie stepped forward.
"The next matter is explaining Tenzen's death. Once the Shogun hears he had a regenerating monstrosity on his payroll, he'll back up any story we care to tell. As for the clans, we'll tell the Kouga that Tenzen was assassinated by Gennosuke-Sama, as revenge for the attack on Manjidani. Releasing Akeginu and Koushiro from captivity was a ruse to draw Tenzen out, all along.
"For the Iga, we can say after deposing Hanzo-Sama, Tenzen found Shogunate Intelligence documents revealing his Kouga birth, and bit his own tongue off out of shame. Both clans will keep their own stories secret; both will feel honour has been satisfied."
"Ingenious." Akeginu murmured. "Tenzen's Kouga birth should make the feud become absurd to the Iga as well." Gennosuke nodded, and Yurie flushed proudly.
"As for peace between Iga and Kouga," Kyohachiro spoke up, "Relations have scarcely ever been worse, but Kouga have the doujutsu and Iga are backed by the Shogunate army. Further war would only destroy both clans; everyone who can see that will want the Hattori truce back. Grudges from all the deaths are so strong, however, that the risk of war may only be nullified by a diplomatic marriage." Oboro gave a gasp of joy, "It will take time to convince both clans, but within the year, you could have a date.
"The problem is by marrying the Iga leader, Gennosuke-dono would take that rank for himself. He would inherit the patronage of the Shogunate promised in the battle scroll; effectively, the job of Shogunate Intelligence chief will be shared in future between the Iga leader and father. Even the Iga who want peace will never hand Gennosuke-dono such power, and few Kouga want the clans merged fully either. The fact is..." Kyohachiro bowed his head to Oboro, "...with your Grandmother gone, and so many Iga dead, the clan will probably have you step down, Oboro-Sama."
"Akeginu...?" Oboro seemed unable to understand what the clan she had struggled to serve was asking of her. Eyes half-hidden and wincing with pain, Akeginu lifted her body up, reached out for Oboro, and simply looked at her like she always had. Unable to break down in front of so many people, Oboro could only take her hand. Then surge forward and embrace her recklessly.
"You'd always be Iga, Oboro-Sama. Your title would be retired leader. You could marry Gennosuke-Sama soon, and everyone would know you've earned it." Oboro nuzzled beside her neck once more. Then she stood up, again.
"You'd choose your successor as well," Yurie told her, "The Kouga will insist on that, or some elder with a towering grudge will just force his way in. The successor would step down once your children with Gennosuke-Sama, come of age. We need someone loyal."
Oboro clasped her hands on her chest, then smiled up at Gennosuke, "When the time comes...I agree to retire. As for my successor…?"
She looked shyly at Akeginu and Koushiro, who looked at her, each other and then Oboro again.
"No!"
"You'd have no popularity troubles."Yurie stated, "After standing up to the whole Kouga clan twice,"
"Oboro-Sama, we're both servants–"
"A leader's duty is to serve the people." Gennosuke smiled, "Hyouma taught me that, years ago."
"I 'm just about certain that a leader needs vision," Koushiro hung his head, "Forgive me, Oboro-Sama. My rashness would destroy Iga. This honour should be for somebody who can read and move human hearts. Someone who makes others love them, like you, or Akeginu-dono–"
"Koushiro-dono, please! I've buried my feelings too often. A leader should have courage, like you. In any case…if the Iga clan has spoken against Oboro-Sama, no woman on earth would satisfy them."
"Quite the dilemma." Hanzo studied the end of his pipe carefully, "I agree that you would both be poor leaders. If only there was a way to unite your qualities…."
"Ah!" Oboro gasped. "Of course they could!"
"Ah." Akeginu smiled.
"You mean…?" Oboro had often confided to Akeginu that Gennosuke could be rather obtuse over romantic matters.
"We'll leave the heroic invalids to their bed rest," Hanzo was now grinning behind his beard. "I'd like another word, Gennosuke-dono."
"One moment, Hanzo-Sama…" Gennosuke drew close to the two Iga shinobi, and spoke quietly, "You have my deepest thanks for everything you've done. Especially rescuing Oboro-dono from Sunpu castle–for risk of discovery, I could never have gone myself."
"We aim to please." Akeginu murmured. Koushiro ducked his head and mumbled. With the easy joy Akeginu had missed for months, Oboro pulled their hands together, and they found themselves shaking without reserve.
Then Oboro manoeuvred Gennosuke out, and the other three shinobi vanished. Koushiro cleared his throat wretchedly.
"Akeginu-dono…I'd thought after that, well, disaster before we left Iga, you might…."
"I may take, ah, a month to forgive you for that, Koushiro-dono. It happens that I'll be laid up with these wounds for about a month anyway–after that…"
Her tone spoke eloquently enough for itself. Koushiro's hands ran over her cheeks. His thumb stroked the edge of her ruby coloured smile, and he tried to speak.
"Akeginu-dono…damn it, I've got nothing, but I love you. Please. Could you marry me?"
"Yes, Koushiro-dono. Wasn't that simple?"
"Yes. It was always that simple." For the first time, he carefully took her weight in his arms, "I think I've been blind all my life; but now I can see you."
They kissed for as long as Akeginu's fragile vigour held out. Then she lay back down and slept. Presently, Koushiro fell asleep on the floor beside her, both their hands still touching.
"Regardless of titles," Hanzo told Gennosuke, as they stood under a spreading willow at the edge of the garden, "Those two Iga will still obey Oboro-dono. As her husband, you essentially have control of clan Iga, and their share of the Shogunate intelligence service."
"Jointly with Oboro-dono, as in everything," Gennosuke responded, "I hope to live quietly enough from now on anyway."
"A laudable ambition…but I'm afraid during Tenzen's brief taste of power, he acquired the Shogun's support for an organisation called Baku. The details are in this scroll. it's essentially going to be a secret police of shinobi with unlimited jurisdiction, designed to rule by terror. Our lord the Shogun believes it the best idea since folded steel, but the Hanzo family hasn't lasted four generations by accepting jobs that would make their holder the most hated man in Japan.
"Koushiro-kun will be the official head, as Iga leader, but I believe only you could really keep the monster on a leash. As a non-existent person, you'll have no risk of blame or assassination, just all the responsibility. After risking my neck by keeping quiet about your survival, I would truly appreciate the favor."
Calm voice belied by his grim eyes, Gennosuke asked to see the description of Baku. He read it through once.
"An interesting organization. Under Tenzen, it would have been a blot on history, but like the worst of men, I believe it has potential. After recent event, I'd like to have representatives for Kouga and Iga in the capital anyway. Yurie-dono certainly deserves the promotion."
"What do you mean? What potential?"
"Under the present system, criticism of social superiors is practically impossible, on the grounds of preserving the government's public face. An intelligence network that kept the Shogun informed of the people's hardships, and abuses of the system–might it have a role to play?"
"A role? There's corruption right to the top, and only more if the peace lasts. But, seriously...?"
"I've talked with your son, the last two days. Self-important daimyo who've begun persecuting that foreign religion (Christianity, wasn't it?) could provoke a rebellion if they aren't stopped. Oboro-Sama's attendant knows something about the sect, and I feel some affinity with a group that has to live in the shadows. On that subject, Baku would have to employ and train a great many shinobi–plenty of them should be women, given the absence of actual careers for them in normal society. And while I am naturally supportive of our lord's decision to close the borders, a few spies sent abroad just to overlook developments should not be unreasonable. My only thought in all this is to serve our lord and our country."
Hanzo noticed that his pipe had gone out. He removed it, looked into Gennosuke's innocent eyes, and burst out laughing.
"You might just change the country yet. Don't make me regret leaving you alive, Kouga Gennosuke."
Kouga Manjidani village, eleven months later
"...I know it has to be in the groom's village, but who have the Kouga got on security...?"
"Just let me fix your kamishiro, husband. I believe you weren't even this worried before our wedding–and without me, you'd probably be stood behind Oboro-Sama in fatigues."
"I'm sorry, but I was never born to wear all this get-up. Don't fatigues suit me better?
"They certainly do, love, but this is Oboro-Sama's wedding."
Gennosuke and Oboro had certainly worked for it. Though the new Iga leaders had barely hung onto their own position at times, they had done what they could to bring the Iga round. Akeginu had saved Koushiro from assassination by the pro-war Igas and both of them had gone to fight in the Osaka rebellion. Now she stepped back and smoothed out her heavy kimono with fire patterns in gold thread.
"How do I look?"
The blind Iga leader inhaled.
"No powder on your face; only enough beni on your lips to draw their own colour out. You chose that expensive Western scent from Nagasaki. All your hair's bound up, shining like a pearl, and showing the nape of your neck. You move so well, I can barely hear a rustle. You're beautiful."
Akeginu couldn't stop herself kissing his cheek, before rubbing the mark off and quickly redoing her lips. Ten minutes left. She felt like a kabuki actor facing her last scene before the curtain dropped and theatre gave way to life.
Not much about the wedding was as Oboro had expected. Most obviously, Koushiro and Akeginu were behind her instead of her grandmother, and a half-deaf Kouga elder was representing the groom's family. She had dreamed of a gracious, reconciling atmosphere among the guests as she stepped through the shrine in the bridal kimono and hat.
In reality, it seemed most of the shinobi would rather avenge their dead comrades, if not for the new Hanzo truce. The air hummed with resentment, and no one met anyone's eyes at all. Rather than a gateway to peace, the wedding seemed something grudgingly given to them, simply because they loved each other so much.
A shinobi prince in black, Gennosuke titled his head towards her. His lips smiled gently and his eyes spoke enough for eternity. Oboro had never, ever expected to feel like she did.
The Shinto ritual had no kiss. It was so hard already not to fall into her love's arms and shatter the decorum that Oboro was almost grateful. However long she waited Gennosuke's arms would be there for her forever. Nothing was more certain. But the wonder was that in parting her beni reddened lips, as her eyes shimmered over his face, Oboro knew she'd spoken all they would ever need to hear within a moment.
The traditional sake cup was warm from Gennosuke's mouth. Oboro thought of warmth on her lips. Over her stomach, spreading down to her toes. She wondered suddenly if three years had been long enough to prepare, but still took the three sips so quickly that she almost gasped. Akeginu, Koushiro and the Kouga elder drank sake as well, to show that two families were finally joined.
Though divided, the wedding feast was an active party. Oboro noticed Yurie weeping into her sake, as Kyohachiro awkwardly sat beside her and took her hand. Sugimura, a chunin she'd heard called Koushiro's protégé, was listening humbly to the other Igas. Gatou was almost as large as Jousuke had been–the sinecure of Iga representative in Edo obviously agreed with him.
As Iga leader, Koushiro was exchanging compliments with the senior Kougas. As Akeginu followed him, speaking quickly and pleasantly, Oboro saw the Kouga begin to offer formal greetings, even with grudging signs of respect. A small girl asked if he really was the Iga leader, and laughed when he said he was just a shinobi in disguise.
"Gennosuke...this world seems so close to a dream, I'm almost scared."
"Remember that this is truth, Oboro; savour everything. This is the life we were born to make."
The conversational paths of the new couple and the Iga leaders inevitably crossed. With effortless tact, Gennosuke slipped away. Oboro smiled up at Koushiro, as he ducked his head and swallowed.
"Kouga Oboro-Sama...congratulations, future blessings, I'm happy for you."
"Koushiro-dono..." Oboro gazed at his mask as if searching in its blackness. The sadness in her eyes was angelic.
"You look beautiful whenever you're happy, Oboro-Sama. I've sensed the hate of enemies clear enough in battle, but now I only feel the strength of your joy. Kouga is your home now, but your family can visit Iga freely. I'd be glad."
"I'll be more than glad, Koushiro-dono. I could no more leave Iga behind than give up my eyes. Iga is grandmother, and everyone I grew up with. Iga is my bond with Akeginu. And with you, Koushiro-dono. Since we were children. Thank you for protecting me so well."
Koushiro remembered in time that he couldn't embrace a married woman. He held Oboro's hand in his for a second, before excusing himself in a hoarse voice.
Oboro and Akeginu were left together. Thought her hair was still up, Oboro had changed for the feast into a kimono with a pattern of swallows. In spite of her own height and magnificent figure, Akeginu could look into Oboro's eyes, shining like stars against her kimono's darkness, and say honestly that she looked the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Thank you, Akeginu. At last, I can forgive you for getting married first..." Akeginu stared at Oboro's sidelong glance, before both women covered their mouths and laughed, "I'll just have to come first with the children..." Oboro caught a tension in Akeginu's eyes, and realised she might have spoken too rashly in her happiness. Akeginu picked up her concern, and indicated that they should sit.
"Don't worry, Oboro-Sama; its just that we can't sensibly have children yet. Both of us are still running missions, and we both have to lead the clan as well. So, anyway, have a beautiful son as soon as you can."
"But Akeginu, you always wanted..."
"Koushiro as well, very much. But we want to raise our children ourselves. I shouldn't have brought it up, Oboro-Sama."
"No, I want to learn from your experience, Akeginu. It's good in a way that you can help Koushiro-dono with so many things, and share them with him."
"In a way, it is, Oboro-Sama." Akeginu hoped Koushiro's enforced reliance on her in many areas would become a wonderful kind of love once they got used to it. So far, his loathing of being a burden to her, and even her own exhaustion had marred their fairytale more than once. This wasn't a day to talk about that though.
"Yes. I almost think I'm lucky to have been through so much with Gennosuke-Sama. He asks me about decisions affecting the Kouga and Baku already. Even if I don't know much, he said I never fail to sense the right in everything. I know he won't let anything else come between us, but–" Oboro stared at her lap and twiddled her fingers. Akeginu guessed what was coming, "A few of the times we met to practise Noh dance, last year...so much had happened and we'd nearly lost each other, so we...but I'd been afraid of Tenzen for so long, and of course he saw I wasn't happy and said that we shouldn't. I mean I love him, so I'm sure it'll be alright later..." Oboro looked up, cheeks faintly red, "I'm just a bit worried, and I don't know what he thought–"
"He did not blame you, Oboro-Sama, because he's a good man. It will be okay tonight; better than that. Just go slowly, and don't think of it as terrifying. It's just a thing to do, like drinking tea together or moon-gazing. As ordinary and wonderful as anything else you do with the man you love, Oboro-Sama. Okay?"
Her white hand resting on Oboro's, Akeginu smiled as sadly as Oboro eyes widened. So soon until she would be all grown up...
"Um. Goodness. Thank you so much, Akeginu! I can always rely on you, even if I...I'm sorry for everything in the past..."
"Let's all just stay together, Oboro-Sama, as much as we can. Even if we say the wrong thing and hurt the people we love; if we're together then everyone can have forgiveness."
Oboro and Akeginu smiled quietly at each other. Akeginu poured sake for both of them, and they finished their drinks together.
Oboro's thoughts were disturbed by raised voices. A careless word had drawn two Igas and a Kouga into a serious discussion of whether Tenzen really had set up the Kouga up after Nobunaga's assault 50 years ago. Akeginu checked their sleeves for the outline of a knife automatically.
Koushiro stood up as the three began to shout, shoulders trembling. As Akeginu moved to his side, Gennosuke stepped into the argument and shut it down with a compassionate tone of voice. Oboro knew he only needed his eyes to show his resolution, but before that was necessary the shinobi were sitting down with apologies. Oboro watched Akeginu take Koushiro's arm and saw her friend relax. She had been afraid for a second herself, but that only gave her smile more life. They had fought and even given their eyes for peace. Now they could rest on it.
Gennosuke talked for a few more minutes with the men who'd nearly come to blows, before standing up to speak.
"Oboro-Sama and I made this dance, and accompanying flute, together. To celebrate the peace between Kouga and Iga that only seems more precious for the times it seemed lost forever. It also expresses our hope that those from both clans who have died find a welcome peace with the living."
Akeginu felt a strange pang at the thought of Jousuke interrupting his master with an embarrassing speech. Or if Jigoro had lived, he would've been brooding in a corner, while a drunken Nenki soaked his beard with tears. Ogen and Danjo would have been avoiding each other's eyes like lovestruck teenagers; Yashamaru and Hotarubi would have been making out round the back.
For his part, Koushiro wondered if he would ever be as good a teacher as Nenki; if he and Akeginu would ever be as perfect a couple as Yashamaru and Hotarubi. Whatever his old sensei's flaws, he knew it would years before he was as strong a leader as Tenzen.
As they both remembered a single tremor seemed to run through both their bodies, and their hands joined. With everything else that joined them, they had emerged from that hellish battle alone. It was a burden, but one they were grateful to share.
As Gennosuke sat on the ground with his flute, Oboro stood with her eyes and fan pointed down. Then the notes flowed around her, delicate as rain, and she stretched out her arms.
Oboro's dance had changed in a year. The slowness of mourning was in her arms, but the mercy of undying love was in her face and body. In practicing, she had danced with her eyes closed, as if their brightness was more than men should see. Now she looked out at the hall, as her fan moved over them like a blessing. Everything her love had endured and dreamed was there to see; and over all of their earth-moving passion, there was peace.
Along with every other eye in the hall of shinobi, Gennosuke stared at Oboro, charmed and lost. The song of his flute was as pure as crystal breaking gently.
"She was perfect." Akeginu whispered to Koushiro, as the dance concluded to applause.
"I know. From the way Gennosuke played that flute, I could tell."
Akeginu pressed herself against Koushiro's chest. Both felt their own emotions in the other's breaths. A cough behind them broke the moment, and a scroll was furtively pushed into Akeginu's hand.
"Koushiro...It's the Totoyomi rebels. The Shogun wants us to infiltrate Osaka castle again and clear them out. The Kouga will send a team as well. And of course Gennosuke will lead it."
Oboro was still bowing to the hall, cheeks flushed. Akeginu sighed, and Koushiro squeezed her hand.
"It'll be alright, Akeginu. Tomorrow could bring us war, but all we have now is peace. The princess is safe and smiling. Whatever we must do, that's always enough."
"Koushiro..." Akeginu closed her eyes as she touched his heartbeat. "Somehow, I know you'll make a wonderful father."
The Shinobi crowded up to congratulate the blissful couple. Koushiro and Akeginu rested on each other in the throng, exhausted but alive.
A/N: That's the ending everybody, Basilisk's been redeemed! I have a good idea of Akeginu, Koushiro, Oboro and Gennosuke's future's, but the part of their lives written by me is over. Enormous thanks to Luna-noya-na, Jollyolly, Warai kata and Stargazer M; it's been tough to keep writing this at times, wouldn't have got through it without you. Really though, it's been an absorbing, brilliant experience, and I'm glad to have written this story.