Chapter Twelve

"That grieving gaze of yours,

That sometimes became an adult's

When will its true smile return?""

~ (青葉時雨に佇んで)

Rumour always had a way to spread and the news of the marriage was talked by many even before the family returned to Kyo. If the marriage had been a challenge for the daughter despite the parents taking a rest as that they had planned was becoming true, the return to Kyo meant that the rest for the parents were over.

For her father, one of the first people he had to face was Goshikawa-houou. Even worse was the fact that Kiyomori was actually there.

"What a surprise and coincidence for you to be visiting at the same time as Kiyomori." Goshikawa-houou said with what sounded like real surprise, even though the other two both knew that this was something he deliberately planned. This was probably the only thing that they could agree on. "It is a pity that my niece is not here- I always find her dancing very pleasant." The following was added in a tone that seemed truly ignorant despite him having been partly responsible for what had happened. "Surely she is not in Hiraizumi with her husband, if he is indeed her husband."

"Rurihime is with us although she had been rather reluctant in leaving her husband." Not fully true, but who were they to call his bluff? "My wife and I decided that it is better for us to come back to Kyo with us."

"This is certainly a quick decision." Kiyomori said in a rather neutral tone.

"It is so, and my wife has already scolded me for this." once again, how would these two have proof? He was keeping his tone deliberately light to prevent the mood from being serious. "It is hasty but being the wife of the future heir of Oushu is too prestigious a position…I am sure that you will think so too, from a father's point of view."

"And Fujiwara no Hidehira is the one who came up with this plan?" Kiyomori continued. "He offered his son?"

"My daughter, even though I should be the one who say this, is a very charming girl. But then you have already given her the great honour of telling me that you think so yourself. In addition," at this he finally betrayed a smile that was like a smirk. "She does have some status."

"Most certainly," Kiyomori said steadily. Despite what one may do, both were still very important. However, this was no longer a great problem since the Taira has mingled with the royal family. "Though this is a pity."

"A pity? But there has been no one who wished for my daughter's hand in marriage."

At this, a second grin appeared. Because Kiyomori did not feel that this marriage was desperately important, it slid out of his hand. This was partly due to his pride- he was one of the few who could be like this.

However, this victory, if it was one, was a very petite victory. Kiyomori could simply shrug and forget all about it because it did not matter that much.

Despite smiling, Goshikawa-houou was not satisfied with the situation at all. The action of his brother merely offered some immediate satisfaction. He would still need to do something about this.

"I do not deny that something will be done." Was what Mochihito said when the two friends were have a private conversation. "But will it be done on time?"

"You speak as if you know that something is going to happen. "Rurihime's father pointed out, frowning. "Has something actually happened during my absence?"

"…I had a chance to talk with my brother alone- the current emperor. He…he and I have never really conversed without his mother or her allies hovering near us. Therefore, yesterday was a very rare event. He…he said this to me…"

Due to the political situation, the two brothers had been on hostile sides. However, the following was said: "Aniue, you have nothing to fear from me. I am merely a boat with not ability of controlling where or even which way I go." (1)

"This could merely be a statement of the current situation instead of a prediction." Was the verdict. "However…it is a very accurate description."

"That is because he allowed it to be so." Was Mochihito's rather unsympathetic words.

"I hope that you are not planning something foolish." His friend said grimly.

"Aren't you the one who had been a bit rash?" was the not so good assurance. "I am not as patient as my father but I can bid for the right time too…"

"Mochihito…be careful." Was the parting words. "I admit that you had been careful to a certain extent since nothing has happened yet, but…"

Something did happen rather soon: Taira no Shigeko was ill again and this time, she did not recover. She herself probably foresee the future because her dying words had been: "I cannot die now, I am needed."

When Rurihime's father first heard this, he had sneered and said the following to his wife: "She seem to regard herself as the actual empress." However, it only took him a few days to realise that he was the one that was wrong.

The funeral was attended by Goshikawa-houu and both Kiyomori and Tokiko were there. After all, Shigeko was Tokiko's sister. It was an event that contained more then what it should.

Grief was there, but that was not all. There was an obvious tension.

Shigeko was actually much more important then what most people gave her credit for. Because of her love for Goshikawa-houou as well as being Tokiko's sister, she actually managed to stabilise the current situation. In addition, she was also the mother of the current emperor.

Now that she was gone, there was no one to speak for Goshikawa-houou and protect his interest at the meeting of the Heike family. Likewise, there was no one to defend the Heike family that might be listened to by Goshikawa-houou and the current emperor. After all, they did care for Shigeko and though they would probably not admit it, they did not wish to hold her.

However…now that she was gone…

One of the first thing that Goshikawa-houou did was to summon his third son to him.

"Mochihito, it is true that we have been rather estranged due to many things in the past, but due to the recent events, I realised that I can no longer bear this." Goshikawa-houou began and there were even some tears. "Therefore, let us cease this foolish battle."

Despite being fully prepared for this, Mochihito was still shocked at how shameless his father was, as well as having to admit that this acting was remarkably well. A neutral and ignorant person would certainly say that no son should be able to refuse such a plea from his father.

But then, Mochihito thought with a slight smile, it was in his interest to agree as well.

"Of course." He said and it was probably not just due to the political advantage it would bring him, but because he was still really glad at the possibility of being cared for by his father again.

This reconciliation was obviously designed for more purpose then to reunite a pair of estrange father and son. However, reconciliation was important as it would allow them to meet more easily in the future.

Surly a father should not be denied the opportunity of talking to the son he had little contact with during the past few years. Yet this itself was a clear sign as well. After all, most know that it was Shigeko that cuased this.

Something would happen…that was certain. Rurihime was naturally not involved in any of this, but she was fully aware of what was happening due to the conversations around her.

Things were clearly being very bad when her father asked her whether she would like to go to where her husband was. She actually asked him to let her have sometime to think, and her seriousness would have made him smile if it wasn't due to the current situation.

"I think I will be going back to Hiraizumi soon and I am not really unhappy at this because I do wish to be beside Yasuhira-dono." She admitted. "However," and this however was the important part. "I do not wish to leave chichiue and hahaue just yet."

Like them, she seemed to someone know that when they part, it would be an extremely long one. Even though it would not be hard for them to meet, they know that this would not be so.

Her parents exchanged a look before they decided that they would take this risk. It was probably not a smart move, but they were not always rational when their daughter was involved, just as they had not been completely rational in their decision to be with one another. Perhaps there was also guilt as well, as they know that her daughter's marriage would not be very happy even though she seemed to care for her husband. At the very least, the early years of the marriage would not be happy.

Instead of returning back to her room as her parents told her to, Rurihime actually carefully hid herself so that she could listen to the words that would only be said if she was not there.

Perhaps to not let her know was dangerous as naivety would not help in any way. At the very same time, what one learns could often be very harsh.

"And what is it that makes you worry so much?" her mother was saying. "I know that there is something more."

"…as I have said many times, something would happen." Her father began, "But it would not be my brother's hand. He has always been like that…someone else would act for him so he could participate in another game, as he would not be one of the destroyed pieces. Right now…it seems that Mochihito is the one that he chose."

"What will you do then?" was the very grim question. "Will you stay out of this or will you actually side with him?"

The reply was something that Rurihime missed due to it being too soft. It was just as well, because it concerned her.

"…I will never do something that will severally endanger Rurihime."

"What about me then?" the wife asked, which the daughter heard.

"You understand me, do you not?"

This meant that she would accept his actions.

In the end, it was Kiyomori who moved first. Goshikawa-houou was actually imprisoned in a very smart way. Despite him seeming to have great freedom, he actually had none.

Perhaps that was why many made the mistake of not doing anything about it. Or perhaps it was because many actually did believe that Kiyomori would be the better candidate. This was a rather reasonable assumption- especially for those who had some relation with the Heike. It was true that priority were given to those who bore the name 'Taira' and were closely related to Kiyomori, it was still more advantageous for some one of the Heishi.

Such as the Hōjō or the Kajiwara. It might be reflected glory, but something did exist. This was the next best thing to being part of the Heike.

Yet it was not enough. If it had been, then Tokimasa would not have forgiven his daughter for marrying Yoritomo.

Goshikawa-houou was imprisoned, but that were merely the first step. It was true that most were not pleased, but many were able to look the other way.

The next step, however, was too much.

It was one thing to imprison the retired emperor, but it was a completely different matter to force the current emperor to abdicate and let your own grandson be the emperor.

This made the situation all to clear- the real ruler was Kiyomori.

Upon hearing this news, Rurihime's father actually visited his nephew- being one of the few who could do so. The other had been surprisingly tranquil for a man who just had all of his powers taken away from him, but then, he has not regarded these power as his for a very long time.

"…the emperor is a vessel. All his subjects are the water that tries to get him to sail the various directions and he will eventually sail to the direction ordered by the one who controls the others."

"And you will just accept this?"

"I have already accepted this for a very long time."

He accepted his fate with resignation, but the same could not be said of his father.

Goshikawa-houou had many visitors, including this brother. However, the imprisoned man made no complain of his situation. If there were tears, then it was shed on behalf of his son that was no longer the emperor.

"At such a time," Rurihime's father said to his wife very bluntly, "He suddenly loves that said person very much."

"But I cannot believe that this would happen." Rurihime's mother said. "It is just…too much."

"Exactly. Many people have accepted the fact that Kiyomori had great power as it was impossible to change this, but this is too much. Many would choose to fight as there is now nothing to lose."

"Or they might do so as who knows what would happen if they do not do anything?"

"Either way, this is a sign for me as well." At this, he rested his gaze on their daughter. The young girl was dancing in the garden, and she did paint a very beautiful picture.

"Beauty and the skills that enhance it are dangerous. For many, Rurihime is like a price to be collected. The man will treasure it, but it is only because he does not wish to damage it." The father said bitterly.

"And so you choose a man who does not see her as beautiful?" the mother asked sharply, recollecting how Yasuhira's eyes had been completely unaffected.

"That was a coincidence- that he would have such a personality. However, it might be a good thing. When a man like Fujiwara no Yasuhira cares for someone, he will care for them simply because he does. It is an emotion that will be lasting because he sees the virtue and faults, yet is not affected by either." (2)

"But he must care for that person first, is that not so? That emotion…will be very difficult to obtain."

A silence followed as there was no way to deny this.

"But I have made my decision. Rurihime would start the preparation for her departure to Hiraizumi. This time…she will be staying there." He said firmly before he added the following: "You…could go there with her."

"I will not." His wife said without any hesitation. "I will stay with you. Are you not my husband? Or have I merely been a prize to you? If you love me…then you will let me stay with you as you will understand how much it hurts to be parted from you."

Rurihime listened to everything with an unusually grave expression. When she spoke, she proved that it was simply impossible for her to remain ignorant, even if they might have wished this.

"Are we in danger?" she finally said. "If that is so, then why do chichiue and hahaue not come with me to Hiraizumi?"

She was a girl who, like most of those in her position, rarely ventured out of her quarters, and her main interests were her dancing and arts that girls her age would pursuit. However, she has heard what the servants and maids whispered. This, combined with what was occasionally betrayed by her parents meant that she was actually quite well informed.

"We are not in danger…it is merely the possibility of being in danger." Her father said, and this was a rather honest answer. "Therefore, it is a suitable time for you to go to your husband. Right now, there are few who could threaten Hiraizumi."

"But will Chichiue and hahaue be safe in Kyo?" she repeated once again. "I will be safe in Hiraizumi, but you two will be in Kyo."

"We will be safe in Kyo." It was her mother that answered for her father and later on, both women would wonder whether this was because she already suspected what he was thinking of.

"Also, the reason that you are in more danger is due to this." her mother said before she explained about the rather hasty marriage.

"Chichiue, hahaue…I would never have married any of the Taira family if you two did not desire it." She examined in great surprise.

"It is not just due to this." her father assured her very quickly. "The trouble is that who get to decide is not us. I think the Heike has reached their limit…but that is why the situation right now is very dangerous. Those with privilege has extreme power, which causes many to desire to change it"

Rurihime's gaze moved to her fan- which her parents knew was a gift from Koremori. Was she perhaps finding it hard to believe that the Heike were given the role of a villain?

"Taira no Kiyomori is not a bad man." Her father began, trying to explain the situation in a neutral way. "But the problem is that he feels his family ought to be the one that benefits and he will use his power to ensure that it is so."

"Are not most families like that?" Rurihime pointed out.

"But there are things that we know that we can't do." her father said grimly. "Your mother and I love you very much and we wish for you to get a grand marriage. While we might try to use our influence to let you be the one chosen, to prevent others from being there would be too much."

"I think I understand." Rurihime spelt out very slowly. "Is this not the same as making another leave the position he has so that your family member can occupy it?"

There was no need for her father to answer, as this was what had happened with the emperor.

One more incident was to happen before Rurihime leaves Kyo. At a glance, it seemed like a very simple action, but it would be this that triggered a series of event.

Minamoto no Nakatsuna, the son of Minamoto no Yorimasa, was the owner of an extremely famous horse. The value of the horse along with the fame made it a very precious object to the answer. Not only was it irreplaceable, the owner claimed that it was even more valuable then his own life.

Rurihime has actually seen the horse a year ago due to chance. As the young girl admired the horse, her father had been talking to the host.

"I heard that so and so offered this amount for it." Her father had been saying. "Yet you refused to sell it."

"I will never sell it regardless of the amount of money that is offered." Nakatsuna said simply. "This horse…its value is that of my life."

Yet this horse changed its owner.

"Taira no Munemori demanded it, and so he received it." Rurihime's father commented cynically. "What might he ask for next time?"

This made him all the more determined to see his beloved daughter to go to Hiraizumi.

"Do you think Minamoto no Nakatsuna will do anything?" Mochihito asked his friend. "His expression when he saw Taira no Munemori is certainly…interesting."

"He will never do anything his father refuses and his father has been Kiyomori's dog for how long?" was the reply. "After all, Kiyomori certainly fed him well enough."

To his daughter, however, he tried to be less cynical.

"Do you understand what I meant?" he began. "What happened is obviously wrong, yet Kiyomori allowed it to happen as it does not harm his family in anyway. His family can have whatever they want despite who would be hurt."

"I understand." Rurihime assured her father gravely. "I understand why it would be dangerous.

Notes:

(1) The original words were taken from the Tale of Heike (Which I got from wikipedia and they are something like this: 'the emperor is a ship while his subjects are water. The water enables a ship to float well, but sometimes the vessel is capsized by it. His subjects can sustain an emperor well, but sometimes they overthrow him.'

(2) I really feel that Yasuhira is like- I feel that his relationship with Kurou is a good example. He sees Kurou's fault and is probably frustrated by it, but he accepts it.