Chapter Eighteen
"Isn't it beautiful, the life of this flower?
Let it bloom, and if the petals are to be scattered,
Let it be scattered gracefully"
~ (Maiden in full bloom)
Tendou actually managed to gather a fairly good sized force and it was a force build due to those who felt that the emperor was not doing enough, as well as those that felt the position of bureaucratic were too dominated by nobles. This was an existing problem, because even though the test held each year for officials were eligible for anyone regardless of their rank, to possess the knowledge needed did require much resource
Ironically, these people were also used by the group that they believed they were protesting against. Tendou's presence was the open one, making many join him due to what he has done. Many felt that the emperor in his capital who kept on making treaties was not able to protect them. Whether Tendou was really the royalty that he claimed to be did not matter, as they simple felt that he was someone that understood them more.
If Tendou was the only leader, however, then this would merely be a protest. It became a rebellion due to the nobles and few officials that were secretly involved: Tendou was the figurehead that they needed.
As for Tendou himself, he was driven by anger at what happened to the villages in the border, and what would have happened to the village he grew up in. Houki then appeared at the worst possible time and to make the matter worse, the other had insisted on returning to the harem instead of staying with him.
The young man that felt that his home was sacrificed by the emperor also felt that the only person he had left was taken by the brother that already had everything else. The emperor that could not even protect his people did not deserve to be one.
As he was in a state of intense emotion, he did not pause to consider whether he actually wanted to be the emperor, or whether this was just an angry retaliation.
Much to his surprise, a message came from the emperor, who asked to meet him alone. The young man went as he was still guided by anger, not thinking of the consequences this would have on those that relied on him.
"The emperor will see me? Is this a trap?" he demanded, only for the messenger to say that the emperor merely wished to talk to him and would even meet him privately outside the palace. There was also a letter from Houki that begged him to trust her.
The place of the meeting was actually an ironic one, because it was the same place that Hotohori once met his brother-in-law, where Hotohori could only give a few coins as help.
Others would have told him to not go alone, but Tendou actually decided that he would take the risk. It was also because Houki begged him to give the emperor this mere chance. Despite him being upset with Houki, he still cared for her greatly.
He would go and see how his brother would defend himself.
"…Saihitei, Hotohori."
There was no doubt that the two men were brothers, as the two of them actually looked very similar. Not as extreme as Houki and Nuriko, but there was definitely a similarity due to them sharing both father and mother.
"Houki, why are you still beside him?" Tendou actually immediately said and Hotohori realised that this was one who shared the same pain he has.
"Houki, please return to my brother's side. It is where you should be." Hotohori said gently. "I, out of all people, know the pain of having the one you love being far from you."
"But your majesty – " the other began.
"I know Yuri would say the same thing. If you have made any promises, I am certain that you have already fulfilled it."
"Do not insult her, she is not a toy in your harem to be thrown away when you are sick of her." Tendou said angrily.
A slap was given, a slap from a source that neither brother expected.
"Stop making presumptions about everything!" Houki said angrily. "Yes, I was at the harem, but nothing happened to me at all. It is not his majesty's fault that his officials forced him to have a harem. The truth is that everyone there knows that his majesty only wish to be with Hourengou."
"This is not the important thing." Hotohori gently interrupted before he turned to Tendou once more. "You are my elder brother and so I should address you as so. Tell me, aniue, what is it that you want?"
"I…" Tendou was ready to confront an arrogant and haughty emperor, but the man that appeared in front of him was humble and sincere. All of a sudden, the accusations he had prepared for were stuck instead of being spat out.
"Our country is facing an attack from Kutou and I do not deny that I could have prepared the country better." Hotohori continued. "But right now, that is the common danger we have to face. It is not a time to have a civil war."
"If I wish to rule, then will you let me rule?" this was asked in the hope of being able to gain some certainty over his confusion.
"I cannot let you rule now, as the country cannot change a ruler when it is in the middle of an invasion." Hotohori replied. "But I can employ you as a general and then uses your actions during this war to pass the crown to you once this finishes."
"…you will just give this to me?" Tendou finally said in disbelief. "Do you expect me to believe in this?"
"Does it look like I am joking?" Hotohori asked instead. He then took out the letter he spent a long time preparing and unfolded it in front of his elder brother. Tendou only needed a brief glimpse to realise that this was a declaration of abdication by the current emperor on the condition that the war with Kutou has ended. Not only did the emperor sign his name, he even pressed his seal there.
"Is this proof enough?" Hotohori said sadly as he pushed the letter to the other. "As for why…it is a burden that I should be happy to relieve of. Think about it, aniue, but please answer me by the end of the week. You are not to be blamed, but there others that cannot be forgiven."
Hotohori then walked out and he could hear Tendou and Houki beginning a discussion that must include him, but he no longer cared. He gave this choice to his brother and if the other still insisted on fighting, then he would crush the rebellion without feeling any guilt.
However, he thought that it was more likely that his brother would agree. His brother's talent in the military matter might actually be what Kounan needed right now, and an emperor who grew up like a peasant would be good when a country was rebuilding itself, as he would be regarded as truly being one of the people.
There was also his selfish desire of being free from his burden. He would most likely still be involved in the ruling, possible as an advisor, but he would no longer be the one that must provide an answer.
It would also be good for Kounan to know that the emperor had an heir. That way, it would not be a total chaos following the sudden death of the emperor.
He was sure that if Tendou truly acted with the wellbeing of Kounan in mind, then he would agree to his terms.
It did not even take a week, because it was only a few days later when Hotohori announced to his people that he has found his elder brother and not only would the other fight alongside him, he would be the crown prince. This was also after the others had been dealt with.
"This is a sign of Suzaku's blessing, as my brother is born with the mark of Suzaku." He announced. "This is a sign that Suzaku would be summoned."
For the people, the reappearance of the emperor's brother did great in increasing morale. Those who joined Tendou in the rebellion now believed that the situation would improve due to Tendou being acknowledged by his brother.
Tendou, however, began to wonder whether he made the right decision, as he saw how his brother's expression was very grim and dark once he was on longer facing the crowd.
The news of the emperor of Kounan suddenly finding his missing brother reached far, even to the isolated quarters in Kutou where Yuri was with Chinatsu.
"This is true?" Yuri examined in shock when Chintasu told her of this. She then smiled happily even as she began to cry. "That is so good. Hotohori would be so happy. He always wished for a family."
Chinatsu would always remember that smile, as it was so rare since her mistress smiled so happily like this. It was a melancholy that started even before she arrived in Kutou.
The two of them had been in Kutou for a while and because they stayed in this quarter, there was little trouble. Now and then, Yuri would be met with some taunts and insults from her siblings, but that was all.
Yuri insisted on carefully dressing herself everyday with her hair being styled by Chinatsu and her face made up. This was actually one of the ways for them to maintain a sense of normality.
Yuri often found herself standing in front of the statue of Seiryuu. She has yet to kneel and pray, but she often stood in front of it to think about all that had happened.
What did Seiryuu think of all this? Was he worried about the destruction that his kingdom was causing? Or did he actually allow all it to happen without caring?
Hotohori told her many times about how Suzaku was the guardian of Kounan and that he protected the kingdom. In the same way, Genbu and Byakko was the same.
But as for what Seiryuu did, that was often something they deliberately not talk about.
"Kutou is in chaos." She said as she remained standing in front of the statue. "So why are you not doing anything?"
If she knelt down and pray, would things really be better? Could all their problems really be solved in such a simple way?
On that day, however, after what she heard about what happened with Hotohori, she knelt down in front of the statue instead of simply standing, and even lit the incenses.
"I cannot believe that what had happened is chance alone." She whispered, "Seiryuu, if you are the god that watches over Kutou, then please help this country."
It was when she was praying that she suddenly she heard the loud screaming of a young girl. Turning, she saw that a girl had made her way to the temple and she seemed to be screaming to the statue. The girl was dressed in a very strange clothes, but it was not alien. She has seen that unusual dress before.
That of the priestess of Suzaku.
"Are you…Misaki?" Yuri whispered in shock.
"Misaki? Yes, I am Misaki." The young girl cried out as she grabbed hold of Yuri. "Can you take me away from here? I want to go home."
"I…I don't know what I can do." Yuri said honestly as she gently dabbed the young girl's eyes with her sleeves. "But Madoka has been looking for you."
At this name, the young girl began to scream once more.
"Madoka betrayed me! I am sure she did." She screamed out before she suddenly stopped. "No, that is not right. She is helping me, she must be helping me! But then why…why did she let these things happen? But how did these things happen?" not only was she in a state of confusion again, she began to cry once more.
"I want to go home."
Without knowing what to do, Yuri gently embraced the young girl. That pitiful action did seem to calm her down slightly, as her sobs began to become quieter, and her breathing become more even.
"Ranhin-teiki, please step away from Misaki-sama." The man was a very strange one as his whole face was painted.
"Who are you and what have you done to this poor child?" Yuri demanded.
The man ignored her even as he pushed her away roughly and grabbed the young girl. Holding out his hands, she saw that a shell was balanced there.
"Look, Misaki-sma, this is the truth."
Was the girl the priestess of Seiryuu? Grimly, Yuri recalled what she had said about how it was probably better if the priestess of Seiryuu does not come, because this was not a country that knew how to save itself.
The celestial warriors of Seiryuu were clearly very different and Yuri found herself frightened for the girl. Instead of protecting them, they seemed to be using her for them on purpose.
It seemed that things were becoming worse. Without knowing what to do, she turned to the statue of Seiryuu once again.
"If you will not even protect your priestess, then how can I believe that you will protect the rest of us?"
Yuri did not see Misaki again, and she was secretly glad of that, because she was not able to do anything for the poor child. After all, her main concern was to protect herself in a place that was full of hostility.
The other place she was often at during the rare times when she ventured outside of her quarters was actually one of the cherry blossoms in the garden. Yuri felt the desire of being in there a paradox, because she still disliked the cherry blossom. Yet at the same time, she wanted to be there because that was where she first saw Hotohori and it actually made her feel a bit better.
Once more, she sat under that specific tree and began to play her qin, the music that Hotohori was so fond of.
Without any warning, one of the strings snapped. It also cut her finger slightly, causing a few drips of blood to fall onto both the qin and the few petals of cherry blossom that descended.
Picking up a petal dyed by her blood, she stared into it with a strong sense of apprehension.
The sense of dread increased upon the shadow that fell over her, but she refused to look up. Unlike last time, the man that stood there would not be a friendly one.
"Haughty as always, Ranhin-teiki." Nakago said coldly, this forcing her to turn to him.
He was a beautiful man, but it was a beauty that was the complete opposite of Hotohori. Hotohori was gentle and kind, appreciating beauty; while Nakago was harsh and cruel, his desire was to destroy instead.
"What do you want?" She demanded. "Why do you still use my title when you loath it?"
"I find your other title more distasteful." The man of the Hin tribe said. "The lotus is an hideous flower."
"Then maybe you should stay away from it." Yuri suggested, looking back down and making a poor pretence of playing her qin.
His hand grabbed her by the chin and his touch actually caused her to shake due to how cold it was. She felt that this man was actually more frightening then her father and she could not understand why her elder sister had wanted to marry and even sleep with this man.
"Your father has become a most pitiful sight." Nakago said. "It is in his hand that Kutou would be destroyed."
"Is that all you wish to say?" She retorted. "Or do you wish for revenge? If it is revenge then you have the wrong target, because it will do little to my father."
At this, Nakago actually chuckled and his words were actually free from any sarcasm.
"I am impressed, Ranhin-teiki. It only took a few slaps for your sister to behave."
"Perhaps that is because she is married to you. What a rude awakening she must have, she who was used to everyone doing what she wished."
"She did think that she could have a second husband to manipulate." Nakago said. "Your other siblings are also very troublesome, as they are actually working together to lessen my influence."
Yuri was not surprised at this at all. Her surviving eldest brother was naturally paranoid at losing his hard earned title, while her eldest sister was angry at being the loser in her long rivalry with their other sister.
"They will both die tonight with you." Nakago said as he suddenly drew out his sword.
"As I have said," Yuri said, forcing her voice to be steady, "My death will serve little purpose."
"I think not. Ranhin-teiki, you should know of what has happened between the two kingdoms. Much to all's surprise, Kounan is doing much better then our anticipation."
"Which I doubt was either fair or high in the first place." she retorted.
"Perhaps, but this is not good for my plan." Nakago said. "I think your death would be a good gift to that young emperor. Once I shared this idea with your father, he is very happy with trying it."
"That person is a good emperor. He would not let this affect his rule. Kounan will still be led by a wise emperor even as my father led Kutou to its destruction."
"Even though he abandoned you?" was sneered out and the sword was right in front of her. It was probably a sword that was never once loyal to Kutou and its royal family.
Yuri turned from the weapon that would end her life to face the man that wielded it, and she suddenly saw that boy in her father's bedroom again. The boy whose gaze was filled with hatred and fear.
"It is not because of any of this." She realised, "You simply wish to kill me. Why?"
"What does this matter when this night will end with your death? However, you are right," Nakago admitted, "Out of all your family, your father and you are the ones that I hate the most."
"I have no regret. Hotohori is the complete opposite of my father and to have been loved by that person and be his empress is enough." She said as she closed her eyes. "Do what you wish, Nakago. Let it not be said that the empress of Kounan faced her death without dignity."
The sword was brought down and the young woman's body fell forward, the impact of the crash breaking the remaining strings. Her blood splashed onto both the instrument and the petals of the cherry blossom.
Nakago simply pushed the body backward and took the damaged instrument. The body was left there and it would be buried carelessly the next day in the said garden, as there were too many deaths in the palace that night.
The young maid that accompanied the empress also disappeared, but she was of a minor concern.
The emperor of Kutou did not show any reaction, even though it was not just his less liked daughter that died, as he also lost both his heir and one of his favoured daughters.
"Shoutei and Rakuyoi were trying to rebel," Fukokutei said simply, "As for Ranhin, that boy will learn that war is not a game for him to play."
The quarters of the empress of Kounan was still carefully maintained everyday even though neither the empress nor emperor would be there. Chiharu was well aware that many said that she was doing this for herself in the hope of one day being the mistress here, but the young girl ignored all the gossips. Between worrying about her mistress and twin sister, her main concern was to make sure that the empress' dog was well, because that was what she promised the other.
On that night, however, the task was suddenly very difficult. The dog was used to Chiharu and was fairly obedient. But she suddenly began to bark and was extremely restless. In desperation, Chiharu picked up the dog, only for Hikaru to bit her, forcing her to drop her.
"What is wrong with you?" she cried out.
Hikaru continued to bark and she then began to run, charging out of the empress' quarters. Despite the dog being very small, she could still run much faster then the young girl who was restrained by her dress.
Luckily, the dog was soon stopped near the emperor's quarters.
"What is the matter with this ball of fur?" Tendou examined as he picked the dog up. To a man who grew up in a village, a toy dog was very different from what he was used to.
"Tendou-sama, that is the empress' dog." Chiharu said as she grabbed hold of the dog, trying to silence it by rocking it slightly.
"The empress? That princess of Kutou?" was the common reaction to this, but Chiharu felt that she had heard this phrase too many times.
"My lady is the empress of Kounan." Chiharu said. "That person loves the emperor so much and she would constantly study about Kounan. It is not fair that everyone calls her the princess of Kutou due to what has happened."
"I am sorry, I did not mean to make you upset." Tendou said gently and later on, many would comment that he was extremely kind and courteous to the servants due to his earlier time outside the palace.
"It is not fair that everyone is blaming her." The young girl continued to sob out. "The emperor also felt so bad about this, so why are they being blamed?"
At first, Tendou's view regarding the situation was the common perception of those outside the palace, but he suddenly realised that he was wrong in many aspects.
The messenger of Kutou was given a welcome although it was a very cold one. However, to have the emperor see him was actually generous enough, as there were almost things thrown at him in the borders.
"I bring a simple message to Saihitei," he said. "Fukokutei wishes for you to stop playing war and give the reparation Kutou is entitled to."
"I cannot apologise for what I have not done." Hotohori said simply. "It is Fukokutei who attacked my people first."
"My master sends you a warning." At this, the man beckoned to one of his retainers, who handed him a wrapped bundle.
The fabric was torn off to reveal a qin, the instrument was barely that as the strings were all broken, while the centre was smeared with blood. There were also petals of the cherry blossoms stuck in the corner, and the red on them were a too vibrant a shade to be natural.
The instrument was then thrown down in front of the emperor.
"Ranhin-teiki is dead." The messenger said. "My master wishes to tell you that if you continue, then you will lose more."
The court began to mummer with the sounds growing louder. Their emperor, however, did not speak, as he was simply staring at the broken instrument.
When he did speak, his voice was very soft, but all went quiet.
"…where is she? Where is her body?" he said slowly. "Who killed her?"
"I do not know, I merely bring this message." The messenger said simply.
"Then bring this message back to Fukokutei: I will honour Hourengou by winning this war." Hotohori said coldly. "Get out of my kingdom immediately."
When the messenger left, Hotohori actually walked down from his throne and picked up the bloodied instrument that was thrown to him. Those that stood close enough was able to see a deep sadness and sorrow in the young man's eyes as he looked at the qin. It was not, many would agree, what a youth should have.
Hotohori actually wiped his finger over the bloody centre, only to realise that the blood has already dried. At this, he sighed and simply walked back to his throne.
"Will this be proof of her loyalty?" he said bitterly, sitting down with the qin in his lap. "Could she now be the empress of Kounan instead of a princess of Kutou?"
The discussion continued and the emperor still provided his usual good judgments. However, the majority of his officials were aware that this was a façade, as his hands continued to wipe the qin in a vain attempt of cleaning it.
His brother, however, was very different. As soon as he could, he confronted Hotohori, reproaching him for the lack of emotion.
"I am the emperor, aniue." Hotohori said coldly as he continued to walk his room. If Tendou was more perceptive, then he would have noticed that the hands that held the qin were shaking. "I need to be the emperor. Crying for Yuri would not bring her back."
"You – " Tendou did not know what to say but his brother's almost indifference to the death of his own wife made him furious, as he wonder whether Hotohori reacted in the same way when he heard about the death of the villagers at the border.
"Tendou, please!" Houki yelled out as she grabbed hold of the elder brother.
Without saying anymore, Hotohori went to his room, shutting the door.
"That is not the normal behaviour of a man, regardless of whatever relationship he has with his wife." Tendou began angrily. "Houki, that is not someone who cares for his people."
"I do not believe – " Houki began, but they both suddenly stopped due to the sound that came from the emperor's room.
That of a man weeping, followed by the words: "Forgive me". It was a man that barely held himself together.
Hotohori actually could not even remember what happened after the messenger threw down Yuri's qin in front of him. He knew that he answered if any questions were asked, but he could not even recall the answers.
Yuri was dead. She died alone in Kutou. The petals of the cherry blossom cruelly betrayed the details of the location. Not only did she die in the country she was so desperate to escape from, she also died under the cherry blossom she disliked so.
In the end, what did he do for her? He sent her to her death and her last moments must have been filled with fear and pain. Now, he could not even give her a proper funeral.
"Forgive me, forgive me." He whispered as he tried to wipe the blood out of the qin she loved so. Could he not at least do this one thing for her?
The blood was soaked into the wood, staining the precious instrument. The blood remained even as his tears fell onto it.
For that whole night, he continued that futile task even as he kept on asking forgiveness from the one that could no longer give it to him.
When he stepped out the next day, his hair was pure white. The white hair seemed to be the tears that he refused to let anyone see. He then handed the broken and bloodstained qin to the craftsman, instructing him to paint over the blood and replace the strings.
Upon both Tendou and Houki's concerned look, he simply said: "Yuri needs her qin while she waits for me."
Author's Note: I am actually truly reaching the end, there is only a chapter left and an epilogue.
First of all, Yuri's death. I can only say: it was made very clear in the prologue and this story is categorized as tragedy for a reason. Unfortunately, that is the idea I had for this story and I decided to use it. The final image of Hotohori crying as he tries to wipe the blood off the qin is one of the really strong images that I had when I first started writing. The sad thing about Yuri's death is that it is simply because she is at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Going back to the beginning of the chapter, regarding the test to become officials, this was what Chiriko took. Even though the idea is that everyone has a chance because anyone can enter, and it is talent and skills that determine the outcome, it is still a system that favours the rich. After all, it is those with money who could afford to study and learn. Because of this, there are a lot of stories that talk about how some officials have devout wife who made sure that they could earn money so that their husbands can focus on studying.
As for Tendou's meeting with Hotohori, I feel that Tendou already had a very negative perception of Hotohori, so that was why he would be shocked to meet someone that is completely different. I think like any in his position, Tendou naturally felt that Hotohori would never give up being the emperor, hence he was completely shocked to see that Hotohori would do so. Due to that alone, this means that some of his presumptions could not be right.
As for Hotohori, I think his decision is partly an emotional one due to all that has happened. As mentioned in the previous chapter, he is facing a lot of stress. However, the reasoning behind his action is that if Tendou really is doing this for the good of Kounan, then the other would agree to his terms due to this being a way for Tendou to have what he wants. It is a really good compromise for him. The fact that he wrote down the promise and had the seal meant that what is in the document is binding.
I can't remember who was it that made the prophecy about Tendou regarding the mark of Suzaku, but I decided to use it, although I am changing it because he obviously stayed alive in this story. I feel that due to Tendou growing up free from the political issues, he is more black and white then Hotohori. Also, he has only recently met Hotohori, so he would not know the other that well. I feel that Hotohori does not let anyone see his pain and worries due to him being the emperor, and this could be misinterpreted as a lack of emotion by those who does not know him. At the end of the chapter, Hotohori was pretty much forcing himself to not show any reaction, but Tendou does not know this. From his view, he feels that Hotohori is not showing any emotion upon learning of Yuri's death. And if he does not even care for Yuri's death, would he actually care for anyone else? The scene where Hotohori is crying and trying to wipe the qin would actually be witnessed by both Tendou and Houki, so they would realise what it is that he truly feels.
Misaki actually makes an appearance and I want to show that this is a young girl who has been going through a lot and is barely pulling herself together. In the game, Misaki actually was deceived by Tomo's illusions and Tomo would comment that Misaki is really strong by the way she fought to regain control. I am not 100% sure of what happened with her, but Tomo seem to indicate that part of the reason Misaki ended up being tricked is due to her trying to help Madoka. At the very end of the game, if Seiryuu is summoned, Misaki would be able to break free of the spell due to Madoka being injured, and Nakago would actually be stunned at this. So the main idea of her appearance is to see that she is being manipulated by Tomo so that she is not fully sure of what is happening.
In regard to Hotohori's action at the very end, I want to point out that in Chinese culture, there is the idea of how the deceased would be buried with some of their possessions. Therefore, Hotohori fixing Yuri's qin and saying that she need it is actually not an abnormal action.
Finally, Hotohori's hair turning white due to grief. I know that this is not scientifically possible but I just still want to have it.