The Romance of the Seventh Star
Entry 18: The Child From Kaka-san
I took the precaution to explain my lineage and estate for the crafting of my first entry. Surely it is good to do the same for the littlest member of the Four before I speak in greater depth about him. After all, Goku is a creature unique throughout all Realms. It is only reasonable that his background be furnished in order that a basic education about his person can be established to an unknowing reader.
Goku is neither deity, human nor demon. He does, however, come from the Realm Below, specifically the state of Toujyoushin. In fact, he was born – or hatched, if one prefers to call it – from an enormous rock egg at the top of the mountain, Kaka-san.
This rock egg from which Goku emerged was nothing short of a miracle; a coalescent of natural energies made material. Goku is, in all sense of the word, a child of the earth.
Nonetheless, because Goku is neither deity, human nor demon, he is an aberration of the established cosmic order.
Even then, Goku is a deviant of the usual abominations. The regular monsters, which our heavenly armies are responsible to subdue, are flawed products of the same process through which he was made.
Energies are either contained in a body or dispersed and flowing through space; the first a law preceding the second. Only under circumstances of immense, persistent pressure available do they coagulate from a loose stream into a defined shape. This is but foundational knowledge to any one existential department of our Realm Above.
The capability to commence and sustain such manipulation of energies, particularly on the scale of a planet or a star, is initiated by a coincidence of chance and sentiency. One cannot over-emphasise how difficult it is to mould one of these heretical creatures, primarily due to the rarity of opportunity.
Moreover, to achieve the state of Goku – perfectly formed to anthropomorphic likeness and intelligence – the movement of energies that had developed and accelerated to the concentration of his person must have attained a consistent, uninterrupted rhythm into a phase of pure, undiluted existential power.
Truly, had there been an upset, no matter how minute, in the accumulative pattern of energies feeding the formation of the creature, it would be a regular foe of the celestial army that would have broken forth after the incubation period. Given how energies are always in motion, disruptions caused by extraneous sources are expected.
Therefore, few already are the instances of attaining conditions suitable for creating a heretical monster. How much greater the percentage of improbability when one considers a specimen such as Goku?
Indeed, Goku has no parallel.
Of course, I speak only of natural accidents and not the work of deliberate magick-science which, as Li Touten and his co-conspirators have unfortunately proven, able to emulate what the cosmos occasionally designs. Even then, I suspect it not to be an easy project, no matter how advance the technology and magical prowess.
One could either delight in or find offence with a difference. Our Realm is more accustomed to the latter than former, except when it proves advantageous to behave otherwise, as in the case of Nataku Taishi. What can be said of our Realm Above then, when we continue to scorn Goku as an abnormality despite the utmost exceptionality of his birth but would salute the creation of a madman simply because it suits our needs? Reader, I shall leave it to you to ponder over this question.
The Seishin Okimi was writing when he felt the rise of power within his body. A burst of tingly pressure broke forth from inside out and the next thing he knew, phantom images flashed through his mind's eye.
Throughout this sudden process, Genshou's consciousness remained intact. Used to such incidences by now, he was aware of a dim glow emanating from his silver pupils.
A woman was standing by his chair as the episode happened. Her dark hair was long, clasped back in a half ponytail with a silver clip of a simple design. It framed an oval face with straight brows and dark deep-set eyes. She was dressed in a grayish under-robe which edges of her skirt and wide sweeping sleeves were embroidered with colourful motifs. A shimmery, translucent sleeved cloak overlaid this base layer.
Sensing something was afoot the moment the Seishin no Goten overlord froze with his brush held aloft, the woman had glanced at him, only to witness the manifestation of a prophetic spell.
It did not take long, at most half a minute surely. "What did you see?" she inquired after the other man came to himself. She set aside the documents she had been leafing through.
Genshou put his brush down. The letter he had been composing will have to wait.
"It's a recap of that dream… the night shortly before Hikari returned…(1)" the lord of the subsidiary court murmured, a hand palming his forehead and massaging his temples. Slender fingers combed through his hair in comforting strokes and Genshou opened worried eyes to smile at his lady companion, his wife.
Kaori, the Seishin Fujin, or Lady of the Court of Celestial Bodies, beheld her husband with sympathy. She knew which particular night he spoke of. Genshou had started awake, jostling her from her own sleep when he had suddenly gasped and jerked himself upright. He had been in cold sweat, breathing heavily and she herself was seized by anxiety at the sight of his pale complexion.
Her husband had related his dream to her and even with how factual and succinct he had been with his description, it had sounded devastating indeed.
"Do you…" Kaori was hesitant in broaching the question, "feel you should inform the Tentei this time?"
The Seishin Okimi rose from his seat, circumvented his table and started pacing back and forth on the wide carpeted space in front of the furniture. Dark violet robes swishing around his legs with every turn he made, his distinguished visage was troubled as he took his time to calculate his options.
"No," Genshou finally made up his mind. He paused in his steps and his eyes were at once frustrated and determined as he answered his wife. "My opinion remains the same: the Tentei would never accept the prophecy plainly and Seishin no Goten would needlessly suffer from a loss of favour."
The overseer of the astronomical system clenched his fist. "I'll observe the winds of change as warned by this dream and manoeuvre accordingly," his mouth was drawn in a tensed line. "But to receive a reoccurrence of the same vision speaks of nothing good. What could possibly have triggered it…(2)?"
Kaori stepped forward and took her husband's hands into her own. Genshou broke from his brooding to gaze at her and the Seishin Fujin ached for the desperate resolution that she could see on her husband's features. "I haven't such foreboding in a long time, Kaori…" he murmured, referring to sorrows of ages past, "…in a long time…"
"It's different now!" the Lady of the subsidiary court rushed to assure her spouse, hushing further awful pronouncements by placing gentle fingers on his lips. "You have me, six very capable and loyal sons and a highly enterprising daughter behind you. And the whole of Seishin no Goten respects you. It will turn out well, it will..."
The other man wordlessly embraced his wife. He did not want to speak of how much more he therefore could lose.
"… Have another missive regarding Hikari arrived?" Kaori spoke after a while, trying to distract her husband as she laid her head against his broad chest. "I do wonder how she would respond to Kanzeon-sama's offer. I'm not opposed to her being attached to the Purple Bamboo Palace, you know. I would appreciate the respite it'll grant her brothers," she laughed lightly.
The Seishin Fujin could hear the rumble from Genshou's chest as he shared in her joke. Now that Hikari was in the capital as who she really was, his sons staying in the ambassadorial residence was postponing their trip home and those remaining in Seishin no Goten were vying for any reason to travel to the capital.
Unfortunately, this meant the operation of Seishin no Goten was being neglected.
Indeed, Yoshi was urgently needed back to resume his task of sorting through their database; Mamoru was busy enough inputting and evaluating data. There was a growing pile of paperwork over logistics and repairs that Shou was responsible for; Noboru was already taxed handling the checking and procurement of materials. And Kouki was wanted to help him deal with the various correspondences internally, as well as the various ministries under Tentei and other existential organisations(3). It would certainly lighten the load off Kaori, who was currently lending him a hand on top of the domestic affairs she had to tend to.
It was not only the official businesses that the Seishin ruling House handled but the running of their entire court, including household activities and needs. Having their courtiers or servants shuttle back and forth between Seishin no Goten and their in-capital delegate residence was tiring and simply impractical.
Fortunately, Kouki, Shou and Yoshi promised they would be back in a few days's time, no thanks to nothing less than a direct command from him. Mamoru and Noboru were itching to exchange places with them, he knew, and would be more than gleeful to dump the backlog of work on the siblings who had abandoned them to hold the fort in Seishin no Goten while they occupied the coveted role of staying by their sister.
Genshou needed the subsidiary court back in its fullest efficiency as quick as possible, particularly because the Tentei's birthday was coming up in a couple of weeks' time and for a few days, more than half of Seishin no Goten will be emptied in order to attend the mass celebration in the capital.
Speaking of which, they had to start preparing the tribute for the Tentei soon. It would be a major project on its own.
"No, there're no updates yet," Genshou replied, referring to the weekly news about their sibling that Yuu and the others would send back. "I take it as a good thing. It means Hikari's well. I must fix a more sound rotation plan for our six sons to straddle between keeping an eye on her and their duties. I agree that someone should be around her at all times. However, four of them in one go is stretching our resources here at Seishin no Goten too thin."
Kaori sighed inwardly, knowing the tendency of her husband and sons to fret over the youngest of their clan. "At least she acquiesces to having guards now. Besides, haven't you arranged for her friend, Kourin-san, to be her aide?"
Genshou's expression turned wry. "It seems your suggestion of permitting her friendship with Kourin-san has proven valid," he admitted with a grumble in his tone. "She seemed to have discarded that bee in her bonnet in regards to resuming her relationship with her Western Army acquaintances. At least, Yuu and the others noted that she has not raised the issue again."
Since her spouse was more than a foot taller than her, the Seishin Fujin had to tilt her head back to in order to see his face. "We should invite Kourin-san to Seishin no Goten for a short stay. And I've told you before that I myself have a desire to meet her friends of the First Squadron. She spoke so well of them, after all."
The Seishin Okimi stared, appalled, and his wife swatted him for that age-old stubbornness which all their children had inherited in varying degrees. In fact, in Hikari's case, it was a trait allowed to foster, considering her doting and anxious father and brothers were more willing to please than correct her.
"Give her more credit, Genshou-kun!" Kaori admonished mildly, "Our Hikari has matured so much since. She'll know what to do."
Still, the subsidiary court ruler remained adamant. "You know my apprehensions, as well as our uneasy observations of what have been going on in Tentei's court. Mountains can be made out of molehills. Even the offer of Kanzeon-sama's watch might not be a safe enough haven. At the end of the day, I still loathe for Hikari to leave the boundaries of Seishin no Goten."
Genshou exhaled hard and in that one breath conveyed his pent-up worries. "Perhaps I should recall her."
As his childhood and later, lifelong companion, Kaori had seen her husband through his darkest moments and brightest days. She understood his motivations and his earnestness to ensure the welfare of his family. For all the wealth, authority and power that came with the seat, it was not easy being the overseer of the astronomical system. To bear the weight of an obscure, even dreaded future was an agony.
She had witnessed it for herself.
Kaori reached up to soothe the furrows in between the other's brow. "…You cannot hide her forever, Genshou-kun, you know that," she smiled sadly in commiseration. "No matter how much we both wish to."
The Seishin Okimi pulled his wife's hand away from his face, lacing their fingers together. He gazed at her, lovingly lingering over the facial features which all their children bore traces of – she was a beautiful woman, one of those considered mutedly attractive in her youth but whose looks grew more elegant with age.
It had just been a mere whim, the Seishin overlord reflected not for the first time, of his inspiration to send Hikari into the Western Army as an extreme disciplinary measure. Though to be fair, he had been goaded by the realisation that his youngest was unfortunately getting out of hand. Still, he certainly had not expected the situation to escalate into a prophetic compulsion and subsequently developing into the current state of affairs where it seemed he would be losing his only daughter to the inevitable, whatever it was. No matter how optimistic he was trying to be, the impending prospects did not bode well, not with dreams of blood, betrayal and pain hanging over his head or with current facts of disturbing trends and changes happening in the environment of the Realm Above.
Indeed, to be the lord of the celestial bodies was to understand that he was not really one at all…
Genshou's lips twitched in a mirthless smile. "I believe Kanzeon-sama said the same thing… Hah…"
"Ah! You should listen to the great and merciful one then!" Kaori teased. "In any case, if you dare drag Hikari back here, you'll be risking her displeasure. How long can you withstand her entreaties?"
When her husband merely harrumphed in reply, she felt it safe to persuade him further. "The children are grown, Genshou-kun. They know what to do. Let's trust them a little more."
The Seishin Okimi silently tightened his grip around his wife.
Had both the Seishin lord and his lady seen their youngest daughter a day later, flushed in discomfort and glaring sullenly at a certain marshal of the Western Army, they might be more bemused than confident in their parental sentiments.
It had been two weeks since the secret gathering with Tenpou and Kenren. This time, the encounter with the marshal was a complete accident.
After a month of settling in (or after that altercation with Konzen Douji), Hikari finally found the time to pay Kanzeon Bosatsu a visit. She took Kourin along with her – now a regular fixture – and it was while they were led by a servant of Shichiku no Miya along one of the corridors, that both girls bumped into the bespectacled man.
Recognising the distinctive form of the other – lab coat, black slacks and long black hair – from a distance, Hikari's first instinct after getting over her astonishment at the sheer coincidence, was to turn tail. It was impossible to do so, however, mainly because it was a one-way path and that Tenpou had similarly spotted her. Besides, Kourin's expression had peaked with interest at the sight of the marshal.
"Oh! It's Konzen-sama's ward!" the soft exclamation of her palace guide brought Hikari back from her moment of panic. The Seishin aristocrat shot the servant a quizzical look before noticing the object of the latter's attention – a small brown-haired boy who was cheerfully tugging on a hand of Tenpou, skipping half a step before the marshal.
Before Hikari could ask the servant to clarify her statement, Tenpou and the mysterious child had come up close. The only thing the Seishin princess could do was not to be blatant with her reluctance of the marshal's company. Kourin, on the other hand, was gladly acknowledging the other man with a gracious smile and nod of her head.
Hikari kept her gaze a little off Tenpou's person so she would not be tempted to scowl at him. The marshal on the other hand was behaving as per his usual sociable self… although, it was a tad peculiar how he seemed to avoid a direct look at the Seishin noble.
Kanzeon's staff greeted the high-ranking soldier politely, as demanded by custom, and hurriedly introduced Hikari whose status was the most superior among those present. Notably, the little boy was ignored; even Kourin received some notice as the personal attendant of the subsidiary court princess.
Both Hikari and Tenpou were aware of the show they were putting up as they treated the other like perfect strangers and the tall soldier demurred to the aristocrat by bowing low and offering a respectful address.
Rigidly, Hikari made a noncommittal sound of acceptance. In trying not to meet the eyes of the other man, her gaze fell on the unknown child and she was stunned to see a pair of golden orbs staring up at her in bold curiosity. The sight successfully distracted her from her animosity.
"This is…" the Nana-hime murmured to herself, connecting the dots immediately. While making the arrangement for this trip, she had wondered if she could chance upon the heretic she had aided to send into the Purple Bamboo Palace. Getting concrete news of the creature was somewhat of a secondary goal. Talk of the heretic's stay under the custody of Kanzeon Bosatsu had trickled into the public; a comment or two of the matter was always available during her rounds among other courtiers in the capital. However, Hikari had not wanted to depend on hearsay for information.
Fearing the aristocrat's reaction to mean she was possibly offended by the presence of the creature, the palace staff made haste to explain. She was beaten to it by the mischievous ward of Konzen Douji, who had the faster mouth.
"I'm Goku! Goku!" So enthusiastic was his self-introduction, the golden-eyed child was hopping on the balls of his feet. The servant gawked in disbelief that the former dared to speak out of turn, even if the heretic had gained a reputation as an irrepressible scamp in the short half a month he had stayed in Shichiku no Miya.
Hikari blinked at the exuberant display, the corner of her lips unwittingly curved in amusement. How different an approach it was from another so-called heretic she knew of! "Goku?" she tested the sound of the name, all while critically taking in the appearance of the boy.
The report submitted to the Observatory of Phenomena had been quite accurate concerning the form of the creature from Kaka-san of the Realm Below. Goku seemed, for all purpose, to be no older than ten, small and wiry in his frame with a mop of shiny brown locks, the back of which were long enough to fall past his shoulders; small sharp nose, apple-cheeked, big round eyes of a brilliant amber and an even bigger, open and infectious smile. His eyes shone with a forthright light and he exuded an unfeigned air of innocent inquisitiveness.
Hikari was charmed.
"Konzen gave me the name just yesterday!" came another excited piece of information from the boy.
Tenpou, who was watching the exchange indulgently, spoke up when he noticed Hikari's startled face. "Hikari-hime-sama, Kanzeon-sama has assigned Konzen Douji as guardian of Goku."
For the first time, the Seishin princess met the marshal eye to eye. "So I've heard," Hikari's caustic tone reflected her confidence – or lack of – in that lout to achieve anything remotely close to caring for someone. Egan had sent one final report to the Observatory of Phenomenon after shipping the heretical child to Shichiku no Miya. Yuu had updated his siblings on what had been written in it. Suffice to say, Hikari had been flabbergasted when she got to know of the decision made by the goddess of mercy.
Tenpou, who had no insight into the princess's thought processes, could only presume the worst of reasons for her tartness. Thankfully adept at maintaining a serene countenance, he pretended that nothing was out of ordinary.
As for Goku, hearing his caretaker's name had tickled his interest and he perked up at the thought of a possible connection between the attractive girl before him and the nephew of the bodhisattva. "Do you know Konzen, ah… your name's too long – something, ah… Seishi-nana-kari? Onee-chan?" The small burnet ended up scratching his head as he tried to recall how the servant – currently blustering at the apparent irreverence – introduced the princess.
Recovering from her lapse in composure, Hikari put a stop to the admonishment of her guide who was attempting to correct the seeming fax pas. She approached Goku and, to the distress of the maid, went on one knee so she could be at eye-level with the child. "I'm Hikari! Just call me Hikari-nee."
The princess even turned her head to indicate Kourin, who was watching the interaction with cordial support. "And that's Kourin-nee!"
Goku stared in fascination at the genial countenance of the Seishin noble before gifting the two girls with an uninhibited beam of his own. "Hikari-nee-chan! Kourin-nee-chan!"
Both girls broke out into giggles. Tenpou caught the miniscule changes that had overcome the crouching Nana-hime – a flash of wonder that mellowed into thoughtfulness before settling into a friendly grin.
Hikari rose to her feet. Deciding it was best she make a move before she created an even bigger scandal in the eyes of the confounded servant, she announced that she had to leave for her appointment with Kanzeon-sama. She felt calmer; whatever vexation she had towards the marshal was now better managed. "Goodbye, Goku. I'll see you another time!" the Seishin princess was prepared to ignore Tenpou in her farewell but she made sure to pay special attention to the boy.
Goku practically glowed. "Really? You'll come again?" He looked back and forth between Tenpou and Hikari eagerly. "Like Ten-chan?"
Figuring out who the diminutive 'Ten-chan' was referring to, Hikari shot the marshal a withering look of incredulity and ridicule, barely able to resist the urge to roll her eyes skyward. Behind her, Kourin smiled into her palm.
As was often before, the silent accusation of shamelessness slid over the marshal like water off a duck's back. Tenpou cleared his throat brightly before proclaiming, "Hikari-hime-sama, Goku loves to make friends, especially those with unique but common interests. In fact, he befriended one just yesterday…"
Though initially resistant of whatever drivel she thought she would be fed with, all sense of annoyance was soon wiped from Hikari's mind. She was now familiar with that deeper intent within enigmatic green eyes; the subtext beneath affable manners and innocuous chatter. Tenpou was trying to pass a message that was more than the surface lamentation over the difficulty of finding for Goku companions of his age.
"Oh! But we mustn't hold you up any further, Hikari-hime-sama. It has been an honour," the marshal finished with an apologetic laugh, pulling Goku aside so the Seishin princess, Kourin and their guide could walk passed.
So Hikari muttered her farewell, eyeing the marshal searchingly. It was not till the trio had disappeared from view then did Goku drop his arm, which hand he had been zealously waving non-stop.
"Hikari-nee-chan and Kourin-nee-chan are such pretty sisters! Ain't it, Ten-chan?" the heretic child grasped hold of the older man's sleeve in his delight. "Hikari-nee-chan's eyes are such beautiful silver! Don't cha think so? Ten-chan? Don't cha? I think Hikari-nee-chan's really nice!"
Allowing himself to be led to the exit of the palace, Tenpou chuckled and agreed with all compliments that Goku paid the two girls, especially the Nana-hime. His mind, actually, was whirling behind his outward engagement of the child.
Naturally, he would like to question what business Hikari had with Kanzeon Bosatsu; Konzen had made no mention to him just now, not that the golden-haired aristocrat had any reason to nor would Tenpou be surprised to find out the former had not bothered to know anything of it.
Whatever the case, now that Hikari had met Goku personally and that she could not be restrained from meddling in affairs concerning the heretics, he thought she should know about the unexpected contact between the two only golden-eyed youngsters in the Realm Above.
By extension, he could not help but grimaced as he recollected the aversion he had perceived – no matter how the Seishin aristocrat tried to play it cool – throughout the serendipitous run-in.
He was not surprised that Hikari had not tried to contact either him or Kenren since the last meeting.
Indeed, honestly revealing that he had found out her gender because he had… ah… felt the difference in her, erm… physique, was certainly one of his least relished moment – nevermind that he had been well-intentionally trying to ascertain the extend of her injury after she had received a strike across her chest during that infamous duel of long ago, on her very first day in the Western Army.
He had not even been given the chance to elaborate how he had done his utmost best to ensure her secret was kept safe – after he had stifled his shock on the spot, that was: barring anyone else from examining her; instructing the members of the then First Squadron to clear the area on pretext of giving her space; transferring her body to the sketcher himself and staying with her in the infirmary till she regained consciousness. He had even given a quiet order to suspend any physical check-ups(4).
Kenren had to put himself in between the two of them, to save him from being throttled by the princess gone berserk. It seemed a miracle in itself the aristocrat had not started picking up the utensils and furniture in that function room to attempt homicide. He was left half relieved and downright alarmed as Hikari stormed out, her temper crackling and swearing the most malevolent demise of his existence. It did not help his ego when some time later, concealed within his quarters in the military compound, the general had a good long laugh at his expense.
Apparently, from how Hikari had reacted to him just now, a fortnight was certainly insufficient to pacify her sense of outrage.
Granted, he had gotten to savour more than a year's worth of humour due to Hikari and Kenren so he supposed he deserved this latest display of fist-shaking… as well as those that were to come.
Tenpou groaned resignedly to himself. What was it that one said about what went round came round?
It did have merit.
"You sure know how to tease, Hikari-chan! I've been utterly put out by your absence from my palace!" Kanzeon mock-scolded the Seishin princess as the latter sat down on the marble stool on the opposite side of the round stone table. A well-prepared spread of choice sweetmeats, exotic fruit and rare flavoured tea was spread out in welcome of the guest. The bodhisattva had this little picnic in her rock garden especially ordered since she received notice yesterday of Hikari's intention to visit.
For she was in a really good mood, what with the chibi wreaking havoc somewhere around the palace, making sure her nephew was kept harassed and the promised reappearance of Genshou's interesting daughter. She had not been so entertained in a long while!
"Kanzeon-sama!" Hikari widened her eyes, abashed but objecting at once. "I've never meant to ignore your hospitality! But I've been busy familiarising myself with the workings of Tentei's court. Chichi-ou-sama has advised me to spend a few months doing so and my days have been packed tagging after my brothers, learning from them as they go about their official errands."
The Seishin aristocrat smiled impishly. "Besides, I'm here now, aren't I? Doesn't the fulfillment of hope deferred make the tree of life(5)?"
The goddess of mercy raised a brow, "My, you're certainly one with a glib tongue…"
"Merely pragmatism," Hikari nodded with a straight face. "It has proven useful many times for getting me out of trouble."
The Seishin princess felt pleased when the bodhisattva threw her head back and hooted with laughter. Even the latter's personal attendant, Jiroushin, who was standing attentively on a side, did not bother to hide his amusement.
It was a gambit she took, daring to be sassy before the powerful figure whom she had met only once before. But Kanzeon Bosatsu had been so unconventional in her attitude when she had caught her in the scuffle with her nephew and Chichi-ou-sama viewed her as a trusted friend, Hikari's instincts told her the senior aristocrat was nothing like those pompous, petty, run-out-of-mill courtiers.
Without preamble, the hermaphrodite deity asked Jiroushin to entertain Kourin by showing her around the estate, claiming that his hovering presence was hindering her from having a casual conversation with her rare guest. Hikari stifled her grin behind her cup at the disgruntled look on the whiskered man's face. The bodhisattva was increasingly reminding her of Kenren and his nonconformist ways.
She liked it.
"You're quite the naughty child, aren't you?" Kanzeon snorted when they were left by themselves, before continuing congenially. "So how's the experience of feeling the ground?"
Hikari tilted her head, thinking of the most appropriate way to frame her answer.
"It has been… educational," she could sincerely reply, without going into details. Indeed, having access into the higher echelons by virtue of her rank was a different experience from what she had as a mere attaché. There were many new places and faces she had been exposed to, all significantly more dignified and demanding.
Similarly, the degree of welcome and regard she now enjoyed was a vast improvement. It was all she could do not to say something snide when she did meet familiar officials, those who thought nothing of turning their noses up at a Western Army soldier but anxious to grovel before a member of the ruling house of Seishin no Goten.
"Visiting so many different places and being introduced to so many people; one month is hardly time enough for me to absorb it all!" Hikari concluded tactfully.
Kanzeon accepted her guest's words at face value. "You are becoming quite the celebrity, Hikari-chan – the enchanting Nana-hime from Seishin no Goten making her first appearance in Tentei's court; the apple of the Seishin Okimi's eyes; the treasure of the Seishin princelings," she peered astutely at the young aristocrat's face, which had grown increasingly chagrin with every flowery description. "I'm surprise Genshou-dono and your brothers aren't here watching over your shoulders."
Hikari tittered, awkward. How hard she had to put her foot down before her brothers could be convinced to back off from accompanying her absolutely everywhere! After the disagreement they had, they were either paranoid that she would attempt contact with her friends in the Army or had an inane notion that her identity as their sister would attract some disaster within Tentei's capital which she had managed to avoid while disguised as 'Hikaru'.
The compromise they had reached was her concession to have Kourin and two guards with her at all times should she ventured out on her own; guards who she insisted they remained at the entrance hall of Shichiku no Miya and not follow her in even further.
Restricted as she was, at least it afforded some leeway to pull off the rendezvous with Kenren a fortnight ago, which Tenpou had gatecrashed. She had assured her guards that she would be staying put at the private room of the restaurant, and that they were free to take a long break in the establishment's public dining area till she was ready to leave. Kourin – though not privy to her motives – had been willing to help by leaving her side prior to the appointed time of her meeting, joining the company of the men instead to distract them from thoughts of their duty.
That she had not made similar efforts again since that occasion was a combination of two factors. One was due to an honestly packed schedule and secondly, she was still undoubtedly peeved with the strategist!
Hikari cleared her throat to compose herself first before explaining, "Chichi-ou-sama has gone back to Seishin no Goten weeks ago and as for my brothers..." she was a bit huffy as she elaborated, "…how could they be so free to follow me everywhere!"
There was a calculative gleam in the bodhisattva's eyes as she gave the Seishin princess a sidelong glance, "Mmm… so a little bird is looking to stretch her wings, I see."
The younger noble caught the comment; the meaning behind the metaphor was easy enough to decipher. Yet since she was unsure of what Kanzeon was trying to get, she withheld her tongue.
"How about it?" the bodhisattva eyed her with a conspiratorial air. "Why don't you come over to Shichiku no Miya?"
Beneath the tabletop, Hikari's clasped hands tightened as the only outward sign of her anticipation.
In truth, she had made this trip for the primary purpose of broaching this topic. For she had come to the conclusion – after the glimpse of the documents available in Konzen Douji's office – and from what she had assessed of the various functions of other ministries, that Shichiku no Miya provided greater advantage than Seishin no Goten where it came to having information access into the inner workings of Tentei's government.
Still, Hikari knew she must tread cautiously. In regards to the value of covering all bases when planning a strategy, she perfectly agreed with Tenpou.
So the Seishin princess bit her lower lip and wore a look of reservation. "Chichi-ou-sama did tell me of your offer. As flattering as it is, has Kanzeon-sama considered my noble father's reaction?"
Although Hikari apprehended the wisdom of the advice to first have a better grasp of Tentei's court, she was not oblivious of her parent's underlying motives. It was a delaying tactic, made in hopes of detracting her from making any commitments outside of Seishin no Goten. In fact, the Seishin Okimi had been very upfront of his reluctance for her to accept the bodhisattva's invitation.
She needed to know how much support she could garner in her endeavour to go against the wishes of her family.
"You don't have to worry about your father," Kanzeon said, smiling in the way of furtive shadows and hidden schemes. "But I think you'll appreciate the breathing space, won't you, Hikari-chan?"
The Seishin princess was thrilled with the bodhisattva's guarantee. However, she did not miss the abrupt twist in conversation subject. The silver-eyed noble thought it wiser to sidestep the curveball and ultilise the diplomatic tack. Besides, her next inquiry could be interpreted as rather forward. "Kanzeon-sama, you have the respect of my Chichi-ou-sama and undeniably, you are esteemed as a pillar of our Realm –"
"Oh, cut the chase, Hikari-chan!" The hermaphrodite deity snorted unapologetically, "One can only stand hearing the same praises repeated for so long before growing bored. So spit it out straight." Kanzeon smirked, enjoying the nonplussed expression on the Seishin princess's face. She waited to see how the latter would further react.
It suddenly struck Hikari that Kanzeon Bosatsu's personality might be way craftier than she assumed. Feeling the undercurrent of expectation despite the blasé mannerism, a suspicion arose unbidden if the senior aristocrat had ordered for them to be left alone for privacy's sake or so she could be divested of all support… and evaluated.
The idea left the Seishin princess on the edge.
But whatever the case: in for a penny, in for pound.
"Fine, I will be frank in my speech," the younger noble squared her shoulders. "Why would Your Eminence want me here? All my brothers are equally, if not more than able to take up this position if you merely want someone from the Seishin House. If your objective is to gain another employee, I'm sure there's a queue waiting for placement in your administration."
Hikari did not know if she should feel assured or apprehensive when the smile of the goddess of mercy grew even wider. The latter certainly looked pleased – like a satisfied cat, really – but the Seishin aristocrat was at loss to the reason.
"Because I like it…" Kanzeon answered calmly but almost coy. "Isn't it enough?"
Despite the facetious reply, astoundingly, it felt genuine. The dichotomy was disconcerting to Hikari, who studied her hostess speculatively.
It had never crossed her mind that the famed goddess of mercy was fooling around. Mercurial as the latter's behaviour could come across, there was still a quality embedded in her bearing that was altogether canny and undeniably… ancient. Indeed, one was consistently reminded that Kanzeon Bosatsu represented one-fifth the foundational tenets of their entire Realm Above.
Nonetheless, partially through inspiration and to defy that sense of being left floundering, Hikari blurted out, "Then I can only suspect that Your Eminence is hiding things from me."
Once again, Kanzeon broke out into gaffaws. "I like you more and more, Hikari-chan!" she cried, to her companion's bafflement.
The Seishin princess stared, deadpanned, as she struggled over the urge to either shoot a snippy retort or glossed over the cryptic statement.
Testament to her improved savvy, prudence won; she had a bigger picture in mind after all.
"But I've decided to accept your generous offer," Hikari's voice was wary when she finally spoke. "I'm grateful for the favour bestowed."
Kanzeon arched a brow as she laid an elbow on the table and languidly rested her chin against a knuckle. "Oh no, Hikari-chan! It's me who's grateful for the fun…" she corrected the Nana-hime.
The other aristocrat blinked blankly, brains short-circuiting in her attempt to make sense of the incomprehensible.
"Won't Konzen be so excited!" the hermaphrodite went on to trill.
And the Seishin princess resolutely kept her mouth shut.
Kenren could not quite understanding the strain of discomfort he detected in Tenpou's recount of his visit to his uppity friend, the Konzen Douji – a guise, really, in order to check out the latest heretical being allowed to run amok in the Realm Above – not even when the long-haired man confessed his ambivalence over the possibility of a friendship between the two golden-eyed kids. That was, until his companions remarked, in an unsuccessfully offhanded manner, that he had seen Hikari at the Purple Bamboo Palace.
"The lil'princess still pissed, right?" he guessed shrewdly, snickering away as he took in the other man's unamused expression.
"We should be wondering what she's up to there," Tenpou continued stiffly, as if he had not heard the general.
Kenren managed to quiet down, though his mouth was stretched in a lop-sided smirk. The comedy between the marshal and the Seishin princess was certainly convoluted, full of mis-guesses and misunderstandings. It seemed there was always new impetus for both of them to run around each other, the latest being Tenpou's discovery of his hand in the first ever time he covered up for Hikari's rashness.
Of course there were still some missing pieces to the whole story, which only the ex-attaché could fill in, if she would get over her latest spell of fury. But he would not classify that as top priority, now that the most prominent snag between her and the marshal has been untangled and there were far more dangerous elements skulking about needing them to take heed of.
The lanky general leaned back against the sofa, tucking his hands beneath his head. "I wouldn't worry. Hikari's smart enough to know when she'll have to contact us." He gave the other man, a marshal but at the same time, his adjutant a heavy-lidded and meaningful look, contemplating how much the Seishin princess was kept abreast of their circumstances after she was discharged from the military. Tenpou mentioned that he never did get to inform the other girl during their clandestine meet-up about the various changes done to the Western Army, or that he had volunteered to be demoted to appease the Tentei(6).
Well, it did not help that Hikari had subsequently lost the mood to hang around longer and find out…
Kenren's thoughts returned to the current subject. "I'm more leery of Li Touten's about-turn in regards to havin'… 'Goku', is it? – chucked under Kanzeon Bosatsu's nose."
Tenpou smiled thinly. Within the two weeks, he had been assisting Goujun fend off arguments of why it was more advantageous to assign Goku to Li Touten's charge, after rejecting initial calls for the boy's elimination.
"Needless to say, his mysterious partners have other ideas," the marshal-cum-adjutant replied sardonically. "Kanzeon Bosatsu is a strong enough deterrence, I supposed. At least, we've secured a buffer of sort."
Then the demeanour of the green-eyed officer grew less severe as he transited to more pleasant topic. "You should meet Goku," he told his friend, "He's adorable. I'm sure the two of you'd be able to relate to each other fabulously. Then we wouldn't have to worry around him not able to find friends his age!"
Kenren merely grunted. He decided he could be the bigger man and ignored the less than subtle dig. Hah! As if the brainiac was a fine one to talk!
Without a doubt, Jiroushin's loyalty was with the bodhisattva. Naturally, he wished her the best in all her endeavours. However, even he would feel a measure of alarm whenever his superior was emanating an exceptional amount of smug self-satisfaction.
It usually meant some unfortunate soul out there had been marked for some cruel and unusual doom.
"Send the scroll straight to Seishin no Goten and the letter to its delegate residence," Kanzeon held out both objects to her assistant. After the Seishin princess left, the first thing she did was settled down at her office table and started scribbling away. She was positively beaming. "We'll be expecting Hikari-chan to join us with immediate effect. Wonderful, isn't it?"
Jiroushin wore a longsuffering look as he received the documents from the goddess of mercy. He supposed they were the official transcripts formalising the Seishin princess's tenure with the administration at Shichiku no Miya. The attendant was not surprised his superior had gotten her way… again. In fact, he was half expecting such a result after he had been deliberately shooed off with the Nana-hime's aide during the visit.
"It seemed Hikari-sama bumped into the heretic child on her way to meet you," he commented, sharing what he thought would be of interest to the hermaphrodite. "That child was with Tenpou Gensui and he introduced himself as 'Goku', saying Konzen-sama named him."
Kanzeon was not one who was easily caught unaware, but there was no other way to describe the widening of her eyes and slackening of her facial features. "Konzen named the chibi 'Goku'? she echoed, almost breathlessly, as she stared at her assistant. This little tidbit, out of all the details in the anecdote, stood out to her.
The grey-haired man could understand the bodhisattva's reaction. Such a personal touch was rather unlike her nephew.
"'Go'-'ku': to understand that which one cannot see…" Kanzeon mused aloud as she sat back on her chair. "Not bad. Konzen certainly has his lyrical and profound moments."
"From Kourin-san's account, it seems Hikari-sama has taken a liking to Goku," Jiroushin continued warmly, himself taking a shine to the Seishin aristocrat's apparent good nature. But he noticed the feverish glint of Kanzeon's eyes and instantly blanched. His internal alarm set itself on high alert and started blaring as it honed in on an incoming maniac-attack.
"Just imagine Konzen and Hikari-chan taking care of the chibi together – like a young family! How delightful!"
"…"
"O-Hoho! Spring has finally come!"
Footnotes:
(1) Genshou has a repeat vision of the nightmare he had during the day the First Squadron had their game against Nataku and his men. Refer to Chapter 20, Sideline III: Infectious.
(2) As to what could have triggered a repeat of the dream, this chapter hints that the meeting between Goku and Nataku was the answer. Hikari visited Shichiku no Miya the day after Genshou had his vision and Tenpou helpfully clued her in that the two heretics met "yesterday".
(3) A reminder of the birth order of the Seishin no Goten princes: Yuu the eldest, Mamoru the second, Kouki the third, Shou the fourth, Noboru the fifth and Yoshi the sixth. Yuu is current the delegate. Kouki, Shou and Yoshi ares being ordered to return back home.
(4) Details are now given for what happened immediately after Hikari was knocked unconscious from the blow Enrai Taishou gave her in Chapter 4, Entry 2: Taken to Task. Basically, from that point (the first day of Hikari's arrival in the Western Army), Tenpou had always been helping her hide her identity while balancing it with military discipline.
(5) Hikari is paraphrasing from Proverb 13:12 of the bible, which says 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life' (New International Version). As for why reference to a non-Asian text is made for a Saiyuki fanfic… well, the anachronistic and cross-cultural quality of Saiyuki enables this suspension of disbelief, I say.
(6) Tenpou's voluntary demotion is a consequence of his interference with the attempt to disband the First Squadron. Refer to Chapter 21, Entry 14: A Different Angle. Perhaps greater details to how it happened will be covered in the future.
From Lady Rurouni:
This chapter took me a long, long time to cough out for several reasons. Firstly, I am at a crossroad as to how to proceed plot-wise. With the appearance of Goku, the mention of the up-coming Tentei's birthday, readers familiar with the canon would know we are coming to a crucial high point in the Saiyuki Gaiden series.
Indeed, I am having difficulties integrating my OC plot into the canon, for one of my aims is to create a parallel plot without disturbing the original timeline and chain of events. I sat down and re-drew my storyboard! I already know how I want to end this fanfiction. My problem is figuring out how to get there without hiccups and awkward development.
Another reason why I took so long with my latest chapter is due to my other commitments in my life. Sigh… Life is not so luxurious to allow me the time to do nothing but indulge in writing!
Lastly, the struggle to persist in continuing this fic to the end, despite a seeming lack of reader interest and responses is making itself felt again. It is with a sense of relief that I end this chapter and with a groan of weariness that I began on the next.
The situation is so bad, when I discovered I have one single review after several chapters have been posted and months after the last chapter put up, I was actually taken back. I have actually trained myself not to expect to receive any response, so much so that when I do receive one, it is shocking.
Is this is a sign of a healthy, enthusiastic writer? Hehheh… Regardless, I trudge on.