The Shadow's Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat or Ashita no Ousama nor do I own any of the characters from either original story.

Chapter 25 – Flashback

Author's note: The first half of this is rather fantastical, while the second half touches on mature subjects. Although it may seem like an odd chapter, please accept it for what it is. Everything has its purpose.

Yumi allowed the two ladies to use the morning to say good-bye to their men, and changed the schedule for a mid-morning start for all three ladies. Kanae had filming today, but it was for an episode set mainly in the evening and night, so there were no worries there. Chiori would have to rush to her practice as soon as the workout was finished. That was fine, she didn't want to miss the workout. It was strange to them, but as difficult and painful as the training was at times, they felt horrible when they missed it. They were actually really happy when Yumi-sensei returned to Tokyo so that they could return to their routine.

Of course, they didn't feel exactly the same way two hours later, as the two girls limped away from the dojo floor. Kyoko remained. Now that they were back, it was time for her sword training to begin in-earnest. She waved goodbye to the other two, re-stretched to get her tight muscles to relax, and began her sword katas. When she was finished, she turned to face Yumi. "Is it really all right, me using this sword? Shouldn't I get something cheaper, less valuable? It seems like this should be hung on a shelf somewhere."

"A sword is a tool, a weapon, Kyoko, not a piece of art. It is true that the Egami Sword is a beautiful weapon, but it is only as good as its ability to perform its purpose. If you want to talk, then practice you strokes while you talk."

Kyoko began executing downward strokes. "It seems… sacrilegious… for someone like me… to be using… your family sword."

"Someone like you? You are my chosen student. I am your sensei. I am Egami. I see no problems"

Kyoko switched to the backhand slash, "Yes, I'm your… student… but I'm not… Egami."

"Kyoko, do you still see spirits?"

Kyoko faltered and looked at Yumi, but Yumi motioned for her to continue. Kyoko started her backhand upward slashes, "I do… occasionally… only… I guess… I don't know… I don't usually… talk about it… People… already… think I'm odd."

"Kyoko, secure the sword and have a seat while I tell you the fable of the first Egami."

Kyoko obeyed, reverently resting the sword in front of her. Yumi's eyes became distant, as if she were actually seeing the past rather than just telling the story. "Long, long ago, when Japan was split into many factions, there was a young man who had no family. He might have been an orphan, but neither he nor anyone else ever remembered seeing his parents. He was just there, though they didn't know where he came from. His name was Egami.

"Egami was… odd. People often saw him down by the water, or deep in the woods, or up in the hills, talking. Only, he wasn't just talking, he was having conversations. The only problem is, there wasn't ever anyone with him. He was talking to the air, or water, or trees, or maybe to the rocks.

"Everyone thought that he was crazy, but they allowed him to stay in the village because of his many talents. Everything that Egami set his mind to do, he could do. He fished, and hunted, and tamed hawks, and raised plants, and played music, and cooked, … the list goes on, and the list grew ever greater.

"Now, the area he was in was far from the main thoroughfares, and the people were essentially isolated from all of the events of the world. They heard of great battles, and famine, and plagues, and intrigues; but these never impacted them. But one day, while Egami was down by the water, a horseman wearing armor rode into the village. He unrolled a scroll and began to read, declaring that the land they were on now belonged to a great warlord, and therefore if they wished to remain on the land, they must become the shogun's servants. The man then demanded that a full thirty percent of their crop must be sent to the warlord's castle. "The people didn't know what to do. Nobody had ever travelled so far, and they had no wish to travel now. So they said, "Let Egami go. He is already so strange that something like this will have no effect."

Egami agreed to go, but while he was washing up, the water people warned him that he was going into great danger. They showed him a dance, and told him to use that dance if he was ever attacked. Egami practiced the dance all day. The villagers saw him and laughed, but they already knew he was crazy, so they ignored him.

Then Egami went into the forest to gather wood for a fire, the tree people also warned him of danger. They gave him a long stick and they also taught him a dance. All of the next day he used the long stick and practiced this dance. The villagers saw him, and then shook their heads and ignored him.

Egami went to the mountains to gather herbs for cooking and medicine, and the rock people spoke to him. They too warned him of danger, but they taught him something different. "We are seen, but not seen, Egami. We are invisible, because we are each much the same as those around us. We are invisible because we do not move when people look at us. You must learn this skill, if you hope to survive. Egami listened to their words and practiced their lessons. The villagers looked upon the mountain where Egami had wandered, but they did not see him. They shook their heads and ignored what they could not see.

And then it was time for the journey. It was a long trip that would take many days. While Egami drove the oxen who pulled the wagons, the wind people talked to him. They told him of great dangers, of powerful intrigues, and terrible plots. "You must move as silently as we do, Egami; we will teach you. And when you arrive, you must choose one among many who you believe is worthy. That one you must attach yourself to. You will use all that the spirit people have taught you so that you may fulfill your role."

For the remainder of the journey, Egami practiced all that he had been taught, until he could flow like water, sway like a tree, become invisible like a rock, and move as effortlessly as the wind. When he arrived at the warlord's capitol, he delivered the goods from his village. Then, instead of returning to the village, he looked for a worthy man. The Master of Grain was a greedy man. The Master of the Herd was uncouth. The Master of Wine was a drunkard. The Master of Charities was a thief. But Egami watched the Master of the Guard, and he was surprised to see that he was a good man. He was strict with his men, but he took care of them. He was cautious with supplicants, but he never extracted bribes. And he never asked his men to do anything that he himself would not do.

Egami approached him and said, "I am now your faithful servant, sir." The man laughed, but he was not rude or unkind. Egami continued to follow the man, making himself useful, until he was accepted. When the man gave in, he began calling Egami "Hitokage," the shadow.

Then one day another Warlord attacked unexpectedly. The warlord of the castle was not prepared to fight, and the attackers quickly gained the upper hand. Finally there were only the Master of the Guard, his men, and Egami remaining. One-by-one the guards fell, but with Egami fighting by his side, the Master remained standing. Finally, the attacking warlord called a halt to the battle. He couldn't understand why there was still fighting in one area when he was victorious everywhere else. When his men pulled away all of the bodies, he beheld only two men standing.

The warlord was so impressed that he adopted the young Master of the Guard immediately. The young man thanked the Warlord, but he said that his life was only spared because of the faithfulness of his shadow. From then on, Egami was named Egami Hitokage.

You see, Kyoko, it is not about whether or not you have the blood of the Egami. It is whether or not you use every talent that you have been given to the fullest. The first Egami had no family, but he became a great man. Now, pick up the sword and I will teach you water, tree, rock, and wind."

Nineteen years ago, in Kyoto

Mogami Saena checked herself in the mirror again. She put on her most seductive smile, and then her innocent, beguiling look, and finally her adoring, loving expression… Yes... that will do.

She had been working on Etsuko Ichisake for months now, and it was time to move in for the kill. Ichisake was only a prefectural councilman, but he was the oldest son of a wealthy family… so he would make a fine catch. She smoothed her dress, grabbed her little purse, and waited for the doorbell. When he rang it, she waited one minute, and then walked slowly to answer it. It's better to keep them waiting… it lets them know who is in charge.

Four hours later, she slammed the door and kicked the slippers he had left behind. Saena wasn't used to failure. She had fully expected to close the deal before the night was over. But Etsuko had calmly explained that a marriage between them was impossible… and that he couldn't see why their current relationship couldn't remain as it was. "My parents will never approve," were his words. Saena kicked the end-table in disgust, and immediately regretted it as she fell into the chair and held her throbbing toe. Well, we'll just see about that, Mr. Representative! If you won't marry me, then maybe a little scandal will do the trick.

She headed to the shower to clean up before she went on the prowl again.

Hitokage… The Shadow… seemed like a cheesy name for a band, but the lead singer/guitarist was definitely eye-candy. His long hair and rippling chest and arm muscles were part of the attraction, but it was his golden-colored eyes that caught Saena's attention. If she had to pick someone to sleep with, it might as well be somebody beautiful. She made sure that she was seated where her long, shapely legs and slender figure would catch his eye.

It worked. Between sets he made a slightly staggering beeline for her table. Sure, he was a little drunk… but that was better still. He probably won't even remember the fake name I give him… oh well, this might be fun anyway. Before he left for the next set, they had arranged to go out after he was done for the night. Men are so easy.

It was a month before she knew for certain. As she looked at the little tester once again, she smiled. Etsuko Ichisake would was so arrogant that he would never even consider that she might have gotten pregnant from another man… who could possibly want to cheat on him? So you won't marry me, huh? Well, there's more than one way to get your money. Maybe I'll have you set me up in a store… I've always liked clothing.

The band Hitokage continued on their tour. As Saena had predicted, Katsukage had only the vaguest recollection of spending the night with the beautiful woman with the soulless eyes. She was one of many, and he was usually too drunk or stoned to remember… she must have been very beautiful, or he wouldn't have remembered her at all.

His life was an endless string of concerts, one-night stands, and fights. He didn't ever actually intend to fight, but men would get angry when their girls would flirt with him, and they almost always wanted to prove their manhood. He obliged them, and he always won, of course. He had been trained in one of the most grueling arts since he was old enough to walk. It was a combination of many arts, and only the members of his own family were any match for him.

My family… huh… my curse. "You are a member of a long, proud line of warriors, a special breed with an honorable tradition!" That's what father always said. Why can't you understand, father? Why can't I have a different dream?

But the shame of running away haunted him and stole his peace. He couldn't live his dream because he couldn't shake off the idea that he had done something unmanly, something detestable. The alcohol didn't help, and neither did the drugs. They only gave him temporary relief; then again, temporary relief was better than none at all, right? But the problem was that he was losing hours, and sometimes even entire days. He moved from place to place, pleasing the crowds, meeting women, getting in fights and waking up in jail. Even if he wanted to go back home now, how could he?

Two years later, the Takaradas and the Swans were enjoying a night on the town. Luke and Yumi had been living in Wyoming for two years, but they still made the occasional trip back to Japan. The couples had met through Hizuri Kuu and Julie, and they had formed an instant friendship. Jun thought that "Tink" was the most fascinating little woman that she had ever met, and Yumi felt similarly about Jun. Luke might have found the other couple's inclination for cosplay a bit odd, but the two men still seemed kindred.

They had just finished enjoying a theater performance and a late-night dinner when they turned the corner and came upon a street fight. There were many such fights in this area, but this one was rather spectacular, because it was one against seven, and the one was winning. He was swaying as if he was drunk, and he was taking hits, but he was still winning. Everyone was so intent on the fight that they didn't hear Yumi's gasp. At one point the single man caught his foot on a manhole cover and stumbled backwards. The others were instantly on him, kicking and hitting.

Before Luke even realized that she had left his side, he saw Yumi in the midst of the battle. The attackers didn't know what to think, but she moved so quickly, and so effectively, that most of them never had a chance to defend themselves. Within less than two minutes, the men were either on the ground or running away. When Luke and the Takaradas ran up, Yumi was on the ground holding the head of the unconscious man. She looked up at Luke with tears in her eyes as she said, "It's my brother."

Lory called for his limo, and they took Katsukage back to the mansion. Yumi correctly guessed that her brother would disappear again if he woke to find his sister there. "We'll get him back on his feet, Tink," Jun had promised. She and Lory had helped many, many others to find their lives again, so Yumi nodded and left her brother in their able hands.

As handsome and beautiful as the Takarada couple were, beneath the surface they had souls of steel. Despite the fact that Katsukage could probably have defeated their entire household and run away, Jun stayed by his bedside, determined to dry him out. Lory was in and out, attending to his company, but the beautiful lady stayed close and imposed her iron will on Katsukage. The delirium tremens were horrific, but she stayed with him. At one point he had jerked so powerfully that his fist had impacted her jaw, but she had remained with him even with a swelling jaw and tears in her eyes.

It took two weeks before he finally started to find his feet again. He had hated the couple, cursed the couple, and threatened them; they had never once buckled under, despite what he later understood was a terrible strain. In the end, like a stray dog who has finally received a kind word, he was absolutely devoted to the Takaradas.

But his woes were not over. In the two weeks he had spent locked up, he had been anonymous. But once he had recovered, Takarada Lory informed him that there were multiple warrants out for his arrest. He had severely injured quite a few people in his drunken brawls. Now that he was recovered, he would have to face the judge. When the name of the judge was announced, the couple conferred and agreed that Jun would have to accompany him. The judge was a man who had hoped to win Jun's hand in marriage, so he had no love for Lory.

Katsukage would always remember the day that Jun had stood in front of the judge and begged for the chance to redeem him. She cited the couple's long history of success in turning lives around; and she also cited the ineffectiveness of the prison system to do anything similar. She worked the judge like a musical instrument that day, and he reluctantly agreed to stay the sentence, provided that Katsukage should cooperate. The judge spent ten minutes reading him the riot act before he finally wound down. "You have one chance, young man. You've fallen in daisies this time. And if you make the most of it, you may just end up having a good life. But if you end up in front of me again, I'll mount your head on my office wall. Do we understand each other?"

The Takaradas kept him on, giving him a chance to rest, and then talking to him about his possibilities. The world of music had lost its appeal to him… in fact, the world of entertainment had lost its appeal. But he did see one way in which he could be of service. The Takaradas went to too many places without proper protection. They needed a bodyguard, somebody to keep an eye on things, and someone to keep them safe. Without ever reaching any formal agreement, Katsukage shed his name forever and became Sebastian*, the butler, chauffeur, gentleman's gentleman, and head of security.

Yumi held off visiting for another two years, until she was confident that her brother was firmly entrenched. The Takaradas agreed to keep their silence, believing, as Yumi did, that time would heal the wounds and make a reunion possible. She came by herself and rented a car so that he wouldn't need to pick her up at the airport. But he was there, at the front entrance, waiting for her when she arrived.

Sebastian had done more than just become the family's bodyguard. He had used all of his early training to build a dossier on each person who came in contact with the Takaradas. To do this, he had asked many questions to those who were closest to the family. It was Jelly Wood who told him about the Swans. "Surely you remember them? Luke Swan is the one who carried you in on the first night. Yumi is the coolest person. She's only 4'10'', but she's a martial artist, and she can probably beat anyone you send after her."

Yumi had run though a thousand scenarios in her mind, but nothing had prepared her to find him actually waiting for her. Before she could speak, her brother fell on his knees before her, held her legs, and cried. "I'm sorry, Onee-san. I'm sorry for everything."

"What's everything, Katsu? I've lived a good life. I have a wonderful husband. How have you hurt me?"

"I made you take on the burden for our family. I disgraced myself and made myself unworthy. I dishonored father, and I will never be able to tell him that I'm sorry."

"Father knew, brother. He knew that he should have listened to you. He knew that he pushed you too far. He knew that I would find you. So stand up. The last time I saw you, you were a wreck. Let me see you now."

He stood, and she looked him over with pride and admiration. "You've become a very handsome man, Katsukage."

"Egami Katsukage is no longer. I am Sebastian, and that is who I will always be."

Yumi studied him, his posture, his eyes, and the set of his jaw. "Sebastian suits you. Does this mean that you will never return to the family?"

"It does. I'm afraid that I will leave that burden to you, Yumi. I owe a life-debt to the Takaradas, and this is where I belong now."

"Then that is the way it must be. There is only one thing more I require of you, brother."

Sebastian studied her, trying to decipher her requirement. "What is it?"

"The family needs child. My husband and I can't produce one, so the burden falls on you."

His shoulders slumped, and his face took on a look of deep sadness. "Then I am afraid that I have failed you and the family once again. My habits and addictions rendered me sterile… I can never father a child."

The present

Sebastian pulled the rental car up to the third hotel on his list. He was still working on discovering the true identity of Mogami Kyoko's father. As he stepped out, he looked up at the fancy structure. It looked familiar, and he wondered if he might have been here before. The rain was falling, so he walked quickly into the lobby. Once again, the place looked familiar. The staff was preparing for an event, so they had to four double-doors on one side of the lobby opened. Sebastian glanced inside and remembered why it all looked so familiar.

He turned to the lady at the front desk, "Excuse me, do you have an event planned for today?"

The middle-aged lady took one look at him, promptly straightened her uniform, and gave him a big smile, "Yes, sir. We have concerts here on most Fridays and Saturdays. This hotel is famous for our concert hall. Oh, but don't worry, the concert hall is sound-insulated and none of the rooms face towards it. You won't be disturbed."

He smile his professional smile, "Thank you for the information. Actually, the reason I'm here is because we're conducting an investigation of an event that happened around 19 years ago. Would you have records that far back?"

"Er… Yes, I believe we do. But perhaps I could help you? I worked at the hotel as a new employee back then."

"Impossible! You would have had to have been ten years old."

The lady blushed, "You flatter me, sir. No, I was a teenager. This is my family's hotel, so I have always kept my ear to the ground… in case there was trouble, of course."

"Amazing, well then, perhaps you could answer a few questions for my investigation."

"Are you a policeman, sir?"

"No, I'm part of a private agency, Hitokage Security." He handed her a very official looking card.

"That's funny."

"What, miss?"

"You were asking about an incident from nineteen years ago, and I immediately thought about a band that played here. They had the same name, Hitokage. I thought their lead singer was so dreamy. He had these cool golden colored eyes. But he drank too much, and he kept getting into fights. You should have seen him, sir. He fought a whole bunch, maybe ten guys, all at once," she giggled. "He was as drunk as a sailor, but he mowed down the whole bunch like they were made of rice paper."

"Did he stay here at the hotel?"

"No, Dad doesn't like the musicians staying here. He says that they're all drunks and trouble causers." She blushed, "Well, he did stay here one night. He had a date with him, a local lady who he met at the concert. I never liked her. I was a middle-schooler when she graduated, but I remember her. She never had time for the high school boys, but she latched onto that musician quick enough."

Sebastian realized he was holding his breath, so he made himself slowly exhale. "What was this local girl's name?"

"Saena. Mogami Saena," She shook her head sadly, "I never liked her. She still lives around here somewhere. Has a whole chain of clothing stores. Say, did you still want to look at our records?"

Sebastian worked hard to keep his voice steady, "Yes, I think that I had better do that. Perhaps we could start around the timeframe of the story you just told me?"

He changed his ticket to an earlier flight and boarded the airplane an hour later. There was no need for him to continue. He felt numb, exhilarated, terrified… What if we run a test and I find out that I'm wrong? What if I'm right? Who would want a father like me? It was a one-night stand I don't even remember, and I was a useless drunk.

Notes: A very long chapter, so I'll keep my notes short. I know it is an odd chapter, but please bear with it. It is necessary to the story.

*I just found out that the name Sebastian may have been given to him by Kyoko, before the Grateful Party when she was pretending to be an Ojou-sama. In other words, it may not be his real name. But for this story I intend to keep using it.