Again...
A story will be retold once more.
Over and over, with the same beginning each time.
But therein lies an ending with many possible outcomes.
Come and see what could have been.
In the Throne Room
Sitting in the throne room, surrounded by statesmen and advisors clamoring for the death of the accused seishi, Hotohori sighed. The decision was one that would weigh heavily upon him, but there was no other choice. Was there?
"Tasuki has been scheduled to hang in the morning hours. We will inform Miaka-sama ourself." He dismissed his staff with the wave of one elegant hand. "We shall decide how to proceed after the hanging."
Chichiri stepped into the room just as Hotohori announced the death sentence of his bandit friend. His words were like a blade that fell and cleaved him in two. He staggered a bit and caught himself by leaning against the wall.
"Saihitei-sama, I'm sorry to intrude, but may I speak with you privately whenever you've finished here, no da?"
Hotohori nodded tiredly. "Of course, Houjun." He gestured for his brother seishi to come over once the statesmen had started to leave. "We can speak in my office. This way."
Getting to his feet, he stepped down from the dais and led the way to the small door off of the throne room. He walked around to sit behind his desk, then Hotohori offered Chichiri a chair and waited patiently for the man to speak.
Chichiri was glad to accept a place to sit. Though he was exhausted, his body felt jittery. He was almost afraid to ask, but knowledge was power and without it he would be lost in this strange new situation.
"I fell unconscious once all of you left, no da. Mitsukake and Kaen-san couldn't tell me anything about the attack, no da. Can you fill me in, no da?"
Hotohori sighed and leaned an elbow on the desk, fingers cradling his brow. "Demons attacked and murdered a lot of people. Tamahome's brother and sister were among the ones murdered, as well as the suspected Seiryuu seishi, Ji-hime. We also lost Nuriko to them."
It all sounded so bland when said that way. None of the horror seemed to fit into that short explanation. It seemed so... so much like something that had happened to someone else instead of in his own palace.
Beneath his mask, the color washed away from Chichiri's face and sunk down through his legs into the floor. "Nuriko... killed? And Tamahome-kun's..." He trailed off. Both of them knew that all of the people close to the kind-hearted blue-haired seishi had been lost in the attack. But then... what did Tasuki have to do with it? The monk stared quietly at the floor, allowing himself and the Emperor a moment of silent contemplation. He brought his head up slowly and peered straight back at his leader, his advisee, his friend, his brother. "Then... what was that about Tasuki-kun, no da?"
Raising tired and betrayed eyes to the monk, Hotohori leaned back from the desk and stood. "Tasuki has turned out to be the master of the beasts. They had been heard chanting 'master' and seen bowing at his feet by several people. My advisors insist that his death will appease the people."
"That's impossible!" Chichiri shouted as he rose from his chair. Once he was on his feet, a sharp pain in his side as if he was being pierced by the sword anew forced him to sit back down. "Tasuki-kun couldn't have done something like this, no da. You don't believe it, do you, Hotohori-sama, no da?"
Hotohori turned to the window that overlooked a small, private garden. "I have no choice but to believe it. He offered no struggle when the guards took him and has yet to request a stay of execution. Those are not the actions of an innocent man."
It felt wrong, but he was an Emperor; he was bound by duty to do the right thing by his people. And his people screamed for the blood of the red haired bandit. "You are free to offer him a prayer. Perhaps his soul can be redeemed before the hangman's noose encircles his neck."
It wasn't possible. There was just no way. The excited smile on Tasuki's face when he bought those dolls for Yuiren-chan and the pride he exuded when he said he'd teach Chuei-kun to fight... That couldn't be a lie. Chichiri's mind raced through the possibilities, and they seemed nearly endless. Suddenly, his face lit up.
"The Shogun, no da!" He may have been grasping at straws, but hell if he'd let go yet. "Kutou has been looking for an excuse to attack us for years, no da. Couldn't Tasuki-kun have been framed, no da?"
"Possible, but the Shogun was protecting Miaka from the creatures. Had he been the one controlling them, she would have been dead to ensure we would be unable to summon Suzaku. The Shogun has departed to give us time to recuperate from the attack and to ask his Emperor for more time before resuming the peace talks. Or so he claims." Turning back to Chichiri, Hotohori offered a pained smile. "I understand your desire to find a reason to exonerate him, but I fear that he shall hang at dawn no matter what we personally think."
His fist was clenching as Hotohori's words sunk needles into his chest. "So... you think he did it, no da. You think your brother-seishi who fought side by side with you, who cares about Miaka-sama, Yuiren-chan, and Chuei-kun so much... You think he's been deceiving us, all this time, no da?" His words were low, but they escalated slowly, like a rattlesnake rising before it strikes.
Hotohori shook his head. "No, I believe in the bandit but there is the matter of his refusal to deny any of it. Tasuki seems like a kind hearted individual. Someone chosen by Suzaku could not do something like this... but he hasn't offered even a token resistance. I feel that his only crime is refusing to defend himself, but the people have taken his lack of protest as an admission of guilt. I am a servant to the people; I must heed their cries for vengeance."
Chichiri's hand relaxed and his tone became gentler. Hotohori didn't believe it after all. "He's a scapegoat, no da."
"To you and I? Yes, he is. To the people, he is a murderer." Hotohori collapsed back into his chair. "If there were a way to redeem him or get him out of here, I would accept that and be grateful, but if he is believed to be alive the people of this country would hunt him down and lynch him to protect themselves. Our hands are tied in this matter, Houjun."
"Hotohori-sama's hands might be tied..." Chichiri said as he stood carefully, "But mine are still free, no da." He gave his Emperor a slight smile. "I'm going to Mount Taikyoku to seek answers, no da. I'd like to take some of the others with me. Will that be a problem, no da?" The monk's words seemed innocent enough, but he hoped that Hotohori would catch their hidden meaning.
Sharing a shrewd gaze with his long-time friend, Hotohori prodded further. "The others that will be going along with you, you will find a way to explain away their absence, won't you? I fear that anyone gone missing would be searched for, what with all the chaos here. Take whomever you see fit, just be sure to leave a note as to their whereabouts." A small, grateful smile curved his lips and he gestured to the door. "Thank you for coming and speaking with Us, Houjun-san. I do hope that your trip to the holy mountain is peaceful and that you find the answers you seek."
"Of course, no da," Chichiri said as he shared in the Emperor's smile. "I will bring back news for you too, Hotohori-sama." Hunched over, the monk made his way for the door. He gripped the doorjamb and looked back over his shoulder. "Hotohori-sama, if you like, you can just call me Chichiri, no da." With that, he left the room to be greeted by Kaen waiting outside for him.
The things that one hears while sneaking through places one should not probably go are important parts of a young man's life. Luckily for Ou, he and the old scholar had gone through the harem without incident when fleeing. The old man had decided he wanted to go back through, now that the place was populated. He demonstrated several hiding spots, looking places, and spoke somewhat philosophically of his youth. All of this, while Ou nodded and understood, wouldn't make sense to him for a few more years. When it did, though, he would be eternally grateful to the old man for telling him about a lot of things before he needed to know them.
All of this meandering about, far from being a plot device to allow characters to appear and disappear at will, also resulted in much of the conversation between Hojoun and the Emperor being overheard, to which the old scholar mused something about needing reinforcement. In any case, not too soon after the monk left, the old scholar decided to sweep in, dragging Ou along with him.
"Saihitei, Eminence, the law permits you to execute and spare people at your whim. What prevents you from doing this now?" Ou visibly whitened at the mention of the Emperor's name, and wondered whether he was going to have to dodge things trying to kill him for a second time.
The Emperor seethed. This intrusion suggested others may have heard the words he spoke and could be bringing them to Miaka, whose heart would surely break under their weight.
This old advisor was wise but his words questioned the power of his Emperor. Never the less, Hotohori kept a calm expression and nodded, as if considering them.
"Surely you don't suggest that the Son of Heaven is in error? Even if my brother, Tasuki, is innocent, the people need to be secure in the knowledge that someone was punished for this crime. They are calling for his head and despite what I feel in my heart, I would like to keep the favor of my people."
He couldn't hold back a sad expression, thinking of the easier and carefree times he'd been experiencing not so long ago. Konan was truly on the verge of collapse but he had to hold on to control long enough to restore peace to his people.
Given an opening, the old scholar smiled. Ou, however, was thinking. What was old practice to the scholar was a new situation to Ou, and thus there would be lots of thinking and learning.
The old scholar nodded. "Your confidence is kept, Saihitei. The only people who could hear you would sooner lose their heads than tell your enemies, or would be guaranteed to lose them before they told their enemies." The old man smiled in a very predatory way. "When addressing His Majesty, young scholar, you should always keep your gaze on his eyes. They will tell you more about his words than anything. Despite what you may hear about them, they will not destroy you by looking at them." Ou was not convinced at this particular point, and thus continued to appear to study the intricate designs of the Emperor's throne.
"Regarding the matter of punishment, surely your Majesty has enemies that are more convenient to punish, even to execute, than one who accompanied you to the summoning chamber? The accounts are many and fragmented, and descriptions are varied."
Ou shook his head. "That won't work," he said quietly. To his credit, and his intense panic, the old scholar heard him.
"No? What would you say then, young scholar?" The old scholar gave the Emperor a wink, signaling his intent.
"That-that the summoning chamber was defiled by someone who served another god. That someone from Seiryuu sent those beasts to interrupt the summoning."
"Very good, young scholar, but lacking. How does that shift the blame away? Can you produce someone else to take the blame? People saw the creatures bow to their master."
"M-maybe he was possessed? Maybe it was a shape changer?"
"Getting there, young scholar, but do you expect that the people will be quiet if there are shape changers about?"
"N-no. I suppose not." Deflated, Ou returned to his thinking, embarrassed.
"The people's cry for blood could be assuaged if you could find someone else, after a quick investigation. The Shogun of Kutou retreats in haste after this. His suspicion is great. You could turn their rage outward."
"That's horrible. You would send people out to attack other people, who might not even be responsible." Ou tried to speak even more quietly, but the old scholar's hearing was excellent.
"If you're going to venture an opinion, young scholar, be ready to have it questioned. What is your alternative?"
"To find out what really happened."
"Noble, and admirable, but how are you going to keep the people from rioting while they wait and worry? Sending them to war will let them burn their rage on someone else." Without an answer, and now both frustrated and embarrassed, Ou returned to his throne studies.
"Think about it, Majesty. Kutou is at our borders, pressing in. Then this happens, and their detachment flees. We may be on the brink of an invasion. Getting the people ready for war may save their lives, and it might save the life of the bandit as well."
"An obvious conclusion, to blame our existing enemy. You would have me start a war?" Hotohori shook his head at the old man, but some part of him knew this was all for Ou's benefit. He wasn't really arguing with The Emperor but training the young one.
"War must be avoided at all costs. A man can be exonerated of crimes posthumous if he must and I can offer Tasuki honor after death if the truth is discovered. If the bandit is released or pardoned, what then? The people riot. A war with such unstable situations is undesirable as well. No, the people have spoken."
With a sly smile he looked to Ou. "The truth is admirable but unfortunately sometimes time stands against you. Continue looking for the truth, always. Eavesdropping is dangerous if you don't understand what you've heard."
Would the child realize that perhaps Tasuki might be saved?
"At all costs? Highness, impossible. Master Sun would certainly disapprove. And giving someone a pardon after their death is small comfort. Killing an innocent man would certainly reflect poorly on the Son of Heaven. A riot would not look particularly good, either. So, young scholar, between the choice of the death of an innocent and the death of many innocents, which would you choose?"
"Not to kill. If it can be done with nobody dying, then do it that way."
"And how would you accomplish such a thing, young scholar? The Son of Heaven says that a man is to die so that many more people do not die. How do you resolve that conflict so that none die?"
"You don't kill the man."
"Then the people riot."
The gears finally started turning in Ou's head. "So you do kill him without killing him, then."
"You are of two faces, young scholar. Explain yourself."
Ou turned to the Emperor and looked him in the eye. "How hard is it to rig a hanging so that it looks like someone dies, but they don't?"
The Emperor chuckled a little. The boy was intelligent but he was treading on dangerous ground. Chichiri's plan would only work if people believed Tasuki to be dead. Anyone, even fellow seishi, who believed he was alive could jeopardize their ability to pull this off.
"Incredibly hard, I'm afraid. If the execution were to be private, something could be done to save his life by faking death. A hanging, however, is very public. All the court ministers will be there."
He sighed heavily. The decision to end Tasuki's life was an unfortunate one, but he trusted Chichiri would take care of things until they could prove it was not Tasuki's fault.
"Your time would be best spent finding out who the real criminal was behind the attacks. You spoke of the summoning chamber becoming defiled. I think, perhaps, you may be correct. This requires more investigation. Ou, if you wish, I would like to see you look into this for me. The grounds for the temple are mostly ruins and ash now, but you may be able to look beyond that."
He hoped that the boy would take advantage of this honor and leave the mystery of Tasuki's safety to him.
Ou took the brush-off and redirection with as much good humor as someone would who felt like there was something that wasn't being told to him. None of that actually appeared on his face, and he bowed to the Emperor and said "Very well, Your Majesty."
The older scholar smiled, and said "You remember the way, right?" For once in his lifetime, Ou nodded. He did remember the way. "Good. I suggest you start your investigation immediately. There are some logistics that must be discussed before I return to the library, but that is where we old scholars go after our time is finished."
Ou left the chambers and went on his way, a determined look on his face.
"A little more coaching, Excellency, and a little more tempering, and that boy's mind will be the sharpest steel you can wield. Once the results are officially announced, I want you to keep him here. That boy will be your best advisor, and, heaven willing, will give even better advice to your sons. One thing I will tell you, though, before I go. This country will be at war soon. You should prepare your people."
Hotohori smiled at the wise old man and nodded.
"The boy is very bright. He will be useful in my cabinet when he grows older. His clever ideas will prove invaluable."
He gave the man a nod, allowing him to leave, and then exited the room himself. He was exhausted and extremely unhappy with the uncertainty of Tasuki's future. He trusted Chichiri to do something to protect the bandit and make the execution look real. For now, he had to wait until tomorrow.
After slowly dragging her way back to her room and getting ready for sleep, Miaka sat in the dark by herself for hours. She was wondering what would happen with Tasuki and what to do if he did die. She couldn't stomach the thought and found herself pacing nervously.
There was a tap at her door and she ran to it, throwing the sliding doors open and hoping to see Tasuki. Instead, a young maid was at her door.
"Oh... hello," she said, awkwardly.
"I don't mean to bother you, Priestess, but I've heard that a decision was made regarding the one they call Tasuki. He is to be hung tomorrow morning. I thought you would want to know."
All Miaka could hear was the echoing sound of the word 'hung' in her head.
"That can't be right." She shook her head in disbelief. "I think you've misheard."
The maid kowtowed before her apologetically. She offered Miaka a glass of water and helped her back to her room. In her daze, Miaka drank the water without knowing why. Her mind and eyes were hazy and before long she'd fallen asleep.
The maid tucked her in and exited the room, softly. She had lost a lover in the same way Miaka was about to and had taken it upon herself to slip Miaka a sedative so that she might not have to witness the death of the one she loved. A favor, perhaps, but only the morning would decide.
Not long after, Chichiri appeared in Miaka's room to find her sleeping peacefully upon her bed. Had she known Tasuki was to be hanged in the morning? If she had, she couldn't have slept through it like this. He laid his hand on her forehead gently, and when he felt no moisture or heat, he nodded to himself.
He could take Miaka with him to Mount Taikyoku. That wasn't a problem. But if Hotohori or anyone else came looking for her...
He procured a piece of paper and a quill kept upon the desk in Miaka's room and started to write.
"Dear Saihitei-sama,
I am going on a short trip to mourn the loss of my beloved. Please do not try to follow me. I will return soon. Thank you for all of your kindness.
Miaka"
He drew in a little chibi Miaka with a heart over her head, and then replaced the quill in the inkwell. He made his way back over to Miaka's bedside.
Carefully, he lifted her up into his arms, and with a poof of smoke, they were both gone.