The Romance of the Seventh Star
Entry 1
Some clarification regarding my person is helpful, I should think, to begin relaying how my life became entangled with the Four. This would contextualise as well how each of them has made their impact on me.
As the signature closing the preface indicated, I am Hikari, the Nana-Hime of Seishin no Goten. In the event that this manuscript fell into the hands of one ignorant of the government in the celestial Realm, I will provide some brief information of and my connection to the aforementioned court.
The Realm Above is ruled by the Tentei, true. However, our Realm's duty over the management of the cosmos is unimaginably tremendous, with effective execution resulting in the establishment of a variety of offices. One of the outstanding responsibilities is the regulation of astronomy. Simple science would inform that the integrity of nature itself is related to the alignment of the astro-pathways and the state of the celestial bodies. The undertaking of this massive task requires a significant number of people and ultilises so specialised the skills and power that it became, in all but name, a society of its own. This is Seishin no Goten – Court of the Celestial Bodies.
Certainly, Tentei and his imperial court are sovereign; it is to his perpetual emblem that we uphold. However, Seishin no Goten gains enough distinction to stand as a subsidiary court: it is allowed to run as it sees fit while bowing to the needs and grace of the Tentei. We are distinguished from other celestial dwellers by our blue charka mark.
At the centre of the Seishin court is its ruler, the Seishin Okimi – overseer of the astronomical system and politically accorded the courtesy of a vassal lord. I shall not go into details the magicks that the Seishin Okimi wields in the facilitation of this duty. Suffice to say, it makes marvelous dynamics of existential power and science, a mystery concentrated in the person of the Seishin lord and flows through the blood of his family – the ruling clan that Seishin no Goten has evolved around to its current standing. The present Seishin Okimi, whose name is Genshou, is my father. He has six sons: princes and my older brothers. I am the only daughter, the youngest and Seventh Princess.
Due to my youth, I have been very much spared from the workings of my court, including the political functions in relation to Tentei's bureaucracy. Unlike my brothers, I was yet burdened with the cosmic responsibility of my father and clan. Even my sixth brother, in a short period prior to upheaval caused by the Four, has been gradually roped into the various assignments required for the wellbeing of the Realms. Perhaps, if events have not gone as they had, I too would have been given training in the same industry as well.
Admittedly, I have been much coddled. Being the youngest and the only princess, my family has always spoiled me in many ways. Beyond the detailed schooling expected of me as a member of the Seishin ruling house, my life is an idyllic eternity of amusement and willful gratification. I am very much allowed to do as I please. I wonder if you can imagine, with the immunity and resources my station affords me, exactly how much mischief can be accomplished. In conclusion, my playfulness has never suffered stifling and the history of my pranks can make a good-sized textbook. To give due credit, there would be occasional indignation (as well a good amount of scolding, actually) but generally, the familial love showered upon me more often than not treated my impishness with good humour. In fairness, kept within the secured walls of Seishin no Goten, my tricks have always been harmless – easily dealt with by the indulgent hand of my ruling family. In addition, I am certain I have never proved to be malicious; frivolous, yes, but certainly not mean. My kind brothers and parents – no matter their propensity to pamper me – would never have abided my behaviour if I am of such a nature.
At what point did my life take at turn then? At what point did the convergence of destinies crank its gears? It had been curiosity which innocently triggered the beginning of my lesson in maturity. But inevitably too, I supposed. Growing bored with my play confined to the perimeters of Seishin no Goten, I began to take an interest in the coming and goings of my older family members and courtiers, seeking avenues to participate in their work. However, I insisted on activities that would allow me leave from Seishin no Goten. My adventurous disposition could suffer no less. Truthfully, my motivation was less than serious.
On hindsight, my headstrong decision would be the best and worst choice of my life. And from this point, Dear Reader, is the start of my story.
Chapter 1: Beginning Impressions
A few soldiers, decked in their dark uniforms, were ambling across the tiled floors of wide corridors, likely heading for the training areas mostly located in the north and eastern sections. One or two clerks in civilian wear, files in arms, could be seen shuffling out of their double-storied administrative building at the south, which also served as the public entrance into the compound. From the rows of red latticed windows at the upper floors, a charming cotton candy sea of pale pink met the eyes. The balmy weather was at its perpetual springtime best, as was this cherry blossom yard that sprawled east to west. No one bothered to cast an appreciative look though, so given was the sight of petals scattered across jade tiles or drifting in the breeze. Such was the state of ordinariness within the Western Army military compound at the mid-morning hour.
Same-old tedium then.
Tenpou Gensui definitely felt no rush getting to his destination. Offices of the higher-level military personnel were situated in the south-west wing of the extensive compound, and he was due to meet the commander, Seikai Ryuu-ou Goujun. It was but a short walk from his own marshal quarters. In his hand was the report of his last subjugation case – another paper-pushing routine done, even if it was, ahem, somewhat delayed.
Finally, he entered Goujun's office, and stopped short when he saw a stranger there with the dragon king.
The lad standing before Goujun's desk was young, perhaps seventeen years of age according to mortal standards, and must certainly be a member of Seishin no Goten, otherwise known as the Court of Celestial Bodies. Not only did he bear their emblematic blue chakra on his olive-skinned forehead, he was clad in their distinctive uniform of light gray and blue.
Was this the person they had been waiting for? The marshal immediately thought but was uncertain. Goujun and him had been given notice that the subsidiary court would be sending their ambassador over, but they had assumed that person should be rather more… sophisticated.
"This is Hikaru-san, the Seishin attaché that's to join the Western Army for a while," Goujun told his ranking officer, answering the unspoken question. His red pupils were measuring their latest and temporary addition to the military.
Among the vastly complicated and elaborate conglomeration of interlocking and at times, overlapping ministries, agencies, departments and offices that the Jade Emperor's court was composed of, Seishin no Goten was the astro-specialist, a powerhouse among the orphic constituents of the imperial ruling system. If compared to the sledgehammer force of heaven's will that the armies really were, the purpose of the Court of Celestial Bodies was aloof, its value and authority esoteric.
Furthermore, Seishin no Goten was a self-sustaining territory, community and organisation, traditionally helmed by its Seishin clan which was responsible for their internal courtiers and folks – dutiful as they must first be to the Tentei, of course. It laid at least a two hours' coach ride out from the northern entrance of the imperial capital. The autonomous court was said to be spectacular: spread over lolling slopes of a hilly landscape, ivory walls and castle visible from afar, a gleaming pearl on a cushion of green. Effectively, the Seishin ruling family was possessor of much land holdings, highly capable of generating its own wealth.
The current clan head – or Seishin Okimi – was Genshou. His six sons also made their appearances in Tentei's court with him, all fairly well regarded. Yuu, the Sho-ouji(1) was the eldest, followed by Ni-Ouji Mamoru(2), then San-ouji Kouki(3), Yon-ouji Shou(4), Go-ouji Noboru(5) and finally, the youngest princeling, Yoshi, the Roku-ouji(6). Their mother, the Kaori-fujin(7) was understood to be a recluse who minded only her role and duties within their stronghold. Few in the capital even knew what she looked like. To sum it up, Seishin no Goten had a safe and decorous reputation.
As for this representative they had sent… Hikaru's face and form were appealing and delicate. He was of average height for a male, just touching Tenpou's chin with long bangs flopping past large coal eyes but hair cropped close at the sides and back. His gaze was bright and spirited, easily catching beneath a pair of gently arching, defined brows. Quite a pretty boy who seemed better utilised soothing the demanding wives of the ministers in the emperor's court than sent to suffer regimented life in the barracks.
But whatever inviting qualities his features bore was very much overshadowed by the badly hidden glower which Tenpou swore got even darker upon his approach. The attaché's greeting was reluctant, amounting to a resentful, barking 'sir' and evasive eye contact. Such decidedly undiplomatic behaviour was mystifying, to say the least.
"How do you do, Hikaru-san? An attaché as a recruit and from Seishin no Goten no less. What an honour!" Tenpou greeted, practiced geniality hiding his speculations. How much babysitting he would be in for? A surreptitious glance at his superior – the humanoid white dragon was stoic but he had his tells – told him that the overseer of the Western Army was thinking along the same line.
Goujun handed him the dossier on the attaché after accepting his report and tasked him to show the latter around. Just like that, they were dismissed.
So Tenpou tried his best: he kept up a flowing chatter and feigned unaffectedness at being ignored.
It made sense to start the tour with a trip to the administration office. They settled the necessary paperwork there and picked up the keys to the apartment that had been reserved for this newest recruit. Following which, they ended up in the north-west residential area for stay-in soldiers.
"And this is your bachelor pad for now!" Tenpou announced cheerfully when they got to the apartment.
Wordlessly, Hikaru unlocked the plain wooden door and stepped through the threshold. Not once in their time together had he looked at the marshal.
"I hope you'll find it adequate and–"
The door was slammed in the other man's face.
Tenpou's eyes went wide behind his glasses, something disagreeable flashing through his chest. It took a minute before he could come to terms with being dumped outside in the corridor. Quite the novel experience it was. Staring at the coldly shut door, he rapidly reviewed what he knew of Seishin no Goten. It's necessary, the marshal decided, to make sense of why this usually discreet subsidiary court would bother smuggling a hostile agent into the army.
With a smart swivel of his heels, Tenpou took off purposefully. He hummed a tune along the way, some folk song from the Realm Below that got to do with twinkling little stars. Once back at his office desk, he cracked open the dossier on the Seishin recruit. But, as was wont to happen once he got engrossed in his research, the brainiac lost track of time. He was browsing through a (rather dry) book on meteorology – a deviation inspired by a hunch; one would never know when some trivia might come in useful – when he happened to glance at his schedule for the week.
'Mass dojo(8): First Squadron observation' screamed in red ink under the day's date. A time was pencilled in.
He turned to his right, at the round clock hanging high on the wall.
Oh dear.
With a short sigh, Tenpou slapped the text on top of the nearest stack of books that was piled near his chair and swung his legs off his office table. Extra time was spent manoeuvring around an obstacle course formed by small towers of literature. Time again to sort out his stuff, he thought as he managed to step out of the door.
The mass dojo was located at the eastern quarter. From his office, the shortest route took him past the canteen at the centre of the compound. Though late, he was no hurry. After all, Enrai Taishou(9), leader of the First Squadron, would have sent a reminder if he had been truly eager for the presence of his reporting officer. They had been involved in an overt tug-of-war for quite a while now; both savvy not to create an offence large enough to tip the scale in the other's favour.
Besides, the intriguing scene unfolding within the dojo made Tenpou most glad he had only arrived when he did. He quickly ducked behind the huge sliding entrance.
"Hikaru-san, come forward!" Enrai was delivering a command. Men in seiza position formed a large ring around him.
The marshal spied the attaché easily, who stood out from the other soldiers in their white tops and black sweatpants. Since their parting, Hikaru had change out of his court uniform and was the only figure in the dojo dressed in a grey sweatshirt and navy jeans. For a second, Tenpou was puzzled to see the Seishin recruit there. He observed from behind his cover as the attaché stood up and came forward with a tight-lipped look.
Enrai demanded if the boy had any previous martial training.
"… The way of the sword," Hikaru replied after some hesitation.
This was not new information to Tenpou, who had gone through the dossier twice. What caught his interest was the wariness being projected by the attaché. Clearly, the latter was cognizant of the bind his situation was.
Enrai Taishou was a beast of a man, not only because of his personality. Ferret-like, his countenance was drawn by stark, harsh lines; short hair cut into a coarse clump on his head; rough brows and a cunning glint in the eyes. He was the type of bully who pretended respectability, wielding public humiliation on others as a thinly veiled power trip. From that touch of malice in the general's assessing stare, the newcomer must have somehow run afoul of the First Squadron leader.
Tenpou decided not to interrupt the show. As much as he should be interfering, he could not pass up the opportunity to collect information on the strange Seishin recruit. So, the bespectacled officer remained patient as Hikaru was plainly coerced into combat. Reiji, a lanky subordinate who was no slouch with his blade, was appointed as his opponent. Evidently, Enrai intended to test waters.
The atmosphere was tense, likely a good number of the audience was waiting to see if the unfortunate fresh face would capitulate and simply grovel for a way out. Tenpou told himself that he could step in before the situation turned dire.
Cautiously, Hikaru and Reiji assessed each other across their eight-metre space. Both of their stances were precise and excellent in form, an unsurprising result of a literal eternity to perfect one's position. Hence, what usually decided the winners in the tournament rings of the Realm Above were the minute slip-ups or the innate disparity in will, power and improvisational ability.
"Begin!" Enrai blared.
Reiji shot forward, raising his arms and bringing his bokken(10) down on Hikaru's left shoulder.
Like a stone statue, the boy remained rooted at his spot.
Disconcerted, Reiji pulled back at the very final moment. His unsteady blow glanced off the attaché's side, and he hopped one or two steps before regaining his footing. Hikaru, meanwhile, removed neither unblinkingly stare nor the pointing of his bokken from the general's person.
The audience was struck dumb. Outside, Tenpou released a breath he had not known he was keeping and absentmindedly nudged the bridge of his glasses higher.
"What's this?!" Enrai found his presence of mind to thunder.
Hikaru stood down then, without breaking eye contact with the general. He rested his bokken against a shoulder, mildly replying, "I don't want to fight."
The jaws of the soldiers dropped further.
"What?!" Enrai's incredulous exclamation rose above the hustle of voices which began. Reiji's face was a sketch in disbelief.
Hikaru shrugged, outwardly unconcerned. "I said – I don't want to fight." He might as well be sticking out his tongue and waving a red flag.
"Are you disobeying an order?!" The warning in Enrai's voice was an incoming storm.
Leisurely, Hikaru shifted his bokken to the other hand. He pulled off a crisp salute.
"With all due respect…" the attaché raised his voice but took care to keep his tone even, "You didn't give me an order to fight. You merely said you want to see what I'm capable of and you're seeing it."
Half a beat passed before a final 'sir' was thrown in like cheap giveaway.
Unbidden, Tenpou's lips twitched. Enough contextual clues already gave him a good idea of what had occurred prior to his arrival.
Enrai's complexion was purple by then. He held out a palm, tone venomous and intense, "Reiji, your bokken."
The hapless soldier hesitated but scurried to obey when he was pierced with a menacing look. The officer grabbed hold of the wooden weapon and strode past his pale-faced subordinate.
"In that case, Hikaru-san, I'm now giving you an order to fight – me!"
He charged. The Seishin representative moved this time.
Tenpou's fingers had curled into a fist against the wooden plane of the door, narrowed eyes glued to the attaché. The posture and positioning of Hikaru was excellent but something was amiss. All of his effort was spent evading, occasionally managing to block a blow. Though lithe, his strength was clearly inadequate and fast depleting. Inevitably, he faltered.
"What's the matter, boy?" Enrai mocked as he made a horizontal slash at his target's stomach. "Lost your nerves? Or is this all you've got?"
The audience watched in hung breath as the slim youth stumbled a few feet back. It had been a close call. That bokken tip had surely scrapped against fabric.
"Honestly… sir?" Hikaru panted, "No… Do you… need me to give… all I got?"
Clearly, his lack in physical capacity was amply compensated by outstanding mouthiness. Tenpou thought he might have to amend his type assessment of the attaché to borderline suicidal.
Enrai snapped. "OKAMI-ODO!(11)"
Roaring, the general charged ̶ knees bent low and weapon held sideways and tipped downwards. Once in striking distance, he stamped his right foot down forcefully and, with bold and terrifying power, swept the bokken upwards. It was a move designed to split the head from under the chin.
The marshal was already running and was two steps into the dojo. But he froze, gaping, when Hikaru leapt into the attack.
Hikaru turned his bokken into a lever, with one hand gripping the length at its mid-point rather than both around the hilt. He brought his bokken down on Enrai's weapon and caught it rather than resist. Following the momentum, his body propelled upwards, slipping into striking distance and successfully past the general's defences. With a twist of his wrists, Hikaru stabbed the blunt end of his weapon into Enrai's throat.
There were gasps.
Had Tenpou himself been less taken with the moment, he might have been quicker to prevent what came after.
Enrai choked, his eyes popping. Well-conditioned instincts took over. Wildly, he swung his bokken even as he stumbled back. Crude as this attack was, the strength of this merciless strike caught his opponent full in the chest and flung the slender figure away.
"HIKARU-SAN!" Tenpou heard himself cry out as he sped forward as the Seishin representative crashed into the line of men just rising to their feet. "Set him down!" the commanding officer ordered even as the soldiers parted way once they recognised him.
Those who had scampered away to avoid the impact scooted back even further. Therefore, the marshal was the only one beside the unconscious attaché when he carefully nudged the latter on his back. There was no sign of bleeding but Tenpou's first instinct was to check. Gingerly, he pressed the tips of his fingers against the left of Hikaru's chest. He thought it might trigger a moan, at most, not pressed into some crammed but undeniably meaty…
He shifted his fingers and tried it again.
Yes. Going by conventional standards, the mound on the chest was not supposed to exist for a gender of certain fit age and trim physique.
For all his brilliance, Tenpou's mind stuttered to a stop there and then. Then, a switch in some corner of the universe flipped and a torrent of information about Hikaru reconfigured itself in a speed that was leaving smoking rubber tracks through his cerebral hemispheres.
Opps…
As his consciousness shrunk into a squeak, the bespectacled man retracted his hand like one burnt. His face, when he raised it to the crowd around him, was a tyrannical enforcement of marble-like calmness.
"He needs to be sent to the sick bay," Tenpou instructed, expression stern, and then added, "No one touches him."
Enrai's crumbled form was lying a few metres away, where about half of the squadron were gathered around. Tenpou did not shift from his place though.
"Go ask for two stretchers," he commanded the adjutant instead. Next, he gestured to two other men whom he knew were honest. "And tell me what went on just now!"
Just keep busy, he chanted to himself inwardly. Thankfully, he was not one given to blushing. This… this… has certainly never happened before!
Footnotes:
1) Yuu, the Sho-ouji = Yuu, the First Prince
2) Ni-Ouji Mamoru = Mamoru, the Second Prince
3) San-Ouji Kouki = Kouki, the Third Prince
4) Yon-Ouji Shou = Shou, the Fourth Prince
5) Go-Ouji Noboru = Noboru, the Fifth Prince
6) Yoshi, the Roku-Ouji = Yoshi, the Sixth Prince
7) Kouri-fujin = 'Fujin' is the title of the consort, wife of the Lord. Genshou's wife was Kouri, formally referred to as Kouri-fujin, or Lady Kouri.
8) dojo: a Japanese martial arts training hall
9) Enrai Taishou: General Enrai. In Saiyuki Gaiden, he was the general in charge of the First Squadron before Kenren took over. He was deployed to the Second Squadron due to altercations with Tenpou. In fact, he was spiteful enough to ambush Konzen, Goku, Tenpou and Kenren with the Second Squadron during their attempt to escape from the celestial realm. I am using this as a clue to craft the character of Enrai in my fanfiction, irrespective of how else Minekura Kazuya developed the Saiyuki Gaiden military personnel.
10) bokken: a Japanese wooden sword used for training, carved in the shape of an actual metal Japanese sword.
11) Okami-Odo: 'Ohkami' which means a wolf, 'Odo' is an abbreviation from 'Odori' which means a leap/ spring. Hence, 'Okami-Odo' means Wolf Leap. Enrai's move was inspired by the image of a wolf leaping up from the ground to attack.
