To Firuze Khanume, the greatest Enishi supporter; to CardMistressSakura, the greatest Aoshi supporter; to everybody in between; to everybody who has been objective enough to accept an alternate pairing, I give you the final chapter of White and Black.
I thank everybody who has supported this, and kept me inspired to finish until the end. Thank you all for supporting something, that started as a way to cure writer's block. Thanks for coming along on the journey of discovery.
As to the focus with friendship, rather than the getting-on and the romance, prevalent in White and Black. Friendship is the building block of the other two, and who knows what Eni-chan could have been if he had met better people and made friends when he was younger. I prefer a love based on friendship, than one only based on passion. Passion dies; friendship lasts. ^_^
The opening paragraph comes from my copy of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, as translated from the French by Anthony Bonner for Bantam. The quote in the third paragraph comes from "The Greatest Thing", it was used in Moulin Rouge. Je t'aime is French for "I love you". A quote in the middle is from Reader's Digest's Word Power, of all places. ^^
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"…if Captain Nemo still inhabits the ocean—the country of his adoption—then may the hatred be appeased in his savage heart! May the contemplation of so many wonders extinguish in him the spirit of revenge! … However strange his destiny may be, it is also sublime! …"
Captain Nemo had a lot of things in common with himself, Yukishiro Enishi mused. He was a cultured and intelligent man. He was a master tactician and an able businessman, whenever he was not one of the best scientists in his time. He, like he as the reader once before, lived for revenge on people he thought had wronged him.
Like and unlike the underwater captain, Enishi had seen wonders in his life, that helped remove the spirit of revenge in him. He had been forgiven by sister, brother-in-law, former enemies. He had been re-introduced to the joy of life, and the beauty in the world. He had been taught the "greatest thing" one will ever learn: "to love, and be loved in return."
His destiny in life was strange, yet it was also sublime.
He closed his copy of Vingt mille lieues sous les mers. He had finally finished the book, after many months. The book reminded him more now of his feisty weasel, rather than himself. The afternoons they spent, with him reading and translating, and she listening with eager anticipation. The weeks he left the book unopened, as they were separated from each other by force. The evening he read without translating, distracted by her beautiful kimono and charming hair. The final month that he read without her, unsure of what she really felt.
The feisty weasel was now beside him on the sofa facing the fireplace, fast asleep with a smile on her face, her head leaned on his shoulder. His arm was over her back, and he felt her quiet breaths. It was the evening before he was to leave for Shanghai by the afternoon steamer.
It was their last night together.
Déjà vu. He had been in this situation before. This time, the feeling was more intense. He wanted to know her. He wanted to remember her. In every way, in every aspect, just before he left. He wanted to touch her, hold her, embrace her, be with her. He wanted to really feel, body and soul, what it was to be, with this incredible young woman. By the gods, how he wanted to savor her, just for that brief moment, and treasure the memory. The only moment of perfect happiness in his life!
Just one night. Just one night!
Just this one night. This last night.
He scooped her up carefully in his arms, making sure that he did not wake her. He cradled her head near his chest, and carried her to the adjacent bedroom. He then lay her slowly on the soft and large English bed. Still she did not waken.
So far, so good.
He loosened her hair from its braids, untangling them with his firm yet gentle hands. He took off her socks, and ran his fingers lightly through her feet, her legs, her thighs. His hands went back up to her waist, and to the strings that bound her looser uniform together. He only had to undo them.
His palms began to sweat. This was a normal progression of things, so why was he concerned?
Because this was not any other woman. She was Misao.
To her, he was a gentleman.
He tucked her into the bed, with the uniform strings still unloosened. He then left to change into his own bedclothes. A simple undershirt properly tucked into cotton trousers. It was rather cool that evening, for him to sleep bare-chested. And, he was still in the presence of a woman not entirely his yet. This was no common woman of the streets. He longed for her, more than for any other woman he had encountered, yet he would wait for her to say yes.
He earnestly hoped, though, that she would not object if he made her sleep beside him, just that evening. He slipped under the covers beside her.
She was even more angelic in sleep than in wakefulness. Her chest heaved gracefully with each breath under her dark clothes. Her apple-red lips were slightly open as she slumbered on, tempting him to taste them. Her eyelids covered her eyes, mystifying emeralds that took his breath away. Her cheeks, rosy from the cool night air, reminded him of the velvety texture of sweet, perfumed peaches. All of her shook his senses and his whole being to the core, all of her being so close to him.
He drew himself closer to her, savoring the only thing he dared to do: a succession of tender kisses to her shoulder, neck and cheek. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and felt the warmth of her back against his chest. He held her thus, and thanked this life beside his for being there.
He did not realize how many minutes had passed, when he felt her back resonate, and heard her sweet voice sing softly.
Itsumo, itsumo
Boku ga, kimi o
Mite te, ageru kara
Anshin shite, oyasumi
"You're awake," he gently kissed her hand. He cuddled even closer, as he whispered in her ear, "You do not mind?"
She turned to face him, smiled, and shook her head.
Kizu tsuke au koto ni
Narete shimatta, kono sekai
Soko de bokurawa, umare
Sodatta
Several months ago, if anyone told these two what they would someday be in a bed together, both would have laughed to his face. What do we have in common?
Yet, right now, no one would deny that there was a wonderful and unique bond between them.
Yin and yang, the principles of harmony and balance. The dark and feminine yin complements the bright and masculine yang.
Opposite yet complementary, their interaction influences destiny.
"Je t'aime, mademoiselle," he whispered as he kissed her forehead, afraid to break the delicate, spellbinding magic.
"Je t'aime," she imitated, not knowing what the words meant, but understanding perfectly the emotion they spoke.
She undid the laces of her garment, silently, slowly.
He could not believe it. "A-A-are you c-cer-certain?" He stuttered. He could not believe, he refused to believe, that this beautiful woman, the one who has brought him back to life, was ready to give him such an undeserved prize.
She smiled as a sole response, loosening each sleeve from her arms, kissing him softly in his cheek. He replied with a tender touch to her bare shoulders, and a caress to her waist.
He looked for reassurance deep into her jade eyes, and found no sign of fear or regret. She looked far into his, and saw passion controlled with respect.
He brought her closer again, until their warmth became one.
Thus, the rising sun found an unlikely couple together, perfectly united at last. One in their similarities, one in their differences.
"I don't want you to go," she said amid soft sobs, her head nestled over his chest, her arms over his waist.
"I have to," he quietly answered with pain and regret, his hands running through her long dark tresses.
"I don't want the evening to end…….," she implored.
"Unfortunately, time waits for no one."
"Like I have to wait for you……."
"Like I have to wait for you."
He gave her a final memorable kiss, and shared her breath with his own for one last time.
"Thank you, for every single moment."
He continued to hold her lovingly, as they watched the lights come through the window.
…………………………..
"Do you remember when we met in Tokyo?" she giggled over her breakfast. Anything to get both their minds off the time they would part.
"Your face was a deep red, and you were very mad at being caught," he smiled at the remembrance, composedly sipping his tea.
"You were very, very scary, you know! You forced me to have lunch with you!"
"You were not exactly the most ladylike woman I have met!" he sneered with teasing eyes.
"Well, you were not the perfect gentleman yourself!" she retorted, folded her arms before her, and scowled.
It was exactly what Misao looked like during that most unusual luncheon, that Enishi was unable to control his mirthful laughter.
It was wonderful to hear that glee after over a month, and it was refreshing to him to be laughing that way after so long. It was a good two minutes before he noticed that she looked at him intently, the way he looked at her with curious eyes on that memorable encounter.
"You're not that man anymore," she simply said.
"The white-haired, pompous, exasperating, infuriating, arrogant, conceited baka?" he quoted with a smirk.
"Yes, that man," she smiled.
"Well, what am I now, you evil magician?" he teased.
She looked deep into his turquoise eyes. "In your words, a trustworthy ally, a reliable companion, a dependable associate….."
"A friend," he gratefully finished.
"I think that's what you call it," she imitated him from those earlier days. She reached for his hand from across the small table in the terrace, and held it tenderly.
"A friend……and more," he added.
"Definitely."
He frowned. "I have to go back and be that man you met, you do realize that?"
She patted the hand she held. "No, you don't. You just have to be who you are now. I'll be here, and I'll make sure of that."
"You are truly beyond knowing, Makimachi Misao, weasel of the Kyoto Oniwabanshuu." He took the hand over his, and kissed it.
"For the last time, I am NOT a weasel!" she protested as she smiled.
The hours crawled on, ever nearer to that dreaded time.
All of his business documents had been put in order days before. Officially, he still ran the metalworks factory; he would just be conducting trade relations and business deals in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The mafia would know that he was building up his weapons trade again, under the cover of legitimate business. A few key members of the police in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Kyoto, would be informed of his movements.
Final letters to several people took up most of his morning. A long letter to inform his brother-in-law about his departure. A letter to his childhood acquaintance and associate, in gratitude for his trust and support. A short letter to the keeper of the temple, ensuring the safekeeping of his sister's diary.
He did not have to close down the house, as his associate would have its full use again after he left. Most of his clothes had been stuffed into trunks yesterday morning. Enishi himself packed his most intimate belongings in the two trunks Misao saw before, filled with dresses meant for her. He had offered one of the frocks from that time, something to wear to the docks. She refused it, opting to wear her usual clothes.
She wanted to be remembered, the way she always was with him. A simple young woman, not the prettiest, not the best dressed, not the fairest. But she was his. His love, his fiancée.
More than anything else, his friend.
They arrived at the docks by carriage. She in the dark uniform, he in the light silk suit. He descended first, ever the elegant gentleman, and held her by the hand as she went down herself.
Awaiting the pair was the okashira, his leather trenchcoat shielding him from the strong sea breeze. His face was passive, and neither could read the emotions the mask hid. His crystal eyes, however, betrayed a little of the anguish the icy exterior kept frozen.
"Shinomori Aoshi," Enishi addressed the okashira. "I apologize for giving you such a difficult time. I apologize for all my ungentlemanly conduct. Most of all, I apologize for………for………."
"No apologies required for that, Yukishiro," Aoshi interrupted. "It was her choice."
"I suppose." Enishi offered his hand. "Thank you for all you have done. Take good care of Misao. Not for me. Just……..take good care of her."
"Aa," was his only reply, as he shook the offered hand.
Enishi faced Misao again, and held her by her shoulders. "Continue to live for your Aoshi-sama, alright? He will always need your loving support. He might not show it, but he needs you."
She tearfully nodded.
"I will never forget everything that has happened between us. I am a better man for it. Thank you. Until we meet again."
He took up his traveling case, turned his back on Aoshi and Misao, and walked quickly toward the steamship. His purple glasses hid a few tears that threatened to form over his eyes.
Suddenly he heard his name called loudly behind him.
His weasel was running after him like a little girl.
She stopped and panted before him, then looked up at him with a beaming face. She took his hand, and slipped something into one of his fingers. He peered down at it in astonishment.
"The sealing ring………..I asked you to keep it, didn't I? Does this mean……" he looked at her eyes, desperately sought the reason why she was giving back, what he called her engagement ring.
She saw the fear in his face, and shook her head. "I will keep my promise, do not worry. But you need the ring more than I do. Wear it always, and never forget me."
The symbol of yin and yang emblazoned the beautiful pearl ring. A remembrance of differences that unite, of divergence that convenes. The meeting, of white and black.
He smiled. "I promise."
…………………………
Translation for above song (from chapter 4, taken from Now and Then Here and There):
Always,
as always I do
I have
My eye on you
Please sleep free from anxiety
People have been inured to
Wounding and injuring in this world
There, we were
Born and bred
It can be safely said now that, had it not been for Firuze's review in chapter 6, White and Black would be a more inferior piece. A drugging incident, a kidnap, an escape—essentially resulting in an obvious ending in Aoshi's favor. Because of her review, and a nice long email with a lot of suggestions, my thinking got rewired, and this is the result. A story where even I, the writer, got confused on who will get the girl in the end.
Always, eternal gratitude to Watsuki Nobuhiro, who gave the world such an intriguing final nemesis for our favorite redhead. May he someday make another manga masterpiece.
Thank yous to the following:
Midori Natari Himura. I understand White Tiger Jade Concubine is a dare that has become more than what it initially thought it would be. Thank you for convincing me for good that E/M is possible, and that I'm not alone with this idea. My thanks to JML for directing me to WTJC in the first place.
Firuze Khanume. White and Black would not be running for 20 chapters without you. Thank you for all the insights into the Enishi-an psyche, and the Aoshi-an psyche as well. ^^ Thanks for being one of the few, really constructive reviewers. Thanks for the final help with this chappie. More power to your website.
CardMistressSakura. For never making me forget the other side of the issue, the view of the Aoshi fan. ^^
ICEANGEL, tesuka-chan, Sabbie. For picking up where I leave off, and writing such EXCELLENT fics for the E/M/A triangle. No kidding, I really like your work! Thank you for staying until the end.
BittersweetKandy, chitchat, Ro-chan, Tiian, Dallisse, Mi, Devil, and everyone above. For reviewing whenever they could, and staying with the fic until the end.
Cleao, Chavi West-wind, Amy, Mikazuki, Filia M, Siomei, Phelin, nekonomiko, Bella, Marah, Zauriel, Yen, Fehrocious, Crystal, AyceShade, ewunia, Devil, Nia, Max, Kyanos, Fan, Dragowolf, eloquent-lotus, Shadowfox, JML, bee, Luli451, hmikomi, len, Cat H, anime pixie. Thank you all for reviewing.
(JML—The kids will probably end up with black hair too, since Enishi started with black hair. ^^ ) (Firuze-nee-san—Don't pressure yourself to let Nishi stay with Jihan! Keep up the great work!) (Sabbie—Thanks much. Hope to hear more from you and your work!)
(Cat—YUM! Chocolate sundae! Thanks for understanding the choice and its implications. Yeah, I read WTJC too, and I fully believe Misao can handle anything Shanghai throws on her.) (Bee—Yikes! Thanks for the high compliments!) (Len—You have no IDEA how much thought I had to do for that chappie! Thanks for liking it!) (Dallisse—Thanks much!) (Anime pixie—Oh, yeah! But women don't want to hurt people's feelings, that's why they can't make up their minds!) (CardMistressSakura—A/M fic? Love on Tour, uploaded already. I'm really really sorry. At any rate, that's why I wrote it that way, so it won't be TOO awful for Aoshi-sama. ^^) (Mi—Thanks much!) (Iceangel—Wow, I have a convert! Highest compliment, thank you. Too many questions, which I don't have the answers to yet, either, sorry! Oh, I have to fight your sister for Solasido? ^^ It's horrible what they did to Musica, ne?) (Chitchat—What I meant was, sure Misao liked the idea of being with Eni-chan, but so SOON desert Aoshi-sama? Sorry I got you confused. I figured also that Eni-chan would not believe his good fortune, so his outburst are his way of convincing himself, "This ain't real, man!" As to Eni and Mi hugging or something, this chappie answers it hopefully?) (bittersweetKandy—Oh, dear, out of the frying pan and into the fire. Thanks for the questions anyway!) (Tiian—Yes, it was hard to choose. Thanks for liking it!)
An epilogue chapter comes after this. Thanks for reading!