Revenge Part II
By
Shosuro Hoshi You only know the wind is there when it whispers softly in your ear, then flitters away before you can turn to look upon it. When revenge whispers
in your ear, it stays to look you in the eye.
Revenge always looks you in the eye.
Daidoji Mayoko glided across the stage in a dazzling golden kimono. The backdrop was painted a vivid blue and wisps of smoke drifted around her feet. A lantern, cleverly used mirrors to direct its light directly at the young crane, bringing her costume to life. In portraying the sun goddess, Mayoko threatened Amatarasu's own glory. Hoshi fully expected the Sun Goddess to step down from the heavens and swat this pretentious mortal. Instead of the deafening roar one would associate with the violence of a god, only the sweet lyrical voice of Mayoko filled the room. As she danced she recited the first part of Asahina Noriocho's famous, "Spring Time in Heaven's Splendor." First written and performed in 1068, "Spring Time in Heaven's Splendor" is the story of Amatarasu bringing the gifts of light and warmth to Rokugan. Hoshi watched in rapt attention as old feelings returned. Hoshi had once showed interest in the young dancer. She actually spurned his advances, which of course only made him want her more. Ohoshichuo was not one to be spurned by anybody. Still she resisted his advances for several months before succumbing. Soon though their troupe split up and they went different ways. Hoshi joined with Asahina Mujien's Radiant Heavens, and Mayoko found work with the Golden Crane. As the poem progressed other actors filtered on to the stage dressed as animals of the forest. Trees appeared on the stage and the animals danced between them, and around Amatarasu, thanking the sun for her gift. Gradually though, the animals began to grow sluggish, many collapsing to the ground beneath the trees. The poem took a worried tone, Mayoko's voice radiated concern for the animals as Amatarasu sought to understand what was wrong. The closer she got to the animals however, the worse their reaction until finally Amatarasu realized she was causing the problem. The animals needed a respite from her a warmth and light, but she could not grant it herself. Suddenly the light on one end of the stage dimmed and a man in a grey kimono appeared, tendrils of silver reflected off of his clothes. Where Mayoko's voice was sweet, this new player's voice boomed with Onnotangu's strength. The God of the Moon had appeared, called by the sound of Amatarasu's plight. As Onnotangu crossed the stage to stand before Amatarasu, the lights dimmed and followed him. As he approached her, they embraced and danced. Slowly the animals too began to move and dance. Eventually they danced to the edge of the stage and only Onnotangu remained. He moved to the center of the stage as the animals settled down to sleep. Then the stage went dark, but for a cold blue light that illuminated Onnotangu. As Onnotangu completed the last line of the poem the stage went black. The crowd erupted into polite applause, which grew as the cast retook the stage to thank the audience for attending the performance.
If Hoshi were capable of regret, he would surely have regretted his current mission. Mayoko had been a member of the Golden Crane, and the vow he had made to his lord was clear and unambigous, every person associated with his dishonor would pay with their lives. Where Hoshi had been able to adopt the guise of Ide Takaji in order to complete his last task, Mayoko would have to be different. She was, after all, very familiar with Hoshi and no disguise could be guaranteed to fool her. No, Mayoko was different in many ways; Hoshi believed a more direct approach would be useful. He had heard she was performing in a theater in Mura Higashi Chushin, the East Hub Village. Though it was a small theater, she played the title roll to packed houses. He started by sending her flowers before the show, from an anonymous benefactor of course, attached was a short letter that praised her talent. Mayoko was like most artists, vain, and Hoshi was sure the soft touch wold work. Hoshi had chosen this night to reveal himself. Mayoko's troupe was preparing to move on in the morning and Hoshi had already waisted enough time just finding her. He only had five more years after all. Dressed in the finest kimono of light blue and purple, he wore no mon and a light green veil of silk just dark enough to obscure his features, but not obstructe his view. Making his way backstage after the show, Hoshi slipped a few koku to the Turtle stage hand and found his way to Mayoko's dressing room. The lantern inside let seductive shadows dance across the tatami screen. Hoshi held his breath as he knocked on the screen. "Who is it," responded a musical voice? "An old friend... and maybe a new..." "This is very inappropriate. How did you get back here?" "I floated in on the breath of a dove." "You are well spoken sir, but I must insist that you leave." "Would you cast out a friend who has travelled far to see you?" "That is the second time you have used the word friend, sir. Please sir, tell me who you are?" "Just a humble actor, presently disgraced, but no less happy for his friends success. Now open up and say hello to your friend, Yoko-chan." The shoji screen open a lion's hair, and a pair of Benten's own blessed, blue eyes stared out at him, "Hoshi-chan?" "It is me Mayoko." "Hoshi!" She threw her screen open with some force and rushed out to hug him. Wishing to avoid attracting attention from anybody else lingering backstage Hoshi quickly pulled Mayoko into he room and slid the screen shut. She got a mischievous look in her eye that sparked a memory from the past, but Hoshi pushed it aside. Concealed in his robes, Hoshi held a packet of Fuantei Shi. Fuantei mixed into her eye shadow, it would merely be a matter of time before the necessary minisicule amount made contact with her eye. After that... Hoshi didn't want to think about the violent spasms, and hideous contortions that result from Fuantei Shi poisoning. Hoshi hid his emotions behind a mask and smiled down at Mayoko. He stroked her hair, slipping deeper into past habits with he each stroke as she rattled a string of questions which he smiled and answered. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep in each others arms.
Mayoko's eyes fluttered open to the first sounds of morning. Hoshi stood above her smoothing out his robes and rearranging his mask which had slipped off sometime in the night. She stood and reached a hand to something she saw on his face. He caught her hand in mid air before relenting and letting her cup the side of his face. "Strange? I did not notice last night." Hoshi smiled, "Did not notice what?" "How hard you've become." "What do you mean, woman?" "Don't take this wrong, for you are still as beautiful as the first day I saw met you," Mayoko began, "but it was boyish, carefree sort of beauty..." "And now," Hoshi urged? "You seem serious, like a man who has to go." Mayoko turned and looked away from Hoshi, "You could stay you know?" "No I couldn't." "I could get you job with the troupe..." "That is not what I meant." "I know. I know that is not what you meant, but..." "But nothing. I have promises to keep and I do not where they will take me, but I wanted to see you... to look into your eyes one more time." "Then go. Leave me. Saying good bye hurts too much." Hoshi grabbed her roughly, spinning her around and for an instant their blue eyes looked deeply into each other. He kissed her deeply as she closed her eyes. She kept her eyes closed for along time after he let her go... after she heard the shoji screen slide shut... and after his foot steps receded into the sound of the stage hands breaking down the set...
By
Shosuro Hoshi You only know the wind is there when it whispers softly in your ear, then flitters away before you can turn to look upon it. When revenge whispers
in your ear, it stays to look you in the eye.
Revenge always looks you in the eye.
Daidoji Mayoko glided across the stage in a dazzling golden kimono. The backdrop was painted a vivid blue and wisps of smoke drifted around her feet. A lantern, cleverly used mirrors to direct its light directly at the young crane, bringing her costume to life. In portraying the sun goddess, Mayoko threatened Amatarasu's own glory. Hoshi fully expected the Sun Goddess to step down from the heavens and swat this pretentious mortal. Instead of the deafening roar one would associate with the violence of a god, only the sweet lyrical voice of Mayoko filled the room. As she danced she recited the first part of Asahina Noriocho's famous, "Spring Time in Heaven's Splendor." First written and performed in 1068, "Spring Time in Heaven's Splendor" is the story of Amatarasu bringing the gifts of light and warmth to Rokugan. Hoshi watched in rapt attention as old feelings returned. Hoshi had once showed interest in the young dancer. She actually spurned his advances, which of course only made him want her more. Ohoshichuo was not one to be spurned by anybody. Still she resisted his advances for several months before succumbing. Soon though their troupe split up and they went different ways. Hoshi joined with Asahina Mujien's Radiant Heavens, and Mayoko found work with the Golden Crane. As the poem progressed other actors filtered on to the stage dressed as animals of the forest. Trees appeared on the stage and the animals danced between them, and around Amatarasu, thanking the sun for her gift. Gradually though, the animals began to grow sluggish, many collapsing to the ground beneath the trees. The poem took a worried tone, Mayoko's voice radiated concern for the animals as Amatarasu sought to understand what was wrong. The closer she got to the animals however, the worse their reaction until finally Amatarasu realized she was causing the problem. The animals needed a respite from her a warmth and light, but she could not grant it herself. Suddenly the light on one end of the stage dimmed and a man in a grey kimono appeared, tendrils of silver reflected off of his clothes. Where Mayoko's voice was sweet, this new player's voice boomed with Onnotangu's strength. The God of the Moon had appeared, called by the sound of Amatarasu's plight. As Onnotangu crossed the stage to stand before Amatarasu, the lights dimmed and followed him. As he approached her, they embraced and danced. Slowly the animals too began to move and dance. Eventually they danced to the edge of the stage and only Onnotangu remained. He moved to the center of the stage as the animals settled down to sleep. Then the stage went dark, but for a cold blue light that illuminated Onnotangu. As Onnotangu completed the last line of the poem the stage went black. The crowd erupted into polite applause, which grew as the cast retook the stage to thank the audience for attending the performance.
If Hoshi were capable of regret, he would surely have regretted his current mission. Mayoko had been a member of the Golden Crane, and the vow he had made to his lord was clear and unambigous, every person associated with his dishonor would pay with their lives. Where Hoshi had been able to adopt the guise of Ide Takaji in order to complete his last task, Mayoko would have to be different. She was, after all, very familiar with Hoshi and no disguise could be guaranteed to fool her. No, Mayoko was different in many ways; Hoshi believed a more direct approach would be useful. He had heard she was performing in a theater in Mura Higashi Chushin, the East Hub Village. Though it was a small theater, she played the title roll to packed houses. He started by sending her flowers before the show, from an anonymous benefactor of course, attached was a short letter that praised her talent. Mayoko was like most artists, vain, and Hoshi was sure the soft touch wold work. Hoshi had chosen this night to reveal himself. Mayoko's troupe was preparing to move on in the morning and Hoshi had already waisted enough time just finding her. He only had five more years after all. Dressed in the finest kimono of light blue and purple, he wore no mon and a light green veil of silk just dark enough to obscure his features, but not obstructe his view. Making his way backstage after the show, Hoshi slipped a few koku to the Turtle stage hand and found his way to Mayoko's dressing room. The lantern inside let seductive shadows dance across the tatami screen. Hoshi held his breath as he knocked on the screen. "Who is it," responded a musical voice? "An old friend... and maybe a new..." "This is very inappropriate. How did you get back here?" "I floated in on the breath of a dove." "You are well spoken sir, but I must insist that you leave." "Would you cast out a friend who has travelled far to see you?" "That is the second time you have used the word friend, sir. Please sir, tell me who you are?" "Just a humble actor, presently disgraced, but no less happy for his friends success. Now open up and say hello to your friend, Yoko-chan." The shoji screen open a lion's hair, and a pair of Benten's own blessed, blue eyes stared out at him, "Hoshi-chan?" "It is me Mayoko." "Hoshi!" She threw her screen open with some force and rushed out to hug him. Wishing to avoid attracting attention from anybody else lingering backstage Hoshi quickly pulled Mayoko into he room and slid the screen shut. She got a mischievous look in her eye that sparked a memory from the past, but Hoshi pushed it aside. Concealed in his robes, Hoshi held a packet of Fuantei Shi. Fuantei mixed into her eye shadow, it would merely be a matter of time before the necessary minisicule amount made contact with her eye. After that... Hoshi didn't want to think about the violent spasms, and hideous contortions that result from Fuantei Shi poisoning. Hoshi hid his emotions behind a mask and smiled down at Mayoko. He stroked her hair, slipping deeper into past habits with he each stroke as she rattled a string of questions which he smiled and answered. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep in each others arms.
Mayoko's eyes fluttered open to the first sounds of morning. Hoshi stood above her smoothing out his robes and rearranging his mask which had slipped off sometime in the night. She stood and reached a hand to something she saw on his face. He caught her hand in mid air before relenting and letting her cup the side of his face. "Strange? I did not notice last night." Hoshi smiled, "Did not notice what?" "How hard you've become." "What do you mean, woman?" "Don't take this wrong, for you are still as beautiful as the first day I saw met you," Mayoko began, "but it was boyish, carefree sort of beauty..." "And now," Hoshi urged? "You seem serious, like a man who has to go." Mayoko turned and looked away from Hoshi, "You could stay you know?" "No I couldn't." "I could get you job with the troupe..." "That is not what I meant." "I know. I know that is not what you meant, but..." "But nothing. I have promises to keep and I do not where they will take me, but I wanted to see you... to look into your eyes one more time." "Then go. Leave me. Saying good bye hurts too much." Hoshi grabbed her roughly, spinning her around and for an instant their blue eyes looked deeply into each other. He kissed her deeply as she closed her eyes. She kept her eyes closed for along time after he let her go... after she heard the shoji screen slide shut... and after his foot steps receded into the sound of the stage hands breaking down the set...
