Chapter 31
Return to the Gates of Hell
My heart clenches painfully inside my chest as the driver nears the street where The Black Dove stands. The dull thump of the guards' footfalls next to my coach does little to calm me even though I am very aware of what their presence means. It is obvious to anyone who glances at us as we pass through the streets that I am a person of importance, seeing as I am being accompanied by two guards bearing the imperial crest upon their blazing red breastplates. But still, even with these lumbering, armored men by my side, I feel a deep ache of anxiety in my abdomen. I wish for Tasuki's hand, slightly callused from gripping his iron fan, to be wrapped around mine, squeezing my fingers to give me reassurance. To strengthen me. But I am alone, save for my protectors and driver.
The tavern is suddenly looming above me, its windows glaring at me like eyes, its doors mocking and threatening me like the gates of Hell itself. I bite my lips to keep them from trembling and opening in a cry of sheer terror. The thought of going back inside that prison would be enough to drive a normal woman out of her mind; but I, for some strange reason, am able to fathom the thought. Barely. I realize that I have no other choice.
"Miss?" One of the guards replies, his eyes locking gently on mine, manifesting an unusual depth of emotion for an imperial soldier. I am put at ease by his firm voice and soothing eyes.
He lifts his hand from his side and opens it, revealing a medallion of some sort strung on a velvet cord nestled in his palm. It is large, nearly the circumference of a peach, and is the color of the horizon at sun- up. The deep red mesmerizes me at first, then my sight is caught by the image engraved upon its surface. A phoenix. A magnificent red phoenix with its head lifted high and its wings spread the length of the coin, preparing for flight.
"It is the Seal of Suzaku, Miss," the soldier replies, obviously reading the confusion and awe in my dark gray eyes, "His Highness asked me to give it to you as a token of his promise to protect you. Master Tasuki was quite firm in assuring your safety until his return, you see. This will protect you. It signifies the hand of the emperor himself, and as long as it's in your possession, it means that you are under his protection."
My eyes go wide with shock. I slowly take the pendant from the guard's hand, lifting it carefully by the brown velvet cord that it hangs upon. I instantly feel Tasuki's presence as I wrap my trembling fingers around the thick metal medallion. I feel him so strongly, like a constant flow of energy seeping into my skin from the warm, dense metal.
"If you ever wish to see me, Miss, present this pendant at the palace gates and ask for Tokizo," the imperial soldier says to me as I continue to admire the pendant.
The guard's soulful eyes connect with mine one last time before he offers his hand to me, telling me that it is time to go. But the firm grip of his fingers upon my knuckles tells me not to fear. I tuck the medallion into my gown, not removing my hand until I can feel the warm metal on the delicate skin between my breasts.
With the guard's steady hand to balance me, I dismount the rickshaw and dip my head slightly to thank my driver. To my great surprise, he bows deeply before me. He then picks up the poles from their resting place on the dirt road, returning the coach to its horizontal position, and turns around to jog his way back to the palace. I don't realize that I am still gripping Tokizo's hand until I feel him squeeze my fingers gently, obviously trying to get my attention.
"Miss Tansho," he replies, the tone of his voice like nothing I'd ever expect to hear from an imperial soldier.
I turn to face him and suddenly realize what a giant of a man he is, towering nearly two heads above me. His stature gives me further comfort; not only am I being escorted by an imperial soldier-but a rather strapping one. I take a glance at Tokizo's comrade, the other man assigned to escort me. While not as tall as Tokizo, I can see the outlines of sinewy muscles beneath the thin layer of armor on his arms.
I feel Tokizo gently release my hand, and I feel embarrassed for clinging to him like a coward. But as I follow him up the steps to the veranda of the tavern, I understand that I am not being craven, but rather intuitive. I am very aware of what waits for me on the other side of those doors, but I am also very aware of the strong presence by my side, as well as the one following behind me. Perhaps even stronger than the two imposing men who keep near to me is the feel of the warm inanimate object safely nestled between my breasts that could very well mean life or death to me sometime in the uncertain future. I know that as long as I hold the Seal of Suzaku that I hold some control over my existence.
Tokizo bangs loudly on the tavern doors, and I almost instantly hear the shuffle of delicate feet on the other side hurrying to open it for us. Koi's silk-like golden hair shimmers in the early morning sunlight as she slowly opens one of the double doors to peer onto the veranda. Her clear blue eyes catch mine and go wide, a disturbing mixture of shock and disbelief buried deep within them. She violently pulls the door entirely open, her eyes never leaving mine for a second. In an instant, she has propelled her petite frame into my arms as if I had been gone for years and had just returned. I embrace her gratefully, surprised but almost instantly aware of the obvious-Koi had never expected to see me again. She clutches me, her chin pressed firmly on my shoulder, her cheek warm against mine, and begins to weep.
"Tansho," I hear her melodic voice sputter, "Oh, Tansho."
I smile and return the exuberance of her embrace, nestling my face into her golden hair and allowing the familiar cleansing scent of peppermint oil to calm me.
"We thought we'd never see you again," she whispers to me as she begins to pull away, seeming to finally realize that I am of flesh and blood and not an illusion. "Asako told us what happened after Isamu and that man fought. She expected you to come back into the tavern, but.but you never came back. We searched all over the city, but we couldn't find you anywhere." Koi's eyes are wild, amazed, and still in utter shock.
I almost think that it would do no harm to tell her that I had run like a mad woman in the pouring rain to the gates of the palace. That I had unabashedly attacked a pair of imperial guards in order to gain entrance to the palace courtyards. That I had spent the night in the arms of my lover only to watch him drift away on a ship the next morning out of my sight and reach-but still remaining very firmly in my heart. And I almost tell her everything for the mere sake of wanting to express to someone the immense sorrow and heartache that I feel. But the heavy sound of footsteps behind my friend halts my words before I can even form them in my mind.
My eyes avert from the calming brilliance of Koi's to the harsh coldness of my pimp's, and my body becomes as immobile and frigid as ice as he stares at me with nothing less than pure abhorrence. And as he looks at me, and I at him, I feel my own repulsion toward him coming to the surface in a way that I had never felt before. Of course I always looked at Shingen with disdain in my eyes ever since he took me as his slave and brought me to the Black Dove. But never had I ever felt such a loathsome aura around myself. I had never thought my weak spirit could produce such a powerful atmosphere.
I watch as the repulsed look in his demonic eyes fades and is replaced by amusement. His easy conversion unnerves me, making my heart speed up and the palms of my hands to break into a nervous sweat. Koi sees the disturbing change in my demeanor and turns around to follow the gaze of my eyes. I hear her lungs suck in a breath when she sees Shingen in the door of the tavern.
I dare a look at my two escorts, and am instantly relieved to see that their keen eyes have noticed my distress at the sight of my pimp. They understand, and are quick to take the matter into their hands.
"Are you Shingen, the master of the Black Dove tavern and brothel?" Tokizo's companion replies calmly, revealing his voice to me for the first time. It is smooth and even, just as refined and firm as Tokizo's. Just to hear one of my protectors speak in enough to halt the flow of my nervous sweat.
"That I am," Shingen answers, "I see that you have returned my whore to me. I am much obliged to you, my good fellows."
I stare at him, my insides seething and boiling like a raging storm. The goddamn audacity of the bastard!
Tokizo and his companion let off a similar semblance to mine, obviously as offended and enraged by my pimp's comment as I am. I feel a surge of power as Tokizo calmly strides across the veranda and to the open door of the tavern, stopping only a few feet away from Shingen's monstrous form. He reaches into his breastplate and pulls out a small scroll bound by a scarlet string. He unties the cord and lets it fall limply to the wooden veranda, then unrolls the paper and stretches in out in front of him.
"Actually, sir," he replies before looking down at the calligraphy written on the scroll, "We have come to present a decree written by the hand of his Highness Saihitei, Fourth Emperor of Konan."
Koi jerks her head to the side to face Tokizo, acknowledging his and the other soldier's presence for the first time since we arrived at the tavern. Her eyes return to me and widen in shock yet again.
"Tansho," she whispers to me, her voice wavering and frightened "Where the hell were you last night?!"
But I cannot see her or hear her words, for my eyes are fixed on my pimp- and the expression of utter terror and disbelief written upon his suddenly pale and haggard face.
Reply to Reviewers:
Frenchiecangal: No, Tansho's doesn't know about Tama's family. As you saw in the last chapter, Tasuki's demeanor changed after hearing about Tamahome's family being killed (that's what he and the emperor were discussing, as well as discussing Tansho's situation-I should have mentioned last chapter, huh?) I didn't think Tasuki should tell her considering how sad the poor girl already is. And I'm glad you liked Mitsukake's description! I knew he, Chiriko, Tama, and Miaka would only get a few small appearances since this fic is centered on my O/C and Tasuki, so I wanted those few appearances to be as emotionally impressionable as possible.
Stariko-Tasuki No Miko: Channeling Shakespeare's ghost? Not quite. Getting inspiration from the magnificent Anita Diamant? Absolutely! ^_^ And, yes, you'll see why Tansho and the others must stay at the tavern. And don't worry about Shingen-he's gonna get his. ^_^
Tensai-yuki: Yes, I adored writing Hotohori. I've only mentioned him before and this was the first time I actually got to put his demeanor and personality in my own words.
Zerianyu: I'm not mad at you at all, hon!!! How could you think such a thing!? I'm grateful for ALL critiques my readers give me, but I only wish you could have been a little more specific as to what my writing was missing so that I could better it next time. But it's OK that you couldn't. I'd be glad to e-mail you sometime!
Nako-chan: Yeah, I know the depression gets a little hard to bear at times (this should be a Romance, Drama, AND Angst fic, huh?) But I do promise a happy ending, though it may not be what you were expecting! ^_^
Lady Viola: Yes, Tansho's returning to the tavern is gonna make a hell of a story. But it is kinda evil that I sacrifice my main character's emotions for my readers' entertainment, huh? Of well, I'm sure Tansho will forgive me one day. ^_^
Lee Larrabee: A woman after my own heart!!! ^_^ Yep, I totally agree that it is NOT Tansho's personality to just sit around in the seraglio and chat with courtesans all day long. And Hotohori seemed happy? I did make him smile for Tansho's sake, if that's what you mean. But I thought I'd portrayed him at least a bit melancholy. And, yes, I must admit that this story is deffinatley turning into a novel. Would you believe me if I told you that I hadn't expected it to turn out like this? It just happened!! ^_^
A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed!! I'm glad to see that all of you are enjoying my new chapters!!! I'm graduating from my high school tomorrow night, so wish me luck, OK?! ^_^
Return to the Gates of Hell
My heart clenches painfully inside my chest as the driver nears the street where The Black Dove stands. The dull thump of the guards' footfalls next to my coach does little to calm me even though I am very aware of what their presence means. It is obvious to anyone who glances at us as we pass through the streets that I am a person of importance, seeing as I am being accompanied by two guards bearing the imperial crest upon their blazing red breastplates. But still, even with these lumbering, armored men by my side, I feel a deep ache of anxiety in my abdomen. I wish for Tasuki's hand, slightly callused from gripping his iron fan, to be wrapped around mine, squeezing my fingers to give me reassurance. To strengthen me. But I am alone, save for my protectors and driver.
The tavern is suddenly looming above me, its windows glaring at me like eyes, its doors mocking and threatening me like the gates of Hell itself. I bite my lips to keep them from trembling and opening in a cry of sheer terror. The thought of going back inside that prison would be enough to drive a normal woman out of her mind; but I, for some strange reason, am able to fathom the thought. Barely. I realize that I have no other choice.
"Miss?" One of the guards replies, his eyes locking gently on mine, manifesting an unusual depth of emotion for an imperial soldier. I am put at ease by his firm voice and soothing eyes.
He lifts his hand from his side and opens it, revealing a medallion of some sort strung on a velvet cord nestled in his palm. It is large, nearly the circumference of a peach, and is the color of the horizon at sun- up. The deep red mesmerizes me at first, then my sight is caught by the image engraved upon its surface. A phoenix. A magnificent red phoenix with its head lifted high and its wings spread the length of the coin, preparing for flight.
"It is the Seal of Suzaku, Miss," the soldier replies, obviously reading the confusion and awe in my dark gray eyes, "His Highness asked me to give it to you as a token of his promise to protect you. Master Tasuki was quite firm in assuring your safety until his return, you see. This will protect you. It signifies the hand of the emperor himself, and as long as it's in your possession, it means that you are under his protection."
My eyes go wide with shock. I slowly take the pendant from the guard's hand, lifting it carefully by the brown velvet cord that it hangs upon. I instantly feel Tasuki's presence as I wrap my trembling fingers around the thick metal medallion. I feel him so strongly, like a constant flow of energy seeping into my skin from the warm, dense metal.
"If you ever wish to see me, Miss, present this pendant at the palace gates and ask for Tokizo," the imperial soldier says to me as I continue to admire the pendant.
The guard's soulful eyes connect with mine one last time before he offers his hand to me, telling me that it is time to go. But the firm grip of his fingers upon my knuckles tells me not to fear. I tuck the medallion into my gown, not removing my hand until I can feel the warm metal on the delicate skin between my breasts.
With the guard's steady hand to balance me, I dismount the rickshaw and dip my head slightly to thank my driver. To my great surprise, he bows deeply before me. He then picks up the poles from their resting place on the dirt road, returning the coach to its horizontal position, and turns around to jog his way back to the palace. I don't realize that I am still gripping Tokizo's hand until I feel him squeeze my fingers gently, obviously trying to get my attention.
"Miss Tansho," he replies, the tone of his voice like nothing I'd ever expect to hear from an imperial soldier.
I turn to face him and suddenly realize what a giant of a man he is, towering nearly two heads above me. His stature gives me further comfort; not only am I being escorted by an imperial soldier-but a rather strapping one. I take a glance at Tokizo's comrade, the other man assigned to escort me. While not as tall as Tokizo, I can see the outlines of sinewy muscles beneath the thin layer of armor on his arms.
I feel Tokizo gently release my hand, and I feel embarrassed for clinging to him like a coward. But as I follow him up the steps to the veranda of the tavern, I understand that I am not being craven, but rather intuitive. I am very aware of what waits for me on the other side of those doors, but I am also very aware of the strong presence by my side, as well as the one following behind me. Perhaps even stronger than the two imposing men who keep near to me is the feel of the warm inanimate object safely nestled between my breasts that could very well mean life or death to me sometime in the uncertain future. I know that as long as I hold the Seal of Suzaku that I hold some control over my existence.
Tokizo bangs loudly on the tavern doors, and I almost instantly hear the shuffle of delicate feet on the other side hurrying to open it for us. Koi's silk-like golden hair shimmers in the early morning sunlight as she slowly opens one of the double doors to peer onto the veranda. Her clear blue eyes catch mine and go wide, a disturbing mixture of shock and disbelief buried deep within them. She violently pulls the door entirely open, her eyes never leaving mine for a second. In an instant, she has propelled her petite frame into my arms as if I had been gone for years and had just returned. I embrace her gratefully, surprised but almost instantly aware of the obvious-Koi had never expected to see me again. She clutches me, her chin pressed firmly on my shoulder, her cheek warm against mine, and begins to weep.
"Tansho," I hear her melodic voice sputter, "Oh, Tansho."
I smile and return the exuberance of her embrace, nestling my face into her golden hair and allowing the familiar cleansing scent of peppermint oil to calm me.
"We thought we'd never see you again," she whispers to me as she begins to pull away, seeming to finally realize that I am of flesh and blood and not an illusion. "Asako told us what happened after Isamu and that man fought. She expected you to come back into the tavern, but.but you never came back. We searched all over the city, but we couldn't find you anywhere." Koi's eyes are wild, amazed, and still in utter shock.
I almost think that it would do no harm to tell her that I had run like a mad woman in the pouring rain to the gates of the palace. That I had unabashedly attacked a pair of imperial guards in order to gain entrance to the palace courtyards. That I had spent the night in the arms of my lover only to watch him drift away on a ship the next morning out of my sight and reach-but still remaining very firmly in my heart. And I almost tell her everything for the mere sake of wanting to express to someone the immense sorrow and heartache that I feel. But the heavy sound of footsteps behind my friend halts my words before I can even form them in my mind.
My eyes avert from the calming brilliance of Koi's to the harsh coldness of my pimp's, and my body becomes as immobile and frigid as ice as he stares at me with nothing less than pure abhorrence. And as he looks at me, and I at him, I feel my own repulsion toward him coming to the surface in a way that I had never felt before. Of course I always looked at Shingen with disdain in my eyes ever since he took me as his slave and brought me to the Black Dove. But never had I ever felt such a loathsome aura around myself. I had never thought my weak spirit could produce such a powerful atmosphere.
I watch as the repulsed look in his demonic eyes fades and is replaced by amusement. His easy conversion unnerves me, making my heart speed up and the palms of my hands to break into a nervous sweat. Koi sees the disturbing change in my demeanor and turns around to follow the gaze of my eyes. I hear her lungs suck in a breath when she sees Shingen in the door of the tavern.
I dare a look at my two escorts, and am instantly relieved to see that their keen eyes have noticed my distress at the sight of my pimp. They understand, and are quick to take the matter into their hands.
"Are you Shingen, the master of the Black Dove tavern and brothel?" Tokizo's companion replies calmly, revealing his voice to me for the first time. It is smooth and even, just as refined and firm as Tokizo's. Just to hear one of my protectors speak in enough to halt the flow of my nervous sweat.
"That I am," Shingen answers, "I see that you have returned my whore to me. I am much obliged to you, my good fellows."
I stare at him, my insides seething and boiling like a raging storm. The goddamn audacity of the bastard!
Tokizo and his companion let off a similar semblance to mine, obviously as offended and enraged by my pimp's comment as I am. I feel a surge of power as Tokizo calmly strides across the veranda and to the open door of the tavern, stopping only a few feet away from Shingen's monstrous form. He reaches into his breastplate and pulls out a small scroll bound by a scarlet string. He unties the cord and lets it fall limply to the wooden veranda, then unrolls the paper and stretches in out in front of him.
"Actually, sir," he replies before looking down at the calligraphy written on the scroll, "We have come to present a decree written by the hand of his Highness Saihitei, Fourth Emperor of Konan."
Koi jerks her head to the side to face Tokizo, acknowledging his and the other soldier's presence for the first time since we arrived at the tavern. Her eyes return to me and widen in shock yet again.
"Tansho," she whispers to me, her voice wavering and frightened "Where the hell were you last night?!"
But I cannot see her or hear her words, for my eyes are fixed on my pimp- and the expression of utter terror and disbelief written upon his suddenly pale and haggard face.
Reply to Reviewers:
Frenchiecangal: No, Tansho's doesn't know about Tama's family. As you saw in the last chapter, Tasuki's demeanor changed after hearing about Tamahome's family being killed (that's what he and the emperor were discussing, as well as discussing Tansho's situation-I should have mentioned last chapter, huh?) I didn't think Tasuki should tell her considering how sad the poor girl already is. And I'm glad you liked Mitsukake's description! I knew he, Chiriko, Tama, and Miaka would only get a few small appearances since this fic is centered on my O/C and Tasuki, so I wanted those few appearances to be as emotionally impressionable as possible.
Stariko-Tasuki No Miko: Channeling Shakespeare's ghost? Not quite. Getting inspiration from the magnificent Anita Diamant? Absolutely! ^_^ And, yes, you'll see why Tansho and the others must stay at the tavern. And don't worry about Shingen-he's gonna get his. ^_^
Tensai-yuki: Yes, I adored writing Hotohori. I've only mentioned him before and this was the first time I actually got to put his demeanor and personality in my own words.
Zerianyu: I'm not mad at you at all, hon!!! How could you think such a thing!? I'm grateful for ALL critiques my readers give me, but I only wish you could have been a little more specific as to what my writing was missing so that I could better it next time. But it's OK that you couldn't. I'd be glad to e-mail you sometime!
Nako-chan: Yeah, I know the depression gets a little hard to bear at times (this should be a Romance, Drama, AND Angst fic, huh?) But I do promise a happy ending, though it may not be what you were expecting! ^_^
Lady Viola: Yes, Tansho's returning to the tavern is gonna make a hell of a story. But it is kinda evil that I sacrifice my main character's emotions for my readers' entertainment, huh? Of well, I'm sure Tansho will forgive me one day. ^_^
Lee Larrabee: A woman after my own heart!!! ^_^ Yep, I totally agree that it is NOT Tansho's personality to just sit around in the seraglio and chat with courtesans all day long. And Hotohori seemed happy? I did make him smile for Tansho's sake, if that's what you mean. But I thought I'd portrayed him at least a bit melancholy. And, yes, I must admit that this story is deffinatley turning into a novel. Would you believe me if I told you that I hadn't expected it to turn out like this? It just happened!! ^_^
A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed!! I'm glad to see that all of you are enjoying my new chapters!!! I'm graduating from my high school tomorrow night, so wish me luck, OK?! ^_^