Chapter 44
The Light of the Sun
My night is restless and wasted on my anxiety. I try to sleep, but my eyes refuse to close long enough for me drift away. So I mostly lie in my bed, my eyes roaming the bedroom where I have slept for the past five years. I will not miss it.
When I finally see the beginnings of sunrise through my window, I'm quick to get up and ready myself for the journey I'm about to make. I shuffle quietly down the balcony hall to the other women's rooms to wake them. Tasuki could come at sunrise or noon; we must be ready for him. They seem less anxious than me, which is understandable. They may have spent more years in this place, but they are not bound to it by an unpaid debt as I am. But that debt was paid long ago, and now I am ready to claim what is rightfully mine-myself.
I'm glad to see they have all packed lightly; it is best not to bring too much of the Black Dove with us.
"There will be a confrontation," Asako replies when I visit her room to wake her. She is sitting up in her bed, her hands resting nervously on her knees. I kneel in front of her and lay my head on her lap. Since last night I have felt a bond suddenly sprout between us; I crave her presence and the comforting sound of her voice as much as I crave my lover's.
I know she speaks true; Shingen will not stand by silently and watch over half of his tavern's income walk out the doors. "Yes," I agree, "Most likely there will be." I pause to look up at her. "You're still coming, aren't you?"
She smiles and rubs my cheek gently with her knuckles. "Of course, little one," she answers, smiling back at me, "I promised that I would follow you to the gates of heaven or hell. And I shall keep my word."
"You don't have to stay with me, Asako," I say, "You're a free woman. You must find a life for yourself outside of this place. You must learn how to live again."
"I suppose you're right," she replies, "Your wisdom has blossomed, Tansho. Perhaps I should seek your advice from now on."
I smile and take her hand in mine, kissing her knuckles gently. To have a mother again is to begin life again. So much about her reminds me of my mother that sometimes I wonder how I can even look at Asako without breaking into tears.
"I'll go prepare some breakfast," Asako tells me. I get up and follow her to the door, where we linger for a moment to survey the empty tavern below. Vacant tables and chairs are strewn about the tiled floor, and sake bottles and cups litter the wooden tabletops.
"It probably would have helped us if we had remembered to clean up last night," Asako replies lightheartedly, "Shingen is definitely going to be slightly pissed off at us."
A small giggle bubbles out of my throat even though I know that a confrontation is inevitable between myself and Shingen, and it may even end up dragging Tasuki and the other women into it eventually. But how will it end? Will we all still walk out of this hell-hole unharmed?
I continue staring into the dimness of the tavern below as I listen to the sound of Asako's bare feet treading on the wooden planks of the balcony. She quiets her steps when she reaches the staircase so as not to wake Shingen. Sunlight takes my attention away from the vacant tavern and turns it toward Asako's window. The rim of the sun is barely visible above the far skyline of the city, turning the rooftops a mixture of reds, pinks, and oranges. Seeing it instantly makes me think of him, and I smile in spite of the worry coursing through my veins. All will be well; the sunrise tells me so.
I make my way quietly downstairs to the baths, which are connected to the kitchen to allow the warm air from the ever-burning hearth to keep the chill out. Asako has already warmed some water for me and poured it into the small wooden tub even though I didn't ask her. I thank her and smile gratefully before I begin to shrug the plain gown from my shoulders, throwing it and the sash across the back of a chair. It's not often that we bathe; our schedules usually don't allow us the time. But when we do, we cherish it.
I ease myself down into the steaming water, having to keep my knees close to my torso once I'm seated due to how small the little tub is. I begin combing my fingers trough my hair to smooth it out, then scoot forward so I can dunk my head under. I scrub my dark brown strands with my palms, picking up a handful of soap from the small table nearby. After I'm sure my hair is clean and rinsed of all traces of soap, I start to gently scrub my skin. The water is a dirty mess once I'm done, and after I dress I roll up my sleeve to dunk my hand in and unplug the drain that will empty the soiled water through a trough into the backyard of the tavern.
I sit on a low stool by the hearth to dry my hair quickly. I comb it continuously to ensure that it dries in gentle waves instead of in a curled mess. By the time my thick curtain of hair is dry enough to style, all four of the other women have come and gone for their baths and are crowded around me to dry their hair as well. We eat our breakfast as we comb our hair, knowing that the morning is nearing its end.
The sun has nearly reached its highest point by the time we return to our rooms to dress and make sure all is ready to leave once Tasuki arrives. As I watch the sun rise higher and higher, the worry inside my heart spreads farther and farther. But I'm determined not to be afraid. I close the door to my room and undress, intent on taking my mind off what is about to happen.
I wonder if I should bind my breasts with linen as all proper women do before I don the red silk under robe. I decide against it when I realize I have no idea in hell how to go about it in the correct way; I could end up suffocating myself for all I know. So I retrieve the shimmering red gown from my wardrobe and carefully slip my arms through the flowing sleeves. I wrap the two sides tightly around my torso, making sure the opening of the ruffled collar is neither too low nor too high, and tie it securely. Next, I carefully pull the midnight-black outer robe from my wardrobe and put it on over the red gown, the golden and red maple leaves shimmering in the early morning sun. The sleeves of the outer robe end at my shoulders, allowing the magnificent red sleeves of the silk under robe to flow over my arms in their full beauty. I then wrap the satin girdle around my waist, opting to tie it higher on my chest so as to give my breasts a little support. Although the tight sensation of the girdle encompassing my waist and breasts is a little uncomfortable at first, I soon realize that having my breasts securely covered is not a very bad feeling at all. I arrange the gentle ruffles on the top edge of the girdle so that they lay across the middle of my breasts, and I shift it slightly to make the ruffles at the bottom of the girdle line up perfectly with my knees. After making sure the ruffles of my collar are perfectly arranged, and the girdle is perfectly aligned on my waist, I wrap the gold- embroidered red sash beneath my breasts and tie it securely in front to hold together my breathtaking ensemble.
I dare a look in my mirror, afraid that I will burst into tears at the sight of my mother's dress wrapped around me. But when the red, black, and golden image of me takes form in the mirror, an unexplained surge of power courses through me like a flood. I'm not a whore any longer; I have been transformed into something that has eluded me for so long. I look in the mirror in front of me and see a woman. Not a whore. A lady. I see myself as I should be, and as I am. I close my eyes and smile as the vision of me in my mother's dress burns itself into my mind. I will never forget this day for as long as I live. It is the day I finally take my freedom and leave the world of the whore lying dead at my feet. It is the day I bury myself in my lover's arms never to let him go. It is the day I learn to live again.
I open my eyes and seat myself in front of my vanity table. I pat a little powder on my face and paint my lips carefully with vibrant red rouge. With delicate strokes of my fingers, I gather the top portion of my hair into a bun and clasp it firmly with the ruby encrusted golden clip that my lover gave me the night before. I carefully slip the red and blue beaded earrings from my earlobes, placing them inside the small wooden box on my vanity table, and replace them with the onyx and gold earrings I selected the night before. I tug a gold bracelet on both my wrists and slip my bare feet into the plain black slippers I separated from my others last night. I feel as if I am dressed either for my wedding or my funeral, and in spite of the tension hanging in the air of my bedroom, I crack a smile and allow a small laugh to encourage me.
After I place the little carved box holding my jewelry atop the larger cedar chest that holds my clothing and shoes, I pick them up and carry them to my door, happy to see that their weight is tolerable. I open the door and drag them onto the balcony even though I know Shingen could saunter up the stairs at any moment and catch me in the process of leaving. It would be hard to give him an explanation, but I take the risk and plop down on top of my mother's cedar chest, the small wooden box nestled in my hands. I will wait for him quietly and calmly; there is no need to pace back and forth on the balcony to further stir my anxiety.
One by one, the others women emerge, bundles in their arms and other luggage being dragged behind them. They are dressed as I have never seen them before, vibrant yellows and violets, stark whites and sea-blues. Flamboyant jewels dangle from their earlobes and necks, ribbons and clasps hold their lustrous hair out of their eyes. They look like a band of fairies, their gowns and hair swirling and flowing around their bodies. They catch sight of me seated on my cedar chest, and as they approach, smiles spread over their faces. Koi comes to stand at my side and runs her fingers gently through my gleaming brown hair.
"I should've known you'd out do us all, Tansho," she says jokingly. I smile up at her, then at each of the others, who appear speechless at the sight of my red, black, and golden ensemble.
"I found it last night," I admit, "In my mother's cedar chest."
"She must have known you'd need something as beautiful as this some day," Okichi offers, her pearly white hair flowing over her blue satin-clad shoulders like a river on snow.
"I suppose so," I answer absentmindedly. "Do you know what time it is?" I ask.
"The time-teller announced noon a few moments ago," Asako answers, "I heard him as he passed by the front door."
"It should be soon, then," I reply, trying to make my voice sound firm and sure of itself. I try to think of something else to say to them to make the worry and tension in the air disperse, but my mind is distracted by the stamping of horses' hooves and the sound of men's voices outside the tavern. I turn my face to the sky and lock eyes with each of my dear friends.
Our time has come. Our freedom is waiting for us at the door.
I her the front doors open, the grating sound of the old hinges reverberating though the air of the tavern and traveling up the stairs to where we sit, huddled together on the balcony like pigeons. Misa rushes to the edge of the balcony and grasps the ledge to peer down into the empty tavern. Her dark hair swirls upon her shoulders when she turns around to look at us. Her eyes lock with mine.
"He's here," she says, her melodic voice barely above a whisper. My muscles tense, but I ignore them as I bolt from my seat atop the cedar chest and rush to the balcony to see him for myself. He's there, his silhouette framed by the sunlight that pours into the dim tavern from behind him, making his red and orange hair seem as if it really were made of fire. My breath catches in my throat. We're so close now, so close to finally leaving this damned place.
He sees me at the edge of the balcony, and I watch as his eyes grow wide at the sight of me. He turns toward the staircase, but doesn't move; his eyes cannot seem to release me.
"You've enchanted him, little one," Asako replies cheerfully, coming to stands next to me. I smile at him, then press my fingers to my lips and playfully blow him a kiss. A smug grin spreads over his handsome face, causing his tantalizing little fangs to peep out between his lips. He strides across the tavern and takes the steps of the staircase two at a time as if he couldn't get to me any faster. I meet him on the first step and fall into him the moment our bodies make contact. I struggle to keep my tears at bay. This is not a time for weeping; I should be laughing, dancing, singing at the top of my lungs. But Shingen still lingers dangerously at the back of my mind; he has yet to make an appearance. I have no idea where he might be, and I expect him to show up the moment I take the first step outside the door of the Black Dove.
But for now I have my comfort and my reassurance embraced in my arms, and his presence here means that we are that much closer to being set free. I look up at him to see his eyes staring at me, thunderstruck. I smile gently and take his hand in mine, squeezing it to try to awaken him. After several long moments, he seems to come alive again. I had no idea a fifteen-year-old dress could have such an affect on a person.
"Are you ready?" he asks, giving my hand a squeeze in return for mine.
"We are," I answer happily, knowing there is nothing more to be said.
He nods his head down at a pair of imperial guards, telling them to carry our belongings outside to the coaches. I see Okichi study their faces, looking for Tokizo, but he is no doubt still on the eastern border scouting for the emperor. We watch in silence as our bundles, trunks, and chests are heaved onto the shoulders of the guards and carefully transported down the stairs and out the front door to the awaiting coaches. There is a tension in the air, so thick I feel my lungs begin to struggle slightly to draw breath. Tasuki notices and wraps his arm protectively around my trembling shoulder, keeping our sides tightly pressed together. I see him lock gazes with each of the women as if to give them silent encouragement. I wonder if he remembers how they fought and fussed over him that first night we decided to play our little game. Okichi blushes slightly under his gaze, telling me that she remembers quite well how she brazenly placed her hand between his legs that night. Koi and Misa also seem a little flustered at his presence, but Asako seems indifferent as always. She gives Tasuki a bold grin, showing the black spaces in her teeth, and not really knowing what else to do, he smiles back, though not as enthusiastically.
I can't help but smile myself at the strange vibes traveling through the air between Tasuki and the other women. Yes. There's no doubt that they remember quite well the events of that night.
"Master Tasuki," the baritone voice of one of the imperial guards breaks our peculiar reverie. "All of the ladies' belongings have been loaded onto the carriages."
"Good," Tasuki answers, turning to nod his appreciation. He then gently releases my shoulder and turns to the other women, stepping away from the staircase and bowing slightly in the process. "Ladies," he replies gallantly, earning a snicker from Asako as she passes by him on her way down the stairs.
"We may not be whores any longer, my dear," she replies bluntly, "But we certainly aren't demure little ladies either."
I scowl at her, but when she winks coyly at Tasuki and leans into his shoulder to whisper something in his ear, I decide against scolding her. He smiles boldly at her, allowing a single fang to slip out. My curiosity flares, and when the rest of the women have made their way off the balcony and down the stairs, each throwing Tasuki a grateful smile, I turn to him and elbow his rid.
"Ow!" he bellows, rubbing the place where I buried my elbow. "What the hell was that for?"
"What did she say to you?" I ask, making sure my voice doesn't sound too serious. I'm only half-joking, but still a bit irked at how brazen Asako is with any man she comes into contact with.
Tasuki chuckles and shakes his head as if to imply that I'm jealous of my own friend. "You really want to know what she said? You won't get mad at her?"
Hearing this doesn't make me feel better, but I cross my arms and nod my head anyways. Asako is definitely going to get a few words from me later, whether or not she said something suggestive to him. "Yes, I want to know."
Suddenly, I'm in his arms and pressed to his chest, his golden and emerald eyes looming above me like jewels. His breath is warm on my cheeks, the weight of his hands heavy on my back. He tilts his face down to meet my eyes and gently places a kiss on my forehead.
"She said that never before has she seen you look at a man like you look at me. She told me that you love me," he replies nonchalantly. "Is this true, Tansho?" He asks the question as if he truly did not know the answer. I look up into his enchanting eyes and hold his piercing gaze with my own.
"Yes, my beloved," I answer in a soft whisper, "There could be nothing truer in this world."
Without any more words, we turn and walk hand-in-hand down the stairs and across the emptiness of the deserted tavern. The intense sunlight shining through the door blinds me momentarily, and I lift a hand to cover my eyes even though it is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. Beyond that threshold is my new world, my new life. I'm grasping my lover's hand and walking away from the life of slavery and brutality that has claimed me as its own for the last five years. As the vivid beauty of the sunlight begins to swallow me, I see a dark silhouette appear in the doorway of the tavern, cutting off the light from me. Tasuki stops, pulling me to a stop as well.
"And just where the hell do you think you're going?" My eyes adjust to the brightness of the light to see Shingen looming in front of me like a storm cloud, blocking the splendor of the sun and plunging my heart into darkness.
A/N: Ha ha! I've done it again! ^_^ You should know me by now - there's always something standing in the way of Tansho's happiness, huh? But I promise to God that my days of leaving cliffhangers are just about through. ^_^
Once again, I'm really sorry that this update took so long, but I'm having some trouble uploading documents from my laptop, and I have to come home in order to do it. But thanks for you patience, and I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. ^_^
Love you all! See ya later. ^_^
The Light of the Sun
My night is restless and wasted on my anxiety. I try to sleep, but my eyes refuse to close long enough for me drift away. So I mostly lie in my bed, my eyes roaming the bedroom where I have slept for the past five years. I will not miss it.
When I finally see the beginnings of sunrise through my window, I'm quick to get up and ready myself for the journey I'm about to make. I shuffle quietly down the balcony hall to the other women's rooms to wake them. Tasuki could come at sunrise or noon; we must be ready for him. They seem less anxious than me, which is understandable. They may have spent more years in this place, but they are not bound to it by an unpaid debt as I am. But that debt was paid long ago, and now I am ready to claim what is rightfully mine-myself.
I'm glad to see they have all packed lightly; it is best not to bring too much of the Black Dove with us.
"There will be a confrontation," Asako replies when I visit her room to wake her. She is sitting up in her bed, her hands resting nervously on her knees. I kneel in front of her and lay my head on her lap. Since last night I have felt a bond suddenly sprout between us; I crave her presence and the comforting sound of her voice as much as I crave my lover's.
I know she speaks true; Shingen will not stand by silently and watch over half of his tavern's income walk out the doors. "Yes," I agree, "Most likely there will be." I pause to look up at her. "You're still coming, aren't you?"
She smiles and rubs my cheek gently with her knuckles. "Of course, little one," she answers, smiling back at me, "I promised that I would follow you to the gates of heaven or hell. And I shall keep my word."
"You don't have to stay with me, Asako," I say, "You're a free woman. You must find a life for yourself outside of this place. You must learn how to live again."
"I suppose you're right," she replies, "Your wisdom has blossomed, Tansho. Perhaps I should seek your advice from now on."
I smile and take her hand in mine, kissing her knuckles gently. To have a mother again is to begin life again. So much about her reminds me of my mother that sometimes I wonder how I can even look at Asako without breaking into tears.
"I'll go prepare some breakfast," Asako tells me. I get up and follow her to the door, where we linger for a moment to survey the empty tavern below. Vacant tables and chairs are strewn about the tiled floor, and sake bottles and cups litter the wooden tabletops.
"It probably would have helped us if we had remembered to clean up last night," Asako replies lightheartedly, "Shingen is definitely going to be slightly pissed off at us."
A small giggle bubbles out of my throat even though I know that a confrontation is inevitable between myself and Shingen, and it may even end up dragging Tasuki and the other women into it eventually. But how will it end? Will we all still walk out of this hell-hole unharmed?
I continue staring into the dimness of the tavern below as I listen to the sound of Asako's bare feet treading on the wooden planks of the balcony. She quiets her steps when she reaches the staircase so as not to wake Shingen. Sunlight takes my attention away from the vacant tavern and turns it toward Asako's window. The rim of the sun is barely visible above the far skyline of the city, turning the rooftops a mixture of reds, pinks, and oranges. Seeing it instantly makes me think of him, and I smile in spite of the worry coursing through my veins. All will be well; the sunrise tells me so.
I make my way quietly downstairs to the baths, which are connected to the kitchen to allow the warm air from the ever-burning hearth to keep the chill out. Asako has already warmed some water for me and poured it into the small wooden tub even though I didn't ask her. I thank her and smile gratefully before I begin to shrug the plain gown from my shoulders, throwing it and the sash across the back of a chair. It's not often that we bathe; our schedules usually don't allow us the time. But when we do, we cherish it.
I ease myself down into the steaming water, having to keep my knees close to my torso once I'm seated due to how small the little tub is. I begin combing my fingers trough my hair to smooth it out, then scoot forward so I can dunk my head under. I scrub my dark brown strands with my palms, picking up a handful of soap from the small table nearby. After I'm sure my hair is clean and rinsed of all traces of soap, I start to gently scrub my skin. The water is a dirty mess once I'm done, and after I dress I roll up my sleeve to dunk my hand in and unplug the drain that will empty the soiled water through a trough into the backyard of the tavern.
I sit on a low stool by the hearth to dry my hair quickly. I comb it continuously to ensure that it dries in gentle waves instead of in a curled mess. By the time my thick curtain of hair is dry enough to style, all four of the other women have come and gone for their baths and are crowded around me to dry their hair as well. We eat our breakfast as we comb our hair, knowing that the morning is nearing its end.
The sun has nearly reached its highest point by the time we return to our rooms to dress and make sure all is ready to leave once Tasuki arrives. As I watch the sun rise higher and higher, the worry inside my heart spreads farther and farther. But I'm determined not to be afraid. I close the door to my room and undress, intent on taking my mind off what is about to happen.
I wonder if I should bind my breasts with linen as all proper women do before I don the red silk under robe. I decide against it when I realize I have no idea in hell how to go about it in the correct way; I could end up suffocating myself for all I know. So I retrieve the shimmering red gown from my wardrobe and carefully slip my arms through the flowing sleeves. I wrap the two sides tightly around my torso, making sure the opening of the ruffled collar is neither too low nor too high, and tie it securely. Next, I carefully pull the midnight-black outer robe from my wardrobe and put it on over the red gown, the golden and red maple leaves shimmering in the early morning sun. The sleeves of the outer robe end at my shoulders, allowing the magnificent red sleeves of the silk under robe to flow over my arms in their full beauty. I then wrap the satin girdle around my waist, opting to tie it higher on my chest so as to give my breasts a little support. Although the tight sensation of the girdle encompassing my waist and breasts is a little uncomfortable at first, I soon realize that having my breasts securely covered is not a very bad feeling at all. I arrange the gentle ruffles on the top edge of the girdle so that they lay across the middle of my breasts, and I shift it slightly to make the ruffles at the bottom of the girdle line up perfectly with my knees. After making sure the ruffles of my collar are perfectly arranged, and the girdle is perfectly aligned on my waist, I wrap the gold- embroidered red sash beneath my breasts and tie it securely in front to hold together my breathtaking ensemble.
I dare a look in my mirror, afraid that I will burst into tears at the sight of my mother's dress wrapped around me. But when the red, black, and golden image of me takes form in the mirror, an unexplained surge of power courses through me like a flood. I'm not a whore any longer; I have been transformed into something that has eluded me for so long. I look in the mirror in front of me and see a woman. Not a whore. A lady. I see myself as I should be, and as I am. I close my eyes and smile as the vision of me in my mother's dress burns itself into my mind. I will never forget this day for as long as I live. It is the day I finally take my freedom and leave the world of the whore lying dead at my feet. It is the day I bury myself in my lover's arms never to let him go. It is the day I learn to live again.
I open my eyes and seat myself in front of my vanity table. I pat a little powder on my face and paint my lips carefully with vibrant red rouge. With delicate strokes of my fingers, I gather the top portion of my hair into a bun and clasp it firmly with the ruby encrusted golden clip that my lover gave me the night before. I carefully slip the red and blue beaded earrings from my earlobes, placing them inside the small wooden box on my vanity table, and replace them with the onyx and gold earrings I selected the night before. I tug a gold bracelet on both my wrists and slip my bare feet into the plain black slippers I separated from my others last night. I feel as if I am dressed either for my wedding or my funeral, and in spite of the tension hanging in the air of my bedroom, I crack a smile and allow a small laugh to encourage me.
After I place the little carved box holding my jewelry atop the larger cedar chest that holds my clothing and shoes, I pick them up and carry them to my door, happy to see that their weight is tolerable. I open the door and drag them onto the balcony even though I know Shingen could saunter up the stairs at any moment and catch me in the process of leaving. It would be hard to give him an explanation, but I take the risk and plop down on top of my mother's cedar chest, the small wooden box nestled in my hands. I will wait for him quietly and calmly; there is no need to pace back and forth on the balcony to further stir my anxiety.
One by one, the others women emerge, bundles in their arms and other luggage being dragged behind them. They are dressed as I have never seen them before, vibrant yellows and violets, stark whites and sea-blues. Flamboyant jewels dangle from their earlobes and necks, ribbons and clasps hold their lustrous hair out of their eyes. They look like a band of fairies, their gowns and hair swirling and flowing around their bodies. They catch sight of me seated on my cedar chest, and as they approach, smiles spread over their faces. Koi comes to stand at my side and runs her fingers gently through my gleaming brown hair.
"I should've known you'd out do us all, Tansho," she says jokingly. I smile up at her, then at each of the others, who appear speechless at the sight of my red, black, and golden ensemble.
"I found it last night," I admit, "In my mother's cedar chest."
"She must have known you'd need something as beautiful as this some day," Okichi offers, her pearly white hair flowing over her blue satin-clad shoulders like a river on snow.
"I suppose so," I answer absentmindedly. "Do you know what time it is?" I ask.
"The time-teller announced noon a few moments ago," Asako answers, "I heard him as he passed by the front door."
"It should be soon, then," I reply, trying to make my voice sound firm and sure of itself. I try to think of something else to say to them to make the worry and tension in the air disperse, but my mind is distracted by the stamping of horses' hooves and the sound of men's voices outside the tavern. I turn my face to the sky and lock eyes with each of my dear friends.
Our time has come. Our freedom is waiting for us at the door.
I her the front doors open, the grating sound of the old hinges reverberating though the air of the tavern and traveling up the stairs to where we sit, huddled together on the balcony like pigeons. Misa rushes to the edge of the balcony and grasps the ledge to peer down into the empty tavern. Her dark hair swirls upon her shoulders when she turns around to look at us. Her eyes lock with mine.
"He's here," she says, her melodic voice barely above a whisper. My muscles tense, but I ignore them as I bolt from my seat atop the cedar chest and rush to the balcony to see him for myself. He's there, his silhouette framed by the sunlight that pours into the dim tavern from behind him, making his red and orange hair seem as if it really were made of fire. My breath catches in my throat. We're so close now, so close to finally leaving this damned place.
He sees me at the edge of the balcony, and I watch as his eyes grow wide at the sight of me. He turns toward the staircase, but doesn't move; his eyes cannot seem to release me.
"You've enchanted him, little one," Asako replies cheerfully, coming to stands next to me. I smile at him, then press my fingers to my lips and playfully blow him a kiss. A smug grin spreads over his handsome face, causing his tantalizing little fangs to peep out between his lips. He strides across the tavern and takes the steps of the staircase two at a time as if he couldn't get to me any faster. I meet him on the first step and fall into him the moment our bodies make contact. I struggle to keep my tears at bay. This is not a time for weeping; I should be laughing, dancing, singing at the top of my lungs. But Shingen still lingers dangerously at the back of my mind; he has yet to make an appearance. I have no idea where he might be, and I expect him to show up the moment I take the first step outside the door of the Black Dove.
But for now I have my comfort and my reassurance embraced in my arms, and his presence here means that we are that much closer to being set free. I look up at him to see his eyes staring at me, thunderstruck. I smile gently and take his hand in mine, squeezing it to try to awaken him. After several long moments, he seems to come alive again. I had no idea a fifteen-year-old dress could have such an affect on a person.
"Are you ready?" he asks, giving my hand a squeeze in return for mine.
"We are," I answer happily, knowing there is nothing more to be said.
He nods his head down at a pair of imperial guards, telling them to carry our belongings outside to the coaches. I see Okichi study their faces, looking for Tokizo, but he is no doubt still on the eastern border scouting for the emperor. We watch in silence as our bundles, trunks, and chests are heaved onto the shoulders of the guards and carefully transported down the stairs and out the front door to the awaiting coaches. There is a tension in the air, so thick I feel my lungs begin to struggle slightly to draw breath. Tasuki notices and wraps his arm protectively around my trembling shoulder, keeping our sides tightly pressed together. I see him lock gazes with each of the women as if to give them silent encouragement. I wonder if he remembers how they fought and fussed over him that first night we decided to play our little game. Okichi blushes slightly under his gaze, telling me that she remembers quite well how she brazenly placed her hand between his legs that night. Koi and Misa also seem a little flustered at his presence, but Asako seems indifferent as always. She gives Tasuki a bold grin, showing the black spaces in her teeth, and not really knowing what else to do, he smiles back, though not as enthusiastically.
I can't help but smile myself at the strange vibes traveling through the air between Tasuki and the other women. Yes. There's no doubt that they remember quite well the events of that night.
"Master Tasuki," the baritone voice of one of the imperial guards breaks our peculiar reverie. "All of the ladies' belongings have been loaded onto the carriages."
"Good," Tasuki answers, turning to nod his appreciation. He then gently releases my shoulder and turns to the other women, stepping away from the staircase and bowing slightly in the process. "Ladies," he replies gallantly, earning a snicker from Asako as she passes by him on her way down the stairs.
"We may not be whores any longer, my dear," she replies bluntly, "But we certainly aren't demure little ladies either."
I scowl at her, but when she winks coyly at Tasuki and leans into his shoulder to whisper something in his ear, I decide against scolding her. He smiles boldly at her, allowing a single fang to slip out. My curiosity flares, and when the rest of the women have made their way off the balcony and down the stairs, each throwing Tasuki a grateful smile, I turn to him and elbow his rid.
"Ow!" he bellows, rubbing the place where I buried my elbow. "What the hell was that for?"
"What did she say to you?" I ask, making sure my voice doesn't sound too serious. I'm only half-joking, but still a bit irked at how brazen Asako is with any man she comes into contact with.
Tasuki chuckles and shakes his head as if to imply that I'm jealous of my own friend. "You really want to know what she said? You won't get mad at her?"
Hearing this doesn't make me feel better, but I cross my arms and nod my head anyways. Asako is definitely going to get a few words from me later, whether or not she said something suggestive to him. "Yes, I want to know."
Suddenly, I'm in his arms and pressed to his chest, his golden and emerald eyes looming above me like jewels. His breath is warm on my cheeks, the weight of his hands heavy on my back. He tilts his face down to meet my eyes and gently places a kiss on my forehead.
"She said that never before has she seen you look at a man like you look at me. She told me that you love me," he replies nonchalantly. "Is this true, Tansho?" He asks the question as if he truly did not know the answer. I look up into his enchanting eyes and hold his piercing gaze with my own.
"Yes, my beloved," I answer in a soft whisper, "There could be nothing truer in this world."
Without any more words, we turn and walk hand-in-hand down the stairs and across the emptiness of the deserted tavern. The intense sunlight shining through the door blinds me momentarily, and I lift a hand to cover my eyes even though it is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. Beyond that threshold is my new world, my new life. I'm grasping my lover's hand and walking away from the life of slavery and brutality that has claimed me as its own for the last five years. As the vivid beauty of the sunlight begins to swallow me, I see a dark silhouette appear in the doorway of the tavern, cutting off the light from me. Tasuki stops, pulling me to a stop as well.
"And just where the hell do you think you're going?" My eyes adjust to the brightness of the light to see Shingen looming in front of me like a storm cloud, blocking the splendor of the sun and plunging my heart into darkness.
A/N: Ha ha! I've done it again! ^_^ You should know me by now - there's always something standing in the way of Tansho's happiness, huh? But I promise to God that my days of leaving cliffhangers are just about through. ^_^
Once again, I'm really sorry that this update took so long, but I'm having some trouble uploading documents from my laptop, and I have to come home in order to do it. But thanks for you patience, and I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. ^_^
Love you all! See ya later. ^_^