Chapter 45
Escape From the Black Dove
I watch in stunned silence as Shingen steps over the threshold of the Black Dove, blocking my and Tasuki's way. Over his bulky shoulder I see the startled faces of the other women, their eyes wide, their lips parted in fear for me. Koi is in the process of climbing into one of the coaches, her hand held tightly by an imperial guard so she won't trip. I see her blond hair swirl in the breezes as she turns, her ocean-colored eyes instantly broadening with shock at seeing Shingen standing in the Black Dove's doorway. She lets go of the guard's hand and returns to huddle with the other women, their hands clasping each other's.
Not now. Dear gods, not now when I am so close to walking out of this damned place. Where in hell did he come from? Why didn't we see him?
Shingen says something else, but my ears are deaf to whatever it is. I feel Tasuki's hand clench mine tighter. He takes a step sideways, toward me, pressing our arms together. Suddenly I begin to tremble. My skin feels as if I have been hurled into a frozen winter sea. My breath comes in gasps and heaves.
"Tansho," Tasuki whispers into my hair, "It's alright. Nothing's gonna happen to you."
I hear him, and my breath calms a little. His body, so close to mine, warms my skin, but my hand still trembles in his grasp. I am afraid, even though I will never admit it-even to save my own life.
"You look as if you're going somewhere, Tansho," Shingen replies nonchalantly, "I don't remember giving you my permission to go anywhere."
"She no longer needs your permission," Tasuki retorts quickly, his voice dangerously low. I steal a look at him and see his amber-green eyes shimmering with an ominous light that makes my body instantly stop trembling.
"And why the hell is that?" Shingen answers, his voice deepening its tone, trying to match Tasuki's. "I don't know who the fuck you are, but you sure as hell don't have a say in this. I own this woman! I have a signed bill of sale from her father."
"I am Tasuki of the Suzaku Seven," my lover replies smoothly, " And you might have owned her once, but not any longer. I have a signed decree from His Highness Saihitei, the Fourth Emperor of Konan, stating that Tansho has been freed from your service and has the right to go wherever she pleases from now on."
The power of truth floods my veins, bringing me to life even though I am in the presence of a demon from hell. My fingers wrap tightly around my lover's and I raise my eyes to meet those of the man who was once my master and my pimp. Shingen returns my stare, lifting himself to his full height to try to intimidate me. But Tasuki is at my side, and the reality of my freedom has awakened my frightened soul. I will not back down from him. He has no right to me any longer. He has no power over me any longer. And he knows this.
"I told you not long ago that I am my own, Shingen," I reply, my soft voice as tranquil and serene as the waves of the sea, "Now, I have the word of the Emperor himself to prove me true." I close my eyes and lightly caress Tasuki's hand with my thumb, thanking him for not being impetuous, and telling him that I am now ready to leave this place. He responds in the same manner, and takes the first step in case Shingen decides to attempt to harm me. "Goodbye, Shingen," I offer him as we begin to walk towards the door.
I glance beyond Shingen to see the women's faces, their hands pressed to their mouths in both awe and anxiety. All except Asako, whose face is as stoic as a priestess's, seem to be on the verge of bursting into tears. As we pass Shingen, I keep my eyes averted, focused on the carriage at the bottom of the veranda stairs. For a blissful moment that reminds of the first time I laid eyes on Tasuki, I believe that I am finally free. The toe of my black slipper is just a single step from the edge of the veranda, my hand nearly on the banister, my soul nearly free. But the terrified eyes of the women suddenly fill my line of view, their mouths open as if to scream, their hands reaching out to me as if to grab me and shield me.
"Tansho!" Tasuki's voice bellows in my ear, and I suddenly feel the weight of his body upon me as he shrouds me with his arms, knocking me off balance and sending me sprawling onto the rough wooden floor of the veranda. He somehow manages to turn me face-up so that my back collides with the floor and not my face. I feel the surprising heaviness of him as he falls on top of me.
A furious sound fills the air rapidly, spreading above Tasuki and I like thunderclouds. I suddenly realize that it is the sound of Shingen's roaring voice, and as Tasuki struggles to get off me without hurting me in the process, I catch a glimpse of shimmering steel above my head, waving in the air like a silver river. My breath catches in my throat when I recognize what Shingen is brandishing. The sound of the women's horrified screams and wails fills the air around me, and my eyes widen in terror as Tasuki rises from the floor of the veranda and stands over me, facing Shingen, whose monstrous arm is raised. He is clutching a dagger as long as my forearm in his fist, his hand trembling slightly, allowing the blade to glimmer and shine in the sunlight. It is blinding.
I suddenly find my senses and push myself onto my elbows, scrambling backward away from Shingen and Tasuki. Somehow, I find myself in the arms of Koi and Asako, who help lift me and pull me backwards to where the coaches wait.
Tasuki and Shingen stand on the veranda, their sides facing us as they face each other. I see the imperial guards at my side, ready to rush to Tasuki's assistance if he should need it. But he lifts his hand, signaling them to stay where they are.
The gaping mouth that is the Black Dove's door seems to separate my former master from my beloved. It stares at me and taunts me. I might have escaped it, but my beloved is trapped upon its threshold. I struggle in the arms of my friends, desperate to get to Tasuki, but their combined strength holds me back. They don't understand! He has lost his celestial warrior powers; he can no longer summon fire from the enchanted fan upon his back. He has no weapon, and Shingen has the gleaming dagger.
"Be still, girl!" Asako's sharp voice echoes in my ear, "This is beyond you now. Will you risk both your life and the life of your man by trying to interfere? Will you deny him his destiny?"
I swirl to face her. His destiny? Her eyes lock with mine and force me to understand. "It is his battle for you, Tansho. It is your battle for him. Unless it is fought, neither of you will truly belong to the other." Her hands wind themselves around mine, keeping me safe at her side. I turn my attention back to Tasuki and Shingen, who stand solid in the presence of each other, neither willing to back down.
And as Shingen takes flight at my lover, his dagger raised, I understand Asako's strange words. Unless Tasuki fights, I may not go free, and I may not have the chance to be with him. Unless he fights for me, he may not be able to take me away from here. As he crouches in readiness for Shingen's attack, I realize that he is about to fight for both of us. My soul longs to join him, but I know I am incapable of standing my ground against Shingen. I reach beneath the folds of my midnight-colored gown and red silk under robe to clasp the golden medallion, the Seal of Suzaku. It is my only link to Tasuki now. As my lover lets his fist fly, his hand outstretched to catch Shingen's wrist before he can bring the dagger down upon him, I begin to pray.
They battle each other fiercely and carnally. Tasuki has only his powerful skills as a martial artist to protect him, and I am grateful to see that they still remain with him even though his ability to throw fire from his fan has disappeared. Shingen lunges and swings, the dagger glinting and shimmering in the sun. Tasuki blocks the paths of the knife before they can come close to him, then retaliates with a vigorous attack of his own, his muscular arms powering his fists, his agile legs powering his kicks. Shingen falls to his knees over and over again as Tasuki's punches and kicks assault him, but he always manages to rise again somehow. Tasuki's quickness keeps him beyond the range of Shingen's knife and brutal fists. Blood pours from cuts on my former master's face, bruises make him unrecognizable, but my beloved remains untouched and unharmed.
But I begin to worry when I hear Tasuki's labored breathe being carried through the air, draining him of his strength. I begin to tremble when Shingen's heaving breaths mingle with my lover's. They are exhausting each other. They have fought for too long without a victor, and neither is willing to surrender. They will kill each other eventually, driving themselves to the brink of collapsing lifeless upon the veranda. My mind struggles to think of something to do. The golden pendant burns the skin between my breasts, urging me on. But before I can think of a solution, the sound of a heavy body crumpling upon the hard wood of the veranda startles me from my reverie. The shocked gasps of the women rise into the air.
My eyes focus on the veranda, and I see my lover standing alone, his head hanging heavily, his shoulders heaving, sweat glistening upon his face. Shingen lies at his feet, still, silent, unconscious. Tasuki has won. My eyes fly to his, where they are held by his enchanting power. He looks down at Shingen, and when he's sure the pimp won't rise again to challenge him, he turns and stumbles down the steps and into the street where I await him. His arms curl around me and press me to his chest, still heaving and gasping from his ordeal. Even though he is just a normal man and no longer a celestial warrior, he is still the victor. My amazement and shock prevent me from saying anything to him, so I simply hold him.
"You're free now," he pants into my ear, stirring my hair with the force of his breath. I hug him to me, pressing my cheek to his shoulder. "You have your freedom."
"I know," I answer quietly, "And I thank you with all of my heart for giving it to me."
He pulls away from me and gazes into my hazy gray eyes. "You took it on your own. I just helped a little." I grin at him and press my lips to his gently, tasting the saltiness of his sweat and the power of his soul. He is my warrior, even if he belongs to Suzaku first.
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"Do you want him arrested?" Tasuki asks me once we have all been settled inside our coaches. I lean forward to peer out the window of the carriage. He is till lying face down upon the veranda as if he has fallen asleep there. Passersby have begun to stare at his hulky body, wondering what happened to him. I shake my head.
"Let him feel mercy," I answer, "He may not deserve it, but I believe it is right." Tasuki does not contradict or attempt to argue with me. Instead, he simply hands the emperor's decree to one of the guards and tells him to place it on the veranda where Shingen will see it when he wakes.
"So he doesn't think it was all a dream," Tasuki explains with a slight chuckle. "Damn, it's hot!" he suddenly comments, unbuckling his belt and pulling the sheath from his back to pull his heavy black coat from his shoulders. As I help him shed the thick overcoat, Asako gives us a suggestive look, cocking one of her shapely eyebrows in the process.
She, Tasuki, and I have claimed the lead coach; and Okcihi, Koi, and Misa are resting comfortably in the carriage behind us. Once the decree stating my freedom has been laid beside Shingen's unconscious body, the guard returns and takes his place beside our coach. He shouts to the coach's driver, and we lurch backwards slightly as our carriage moves forward, the horses shorting and stamping their feet impatiently. The sound of the horses behind us tells me that my friends' coach has begun moving as well.
I dare a last glance out of the window and watch calmly as we drive away from the Black Dove, my soul singing inside of me, my heart sighing in relief. I see Asako relax into the velvet and silk cushions that surround her, and Tasuki has already begun to drift to sleep beside me, his head resting on my shoulder, his hand gently holding mine. I fold his overcoat with my free hand and place it on my other side, seeing how much more comfortable he is without its bulky warmth surrounding him. And no wonder he's already snoring gently into my hair; he fought long enough to make his opponent collapse in sheer exhaustion. I wonder quietly to myself if Tasuki did that on purpose, not wanting to seriously injure Shingen or even perhaps kill him. But I won't ask him now; I will let him rest.
I settle back into the soft cushions and rest my cheek on the crown of my lover's head, breathing in the exotic scent of his sweat and skin, wondering how I will be able to watch him ride into the midst of battle in the morning. I try to rest, but I am kept awake by the strange feeling of someone watching me. My eyes lift to Asako, and I see her dark gaze settled on me. I lift my head from Tasuki's and narrow my eyes.
"Asako," I reply quietly so as not to awaken Tasuki, "Is something wrong?"
"I don't want to go to the palace, Tansho," she suddenly replies, keeping her voice low when she sees that Tasuki is sleeping.
My heart stops. She can't mean that she wants us to turn around and carry her back to the Black Dove. I open my mouth to protest, to tell her that I will never give her back to that place, but she stops me with a smile.
"I don't mean that I want to return to the brothel, little one," she says gently, "There is another place I want to go. I cannot live in the palace and be idle after being freed from the Black Dove. I must do something to earn my place in the world. I can only think of one thing that truly draws my heart."
I cannot deny her wish even though I long for her to be with me. I know as I look at her aged, yet incredibly beautiful face that she will only be happy in this place that she speaks of. Yes, I will take her there, wherever it may be.
"Of course, Asako," I answer, "Just tell me where and I'll make sure you're taken there."
A/N: Hello again my darling readers! Thank you so much for your reviews (although I know I've been leaving some devilish cliffhangers, huh? ^_^) But thanks for reading anyways and for giving me so many lovely compliments. Well, I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. In my opinion, I think this was the chapter that truly turned Tansho's life around. I absolutely adored writing it! ^_^ Thanks again! See you later!
Escape From the Black Dove
I watch in stunned silence as Shingen steps over the threshold of the Black Dove, blocking my and Tasuki's way. Over his bulky shoulder I see the startled faces of the other women, their eyes wide, their lips parted in fear for me. Koi is in the process of climbing into one of the coaches, her hand held tightly by an imperial guard so she won't trip. I see her blond hair swirl in the breezes as she turns, her ocean-colored eyes instantly broadening with shock at seeing Shingen standing in the Black Dove's doorway. She lets go of the guard's hand and returns to huddle with the other women, their hands clasping each other's.
Not now. Dear gods, not now when I am so close to walking out of this damned place. Where in hell did he come from? Why didn't we see him?
Shingen says something else, but my ears are deaf to whatever it is. I feel Tasuki's hand clench mine tighter. He takes a step sideways, toward me, pressing our arms together. Suddenly I begin to tremble. My skin feels as if I have been hurled into a frozen winter sea. My breath comes in gasps and heaves.
"Tansho," Tasuki whispers into my hair, "It's alright. Nothing's gonna happen to you."
I hear him, and my breath calms a little. His body, so close to mine, warms my skin, but my hand still trembles in his grasp. I am afraid, even though I will never admit it-even to save my own life.
"You look as if you're going somewhere, Tansho," Shingen replies nonchalantly, "I don't remember giving you my permission to go anywhere."
"She no longer needs your permission," Tasuki retorts quickly, his voice dangerously low. I steal a look at him and see his amber-green eyes shimmering with an ominous light that makes my body instantly stop trembling.
"And why the hell is that?" Shingen answers, his voice deepening its tone, trying to match Tasuki's. "I don't know who the fuck you are, but you sure as hell don't have a say in this. I own this woman! I have a signed bill of sale from her father."
"I am Tasuki of the Suzaku Seven," my lover replies smoothly, " And you might have owned her once, but not any longer. I have a signed decree from His Highness Saihitei, the Fourth Emperor of Konan, stating that Tansho has been freed from your service and has the right to go wherever she pleases from now on."
The power of truth floods my veins, bringing me to life even though I am in the presence of a demon from hell. My fingers wrap tightly around my lover's and I raise my eyes to meet those of the man who was once my master and my pimp. Shingen returns my stare, lifting himself to his full height to try to intimidate me. But Tasuki is at my side, and the reality of my freedom has awakened my frightened soul. I will not back down from him. He has no right to me any longer. He has no power over me any longer. And he knows this.
"I told you not long ago that I am my own, Shingen," I reply, my soft voice as tranquil and serene as the waves of the sea, "Now, I have the word of the Emperor himself to prove me true." I close my eyes and lightly caress Tasuki's hand with my thumb, thanking him for not being impetuous, and telling him that I am now ready to leave this place. He responds in the same manner, and takes the first step in case Shingen decides to attempt to harm me. "Goodbye, Shingen," I offer him as we begin to walk towards the door.
I glance beyond Shingen to see the women's faces, their hands pressed to their mouths in both awe and anxiety. All except Asako, whose face is as stoic as a priestess's, seem to be on the verge of bursting into tears. As we pass Shingen, I keep my eyes averted, focused on the carriage at the bottom of the veranda stairs. For a blissful moment that reminds of the first time I laid eyes on Tasuki, I believe that I am finally free. The toe of my black slipper is just a single step from the edge of the veranda, my hand nearly on the banister, my soul nearly free. But the terrified eyes of the women suddenly fill my line of view, their mouths open as if to scream, their hands reaching out to me as if to grab me and shield me.
"Tansho!" Tasuki's voice bellows in my ear, and I suddenly feel the weight of his body upon me as he shrouds me with his arms, knocking me off balance and sending me sprawling onto the rough wooden floor of the veranda. He somehow manages to turn me face-up so that my back collides with the floor and not my face. I feel the surprising heaviness of him as he falls on top of me.
A furious sound fills the air rapidly, spreading above Tasuki and I like thunderclouds. I suddenly realize that it is the sound of Shingen's roaring voice, and as Tasuki struggles to get off me without hurting me in the process, I catch a glimpse of shimmering steel above my head, waving in the air like a silver river. My breath catches in my throat when I recognize what Shingen is brandishing. The sound of the women's horrified screams and wails fills the air around me, and my eyes widen in terror as Tasuki rises from the floor of the veranda and stands over me, facing Shingen, whose monstrous arm is raised. He is clutching a dagger as long as my forearm in his fist, his hand trembling slightly, allowing the blade to glimmer and shine in the sunlight. It is blinding.
I suddenly find my senses and push myself onto my elbows, scrambling backward away from Shingen and Tasuki. Somehow, I find myself in the arms of Koi and Asako, who help lift me and pull me backwards to where the coaches wait.
Tasuki and Shingen stand on the veranda, their sides facing us as they face each other. I see the imperial guards at my side, ready to rush to Tasuki's assistance if he should need it. But he lifts his hand, signaling them to stay where they are.
The gaping mouth that is the Black Dove's door seems to separate my former master from my beloved. It stares at me and taunts me. I might have escaped it, but my beloved is trapped upon its threshold. I struggle in the arms of my friends, desperate to get to Tasuki, but their combined strength holds me back. They don't understand! He has lost his celestial warrior powers; he can no longer summon fire from the enchanted fan upon his back. He has no weapon, and Shingen has the gleaming dagger.
"Be still, girl!" Asako's sharp voice echoes in my ear, "This is beyond you now. Will you risk both your life and the life of your man by trying to interfere? Will you deny him his destiny?"
I swirl to face her. His destiny? Her eyes lock with mine and force me to understand. "It is his battle for you, Tansho. It is your battle for him. Unless it is fought, neither of you will truly belong to the other." Her hands wind themselves around mine, keeping me safe at her side. I turn my attention back to Tasuki and Shingen, who stand solid in the presence of each other, neither willing to back down.
And as Shingen takes flight at my lover, his dagger raised, I understand Asako's strange words. Unless Tasuki fights, I may not go free, and I may not have the chance to be with him. Unless he fights for me, he may not be able to take me away from here. As he crouches in readiness for Shingen's attack, I realize that he is about to fight for both of us. My soul longs to join him, but I know I am incapable of standing my ground against Shingen. I reach beneath the folds of my midnight-colored gown and red silk under robe to clasp the golden medallion, the Seal of Suzaku. It is my only link to Tasuki now. As my lover lets his fist fly, his hand outstretched to catch Shingen's wrist before he can bring the dagger down upon him, I begin to pray.
They battle each other fiercely and carnally. Tasuki has only his powerful skills as a martial artist to protect him, and I am grateful to see that they still remain with him even though his ability to throw fire from his fan has disappeared. Shingen lunges and swings, the dagger glinting and shimmering in the sun. Tasuki blocks the paths of the knife before they can come close to him, then retaliates with a vigorous attack of his own, his muscular arms powering his fists, his agile legs powering his kicks. Shingen falls to his knees over and over again as Tasuki's punches and kicks assault him, but he always manages to rise again somehow. Tasuki's quickness keeps him beyond the range of Shingen's knife and brutal fists. Blood pours from cuts on my former master's face, bruises make him unrecognizable, but my beloved remains untouched and unharmed.
But I begin to worry when I hear Tasuki's labored breathe being carried through the air, draining him of his strength. I begin to tremble when Shingen's heaving breaths mingle with my lover's. They are exhausting each other. They have fought for too long without a victor, and neither is willing to surrender. They will kill each other eventually, driving themselves to the brink of collapsing lifeless upon the veranda. My mind struggles to think of something to do. The golden pendant burns the skin between my breasts, urging me on. But before I can think of a solution, the sound of a heavy body crumpling upon the hard wood of the veranda startles me from my reverie. The shocked gasps of the women rise into the air.
My eyes focus on the veranda, and I see my lover standing alone, his head hanging heavily, his shoulders heaving, sweat glistening upon his face. Shingen lies at his feet, still, silent, unconscious. Tasuki has won. My eyes fly to his, where they are held by his enchanting power. He looks down at Shingen, and when he's sure the pimp won't rise again to challenge him, he turns and stumbles down the steps and into the street where I await him. His arms curl around me and press me to his chest, still heaving and gasping from his ordeal. Even though he is just a normal man and no longer a celestial warrior, he is still the victor. My amazement and shock prevent me from saying anything to him, so I simply hold him.
"You're free now," he pants into my ear, stirring my hair with the force of his breath. I hug him to me, pressing my cheek to his shoulder. "You have your freedom."
"I know," I answer quietly, "And I thank you with all of my heart for giving it to me."
He pulls away from me and gazes into my hazy gray eyes. "You took it on your own. I just helped a little." I grin at him and press my lips to his gently, tasting the saltiness of his sweat and the power of his soul. He is my warrior, even if he belongs to Suzaku first.
**************************************************************************** ****************
"Do you want him arrested?" Tasuki asks me once we have all been settled inside our coaches. I lean forward to peer out the window of the carriage. He is till lying face down upon the veranda as if he has fallen asleep there. Passersby have begun to stare at his hulky body, wondering what happened to him. I shake my head.
"Let him feel mercy," I answer, "He may not deserve it, but I believe it is right." Tasuki does not contradict or attempt to argue with me. Instead, he simply hands the emperor's decree to one of the guards and tells him to place it on the veranda where Shingen will see it when he wakes.
"So he doesn't think it was all a dream," Tasuki explains with a slight chuckle. "Damn, it's hot!" he suddenly comments, unbuckling his belt and pulling the sheath from his back to pull his heavy black coat from his shoulders. As I help him shed the thick overcoat, Asako gives us a suggestive look, cocking one of her shapely eyebrows in the process.
She, Tasuki, and I have claimed the lead coach; and Okcihi, Koi, and Misa are resting comfortably in the carriage behind us. Once the decree stating my freedom has been laid beside Shingen's unconscious body, the guard returns and takes his place beside our coach. He shouts to the coach's driver, and we lurch backwards slightly as our carriage moves forward, the horses shorting and stamping their feet impatiently. The sound of the horses behind us tells me that my friends' coach has begun moving as well.
I dare a last glance out of the window and watch calmly as we drive away from the Black Dove, my soul singing inside of me, my heart sighing in relief. I see Asako relax into the velvet and silk cushions that surround her, and Tasuki has already begun to drift to sleep beside me, his head resting on my shoulder, his hand gently holding mine. I fold his overcoat with my free hand and place it on my other side, seeing how much more comfortable he is without its bulky warmth surrounding him. And no wonder he's already snoring gently into my hair; he fought long enough to make his opponent collapse in sheer exhaustion. I wonder quietly to myself if Tasuki did that on purpose, not wanting to seriously injure Shingen or even perhaps kill him. But I won't ask him now; I will let him rest.
I settle back into the soft cushions and rest my cheek on the crown of my lover's head, breathing in the exotic scent of his sweat and skin, wondering how I will be able to watch him ride into the midst of battle in the morning. I try to rest, but I am kept awake by the strange feeling of someone watching me. My eyes lift to Asako, and I see her dark gaze settled on me. I lift my head from Tasuki's and narrow my eyes.
"Asako," I reply quietly so as not to awaken Tasuki, "Is something wrong?"
"I don't want to go to the palace, Tansho," she suddenly replies, keeping her voice low when she sees that Tasuki is sleeping.
My heart stops. She can't mean that she wants us to turn around and carry her back to the Black Dove. I open my mouth to protest, to tell her that I will never give her back to that place, but she stops me with a smile.
"I don't mean that I want to return to the brothel, little one," she says gently, "There is another place I want to go. I cannot live in the palace and be idle after being freed from the Black Dove. I must do something to earn my place in the world. I can only think of one thing that truly draws my heart."
I cannot deny her wish even though I long for her to be with me. I know as I look at her aged, yet incredibly beautiful face that she will only be happy in this place that she speaks of. Yes, I will take her there, wherever it may be.
"Of course, Asako," I answer, "Just tell me where and I'll make sure you're taken there."
A/N: Hello again my darling readers! Thank you so much for your reviews (although I know I've been leaving some devilish cliffhangers, huh? ^_^) But thanks for reading anyways and for giving me so many lovely compliments. Well, I hope you enjoyed this new chapter. In my opinion, I think this was the chapter that truly turned Tansho's life around. I absolutely adored writing it! ^_^ Thanks again! See you later!