Hands Full Of Rainbow
Chapter Two: The Hearing
-and rain
A/N: I don't own Digimon or Gathering Blue. Enjoy!
The sun slowly approached midday, as Sora tidied herself and went to the Council Manor, where the Council of Keepers would be waiting for her. She received several smiles and cheers from the little children who wished her good luck. Sora's heart sunk at the thought of never seeing their sweet faces again. She took a deep breath and continued.
The Manor was extravagantly decorated. With four main towers, and a beautiful courtyard in the center. Stained glass windows flooding the corridors with colorful light, and magnificent structures and artifacts from the past. It was an ancient edifice, with a long past. The people knew of its past only from the Song that was presented at the annual Harvest.
The Song was long and exhausting. It began with the beginning of time, telling the entire story of people over the centuries. The story of the past was filled with war and disasters. Versus told of smoke polluting the air, fires destroying everything, plagues haunting ancient civilizations. Everyone was required to listen.
Sora walked alone down a long hallway lit on either side by oil lamps hanging from the wall. She could hear the voices of the meeting ahead, behind a closed door. She quickly took out her wooden comb that her mother had given her and brushed her soft ginger colored hair. She took a deep breath and knocked on the heavy door.
A small, nervous man cracked open the door, "Y-yes?"
"I am Takenouchi Sora, I-"
"Oh yes, pardon me, right this way Sora-san," The man smiled as he opened the door wider to let her through. "F-follow me." He led her down another hallway that led into the chamber. The circular room was colossal, the ceiling was incredibly high, and all around were very tall tables and platforms. Behind the platforms were the twelve Keepers. Each had their own personal lamp, illuminated behind them.
"The accused orphan girl, Takenouchi Sora, is here," The tense man announced. One by one, the Keepers peered over the tables and looked down at the fiery haired girl that stood before them. She quickly remembered what her mother had told her about greeting the Keepers, and bowed down as far as she could go.
"And the accuser, Hirata Tomiko!" The small man said clearly as he stepped aside, letting Tomiko enter the chamber. She too, bowed gracefully to the Keepers.
"Very well, let us begin Tomiko-san, as the accuser, you will speak first," the Warden, Ishida Yatsuhiro, said.
Tomiko's voice was hard and bitter. "This girl is taking up our space. She is now imperfect, and fatherless as well. She has been nothing but a burden ever since she bruised her anklebone. Matsuki-sensei said it would take several weeks to heal. We don't have time to wait, there is work that needs to be done now."
Sora looked down at her swollen foot, it was true she was a burden. She couldn't do anything because her ankle pained and hurt her too much. Tomiko continued. "Now, she is becoming slow, and doesn't contribute to the village. She cannot dig or plant or weed. All she does is tell ridiculous stories to the children, filling their brains with nonsense. And she eats a lot too!"
Sora blushed, she did eat a lot, but she could stop anytime she wanted! The Warden waved his hand, "Thank you Tomiko, that will be all. Now then, Sora, as you are still a child, you are not required to defend yourself."
Sora was shocked, "Not defend myself, after what she said-"
The Warden silenced her, "You have a choice Sora-san, you may defend yourself, or we shall appoint a defender on your behalf. Your life may depend on this decision Sora, choose wisely."
But you are strangers to me! How can you tell the story of my birth and all the trouble I had to go through?
Sora paused for a moment. "Please appoint a defender," she said as she gave a small bow.
The Warden nodded. "Bring me my son, where is Yamato?"
The man who escorted Sora to the chamber came back with the same young rider whom Sora had met yesterday. She watched him climb the stairs and stand behind a podium. He was tall, not much older than Sora herself, and well built, with breath taking azure eyes. He shuffled some papers and began. His smooth, baritone voice filled the chambers.
"I will begin by readdressing the accusations one by one," he said. Sora sighed heavily, and shifted her weight to her good leg. Not again "This girl is taking up our space. She is now imperfect, and fatherless as well. Well it appears the accuser is correct."
Sora felt stricken by betrayal. This was her defender, how could he backstab her like that? She felt Tomiko's penetrating smile of satisfaction beside her.
"Turning though," Yamato continued, "to the fourth set of amendments-" The Keepers all turned pages in their books and ran their fingers down the pages. "It is clear that exceptions can be made, so we may set aside that assertion. Do you wish to speak?" He asked Sora.
Clutching onto her walking stick, Sora shook her head softly. He went on, "She has been nothing but a burden ever since she bruised her anklebone. Matsuki-sensei said it would take several weeks to heal. We don't have time to wait, there is work that needs to be done now. Yes this is all true, work must get done, but once again exceptions can be made, and her leg will heal eventually." The Keepers nodded their heads in agreement. Sora felt uplifted with hope.
"Now, she is becoming slow, and doesn't contribute to the village. She cannot dig or plant or weed. All she does is tell ridiculous stories to the children, filling their brains with nonsense. Once again, the accusations are true. She cannot dig, plant or weed, but she does keep the children busy. By telling them stories, she entertains them giving their mothers a chance to work. Do you wish to speak?" Yamato asked her again.
Sora shook her head. Her ankle ached, she was not used to standing for such a long period of time.
"But, it is brought to my attention that you have found a way to contribute. Am I correct, Sora, that you work at the weaving shed?"
Sora nodded her head. Ever since her mother taught her how to sew and weave, Sora had a fascination with threading.
"There is but one accusation left, she eats a lot," Yamato chuckled softly, "Does she eat a lot? I think not. Look at how slim she is. Her figure refutes that accusation." Sora blushed deeply. "Warden, the defense rests."
The Warden rose from his seat, "Very well, there shall be a brief intermission, while we reach a decision. You may sit, food will be brought as it is close to lunch time!" And with that, the Keepers rose from their seats and went into another room, along with Yamato.
Gratefully, Sora sat down and massaged her aching foot. Tomiko sat on the same bench, but kept a good distance from her. Sora couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. Tomiko's argument was much stronger than the one Yamato had presented.
Once again, the little man appeared balancing two trays. A hot, steaming meal resting on each. "Here you are, enjoy!" He said happily, and left.
Sora was starving, but she was reminded of Tomiko's accusation: "She eats a lot." Fearful of the consequences if she showed her ravenous hunger, Sora willed herself to nibble at the tempting meal. After she ate, a guard came and took their trays.
The twelve Keepers entered the room followed by a guard carrying a large chest. Yamato was the last to enter the room, he made is way up the stairs and stood once again behind the podium.
"We have reached our decision, but first, guard!" Yamato ordered as a guard brought forth the chest. Yamato opened it carefully, and slowly unfolded something that Sora recognized at once.
"The Singer's robe!" Sora said aloud in delight. Sora remembered the several occasions where her mother had been asked to replace a few threads that had been torn loose on the ancient robe. Because her mother was familiar with the art of dye, she was able to match each color perfectly.
The robe was intricately decorated and showed the scenes of ancient history. Some of the threads were badly faded, and a huge patch across the shoulders was undecorated, left empty for future scenes.
Yamato watched Sora as she remembered. Then he said, "You're mother had been teaching you the art."
Sora nodded softly. "Since I was small."
"She was a skilled worker, her dyes were steadfast. They have not dulled. We are told that your skill is greater than hers."
Sora looked up at Yamato. It was true. One time, a few years back, Sora threaded together a small piece of cloth that seemed to stitch itself. If was just a small square of cloth, but it was the most beautiful scrap of cloth she ever made.
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"I didn't teach you how to do that!" Sakamae laughed softly as she held up the cloth.
"I know, but somehow, it just happened…"
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"And she taught you the coloring as well as the stitches?"
"This has no relevance!" Tomiko yelled. The Warden gave her a stern a look.
"Yes, my mother was taught by a skilled dyer… I am forgetting her name…" Sora said as she tried to remember.
"Matsuo Asami, yes I am afraid she has passed away," Yamato said softly.
Suddenly Tomiko stood, her patience twiddling. "I request that these proceedings continue," she said abruptly.
The Warden rose. "You may go," he said. "The trial is complete, we have reached our decision. The orphan girl Takenouchi Sora will stay. She will have a new role."
Sora stared at the Warden, dumbfounded. The Warden looked down at Sora. "Sora-san, you will continue your mother's work. First, you will repair the robe as your mother always did. Next, you will restore it. Then your true work will begin. You, my dear, will complete the robe."
Nervously Sora nodded in reply and bowed slightly. "As for you?" The Warden gazed down at Tomiko, "You have not lost. You may have the girl's land. Build your pen. It would be wise to pen your children; they are troublesome and should be better contained. You have been dismissed."
Tomiko turned quickly. Her face was a mask of fury. She leaned forward a whispered harshly to Sora, "You will fail. Then they will have the joy of killing you. A joy I shall never feel!" She smiled coldly at Yamato, and left.
Yamato left the podium and walked towards Sora, "Go and gather whatever you need. Be back here when the bell rings four times. And we will take you to your quarters, to the place where you will live from now on," he smiled.
Sora couldn't believe what she was hearing, her life had been spared! "She bowed gratefully, "Thank you Ishida-sama," She said softly.
"Please, one so exquisite as yourself must call me Yamato."
Sora blushed slightly, "Very well Yamato-san, see you at four bells!" She said happily as she left.
"Sora! Over here!" A familiar voice called out as the young ginger haired girl exited the Manor. "What happened? Are you going to the Field? To the beasts?"
Sora smiled, "No T.K., I'm let go!"
"Really!? That's great! So we're still going to get stories! I saw Tomiko, she hates you now for sure," T.K. said.
Sora told her small friend the whole story as they walked back to her burnt down burrow. "They told me to bring all my things," Sora laughed. "I don't have much to gather huh T.K.?"
T.K. grinned, "I saved you some things," he told her happily. "I filched a few things from your burrow before the burning. I didn't tell you before, I waited to see what happened to you."
"Four bells will be ringing soon, I better get back to the Manor, see you later T.K." Sora said as she turned to leave.
"I'll be back later and bring you your things, bye Sora!" T.K. called as he ran off to join some of his friends.
Only Yamato was waiting for her in the entrance hall. "There you are," Yamato said as he folded the papers he was reading. "I'll show you your room. It isn't far. It's in the East Tower. Is that all you have?" He asked as he saw the small basket Sora carried.
"Not much is left after a burning, but a friend of mine is bringing some more later," she said.
Yamato nodded and led her towards the East Tower. "There are four main towers here at the Manor," he explained. "The East and West towers are where our residents stay. The North is where The Keepers and myself reside. And finally the South tower is home to our prisoners, weapons, and dungeons."
They walked up a few stairs, which was difficult for Sora and her bad ankle, and then down a long hallway. He stopped in front of a large wooden door which had "The Threader" engraved upon it.
"And here is your room." Yamato opened the door. Sora gaped in amazement. It wasn't just a single room like her burrow, but it had three rooms. One had several tables and drawers. A chair sat beside a large window that overlooked the gorgeous scenery of the mountains. "The robe is kept here," he told her, pointing to a large drawer that was adorned with beautiful carvings. He gestured towards the smaller drawers. "Supplies," he said. "Whatever you need."
Sora followed him to a smaller room with a large tub and faucet. "There is hot water here, for washing. And finally, your bed." He said as he led her to the bedroom. There was a large canopy bed in the center of the room. And a dressing table with a large mirror. There was another window, overlooking the same scenery as the other.
Sora was speechless. All of her life she lived in her small one room burrow with her mother. She bathed in the stream, and boiled water over a hot plate. Now, everything she needed or wanted would be brought to her.
Yamato grinned at her, "The Artisan lives just down the hall, on the other side. You are welcome to visit his room, but you both must work during daylight hours. Familiarize yourself with your new home and tools. If you need anything else, it shall be brought to you. Tomorrow, one of the advisors will go over your work assignments with you. I'll be down in the entrance hall if you need anything." Yamato turned to leave.
"Yamato-" Sora began.
"Yes?" He turned around to face her again.
Sora felt her knees go weak. She shook her head and regained her balance. "I just wanted to thank you, for everything." She smiled weakly.
"Sora-san, you know I would do anything for you," he smiled as he kissed her hand softly.
Sora swallowed hard as she watched him leave. She set her basket down and explored her new home. Everything was so new and foreign to her. She observed every nook and cranny. (A/N: lol!!) There was a soft knock at her door. "Come in."
A young girl, about her age with soft brown hair appeared carrying a tray with a hot fresh meal. "Good evening Sora-san, I am Tachikawa Mimi, you're tender. If you need anything, simply tug on this rope," she pointed to a rope that hung from the ceiling nest to the window in her workroom.
"Thank you," Sora said as she took her tray and set it down on a nearby table.
"Shall I run a bath for you?" Mimi asked.
"Oh, no thanks you. I'm rather tired, I think I'll just eat and got to bed," Sora yawned.
"Leave your tray outside the door when you are finished. We'll talk some other time then," Mimi smiled. "Sleep well."
"Thank you Mimi."
A/N: Done! I know it may see like a sorato, but its not! Review and tell me what you think. No flames please! ;) I know this ending could've been better, but it's 11:35 p.m. right now, and I am VERY tired! ^o^ *yawns*
~Rainy