Chapter Title: Unheard Lamentations
Series Title: Light of the Moon, Abyss of the Heavens
Author: Seoinage
Fandom: Juuni Kokki
Themes: "Child found crying in the winter tree", "Lemongrass summer"
Disclaimer: ©1991 Ono Fuyumi, Kodansha, and various companies who bought rights to it.

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Light of the Moon, Abyss of the Heavens
(月の光、天の淵)

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CHAPTER 1

Unheard Lamentations: Fetter Me Softly

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"Gyousou-sama!" Sougen screamed, desperation supplementing the failing strength of his arms as he tried to clear a way towards his lord upon his suuguu. The enemy pressed in at all sides, jabbing and slashing at any openings he might let slip. As the length of the battle wore on, his strength slowly drained away and yet they still came in fresh waves. Already they had him isolated, as they did with the emperor of Tai.

Suddenly, another burning pain sliced across his back, lancing fire – wicked, dark, consuming – but he whirled around fluidly still, his own sword finding its target and sinking in. And then the blade in his hands came out to parry another with a harsh screech and clang, the crimson fluid spraying across them all in a metallic and suffocating waterfall.

Sougen's entire world existed in the next opponent rushing at him with their weapon at the ready, murderous fear in the eyes as they yelled their last. His hilt wrapping darkened and grew slicker by the moment, the ground sometimes much more malleable than winter ground should be. He ignored it all, tightening his grip as he swung, slashed, blocked, killed.

In the next span of time, a hole opened up and someone familiar slipped next to him, a second sword coming to play alongside. Though surprised, Sougen was glad for it. His own contingent of soldiers of the Zui Province Left Army, or what remained of them, were scattered all around. The slowly rising moon cast its pale beauty over the grim scene of ambush, so many engaged in their own survival, so many falling to their deaths.

We're almost there, his mind whispered encouragingly to him. Gyousou-sama's almost in sight, his eyes told him. And there was hope in his heart that they would make it out, if they could just get clear to the side of the emperor to ensure his safety. They'd done similar things together before, such as Gyousou creating miracles and them supporting him in the process.

He wanted to do so again.

He wanted to see the fruition of their new world.

So they continued, closing the distance as best they could. And then the next pain Sougen felt was that in his chest, ripping from his back to his front like fireworks being lit right inside and wrenching him open. In shock, he dropped his sword, the heavy thud subsumed by the roar in his ears. One hand shakily rose; in time to catch the first drop of his own blood as it pooled and ran along the blade plunged straight through his chest. He convulsed, knees giving way as his head tipped back.

As he slid down, down into that rushing black abyss, the sight of the sharp and deadly tip of the blade was replace. Instead, he saw the sad face of the moon hiding behind winter-bare branches, its silent snow-cries falling to melt amongst the stars bound up in its inky steel tresses. As if Taiki…

Taiho…Gyousou-sama…I…

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The day Taiki had finally looked at him, really saw him, Gyousou had felt something break free inside of himself. Dark eyes once condemning now shone with ever-growing trust. Such a young kirin, untried in the ways of the world that would have him as its sign of hope. But with such heart to worry, alone, for so long over the issue of whether he had rightly chosen an emperor for Tai.

Truly, a magnificent kirin.

No longer did Gyousou feel like he had stolen a precious treasure from the Taiki. Nor did he feel like the night when a cape-wrapped kirin had sworn fealty to him had only been a cruel dream. A joke exacted in retaliation to his own ego. A cruelty played out against him for expressing his plans to abandon Tai because he thought himself not chosen. But truly, the experience had been most harsh upon the small kirin.

Thanks to the intervention of Keiki, Enki, and the emperor of En two weeks before, he and Taiki have started over again.

"Your Majesty, your opinion upon this please." The ministers waited upon him from their places below him with expectant faces.

Looking back at them, Gyousou saw the ones whose help would be essential to building a stronger country. Already, the plans were taking shape in his mind. Then he thought, I hope that Kouri will like the new dish tonight at dinner..

He corrected the slightest slouch in his posture as he responded, all business. "This is what I foresee…"

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His suuguu was down, he himself thrown clear of the heavy mass only to fall amongst those aiming for his downfall. Instantly he was up on his feet, sword at the ready. Not wanting to slight him with their inattention, his opponents came at him at once like gracious hosts. They knew better.

So did he.

He held them off even as they slowly isolated him further. Whoever had planned this had planned it well. Still, there had been miscalculations, or the two sides would still not be fighting. The frozen afternoon had slid into an even chillier evening. Now, the moon held court. His own breath steamed, but he felt not the cold.

Instead, he felt the weight of his own miscalculations. Heard the cries of his men dying around him. Smelled the iron of the weapons dipped in blood. Saw how they entrapped them in this mountain path. Tasted the bitterness of betrayal when Sougen fell. Thought about Tai's future and the safety of its taiho.

When the trap first sprang close he fought. When they brought his suuguu down he fought. When his arms could swing no longer, he still fought.

Fight. Fight. His mind urged. Survive!

And so even when they finally brought him down, his mind still fought. Kouri…

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"Gyousou-sama, what is this?" Wonder tickled his voice.

"It's lemongrass, Kouri. Do you like it?"

"Oh yes!" Taiki beamed. " Thank you."

Smiling slightly, Gyousou filled the kirin's plate back up. "I'm glad."

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Thus did the summer gently passed between them.

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Constructive comments and critiques welcomed.