Chapter Seven: What came before
Seven O'clock.
The residents of the Hinata Sou have all been informed of the dinner they are to attend, and by a subtle suggestion from the Lady of grounds, been provided with appropriate attire and a number of off duty servants to "Make sure everything is in order".
Father will have a harder time dismissing them if he cannot readily identify them as outsiders, and that will aid them if they wish to come to your defence brother.
19:01
Kyoko checked her light blue kimono one final time, ensuring there were no crinkles or creases running through the white sakura patterns, and that the obi was securely fastened.
All of these checks were merely delaying tactics and she knew it. She found herself once more outside a certain blue haired girl's room, her disquiet from hours before still fresh in her mind even if the exact reason had been pushed out of her mind by more pressing issues.
"This is ridiculous", she told herself sternly, raising a hand to knock. Shinobu and the others held no grievance against her, so there was no need to feel…uncomfortable.
A faint smell of lavender caught her attention, momentarily whipping her back to the last time she had encountered such a scent…
The door slid aside and Shinobu was brought up short as she found her way blocked by Kyoko, seemingly deep in thought, her brow furrowed slightly, but a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Kyoko?", the blue haired girl asked when Kyoko didn't seem to react, resisting the urge to wave her hand in front of the other girl's face.
The grey-eyed girl seemed to come back to herself upon hearing her name being spoken, and Shinobu had to work hard not to giggle at the adorable look of confusion that crossed her friend's face as she focused on what had brought her out of her reverie.
"Kyoko, did you want something?"
Kyoko straightened a little and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing would come out as she took another second to take note of her friends apparel.
Shinobu was dressed in a green Kimono with darker green floral patterns across it and a yellow obi, her hair tied up in the traditional bun at the back of her head, just like Kyoko's own, giving an unobstructed view of her pretty face and large violet eyes.
"You look quiet lovely Shinobu", Kyoko said, those words replacing whatever she had been planning to say and bringing out a light blush on her friends face that must have been mirrored on her own even as Shinobu uttered her thanks.
For a moment, neither of the two friends spoke.
"I…Believe we should go gather the others", Kyoko said smoothly when the abrupt silence between the two had begun to stretch and she was sure her face had returned to its normal colour.
She turned somewhat stiffly on her heal, proceeding to the next room without looking back or hearing when the other girl muttered her agreement and began to follow.
It didn't take long to gather the rest of their little tribe. The only delays came from convincing Kitsune to close her deep red kimono with its golden dragon patterns, right to the top and a few more minutes advising a reluctant Motoko against bringing along either the Hina or the Sword of Two Souls.
Kyoko lined them up as best they could be in the hallway, inspecting each of them with a practiced eye. Su in a deep blue with white mist patterns and a royal blue obi bounced impatiently near Motoko in a beige kimono decorated with small tree patterns and a red obi, having to be separated from her forcibly at times to prevent her jumping on her friends back and ruining both of their garments with her enthusiasm for food.
Next Kyoko organised them into what Su termed their marching order, herself and Motoko at the head of their little group, followed by Kitsune and a black robed Kentaro, and finally Su and Shinobu bringing up the rear.
She had them walk past her up and down the hall a few times, wishing she had thought to give them some formal instruction before coming to collect them, but knowing spending any more time around them than necessary would only raise her Father's suspicions.
Surprisingly Su managed an almost regal grace when convinced that she would be helping Koichi by behaving. Kyoko could not help but wonder if the other girl had had any formal instruction, and made a note to ask at a later date.
Shinobu was probably the most graceful of them after Su, although she wouldn't believe it, followed by Motoko and finally Kitsune, who really couldn't help but look sexy rather than graceful in something that hugged her figure as unintentionally well as the kimono.
Satisfied, Kyoko rejoined the group and began leading them toward the dinning hall.
"Where's Koichi?", Motoko asked her quietly after they began moving. Kyoko didn't look at her directly as she responded, modulating her voice so it could only be heard by Motoko and keeping her pace smooth and even.
"He will be waiting there already most likely, I'm only here because it is my duty as hostess".
"…I see".
"…Motoko-sama. There are a number of things we could talk about while we walk…have I ever told you about my family…or has Koichi?", Kyoko said, phrasing her question carefully.
"No", Motoko said, sounding curious, "Neither of us talk about our respective families often".
"I see…Well, you know most of the immediate family. My Father,", she didn't miss the low growl that grew in the older woman's throat and pushed on, ", my cousin Akira and his father, Uncle Hitoshi, the man who is thought to be the only voice of moderation left within the Clan or at least this family since the death of my mother at my birth…".
Motoko looked at Kyoko sympathetically, but the younger girl kept her eyes forward, her face impassive as always.
"We have a number of other relatives that we rarely see…one however will be attending tonight's dinner as my Father's guest", a glance showed that none of this really interested the older woman, and Kyoko braced herself to deliver the part of this little speech that would grab the other woman's attention, "Sakura Hisaka, eldest daughter of my Father's cousin…she was his best friend during his childhood, something which only changed about a year ago…".
"Really? How come?", Motoko's voice now displayed something other than polite interest.
"…She made it known that she wished to wed him", Kyoko managed to stabilize the raven haired woman as she stumbled a little, risking a look at her face and wishing she hadn't.
She remembered the nightmares she had had after reading about the sealing of the great demon Yazuroph in the family library. Her night terrors would have fled in fear at the look on Motoko's face at that moment.
"What?", her voice matched her expression.
"She fell in love with my brother, she expressed a wish to wed him someday", Kyoko replied evenly.
"And how did he respond?"
"He rebuffed her, saying that he had already promised someone else…", Kyoko watched Motoko's expression return to normal, with the hint of a proud smile, and wished she didn't have to add the next bit, "Sakura refused to except this…she spent the better part of six months here trying rather forcefully to change his mind".
"Oh really", Motoko's words were deceptively mild; as her hand groped unconsciously for the sword she wasn't wearing.
"I warn you of her presence in advance…I do not know what her heart holds now, but I am aware that a blade is not the only way to wound someone", she said referring both to anything Sakura might try, and as a warning against giving in to anger and jealousy, especially when one is a martial arts master.
Motoko coloured a little, showing she had understood the message and would show restraint.
Kyoko fell silent and resumed her even pace as they drew closer, bringing each and every impulse, every form of expression under her perfect control.
Dancing without moving, an expression used both by political and Ki instructors alike, and it fit both areas well.
Two servants bowed low as they pulled the doors aside, granting the party admittance to the room beyond.
The dining hall was a expansive room, long and wide if not any taller than normal, after all, it had been designed within the confines of the temple's structure. That in no way detracted from the simple elegance of the room.
Some of the guests were already seated and waiting for the others. Her Father at the head of the low set table, Koichi to his right and next to him…
Kyoko's eyes almost narrowed at her Father's lack of tact. Seated next to her brother was Sakura, re-splendid in her white kimono with cherry blossom motif like her namesake and sky blue obi, black, purple tinged hair held up by simple gold ornaments and her poise perfect.
Next to her Koichi eyed her warily, almost comically if you didn't know the lengths this woman had gone to trying to win him over, including something that had occurred in the temple's private onsen he still refused to talk about, even with her.
It was true that Motoko could not sit next to him, or across from him by rules of etiquette, and that as family Sakura should sit higher than any of their guests, giving her perfect right to the spot she now occupied, but still…
Kyoko mentally shook her head while smiling at the servant who guided her to her seat on her Father's other side thankfully.
Thus they were seated: Kenichi at his place at the head of the table. To his right; Koichi, Sakura, Kitsune and Kentaro, and to his left; herself, Motoko, Shinobu and Su.
Finally, at the end of the table was an empty space…a space left in memory for their late mother.
Hitoshi had begged off attending the meal, claiming that he wanted time to catch up with is errant son. More likely he didn't want anyone else around at that meal that was against Koichi and was doing his bit to help out as requested by his niece.
They all ate the first course of the meal in an uncomfortable silence. Motoko and Koichi would occasionally glance at each other, the latter to shrug apologetically, and the former to observe the distance between the latter and Sakura.
Kyoko was actually surprised that Sakura hadn't tried to move closer to her brother, making the most of the opportunity, but she ascribed it to a burst of common sense, or a change of tact at least.
It was shortly after the main meal was brought out that the peace was broken.
"Tell me Koichi", her father began, "What has kept you from making this visit earlier?".
Koichi eyed him; "There have been a number of things to work out".
"Problems?", Kenichi asked politely, opting to take the same track he had with her, though with the more volatile personality possessed by her brother, it was likely to provoke an unfavourable out burst if maintained.
Koichi clenched his hand under the table, he knew the old man would start in on his relationship to Motoko as soon as possible but he had at least hoped he would do it in private, and without all this verbal light-footing his family seemed to love so much.
Yeah, cause that was going to happen
"No, just a small period of re-acquaintance…We hadn't seen each other since we were children after all", he replied forcing himself not to clench his teeth.
"Ah yes, children, the time of the innocent heart…and the foolish-", a delicate cough cut off what ever he had been about to say next and Kyoko apologised as she took a sip of her water.
Kenichi frowned at his daughter thoughtfully and turned back to Koichi, who had resumed eating, cutting off another assault from his Father. Koichi chewed slowly wanting to prolong his old man's period of silence as long as possible, both men so focused on each other they missed the thankful look Motoko gave Kyoko who acted as if she hadn't seen it.
"Yes…I suppose that was then and this is now", Kenichi said, taking the only available route out of the conversation and clearly unhappy about it, "I hope that things continue smoothly. I feel I should warn you Ms. Aoyama, my son has a bad record with marriage…isn't that right Sakura?".
Kyoko was relieved she had warned the swordswoman before hand, as it was Motoko still tensed visibly, but she didn't shout or demand an explanation from Koichi, or worse, make a move against Sakura, all of which would have damned her in Kenichi's eyes.
"I am aware of what has happened in the past", Motoko said evenly and once more there was a flash of disappointment on Kenichi's face as his verbal attack was brought up short before it could even pick up wind.
"As am I", Sakura added without looking up from her own meal.
Koichi glanced at her and back a little to quickly, gulping as she saw the look Motoko turned on both of them. He was glad that she didn't say anything, but there would be a reckoning if he wasn't more careful with his reactions.
He felt his nervousness replaced once more by anger as he caught his Father's fleeting smile, hidden behind his water cup.
Kyoko looked over the rim of her own glass at the older purple-haired girl. That response offered a number of possible interpretations, each one dependant solely upon the listener to decide which was correct.
A skilful declaration of autonomy within this little struggle, unfortunately her brother's reaction added certain scandalous connotations to the statement that it would not have otherwise had.
Oh Oni-chan, I can only help you if you help yourself.
Still, she had to admit her curiosity was piqued, unfortunately so was both their Father's and Motoko's, the last of those having the biggest potential fallout of the lot.
"I'm sure we all remember the past…", Kenichi left that hanging for a moment, further emphasising everyone's private conclusions, whatever they might be.
Well played Father
"But we should look to the future…The future of our school and its children. I assume you have both thought that far ahead?"
Koichi almost choked mid-swallow as his Father casually dropped that bombshell.
"Children?", he asked a smoothly as possible, noticing that Motoko had discovered a new shade of red and was staring at his Father in shock.
"Yes, that is were marriage typically leads Koichi"
"We have some more pressing concerns to deal with right now", Koichi said, trying to work around the issue, "Namely the actual marriage and taking over the schools".
Kenichi nodded and went back to his food.
No one said anything after that, although Kenichi tired several times unsuccessfully to get the other guests to speak about live with the couple.
The meal done the others began to drift off, Motoko and Koichi leaving together, Koichi making a point of walking to her as close as possible without impeding either of their movements.
Eventually only Kyoko, Kenichi and Sakura were left.
"Thank you for the meal", Sakura said, rising with a grace that rivalled Kyoko's own, "I think I'll retire".
"Goodnight", Kenichi said.
"Yes…Wait, I think I'll join you", Kyoko said, starting to rise.
"No, I need to speak with you a moment daughter. Carry on Sakura, Kyoko will join you later".
Sakura bowed to them both and left, taking one last glance at the silent pair before closing the door.
Kyoko sipped her water again; awaiting whatever her Father was going to say.
"Tell me daughter…do you intend to stand against me?".
Kyoko didn't even bat an eyelash as she responded, "Oh course not Father, how could you say such a thing?".
Kenichi starred at her unblinkingly, looking for any hole, or hint of falsehood in her indignation. Slowly he looked away.
"I apologise Kyoko-chan, matters have left me so troubled I see plots were there are none", again he watched her reaction, but she only looked concerned.
"You know that I am not the only one who objects to your brothers plans".
"I know Father", she said, folding her hands in her lap.
"Many do not wish for the Clans to merge, they believe it will destroy the integrity of our teachings".
"Everyone fears change Father", she looked at him directly, subtly driving her next point home, "But nothing progresses without it. Flexibility of spirit and mind is something you taught me".
Kenichi nodded wordlessly.
"I really am feeling tired Father", she prompted.
"Of course, go, get your rest, I'll talk to you again later tomorrow… I want you to check on your brother and his bride before you see me tomorrow. I wouldn't do for them to be left to languish without anything to do".
"…Yes Father", Kyoko said, bowing formally to him and retreating from the room.
As soon as she was outside, Kyoko leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.
So far so good, she thought, Now if only you can keep up your end brother.
Koichi sighed heavily, leaning against the banister of the outer walkway that ringed the temple. He had taken Motoko here, out under the moonlight to get away from the temple's atmosphere, and the people inside it, at least in spirit, for a time.
He looked up at the moon, a few days away from full. An ominous day the night of a full moon in some old traditions, and as living proof that not all the old tales were lies and fancy, he hoped they would be long gone before it rolled around.
Motoko was standing next to him, her arms crossed, looking out across the ornamental lake that was set outside the south end of the building, and the white lilies, his mother's favourite, that floated serenely across its surface.
He rested his head on his arms and cocked it to look at her from where he rested.
"You always look beautiful under the moonlight".
A faint smile passed her features as she completed the private joke/compliment.
"Hentai".
He grined weakly at her and turned away, resting his chin on the smooth wood and allowing one arm to loll over the banister.
There was an expectant silence, and he had an idea what it was covering.
"Are you going to tell me…or do I have to ask?", Motoko said, turning around and leaning against the railing, head tilted to look down at him.
Koichi groaned and glanced up at her serious expression.
"There's nothing to tell"
"Nothing? Kyoko told me about you and Sakura, Koichi. You didn't think that another woman wanting to marry you, one your father is more likely to approve of, is worth mentioning?".
Koichi buried his face in his arms.
"Would you believe me if I said I forgot about it?", came his muffled reply.
Motoko smiled, "Actually I would, your just stupid enough to do it".
"Jeez thanks", he said without looking up.
Motoko laughed and began running a hand through his hair, laughing louder when he pretended to purr.
"So you gonna tell me what happened?"
"I thought the brat already filled you in?"
"I want you to tell me Koichi", she said, giving his hair a light tug, "I think you know a little more than your sister".
Koichi pushed himself upright and looked at her.
"Sakura was my best friend after you Motoko, her family spent a lot of time here…my old man and his cousin are close friends. I used to talk to her a lot, we played together, she'd help me with Kyoko when the old man was to busy".
He turned to face the lake again.
"When we hit sixteen she started acting strange around me…"
"And being male you failed to notice".
"Who's telling this story?", he said with a lopsided grin. His fiancé's old prejudices seemed to rear up at the strangest times, usually with a burst of empathy or compassion.
"Yeah, I just thought she was being a girl, you know how strange they can be", he laughed as she hit him lightly.
"Anyway, about a year passes with both her and, oddly enough, Kyoko dropping hints that are now kinda obvious in hindsight. Finally she must have had enough, she comes out and tells me she'd fallen in love with me, and wanted me to take her as my wife, right in front of Uncle Hitoshi, Kyoko and the old man…I thought she was joking. When I realised she wasn't I freaked out and began avoiding her…Unfortunately that didn't really seem to discourage her. You can't imagine the craziness that ensued".
Motoko affected a sardonic smile, thinking back to the Great Keitaro Chase back in its heyday, and her own part in it.
"I think I can sympathise more than you could imagine", she said, waving off his questioning expression. She didn't feel up to telling him about that just yet. How does one drop the fact their first adult crush was on the landlord of the building they still lived in with said man.
It was probably a good thing he had never read any of her amateur romance novels, she had yet to replace the roguish ronin with the noble samurai since she had less time to work on them as of late.
"So what happened in the end?"
"Things got out of control…we talked, I explained to her there was someone I was in love with, even if I didn't know if she loved me back, and Kyoko was convinced she wouldn't remember me", Motoko avoided his gaze an blushed a little, she had indeed forgotten about her promise, and Koichi, "And she said she could let me go…".
Koichi fell silent, leaving her with the impression that there was still more to this story, but this was all he was going to tell her.
"I…see".
Koichi yawned and stretched like a cat, "I forgot how tiring it was to be here, I'm going to bed…Care to join me?"
Motoko noted he had walked out of easy striking range and was affecting a look of pure innocence.
"Against the rules I'm afraid", she said.
He put his hand to his head and looked mock stricken.
"Alas cruel fate, to keep us apart"
Motoko shook her head, "Grow up"
"Never…Goodnight Motoko"
"Goodnight Koichi"
She watched as he walked away, hands folded behind his back, whistling off tune. He didn't look like a man whose family was against his marriage.
She turned and began walking back toward her own room, casting a glance back in his direction and wondering from where such boundless confidence sprang.
She froze as she saw something move in the direction Koichi had gone. Something garbed in white, with purple hair.
…Sakura?
Motoko did not like to think herself a particularly jealous or suspicious woman, but her feet seemed to have a will of their own as they carried her stealthily in the woman's wake.
Koichi dropped, still fully clothed in his black robes, face first onto his futon. Nothing had changed. Same crap, different day, just like he'd never left.
When the knock came at the door he almost screamed, no doubt that was a lackey of his father come to spy on him, or some other family member looking to find out his agenda.
"Come in!", he shouted, rolling over and freezing as his guest finished shutting the door behind her.
"Hello Koichi, its been a while"
"Sakura!"
Motoko felt her hand grasp air as Sakura knocked lightly on Koichi's door and stepped inside, sealing it behind her.
Her fist convulsed, aching for the weapon she had been forced to leave behind. Visiting someone in the evening, when everyone else was in their rooms, did not seem all that innocent. Especially when the person you were visiting was someone you had once pursued romantically.
Motoko moved stealthily over to the door and pressed her ear to it, gripping the handle in preparation, waiting for the slightest sound that anything was happening.
"You remember the last time we saw each other?", echoed a feminine voice, Sakura's.
"The Onsen", a nervous voice answered, "Not exactly something a guy forgets, it was quite a shock".
There was a light, female chuckle, "I suppose it was, but that's all in the past…did you miss me at all Koichi?"
Motoko's grip on the handle tightened enough to crack the wood.
So this was what he didn't want to tell her, he had slept with Sakura. Not waiting for his answer she ripped the door aside and stepped in.
"Did you miss me at all Koichi?", Koichi swallowed thickly at that deceptively simple question. How do you answer that when the person in question is either asking as your best friend, or the girl who used to be in love with you?
He watched, paralysed as Sakura stepped closer, bringing herself to the foot of his futon.
He was saved, after a fashion, from answering when the door was wrenched aside.
Sakura was caught between stepping and turning, and fell, her feet tangled in his futon sending her tumbling atop him.
He looked around her, fearing what he might see.
Motoko.
Motoko looking angrier and more hurt than he had ever seen her.
"Hello, is anyone…oh", Hitoshi put his head around the door, his thick eyebrows beetling in surprise, "Am I interrupting something?"
----Authors Notes---
Koichi, Koichi…what do you get yourself into lol. Fear not my friends, all will be explained, thought there will be quite a delay I'm afraid (damned essays), next chapter: Misunderstandings explained, and Koichi's relationship with Sakura defined, and Kyoko continues her unknown efforts to aid her brother.
Till next time, Betweenheavenandhell