Scarlet Justice - ep. 114
"The Beautiful Struggle"
[Sweet Child of Mine: Opening]
The front gate is high and imposing, as it is with most mansions these days. Black bars of wrought iron, flexed into distinctive shapes and patterns while keeping would-be intruders out as much as possible. A small outpost for the guards is nearby, and there are two of them ready to operate the gates as needed. They take note of my driver Sakizuki before acknowledging me, bowing respectfully. The gates then slide to the sides as they open, allowing us entry.
"Head up to the main entrance and wait for me there," I say to my driver.
"Ma'am, wouldn't it be-"
I slide my glasses down slightly to look at him. He seems to be learning quickly enough as he shuts up and returns to the carriage, then urges his horse companion forward along the path. I give the guards a light nod before starting my casual walk up the wide path towards the mansion entrance. On either side of me are large trees with thick clusters of leaves, well trimmed and tended to. In front of those are beds of flowers and other unique plants. They're not simply for show, though – I can see that there are vegetables in the earth, and some of the trees are bearing fruit. Some exotic types are present...I suppose it makes sense since the climate here can support those types of things. People are moving about and checking the health of the flora and surrounding soil.
A bit more walking brings me up towards the mansion itself. Tall, sturdy, and stylish. The outside is a crisp white, good for reflecting the abundant sunshine as it comes down nearly all year. There are lovely little touches, like the ivy that darts from window to window, the rustic sorts of finishes, the simple and aesthetically pleasing squares that make up the windows themselves. As I focus, I can see that the brick on the outside is weathered, but also looks strong and truly authentic. The big main door and entrance are touched with a hint of flashiness; silver, gold, and marble line parts of the steps ahead, adding colour to the existing weatherproof material that is safe enough to walk on during storms. Not necessary in the slightest, but of course Emi Kobayashi couldn't resist showing off a little more than the situation warranted.
Women in maid outfits file out, a literal platoon that forms two lines from the front door and down towards the drive where the horse and carriage sit. There are familiar faces, seeming content and healed from the pain of that fateful day months ago. I can also spot new, fresh faces, young ladies very eager to make an impression. It's all very good to see.
And of course, one more special woman comes out to greet me personally.
"Lady Lilith."
"Touka," I say to her. "Have you been well?"
"Exceedingly. I have been looking forward to this day as much as anyone. And of course, the happiness of our Mistress is mine as well."
"Well said." It has only been a few months, but Touka has been working exceptionally hard to prove herself. Her face is pleasantly soft, no longer tied up in worry. She has grown out her brown hair and tied it into a braid that currently rests on her shoulder. A pink ribbon is attached to it, one that I recognize from Sara's wardrobe. A memorial to her, then. Her womanly charms are not lost beneath the tailored suit she wears, and there is a katana at her side. Even harder to miss is how much muscle she's put on since our last meeting - she's no longer the waifish woman from a few months ago, and now looks decidedly athletic.
Following Luna's leave of absence, she took on a leadership role and started to organize everything and everyone with Emi's help. Once her resignation became official, Touka assumed her role as the family's chief maid. Touka takes her job seriously from what I've been hearing, but she is beloved by all because of her warm nature and kindness.
"Mistress Emi is quite excited to see you. I must say that I feel the same."
"Oh? So we're looking forward to some teasing, then."
She smiles. "It's good to see you haven't lost your charm, milady."
"Me? Why, that would be absurd," I say with a playful smile back. I put away my sunglasses and look around. "It seems that Haha-ue hasn't made it out yet. Is she busy, by chance?"
"No, she is fine. She said that she would be on her way shortly...quite stubborn, our Mistress. She insisted on proceeding without help."
"Mm. Typical of her," I say with a shake of my head. "Ah, yes. Touka, by chance do you have the contact information for this driver's agency?"
"I should, milady. Was there issue with your trip here?" she asks.
"Quite the opposite. The man is a bit too pure hearted, and so has been taken advantage of by one of the capitalist pig-dogs that populates our world at current."
"Unfortunate."
"Quite. I want his relationship with that hovel ended. He is our new hire, along with the child who carried us here."
Touka nods. "Understood. I will prepare the documents posthaste. Shall I take him with me at this time?"
"If you would, I imagine things will be smoother with his input. Sakizuki!"
"Ma'am! On my way!" He jogs over to my side and salutes.
"Put your arm down, for god's sake. Relax."
"Sorry, ma'am."
"This is Touka Suzuki, the woman in charge of operations. Miss Suzuki will be taking care of your employment-related issues from here on. Follow her and listen to her instructions. Understood?"
"Understood, ma'am."
"Good. Thank you kindly, Touka. I will see you in a short while."
She smiles and nods towards me. A snap of her fingers brings several maids out of position and towards the carriage, where they look over Al and bring him towards the stables some distance away. Touka leaves with Sakizuki, and naturally I can't help but watch her go.
Touka really has grown. From being a thin little thing, to showing off those delicious looking thighs and filling out those pants so well...mm. What a treat.
"Oi. I can see you, you know."
My attention moves to the woman at the top of the front steps as Touka walks out of view. Still tall and gorgeous, with her long and straight black hair. She looks at me with her soft brown eyes, and of course she still wears her salacious silk outfits, even with the rather big bump that is now her stomach. Today's is a flashy red, with a subtle emphasis on her chest.
"Hm. I suppose there was truth to those stories."
"Stories?" Emi asks. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that your breasts really do get bigger during pregnancy."
She sighs. "I see you're in good spirits, bullying me on sight. You really are unbelievable sometimes, Lili."
"A sentiment I have heard a thousand times before, and will hear a thousand times more." I hand my purse to one of the maids, ascend the steps, and hug my mother tightly. "I really have missed you, Mama."
She hugs me back. "And I have missed you, darling. Welcome home."
"It seems like the little one is doing fine as well," I say as I touch her stomach gently.
"Set to come out any moment, the doctor said. Touka is of course keeping a strict eye on me...but compared to Luna, she really is a bit soft."
"And you called me a bully earlier. You've started harassing that poor woman already," I scold.
"Naturally."
"Yet I'm the bad one."
"Both can be true."
I roll my eyes. "Please. Look at you, wearing silk outdoors, in this state. Are you that incapable of going a few months without showing off?"
"Oh, leave me be. I think I can dress however I want. It's not going to hurt anyone, is it?"
"No, just your perception of reality, which is flimsy enough to begin with."
"Now you're getting a bit too saucy, Lilith."
"Am I? Did you know that your whole thing about the 'lesbian aesthetic' was created entirely from the imaginations of tinfoil chewing housewives who were afraid of being ravaged?"
"That's not true!"
"It is entirely the truth."
The two of us walk inside and continue our bantering. At this rate, it will be a while before we get to any catching up...
"Yes, I did hear from Luna directly about her resignation. I will miss her, but I understand why it was necessary."
Emi and I are having tea in the back garden, inside of the gazebo that has been strategically placed at one of the entrances. The help doesn't have to go terribly far, and neither do we. Emi has spared no expense when it came to her new hires, and the aesthetics of her new garden. The flowers are bright and beautiful; I can see a world of colours from my seat.
"Yes," I reply as I turn my eyes from the garden. "I want her to be as happy as possible. And...as much as we both enjoyed the relationship we had together, I think it was for the best that she gain the chance to live comfortably, without anything holding her back."
"I feel the same. After...that experience, I was also thinking about asking her to quit. But I wanted it to be her decision. Knowing that she accepted your proposal, and so easily...that makes me happy. Midoriko will definitely take care of her."
"Yes, she will."
"Speaking of relationships...I don't intend to remarry." Emi leans back in her plush chair. "It's stressful enough running the company like this, and having to deal with a man on top of it...no, I'll pass on that. A fling here and there will satisfy me. Not like I'll be short of men to run into."
"Or women," I say pointedly.
"I do like a change of pace, yes. Though I don't have Luna's appetite...honestly. I didn't think a girl like that would be into other girls, but it seems I was mistaken. I'm not quite over it yet, you know."
"I can tell."
"It's an interesting world we live in, Lili."
"Indeed." I sip my tea.
"What about that blonde boy in the Leaf we met? Ah...Naruto, that's right. Have you charmed him yet?" Emi asks.
"Mm...well, he's the one who ended up charming me in the end. Such a sweet boy, you know. But not entirely my type...and besides, that's Hina's husband anyways."
"Oh? That's very cute. So she's gotten more confident, then."
"Certainly. She's not the girl I first met at all. I enjoy watching her blossom, Mama. She's turned into someone amazing, and she still has room to grow. I really can't wait to see what the future brings us."
Emi nods. "It only makes sense that you're this enthused. You call her sister, don't you?"
"The only thing that separates us is blood at this moment."
"Very good. Hmm..." She sips at her tea, thinking. "But...you mean to say that you haven't captured any men yet? Strange to hear...you were bewitching enough to those young boys at your other schools, so..."
"..." I suppose even she might be catching on now.
"You're hiding something, aren't you?" she asks with a sly smile. "I'm right."
"I...might be holding something back," I admit. Do I have reason to be nervous? Emi is a bisexual woman, so she shouldn't take it too badly, but...even so, I worry. I promised to myself that one day I would tell her everything. Is today that day, or should I hold it in a bit longer?
"Come, now. Don't be cruel and hold back anything from your Mama. Tell me what's going on, won't you?"
I could just say that I haven't caught anyone yet. Or maybe that I'm not interested in anyone right now. Maybe...maybe an oblique hint. That I'm not entirely interested in men.
"..."
No. No, that's not fair. Not to her. Not to the woman who made a promise on her soul to be my mother. I'll tell her the truth, for her sake and mine.
"Darling? Are...you okay?" She looks at me with concern. "Lili, I didn't strike a nerve, did I?"
"Mama, I'm alright. Sorry, I just...I have something to tell you. And I'm very nervous about it."
"Whatever it is you have to tell me...you can say it without fear. I promise, Lili. If it's something...physical, we can make a decision together..."
"It's nothing like that, Mama. I promise, it's something less serious but...very meaningful." I reach into my purse and grab the envelope I had prepared days earlier.
"I'm ready," she says gently.
"The thing that I have to tell you, and that I'm nervous about is...that I'm not interested in men. Not one bit. It's been like this for the past two years, at the least. Luna and Midori know...and my closest friends in the Leaf do as well, along with precious allies in other places. I wanted to discover myself, and there was a point where I wanted to say it to you, but with the mansion burning and our healing away from each other, and the fact that I wanted to say it to you in person...I'm sorry for keeping it from you for this long, Mama. I really do like women. I'm a lesbian."
"I see."
I stand up and walk over to her, handing her the envelope.
"There are photographs in there that I wanted you to see. They're of the girl that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. I love her more than anything, Mama. And...no matter what, I will be by her side."
I straighten myself as I say the last sentence. Emi's expression is neutral, as it has been from the start. There's nothing but silence as she goes through the photographs, setting them down one by one on the table. She takes a sip of tea and waits before setting down the cup. A sigh escapes her lips.
"I did have a selfish wish. That you would give me grandchildren, Lili. It was a fascinating little dream of mine...but for some reason, it never did take proper form, even in that vivid landscape. Perhaps the heavens were telling me something."
"..." Disappointment only makes sense.
"Lili. I want you to know something."
"Yes."
"I want you to know that I'm happy you could come to me with this. I would have understood if you held it in, and especially away from me. We've come a long way, but...there is that trauma to consider. Those archaic lessons, those male-oriented thoughts about ultimately being a proper wife and baby maker. Those don't just go away, and I understand that those thoughts must have lingered for a while, even if you weren't conscious of them. It was the same for me...it took a long while to accept that I enjoyed the pleasures of a woman's flesh just as much as I did a man's." She takes my hand in hers. "I will never be ashamed of you. I accept you, Lili. Loving another woman is a choice that you've made and committed to with all of your heart. I think it's absolutely beautiful. I'm not disappointed, or angry. None of that, at all. You love who you love, and that's the end of it. More than anything, I'm glad that you've been able to experience love and happiness with another human being."
"Mama..." I feel my heart filling up with joy. Not just accepting me, but...saying all of those wonderful things.
"Be proud of who you are, Lili. And love with everything you have. Understood?"
"Yes, Mama. Understood," I say with a smile.
"Good girl. And as far as your life partner is concerned...she really is an adorable thing."
"Isn't she?"
"A little on the thin side, which I didn't think was like you," Emi says with a smile. "I bet you're thickening her up."
"Guilty," I say with a laugh.
"Then she should be healthy in no time. I more than approve, and would love to meet her one day. What's her name?"
"Fionne Asagao. Everyone calls her Fio."
"Fio...I'll be sure to remember that name. It sounds nice and spirited. Make sure you take care of her, won't you?"
"With my life, Mama."
"Very good. Ah...so my daughter's a lesbian. Unexpected, but...eh. Wait." She looks at me oddly. "When I visited you at the hospital...and we were talking about the lesbian aesthetic..."
"Yes."
"No wonder you were looking at me like I was insane. Did you really let me make an ass of myself like that? You bitch."
"Frankly, I was too much in shock to form any coherent response to you."
"You're terrible. Awful."
"You'll get over it," I say with a smirk. She scoffs and I head back to my seat, drinking down the rest of my tea before it gets too cold. I pour myself another hot cup while Emi puts the photos back into the envelope.
"So."
"Hm?"
"Since you can't get each other pregnant, have you-"
"Mama! No! We're not doing anything like that, it's too soon."
"Well. My apologies," Emi says sarcastically. "It seems you're taking this quite seriously, Lady Kobayashi."
"Of course I am. I'm a lesbian, not a...mm. Not a complete deviant." I flip my hair backwards.
"I've avoided having a lesbian friend before this, for...reasons."
"Stupid ones."
"Hush, you. But this is an opportunity to learn more about that sort of lifestyle, and more importantly, what my daughter has been up to in the past while."
"You'll tell me a bit more about yourself in exchange. We know precious little about each other, it seems."
She smiles. "Then it's time to change that. Emilia, dear. Please brew another pot of tea for us. And bring the scones, if you would, along with some honey."
"Yes, Mistress." The brunette maid bows and goes to her duties.
"We'll be here a while." She shakes out her hair and gets comfortable. "Let's begin from the top. What designs did you have on Hinata?"
"I didn't have any on her."
"I don't believe you."
"I didn't have many on her."
"That sounds closer to the truth."
"Listen, you. I didn't want to ravish every girl that came my way, and I don't want to now. That's unbecoming of a noblewoman. Terribly unrefined. I am, above all, a connoisseur."
"Is that another fancy way to say pervert?"
Emi really can be smug at times. She's blessed to have such an understanding daughter.
Everything that I remember comes up, and we sit together for hours talking. I tell her about my meetings with Fio at the bath house in Fire Country, about my relationship with Ino, and how much I want to protect Naruto from the world sometimes. I tell her about Yuno and the path her wants to take, the - declassified, obviously - things I do willingly on behalf of the Hokage, the good and bad things that have become a part of my reputation and my interest in women. Fio's journey to this point, where we share a home...how difficult it was to pull myself together after I had to kill my father, and the support I had from all of my friends every day.
Emi tells me stories about herself for the first time. Her past was rebellious, to say the least. She started modelling, as I knew, but the initial reason for it was to grab her father's attention and prove herself in the eyes of the world. She grew as an heiress, wanting for nothing except that acknowledgement from her parents. And so, she drove forward, taking more risque offers until she ended up in the world of adult entertainment. Retiring before anything notable could happen, she found herself engaged to a man that she hardly knew and barely cared about - my father, Leonidas Rothschild. And he came with a small irritation, which was me. Emi did what she thought she had to, and put on that bold front to protect herself. Things were made more bearable by the fact that she could go anywhere she wanted and do as she pleased, flirting with men and frolicking in their beds. But it was a hollow, empty set of experiences. And that self-loathing made its way to those interactions with me.
"There's a lot I have to answer for...even with all of the things that I've done in an attempt to change. Not sure if I believe in karma and all of that, but..."
"What matters is that you've been doing your best, Mama. I'm very proud of you for overcoming your trauma, and doing your best to help me through life. I did think of you often, you know."
"Really?" she asks, surprised.
"Yes. Your words held true, and still do now. You believed that I was a true genius, and it came to pass. I could believe in myself as a woman of the Kobayashi house. That was your blessing to me."
"I'm...glad something came out of that. I know full well that I haven't been the best mother, but I just wanted to be there for you. It wasn't just about seeing myself when I looked at you, it was...about helping someone who was crying out to be saved. Every time you looked at me, I knew you were trying to gain my approval. And I was a terrible, rotten bitch to you for so long."
"Mama."
"I know that you forgive me, Lili. But it's taken so much longer to forgive myself."
I can truly see into her now. A woman of such complexity and resilience...yet she's become so tender towards me. Willing to teach me about herself, and to learn about me in ways that I would never have considered a few years ago. Emi loves me and accepts me completely.
"There are words that I've been gifted, in my own strife. Keep them close to your heart, Mama."
"What are they?"
"You are not alone."
Her eyes widen slightly before closing. She places a hand over her heart.
"I...I understand. I won't forget something like that, Lili. Thank you..."
"Think little of it. You're my beloved mother, and I want to take care of you. We will become a fine family together."
"Yes. We will. Speaking of that..." Emi lets out a breath. "There's something you need to know, Lili. Do you remember what Midoriko and I were working on?"
"That investigation into the mansion incident."
"Yes, the same. I found out a great many things about your father...my former husband. Him and Kobayashi Rice in general. There were things in the finances that didn't add up at a glance. So I took Midoriko up on her favour, and had her people at Jakari Programming Corporation look into it. They were very efficient, and thorough to boot. Snake people are fascinating, aren't they..."
"Indeed they are," I say.
"Lili..." She's having difficulty speaking. It must be something heavy.
"Mama, it's okay. You don't need to force anything..."
"No, no. I need to tell you now. He...that man was directly funding a shinobi village. It was called the Village Hidden in Sound."
"He...what?"
"He was in league with a man called Orochimaru, known as one of the Three Shinobi. That man was in charge of the hidden village."
The information is...slowly filtering through. My father was working alongside Orochimaru? That couldn't...but...
"W-wait. Does...does that mean he knew about...?"
Emi nods slowly. "Yes. The operation that was internally known as the 'Leaf Crushing'. He knew about it. He even provided resources. I...there's no indication that he knew just how much chaos it would cause, or if it would hurt you or not, but even so...something like that..."
"..." He was really that ruthless. Even as I tried to please him, he couldn't care less whether I lived or died for the sake of his stupid experiment.
"We were both expecting you to come home after your year at the Academy. But you did so well that I convinced him that you should stay. Perhaps those plans were in motion before you decided to live as a kunoichi, but even then..."
"I see."
"It goes further," she says solemnly. "The men that he hired were from that group called Akatsuki. But it was far from a coincidence, or some twist of fate that they arrived on that day. After Orochimaru's death and the destruction of the Sound Village, he moved to fund that mercenary group through various shell companies. Providing them with so much money allowed him to have the elite members at his fingertips."
"That...only makes sense."
"I...what you've told me about Fio, that means that Leonidas was complicit..."
"I know. Even if it wasn't directly...he must have been at it for a while. He caused her pain as well."
"A lot of money is...unaccounted for. Not enough to arouse suspicion at the time, but with his death and so much being uncovered, the family is trying to avoid scandal and collapse. I know I can take care of everything, it's just..." She sighs heavily. "It's a lot to take. I'm so sorry, Lili."
"Don't be, Mama. There's nothing for you to feel sorry for. Even as it hurts, and as much as I...used to love him...he no longer matters. I have you, and you have me. There's nothing else to it. We will overcome this storm as well. And we will build a legacy that is greater than the disgrace that man once was."
"You really are strong."
"You're just as strong as me, Mama. Perhaps even stronger, considering the weight you carry." I look at her stomach.
"I did think about it...how heavy it had to be. And there was a tinge of regret. But wouldn't it be nice if this child could become a better man than he ever was?"
"Oh, it's a boy?"
"I haven't checked yet. Having it be a surprise feels right," she says with a smile.
"Hm. I suppose. I wonder what having a little brother would be like..."
"You don't have anyone like that in the Leaf?"
"Not really. Naruto and Yuno are close to me, but...they're closer to little nephews, I think? It's complicated."
"I have to wonder if that's not the same thing..." Emi stops and I see her stiffen a moment. "Oh."
"Mama, what is it? Are you okay?" There's an unfamiliar scent reaching my nose. What is that, exactly? "Mama? Please answer me, I'm worried."
"Lili...g-go and fetch Touka for me. Hurry, yes?" She gives me a nervous smile before dropping back into her chair, breathing quickly and sharply.
I dash into the mansion, locking onto Touka's scent. She's in the kitchen, talking to the head chef.
"Touka!"
"Lady Lilith, what is the ma-" She stops speaking and her eyes widen. "The child. It's coming."
"Yes!"
"I will get the maids. Our driver is out front, hurry to him and get him moving."
"Right!" I run to the front entrance and outside, finding Sakizuki on the front steps about to enjoy a cigarette. "You!"
"Eh? Ma'am, I-"
"Smoking is bad for you, idiot! Throw away that tar stick and get to your carriage! Hurry, my mother is in labour!"
"She's-"
"I said to fucking move! Go!"
"Ma'am!" He sprints off and I run back inside. Touka is carrying my mother in her arms, with at least ten maids trailing her. I walk alongside them and we head outside to see the carriage just arriving. Sakizuki opens the door and makes sure there's enough space for Emi to lie down properly.
"Her water's broken. I will call the hospital and have them prepare for your arrival," Touka says as she puts a blanket over Emi.
"Wait, shouldn't you be going? You've been taking care of her this entire time-"
"I can go if that is your wish...but preparations also need to be made here. And beyond that, Mistress Emi had something she wanted from you. She wanted you to be by her side as her child was born. Meeting their big sister will be the most important moment of their life."
I've never done this before, or anything like this. I don't know if I'll screw it up, or just get in the way, something like that. Touka is more experienced and she should be the one...
"..."
I am...beyond nervous. But I know what I have to do. My mother needs me. My sibling needs me as well. The only choice is to face everything head on. Even if I'm unsure of what to do, I'll find a way through. For the people who love me and need me the most.
"I'll go," I say finally.
"I truly believe that is the best choice. Godspeed, milady."
"Thank you..." I hop inside the carriage and kneel beside Emi, taking her hand. Touka closes the door behind us.
"Driver! Make haste!" Touka yells. Al gives us a quick pull at Sakizuki's urging, and we race through the already opened gates towards the streets of Inaho.
I'm presently a ball of nerves. But there's no turning back now.