The sun was starting to go down as Kyoko stood outside the castle entrance, debating on what she should do next. She didn't have any money, so staying at a inn was out of the question. Lory wasn't around and she couldn't imagine asking anyone else in the castle for a place to stay.
"Where are you going to go?"
Kyoko turned to face Hikaru who was standing beside her, spear held at his side like always. He had escorted her out of the castle, despite her insistence that she wasn't a concubine anymore so there was no reason.
"I'm not sure." said Kyoko. "I don't know if the clinic will accept me back without the prince's influence. I'm sure it wouldn't change Lory's opinion about me, but he can't force the other physicians to take me as an apprentice."
"Of course they will want you back!" said Hikaru. " And besides, I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about where you're going to stay? Do you have relatives in the area?"
"No. I don't." said Kyoko with a sigh. "I've been at the castle since day one at the capital. I don't know anyone outside of it."
Wait a moment. Thought Kyoko. That's not true. I do know at least one couple.
"So you don't have a place to stay?" he asked, looking astonished.
"There might be a place." said Kyoko, thinking. She would hate to impose on them, but maybe they would let her work there in exchange for rent. "I'm not sure. But I'm going to try."
"But you don't know if they will take you?" said Hikaru.
"No."
"Then why don't you try staying at my family's place?" said Hikaru scratching the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "They live near the edge of town and it would take a while to get there. I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
"I could never impose on your family like that." said Kyoko quickly. "I'd feel really bad disrupting them with my problems. And besides, you've done so much for me already."
"It wouldn't be a big deal Lady Kyoko." said Hikaru. He rested the spear on his shoulder, the end pressed again on the floor as he pulled out a piece of parchment. He stuck his thumb against it. Black letters trailed his finger as he dragged it against the surface.
"Here's their address." he said, handing the parchment to Kyoko. "If your other plans fall through, please feel free to go there. I'm sure my family would be willing to help out."
Kyoko took the parchment, touched. She had to stop herself from crying as some of the tension she had been feeling began to seep away from the kind gesture. Instead, she wiped her eyes and grinned.
"I didn't know you know how to use magic." she teased.
"Oh. Do I look more attractive to you now?" he said, striking a comical pose.
Kyoko laughed, then gave a low curtsy.
"Thank you." said Kyoko, "For being such a great friend. You've been a huge support to me."
"It's been my pleasure lady Kyoko." said Hikaru, giving her a kind smile and patting the top of her head. "I hope you will not stay away from the castle long. I'm sure Lory and the other physicians will start to miss your presence soon. Then they'll be begging to have to come back!"
Grateful for his words of encouragement, Kyoko walked down the steps of the castle, and made her way through the streets.
Her plan was to go ask the Daruma-ya couple if she could stay with them. She immediately felt guilty. Was she really going to have to use their feelings of gratitude to get them to help her? But what choice did she have? As she was, no matter where she went, she'd be using someone's kindness. Besides, it wasn't like she expected to stay there for free. She'd work like crazy in order to pay rent. Yes, that's what she would do!
For about the hundredth time that evening, Kyoko pressed her hand against her neck, feeling nothing but her own skin. Kyoko had removed the necklace and left it on the night stand in the castle. It was strange to no longer feel the weight of it on her neck.
She finally made it to the restaurant, having asked a few people for directions on the way. She took a deep breath, then walked inside.
The restaurant was busy, each table filled with men and women. Servers wound their way through the tables carrying plates of food. Kyoko didn't want to be in the way, so she stood to the side and hid in the shadows of the room. At one point a server asked if she needed something, but Kyoko waved them away saying she'd talk to the store owners after the rush was over.
The crowd slowly thinned, everyone leaving to go home. The server that had talked to Kyoko earlier came out of the back with Tahiro's wife, Okami, right behind her.
"Said she wanted to see you mam." said the server.
"Kyoko." said Okami, round face breaking into a warm smile. "It's so good to see you. How have you been?"
"I've been well." said Kyoko, forcing herself to smile back. "It's good to see the restaurant's been keeping busy."
"Oh yes, it's been great." said the older woman, waving a hand. "The inns have been full from all the travelers coming for the festival, so people have been coming here when it's gotten to crowded there. Have you eaten yet?"
"I'm not hungry." said Kyoko, just as her stomach growled loudly.
Kyoko flushed.
"Hmm. So I see." said Okami, giving Kyoko a knowing look. "Here, come sit down."
She took Kyoko by the hand and led her to a table. By this time, it was getting late and almost everyone was gone. Kyoko sat down, and Okami left, only to return with a large bowl of porridge and a slice of bread.
"I'm afraid we can't offer you more at the moment." said Okami. "We're going to need to refill our storage again tomorrow."
"This is plenty." said Kyoko gratefully taking a bite of the food. Despite having eaten extravagant food at the castle for the past month, the simple porridge tasted amazing to her. Okamistayed at the table, watching Kyoko until every bite was gone.
"So." said Okami. "What's wrong?"
"How did you know something was wrong?" said Kyoko. She hadn't even said anything.
Okami smiled kindly, "I know the face of a troubled soul when I see one. So, what happened. Is there something I can do to help?"
"I.."
Kyoko's stomach churned. Okami was so kind, asking what was wrong and giving her food, and Kyoko had come here to take advantage of her kindness. She felt horrible.
"I'm so sorry." said Kyoko, standing up and bowing profusely. "I'm such a horrible person. I should have known better than to be so thoughtless. I'll leave right away."
"Kyoko. Please calm down." said Okami, putting a hand on Kyoko's shoulder. It was the only thing that stopped Kyoko from darting out the door. "I don't understand. Why are you apologizing? Did you do something wrong?"
"Yes." said Kyoko, talking so fast her words jumbled together. "I got into a fight, then got kicked out. Then you gave me food that I can't pay for and I'm asking for favors. You probably hate me. I'm such an ungrateful person."
"Kyoko." said Okami, looking concerned. "Why would we ever hate you?"
"Because I'm taking advantage of your kindness." said Kyoko, finally allowing Okami to sit her back down at the table. She kept her eyes down, unable to look up. "I don't have anywhere else to go. So I came here because I thought you might take me in."
"Kyoko." said Okami, taking Kyoko's hands into her own. Her voice was so firm that it forced Kyoko to look up into her face. "I don't know what happened. But you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. We'd be happy to help you out."
This time Kyoko couldn't help the tears that came to her eyes. After being betrayed by Aya, and the stress of finding a place to stay, Okami's genuine kindness touched her so deeply. Okami didn't know what had happened and she knew that Kyoko had come to take advantage of her feelings of obligation, yet she still had offered Kyoko her home so willingly.
"Thank you." said Kyoko. "Really Thank you." It didn't even start to express her feeling, but it was all she could say.
Okami squoze Kyoko's hands, her round face warm with kindness. "Let me get the guest room ready. It's a mess, but I'll have it cleaned in no time, then we can get you settled in."
"I'll help." said Kyoko, rising from her seat.
"It's fine." said Okami, putting her hand on Kyoko's shoulder to stop her. "Please just sit here and let me help you. I am grateful you came to us for help. I can't think of a way to repay you, but if you let me do this small thing for, then I believe I can rest a little easier at night."
So Kyoko sat down, letting Okami walk into the back room and out of sight. She couldn't help smiling, glad she had come here.
Kyoko's good mood didn't last long. Now that she had taken care of the immediate problem of where she would live, Kyoko's mind kept wondering back to what had happened earlier in the evening.
Aya...
Kyoko slowly went over every interaction she'd had with Aya, trying to make sense of the concubine's actions: When Aya had made Kyoko promise not to fall in love with Kuon, or when she had cried in front of her friends. What had been her goal? Was it to make Kyoko feel sorry for her? Yes, that had to be it. It made sense. In almost all of Kyoko's memories of the women, Aya had appeared weak and helpless, prompting sympathy and a desire to help her. Aya was not a good person. She manipulated others into thinking she was, then she used that sympathy to control others to get what she wanted.
Aya had villainized Yumi, and she played on Chieko's instinct to help the weak. With the hero and villain in place, Aya could sit back and play the part of the damsel in distress, soaking up the sympathy without dirtying her hands. She'd done it again, making Kyoko into a new antagonist.
Kyoko couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Chieko. Did she suspect anything regarding the true nature of her best friend? Probably not. Chieko's strong spirit was the perfect match to Aya's helpless act.
The only thing Kyoko couldn't understand is why Aya had bothered approaching Kyoko in the practice room to become her friend. Had it been an act to look like the good girl? Or... had it been to prevent Kyoko from taking her place in the harem: The pitiful good girl that others felt sorry for.
Kyoko let her head fall onto the table with a thunk, the sting stopping her self pity from taking over.
"Yumi was right." grumbled Kyoko "I should have payed attention. There were snakes and I got bit."
"Then next time you should actually listen."
Kyoko's head snapped up.
Standing in front of her was a sight she couldn't comprehend. Yumi, Risa, and Utako were all standing on the other side of the table. The three concubines were looking at Kyoko with varying degrees of interest and hostility, but they were definitely there for her.
"What are you doing here?" said Kyoko. "Are you here to tell me I was kicked out?"
"Hardly." said Yumi. "We came to give this back."
Yumi took something out of her pocket and set it on the table in front of Kyoko. It was her necklace, the gold chains sparkling in the dim lantern light. Kyoko stared at it, not completely understanding. The necklace meant you were a member of Kuon's harem, and if Yumi was giving it back to Kyoko... then that meant...
"I wasn't voted out?" said Kyoko, looking up in disbelief. "How? What happened? I thought for sure..."
Yumi and Risa exchanged glances.
Risa yawned, covering her mouth with a hand. The green room was a boiling with anger. Chieko and her two lackeys – as Risa liked to call them, she kept forgetting their names – were busy abusing Kyoko's reputation to the group. They talked on and on about how Kyoko had taken advantage of Aya's kindness and made her cry, and that she had lied to them, and that the harem shouldn't allow dirt peasants such as her in to soil it, and she that should be kicked out and blahdy blah blah.
Risa was bored. True, Kyoko had hurt Aya, but Risa really didn't believe that Kyoko should be punished so severally for something so small. After all, all the women here were guilty of some sort of wrong, like Chieko's makeup. That foundation was a crime, why weren't they thinking of throwing her out? The musing was a distraction. Risa didn't have the courage to say anything related to the main issue. She sank lower in the chair, breathing out in annoyance and wishing the pointless meeting would end. No matter what, Risa wouldn't vote to throw Kyoko out. That required a unanimous vote and though she knew it would annoy a lot of people, she wouldn't back down.
There was a loud bang. Everyone at the table jump. Risa herself almost fell from her chair.
Yumi had slammed her hands down on the table, and was now glaring like usual at the crowd of women.
'This should be good.' Thought Risa, sitting up in her chair, smiling, despite the heavy silence that fell on the women.
"Arrg, so annoying." growled Yumi "Do you not realize how childish and petty you all sound?"
"What's your problem?" said Chieko her face matching Yumi's in anger. "We're in the middle of a serious issue. In case you weren't paying attention, we're trying to decided what to do with Kyoko."
"Then hurry up and present a punishment." said Yumi. "My head's starting to hurt from your yapping."
Chieko ground her teeth.
"Alright." said Setsuko, sitting at the head of the table. She'd said almost nothing the whole meeting which, in Risa opinion, made things more boring. It was always more fun when Setsuko got involved with issues. Though the woman wasn't allowed to vote since she was the mediator of the meeting, she could at least have said something. "Then let us have someone present a possible punishment. Would anyone like to give it a go?"
"I would." said Chieko her hand shooting up. "I think Kyoko should be thrown out."
"Anyone second that vote?" said Setsuko. Several people put up their hands. "Alright. Chieko, would you like to say any last words regarding your claim before we take a vote for this punishment?"
"Of course." said Chieko, standing up with an air of self righteousness, and taking a breath, though what more she could say was beyond Risa. They had just spent the last hour rambling. Yet apparently she wasn't done.
"Kyoko is not fit for this harem." said Chieko. "She has no title, no function and no friends. She has caused contention in the harem, lied to everyone here regarding her intentions, and..." Yumi Snorted loudly cutting Chieko's impassioned speech short.
"Yes Yumi?" said Setsuko. "Is there something you'd like to say?"
"No, Sorry." said Yumi. "I just thought what Chieko said was funny that's all."
"And what's so funny about what I said?" said Chieko, visibly fuming.
"You called Kyoko a liar." said Yumi shrugging. "I just thought it was ironic."
"And what's so ironic about that?" said Chieko. "She told us that she wasn't interested in Kuon when she's obviously in love with him."
"So?" said Yumi. "Doesn't everyone here love Kuon as well? What makes her that different from the rest of us."
"She lied to us about it."
"Right." said Yumi, rolling her eyes. "Because you all are such saints yourselves. You've never lied to any of your friends about a little one on one time you've snuck with Kuon. Would you care to have me divulge just how many times you've met him behind our backs just within this past month?"
Chieko's expression was priceless.
"I don't see why we would believe anything you have to say." said Chieko trying to recover. "After all, you did make up some pretty hefty lies about Kyoko."
"So I did." said Yumi, holding up her hands and giving Chieko a slow deliberate clap. "Congratulations. You can make a valid point!"
"Setsuko." said Chieko, seething in anger as she turned away from Yumi to address Setsuko "May I continue my point. Without unwanted interruptions?"
Setsuko gestured for her to continue.
"Thank you." said Chieko. "As I was saying. Kyoko lied and deceived us. Heck, we don't even know why she's here in the first place. Is it because of blackmail? Or is Kuon, by some miracle, actually attracted to her? Whatever the reason, the bad rumors her presence has brought has damaged the harems reputation. Are we all not here to assist Kuon? How can we do that if no one respects us due to her?"
"You're an idiot." said Yumi casually.
Chieko took a deep breath, closing her eyes in an attempt to control her anger.
"Do you have something else you wanted to say?" said Chieko through her clenched teeth. "Another valid point?"
"Just that you're an optimistic idiot" said Yumi. "You say Kyoko has damaged the harems reputation. But do you actually know what's currently being said about her at this time?"
"Of course I do." said Chieko. "And they're all bad things regarding her character and background."
"If you say so." said Yumi dismissively.
Risa smiled, aware of more than the rest of the room at just how much weight Yumi's words held. Yumi was the best person to go to if you wanted to know the latest rumors. She specialized in knowledge, control and production of rumors. She was the one that had started those bad rumors about Kyoko after all, and she'd done it without being implicated until she'd admitted to it.
"You have no room to say anything regarding rumors!" snapped Chieko, her temper again getting the better of her. "So just shut up and let me finish talking."
The rest of the girls murmured their agreement, and Chieko smiled a self satisfied smirk at their quiet support. Risa could feel the anger starting to emanate from Yumi, who was sitting beside her.
Risa had to suppress a smile. And here it comes. She thought.
"Setsuko." said Yumi, anger audible in her voice for the first time. "We have all had the... pleasure to listen to Cheiko ramble for the last hour. I would like to speak regarding this punishment."
"You may." said Setsuko.
Yumi didn't stand like Chieko. Instead she sat even straighter, head held high as she glared across the table at Chieko.
"The first thing I would like to do is ask a question." said Yumi "And this is it: Is everyone here a complete moron?"
Risa watched the room grow darker from Yumi's insult. They were no longer quiet in their anger. The room was now buzzing with angry conversations.
"I think you're the idiot." said a concubine. "I mean, why are you defending Kyoko? She tore up those flowers and blamed them on Aya. She's causing problems and needs to be throw out. Why is that hard to understand?"
"Because those are lies." said Yumi. "I don't think Kyoko tore up those flowers, and I certainly don't think she meant any harm to Aya. I believe that Aya is the one that betrayed Kyoko, not the other way around."
"But she hurt Aya."
"It's a scratch." said Yumi exasperated. "And Aya was asking for it. She wouldn't get off of Kyoko in the first place."
"But she broke the rule." said Midori. "We're not supposed to hurt each other."
"She hurt herself saving your life!" Yumi yelled at Midori, causing the girl to squeak in surprise. Yumi was finally done, fists clenched in frustration. "This is why I can't stand this place sometimes. How quickly you forget to be thankful and turn to sink your teeth into the stragglers. Have you all truly forgotten what Kyoko did for us the other day? Did you forget that she risked her life saving one of our own? Did you forget how you praised her for sticking it to Ruriko? And now you're tearing into her like sharks on a corpse. And for what!? Stupid flowers and a scratch." The room was silent. The earlier buzz was completely gone. Some of the girls had the decency to look ashamed, Chieko was not one of them.
"Are you saying we should forget the rule and not punish her?" said Chieko. " Are you telling us to forgo something that has kept this place from becoming a lion's den?"
"No, go ahead and punish her." said Yumi, sitting back and shaking her head. "I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is the self-righteous vigor with which you demonize one of your own who risked themselves to help you."
Yumi stood up, tall and proud as she addressed them. "We all know my opinion on Aya. I can see that snake doing something like this to get sympathy. But what I can't see is Kyoko making up such elaborate lies. She helped me when I was hyperventilating, even thought I was trying with all my might to chase her out of the harem." Yumi shook her head. "No. I don't like her, but I don't think she should be kicked out. My vote is no. And nothing you say will change it. I don't plan on making Kuon angry by throwing out his most recent concubine for such petty reasons."
With her bit done, Yumi strode out, leaving a dumfounded room behind. Risa couldn't blame them. Had Yumi, the biggest Kyoko hater of them all, just defended her against the rest of the harem?
Risa busted out laughing. She couldn't help it. The rest of the women looked at her as if she were crazy.
"Well, you have to admit she made some good points." said Risa with a smile. This was why she liked Yumi. It was never dull around her. "I agree with her. Keep Kyoko here. I don't care about the punishment." Risa stood and followed Yumi out the door, and to her surprise, Utako followed her as well.
"I thought you didn't like her?" said Risa to Utako once they were out of the room.
"I didn't." said Utako
"What changed?"
"She likes books."
Risa shook her head. With the lack of expression, it was impossible to tell if Utako was being serious or not. The black haired beauty was a complete mystery.
Risa spotted Yumi at the end of the hallway. She was talking with Yukihito.
"That would really help us out." The glasses man was saying. "Are you sure it's not a problem?"
"It's fine." said Yumi. "I want to talk to her anyway." she spotted Risa and Utako coming towards her. "You guys want to come to?"
"To where?" said Risa.
"To get Kyoko." said Yumi. "They found out where she went, but they don't want her running off. Apparently it wouldn't be the first time she ran away from home, and it would be a bad idea if Kuon went to get her himself so I volunteered."
"I'm down for that." said Risa. "What about you Utako?"
Utako nodded. "Just let me grab something."
"Let me guess." said Risa with a smile. "Is it a book?"
"No." said Utako, already halfway down the hall. "It's Kyoko's necklace. She left it in our room."
Risa watched her walk down the hall before leaning over to Yumi and asking: "Did you know that she was one of Kyoko's roommates? Because I had no idea."
"We left before they were done voting." said Risa, answering Kyoko's question. "And without the three of us there, you can't have a unanimous vote. Which means you can't be kicked form the harem. So we've come to bring you back."
"Why did you leave?" said Kyoko, not satisfied with their answer. She was so confused. Yumi hated her, Risa appeared to just enjoy the chaos, while Utako never talked to her despite Kyoko's several attempts at conversation. "And why are you the ones bringing me back?"
"I'm here because I wanted to talk with you." said Yumi, taking the chair opposite her. Risa and Utako took seats as well. Utako took out a book and began reading it, face impassive as she seemed to ignore them. Risa was smiling at Kyoko.
"Why do you want to talk to me?" said Kyoko. "Don't you hate me?"
"I don't hate you Kyoko." said Yumi. " I don't like you. But I don't hate you. At least, not anymore. In some ways I respect you."
That one threw Kyoko for a loop. Yumi respected her?
"That doesn't make any sense." said Kyoko, frowning. "All you do is pick on me."
"That may be true." said Risa interrupting their conversation. "She does enjoy messing with you. But you also fight back when you need to. Plus, you put Ruriko in her place. Yumi's a contentious person who respects people who can stand up for themselves and give her a fight."
"And thank you for answering for me," said Yumi sarcastically.
Risa pulled a face. "But it's true."
Yumi gave her a look that clearly said 'I don't even know what do you with you sometimes.'
"Here's the thing Kyoko." said Yumi, bringing her attention back to Kyoko. "When it comes to knowing the in's and out's of the palace, I like to think of myself as being in the 'know'."
"Alright..." said Kyoko, not sure where this was going.
"So within 24 hours of you being here." continued Yumi. "I already knew all the rumors concerning your admittance into the harem. Including your imprisonment."
Kyoko felt slight terror. Lory had promised that much of what happened had been kept under raps by him. He didn't want have big row concerning her situation and admittance into the harem. She had asked specifically that he keep quiet her plan for revenge against Sho. How much did Yumi know about what had happened?
"To answer your question." said Yumi, apparently reading Kyoko's thoughts with her facial expressions. "The rumors I got were varied in description. Some said that Kuon nearly ran over you, while others said that you jumped out to save his life. But they all agreed that Kuon put you in jail for a time before making you his concubine. Which made me very wary of you.
So I decided to just observe you, see for myself just who you were. At first I thought you were just a little girl in way over your head, trying to blackmail Kuon to keeping you in the harem. I made sure you knew you weren't welcome. I figured a small push was all you needed and then you would leave.
Then you started working at the clinic, and things fell into place. You were using Kuon to raise your position as well as get an easy life."
"So?" said Kyoko, feeling a little shaky. Was it so bad that she had accepted his invitation to help her own cause? Forget that he had practically forced her to become a concubine. Setsuko had told it it was a bad idea to admit that part of the story to any of the concubines. "I doubt I was the first concubine to use his position to raise herself up. What makes me different from the other ones?"
Kyoko frowned, realizing that something didn't fit as she spoke. "Why did you try so hard to get me thrown out? I think that's still a little too much to hate me from some rumors you couldn't confirm, or even because of my lack of lineage. Why was I singled out?" Was it because she was the first women in two years? Did everything stem from jealousy?
Yumi raised an eyebrow at her. "Sharp girl." she said. "You're right. Those rumors weren't the main reason I wanted to get you out. It was Kuon's reaction to you entering the harem that made me hate you."
"I don't understand." said Kyoko
"Ah!" said Risa, holding up a finger as if just realizing something. "Of course. I always wondered why you were adamant about believing the worst of Kyoko. This makes sense."
Risa happily nodded to herself while ignoring Yumi's annoyed look.
"Can you explain please?" said Kyoko.
"The same day you were added to the harem, Kuon was gone for most of the day."said Risa, talking before Yumi could. "When he came back... he had changed. He had become so gloomy."
"It was like he had regressed to his darker years." said Yumi, pensive. "His whole aura changed, as if he was a different person. Dangerous, and unhappy. It's been a long time since I'd seen him like that. Or seen Setsuko all over him in that way. Neither are pleasant experiences."
"You mean. He wasn't like that before?" said Kyoko surprised. "The first time I met him I thought he was going to kill me."
Both women looked grim.
"Kyoko." said Risa slowly. "Kuon hasn't looked that bad since... well since five years ago. I might not have been a concubine at that time, but I remember what he looked like when I was visiting the palace. It still freaks me out thinking about it."
Everyone fell silent, thinking about what Risa had said.
So the prince was dark before, thought Kyoko observing the two women. It was obvious they cared about Kuon. They both looked so devastated, she thought they would cry at any moment. I wonder what happened with him. It sounds like he was a scary person for a while before becoming more like the Kuon that I've come to know. I wonder why he regressed? Was it something I did?
"So you thought I was the cause of it." said Kyoko, bringing everyone out of their thoughts. "That he was so angry because of whatever I used to blackmail him into letting me into the harem."
Yumi nodded.
"It all fit." said Yumi. "The timing. The weird atmosphere around you two at the beginning. I thought for sure you had done something to upset him, and if he had reacted in such a way, I knew it had to be bad and I that had to get you out of here as soon as possible."
"But the rule stopped you from anything dramatic." said Kyoko catching on. "You couldn't threaten me physically. Only mentally. Which is why you started the rumors and made everyone ignore me."
"Correct."
"Why did you change your mind?" said Kyoko. "Why stop now from getting me kicked from the harem?" This meeting was the perfect opportunity for Yumi to get her thrown out. Why stop now?
"Because I realized I was wrong." said Yumi, "After observing you and Kuon, I knew that whatever had happened wasn't associated with you. I only realized this after the incident at the stadium, but there's something going on between you two and I want to understand it. So I came to get some answers."
"Alright..." said Kyoko. Not sure why that incident would change Yumi's feelings about her. But she did owe her for not getting her kicked out. "What would you like to ask?"
Yumi leaned forward in her seat, fingers laced before her on the table. "I want to know what actually happened the day you two met. When he added you to the harem."
This made Kyoko pause. The warning from Setsuko was still fresh in her head. But what could she do? Yumi already thought the worst of her, or at least used to. Risa probably was just there for some kicks, and Utako was still reading the book, not giving any indication that she was listening. So, throwing caution to the wind, Kyoko decided to tell them.
"I'll tell you." said Kyoko. "But first, you have to promise me that you won't tell any of the other concubines what happened."
"You have my word."
Kyoko took a breath and told them the whole story. How she had jumped out to save Tahiro's life and how Kuon had practically forced her to join his harem after almost hitting her. She did graze over the whole thing with Sho thought, only stating that there was something she wanted to prove by becoming a great physician. Yumi didn't seem to care about Kyoko's motivation. Once she was done, Yumi nodded to herself.
"Huh." she said, leaning back in her chair. "That's quite a tale. It sounds like a story from fairly tales. The brave peasant girl risks her life for a man she doesn't know and defies royalty in the name of whats right. Sounds farfetched."
"But it's true." said Kyoko.
"I know"
"I'm not lying I-" Kyoko stopped. Did she just say what she thought she said?
Yumi's lips twitched. "You didn't expect me to believe you? To be honest. Before I wouldn't have believed your story. It puts Kuon in such a bad light after all. But after seeing what happened with Ruriko..." Yumi rubbed her arm. "You saved Midori when everyone else was thinking about themselves, and then you helped me, someone who had done nothing but bully you since you got here. So, either you're a very cleaver manipulator, or you're just a simple peasant girl with an over developed sense of kindness. After being so thoroughly manipulated by Aya, I'm betting it's the last one."
"Thanks?" said Kyoko, not sure what else to say. She was hesitant, happy that she was finally getting information about the harem. But she didn't want to push things. "Can I ask you a question as well?"
"Sure."
"Has Aya always... well." How could Kyoko ask about Aya's bad personality?
Yumi seemed to understand. "Has Aya always been a lying conniving bitch? Yeah. She has. And you're not the first person to fall for her tricks. "
"I see."
"Don't feel so bad about it." said Risa, attempting to cheer her up. "All three of us fell for the helpless act. Which was part of the reason we were so cautious of you. We thought you were another Aya. She has caused a LOT of disruption in the harem"
"Really?" said Kyoko, though she shouldn't be surprised. Sticking Yumi, Chieko and Aya in the same room was like sticking dynamite near a fire. It wasn't a good idea and was always explosive.
"Yup." said Risa. "Aya was the last concubine to enter before you. Then Kuon just stopped getting concubines for some reason. Which meant that Aya was stuck at the bottom of the social ladder. It actually worked out well for her. She played the victim, getting Kuon's sympathy and collecting suckers into feeling sorry for her.
For about half a year, things were crazy. Eventually some people got hurt while others were kicked out. It's actually why we have that rule about not hurting each other."
"My goodness." said Kyoko. "Sounds like it was rough."
"Yumi here got the worst of it." said Risa, pointing a thumb to Yumi. "She fell from the third floor. It was deemed an accident, but we're pretty sure who was behind it."
"Aya." said Kyoko
Risa nodded. "Scared the living daylights out of us all, and shattered Yumi's ankle in the process." Risa then pointed to Utako. "And Utako here still has the remnants of a curse. Can't sing without hiccuping. It's actually quite funny."
"That's because you're not the one that's cursed." said Utako, talking for the first time since she had sat down. Her eyes were still on her book.
"You still sound lovely. " said Risa with a smile. "Hiccups and all."
"What about you Risa?" asked Kyoko. "You said you all were betrayed by her. What happened with you."
"She broke my brothers heart." said Risa. She grinned at the incredulous look on Kyoko's face. "Let me explain. He was one of her personal guards, and she completely led him on. Even made him believe that she was going to quit the harem to elope with him. She somehow made him feel sorry for her, and he still doesn't hate her to this day, despite breaking all her promises and trampling all over his heart."
"Conniving bitch" said Yumi, Softly.
"Here here." said Utako from behind her book.
"Why does Kuon keep her around?" said Kyoko, frustrated. "Doesn't he know that she's been causing problems."
"Now that, I don't understand." said Yumi, tapping her finger against her cheek in thought. "I've talked to Kuon several times about it, but him and Setsuko are adamant about keeping her there. Not sure why."
"Is Setsuko so important?" said Kyoko. "The prince seems to rely on her a lot."
"She's informally in charge of the harem." said Yumi. "Everyone listens to her as if her word is law, and for the most part it is. She's smart and knows how to handle a group with as little interference as possible. She was the one who calmed down all the crap that was happening two years ago."
"She was the first concubine Kuon ever had, so they've been together for almost five years." piped in Risa. "One of the first three actually. For about half a year it was just those three. The other two are gone, but they were the only ones that we know of that ever had physical relationships with Kuon. Unless..." Risa leaned forward, a sly grin on her face as she whispered to Kyoko. "You did something with Kuon like you insinuated back at the stadium. I heard all about it."
"N-no I didn't!" said Kyoko her face instantly turning red. "I would never do such indecent things."
"Except let him sleep on your lap." said Risa with a shrug, shaking her head "I just can't believe that nothing has happened when you do such indecent things with him and admit to it."
Kyoko was so flustered she missed the playful twinkle in Risa's eyes. "That's- it's-... Nothing happened!"
"She's teasing you." said Yumi rolling her eyes. "We know you have no interest in Kuon."
"You go and ruin all the fun don't you?" pouted Risa. "Such a kill joy."
"Don't even try that on me." said Yumi. "I know that you're enjoying all this drama. So don't even try to guilt me."
Kyoko smiled as the two bantered back and forth.
"You two are really close." said Kyoko, smiling brightly "It's obvious that you guys are true friends."
"Super close!" said Risa, trying to get an arm around Yumi. The other concubine deftly deflected the arm. "And we'll be your friend too!"
"No we won't." said Yumi quickly before Kyoko could respond. "I don't plan on becoming friendly with you at all Kyoko."
"But why?" said Risa, looking hurt, as if she was the one Yumi had rejected. "Didn't you just valiantly defend Kyoko against the angry mob of concubines?"
"This and that are two different things."
"Why?" said Kyoko, genuinely curious. Now that she better understood Yumi, she could appreciate the woman's strong character. "You said you don't hate me anymore. Was that a lie?"
"That's not it." said Yumi, running her fingers through her hair. "Look, I don't hate you Kyoko, but as long as you're a concubine, we can never be friends. I love Kuon and I'm going to let anyone else to have him."
As Yumi spoke, Kyoko couldn't help admiring her. Kyoko had forsaken "that emotion," yet Yumi spoke about it with such poise and confidence that she couldn't find fault in the concubine. Who was she to judge someone because they chose to succumb to love?
"But, you're friends with Utako and Risa." said Kyoko. "And they're concubines. Why can't you be friends with me?"
"Why can't we be friends?" asked Yumi. "Because you're a threat."
"A threat?" said Kyoko. "What does that mean?"
Yumi rolled her eyes. "It means just that. I don't know what's worse, the fact that you don't realize it, or that you don't seem to care. Both tick me off. Ugh I should have just let them kick you out."
"Nooo! Don't say that!" said Kyoko, throwing out her hands in defense. "I promise to stop being so threatening or whatever it is that I'm doing. Just don't say that you'll let them kick me out."
Kyoko paused, frozen at what had just come out of her mouth. Had she just begged to let them keep her in the harem? She missed whatever Yumi was saying and had to jolt herself out of her thoughts.
"I'm sorry what was that?" said Kyoko.
Yumi sighed. "I said it's getting late. We should start heading back to the palace."
"Oh." said Kyoko, not moving as the other girls stood up.
"Aren't you coming?" asked Risa.
"I think I'll stay here for the night." said Kyoko.
"Why?"
"You didn't stay till the end of the meeting correct?" said Kyoko. "That means I still can't come back until the punishment has been decided, and who knows how long that will take." In truth, she just wanted to be alone for a little bit. Even though she had grown to call the palace home, she didn't have the heart to step back into the snake pit yet.
It seemed that Yumi understood Kyoko's silent plea because she didn't argue.
"Then sleep well Kyoko." said Yumi. "We'll see you in the morning."
The three women gave their individual goodbyes – Risa with a hearty handshake and Utako with a friendly nod- and they were gone.
Kyoko breathed in, letting the stress out in the one breath. So, she hadn't been kicked from the harem, and this whole time Yumi had thought Kyoko had made Kuon angry and was trying to defend him against her. Aya was a snake, and Setsuko was in charge of the harem. It was a lot to process all in one day, she still wasn't sure how she felt about some of it.
Kyoko, stood taking the necklace off the table and examining it. She had thought this portion of her life was done, yet here she was diving back into it. She hadn't wanted to become a concubine at first, and now, how did she truly feel about her position in the harem?
She reached up, fastening the clasp around her neck, the weight now both comforting and confusing.
Risa entered the carriage, Yumi and Utako taking the seat across from her. The day had definitely been one of the most fun she's had in a while.
"Well that was fun." said Risa, smiling at Yumi. "Are you glad you stopped her from being kicked now that you know the whole story."
"Still debating that." said Yumi, elbow resting on the window pane as she stared out in thought. "It actually might have been a much better option to get rid of her while I still could."
Risa understood what was eating at Yumi. After observing Kuon's improving mood around Kyoko, it became obvious Kuon hadn't been blackmailed into keeping her there. But the turn of anger to friendship had angered Yumi as much as the bad attitude. Any attention that Kuon gave someone caused jealousy to flare inside of Yumi. She was good at hiding most of it, but as Yumi's best friend, Risa could see it clear as day. That wasn't the surprising part to Risa. It was that despite all that, Yumi seemed to like Kyoko.
"Sometimes you're not honest with yourself Yumi." said Risa, teasing her. "It's rare, but it happens. You didn't tell Kyoko that you admitted to making up those rumors as thank you for helping when you were hyperventilating. You like Kyoko, so why don't you just say it?"
"Because I don't want to hate her." said Yumi, rubbing her temples, and Risa was surprised. She expected Yumi to deny it with some quip about Risa making stuff up. "I'm not giving Kuon to anyone. I don't care who they are. And I'd rather not have my fondness for her turn to feelings of betrayal and jealousy."
Risa frowned. "I don't follow. Kyoko's not interested in Kuon, so how would she betray you?"
Yumi searched Risa face before grimacing. "I should have expected you wouldn't notice. You're slow like that sometimes."
"Hey!"
"Why do you think people like Aya, Chieko and me are trying so hard to bring Kyoko down?"
"Because... you're mean people who enjoy causing problems?" said Risa.
Yumi gave her a flat stare.
"Hey! I really don't know! Does it have anything to do with that cryptic thing you said to her at the end?"
"At least you're partially observant." said Yumi, with a shadow of a smile. "Yes. It does."
"You called her a threat." said Risa, thinking out loud. "Which means you think Kyoko has a chance of winning Kuon's heart. Why would you even think that in the first place?"
"It's the way he looks at her." said Utako before Yumi could answer. "It's like he slips, letting something bright shine through."
"Yes." said Yumi voice drifting as she became lost in thought. "Something brilliant. I've never seen anything close to that sort of expression on him before. You have to be paying close attention to see it when it happens... But it's been becoming more and more frequent."
Both women went quiet, a heavy atmosphere entering the carriage. Risa scratched her head.
"So... he's falling for her." said Risa "But does he know it yet?"
"No." said Yumi, coming out of her reverie "And besides, he would never choose her anyway. She's not good for the kingdom the way she is now. The prince would never sacrifice his duties for love. He's too logical." She took a deep breath. "I'm going to do it. I'm going to get the prince to choose me. I'm not going to admit defeat until it's over."
More power to you. Thought Risa with a wry smile. In truth, she had noticed the quiet changes in Kuon and how he looked at Kyoko. You honestly had to be blind to not see it. But if she told Yumi that, the concubine would perceive Risa as another interested party and retreat from her. It wouldn't matter that Risa wasn't in love with the prince. Yumi wasn't going to take chances by letting herself be betrayed by a friend again. So Risa played dumb to keep Yumi as a friend.
Besides, Risa honesty thought Yumi's struggle was going to be a vain one. She could read the writing on the wall. Kuon was on the path to fall madly in love with the girl. The only variable was the Kyoko's own feelings and credentials. But those were sure to change.
Kyoko wasn't ready to become a princess, but Risa doubted that she'd stay that way. Despite her humble background and the unfamiliar setting, she had managed to already make her mark in the castle. After Kyoko had started working with Lory, a few nobles now mentioned her name with fondness. It was an incredible feat considering that she was the first female to be admitted to the clinic. Some still considered it indecent, but those that had been treated by her accepted and even asked for her when they returned. Then there was the resent widely spread rumor about what had happened at the stadium and her greatly exaggerated feats. Reputation aside, it was astounding how much she had grown if anyone cared to pay attention. She was on the path to be a fine woman once she finished the awkward teen years.
Yup. Risa had no doubt that Kyoko had it in her to become someone great. There was something about that girl that Risa couldn't put her finger on. Kyoko wasn't bold, beautiful, or anything else that usually caught the attention of others in the castle. Instead she was like a rock. Steady and immoveable. Much like Kuon. Except he had looks going for him as well.
After all the beating and weathering, underneath the rough exterior was a gem waiting to shine through.
You'd better hurry if you want him Yumi thought Risa. Because I can already see the jewel beneath the dirt. And it's only a matter of time before others do as well. Specifically, your beloved Kuon.
Thanks for reading!
Just an FYI: This week is finals for me, so the next chapter may be a few days late. (Good thing I didn't leave it at a cliff hanger. That would have just be downright mean.) XD
Whew. So she wasn't kicked out. Lots of questions were answered. Maybe a few were even brought up as well?
Queen Quatel : "Wasn't it hard writing this chapter? (chapter 13) If it were me, I wouldn't be able to do it."
-Yes and No. No, because I knew exactly what needed to happen and had been careful in setting it up. Plus I had already written little bits and pieces of it during the last few weeks. Yes, because there was a very specific feeling of betrayal I wanted both the readers and Kyoko to feel. I knew about Aya's bad personality from the beginning so by the time this chapter came along, my initial rage at her was gone. Plus, I knew what would happen next. :D
Blusaphyr: "So... when is Moko-san coming into the picture?"
- She's coming I promise! (for more detailed response, refer to ch 9 afterward notes)
chainedheart999 : "What will happen if people outside of harem injured the members? "
- (Harming others is a loose term. But basically it stops the girls from slapping or getting into cat fights. Things that would usually be over looked won't be because of the rule). The rule does not apply to anyone outside the harem. So if someone got hurt, it would be like if anyone got hurt in a situation. But the girls do have a little more protection because of who they are associated with. Also, yes I plan on making more references to the original skip beat story milestones. Just not sure which ones yet.
Thank you all for your support and corrections! I'm glad that you guys are enjoying this AU ff. I know that I keep making the same mistakes for grammar. I'm sorry! Habits are hard to break. Gehck. And welcome to the new peeps! Glad you could join us for our adventure. :D
-Blushweaver
With considerable effort, and great love in my heart, I Imotou have proof read this chapter. Hope you like it!