For my 101th fanfiction, I chose to write for something new. I didn't know there was a category for this movie, so I went ahead and wrote this. I love The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and I was so upset when they took her back to the moon.
This fanfic shows a peek into Kaguya's life after she's been taken back to the moon. It's a look into how she thinks and what she longs for.
I almost didn't write it for fear of breaking a promise I made to someone. But I held my own and wrote the story. I'm just hoping this was worth putting off.
Well, enjoy my new fanfic. ^_^
The Earth seemed so much farther than the last time she saw it. Kaguya stood on the veranda of the palace. Snowlike flakes danced in the air before hitting the white ground that stretched on into the horizon that was divided by the black void of space. The Earth floated on, its thin blue horizon visible from where she was. The color of the blue seas and green lands worked in harmony, balancing each other out. With the white clouds rolling by, it was perfect.
Kaguya stepped away from the veranda and walked back into the room. It was laden with all the things she could possibly need: a tatami mat, a changing screen with a bamboo pattern, jade walls, a small writing desk, a closet full of colorful robes, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, shoji doors, shiny knickknack, several pairs of geta sandals and incense sticks. All of it meant nothing to Kaguya.
From where she recently returned the Earth was much more alive than the City of the Moon. Lively music played endlessly, but it did not burrow its way to uplift Kaguya's mood. Even with or without the Robe of the Moon, she could still remember her time on Earth. She loved everything about the moon. She loved the rain, the sunrise, the sunset, the bamboo grove where she used to live in the country. She loved running with Sutemaru and his friends. She loved every moment of it, and now she wanted it back.
She remember the first time she heard that song. It was a song she both loved and hated. It reminded her of what she missed most on Earth. She missed her parents, and she hated seeing their tearful faces. Kaguya's heart shattered every time she remembered them. She wished to be back on Earth relishing all of the Earth's splendors. She wished for just one minute to be back on Earth. Even if it was for one day. She would spend it reliving everything down to the exact moment she lived it.
This place is a gilded cage.
Of course you know that now.
She looked back to the veranda, where she saw the Earth. The stars sprinkled onto the black void glimmered brighter than diamonds.
I knew the moment I prayed to be taken out of this place, but I didn't intend to be taken back here. I just wanted to go back home.
Home. Her little house in the bamboo grove where she would spend hours sitting outside, running in the rain, spending every moment with her parents watching the sunset. Kaguya remembered the cricket chirps and how the cicadas trilling worked in symphony with the sounds of birdcall. It was a sound she yearned to hear again.
You could've done things differently if you had thought things differently.
I did. I did things my way. I rejected suitors because I wanted to belong to someone else.
He already made a life for himself.
I know. But I don't think he feels that way for her.
Kaguya recalled the day she met Sutemaru again before she returned to the moon. She remembered how happy she was when she saw him.
I think her married to forget me. But I don't think he loves her.
You think that because you're back on the moon.
It's what I want to believe. Anything is better the accept that I'm back here.
Kaguya turned around, strolling toward the open veranda. The glow of the city glittered like an iridescent prism. Icy cold still worked its way though her, soaring her to the marrow. Not even the Robe could numb her now. Nothing would.
Galaxies pinwheeled in the ether above her. It was a sight so beautiful that it was hard not to deny. But those galaxies and nebulas and stars didn't compare to the beauty of Earth.
I wasn't happy in the Capital.
You're not happy here, you're not happy there. What would make you happy?
Being back on Earth.
The song fluttered in her heart. The City was how she remembered when she first opened her eyes to this world. Her life was spent in routine feeling nothing and thinking about nothing. It wasn't until she heard that woman sing did she truly open her eyes. The song had left its impact on her, and it still managed to lull her with the things she missed on Earth.
Kaguya opened her lips and sang.
Round, round, go round, Waterwheel, go round
Go round, and call Mr. Sun
Go round, and call Mr. Sun
Her voice carried on unendurably, clear as a bell. It affected the listener, sounding enchanting the more you listened.
Birds, bugs, beasts, grass, trees, flowers
Bring spring and summer, fall and winter
Bring spring and summer, fall and winter
Kaguya lifted her voice, not caring if she was heard. She wanted to be heard. She wanted her grief to be valid. All her choices were taken away when she was brought to the Capital. She wasn't going to let anyone or anything get in the way of her mourning.
Go round, come round, come round, O distant time
Come round, call back my heart
Come round, call back my heart
Birds, bugs, beasts, grass, trees, flowers
Teach me how to feel
If I hear that you pine for me
I will return to you.
Her singing ended and she stared out longingly at the blue-and-green planet. The Earth was her home, not the moon. She was meant to live on Earth with all its impurities and sadness. She loved that about Earth; people were allowed to be happy and sad and feel their emotions. She wished to be taken away from there and now she wanted to go back.
Under the watchful eye of the moon sprites Kaguya learned to show nothing but sorrow. It was from being under Lady Sagami's tutelage that she learned to pretend being happy around her and her father's boasting, and when to truly be happy when she was around things she enjoyed. This place may be pure and free of imperfections, but its true imperfection was its lack of real happiness. It lacked sorrow, rage and fear. It wasn't an idyllic paradise but a nightmare. Even the celestial beings of the moon hated to be restrained from feeling their emotions.
They've forgotten you.
They may have forgotten me, but I won't forget them.
That place was a hell. You of all people should know.
I know, but I love it. I love the Earth and its flaws. There are so many wonderful things on Earth that you can't have on the moon. You get to feel emotions and be truly happy doings things you love. I understood the moment I was put in that bamboo shoot. I want it all back.
The white flakes blew in the air, covering the white ground of the earth. The cold seeped into Kaguya, but it didn't take away the ache she felt. Everyday she came to the veranda and longed to be back on Earth to feel the warmth of the sun on her face, to listen to the songbirds, and enjoy the scenery. She clung to those memories and cried whenever she remembered everything. Being cut off from all of that cleaved Kaguya's heart.
She remembered when Lady Sagami guilted her into meeting the suitors. Kaguya hated her how she did that to get her to behave. But she also wanted her to have fun. To loosen up, and enjoy life. They lived only once, so it was important to live it being happy and not restrict yourself from the things you love from fear of appearing improper.
You are right about that. Those noble suitors were just like the celestial beings. Putting up a facade, acting graceful and drowning down their emotions.
I just wanted to feel. I want my happiness back. I want to run through the fields again, and plant my garden and have my friends and family back.
Kaguya looked around the plaza to see if no one was around. The moon sprites were currently with the Buddha, and soon they would be back tending to her to make her forget about Earth. She thought all her memories would be gone, but they weren't. The Robe managed to make her forget, but she remembered whenever she looked at the Earth. What she said that night was true: the Earth does have its impurities but that's what made it beautiful. Everything was balanced out by its opposite, and things evolved and changed. But on the moon, nothing changed. Things stayed stagnant, sealed in one state; nothingness.
This isn't bliss. It's just more pain.
How will you enlighten them? They won't heed your words even if they weren't in a bliss.
I won't make them see, I just need them to understand. I understood when I first heard that song. I wanted to know what those feelings were.
And you got it.
But I was returned here. I want to go back.
Did you really mean what you said? That you would kill yourself if your father put on the councilmen's hat?
No. I said that in the hopes that he would stop. I didn't want to be brought back here.
You wanted to be away from all that, now that you're not there, why are complaining about it?
Kaguya stared on. The Earth loomed over the City of the Moon. It was like when she was on Earth and she would watch the moon. Now she was on the moon watching the moon. Nothing on the moon was how it should be.
I want to go back.
The void in her heart grew until felt colder than the moon's air. Being surrounded by a glorious city with luxuries wasn't going to make her forget about the Earth. It made her want to go back just to get away from it.
The Earth was where I was happiest.
She wanted to be free, now she was imprisoned by it. It still wasn't what she wanted. Kaguya wasn't free with all the moon sprites hovering above her, whispering into her ears, and lulling her with their sweet songs.
She hoped her parents still remembered her. She hoped Sutemaru remembered her. What she said was true; she would've been happy with him. But it was too late for that. Or at least that's what she told herself.
I may be on the moon. But there's still reason to smile.
Why is that?
Because I know I'll return to the Earth.
How?
I'll find a way. I already did it once.
Everybody has the freedom to choose. The people of the moon choose to indulge themselves with ignorance, casting away emotions for luxury. Kaguya remembered when she first started her training as a noble princess. Her father became influenced by high society, and like a fine red wine, became intoxicated. To have everything, to be on top was suffocating.
I know I'll return to the Earth someday.
Kaguya smiled. She didn't care if the moon people saw it as improper. Dreaming of leaving the moon made her happy.
Someday.
It was never too late. After all, she had all the time in the world. She just had to wait.
How was that for my first fanfiction for The Tale of the Princess Kaguya? I know it's not much, but it was the plot I had planned. Hope it wasn't too angsty.
Anyways, thanks for reading my new story. :3
