I really hope no one gets confused about the timelines, because I chose not to set this tale in a certain place within the Heian days. Though "The Tale of Genji" was said to have been published before 1021. So, feel free to explore the real timeline of Japan during the Heian times to try and figure out yourselves. ;D
Chapter Two
The Bride of Wisteria and Moonlight
The custom she was to attend was for the one whom everyone was speaking of: the coming-of-age ceremony genpuku for the Royal Prince himself. Even if she didn't feel like attending, her great-aunt insisted.
I sometimes don't see why this even focuses on boys rather than girls.
She was twelve years old, on the brink of womanhood, so she assumed she and other girls her age would be given the treatment, but as Aunt Kazue explained, women were not as important as men - not in politics or even the battlefield. Hence they were to be seen and heard only when chance came. Other than that, they still had it easy as men did.
Izumi supposed she should be grateful. She thought this as she let her guardian kneel behind her and comb her long brunette mane herself. The thing was so long it reached the middle of her back. In more years, it was expected to exceed length and hopefully outshine all the other ladies, if she was to marry the heir of the Uchiha.
Her great-aunt was her late mother's aunt; both her parents were killed by bandits when she was still a small child. She raised Izumi and spoiled her, though she also trained her in the ways of a court lady. Mother Hazuki had been an Uchiha, which made her a distant relative of the one Kazue and Emperor Madara contracted her to. So, the answer was this: Izumi was half a member of the Miyazaki clan which was a small but influential ally of the powerful Oosutsuki. Originally, Hazuki Uchiha would have wed someone in the Oosutsuki, but it fell through somehow.
Her parents were dead now, so the details of her future marriage were up to both her legal guardian and eventual grandfather-in-law - the most intimidating but powerful and respected man in the land. Though because she was close to the Oosutsuki by connections only, she knew the emperor and his family were only on display with their strings pulled.
I guess I should be lucky I might not end up as a concubine of the prince or one of the noblemen. If anything, I want what my mother had. So I should thank Aunt Kazue and His Majesty for this.
The good things to look forward to were the fact she would have a purpose amongst the court involving poetry, stories and other similar matters. Though that meant she and her husband wouldn't be able to LIVE together for certain things, which she wasn't sure she could deal with, but she had no say in any of this. Might as well make the best of it, Kazue said.
Much of this was learned in the last few years, and she was a natural fast-learner, accepting even if she didn't approve of some things.
In the present now, she was with her aunt and their attendants in the Imperial Court Palace, witnessing the ceremony in which the one all eyes were on came out. In dark garments and the tall dark cap, face schooled into a perfect mask which could have been sculpted on him - she felt her lungs tighten at the sight of him and paid no mind to the other females around who undoubtedly felt the same.
Those eyes, black as lacquer, were so intense they could keep you in place. The pallid features might as well have been created by the gods and sent among the mortals. His hair, also black and shining, went a little past his shoulders with a tie holding it in place below the nape of his neck.
From that moment, Izumi Miyazaki began to feel certain emotions she was sure only adults could feel when she saw the face of the one she was set to marry - even if it were only the first stages, and anything could happen - but he didn't even seem to notice her.
She watched everything: he accepted the responsibilities of manhood in order to successfully continue family and court tradition...though she could have sworn she saw a faint twinkle in those depthless eyes, as if they hid more than they displayed. Which was something that was often misunderstood about women, so she found it in herself to sympathize with the boy - no, young man, now that he was given everything upon his shoulders.
"Quite the sight, isn't he, angel?" Aunt Kazue told her under her breath, smirking to one corner of her wrinkled mouth. Once, she'd been one of the most beautiful women ever seen. "It's a shame he has to see you after all of this. I remember when I had to get your great-uncle to see ME for the first time by just reading him what became one of my best poems of all time...when it involved him. You should do the same with His Highness."
She referred to the prince, of course. Poetry was something she was still mastering all the way, so for the time being, short ones which were otherwise filled with meaning were her hand's work alone, receiving all the praise they could get.
"And speaking of which, you have that gift you are to present?"
Right in her hands, in the small, narrow box carrying something she wrote by her hand. She had never felt so anxious, but kept it calm as she was educated.
When the time came for the giving of gifts, Izumi found herself kneeling before the young boy who didn't change his expression, and making eye contact with him made her feel smaller than she was. Though it didn't seem he was criticizing her, either. And for a second, I thought it was my kimono - this brown matching my hair, covered with white blossoms and cranes.
What she meant was that she thought she looked too plain in this thing, despite being a child in appearance. After this day, in a few months, she would have her turn in his position even if she wouldn't get all this attention he had. And that meant she would receive the pleated skirt rather than the cap, but that was perfectly fine with her.
"Fly like the raven into the night, rest at the red sun rising to bask in morning glory."
Why did she have to drift off momentarily like that?! But thank the gods people were smiling and praising her for the gift to the Crown Prince - whose kind smile made her go soft like porridge at her core.
Even Emperor Madara was thoroughly pleased with this, though she was sure he and her great-aunt were going to have another audition about her and his grandson's future.
And that meant she had more work to do on her part.
~o~
Other than the details discussed between the emperor and the matriarch of the Miyazaki, the relationship between Itachi and Izumi started from the genpuku when she presented him with the fan he would carry in his hands from then on.
No one had ever given the prince such a sincere gift as this. That was what began to link him closer to the girl he had only met that day.
It's custom I take a bride after coming of age. I can't take this personally.
It disappointed them - more on her part, that is - that they could not visit each other as frequently as they wanted, though that meant Itachi could start that move as the man he now was, on his grandfather's suggestion. In the hopes it would increase their future bond as husband and wife, so that they would grow together and make the possibilities of life easier with each other.
The young prince was greatly saddened that his brother could not be here to share his happiness with him - only for the sorrow to return. Even if he wanted to avoid the blossoming of the sakura at their time of year, he had no right to be selfish and miss out on one of the greatest, short-lived joys. Izumi was the reason he was to try to enjoy the lovely, sweet pink flowers on their weeping branches, the winds swaying them and casting petals in all directions.
Perhaps later that same month after the cherry blossoms finished their time, a year after coming of age, Itachi realized that he could begin to appreciate what was in front of him while it was there. She was part of it.
It began that one time she visited him once more with her great-aunt and attendants...and she was standing on the bridge during the night when the full moon was at its highest, and the majestic wisteria had its turn.
This was the prince's first time seeing a girl like that, finding out she loved the moon anytime, that the full one was the best - especially in the harvest season which would arrive much later. He couldn't agree more on that.
When he thought of the wisteria, he thought of his mother Mikoto, for she loved it more than anything. Because it was a welcoming sign, a wish of luck especially for the start of a new marriage, the celebration of youth and vitality...but there was something much deeper: genuine affection and devotion.
Izumi was still here when she apparently suffered a cold, the next day after she and Itachi were on the bridge that night, simply talking about the moon and the season. Kazue Miyazaki wished to take her grandniece back home, but Madara Uchiha insisted the girl stay here and not get worse on the trip. He even forbade his grandson from going near her, to have close contact.
While he respected the space, there was one thing the prince had to do that he knew could make his intended feel better: he brought her a branch of the flowers and wished her all the better.
That would be the last time he would see her, for another six years.
She had changed significantly, not just with her ways - if retaining that serene kindness and compassion - but in her face as well. Her rich wood-hued hair had become nearly long enough to touch her ankles. She went through doing what all women would in plucking her eyebrows, before powdering her face to give it a lighter appearance, finishing with delicate arches she smudged above where her natural brows used to be...and finally, her dainty lips were painted red. And when she smiled, lips parting a little, he saw the darkness which was the blackener.
And that kimono: pure white for the bride, covered about with purple camellias and tied with a blue sash. She was ready to marry him now, and he was ready to marry her. They would be uniting their families together, which further linked the Uchiha to the Oosutsuki.
But Itachi could wish it was on the same level as Izumi clearly wanted.
~o~
Their wedding night was an event which nearly became a nightmare.
He was prepared for this, though he had no idea about women's secrets. Therefore, he was apprehensive, despite reassurances from Shisui as well as his grandfather who oversaw the lesson once again.
"Believe me when I say, Itachi, that I know what a woman's body looks like, though it is abhorrent to speak of it aloud with your own tongue," Madara explained with an amused smirk, though his eyes spoke another story. "But you should know that the first time hurts for a woman, and that is all you should know. Be gentle until you both are accustomed to the lock and key routine."
Even that didn't stifle Shisui's sniggers when they were away from the old emperor's company, just outside the bridal chamber where she was waiting for him, wearing a simple white sleeping garment like he was. He peeked through the bamboo curtain and observed, not saying a word. Inside was a screen scenery lush with magnolias in pink and white, accompanied by fresh green leaves shaped like hearts, all against a background of blue-violet. As if to represent the fact that everything, including possible love, was natural and would happen as they should.
He tried to think of this as a chance to move forward and rejoice with newfound happiness. It was what he wanted out of everything else in his accomplishments.
That screen would block out clear images of what they would do tonight, where only they had each other's eyes and would tell no one else. But outside the sanctuary was a small bonfire lit to block out most of the cool night coming in.
Shisui cleared his throat. "Ahem, well, good luck, my friend." The prince nodded and bade him good night before going in to his new bride.
We're not expected to have children too soon, but it has to happen sooner or later.
Her back was to him, long hair a dark contrast against the pristine white. He walked in, ducking through the sheer curtain that was hung over that entrance. The lamp in their surroundings was lit, providing more than enough light. "Izumi."
"Itachi," she answered, slowly turning around and looking up at him from her place on her knees. The warmth of her hair and her black Uchiha eyes were illuminated by the flickering candle between them. He found his place before her, mimicking the respectful kneel.
"You look very beautiful tonight." He meant every word of it, but also because he had no idea what else to say. They had the entire night together and several more days to enjoy their new marriage, before it would go back to "normal".
Her cheeks took on a faint shade of pink which he thought was very endearing, and the next thing he knew, she was clinging onto him. His arms subconsciously came up to wrap around her back. She was very shy now, but willing at the same time - completely different than the confident girl he knew before.
The robe fell off her shoulders, exposing fair, porcelain skin without a mark, and as he ran his fingers through her hair for the first time, he discovered it was soft as silk as it was rich in color as the woods...and it was part of her intoxicating smell, combined with perhaps plums and flowers. He continued to comb his fingers through her hair, his inner body on fire with spark after spark, slowly getting the core going.
"Are you ready?" Itachi asked softly in her luscious mane, lowering his face to find its place where her graceful neck and shoulder met. The contact of his lips against her skin made her shudder, and she nodded.
"I've waited for this night for too long, Itachi. But at the same time -"
Her sentence was cut off abruptly, and he was taken aback by a sharp gasp when she immediately fell limp in his arms. Itachi drew back to try and examine her, then shook her a little because for a moment, he feared she DIED in his arms before they began their first night as husband and wife!
He had to lay her down on her back gently; when he did, not only did her forest of hair spread out like a wide puddle, but the white cloth of her robe parted so that both her breasts were on display. Two pristine moons tipped with the rosy pink of blossoms...
Itachi admired them for only a second, thrilled, but had to cover them up before shouting for the physician.
By the time the healers did arrive, his wife came around without any trouble, stemming his fears of early death. Shisui had come for the show, disappointed nothing exciting - not THIS - took place, and expressed his relief she was well. If she'd died on her wedding night of all nights, it would have been a disaster.
"You worries are unfounded." She adjusted the front of her robe while smiling weakly and speaking to all of them. "I've had fainting spells since I was a child. Whether from overwhelming excitement or worry. My mind and body go blank at once."
Just natural exhilaration and worry...but worry for what?
When they were alone once again, he had to ask her himself, pleading to open up because they were married and could have no secrets between them, and this was what he got: "I was excited for what we were going to do, but I wanted to say something I feared you wouldn't return, after all these years..."
It happened to be none other than the three words which had meaning but could not be spoken so loosely, no matter if there was history between you. He had to avoid eye contact and dwell within his thoughts, as the wind picked up through the bamboo and gauze curtains, admitting his own fears.
"My mother died after birthing my brother, who also died young. Thus I feared I'd lost you. I cannot let my heart bear it again."
Therefore, they did not consummate their marriage until the following night after the understanding was reached.
~o~
Four years later...
And so fair maidens could never resist the sight of the irresistible Prince Itachi Uchiha. That was the talk of the court.
During the trip, safely within the palanquin held by four people outside - and Shisui riding solo out there by his side - Itachi gazed down once again at the fan. They had ten years of history, but despite their understanding, he didn't feel fulfilled. Not even four years of marriage would change that. Not even the scripture she wrote beside the Uchiha fan.
Still, it gave him a sense of peace. Being in her company was more than enough, and she knew that.
"Don't let your wife know," Shisui joked from outside, "but I would love to not only spend the day racing horses with Your Highness, but also to talk about women." He snickered without even covering his mouth, making the prince shake his head. Shisui, you and your thirst for gossip.
When they finally arrived and he set foot upon the main Miyazaki residence, there was the first one he saw, kneeling before him, almost touching the floorboards, avoiding all eye contact with him. She was his wife's chief lady in waiting, despite being the youngest in age and earning a little jealousy from her peers as a result. The one who didn't openly gush at him as the other women would, though he spotted the familiar faint pink on her cheeks which matched her long hair that completely reached the floor, surpassing Izumi in the length.
He remembered her well: that young girl who visited Sasuke's resting place with the wildflowers she placed before his brother's epitaph. Emerald green eyes glazed like the grass after a fresh rain, rimmed with red either from crying already or on the verge as he'd only arrived at the time. Then, her blossom-colored hair was short to her ears and was crowned with a red ribbon.
He was intrigued by her, but when he approached the child, her eyes widened as she quickly bowed to her knees when she recognized who he was. She then told him that his brother, the other prince, was a dear friend of hers that their grandfather, the emperor, allowed her to play with. Though he was certain he recognized more than just friendship in those expressive eyes...
Her name was Sakura. Named after the flowers which were still in bloom when my brother was taken from me. She was the daughter of servants in the Uchiha household, but after Sasuke passed on, Itachi didn't see the girl again and didn't think too much of it - until years later when Izumi returned to marry him, bringing her entourage in tow...
...and the pink-haired girl was there, having blossomed to womanhood and embodied the season during which the cherry blossoms flourished early on.
Itachi had been with no women yet, despite hearing all stories from the men around him that it was behavior allowed, but he knew something within him began to bloom just because of her presence and appearance in one.
When he and Izumi began to spend time together before the wedding, she told him Sakura had incredible skills in healing that few women cared to learn, even more than poetry or literature, though she did master in music as well as calligraphy as the rest of them...but what was mostly kept from the public was her torrid temper if someone offended her mistress or even a close friend, too few times being herself. Fascinating.
Though, it seemed Sakura could care less if he were Prince Itachi Uchiha or not, despite showing proper respect and protocol.
He carried on then and there until he was met with his in-law who was kneeling in the great meeting room. Itachi asked Shisui and the others to wait for him while he and Kazue began to socialize, and he accepted what she always boasted: the best wine her late husband was proud to pass down from his grandfather's own hand in the ages.
"It's about time you came back to see your wife again, Itachi." Since they were family now, she was one of the few free to call him by his name, since it was just the two of them at the moment. "She's been anxious for your return that she threatened to fall ill, if Sakura's ingenious hands haven't been there..."
Genpuku was a Japanese coming-of-age ceremony which dates back to the Nara Period (710–794 AD). It marked the transition from childhood to adulthood in both males and females, assuming responsibilities of man and woman, though the males seemed to have more attention than the females because the latter were kept from official duties. The ages for the children, mostly aristocrats, were between ages 10 and 20.
Wisteria means everything Itachi thinks about. :') It's one of my favorites and one of the most beautiful tree flowers ever. Add in the moment when Itachi gives them to a sick Izumi was inspired by Genji giving his stepmother Fujitsubo (his secret and forbidden love, ugh standards) the same flowers. It's easy to say it's sick and creepy, but please research more on that if you want to understand.
Heian nobility had their odd beauty standards, as I've said before, but to glimpse the naked body was obscene, which implies that even lovers or married couples in bed didn't see each other completely. It's considered obscene especially in Japan today to show certain parts - specifically the genital areas. Though, I could have sworn some laws on that were softening up. I know for sure in many movies, everything about the body BUT the lowermost parts are viewed.
Izumi's maiden name, like in some past fics of mine, is that of the anime god himself (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, you name it!). :D And her great-aunt Kazue was someone I introduced in "His Chosen Bride"; I'm just in love with the hoot of a woman she is, now that I can call her that. XD
When she loses consciousness on her wedding night due to excitement and worry, that moment comes from the opening of the 1987 "Genji Monogatari", when Yuugao (one of Genji's lovers) dies in his arms.
R and R! :3