Chapter 3

"Thank you for helping me pick out a wedding kimono, Princess Fuji. I'd be lost if not for your advice! And thank you so much for allowing me to have the wedding in your palace! Oh, it's going to be so beautiful!"

A young woman with ebony hair hugs the sweet princess with genuine friendship. Fuji smiles, though her eyes had a touch of sadness within them. Fuji stands up straight and responds with dignity and grace.

"It was an honor for you to ask me to assist you."

Then, with a small giggle, she looks around the room, and seeing no court attendants nor guards, her demeanor changes, becoming personal and girlish.

"Oooh, it is such fun to help plan a wedding! You're just like a sister to me!"

Fuji pauses at this phrase with a meloncholy little smile, as a vision of another pretty sister flashes in her mind. She then remembers herself and shakes off the saddened thoughts of the past with a forced smile towards the future up at Ran.

"You're going to look so beautiful---Shimon-dono won't be able to resist you!"

She grabs hold of Ran's hands and squeezes them tightly.

giggle giggle

The girls squeal and chatter incessantly, discussing the wedding ceremony, the clothing and the groom, of course.

"I'm very lucky to have him. He's so good to me and so kind! He always goes out of his way to make it pleasant for me and I am so grateful. I love him so much! I don't know what I'd do if he..."

Here, Ran's lip trembles and a silent tear runs down her cheek. Fujihime looks at her with a sympathetic look.

"--if he didn't stay here with me...I don't think I could've gone on. I was so unhappy and lonely, and feeling sorry for myself---until his bright light of happiness touched my dark world. I can never thank him enough for his sacrifice. He stayed here, just for me...to be with me and comfort me...I had to stay here...but he didn't. He could've returned to the future with my brother and Akane chan...He gave up everything he knew..."

Ran's emotion outpour into words and she looks down, trying to compose herself. Princess Fuji touches her shoulder gently and gives her a look of understanding.

"He loves you, and that is more than enough for him. You say he gave up everything, but the truth is...he couldn't give up you. You are his dream. It's a wonderful and rare gift in this world to be loved by a man who loves you and whom you love in return. You possess that treasure! You have it! Always cherish it, Ran-chan!"

Fuji seemed rather passionate in her speech and Ran could tell that something in those words meant a great deal to the purple princess. Ran smiles and wipes her eyes.

At that moment, the door slides open and the Vice Minister, Fujiwara no Takamichi, walks in. He smiles warmly at the girls and bows to them.

"Good morning, Princess, Ran-dono. I trust you are doing well this day."

He walks towards Princess Fuji with a beautiful smile that Ran knew he gave only to the princess. She looks down and smiles to herself.

These two are so much in love---they just won't admit it! What is wrong with the people of this world? Is it really so terrible to say "I love you"!

Ran thinks these thoughts as she watches the pair do their dance of pretending not to be in love with each other.

"Ah, you are more lovely than ever, princess. Your radiance even outshines the sun."

He extends his hand to Fuji, who touches it lightly, with a dreamy look in her purple eyes. Their eyes lock for a long moment, and Ran becomes hopeful that maybe today, he would finally tell the girl of his feelings...

But no such luck. Takamichi clears his throat and averts his eyes to the scrolls in his hand. He looks at them for a brief moment, as if trying to remember what they were.

"Oh, yes. Here are the daily reports of the city, princess. You will be glad to hear that the majority of the citizenry are prospering and nearly all are pleased with the government's aid and benevolent rule. It is, I'm sure, completely due to your kind and beautiful touch. I, myself feel---"

Takamichi smiles down at the young woman in a reverie, and seems about to say more, but stops himself.

"Yes, Takamichi-dono...?"

Princess Fuji looks a bit excited and Ran can't help but get her hopes up once more that the man would FINALLY say something worth hearing.

"Eh...that is---nothing. Nothing at all. I've...spoken out of turn. Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness."

Takamichi bows deeply and excuses himself, much to Fuji's dismay. Her bright eyes grow dim and Ran could tell she was suppressing a sniffle.

Ran strides up to the princess and hugs her firmly. She pulls Fuji's shoulders forward and looks into her eyes.

"You're right, what Shimon and I have is a treasure and I will guard over it carefully. But, Princess Fuji, what about you? You love HIM that deeply, don't you?"

Ran looks questioningly into Fuji's sparkling eyes, to which the girl looks away.

"Look at me. If you're unhappy, why don't you just tell him how you feel?"

"Oh no! I could never do that. Imagine a lady telling a man she loves him! That's just not done! I--I must accept what is. I know he only thinks of me as a child---the little girl he's always known...Yet, it is so difficult to see him everyday and not be able to show my love for him. It is a trial, I must admit, to hide my true feelings."

Fujihime giggles nervously and sadly, as she plays with a strand of her long, long purple hair.

"You shouldn't! What does it gain anyone? Forget your reservations and traditions! Just tell him you love him! I know he loves you! It's obvious to everyone but the two of you, I guess! You were made for each other, so why must you torture each other with this hesitation! Trust me, I know! I was the first one to speak about my feelings with Shimon...And look now! We're about to be married! Everything will work out if you just tell him! Men need a little push every now and then, after all."

The once lonely and shy Ran smirks as she shakes Fuji's shoulders, and pleads with her dearest friend to open up to the man she was in love with. But Fujihime was adamant and, like her royal cousin, could not be moved.

"Ran-chan...I thank you for your warm and genuine advice, but...I cannot. It isn't the proper way and as the princess, I mustn't do anything that could cause a scandal. I must set an example for the people of Kyou, no matter the cost to my own happiness."

Ran lets go of Fuji's shoulders and sighs deeply. In her own moment of pure happiness, her best friend was still drowning in loneliness. And there was not a thing she could do about it.

sigh

"Now, forget about my silly problems, dear Ran-chan. Let's focus on your wedding. This is supposed to be the happiest time for you!"

"And it would be---if only I knew that you, my best friend, were happy, too. Can't you give me that as a wedding gift? Just tell him your feelings and I know it will solve everything!"

Princess Fuji looks away and turns sideways. She seemed to be considering the request.

"It...isn't right for a lady to tell a man---I still feel that, but...if it is what you want---how can I refuse a bride? Perhaps..."

"Yes?"

"Perhaps...I will try tomorrow when he brings the news again. I can't promise you that I will be able to do it, but...I do promise to try."

Ran runs up to the princess and twirls her around.

"Oh! Fujihime, thank you! It's all I want and I'm so happy! And trust me, once you tell him, you'll be as happy as I am!"

Ran continues to dance around with Fuji until both girls flop to the floor in exhaustion, giggling their heads off.

"You---you puff may be right, Ran-chan...I do already feel uplifted. But...I'm still so scared. What if...what if he doesn't care for me in that way? I think I'll die if he doesn't. Right now, the uncertainty at least lets me imagine that he DOES love me, too...but once it is all out in the open...what if--"

Ran puts her hand over Fujis mouth and frowns at her.

"Now, Princess Fuji! Don't be such a worry wart! I already told you that I know he loves you, so trust me! By tomorrow, all your problems will be over and you'll be in the arms of the man you love. There, doesn't that sound wonderful?"

Fuji can't help but giggle at Ran's sunshiny outlook and smiles gratefully at the girl. She hugs her back with a fierce embrace.

"You're too good to me, Ran-chan. I don't know what I'd do without you. Do you honestly think he will return my love and that it's really...all right...to tell him?"

"Of course! Don't you worry your pretty little head one bit, princess. Just spend the rest of the day dreaming of your rosy future together!"

Ran kisses the princess on the cheek and then runs out towards the door.

"I've got to go now. It's just about time for my lunch date with Shimon---he'll be expecting me. If I don't arrive on time, he gets so worried. Dear boy, he's such a sweetheart. I'll see you tomorrow morning, bright and early."

Ran winks at Fuji and departs, leaving the lonely princess full of anxiety and hope.

It is really possible? Can it be so simple as to say 'I love you'? And will he love me as I love him...?

Dreaming these thoughts, Princess Fuji was completely unaware of the complex design that destiny had in store for her before true happiness could be reached.

CRASH!

"Oh! General Tomomasa! I didn't see you there! S-sorry about that..."

Ran mumbles a hurried apology to the tall man she had just bumped into.

"No need for an apology, little princess; though I must not be as imposing a figure as I thought. This is the second time today that someone has ran into me. Heh he heh. Perhaps it's just that everyone wants to touch me. That must be it."

Tomomasa attempts to be his usual jovial and teasing self, but a red-faced Ran scrutinizes him closely, feeling that the hard to read general was showing signs of anxiety.

She narrows her eyes and puts her hands on her hips.

"I suppose you're going in to see Princess Fuji with some bad report or other, aren't you?"

Tomomasa's eyes widen in shock. How could this girl know what he had to do? Did someone leak the information already?

"Well, I--"

Ran wags her finger right in the man's face.

"No fancy excuses, General! Princess Fuji is happy right now and I don't want you to say or do anything to dampen her mood!"

She taps the official scroll in his hand and continues her lecture.

"Can't this wait one day? By tomorrow, nothing that this says can hurt her!"

"What do you mean 'by tomorrow'?"

"Well, can you keep a secret?"

"Of course! Aren't I the most trustworthy man in Kyou?"

Tomomasa puffs up and peeks out the corner of his eye at Ran.

"That's exactly why I had to ask! sigh Everyone knows you're the biggest gossip in the court!"

"Ran-chan...I'm thoroughy hurt."

Tomomasa feigned hurt feelings by placing his hand over his heart with a pained expression on his face.

"Don't give me that--I know that nothing affects you! Anyway, I'll just have to risk it. It's too important that you treat her nicely today and this is why. You know that Fuji is in love with Takamichi, don't you?"

Tomomasa raises an eyebrow. This was cutting too close to home. How on earth did this girl hit the nail on the head?

"Takamichi...? Yes, doesn't everyone know?"

Tomomasa tries to focus on what Ran was saying, but his mind kept wondering about how she got on this topic.

"Everyone but the two of them! sigh That's the problem! Anyway, the princess and I had been discussing my wedding--you know, gowns, preparations, and all--and it made her a bit sad. Then Takamichi came in and, like a complete fool, he contined to do their dance of pretending not to be in love with each other---which just further depressed Fuji after he left. Well, after that, I begged her to tell him her true feelings, but she's got some notion that a woman can't tell the man first and so on. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if the traditions and ways in Kyou should be banned! They're so impractical!"

At this outburst, the furrowed brows Tomomasa couldn't help but chuckle.

"I can't help but agree with you, little princess."

"Don't patronize me! Anyway, I FINALLY managed to convince her that first thing in the morning, when that man comes in with his daily report, to tell him how she feels about him. I told her that it would solve all her problems and after much consideration---she agreed!"

"And that's why I don't want you going in there and spoiling her mood! I left her happy and dreaming of tomorrow. If you go in and say that there's a war about to break out somewhere...well, just don't, okay?"

Ah, so she doesn't know what I'm here for.

Ran shields a hand over her eyes and gazes up at the past noonday sunlit sky.

"Ahhhh! Look at the time! I promised Shimon I'd meet him in the garden before noon! I'm late!"

She gathers up the few trinkets she had dropped in their encounter and races past the general without another word.

At the end of the hallway, she stops and turns around with a menacing look on her pretty face.

"Remember, don't you go in there and say anything that will change her mind! It's for her own good! I'm counting on you!"

Then, she turns and races away, leaving Tomomasa to ponder her demanding words.

"Counting on me? Hmph, I'm afraid what I've got to do is much, much worse."

He squeezes the blasted scroll in his hand with resentment.

sighs

"Ah, here goes..."

Tomomasa knocks on the door to the princess' quarters softly. He closed his eyes, trying to compose himself.

"Come in, please."

Tomomasa slides open the door and enters, bowing to the princess. She looks at him puzzled, for he had never entered her room that way before. He had always just sauntered in, much to her dismay.

"General Tomomasa! How glad I am to see you! It seems so long since you've visited me. I must say, I am pleased."

Though Fuji and Tomomasa always had a silly argument or if she had been frustrated with his laziness, she still was drawn to him and was always happy to see him. It was as if there was a special connection between them---a bond that no matter how he behaved, no matter how he broke the rules, she always felt...

...Safe with him.

"Princess Fuji, I am here on official business today."

Fuji cocks her head to the side, wondering what the general had to report. She had had a foreboding feeling all morning and hoped that the news wouldn't be too bad. She thought of her cousin and inquired after his safety.

"I trust the Emperor is well...?"

"Yes, he's...fine. That's not it. Before I read this, please know that it gives me no pleasure to do so and that no matter the consequences, I will not allow it to happen."

Princess Fuji furrows her brows in nervous wonder at what his enigmatic speech meant.

"Gener--"

"Please, let me go on, princess."

"No matter what you hear me tell you, know that I personally will stop it. Have no fear, just...trust in me."

Fuji looks up at him silently and so he begins.

Tomomasa unrolls the scrolls and clears his throat. With a final glance at the girl, he starts to read.

"By order of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, we are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to give your hand in marriage to the honorable Prince Eisen. Of all the eligible maids in the country, you have been selected to be his bride, an honor we are certain you will accept. The ceremony will take place at the end of this month, to which ends you will prepare yourself to be taken by carriage to the Imperial palace at the end of that time. Once again, we offer our sincerest congratulations and affection for your good fortune."

At the end of this declaration, Tomomasa closes his eyes and then quickly looks over to the princess.

She had clutched the corner of a near table and seemed rather frail and dizzy.

"...Marriage...Prince Eisen...no..."

Fuji whimpered the phrase just before she collapsed to the ground.

Tomomasa drops the detested scroll and rushes to her side, gathering her in his arms.

"Princess, are you all right? Please, princess!"

He gently shook her but it did no good.

Once more, he tried to waken the girl but she only managed to murmur one name...

"Taka...mi..chi-sama..."

Tomomasa looked with pity upon his---the little princess and pressed her close to his chest. He narrowed his eyes and made a silent vow to her. Then, he called out for a maid to assist him to bring her to her bedroom chambers.

Once there, he placed her down carefully and turned to leave.

"You will take good care of my----the princess, won't you?"

He looks with anxiety upon the maid who was mixing an herbal concoction that would try to awaken her.

"Oh yes, of course! But are you going? She should be awake in just a few minutes, once she smells these special herbs..."

"No, don't awaken her now. Let her rest. The poor darling's had a terrible shock. She needs to sleep."

He returns to Fuji's side and smoothes back errant hairs from her face. He looks at her tenderly and kisses her on the forehead.

The maid looked aghast but said nothing as she continued what she was doing, trying to be unobtrusive.

"Please tell the little one that the annoying general had to leave, but that she should trust him to take care of everything for her. Tell her that I won't let it happen."

The maid was utterly confused by his words, but nodded her head in acknowledgement.

"I'll tell her. But, maybe she'd like to hear it directly from you?"

"Ah, but I cannot linger here. I must hurry if I am to be successful in this task. Wish me luck and be good to my---to the princess!"

He whirls around the maid, who, of course, was in admiration of the debonair general.

"Now, I must be going! Don't forget!"

Tomomasa rushes to his horse and races away towards the Vice Minister of the Left's residence. He hadn't a moment to waste, as the Emperor was expecting him back with a full report soon. He impatiently gives an extra kick to the stallion's sides to spur him on even faster, something he would never incur on the noble animal, but today---he was thinking of only Princess Fuji.

"I'm sorry, old friend, but we must be like the wind!"

His thoughts then turn to his fellow Byakko, and the man he admired most in the world.

Takamichi, you've never let me down before...do not do so now. I need you to save...

"...my daughter..."