Chapter 6

"What should I do...?"

A lone figure stands amidst the beautiful blossoms and flora that he was his garden--his secret place. He had made it himself, designed and grew each of the gorgeous flowers that were now blooming all about him. But he didn't do this for himself alone. No, he had created this beauty to match another beauty which had once been his, but in his foolishness, he had let slip away.

Lady Chuuguu, eldest daughter of the Minister of Left, had been his childhood companion and playmate since before he could remember. She had accompanied him and been his confidante in everything. When he was old enough, he had made this garden---for her delight and as their 'special' place. When they had grown into their teens, it was simply assumed that they would one day wed---they were that inseparable.

In fact, the Emperor and his Empress, Kougou, who had practically raised the girl since she had been born, had made definite plans that Eisen would marry Chuuguu on his 18th birthday.

But it was not to be, for during that fateful year, another young girl with the beauty of a flower had come into all their lives---and changed it irrevocably. Akane Motomiya, the Ryujin no Miko, had come from another world to save Kyou from the onslaught of the Oni and Onryou. She had not only achieved this miracle, but had affected many young men of Kyou as well. Eisen himself had been chosen to be one of her Hachiyou, and in the process, had somehow fallen in love with the mysterious girl.

But Akane's heart belonged to another----Tenma Morimura, who had come with her from her world and had been her protector, her guardian. Eisen had liked Tenma and seen the depth of their love, and so he never confessed his feeling for Akane, deciding instead to leave it unrequited.

However, all these happenings were not unnoticed by the observant eye of Lady Chuuguu. She had seen Eisen's 'indiscretions' with the Miko and was consumed with jealousy. She was the eldest child of the wealthy and influential Minister of the Left and had grown up rather selfish and delicate. Her mother had died in childbirth while having her, and so she had been raised since infancy by the indulgent and kind Empress Kougou. When her father remarried the emperor's sister, Houtaru, she gained a little sister, Fuji. But Chuuguu was not fond of her sister, feeling her a competitor for not only their father's attentions, but also making her 'second fiddle' since Fuji was the daughter of a princess and thus royalty, while she was merely a girl of the court, with no royal blood whatsoever.

This turn of events had made the sensitive Chuuguu even more haughty and unkind and she found her only solace within the gardens that Prince Eisen had made for her. He alone was her peace, the only one she could really rely upon.

And then, when Ryujin no Miko had appeared, even he had abandoned her. Their deep bond had been broken by the arrival of this girl from another world and Chuuguu was devastated. When she realized that her Eisen was in love with another girl, she left the royal court, running away, disappearing, hoping to leave all her sorrows and disappointment behind her.

Amidst all the chaos of the battle with Akram and the Oni clan, Eisen had not even noticed that Chuuguu had disappeared. It was only after everything was settled and over with, that Empress Kougou had informed him that Chuuguu had ran off, and was nowhere to be found.

This news had shocked and hurt Eisen deeply. He knew it was because of his foolish, ill-fated love for the Miko, that his betrothed and constant companion had fled the palaces in distress, no doubt. It was all his doing and he could never forgive himself for hurting his most beloved friend.

Standing there, pondering these thoughts, he wasn't an imposing figure, but there was something special about him that caught one's imagination.

But just then, Eisen wasn't feeling very special. In fact, his mind was telling him just the opposite.

"I--I can't marry Princess Fuji."

Chuuguu...where are you? I need you. I need your strength...

Eisen sighs aloud to himself, wondering once more how he had gotten into such a predicament. He shakes his head and closes his eyes, trying to immerse himself in the beauty of the water around him.

"Maybe I should just tell my brother that it would be wrong to force her into this. I know she'll be unhappy...as will I..."

Eisen looks down at his own reflection in the water and with a frown, swishes the unsatisfactory image away with his hand.

"I can't do anything right for anyone!"

Eisen sits down with a loud whimper and buries his head into his knees, trying to decide who was better to disappoint---his brother, the Emperor, or his cousin, the Princess.

Why can't everyone just leave me alone?

Contemplating these disturbing thoughts, Eisen doesn't hear the rustling of leaves behind him nor the steady, silent footsteps following.

"Prince Eisen! What are you doing out here?"

Startled, Eisen swivels around with a gasp. He hadn't expected anyone else to be in the vicinity and had come here to be alone.

"Yo-yo-yorihisa! I...I didn't hear you come. I---"

Eisen stumbles over his words, trying his best not to offend the bushido warrior, who also happened to be Princess Fuji's personal bodyguard.

Yorihisa smiles kindly at the prince and resheathes his katana sword.

"I've been practicing new techniques in that field when I heard a strange noise and came to investigate to make sure everything was all right. I'm sorry to intrude here."

Eisen looks down with an embarrassed red face.

"Th-that must've been me."

Yorihisa looks puzzled. The sound he had heard was definitely that of a wounded creature.

"You, Prince Eisen?"

"Y-yes...I...I must've...well...I suppose I...made a sound like that..."

Eisen gulps uneasily and Yorihisa could no longer stand the poor man's discomfort.

"Never mind about that, Prince Eisen. But...if I may be so bold, is there a problem? Is there anything I can do for you to be of assistance?"

Yorihisa, though endlessly calm and unfeeling, was truly kind at heart and didn't want to see the gentle prince in such turmoil.

"Yes...No...I mean..."

"Yes?"

"Well, do you think you could give me some advice?"

Yorihisa widens his eyes in shock. A royal prince was asking him for advice? What was the world coming to!

"Ad-advice, Prince Eisen?"

"Uh-huh, I...I guess you've heard that Princess Fuji has been ordered to marry me."

"Princess Fuji!"

"Oh, well, then, I'll assume you haven't heard..."

"No, indeed. When was this announced?"

Yorihisa seemed a bit miffed that he, Fuji's own bodyguard, had not been told of the impending marriage.

"Just today---probably an hour ago, if General Tomomasa arrived at her palace on schedule..."

"I...see..."

"I was supposed to wait back at the palace with my brother for the general's return, but I couldn't stay there..."

Eisen takes this opportunity to look quickly at Yorihisa and then back down, letting his hands caress the lovely orchid wrapped between his fingers. He was terribly upset and this favorite flower of Chuuguu's was the only thing that could appease his troubled soul.

Yorihisa decides to let his pride drop on the matter of his position and sits down next to Eisen. He saw the young prince's distress and felt a responsibility to try to help him.

Eisen was silent at first, but then, quickly turns to the warrior and tells him all that was on his mind.

"Yorihisa! My brother wants me to marry Princess Fuji, but I know she'll be unhappy. She doesn't love me and I can't make her love me. How can I ask her to spend her life with me when I know it's not what she wants? It's not fair to her-----or to me. I'm very fond of her---who wouldn't be? But I don't...don't care for her in that way...I never could. She's my cousin and dear friend, but I...don't love her. I'm just...not good for anything or anybody..."

Yorihisa had been listening with rapt attention at the prince's sudden outburst. He had turned the matter over in his mind, but when Eisen reached the end and he saw a tear drop from the man's eye, he couldn't take it any longer. Yorihisa stood up abruptly and spoke in a gruff voice.

"Prince Eisen! You have no call to say such things! This marriage has been arranged by His Majesty, the Emperor himself! It is our sworn duty to obey every command given us, is it not? How can you sit there and ponder what you should do?"

Yorihisa pauses, not wanting to seem cold but wanting to get through the to beleaguered prince.

"Prince Eisen, listen to me. You asked for my advice and I will give it to you. I have found that a man can do anything if he puts his whole mind and soul and heart in it. If you will it strongly enough, it will happen. You must believe in yourself and your abilities. How do you know that Princess Fuji won't learn to love you? If you put your mind to it, you can make her care for you. You can do anything you try to do----as long as you believe. I've seen you, Prince Eisen. You are capable of more than you give yourself credit for."

Eisen, during Yorihisa's speech, looks up and seems to have a renewed look of relief in his eyes.

Yorihisa looks up towards the clouds and in a distant voice, adds one final piece of advice.

"I know I don't have to remind you of our complete and unquestioning loyalty to our Emperor."

With that, the mysterious man disappears into the forest leaving Prince Eisen alone once again.

But now, it was different. He was different. Eisen saw things with a new outlook.

"Maybe he's right...maybe I won't disappoint anyone if I try hard to please everyone! And my brother knows what's best, so I should just follow his lead."

Eisen stands up and dusts himself off. He nods curtly with a determined look set on his face.

"Yes! I'll do it. I'll marry Fuji and make her love me. I'll go right now and talk to her. It's what I should've done in the first place--never mind sending a messenger. I hope it wasn't too much of a shock to her."

Well, never mind. I'll make up for it now by bringing her a rare gift for our engagement----

Engagement...Chuuguu...I'm sorry, please forgive me...

Eisen looks once more towards the beautiful flowers and blossoms which seemed to have lifted his burden from him and washed it away.

"Thank you, Yorihisa...I won't forget your words...I will do this----and I will make it right!"

With that, Prince Eisen slips away back towards the palace, thinking of his next move towards his new goal of making the princess fall in love with him.

I will overcome her past whims and make her forget all about...

...Him...

As I will also try to forget who I love...

And the orchid held tenderly in Eisen's trembling hands all the while is let to flutter on the winds, scattering its petals on the horizon...

Whew...that was a close one...

Tomomasa wipes his sweaty brow with his sleeve and decends the steps from the Emperor's palace towards his trusty steed.

The Emperor had at first been testy and unhappy that his most trusted general had taken so long to return back to him with news, but Tomomasa had used his smarmy touch and had sweet-talked his way back into good favor with the ruler. The Emperor was not a bad man, and Tomomasa genuinely cared for him.

But not at the expense of his only daughter.

Tomomasa quickly mounts his horse and races towards the Princess Fuji's palace, to try to comfort her as best he could while Takamichi was on the way.

He was certain his Byakko partner wouldn't let him down and already his downed spirits were rising with just the thought that Takamichi would make his little girl happy.

Ah, to be young and in love...You remember it, don't you, Houtaru...?

Entering the shadowy bedroom of the Princess Fuji, Prince Eisen steps forward towards her sleeping form with a loud gulp. He had convinced himself that he could win the heart of this fair lady, but now that he was actually here, it was quite a different matter.

Yorihisa had told him to do his duty and do it well, and that was just what Eisen was intending to do. He not only would follow his brother's command and marry Fuji, but he would make her fall in love with him...

Somehow...

I must have the courage to do this---I can do it if I just try! I am a prince after all!

Eisen closes his eyes and walks up quickly towards Princess Fuji. The maids had all left upon his entrance and the two of them were alone.

Eisen looks down at Fuji, who was sleeping sounding, albeit a troubled sleep. His determined look softens and he lifts his hand to caress her cheek.

She is truly beautiful...though not as lovely as Chuuguu was...

Eisen can't help but compare his new fiancee to his former. But he does so unconsciously and just kneels at her bedside, lifting her pale, cool hand to his own cheek.

Softly, Fuji stirs and her cloudy purple eyes flutter open in surprise at another human's touch.

"Ohhh!"

Princess Fuji was certainly shocked to say the least to find herself staring back into the eyes of her cousin, Prince Eisen. He was, right now, the last person she wanted to see, but her dutiful mind knew what had to be done.

"Pr--prince Eisen!"

"Umm...Princess Fuji, it's all my fault. I--I shouldn't have just come in here uninvited or gotten so close...I...I..."

Eisen looks down, face flushed and embarrassed by the recollection of his bold and forthright arrival.

"Uhhh..."

Eisen just keeps stumbling over his words, ashamed of what he considers his improper behavior towards this sweet girl.

But Princess Fuji takes pity on him and smiles softly, taking his hand and squeezing it.

"Please don't feel that way. It...it was very thoughtful and kind of you to come all this way to see me. I'm sorry that I wasn't in a better condition to welcome you properly, Prince Eisen."

With that generous speech, Eisen gains back some of his determination and looks up to smile back at the prostrate princess.

"Fuji...I...I suppose you've heard the news?"

Eisen, with bright red ears and cheeks, tries to break the subject in as gently as he could. He too was rather mortified of what had to eventually take place.

Princess Fuji's kind expression changes into one of longing and disappointment, but Eisen doesn't notice it. He was too busy trying to keep his own thoughts and opinions in check to note anything else going on around him.

"Y-yes, I've heard, by the Emperor's command..."

"Yes. My brother has his heart set on our marriage."

"But...is it...what you really want, Prince Eisen?"

Fuji looks expectantly up at the purple haired man now sitting on her bedside, holding her hand still.

Eisen at first is quite taken aback by her outright question, and is silent for a long moment, debating what he should say.

Silence often speaks louder than words and Fuji can tell from this silence that the kind prince didn't really want to marry her. She had always known how much her sister cared for Eisen and now, in this second, knew that Eisen HAD loved Chuuguu in return. For a moment, she closes her eyes in relief...there was a feeling she had that perhaps she might be saved from this fate...

If Prince Eisen just told the Emperor of his feelings on the matter.

"Uhh...I..."

Fuji tries to prod Eisen on, trying to get him to tell her that he didn't want to go through with the wedding either.

"Yes, go on..."

Eisen gulps and gathers all his courage together.

"'A man can do anything if he puts his whole mind, heart and soul into it!'"

Yes! You're right, Yorihisa! I can do this! I can!

Princess Fuji is a bit surprised when Eisen moves closer towards her and leans down, close to her face.

"Fuji...I---I will marry you!"

And with that short, yet pithy outburst, Prince Eisen forcefully pulls Princess Fuji to him, kissing her in a long, deep embrace.

"mmmmhhh! hmmmmmhhhnnnnnnn---"

As Fuji struggles to escape his unwanted attention, neither of them notice another figure entering the chamber, stopping in his tracks at the vista taking place before him.

Fujiwara no Takamichi had just arrived to tell Princess Fuji of his love for her. He had never imagined that she returned those feelings, but Tomomasa had given him hope that they could be together.

But now, none of that was in his mind. All he could see was Eisen forcing his attentions on the woman he loved. Takamichi was a gentle man but even the most gentle could be aroused in anger if given the proper incentive.

And this was more than enough for him to strike with the temerity of youth.

"Take your hands off her!"

Takamichi races forward, grabbing Eisen by the shoulder roughly, pulling him away from the frightened girl, and punching him squarely in the jaw.

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

Princess Fuji screams in horror at the scene she was witnessing. It was something she never imagined she would ever see. Takamichi and Eisen were close, even good friends, but right now, they seemed more like enemies.

"Ta-ta-takamichi-dono! Wh---what--!"

Eisen was truly shocked by this outburst. He lay on the floor, looking up wide eyed at a truly angry Takamichi who looked like he was going to come in for a second round at any moment.

"Prince Eisen!"

Fuji leaps from the bed and rushes to Eisen's side. Though she was unhappy by the kiss, she didn't want him to be punched or hurt for it. All she could think about was how her poor cousin had been cruelly hurt---and all because of her thoughtlessness.

"Fu-Fuji..."

Eisen was holding his bleeding jaw and looked down in embarrassment, as she gently wiped his mouth with a cloth and put her arms around his shoulders to comfort him.

"Vice Minister Fujiwara! Aren't you ashamed of yourself! How could you do such a thing?"

Fuji angrily puts the question to Takamichi, her voice raised and eyes flashing, as she holds Eisen, who was still laying on the floor.

What no one in the room saw was yet another visitor, hiding behind the screen, watching the entire drama play out before his eyes. Tomomasa had arrived just in time to see Eisen kiss his daughter and was about to stop him himself, when Takamichi had walked in on them and taken matters into his own hands.

Tomomasa had squinted one eye and shuddered when he had seen Takamichi punch out the pretty prince and send him flying to the floor. It was definitely NOT a good thing and he sighed in frustration as he watched unfold what he knew would happen next. He knew his daughter well and knew that she would come to Eisen's defense, no matter her feelings for the Vice Minister.

Ah, Takamichi...Did you really have to say "I love you" with your fists? I didn't send you here to do that---I sent you here to propose to my daughter, not deck out Eisen... sigh ...

Tomomasa remained hidden as he knew he would be an unwelcomed guest at this junction and wanted to keep his hand undisclosed. So he decided to stay behind the screen and watch, with piqued interest at the human drama playing out before him.

Takamichi's emotions blur from anger to disbelief as his usually calm Fuji, who only ever gave him the sweetest smile and lovely eyes, was now looking at him with shock and repulsion.

"I---I thought you needed help...you were struggling...and..."

Takamichi trails off, studying her upset face and teary eyes, trying to glimpse into her soul but to no avail.

"And you thought you'd be my knight in shining armor and come to my rescue by hitting an innocent man? Prince Eisen has requested my hand in marriage and...and...I've accepted."

Eisen, open mouthed and wide-eyed, looks up in surprise at Fuji, who was staring at Takamichi deeply.

"Princess Fuji..."

Eisen could only say her name and, though shaken, was still clear-eyed enough to see small tears forming in the princess' eyes.

Takamichi, in the meantime, had been completely silent during her short speech, and as she talked, his anger had subsided somewhat and turned into a shocked defeat.

For a long moment, the pair just gaze into each other's eyes, until suddenly Princess Fuji breaks off the stare, and closes her eyes tightly, biting back the tears that had been forming in them. With her next words, she loses all hope of ever being truly happy.

"You had better leave...Takamichi-dono..."

"Princess, I..."

Takamichi, helpless and sorrowful at this unexpected turn of events, starts to say something, but changes his mind.

How can I tell her now that I love her? She must despise me...How could I have done such a thing? I did it because...I love you...Fuji...I've always loved you...

But he had no voice for his words. Instead, he hangs his head and with a low murmur apologizes.

"I'm...sorry, Prince Eisen...I..."

Suddenly, he snaps his head up towards them, with a loud, repentant voice.

"Please forgive me!"

With that, the usually calm and composed young man, runs from the room, leaving behind him a pair of wide-eyed royals, in a shocked and hurt mass on the floor.

"Prince Eisen...I--"

Fuji attempts to give comfort to him but it turns out to be the opposite as she bursts into tears and puts her weeping head on Eisen's chest.

Eisen knows full well the reason behind her sorrow and hugs her, patting her comfortingly on the back.

"Shh, now...I know...You really are in love with him, aren't you? I know the feeling..."

Eisen looks at the princess with kind, understanding eyes.

Fuji at first says nothing but soon she nods tearfully into his chest.

"Yes...so much...But it's all too late now...for everything...too late...I...hurt him so! Did you see his eyes? They were so wounded! How could I have been so cruel to him?"

Princess Fuji realizes her words and quickly tries to compose herself worthy of a princess.

"Prince Eisen, I...please forgive me for saying these things to you. It's...not my place and it's selfish of me to go on like this...I...it's just...I..."

But no matter how she tries, she cannot control her billowing emotions. They were threatening to overtake her and Eisen only wanted to comfort this sweet girl. He didn't want to destroy her dreams! And now, he knew for certain that Fujiwara no Takamichi was her dream.

But there was nothing either of them could do.

His brother, had commanded their marriage to take place in less than 3 weeks and it was certainly sure to happen.

No one ever went against the word of the emperor.

All Eisen could do was hold the sobbing girl and try to comfort her as best he could.

Perhaps that's all I'll ever be able to do for you, Fuji...I know now I can never have your love...You've already given your heart to Takamichi and it can never be taken back. I saw that...I know that...I even...wanted that...somehow.

But we can't do anything else. My brother wants us to marry and so we must. Ah, my dear one, I'm so sorry...I wish you could have your dream...And I know also that Takamichi is in love with you...Very much so...

Why do I have to be in the way? If I was gone, maybe then you two could be together...Is this what Chuuguu did for me...? When I thought I was in love with Akane-dono?

And with that, Eisen voices some of his thoughts to the weeping princess in his arms.

"Princess Fuji...If I were out of the way---you and Takamichi could---I mean, maybe somehow I could just disappea---"

"No! Prince Eisen, I cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself for my selfish whims. I...It is my duty to follow the orders of our Emperor and I will do that, no matter how I feel. Please forgive me for this unreasonable outburst. It is very rude and terrible of me to subject you to this. I am very fond of you, Prince Eisen and I will marry you. Please don't feel badly for me. I am...glad...to do my duty for the kingdom."

Though her words were genuine and true, Eisen could sense that the girl was dying inside. She was giving it her all to appear calm and happy to be with him, but he knew better.

There is nothing we can do but put on a happy face, is there, Fuji? Well, if you can do it, I can, too.

Eisen smiles warmly at her and hugs her tightly. He knew her heart was breaking inside, but he respected and admired her resolve and dutiful nature to the palace. He would and could, do no less.

As the pair silently confirm their duty to the Emperor, the unknown Tomomasa slips out of the room, with his head down and his walk less than its usual arrogant stride.

Little one...you mustn't do this...You can't do this...I won't let you ruin your life as your mother did!

And with that impassioned silent plea to his little daughter, Tomomasa departs from the palace, heading off into the direction of the Vice Minister's residence.

He just had to have another talk with his future son-in-law...