Chapter 10
The redolent, gentle breezes swaying to and fro over the anxious general give him hope that the answer to his problems may well be inside one of the structures awaiting him at the edge of the woods.
Tomomasa takes in a large breath and continues his journey up the moutain towards his destination. There was no other thought on his mind this day---none, save the desperate desire to save his daughter from a life in which she would never be happy.
That he could not allow.
And so, the usually lazy man strides with sheer determination and unfailing devotion, when he is suddenly stopped in his tracks by someone he felt he could call "friend."
"Ah, Yasuaki...what brings you up here on this fine day?" Tomomasa was one you could always depend upon for useless small talk.
"Halt, Tomomasa." But of course, Yasuaki was the complete opposite in that respect. He was tactless, and had no qualms about anything of the sort.
Tomomasa narrows his eyes and quirks his head in slight impatience and annoyance as he listens to Yasuaki's speech without so much as a word.
"You cannot go any further. What you are seeking is not here. I know you have been looking for Fujiwara no Takamichi to aid you in your goal in keeping Princess Fuji from her fate. But he can no longer help you. Though his body is almost recovered, his mind is fragile and unwilling to cooperate in such matters."
Tomomasa's eyes narrow even further as he contemplates Yasuaki's foreboding words.
How can you know what I've been searching for? Yasuaki---you are a strange one, indeed...
"...That is between Takamichi and myself. I must speak with him and no one---not you, nor even the Emperor himself, can stop me. Yasuaki...let me pass or I will strike you down, if necessary."
Tomomasa places his hand on his trusty sword, in a vague threat towards the onmyouji, that Yasuaki didn't even blink at.
"Tomomasa...you could not lay a finger on me if I so willed it. But I do not. What you say or do to Takamichi is of no importance to me. I do not care. This was just a warning to you, as to what you may expect when you reach the temples above. I have no feelings or emotions, so if you wish to foolishly pass and carry on with this ill-fated mission, despite my words, do so, for I will not stop you."
With that impersonal and uncaring speech, Yasuaki turns and walks towards the woods. Tomomasa watches as the monk disappears into the forest's depths before he shrugs his shoulders and lets out a sigh as he once more continues his journey towards his Byakko partner.
"Takamichi...you WILL save my daughter or I will never forgive you." Though Tomomasa was more than fond of his partner and protege, his only daughter meant the world to him, and he was willing to forsake all in order to rescue her from the sad existence her mother had also borne.
Inside the labyrinth of this temple, Tomomasa chooses a path that he feels will lead him to his errant protege and follows it with sheer determination. He was not in any mood for ease or comfort. No, today, he had a mission. One he could at which he could not fail.
Turning the corridor, he finally catches a glimpse of a man with darkest green hair, sitting over a small table, with pen and scroll in hand, but he was not writing. Instead, it seemed his mind was elsewhere as he gazed listlessly out the window, a forlorn expression on his handsome features. This usually keen and alert man didn't even notice the purposely heavy footsteps of his friend and partner approach the room.
"Takamichi. Finally, I've found you---" Tomomasa states abruptly and with a good degree of relief in his tones. Yet he stops suddenly in his tracks, realizing for the first time, upon entering the room, that the two were not alone.
"...Lady Chuuguu..." Tomomasa breathes out with shock at discovering the missing lady causing so much heartache for the royal family, here, in the Onmyouji house, of all places.
"General Tachibana! I---Oh!" The young woman drops the cloth and medicine she was holding and rushes, in obvious distress, past the aqua haired man, out of the room.
With a now calm and cool eye, Tomomasa raises one eyebrow at her outburst and appearance, but quickly dismisses it. He had more important things to deal with right now. He would sort out the discovery of Lady Chuuguu later.
Takamichi had not yet realized that Tomomasa was just behind him, being thoroughly absorbed in what he was doing, so the irked general clears his throat to announce his arrival.
"Oh, Tomomasa-dono!" Takamichi turns towards him with a start, his papers and pen dropping to the table, as he rises to face him with a slightly embarrassed and guilty countenance.
Tomomasa lowers his eyelids and smirks, shaking his head in bemused annoyance at the younger man.
"Takamichi, Takamichi...why have you been avoiding me? Do you realize I've been looking for you for weeks now? I've been out every day, diligently searching the kingdom for you, fearing for your life since the day I found your spectacles smashed in the street. What was I to think after that? So I kept walking and searching and walking...and walking...And, finally, where do I find you?" Here, Tomomasa dramatically pauses, to give full effect to his words and to measure Takamichi's expressions at the same time.
"Safe in the mountains, hiding out at the Onmyouji temples. How could you do this to me? Do you know what I've been through? And here I thought we were such good friends...You disappoint me, Takamichi..." And with a final few clucks to his tongue, the slightly irate general raises his eyebrow awaiting Takamichi's reply.
"I...I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble and effort in finding me. There is no excuse. It is truly unforgivable of me. I really ought to have sent word to the palace that I am safe and well."
With that heartfelt speech, though it was somewhat lacking in sincerity and the fact that he had been deathly hurt, Takamichi casts his glance towards the floor, rather than hold the gaze with his mentor and friend. He just couldn't bear to hurt his partner in this fashion, but he also knew that he must be strong in his conviction to allow his beloved Fuji to marry Prince Eisen. But he knew he could not look Tomomasa directly in the eye and honestly tell him that he didn't love his daughter. So, instead, he attempted to avert his gaze, and his feelings along with it.
"Takamichi, enough of that formal nonsense. You and I know better than that." Tomomasa moves forward and shakes Takamichi's shoulders. He is alarmed to find him so thin and weak as he notices Takamichi flinch at even this slight gesture.
"Something has happened to you that you're not telling me. What is it?"
"..."
As Takamichi continues to just stare at the floor, Tomomasa closes his eyes, trying to regain his composure and the reason why he had to find his partner in the first place.
I can't tell him I've been ill and unconscious all this time. Besides, it's of no consequence now.
"I've no time for this, Takamichi. You know Fuji is set to marry Eisen in less than 3 days."
At that sudden blurt, Tomomasa notices with relief that Takamichi's eyes lift towards him and flash in anger, though merely for a split second before they once again cloud over and sadly look out the vista past the window.
Yet, it IS there. You are in love with my daughter. Ah, you fool...Don't make the same mistake I did...Don't allow her do her 'duty.'
"Takamichi, listen to me. I don't know why you've decided to hide away here, but you must return to the palace at once! You've got to tell Fuji how you feel about her! She won't marry Eisen if you declare your love to her. She's a stubborn girl---hmph, guess I can't say I don't know where she got that singular trait from--but she's also a woman in love. So much in love, and not with Eisen, but with you. At a single word from you, I know she would abandon this ridiculous arranged marriage. You can change her destiny, Takamichi! Why do you not? I know you also love her..."
During this, Tomomasa watches as several emotions flicker over the younger man's face, and finally end on obstinacy.
"Tomomasa-dono...you must realize how difficult this is for me as well. Yes, I love her. More than anything, more than my life. But what does that have to do with anything? I am merely a Vice Minister, and she is a princess--a princess! Only a prince could be worthy of her. Eisen is a prince and he can give her all she needs. Who am I to take her away from a prince? I'm not nearly good enough for her. I am giving her up...BECAUSE I love her..."
Tomomasa strides over to the window, and speaks without even looking at the beleaguered and sorrowful Takamichi.
"Then you are indeed a fool, Takamichi. I had expected more from you. With all your lofty ideals and dreams of falling in love and being true to one person alone for eternity, and you then degrade it with this? If this is truly how you would show your love for Fuji, then you really aren't good enough for her. "
He stops here, wondering how he could convince this also stubborn man to see the error of his ways. At the same time, Takamichi hears the meaning of the words hangs his head in shame and disgust at himself.
"Tomomasa-dono, I...just...I just want what's best for her. In my stupidity, when I went to see her, I hurt her terribly and she told me that she never wanted to see me again! My only desire is to please her and so I've kept away...It's what she wants..."
Tomomasa sighs and walks over to Takamichi, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Takamichi, you truly are naive. Whenever a woman tells you that she never wants to see you again---it means the complete opposite. Fuji was upset and in her distress, she took it out on you. Who could blame her when you, like an idiot, came crashing in, giving poor Eisen a black eye! For myself, I was glad you cared so much for her, to react in such an unusual way for you---you are not usually the type to hit a man from behind. It was a quite a sight! But did you really have to hit him so hard? Tsk tsk tsk... It just made Fuji want to protect him from more undue punishment."
Takamichi's eyes widen in astonishment at Tomomasa. "Then, you were there? The whole time? I--I didn't see you..."
"Heh heh, you were so busy with your...obstinate jealousy, you didn't notice many things, including the fact that Fuji burst into tears the minute you left the room."
"She did?" Takamichi's eyes raise in a slight hope that she truly didn't despise him as she said.
"Yes, she did. The girl is head over heels in love with you and you think she can't stand the sight of you? How can a man be so intelligent in some ways and yet so obtuse in others?"
"Tomomasa-dono! Please, you are correct. I AM naive in matters such as this. You are very experienced--of that I've no doubt, though I don't approve of toying with many women at once as you do. I believe that true love is only once in a lifetime and to be cherished and treasured. I love Princess Fuji. She is the one I've fallen in love with..."
"Then, what's the problem? She loves you--you love her. It's an open and shut case. Let's return to her now and tell her that--"
But his happy sentence was cut off by a rather distraught Takamichi.
"Stop, Tomomasa-dono! Do you really think it's just that simple? Even if I agree with you that I should confess my love to her...what then? The Emperor will surely not be pleased and may even...punish...her for her betrayal to the crown! I can not allow that happen. You know that. It is complicated and I won't allow it for any reason---especially not on my account. I don't care about myself, but I wouldn't have Princess Fuji hurt for the world!" Takamichi says this in earnest, clenching his fists in resignation.
Tomomasa realizes that his younger partner was right. They couldn't very well just waltz back to the palace, announcing this treason and expect to have a happy ending for all involved. No, they had to plan this carefully. It was a dicey situation, after all.
"You're right, you're right, Takamichi. I was just getting carried away in my happiness for Fuji and relief for myself that I actually accomplished what I set out to do. You can understand that, can't you?" Tomomasa winks at him with a smarmy smirk.
Takamichi sighs at the childish ways of his, hopefully, soon to be father-in-law, but smiles at the same time. He knew that Tomomasa just wanted the best for his daughter and trusted Takamichi to provide that for her. It actually overwhelmed him with pride and gratitude that the General thought so much of him.
"Thank you, Tomomasa-dono. It means a lot--really it does--to have you think so highly of me. I...I will try to live up to your expectations and...make you proud to have me in your family...Father..."
Takamichi and Tomomasa share a moment of sentiment, as both, usually stoic men, blink back tears in an attempt to gain back their composures without seeming weak in front of the other.
"Hmm, hmm, Takamichi...I could not be more pleased with Fuji's choice if I had chosen you for her myself. She is a bright one, and full of dreams and lofty sentiments, just like you. I think--no, I know--you will suit excellently well together. I couldn't imagine a better pair and I know you'll make her happy. That's all I want."
With that, Tomomasa turns and looks over his shoulder at the stunned by his words Takamichi.
"And now that I've seen what's what," Tomomasa looks meaningfully out the doorway, "I have a plan that I think will result in a 'happy ending' for all concerned. We don't have much time left, but, ironically, it's all a matter of proper timing. Tell me, where is Lady Chuuguu right now...?"
"Awwww, Shimon! Why are you dragging us all the way back up the mountain! Let's just leave things as they are! It's really none of our business anyway! Besides, you know that once we get there, Yasuaki will just kick us out! So what's the point!"
Inori whines as he trudges up the northern moutain, with Kotengu, Yorihisa and Shimon behind him. He didn't really feel the necessity in climbing this stupid mountain all over again, just to see Yasuaki chase them all back down.
"Inori-kun! Don't you want to see Princess Fuji happy! How can you say things like that? Aren't you her friend as well? Honestly, sometimes, I think you don't care for the well being of others!" Shimon, usually a quiet and gentle lad, had had just about enough of Inori and Kotengu's mumbled complaints. He for one wanted to help the princess and would let nothing, not even irate Onmyoujis, stand in his way.
Besides, if I come back without Takamichi-san, Ran'll kill me!
With that pleasant thought, Shimon takes even quicker steps, determined to find and bring their lost friend home again.
"Hey! Slow down! I can't keep up! I'm hungry! Let's stop and eat!"
"Shut up, Kotengu! Obviously, Shimon and Yorihisa aren't going to let us rest until we take them to Takamichi! So the faster we get there, the faster we can be done with this stupid, dumb---"
"Inori! Tengu! Enough! Just lead us to where you found Takamichi-dono and we'll take care of the rest if you are so cowardly." Yorhisa gives a sideways glance at Shimon, who catches on right away.
"Cowardly! Did you just call me a coward, Yorihisa! No one calls me that! I'm not a coward! I'll go anywhere and fight anyone!" Inori's face turns as red as his hair as he furrows his brows and stomps in wider steps up the moutain with renewed zeal.
"Yeah! Me too! Didn't you remember how I saved your sorry hides not so long ago! Sheesh, I never get any credit around here!" Kotengu flaps his wings faster and catches up with Inori as they take the lead in this little rescue party.
"Good one, Yorihisa-san. Finally, they'll focus more on this instead of their stomachs!" Shimon congratulates Yorihisa on his covert prodding of the two reluctant heroes.
"For now, that is." Yorihisa was never one for much conversation.
"Yes, and let's hope that when we DO get to the top, Yasuaki-dono really won't stop us from helping Takamichi-dono." Shimon worries a bit, knowing that the onmyouji monk was unpredictable, to say the least.
"He won't."
Yorihisa raises one brow and sets his jaw in grim determination. Shimon pauses in his tracks and knew from Yorihisa's 2 word sentence the true meaning behind it. Nothing would stop Yorihisa from protecting his charge---the Princess Fuji-- and if it meant coming to blows with a fellow Hachiyou, well then, so be it.
As Shimon rushes to catch up with the others, he silently prays that their self imposed mission would not be the cause of a mortal fight between two powerful Hachiyou...