CHAP 4: ENGAGERMENT MASQUERADE
-Hey! Have you heard it? Both princess Kagura and prince Okita had sneaked out to come to each other's country before their weeding.
-It's said that because Okita family's tradition doesn't allow groom and bride to meet before their weeding so they did that to see each other.
-Wow! Their love is so strong that they want to do it that badly? They haven't even met. How romantic!
-Tch, if only my love story could be like theirs.
*BANG*
Hearing the whole conversation between those ladies, a girl; whose hat covered all her head but yet revealing some curls of red hair, sitting alone in that snack; furiously smashed the table she sitting at due to boiling with anger. The poor table cracked, it's almost broken in two. Fortunately, when the girl was about to smash it one more, a beautiful lady standing beside gave her a "gentle smile", making her immediately jerked her hand back. (You must have known who owning that "smile", right?)
-Ara,Kagura-chan. Don't be so obvious. The King sent us to travel incognito because he was too busy to do that doesn't mean letting us come to a snack and being pissed off by those trivial things.
-But Anego, those pesky girls are spreading untrue rumors about my act. Tell me, how can I stand it?
-It's your fault to be nabbed, princess. Oh, c'mon, don't be so upset, rumors will pass soon.
-Yeah yeah-Kagura mumbled-Just like the rumors about your and general Gin's love story, right?
*BANG* (version 2)
This time, the table was completely broken in two. It's not all: the floor cracked, a hole's created almost leading straight from the floor to wine-cellar by Otae's long-handle-broadsword.
-Innkeeper! The bill, please!-Then she turned to Kagura, who hadn't recovered yet after the super strong stab of her-Princess, let's go, we have to find a weeding dress for you.
-What? Wedding dress?-Kagura groaned wearily. Her anger for all the untrue rumors disappeared, instead, anxiety were increasing. But she knew that there's no way to avoid this marriage, it's what she must take for her country's sake, for her own town people's peace and for "some crap that I haven't figured out, shit!"- Kagura sighed; her mood at that moment was as gloomy as a rainy day. She aimlessly kicked a pebble; let her thought run away with the wind blowing through crowded and noisy street of capital. Unfortunately, the pebble kicked by her flew with super high speed due to the Yatoclan's insane strength hit a passer's head, who seemed to be an opulent woman with a long blue hair tied up by a white-flowered hair grip.
And she had a lingering magnolia scent…
The woman furiously turned around, looked at Kagura scornfully:
-What's that? You damn brat!
The green eyes…the keen and sinister look…stared at the princess whose red hair and cerulean eyes were totally covered.
Usually, Kagura would have snapped back or grabbed that woman's collar then knocked her down. She's the Princess; she had the right to do so. However, she did nothing but looking at the woman in tremble. No, it's not the woman with cruel beauty scared her; it's the illusive, unclear but haunted and scary memories appearing when she look at that woman did. Her whole body shivered, and in an uncontrollable moment, she collapsed, making her hat fell, revealing the particular red hair and blue eyes half opening half closing for phobia. The woman was not less surprised than her, cuz she had recognized, yes, recognized that the girl who had just collapsed over there was exactly the girl in bloody imperial garden 10 years ago. Quickly covered her face by a veil, she took a seem-to-be-14-year-old blackish green- haired boy's hand then dragged him away when he still didn't have any idea what had happened, he even intended to help that small girl.
Other passers-by surrounded Kagura, tried to help her to stand up, but all she could see is ethereal figures, even their voice calling her seemed to be from a far faraway place, which she could neither reach nor feel.
She backed again to that world, the dark one deep inside her….
Hanging in an empty space having no light existence, Kagura started to fear, the fear overwhelmed her steadily, making her too panicky to find a way out. And right that couldn't-be-worse moment, "she" appeared.
-Who...Who are you?-The question came naturally from deep down a different Kagura's heart; a Kagura was frightened by a girl she didn't know. Or she knew, but just wanted to forget and burry that figure deeply into a place that no one_even herself_could reach.
That wildly and blood-thirstily beautiful girl stared at Kagura, scaring her more. It's still her, still the orange hair touched with red as if stained by blood. Gently, she lifted the chin of Kagura, who had collapsed due to fear, whispered in her ear with sweet and glamorous tone:
-Very simply, I am you, and you are me. You said you would believe me, didn't you?
Being too fear to recollect her memories to find any piece, even the smallest about this girl, who she share a same look but not a same manner; being too fear to utter a word, Kagura hung frozen in air, and that strange girl, no, it's a version of her, or maybe it's Kagura herself, kept whispering charming words:
-Do you want to know…why you were here? Why the fear of being haunted by illusive memories appearing when you saw that woman brought you here to me? Tell me, little lady…
-I…I do-From deep inside, Kagura felt that she shouldn't say so, but those charming words kept conquering her mind, making her feel it would be wrong for her to say "no" and be relieved for not knowing the reason.
Slightly but frighteningly as a snake, the girl in Kagura's internal world crept toward, stuck her lips to Kagura's ear. Once again, charming words came.
-Liar, all you want now is just getting out of here then back to your palace, right?
-No…it's… not that…
Seemed to hit the mark, that girl stepped backward one step, then turned and walked away. But when Kagura hadn't regained her calm yet, her voice resounded again, steadily followed her light footsteps:
-You don't want to know, it's ok. You lied, it's still ok. But remember, the truth is revealing itself one day, and that time, your lie will definitely fail you, little lady.
Yet Kagura hadn't uttered any word, a halo above pulled her into it, once again, she was left hanging among moving figures, such clear and lively figures they were. Dimly, she could hear the voice of her mother- Kaoru, her father and her brother when they still were a happy family. Step by step, Kagura kept being pulled deeper and deeper, until she reached the brightest place, therefore, the figures also changed, it's…
The imperial garden…
Moon…
White flowers stained with blood…
And that's… me?
-Kagura-chan! Kagura –chan!
Kagura slowly opened her eyes; she realized she'd already been in her room. Otae's standing beside, she held Kagura tightly.
-Oh! I've been worrying for you so much. You fell unconscious on the street and hadn't woken up for almost 30 minutes. Are you alright now? Can you stand?
-Uhm…I think I can…
-Good, so let get yourself ready. Your engagement party is coming. Hurry up!
*BANG*
-Kagura-chan! Kagura-chan! What's wrong with you?
….
Night fell down, sparkly stars surrounded by halo shone above dark blue sky, moonbeam gently poured down the ground, mingled with warm yellow light coming out from palace's windows. Inside, dancing room was filled with glittering light given off by hanging crystal lamps, making its cream colored floor shone brilliantly. Every guest looked so prominently in their finest gala costume. They couldn't recognize one another cuz all of them were wearing masks, concealing half of their faces.
Kagura, on her silver high heels, walked awkwardly on the marble floor. Lifting her lap of black dress hemmed by red lace, she carefully stepped down the stairs, looked at the dancing room through a red mask designed with a silver feather. She wanted neither to talk nor to dance; actually, she even had never wanted to join this masquerade. But because it was held for her, ah, also for the Goddamn prince she having never met-who had to marry her for his country's peace, too. Thus, all she did were only crouching slightly to greet princes and chatting with young ladies about flighty stories of their luxurious life on her way to a white table placed in a corner-The only place in this room gave her comfort. But, when she almost reached it, all the lights suddenly went out, the dancing immediately became chaotic, and it's so hard for her to move in that situation on a high heels (she hadn't gotten used to it yet). As a result, she tripped; fortunately, a man's arm grabbed and helped her to take back balance. For a moment, she felt that that arm is so familiar, like it belongs to someone who she's just met but couldn't forget.
-Thank…thank you-Kagura said confusedly while blushing a bit. Right that time, a light suddenly went on; it aimed at a sturdy man holding micro. With a sedately voice, he said:
-Ladies and gentlemen, this is the most important event of today party. Let choose a dancing partner who you're not with today to dance the Waltz, and there'll be a lucky duo being illuminated by the light. That couple will do the special King's and Queen's dance.
No sooner had his voice stopped; another light went on and scanned the room. Thinking that he would never be chosen, the man having saved Kagura a while ago mumbled furiously:
-Tch, so it means I have to dance with you?-He tousled his sandy hair exasperatedly then sighed idly. That man was wearing a red vest and a black mask covering half of his face, but still revealing his reddish brown eyes.
-Fine, I don't want to dance, either-Kagura angrily retorted, this guy turned out to be not as good as she had thought.
Yet the man hadn't snapped back, that fringing light suddenly aimed right at Kagura and him, forcing them to put their hands over their eyes in surprise. After that, a voice resounded:
-Congratulation, you two are the chosen duo of the today. Now, let dance the King's and Queen's dance.
-WHAT? –They yelled surprisingly, but other guests seemed not to notice that abnormality. They even clapped their hand to congratulate.
Music started, the light a while ago was lighting up the center of dancing room at that present, waiting for Kagura and the stranger to come.
Okita was so angry that he would have beaten whoever aiming the light at him and that she-monster to death if he had knew who that man was. But from afar, he saw his sister dancing with Hijikata- his no.1 enemy, and he knew he couldn't get down there alone to be a wet blanket, must be with a dancing partner. Gazing at the girl standing beside: "Sex appeal: zero"-He mumbled-"But no choice". Therefore, he bowed down, offered his hand to her, and asked with a politer than ever voice:
-Dear the red-haired princess I've never met, may I have this special dance with you?
Kagura was so surprised and confused; she could even felt her face heat up. But after a little hesitation, she randomly saw Otae dancing and…keeping stomping and stomping on Gintoki's foot by her high heels, making him wince in pain. Bursting into giggle, Kagura thought it would be a pity not to witness that sight in a shorter distance-"I need to get there, but it means…I have to dance with him…"
-Of course, my pleasure-Kagura curved her lips in a sweetest smile ever, gently took his hand and let him lead her down the stairs.
Prelude tune resounded steadily following their every step. Other duos stood aside to let them through. The light was still waiting for its duo to come. In the stage, where a band was performing an introductory melody, a singer stepped up formally. As soon as he began singing, Okita's and Kagura's dance started, wallowed itself in warm glittering light and surrounding duos.
You're in my arms
And all the word is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
Being sunk in sweet melody and singer's tuneful voice, both Okita and Kagura nearly forgot the reason why they'd agreed to dance with each other. All they knew now were a beautiful melody step by step controlled their mind-such a beautiful melody it was, as if it had been made for only two of them. Swayed in tune, Kagura almost forgot that how hurt she was when tried to walk on her high heels. In this moment, she could take smooth steps easily. The mutual feeling happened to Okita, he couldn't care of the surrounding anymore, whole of his soul was now totally drowning in her glamorous cerulean eyes.
A life goes by
Romantic dreams will stop
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now, forever I know
All I wanted to hold you
So close
This part seemed to be the preparation for the song's high tide. Cuz no sooner had it just ended, music suddenly got more stimulating. Other duos stopped their dance and surrounded the room center, where the dance of a sandy-haired boy and red-haired girl was lit up by a brilliantly light. The boy spun Kagura then brought her back to his tight hold. Embarrassment made Kagura wants to push him away and run, but when she looked at his red eyes; her heart insisted on staying. Briefly sensed her run away intention, Okita tightened his hold. Without any word, they kept Waltzing in melodious song; same went for other duos. No one knew, for a moment, their hands clasped even more…
So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far we are so close
The song's tune became softer and slower. Nobody kept stepping, even Hijikata, Mitsuba, Gintoki and Otae, they just swayed lightly in getting father and father notes. Still being sunk in the song's melody, Kagura put her arm around Okita's neck and held his sandy head unconsciously. Briefly starting at the red-haired girl's act, he tightened his hold on her waist. However, while Kagura chest was about to explode, Okita's just surprised and shocked a bit. Thus, as soon as the music stopped, his sanity backed again. Looking around, he realized his sister was nowhere to be seen cuz there's only the light aiming at him was bright. But finally, he found her, being hand in hand with Hijikata- the one he hated with all his heart. Sadist mode: On, Okita loosened his hold, bent Kagura backward and got his poker face close to hers, making her face turned redder than ever. She immediately struggled to get away from that hard-cored sadist but still didn't want to fall. Then, she realized that he's looking at her…He just did it to catch his sister's eyes, and he succeeded: Mitsuba stopped at a dark corner, grinned happily while Hijikata's totally upset for not being able to take a walk outside with his lover.
But Okita's plan only succeeded a half. He didn't expect that when Kagura found out the truth, she unhesitatingly gave him a forceful kick at his stomach, let out a stream of abuse then angrily turned and walked way.
-Why must she huff that much? Dumb-ass midget!-Okita mumbled crossly-Just like the brat I met at the snack…Ugh, somehow till now I've just realized I need to save my sister from that freak mayonnaise addict… But… to be fair, that red-haired midget…-He recalled the red face, the as cerulean as sky eyes, the body's gentle warmth of her when she's in his arms-…is kinda pretty…
*BANG*
Hitting his head against a nearby pole:-"No way. What have I just thought? She's only a brat having no sex appeal, no manner. I must be drunk now. Oh yes, I'm already drunk now"
(Drunk? He hadn't drunk even a drop of wine)
-Bastard! Fucking bastard! That Jerky and Hyde will soon have to pay for this-Kagura mumbled in anger-Why the hell did I agree to dance with him anyway? Hadn't I had other reason? But…to be true…- the sight of Okita while dancing popped up on her mind, his lean body, attractive red eyes, bobbing sandy hair…-…he is rather handsome…
*SLAP*
Heavily slapping herself, she grumbled with crimson face: "No way, he is just a fucking dumb-ass bastard, a $ -+*!_^#...( please allow me to cut out this part ^.^), totally not attractive at all. I definitely went mental due to that previous frigging faint.
….
Shining stars were still lighting up the sky, everything fell into its deep, silent slumber. But there're two people keeping losing and turning in their bed.
-Uhm! Who exactly is that fucking,….(allow me to cut it out again^^), retard bastard?
-Who the hell is that insolent,…(well,again), ugly midget?
…
Sky's still dark, stars still shine, moon's still hanging, time's passing by, calm's ruling over everything and they're still thinking about each other.