EMPEROR by GreatMarta
Charter 2 – In the shadow
Takasuke pressed his arching back against the cold wall of the Imperial bath house. It was made of marble. White. With cherry blossom pattern. Takasuke hated white and he hated cherry blossoms.
The water was warm. Good. Warm water washes away the tiredness and dirt. It was also said to wash away negative emotions, but that didn't work for Takasuke. He was in a very bad mood, to put it delicate.
On the surface of the water, a salver drifted. Takasuke pulled it closer to himself and took a bottle, that was standing on it. He opened it and purred a bit of liquid into a porcelain cup. He tasted it. Umh… Nice one. Not so sweat, not too blunt, not too spicy… it only needed slightly more alcohol.
"Scratchier!" Takasuke called, moving one step further from the wall. A servant holding a wooden replica of a monkey's hand appeared. He placed the tool on his master's back and started scratching. It felt good.
Still, all of the above were not enough. Not after the disappointment he had experienced.
"Taka-chan!" a voice was heard in the bath house. The servant stopped scratching. He turned to the person, who has just arrived and bowed to her.
"Your Imperial Majesty" the woman ordered him to step aside and sat right at the shore, next to Takasuke. The young man didn't seem quite thrilled about that.
"Good morning, Taka-chan" the woman greeted him, smiling weakly. Seeing the two of them together, one was sure to notice similarities in their looks. Both had pale skin, silky black hair and emerald green eyes. First wrinkles have already entered the woman's face, yet were still easy to hide under a little makeup. Her hair was tied in a massive, elegant bun. She wore a simple yukata, in a color of a clear sky. She rolled it's sleeve up, so it wouldn't get wet when she pet her son's head.
"My poor, little Taka-chan" the woman whispered, trying to turn the man's face at her. He opposed.
"Nobody but you uses that name" he finally spoke "Even among our people I am referred to as Prince Scar. I wonder when will you give up on Takasuke"
"How could I give up on Takasuke?" she giggled "I chose that name for you"
" Which probably was the most serious decision father ever allowed you to make" with that, Takasuke rose up rapidly "Towel!" he yelled angrily. A servant with a towel appeared immediately. The prince grabbed it and tied around his loins. Next, he came to a table, that stood nearby. "Massage!" he roared, lying on the table on his stomach. A masseur came to him and started the work.
The empress however didn't seem to understand, that her son wanted her to leave. She knew, that he needed her right now. So, she came to him again, preparing a comforting speech, that would help his suffering soul.
"I may not understand the pain you are feeling, my son" she started gently "But I do realize the horror of the fact, that the woman you loved had your brother's child"
The prince turned his head so hastily, that the masseur jumped back from fear. The empress stayed calm. The wrath in her son's eyes was just a cover. Cover for his sorrow.
"Our people don't understand you." She continued "All they see is that scar on your face. But they forget, that you earned it while protecting Sayako from those bandits. You were just 14 and took 3 grown up men on. That was truly noble, Taka-chan. If it wasn't for you, Sayako might've not lived long enough to bear that child. She shall not forget your sacrifice"
"I don't care if she forgets, which I bet she did" the prince replied, returning to a comfortable position.
"Don't say so, Taka-chan"
"Life is unfair, mother. Isn't it?" the man sighed.
"It depends what you mean by unfair, my dear" his mother replied, happy for he didn't seem to be ignoring her and her help anymore.
"For example I…" he scratched the back of his head "I shall never be emperor"
"Being an emperor is nothing so special, Taka-chan" the empress opposed "It's a huge responsibility. It requires a nature of steel. You need to remember thousands of rules, thousands of people observe your every step. Your under a constant pressure of being the wisest, the strongest and the most glorious for your entire life. I'm glad you were born second, you are so sensitive, a burden of the crown would destroy you."
"And you, mother" Takasuke ignored the latest lecture "You shall never be anything more than father's shadow" that statement surprised the empress.
"What do you mean, my son?"
"You know what I mean" he insisted "You are not allowed to rise your chopsticks until he has rose his. You are not allowed to leave the room without his permission. You must always stay half of step behind him. You can't pick your clothes on your own. You can't speak your mind in public. Your role is to bear sons and look pretty. Say it, mother, you are nothing more but a mere addition to the emperor"
"That is not true" the woman's voice revealed panic "I love your father. And it's an honor for me to help him carry the burden of the imperial crown"
"That's what you've been taught to say" Takasuke hissed, getting a serious look on his face again "Tell me one good thing he has ever done for you"
"I call recall at lest two" with that, the woman moved closer to her son and hugged him tightly. He sighed. He hugged her back. Enough. He had enough.
"Get some good kimonos for prince Takasuke and I!" the empress called for servants "We're going to see the crown princess and her newborn son!"
"Mother!" Takasuke protested.
"Son, please" she insisted "It's your brother's son, a future emperor. If you don't go, the consequences might be serious. I wouldn't stand seeing you get hurt. Please, Taka-chan, do it for me" she pleaded. Takasuke growled in anger. He didn't give a dam about his brother's son. Second in line. That was his place. That brat. He took his chances for becoming an emperor. Of proving his worth to everybody. His dreams. He didn't care for the consequences. He didn't care for his father's wrath. He didn't care for anything.
He let his mother tie his hair back. He let the servants dress him in one of his most beautiful kimonos. He let his mother lead the way to the hospital wing.
He didn't care one bit.
NOTES:
As you see, the story doesn't follow the original movie plot. I decided to focus on Scar, for he is a very interesting character.
About names: Just to add the spirit.
Akihiko: Ahadi
Masahiro: Mufasa
Sayako: Sarabi
Takasuke: Scar
Urumi: Uru (although I didn't use her name yet)
The others will be revealed later on . If I don't loose inspiration, which is far too often in my case.