Swords and Promises 6
To everyone who waited, thank you.
-0-
There it was again.
The same presence.
But somehow, this time, it was different. Inviting. Like a need. Beckoning him to look.
And his eyes opened, wanting to see the reward promised at the end of the tunnel.
After a moment's confusion, when the last traces of slumber had been chased off, there lay his treasure before him.
Tashigi.
Sleeping next to him like the most natural thing in the world.
Holy—
He should be running. Heck, he should be climbing the walls to get away.
But he wouldn't move.
He found that he couldn't.
His body stayed rooted to the spot, as though an invisible hand held him down where he lay.
This has to be a dream, he thought.
He found himself enchanted, by the way her delicate lashes fanned over her porcelain cheeks. Her soft pink mouth was slightly open. His eyes traced the graceful neck that peeked out of her kimono.
God, but she was beautiful.
And the funny thing was, she went around like she didn't know it.
This only made her more beautiful in his eyes.
Did something happen last night? Beautiful women don't sleep next to him, last he checked. He racked his brains, trying to think, then it came back to him.
Last night, he understood everything.
He hadn't known the real picture; he assumed her sword-chasing dreams were just a whim, a passing fancy. He hadn't known that she was exactly like him; clutching at a promise as well. It took them to a deeper level of understanding. They were carrying on the legacy of their swords, needing to protect what was most important to them.
She shifted in her sleep, snuggling nearer him. He caught a whiff of her hair then, a mixture of her sweet lemony shampoo, of clean soap, and the lingering traces of steel.
It made him want to move closer.
What are you doing to me? he thought, as he drank in her intoxicating scent. A wave of possessiveness, and an overwhelming desire to protect her grew in his heart.
He allowed himself to bury his nose in her hair. He wanted to stay like this for a little while longer. At least until she woke up. Well, he didn't want to face her when she did. Please, don't wake up yet….
But his worst fears came to life.
She drew her head back and opened her eyes.
He braced himself for the oncoming onslaught. But then…
She blinked a few times, and saw him.
Her voice came, gentle and sweet: "Good morning."
His tongue seemed stuck to the roof of his mouth. He swallowed thickly. "G-good morning."
This really must be a dream. Ordinarily, he should be pummeled into the ground for lying next to her like this. But her eyes regarded him softly, and he felt his insides start to melt, little by little, from her gaze.
SMASH!!
A giant fist connected with his face, sending his head right through the floorboards.
"THAT'S FOR NOT WAKING UP!!"
Zoro's body stuck out from the floor at an odd angle, legs twitching.
And for the kiss… she added, quietly, in her mind.
Tashigi rubbed her wrist, and smiled as she left the room.
-0-
Tashigi straightened her robes as she exited Zoro's room. She hoped that no one would notice she was still in yesterday's clothes, AND slipping out of a man's room. Even if he was supposed to be her fiancé. But he really isn't…oh, hang it all! Of all the indignities, this one she didn't want to face in front of anyone right now. Please, just let me run right into my room to have my bath and change…
"Gi-chan."
EEP! Of all the people to run into! The very last one she wanted to see!
"G-good morning, Taku," she willed herself to spin around to face him.
He was smiling at her with those insanely white teeth. She noticed that he was still wearing his sleeping yukata. "I've been waiting for you to come this morning. I seem to need fresh clothes for today."
"Ah, g-gomen, I was just about to get to that—"
"Is there a problem?"
"No! Everything's all right! Will you wait for me in your room? I'll be there in a sec!" She dashed off without waiting for his answer.
"I'll be waiting," he told her retreating form.
-0-
"Sorry, I woke up really late today. You didn't have to come looking for me. Sorry for the trouble," Tashigi said, keeping her eyes to the ground, as she handed him his clothes.
"No, it's ok, I just wanted to see you." He smiled at her again.
"O-Oh," she said. She felt the beginnings of a blush on her face.
"So, what did you do yesterday? I went looking for you but was told you were busy."
"I attended a business meeting with my father. It went quite well, actually."
"I remember the last meeting I went to," he said, with a shake of his head. "Or, actually, destroyed. You and your dung bombs, in your father's seat, no less."
"Hey, that was your idea! I was just the one that got caught!"
They laughed at their shared memories.
She drew back a sleeve as she laid a rack of hot towels before him, revealing a flash of a slim wrist. Takumi took the chance and grabbed her hand.
"Has anyone told you that you're beautiful?"
Her heart jumped. "W-what are you saying, Taku…?"
He brought her hand next to his lips. "Willful, strong, captivating." He punctuated each word with a kiss, trailing his lips up her arm. "I'm incredibly lucky to have a chance with you. After all those years, you've grown into a remarkable woman."
Her blush deepened. It was strange. But it felt like his flattery was affecting her. It isn't everyday you get told that.
"Does he tell you that?"
She gave a start. "I—" She couldn't give an answer. It wasn't a fair question. Of course he doesn't. Zoro…he would never look at me like that.
"To be with the Shigatsu princess, even for a time, is an honor by itself. The marines, too, are fortunate to have you."
"Well, uh, you know about me, let's talk about you," she attempted to shift the tide of the conversation. She didn't think her cheeks could take it anymore.
"About your daisho…the Juuchi Fuyu…"
"What about it?"
"Why do you carry this sword?"
He thought hard. "An heirloom gift from an uncle. Seems he doesn't want it anymore."
"Oh." She was expecting some dramatic answer, especially due to his sword's reputation. But he was all formality, speaking about it like unloaded junk. This was a departure from her highly romanticized view of swords.
"It's just a means to an end."
"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled at the answer.
"I don't expect to wield it all my life. I'll find some better use for my time. Focus on a business perhaps."
Huh? Tashigi was still confused. "But aren't you an excellent swordsman? It would be a shame to throw it away."
"There are more important things," he said, looking directly at her, as he pressed another kiss to her hand.
What could be more important than his sword? Dissatisfied, she pulled back her hand from his grip. "Sorry, I should get going," she said, and motioned to leave.
"I'll see you later, my Gi-chan," he called out as she slid his doors shut.
-0-
Tashigi strode through the rows of yew bushes leading up to the Marunouchi courtyard. The palace staff chose this as the closest possible site where they could keep an eye on Zoro as he trained (to prevent further geographical mishaps).
She lugged along a wicker basket with a carefully packed o-bento and a small container for chilled green tea. She intended to give Zoro a post-training treat: a picnic snack with her patented rice balls!
And no, she didn't seem annoyed at herself, even if her hair was comically fraying on end, a vein popping on her forehead from the implications. She never thought she would be the blushing little admirer that made cookies for her crush. No, that was something teenage girls do.
It wasn't because she felt guilty about this morning with Takumi (no definitely not that!). Nor was she trying to buy out her conscience for believing a bit in Taku's words (ok, so maybe she was). In her defense, being told such things did wonders to a woman's psyche. And she could use the praise once in a while.
Yes, Tashigi, you're just showing everyone the choice you've made. And I choose Roronoa Zoro.
Just a means to an end.
Her brow furrowed at remembering that line. Were these things just for efficiency? Was she a just a means to Takumi too? Did he treat all things like business deals?
She parted the overgrown hedges, whose branches had spilled onto the stone courtyard. She would have to talk to the gardeners about it. Her kimono hem promptly got stuck in the branches.
"Oh, stupid—" she muttered, but was stopped by seeing a green head with a katana in its mouth.
Zoro clutched onto what looked like a bunch of spare cannonballs, most likely gleaned from the workshop, each weighing around 40 pounds, comfortably in his arms. He threw them all high up in the air with little effort, and in a flash had unsheathed his two other swords. Crossing the three swords together, he struck at all six projectiles before they even hit the ground.
"Rokuren Oni Giri!"
Misshapen metal halves fell onto the stone floor, with earsplitting clangs.
Tashigi felt her heart stop, gasping in disbelief.
Amazing.
She had heard of it, after his defeat of Daz Bones in Alabasta, how this wanted swordsman could cut through steel. But she had never seen it done, never in her life and never in her numerous scrapes with lesser pirates and criminal swordsmen.
Until now.
Cannonballs, swords, bullets. Everything would fall against this power. And this man standing before her had it in his grasp.
He turned his head upon hearing her, all three swords still out.
"What are you doing here?" he spoke clearly through the white hilt in his mouth.
"Um, I made you something." Her hands trembled as she held out the basket.
I'm shaking like a leaf. Same as before. I still can't help but be awed by him.
He began sheathing his swords as he approached her. She tried to avoid his eyes on her. He grabbed both her outstretched arms and pulled her out of the hedges, after noticing she was stuck.
"Thanks," she said, blushing a bit. "You can take a break from training. Why don't we eat together on that bench?" She pointed to a stone bench underneath a nearby flowering sakura tree. She led the way to it, laid the basket on the bench, and removed the bento from its recesses. Off came the lacquered black lid, revealing individually wrapped rice balls.
"My specialty, I make them with shio zake filling," she said, smiling up at him.
"Hmm, I like these."
"Well, seeing as you named your attack like them—"
"It's Demon Slash! Demon Slash!"
"Whatever you say," she giggled, with a roll of her eyes.
They each took a piece, and ate companionably beneath the tree branches, the blossoms painting shadows on them.
"Sorry about this morning," she said, after a while.
"I figured I deserved it somehow."
Yeah, you did, she thought, but smiled secretly.
The light breeze blew gently over them, setting the branches swaying, and ruffling their hair. Somewhere in the distance, a mass of sparrows chattered incessantly.
There was something else she needed to know.
"Zoro, why do you carry that sword?" she asked tentatively, eyes trained on the white-hilted one she had wanted to take from him.
"A promise."
"Hmm?"
He held out Wado Ichimonji in front of him.
"Just as a katana itself is precious, so must be the person you wield it for. I made a promise long ago, to keep getting stronger. To honor the sword entrusted to me."
She felt admiration in her heart. Stronger. That's something she promised herself too. His words touched something close to home.
That was the right answer. The one she wanted.
"Who—" she started to ask, but as she faced him, she found that he was looking at her quite intently, his eyes unblinking.
And now, why is he looking at me like that? It was enough that she felt conflicted when he was watching (staring) at her this morning as she woke up, how long was he looking at her? And now those eyes were on her again. She began to inch herself away from him on the bench.
"You have something here," he said, pointing at the corner of his mouth.
"Hmm?" she said, as she snapped out of her reverie. "O-oh," she stuttered out and wiped at her face with a sleeve.
"No, it's still there," he said, while she tried in vain to remove the offending grain of rice. He put down his onigiri beside him. "Here, I'll get it."
He leaned in to her and she felt his fingertips brush her cheek lightly. The same fingers that she saw cut steel were on her. The same ones that held such fearsome power. His nearness created a buzzing she felt throughout her whole being. It brought him near enough for her to look deep into his eyes. She couldn't take it anymore, so she shut her eyes to avoid his intense stare. In a moment of panic, she shoved the half-eaten onigiri in her hands into his face.
Surprised, Zoro withdrew his hand from her. And then he took a huge bite from the rice ball in front of him.
"Ehehe, sorry," she said, sheepishly.
"No, it's good," he said, with his mouth still full.
Laughing, she shoved the rest of the rice ball into his already full mouth, ignoring his mumbled cries of protest, while a multitude of pink petals rained on them, dancing with the slightest whisper of wind.
-0-
That afternoon, the preparations for the Tea ceremony were well under way.
The Tea House was a tiny wooden building, part of the main Dairi, tucked neatly into a freestanding courtyard at the southwest end. It overlooked a traditional Zen rock garden, and a tended patch full of flowers.
Ensou Takumi was already present at the Tea House's waiting shelter, when Zoro arrived. They were both dressed in matching black haori coats, and gray hakama pants.
"Roronoa," he said in greeting, with enough malice to make it a sneer.
"Roach-boy," Zoro countered back.
"Funny. Well, at least she has a nickname for me. What does she call you? Common criminal? Or better yet, pirate scum?"
Zoro grabbed a fistful of the man's shirt, ready to beat the crap out of his face.
A throat was cleared to get their attention. They turned and saw Tashigi with four attendants in tow.
"O-hime-sama," they whispered, and she truly looked like one now.
Dressed in a formal emerald green furisode kimono, with heavy, gold swirling embroidery, she smiled serenely at the two. There were wild red roses in her hair, the scent unmistakable in the cool air. The crimson wildly contrasted with the dark strands, setting off the scarlet nagajuban that peeked beneath the green robe, and her own milky white skin. A woven yellow obi tied everything in place.
Takumi was already bent over, taking her hand in his, pressing a kiss to her hand like he did that morning. "The pleasure is mine."
"Thank you, Taku."
Zoro was ready to smash him over the head with the rocks in the garden. So this was a game, huh? He won't lose to the likes of him!
"You ready?" She had taken her place next to the green-haired swordsman.
He nodded once. "No mistakes."
She took his hand in hers, unconsciously entwining her fingers through his. She gave his hand a squeeze.
"I know," she said, smiling.
The games had just begun.
-0-
After the ritual purification in the fountain basin, they made their way to the Tea House through the roji that cut a path through the flower garden. The men removed their swords before entering. The door was a two and a half foot square that could only be entered by crawling. Tashigi entered first, followed by Zoro, then Takumi. They took their seats around the hearth in a depression at the center of the room. A tokonoma alcove to their right held a scroll with beautiful calligraphy.
The elder Shigatsu entered the room after them, bringing along a box container for the utensils. He took his seat across the two men. "Welcome."
The three guests each made their bows of respect. "Thank you for having us," they each said in turn.
The tea ceremony began with a multi-course kaiseki meal; with plate upon plate of exquisitely arranged dishes. This was followed by a modest serving of sake, and a piece of jellied plum. Then, the three left the room while their host prepared for the formal drinking of tea.
They returned to the waiting shed, to await his summons.
So far, so good, thought Zoro.
-0-
The charcoal glowed and crackled as the elder Shigatsu stoked the embers.
They were back in the Tea House, seated again in seiza around the hearth. An iron kettle filled with water was laid atop the hearth, heating it for the tea. After the ritual cleaning of the utensils, Shigatsu poured powdered green tea into a gold rimmed bowl, then ladled boiling water into it. He whisked the mixture with a bamboo brush, until it was frothy, then served it first to Tashigi. "Thank you, my daughter, for agreeing to my decision."
Bows were exchanged. "Thank you, too, father, for thinking of my future." She took several sips from the bowl, the thick, green liquid bitter in her throat. She then turned to her two suitors. With another bow, she said, "Thank you for considering me." They responded with a "Thank you for choosing us." She passed the bowl first to Takumi, who rotated the bowl and sipped at it, then he passed it onto Zoro, who finished the tea. The bowl was placed in front of Zoro.
All was well, until Shigatsu turned around to retrieve a cleaning cloth for the bowl.
Plink.
A tiny sound, quite unremarkable, almost imperceptible, but what happened next was a surprise.
The bowl in front of Zoro tipped to its side and rolled away.
And just at that moment, Shigatsu turned towards them.
There was no time to put the bowl the right way up.
Their host noticed the bowl, and made a small indignant sound in his throat as he set the bowl back to its correct place.
Thunder raged in Zoro's mind. Shit! Roach-boy was up to something! But what was it? The worst thing was, he had already shamed Zoro in front of Tashigi's father, and he couldn't do a thing about it in the confines of formality.
Score: Zoro – 0, Takumi – 1.
NO WAY he'd let it stay that way.
-0-
After the koicha had been served, a plate of pretty pink sakura mochi was served. Next came the serving of thin usucha tea. Their host laid out three individual tea bowls for them.
Plink.
There it was again! Zoro decided to take matters in his hands. The fool was up to something again!
Plink. His tea bowl wouldn't budge yet, because it was full, but it was only a matter of time before it did.
That was it! Payback time!
Zoro readied his left hand, and in a flash of movement too quick for the eye to see, brought down a strike with a chant in his mind:
Mūtoryu: Bakusai Tenketsu!
A second passed.
A crack formed on Takumi's cup, then it broke into a million pieces.
Score: Zoro – 1, Takumi – 1. Deadlock.
If a crack in the cup was a bad omen, then a smashed one meant disaster!
Hah! Zoro tried to hide his ear-to-ear grin, bowing his head to still keep things formal. Shigatsu motioned to the attendants to clean up the mess, and replace the cup destroyed.
-0-
"You did it, Zoro! You did it all!" Tashigi cried happily, once they were out of the Tea House.
"Told you." And he said it with an all-knowing smirk. "I even did it with a cheating maniac beside me."
Beside them, Takumi's eyes threw daggers at Zoro.
"What happened was due to his incompetence," he said, his slanted eyes narrowed into slits.
"That's impossible. I had a good teacher," Zoro looked at Tashigi.
"Oh, thanks, Zoro!" she gushed, encircling his neck with her arms. Takumi crossed his arms angrily when he saw this, so Zoro decided to rub salt in the wound. Keeping eyes on Takumi, he pulled Tashigi into an all-out hug.
See that? She chose me, he thought, evilly, in his head.
Takumi turned away furiously, long legs marching in an irritated stride.
Score: Zoro – 2, Takumi – 1. Zoro for the win!
"Zoro…" Tashigi was surprised at this, but gave into the embrace. With uncalculated innocence, she folded herself into the lean, hard lines of his body, pressing her soft body against him. He was taken aback at the feel of her, his senses picking up the familiar scent of her hair through the roses she wore. He tilted his face to her dark head, eager to drown in it like this morning. His arms wrapped themselves fully around her, bringing her even closer.
"Ahem."
They sprung apart when Tashigi's father called their attention.
"Good job, Zoro," he said, looking happy. "For now let us have a good dinner to celebrate."
-0-
That evening meal was a rather festive one, in contrast to the quiet and uptight atmosphere of that afternoon's ceremony.
They feasted on crispy tempura and assorted sushi. Shigatsu had ordered free-flowing sake for all the guests. Tashigi went around, pouring the sake out for the guests along with the servants.
The drink loosened up everyone, so much so that the serious, heavyset Councilor Daigoro began an entertaining war chant, while the beanpole Yuan convinced everyone to sing a folk song about Momotaro.
Shigatsu clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Ah, minna, this is not complete without hearing our princess sing," he said. "Tashigi, please sing for us."
"Yes, father."
She took her place at the front of the dining hall, receiving a shamisen from an attendant. Bowing low to the guests, she then knelt down before them, instrument in hand. A hush fell upon the room.
She plucked deftly at the strings with an ivory pick, and the room was filled with mournful twanging. She struck the strings faster, and faster, till her voice soared above the sound, clear, and sweet, and mellow:
I always thought
I would give my life
To meet you only once
But now, having spent a night with you, I wish that I may
Go on living forever.
She slipped him a look, just a fleeting moment, a meeting of their eyes. But his heart sped up. Did he just imagine it? Did she really look at him? The words of the song came, sinking into him. Did they mean something? Distraught, he finished his sake in one gulp, and asked for another.
When her song had finished, thunderous applause came from the guests.
"O-hime-sama, that was wonderful!"
"You haven't lost the touch!"
She bowed graciously at them, and willingly obliged their pleas for another song.
-0-
His eyes never left her again that entire night, as Tashigi resumed serving the sake to all the guests. He kept drinking the stuff, disregarding his mantra against getting drunk. He must have drunken gallons of sake, but the elder Shigatsu insisted that they keep drinking their fill, and their cups were refilled as soon as they were emptied. And Zoro felt like a bottomless pit right now. He needed the stuff to chase away the funny feelings at the bottom of his chest.
Finally, the party wound down as one of the council members began snoring into his plate. Attendants came to escort the guests away. Takumi seemed rather woozy, too, swaying as he was being chatted up by one of the remaining council members.
Wimp, thought Zoro.
Tashigi bowed to her father as he left the room. She prepared to make her exit as well.
Zoro rose to his feet, and made his way towards her.
"Hey," he drawled out.
"Hey," she said in reply.
"Your singing…it was…I kinda liked it." What the heck was he saying?! His mind swirled, trying to keep rein of his words.
"Oh, th-thanks," she stammered, but her face looked confused. He took a step closer, but she backed away from him, until she reached a wall. He loomed before her.
"Zoro, you're drunk," she whispered, bringing a hand to his face.
"I don't get drunk," he replied, but his actions led him to doubt that. He lightly stroked the hand she had on his face. Her touch felt good.
Takumi had noticed the two of them, and ambled his way to them, intent on breaking them up. Zoro noticed this and whispered into her ear: "Let's get out of here."
She squeaked as he pulled her along the hallway. The dark-haired samurai was close at their heels, though.
Zoro felt like he was going to catch up, so he picked her clean off the ground and started running at breakneck speed.
"Zoro, what are you doing? Put me down!" she cried indignantly.
Good lord, what was he really doing? It's the sake, he told himself, but knew it was a lie.
"Just tell me how to get to my room."
"Wha—? Why are we going there?"
"I don't want Roach-boy to find you."
Huh? Where did that come from?
"Oh, fine!" And she shouted the directions as he lugged her along.
-0-
"Yes, I'm sure that we lost him." Tashigi crossed her arms in front of her, as Zoro kept watch through the slit-like opening of the door of his room.
"You can never be sure."
"Why? What's the worst thing that can happen if he does meet me? The guy is probably heartbroken!" She raised an arm to her forehead for dramatic effect.
He whipped around and looked at her with fiery eyes. He kept looking, as she cowered a little in his stare.
Why was he looking at her again this time? There's no rice on her cheek now, or was there? She put a tentative hand to her face to be sure.
"U-um," she began. "Maybe he…really wants to marry me? Did you ever think of that?"
"You? The guy's probably just desperate." Oh, idiot! Why did you just say that? he chided himself.
"What!? How dare you!?"
Of course he didn't mean that! The way she looked right now, any man would be hard up or else blind to not consider marrying her. "I-I mean…"
She aimed a fist at his face but Zoro deftly avoided it, sidestepping her right hook effortlessly. Instead, he grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her, locking her in front of him.
"You think you can hold me?" she said, gasping lightly from the pain. She hooked her other arm around his neck, and with a mighty shout threw him off her, head first, in a judo maneuver.
But he wasn't finished. He grabbed her ankle and she tumbled down onto the floor in a heap of kimono.
"Ok, ok—wheeze—s-stop, we should stop—"
And they were laughing as they got off the floor, trying to catch their collective breath.
"Well," she started, when she had gotten most of her breath back. "I shouldn't be listening to someone who's never ever getting married!" Oh! Why did I just say that?
"That's probably true."
"Why? You haven't ever thought of marriage? You know, settling down?"
"No. Never," he said, gruffly. He never really gave it any thought; he was too busy trying to be the world's best swordsman to ever think of what lay ahead.
She thought a bit. "I guess I haven't really thought of it, too. I always knew it was some requirement for leading our clan. But when I left for the army, it was never one of my goals."
"When you pick up the sword, you learn to throw those things away."
They sat in silence for a while, as they reflected on it.
"But," she propped her chin on one hand. "Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to come home to everyday? Well, in my case, someone to spar with. And talk to after a long, busy day. And give me backrubs while we're at it." She laughed at her proclamation.
Yeah, it wouldn't be so bad, she thought.
And suddenly, she is struck by her situation. What if she were really to choose between two suitors, both vying for her precious hand in marriage? She wonders, what it would feel like, to be sitting here with her lover, the man she would marry.
How would it feel like, to be truly in love?
Zoro reached out to touch her, and she suddenly jumped from the contact. The warmth from his hand burned her skin, spreading like fire.
What if…he were really in love with me?
"Like this?" And his hands trailed across her back, in a feeble attempt at a joke.
"He—ey, th-that tickles! You're doing it wrong!" she laughed as his hands inched their way to her shoulders.
"Ah, stop! Stop, stop, stop! That's not a backrub anymore! Hahaha!" She put her hands on his chest, trying to push him away. Her efforts made her drop to the floor to escape his hold. Zoro followed suit, never letting his hands leave her.
He unknowingly rolled her underneath him, straddling her body. His hands continued their inexorable journey, still waging a war on her ticklish sides, reducing her to a heap of giggles. Before he could catch himself, his hands began reveling in the softness of her body, her curves apparent underneath all the layers of cloth beneath his fingertips.
"Aaah—"
She let out a small moan, which surprised him; he must have hit a spot.
God, but he liked the sound of it.
It must be the sake, he thought. It has to be.
He looked up at her face.
He then smiled at her, one of his signature evil, lazy smiles that turned up the corner of his mouth, with his eyes having a glint of, dare she say it, such devastating allure, that if he wanted to do something exceedingly wicked to her she would gladly accept, no questions asked…
It wouldn't be so bad, if he had green hair and a smile that makes my heart jump every time…
And then she was aware of his hands on her.
"I-I should leave," she said, suddenly nervous.
She broke away from him, pushing him off her and herself off the floor, on wobbly legs. In her rush to leave, she forgot to even slide his doors shut.
She began running. She had to get away.
What was that?
What was she thinking? Staying in his room (again), saying those things to him, letting him come so close, as naturally as she felt, sitting sprawled out on his floor, face propped on an elbow, chatting like old friends…
Her imagination was going wild again. In the rush of things, she wanted to believe it was all real. Somewhere there, she wanted to stop pretending.
It wouldn't be so bad…
She got carried away, it seems, believing in a lie, a lie she herself had devised, she herself created, which now was threatening to envelope her. Because she…
She shivered at the thought, of her wayward feelings almost leading her and leading him on to God-knows-what if he had continued…if she had let him continue…
Oh, God, Zoro…
But she wanted him to. She wanted him to, so badly.
It wouldn't be so bad… to come home to you.
She ran all the way to her quarters, trying to hold back tears, while the man she had just left sat alone, cursing himself, hating himself, for thinking the very same thing.
-0-
This comes at a tumultuous time in my life, so gomen nasai for the delay. (sniff)
Please review!! I need to know what this piece made you feel.
I drew Tashigi in the kimono she was dressed in! Check my profile for the link!
Culture Notes:
Rokuren Oni Giri – Six consecutive Demon Slash (es)
Onigiri – triangular rice parcel wrapped with nori (seaweed wrap), a popular portable snack in Japan. Made with a variety of fillings.
Shio Zake – dried salted salmon flakes
Haori – hip- or thigh-length kimono jacket which adds formality
Furisode – literally "swinging sleeves", a formal kimono with floor length sleeves worn principally by unmarried women.
Nagajuban – kimono-shaped robe designed to be worn underneath the main outer garment. Formal nagajuban are usually white, but they may also be ornately patterned or made in striking colors like Tashigi's. Only the collar is seen underneath the main garment, so some forms have detachable collars to help match it with different outfits.
Roji – literally "Dewy path", the path leading from the garden shelter to the main Tea House, which as described goes through a simple garden to end at the Tea House proper.
I tried to keep the Tea Ceremony description as short as possible (because I'm not an expert on this), but put enough details to give you a feel of the ritual. This was done in a Hakobe Temae style. Tea ceremony utensils are usually heirloom antiques to be held with care, wiped clean before and after use.
Koicha – thick, bitter green tea, served in a prescribed formal manner
Usucha – thin green tea, served after the koicha, in a less formal manner
Sakura mochi – soft glutinous rice dumpling tinted cherry blossom pink, filled with bean paste and wrapped in a cherry tree leaf, popular in the springtime. These are so good, I brought home a box from a trip to Japan. Can't wait to get more! The ones I got from Ueno are the best. (grin)
Mutoryu: Bakusai Tenketsu – Swordless style: Breaking Point Technique (borrowed it from Ryoga Hibiki in Ranma ½, hehe)
Sake – Japanese rice wine
Tempura – fried breaded prawns
Momotaro – hero from Japanese folklore. According to the legend, he was found by a childless couple floating on the river in a giant peach (hence, momo). When he grows up, he befriends a talking dog, monkey, and pheasant en route to Onigashima (demon island) to slay the demons that lived there. The three admirals in the One Piece universe are named after these three magical animals. Momotaro no uta (Momotaro's song) is a popular children's song first published in 1911.
Shamisen – three-stringed Japanese banjo, played with a gingko leaf-shaped plectrum, in ivory, tortoiseshell or wood
The song that Tashigi sings is actually a waka poem written by the 10th century aristocrat Fujiwara no Yoshitaka. (A waka is a 5-line poem with 31 syllables, similar to a haiku. Its syllable pattern is 5-7-5-7-7.) It is one of the hundred poems in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (One hundred people, one poem each); a collection compiled by the scholar and poet Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241) in the 12th century Heian period of Japan. This translation is a recent one by Peter McMillan (Copyright: Columbia University Press, Dec.14, 2007).