A/N: First and foremost, I'd like to express my thanks for your reading. Thank you so much, Toppu-Star and James Birdsong, for your reviews! Really appreciate it.

Disclaimer: The same usual disclaimer.

Kanna-tan

Chapter 3: In which a head-start goes wrong

The toll of a bell signaling the hour resounds. From the comfort of a grand 8-tatami room overlooking the garden, it is a cool and pleasant late afternoon. The 13th shogun, Tokugawa Iesada, enters, followed by his wife, Princess Atsu. The ruler looks out into the garden, calm excitement radiating from his eyes. He extends a hand and points out to the flowering bushes and beyond.

"Look there, at those flowers."

Atsu follows his gaze and moves closer. "Those are chrysanthemums, my Lord. And those are Her Ladyship Honjuin-sama's favourite azaleas. They're already in full bloom for the season."

"Tell me," the shogun says as he folds his arms and seats himself onto the cushion on the veranda, "What you think about them."

Atsu stares blankly at him. Smiling nervously, she turns to look at the garden once more. "I don't have anything to say in particular."

"Ugly, aren't they? All bunched up like that. A real mess! Don't you think so, too?" Here the shogun rises and struts round the room, bobbing his head up and down exaggeratingly in the mock manner of an elderly scholar. "So sad it must be for them, to grow in such an ugly, wild, leafy heap. And here in the Castle too!"

The Princess observes him quietly. Her expression grows increasingly dim, eyebrows dangerously close together.

Iesada takes a slow, deep breath, "But then I realized something!"

The 'shogun' remained still and unmoving for several seconds before scratching her head. "Acha…. That was a bad one."

"EXCUSE ME, Kanna-san!"

The theatre hall reverberated with the echo of that one sharply-delivered reprimand. It gave the large and empty area a powerful presence as it bounced from every corner and surface, finally flying smack right into the little child's ears so forcefully that she cringed. Kanna threw her hands up and laughed. "I know, I know! Geez, that sounded really awful, I know!"

"Honestly, I find no reason to continue rehearsing anymore. It's ridiculous," said Sumire, proud and well-fitted in her leotard, as she looked away with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Oi," Kanna said. "And who exactly said, 'Since Ensign suggested it, I suppose there is no harm in trying a scene or two', huh? Who was that?"

"Are you implying that this is my entire fault?"

"I never said anythin' like that! That was my mistake, but you were the one who wanted to do this in the first place, so no point in complaining now."

"As much as I'd like to get started with the rehearsals," Sumire sighed, "this simply won't do at all, unfortunately, given the state you are in."

Indeed. The new upcoming play, 'Beloved and Revered' was an equally demanding piece as 'Benitokage', if not even more difficult for its intense romantic and philosophical key scenes underlining the historical-political drama of the storyline. If they could pull this off on opening night with flying colours, it would be another guaranteed and greater triumphant sell.

The taller woman (funny how it's not Kanna this time) suddenly stepped forward and spoke affectionately, with the flair of practiced acting, limbs moving effortlessly into the flow and rhythm of the words as though she was one with the narration:

"… A story of long ago, full of passion and complications, of a daimyo lord's daughter who is made wife of the shogun, Iesada, in hopes of opening new doors to secure the future of Japan. And how she must win not only the trust of her people – Ah! –, but also respect and acceptance from the women of the Inner Chamber, and most importantly, gain the love of her ailing, eccentric husband."

A small voice burst forth rather painfully, "It is not amusing at all! No, no, no! Why did you keep the duck away, mother?"

"Kanna-san!" Sumire snapped.

"W-what? I said it right, didn't I? I think the tone was better."

"That is not the point!"

Both having left the stage, they advanced on into the dressing room, where one knelt down at her place and flipped through the script, while the other went behind the curtains to change into her kimono as she continued to speak.

"Your size is particularly one of the major concerns. That is, if we are unable to do anything to change your real appearance back before opening night. Look how small you've become!"

The martial artist slapped her book down onto the table. "Small, you say? Small isn't the problem! What's important, uh, what's important is that thing they call 'imagination'! Isn't that right? See? If I stand over here like this…"

The curtains drew back swiftly, unveiling a scornful smile on Sumire's face. "I didn't know we're starting a joker's corner. Do you really, really think that will work at all?"

"Yeah," Kanna groaned, "I gotta admit it's not working for either of us. Especially since I sound like a puppy rather than some sick shogun."

Sumire blinked. Puppy?

After a moment's consideration of the word, she quickly waved it away from her thoughts and cleared her throat. "As I have mentioned a while ago, your appearance is only one of the major concerns. Hopefully you'll get back to normal as soon as possible. Otherwise we will just have to do a re-cast and replace you," and in a more pleased tone she added, "Which will definitely lift quite an ample amount of burden for me."

Kanna threw her an annoyed look. "Ha! That's my line, Cactus!"

"Well! Someone like you can hardly be meant to stand beside one such as myself."

"Humph. Like I can even trust a spoiled, good-for-nothing, rotten Princess!"

"My, what gauche words! I am very sorry that you are not worth slicing down!"

"What was that?"

"Saying such worthless things like that really suits you now, in fact, Kanna-san. I'm beginning to see clearly how truly burdensome and immature you are! No wonder you always make a mess of my performance!" And with a long laugh, Sumire started towards the door.

Kanna, who was furiously fuming, left no time to think. A small, instinctive hand flashed forward, and there was no doubt what happened next as she held fast onto the long trailing ribbons tied to the woman's neck.

"Gya—!"

Sumire jerked back.

And, losing her balance, she fell hard on her bottom in a near-choking fit.

Her eyes were filled with tears when she lifted her face, but they blazed icily as they met Kanna's violet-blues. She tugged back at the ribbons and managed to free herself, losing her breath in a couple more coughs.

If Kanna had been calmer, she would have felt some pity for the fallen Star. But she was taken aback just then by the tiny discovery that her body reacted in the same way as it normally would, with the very same strength and speed, despite her current size. Mingled with both the anger that was its motive and the ticklish sensation that came just by the silly outlook of its outcome, her sympathy spiked downwards all the way to her ankles. As a result, she could do nothing but resist the urge to laugh by clamping her mouth. It was altogether a move not appreciated by the victim who was scrambling rather miserably to get up.

"H-How dare you…!" Sumire gasped. She glared intently the same way a mongoose would at a snake.

Kanna had done it all right.

She crossed a line she shouldn't have.

Once Sumire had steadily regained her footing, her entire self seethed with venomous rage. Reading the danger, Kanna licked her lips which shortly formed a grin. She felt exciting fear creeping up her throat and gulped it back in, welcoming it with the sweet-tartness of a challenge any practitioner in the art of defense would accept unquestioningly.

Here we go, she mused.

So much for a pleasant afternoon at the theatre.

End notes: I got the idea for the 'new play' from the novel, "Tenshō-in Atsuhime" (天璋院篤姫) by Tomiko Miyao, which was also adapted into an NHK drama TV series in 2009. I like the story a lot, and borrowed it for this fanfic, labeling it with the name 'Beloved and Revered' which is actually the title of a short poem I wrote as a tribute to the novel and drama.

And I don't think there is any need to explain 'Benitokage' (Crimson Lizard), right?

Thank you again, and please review! Criticisms/comments are gladly welcome.