A/N: So here we are, with another chapter and a new outlook. Some new look at the king in the south and an odd difference.
So I get that no one is reviewing and few are reading this, but I'm planning on getting this thing done. And nothing but death can stop me. So neh!
Summer came again, and they left the Temple, thanking the brothers and apologizing for everything as they were lowered down. Akihito was the last, but he was stopped by Lăozĭ.
"Akihito," he said warmly. "You are going to lead your people into one of the most dangerous lives in the world, the life of running from the reigning monarch. But I believe firmly that you can do it, and do it well."
"I thank you sir," said the former Crown Prince, bowing his head.
"There will be challenges. Go into the village and ask the blacksmith for tents. I have asked him to keep them safe for you for when you leave. Shelter is a must." He went on to give him a small pouch of coins and point out that they were still highly searched for.
"You are very kind, sir. I only wish that I may repay you someday for all your kindnesses."
"There is no need. When you leave here, go east. There is a thick forest a day's journey from here, where you may be safe. Tales of spirits keep most away." Akihito bowed and took the rope from Yijīng. "Oh, and one more thing." He turned. "When your people grow too old or are invalid in some form or another, bring them here. We will always offer you asylum." This time, Akihito bowed even deeper.
When he reached the bottom, he was asked what took him so long, and he relayed all the information, the instructions, that the Father of the Temple had given him. He and Tadamichi, of whom he was growing increasingly fond, went into town to follow the instructions of the Father. The Blacksmith, a middle aged man with five children, did indeed have the shelters in large packs that could be held on the back. "There is food in there," the man said kindly. "You won't be used to hunting yet, I thought, so I made it a bit easier for you."
"And we appreciate it immensely, sir," said Tadamichi with a smile.
"Father! The bellows!" called a young man from inside the forge.
"I am coming! I just wanted to say, that even though this is technically the Empire of KÀ, I will always think of it as the Kingdom of the North."
"And we thank you for that." Akihito, who was holding most of the packs nodded with a tight smile-the kind brought on when you carry something very heavy. The blacksmith nodded and returned to help his son. "Do you need me to take a few more?"
"No, no, I can manage," he grunted, starting out. "Besides, I can give some of these to the others." The older man smiled, and followed him.
When they reached where the others were waiting, the packs were spread out among them, and they set off to the forest.
"How did you manage to carry so many?" asked Michiko, walking beside her husband. Norihito was asleep in her arms, and so they spoke quietly.
"Not exactly the easiest task I have undertook," admitted their leader. "A lot of struggle was involved. But now we have shelter."
"Yes, yes we do. And archery and spears to protect us." She smiled down at her son. "And an heir to succeed us." Looking at her husband she asked, "What are we to do? Just wander?"
"I…I do not know. I was not raised to lead people in this fashion, Michiko. I know how to handle an economic crisis or sooth anger among citizens, but not how to lead us. We are being searched for by the Empire."
His wife placed her hand on his arm, the warmth from it soothing him. "We will puzzle it out, dear."
And they fell silent, listening to the conversations of those behind them. They were hopeful, considering. It was good to know that those left of the old ways weren't going to be hung up on them, and instead press forward willingly. The children were the most adaptive, and while they remembered life when they wore silks and jewels, they said they loved the free movement just wearing undergarments gave. And if the fact that they were playing tag as they made their way to the forest was any hint, they had very highly disliked the heavy clothes and customs of court.
Fusasaki was walking with his father, begging to know even more about the history of their kingdom, and as he did, Michiko smiled at him, remembering their conversation when she was seven months pregnant with Norihiko. Tadamichi was insisting that he knew everything he could teach him, but the boy wanted more. The boy was almost nobly selfish in his desire to learn everything so as to be equal with his playmates. No one could find it in them to condemn him for his selfish actions.
In the back, the only non noble person who escaped, a maid named Yuriko Ishida, walked along silently. She couldn't bring herself to interact with them, never could. She had just seen them running from all the death and followed, getting scraped by an arrow but making it alive. Yuriko had been very quiet, and spent most of her time praying while at the Temple. Now though, she was at a loss of what to do.
"Are you alright?" asked a voice beside her. Yuriko turned to see Takara standing there, a pack on her back and a smile on her face. "You and I are the only women to have taken these packs. How are you doing with yours?"
Yuriko, though, could not manage a single sound. To have a (admittedly former) General speak to her in context other than an order, she didn't know how to respond. Before she would have bowed and gone to fulfill whatever she wanted, but now that they were considered equals…
"Your name is Yuriko, correct?"
"Y-yes ma'am," she stammered, glad to have some semblance of rank. The way she spoke…
"I must ask you not to call me that, Yuriko. We are the same level, now." Well, there that went. "I asked how you were doing with the pack and you did not give me an answer."
"I-I apologize. I am doing quite well with it. I worked bringing out food for meals, so I have amassed a bit of muscle." Takara scrutinized her a moment before saying,
"Have you ever spoken to anyone who was not at your level?"
"The brothers at the Temple spoke with me often, and I have fulfilled many requests back at the palace."
"But never spoke. Well then, hello, my name is Takara Kōgyoku. Who are you?"
"Yuriko Ishida."
"It is an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance. May I have the honor of introducing you to the others?" Yuriko nodded, and Takara took her along, introducing her to everyone as though simply at a garden party.
Noriko smiled, watching Takara help Yuriko feel more at ease. The woman certainly knew what she was doing whatever she was doing, she had learned that over the last year. She held the hand of the man whom she had grown to (and though she only ever said it in her mind) love, walking with him to this forest Father Lăozĭ swore would keep them safe. On her other side was Miki, who was watching Michiko and her son with quick calculating eyes, assessing the baby's health.
"Miki?" she asked. The physician turned, brown eyes meeting her own green. "I meant to ask you. When my mother bore me, she drank a bit of alcohol and I am fine. Why did you then forbid a single drop to Michiko?"
"Ah, yes," said Miki. "A little alcohol, depending on the quantity and what it is, can do a child no harm. But the chances are against it. As a rule, I discourage any and all pregnant women under my care to drink any. The child born with alcohol is far more unhealthy, and very well may die within the first day of life. It is merely a safety precaution."
"I have heard the same when Kaoru was pregnant," said Takeda sadly. Thinking of his late wife still saddened him, but not so much as it had just a few months prior.
And that was how they travelled the rest of the day, stopping to eat or to relieve themselves alone, slowly, slowly making their way to the forest.
Shi Huangdi wasn't a cruel man. He was simply ambitious. When he saw a chance to create an Empire, he took it. And how happy his wife looked. Shi Huangdi loved his wife and adored his son, doing the best he could for them both. And that was why he brought them to the Summer Home that used to belong to the Kingdom of the North. It was famous for its luxury and beautiful surroundings.
Huhai wasn't a fussy child, and so he and his nanny, a woman named Yun Hao, were allowed to ride with him and his wife in their carriage. And though she could not bond so overmuch with her son as other mothers in the towns and cities, Zetian loved her son very much and held him when she could, private from prying eyes of the public and their court.
"How far is this summer home?" Zetian was asking, tickling her son. Shi Huangdi smiled at them fondly, cracking his knuckles slightly as he did when bored.
"Just up these hills, I believe," he said, looking out the window. It was beautiful, the high rolling hills with the horses that had been kept there for five generations grazing. He could imagine it on a sunny day, but as it was it was actually rather foggy, and that saddened him, because his wife might be unhappy.
But the carriage was climbing the path up the hills, and Zetian seemed to be eager to watch the landscape go by. The fog was of no consequence to her. It was a long way up, the road twisting along, and then, they passed through the fog. It was light, but it was enough to make Shi Huangdi uncomfortable. Huhai didn't like it either, and fussed in his mother's arms, quickly taken and calmed by Yun Hao.
"I suppose he dislikes the fog," Yun Hao said. She was met with polite smiles. And then they came above the fog in time to see the summer home they were going to. It was beautiful. Architecture like the eastern countries, with tall trees all around it. All in all, it was gorgeous, and Zetian agreed if that gasp of delight was anything to go on.
It was another five minutes before they arrived, and immediately, the Empress was rushing forward, demanding to know everything there was to know about the furnishings, the size of the kitchens, the state of the library, and so on. And Shi Huangdi followed, smiling fondly at his wife. He may be an Emperor now, but he had once been a simple king, and that, he felt, gave him right to be so "casual" with his wife.
Lunch was taken in the gardens, Shi Huangdi informed by his wife about the state of the home. The private library reserved for the Master on the third floor, the public library on the second, the three cottages for guests and the fifty guest rooms in the main house. The art gallery, the maze, the ballroom, so on and so forth. Zetian got very excited at that sort of thing, and Shi Huangdi was happy to let her go on about the lovely new home. There was even a small prayer hall, one that had been scheduled for expansion. Of course with the…loss of King Munehito, it hadn't. Shi Huangdi was a religious man, though, and made a note to have the prayer hall made larger. He knew that they would be entertaining there, and they would like to give their guests a place to pray, should they want to. Besides, the new empress was claustrophobic, and from her description it was enough to make her panic.
After, the two had toured the whole estate, finding everything just as those who worked there described to Zetian. There was even a place to train in martial arts and baton dancing. Of course, there was little need for that, so perhaps it could be changed into something else.
All in all, it was a wonderful home, and the Imperial family would likely come there quite often during the summer. Huhai even found the nursery quite suited to his needs, at least best they could tell from the baby.
"Alright," Akihito said, as everyone grouped, having set up the tents. "Might as well have a head count." They all nodded and/or shrugged. "Takeda Tetsuya?" he raised his hand. That would be an emerging pattern. "Asano Tetsuya? Mihito Shōkō?" and on it went, until everyone but Yoshiko was accounted for. "Where is she?"
"She is…reliving herself," said Mihito carefully. That was awkward. Nevertheless, now that all two dozen were accounted for, they fell into the same tasks as they had had at the Temple. Except Akihito remained, and going to Tadamichi.
"May I speak with you a moment?" he asked. The older man nodded, and his son ran off to go visit Michiko and Norihito. "You counseled my father, when he and our kingdom were both alive."
"Yes, I did," said Tadamichi. "I did my best, though it seemed not to be good enough."
"You did fine, sir. I was merely going to ask you if I might beg your counsel so long as we are exiled."
"That might be for the rest of our lives."
"I am well aware of that. But I think that as the former Crown Prince, I carry a heavy responsibility in keeping these people safe. I have a baby son and I will not have him grow in constant fear. But I know not how to lead out here. I know only how to rule."
"And so you wish to hear my advice."
"And guidance." Tadamichi smiled and bowed his head.
"I would be honored to help protect our people. I shall help however I can." Akihito smiled. He admired Tadamichi. The man had been a pillar of strength in the early days. He had not been overly close with his wife, and while he had been sad at her loss, he had been strong enough to help all the others. And through it all, he was practical, no nonsense and yet almost lighthearted.
"Father, Takara says I cannot hold Norihito because I would harm him," said Fusasaki, tugging at his father's blue robes. "But I would not and she does not believe me. Will you tell her I can?"
"I am certain that if you just ask Michiko she will happily let you."
"But Michiko is napping and Takara is taking care of Norihito and I do not wish to wake Michiko." Tadamichi smiled.
"Excuse me, Akihito, but my son seems to have his heart set on holding your son." Akihito smiled and nodded to them both as they left. That boy was sweet, but a little selfish. It was no different than any boy his age, and Akihito found him all the more endearing for it.
Through the next few days, the Imperial Family watched the summer home be filled with their own favorite pieces of art as they went about their business. Shi Huangdi had three of his most trusted guards with him at all times after the last assassination attempt, and Zetian had asked to have her lady maids searched for weapons before helping her dress. One was caught with a poison dagger and taken away to imprisonment, but the rulers felt happy and for the most part safe. They would have to return soon, but they loved this home while it lasted. They would return, and entertain, but this was merely to assess the home themselves.
"My lord, your wife," informed one of the Emperor's guards, a man called Jie. Zetian entered the Emperor's private library, and when she did, her husband rose to greet her, kissing her fondly.
"My dear, what brings you here?" he asked fondly, taking her hand.
"I wished to see you, is that such a crime?" she asked with a soft smile. "And possibly read a book."
"My dear, these are military theory books, mainly."
"Husband, you know full well I listened to my brother and father before I married you. I find military procedure fascinating." He smiled and nodded, returning to his documents on taxes and foreign friendship as his wife selected a book.
"Zetian, should you not be attending to your schools and charities?" he asked, reviewing the appeal to lower taxes in the northern provinces to foster good feelings to the new government.
"I will finish later. I have already begun and finished the policies on the widespread scholar gentleman's schools and I am having the paperwork on the orphanages brought in as soon as possible, which just happens to be in an hour."
"I really must find out how it is you do it. I have barely finished anything on taxes in the north."
"The north is a bit tricky. What I am most concerned about is their continued loyalty to the surviving nobles and royals."
"Zetian, have you been paying no attention? Battalions are searching for them so as to avoid that same continued loyalty."
"It's not easy, being the first of a dynasty." And the two lapsed into silence, turning to books or paperwork. That silence lasted until Shi Huangdi's guards entered, escorting Yun Hao and Huhai, who was crying.
"What has happened?" demanded the Emperor as the Empress took her son.
"There is a group of extremists here," said Jie. "They have already tried to set the nursery aflame and there is obvious intent to do you harm." Their guards ushered them to one of the hidden rooms, where Zetian held her little prince close, murmuring quietly to him so he would calm, and remaining mostly silent.
There was a crash, and Shi Huangdi stood in front of his wife and son, ready to protect them. The last few attempts had not nearly been so terrifying. They remained there, hidden for a good hour and a half, until the door was opened and a guard stood there. "The threat has been taken care of." And Zetian sighed in relief, tucking a lock of her curly black hair behind her ear and holding Huhai close.
"Sweet prince, you are safe…" she breathed, sweeping her thumb over his head.
"There has to be change," said the Emperor, emerging. "This cannot continue. I will not allow it." He sighed, and looked around at his guards. "What was the damage?"
"One of the cottages has been nearly destroyed," said another guard, called Xin. "The nursery has some scorching from before the fire was put out, and the walls have a little damage to them."
"I see. Zetian, how would you feel about returning to the palace now?"
"I am a bit fearful of remaining," she admitted. "I have nearly been killed here twice. The palace does have slightly better security, I find."
"And this property is sufficient that we could return."
"Yes." Yun Hao took Huhai back from the Empress and kept her head bowed, removing herself from their conversation. "I would leave as soon as I could." He smiled at her and turned to one of the guards at the door and said,
"We shall be returning to the palace. Please have our belongings packed and our carriage readied." He bowed, and left. The Imperial couple, shaken, could not return to their work easily, and so remained in the library with their son, merely playing with him or reading until they were ready to leave.
Dinner was made from what was left of the packed food from the Temple, three rabbits, and a large selection of berries. Akihito and Tadamichi had gone off to speak with each other about how to survive, while the others fell into their regular designated groups. Takara had dragged Yuriko to sit with her friends, and the woman was becoming more loose with everyone, and it seemed to hearten the former General who had named herself Yuriko's guide and friend. Yoshiko and Mihito were sitting together, talking while he whittled her a pair of batons.
Fusasaki sat with Michiko, talking avidly about how amazing it was to live in the forest. He had always thought it would be amazing from hearing all the epic poetry, and now he got the chance. Michiko, on the other hand, was laughing at how excited the boy was about exile. It was actually quite amazing how the ten year old boy (and all the other children) found the good in all situations.
"Michiko?" asked Noriko. "May I speak to you?"
"Of course," said the "mother" of the group. "Fusasaki, would you hold Norihito for me?"
"Of course!" said the boy, eyes shining. He had taken it upon himself to be a sort of big brother for the baby, promising to protect him and everything. The women walked off together, until a little ways away from the fire.
"What is it, Noriko? You look worried."
"Just…the tents," said the former courtesan.
"What about them? Are you not happy with them?"
"No, no, life at the Temple has eased me away from luxury. I'm simply worried about the fact that…well, Takeda and I are…you know, and I was wondering if you thought it would be frowned on if I stayed with him and his daughter…"
"I…think not. You two are, for lack of a better word, courting, and in this odd state of living we have been forced into, we should have no problem, here. This forest is a safe place, Noriko, do you not feel it?" It was a sense Michiko had, a sense of security emanating from between the trees. It felt oddly secure. "This is a place we can take risks and be safe in it. Stay with them."
"I honestly do not know how you can be so secure in us and this place. You and the children seem so optimistic about these woods." But the wavy haired woman smiled at her and hugged her before returning to sit with her suitor and his daughter.
"Things are going to change quite a bit, Fusasaki," said Michiko knowingly, joining him again and taking her baby as they finished their food.
A/N: The summer home was based heavily after the Hearst Castle in California. That's about all I can say now.
Well, except that I don't own the Hearst Castle or even like...volunteer there. I mean, I'm in Minnesota. And watching a bad movie. So, yeah...
Review? Make my day? and my life?