Empire of the Sun
By: Katreju
Chapter Four
Tatsuki's mother happily walked into the dining room carrying a tray with four cups of warm tea. She kneeled and lowered the tray in front of Orihime, who picked up a cup and thanked her, then turned to her husband and daughter who each took a cup for themselves. The satisfied gleam in her eyes soon turned into one of puzzlement as she looked around the room.
"Where is the young man that was with Lady Orihime?" she asked.
"He's waiting outside 'til we're done talking," Tatsuki said crossly. She took a sip of her tea. "You might as well drink the cup you made for him so it won't go to waste."
The woman then looked at her husband, who gave her a nod, and recognized the look that told her he will explain everything later. She quietly stood up with the tray and walked back into the kitchen.
Tatsuki's father then turned his eyes on the young red-head who seemed to be in a good mood and enjoying the tea she was given. Normally when he had witnessed someone in a dire situation such as hers, they would not be in such high spirits, but this girl…
"My lady," he started, gaining Orihime's attention. "Are you certain that you've thought over your decision thoroughly? As someone who was part of Lord Inoue's council, I might be able to find other means of assistance so that you don't have to go through with this union."
Orihime gently set her cup on her lap. "I've had a lot of time to think about this and I'm certain that I'm doing the right thing. But even if I was unsure about my decision, I know there are no other options I can take since I do not have the power and resources my brother once had. Therefore, I have to do what's best with what I've been given so that the road to recovery will be smoother and hopefully quicker for everyone."
Tatsuki grimaced, her hands tightening around the cup she held.
"I understand," the older man leaned forward in a bow. "Forgive me for overstepping my place."
Orihime frantically waved her hands out in front of him. "A-ah, you don't have to do that! You were trying to help me and I really appreciate that. And despite all that has happened, I…" She paused and meekly looked down at the floor. "I know that I'm not my brother, nor will I ever be, but I was hoping that your village can continue being an ally with my clan. I would really appreciate having your support and maybe I can learn some things from you along the way. Still, you don't have to if you don't want to. I'll understand and won't take away your title if you say no."
She felt a firm grip on her shoulder and immediately looked up into a pair of deep-blue eyes. Although she was nervous about his response, the warm smile he had made her somewhat at ease.
"It would be my honor to serve you, my lady. Not only as the daimyo of our land but as a very dear friend whom I consider as part of my family."
Thrilled over his answer, Orihime humbly bowed at him. "Thank you so much! I will do my very best not to disappoint you, sir!"
"I believe you'll do fine." He encouraged before standing to his feet and walking toward the kitchen.
Once her father was out of sight, Tatsuki moved her eyes onto her friend who had quietly returned to sipping her tea. "You can drop the act now, Orihime."
Orihime's face etched with confusion. "I don't know what you mean."
Tatsuki sighed out of frustration. "It's just me and you so you don't have to pretend anymore."
Her eyes became wider. "Pretend?"
"Yes," she said sternly, "unless you're honestly going to sit there and tell me that you're okay with being indebted to that monster."
Orihime's eyes slackened as she quietly took another sip.
"It has to be killing you inside to go through with this," Tatsuki said. "I know that you would rather cut off your feet than be committed to that jerk."
"Mm, but if I cut off my feet then I can't walk anymore and have to rely on someone else for the rest of my life. I also won't be able to wriggle my toes in the sand when I go to the beach, dance around in the rain or when I'm at a festival, or climb up the steps when I visit different shrines and temples. Not to mention that I would have difficulty bowing when I need to show my respect or even to be friendly to someone that I like."
Tatsuki closed her eyes and clenched her hands. "Why are you turning this into a joke?"
"I'm not. Those are concerns I would have if I lost my feet."
Tatsuki gritted her teeth. "Are you trying to make me mad?"
"No," Orihime said, her voice serious but still gentle. "I'm trying not to let you get worried sick over me."
"Bad chance of that happening now, don't you think?" Tatsuki shouted as she stood to her feet. "Did you think I was going to accept this? AS IF! The very thought of it makes me angry yet you're asking me to be okay with your decision! But I can't nor will I because this is NOT fair, Orihime!"
The dark-haired girl turned around with her back facing her friend. "It's just not fair. You deserve better…so much better...after everything you've been through yet you're still being punished and for what?"
Hearing the subtle crack in her friend's voice, Orihime stood up and hugged her. "I'm sorry, Tatsuki. I didn't mean to upset you."
It remained quiet in the room until Tatsuki placed a hand over Orihime's head and lightly played with the lily-shaped ornament that held up her hair. "Don't blame yourself. This was out of your control. I wanted the best for you…and I still do."
"I know."
The two friends released each other and remained standing side by side. "How long will you be here?"
"I have three days until I go back," Orihime said. "I plan on using the time to pay my respects and help out anyway I can. I also want to inform everyone of what's going on so they won't be afraid over what's to come."
"Your first two reasons I get, but the last one. Are you comfortable doing that?" Tatsuki asked grimly.
Hesitating to respond, Orihime laced her hands together with an uneasy smile. "…I'd like to think so…but really, I'm not sure…"
. . .
"Ladies, quick! Turn your eyes over here!"
"…Oh my…he is good-looking!"
"Huh? I don't see it."
"Are you blind? He's handsome!"
"Well he would be if he didn't have those scars."
"I think they make him look more intriguing! You know, in a roguish sort of way!"
"Well if anything, he does look like he's a man of high status."
"Do you think he's married?"
"Why don't you go over and ask him?"
"Now what kind of lady would I be if I just throw myself at him? Though I wouldn't mind wooing him with my charm and getting to know him more intimately."
The group of village women laughed and continued on with their comments from a distance. However, unaware to them, Ulquiorra heard their chatter from underneath the tree he stood against and had refused to acknowledge them.
Until now.
With a straight face, his brow slightly drawn together, the General heatedly stared at the clamorous hens without uttering a single word. Once they realized he was on to them, the women panicked and whispered amongst themselves.
"I didn't think he could hear us..."
"He looks pretty mad."
"He looks downright frightening!"
"We should leave."
"Yes, please!"
The group quickly picked up their feet and scuttled down the road to escape Ulquiorra's unrelenting eyes. After they were completely out of his sight, he closed his eyes again and embraced the peaceful solitude he had been granted. He could never fathom why he garnered so much unwanted attention, especially when he strongly detested how he always seemed to be a target for public scrutiny.
He heard the main door of the Arisawa house open and shut, which signaled to him the time he had for himself had come to an end. Yet he made no effort to acknowledge the person walking toward him and remained planted against the tree.
"My wife sent me out here to give you this," Tatsuki's father said. He extended his hand out and offered Ulquiorra a bowl filled with three onigiri. When Ulquiorra did not respond to the kind gesture, the man brought his arm inward and chuckled. "They're not poisoned, in case you're wondering. Had they been made by my daughter then I would understand your hesitance. But Ran is quite the opposite and holds no ill toward you."
"You seemed to be bothered by that," Ulquiorra stated.
The village leader's face turned grim. "Can't say that I'm not, but who am I to control how she feels. So are you going to take this?"
"No."
"Your loss," he said with lack of remorse. "Perhaps Lady Orihime will be grateful to have your portion."
"Considering she had eaten most of our food supply and expressed that she was still hungry, I doubt she will refuse your offer."
Amused, Tatsuki's father could not help but smile. "That girl has always had a tremendous appetite. It's good to know that she hasn't lost that."
A moment passed between them before Ulquiorra broke the tension. "What other business do you have with me, Tatsuya Arisawa?"
"Looks like I won't have to give you a formal introduction," Tatsuya said humorlessly. "Very well. I do have one question and it's about your lord, Sōsuke Aizen. What does he believe he's accomplishing by wanting control over Tenkū?"
"Do you honestly believe that I would enclose that information to you?"
"Not right away since you seem like a tough person to crack. However, I can be very persuasive…especially when I deserve to know the truth about why mylord was murdered in cold blood." Tatsuya eyed him harshly. "You're ranked as a general so I know that you are very aware and involved in the plans that your lord desires to accomplish."
Ulquiorra finally opened his eyes and focused on the village leader. "And here I assumed that as a retainer you would at least have the basic knowledge of hierarchy."
Tatsuya raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"
"You stated since I am general that I would have information on par with Lord Aizen and his council. But you are mistaken. A samurai is merely a limb of the body he serves, the body being his master's will. His purpose does not change even if he elevates in rank and prestige. Therefore, any information I am given is to ensure that my superiors' plans are carried out without failure."
"Yet you haven't denied that you know the reasoning behind this madness," Tatsuya rebutted, his hand dangerously close to his tantō. "As I said before, I can be very persuasive in getting the information I want. Don't force me to take such measures."
Indifferent to his threat, Ulquiorra waited for the man to make the first move.
"Dear!" Ran shouted from the doorway with a tray in her hands. "You forgot to bring his tea and the nori!"
Tatsuya quickly moved his hand away from his tantō then turned around to smile at his wife. "The General isn't hungry at the moment and asked that we give his portion to Lady Orihime."
Ran titled her head. "But didn't she leave with Tatsuki a little while ago?"
Before Tatsuya could mutter one word, Ulquiorra swiftly made his way over to the house and passed Ran through the doorway. He began searching in the kitchen then through the rooms for the girl but she was nowhere to be found.
He stood in the hallway and pondered over how she could have been able to sneak out without his detection. He then realized that the only distraction he had aside from those annoying women was Tatsuya Arisawa, who he was certain was a willing accomplice alongside his brash, unkempt daughter in his ward's escape.
The sound of footsteps brought Ulquiorra out of his ticking mind and caused him to stare coldly at the suspect, who now had a smug smile across his lips.
"Relax, General," Tatsuya said with complete satisfaction. "She went to visit an old friend at the shrine and will be back before sundown."
Not waiting to put any more distance between him and his ward, Ulquiorra quickly passed by the village leader and made his exit from the house.
. . .
With a broom in hand, Monk Hachigen Ushōda hummed a soft melody as he swept around the shrine's courtyard. Since he had not received any visitors, he decided to tidy up the place just in case more people came searching for refuge.
A shrine maiden quietly approached him. "We have finished cleaning the worship hall and are ready for our next task, Monk Hacchi."
He turned and smiled at her. "Thank you. It will be dinner time soon. Perhaps we should make our way to the kitchen and begin preparing some meals for everyone!"
The shrine maiden smile as she bowed toward him. "Most certainly."
When she headed back toward the temple, Hacchi looked up at the willow tree next to him. Although he had shown quiet strength and a peaceful demeanor in the front of the others, the tragedy that happened at Tenkū castle still weighed heavily on his heart. And now because of the foreboding vision he had, he could not stop worrying about his dear friend and what fate had become of her.
He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. "I hope you're safe."
"Hacchi-dono!"
Hearing the familiar cheerful voice calling out to him, Hacchi moved his eyes toward to the sandō area and immediately his face beamed at the sight of an excited Orihime waving at him. Right behind her was Tatsuki who waved once before bringing her hand down on her hip. The three headed toward each other and met near the tōrō that was next to the sandō. Keeping smiles intact, Hacchi and Orihime bowed toward each other.
"I'm very relieved to see you, my friend," Hacchi said.
"The feeling is mutual," Orihime replied. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner."
"Please don't apologize. You have been through much turmoil these past days."
Orihime nodded somberly. "Yes…about that…"
"How about we go inside? We can talk without anyone hearing the details."
"I would like that very much."
Hacchi looked over at Tatsuki. "Of course you are welcomed to join us, Miss Tatsuki."
"I'll be fine," Tatsuki assured. "Besides, I think she will have a better time explaining everything without having to worry about me getting upset again."
Orihime looked at her best friend. "Are you sure?"
"Positive! I'll just hang around until you two are done."
"Very well," Hacchi said, nodding. "Please come this way."
Orihime followed next to the enormous monk as he led her toward the office building. It was odd for her to see the shrine practically vacant and became curious as to why.
"Where are your helpers?" she asked.
"They are serving in the capital," Hacchi replied. He opened a door and allowed for Orihime to step first into the room they would be occupying for the rest of afternoon. "Most of them have been there since we had received word of the attack. So it's only me and two maidens caring for the shrine."
Orihime sat on the matted floor. "And what about the head priestess?"
Hacchi sat across from her. "She visited only for a night, but then she decided to travel around as well to offer her assistance. She won't be returning until after she has visited all the villages and shrines in the prefecture. We had received word that Tenkū is very close to being completely infiltrated by this unknown army."
"I see."
"Does her traveling concern you?"
"No. It's the devastation being brought upon innocent people…" she paused to keep her voice from raising any louder. "How could Aizen do this?"
"Aizen?" Hacchi asked peculiarly. "As in Lord Sōsuke Aizen of Naitsu?"
Orihime responded with a nod.
"Hm…" Hacchi paused, his mind now racing with so many questions. "May you tell me everything from the beginning?"
"Yes," she affirmed and began her story from the night she lost her brother and home.
The monk listened closely to every detail she spoke. His countenance would alternate between shock and a calm composure, especially when Orihime told him of the marriage proposal and why she accepted. There were a few times in the conversation where he wanted to speak his thoughts, but seeing how strong her resolve was along with the subtle sadness in her voice, he kept quiet to not cause her any more pain.
"I apologize, but I'm afraid that I don't have the right words to give you," Hacchi said softly.
Orihime gently shook her head. "Please don't be. Being here and talking to you has been comforting. Besides, it's giving me much needed time away from my escort."
"Ah, so you do have a companion. I have been wondering if you were traveling by yourself."
She chuckled. "Lord Aizen doesn't trust me just yet for that to happen. I only wish that he gave me someone…well…nicer."
"Has this person harmed you?"
"Only my pride, sometimes. He doesn't talk very much but when he does, he can cut pretty deep with his words. Though I have to admit that he can make you feel inferior or foolish even when he doesn't say anything at all."
"Sounds like a man of great talent," Hacchi humored.
"Well he is a samurai," Orihime said with less enthusiasm than her friend. "But that still doesn't give him the right to act the way he does."
"You never know what internal struggles people are dealing with, my friend."
"Yes, but…" she exhaled sharply. "I don't think I can ever get along with him. And I know that I should completely hold blame toward Aizen, but General Cifer is also at fault. He could have allowed me to stay and grieve for my brother or allowed me to die alongside him, but he didn't. He left my brother's body lying on the floor where he was murdered and forced me to return to Naitsu with him, even though I had begged him to my last breath to release me."
Her fingers knotted in her lap. "And it really bothers me that despite knowing the pain that I'm going through, he has been insensitive toward my feelings and treats me like I'm nothing but a burden to him. So no, I really don't care what he's been through to justify the cruel and heartless person he is!"
Hacchi watched her gently wipe away the tears gathering at her eyes. "It's alright if you wish to cry."
"But if I do, I won't have enough strength left to keep pressing forward," she murmured.
Hacchi reached out and held her delicate hands in his enormous ones. "Through every difficulty you have faced, I have watched you mature from the timid young girl you were into the courageous young woman that you are now. Please do not doubt yourself, my friend. You carry a strength that is equal to a hundred samurai and a heart that is great enough to forgive."
Slightly touched by his words, she smiled at him tenderly. "Thank you, Hacchi-dono."
Hacchi smiled endearingly at her before his golden eyes curiously looked toward the doorway. "Ah, it appears that we have the honorable presence of a samurai."
"Eh?" Orihime exclaimed as she hastily looked behind her and gawked at the unannounced spectator. "H-how long have you been standing there?"
Ulquiorra blankly stared down at her. "Quite some time."
She felt her cheeks become warm. "You could have said something!"
"Lower your voice. We are in a shrine."
She sent him an annoyed look. "Well now that you've found me, are you going to force me to go back to the village?"
"No," he said, watching her eyes widen from his answer. "Even though I have not overlooked your defiance, I will extend your visit until sundown."
Surprised by his response, she was a little lost on what to say next. "…Thank you. I-"
"Do not waste anymore of your breath unless you are speaking to the monk," he curtly interrupted.
Orihime held her eyes on the General as he turned back to the corridor. Her gaze on him lingered until she heard Hacchi address the taciturn man by his name and title, bringing her focus off of her escort and back onto her friend who now was leaning forward in a respectful bow.
"Despite the circumstances that brought all of us here today, I am very grateful to you for watching over Lady Inoue," Hacchi said with sincerity. "I also want to thank you for the extra kindness and respect you had shown Lord Inoue."
"What?" Orihime said, perplexed.
"This man is responsible for having presented Lord Inoue and his swords to be consecrated," Hacchi continued. "He had also provided money to give a proper funeral and a memorial in honor of the Inoue clan."
Taking in the monk's words, Orihime snapped her eyes back on Ulquiorra who had paused his steps yet refrained from facing them. "Is this true?" she asked, her heart pounding against her chest. When he did not respond, she yelled to him. "Please answer me!"
Ulquiorra frowned. "What the monk said is accurate. And that is all you need to know."
"But you…Wait!"
The General resumed exiting out of the room, not once looking back.
With her hands tightly clenched in front of her on the tatami-matted floor, she watched him leave as a river of emotions coursed through her. Confusion was prominent since it spiraled through her mind with an onslaught of questions of what happened after that night. But something else had begun to stir within her and it started to make her feel like she was the heartless one and not the man retreating into the sunlit corridor.
Glossary:
Sandō – A road (approach) of either a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple.
Tōrō – Traditional decorative stone lanterns.
Disclaimer: I do not make any profit from writing this story. I'm simply borrowing Tite Kubo's characters for my sheer enjoyment. Also, most of the historical context has been researched and taken from various books and the internet. That being said, certain artistic liberties may still apply when seen fit for the story.