Thanks for the reviews. In this chapter, you will learn more about Hisako and you may want to slap Naoe!

Mirage of Changes

by Karura

Chapter two

The troop had quickly left the village of Sada. Villagers were fundamentally superstitious and that kind of incident could easily compel them to lynch the one they considered to be responsible. So the actors didn't wait for the morning to take flight. They had higgedly-piggledy stacked up stage elements in their carts, and those who were on scene haven't even taken the time to remove their makeup or their costumes. They had left furtively, like thieves, and the oxens had been pacing all night long. Nobody spoke of the incident. Everyone was walking in a dazed and fearful silence. Naoe didn't like that atmosphere. It reminded him too much of villagers fleeing after their village had been sacked by soldiers or bandits. Yet those people had done nothing wrong. Not all of them, at least.

A sudden movement at the corner of his eye made him turn his head. In the darkness, he thought for a moment he saw... Kagetora-sama? But no, it was only Hisako who was still wearing his costume. She... no, he had removed some of the outrageous makeup he had displayed during the play. With his black hair down and his tired expression, Hisako was more like Kagetora than he had been on stage. Naoe looked around himself but nobody was close to them. Nagahide was a little further and Naoe couldn't call him to ask him to deal with Hisako. The young actor seemed indeed in need of talking to someone but Naoe had never been at ease with situations like that. He was quite simply unable to comfort anyone. He usually let this chore to Nagahide, but right now it didn't seem possible. He inhaled and began, probably clumsily. "You are not with Ryousuke?" He asked.

Hisako glanced at him. "Ryousuke is... a little too protective." He only said.

Naoe nodded without paying any attention. To tell the truth, he didn't care about the actor's personal problems, but he had to behave a little more civilly. So he decided to bring the conversation on a less personal subject: "Do you think the villagers are going to pursue us?"

A lack of tact, again. Hisako surely didn't need to be reminded of that threat. "It's possible, Naoe-san," he answered in a bleak tone. "We have left as soon as possible but if their leader is a fanatic..."

"You seem to have already experienced this kind of situation."

Hisako's shoulders stiffened. "In my previous troop. But we were accused of robbery. A bauble that a villager claimed to have lost when he went to see our theatrical. They have caught up with us in the middle of the night. They killed those who tried to resist, raped the women and burned our carts. Few of us survived that night."

"And you didn't press charges?"

"Who would have listened to us? For the government, we are animals (1), so people can treat us like such." Despite the flat tone, a teardrop fell from his eye. Naoe looked away. It really wasn't in him to console people. Had Hisako been a woman, it would have been so much easier; he had often seen Nagahide at work to know a woman in tears just wanted comforting arms. But a man... A little awkwardly, Naoe patted him on the shoulder. "It's all in the past now," he said. "Besides, in spite of all that, you're still an actor."

Hisako laughed briefly. "Well, it's only because I don't know what else I could do. Can you picture me cultivating fields to feed my wife and children?"

To tell the truth, Naoe would rather picture him in a brothel, dressed as a woman, but he had still some common sense to keep this thought for him. "It's just a matter of habit," he said.

Hisako smiled weakly. "Maybe, but it won't happen anytime soon. I don't intend to give up being an actor. This sort of incident doesn't scare me at all!" It seemed Hisako had finally recovered from his fright.

Naoe took the opportunity to get onto a delicate subject: "About what happened at the village... Has it already happened?"

"Never," the actor answered. "I have never seen such a thing."

Naoe nodded. If it was the first incident, it meant they would have to search what had changed in the troop. However, it could also mean those incidents could get worse if the responsible entity got stronger. Hisako suddenly pulled on Naoe's sleeve, like a lost child who wished to get his father's attention. "Say, do you think... Hiro began with it but perhaps he's right after all..."

"Yes?" That Hiro might have seen something they didn't.

"Do you think... Kagetora's spirit might want to take revenge on us?"

XxX

They had a quick break at sunrise. The children needed to eat, and the carts needed to be better arranged so that everyone could rest. The troop was still not reassured about their fate but they were tired and overwrought. Nagahide went near Naoe for the first time since their departure. "Hisako doesn't want to talk to you anymore," he informed him with curiosity. "He doesn't want to say why, but I have the impression he's more afraid of you than of the villagers."

Naoe sighed. "I got perhaps... a little upset with him," he confessed awkwardly.

A smile appeared on Nagahide's lips. "A little upset? Oh, it's very surprising of you. You are always so calm and composed. I wonder what could annoy you to this point..." Naoe looked away. Nagahide wasn't wrong about it but it was as though he enjoying sticking the knife in deeper. "I take it would be this rumour saying it was our lord who caused that incident only for revenge?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Naoe roared.

Nagahide stepped back, as if frightened. "Oh, have mercy on me, don't hit me!" He pleaded in jest. Then he broke into laughter while Naoe remained sheepish. "Well, I understand why Hisako was so afraid," Nagahide said seriously. "He doesn't know that talking to you about Kagetora is like entering the den of a cranky bear."

"Who is a cranky bear?"

"You, of course. Well, let's become serious. Regarding the incident, it's the first time something like that happens in the troop. The newest members are Hiro, who joined two years ago, and Taki, a two-months baby. You will agree with me that we can set Taki aside. As for Hiro..."

Naoe frowned. "Hiro, you say? Hisako told me he was the one who started that stupid rumour."

Nagahide nodded. "Yes, maybe he started it so that we never suspect him. However, I forgot to mention two new members who have just recently joined and who have some strong spiritual powers. It so happens that one of them tends to lose his self-control when something bad is said about Kagetora-sama. And yesterday's play wasn't very flattering..."

Naoe wanted to growl and to show his teeth. "You're talking about the cranky bear?"

"What bear? I'm talking about you, dear. Before we start a thorough investigation, I'd like to be sure the solution is not... just right in front of me."

Naoe's face became severe. "Do you really think I could use my powers to harm innocent people?" Nagahide look at him in the eyes. However, one of his eyebrows was lifted, which proved he didn't really believe it. Naoe shook his head. "Well, let's be serious," he said. "That Hiro seems suspicious. We would better watch him closely."

"I'll do it. After all, I wouldn't want you to lose your temper because of a personal grudge..."

"You have known me for two hundred years; you could trust me a little more!"

"Oh, but I'm doing this for you own good. I don't want you to have to explain to Kagetora-sama why you hit a innocent man."

"Innocent?"

Nagahide shrugged. "He has been here for two years. Why would he wait so long before acting?"

"Maybe he had no reason to act before. Or perhaps he was waiting for two foreigners to come, because he could then accuse them."

"We will see. Oh, in the meantime, just one thing."

"Yes?"

"Stop comforting people."

This time, Naoe proved his perfect self-control: although he felt the sudden impulse, he didn't throw anything at his friend.

XxX

At noon, the anxiety began to cool down. There was no evidence of chase and the troop took the chance to rest. Those who had been on stage could finally wash themselves and change their clothes. Naoe noticed absent-mindedly that Hisako didn't change into woman clothe but donned a simple kimono. Maybe it was only because it was quicker. It didn't really matter. During the quick meal, people started talking again but there was a kind of taboo about the incident of the day before: nobody talked about it openly. Naoe noticed that Nagahide had sit beside Hiro, a proof that he had already started his watching. On the contrary, Hisako was no longer at Ryousuke's side but a little further at the table. Naoe held back a sigh. That troop was a whole miniature world, with its friendships, its grudges and its rivalries. How Nagahide and he were going to enter that world and find the person responsible for the incident? It was almost impossible. Yet they had to succeed; it was their mission.

After they take the road again, Naoe was surprised to see Hisako coming at his side. However, the young man didn't talk to him and walked as if Naoe didn't exist. Naoe sighed mentally, but for he had to do it for their mission. "Hisako, I apologise for this morning. I shouldn't have got angry at you." The actor glanced quickly at him, but then his gaze shifted straight ahead, as though he hadn't heard. Naoe was on the verge of sighing. Hisako was a real contradiction: he was physically a man -- or so Naoe thought, and he didn't want to look more closely -- but his behaviour was too feminine to his liking. It exasperated him. He didn't know if he must talk to him and treat him like a man or a woman, and Hisako wasn't helping him to choose. In any case, Naoe had forced himself to apologise -- even if he didn't know why he had to -- now it was up to Hisako to accept it or not.

"I understand," said suddenly the young actor. "Your friend explained everything to me." Naoe lifted an eyebrow. Nagahide blended in? Knowing him, Naoe could expect the worst. And indeed, the worst arrived. "He told me you are a sort of fetishist concerning Kagetora."

"Huh?"

"Yes, it's because of your ancestor. Your great-grandfather had served Kagetora, and that's why you were so upset when I spoke badly of him."

"No," Naoe rectified. "I didn't get upset. Or maybe... just a little..."

Hisako snorted. "If this case, I don't ever want to see you angry." Naoe let that comment pass. Hisako came closer to him. It seemed that Naoe was forgiven. "Say, Naoe-san," the younger man went on, "was the play really awful?"

"Atrocious!" Naoe blurted out before thinking twice.

"What's wrong in it? Perhaps I could ask Ryousuke to make some changes."

"You should better change everything! The way Kagetora-sama is portrayed couldn't be further from reality."

Hisako frowned. "You talk as if you know him..."

"But I know him!" Naoe interrupted. Surprised, Hisako looked at him while Naoe was cursing his big mouth. "Err... I mean... I've heard a lot about him. My... great-grandfather? Yes, that's it. He had told a lot of things to his son, who is thus my grandfather, and then my grandfather told me stories about Kagetora-sama."

"But servants always tend to embellish things about their masters. Actually, you know no more about Kagetora than the writer of the play!" Naoe wanted to retort, but he didn't want to raise hell. However, the way Hisako was teasing him really made him think about a mischievous young girl. That ambiguity again. Naoe shook his head.

"By the way, who wrote this play?"

Hisako looked thoughtful. "I don't really know. Ryousuke was gone in a tavern with some members of the troop. When he returned, he had that damned play and he had spent a big part of our savings for it. I was angry at him because he couldn't even read the scroll, he had just listened to that guy. Anyway, he doesn't know how to read."

"Ha? How can he learn his text then?"

Hisako looked at him for a moment. "We play kabuki. There is not really a text. We have guidelines and play according to our inspiration and the audience's reactions. This is why there are never two identical performances."

"I see."

"Well, I didn't like this play from the beginning. And he wanted me to play a man's part! Do you realise?"

Naoe winced. It was precisely an issue he wanted to avoid. "Yes, well," he said. "So you really don't know who is the mysterious writer?"

"No, and since Ryousuke was drunk, I don't think he remembers too." So much for that. Anyway, it would have been nearly impossible to find someone in the country. However, Naoe would have loved to have a word with that brush pusher. "You know," Hisako said. "Since you claim to be an expert concerning Kagetora, why don't you write your own play? I would gladly exchange them!"

Naoe was tempted for a moment. To write his own play? To restore Kagetora's image in the eyes of everyone? That could be interesting. Kagetora might be grateful and... Naoe shook his head. What was he thinking? Kagetora would likely be furious because they mustn't get involved in living people's business, excepted of course when supernatural was involved first. No, it was an unreasonable idea. Moreover, he disliked thinking that other people might know the true Kagetora. They weren't worthy of it. "I can barely decipher some words," he lied without any remorse. "Anyway, it's not so important."

"Ha," Hisako only said. He didn't insist.

XxX

Eventually, it turned out that they were not chased, and the atmosphere became more relaxed. The incident was nearly forgotten, especially since nothing else happened during the travel. Naoe and Nagahide remained on guard, but there was no sign of spiritual activity. Watching Hiro proved useless too. After several days, Naoe was ready to leave the troop, certain that the incident at Sada was nothing more than the doing of a malicious spirit. However, Nagahide didn't agree.

"Let's wait until they perform the play again," Nagahide suggested one evening. "I'm sure it's because of the play."

"I surely don't want to see that monstrosity once more!" Naoe cried.

Sadly, Hisako chose that moment to arrive at the glade where they were discussing while the troop was preparing the camp for the night. The young actor froze and looked incredulously at Naoe. "A monstrosity?" He repeated in a cold tone. "I realise you're only a peasant who doesn't even know how to appreciate art!" And the actor left the place, furious.

Naoe ran a hand through his hair. "What's his problem?" He asked his friend.

Nagahide sighed heavily. "My friend, you really don't understand women."

"But he's a man!"

"You don't understand men either."

"But I..."

"Maybe you don't know," the other possessor interrupted him, "but Ryousuke wanted to cast us out of the troop, pressed by some members who thought we were bad luck. Hisako was the only one to defend us, and we were able to stay thank to him. He turned a lot of people against himself, just to protect two strangers."

"I would have preferred to be cast out," Naoe hissed. "Let's let these people make their own way."

"Would you be able to say this again before Kagetora-sama?" Nagahide asked, lifting an eyebrow.

His friend's silence made him shake his head. "I thought so. If Kagetora-sama was here, you would react differently and you would pretend to worry for these people, just to do like him."

"Don't say nonsense!" Naoe shouted.

Nagahide merely crossed calmly his arms. "See, you're getting angry again. Among us, you are the only one who doesn't really want to help the living..."

"And you think you have the right to lecture me?" Naoe retorted. "As far as I know, I've never used my powers to chisel some poor innkeepers!"

The comment didn't hit its target. "It was a long time ago, and I have stopped since then. By seeing Kagetora-sama exerting himself to protect people life after life, I started to do the same."

"My, my, you really are a holy man!" Naoe sneered.

"No," Nagahide corrected. "None of us is holy. But we are trying to improve ourselves, to make the most of this new life Kenshin-kou had offered us. And I think Kagetora-sama can show us the path to redemption. At least, it's just the opinion of a man who once chiselled innkeepers." With a wry smile, he left the glade and Naoe with his anger.

Naoe breathed out loudly, trying to ease his tension and frustration. He didn't know why he had got so furious when Nagahide had accused him of double play. After all, the other possessor was wrong: Naoe perfectly knew that Kagetora's presence or absence didn't influence his own behaviour. Nagahide had simply imagined things, it could happen to anyone. So why had Naoe not been able to prove to him he was wrong? Why did he loose his self-control like that? That was not the first time it happened. Naoe still remember -- with shame -- the time when he had hit Nagahide because the possessor had said something indecent about Kagetora (2). He also remembered his first arguments with his young lord, when there was only three of them. Nagahide might no be wrong: as soon as Kagetora was concerned, Naoe could no longer rely on his poise nor his composure. Kagetora really had a knack of making him loose his control, but Naoe thought it would have been over since he acknowledged Kagetora as his lord and master. Before that, Naoe had been furious and agitated because that arrogant kid had been acting high and mighty even as Naoe had defeated him during their first life. But now it was the past, how could he explain his hot temper? It wasn't just loyalty, it was something else. But what? Naoe had never known such a thing. Aside Kagetora, he had only served Kagekatsu and only because Kagekatsu's interests coincided with those of his own clan. He hadn't really chosen him, in truth. He had just followed his clan's traditions to serve the Uesugi.

However, he had clearly decided to follow Kagetora and had sworn allegiance, even if it was not requested of him. Why? As Nagahide said, maybe it was because he wanted to redeem himself. He had already observed since a long time that Kagetora's presence brought out the best of him. When Kagetora was with him, Naoe didn't pretend, despite what Nagahide might think. He really felt like helping the others, all that for Kagetora to... Naoe winced. Well, maybe Nagahide was not totally wrong. He did it for Kagetora, not out of selflessness. He knew that Kagetora wanted to protect the living, and Naoe only wanted to gain Kagetora's approval. The living people weren't important for him. After all, they would eventually die, so what's the point in saving them? Sighing, Naoe leaned against a tree. He was tired to wonder about himself. He just wanted to act freely, without any restriction. And yet, he had no choice. He had lost the possibility to choose the day he had agreed to joining the Yashashuu. His first purpose -- to protect Kagekatsu from an evil Kagetora -- had lost all meaning after Kagekatsu's death, and even before. So what was left for him? As the sun was setting and the call for diner rang out in the forest, Naoe's lips twisted in a bitter smile. Redemption. Yes, it sounded nice. And redemption required Kagetora.

XxX

After dinner, Naoe went to see Hisako, who was finishing his laundry on the bank of a small river. The actor was alone, which helped Naoe. The possessor came closer and Hisako stood up suddenly. "Who's here?" He shouted in a firm tone.

Naoe came to the fore from the shade of trees. "It's only I."

Hisako didn't relax completely. He was still angry with Naoe because of his remark about the play. "Oh, it's you," he said disdainfully. He resumed his laundry without another word.

Naoe sat on the bank beside him. "I... I want to apologise," he began.

Hisako snorted. "If you have so much trouble to apologise, I think you shouldn't put yourself in situations in which you need then to apologise, Naoe-san."

Naoe smiled softly. It was the kind of reprimand Kagetora could give him. "Sometimes, I act first, then think," he admitted. He would never admit it to Nagahide, though. "When I said the play was a monstrosity," he went on," I was talking about the story, not the actors."

"I do like this play," the younger man countered. "It can really be a success: the story about a revenge from beyond the grave. Well, it just lacks a love story."

"You can think this play is good if you don't know the real story of Kagetora-sa... of Kagetora."

"I have already offered you to write your own version."

Naoe shook his head. "That's not the problem. Anyway, why does it seem so important for you whether I like the play? I can assure you the rest of the audience appreciated it."

Hisako had frozen for a moment, then he had resumed his word. "You're right," he muttered. "I place no importance on your opinion. We'll continue to perform this play, whether you like it or not."

Naoe was about to nod, but he looked up. "Err... You want to perform the play again? Despite what happened at Sada?"

Hisako cast him a sidelong glance. "And why not? There's no proof it has something to do with the piece. And if it's the case, it's even better."

"Better?"

"Yes! People would pay a lot to see a cursed play. Ryousuke had already thought about the catch phrase: 'this play is so sensational that even spirits would interdict it.' With it, we are going to have a lot of spectators at the next village."

Naoe was completely lost. How those people were thinking was beyond him. "But... Don't you fear that villagers may be frightened and angry at you like the last time?"

"Oh no, they will be notified this time. It makes all the difference."

"Hum... If you say so." As for him, Naoe thought it was rather dangerous to provoke the responsible spirit.

"You will stay with us until the next village, won't you?" Hisako asked suddenly.

Surprised, Naoe looked at him. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

Hisako brushed back a dark lock falling over his eyes. "Well, it's because your friend has never been plain about your destination."

Naoe nodded. It would have been unwise to tell them they had no destination in particular. Ordinary people didn't spend their lives on the road. Only actors and wandering monks did it. And Naoe and Nagahide didn't belong to any of those categories. "Ha... No, be sure we are going to stay a little longer with you."

Hisako smiled delightedly at him. "I'm glad!" He said before picking up the clean clothes and returning to the camp.

Naoe followed him in silence, puzzled by the actor's reaction. He could never understand the young man. "Well, it's not so important," he thought. "We will remain until we have found the responsible spirit, and after that... farewell."

To be continued...

In this chapter, I wanted to emphasise that Naoe was cold and indifferent to others. Actually, Kagetora excepted, there is little that interests him. You couldn't really see it in the series, but that's the case.

As for Nagahide, I don't think he has despised Kagetora from the beginning. The contempt appeared later, seeing how Kagetora refused Naoe's feelings. But that will come later.

Notes : 1. Actors were really considered as animals.

2. see Mirage of Beginning, chapter 29