Mirage of Changes
by Karura
Second arc: the seventh bride
They weren't able to leave easily. Although Kagetora had asked him not to interfere, Naoe was tempted several times to intervene. Of course he understood the couple's reaction: for them, Kagetora was born and had spent his entire life in Edo, without ever showing the slightest intent to leave the city. And now, when at his age most people preferred to stay with their family, he announced them he was leaving on a pilgrimage. The news was shocking enough, but moreover, he was leaving with Naoe, a perfect stranger to them.
"I'm sure it's his idea, isn't it?" Ukio hissed with a surprising intuition. "He only came here to drive us apart!"
It was one of those many times when Naoe had to get a hold on himself in order not to intervene. It was Kagetora's family, so it was up to him to deal with them.
"Ukio," the former warlord said to call her to order.
"But father, how can we be sure this man doesn't come from a sect to try to recruit you? After all, it wouldn't be surprising because he is..."
"Ukio!"
Even Naoe felt silenced by this commanding voice. When he saw the step-daughter's shocked face, he guessed it wasn't a tone that Kagetora had often used in this life.
Kagetora breathed in deeply and said in a sedated tone: "I'm going to do this trip. You are no longer children so you don't need me anymore. I really wish to make this pilgrimage who may be my last one."
"Father," Jirou whispered in a pained tone.
Naoe glanced quickly at his master. He hadn't thought about it, but it was true that at Kagetora's age, travelling on the roads would be very gruelling and could even be fatal. Naoe regretted his decision for a brief moment: he could have left his lord spend the last years of his life with his family. It wouldn't have changed anything for their mission. But it was too late now to backtrack. When Kagetora took a decision, he would stick to it until the end. It was one of his many qualities that Naoe respected.
"Anyway," Kagetora went on, "this house is now yours. If I don't come back within three months, you can have my belongings."
Jirou nodded, his throat tightened by emotion. Kagetora smiled slightly. "I don't intend to die during this trip," he said, "but you never know what the gods keep in store for us. I know you'll manage even without me and that you'll live honourably, so I wouldn't have any regret if I died."
"I understand, father," Jirou said, bowing.
After that, Ukio didn't protest anymore.
XxX
Naoe was waiting in the entry for Kagetora to finish his luggage. He was surprised to see Jirou coming to him. The two men had barely spoken to each other during Naoe's stay. Naoe wondered for a moment if Jirou wanted to beg him to cancel the pilgrimage. It wouldn't have surprised him.
"Nobutsuna-san," Kagetora's son said. "I beg you to take good care of my father."
Naoe remained speechless for a moment, and Jirou went on: "I know how stubborn he can be, so he'll never tell you if he's tired or if he's had it. Don't wait for him to stop off. His spirit may be still sharp, but his body has been weakened by the many years."
Naoe nodded. He would have thought of it by himself, anyway, but it was surprising to see that Jirou, who had only known Kagetora for forty years, had figured him out so well.
"However," Naoe thought with a hint of self-importance, "he doesn't know anything about my lord."
He waited for Jirou to finish with his advices. "Don't worry," he assured him then. "Contrary to what your wife thinks, I would rather die than to see anything bad happening to Ka... to Saburo-san." It was becoming difficult to go on with the pretending. It was really high time for him to leave the city.
Fortunately, Jirou didn't notice his hesitation and shook his head. "Ukio has her reasons," he explained. "Her parents were ruined by a conman and they never quite got over. They preferred to die rather than living in shame. She has never really forgiven them. Don't hold her a grudge because she doesn't trust you. She loves my father as if he was her own, and she just wants to protect him."
Naoe smiled slightly. "Saburo-san isn't likely to be scammed by anyone."
But Jirou's face remained serious. "My father is indeed wary of strangers. But he doesn't have the same caution with people close to him, and this is his weakness."
Naoe didn't really agree: Kagetora remained wary even of his close relations and he usually kept everyone away. However, now wasn't the time to discus of such a topic.
Jirou suddenly handed him something, his eyes downcast. "Please, accept it," he said.
Naoe recognized two strings of cash, a fortune at that time. He felt insulted and stiffened. "I don't need money," he said coldly. "I have enough money to provide for Saburo-san and me."
Jirou smiled a little sadly. "I was afraid you'd react like this. I don't want to insult you. Try to understand me: my father is leaving on a long trip and perhaps I'll never see him again. You'll be at his side every day, helping him whereas I'm staying here, unable to be useful. So please accept this money. I know perfectly well that you don't need me to give it to you, but it's I who need to give it to you. So I'll feel like I was useful to my father and it will clear my conscience... if only a little."
Naoe's resentment vanished immediately. He took the strings of cash and bowed. "In this case, I accept it."
Jirou's eyes shined with gratitude.
Kagetora arrived then. After a last farewell, the two men were able at last to leave the house.
Naoe noticed that, once at the end of the street, Kagetora glanced back a last time. "You really think you won't return here, don't you?" He asked his lord.
Kagetora cast him a mysterious look. "Even if I return, it won't be with this appearance," he said.
"You don't trust me to protect you?" Naoe intended his tone to remain light, but he was still upset.
"You can't protect me from the years," Kagetora replied.
"It's true, but you can count on me to protect you from everything else!"
Kagetora smiled wryly. "You really want me to believe that you have changed?"
Cut to the quick, Naoe felt a surge of anger. "Even after I've served you all this time, you still don't trust me! People can change in a lifetime, you know. As for me, I have already lived five lives, so why couldn't I have changed too?"
As Kagetora didn't answer, Naoe went on, finally expressing everything he had kept deep inside of him. "I have protected you many times," he reminded him. "I've even already given you my life! What more do you need?"
"And you?" Kagetora countered. "Here you are, bragging about your service records... Could it be you want a reward for that?"
Naoe sighed. "The only reward I'm expecting is the same as any faithful retainer serving his master: I demand nothing more than your trust. I'd understand if you don't fully trust me, but at least stop treating me as a potential enemy!"
"I... I'll think about it."
Naoe nodded, pleased with himself. "Good. Now, let's make haste leaving the city. We have a long road ahead of us!"
Kagetora followed his vassal. His face revealed nothing, but he had been deeply troubled by what Naoe had said. It was true he always had some difficulties to find his place among the Yashashuu. He was technically their leader, but the less than ordinary circumstances demanded that he was closer to them than a lord was to his vassals. Furthermore, neither Irobe nor Nagahide had sworn allegiance to him, so nothing in effect could force them to obey him. Of course, Kagetora represented Kenshin's authority and that's why Nagahide and Irobe would still obey him. He knew it very well.
Kagetora had often observed his father and he perfectly knew that a retainer needed his master to congratulate him from time to time. Like Naoe had said, a vassal aspired to obtain the trust of his master-- be it partly or wholly-- in recognition of his many services.
Kagetora had always been frugal with his compliments, even for his own men, and the reason was very simple: he was afraid to cross the line. Indeed, he constantly feared that his words could be interpreted as a sign of further interest. He didn't want to create any dissension between his own men: a man who believed he had been encouraged to start his courting would always take rejection very badly, even if the rejection was very tactful. There weren't that many of them for Kagetora to lose one single man. That was why he had always forced himself to stay apart from his companions. It was difficult to know how to behave safely with each person, since it differed from one person to another.
He had no doubts concerning Irobe: the former general usually kept his guard up with him. Kagetora had always felt more comfortable with older men and he still considered Irobe as such-- a feeling that had nothing to do with the many bodies they had possessed over the centuries.
As for Nagahide, things were less clear: Kagetora felt they were competing because of their powers, and literature abounded with love stories that started with a mere rivalry.
Finally, concerning Naoe and Haruie, the situation was the more confusing: the two vassals seemed to vie in skill for his attention and to get the status of more faithful vassal. This could be a proof of loyalty... or something more.
Kagetora sighed heavily. Relationships between people could be so complicated. That was why he usually preferred to keep himself to himself. However, because their party was such an exceptional one, he wasn't allowed to stand apart. Naoe was the first to reproach him for it, but it was quite possible that the others thought the same. By staying in the background and allowing them too much independence, Kagetora would end up by having no more authority on them, and it would be the beginning of the end for their mission.
So it seemed it was time for him to come out from his shell. The first step was to trust his men a little more, but that wouldn't be easy for him. Old habits die hard, and mistrusting was almost instinctive for him. Well, he also had to change. He couldn't ask his men to change their ways if he himself refused to do so. He wouldn't be a good leader in that case.
XxX
It took them a week and half to arrive. It could have taken less time if Naoe hadn't made so many breaks on the road and also at the inns at night, but he had done it for his master so he didn't regret his decision. Kagetora had begun to suspect something but he still hadn't understood that all this stops were for his sake only. No doubt he would be offended when he discovered it, but Naoe didn't care. His master's health was his top priority, and he could even bear a lecture for this.
One night, while they were resting at an inn, Naoe woke up in a start. Something had disturbed his sleep but he didn't know what it was. It was like a feeling of danger so he turned to his master, fearing that something had happened to him. A few steps away from him, Kagetora was also awake, his eyes wide opened.
"It's about Nagahide," he said. "I can't feel his presence any longer."
Naoe frowned. "Is he dead?"
Kagetora shook his head. "Even when we are dead, our soul still remains in this world. Something else happened to him."
Naoe felt a cold sweat on his back. "Could it be that his soul has been destroyed?" He dared to ask. Although they had already lived several lives, the Yashashuu still feared death and, even worse, the total destruction of their soul.
"I don't know." Kagetora rubbed his temple. "I don't know if there is a power strong enough to extinguish a soul."
"But some priests could have sent his soul in the other world," Naoe insisted.
"Father would have prevented it. There aren't that many of us to lose one single man."
Naoe bit his lips. All this didn't bode well for their friend.
"The village is near," Kagetora went on. "We are leaving on dawn."
Naoe nodded but he couldn't go back to sleep during the rest of the night.
XxX
It wasn't a village, but rather a rapidly growing town. Peasant and merchant classes were still mixed; each of them still hadn't learned to distinguish itself from the other. The two possessors were striding along the main street, ignoring the various merchants calling to the passer-by. They were looking for a spiritual presence stronger than the others.
"Nagahide didn't tell you more about the place where he was investigating?" Kagetora asked.
"No. He thought he would still be here to show us the way."
"We are too dependent on our powers," Kagetora grumbled. "I've always told so."
Naoe hid a bemused smile. Kagetora could be so stubborn at times.
Suddenly, as one man, the two possessors stopped before a house. This house of a rich merchant seemed no different from the others at first glance, it was just a little isolated. But for those with a sixth sense, it was literally overflowing with spiritual energy. You couldn't feel this activity from far away, you had to be just in front of the building to feel it. It was a diffuse presence that was losing its strength once outside of the house. However...
"The presence doesn't seem hostile," Kagetora noticed.
Naoe shrugged. "Nagahide said that this spirit seemed more cunning than the others. The neutral feeling may be a decoy."
Kagetora go into the entrance. "We'll see."
Naoe followed him, full of apprehension. If this spirit had really been able to eradicate Nagahide's soul, the same thing mustn't happen to his master.
A servant welcomed them at the door. "What can I do for you, sirs?" She bowed.
Kagetora bowed too. "We are looking for a friend," he explained. "His name is Nagahide and we have every reason to think he's staying here."
The maid opened her eyes wide. "Are you also onmyoujis?" She asked. "Nagahide-san has told us he would ask for help, but soon after..." She looked away, embarrassed.
"We already know that something happened to him," Kagetora reassured her. "Can you lead us to your masters, so that we can talk about it"?
Glad to be relieved from any decision, the servant stepped aside to let them enter. She led them to a room used to receive guests, and then slipped out, saying she would inform her lady.
"It seems Nagahide has told them he was an onmyouji," Kagetora said after making sure nobody was listening behind the rice paper screens.
Naoe nodded. "It's easier to get people's cooperation that way, especially when we had to investigate at their home."
"Did you probe the area?" Kagetora asked suddenly.
Naoe closed his eyes to focus. He quickly reopened them. "It's... all around us! Does it mean there are several spirits?"
"Or only one, but very powerful. I begin to understand why Nagahide called us for support."
As for Naoe, he was now certain to have made the right decision by asking Kagetora to come with him, even though he had to lie to him.
The screen slid and the servant returned with a tray. She laid on a low table cups, a teapot and a plate of cakes. Then she left, saying: "My lady is coming."
Naoe frowned. "She doesn't seem to be a spirit," he noticed.
Kagetora sighed. "It's too early to tell," he simply said.
The screen slid again and this time, the housewife entered. She was very young, just fresh out the adolescence, but she had the behaviour of those who came from a well-off family. Her black hair was set in a complicated bun, held by several golden pins with precious stones as pinheads. The kimono she was wearing was made of silk and decorated with coloured patterns. Everything in her was giving off opulence, yet her thin face was pale and troubled. Barely masked under the rice powder, there were rings under her eyes.
She sat at the table and bowed to them. "Honourable priests, I'm Natsume, the mistress of this modest household," she introduced herself.
Kagetora and Naoe bowed. "My name is Kagetora, and this is my aide, Naoe."
The women widened her eyes for a brief moment. "Kagetora... what an awesome name."
"My teacher has chosen this name for me," Kagetora explained, pressing a look at Naoe.
The latter's lips quivered to conceal a bemused smile. Kagetora thought his name was too pretentious for a humble man and he didn't miss an occasion to prove it to Naoe, who thought the contrary.
"Could you explain us what happened?" Kagetora said.
Naoe's amusement vanished quickly and he turned to the woman, eager to hear her story and to hear about what had happened to Nagahide.
"First, know that I deeply respect my husband, even though he's older than me. I am the one who begged my father, one of his associates, to convince him to take me as his wife, despite the strange events that have happened in this house."
She paused to sip her tea. "I'm the seventh bride," she admitted. "The previous ones have all died here, but there were natural deaths. As least, that's what I've always believed."
Her voice, which was previously firm, lost its assurance. "When I arrived here a few months ago, my husband handed me all the keys of the house. I inspected the place and checked every key. However, there was one key that didn't open any door. I explored the whole house in vain. I even asked my husband but he clammed up. Of course, I didn't insist and I even ended up forgetting the existence of this key. But one month ago, I made a strange dream: I was walking along a corridor, and then I stopped before a door. I used this very key and the door opened. And behind the door..."
Natsume began to shiver, all dignity lost. "There were... the bodies of the first six wives... horribly mutilated... And blood everywhere... The ground was covered with blood!"
"What kind of mutilation?" Naoe wanted to know.
"They had... their belly cut open," she said in a whisper. "It was the first time I saw such a horrible thing. I mean... My childhood has been very sheltered. I have never seen someone doing more than bleeding. So I really don't understand how I could imagine such a horror..."
"That's not all, isn't it?" Kagetora intervened. "That's not the only reason why you think it's not just a dream, am I right?"
The woman nodded, looking down. "In my dream... when I saw this nightmarish scene... I dropped my bunch of keys. When I woke up, I took the bunch and..."
Her voice failed her. She produced the bunch of keys for the two possessors to see. There were keys of different sizes, and one of them was small and golden. But what really differentiated it from the other was...
"Blood," Naoe said. "It's stained with blood."
Natsume nodded. "The blood won't come out," she said. "No matter how long I've scrubbed the key, the blood won't come out."
"Did you tell your husband about it?" Kagetora inquired.
"No, this key seems to be a sensitive topic for him. I don't want to disturb him more than necessary."
"Except for this dream, did something else happen? Something must have happened, since Nagahide is missing..."
"He's not missing," Natsume defended herself. "Nagahide-san is just... sleeping, or so it seems. I really don't know what happened to him..."
"What about taking us to him? This way, we could assess better his condition."
Natsume had a slight hesitation, then she stood up. "This way," she said.
The two possessors followed her.
XxX
They walked along a dark and silent corridor, and Naoe wasn't surprised that Natsume had dreamed of it. This place had an eerie quality that even ordinary people could feel. What was surprising was that the house seemed so normal when you looked at it from outside.
Anyway, they were supposed to get closer to Nagahide but they still didn't feel his presence. It was becoming seriously disturbing. Their guide stopped before a screen and slid it. The two men entered the room and saw their friend lying on a futon. His face was pale but strangely serene. Naoe feared for a moment that Nagahide was dead after all. He rushed to his friend's side and bent down to listen to his breathe. Then he sat up, relieved: Nagahide was still breathing.
Kagetora also knelt on the other side and rested a hand on the man's forehead. He removed his hand without saying anything, but he frowned.
"What happened?" He asked Natsume, who had stayed at the doorstep.
"A few days ago, he told me he may have understood how to defeat the spirit haunting the place. But for that, he had to remain alone in this room and not to be disturbed for any reason. We respected his orders. There was no noise and no appearance. I began to be worried after three days, especially because he still hadn't asked for any food. I got here and found him unconscious, but still breathing."
"Was there any evidence of struggle in the room?" Kagetora asked.
"No." Natsume shook her head. "The room was still the same. We didn't touch anything, except to lay your friend on the futon, in order to make him more comfortable... I thought he would wake up soon but... It's already been two days..."
"I see," Kagetora said. "Can you leave us alone with him?"
Natsume bowed. "Of course." She left the room.
Kagetora waited for her to be away, then he talked to Naoe. "Do you see it?"
Naoe narrowed his eyes, looking at Nagahide. He could see a thin filament coming from his friend's body then disappearing in the centre of the room. "His spirit has left his body," he deduced.
Kagetora nodded. "However, if he was only in his spiritual form, we should still feel his presence," Kagetora qualified. "Things aren't so simple."
"But there's still hope for him," Naoe countered.
"It's true. We have to find out quickly what happened to him. His body won't last very longer at this rate."
Naoe's eyes rested on his friend's face. The skin was pale and felt cold. Black circles were appearing under the closed eyes. When a soul left its body, it was very taxing for the latter. Nagahide had been in this state for more than five days. Time was running short on them.
"Is there nothing we can do to help him?" He asked.
Kagetora thought for a moment. "Maybe," he answered at last.
He produced a mala(1) from his kimono and passed it around Nagahide's neck. Then he closed his eyes and said a short prayer to Bishamonten. The black beads shone a brief moment then went back to normal. However, Nagahide seemed to have gained a little more colour.
"This won't last," Kagetora warned. "We have to get his mind to return to his body, otherwise it will be too late."
Naoe nodded, but the urgency had lessened. After all, they were possessors. Even if they found Nagahide's soul too late, it wouldn't matter too much since Nagahide could still possess another body. However, Naoe would never express this thought before Kagetora. He knew too well his lord's opinion about this sensitive topic and he didn't want to attract the ill will of Kagetora, especially now that Kagetora had promised to make some efforts in order to trust him more.
To be continued...
This is the beginning of a new arc. I had some troubles writing this chapter because I had to think about what would happen next. I had many ideas and I finally make a decision.
The part about a golden key and dead wives may remind you of something...
Notes:
(1)Mala: Buddhism prayer beads