Chapter 12
After a few days of staying with the villagers of Nawa, Shizuru had gotten accustomed to their daily routine.
It all started in the early morning; she would watch the children file out of their homes and toward the shadow of the largest tree situated in the center of the village. It was here that they laid down straw mats and took their daily classes, scribbling ink on paper under the tutelage of the village teacher. And as the children learned, the other villagers would carry out chores — scrubbing down laundry at the creek, chopping wood, or tending to the small animals they raised.
All in all, life here was slow; day in and day out, time was filled with the same tasks and the same ordinary people. Shizuru expected nothing else, especially given that those with gifts had long moved to the cities for bigger lives than what the village could offer them.
Despite the sleepiness of the place, there was still one thing she had started looking forward to: the routine gathering of the village women for their midday embroidering sessions. Shizuru herself had been invited by Kowa to attend, and she currently found herself biding time with a needle in her hand.
"You've really improved," one of the older women said, looking at the delicate blue moonlit Shizuru was stitching. "I was skeptical at first, but you learn quickly."
A smile flashed across Shizuru's lips. "They say the student is only as good as their teacher."
"Oh, stop with that sweet tongue of yours. It'll make me ill," the woman swatted toward her playfully as the rest sprung out in a small bout of laughter.
Shizuru's smile only widened as she pulled the needle through, adding another line of thread to her work. In her silence, the other women continued to chatter on.
"Oh, did you hear about Nogo's son courting Gana's youngest daughter?"
"Yes, yes, that's the one with the one who brought back that boar during the last hunt."
Again, Shizuru poked a needle through the white cloth in her hands. It was always interesting to sit in as the women spoke — oh, the secrets one could glean just from listening! Of course, most of it was just village gossip: silly little stories Shizuru rarely paid attention to.
She turned the sheet with her fingertips, studying the ever growing shape of the embroidered flower. Now, if I just add a little more color here… Shizuru pulled the thread through one more time. Perfect.
"Young miss," Kowa called.
Shizuru glanced up from her work. As an extra precaution, she had not shared her name, and 'young miss' was the title the villagers had taken to calling her. What an amusing thing it was, almost endearing, and she found her lips curving up every time.
"How is your friend doing?"
The corner of Shizuru's lips curled up wryly. Oh, if only I knew.
Ever since their last meeting in the field, Natsuki had yet to step foot outside the hut, and instead, had started acting strangely. Sometimes she'd be ill-tempered and stony faced, while other times she'd seem melancholic, spending every waking moment staring out at the horizon in a daze. If that wasn't concerning enough, despite Shizuru's efforts to make conversation, Natsuki rarely responded, almost as if she wasn't all quite there.
The sudden change in mood had left Shizuru dumbfounded, and for the most part she had spent the days alone with questions spinning in her head. Really, just what was afflicting the woman?
"She hasn't been feeling well," Shizuru finally responded, keeping up a pleasant expression. "With luck, it should pass soon enough."
"Ah, poor thing. I heard traveling can be hard on the mind. Well, if she's ever better, she's welcome to join us."
Shizuru tilted her head forward in thanks.
"Oh, and speaking of joining," another woman chimed in. "There will be a hunt tomorrow. If you haven't moved on from that time, you should come to watch."
A hunt?
"Yes! And invite your companion, of course," someone added. "Well… on second thought, it may not be a good idea. She might be too much of a distraction."
At the last word, the group of women eyed each other commiseratingly and laughed.
"Oh?" Shizuru raised a brow, not quite sure what to make of it.
"You see, we've had some of the village men ask about her," one member explained, seeming to notice Shizuru's expression. "It seems as if she's caught some attention."
Natsuki did? The thought prompted a strange image to surface in her mind: love-struck hearts bouncing off the side of a brick wall. Shizuru bit the inside of her cheek to stifle a chuckle. "Is that so?"
"Oh, believe me. You be sure to tell me if she's ever looking for romance."
Shizuru stayed silent, her lips curved in a smile, and in the next moment, the women distracted themselves with a different matter.
Romance… Now that they mentioned it, Shizuru realized she knew nothing about Natsuki's thoughts on the topic. How strange it was to try and put the two pieces together — if Shizuru were to be honest, she could hardly imagine Natsuki smiling at a stranger, nevermind falling in love. And what could Natsuki possibly know about that sort of thing, having lived secluded in the palace for almost all of her life?
Well. Shizuru quietly stared down at the stitched moonlit, deep in thought. That wasn't necessarily true. Who's to say that Natsuki didn't have a secret lover? Royalty or not, such affairs couldn't have been that unusual. Not to mention Natsuki's gift — just the sight of flowers blooming from her palms would be alluring enough to garner many suitors.
"And young miss, what about you?"
Shizuru blinked, suddenly taken out of her thoughts. "Me?"
"Has anyone caught your attention?" Kowa continued with the gentle teasing. "I know your friend isn't the only one who has eyes set on her."
The corners of Shizuru's lips tugged up a little higher. Now that was something she hadn't thought of in a while. How long had it been since she last had a little tryst? A year perhaps?
If she were to be honest, it was hard to keep track, and the only one she could remember at all was her first lover — a fling that happened many years ago, when Yamada had given her a contract to glean some information for the madam of a brothel. It was a simple job, really, but in the midst of it all, she had started questioning a few things about herself. So as fate would have it, there had been one brothel worker who was more than happy to answer them, and from there it had snowballed into her first affair.
Even after all this time, she could still remember the late nights and rushes of excitement, but like a burning match, the whole thing didn't last long. Nevertheless, her suspicions had been confirmed — she was attracted to women it seemed. After that, she'd had a string of lovers, most only lasting days, some weeks, and never months. Over time, the excitement had waned, and at one point after a particular dull night, she had gotten bored of it all.
Until now, there had been no one she had been remotely interested in. Wherever she went, be it cities, towns, or camps, the people she came across were all the same — just shells of themselves lurking in the back alleys, waiting for their next golden opportunity.
Really, when was the last time she really met anyone different? For a fraction of a second, warm green eyes flashed in her mind, and Shizuru quickly shoved it away with a mental slap. Gods, she thought, unimpressed with herself. What was that?
"Oh, just look at her reaction," someone in the group chortled, forcing Shizuru to compose herself. "Don't think too hard about it. If you ever change your mind, we'll be happy to introduce you."
This time, Shizuru responded, keeping her tone light. "Well, if I ever do, I'll be sure to go to you first."
"Lies!"
The group of women laughed again.
With the backdrop of birds chirping, the sound of quick footsteps filled the air. Reito was making his daily rounds again; it was a habit he had started recently but had grown to almost dislike.
His activities began three hours after the break of dawn. He had started with making his way down each floor of the Great Archive in the meticulous search for Sakomizu. Of course, this meant involuntarily agreeing to another task: to smile as pleasantly as possible at the other scholars. Unfortunately for Reito, the scholars had taken his routine as an opportunity to quiz him on the different branches of science, and he found himself being hounded for daily hours at a time.
Today was no exception. But after finally escaping their claws, Reito had found himself meandering through the man-made gardens. To his disappointment, no matter where he looked, there was still no sign of the healer. Just where had the man gone?
Perhaps it would have been more effective to ask around for Sakomizu's whereabouts; Reito had thought about it many times. But it was a last resort — if anything should happen, it would be safer if their relations were kept as discreet as possible.
Reito's shoulders slumped uncharacteristically — oh, how tired he was. But there was still one last place to look. He rounded a corner, heading down the path that led to the Herbal Conservatory, but stopped suddenly with a startle.
Wait, is that…? His mood seemed to lighten tenfold as he spotted the bouncing curls of the healer moving in the distance. Just then, in an uncanny coincidence, Sakomizu turned around.
As if his prayers had finally been answered, Reito waved brightly, catching the healer's attention.
"Great Healer — " The words quickly died on his lips. Before he could even finish his greeting, Sakomizu had nearly disappeared from sight.
Reito was stunned.
Why, that man! It was rare for the scholar to lose his patience, but days of this game of cat and mouse had finally worn him down. Fortunately for him, the healer's short strides were no match against those of a lanky younger man. Reito caught up in no time, stepping in front of Sakomizu and effectively stopping him.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Great Healer Sakomizu," Reito said, smiling dangerously. He stepped closer, watching as the healer's throat bobbed in apprehension. "It's good to see you again. I've been looking for you for days now. Some might even say I was growing worried you would never show up again."
Sakomizu gave a nervous chuckle. "Yes, well, I appreciate your concern. As much as I'd like to stay, I'm afraid I'm busy right now. Please excuse me." He ducked his head to move past, and it was only then that Reito noted the papers he was carrying in his arms.
With a graceful movement, the scholar plucked up one of the scrolls and slowly unfurled it.
"Just what are you doing!" Sakomizu hissed. He scrambled for the parchment, only to have it pulled just out of arm's reach.
"Oh, what's this?" Reito said lazily, scanning the inked lines on the page. "A detailed map of the capital's sewer system? Don't tell me you're planning to go down there to plant flowers."
"Shush!"
This time when Sakomizu reached up to snatch the scroll away, Reito let him. The healer's voice lowered to a whisper. "If you're going to insist on wreaking havoc on my morning, let's at least do it somewhere more private."
Sakomizu stomped away, heading impatiently toward the glass building. Reito followed closely behind.
Once the door of the conservatory was closed, the healer whirled around.
"Now what do you want?"
"I want to know what you're up to." Reito said, pulling his lips up in irritation. "You've been avoiding me lately — it's been a daily scramble to try and find you. Even more, you've failed to honor our agreement. You still haven't told me anything else about the change in moonlits." He took a menacing step forward. "Then when I do come across you, you act like a petty thief running away with jewels. Just what are you doing?"
After taking in a deep breath, Sakomizu spoke. "I'm leaving the palace."
"You're what?" Reito asked incredulously, furrowing his brows. Did he just hear the man correctly?
"It's as I said. The palace — I'm leaving it for good. You won't see me after tonight." Sakomizu sighed and fiddled with his glasses. "You should have known I couldn't stay here forever. I've been questioned too many times about the fire than what would be considered safe. Whispers have it that everyone in the Star Palace will be replaced, and I'm not going to wait around to find out how."
"Well, perhaps you shouldn't have lit the flames then," Reito replied, leaning in. "If anything, didn't you bring this onto yourself?"
"Oh yes, this again!" Sakomizu slapped a hand to his forehead in irritation. "If you have any other concerns, just report me and end this nightmare. I wonder — just why haven't you?"
"Funny you ask." Reito held his chin. If the scholar was being honest, he wasn't quite sure himself. "Anyway, I have something to ask you myself."
For many days an idea had been brewing in his mind. Despite his father's reassurance, the moonlits were still dying, and there was no word of improvements. As he suspected, nothing had changed — at least, nothing for the better. In it all, he had come to one conclusion.
Reito took in a breath, steeling himself for the healer's reaction to his next question. "The princess isn't really dead, is she?"
To his surprise, the backlash never came.
Sakomizu only looked at him with an unexpected calm. "So you've finally figured it out then. Ha, I knew it was only a matter of time… you might be a fool, but you're not your father."
…That's it? Reito raised his brows. He was at least expecting a bit more of a reaction. "Then when the princess was born, it was you who hid her secret."
"So I did." Sakomizu smiled for the first time since Reito had seen him.
"But why did you do it? As someone in your position, you should have known the repercussions of keeping a marked royal alive. We'll all be punished!"
"Punished?" Sakomizu's mouth twisted. "Like I said, not everyone is a fool who believes in Flower Demons. Unlike others, it'll take more than just a horror story to scare me into killing a child!" Sakomizu shot Reito a stony glare and jabbed a finger toward his chest. "And you! You should know well enough that there are stories that stick well to the real events, and those that have been twisted far beyond what's true."
The healer paused, lowering his voice. "Tell me, aren't our historical texts, The Gift Of Flowers, stored in the Great Archive? And isn't it your job to keep them safe?"
Reito furrowed his brows at the question, feeling thoroughly confused. Now what does that have to do with anything?
"Why, yes it is. But —"
"Then you should know how many volumes there are of it."
"There are eight."
"Wrong!" The cry came out loudly, Sakomizu eyed him with a strange intensity. "That's in the translated version — but in the original, there are nine."
A frown crossed the scholar's lips. "It was condensed down. The original texts were verbose — but what does that matter? There's barely anyone alive who can still read that archaic language."
"What does it matter?" Sakomizu shook his head disbelievingly. "It's sad to see how low the scholars have fallen. For centuries the Great Archive has been peddling itself as the forefront of knowledge seeking, and now all you do is sit around twiddling your thumbs thinking of nothing! Since when did scholars only care about rankings and memorizing lines from books?"
Reito clenched his jaw without a word, and the healer continued. "And you dare ask why it matters? Think about it! Has it ever occurred to you that there might be something missing in those texts waiting to be found? We still have so many unanswered coincidences — the changing of the moonlits and the new properties that lie within their nectar. Not to mention that Flower Demon tale as well — have you ever read them yourself?"
"Well…"
"Generations of Master Scholars and each one worse than the rest!"
Reito inadvertently curled his hands into fists. "But even you don't know what's true and what's not. What if the details are correct? Then the princess will bring calamity to us all."
"Unlike most of you high born, I will right what I've wronged," Sakomizu said sternly with the stomp of his foot. "If I'm proven incorrect, I'll tell you about her whereabouts, and we both can go with sword and fire to chase her down. But in the meantime, I will say nothing! Not until the truth is confirmed."
The scholar glared at the man with a sharp look. Then, in an act of surrender, he sighed. "And just how do you plan on doing that?"
"Well, it's just my luck that I know one of the brightest minds in Fuuka." Sakomizu's face shone with a newfound determination.
"So, what do you say, Master Scholar? Shall we help each other?"
By the time Shizuru made her way back to the hut, the last meal of the day had long been served.
It was her first time leaving Natsuki alone for so long — normally she would have checked on the woman at least once or twice. But today, the embroidery group had invited her to take part in one of their customs: a blessing before the hunt.
In preparation for the event, the villagers had set up a viewing area in the field, laying down long mats of pattern and color. All those participating in the actual challenge had gathered there, awaiting the chief's blessing. When the elderly man beckoned, each member of the line came forth and washed themselves down with a cloud of smoke; in turn, they were given a painted rope to be wrapped around their arms, just under the shoulder.
As part of it all, unmarried women were handed baskets of flowers — each a different color — and Shizuru had been given one filled with the purple blooms she was so fond of. The hunters had gone around to pledge their kill, and in doing so they would ask for a flower to be tucked against the rope.
Shizuru chuckled at the memory. Just how nervous they looked when they approached her! From the amount of sweating palms and stuttering, you would have thought they were asking for her hand in marriage. If only they knew what she'd been up to these past years — she was sure they would have kept their distance then. But by the end of it all, Shizuru had used up the flowers and excused herself for the night.
Now stepping into the hut, she noticed a familiar sight: a tray of food left untouched, along with a drained cup of water. Once again, Natsuki had not eaten for the day.
It's no wonder why she's feeling unwell, Shizuru thought, glancing at the partition. She could hear Natsuki's haggard breathing behind it, and she quietly knocked before peering around, only to be greeted by an uncomfortable sight.
The figure lying on the mat was curled up in a painful ball. Sweat soaked the light-colored robes, and Natsuki's dark hair stuck messily where it touched. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her stomach, and where her skin showed was colored a sickly white, looking nearly bloodless.
"Natsuki…" Shizuru quickly knelt down and examined the woman. Just how sick was she? To think that the tides could turn so quickly — it wasn't that long ago that Natsuki looked more human than ghost.
Shizuru touched her hand to a pale cheek and stiffened. It was as cold as ice.
"I'll ask them to send a healer," Shizuru said gently.
In an instant, a frail hand shot up, gripping her arm with surprising strength.
"Don't." Natsuki stirred awake, revealing an anguished expression. The sounds of her breathing worsened as she tried to sit up.
"In your state, are you truly going to protest?" Shizuru moved to stand, but with a jerk, the hold on her arm only tightened, and there was a sharp pain where Natsuki's nails dug into her skin.
"I said no."
Those green eyes shone dangerously, and Shizuru stared down at the sickly woman with a frown. For a moment, it was a stalemate. Then, seeing that Natsuki was still unrelenting, Shizuru let out a sigh.
"Natsuki —"
"Promise me."
"I…"
"Promise." The sound came out as a hiss, and inconceivably, the grip on her arm constricted even further.
Shizuru winced. It hurt. She put her own hand over Natsuki's and held the offending grasp still. "Well, I certainly can't force you, but can't you at least tell me why?"
But there was no reply to be found; as if crushed by a wave of pain, Natsuki shook her head and crumpled back down, clutching feverishly at her sides.
A/N: Just quickly dumping some chapters here before I forget.
