The feudal lords castle sat nestled between the hills ahead. Despite the chill in the air, the golden bathe of sunset lit the walls and grass giving the castle a welcoming aura.
A good omen.
The samurai in black stared ahead at the structure before him. Well maintained for a secondary feudal lords income.
The dark chestnut horse below him gave a snort at their pause before continuing forward without prompt. The horse knew the mind of his master, and Satoru Gojo was not the kind to marvel too long at beautiful scenery. Without turning back, and as sure as his own horse knew him, Gojo knew his men also would not dally to watch the sunset. They all had a schedule to keep.
He always kept a small entourage in part because there weren't many who could keep up with his eccentricity and also because other people bored him easily.
Gojo Satoru glanced over his companions although none could tell which one of them he was concentrating on due to the black glasses.
There was his prodige Megumi Fushiguro, and his two long time companions Kento Nanami and Yu Haibara.
"Hey Haibara."
"Yes Gojo-sama!"
The enthusiasm made the group cringe but Gojo absorbed the adoration with glee in that signature smile.
"I don't want you to come."
The smile dropped from the exuberant young man's face in confusion.
"B-but Gojo..."
The name came out as a question. He had been handpicked to come on this diplomatic mission, but hadn't expected to miss out on the action so close to the destination.
Gojo took his time to explain. It was amusing to watch Haibara jump through emotions. Everything was written on his face.
"I need you to circle the perimeter and find holes in the defense or structural issues."
Instantaneously the shift in Yu Haibara's emotions rose upon comprehension of the assignment.
"Of course!"
Pulling up his left sleeve to reveal a fanged beast tattoo twirling up his forearm.
For a split second Yu's face took on a dark hue and his voice came out calm and serious, even if the words didn't match the feel.
"C'mere boy."
The lines of the tattoo shimmered as the shape began to peel off Yu's forearm and take a 3 dimensional shape on the path before the riders.
WOOF
The golden retriever shikigami whipped its head to look around at the sorcerers surrounding it and lolled its tongue out to begin a pant in wait of its new orders.
It always struck Gojo as amusing the fact that the shikigami matched its user so well. They were cut from the same cloth.
"Alright we'll see you in a few days Haibara. Stay out of sight."
"Yes sir!"
Gojo turned back to the fortress they were approaching and sighed. Diplomacy wasn't his style. This would be a suffocating trip.
"Kasumi dear look at this hairpin, it compliments your hair so beautifully."
The nervous girl fidgeted in her heavy kimono. No matter how many years had passed, nor how enthusiastic her mother was about the unique shade, Kasumi still found it uncomfortable to stand out. If not for the instinctive sense of duty to her mother, she would have hidden her hair in a cap and chose more muted colors for her clothes.
Today they would be receiving a guest though, and the still relatively young Lady Gakuganji loved to show off her sense of style through the medium of her blue haired daughter.
Kasumi wore a cream colored kimono with red and gold stitched outlines of lotus flowers adorning the length of it. Her obi was a deep maroon and a thin gold band sat in the middle with a pearl lotus flower pendant hanging over her navel.
The hairpin was pearl and gold to complement the rest of the outfit and nestled perfectly in Kasumi's brilliant blue hair. Freshly washed, brushed and oiled for their guest.
Lady Gakuganji clasped her hands together in pride as she viewed her work. Although daughters were not always viewed as a blessing in this period of time, especially a child with odd hair like Kasumi, it was never doubted that the Lady loved her daughter. Always going to great lengths to show off the blue haired young woman in all manners of fine kimonos. It was said that she bought finer silks for her daughter than she did herself.
The Lady had been a young bride, newly married to the much older Lord when she first came to the castle with Kasumi in hand. The Lord had accepted her as an adoptive daughter and life had continued smoothly, especially when the Lady had birthed two sons for her husband.
Although approaching the age of 18, there was never an attempt to marry Kasumi off and anytime the Lord mentioned the possibility of a match, her Lady Mother deftly changed the subject.
Kasumi couldn't have asked for a better life, although it included allowing herself to be shown around like a gem to every guest that they housed. Sometimes she wondered what life outside the walls of their domain was like. But her sense of duty was great and she was not the type to stray.
That was why, despite the heat, Kasumi sat primly on her knees behind her Lord and Lady in full view of the guests and stared down at her hands. Much to the Lady's amusement, two of the three riders had taken to staring at Kasumi. The one in front, who had such a unique coloring to his hair, seemed different. Lady Gakuganji could not tell if he had even noticed Kasumi due to the dark lenses of his glasses. A rather odd accessory during the daytime, but the man was nonetheless an eye catching figure.
"What a pleasant day to receive such an important guest."
The croak of Lord Gakuganji's voiced betrayed only the slightest sarcasm.
Gojo's smirk widened. He loved playing games.
"Yes, it makes you wonder if the day was pleasant just because I arrived."
Kasumi's head snapped up in surprise. The insolent tone had an air of condemnation in it, something that nobody would ever dare to use in front of the Lord. The tinkle in her hairpiece gave her movement away and Gojo stole another glance at the young woman and resisted a small chuckle that threatened to roll out. Her face was an open book, it betrayed the shock at his insolence with wide eyes and parted lips.
He hadn't noticed more than her nice robes and unique hair when her face was down, but now as they locked eyes (although she did not know of his gaze) he realized that she had a pleasant face as well. So this is the Gakuganji Jewel. Gojo had heard the Lady liked to show off her daughter and wondered if he would also get to see the girl. What he hadn't anticipated, was that the girl was actually a young woman and an attractive one at that.
No matter though, he was here on business.
Kasumi was quick to drop her head back down when she noticed her mother's gaze, and blushed furiously. The strange guest was so handsome, she felt silly being here done up in nice clothes. Even sitting she could tell he was tall and lean, and unlike her, his unique hair coloring complimented his fine features whereas her blue hair stuck out like an ink drop on parchment.
In her embarrassment she had missed the exchange, but was beginning to realize the Lord was getting agitated.
"I'm glad we're having a feast tonight, this welcome you're providing us now doesn't feel welcome at all. Are you irritated with me Gakuganji-san?"
Kasumi resisted another glance up at the rude exchange. How was he getting away with calling the Lord without his title? Who was this man? Her mother had not explained properly, other than that he was a capable sorcerer.
"Yes" came the Lords reply "I hope the feast tonight will make up for any perceived unwelcome you may feel."
"You're too kind. My companions and I will now retire as the journey was long and we want to be courteous guests for later."
Kasumi's fingers clenched the fold on her kimono. How dare he dismiss himself before the Lord!
"You may retire. I will send a servant to collect your things to your rooms. Meanwhile please follow the young page to the much needed bathhouse."
Gojo stood up and mock saluted the Lord.
"Much appreciated Gakuganji-san."
The Lord scowled at the familiarity as Gojo turned away for the bathhouse, but halfway across the room he made a quick turn.
"Oh Gakuganji-san! I almost forgot, I like to be served tea with something sweet after a bath. Preferably served by someone sweet."
Kasumi blushed furiously as she had the strangest impression that the eyes behind the glasses were fixed on her.
The Lord squeezed his fist and opened his mouth to retort but his wife beat him to it.
"Of course Gojo-san. We will arrange that for you."
When they left, the Lord turned on his wife.
"Why did you acquiesce to such a fool hardy request?"
"Because I know how to handle his type. Leave the entertainment to me this evening my Lord."
Her mother looked pointedly at Kasumi.
"Please get ready dear, I think you know what I'm asking."
Kasumi bowed before leaving the room.
Gojo leaned back against the wooden support holding the roof up as he sat watching the food served around the great dining hall.
Lord Gakuganji had invited his top men to enjoy the feast to welcome their guest. A bunch of old hairy drunkards.
Weaklings. Gojo thought to himself as he absentmindedly twirled his chopsticks waiting for the servants to bring him more mochi.
They had served him some with pomegranates during his tea and he quite liked the combination at the moment. Unfortunately tea had been served by an older woman, although not unseemly she just wasn't what he had hoped. He wanted young and pretty and bold, with pale skin and long hair. It didn't matter what color.
Gojo froze as his thoughts drifted. Well I guess it has been a while since I've taken a woman to bed. The journey had been long and with only men for company he was starting to crave a feminine touch.
Maybe that's why the boisterous Gakuganji men were grating on him, he was sick of men's voices and wanted to hear a woman speak.
He got his wish as the delicate hand of Lady Gakuganji rose to silence the hall. She was an attractive woman, much younger than her husband, though still too old for Gojo's taste.
"Thank you all for gracing our halls with your presence, it has been too long since we last gathered in celebration."
There were murmurs of appreciation, she was clearly a well respected Lady of the House.
"We have an important guest joining us as well today. The heir apparent to the Gojo Clan, Satoru Gojo."
The murmurs rose and Gojo detected more than one suspicious glance, but the Lady was not done.
"To commemorate the occasion, we have a special surprise."
The Lady looked pointedly at a servant who hurried to dim the lights.
Gojo could feel his companions tense, especially Megumi who was always on edge. Nanami betrayed no tension although Gojo knew he was internally calculating whether this was a threat. If Haibara was here he would be on the edge of his seat with anticipation and not a trace of suspicion.
Long fingers drumming on his oustretched knee, and looking like a languid feline, he waited as the room slowly dimmend and the torches were snuffed out. Vaguely he wondered if they really thought to use this tactic to strike, thinking his glasses would inhibit him in the dark.
Instead a lone window was opened from the rafters above them to shine moonlight in the center hall where nobody sat. As all the guests turned to look at the skylight, Gojo removed his glasses to watch the figure settle down right on the edge of the moonlight.
From another corner of the room, a shamisen begin to play and the guests drew back to look at the circle of moonlight.
She rose like a ghost and moved with grace around the edges of the light in time with the music. Her delicate fan, a brilliant red, danced through the light occasionally revealing snowy white wrists as the sleeve shifted with each movement.
The crowd was transfixed on that fan and that hand, anticipating the moment when the woman attached would step into the light.
The shamisen sped up and the woman emerged as a collective gasp went through the men.
Her face was painted white but her lips were black and around her eyes were red to match the fan. A unique beauty with her long blue hair.
Nobody had realized it was the Gakuganji daughter except Gojo, and he briefly acknowledged her skill in not allowing the long terndrils of blue to be seen during her moonlit foreplay.
Her kimono was a deep navy blue that faded from the top into a white edge with streaks of silvery blue. The simple band that held it to her body blended in with the patterns of the robe. It was heavier than the last one he had seen her wear but she did not show that it affected her.
She was more graceful than any Oiran he had ever watched and as she knelt down in what he assumed was the end of the dance there was a certain sadness in the air. Suddenly, a harder chord sounded from the shamisen and the beauty pulled herself up in a spin to reveal a lighter but brilliant red hakama underneath as the robe was discarded in a heap.
Nanami grunted in surprise. The red hakama had not been noticed underneath the beautiful blue robe. Nor had anyone seen her pull her hair into a ponytail, but now a red thread held the blue locks from her petite face.
A sword was in hand, replacing the fan, she was now a warrior not a maiden She continued the dance although now her movements were aggressive and chaotic as if in battle. She moved like a windstorm, using both sheath and drawn blade to exaggerate each swing of her arm.
The shamisen struck high and she discarded the sheath and froze in the silence, poised to struck an invisible enemy from above with both hands clasped on the hilt above her head.
The same tune that started this dance began to play but slower as it held a haunting note.
Her arms trembled as she brought the sword down slowly and lowered her head. With a quick motion she discarded it back where she had come and dropped to the floor. She dropped to her knees in a supplicating position and drew from inside her robe the red fan from before and with the other hand pulled her red hair tie out to let the blue locks fall around her face. Slowly she raised the fan high above her head and spread while her hair draped around like a curtain and her pale neck was visible.
The fan snapped shut as it came down hard as if attempting to chop off her own head, but the other hand reached out and stopped the downward movement just as it touched her skin.
They could all picture the invisible sword of the executioner and waited with bated breath.
Still kneeling she slowly let her upper body rise, although the hair still hid her face. The fan was now a dagger, poised in her outstretched hand.
Again with speed she moved, bringing the fan to her stomach and ripping in a motion that only described one action. Now bent over in imaginary pain she raised her head slowly and met Gojo's eyes.
For a split second he saw surprise in those blue orbs and he remembered he had taken his glasses off. A slick grin plastered on his face and he saw the small of her neck turn red. Lucky for her the makeup was thick and hid the blush that he is sure blossomed underneath.
The applause rose when the Lord and Lady stood up to signal to everyone the entertainment was over and servants rushed to light the room again as Kasumi scrambled off in a humble bow while gathering her discarded props.
The hall hummed with pleasure after.
Lady Gakuganji rose and told of the inspiration for the dance being the tragedy of a princess turned warrior turned exile. Her plan of distraction had worked.
Gojo was fairly quiet the remainder of the night, and not interested in exhibiting the casual disrespect he had shown earlier. His glasses had returned to his face, but Lady Gakuganji was sure his eyes were trained on the door where Kasumi had disappeared.
Kento Nanami was a busy man. It may not be the same busy as everybody else but he wasn't the type to justify his priorities.
For instance, he was sipping sake and reading. Two things that Gojo could not understand wanting to do. But instead of bothering the disciplined man, Gojo was hanging out on the balcony of their shared room and staring at the moonlight without his glasses.
Megumi had already put himself to bed, a scheduled young man. Nanami respected that.
"Hey Nanamin."
Nanami's eyebrow twitched. Here comes the foolishness. He made a mental note to start from the top of the page when he got a chance to read more so he didn't miss anything and then looked up at Gojo.
"What color is the moon?"
"White."
A nonsense question didn't really deserve an answer but the sake had put him in a good mood and he was curious to see where Gojo was going with this.
"No."
He waited for Gojo to elaborate, and when he didn't Nanami sighed and asked.
"What color do you think it is?"
Gojo turned his eyes on the strict swordsman before him. It was silly to ask Nanami anything that required imagination. This man would live the same day over and over again with joy. Or at least contentment which seemed to be Nanami's goal in life. Boring.
"It's blue, but it's such a light shade of blue it looks white in the night sky."
Again Nanami waited and again Gojo didn't elaborate.
The beginning of a scowl was pinching his eyebrows, as Nanami picked up his book to begin the passage from the top he was arrested with another question.
"How soon can we leave?"
"We have one more night Satoru, then we can head back." Nanami almost asked why but the passage was sitting there unread and...sigh.
"Why do you ask?"
"I want to hit Jade House on the way back and see the ladies."
The scowl crawled across Nanami's features. He always regretted talking to Gojo.
Kasumi leaned back as her mother drew the comb through her hair. It was a relaxing feeling and Kasumi knew she had done well when her mother dismissed the handmaids and began to do it herself.
The tender feeling of the comb in her thick hair had Kasumi lean back and close her eyes. In her minds eye she could see the strange Gojo-san.
He was a beautiful man. Probably the most beautiful person she had seen and his eyes were magnetic. She couldn't tell what color they had truly been from her vantage point that night, but they gave her the impression of white opals. She wondered why he hid them beneath those sunglasses.
Her mother's voice broke her from her reverie.
"My beautiful child, you were exceptional tonight."
Kasumi glowed at the praise. Her biggest fear was to be useless.
"It's because you allowed me sword lessons to improve my strength."
"Ah yes, but I am glad those are over. It did frighten me the first time you got cut."
"Oh but Kusakabe-sensei didn't mean to. It was my own fault."
"Still it's no hobby for a lady."
Kasumi generally agreed with her mother but in this topic she fell silent.
"Though I doubt very much any man would care about your love of swords if he got to watch you dance."
That made them both laugh.
"Mother you don't think the general will propose again, do you?"
"Oh don't worry, we would reject it anyhow. You never have to worry about marriage with me my dear Kasumi."
It was a strange feeling. On one hand she was glad her mother and Lord Gakuganji had never intended to marry her off, she had never wanted to be married anyway, but sometimes she wondered if maybe there would come a day when she would want it. Would they be okay with it then?
The next night of the feast, all the guests were slightly perturbed by the fact that the young blue haired woman was beside her parents instead of preparing to dance again.
A particularly burly man had called out to her at one point asking when she would dance again.
She demurely nodded in his direction and her tone was even and polite.
"That is a surprise General."
"Come now. It would be a delight to have you dance every night."
Gojo could see this man's intentions and it didn't take the Six Eyes to do so. He found himself regarding the man disdainfully even if there was nothing he actually disagreed with in the man's statement.
"Now now I believe too much of one thing will make it lose its charm."
Gojo found himself interjecting with a smile. Nanami and Megumi gave him a side eye, recognizing the tone and hoping there would be no fights.
Lady Gakuganji caught on quickly before anything escalated.
"Gentlemen we do have a show for you tonight, but I'm afraid my daughter is too delicate to dance more than one night. Please enjoy the voice of our favorite storyteller."
An older man with a kind smile and flat face took the center stage and won the crowd with his tales of bravery and adventure.
After a time Kasumi retreated to the far room with two young boys, whom Gojo assumed to be Gakuganji spawn due to their feature. It dawned on him suddenly that the young woman looked nothing like her mother or father. How strange. He mused on his own.
It didn't matter anyway, he reminded himself after they left. This hall and these people would all be gone in one year's time.
It was customary that Kasumi would take the boys to bed when the feast got on too late.
Kintaro, the oldest, would complain but never disobeyed. While Shinjiro wouldn't say a word, but had the tendancy to sneak away if she was busy arguing with Kintaro.
However, tonight they had been allowed to stay up later than usual and both were too tired to do more than follow their sister to the family wing of the estate.
Kasumi hummed as she tucked Shinjiro in since Kintaro insisted he could do it himself.
She watched her two brothers fall asleep before getting up and quietly shutting the door behind her. She remembered when Kintaro was born 10 years ago, such a robust and exuberant baby.
The Lord had aptly named him his golden child. Kintaro exceeded expectations in anything he tried. Going at life with zeal.
Meanwhile, when Shinjiro was born 3 years later, The Lord had not known what to make of the silent baby. What baby doesn't cry on the way out?
All of Lord Gakuganji's previous wives and children had died and watching the silent baby had made him wonder if this one was destined for the same fate.
He was wrong. Young Shinjiro grew fast, surpassing his brother's size at that same age. He was still quiet and slower, but crafty and strong.
The two boys were Lord Gakuganji's joy.
At the same time they were Kasumi's joy as well. They were her precious brothers. She would do anything for them, and this care didn't go unnoticed.
"She's better behaved than any flesh and blood daughter I've ever known."
It was the only compliment Lord Gakuganji had ever given her, and it stung.
Still she was thankful for this life, and as she prepared for bed she prayed to the moon that things will always be this way.
And then right before she fell asleep she wished for just a small change.
Gojo and company were on the way back early the next morning.
Only the Lord and Lady Gakuganji received their farewell, and Gojo couldn't explain why it made him so irritated.
Near where they had first split, the trio grouped up with Yu Haibara again. Megumi regaled the past 2 days to Haibara after Nanami thoroughly questioned the poor sorcerer on everything he found.
Haibara moaned how unlucky he was to miss out on 2 feasts, an epic storyteller and the moonlit dance of a blue haired beauty.
Usually fit to tease Haibara at every chance, Gojo said nothing.
As Megumi snapped at Haibara's self pitying moans, Nanami sidled up to Gojo. They continued in silence as Nanami debated how to start the conversation.
"Satoru, you know they are going to be overthrown."
Gojo turned quizzically.
"Yeah?"
Nanami was taken aback for a moment.
"I thought you were ups-"
"I'm ready to stop by that brothel on the way back, and for being weird you're paying."
"Don't be absurd Satoru, I don't spent my well earned money on-"
"Hey boys!"
Megumi and Yu stopped their conversation to stare at Gojo.
"We are going to the Opal House, Nanamin's treat!"
Yu pumped his fist in excitement, as Megumi turned bright red.
"Thank you so much Nanamin!"
Nanami glared at the cheerful man beside him. Then he sighed and waved behind him as he sped ahead so as not to look any of them in the eye.
"What's wrong with Nanami-san?"
Yu cocked his head as they watched the blond stoic gather dust with his horses trot.
"Ehh probably just wants to see Chiko-chans huge boobs again."
Nanami's ears and brows twitched but he did not refute anything as the group made their way to the next stop.
It didn't bother her that the visitors had left. She would've loved to see Gojo-sans eyes again, but it didn't matter in the end. She was not about to marry and travel off somewhere.
Kasumi froze mid step. Where had that thought come from? Her face colored as she pictured the tall white haired man. Oh my, this must be a little crush.
She would've chuckled to herself if she wasn't so mortified at the fact that she was thinking about a man she had never spoken to.
Her hands came up to cool her cheeks.
How embarrassing. She better move along and hurry to her mother's room.
They always started every day with tea in the garden, and she had only a few halls left to regain her composure.
I hope I never see that man again.
It was a deliberate lie.