Interlude
Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi
soon fell into a comfortable relationship. For several hours every
morning and evening they lingered together, exchanging ideas about
how they could best improve the lives of the creatures living on
their islands. Susanoo refused to join in their discussions,
preferring to work his wiles on individuals and reveling in the chaos
they introduced into his siblings' plan. Inside, however, he hankered
for their acceptance. This conflict drove him to ever greater heights
in an attempt to garner their father's undivided attention. He spent
his days looking for the lynch-pin, the one human who could throw the
entire nation into turmoil. Once he had his pawn, then he could make
his move.
Dai San Shou
Jun was pulled from his
misery by the sound of footsteps on the engawa. “You came back.”
He ran out into the hall to greet his lover, only to find the entry
filled with soldiers. “How dare you break into a lady's home,” he
hissed. “Leave at once.”
"We are here to collect
Murakami-san's belongings. Step aside or we will have to restrain
you,” the leader of the group explained.
Soldiers filled the
space, pawing through chests to create a messy pile of male clothing.
“Stop that.” Jun threw himself against the nearest samurai in an
attempt to snatch back the garments clenched in an armored fist.
"You would be smart not
to fight us,” the leader of the squad insisted. “We would prefer
not to restrain you.”
"Take your hands off
Hiroshi's things. He'll punish you for this insolence.”
"Murakami-san will not
be returning.” The commander's grip on Jun tightened. “His father
will no longer tolerate this assignation. Hiroshi is being sent to
live with Yakushi-sama. It is past time for him to be trained in the
way of budo. Do yourself a favor and forget you ever met, for it is
certain you will never meet again.”
"Hiroshi would never
abandon me,” Jun sobbed. “We are eternal lovers. We swore never
to be parted.”
"That is not a promise
he was free to make to a woman like you. The daimyo's heir needs a
match worthy of his family name. No street whore, no matter how
lovely, could ever hope to win his hand.”
"I am no whore.” Jun
rose to his full height, glaring imperiously at the men surrounding
him.
"You aren't a woman,
either,” the guard realized. “Hey, this girl is a man.” The
atmosphere in the room turned dark. The samurai amused themselves by
shoving Jun back and forth between them, stripping off layers with
each pass. Finally he was naked except for remnant face paint smeared
across his cheek and a single kanzashi caught in the tangle of his
hair.
"You'll pay for this.”
Jun found himself pressed onto the tatami, rough hands leaving
bruises on soft flesh. His protests faded under the onslaught, all
his energy focused on weathering the storm.
One by one the soldiers
took their turn, filling Jun's mouth or ass. He gagged as semen
blocked his throat, thrashing and coughing. His lips were turning
blue when he finally vomited up the contents of his stomach on the
man currently using him. The punch to the head that followed rendered
him unconscious, not that his abusers cared.
When the last of them had
taken his pleasure they gathered Hiroshi's things and left. The
battered man on the tatami would never again be thought beautiful.
And deep in his ocean lair, Susanoo smiled.
* * *
Mai
added water to the inkstick, swirling the mixture with her brush
until the consistency was perfect. She eyed the blank page with
trepidation. This was her one chance to convince Kenshin to meet, a
mistake could leave her relegated to the women's quarters in the
Shogun's palace. I'd
rather be dead.
She made a mental note to visit the herbalist, surely there was no
harm in being prepared for the worst.
She shook her head to
clear it, shutting her eyes and picturing the future she wanted. Then
she lifted the brush and began to write. Defying all logic, she
decided to eschew the flowery phrases and subtle innuendo so favored
by the court. Instead, she spoke from the heart, going into detail
about her dreams. She hoped Kenshin would read between the lines and
realize the plan meant freedom for both of them.
She folded the letter
carefully, melting wax to seal it with her chop. The last thing she
needed was one of her brother's councilors opening her plea. Mai
delivered the sealed message to her attendant, asking that it be
delivered immediately. Then she went to the shrine to light incense
and pray.
"Amaterasu, grant me
this boon. Turn Yakushi-san's heart in my direction. As your daughter
I ask this blessing. In return, I will devote my life to honoring you
and becoming the warrior you need me to be.”
* * *
Hiroshi glared sullenly
through the window of the carriage, ignoring the scenery in favor of
plotting revenge on his father. He was pulled from his introspection
when they turned off the road down a drive lined with old pines. He
distantly noted the serenity of his surroundings, carefully manicured
plantings highlighting swirls of sand. Craggy rocks punctuated the
scene, mountains writ small, their texture emphasizing the whole.
The door to the carriage
opened, his guard eying him warily. “Are you coming, or do I need
to carry you?”
"Don't be ridiculous.”
Hiroshi stepped onto the path, unconsciously straightening his
garments. If he had to be here it was best to make a positive
impression. Good behavior would be the quickest path to regaining
some freedom. Thoughts of Jun's disappointed face when he failed to
reappear tore at his heart. He quickly pushed them aside, no point in
dwelling on what he couldn't change.
"Welcome to my home.”
Kenshin bowed politely, deep enough to acknowledge Hiroshi's family
ties, but shallow enough to make it clear who was in charge.
"My apologies for
intruding.” A deeper bow, held a fraction longer, acknowledged the
status quo. “I hope my father hasn't caused you too much trouble.”
"I am honored to be
tasked with training Murakami-sama's only son.” The cryptic
response gave no indication of the samurai's true feelings. “Was
your journey pleasant?”
"As much as any
unexpected travel could be. My father sprang this on me without
warning. I can only hope his lackeys collected all my possessions.”
"Anything missing can
be sent for,” Kenshin assured him. “You will be here for the
forseeable future, I want your stay to be a comfortable one.”
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