Whisper

(March 5, 2007 - March 20, 2007)

六. 落花流水 (낙화유수)

"Matsudaira-sama, please reconsider!"

"We must not disregard the mountains of evidence, even if --"

"My lord!"

The lord sat straight and tall, the stern visage betraying nothing of his thoughts. His vassals were restless as angry bees. The lord's occasional penchant for favoritism was well known, and often criticized. Of all his subordinates, Tezuka had received his trust and favor -- and along with them others' jealousy and suspicion -- the longest. Tezuka's uncompromising adherence to bushido was admired on one hand, and looked with distaste on the other. Even Yamamoto Tsunetomo, the renowned author of Hagakure, had warned fish couldn't live in water that was too clear. And Tezuka was the clearest of them.

The lord knew he might not be able to shield Tezuka this time. The investigation was a farce, and the scandal, a flimsy excuse, but if he let it continue, someone might invent an excuse that worked. So he had sent Tezuka to the battlefront, under the disgrace he never earned, so that he might once again prove his loyalty and worth. As the liege lord, if he couldn't preserve Tezuka's honor any other way, he could do that much.

The lord resumed reading the reports, dismissing the vassals from his thoughts, letting their voices fade to a distant hum.

---------------

The day after Tezuka left, Atobe returned home to find Akizuki waiting for him. He did not acknowledge him, calling for servants to bring sake.

"I heard he's been sent to the front," Akizuki said without preamble. Atobe's cool eyes swept over him.

"And whose fault is that?"

Akizuki was unfazed. "Is one lowly courtesan enough to overturn Aizu's court? Or is the Lord of Aizu so easily moved by trivial gossip?"

Atobe looked away first, conceding the point. He took a long sip of his sake, then began. "I always expected something like this would eventually happen. So I did some digging, and found something...intriguing."

At another time, Akizuki would have been amused; Atobe was even more prone to dramatics than Suzuran.

"Interestingly, the first wave of indictments against Tezuka came from the Edo region, not Aizu. Perhaps not terribly shocking, since that's where he was stationed during his last campaign. But a couple of the higher-ups moved, although they'd never expressed dissatisfaction with Tezuka before. So you trace all of that, and it leads to a single instigator."

Akizuki was composed attentive, without a trace of fear or uncertainty, and Atobe reluctantly revised his evaluation on Akizuki's mettle. Perhaps Tezuka hadn't chosen so blindly, after all.

"Now, the plot thickens when we examine the stage for the next wave: Kyoto. Quite a bit of stir here -- understandable, since our lord has stayed for a while this time around -- but the important thing is the date."

"Date?"

"Yes," Atobe drawled, and his expression bore an uncanny resemblance to a cat about to pounce on its prey. "The day accusations from Kyoto region flooded the lord's office roughly coincides with the return of an old Kyoto resident, the same one who had been at the heart of the Edo indictments. A lowly samurai-turned-merchant, but rich, with a fair number of connections and contacts. Was involved in a huge corruption scandal some seven, eight years ago, and was forced to relocate to Edo in the aftermath.

"One by the name of Kikuchi."

The porcelain cup dropped from Akizuki's slack hand, sprinkling sake in his lap.

"So that's what you meant by whose fault," Akizuki said, his tone subdued. Atobe narrowed his eyes.

"Then I was right. He's one of your rejects." Akizuki pinned him with a penetrating blue gaze, but Atobe remained unruffled. "I noticed a number of Kyoto informants were the same ones who had been laughingstocks at different times, trying to court you and summarily rejected. I found it hard to believe even a fool like Kikuchi planned all of this out of simple jealousy, but he appears to have no other motives, no deeper grudge. And I looked."

Akizuki did not reply, deep in thoughts. "What will happen to Tezuka-han?"

"Nothing much. The volume of so-called 'evidence' was enough to paralyze the lord's office for a day or two, and that's why he decided to send Tezuka away. It will take some time to sort through all of them, but none of them has any solid basis. It should be fine by the time he comes back."

"And if he doesn't?"

Atobe barked a short laugh. "Surely you jest. This is Tezuka. He's never lost, not even once." Tezuka's prowess in combat was legendary, and had garnered him the famous nickname. Akizuki's strained expression did not ease, and in a flash Atobe realized what he was thinking. "You think that fool Kikuchi will try something."

"He has enough contacts and resources," Akizuki pointed out, and Atobe nodded.

"I've already sent a team of my personal guards with him. But I can send more." At the look Akizuki directed to him, Atobe held up a hand. "Not my idea, I assure you. They are there as his watchers, by the lord's orders."

Akizuki's shoulders relaxed fractionally. "Thank you, Atobe-han," he said, and Atobe stared at him, taken aback by the formality of his tone: not the demure coyness of a courtesan, but the sincere gratitude of an equal.

"You should stay low for a while," Atobe said after a pause. Akizuki inclined his head.

"I will be staying at the old Tenjin shrine in the northern outskirts of the city."

Atobe gave a curt nod. "I'll send word there."

---------------

Two weeks later, Atobe dropped by the old Tenjin shrine, his face grim. Akizuki was wearing a simple white yukata, and seemed even more slender in the colorless garment.

"I've received word from my subordinates. Our side was victorious, but suffered heavy casualties."

Akizuki waited patiently, eyes steady, and Atobe continued.

"Tezuka's flank was ambushed and nearly decimated. The survivors were few, and came back to the main camp scattered."

Akizuki's eyes were dark, stark on the pale skin. Atobe forced out the next words quickly, watching all the colors drain from Akizuki's face.

"Tezuka didn't return."

---------------

"Who's there?" Suzuran asked loudly. The sound continued, and he grabbed the first thing he could -- a shamisen propped against the wall -- and took a halting step forward. The lamp was out, but evening light filtered through the shoji screens. Suzuran's eyes narrowed; he didn't remember leaving them half-open. Just when he reached the desk, he heard a sharp hiss and cried out, suddenly face to face with a pair of glowing blue eyes. A screech this time, and the eyes were gone in a crash of books. Evening sunlight showed him a blur of white fur and dark tail crossing the garden. A raccoon...?

"A cat," Suzuran said to himself, relief nearly making his knees buckle.

"Jumpy, aren't we?" A voice purred behind him, and Suzuran jumped.

"Who's there?" Now that his eyes were more accustomed to the dark, he could make out a patch of white in the shade. The figure dressed in white stepped forward, and Suzuran gasped. "You...!"

"Why so surprised, Suzuran?" If he thought Akizuki's wrath was frightening before, the smile Akizuki wore now stopped his heart cold. Akizuki took another step, then another, and Suzuran automatically retreated, until he was backed up against the wall. "Cat got your tongue?" Akizuki whispered silkily. "And here I took the trouble of coming here to congratulate you."

"What do you mean?" He hated how his voice wavered. But the chill emanating from Akizuki wasn't rage.

It was the absolute stillness of death.

"Everything you planned, Suzuran..." Akizuki continued, unhurried. "They all came true. Tezuka-han is dead, just like you wanted."

"No!" The horrified denial was out of his mouth before he even registered the words. "I didn't -- I never --" Suzuran stopped to catch his breath. "Tezuka-han is...what do you mean?"

"Surely you didn't think dear old Kikuchi-han would be satisfied with simply disgracing him? Tezuka-han was sent to the battlefield -- and never returned."

Suzuran's thoughts spun. Tezuka-han, dead? But Kikuchi...Kikuchi was a lethal mixture of obsession, jealousy, and injured pride. Would that have been enough for a man like him, whose corruption ran bone-deep, to contemplate murder?

Suzuran shuddered, realizing the enormity of the situation, and his own role in it. Akizuki's eyes never left him, missing nothing. The fury behind his gaze abated just a little. Perhaps he had been too quick to judge. Petty and malicious Suzuran might be, but it took a greater degree of unscrupulous viciousness than he possessed to plan a cold-blooded murder.

That wasn't to say he would spare Suzuran, especially if he planned to continue with his plan. In fact, Akizuki's mind chimed, Suzuran might even prove useful. "You wanted to take everything from me." Akizuki continued, soft but relentless. "And you didn't care who got hurt in the process. And now Tezuka-han is dead. You must be proud."

Suzuran kept his head bowed. "I didn't wish for anyone's death," Suzuran finally answered. "Not even yours."

"Alright," Akizuki said slowly. "I believe you." Suzuran's eyes snapped to him. Akizuki held his gaze for a long moment. "Help me."

Suzuran stared at him, surprised. "What?"

"Kikuchi. He has his birthday banquet three days from now." Suzuran nodded, still confused. "You are to dance for him." Another nod. "I want to go in your stead."

Now that Akizuki was no longer radiating death, Suzuran was instantly suspicious. "Why?"

"There's something I need to give back to him."

Suzuran frowned, then his mouth went slack. "You -- you're planning to --" A hand covered his mouth, and the icy look was back in Akizuki's eyes.

"He killed Tezuka-han." Akizuki's voice was terrifyingly calm. "Whatever else happens is between us."

"And if I refuse?" Suzuran swallowed at the slow smile that spread on Akizuki's face.

"Then I'll kill you now and go in your place."

Suzuran shivered, sensing the deadly earnestness behind those words.

"This is not the first murder he has committed." Akizuki's eyes burned into his. "You were already instrument to one. It's the least you can do to make amends." A sly, calculating look entered Akizuki's eyes. "Besides, one way or another, I will be out of your life forever. Just like you always wanted. You have nothing to lose."

Suzuran met Akizuki's eyes, and saw the overwhelming determination smoldering with equally intense love, and nodded.

"Alright. I'll help."

---------------

Tezuka knew he was being followed.

His tails had been tracking him since he left Kyoto. They came closer each battle, like a tightening noose, waiting and maneuvering carefully until he was isolated. And now, the rest of the troops were dead or separated from him, and he was alone, deep in the enemy territory, with faceless shadows following his every move.

It did not matter. Nothing mattered but staying alive and returning to Kyoto. The news of the recent battle must had reached Kyoto by now. And Akizuki, his beautiful, proud Akizuki...

After the first few incidents, he had little trouble finding out who kept sending the spies and assassins, and why. Between Atobe and Akizuki, they would also know. Akizuki -- ruthless as the cold, alluring moon of his namesake -- would not grieve, or waste his time with tears. No, his Akizuki would want vengeance. And he was just obdurate and determined enough to succeed no matter what the cost. So Tezuka had to get to him before he did something irrevocable.

Tezuka hastened his pace, listening for the whisper of footsteps in the distance behind him, mirroring his, ever drawing closer.

---------------

Red maple leaves hovered and twirled in the air, landing on the river with the grace of a dragonfly. The fallen leaves floated on the water, spinning, creating tiny ripples around them. Their movement blurred through the semi-transparent veil, and for a moment he thought he could see instead blood-red petals scattering over the water, rising and falling every time a breeze stirred the calm spring surface. Unbidden, a tear rolled down his cheek and fell on his sleeve. But there was no sorrow in his heart.

The red leaves rained down on him like a flurry of snowflakes. The sky was azure, high, and spotlessly clear. The wind was crisp, carrying the fading scent of flowers, the last breath of the deepening autumn.

And Akizuki danced.

Even the musicians were silent, hypnotized by the snowy sleeves that cut through the air, the yellow fan rising and falling in the perfect cadence of a butterfly in flight. The heavy sleeves swayed like the arched branches of a wisteria tree in full bloom. Akizuki's body was a song.

Before Kikuchi's transfixed eyes, Akizuki cast aside his veil, and leaped. The steel caught a shaft of sunlight, and Akizuki's lips were as red as the blood blossoming under his fingertips. Kikuchi's eyes only showed startled blankness, uncomprehending what was happening. Reaching inside his kimono Akizuki drew out a ring of palest jade, the other hand still gripping the dagger buried in Kikuchi's heart. Effortlessly Akizuki crushed the jade ring in his hand, and at last, understanding dawned in Kikuchi's dimmed gaze. The guards rushed towards them, broken out of their paralysis, but Akizuki paid them no heed, holding Kikuchi's eyes as he breathed his last. Slowly, Akizuki smiled.

---------------

The gates of the city were now within sight, growing closer with each stride, and Tezuka sighed in relief. He had steadily worked through the tightening net of would-be assassins, until he heard no more footsteps echoing his. His injured left shoulder burned, and he could not remember the last time he had eaten or slept, but he was finally home. He quickened his steps, the bared katana clutched tightly in his right hand.

Less than fifty paces from the city gates, a girl sat alone on the side of the road, sobbing, gingerly holding her ankle. A basket of spilled horseradish lay next to her, forgotten. Despite his heart clamoring for haste, he stopped in front of her.

"Are you all right?"

"I hurt my ankle," a childlike voice sobbed. "I can't get up."

Tezuka crouched down, putting his katana down on the ground.

"Let me see."

The girl turned her tear-stained face to him, and nodded. Tezuka leaned over, reaching for her ankle. Against all reason his instincts cried out DANGER! and there was a flash of something in his peripheral vision. The next instant, pain blossomed between his shoulder blades, icy against his heart. He coughed, and the pain flared to a white-hot agony that left him sprawled on the girl's lap. There were droplets of blood on her kimono, starkly red on white.

He had to grab his katana and get up. Akizuki was inside the city, only minutes away.

Tezuka couldn't feel his hands or feet, or most of his body. He was so cold, freezing even under the bright sunlight.

...For as long as we both exist in the wheel of this world...

He would go to Akizuki. He would keep the promise. And they would always be together.

But for a little while, he needed to rest. He must have lost a lot of blood, and he was tired. So very difficult to keep his eyes open. So much easier to close them. Just for a little bit. Just for...

---------------

Scarlet spilled over pristine white. The yellow fan lay half-spread on the ground. Under the cascade of light brown hair, lifeless blue eyes were still open, staring emptily. Red lips, red as the blood spreading on the silk, curved in a frozen smile. One slender hand lay outstretched, as if reaching for the discarded fan.

The cicadas shrieked their desperate calls in the quiet of the autumn afternoon. From above, a single maple leaf, perfect in shape and flawlessly red, slowly fluttered to the ground, and landed on the yellow fan.

- Fin -

A/N: Okay, I lied when I said no more notes. XD I know some might object I should have posted an angst warning. However, I didn't want to spoil the ending, and while I consider the ending tragic, I don't necessarily see it as angsty. They are together forever in the end, just as promised. (If one of them were left alive to suffer, that would have been angst...)

This was one of the few endings I absolutely adored. Part VI was the part that convinced me this fic was worth sharing. So hopefully, all of you can forgive me for taking so many liberties. :)

Thank you, everyone.

-- Shiraume