Drum, drum, drum. Clack! The sounds of the koto and flute fluttered into the air. Open fan vertically, step, step, twirl. Pivot, hold sleeve, turn head. Jab!
"Ouch!" Homugi yipped, giggling at herself.
She stubbed her toe with her own foot and didn't know what to do other than laugh nervously and cover her blushing face. The women didn't seem to mind her mistake and laughed with her. Meioshi was quite clear in her instructions to have patience with the inu beauty. Her dance would be different than everyone else's for a brief moment in the ceremony. It would take time for her to comfortably fall in line. Her special shibu had to be perfect, according to the doctor's orders. Homugi, though extremely apprehensive at first, was enjoying her first dance rehearsal. The humans at Meioshi's estate were unusually accepting of her, but it was more than likely due to Meioshi's status as a hell traveler. If she trusted demons around her, then it was deemed safe to interact with them. Homugi bore no ill will towards any of them, regardless. If anything, she was determined to make Meioshi proud since their heritages were linked together in a small way. Homugi didn't want to represent the House of Inu as she knew it, but she took these new dance lessons as a way to share what she wished the House of Inu could have been for her. Considering the tale of Unmei, she had to be a beacon of change and new beginnings, which was ironic because Meioshi was her beacon of those things. That's how Homugi became driven to learn the shibu. To share the irony of her situation... and the overwhelming gratitude of the doctor's teachings.
Yuko scuttled over to her to laugh gently with her and encouraged her by saying, "You did really good that time! You're getting better with learning how to open the fan. Once you get a handle on that part, the rest is a breeze, and you can choose other moves to make your dance a little smoother."
"There's so much pressure for this!" Homugi complained with a sigh, even though she was smiling. "Oh! What did the doctor mean by 'I'm getting you a more appropriate fan' anyway?"
"I think she's designing a personal set for you. She learned how to make fans for shibu in school when she was little," Yuko explained. "I don't know much about sensei's school days, but you can always ask Chiyumi or Fuyu Joo. They were her classmates. They would know best of all."
"Have you ever seen Meioshi dance before?" Homugi asked.
Yuko shook her head and answered, "Not shibu. I'm hoping I can see her this year. I don't think it'll be the same as her funeral dancing, but I'm curious to see if she's using techniques from school. From what I remember, Miss Chiyumi said sensei retired from school to pursue medicine right around her thirteenth birthday. She was coming into peak popularity at the time. Sensei's friends practice around her or with her from time to time to see if she remembers all the moves. I remember them saying she does."
"I wonder what her dress and fans will look like," Homugi said, looking at her practice fan.
"I don't know," Yuko said, putting a finger to lip. "We definitely won't be able to see anything if we're way in the back because we suck at dancing, though. C'mon, Homugi!"
Practice continued for the girls as they giggled back into their respective positions. Reijiro and Sanraku spotted the armor and weapons being lined up from Kirameku Ha's home all the way to Meioshi's home. It looked like family treasuries were being stood up as in the men about Kirameku Ha's age had the main/head armor and weapons, the wives had a particular kimono that was more akin to a junihitoe but clearly wasn't as most had either two or three layers, sons with armor and weapons themselves most likely served the army of Heiwa while others who worked normal jobs simply wore a traditional kimono and hakama pant setup but had pieces of armor to represent their fathers, daughters had kimonos like the wives and a family tanto to represent their fathers, and grandchildren had a blend of furisode for the older youth and yukatas for the younger children.
As Homugi completed the fairly simple dance, Fuyu Joo floated over to the inu beauty to show her how to perform her dance. The steps were captivating enough... for the young soldiers to take interest. Her smile, weightless pirouettes, and fan twirling drew immediate attention to her eyes and movements. Reijiro raised an eyebrow when Homugi covered half her face with the fan. He sniffed the air quickly in her direction to make sure he wasn't mistaking her for a human and caught the scent of inu in her direction.
"That's her," Reijiro announced, gaining Sanraku's attention.
"What're you talking about?" Sanraku asked, blinking a bit.
"The girl who was living with Takamuku-sensei before going rogue. Homugi," Reijiro said, keeping his eyes on her.
"She's definitely a cutie," Sanraku remarked, hearing a bell. The maroon inu spotted his lord and Jaken returning with Meioshi and Chiyumi to the estate. Sesshomaru and Jaken stopped to speak to Kirameku Ha for a moment while the ladies spoke to everyone else on their way to the kitchen. The ladies were carrying a fairly long box into Meioshi's home. The three grandmas all called for dinner to begin. Sanraku then said, "Guess it's time for dinner. Seems a little early, though."
"It's never too early to enjoy a feast!" the Green Pheasant said behind them. Little baby birds ran to the house as he walked up. "Besides, this is the perfect time to speak to Kirameku Ha and the other soldiers. Tomorrow morning is the funeral."
"Funeral for who?" Reijiro asked.
"The general of those men there," the Green Pheasant answered, nodding to the soldiers. "Jigoku Arimasa. Kirameku Ha was his second-in-command. Lord Aka has been pacing about the estate, waiting for Lady Meioshi to allow the viewing to commence. Poor chap. Tonight is the celebration of the hell travelers' promise to protect the people. Tomorrow will be the repass to honor the hell traveler who touched the lives of all, even demons."
__________________________________________________
"I SAID PINK!"
"BLUE!"
"PINK!"
"GODDAMMIT, MAN! I SAID BLUE!"
"White's sacred. Just choose white."
"NO!"
What the hell is happening here? Reijiro thought, brow twitching from the argument of colors.
Kirameku Ha was watching his men fight over what kimono colors their daughters should wear for the trifecta luncheon. These two older gents always argued over something. They were rivals since day one into the army. Kirameku Ha merely chuckled before saying, "Indigo is forbidden to wear among the lower class. Pink is best. Stop shouting in front of the kids before they pick up that."
"BOATS!"
"BEARS!"
"BOATS!"
"BEARS!"
"GRANDPA!"
"Eh? This is your fault!"
"My fault? You're the one on about wearing blue to a luncheon! Second just said it was against the rules!"
"To hell with the rules! We've been following taisho's rules for damn-near 50 years! Tell your grandchild no toys at the dinner table!"
"Go light a fire with the hot air comin' outta your old ass!"
"Uncles, you know better than to fight at the feast!" Meioshi reprimanded in her small voice. "Now, you apologize to second for your behavior. Shame on you both."
She walked over to lay either susuki grass, palm tree leaves, or peach tree leaves onto tables before serving the plates of rice atop the leaves. Salt sticks were struck to make clicking sounds to purify the rice. The elder rivals apologized to Meioshi before receiving a hug from her and watching her scurry along. Anju followed behind her after laying out the condiments. Nakasone was telling Meioshi where to go to place the rice plates down since the arrangement of the tables had been changed and made it difficult for her to navigate where to go. For whatever reason, no one seemed troubled by her injury anymore, but Sesshomaru and the others didn't see Kirameku Ha speak to everyone the way Yuko and Homugi did. Though a few of the men and women found his words to be cruel at first, he patiently theorized and explained that her eye injury might have been due to their general's passing. She was able to see just fine before she had to deal with him. Once he said that, the men grew quiet and questioned whether it was true that Arimasa had left the living world. The most Kirameku Ha could say was wait until the viewing.
Morihei and Chiyumi hustled by to serve the meats while Anju and Fuyu Joo served the vegetables. Everything smelled good! Meioshi returned to the tables with wine, fruit juice, and water before starting her speech.
"Thank you all for coming to this ceremony. As you all know, this feast commemorates the Great Promise that my family, the emperor's family, and the first general's family have all created to ensure peace throughout this village. It is how Heiwa obtained its name. A promise to protect all life in the many changes that have yet to be and that are to come. Though Heiwa has been moved forward to the beach shores to build a proper kingdom, my forefathers have found their own sense of peace and home on this very piece of land that housed the refugees from the east and west. We are at the beginning of life in this kingdom. It is home to us. Warriors who were brave enough to fight for what was right and women who had the courage to leave behind turmoil of their former homes. Some would call you pirates, but this is a name that does not match your valor. Some would call you rebels, but this is a name that insults your code of honor. Some might even call you heretics, but that is a name used by people who simply don't understand you. I believe... the best name for you is revolutionary, comrade, visionary, and dare I say forefathers. Just as mine have helped in building this village when it was no more than a dense burial ground, you have helped build my world, our world, this world into a heritage site. A place I am proud to lend residence and medical attention to those who have made the first and most difficult step to a brighter future and to those who need the extra help. I apologize for not participating in this event for so many years. It's... been difficult. The children I had been working so hard to release from their enslavement are now free. My first mission as a doctor and a warrior was challenged every day and at every moment, but... I am elated to say that they are among the free. Though I had gone through much to do this, I didn't do it alone. Lord Sesshomaru and Lord Jaken at the table there aided me and my little ones," Meioshi said, feeling the grapple bears including Ohta run up to her to hug her. Everyone seemed to let out a sigh of relief at this news.
Sesshomaru was quiet at this acknowledgement, but Jaken audibly gasped at the mention of his name. He was part of a grand toast! What?
The doctor then continued, "My work hasn't stopped here, but I know it is just the beginning to ensure they experience peace the way we have. Just as you all had to work and pull your teeth and perhaps yell out frustrations like my bullheaded uncles there... I hope that the next generation and my generation and the ones following after us will understand and appreciate those efforts as we march through this life with our own battles to fight. It won't always be on warfronts. Marriage is a battle and a half sometimes, right? So is raising children, yes? What about knowing how to be a single man or single woman in an era when singleness is practically blasphemy at puberty? Your parents are still gonna want grandchildren. I can't save you there! But look at us! Look at what your fathers have given us. Look at what your mothers have given us. We can choose who to marry and who to court unlike so many strict caste systems out there. No one was forced into this life! It's not guaranteed that a mistake won't be made in our choices, but we have a support system that can guide us through it. We have a friend or an uncle or a strong mother to run to when we're in trouble. You won't believe how many young people don't have what we were built from. We were built with the ability to choose, to support, and to protect! This is something I wouldn't want anyone to take. Those who honor the blade, continue your fight to protect what is here. Those who honor their fathers, continue to do good in their eyes and please them in all that you do. Those who honor their mothers, continue to show them your love and your achievements. Show them that their efforts weren't for naught. We are the beacons of change for the little ones who are here and those that have yet to come. We are descendants of revolutionaries, comrades, visionaries, and warriors. We are not covered in their shadows. We are lantern poles. We help them stand when they stumble, pick them up to continue their walk, and light their way... as we carry the torch and lead the way from here. Continue to be that. Be the example for our little ones. When we march, we will show the kingdom who they were descendant from. Not from riches or glory but from revolution, pride in heritage, a fighting spirit that will never fade. This promise doesn't belong to a singular representative of the trifecta. It belongs to us all."
Well said, daughter, Kirameku Ha thought, rising to stand. He walked up to her, saluted her, and then bowed. You have my taisho's spirit. It is an honor... to continue to act... as the second...
"To peace!" one of the elders shouted after saluting and bowing.
The rest of the men followed suit and shouted. Meioshi returned the salute and held up her tanto in the air with a strong fist. Children were excited to finally pop their crackers and confetti sticks, so they ran and popped them before dancing around. Their parents called them back to begin eating while some musicians played their instruments. Meioshi spoke to Lord Aka for a little while, easing the old demon's nerves and allowing him to speak with the kappa at the pond, and walked over to her table. Her food was served on banana leaves and had a different presentation than the others. Though Sesshomaru had much to be interested in for this feast, he looked at Meioshi as she held conversations with different people. She was quite the speech maker. Part of her speech seemed to resonate with his grandfather's earlier words and the Green Pheasant's history lesson about his own heritage. Revolution was in their blood.
"Me lord? Would now be an appropriate time to ask for Lady Homugi's aid? Or would me lord like to speak with Lord Kirameku Ha?" Jaken asked, interrupting Sesshomaru's thoughts.
"The armor," Sesshomaru replied curtly, closing his eyes and rising to stand.
"That's rude, you know," a familiar voice said. It was Ohta. He was smiling at his lordship but had his arms folded. He was giving way to manhood a little bit each day despite that handsome face. That was good. He looked good in his red yukata. It was actually pretty festive and a good addition to the fall atmosphere. The teen then said, "Mom put you in that nice speech and you're not even going to say thank you."
"We-we-well, we weren't expecting it! She caught us off-guard!" Jaken argued, flailing his arms about.
Ohta chuckled before saying, "Thank you for helping her free us. That's all I came over here for. Lord Sesshomaru's a grossly picky eater! Unlike you, Jaken."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jaken retorted.
"That I can have his share!" Ohta threatened, face changing to that of a cat.
"You keep away from our food, you greedy boy!" Jaken argued, shielding the table with his body.
"Hey, Tikun," a small, feminine voice called. Homugi walked up to him, looking down at her feet for a moment before taking a deep breath. She looked up at him and said, "Meioshi said you wanted to ask me something. It had to do with the investigation before we separated."
"You can eat first if you wish," Sesshomaru answered. He was about to walk away before she stopped him.
"I tasted some of the food when I was helping Grandma Morihei. She doesn't know this yet, but I dug into that ham," Homugi said with a blush and light chuckle. "I can't offer much that you haven't heard about by now, but... I can at least offer help one last time before I become a citizen here."
"... this isn't for the House of Inu," Sesshomaru admitted. "Elder Hikozaemon II put me on a different mission unrelated to the House of Inu. He has suspicions about Teinosuke and Norihisa possibly working together to overthrow the House of Inu."
"What?" Homugi questioned with outrage in her voice.
"The elder and my mother went searching for your report about Norihisa. Neither of them could find it. When they took you off the investigation, it was a safety measure in case either man came for you," Sesshomaru confessed. It might not have been an apology, but it was his way of trying to make amends.
"Teinosuke came up to me when I was with Hasumi. We were walking just outside of Sozosora's city border when he appeared out of nowhere. He was talking about the general's mission for you. If you had failed, they were gonna strip you of your ruling power," Homugi replied, making Sesshomaru's heart just about plummet to his feet and his eyes widen. "I had a feeling someone might've tampered with my report when Meioshi mentioned Norihisa being in this place called Shinju o Tateru. You said his name to her, so I'm assuming this place must've been where kids like Juba and the others had come from. The Anaguma and Bake-danuki clans are living there now, right? That's why they said you were so stern with them. I didn't even think about it! You were with Meioshi and that imposter! Norihisa was pronounced dead when I arrived at the crime scene. Teinosuke was in charge of interviewing his family and others. I don't think he was working with the actual Norihisa at all, but I don't know if he's working with the imposter for sure."
"When did you send your report? Who did you turn it in to?" Sesshomaru asked, anger bubbling in his chest.
"I turned it in to the investigation department a week before you were sent out. Chief Investigator Hamakawa should have reviewed it. Teinosuke should've been out on mission at the time," Homugi informed.
"Would you be interested in training with my mother? She was a rogue once. She wants to teach you some things," Sesshomaru said after a moment of silence.