Jyuunishi no Enkei Monogatari
Chapter Seven, Thirteenth Zodiac:Neko 
by Ina-chan
First Posted Online: March 20, 2003
History: A Legend  of the Souma Family Curse 

He remembered the grove of peach trees in their favourite garden.  

He remembered the spring… how the breeze carried the light cloying fragrance of peach blossoms.   

He remembered the summer… how the breeze carried the sweet pungent fragrance of ripe peaches. 

He remembered her… how she used to sit with them underneath the low branches.   

He remembered her laugher… how it carried through the blossoms, like silver bells.  

He remembered her voice… how it rein-acted her imaginative stories of troubled lovers and brave warriors.  

He remembered her eyes… how they would watch over them protectively and lovingly as he and his sister played and bickered.  

He remembered her touch… as her fingers moved through his hair in a tender and soothing caress just before he drifted to sleep on her lap.  

He remembered all of this... and treasured every single one of these memories of her… those days underneath the branches of the grove of peach trees in their favourite garden. 

Perhaps, that was the reason why he and his sister loved coming here. It was underneath the branches peach trees that made her look most alive. It was in the presence of the fragrance of peach blossoms and peaches that he saw it once again. The rare smiles that his sister used to generously give away before their mother died. For a few fleeting moments… the walls surrounding the Ice Princess melted, and she became the little sister that he knew. 

He remembered one of those moments… one summer afternoon, under the bright orange light of the setting sun, when they were eight years old. The branches of the trees, at that time, seemed to be at the verge of buckling from the weight of the juicy peaches they bore. 

/“NA!? Yukino! What do you think are you doing?”/ The Fire Prince cried out in alarm as he grabbed his twin by the waist, bringing her safely down to the ground before her remaining foot managed to find a hold on a rather untrustworthy looking tree

 /“I want to get that one over there,”/ The Ice Princess replied, pointing to a sole piece of fruit at the end of the highest branch

 Kaji frowned, looking at the other fruits in the more reachable lower branches, /“The hell, what’s wrong with those ones over there? Those ones are just as good.”/

 /“But I want that one,”/ Yukino frowned, insistently pointing to the fruit that gained her attention

 /“But you can’t get it. It’s too high for you./ Kaji countered, /“And knowing how clumsy you are, you’ll just fall down and break your neck,”/ 

/“I want that one!”/ The little girl pouted angrily

 An angry vein appeared on the boy’s forehead, /“Stop being such a brat and just satisfy yourself with the ones that you can reach.”/

 /“I.WANT. THAT. ONE!!!”/ The girl growled, glaring at her brother stubbornly.

 The two children held each other’s glares for a few moments, until finally… the Fire Prince sighed. Knowing his stupid sister, she’d try to climb the damned tree the moment he turned his back. So without another word, he latched himself on the tree, muttering angrily under his breath. Unlike his twin, he had a natural agility when it came to things like these.

  The tree wasn’t very tall, though for an eight-year-old child, it felt like he was scaling the great walls of the Middle Kingdom in his mother’s stories. Still, even if he fell, he was confident with his quick catlike reflexes. He ignored the small twigs grazing against his skin as he put his goal into mind. He was almost there… his arms were a bit short from where he was… so all he had to do is to inch a little forward and…

 /“Oniichan! Be careful!”/ His sister suddenly called out to him from the ground

 The boy immediately clung tightly to the branch supporting him, almost loosing his balance as his concentration faltered. He glared down at his sister who was staring up at him in wide, fearful eyes, /“Who’s fault is it on why I’m here in the first place, anyway?”/

 The girl immediately frowned and glared back at him sarcastically, /“I’m sorry for worrying about you!”/

 /“Just shut up and be quiet, you noisy damned mouse,”/ Kaji yelled irritably

 /“Who are you calling noisy, you stupid cat!?”/ Yukino shot back in the same manner

  The boy took a deep breath as he slowly edged nearer to the fruit, and away from the branch supporting him. He reached out and slowly curled his fingers around his prize. He let out a triumphant whoop as he plucked it from its resting place…

 …just as the branch he was standing on gave way to his weight…

 /“ONIICHAN!!! ONIICHAN!!!”/  His sister’s frantic voice screaming was all he heard, as he lay stunned on the ground. He felt her little hands shaking him fearfully

 /“…ittai…”/ Kaji moaned as he sat up, rubbing the soreness on his elbow

 /“ONIICHAN!!!”/ Yukino burst into tears, as she clutched on to her in pure relief

 /“AAAAH!!! Stop that! It’s annoying!”/ Kaji growled irritably, though made no effort to push his frantic little sister away

 The girl let go, still sobbing, as she wiped the tears from her eyes, trying to compose herself, /“I’m sorry Oniichan! I’m so sorry!”/

Kaji sighed as he held out the peach that he instinctively held on protectively when he fell, /“Just stop crying and take this. You’re even more annoying when you start crying and acting all girly.”/

 The girl sniffled, took the peach and cradled it in her arms gratefully.

 /“What’s so special about that particular peach anyway?”/ The boy asked absent-mindedly as he mentally checked the rest of his body for damages

 /“It was alone,”/ Yukino simply replied

 Beads of sweat appeared on Kaji forehead, as he stopped with a start to give his sister an incredulous look, /“HA!?”/

 /“It was all alone at the top of the tree where no one can reach it. I didn’t want it to be lonely anymore,”/ Yukino replied patiently, as she got on her feet, wiping away the last traces of tears from her face. She took a few steps away before spinning around to reward her brother with one of her rare sunny smiles. A breathtaking ironic contrast to the light of the setting sun against her face, /“Thank you, Oniichan.”/

 Kaji gaped at his sister in disbelief, before burying his face in his hands in total exasperation. There was simply no understanding how his sister’s mind worked. But still… Despite of himself, he looked up, his features softening as he gave his twin an affectionate smile, /“Damned mouse…”/

 The Ice Princess giggled as she bit into the peach, pinkish juice seeped messily down her lips and her hands. Suddenly, the little girl made a small gagging noise. Kaji froze in alarm as he watched, mesmerized, while the fruit slipped between her fingers.

 As if in slow motion, Kaji watched the fruit land on the ground and roll to his feet. He frowned. The juice continued to flow from the spot where her sister bit it, seeping liberally to the ground. He held out his hand and curiously touched the rivulet of liquid. For some strange reason… under the orange light of the evening… the juice had a deep crimson tinge. It almost seemed as if the liquid generously flowing out of the fruit’s flesh was…

 …blood!

 /“Yuki…”/The Fire Prince’s eyes widened in horror at the realization...he instantly got on his feet and turned to face his twin sister. His voice trailed at the vision that met him, /“…no… “/

 A figure with an appearance of an effeminate-looking boy wearing his armour stood where his sister was standing a few moments ago. The apparition stared at him with a pair of glazed familiar sorrowful eyes. Streams of scarlet ran from the warrior’s nose and the corners of her lips, to match the fluid that generously flowed from the wound on her neck.

 /“I’m… sorry…”/

 Her lips didn’t move. Nevertheless, the breeze carried her breathless whisper to his ears. He refused to believe it… but, he immediately knew who it was. The painful emptiness he felt in his heart already told him.

 /“Yukino…”/ He choked, as he took a step forward

 The breeze started to grow stronger and blew around him. Trying to push him away from her. He ground his teeth as he struggled away from the invisible force.

 /“I’m… sorry…”/ 

 The whisper came again. He screamed in frustration as he slowly edged his way toward his goal. He was only a short distance away from her! All he had to do was inch a little more forward… reach out his hand…

 …but the wind blew even harder. Before his fingers can even touch her, the delicate image of his sister started to crumble, like the delicate petals of peach blossoms torn apart by a freak spring storm.

 Leaving him to standing alone, his hand reaching out to nothingness amidst the heavy storm of peach petals. Its overpowering and nauseating sweet smell assaulted his senses as they slowed their dance on the slowly dying breeze with one final breathless whisper...

 /“I’m… sorry… Oniichan…”/

 *****

  His eyes shot open and found himself staring at his hand, still reaching out towards an unfamiliar ceiling. He immediately sat up and looked at the strange surroundings around him… trying to get his bearings. The room was dimly lit, with only the morning sunlight filtering through the criss-crossing wooden slats of the window as the source of light. Then all at once he remembered where he was. 

Since the woven slats covering his windows already barely let light to come in, the idea of letting anything out of the room through there was out of the question. Though he made no effort to leave, he knew from his vantage point, every time the door slid open, that there was always someone standing guard by the door.  A servant would come at specific times to provide his necessities.

From the corner of his eye, he saw a tray of food. Clothes were already prepared for him to wear, and a basin of water on the corner table for washing. One of the servants must have come and arranged them when he was still asleep. Despite its appetizing appearance, the thought of eating something was causing a sickening sensation at the pit of his stomach. Instead, he went to the basin to wash the sleep out of his eyes. He stared at his image reflected on the liquid in front of him. He barely recognized the person staring back at him. He wasn’t sure how long ago it had been since that day… 

Since that last night when he last saw her, with tears streaming down her face, apologizing for her betrayal. Time became a confusing haze since the day he was first shaken awake from nightmares that plagued him. All that was certain was the horrible ache of an inexplicable numbing pain in his chest. It was as if someone had torn away a piece of his heart. A premonition realized, when a messenger arrived promptly with news of the attack on the Mizugawa envoy… confirming his suspicions that the missing piece of himself had already died.

 For the first time in many years, the great halls of the Mizugawa household were once again filled with horrible wails of sorrow and grief. Only this time, the inconsolable figure curled up in the corner of a dark room was that of a young man. The numbing void that engulfed him sucked away all of his emotions, all of his will. He didn’t even have enough in him to shed even a single tear… 

So when Souma Akki-kou demanded their absolute surrender, he went yieldingly, against protests of his advisors. It seemed like the most logical thing to do.  What’s left of his clan was willing to fight the impossible odds right to the very end, but somehow… after already losing everyone whom he held dear, he couldn’t bear the thought of more members of his family dying to a lost cause.  

There were times, in a man’s lifetime where he must make a great sacrifice for the greater good… 

…as the head of the clan, it was his responsibility to make those sacrifices… 

…and he it was also his responsibility to avenge those whose lives were lost. 

But until that moment arrives, he had to wait patiently before he could put his plans into motion.  

He was sitting down, about to begin his morning meditation, when the door slid open, nudging him out of his reverie. The servant bowed before him before speaking. 

“Mizugawa-san,” The servant stated, “Akki-kou is now here to see you.” 

His eyes widened, as he felt his heart beating wildly in his chest. The moment he had been patiently waiting for arrived. Though he played so many variations of this scenario inside his head over and over, nothing can prepare him when the actual moment has come. All at once, his heart ached painfully. He realized now, more than ever, how much he really needed his sister’s strength by his side. 

He let out a deep cleansing breath, attempting to push away all those thoughts to the back his mind.  There’s no time for grief or sentimentality now. He had to perform this duty as master of the Mizugawa House.  His Family honour and murdered souls of those he loved were all depending on the results of his actions.  

He silently bowed his head in acknowledgement, and the servant left. The guard outside his door entered first, and stood in a near distance, watching him impassively. The Fire Prince desperately tried to maintain his own stoic expression as he watched the door in silent anticipation. As he watched a shadow fall by the door, announcing the arrival of his visitor, he dug his fingers into his knees in an attempt to prevent them from forming into two angry fists. He clamped his jaws tightly together to prevent the venomous words sitting on the tip of his tongue from spilling out of his mouth… 

 …only for his controlled rage to dissipate into shock and disbelief as his eyes fell upon the image of the Master of the Souma Family for the first time.  

Like the Mizugawa heirs, the young master of the Souma House was shielded from the public eye. Rumours about constant illness being the cause of his recluse as well as his reputation as the strategic genius were all that was known about him. Though fears about the Souma Territories expanding toward the Mizugawa lands were already a constant threat when the former Mizugawa Head was still alive, the Mizugawas had no substantial contact with the Soumas until the recent events. When the Head of the Souma Family propositioned a treaty with the Head of the Mizugawa through marriage between the two Family’s heirs.

Absolutely nothing could have prepared the Fire Prince to expect that the genius strategist who had already single-handedly conquered four surrounding lands was merely nothing but…

 …a small ten-year-old boy.

“I trust that you are well, Mizugawa-kou,” Souma Akki’s quiet voice sounded just like any other child his age, but for some strange reason… there seemed to be a resounding authoritative quality in it that makes one stop to listen

 “Souma…” The master of the Mizugawa clan’s voice trailed uncertainly as he stared at the boy’s hypnotizing eyes, “…kou…?”

An eerie smile, not quite reaching his cold adult-like eyes, graced the little boy’s lips, “It’s a little shocking, isn’t it?” 

“…how…” Kaji continued, thoroughly unnerved at the idea of a child masterminding the destruction of his family 

“It’s not that difficult. War… conquest… they’re just games.  It’s just like playing Igo. But my father and I have been playing this particular game since I was five years old… until his demise. This is actually the first time I played the game on my own. You should be honoured,” Akki replied, pausing and watching the older man before him closely. He took a few steps toward him, before stating his carefully chosen words, “I usually leave my public relations to my trusted vassals. Adults usually don’t treat me seriously. But I had to see you with my own eyes.” 

Kaji frowned, despite of himself,  “And why is that?” 

“I had to see why she believed you were worth sacrificing her life for,” Akki replied in a slow and cautious tone as he leaned forward, uncomfortably invading the other man’s personal space. The nearby guard tensed, ready to jump in action. 

The Mizugawa Head fought against the urge to reach out and wrap his fingers around the child’s neck. Ironically, the child was staring directly in his eyes, as if silently challenging him to follow his impulse. Instead, Kaji bit his tongue and fought to maintain his impassive expression as he watched the younger boy studying his reaction with amusement.  

“Frankly, I’m a little disappointed,” The little boy sighed dismissively as he finally withdrew, and walked closer to the safety of his body guard, “No wonder your sister felt that she needed to protect you. I had hoped at least, that you would go down with a fight.” 

Kaji closed his eyes and ground his teeth, mentally weighing his body down on the ground.

“Your sister, in the other hand, was a formidable opponent.  She was the first person to resist me. I was expecting a move from her when I first proposed the treaty. But I didn’t expect that she would actually…” The little boy’s voice trailed, regret evident in his tone, “She was exactly how they said she was in the stories… Princess Kaguya. Even though I never met her… and I only saw her from how I imagined her… I…”

The Fire Prince’s eyes shot open as he looked at the figure in front of him in surprise, “You…”

 “But in the end, it turned out that she was just a stupid woman,” The Souma Head declared in finality, his eyes hardening as he flashed the other man another cold smile, “Nonetheless, she was a rival worthy of respect. That’s why I had the soldier who shot her executed. That’s also the reason why I decided to spare your life. It was her wish after all.”

 Kaji stared at the little boy in front of him speechless, unable to believe that such words were easily able to pass through a young boy’s mouth.

  “And I have a gift for you as well!” The boy exclaimed, his voice rising with childish excitement as another servant entered the room at his cue, laying a small box in front of the Mizugawa Head. The boy watched the young man like a hawk, as his voice lowered to a slow commanding tone, “Go ahead and open it.”

 The Fire Prince stared at the package suspiciously as he reached out and pulled off the lid. He frowned as he saw the item that rested inside. It was just a simple juzu. Its beads gleamed in the dim light. Pure white like polished ivory, contrasting against an unusual shade of deep scarlet…

 …like small drops of blood.

 For some strange reason, it emitted an aura that made him feel uneasy... Strong emotions he couldn’t even dare to describe fought intensely inside of him. He instantly shut the box, in a physical attempt to block the sensations before they become completely overwhelming.

 “Originally, I wanted it made for her, but obvious circumstances forced a change in plans…” The boy continued in that unnatural tone, “It’s very powerful, you know. The holy man who made it said it was because of the sacrifice that came along with it. It’s cruel to be separated from the ones you love, isn’t it? I can only imagine how even more difficult it would be for you… being twins and all. And even worse, you didn’t even get to see her for the last time.”

 The young man’s eyes widened as clenched his fists tightly. His knuckles turning white, and his fingernails digging deeply in his palms, letting beads of crimson to ooze, he desperately fought against the rising wave of anger and nausea within him.

 “So this way, at least, the two of you will always be together,” Souma Akki smiled as he innocently cocked his head to one side, “Aren’t I kind?”

 “Why are you doing this?” Kaji whispered painfully

  “Because…” The boy replied in an insolent tone, “… I can.”

  It happened in a split second, that no one even had time to react. Before the guard can even finish blinking, the Mizugawa Head was already across the room, his back to the wall, holding the surprised child in front of him like a human shield. The door exploded as more guards entered the room, but froze as the situation registered in their minds. The Mizugawa Head’s arms were strategically positioned around the little boy’s head, to easily break the child’s neck if he so wishes.  A deafening silence filled the room, saved for the sound of laboured breathing.

  “Do you think that this would change anything, Mizugawa-kou?” The child stated blandly,

  “Don’t be mistaken, Souma-kou,” The young man replied with an amused smirk, “I won’t kill you. I won’t let you escape from what you have done that easily…”

 The boy smirked, “And what gives you the idea that there is something that you can do to change your fate?”

 “I have my own gift for you,” Kaji whispered directly to the boy’s ear. He smiled in satisfaction, feeling the little boy freeze involuntarily.

  “I swear with my blood and the blood of my ancestors…” The Mizugawa Head began almost breathlessly, “…that you, your children and your children’s children will live tormented as a result of your decadent actions against the Mizugawa Family.

  Your crime has caused all those with Mizugawa blood who suffered and died in your hands to be bound to you. 

 Again and again, we will haunt you and remind you of your transgression.

 You will come to know the feeling loss… of not being able to hold the people you hold dear in your arms…

 …and no matter how many times you meet her… you shall NEVER have my sister.

 Again, and again, you will feel our wrath and our vengeance until this earth is purged of Souma blood.”

 With those words, the Master of the Mizugawa family brushed his wounded palm on the boy’s cheek, smearing liquid scarlet on the child’s porcelain skin and sealed his mark with a cursed kiss… and only then he released the shaken child from his arms.

 The guards instantly made their move, restraining the unresisting young man and painfully driving him to his knees. The Head of the Souma Family raised his hand before his men exerted their indignation.

 “You’re one who’s mistaken, Mizugawa-kou,” The boy wiped his stained cheek with the hem of his sleeve, as he stepped forward, “You’re the prisoner here.”

 For the first time since the whole ordeal started, a genuine smile lined the young man’s hidden face.

“Why are you laughing?” The child frowned, bewildered by the young man’s reaction

 “You’re afraid of me…” Kaji replied in a hoarse whisper, “…aren’t you?

 The boy’s eyes narrowed to tiny slits, “I am NOT!”

 “So… In the end, it turns out that…” Kaji continued, amusement evident in his voice as he repeated the child’s earlier words, “…you’re just a stupid brat.”

 “Shut up,” The boy growled angrily

 “You’re just a stupid little kid who still believes in princesses in fairytales and witch families and…” Kaji continued as his eyes fell on the forgotten box on the ground, its content now spilled on the floor from the struggle, “…magical protective charms.”

 “SHUT UP!”

 The young man simply erupted into a peal of amused laughter.

 A loud clap thundered within in the walls of the room as the back of the boy’s hand struck the young man’s cheek. The room was automatically engulfed with dead silence.

 “Don’t you dare laugh at me,” The child’s voice now trembled with indignant rage, “You’re the one who’s in real danger here. Your life depends on my mercy. YOUR fate depends on ME.”

 With that, the Master of the Souma House quickly turned on his heels and angrily left the room. The guards waited a few more moments to ensure their lord was already more than a safe distance away, before releasing their captive, and leaving the young man kneeling alone in the centre of the room. 

 “You’re wrong Souma-kou. It’s your fate that depends on yourself. Isn’t that right…?” Kaji whispered almost inaudibly as he slowly reached out to gingerly touch the forgotten juzu on the ground. He fingered the beads in a gentle caress, before taking it and cradling it tenderly in his hands. Clear drops of liquid rained over the rosary beads, “…Yukino?”

 He clasped the bracelet in his hands, as if in prayer, before slowly crumpling forward until his forehead touched the floor, violent sobs wracking his entire being. For the first time since the whole ordeal started, he finally allowed the flood in his eyes to freely flow.

  End of 13^th Zodiac (Chapter 7)
Return to  Chapter 6  
Continued on Epilogue 
 

Author’s squawk:

HAAAAAAA! It’s almost finished! Just the epilogue to go! I can’t believe it! I’ve been trying to finish this damned for almost two years! And it’s finally ALMOST done!

Very special thanks to the very talented Merrow-chan (my God-send muse) who focused my ideas with the dream sequence (don’t you think it’s so kewl? I don’t know if I’ll even come up with anything remotely like that if Merrow-chan didn’t inspire me!) and basically pretty much onhow to end this story! ^_^.  I LOVE YOU DAH-LING! You are my inspiration! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this fic. Your death threats and suicide threats (you know who you are… <sweatdrops>) were very… motivational.

And now to the boring part… word glossary…            

Seiza = is the proper and formal way of sitting. You basically kneel down (and if you’re picky like my former karate sensei… right toe over left toe) then sit on your legs.

Igo = also known as “go”, is a strategy board game consisting of white and black stones trying to gain as much territory on the go board by surrounding each other.

Juzu = Buddhist rosary or prayer beads, (Kyou’s bracelet is an example)

 Another thing about Kyou's juzu... I know the colour varies in the anime and the manga. In the anime it was black (or dark blue) and white, in the manga, it was actually orange (the colour of Kyou's hair and white). But in Kyou and Tooru's conversation in summer vacation storyline, Kyou told Tooru the origin of his bracelet. That it was made up of human blood and bones... He mentioned that the red beads were probably originally deep red, but it faded into the orangish tinge because of how old it is.  

Ja!
Ina-chan