The Duty of War
Chapter 11
Late Autumn, 1236 - Rokugan Yogasha Shiro
Harun rode east in the pouring rain. This and the fact his wound wasn’t completely healed slowed his progress considerably. He stayed in villages, hopefully avoiding any samurai that would ask too many questions.
Finally, on a dreary wet night, he came to the gates of Rokugan Yogasha Shiro. A guard opened the gate, and Saigou came out of the castle carrying a lantern.
“Harun! How did you come to be here?” Saigou looked around. “Are you alone? Where is your father?”
“Father is back at Toshi Ranbo, I came ahead,” Harun said.
Saigou quickly ushered Harun inside, getting the servants to take Harun’s horse to the stable. He had a million questions he wished to ask, but he took one look at Harun and said. “Let’s just get you warm and dry.”
Harun nodded mutely. It had been a long journey and he was tired. For now, he allowed himself to be led like a child.
Later, after a bath and a change, Harun went to the dining room where a meal was waiting for him. Saigou was there, presiding over the table as he had always done in Karasu’s absence.
Harun sat down, the castle seemed large and silent without the presence and sounds of children. It was strange. The younger ones asleep, the older were all away, at school or like Harun had grown and were serving elsewhere.
How long will it be until father comes home? Harun wondered. And what will I face when he does?
Karasu’s words came back to him…Seppuku…sent out as a ronin or monk.
Yet, there had been also the cheers of the Crab and Imperial Legionnaires when he had killed Shimekiri, the welcome had had gotten from Takono Unit. Not everyone thought at the Crane did. Not everyone thought as his father did.
He’s…not right…about everything…
“Harun? You’re very quiet,” said Saigou. “Is there something wrong?”
Harun looked up. “No, well…” He cleared his throat. “Ooji-san, how long have you served father?”
Saigou raised his eyebrows slightly, but didn’t ask questions. “I came here to be the steward of the Emerald Champion’s household two winters after you were born.”
“And before that?” Harun asked.
“I served in the Legion,” said Saigou. “In the ranks, and then as your father’s quartermaster.”
“What about before that?” Harun asked. “Before the Legion.”
Saigou’s face closed a bit. He motioned to one of the servants to bring tea. “That was a different time, Harun,” he said. “What has brought on these questions? Something happened in Toshi Ranbo, didn’t it? You can tell me. Why are you here?”
“Father sent me away,” Harun said shortly. “He suspended me from my command, I left the day after the city fell.”
“You did something, didn’t you?” The tea arrived and Saigou poured for both of them.
Harun nodded. “I…I killed Daigotsu Shimekiri,” said Harun.
“Shimekiri? The Black Kakita?” Saigou looked a little impressed.
Harun nodded again. “The Crane, they were trying to kill him in iaijutsu duels. They were getting killed, and keep getting killed. But I stopped that, I killed him.”
Saigou looked at Harun over his teacup for a long moment. “That would have taken phenomenal skill, Harun.”
Harun nodded. “Father thinks I cheated.”
“And did you?”
Harun shrugged. “That’s not important, I saved all those people. Including the Kakita daimyo, and father.”
“Well, that may be true,” said Saigou. “But killing Shimekiri, that is phenomenal, you should have you lauded as a hero. Why are you here?”
“I am here because father sent me away,” Harun said, staring sulkily into his tea. “He says I shamed him and the entire Crane clan.”
“And did you?” Saigou asked. “What did you do exactly?”
Harun drank down his tea, ignoring its heat scaling his throat. He put his tea cup down. “I got a sniper to shoot him with a gaijin pepper weapon,” said Harun. “The sniper was right behind me while I was in the duelling circle, shot a jade-augmented round into his shoulder. That round put off his first strike, made him drop his katana. He didn’t kill me, so I killed him.”
“And now tell me…why did you do this?” Saigou asked.
Harun looked up angrily at him. Wasn’t it obvious. “Because no one else would do it.”
“And?”
“I did it to save all those people,” Harun said. “And he had just killed my friend.”
“Nothing more?” Saigou asked, Harun didn’t answer so he went on. “I know you, Harun, you were always one to make stands, fight when you thought you had been done wrong. This is no different. You wanted to kill him, didn’t you?”
Harun frowned. “But…I had no choice.”
“Yes, you did have a choice,” said Saigou. “You could have stayed your hand, not stepped into the duelling circle, stood there while he stopped every Crane in that room one by one. But you didn’t, you had to step up, you saw your chance and you took it.”
Harun looked down, Saigou was right but Harun wouldn’t admit it. “Why are you doing this?”
“I am doing this, Harun, because I know what it is like to carry burdens like this,” said Saigou. “To live with your actions, and their consequences.”
“This…this is from before?” Harun said.
Saigou nodded, memories flashed before his eyes. A ronin, at whim to the winds of fate after leaving the Spider Clan, fighting for his very survival. And the things he had done to assure that. But it wouldn’t do for Harun to hear about that. “I had a different life before the Legion,” he said at last. “I did things I was not proud of, but I also know that we are not judged for our actions as we think we should be. I thought I had been treated unfairly.”
“What did you do?” Harun asked.
“Well, I did what I had to in order to survive,” said Saigou. “And then I joined the Legion. First in the ranks, and then I met your father.” He gave a smile. “The Legion in your father did give me a cause, a reason to keep going. A way to make those burdens lighter.” He poured more tea for them both. “Harun, it is unfortunate that you have been burdened like I was at your age. I was older, able to bear it better.”
Harun drank his tea in silence for a moment. “Ooji-san, what would you say father has in mind for my punishment?”
“I am not sure,” said Saigou. “But try not to worry about it too much. A better question you are going to need to answer is how you are going to live every day after what you have done.”
“But…I’m fine with this,” said Harun. “It’s everyone else that has the problem.”
“And are you so sure about that?” Saigou asked.
Harun wasn’t certain.
In the days that followed, Harun tried to occupied himself. Practicing in the dojo, riding and spending some time in the castle library when the weather was too bad. He sat with Saigou in the evenings and they talked of other things. Happier things. Saigou shared a few stories, including some about the Legion and Harun shared some of his own. Whatever would happen, would happen. And there was nothing Harun could do to change it now.
But there was something else, a slow stripping away of Harun’s image of his father. Nurtured since his childhood as a shining hero, a bright example for Harun to aspire to. This was slowly crumbling away by the possibility his father could be wrong. That he would never see eye to eye with Harun on what had happened. That he would never respect what Harun had done.
And that hurt, hurt more than any wound he had had inflicted on him.
Eventually, Harun sighted the laurel banner of the Emerald Champion. Karasu rode in in the late afternoon in the autumn sunshine, flanked by Emerald Magistrate and Legionnaires. Harun stood on an upper balcony of the castle and watched them all ride in. And he knew then that he couldn’t stay.
That evening, Harun came down to the family dinner that was always the tradition when his father came home. He managed to acquit himself fairly given his young siblings were also there, then afterwards he spoke to Karasu in his study and told him.
Karasu’s manner was cold and emotionless. “Can you tell me why?”
Harun shook his head.
“Where will you go?” Karasu asked.
“I thought I might go to Otosan Uchi to visit Aunt Kyoumi and Uncle Kousuda,” said Harun. “It has been a while since I have seen them…and I have wanted to since we knew about Arahime.”
Karasu nodded. “They will be leaving for Kyuden Hida soon.”
“Then, I won’t stay long,” said Harun. “I’ll come back here.” And then I’ll be here while you are gone, he silently added.
“Very well,” said Karasu. “There will be a decision made, you understand?”
“I await your judgment,” said Harun, bowing.
Harun left early the next morning. Karasu watched him, from the balcony in his quarters at the top floor of the castle. What would happen, would happen. And soon.
Late Autumn, 1236 - Shiro Sano Kakita
Two days later, Harun arrived at Shiro sano Kakita. He was received at the gate with a cold frostiness. Word of his actions at Toshi Ranbo had clearly travelled ahead. As he was the Emerald Champion’s son, a Chui of the Imperial Legions and a former Topaz Champion, Harun was known the appropriate amount of hospitality. And nothing more.
A small but comfortable room in an out of the way part of the castle where he was unlikely to run into anyone. Access to the bath house, a perfectly adequate meal on a tray in his room.
These indignities didn’t bother Harun, he had more or less expected him. Anyway, it was hardly fair for him to take out his frustrations on the servants when they were only following orders.
But Harun was not just come here for a rest from the road. After a bath, he changed into practice clothes, made sure his hair and beard were tidy, and set out for the Kakita Duelling Academy.
When he arrived, he could see sensei Kakita Hatsuko leading the younger children in basic katas in the main courtyard. The steady rhythm as they moved from one to the other, jarred a little when Hatsuko saw Harun. But no more than a beat.
“Come children,”Hatsuko said. “Inside.” She looked over the children’s heads at Harun, her gaze icy.
Harun retreated as the children lined up. But before he had time to leave, one of the children turned around to where Hatsuko was looking. It was his little sister Sakimi.
“Harun!” She ran towards him, arms outstretched. Her questions came thick and fast. “When did you get here? Is father with you? What was Toshi Ranbo like?
“Hello Sakimi-chan,” said Harun with a laugh. “I just arrived, father is not with me and Toshi Ranbo…” He looked up ass Hatsuko approached. “…is a story that can wait for another time.” He made a bow to Hatsuko. “Sensei.”
Hatsuko acknowledged Harun with a silent nod as she ushered Sakimi back in line.
“Will I see you later?” Sakimi asked.
“Hopefully,” Harun said, watching her go.
He sat down on a bench in the now empty courtyard. The glare Hatsuko gave him had chilled him.
Perhaps…It was a mistake to come here, Harun thought, No, surely Master Kenshin will at least speak to me…
He went to the sensei’s quarters, ignoring the stares of the people he passed, not stopping. A young student approached Harun and bowed low.
“I need to speak with Master Kenshin-sensei,” said Harun.
The boy took off. He took his time coming back, and when he returned he walked slowly with his eyes downcast. “Ma…Master Kenshin is not at home, he will…be back tomorrow. May…may I offer you some tea?”
“Not at home?” Harun asked. “But he has hardly left the Academy in years…oh.”
The classic snub that wasn’t a snub. And by not saying a word, Kenshin had shown Harun exactly what his views were on his former student’s actions.
As subtle as a slammed door.
Harun bristled with anger. Him too? But what should have I expected?
But before him as a boy watching him with worried eyes.
“Give Master Kenshin my regards when he returns from his travels,” said Harun.
The boy turned and ran off.
Harun strode off towards his room. With purpose, with anger in each step. The gates had closed for the night, but he would not stay a moment longer here than he had to.
Late Autumn, 1236 - Otosan Uchi
Otosan Uchi, the first Imperial City that had been lost to the taint of Jigoku, then cleansed and then restored once more to be the capital. Harun had visited many times growing up, visiting Kyoumi and Kousuda’s house. And sometimes, rarely, even staying in his father’s quarters in the Imperial Palace. There of course was that time Akodo Ryoichi had found a very young Harun asleep behind a shoji screen while his father was in the same room having a meeting with the Emperor.
Harun had ridden hard from Shiro sano Kakita, leaving at first light and riding through the night to arrive at the capital just as the gates were opening.
The house where Kousuda and Kyoumi lived had not changed since Harun had last been there. There were still the white birds with the blue ribbon on the gate, painted with a smattering of wildflowers. Arahime had painted those herself, the summer before she had gone to the academy. Seeing them was bittersweet for Harun. He knocked on the gate. A servant opened it. Izumi, who had served the family before Harun was born as her parents had done.
“Kakita-sama?” she bowed low. “Are you expected?”
“No, I am not, don’t trouble yourself,” said Harun. He walked to the front door himself while Izumi saw about his horse.
The front door open and out came Kousuda.
“Harun!” He greeted him warmly. “It is good to see you! Why didn’t you write and tell us?”
“It is good to see you too, Oji-san,” said Harun. “This wasn’t really planned, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, not at all,” said Kousuda, ushering Harun inside.
There was something different about Kousuda. More than just the additional lines on his face and grey in his hair and beard. He seemed more gregarious than usual, more effort put in to making sure Harun felt welcome in a house Harun still thought as his second home.
Is this from Arahime’s death? Or from what I did? Kousuda’s association with gaijin pepper was known even if never talked about.
They had light conversation over tea, talking about what had happened in the year since Harun had seen Kousuda at Shiro Moto. Toshi Ranbo even came up, Kousuda asking discreet questions that Harun felt more comfortable answering than direct ones.
“So, tell me, Harun,” said Kousuda as he poured the last of the tea. “Are you just visiting, or is there is some purpose you are here for?”
“Just a visit, it has been a while since I have seen you, longer since I have seen Kyoumi,” said Harun. “Is she around.”
“She is resting, I am sure she will be happy to see you later,” said Kousuda. “We are in the process of preparing for the court in Kyuden Hida and will be leaving in a few days. You are, of course, welcome to stay as long as you like.”
Harun shook his head. “I won’t stay long,” he said. Though he did wonder about them going to court so soon after Arahime’s death, surely they would allow them time to mourn.
Harun’s question was in thought but Kousuda answered it. “It’s fairly important we attend, it will be Kyoumi’s first as the Voice of the Emperor.”
Harun stared at him in shock. “She is replacing Hida Kosan-sama? Now?”
Kousuda nodded. “It was time.”
The house, the garden were filled with memories for Harun. Both happy and painful. Flashes of the summer as and winters he had spent there flashing before his eyes. The Imperial Winter Court had been held a number of times in Otosan Uchi when Harun was growing up, it was far easier in the lean years of war and famine to have the Great Clans gather at the capital than to impose on meagre hospitality. So the Emerald Champion and sizable brood of children had descended on the place periodically, filling the house with the laughter of children.
It was quiet now. Arahime was dead, her brothers Masarugi and Hideyaki away at school. An autumn frost covered the garden. The rock garden still, the flower beds bare of the purple saffron blooms that hid beneath the soil, waiting for spring.
Harun saw Kyoumi a few times in his days there. She seemed very distant when they spoke, perhaps focusing on her new responsibilities as one of the Emperor’s Chosen. She was kept occupied in the preparations for court. The kimono fittings, the many documents she had to read.
Kousuda was around more, polite and again asking no questions. Harun didn’t mind this at all, he had had far worse reception from the Crane clan.
On the day before they were all due to depart, Karasu arrived at the house. Harun was outside on the porch. He wore his purple and white cloak from Unicorn lands against the cold. He heard his father talk with Kyoumi and Kousuda inside but didn’t move or speak. Then he heard the door open.
Harun stood up and bowed, saying nothing.
Karasu radiated cold anger. At first he didn’t look at Harun, but instead looked past him at the garden. Remembering. Remembering that he had once stood there with Harun’s mother Yamada. She had given him words of encouragement when he had needed them, and both of them hoping the war would end before Harun grew up. A vain hope.
Finally he acknowledged Harun, as if reluctant to do so. Harun knew he had to speak.
“Father, I await your judgment,” she said, his head still bowed. “Whatever your will is, I will follow it.”
Karasu was silent for another long moment. “That is not why I have come,” he said. “I have come to tell you will be accompanying us to Kyuden Hida.”
“To the Imperial Court?” Harun asked. “But…why?”
Karasu held out a scroll for Harun to take. “This arrived after you left,” he said.
Harun unrolled the scroll. It bore the mon of Hida Katashi, Champion of the Crab. On were a list of names from the Imperial Legions “to be honoured by the Clan of Hida”. Amongst them Harun could see Koharu, Katsura Hisato…and his own.
“Me?” Harun looked up at Karasu. “They want to honour me?”
Karasu frowned. “The day after you left, the brother of the Crab Champion came to me. He wanted to see you. Apparently he watched you…duel Shimekiri.”
“You don’t like this,” Harun said.
“I don’t, but I don’t have a choice,” said Karasu.
He turned to leave, Harun watched him go. His heart in his mouth, wishing there were words he could say to make it all better, words to help move past the rift between him and his father. But there weren’t any. He went to tell Kyoumi and Kousuda the news then went to his room.
After he had gone, Kyoumi and Kousuda talked.
“I didn’t realize that it was this bad between them,” Kyoumi said sadly.
“Neither did I,” said Kousuda. “Harun is so much like Yamada.” He sighed. “Do you there is hope for them?”
“I think so,’ said Kyoumi. “We will have all winter to find out.”
Chapter 11
Late Autumn, 1236 - Rokugan Yogasha Shiro
Harun rode east in the pouring rain. This and the fact his wound wasn’t completely healed slowed his progress considerably. He stayed in villages, hopefully avoiding any samurai that would ask too many questions.
Finally, on a dreary wet night, he came to the gates of Rokugan Yogasha Shiro. A guard opened the gate, and Saigou came out of the castle carrying a lantern.
“Harun! How did you come to be here?” Saigou looked around. “Are you alone? Where is your father?”
“Father is back at Toshi Ranbo, I came ahead,” Harun said.
Saigou quickly ushered Harun inside, getting the servants to take Harun’s horse to the stable. He had a million questions he wished to ask, but he took one look at Harun and said. “Let’s just get you warm and dry.”
Harun nodded mutely. It had been a long journey and he was tired. For now, he allowed himself to be led like a child.
Later, after a bath and a change, Harun went to the dining room where a meal was waiting for him. Saigou was there, presiding over the table as he had always done in Karasu’s absence.
Harun sat down, the castle seemed large and silent without the presence and sounds of children. It was strange. The younger ones asleep, the older were all away, at school or like Harun had grown and were serving elsewhere.
How long will it be until father comes home? Harun wondered. And what will I face when he does?
Karasu’s words came back to him…Seppuku…sent out as a ronin or monk.
Yet, there had been also the cheers of the Crab and Imperial Legionnaires when he had killed Shimekiri, the welcome had had gotten from Takono Unit. Not everyone thought at the Crane did. Not everyone thought as his father did.
He’s…not right…about everything…
“Harun? You’re very quiet,” said Saigou. “Is there something wrong?”
Harun looked up. “No, well…” He cleared his throat. “Ooji-san, how long have you served father?”
Saigou raised his eyebrows slightly, but didn’t ask questions. “I came here to be the steward of the Emerald Champion’s household two winters after you were born.”
“And before that?” Harun asked.
“I served in the Legion,” said Saigou. “In the ranks, and then as your father’s quartermaster.”
“What about before that?” Harun asked. “Before the Legion.”
Saigou’s face closed a bit. He motioned to one of the servants to bring tea. “That was a different time, Harun,” he said. “What has brought on these questions? Something happened in Toshi Ranbo, didn’t it? You can tell me. Why are you here?”
“Father sent me away,” Harun said shortly. “He suspended me from my command, I left the day after the city fell.”
“You did something, didn’t you?” The tea arrived and Saigou poured for both of them.
Harun nodded. “I…I killed Daigotsu Shimekiri,” said Harun.
“Shimekiri? The Black Kakita?” Saigou looked a little impressed.
Harun nodded again. “The Crane, they were trying to kill him in iaijutsu duels. They were getting killed, and keep getting killed. But I stopped that, I killed him.”
Saigou looked at Harun over his teacup for a long moment. “That would have taken phenomenal skill, Harun.”
Harun nodded. “Father thinks I cheated.”
“And did you?”
Harun shrugged. “That’s not important, I saved all those people. Including the Kakita daimyo, and father.”
“Well, that may be true,” said Saigou. “But killing Shimekiri, that is phenomenal, you should have you lauded as a hero. Why are you here?”
“I am here because father sent me away,” Harun said, staring sulkily into his tea. “He says I shamed him and the entire Crane clan.”
“And did you?” Saigou asked. “What did you do exactly?”
Harun drank down his tea, ignoring its heat scaling his throat. He put his tea cup down. “I got a sniper to shoot him with a gaijin pepper weapon,” said Harun. “The sniper was right behind me while I was in the duelling circle, shot a jade-augmented round into his shoulder. That round put off his first strike, made him drop his katana. He didn’t kill me, so I killed him.”
“And now tell me…why did you do this?” Saigou asked.
Harun looked up angrily at him. Wasn’t it obvious. “Because no one else would do it.”
“And?”
“I did it to save all those people,” Harun said. “And he had just killed my friend.”
“Nothing more?” Saigou asked, Harun didn’t answer so he went on. “I know you, Harun, you were always one to make stands, fight when you thought you had been done wrong. This is no different. You wanted to kill him, didn’t you?”
Harun frowned. “But…I had no choice.”
“Yes, you did have a choice,” said Saigou. “You could have stayed your hand, not stepped into the duelling circle, stood there while he stopped every Crane in that room one by one. But you didn’t, you had to step up, you saw your chance and you took it.”
Harun looked down, Saigou was right but Harun wouldn’t admit it. “Why are you doing this?”
“I am doing this, Harun, because I know what it is like to carry burdens like this,” said Saigou. “To live with your actions, and their consequences.”
“This…this is from before?” Harun said.
Saigou nodded, memories flashed before his eyes. A ronin, at whim to the winds of fate after leaving the Spider Clan, fighting for his very survival. And the things he had done to assure that. But it wouldn’t do for Harun to hear about that. “I had a different life before the Legion,” he said at last. “I did things I was not proud of, but I also know that we are not judged for our actions as we think we should be. I thought I had been treated unfairly.”
“What did you do?” Harun asked.
“Well, I did what I had to in order to survive,” said Saigou. “And then I joined the Legion. First in the ranks, and then I met your father.” He gave a smile. “The Legion in your father did give me a cause, a reason to keep going. A way to make those burdens lighter.” He poured more tea for them both. “Harun, it is unfortunate that you have been burdened like I was at your age. I was older, able to bear it better.”
Harun drank his tea in silence for a moment. “Ooji-san, what would you say father has in mind for my punishment?”
“I am not sure,” said Saigou. “But try not to worry about it too much. A better question you are going to need to answer is how you are going to live every day after what you have done.”
“But…I’m fine with this,” said Harun. “It’s everyone else that has the problem.”
“And are you so sure about that?” Saigou asked.
Harun wasn’t certain.
In the days that followed, Harun tried to occupied himself. Practicing in the dojo, riding and spending some time in the castle library when the weather was too bad. He sat with Saigou in the evenings and they talked of other things. Happier things. Saigou shared a few stories, including some about the Legion and Harun shared some of his own. Whatever would happen, would happen. And there was nothing Harun could do to change it now.
But there was something else, a slow stripping away of Harun’s image of his father. Nurtured since his childhood as a shining hero, a bright example for Harun to aspire to. This was slowly crumbling away by the possibility his father could be wrong. That he would never see eye to eye with Harun on what had happened. That he would never respect what Harun had done.
And that hurt, hurt more than any wound he had had inflicted on him.
Eventually, Harun sighted the laurel banner of the Emerald Champion. Karasu rode in in the late afternoon in the autumn sunshine, flanked by Emerald Magistrate and Legionnaires. Harun stood on an upper balcony of the castle and watched them all ride in. And he knew then that he couldn’t stay.
That evening, Harun came down to the family dinner that was always the tradition when his father came home. He managed to acquit himself fairly given his young siblings were also there, then afterwards he spoke to Karasu in his study and told him.
Karasu’s manner was cold and emotionless. “Can you tell me why?”
Harun shook his head.
“Where will you go?” Karasu asked.
“I thought I might go to Otosan Uchi to visit Aunt Kyoumi and Uncle Kousuda,” said Harun. “It has been a while since I have seen them…and I have wanted to since we knew about Arahime.”
Karasu nodded. “They will be leaving for Kyuden Hida soon.”
“Then, I won’t stay long,” said Harun. “I’ll come back here.” And then I’ll be here while you are gone, he silently added.
“Very well,” said Karasu. “There will be a decision made, you understand?”
“I await your judgment,” said Harun, bowing.
Harun left early the next morning. Karasu watched him, from the balcony in his quarters at the top floor of the castle. What would happen, would happen. And soon.
Late Autumn, 1236 - Shiro Sano Kakita
Two days later, Harun arrived at Shiro sano Kakita. He was received at the gate with a cold frostiness. Word of his actions at Toshi Ranbo had clearly travelled ahead. As he was the Emerald Champion’s son, a Chui of the Imperial Legions and a former Topaz Champion, Harun was known the appropriate amount of hospitality. And nothing more.
A small but comfortable room in an out of the way part of the castle where he was unlikely to run into anyone. Access to the bath house, a perfectly adequate meal on a tray in his room.
These indignities didn’t bother Harun, he had more or less expected him. Anyway, it was hardly fair for him to take out his frustrations on the servants when they were only following orders.
But Harun was not just come here for a rest from the road. After a bath, he changed into practice clothes, made sure his hair and beard were tidy, and set out for the Kakita Duelling Academy.
When he arrived, he could see sensei Kakita Hatsuko leading the younger children in basic katas in the main courtyard. The steady rhythm as they moved from one to the other, jarred a little when Hatsuko saw Harun. But no more than a beat.
“Come children,”Hatsuko said. “Inside.” She looked over the children’s heads at Harun, her gaze icy.
Harun retreated as the children lined up. But before he had time to leave, one of the children turned around to where Hatsuko was looking. It was his little sister Sakimi.
“Harun!” She ran towards him, arms outstretched. Her questions came thick and fast. “When did you get here? Is father with you? What was Toshi Ranbo like?
“Hello Sakimi-chan,” said Harun with a laugh. “I just arrived, father is not with me and Toshi Ranbo…” He looked up ass Hatsuko approached. “…is a story that can wait for another time.” He made a bow to Hatsuko. “Sensei.”
Hatsuko acknowledged Harun with a silent nod as she ushered Sakimi back in line.
“Will I see you later?” Sakimi asked.
“Hopefully,” Harun said, watching her go.
He sat down on a bench in the now empty courtyard. The glare Hatsuko gave him had chilled him.
Perhaps…It was a mistake to come here, Harun thought, No, surely Master Kenshin will at least speak to me…
He went to the sensei’s quarters, ignoring the stares of the people he passed, not stopping. A young student approached Harun and bowed low.
“I need to speak with Master Kenshin-sensei,” said Harun.
The boy took off. He took his time coming back, and when he returned he walked slowly with his eyes downcast. “Ma…Master Kenshin is not at home, he will…be back tomorrow. May…may I offer you some tea?”
“Not at home?” Harun asked. “But he has hardly left the Academy in years…oh.”
The classic snub that wasn’t a snub. And by not saying a word, Kenshin had shown Harun exactly what his views were on his former student’s actions.
As subtle as a slammed door.
Harun bristled with anger. Him too? But what should have I expected?
But before him as a boy watching him with worried eyes.
“Give Master Kenshin my regards when he returns from his travels,” said Harun.
The boy turned and ran off.
Harun strode off towards his room. With purpose, with anger in each step. The gates had closed for the night, but he would not stay a moment longer here than he had to.
Late Autumn, 1236 - Otosan Uchi
Otosan Uchi, the first Imperial City that had been lost to the taint of Jigoku, then cleansed and then restored once more to be the capital. Harun had visited many times growing up, visiting Kyoumi and Kousuda’s house. And sometimes, rarely, even staying in his father’s quarters in the Imperial Palace. There of course was that time Akodo Ryoichi had found a very young Harun asleep behind a shoji screen while his father was in the same room having a meeting with the Emperor.
Harun had ridden hard from Shiro sano Kakita, leaving at first light and riding through the night to arrive at the capital just as the gates were opening.
The house where Kousuda and Kyoumi lived had not changed since Harun had last been there. There were still the white birds with the blue ribbon on the gate, painted with a smattering of wildflowers. Arahime had painted those herself, the summer before she had gone to the academy. Seeing them was bittersweet for Harun. He knocked on the gate. A servant opened it. Izumi, who had served the family before Harun was born as her parents had done.
“Kakita-sama?” she bowed low. “Are you expected?”
“No, I am not, don’t trouble yourself,” said Harun. He walked to the front door himself while Izumi saw about his horse.
The front door open and out came Kousuda.
“Harun!” He greeted him warmly. “It is good to see you! Why didn’t you write and tell us?”
“It is good to see you too, Oji-san,” said Harun. “This wasn’t really planned, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, not at all,” said Kousuda, ushering Harun inside.
There was something different about Kousuda. More than just the additional lines on his face and grey in his hair and beard. He seemed more gregarious than usual, more effort put in to making sure Harun felt welcome in a house Harun still thought as his second home.
Is this from Arahime’s death? Or from what I did? Kousuda’s association with gaijin pepper was known even if never talked about.
They had light conversation over tea, talking about what had happened in the year since Harun had seen Kousuda at Shiro Moto. Toshi Ranbo even came up, Kousuda asking discreet questions that Harun felt more comfortable answering than direct ones.
“So, tell me, Harun,” said Kousuda as he poured the last of the tea. “Are you just visiting, or is there is some purpose you are here for?”
“Just a visit, it has been a while since I have seen you, longer since I have seen Kyoumi,” said Harun. “Is she around.”
“She is resting, I am sure she will be happy to see you later,” said Kousuda. “We are in the process of preparing for the court in Kyuden Hida and will be leaving in a few days. You are, of course, welcome to stay as long as you like.”
Harun shook his head. “I won’t stay long,” he said. Though he did wonder about them going to court so soon after Arahime’s death, surely they would allow them time to mourn.
Harun’s question was in thought but Kousuda answered it. “It’s fairly important we attend, it will be Kyoumi’s first as the Voice of the Emperor.”
Harun stared at him in shock. “She is replacing Hida Kosan-sama? Now?”
Kousuda nodded. “It was time.”
The house, the garden were filled with memories for Harun. Both happy and painful. Flashes of the summer as and winters he had spent there flashing before his eyes. The Imperial Winter Court had been held a number of times in Otosan Uchi when Harun was growing up, it was far easier in the lean years of war and famine to have the Great Clans gather at the capital than to impose on meagre hospitality. So the Emerald Champion and sizable brood of children had descended on the place periodically, filling the house with the laughter of children.
It was quiet now. Arahime was dead, her brothers Masarugi and Hideyaki away at school. An autumn frost covered the garden. The rock garden still, the flower beds bare of the purple saffron blooms that hid beneath the soil, waiting for spring.
Harun saw Kyoumi a few times in his days there. She seemed very distant when they spoke, perhaps focusing on her new responsibilities as one of the Emperor’s Chosen. She was kept occupied in the preparations for court. The kimono fittings, the many documents she had to read.
Kousuda was around more, polite and again asking no questions. Harun didn’t mind this at all, he had had far worse reception from the Crane clan.
On the day before they were all due to depart, Karasu arrived at the house. Harun was outside on the porch. He wore his purple and white cloak from Unicorn lands against the cold. He heard his father talk with Kyoumi and Kousuda inside but didn’t move or speak. Then he heard the door open.
Harun stood up and bowed, saying nothing.
Karasu radiated cold anger. At first he didn’t look at Harun, but instead looked past him at the garden. Remembering. Remembering that he had once stood there with Harun’s mother Yamada. She had given him words of encouragement when he had needed them, and both of them hoping the war would end before Harun grew up. A vain hope.
Finally he acknowledged Harun, as if reluctant to do so. Harun knew he had to speak.
“Father, I await your judgment,” she said, his head still bowed. “Whatever your will is, I will follow it.”
Karasu was silent for another long moment. “That is not why I have come,” he said. “I have come to tell you will be accompanying us to Kyuden Hida.”
“To the Imperial Court?” Harun asked. “But…why?”
Karasu held out a scroll for Harun to take. “This arrived after you left,” he said.
Harun unrolled the scroll. It bore the mon of Hida Katashi, Champion of the Crab. On were a list of names from the Imperial Legions “to be honoured by the Clan of Hida”. Amongst them Harun could see Koharu, Katsura Hisato…and his own.
“Me?” Harun looked up at Karasu. “They want to honour me?”
Karasu frowned. “The day after you left, the brother of the Crab Champion came to me. He wanted to see you. Apparently he watched you…duel Shimekiri.”
“You don’t like this,” Harun said.
“I don’t, but I don’t have a choice,” said Karasu.
He turned to leave, Harun watched him go. His heart in his mouth, wishing there were words he could say to make it all better, words to help move past the rift between him and his father. But there weren’t any. He went to tell Kyoumi and Kousuda the news then went to his room.
After he had gone, Kyoumi and Kousuda talked.
“I didn’t realize that it was this bad between them,” Kyoumi said sadly.
“Neither did I,” said Kousuda. “Harun is so much like Yamada.” He sighed. “Do you there is hope for them?”
“I think so,’ said Kyoumi. “We will have all winter to find out.”