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Chapter 4
At dinner that night all was
quiet, no one spoke. Miyako was still pondering on how to ask her father
on going to visit Reoh. Kyohei stayed silent only because it seemed just
speaking to Miyako angered her, something he did not want or plan to do.
Her father silently sat on a pillow at the low table, his face unreadable.
Not being able to find a good way to ask her father, Miyako spoke up
hoping she could make things up as she went along.
“I received a letter from Reoh
today.” she said, a smile gracing her lips without her permission. At this
Miyako’s father’s face softened. “That is good to hear, what new has he
brought?” We have not seen him in a year or so.” he replied nonchalantly. “His
father has been taking him to many social gatherings and he won’t be able to
come to the fall festival.” Miyako said, choosing her words carefully. “The is
unfortunate.” Kakara said simply sipping his tea. Miyako hesitated before
saying, “He-he wants me to come to the city, just to visit of course...there is
a ball of some sort his father is hosting and Reoh wants me to attend.” Miyako
waited for a reply, the eagerness she felt clearly reflected on her face,
although her efforts to hide it. Kyohei saw this look and knew that this Reoh
and Miyako must be very close. A pang of jealously rose up for a moment but he
quickly got rid of it.
Kakara was quiet, the girl didn’t
know if it was from thinking, or if he was merely wondering why she had even
asked such a question. After what he seemed like hours of waiting her father
spoke. “I see, do you want to leave and go to the city?” That was unexpected.
‘Of course I want to go ’ A chance to get away from all this marriage nonsense
and get to see Reoh.’ she said inwardly. She looked over to see Kyohei looking a
bit unhappy and wondered why. He hadn’t told as to why he had agreed to this
marriage thing come to think of it. Miyako turned back to her father, deciding
to have a talk with Kyohei later. “Yes, I very much want to go.” she said
simply.
“Even though you have never been
out of the village before?” her father asked, raising an inquiring eyebrow.
Although one could tell it was more to show amusement than confusion. “Yes, I
would enjoy to see the world I have only read about. Besides I haven’t seen Reoh
in a long time..” Miyako trailed off. How she missed him Laughter flickered in
Kakara’s eyes, but it was soon replaced with the same calm look he always had.
“You do realize that whit Kyohei staying here it would be rude to let you go.”
At this Miyako didn’t bother to conceal the obvious look of disappointment
plastered on her face. “Kyohei, what’s is your take upon this?” asked the older
man suddenly. Kyohei was clearly startled as well by this, but the young man
quickly recovered and said “My presence should not keep Miyako-san from
seeing an old friend” Kyohei had seen the look of disappointment on Miyako’s
face, he didn’t like that look and wanted never to be the cause of it. After
thinking for what seemed like ages, Kakara said, “You will may go, but Kyohei
will accompany you. I understand that having those to guard you would draw
attention and no doubt make you feel as if I thought you weak. So I will have
Kyohei if he agrees, and another accompany you.” Miyako couldn’t contain her
excitement, and a broad smile came upon her face. She looked over to see Kyohei
was also smiling.
Miyako gave him a clearly thankful
smile, it seemed that in all this marriage nonsense she had found a friend.
Kyohei, it seemed, actually cared about Miyako’s opinion and feelings on all
that was happening. Her father was forced between his daughter and his duty as
leader of the clan, and it seemed, his duty was winning. “Thank you father, I am
truly grateful” she said, still smiling. “You will leave in one week for the
city.” her father said simply.
That night Miyako was walking
through the hallways of the first branch house, her bare feet making little
sound. She was too anxious to sleep. She had written a reply to Reoh’s letter
and sent it off with the fastest messenger she could manage, and even now waited
for a reply. Nonsense of course, the letter wouldn’t even reach Reoh until late
tomorrow evening at best.
The wooden and screen walls were
accented by the moonlight which hung down in beams through the nearby windows.
Miyako was heading to the large garden behind the first branch structure, her
room seemed like a giant cage, and the garden was so welcoming at this moment.
She made her way down the wooden steps that ended in the soft autumn grass.
The wind blew, and a slight chill
came upon the girl. She wore lose hakama pants that were light blue and white
kimono robe. Her hair hung limply in a heavy brown braid down her back and ended
at her thighs. The light blue hakama pants clashed with her hazel/green eyes
making them look as if they were glowing. Miyako saw her reflection in the small
pond beside the steps where koi fish swam lazily. “I’d love to see the
housemaids faces if they were to see me now, they thought my eyes were scary
when they turn gold imagine how they would react to seeing them looking as if
they were glowing’ at this thought Miyako let out a small laugh. But she stopped
when she sensed someone approaching her from behind.
“Who’s there?” she asked turning
around. It was Kyohei. “Forgive me if I startled you Miyako-san.” the young man
said sincerely. “You did not, it is fine, but please just call me Miyako.” she
said calmly, for some reason the excitement had worn off. Perhaps it was because
the tranquility of the moonlight and the stars was like an endless ocean of
light in the night sky. Without thinking Miyako asked, “Kyohei, tell me, what is
your opinion on all that is happening?” The young man stared at the moon for
what seemed like a very long time. Miyako wondered if she should shake him or
something, he seemed to have lost himself within the moon’s gaze. Just as she
was about to nudge him he said “Come let us sit down.” It was not an order, but
a gentle request.
Miyako followed him to a stone
bench that sat under a small sakura tree. They sat for a few minutes before
Kyohei said, “I believe that it is unfair for you to be forced to marry anyone.
In all truth my father convinced the elders you should marry in hope of having
our two clan join as one with our marriage.” At this Miyako didn’t know how to
react. “But why?!?!” was the only thing she could muster to say in all the
emotions she felt. “Because my father wants power, and with the joining of our
two clans that would most defiantly possible. My father told me all of this the
night before I came to stay with you” It was apparent that Kyohei disagreed with
his fathers plans by the slight scowl that was on his face. While the only thing
that really show the girls own displeasure was the glint of rage and rebellion
that was apparent in her eyes which were completely gold. She clinched her
fists. “You agreed to all of this?” she asked, her voice had a rusty sound to it
from constraining not to yell. “He is my father and the leader of my clan, I
have to do as he says, it was an order. I am sorry, forgive.” Kyohei replied,
guilt clearly plaguing him. Rage clouded Miyako’s judgement. She thought she had
found a friend! She had dared to believe that someone actually understood how
preposterous this all was! But apparently she was wrong. This Tsusuba Koto was
being so selfish! He was willing to sacrifice his own son’s as well as her own
happiness for his own desires. ‘Then how have you been acting? Have you not been
acting like a selfish brat? Hmm?’ a voice taunted inside Miyako’s head.
‘What do you know!’ she replied. ‘I know that throwing a hissy fit and making
this poor boy feel even guiltier than he already does won’t do anyone any good.’
the voice snapped back. Miyako didn’t reply, the voice was right, she was being
selfish, it wasn’t Kyohei’s fault. “No, Im sorry, I’ve been terribly selfish.
I’ve been acting like a brat...Kyohei do you want to marry?” she asked softly,
her voice edged with guilt. “Miyako, I know you do not want to marry me. You are
a good person. There are so many things you will do in this life that will be
wondrous, things that you cannot do if you are forced to settle down. In all
truth, I want to leave this village, I don’t want to be heir or leader of my
clan. I want to make my own decisions.” At this Miyako couldn’t help but smile,
his desires were similar to her own secret ones. “It would be nice...if we could
just abandon our duties and live how we wanted to. To not have people expect so
much of us...if only for a little while...” she said.
“Im glad we were able to talk
Kyohei...good night.” With that Miyako turned and went to her room, the feeling
of something finally coming off her chest eased her to sleep.
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