It’s been helluva long time since I wrote a one-shot OFFICIALLY featuringall of the boys. D:
Oh, and this was written five months ago. Only recently did I force myself to complete it… OTZ

Featuring: Arashi, a.k.a. Ohno Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari aaaand Matsumoto Jun.
Genre: Horror, Suspense, Comedy
Rating: G
Summary: Horror games are all the rage now! Aiba, having acquired an awesome horror game from his brother, gets Jun and Sho to play with him… but the horror game doesn’t turn out to be harmless as they thought.

Notes: The horror game is based on Fatal Frame/Project Zero (which is really awesome, btw!). The game scene in the beginning is adapted from the Rope Hallway (you can watch in this video here, from 1:33 to 2:30, for a clear visual), and the scene later on is the Hearth Room (in the same video, 2:49 to 3:28).

- – - – - -

A Fatally Unamusing Affair
you’d think Arashi can handle a horror game.

The female character trotted slowly down a narrow hallway, edging around cracked holes in the floorboards and bending slightly to avoid the numerous ropes hanging ominously from the ceiling beams. The eerie whispers in the background were barely audible and yet so distinct that it drew a chilly atmosphere in the long abandoned and old mansion. In uncertainty, the girl slowed her pace and shone her torchlight further ahead, the light revealing a full-length mirror at the end of the corridor.

She blinked at the glaring light reflecting back at her. When her eyes had adjusted to the unnatural brightness, she caught her reflection. She noticed the fair complexion of her face and the unusual paleness to its colour, her brown eyes rounded with hidden fear and wariness of any unwelcome presence around her.

She edged closer and closer to the mirror, and suddenly –

Creak.

Instinctively she turned around and shone her torchlight down the hallway. There was no one there. Her chest heaved with loud and quickened breathing; she was very sure she heard that soft creak on the decaying floorboards directly behind her. Could her mind be playing tricks on her?

She inhaled deep to regain her composure, and she turned back to further examine the mirror. But the moment she looked into the mirror… she saw, hovering behind her, a ghostly woman dressed in a blood-splattered kimono.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!” came the chorus of two very manly screams while pointing at the TV screen.

“YABAIIIIIIIIIII!” the taller of the two screamed in his pitchy voice, clutching a pillow over his eyes.

“RUN! RUN NOOOOOW!” the other, a much deeper voice, shrieked.

“Shut up! Both of you!” snapped the player, pale and breathing heavily from the shock of the ghost’s sudden appearance but nevertheless glaring at his audience, who were so incredibly and stupendously terrified that even a little girl would be snickering at them.

“Matsujun, the cutscene’s ov—OHMIGOD THE GHOST IS COMING FOR YOU!”

“Dammit, I gotta fight her,” Jun cursed, and pressed the X button on the controller to whip out the Camera Obscura.

It seemed very unlikely that these three guys – three-fifth of an idol group – would spend a bright and positively sunny day, one of the few days of break from work, locked up in the TV room with the curtains drawn and the lights turned off, and scaring the bejeezus out of themselves by playing a horror game in sheer darkness. It was all Aiba’s damned fault, Matsujun would say.

In fact, it started with Aiba, who got this new game from his younger brother and was told that it was soooo awesome he would pee in his pants. Typical Aiba, not wanting to pee in his pants alone, called Sho to share the pants-wetting joy. Sho, poor, poor scaredy-cat Sho-chan, completely oblivious to what he was getting into, enthusiastically suggested they played at his house because his parents had just installed really awesome surround sound system in the TV room. And Matsujun, poor, poor, unfortunate Jun-tan, didn’t even know what he was getting into. In actuality, he appeared at the Sakurai house’s doorstep hoping to surprise Sho with homemade pasta carbonara, because 1) Sho’s house was the nearest, and 2) he was bored. And because he was bored, he willingly agreed to stay for the horror game entertainment – this coming from the guy who was unfailingly disapproving of a certain otaku’s obsession with his beloved Nintendo DS.

So now all three of them were huddled together in the middle of the TV room, with Jun sitting cross-legged on the floor and leaning against the sofa on which Sho and Aiba were sitting on and hiding behind a mountain of fluffy pillows.

“It’s so hard to fight in such a narrow space,” Jun complained.

He adjusted the camera so that the ghost was directly in the middle of the crosshair and waited for it to advance towards his character. The ghost moved in a slow pace, as though mocking them, and out of a sudden, she glided away and out of the camera’s view.

Jun was dumbfounded. “What the—”

He unequipped the Camera (thus taking off the first-person view point) and once the screen emerged in the third-person angle, he saw that the ghost was instead behind his character and advancing with outreached hands.

“THE GHOST CAN FLY?!” Aiba squeaked as he peeked out from behind the pillow.

“Baka, everyone can see that,” Jun retorted in annoyance. Deftly he spun his character around and quickly whipped out his Camera, but the ghost already got to the girl and was strangling her. She screamed in pain and the screen zoomed onto the ghost’s face, which was scarred and bloodied and had black, empty holes in the sockets where her eyes should be.

“QUICK, DO SOMETHING!” Sho yelled.

“I am, I am!” Jun said, feverishly punching the X button on the controller and watching in helplessness as his character’s HP lowered significantly. The ghost laughed maniacally before it finally released her.

“I think you better run…” Aiba whimpered.

“I can’t, it’ll chase me no matter where I go!” Jun exclaimed.

The ghost cackled evilly and started gliding in a circle around the girl again. With his tongue jutting out at the corner of his lips, Jun concentrated on its movement. The moment the ghost stopped behind the girl (he figured it was the ghost’s tactic was repetitive) he swiftly spun the girl around and took out the camera.

“DIEEEEEE!” he roared, and without hesitation he clicked the camera. He caught a clear shot of the ghost, sucking some of the its soul and thus flinging it backwards in recoil.

“YES!” cheered both Sho and Aiba.

“Do that consecutive shot thing!” Sho said.

Jun didn’t need to be told. He was already clicking the camera away in unabashed glee, doing a double shot before the ghost could regain itself. The ghost shrieked at an ear-piercing tone as it staggered away, and without hesitation, Jun zoomed the lenses closer to the ghost and dealt it with the final shot, ultimately defeating the ghost. The ghost screamed once more and then crumbled to the floor; finally its spirit dispersed and vanished into thin air.

The atmosphere regained its eerie stillness and silence.

Sho whistled. “Wow.”

Jun glanced over his shoulder and threw him a superior grin.

“That was awesome!” Aiba squealed in sheer exhilaration. Flailing his arms, he sprang up to his feet (in the process, knocking the pillows all over poor Sho), snatched the controller from Jun’s hands, and tumbled onto the floor unceremoniously. “My turn!”

Jun raised his eyebrows mockingly. “Uh huh… you totally weren’t screaming your head off like a little schoolgirl not two minutes ago,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Playing and watching are two different experiences,” Aiba argued. “Watching is scary yet fun… playing is scarier and… and funner!” He giggled, and without waiting for a reply he unpaused the game and led the female character to the nearest door. Within his fervent, bubbly enthusiasm, Aiba absent-mindedly pressed himself against Jun’s side. In fact, Jun had his arm slung over the sofa seat, so Aiba snuggled deep into the crook of his arm and crouched so low that it appeared as if he was resting his head on Jun’s shoulder.

Jun said nothing – clearly he had no objection to the close proximity – but he rolled his eyes. He tilted his head back and peered at Sho, whose face was half hidden behind a pillow. “It’s your turn after Aiba,” he told him smugly.

Sho’s eyes widened and he shook his head vigorously. “Aiba can play as long as he wants,” he replied quickly. As if to make a point, he jabbed his barefoot at Aiba’s shoulder. “Ne?”

“Ne!” came the childish response.

“Wussy,” Jun smirked.

In the game, the female character had entered a hearth room. It was very dark; the torchlight illuminated a cold hearth in the middle of the room and a couple of wooden cupboards and painted partitions stacked against the wall – everything was old and dusty. Once more, the eerie whispers of the background music gave the room a chilly atmosphere. Across the room was a flight of stairs leading to the upper floor, and next to the stairs was a small door.

“Through the door or up the stairs?” Aiba asked.

“Try the stairs,” Sho suggested.

Aiba led the character towards the stairs, slowly and carefully, but when she reached the bottom step, a ghost of a kimono-clad man suddenly appeared in front of her, walking up the stairs.

“AAAAHHH KOWAI KOWAI KOWAI!” Aiba screamed, and instinctively he spun the female character around and led her away.

“Oi, you’re supposed to capture a photo of the ghost!” Jun snapped.

“But-but-but-but why?!” Aiba asked in his panicky, high-pitchy voice.

“It’s a wandering ghost – it won’t attack you. And you get points to upgrade the camera lens… baka.”

“I don’t blame him,” Sho piped in, “that ghost popped out of nowhere.”

Jun fixed the terrified duo a piercing stare. “…Wussies.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

All three of them froze. Simultaneously their heads turned and they stared at the window. It was difficult to see through the drawn curtains… but unmistakably someone – or something – was tapping on the glass.

“Did you guys hear it?” Sho whispered. He barely breathed.

“…Yes,” Jun answered. He seemed outwardly unperturbed by the unusual sound, and he waved his hand in dismissal. “It’s probably a bird or something.”

“Why would a bird tap at the window?” Aiba squeaked.

“How the hell should I know? Let’s just get back to the game.”

But not ten seconds passed when –

Tap tap tap tap tap.

This time it was louder… more insistent, and undeniable.

The three of them exchanged glances; Aiba clutched Jun’s arm tightly and looked as if he was about to cry; Sho seemed ready to bolt out of the door any moment, and imperturbable Jun seemed to have lost his steel wits. Wracked with uneasiness set in his expression, Jun nudged Sho. “Go take a look,” he ordered.

The blood drained from Sho’s face. “Why me?!” Sho exclaimed.

“Because you’re closest to the window, obviously!” Jun replied hotly.

Sho’s face bore an expression of utmost terror and evident reluctance, but Jun was adamant. So, very much unwillingly, Sho stood up – the pillow still clutched to his chest – and hesitantly approached the window. With a shaking hand, he slowly reached for the curtains, took one anxious gulp, and then swiftly he drew the curtains apart. He blinked at the brightness of the afternoon sunlight.

There was no one outside the window.

Sho leaned against the window pane and scanned the empty backyard. “It’s just our imagination playing at us,” he laughed nervously.

And out of a sudden, two faces sprang up from nowhere and thudded noiselessly right against the window, barely two inches from Sho’s face.

“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”

Sho shrieked and fell backwards.

Aiba screamed and hugged Jun, hiding his face in Jun’s jacket.

Jun narrowed his eyes.

“You assholes.”

The two faces belonged to none other than Ohno and Nino, who were positively doubling over and roaring with laughter. Jun, with a murderous glint in his eyes, got onto his feet and went to the window, slid the window open, and smacked both Ohno and Nino on the head.

“That was not funny,” he hissed.

“Hello to you, too,” Nino greeted cheerfully. His eyes were watery from laughing so hard.

Aiba scrambled to Jun’s side and smacked Ohno’s head (he couldn’t reach Nino’s because Nino smartly moved a step away to avoid Aiba’s hand). “WHY DID YOU DO THAT FOR?! THAT WAS CRUEL! CRUEL!” Aiba yelled, very much like a distressed child.

“It was Nino’s idea,” Ohno said as he massaged his head.

“We couldn’t resist it!” Nino grinned devilishly. “We bumped into Sho’s sister on our way in, who told us you guys were playing this cool horror game… and we thought we’d surprise you!”

Jun whacked Nino’s head again. “Don’t mess with us! Something fatal could have happened,” he growled.

Nino rolled his eyes. “How fatal can a scare get?”

“Erm… guys?” came Sho’s voice.

All four of them stared at Sho. He was still sprawled awkwardly on the floor; his face held an expression of absolute dismay, his cheeks reddened to a darker shade.

“I think I leaked a little bit,” Sho moaned.

Silence ensued. Then, Ohno faced Nino with a poker face. “You were saying?”

~

Yes, this song is based on Michael Jackson’s THRILLER. xD

Sorry, I couldn’t resist putting up an image. XD

Featuring: Ohno Satoshi in the role of Michael Jackson, and Kobayashi Ryoko (Shiori in Maou!) as the female counterpart.
Genre: Horror, Thriller obviously
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryoko and Satoshi spend their usual Friday night date catching a horror movie, but who would have known the horror isn’t so much fiction as they thought…?

Why MJ? Why?: Yes, shoot me. xD This fanfic is spawned by my closet MJ fangirl-ness. Actually, it started off when an Arashian (Nene-chan) and I matched the Arashi boys to an MJ song/PV, aaaaaand from there came the fanfic ideas. Totally cracktastic yet full of awesomeness~ Hopefully we can come up with a Michael Jackson Collection of Arashi fanfics :D

FYI: I know my fixed fanfiction-wise pairing for Ohno is Yuuki from For the Love of Cherry Pie, but oh well. This ficcie isn’t meant to be taken seriously. xD Besides! Ryoko/Shiori fits Satoshi/Naruse in any way~

About this one-shot: It’s adapted from both the song and the PV/MV of Michael Jackson’s hit song, Thriller, which you can watch here (part 1) and here (part 2). Enjoy!

——–

THRILLER
An Ohno Satoshi fanfiction

The girl stared at the silver ring he held out between his fingers with round, awestruck eyes. Then she raised those eyes at him and peered with silent questioning.

“Will you… be my girl?” he asked with quiet confidence.

Her lips trembled with emotions before widening into the most joyous smile. “Oh gosh, yes!” she cried out and threw her arms around him, the sudden force knocking him a few steps back. He chuckled, drew back slightly and slid the ring onto her finger.

“Now it’s official,” he grinned.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered as she held her hand out and admired the silver band. The material had bluntness to its shine and the fake diamond in a crest atop the band glimmered faintly. It was an obvious five-dollar bargain off the Sunday flea market, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care at all.

“I have something I wanna tell you.”

She looked up to find his expression unexpectedly grave and his eyes dark. She frowned. “What is it?”

“I’m not like other guys,” he told her quietly.

“Of course not,” she replied with an adoring smile. “That’s why I love you.”

“No, I mean it when I say I’m different…”

“What are you talking about?”

“You don’t—” His voice cut off. He raised his head to the sky and saw the brilliant moon unveiled from behind the clouds. A sudden, sharp pain gripped his entire body. He shut his eyes tight and gritted his teeth, clutching his chest as his face contorted in pain. A gasp escaped his lips before his body started to go into uncontrollable fits of spasm.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, starting to panic.

He didn’t reply. He doubled over and keeled to the ground, writhing all over in evident pain as his loud groans sounded across the forest clearing. She was frightened by this reaction and began crying.

“What’s the matter?” she asked again, and touched his trembling shoulder. He jerked violently and his face shot up. Her eyes widened and she screamed.

The pupils in his eyes were dilated into black slits resembling a cat’s, and the white in his eyes – the sclera – was yellow. However, what truly brought her to such terror were the sharp, wolf-like fangs that jutted over his lower lip.

“GO AWAY!” he growled, before he thrashed violently again. Brown animal fur grew over the skin on his neck and hands.

She screamed, louder and higher in pitch, and ran off without a second thought. She didn’t know where she was going, with only the pale moonlight guiding her through the forest trails. In the distance she heard the hungry howl of a wolf. She yelped and sped faster while constantly glancing fearfully over her shoulder, and out of nowhere, he sprang out in front of her. She shrieked, and, in her haste to escape, she tripped over a thick root of a willow tree and fell on the soft grass. Her arms stung where the pine cones dug into her skin. She spun onto her back, and she saw him: a monstrous werewolf, standing above her with a wild glint of a predator in his eyes. He extended his hand, covered in fur and with sharp, yellow claws, and her heart throbbed desperately knowing her life was going to end…

Ryoko finally couldn’t keep her mouth closed anymore, and she let out a muffled scream.

“Hey, keep your voice down,” Satoshi told her without taking his eyes off the screen.

“As though everyone else isn’t,” she retorted.

She wasn’t the only one who thought the movie wasn’t very sensible about the gory details – the mass of moviegoers in the entire theatre hall shuddered and screamed, some covered their eyes, some covered their ears, some had their widened eyes transfixed on the movie, in which the werewolf was tearing the poor girl’s flesh apart.

Ryoko cringed at the blood and raw flesh – even though she knew they were all fake – and her grip around Satoshi’s arm tightened.

Satoshi munched on the popcorn in obvious amusement. He was probably the only person who thoroughly enjoyed the violence and the gore.

“Can we get out of here?” Ryoko pleaded.

“Why? We’re at the best part!” he exclaimed. He turned back to the screen and popped a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

She glared at him in disgust. “Well, I can’t watch,” she said, and without wasting any time, she sprang onto her feet and edged her way through the row of seats and stormed out of the theatre. Satoshi stared at her. He sighed, handed his popcorn to the stranger next to him and followed after her. The audience screamed once more when he pushed past the exit doors.

He found her standing on the pavement outside the cinema and jogged over to her, laughing aloud. “Come on, it’s only a movie.”

She cast him a withering look. “It’s not funny,” she argued hotly, and crossed her arms over her chest.

He grinned knowingly and nodded. “You were scared, huh?” he smirked.

“…A little,” she admitted reluctantly.

He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. It was obvious she wasn’t going to go back inside and continue watching the movie, so together they headed down the walkway.

On the promotional movie display above the entrance, the words ‘Vincent Price – THRILLER’ rang out ominously.

They took the usual shortcut back to her house, as was the ritual at the end of their Friday night dates. They strode down an alleyway, which was empty and eerily dark save for the pale light of the full moon guiding them through the darkness. The lampposts weren’t working – they always weren’t – the city council never fixed the lights. The night was unusually quiet, so quiet it felt like a vacuum had sucked the air from the atmosphere.

An abandoned cemetery came into view. Old tombs and grave plots littered the long-unvisited area, and an eerie fog hung above the earth. Ryoko clung tighter to Satoshi’s arm.

“I never liked this place,” she whispered. “It’s so desolate.”

“You aren’t wrong in that.”

Ryoko raised her eyes at Satoshi and stared hard at him. His face was expressionless and his eyes distant and blank. He was acting so strangely.

“What do you mean?”

“When darkness falls across the land, when the midnight hour is close at hand… creatures of the dead emerge from their tombs in search of blood… to terrorise your neighbourhood… Who so ever shall be found, without the soul for getting down, must stand and face the hounds of shell and rot inside a corpse’s shell…” his voice drifted off.

A cold chill ran down Ryoko’s spine as his words sunk in. She gulped and hesitantly spoke out, “Who… said that?”

Satoshi turned his serious face to her, and suddenly it broke into a mischievous grin. “O’ great Vincent Price,” he beamed.

Ryoko was stunned momentarily before she inhaled sharply and smacked him on the arm. “THAT WAS MERCILESS!” she screeched in sheer annoyance. “You got me terrified!”

“Come on, it’s just a joke,” he replied in an unapologetic voice.

“I’m not forgiving you any time for that,” she growled with a half-heartened patronising smile.

“You don’t have to,” he said, deadpan and serious once again. “Price’s words never lie.”

“You need to get a healthier obsession than zombies and Price’s legion of the undead,” she retorted as she rolled her eyes. Suddenly, Satoshi stopped walking. Ryoko looked up and saw he was unresponsive to her, but continued to stare up ahead. “What’s wrong?” she asked, frowning.

She followed his gaze, and felt her blood run cold.

From within the pale fog hovering over the asphalt, countless figures emerged, so many that she could not count. There was no mistaking the ashen faces and the torn clothes over rotting flesh. The foul stench of death permeated the air and Ryoko hacked at the sulphur-like smell burning her nose. It took her a long time before she registered the utmost fear gripping her and the soundless shriek seemingly stuck in her throat. She backed away a few steps until she knocked into Satoshi. She spun around hoping he would protect her, but instead she screamed aloud and stumbled away from him in terror.

Satoshi was a zombie, an undead just like the other spawns of evil. There was absolutely no colour in his now-whitewashed skin and his eyes were sunken. What more, she found no warmth or even any remote signs of life in those eyes.

“Sa…toshi…” she gasped.

An inhuman growl left his blue lips and he reached out to Ryoko with possessive hands. She jerked away from his grasp and almost tripped over a rock, but she didn’t stop stepping backward. She glanced around and knew she was surrounded. She had to escape!

She saw an opening in the circle behind Satoshi. Braving herself with all her strength, she darted past him and through the opening between two dismembered zombies and ran as fast as she could. Both fright and her need for survival fuelled her legs to run in incapable speed. She didn’t care that the muscles were already starting to cramp up. She flitted past dark, mostly abandoned houses and empty lots in search of a hideout. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the army of zombies close on her trail. Utter fear gripped her and she emitted a loud scream, running even faster.

The road soon ended into dirt trails leading to farmlands. There was an unoccupied house at the end of the street – the only place Ryoko could reach before the zombies caught up with her – and without a second thought she scrambled up the pebbled steps and to the front porch. Frantically she tried the door but it wouldn’t budge.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Ryoko bellowed between choked sobs. Furious tears had stained her cheeks.

Finally the rusty doorknob gave in to the violent force and she swung the door open. Ignoring the loud creaks in the rotting floorboards which groaned under her weight, she immediately headed for the bedroom just off the living room. She could hear them approaching close behind, the ugly sound of their feet dragging across the floor like a claw against glass.

Ryoko threw herself into the room and slammed the door shut. She even pushed a dusty armchair against it in hopes they wouldn’t be able to get in… but how foolish that was. Satoshi ripped through the thin wooden door easily with his bare hands. She screamed and backed away, only to jump when a zombie’s hand burst through a floorboard, and in succession many, many more hands tore apart the planks nailed to the windows.

Ryoko collapsed on the sofa. She thrashed and screamed and shrieked and cried uncontrollably as the zombies emerged into the room, slowly advancing towards her.

“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!” she sobbed.

“…stand and face the hounds of hell, and rot inside a corpse’s shell,” Satoshi’s devil-like voice chanted, echoed by the many zombies. “…grizzly ghouls from every tomb are closing in to seal your doom…” they started to encircle her and her screams were almost drowned by the lifeless voices, “…and though you fight to stay alive, your body starts to shiver… for no mere mortal can resist… the evil… of the thriller.”

Satoshi reached his hand out to Ryoko; the hand was beyond pale. Ryoko screamed as she shielded herself with her arms, knowing she was going to die; she screamed knowing her last moment alive would be spent gruesomely. She screamed and screamed and screamed in utter terror and –

The hand that touched her was warm.

Ryoko’s eyes sprang open and she discovered she was in Satoshi’s house, or specifically in his living room. Satoshi stood above her with a quizzical look.

“What’s the problem?” he asked, faintly amused.

Ryoko stared at him with a blank expression and blurrily studied her surroundings. She was in a complete daze – was that a nightmare she had?

“Come on, I’ll take you home,” Satoshi smiled. His smile was comforting.

He pulled her up to her feet and supported her with an arm around her waist. She could almost cry from relief and the peace of mind. With an exhausted sigh, she rested her head on his shoulder.

They walked past a floor-length mirror. Satoshi faced his reflection, and his eyes shone yellow with true malice.

It had not ended… the evil of the thriller.

~

Featuring: the birthday boy, Nino! And the rest of Arashi~
Genre: Crack. Just crack. ;D
Rating: G
Summary: Nino is thrown a surprise party (which isn’t all that of a surprise) which ends up turning into a… food fight?

Notes: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BURGER HANDS! XD This ficcie is the most I can do for him (or you guys~) to celebrate the occasion while I’m busy with school. Wrote this down on paper before transferring into Word doc. so this is an unedited version. If there is any grammar/spelling errors… forgive my human flaws! xD

ENJOY THE CRACK!

-

Birthday Party Gone Wild

My eyes are covered with a blindfold, and my hands are bound by a cotton scarf. Does this look like even fractionally right to you?

“Tell me again, Oh-chan, why I’m standing at the door of my own house like this?” I whine. I have every right to whine, all right.

Ohno is fumbling around the contents of my bag for my set of keys. “I… don’t know,” he answers flatly.

“You liar,” I retort. I’m getting impatient! I start groping my tied hands around blindly until I catch hold of something plump… and feels familiar. I grin.

“That’s my butt you’re touching,” Ohno tells me shyly. He tries moving away slowly but I tighten my hold before he can get away, and I squeeze the flesh. I grin wider at Riida’s yelp.

“I want to know if it’s a surprise party behind that door!” I demand.

Ohno hesitates for a moment, and then helpfully points out, “It wouldn’t be a surprise party if it’s not a surprise, is it?”

I pinch the fleshy curve of his plump buttocks and he squeaks. Yeah, that’s right, you should be squeaking for mercy.

“Okay, okay, it is! Just… act like you’re surprised, okay?” he pleads, then adds in, “Or Matsujun will kill me.”

“Matsumoto-kun dies before he touches you,” I say with a low growl. Then, I smile with satisfaction and let go of his buttocks. “Riida always is the best, ne?” I say sweetly. “Lead the way, then.”

I hear him quickly inserting the key and unlocking the door, then he grips onto my arm and pulls me inside before he closes the door behind me. Guided by sheer memory – perfect imagery memory honed by my thirty hours of gaming daily! – I reach out and find my way along the wall until I find the switch. I flip it on and immediately pull down the blindfold. I fully expected to see Aiba, Jun-tan, and Sho (and prepare myself to strangle them). I definitely did NOT expect to see my entire living room filled with a hundred thousand million billion people.

Holy shit.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” they roar out.

Some of them (I can’t spot them among the insane crowd) pop party crackers and rainbow-coloured confetti starts raining down all over me. That’s when I look up and notice balloons and ribbons littering the ceiling. Even the ceiling fan isn’t visible anymore!

How the hell did these people manage to turn my house into a circus under just two hours?!

For no apparent reason I am thoroughly amused. In the least, I’m not cleaning up the mess. I’m the birthday boy, yo!

“Happy birthday to you…” everyone starts singing. “Happy birthday to you!” Sho and Aiba emerge slowly from the cluster, holding the birthday cake with lit candles atop it. “Happy birthday to Ninooooooo!” I laugh aloud at a small number of voices wishing ‘Kazunariiiiiiii’ instead. “Happy birthday to you!”

“Everyone… thank you so much!” I exclaim, bowing deeply and with an embarrassing smile (believable, I hope).

“Make a wish!” Aiba prompts.

“What is there to wish for?” I wonder audibly.

“For a DS game or something you’re always whining about wanting to get,” Matsujun suggests with a smirk.

Hmmm. I really don’t have an idea at all! I have everything I want… wait, I need a new hard drive for my games. Yeah, a 1000GB hard drive. That’s more than enough space for all my beloved games. I won’t feel insecure anymore! Okay, I’m totally wishing for that.

I blow out the candles, all twenty six of them, and everyone cheers and applauds. Before Sho takes the cake away, I take a swipe out of the icing with my finger and lick it.

“Raspberry!” I smile oh-so-very-joyously. “Great choice, as always,” I nod at Matsujun. I already know the cake is going to taste maximum umai – in the great words of Mr Sakurai. Matsujun never fails at picking the most scrumptious cakes for birthdays and other events.

“We’re cutting the cake after you open your presents,” Ohno says softly.

Presents? Time to rub my palms together and emit a wicked laugh!

“Presents!” Aiba squeals, flailing his arms in the air (I’m so glad he isn’t holding the cake now). He drags me to the living room area and pushes me onto the couch. On the coffee table is a mountain of nicely wrapped, blindingly colourful presents. I can feel my legs shaking with excitement!

“Open mine first!” Aiba insists, pulling out a rectangular present with a blue wrapping with prints of baby bears.

I read the words on the wrapping carefully. “Aiba! It says ‘Happy birthday to the baby’ all over!”

“It does?” The lanky guy leans over and reads the word, and he laughs humorously. “You’re right!”

“On your birthday, I’m getting you a dictionary,” I mutter. I rip open the present, my eyes widen. “Muramasa: The Demon Blade! How did you know I wanted this game?!”

“Riida suggested it,” Aiba replies, casting a proud grin at Ohno behind. I’m going to have to remind myself to give Oh-chan a huge kiss later.

After Aiba’s turn, I start digging into other presents. Manager-san’s present is a Seiko watch (“Good timing! I needed to replace my old one.”), my ol’ high school friends pitched in for a PSP Slim (“Now I’m gonna need forty hours a day to play all these games!”), and Otou-san and Okaa-san and Onee-san (who aren’t around and instead are holidaying in Hokkaido… without me! On my birthday! The nerve!) picked out a sweater.

Then comes the other members’ presents. I open Ohno’s present first, which is a small painted clay figure of me in my Ohmiya SK costume (I owe him a big make-out session, now), then Sho’s present – a book on the history of virtual games (finally a book I’m definitely interested in!), and finally Matsujun’s present – a black leather slingbag from Uniqlo (“Now I can be as sexy as you!”).

“Now,” I start, after unwrapping the last present and the floor is practically littered with torn wrapping paper, “can we have cake?”

Sho brings out the cake – a rather huge cake, might I add, how the hell did it fit into the refrigerator? – and sets it down on the coffee table. I grab the silver knife and am just about to slice the cake… when Sho accidentally trips and falls flat onto my back, flattening me until my face is squished into the cake.

“I’m sorry!” Sho exclaims in horror. “It’s the wrapping paper I tripped on! I swear!”

I lift my head up, slowly and calmly, and wipe the thick cream from my eyes. I glare at him – a positively livid death glare – as he stands a considerable distance away, next to Aiba. He seems to cower further behind a taller Aiba under my murderous eyes. Yes, hide like a little girl behind that puppy.

“You. Are. DEAD!” I bellow, and I chuck the cream at him, but my aim is off and the cream splatters all over Aiba’s face instead.

“NAN DA YO?! You hit the wrong person!” Aiba whines childishly.

I laugh aloud but it stops midway when something mushy hits the back of my neck. What the hell? I spin around and find Matsujun with his hands covered with cream and wearing an evil, scheming grin on that blasted face of his. He then nudges Riida with his elbow, and Riida readily whips his cream-caked hands out from around his back and flings more cream at me. Matsujun cackles. Ohno grins in amusement. And I’m furious. FURIOUS for payback.

“FOOD FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!” I declare. This is war!

Instantaneously the entire house is in an uproar. A flinging fest of cream and cake soon starts (no one gives a damn about wasting high quality cake anymore!), and miraculously someone manages to bring out leftover party finger food and starts throwing mini sandwiches and sushi and chips and cheese sausages… and even pieces of ham! I pick up some sushi and chips from the plate and chuck them at Aiba and then Sho. Wait, I should be aiming for Sho… he started it! I start throwing sandwiches feverishly at him until he ducks behind the couch and doesn’t come out. Out of a sudden a slab of ham slaps the side of my face, and I turn around and see Matsujun cackling.

“You’re going down, pretty face!” I yell out, and I start chasing him down brandishing a cheese sausage.

After ten minutes of havoc and devastating wreckage, the fight is still going on. Where the hell is the supply of food coming from? I hope it’s not my refrigerator. Damn. I’m too tired to continue. I collapse on the couch (with a layer of cream and cheese on it) and watch the fight instead. It’s so much more fun to watch rather than get all messy and slimy.

Matsujun collapses just as exhaustedly beside me and wraps an arm around my shoulder exuberantly. “How’s this for a birthday party?” he grins.

“The BEST party I’ve ever had,” I gush to him with obvious exaggeration.

“…I’m so glad that cake’s cheap,” he admits.

“You owe me a birthday cake!” I exclaim, half-scowling at him. And he does indeed. How’s a birthday boy to celebrate his birthday without a birthday cake! That’s almost a crime. Wait, it is a crime. Or should be.

Matsujun laughs out loud and pats me on the shoulder. “Fine. We’ll go to café later. Your pick.”

“I would love you so much more if you said ‘my treat’.”

“Whatever.” And he walks off and joins Ohno and Aiba squirt Sho with ketchup. Hah! Revenge is so sweet.

Well, turning twenty-six with my hair filled with icing cream and sliced tomatoes isn’t so bad after all.

But I think turning twenty-seven would have to be much cleaner.

- ~ -

1) I would not have been able to write if it were not for my awesome all-night 10-straight-hour manic caffeine-driven writing. xD
2) Again, a huuuuge thank you for all the wonderful comments for the previous chapter! LOTS OF STORMY LOVE TO YOU GUYS. <3

HEAVEN’S WIND
an Ohno Satoshi fanfiction

Rating: T
Genre: Historical romance
Banner: Lord Ohno Satoshi and Kikuchi Aki (modeled by Toda Erika)
Summary: When Aki arrives at the Imperial Heian Palace as a new lady-in-waiting in service to the Empress, she is filled with indescribable anticipation and anxiety, knowing a new chapter in her life will begin. What she knows not… is that her life will change completely, and it begins with a chance meeting with a mysterious man on the stone wall.

Note: If there is any factual inaccuracy in terms of historical facts of the Heian Period, it is not intended.

GLOSSARY:
geta (げた) : traditional Japanese sandals.
kinchaku (きんちゃく) : a woven pouch, usually silk or cotton. An accompanying accesory to traditional Japanese garments for women.
furoshiki (風呂敷) : a traditional Japanese method of convenient goods transportation using a folded cloth. See image of furoshiki here.
michiyuki (みちゆき) : a traditional women’s overcoat worn over the kimono.
dango (団子) : a Japanese dumpling usually served on a skewer.
Ohisashiburi (ne) (おひさしぶり、ね？) : It’s been a while since we last met (eh?).
tachi (太刀) : a Japanese sword, the predecessor of the katana (the katana was only developed in 1392AD). It is slightly longer and more curved than the katana.
shirasaya (白鞘) : a simple wooden mount, functions as a scabbard (but mostly for storage and blade perservation).
obi (おび) : a sash worn as a belt for traditional Japanese clothes such as the kimono.
harabuto mochi (腹太餅) : the original name for daifuku. Glutinous rice cake with sweet filling.
wakame soba (わかめそば) : buckwheat noodles in hot broth topped with wakame seaweed topping.

-

Heaven’s Wind
Part Five

Aki woke up from her slumber with the gentle rays of dawn’s light showering her face and the lulling music of two singing white-throated sparrows meeting her ears. She was reluctant to rise up amidst such a lovely morning; above that, her sleep was restful and dreamless, one which brought such tranquility to her mind after the many frustrating nights of insomnia.

“Ohayou.”

With blurry eyes, Aki looked up. Across the room, Satoko was adjusting a headpiece in her pinned-up hair with the help of a mirror on the small table. She was already dressed in her court lady’s jyunihitoe uniform, the garment’s twelve thick layers bunched up in ripples of colours around her as she knelt on the hard floor.

“O—ohayou,” Aki greeted as her eyes slowly scanned her surroundings. Confusion seeped into her sleepy face: she did not remember falling asleep in her bedroom.

Last night… the stables… was it all a dream?

“Ah, by the way,” said Satoko. She paused for a moment, studying her reflection in the mirror while patting the headpiece to ensure it was secured, before she lowered the mirror and spun around to face the younger woman. “Did you notice anything peculiar last night?”

“Hmm?” was Aki’s lackadaisical reply. She seemed dazed, lost in her thoughts, absent-mindedly rubbing sleeping Tsuki’s back.

“I recall hearing creaking noises in the room and from outside on the corridor, as though someone was stepping on the floorboards, and you know the wood creaks even under the lightest of weight. Did you hear it?”

Aki, still unsure of the events that occurred the previous night, shook her head. “I did not.”

Satoko opened her mouth, then closed it, and she shrugged her shoulders. “Oh well. Perhaps it was Lady Masuda off to meet her lover,” she nodded with a knowing smirk. She turned back to the mirror and started lathering white rice powder cream on her face, all the while chattering to herself about the obnoxious behaviour of Lady Masuda and her tumultuous relationship with a high-ranked soldier. Aki paid no heed to her friend; she pushed aside the futon covers and got up, dragging her feet to the washbasin by the window where she sank her cupped hands in the water and splashed onto her face. The sharp coldness of the liquid jolted her awake, but it rejuvenated her.

Out of the corner of her eye, something made her pause in her movements. On the floor below the window, in the laundry basket, was her michiyuki folded neatly atop a pile of messily stacked clothes. It would not have seemed unusual at all, but it was evident that no clothes were ever neatly arranged in the basket.

There has to be an explanation, she reasoned to herself, but on the contrary her hands trembled. She reached out for the michiyuki and brought it up to her nose, inhaling the cotton material, and she gasped. It smelled strongly of hay… and the familiar scent of Lord Ohno’s clothes.

Lord Ohno must have carried her back to the room after she fell asleep.

“Go dress already!” Satoko exclaimed out of a sudden. “We shall break our fast before we part ways. It is sufferable as it is that you are relieved of your duty today while I am not, and what more on such a beautiful day… insufferable indeed!”

“No, you go first. I’m afraid I have matters to attend to,” Aki told her. She hurriedly changed into her casual garments while putting a deaf ear to Satoko’s attacking questions of suspicion, and she grabbed her discarded michiyuki and patted Tsuki before she rushed out of the room.

“Wait, Aki!” Satoko called after her. “If you are heading out to town, will you buy a new pair of geta for me?”

“I will, nee-sama! Have a nice day!” Aki yelled back as she ran down the corridor.

She scrambled down the winding staircase to the ground level, purposefully ignoring the stares of passing court ladies ready to leave for the Empress’ quarters, and cut across the courtyard to exit the women’s quarters through its main entrance. She clutched her kinchaku tightly to her chest in one hand and pulled up the skirts of her kimono with the other, her sandals thudding noisily on the stone as she dashed passed gawking patrol guards and servants, heading towards the west gate of the Palace. I hope I’m not too late…!

Even from afar, she could spot Lord Ohno standing idly at the base of the towering gate, immersed in a conversation with a Captain in command of Palace guards of the west gate. Beside his feet were a blue painted furoshiki and an uninteresting wooden box, its contents presumably fishing equipments, and his hand grasped onto two fishing rods which dangled over his shoulder.

Aki sprinted faster towards him and waved her hand vigorously in the air. Lord Ohno broke midway through speaking and turned his head, smiling as she approached him.

“I… I’m sorry… for… keeping… you waiting…” she panted heavily. She doubled over with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Beads of sweat slid down her face; she must have looked like a mess.

Lord Ohno uttered not a word, but only fished out a handkerchief from within his sleeve and wiped her sweat-drenched face, his fingers pushing her askew fringes aside and adjusting her hairpins.

Aki looked up at him uncertainly. “Have I angered you, my lord?”

“Anger me? No, there is no reason to be so,” he said, followed by a soft laughter deep in his throat. “I am glad you slept well.”

She stared at the lord for a few unblinking seconds before she suddenly blushed furiously, her wandering mind unwittingly conjuring images of Lord Ohno carrying her to her room, taking off her michiyuki before tucking her in bed. It unnerved her, and she pretended to cough.

The Captain stepped up to Lord Ohno’s side. “Is this the escort you spoke of, my lord?” he asked, gaping at Aki reproachfully.

Lord Ohno nodded as he picked up his belongings. “Come, Lady Kikuchi, let us take off while the morning air still sees fit for a stroll,” he said to the young lady.

“Yes, my lord,” she answered, curtsying low to demonstrate to the Captain the deep respect she had for the lord. The Captain snorted under his breath, and she scowled at him.

“Captain, ensure you carry out your duty in my absence,” Lord Ohno commanded. “Nothing is as of utmost importance as the safety of the Imperial Family. I speak to every guard here,” his eyes darted from one Palace guard to another, “guard well!”

“Yes, my lord!” boomed dozens of voices in return.

Lord Ohno nodded curtly, and then he passed the gates with Aki trailing behind him and entered the town.

It was barely two hours since dawn and the town was already bustling with activity. Traders set up their stalls along the stretch of the main street and yelled aloud to promote their items and to attract customers. Women, maids or mothers with their child carried on their back, haggled prices of vegetables, and men surveyed household equipments such as hammers and knifes.

“Before going down to the river, I am dropping by an acquaintance’s shop to pick up an item,” Lord Ohno informed Aki. “I hope you do not mind.”

“No, not at all,” she replied. “What sort of item is it?”

“You will see.”

Lord Ohno brought her to a small, inconspicuous shop just off the main street. He pushed aside the cloth hanging over the doorway and entered, holding it up for Aki. The interior was rather small and narrow, though the windows along the adjacent wall gave the area light and air, making their presence welcomed. On the walls to her right and behind the counter hung a remarkable array of melee weapons, mostly tachi and daggers. Aki spent a full minute studying each and every blade displayed with much avidness, marvelling at the splendid quality of steel. As opposed to Aki’s fascination, Lord Ohno stood patiently at the counter, waiting.

Just then, the door behind the counter swung open and a woman stepped out. “…gone off for a stroll, as he says every time… knowing he is up to no good…” she grumbled incoherently. She froze upon noticing both of them, but it was at Lord Ohno that all moodiness vanished and a broad smile crossed her beautiful face.

“My lord,” she greeted and bowed, the movement seeming awkward due to her large, rounded belly.

“Good morning, Kiyo,” Lord Ohno greeted in return with a warm smile. “You are glowing more than ever. Pregnancy agrees with you.”

“As always, your words of praises flatter me,” she laughed, her voice ringing out like soft chiming bells. Almost by instinct, she rubbed her belly. “Are you here to see my husband?”

Lord Ohno nodded. “Yes. Do you happen to—”

“Oh-chan!”

Both Aki and Lord Ohno spun around. Standing at the doorway was a man of small built, sporting a boyish grin set in his youthful face – does he not exude the same immortal youthfulness as Lord Ohno? Aki wondered with amazement – his hands clutching the small legs of a little boy sitting on his shoulder, who was eating dango from a stick.

“Lord Ninomiya,” Lord Ohno greeted. Familiarity and joy danced in his twinkling eyes.

The man lowered the boy from his shoulders and approached the lord. “You finally found some spare time among your impossible duties to come see me, eh, Oh-chan?” he remarked cheekily as he enveloped the Lord General in a brotherly hug.

“O-hisashiburi, my lord!” the little boy piped cheerfully. His sauce-covered mouth opened into a broad grin, revealing two rows of healthy baby teeth.

“O-hisashiburi ne, Takahisa,” Lord Ohno replied, patting the boy on the head with obvious affection. “I brought you a gift.” He dug into his furoshiki and pulled out a small wooden carving of a horse and handed it to a glowing Takahisa.

“You never fail to spoil my firstborn with gifts, do you?” Lord Ninomiya teased, before he turned to the boy. “Say ‘thank you’ to the lord, son.”

Takahisa hugged the wooden horse to his chest. “Thank you!” he cried out in pure joy.

Kiyo marched forward with a disapproving frown marring her beautiful face. “Kazu, what have I said about feeding Takahisa sweets in the morning?” she said sharply. She pulled out a handkerchief from within her sleeve and wiped the boy’s mouth.

“That he is only to be rewarded for good behaviour,” Lord Ninomiya recited monotonously as though reading aloud a passage from a book, “and he behaved so well! He complained not once while his Papa browsed the impressive selection of anvils and sledgehammers. Does that not count for good behaviour, my lady wife?”

Kiyo did not reply. Kazu grinned triumphantly and kissed her on the cheek, simultaneously rubbing her belly with surprising gentleness and affection. Kiyo sighed exasperatedly, but in her hazel eyes there was only adoration for her husband.

“Ah, I believe this beautiful young lady here is a company of yours?” Lord Ninomiya asked, his questioning eyes falling on Lord Ohno for a moment before they fell on Aki.

“Yes, this is Lady Kikuchi,” Lord Ohno introduced.

Aki bowed deeply. “Aki it is, my Lord and Lady Ninomiya. I am merely a lady in the Empress’ court and I have not a title. Lord Ohno thinks too highly of me.”

“It is befitting,” Lord Ohno retorted under his breath.

Lord Ninomiya’s eyes flitted between both of them with a look of wonder, and then he chuckled. “Of course. Laying your charms on the Empress’ innocent court ladies, are we not, my lord?”

Lord Ohno smiled regretfully, but he did not pursue the topic of Lord Ninomiya’s preposterous suggestions any further. “I believe the tachi is ready?” he inquired politely.

“Indeed it is!” Lord Ninomiya exclaimed. “Come, I shall reveal to you my finest work.”

He gestured towards the door behind the counter, and he led them to the room at the back of the shop, which was the swordsmith’s forge. Lord Ninomiya fetched a large angular case from the cupboards, its cover sleek and bright in its fiery shade of red, and he opened the lid. Inside, a long blade with a hilt plated with gold and sapphires was secured in a shirasaya and cushioned in cloth of midnight blue.

“I spent many a day and night of two moons to complete this tachi,” Lord Ninomiya explained bloated pride. “It is rather difficult to capture the essence of strength and spirit that you possess, but aye, this blade now carries a soul as mighty as yours.”

Lord Ohno lowered his fishing equipment on the floor and pulled the tachi out of the shirasaya and held it at an arm’s length, studying its profile and analysing the workmanship with a critical eye. The blade was the finest weapon Aki had ever seen. Its impressive length, from tip of the blade to the hilt, measured at approximately one metre, and the edge was sharpened to such perfection that it could easily sever the trunk of an age-old tree. The smooth steel glimmered gloriously at her, exuding strength and perseverance in it.

“This is good blade,” Lord Ohno praised, smiling with satisfaction. “You have outdone yourself once again, my friend.”

“Have I not always?” Lord Ninomiya countered smugly. He closed the case and placed it back in the cupboards, and almost instantaneously, he had whipped out the tachi that hung from his obi and slashed it at Lord Ohno, right before Aki’s wide, disbelieving eyes, and it was met with a loud clang as Lord Ohno held it back ten inches from severing his neck with his new tachi.

“Perhaps you would like to conduct a thorough evaluation of this fine blade, my lord?” Lord Ninomiya questioned, a humorous expression setting deep in his face, before he added nicely, “…I insist.”

Lord Ohno was expressionless at first, but swiftly his face broke into an exhilarated grin. “Of course, since the swordmaster insists,” he said.

Without another word, they both strutted towards the other entrance of the forge and marched under the threshold, disappearing out of sight. Aki was left stunned and lost for words. She felt as though her heart was ripped right out of her chest when she thought, for a fraction of a second, that Lord Ohno could have been killed.

“Lady Kikuchi?”

Aki looked up. Kiyo gestured towards the threshold of which the lords had just gone past. “Would you like some o-cha, and perhaps breakfast if you have not broken your fast? The lords’ duelling often drags on for numerous hours, so there is no hurry,” she said.

Awkwardly, Aki nodded. She picked up Lord Ohno’s belongings from the floor and followed Kiyo, who held little Takahisa’s hand and whispered to him, “Come, child, let us welcome this kind onee-san into our home.”

Aki discovered that the forge was connected to the garden at the back of the Ninomiya’s family home. It was in the middle of the lush garden, beside a koi fish pond, where Lord Ohno and Lord Ninomiya had taken position on opposite sides, legs spread out and their tachi held taut in front of them. They were both concentrating hard on one another’s movements. Lord Ohno, however, spared a glance at Aki and smiled at her. Lord Ninomiya took this opportunity and launched himself at the Lord General whilst thrusting his blade, but the blow was deftly blocked.

“You should not allow such a moment of weakness, my lord,” Lord Ninomiya teased with a playful smirk. “Otherwise you may find a limb or two severed before your eyes return to the enemy.”

“Wandering eyes do not indicate a wavering concentration, my lord,” Lord Ohno replied in an even tone, though the small smile on his lips betrayed the sheer enjoyment he felt.

“Such immaturity,” Kiyo sighed while shaking her head.

Eagerly, Aki took a seat on the open-air walkway that overlooked the entire stretch of the garden. She was keen on watching the duel, and more so to see Lord Ohno perform in battle. Kiyo disappeared into the house with Takahisa in tow, and appeared a few minutes later with a tray laden heavily with food befitting a small feast – a pot of tea, a couple of teacups, a serving plate full of sliced apples, oranges and sand pears, another plate serving a mountain of harabuto mochi, and lastly a bowl of steaming hot wakame soba. All the food looked mouth-wateringly delicious, and only then did Aki noticed the pang of hunger in her stomach.

“Let me help you,” she offered, quickly getting up and taking the tray out of Kiyo’s hands – before Kiyo could protest – and setting it down on the wooden floor.

“There is no need for such an extravagant meal, my lady,” Aki continued with a little embarrassment.

“Do not address me with such formality, I am not accustomed to it,” Kiyo chuckled. “Kiyo it is. And I shall call you Aki.”

“Yes, my la—Kiyo,” Aki said quickly. She helped Kiyo as she struggled to sit down.

“This enormous belly can sometimes be a source of frustration when I cannot perform even the simplest tasks,” she bemoaned. She adjusted her bottom so that she sat comfortably on the cushion and her legs dangled freely from the edge of the walkway.

“When is the babe due?” Aki asked as she sat down. She poured o-cha, offering it to Kiyo before she poured one for herself. Kiyo stared at her, bemused.

“You act as though I am the guest and you are the host,” she remarked in amazement.

Aki smiled sheepishly. “Itadakimasu,” she thanked, bowing her head slightly in gratitude before she took a mochi from the plate. The aroma was tantalising but as she chewed through the soft texture, it was the flavour that melted in her mouth.

“Aha!” Lord Ninomiya cried out. He had slashed Lord Ohno on the forearm, exposed by the rolled-up sleeves of his haori, and a fine line of thick blood oozed out of the deep cut.

Aki stared with wide, horrified eyes. Kiyo was not shocked at all, though she did not find the action even partly amusing. “Kazu! Have a care! You do not want to be charged by Imperial laws for grievously wounding the Lord General,” she yelled.

Lord Ninomiya ignored his wife and kept his gleeful eyes on his opponent. “My lord, have you lost your almighty skills? This duel is no more challenging than a fight with my three-year-old son!” he taunted.

Lord Ohno was unfazed by him. He quickly swiped the blood caking his skin and grinned. “Do not let your overconfidence bloat up, my friend. It may lead to devastating consequence,” he countered, and in a flash he advanced to Lord Ninomiya and swiped at his hips, though the swordsmith blocked it with a swift spin of his tachi. He swung the Lord General’s blade off the offence and thrust through the air, aiming for his shoulders, but Lord Ohno ducked in time and side-stepped before a rebound could strike him. Again, they were engrossed in a dance of blades as they continue to duel fiercely, the sound of clashing steel ringing across the air.

“Kiyo… are Lord Ninomiya and Lord Ohno good friends?” Aki inquired, attempting to sound as nonchalant as she could as she ate a slice of sand pear, masking the growing curiosity she had.

At that question, Kiyo smiled affectionately. “Aye, they are childhood friends. They have spent most of their life in one another’s company, between them a friendship so deep and strong that even blood brothers cannot contend to. Sometimes,” Kiyo paused, chortling with profound humour, “I wonder if my husband wished to be married to the Lord General. The Emperor was certainly convinced so when they worked closely in the Palace.”

Aki’s head perked up from the o-cha she was sipping. “Lord Ninomiya is a minister in the Emperor’s court?” she blurted out incredulously.

“Lord Minister of Weaponry Development, more precisely,” Kiyo explained, her voice betraying a slight distaste, “he manages and develops weapons fit for equipping the Imperial warriors. In the past he resided in the Palace and worked with his assistants and Lord Ohno – who, at that time, was rising quickly up the Army ranks due to his impressive achievements – but he preferred the quiet life, and he was granted permission by the Emperor to reside in town, with the condition that he continues to preside over departmental affairs. Most importantly,” she looked down and caressed her belly, “the Palace is no place for parents to raise a family.”

Aki studied her, and then at Lord Ninomiya, and for a wild moment she felt envy boil in her blood. Lord Ninomiya and Kiyo were once bound by laws of those in service to the Imperial family, but they could break out of the stifling and restricting environment and lead a quiet, peaceful life with a growing family, still very much in love. It was difficult for Aki not to envision a possible future much like theirs – living with contentment and happiness with the one she loved. Instantaneously, her eyes fell on Lord Ohno.

He is the Emperor’s General of the Imperial Army, Aki, do not let your emotions override your logical thinking! He can never pursue a quiet life when his duty does not oblige an interference of his personal life…

“It is rather peculiar, actually, to note that this is the first time Lord Ohno has introduced a lady to us,” Kiyo said, almost inaudibly, as though speaking to herself.

“Sorry?”

Kiyo’s twinkling hazel eyes bore down on her with an expression of curiosity. “Ohno-san does not have many friends, you see. He is not known to be very sociable outside his small circle of friends. Lord Ninomiya aside, he is only ever as close to Lord Matsumoto, Lord Sakurai and Aiba-san of the Imperial horses.” Then, she leaned in closer to Aki as though emphasising on the magnitude of her words. “And I do not believe the mere notion that you are simply tagging along as a mere servant.”

Aki blinked numerously. “I apologise… but I do not understand,” she said.

“You, Lady Kikuchi, have enamoured the Lord General!” Kiyo proclaimed, smiling with delight.

“T…that is near impossible, my lady,” Aki retorted, almost too loudly. She averted her eyes and shut her mouth, feeling her cheeks heat up and knowing the skin was reddening in colour.

Kiyo laughed at Aki’s nervous reaction. She leaned over and clasped the younger woman’s hands. “Dispassionate and indifferent, he is, but under the façade is a man who is honest and true. The Lord General never lies with his eyes. With those honest eyes of his, I can see a love that is pure and untainted,” she murmured with a confident nod. “Do you… have feelings in return for the lord?”

Aki bit her lip, not knowing whether it was right for her to admit to Kiyo. She confided in no one about this matter, and it proved difficult for her to reveal her true heart’s desires to a person she had met not an hour ago. Kiyo seemed to understand this, and she did not pursue the question.

“Without a doubt, I know you will give Ohno-san the happiness he deserves,” she nodded approvingly.

“I am not so very sure about that…” Aki mumbled under her breath, followed by a resigned sigh.

“Admit your defeat, Lord Ninomiya!”

Both women perked up their heads sharply. Lord Ninomiya was lying sprawled on the grass with his hands held out in defeat, a look of dismay spread across his face, as Lord Ohno stood above him and grinned triumphantly as he held the tip of his tachi to Lord Ninomiya’s throat.

“I do admit, this tachi is the finest indeed. It is very light in weight, yet its thrust force is deadly,” Lord Ohno marvelled aloud.

“I am just as amazed by my smithy skill as you are,” Lord Ninomiya snapped impatiently, “but would you release me now?”

Lord Ohno sheathed his tachi and stretched his hand out, helping Lord Ninomiya to his feet. “You have lost some of your great agility,” the Lord General pointed out.

“Fatherhood,” came the disgruntled reply, though he patted Lord Ohno’s shoulder, acknowledging his victory.

Kiyo clicked her tongue in absolute annoyance. “You would think maturity and wisdom grows with age, but that conception is reversed for the two of them,” she scowled, and she got up and went inside the house to fetch the medicinal herbs and gauze to treat their wounds.

Lord Ninomiya came over to the walkway with Lord Ohno. “Lady Kikuchi! What do you have to say about Lord Ohno’s impressive – supposedly – wielding of the blade?” he asked, grinning mischievously.

“Impressive,” Aki breathed, “I have none other words to describe it.”

“Thank you,” Lord Ohno said quietly.

And it was then that, when they both gazed knowingly at one another, Aki finally could see it in his warm eyes: nothing but pureness, and love. It was so overwhelming that she thought she felt tears in her eyes.

- ~ -

1) I’d like to thank everyone for the lovely comments to the first 3 chapters! <3 And also Kitty for the flattering comment. I actually blushed reading it. xD
2) FINALLY a continuation to Lord Ohno and Aki’s story. I’m so sorry for the obnoxiously late update, I was attacked by a vicious writer’s block T_T no surprise there.
3) Monday onwards I’ll be going back to school, so that robs away a lot of my free time to write :/ But I’ll try my best, for the sake of you guys. I owe you all sooo much <3

HEAVEN’S WIND
an Ohno Satoshi fanfiction

Rating: T
Genre: Historical romance
Banner: Lord Ohno Satoshi and Kikuchi Aki (modeled by Toda Erika)
Summary: When Aki arrives at the Imperial Heian Palace as a new lady-in-waiting in service to the Empress, she is filled with indescribable anticipation and anxiety, knowing a new chapter in her life will begin. What she knows not… is that her life will change completely, and it begins with a chance meeting with a mysterious man on the stone wall.
Note: If there is any factual inaccuracy in terms of historical facts of the Heian Period, it is not intended.

-

Heaven’s Wind
Part Four

Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two… one.

Aki’s eyes flung open. Fourteen consecutive countdowns and yet a sleep of peace eluded her!

She threw the futon covers aside and rose up with a soft, frustrated sigh escaping her lips. She glanced at the clear night sky outside the lattice window, and estimated by easy measures that one too many hours had passed into the night since Satoko last blew out the candle. For those many hours of stretching silence she had lain in her futon in darkness, unmoving and unsuccumbing to fatigue, with naught to do but to listen closely to the drones of Tsuki’s purring and Satoko’s soft, even breaths.

Her eyes then cast over to the blissfully sleeping figures of her friend, whose slackened mouth hung open comically, and her cat, whose purrs vibrated against her thigh, and once again she emitted a deep sigh.

“I can take this no longer,” she muttered exasperatedly. She felt the need to do something – with absolute disregard to the matter of productivity – to cool off her growing misery. She got onto her feet and grabbed her michiyuki from the basket of fresh laundry and put it on. Silently she tip-toed to the lattice door, careful not to step on old wooden floorboards that would creak even under the lightest of weight, and she slid the door open with much caution, at the same time sparing one long glance at Satoko to make sure she was fast asleep. She was convinced the coast was clear, but she walked not two steps out of the door when there was a sound behind her that brought much dread.

“Mreow?” came Tsuki’s sleepy call.

Aki raised her eyes and spun around to find her cat trotting towards her eagerly. “Why do you always have to catch me at the right moment?” she said exasperatedly, but she did not hesitate to let the cat out.

With the cat trailing lazily behind her, Aki descended to the courtyard and headed to the kitchens situated behind the dining hall. She thought perhaps some o-cha would put an ease to her misery and hopefully rid her of the induced insomnia, so she searched through the storage bins for some tea leaves.

Tsuki rubbed against her calves, purposefully brushing her tail against the back of her knees while looking up at her with an expectant glint in her topaz eyes shining like fiery gold in the dark.

“No, I am not feeding you,” Aki reproached. As punishment for disobedience, she had deprived Tsuki of any tuna ever since the night of her great escapade into Lord Ohno’s welcoming lap.

“Curses,” she grumbled. She forgot to bring a candle with her, which proved to be foolish as the kitchen was dark and she was guided only by the faint moonlight through the windows, and she could do not more than rummage blindly through the storage bin. She sighed, and turned to her expectant cat dejectedly. “Come on, we are taking a walk,” she said, bending down and scooping the cat up into her arms.

The night was tranquil and quiet as she ventured through the winding alleys and that led to the heron gardens. It was awfully quiet, save for the soft echoes of the Palace guards’ boots thudding on stone and the distant chatting voices. She hugged Tsuki tight against her chest as she strolled along garden paths, ever so careful the cat was kept concealed under her michiyuki. She was partly glad the cat brought her comforting warmth in the cold, chilly autumn night air, especially when it had rained in the evening.

Her mind then drifted into deep thoughts of Lord Ohno, imagining once again the gentle touch of his finger against her lip. For a good couple of weeks, she found that during moments of peaceful solitude, just like one very much like this, her mind would often stray off to memories of her time with Lord Ohno, and whenever she imagined the lord’s youthful face and his beautiful smile, her heart would swell with filling emotions and her cheeks would darken a deeper shade of red. At first she was embarrassed by herself, but gradually it had become as such a frequent reaction that she no longer attempted to shake away those dear thoughts.

There were one too many times she had greatly hoped in her heart Lord Ohno’s and her paths would cross again, as how they had by sheer chance or fate, but alas, there was never a time. Crestfallen – that was how she felt when each day ended fruitlessly with naught a sight or news of Lord Ohno. Today would be the twentieth night that sadness, once again, overwhelmed her.

Despite understanding that she was developing some sort of feelings for Lord Ohno, she was still confused by those very feelings. She was young and inexperienced, and she knew not how it felt to love a person, not as a family or a friend like Satoko, but as a man she felt her life would be a hollow, empty one without. There were many times that in contemplation she thought what she felt for the lord was an innocent child’s mere admiration, for he was a great and noble man, but a cloud of doubt would always loom over.

“Lady?”

Aki looked up with still-faraway eyes and an expression of absence in attentiveness. A man stood in her way in the middle of a small wooden bridge that crossed over one of the larger koi fish ponds. He wore a casual garment of a simple haori over his kimono and hakama, thus she could not pinpoint his Palace rank. His face was not a familiar one, but she assumed he could be a high-ranked lord from a noble family, judging by the air of dignified nobility he carried himself with.

“It is not safe for a lone lady to venture around palace grounds in the night,” the stranger said, with unexpected kindness that surprised Aki. “It is an open invitation for unspeakable dangers.”

“I am sorry, my lord,” Aki replied with a slight bow of her head, and she stared at him with wariness.

“Why have you not retired to your chamber, lady? I believe now is not an hour fitting for a stroll in the gardens,” he continued. His polite smile was very much opposed to the suspicious tone in his questioning voice.

Before Aki could reply, a cry came. “Lord Sakurai!”

The stranger turned his head around, just as Aki stood on her toes and peered over the lord’s shoulders, and they both noticed a tall man, barely illuminated by the dimly-lit lanterns, jogging towards them while waving his hand. Aki then realised it was the stranger who was being addressed, and almost immediately she paled.

She did not know, till now, that she was in fact speaking with Lord Sakurai, a well-respected physician of the Imperial Family and lord of the much-revered noble house of the Sakurai clan. She remembered Satoko once telling her that the Sakurai family was one of the four most powerful clans under the Imperial ruling. The people both honour and fear them, but Lord Sakurai was well-loved by the people, as he was a compassionate man and his intelligence far exceeded many of his peers.

“My Lord Sakurai!” Aki exclaimed, and quickly she curtsied and bowed her head low. “I was not aware it was you, my lord, and I beg that the lord forgive my rudeness!”

Lord Sakurai raised his eyebrows, and then he laughed. “No, there is no need for me to forgive you, for I do not give much care for formalities when the night is merry,” he said mirthfully as he waved his hand airily. “In the least, I do not adhere to such formalities with as much fervent enthusiasm as Lord Matsumoto.”

Aki was taken aback by his casualness of speech, but she had to bite her lip to hold back a soft chuckle at his unabashed comment. She had not known anyone, Lord Ohno aside, who dared tease the much-feared Lord Matsumoto. Even brave, loud-mouthed Satoko had not the courage to speak of Lord Matsumoto unless they were in safety within the four walls of their bedroom.

“Lord Sakurai!” the man called out again, and now that he had reached the duo, and the lantern Lord Sakurai carried gave light to his physical features, Aki recognised him as the Palace horse lord.

“Lord Aiba,” Aki greeted him with the same deep bow, but she gave him a warm smile. She had met the lord when Tsuki fell ill a few weeks ago (Aki assumed it was all the tuna she greedily ate) and Lord Aiba had healed her with a simple concoction of herbs that impressed her. They became friends, struck up by their common love for horses.

“Ah, Aki-chan! Konbanwa,” Aiba greeted enthusiastically.

“Konbanwa,” Aki greeted with a curtsy, though accompanied with a warm, friendly smile.

It was at that perfect moment Tsuki poked her head out of the michiyuki, and Lord Aiba’s child-like face lit up instantaneously. “Tsuki!” he exclaimed in exquisite delight. He reached out and pulled the cat out of her hideout and cuddled her in his arms.

“Aiba! I thought you had passed out in the stable and buried yourself in your horses’ haystack!” Lord Sakurai grinned. He seemed happily unperturbed by the fact that a cat was hidden underneath Aki’s clothes.

Lord Aiba fixed him a childish glare. “Sake does not hold such effects on me, my lord,” he refuted, followed by a loud hiccup.

Lord Sakurai broke out into peals of laughter, and he threw his arm around Lord Aiba’s shoulder with much affection. “You, my friend, are indeed drunk,” he chuckled, “though I find it odd that you can still speak with soberness. Why have you come to seek me? If you wish to invite me for more drinking, I am afraid I will have to decline.”

“I would love to drink more with you,” Lord Aiba replied with much disappointment. “But I come hither not for that matter. You left this book of yours,” he pulled out a thick book from his kimono belt, “at the stable. Lord Ohno would have fed it to the horses had I not stopped him in time!”

Aki paused in her breath. Lord Ohno?

Lord Sakurai narrowed his eyes as Lord Aiba handed him the book. “Do not tell me that fool has gotten himself drunk?” he growled.

“No, he is very much sober. He did so just to spite you,” Lord Aiba answered with a cheerful grin. Lord Sakurai, however, did not find it amusing.

“Lord Aiba?” Aki spoke out, in a meek voice. The two lords turned their heads to her with equally-curious looks. “Erm… did you say Lord Ohno is at the stables?”

“Yes, most likely tending to his horse, as he always does when he is not asleep,” Lord Aiba nodded, and he hiccupped again.

“Come, let me accompany you to your chambers. I sense your soberness is fast running out of its miracles,” Lord Sakurai said exasperatedly as he patted his shoulder.

Lord Aiba returned Tsuki into Aki’s arms with a satisfied smile. “Tsuki has recovered well. She may as well have the strength of a horse,” he laughed, and again, another hiccup escaped his lips.

“We are taking our leave now, Lord Aiba,” Lord Sakurai said loudly, and now he had both his hands on Lord Aiba’s shoulders and slowly guiding him down the bridge. He turned to look over his shoulder and he bowed at Aki. “Have a good night, my lady. I hope we shall meet again.”

Aki curtsied. “And I, too, my lord. I wish you a good night.”

As the two lords walked off, Aki could hear Lord Sakurai’s deep voice lecturing his companion in fashion of a mother and she caught a glimpse of Lord Aiba’s carefree wave of his hand to the lectures. Aki waited for them to disappear from sight and with a hold of her breath, she headed in direction of the stables. Her heart hammered with rapid beatings, and her stomach churned in nervousness; she wondered if it was right for her to seek out the Lord General. She hesitated at first, her feet dragging heavily behind her, but when she finally decided it was appropriate that she returned to her room, she had unknowingly reached the stable.

The large wooden building housed the hundreds of horses of the Imperial Army as well as the Emperor’s very own stallion and the Empress’ beloved young filly. The lanterns in the stables were lit, and she thought she saw the shadow of a figure through an open window. She slowly approached the entrance and scanned the interior, but she froze when she heard a singing voice that met her ears:

Sakura, Sakura,
Cherry blossoms in the sky,
Near and far as the eye can see,
Like a mist of floating clouds
in the fragrant blush of spring,
Come, oh come,
Come, oh come,
Come and see the cherry trees!

That voice… it struck a chord deep in her heart. She recognised the song as a mere children’s lullaby, but it was sung with aching tenderness and bliss, perfect in pitch and light in intonation, and it moved her deep inside. It was astounding how a simple song could be recreated into an angelic melody. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard.

Feeling an irresistible pull drawing her closer, she followed the melodious voice down the aisle. Among the sea of horses, she discovered Lord Ohno standing beside his magnificent black stallion in its box stall, brushing the horse’s mane while he continued to sing softly with a contented smile across his face. She paused in her steps a few metres away and watched with her breath held in her lungs. She could not comprehend why she was utterly mesmerised.

Suddenly, the lord looked up as though aware of her presence, and he turned his twinkling eyes to her with his lips stretched wider. Aki felt her hands tremble under the power of his smile.

“Lady Kikuchi… it surprises me to see you awake at this hour,” he remarked, though he did not seem surprised at all.

Aki gulped to soothe the rumble of nervousness inside, and she curtsied (though rather awkwardly with Tsuki wriggling uneasily under her michiyuki). “I am afraid this night is a sleepless one for me, and I came out for a stroll to pass the time,” she replied.

“Likewise, although whenever I cannot sleep I come to visit my horse,” said the lord.

Then it happened before Aki could react. In a fluid motion, Tsuki sprung out from Aki’s arms and sprinted over to Lord Ohno in joyous abandon.

“Tsuki!” Aki exclaimed in horror.

The cat ignored her mistress completely and rubbed against the legs of the lord’s hakama, arching her back in eagerness for a backrub.

Lord Ohno chuckled in amusement. “Forgive me, but I do not have tuna to feed you today,” he said with mild ruefulness as he bent down and scooped the cat into his arms.

“I apologise for my cat’s behaviour, my lord,” Aki said quickly. “I just do not understand why she is so fond of you…”

“Perhaps she thinks of me as the tuna-wielding gentleman,” he replied jokingly, though it was clear he showed growing affection for the cat, too. With the cat snuggled deep in his arms, he exited the horse’s box stall and sauntered down the aisle. “Would you like to join me for a drink, my lady, to pass the time?” he inquired politely, looking at her over his shoulder with an expectant look.

Aki did not resist a smile of delight. It was as though the lord knew she could not turn down his invitation, so wordlessly she followed the lord in his wake. He guided her towards the back of the stable house where a sake jug and a few cups were conspicuously placed on a large wooden crate, surrounded by squares of hay acting as seats to the makeshift table. It was an unusual venue for three well-respected ministers of the Imperial Palace to have a merry round of sake.

She sat down awkwardly, as opposed to Lord Ohno’s casual manner as he placed Tsuki on the seat beside him – who circled around the spot and stretched lazily before curling up comfortably – and he poured sake into the cups.

“My lord, forgive me but… I do not drink sake,” Aki murmured hesitantly, though rather a little embarrassed.

Lord Ohno raised an eyebrow and this time his face showed genuine surprise. “I know not a person who does not consume sake merrily,” he told her softly. “Nevertheless, I insist you try the sake, it may help you sleep.”

“It does?”

“Umhmm. Here.” He passed a cup to her.

Aki stared at the clear liquid with half-heartened willingness, but she felt pressured under the lord’s expectant gaze burning into her, so she held her breath and swallowed the liquid in one gulp. A sudden burning sensation trickled along the walls of her throat and she coughed.

“Aahh, that happens on the first time,” said the lord regretfully. He moved over to sit next to her and he rubbed her back gently. “Breathe.”

Aki did as the lord said, and soon her throat did not burn any more. She quickly wiped the small tears in her eyes so he would not see such pitiful weakness in her. “I’m sorry…” she croaked.

The lord did not reply. He downed a cup himself, all the while maintaining the rubbing motion of his hand on her back.

“It is… refreshing to see you without the rice powder on your face,” he suddenly blurted out.

“I’m sorry…” Aki repeated, this time in uncertainty. She knew not what to say in return. Flattered? Insulted? So she kept her eyes on her hands in her lap and said nothing more.

“Why do you apologise? Do not mistake me, sans the powder you are so much more beautiful.”

Aki felt her heart leap. Steadily – though her lips were trembling – she raised her eyes at the lord, and she was stunned by the unreadable expression in his face that bore deep into her, but it was those eyes of melted caramel… they were soft and peaceful, and they were gazing at her with sincerity. She felt happiness fill her heart and her feelings overwhelmed when realisation sank in.

He said she was beautiful.

“T—thank you, my lord,” Aki stammered, and she looked away. She bit her lip so she would not smile.

Suddenly she shivered. She had not noticed the warmth from her blushes had masked the chilly air seeping through her clothes, and she wrapped her arms around herself. She wished to have Tsuki’s warm body against her chest.

“It is foolish to wear so few layers of clothes when you are out in the cold. We are closing in on winter,” the lord said with a slight disapproving frown. He shrugged off his haori and draped it over her shoulders, and then he took her hands in his.

“W—what are you doing, my lord?” she exclaimed, unmistakably alarmed by the intimate touch.

Lord Ohno glanced at her. “I am warming you up. Your hands are as cold as winter’s snow,” he replied, and in the passing seconds he brought her hands to his lips and tenderly blew onto her pale skin.

Aki’s unblinking eyes studied his face bent to her hands and unceasingly blowing onto her palms and then rubbing them between his hands. The sensation of his warm breath lightly kissing her skin brought a tingling feeling, but the touch of his hands on hers was comforting, warming up her skin as well as her overwhelming heart. It was a feeling of soothing melancholy.

“Do you fish, my lady?”

Aki was profoundly bewildered by that sudden question. “I’m sorry, my lord, but what…?”

“Do you fish?” he repeated.

“I… I believe so,” she replied slowly, peering at him with visibly perplexed eyes. “I often fish at the river near my village with my brothers. Why do you ask such a question, my lord?”

“Rather, is tomorrow a day of leisure for you?”

“Yes, but my lord, I do not underst—”

“I wish for a companion as I go down to the river tomorrow. I am told tomorrow may be a fine, sunny day and I have hopes of capturing some ayu fishes in the Great River. Lord Matsumoto has dealt me a challenge, unfortunately. I hope you do not mind bearing witness to my accomplishment so you can tell of this tale to him?”

Aki stared hard at the lord with a struggling deadpan face. “Fishing… in the month of October, my lord?”

In return, Lord Ohno smiled a little sheepishly. “So… what say you, my lady?”

“I—If you wish it, my lord.”

His face brightened, almost in the likes of a child given the absolute prize of ten dango sticks, and his smile widened – no, he grinned. Aki was caught unexpected by the unfamiliar expression, but the joyous happiness in his child-like face was infectious, and she could not help but smile in return. He nodded, an unspoken promise solidified between them for the day after sunrise, and he turned back to warming up her hands.

“Sakura, sakura… Cherry blossoms in the sky…” sang the lord, softly to himself.

“You sing well, my lord,” Aki praised shyly.

Lord Ohno lifted his eyes to her and smiled. “Thank you. I am fond of the song, and when I wish to sing, that shall be the first song that comes to mind,” he explained.

“You sing it beautifully… much more than I have ever heard…” her voice trailed off. Embarrassed by the words that blabbed out of her mouth, she began to blush.

The lord peered at her face bent to her lap, and he leaned in closer, murmuring, “Would you like me to sing it to you?”

Without waiting for a reply, he gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gently rested her head on his shoulder. With his one hand still holding onto hers, he continued to sing softly:

Near and far as the eye can see,
Like a mist of floating clouds
in the fragrant blush of spring,
Come, oh come,
Come, oh come,
Come and see the cherry trees!

Aki felt exhaustion slowly creep into her bones. Her eyelids drooped heavily and willingly she closed her eyes and snuggled deeper against the lord’s chest, his angelic voice singing a lullaby and coaxing her towards the edge of dreams. She was barely conscious when she thought she felt the lord press his lips to her forehead and kissed her tenderly, and then she drifted off to sleep.

~

HEAVEN’S WIND
an Ohno Satoshi fanfiction

Rating: T
Genre: Historical romance
Banner: Lord Ohno Satoshi and Kikuchi Aki (modeled by Toda Erika)
Summary: When Aki arrives at the Imperial Heian Palace as a new lady-in-waiting in service to the Empress, she is filled with indescribable anticipation and anxiety, knowing a new chapter in her life will begin. What she knows not… is that her life will change completely, and it begins with a chance meeting with a mysterious man on the stone wall.
Note: If there is any factual inaccuracy in terms of historical facts of the Heian Period, it is not intended.

GLOSSARY:
1 — haori (羽織) : a kimono jacket traditionally worn by men.
2 — hakama (袴) : wide trousers traditionally worn by men.
3 — mochi (餅) : Japanese rice cake.

[17TH APR UPDATE]: Forgot to add another thing!
4 — yabusame (流鏑馬) : An art of archery on horseback most common during the Heian Period. You can read more of this sport here on Wikipedia and for an image of it, click here.

-

Heaven’s Wind
Part Three

As the days and weeks flew by, Aki gradually found much ease falling into the daily routine of the palace life. In the beginning she felt much pressured by the demands of palace etiquettes and rules and regulations that were overwhelming. There was never a time when no one noticed the spot below her ear that she had missed when applying rice powder makeup, nor when the strings of her daily jyunihitoe were not tied in a uniform knot. There was once that the Emperor’s Chief Minister, Lord Matsumoto, reprimanded her for bowing her head at an inappropriate angle that deemed disrespectful. It was at that perfect moment Lord Ohno passed by, and he reprimanded Lord Matsumoto, in that quiet, balanced voice of his, that to the contrary Lady Kikuchi did no wrong, and suggested if Lord Matsumoto wished to dispute his word they should discuss the matter over o-cha and mochi at one of the gazebos in the gardens. Lord Matsumoto said no more of the issue, but he agreed to join Lord Ohno at the gardens. The duo walked off, with Lord Matsumoto’s arm draped around Lord Ohno’s shoulder, leaving Aki behind confused and baffled. She was very sure she heard Lord Matsumoto, often a man who either frowned or glowered, chuckling mirthfully at Lord Ohno’s words.

In regard to Lord Ohno, Aki had not had any opportunity to speak with him ever since the night of the banquet. By reality Aki was not entitled to privileges to speak with any lords or ladies of noble positions in the Imperial palace, unless she was spoken to first. Many times their paths crossed, and Aki could not do more than curtsy and bow her head, wishing him, “Lord Ohno,” and to which he would nod his head politely and they both head off in opposite directions. From afar, Aki often observed him, especially when he was immersed in discussing sessions with his lieutenant colonels. Throughout the entire session, he would spend most of the time listening to the colonels’ reports with a taut expression that spoke of deep thought, and when he finally stood up from his chair and spoke aloud, he exuded authority and confidence. Aki herself, despite the speech of warrior lords that was nothing but gibberish to her, felt absorbed to him. Now she finally understood how so many men and women admired him.

“…ki? AKI!”

Aki felt someone lightly slap the back of her head and she abruptly broke out of her thoughts. She was drifting off into her memories of Lord Ohno… again! This time it was during lunch at the court ladies’ quarters. She turned her head up from her rice bowl and found Satoko studying her with intent eyes.

“What?” Aki asked.

“For someone who spent half the morning complaining of excruciating hunger, you eat at such a calm pace,” Satoko remarked.

“Are you observing my every move now?” Aki questioned, nonchalantly reaching out her chopsticks to pick a daikon from the serving dish, but she was careful not to look at Satoko in the eye.

“You never show less appreciation for meals unless your mind is clouded by an unforgettable matter…” Satoko noted aloud.

Aki rolled her eyes at her friend. “I am inclined to believe you are starting to find the palace life a bore. Am I an act of entertainment to you?”

“In some form. Rather, you are the back-up,” Satoko nodded with a devilish grin. “What was the matter that stole you attention away from our conversation?”

“Nothing of great importance,” Aki replied quickly.

Satoko lowered her chin in her cupped hands and sighed wistfully. “Oh, such young love. I yearn so very much to experience that feeling but it has passed my age.”

“First and foremost,” Aki said with mild impatience, “if you were a little more sensible and had you tightened that loose mouth of yours, maybe a fine courtesan would court you. And secondly, wherever did you get this absurd notion that I am in love?!”

“You have that distant look in your eyes at times, I see it,” Satoko replied. “For so long I have known you, before and after you entered in service to the Imperial Family, I have never seen you sigh with such yearning of a lovesick bird!”

“Such nonsense!” Aki refuted. “What trickery do you have up your sleeve, onee-sama? Lay them out! I do not wish to play games that do naught but confuse its players.”

Satoko leaned forward and cast her gleeful eyes that spoke of delighted horror. “Your heart has been taken by Tachibana-san!” she giggled aloud.

Aki thought she heard wrong. “Ta—Tachibana-san?”

“You are attracted by the lengths of measure he go through just to impress you!” Satoko exclaimed with much rapture. “For certain he has not the guts to mention any more of weeds, but he has given you so many gifts!”

“Gifts? By which you mean that pouch of pounded weed that he gave me?”

Satoko grumbled in exasperation. “Really, that man does not learn from his mistakes… Still, you cannot be absolutely picky by choices of gift. It is what the thought counts, no?” she replied with much disapproving clucking.

Aki rolled her eyes and put down her empty rice bowl and chopsticks. “I care not, for he is nothing more than a mere friend, who truly does not understand the ways of women. I shall leave you to your matchmaking games!”

And with that she quickly retreated from the dining hall before Satoko could protest. As she stepped onto the stone courtyard, she estimated that she still had much of her leisure time remaining. So she decided she would sneak back to her room to feed Tsuki some table scraps (“I pity myself for having to resort to bribing you just so you will be obedient…” she groaned to the ignorant cat) before she headed for a stroll through the heron gardens.

It was right at the alley off the women’s quarters – which is a servants’ secret shortcut to the entrance of the heron gardens – that she bumped into a familiar face.

“Keita-kun!” Aki greeted the young boy. He was a servant who usually ran errands for courtesans to and fro the palace and the capital, and one of the few people she had befriended since her first days in the palace and had grown rather fond of.

“Ah! Aki-nee-chan! Good thing I found you!” Keita exclaimed in much relief. He was panting slightly as though he had been running a good distance.

Aki scanned the roll of exquisite silk in the boy’s arm that seemed almost too large and overwhelming for the child, it was no wonder he had trouble transporting it. “What is this?” she asked.

“Her Highness the Empress’ order of fine silk that has just arrived,” Keita piped. “Sadly I am not familiar with the paths to the Empress’ chambers. You have no idea how long I have been running in circles with this! It’s as heavy as a bag of rocks!”

“Hmm. I will soon go to the Empress in her study hall. Perhaps I can deliver this for you?” Aki offered.

“Really? Thank you! I am much grateful for your kindness, nee-chan!” Keita exclaimed.

“My pleasure,” Aki replied as she took the roll from him. Its weight was not too heavy of a burden for her to carry, but, as Aki judged its weight in her hands and the distance she had to travel to the Empress’ halls, which were at the northern section of the Eastern court, it would pose quite a bit of a problem.

“I definitely owe you one,” Keita grinned with a showcase of brilliant white teeth and dimples. “I’m sorry I can’t stay long, it’s quite a busy day for me today. I shall see you soon!” And he spun around and scrambled off towards the kitchens.

“Say hello to your dear mother!” Aki called after him. He gave an acknowledging wave over his shoulder, and he was gone.

Aki glanced at the silk in her hands and sighed. She contemplated heading straight to the Empress’ study to be rid of this object, but if she were to do so then her leisure time would be shortened significantly, and that was definitely not an option to consider at all.

Then an idea struck her. This roll of silk could pose as a free ticket to roam anywhere on the palace grounds! She could simply use an excuse of, “I’m delivering these cloths for the Empress and I am searching for her,” and no one would find any fault in her. At least, she hoped she would not run into Lord Matsumoto. Trouble was a pungent scent that the lord sniffed out as easily as a hunting dog, and he could practically see through every lie and every sweat drop.

So, with much cheerfulness and optimism, Aki headed off around the edge of the gardens with knowledge that this path would lead to the practice field, which she had heard of (“If there ever is a chance to stroll past the practice field, grab it without a second deliberation, my dear friend! The sight of the Emperor’s warriors in sweat and dirt, all in one venue, is a beautiful sight to behold,” gushed Satoko) but had never seen it herself. Inwardly, Aki was not at all interested in sweaty and dirty warriors, but perhaps he would be there…

She strode in a casual pace, for she did not wish to seem like her steps were too eager and impatient. She rounded a corner and ascended many stone steps, and she reached the long stretch of corridor that overlooked the vast practice field. True, the warriors were conducting daily training in melee combat, practising with weapons such as a bow and arrow, and a spear. But it was not the warriors who had caught her attention.

Lord Ohno was riding on a magnificent black stallion, his chest pressing against the stallion’s spine as the stallion galloped at full speed from the right end of the field, one hand controlling the reins while the other gripping a longbow. Then as he approached a line of targets, he suddenly sat upright. In a fluid motion, he drew an arrow from the quiver on his back and notched it on the bow, positioning the bow at his eye and drawing the bowstring to tautness. He took aim for barely a millisecond before he released the bowstring, and the arrow struck mere inches from the middle of the target, just barely short of perfect accuracy. He repeated the motion twice for the next two targets with such ease and calmness, an inexperienced audience would not have even took notice that the entire time the horse’s reins were loose and he was gripping onto the horse with only his knees.

Aki recognised the form of battle combat Lord Ohno demonstrated. From the many stories her father – who once served in the Imperial Army before retiring to a village life of farming – told her of his days in war and battle, it was the art of yabusame, and to her knowledge it was a combat of great difficulty to master. Lord Ohno had performed it with near perfection.

As Lord Ohno slowed his stallion to a trot and turned around to head back to the starting line, a small group of warriors, who were observing, gathered around him and sang praises and words of admiration for him. Aki, on the other hand, was staring with wide, unblinking eyes and her jaw hanging loose. There were no words to describe how astounded and impressed she was. She could not help but feel her heart swell with such immense respect for him.

It took her a long time to notice that Lord Ohno was staring at her.

“Good afternoon, Lady Kikuchi.”

Aki jumped a foot at that sudden voice behind her and she spun around. Well, it was Lord Matsumoto indeed, towering over her with his hands behind his back as he peered at her with that usual disapproving frown on his flawless face.

She gulped. “I bid you a fair afternoon, my lord!” she greeted with a low curtsy.

“State your business here, lady. I am rather curious to see a lady-in-waiting of the Empress grace her presence among the Emperor’s men… what more during the Lord General’s training session?” he asked in an unexpectedly calm voice.

“My presence here is not without permission, my lord. My business here is to deliver this roll of silk to Lord Ohno, with a message that his order has arrived,” Aki quickly lied, her stomach churning in fear that Lord Matsumoto would see through her white lie. From the corner of her eye she could see that Lord Ohno had dismounted his horse and was striding towards them. She inwardly groaned, her face now contorted in great nervousness as well as slight exasperation, for she could not envision an unscathed escape out of this.

“And, since when does the Empress’ lady-in-waiting deliver goods to recipients not Her Highness?” Lord Matsumoto continued to interrogate, this time with his dark eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“I—I…”

“Lord Matsumoto,” Lord Ohno greeted as he ascended the wooden steps in swift and light steps. He stood at the minister’s side and studied the duo. “What business brings you here?”

“More so, you should inquire this lady’s business here. She speaks of this silk that is to be received by you, and she is acting as the delivery servant,” Lord Matsumoto smirked, pointing his finger at the bundle Aki carried in her arms.

Lord Ohno stared at Aki with a mildly bewildered expression, and his eyes fell on the heavy roll of silk in her arms. It was a long moment of silence before he spoke casually. “Ah, yes, this order has been delayed more than a week later than its promised due date. I thank Lady Kikuchi for delivering it for me.”

Lord Matsumoto stared hard at Lord Ohno, clearly aghast. “And of what purpose do you find needy to purchase silk materials, my lord?” he questioned in disbelief, as though to say, of what purpose do you put on boots on your horse’s hooves?!

Lord Ohno raised an eyebrow. “Why, to make haori and hakama,” he answered simply. “Perhaps, if you wish to share with me tips and advices on tailoring, we should discuss it over o-cha and mochi at the gardens? I heard the servants have brought in excellent tea leaves from Minakawa…”

Lord Matsumoto looked ready to strangle him with his own bare hands. But then the murderous glint in his eyes faded and it was replaced by exasperated affection, and he sighed. “No more mochi, my friend, for you have fed me one too many I fear my weight is gaining.”

“I can ask for the servants to replace mochi with fresh fruits, if you’d like.”

Lord Matsumoto glowered at him, and then he leaned closer to Lord Ohno, who was slightly shorter than him, and whispered furiously into his ear, “Ohno-kun, you are forgetting I have wits and cleverness to rival yours. Am I right to believe you are simply using these blasted words of riddles to chase me away?”

Lord Ohno did not reply, but he smiled serenely at him. Lord Matsumoto grumbled something under his breath that went something along the lines of, my tolerance is quickly wearing out and it is all by your work!

“If you wish not for participation in the proposed discussion, perhaps another day more fitting your mood,” Lord Ohno spoke softly, having lost the smile and now returned to the usual stoic expression of formality. “I wish you well, Lord Matsumoto.”

“Good day to you, Lord Ohno,” Lord Matsumoto wished with a slight bow of his head, though unlike his friend he cared not for needless formalities and instead had on a lopsided grin.

“Come, Lady Kikuchi, we shall go to the tailors,” Lord Ohno said to Aki, and casually walked off towards a gateway not far away.

“H—hai!” Aki cried, still flummoxed by the bewildering scene. She fumbled with the roll of silk in her hands as she curtsied to Lord Matsumoto, who could only look on with barely-hidden amusement between Lord Ohno and her, and she hurriedly followed in Lord Ohno’s trail.

“I am sorry to have troubled you, my lord,” Aki apologised, once they were both out of earshot of Lord Matsumoto. “I am truly grateful that you have spoken on my behalf in presence of Lord Matsumoto.”

Lord Ohno adjusted his pace so that he strode on her side and not in front of her. “Is the silk to be delivered to the Empress?” he asked softly, ignoring her words.

Aki was taken aback. “My lord… you knew?” she whispered fearfully.

“It was none but a wild guess, and a correct guess it is,” he replied, shrugging. He clasped his hands behind his back in an easy and friendly posture and continued. “And, I presume you know of the Empress’ whereabouts?”

“Yes, she is in the Jade Building, in her study hall,” Aki informed him, though with a crease of her eyebrows in perplexity.

“I guess I can spare some time to visit Her Highness,” Lord Ohno smiled with affection, but only briefly. Then suddenly he held out his hands to Aki wordlessly.

“Y… yes, my lord?” Aki piped meekly.

Lord Ohno nodded his chin in direction of the silk in her hands. “Allow me to carry that for you. It would be of utmost disrespect if a man does not offer to ease the burden a lady carries.”

Aki blushed furiously and bowed her head so the lord would not notice the rising colour in her cheeks. “I dare not, my lord! I, as a servant, should only bear such chores and not the lord.”

Without another passing breath, Lord Ohno’s hands suddenly gripped onto the cloth and gently eased it out of Aki’s hands. Aki almost yelped in disapproval, but she stopped short as she watched the lord adjust the weight of the roll on his shoulder and continued in his pace with no apparent difficulty at all. This was the same object that brought upon sore aching in both her arms!

“Such puzzling circumstances I’ve been plagued with today…” Aki muttered under her breath.

“What was it?” Lord Ohno inquired politely.

“Nothing,” she quickly said, “but I thank you, my lord, for your great kindness. Although I fear to consider the thoughts that run through the minds of those who see that a servant does not care to the lord’s needs.”

He bent his head slightly in manner of curiosity, and he shook his head. “Not if the lord insists that he personally carry this silk, for it is a precious possession of the Empress that the lord feels it is too worthy to be cared for in the hands of the servant. Though, I do not think the servants should judge the Lord General’s judgment…” Lord Ohno’s voice trailed off, and he turned to Aki with a pleasant smile that belittled the soft threat in his voice.

Aki was speechless. She could hardly believe the usually-expressionless – perhaps almost emotionless at uncertain times – Lord General actually spoke with jest.

“How fares little Tsuki?” he asked, changing the topic with not much a care as they passed under an archway and marked their entrance into the Eastern court.

Aki recovered from the shock and allowed herself a soft chuckle. “Growing fat as the days go by with naught to do save for eating and napping.”

“And, how have you been faring, lady?”

Aki paused. “Why do you ask, my lord?”

“No other matter concerns me more if the palace life brings none but hardship and disheartened spirits to the lady,” Ohno replied with evident nonchalance, but his voice was soft and gentle and tinged with genuine concern.

Aki believed she had merely conjured Lord Ohno’s words from her fervent imagination, but she knew they were no mere imagination. Finally, she could no longer keep her head bowed. She slowly raised her eyelashes and cast her eyes on Lord Ohno, and it was only then could she fully study the physical details of his face. Under the brilliant sunlight, his face exuded such exquisite immortal youth, its beauty almost brought an ache to her heart. The skin was smooth, save for a few battle-hewn scars that marred his plump cheeks, and his skin tone was slightly darkened from spending too much time under the sun. Despite the grim line of his lips pressed together and the lack of expression in his face, his eyes gleamed with warmth and merriment. Above all, they were like a pair of hazel orbs, warm and soft like melted caramel rather than cold, hard bronze. Those hazel orbs were now gazing down at her with much indescribable feeling.

Aki was mesmerised. She felt drawn to him more than ever.

“Lady Kikuchi?”

Aki broke out of her reverie and looked away before Lord Ohno could catch the alarmed expression in her face. She began to take much interest in details of the impressive stone walls on her left. “I… I am adjusting to the palace life,” she answered simply.

Lord Ohno did not say a word in response, for he was suddenly distracted by a group of passing palace guards who were gaping at the duo with widened eyes before they threw themselves into furious discussion amongst one another. Lord Ohno fixed them a piercing gaze and all of them hurriedly bowed in respect to the Lord General before they escaped towards the watchtowers at the southern end of the expansive courtyard.

“I hope Lord Matsumoto has not shown much harshness on you,” Lord Ohno spoke after a while, having loosened his stiff posture now that they were once again alone and not under a watchful eye.

Aki opened her mouth, and as quickly as she did, she shut it and pursed her lips tightly. She had so much to say in comment of Lord Matsumoto, all of which would have been unkind words spoken with passionate fury, but she remembered Lord Ohno was not one to speak of personal opinions with, due to the impossible difference between ranks and status, and in regard of the most important fact that the lord shared what seemed to be a close friendship with Lord Matsumoto.

Lord Ohno sensed the looming silence and chuckled under his breath, and Aki’s eyes shot up at him in surprise. “I shall speak with the Chief Minister, then, for I wish not for innocent, young court ladies to think of him as none but an intimidating nobleman,” he remarked with a small smile.

They had come to a halt, having reached the flight of stone steps which led directly to the Empress’ study hall, and it was customary that the ladies-in-waiting would ascend the steps first to announce the arrival of visitors before the visitors were given permit for entrance. However, Aki did not make a move, nor did she utter a word. Lord Ohno peered at her curiously, scanning the deep contemplation in her face and the pressure of her teeth biting onto her lower lip. He sighed quietly, and he reached his hand out and cupped her cheek, pressing her lower lip with his thumb so to loosen it.

“These beautiful cherry lips do not deserve to be marred,” he admonished, though with much softness and care. The rough, hardened skin of his fingers was gentle and reverent in touch; his thumb slowly ran across her lip with the slightest of touch, careful not to ruin the makeup.

“I—I’m sorry, my lord,” Aki apologised awkwardly, moving her face slightly away from his fingers. “I shall summon the ladies to announce your arrival.”

With an inaudibly sigh of longing, Lord Ohno reluctantly dropped his hand and took a polite step away. “Thank you, Lady Kikuchi,” he murmured.

Aki curtsied, and in swift movement she turned her back to Lord Ohno and ascended the stairs in hurried steps. Her shoulders heaved with much weight as she took a deep breath, trying to ignore the dull buzzing of a hundred thoughts in her mind and the unceasing rush of heartbeats ripping through her chest. She thought her knees, strangely turned weak, might buckle any time.

She exhaled in great relief when she spotted Satoko among the ladies-in-waiting standing watch before the golden dragon-engraved doors of the Empress’ hall.

“Satoko!” Aki whispered as she rushed to her friend.

“Do my eyes deceive me, or do I see Lord Ohno acting as the delivery boy?” Satoko wondered aloud. She fought to hide the delighted smile on her face as she glanced over Aki’s shoulder.

“The lord is merely acting on goodwill,” Aki retorted. “He has come to pay the Empress a visit. Shall I announce his arrival?”

Satoko ignored her, for she was immersed in excited whispers and high-pitched giggles among the other ladies-in-waiting, who by now were all aware of Lord Ohno’s visit, though they cared not for his business or his purpose in presenting himself in the Empress’ hall. There began a flurry of ladies straightening their jyunihitoe and smoothing their hair. Aki rolled her eyes and moved past them with much distaste.

In the hall, the Empress sat behind a long desk of polished wood and bamboo with a brush in her hand gliding across a piece of parchment. She raised her long lashes and cast her eyes at Aki as she crossed the hall and curtsied deeply.

“Kougou-sama, Lord Ohno has arrived,” she announced with a bowed head.

“Ah, do not hesitate to let him in,” she replied, insuppressible thrill and pleasure evident in her soft, melodious voice.

As if on cue, Lord Ohno had appeared at the door. He approached the high dais of which the Empress’ desk was situated on, striding in a purposeful but easy pace; he seemed to be blissfully unaware of the innumerable pairs of court lady eyes burning into him. It was as though his presence brought an air full of energy and life to the quiet hall, and the ladies-in-waiting were all awakened from dullness the moment the lord stepped foot into the hall, for they all raised their eyes and watched him, some with much admiration, others with lust and anticipation.

“Kougou-sama, I wish you a fair day today,” Lord Ohno greeted. “I hope I am not intruding on your daily affairs.”

“No, these are merely works of poetry and arts,” the Empress answered. She stood up from her seat and went to him with an affectionate smile, her eyes scanning the roll of silk he carried on his shoulder inquisitively.

“Your order of fine silk, Your Highness, delivered to by Lady Kikuchi,” he remarked.

He lowered the roll into his arms just as the Empress ran her hand across the fine material for closer inspection. “Ah, yes, this silk I have longed to sew and to make many dresses for the young Prince,” the Empress said with much love. She then nodded her head at Aki. “I thank you, Lady Kikuchi.”

Aki bowed her head awkwardly. “It is my pleasure to serve you, kougou-sama.”

The Empress passed the roll of silk to a nearby lady-in-waiting with instruction to fetch it to her chambers, before she turned to Lord Ohno and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Come, Lord Ohno, I hope your stomach is empty! I shall send word for the cook to bring a bowl of ramen for you…”

The Empress and Lord Ohno turned to leave through the side entrance. Aki felt by instinct that she almost wanted to scream, don’t go! Unconsciously an attachment to the lord had grown deep inside of her, and the lord’s departure would bring sadness for she knew there would no longer be a time when they could find such joy and comfort in each other’s company.

Then, Lord Ohno stopped as though he read Aki’s thoughts. He paused at the archway and looked over his shoulder, gazing at her with the same longing eyes of melted caramel. He gave her an encouraging smile that brought life to his stoic expression, before he turned back and left the hall.

“Ahh! The mighty lord had laid his eyes on me!” Lady Takeda gasped. Her hands were fanned over her cheeks and her face glowed as she squealed to the other ladies who had surrounded her. She was standing the closest to Aki.

“Hmph,” Satoko, who had came over to Aki’s side, grunted with a disapproving glare. “Why does no one truly see that Lord Ohno was in actuality looking at you?”

“It matters not,” Aki muttered. Slowly, she raised her trembling hands and lightly touched her lower lip. It was only then did she register the sudden pang of unfamiliar emotions and the rush of blood pumping into her heart.

- ~ -

Yay for a two-chapter bonus :D

HEAVEN’S WIND
an Ohno Satoshi fanfiction

Rating: T
Genre: Historical romance
Banner: Lord Ohno Satoshi and Kikuchi Aki (modeled by Toda Erika)
Summary: When Aki arrives at the Imperial Heian Palace as a new lady-in-waiting in service to the Empress, she is filled with indescribable anticipation and anxiety, knowing a new chapter in her life will begin. What she knows not… is that her life will change completely, and it begins with a chance meeting with a mysterious man on the stone wall.
Note: If there is any factual inaccuracy in terms of historical facts of the Heian Period, it is not intended.

Glossary:
1 — haha-ue (母上) : mother.
2 — koto (琴) : a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument.

-

Heaven’s Wind
Part Two

Satoko was hardly ever subtle when it came to fully expressing her emotions. This time she was almost weeping with motherly pride.

“I cannot believe the responsibility the Empress chose you to uphold. To carry the Crown Prince and stand in his place behind Her Highness! For that moment your position as lady-in-waiting was greater even than Her Highness’ most trusted lady!” she half-shrieked in delirious joy.

“It is a matter of no great importance, really,” Aki retorted with an air of nonchalance, though she was blushing profoundly. She unlocked a small wooden cage and immediately a snow-white cat scurried out and brushed her body against her calves.

“Tsuki, my love, are you weary from the journey?” Aki smiled, bending down to rub the cat behind the ears, and she was met with a loud, adoring purr.

They were in their bedroom unpacking their luggage. It was a small room with the most simplistic design, with space fitting two futons and a small rough-hewn wooden table at the corner of the room, and a row of cupboards on one side of the wall for their clothing and as well as storage purposes. Outside the bamboo lattice window was a view of the courtyard of the women’s living quarters, and further ahead, the tall, lush trees of the heron gardens.

“This is simply astounding – I just cannot put off the tremendous pride you have me inflated with, my friend,” Satoko breathed with furious passion. She was in such state of exuberance she could have kissed both Aki and Tsuki.

Aki knelt down at the table and poured o-cha into a cup, sipping it very lightly while half-glaring at Satoko. “For the hundredth time, it is of no consequence. I am just glad Her Highness trusted me with such a responsibility,” she said.

Satoko waved her hand airily, and changed the subject. “The young ladies behind me could not suppress their utmost jealousy. Above all, they were whining and clucking, they were no different from horses spoiled from too much malt. They wished they were in your place just so they could have such an ideal view of Lord Ohno!”

Aki choked on her tea and coughed. “Wh–what?” she croaked.

“Are you never aware of the people around you?” Satoko asked in mild exasperation. “There is no court lady – or female subjects, should I add – in this great palace who does not have any attraction for Lord Ohno.”

“Even the Empress can not elude his charm?” she muttered to herself.

“What did you say?”

Aki shook her head. “Nothing,” she quickly said. She was silent for a while, before she lowered her cup and warily asked, “Satoko-nee-sama… can you… tell me about Lord Ohno?”

Satoko paused her feverish march around the room. She peered at Aki with an arch of her eyebrows, then she knelt down by the table and leaned close to Aki with a smug grin. “Bless my dear sweet haha-ue – have you already fallen victim to Lord Ohno’s physical perfection?”

“No I haven’t,” Aki snapped, not sparing a withering look at her friend. “I am naught but curious, is all. Is he a nobleman of high rank?”

“A high rank would simply be an insulting understatement. Among all honourable nobleman with great power in the capital, he holds one of the highest position!” Satoko exclaimed, once again regaining her infuriatingly passionate way of speech. “By far, he is only second in rank to His Majesty his Emperor and the Imperial Family. Could you not tell? He is the Emperor’s army general and his right-hand man.”

“Army general…” Aki mouthed incredulously. She could not hide the astonishment in her rice-powdered face.

“He does not appear so, yes?” Satoko chuckled aloud. She sipped her o-cha delicately, her eyes gleaming with such fine amusement. “It is so very often a response of disbelief towards a man so young to have such an illustrious achievement. Although he is not quite so young; his age befits one who qualifies as an onii-sama to me, but many are quite contented to believe his features have not aged in the past ten years. He stands like a child among all the wrinkling ministers and ancient palace officials!”

“But…” Aki started, puzzled, “he is seemingly so… so…”

“Impassive?” Satoko suggested, and she laughed. “Do not be fooled by the never-aging semblance, he carries himself with the weight of a seasoned man and an air of calmness and dispassion. Nothing uncommon from a man of no words, I presume. Men worship him for the indispensable warrior skills he possesses and women throw themselves at his feet in utter abandon,” she said with her eyes narrowed in distaste.

Aki perked up and squared her shoulders in attention. “Warrior skills?”

“It is said he could kill fifty strong men and he would have escaped with only a mere scratch, and his ears are trained to hear a horse’s galloping hooves from miles away, that, he can easily tell the approach of a messenger or an unwelcome visitor towards the capital, and his eyes can watch a bird or a bug at a distance that even our human eyes can spot it not!”

“Amazing,” Aki breathed. She evaluated Satoko’s words with much consideration, and then it finally dawned on her. Perhaps that explained how Lord Ohno could have seen her when she was viewing the capital from the spyglass, with this pair of sharp hawk eyes of his? Or perhaps, that Lord Ohno did recognise her when she stood behind the Empress in the Throne Hall. For an unexplainable reason, she felt terrified by that very thought.

Then she remembered it all. The very mysterious reason Lord Ohno was watching the return of the Empress’ escort… and the very words the Empress spoke to him that still burned fresh in her mind. She had weighed the possibility a million times, one of which there was a forbidden relationship between Her Highness and Lord Ohno…

“Satoko…” Aki began hesitatingly. Her hands were taut and rigid around the o-cha cup, and her lips pursed in nervousness. “Is there any… chance… that Lord Ohno is… the Empress…” Aki gulped, “…lover?”

Satoko blinked once of twice in confusion, her cup hanging suspended in the air inches from her lips. Aki then quickly told her everything that brought her to this conclusion, but before she could finish her sentence, Satoko suddenly broke out into hysterical laughter.

“The Empress’ lover indeed!” she gasped, clutching her belly as she choked on incontrollable laughter.

Aki felt her cheeks heat up profusely. She felt embarrassed – or humiliated, likely – for ever suggesting that idea aloud. She could not help it; she could not find an easy way to accept the possibility of a secret affair under the very nose of the Emperor which could ultimately end with a scandalous beheading, but now she felt stupid for even imagining it.

“When you have recovered, I would very much like to know the hilarity behind my words,” Aki groaned.

Satoko wiped the tears in her eyes and very nearly smirked. “Lord Ohno is the Empress’ beloved cousin, my precocious friend! Hence, the very thought of Lord Ohno as a lover simply is preposterous! Lord Ohno is well loved by the Empress, for he has been her pillar of support and her dearest friend since the day she entered the palace as the Empress Consort. Why, the Empress is partly the reason His Majesty the Emperor holds such faith in Lord Ohno. Has it not occurred to you how Lord Ohno manages to get away for not donning the formal uniform of houko as required by the law for high-ranked officers?”

Aki averted her eyes and muttered a simple, “Oh,” in reply. She was much relieved, although in some ways guilty of ever doubting the purity of Her Highness, and she sighed deeply.

“Mreow,” came Tsuki’s delicate call, and she climbed onto Aki’s lap and curled around comfortably. Aki absent-mindedly rubbed the cat’s fur.

Satoko pressed her chin into her upright hand and stared at her with gleeful eyes. “Aye, I had an inkling your naïve heart would develop child feelings for the honourable lord, and it seems I was right,” she grinned triumphantly.

“Wishful thinking,” Aki refuted.

“I do not oppose it, if that is what clouds your mind,” Satoko giggled as she got onto her feet and crossed the room to the cupboards.

“I shall ignore your words, lady, for they bring no sense whatsoever,” Aki said coolly. “Come! We must dress quickly and be ready for the banquet.”

~

‘Twas true, the words of Satoko, that Aki had never truly seen what a banquet is like. The welcoming banquet in the Emperor’s grand dining halls was much like a roaring New Year’s festival in her homeland village. Merely an hour or so into the banquet, the Emperor was already beetroot red and considerably drunk from consuming too much sake, while the Empress and nearby ministers could do nothing but entertain his drunken words and obnoxious jokes. Courtesans brought on never-ending acts of entertainment in the form of koto performance and dances and singing, while the court ladies and courtesans were mingling and socialising at the back of the hall.

Satoko was adamant that she introduced Aki to a few ‘fine, lovely and available’ courtesans, to which was met with loud protests from the younger woman.

“Why should I meet these men when I share not the eagerness for courtship?!” Aki demanded.

“I am not asking you to court these men, but to socialise. I believe there is a fine line of difference in every aspect of those two words,” Satoko replied in impatience, though she was mirthful. “It does you good to be familiar with many people in the capital. You might never know when you find necessary to ask for a favour or two in times of need.”

“I always come to you for favours,” Aki replied, frowning at Satoko with a childish pout.

“I cannot be your blanket of protection always. It is time you grow up and find you place as a worthy woman,” Satoko admonished. Then, she smiled and pointed across the room. “Tachibana-san has been eyeing you for some time now. I shall call him over! Behave, you hear?”

“I hear, nee-sama,” Aki replied with much dread in her voice.

Tachibana-san was a man not many a year younger than Satoko and served as an assistant in the Imperial Physicians’ office. He was a fine and respectful man, who was kind and amiable and spoke with gentleness to Aki, but in the entire conversation he bored her beyond death with his talk of the many species of weed and the wonders of its uses in treating illnesses. What more, his face was as pale as the sheer whiteness of Tsuki’s fur. Aki was much tempted to suggest a morning walk in the gardens just to get him to absorb the glorious sunlight.

It was after much time that Aki felt she could no longer pretend to smile and be interested in weed. She excused herself and got up (stumbling a little with her sore and sleeping feet) and practically ran off. She decided she would go to Satoko, who was sitting at the other end of the hall with a number of other court ladies under the Empress who were currently engaged in a humourous conversation with some unrecognisable courtesans. She was walking so swiftly that she did not see the person in her path and she knocked into him.

“Ahh! Sumimasen deshita!” Aki exclaimed, and quickly bowed her head in apology. It was against palace etiquette to make physical contact with anyone of the opposite gender, and without another breath Aki straightened up and intended to ask his name so to plea that he excused her rude manner, but she stopped short. Her eyes widened with shock when she realised she had knocked into Lord Ohno.

“My lord,” Aki breathed, and she made to kneel down and bow, but Lord Ohno stopped her.

“There is no need for formalities, and I do not take to heart what was no more than a mere accident,” he said with a polite nod.

“Y—yes, my lord,” Aki stammered. “I wish you well, lord.”

With her head bowed, she quickly moved away and strode off past him. Her heart would not still its urgent pulsating in her chest, even when she had finally reached the table Satoko sat at.

“What troubles you, Aki?” Satoko asked with her eyebrows creased in concern upon noticing the anxiety set in the younger woman’s expression.

“Only the hurt impression your friend Tachibana-san has given me,” Aki grumbled quietly. She was determined not to let her dazed thoughts nor her still-disquiet emotions surface, and she swallowed the growing lump in her throat.

Satoko giggled softly and offered her sake cup. “Perhaps a cup or two to ease your mind, and then you would find interest in fine words of the respected Tachibana-san,” she said with much enthusiasm.

“I don’t drink.”

Satoko frowned. “Well, that is a shame. Sake is quite delicious, especially the rich, ripe ones served in the Emperor’s hall!”

Aki rolled her eyes and lightly slapped her friend’s arm as she tried to change the subject. “I shall take my leave now! I can stand no more of this socialising affair. I am returning to our room to feed Tsuki.”

“And what of Tachibana-san?! Please tell me you do not wish to take flight in his presence when he is much enamoured by you?” Satoko reprimanded with much disapproval.

Aki snorted aloud. “If he wishes for my heart, tell him I take no interest in conversing about the topic of weeds,” she refuted, and left the hall.

The merry noises of the dining hall soon faded away as she travelled towards the Greater Palace. The dimly-lit corridors of the palace were quiet save for the soft thudding of her cloth slippers on the strong wood. Nearly the whole population of the palace were attending the banquet, with exception of the usual presence of palace guards patrolling the courtyards and outskirts of the palace. One guard stopped her midway and questioned her business for leaving the banquet with such manner of caution, and Aki had to lie that she needed to fetch the Empress her koto, for she wished to play for the Emperor. After the guard was satisfied with his interrogation, she quickly retreated, much thankful the guard did not smell the tuna and raw salmon sashimi she carried in her handkerchief.

She reached the room she shared with Satoko, and quietly opened the lattice door and slid in before quickly closing it. “Tsuki, I have brought you food!” she called out.

She knelt by the table and unwrapped her handkerchief. “Tsuki?” she called out again, but the cat still did not appear.

She searched under the futons and the cupboards, even digging in her luggage bag and checking Tsuki’s cage. She brought the seafood bits around, hoping the smell would entice the cat to come out, but she was still nowhere to be seen. Aki’s heart sank to the bottom of her stomach. Had she not made sure the door was secure and locked when she and Satoko had left the room?

She tiptoed outside and searched the corridor, but still no sign of the white cat, and there was no mistaking as the cat’s snow fur was like a bright, illuminating light within darkness. She stood at the courtyard of the quarters, frantically thinking of any possible places Tsuki could have so adventurously ran off to. Then it occurred to her that the heron gardens were the closest, and she decided to start searching there.

The gardens were brightly lit with paper lanterns, casting an eerie glow in the dark ponds and surrounding rose bushes. She was partly glad there were the lanterns to illuminate the grounds, and quickly she began calling out.

“Tsuki! Where have you gone to, my dear little friend?”

She scanned the vastness of the gardens, hoping to find a trace of sheer whiteness among the green and brown of the trees.

“Tsuki!”

“Who goes there?!”

Aki turned around in panic and saw two palace guards at the west bank of the lake with their lamps cast high up. One of them saw her figure in the dark and pointed at her, and she gasped. Without another breath, she picked up her skirts and ran across the bridge towards the cluster of trees. She could hear them in hot pursuit behind her, and she picked up the speed. She cursed at the jyunohitoe she wore, for its many layers of cloth were heavy and they burdened her escape.

“Do not escape!”

Frantically she searched for a hiding spot, and she found one within the trees where their trunks were thick enough to hide her and dark enough to shield her from scrutinising eyes. She ran towards the spot and squatted down, hitching up her skirts as best she can and wrapped them around her legs.

“Where did the intruder escape to?!” she heard one guard yell, his voice mere metres away.

“We had best alert the other guards. It would not do well to have the Imperial Family’s safety threatened under our watch,” another said. Aki heard their heavy-booted footsteps trail away, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“This is ridiculous,” she groaned inaudibly, wiping the sweat that was ruining the rice powder on her face.

“I presume you are the intruder those guards speak of?”

Aki jumped a foot off the ground at the sudden voice behind her and she spun around. There was no mistaking from that voice nor the shape of the figure in the darkness. A candle lit and there, sitting cross-legged on the grass, was Lord Ohno holding a lantern. She would have groaned aloud in frustration, if it were not for her blood running cold in utter terror. Of all people to catch her red-handed, it had to be the Lord General.

“M—my lord!” she exclaimed, and without hesitation she bowed her head. “I am not an intruder as the guards claimed! I just came to the gardens in search of my—”

She stopped short. She looked up and noticed a white something snuggling deeper into the lord’s lap.

“Tsuki!” she cried out.

“This is your cat?” Lord Ohno inquired in an even voice.

Aki nodded. “I returned to my room to feed her but found that she had not kept still in her cage as I had hoped. I have searched for her around but all was in vain ‘til now! I apologise on her part for not respecting the lord’s privacy. I give you my word she shall receive punishment and henceforth to be locked in her cage at all times!”

Lord Ohno was silent, and then he spoke in a calm, unperturbed voice. “She is an eager one, this cat. I was passing by what must be the court ladies’ quarters and I believe she must have caught on the scent of the tuna in my onigiri, and followed behind me all the way here.”

Onigiri? Aki blinked in confusion. She adjusted her eyes to the bright light and scanned the lord intently. True as he had said, the lord was holding a half-eaten onigiri in one hand.

“I was hoping for some privacy,” Lord Ohno said regretfully, “as it seems I have no other choice but to entertain my company. Would you like an onigiri?”

Aki was stunned by the sudden offer, what more of the absurdity in the situation they were both in. Lord Ohno, well-respected General of the Emperor’s army, was hiding beneath trees and behind bushes and snacking on onigiri with a cat in his lap, and accompanied by a dishevelled young court lady. If Satoko were to discover, Aki was very sure she would find no end of amusement to this.

“No, thank you, my lord,” Aki replied. She moved forward very carefully and knelt at Lord Ohno’s side, and made to carry Tsuki but Lord Ohno shook his head.

“Let her sleep. She has eaten all the fish I can offer to her, let her rest away her bloated belly.”

Aki looked uncertain. She still felt it inappropriate for her cat to slumber in the lord’s lap, for it was indirectly disrespecting him, but Lord Ohno did not seem to mind, so she nodded and sat quietly. Awkward silence fell upon them; Aki couldn’t stop staring at Lord Ohno as he continued to eat his onigiri, absorbed deep in his thoughts as he rubbed the back of Tsuki’s ears.

“Are you a newcomer to the capital?” he suddenly asked.

“Y—yes, my lord. I was sworn into service of the Imperial Family not three months ago, when the Empress went into seclusion in the summer palace,” Aki answered.

“I see… and do you find the palace life fitting? I believe you are young and yet you must leave your family to serve in the Imperial Palace,” he said with surprising gentleness and compassion.

Aki gazed at him for a moment, contemplating if it would be appropriate to speak her mind in his presence. She breathed deeply before replying, “It is none other than a basic requirement of a court lady. I must forgo all familial ties and put the importance of my role as the Empress’ lady-in-waiting above all others.”

“Your maturity betrays not your young heart. Many would be deceived if they were to assume you age,” he said with faint respect. A small smile played on his lips.

“I am flattered, my lord,” Aki replied with a deep blush in her cheeks.

Silence fell upon them again as the night was quiet except for the inaudible sounds of Lord Ohno chewing on the onigiri and the faint purrs from Tsuki’s chest. Then, Aki tried to make conversation. “I… I hope I do not seem intruding, my lord,” she asked softly, “but why do you not eat in the Emperor’s grand hall?”

Lord Ohno peered at her with an expressionless face for a moment, then he replied, “I am afraid it is an undying habit of mine. I find discomfort to have my meals in company of so many unfamiliar people. I decided to come to the gardens and look for some peace.”

“Then forgive me, my lord, for disrupting the peace you wish for,” Aki said apologetically.

Lord Ohno waved his hand in dismissal. “You are not wholly a person who causes me discomfort. Sometimes, I do not mind a pleasurable conversation…” Then suddenly, his head perked up and he gazed far beyond the trees as though focusing on a noise far away. Then he seemed to nod to himself, before he threw the remaining of the onigiri into his mouth and stretched his arms out. “I believe the banquet has ended. It is best you return to your quarters when you are yet to be discovered.”

“Yes, my lord,” she nodded. She nudged Tsuki awake and carried her into the crook of her arm.

“Mreow?” the cat called to her with a sleepy look in her eyes, and she yawned. Aki glowered at her.

Lord Ohno got onto his feet and helped her up. “I will tell the guards the intruder has left the compound of the palace, and that he is of no threat to the Imperial Family,” he said.

“Thank you, my lord,” Aki replied in relief. “I shall take my leave. I bid you a good night.”

“And a good night to you, Lady Kikuchi.”

Aki stared at him, struggling to hide her surprise that he remembered her name. In that moment they looked at each other wordlessly, much like before, and Aki realised that, what Satoko said was true, he had an expression of a man seasoned by what he had seen in the world, but his eyes were still young, and warm.

She was the first to look away. She curtsied, and walked off quietly without another glance over her shoulder. She scanned left and right and there were no guards nearby, so she swiftly ran off towards the court ladies’ quarters. She hugged Tsuki tightly to her chest, and whispered furiously to her unapologetic cat, “You have no idea how much trouble you have caused me!”

Although despite her anger, she allowed herself a small smile.

- ~ -

Author’s note: O-hisashiburi neeeeee, minna-san! I apologise for the lack of updates in recent months m(_ _)m. I bring you a new story — a short, 5-chapter long story — which is dedicated to Aki-chan as a belated birthday present. This story is hugely inspired by Ohno’s 2008 butai, Amatsukaze (Heavenly Wind = Heaven’s Wind XD). Hope you enjoy! <3

HEAVEN’S WIND
an Ohno Satoshi fanfiction

Rating: T
Genre: Historical romance
Banner: Lord Ohno Satoshi and Kikuchi Aki (modeled by Toda Erika)
Summary: When Aki arrives at the Imperial Heian Palace as a new lady-in-waiting in service to the Empress, she is filled with indescribable anticipation and anxiety, knowing a new chapter in her life will begin. What she knows not… is that her life will change completely, and it begins with a chance meeting with a mysterious man on the stone wall.
Note: If there is any factual inaccuracy in terms of historical facts of the Heian Period, it is not intended.

INTRODUCTION:
1 — This story is set in the Heian period (平安時代) of ancient Japan, circa 794 A.D. to 1185 A.D.
2 — The Heian Palace, where the background of this story is set in, was the Imperial Palace of the Heian capital (present-day Kyoto) during the period. The structural design of the palace buildings greatly resembles those of the Forbidden City in ancient China. For images of the Heian Palace you may refer to this site.

GLOSSARY:
1 — bukan sokutai (武官束帯) : a customary garment worn by lower-ranked Imperial warriors.
2 — jyunihitoe (十二単) : a twelve-layer kimono worn by women of the Imperial Palace. The colour and design of the robes defines the rank, as the Empress wears a jyunihitoe of finest silk of gold, red and jade green, whereas the jyunihitoe worn by ladies-in-waiting and lower-ranked court ladies are of less-elaborate design and subtle colours.
3 — kougou-sama (皇后さま) : a title to address the Empress.
4 — tennou-sama (天皇さま) : a title to address the Emperor.

With that said, my friends, onwards! :D

-

Heaven’s Wind
Part One

There were no words in her mother language that best described the expression of awestricken disbelief on Aki’s face. With her hand pushing aside the draping cloth and her head sticking out of the window of their horse-drawn carriage, her jaw hung slackened and her eyes widened like ripe almonds as she stared past the edge of the mountain path, down the slopes at the foot of the mountain, drinking in the magnificent view of the sprawling dark turquoise roofs, the red-painted pillars and walls coloured in a shade of intense fury, and the lush greenery of the famed heron gardens. The eastern and western walls stretched beyond the horizon of which was visible to her flawed human eye.

This was the vast capital of the Heian Palace.

“Satoko, look!” she called out over her shoulder.

A woman not ten years older than her glanced through the window and grinned. “Yes, the beauty of the palace invites much praise and awe when viewed from the mountain,” she said. She looked up at Aki, and her grin widened more than ever. “This is your first time laying eyes on the capital, I take it?”

“I am naught but a village girl.” Aki then shot back a look. “And I take it, that due to the countless number of times your eyes have beheld these walls, their magnificence no longer strikes you?”

Satoko chuckled and patted her shoulder. “Lady Kikuchi, I have served as Her Highness the Empress’ lady-in-waiting whilst you were still chasing ducks and digging worms as a child in your homeland. The view of the capital in my eyes is like the view of an herb garden in yours! But no, its magnificence does not tire out my young heart.”

“An obaa-san’s speech coming out of a young heart, I see,” Aki teased, tongue-in-cheek.

Satoko rolled her eyes and adjusted her position on the hard wooden bench. “Trust me, Aki, the capital is – by an immeasurable scale – a far more appropriate place for young ladies like us to reside in. The capital never runs out on all the merriment, the banquets and the plentiful feasts, and moreover the plentiful source of male subjects found fit for our female eyes to feast on,” she spoke in a vibrant voice, her eyes twinkling dreamily, “all of which we were deprived of at the summer palace.”

“Do you not find merriment in the Empress’ summer gardens, or banquets in Her Highness’ grand halls?” Aki questioned, thinking of the feasts the Empress had hosted to entertain guests who traveled far to visit her in the countryside.

“Banquets? You speak of four people sitting with the Empress for a meal that feeds the stomach of thirty court ladies! I hardly call that a merry feast, let alone a banquet,” Satoko exclaimed in mock offence. “My dear friend, you have not seen what a true banquet is. You will have your chance during the Empress’ welcoming feast tonight.”

“Indeed,” Aki murmured with the eager smile of an excited young village girl who had yet to see the world outside her homeland. She turned back to gaze out of the window. The sight of the palace, ever more glorious under the bright afternoon sun, still yielded such breathtaking beauty she could not stop marveling.

“Satoko-nee-sama, where are the women’s quarters located?” she asked.

Satoko leaned over and pointed a slim finger towards the southern division of the palace. “There, in the Greater Palace within close proximity of the southern gate into the Inner Palace. And towards the east of our living quarters,” she gestured at the vastly greenery, “is the heron gardens. It is a lovely place for an invigorating walk in the early dawn, and it is not far from our living quarters if you take the servants’ shortcuts between buildings,” she added with a mischievous smile. Then she leaned down and dug through the light luggage bag beside her feet. “Here, this should help for the inspection,” she said, and handed to Aki a spyglass.

Aki cast a suspicious look at her. “What needs might you have that you find it necessary to own such an object?”

Satoko said nothing, but her innocent expression seemed hurt by that accusation. Once again, Aki was not in the least surprised by all the court-ladies secrets Satoko kept in all the years she served in the palace. Clicking her tongue in disapproval at her friend, she opened the spyglass and put it to her eye.

“Just do not let the horseman see you, or he shall have our heads in citation of spying on His Majesty the Emperor!”

Aki nodded absent-mindedly. She studied the ladies’ quarters Satoko had pointed to her earlier, and in the courtyard she saw two women bouncing around on their toes eager to catch wayward butterflies. In her eyes they looked like ridiculous court jesters in their heavy jyunohitoe garments, and she sniggered.

“I hope you wandering eye does not indulge in perverse ideas,” came Satoko’s gleeful caution.

“Have a care! Keen, I am, but I do not share your enthusiasm for perversity,” was Aki’s cheerful reply. Satoko scowled at her.

She moved the direction of the spyglass eastward, towards the gardens she was most eager to behold since the first time Satoko described to her in such passion of the capital and the gardens’ incomparable beauty. Suddenly, she stopped.

There was a man standing on the stone wall guarding the gardens, watching the vast army of the Empress’ escort.

She could not have mistaken him twice as a mere palace guard, for his garb was not the formal bukan sokutai that she knew was the customary garb of the Emperor’s soldiers. He wore an unfamiliar garment of leather and dark cloth in intricate design, almost in the likes of a wandering ranger (although in all honesty she was not familiar in the common uniform of a ranger). What more, he was standing on a twenty-foot high wall which no common man had any human abilities to reach; he had one hand placed on his hip in a casual manner and the other on the head of a stone dragon statue.

And then the man was staring directly at her through the tunnel of her spyglass.

Aki quickly lowered the spyglass and hid behind the wooden wall of the carriage, feeling her breath quickened and her heart thudding urgently against her ribs.

“What is it?” Satoko asked, curious.

“Nothing, just the warm air making the powder on my face sticky,” Aki lied. Slowly and carefully she glanced back through the window. She was so sure that mysterious man was actually looking at her… but how could he have spotted her, a court lady peering through the window of a wooden carriage amongst the hundreds, from such a distance?

Aki could not understand how she could not erase the man’s piercing gaze from her mind.

~

“They have returned! Her Highness the Empress and her escort have returned!” came a cry from the watchtower guards.

Aki snuck a peek through a slit in the curtain. They were arriving at the main palace gate, and the people of the capital crowded both ends of the pebbled streets leading to it, giving the Empress and her escort a festive welcome deemed fit for a hero. The gates opened and the palace guards knelt and bowed their heads in respect of the Empress as the carriages entered.

“Satoko…” Aki moaned to her friend. She was so nervous, she could not stop wringing her hands in her lap.

Satoko laughed at the state Aki was in and hugged her endearingly. “My friend, do not worry about the mistakes that have not taken place! I will take care of you. All of which you have learned in the summer palace are no different here. Just remember – by all means you must not have eye contact with the Imperial family, nor with the courtesans and ministers who are not women. The rules here are not as lenient and carefree as those imposed at the summer palace, especially under the watchful eyes of the Emperor’s court.”

Aki gulped and nodded. She still found it hard to suppress the urging threat of stomach bile rising through her throat.

The carriage finally drew to a halt, and Aki sucked in her breath. Satoko held her hand for a moment with a comforting smile, and in a motherly fashion she smoothen the front of the younger woman’s jyunihitoe. “Ready?” she asked.

Aki took a deep breath, and held her chin high. “Ready.”

Satoko undid the latch and pushed the door open. She stepped out into the blinding light first, and Aki, pulling up the heavy skirts of her jyunihitoe, followed her and descended the small steps onto the courtyard.

Aki only had a few overwhelming seconds to wonder at the expansive stone courtyard of the Inner Palace that could easily fit tens of thousands of well-armed soldiers. Remembering Satoko’s instructions, she lowered her eyes to the ground and swiftly followed after Satoko’s steps to the formation of the line of court ladies awaiting by the Empress’ golden carriage.

The Empress slowly stepped down her carriage, in her arms carrying a small bundle wrapped in many layers of red and gold silk. She spent a silent few moments scanning her ladies-in-waiting, and her eyes fell on Aki.

“Lady Kikuchi,” her calm voice called out.

Aki’s blood ran cold. Slowly she stepped out of the line and curtsied low. “Present, kougou-sama!”

The Empress strode towards her and smiled. “I shall have you take up the responsibility of carrying the Prince as I bring my escort to the Emperor’s Throne Hall.”

Aki briefly looked back at Satoko with a pleading look, but the fierce and encouraging smile Satoko gave her filled her heart with immense confidence. With another curtsy she carefully took the small bundle the Empress handed to her and nestled him in her arms. She peered at the serene, sleeping face of the Crown Prince; his chubby cheeks were tinged rosy red and he had his tiny thumb between his bow-shaped lips. Aki couldn’t help but smile.

“Come, you must take your place behind me,” the Empress said, gesturing her ringed hand towards the front of the line.

“Wakarimashita, kougou-sama,” Aki said.

The Empress, heading her large escort, began ascending the many steps of the stairs to the shishinden, the Throne Hall of the Emperor. Aki followed closely behind, trying to maintain a safe distance between the Empress and her and careful not to step on the many-layered skirts of the Empress’ beautiful jyunihitoe dragging behind her feet.

“Announcing: the arrival of Her Highness the Empress and His Majesty the Crown Prince!”

The Empress guided her escort into the Throne Hall, with a slight nod at a number of ministers and court officials of the imperial palace who flanked the new arrivals on both sides of the stretching aisle, towards the end where the Emperor sat in his gold-encrusted throne. It was at this point that Aki was inwardly much thankful the young Prince was fast sleep. She could not bear the thought of handling the Prince wide-awake and screaming in the presence of so many courtesans, and more so in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor.

The Empress halted before the Emperor and curtsied, and all the court ladies followed suit.

“I, Empress Anshi, have returned from my confinement of four moon cycles, now well fit to return to my position as Empress in the Imperial Family and of the ruling lands of the Emperor. I give my respects to my lord the Emperor and ask for his blessings.”

The Emperor stood up from his chair and he spoke out. “You have my blessings without hesitation,” his sonorous, commanding voice boomed. Then he descended the throne dais and approached the Empress his wife with his arms opened wide in warm welcome. He held the Empress by the shoulders and brought her up to her feet. “Have you been well, Empress?” he asked.

“Yes I have, my lord,” the Empress answered with a serene smile. “I have come to present to you your newborn child. Lady Kikuchi.”

With a calm poise as best she mustered, Aki stepped forward and brought the sleeping Prince to the Empress, who took him gently and brought him to her glowing husband.

“Your son, the Crown Prince, my lord,” the Empress murmured lovingly.

The Emperor took the small bundle with much care and awkwardness, and gazed at his son with the bloated pride and joy of a new father. Then, he raised the Prince high above his head and cried out, “This is my son, the Crown Prince, and heir to the throne!”

It was then every man in the great hall dropped to their knees and bowed, and a loud, thunderous exclamation echoed throughout the hall. “Praise the Imperial Family, and the heir the Crown Prince!”

The Emperor barked a satisfied laughter and brought the Prince back to his arms. The baby had been awakened by the reverberant boom of one hundred voices and now he cried and screamed and squirmed in his father’s protective arms.

“The little one has strong lungs indeed! Much befitting a lord in the Imperial Family, no?” the Emperor laughed.

As the Emperor began murmuring comforts words in the child’s ear, a man stepped up front and bowed to the Empress. “I represent each nobleman in this great hall of the Emperor to welcome the Empress and her escort back to the capital.”

“Lord,” the Empress nodded, “much is grateful for your welcome, and it does not warm my heart more to see a familiar face.”

“The palace has been a cold and quiet place without the presence of Your Highness, nor her laughter to brighten our hearts,” the lord continued.

The Empress glanced briefly at her husband, and then inclined her head in gesture for the lord to come closer. He slowly leaned forward and offered his ear, and the Empress whispered, “If it were not for my husband the Emperor, I would have given you a warm hug, for I have been deprived of one for one too many months.”

Aki, who stood the closest to the Empress, froze in her spot. She was disgusted by herself for eavesdropping on Her Highness’ private words with the lord, but she was much more appalled by the Empress’ very words. She was shocked; she could not believe that the Empress could utter such intimate words to a man not her husband, and in the presence of the Emperor himself!

Aki could not put off the temptation any longer. Noticing the Emperor was too engrossed in quieting the Prince, she cautiously lifted her eyes up and studied the profile of the man whom the Empress showed such informality to, and she sucked in her breath.

It was the man from the stone wall. The man who was staring at her through the spyglass.

The lord had a stoic expression, but as he exchanged a knowing glance with the Empress, he briefly smiled. Then abruptly, he turned his eyes to Aki as though he knew she was thinking of him. She stopped breathing at once. Their eyes locked on each other for one short moment, before Aki quickly lowered her eyes to the ground.

“Lord Ohno!” the Emperor greeted the lord. “Escort the Empress to her chamber while her ladies-in-waiting retire. It has been a long journey for them and rest is much deserved.”

“Yes, tennou-sama, it has been a long and tiring journey. My ladies and I shall rest and regain our energy for the banquet tonight,” the Empress replied. She curtsied once again and received the Prince from her husband.

“Shall I call for the wet nurse, kougou-sama, to care for the Prince?” Lord Ohno inquired.

“Yes, but first I wish to return to my chamber at once.”

“As you wish,” he bowed as the Empress turned to leave. He followed after her, but not before he stole a curious glimpse at the young lady-in-waiting with her head bowed.

Once the Empress and Emperor have taken their leave from the Throne Hall, a courtesan came to lead the ladies-in-waiting to the women’s quarters in the Greater Palace. Aki retreated along with the court ladies with her mind in a daze, and full of thought and wondering, assessing the very depth of mystery in this Lord Ohno.

- ~ -

Author: tashiichaan
Rating: T
Genre: Romance, angst, humour
Featuring: Sakurai Sho
Banner designed by: tashiichaan
Story Summary: Hiroki never holds expectations for anything. She never expected to be promoted just 6 months into her job; she never expected her housemate to be a little more sane; but of all those damned unexpectations, she didn’t expect to find herself drawn into the life of Sakurai Sho. She didn’t expect to fall in love with him. And it all starts with a can of Coke.

NOTE: OMGGGGGGGG I haven’t updated in months!!! I hate how I’m been busy nonstop – first it was exams, and right after exams it was work… I really wanted to update my stories, but I had a stubborn writer’s block! I struggled really hard to edit this chapter (I had written this earlier, wayyy before my exams), but I pulled through for the sake of my lovely readers (who had me on a guilt trip when you guys sent emails and pestered me asking when an update is coming along XD). Thank you so much if you’re still reading this story – I wouldn’t have done it without your support. I’m updating Chapter 16 because I feel I need to reward you guys. You rock <3

- – - – - -

Mercurial Dreams
Chapter Sixteen

Outside the dressing room, there were approaching footsteps thundering down the corridor, and out of a sudden Aiba barged into the room in full steam. He stopped short, his intense eyes scanning the two figures so caught up in each other on the sofa, and his jaw dropped dramatically.

“So it’s true!” he squealed, “Matsujun told me you both are alone here, but I didn’t know things had progressed that well. Sho-chan, YATTA NE!”

With a blank look, Sho glanced at himself and then at Hiroki. There was nothing explicit about their positions on the sofa, as Aiba wrongly interpreted – they were only sitting side by side so very innocently, Hiroki’s head was cradled on his shoulder while Sho’s hand was massaging the back of her head to ease the headache.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sho dismissed airily.

“Oooooooooh! Am I interrupting something here? Oh wait, wait, WAIT! Oh my, oh — I’m sorry! I’ll go out so you can continue your, errrr, activity.” And with a wink, he tumbled out of the room as fast as he had entered.

Sho stared at the closed door in perplexity, and then slapped his forehead with his palm, softly cursing, “That baka… doesn’t even know what he’s talking about. And where’s that damned milkshake?”

He went silent when he heard Hiroki swear under her breath, her body shuddering violently when another wave of fierce pounding attacked the back of her head. In a moment of pique she half-joked, “Either you keep talking, or I’m going to bang my head against the dressing table…”

“Even if it’s nonsense?” Sho asked with a poker face.

Hiroki chuckled softly and patted his arm. “No, thanks. But thanks for the effort.”

“I can take you home if you want,” Sho offered.

Hiroki was sorely tempted by his offer. She did want to go home and crawl into bed, and to soothe her headache in comfy hibernation. But from reading Sho’s Rolex watch, it was only seven in the evening. Arashi had to return to the dance studio after the photoshoot and wouldn’t be released until 10pm earliest.

“…where’s your manager?” she suddenly asked.

Sho shrugged. “Last I saw him, he said he had a meeting with Johnny-san and most likely won’t be around for the rest of the day.”

Hiroki silently cheered in triumph. Trying to hide her smile, she said solemnly, “Hmm… I guess I could just slip away tonight…”

Sho, on the other hand, didn’t bother to hide his mischievous smile. “Y’know, Manager-san isn’t such a terrible guy. He’s been with us for a few years now and he’s really professional with his job.”

Hiroki shook her head in vague disagreement. “I’m afraid his professionalism is the only good thing I can praise him for.” And Sho laughed.

“C’mon, I’ll take you home,” he said. He gently adjusted her head against the back of the sofa and got to his feet.

“But you’re in the middle of your photoshoot. You can’t ditch your work,” she argued, her eyes following him as he picked up his T-shirt from a nearby chair.

“I’m done with my part so I’ve been relieved. Besides, we’re not scheduled for the dance practice ‘til nine. I’ve got time,” he explained. With sheer nonchalance, he took off his shirt and changed into his own T-shirt. Hiroki’s eyes widened, and she quickly looked away before he noticed the darkening colour in her cheeks.

“C-Cover yourself, please,” she squeaked.

Sho seemed particularly amused. “This morning I was showing more skin than this and I almost got mauled, and now you’re actually embarrassed?”

Hiroki spun her head a whole 180 degrees and threw him a murderous glare, despite the rising heat she felt in her face. It didn’t not help that he was smirking at her.

“I’m just teasing!” he laughed. He helped her up and draped an arm around her shoulders as he carried her bag in his other hand. “You just lean on me, I’ll guide you,” he said, and he led the out.

For an unexpected moment, Hiroki thought she felt a sort of warmth generated from his words build up in the pits of her stomach. It puzzled her, but this time she didn’t deny she liked the tremendous comfort she felt. She felt so protected by him that she didn’t even notice the gawking stares from crewmembers they passed by, or even when Sho stopped for a while to speak to one of the assistants, telling him to call up the van to pick them up as well as pass a message to his, before they headed towards the backdoor of the studio.

Outside, the dusk sky was strewn in a hazy painting of red, orange and black, leaving a melancholic ease to the atmosphere. They waited outside the door for the van to arrive, awkward silence building between them. Sho still supported her with his arm, but from out of the corner of her eyes Hiroki thought she saw him gazing at her with such intensity that it made her uncomfortable.

“What?” she spoke out uneasily. She didn’t dare look at him.

“It’s nothing,” he replied softly, an almost unnoticeable crack in his voice, “it’s just that… you look beautiful in the setting sunlight.”

Hiroki held her breath. Slowly she looked up and almost gasped at the serene, almost adoring expression set deeply in his glowing face. It was so quiet, time must have stopped between them. They stared into each others’ eyes for what could have been forever, and Sho lowered his face to hers…

Out of nowhere, there was a loud commotion going on somewhere along the alley to their left, which was blocked off by a towering wooden gate. Loud voices rung out in the humid air, tinged with agitation and authority followed by some shuffling. Sho and Hiroki gawped in bewilderment towards that direction, wondering what sort of trouble could occur in a relatively small and fiercely-protected studio, which was frequented by Johnny’s bands thanks to its severe privacy.

“I’m sorry, but we cannot allow you through. Only authorised personnel and clients are allowed into this area,” a man’s voice reprimanded.

“We’re especially strict with female fans who stalk our clients, or in this case, Arashi,” another man sneered.

Just in time, the van arrived and stopped at the corner of the back parking lot. Sho clicked his tongue in annoyance and ushered Hiroki hurriedly towards the van. “Probably another overzealous fan…” he sighed.

A female voice spoke out. “Wait – listen! I’m not here to see Arashi, I’m looking for my friend! I was told that she’s supervising some photoshoot here…”

That panicky voice made Hiroki stop in her stride. She creased her eyebrows in deep thought to try and recognise that familiar voice. “Mayu…?”

“Who?” Sho asked.

“Oh no…” Hiroki groaned, putting her face in her hand. In the unprecedented and much-regretted events which had occurred in the past twenty-four hours, she hadn’t considered the consequences of having Mayu discover she had ditched their promised okonomiyaki celebration to having dinner with Sho (and the nonexistent bosses). Knowing that pesky university undergrad, whose lifelong ambition was to become a determined wife to Sakurai Sho, Hiroki just knew she wouldn’t be let off easy and unscathed.

“Please, I’m telling the truth here!” Mayu’s voice begged.

A guy snorted in disgust. “Yeah, and I’m Johnny Kitagawa myself, ho ho ho—HEY!”

There was a loud shuffling and muffled squeaks, and then thudding footsteps came running towards the fence. In the next second, the wooden gate flung open and Mayu sprinted through with the two burly security guards hot on her heels.

“COME BACK!” one of them yelled after Mayu.

Mayu continued to run, but the security guards were surprisingly swift and they caught her by the shoulders, cuffing her arms and almost lifting her off her feet. Just then, Mayu noticed Hiroki and struggled wildly against the men. “Ohmigod, there you are!” she shrieked. “Hiroki-chan, TASUKETE!”

Hiroki stepped up and put her hand out. “Don’t worry guys, she really is my friend.”

“SEE? I TOLD YOU!” Mayu shouted.

The security guards released Mayu and bowed quickly. “Gomenasai, Hiroki-sama! We did not know!” And quickly they scooted away to avoid further humiliation.

Hiroki rounded on Mayu, about to demand her intrusion into a strictly-prohibited area, when she noticed the wide-eyed, bedazzled look in her face. She followed the direction of which she was staring at (target: an uncomfortable Sho) with her jaw dropped in such shock and speechlessness, she seemed as though she was going to faint anytime soon.

“S…S…S…S…Sakurai…san…” she stammered.

Sho gave Hiroki a questioning sideward glance, and whispered quickly, “You said she was your friend.”

“Friend and maniac Arashi fan,” Hiroki remarked while rolling her eyes.

Mayu bowed in greetings to Sho. “Hajimemashite! I’mMayuI’mafriendofHiroki’s,” she almost shrieked, speaking so quickly that Sho almost couldn’t catch it.

“Err, Sakurai Sho desu,” he replied, bowing awkwardly.

Concluding that Mayu was going to jump onto Sho any moment, Hiroki decided to stand between the both of them for the sake of Sho’s safety. “Mayu, what’re you doing here?!” she hissed quietly.

Mayu snapped out of her dreamy state and glared at Hiroki. “I’ve been worried all day and night, wondering if you got raped by your boss, and the first thing you do when you see me is ask what I’m doing here?!” she gasped.

“It’s not that…” Hiroki refuted. She suspected Mayu’s sudden appearance had nothing to do with her, and EVERYTHING to do with Sho.

Mayu pulled Hiroki closer and muttered hotly, “And what’re you doing with Sho?! I know you lied to me and had dinner with him last night – are you having dinner with him tonight too?”

A-ha!

“Erm, actually, I’m just taking her home. She’s not in a good condition to work, actually,” Sho filled her in helpfully, “she’s got a hang—eurgh—I mean, headache.” He glowered at Hiroki while massaging the spot on his arm where she had pinched him hard.

Mayu blushed furiously, having been unintentionally overheard by Sho. Nervously she averted her gaze and began fussing over Hiroki. “A headache, you say? C…C…C’mon, let’s go home. Sakurai-san, are you driving us?” she asked eagerly.

Sho jabbed his thumb towards the white van behind him. “Nope, our driver is. Hop on.”

Mayu enthusiastically climbed onto the backseat and Sho helped Hiroki up to the middle seat, ignoring Mayu’s narrowed eyes. Mayu almost protested when Sho got in and sat down beside Hiroki, mostly because he had his back turned to Mayu.

“So, where do you live?” Sho asked, looking at Hiroki.

Before Hiroki could answer, Mayu fervently piped in. “Ikebukuro! Miyazaka area, to be exact.”

The driver nodded and drove down the road to the main street. Hiroki was left feeling rather irked by her roommate’s behaviour – Mayu had never shown this much avidness for anything, until it involved a certain Keio University graduate. She fought the urge to tell Sho everything she hated about her, but she clamped her lips together into a grim line and stared out of the window, feeling nothing but a stinging pain caused by Mayu’s fake cheeriness.

“So, Sakurai-san,” Mayu started, leaning forward and poking her head between Sho and Hiroki, “You graduated from Keio, right?”

Without sparing a glance at her, Sho nodded. “Yeah…”

Mayu squealed so suddenly that Sho and Hiroki jumped an inch in their seats. “What a coincidence!” she cried out joyously, “I’m studying at Keio, too!”

Hiroki fought very hard to stop herself from snorting aloud. What a white-faced liar, Mayu was, absolutely unashamed to lie when Hiroki knew fully well she was a student at Showa University!

“Oh, really?” Sho wondered aloud, raising his eyebrow and glancing at Hiroki helplessly.

“Yes! So, you are my senpai!” Mayu declared, and giggled in a painfully-sugary tone.

“What degree are you studying?” Sho interrogated.

“Business Administration,” Mayu answered shortly.

“Aaah, Business, I remember Yatsukawa Shinochi-sensei was the head professor for Business. Really funny guy. Is sensei still teaching there?”

“Erm, yeah… I guess,” Mayu stammered. Sho’s unexpected attack succeeded in shutting her up, and Hiroki gave Sho a grateful smile. Blissful silence greeted them… before an unrepentant Mayu started tackling again.

“By the way, how did you get so familiar with my Hiroki-chan? I don’t remember her mentioning you at all…” Mayu pointed out, and gave Hiroki a suspicious eye.

My Hiroki-chan?

“Oh, Hiroki,” Sho breathed, relieved to be able to talk about something he was actually interested in. “I’ve known her for quite a while now.”

“Really…?” Raised eyebrows. A nervous Hiroki.

“Yeah,” Sho beamed, “She’s now working for Arashi…”

Oh. My God. Sho, please, shut up! Don’t say a word. DON’T. SAY. A. WORD. DO NOT OPEN YOUR—

“…as our PR agent.”

In Hiroki’s mind, a very colourful string of curses were uttered unabashedly. She had feared this. She had a very good reason to hide this small information from Mayu for so long, all for the good of maintaining a healthy friendship free of scrutiny and jealousy. There was a niggling feeling in her gut that told her she couldn’t trust Mayu when it came to her job, and she was right. That memory of Mayu, clutching tightly to her and whispering cruelly “Sakurai Sho is mine” was still fresh in her mind.

“Wow, how come I’ve never heard this yet?” Mayu inquired quietly, now casting dark eyes at Hiroki. An awkward silence fell on them. Then suddenly, Mayu burst into laughter. Sho and Hiroki turned around and stared at her weirdly.

“For a moment I thought Hiroki-chan was hiding something from me!” she laughed, “but Hiroki-chan tells me everything!”

Sho shifted his eyes between Hiroki and Mayu, clearly baffled by Mayu’s odd behaviour. Hiroki was saved from doing the explaining, because the van had halted. “We’re here!” The driver announced chirpily to them.

Once out of the van, Mayu led Sho excitedly up to their apartment on the fourth floor. Outside their door, while Mayu was rummaging through her bottomless bag for her keys, Hiroki grabbed Sho’s sleeve and whispered exasperatedly into his ear, “Don’t talk about my job anymore or Mayu will skin me alive.”

“Why?” he whispered back.

Hiroki didn’t answer, but she shook her head pleadingly. To emphasise on her point, she ran a finger across her throat to demonstrate a sliced throat. Sho found it amusing, and a soft chuckled growled deep in his throat. That beautiful melody of laughter almost made Hiroki smile.

Once Mayu finally unlocked the door and strutted into the ganken in all her unabashed glory, Hiroki hesitated and stopped Sho from entering. “You don’t need to come in – you’ve brought me home safely and that’s really kind of you. Thank you.”

Sho was about to argue, but Hiroki shook her head firmly. She then nudged the tip of her hand over her shoulder at Mayu’s direction, mouthing that she didn’t want Sho to be ravaged any further by Mayu.

“You should stay away from her… in fact, I think you should be more careful around me, now that Mayu has found out about my job,” Hiroki sighed.

“She’s kind of… weird,” Sho said lamely, for lack of a more descriptive word.

“More the reason for you to stay away from her,” Hiroki advised with resolute, “I just don’t want any trouble around you, knowing that Mayu’s…” …a fanatic fangirl. But Hiroki couldn’t seem to say it in front of Sho. “Anyways,” she coughed, “you better get going. Oyasumi.”

She turned and was about to head into the apartment, when Sho caught her hand and held her back. She levelled him a curious look, but he was quiet. Their hands clutched together formed a bridge between them, recreating what’s lost of the magical moment from earlier at the studio’s back parking lot when Hiroki swore he was going to kiss her.

Sho broke the silence with a caring murmur. “Don’t stress out too much, alright?”

Not when I have comfort from you.

With a slow nod, Hiroki squeezed his hand in silent reply, and went in.

~