Chapter Text
He stands before the annoyingly handsome young Kaedehara lord, only slightly taller than him, yet with a strong samurai's body. He had a servant take him from the gate to receive him in his rooms almost immediately so not to make a fuss.
The table in the middle with seating and tea, his collection of weaponry displayed around the room. It's been hundreds of years since he forged himself a weapon, these were mostly gifts to him after his introduction to the Tenshukaku. All except the one he uses. An Isshin blade he perfectly made with the guidance of a man he once loved, a man who betrayed him and left,
" You. "
a man who shares this ronin's face.
" Greetings your highness " He kneels by the door, rightfully so.
" I do not accept your proposal and I will not hesitate to kill you . Forget about marrying me. Leave while I am still merciful. "
" I cannot do that " He stands, shaking his still lowered head
" Did that pink fox send you? "
" She did not "
he draws his sword, pointing it to his neck
"Answer truthfully or I slay you where you stand. Why." His voice hitches, nearly cracking. He wishes he could do this to Hisahide. Ask him why he betrayed him, why he promised to love him yet abandoned him. " Why else would you wish to take me. "
" I speak the truth, prince, I came here of my own volition. I wish to take on the challenges." He raises his head, the determination in his eyes speak of another agenda. His voice calm and clear.
" Fine. " He points his sword to the side " Sit "
And he follows , he sits in the middle of the room , proper as a noble's son is expected. Kunikuzushi stays standing, silence deafening after he called a servant to replace the tea gone cold on the table. He walks around the room inspecting his own weapons, an intimidation tactic. Kazuha dares not speak first.
The pitter patter of steps, a small girl head lowered, enters the room with tea, he turns and she bows. Placing the set on the short table, she speaks " Your highness, there is news of utmost urgency."
" If it's of utmost urgency then say it aloud,"
" The corpse of your most recent suitor has gone missing. The Snezhnayan diplomats are making a ruckus towards her excellency."
" Doubtless she's indifferent to those clowns. " He waves his hand, dismissing her. The girl runs off, closing the door. Silence returns. Kazuha dares not move.
Perhaps he should be merciful.
" You should leave. Certainly you saw the suitor's blood on the gate's steps. Marrying me is not worth your life. Why are you even here? "
" I seek answers from you, answers about— "
"—No. " He cuts him off. " You don't even know me. "
" But you know me. " He looks down at the teacups laid out on the table " You use an Isshin blade. A different make from your mother’s. "
Of course he recognises it.
" How annoying. . . " He mumbles.
" Is it? "
" If answers are all you seek then let me sate your curiosity now. I made these. Like my mother who these sword arts originated from, I can craft weapons, as well as— no, better, than she ever can " He turns to the sword rack " I do not know you, boy. You have no business with me "
.
He is lying. The hitch in his voice, the slight hesitations when he takes a breath to speak. The winds tell him that the prince is a liar.
He knows him, at least his family. Normally he's a good liar, a performer. But something is different towards him. Why would he look at him with such pain.
" You are a liar. "
" Bold of you to say that in my own house. "
" I wish to become a suitor and take on the trials. If you do not wish to wed me I respect that, we can stay betrothed until I die. You have not denied any man a chance, not even that foreign warrior. Why should I be different? "
An unreadable look on the prince's face emotions shift and he suppresses.
" Am I not a worthy marriage partner? "
Grief. Is it grief on his face?
" Fine ! " The bravado of a godling.
" In the gloomy night,
an iridescent phantom flies.
It spreads its wings and rises
Eternal over human folk.
Everyone invokes it, everyone implores it.
But the phantom disappears at dawn
Only to be reborn in their hearts
Every night it’s born, every day it dies.
Answer me, what is this bird. "
He speaks in theatrics and poetry, undeniable elegance and beauty in the way he moves his hand, gesturing upwards as if they were dancing in kabuki theatre.
Kazuha stands,
" Tender bird, white as innocence
Barely enough to fly up aloft
Frail as flowers , it hides from all men
But should one find it where it hides
It wanders restlessly in his heart
Bringing him to do and dare
A bird with ever spreading wings
Of which those dreaming sing.
It is hope. "
He replies, he knows well how nobles act.
He frowns, silent. For a second, Kazuha fears that he might have to make a hasty escape— can he even escape? He stays still as Kunikuzushi scrutinises with a decidedly displeased look.
“ . . . Right. It is hope, hope that deludes people like you. ” he scoffs and turns away, " Leave. I will send a servant after a week or two to find you for your second trial. "
Second trial . . . That was the first one. A conversation. The first trial was a conversation. He passed it too, surely the prince knew him?
He returns to Heizou's home
.
.
.
Detective Shikanoin, for his part, had gathered anything he found relevant to the case
He seems so focused on his work, contemplating
Fragile papers laid upon his table, hundreds of years old Kazuha would gather.
" You're back, "
" I'm back "
" Did it go well? "
" I think it went well. He said he will send someone to take me to his second trial. "
" Did he say where he would send someone? "
" No. Not at all. " He sits in front of heizou to look at what papers lay before him " where did you get all these?”
“ Ah well the police station had these lying around, how could I not pick them up?”
" So you stole them " he carefully picks up a paper " shall we start shifting through them together ? "
He appreciates his help, but truly he has no idea what to do to repay him
" Whatever it is. We'll find out" He smiles, " I promise you, we'll get you your closure "
.
.
.
Yae laughs, loud, forceful and triumphant
" How funny! The kaedehara lord came to ask for your hand without any prodding !"
" Shut up "
" I admit he was on my shortlist of suitors to pressure into marrying you " She flits over to one side, as he turns away " But i never expected him to actually fall in love with you and ask for your hand ! "
" Love is vain " He turns from her
" Hah! Love is a fortune "
" Do you really think a ronin would be worthy to be my husband? He's ruined. Sold off his clan's estate. That man has a death wish. To be slain by my hand is to die with dignity "
" I wouldn't be so quick to assume. " She flits over to face him once more " Or to be so quick to lie to one's self "
" What would i lie to myself about ? "
" About how seeing him stirred up those mortal feelings you keep calling stupid "
" And that feeling is called disdain. "
It takes everything in him not to jump out the window and give the guards and yae trouble finding him.
He looks out the window to the cold sea.