[FIC] Hatsukoi - Chapter 7
Title: Hatsukoi (初恋)
Author: jessicaluthien
Pairing: Ryokura
Rating: PG-13, nothing's explicit!
Warnings: This is a mashup of Ooku with some elements of Chonmage Purin...XD Yes, I have crazy ideas sometimes...
Summary: Tsuruoka thinks that he has finally found love in the perfect man, his Matsushima-sama. However, when a bizzare stranger from another time period shows up out of nowhere in the Ooku, he finds himself strangely attracted to him. What will Tsuruoka do when he realizes that his love is real?
Chapter 7 - Turmoil
Tsuruoka felt soft lips caressing his jawline as sure fingers ghosted themselves down his body, stroking, exploring his every feature intimately just the way he enjoyed it most. The sensations were nearly overwhelming, with his eyes closed the way they were, but he was afraid to open them and risk losing whatever was giving him so much pleasure. He moaned, his mouth opening slightly. His partner leapt at the chance, and Tsuruoka felt lips suddenly close over his own and a tongue forcing its way into his mouth.
Even as Tsuruoka allowed the other to take control, he realized that he really couldn’t take it anymore. He had to know who was doing this to him, the mystery man - for it was a man, he could feel the other’s hardness against him - who was eliciting so much desire.
Making up his mind quickly, Tsuruoka opened his eyes and nearly gasped out loud, an action which would have been awkward, since the other man was still in the process of kissing him. For a moment, his brain seemed unable to comprehend what he was seeing. But then, it all registered and Tsuruoka felt more aroused than ever.
There, lying over him, with his body pressed against his, was Ryo.
* * *
Tsuruoka woke with a jolt. Looking down, he groaned as he discovered the mess he had found upon his bed. So, this is the price one pays for dreaming of his friend, he thought as he quickly shed his nightclothes and donned a new set of pale green robes. He hoped that the pages that come in to clean his room would quickly dispose of the soiled bedding and not ask too many questions.
Checking himself in the mirror, he found himself lost once again in the sensations of the night before. It was the first time that Ryo had invaded Tsuruoka’s dreams in such a manner. But to be honest, he wasn’t sure if he was truly against it, even though he really shouldn’t be having such thoughts. He felt his face flush as his mind flashed again, unbidden, to the naked Ryo. This has got to stop, he thought, hurriedly trying to banish the image from his mind. Ryo is my friend. My friend. Not my lover.
Besides, he probably does not see me that way.
Without meaning to, his thoughts flashed to Ryo and Rin’s interactions during their kendo lesson. Jealousy slowly poisoned his thoughts as he ran the scenes over and over in his mind, trying to read anything in Ryo’s body language that could suggest that he saw anything other than friendship in Rin. No matter how many times Tsuruoka tried to tell himself that he was thinking too much about it, he couldn’t help but feel that things were hopeless between him and Ryo, that the other already had his heart set on someone else. They probably fit better anyways, he thought. They are of the same rank and have undergone similar trials. Not to mention, there is the fact that Rin is a -
Tsuruoka stopped himself mid-thought. There wasn’t any proof yet that his theory was correct. All of the conclusions he had drawn about the young page were drawn purely from his observations and pure speculation. After all, if what he thought was true, then the consequences could be disastrous to Ooku. Not to mention, even on a more basic level, Tsuruoka knew that he shouldn’t be this caught up in Rin’s business - long exposure to the Inner Chambers’ caustic environment had taught Tsuruoka to live and let live, caring only about his own skin - but he couldn’t help but feel that if he could only find out the truth behind Rin, then he could find peace and settle things for himself once and for all, freeing himself from all the worrying and jealousy that was already driving him up the wall.
Making up his mind, Tsuruoka donned the rest of his attire, checked his appearance one more time to make sure that everything was impeccable for a quick confidence boost before heading out of his chambers.
* * *
“Tsuruoka? What brings you here to my chambers this early in the morning?”
The question was uttered not without the barest hint of surprise by the regal-looking man seated straight-backed at his writing table. Tsuruoka had caught him while he was practicing his calligraphy, the brush still hovering over the paper, the tip trembling ever so slightly.
Tsuruoka bowed deeply before seating himself opposite of the man, lifting his head only after addressing the man.
“Fujinami-sama.”
Fujinami lifted an eyebrow, clearly still curious about his presence. Although Tsuruoka had achieved fame in the Ooku, he was never quite as close to Fujinami as Matsushima was. Fujinami knew this, knew that there was some unconscious barrier that the former leading swordsman had thrown up between them. He replied, his voice measured as he inclined his head, acknowledging Tsuruoka’s greeting, “Please, state your business.”
“Fujinami-sama, I have come to inquire into a matter that has been concerning me.”
“And…that is?”
“It is a matter that I feel could greatly affect the Ooku if not treated with proper measure.” Tsuruoka paused, drawing in breath as he gathered his courage. What he was about to say next would either confirm his suspicions, or make him look like a great fool.
“Fujinami-sama. Please, tell me the truth about Rin.”
Fujinami did not reply. Instead, he held up two fingers, swiping them across the air in front of him, as if he was trying to physically draw the matter to a close.
Tsuruoka burst out, something uncharacteristically rash for him, but so desperate was he to make sure that everything would not be buried right then and there, “But, Fujinami-sama! Surely, you must know something, something that the rest of us have not been privy to. You must know…
“You must know that Rin is…a woman.”
For the first time, Fujinami looked agitated. He glared at Tsuruoka, as if he could somehow run daggers through him with merely his eyes. “How do you know this? Of the Ooku, only I know of this matter. You have dabbled in something that you should not have. Tell me, Tsuruoka, am I the only one you have voiced your concerns to?”
Tsuruoka stared back, his gaze unfaltering. “I have not spoken of this matter with anyone except for you, Fujinami-sama. I know what the consequences would be if it was discovered that the Ooku housed a female. There would be chaos.”
Fujinami nodded. “Yes, there would be great turmoil.”
“Then, why? Why have you allowed her presence?” Tsuruoka asked, incredulous that Fujinami, who always seemed to go by the rules, had committed a deed that seemed to go against his very nature.
“I had no choice. I had to let her in,” murmured Fujinami, and suddenly he seemed old as he sat there, rubbing his temples with two long fingers. Rin’s situation had troubled him many times in the past, Tsuruoka thought as he observed Fujinami, and for the first time felt pity for the Ooku’s most powerful courtier.
“She is my daughter.”
* * *
As Tsuruoka headed back to his chambers, he was replaying the conversation he had with Fujinami over and over in his head. He couldn’t quite believe everything that had transpired, but deep inside himself, he knew that everything that Fujinami had told him was the complete and utter truth.
“Your daughter?”
“Yes, Rin is my illegitimate daughter.”
“H-how did this happen? We’re in the Ooku, purely in the service of the shogun! Where did this daughter come from?”
“She was conceived when I was out scouting households for possible Ooku entrants. After the end of my assignment, I was persuaded to visit Yoshiwara. Her mother was a prostitute there.
“For a time, I forgot about her, but years later, the prostitute showed up at the Ooku, demanding to see me. She had Rin in tow. She told me that she was going to die soon and that she wanted to entrust Rin to me. I told her that it was impossible, but she was persistent, telling me that Rin was a part of me and that I couldn’t simply abandon her.
“So, out of sympathy, I agreed to take Rin in. Sure enough, I did eventually receive word of her death. A relationship with one of her clients had gone sour, apparently. Upon further inspection, I realized that Rin could possibly pass as a boy, and so I had her enter the Ooku as a way to keep her true identity a secret and also as a way for me to look after her freely without ruining my reputation.
“Now, do you see? Rin is a woman, yes, that is true. But, you must not reveal this to anyone. This includes your friend, Ryo. Yes, I know that he is your good friend, so do not give me that look. But I also know that he has become close to her. This is dangerous. You must not let him find out about Rin - you must keep it a secret. If people knew that there is a woman in the Ooku and that woman was my daughter, neither Rin nor I would be able to escape the penalty of death. Without me there, the Ooku’s power structure would be completely upended and everything you know may soon come to an end. You must understand the gravity of the situation you have gotten yourself into. Do you understand, Tsuruoka?”
“Yes, Fujinami-sama. I do.”
Tsuruoka shook his head. Although he had gotten the answers he had sought, he wasn’t sure if it was for the better or for the worse. On the one hand, he had just sworn to Fujinami that he would not reveal Rin’s secret to anyone, including Ryo. Tsuruoka knew that it was the wisest course of action, but nonetheless, he felt horrible for keeping something so important from Ryo, especially since Ryo seemed to be getting closer to Rin with every passing meeting. He deserves to know that his friend isn’t everything he thinks she is, thought Tsuruoka bitterly. Ryo deserves that much, at the very least.
However, at the same time, Tsuruoka knew that he couldn’t risk Rin’s secret being revealed to the public. Although the truth would effectively remove Rin’s presence from the Ooku, Fujinami was right about one thing. Having the status quo change could be disastrous for Tsuruoka. Although Fujinami wasn’t Tsuruoka’s favorite member of the Ooku, at least he seemed pretty fair. If he was removed from his post, the courtier next in line would most likely be none other than Matsushima. If Matsushima-sama becomes the leading courtier, my future could take a turn for the worse, especially since he seems to think so poorly of me right now, he thought, shivering. Besides, even if Rin’s presence can be a bit of an annoyance, I do not wish her dead. She has not slighted me to that degree.
Before long, Tsuruoka found himself standing on the walkway directly in front of his chambers. However, as he rounded the corner, stepping out from behind a large, ornate pillar, he found himself unexpectedly facing two figures that were positioned right outside of the door to his chambers. Fighting back feelings of curiosity and surprise, he made his way towards them. A shaft of light from the early morning sun illuminated the scene and Tsuruoka immediately recognized the figure closest to the door as Ryo. Smiling, Tsuruoka raised a hand in greeting and was about to address his friend when the shaft of light shifted to fall upon Ryo’s companion.
Matsushima? What is he doing here?
As soon as Tsuruoka recognized who the two figures were, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding wash over him. Sure enough, Tsuruoka saw his worst nightmare unfold before him. He could only look on helplessly as, right before his eyes, Matsushima bent his head forward and claimed Ryo’s lips with his own.
So overcome with emotion was he upon seeing this that Tsuruoka couldn’t stop the words that tumbled unbidden from his lips.
“Ryo…
“…Matsushima?
“What are you doing?”
- - -
So, I realized that the last time I updated this story was...a month ago! I'm sorry to everyone who was actually waiting to see what happened next! I hope you enjoyed this installment and that it was worth the wait! ^^;;