[drabbles] Winter Solstice (Haruka4)
Title: Winter Solstice
Fandom: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: All these wonderful characters are owned by Mizuno-sensei, KoeiTecmo, and Ruby Party.
Notes: A series of drabbles featuring each character with Chihiro during the Winter Solstice. A few of them got on the longish side, but most of them are pretty short. I also cheated with Raja and Mudgala's and put them in the same one, but otherwise the drabbles are in the character order dictated within the game. (And happy birthday to Oshihito!)
Warnings: Contains spoilers for several of the sub-characters' endings.
Kazahaya
Kazahaya gazed helplessly at a sad Chihiro. "I know it's disappointing, but history's timeline has the final say on this one. Since Christmas hasn't been created yet we can't celebrate it with everyone." Though he said it kindly he still felt terrible for ruining her hopes.
"It's too bad, though." She sighed deeply and looked out the window at the rising moon.
Kazahaya smiled understandingly. "Yes, you always did enjoy the holidays."
A short time passed while they each remembered the winters of years past. Chihiro looked up at him again. "Kazahaya?"
"Yes?"
Chihiro gave him a look he recognized as the one she used as a child to wheedle treats out of him. "Do you think it would be okay to decorate a tree secretly? Just the two of us, so no one else would have to know?"
Just like every time previous Kazahaya found he could not tell her no. "All right." Her smile brightened immediately. "But it will have to wait until tomorrow. For tonight how about we just enjoy the stars?"
Chihiro nodded and raised her chin to the specks twinkling across the sky. Kazahaya raised a hand to stroke her hair softly and smiled when she started to hum holiday songs.
Asvin
Asvin tried not to grimace as a gust of wind blew through the valley. Glad he had told Chihiro to dress warmly, he put his arms around her in order to block the worst of the chill.
"At least there are no clouds so we can see the stars," Chihiro commented through her scarf and chattering teeth, but her enthusiasm had obviously weakened during the journey from her palace.
Asvin sighed and rested his cheek against the top of her head. "You can go ahead and say it, it was a bad idea to come out here. When you brought up spending the solstice together the first thing that came to mind was coming here. I should've at least thought to bring blankets or something to keep us warmer."
The head tilted to the side then looked up at him. "Is that all?" Chihiro asked as she lifted her chin enough to push the scarf beneath it. "I've got one here under my cloak." As she spoke she busied herself with pulling the thick material out and opening it.
A warm smile slowly spread from Asvin's lips to his eyes. "You never cease to surprise me," he told her softly, just audible over the wind, with such an affectionate tone that her cheeks turned even more pink. Asvin took the blanket from her fingers and carefully tucked it around the both of them. "There, now we'll be able to stay here longer, just the two of us."
Sazaki
"So, what do you think, Hime-san? Isn't this so much better than staring up at the sky from the ground?" Sazaki turned his gaze from the star-speckled night around them to the delighted expression on Chihiro's face. The sight chased away the cold brought on by the winter wind.
Chihiro's absent nod spoke to how the view captured her attention. "It's lovely..." she breathed as her eyes moved in slow arcs to take in as many of the glittering points of light as possible. "I feel like we're floating among the stars."
It was on the tip of Sazaki's tongue to point out they were hovering more than floating, but he held back. He knew a blush would color his face if he thought too long on how it felt right to hold her as he flew.
Eyes bright as they scanned the heavens, Chihiro didn't even notice when she began to shiver. Sazaki tightened his arms around her, and a moment later her cheek came to rest against his chest. Though he couldn't see her clearly Sazaki had the distinct impression that she was hiding her face for the same reason he did.
Nagi
"Nagi, how can you sleep at a time like this?"
The question, full of disbelief, pulled Nagi from a previously peaceful sleep. He opened one eye and looked up at Chihiro, who stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. "Because it's nighttime. People sleep when it's dark out."
She muttered something that sounded vaguely like "you sleep regardless of night and day" while moving closer. "But it's our first Winter Solstice here." An uneasy pause preceded her amendment, "Since we came back from the modern world."
Nagi would have rolled his eyes had he not already closed them. "It's not that big a deal. Everyone else is there, go on and make a fuss with them. I'm staying where it's quiet."
The silence that followed filled the air with something that set his nerves on edge. Both eyes opened to see a forlorn Chihiro with her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I wanted to spend the solstice with you," she admitted quietly, her gaze on her fingers rather than him.
The world seemed to lurch as if a particularly strong earthquake had struck momentarily. Nagi ran a hand through his hair, huffed an irritated breath, and sat up. "All right, all right, I'm awake," he told her, his tone only slightly put-upon. "As long as we can be away from everyone else I'll stay with you."
Chihiro looked up, a bright, surprised smile replacing the traces of tears that had started to fill her eyes. "Really? Thanks, Nagi!" Her hands reached out and grasped his and tugged lightly, urging him to stand. "Do you think we can see the stars from your usual napping place?"
Startled, Nagi tried to give her a blank look. "How do you know where that is?"
Her arm looped around his as they left the room. "I followed you once. You're so easy to read, Nagi. It wasn't hard at all."
Brow furrowed, Nagi had the sneaking suspicion that her words and reactions in their exchange had also led to a predictable result.
Futsuhiko
Futsuhiko held tight to her hand as they weaved slowly through the crowds in the village. People gathered in groups here and there to take in the entertainers or to sample the refreshments offered at different stands.
Chihiro had insisted on sneaking down to see how the villagers celebrated the Winter Solstice. Though Futsuhiko protested with good reasons for her to stay, since her well-being was his top priority, he agreed to accompany her when she stubbornly refused to remain in the palace. The least he could do was make sure she returned home safely.
The excitement around them was contagious, and Futsuhiko let himself be pulled along from one place to the next as Chihiro satisfied her curiosity. They went about that way for hours, Chihiro delighting in the sights and sounds and smells, and Futsuhiko quietly enraptured by her expressions and the warmth of her presence.
It was only after they grew tired and had reached the palace again that Futsuhiko realized their fingers had stayed laced together the entire time.
Hiiragi
"Hiiragi, are you in here?"
The tall man set aside his bamboo scroll, his concentration broken by the sound of her voice. "Waga kimi, what brings you here tonight?"
Chihiro walked over to the stone bench where he sat, and Hiiragi quickly cleared room for her to join him. "How come you're not with everyone else? There's a celebration going on."
"Ah, yes, the festival of the Winter Solstice," Hiiragi murmured with a nod. "Tell me, waga kimi, do you know the origins of tonight's festivities?"
He expected her to guess or perhaps to shake her head with wide-eyed innocence. The hint of a smile he received instead puzzled him until she spoke. "Maybe... but would you mind telling me about it yourself?"
Unsure which emotion rose in him more strongly, amusement or adoration, Hiiragi reached to one side for another scroll. "Certainly, if that is what you wish. Though be warned, my explanation my take longer than you expect."
"We have all night ahead of us," Chihiro answered brightly, clearly eager to hear him tell the story.
Tooya
Tooya concentrated on the brush strokes as he wrote. "Today" and "light" and "dim". *Darkness grows tonight.*
"Darkness..? Oh, you mean the solstice?" Chihiro asked with a smile. "Today is the day of the year when night is the longest."
Tilting his head quizzically, Tooya repeated, *Solstice?*
Chihiro nodded. "Here, let me show you." Her brush carefully painted lines of ink into the appropriate word. "This means the Winter Solstice. Daylight is shortest today. The Summer Solstice is the opposite; the daylight lasts longest and night is short."
*Even when the light has faded Miko still glows brightly,* Tooya told her confidently. He could feel her radiance even with his eyes closed.
Chihiro blushed and busied herself with studying the characters he had written. Dipping his brush in the ink once more, Tooya continued. He wrote "miko" and "light" and "grow", then looked up at her with a peaceful expression. *Light grows, light dims, light grows again. Miko is light.*
As if to prove his point the color in Chihiro's cheeks darkened, but at the same time her eyes shone happily.
Oshihito
A perfunctory knock preceded his entrance into the room. "You called, Hime?" Oshihito glanced around, a little surprised that she stood alone in the audience hall.
Chihiro smiled and beckoned him closer. "Yes, come in."
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the large room. He stopped a respectful distance away and bowed his head to her. A part of him wondered why she had remained there so late in the day, especially without either her advisers or guards, but he waited for her to explain her actions.
She fidgeted before she spoke again. "Everyone else is celebrating the solstice tonight, but today is important for another reason too." Her hands moved behind her back then came forward again with a small parcel held between them. "This is for you," she told him, her cheeks dusted with a light blush.
Puzzled, he looked from her face to the package and back again. "What is it?"
"It's a present for you." Chihiro stepped toward him and offered it again. "Because today is your birthday."
His brow furrowed. "Is this another custom in the world you lived in?" He reached out and took the small object, noticing that it had been wrapped in a piece of fine white fabric.
"Yes," she answered, her smile back once again. "Go ahead and open it. I hope you like it."
He almost told her he could not accept it, but did not want her happy expression to change. As he unknotted the corners from each other he kept an eye on her. The cloth fell away to reveal an intricately embroidered and carefully sewn protection charm.
"I made it for you," Chihiro explained quietly. "I thought you could attach it to the sheath of one of your swords."
Oshihito nodded, the gift held gently in his hand. "Thank you."
Iwanaga-hime
The castle grounds bustled with servants and soldiers as they sought out the perfect place to settle down and stargaze. Torches and small campfires made up for the darkened skies. Iwanaga-hime wandered through them to the place she had claimed long before the weak sunlight started to fade. Once she arrived, arms full of jugs, she dismissed the soldiers she had ordered earlier to hold her place.
After her third or fourth cup of some of the best alcohol she had ever tasted, she heard someone call her name. Moments later Chihiro appeared from within the crowd and hurried over.
"What brings you out here into the riffraff?" she asked the young queen with a smile. "Shouldn't you be up on the dais with the other nobles?"
Chihiro sat down next to her with a sheepish smile. "I would rather be out here among all the people." Her eyes glanced down to all the bottles spread out around them. "Would it be all right if I toasted the solstice with you?"
A laugh so hearty that it startled the soldiers around them shook Iwanaga-hime's shoulders. "Sure, so long as you don't tell Kazahaya or Oshihito," she replied as she poured another bamboo tube half-full of alcohol. "It'll be strong for you, so take it slow."
Nodding, Chihiro accepted the drink and raised it with a smile. "Kanpai."
Iwanaga-hime chimed in her own "kanpai!" before they both drank to the stars.
Michiomi
Michiomi secured his most stern expression in place as the doors to the audience hall swung open. He strode forward and stopped at the proper distance away from Chihiro. "I am here at the request of Ni-no-Hime to be her consultant on a personal matter," he announced firmly to her head adviser. Out of the corner of his eye he saw surprise on Chihiro's face. "I respectfully insist that all others leave the room." By the time he and everyone else turned to see what she had to say a serene look had replaced it.
"Thank you for coming at such short notice," Chihiro told him with a slight incline of her head.
The advisers grumbled as they filed out past him. Once the doors closed, Chihiro grinned. "How did you know?"
"I heard from one of the servants how busy everyone has kept you lately," Michiomi admitted, "so I thought you could use a break to relax before the ceremony tonight."
Chihiro stretched and stepped down from her platform. "Thank you, Michiomi," she repeated, this time with more open gratitude. "Would you do me another favor and come with me to the festival? It would be nice to have you there, especially if the others come back."
"Of course," Michiomi told her with a gentle smile. "It would be my pleasure."
Ayuki
"Ah!" Ayuki wailed as he shook his head, "I can't believe you beat me!"
Chihiro smiled back good-naturedly. "It's because you're such a good teacher, Ayuki."
The young kuna had to grin at the compliment despite his disappointment at the loss. "It's fun to play with you!" He began to rearrange the small wooden figures on the table back into their starting position. "Still, it's a shame that a storm came up tonight so we can't sit outside and see the festival."
"That's true," Chihiro agreed with a downcast expression, but brightened again. "But it will come again next year. For now I'm glad we could sit in here by the fire and enjoy a peaceful evening."
Ayuki nodded eagerly as he finished setting up the game. "Want to play again?"
Chihiro's smile brightened the room more than the fire that roared a short distance away. "Sure!"
Yuugiri
A long time had passed since Yuugiri had donned the clothes she wore while traveling with the leaders of Nakatsu-kuni. She dressed herself that way again in order to gain easier passage through the palace to see Chihiro. Many soldiers and servants recognized her and would point her in the right direction.
Before too long Yuugiri saw Chihiro ahead as she walked along a corridor flanked by advisers. Chihiro caught sight of her a moment later and rushed over. "Yuugiri!" she greeted with a bright smile, "how are you? When did you get here?"
She couldn't help but laugh as the words tripped over her tongue one after the other. "Hello again, Chihiro-chan. I just arrived. If you're busy I can wait until you have some free time," she said with a look over Chihiro's shoulder at the irritated nobles, "but I would be ever so pleased if you would agree to spend the festival tonight with me?"
Chihiro nodded eagerly, then squeaked in surprise as Yuugiri embraced her in a brief hug. "Yuugiri?"
"Meet me at the foot of the palace at sunset," Yuugiri used her actual voice before she stepped back and added in a much higher tone, "I look forward to catching up with you."
A soft smile from Chihiro made the entire trip worthwhile for Yuugiri. "Me too. I'll see you later!" Chihiro waved a little before she headed off with the advisers again.
Yuugiri watched her go wistfully, then meandered through the palace while she waited for evening to come.
Raja & Mudgala
Raja nodded his approval as the young queen was announced and led into his audience hall. Beside him he noticed Mudgala straighten.
The girl looked even younger in her royal robes as she stepped forward with a small, golden chest held tightly in her hands. She bowed to him when she reached the steps that led up to his throne, and he returned the gesture. "Ashihara Chihiro, Queen of Nakatsu-kuni, comes with a gift of peace on the celebratory occasion of the Winter Solstice."
A slight gesture from one of Raja's hands sent Mudgala down the handful of stairs. "I accept this token on behalf of the Raja of Tokoyo-no-kuni." A hint of a smile still remained on the general's face as he turned and brought the gilded box up to him.
Raja held out both hands and took it. "I thank you for this gift, Queen of Nakatsu-kuni. To show my own intentions of peace I invite you to dine with me this evening, and afterward to join us for the celebration of the solstice." Without opening it, because he knew he would place whatever the chest contained into the treasury, he stood and placed the box on his throne.
Chihiro bowed her head again. "I accept your kindly offered invitation."
After that Raja dropped the formal pretenses and descended the stairs with Mudgala at his side. When he reached Chihiro he held out his hands and clasped hers in a fatherly way. "It is good to see you well."
"And the both of you, too," Chihiro replied as she looked between the two of them.
Mudgala placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your current burdens are not too great?"
A sheepish look stole over her face. "I admit it is difficult at times, but I am learning as I go."
"We are here to aid you if you require it," Raja told her with a hint of a smile. "For now, let us continue on to the dining hall. We can talk of more pleasant things there." He indicated the doorway where servants from both countries waited.
Chihiro tucked her hand through Raja's offered arm. "Of course." The two of them led the way out of the room with Mudgala directly behind them.
Nasatya
She stood at the tunnel's halfway point. Nasatya noticed her gaze move up from the large, stone basin at the sound of his footsteps. Eka, who had guided her there at his request, disappeared without a sound only to reappear again in front of him.
"No one followed us," the tsuchigumo informed him softly with his head bowed.
Nasatya nodded. "Good. You have done well."
"I do only as you ask," Eka answered then vanished again.
Chihiro tilted her head quizzically. "Where did he go?"
"To watch over the cave entrance," Nasatya explained as he drew closer to her. "So that we may be uninterrupted."
A slight blush crept across her face, but Chihiro did not explain why. Instead, she asked, "What is this for?" and gestured to the basin which was filled almost to the top with water.
"It is a gazing pool," Nasatya replied. He placed his gloved hands on the rim. "It will show you things elsewhere that you wish to see."
Eyes wide, Chihiro stared at him for a moment. "Really? Is it magic?"
Nasatya shook his head briefly. "It is not magic itself, but magic can be cast on it. Since it would be unwise for us to be seen together at the festivities this evening I thought we might use this to view the night sky."
Her mouth fell open in a small 'o' of surprise that quickly transformed to understanding. "Yes, of course. That would be nice."
Despite her efforts to keep a cheerful tone Nasatya could tell the need for secrecy bothered her. One gloved finger dipped just barely past the water's surface and it lit instantly with the light of a thousand stars. She gasped in surprise. He circled the basin to her side, and his other hand reached out and took hers within it. "Let us enjoy what we are able to have."
After a pause, during which she considered the stars before them, Chihiro nodded.
Shani
Shani had only intended to stay in Nakatsu-kuni long enough to give her a small token to celebrate the festival. When he reached the palace, however, she insisted he stay.
"You've come so far," Chihiro reasoned with a smile, "and it will be getting dark soon."
It took little persuasion to convince Shani, who wanted to spend more time with her anyway. "All right." Carefully, he pulled a pure white flower from a pouch that hung at his side. "I wanted to give you this. If you like it then I hope you'll wear it tonight."
Her expression changed to one of gentle happiness. "It's beautiful, Shani. Thank you."
Feeling bold, he stepped forward. "May I?" After her nod he tucked the stem just so behind her ear. The soft petals practically glowed against her golden hair. "It suits you." Warmth spread through Shani's chest as he gazed at her.
"Thank you," she said again, her cheeks flushed. "I've never seen a flower like that before."
Shani grinned. "They're called snow flowers, and they only bloom during the winter in certain areas of Tokoyo."
Her fingers reached up and brushed along the flower gently. "It's quite lovely."
"I'll show you a whole field of them," he promised with a nod. "And then I'll make a crown of them for you."
A sense of satisfaction filled him when she could only blush more deeply.
Ribhu
Ribhu balanced a tea tray carefully on one hand as he reached out to knock on the door in front of him. It opened slowly and Chihiro peered out. "Good evening, Hime," he greeted with a smile, "Would you care for some tea?"
She swung the door open the rest of the way. "That sounds wonderful," she said while she gestured for him to enter.
A small table sat a short distance from the fireplace, and Ribhu placed the tray down there.
"Brr, it got cold out there toward the end," Chihiro commented as she moved over to the hearth. The fire in her room had warmed it while she was stargazing, and she stood near it to chase away the chill that lingered from hours outside.
Ribhu took care as he poured a cup of tea for her. "This should warm you up in no time," he assured her, "though it will be quite hot at first so be careful."
When she turned away from the fire it was with a sweet smile that always pulled at Ribhu's heart. "Will you stay and have some tea with me?" she asked hopefully.
Even if he wanted to decline the invitation he knew he could not. "I would be honored, Hime."
Karigane
"Is it all right for you to be here?" Karigane glanced down over the balcony railing at the people who moved here and there across the palace dais.
Chihiro reassured him with a nod. "Sai-no-Kimi insisted on posting guards outside the doors to my room, but no one should come in unless they hear something. They'll never know we're out here."
Silence stretched between them as Chihiro's attention turned to the sky, and Karigane alternated between watching her and keeping a look out for anyone who might spot them. Her body shook with a slight noise, and it took him a moment to realize she had sneezed. Before she could protest he put his arms around her shoulders from behind, his chest pressed lightly to her back.
"Thank you," she said softly, and he could see her blush as she steadfastly kept her eyes on the stars.
Karigane made a quiet sound of acceptance, unfurled his wings, and wrapped those around her as well.
Fandom: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: All these wonderful characters are owned by Mizuno-sensei, KoeiTecmo, and Ruby Party.
Notes: A series of drabbles featuring each character with Chihiro during the Winter Solstice. A few of them got on the longish side, but most of them are pretty short. I also cheated with Raja and Mudgala's and put them in the same one, but otherwise the drabbles are in the character order dictated within the game. (And happy birthday to Oshihito!)
Warnings: Contains spoilers for several of the sub-characters' endings.
Kazahaya
Kazahaya gazed helplessly at a sad Chihiro. "I know it's disappointing, but history's timeline has the final say on this one. Since Christmas hasn't been created yet we can't celebrate it with everyone." Though he said it kindly he still felt terrible for ruining her hopes.
"It's too bad, though." She sighed deeply and looked out the window at the rising moon.
Kazahaya smiled understandingly. "Yes, you always did enjoy the holidays."
A short time passed while they each remembered the winters of years past. Chihiro looked up at him again. "Kazahaya?"
"Yes?"
Chihiro gave him a look he recognized as the one she used as a child to wheedle treats out of him. "Do you think it would be okay to decorate a tree secretly? Just the two of us, so no one else would have to know?"
Just like every time previous Kazahaya found he could not tell her no. "All right." Her smile brightened immediately. "But it will have to wait until tomorrow. For tonight how about we just enjoy the stars?"
Chihiro nodded and raised her chin to the specks twinkling across the sky. Kazahaya raised a hand to stroke her hair softly and smiled when she started to hum holiday songs.
Asvin
Asvin tried not to grimace as a gust of wind blew through the valley. Glad he had told Chihiro to dress warmly, he put his arms around her in order to block the worst of the chill.
"At least there are no clouds so we can see the stars," Chihiro commented through her scarf and chattering teeth, but her enthusiasm had obviously weakened during the journey from her palace.
Asvin sighed and rested his cheek against the top of her head. "You can go ahead and say it, it was a bad idea to come out here. When you brought up spending the solstice together the first thing that came to mind was coming here. I should've at least thought to bring blankets or something to keep us warmer."
The head tilted to the side then looked up at him. "Is that all?" Chihiro asked as she lifted her chin enough to push the scarf beneath it. "I've got one here under my cloak." As she spoke she busied herself with pulling the thick material out and opening it.
A warm smile slowly spread from Asvin's lips to his eyes. "You never cease to surprise me," he told her softly, just audible over the wind, with such an affectionate tone that her cheeks turned even more pink. Asvin took the blanket from her fingers and carefully tucked it around the both of them. "There, now we'll be able to stay here longer, just the two of us."
Sazaki
"So, what do you think, Hime-san? Isn't this so much better than staring up at the sky from the ground?" Sazaki turned his gaze from the star-speckled night around them to the delighted expression on Chihiro's face. The sight chased away the cold brought on by the winter wind.
Chihiro's absent nod spoke to how the view captured her attention. "It's lovely..." she breathed as her eyes moved in slow arcs to take in as many of the glittering points of light as possible. "I feel like we're floating among the stars."
It was on the tip of Sazaki's tongue to point out they were hovering more than floating, but he held back. He knew a blush would color his face if he thought too long on how it felt right to hold her as he flew.
Eyes bright as they scanned the heavens, Chihiro didn't even notice when she began to shiver. Sazaki tightened his arms around her, and a moment later her cheek came to rest against his chest. Though he couldn't see her clearly Sazaki had the distinct impression that she was hiding her face for the same reason he did.
Nagi
"Nagi, how can you sleep at a time like this?"
The question, full of disbelief, pulled Nagi from a previously peaceful sleep. He opened one eye and looked up at Chihiro, who stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. "Because it's nighttime. People sleep when it's dark out."
She muttered something that sounded vaguely like "you sleep regardless of night and day" while moving closer. "But it's our first Winter Solstice here." An uneasy pause preceded her amendment, "Since we came back from the modern world."
Nagi would have rolled his eyes had he not already closed them. "It's not that big a deal. Everyone else is there, go on and make a fuss with them. I'm staying where it's quiet."
The silence that followed filled the air with something that set his nerves on edge. Both eyes opened to see a forlorn Chihiro with her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I wanted to spend the solstice with you," she admitted quietly, her gaze on her fingers rather than him.
The world seemed to lurch as if a particularly strong earthquake had struck momentarily. Nagi ran a hand through his hair, huffed an irritated breath, and sat up. "All right, all right, I'm awake," he told her, his tone only slightly put-upon. "As long as we can be away from everyone else I'll stay with you."
Chihiro looked up, a bright, surprised smile replacing the traces of tears that had started to fill her eyes. "Really? Thanks, Nagi!" Her hands reached out and grasped his and tugged lightly, urging him to stand. "Do you think we can see the stars from your usual napping place?"
Startled, Nagi tried to give her a blank look. "How do you know where that is?"
Her arm looped around his as they left the room. "I followed you once. You're so easy to read, Nagi. It wasn't hard at all."
Brow furrowed, Nagi had the sneaking suspicion that her words and reactions in their exchange had also led to a predictable result.
Futsuhiko
Futsuhiko held tight to her hand as they weaved slowly through the crowds in the village. People gathered in groups here and there to take in the entertainers or to sample the refreshments offered at different stands.
Chihiro had insisted on sneaking down to see how the villagers celebrated the Winter Solstice. Though Futsuhiko protested with good reasons for her to stay, since her well-being was his top priority, he agreed to accompany her when she stubbornly refused to remain in the palace. The least he could do was make sure she returned home safely.
The excitement around them was contagious, and Futsuhiko let himself be pulled along from one place to the next as Chihiro satisfied her curiosity. They went about that way for hours, Chihiro delighting in the sights and sounds and smells, and Futsuhiko quietly enraptured by her expressions and the warmth of her presence.
It was only after they grew tired and had reached the palace again that Futsuhiko realized their fingers had stayed laced together the entire time.
Hiiragi
"Hiiragi, are you in here?"
The tall man set aside his bamboo scroll, his concentration broken by the sound of her voice. "Waga kimi, what brings you here tonight?"
Chihiro walked over to the stone bench where he sat, and Hiiragi quickly cleared room for her to join him. "How come you're not with everyone else? There's a celebration going on."
"Ah, yes, the festival of the Winter Solstice," Hiiragi murmured with a nod. "Tell me, waga kimi, do you know the origins of tonight's festivities?"
He expected her to guess or perhaps to shake her head with wide-eyed innocence. The hint of a smile he received instead puzzled him until she spoke. "Maybe... but would you mind telling me about it yourself?"
Unsure which emotion rose in him more strongly, amusement or adoration, Hiiragi reached to one side for another scroll. "Certainly, if that is what you wish. Though be warned, my explanation my take longer than you expect."
"We have all night ahead of us," Chihiro answered brightly, clearly eager to hear him tell the story.
Tooya
Tooya concentrated on the brush strokes as he wrote. "Today" and "light" and "dim". *Darkness grows tonight.*
"Darkness..? Oh, you mean the solstice?" Chihiro asked with a smile. "Today is the day of the year when night is the longest."
Tilting his head quizzically, Tooya repeated, *Solstice?*
Chihiro nodded. "Here, let me show you." Her brush carefully painted lines of ink into the appropriate word. "This means the Winter Solstice. Daylight is shortest today. The Summer Solstice is the opposite; the daylight lasts longest and night is short."
*Even when the light has faded Miko still glows brightly,* Tooya told her confidently. He could feel her radiance even with his eyes closed.
Chihiro blushed and busied herself with studying the characters he had written. Dipping his brush in the ink once more, Tooya continued. He wrote "miko" and "light" and "grow", then looked up at her with a peaceful expression. *Light grows, light dims, light grows again. Miko is light.*
As if to prove his point the color in Chihiro's cheeks darkened, but at the same time her eyes shone happily.
Oshihito
A perfunctory knock preceded his entrance into the room. "You called, Hime?" Oshihito glanced around, a little surprised that she stood alone in the audience hall.
Chihiro smiled and beckoned him closer. "Yes, come in."
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the large room. He stopped a respectful distance away and bowed his head to her. A part of him wondered why she had remained there so late in the day, especially without either her advisers or guards, but he waited for her to explain her actions.
She fidgeted before she spoke again. "Everyone else is celebrating the solstice tonight, but today is important for another reason too." Her hands moved behind her back then came forward again with a small parcel held between them. "This is for you," she told him, her cheeks dusted with a light blush.
Puzzled, he looked from her face to the package and back again. "What is it?"
"It's a present for you." Chihiro stepped toward him and offered it again. "Because today is your birthday."
His brow furrowed. "Is this another custom in the world you lived in?" He reached out and took the small object, noticing that it had been wrapped in a piece of fine white fabric.
"Yes," she answered, her smile back once again. "Go ahead and open it. I hope you like it."
He almost told her he could not accept it, but did not want her happy expression to change. As he unknotted the corners from each other he kept an eye on her. The cloth fell away to reveal an intricately embroidered and carefully sewn protection charm.
"I made it for you," Chihiro explained quietly. "I thought you could attach it to the sheath of one of your swords."
Oshihito nodded, the gift held gently in his hand. "Thank you."
Iwanaga-hime
The castle grounds bustled with servants and soldiers as they sought out the perfect place to settle down and stargaze. Torches and small campfires made up for the darkened skies. Iwanaga-hime wandered through them to the place she had claimed long before the weak sunlight started to fade. Once she arrived, arms full of jugs, she dismissed the soldiers she had ordered earlier to hold her place.
After her third or fourth cup of some of the best alcohol she had ever tasted, she heard someone call her name. Moments later Chihiro appeared from within the crowd and hurried over.
"What brings you out here into the riffraff?" she asked the young queen with a smile. "Shouldn't you be up on the dais with the other nobles?"
Chihiro sat down next to her with a sheepish smile. "I would rather be out here among all the people." Her eyes glanced down to all the bottles spread out around them. "Would it be all right if I toasted the solstice with you?"
A laugh so hearty that it startled the soldiers around them shook Iwanaga-hime's shoulders. "Sure, so long as you don't tell Kazahaya or Oshihito," she replied as she poured another bamboo tube half-full of alcohol. "It'll be strong for you, so take it slow."
Nodding, Chihiro accepted the drink and raised it with a smile. "Kanpai."
Iwanaga-hime chimed in her own "kanpai!" before they both drank to the stars.
Michiomi
Michiomi secured his most stern expression in place as the doors to the audience hall swung open. He strode forward and stopped at the proper distance away from Chihiro. "I am here at the request of Ni-no-Hime to be her consultant on a personal matter," he announced firmly to her head adviser. Out of the corner of his eye he saw surprise on Chihiro's face. "I respectfully insist that all others leave the room." By the time he and everyone else turned to see what she had to say a serene look had replaced it.
"Thank you for coming at such short notice," Chihiro told him with a slight incline of her head.
The advisers grumbled as they filed out past him. Once the doors closed, Chihiro grinned. "How did you know?"
"I heard from one of the servants how busy everyone has kept you lately," Michiomi admitted, "so I thought you could use a break to relax before the ceremony tonight."
Chihiro stretched and stepped down from her platform. "Thank you, Michiomi," she repeated, this time with more open gratitude. "Would you do me another favor and come with me to the festival? It would be nice to have you there, especially if the others come back."
"Of course," Michiomi told her with a gentle smile. "It would be my pleasure."
Ayuki
"Ah!" Ayuki wailed as he shook his head, "I can't believe you beat me!"
Chihiro smiled back good-naturedly. "It's because you're such a good teacher, Ayuki."
The young kuna had to grin at the compliment despite his disappointment at the loss. "It's fun to play with you!" He began to rearrange the small wooden figures on the table back into their starting position. "Still, it's a shame that a storm came up tonight so we can't sit outside and see the festival."
"That's true," Chihiro agreed with a downcast expression, but brightened again. "But it will come again next year. For now I'm glad we could sit in here by the fire and enjoy a peaceful evening."
Ayuki nodded eagerly as he finished setting up the game. "Want to play again?"
Chihiro's smile brightened the room more than the fire that roared a short distance away. "Sure!"
Yuugiri
A long time had passed since Yuugiri had donned the clothes she wore while traveling with the leaders of Nakatsu-kuni. She dressed herself that way again in order to gain easier passage through the palace to see Chihiro. Many soldiers and servants recognized her and would point her in the right direction.
Before too long Yuugiri saw Chihiro ahead as she walked along a corridor flanked by advisers. Chihiro caught sight of her a moment later and rushed over. "Yuugiri!" she greeted with a bright smile, "how are you? When did you get here?"
She couldn't help but laugh as the words tripped over her tongue one after the other. "Hello again, Chihiro-chan. I just arrived. If you're busy I can wait until you have some free time," she said with a look over Chihiro's shoulder at the irritated nobles, "but I would be ever so pleased if you would agree to spend the festival tonight with me?"
Chihiro nodded eagerly, then squeaked in surprise as Yuugiri embraced her in a brief hug. "Yuugiri?"
"Meet me at the foot of the palace at sunset," Yuugiri used her actual voice before she stepped back and added in a much higher tone, "I look forward to catching up with you."
A soft smile from Chihiro made the entire trip worthwhile for Yuugiri. "Me too. I'll see you later!" Chihiro waved a little before she headed off with the advisers again.
Yuugiri watched her go wistfully, then meandered through the palace while she waited for evening to come.
Raja & Mudgala
Raja nodded his approval as the young queen was announced and led into his audience hall. Beside him he noticed Mudgala straighten.
The girl looked even younger in her royal robes as she stepped forward with a small, golden chest held tightly in her hands. She bowed to him when she reached the steps that led up to his throne, and he returned the gesture. "Ashihara Chihiro, Queen of Nakatsu-kuni, comes with a gift of peace on the celebratory occasion of the Winter Solstice."
A slight gesture from one of Raja's hands sent Mudgala down the handful of stairs. "I accept this token on behalf of the Raja of Tokoyo-no-kuni." A hint of a smile still remained on the general's face as he turned and brought the gilded box up to him.
Raja held out both hands and took it. "I thank you for this gift, Queen of Nakatsu-kuni. To show my own intentions of peace I invite you to dine with me this evening, and afterward to join us for the celebration of the solstice." Without opening it, because he knew he would place whatever the chest contained into the treasury, he stood and placed the box on his throne.
Chihiro bowed her head again. "I accept your kindly offered invitation."
After that Raja dropped the formal pretenses and descended the stairs with Mudgala at his side. When he reached Chihiro he held out his hands and clasped hers in a fatherly way. "It is good to see you well."
"And the both of you, too," Chihiro replied as she looked between the two of them.
Mudgala placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your current burdens are not too great?"
A sheepish look stole over her face. "I admit it is difficult at times, but I am learning as I go."
"We are here to aid you if you require it," Raja told her with a hint of a smile. "For now, let us continue on to the dining hall. We can talk of more pleasant things there." He indicated the doorway where servants from both countries waited.
Chihiro tucked her hand through Raja's offered arm. "Of course." The two of them led the way out of the room with Mudgala directly behind them.
Nasatya
She stood at the tunnel's halfway point. Nasatya noticed her gaze move up from the large, stone basin at the sound of his footsteps. Eka, who had guided her there at his request, disappeared without a sound only to reappear again in front of him.
"No one followed us," the tsuchigumo informed him softly with his head bowed.
Nasatya nodded. "Good. You have done well."
"I do only as you ask," Eka answered then vanished again.
Chihiro tilted her head quizzically. "Where did he go?"
"To watch over the cave entrance," Nasatya explained as he drew closer to her. "So that we may be uninterrupted."
A slight blush crept across her face, but Chihiro did not explain why. Instead, she asked, "What is this for?" and gestured to the basin which was filled almost to the top with water.
"It is a gazing pool," Nasatya replied. He placed his gloved hands on the rim. "It will show you things elsewhere that you wish to see."
Eyes wide, Chihiro stared at him for a moment. "Really? Is it magic?"
Nasatya shook his head briefly. "It is not magic itself, but magic can be cast on it. Since it would be unwise for us to be seen together at the festivities this evening I thought we might use this to view the night sky."
Her mouth fell open in a small 'o' of surprise that quickly transformed to understanding. "Yes, of course. That would be nice."
Despite her efforts to keep a cheerful tone Nasatya could tell the need for secrecy bothered her. One gloved finger dipped just barely past the water's surface and it lit instantly with the light of a thousand stars. She gasped in surprise. He circled the basin to her side, and his other hand reached out and took hers within it. "Let us enjoy what we are able to have."
After a pause, during which she considered the stars before them, Chihiro nodded.
Shani
Shani had only intended to stay in Nakatsu-kuni long enough to give her a small token to celebrate the festival. When he reached the palace, however, she insisted he stay.
"You've come so far," Chihiro reasoned with a smile, "and it will be getting dark soon."
It took little persuasion to convince Shani, who wanted to spend more time with her anyway. "All right." Carefully, he pulled a pure white flower from a pouch that hung at his side. "I wanted to give you this. If you like it then I hope you'll wear it tonight."
Her expression changed to one of gentle happiness. "It's beautiful, Shani. Thank you."
Feeling bold, he stepped forward. "May I?" After her nod he tucked the stem just so behind her ear. The soft petals practically glowed against her golden hair. "It suits you." Warmth spread through Shani's chest as he gazed at her.
"Thank you," she said again, her cheeks flushed. "I've never seen a flower like that before."
Shani grinned. "They're called snow flowers, and they only bloom during the winter in certain areas of Tokoyo."
Her fingers reached up and brushed along the flower gently. "It's quite lovely."
"I'll show you a whole field of them," he promised with a nod. "And then I'll make a crown of them for you."
A sense of satisfaction filled him when she could only blush more deeply.
Ribhu
Ribhu balanced a tea tray carefully on one hand as he reached out to knock on the door in front of him. It opened slowly and Chihiro peered out. "Good evening, Hime," he greeted with a smile, "Would you care for some tea?"
She swung the door open the rest of the way. "That sounds wonderful," she said while she gestured for him to enter.
A small table sat a short distance from the fireplace, and Ribhu placed the tray down there.
"Brr, it got cold out there toward the end," Chihiro commented as she moved over to the hearth. The fire in her room had warmed it while she was stargazing, and she stood near it to chase away the chill that lingered from hours outside.
Ribhu took care as he poured a cup of tea for her. "This should warm you up in no time," he assured her, "though it will be quite hot at first so be careful."
When she turned away from the fire it was with a sweet smile that always pulled at Ribhu's heart. "Will you stay and have some tea with me?" she asked hopefully.
Even if he wanted to decline the invitation he knew he could not. "I would be honored, Hime."
Karigane
"Is it all right for you to be here?" Karigane glanced down over the balcony railing at the people who moved here and there across the palace dais.
Chihiro reassured him with a nod. "Sai-no-Kimi insisted on posting guards outside the doors to my room, but no one should come in unless they hear something. They'll never know we're out here."
Silence stretched between them as Chihiro's attention turned to the sky, and Karigane alternated between watching her and keeping a look out for anyone who might spot them. Her body shook with a slight noise, and it took him a moment to realize she had sneezed. Before she could protest he put his arms around her shoulders from behind, his chest pressed lightly to her back.
"Thank you," she said softly, and he could see her blush as she steadfastly kept her eyes on the stars.
Karigane made a quiet sound of acceptance, unfurled his wings, and wrapped those around her as well.