Chapter 10

Betrothed

“Where were you?” Aiko greeted Mai as the girl ran into the princess’s quarters. The older woman stared her down with disapproval. Mai’s plain kimono was now covered in dirt, her long hair terribly tangled, decorated with flowers. She was looking rather like a village harlot than a royal princess.

“I’m sorry…” started Mai, but Aiko silenced her with a stern look.

“Look at yourself.” The older woman scolded her. “Do you intend Lord Gorouza to see you in this state? You should be pure and beautiful like a flower, graceful like a tennyo. I shall tolerate your trips to the village only because your honorable father accepted them, but I demand that you show here without delay. Now sit and listen carefully.”

Mai decided it was best not to argue with the furious Aiko and listened as the woman taught her court etiquette, a shortened history of Echizen – pacts with the allies and wars declared upon enemies. That part of Aiko’s teachings really interested Mai. The girl always liked history, and understanding politics and economics came naturally to her, much to the older woman’s disbelief. Apparently, it was not the strong side of princess Amayami.

Then came the worse part. Aiko told Mai how princess Amayami used to behave, what her abilities and knowledge were. From what she said, Mai concluded that Amayami was quite a lady -- polite, gentle and shy. With Mai’s attitude, it would be difficult to pretend, but the girl was confident in her acting skills. If she managed to survive this far, she will do fine when her betrothed arrives. “Princess’s betrothed,” she corrected herself. Mai caught herself a few times in thought that she felt like she was the princess always, the image of her own world blurring. She spent only nearly two weeks in the feudal era, but the life here seemed more real than in her own world. The nagging of Aiko, joking with Shinji, meals with the old priest, playing with Rin… All of this brought her more joy than anything other in 21st century. Perhaps except her friend, Kagome. Mai noticed that she didn’t have the time to spare her friend a single thought. “No, I didn’t want to.” The girl corrected herself. Suddenly it hurt so much when Mai realized that if she didn’t return to her world, she would never see Kagome again. Mai wondered if the friend was also worrying for her.

“Amayami!” Aiko decided to regain Mai’s attention.

The bored girl tried to hide a yawn as she listened that Amayami-hime could play erhu, flute, recite poetry and arrange flowers, so she needed avoid that at all costs. Mai also learned how much the princess loved that Gorouza guy, even though she had met him four times at least. Aiko decided to torture her with details of Amayami’s life till late night. Finally, the old crone left the quarters and Mai threw herself on the bed, not bothering to take off her stained clothes.

For the next week, it had become Mai’s daily routine: she would get up at dawn and walk with Shinji to the temple, where she ate breakfast with the priest, and then she would spend the day till late afternoon with Rin. Luckily, the young samurai didn’t insist on trailing behind her anymore, so she did everything she wanted. She visited village – the people gave Rin cautious looks, but they went silent as Mai glared at them. Together with Rin they were fishing: Mai with a fishing rod, and Rin was somehow able to catch them with her own hands, which earned the older girl’s respect. Mai tried to teach Rin the basic steps of the dance, but the child tripped constantly and couldn’t keep up with the rhythm. The bond between the two tightened and Mai was now thinking of Rin to be like a little sister and was enjoying her company.

Unfortunately, at sunset lessons with Aiko, who tried to train Mai to be princess Amayami, were starting. The effect was quite miserable. Those evening lessons reminded Mai constantly that the day of Gorouza’s arrival was nearing and so was the arrival of the monk’s friend, a scholar who could help her go home.

It was Lord Gorouza who appeared first, much to Mai’s dismay. This morning she couldn’t go to meet the old priest and Rin. That alone caused her bad mood. In the morning, Aiko, along with numerous servants, stormed into her room and prepared her for the arrival of her betrothed. She was dressed in the most beautiful kimono she has ever seen – light pink with roses embroidered on the sleeves and around the hem, and of course, numerous inner layers. The whole attire was heavy and made it difficult to move freely. Her hair was combed and decorated with elaborate, and obviously very expensive, hairpins. The maidservants also applied make-up, which made the girl’s face visibly prettier.

Mai started to sweat as she was standing by the side of her fake father, surrounded by various nobles, whom she barely recognized, and flocking servants.

“Do you remember what to say?” Lord Asakura made sure, whispering. Mai nodded, frantically memorizing the lines she learned this morning. And then began the commotion. The column of mounted samurai rode through the gates, escorting a palanquin. The servants, who were carrying it, put it carefully on the ground and helped a man get outside. Mai held her breath. The man who stepped out of it, presumably Gorouza, looked like he was in his late twenties. His attire was fancy, quite feminine and definitely very expensive with precious jewels and gold sewed everywhere on the fabric. He was quite tall and his face was quite handsome. It had, however, that delicate expression, which Mai didn’t like. He rushed gracefully towards Lord Asakura and the men exchanged traditional greetings. Then he looked at Mai with longing. The girl did her best to appear shy and glanced downwards desperately making her cheeks blush. Inwardly, Mai was cursing the whole feudal era. She bowed with all the grace she could manage.

“My Lord,” she said in her softest voice, not stopping the cursing in her mind. “I am grateful that the fate let us meet. I am most impatient for our families to join in the sacred bond of our marriage.” Mai repeated the remembered lines. So far Gorouza didn’t seem to suspect a thing. He smiled at her with his dashing smile, showing all teeth and told her the similar nonsense she told him.

For the majority of the day various feasts and council meetings took place and Mai tagged along with Lord Asakura. The man did all the talking for her, thankfully. Her only task was to look good, which means like an ethereal being, the real princess seemingly was.

Mai avoided Lord Gorouza as much as she could. He was quite a charmer but was definitely not the type Mai could fall for. He reminded her of the most popular boys in her school – handsome and charming, but obnoxious.

Mai worried about Rin too. She didn’t have the chance to tell the kid that today she will be stuck at the castle. Poor thing, she must be disappointed. If only Mai could find Shinji…

There he was! Mai smiled at her luck and decided that it would be a sin not to take a chance. She hurried towards the young samurai, who was leaning against the wall, bored out of his mind.

“Shinji!” Mai said his name, getting his attention. He opened his mouth, amazed at how beautiful Mai looked in that attire, with make-up and nicely done hair.

“Don’t stare at me.” She scolded him, whispering. “I need your help. I must get to the temple to see Rin. Now.”

Shinji was looking at her as though she was crazy.

“Can’t you wait till tomorrow?” he asked. Mai shook her head. “Amayami, the sun has just set and it’s the middle of the celebration! You can’t possibly go outside the castle now!”

“It’s the perfect time. Everyone’s drunk, the guards know you, and we will be back in an hour! Shinji, please, do it for me.” Mai pleaded.

She really needed his help. Without Shinji, she couldn’t get out of the castle. The young samurai looked troubled, but in the end he agreed hesitantly. Together, they slipped out of the hall. Shinji made sure no one was looking and took off his outer kimono. He wrapped Mai in it to hide her identity and they rushed towards the gates. The guards recognized Shinji and weren’t asking about anything. Mai and Shinji picked up the pace to get to the temple as soon as possible. Along the way they almost didn’t exchange a word. As they got to the temple Shinji spoke up.

“She’s not here.” He said looking at the surroundings of the temple, quite creepy at night. “Do you have any idea where she sleeps?”

“Uhm,” Mai answered, furrowing her brows. “She led me there once. I should find a way, even in the darkness.”

Mai and the young samurai made their way to the forest. Mai was sure she lost her way a couple of times, but eventually they found a camp. The place where the camp used to be. The stones making a circle were where the fire was burning, remains of food laying neatly in a pile on one side of the small clearing.

“She’s gone.” Said Mai sadly. Rin’s caretaker must have finally come and pick the girl up. Mai couldn’t help feeling disappointed. She didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye…

“Amayami-hime,” said Shinji. “We should also be on our way. The forest in the night is no place for a princess. You don’t want to be eaten by youkai, do you?”

Earlier that day

Rin was sitting on the temple stairs, waiting for Mai. It was almost noon and the older girl still wasn’t there. It was not like Mai to be so late, so maybe she won’t come today at all? Rin sighed. It was rather lonely here. The old priest was in the village and she told Ah-Un to stay in the forest out of sight.

Rin looked westwards and she saw two familiar silhouettes. They weren’t Mai and Shinji. Rin got up quickly and hurried towards them, her eyes bright with joy. On the edge of the forest were standing two demons. One was a tall man, clad in armor and a fine kimono, two swords by his side. White fur was attached to his right shoulder. The silver hair reached past his hips. On his face he had demon markings, two magenta stripes on the each cheek and a blue crescent moon on his forehead. His eyes were golden, cold.

The other youkai was a green, toad-like imp, clad in plain brown attire and carrying a strange staff – Nintoujyou. Rin ran happily and stopped before the tall inu youkai.

“Sesshomaru-sama, you’re back.” She exclaimed happily.

The demon looked at her, his face showed no emotion. He turned to the green imp.

“Jaken, get Ah-Un.” He ordered. The one named Jaken rushed immediately into the forest, about to search for the two-headed dragon. Sesshomaru started walking away without a word. Rin skipped happily and was jogging next to him to keep up to his pace.

“Rin,” He addressed the girl, not looking at her. “In your camp were human items and there is a scent of another human clinging to you. Explain yourself.”

“Oh.” Rin set her sight on the ground ashamed that she didn’t obey his orders. “I met a new friend. She saved me from the village people and got me a lot of things. Rin was a little lonely by herself and Mai played with me every day…”

Rin was explaining herself to Sesshomaru. The youkai said nothing, but he noticed the sad expression on her face as she was telling about her new friend. Judging by the smell, it was a grown female, a noble probably.

“Who is she?” the demon asked.

“Her name is Mai.” Rin started reciting. “She is visiting the temple every day and Rin is her best friend! She has a pretty hair, really long and likes dancing. Oh, and she’s a princess.”

“Rin, let us go.” He said to the girl, stopping her from blabbering.

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama.” She said as she looked back one last time, regretting she will never see Mai again.