For Honor We Fall

Part 3

The sun was just barely brushing the hilltop before them when they reached the crest, moon not far behind. The first glimpse of stars shone down on the all-but-exhausted troupe as they laid eyes upon their destination. Hayate stopped, sweeping his arm out wide as if announcing the glorious sight before them. Hanami's jaw fell when her eyes swept over the rich golden columns of the palace on the crest of the hill opposite them. The setting sun hid behind the massive structure, casting a golden halo around the glamorous red and gold painted palace. She had never seen something so beautiful before.

"Welcome, Saiko-san, to Matsuoka manor."

She could hardly believe her eyes. Along the slopes of the hill were beautiful cherry trees, blossoms drifting lazily on the wind. The petals burned almost red in the light of the setting sun. It was as if embers danced around them and fell at their feet as they made their way up the pathway leading to the palace. She could hear the faint rush of running water from somewhere in the massive garden surrounding them. Long, narrow halls with large sliding doors opened to beautifully carved out wooden walkways that wound around the palace and out of sight. The closer they walked, the more breathtaking it was. Dragons danced along the washi paper held in place on the doors, as if guarding its occupants. Little paper lanterns hung every few feet along the walkway, casting a warm glow around the columns. A door slid open and smoke wafted from the beyond, following an old man dressed in traditional Shinto garb. The priest bowed to them as they approached and Hanami found herself bowing back slightly, still too stunned with the beauty surrounding her to introduce herself. Hayate simply watched her reactions with a slight smirk on his handsome face.

"Master Matsuoka has been expecting you. I trust you didn't run into any trouble?" Hayate nodded and followed the older man as he made his way inside, lightly tapping Hanami's arm when she didn't immediately follow behind him. Shaking herself from her stupor, she stepped up onto the raised wooden walkway, slipping through the open door. The room they stepped into was even more extravagant than the outer walls. Vibrant reds and golds greeted her as she stepped into the threshold. Hand-stitched tapestries swayed lightly against the walls, intricate designs bobbing and weaving as the breeze caught them just right. Golden-stitched dragons danced throughout the room, so breathtakingly beautiful she could almost hear them calling out to her. A trio of musicians melted into the shadows of the far corner, treating her to a song so haunting that she could see the lilting sway of a willow tree in her mind. With every pluck of a string, she moved one step closer to the daimyo. She couldn't seem to find her breath, the room was so lavish. Compared to the silks around her, she felt so painfully inferior, so obviously common. She turned her attention from the tapestries to a man seated atop of mound of plush golden thread pillows. Hayate bowed his head, so she did the same, averting her gaze as if the man seated before her was too beautiful to look at.

"Oyakata-sama," Hayate's voice had taken on a silky smoothness that rivaled the room around them. The man seated on the pillows waved his hand, allowing Hayate to straighten up to address him. "I apologize for the delay."

Hanami eyed the man curiously, taking in his long, tangled beard and his wispy black hair. Resting against his thin lips was a long wooden pipe, a lazy trail of smoke spiraling up and around him. The man gazed back at her intensely, making her look away uncomfortably. Her heart was hammering in her chest so hard she was sure the daimyo could hear it over the soft music playing throughout the room. She resisted the urge to shuffle her feet or fidget with the hem of her sleeves, knowing that she had to appear strong in the face of the daimyo. He surely wouldn't accept her otherwise.

The man chuckled softly, taking a long drag from his pipe before motioning to the strange girl before him. Any other girl would have fallen before him and worshiped the ground beneath his feet. Whether they had wanted money or power hardly mattered to him. The mere fact that this girl was still standing before him and meeting his gaze so easily was almost enough to make him consider accepting her. "Come closer, girl. Tell me, what is your name?"

Hanami swallowed hard, palms slick. She stepped forward, fighting the urge to wipe her hands on her kimono. She bowed to him, folding her hands in front of her formally, trying to call upon her hostess persona. She could only hope she appeared more at ease than she felt. "It is an honour to meet you, Oyakata-sama. My name is Hanami Saiko." She straightened and met the man's gaze, refusing to let his influence get to her. He was just a man, after all.

The daimyo chuckled softly once more, raising an eyebrow at Hayate. Just where had he found such a strong-willed girl? "I trust that you were told why you have been brought here?" The man shifted, blowing out a long string of smoke that lingered between them a moment before disappearing. Hanami nodded, hands still folded in front of her properly, back so tense her muscles ached.

"Yes, sir, I have. And I would be honoured if you would allow me to serve you." The room went quiet, awaiting the response to the strange girl's answer. Every eye was on the daimyo as he weighed his options. He could take her in without a fuss, but what was the fun in that? He inclined his head, nodding to a man that stood in the shadows on the far side of the room. He stepped forward, hitting the butt of his staff against the floor, making Hanami jump slightly. Hayate's smile wavered. He knew what was coming next, and he was unsure if Hanami could handle it. But he knew she would need to pass the test either way. Hanami turned toward the man with the staff, eying him cautiously. The daimyo waved his hand absently, motioning the man forward until he was standing beside Hanami.

"This is Master Kenta. He is my best Taisho. If you can best him in a one-on-one match using bo, then I shall consider honouring you with the position you seek." The daimyo smirked, leaning forward slightly. "However, if he should best you..." Hanami's heart skipped a beat as she took in the twinkle in his eye. She knew this couldn't mean anything good. "You'll meet me in my bedchambers to honour me in another way."

Hanami's blood ran cold and she felt Hayate stiffen behind her. This had to be a test, right? There was no way Hanami could beat a samurai general in a one-on-one combat situation. She steeled her nerves, gritting her teeth and nodding shortly. "I accept, though I shall require a change of clothes." She prided herself in keeping the quiver from entering her voice. The man beside her said nothing, content on standing there awaiting orders from his master. The daimyo seemed to mull it over before nodding, motioning toward a pair of ladies by a fusuma adorned with a crane. The pair shuffled forward, heads bowed.

"Take our guest to get a change of clothes. She can't be expected to fight in such attire." At that, he fell silent, keeping the amusement carefully swept from his face. The women nodded and fell into place on either side of Hanami, who eyed them wearily.

"This way, Saiko-san." They spoke in perfect unison, ushering her toward the door with the crane. It slid open silently and they stepped into the other room, quickly closing the door behind them. When they offered to help Hanami undress, she waved them away, intent on doing this herself. They held out a dark blue haori jacket and soft black hakama, waiting for Hanami to take them. She turned her back, taking a deep breath to ease the panic rising in her chest. As she dressed, she mulled over her options, but they all led to the same conclusion. If she wanted to get the job, she had to so this. She could only hope that her guts made up for her lack of knowledge fighting with a bo staff. She smoothed her fingers over the fabric of the hakama gently, tying it into place tight before turning to face the other women. She nodded to them and they slid open the door, ushering her out.

Twisting her hair back into a tight topknot, she took her place before the daimyo once more, bowing her head slightly in greeting. The man smirked, taking in her appearance. She certainly looked the part now that she was out of that gaudy sakura kimono. He waved to his taisho, who offered the quivering woman a staff of her own before taking his place opposite her. The daimyo knew that this woman had no chance of besting his general, and he was hoping for that. She had shown him the strength in her heart, sure, but that wasn't enough to keep his son out of harms way.

Hanami faced the general and took a deep breath. She had to do this. It was the only way the daimyo would take her seriously. She could only hope that she has what it takes to prove she was worthy of his time.