A Song for the Devil

Something Else

The next morning I was awoken by my handmaid who handed me a note as she shuffled around the room to get my kimono for the day ready. "Which one my lady?" She asked as she held up a Red Kimono with white flowers and gold trims along with a green kimono with silver leaves and pink silk trim. "The black one." I said bluntly. "My lady... Lord Oda had me remove it from your wardrobe." She looked scared of me when I approached her and it wasn't until I realized that my hand had raised to her that I understood why. "Please forgive me Misayo." I lowered my head to her, which took her by surprise. "Of course my lady."

"If he won't let me wear what I want I don't care. You pick." I said as I turned my attention to the note in my hand. "Just, don't let it be anything too sweet looking Misayo. It will contrast with what's left of me." She bowed before rummaging through the wardrobe for something more suited for me. "Oh, and please burn anything that is blue."

I unfolded the note and sighed as I read that it was from Nobunaga "You have dance and song lessons this morning. Don't keep the teacher waiting. After your lessons I will meet you by the koi pond." Signed with his seal for good measure. He did say that he would make time for me in the middle of war councils. I don't understand why he is choosing me. I don't even have my song and dance left in me for him. I huffed at the letter.

Misayo got me ready for my day and after a brief meal I made my way to my lessons. My movements are timid, shaky, unclear, and honestly pathetic now. The instructor is making no corrections though. I moved along with the song, not even bothering to sing I spoke to the instructor. "He told you didn't he? He told you I was broken, and to be gentle."

The older gentleman chuckled before responding as I continued to move awkwardly along with the music. "You're wondering why I am not pointing out the flaws in your dance princess. I am accessing the changes in your body. I saw you dance and sing before. Lord Oda did not ask me to help you return to your previous dance. He asked me to help you achieve something... else." Despite his chuckle and ridiculous words he was absolutely serious.

I ended lessons early. Still confused as to what exactly Nobunaga was hoping for with dance lessons. I was revered throughout Japan as a master of dance and song. Kenshin destroyed my joints with his torture, my knees will never allow me to sway the way I did before.

I stared into the koi pond watching the fish swimming alongside each other. I heard his footsteps approaching behind me after awhile. His broad shouldered reflection came into the water's reflection and revealed a soft smile on his lips. "Deep purple. Your handmaid is more loyal to you that I anticipated."

"Is controlling my wardrobe choices supposed to make me fall in love with you?" I asked as I turned towards him in my seated position by the water. He sat down near me. "No. I was just getting tired of the rumors that I brought a ghost back with me from the dragon of Echigo."

"Perhaps that is exactly what you brought back with you." I commented as I stared back into the koi pond.

"How were your morning lessons?" He asked as he tilted his head back to look at the sky.

"Torture." I huffed.

"Let me take a guess." He faked a thoughtful pause, his eyes staying to the sky. "You hate the way your movements have changed."

"Incredible. You guessed correctly." I sneered.

"If Ieyasu is correct you may never dance the same way you did before, which is nothing to mourn." He sounded so amused I could slap him.

"What was it you said to me before I was taken? 'Your song plays in my heart while I'm away from you. I look forward to hearing a new song from you when we are together again.' Now you say that song is nothing to mourn. So which was a lie?"  My hands began running through a few blades of grass.