A Voice, Pure and and unearthly
~ Chapter fourteen ~
~ Sunset ~ Sakuya's Lake ~ two days before the marriage of Reiji and Yuukina ~
At the glimmering lakeside Orchard, the sounds of beautiful, radiant singing encompass the vicinity.
Here the Wellspring Maiden's latest efforts are well underway.
"Absolutely, the inevitable distrust between us, an invisible weakness I will expunge.
"No matter how long or dark, the day will come when our wishes will break through. From the colors of a beautiful dusk, our prayers are born anew."
“So I return to you, oh source of life and love. The chains binding our past are fragile, birds on a broken wing. Transcending pain, we persevere.
“Here like a jewel, you shine, a mother's gentle light engulfing us all. Illuminating every hope.
Nurturing a source of light and love, grant us faith and worthy dreams that echo on forever.
Frowing, a humming Sakuya scraps a line or two. Her elegant calligraphy makes adjustments to the music.
"No, that isn't right either. There’s no cohesion and elements of the verses are conflicting."
Sakuya gazes at the early evening sky, a thoughtful frown marring her face. "This a love song celebrating Yuuki and Rei. Not a clumsy expression of inner conflict."
' Come on now Sakuya, Ayame worked hard to create this melody, the least I can do is find the right words. Perhaps I could pitch it up a bit here...'
"Make the lyrics come off a bit sweeter and more longing-. No! That sort of vibe risks detracting from Yuuki and my brother. This is their day." Dismissing her original idea, Sakuya decides to start over.
Stretching her body towards the evening sky, Sakuya notes the soft pinks and vivid orange hues.
"Such a marvelous setting sun. Nearly time for rain. I'll begin soon, hopefully, 'HE" received my request to meet."
' Huh, I hadn't thought about it but if I keep going like this, sooner or later my power won't be needed. It may take decades but eventually, this landscape will have been completely altered.'
' A new cycle will emerge in nature, the trees and green will do their job as the creator intended.'
"It's such a beautiful thing, but when that day comes... I can't help from wondering, what will become of me?"
Noting the sound of footsteps drawing near, Sakuya looks up at her visitor.
"Thank you, I'm grateful to you for not approaching silently."
Raising herself from her assorted silks and cushions layering her reserved corner of the lakeshore orchard, Sakuya smiles. "Thank you for coming all this way. I'm pleased you accepted my invitation."
If her company is surprised to see that Sakuya's normal, composed poise air is accompanied by a barely apparent hint of shyness, he is polite enough not to address it.
~
Madara's expression is uncharacteristically soft. An expression normally reserved for his precious siblings, now only Izuna.
"I could hardly turn it down. We parted on a more awkward note. I'm relieved you want anything to do with me, let alone invite me to witness your brother's marriage."
Politely, Madara keeps his curiosity regarding Reiji's unorthodox choice to wed before his older brother to himself.
"Although... If I'm not mistaken, I am the only clansman from Fire to receive one. Is that right?"
"That's correct Lord Uchiha. Apologies if my letter came off as rude or a possible snub towards the other households in Fire.
"Like our correspondence stated, your brother is welcome too, but I don't know any others from your part of this continent... I don't have many friends outside my circle.
"We share some blood with them but since we aren't in contact, it felt rude and highly presumptuous to even consider imposing upon the Senju or their allies with an invite."
Straightening a nonexistent wrinkle along the silk of her dance attire, Sakuya restrains the urge to sigh. Instead, she offers a modest dip of the head.
"And thank you again for coming Madara. It probably means little to you but I appreciate having someone else to speak with. From your descriptions, Izuna seems like an interesting man. I'd like to meet him in person, but I understand why he isn't accompanying you." Sakuya said understandingly.
"Ah Izuna." Madara murmured. "Yes, he sends the happy couple his regards.
" But yes, you'd like him, everyone seems to get along with him easily." Madara chuckled.
"We discussed that my brother is dear to me and I assure you, he would have accompanied me. Still, it's as he said, Izuna should remain behind. Keep things in order."
"That's fair," replied Sakuya. Rest assured Lord Madara I can appreciate that bond of trust.
"A family comfortable honoring our respective roles, while still showing support wherever needed...
" It's a comforting thing, is it not?
"To me, a stable, healthy family dynamic will always be a thing of beauty." Sakuya said.
Her gentle voice, pure and enthralling, again Sakuya's presence up close has ensnared Madara's ears like a vice.
Trying not to gulp, from the sudden dry mouth, Madara nods politely and adjusts his position at her right side.
' I really need to figure this out.' Madara thought, his turmoil barely concealed by a stoic mask.
Looking to the lake waters for a distraction, a question pops into Madara's mind. "Ah, is it true adjusting the musical keys from "Major" to "minor" can make a song go from vibrant and happy to sinister or melancholy?"
' Amaterasu, that was completely inappropriate!' he chastised himself, 'What is wrong with me?'
"Apologies! That was much too random and disrespectful. I wasn't mocking your interest in musi- " pointing to the open composition papers at her feet, Madara is eager to explain himself. "Earlier I noticed the musical notes in your-"
Lost in his rambling over-apology and mental cringe at his misstep, Madara missed both Sakuya's gentle chuckle of endeared amusement and her softly whispered, "You really do have a cute side".
Accepting his unnecessary apology and calling for rain on schedule Sakuya spent the evening with Madara kindly going over melodies.
It was with genuine amusement, that she patiently explained to Madara the notes of a few popular ones and clarified that yes, with a little imagination, you can transform any happy, uplifting ballad into a dark ominous, mocking song of regret and despair.