Revelations (New to some, little of note to others)
~ Chapter 25 ~
~Oasis Village~ The music room of the grand palatial manor~
"Ah! There you are..." said Sakuya. Her words are to no one in particular, but she's excited at the find. Ruki, her moon bear cub is busy with his papa today and now that she completed the opening of Oasis's newest hospital and place of "higher learning", her schedule is shockingly-free.
"I knew we had a copy here at home, yet I never bothered tracking it down. There was little point when all my questions were more easily answered from the source. Lady Ryoko, the original (and greatest) "Firebird" herself."
Carefully brushing the few traces of dust away, Sakuya settles comfortably at the large private study connecting to Manor's library. Tracing her elegant white-jade-colored fingers gently over the vividly detailed illustration on the cover, Sakuya knows she is in for a treat. "The Firebird, from Folklore to Stage."
"Yes this is what I need, Wagamaru is right, Father too. Ryoko's perspective is valuable, but sometimes it's best to do one's own research. A less biased mind might offer additional details she unknowingly overlooked."
~
A few hours later. Lost in thoughts, Sakuya is contemplative. The eye-opening details within her book are proving more engaging on her perspective than she anticipated.
'It's funny, all my life I've always most identified with her, the titular Firebird...
A life of service to others, to personally intervene and ensure the well-being of others is being met... It's a beautiful thing and I'll always admire that. '
' Knowing my actions are even a little bit comparable to her is an honor and an incredible privilege. Truly.'
' Even so, lately, as I get closer to adulthood, more often than not, it's the role of "Princess Resea" who draws me in most...
Even more so here, the opera is three acts yet according to this history they sure cut a lot. I wouldn't say she's made into a complete "damsel in distress" or "wallflower" but a great deal of Resea's agency, her inner iron and willful determination simply isn't present.
' I had no idea that in the original story, even while possessed by Nagahiro's dark magic, she repeatedly refused to harm her Arashi.
' On a fundamental level, she could NEVER hurt him, and not even wicked brainwashing could change that fact. '
"Speaking of him, How wonderful would it be... To have my own "Prince Arashi", dashing across the desolate windy plains to be at my side?
Such beautiful loyalty on his end. The stage production portrays him as this charming flirt, but in the original myth, he is nothing of the sort...
I know which I prefer and it's no contest. Yes, a relationship between "equals" seems most appropriate.'
' Hm... Though ideally, I'd prefer mine be without the whole, demonic poisoning and being raised as a zombie by a wicked samurai like Nagahiro here.'
' Sure Resea is restored to proper life and existence by the glorious Firebird, but I'd prefer to NOT have to "die", (figuratively or literally) for the benefit of someone else's "life lesson", Sakuya thought cheekily.
'Huh, oh wow, it's actually a bit aggressive.
' I see, some of the Firebird's most famous lines originally belonged to Resea...
Even the famously impassioned " You shall NOT harm him. I swear Nagahiro, if Arashi receives even a single scratch, I will claim an OCEAN OUT OF YOUR BLOOD!"
' I liked it, but thinking it through, such lines don't actually fit the Firebird's characterization...
"The lines themselves are too raw and "human".
' Now it makes sense, they were never intended to be voiced by her.
Sakuya hummed, a thought occurring to her.
' Could it be the people involved in the operatic adaptation just did not like Resea or something?
' Cause the more I read of the original fable and collected novelization, it's looking to me like they actively tore Resea's character down in order to "build up" the Firebird, and that is such a shame.
' They are two of the three leads, four if you count Nagahiro; the villainous samurai. Both should be allowed to exist as originally intended. '
-Though Sakuya will never know it, the sheer irony of her innocent beliefs here are honestly quite staggering. Her brothers and ('True Mother' Kaguya) would surely find it amusing.
' Also I see, the Firebird was already incredible and sufficiently distinct from Resea.
Their strengths are completely different but neither is necessarily wrong. Surely there was no need to actively (if not deliberately?) "miss the point" of what the original myth was trying to convey. '
"What's worse they wasted a perfectly serviceable refrain. This reprise of 'Breaking Dawn', Princess Resea's moment of triumph in act two. It was intended to be sung following her adulthood reunion with Arashi and the breaking realization that both their interests are aligned. How could they remove the moment Resea finally understood what "she" wanted?'
Noting the time on the stone wall, Sakuya is surprised it's so late in the afternoon.
Crooning a few final bars, it's with considerable regret she closes the book. For now.
'It's getting late, I best begin my draft of the letter for Wagamaru to take home.'
Returning the thick tome to where it belongs, Sakuya suspects her 'message' will be controversial.
To actively plea for 'mercy' on the woman who murdered her mother will surely be unpopular.
"I just have so many mixed feelings here... Aika Uzumaki is reprehensible, but so much good came from this ordeal too...
Part of me believes I am exactly where I should be.
Even if i'm wrong, I can't be responsible for her parents losing their only child. It's selfish yes, prioritizing my conscience...
But Aika's death won't bring Mother back to us. Perhaps nothing will come of this at all, but I want to at least try.'
~
~The Land of Fire~ Uchiha territory~
Standing before the Uchiha clan's council of elders, Madara isn't sure he heard their audacious words correctly.
"Pardon? I'm sorry councilmen but I MUST have misheard you. It sounded like you intend for me to submit a request for marriage.
To Oasis, where the one "eligible" candidate, the Wellspring Maiden, isn't yet twenty. Granted in our interactions, it's not an unfair assessment to describe Sakuya as 'mature for her age', but that doesn't change her age." Madara couldn't resist the hint of condescension in his tone. ' I refuse to have THAT sort of reputation.'
Lady Ayumi, the eldest of the gathered men and women nods patronizingly.
"Your ears heard it correctly. And her age is all the more reason to hurry. There are two years at best, we need to get ourselves at the head of the line and keep ourselves there. And her youth has already been taken under consideration. Hence our decision, a betrothal is more than acceptable a solution."
"Time is of the essence Madara, especially now that her father Kyou Uzumaki is officially involved we can't risk the Senju getting ideas.
"Remember, the Uzumaki do technically "owe" Hashirama a bride. I doubt they'll actually push it, (not after what Mito intended for Hashirama was leaked so embarrassingly) but why take unnecessary chances? " Ayumi's second, a weathered-looking man called Ishi interjected warily.
"Yang Chakra and the effects of that aside there is a more pressing matter tied into the urgency here Madara. Merely "Twenty-five percent" remains twenty-five percent Uchiha blood.
"We of the council will NOT risk it being tied to the Senju. They cannot be permitted to benefit from our Amaterasu-blessed sight." Stated another councilman, this one Madara never learned the name of and he's in no hurry to rectify that oversight.
"They can NOT be permitted such leverage" and a betrothal to one of our most high status ensure they never will." The man's voice, a near snarl. A cold, cutting pragmatism in the old man's authoritative voice chills the otherwise grand atmosphere of the meeting hall.
Lady Ayumi speaks up again, her rank and seniority impossible to ignore.
"Surely you can understand my Lord, no matter how many years it may take, IF Hashirama sires a child with our eyes, his people won't even pretend to be interested in potential peace or co-existence.
"They will settle for nothing less than our complete eradication." Said Lady Ayumi. Despite her grandmotherly vibe, the expression of certainty on her aged face belied no deceit in her convictions.
"Look Madara, it's you or Izuna, we leave that choice to your discretion, Lady Ayumi stated plainly.
"We are generous individuals and don't mind either way. We care only for the 'end result'. So long as this "Wellspring Maiden" bearing OUR ancient blood, is quickly brought off the metaphorical "market". Take whatever method you feel is best.
"Our generosity aside, I think ALL of us gathered here know exactly which of you is the "objectively correct" choice. Meeting adjourned," her words brimmed with a finality that leaves no argument.
Leaving the audience chamber, though their imposition upon his future is offensive to his pride, a not-so-tiny part of Madara is secretly pleased.
It's not a piece of himself he's proud of, (not at all, in fact it's quite alarming!) but over their precious few interactions, there was always this small piece of him that resented the idea of Sakuya being with another person. (No matter how far in the future that might have been.)
"Huh, whoever guessed the elders could do something right? '
"Thank you "Granny"." It took all of Madara's many childhood lessons in social graces, not to grin madly.
' All in all this is an undeniable net positive for me, so long as I can ensure Sakuya wants it too...'
"So then, how does one go about this "correctly"? Madara murmured quietly under his breath.
' I am twenty-two, that means about a four-year difference. Not great, but far from IMMEDIATE backlash worthy... Regardless I only hope, there's a way to go about approaching her with care. If nothing else, without coming across as "predatory" of her youth and lack of life experience, or seeming like some blatant 'social climbing' charmer.
' That isn't an image I want myself or my clan to be associated with... We really can't afford that sort of reputation.
' And although I'm really not that much older than she is, I can see in my mind how this could look to the uninitiated.' Madara realized. His thoughts sobering rapidly.
' Perhaps Izuna will have an idea? I think he's with Kagami again experimenting with the chakra fruit again...
In that moment Madara was most wise in glossing over the simple fact that although their age difference is meaningless NOW, it will surely play a role later... Albeit not in the usual expected manner.
Two words: Uzumaki and Longevity.
Indeed the hereditary longevity ensures that in as little as fifteen years when Madara is "pushing" the cusp of his forties, the world will eventually notice how "young" his Uzumaki-blooded wife will seem in comparison.
Yes it's truly for the best Madara not think about just how much of a "cradle robber" he's going to look like! He doesn't need the extra stress.
Madara's racing thoughts turn back to Izuna and the gifted fruit he has been studying.
"It's holding up well, no signs of rot yet. Izuna excitedly confirmed that one patient, a woman with gestational diabetes had complete stabilization. Her pregnancy is no longer "high risk".
Another patient, a very sickly boy whom the doctors feared would never walk, after a few dishes of apple sauce (spread out over a few days), took his first unassisted steps this morning.
' It seems no matter how it's prepared this chakra fruit works just as effectively. Our researchers are collecting the seeds as they become available, but there aren't many to actually be planted...
His thoughts move to less savory topics.
' We are also dangerously overdue for a chat with Daiki, his boy Ruki likes Izuna well enough... always bringing him candy, made by Sakuya, but that moon bear clan as a whole is making a nuisance of themselves.
' I won't lie to myself, it's getting bad.
We haven't spoken yet, not since the unauthorized attack was put down, but I can only assume, Hashirama must surely be starting to think I'm to blame.
' The circumstantial evidence is good. We already confirmed a Hyuga slave saw me dismount the moon bear, not to mention my flames incinerating the invaders...
Naturally with Daiki's shameless behavior upon their land over the past few days... Madara suppresses a weary sigh.
Among other petty forms of destruction, his subjects 'paving over' the Senju's property for more 'comfortable napping' and devouring their way through the Nara's cherished deer population, well any idiot can see I look very guilty indeed. '
' I said it before, I'll say it again. Better them than us and our side of the river. But seriously, this isn't my fault, how was I possibly to know any of this would occur? How was I to know that those disgusting Aburame bugs are considered a "delectable" delicacy by giant Moon Bears?
Daiki did swear on his life that the larvae are to die for, but I'll respectfully pass.
His work cut out for him, Madara sighs a long suffering sigh. "Why can't things be easy?"