My Soul Will Find Yours 61 A Man With A Roguish Face

"As you wish," he said after a while. "You'll have it first thing in the morning."

"Thank you. Goodnight," I replied, completely shutting him out.

He didn't say more and just kissed the back of my head. Soon, I was finally in dreamland.

~~~

True to his words, I saw my backpack on top of the drawer by the sliding door. I was still quite sleepy but since I was supposed to accompany him in the omote, I had to fix myself early. Last night, I realized that I would be needing my makeup to alter my features. Of course, since I am a woman, my face was feminine and soft. While looking at myself in the mirror and thinking of where I should highlight and contour, Kaname and Ryuko-san came into the room with my new clothes.

"We'll be leaving for the omote as soon as you're ready," he said. "You will be introduced as my new personal guard whose sole responsibility is to protect me overtly."

"A bodyguard?" I was surprised. "But don't you have some already?"

"Yes, but all of them are shadow guards. I became quite unpopular when I hired s.h.i.+n.o.bis to guard me when I was just starting out. The samurais and ninjas are like oil and water, they do not mix but I did not care," he gave his hair a quick brush with his fingers which reminded me of a cool and arrogant male lead in a drama. "Fortunately, the wagging tongues have ceased. The reason being that since becoming the shogun I have neither been hurt nor endangered because of them. I am a samurai myself, but I also acknowledge the fact that shadow guards are more effective."

"I might not be able to protect you well," I said rather nervously. "Are you sure about entrusting me with your life?"

"My beloved wife, it will only be for show," he grabbed my shoulders in a comforting gesture. "The shadow guards will still be following us around. I cannot think of any other way of explaining your presence in the castle so this will have to do. Besides, I know how capable you are. However, I want you to keep this in mind: if we do encounter a sticky situation, I want you to think of your own safety. Prioritize yourself."

"What?"

"I can take good care of myself. Of course, we will always ensure your safety first but I do not want you sacrificing your life for me. That is something I do not want to happen, do you understand?"

I lowered my lashes and didn't say anything. He's crazy to ask for such a thing!

"Hina, if you truly care about me then you should concentrate on keeping yourself well and safe. Taking care of one's self to put the other's mind and heart at ease, that is the highest form of affection to me. I'll be careful for you and vise versa."

I lifted my gaze to him and nodded my head, giving him my wordless promise.

~~~

Ryuko-san was oiling my tresses and pulling it into a queue. She told me that a traditional chonmage[1] features a shaved pate but the unconventional and tradition-breaking shogun that is my husband disliked the idea of being semi-bald and preferred keeping his hair perfect that it was no longer surprising that other men would do the same. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d is actually a trendsetter, I realized.

I was now dressed in a short black kimono and a pair of hakama in the same color, the trousers were a bit stiff as they were new. Finally, my hair was perfect and I could now work some makeup magic on my face. Ryuko-san stood beside me in awe as I transformed myself into a man with a roguish face.

"Is it obvious that I'm wearing cosmetics on my face?" I turned my face in different angles for her scrutiny.

"No, my lady," she shook her head, her eyes were alight with wonder. "Had I not witnessed your transformation, I would have been fooled and believed that you are indeed a man."

Ridiculously pleased with her honest words, I smirked. Her hands flew to her mouth before she let out an audible gasp.

"My lady, you can surely compete with the shogun in the looks department. If the other maids were here, they will be giggling like adolescents."

"Oh?" one of my brows raised as I contemplated this. "Then we should think of a way to visit them, I'd love to see their reactions."

A knock came on the door before Taneyuki-san went inside. His jaw dropped when he saw my face.

"M-my lady?" he sounded so unsure I almost laughed.

"Hai," I nodded my head slightly. "It is me, Taneyuki-san."

His mouth opened wider when he heard my voice, it wasn't perfect but it was enough to make me sound nothing like the woman I am.

"His lords.h.i.+p wishes to meet you in his study before you leave for the omote," he said as soon as he recovered. "Please follow me."

I gave Ryuko-san a little wave and followed Kaname's right hand. The nakoku was like a maze. It had several hallways and corridors that lead to another corridor, I made sure not to look around too much as I was afraid I might get left behind and end up getting lost. After what felt like ten minutes, we stopped by an imposing paper-lined shoji. When Kaname heard Taneyuki-san's knock, he immediately told us to enter.

Kaname was perusing a stack of doc.u.ments on his low working table with his brows bunched together in concentration. With a brush on his right hand, he wrote on some of the papers with urgency.

"Have the daimyos arrived?" he asked without looking up.

"They arrived at sunrise, my lord," Taneyuki-san replied. "They are currently being served tea by the servants."

"Mmm," he took a piece of round engraved gold which I later on learned was his personal seal then dipped it in a red pad of ink before pressing it on a doc.u.ment. "We leave as soon as I finish stamping these doc.u.ments."

"Yes, my lord."

"Did you inform my wife?"

"She is here with us, my lord, as per your request."

As soon as he heard his right hand's answer, Kaname looked up from his paperwork. His smile vanished when he saw the man walking towards him.

"You are?" his face crumpled into a frown as he studied me from head to foot and back.

"My lord," I must have surprised him by my positioning my knees on the floor because I swear I saw his hand automatically reach for his katana. I lowered my head in a respectful manner. "Allow this humble man to introduce himself. I am Jin Yang, your newest personal guard."

-------------------------------------------------

[1] j.a.panese traditional topknot haircut worn by men.