OiRanze | Epilogue

Once they had reached the end of the Oushuu Kaido, travel slowed down significantly. Ranze had found herself having to negotiate to perform at local inns as a way of saving money, and hoping tips helped them make a little more (there had been a few performances as Ranmaru as well, but small towns grew more excited for a mysterious looking female performer than a male one, which mean better tips). Most inns also asked them to stay a week or two, after Ranze’s first performance, to try to give time for word of mouth to spread and earn them a bit more revenue. Sometimes Asa would sing as well, though she was generally shyer about the crowds and busy trying to learn her kanji.

Ranze also chose to drift off the direct route home, just in case any of Muraji’s now ronin guards had found out where her home was and decided to hurry north. All in all, it meant that months had passed and the first snows were falling in the mountain town the pair had ended up in when Ranze had decided it was time to head home.

The weather wasn’t the only thing changing though. To Ranze’s thrill, and relief due to the uncertainty she’d had over it being possible, Asa was now a few months pregnant. Not that you would know it with how easily she strolled along the mountain roads that wound their way to Ranze’s home village.

“I wonder if your magical conception via a spring is what has you handling pregnancy so well?” Ranze asked as she took a break to gather her breath as they reached the top of another hill.

She knew these hills, at least. So there wasn't too much walking and climbing left.

“If we were climbing real mountains I would be tired,” Asa replied. “The air is still thick here too. Very easy to breath. Maybe you are more tired because you usually do these walks as a man?”

“I think everything crosses over,” Ranze replied. “Besides, I want to see my mother with this face. I was always more of a daughter than a son to—”

Ranze and Asa both turned. That was the sound of horses thundering up the road from behind them. There was some dust being kicked up. The sound and dust left Ranze confident it was no more than a few horses, but even a lone samurai or bandit would be a threat if he felt like it. The pair both hurried off the road, ducking into the nearby forest just a little.

It turned out to be a pair of horses that galloped past, each carrying a samurai flying the Sakai family banner. While the men weren’t in armour their zukin hoods and thick haori left them still well covered and gave Ranze no chance to guess if she might know them.

“Woah! Woah!” one of the men called out, bringing his horse to a halt.

The other samurai took a moment to notice, but stopped quickly enough as the first had turned and was leading his horse back to where Ranze and Asa stood.

Ranze felt her heart quickening with fear, not sure what this man might think of two women travelling alone. She and Asa could run into the forest and hope for the best, if the men proved hostile, but... she wasn’t sure how well that would work.

Silently she cursed the price of katana, and how she’d failed to save enough to buy one.

“Are you women travelling alone?” the closer samurai asked, staying at a shouting distance.

Ranze felt sure she knew that voice... it didn’t quite like Yoshikiba though, and she couldn’t think of any other Sakai clan men she’d known.

“My mother lives in the village just down the road,” Ranze replied, deciding the man’s distance was meant to be reassuring and hoping for the best. “I want no trouble, just to see her again.”

“You’ve got a good eye,” the second samurai said as he rode up beside the first. “I didn’t even see those two.”

“You get too focused sometimes, Yoshikiba,” the first samurai replied.

“Y-Yoshikiba?” Ranze gasped, stepping out from the woods and pulling down her own hood. “Is that really you?”

“Ranze!?” the first samurai asked, hopping down from his horse and hurrying over to her.

She was confused a moment as he ran over, until he got close enough she could properly make out his face despite the hood. Those were soft brown eyes she knew well... but eyes that should belong to a ghost, not a living man. He’d hugged her before she’d had a chance to properly process what she’d seen.

“I never thought I’d see you again,” Kikunosuke said softly as he finally broke the hug and pulled down his hood. “I... I think you’re more beautiful than I remembered.”

Ranze could only stare in confusion, not sure if she felt happy or angry or...

“How are you... You... the letter said you’d died,” Ranze whispered.

“Father was being a pessimist,” Yoshikiba said, having rode up a little closer. “Sure, Kikunosuke wasn’t in a good way, but he shouldn’t have written the letter like he was already dead.”

Kikunosuke shook his head a little before turning to Yoshikiba. “I was on the edge of floating across the Sanzu river when you found me on the battlefield, Yoshi. It was only your stubborn determination to keep treating me after the doctors called me a goner that kept me in this world. I think your father had every right to be a pessimist.”

Yoshikiba let out a huff, but didn’t argue in any audible way.

Kikunosuke then turned back to Ranze, brushing her hair and giving her one of those soft smiles she’d been so in love with. His eyes, too, were filled with a love that made her feel guilty. “Where did you and my sisters end up though? I... well, I’ve asked your mother many times, but I’m fairly certain she sees me as a traitor, joining the Sakai family after the battle... she always mutters that I was supposed to be dead.”

“I don’t think it’s you she’s hating. I think it’s herself,” Ranze replied, trying to ignore the way he was looking at her. “She... well, we ended up in Yoshiwara. If she’d known you were alive I’m sure she would have never sent us.”

“Yoshiwara...” Kikunosuke muttered.

“And then you and your friend... are you both escaped yujo?” Yoshikiba asked, hopping down from his horse.

Asa, who’d cautiously stepped out from the woods a few moments earlier, hurried over to Ranze’s side, wrapping an arm around Ranze’s right arm. “Ranze is not ‘escaped’. She paid off her contract. I was not in Yoshiwara. She met me outside and I am now her wife.”

That news brought Kikunosuke back to the world. “Wife? I... huh. You’re her... you’re a very lucky woman, miss...?”

“Ah, this is Asa,” Ranze said. “Asa, this is Kikunosuke. He’s... well, he was the man I had been supposed to marry before we thought he died.”

“I thought you would be more surprised,” Asa said, leaning towards Kikunosuke.

Kikunosuke laughed at that, though it sounded a little hollow. “During the sieges of Osaka I had to deal with Ranze’s father insisting Ranmaru was enough of a man to deserve at least a concubine, if not a full wife, almost every week. As well, before I properly asked to marry her, there were plenty of times a cute girl distracted her.”

Ranze felt her cheeks growing hot. “Teenagers don’t always have the best focus...”

She tried to ignore the questioning look in his eyes. She couldn’t escape the feeling that he wondered what opportunities were still open for him...

“It’s a lovely conversation and all,” Yoshikiba said, “but don’t you think we should all get travelling again? It’s rather cold, and I know I’d prefer to talk somewhere with a fire.”

“Ah, that’s true,” Kikunosuke said. “I just got so caught up in the moment... Mrs. Mei, would you like a ride on my horse?”

Asa blinked. “You mean me? I thought you would try to ride with Ranze.”

“That is why I am offering to you. I want there to be no awkwardness between us. Besides, anyone who can win Ranze’s heart is someone I would like to be friends with,” Kikunosuke replied. His smile was just a little too wide, but Ranze could tell he was trying his best to be polite.

Asa nodded in acceptance and followed Kikunosuke over to his horse. Ranze helped her up, before warning Kikunosuke not to ride too fast, due to Asa’s condition.

“Pregnant? She’s... and it’s yours?” Kikunosuke asked, at last wearing the face of surprise Asa had apparently been expecting earlier.

“Unless something supernatural has happened,” Ranze replied as she hopped onto Yoshikiba’s horse.

“Something supernatural did happen,” Yoshikiba quipped. “Your ability to turn into a man isn’t normal.”

“Okay, something else supernatural,” Ranze amended with a laugh.

The rest of the ride home involved catching up on everything that had happened to Kikunosuke’s sisters. Learning that Fuji had slid further into that calculating mindset she first showed when her mother had died had disappointed Kikunosuke, though he was glad to hear she’d begun cracking out of it just before Ranze had left. That she had also fallen for a woman had been a surprise to both Kikunosuke and Yoshikiba.

Kikunosuke was quite excited to learn he was an uncle, and how Saki had a second child on the way. Explaining how Tousui had ended up marrying her had spiralled into a full explanation of how Ranze had found herself working in both forms. That explanation had wrapped up just as they started to reach the edge of town.

“Huh,” Yoshikiba commented. “If we’d actually gone to Yoshiwara one of those times we’d gone to Edo... I probably would have found you.”

“You two have been to Edo?” Ranze asked.

“Mhm. A few times,” Kikunosuke said. “The north is still quite full of wild Yokai and Oni. The Tokugawa clan have apparently decided that could be a threat to the peace of their Shogunate and so often send us fresh recruits to help stamp out troublesome beings.”

“I think it’s mostly a way to keep men who would otherwise be ronin busy,” Yoshikiba muttered. “We could use you though, Mei. So many yokai can charm men with ease. You might be immune to that.”

“I’m not so sure,” Ranze muttered. Her mind then flashed back to the feeling of desperation and disgust that had overwhelmed her when she’d fought Muraji. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for fighting like that either...”

“You were injured, tired, alone and unarmed,” Asa said, having apparently noticed Ranze shrinking into herself. “This would be very different.”

“Different from what?” Kikunosuke asked, worry in his eyes.

“I... I’d rather not talk about it. Not today at least. Today should be happy,” Ranze muttered.

Kikunosuke gave a slow and reluctant nod. Things went silent after that, but, thankfully, the shrine was only a short distance further. The group dismounted, Kikunosuke and Yoshikiba tying up their horses before they all headed in towards the proper shrine complex.

Not seeing anyone immediately, the group washed at the well quickly, Asa needing a quick reminder of the order. Then they headed towards one of the side buildings, Kikunosuke leading the way. The building was new, if rather small. When Kikunosuke stepped aside after arriving Ranze realised it was her place to knock, to ensure that they’d actually be allowed in.

Once she’d knocked it was only a moment before the door slid open a crack, revealing her mother’s face. Her hair was greyer than Ranze remembered, and her eyes looked older and more tired... though the latter trait seemed to almost melt away as she registered Ranze’s face.

“Hi mom. I hope you don’t mind me showing up unannounced.”

“Ranze...” her mother muttered before stepping forward and pulling her into a hug. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again. The rumours about how they tightened the rules down in Edo after you arrived...”

“Well, I’m back home now,” Ranze replied as she returned her mother’s hug.

The pair stood in a quiet embrace for a few moments, before her mother finally broke the hug, keeping her hands on Ranze’s shoulders and giving her a once over.

“You’re truly a proper young woman now,” her mother said. “You’re healthy, right?”

“As far as I know,” Ranze replied.

Her mother nodded, before her eyes drifted a little. “Kikuhiko! You... well, I suppose this saves me having to bring her to see you. Are you the reason she’s home?”

“We just bumped into the two of them a little outside the village,” Kikunosuke replied, indicating to Asa.

Her mother nodded. “Just two women... I’ll take it that means there’s no man in your life?”

“I’m in my life,” Ranze replied in mild protest.

“You know what I mean,” her mother chided. “I’m sure Kikuhiko has already told you that he’s still not married, so—”

“Mother,” Ranze interrupted, before reaching over to bring Asa to her side. “I would like you to meet Asa. As well as to know you have a grandchild on the way.”

“A grandchild?” her mother whispered, seeming to lose track of any other thoughts.

“I am still some months from the birth,” Asa said. “It is exciting not to know if the child will be a boy or a girl.”

“Exciting? Isn’t that normal?” Kikunosuke asked.

“Not where I am from,” Asa replied.

“Not where...” Kikunosuke muttered, then turned to Ranze’s mother. “Do you mind if Yoshikiba and I stay for dinner? Apparently we received rather less of the story than we thought.”

“She’s... oh my. My little girl is going to be a father,” Ranze’s mother muttered, before shaking her head. “I... yes. Do come in. I... I should make up for all I’ve done.”

-b-

The meal went well, Ranmaru explaining more of what had happened to everyone once the rice and saké had started flowing. Asa likewise explained a bit about her people, confusing (but interesting) all the guests. Aunt Ai, the miko Yuri, and the new priest had joined them part way, the small meal becoming a proper feast and party. Everyone was quite enthralled with Asa’s tales of how her people had had children via a magical spring of pregnancy, when Ranmaru felt a tug on his sleeve. Glancing over, Yoshikiba gave a quick gesture for them to head outside and Ranmaru complied.

The air was rather chilly, though Ranmaru had to admit to being warm with the sense of being home and so only vaguely noticed it.

“I know you have Asa,” Yoshikiba muttered, once they were out of earshot of the building. “But... Kikunosuke... He’s definitely still in love with you on some level.”

Ranmaru nodded. “I could see it in his eyes.”

“May I ask your intentions?” Yoshikiba asked.

“My intentions are to care for my wife and, when born, my child as well,” Ranmaru replied. “I thought Kikunosuke was dead. I mourned him, I came to acceptance, and I fell in love again. It hurts to see him still look at me that way, but my love for him is a memory. My love for Asa is truly alive in my heart.”

Yoshikiba was silent a while, making Ranmaru worried he’d chosen the wrong answer. Then, at last, the young samurai turned to him with a smile. “I’ll talk to my father about getting you a job with the family.”

“I... thank you,” Ranmaru replied with a bow.

“Now, come on, let’s go back to your party,” Yoshikiba said, trying to dismiss his earlier serious tone.

Ranmaru smiled and followed after him.

-b-

Life back home felt comforting. The winter had passed peacefully, Ranmaru sliding back into daily kenjutsu training with Kikunosuke and Yoshikiba. He’d fallen behind them both far more than he liked admitting, though he supposed there was no shame in it with how different their lives had been.

Then, each night, Ranze would spend time with Asa, studying her language and culture. The pair did their best to transcribe her language into the Japanese writing systems, as Asa’s own language lacked a full writing system. The miko had also grown quite interested in studying the language and customs.

Of course, the peaceful winter was ended by a rather dramatic spring when Asa’s pregnancy reached the 9th month. It was the expected result, but still a significant event.

The birth had Ranmaru on edge, watching nervously as the midwife treated Asa. Seeing the struggle Asa had gone through wracked him with guilt. He wasn’t supposed to put someone else through that pain. He felt vaguely as if he was betraying his womanhood to cause it... Another scream, as Asa no doubt gave another push, made him jump.

A hand on his shoulder helped him calm a little.

“She’s strong. She’ll make it,” aunt Ai said calmly.

“I have confidence in her,” Ranmaru muttered. “It’s just... it’s not how I expected any of my children to be born, so I feel like I’m not doing enough. But there’s nothing else I can do...”

“Ah... that—” his aunt began, until a new cry cut her off.

It was strong, especially for a newborn. Ranmaru turned, rushing over to Asa’s side as the midwife quickly washed the child and then passed the child over to her.

“It’s a boy... at least for now,” the woman said, sounding tired enough he couldn’t read any further emotion.

Ranmaru gave the woman an awkward smile as he sat down beside Asa.

“He has your hair,” she muttered, leaning against Ranmaru as he steady her and the baby.

“A surprising amount of it,” Ranmaru replied, running a finger through the young infant’s silver-white hair.

“So much for my promise,” Asa whispered, resting more of her weight against him.

“Oh?” Ranmaru asked.

“I have already given my love to him,” Asa replied, bouncing the tiny infant a little.

Ranmaru smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “Well, let’s hope he ends up like me then, when he finally eats solid food.”

Asa pouted a little in response. “I was ready to break it for you. I am fine with breaking it for him.”