Entry tags:

weiss kreuz

The Road Towards Kamakura, part VII (Weiss Kreuz, Nagi/Mamoru)
Title: The Road Towards Kamakura
Fandom: Weiss Kreuz
Pairings: Nagi/Mamoru, Crawford/Schuldig, Mamoru/OFC, Nagi/OFC
Rating: R
Summary: In exile in a distant and unimportant post for his family's crimes, Mamoru builds himself a new life.
Word Count: 61000 words.
Author's Note: Thank you so much to toscas_kiss for beta-reading, and to puddingcat, for her wonderful illustrations! This is a sequel to Sailing to Hirugashima, a science-fiction AU in a space-opera setting. Like that story, it takes its title from place names important to the founding of the Kamakura shogunate.
Sections: I; II; III; IV; V; VI; VII




The following weeks were empty without Nagi. Time and again Mamoru found himself turning to tell him something, or expecting him to walk into the room. He rattled round his private rooms, depressed, wanting company and feeling unwilling to ask anyone to put up with him in such a mood. At last he shook as much of his misery from him as he could and went to the women's rooms. Yuriko showed him in and laid out a pretty tea service the women had brought with them. She smiled shyly at him every time he glanced in her direction, much to his dismay. He really had to dispose of her decently, he thought, and quickly.

"Thank you," he said. "You may go."

He watched the girl leave and hoped he hadn't offended his wife. He was unused to servants, and was very unsure as to what exactly Yuriko's status was. Shizuka might call her a friend but it was clear they were not in any way equals. No complaints were forthcoming, and he relaxed slightly. Shizuka poured tea for him and looked more cheerful than she had on other visits. Mamoru hoped she wouldn't say anything about Nagi's absence freeing up time to visit her.

"Mamoru-san," she said, when they had drunk two cups and were on their third. "I wanted to wait until I was sure – I'm pregnant."

Mamoru dredged up a smile. "What wonderful news," he said as sincerely as he could. "I'm so happy, Shizuka-san." It was about time, he reflected, still smiling. He must get that news to her father, somehow. Nakagawa's friendship might prove more stable if he knew his grandchild was safely the Takatori heir. "I hope you're feeling well – we must see about medical attention for you."

"I wish my father had sent some proper doctors with us," she said, condemning the Alliance and all its science with her tone.

"That would have been helpful," Mamoru said absently. He wondered if she would want to sleep with him now and found himself half-hoping she wouldn't, which was both a relief and annoying. He was tired of being alone at night, and tired of knowing he could not have the person he wanted. Still, he thought, Claudine would have her child in the next week or two, and would be happy to come to him as soon as she felt well enough. She as pleasant company, and if he had to sleep with anyone besides Nagi, at least he could talk to Claudine more than he could to Shizuka. He certainly wasn't going to sleep with his wife's companion, no matter how much the girl put herself in his way; two women were enough. He frowned in sudden deep displeasure at his own thoughts, thinking how he had disliked his grandfather's way of seeing other people as commodities to be used for good or ill. He had warned himself he must not fall into such a way of thinking. He'd survive till Nagi returned, he told himself virtuously. Loneliness wouldn't kill him.

"Mamoru-san?"

He smiled at her. "I was just thinking of my grandfather. Shizuka-san, your father has always been a friend of my family, you know he would not have given you to me if he felt I was a traitor, don't you?"

"If you were a traitor I should have expected to see your trial on a broadcast," she said. "And you would not have Psi-Corps friends."

"Yes," he said. "Did Hiroko-san mind?" he asked after a moment.

Shizuka poured him another cup, and looked as if she would retreat into ladylike silence. "Mother didn't want us to go," she said in a sudden rush. "She said you were in trouble, and that you weren't a real Takatori anyway." She bowed. "I'm sorry, Mamoru-san."

"It's all right," he said.

"Father said you were the sort of young man who might achieve things, and even if you never set foot in the empire again our family might do well to have a foothold in the diplomatic service," she said. "Mother said Hiroko-chan and I would die with you and the supposed family member you claimed was fit to marry into our family. I'm sure she would not have said anything like that about Nagi-san if she'd known more of him."

"I'm sure," Mamoru said.

"She had Father almost convinced when the officers came," she said. "She made us dress Yuriko and Tomoko in our clothes and jewellery, and we wore theirs and sat by ourselves. But the officers came right into our rooms and the lieutenant looked around - then he just pointed at us and said, 'Them.' Mother told him he was a fool and should be ashamed to intrude on decent ladies. When he made us go with them she hit him with a tray."

Mamoru laughed, deciding that he liked the sound of his mother-in-law. "You are really Nakagawa no Shizuka, aren't you?" he said, and laughed harder at her outraged expression. "Sorry," he snuffled into his hand. "I'm told my sense of humour is very silly."

"The officers told us Nagi-san was also in the Psi-Corps," she said with dignity. "Hiroko-chan and I discussed it during the journey. When she met Nagi-san she thought he didn't wear his uniform for the wedding as a sign he would only be a husband to her, and not a Psi-Corps officer." She smiled a little sadly, adding, "Though I think now it was simply to please you. Please ask Nagi-san to try to not let her know that. She doesn't mind, Mamoru-san, but she's very young, and had hoped for a husband that might love her."

Mamoru nodded. He supposed that having asked for frankness, he might as well say the rest of it. "He doesn't wish to harm her in any way, I'm sure. He's just unused to ladies' company. He spoke to her before he left – he's working for my good. I'm innocent of any crimes my family may have committed," he said, leaning forward. "I have to wonder if they did all that their enemies claimed. I was a very young man, confused by the events in which I was caught up, and I see now that it was a disgrace to stay here meekly, as if I agreed with the killers of my relatives. They've taunted me now, letting me see they kept my grandfather and niece as pieces to use against me, killing them to discomfit me. I'm going home, Shizuka-san. When it's safe I'll bring you back."

She said nothing, just looked at him, waiting for more.

"Our families are allies," he said. "Your son will be my heir."

"What if it's a girl?" she asked.

"If I'm successful, we'll have a son later," he said. "There'll be plenty of time. If I'm unsuccessful –" He took her hand, holding it tight. "Remember that you are part of my family now. If I'm killed, the entire Takatori family will be what remains here. It will be your duty to safeguard that, Shizuka-san. Go to the local authorities and ask for their protection. Have the family moved as far into the Alliance as possible, and raise the children - all the children – properly. Let them know who they are and what is rightfully theirs." He relinquished his hold on her fingers as she nodded. "I'll make sure that word reaches you to give you as much time as possible. If you want, I'll send you away now."

"No," she said. "We'll wait for news."

"Good," he said. "Thank you for the tea. Again, your news is wonderful. I'll let your father know." He stood before continuing, "All communications with your father must go through me. You are not to write to your parents without my permission while the current situation unfolds. That of course goes also for Hiroko-san and your companions." He bowed and left, hoping he would have the chance to see her child.

A week and a half later, Claudine had her third child, another boy. Mamoru wished more than ever for Nagi, thinking about his wicked humour and how he would find something to tease Mamoru over in the situation. On the day she was to come home he sat on the edge of her bed beside her, wishing the doctors and nurses hadn't stared at him when he'd come in, trying to calculate how best a family with so many young children could be easily moved to safety if necessary.

"I want him to be called Shuuichi, after my uncle," Mamoru said. "You haven't had any trouble with the medical staff this time, have you?"

No," she said. "They've been very polite."

"I'm glad you'll have been out of here before that could change," he said. "You've heard, I'm sure, that Shizuka-san is pregnant?"

"Yes," she said. "I'm very pleased for her."

"Do you have any more documents to sign? No? Then let's go."

They were back in the residency before he said anything else to her, taking her aside to speak quietly and seriously.

"Claudine-san," he said. "I'm so glad for the new child. You must listen to me now – I know there are rumours flying round about what might be happening. Nagi has gone to raise support for me. I'm going to try and retake my father's position." She looked shocked, as well she might, he thought. "There are risks, of course," he went on. "I hope to succeed, but if I don't –" He took a deep breath. "Please bear in mind that I need the support of Shizuka-san's father," he said. "If she has a son, he must be my heir. If she has a daughter and I die, then Hirofumi is my heir." She made a quiet sound, and he held up a hand to stop her speaking. "Claudine-san," he said. "This is important – if she has a girl, then whether or not you've heard anything about me, I want you to consider Hirofumi-kun as the heir. This is a secret, between you and me. In such circumstances you must do everything you can to protect the boys, from any and all who might harm them. Understand?"

She nodded. "You'd really make Hirofumi your heir?"

"Pray it doesn't come to that. He'll have a respected and vital role in the family – being the family head is nothing but a burden I wouldn't like to force on him. I know it has changed me, and not always for the better," Mamoru said. "It's something that may never come to pass, and if it happens at all, will most likely be only for a short while. Just – you know it's not because he's half-imperial," he said. "It's because I need Nakagawa." He felt relieved as she nodded. "I've given you so little choice, ever," he said. "I'm sorry."

"Please don't talk like the social workers, Mamoru-sama," she said firmly. "I am legally and personally capable of consent, and I consented to it all."

"These circumstances will be easier for us all, once we're home," he said, and kissed her forehead.

Home, he thought, seeing briefly his little flat, his ordinary, boring job. He smiled at Claudine and went back to his own rooms. There was no point being maudlin, and less in mourning a way of life he'd never have again. It was time to take up his heritage in full.

* * *


Schuldig came back first, grinning like an evil, fox-haired spirit.

"Takatori-sama, look what I've brought you," he said, his polite words negated by their tone and Schuldig's unpleasant expression. "Your very own monsters."

"Please don't refer to people in that fashion," Mamoru murmured, looking at the fifteen men and women who had come with Schuldig. "You're all welcome," he said as they bowed with varying degrees of grace and politeness. "If you are here, you know what it is I want of you, and I hope value what it is I wish to give you. Please rest, I know the journey here is long and tiring."

They left, quietly enough, though he caught some remarks about the size of the embassy and the planet's heat. Schuldig dropped down into a comfortable position on the floor and looked at him, cocky and smug.

"Telekinetics, like Nagi, a few telepaths, like me, one who can do things with electricity, a couple who can make fire from the air, one who can heal just about anything, if she gets her hands on you in time. All of them would like to be personnel rather than equipment."

"I'm sure they are in fact listed as personnel," Mamoru said, knowing he shouldn't give in to the irritation.

"Did you really fuck Nagi on your office desk?" Schuldig asked, his face as innocent as a child's.

"Get. Out," Mamoru said.

"Tsk. And I thought we were friends," Schuldig said in mock sorrow, unfolding himself and strolling off. He turned back at the doorway. "Oh, that's right," he said brightly. "It was the floor." He winked at Mamoru and left, laughing.

Mamoru shot to his feet and kicked the nearest piece of furniture in fury and frustration. Why did Schuldig have to be the first back? He'd go mad. He got control of himself and took a few moments to put the room back in order before seeking out Hayashi. At least he wouldn't have to endure insolence from him.

"Hayashi-san," he said abruptly on finding the man. "We have enough room for our guests, I think?"

"Yes, sir," Hayashi said. "Are they all Psi-Corps, Takatori-san?" he asked warily.

"As far as I know," Mamoru said. He gestured towards a chair, and sat as Hayashi did. "There must be rumours – Schuldig and Crawford's return here, their departure, Nagi has been gone for weeks, almost two and a half months, now. Schuldig has returned with these people, and is ruder than ever. Through it all I have been – preoccupied. What are people's theories?"

"That Lt Naoe – excuse me, Lt Takatori as he is now openly – has been recalled, that perhaps he is being replaced by either of his associates and that you – forgive me, sir – are suffering from a broken heart." He smiled a little, adding, "Though there is a less popular view that Nakagawa-sama or her sister may be slowly poisoning you due to jealousy over Lt Takatori."

"Such imaginations," Mamoru said. "I'm not a traitor, you believe that, don't you?"

"Lt Takatori says he considers you innocent," Hayashi said.

"He fabricated evidence against me to save my life," Mamoru said. "He did it out of fondness. My family's enemies wished to subvert the law to have me killed. They have since recently subverted the law to kill my elderly grandfather and my young niece. While I had assumed they had killed my grandfather when I was first arrested, I could see no way they could have legally convicted my niece who was then but a child of seven – nor can I see any legal basis for their execution of her in the last year as she approached her twelfth birthday." Hayashi looked horrified, both at his direct outburst and at his news. "Hayashi-san," he said, "I think it was because I married. They looked at me, out here, so far from anything and they saw a political threat. They killed my last relatives because I thought I was alone and was trying to rebuild my family." He paused. He didn't want to start crying in front of the man, he thought. "I'm not alone," he said after a moment. "I have Nagi, and I have Claudine and I have Shizuka. I have, I hope, the goodwill of the embassy staff. And I have the goodwill of certain officers of the Psi-Corps."

"Sir?" Hayashi said. "I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Please don't think you are the cause of it – persons like your enemies would not want to show mercy even to children. I know it's of little consolation, but please be assured you have the utmost goodwill of the entire staff."

Mamoru nodded. "It's wrong of me to stay here," he said. "I'm innocent and my family has been murdered. Hayashi-san, please bear witness that while I of course condemn any criminal acts my family may have been involved in, I now must wonder what the truth of that time was. Who knows if the real facts have been concealed, and my father and brothers made to take the blame for others' actions? I must find out the truth of the matter, and must rectify it. I want justice for any of my family wrongfully accused or harmed, and have the backing of Psi-Corps personnel in this. So, I regret that I must go –"

"Takatori-sama," Hayashi interrupted. "No! This isn't right, you should stay here and appeal for a review, you have no permission to leave your post."

"I know it's your concern for me that makes you say that," Mamoru said. "I very much appreciate all you've done for me, Hayashi-san. I'm sorry to add to your burden, but I must hand over my position to you. You are quite right that the embassy has no permission to leave. I must go nonetheless, and can only hope that I have not caused trouble for you with the development council of Alcmene. I'm also leaving my family in your care. Please ensure the safety of the women and children. I've told Shizuka-san and Claudine-san to seek asylum if I'm killed. Please help them do so."

"Sir," Hayashi said, sounding tired and old. "Don't do this. You're a young man, and you're seeking revenge, not justice. Stay here, submit an appeal for your case to be reviewed. Let justice take its course – it may be slow, but it will be better for you and your family."

"I won't sit here till I have grandchildren," Mamoru said. "I am the last son of Takatori no Reiji and I am the rightful heir to the governorship of the Hakucho system. I want my inheritance, and I want my enemies made powerless. I'm loyal to the state and the laws, Hayashi-san, but my enemies aren't. Should I wait till they send assassins here? No, I should not."

"Sir, please –"

"Please tell the staff, Hayashi-san," Mamoru said. "Tell them also that when I have succeeded I won't forget them. We've worked together for very nearly five years, and their friendship and diligence have never ceased to impress me. They can come home, once I have succeeded, if they like, and I will ensure they have careers that reflect their experience and abilities. Or they can seek another posting in the diplomatic service, and I will do my best for them in that. If they want to stay here, I'll help them with that as well. Please help them understand that I must go, but that I will never forget them."

"Yes, Takatori-sama," Hayashi said quietly. "Please do your best, and stay safe. We would all be very sorry to hear of misfortune befalling you."

Mamoru nodded, and left him. He felt oddly light, as if giving up his position had freed him of shackles he hadn't known he'd borne. There were people who would be sorry if he was killed, who didn't depend on him to protect them or their children, he thought, who just liked him. It made him feel better, and all the more determined to win.


* * *


In another three weeks Crawford returned, another twenty officers with him. Mamoru breathed a sigh of relief, for immediately he was no longer the brunt of Schuldig's spite and attention. He kept his astonishment off his face as Schuldig rocketed up from his seated position to fling himself into Crawford's embrace, kissing him in a manner as embarrassing to Mamoru as he supposed he and Nagi must have embarrassed his staff.

"Ambassador Takatori," Crawford said with a grin, fending off some of Schuldig's more intimate touches, "Will I bring in the forces I gathered?"

"Perhaps they'd like to rest first," Mamoru said. "I'm sure you are all quite tired. The trip down in the space elevator is uncomfortable and wearying enough just by itself." Schuldig was now trying to put his hands inside Crawford's uniform, Mamoru saw. He turned his head a little so he wouldn't have to watch.

"Thank you," Crawford said. "I'll leave you their details, you can meet them later." He handed the pad to Mamoru with a bow then left, an arm around Schuldig, who was all but skipping like a happy child.

Mamoru shook his head, and started reading. More telepaths, another few telekinetics – all noted by Crawford as less powerful than Nagi, he saw with sudden warm pride in Nagi's abilities – some empaths and another two healers. How was this ever going to be enough, he wondered?

Over the next days he waited. He made it clear to Crawford that the embassy staff were off-limits, as was the population of Alcmene. He let Hayashi deal with queries about the sudden influx of imperial visitors to the planet, and spent his time looking at the clip of the final moments of his grandfather and niece, and planning. He barely registered when people asked him to eat, or to sleep. The food lay too heavily in his stomach, sleep took up too much time.

It was a month later when the ships bearing Nagi and his forces arrived. Mamoru greeted them, promised them support in return for support and let them go to find food and rest, all the time looking at Nagi. Finally they were as alone as they would be for a while, facing each other, with a few Psi-Corps officers talking behind them.

"You made it back," Mamoru said. If he started smiling he'd split the skin of his face, he thought.

"I'll always make it back. You haven't been well."

"I'm all right," Mamoru shrugged. "I'm better, now you're here."

Nagi took him in a firm embrace, though not the kind that Crawford and Schuldig had performed. "You've lost weight," he murmured. "Have you been eating?"

"Now and then," Mamoru said. "It's been difficult this last while. Stressful. I'll eat with you if you like."

"Yes," Nagi said. "We can say hello properly later," he whispered. "Let me introduce the final member of our team," he said, stepping back. "Farfarello!"

The fair-haired man who came up to them was horribly scarred, one eye covered with a patch, faded red lines streaking across his face.

"This is Mamoru, my friend," Nagi said.

Mamoru felt his skin crawl under Farfarello's regard.

"Worth the price?" Farfarello said abruptly.

"Yes," Nagi said.

Farfarello made a non-committal sound, then inclined his head slightly before wheeling away back to Crawford and Schuldig.

"That was more positive than I'd expected," Nagi said. "He doesn't usually bother acknowledging that other people exist." He indicated a pretty woman standing close to his friends. "That's his wife. They both ruined their careers the moment they married – they didn't care, he said. I suppose he's changed his mind." Schuldig edged round in a way that made it clear the woman was being excluded from the conversation. "He knows better than to act like that with you," Nagi said, looking both irritated and amused at Schuldig's childish snubbing of the woman.

"That's because he likes actively tormenting me," Mamoru said.

"He knows better than to try to torment her. Farfarello wouldn't take it lightly."

"How long will they all be here?" Mamoru said, as quietly as he could.

"Crawford doesn't want to stay longer than necessary. He wants to take the next ship out – we'll go to wherever it's destined for, make the shortest number of hops to imperial space, and then we can requisition something fast," Nagi said. "We'll be home before you know it."

"Hiroko-san will have her baby soon," Mamoru said.

Nagi grimaced. "I'll see her," he promised. "But we're not waiting. She can name it, I don't mind."

"Make that sound nicer, when you see her," Mamoru said. "She's young - Shizuka-san is worried about her," he said as Nagi looked at him quizzically.

"All right, though we have more important things to worry about than sounding nice," Nagi said.

"Can we succeed?" Mamoru said. "Do we have enough?"

"Crawford says there are army and navy officers who still remember your family fondly. You know this – all you have to do is convince them you're worth following. We'll help you there. You'll get a lot of help automatically when people see us." He squeezed Mamoru's shoulder. "We will do our best, all of us. At the very least you'll see more of your enemies fall. Now, I'm very tired, and very glad to be with you again. Let's have some dinner, and let's sleep. All right? Just enough food so we don't wake up hungry in the middle of the night."

"You don't have to coax me like a child," Mamoru grumbled softly, glad Nagi cared enough to do so. "I'm glad you're back," he said, as they walked companionably to their private rooms.

There were people around, so Nagi did no more than allow his there-and-gone smile to flicker across his face, but Mamoru felt light pressure on his hand, as if fingers interlaced with his. He felt more at ease than he had for weeks.


* * *


They were ready to leave within days. The majority of Crawford's supporters had little more with them than the clothes they stood up in, and their terrible authority. Mamoru felt it incumbent upon him not to pack more than he absolutely needed and took more and more from his small bag till he had nothing but his seal and a change of clothes. Nagi took everything away from him and packed the bag again, warning him not to interfere with it.

The morning of their departure, Mamoru dressed slowly in his naval uniform. It had been made for him only a few weeks after he had been formally legitimised, his sole reminder of his inherited commission. He hadn't worn it since his arrival on Alcmene, he realised, and was relieved to find it still fit. It was even a little loose, and he knew Nagi was right, he'd lost more weight than was good. Still, his reflection looked respectable enough, like he really was a young officer. He shouldn't delay, he thought. He'd made all the goodbyes he needed to over the last day, all he needed to do now was to leave, though that was proving more difficult than he'd thought. It was far too late for second thoughts, he told himself. He had set his feet on this path months ago – Crawford and Schuldig had started guiding him in this direction years ago – all he had to do was walk it to the end. He would at least not be alone.

"Ready?" Nagi said.

Mamoru nodded.

"Don't be worried," Nagi said. "I'll be beside you, you won't get rid of me again." He pulled Mamoru into a hug, strong and warm. "Never doubt my loyalty," he said.

"I never have," Mamoru said. "Or only when I was being stupid. I trusted you at the start, I trust you now."

"I've always loved you," Nagi said, touching his cheek. He stepped back, smiling. "That's enough of that. Come on."

He led the way to the largest of the reception rooms, entering a step ahead of Mamoru, then stepping back to allow him to face the assembled officers. Mamoru looked out at the ranks of black-clad men and women, some imperials, mostly not and thought of the changes in his life, and how he was about to bring change sweeping down both on those who deserved it and on those who didn't. He waited a moment longer; they all knew what he must say, but he still needed to say it.

"I am Takatori no Mamoru," he said. "I am the son of Takatori no Reiji, and seek justice for my family. As justice is in short supply, both for those facing enemies who corrupt the laws and for those whose lifelong support of those laws is made little of, I say reform is needed. I say that I, with your help, will bring about that reform. Do I have your aid?"

They shouted out in acclamation and bowed, a neat uniform action that made him abruptly realise in truth that he had a military force, small though it currently was. He caught Nagi's eye and smiled as Nagi grinned, broad and wicked, and bowed low. Mamoru faced his tiny army and felt a bubble of elation as they yelled his name and bowed again and again.

It was time to go home.