CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

Iname was positioned in a coffin that was laid in the living room.

There a number of Officials and Courtiers had turned up for the event entirely dressed in white and black as they grieved Umako's loss.

A number of people were sympathizing with him and at that very moment, everyone was in silence as they watched Umako walking up to his father's body part of it still exposed while the rest of him was wrapped within pure linen and adorned with garlands of many colourful flowers.

The mood was already sombre and in the silence that captivated the entire room, there was a very loud thud that followed the very moment that the doors that had sealed the room were flung open.

Everyone alarmed at the sound turned around and faced in the direction of the noise and then like a shadow that was cast darkening the path, another guest arrived in a beautiful white and black garment.

Umako whose attention was with the other officials turned around to see who the guest was when suddenly as they spectated, there was another sound similar to the first that came from the door that was on the other end of the building.

A number of gazes shifted into that direction as well and another guest dressed just like the first walked in.

"Your Highness." The people bowed in all directions as the two grievers walked up to the deceased's coffin and there they halted as they looked at each other in the eye.

"Your Highness." Empress Ishi Hime said as she stared at Princess Toyomike.

"Yes?" Princess Toyomike replied as she stared at the Empress just the same.

The two wearing very serious expressions at that very moment bowed their heads in respect for each other as the Empress had the Crown Princess right behind her while Princess Toyomike had both the Emperor's Consorts Katashishime and her sister Ōane no Kimi.

Umako looked at the two antagonistic parties keenly.

"What are they doing?" A few of the people murmured amongst themselves while Umako halted eager to see what the two were going to do.

Empress Ishi Hime bent over and picked up a few funeral talismans and then she lifted them over the fire where she cast them.

After she put her hands together and there she prayed.

"As Buddha was enlightened to show us the path, we follow to his will and hope that our souls reunite with him as we find our rest in eternal Nirvana." Empress Ishi Hime said.

Princess Toyomike lifted up the talismans on the other side and then she placed them into the fire as well and humbling herself she made a small prayer.

"Just as the Earth is filled with beasts and monsters that make our life ordurous Buddha was enlightened to give us the way through which above them all we shall seek our eternal truimph." She said.

"Where in heaven and in Earth are these treacherous monsters?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Amongst us, they walk with us and they live with us, without reserve, without remorse, they deprive us of those we cherish and this nation of the talents that strengthen it." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Your Highnesses." Umako said as he stepped into the Arena of the two women and bowed to the both of them.

"We have your teachings at heart." He added as he smiled.

"Thank you." The two of them said in unison.

"As the nation remembers my father for the very wise, diligent, strong willed and great man that he was, my heart is filled with nothing but remorse that he couldn't be with us any longer." Umako said in a very sombre note.

The mood already sad became worse as the people inside started to sympathise with him.

"In the times of Emperor Senka and with the current Emperor himself, Iname bore a grandiose vision with himself which has constituted his greatest legacy.

He was like a father to this country, he was a favorite of the people, he was beloved by the Courtiers and above all his warmest embrace he bestowed upon us as his children.

In war, fathers bury their sons but in peace, it is we sons that bury our own fathers, on this day we won't just mourn his departure but we shall rather celebrate his legacy, a legacy that I promise to each and everyone of you here I shall uphold as his son." Umako said.

Everyone of the people that were inside the most being Soga Officials and Courtiers went down on their knees while the Empress watched in awe.

She turned to look at Princess Toyomike who standing in their midst was indirectly being heralded.

The Empress had a fearful that had overwhelmed her as she looked at the Princess who was every inch so determined even in her gaze.

A while later, everything in the room had settled down and Princess Toyomike walked up to her Uncle Umako.

Tapping him on his left shoulder, he was forced to turn around and see who it was.

"Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head.

"I wish that the both of us could talk." Princess Toyomike said.

"This way." Umako replied as he led her outside they stood at the balcony that overlooked the flower garden that Iname had put in place when he was alive.

"The view here is quite magnificent." Princess Toyomike said.

"You know very well that father was an avid florist when he was still alive." Umako replied.

"He really must have cared so much about this garden." Princess Toyomike said.

"He cherished it as though it were a child to him." Umako remarked.

"That passion and undying nature of his is eternal even at a time like this when his soul is departed from us all." Princess Toyomike said.

"What do you want your Highness?" Umako asked.

"The same thing that you want." Princess Toyomike replied.

"And what is that?" Umako asked. "Vengeance?" He added.

"That is but a small fraction of what can give us satiety, I want power, authority and dominion in my hands and in so doing I hope to make of this Nippon the paradise that all other Courtiers have tarnished." Princess Toyomike replied.

"And exactly how do you plan to do that?" Umako asked.

"We women might look weak but even we are ambitious, I have grown up around father and the Empress and everything that she has done to suppress me has made me envious of her power." Princess Toyomike replied.

"So my father was right to think that you were the perfect contender for Empress Ishi Hime." Umako said.

"My wildest dreams can not match up to any of your thoughts and now that my Grandfather is gone with her ruling the inner Court and herself being backed up by a clique of Courtiers her power has become immense." Princess Toyomike said.

"Is it to your displeasure?" Umako asked.

"I trust that the same goes for you as well." Princess Toyomike said.

"Why would I support you?" Umako asked.

"Because you know that with everything that has happened today the Empress is afraid if me." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Is that all?" Umako asked.

"You understand the signs that pointed towards my birth before I was even received into this world." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Are you done?" Umako asked.

"After your father has been laid to rest what do you think will happen to his position?" Princess Toyomike asked and Umako kept quiet.

"You know better than anyone else." Umako said.

"Automatically you can not become the Imperial Chieftain without rallying the support of the other Courtiers and considering the fact that decades ago we chose to embrace the foreign religion we in the end became enemies to the order of the others.

I can only imagine that in less than a week they intend to fill the political vacuum that your father has left behind and what do you think is going to happen when to try and compare with Moriya your most likely candidate they deem to it to be unfeasible." Princess Toyomike replied

"And you know very well that I shall compete?" Umako said.

"You are angry and so am I but in that court you can never become powerful unless you have someone in the inner court to support you." Princess Toyomike said.

"There is Your mother and there is your Aunt." Umako said.

"You could underestimate me because I was never a son and also because I am very young but one thing is for sure that today your father is gone, tomorrow the Emperor shall follow and also the Empress.

As other Courtiers obsessed over the old regime they couldn't look at the future and in the end when the Crown Prince rises in your favour and the Crown Princess becomes the Empress many shall try to curry favour with her.

Worse if the Empress is still alive and she becomes a dowager she shall have become the most senior member of the Imperial family." Princess Toyomike replied.

"And why do you think that you still have a chance against her?" Umako asked.

"Consider it a bargain, everyone in Nara knows that I command the will of heaven and I am the Crown Prince's favourite, you know very well what that means." Princess Toyomike said.

"When the Crown Prince becomes Emperor you'll be just as powerful?" Umako asked.

"Do you doubt that?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"Can you prove it?" Umako asked.

"Forfeit your desire for the position of the Imperial Chieftain for the time being." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Why would I do that?" Umako asked.

"Patience itself is a virtue, I too would be confident that I could beat the Empress in a day but everything needs to be handled when the time is right." Princess Toyomike said.

"Are you not afraid of the Empress?" Umako asked.

"You aren't afraid of her either so why should I be?" Princess Toyomike replied.

"There is nothing that lasts forever and at this moment you and I know the policy of the Empress I'm running the inner court and that is through putting fear in all those that could oppose her." She added.

"Knowing is insufficient, what do you plan to do about that?" Umako asked.

"Where she is unpopular and she has used fear to consolidate her power I would rather choose to win the Imperial Consorts' hearts and additionally establish a clique of my own.

I want to enter an allegiance with all the sons of the Ministers in her service and divide them all from within.

I intend to turn them all against one another and as the saying goes that once the anthill falls then the termites will scatter I'll do the same to the Empress.

By now you should have realized that on your own you are weak and you can't stand a Chance against the Empress and similarly, in the whole inner court I am the only one courageous enough to contend with her.

In the end because she is a common enemy to the both of us whether you like it, allegiance with me is your only choice.

When what we want has been achieved then I shall let you go and we'll both live separately." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Why don't you think that I can't join the Empress?" Umako asked.

"Go ahead of you feel like." Princess Toyomike said, "She'll always suspect you for avenging your father given that she knows that you know that she is the real culprit behind that ploy.

No amount of devotion shall ever open her eyes and make her see you for a servant that is loyal eventually she shall stagnate you in power until you can not move and when she feels that you are of no more use to her then she'll kill you like she did to your father.

"Throughout that time I am certain you shall regret dying without having buried that woman with your own hands." Princess Toyomike replied.

"What should I do Your Highness?" Umako asked, "it seems that you are more enlightened when it comes to matters such as these." He added.

"I want to make your people my people, to make your followers my followers and to make your warriors my warriors." Princess Toyomike replied.

Umako kept quiet.

"You can think about it and give me your answer before Grandfather's funeral ends." Princess Toyomike added as she touched her uncle on his right shoulder and then she turned around and left him on the balcony alone.

Umako thought about it for a while before he turned around to look at the young Princess as she walked out of the manor and vanished from his sight.

Princess Toyomike stood at the balcony of the Imperial Palace and there she watched as Iname's procession passed by.

His coffin was being escorted by a very large entourage of mourners from the Soga household.

They were all led by Iname who stood behind the coffins as well as the other Courtiers of the Soga clan at both the High and the lower levels of administration.

Princess Toyomike watched and with her mother and aunt nearby, they supported her as she also played the comforter to them.

The Emperor from his side of the Palace also stood as well with Sato right next to him and he noticed the casket bearing Iname's body being pulled with it's top being covered by a white crape.

He was so grief striken and with a simple sight of it, his heart grew weak and he felt quiet dizzy that Sato noticed the change immediately.

"Your Majesty." He said as he walked over to him and the Emperor briefly lost his stamina and nearly fainted but Sato held him up and supported him.

"Do not be dismayed Your Majesty." Sato said, "for Nippon you must stay strong." He added as the Emperor seemed to regain his equilibrium but he still mourned.

"Alas Iname just like that is gone, I am only reminded that he is waiting on the other side to receive me as I too have grown old one day it shall be my very corpse that shall be paraded through those streets." The Emperor said.

"With the birth of life we embrace with joyful hands, even on the wings of death let us not be selfish but kind to send away with a satisfied heart." Sato said.

"INAME, MY INAME, WHEN I REFLECT ON YOU I SHALL CERTAINLY GRIEVE WITHOUT RESERVE AS I GIVE YOU MY RESPECT." The Emperor said.

"All father's with their sons, friends with their brothers and teachers with their proteges, it must have been no different between Your Majesty and him." Sato said.

"You are right." The Emperor affirmed as he slowly watched the coffin vanish from his sight.

Empress Ishi Hime stood right on top of the palace wall and there she watched as the coffin by passed her from below.

"Good riddance." She said, "I never thought that at last this day would dawn when I have to savour my victory at the sight of your corpse while you concede victory as you merge with your grave." Empress Ishi Hime said with a ghastly smile on her face but her expression was failing to be entirely a cheerful one.

"Tou needn't obsess over watching his coffin Your Highness." Another voice said but she didn't seem to alter her posture.

"What is it that was so special about him?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"In the end even when you were unwilling to give him your heart he still loved you." The High Priestess replied as she stood closer to the Empress.

"All my life I had promised that I would do whatever it takes to make myself happy." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"We're all human, it's natural that our hearts fall in love." The High Priestess said.

"Love is an illusion that is very fatal, the only thing that we humans cherish the most and we politicians let rule our hearts is obsession, with power and all authority, that's the only way that we keep living in this world." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"You did what you had to." The High Priestess said.

"I did what I must." Empress Ishi Hime replied as she watched the coffin vanishing from sight slowly that she turned around and looked behind.

"It's almost time." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Yes Your Highness." The High Priestess replied.

"After tomorrow we are going to do what we had planned all this time." Empress Ishi Hime said as she walked away.

The High Priestess still standing there looked in the direction of the coffin which was slowly partly exposed and at that moment she couldn't help it but feel uneasy herself.

The Procession around Nara had ended and Umako was seated in his room as he recalled the words that Princess Toyomike had told him.

"What do you want your Highness?" Umako had asked.

"The same thing that you want." Princess Toyomike had replied.

"Automatically you can not become the Imperial Chieftain without rallying the support of the other Courtiers and considering the fact that decades ago we chose to embrace the foreign religion we in the end became enemies to the order of the others." She'd went on ahead to say.

"I want to make your people my people, to make your followers my followers and to make your warriors my warriors." Princess Toyomike had asked and Umako sighed as he smacked his hand on the table.

"Father, I am not like you, you trusted the Princess so much on your side but as for me I am very reluctant." Umako whispered to himself.

At that point, the doors to his room were flung open and Shizu walked in.

"Your Excellency." Shizu said as he bowed his head.

"I need to be alone." Umako said.

"It's urgent Your Excellency." Shizu pleaded.

"I said I need to be alone." Umako raised his voice but Shizu still persistent only pulled out an envelope and showed it to him.

Umako's anger seemed to cease.

"What is that?" He asked.

"These were His Excellency's last injunctions and I was supposed to see to it that I give them to you when he died.

He'd known for a while that he couldn't live for long in this world and he wanted that even before he could go to the Netherworld at least it would be when he has done something to protect you." Shizu replied.

Umako's rage simmered down as he stretched out his hand to Shizu who handed over the envelope to him.

Opening the envelope, He pulled out a very large piece of paper which he unfolded first to see the calligraphy that was inside.

It was in deed his father's and he'd seemed to have invested a lot of strength in writing very well and such a very long Volume of characters.

Umako let his eyes go through the injunctions.

MY DEAREST SON, THE FLESH OF MY OWN, ALL THERE IS THAT I HAVE LEFT IN THIS WORLD IS YOU AND YOUR SISTERS.

NO ONE HAD EVER IMAGINED THAT THINGS COULD COME TO THIS HOWEVER MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE I AM MOST CERTAIN THAT THE TIME I HAVE LEFT IN THIS WORLD IS VERY LITTLE.

I RAISED YOU AND NURTURED YOU ABD NOW THAT I AM NOT WITH YOU VERY MANY SHALL LOOK UP TO YOU.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BURDEN IS TOO HEAVY BUT YOU ABOVE ALL PEOPLE I TRUST ARE IN THE POSITION TO BEAR IT, LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY TO YOU AND WHEN YOU DO NOT THEN THE TROUBLE AND THE DISASTER THAT SHALL FOLLOW WILL BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

PROTECT EACH AND EVERYONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT FOLLOWED ME AND FROM NOW ON THEIR FAMILIES ARE YOURS, NEVER AGGRESS THE EMPEROR BUT LEAN ON HIS MERCIES TO SERVE HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY AND ON HIS SIDE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SHOW HIM THAT YOU'LL ALWAYS BE.

YOU HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE IMPERIAL PRINCESS TOYOMIKE BUT EVEN IF IT US UNWILLINGLY SUBMIT TO HER BECAUSE IN THE INNER COURT SHE SHALL ALWAYS BE THE ONLY WOMAN THAT IS CAPABLE OF PROTECTING YOU.

NEVER STOP FIGHTING UNTIL ABOVE ALL THE NOBLE CONSORTS OF THE CROWN PRINCE, SHE BECOMES THE EMPRESS OF THIS LAND.

THE LAST THAT I CAN GIVE YOU IS AN ORDER FOR THE PEACE OF OUR PEOPLE AND FOR THE DOMINION OF OUR CLAN, THREE GENERATIONS FROM ME, STRIVE TO SEE TO IT THAT IT IS THE CHILD OF A SOGA MOTHER THAT SITS ON THE CHRYSANTHEMUM THRONE AS IT WAS IN THE GLORIOUS REVELATION OF OURS.

Umako folded the paper as Shizu looked at him.

"Your Excellency?" He said as he watched Umako putting the paper back into the envelope.

"I understand what I must do but how easy does father think that I shall make the Imperial Princess Toyomike Empress Consort of the realm?" Umako asked.

"There is always a way your Excellency." Shizu replied.

"It isn't as easy as you think." Umako said.

"It could be given that she is the Crown Prince's favourite." Shizu said.

"Throughout History, the most fatal political disasters in a country have been because of Emperor's favorites.

On top of that the Emperor's passions are not enough for her to become an Empress." Umako said.

"In most cases when there are candidates that are running for the throne of Empress the Courtiers tend to consider their morality and Beauty." Shizu said.

"You forget that more than half of the Courtiers are corrupted and the Empress ruling from behind the curtain practically all creation bows to her will and bends according to it.

Once she gives her support to The Crown Princess then she'll without a doubt become the Empress of her son as other Courtiers shall additionally support it.

On top of that being the first wife of the Crown Prince she has a legal claim to that title and since she has a son who is already old enough it's close to impossible." Umako said.

"I see your Excellency but what should we do?" Shizu asked as Umako thought.

"Before we can worry about that we need to think about either submitting to Princess Toyomike or not." Umako said.

"She takes very much after Your father and she is very smart, you needn't forget what Happened at the Kii Mountain Ranges and most of all you needn't forget how she was able to deal with the prophecy that foretold the fall of the dynasty and the rise of an Emperor who shall be in a break with tradition." Shizu said.

"I understand that much better than anybody." Umako said, "From here onwards the battle is going to become bloody and the political tension shall worsen with each and every day that goes by." Umako said.

"We can cling to the Imperial Princess Toyomike temporarily as we can consider the fact that her being the Crown Prince's favorite can protect us, additionally the Crown Prince wishes to make us supporters and men of his own so with the two it shall be much easier.

If they can contend with the power of the Empress then that alone shall put us into a much safer position because even if the Crown Prince were to desert us on the whims of his mother then we can trust that Princess Toyomike could plead on our behalf." Shizu said.

"Yes." Umako said.

"We shall have hit two birds with one stone because should the Empress master all that power and rule her faction and clout within the Imperial court shall make an example of us all even in one word we shall all be slaughtered and extinguished." Shizu said.

"Then it is decided." Umako said, "However I want you to do one thing for me." Umako said as Shizu knelt down.

"What is it Your Excellency?" He asked.

"Go to the Crown Prince and tell him that we accept his offer and go to the Imperial Princess Toyomike and tell her that my people are hers." Umako replied.

"I don't understand." Shizu said.

"The Inner court should never intervene in the affairs of state but she can have our protection and we can have hers without rallying for more support and before everything comes to it's worst the Crown Prince should certainly come to believe that we are the only ones he can call his people and he can certainly trust." Umako said.

"To have two masters is a fatal move Your Excellency." Shizu said.

"It is much better this way." Umako replied, "After all those two masters trust one another and if it is to agree then they shall possibly come to very good terms." He added.

"Yes Your Excellency." Shizu replied as he stood up and then he walked out of the room.

Eventually, it was already early morning and the Soga household was gathered in the courtyard to mourn Iname as they performed his last rites.

The Emperor and the other members of the Imperial family walked through the gates and the Congregation turning around to face them they bowed their heads as they made it to the front.

A Buddhist priest presided over the ritual at that very moment and everyone stepped up to the front as they went down on their knees and got incense sticks.

They placed them right in front of the plaque and on it read the words. "PROTECTOR OF THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM, THE IMPERIAL CHIEFTAIN SOGA NO INAME NO SUKUNE."

They bowed and kowtowed three times in front of the plaque and standing up they walked away until nearly everyone was finished.

Princess Toyomike looked at the plaque as she seemed to remember everything that she'd been through with her Grandfather and how the both of them played with one another when she was still very young.

The mood was sombre and the Priest chanted incantations to send him off to the after life.

Eventually, the ceremony was concluded and Princess Toyomike walked up to Umako as they stood while looking at the guests that were already scattered about the place.

"I received the news." Princess Toyomike said.

"You must be delighted." Umako said.

"From the sound of it you make it seem that you had no choice." Princess Toyomike said.

"Between you and the Empress, you are the only one whose service I can guarantee shall be entirely meritorious for me." Umako said.

"None of the others shall reward you the very way that I intend to." Princess Toyomike said.

"You are a sixteen year old but don't you think that you are overly confident?" Umako asked.

"I must be, by now you must have realized that I wish for nothing more than to become the Empress." Princess Toyomike replied.

"It seems that father had quite a distinct eye to accurately tell what it was that you wanted all your life." Umako said.

"Only of I am the Empress shall I make Nippon a very great country and in so doing with my husband, we can make up for the years of loss and submission to those cruel people." Princess Toyomike said.

"You are so devoted to Nippon but do you trust that she shall do the very same for you?" Umako asked.

"Without a doubt." Princess Toyomike replied.

"You realize that in my side you are the biggest bargain I have ever made." Umako said.

"And I promise you that I shall see to it that I am that very bargain that you'll never regret." Princess Toyomike replied as she smiled and walked away from him.

The funeral had ended and dusk lingered over the country.

Princess Toyomike walked out if her room with Sina and Kabane in the shadows as they sneaked outside the palace.

There the three halted when Sina pointed at a carriage that had been prepared outside not so long ago.

Princess Toyomike knew better what Sina implied and she walked towards it with Kabane while Sina watched from a distance as the two got inside.

The carriage started out towards the East side of the city while Sina turned around and then returned to the Princess's Chambers.

Princess Toyomike's carriage after a while arrived near a very small house that stood near the city gates and confidently with her face hooded she was helped out and she walked inside the building where she found a large number of people gathered and Fujiyaro was at the centre of them all.

"I understand the reason as to why you must all be wondering why is it that I chose to summon you all at this late hour." Fujiyaro said.

"You always said that when the time is right then we shall meet our superior." One of the men said.

"All you have been wonderful citizens of Nara yet you have been treated unfairly." Fujiyaro said.

"But was it you that saw to it that we were appointed and some of us promoted to Higher posts?" Another man asked.

"That is out of the question but here in our midst is the true master who values all your talents and witnessing how you suffered for decades under the Cruel Dominion of the Mononobes that are the most appalling faction of dominant aristocrats, it has been decided that the only way that we can beat them is if we come together." Fujiyaro said.

"They are backed up by the throne, for us to contend with them is nothing but wishful thinking." One of them who had gathered said.

"Then I wonder what kind of men you are if you are willing to throw your pride our of the window and bend your backs to submit to those Courtiers that can never notice you?" A female voice erupted and at that moment, the pregnant woman in the congregation walked up to the front as they all watched while she stood right next to General Fujiyaro.

"Who is she?" A number of them asked themselves and Princess Toyomike pulling off the hood she exposed her face and a number of them were entirely alarmed.

"Your Highness." They said.

"You wish to know who it is that granted you a glimpse of that power and showed you the privileges that are promised to you, the one whose given each and everyone of you positions better than the first and has screened and cleaned the lower level for Officials like you to have a chance to participate in the elections?" Princess Toyomike asked.

The people wondered what she was talking about.

"Gentlemen and Scholars that are gathered here, some of you might not know me well but your colleagues shall take the chance to tell you who I am later.

I am the one responsible for the meeting that we are holding right now, your real mastermind and leader, you are from this day if willing to swear allegiance and service to me my people and I can promise you that more is to come and wealth and prosperity shall knock on your doors should you choose to follow me." Princess Toyomike said as she ghastly smiled and everyone present at that moment was alarmed as the news was something that was too hard for them to believe at all.