SHERLOCK - DANMARI (2/5)

[karadinart]

Pairing: Sherlock/John
Main Characters Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Mycroft Holmes
OC's: Kan'ya Morita XV, Ikeda Takahiro
Rating R
Genre: crime drama mystery suspense humour romance first-time
Warnings: violence, language, non-explicit sexual description m/m
Sherlock Holmes created by Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock (BBC 2010) created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss
This is a work of fiction, a parody; no remuneration is taken by the author.
Illustrations copyright Karadin 2011 all rights reserved.

Synopsis: Emissaries from the Japanese Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Family arrive in London to seek the assistance of Sherlock Holmes (and John Watson) in recovering a religious artifact, one of these men is known to the detective, reviving painful memories.



PART TWO
word count 3,923
(video included)



The second dance followed a different theme; the curtains were parted to reveal a painted backdrop of a large pine tree with long streamers of purple wisteria dropping from its branches. The music included shamisen, as well as a bamboo flute and a small brass gong; once again a male singer providing the accompaniment.

The dancer appeared, making quick light steps as she moved to the right side of the stage and bowed to the audience and then across to the left side to bow once more.

She was dressed in a beautiful robe of light purple, the sleeves decorated with patterns of wisteria blossoms in white, orange and green, and in her headdress she wore large cluster of white flowers. John noted that the sleeves of this kimono were longer than the costume previous and Ikeda explained,

"She is wearing furisode, the kimono of a young unmarried woman. She is the spirit of the wisteria, the pine tree represents a man, her lover, and she, the clinging blossoms."

John moved forward in his seat, the better to see the fluid movements of the dancer's hands, and he found himself grinning as he watched the coy expression on the Wisteria Maiden's face; how she pantomimed pouring out a cup of sake - using a fan to mimic drinking it - and the way she sat with knees folded, leaning back slightly drunk; her gestures however stylized, holding a naive sweetness.

When the maiden rose to her feet to dance whilst intoxicated, John laughed out loud; he could not recall ever being as charmed by a performance and had never seen a woman so feminine. The doctor remarked on this to his companions during the short interval while the dancer retreated behind the tree for a quick costume change.

Sherlock inclined his head in acknowledgement, idly plying his silk fan with a dexterity that rivalled the deft hands of the dancer.

Ikeda smiled. "Only onnagata can give this sublime image of feminine beauty and grace, for who would know better what a man wishes to see than another man?"

The doctor was certain his expression betrayed his confusion when Sherlock let out a small bark of laughter.

"That," the detective pointed to the Wisteria Maiden who emerged from behind the pine tree, holding her hands under her chin as she beguiled the audience, "is a man."

John's jaw dropped.

Ikeda moved his head slightly to the side to hide a smile. "A woman named Okuni invented Kabuki, yet hundreds of years ago an edict was passed to prevent women from performing. Women are no longer banned from the stage, but true Kabuki only enlists male performers. Kan'ya Morita XV is an onnagata, a female role specialist and the greatest artist of his generation."

John narrowed his eyes to study the face and hands of the dancer, he supposed the white paint did a good deal to mask any masculine features, but at this distance he truly could not distinguish the gender of the performer.

The artistry he witnessed went against every idea John had of 'female impersonation'; his mind conjuring up images of Terence Stamp in drag and The Trocks in ballet costumes which revealed the hair on their chests.

"But she, I mean he seems very real in what he's doing ... I don't know how to explain it any better," the doctor sighed with a shake of his head.

"Your critique lacks depth, but you've made a salient point," Sherlock replied, "an onnagata does not seek to portray a woman but to convey an ideal of the feminine. Men in Japan have for centuries, come to define gender roles, to the degree that women now take lessons in charm and deportment from onnagata."

While John tried to wrap this idea around his head, women taking lessons in being women from men. The Prince - as John had taken to think of Ikeda - and the detective watched the stage where the maiden enticed an unseen lover to join her on the grass with such a coquettish air the audience burst into spontaneous applause.

"I don't care who that is," John said in awe, shaking his head as he joined in. "She is a beautiful illusion."

"Omedetou," Sherlock replied, his eyes lighting in that particular way that showed his pleasure when John was astute in a criminal investigation. "You have discovered the essence of Kabuki."

John grinned broadly just as a gong sounded, and the maiden, cradling a branch filled with wisteria blossoms, posed at the end of the dance.

The curtains drew to a close and the house lights came up so that the audience could take refreshment before returning for last performance, none of the members of their 'box' of seats left however, Mycroft and Anthea quietly conversed while Ikeda stood up to introduce his dour companion, a man by the name of Ide, whom Sherlock correctly identified as a member of Japan's National Police Agency Imperial Guard.

Upon learning of Ide's status John mentioned his own history as a military man, and they traded a few stories as best they could, with Officer Ide's stilted English.

Sherlock, who had not stood for introductions, closed his fan, setting it upon his knee.

Ikeda sat back in his chair. "Are you intrigued by the last dance? Yokihi is a brand new work, a blend of Japanese Kabuki and Peking Opera, specifically created for Kan'ya-Sensei."

"It is exciting," Sherlock replied, "as most of the dances staged in Kabuki have been in the repertoire for centuries."

John, having finished his brief conversation with Ide, sat down once more to find himself drawn into the discussion between Sherlock and Ikeda.

"In Kabuki there are acting dynasties," Ikeda informed the doctor, "certain dances associated with certain families; passed from father to son, master to apprentice. You will see Kan'ya-sensei's adopted son, Bandô Kinoji play the role of a monk in Yokihi. "

"So he will one day become Kan'ya Morita XVI," John guessed.

Ikeda nodded, "Kan'ya-sensei has been reluctant to take an apprentice, after a disappointment some years ago; when one is as incomparable as 'The Swan' it must be difficult to find a successor."

John found the conversation compelling, but Sherlock turned away, finding something else to occupy his attention.


***


The last of the dances was the most appealing of the three to John, he wasn't certain if this was because he knew the performer was male, making the perfection of the illusion he created of a young woman all that more remarkable.

The slight graceful figure in her sparkling diamond and ruby crown, the sway of her long black hair as she wove double fans of gold through the air; a woman's song blending with the soft masculine voice of Ikeda murmuring a love poem in his ear, created an indelible impression in John's mind.

We told each other secretly
in the quiet midnight world

For a moment during the performance, he was certain that the dancer on stage looked straight at him.

That we wished to fly to heaven,
Two birds with the wings of one

When the crowd rose at the finish, John had to pause to wipe at his eyes.

Not waiting for a curtain call, Sherlock touched John's elbow to indicate that they were leaving, gesturing for John to retrieve their coats. The doctor shook his head as he noticed both the detective and Mycroft Holmes's assistant had retrieved their respective Blackberry mobiles and were putting them to use.

Their group, including the Prince and his bodyguard, were escorted by an usher to a side door, which opened to the outside of the theatre to the Stage Door, where they were led back inside.

John was amused by the fact that the pair of Sherlock Holmes and Ikeda Takahiro turned heads even amongst the jaded Sadler's Wells staff, and here he was standing between them.

And John was a little bit thrilled when Sherlock held out his mobile to show him a text from Detective Inspector Dimmock, resolving an old case, proving he wasn't merely present to hold coats.

A woman who introduced herself as Director of Visitor Services informed Anthea that the main rehearsal space was ready for their use; the woman led them up a staircase to a large rectangular room transformed by red drapery, covering the utilitarian white walls and the far mirrored wall.

A buffet table laden with food, as well as a self-serve cocktail bar stood to one side, while a collection of large floral bouquets sent to Kan'ya Morita XV framed the doorway, filling the room with their scent.

As they walked in, a group of Japanese men and one woman in suits rose from kneeling positions on the floor and stood in a line - John guessed in order of precedence - to greet them.

Meanwhile, Anthea guided the Sadler's Wells Director and two catering assistants out of the room, closing the double doors behind her.

The Japanese woman who stood at the end of the line came forward to take the coats from John, hanging them up on a costume rack by the buffet table. When she had returned to her place, Mycroft said, in English and Japanese,

"Gentlemen, and Lady, may I introduce you to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson."

Greetings were exchanged, involving both handshakes and bows on John's part, while Sherlock only nodded his head; his hands clasped in front of him with his right hand a fist, the left hand cupped around it.

Ikeda Takahiro stood slightly apart, his hands at his sides, palms flat against his legs, with Officer Ide at his side.

Mycroft informed those gathered in the room, "The theatre staff is under the impression that we are from the Central Office of The Master of the Royal Household, to arrange for Kan'ya Morita XV to visit Her Majesty the Queen."

Sherlock did not bother to hide his chuckle.

Mycroft's response was merely to lift his right eyebrow,

"I wish to assure our colleagues from the Ministry of Justice as well as the Public Security Intelligence Agency that the theatre has been swept for surveillance devices and is secure; Kan'ya-Sensei as well as Ikeda-Dono are well protected."

A dark-haired man wearing glasses, which John recognized as being at the head of the line, stepped forward to bow, when he spoke his English was articulate and his accent was British.

"It is an honour to meet Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson, on behalf of the Government of Japan, the Imperial Family of Japan and the People of Japan; we ask for your indulgence, that we may explain a case of utmost urgency."

Sherlock was standing with his legs slightly apart, the right sleeve of his kimono hanging loose, having drawn his arm out to rest it along his stomach above his narrow obi belt.

The doctor thought he might have seen this pose from a ronin in a film by Kurosawa.

"Fine," Sherlock replied, "I've decided to take the case, since we are going to be nattering about the details for an Interminably Long Time, we should make use of the buffet table now. John is hungry."

The Japanese delegation could not hide their shock, the men and woman exchanging glances. The doctor shot his friend a look, which boded dire consequences when they were alone.

"I'm not too peckish, really, " John apologized.

Mycroft Holmes did not remark on his brother's rudeness, but smiled graciously to the dark haired man, and with a diplomat's polished manner, gestured to the table.

"Why not? No need to stand on ceremony, when we are all friends with a common goal. Irasshaimase. "

John realized as soon as he joined Sherlock at the table he was ravenous and by the sudden gathering around the table, the Japanese agents were just as hungry.

Sherlock held a pair of chopsticks which he turned around in his hand, thick end out, to pick up portions of food, loading John's plate with Maki-zushi, curry bread, Kushikatsu, and Gyoza

"It's just like a Matsuri festival! You have to try the octopus balls, John."

"I'll take your word for it, same as when we order up from Ichi-Riki," the doctor sighed, lowering his voice to say to his partner, "you were on your best behaviour all evening. Why are you being a right prat now?"

"Do you have any idea how complex Japanese etiquette is? No, of course you wouldn't. There are ways of conversing based upon the age, gender and occupation of the person you are speaking with, in different levels of formality, in Japan one does not interact in the spirit of 'we are all equal, and meet as such.'

When you introduced yourself to Ikeda you stuck out your hand and asked him to call you John, did you notice his reaction? In Japan one is addressed by their surname, emphasis on clan, not the individual; even close friends and family members use surnames. Only those who are quite intimate would use one's given name."

"A bit not good." John was embarrassed to hear this, "so, his first name is Takahiro."

Sherlock nodded. "In Japan I would call you Watson and you would call me Holmes."

John pursed his lips thoughtfully, not liking the idea.

Sherlock glanced over to his brother, who was speaking to his Japanese counterpart. "This culture has distinct hierarchies. If I had wanted to, I could have timed the bow of Director Inoue to see if the gesture was lacking in due respect."

"Did you find it lacking?"

"No, just long enough," Sherlock grumbled as he searching among the heaping trays of food for tid bits that interested him, "when I tried interrogating suspects in Yamanashi the process was insufferable, I want to remind the Japanese Ministry that while they are in London, any case we become involved in will be played by my rules."

"You've been to Japan?" John asked, and when confronted with the detective's bland expression. "I guessed that ... when were you there?"

"Years ago, but I haven't deleted much of my knowledge of it. I always thought it could come of some use, and now it has."

John realized that Sherlock had gone off on a tangent and decided to begin eating while he had the chance, since he had become the detective's partner, haring off to one crime scene or another; meals were often taken in haste, if they were finished at all.

The Japanese agents chose to sit in folding chairs along the wall, some using chopsticks, holding their plates under their chins, some eating Goat Cheese and Caramelised Red Onion Tarts or Lobster, Mango and Rocket Salad with their plates in their laps using knives and forks.

Sherlock nudged John. "There's Ikeda."

The young man had filled his plate and was eating standing up, next to the buffet table.

"Nice chap," John said around a mouthful of dumpling, "I didn't know Asian men could look like that, he's almost pretty."

"Pretty?" Sherlock asked, his brow furrowing.

"His face is - what do you call it - androgynous. And that auburn hair, do you suppose he dyes it?" John paused, setting down his chopsticks with a sigh. "What."

Sherlock was smirking.

"I am comfortable enough with my own sexuality to say when I think a man is attractive." John replied, making certain his voice was low and did not carry, "I said you looked Amazing didn't I?"

"You always say I am Amazing," Sherlock preened.

"Not about how you look. I have a new suit." John plucked at his lapel.

"Which I noticed. I did. I said 'good' when I saw you. Do I need to put a compliment up on a hoarding with flashing lights around it? You are usually more astute than that, John."

The doctor murmured 'prat' again as he ate, but he was smiling.

"Ikeda intrigues me," Sherlock remarked. "He is neither fish nor fowl; he is not a Prince, yet for the interim his compatriots must treat him as such, setting him adrift from his cultural and social identity. It makes him uncomfortable, notice how he stands apart from the other Japanese and they from him,"

The detective's eyes narrowed. "... but there is more to it than that. In a short time he has gravitated toward us and made overtures of friendship to you. Using the title of Sensei, sitting close enough to touch you, uncommon in a Japanese. He mentioned attending Oxford to study English, and of all the dishes on the table he has chosen are British, he might be something of an Anglophile, or it might be that he wants something from us. Shall we find out?"

John frowned as Sherlock set down his plate of food, without touching anything despite his enthusiasm, then grabbed John's plate and dropped both into the nearest rubbish bin.

"I wasn't finished yet!"

The detective grasped John by the arm. "Go and fetch Ikeda, and hurry before Mycroft sweeps him up!"

John shook his head as he walked to the end of the table where the young man greeted him with a bright smile. He almost felt sorry to steer him in Sherlock's direction, as the detective stood with his fingers steepled below his chin, his gaze intent, giving John the impression of a predator that has spotted its prey.

"Mr. Holmes, did you want me?" the young man asked.

"Yes." Sherlock said, and without preamble, took the Prince by each wrist, lifting up the young man's right hand to study it, before stepping up to press himself against Ikeda from chest to knees, and Sherlock bent his head to Ikeda's neck.

John was certain that his eyes were just as wide as those of the young man, who stood utterly still in astonishment.

Sherlock closed his eyes as he inhaled Ikeda's scent. The Prince looked to John for help; John could only rub his hand over his face and shrug helplessly. Officer Ide stood behind Ikeda, uncertain as to what to do.

Mycroft Holmes could be heard to mutter "...personal space issues."

Just as abruptly as the detective held the young man close, he now put Ikeda at arm's length, with a broad smile on his face. "You're a priest!"

"What?" John said, "I thought he was a prince, sort of."

But Sherlock was in the midst of describing his discovery, turning to John while still holding Ikeda's right wrist.

"Actually a better word would be reverend of Shinto, the indigenous spiritual belief of Japan. Ikeda is extremely fit, able to complete the demanding physical movements involved in ritual and dance. Notice the callauses from holding a brush for the practice of calligraphy, the roughness along the pads of the fingers from twining rice straw rope for Shimenawa, and small cuts from paper Shide.

You must have purified the stage before the performance, Ikeda-Kannushi, there are grains of salt caught on the upper lip of the sole of your left shoe, the scent of Hinoki Cypress from Kiso lingers on your skin; you must tell me if this incense is particular to your shrine. And John, his hair colour is natural."

The doctor blushed on the young man's behalf, Sherlock's exuberant antics usually had audiences of Detective Inspectors and corpses, not a team of Japanese agents, and Mycroft Holmes who was distinctly not amused.

Ikeda was attempting to remove his arm from the detective's grasp. "Mr. Holmes, if you would release me!"

Sherlock let go of the young man, looking slightly surprised that holding fast to him might be a problem.

"This isn't respectful in the least, Sherlock," Mycroft's tones were both lofty and chilling; "you never could keep your theatrics to the stage."

Ikeda stepped back to chafe his wrist, yet upon seeing Ide next to him, he moved abruptly to stand alone, his shoulders hunched.

John was compelled to offer the Prince - the Priest - comfort, but this might estrange the young man even further from his countrymen.

"As we walked from the theatre I did a quick search." Sherlock held up his Blackberry.

"Who was the Princess who married from the Imperial Family into the Ikeda clan? I discovered your mother is High Priestess of an Imperial Shrine. Not such a great leap, after confirming trace evidence, that you were a Priest.

I had thought initially, and erroneously, that our invitation here had something to do with the arrival of Kan'ya-Sensei. He has stated numerous times to the media that he would never tour outside Japan again, but the reason John and I are here, has something to do with you."

Sherlock, who had been pacing as he spoke, stopped to look at Ikeda.

"It has to do with the Ise Shrine, created in the fourth century BC, devoted to the Goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, ancestress of the Imperial Family, undoubtedly one of the most revered sites in Japan. Why Ise? What is unique about ..."

John saw Sherlock's eyes widen, his mouth form that perfect 'Oh' when something in that dazzling complex brain connected.

But to the doctor's astonishment, instead of grinning or leaping in his delight at having arrived at a deduction, Sherlock's expression was blank, before beginning to contort in a way John had not seen since he had been strapped to a bomb.

The faces of the Japanese grew pale.

Ikeda's complexion was grey and he was shaking. John threw propriety to the wind and caught hold of the young man's arms before he could fall.

"What is it? What's wrong? Sherlock!"

It was a long moment before his friend turned to him, his eyes glassy.

"If I'm correct, John, it's absolutely horrifying."





PART THREE
http://karadin.livejournal.com/3028316.html


Onnagata BANDO TAMASABURO V with English narration - YOKIHI

notes

(John is thinking of) actor Terence Stamp as he appeared 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Trocks - refers to the members of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo a ballet company featuring male dancers who perform, quite excellently, as ballerinas. http://www.trockadero.org/
Omedetou - congratulations
Dono - Japanese honorific for 'Lord' which Mycroft is using in error.
Ronin - masterless samurai
Akira Kurosawa - master filmmaker of such classics as The Seven Samurai, Roshomon and Ran.
Irasshaimase - welcome, often a greeting when you enter a Japanese restaurant.
Ichi Riki Sushi House, Westminster, London - http://www.ichi-riki.net/
Maki-zushi - sushi rolls
Kushikatsu - deep-fried meat on skewers
Gyoza - Chinese dumpling
Quotes from Song of Everlasting Sorrow by Bai Juyi, 7th century.
Hinoki Cypress - the wood of the hinoki was used to build imperial palaces and Shinto shrines. The hinoki cypress is slow growing and rare, the hinoki’s lemon-scented oil is extracted only from dead trees.
Shimenawa - rice straw woven into ropes used for ritual purification
Shide - paper folded in a lighting weave pattern used in rituals

Comments

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

I think my eyebrows won't come down until you post again! What on earth is going on?

[karadin.livejournal.com]

Thank you!