I convinced Kuno to send the troops down to the wall by ship. It's much faster, and less dangerous. He didn't realize I had an ulterior motive for reaching the crab lands so quickly. Kuno is a cunning warrior, and knows how to behave in court, but he leaves the thinking to me. Perhaps this will be to my advantage in the future.
       We kept the two portions of the army separate. Cavalry on one ship, the Foot soldiers on the other, and the horsed on yet another. Much to our dismay, Bayushi Sugai had already booked passage on one of the ships. He carries the mon of an Imperial Magistrate, and insisted his be flown above Kuno's. Kuno, who is technically his equal. He allowed it, however, and it proved to be good for entertainment value for Jekusu's soldiers. She challenged them to cut down Bayushi's mon with an arrow. Any who would succeed would get to ride her horse for a day, I believe the wager was. If someone tried, and failed, they were to shave their heads. Jekusu's second in command in the cavalry did just that. With one arrow, the mon was cut, and hung haphazardly from a small string. With the second, it fluttered down to the deck. I never heard how Bayushi Sugai's reaction went. Whatever his response, it is unimportant. After the treacheries he committed at the gemmpuku, for I'm certain he was responsible, despite the lack of evidence, he deserved it. We dropped him off at a port, and continued on our way.
       The trip went well until we had been at sea for several days. A ship with the black Mon was following us. The same black mon that flew over the group that stole the archway from the monks. They caught up with us quickly by the assistance of magic. I could feel it. The horses were in no danger, but they rammed our two ships, and enemy soldiers began to board with swinging weapons. At the work of a shugenja, torrential rain fell on us, limiting our vision to a mere three feet. I summoned a tsunami over the enemy ship, and it sank quickly under the pressure of the water. Our second ship was sinking as well, from the stress of being rammed. Everyone climbed to ours quickly and efficiently, but no one knew where Jekusu was. She was right by me as the enemy ship rammed us. I was terrified. She was nowhere. I ran to her quarters and cast 'The Ties that Bind,' which indicated she was in the water next to the ship. I struggled to not get hysterical. I thought she was drowning. I jumped into the water, hanging onto a rope, with Kuno hanging on to the other end.  Somehow, she was tied to the ship. She was quite unconscious, but alive…barely. I signaled for Kuno to pull us up where I immediately took her to her quarters and administered to her. Apparently she was on the enemy ship when I summoned the tsunami. If I had known, I would have considered different tactics.
       I brought her to consciousness then left to minister to the other wounded. I did what I could, but we lost seven troops. Two cavalry, five infantry. Three of them we couldn't find the bodies for. There were enemy bodies as well, and we discovered that each soldier from that evil army was some sort of shadow spawn. Twisted faces and animalistic features. I was so busy, I didn't even notice that I was still in my robe. I hadn't had time to dress, and I was soaked to the bone. Rumors flew that Jekusu leapt onto the enemy ship to fight the leader of that tainted army. Kuno wrote and sang a song in her behalf at dinner, describing her heroic acts of leaping onto the enemy ship. Her entire army has shaved their heads and sworn fealty to her. They all removed their family mons from their armor, because of the great way Kuno's song portrayed Jekusu.
       No one has said a word about me sinking the ship. Nothing. It irks me that Jekusu and Kuno take all the credit for the successes we have, but it is no matter. I do what must be done, and I will not complain. Complaining is for the weak. I do not need glory in my name. I need only to stay alive and get Fujizaka back where he belongs. They may think I only run around healing wounded. I will know the truth. I know that my magic, thanks to the seven fortunes, is the only reason we won this battle. These green soldiers were no match for the shadow beasts that attacked. I only used healing magic once, and that was on my cousin. Had she not slipped off our ship, when they rammed us, she wouldn't have been hurt in the first place. She tells me she nearly fought that strange man, Furi, again on the enemy ship.  It is strange that he fights under the black mon as well as his own strange one.
       Upon docking, we quickly sped across the land bridge and on toward Fuji's home. I left the army and entered the city, and got a room in the inn for the night. I could not wait another moment to enter the city. I must find out what the plans are for the wedding. We must have beat Fuji down here. He traveled by horse. The innkeeper promised to take me to the Hida home on the morrow.

       This morning the innkeeper showed me to the Hida castle. What on earth am I doing here? My mind tells me to run. Run screaming over the wall into the shadowlands if need be, but run! My heart tells me to stay. Make this wedding stop; make him see how much I love him. My very soul cries out in anguish. I was invited to stay at the castle, but I fear I angered Fuji's bride to-be. Somehow she recognized his sword at my side. She dishonored me at tea, by filling my cup only half full, and the rumor spread quickly through the castle. I retreated to the temple where I thought I would be safe from the situation. I prayed for guidance, but she showed up. She demanded to know what a shugenja could possibly have done to be given that sword. I dodged her questions as best as I could, but I fear she knows in her heart what truly happened. It never occurred to me that wearing my love's sword would dishonor her. After she left, I returned to the castle and began asking around about this woman. Apparently she is a samurai-ko. The marriage is a political arrangement to settle land disputes between their families. It rents my heart in two to see a woman steal my love's hand when she doesn't even want it.  She is Samurai-ko! She is forced into this as much as Fuji is.
       I made the mistake of tarrying too long with the women of the court and was bombarded with dozens of questions. Questions about my association with Fuji, how I got the sword, what happened to my hair, everything I did not want to reveal. It's ironic, really, that they noticed part of my hair cut. I thought I had been careful when taking a piece for Fuji. I fear I failed in hiding my true feelings, and now there are rumors running rampant. Rumors that it is my fault he didn't pass his gemmpuku, rumors that we are married already. I have a feeling that Kuno had a part in this. He is a strange man. He thinks he helps with his boasting, but he only hinders.
       At dinner Kuno insulted Fuji's fiancé and was challenged to a duel. They fought, and Kuno won. Of course. He always wins. Unfortunately, it humiliated her, because he won while refusing to fight with a weapon. She stormed from the room, and I followed. I tried to talk to her. To apologize. It is clear that she doesn't want this marriage any more than I do, but there is nothing that can be done.
       I confided in my cousin, who is clueless. She doesn't understand the pain I feel. She can't comprehend the aching in my heart. I need help to stop this. Help to find a way out. Asami said that it is not the place of a shugenja to meddle in the affairs of politics. I say it is not the place of politics to meddle in the affairs of my heart. And another thing, about Asami. Apparently Asami's presence is strong here in the Crab lands. She is popular and well known. She has known Fuji and his family for a very long time. I am told she knows Fuji very well. I wonder how well. And I wonder why this was kept from me. They didn't appear to be familiar with one another when we began our journeys. I will have to ask Fuji at my next chance. There is something going on that I'm not seeing. While Asami has been a great friend to me, she has kept secrets from me as well. This makes my trust in her falter. I don't like feeling like that. I must get the truth. And about the marriage, Jekusu assures me the problem is taken care of. I doubt that. She refuses to tell me how. I suspect she has spoken with the Samurai-ko. I wonder what kind of foolish things they have schemed.

       This morning I woke and went straight to the temple. I do not even recall stopping to eat. There I prayed for guidance, a way out, answers, anything! I do not know for how many hours I was there. Finally, I decided to go for a ride on SilverWind. I rode for a good two hours, when I spotted a blue collared crane. I followed it for quite some time, knowing it to be Megumi. He is one of the fortunes, for certain. I conversed with him for some time. He asked me what I would do, what I would give up and sacrifice, to obtain my desires. The answer for me is simple. Anything. I would give up my very life. Everything I have and care for I would willingly hand over to have Fuji by my side for all eternity. My own pride, jealousy and anger are my motivation though, and I believe he knows this.
       I told him I would do anything, and he twisted my words. He said I will have what I want if I suffer through the marriage, and I will wed him one year from the date of his wife's death. For her to lose her life for my desires? That is ludicrous is it not? But to see him marry another will cleave my heart into pieces with anguish. Megumi assures me he hears Fuji and the woman's desires as well. So why should mine be granted?
      He says I am to leave my horse for her directly after the wedding, with supplies for two weeks. Is she to ride away? I don't understand, but I have come to accept my place in the thread of time. I have finally accepted that what happens, will happen, and I will do what needs to be done. Megumi says the throne is at risk, and Jekusu, Fuji, Kuno and myself are all involved in the only way to save the Empire. I don't understand everything, but I accept his words. He also told me to keep an eye on Jekusu. To stay with her at all times because she needs me. Jekusu would cut the man down if she heard such words. She would never admit to needing anybody.
She met me on my way back, and was very angry with me for riding off alone. She was bold enough to tell me I am not capable to take care of myself. If I can sink a ship and send an army of shadow creatures to their watery graves in a mere twenty seconds, am I not capable of caring for myself? I followed Jekusu back to her army's camp, much to her dismay. She wanted me to return to my room in the Hida household. She already grows tired of me hanging around. She stubbornly decided to sleep outside, where I retired next to her. I'm sure she did this to try and spite me, thinking I would return to my soft futon. She will learn that I can be just as stubborn as she is.
       There is a new army camped near Jekusu's army. It is led by a handsome man named Furi - I thought we had fought him before, when that Matsu kidnapped Kimi, Kuno's sister. But he insists he knows nothing of that. He is sincere in his efforts to convince us that he has never met us before. But I remember that face. He is a handsome man, with a countenance not easy to forget. And with the same name? I do not trust this man.

       I woke this morning, feeling the sun on my face. As my eyes fluttered open, I noticed the feeling of a strong arm around my body. My heart pounded like great war drums as I turned my head to see my love's rugged face and warm brown eyes gazing at me. He lay by my side, his arm around me, almost protectively. Those strong arms that held me so often before, protected me from harm so many times… I had to steel my nerves from being caught in the moment. He shouldn't have arrived for another eighteen hours at least! He greeted me with a gentle smile.
       I reached up and slapped him. Hard. The sting in my hand traveled up my arm, but could never rival the pain in my heart. I told him that was for not telling me the truth. He looked crushed. "I did tell you the truth." He had the nerve to say. He actually said that! He didn't tell me the whole truth of his "family business." Did he honestly think I wouldn't find out? Did he think my friends would keep it a secret from me? Did I not deserve to hear it from him? Hear from his lips that he was leaving me to be married? He apologized, of course, and I could not keep a hard heart with those eyes staring down at me. It was difficult though, not to break out into tears and just cling to his chest. He asked if we could leave so that he wouldn't be seen.
       Apparently Fuji heard I was here, and rushed to arrive early so we could spend time together. He didn't want to be seen on his father's grounds until the next day. His wedding day. I fear the aching will never subside with that thought. I pretended to still be angry with him, and told him to convince me to come with him. Convince me, he did. Holding the back of my head, he kissed me more passionately than ever before. Ancestors, why must I be tormented so?! I love him with every fiber of my being, and I know we were destined to be together, but he must marry another on the morrow! And while no one else sees anything wrong with staying on as his lover, I for some reason, feel it is degrading. I would not dishonor his wife to flaunt our relationship, but I would not be able to keep it hidden. Why should I sneak around to be with my love?
       To make matters more difficult, Fuji offered to run away with me. To become Ronin even, for our love. He said I am worth it. How? How am I worth it? I am a stubborn Shugenja! If he would just do as his family honor tells him to, it would make things much easier, but no! He has to throw it back on my shoulders to decide. He says if I think it is right for him to marry the Samurai-ko, then he will do it. How can he ask me to make that decision for him? He must marry her, but for me to say it? For me to tell him to wed another? I would rather die than see him marry her, but it is his duty! I was forced to tell him what he is obligated to do, and I hope I did so in such a way that he still knows I love him. I cannot be sure. I am not good with words… terrible in fact. I had to confess things would be difficult for him, due to my big mouth. He says he forgives me, but I have my doubts. How could he so easily forgive me when I have done nothing but tie knots in his life? He also says he wants me to stay and be his advisor. His advisor? Hah! I am nothing but an ignorant Unicorn who knows nothing of his people's ways. But if it allows me to stay near him, then I will do it. But then there is the situation with Jekusu. I am supposed to stay with her, keep an eye on her. How am I to do that and stay with Fuji at the same time?
       I am to the point of throwing myself over the great wall in frustration. The only thing I want to remember of this day though, is that I was able to spend it alone in his strong embrace. That, and that we will eventually be together. We were meant to be together. I can be patient… I hope.

       So much has changed for me in my life. I remember when I was still in school, I was taken on a quest with my sensei. I was twelve years old, and I remember being dragged from bed and taken toward the Crane lands. My sensei was a great man, but confusing at times. He shadowed his answers to my questions with symbolism and philosophy. While infuriating at times, he was a good man. I miss him. He took me on a mission to regain an artifact stolen from an Imperial temple, and taken to the Scorpion lands. I was nervous and confused. I didn't know why he took a young student for such an important mission, rather than a seasoned shugenja, or even a bushi. He told me I was his best student though. I met a lovely young bushi of the Kakita family. We became fast friends, for she and her sense were to come with me and mine to find this artifact.
       I can't believe I didn't put it together sooner, but it was the same, or another just like the one we retrieved from those sedan chairs under the black mon several weeks ago near my homelands. I have been so blind! I remember this mission so clearly… it was the first time I saw assassins. And the first time I killed someone.
We came to a house, which our senseis went to investigate. The Kakita Mizake and I were to stay and watch camp. We climbed the tree above our camp, and encountered a man dressed in black. He was shinobi, as the peasants would put it. I wonder if there is real validity to talk of ninja. He attacked us, and I killed him with my wakazashi. By the light of Amaterasu, we survived. I was terrified. Our senseis returned and confirmed that the statue was in the house.
       The next morning, our elders created a diversion by attacking at the main gate and we students went through the back. I burned the back wall down with a fireball, and Kakita Mizake shot one of the shinobi inside with an arrow. She ran in and grabbed the statue while I shot the other right through the head with my arrow. Just as she was running toward me, a horrendous creature burst through the house. It looked like a cross between a serpent and a bird. I shot it, and it appeared to do nothing but aggravate the monster. Our senseis yelled at us to run, to get the statue back to the temple, so we ran. They stayed and fought the beast. Later I found out that creature was an oni. I shot an oni and lived to tell about it. Unfortunately, my sensei was not so lucky. He died in that battle, but he took the oni with him. The Kakita sensei died as well. But we returned the statue.
       I do not know what inspired me to write this memory. Perhaps it is to convince myself that I can take care of myself. I was able to fight shinobi without magic when I was twelve years old. Now five years more experienced, can I not take care of myself? It makes me angry to think others feel I am incapable of taking care of myself. What is the difference between a young samurai-ko and myself other than that I do not carry daisho? People like my cousin and Kitsu Kuno do not understand that while skill is important, the seven fortunes have a great part in the outcome of all battles. Luck is an important factor, and we must not let ourselves become arrogant. I certainly don't want to face an oni again. Ever. It is only by Fortune's Favor that I am still alive.

Part V: The Wedding

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