We arrived at the castle of the Emerald Champion in good order. Doji Satsume-sama himself came out to greet us. He was every bit as impressive as he was at the tournament. He is a handsome man, with long white hair. A man of great power. Kuno made up some story about the Magistrate attacking him, stealing some of the taxes, and trying to kill peasants for underpaying when they had not, and that's why he punched him. The man didn't have a chance to defend himself before Doji Satsume cut him down. I was shaking in shock and fear. He didn't question Kuno's words at all, and killed a man based on them.
The Emerald Champion questioned us on what we thought of the events in the Unicorn lands. Everyone assured him that Iuchi will be fine. He is a great ruler, after all, and is a credit to the Unicorn Clan. He then looked right at me, for I hadn't spoken, and asked me if I had anything to add. Reluctantly, I told him of the maho magic spells I found. He was very interested, and asked me to join him for dinner. A private dinner. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I will attend. One does not refuse an invitation from the Emerald Champion himself.
The dinner was lovely, and Satsume-sama was very kind. He listened to my opinions of what is going on, and listened to my suspicions of the Scorpion clan. I do not have proof of my suspicions other than a gut feeling. He seems to understand. He advised me to record everything that happens, to gather proof against the Scorpions. He was appreciative of having someone to talk to. That's what he said anyway. I guess he misses intelligent conversation. He gave me a scroll with is signature and Mon, giving me permission to look through any scroll library I deem suspicious of holding maho magic. I didn't know what to say. He says he is concerned about the empire falling and that maho magic would be involved if that were to happen. Better to be on our toes than caught by surprise by blood shugenja. He asked me to look at some poetry he wrote, and while I was flattered, I had to refuse. I don't know anything about poetry! He looked almost hurt. While we talked, he mentioned that he found it a surprise that I am with Fuji. He suggests that a better choice would be someone who could offer intelligent conversation. I guess he doesn't know Fuji very well. He is far smarter than anyone gives him credit. Satsume also took me on a walk through his personal gardens. He has a tower there with a huge telescope. He says it was a gift from a Unicorn friend. From there, he can see to the ocean on one side. He can also easily see into his city. He says it's easier than going down there personally. I understand this, but at the same time I think that's pretty arrogant. He may be a glorious man, but still he is only a man. His land is defined by the people that work in that city, and he owes it to them to learn of them, and not by spying on them from above.
Apparently, Kuno's sister is here in the Crane lands as well. She is Kuno's responsibility. Kimi is a beautiful young girl. Asami has agreed to take her under her wing and teach her the ways of the courts. She will be a great bride to someone someday.
When I returned from my dinner with Satsume, Fuji was waiting by my door. He looked angry and impatient. It almost made me laugh. Jekusu came by taunting me, suggesting the Emerald Champion is sweet on me. Ridiculous! I asked Jekusu to leave, for Fuji was all but steaming at this point. I assured him that it was nothing but a dinner to discuss politics, but Fuji remained stiff and unreadable. Then he broke it to me.
He was ordered to leave this evening on family business. At first I thought he was joking. What a sick joke. To leave me? I assured him that it could wait, and to come with me. I wanted to show him the robe Asami bought me. He remained still. I noticed the sadness in his eyes, but I thought it was jealousy that I spent the evening at dinner with Satsume. I didn't know what to say to calm him, but he repeated he that he must leave. Immediately. My heart dropped into my stomach. Why? Why is it so urgent? Why did he have to leave tonight? I really couldn't believe my ears. He was immovable though. I couldn't convince him to stay despite all my efforts. He said that the Emerald Champion saw fit to ready his horse to speed him on his way. His horse was already waiting! Satsume knew about this, yet kept me busy all evening with him? I tried my hardest not to begin crying like a babe. Fuji was very serious. I've never seen him so torn. My mind raced to find a way out. He refused to go into detail of what this family business was though. My throat went dry and my stomach clenched into a tight knot. I don't remember moving, but I know it happened. I pulled the leather strap from my hair, and undid the braid. I suppose I drew my tanto, but I don't really recall. I cut a lock of hair and thrust it at him. I do remember Fuji's eyes. Veritable wells of sadness. And I remember my throat not cooperating. I was unable to tell him how I feel. His words repeat over and over in my mind. The words he said when he accepted my hair. "Every day I will look at it and touch it. Every day I will remember you. I will think of you. You, my love." For the first time, he said he loved me, and I couldn't find my voice to tell him how I feel. I can only hope that he understands, because I am not good with words. He kissed me then. I remember that clearly. I don't think he has kissed me with that kind of passion before. I feel so safe in his big strong arms. He gave me his wakazashi. His ancestral wakazashi. I tried to refuse, but he insisted. He wanted me to have something to remember him by. As if I could ever forget. He said he wanted me to have it to protect me, since he couldn't be here to do the job. I asked him if we would see each other again. He promised we would. That's a promise I intend to make him keep.
With each passing moment, I grow angrier about this whole thing. It was obviously arranged by the Emerald Champion. What would he gain by ruining my relationship with Fuji? I cannot think about it now. I am too broken. I can see me crying myself to sleep tonight. Tears of anguish, anger, sorrow, love and regret. Regret that I couldn't find the words to tell Fuji how much I love him.I was awakened this morning by a knock on the door. A servant was bringing me food and a message from the Emerald Champion. He said he missed me at breakfast. I didn't realize I slept in that long. I still felt exhausted though. I guess tears are draining in more way than one. That bastard had the nerve to expect me to eat with him after what he did to speed Fuji away? I would like to singe off all that pretty white hair of his with a fireball.
As the servant was setting down the tray, Asami and Kimi stepped into my doorway. "I'm sure he won't love her." She said to me. My heart stopped. I demanded that she come in and tell me what she knew. Why was I the last one to know of his leaving? I understood her words immediately though. I am not as dumb and ignorant as they think I am. He left me to go get married. I didn't want to believe it though. The words stung like a thousand wasps. I made her tell me the whole truth. I wanted to hear it from Asami. No dodging questions and manipulating words. The blunt truth. She finally gave me the truth after much argument. I have to go after him! He cannot marry another!
What's more, Asami's deceiving brother not only arranged for Fuji to be sped off, but has no intention to let me leave his castle. Why would he want me to stay? We had a pleasant enough evening, but it was all business, wasn't it? I suppose I didn't see something that Doji Satsume saw. I ran from the house and went for a ride. Glancing up, I saw Doji Satsume descending the stairs from his tower where he showed me his telescope. He was watching me! I know he was!
I galloped away as fast as I could, and retreated into the temple. I have never felt so betrayed in all my life! Not only does he manipulate my situation, but also he spies on me from above? I lit incense for Megumi in the temple, and to my surprise, he appeared before me. He cast stones for me. A divination. He tells me I have a decision before me. A decision between my love, and my Emperor. I do not understand what this means. I know I must go after Fuji though. I will not stay here with the Emerald Champion. I would rather die. Kuno and Jekusu's soldiers arrived this morning. They are mere children, and all sons and daughters of daimyos. There are fifty foot soldiers, and fifty cavalry. The Emerald Champion has ordered Kuno and Jekusu to take them to the wall and assess the situation there. I suppose to see if they need more soldiers and to see how the fight against the shadow is going. Since they are going south, it all works out. That is where Fuji is headed.
I have heard that Kuno's father was assassinated. Now Kuno is in charge of his family, unless one of his uncles claims the land. Added to this responsibility, an old troll of a Matsu man is requesting Kimi's hand in marriage. Kuno refuses, and I'm glad for this. I would not wish that fate on an enemy. This man is a foul beast.
This evening, Jekusu and I spent a good amount of time in the bath house. She told me that she had been attacked last night. I had no idea! She showed me her wounds to prove it though. I wonder why she didn't come to me to heal her? Apparently, she woke at the urgings of her ancestor. I have heard much of this ancestor that haunts her, but she does not appear to me. She commanded Jekusu to follow a road away from the castle. I am uncertain why Jekusu followed these orders, but she did. Once on the road, Jekusu met a man in dark armor. He very nearly killed her. She was saved by the spirit of her ancestor. Jekusu tells me that she cleaved the man in half, but he healed instantly, and carried an exquisite sword. Somehow this behavior sounds familiar to me, as if it has happened before… I cannot place it. Anyway, her ancestor is adamant that she find some naginata that is somewhere in the shadowlands. Jekusu must might be foolish enough to go after it.
Several of Jekusu's new soldiers were in the bath house as well, and now they have a predetermined opinion of her fighting skills. They think she is some sort of heroic fighter. Perhaps, one day she will be, but for now, she is simply a lucky Samurai-ko with more bravery than brains. She also told me that last night while I dined with the Emerald Champion, she went into the city to eat. She stopped at an inn… one flying a Lion mon. What possessed her to do that? It turns out the inn was inhabited by the Matsu pig that wants to marry Kimi. While Jekusu was there, the Matsu's personal guard challenged her to an Iaijutsu duel. She tells me he's a very handsome man, named Furi, but that his mon is unlike any she has ever seen before. Most certainly not that of a Lion. She won the duel, but I imagine it was luck again.
After our bath, Jekusu and I were headed to her room… I refused to sleep alone this night. I do not know what kind of treachery Doji Satsume is capable of. As we were speaking, we nearly ran into the Emerald Champion himself. Quickly turning, we tried to head the other way, but he called us back. We are not such fools as to ignore him, but I could feel the nervous wings of butterflies fluttering in my belly. He looked at me and asked me if he had done something to displease me. Did he really think I didn't know? I averted my eyes and denied it. I will not give him the satisfaction of winning. He demanded I look him in the eye and say it. Just then Asami, the angel of mercy, descended. She came down the hall and commanded her brother to meet her in her room to discuss things. He was angry but did her will. If she had not came just then, I may have given myself away, and he could have found a way to keep me here. As it is, I am free to depart with the army in the morning. There is something strange about Asami though. For while she has turned out to be helpful and kind to me, I sense something strange. I thought she was Kakita. How could she be the Emerald Champion's sister if that is the case? Perhaps one day I will discover those secrets that will remain hidden at this time. Asami was also carrying a wakazashi. I have never seen her carry a weapon before.Last night as I slept, waiting the morning to come so I may depart the land of the Cranes to find Fuji, I was awakened by a terrible screaming. Jekusu and I ran to Asami's room. Kimi had been kidnapped. Asami was bleeding, and a Shugenja was involved. I could feel the fading magic around me. I rushed to hold something of Kimi's so that I might cast 'The Ties that Bind,' and find her. Find her, I did. She was in a sedan chair, held by the disgusting Matsu daimyo that had been chasing after her hand in marriage. I suppose that when Kuno refused to give her to him, he decided to take what he wanted anyway.
We found them fleeing the castle gate. Kuno fought the Matsu man, which proved to be futile at first. Any infliction of wounds healed instantly… reminding me of Jekusu's tale of the dark warrior from last night. The foolish man yelled, "As long as I carry this sword, I cannot die!" He lived only a moment to regret those words. Kuno cut the man's hand off, and with the sword fallen to the ground, he was quickly killed.
Kuno took his sword… a sword that is tainted by the shadow. I recall studying that Fu Leng himself created it, and one other. I could not convince him to destroy the sword. Any who hold the sword become immortal. They cannot be killed, but surely carrying it taints Kuno. There is one more sword like that somewhere. Legend says that only one of the original carriers still lives. One such sword killed Ami, a Unicorn, who was a guard to the Emperor himself. She is a disgrace to the family name, as she was chosen above even the Lions to guard the Emperor, and she failed. I believe this may have something to do with the visions Jekusu keeps seeing. Her ancestor believes Jekusu must find the man who carries this sword. I have lost my train of thought though. Back to the battle…
The shugenja was using Maho magic. He killed one of the foot soldiers, and used his bones to create an arrow. It was this arrow of death that shot me in the shoulder. It wasn't bad, but hurt a bit. I tried to be brave. As soon as Kuno killed the Matsu, his men left. His personal guard, Furi, and the shugenja, left as well. Furi's Mon is strange. It is just as Jekusu described to me. I have never seen anything like it. It is no matter though. Today we travel to Kuno's family so he may see to them. His father was assassinated - hired, I am certain, by the Matsu pig. After we take care of Kuno's family, we travel to the crab lands to investigate the situation at the wall. There I will be certain to find my love.