A lone figure walked through the lush forest, a long black sword hung loosely around his waist as he continued his walk down the wide earthen path. His sandals barely made a sound of impact on the forest floor, leaves swirled around him. A light fall breeze brushed his wild blonde hair from his eyes, not visible in the shadow of the trees. Three whisker marks adorned his cheeks; some thought they were tattoos, though it was something completely different. His white coat flapped in the wind over an orange yukata, cut so its sleeves ended at his shoulders. Underneath that he wore a long sleeved black shirt. It was an unusual garb for a fighter like him, but he preffered it to the bulky armor that others of his kind wore.
He watched the sky peacefully as clouds and birds drifted by. It was peaceful and quiet at this time of day, especially on this road. He enjoyed the time of calm before he would rest and head out again. Sighing lethargically he tilted his head the side to observe the trees and the shadows they cast in the late afternoon sun. He noticed as the woods began to thin out, leaving large gaps that eventually revealed large open fields. He stopped for a moment, admiring their beauty and the way the grass rippled to the mountains cresting the ridges surrounding a hidden valley. It wouldn't be long until humans would desecrate this land as well. He felt a strange ache in his art at the notion. How many creatures, spirits, and resting ancients would be disturbed by the pollution and damage the humans would cause?
Looking back on the road he checked to make sure nobody was around. Reaching into the small pouch on his back he unzipped it slowly. Bringing his hand back out he extracted a scroll, a seal, and a small branch cut from a baby sapling. Sitting just off the road he crossed his legs and lay the supplies before him. Slowly he stood the sapling upright so it formed its own body. In an instant it rooted before growing to a fully developed cherry tree. He watched as the leaves on the tree grew from the bare bark before sporting buds which in turn burst into full bloom. A single petal floated into his outstretched palm. He had already withdrawn the armor plated glove from hand, leaving the cool skin to contact nature. Caringly he placed the petal in the center of the seal and a single kanji for protection appeared on the surface.
Next he opened the scroll, and bit his exposed thumb, drawing a steady flow of blood. In a split second he wrote out "dragon" on the page accompanied by an image of a magnificent dragon curled around the valley where he sat. He smiled at his handiwork, a rare thing for him these days, and rolled up the scroll before placing the seal over it. Squeezing a single drop of scarlet blood on the kanji it sizzled slightly before turning a blood red. Flashing through a few quick hand signs he pressed the scroll against the tree, the seal on the scroll facing him. It slowly melded into the trunk of the tree until only the kanji was visible on the bark. It crackled suddenly before fading as well.
The man expelled a single breath as the blossoms on the tree dispersed, fluttering lightly against his face and exposed hand, healing the scars of his heart as they swirled around him. He sighed, lying back in the grass and let the smells of the world overtake him. Silently he drifted off into a deep sleep…
The raven-haired woman stared out the window of the carriage in which she was held. Horses trotted alongside her, carrying mounted sword and gunmen. Stern expressions adorned their faces as their silver eyes flashed about them warily.
"Come away from the window, Lady Hinata," a caring voice addressed her.
"Hai, Amaya-chan," she smiled at the kindly woman.
The woman's green eyes sparked happily at her as she sat back in her seat, resting her head against the navy blue seats. She closed her eyes and let out a contented sigh as the sunlight filtered through the open windows, carrying with it a warm breeze. A gentle hand rested on her swollen stomach as she rested herself.
"How are you Ama-chan? It's already been three months," Hinata questioned the woman, concern sparking in her voice.
"I'm fine milady. I only desire for your happiness and safety."
"Not now, Ama-chan. Can we discuss this later," Hinata already knew what subject her pregnant caretaker was referring to.
"But milady, how will you carry on your line without a husband? You know you have to pick someone. There was nothing wrong with this one, yet you insist on turning away every suitor who shows and intrest in you."
"You mean in my kingdom. They're all the same, only desiring power," she scoffed, crossing her arms and turning to the window, "I have no desire to be tied to one who I don't love."
"I know milady, but at least give them a chance before you set your mind," she attempted to convince her.
"I can see it in their eyes, the way they look at me and speak to me. They have no love for me, only the opportunities I present them."
"So there's no convincing you then?"
"Hai. I have no wish to marry, not unless I choose who they are and when."
The pair sat in silence; Hinata staring at the clouds in the sky and Amaya, as Hinata addressed her, braiding her long red hair.
"Out of curiosity, milady, if you were to marry a man, what would they be like?"
"Hmmm…I've never give it much thought, but they'd have to be confident, but not obnoxious, caring yet firm and strong. I'd prefer blue eyes…yes like the sky, and deep and raging like a stormy sea. I wouldn't mind if they were a bit unusual either, it would only make them all the more unique and endearing…" she giggled at the last thought, hiding her blushing face bashfully behind the dark purple sleeve of her otherwise ivory kimono.
"You certainly have interesting taste, milady," Amaya giggled, smiling brightly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Hai," she agreed giddily as she resumed her cloud-gazing, "My greatest fear," she sighed.
Her caretaker looked at her curiously, tilting her head to the side.
"Beg your pardon milady, but to what are you referring?"
"My greatest fear; do you know what it is Ama-chan?"
"I'm afraid not milady," she bowed her head in shame, yet her eyes sparkled in keen intrest.
"To be trapped, to be useless and unable to do as I please; set in a cage until I wither and die of old age. No glorious or honorable death, to fade from memory and only be remembered as yet another royal in our line. Until our house crumbles and is all but gone. That is my greatest fear. And yet destiny so cruelly has bound me to that very fate, and I am unable to break free from it. Sometimes it seems as though the birds taunt me as they fly above me, so free and beautiful."
"Milady," Amaya sighed sadly.
"What do I have Amaya. Please, tell me there is more," she begged, clasping the older woman's hand in desperation.
"You have me milady, and your sister, and Neji, not to mention this little guy will be here soon. I'll need somebody to help me raise him," she comforted the distraught girl, holding her hands gently in her own.
"Arigato, Ama-chan," Hinata confided.
"Now, you need your rest milady. We have much to do when we arrive home."
"Hai," she yawned sleepily before resting her head against the window frame.
As she sighed and drifted off a single blossom petal floated through the window to caress her cheek, carried by a warm promising wind.