A/N: Special thanks to Jstonedd, whose story, Soldier Wars, had me hooked onto the fandom as well as Cyked-up and Akiyotame, whose own writings have encouraged me to dabble into a bit of writing again after a year. Thanks should also be given to all who is part of the fandom as it was your musings about the characters that kept me writing.

This is my first multi-chapter story, so it'll be short – within 10 chapters? I have several scenes that are ironed out in my mind so I have a general idea of how it would progress. Updates should come every month or so.

Kotori-centric as mentioned. Other characters will make varying degrees of appearances, but their pairings would likely be NozoEri, NicoMaki, RinPana and maybe TsubaHono as well as ErenAnju. I should stress that this is a KotoUmi story even if it may not seem like so after the prologue.

Comments and criticisms highly welcomed. I hope you enjoy.

Prologue: An Agreeable Arrangement?

Whenever Kotori thought of marriage, she would think of her childhood friend, Kousaka Honoka. The two were often together: one would not see one girl without seeing the other soon after. Whether it be outdoors, where Honoka would bring Kotori into her misadventures, or indoors, in which Kotori could be seen putting together her latest kimono design with Honoka as her not-so-helpful assistant.

Their families often joked that they seemed like a married couple rather than close friends as they were unwilling to be apart from each other for extended periods of time. Kotori agreed with the comment: they knew everything about each other, no secrets were left unshared between them. Sometimes, Kotori thinks she knows Honoka even better than her own family! So, if she were to be married to Honoka, and the likelihood of which increases with every 'married couple' comment, Kotori knew she would be content for the rest of her life.

As such, Kotori was surprised to hear the Sonoda name when the subject of marriage was brought up by her mother upon her return from an extended trip.

"An arrangement has been made with the Sonoda family. By fortnight, you will be wed to their heir."

"What about Honoka-chan?! The Kousaka family is just as influential as the Sonoda family. Why can't I marry her?"

"Trade has been declining due to the increased bandit attacks in the recent weeks. Just today, six merchants have reported to being attacked, their goods stolen. Four of them were carrying goods by the Minami family." Her mother sighed. "Any more losses and the family would have difficulty in supporting ourselves."

"I know. Your trip was to bring the matter known to the daimyo and request their aid in halting the banditry."

"He referred us to a prominent samurai family under him and, under his supervision," her mother paused, as if considering her next words carefully, "an... agreeable arrangement was made. In return for their services, your hand in marriage would be given to their heir."

"Marriage!" Kotori protested. "Was there nothing else we could offer them?"

Her mother shook her head. "The Sonoda family, being of a line of samurai warriors serving under the daimyo, are quite well off. They have no need for gold. They also have their own supplier for their garments and rejected the offer of our highest-quality goods. To the Head of the Sonoda family, the only... commodity that we have which was of value to them was you."

"I'm sorry, Kotori," she continued, "If times were not so trying, you would've been wed to Honoka-san." There was a resigned exhale. "At the very least, the heir is said to be of noble character. I know you would be comfortable with her."

"What is her name?"

"Sonoda Umi."

It was the first time Kotori had felt such bitterness towards the sea.

The next two weeks past by in a blur. Kotori did not do any of her usual tailoring duties. Her mother had not pushed her either. She understood the taupe-haired girl was going through a turmoil of emotions upon learning her fate.

Instead she spent the relatively peaceful days with Honoka, who was quickly informed of the upcoming marriage. They were once again inseparable; Honoka staying with Kotori from dawn till dusk. The two wanted to make good use of whatever little time they had left together, because, even though they had promised to write to one another, the letters could never make up for the increased distance between them.

The other reason for the daily visits, Kotori knew as Honoka was never one for subtlety, was to prevent her own downward spiral of depressing thoughts and dread about her unknown future. The usually talkative girl was even more chatty than usual, filling every prolonged silence – comfortable and uncomfortable – with inane chatter. It was an obvious attempt to prevent Kotori from being lost in her own thoughts and, for that, Kotori was grateful. Any distraction was welcomed during her last two weeks of freedom.

The day she became Sonoda Kotori was also the day she first met her intended. It was during the wedding ceremony as they went through the exchange of vows, the motions having been previously enforced into Kotori by the nakodo.

Sonoda Umi was not what she expected. Instead of wearing a traditional bridal kimono like Kotori, her betrothed had worn a dark blue haori with white lining at the sleeves on top of a similarly-colored montsuki. Her legs were covered with a matching hakama. The ensemble was a traditional attire for a groom. It was fitting as the cobalt-haired girl had the male role in the ceremony.

It was not to say Kotori thought Umi was manly. The cobalt-haired girl was a curious blend of masculine and feminine features. She was definitely handsome, with high cheekbones, but it did not detract from her more delicate features. A better term for her would be androgynous.

Umi carried herself in a unique manner as well. She stood tall, back straight with her head held high, shoulders wide and feet apart. Her confidence was not only in her posture, but also in the manner she conversed with others as well. When she spoke to her male associates – warriors from the Sonoda family, Kotori presumed – she spoke as if they were on equal footing. It was quite different from the demeanour of a standard Japanese lady, who usually had her head bowed in deference to men.

Umi, Kotori noticed, was also a person of few words. During the post-marriage celebratory festivities, she never initiated a conversation and only spoke when spoken to. She also partook little alcohol, drinking only when necessary to be polite and only in small sips. She preferred to watch the performances – be it singing, dancing or otherwise – over socializing with others.

As Kotori studied her spouse, she came to a startling realization. Umi was the complete opposite of Honoka. Honoka whose outgoing nature had led Kotori to many experiences that she would have never gone through otherwise. There was also her loud and joyous character that made Kotori laugh more times than she can count. Her warmhearted childhood, with whom she knew she would be content for the rest of her life.

The realization saddened Kotori, but the marriage ceremony was done and she could do nothing but move forward. She may never fall in love with Umi, but it did not mean they could not have a civil relationship. There was no need to antagonize the person she is supposed to spend her life with. With that in mind, Kotori threw herself into the celebrations in hopes of making a good impression on those present. She mingled with any and all guests that approached to toast her on her marriage or to just make small talk.

As the moon rose high and the festivities continued, Kotori began to feel lightheaded. Her body felt slow, unresponsive and much warmer than usual for such a cool night.

"Father, Kotori and I will turn in for the night."

The music paused awkwardly mid-tune and the banquet hall became quiet. Silence reigned as heads turned towards the one who had spoken. Kotori followed the crowd, belatedly, and turned her head to look up at the girl at her side. She was already on her feet.

Umi's father, an impressive figure of a man, frowned. "The night is still young, Umi. Many performances are yet to come."

The man at his right laughed and slapped him on the back. "Let her go, Sonoda-dono! All newlyweds are eager to turn in early for the night; Umi-san would be no exception!" A chorus of boisterous laughter followed that comment.

Umi ignored it all. Her face as serious as ever she turned to address the guests. "I thank you all for attending our ceremony today. Your presence has greatly honored us." A bow. "I apologize for having to depart early, but I hope you will continue to enjoy the performances the Sonoda family has prepared for you." Cheers erupted and the music restarted as the celebration continued.

Umi turned towards her and tilted her head towards the exit. It was a clear indicator that it was time for them take their leave. Kotori followed obediently, but her body felt so heavy and every step seemed to worsen the dizzying feeling in her head. She might have taken more alcohol than she thought.

"Careful." She felt the arm around her waist and the cool presence behind her before she saw Umi at her side. She leaned heavily against the other girl, resting her heated forehead against the latter's neck, and let herself be led to their rooms. They entered a room with a large futon in the middle. As Kotori was laid down, she noticed the well-placed candles that illuminated it. The light casted was not too bright, merely enough for them to make out the objects in the room. It would set a wonderful mood for any romantic liaison.

Kotori froze. With all that had been going on, Kotori had forgotten a little detail. She was expected to consummate her marriage with Umi. She supposed she should have realized this earlier with the comment from Sonoda-dono's right-hand man, but the implication had flew past her alcohol-muddled brain.

The press of lips against her own was quick, sudden before moving against her jaw and leaving a trail along her neck. Hasty fingers moved along her body before staying at her waist to untie the – oh gods, Kotori was not ready for this. She had only recently decided on having a civil relationship with Umi. This was far from what she had imagined. She raised her arms intent on pushing the other girl away...

But never did, her arms falling back limply at her side. Kotori in return for the protection of the Sonoda family – it was all part of the agreement. Her mother had said that the Minami family needed this to survive and rejecting the Sonoda heir would jeopardize it all.

It'll be alright, Kotori told herself as the obi around her waist became undone and the kimono opened to reveal the slim figure underneath. She simply has to close her eyes and imagine that this was Honoka above her, that it was Honoka's hand at her waist and her lips pressed lovingly against the sensitive region between her neck and shoulder. Yet the hand that now rested against her bosom was cold and foreign to the touch. The sensations were far too different from the warmth she had long associated to her childhood friend and she could do naught but tremble involuntarily as the hand began to caress the mound.

Then, it all stopped. Lips and fingers were no longer on her and though she waited for them to return, they did not. Confused, she opened her eyes to peer at her partner and stilled when she saw amber. Her mother once said that one's eyes were the window to one's soul and Kotori agreed. The intense gaze upon her was studying – judging – as though all her secrets were slowly being revealed one by one and Kotori was only able stare back.

It was Umi who looked away first, moving downwards, and Kotori closed her eyes once more as she waited for the cobalt-haired girl to finish what she started. Thus, it was to her surprise that the lapels to her kimono were pulled together in a semblance of modesty and that the weight on top of her disappeared altogether.

"Good night."

She watched, stunned, as the other girl laid down, her back towards Kotori, with a respectable distance between them. She did not understand what was happening, but the body beside her was already still and so Kotori could only respond with a meek 'good night' of her own.

It was only when she was on her side, body curled inwards, did she feel the wetness against her cheeks.