The sky was bright blue and the sun rays warmed the beautiful land of Kyoto . The forest was calm and there wasn't any sign of wind . It was summer of 1769 , a period when only the strong ruled and the aristocracy was the most powerful ruler in Japan , along with the most powerful of all , the emperor.

In the land of Kyoto , a large wood could be seen and two youngsters were ridding and racing with each other a young man was going after his friend who was leading . Passing through the grape yard he disturbed the people who were working there.

He smiled to himself , because he was now leading , thanks to that short way he road and passed through the gates of a large castle villa and entered in the back yard where servants were working. When he stopped he looked at his friend that arrived after him. His friend had a hat covering his face . He then put out the hat revealing a wonderful woman in her early twenties. She had long auburn hair , white pale face , rosy blood lips and gorgeous violet eyes.

She was no more than 1'70 feet high and had a beautiful body. With all that beauty she could turn every men whenever she passed.

The boy looked at his friends smirking " well my dear yumi , I see that I won this time"

Yumi chuckled " well Keiichi , you cheated , even if you won , you disturbed the poor workers at the grape yard …. So it means a win without honor "

" yeah right , a won is always a won no matter how you achieve it " he looked her throught his warm blue eyes. " and in the end those workers are always unhappy even when no one bothers them or when we bother them , and don't forget we are like them too , we aren't lords or aristocrats "

Yumi smiled at him her bright violet eyes shining " well true , but I don't think poor or rich has any difference , we are all humans after all "

" you have pretty thoughts in your head , I better get going to work "

" yeah me too , the countess must be waiting me , see ya " yumi said running towards the garden of roses and entered in the castle to her room. Entering to her room she saw the daughter of the countess Sayuri Makoto , her patron , Misao Ishima . She was a petit woman and pretty too , she had bright blue eyes with green sparkling and long black hair kept in a bun.

Misao now no more a Makoto was married to the baron Shinoi Ishima and had a daughter named Sakura . Like her eyes she was very cold and didn't like Yumi . Years ago she hadn't been like this , all started when she married her husband . Her marriage wasn't like she had expected , her husband being very greedy , disgusting and violent.

Misao looked at yumi with a pale face " I have told you before yumi , girls and ladies don't go riding in the woods , especially when you are the accompanying lady of my mother , for god' sake , you are even dressed like a man " she said pointing at yumi's jacket and long pants along the boots " go dress immediately , what a shame you are…." Misao replied coldly

" don't think because my mother has a weakness for you , you can do what you want , or do you want to turn back working with the villagers with your mother and little sister , so think about it…"

Yumi bowed at her " yes countess …."

With that Misao walked out of yumi's sight . Yumi sighed and went to get dressed . She opened her wardrobe and picked a normal bright green dress adorned in the bottom with white roses. She went then to her mirror to adorn her auburn hair in a bun leaving so strands to adorn her hair. Yumi than ran towards the old countess room and knocked.

" enter !" a warm voice said from the other part of the door.

" coming my lady " yumi said in a soft voice opening the door and seating near her lady's chair.

" countess , how are you feeling today ?"

Sayuri smiled at her " my dear yumi , you are such a good girl , you are the only who stays with me"

Yumi smiled at her " its not like that , your daughter Lady Misao , was her these days…"

" ah , my poor little daughter , leaving with that monster of her husband , talking about Misao , she doesn't comport well with you , yumi " the countess smiled at her.

Yumi looked at her with her warm violet orbs " its not that true , besides she doesn't have a very easy life…."

" I see what you mean darling , you are right , living with that husband of hers , what a disgusting man !

Yumi smiled at her " please my lady , don't overstress yourself …."

" oh my dear daughter , I would be the happiest woman in the world to see my brave son turn back home , beside his old mother"

" he will turn back for you countess , don't worry "

Sayuri looked with blue eyes at yumi " you haven't met my son , Shishio , have you ?"

Yumi shook her head " no my lady , but you have talked for him so much that I feel that I have known him for a long time " she said looking at the portrait of count Shishio makoto , now studding in Singapore .

Meanwhile in Tokyo , the capital of Japan a very handsome young man with wonderful crimson eyes and great figure was exercising with three man in art of the Japanese sword.

" don't forget that we fight for our great emperor and we must follow his footsteps , with courage , beliefs and pride " he said smirking at them swinging his sword towards them.

His way of fighting was perfect and the way which he held his sword , very secure of himself.

" three beliefs which I see you don't have " he said fighting back their swords and knocking them down , while a old man came near him " count Shishio !"

Shishio smiled at the old general " General Aoki , I'm honored to see you "

" well I can see you are as strict as ever " the old man chuckled

Shishio's crimson eyes were brighten " well , you know me sir , so what can I do for you ?"

" listen shishio , this is lets say is a dangerous mission , you have to take an important document to general Tsunan , who will sent that list to our majesty the emperor .

" I would be honored to , but I have to return home I've gotten a letter that my mother isn't very well…."

" don't worry shishio , the mission is in the land of Kyoto , so after you finish this you will be straight home" aoki smiled at him.

Shishio bowed " yes , count on me " he said leaving towards his white horse.

" and shishio !"

" yes ?''

" if we meet again I want to see you married my dear friend !"

Shishio chuckled " I hope too !" shishio said putting the letters in his bag and leaving from the camp.

Countess Sayuri was lying comfortably in her warm bed while yumi was reading a story for her.

" its enough yumi , I want to sleep a bit and forget about my dear son…"

Yumi looked with sad eyes at her " please don't cry my lady , I am sure he will return to you , now better sleep a bit" yumi said closing the door behind her.

She sighed when an idea came In her mind and went to tell it to Keiichi.

" you want to go to doctor Aoshi ! Are you crazy he isn't anymore invited in the court !" seiiki shouted.

" listen to me seiiki , I don't care at all , he is my best friend and the best doctor in Japan , so he can make countess Sayuri feel better , and who know Aoshi has been always the miracle doctor and maybe can cure her from her illness"

Seiiki sighed " why cant I never say you no ?"

Yumi smiled brightly and hugged him " thank you , you are the best !" she said and took her horse and rode to Aoshi Shinomori's house.

Aoshi Shinomori was once a very rich man living with his family , he was the only successor of Shinomori family , but he had broken the first rule of aristocracy and had married a maid.

Breaking this fundamental rule he was banished from the court and couldn't step anymore in the world of richness , but he was happy as long as he had the love of life , his wife Haruna .

Yumi rode her horse towards the small house in the woods and landed to knock in the door of the small house. A little sweet woman with warm chocolate eyes and blond curly hair opened the door " yumi !" she hugged her.

" haruna " yumi hugged her back " how are you , how is aoshi ?"

" please enter " haruna smiled entering yumi in her house .

The two women sat in haruna's kitchen drinking hot chocolate.

" aoshi isn't here ?" yumi asked.

" he went to a patient , he will come back soon"

" you seem a bit pale , are you alright ?" yumi asked concered.

Haruna smiled at her friend " you are so beautiful , so kind , yumi its not only me destroyed , I have destroyed aoshi in the bottom of his heart "

" haruna , don't talk like this , he loves you , you love him , you have each others love "

Haruna was almost crying " look around yumi , this house is terrible , if he wasn't married to me he would be in a castle with all his richness "

Yumi looked at haruna " don't talk like this , he is happy here with you , he chose you to be by his side."

Haruna wiped her tears " how do you do this ?"

Yumi laughed " do what ?"

" make everyone smile in the worst situation ?"

" please , I am not as much as you say…."

In that moment the door was opened revealing a bit tired Aoshi. Aoshi was the best doctor in all japan and a real gentleman . He was very handsome , with black hair and mysterious ice blue eyes.

He smiled at the 2 women " yumi , I haven't seen you for a long time"

" aoshi I am happy you are well , I need to ask you a favor , the countess isn't feeling too well these days and I was hoping if you could come to see her condition "

Aoshi looked at her a bit surprised " well , if the countess gives me permission I will , of course"

Yumi hugged him " thank you , this means a lot for me "

Aoshi and yumi went outside to take their horses when Haruna came after them and aoshi helped her to sat in the horse with him.

Aoshi had finished checking the countess while yumi was near them .

" nothing to trouble you my lady , you are perfectly fine , the only thing that I can say you is not to stress yourself and drink this herbal tea every evening and before going to sleep , you care take care of that , ok yumi ?"

Yumi nodded at him and escorted aoshi outside the garden .

" aoshi tell me the truth , is she fine or not ?"

Aoshi smiled at her " little yumi , all the time worried about the others , don't worry she is fine , but what I told about her stress its true , she should be relaxing and not stressing herself"

Yumi sighed " it would be easier if Lord Shishio came sooner , she wants to see him , I have heard her praying about her son to return "

" I doubt that he would come that soon , shishio has gone to korea for a long time and maybe , who knows he could never return here , in Rivombrosa , our region of Kyoto"

" I couldn't be that sure aoshi , I can feel that he will come "

" why , has he written any letter to you ?"

" no…. but I have written to him…."

Aoshi looked at her shocked " I know you are crazy but this much , you aren't a noble"

" don't worry , I'll be fine and who cares if I am a noble of not , as long as this brings solution to my countess , I will do everything"

Aoshi chuckled " you haven't changed , have you ?"

Yumi smiled " well better going your wife is waiting for you and again , thank you "

" no problem , bye "

" good bye aoshi , we will see" yumi smiled at him waving her violet orbs shining and her long hair loosen playing with the wind.

While in Rivombrosa , in the other part of Kyoto two of the most powerful man in Japan were having an important discussion .

The advisor of his majesty Ikeda Ijori , the emperor and duke Hajime Saito the minister of the interior works in Japan.

" so the list will be in the hands of the general Tsunan this evening " saito said smoking his pipe.

" yes , and that list will be the downfall of these people who want the death of our emperor , those mans should be dead , who dares to kill the emperor should suffer , like a dishonored dog !" the advisor ikeda shouted.

Saito smirked " of course , you are absolutely right , but don't worry that list will be soon in the able hands of our emperor "

" very true , it was a honor to have seen you duke Saito "

Saito smiled " please the honor is mine and please best regards to his majesty and of course your dear wife Tokio …."

" yes of course , well I better get going " with that advisor Ikeda left.

Saito chuckled smoking his pipe and making puffs " you can come out now my lady…."

The door behind him opened revealing a very fascinating woman with warm blondish black hair and ice grey eyes. She was very beautiful and was wearing a long orange dress adorned with gold gems , showing a bit of her chest .

Saito came near her and whispered at her ear " its not very polite to spy Tokio especially when its your lovely husband with me…"

Tokio smirked " well duke saito you know very well that I am very curious by nature…."

Saito smiled " my god you are so beautiful " he said touching her swan like neck.

" you know saito , you can come admire my beauty every time you prefer…."

With that she kissed him passionately but then stopped " now lets leave this part for another part and talk about the list "

" believe it or not , I will save that list , once in my hands I will make sure that that list will disappear and will be safe , in no one hands…. We don't have to worry my man wont fail bringing them to me…."

Tokio smiled at him her eyes reflecting pure evilness.

Shishio was riding for hours in the woods and I feeling that his horse was getting a bit tired.

He touched his head " come on buddy , we are just there , and you can repose for all the day" he smiled his bright crimson eyes shining and glimmering from the strong sun.

He looked around to see general Tsunan pressed in a large fond of water.

Shishio landed , tied his horse in a tree and walked towards the man .

" general katsu " shishio bowed.

" count Shishio Makoto , you are punctual , I can see , if I am correct you have something for me "

Shishio nodded and opened his bag to take the letters and looked around for any intruder .

" don't worry count , we are alone here , nothing to be worried about"

Shishio took the letters and gave to Tsunan , then he went to drink a bit water.

Tsunan went near him " did you have a good trip ?''

Before shishio could answer a pistol came out in the bushes and shot to death general Tsunan.

" shishio took immediately his pistol and shot the man but looked around to see that there were 3 other mans . so he came near the general and took his pistol and shoot to death the other bandits too.

" general , are you ok ?" shishio asked panicked.

" please take the letters you gave me and run , don't give them to anyone , just go and give them personally to our emperor …."

" yes of course but you are coming with me , I cant leave you die "

" shishio , go ! this is an order , if you don't go it will be too late , now LEAVE !"

Shishio closed his eyes and bowed at him " I'm sorry…."

Then he took his horse and hit his horse stronger to make it run very fast from the voices that were coming . Shishio was returning to Rivombrosa.