So I wander on these lands again, seeing the very nature of those troubled times, see kingdoms born and shatter, and my journey takes me further than anyone could ever think. I enjoy the air, the softness of the land, the clear sky and the cherry blossoms dancing around in the wind. They make me forget from where I come, and lead me on the road called life to shrines and wonders of the eternity. But yet I have to leave, for I am still not born, and the mistake I did cannot be forgiven. Still I gave life to a beautiful child. Farewell, my beloved daughter, for your future will be my ancestors past, and keep your head high, your mind clear and your spirit free. You are the most wonderful thing I have ever seen, but I know you will never see my face, not even consider my person. I am your father, but for you I am a stranger, a soul not given a body, and you will call your dad someone else for. Child of this ghost, be nice and graceful, but strong as well. This is my only wish I leave behind in those times.
~ Saigyou Hoshi
The Story Of Southern Terra Part 1 - The Maiden of the Cherry Blossom and her Brave Guard
It is the year 1007 AD in feudal Japan, an era of trouble. Nations rise and fall and the only hope the normal people have lies within faith for better times. Somewhere in the east of the islands lies a shrine, almost out of danger and well blessed, and a young lady, known as a medium, lives within. She can see the past and the future, because she can talk to ghosts. Her name is Saigyouji Yuyuko. A few years ago, Yuyuko lost her father, the leader of the shrine and the village protecting it for giving the village blessing and good will of the gods. He was buried beneath a mighty cherry tree, as that was his last wish, but also because he wanted that whenever Yuyuko looks to the far, far east where this tree is located, Yuyuko shall be a bit happy and know, that life will go on.
"Lady Yuyuko!" appears a voice, while she sits near the shrine thinking about her father again.
"Lady Yuyuko, where are you?" comes the voice again, louder this time.
Yuyuko wakes up out of her deep thoughts, looking around wondering. She stands up and goes to the door of the shrine. It is both a Buddhist shrine and a Shinto shrine, accepted by the village because of the blessing it brings from more than normal gods, and Yuyuko is loved by the townspeople for being so young and yet so determined. As her father, Saigyouji Itashi, she knows the arts of ZEN and is considered a good medium, and she can say what the former times brought and what the next times will bring. The townspeople believe she possesses magical abilities she can use to attack as well, however Yuyuko never attacked anything except it was necessary. Still, a recent increase in youkai activities makes it inevitable for her to face some day enemies stronger than her as she has to defend the village. She is a girl of just about normal height, has long brown wavy hair a bit longer than to her shoulders and wears a white dress in the design of a Miko, however yin-yang signs are made all over it. Her eyes are a mild brown, some consider them golden.
"Lady Yuyuko. Where have you been? I already wanted to start searching you because you did not answer me.", says the young man standing at the door, it is Hoshikage Yukamaru.
He is a samurai in training, with short black hair tied up together, armor with black and yellow accents, the sign of a cherry blossom carried by a dragon on his back, and he is a bit taller than Yuyuko, but not much. His eyes are dark and his face is softer than one would think of a samurai. However he has a long scar on his left cheek from a battle where he defended Yuyuko when the both of them where children and went alone into the woods where the youkai live. Youkai are spirits who feed on humans living in a deserted area called Gensokyo and who often come into regions near the shrine where Yuyuko lives.
"So please tell me, why you were not answering my call?" he asks making a neutral face. Yuyuko looks away with a tired face and a tear makes her way along Yuyuko's right cheek.
"Oh I am sorry Lady Yuyuko. You were thinking about your father again, right? I apologize." says Yukamaru and tries to take her tear.
"No, it is not your fault Yukamaru." says Yuyuko crying. "I just have to think about him every single day when the sun rises and it makes my heart heavy, even if it is already 5 years since he passed away." Yukamaru goes a step further to Yuyuko and tries to hold her in his arms, but before he does, she denies.
"It is alright Yukamaru, I am fine now. For everything that dies, something else is born. That is what he always said." She wipes her tears away. "So, why did you come in the first place?"
"Well, actually I was send by some townspeople who claim they have been attacked by wild youkai, at day and without any warning. 2 children are missing since the attack, and I was formally given the duty by my lord to take out those evil spirits. However this is my hardest mission which will make me a real samurai with honor and pride, and I need someone who can prove I have taken on the challenge."
"So Yukamaru, you want to tell me I shall go with you as this person and then claim you have done your duty with your heart. Then why did you choose me?"
"Lady Yuyuko, I have sworn I will protect your life no matter what when we were young, but this time, this only time, I need your help for you are a mighty person. I cannot endanger a helpless person from the town, neither am I allowed getting help from another samurai. So please, will you assist me with your blessing?" Yukamaru bowed down while saying this.
A wind whistle sound appears and cherry blossom fly along the shrine between Yuyuko and the down bowing Yukamaru. The trees rustle aloud and a noise comes from the roof of the shrine, a familiar sound. Yuyuko stands still thinking, and finally speaks up.
"Very well Yukamaru, hereby I claim myself, Saigyouji Yuyuko, daughter of Saigyouji Itashi, as your assistant in both the fights for our people and the morally help you have to stand on this quest. Now rise up, you are not a servant to me." and winks with one eye closed.
"Then I thank you, Lady Yuyuko..." says Yukamaru right being forcefully muted by Yuyuko: "One thing. Do not call me Lady, or Mistress, or anything of those titles. I am a little younger than you so please, you may call me just Yuyuko."
"Well, then Yuyuko as you wish. Say, may we go in shortly? I was on my training just before I arrived and I did not want to disturb you during noon." Yukamaru is indeed a little sweating.
"Then you may come in. I will prepare a hot bath for you and take care of your clothes. It will not take long. Do not worry; just get a little rest, because training also includes a pausing one time or another. Something my father told me as well."
A few hours later Yukamaru is done and ready to train on. The sun already setting, he does not stop.
"You should go back by now, the night is dangerous, Yukamaru." He does as she says and leaves.
Shortly after his leave, Yuyuko goes around the shrine again, sets ZEN seals to keep intruders off and goes considerably early to bed. A long mission lies beyond the horizon. Even in bed however Yuyuko always thinks about her father and if he were proud about her. She slowly closes her eyes and falls asleep.
To be continued...
Characters and scenario all belong to ZUN
Hoshikage Yukamaru and side characters were created by KamuiK
October 11, 2009
written by
KamuiK