Chapter One
The village was busy as the vendors moved about in their carts, setting up the many booths, hot pots, kimono, and many other goods in the market place. Housewives, children, and men started to fill the streets, looking at all that laid before them, food to feed to their household's mouths, jewelry being handled by each young woman's hand, all in hopes that the man they had in their mind would give such a thing to her as a trinket and as a sign of an incoming proposal. While the carnival of many different colors and item went about the small town, it was an old scribe that caught the interest of the nine year old girl.
She sat patiently next to the old man, watching him as he went on dipping his brush into the ink pot and brought the brush down onto the rice paper and stroke out very carefully the characters of what was suppose to be a fairy tale. She, in turn, looked back into the small book she had in her hands, seeing if the characters the old man wrote match that of the book. Thus far, they were identical in appearance to the untrained eye. To the young girl, the old man's calligraphy was so much more beautiful than that of the book.
"That's impressive!" The girl said happily.
The old man looked up at the girl and smiled.
"I always knew you would appreciate such a silly thing my dear." He replied.
"It's not silly at all!" the girl insisted. "I've always wanted to see a craftsman at work. And to think, you used to be able to write out all these amazing stories one right after the other in your hay day…"
The girl took a moment to look back at the small book in her hand, her small fingers tracing the characters for who knew how many times. The old man smiled even brighter.
"Actually, my dear… there is a little something I want to give you, before you and your mother go off into the mountains with her husband."
"Really?"
The girl stood by the door while the man went into his home and dug around for a few things. He let out a cry of triumph as he walked slowly back to the door, with a familiar rectangular package in his hand.
"Since you enjoy fairy tales so much…" He said. "I would be honored, if you would keep this safe for me. It would bring this old man much joy if he knew this was in good hands."
He placed the package into the girl's hands, helping her place the small book on top of it.
"What does it have?" the girl asked, already knowing that it was a book that the old man gave her.
"Many beautiful tales… to entrance you into the depths of you soul…" the old man replied. "The calligraphy in this book puts mine to shame. I've spent my entire career trying to imitate its style, but yet, I was never able to. My own little girl enjoyed the book before she was taken from me by the wars…"
Both he and the girl looked up as men on horseback rushed down the streets, carrying banners of the Shinsengumi. The armor and swords collided with one another as they bounced in the saddles as the horses' hooves hit the ground. Women held their children close and everyone stopped what they were doing to bow before the passing men out of respect…. And fear. The girl and the old man were no exception.
As soon as the men were out of sight, there were many breaths of relief and then things slowly began to go back as they were moments ago.
"It is good that you and your mother are going to the deep country…" the old man said. "I have no idea how much worse all this fighting's going to get."
The girl swallowed and nodded. The old man took the girls hand into his wrinkled ones.
"Promise me one thing my dear…" he said. "Please… make sure you and your mother stay safe. It would bring me great pain to hear of either of you being injured…."
The young girl tried to give the old man an encouraging smile.
"You don't need to worry." She said. "I'll make sure we stay safe…"
"Rin- Chan! Rin- Chan! Where are you!?" a woman's voice called out, catching the attention of the girl and old man.
"Oh! Rin- Chan! There you are!" the woman said, placing two hands on the girl's shoulders. "You had me worried when those men came through…"
"I'm alright mama…" Rin replied with a smile.
"Ah! Lady Sayuri! It gives this old man great joy to be graced by your beauty and presence…" the old man said, smiling and bowing before the woman who was standing before them.
Lady Sayuri smiled sweetly.
"I hope my daughter did not cause you much trouble sir…" Lady Sayuri said.
"Not at all… visits from the young help keep the youthful spirit in me alive."
Rin giggled at the old man's antics. Her mother had that affect on most of the people that have crossed her path. She clutched the book closer to her chest, as she nuzzled closer to her mother, inhaling the sweet scent that seemed to belong only to her.
"I thank you for keeping an eye on her…" Lady Sayuri continued, bowing to the old man.
"But I'm afraid we must be off."
The old man nodded.
"I pray that your travels are safe…"
Lady Sayuri bowed again in thanks, and led Rin by her hand towards the awaiting palanquin.
---
The mountain roads for the most part were clear, yet bumpy from the lack of able men to repair the roads, as well as the lack of use. The samurai, servants, and baggage carriers proceeded in procession behind, on the sides and in front of the palanquin, presenting the importance of the people inside the palanquin. While all the activity was going on outside, inside the palanquin, Lady Sayuri and Rin were seated on the cushions, trying to brace themselves from each bump the road presented. Lady Sayuri tried to concentrate on the embroidery of a winter kimono for Rin, while Rin breezed and skimmed through all the books that she had brought along with her.
Lady Sayuri looked up and watched her daughter flip through page after page and slightly smiled.
"What is that story about?" Lady Sayuri asked.
Rin look up from her book to look at her mother.
"The title is 'The Pillow Book', but I haven't got so far in my lessons to make out what some of these characters stand for…" Rin replied.
Lady Sayuri immediately went forward and took the book away, a shade of red taking over her cheeks.
"Maybe it's still a bit advance for you… maybe when you're older…" Lady Sayuri said with a sigh. "Try one of your other books…"
Rin shrugged and did as her mother ask, wondering why she suddenly turned red. While looking at the covers of her other books, she finally decided to reach for the one given to her by the old man of the village, still wrapped tightly in the rice paper. She slowly untied the string, anticipating the moment when she would open the book for the first time. After carefully unwrapping the rice paper, instead of a tattered old book, she was surprised to come across a simple very well care for. No signs of age or tatter or even any use were seen, even though it has long with the old calligrapher in the poor dirty house. This must have been his most prized possession he entrusted to her given its condition.
Just as Rin was about to open the book, the palanquin came to a sudden stop. She and Lady Sayuri looked at each other curiously as the door of the palanquin was opened by the lead samurai of the travel party.
"My lady, perhaps you and the little miss, would like a chance to stretch your legs…it will be a while yet before we reach the destination…" he said.
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Tanaka-san…" Lady Sayuri replied. She turned to glance at Rin.
"Let's go Rin- chan, and don't stray too far."
"Yes mama…" Rin replied, as she followed her mother out, after rewrapping the book in the rice paper.
The air was suddenly cool and crisp compared to the warmth from inside the palanquin. Rin took a few steps towards the forest edge, while Lady Sayuri was suddenly interested in some of the flowers along the road. Rin went further and further into the woods, chasing a butterfly. Rin then suddenly stopped in her tracks. She squinted her eyes for a moment, trying to get a better glance at the figure in the distance. Or at least, that's what she thought it was. She kept looking at the silhouette for sometime. Just as she was taking a step to head towards it, a hand reached over and grabbed her shoulder, causing her to jump.
"Little Miss… we must go… you're mother is beginning to worry about you…" Tanaka said a bit sternly.
Rin looked up and began to follow Tanaka back to the travel party, taking one last backwards glance towards the figure, but to her surprise, she saw that it had disappeared all together.
---
The sun was just about to set when they had finally arrived at their destination, the old mansion hidden within the Country Mountains. Other samurai and many servants waited in the inner courtyard while the travel party moved in. the servants and samurai parted for an important looking man, his swords attached firmly to his side, dressed in armor and had a stoic face. He eyed the palanquin as it stopped right in front of him. Lady Sayuri slowly stepped out with the assistance of a few servants that rushed up to the palanquin to retrieve the luggage. She then turned to help Rin out. The two, after settling themselves, walked cautiously to the man.
"Lord Masahiro…" Lady Sayuri said calmly, bowing before him.
Lord Masahiro reached out his hand and gently lifted Lady Sayuri's chin.
"Welcome…. Lady Sayuri…" he said, his monotone voice matching the stoic expression.
Lady Sayuri briefly looked away and glanced at Rin.
"Rin- chan…" she said. "Come say hello to the General…"
Rin clutched her books closer to her chest as she stepped closer to the adults. She remained silent as she bowed to Lord Masahiro. Lord Masahiro furrowed an eyebrow as Rin bowed.
"Never forget to address who you show respect to, Rin…." He said coolly.
"Forgive me… my lord…" Rin said silently.
Lord Masahiro stepped back a moment.
"You both must be tired from your travels…" he said. He ushered one of the maids to his side.
"Show them to their rooms." He said in an authroitive tone. "I have other things to attend to…"
"Yes my lord…" the maid replied.
Then Lord Masahiro turned to Lady Sayuri.
"I trust you will find the accommodations comfortable…" he said.
Lady Sayuri nodded calmly and she took Rin by her free hand and began to follow the maid into the mansion, followed by the other servants carrying the many pieces of luggage.
---
"Mama…"
"Yes Rin- chan?"
"Why did you have to get married?"
Lady Sayuri paused in brushing Rin's hair, the eerie glow of the lantern continuing to burn in the room. Lady Sayuri sighed.
"Because… I've been alone too long…"
"But you had me mama… you weren't alone…" Rin said, looking up at her mother.
Lady Sayuri gave Rin a small smile.
"True enough…" she said. "But… I was alone in a different way…"
"How so?"
Lady Sayuri went back to brushing Rin's hair.
"You'll understand when you're older, my dearest…."
Rin looked back down to the floor.
"But you must remember Rin- chan. The General has been so good to us in this time of war. No one knows when all the fighting will end. I just… I just want you to be safe and away from all the chaos…"
Lady Sayuri placed the brush down and embraced Rin from behind. Rin reached up and placed her hand on her mother's.
"I know mama…" Rin said with a small smile. "I'm happy as long as you and I at least are still together."
Lady Sayuri smiled.
"I don't expect you to call him 'Father'. But… at least show him respect. At least… for my sake…"
"I'll try mama…"
"Alright. How about one of your stories? What better way to begin the night than with one of your stories?"
Rin smiled even brighter at the mention of stories. She thought for a moment before she began to speak.
Once, a long, long time ago, there lived an old bamboo cutter and his wife. They have longed for a child, but no matter how hard they tried, they were unable to have one.
One day, as the old bamboo cutter went through the bamboo forest, he proceeded to cut bamboo down. To his surprise, he found a beautiful baby girl inside the bamboo stalk. In joy, he brought the little back home to his wife. They both named the little girl, Kaguya- hime.