Short summary: Hakuei one-ups Ryosai in a show of grace, skill, and above all, mercy.


Guardian Lions (7)
Gentle Warrior

The one they called the wind that swept from the east, the wind that made the mountains of the west bow from her army of ten thousand strong, lost herself in the art of knitting. A stray strand of long black hair fell from her shoulder, nearly getting itself caught in her needles. She paused to tuck it behind her ear. She resumed knitting and humming. It took her mind off the mess on her desk, of the maps and well-used battle plans she had drawn herself. Unfortunately, it only kept her distracted for so long. Hakuei Ren uttered a quiet sigh as she leaned back and lowered her needles. The stomach warmer she was making for her cousin Kouen would have to wait.

The peace of her evening shattered when her right-hand man Ryosai burst into the tent livid. "Wh-what is the meaning of this?" he sputtered. "The commanding general of the Western Subjugation army—knitting?"

Hakuei remained calm and merely stared back. "What do you want, Ryosai? Surely you didn't come here to complain of how I pass my time."

His hand flew to the hilt of his sword. "This is what we get for touting peace. All bark and no bite. Striking a deal with those roving, milk-sopping savages didn't work. I've warned you many times, and look what happened." He snarled in irritation, like a dog. "You should give the orders for us to storm their villages and kill them all. We'll give them a taste of what happens when you dare to defy the empire."

Her even voice hardened into firmness. "People of the Kouga clan are future citizens of Kou, not fodder for your bloodlust. I won't have any of my men spilling innocent blood. Not under my command. We'll wait."

Ryosai's lips tightened to a hard line.

The Kouga clan, only a shadow of its former glory, suffered under years of frequent raids. Taking inspiration from her father, Hakuei had the solution without resorting to violence. Putting her skills in diplomacy to use, she had suggested that they unite and assimilate under the empire's patronage. They didn't take it well. If only she hadn't bring Ryosai along to ruin it. He had the gall to bully a poor Kouga girl, igniting hostility from the clan. Hakuei would have taken up her offer on a nice bowl of horse milk. She took note not to bring him along for future diplomatic endeavors.

Ryosai continued to scowl with resentment.

In turn, Hakuei did not budge. She narrowed her eyes at him. "My orders still stand. We will not go to war with the Kouga clan." Finished with folding up her papers, she rose and strode past him. "If you'll excuse me, I must see to it that my men get enough food and rest for the night."

In about five paces Hakuei heard the tent flap rip away, then a shout from Ryosai:

"You're no general to me!"

Dead silence reigned among the nearby troops. Many stared bug-eyed and open-mouthed. Seisyun was aghast. Ryosai had always been difficult, but this time was different. What he just said was inexcusable and warranted certain death. The princess didn't hurl back an insult, not even bristle in defense for her own self. Instead she turned to face him, maintaining steadfast neutrality in her composure and stance. She raised a delicate eyebrow.

Nobody expected that amused response, let alone Ryosai. "Go back to your knitting, woman," he growled. "Leave war to the men." No turning back now; Ryosai declared boldly: General Hakuei Ren, third child of the late emperor: I challenge you to single combat. We'll see who's a true general."

Seisyun was fuming. The nerve of that man. Surely the princess wouldn't be goaded by such a low blow, a direct challenge to her authority. What she said next shocked him and everyone else.

"Very well. I accept." Hakuei stepped back and made a sweeping gesture with her arm. "If you defeat me, I will forfeit my position and cede command of the entire army to you."

Ryosai smirked. This was his chance to seize power and claw his way up. Perhaps this would be prove even better than straight up killing her. He looked forward to utterly humiliating the princess. She should be taught to know her place. He'd show her that women weren't fit to lead men into battle.

Nearby soldiers cleared the way to form a makeshift circle for the duel. Ryosai and Hakuei stood on opposite ends. Swords sheathed and strapped to their sides, they bowed at each other, but Ryosai soon cut the formalities short with a savage sideways slash of his blade. Hakuei blocked the blow with sudden quickness. Blade on blade sang its violent song throughout the camp. Ryosai took the offensive, bearing down on the young woman like a predator over its prey, brimming with full intent to draw blood. Hakuei in turn assumed defense, and not the amateur, desperate kind, either. Each move to block his blow was strong and measured. A step backward for her countered each step forward from Ryosai. He was relentless, ruthless, reveling in the violence. But when Hakuei showed no signs of her strength flagging, Ryosai's savage joy turned into irate skepticism.

Hakuei sensed it. "What's wrong, Ryosai? Disappointed?"

Her blade was a weaving blur of silver. Suddenly she lunged and took the initiative. Ryosai growled in response and parried her uppercut. He didn't expect her to be this quick. This good. Nervous sweat broke out on his brow. She was swift and light, almost weightless. His eyes and blade could barely keep up with her movements. The hilts of their swords clashed. Hakuei disarmed him with a quick wrench of her wrist. His sword went flying and hit the grass.

She swung. She could have had his head rolling that very moment. Suddenly she froze and stayed her blade. His eyes riveted in fear as it hovered inches above his neck.

Hakuei took a step back. She let the sword fall to her side. "You see, now? Mercy is not a weakness, but a strength. You would do well to learn that, Ryosai." She sheathed her sword, putting the duel to an end with a formal bow. A rousing applause erupted from the men, Seisyun being among the loudest to cheer.

Burning with humiliation, Ryosai stumbled to his feet, grabbed his sword from the ground, and slunk away. There was no doubt among the army now who was in charge.

"That was brilliant, your highness," Seisyun exclaimed.

She made a modest smile. "I learned from one of the best."

He knew she meant Kouen. He couldn't resist a chuckle. "Ryosai will think twice before stirring up any trouble now."

In a way, Hakuei had Kouen to thank for saving her skin tonight. She smiled as she remembered her eldest cousin, who offered to teach her swordsmanship many years ago. Since the death of her brothers, her training had intensified. Kouen often told her that her skills could end or save lives, depending on how she used them. Ever the pacifist and diplomat, she chose to fight to save lives, of course. Weapons didn't have to be tools for killing. Hakuei preferred conflicts being settled without bloodshed, but she knew how to swing a blade when the time called for it.

Speaking of Kouen, she still had to finish the stomach warmer she had been making for him. When she finished supper, the princess politely excused herself from the company of her soldiers. She retreated to the quiet of her tent, putting away her sword to pick up her knitting needles.


I was disappointed (and a bit pissed) that in the manga and anime, Hakuei never had the chance to engage in single combat with Ryosai. Had he not been a cheating, backstabbing jerk, I'm pretty sure Hakuei would've won. I also would've liked to see the scene, but oh well. That's why I love fanfiction.

There's a quote from The Hobbit that suits the theme of this oneshot very well: "True courage does not come from taking a life, but knowing when to spare one."