Chapter 21: Alone
Chizu-ane and I remained in Sendai. She visited her father's grave on a daily basis as I aspired to become a swordsman –well woman- to be reckoned with. I trained my mind and body each day. In the time that I would not be training I helped the priests around their temple. I cleaned and cooked when asked. Soon after watching them I aspired to become a priestess myself but I would not give up the sword. It was the legacy of my family.
Learning the life and duties as a priestess was really something else. It was as difficult as it was fun. I learned a great many things. One of my favorite activities happened to be dancing the ceremonial and traditional dances. It came to me easily since my Oka-san had been a dancer in her life and I had watched her practice. The colors, sounds, smells, everything about the temple was full of life. I was saddened to watch Chizu-ane after a time because I knew that she too missed our family. I knew that she especially missed Toshi-nii and wished very much that she could have followed him.
On the eve of my tenth birthday I was left to the temple and the priests. Chizu-ane had left early in the morning before I woke up. I was informed by the head priest and handed a letter that was from Chizu-ane. I was sad that she had left, I felt completely alone but I understood her reasons for leaving. I returned to my room and placed the letter on a small desk before leaving with my swords to go practice before attending to my duties around the temple.
Dear Hanae-chan,
I am sorry to leave you on your own but I know that you enjoy the life you have made at the temple. I received a letter from Ootori-san asking if I could come join them, join Hijikata-san, in the war. While I will not necessarily be fighting I will be helping Hijikata-san. I wish you the best of luck and I will be sure to visit you again should I survive. I hope I will be able to see you again little Isami and see how you have grown.
With love,
Yukimura, Chizuru