Chapter 3
My heart was racing as my father placed my hand with Master Hakudoshi's own hand. Though my eyes were still on him, I felt like my soul had left my body and was floating away. "Princess Rin, I will make sure that you are well taken care of a year from now. Your needs will be met with whatever you need or want. Our home will be filled with all the desires your heart calls for," all I heard was a snark tone and lies coming from his mouth.
The crowd before us cheered, clapped and they all had the biggest smile on their faces. I, on the other hand, wasn't happy at all. I didn't want to marry him. I don't love him one bit. He wasn't my type. He had evil written on his fake smile. I know he doesn't love me. How could my parents allow this to happen? Don't they care about my feelings?
I didn't want to face anyone for the rest of the night, including my parents. I wanted to escape to my room and hide away forever. No! I wanted to run away from here. Far away where no one could find me. That means I'm gonna have to sneak past my guards, Bankotsu and Jakotsu. I pray that they get drunk tonight on saki and I can get to the stables and retrieve my horse.
For part of the night I was speechless and couldn't get the words out on how I felt. I could feel my eyes wanting to water, but I held everything back. All the guests came around, congratulated us and wished us a happy life for the future. I don't want a future with Master Hakudoshi. I wanted a future with someone I wanted to be with and to tell them that I loved them. I still don't know who that would be.
Master Hakudoshi gave my hand too tight of a squeeze as he asked me, "why so quiet, Princess Rin?"
I muttered, "just still a bit shocked."
"There's no need to be shocked, princess. You should feel happy that we'll have a future together." How bad I wanted to tell him that I didn't want a future with him and that I wasn't happy with the news.
When my parents weren't around me, Master Hakudoshi's mother, Lady Kagura, came up to me and told me to show more respect around her eldest son. She even told me to stand up straight more, with shoulders held back. It hurt so much. Their family was strict on etiquettes, while my family wasn't. His mother even whispered that if I don't start standing up straight, I would have a board put up against my back to fix my posture. This is why I want nothing to do with their family.
The night led on and I announced that I was tired. I actually wasn't and was more awake then ever. I just needed an excuse to get myself away and get myself ready to leave my home forever. "Rest well, my daughter. Tomorrow we'll talk," my father informed me. Unfortunately, I'll be long gone by the time they are awake in the morning. That's if I can get past my guards.
"Goodnight father," were my last words to him. I could feel my tears coming again, but I held them in when I finally reached my room. I fell to my knees along my futon and released what I've held back these past few hours. "I can't believe father and mother gave my hand to Master Hakudoshi. They always asked me what I wanted and for my permission. Why didn't they ask me this time?" What have I done to deserve this hell of a nightmare? When was this planned out?
A hot bath wouldn't wash this pain away. The night air blowing in my face would. I just needed to get to my horse unseen. First things first was to change into something old. I know my older kimonos and yukatas were in boxes at the bottom of my closet. I'll take a few that I could, but I had to make this quick.
I rushed to my closet, pulled the first five boxes at the bottom, a cloak, even a bag and then took out the first yukata and changed into that fast. I then grabbed a few pillows around my room and stuck them under the blankets to make it look like I was asleep. Tomorrow when they try to come wake me I'll be long gone.
With all my belongings packed and the boxes placed back in my closet, I blew out all the candles that were lit, walked out the doors to the back of my room and I didn't look back. I will say my goodbyes later tonight.
The only sound I could hear was from the front courtyards, but all their voices started to fade away when I got to where my guards room was located. I saw that their light was on, but no voices could be heard. "Are they asleep?" Went through my mind. I hope they were.
I crept closer, being ever so quiet and still not hearing a word. My heart raced not just in my chest, but my stomach. I felt like I was gonna be sick if I got caught. When I was just about to walk past their door, I heard a sound. A very rattling sound, like snoring and heavy breathing. One snore would follow after another. I knew they were both asleep. I let out a breath of relief and slowly crept past their room, looked for a quick second to see that they were both passed out drunk and then made my way to the stables.
I was grateful that I was taught how to strap
Seishin's harness down. It only took me a few minutes. With my bag strapped to her side, I grabbed her reins and walked out the back part of the stables. It would actually lead me to the outer part of the castle. Outside the stables, the air was cool and crisp. What I needed right now. When I made it to the awning between my home and forest, I hopped up on Seishin and turned my head back to look at my home one last time. This would be the last time I would ever see this place and my parents, ever. With my last tears to fall, I grabbed my horses reins, whipped them quickly and Seishin and I jetted off into the dark night.
I would find a place to camp later tonight and sleep. A place that would be far down the road and away from here. I didn't care which direction I was headed. It just had to be safe for now until I found a place to call my forever home. I was going without any money and I wouldn't care if I had to work for my own earnings.
"Maybe when I find the right place to call my home, I wonder if I'll find someone that was meant to be the one to call my heart and my future husband?" I know I'll find the right guy when the right time comes.
I'm not picky when it comes to guys, he could be a demon and I wouldn't care, but not like Master Hakudoshi and his family. He has to be caring, brave, tall, strong and most importantly, loyal to me always. He has to allow me to make my own decisions and be myself always. I want this someone to not only just be my future husband, but also my friend. I want to be able to talk about anything and everything with him. The good and the bad.
After traveling for quite some time, Seishin and I made it to an open rice field on one side and a village on the other. It was quiet and no fires were lit. I knew it was well past midnight and the villagers were all asleep. I should be asleep myself, but I wouldn't rest till I found a place that was safe.
I knew I would need to stop for Seishin to have a drink, including myself. My throat was parched and I was actually hungry. When I find a good area for safety, that's where I'll take my rest for a few hours.
The following morning came after the party I threw last night. Hanami and myself did not get an ounce of sleep. Our minds were on Rin and of the engagement to Master Hakudoshi we planned for her. We knew she was devastated with the news.
"Hiroto, did we make the right decision?" I knew we didn't.
"I've been asking that myself since she went to bed last night, Hanami." I knew how upset she was. I saw it in her eyes when she retired for the night. "We should speak with Rin before we join our guests for breakfast."
"It might be better if you speak with her first, my dear." I pulled us to our feet and walked Hanami to the door. "Go and I'll join you both soon."
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit."
Minutes later, I heard the sound of running and Hanami screaming for me. "HIROTO!"
Hanami came back dashing into our room, with fear in her eyes. "What's wrong, Hanami?" I grabbed her by both shoulders and brought her to the many sofas in our room.
"It's...Rin. When I went to wake her...her bed was filled with pillows. I...I think she ran away, Hiroto!"
"What!" I ran for her room, praying that she was actually there or that she was just wondering about our castle. "Rin!" I took notice of her bed and saw the strays of several pillows scattered on her futon.
Hanami came running back into the room and threw herself into me, soaking my back with her tears. "She's not in her personal washroom either. I think she ran away."
"Have you informed the guards to search the castle? What about Bankotsu and Jakotsu?" My heart was racing. If she truly left the premises, I fear the worst for our only daughter. She doesn't know how to survive like that on her own.
"No! Hiroto, I truly believed she ran away. Look at her closet!" I turned to see her closet had several boxes pulled out from the bottom. Empty that used to contain her older kimonos that she doesn't mind getting messy. "I checked to see for that fear and…We need to find her, my love. We need to find her before Lord Naraku finds out!" That scares me the most. I don't want to see the look in his eyes if we have to tell them. Including his wife and eldest son.
"I'll inform Rin's guards, Hanami. Don't say anything to anyone and wait here!" I left her in Rin's room, heard her knees hit the floor and wailed her eyes out. I dashed down to Bankotsu and Jakotsu's room. I found their door wide open and them sprawled out on the floor, asleep. They were bare chested, almost naked. "Jakotsu! Bankotsu! Wake up!" I yelled so loud that they butt heads getting to their feet.
"Lord Hiroto," they both bowed. They saw that they were barely in anything and dressed fast. "Is there something that you need us to do, My Lord?"
"Help me find Rin! Hanami went to her room a moment ago and found her bed stuffed with pillows. We believe she may have run off. Some of her kimonos are missing. Check all over the grounds she tends to wander the castle!" I'll stay with Hanami till we are given word that she is found safe. I pray she hasn't left the castle and is somewhere hiding within the castle walls.
"We will find her, My Lord." They both ran out of the room, heading west, inside my castle.
"Bankotsu, where should we check first for Princess Rin? She has to be somewhere within the castle." To know for sure if she's inside the castle, is to check the stables.
"The stables, Jakotsu. That will tell us if Princess Rin is here. If her horse is in her stables, we'll check all the gardens and anywhere else she loves to spend time alone." I pray that she didn't leave and is still here inside the castle. "But, Lord Hiroto did say some of her kimonos are gone!" I just hoped that she is hiding in a different room and staying out of the public eye till everyone is gone.
"If her horse isn't there?"
"Then we have a bigger issue on our hands, brother." If Princess Rin did indeed leave, then we will begin our search once we inform Lord Hiroto.
When we reach the stables, "Princess Rin?" We both called out and ran to the very last stall to find it completely empty, "shit!" Seishin was gone. "Shit, shit."
Jakotsu pulled me by the arm and pushed me back the way we came in, "Go inform, Lord Hiroto and I'll prepare the horse's big brother."
"I'll grab our weapons." I darted back towards the castle, passing my sleeping quarters and made it to Princess Rin's own room to find Lord Hiroto comforting Lady Hanami.
They both looked up, got to their feet, holding each other's hand, "did you find her?"
After I caught my breath, "it's with unfortunate news to report that Princess Rin and her horse Seishin are both gone."
"NO!" Lady Hanami went from standing on both feet, to falling backwards, unconscious, to where it took Lord Hiroto and I to catch her.
"Are you sure her horse is gone, Bankotsu?"
"Yes, Lord Hiroto. I'm afraid...with what…" I know why Princess Rin ran off during the middle of the night. She didn't want anything to do with the arranged marriage to Master Hakudoshi. "I believe Princess Rin is upset with the news from last night."
"I should have spoken with her last night. Hanami too. Look what we have caused! Find her! You and Jakotsu both! Don't stop and rest till she is found." I know why he is sending only the two of us out. If he were to send out the whole guards party, Lord Naraku would become suspicious. That wouldn't end well.
I rose to my feet, bowed before him, "We won't return till she is found, Lord Hiroto. You have my word." I then ran back to my sleeping quarters, grabbed mine and Jakotsu's weapon and headed back for the stalls. My brother and I would search high and low. In each direction. West would be our first place to check. I heard of a snow storm brewing up there and Princess Rin really loves the snow and I know she would head that way. But fear struck me right there. I've heard rumors of a horrid demon that roams those parts. They call him Kyokotsu. He's a massive beast that eats smaller demons and humans. Princess Rin wouldn't stand a chance and would end up dead if she were to face the beast.
Jakotsu had our horses ready to go. I handed him his sword and strapped my halberd to my back. "Where do we search first, big brother?"
"West, Jakotsu. West is our first destination. We won't stop till we find her." Once on my horse, I whipped his reins, "let's go!" We both jetted off towards the west coast.
I just awoke with the morning sun beaming down on my face, from the shaded trees above me. I had found a safe secluded area to rest during the night. It was off of the road that I took that night. A stream was nearby for both me and Seishin to get a drink. A brush nearby had plenty of strawberries to satisfy me. They were a sweet snack before I went to bed last night. The same for breakfast. I even packed some for my ride here again.
After we both got our drink of water, I hopped back up on Seishin and we headed back up towards the road. I knew I headed west during the night. When we made it out into the clearing, I looked to the west and saw the most beautiful view I've ever seen. "Wow!" I saw a mountain that had snow at the very top. "I think I found my new home." I whipped Seishin's reins and she galloped off.
By now father and mother must now know that I am long gone. Knowing father, he had to send out his best guards, including mine. I pray and hope that they can't find me. If they do, I'll do whatever I can to keep myself from returning home ever again. They cannot make me obey their orders. I make my own choices now. I love my parents dearly, but I want to find someone that my heart belongs to be with, on my own.
Hours passed when I went up the western mountain and the temperature began to drop. It was getting so cold that I had to wrap another kimono around myself. I needed to find shelter and take a break here soon. I really need to pee and I hope to find a cave to relieve myself. I didn't want to do it in the open, just in case a random person were to walk by.
I slowed Seishin to a walking pace. The path started to become narrow and I didn't want the chance for either of us to fall from the cliff. When I looked down, all I could see was a rocky bottom. A far worse death to face for anyone. I just kept myself facing forward.
I still had no luck finding a cave after another fifteen minutes and pulled Seishin to a fault, near a shaded large bush to pee. What a relief it felt. I couldn't hold my bladder much longer. When I hopped back up on her back, far off somewhere, I heard a deep growl. "What on earth was that?" Seishin was spooked by the sound she backed up from where we came. "No! Seishin. We must keep moving forward." An animal growl won't stop me from going forward.
When I looked up towards the sky, it was almost dusk. The sky was a pinkish purple. So pretty with the grayish white clouds high in the sky. I wonder if it's gonna snow? I kind of hope not. I don't have a place to stay warm tonight. I hope there is a village close by. I know Lord Toga rules the western lands, so there has to be a village. Maybe even multiple villages, just like my father's lands.
After another fifteen minutes, I heard the same deep growl, but also a scream that someone or something was in deep pain. What's worse it sounded like whoever was attacked, had been crushed to death, but not just any crush. It sounded like their bones had been crunched. That something had to be quite large for me to hear that sound.
Hard stomping followed afterward. It sounded like it was below me. I was afraid to look down, but I did. I saw a very tall man? Or a demon? I couldn't tell from this far up. He looked to be about twenty feet. Maybe even thirty! From this far up I could see that his hair was a dirty turquoise. His skin looked decayed like he was a walking dead. I could actually smell him from this far up and he did smell like he was a dead man. Not wanting to wait here much longer and forgetting about the beast below me, I whipped Seishin's reins and she moved forward and neighed lightly at my movement. It kind of echoed, but not loudly.
I lost track of the time when the sun was very close to setting, when I heard galloping behind me. I turned to see with horror in my eyes. "Princess Rin!" No! How did my guards find me this quickly? I kicked Seishin's side and she sped up fast. I need to out run them fast. "Princess Rin, please stop!" Bankotsu called out.
No! I will not stop. I will not return home. I will not marry that white haired demon. I could feel my tears wanting to fall, but I held them back. I kept my eyes forward seeing that the road began to widen more. Thank goodness. I hope there were different pathways up ahead that I could take and try to lose them. But I was wrong. The road only opened wide to a steep slope and a rope bridge to the next mountain. I was a sitting duck.
Forgetting about my guards, Jakotsu grabbed my reins and Bankotsu pulled me off from my horse and gripped my wrists in both his hands. No! "No! Let me go. I will not return home!" My tears fell knowing I'll be brought back home any second.
"Princess Rin, stop!" Bankotsu's voice was calm and smooth.
"Please, let me go!" I tried my hardest to break from his grip. My voice echoed throughout the mountain, but not loud enough to cause the snow to create an avalanche. "I will not be returning, Bankotsu! I will not marry him." I fell to my knees and took him down with me.
"Princess Rin," he let go of one of my wrists and cupped my cheek. "We have to bring you back, on your father's orders."
Jakotsu came over and lowered himself down with us. "Honey, your parents are worried and scared for you. You even worried us to death. My princess, these parts that we are in, have a beast that is known to walk around and devour anything living in its path. Human or demon. We must get you out of here for your safety."
"Jakotsu is right! We'll take our time heading back. That we'll give us time to talk. Please, Princess Rin! Let's head home so we don't run into any danger."
"I don't care, Bankotsu! I would rather be devoured by the beast right now than marry that boy."
"That could be arranged, my dear!" A deep grungy voice came from behind us.
We all looked back to see the same tall man I saw earlier. How in the hell did we not hear him approach? This...this man-beast stood before us. He had the ratchet smell of decaying death all over him. His dirty green hair was held up by a band against his forehead. He wore armor that barely covered him and his massive feet were bare.
"Princess Rin, stay behind us!" I was pushed behind my guards as Bankotsu and Jakotsu both drew their swords. "Princess, we will protect you and kill this beast so no harm comes your way."
I fear that may not be possible.
"Hehe, I cannot be beaten, by a mere human like yourself. I've eaten plenty like you who tried to protect a royal family. I even ate a few lords and a couple of princesses in my day. Quite a tasty treat that I haven't had in such a long time." His eyes met with mine, "I think I'll eat her first."
My eyes dilated at his words.
I was shoved back more and was ordered, "Princess Rin, run!"
I didn't need to think twice. I hopped back up on Seishin and bolted the way that I was headed before. I didn't look back. I could only hear the battle that was now unfolding behind me. Jakotsu's weapon I could hear very much as his sword echoed as it multiplied into multiple blades.
Within seconds we made it up the mountain more and came to a halting stop. There before me was a wooden bridge. And below that bridge was a very long drop and a fast moving current. I followed the current to see it drop several feet ahead. A waterfall!
I didn't know how old the bridge was, but it looked like it could hold Seishin and me. Before I crossed, I looked back not hearing a sound. Did they win? Or did the worst happen and the man-beast was on his way to kill me? I wasn't going to take my chances. I kicked Seishin's side and she began to slowly walk across the bridge.
I wanted to hold my breath till we made it over, but I had to breathe because it felt better if I did. We were almost near the middle when I caught a large tree trunk coming down the fast current. I continued to follow the trunk till it went over the falls. "I pray I don't fall in and face my death."
When we made it halfway I heard something from behind, but it wasn't just one voice, it was three. I did the ultimate thing and looked back to see the man-beast charging at me and my guards following behind. They were alive, but they looked to be hurt. "Princess Rin, keep going!"
I tried to keep going, but Seishin remained frozen. "Seishin, please!" I kicked her side again, only for her to stand up on two hooves, almost causing me to fall off.
I turned back to see the man-beast starting to cross the bridge. "Haha, I shall eat here soon, princess and your whilte stallion too!"
No! I kicked Seishin's side again and she did the same and stood up on two hooves. I don't want to be eaten alive. When I heard the beast step on the bridge, I heard a crackling sound from behind me. I turned to see the wooden boards starting to break. "Seishin, go!" I kept kicking her side, but she still refused to move.
"Honey, keep going!"
More boards cracked under the giant that I was too afraid to move. If I were to jump off and run, I wouldn't be able to outrun him. "Princess run!"
Just as my guards had gotten close to the bridge, I watched as the beast jumped several feet at me, and when he landed, the bridge gave way, taking me to the water below. "Ahhhh!"
"Princess Rin!" Was all I heard and remember from my guards when I hit the water.
Finally got this chapter up after spending a great deal of time working on it. I also want to apologize for not posting lately. I recently lost my grandfather back in April and I am now spending time away from home with my other family that I rarely see. I will continue writing in a steady space.
Elohiniar: Thank you for helping me spell a certain word that my brain couldn't figure out how to spell. You're amazing help when I need it. Guys, please go and check out her amazing stories. She will have you in tears. So please make sure to have several blankets, pillows, tissues and a stuffed animal for comfort.
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