Chapter Two: Life of a Samurai's daughter
Lord Akikiro watched from his seated position on the porch of his office as his son Rinku held his training sword in both hands while he faced Akio. His papers, scrolls, and inkwell set next to him forgotten as he sips from his cup of hot peach blossom white tea. Dark bruises started to form on Rinku's arms and torso painting it in grotesque colors of yellow, blue, and blacks. His short hair hang around his face covered in sweat, falling into his bright eyes. While across from him Akio stood proud without a single mark, his long silver blue hair falls wildly down his back stopping around his hips. His golden eyes reflect the sunlight as he moves to attack, only for a small blur of brown and red to run in between Rinku and Akio causing them both to pause mid strike.
"Mika!" Lord Akikiro says in a stern voice causing the blur to stop before she hid behind one of the plumb trees, and look up at her Otou-san with wide blue eyes.
"You are supposed to be with your nanny learning to read and write right now." He says with a stern tone, hard jade eyes narrowing on his daughter.
"But Otou-San" Mika starts to wine only to be cut off by her father.
"No Mika-Hime, you must learn to read and write before you can learn how to fight. You are only two years old you have plenty of time to learn to fight." He growls in his rough voice waving his daughter over to him.
"Sit." He orders pointing to the spot next to him. Mika looks up at her father with wide blue eyes as she slowly eases over to the porch, slipping off her sandals her sock covered feet slide against the wood as she draws her knees under her.
"Grab that scroll with the red wax seal that has a feather pressed into it." He says, with a nod she grabs the scroll in her tiny hands and hands it to her father just as Aiko strikes Rinko across his arm while he was watching his little sister.
"Pay attention young lord, how do you expect to ever keep your the clan and your Imoto safe if you can't stop my sword?" He asks moving to swing again only for his blow to be blocked by the young lords bokken.
"Yeah! You can do it Onii-San!" Mika yells, with a quick movement the young lord pushes Aiko away and strikes him across his leg just below his knees.
"Good job my lord, now again!" Akio yells as Lord Akikiro hits Mika on the top of her head with the scroll.
"Pay attention, Mika." He scolds placing the scroll in her lap.
"Now open that scroll without braking that seal, then read to me its contents." Looking down at the scroll in her lap Mika picks it up and slides her thumb nail under one side of the seal using some chakra she tries to lift the seal without it breaking only for it to rip in half.
"Ah Otou-san! I ripped it, again." She pouts, Lord Akikiro places his free hand on the top of her head as he watches her frowning face.
"Not everything can be solved by chakra and brute force little wolf. Sometimes you need to think outside the box and find a different solution to the problem. I would of used some clay that can be manipulated with your chakra so it would fill the seal like water then hold it form, taken off the seal then you could have remelted the wax and replaced it. In the field if you ever need to remove a seal coat a thin blade or your finger like you were with some wind chakra and slide it under the wax on one side then move it around the edges in a circle. Then you can read the message." Lord Akikiro shows Mika by covering his nails on one hand with wind chakra giving them a new length of about 3 inches.
"If you ever do that though you need to make sure that all traces of your chakra have been removed from the scroll, especially if your dealing with ninja, little Hime." Aiko says moving away from Rinko's quick jabs only to return a strike to his shoulder in a solid movement.
"Yes, now Mi-Chan read to me what that scroll says." Lord Akikiro says pouring more tea into his cup before sitting the pot back onto the tray only to grab the cup and bring it to his lips as Mika starts to read.
"Lord Akikiro, the western lands report that because of the harsh winter this year and the unusually cold winds the crops they have planted are not growing as planned. We fear that we will have to buy food off of others and p-possibly from other lands. And with the unrest in the rest of the world another shinobi war is looking inevitable. Which will make trading with other nations impossible." Mika says her face falling into a frown as Lord Akikiro and Aiko watch the young child to see what comes to her young mind.
"Otou-san can't we just grow the plants we need in a building?" She asks looking up at her father with a confused look.
"What do you mean Imouto? Plants need the sun to grow don't they?" Rinku questions as Aiko hold up his hand and lays down his bokken, turning to his lord and hime, he watches closely as her little brown eyebrows scrunch up as she taps her chin with one of her tiny clawed fingers.
"Well of course they do Ani but the letter said that the plants were not surviving because of the cold. What do we do when it is cold Nii-san?" She asks looking over at her brother trying to get him to catch onto her thought.
"We go inside where we have heat." He says a wide smile breaking across his face.
"Your a genius Imouto. But how will we give the plants the sun they will need to grow?" He asks as Akikiro and Aiko watch the children come up with a plan to stop a food shortage.
"We make need to make the sides and possibly the roof out of something clear so the sun can get through yet strong enough to weather the vicious winter storms. Then we can grow food all year long." She says with a wide smile as Rinku pats the top of her brown hair with his own proud smile covers his face.
"That is a very good idea Mika-hime. I'll bring this up with our builders and smiths, we'll see what we can come up with." Aiko say with a bow of his head before he turns and leaves. Lord Akikiro places his hand on the top of his daughter's head as he smiles down at her.
"Good job, little wolf. Your reading skills have improved greatly and you and your Nii-san's idea will save many lives if we can get it to work. I'm proud of you both." He says his jade eyes twinkling as he watches his two children chatter happily at their fathers praise, noting how smart his youngest child is and how she leads her Ani in the direction of the answer without giving it away.
-Two years later-
A soft gentle crisp breeze blew across the land of iron dancing through the branches of the plum blossom trees causing blossoms to float from their perch. A flash of black and the fallen blossoms were cut in half. The morning sun was just peeking over the horizon when the soft thud a young boy of twelve landed on the dew covered ground. The top to his training kimono lay open around his waist, a cream colored sash held his dark blue training pants in place. Sweat shimmered across his lightly tanned skin as the breeze played with his dark brown hair. Small fluffy white puffs of hot air escaped his full lips as he moved into new fighting poses striking invisible enemies with his black bokken. Turning in a small spin the young boy could see the porch where is Imouto lay sound asleep from the early morning after a late night studying. A smile tugged at his lips as he went back to his practice.
The sounds of striking ring in my ears awaking me from my slumber. Blinking my eyes open I push off of the wooden porch that I laid on as I watched my onii-chan finish his morning practice. My small hands reach up and rub my big blue eyes as I look up to find my Onii-chan fighting the plum blossoms as they fall from the tree like snowflakes. A smile tugs at my lips as I watch Rinku Onii-chan move like a graceful dancer only with more power and confidence in each step. My childishness always takes over whenever my Onii-chan is around. I look up to him just like any other sibling would, only I finally feel like I have what I always wanted when he's around. Which is why I latch onto him like a leach when ever I can. It creeps some of the maids out, how one moment I can act just like any adult then my onii-chan walks into the room and I start to act like my four year old self. Okaa-san finally had a talk with me and told me I had an old soul with how I act and pick up new things. She explained how it is common of most of the Uzumaki clan to act older than their years and started to teach me how to use seals and heal with ninjutsu like our ancestors from Uzushiogakure, even though it was forbidden in the land of Iron. Otou-san said I was a prodigy just like Onii-chan. I just followed where my Onii-chan went and did everything I could to see his proud smile.
Then one day Onii-chan decided he would be the one to teach me how to wield a bokken and be a Kensei, just like him. Smiling, I hop off of the porch my sandals hit the ground with a soft plop. Running across the dew covered grass with chakra covered feet to keep from slipping over to my Onii-chan, a wide smile pulls across my face causing my eyes to crinkle in the corners.
"Onii-chan, Onii-chan! My turn! My turn!" I yell in a happy voice laughing Rinku nods his head as he ruffles up my hair with a free hand.
"Hai, hai Imouto." He says handing me an extra bokken that lay forgotten by the plum tree.
"Now you remember how to hold it correctly right?" he asks in a gentle voice watching me as I readjust my hands into the correct hold.
"Like this onii-chan?" I ask standing in the same stance that I've seen Otou-san and Onii-chan take over a hundred times. My feet spread shoulder width apart, I place my right hand in front of my left holding onto the tsuka (handle) of my bokken. I move my right side forward facing my onii-chan and place my bokken against my left hip. Otou-san called this stance Migi Gedan. Looking over my stance a smile breaks across my Onii-chan face as he takes his stance, his feet spread shoulder width apart as his left foot stepped in front of the right angling his left side to face me. His bokken lay flush on his right hip as his left hand held the end of the tsuka of his bokken with is right touching the fuchi (collar). The Sha No Kamae stance. My eyes narrow as I watch my Ani for any sign of movement. His left hand twitches before he swings his bokken to strike my right side. Shifting my stance, I lift my hands angling my bokken's tip towards the ground to block his strike. The whack of two wooden bokken hitting each other echoes through the yard bouncing around the plumb trees before fading into nothing. Vibrations rattle my little hands and up my arms as I try to hold firm with my tiny body.
"Very good, Imouto." My onii-chan says nodding his head.
"You've been practicing, My, my, are you trying to out do your Onii-chan?" he asks pushing out his bottom lip pouting. His pale jade eyes sparkle with amusement.
"Soon you won't need your Onii-chan anymore." He pouts his eyes comically wide as his lower lip trembles over his top one as he pushes it out trying to look like a kicked puppy.
"Ne, ne, Onii-chan" I say smiling at his dramatics that never cease to entertain me.
"I'll always need you, and I want to be just like you! Onii-chan is THE COOLEST!" I yell in childish innocence, laughing Rinku pulls back his bokken dropping his pout.
"I am pretty cool, huh" he asks as I move to strike while his guard is down.
"Come on Mika! You can do better than that, tricking your Onii-chan. How mean." Laughing we continue to spar until we had to leave to meet our tutors.
"Onii-chan," I whine throwing my arms around his legs.
"I don't want to go to the tutor. I want to stay with you!" I whine puffing up my cheeks in a pout. A deep laugh erupted from my Onii-chans chest as he rests a hand on my head.
"Mi-Chan, you know you have to go to your tooters just like I have to go to mine." He says with a gentle smile down at me. Looking up my ocean blues meet pale jade.
"Besides I need you to learn the hard stuff to help me lead the Okami clan, Imouto. You know I have a hard time with the treaties and building new things. I'm better at enforcing our laws and being a samurai."
"Yeah you suck at remembering who we have treaties with!" I giggle out as his smile falls into a pout.
"Your so mean Imouto!" He whines only to break out into a smile as he grabs my small body and starts to tickle my sides.
"Ah! No Nii-chan!" I yell out past my giggles, turning I run away from him back towards the house.
"Oh no Mika-chan! You won't escape me!" He yells only for rushed footsteps and the calls of Hana to make both of us pause, meet each others eyes then hurry to her.
"Mika-Hime! Rinku-San!" She calls only to jump off the porch and run to us as we emerge from the trees.
"What is it Hana-san?" Rinku asks worry filling his voice as he grabs her arms in a light yet firm hold keeping her steady.
"It's your Okaa-san! She's in labor young ones, Dattebane." She says with a wide smile that shows just how much of an Uzumaki she is, if her fiery red hair didn't already give it away. Looking up at my Onii-chan I take off running to my Okaa-san worrying about what this child birth will do to her and what I can do to help my Okaa-san and Ototo.
-six years later-
Conflicts between the samurai and the ninja have been on the rise. Unrest spreads across the land of ninja as everything gears toward another great ninja war. The borders of Iron are being flooded with refugees daily as small villages and towns flee the conflict with tales of blood and gore. Lord Samurai Akikiro and his eldest son Rinku, my Otou-san and Nee-san were dispatched to help with the border guard and fleeing refugees. Weather that was to let them into Iron or to send them to another of our neighboring countries. The last six-years were not the best for the Okami clan. Four years after Nariko was born our beloved Okaa-san became pregnant with my youngest Ototo, Kosuke. When she went into labor three weeks early in late winter the doctor was out helping another lord have their own child. I was in the room when everything started to go wrong.
The screams of my Okaa-san get louder as she tries to push out my youngest ototo. Blood, bright red blood covers her sheets in a way that it's not supposed to.
"Damn it! I can't stop the bleeding!" The nurse yells as other ladies run around the room trying to get whatever the nurse will need. I hold my Okaa-sans hand in a tight white knuckled grip as tears fall from my eyes and stream down my cheeks.
"The little one is stuck." The nurse curses as Okaa-san holds tighter to my hand.
"Mika-Hime, we may have to choose between your Okaa-sans like and the Child's." The nurse says only for my Okaa-san to yell.
"You will choose my child, Jin! My youngest son will be brought into this world."
"Okaa-san!" I cry holding on to her harder.
"As you wish my lady." Jin answers getting to work to save my ototo.
"Mi-chan promise me you'll take care of your Tou-san and your Kyoudai." She pleads turning and looking at me with sad yet loving blue eyes that match my own.
"I p-promise Mama." I stutter out past my tears.
"Promise me to love your youngest ototo the same as your other Kyoudai. Don't let the others blame him for my passing." She says while Jin brings little Kosuke into the world.
"I love all of you and would have died to bring all of you into this world my bright new moon." She says bring my head down to rest my forehead against hers.
"You will bring change to this world. I just wish my clan was around to see it." She whispers in a broken voice.
"I'll bring back your clan Mama. I'll travel to world and find all of our clan mates and bring them home." I say in a stronger voice wanting nothing more then to fulfill my Okaa-sans dreams.
"I'll even rebuild Uzushiogakure if I have to! Come hell or high water." I say as her big blue eyes fill with tears. Her shaking hand reaches up and holds my cheek for a few seconds before the wail of my youngest Ototo fills the air.
"My lady, your son is healthy." Jin says placing him on my Okaa-sans chest so she can see him before she is gone.
"He looks so much like your father." Okaa-san whispers kissing the top of his head.
"Y-yeah but he has your c-complexion and temper mama." I get out past tears as she looks onto my Ototo with so much love it hurts.
"Kosuke, I want his name to be Kosuke after my Otou-san." She whispers out before her eyes slowly close and her chest stops rising and falling.
"Mama?" I question grabbing her arm and shaking it.
"MAMA!" I scream trying to get her to come back.
"Don't leave! Please don't leave us!" I cry as one of the nurses pulls me away from my Okaa-san while another grabs Kosuke and starts to take him away.
"No! Bring him back! Give me my Ototo!" I yell in hysterics as he cries louder. Kicking the nurse in the shins I rip my arms out of her hands and run at the other nurse all but ripping my Ototo from her arms. Running from the room I go into my parents room. Locking the door I sit Kosuke down on the floor before pulling out Okaa-sans futon and bedding. Taking in her scent I grab Kosuke and tuck us in to her blankets. Rocking Kosuke I start to sing him one of Okaa-san lullabies until he falls silent.
When Otou-san came back and received the news about Okaa-san, he was ripped apart from the inside. I saw the fire in his jade eyes fade that day and watched as his cold eyes landed on my youngest Ototo Kosuke in his little yellow blanket. It took Otou-san weeks before he could look at kosuke. Rinku nii-san was no better. In the end it took me yelling at both of them about Okaa-sans final words and how she would be so made at them for them to realize that we needed each other more now than ever.
With Okaa-san gone that left me as the lady of the clan, and with two ototo's that needed her just as much as her lessons and clan duties sleep became almost nonexistent. Being the oldest and only daughter in the house of Okami, I learned things no normal girl of six to the years of eight would learn.
Sitting at the low table in one of the rooms that allowed a person to see the gardens, my twin snow white dire wolves Tsume, and Toboe lay at my back as I rolled out one of the fuinjutsu scrolls Okaa-san left us. Rolling out a blank scroll to practice on, I dipped my brush in the ink as my mind began to wonder. Poor little Kosuke would never know our Okaa-san or any of the wonderful things she could do. And on top of that Nariko would never voice it but I knew he resented Kosuke for Okaa-sans death. After all he was just a two year old when Okaa-san died.
"Nee-chan" I heard the soft voice my six year old Ototo Nariko as he walked into my make shift study rubbing his eyes. His year-old dire wolf pup stood behind him his black fur blending in with the shadows, the only distinguishing marks on him was a white spot the covered his face in the shape of a skull with bright yellow eyes glinting through. Putting down my brush I looked at my ototo to see his eyes are red and puffy. The sniffles of his nose reach my ears. Opening my arms my ototo ran into them hiding his face into my burgundy kimono, ruffling up the smooth material as he started to cry. My wolves whine at his soft cries, they rub their muzzles across his back while his own pup rests against him, my wolves icy blue eyes betray their worry.
"Shh, it's okay Ototo" I sooth as I run my fingers through his light brown hair that is the same exact brown as mine.
"B-But O-Okaa-san" he stutters gripping my kimono sleeves.
"She's in a better place Ototo. She wouldn't want us to mourn her still." I say pulling him out of his hiding place to look into his jade tear filled eyes.
"NEE-NEE!" I hear the cry of little two-year-old kosuke as his little legs carry him into the study. Seeing Kosuke, Nariko rubs his eyes on his kimono sleeve and looks away from him. Seeing his jade eyes darken and narrow, his jaw clenching in anger my cheeks puff up turning red before I reach out and flick him in the back of the head just like okaa-san would do whenever we made a major mistake.
"Itaidesu!" Nariko yells rubbing the back of his head turning to glare at me.
"Now, stop that!" I say matching his glare as little Kosuke plops down on Toboe drawing a ump out of him.
"We're blood, family, pack." I say looking him in the eyes in a challenge. Sighing Nariko closes his eyes for a second before opening them.
"And pack means we are one." He says back looking at Kosuke with sadness darkening his eyes. Roughing up Nariko's hair I laugh at him as out baby ototo jumps on him knocking him onto his back on the wooden floor.
"LADY MIKA-SAMA, LADY MIKA-SAMA!" I hear Hana yell as her heavy foot falls thump through the halls of the hold as she makes her way to my study. Dropping on her knees in front of the open door of my study Hana looks at us with barely contained happiness in her bright blue eyes.
"What is it, Hana?" I ask tilting my head to the right confused.
"ITS LORD SAMURAI AKIKIRO AND LORD RINKU!" she yells in her usual enthusiastic voice that I've learned was an Uzumaki thing. Worry fills me at the mention of my Otou-san and Onii-san
"What about them?" I ask worriedly running my hands through Tsume's fur.
"THEIR RETURNING! TTEBANE!" She yells with a big smile spreading across her pail face. A smile tugs at my lips as I stand up and grab you ototo's hands and pull them out of my study and run to the courtyard leaving my scrolls and writing supplies for Hana to put away this once. I see the banners of red with the black and white crescent moon with a smaller full moon crest of the Okami clan in the center fluttering in the warm air. A white horse with an elite samurai in red armor rides into the courtyard followed by ten soldiers in armor of dark blue. Two banner men in dark gray armor follow them. Standing tall my Ototo's and I await the platoon. Lastly four more elites march in followed by our Otou-san in his armor of bright red and deep blue. His cream colored kimono lined in gray fur flutters around him as he trots in on his horse of black laughing as his dark brown hair flies around his face his samurai mask sitting in his lap. His long braid tucked behind his ear. His Gray dire wolf, Frost fallows on his right standing at his full height. His head at the horse's shoulder. Rinku rides in beside Otou-san on his gray horse on his left. His armor is the same as Otou-san but his kimono is burgundy at the bottom that fades into a cream at the top. A gray fur pelt lays around his neck highlighting his pale flesh. His black dire wolf ghost walks at his left standing just under his horse's shoulder. On the right side of Frost Lord Akio rides in on his white horse, his ebony black armor reflects the light causing spots to look almost blue. His golden eyes dart around the clan compound before landing on me. A wide smile pulls at his thin lips, he nods his greeting then turns around and start shouting orders at the men. Stopping their horses Otou-san and Onii-san climb down off their backs and walk over to greet us.
"TADAIMA!" They yell at my ototos and I drawing big smiles to our faces
"OKAERINASAI!" We yell back in greeting before we jump into our Otou-sans awaiting arms. Laughing we knock him onto his butt on the ground.
"My, my you really missed me huh?" Otou-san asked ruffing up our hair.
"HAI!" We yell. Turning my head, I see Rinku-nii laughing at our display. Smiling I jump onto his chest wrapping my arms around his waist. Laughing he wraps his arms around my upper back as he spins us in a circle pulling a sequel from me.
"YAHOO!" he yells in joy falling on his back, I lay on his chest.
"Okaerinasai" I say looking at his smiling face.
"Todaima" he answers ruffing up my brown locks.
Later that night a banquet was hosted in honor of Otou-san and the returning samurai. Sake was flowing as music filled the main gardens. Some of the fellow Samurai lords that Otou-san served with even joined us. Lord Akio and his wife lady Koge sat next to Otou-san while their daughter Kaida, Ani's betrothed sat with my kyodai and I under the plum blossom trees playing a game. Kaida is the splitting image of her Okaa-san with hair as long as her Otou-san pulled up into a lovely hair do that gives her a lady's appearance and hides how good she is with a sword. Otou-san conversed with the other lords loudly before one asked a question that grabbed my attention.
"Lord Akikiro, are you really going to marry your daughter off to a ninja of Konoha?" Lord Eiji asks, his dark beady eyes leave my Otou-san as an almost hungry look enters his eyes when they land on me. His hair is short and black in an unkempt spiky style. His face is covered in scars that morphed his face into an angry scowl even when he smiles.
"Yes, the Hatake clan and the Okami clan used to be one clan along time ago." Otou-san says drawing Eiji's eyes away from me.
"I wish to reunite our clans like in the old days. Lord Sakumo agreed with me and has a son only two years younger than my Mika-Chan."
"Wasn't he the one that was dishonored?" Lord Souta an older man in his forties with gray hair, a large scar running from the top of his head down his neck and dark purple eyes asks.
"Is it dishonorable to us to leave our comrades behind? I don't think so, we all know that shinobi standards and Samurai honor are completely different. I feel that Konoha was in the wrong for dishonoring him and they are the reason another good man is dead." Otou-san growls clenching his fist.
"If I had it my way I would go in and claim clan rights and bring Kakashi and any of my beloved lady wife's family home, with force if necessary." He growls only to sigh and unclench his fist.
"But that would cause a war between Iron, a neutral nation and the ninja world. Many of our people would be forced to fight in a war that would be pointless. For that reason I will not endanger the lives of the people under my banner." He says meeting Lord Souta's eyes.
"But you would be giving your daughter over to that ninja nation." Lord Aito says in his deep voice. His dark storm cloud gray eyes looking confused. His green hair is pulled tight in a top knot.
"Mika-chan is the Hime of our clan there for she can not be gone from the clan for long periods of time. After all Rinku will need her help along with his Ototo's to run our clan. So naturally Kakashi will have to come with his wife and any children they have back him." He answers with a smile.
"I don't think Konoha or the young ninja will agree with that." Lord Aito says.
"They have no choice." Akio enters the conversation for the first time.
"The head of the Hatake clan agreed to marry his son to Mika-Hime so wherever she goes and lives his duty is to her and their clan. If she wishes for him to live in Iron then he will live in iron. And any children they have will have to be taught the Samurai way and honor. We can't have a ninja village like Konoha corrupted our future."
"After all they dishonored there treaty with the Uzushiogakure and left the Uzumaki to die that tells you how ninja treat treaties." Otou-san mutters while the other samurai lords agree.
"How do you know this Kakashi won't do the same and dishonor your marriage pact with his father?" Lord Eiji asks.
"I have a son only two years older than her that would make a better choice than an dishonorable ninja." He says only for Otou-san to thankfully disagree.
"I made a promise, I intend to keep it." He says with all the stubbornness of an Okami. Turning away from the conversation I miss Lord Eiji leaving in anger.
Hours later I'm laughing at a joke my Onii-San said only for a blood curdling scream to cut through the laughter and music in the courtyard. Jumping onto our feet I looked at my Onii-san worried. Another scream followed as one of the servants runs through the court yard covered in crimson blood falling at Otou-sans feet lifeless. Grabbing Kosuke's and Nariko's hands I watch as Ani grabs Kaida's own hand and holds it tight. Her large golden eyes meet his jade ones.
"I'll keep all of you safe." He says as Otou-san voice cuts across the yard.
"TO ARMS!" Otou-san voice rings out causing his men and fellow lords rush to grab their swords as enemy samurai come running around the house wielding their blood covered swords slicing down anyone in their path. Akio pulls his wife over to us. Letting go of her hand he nods his head before kissing her hard on the lips.
"Take our daughter and the young ones to safety." Stepping away he runs into the fray slicing down all that get into his path. One man gets behind our Otou-san, raising his sword to strike him, my kyodai and I scream out. Swinging around like Okaa-san used to do his fist collides with his face, a sickening cracking sound fills the air as the man fall. Otou-san takes the fallen warriors sword and slices down those around him. Turning around to run to us Otou-san addresses Rinku and Lake Koge.
"Rinku, my son I need you to take your siblings an run." He says grabbing Onii-san by the shoulders.
"But…" Rinku starts to argue
"DON'T ARGUE WITH ME BOY!" Otou-san raises his voice "Pack comes first. Head to the border that divides our land from the sea. Head to the land of water. I WILL meet you there." He says with a serious look in his eyes. Nodding his head Rinku answers
"Understood." Smiling Otou-san looks at us and says
"Stay together and protect each other. Pack is family and remember that I love you. Lady Koge, get your daughter and everyone else you can out of here." He says before turning and running into the fray to slice down the enemy. Reaching over I grab Nariko's hand as Rinku picks up Kosuke and motions for us to follow him.
"This way, keep up!" He yells leading us to the horse stables.
"Wait Lord Rinku" Kaida yells pulling away from her Okaa-san and running up to my ani. Throwing her arms around his shoulders she kisses him on the lips before pulling away.
"I love you, Ku-kun." She says letting him go and running back to her Okaa-san. Turning his back on them Ani leads us away from the fighting.
"Ani!" I yell as a samurai jumps out in front of us with his sword raised. Rinku lets go of Kosuke and is at Nariko and my side in a flash. Grabbing the man's hands he sends a hard kick to his ribs knocking the air out of his lungs. Channeling his chakra, he makes his wind nails just like Otou-san and claws the man's face off. Ripping away his sword he stabs it through his chest in one solid motion. Running over he tucks Kosuke in his arms before leading us away from the trator bleeding out on our lands.
"LORD RINKU! LADY MIKA!" We hear Hana as she runs to us with two horses at the ready from the stables. Tossing Rinku the reins she helps Naruko and I onto our horse before handing Rinku a scroll.
"Everything you need and that is important is in there." She says holding onto Rinku's leg.
"Please Hana, come with us" I beg as she shakes her head at me.
"I'm sorry but I must do everything in my power to allow you to escape my lady." Smiling her Uzumaki smile with tears streaming down her face.
"It was an honor to have served you my lords and lady. Until we meet again, ttebane!" She says before smacking our horse's hind end causing them to jump forward as they raced through the fray and out the gate with our dire wolves following closely behind. Hana's eyes began to blur as she dropped to her knees, four arrows sticking out of her back. Falling on to her stomach she wonders if she did her lady Hitomi proud.
For four straight days and nights, my brothers and I rode through the vast land of Iron to reach the sea. Trying to outrun any pursuers, we rode through ancient, cold, muddy forests that lined the steep wolf mountains. Small patches of white snow that never thawed covered the paths. The tree's popped out of the snow in a stark difference to the fluffy whiteness. The snow made our path treacherous. One false step and a horse and rider would plummet to their death with the snow giving way to a fall down the sheer cliff face. As the evening frost settled in, the pitch black of night spread across the sky like a blanket. The cold enveloping us in its grasp seeping into their bones. Shivering, the we followed the path that our wolves made, trusting in our counterparts sight.
We braved the harsh snow storms that popped up in the late spring that tried to recover the land in its icy and snow covered glory that it is known for. The cold snowy air whipped at the our faces, frosting our eyebrows and lashes. The harsh storm ripped at our hair exposing our ears turning them red. The cold bit at our nose, as we tried to hide in their fur lined cloaks that Hana packed for us. May the gods bless her for her forward thinking in such a short time. The trees started to give way to thick thorny underbrush on the fourth day, as the storms started to calm. As if signaling that we were getting close to the ocean the air was thick with the smell of salt, as gull's calls filled the silent cold air. Our two horses began to slow to a walk before they fall to the ground in exhaustion from the four-day trek.
Climbing off the fallen horse Rinku said a prayer for the fallen animals. Kneeling down to pick up Kosuke, Rinku looked at Nariko and me signaling us to follow. Our cloaks flutter behind us as we race after our Ani.
"We can't stay on the path" He says heading across the dirt path to the thick underbrush pushing the thorny branches away, leading us on to paths to thick for horses to follow. Our wolves raced ahead weaving in and out of the thick brush to scout the path as we walked "The soldiers will catch up in a day or two." Onii-san says taking point as I take up the rear.
"Why did the soldiers attack us? Otou-sans a samurai lord!" Nariko says in aggravation ribbing at his eyes.
"Because of Okaa-san" Rinku says not turning around to look at us.
"Okaa-san? What about Okaa-san!" Nariko says getting angry balling his hands into fists. Sighing Rinku stops by a tree in the thick underbrush holding up his hand to signal us to stop he closes his eyes to listen to the surrounding area before he squats down motioning for us to follow. "What do you really know about Okaa-san? Or ninja for that matter?" He asks in a hushed voice hunching over on his feet. Our wolves rushed back to us through the brush, looking us over before standing in a protective circle around our position.
"She was a great Okaa-san" Nariko says crossing his arms as we take the same position, shaking his head Rinku answers
"She was an Uzumaki, a ninja from Uzushiogakure. That village was destroyed by other hidden villages in fear of their power and longevity. Okaa-san, Hana, our Oji-san, and a few other Uzumaki's fled to the land of Iron to hide. Their people were being murdered. Men, women, and children, when they reached our boarders the samurai were going to turn them away. All because they were different then us, Ninja. Otou-san just happened to be there that day when they arrived. He was the one to allow them in and gave them a place to stay out of harm's reach. He even went as far as to forge papers and change names for them. Otou-san is an honorable and merciful man. He has many ties to people." He says looking us in the eyes a small smile crossing his lips.
"He then married Okaa-san. I don't know how but many years ago before Mi-chan was born some of the other lords found out of Okaa-san's origins. To them our blood line was unclean, tainted even, they tried to have us dishonored in front of the shogun." Rinku said pausing to rub Kosuke's back as he rested his head on his lap.
"The shogun would not allow a Samurai as well achieved an honorable as Otou-san to be dishonored because of who he married and had children with. The other lords must have taken it into their own hands." He says allowing my ototo's and I to think on this.
"So that's why Okaa-san had us hide the fuinjustu and Iryō Ninjutsu she always had us practice." I state looking up at my onii-san. Nodding he head he answers.
"Ninjutsu is frowned upon here. Otou-san only got away with some of it because of his standing and our clan. Even the healing kind is looked down upon, that's why Okaa-san had you hide your studies. She must have known that we would need it one day to have taught you it though." Sighing Onii-san ruffed up my hair before moving to stand before stilling as our wolves' ears twitched before a soft growl rumbled deep in Frost's chest alerting us of the danger heading our way.
"SHIT" he whispers before pulling out a fuinjustu scroll and placing it on the ground making a few hand signs Okaa-san taught us before smacking his hand palm first on the ground. The kanji on the scroll glowed in a pale light before moving off the scroll and surrounding My ototo's, our wolves, and I. Rinku then started to rearrange the brush around us with his wolf Frost watching his back. Dropping his main pack onii-san looks at us with a serious look across his face.
"Now listen closely, head to the coast. DON'T stop. Get on a boat and head to a ninja village, hide there. The men looking for us would never look there. No matter what don't let anyone know who you are, or what Clan you come from until the time is right. All the details are in a scroll in my pack along with some money. There's not a lot so make it last. Imouto hunt when you can. And I'm so sorry but wherever you go, your wolves CAN NOT be seen with you in any village. Their a dead giveaway to our clan. For now, you need to be strong and stick together" Onii-san says, smiling a large sad smile that didn't reach is eyes he addressing each of us.
"Kosuke-kun listen to your Ane" Rinku says as tears start to fill our eyes causing them to blur, our wolves wine at their brother begging him not to allow this.
"No, Onii-chan!" Nariko says reaching out only for an invisible force to stop him as he reaches the edge of the kanji. Retching a sob from me as I hold onto little Kosuke. 'A barrier' I think looking at it sadly.
"Nariko-kun grow into a man just like our Otou-san." He says dropping some more of the other packs he had strapped to his back.
"Imouto." he says looking me in the eyes tears filling his own.
"I'm sorry." he says wiping a stray tear away from his pale jade eyes. Those two words held so many meanings.
"What for Onii-chan, you're not going anywhere." I say choking on my sobs as tears stream down my face falling into little Kosuke's hair.
"I couldn't keep my promise, Imouto. Please take care of our Ototo's." He says standing tall his shoulders straight as he begins to walk back toward the path weaving in and out of the brush with his wolf at his side. The rumble of horses in a gallop reaches us as we watched him walk away. "Make the world remember to Okami clan." He calls back to us
"ONII-CHAN!" We yell, with a smile he turns back toward us putting one finger to his lips motioning us to be quite and hide. Before he mouths.
"Sayonara." Dropping down to the ground I pull my crying Ototo's to the ground pinning them under my arms. Our wolves lay on top of us blending us in with the surrounding mud and snow. We watch through little opening in the brush. Onii-san turns back around he steps out on the path in front of the oncoming horses, Ghost standing in challenge beside him. Hearing the cries of the riders we watch as they slow to a trot before stopping in front of our Onii-san.
"Ma, ma, look who I found wandering the forest like a true animal." An arrogant whiny voice said as one horse rode in front of the rest. A deep growl rumbled from Ghost as he bared his pearly white fangs at the man.
"The traitorous late Samurai Lord Akikiro's impure son, Lord Rinku." He said in a mocking manor. My eyes widen as I hear my ototo's start to whimper. Wrapping my hands around their mouth trying to keep the soldiers from hearing us I watch as the man asks.
"So where are you younger siblings?" Pulling the reins of his horse turning his face to look down on my Onii-san.
"Dead." Rinku answers tears streaming down his face as he looks up at the man.
"They died in the pass." He says placing his hand on to of Ghost's growling head.
"Ma, ma, how awful." He says riding around Rinku.
"Lady Mika would have grown into such a looker, maybe even an excellent whore given time." I feel disgust and bile rise in my throat.
"Those little brat brothers of yours would have made fine works. Such a waste." He says stopping in front of Rinku as Ghost snarls at him snapping his jowls at his horse's hind legs drawing a whine from the animal.
"You know, Lord Rinku" he says in a mocking tone.
"I just can't let a dishonorable samurai go." He says with an evil grin spreading across his scar ridden face. Nodding his head Rinku lowers his head to the lord awaiting his punishment. With an evil laugh the lord looks at one of his elites.
"By order of myself Lord Eiji and Lord Isao, I order dishonored lord Rinku to commit seppuku to rectify the dishonor done to the name of Okami!" The Lord says in a self-righteous way as if he knows what honor is before turning back to Ani adding
"And your wolf will be coming with us. Such an excellent animal shouldn't be with such a dishonorable man." He sneers, snarling Ghost lunges at the lord biting down on his armor plated arm crunching through the armor with his powerful jowls as Rinku yells for him to stop. Screaming the man pulls out a short sword. With a glint of silver Ghost howls out in pain as he's slashed across his mussel. The blade just barely missing his green eyes. Blood falls from the blade and the lord's arm mixing with the mud of the path. The blood on the blade reviles a lunging wolf, Otou-san blade.
"IE!" Rinku yells as he grabs Ghosts face checking him for permanent damage.
"Jikko" he whispers to Ghost pushing him away. Ghost looks at his master through squinting eyes before nodding to his master listening to his last order. Turning he barrels through the woods leaving a path for the soldiers to follow away from the pups hidden in the brush.
"AFTER HIM!" The lord yells before turning to two of his elite soldiers.
"YOU TWO MAKE SURE IT GETS DONE! AND BRING ME THIS TRAITOR'S HEAD!" He yells leading his men after the black dire wolf through the vast forest. Gasping, I hold my Ototo's tighter hopping our Onii-san will fight back and run with us. Looking to Lord Rinku the two samurai place their hands on Rinku's shoulders easing him down into a kneeling position.
"I'm sorry, my lord" One man says his eyes meeting the ground.
"You of all people don't deserve this" the other agrees.
"I remember when you saved me on the coast from that assassin." He say looking Rinku in the eyes before standing and drawing his sword. Tears stream down my face as my head begins to pound.
"Please my lord allow me to make your passing as painless as possible." Smiling Rinku nods.
"It would be an honor Roku." He says before pulling out his tanto from its sheath tucked on his hip. The handle is dark blue with crimson wrappings. On the blade a wolf lunging is carved into the silver metal. A rite of passage blade. Dark alleys and blood covered blades flash across my eyes as my Onii-san pulls out his tonto placing it into position. My breathing becomes erratic as the ponding gets louder thumping in my head. Grabbing my Ototo's head I turn them into my chest and cover their ears as Onii-san plunges his tonto into his abdomen, grunting Rinku drawing the blade from left to right, slicing open the abdomen before leaning forward with a yelp of pain. The thud of Rinku's head hitting the ground reaches my ears as the soldier finishes my Onii-san. The soldier pulls out Rinku's tonto, his crimson blood filling the carvings of the lunging wolf, the same wolf as that night. Sharp pain erupts from my head causing me to blackout as the soldiers follow the path of their lord.
Memories of another life flash before me in the blackness. Another Okaa-san and Otou-san, sisters that looked to me like I looked to my Onii-san. Pain fills my heart; did I break my promise to them like my Onii-san did to me? I wonder in the dark curling in on myself. Memories flash past my eyes, some too fast to follow. Memories of a person that I once was. Always smiling, even when I was broken on the inside. Always putting others before myself. Hell, I even died for another person I didn't even know.
"Halle!" I hear a scream. 'Who is that?'
"Please open your eyes!" They cry their voice getting louder as the shadows move and change shape.
'Why does that voice sound so familiar?' I wonder as everything changes before my eyes. Sound is the first thing that assaults my ears. Blaring horns, screeching sirens, and the crying of a young woman. Sight is the next thing that hits me like a fist to the face. Red and blue lights blind my eyes causing them to squint. Cold water droplets hit my cheeks and slide down my neck. Large doe brown eyes full of tears stare down at me. A soft round face is angled downwards, her soft brown hair is cut into a short bob. Her small button nose is bright red as she tries to stop crying.
'I know that face.' My hand reaches out and rests on the side of her face. Like a shock I remember what happened just hours earlier. I had just graduated college a few months ago and decided to go to New york city to visit my best friend since middle school. It was a beautiful day in the big apple when I got off the plane. The sun was shining casting its vibrant raze across the sky lighting it in a baby blue and reflecting off the glass of the surrounding buildings. Birds and the noise of the city filled my ears as I stepped out of the airport. My bright blue eyes sparkled with excitement as I looked around. My wild kinky curly chocolate brown hair danced across my mid back like a lover's hand, blew into my face as a breeze from the street carried the scent of the city to my nose. Excitement filled me, I'm a country girl from the middle of farm country. Taking a deep breath, I did a little happy dance on the sidewalk. I finally made it.
"HALLE!" I heard the loud yet gentle voice of my friend yell. Turning to the right I see her come running up the street weaving through the crowd like an expert, waving her hand above the masses.
"AHH BRITT!" I yell jumping from my spot my feet land with a thud on the hard concrete. I push through the crowd trying to weave through like her, uttering apology's at every glare directed at me. When we are close enough my feet push hard off the ground, launching into the air my arms wrap around her waist in a bear hug.
"AHH I Can't BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE!" She yells her pale arms wrapping around my shoulders like snakes crushing their prey.
"I KNOW RIGHT!" I yell back just as happy ribbing my cheek into her chest. Pulling back, I take a good look at her. She sure has changed since high school I think. Her once long hair dark brown hair is in a short bob cut, her once baby fat filled cheeks has thinned out with age. But her bright doe brown eyes still shine with the same purity that the city hasn't tainted yet. I feel a smile stretch out over my face and my eyes squint. She chuckles and releases my shoulders to grab my hand.
"Come on we have a lot to see before you go to my place." She says as she leads the way down the street.
"Okay!" I sing in happiness adjusting my straps on my back pack. The sights I got to see that day the where something I would remember forever. The statue of liberty in all her glory standing tall on her little island in the ocean, all the skyscrapers that reflected the sunlight like mirrors and danced it the sway of the wind, Central Park was a reminder of home, and of course we went to chinatown. All the little shops stacked on top of each other like something a child would make with legos. We walked all over and saw so many different things and I even learned a bit of Chinese. The icing on the cake was when we found a raman stand.
"AHH Brit!" I yelled pointing "IS THAT WHAT I THINK IT IS?!" I ask bouncing up and down in my excitement. Laughing she nods her head yes. Stars dance in my eyes as I grab her hand.
"WE HAVE TO EAT HERE! DATTEBAYO!" I say dragging her into the restaurant. Inside I channeled my inner Naruto and ate two whole boles of Raman. We talked anime and an planned on a marathon of our favorites including my favorite episodes of Naruto. When we were done it was well past nine o'clock and night has devoured the day. The lights of the stores and street signs lite up the street chasing away the darkness, casting shadows across the streets. Laughing me and Brit make our way down the street to the subway station to head back to her home unaware of the danger out on that night. Hearing a scream, we stop laughing and look around the street to see no one reacted to the cry. Feeling the urge to protect that was pounded into my head at a young age, I push through the crowd to run to the cry for help, ignoring the sharp shouts of my name behind me. As the yells got louder, adrenalin pumps through my veins, pushing my way through the crowd faster, I follow the cries as they lead me down a side street toward a dark alley. The putrid smell of rot and piss assault my nose making me take a breath through my mouth just to be rid of the smell. The taste that slides over my tough and fills my mouth is far worse and makes me gage. Taking a deep breath through my nose I look down the alley to see a young teenage girl on her knees as six men with dragon tattoos on various parts of their body surrounding her. One tall man steps to the center and grabs the girl by her hair and laughs in her face as she cries and begs for them to let her go. Feeling my hands start to shake and rage fill my stomach with white hot coals, I reach into my purse and pull out my taser and a small thing of pepper spray. It's not much but I hope it'll be enough for us to get away. Taking a deep breath, I close my blue eyes and hope brit called the cops, my eyes snap open as the girl cries out again. My eyes lock onto the guy in the center with deadly precision. My push off the concrete hard sending me off in a run down the alley, yelling for the girl to run, I tazer the first guy closest to me, his yep of pain fills the night air as he falls to the ground. Swinging to the right, I spray my pepper spray at the next guy closest to me. Hearing the commotion, the guy in the center lets go of the girl's hair to turn around. Hitting the guy with a good spray to the face I throw down the empty can and grab the girls hand and pull her to the entrance of the alley. Howls of pain and anger from behind me push me to run faster. The sounds of foot fall racing toward us pushes me even faster toward the light at the other end of the alley. The light glows like a beacon and fills me with hope. The girl runs in front of me pulling me along to keep up. Just as we're about to make it out into the light I feel a rough tug on my hair. Screaming in pain, I push the girl out of the alley and scream at her to get help as a fist connects with my cheek. White hot pain fills me as the fists continue.
Everything after that moment was a blur of pain as I was beaten into an unrecognizable mess. The end to my pain came in the form of a small silver blade glinting in the moonlight, small designs were carved into the blade and were unrecognizable until the tall Asian man stepped out into better light. My swollen eyes focus on him recording his features to memory. His hair is short and black in an unkempt spiky style. His face is covered in scars that morphed his face into an angry scowl. His beady black eyes stare down at me in anger as the skin around his eyes puffs up into an angry red that swells his face. Whistling for his goons, the man had his goons place me on my knees kneeling in front of him. His dark brown eyes glinted in anger and malice as he pushed his hair out of his face, smiling like the devil he pulled back his arm flipping his blade with ease, and rammed me in the gut with the blade. Crying out I tried to grab his hands and the small blade hoping to stop him from pulling it out as strong hands held me in place. Laughing he said
"Should have stayed out of it, woman." As he twisted the blade in my gut and roughly pulled it out causing me to cough out my own blood. Pushing me onto the garbage covered ground he sneered down at me.
"Was it worth it?" He asks, looking up at him I spit my blood on his shoes. Laughing he puts his small blade in my face.
"You should feel honored woman. I gave you and honorable death by seppuku." He says placing his small blade in front of me I can now see it's a wakizashi, a small sword used for seppuku. Its handle is dark navy blue with crimson wrappings.
"Look closely woman, your about to see something cool." He says with a sick smile pointing at the blade. Coughing I try to ignore the coppery taste of my blood filling my mouth as I look at it slowly bleeding out. I watch in sick fascination as my blood fills the small carvings in the blade to reveal a lunging wolf.
"See it." He says in a mocking way. Standing he motions for his goons to follow as he starts to head out the back of the alley way. Coughing out blood I watch as their backs begin to blur as my sight slowly fades to black. Sirens blare in my ears like a background song. My last moments, I hear my best friend in this life screamed my name. I feel her hands on my body as she pulls me into her lap trying to stop the bleeding.
"You'll be okay, please don't leave me" She utters as she rocks us back and forth like a gentle wave. Forcing my swollen eyes open for the last time I look up at her lifting my hand to her cheek I ask.
"the girl is she..." coughing I feel blood coating my lips
"Shh, she fine just stay with me" She begs holding me tighter.
"Help is coming" she says as tears fall from her eyes landing on my face.
"It's not your fault." I whisper trying to get out my feelings as my body starts to feel cold. Knowing I won't make it I feel tears fall from my eyes
"Hey" I say trying to lighten the mood like I always do.
"at least I got to see the city" A strangled sob escapes her as she nods her head.
"Yeah but you're not dying, you can't die remember. You told me you always cheat death." She says causing a sad laugh to force its way out of me.
"I'm afraid that I've lost this time" I say as my eyes close.
"I'm sorry love" I whisper as my hand falls.
"Halle!" I hear a scream.
"Please open your eyes!" Her voice calls as I feel myself fading.
"Wake up!" A new voice calls overtaking Brit's voice.
"Nee-chan! We need you!"
"NEE-CHAN! NEE-CHAN!" The worried voice of Naruko brought me out of the darkness. Lifting my hand, I rub at my head as I slowly open my eyes. Seeing the tear streaked faces of my ototo's I feel the lump in my throat. Pushing it down I wipe my eyes as I remember everything. Who I was-am.
'I'm not really Halle anymore. I-she-we died.' I think as all my memories and past emotions try to push to the surface.
'But I'm not really Mika Okami either?' I question myself.
'So who am I?' I wonder shaking my head.
'No we don't have time for this! Right now your baby brothers-Ototo's need you Hal-Mika! So stand up little soldier! Now is not the time!' Standing up I wipe the tears from my eyes and push away my confusion.
"Come on Ototo's, Ani wouldn't want us to waste his sacrifice." I say roughing up their hair before walking over to Onii-chan's packs.
"Hey Nariko," I call in a soft voice his tear filled jade eyes look at me as I hand him a pack.
"can you carry this?" I ask grabbing Kosuke and picking him up. Nodding his head, he picked up his pack before turning toward the sea.
"Don't worry Ototo's we WILL make that man pay!" I say with a new fire flickering in my blue eyes.
'We will become the wolf our Okaa-san saw! And I will tear out that man's throat with my teeth if I have to for what he has done to my-our family!' I vow. My ototo's remanded silent as we continued our trek on foot without our beloved Rinku nii-san.
