Zento
By Kawaii Kitty
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. Those people who do would not spend their time reading MY crappy fanfiction, especially if they needed ideas. We clear on this? Good.
Please Review!!!! I need reviews!!!!!!!
Chapter 3
Evening in Japan
Takato took Lee through backstreets and dirty alleyways, half running behind Guil to keep anyone behind them from seeing the monster. Lee watched Takato curiously, wondering what he was so worried about. As he kept his pace easily behind Takato, Takato himself started to become slightly winded. He stopped his jogging and held his hands on his knees, his back bent forward as he panted heavily, Guil looked at him with amusement.
The Brown-eyed boy looked up at Lee. "Hey… what do… you say…we… stop… here for…a bit?"
Lee smiled and sat down on his knees, allowing Terrier to hop off his shoulders. "It's fine with me." Takato looked very pleased and flopped down on the ground, leaning up against one of the shops they were between. Lee examined him carefully, thinking to himself. 'Hmm… People here in Japan are a lot more unfit than they are at home…Mama never got tired out this easily…'
"Um… Jianliang?" Takato said, looking at him.
Lee shook his head, breaking his strings of thought. "Hmm? Excuse me, what were you saying?"
Takato chuckled for a moment, and then repeated his question. "I asked 'what are you doing over here in Japan?'"
Lee thought for a moment and stood. "I'm going to tell the Lord of this city. You can come along, if you like."
Confused with curiosity, Takato nodded and stood again, picking up a ragged blanket and throwing it over Guil.
Lee cocked his head to the side at this action and picked Terrier back up. "Why do you hide him?" he asked.
Takato looked back at him, adjusting the belt on his robes. "Well, so no one sees him, of course…" He chuckled and pet the lizard under the blanket. "If swords aren't allowed in public, how do you think the authorities would react to a fire-breathing lizard roaming the streets?"
Lee chuckled as well and followed Takato as they walked. "Well, if that thing is covered, how come I'm not, Lee?" Terrier asked.
Lee thought for a moment and set Terrier on the ground, putting his headband around his neck. "There, now we can just say you're an exotic animal, which you kind of are, but I don't think they'll notice you anyhow."
Takato took a look at the sky and motioned for the two of them to move quicker. Lee looked at him curiously but followed nonetheless, Terrier right behind. The two of them looked at the sky and shivered as the cold of night fell upon them as the sun set.
"Hey, Takato!" Lee said, picking up Terrier. "What's the matter? Why are we going faster?"
Takato looked back at him quickly and stopped running. "We've got to get to the palace before it gets too late."
Lee blinked. "Why?"
"Don't you know? At night, a fierce warrior called 'The Moon Fighter' appears and kills anyone he sees fit. They say he's a master of the martial arts, and he's only a teenager." Takato explained to the foreigner. "Though I've never seen him myself, story has it that he's almost like a male Kitsune Spirit. I'm sure he's an excellent fighter. He wouldn't stand a chance against Guil here, though."
Guil looked back and laughed. "Nope, I'm the strongest there is!" The four of them had a good laugh before continuing on to the palace.
While ducking behind a few houses, Lee watched the stars above as they shone brighter. He quickly saw a figure that was too animal to be human; yet too human to be animal, jump from the roof he was under to the one on the other side. He was almost sure this was the alleged "Moon Fighter" from Takato's story. He swallowed hard and urged Takato and Guil to continue.
While hiding between pair of closed shops, the four of them heard the presence of the Moon Fighter loud and clear as he caught a poor rice farmer bringing back food from the market.
The sound of shoes meeting the dirt ground was heard and the old man yelping and dropping his goods.
Panicked, the farmer got on his knees. "Pl-please, brave ronin… I… I do not wish you any harm… I only wish to feed my family!"
Another sound was heard, the drawing of a sword and the crumpling of a body, followed immediately by an agonized scream. The old man had been struck, but not by sword, but by another body. Lee quickly looked out to try and get a look at the partners in crime, but found only the back of the Moon Fighter and the broken farmer on the ground. The Moon Fighter wore a deep yellow Kimono with white trimmings. His reddish orange hair was tied back in the traditional knot that the older men of the city wore their hair in. His pants were baggy, and a brilliant shade of white, while his street shoes were the same color as his Kimono. Over his face, he wore what looked like a regular headband from the back, but from the front had a thin piece of yellow silk, which covered his face from anyone in front of him.
The fighter said nothing, but raised his katana high above his head, and just as Lee pulled his head in, swung his sword down and in one motion, brought the farmer from Tortured screaming, to silence. The fighter knew he was dead, but felt he had to make the job seem more intense. He raised his sword again and slashed down at the corpse several times before cleaning the blade off with a clean, dry spot on the farmer's kimono and sheathing the sword once more. He turned and was gone in an instant, at least as far as Lee was concerned. The teen leaned against the building and took a few deep breaths, his whole body shaking with fear. As the stench of blood entered his nostrils, Takato motioned for them to continue to the castle.
Though it was still early in the evening, the overhead sky was dark as the group finally approached the castle. It was an enormous building, as Lee had seen in paintings his mother had shown him, but ten times as breathtaking. The building was painted in strong, but modest colors of red, black, and gold. The stairway alone seemed as if it had no end, and on each side was a statue of a noble dog which somewhat resembled a fierce lion.
The group inspected the front of the stairs before making another move. There were two guards in front of each statue. The guards were the ages of Takato and Lee from first look. They were coated in gaudy armor and carried katana at their sides.
"Royal Guards." Takato whispered loudly to Lee. "We've got to hide Guil."
Guil whimpered softly and nuzzled Takato. "But I want to stay with you."
Takato shoved the lizard aside and looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry. You've got to stay here for a bit, we'll be back soon, I promise."
Lee smiled at them and put Terrier on the ground next to him, nodding for him, Terrier, and Takato to continue forward. They took a deep breath and walked toward the guards.
The teenagers at the gate stood straight and fixed their gaze on the approaching pair. As they reached them, they drew their swords and held them in front of the passage to the palace. The taller one looked at Takato and Lee from the dark, taking a deep breath before speaking.
"None may enter the palace. Their majesties wish to see no one during the night." He said simply.
Takato looked at them both for a moment and laughed. "Oh, Gods! Hirokazu! Kenta! I can't believe it!!" he said excitedly.
The shorter one nodded. "Yeah, we've been put out here for guard duty and we intend to carry out every last second."
Takato chuckled and stepped back. "Well since you know me, and I would NEVER do anything to hurt the Royal Family, I suppose you don't mind sneaking us through?"
Hirokazu brandished his sword before him, holding it toward Lee. "Not a chance! Not with a complete stranger with you!"
Lee swallowed hard and looked at them gravely. "Forgive me, but I am a foreigner in your land, and my father wanted me to speak with the Lord of the first city of my journey and be granted permission to continue on my pilgrimage."
Hirokazu looked at him for a moment, then moved his sword aside. "Here on family business then? You may pass."
Kenta followed suit and allowed the trio to pass, looking at them silently as they passed. As they ascended the stairs, Kenta leaned in toward Hirokazu. "You think Takato has much to do with that guy?"
The other teen shrugged and sheathed his sword. "I have no idea, but he's on a pilgrimage, so he won't be hanging out with him for long." Kenta nodded.
As Takato, Terrier, and Lee reached the top of the stairs, an older pair of guards stood before the large elegant doors of the palace. Lee stopped before them and bowed deeply. The guards placed their hands on their swords.
"What business do you have with the Lord?" said the gruff voice of the guard to the left.
Lee looked at them with his silver eyes pleading. "Please…" he said to the guards. "I need to see the lord of this city before I can continue my quest."
The younger one of the two guards took his hand off his sword. "What quest are you on?"
"I am here on a quest for my family with my pet, Terrier." He replied, looking down at Terrier.
The Left guard nodded at Takato. "Then who is this?"
"This is Matsuda Takato. He was my escort tonight. I ask permission for him to come as well."
The guards sighed softly and pushed the doors open, allowing them to enter. They bowed in thanks and walked in, the two protectors close behind. Lee's mind was swimming with the beautiful decorations of the palace, from the beautiful smooth floors, to the high elaborate ceilings. Even the Pillars caught his attention.
"Hey, boy." The elder guard said, pointing to a doorway. "This is the way, if you don't want to get lost."
Lee chuckled softly and followed the guards and Takato into a larger room decorated with fine fabrics and other precious commodities. These items looked stunning, every increment in the walls catching his eye. While he looked around feverishly, a giggle was heard at the front of the room. Lee looked toward the sound and blushed softly as he saw a beautiful woman sitting on a pillow at the top of a small set of stairs. Her long brownish orange hair was tied tightly back into a formal bun, and her face done in beautiful, yet modest makeup. Her Kimonos were long and elegant, flowing about her legs in all directions, not showing a trace of the pillow beneath her. The robes she wore seemed to tell a story with the pictures of cranes and beautiful women depicted upon them.
The woman there smiled at him and lifted one of the heavy arms of her Kimono and waved it across the floor before her throne, instructing them to sit. Both Lee and Takato hurried closer to the ground where they had been told to sit and sat down on their knees on two smooth, soft pillows, Terrier sitting beside Lee like an obscure dog. The two boys bowed their heads to the floor for a moment before rising to their full sitting height.
Lee drew a slow breath and released it, feeling relaxed. "Dear Lady of Himeji, I have come a long way, and I wish to speak to your husband, or even possibly your father. I must speak with the Lord of this castle."
The lady brought a hand up to cover her mouth as she giggled again. "You silly boy. You can't see that I am the mistress of this castle and the town surrounding?" Her light violet eyes shone brightly as she spoke.
Lee nearly stumbled backward from surprise. "You're the Lord here!? How can this be? I have always been told that men are the true rulers of any country or city!"
The lady gave him an indignant stare, but sighed softly and let it roll off her back. "Dear traveler. I understand your confusion, but my husband died quite a while ago, when our daughter was very young, thus leaving me the throne and me having the heart to not find a replacement for him. He was a fine ruler and I am positive he has come back as a respected creature, or even possibly royalty in another city."
Lee swallowed and regained his posture, sitting up straight and tall. "F- Forgive me, Mistress of Himeji. I knew not of your tragic tale."
She smiled at him once more. "All is well. You come from a different land, and you had no idea that women could take power." She stopped her speech and smiled even brighter, looking to her right. "My daughter has just arrived from her evening walk."
Within seconds of her saying, a lovely young lady stepped into the chamber from the direction in which her mother had looked. She wore a long dress kimono like her mother. The colors of her kimono were white with gold trimmings. The pictures on her kimono were elegant fox spirits and women they had disguised themselves as. Her fiery hair was tied back in a similar knot as her mother's, but smaller due to her lack of hair length. She too had deep violet eyes that shimmered in the light of the flames of the chamber. The skirt of her gold Kimono shuffled with each step she took and spread out around her as she sat down on her own pillow.
Lee noticed as the various guards as well as Takato bow their heads to the floor at the entrance of the young lady, saying, "Good Evening Makino Hime." As to not seem disrespectful, he too bowed his head.
The young lady bowed politely and looked ahead like a porcelain doll as her mother spoke. "Now, young traveler, tell us your tale for being in our country. I love stories."
Lee nodded and sat himself in a more comfortable position. "Yes Lady Makino." He sighed softly, recalling all he remembered. "When my father was very young, he and his father came to Japan on a trading mission. Being the curious fellow he was, my father came along to simply learn new information. Upon landing in this land, my father met a beautiful young lady and fell deeply in love with her, as she did with him. My father made frequent trips from Hong Kong to your lovely city to meet this young lady as often as possible. My grandfather had not gone without notice of this and asked her father for a marriage. The two were wed as soon as possible. Upon the wedding, my mother and father sailed home to Hong Kong where they raised a family of four, myself included. Shortly after my baby sister Shaochung was born, my mother became extremely ill and died. She was shipped back here with my father and her body was burned and her ashes scattered near the city of Tokyo." He finished his tale with a saddened bow of the head. He looked back up at the ladies, who too looked saddened for Lee's sake. He sighed softly.
"My brother came to Japan when he was just younger than I and made a pilgrimage to my mother's grave. He came a different route, though. Now it is my turn, and it is customary in my family to ask permission to continue into a land when we land. In order to continue, we must be granted permission from the lord, or lady in your case, of the first city of our journey. Your city is my gateway of choice and I have come asking permission to enter your country of Japan."
Lady Makino smiled at him and stood, walking slowly to the boy. She sat before him on her knees and kissed his forehead gently. "You have my permission to enter Japan and continue your pilgrimage to your mother's grave. You two seem weary, perhaps you would like to spend the night in our home?"
The faces of the two of them lit up, and lee spoke excitedly. "I-if it is not too much trouble, of course."
She giggled and pet Terrier. "No trouble at all." She lowered her eyes to the strange animal. "My, he certainly is unique. He must have cost you a fortune."
Lee thought for a moment and nodded, unsure of how to tell her that he had no idea how he obtained this strange animal. "Of course… there aren't too many of that breed in the world." He felt a pair of eyes on him and he looked up to see whom they belonged to. His eyes landed on Makino Hime, whose violet eyes burned holes into his heart. He blushed softly and smiled at the young woman. She gave him a smile, which seemed almost like a sneer, or a malicious grin. He swallowed hard and turned his attention to Lady Makino as she began speaking again.
She rose to her feet and folded her hands at her stomach so that her two sleeves met. She turned to a blonde guard who looked like he had been put under entirely too much stress. "Yamaki." She said to him, bringing him to attention.
He spoke in a deep voice, bowing slightly to show he had heard her. "Yes, m'lady."
She smiled at him politely and waved her hand toward the teens beside her. "Please show these young men to extra rooms if you would be so kind."
He nodded. "Of course, ma'am." He started heading toward the door as Takato and Lee stood. As he opened the doors out of the chamber, he waited for them to pass and walked behind them, not taking his eye off Terrier for an instant.
A/N: Ahh… Chapter three. I liked writing this one. This fic is a LOT easier to write than some of my other stuff, though I can't really put a finger on the reason why. Hmnh, oh well, I guess I'll just have to cope with it. As for the whole pilgrimage thing, it is a Japanese custom for men to make a journey to the graves of their families at least once in their life. Woo! Lee's story was fun to write! I mostly made it up as I went along, following the basic stuff. I hoped you all liked this chapter! Peace, love, and Cookies! Kawaii Kitty =^-~=
By Kawaii Kitty
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. Those people who do would not spend their time reading MY crappy fanfiction, especially if they needed ideas. We clear on this? Good.
Please Review!!!! I need reviews!!!!!!!
Chapter 3
Evening in Japan
Takato took Lee through backstreets and dirty alleyways, half running behind Guil to keep anyone behind them from seeing the monster. Lee watched Takato curiously, wondering what he was so worried about. As he kept his pace easily behind Takato, Takato himself started to become slightly winded. He stopped his jogging and held his hands on his knees, his back bent forward as he panted heavily, Guil looked at him with amusement.
The Brown-eyed boy looked up at Lee. "Hey… what do… you say…we… stop… here for…a bit?"
Lee smiled and sat down on his knees, allowing Terrier to hop off his shoulders. "It's fine with me." Takato looked very pleased and flopped down on the ground, leaning up against one of the shops they were between. Lee examined him carefully, thinking to himself. 'Hmm… People here in Japan are a lot more unfit than they are at home…Mama never got tired out this easily…'
"Um… Jianliang?" Takato said, looking at him.
Lee shook his head, breaking his strings of thought. "Hmm? Excuse me, what were you saying?"
Takato chuckled for a moment, and then repeated his question. "I asked 'what are you doing over here in Japan?'"
Lee thought for a moment and stood. "I'm going to tell the Lord of this city. You can come along, if you like."
Confused with curiosity, Takato nodded and stood again, picking up a ragged blanket and throwing it over Guil.
Lee cocked his head to the side at this action and picked Terrier back up. "Why do you hide him?" he asked.
Takato looked back at him, adjusting the belt on his robes. "Well, so no one sees him, of course…" He chuckled and pet the lizard under the blanket. "If swords aren't allowed in public, how do you think the authorities would react to a fire-breathing lizard roaming the streets?"
Lee chuckled as well and followed Takato as they walked. "Well, if that thing is covered, how come I'm not, Lee?" Terrier asked.
Lee thought for a moment and set Terrier on the ground, putting his headband around his neck. "There, now we can just say you're an exotic animal, which you kind of are, but I don't think they'll notice you anyhow."
Takato took a look at the sky and motioned for the two of them to move quicker. Lee looked at him curiously but followed nonetheless, Terrier right behind. The two of them looked at the sky and shivered as the cold of night fell upon them as the sun set.
"Hey, Takato!" Lee said, picking up Terrier. "What's the matter? Why are we going faster?"
Takato looked back at him quickly and stopped running. "We've got to get to the palace before it gets too late."
Lee blinked. "Why?"
"Don't you know? At night, a fierce warrior called 'The Moon Fighter' appears and kills anyone he sees fit. They say he's a master of the martial arts, and he's only a teenager." Takato explained to the foreigner. "Though I've never seen him myself, story has it that he's almost like a male Kitsune Spirit. I'm sure he's an excellent fighter. He wouldn't stand a chance against Guil here, though."
Guil looked back and laughed. "Nope, I'm the strongest there is!" The four of them had a good laugh before continuing on to the palace.
While ducking behind a few houses, Lee watched the stars above as they shone brighter. He quickly saw a figure that was too animal to be human; yet too human to be animal, jump from the roof he was under to the one on the other side. He was almost sure this was the alleged "Moon Fighter" from Takato's story. He swallowed hard and urged Takato and Guil to continue.
While hiding between pair of closed shops, the four of them heard the presence of the Moon Fighter loud and clear as he caught a poor rice farmer bringing back food from the market.
The sound of shoes meeting the dirt ground was heard and the old man yelping and dropping his goods.
Panicked, the farmer got on his knees. "Pl-please, brave ronin… I… I do not wish you any harm… I only wish to feed my family!"
Another sound was heard, the drawing of a sword and the crumpling of a body, followed immediately by an agonized scream. The old man had been struck, but not by sword, but by another body. Lee quickly looked out to try and get a look at the partners in crime, but found only the back of the Moon Fighter and the broken farmer on the ground. The Moon Fighter wore a deep yellow Kimono with white trimmings. His reddish orange hair was tied back in the traditional knot that the older men of the city wore their hair in. His pants were baggy, and a brilliant shade of white, while his street shoes were the same color as his Kimono. Over his face, he wore what looked like a regular headband from the back, but from the front had a thin piece of yellow silk, which covered his face from anyone in front of him.
The fighter said nothing, but raised his katana high above his head, and just as Lee pulled his head in, swung his sword down and in one motion, brought the farmer from Tortured screaming, to silence. The fighter knew he was dead, but felt he had to make the job seem more intense. He raised his sword again and slashed down at the corpse several times before cleaning the blade off with a clean, dry spot on the farmer's kimono and sheathing the sword once more. He turned and was gone in an instant, at least as far as Lee was concerned. The teen leaned against the building and took a few deep breaths, his whole body shaking with fear. As the stench of blood entered his nostrils, Takato motioned for them to continue to the castle.
Though it was still early in the evening, the overhead sky was dark as the group finally approached the castle. It was an enormous building, as Lee had seen in paintings his mother had shown him, but ten times as breathtaking. The building was painted in strong, but modest colors of red, black, and gold. The stairway alone seemed as if it had no end, and on each side was a statue of a noble dog which somewhat resembled a fierce lion.
The group inspected the front of the stairs before making another move. There were two guards in front of each statue. The guards were the ages of Takato and Lee from first look. They were coated in gaudy armor and carried katana at their sides.
"Royal Guards." Takato whispered loudly to Lee. "We've got to hide Guil."
Guil whimpered softly and nuzzled Takato. "But I want to stay with you."
Takato shoved the lizard aside and looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry. You've got to stay here for a bit, we'll be back soon, I promise."
Lee smiled at them and put Terrier on the ground next to him, nodding for him, Terrier, and Takato to continue forward. They took a deep breath and walked toward the guards.
The teenagers at the gate stood straight and fixed their gaze on the approaching pair. As they reached them, they drew their swords and held them in front of the passage to the palace. The taller one looked at Takato and Lee from the dark, taking a deep breath before speaking.
"None may enter the palace. Their majesties wish to see no one during the night." He said simply.
Takato looked at them both for a moment and laughed. "Oh, Gods! Hirokazu! Kenta! I can't believe it!!" he said excitedly.
The shorter one nodded. "Yeah, we've been put out here for guard duty and we intend to carry out every last second."
Takato chuckled and stepped back. "Well since you know me, and I would NEVER do anything to hurt the Royal Family, I suppose you don't mind sneaking us through?"
Hirokazu brandished his sword before him, holding it toward Lee. "Not a chance! Not with a complete stranger with you!"
Lee swallowed hard and looked at them gravely. "Forgive me, but I am a foreigner in your land, and my father wanted me to speak with the Lord of the first city of my journey and be granted permission to continue on my pilgrimage."
Hirokazu looked at him for a moment, then moved his sword aside. "Here on family business then? You may pass."
Kenta followed suit and allowed the trio to pass, looking at them silently as they passed. As they ascended the stairs, Kenta leaned in toward Hirokazu. "You think Takato has much to do with that guy?"
The other teen shrugged and sheathed his sword. "I have no idea, but he's on a pilgrimage, so he won't be hanging out with him for long." Kenta nodded.
As Takato, Terrier, and Lee reached the top of the stairs, an older pair of guards stood before the large elegant doors of the palace. Lee stopped before them and bowed deeply. The guards placed their hands on their swords.
"What business do you have with the Lord?" said the gruff voice of the guard to the left.
Lee looked at them with his silver eyes pleading. "Please…" he said to the guards. "I need to see the lord of this city before I can continue my quest."
The younger one of the two guards took his hand off his sword. "What quest are you on?"
"I am here on a quest for my family with my pet, Terrier." He replied, looking down at Terrier.
The Left guard nodded at Takato. "Then who is this?"
"This is Matsuda Takato. He was my escort tonight. I ask permission for him to come as well."
The guards sighed softly and pushed the doors open, allowing them to enter. They bowed in thanks and walked in, the two protectors close behind. Lee's mind was swimming with the beautiful decorations of the palace, from the beautiful smooth floors, to the high elaborate ceilings. Even the Pillars caught his attention.
"Hey, boy." The elder guard said, pointing to a doorway. "This is the way, if you don't want to get lost."
Lee chuckled softly and followed the guards and Takato into a larger room decorated with fine fabrics and other precious commodities. These items looked stunning, every increment in the walls catching his eye. While he looked around feverishly, a giggle was heard at the front of the room. Lee looked toward the sound and blushed softly as he saw a beautiful woman sitting on a pillow at the top of a small set of stairs. Her long brownish orange hair was tied tightly back into a formal bun, and her face done in beautiful, yet modest makeup. Her Kimonos were long and elegant, flowing about her legs in all directions, not showing a trace of the pillow beneath her. The robes she wore seemed to tell a story with the pictures of cranes and beautiful women depicted upon them.
The woman there smiled at him and lifted one of the heavy arms of her Kimono and waved it across the floor before her throne, instructing them to sit. Both Lee and Takato hurried closer to the ground where they had been told to sit and sat down on their knees on two smooth, soft pillows, Terrier sitting beside Lee like an obscure dog. The two boys bowed their heads to the floor for a moment before rising to their full sitting height.
Lee drew a slow breath and released it, feeling relaxed. "Dear Lady of Himeji, I have come a long way, and I wish to speak to your husband, or even possibly your father. I must speak with the Lord of this castle."
The lady brought a hand up to cover her mouth as she giggled again. "You silly boy. You can't see that I am the mistress of this castle and the town surrounding?" Her light violet eyes shone brightly as she spoke.
Lee nearly stumbled backward from surprise. "You're the Lord here!? How can this be? I have always been told that men are the true rulers of any country or city!"
The lady gave him an indignant stare, but sighed softly and let it roll off her back. "Dear traveler. I understand your confusion, but my husband died quite a while ago, when our daughter was very young, thus leaving me the throne and me having the heart to not find a replacement for him. He was a fine ruler and I am positive he has come back as a respected creature, or even possibly royalty in another city."
Lee swallowed and regained his posture, sitting up straight and tall. "F- Forgive me, Mistress of Himeji. I knew not of your tragic tale."
She smiled at him once more. "All is well. You come from a different land, and you had no idea that women could take power." She stopped her speech and smiled even brighter, looking to her right. "My daughter has just arrived from her evening walk."
Within seconds of her saying, a lovely young lady stepped into the chamber from the direction in which her mother had looked. She wore a long dress kimono like her mother. The colors of her kimono were white with gold trimmings. The pictures on her kimono were elegant fox spirits and women they had disguised themselves as. Her fiery hair was tied back in a similar knot as her mother's, but smaller due to her lack of hair length. She too had deep violet eyes that shimmered in the light of the flames of the chamber. The skirt of her gold Kimono shuffled with each step she took and spread out around her as she sat down on her own pillow.
Lee noticed as the various guards as well as Takato bow their heads to the floor at the entrance of the young lady, saying, "Good Evening Makino Hime." As to not seem disrespectful, he too bowed his head.
The young lady bowed politely and looked ahead like a porcelain doll as her mother spoke. "Now, young traveler, tell us your tale for being in our country. I love stories."
Lee nodded and sat himself in a more comfortable position. "Yes Lady Makino." He sighed softly, recalling all he remembered. "When my father was very young, he and his father came to Japan on a trading mission. Being the curious fellow he was, my father came along to simply learn new information. Upon landing in this land, my father met a beautiful young lady and fell deeply in love with her, as she did with him. My father made frequent trips from Hong Kong to your lovely city to meet this young lady as often as possible. My grandfather had not gone without notice of this and asked her father for a marriage. The two were wed as soon as possible. Upon the wedding, my mother and father sailed home to Hong Kong where they raised a family of four, myself included. Shortly after my baby sister Shaochung was born, my mother became extremely ill and died. She was shipped back here with my father and her body was burned and her ashes scattered near the city of Tokyo." He finished his tale with a saddened bow of the head. He looked back up at the ladies, who too looked saddened for Lee's sake. He sighed softly.
"My brother came to Japan when he was just younger than I and made a pilgrimage to my mother's grave. He came a different route, though. Now it is my turn, and it is customary in my family to ask permission to continue into a land when we land. In order to continue, we must be granted permission from the lord, or lady in your case, of the first city of our journey. Your city is my gateway of choice and I have come asking permission to enter your country of Japan."
Lady Makino smiled at him and stood, walking slowly to the boy. She sat before him on her knees and kissed his forehead gently. "You have my permission to enter Japan and continue your pilgrimage to your mother's grave. You two seem weary, perhaps you would like to spend the night in our home?"
The faces of the two of them lit up, and lee spoke excitedly. "I-if it is not too much trouble, of course."
She giggled and pet Terrier. "No trouble at all." She lowered her eyes to the strange animal. "My, he certainly is unique. He must have cost you a fortune."
Lee thought for a moment and nodded, unsure of how to tell her that he had no idea how he obtained this strange animal. "Of course… there aren't too many of that breed in the world." He felt a pair of eyes on him and he looked up to see whom they belonged to. His eyes landed on Makino Hime, whose violet eyes burned holes into his heart. He blushed softly and smiled at the young woman. She gave him a smile, which seemed almost like a sneer, or a malicious grin. He swallowed hard and turned his attention to Lady Makino as she began speaking again.
She rose to her feet and folded her hands at her stomach so that her two sleeves met. She turned to a blonde guard who looked like he had been put under entirely too much stress. "Yamaki." She said to him, bringing him to attention.
He spoke in a deep voice, bowing slightly to show he had heard her. "Yes, m'lady."
She smiled at him politely and waved her hand toward the teens beside her. "Please show these young men to extra rooms if you would be so kind."
He nodded. "Of course, ma'am." He started heading toward the door as Takato and Lee stood. As he opened the doors out of the chamber, he waited for them to pass and walked behind them, not taking his eye off Terrier for an instant.
A/N: Ahh… Chapter three. I liked writing this one. This fic is a LOT easier to write than some of my other stuff, though I can't really put a finger on the reason why. Hmnh, oh well, I guess I'll just have to cope with it. As for the whole pilgrimage thing, it is a Japanese custom for men to make a journey to the graves of their families at least once in their life. Woo! Lee's story was fun to write! I mostly made it up as I went along, following the basic stuff. I hoped you all liked this chapter! Peace, love, and Cookies! Kawaii Kitty =^-~=