Soun looked at his three daughters proudly as they made their way across the hall to his side. It had been three years since he last saw his precious children. They were sent to tour around Nerima and learn from the different masters. It was a heartbreaking decision for him to send them away but he knew that keeping them by his side would limit their exposure to the real world and would prove fatal to the future heiresses. When he heard of their return, he fought the overwhelming urge of rushing to the gates of the capital like a mad man and welcomes them. He could heat the people cheer their names and a smile crept up to his face. His daughters certainly blend well with the people.
The first daughter leading the small group was his pillar of healing and comfort ever since their mother passed away. She was by his side whispering comforting words when he mourned and tried her best to act as a surrogate mother to her little sisters. Now she had grown to be one of the most beautiful ladies with the warmest eyes the court ever has. She had chosen the path of the healer, a path which suited her character. She wore a light purple robe with a gold sash that hugged her womanly body and a diamond tiara which sparkled in the light. Entering the hall, she bowed graciously to every minister present in the hall and they bowed in return to the lady who they came to love and respect since she was born. All agreed that she had inherited the gentleness of her mother and it was her who bind the whole country and offered healing in times of pain and sickness. She gave Soun her everlasting smile, which he came to love, and kissed his right hand before taking her place on his right. Kasumi Tendo, eldest daughter of Soun Tendo, has returned.
The second daughter was his pillar of knowledge and wealth. She portrayed herself as a cold and unyielding lady when handling the finance of the country. This caused the neighboring countries to send their best finance minister during negotiations but none were able to alter her terms as she always had an upper hand. However Soun knew he could count on her to keep the country intact and morals high in times of disaster and war as she had displayed this ability several times. She had chosen the path of politics and had naturally excelled in this area. Wearing a gold robe and emerald tiara whose color matches the country's currency, she gave each minister a bored smile and they bowed to the Ice Queen with both respect and fear. They had learnt their lesson exceedingly well when they tried to test her intelligence during her first appearance in court. As a result, all were humiliated and their egos vanished under her glare. She had certainly inherited the cleverness of her grandfather and the glare from her mother when she was angry with Soun. She came up to Soun and kissed his hand in greeting before taking her place on his right. Nabiki Tendo, the second daughter of Soun Tendo, is back.
The third daughter was his pillar of energy and spirit. She was, by far, inherited most of her mother's features and the spirit of the Tendo. Her beauty made her one of the most sought after lady in the country and many suitors came from afar to try to capture her heart. Instead, they returned home physically and mentally broken. Soun knew that she was loved greatly by both her elder sisters and the people as she had to cope with the loss of her mother at a tender age of three. She had grown to be a strong willed woman and a stubborn one. She insisted on learning martial art, an unfeminine trait, when she saw her father practicing one. She has chosen the path of the priestess and kept the people's faith strong in their country in times of war and disaster. Wearing a white robe and a sapphire tiara, she smiled and greeted friendly at the ministers, making the younger ones weak on their knees and the older ones protective of her like her father. She was a bundle of joy when she was born and every minister adored her like their own child. She cheered them up immensely in times of great danger and even the scowling Chief of Justice could not help but smiled whenever she greeted him. She came up to Soun, kissed his hand and took her place next to Nabiki. Akane Tendo, youngest daughter of Soun Tendo, has arrived.
Soun' eyes began to water as he saw the find young ladies at his sides. How they have grown. Each had become a beautiful lady of strong character and abilities, making them worthy of being the future leaders of Nerima. His forefathers and certainly his wife would be proud of them. He cleared his throat and began to speak.
"It is of my great pleasure to welcome my daughters back from their tour around Nerima. My dear Kasumi. My clever Nabiki. Last but not least, my fiery Akane. I have dearly missed all of you and it is of great joy to have you by my side once again. You have gained much experience and knowledge about your future paths and I hope you would make full use of it to assist me in running this country. Age is catching up with me and I must admit that I no longer have the energy to oversee the whole country. Please do not interrupt, my dear ministers. I have decided that I would impart my knowledge to my future heiresses during my remaining days and I hope all of you would lend your support. That's all I will have to say."
Soun sat down heavily on his chair. The excitement and speech has taken a toll on him and all he wanted to do is to retire in his study and have a little chat with his daughters. Looking at his daughters once again, the only thought that formed his mind is
'It's time for them to find a husband'.
The young man looked at the procession in front of him, his face hidden beneath the cap. The people in front of him were cheering loudly when the Tendo ladies appeared. The procession was heavily guard by armed soldiers who were having a hard time trying to restrain the crowd. Flowers, especially roses, were thrown on the pavement as a sign of respect for the beautiful ladies whom the people grew to love and admire. The Tendo ladies arrived in their respective horses and busily greet everyone warmly. Even Nabiki, who was expressionless most of the time, smiled sincerely and affectionately when an old shriveled woman presented her with a hand-knitted scarf. In short, the people were very glad to see their future mistresses back as they missed them terribly. The young man silently watched the whole thing with hatred-filled eyes. He would love to leap from the crowd and slashed the ladies with his sword and savored the shock and anger that would register on the people's face. What did they do to deserve such attention? All they do was to wave at the crowd and greeted them merrily. If they were goddesses, where were they when he needs them? Where were they when he was injured? Their father was responsible for his tragic childhood, his merciless nature and his blood-filled hands. He had decided. The youngest daughter would pay for his misdeeds. He would not fail