A mothers healing is the best healing
don't own any copyrighted material, except my own OC's: anyone else's OC's will be acknowledged in their introduction chapter
Asahina lands, 100 miles from the final destination
Though all of the Crane lands were regarded as beautiful, the Asahina families lands were above even their own clan in that regard. This was due to their history, role within the family, and disposition. The family wasn't one of the initial three. In fact, it was the last of the 5 to be formed in a rather untypical way for a samurai family. Long ago when the Wei had a empire and the Wakano Covenent was merely a fantasy among ambitious nobles, the 7 great clans fought amongst each other as much as outside threats.
The Crane clans coastal holdings meant they were surrounded by many other great and minor clans. In the north 2 were particularly prevalent. One was the Lion clan, an honorable, traditionalist, and heavily militant clan occupying the central plain. The other important to this tale was the Phoenix, one of the three remaining great clans after the war, along with the Crane and Unicorn. They were the foremost shuenja, priests who channel elemental forces in spectacular ways, and advocates of peace.
Like many interclan wars, it started with a simple slight upon ones honor that has been lost to time. The Crane attempted to intervene and prevent damage to their northern lands from the conflict. Led by the powerful fire user Isawa Asahina, he devastated the land and the lion forces before them, bringing the wrath of the kami upon them. All that stood before him and retribution was the Crane Clan Champion. For several days he hurled every spell and sorcery he had at her, yet she endured and didn't fight back, putting her body in harms way to save others. Finally, he called to his ancestors and the gods to smite her down, but they silently refused.
Only then did he see the devastation and damage he caused, and from that day on he forsaken the element of fire. He devoted himself to the element of air, the element of healing, and healed the woman who made him see his errors. In recognition of this genuine change and apology, the war was ended, and Asahina founded the Asahina Crane family, marrying the woman he had fought. Since then they had become pacifists, using their magic to heal the lands and people of their clan, and create powerful protective items for those that go to war in their stead.
Cao finished this story as he and his companions began to enter Asahina lands. Quickly he could tell opinions were quite divided. Velvet found the story informative and agreed with the families philosophy due to her priest background. Testuo however found it a complete waste of land and of a samurai family, believing a samurai's duty is to protect people first and foremost. However, despite this, Ruby didn't say anything at all. She sat next to Cao completely silent and nothing he did could get her to speak up. Even voicing legitimate concern didn't get her to speak up.
"Great I broke her." Cao muttered as they arrived at a small village
Unlike most villages they visited, there was a strong samurai presence, and its size and accommodations showed. Massive and beautiful gardens cared for to near perfection. The inns, teahouses and roads larger and better maintained. Beautiful Sakura trees everywhere rustling in the breeze. Finally, truly breathtaking estates and temples built for the samurai to live and work in absolute comfort and luxury. Only Ruby didn't pay attention to this and wasn't impressed by all of these sights. She was still lost in her thoughts.
As they parked the wagon and got the horses stored, Ruby wandered off by herself to think. Days of thinking about what Cao said to her and the turmoil of feelings she had didn't do anything. She finally decided to go to a temple to seek guidance. Unlike the sotora's who exclusively worshipped their ancestors, the Wei followed the Tao of Shinsei. Shinsei was a monk who taught profound teachings to the founders of the great clans and the first emperor. Enlightenment, balance, and rebirth were its most base tenants, and Ruby hoped this could help her find her way.
"Welcome traveler. What brings you to our temple today?" The temple maiden near the door asked as Ruby entered nervously
"Do you have a shrine open that I can pray to?" Ruby asked curiously
"Yes, we do. Please follow me." She said and lead her to it
"Thank you so much." Ruby said as she stepped into the shrine room
"Take as long as you require." The maiden said before politely closing the rice paper screen to give her privacy
Ruby looked around the room. Its small, with just enough room for the simple shrine, a wash basin and a mat to kneel at. Ruby sat on her legs on at the wash basin and cleaned her hands before going to kneel at the shrine. She then began to pray and contemplate before this simple shrine, meant to help the individual connect with their ancestors. Little did Ruby know was that this was going to take a form she never imagined.
"Is something wrong Ruby?" A woman's voice asked, and Ruby jumped as it sounded familiar
"Who's there?" Ruby asked, looking all around but seeing no one
"Do you not remember me Ruby?" The woman's voice answered, and what Ruby saw in front of her floored her
A middle-aged woman in a simple kimono sat in front of her. Not of the samurai, her work worn appearance betrayed her lowly origin. Silver eyes like her's stared back at her, and her distinctive black to red hair caught Ruby's eye as well. The woman that sat in front of her was her mother, Summer Rose. However, this shock turned to confusion as question after question filled Ruby's head, and no answer she could think of made a bit of sense.
"Hello Ruby." Summer said with a smile
"Mom? Where? How? Why?" Ruby said in short bursts, so shocked and confused she could hardly form sentences
"Calm down Ruby. I'm here to help you through your time of need." Summer said
"Now you come. Now of all times? Where have you been this whole time? Why did you leave us? What the hell did you leave your family to go and do!?" Ruby said as her emotions got the better of her
"I can't say Ruby. Too much is as risk for me to say. But I can tell you it was the hardest thing to do in my life, and I wish I never did it. I wish I never left you all. But I did it mostly because I love all of you and wanted you all to be safe. If you can't forgive me Ruby, then I completely understand." Summer said with a sigh
"Then why now? What makes this so important then?" Ruby asked
"The threat of war loom Ruby, and you have a part to play in this. You and Cao." Summer said
"What do I have to do with this? And what do you mean by me and Cao?" Ruby asked, nothing really making sense
"I will answer your question with a question. How do you feel about Cao?" Summer said simply
"I don't know…" Ruby said as she looked down
"The same thing happened to me when I met your father Ruby." Summer said to her
"Really?" Ruby asked, a bit stunned at this confession
"My mind was in turmoil, and I needed to think about it. However, your mind can only do so much. It can only take in and process so much. So, I turned to my heart, and that was what told me my feelings." Summer said
"So, I need to listen to my heart?" Ruby asked
"Yes. Tune out the turmoil of your mind and listen for what your heart says. I know it's not much advice Ruby, but you were the end result of me listening to my heart." Summer said with a smile
"Thank you mom." Ruby said as a tear rolled down her face
"Don't cry Ruby. I'm with you always, and always there for you." Summer said
This didn't stop Ruby from crying. Tears flowed down her cheeks as her emotions flooded through her like a burst dam. Most of her life she was without her mother. Only faint memories of her existed, but they were good ones. To simply hear her voice was something she never thought would happen, and she felt happy in this time of uncertainty. After drying her eyes, Ruby opened her eyes to find her mother was gone. Nothing in the room was disturbed and it was like no one else had been in the room.
"Mom?" Ruby asked, but no answer came
After this Ruby got up and took one more look around and left. She felt slightly better inside and certainly less confused after hearing her mothers advice. But now a whole new host of questions were in her head. One stood out among the rest. What did the future have in store for her and Cao, and what does that future entail?
Well Summer's now lurking around, but how and for what purpose? Don't worry this isn't the last appearance of her. Next time Ruby confronts her feelings, but more importantly confronts Cao. I hope you all have a wonderful day, and a good fall.