Soifon's eyes snapped open, and she sat up. The hell butterfly flitted close by, relaying its urgent message that the examination would begin in half an hour, and that she should present herself at the testing grounds. She closed her eyes, recalling her father's words to her brothers. Her brothers' words to herself. Her grandmother's hopeful face. Her loyal steward, and the household looking to her for direction. What would happen to them if I fail?
"It is our honour and privilege to serve you, Shaolin-sama." These words haunted her. The caretaker had faithfully served her family the last forty years, and his family had been part of the Fon household since seven generations ago.
And Soifon was determined that she would not fail, because the love and hopes of the entire Fon family and estate lay with her. She donned her combat uniform and shoes and proceeded to the testing ground.
The Onmitsukido is on duty at all hours of the day. And the night. A threat could come from anywhere at anytime, and has no regard for whatever one happens to be doing. Soifon understood why the summons to the examination would take on such a nature. What she did not understand was why the testing grounds were empty. Where were the other recruits? The examiners?
She walked around cautiously. Suddenly, four shadows flitted in front of her and began to attack. She deflected the blows of the first and threw him to the floor, her fist just millimeters from his face. "I… I yield…" he said, and Soifon recognised him as one of her classmates. Another tried to surprise her but she quickly somersaulted away. She leapt off a tree and landed a well-aimed kick to his face. She paused, wondering if he was all right, when she suddenly felt someone grabbing her from behind and restraining her arms. Her legs were left kicking in the air as her opponent was vastly bigger and stronger. A fourth opponent approached menancingly, yelling "You, girl, you don't know your place!"
Thinking quickly, Soifon lifted both her legs up, and sent them backwards with her full force. Her captor quickly crumpled, and she shun po-ed away. What are they up to?, she wondered, as she observed her remaining three opponents regroup and approach her. As she braced herself for their attack, to her surprise, another assailant came flying through the air. This new opponent quickly dispatched the remaining three and aimed a flying kick at Soifon. Instinctively, the girl put her hands up to defend herself against the move.
Although Soifon had blocked the kick, the mysterious assailant had somehow changed the force and direction of his move in mid-air, throwing Soifon to the ground with his legs instead. Soifon landed heavily, coughing, gasping. He is strong! Too strong!
She forced herself to sit up to look at her opponent, but her vision was blurred. All she heard was a flurry of Onmitsukido flitting in and out, and there were suddenly several members of the keigun kneeling on the floor, calling her assailant "Commander!" Soifon rubbed her eyes, to see the departing silhouette of the Commander. Wha… what is this? What happened? Have I failed?
The Commander turned, and looked quizzically at Soifon. With a start, Soifon realized that this was the Princess Shihouin, whom her brothers had pointed out to her all those years ago.
"Hey you, what's your name?" She tilted her head. Soifon was struck dumb for an instant, but quickly scrambled into a kneeling position and bowed her head. "My name is Soifon."
"Soifon, eh? I'll remember that." And in a flash, she was gone.
Soifon continued to stare at the empty space, mouth agape. Such speed, such strength. I… I will never be able to fight like that. Not in a hundred years.
The next morning, Soifon received the news that she had passed the test, and would henceforth be a member of the Onmitsukido, in the Punishment Force.