A/N: Hello!
I've started writing a medieval fic (around the Heian era) for Kane and my OC Katsumi. Have a good read :D
Forged in Fire, Bound by Heart
Chapter 1 - Embers Beneath the Steel ~
The fragrance of the Cherry Blossoms lingered in the air as Katsumi stepped out of her bath, her skin damp and dewy from the water. Steam curled from the extensive water area behind her, swirling faintly in the cool morning air. A maid ushered her in with layers of Junihitoe, of various colors, carefully draping them over her shoulders. The top-most layer, a deep blue robe was embroidered with faint silver patterns that glistened in the dim morning light. Her light brown curly hair was damp from the bath. They clung to her forehead and neck and the remaining length of her hair over her robe. Her Olive eyes were expressive, carrying a hint of unexpressed pain and sorrow.
"You seem quiet today, Katsumi-sama," one of the maids murmured, blotting her hair with a cloth.
Katsumi didn't answer initially. Her mind was restless - thoughts churning her like a catastrophe. The whispered insults were echoing in her mind.
"Unqualified to be a Queen."
"A healer dedicated to the noble."
"She struggles to stand up for herself."
"I'm fine," she replied firmly yet with politeness. She turned to the polished Bronze mirror in front of her. Her reflection stared back at her: tired eyes, lips pressed in a thin line.
Katsumi walked back to her room, the maids following her.
Katsumi settled herself in front of the mirror as the maid tended her hair with gentleness, drying it with a Fukin.
The other maids bought various essences. They dusted them on the hair and the robe. A hint of makeover was evident on her face; a cherry extract smothering her lips, a faint powder dusted on her skin with natural tints on the required areas of her face. A few accessories were garnished, enriching her presence and symbolizing her royal status. In the past, she was a healer's daughter and later adopted by a Royal family after her father's demise. She never thought her life would be directed towards such a direction. This added context to the whispers around her.
"Katsumi-sama, how would you like me to style your hair?"
She took a deep breath before the words escaped her lips, "The War Knot."
The maids froze. They exchanged uneasy glances. The hair is twisted tightly and pinned like a crown or a bun, worn by noblewomen preparing for battle or facing the court in defiance.
"Are you certain, my Queen?" one maid asked cautiously.
"I am. Do it." Her gaze hardened.
"Katsumi-sama, let your hair dry for a few more hours. You might catch a cold," the maid said.
"That's obvious, but you should tie my hair into a bun later," her tone was laced with sharpness.
"Summon the guards," Katsumi ordered. "I need to see the King."
The maids exchanged worried glances, but no one questioned her.
Today, Katsumi wouldn't be whispered about from behind shadowed walls. Today would be the last day the whispers would linger around. Or, the time the impact of the whispers would cease.
The clinking of armor echoed down the corridor before Katsumi heard the firm knock at her chamber door. The sound was brisk and deliberate.
"My Queen," a voice called from the other side, deep and steady. He was one of Kane's trusted guards.
"Enter," Katsumi commanded.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing two guards. They stepped inside and stood tall, their steel-plated armor gleaming faintly in the morning light. The older of the two, a grizzled man with streaks of silver in his hair, gave a respectful bow. The younger one, new to the Royal Guard, hesitated before lowering his head.
"My Queen," the older guard said again, his tone measured, "How may we serve you?"
"I need you to escort me to the King," Katsumi replied, without hesitation.
The older guard's brow furrowed a little. "The King is in council, my Queen. Shall I inform him of your request to meet privately?"
"No," Katsumi said firmly. "I'll speak to him in front of this council."
The room seemed to shift with her words. The younger guard's head jerked up, his eyes wide with surprise. Even the older guard, a man who had seen wars and rebellion, looked uncertain.
"Forgive me, my Queen," he said carefully. "But, the council chamber isn't a place for"
"I know where I belong," she scoffed, her voice cutting him off, colder than she intended. She stepped forward, her robe trailing behind her like a shadow. "And today, I belong there."
The guards exchanged confused glances, but neither dared to argue. The older guard bowed, "As you command, my Queen."
They turned to leave, and Katsumi followed them. Her footsteps were soft against the polished stone floors, yet her presence filled the corridor. The guards flanked her on either side, just a few steps behind her. But, their armor no longer felt like protection. It felt like a wall separating her from the world.
Her fingers curled tightly beneath her sleeves. Let them whisper. Let them stare.
Today, she would silence them all.
As Katsumi walked through the halls, her thoughts churned like a storm. The whispers still lingered in her mind, each word, each syllable sharper than a blade.
"Unqualified to be a Queen."
"A healer dedicated to the noble."
"She struggles to stand up for herself."
The voices had clung to her like thorns, burrowing deep beneath her skin. At first, she had ignored them. Then she convinced herself they didn't matter. After all, Kane knew her strength. Her people trusted her. Why should she care what jealous nobles and arrogant Samurai said behind her?
But it mattered. It mattered because those whispers were creeping into the minds of Kane's advisors. The men who claimed to support his reign questioned her place at his side. It mattered because Katsumi worked too hard to be reduced to the shadow of her husband.
"They think I'm weak."
Her fingers clutched her sleeves.
"Today, they'll know the truth."
The Great Doors of the Council Chamber stood before her now. They were sculpted with dark oak and adorned with carved Dragons entwined in Gold.
The older guard paused. "My Queen, if you'd prefer to wait-"
"I won't," Katsumi said curtly. She stepped forward, her voice clear and unwavering, "Announce me."
The older guard exhaled quietly, not with defiance but with quiet respect. He pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside.
"Presenting Her Majesty, Queen Katsumi!" his voice boomed.
The chamber fell silent.
The room was a sea of faces - Noblemen, Advisors, Generals, the King of Beijing, King Rei Kon, and his followers. They were draped in silk and armor-like. At the head of the long wooden table stood tall and regal Kane Yamashita, King of Kanto, in his Dark Royal Sokutei outfit. She knew their discussion concerned International trading and relations.
Kane had been speaking, but his words faltered after seeing her.
Katsumi stepped inside.
The stares came immediately; some curious, others hostile. She ignored them all. She respectfully bowed down to Rei in return for his respectful gesture before her gaze locked with Kane's.
"Dear Queen," Kane said slowly, his tone unreadable, "I wasn't expecting you."
"I know." She walked forward, her deep blue robe sweeping behind her like a shadow. "But I have something to say."
"You may speak," Kane said, but his eyes flickered cautiously.
Katsumi began, her voice steady, "I've heard the rumors. Some of you believe I am unfit to be Queen and not strong enough. It's tiring to succumb to blatant assumptions about my worth here."
A murmur rippled through the room with half surprise and half amusement. Kane's expression darkened.
"Those rumors are wrong," Katsumi continued, her gaze sweeping the seated nobles. "I won't waste my precious time defending my place as Queen with words. Instead, I ask this…"
She paused. Then, she turned her sharp gaze towards the Samurai Warriors near the wall.
"I challenge one of you to a duel."
The room erupted.
"A duel?" one of the advisors scoffed. "Surely, you must be kidding."
"She's serious," another muttered under his breath.
Kane's voice rose above the chaos, "Silence! And that's enough!" his gaze cut through the room like the blade of a Katana. "My Queen has made her request. This shall not go unfulfilled." He returned to her, eyes narrowed, "You'll face me."
The chamber stilled again.
Katsumi's brow furrowed, "Oh, King…"
"I won't let you risk yourself against anyone else," Kane said firmly. His expression softened just enough for her to see the concern beneath his calm. "You'll face me or no one."
Katsumi hesitated, not out of doubt, but out of the unspoken and unrecognized love. Kane knew the ruthlessness of his Samurai. This was his way of protecting her.
"Fine," she said quietly. "I accept."
The tension in the room shifted, no longer out of disbelief, but something sharper. The court had come expecting politics. Now, they were about to witness a Queen defy them with steel.
Kane gave her a slight nod. "The courtyard. Tomorrow morning."
Katsumi turned to leave, but before she reached the door, Kane's voice stopped her.
"Don't think I'll be easy on you."
She smiled faintly over her shoulder, "I wouldn't want you to."
The morning light was pale and cold when Katsumi entered the castle's private training yard. The air stung her face, crisp with the lingering chill of dawn. The courtyard was still, save for the faint rustling of leaves and the distant clink of a blacksmith's hammer.
She stood alone. That's how she wanted.
In her hand, she gripped a wooden practice sword. Its weight felt unfamiliar yet grounding. Katsumi was innately aware of her strengths: steady hands for healing and quick thinking in moments of crisis. But swordsmanship? That was Kane's world.
Her fingers tightened around the hilt. "Then I'll make it mine."
She closed her eyes and focused on her breath, which was slow, measured, and steady. In her mind, she pictured Kane - his movements in the practice yard, his strikes calculated yet fluid. His footwork had always been precise, shifting like a wave, never staying still for long.
Strike. Step back. Block. Counter.
Katsumi lifted the wooden sword, imitating his movements. Her blade sliced through the air, not graceful, but determined. She tried again, and again.
Time blurred. Katsumi lost herself in the rhythm; each strike sharper than the last. Sweat gathered her at the brow, her muscles aching with the strain. But she didn't stop.
"I won't be a shadow," she reminded herself. "I won't be forgotten."
"You'll tire yourself out before you even face him."
Katsumi turned sharply, and her breath quickened. The voice belonged to a familiar figure, none other than King Rei Kon of Beijing, an ally for the chain of Japanese Kingdoms, and a trusted friend to both. He leaned casually against the stone wall, arms crossed watching her with quiet amusement. His long black hair was pinned up with a clutch, his head bearing the weight of his Mianguan, and a Regal Black Hanfu framed him, highlighting his status.
"I thought I'd find you here," Rei said, pushing off the wall and stepping closer. "You've been swinging that sword for hours."
"I'm fine," Katsumi muttered, gripping the hilt tighter.
"You're not." Rei reached out and took her arm before she could protest. Her muscles trembled beneath his touch — evident that her body was near its limit. "You're pushing too hard."
"I have to," Katsumi shot back. "If I fail tomorrow—"
"You won't." Rei's voice softened. "But you're not going to win by exhausting yourself today."
Katsumi exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging. Her mask of determination faltered, and frustration bled through. "They're waiting for me to fail," she whispered. "The Samurai, the nobles… they think I don't belong here."
"Then prove them wrong," Rei said firmly. "But not like this. You will fetch different ways to showcase your worth."
He released her arm and stepped back, picking a spare wooden sword from the rack, and gently lifted the Mianguan off his head. "Let me help you."
"You want to spar?" Katsumi asked, eyes narrowing.
"You think Kane's going to hold back?" Rei grinned. "You're fighting the best swordsman in the kingdom. Let me show you what you're up against."
They started slowly — simple exchanges of strikes and blocks. Rei's movements were measured, guiding her instead of overwhelming her. Katsumi matched his pace at first, adjusting her stance with each failed block.
"Wider stance," Rei instructed. "And don't tense your arms — keep your movements light, and your muscles loose, yet guarded."
She followed his advice her blade striking his side — not hard, but precise.
"Good," Rei said with a nod. "Now again."
The pace quickened. Rei's strikes came faster, sharper. Katsumi's muscles burned as she dodged and countered — some blows landing, some missing. Her breath grew ragged, but she kept moving.
At last, Rei's blade grazed her arm, and he stepped back, lowering his sword. "That's enough," he said. "You're ready."
Katsumi shook her head. "I need to—"
"You've done enough," Rei interrupted. "You'll need your strength tomorrow."
His voice was calm. But his eyes bore a glint of pride. Katsumi finally let the sword slip from her fingers, her chest rising and falling with each breath.
"You'll be fine," Rei said quietly. "Kane knows your strength — and tomorrow, the rest of them will know it too."
For the first time all morning, Katsumi allowed herself to smile.
The morning air was sharp and cool when Kane entered the castle's armory.
The faint scent of oiled steel lingered in the room, mingling with the warmth of burning torches. Rows of swords gleamed on the walls, polished to perfection. Kane's hand hovered over one of them — not his favored blade, but a simple wooden practice sword. He stared at it for a moment longer than he should have.
"Still thinking about it?" a voice asked from the doorway.
Kane didn't have to turn to know who it was. Rei leaned casually against the frame, his arms crossed.
"I'd be lying if I said no," Kane muttered, reaching for the practice sword. The weight felt familiar in his grip — solid, steady. Yet somehow, it didn't comfort him the way it usually did.
"She's tougher than you think," Rei said, stepping inside.
"I know she is," Kane replied. His fingers absently traced the worn grooves along the sword's hilt. "That's what worries me."
Rei's brow lifted. "You think she's going to hurt you?"
Kane gave a faint laugh, but there was no humor in it. "I'm worried she'll push herself too far just to prove a point." His fingers tightened around the hilt. "Katsumi's too stubborn for her good."
"She's stubborn because people keep doubting her," Rei pointed out. "They say she's not strong enough, not noble enough — you know what they've been whispering."
Kane's expression darkened. He knew exactly what had been said. The insults had reached his ears weeks ago — muttered behind closed doors by nobles too cowardly to speak openly. He had ignored it at first, thinking it would die down. But when he learned Katsumi had overheard those same whispers…
That's when he knew she wouldn't let it go.
"I should've shut them down sooner," Kane muttered. "I should've done something before it came to this."
"She's not fighting just because of the rumors," Rei said quietly. "She's doing this for herself. You know that better than anyone."
Kane sighed and set the sword down on a nearby table. "I just…" His voice faltered. "I don't want to see her get hurt."
"You won't."
Kane shot Rei a skeptical look.
"You won't," Rei repeated firmly. "I sparred with her this morning — she's strong. Stronger than most of your Samurai men, honestly."
Kane's brow lifted. "You're serious?"
"I wouldn't joke about this," Rei said. "She's faster than she used to be — more precise. Don't underestimate her."
Kane huffed quietly. "I never have."
"That's why she's going to win," Rei added with a smirk.
"I don't plan to let her win," Kane shot.
"I know." Rei's smirk widened. "And that's why she's going to deserve it when she does."
Kane shook his head, unable to hold back a small smile. "You're too confident."
"I just know your Queen better than you think," Rei chuckled.
Kane's smile faded as his thoughts drifted back to Katsumi — her quiet determination and eyes sharpened when she was focused. He remembered she had stood in the council chamber, fierce and unshakable, and how she had met his gaze with such unwavering resolve.
"I know her too," Kane murmured.
He exhaled slowly, steadying himself. The next day he wouldn't hold back — not because he wanted to win, but because he knew Katsumi wouldn't want him to.
If she wanted to prove her strength, Kane would treat her as an equal — nothing less.
"Well, is Her Majesty Mao Chen Kon making her arrival today?" Kane asked him.
"Mao is on her way. I heard they had an uneventful encounter with bandits," Rei sighed. "Might take another day for her to reach here."
"The time is all hers. Her safety is paramount," Kane added.
Rei's expression softened, "That leaves no room for further questions."
The night air was heavy with silence, save for the faint crackle of the lanterns in their chambers. The weight of the morning's duel pressed on their minds, yet neither could find the words to break the quiet.
Katsumi sat by her window, her gaze fixed on the moonlit courtyard below. The wind whispered through the trees, rustling the banners bearing the Yamashita crest — Kane's symbol of power and responsibility. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the hilt of her blade resting on her lap, cold steel against warm skin.
What am I even trying to prove? she wondered. Katsumi had fought countless battles before, yet this felt different — heavier. This wasn't just about strength or pride. This was him — the man she respected, admired... and loved. And though no words had been spoken, her heart knew it.
Across the castle, Kane stood alone on the balcony of his chamber, eyes set on the same courtyard. The breeze tugged at his robe, yet his mind was far away. He had sparred with dozens of warriors before — soldiers, generals, even nobles — yet this was the first time he felt unease before a duel.
She's stronger... than most realize. Kane knew Katsumi's resilience better than anyone. Her tenacity, her quiet fire — had always drawn him in. He feared he might hurt her, yet deep down, he knew she wouldn't want him to hold back.
Turning from the window, Kane reached for his armor by his bedside. The lacquered plates shimmered under the flickering light. She won't fall easily, he reminded himself. But what if she does? The thought twisted something inside him — an ache that no battle scar had ever left behind.
Meanwhile, Katsumi closed her eyes, gripping the hilt of her blade tighter. I have to do this. I have to prove I can stand beside him — not just as his Queen, but as his equal. Yet a whisper in her heart betrayed her — If I fall... will he think less of me?
That night, neither of them found much rest. Both lay awake in the silence of their rooms — hearts heavy, minds restless — not from the fear of losing, but from the fear of losing each other.
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, just appearing over the clouds. But, it was barely risen when she woke up an hour ago. She stood before the mirror, letting the maids drape the final piece of the Karuta, overshadowing the underlying Hakama, sash, and Yukata. The chest plate was firm against her ribs. Each layer and each strap has been carefully adjusted. There was no room for weakness or loose bindings.
Her fingers lingered over the Sohe resting over her shoulders. It felt heavy, yet somehow grounding.
The air in her chamber was still. The maids had finished their work long ago, leaving her in silence. Yet Katsumi's mind refused to quiet.
"You'll tire yourself out."
"You're fighting the best swordsman in the kingdom." Rei's warning echoed in her head.
She closed her eyes, drawing in a slow breath. She had fought for so many things — her place in the court, her place as Kane's wife, her place in this kingdom. Yet today felt different.
Today, she wasn't just proving her strength to her enemies. Today, she was proving it to herself.
A quiet knock came from the door.
"My Queen," the familiar voice of a guard called softly. "It's time."
Katsumi exhaled. She gave her reflection one last glance — eyes sharp, stance strong — before turning toward the door.
Across the castle, Kane stood alone in his chamber, adjusting the plates of his armor.
The navy fabric clung comfortably to his frame, and the white hakama draped over his shoulders. His chest plate felt familiar — a weight he had worn countless times in battle and training. Yet somehow, today, it felt heavier.
His hands paused over the leather straps along his ribs.
"She's stronger than you think." Rei's voice replayed in his mind.
Kane huffed softly — amused and conflicted all at once. He knew Rei believed in Katsumi, but Kane still couldn't shake his unease. He wasn't worried for himself. He was worried about her — not because he doubted her strength, but because he knew how far Katsumi would push herself to prove it.
What if she overreaches? What if she takes a hit that she doesn't have to? What if…
Kane shook the thoughts away. She's strong. She'll be fine.
Still…
His gaze drifted toward the corner of his room where a simple crimson ribbon lay folded on a table. Katsumi had once tied it in her hair before joining Kane at a festival years ago — back when their bond had been straightforward, free of court politics and whispered rumors.
Without thinking, Kane picked up the ribbon, folded it neatly, and tucked it into the sleeve of his hakama — hidden, yet close to his heart.
If she falls, I'll be there to catch her.
A knock came at his door.
"My King," a guard called. "The Queen is waiting."
Kane exhaled, rolling his shoulders to ease the weight of his armor.
"I'm coming," he said.
The courtyard awaited them, and so did the eyes of the court.
The courtyard was already buzzing with murmurs when Katsumi stepped outside.
The morning air clung to her skin, cold yet invigorating. Rows of nobles, knights, and advisors had gathered along the edges of the stone courtyard, their expressions ranging from curiosity to disbelief. Some whispered behind their hands, others openly stared.
"She is insane."
"I can't believe my eyes."
"Pretty sure this would've been doomsday if she fought a Samurai man."
But Katsumi barely noticed them.
Her gaze was locked on Kane.
He stood across the courtyard, his Karuta mirroring her own. His armor gleamed faintly in the sunlight — the same set he wore in battle, not some ceremonial piece. His hand rested loosely on the hilt of his Katana, fingers calm and steady. He wasn't pacing. He wasn't tense. He just stood there, composed as ever.
But she knew him too well.
His eyes were sharp and calculating were fixed on her. Kane was reading her, watching her stance, and her expression. He wasn't seeing his wife right now. He was seeing an opponent.
For a brief moment, Katsumi's breath caught.
He's taking me seriously.
She had expected him to hesitate, to hold back, even just a little. But no. The look in his eyes was the same he wore before every duel and before every battle. This wasn't Kane protecting her. This was Kane respecting her strength, and treating her like an equal.
That should have reassured her. Instead, it left a sharp knot in her stomach.
Kane's gaze flickered only for a second. But she caught the way his eyes softened. That quiet warmth he tried to hide in moments like these.
She clenched her fingers tighter around her sword's hilt. Don't falter now.
Kane's thoughts refused to stay still who stood on the other side of the courtyard.
The moment Katsumi stepped outside, everything else faded.
She moved with quiet grace, her hakama rippling faintly with each step. Her armor, fitted yet firm, gave her a presence no one could overlook. The crowd may have seen a healer dressed for war, but Kane knew better.
They think you don't belong here, he thought. Let them think.
But when she met his gaze, Kane felt something stir inside him, not fear, not doubt… but pride.
He had trained alongside soldiers, Samurai, and generals alike, but Katsumi's resolve was unlike anyone's. He knew how hard she had pushed herself — how stubbornly she had fought to stand her ground among those who wanted her gone.
You've already won, Kane thought. They don't know that, yet.
And yet…
His fingers twitched against his sword's hilt. His mind refused to quiet.
He remembered the fire in her eyes when she had demanded this duel. The way she carried herself now, was firm yet strained. She was determined, but Kane knew how dangerous that resolve could be.
Don't push yourself too far, he willed silently.
Kane's hand slipped into his sleeve in a heartbeat, brushing against the crimson ribbon hidden there. His fingers curled around the fabric, grounding him.
I'll fight you with everything I have, Kane swore to himself. But if you fall, I'll be the one to catch you.
He released the ribbon and drew his sword.
The cold morning air sharpened around them.
The duel was about to begin.
Their impending fight heavily contrasted their wedding. She was dressed in a Shiromuku, and him in a Black Uchikake, exchanging glances and vows in front of the Priest. Their time together had been fleeting. But now, they were clad in armor, holding the hilts of Katanas, facing each other.
The courtyard fell silent.
Kane's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, the familiar weight resting easily in his palm. Across from him, Katsumi mirrored his stance: her shoulders squared, her grip firm. Her expression was calm, but Kane saw the tension beneath it. Her chest rose just a little too quickly with each breath.
The gathered nobles whispered from the sidelines, their murmurs faint but persistent. Kane forced himself to block it out.
"Just you and her."
The castle steward stepped forward, raising his hand.
"On my command," his voice rang out. "Begin!"
The steward's hand dropped.
Kane moved first.
His blade cut through the air in a swift arc; quick, controlled, and calculated. He hadn't swung with full force but wasn't holding back either. This wasn't a display, this was a test.
Katsumi twisted her body just enough to evade the strike. Her blade shot upward, knocking his sword off its path with a sharp clack. As she moved, her ponytail fluttered wildly.
Kane barely had time to reset before Katsumi lunged, eliciting a sharp, precise jab toward his ribs. He twisted away just in time, feeling the tip of her Katana glance off his armor.
Good, Kane thought. She's faster than I expected.
He stepped back, raising his sword again. Katsumi mirrored him, her stance low and poised. Her grip was firm with no hesitation.
This time, she attacked first.
Her blade swept toward his shoulder, quick and clean. Kane countered, meeting her strike head-on. The metals slashed loudly as their swords locked together.
"You've improved," Kane muttered under his breath.
"I had to," Katsumi shot back, her voice tight with focus.
She pivoted sharply, breaking the lock and stepping wide. Her blade slashed again, this time toward his thigh. Kane reacted just in time, twisting to avoid the strike. He answered with a swift counter, which was faster and sharper and Katsumi barely deflected it in time.
She's learning as she moves, Kane realized.
The thought unsettled him not because she wasn't capable, but because she was pushing herself too hard. Each strike she delivered carried fierce precision, but her breathing grew heavier, her steps slower.
She's burning herself out too quickly.
"You don't have to prove anything," Kane muttered as their blades locked again.
Katsumi's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I do."
She shoved against him, forcing Kane to stumble a step back. Her sword slashed downward, aimed for his side — but Kane caught her blade with his own just in time.
Their Katanas pressed hard against each other, the muscles in Katsumi's arms trembling from the strain. Kane felt her strength faltering, but her eyes, sharp and unrelenting, never wavered.
"You can stop now," Kane said quietly.
"I won't," Katsumi snapped.
For a moment, Kane's heart twisted. The fire in her voice wasn't just anger. It was frustration. Hurt. Determination is born from too many days of being overlooked and doubted.
"You're stronger than they know," Kane murmured. "You don't have to prove that to me."
Katsumi's gaze softened, just for a breath, but it was long enough for Kane to break the lock. He swept her blade aside, forcing her to stagger back a few steps.
But before Kane could press forward, Katsumi surged back faster than before, her sword driving upward in an arc. Kane barely deflected it, her blade skimming dangerously close to his side.
She's not stopping.
And Kane knew why.
She wasn't fighting him. She was fighting the doubt that had plagued her for months. The whispers, the stares, the cruel words muttered behind her back. Kane knew she'd carry those wounds until she made them see.
If this is what you need… Kane thought, raising his sword once more.
Then I'll fight you with everything I have.
Kane stepped back, steadying his breath. His muscles were warm now, his instincts sharper, yet something felt off. Katsumi's strikes were coming faster and harder. There was no rhythm and control to them.
She wasn't fighting like a swordsman. She was fighting like someone desperate to win.
She's pushing too hard.
Kane adjusted his stance, widening his footing. His gaze flickered to her; hair clinging to her damp forehead, shoulders rising and falling with each breath. She was stubborn, but she was tiring.
He had seen this before; Samurai who let pride push them past their limits, exhausting themselves in pursuit of a victory that slipped further away.
Katsumi... stop before you break yourself.
But Kane knew she wouldn't.
She came at him again, her blade slicing down toward his shoulder. Kane shifted, parrying the strike and twisting his wrist to push her off balance. Katsumi staggered, just a little but before Kane could step back, she lashed out again.
Too fast.
Her blade glanced off his arm, skimming his armor. It wasn't a proper hit. It was more instinctive than precision.
"Slow down," Kane muttered under his breath.
"I can't," Katsumi shot back.
Her frustration cracked through her voice, sharp and raw.
Kane clenched his teeth. You're not just fighting me, he realized. You're fighting something else.
Katsumi's pulse pounded in her ears, louder than the murmurs, more audible than the crack of their blades.
Her body ached, and her breath came fast and shallow, but she refused to stop.
Kane was stronger. That was undeniable, but she knew she could match his speed if she kept pushing. She could win if she kept striking harder and faster.
I can't lose. Not here. Not after everything.
She remembered the whispers, cold and bitter like poison.
"A Queen who doesn't know how to fight."
"More of a healer than a warrior."
"She only wears the crown because the King loves her."
They had seen her as weak for too long.
Katsumi's blade shot forward again, her arm straining from the weight of her momentum. Kane caught her strike and twisted, forcing her back a step.
"I won't stop," Katsumi panted. "Not until they see I deserve this."
"You already do," Kane said firmly, his blade steady.
His words struck harder than any sword.
No, I don't, Katsumi thought bitterly. Not yet.
She surged forward again, her blade crashing against his with enough force to jolt her shoulders. Kane barely budged.
"Why won't you fight me properly?" she snapped.
"I am," Kane shot back.
"No, you're holding back!" Katsumi's voice trembled with frustration.
"I'm not," Kane countered, his voice low but sharp. "But I won't let you destroy yourself just to satisfy a bunch of cowards who aren't worth your time."
Katsumi's breath hitched. She wanted to yell back, to insist this wasn't about them. But deep down, she knew it was.
This wasn't about winning. It was about drowning out the doubt, the voice that whispered that Katsumi wasn't enough.
I have to win. I have to.
But her arms were growing heavy, her movements sluggish. The tip of her blade wavered slightly, and Kane saw it. His stance shifted, no longer defensive, but firm. Ready to strike.
Kane's going to end this soon, she realized.
Panic flared in her chest. If he struck her down now, they'd never see her as anything more than Kane's wife.
Desperation gripped her, and Katsumi lunged harder and faster, her blade swinging high.
But Kane was faster.
With a sharp twist of his wrist, Kane deflected her strike and knocked her sword, clean from her hand. The Katana clattered to the stone.
Katsumi staggered, her breath ragged. Before she could retreat, Kane grabbed her wrist; firm, but not harsh, holding her steady.
"It's over," Kane said quietly.
Katsumi's chest heaved, her heart pounding, not from exhaustion, but from something heavier.
"I wasn't strong enough," she whispered, her voice breaking.
"You were," Kane said softly. "You just didn't see it."
His grip loosened, but Katsumi didn't move. Her hand trembled in his.
"I'm tired of fighting to be seen," she whispered, barely audible.
Kane's eyes softened. "You don't have to fight alone," he murmured. "You never did."
The courtyard was silent.
Katsumi stood motionless, her chest still rising and falling from exertion. Her practice sword lay several feet away, forgotten on the cold stone. Kane's hand lingered against her wrist, steadying her, though she couldn't tell if it was to support her… or to stop her from trying to fight again.
The nobles, who had whispered doubts and dismissive words, now stood in silence, stunned.
Moments earlier, Katsumi had been convinced she'd failed. She had lunged too hard, pushed too far, and still, Kane had disarmed her. She had thought her defeat would confirm what they believed, that she was unworthy of her place beside him.
But now…
They weren't sneering. They weren't muttering.
Some stood with their arms crossed, lips pressed tight in reluctant approval. Others whispered in awe. One noble, a Samurai who had once proudly claimed no woman could handle a blade, shook his head in disbelief.
"She held her ground," one voice murmured.
"Longer than most of us would," another added.
"She nearly matched him…"
That last whisper lingered.
Katsumi's fingers twitched, her gaze flicking toward Kane. He watched her closely, not like a man who had just won. His grip was no longer firm; it was careful. Gentle, like he knew she wasn't just battling fatigue.
"You heard them," Kane murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "You didn't need to win to prove yourself."
Katsumi swallowed hard, her throat tight. "I needed to see it," she whispered back.
Kane's hand slipped away, and she straightened, her posture sharp and dignified, despite the exhaustion dragging at her limbs.
She turned to face the gathered nobles.
No one spoke, but their stares felt different now, not of judgment, but something closer to respect.
"I see it now," Katsumi thought.
They had expected her to falter early, to flail helplessly before Kane's blade. But she hadn't. She had forced him to step back, to defend, to fight. Even in defeat, she had left no room for them to call her weak.
"You've earned this," his words echoed in her mind.
And this time, Katsumi believed it.
Kane stepped forward, his voice rising with unmistakable authority.
"She may have lost this duel," he declared, his gaze sweeping across the gathered nobles, "but let me be clear; very few of you would have lasted as long as she did."
The murmurs ceased instantly.
"I've fought alongside Samurai, generals, and warlords," Kane continued, his voice firm yet steady. "And I can say with certainty that Katsumi fought with as much strength, precision, and resolve as any of them. Perhaps more."
His eyes locked onto a cluster of nobles. The same ones who had once whispered behind. The ones who had claimed that Katsumi was nothing more than a crown-wearing healer, someone unfit for the battlefield.
"She stood her ground," Kane said sharply. "And she faced me without hesitation, something half of you wouldn't have dared to attempt."
The nobles shifted uneasily, exchanging glances. Some lowered their heads, while others clenched their jaws.
"She's not just your Queen by title," Kane pressed. "She's your Queen because she earned it. Because she's willing to bleed for this kingdom like me." His voice lowered, quieter but sharper. "And if anyone still questions her strength... you can take it up with me."
Silence clung to the air, cold and heavy.
Kane's gaze lingered on the nobles for a moment longer before he turned to Katsumi.
She stood still, her breath softer now, but her eyes were wide — not with shock, but something profound.
He's proud of me.
Kane stepped closer, his voice now only for her. "You showed them what they needed to see," he said quietly.
Katsumi exhaled, slow and steady. "I showed myself," she replied.
A faint smile tugged at Kane's lips. "That's what matters most."
Without another word, Kane reached down and retrieved Katsumi's fallen Katana. He placed it back in her hand, firm and deliberate.
"Next time," he said with a grin laced with a teasing intent, "I expect you to win."
Katsumi's fingers tightened around the hilt, her smile breaking through. "I'll hold you to that."
The murmurs of the court had faded now, replaced by something else; a quiet, reluctant respect.
And for the first time in a long while, Katsumi felt like she belonged.
A/N: The duel was too long, maybe?
Thanks for reading!
-Niki.