Shoukaittou:

Song of the Sword

Chapter 3

Water-Silk Kimono
By:
Night~Mare

With many thanks going out to:
Akai_Kitsune

Shoninne ran. The dirt road was hot under her bare feet and the arid heat of the day rapidly dried her wet hair. The bushes rustled angrily behind her and she picked up her speed, clutching the cloth bundle to her chest. She topped the rise, quickly glancing over her shoulder and grinning as she saw nothing. Down below, in the village, she could see a single man starting up the hill to meet her. Beside him was a familiar, moth eaten gray nag. She grinned and hurtled down to meet her father, the cloth bundle in her hands temporarily forgotten.

“Konnichiwa Shoninne-chan,” he said when she’d reached him. He smiled beneath his bristly black mustache and ruffled her hair. Some called her father ugly, because there were pits in his face as if a small chunk of skin had been taken out. Shoninne, though, had always considered him handsome.

“Konnichiwa Father! Where are you going?” she asked.

His smile turned amused. “What makes you think I’m going anywhere?”

“Because you have Ichi.” Upon hearing its name, the nag turned its old head and nibbled at her hair. Shoninne lifted one hand to scratch between the horse’s kind eyes and continued to look at her father curiously. He only used Ichi when going on long distances; mostly he rented the horse out to others in the village.

“Your mother’s brother is sick so I’m going to bring some money to him.”

“But doesn’t Uncle Haro have money?” she asked, wrinkling her nose. Father sighed and rolled his eyes heavenward for a moment.

“According to your mother, he’s poorer then we are.”

“Oh” Shoninne looked at the ground and wiggled her dirt covered toes. Uncle Haro lived far away and it would be a while before Father returned. The sinking feeling she’d had the night before returned full force.

“Is there something wrong koibito?”

“No…” Strong, callused fingers came under her chin and gently lifted her face. Her father’s green eyes were gentle but stern.

“Truth, Shoninne-chan. Lying is not honorable.”

“May I come with you Father?” she asked, grabbing onto his sleeve. “Onegai? I can help!” He smiled fondly at her.

“How?”

“I can protect you from road bandits! I have a sword.” She pulled the sword-stick out of her belt and handed it out to him. He shook his head.

“Ah-ah Shoninne-chan. Hilt first. Unless of course you’re challenging me.” She blushed, embarrassed to make such a simple mistake, and corrected it. Father took the sword-stick and examined it carefully. When he handed it back, approval shone in his eyes.

“A good weapon. It should last you if you treat it well.”

“Yes! So…can I come with you?”

“No. You must protect the village while I’m away.” The tone of his voice told her that no more would be said about it. She cast her eyes down and nudged the road with her foot. A gentle hand on her shoulder made her look up again.

“Besides…if you came with me, how could you play with Shinta?”

“Mother might make me-” She stopped when his grip tightened on her shoulder and his eyebrows drew together in anger.

“Your mother will do nothing. If she tries to keep you inside, tell her that she will have to deal with me. Understand?” His face seemed so mad and fierce that she was scared for a moment. He must have seen her fear because his expression changed, like the sun peeking through a storm cloud.

“I’m not mad at you daughter.” He straightened, looking down at her along his nose. “Now, can I trust you to look after the village young warrior?”

“Yes!” she said, straightening to attention. He laughed.

“A shame you couldn’t have been born a boy. You’d make a fine samurai.”

“I am going to be a Samurai!” she announced, setting her chin. His eyes glittered with amusement.

“Are you sure about that? A Samurai must be able to sense everything around him. So that an enemy sneaking from behind will not catch him by surprise.”

“No one’s ever going to sneak up-” There was a scream behind her and suddenly she found herself on the ground, elbows jarred from bracing herself. There was a heavy weight on her back, making it difficult to breathe.

“Konnichiwa Iro-san!” said a cheerful voice. Father began to laugh again. Shoninne narrowed her eyes, leaned on one elbow and reached back with her free hand to slap Shinta’s leg.

“Get off me Shinta!” she snapped. Her friend did so and she bounced to her feet, irritably fixing her glare on first her father, then her friend. Shinta was matching her glare with one of his own. His arms were folded across his bare chest. In fact he was entirely bare except for his loincloth.

“And what have you two been up to?”

“We were swimming,” Shinta said. “But then she stole my clothes.”

“Oh?” Father asked, turning a mock serious gaze on her. “Is this accusation true Shoninne-chan?”

“Of course not! I wasn’t stealing his clothes…I was just giving him an excuse for a little exercise….and I think he needs a little more. Sayonara!” She dashed away leaving Shinta to choke in her dust. Not twenty steps later, he had her in the dirt again. It wasn’t fair. If she’d gotten a really good head start she might have had a chance…but at close range Shinta was entirely too fast.

“Get off!” she wheezed as the hard road pressed into her stomach.

“Give me back my clothes.”

“Never.” He got off her, but his weight was replaced by tickling fingers that sent her right back down again. Shoninne squealed with laughter and tried to fight her friend off.

“Stop!” she cried when she had the breath to do so.

“Clothes.” She rolled on her back and flung them at him, smiling in satisfaction as it hit him squarely in the face. As soon as he’d closed his kimono and tied his much patched belt she attacked him, fingers aiming for the spot just under his ribs. He laughed and tickled her back and soon they were both sitting on the ground, laughing breathlessly. Suddenly Shinta stopped laughing and looked up, eyes narrowing

“Two little dirt balls playing in the mud,” said a voice above her. Shoninne stood and turned. The boy standing not two feet from her had thin brown hair and dark blue eyes that were almost black. A mean grin twisted his pock marked face.

“What do you want ugly pit face?” she asked. The boy’s eyes narrowed. Shoninne clenched her hands into fists. He might attack, he might not, but she was going to be ready for anything. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shinta come and stand beside her. She grinned. Ha. Together they would be more then enough to beat him. San drew himself up.

“You should treat your older brother with more respect.”

“You don’t deserve respect, pit face!” Anyone who hit little girls whenever he could get away with it wasn’t honorable. San wasn’t stupid enough to pick on her all the time, but he was merciless on the twins when he could get away with it. San’s hands fisted.

“You’re really pushing it,” he growled through clenched teeth.

“Why don’t you tell me what you want and go away,” Shoninne said.

“Mother wants you inside. Now!” he snarled, reaching for her. Before she could react, there was a loud crack. San jerked his hand back and held his wrist. Shinta stood beside her, a serious look on his usually cheerful face, her sword-stick in his hands. She hadn’t even felt him grab it.

“Shoninne can go home without you dragging her. So just leave her alone if you please,” Shinta said. After shooting her a look that promised revenge, San stalked off, his feet making little clouds of dust on the dry road. Shoninne snatched her sword-stick from her friend, heat flooding her cheeks.

“What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?” the boy asked. Shoninne clenched her teeth. Why were boys always so stupid? Of course she was mad at him! Couldn’t he tell? A tentative hand touched her shoulder. Shoninne jerked away and glared at him.

“I didn’t need your help, Shinta! I’ve stood up to my brother before!”

“Yes…and you usually come away with bruises.”

“Hmph.” Shoninne shook her bangs out of her eyes and shoved the sword-stick in her belt.

“I’m sorry. I thought you needed my help,” Shinta said with a pleasant smile. Much to her irritation, Shoninne’s anger faded away like a summer thunderstorm. It was impossible to stay mad at Shinta for long.

“What should we do now? “ she asked. “It’s hot. Do you want to go up to the stream again? Maybe we can catch fish this time!” To her disappointment, Shinta shook his head.

“Gomen, I have chores to do. I get to play a lot because Father has my older brothers help but…” he ended with a little shrug of his shoulders. Shoninne sighed and said her goodbyes. It looked like she would have to face her mother after all. She went to the store, picking up the pace a little as the hot road burned her feet. The twins were standing at the back entrance, staring at her with perfectly matched brown eyes.

“Mother’s mad…”

“…At you…” They said in that annoying way they had. Shoninne liked the twins but sometimes it seemed they shared a secret all their own.

“I don’t care. Mother can be mad at me if she likes. I’m not scared.” That was only a half-truth. She’d like not to be scared. The twins, though only six, didn’t look like they believed her at all. Instead they turned and walked with matching steps back into the house. Shoninne steeled herself and went in after them, prepared for the worst.

Mother stood in the main room, flanked by San on one side and the twins on the other. Shoninne folded her arms. The disapproving twist of her mother’s mouth told her it was not the best of times to be disobedient. Shoninne bowed her head and dropped her arms to her side, trying to look as demure and meek as possible.

“Are you going to get her Mother?” San asked. “She had her friend beat me up!” Shoninne scowled and opened her mouth to protest. Mother’s eyes narrowed a fraction and the girl shut her mouth again quickly. How dare San say something like that? If Shinta really wanted too, he could kick San’s butt…but Shinta really wouldn’t hurt a fly…unfortunately.

Wordlessly, her mother pointed to the screen that separated Shoninne’s room from the rest of the house. Shoninne went wordlessly. Her and the twin’s futons were rolled up and out of the way. In the middle of the tiny room was a shallow wooden barrel, filled with water. Shoninne gulped. Oh no. Not another bath. She hated when Mother gave her baths. It was always amazing that she had any skin afterward. After reluctantly shedding her clothes, she gingerly poked her toe into the water. Her foot jerked back on pure reaction. That water was cold! A shadow moved out of the corner of her eye. She could tell who it was without even turning her head. She could feel Mother’s stern gaze from where she was. Sighing, Shoninne got in the cold water, shivering as goose bumps rose on her skin. Mother stepped behind her and Shoninne winced as her mother began to scrub.

After what seemed like forever, the bath was finally over, Mother dried her off viciously and fairly yanked her from the tub. Shoninne stood in front of the woman obediently. The sun sparkled outside and she watched it play upon the floor behind her mother. What she wouldn’t do to go outside again…even if she did have to play by herself. Shinta was usually free in the evenings right before dinner. She could always swim in the stream until then…or maybe even hunt for the sword tree.

Mother sighed a little and Shoninne looked back at the woman. She had pulled something wrapped in rice paper from her kimono. Shoninne watched with wide eyes as the woman pulled back the thin paper to reveal a sea green kimono, just in Shoninne’s size. White fish spotted with gold swum among yellow-green weeds. The beautiful color of the kimono made it seem just like she was staring into a pond. Without thinking, Shoninne reached for it and ran her fingers over one of the fish. It ran like water underneath her fingers. This was silk. Real silk.

“It’s pretty,” she breathed.

“I know.” There was a strange tone to Mother’s voice. Shoninne’s heart ached as she saw the warmth in her mother’s eyes. It was a warmth she’d only felt a few times in her life and would do almost anything to feel again.

“It was given to me by my mother…right before she passed away. She saved up everything she had to buy this for me…”

“Oh.” Shoninne lowered her eyes. She’d never known her grandmother, but she’d heard many things about her. Grandmother had been a noble but poor woman, who’d worked herself to the death to make sure her only daughter married into a wealthy family. At least that’s what Mother always said.

“We used to be rich you know,” Mother said, as she wrapped Shoninne up in the colorful kimono.

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm. Right before San was born. We lived in a grand house and had many servants. When we walked down the street, people treated us with respect. I had all the silk I could ever want.” Mother’s face darkened and her fingers became rough.

“But then your baka of a father had to disagree with his grandmother. We lost everything. Our servants…our respect…my silk.” Mother tied the matching obi around her waist, then began to run a comb through her hair. Luckily, her hands were gentle again and it was a pleasant experience. Mother didn’t speak as she brushed. Shoninne listened happily to the silence, broken only by the bird song outside. Shoninne flattened her hands on her new outfit, loving the feel of it underneath her fingers. Maybe the bad feeling didn’t mean anything. She didn’t know what was going on…but it couldn’t be bad. Not when she was given something this beautiful.

“I had high hopes for you my daughter. I had hoped that one day you would marry a rich merchant and give us money if not respect.”

“But the twins-“

“Are scarred, just like your father. You are the only one pretty enough to attract anyone of value.” Mother carefully tried to coax a snarl out of Shoninne’s hair. When all her hair was smooth, Mother pulled it back and began to tie a ribbon in it.

“I will be rich again. I don’t care what your father says. I will be rich.” Her voice had become hard…and scary. Goose bumps ran up Shoninne’s arms again and the frightening feeling was back. She suddenly wanted to ask if everything would be all right, but the words stuck in her throat. A shadow appeared behind the screen, probably belonging to San.

“Mother…some men are here.”

“Show them in,” Mother said. The woman stood and Shoninne did as well. She looked into her mother’s face and immediately wished she hadn’t. Mother’s brown eyes were cold. Like the ice that froze the river in deep winter. Mother reached for her. Shoninne shrunk back involuntarily. Mother’s lips pursed and she grabbed Shoninne’s wrist tightly.

“Let’s go Shoninne, you have some visitors.”

“I don’t want visitors!” Shoninne whined, trying to pull from her mother’s grip. But the woman was too strong and she had to stumble to keep from falling as her mother continued to drag her. Once around the screen, Mother paused. Shoninne did as well, staring wide-eyed at the two visitors. They were both men. As old as Father. Their clothes were travel-stained and one had a dagger on his belt.

“Not too bad,” one of the men said and smiled. His smile was like a snake’s and his eyes on her made her feel strange and scared.

“Sit Shoninne.” Mother’s voice was hard and the girl obeyed, too scared to do otherwise.

“Obedient…” the dagger man said approvingly in a deep, gravely voice. He was dark haired and pale faced, with a long scar that ran from his temple to his chin. She didn’t like him either. Both men were scary. But even though the dagger man’s scar frightened her, the snake man’s eyes were even worse.

“So, what’s she trained in?” the snake man asked, rubbing bony fingers against his sharp chin.

“She can clean and do some cooking.”

“That’s all?” the snake man asked. Mother hesitated a moment.

“And tea ceremony,” the woman said. Shoninne opened her mouth. Mother’s sharp pinch to her back made her shut it again. She didn’t know anything about tea ceremony. Lying wasn’t honorable. The snake man’s smile remained, but his eyes narrowed, as if he were angry.

“She’s not pretty enough to make much,” the snake man said.

“But she can be trained,” Mother said.

“Or broken,” the dagger man said. The snake man laughed. The sound of his laughter broke something in Shoninne. Something that went past fear. Only half conscious of what she was doing, she stood and bolted. She paused only long enough to fling open the door before tearing down the road. Her heart beat a wild tattoo in her chest and almost matched her frantic steps. Be safe. It said. Be safe. Be safe. And she knew that there was only one safe place for her to go.

---

Shinta grasped the weed in both hands and pulled as hard as he could. The plant stubbornly kept its firm anchor in the ground. With a grunt, he threw his entire weight into it, leaning back on his heels. There was a tearing sound and suddenly he found himself on his back in warm soil, the top half of the weeds still clutched in his stinging hands. The roots though, remained put. He sat up and with a frustrated sigh, threw the top half of the weeds at it.

A shadow fell over him and the gentle laughter which floated down to him lightened his mood almost immediately. Shinta leaned back against his mother’s kimono and looked up into her face. Her hair was covered by a conical hat, but a few inky black strands managed to escape from it and swung around her dark eyes. He loved her eyes. They were always so sad and happy and mysterious at the same time. Father had said something bad had happened to her family long ago. So for a while now, Shinta done his best to make her happy.

“Having trouble?” she asked.

“A little,” he admitted. “But I’ll take care of it. I wouldn’t let one weed soil your garden.”

“I’m sure you won’t,” she said, touching his hair briefly before moving to tend her vegetables. Shinta leaned forward and scraped through the dirt with his fingers. That root would get out even if he had to dig to the ocean. Suddenly a feeling shot through him, like ice water down his spine. Something was wrong. Something was wrong with Shoninne. He knew it without knowing how he knew.

Shinta stood and looked toward the road. Not a moment later, she appeared. Her dark hair was disheveled and her green eyes were wide and frightened, tears streaming down her face. She flung herself at him, nearly knocking him over.

“What’s wrong Shoninne?” he asked, returning her embrace.

“I don’t know… There were scary men and Mother was acting funny and I’m scared.” She was crying so hard that it was difficult to understand her. He wished he knew what to say.

“What’s going on here?” Father asked, coming around the house.

“What’s wrong Shoninne-chan?” Mother asked. Shoninne told her story again, her voice was calmer but her body trembled.

“I’m sure it’s all right dear,” Mother said. “Perhaps they were just from out of town and wanting to buy something.”

“Maybe…maybe not,” Father said in hard voice. “People are saying that there are-”

“There’s no need to frighten the children,” Mother said. Her voice was calm but there was an edge to it. Shinta looked up at her with wide eyes. He’d never heard that tone from her before. She looked anxious more then angry though.

“Well whoever they are, we’ll soon find out soon enough,” Father said. As his Father spoke, Shinta could just make out two men, coming toward the farm. Shoninne tensed. Mother, stepped in front of them, blocking their view.

“Don’t let them get me Shinta!” Shoninne whimpered.

“I won’t. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you Shoninne, that I will.” That earned him a small giggle.

“Ne! Farmer! Have you seen a girl?” a cold male voice shouted.

“Take Shinta inside,” Father said.

“Can Shoninne come too?” Shinta asked. Father turned a little so he could look at him out of the corner of his eye and smiled. The expression didn’t reach his eyes though and Shinta could tell his father was worried.

“No…but don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”

“Come with me Shinta,” Mother said, putting her hands on his shoulders. Reluctantly, he let go of his friend and let himself be led away. Before he went into the house, he turned and looked at her. Her dark green eyes were wide and tear filled.

‘Don’t leave me,’ her eyes said. He met her eyes and tried to smile reassuringly. She looked away, nodded a little, then turned her back on him. Shinta slowly went inside the house. It will be all right, he told himself. Father said it would be all right and he would never lie. But then why had he looked so worried?

Mother came in behind him and slid the door shut. Shinta sat close to the door and stared at it, wishing he could see outside. His heart was beating so loudly he could barely hear anything over it. Mother sat beside him and he could feel her watching him out of the corner of her eye. She was worried too.

“The girl is ours, farmer,” said a man with a deep voice. The boy focused his attention back on the outside.

“What proof do you have?” Father asked.

“Can’t you just take us on our word?” said another man.

“I know your kind. Show me some proof that you brought this girl.”

“Very well, here.” There was the sound of rattling paper. “Written by the lady herself. The girl is ours and if you know what’s best for you, you’ll give her to us without any more resistance.” There was a long silence. Shinta tensed. Father couldn’t give Shoninne to those men! They were lying! They had to be. Shoninne’s parents wouldn’t do that to her!

Suddenly a high pitched scream ripped through the air. Shoninne! Shinta scrambled to his feet only to have strong hands pull him back down again. The boy struggled in the woman’s grip.

“No! Let go mother! I have to help her!” he shouted.

“There’s nothing you can do. Nothing anyone can do. She was brought and paid for.”

“No! It’s a lie! It’s a lie!” Shinta screamed, struggling even harder. She held him gently but firmly.

“Shinta! Shinta!” Shoninne screamed. Her voice was further away. They were taking her! They couldn’t take her! He’d promised her that he wouldn’t let them! Tears of frustration burned the back of his eyes.

“I promised,” he said, looking up into his mother’s face, trying to get her to understand. She held him closer and began to stroke his hair.

“What would you have done to free her?” she asked. Shinta opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. He suddenly realized he didn’t know. He didn’t know how he could have saved her…but he would have tried anyway…even if that meant getting kidnapped himself. Even if it meant never seeing Mother again. This thought made him even sadder.

He stared at the mats in front of him without really seeing them and let the tears streak down his face. This couldn’t be happening. They had been just playing this morning and now… Shinta closed his eyes. No. It wasn’t happening. This was just a bad dream. That was it. And tomorrow the morning sun would wake him up and he would go down to the village to play with Shoninne just like he always did. Just like he always would…and nothing would be any different.

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