Rain lashed down all about her, hammering the ground into muck. Rivers forming by her feet. Yuki Gritted her teeth as cold wind tore through her soaked garments, her eyes peering through the grey world.

The patty fields about her had swollen, and now threatened to consume the dirt road. She couldn’t believe her luck; it had been grey as she descended the mountains. Yet nothing indicated rain, but the moment she had reached the valley it had begun to drizzle. Then to pour, and now as she left the wooded feet of her mountain home and onto open farmland. The heavens had chosen that exact moment to unleash a deluge.

Tabi walked stubbornly through the mucky water, the donkey likewise didn’t seem bothered in the least. Yuki glanced behind to her ‘escort’, trudging miserably through the mud, face bowed low, arm shielding it from the rain.

She felt a pang of pity, but a fresh gust of ice water doused such notions. He was probably the biggest threat to her, likely some Wildman or pirate. She couldn’t let her guard down. Not for one second.

She set her eyes on the strait dirt road, her hand gripped the lead. Strangling all resistance.

However, she couldn’t block out the weather for long. It is said that one who is cold and dry can get warm. Someone who is warm and wet can get dry. But someone who is wet and cold is pneumonia waiting to happen.

And it wasn’t long before the burning cold in her fingers, and shuddering shivers along her spine. Became almost unbearable. She gritted her teeth; this was just part this test. A true warrior would shoulder any burden she told herself. She refused to let this weakness show.

Something splashed besides her, eyes darting she saw the foreigner close in. His savage eyes accentuated by long exotic hair. She brought Tabi to an immediate halt, her sword drawn in less than a breath. Lightning struck in the distance it’s flash reflected in the blade held high as Yuki prepared to strike.

Then his lips moved

“T-there’s a house in the distance” he said. Plainly and a little clumsily but spoke he did. Yuki blinked and sheathed her sword.

“You can talk?”

“Clearly! But there’s a house that way!” he gestured in the grey distance. Turning her head Yuki Peered across the flooded rice fields, there a shadow and a small light. Orange as a distant flame. She clenched her teeth.

“We’ll travel till we reach Nakamura Temple! Then we can rest” she insisted, the castaway responded in disbelief.

“Do you want us to get pneumonia, my teeth are chattering and your shivering, and that’s if we don’t get hit by lightning”. A faraway rumble sounded in agreement.

Yuki shook her head.

“Fine!” she growled shielding her eyes she stared at the shadow, making out the figure of a little hut. And leading towards them the faint tracing of a dirt road slowly sinking under the rising water levels.

…

Shoving open the door Yuki charged out of the cold and wet. The room was dark and shabby, filled with smoke and the smell of sake. Torches lit the bar dimly illuminating a crooked counter manned by a crooked nosed barkeep. Grim individuals turned to cast suspicious glares at the new arrivals, seedy and rattish men smoked their pipes. Watching with the curiosity of vultures.

Yuki stomped in followed by her captive, both dripping as they approached the bar. Slamming her hand down she met the barkeeps eyes.

“I need a room, and my horses need some board, food too if you would”.

The Barman raised his eyebrow.

“that’ll be 5 Mon you little brat”.

Yuki stared taken aback “I’m sorry?” she said tersely.

“This is a tavern, not a daycare, now pay up or I’ll throw you back out.”

Yuki’s hair pricked up “You don’t seem to understand, I’m a Warrior of the Ryuji clan” this elicited a deep laugh from the large man.

“As if, you look more like a Hyuji savage to me!” he said mockingly,

Looking like thunder Yuki glared at the Barkeep, how dare he. A mere peasant, a servant of her lord dare disobeys a warrior of the Ryuji clan. Her hand hovered to her sword; he clearly hadn’t seen it. She would prove her status to him. And take what was due.

Then she felt a hand close about her arm

“My good sir, would you forgive my friend’s rudeness. We’re travelling pilgrims and we’re hoping for a place to stay. Such as this…” he gestured to the rancid shack around them “well-kept and charming place” he said with a winning smile.

Yuki sent him a poisonous glare, she didn’t trust him, nor his newfound ability to speak. But she held her tongue.

“Why are your hands bound” the barkeep said with suspicion.

“Oh, well it’s an act of penitence. I’m certain god will bless you with good fortune if you shelter us for the night” he said. The barman considered this for a while.

“Alright then, I’ll give you a guest room for the night.” He gestured, Hurriedly Yuki and Alexander climbed a flight of stairs following the stable boy to a crooked doorway. Stomping in Yuki slammed the door behind her and her companion. A large clang echoing throughout the shabby pub.

Down below however the hooked nose barkeeper barked to his stable hand.

“Alright you dolt, what do they have in their packs?” he said interrogatingly.

“I-I checked their saddlebags, a-and they have a l-lot of equipment? Like pots and pans, and c-camping gear” the bowlegged boy said nervously.

“Money, valuables? They’ll be paying their rent one way or another” he muttered darkly to himself. He hadn’t missed the sword on that girl, if she wanted to play games, he’d just have to take his due himself.

“I-I N-no, she must have kept that in her personal p-pack. B-bb-but I saw something even better”.

“Oh? Then get to it or will you be stammering till nightfall?”

The boy nodded before hurriedly continuing “A-a-a-a-armour I-I s-saw a-armour” he said, his eyes darting side to side. The barkeep looked down at him, Armour? So, she hadn’t been lying. This wasn’t just some little girl playing with her daddies’ sword.

A raspy voice coughed from a darkened corner,

“So, the little brat wasn’t lying, how bout’s we make a quick buck while we have the chance. Her daddy’s gonna pay a pretty penny to make sure his little girls safe” an especially ugly man said. His face was hard like sharpened flint. Marred with several scars, none of which seemed to have healed correctly.

The barkeep thought for a second, he’d never liked the cold. And if they played their cards right, they could get a nice little ransom. Even divided among the boys he could have just enough to set up shop far, far away. Maybe a little stall in the capital, or a small beach property down in Yayoi. He could hear the gentle waves already. And his mind eye imagined white sands, tanned girls, and a warm shining sun.

“Alright! tonight, grab your boys, I’ll give you the keys to make it nice and easy” he said, then he paused thinking for a second.

“Boy! Go and get a nice hot bath for our guests” he smiled greedily; this would be like taking candy from a baby.

…

Yuki threw her soaking baggage to the ground, casting an angry glare at her mysterious companion who ignored her as he opened the window.

“Of course, it stops raining when we get inside… oh hey stables” he said glancing down.

“Explain yourself right now!” she yelled; he spun back around startled.

“For what getting us a room for free? When you were about to just stab him”. He said fishing his hands into the pack he threw a dry rag to Yuki; the bindings made the throw weak and clumsy. So, the rag flopped unceremoniously at her feet.

“Not that! You can talk, how?”

“By moving my lips”.

“Give me a straight answer”.

“Listen I’ve been here nearly a month, and I’m quite the polyglot. I’m a fast learner when it comes to language”.

Yuki narrowed her eyes that claim didn’t nearly satisfy her. However, a more pressing issue was on her mind.

“How dare you speak on my account! I am a Bushi of the Ryuji clan! You should show me the respect I deserve” she demanded. The idea disgusted her, the peasantry was meant to serve like the emperor intended. Some foreigner ignoring the natural hierarchy like that… it was a slap in the face!

“Well, I’d think a squire like yourself would have better etiquette” he said chidingly, for which he got a swift kick to the abdomen.

“Next time, you’ll speak when I tell you, I can bear that at least” she said to the crumpled figure on the ground. Groaning in pain he pushed himself up.

“Duly noted, it’s nice to meet you too, names Alexander” he said putting out his hand. Forcing a smile as he clutched his side.

“None of your business” she said Knocking aside his hand.

Turning away from him she picked up her sword and began inspecting it, she sighed it would need to be dried and oiled again. Going to her bag she pulled out her maintenance kit.

With her back to the corner, she dried her blade, the reflection of the torchlight gleaming brightly in the gloom. Her eyes never left Alexander; he looked innocent enough. Which was all the more insidious, the moment she let her guard down he would ditch. In the dead of night cutting his bonds, stealing her horse, and running to the edges of Hanyyen. She’d never see him again and she’d never become a true Bushi.

So, like a hawk she watched Alexander. When he clumsily placed a blanket over himself. She was watching. When he hummed out of tune she was listening. When he let off a fart, she was unfortunately smelling. He shifted uncomfortably under her intense gaze, fidgeting with the little copper ring about his finger. Yuki blinked, noticing it reflect the lantern light, where had he gotten that? Had he arrived with it... surely the guards would have searched him thoroughly. And she doubted they would let him keep it.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Her train of thought was broken by a knocking at the door.

“enter” she bade.

Inside came the young stable hand, hefting a large tub.

“My master decided to send up a bath to thank you for your blessings, besides we want you to give a good word to the Kami for us” he said woodenly. Eyes drawn to Yuki’s sword; Yuki frowned for a second the strokes of her rubbing increasing as she thought.

“Alexander you should go in I’m clean enough” she said. A tense silence fell on the room, the stable hand bowed before leaving. He soon returned to the simple room dragging up bucketloads of hot water, dumping them into the tub and repeating till it was full of steaming bubbly water.

Bowing the stable hand left the room, his eyes never leaving Yuki or her blade. Closing the door quietly he scurried downstairs to prepare their meal, a steaming hotpot that he was certain would get that crazy sword girl to calm down.

Meanwhile Alexander eagerly stripped and slipped into the welcoming bath. Relaxing his muscles he sank into the suds, shooting a glance towards Yuki he asked.

“Do you have to stare at me? I’m a bit naked right now”.

Yuki paused in her polishing.

“Of course, I can’t have you escape on me” she said before resuming.

“Why would I escape? Where would I go?” he said exasperated pausing before adding “Although these ropes are starting to chafe a bit, could you take them off?”.

“As if” she said before resuming to polish her Katana. Watching she saw him soak into the suds; eyes closed in the bliss of steaming hot water, she envied him. But as if she would make herself so vulnerable as to bathe in front of him. Looking over to the clean set of clothing she furtively undressed and dried herself off. Quickly she donned a clean kimono while Alexander dozed off, ignorant of her activity.

…

It was not long till both bath and board had been served, a delicious noodle broth devoured, and the cloudy sky overtaken by the night. The two now slept, Alexander curled on the tatami mat. And Yuki leaning against the wall.

Outside 4 figures prepared in the darkness, a key glinted and slid into the lock. The door creaked open an inch, then it stopped. There was a shoving sound, banging and a cracking. A large block of furniture had been moved in front.

Yuki’s eyes snapped open, fixed on the door, she heard whispered cursing and then. Another round of banging against the door, the wardrobe wobbling dangerously.

Springing to her feet she kicked Alexander.

“Ow, oh what’s going on?” He said groggily,

“someone’s trying to break in!” she hissed. Another thud smacked against the door shoving the wardrobe back an inch. Her mind raced; she didn’t want to fight them here. This room was a small box, a cage, she would be trapped and overwhelmed. Then she glanced to the window

“You said our horses were right below us?” she said, a groggy Alexander nodded sleepily. Another shove knocked the wardrobe into a wobble. Snatching what she could Yuki dragged Alexander to the window. Throwing it open she could feel the cold night air, sobering in its chill. Grabbing her bag, she tossed it and her possessions out first. It landed plumply with a loud sound.

Then dragging herself through she leveraged herself onto the lip of the roof, Alexander tentatively followed his bound hands fumbling and struggling to cling to the wooden tiles.

“Now we need to leverage ourselves down, its not too high” she said as the thudding and shoving of the door came to a frantic pace.

“I can’t” he said holding up his bound wrists.

“We don’t have a choice”.

“Then cut these” he urged, there was the sound of wood being hacked through. They had decided to grab an axe. Swiftly she brought out a knife and sawed through the ropes, franticly she cut and cut; the strands coming loose and finally freeing Alexanders Wrists.

Lowering herself to her hands Yuki grabbed the edge of the roof, slowly lowering herself as far as possible. Then she let go, the drop was further than she had expected, and she stumbled back on her jarred legs. Barely stopping herself from tripping over as she made for their horses.

Alexander quickly followed her, landing mostly on his ass. Up above there was the sound of crashing and splintering. And the inevitable confusion that followed.

Quickly the two pounded across the stables finding their horses. Slapping saddle and pack onto them they led them out into the night. Looking back, she saw light issuing from the opening inn door, the lantern bearing stableboy scrambling to the stables. Yuki cursed; they needed more distance.

“Get on” she ordered Alexander, clambering up he righted himself just as she brought them to a trot. The pack horse struggling to keep up, as they drove themselves onwards into the unknown.

…

The night turned to grey dawn as the two stumbled to a cop of trees, a mound dominated by a tall oak recently overturned perhaps the day before. However, several smaller trees still formed a closed canopy. Leading the horses within they found a small hollow behind which a stagnant pool had formed.

Alexander unsaddled the horses while Yuki clambered up to the top of the mound. Their mounts began to drink greedily after their long journey and the pony especially, as overloaded as it had been, Yuki watched the distance through the gloom. Her fingers twitched at the slightest movement, the stirring of deer, the rustling of birds above. The snapping of a twig…

Before she knew it her blade had left its sheath, her eyes followed its slight curve, the point nestled just below Alexanders chin. They watched each other silently for a moment, he had a hefty stick in his hand.

“What’s that?” Yuki asked with suspicion and hostility.

“A walking stick, If I’m going to be trekking through a mountain range, I figured I’d grab one while I could” he leaned against it as if to demonstrate. Then changing the topic of conversation

“So, I take it they haven’t followed us?” he asked hopefully,

“I don’t know that for sure, even if they don’t have horses they can still catch up when ours rest. This is your fault you know, if you hadn’t suggested that unplanned stop, we’d be safe and on our scheduled path!”

“Excuse me, but we’d have a fever or Pneumonia if we kept on that path. And that’s if a tree didn’t fall on the road” he pointed to the overturned oak beside her. She glowered at him, his complete lack of respect for her was beginning to grate. Alexander turned to leave.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“To check on the horses”.

“No! Stay where I can see you!” Yuki barked. Alexander threw up his hands in exasperation

“Could you trust me the tiniest bit? I’m not going to run, where would I? I don’t even want to go home really, so why would I try and leave my only guide here?”

Yuki said nothing. Instead pointing to the fallen Oaktree, Alexander reluctantly walked to it plopping down on the damp log.

Yuki went back to watching, a thin mist had formed. But she still stared, they had left the rice fields long behind. This was pastureland filled with rough plants and scattered isolated clusters of trees. In the spring cattle would be brought out guarded by their shepherds, she sighed.

This wasn’t how she imagined it; she wasn’t even off her clans’ lands. She was meant to be riding stately to be received as a guest, not chased by brigands and thieves. She started to wonder how she would fair in the mountains…

“What’s your name” she was suddenly brought out from her musings.

“Why do you care?” she asked her eyes darting between him and the fields below.

“Well, were going to be travelling for a while, aren’t we? And I just think it would be easier for both of us if we got along, maybe knew a little more about each other. For example, I was a... uh a navigator on a ship, a big ship. It got blown off course, and a storm capsized us.”

He gave Yuki an expectant look, she sighed “I’m Yuki Ryujin, a daughter of the Ryuji clan. When I bring you to the Capital, I’ll be accepted as a warrior and bring honour to my household”. Her shoulders relaxed, slightly, as if a load had been taken off.

A look of surprise passed over Alexanders face.

“You’re a girl?”, Yuki shot him a glare, “I mean yes, you’re clearly a girl, and a very pretty one at that. I mean your white hair is very striking, it seems very rare here”. Alexander laughed nervously; Yuki rolled her eyes. She her face blushing with embarrassment.

Turning back, she resumed her vigil, her eyes narrowed something below stirred. The gloom of dusk made it hard to see, but a shadow was moving. It was following the trail they used, it was too big to be a deer or wolf.

She noticed more, following closely behind. Four in total heading directly towards them. There were no doubts in her mind who they were, though she’d hoped they could’ve had more time to rest the horses.

“Alexander, grab the horses, we need to go” she whispered, he darted his eyes down the slope and with a start rushed down splashing loudly in the brook.

Yuki winced; they’d definitely heard that. But she watched them, they were still a hundred yards off. If they slipped out with the horses, they could make a beeline for the forest.

“Y-Yuki, the horses aren’t here” Alexander said, panic rising in voice. The shadows down below stopped one of them yelled something unintelligible and pointed a finger to the little wooded mound.

Frantically she pulled out her bow, she didn’t have the time to put her armour on. And even with a sword you can only kill so many before someone tackles you. However, she thought stringing her bow. Distance was its own kind of armour.

Plucking an arrow from her quiver she drew back the bow, one of the shadows had already rushed forwards. She aimed by instinct and loosed an arrow, flying down it struck the first assailant, staggering he continued for several paces before falling. However, another soon came, rushing past his friend he was already only 30 yards away when she had shot another arrow.

It hit him in the breast, but he continued up staggering to the foot of the mound, another arrow sprouted from his chest. He was a large man, Yuki recognised this was the barkeep from the inn. So, he had organised this all?

He fell but a small man leapt over his corpse, fast and nimble he dashed up the slope. The gleam of steel in his hand, a short spear. Frantically he lunged forwards launching it as a javelin, Yuki’s hands were already on her sword hilt.

Stepping aside she simultaneously struck the missile letting it bounce harmlessly off the ground, the Ratty faced man however sprinted up. Leaping at her he savagely swung his cleaver of a blade, Yuki parried, knocking it aside before thrusting.

There was the gruesome sound of metal on flesh, dancing back she raised her blade again, her opponent stumbled back but recovered. He wildly swung cutting only air, she stepped in and brought her katana down on his skull.

A splatter of blood hit her cheek; she watched him fall. A sigh of relief left her lips, she’d never fought a real fight. A fight for her life. Looking down she scanned for the last. But nothing, clearly, he had seen his friends fall and had ditched. It was understandable, unlike her they were only peasants, not warriors.

A twig snapped behind her, Alexander must have found the horses.

“Took you long enough” she turned around only to see a rush of movement. A force knocked her to the ground, a familiar face twisted with hate filled her vision. The stable boy had pinned her, a knife in his hand. Somehow, she’d caught his wrist.

“Die!” he spat in her face, his free hand closing about her neck; she reached for her sword. But it was just out of reach. Meanwhile he pushed the knife down, closer, and closer to her heart. His hand dug into her skin, she gasped for air. Desperate, desperate to throw him off. But. She. Just. Couldn’t!

Her Vision blurred catching a shadow rising above them. Then a crack sounded out, she felt the hit reverberate through the body of her assailant. The boy went limp, with a burst of strength she threw off the stable hand and struggled to her sword.

Gasping for air she pointed it at his body, it was still. Looking up she saw Alexander standing over the corpse a sheepish look on his face. And a blood stained ‘walking stick’ in his hand.

“I-I found the horses, then I saw him trying to sneak in from the back, sorry if I was a little late”.

Yuki rubbed her throat, she stared at him. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

“You saved my life, thanks” she wondered if she should’ve just let him check the horses. Her eyes wandered to the lifeless body of the stableboy, someone who’d fed her, who was her inferior in every way. Had come so close to killing her. A shiver ran down her spine.

…

It was noon by the time they’d reached the mountain. The sun was high in the sky and although the day was cold, it was filled with vibrant colours. Tall evergreen trees in all shades of verdant green enclosed the road on both sides. Ascending Yuki rode Tabi, followed by an obstinate pony on a rope. Finally, her companion with his walking stick bringing up the rear.

The road finally began to level out looking back Yuki saw her clans’ lands, a lovely valley cut across by a hundred small streams feeding into the patty fields that fed them all. Her eyes trailed up, her Clans castle resting on the mountain side. Ancient and imperious it commanded the valley, she almost thought she could hear the waves beyond it.

The road began to dip, Yuki stared longingly at her home. She could remember the day her father taught her to shoot, the long hours she spent hunting from horseback. The cherry blossoms in spring falling on her hair. But soon it was obscured by the same road she was walking. She turned away and looked forwards, towards the future. Uncertainty and fear lay before her, yet somehow, she felt okay with that. For all the enemies she would have to face. She at least had one companion. She glanced towards Alexander; he smiled back at her.

She looked back to the road, this foreigner certainly needed some etiquette training, and she would rather get some new rope to bind his hands with. But they were still a way from Nakamura temple, she could only hope they would reach it before nightfall.

In the back of her mind, there was a niggling suspicion. This foreigner had learnt the complex and sophisticated tongue of Hanyyen all alone in a cell, there was something rotten about him; about how friendly he was. She let out a silent prayer to Lady Di to watch over her, she was sure this journey had much more in store for her.