PART I. KUTAI (SUFFERING)

Sometimes, when he closed his eyes, he could see them.

He could see their eyes, the eyes, the faces of a rapist, a murderer, a thief, a patricide. They were the sinners, the irredeemable. They did not deserve to live upon the earth; rather, if man could not punish them, then heaven would. Those were not human; no, they were no better than dirt and insects.

Yet he saw them, and they were scared. They shook. Their faces contorted with unspeakable horror; their eyes grew wide in the sockets. They could not speak, they could not move.

They wanted to live, not to die. They were afraid.

And as he cut them down, all of them, each and every one of them, he remembered how they would cry, how they would scream. He saw a terrified man begging for mercy, and another, and another. But his role was not to spare. His role was to punish. So they died, each by his hand, as they should have. Because they were wrong. There is right and there is wrong; he was taught that. One could be right or they could be wrong. And these…these animals were wrong, undoubtedly.

But still, he was confused. The wife of the man who had been murdered, she did not give thanks when he who took away her loved one's life was found dead. The girl who had been deflowered remained ashamed, even though the vile one who did so had long since had his life extinguished. Should the humans not be happy when something wrong was punished? The gods had declared those who commit heinousness should be repaid with heinousness.

Yet he still saw unhappiness. The lives of the people that he came in contact with were never the same.

A man, mad in his grief, would pray that someone would avenge his brother. But when his brother's killer's head was laid on his doorstep, he was frightened. His wish had come to pass, and yet he feared.

And yet, he the vengeful god would continue. He did not know why. He was not being forced to do those things. It was not his mandate or his duty; the people did not know his name as they did every other heavenly being. He was alone, and that is the way he wished it.

Perhaps he should die. It would be a fitting end, for one who has put so many mortals to the sword to end his life at the hands of someone else. But he could not die, for he was not human. He could talk like one, walk like one, and feel like one, but he was not human.

They would age and die, age and die, and age and die again. But he would still remain, unchanging, as the years passed.

He was created by them, but not one of them. He could never be one of them.

For even if he was slain, the cycle would turn and he would be born over and over, each more painful than the last. As much as he wished it, he could not end that way.

If his memory disappeared from the minds of men, he would simply not be. He would first be and then he would not, as if he had never been at all.

But that would not happen, because of one far more powerful than he. One that he hated.

As long as that one lived, then he too would still be.

He wished not to be, yet he was.

The visions faded, and he saw her. He saw her in a grove, in a clearing, so beautiful with the voices of the choir of birds and a brook singing its flowing melody. She stood, her white robe furling about her ankles, her long pitch-dark hair brushing her shoulders with their gentle fingers. The mark on the back of her neck—she was his, as she had always been.

He ran toward her. He called out her name, sweet on his tongue. She was here again. She, who had taught him what life was like for the first time, how to be happy, was here.

Sakura. Sakura. The blossoms fell from the trees; they enveloped him in their fragrance. His heart pounded as he raced toward her. Sakura. It was a sound as wonderful as the trumpets of the heavens themselves.

He was growing ever closer, but still she did not appear to notice him. It did not matter to him. Rather, it was if he had not even noticed. Instead, he continued running onward, pushing toward the only soul he had ever loved.

Then she turned to face him. Her wide eyes caught his, and it was as if time stopped. Her hair blew gently in the breeze, around her face.

She opened her mouth, and in a soft, faint voice, said only, "Why did you abandon me?"

He stopped, agape. At once all his feelings disappeared into shock.

She repeated. "Why did you abandon me?" Her form was starting to contort into something unspeakable, something dark and terrifying that he wished he would never have to see again.

The name on his tongue became bitter, acrid, poisonous. Tamanone. Tamanone.

The beautiful garden in which she stood was being stripped away piece by piece. In its place was a hellish chasm, and the figure that had once been so alluring was now a churning mass of nightmarish shadows, a massive, unblinking eye staring from its center.

Words sounded again, but now it was in a hellish tone, so infernal it could not be recognized by him. "Why did you abandon me?"

"…Yato?"

The monstrosity was calling his name. No. It wasn't her, he told himself. It wasn't her. But there was nothing he could have done; he was rooted to the ground, too frightened to even move a step.

The shadow spread above him, massive bloodshot eyes piercing him in their gaze, a gaping maw of a mouth opening.

"Smells good."

Then it rushed at him.

I am going to die here, thought the god.

His eyes snapped open. There was sunlight streaming onto his face; it was coming from a window to the left of him. Outside, he could hear the birds of the morning beginning to chirp. Slowly, awareness was coming back to him. He was laying on the hard wooden floor of the shrine storeroom, somewhere far out in the countryside, where he had been living for almost a month now.

There was something long and slow crawling along his forehead. He reached up and plucked off a disgusting-looking black creature with many yellow legs. Mukade. Highly venomous. The god stood up, still holding the squirming invertebrate by the midsection, threw it to the ground, and crushed it under his sandal.

Yato held his hands out in front of his face. They were still as solid as they had been days ago. He touched one arm with the other and felt smooth skin. He was still as corporeal as ever. He rubbed his eyes and brushed his hair from around his face. Then, he sat down on the dusty floor of the storeroom and sighed.

Why am I still here? he thought to himself.

He knew why. Because of that man. But he had no one and nothing he wanted to live for anymore. Yato slumped down, his shoulders sagging. He had been created a god of calamity, but he didn't want to be one. He wanted to be a human. He had seen all the seasons of their lives pass, good and bad, and he wanted to experience them too. But he couldn't. His father called on him to kill, so all he could do was end those precious lives he wanted to know more about.

That was, until her. His time with Sakura had taught him so much, but mainly it had taught him what love felt like, and what right and wrong meant. She taught him to be a force for good, not for evil. And then that man deceived him, tricked him into saying the one word that would end his happiness…

Yato never wanted to go back to his father again.

So he had run away. This part of the country was sparsely settled; once the Emishi had lived here, but they had long since been driven out to the north. However, he was defenseless. He possessed no weapon, and even though he had sought out a rural area to avoid them, he knew it was only a matter of time before one of those monsters, the poor corrupted souls, found him.

All of a sudden, he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind him. He did not turn to see; every now and then a shrine maiden would come into the storage building to collect something. They were unable to see him anyway, so his thought was that he should not even bother to look. Then he felt a hand brush his shoulder, and he looked up. When he did, he was shocked for a second, then his face immediately contorted with an expression of anger.

"Father requests your services." The speaker was a girl in the white robe of a Divine Weapon, her hair short, grinning. Seals of characters dotted her arms. Yato could feel her weapon form in his hands now as he looked at her; he did not want to remember that. All the blood, all the screams…she was his weapon of slaughter once, but no more.

"He can rot in the Underworld," Yato replied, trying to stare her down as fiercely as possible. She was unperturbed.

The girl giggled. "He doesn't want you immediately. But…he knows you're going to be back soon."

"Get out of here before I kill you, you Shinki whore." It was an empty threat and he knew it. He had no way to hurt her; he was completely powerless.

"We'll see about that. I'm just going to warn you, something bad might happen to you. Just like that last pathetic cur of a Shinki you had. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you?" The Stray grinned again, then immediately faded out before Yato had time to clench his teeth in anger.

Almost immediately, the roof of the storehouse exploded into bits of wood and debris.

Holding his hands above his head to block the debris, Yato could see through the dust the shape of a shadow creature, dotted with so many of those hideous eyes that appeared to be human but were open far too wide to ever belong to a man. It was just like that fateful day.

Ayakashi.

It was either run, or die. So the god chose to run.

Heian

The wind blew the stiff tatami doors, rushing along every corner of the girl's room. Sitting on her bed, she shivered. A storm was coming, and she could feel it.

The green kimono she was expected to wear at the night's reception hung loosely on her shoulders. She didn't want to put it on, nor to do up her hair: it drooped down at her sides. It felt wrong to her. She was only thirteen, soon to be fourteen. Her nurse was constantly reminding her that she was a woman now and must behave in a womanly manner. But it didn't feel right to her. She couldn't chase birds or play in the garden with the servants' children anymore.

Instead, she would be dressed up and painted like a doll, made to sit at attention while nobles three times her age, so intimidating, came to judge her. She could see them now, their eyes boring into her, making her feel worthless. They scared her.

But the one person that she could feel comfortable around was her brother, the young man who now sat on the Emperor's throne as his own man, with no regents speaking in his ear. She had not known her parents; her mother died in childbirth and her father, her nurse said, had been too infirm to rule for a long time. Sometimes she got the feeling that she wasn't being told everything, but she didn't press the issue. It was not a royal princess's place to be opinionated. As much as she hated it, she must only speak when spoken to.

And her brother had helped her so much. He was calm when she was frightened, reassuring when she didn't know what to do. When it thundered outside, he would come into her bedchambers and watch over her until the morning came. When she cried, he would hold her tightly in an embrace and let her sob into his arms. When she was feeling moody, he would tell her a story about their mother, or something that he had learned off a priest. He was always collecting stories; she thought he'd be better suited to be a poet than an emperor.

At that time, a rap sounded on the door. The princess made no attempt to answer it. So presently the thin mat slid open gently. Peering through the door was her brother's kind face. He was dressed in the ceremonial robes of the supreme ruler, although to the girl he was just the same brother she'd grown up with, just with a different set of responsibilities.

"Aki?" he asked softly. "Can I come in?"

She only nodded and gave a small noise of consent.

When he reached her, he looked her all over. "Look at you," he tutted. "You're not even half ready and dinner is in thirty minutes. The head of the Taira is our guest. What would he think if the princess wasn't here? Especially since his youngest son is about to be ready to wed."

"I don't wanna get married," she protested as he wrapped her kimono around her small, lithe body and tied the rope that kept it in place with a bow.

"It's not all bad," her brother replied. "My wife and I didn't know what to think of each other at first, but now we quite like each other. You'll warm up to him."

Well, if her brother's empress was to be an example, she guessed that perhaps this whole marriage thing wasn't too bad. His wife was a young, beautiful Taira girl not too much older than Aki herself. The first time he had introduced her as his fiancée, the princess stood dumbstruck for almost a minute then ran away crying. She couldn't bear to see anyone else take her brother away. But little by little, the empress tried her best to convince her new sister-in-law to like her. It took gifts, jokes, and a few nights nursing a fever back to normal, but eventually Aki accepted her as part of the family too.

The young emperor brushed her hair with a comb before folding it on top of her head and then back again. "Do you remember why your mother named you Aki?"

She had heard this particular story many times.

"Because when you were born, the leaves outside the window were turning golden and red and orange and all different colors. And when she held you for the first time, she looked at you and she said, 'She will be as beautiful as the Nara autumn'."

Her brother was busy painting the white makeup on her face. It was too cold. Aki winced.

"I wish she was here to see her prediction come true. Someday you'll be the most beautiful woman in all of Japan."

He liked to flatter her. Aki didn't think she was ugly, but she was hardly the radiant beauty that her brother said she was. Just in the streets of the capital and at receptions, she'd seen far more noble girls who were more breathtakingly gorgeous than she could ever hope to be. Whereas she, if she was not in expensive clothing, could probably be mistaken for a servant or apprentice.

He placed the ornamental bow in her ceremonial hair bun, then stepped back. "All done. Cheer up, Aki-chan. All the Taira jaws are going to drop when they see you for the first time."

For the first time since the morning, she giggled. "Lady Tokuko said you'd make a better housewife than she would."

Her brother's boyish face reddened and he looked down. As he did so, a lock of his silver hair fell from under his cap and in front of his eyes. "I should tell her not to say that around you."

Then he took her hand and led her forward. "Come on, let's go."

The empress was waiting outside the door, in a silk kimono the color of fire. She smiled at Aki, who ran to her and hugged her. "How is my little princess?"

"Big Brother was mad at you."

"I heard what you two were saying in there. He's just embarrassed."

"You shouldn't be saying things like that to her," he huffed. "You're corrupting a kid's mind."

"What about Toku-chan? Is he fine?"

"He's doing great. He can walk easily now, but he's still too young to come to receptions. You'll have to come play with him tomorrow."

Prince Tokuhito was Aki's nephew, only three years old, and the boy who would someday sit the throne just like his father. She remembered when he was just a newborn. Now he was walking, but he'd only started learning to talk. It was nice to have a little one around to cheer her up.

The young couple and the princess turned to walk into the great hall, passing through the gardens as they went. It was the flowering time of the cherry trees. The pink blossoms drifted toward the ground, filling the air with a wonderful fragrance. As she watched one fall, she reached out a hand. The petal lit in her palm. She studied it for a second; this was the first time she had ever caught one out of the air. It was beautiful; pure white but then a splash of pink on the outside, like a calligrapher had taken his pen to it.

"It's good luck," her brother commented. "If a cherry petal falls on you, as long as you keep it you'll be safe from harm. Just keep it on you. I won't tell anyone."

Aki said nothing, but slipped the petal inside her kimono and walked onward.

Finally they reached the main hall, filled with dignitaries of every kind, all in their finest silk. So many people intimidated her, but her brother and Tokuko were with her, so it would be all right.

At the place of honor was an old, wizened man with an aquiline nose and piercing eyes to match. At first glance, Aki was scared of him. He didn't look like a very kind person to her.

Her brother, however, was unperturbed. "Greetings, my lord Kiyomori. I pray that the services are up to your standards."

The old man replied in a raspy voice, "It is good to see you again, Emperor. Your father is doing well; he is still bedridden but it appears he is starting to come out of his stupor. May the gods grant him a speedy recovery."

The emperor nodded in agreement. Aki wasn't sure what to think. This man was saying pleasant things, but the tone, the look on his face, just everything about him didn't look pleasant to her. What was more intimidating were the ten burly, armored guards standing behind him. They weren't friendly looking like the castle soldiers; it was if they had no emotions, only coldness. They just held their hands at their sides and looked straight ahead.

To the right of him were two young men, who Aki assumed were his sons. The one to the left was very handsome, his cornflower-blue hair drawn up over his head with the eyes to match. He looked to be the complete opposite of his father; Aki might not mind it if this was the man she was going to marry. The one to the right had hair the color of wheat and eyes like emeralds. He was also handsome, but he wore a knowing half-smile that seemed to be mocking. It was like he was analyzing her without her even speaking a word yet.

The old man continued. "And you too, my daughter. It is good to see you again. Your father sends his regards; alas, he is away in the north right now so he could not come to greet you."

Tokuko bowed her head. "The same to you, Beloved Father."

All of a sudden, his piercing gaze caught hers and Aki swallowed, a lump forming in her throat.

"And who might this be?" he rasped.

"My lord, this is Princess Aki, my only sister. She has come of age to be wed. Aki-" (her brother swept a hand toward the old man) "this is Taira no Kiyomori, head of the Taira clan, the most powerful of the Four Noble Families, and Grand Chancellor of the Realm. He is my father-in-law."

"How do you do, Your Highness?" Kiyomori asked, smiling. It would have appeared friendly if it didn't seem like such a sneer.

"I-I am well, my lord," was all she could stutter out in the highest and softest voice.

"That is good to hear. These are two of my sons," he continued. "To my right is Takamori, my youngest." The noble young man with the crystal-blue eyes took another sip of tea and smiled at her before bowing his head. "He is sixteen, of marriageable age. It would be an honor for him to take Your Highness's hand."

Aki didn't honestly think that marriage was such a bad idea when she looked at the boy. He had the same kind eyes as her brother and Tokuko.

"It is so, then," her brother said. "Taira no Takamori is to become the husband of my sister. I have heard of his prodigal exploits in the field and his honor and wisdom, far beyond his age. I give my blessing."

He looked at Aki and it was as if her heart leapt in her chest. Now she definitely wasn't opposed to becoming a wife.

"To his right is Munemori, my second-oldest. His wife accompanies him." Said wife was a woman with a long, disdainful face. "He is my keeper of records and chief military strategist. Should you consider him for the title of chief general of the armies throughout the land, Your Highness, I would be very grateful."

The blonde man bowed his head.

"Duly noted, Lord Kiyomori," her brother said.

They took their seats at the table. The food was good, served in courses in the Chinese style, but even though it was a feast of the most exquisite quality, Aki could not bring herself to eat much. She could not bring herself to talk much, either, only answering any questions from the Taira patriarch with a "Yes, sir" or "No, sir". However, across the table, she noticed that Takamori wasn't eating a lot, either. Instead, he seemed to be trying to steal glances at her. She made up her mind to go talk to her new fiancée soon.

Presently dinner was over, and the servants cleared the table. Her brother had been talking to the aging Taira about something that she did not understand. Then she saw out of the corner of her eye someone quietly sit next to her. She turned to catch the brilliant blue eyes of the young Taira boy. Almost immediately, she had to refrain from gasping. They were even prettier up close. He caught her gaze as well, immediately went red in the face, and looked away.

"Um…my name's u-uh Taira no T-Takamori…and I guess we'll be…seeing a lot more of each other in the future…s-so I wanted to talk to you some…"

After finishing, he put his hand to his mouth, blushed even more, and breathed out as if it was a chore for him. Maybe he wasn't as confident as he looked. Still, it wasn't like that was a bad thing.

Aki laughed a little. "You're not the best with people, are you?"

"Well…Y-Your Highness, it's just that…I've never spoken to a woman my age…" Every part of Takamori's face was now scarlet, from the tip of his nose to his ears. He was obviously ashamed, but Aki found it kind of cute.

"Don't worry. I'm completely fine with that."

"T-thank you, Your Highness…"

Testing the waters a little bit, she slowly inched her hand next to his and touched it. When she did, he went ramrod straight as if he had just been struck by a lightning bolt. If he hadn't been sitting down, Takamori probably would have jumped ten feet in the air.

All her enjoyment at teasing her arranged bridegroom was interrupted by Taira no Kiyomori.

"Come, Your Highness," he said gravelly. "I have many matters that I would care to discuss with you. Let us walk in the garden. Come, Munemori, Takamori."

"As you wish, Lord Kiyomori." Her brother stood up. As he did and apologized to his empress for leaving them, Aki got a sudden feeling like her stomach was sinking into the ground. The duck that she had eaten felt terrible inside of her all of the sudden.

She didn't know what it was, but she had the distinct feeling that something awful was going to happen.

"Brother, I feel sick. Can I be excused?" Not even waiting for his reply, she jumped to her feet and ran off toward her room.

The dumbfounded emperor watched her go.

"That's a shame," Kiyomori croaked in an old, creaky chuckle. "She and my youngest seemed to have taken to each other. Maybe more progress will be made next time. Come, Your Highness, and let us discuss business over sake."

The young emperor acquiesced, and walking side by side with the Taira chief, his sons following and the escort of soldiers behind them, they entered the garden through which the emperor and his sister had passed earlier. The table at the center was being attended by a servant who poured from the glass bottle into two small saucers. The emperor and Kiyomori took seats.

Picking up his allotment, Kiyomori drank deeply. "It is delicious. Give my thanks to the brewer."

"The fruit of the fields of the Nine Circuits," the emperor replied. "Only the best for someone as distinguished as you, Lord Kiyomori."

"That is so, that is so. Now, I believe I have something that we have discussed previously. What of the Minamoto?"

"I have sent an inquiry into their conduct and I expect to visit them personally within the year."

"No, that won't do, I'm afraid, Your Highness. Were you not presented with enough evidence to confirm that the sons of Minamoto no Yoshitomo are traitors? I showed mercy fifteen years ago by exiling them instead of having them beheaded like their father. Yet I have evidence that Yoritomo, Noriyori, and Yoshitsune have conspired with your younger half-brother Prince Mochihito to have you killed and to put him on the throne. All the cursed Minamoto should be arrested, and the Prince should be cutting his own stomach right now, not living peacefully at the foot of Mount Hiei, scheming and plotting as a snake, so treacherous as to slay his own brother. He is a shame to the country."

"Lord Kiyomori," the emperor replied, nervously taking a sip of sake, "the Four Noble Families must be in balance. I cannot declare a house head a traitor against gods and men without allowing him to be heard, and hearing what the Fujiwara and Tachibana have to say on the matter. As for the Prince, I cannot believe that he would do such a thing. My brother Prince Mochihito loves his country and his people, and indeed he would be a far better ruler than I. Just as you said it would be a great shame upon him if he was to have me murdered, so it would be the same for me if I committed the same acts unto him. I cannot take the word of an advisor, even one as wise as you, o Lord Kiyomori, to send my own flesh and blood to his grave. Should I then not be every bit as evil as you say he is? Should I then not be a fratricide as well? I apologize, my lord, but my brother the Prince shall be heard before any decision is made. Should I send an innocent man to the grave, especially one of my family, I will not forgive myself."

"Fujiwara?" the old man growled, suddenly angry. "Tachibana? Should we be forced to heed a family that died off eras ago? They are powerless and you know it. They have no influence over the family I rule and myself. Are you blind? Do you not see the snake that you carry in your bosom? While you attempt to follow your own moral code and let men who anyone with sense could tell were guilty lie to you about their treachery, that snake will already have bitten your head off, laughing as he sits in the throne that rightfully belongs to you!"

"My lord, it is what the gods have commanded to the first Fujiwara in the tenth year of the reign of Tenji. It is our code of law that has stood for five hundred years, and it binds all men, even the most powerful. I cannot be so prideful as to consider myself above that law, and it would be wise if you would not either, with all respect, my lord. The affairs of my family are mine and mine alone."

"Enough!" Kiyomori roared, suddenly standing up and throwing his saucer aside. "You would listen to a bunch of liars? You say it is not my business? I, who made you emperor? I, who own your life? Remember, you were born of my sister's womb, so I am still your elder by blood. I removed your father because he was not up to my standards. I can easily do the same to you."

"Lord Kiyomori, I beg you…calm yourself and be civil…"

His voice shook with rage, losing its civilized edge. "I always knew you were a flake. Just like daddy, eh? Any son of Go-Shirakawa's is soft in the head. It's time I end this experiment. The throne belongs to the Taira now. And I'll crush the Minamoto, no matter what anyone's damn gods have to say about it. If they are angry, I challenge them. Smite me with all your fury."

The old man grinned widely. "You know why that won't happen? Because the only god on this earth isn't a giant throwing thunderbolts down from the sky."

The emperor's eyes had gone wide as saucers.

"The only god on this earth is me." Kiyomori's face was twisted in a sickening smirk. "And when you choose to oppose a god, you pay with your life. Perhaps your son won't make the same mistake you did, and obey those with more power. As for now, I'll keep the throne warm for him."

"What?" The emperor leaped to his feet. "You promised me you wouldn't lay a hand on him! Kiyomori, you bastar-"

"Munemori, put the dog out of his misery."

He didn't even get to finish his words before the flaxen-haired man had drawn the sword concealed under his kimono and pierced him through the back with it. The emperor's sentence turned into an unintelligible retching of blood. Then, he slumped over on the blade and fell to the ground.

Munemori did not change his expression from that same confident half-smile as he deftly cut the throat of the winebearer before he could even cry out, then sheathed his blade.

The youngest Taira's eyes were wide with horror and his arms were limp at his sides. "Beloved Father…" he barely managed to whisper out. "What have you done…"

"Remember what I told you, fool boy," Kiyomori lectured, his calmness returning. "The victors are the powerful. Today you saw why that is true."

"Shall I commence the plan, Father?" Munemori grinned.

"Indeed. Open the gates and let our men in. Burn the whole place to the ground. Spare none if they are not of our number."

"What of my sister and the boy?" Munemori asked his father.

"Tokuko is better alive than dead. I can always find some use for her. As for the young Prince, he is to be exalted, raised high on the throne as the purge is occurring. Let him preside over the burning of this odious place, thick with Minamoto stench, and then do the same for rebuilding the palace, more glorious than before."

"And as for the Princess, Beloved Father?"

"She is too stubborn to be of any use. Leave her alive and all she will do is seek revenge for her insect of a brother. She may even conspire with the Genji. Kill her with the rest of them."

Munemori nodded his head before running ahead, the guard following him.

Still shaking, the youngest of the clan head's sons stood in the same place he had been when he witnessed the young ruler lose his life.

"Don't just stand there, fool boy! Any honorable man your age would be proud to serve his father in combat. Look, your brother has already gone forth. How I wish you had his resolve! Go now, unsheathe your sword, and do as I tell you!"

Takamori did none of those things, but instead replied, his voice still trembling, "F-Father, you killed the Emperor…you killed your son-in-law…you killed my cousin…how will the gods ever forgive such a thing?"

"Do you think that I give a care about that? Leave me at once, or you shame yourself enough to no longer be my child. And if that happens, I will hang your head alongside those of the sons of Yoshitomo. Begone!"

Still shaken, Takamori tried his best to draw his sword and run to join the slaughter that was starting. The screams of the palace guards, the servants, and some of the court officials and dignitaries could already be heard. The first plume of smoke was already rising above the walls of the courtyard as the first building was set aflame.

The old man threw back his head, and seemingly to challenge them, stared straight at the heavens.

"The gods will not forgive me? Pathetic. That which does not exist cannot lay a hand on me, or this country that now is mine."

Aki didn't know how long it had been before she started noticing the orange glow outside through the bamboo-paper walls of her room. She perked up immediately, then sniffed. There was something strange in the air. Was that smoke? Her brother didn't say anything about a roast, but the adults were probably out there enjoying a roast pig right about now. She groaned. If she had missed her favorite food because of her stomach acting up.

Suddenly, her door slammed open, and she drew back in shock. Her betrothed stood in front of her, panting, dirt streaked down his cheeks and neck. His hair was disheveled, and his eyes, which were once so calm, were filled with terror. Behind him, she could see smoke billowing through the air. With a gasp, she realized the palace was burning. Screams rang out in the distance. Aki's mind was racing. What had happened out there? What was going on?

"Your Highness…my father has overthrown the Emperor…" He panted, unable to say anything more. "The Empress and the Prince are being held captive…I don't know about your brother. Everyone else is going to be…killed…even you…my father's men are killing everyone…he sent me to kill you…"

She noticed the sword he held limply in his right hand, and Aki's eyes went as wide as saucers. That man was going to have her killed…and take her away from her brother…her future…

"You need to run before they kill you…I can't delay them for much longer."

All of the sudden, another man appeared in the doorway, wearing the black of a palace guard. A gash was opened above his right eyebrow, which had been swollen shut with a strike from some blunt object. An arrow had pierced his thigh, and he was limping. Grimacing, he pulled it out and it clattered to the floor. She recognized him immediately. It was the man who had been her personal guard for all of her life. His beard was tinged with gray now, but since she didn't remember her father, he was one of the ones, along with her brother, who handled those tasks when she was young. And now he was injured…

"By the gods…" she whispered. "Nobushige, what have they done to you…"

Hurriedly, Takamori attempted to explain. "I found him wounded by the corpses of two of my father's army. He told me he was sworn to protect you. I don't know why he decided to trust me, but I'm glad he did."

"I am deeply sorry, Your Highness," the guard gasped. "There was nothing I could do but trust this boy, even if he is the flesh and blood of that power-drunk demon…"

As the princess sat on her bed, speechless, Nobushige entered the room, and she saw with horror that there was a body over his shoulder. He dropped it on the floor, and Aki stared straight into the eyes of her nurse, slit in the throat.

As she opened her mouth to scream, her guard clamped a hand over her mouth. "You mustn't, Your Highness, or you and the Taira boy are both dead!"

"Please," Takamori begged weakly, bowing his head. "I know that I am your enemy, but I beg of you, please, sir, take her to safety…I would never be able to forgive myself if I let her die…"

"You do not have to plead," the guard replied. "It is my duty, noble sir. Climb onto my shoulders, Your Highness and I will protect you anyone who tries to harm you."

In a single move, the youngest son of Taira no Kiyomori hugged her tightly. "May the gods keep you safe until we meet again."

All Aki could do was cry.

Then Nobushige lifted her onto his shoulders, and took off with her. The surroundings were blurred; the speed, her tears, everything in her mind. He was breathing heavily, limping more and more as his run went on. He had to be exhausted. Yet he was giving up himself to protect her…She couldn't stop her tears. She sobbed as the buildings went by, burning in many different colors.

There were cries behind them: "It's the princess! After both of them!" Heavy footsteps clattered on the ground. Still, the red gate that marked the boundary of the palace was approaching. They would be safe. For the first time, her heart soared.

Then the soldiers she had not noticed surrounded them from the front.

At least fifteen men held their swords in stance. Nobushige gently put her down. "I'll hold them off, Your Highness. Run! NOW!"

"I can't leave you here!" she screamed back. Her crying, which had stopped, returned with a force, blurring her vision again. She was going to lose everyone she cared about in less than an hour.

"If you don't run, my last duty will be in vain! Go!"

My brother, Lady Tokuko, little Toku, my nurse, Takamori, and you, Nobushige…what have I done that's so awful that all of you have to suffer…dear gods, what have I done…

Turning to the circle of Taira soldiers, her bodyguard commanded in a deep, powerful voice: "I did tell her to run, and there's not a damn thing any of you can do about it! If any of you Heike cowards want to chase her, you'll have to do it over my cold, dead body!"

"Why, that's exactly what I'll do," a cold voice replied. Taira no Munemori walked through the circle of soldiers. His sword was dripping red, and splotches covered his white and gold kimono.

"The Stone Wall of Satsuma, is it? I have heard of your prowess. It would be an honor to have this duel."

"The same to you, Wolf of the Heike. Never have I had the chance to fight one of such high renown." He drew his sword as well, but it was shaky, and he was grimacing from pain. Munemori, on the other hand, was completely calm.

He's going to fight like that? He'll be killed!

"All of you," Munemori commanded, pointing toward the soldiers, "after her!"

They drew their swords and began the chase, and Aki snapped back to reality. She sprinted, running with every ounce of fear and energy left in her body, away from the palace which burned behind her. The tears streamed down her face and she could not stop them anymore. She was not there to see Nobushige fall for the last time, but in her mind she could imagine it clear as day. As the shouts of "LONG LIVE THE HEIKE!" were carried up on the flames, she sobbed.

The entire city was in a confused uproar. No one even stopped to look at the girl in the green kimono, running for her life. The soldiers were still after her, but they were heavy in their armor, and she was small and fast, ducking around corners and under people. She had reached the Rashomon gate before she realized they were not chasing her anymore. Once the proud entrance to the royal city, now the red paint flaked from the pillars and the guardhouse had collapsed in on itself.

Thankfully, at this night hour, there were none of the unsavory sort around that frequented it during the daytime. The only other person at the gate was a man who was passed out drunk, next to the girl as she sat down on the rotting wood of the guard tower's porch.

Suddenly, her stomach growled. She wanted some food…but to get food, she had to have money, didn't she? With a start, she realized she didn't have a single coin on her. She would starve if she didn't have food, and she couldn't hunt…

Then she noticed the drawstring bag in the man's hand. There had to be some money in there, right? But wait, that was stealing…but if she didn't, she'd starve…

There was no danger in taking the man's bag. He was drunk enough that a lightning strike an inch from his face wouldn't wake him up. Slowly, she reached out and took the bag, then opened it to find a few rice balls and some fruit. She sighed with relief. It was food. But she couldn't find any money…

Rooting around some more, she pulled out a small coin. That's all? It could buy her a rice ball at most. Well, it was enough to last. She put the coin away and slung the bag over her back. What was she going to do next? There was no one on the road at the late hour. But as soon as she thought that to herself, she heard the rumble of wagon wheels and the heavy clip-clopping of oxen coming from the city. Relief washed over her. It was a farmer returning to his home. He could take her far away…

The wheels grew closer, and then suddenly she felt a sharp, clubbing pain, and Aki fell to the ground.

The Ayakashi was following Yato closely. He did not have the human problem of stamina to deal with, but then again, neither did the monster. The horrible shadow, black as the unlit night, gaped its mouth open, and in that awful voice repeated over and over:

"Smells good. Smells good. Smells good."

He reached out his mind to find a soul nearby. Any soul, a weapon…just one. But his search was in vain. He knew it. There wasn't going to be any dead out in the wilderness.

The thing was growing closer. It was useless; there was no way to fight the thing off. All the energy he had spent to get away from that man, and it would all be for nothing. He was going to wake up to the face of his father sneering at him, saying something like I told you so.

The trees cracked and broke as the thing sped through the sky after Yato, changing shape into a form more horrible than the last every time. It opened its maw, coming ever closer. It was almost upon him now.

A small shape, almost like a snowflake, drifted in front of him. It was a soul. All the way out here.

He reached forward and clenched it in his hand, and golden radiance began to stream around the god.

Steadily, he began a singsong chant. "I am called Yatogami, god of calamity, of destruction, of vengeance. I now take this wayward soul into my hands. I shapeth thee as my weapon for protection, my link to the souls of mortals. I holdest thy life and thou holdest mine. This bond between God and Shinki shall never be broken as long as the soul that I now take unto myself is protected from temptation and corruption. I, Yatogami, am the bearer of this Shinki. As long as this soul is in my service, I shall treat it with kindness, teach it no evil. I will not abuse my bound servant, but learn from this soul that was once mortal, to know justice and mercy. With this I namest thou Vessel, embodiment of power."

The Ayakashi had stopped overhead. It almost seemed to be frightened of the light. The radiance had gotten brighter as the god continued speaking the words of power. He closed his eyes.

"For all sin when they are yet mortal, but yea, all are redeemed in death. Be cleansed of thy human life and be thou joined with me in body, mind, and soul."

He took the hand that did not hold the soul and begin to draw a character in the air, that hung still with golden light. The Ayakashi was shrinking back.

"For since I was saved from death by thee, I do give this name. The Name, Sukune. The Vessel, Kyuuki. Come forth and expel this vast defilement."

The light grew so bright as to blind, and when it suddenly disappeared, the god was holding in his hand a gleaming sword of steel, flashing in the light of day. Yato stepped back and launched himself from the ground. With a single stroke, the Ayakashi was cleaved through the middle so quickly that the blade flash hung in the sky a second before the monster exploded into crystalline fragments.

That was a god's most important job: to fight the monsters that were birthed when a mortal died and the soul separated was separated from the sin. The soul would become a Divine Vessel of a god, a Shinki. But the sin would grow, multiply, kill, and cause chaos in the worlds both of the living and the divine.

He may have been a killer of men as well. But Yato would not let a good person fall to corruption. Such was the duty of a god. One who didn't follow that, at least, did not deserve to be worshipped.

He set alight on the earth of the Ise forest, and the blade he held in his hand shimmered and disappeared, changing form into a young man. He was tall, but he looked to be about twenty or younger, with a slender, hairless face and long silver hair that fell around his forehead and back. His ruby eyes were hidden somewhat behind this veil. He was dressed in the pure white robe that all Shinki wear when they are first created.

Yato spit, displeased. Couldn't it have at least been a cute girl?

The Shinki put his hand up to his forehead. "Where am I?" he murmured.

"You're in the forest outside the Uji shrine in Ise. Any questions?"

"Who are you?"

"Your master."

"Master?!" The Shinki sniffed out, visibly displeased. "Who says you're my master?"

"The heavens," Yato snapped. "Come forth, Kyuuki."

Immediately, the Shinki transformed into the sword and then back again.

"Now do you get it? Or am I just some crazy guy that you've met wandering out here after eating a couple too many mushrooms?"

"Why am I here?" the Shinki asked, even more puzzled.

"Because you're dead," Yato replied. He hated having to explain the same thing over and over again to new Shinki. But it couldn't be helped.

"Dead? Then why can't I remember anything?"

"Because you're dead, genius. You're a spirit, not a brain."

"Then how'd I end up here, with you? And what are you anyways?"

Yato slapped a palm to his face. This guy was seriously wearing him out. "You got here because you're dead and I made you my Spirit Vessel. A Spirit Vessel, or Shinki, is a soul of someone who has died that a god uses to fight Ayakashi, monsters made of sin, and reward the good and punish the evil."

The Shinki looked Yato up and down and made a disgusted face. "What kind of god are you, then? You look like you're wearing a burlap sack. And you stink."

Yato could feel a vein in his forehead throbbing. "God of Ca-la-mi-ty, god of ven-ge-ance, Yato, the Cutter. Of. Men. Got that?"

"Never heard of you. You look more like the god of failure to me."

"If the pain didn't reflect back on me, I would punch you in the face right now."

"So, what do I do now that I'm stuck with a 'god' who smells like he was just rooting around in a pigsty? Actually, that's too harsh on pigs. I'm sorry, pigs. At least you were born a pig and not this guy."

"Look who's talking! What are you, twenty? You haven't got any meat on you anywhere! Are you sure the wind isn't gonna snap you right in half?"

Yato had apparently not noticed that he had quite the feminine face and build as well, or he had just ignored it to squabble like a couple of kids fighting over a piece of bread with the soul that not less than five minutes earlier had saved him from certain death. Then again, Yato wasn't well-known as a friendly god. In fact, he wasn't well-known as any god, but he preferred not to think about it that way.

"Anyways, I'm stuck with you, and you're stuck with me. So come on. I live at the shrine and I occasionally grant requests. Soon enough and you'll learn to like me."

"Not a chance."

"I think my weapon deserves a little bit of respect training, doesn't he?" the god said through clenched teeth as the two began the long journey back to the great shrine of the eastern province.

She didn't know how long she had been asleep, but a series of bumps woke Aki up. When she came to, the first thing she noticed was that she was unnaturally cold.

As she opened her eyes, she noticed with a start that she was completely naked. Giving a squeak of embarrassment, she attempted to cover herself up, but she could not move her arms. That was when she realized both of her wrists were tied to the side of the wagon she found herself riding in. Gritting her teeth, she tried several times to tear her hands free from the thick hemp rope, but although the cart creaked loudly, it wouldn't budge.

A man at the front of the wagon, huge and ugly, turned his head and yelled "Quit makin' noise before I make ya stop for good!" He brandished a wooden club over his head. Turning back around, he murmured to himself, "Stupid brats. Them's should be glad they don' die on th' streets of Heian. 't least they be gettin' food on the farm."

Farm? Where are they taking me?

All around her were all sorts of other children about her age, but some looked to be as young as eight and some as old as fourteen. They were all naked as she was, but most of them hung their heads and looked like they were just waiting for death.

"Where are we being taken?" Aki demanded indignantly.

"Dinn' I say SHUT YER TRAP?" the big man bellowed.

The man's companion riding one of the oxen, not as fat but just as unpleasant to look at, laughed harshly. "Don't get so mad at them. Anyways, you kids are getting a brand new lease on life. You get to replenish the farming population up north. They're in need of some new settlers. I mean there might be bears and frostbite and Emishi, but hey, you get meals for free!"

"Wait a minute! This is kidnapping! The local daimyo will have your head for this!" Aki cried.

"Kidnapping?" the thin man sneered. "Of a bunch of street urchins? No one alive cares about you anyways. Hell, we could have just killed you and sold you to the butcher's. It would have been much easier, too. But since we're nice-" (the way he said it was absolutely dripping with dishonesty) "-you get to live for now."

"I'm not a commoner!" the princess shouted, getting even more angry. "I am of noble birth! My brother will hear about this, and he'll kill you!"

"Sure, sure," the thin man gloated. "I assume you own this too?" He pulled out a green piece of fabric. To her distaste, it was the kimono she had been wearing until she lost consciousness.

"That's mine! Give it back! You criminals! You low-born scum!"

"Can't steal what's already been stolen."

"Someday you're going to be killed! You evil men!"

The big man stood up, took a step, grunted, and swung his club against the side of the wagon, inches from Aki's hand. It splintered into pieces.

"Unless ya want this done to'ya, ya better shut yer brat mouth."

In his anger, he didn't notice that he had knocked the piece of wood holding Aki's right hand free. Within a second, she had wriggled her wrist out of the rope with both slavers none the wiser. It was a start.

She willed herself to think. How do I get out of here…I know I knock the wood panels free, but I'm not strong enough to do it by myself…what do I break it with…

It would be so much easier to think without all this bumping…wait...the bumps! The rocks!

Aki had formulated a plan. It would probably take some luck to work, but it appeared that the gods of fortune had smiled upon her.

As the cart rounded a corner, about ten men in blue robes, some riding horses, others holding unsheathed swords, were waiting for them.

"This is Fujiwara clan land!" the man at their lead called out. "You are ordered to stop under suspicion of illegal detainment and enslavement!"

"Shit!" the thin man driving the oxen yelled. "Turn it around!"

It was Aki's opening. As soon as the cart was in its turn, she leaned with all her weight to the side of the vehicle. It would not have worked if the cart was level. However, it was on the inside of a turn and already high off the ground, so all it needed to topple over was one little imbalance.

Then the cart was on its side and she could hear the sound of wood cracking and splintering as the road tore into it. The sharp rocks ripped through the flimsy side of the wagon and scraped her raw on her back and her arms, but she did not cry out. Ahead, the oxen bellowed in terror, then they too lost their footing. The thin man was hanging on for dear life, but he fell to the the ground a second before the side of the beast he was driving came down on top of him. He didn't even have time to scream.

For some reason that she didn't know, Aki felt nothing at all to see a man die.

The big man had been thrown from the cart, too. As he lay on the ground unconscious, a trickle of blood coming from his head where he had hit the rock that knocked him out, the sound of horses' hooves rang in the distance. The samurai would soon be on him with their weapons drawn. The children would all be rescued, too.

Her left hand was still attached to the wood, though. She yanked it a first time, again, and then with all her might she pulled and the frayed rope came free. She tumbled out of the wagon which had come to a stop on its side after sliding for some distance.

As she picked herself up from the ground, she noticed something that had fallen next to her, thrown from the wagon in its last moments. It was her kimono, dusty and now torn, but she didn't care. Aki quickly covered herself with it. Then as she started into the woods, she noticed something gleaming on the ground. It was the coin she had taken from the drunkard in Heian. She scooped it up and continued running into the woods before the Fujiwara could even notice she was gone.

Three months later

It was just as any other normal day for a god with no followers and no shrine until the girl burst through the door.

Yato was busy deciphering a scroll he had taken from the monks' library. It's not like they were going to miss it; they had hundreds more. He did think they should have been easier to understand, though.

"The…monkey…that…was…caught…was…found…to…be…infected up its-"

"The disease that was caught by several priests resulted in a great concern," Sukune corrected him. "Where did you even get monkey from?"

"Oh, shut up, you high and mighty idiot. I'm the god, you're the Shinki."

Sukune harrumphed. "I can't believe a god would barely know how to read."

"Lots of people don't know how to read! Like uh…farmers, and um…garbage collectors, and um…untouchables…you got a problem with that?"

"Congratulations! Now you fit in with them even more."

Yato was preparing a sarcastic remark when he was interrupted by the door to the shrine room basically flying off its hinges.

A girl burst in, completely out of breath. The green cloth that she was wearing was torn and faded beyond all recognition…was it even green to begin with? She wore no shoes, and her legs were scratched and cut. Her hair was long, black, and nondescript. The only thing that stood out about her were her eyes; they were a shade of purple. Yato had never seen that color on anyone until today.

Didn't make up for the brat disturbing his peace and quiet, though.

"She can't see us. Just wait until she goes away," he said in a low tone of voice to Sukune.

His Shinki huffed. "Why are you so bothered about it, then?"

"Because kids are annoying!"

"Excuse me, mister, can you help me?"

Both god and vessel froze, staring straight at the girl who had seemingly talked straight to them.

"Did she just say that to us?" Yato hissed.

"I don't know, you tell me!" Sukune spit back.

"You're the smart one!" Yato replied, still whispering.

"It's not my fault you're stupid!" came the whispered reply.

"Um, excuse me, mister, are you okay? You're talking to your sword…"

Yato could only stare at her like a criminal caught red-handed. Beside him, Sukune had quite possibly the smuggest smile he would ever smile on his face.

Regaining his composure, Yato decided the course to draw the least trouble was just to act like a human. The girl probably thought he was one anyway.

"Listen, kid. What do you want?"

"I'm looking for my brother. I've been taken far away from him and I don't know if he's okay. The kind people whose houses I worked at for my food told me that the monks at Uji would be able to help me. Are you a monk? You sure don't look like one."

"Well gee, that should probably answer your question for you, shouldn't it?" Yato fumed. "Do you think someone with a sword who's squatting in the granary is a monk?"

"Are you a samurai then? What's a samurai doing here, and one that's so dirty? Are you a ronin?"

The irony of someone who was caked with mud from head to foot calling him dirty was not lost on Yato. "Yeah, I guess so."

"That's even better than a monk! Can you help me?"

"Why would I help you?"

"Because don't samurai always help someone when they need it?"

"I don't care about that. Shoo."

"She can't hear me, so I'm just gonna say this out loud," Sukune interjected. "This gets funnier by the second."

Yato hissed out but didn't say anything, because he sure didn't want the girl running off to tell the monks that there was an insane samurai who talked to his sword hiding in their storehouse. Maybe then they'd all see him too and kick him out.

"Aw, come on! Why won't you help me?"

"Kid, I already told you. Why should I take time out to help you?"

The girl drew a breath, and with a surprisingly authoritative shout, said, "Because I am Princess Aki, daughter of Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Taira no Shigeko! And the brother I seek is His Majesty the Emperor!"

Yato looked at her for a second, dumbfounded. Then slowly he began to snicker, then chuckle, then break out into a laugh which grew and grew before he was rolling on the floor in mirth. He gasped out in between laughter, "This kid…thinks…she's…a princess?"

The girl did not appear to be happy at all, but Yato didn't particularly care.

"I've seen farmers fall off buildings or get kicked in the head by a horse and forget who they are, but this is a first!" The laughter continued as he wiped tears off his face. "You know what you can do to get yourself back to normal? Run headfirst into a tree!"

All of a sudden, the laughter stopped, and he stood up and grabbed her hands, brushing them. Once they had been smooth, but now calluses were on every finger and palm pad. "Quite royal hands. You can tell this one has not labored in her life." Then he bowed. "An honor to meet you, Your Highness. I'm…Yamato Takeru…" He couldn't even finish the sentence without bursting into laughter again.

No sooner did he start laughing again than a carrot hit him right in the middle of the forehead.

The girl was shooting daggers toward him, and had already picked up a daikon to throw at him as well. She looked like she was going to throw every last vegetable in the storehouse, and probably all the rice, too.

"When a lady travels for three whole months just to ask you for help, you're supposed to help her, not laugh at her!" She flung the daikon. This time, Yato dodged. "You disgrace! I can see why you have no master!" This time an apple was heading right for Yato's head, but he caught it.

Angrily, Yato rubbed the spot that the first flying vegetable had left. It was going to swell up. Still fuming, he got to his feet and walked over to the girl, bending his head down so he could stare at her eyes with a fiery, intimidating blue gaze.

"Listen, Grand High Court Lady Bakako of the Idiot clan. I don't work for free. So someone coming in here and just ordering me to help them out…that won't work. What's in it for me other than a peasant girl acting like a little spoiled rich kid all the time?"

To his surprise, she didn't say anything indignant back, but bowed her head and nodded in a downcast way. "I guess you're right. I knew no one would believe me…I guess in these clothes I look like any peasant's daughter. I don't have anything to prove it, but I just want to find my brother…please…I don't know what's happened to him and he's probably worried sick about me too…so just please…I'll get down on my knees and beg you if I have to…I'll do anything. Just please help me…"

She kneeled down and pulled something out that she was keeping in the bag she had slung over her shoulder. "These are all I have…so please…I know they're not much…"

What she was holding in her hand was a small coin. Yato furrowed his brow. That was it? That was all she could provide? Why hadn't she got the memo yet that he wanted to be left alone?

And besides, what good was five yen? It couldn't get you anything out here, that's for sure. Come to think of it, where did she get the capital money from? Yato wondered. Was she possibly telling the truth? No, she was filthy. There was absolutely no way.

As he moved to take a closer look, he noticed pink underneath the coin. He hesitantly took the coin up from her hand, and as he did it, what was below revealed itself in all its glory.

A cherry petal.

Sakura.

She was in his head, so many images of her. Her smile, her laugh…it was as if she was right in front of him, knelt down.

You're a good person, Yato. I know it.

There was no farm girl anymore. It was the one he loved.

Then he blinked, and everything went away, and the girl who had declared herself to be a princess was in front of him again.

"Please? Will you help me?" She looked up at him, begging with a look of almost absolute hopelessness.

He put the coin away. "Okay, fine. You win. I'll go search for this brother of yours with you. But it's not like you convinced me to do it." He paused, scratching his neck. "I just…owe someone a favor, that's all."

"Are we going now?" the girl asked, shocked that she had finally gotten her way.

"Of course not. You're staying here tonight. Before you go anywhere you've gotta wash off all that dirt. Oh, and get some decent clothes. I can't go into cities with someone wearing rags. And before doing something like this I'm getting a good night's sleep and don't you dare wake me up." He laid down on the floor in his preferred sleeping position. "Go find yourself a nice dry spot. I wouldn't recommend the corners though. The spiders like those and sometimes in the night they fall off the ceiling. See you in the morning."

"Wait, Mr. Ronin…before you go to sleep I wanted to ask you something. I told you my name, so what's yours? It would be weird if you called me Aki and I called you mister all the time…"

The god turned his head up toward her. "It's Yato. Ya for night, to for divination."

"That's a pretty name." She cocked her head in thought. "Are you sure the second character's read 'to' though?"

"Absolutely positive. Good night."

He was asleep before she could say another word.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

This was a story that I got the sudden inspiration for and have been wanting to write for a long time. I love history and historical fiction is probably one of my favorite genres. It seems, however, that there are just not a lot, if any at all, historical anime or manga anymore. So I decided to write one of my own, and what better series to use than the one that actually deals with the ancient mythology of Japan? We know Yato's been alive for a very long time. He is immortal, after all. But in between his backstory and his present-day adventures, there is a giant gap. What did he do? Who did he meet? How did he change? I hope my idea of what happened can show you.

First, a little background on the events mentioned in the story. Obviously, some characters are not real, and some events don't take place exactly as they happened in real life, because the truth is real life often isn't entertaining or suspenseful enough. Still, many of the people I write about were actual historical figures of Japanese history. To help those that haven't heard about any of these people or events before follow along, here's a quick little summary:

The Minamoto, also known as the Genji, and the Taira, also known as the Heike, clans were two powerful noble families in feudal Japan and political rivals. Once they were only two of four families of equal status including the Fujiwara (Tougen) and Tachibana (Kitsu) clans. These were the most powerful of the kuge, or nobility, which later on would be known as the samurai or daimyo class. However, by the time the story is set, the Fujiwara and the Tachibana have declined in power, leaving only the two rivals atop the pyramid. And of course, both want control over the throne.

In 1156, the ascension of Emperor Go-Shirakawa (Aki's father) to the throne marked the beginning of the end of the Heian period and the rise of the shogunate. Although he was the rightful heir, some nobles, including the powerful Fujiwara clan who had served as regents, did not accept him as legitimate and demanded that Emperor Sutoku, who had abdicated, be restored. Many nobles from all families took both sides, but in the end it was the commanders of Minamoto no Yoshitomo and Taira no Kiyomori who achieved the victory for the reigning emperor. This victory crushed the Fujiwara for good as well as establish the two as the most powerful men in Japan. However, they would not stay allies for long. Kiyomori, a shrewd manipulator, managed to convince Go-Shirakawa to abdicate in favor of his son Nijo who was firmly under the control of the Taira. Yoshitomo saw this as a blatant abuse of power and moved to coup Nijo and place his abdicated father back on the throne. It did not end well for the leader of the Minamoto. The Taira forces smashed his, and Kiyomori beheaded Yoshitomo and his two eldest sons, then sent the youngest three into exile. Now nothing could stop him from taking over the throne. Placing Emperor Takakura (Aki's brother) on the throne as a figurehead, Kiyomori expected to be the puppetmaster. However, even the young king proved not to be to his liking, so Kiyomori decided that he should just sit the throne himself. To do that, he would need a regency, and Kiyomori had one waiting in the form of Takakura's three-year-old son. Now the Taira were in direct control of the country.

Except for one problem: Prince Mochihito, Takakura's brother, feared that Kiyomori had become a tyrant mad with power. To stop him, he called upon the three sons of his old enemy, the Minamoto, to help him restore order and to get revenge for their father. The Genpei War, the first, bloodiest civil war Japan had ever witnessed, was on the horizon.

I hope you like the idea and don't mind the history lesson and the length of the work. I'm working on a lot of projects right now, so updates might be slow, but I'll put my best into this!

-mrcmc888