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[Ni'Xuin]

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…Her chest burned as her feet pounded on the road, the pain deep in her side was becoming excruciating…Wake up!

Sitting up in the odd small bed, Ni’Xuin did not realize where she was, it was very dark in the room she found herself. Putting her feet down, immediately pulling them up, the floor was so cold, pulling her kimono tight, hugging herself. Gently pulling the door open, the outer room was as dark as the long hall with the odd beds, the figure slumped against the wall sleeping, reminded her of what happened and where she found herself now.

Opening the large outside door, hoping the fresh cold air would not awaken Masaya. The grass crunched beneath her bare feet, it was covered in frost, looking across the water to the East, as the sun just beginning to break the darkness. An Obsidian color started to mark the sky where the sun met the sea. The wind whipped wisps of hair across her face as Ni stood watching the natural world awaken.

As the sun broke over the horizon, the events of the night before rushed over Ni just as the waves crashed into the shore. Hearing the name that had not been spoken in so many years, the forgotten name of her brother, the boy she remembered revealing the man he had become. How his words made the room close in around her, making her throat to tight to speak. Masaya squeezing her hand under the table, as her world was taken from her in the blink of an eye.

“…You’re not to return to Zento until I send word…” The throbbing in her head grew, “No matter what happens. Until this threat is gone; no matter what you hear, or what happens to me, sister you are to stay with Masaya”. The room swirled, sound became inaudible, only his strong arms holding her upright, kept Ni from melting onto the floor. A tender goodbye from the man, that had been her entire world; burying her face into his chest feeling how hard his heart was beating was too much for her to bear. Using the last of her strength to create a passage to Yew.

It took the door smacking into the wall of the building that was now her home to bring Ni back to reality. “Ni’Xuin! What are you doing in the cold?” Masaya asked with concern and compassion, Turning her head, Ni simply replied, “Looking East”.
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[Ni'Xuin]

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The sounds of the strings were coarse and made Ni’s ears hurt, resonating through the abbey floating down the stairs. How amazing musicians are to make rhythmic sounds from such an instrument Ni'Xuin thought, “Baringggg” the noise made Ni’Xuin laugh.

“Ni’Xuin!”

The Sound of her name made her jump and wanting to run all in one movement, turning slowly Ni rose from where she was crouched next to the harp, her eyes lightened up “Shinta!” Throwing her arms around his neck “I’m so glad to see you! Its time, you’ve come to take me home?” Her brother just shook his head. Ni’s arms dropped, “I promise sister you will return soon, just have to keep you safe”. Rei stepped towards her; wrapping her in a warm hug “Ni I miss you so much, here I made a basket of things from home to make your time away easier for you” Taking the basket Ni kneeled carefully opening it. The scent of tea, and delicacies from Zento wafted out and surrounded her. Pulling a small globe from the basket, looking at the tiny house with a bridge in front of it, the cherry tree in full bloom perfectly enclosed in the glass, made the knot that was in her throat grow. “Domo Rei Chan”, closing the basket making sure the straps was tightly fastened.

Forcing a smile Ni faced them, “Come do you wish to see where I am staying?” with a simple nod, Bishimi’s body language expressed the forced happiness Ni let show. Silently they all walked through the growing fog creeping in from the swamp; Ni stepped up to the heavy door, using all her strength letting the light glow of the entrance torches spill out onto them. Bishimi surveyed the room, “Ni’Xuin…The is…This is nice”, reassuringly putting his arm around her. “Ni’Xuin be strong you will come home soon do not worry I promise”. Hugging her tightly “Promise” he whispered onto the top of her head.

Rei grabbed her “Soon sweet Ni soon” Ni pulled back looking at her squarely in the eye, “Rei” looking towards the door, making sure Bishimi was far from earshot “Please take care, do not let anything happen to him” Ni let her hands slide down her arms taking her hands, “I hate it here, but do not let Shinta know” Rei spoke softly, “He knows, he already knows, but Ni Chan you’re here with Masaya, soon you will marry; then come back to Zento” Rei smiled at her and they walked out the door.
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[Bishimi]

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Bishimi stepped from the house where his sister now resides. Many thoughts swirled in his head faster then he could keep track of but one stayed at the forefront almost bellowing. “Shinta” His sister’s voice rang over and over again. It had been so long since he heard his own name let alone coming from her lips. The thought was both comforting and disconcerting at the same time. They had both grown so accustomed to not even thinking the name that to hear it always caused his heart, and head, to drop in shame.

He could not help but to remember the day his sister was taken from him, standing in front of the dojo that is now filled with these women that refer to themselves as fan dancers. His father sending her with a monk named Ujio, remembering how there seemed to be tension between the two but neither speaking of it. Ni reaching for his hand as his did for hers never to touch or see each other again for who knew how long. All of it…such a distant memory but still so close to his heart. “Mother was killed only days later..” He thought to himself quickly shaking his head as if trying to do so with the memory. The Soke had not thought of the last times he could remember tears running down his cheek. He would not let Ni see him do so now.

“Sok…” Rei cut her words short. “Bishimi, should we leave now?” Bishimi had told her several times at this point to call him by his family name, it had been a challenge to even have her call him by the one given by his Soke when he joined the clan. He would not argue. He simply nodded at her and forced a grin he hoped she would see beneath his hood. Rei fumbled through her rune books obviously disturbed by her words with Ni after Bishimi’s leaving the house. As soon as she could she muttered the words “Vas Rel Por” and stepped through the Blue rip in space. Bishimi looked at the gate apprehensively as he always does before stepping through himself.

They quickly found themselves at their new home, a small and humble spot in the outskirts of Makoto. The sight gave Bishimi a bit of pleasure seeing what he had with this woman of his as opposed to what he was reminded of with Ni in their times past. He and Rei made their way into the house speaking little to each other. Rei was aware of how disturbed Bishimi was and, given her upbringing, spoke little to him of his problems. They simply moved up the floors to what would soon be their bedroom and laid down. She moved herself closer to him hoping to show him a bit of comfort. Bishimi smiled hoping to show her all is alright and waited for her to fall asleep.

When he felt it safe the Soke slowly moved from his spot in the bed in hopes of not disturbing Rei. He kissed her forehead softly and whispered “I will be back, I promise.” Bishimi did not see it, but one of Rei’s eyes was open slightly for her worry was as great as his own. When he was out of sight she arose and did her best to follow him.

Bishimi did not know what he was going to do, but he knew where he was going to look. He quickly and quietly made his way through the streets of Zento to the moongate. Again, with a sigh crossing his lips he made his way through, Umbra being the city on his mind. He came through safe thanking any god that may be listening to his words. His eyes made a pass of the surrounding area, upon feeling safe he made his way for the area known as Charnell Hill. Bishimi had to speak with the Lord of Liches, if he could not find him he would search out the one he heard referred to as Ariana. He held questions that need be answered. “Who better?” he asked himself as he walked through the shadows.

[Rei Ukiyo]

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As Rei read over the letter she had accepted from the strangely-clad woman, her eyes began to water. She turned her back toward the patrons of the teahouse to hide her reaction. Calming herself and masking her true sadness with an expression of cordiality, she bid good fortune and good evening to those within the room. She made her exit, slower than she would have liked, pulling her kasa on once she was outside in the cool Zento night air.

She wandered west along the worn dirt road toward the training hall and turned around its corner. She did not wish to be followed this evening, so once she was out of view she slipped into the shadows and continued on her way. She navigated the narrow alleys that led to the western shore and home was soon within view. She hastened through the door and into the main room, taking a seat on a cushion before the fireplace as she tipped her kasa off of her head to rest on her back.

Pulling forth Ni-chan's letter once more, she read it anew. This time, the tears were allowed to freely flow. It did not seem fair to her that these siblings must be made to endure what they were presently facing. Ni-chan and Bishimi-sama deserved happiness and peace, they both gave their entirety to the well-being of the clan. That they were now in jeopardy because of the sins of their father seemed vastly wrong to Rei, even though she was very well aware that it was a common tradition in her native Tokuno. She did not wish to believe that the Empress would punish them, when they had both served her so well and for so very long. But even still, she knew that it might very well happen. It was this knowledge that kept worry in her heart.

She dabbed her thumb across each of her eyes to clear them of excess moisture. Ni-chan's letter had been filled with sadness and loneliness. Although Rei longed to comfort the younger woman, she knew that the only thing that would do so would be for her to return to Zento and her family. From her admission in the letter, it seemed that Ni-chan was seeking the comfort of Tokuno on her own, because she had trouble sleeping in the strange and cold place where she was hidden. She had asked Rei to keep it a secret between them both, and Rei's heart was torn on the subject. This girl, so like a sister to her, was suffering and she could not bring herself to take away the only comfort she had in the world. Rei was glad Ni-chan had disclosed this information to her, to at least one person whom could watch over her house. She would only reveal this knowledge to Bishimi-sama if he asked it of her. Until then, it was safer that only one person knew.

She took paper, pen, and ink from her pack and set about writing what she hoped would be a comforting reply to Ni-chan. Once done, she blew the ink dry and folded the rice paper neatly. Pulling her kasa on, she stepped beyond the arcane doors once more into the blossom-sweetened air of Tokuno.

She walked the reassuringly short distance to Ni-chan's house and entered the front door. She did not bother to remove her kasa, simply setting the letter down where she hoped it would be found by Ni's messenger. Once more outside, she walked the perimeter of the house whispering Shinto prayers to each wall and each direction of the compass. At the northeast corner in particular, she left a small carving of a kitsune to ward off evil spirits. She hoped that the benevolent spirits would watch over her friend. With a resigned sigh, she headed home once more.