I looked at both my mother and the man who is said to be my father in total confusion. He’s really here before my eyes. Why did he wait so many years to come see me?
“ So you’ve become the new Empress…”
“ Mother decided to pass her title down to me..”
“Sankaku…why…are you here? “ My mother kept trembling again. Seeing the pain in my mother’s eyes made me mad. How dare he show up here and cause more pain for my mother.
“ Mioa…. I never wanted to leave you, I just wasn’t ready to be a father or the Emperor. I’ve been a warrior of your Grandfather’s since I was a child. I wanted to just stop fighting in battles. I came here to ask the both of you for your forgiveness and we could all grow closer as a family…” he bowed at us. My mother walked up towards him and lifted up his head. They stared at one another. Then my mother slapped him across the face…Aunt Meiyo and I stood there in shock. But it’s what he deserved for hurting her and leaving her alone pregnant with me.
“ I deserved that slap for leaving you all alone…I’m so sorry Mioa. “
My mother kneeled down with him and embraced him with a hug. They both cried in each other’s arms. How could she forgive him so quickly? Her older age is making her so soft! I glared at them, I wasn’t going to forgive him so quickly! He’ll have to earn my trust. My father gently pulled away from my mother. He walked over towards me, I still glared at him and he can sense that I don’t fully trust him.
“ My dear daughter…I ask for your forgiveness as well…let us become closer as father and daughter. “ he begged
“ You’ll have to earn my trust…so in order to earn it.. I have a favor to ask of you. “
“ Yes, what is it? “
“ Become one of my henchmen. We need more warriors in the second war.”
“ It would be an honor…Tomoe! “ He bowed at me
I get up from my throne and walk over towards my father. My father and I give each other a handshake of agreement. I hope that I can grow closer with my father and that we can become the family we were supposed to be.
****
Jingu and I told Hojo and Onna the terrible news about our daughter and Sae being killed by Tomoe’s henchmen. Tears fall down everyone’s faces… except for me.. I was filled with lots of anger and revenge. Siku ran over towards me telling me that I have new warriors here to join the second war. I welcomed the new warriors with a warm smile.
“ Hello Captain! My name is Ugoki Ene and I would love to join in fighting the second war! “
“ Our names are Tadasu and Taeru. We would also love to join in fighting in the second war! “
I got a good look at the new warriors and thought they would do very well in the second war that’s coming up. I held out my hand to them and said “ Welcome aboard, you’re one of us now! “ The three of them each shook my hand. I gathered all of my warriors together to talk about the upcoming war soon to come.
“ As you all know, another war is soon to come from that evil Empress! Please know that she has sneaky tricks up her sleeve and new highly skilled warriors…so I suggest that you all do your best with your training! “
Everyone bowed at me and got straight into training. I told Onna to train the twins Tadasu and Taeru and Hojo to train Ugoki. They trained day and night endlessly. I trained very hard so that I could make Tomoe and her warriors pay for what they did to Sae and Kaisei… I wasn’t going to stop training until I got stronger. I couldn’t wait for the war to happen so that there can finally be peace.
Night came and while everyone was asleep, I was still awake and staring at my sword. I looked up at the moon and thought about how much Kaisei loved looking at it with us. Tears fell on my sword as I started to cry quietly to myself.
****
Back at the Yonaka Kingdom, Aunt Meiyo helped with the plans for the war. She really hoped that this would be the final war…she’s so delusional! My father got acquainted with the other henchmen. He and I have grown rather close…but I still don’t trust him fully. I am glad to see my parents fall back in love with each other, it was very refreshing to see. He would even train me and teach me his techniques as well. However I was growing very tired of Aunt Meiyo complaining about another war…. I told her that if she complained again, that I would either kill her or lock her up in the dungeon forever. She couldn’t believe how much I have changed… I have never threatened her life before. Maybe being Empress has gotten to my head a little… but I love being in control.
Today is the start of the second war. My warriors and I prepare ourselves for Kagayaki and her little warriors who will soon come to the hillside. I couldn’t wait to see the look of anger and hurt on Kagayaki’s face.
****
My warriors and I soon approached the Yonaka Kingdom hillside and saw Tomoe on her horse waiting with a very wicked smirk. When we got closer, I got off my horse and walked towards Tomoe and her warriors. I continued to glare at her and clenched onto my sword.
“ Get the hell off your horse and fight me…you evil creature! “ I shouted
“ Well now…aren’t we so eager to kill me huh? “ She laughed along with her warriors
“ You will pay dearly for killing my daughter and my friend! You hear me Tomoe! “ I pointed my sword at her.
“ So, this is the warrior that you and your mother have been talking about? She looks…so weak..” Sankaku frowned
“ Don’t underestimate her father, this woman is very strong!”
“ After I’m done killing you… I will kill your evil mother next! “
“ Very threatening words…but can you back them up? “ She gets off her horse and faces me. We both glared at one another for a while, then we both gave our warriors the okay to go into battle. As our warriors are fighting, we have finally begun our fight. We’re both equally matched as usual and we won’t stop until one of us is injured. Her father looked over at the fight between Tomoe and I, he had a very stunned expression on his face. He has never seen such a beautiful battle. Sankaku starts to grin…until he’s struck by Jingu on the left shoulder.
“ You shouldn’t let your guard down..old man! “ Jingu chuckled
“ You’re quite a skilled warrior young man! But I’m afraid that you’re no match for me! “ He and Jingu get into a sword battle. Hojo and Onna have minor injuries after battling Magaru and Nagaku. They’re much stronger than them…defeating them is impossible.
“ You two are very strong! It’s a shame that you’re on the side of evil! “ Hojo said
“ We’re on the best side! Y’all are the weak ones! “ Magaru chuckled and pointed her sword at both Hojo and Onna who could barely stand up. As Magaru and Nagaku are threatening them..they nod at Rakkan to stand behind Onna. Hojo looks behind her and as she’s getting ready to warn her…Nagaku slashes her right shoulder with her sword. Sending her to the ground.
****
While Tomoe and I were still in a very heated sword battle, I glanced over Tomoe’s shoulder seeing that Rakkan is about to attack Onna, I struck Tomoe in her left knee and kicked her in the face. I tried my best to get to Onna…but I was too late. Rakkan then struck Onna through the back and lifted her up by her head to show me. Onna gave me a weak smile from a distance.
I started trembling and crying.
“ How does that make you feel, Kagayaki? Do you feel scared? I hope you do feel scared! “ She slowly got up and slowly limped towards her warriors.
“ Does killing people bring you joy? What’s your damn problem? You’re just as sick as your mother! “ I screamed at her
Tomoe stopped to look over towards me and then over at Onna
“ I suggest that you help your dying sister before it’s too late…Kagayaki! “ she laughed and limped towards her horse.
Hojo and I both came to our baby sister’s aid. Onna looked up at us and put her hand to both of our faces. She weakly smiled at us.
“It looks like…it’s the end for me….I’m glad I got to fight alongside my sister’s. “ she chuckled a little
“ Onna…please don’t leave us! We need you! “ Hojo held her hand and started crying
“ Please don’t cry big sis…. I just don’t think I can hold on much longer…” her breathing got heavier
I started crying uncontrollably. Onna looked up at me and slowly reached her hand to wipe my tears away.
“ Kagayaki…remember when mother would sing that song to me when I was three….”
“ Yes… I remember…she always loved singing it to you. Ever since you were a baby…” I continue to cry
“ Can…you sing it to me like mother did…” she smiled at me
“ Yes…of course.”
Sweet little rose
Don’t be sad
The sun is shining
Flowers are blooming
The sky is bright
As I sang the song to Onna..her eyes slowly closed and she had a smile on her face. I stopped singing and gently shook her. She was gone
“ Onna…” I quietly whispered while holding her lifeless body in my arms. Hojo started crying uncontrollably and held her as well…she looked so peaceful. She can now be with mother and father. Jingu and the other warriors look over at us with sadness. This was the saddest day of my life. Back at home we had a small gathering for Onna. Hojo and I shared funny stories about her when she was just a baby and kid. There was lots of laughter and crying. Then after the service we buried Onna and gave her a nice headstone. Hojo and I spent a little more time with her. I vowed to get my revenge…Tomoe will get what’s coming to her and I’ll surely make sure.
*****
When I came back to Yonaka Kingdom, I got my wounds treated right away. Then I went to relax in my bedroom. I ask Aunt Meiyo to come see me before she sleeps. I had enough of her barking orders at me! I wanted to teach her a lesson. My Aunt comes into my room and closes the door behind her. I give her a cold glare.
“ So you killed another one of her loved ones…how could you! Why don’t you want peace, Tomoe? “
“ There’s never going to be peace here Aunt Meiyo! You’re living in a fantasy world! “
“ Don’t you dare talk to me like that! You’ve really changed for the worst..having your warriors kill an innocent child…” she yelled
“ You’ve been getting on my nerves lately…Rakkan take my Aunt to the dungeon please! “
“ Tomoe…how could you?”
“ How could I? All you ever do is whine about me starting a war! Isn’t that what grandfather did when he was the Emperor? How about mother when she became the Empress? I heard she had many families executed! “
“ That doesn’t mean you have to be like them! You could have changed Tomoe! “ she cried
“ It’s too late to change! And save your tears! You will now live in the dungeon until I think of what to do with you! “ I chuckled
“ Please stop this now! “
“Rakkan take her away! I’m getting tired! Have a good night in the dungeon Aunt Meiyo! “
My Aunt started kicking and screaming for help. Rakkan threw her in the dungeon and locked it. She kept yelling my name and my mother’s name.
I started to smirk in my sleep and sighed with relief. With my Aunt Meiyo locked in the dungeon I can start making more plans.
“ Now that she’s locked in the dungeon…my stupid father is next to be gone! Then I will destroy Kagayaki and what’s left of her warriors! “ I started laughing loudly in my sleep.
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