“ Will I finally live in peace? “
Twenty four years have passed. I’m now an old lady and I have fallen very ill. My daughter and granddaughters have been taking care of me for a long time. Sometimes I still have very horrible nightmares of me still fighting in the war with Jingu. As for Jingu, he was badly injured during the war many years ago…he had to be sent to Europe to be treated, years kept passing and he still hasn’t been able to return back to Japan. This caused me to become very ill…I’ve been fighting in battles since I was seventeen, this caused severe damage and lots of scars on my body. I was tired and gave up my Samurai ways.
“ Where is Jingu? Where is he?? “ I started tossing in my sleep
My daughter Kiatsu shook me gently and I opened my eyes…I started crying. Kiatsu misses Jingu as well, she wished that they’d let him return to see me… since I’m not doing so well. My daughter is so worried that I won’t make it very long…she prayed for Jingu to return soon.
Hojo came over to visit me. She has also given up on fighting, she’s enjoying being a grandmother and living peacefully. The Yonaka Kingdom needed another Empress since Mioa and Meiyo have disappeared and Tomoe is dead. So the citizens decided to make Siku the new Empress. She helped the citizens and is a very great leader. Many years ago I visited Tomoe’s “ future “ again. It felt good to know them…I know that would have made Tomoe happy. Ugoki and the twins Tadasu and Taeru also live with Siku in the Yonaka Kingdom, they’re all her soldiers. All of them have finally found peace in their lives.
“ How are you doing today, Kagayaki? “ Hojo sat near me
“ Everyday gets harder…. I miss Jingu so much Hojo… what if he isn’t alive? “ tears streamed down my face
“ Don’t say such things! He’s alive and he will come back to you! “ she wiped my tears
“ I hope so…” I hugged Hojo
****
Back in Europe, Jingu was fully healed and was on his way back to Kyoto to see Kagayaki. He missed her so much and heard news that she was very ill…he feared that she wouldn’t make it. This hurt him dearly…he had to get there as soon as possible.
“ I’m coming back home…Kagayaki! Please don’t leave me…”
****
My condition worsened, my granddaughter’s Kigo and Kikai were by my side feeding me soup and giving me my medicine. Kiatsu worried about my current state and started crying. Kigo and Kikai cried with her.
“ Will grandmother get any better? I hope grandfather will come back soon “ Kikai started crying again
“ I hope he does return very soon…she’s not looking very good at all.”
“ I know…let’s pray that he returns soon.” Kiatsu glanced over at me
****
It started to snow very heavily, I laid in my bed remembering when the last time it snowed like this….the first time Ajiwau was very ill and she got struck by the arrows meant for me during the first war. The second time was when that evil warrior Rakkan killed Kaisei and Sae. I sat up and grabbed my coat. Kigo had a tray with soup in it and when she slid the door open, I wasn’t in my room. She dropped the food, yelling to her mother that I was missing. They all panicked. I walked up towards the snowy tree and I remembered coming here with Jingu when the Cherry Blossoms were out. I started to cry thinking about him…I just wished he were here with me.
“ So this is where you were! Go back to your bed before you catch a cold! “
“ I’m guessing my daughter sent you here to find me Hojo? “ I chuckled
“ Well, I had a feeling you’d be here! You do actually come to this tree very often. “ Hojo smiled at me
“ It reminds me a lot of my youth…oh how I wish I had it! “ I sighed
“ Come on, let’s get you back in that bed! Your granddaughter was worried too! “
Hojo helped me up and we walked back home together. I got back in my bed and took my medicine. I laid there wondering if Jingu will return soon.
****
Jingu is on a boat and is very close to being in Kyoto. He couldn’t wait to see his wife, daughter, and granddaughters. The boat started to get closer towards Kyoto. His eyes started to light up….he was finally home. He saw from a distance that two people were standing there waiting for him. When the boat finally got there…he got off the boat and saw Hojo and Siku. They greeted him with hugs. He was very happy to see them both.
“ Jingu…we missed you! Glad to see that you’ve fully recovered! “ Siku said
“ I missed you all so much…”
“ You should get going Jingu! Go visit Kagayaki! “
Hojo grabbed him by the hand and they took the horse carriage that Siku had for them. She waved bye to them and the carriage took off. Jingu couldn’t wait to see Kagayaki.
****
I just laid in bed tossing and started to call out Jingu’s name again.Kiatsu put a warm cloth on my forehead. I turned towards the door and saw Hojo open the door slowly…then she opened it all the way and I saw Jingu standing there…tears streamed down his face. I started crying uncontrollably…he’s really here…it’s not a dream. We hugged each other tight and cried together. Kiatsu went over towards us and hugged us. Jingu hugged her tight. Our family is finally all together again.
****
Jingu and I spent every day with each other. He never wanted to be away from me ever again. Spring time was here and came very fast. The cherry blossoms were blooming. I wanted to go outside to look at them with Jingu. We sat near the tree looking at the cherry blossom trees. I laid in Jingu’s lap and smiled at him…caressing his face.
“ How long has it been since we looked at the cherry blossoms together? “ Jingu held my hand
“ It’s been a very long time! “
“ You know, we should come here with Kigo and Kikai next time! “ he looked down at me smiling
“ Yes…that would be very lovely…” a tear fell down my cheek
“ We should actually invite all of our friends…how would that sound? “ Jingu looks down at me again
Jingu shook me gently and said to me again “ Kagayaki? Did you hear me? “ Jingu felt my face and he started trembling…he started to cry. He looked down at me and saw that I had a small smile on my face. I was happy to have spent my last days with my husband. I was tired and couldn’t go on anymore.
“ I’m glad that I returned just in time to spend time with you…Kagayaki. “ he hugged my lifeless body and started crying again
Some of the cherry blossoms started to fall down slowly. Jingu looked up at the sky.
I have finally found my peace at last. The next generation will continue to bring peace into the world like my father wanted and when I once did.
“ I have finally found…my peace.”
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