I was born into a very poor village, my father was very sick from all the battles he fought in the war years ago. My mother would take care of me and my siblings, she also would take care of my father, it worried her seeing how frail he’s become. His long dark blue hair quickly faded, his eyes were extremely tired, and he could barely stand, so we all very much helped him. Seeing my father so weak hurt me so much, I couldn’t bear to look at him sometimes. He knew that I was hurt and would just frequently give me a small smile and a hug. I hugged him back, knowing this might be the last time I actually get to hug him.
When I was thirteen, my father passed away, my mother kept crying uncontrollably and hugging us kids, I couldn’t believe he was gone. Now I had to become the man of the house and take care of my mother and siblings. Each day without my father was rough for my mother, every time she would cook for us, she’d start breaking down crying on the floor. We didn’t know how to help her, we’d just all give her hugs and she would start hugging us back. She smiled at us and gave us kisses on the head, I told her “ Don’t worry mother, we’ll always protect you” she smiled at me and hugged me again. Those words kept replaying in my mind over and over, hoping that I would keep my promise.
At seventeen, I became a warrior for the young Empress.. at that time I met a beautiful young girl named Nakano, we grew closer towards one another and fell in love. We wanted to get married and so we did. My mother and siblings were at the wedding and I was so happy that they were able to see it. We didn’t really have a honeymoon because I had to go back to training as a warrior for The Empress, the training was both crucial and very very painful. I knew I had to become stronger for Nakano and my family.
On January 18th 783 A.D. Nakano gave birth to a baby. We named her Hojo, she was such a beautiful baby, holding her in my arms was the best feeling in the world. Although I was only seventeen and still just a kid myself, I knew that I would be the best father to her. I want to be just like my father, he loved my siblings and I so much and would give us hugs every day. I knew I couldn’t stay here with my newborn daughter and wife forever… I had to fight in my first war.
I grew closer to Empress Mioa, we’ve become friends, but I think she was in love with me! I didn’t know how to tell her that I was married with a newborn daughter at home, it would shatter her heart. So I kept it a secret up until I was ready to quit being a soldier.
On August 20th 788 A.D. we had another baby girl, she was just as precious as Hojo. I named her Kagayaki, which was the name of my grandmother who meant the world to me and I wanted to continue her legacy with her name. This time I got to spend time with both of my daughters, I was injured from the war so the Empress sent me home. I enjoyed being here with my family, I never wanted to leave them.
So I finally decided to quit being a soldier for Empress Mioa, my family was more important and I didn’t want to miss seeing my girls grow up.
The next morning, I went to the kingdom and visited Empress Mioa. She gave me a big smile and we both bowed at each other. I nervously sighed and then told her
“ Empress Mioa, I’ve decided to quit being a soldier for you, my wife and daughters are more important to me. I’m very grateful to have served you and fought in the war...but I must go! “
I watched for her reaction to what I told her. I can tell she was very upset with my decision and stood there in shock.
“ Y-You’re married? With children?? “ Her eyes widen and she stared at me
“ I got married at seventeen and we had a daughter and we just recently had another daughter.. so I kept it a secret. I’m sorry your highness… “
“ But I loved you... I wanted to be with you Naito! “ Mioa started screaming at me and clinging onto to my shirt
“ We can’t be together Mioa! I’m happily married with daughters! I’m sorry! I shouted back at her and then I left her room and the castle. I never came back to the kingdom ever again. However, the Empress spent the rest of her life broken from my words. She wanted to make me pay, no she wanted to make my family pay for her pain that I caused her. She planned an unexpected trip to see me, knowing that day would change my life forever.
After I quit being a soldier for Empress Mioa, I enjoyed the rest of my life with my family and daughters. In 792 A.D. we had our third baby girl, we named her Onna. She was so beautiful and I was so excited to watch her grow. Being with my family made me feel so happy and I wanted it to be that way, no more war..just peace.
That all changed in 795 A.D. The Empress and her soldiers unexpectedly arrived at my house, I stood there in shock at the fact that she’s actually here. She looks unrecognizable, she’s aged so much and has a few wrinkles on her face….she’s only 29 years old. She walks up towards me, smirking at me, I give her a very confused look.. I want to know why she is here.
‘Empress, why are you here? “ I say to her
“ I want you to pack your things and say goodbye to your family, you’re working for me again! “
“ I told you long ago Mioa that I quit that soldier life! I’m happy with my family! “ I shout at her angrily
“ Well, isn’t that so sweet! Soldiers, grab those rotten children and take them to the kingdom!”
“ Have you lost your mind Empress? Don’t touch my daughters!” I tried to fight the soldiers and so do my daughters but they were just too strong! They ran off with my daughters, I had to do something! Nakano comes running out of the house screaming while watching the soldiers run off with her daughters. Empress Mioa stares at Nakano and my wife stares back with an angry expression.
“ EMPRESS! BRING BACK MY DAUGHTERS!” Nakano yells at her
Empress Mioa laughs at her, I push Nakano back not knowing what she’s going to do to her. Mioa walks up to Nakano and slaps her in the face, sending her to the floor. I help my wife off the ground, I look at Mioa with anger, she’s gone too far now!
“ I will give you my life in exchange for my daughters! “
“ Sorry Naito, but that won’t be happening, soldiers...kill Naito’s wife!” She shouts at them
“ NO EMPRESS! TAKE MY LIFE INSTEAD!” I scream at her, but it’s too late...the soldiers kill Nakano right before my eyes, I cry hysterically and give her an angry face, how could she? All I ever wanted was peace with my family! Now I’ll never have it, my wife is gone and my children are being kidnapped by that wicked woman!
The Empress tells the soldiers to kill me, as they grab me, I look up at Mioa and tell her these last words
“ You think killing my wife and I will bring you joy, but it won’t! My daughters will be the ones to stop you! “ As I say those words to her, she starts to shake and angrily screams at the soldiers to kill me, so they stab me multiple times with the sword. They threw my wife and I by the river. Empress Mioa watches our bodies stream down the river and smirks. They burn down my house and go back to the kingdom.
I still have a little life left in me, I watch my wife’s lifeless body floating in the water… I swim slowly towards her and I find land to put us on. I then slowly crawl towards her, holding her hand and tearing up.
“ I’m sorry that we couldn’t have peace, but I know that our daughters will escape that evil kingdom.. “ I start to lose my breath, as I do that.. I say my final words
“ Kagayaki, you will be the one to bring peace into this world...my daughter…”
I then pass on, with a smile on my face. Knowing that my daughters will escape and bring peace in the world.
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