The water pressed in all around us as I was dragged through and under it.
Light, lost in the murky depths, barely illuminated our bodies as for many minutes or hours I was carried off. Barely conscious, my mind focused on Naomi and Venora and my sister. Trying, trying to keep their faces strong in mind. The loss of blood and trauma however had different ideas, and the darkness came upon me strong once again.
In the lightless realm, the dreams came strong and fast.
Songbirds sang as the duo walked through the gardens surrounding Zento. The small childs laughter ringing clear as the crystal blue waters of the harbor while the man watched her with a smile. Alike and unalike they were as he placed each step carefully and with purpose, while she ran back and forth between the flowering cherry blossom trees and danced amongst the tall grasses.
They had been here for several days now, enjoying a relaxing time away from everything else. The girl’s mother had stayed behind, urging the two to enjoy themselves and come back once ready. And so they did, he taught her everything she would need to know once she was able to come to these lands on her own.
Isonu loved bringing Naomi here, to the lands of his birth. Still after all these years, it was where he felt the most at home. He would always serve Pandora and Marius, till the end of his days, but Tokuno still had its grasp upon his heart. He watched Naomi chasing after a crane, its call filling the air and startling the smaller birds out of a nearby tree. He began to scold her, but watching her smile and hearing her laughter brought a smile to his own face. She had gone through more than a child her age should, let her chase the bird if she wished. Just this once.
The hour is late as I drag my weary feet towards home. Smoke tendrils float upwards from the shrine, the incense all but burnt out now. Yet still, the smell is a welcome one. I feel as if my ancestors look down upon me, nodding their approval of how things transpired in Tokuno.
Pandora had bid me return to my homeland to locate my brother. An illness was laying claim to many citizens, and it filled me with gladness to see her honest feelings for the safety of my mortal family. I could not serve a better household.
I decided to wake Venora up in a very special way. The sun had just set as I snuck out of the room we had rented, and my footsteps were quieted on the soft floors. It only took a moment to reach my destination as I had seen the vendor the night previous. Smiling, gold passed to the merchant and I snuck my way back beside her.
Licking my lips, I brought the flute up and began to play.
It was, I believe, the cherry blossoms that she liked most.
We’d left for Tokuno two days after my wounds had healed. Left family and friends and just… walked. I had promised her an indepth look at my homeland. Ever since I told her of how the moon rising looked, cresting the forests. The songs of the cranes as they swoop across the gently lapping waters at the shoreline. Or… of how the wind will dance around with cherry blossoms and surround you with their sweet calming scent.
Arms and armor we left behind, save for our twin Katanas. I, clad in a kimono of sunset red. Venora in her own, newly obtained kimono of robin egg blue. She had yet to become acustomed to traditional Tokuno clothing, and for the first day stumbled a bit. But with my hand in hers, by the next, one could swear she had grown up in the palace of the Empress herself.