_____The trip to Kyoto was a long and tiresome trip. Matsuda told me that we were taking the East Sea Road. As we road along the road, Hanako peered out the window sheers constantly. It seemed she hasn't seen the outside life before. As a matter of fact, nor did I. I took a moment to peer out the window as well. The countryside seemed unaffected by the war. I cherished the fact that the people could live so peacefully. As the day went on, we stopped by the inns along the road. The East Sea Road was one of the important routes during ancient times. Many people traveled on foot along the route rested at the inns along the way. We stopped at the inn at Shizuoka.
_____As Matsuda helped me and Hanako out of the carriage, Hanako rushed into the inn to help prepare our rooms. I stepped into the Konomi Inn, a small, but comfortable lodging. As I walked in a little further, I briefly glanced at a frantic Hanako, who ran just past me. "What is she doing?" I followed where she went and found her in the room I was supposed to sleep in. She was organizing the room as quickly as possible, hoping to satisfy my needs. I didn't mind it at first, but when I stepped into the room, the maid was simply standing there, watching in amazement.
_____She noticed my entrance and turned to bow. "Lady Mamoro, how are you today?" she said in a polite tone.
_____"I'm well. Thank you. Why is Hanako doing this?"
_____"My lady, I was surprised myself. She asked me to step aside, and well..." we both glanced at Hanako, who had just finished with the futon. When Hanako turned and noticed my presence, she attempted to approach me to bow. However, not realizing the surrounding area, she tripped over the serving tray that were delivered to guests when it was ready to eat. She fell face first, and landed right at our feets. The maid and I both giggled at the brief performance and helped Hanako with the room.
_____After the room was ready, Hanako and I went out by the lake to get some fresh air. I never seen such a gorgeous sight. The shimmering reflection upon the pond, the fresh breeze in the air, and the birds singing a harmonious melody...who could believe such a sight existed? As I enjoyed the view, Matsuda came from behind and spoke in a decisive, yet cool voice. "Lady Mamoro, you mustn't be so careless. Although you are under my protection, you must remain on guard. You must..."
_____I turned around and looked at Matsuda sternly. "I should remain on guard? What do you think I have guards for? How am I to enjoy such a wondrous view if I have to worry about such petty things?!" I didn't feel like saying anymore and left towards the inn. Hanako and Matsuda stood and stared as I walked off.
_____"Matsuda? Why should we be cautious?" Hanako stared at him as he rested his hand on his sword.
_____Hanako looked at the grim look on Matsuda's face. She started to tremble as Matuda began to speak. "I've just received word that a group of thieves have been spotted nearby. The natives believe that the group is none other than the Black Lotus."
_____"W-w-what do we do? The l-lady is in-in danger..." Matsuda placed his other hand calmly on Hanako's shoulder. Despite the beating she took from Matsuda, she trusted Matsuda, although a piece of her heart still ached in fear of him.
_____"I will request more soldiers from the emperor. Surely he'll understand." Matsuda suddenly headed toward the inn, with Hanako in toe shortly afterwards. The sun set as soon as it came, and the moonlit night followed. The inn didn't stir as everyone had already laid to rest. I was the only one who still lays awake. I thought about what I had said to Matsuda and believe I was simply overreacting. Deep down, I knew it was just my impulsiveness that made me say such harsh things. I decided to apologize to Matsuda first thing in the morning. Suddenly, I heard a door creak open. I didn't know what was going on, so I decided to see for myself. I slowed slid open the door, and peeked outside. I saw someone leaving the inn, but I couldn't make out who it was. My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to follow the person.
_____As I stayed out of sight, I followed the person to the nearby lake. From what I could see, the person seemed to have a muscular body, thus I presumed the person was male. As I tried to slowly approach the man, my curiosity gave me away when I stepped on a fallen branch. The man turned toward my direction and in a instant, I could hear the hiss of a sword coming to life. I couldn't believe I was going to die here. I fell to the ground, fearing for my life. As the man approached me, I tried to move, but it was no use. My body wasn't responding. The swordsman approached me, and I waited for my death. Oddly, only the wind blew as the man answered, "I told you it was dangerous."
_____The voice was very familiar to me. As I glanced upwards, and although it was faint, I could see it was none other than Matsuda. "Matsuda? W-what are you doing out at this time?"
_____"I could say the same to you, my lady," he muttered in a low voice.
_____As the fear faded away, I stood up and regained my composure. At that moment, I yelled, "Why did you scare me like that?! You could have killed me!!"
_____Matsuda gave a brief smirk. "You're right. I could have." I was taken aback from Matsuda chilling words. He clenched his sword and raised it in the air. I began to regret the day I spared his life. I thought this was punishment for my benevolence as I closed my eyes. He swung downwards and at the last moment, he stopped his attack, inches from my head. I opened my eyes and the fear rushed through my body once more. As I stood their shocked, Matsuda muttered, "See what happens when you let your guard down? What would have happened if it wasn't me you followed?"
_____I didn't want to accept Matsuda's words, but sadly I knew he was right. I've taken Matsuda and the other soldiers for granted. I thought, at the instance I was in trouble, one of them would rush to my rescue, but it was a foolish lie that was created within my mind. I bowed to Matsuda. "I'm-I'm sorry, Matsuda...for...yelling at you earlier."
_____"There is no need to apologize to someone like me. I deserve nothing so grand as an apology from you. However, princess, you must be more careful." I didn't utter a word. Matsuda lifted my head and said, "Princess, if you are willing, I will teach you how to fight." I nodded in agreement. I was just a naive princess who knew nothing of the world. I felt I was simply a burden to my people. If I learn how to fight, I would become stronger, at least, I would like to believe I would be stronger. My training began shortly afterwards. The sessions were long and grueling, but they were held in secret. The idea of a princess training in swordsmanship was simply preposterous. According to Matsuda, if anyone were to find out that I knew how to use a sword, rulers of other countries would fear me, thus may take decisive action.
_____As the days went on, we continue to journey on the East Sea Road. As we stopped at the inns on the road, every night was spent training with Matsuda. I couldn't imagine how hard swordsmanship can be. We stopped at the Hikura inn at Hamamatsu. Hanako has been wondering why I've been stepping out so late at night. I had to be cautious, since Matsuda took the unnecessary task of training me. To have someone else find out might throw everything to waste.
_____Later that night, Matsuda waited for me to come out. "Are you ready, my lady?" I nodded in agreement and in turn, Matsuda pulled something out from his yukata. He placed the covered item in my hands and said, "Hamamatsu is a dangerous area. Use this only when necessary."
_____I looked at the shape of the object and then took off the cover. I was surprised to see a dagger in my hands. "Matsuda? Why?"
_____Matsuda didn't look at me when he answered, "It's light enough for you to carry in your kimono, right? I believe it's best for you to conceal it for now." He started to walk toward the training area he once went to to practice his swordsmanship. As I followed, I couldn't grasp the idea of having a concealed metal dagger at all times. What I couldn't believe is the idea that Matsuda would give me such a dangerous weapon with my inexperience. "Hurry up, or we'll won't be able to get in much training tonight," Matsuda called. I quickened my pace and eventually caught up to him. We've been training with wooden swords that Matsuda kept in case if he ever wanted to train.
_____As we reached the training ground, I noticed that the area was surrounded by trees. It would be pitch black if the full moon didn't provide us with some light. As I turned to face Matsuda, he was looking around, as if something were wrong. "M-Matsuda?"
_____I started to look around when Matsuda answered, "We've been followed." In a instant, we were surrounded by vague, but visible shadows.
_____"Well, now. It looks like we have some trespassers."
_____Matsuda and I both turned to the sound of the voice and we both were staring at a tall, slender man with a equally large weapon. Judging from the man's appearance, he appeared to be a no-name thug, but his weapon made me think otherwise.
_____"Stay close to me, princess Mamoro. I will protect you." Matsuda drew his weapon, and prepared for combat.
_____The tall man just laughed. When he finished, he smiled and said, "Don't you know who we are? We're the infamous Black Lotus!!" I stood in terror when he uttered those words. As the man began to laugh once more, the other members appeared before us. The group of ten began to surround us. "If you don't want a painful death, I suggest you drop your weapons..."
_____Matsuda stood his ground. "If I defeat you, my lord will not have to worry about a thing. I, Konoha Matsuda, will destroy you!!"
_____"Destroy me? I strongly doubt that will happen. Not after we show you this!!" Another member appeared with a unconscious girl in his hands. The girl was none other than Hanako. "We found this girl following you two. I'll kill her myself if you don't drop your weapons."
_____I couldn't stand here and watch Hanako die. "Wait!" The man stared at me in surprise. "I am princess Mamoro. I will give you anything you desire if you spare their lives. I will give you...myself...if I have to."
_____"Princess Mamoro!!" I pushed Matsuda aside and walked toward the tall man.
_____"It looks like I lucked out tonight..." As I approached the tall man, he calmly stepped towards me and grabbed my shoulder with his right hand. As he was certain that I wouldn't resist, he announced, "Now that we have the princess, we have no use for the others! Kill them!" The others began to approach Matsuda when the man with Hanako screamed in agony. Hanako fell to the ground as the man fell over. "What the?!"
_____At that moment, I took the dagger hidden in my obi and stab the man's left arm. He was shocked to be tricked by his "trepassers." As I watched the man writhe in pain, this small, but brief moment sparked my new life as a swordswoman, or so I thought.
_____The members suddenly became frantic and began to flee. Matsuda watched as the members disappeared from sight. However, as soon as the disappeared, screams of death chillingly came soon after words. "You..." The man mustered the remaining strength in his left arm and readied his weapon. "I'll kill yo..." Before the man could finish, I watched in horror as I watched him become decapitated. The headless man fell before me and behind him stood the man who took his life.
_____"You may use our name all you like, but to use such means is insulting to my group," the man said to the headless rogue. As I stared at the bloodied blade, I don't know why, but for some reason, I believe that this day would not only mean I would throw away my life as a princess, but as a important mark left in the threads of time.
