The Samurai's Kunoichi wife (The men of Five Nations International)

by Quinn, Shelli

  what she'd seen, he called me.”

  Katsumi was more confused than ever. But she decided to hold her questions

  for now and just listened as her Uncle explained what happened to her parents that night

  so long ago.

  “You see your mother was the most beautiful African- American woman your father

  had ever laid eyes on.” He continued to gaze out the window as he resumed telling the story about her parents.

  “Imani had dreams that foretold the future, but she could only see bits and pieces, random images, this frightened your mother at times. She never understood her gift until

  she met your father.”

  He continued to stand gazing out over his garden.

  “Long ago when your father was a boy, he was told that he would meet a woman

  that would be his one true mate. He would know her because of her golden eyes, eyes

  that could see glimpses of the future. Your father didn't know what any of this meant, and

  as a boy he didn't care.

  “You see for centuries this is how the mates of your father's family were chosen,

  by prophecy. When he grew up he dated a lot of women in search of his one true mate. He

  knew that he would never be allowed to marry if he didn't find her.

  “Then his father, your grandfather realized that his son was losing hope, so he

  decided to send him to America to work at his company here. I was sent along to look

  after him.”

  Kat looked at her Uncle before asking, “Why were you sent to look after my father?

  Was his life in danger?”

  Daichi turned from the window to look at Kat, with a slight smile on his face as he assured her with his words, “Your father is part of a wealthy and powerful Japanese family.

  Your family. There are people who would do and try anything so that your families destiny

  is not fulfilled, never forget that.”

  She had so many questions she wanted to ask him about her parents, about the family she didn't know, about this marriage she was expected to go through with. But first she

  wanted to hear the rest of the story about her parents. Walking to the window she stood next

  to her uncle and asked, “So what happened when you and my father got here to America?”

  Daichi took Katsumi by the hand and lead her back to the sofa, after they both sat

  down he continued with his story. “Well your father just wanted to get started in his new position at the family company, but on his first day, after entering the executive suites of

  the Oshima Building. There she was. She was to be his executive assistant.”

  Daichi smiled fully this time a true smile that reached his eyes and made them

  sparkle. This made Katsumi smile. He looked happy telling the story of how her parents

  met.

  “So she worked for him? What happened next uncle?”

  Daichi continued with his story smiling as he spoke, “Yes, she worked for him.

  She was sitting at her desk typing on the computer when we walked in, she looked up

  and your father stopped in his tracks. It was as if he were in a trance. Her eyes were

  golden, like honey the same as yours. When she smiled her entire face lit up. She had

  skin that was the color of toasted almonds, her black hair was long and silky. Your father

  knew at that moment that she was his one true mate.”

  Katsumi asked, with excitement that she could barely contain. “You mean even

  before they had spoken one word to each other he knew, but how could he?”

  Her uncle laughed at her excitement as he answered her.

  “He said that he knew because when she looked at him, his heart began to race

  and his breathing became labored like he couldn't caught his breath.”

  Katsumi's eyes began to fill with tears as she listened to her uncle talk about her

  parents. This was the first time since her parent’s death that he had actually talked about

  them, and she was really enjoying hearing about them. She had often tried to remember

  what her parents were like and how they'd meet and fallen in love with one another. She

  had vague memories of them.

  She could remember her mother's smile, her bright eyes and her beautiful voice

  when she'd sing to her. She remembered the way her father looked at her mother and how

  he smelled like a fresh summer breeze when he picked her up in his arms, she also

  remembered how he called her his little kunoichi.

  Kat wished that she could have had more time with them before they were

  taken from her. She closed her eyes to will the tears away. Kat didn't cry not since

  she was eight years old. On the night that she’d lost her parents. Crying was a sign of

  vulnerability, something she was not.

  Daichi continued with his story. “Your father knew right away. Your mother

  however didn't believe so easily. When he told her that she was the woman he was

  suppose to marry she thought he was out of his mind crazy.”

  Kat looked up at her Uncle with surprise in her eyes as she asked, “Why didn't

  she believe him, did she not like him?”

  Daichi laughed again as he answered her, “Well for one thing they'd just met

  and for another he was her new boss, and unlike most women who met your father, she

  didn't fall all over him. And lastly she thought race would be a problem with his family

  since he was Japanese and she was Africa-American. A lot of people had a problem with

  their relationship, but not his family, your grandparents are good people and don't judge

  a person by their skin color but by their actions.”

  So why was her mother murdered? She promised herself that one day she would

  find out the reason behind her parents senseless murders.

  This time it was Katsumi who walked over to the window and stared out. She

  looked out at her Uncle's beautiful garden. It always amazed her how he could keep his

  garden paradise looking so tranquil . They were perfectly manicured Bonsai trees in

  planters throughout the garden, along with cherry blossom trees which only bloomed

  at certain times of the year and can only be enjoyed for a short time. There were several

  streams that ran under bridges made of stone, lanterns that were also made of stone

  could be found near ponds and streams within her Uncles garden. Piles of rock that

  formed what looked like small mountains throughout the strolling garden.

  Her uncle grew exotic flowers that required special care, but could be enjoyed

  as you strolled through the garden.

  Katsumi had loved playing in her uncle’s garden when she was younger, now

  she loved the tranquility of it when she needed to think. She took a deep breath before

  turning towards her uncle. She didn't understand any of this, she had so many questions

  she needed to have answered, but she'd start with the one that she really needed an answer

  to. “Then why have I not meet anyone from my father's family except you Uncle, if they

  don't have a problem with my parents being together then what was the problem? Was it

  me was I not good enough? Did they want a grandson and not a granddaughter? Maybe

  my skin is a shade too dark for them.”

  Daichi stood from the sofa and walked over to where Kat stood by the window.

  Standing behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, as a father would to comfort

  his daughter.

  “Katsumi your grandparents loved you very much then and now, but the only way

  they could protect you was to leave you with me until it was time f
or you to take your

  rightful place in the family.”

  That was the second time her uncle had mention something about protecting her,

  but from what. She had been seven almost eight when she'd come to live with her uncle

  almost fourteen years ago. Why would an eight year old need protecting. Kat sensed

  there was a lot more to this story than her Uncle had told her. As she waited for him to

  continue with his story she wondered why all this was happening now.

  In less than a week she would be celebrating her twenty second birthday, and

  shortly after that she wanted to get a job for the first time. Now her uncle was talking

  about family destiny and marriage, things she didn't know if she was ready to know about.

  Still she would listen anyway to see where all this was going.

  “As you know your mother lost her family when she was very young and was

  raised by her grandmother who passed away when she was almost finished with college.

  She had no one when she met your father, he became her family, we all loved your mother

  she was a wonderful, kind hearted woman. She was beautiful inside and out.

  That's why your grandparents welcomed her as the daughter they never had and she

  became my little sister.”

  Kat could hear the sadness in his voice, as if he was close to tears, which didn’t

  happen too often. Uncle Daichi removed his hands from Katsumi's shoulders and took

  a step back. Kat took a deep breath before turning to face her uncle, she was wearing a

  serious frown when she asked, “You do realize that I don't understand any of this, I mean

  nothing your saying makes sense to me.”

  Kat placed her index fingers on each of her temples and gentle massaged the ache

  that was starting there.

  “Uncle, I need to get some fresh air if you don't mind, I think I'll take my bike out

  for a ride.”

  Daichi knew that whenever Katsumi need to think she would go for a ride on her motorcycle. And every time she did he worried about her safety. Katsumi was an

  experienced rider, but motorcycles could be dangerous for even the most seasoned rider.

  “That's fine, but we are having guests tonight so please return soon, so that you

  have enough time to dress presentably for our guests.”

  Kat kissed her uncle on the cheek before turning to leave, “Yes Uncle I will be

  back shortly I just need to clear my head a bit.”

  Just as she reached the doorway that would take her down the short hall to

  the garage and the freedom her bike would bring, her uncle spoke again, “And Katsumi

  please....” Before her uncle could finish what he was about to say she replied without

  turning from the door, “I know uncle I will be careful.”

  Kat knew how her uncle worried about her whenever she took her motorcycle

  out for a rider.

  It had taken her three months to talk her uncle into getting her the motorcycle. And

  another month to let her get the one she wanted. Kat enjoyed riding her motorcycle, it

  gave her the feeling of being free. Her bike was her proud and joy, she had a special order

  Kawasaki Ninja 650R with its customized paint job. The base color was black, but after

  taking it to a friend of hers from college, that owned a body shop in Atlanta. It now sported

  flames painted with special blend chameleon paint. The flames changed color as the bike

  moved, just like her matching helmet.

  Kat twisted her long black hair into a knot at the back of her head before putting on

  her helmet and opened the garage door. Hopping on her bike she headed for the security gate

  at the entrance of the perimeter wall that surrounded her Uncle's estate. The gates swing

  open as she got closer. Kat quickly waved to the guard before hitting the accelerator,

  speeding through to get to the open road ahead.

  With the car that carried her bodyguards following behind.

  As Kat passed the second security checkpoint outside the gate, she barely noticed

  the white limo waiting there to be cleared for entry.

  Kat glanced in the side mirror of her motorcycle after speeding by. As she did

  the back door of the limousine opened and out stepped a six foot tall hunk with deeply

  tanned skin and, long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. He removed the sunglasses

  he was wearing and even though it was late in the evening and the sun was beginning to

  set she could tell that he was Japanese.

  He said something to one of the security guards before turning in her direction.

  Crossing his arms over his chest, she could see him shake his head from side to side. What

  she couldn't see was the deep frown that appeared on his face.

  Kat had slowed her speed just a bit as she looked back at the man who'd gotten out

  of the limo.

  He seemed familiar somehow.

  But she would have remembered meeting someone that well-built.

  Unless.

  She thought to herself it couldn't be him. Her childhood crush. That was her last

  thought before her bike hit a bump in the road and she went flying through the air.

  Thankfully because of her many years of martial arts training, she was able to flip her body in midair, to land mostly on her bottom to minimize serious injury. Kat could hear feet pounding the pavement as people ran towards her as she landed hard on ground causing the wind to be knocked from her body.

  She must have passed out for a minute, because when she opened her eyes she

  realized that her helmet had been removed and she was in the arms of the hunk that had

  stepped from the limo. Kat realized that she was staring into the face of a man she hadn't

  seen since she was thirteen years old.

  “Kenji, what are you doing here?”

  A frown formed on his face as he answered her question.

  “Looks like I'm taking care of you, just like I did when you were kids.”

  Chapter Two

  Kenji Fujimoto looked into the beautiful golden eyes he remembered so well.

  Those eyes had haunted him for seven years. Back then she had been a very young and

  innocent girl. Now she was a gorgeous and tempting woman. But he'd think about that

  later, for now he needed to make sure that she wasn't hurt.

  “Kat, are you alright, does anything hurt?”

  Surprised by the concern in his voice, she answered him truthfully, “Just my

  pride and my bottom is a bit sore but I'll be fine, and I don't need you to take care of

  me. You haven't answered my question, what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose

  to be hiding out in Japan? Oh, sorry I mean training in Japan. ”

  The frown returned to Kenji's face. “Didn't your Uncle tell you I was coming?”

  Kat moved to sit up but felt a little dizzy. Kenji noticed and stopped her with

  a hand to her shoulder. Staying put until the dizziness passed, she gently massaged her temples, then smoothly ran her fingers through her hair which had come loose when her helmet was removed. Taking a deep breath she proceeded to answer his question.

  “No. Uncle didn't say anything about you coming. At least I don't think he did. After

  telling me that I'm expected to marry some strange guy that I don't know I kind of tuned some of him out. So why are you here?”

  Kat watched as Kenji's expression went through several emotions. First he looked a bit irritated. That expression was replaced by a look of impatience. Final there was the look that he was now wearing, which showed confusion. But why would he be confused?

  Kenji didn't know whether he shou
ld tell her the whole truth or just part of the truth. He thought part of the truth would do for now. Clearing his throat he cautiously answered her question.

  “I... um... I'm here for the wedding. I'm really surprised your Uncle didn't tell you that I was coming.”

  Clearing his throat once again he continued to inquire about how much she did or didn't know about the situation.

  “So, your Uncle didn't tell you about your husband-to-be or how important your

  marriage is to a lot of people?”

  Kat wasn't sure what he was talking about, but she needed to get out of his arms and quick. His touch was causing her skin to tingle, despite the fact she was wearing a leather motorcycle jacket and he a long coat over an expensive looking business suit. This can't be good. Being attracted to this man was bad, very bad.

  Katsumi attempted to pull out of Kenji's arms only to have him hold on a bit tighter. “Uh... you can let me go now, I'm fine.”

  When it looked as if he didn't believe her she tried to reassure him with her words. “Really I feel better.”

  So he let her go, but didn't move away. As she got to her feet the dizziness returned and she begin to sway. When it seemed she was about to fall, Kenji scooped her up in his arms with an arm around her back and the other placed behind her knees and started for the limo, that was still parked at the security gate.

  “Yeah, I can see your just fine.”

  “Wait my motorcycle; I can't just leave it there.”

  Kat hadn't noticed the very large man walking quietly behind them until Kenji stopped to give him instructions in Japanese. The man bowed before walking back to where her motorcycle was laying.

  “Don't worry, Kenta will take care of your motorcycle.”

  Kat realized that Kenji was not going to put her down until he was ready. Putting her arms around his neck, she rested her head on his shoulder while enjoying the heat of his body as he held her close. She rested her face in the crook of his neck to inhale his spicy aroma. His scent was making her light headed with desire and she wasn't sure how much longer she could take being in his arms.