by Jessie Wolf
“Those blades are for him? Why didn’t you say so, my Lady?” turning to one of his assistances’. “Get me an obi of the House colors hurry. If I had known that you had planned to present them to one of our own Death Dealers, my Lady, I would already have the obi here. I am so sorry.”
“Master Yoshi no need to apologize. I did not tell you so you are not at fault. I do appreciate the obi. I had not thought of that.”
“Very well then, my Lady, if you say so; as for the obi well how else will he be able to carry his blades?” the assistant returned in a matter of moments with the obi. Taking it from him I head out to the front of the shop. I find General Stevens standing there looking at all of the swords.
“General Stevens, right on time and dressed in your dress uniform too, I must say that Imperial Black suits you.”
“Thank you, Lady Nakatoma; I have always tried my best to bring honor to both my family and House Nakatoma by being a Death Dealer like your grandfather.”
“Well you have and now it is time for that sacrifice to be recognized.” Taking the obi I wrap it around his waist. Then reaching over I take the two swords from Master Yoshi. “Your father was a man of honor as are you. When he died he took his blade with him to the grave. For the last twenty years your family have brought honor to my House with your service to the Emperor. Now it is our turn to honor you.” I place the swords at his waist marking him a samurai of House Nakatoma. “Welcome samurai, you and all those of your line are now members of the House Samurai. With all the rights and privileges.” I step back and bow to him.
Even in his shock he returns my bow. “I don’t know what to say, my Lady. Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough.”
“Then don’t say anything. Just remember the words of the Master. ‘Do nothing that has no value, but find value in everything.’ Now if you’ll come with me I have need of a true samurai for the next few hours or so.”
“What of your mother’s wedding, my Lady?”
“Oh don’t worry about that.” At his very confused look I tell him. “You are going to partake in the wedding as part of the ceremony.” As he, Master Yoshi, and a few of his apprentices follow me out the door I explain what his part in the ceremony will be.
Chapter 12
Once back at the house I head straight for my rooms. When I arrive I find that my sisters and Alice have returned. Smiling, I invite Master Yoshi and his apprentices in along with General Stevens. My sisters and Alice all give me a W.T.F. look as they see the bundles that they are carrying. “Ok, little sisters, time for you to get finished dressing for mama’s wedding.” I walk over to Fuyuko first. “Fuyuko, your name means ‘child of winter’ as such you deserve this set of swords.” I take the set that were pale as the wind driven snow. The saya’s were white and the tsuba’s were in the shape of snowflakes. Each tsuka was wrapped in a pale blue ito with matching tassel. “Master Yoshi tells me that these blades are called the Three Sisters of Winter. Wear them with honor, because you have earned that right.”
“Thank you sissy, I don’t know what to say.” Fuyuko blushes all the way down to her chest. She quickly bows to me then says. “I shall always remember the cost that was paid for me to be able to wear them.”
“I know you will, little sister.” Turning to the twins I can’t decide who to give their swords to first. So leaving it up to chance I take the first bundle of swords and unwrap it in front of them before deciding. When I see the light purple of the ito I know who gets this set. Like their predecessors the tsuba’s are shaped to look like the waves of the sea. As I place them at Nanami’s waist I smile. “For you, baby girl, because you are as beautiful and deadly as your name implies I give you the Three Seas of Japan. Master Yoshi tells me that when these blades were forged the metal came from the very volcanos the formed our ancient home land.”
“I’ll make you proud, sissy. I shall always remember their cost and their purpose.” She bowed to me then gave me a hug. The smile on her face says all I need to know. Taking the next bundle I turn to her sister.
“Nanase, your sunny disposition is why I chose this set for you.” As I unwrap the swords the yellow of their saya’s become visible and her smile grows. Just like her sister’s swords the tsuba’s are shaped as well, only these are sun shaped. “Master Yoshi tells me that these blades are called the Rays of the Rising Sun. as such they, like your sisters blades, harken back to the land of our ancestors. Carry them well, baby sister.”
“I shall do my best to make you proud, sissy. I too shall remember their cost and purpose.” With a deep bow of respect and hug she steps back and joins her sisters. As I look at them I can see a new sense of pride and duty in their eyes. Yes, giving them their swords was the right thing to do. If I should ever fail then they will take my place and avenge my death. The protection of our Family and House is well taken care of in these three young girls.
Finally turning to face Alice, I smile as she gives me a look of pure love and understanding. With a quick nod of her head to let me know she is ready. Taking the matching set to my own from Master Yoshi I move over to her “Lady Allison Wellington, a few days ago you agreed to be my wife. Since then you have faced your demons, helped me forge a military force without equal, and then this morning you joined me on the battlefield to protect not only my family but the Empire as well. When my ancestor forged the swords at my waist he also crafted a second set as well. A pair for a husband and wife, a yin and yang, a matched set for those who would be the Heads of the Family. I have the pair that was forged for the husband; I would have you carry the set for the wife. Will you do this for me?” I feel my heart bound against my rib cage, I hear the blood flow in my ears, and my breath is held as I wait for her answer. It has been over sixty years since I last felt this way. The last time was when I married my beloved wife Matsu, if she says yes I will marry her today.
“I will gladly be your wife; you know that already, love. What is it are you asking?” she smiles down at me. I hate being so short. “Do you want to get married today as well?”
“Yes, Alice that is exactly what I want.”
“Then yes, I’ll marry you right alongside of your mama. I will do it this afternoon.” Her smile tells me everything I need to know. With trembling hands I place the matched set at her waist then give her a hug and kiss.
Fuyuko shouts “Way to go sis!”
“Get a room you two!” I hear from Nanase. While Nanami puts in “Uhga can you two be any more gross?”
As I step back from her I hear Master Yoshi cough. I look over at him and he has this little smile on his face. “Thank you, Lady Maiha, for fulfilling a long held dream of mine.”
“You’ll have to explain that to me sir. All I have done is reward my sisters and future wife as they should have been.”
The old man chuckles a little then points to the swords at mine and Alice’s waists. “It has been almost four hundred years since those Dragons were worn at the same time. It was my great, great grandfather who placed the mated pair to your swords in the armory. There have been five generations waiting for the day they would be reunited.”
When I hear of how long Alice’s swords were in storage I’m shocked to say the least. “Who was the last person to wear them, sir?”
“That would be your great, great, great, great, Grandmother Lady Namiko Atsuko Nakatoma. She was the last Lady of your family to carry those blades. Legend has it she was as fierce a warrior as her husband Lord Fumito Eri Nakatoma. It was said that when the two of them stepped onto the battlefield those with any common sense would flee before them.” this was something I had never heard before. Back when I was married to Matsu she would often tell me of her family’s history. She could spend hours telling the tales of her ancestors to me. I looked forward to the times when I could spend listening to her when on leave. “It is said that they died holding each other on the battlefield.”
“Thank you, Master Yoshi, for telling me the history behind the family blades.” I say as I bow to hi
m.
“But before I leave, do you know the names of your family’s swords?” when I shake my head no the old man smiles. “Then it is truly my great pleasure to tell you. The ones at your waist Lady Maiha are the Three Pillars of Honor. The Lady Allison wears their mates the Three Pillars of Wisdom. To be a true samurai one must have both. It was my pleasure, my Lady, now if you’ll excuse me. I need to go get cleaned up for your mother’s wedding.”
“Of course, good sir. I look forward to seeing you there.” I watch as he leaves. There is a feeling I have seen that old man in my past, but I just can’t place where. I shrug it off and get down to business at hand. Turning to my younger sisters. “Nanami, Nanase, did you get a hold of all the mercenary commanders?”
“Yes, sissy, we split up who would go where to make sure we didn’t miss anyone.” Nanase tells me. “As far as we know every one of them will be there, except for the Death Dealers. But we didn’t go see them.”
“That’s ok, Nanase, I took care of them myself. Fuyuko, are the com techs going to be ready on time?”
“They will be, sissy. They promised me that all will be in readiness if it’s the last thing they do. Those men and women were working like there was no tomorrow when I left.”
“Alice, was the gardener able to take care of the place settings?”
“There will be a full bouquet at each table before the end of the ceremony. He gave me his word on it.” The smile on Alice’s face lets me know she also did a little more than that. “I also stopped and checked on the preparations in the Great Hall and on the cook staff. From the looks of it everything will be done and with a half hour to spare.”
Damn, at this rate everything will be done and in record time. What is motivating everyone to push themselves so hard? Seeing the look on my face it is Gin who comes to my rescue. “My Lady, while you have brought justice to our planet and system, it has always been your adoptive mother who protected House Nakatoma against those who would exploit it. She has been loved and respected for so long that all those who call House Nakatoma home wish to see her happy once more. So much so that they will move the very pillars of Heaven to make it happen.”
I have always known that Dai Etsu Nakatoma was loved by the people of House Nakatoma, but I never really grasped how much. At least three times today I have had people tell me how happy they are to see her finally getting married. As I look back at how I took her sister as my wife and then went on to live our lives never thinking of her I begin to feel I have done her a true injustice. She deserved to finally have someone in her life.
Looking up at the clock in my room I see it is almost time for us to head over to the Temple. “Thank you, Gin, for all that you have done for mama over the years. Now it is almost time for mama to be heading over to the Temple. I need to go and escort her over so I’ll see you all there. Nanase, Nanami, please make sure that those two sets of swords are there please.”
“Um… sissy, we’ll make sure they’re there, but who do they belong to?” Nanami asks.
“They belong to our mama and new father. They are the only other marital match sets that were ever forged by our ancestor.” At their looks of surprise I quickly tell them the story of our ancestor who was more than just a samurai, but an artist as well. When I am done I give each of them a kiss and head off to find mama.
It doesn’t take me long. I know exactly where she’ll be. As I step into the family shrine I see her. She looks beautiful and every inch the High Families Lady she is. I can see why so many of the High Families send their daughters here to learn to be ladies. Her back is to me, but I can tell she is nervous as a long tailed cat in a dog show. I hear her talking to someone, but I don’t see anyone else in the shrine.
“I just know that he loves me. The first time I walked out in that scandalous body armor I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head. I swear the way he looked at me made me feel like a schoolgirl again, Mattie. I know that your beloved James was as coarse, roughhewn, and unrefined as they come, but I know that my own James is just as bad. I finally see what drew you to that brash young man so many years ago. I never knew what such a man was truly like. He’s sweet, kind, gentle, and even highly educated. Was your James the same way?” I realize she is talking to her sister and my beloved Matsu.
“To tell you the truth, mama, I was nowhere near as refined as Top Bailey.” Mama jumps at the sound of my voice. I grin at her letting her know I have been here awhile. “Trust me, back then I was the most unrefined fool in the known universe. If it had not been for Matsu pushing me to learn more about the world and the universe around me I would never have reached the goals I did.” I tell her as I slowly step into the shrine to stand in front of her. “May I ask you how often you come and talk to our ancestors?”
Mama gives me a small grin of her own before answering. “Oh at least twice a week. Trust me; child even though they do not answer it helps to put things into perspective. Now, what do you think you’re doing sneaking up on me like that?”
“I did not sneak up on you, mama. You were just not paying attention.” I started to pout, but gave it up as soon as I started to giggle. The whole situation was too funny for words. Here we are just thirty minutes from her wedding arguing over my former self and me sneaking up on the very nervous bride. “I take it that you’re a little scared about marrying Top Bailey?”
For just a moment I see the first cracks in her perfect face of serenity. “Oh, Goddess, Maiha I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing or not.” I can see she is damn near tears in her fright. I move quickly to pull her into a very tight hug.
Whispering into her ear “Trust me, mama; you’re doing the right thing. If you weren’t scared about this I would be worried.”
She leans back and looks me in the eyes. “Are you sure about that, daughter? I have to think about more than just myself. There you and your sisters, that I have to think of as well. I mean will he be a good father to you girls? Will he be harsh in his punishment of you? There are a million things that can go wrong.” she stops whatever she was going to say next when she hears my giggling. As she stands there looking at me she finally starts to giggle as well. I mean here she is worried about someone hurting her little girls.
Quickly gaining control of myself I tell her. “Mama, do you really think you would fall in love with someone who would be that way?” After a few minutes she starts to giggle herself. “Now, let’s get you over to the Temple so you can get married.” As I lead her away from the shrine I notice that once again I feel that peaceful calm I always do when I come out here.
As we approach the Temple entrance we get stopped by two of the Temple Nuns. The older of the two speaks first. “Lady Dai Etsu, we need for you to enter through the side entrance.”
“Why? I mean she just has to walk up the steps and we’ll be inside.” I say.
The old bat just glairs at me before explaining why we have to use the side entrance. “The groom is just inside the main entrance. If we wish to keep bad luck at bay, Lady Dai Etsu must come in from the side entrance.” Now that was not something I had taken in to account. Of course Top Bailey would be early. He is after all a military man, he’ll be early or on time to every appointment he has, except for his own death. For that he’ll be late on purpose just to piss off the Grim Reaper.
“Ok, change of plans, the side entrance it is. Let’s go, mama.” I quickly lead her over to the side entrance. As we’re walking around to the side mama looks over at me with a very upset look on her face. I can tell that I’m about to get a quick ass chewing.
“Maiha, you do know that as the Head of House you’re also the Head of the Temple right?”
“Um… no?” I really didn’t know. “I just thought that you told everyone that to give me an out when I disappeared earlier.”
“No child, I just didn’t tell them that to cover for you. You are the Temple Head. Now before you go thinking that you have to become a nun or anything like that, it just means that the Reverend
Father and Mother will bring any problems to you that deal with the outside world.” She explains to me further what my role is the Head of the Temple. I never realized how much was really involved with being the Temple’s Head. Over the next ten minutes I get a fast education on Temple life. I also learn more about my role in the wedding ceremony.
Once inside we are greeted by my sisters and Alice. After giving Alice a quick hug and kiss, plus making sure they had the swords, I head into the Temple sanctuary to take up my place for the ceremony. Once I was where I was supposed to be the Reverend Father began the ceremony.
I watched as Top was brought in; in a wheel chair. He is being pushed by his best man Master Sergeant Mallory from the House Jump Infantry. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I had no idea he had been hurt during the fighting. From what I can see his left arm and leg were in casts. Most likely they were broken.
“Dee De how bad are Top Bailey’s injuries?”
The left arm is broken in two places, while the left leg is broken in three along with a piece of shrapnel in his right shoulder. (Dee De)
“Wow! The old boy must really love mama.”
He truly does, Maiha. He also loves your family with a fierceness that is quite powerful. He sustained his injuries while rescuing Fuyuko when she was ejected. His Jump Infantry armor took seven hits from the antipersonnel gun of a M9-A7 Mustang scout class APS. (Charley)
“Damn, it’s a miracle he’s even alive.”
I step over to him and ask before mama can enter the sanctuary. “Top, are you up to doing this now?”
“It’ll take more than a few broken bones and some shrapnel to keep me from marrying your mama.” The smile he gives me lets me know he understands my worry. “Trust me, honey, I’ll be fine. Now quit stalling the ceremony and get your mama in here.”
I can’t help but to admire this man. Not only does he love my mama, but he loves and respects her children too. I step back and signal the Reverend Father to continue. I look to the back of the sanctuary and see first Nanase, and then Nanami, to be followed by Fuyuko enter the sanctuary. All three of them are dressed in the formal kimonos that we all were as members of the Storm Dancers. Next up is my beautiful Alice dressed like my sisters, but she is carrying both bundles of swords.