The young Genshu, his face relaxed in its condition of unregistered calm, breathed deeply the world, his mind coming to find calm despite his denial of such luxuries. It was, as he believed, the means by which he could best discover his inner self. Meditation as he had learned through his many tedious lessons of ritualistic exercise at the hands of the Temple of the Silver Moon, did provide him with the simplest of gifts, that of inner peace.

Yet, despite his intended solitude, this young man of 15 summers was not alone. For gliding through the fields of heavy grass and rye was a single intruder. Gone unseen or unheard, this silent stalker crept ever closer to the calmly relaxing samurai, until she had come within striking distance…

“GROWWWLLLL!” Came the strained, squeaky voice of this, as of yet, unseen attacker as she threw herself wildly at her intended target.

Genshu however, was not beyond his capacity for self-preservation, and throwing his body forward, rolled into a forward somersault and rising quickly to his feet. Yet upon his rising stance, the samurai, possessed of the speed beaten into him, shifted his body and lunged himself at his attacker, catching the silent assassin in mid flight with one sturdy arm.

“Gah!” The flailing figure screamed, swinging her arms wildly and kicking her feet as she tried to wiggle herself free of the vice-grip. The ‘attacker’, was little more than five summers of age, with fiery red hair, and piercing green eyes. Though unlike her personality, and often as she was seen in less than fashionable dress, the child wore a delicate white blouse with sleeves that puffed at the shoulder and clung at the elbow. She also wore a bright pink skirt, which was reserved for only the most special of occasions, as her outgoing personality rarely allowed her gentle kindness with her clothing.

Genshu, smiling only briefly, set the kicking child down, who stared eagerly up at the elder. “Did I almost get you that time Unca Genshu?” The child chimed, eagerly awaiting his approval.

“Almost Oulan,” The young man smiled, his voice cracking slightly as was accustomed to one of the age. “Keep at it, and I’ll never know what hit me.” The child seemed genuinely pleased by this response, and smiled at the older boy, a glitter of knowledge reflecting in her eye.

It had been only a year since Genshu had discovered the family whom he had come to love. Having believed the temple disciple Meiyoken had perished year’s prior, Genshu was of a startling realization to learn the truth. That Meiyoken had not died, but had, in fact, fallen in love with a young woman named Bijiko. Having learned the woman he loved was with child, Meiyoken fled the temple under the lie of his own demise, and never thought of such again. However, this was before the young man, Genshu, would stumble upon their lives and discover the truth. However, rather than being killed, as Genshu had secretly expected, he was welcomed into the lives of these people. It was now, obvious to Genshu as to why Meiyoken would ever seek a life beyond the walls of the temple. The answer was love.

The young child Oulan stood momentarily before the young man who had become her surrogate uncle, her eyes holding a mischievous innocence about her. Spinning her body at the waist, she seemed most content to allow her bright skirt to flare about her legs and wrap around her dwarfish appendages. Then, she plucked a small, yellow dandelion from the field and handed it to Genshu, her eyes still holding a tiny secret that she seemed to be losing the battle to contain.

It wasn’t until the arrival of a new person in this field that gathered the attentions of these two. The young woman approaching was small, but not frail. She seemed more than capable to defend herself, and her eyes seemed always to perceive the unexpected, a gift given to her by her brother. She had long, satin black hair that seemed to move as if alive, or perhaps enthusiastically enjoying the softly blowing wind. Her dark, creamy skin was the tone of the finest copper, and her almond eyes gazed into the world, a mirror of her own soul, beautiful and yet, powerful in the same instance; a grand paradox that seemed only to craft her to be even more wondrous than should be permitted of a simple human.

And it was then, that the young child standing before Genshu could no longer keep the secret inside, as she was now bouncing about eagerly, as if preparing to pop from the mental strain. She quickly tugged on Genshu’s robe, drawing his attention to her, as if wanting her presence to be recognized. Staring down at the child, Oulan began motioning him closer to her tiny face.

Genshu leaned down to the eager Oulan, who was now bouncing quite excitedly at her chance to tell her secret. “Do…do you know what Unca Genshu?” The young child spoke frantically, yet her eyes came to rest on the young woman making her way to the pair.

“What?” Genshu said, smiling at his surrogate niece.

“Um…” Oulan started, pausing as if she were waiting for the young woman to approach closer, or perhaps seeing if she would turn away. When the approaching woman had made her way a few steps closer, Oulan continued, yet still watched her approach. “Um…Marai likes you.” Oulan squealed with glee before bounding away, half skipping, half running from the field, her flaring pink skirt bouncing in unison with her springy steps and flaming red hair.

The woman, who approached, stopped dead in her tracks at the revelation told to the young man before her. Quickly turning her head after the fleeing child, Marai could not hide the burning flush of her cheeks, as she could not bring herself to look at the man before her. Likewise, Genshu had stood frozen in place, his eyes locked on the location where the child had stood a mere moment prior, his mouth half open in silent shock.

Gathering what little composure he could muster, Genshu rose to his standing posture and stared shyly at the young woman before him. She had stopped blushing, yet still seemed overly reluctant to face the man before her, as if her eyes would betray her instinct. A moment, the briefest flash of time, passed between these two, and yet it was as if eternity had stopped, and the entire world held its breath in anticipation.

For the moment that seemed to never cease, Genshu had thought the woman would run, would flee, or at the very least, venomously deny the child’s affirmation. Yet she did neither of what Genshu had expected, and instead, turned her gentle face toward the young man before her.

“Perhaps we should go for a walk.” She stated in the voice that sang a thousand hymns of grace and elegance. And as she turned to walk away, Genshu watched her as if seeing her for the very first time, and despite his best intentions, he felt his own cheeks flush.

He wasted little time, catching up with the slowing walking Marai, her graceful movements causing her to appear as if she floated rather than walked through this auburn field. It was again several moments of awkward silence as Genshu followed beside his companion, and it felt as if this very march would lead Genshu into a world he had never known, from which he could not return.

Reaching the top of a grassy hillside that overlooked the valley, Marai paused a moment and stared into the sky, as if hoping all her answers were held within the confines of the clouded ocean.

“Genshu…” Marai began, stumbling over her own heart, yet Genshu felt the fire return to his cheeks as she addressed him, and perhaps she found the modesty charming, for she smiled and continued. “I really don’t know what to say.” She paused again, and it seemed the embarrassment would make her flee; yet she stood her ground. “I…I didn’t want you to find out like that.” She said shyly, as if it was now her turn to expect Genshu to bolt from her life.

Genshu however, stood his ground, and turned briefly to overlook the valleyHe felt a warming of his soul he had never experienced in his meditations, and it was a feeling he prayed would never leave him. Turning his attention back to Marai, his eyes met her with a subtle gentleness never taught in the trainings of the temple, but through primal nature of a man, looking into the eyes of a woman.

Reading his eyes as if she could see into his mind, Marai smiled, and slowly, almost shyly, came to embrace Genshu. Nervousness possessed Genshu, and he shook slightly as Marai’s cheek came to rest beside his, and yet, he held her to him, dreaming for the instance of romantic fantasy that this moment would never end. Drawing away slowly, Marai looked into Genshu’s gray eyes and brought her face close, her lips brushing his.

“Isn’t this special.” A voice exploded from the field, tearing Marai and Genshu into the reality of life. Turning quickly, Genshu saw a lone figure rise from the thick, grassy carpet of the prairie, standing as if in defiance of happiness. He was tall, and noticeably older than Genshu, yet coldness existed in his eyes that held no spite or malice, but simply the devoid of all emotion. His face was etched in tight perfection, and his long, raven hair was bound in a topknot, a strange contrast to his red and gold kimono.

“Zorin!” Genshu exploded, his eyes growing wide in realization as he quickly darted his attention from Marai to this intruder.

“Master Da-Tan believed you were taking too many liberties with your place as Master Kin’s chosen disciple. It was never dreamed you volunteered for so many missions into Rockaxe because you have a little bitch.”

Genshu stared at Marai a moment, yet her eyes were reflecting more fear than hate for Zorin’s words. Genshu, however, felt nothing but the dire strength of his rage, and his need to defend the woman he loved.

Madly, Genshu drew his sword and charged at Zorin, yet the elder man was of a more level mind, and easily side stepped the rage induced attack, allowing Genshu to carry through with the thrust, only to parry with a quick elbow to Genshu’s jaw. Dazed, Genshu had no time to react as Zorin grabbed his jaw, and jerked his head backward, driving the ball of his free hand into Genshu’s exposed throat. Genshu stumbled back a few steps, allowing Zorin to spin his body and drive his foot into Genshu’s midsection, driving the wind from him in a rush of pain.

“You pathetic worm.” Zorin taunted. “I hope I have the pleasure of killing you when we return to the temple.” And with those words, Zorin turned and punched Marai, knocking her unconscious.

Genshu awoke, finding himself chained at the wrists to a large wooden cart. The cart was a simple wooden relic, nothing overly spectacular, except for the substantial wooden plank standing in the middle of the wooden wagon. Chained to the plank was Marai, her body and head positioned so that she would forcibly watch Genshu struggle with his binds.

“Ah, bout time you woke.” Zorin said, taking a seat atop the bench of the cart, holding a small horsewhip in his hand. “I do hope your stamina is good Genshu, it’s a long walk back to Harmonia.” Zorin announced, and with his words and a quick crack of the whip, the wagon, and Genshu struggled forward.

It was truly a long march back to Harmonia, and most of which, Genshu was drug over the uneven earth and rocky soil of the Highland territory, all the while, Marai was forced to watch. Several days passed, and Genshu had sworn his life had ended when they finally arrived at the temple. Genshu, beyond exhaustion, was dragged into the temple, Marai, following closely behind, struggled with her captors, seeking only to comfort Genshu, or if nothing else, attest that he still lived. Yet they would receive no luxury of each other’s presence, for their freedoms, as of now, no longer existed.

And as Marai was led into the great halls of the temple, her mind weighed the differences, both between her home in Rockaxe, and this Hell of sterilized isolation. She pondered how her brother would react when she had not returned. Would they blame Genshu? And it was then that she recalled Genshu, who lay broken and bleeding upon the finely polished wooden floor. He was all but unconscious, yet forcibly assisted to rise to his feet as the master of the temple, Shogun Kin, flanked by his two lieutenants emerged to the grounds.

A look of disgust draped over Master Kin as he quickly backhanded Genshu, further causing blood to flow from his tortured face. Behind the three, were the chosen disciples of the masters, Lazarus, behind Kalibas, Sai, behind Master Kin, and looking rather smug, Zorin, standing behind his master Da-Tan.

Master Kin wiped the blood the splattered upon his hand away, and looked at the disobedient underling. Sorrow almost seemed to shine in his eyes as he then turned his attention to Marai. “So, this is the wench? The girl you risked everything for? I am disappointed in Genshu, more that words can express. However, I shall spare your life, only because I see in you, a power of one worth saving.”

The words however, did not reflect well with the companions of Master Kin, as Da-Tan and Zorin both seemed to eye Genshu with a taste of contempt. Master Kin however, did not notice the gaze of hatred from his followers, and thus turned his attention to Marai once again.

“As is customary by the law of the Temple of the Silver Moon, all possessions of the warrior, belong to the lord. Bring her…” Master Kin ordered, turning briefly to walk his way to his chamber.

“N…no…” choked Genshu through his grossly swollen lips. His eyes, nearly swelled shut from the travel and beatings from Zorin, gazed hazily at Master Kin.

Master Kin turned toward the defiant Genshu. “Dare you go against my wishes Genshu?” Master Kin began, his voice soft, as if spoken by a scorning father. “You have already broken the law of the temple, by right, you should be dead. Do you dare defy me when I have shown you so much leniency?”

“Muh…my lord, pluease. Let her go. I beg of you, take my life in exchange for hers. As is ga…given my right of a dying warrior, I beg of one final request. Release her.” Genshu pleaded, his head collapsing on his chest, exhausted from the effort to speak.

Marai gazed at Genshu, her eyes clouded through the fear of what will happen, yet she had not expected what would come next. Kin, laughed.

“Truly Genshu, do you really beg of this request? What would stop me from killing you and taking the girl anyway? You have broken the coven, and thus your rights in this issue are void.”

“Please…” Genshu screamed through visible pain and anguish at his own helplessness. Yet it was Marai who had silenced him, coming close and putting her fingers to his lips to quite his pain.

“Please,” She said, tears painting her face with fear and grief. “Don’t do this Genshu. I can’t live knowing you died to save me. You must live, because that is the only way I can live.” She seemed surprised by her own inner strength, for now, the words she seemed so fearful to speak days ago upon the hill, now flowed from her heart in a mere whisper as she spoke to comfort Genshu, and reassure herself. “He…he may have my body, but you will always have my heart.” She responded, quickly kissing him on his swollen lips and turning to flee the chamber, led to where her new home would be.

Genshu however, seemed to care little for what would happen, as the tears of grief clouded his eyes and he watched Marai run from the chamber, and forever from his life. He turned his eyes toward Kin, a kindred spite of malice reflecting from his icy gray orbs.

“No Genshu, you shall not die this day.” Kin responded, turning to follow the course Marai had taken, “But I assure you, you shall wish you had.”

As Master Kin left the chamber, Genshu was forcibly led to a large, iron anvil used to mold the swords for the warriors of the temple. With a quick thrust of his bamboo cane, Da-Tan drove Genshu painfully to his knees. Genshu knelt before the iron base, his arms forced outstretched, leather straps securing his hands to prevent him from flinching away from his punishment.

“You will learn discipline!” Da-Tan screamed, bringing his heavy bamboo cane down in a sweeping arch. A second prior to the ear-piercing scream that tore from Genshu’s lungs, the bamboo cane crushed his right hand.

Jerking frantically, Genshu threw his body forward, covering the bloody, broken appendage as if the pressure would comfort his tortured anguish. Tears of pain streamed from his eyes, as the notion for justice crept slowly into his mind. Yet he had little time to dwell on the probable liberties of life, as a pair of sturdy hands belonging to Master Kalibas, forced the screaming samurai back to his prior position.