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From each of the twelve kingdoms hale twelve men, and these twelve men would be the greatest heroes of their race. Should one of these great men fall, he will be born again to continue protecting his people until the end of time.\n\tAtop the rock farthest from the mainland, and in turn closest to the sun, a people called the Usagi are born. They are tall slender people with white hair and long drooping ears, large feet and shapely legs. Many say that the Usagi can run so fast that they leave no mark on the ground where they tread.\n\tFor more than a thousand years the Usagi have waged war on their enemies, the Uni. The Uni are everything that the Usagi are not. The Uni are bulky people; their ears sharp, their hair dark, their teeth long. When the Usagi were learning to make peace with the world, the Uni were learning to conquer those weaker than themselves.\n\tFor many years the Usagi alone out ran the Uni, thereby escaping extinction by their hand. Then the Usagi where given the gift of bronze from their heavenly keepers. With this in hand the Usagi began to fight back, pushing the Uni out to the sea.\n\tBut, even with this new technology, it would be years without number before the tide of war would truly swing in the Usagi’s favor. Two powerful and wise men are held most responsible for this turning. First—the King of Rabbits, Akihona; second—his nephew Kuro.\n\tKuro was the largest and most powerful rabbit ever born, standing so tall he could see eye to eye with a full-grown wolf. Akihona spent much of the wealth of his people on building ships. First was the intent of hiding on them when the Uni would overrun his walls, but then came the aspiration to hand them over to his nephew to wage the greatest battle ever fought by their people. Akihona also built a device that would throw spears a hundred at a time to place on his boats, but after seeing the weapon in action, having slain 5,000 Usagi in the blink of an eye, he smashed it and planted a forest atop its broken pieces.\n\tKuro had a plan, one only a mad man would dare try. Kuro attacked the Uni at their home. Launching a charge against Nine, King of the Wolves, he places a knife in the hand of every rabbit: man, woman, and child alike. If you were strong enough to run, then you were strong enough to fight. Kuro loaded every rabbit in the kingdom onto Akihona’s boats and the battle was on.\n\tThe war lasted for only days under Kuro’s command, but they were the bloodiest days that have ever been seen. Ten thousand Uni and one hundred thousand Usagi were slain with each passing day, but at-last King Nine had been slain in single combat against Kuro, and all twelve kingdoms where handed over to King Akihona. Akihona gifted King Nine’s island to Kuro as a reward for his valor.\n\tEven though most returned home, Kuro chose thirty men and one-hundred and fifteen women to stay with him and build a new castle atop the burning remains of King Nine’s stronghold. Kuro, it is told, will live 10,000 lifetimes as a blessing from the gods…\n\t… If the story of the mighty Kuro ended there it would be a beautiful epic. But no tale I have ever heard ended so kindly. Kuro would never again sleep a sound night as the ghost of Skoll, King Nine’s mother would visit him in his sleep. She is a wolf so grand that her shadow blocks out the sun. Her jaws are so powerful she could no doubt take a bite out of the moon itself. Every rabbit knows Skoll. She is the mistress that leads us all into the next world. There are those that would say only Kuro has ever seen her and lived to tell the tale.\n\tThe story of the Shogun Kuro only grows more upsetting. Only days after returning from the battle in the land that would come to be called Tanto Island, Skoll comes calling for King Akihona. As in every case, Akihona must heed her call and never be seen again. This drives Kuro into a deep rage. He locks himself in this new fortress for many years, not wishing to speak to anyone. \n\tWith time his anger would numb and he would go out into the town looking for a confidant to follow him back to the castle. Sometimes a man, others a woman; but for the next 1,000 years these confidants would carry his word from the castle on high to the kingdom below.\n\tIn time, the actions of the Usagi would lead to a long-lasting peace. Kuro and his followers enjoy their new world. Allowing their boats to sink into the sea, they take on a new set of traditions; becoming their own people. By order of Kuro, every man, woman, and child still carry a blade with them, but with the passage of years, the make and shape of the blade slowly changes. The people of the land now called Dagger Pass become ever more skilled fighters, never forgetting that which they learned fighting Nine and his wolves…\n\t…At long last Kuro emerges from his castle and retakes his place as acting Shogun of the land. He takes a wife and she has a son and a daughter with Kuro. This too would not last. Soon after celebrating the birth of the royal children, Skoll comes calling. Many believe that Kuro stood up to protect the people from her, but if this is so, the council did not end well. No rabbit knows what was discussed by these two masters of the realm. What is known, is that every girl child in the land that was less than five years old was ordered sacrificed in the name of the Shogun.\n\tAll know that the Shogun is wise and kind in ways that very few can understand, so most followed the words of their lord without hesitation. Any who did not understand the orders were given the opportunity to engage in “the Rite of a Hundred Blades”, where they may plead for the life of their offspring by doing battle against one hundred men of the Shogun’s choosing. If one should endure this trial, then their child would be spared and the family given as much gold as they can carry. Only one rabbit would take this opportunity, a woman who had given birth that very day… Aki Awai. \nNot even the Shogun’s wife was spared this fate, as her newborn twins were separated and her daughter drowned. For though the Shoguness was brave, she lacked the power to defeat Kuro and his 99 chosen swordsmen…\n…In the spring of the following year, the Shoguness and her court of ten maidens find their way to the stream. There they find a washtub floating down river. After dragging it to dry land they find within it an odd-looking beast. All-in-all, it looks like a Usagi, but only half the size of a newborn baby. Its hair is shorter than most, as are its ears; but its tail is as long as its legs and the teeth are short and sharp. They all can see it is a girl, and she is ever so helpless. A kanji is drawn on the child’s face—the characters are ‘Night’ and ‘Heaven.’\nThe Shoguness takes the beast and wraps it in a robe taken from one of her courts to bring it home. The Shoguness gives the beast as a gift to her boy, who she has named Sun. This strange beast from the river she names after her late daughter; she would be called Moon.\nThe two children would grow side by side; Sun ever venturing to become more like his father Kuro. Moon, much to everyone’s surprise, is a clever child. She learns the Usagi language and way of life. In spite of her strange appearance, she has convinced everyone (her self-included) that she is a rabbit and that she is Sun’s twin sister.\n\tI give these words onto you, the mice or Graywall. In my dreams, the stars do speak. Do they speak of tomorrow, or do they speak of yesteryear? I have done my vows as the Weaver, now I must do my deeds as a mother. It has been written.\n\n\n\n\n-Jessica Brisbane-\n\nAct 1: Age of Love\n\nChapter 1\n\tEven as their teen years start; Sun and Moon still share a bed, sleeping nose to nose. Their room is against the east wall so as the sun crests over the water they are the first to see it and be awakened. Sun sleeps facing west; Moon east. Moon always wakes up first. Moon playfully bites at Sun’s ears to stir him from his rest. “Sun, we have to get bathed. Father, Shogun Kuro, is expecting to see us before breakfast.” Sun and Moon step out of bed almost in step as they grab their robes from the wardrobe, tie their obis, and perform the prayer that allows them to remove their swords from their cradles. \n***\nThe two of them leave the castle together and walk to the creek that runs past the south wall of the fortress. Sun’s ears lift high into the air as he looks up stream to the ocean. His chest puffs out as he tries to focus on something in the distance. Unable to perceive what he sees Moon bounces up and down trying to look at what Sun see. “There is something in the water,” he explains.\nMoon grabs Sun by the hip and jumps up his body to stand on his shoulders. Once she can see, she speaks, “Is that an Arrow ship? I don’t think I have ever seen one.”\nSun lifts his eyes looking up at his sister. “No one has; not since before Mom was born.”\n“Who is on it? Where did it come from?” Moon sits atop her brother’s shoulders and looks down at him.\n“The flag has the crest of crossed hands. That is the same emblem as the flag that hangs over Father’s chamber door. The ship must belong to one of our cousins across the sea.”\n“Why would it be here, do you think?”\n“Maybe it is just passing by. No one from the other land comes here anymore.”\n“We will have to tell Mother about this.” Moon jumps down from Sun’s, shoulders then runs to the river to start playing around. Sun playfully chases after Moon; jumping into the creek after her. Under Kuro’s watchful eyes, play is always done in moderation. The children clean themselves up and make their way home and prep for what is sure to be a day filled with work and studies. \n\n***\n\nMoon dresses in her finest robe to see Kuro; a hefty robe woven from spider silk with a cotton under robe and a ribbon around her waist. The silk robe is dark blue with a waterfall-like design. The ribbon is bright pink to draw attention to itself and away from the short-sword hidden, tucked within, running down the back of her legs. Her mother believes her a beautiful and desirable thing, so why not call attention to her more feminine qualities?\nSun has a formal robe, but his is yellow and has a secondary tailed vest that goes over it with an orange and red sky scene across his back. His sword is long and rests in a vibrantly decorated scabbard. His blade is not hidden, but more so displayed, resting on his shoulder. The boy may one day be King. He must look manly—expose his chest, call attention to his shoulders.\nAs they dress, Moon reaches under the dresser and withdraws a long thick wooden box. Sun looks to his sister, “What do you have there?”\nMoon opens the box and starts to unroll a dark green gown with wood like texturing and the image of a wolf and a rabbit baring fangs at one another. “Father has a fascination with dogs. Half the paintings between here and the dining hall are of wolves.” She freezes a moment. “Also, I have seen that Father loves you but loathes me. I thought maybe I could buy his love with a gift like this.” She places the garment back into the box. “I’ve been sneaking out of the castle at night to work on this for the last three weeks or so.”\n“I had no idea that you knew how to weave silk. It is lovely.”\n“It’s not like I have done this alone; but thank you.”\n“I don’t think Father hates you.”\n“You cannot see him from the angle I can. He swoons over you as you practice with your blade; he hardly offers me an upwards gaze when we speak.”\n“He can’t. You are a fourth his height! *Giggle*”\nMoon doesn’t understand the joke at first and starts to shout back at him, but before more than just an angry huff can leave her lips she freezes, thinking aloud, “How tall is father? Like twelve paws?”\n“Twelve of my paws,” Sun jokes around. “More like twenty of yours.”\n\n***\n\nThe children go to the main hall where the Shogun awaits. He is sitting on his knees with his hands set on his thighs, head ducked in prayer. Kuro has chosen not to don a robe, instead, he wears the loose-fitting cloth leggings and loin cloth that he dresses in when training. With his chest bare, it is clear to all that he wears scars like few others. He has a dozen puncture marks lining the side of his body and a laceration mark on his chest where he would have been held in a beast’s mouth. He sports a moon shaped gash from shoulder to chest where surely an axe had been broken off in his body, and lastly, what could only be a handprint permanently bruised into his fur from chest to hip flexors.\nThe Shogun’s wife sits side by side with him looking over the scrolls set on the ground. Having finished first, the Shogun speaks. “This was sent by a man named Nero. It seems he was affiliated with my uncle. He is coming here to ‘check up’ on us.” The Shogun’s voice is low and thundering. He talks slowly, but his overwhelming size makes his whispers sound like a shout to those who are not expecting to hear it.\nThe Shoguness is quick to weigh in on the discussion at hand. “The Emperor has not contacted us in decades. I don’t like this. Why would he want to see us now?” The Shoguness chooses a different form of dress than most. She likes dark form-fitting dresses, mostly nightshade and gray; no fancy patterns for her. As for her sword—she has the handle cut short and the blade halved so she can strap it to her forearm to quick draw. The Shoguness has no interest in a fair fight; she plans to win at all costs—fast and dirty.\n“If the Emperor’s lapdog wants to see our home, that he can do. We will give him as much wine to drink and bread to eat as he can possibly want. There will be dancing and drumming at his arrival. But should he ask for more, I shall need to remind him that this house is my house!”\nSun and Moon walk in after standing at the door for a moment to get a bead on the situation. Kuro looks up and grunts with a hint of agitation in his voice. “You two are late…”\nSun cuts in not waiting for Kuro to ask him to elaborate. “It is my fault. We were at the river and saw a strange sight in the water…”\n“Captain Nero’s ship; I have seen it too.” Kuro nods in understanding at that point. “I do not wish to speak of him at this time. He is going to stay on his boat for two days before coming to shore himself. I know not why he would wish to do this; but so be it. Until then, we stay to our work as normal.”\nKuro stands to search the table in the room for his pipe and a spoonful of poppy seeds to fill it with. “Boy, I wish to ask you about your thoughts on the future.”\nSun looks to his father. “What is there to think about? I will take my 31 day pilgrimage into the mountains on the eve of my 16th birthday and then join the monks in copying the ancients’ scripts—just as any civilized rabbit should.”\n“Have you ever wanted more?”\n“Is there more that I should want?”\n“You are the son of the Shogun! Do you wish for battle? Glory? Lordship?”\n“Maybe; but you are the Shogun and you will never die, so there is no need for me to do such things as lord over people or dream of glory. As for battle, my being the son of the Shogun has no merit on that.”\nKuro leans forward to push himself upright. “Do not speak with such a soft voice. In your wake wise men should fall to their knees and kings should weep. You are Sun, your father is Kuro the immortal, and your sword may yet level mountains and part the sea; but perhaps not today. Come with me children.” Kuro walks to the door looking out to the village below. “I have not walked the streets of my kingdom in many days; I should like to do so. We will walk together.”\nMoon kneels before Kuro with her head down. She holds the box over her head, presenting the Shogun with her gift. Kuro looks down to her with a grunt. “What is this you are showing me, small one?”\n“I have brought you a gift, Father,” Moon explains. Kuro grunts, clearly aggravated by Moon’s words. Moon corrects herself. “Shogun.” \nKuro opens the box and pulls out the robe. Without a sound he examines it for a short time, then wraps it around himself. He nods approvingly as he ties his obi.\n\nChapter 2\n\n\tShogun Kuro takes his sword from over the throne. It has a blade the length of a rabbit’s body with a soft curve to it. The handle is inscribed with his name on one side and the crest of his family on the other. The handle is long enough that four paws could wrap around it. The blade is lined with chips and cracks that have been tampered over hundreds of times, giving the blade the appearance of being covered in spider webs. The sheath is cut from a dark red wood and fire tempered to lock in its inner glory; a simple holster for a magnificently honed blade. It is a cruel weapon for a brutal heart.\n\tMost Shoguns would walk with a royal entourage; Kuro needs no such thing. When he walks the streets, the wise make room for his passing, the clever keep their eyes turned down, and the ‘in the know’ do not address Kuro until he has spoken. \nWhen the Shogun walks the streets of his kingdom he always knows where he is going first—a bar located only a short walk from his doorstep run by the Grass family. As Kuro’s shadow darkens the doorway, a yearling girl holds a clay cup up to the Shogun. Kuro nods his head with a grunt and drinks his water with mint leaves. He drops a handful of coin at his feet as he walks on.\nThe Shogun’s second stop is the Maple farm. Only here does he address his family, opening the door to conversation. “These trees were a gift from me to the Bark family. These trees bleed milk in the spring and cotton in the fall. The armor worn by King Nine was grown from this orchard. I trust Bark and his kin to care for them and reap their blessings in my name. But this is only the beginning of the magic Nine left in my care.”\nSun looks to his father. “I do not see the magic. We have planted, grown, and re-grown many trees here, and elsewhere. It is not magic that makes the trees grow.”\n“Boy—you have never left this island. You do not understand that the cotton trees grow only here at the foot of this mountain.”\n“The monks living at the top of those stairs on high told me, ‘It is the seed, not the tree, that has power.’ These trees will milk no matter where you plant them.”\n“For men that speak only in whispers, they seem to have much to say,” Kuro complains. “Next, on to the rock farm.”\nThe Shoguness looks to her escort, “I understand that is where your friend Wind was born.”\n\tThe Shoguness’ escort dresses in green; she keeps her hood up and covers her face with a veil. The veil is a symbol of tribute paid to the Shogun. Escorts have no name; escorts have no loyalties outside of their service to the family. An escort is ‘Christened’ at 14 years of age. After their ‘Christening,’ they are expected to serve the family for 14 years. Afterwards, they are awarded a mate and as much land to live on as they can build a wall around. Should the escort displease the family, they are sent home with no ill will. Should they die before the 14 years have passed, their mother and father are given a wine barrel of silk and gold to pay for time served; but—should the escort lose their virginity while in service, then the escort forfeits this contract and payment becomes void.\n\tThe escort speaks softly, “My youngest sister lives there, as do her young. She is friends with your children. She plans to move into the church on the hill soon; much like Sun.”\nKuro briskly leads the group onwards. As they approach the great hole in the island that is the Rock farm, he looks down with a mild nostalgic grin. “This is what makes us different from every other rabbit to ever live—the melting stones. Heat them once and they turn to quicksilver. Let it freeze thereafter and it becomes all but unbreakable. Over the years I have used the melting stone to craft shields that no arrows can puncture, and swords no armor could keep out. If there was anything on this island that my uncle regrets having left behind, surely it would be this…”\n\tAs the story goes on, a pebble strikes Sun on the back. He pays no heed at first; but when a second strikes him, he turns to look. There hiding in the trees a handful of yards away, dressed in a grassy green garb, is Wind. She has been friends with Sun since they were quite young. It has been some time since they last came face to face. Yes, they both go to the monastery for schooling, but the monks like to keep the classes small and almost never let boys and girls sit side by side—rarely are they even allowed to sit in the same room as one another.\n\tSince their last meeting, Wind has grown tall and slender—in many ways starting to resemble Sun’s mother, the Shoguness. Wind beckons Sun forth. He complies, sneaking away from his father to go see his friend and classmate. Wind giggles at his approach, noticing his excited little shuffle. Wind draws the staff from her back. She twists one end of it and a long thin blade drops out of that end. She flips it around and a second drops out the other. Wind then discards her staff and takes the two blades, handing one off to Sun and keeping the other for herself.\n \tWithout a word, Wind spins forward swinging her long knife at her childhood companion. Barely keeping up with the events before him, Sun dips backwards, throwing his arms out in a shield—one high to protect his face, the other low to cover his chest down to his hip. Wind hops in to take a second slash. Sun pivots in, getting too close to Wind for her to hit as he pulls his arms into his chest in a mantis-like movement. One of his hands drops onto Wind’s wrist to grab her; the other he holds to her elbow to keep it straight. With a twist of the hip and a shuffle, Sun thrusts Wind at a tree. \n \tSun remembers this game now. Every kid in the kingdom knew one variation on it or another. It is called ‘Fox and Hare,’ as he recalls. He can’t seem to remember ever playing it with knives though. When he played, he liked to use sticks. The two players keep jumping at each other kicking and pushing until they can get their opponent to lay on their stomach. The person to push them over then sits on their back to pin them down, and the pinned needs to offer the pinner a gift to get back up; or the game is over. Last time Sun and Wind played together the currency was rocks, and all the players were around three. (last time it was Moon, Wind, and himself as well as Wind’s three older sisters and her baby brother playing. He can’t seem to remember the outcome.)\nWind bounces back into battle with a thrust. Sun cross-steps to her side and slaps her hand down, then drags his hand up her arm to slap her across the nose. Wind has seen this trick once before, as her hand is there to intercept the slap. Wind grabs Sun’s hand and twists his wrist palm up, lifting him up onto his toes. As she drops him, she delivers a palm-punch to his side, sending him toppling over.\n \tWind runs in, eager to pin Sun and win this game. Sun rolls up onto his hip, stretching out one leg to discourage the charge. Wind grabs his leg and pushes it to the side. She hopes he will roll off to the side to keep his balance, but Sun rolls twice, and when Wind jumps on him she is sitting on his chest. \nSun bucks his hips, making Wind fall forward onto all fours. Sun slides one hand under her chin and the other over her crown to grip her head. He pulls down on one side and up on the other, forcing her to roll off of him. The two of them jump back to their feet and there is a back and forth as the two of them continue to strike, then retreat, waiting for the other to offer them an avenue of attack.\n\tAfter some time Wind seems to throw the match. She performs the simplest and most exploitable tactic in the game—the one every boy tries first when learning ‘Fox and Hare’. She holds her weapon in front of herself and runs in full bore. Sun drops his weight back and grabs her arm with both hands, walking her backwards and dragging her face down into the dirt. Sun climbs onto Winds back, laying over her to pin her to the ground.\nsatisfied by the game, Wind giggles again and rolls her hips up just once—noticing the weight on her back in a more instinctive than intentional way. Sun gasps and crawls away, sitting up against a rock. Wind follows suit, getting up. “Hello Sun. How have you been?” At last they greet each other.\n“Better than you, I suspect. You aren’t even old enough to be an escort, and I understand you have children.”\n“I made a mistake and got scared. I was told that I was going to follow my sister into the life of an escort and in a fit of childish rage did all sorts of things to make myself unappealing to your father. I kissed half the boys in the tea house, I laid with both men and women; some twice my age. I even rested red metal to my breast, burning symbols onto my fur like we do with worker mules.”\n“All that to keep away from my father?”\n“And more. I wanted to grow up and have children while I was still young and strong enough to see them grow up themselves. I didn’t expect that I would have five of them before being welcomed into the priesthood, and not know who fathered them.”\n“When we were children, I thought it would be me that was the father of your first born--likely out of wedlock and in some dark corner of the church…”\n“Me too.” Sun and Wind both giggle childishly at the honesty and indecency of the statement. Wind crawls in offering a quick kiss to Sun. \nMoon whistles to announce her approach. The two young lovers back away from each other, startled by the shrill sound. “Shogun Kuro is ready to return home. He is sending Mother and her escort to fetch party complements for our guests.”\nWind acknowledges Moon by raising one hand in greeting as Sun looks away shyly and adjusts his robes. “Hello Moon. I was hoping to see you.”\nMoon runs her hands down her legs and falls into a kneeling position, tucking her gown beneath herself. “Why were you looking for me?”\n“Have you ever stood on the balcony nearest the west wing exit at the monastery?” Wind asks.\n“That’s the side overlooking the dale, right?” Moon rolls her eyes up, thinking about the monastery’s floor plan.\n“Have you ever visited the dale?” Wind goes on.\n“It’s a drop 90 body’s lengths down the bluff before you reach the dale. One way in and no way out, as far as I know.” Moon explains, then looks to her brother, “I don’t know anyone that has been down there—do you?”\nWind cuts in before Sun can reply, “I found a trail of stepping rocks not far from the church that leads in that direction. They’re far too small for any normal Usagi to crawl down; but maybe…”\nSun cuts in, “If the path is so narrow that only Moon could follow, then why bring it up?”\n“Climbing spikes. If she can crawl down leaving us a trail of climbing spikes to jump down, we can follow her and have an easy way back, too.” \nMoon claps. “I like this plan! I love exploring!”\nSun ducks his head with hesitation. “This isn’t like running amuck in the town square. We aren’t likely to find friends down there, or places to hide if things don’t go according to plan.”\nWind looks to Sun. “We might not need to go back up the bluff in the end. I think that the river west of here might even be fed from a basin on the other side of the bluffs.”\n“Then we should walk around the hills and come in from the north.” Sun rubs his neck as he is thinking about the plan under discussion.\nThe thundering voice of Kuro calls the children to attention. “*grunt* You are speaking of Shinto Valley. No Usagi has ever set foot on that cursed soil; and yes, Faith River does run through the valley.” Kuro passes forth standing over Wind. “You go home, be with your children.” He turns his gaze onto Sun. “You go to the tea shop. Tell them that we are taking their maid and five baskets worth of herbs to the castle for a special assignment. Bring Moon with you.”\nNo one dares say a word. Everyone nods their heads and runs off to carry out the Shogun’s orders.\n\n***\n\nAs Sun and Moon return to the tea house, the yearling who Sun knows as Lafe, runs up grabbing Sun in a hug, proclaiming—\"Prince Sun!” She energetically bounces up and down a moment until Sun places a hand on her head pushing her down. \n“Lafe,” Sun explains. “My father, the Shogun, wants you to bring five baskets of herbs to the castle.”\nLafe’s mother, who is called Zatsuso, steps out from the back of the shop. “That is more than twice what he asked for last time he was here.” \nSun bows. “I will help Lafe, of course.” He looks to the mother. “My father would like her to stay in the castle as well to help tend to the needs of our impending visitors.”\nZatsuso looks momentarily shocked, but calms herself as Sun finishes his explanation. “I was going to say, the Shogun has a taste for younger girls, but not as young as Lafe.” Zatsuso, who is no small woman walks up to Sun and Moon carrying with her a small bag. The older, experienced woman kneels next to the kids, sliding them each a piece of candy from within her pouch. “Lafe darling, go with the prince. Make sure that the Shogun has everything he needs.”\nLafe jumps up at her mother, kissing her.\nZatsuso laughs as she stands up. “Come on, let’s start packing.”\nThe group walk into the back of the tea house and start working on setting up for the upcoming party.\n\n***\n\nThe long boat lands. Armies of Usagi dressed in green blouses and matching bottoms jump out; all perfectly uniformed right down to a long thin straight blade tucked into the back of their trousers with a powder keg and rifle slung down their backs. All are dressed so that the belt of buttons across there breasts are their only identifying feature.\n\n\nChapter 3\n\n\tSun and Moon sneak out of the castle well before sunrise the next day. They both dress in the darkest monochrome robes to help them hide from the Shogun and his footmen in the front yard. Moon climbs the wall on the west end of the fortress and helps her brother over. Once outside, the two of them find their way back to Wind’s home. The need for adventure having overtaken them, the two feel a need to see Shinto Valley for themselves; just as Wind knew that they would. \n\tSun jumps in through Wind’s window as Moon stands watch. “No funny stuff. Get Wind and let’s get going. I want to be at the church before the dawn bells ring,” Moon scoldingly whispers. \n\t“What do you mean, ‘funny stuff’?” Sun asks as he drops down into the room.\n\tWinds is lying on her back, sound asleep. In the warm summer night she has kicked her blanket down so it only covers her feet, and has pulled open her nightgown, unintentionally showing off her bright white fur, from breast to knee, to anyone that happens to be looking at her.\n\tSun stares at his childhood friend for a short time admiring her newly formed feminine traits. Sun reaches down and in a childish gesture places one finger on the meat of her nose and flicks it down. Wind gasps and pushes herself upright and back into the wall at the head of her bed. Her heart is racing from the shock of waking and it takes her a moment to piece together that she is in her room and that Sun is standing over her. Once Wind knows where she is and what is going on she picks up her pillow and slaps Sun with it.\n\tSun pulls one hand before his face to stop the attack, and then speaks up. “We are going to Shinto Valley.”\n\tWind pulls her nightgown shut and smiles. “I thought we might be.” She stands up and walks around her less than tidy room searching for an outfit. “I have a rope and some hooks in the shed alongside my house. We will need that and…” she picks up a three piece rod and it shoulder-sling. “I hope I don’t need this.” Wind throws the staff on her bed.\n\tWind quickly strips out of her nightgown and puts on the same green robe she was wearing yesterday plus a pair of armguards and leggings.\n\tIn short order the kids are back on the road; Sun with the 100 yards of rope tied to his chest and Wind with the climbing tools stuffed into a satchel on her hip. Before sunrise, but as the blue-black sky is starting to show the first whisper of red, the three adventurers find their way up the steps to the church and start to walk the thin walkway around the outside.\n\tThe three kids look down in wonder at the pit below and marvel at the idea that there are trees at the bottom that look so tiny from their vantage. Moon is the one to break the silence. “You would think that the river would have flooded this place years ago.”\n\tWind responds as Sun is untying the rope from his chest. “Maybe some sort of honeycomb network of caves has been displacing the water to other sides of the island.”\n\tMoon’s ears lower as she looks up. “You mean that this is the source of all the rivers around here?”\n\tSun hands part of the rope off to Wind and starts beading the climbing hooks into it. “Maybe?” Sun adds. “How far down do you think it is?”\n\tWind looks at Sun and with a touch of uncertainty in her voice claims “170 paws.” \n\tMoon looks around on the ground and picks up a rock. “Someone once told me a rock falls at 100 paws per second—so—if we drop a stone and start counting in ‘High Shoguns’ we can guess the depth of a hole by waiting for the thud.”\n\tThe three nod in understanding to one another. Moon drops the rock and the three start counting aloud.\n\t“One, High Shogun,”\n\t“Two, High Shogun,”\n\t“Three, High Shogun,”\n\t“Four…” *ting*\n\tMoon watches the others waiting for their longer sharper ears to count the distance. “Do we need more rope?” Moon asks.\n\tSun looks at Wind, “How many times did the rock bounce?”\n\t“Five times I think.” Wind looks at him.\n\tSun nods. “Then it started rolling. There is an incline part way down the bluff.”\n\tWind looks at Moon. “You once bragged about being the best climber in the land. Prove it.” Wind hands over the tools and pats her on the back. \n\tMoon, feeling hotheaded, picks up the rope and gets down on all fours. She grabs onto the side of the bluff and starts to crawl down the wall head first. Moon’s dexterity is exceptional. Within an hour she has done as told; scaling the wall and nailing spikes into it creating a path for the others to follow. Sun reaches down to pick up Moon by the hips and spins around, hugging her. “Amazing! No one is more nimble than my twin sister.”\n\tLooking about, the three adventurers find that at the base of the bluff plants are not like they are in the sun soaked world above. Yes, some of the larger plants are the same; trees and shrubs, but tiny flowers are not. The flowers cut around trees highlighting roads with some form of bioluminescence. Moon seems hypnotized by the glowing flowers and follows them into the deep.\n\tThe team follows Moon to a cave mouth that has a wood and metal door covering it with a key hole in the shape of a hand; too small for any rabbit, but it looks like Moon, with her child-like body, may be able to use it.\n\tPulled by a higher power, Moon stretches out a hand and reaches for the door. Sun grabs her. “No!” Sun proclaims. “Doors like this are ‘Shinto’—only to be opened by priests.”\n\tMoon looks up at her brother. “Do you see any priests around?”\n\tWind looks over. “What do you think is in here?” She kneels down looking at the door.\n\t“ ’Shinto’ hide secrets from other worlds. Whatever is here is here because it is too frightful to let roam free.” Sun turns to walk away. “We have seen enough of this world. It is time to go back to our own.”\n\tA dark wind blows by, seeming to make the trees and flowers turn to face the children. A voice whispers to them from the trees; that of a woman, older and soft, “Come children, I have such stories to tell.”\n\tEnchanted by the voice, Moon slides her hand into the door and unlocks it. The door opening is surprisingly unceremonious; no lights, no wind, no unholy sound. The room hidden by the door is clearly a home, lit by candles and a fireplace. There is a rack of stretched leather, a chest, a chair and a bookcase. There is a spice table with over a dozen unmarked bottles resting on it, and what looks like a nine ringed bo with a birds’ head cast in bronze atop it propped on one wall. \n\tA woman that looks much like Moon steps into sight from a back room. She has tan fur and short sharp ears, a long nose and a long tail. She is wrapped in a red robe with a green cumberbund-like sash tied around her waist. She has a bronze chain around her neck and a gold pendant with a red stone in it. Atop her nose sits a pair of spectacles. Her soft smooth features tell she can’t be but a handful of years older than Moon, but something about her speaks of ages—possibly greater than that of the Shogun.\n\tThe woman in red speaks to them. “Sun, the only child of Kuro; Wind the stoneworker, and Moon the Weaver. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jessica the Weaver.”\n“Majo Akuma!” Sun proclaims as he reaches for his sword. “Demon witch.” Sun rushes forth to smite the monster.\nWith a flick of her hand, Jessica pushes Sun back with a supernatural force. Jessica whispers to herself, “Why does that happen to me so often?” Jessica looks to Wind. “Would you like to try also?”\nWind asks Jessica, “What are you?”\n“Now that is not a simple question at all. I am a: gnostic theist, a Kobolt, a woman, a mother, a bard, an enchantress… homo vermina would be my name in Tenshi, I’m a martial artist of sorts; a teacher. Which of these things interest you?”\nMoon cuts in, “Kobolt! What is this word? What does it mean?”\nJessica lowers her eyes. “That is what you and I are called. That is our race.”\nMoon stands strong. “I am a Usagi, daughter of the Shogun.”\n“Look at your ears my child, your tail, your nose. Do they look like the nose, tail, and ears of any of the other Usagi?”\n“No.”\n“You can walk up shear walls and pick up things with your tail, can you not?”\n“I can.”\n“You can smell the blood of the people around you. You know when they are ill days before they do, and you know if food is spoiled without needing to taste it.”\n“Yes.”\n“Can you identify a coin by touch alone?”\n“Yes.”\n“And--you stand eye to eye with me at only three paws tall. These are all things that a Kobolt is and a Usagi is not. Do you also have a spot on your backside where hair will not grow that looks like a swallow?”\n“I am not going to answer that.”\nSun finds his way back to his feet. “Jessica the Weaver; are you Moon’s mother?”\n“No. Even if I could have been the woman that gave birth to her.”\nSun tips his head. “Then that is yes?”\n“The word ‘mother’ means more than just the womb that carries. Her mother is your mother.”\nSun rubs his neck. “And who fathered Moon?”\n“Immaculate. She has no father that I am aware of.”\nWind rolls her eyes. “Asexual reproduction? Is that common?”\nJessica clarifies. “Unheard of.”\n“How?” Moon asks.\n“I could have been impregnated by golden sand.”\nThere is a strange uneasy gaze that lasts for a long moment before Sun speaks up. “You will forgive me if I find it hard to believe that my twin sister was born to a mother that is not my own, and via magical conception.”\n“Your twin? No; your twin is dead. The girl that stands next to you, was, on the other hand…” Sun starts to reach for his sword again in frustration. Jessica looks to him. “Please don’t.”\nSun lowers his head. “The purging. The year I was born my father had ordered a mass killing. Mother told me that Moon is my sister, and she escaped the purging.”\nJessica waves to her chair. “Come children; we have much to talk about.”\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChapter 4\n\n\t“Moon, my child,” Jessica speaks to the girl. “Sun and Wind. Let me tell you what your fathers did not. Years ago, lifetimes in fact, this land was at war—a war like few others this land has ever seen. Two of the families of the zodiac god gathered here; and for the first time the small challenged the large, the passive challenged warriors, the rabbit challenged the dog. This has not been since the zodiac gods lived on this island.”\n\tSun looked to Jessica. “Who is this god you speak of? I see no gods.”\n\t“The Usagi called this god Jade, the first Emperor.” Jessica looks to him.\n\n****\n\tOn the fourth day after the birth of the world and on the second day after the fish maiden birthed the moon, Jade, the first Emperor, was walking through his garden at sunset. He looked to the sky and saw a black tapestry looming overhead and thought to himself, “Something is wrong. The sky is too dark at night.” He pondered for a long time about what must be done. Jade is a master painter like no other man has ever been, so he thought, “I must paint a new sky; one that is bright and colorful; a tapestry so eloquent that every man that looks upon it shall weep at its glory.” So Jade called Ami, and the Sun lowered from the sky as the great goddess of wolves looked to her father.\n\tAmi the great wolf of the Sun bows her eyes to her father and says, “My father. It is many hours until dawn, but yet you call me here to the island where time starts. What troubles you my father?”\n\tAnd Jade replies, “Ami, my most beautiful daughter, look to the sky and tell me if the sky too dark.” Jade places his hands to Ami’s face, then rolls one hand across the sky showing off the blank tapestry laid out before them. \n\t“It is true the sky is dark, but was it not your will that the queen of fish govern the night alone and whisper to us that with her coming it is time to rest?” Ami sets her head on the shoulder of her father, trying to understand the words he is speaking. \n\tAnd with her name spoken, if only in whisper, the moon comes down from the sky as Luna the Queen of the Fish to stand before her father and she says, “Father; your head is heavy and your arms are weak. Why do you not sleep?”\n\tJade looks around him at all the things of beauty he has created. “On this land I was to paint the most beautiful painting that any should ever see. It is to be the finest thing that any god or beast could every craft, but yet—I feel it is not yet perfect.”\n\tAnd so Luna grabs Ami by the tail and plucks from her back a hair-thin brush and hands it to her father. “If the world is not yet perfect, then you most keep painting.”\n\tAnd so Jade holds the brush formed from the back of the sun goddess to the sky, and with one stroke of the brush summons forth from the Nothing tenfold ten billion tiny suns and dims them so that the light they cast turns the world purple. Luna is impressed and tells her father, “If this is not perfection, then I know not what perfection must be.” \n\tAnd the stars line up in the sky in perfect symmetry, sharing the sky with the largest in the east and the smallest in the west. Then Jade turns to Ami and asks, “Is it perfect?”\n\tAnd Ami lowers her eyes. “If you must ask if it is perfection that you see then…then you must have already spotted imperfection.”\n\tAnd Jade asks, “Then what must I do next?”\n\tAmi looks at her father. “You, the creator of all things, must ask your creations to do what you cannot do. Call out to all that you have given a voice and feet and ask them to come here and paint the sky. Give each of them a piece of space equal to their weight and tell them to draw their own face on that piece of space.”\n\tThen Jade, Ami, and Luna slept. As he woke, Jade called to his tiniest creation which he called fly and told it, “You are the fastest of my children. You must whisper in the ear of every beast with feet and a voice, that Jade needs them to perform a special work.”\n\tThe smallest of beasts, whose name is fly, sings her praises onto her father. “I will sing all day and all night and the world will hear me, and all your creations shall flood onto this land and your will shall be done.”\n\tSo it was; fly flew into every home singing and knelt before each beast calling them home to the edge of the world, and the land from which the sun and the moon were born. \n\tSo the fly calls to the rat, “Run forth my sister and help me sing our father’s name that all the world may know that he loves us and needs us this day.”\n\tSo the rat runs to her brothers the rabbit and the cat and told onto them “Come my brothers, our father calls are names. Tell the dog and the pig.”\n\tThen the rabbit and the cat run to the dog and the pig and say onto them, “Brother and sister; Father calls for you. Find the snake, the horse and the wyrm, for they must know too.”\n\tThen the wyrm spoke to the turtle and he to the rest of the world, and all beasts that could walk swim or fly ran to the edge of the world. And then the Emperor spoke onto them, “Behold the night sky, for it is dark and the Queen of Fish has not the power to light it.”\n\tAll at once, with a single voice, all the world’s beasts spoke back. “What must I do Father that I may light the sky and bring you glory and joy?” \n\tThen Jade, the Emperor said onto them, “You will all pluck a single hair or a single feather from your crown, and with it you will paint your face on the sky. Should you have no feather or hair, take one from the back of the woman standing nearest to you.”\n\tAnd so it was that the sky was painted; but, behold, the Emperor was still not happy. Now the sky is too bright. So the Emperor shook the sky. Stars fall to the earth, washing ashore and creating sand. The Emperor looks to all the beasts of the world again and said onto them, “Choose now twelve of you: the youngest, the tallest, the strongest and the smartest, the most loved and the most loving, the fastest and the most fruitful. Choose twelve that are everything you are and everything you want.”\n\tAnd so twelve beasts line up before the Emperor and say onto him, “We are the twelve; the young, tall, strong, fast, smart, loved, and beloved. We are everything everyone else wants to be.”\n\tSo the Emperor speaks onto them, saying, “Your name is now and forever ‘Zodiac.’ I shall now place you inside the sky for all to see….”\n\n***\n\nThe door to the tiny hidden house opens and Kuro walks in, picking up the story as Jessica tells it. “But then rat asks, ‘How are we to know where to stand?’ And rabbit asks, ‘Need we play a game?’ So the zodiacs start a race around the world. But rat is smart and declares that the rules were to run to the Emperor, but no one proclaimed from where to start, so she ran backwards and won the game before it began.”\n\tKuro stands over Jessica, towering over her. He stands three times her size, needing to crouch to fit in the home. “Return my son to me without another word, witch, and the girl as well.”\n\t“Kuro; it has been a lifetime since your last trip here.”\n\tKuro grunts. “And it will be another before we speak again.”\n\t“The children are not being held against their will. They may come and go as they wish.”\n\tKuro crawls outside commanding Sun, Moon, and Wind to follow. The children follow the Emperor without another word. As the group walks the long way around the bluffs and down the river, Moon looks up to her father. “Who is she?”\n\t“A star fallen to earth, a goddess amongst men. That’s what she wants us to think. But no, she is empty—a body with no aura. She gave away her right to live amongst the pure,” Kuro whispers. His eyes turn to the water with a look of suspect unease.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChapter 5\n\n\tThe walk home is long and silent, taking up much of the afternoon. Kuro takes the long way around, walking along the river, then around the bluff. The look in his eyes speaks of hidden suffering and fear. Kuro stops at the road that leads into town and looks to Sun, then Moon, then settles his gaze on Wind.\n\tNoticing the Emperor’s gaze, she straightens her back and stands at attention. Wind opens her mouth to speak, but Kuro lifts his hand to silence her. At last he growls to her, “We have walked around a third of the land today, but your eyes have hardly seen the road without first passing Sun’s tail.” Wind shakes her head to protest the accusation. Kuro roars to her, then lowers his voice. “I remember, when I was a boy I found a wagging tail and the fragrance of mature women kept me from many hours of labor. Is it your heart or your mind that is looking at my son?”\n\tWind backs away, still frightened by Kuro’s words and her own feelings. “I… I…” She can’t seem to get out another word. \n\tKuro looks away. “It’s only skin and blood girl. Speak up when you know what it is you wish for.” He waves his hand off to one side, dismissing Wind. “Go; your sisters are looking for you.”\n\tSun smiles as he watches Wind run past him. Moon whispers with her brother, “And what is it you want from Wind?”\n\tSun whispers back, “Things that I dare not speak of by the light of day.” He looks down to her. “I never see you looking at anyone with need.”\n\tMoon lowers her head and lets loose a sharp disappointed breath. “It seems that no one has such a grip on me. Sun, you are the only boy I talk to, and when I dream it is…”\n\tKuro cut Moon off. “You are his pet, not his equal. Do not make me remind you of this again.”\n\tMoon turns her head to Sun again. “But-- now I think I am starting to understand why.”\n\tSun slides one hand down Moon’s back and rubs down her long fleshy tail. Getting in intimately close he nearly rubs noses with her. “Don’t let Father frighten you.”\n\tWhen Sun, Moon, and Kuro reach the castle, the Shoguness has set up the front courtyard for festivities. The yard is lined with lamps, and a table has been set with food enough to feed forty or more rabbits. Ten young women have dressed in the finest of gowns and painted their bodies in white flour to lighten their fur; the Shoguness included. A team of minstrels have erected a tent and begun playing. Girls dance and drums beat. Tonight is a night of celebration. \n\tThe Shoguness waves to Moon calling her forth, “Moon, my beloved girl, come to my side.” Moon rushes over. The Shoguness kneels before her, taking her by the arms. “Moon,” she holds her softly for a long moment, then stands and looks to the band. “Since you were born we have had few days when the band has played for us.” She folds her arms and her ears lift high above her. She is drawn into a brief trance by the beating of the drums. \n\tThe Shoguness lets one hand reach across her breast and taps out in the air the rhythm of the drums. “When I was young, I remember having watched a band play. My mother stood alongside me. A fight broke out just out of arms reach of my mother and I. It was an ugly fight; one where knives speak louder than words. There was a single moment of silence when the town guard showed up. The only sound that anyone could hear, as footsteps slide across the floor, was the drums. Everything stops but the drums. The drummer never stops drumming. There were whispers all around us as people try to understand who started the brawl and why. I asked my mother what was going on, trusting she could see more then I could. After all, when she stretched her back and her legs she could see over the head of almost any rabbit. She looked down to me and whispered, ‘Remember this, even if you remember nothing else. In love or war, the drum is the pulse; and the drums never stop beating.’” The Shoguness lowers her hands back to her sides.\n\t“I would learn weeks later that the fight was between two men I knew, Urchin and Leghorn--twin brothers. One worked in the mine, the other was a tailor. Leghorn came to visit three or fourth months earlier while Urchin was in the mine, and Urchin’s wife accidently slept with him.” The Shoguness tips her head up in contemplation.\n\tMoon looks to her mother, taking in her sudden openness. “Yeah, sometimes that happens; I guess. But why would that be important?”\n\t“Not long after that the herbalist Wheat was born. But we still don’t know who her father is.”\n\tMoon bit onto her hand, thinking. “Doesn’t seem too hard. The men are brothers; therefore they could both father Wheat.”\n\tThe Shoguness chuckles at the innocence of the statement. “Yes, that would be simple.”\n\tNero approaches the castle with a group of twelve men walking shoulder to shoulder with him. He is wrapped in his war garments; a deep green coat with red ribbons running down his chest, and skin tight leggings showing off his powerful shape. He has a thin blade strapped to his belt and a staff on his back. His men are all garbed to match.\n\tNero looks slightly to one side to whisper with one of his men. “Outside of the smell of muck, Ra, I would say this isn’t a bad place.” Nero looks to the twenty paw high door standing before him. “But if there is one thing I don’t understand, it’s how we lost track of an island we owned for over 20 lifetimes. You would think that at the very least some bean counter would notice some missing greens.” Ra offers an understanding grunt.\n\tNero waves forward and Ra calls into the castle the alert of Nero’s arriving.\n\tThe Shoguness steps into the doorway to greet their guests. She bows and waves one hand inward, showing the men the way in. The army of rabbits are quick to start gawking at the fur on display by the dancing girls. Nero sets his eyes on the Shoguness, seeming to smell wealth and power on her. \n\tThe Shoguness walks the men over to the table where Kuro is seated. Kuro sits cupping a glass of tea between his fists; Sun sitting to his right. Nero tucks his helmet under his arm and places a fist to his chest in greeting. “I trust you are who I came here to see. First off, in the name of the Emperor I would like to extend my apologies for our extended absence, and we would like to welcome you back to the states. We will forgive all late taxes and begin moving in for renovations before the end of next spring…”\n\tKuro cuts Nero off. “I am Shogun Kuro. And you talk too fast.” Kuro points at the ground. “Sit; eat.”\n\t“Yes, don’t mind if I do.” Nero sits down at the table. “I am sorry. I have been on a very long trip and look forward to finishing the job I was sent here to do.”\n\t“You speak in the name of the Emperor, Akihona. I have not seen him in many years. Is he well?”\n\tNero freezes mid-breath, his eyes rolling up and from side-to-side, thinking. “Emperor Akihona? He and all of his grandchildren went the way of the Emperor Jade over a thousand years ago. Katoi, son of Cha-Son, is on the throne today.”\n\tKuro grunts. “You still wave his flag, offering reverence to his name.”\n\t“That is our state flag. It shows our fealty to the Empire, not to the Emperor.”\n\tKuro folds his hands and tucks them under his chin. His eyes narrow as he thinks hard. “There was once a time when every family had a flag. They placed the flag on staves and walked with them on their backs, or tied them in a bow and mounted them atop their brow. It was in times like that when the weapon you hold was crafted.” Kuro points at the pole on Nero’s back. “These were not the best of times. Families gathered arms to fight their next of kin and raid each other’s camps in search of women, food, and water. The worth of a family was measured in girls and children. The man with the most mates was surely the best man. Once upon a time my uncle killed 500 men, and took their 3,000 youths as his prize. He broke his ‘sword’ that day and planted a forest to drink the blood from the ground. The trees he planted sprouted roses. A mighty flowering field forever stands as a reminder of when a generation died to feed one man’s greed.”\n\tUnsettled, Nero pulls on the coat and breathes deeply. “The age of states. Yes, those were ugly times. I’m happy none of us lived through that. It would have been quite the unsavory day.”\nNero tips his head, back thinking, “From what I understand of it, back then the average man took seven women as his mates, and if one of them displeased him, he reserved the right to take one of her children in the woman’s place. Sickness ran rampant because of such uncouth behavior.”\n\t“Yes, only one in six children lived long enough to have children of their own.” Kuro waves and a dancer fetches drinks for them. “We often fall prey to sickness, wolves and war. Only the truly powerful live to pass on their strength.” \n\tNero nearly spits up his drink in laughter as he replies, “Hardly. These are civilized days. Our fathers have left us the tools needed to make all rabbits equal-- in the eyes of the law, and on the battlefield alike.”\n\tThe Shoguness cuts in. “There is nothing that will ever make all rabbits equal. The strong will always be strong and the weak will always be weak.” \n\tNero smiles and takes his staff from his back and places it on the table between them. “Maybe. But the score can be evened. Maybe you are strong, but you’re not stronger than this. This is the ‘Flame Tender.’ This is the weapon that brought peace to the western world. Everyone in the empire between 16 and 60 has one,” Nero boasts. “Knives are nice, but their cut is not clean—and they’re not easy. This is. This makes every man stronger than any ten rabbits can ever be. Just fill one end with flash powder and then drop in any rock or needle and point. You win.”\n\tKuro grunts. “Do not place so much faith in magic. Demons are not fine hosts, and flesh will always be true.”\n\t“This is not magic. This is engineering—the most perfect of devices we have forged.”\n\tKuro grunts with unease. “This weapon is old and evil. Be careful to control it so that it cannot control you.”\n\tNero shakes his head. “I have never shot someone without meaning it.”\n\tThe Shoguness leans onto the table, moving in close to Nero. “With such a tool at your side, is there still need for swords?”\n\t“The sword gave us freedom; this gives us equality.”\n\tThere is a painful moment of silence before the presence of the dancers lightens the mood again. The Shoguness inquires, “And what does the mainland look like today?”\n\t“We are in an age of peace. Half the mainland is under the rule of the Usagi. Industry has become the way of life. The working class have constructed allegiances and relinquished the needs of the one for the needs of each other. Truth be told, the Emperor has little real power anymore. He is tasked with protecting the walls of our land, and little more.”\n\tSun takes interest in the conversation as he sits at the table with his mother and father. “The descendants of Jade, the Emperor, are tasked with watch duty? Hardly seems like the best use for such holy power.”\n\tNero bobs his head in agreement. “Parliament has been broken into several houses; the Blue party and the Red party being the most outspoken. The Red party is the worker’s party, and right now they have the most money and therefore are the most powerful. They say build walls—and we have no choice.”\n\tKuro and his wife trade a glance, seemingly having a level of understanding that Sun does not share. Sun expresses his confusion. “Worker’s party?”\n\tLafe, Sun’s friend from the tea house, approaches the table. She too is dressed in the dancing girl outfit, but mostly for uniform sake. Lafe sets down a new pitcher of water at the table as the discussion is going on. Lafe is intrigued by the strange rabbits and their strange clothing. She reaches down to pick up Nero’s weapon to see what it is.\n\tNo one saw what happened in the next moment, and no one understood; but it changed the face of the land. The weapon discharged. The sound of thunder stuns everyone in the courtyard. Lafe collapses; Kuro throws the dining room table across the yard, Sun falls onto all fours looking for Lafe, the Shoguness yells for the band to keep playing, the royal escorts draw their swords, Nero’s men draw their ‘Flame Tenders’—and then—time seems to freeze.\n\tKuro steps up to Nero. Nero holds his ‘Flame Tender’ to his shoulder, staring Kuro down. Nero breaks the silence. “Things don’t need to go down this way. I’m here to talk about taxes; not start a war.”\n\tKuro growls. “I share with you my drink. I let you feast on my bread and look upon my women…”\n\t“This was an accident. There is no one to blame…”\n\t“… And you bring this evil into my home!...”\n\t“Tell your men to lower their swords, Kuro. We will talk through this.” \n\t“I AM KURO! I AM THE RIGHTFUL KING OF ALL RABBITS!”\n\t“KURO! BACK DOWN!”\n\tKuro pushes the ‘Flame Tender’ off line, then pulls it free from Nero’s grip with one fluid motion. Nero’s men move into position to protect their captain. Nero holds out his hands and calls for them to stand down.\n\tThe Shoguness calls to Nero, “Go back to Katoi. Tell him he will have nothing from us.”\n\t“Who is this wom…” Nero starts to speak.\n\t“I am the Shogun’s mate. You need nothing more.” With that the Shoguness flags for her escorts to follow her back to Nero’s ship.\n\tIn the confusion, Moon slides down next to Sun to examine Lafe. Sun has stripped the younger girl and cut apart her gown to make bandages. Sun tries valiantly to bind the puncture wound between Lafe’s breasts, but it is clear that no amount of first aid would do Lafe any good. In the seconds since she hit the ground, her eyes have already faded to red and her lips and fingertips purple.\n\tMoon looks Lafe up and down. She perks up her ears to try to hear Lafe’s heartbeat. Moon knows instantly Lafe isn’t dying. Lafe is dead. The projectile sundered her heart. Lafe’s life bled out before she even had time to kneel. She would never have known what had transpired.\n\tMoon looks to Sun. “Sun; don’t.”\n\tSun, frantic and sobbing, tries to pack the wound in Lafe’s breast. “It is only a small wound.”\n\tMoon places her hands on her brother’s chest to sit him up. Overtaken by fear and grief, Sun takes Moon in his arms and slides down her body like a child looking to be cradled. Sun understands what Moon was trying to say, he just didn’t want to accept it. Moon leans into her brother, holding him.\n\tThe drums play on until early in the morning. Everyone has returned to their homes, and the royal escorts have brought Lafe’s remains back to Zatsuso at the tea shop. The sun rises, much as it always has, and yet—it is not the same. When Sun awakens, he can’t seem to remember much of the party, but when he looks down at himself he can still see the dirty brown—red bloodstains on his hands and arms. Bugs and birds outside the window chatter in calming tones, but Sun cannot seem to hear them.\n\t“Moon.” Sun places one hand on his sister’s shoulder to rouse her. He sets his head on her shoulder. Moon reaches over her shoulder to place one hand on his cheek, rubbing down his tufts of fur.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChapter 6\n\n\tThe Shoguness leads the army back to the ships. Nero reaches out to grab his hostess by one ear, in a provocative fashion. Nero whispers with her, “Young lady; I don’t think you have given me your name.” \nThe Shoguness looks at him, her eyes shrunken with quiet anger. “The name my mother gave me was Awai”\n\tNero pulls Awai in close. He reaches around her, taking her tail in his other hand. “You are young; you are lovely. Why not give up on this barbarian of a man you call your Shogun and come with me back to the mainland?”\n\tAwai can feel her beastly nature pulling at her heart. She wants to play along, she wants to give in to Nero; but the thoughts of her family, what she has paid for them and where she has been, pushes back. As Awai thinks, Nero plays with Awai’s tail, tickling her and trying to provoke her wild emotion.\n\tAwai enjoys herself for only a moment before reaching around Nero’s head and wrapping her fingers around his eyes, pulling him backwards. “Remove your paws from my body. I am the Shoguness.” She slaps him under the nose, throwing him to the ground. “Get on your ship and never darken my line of sight again!”\n\n***\n\n\tSun walks into the throne room to see his father. Sun has not yet finished tying his robe shut as he approaches Kuro, deep in prayer. Sun calls out to Kuro, waking him from his meditation. “Father! Where is Nero?” \n\tKuro opens his eyes. “Why?”\n\tSun paces back and forth. “He needs to be punished for what he has done to Lafe.”\n\t“Nero is gone; as is Lafe.” Sun is filled with rage. He grunts and spins in a half circle, turning away from his father. Kuro calls out to Sun, “What would the monks think if they saw you today?”\n\tFilled with energetic fury, he looks back to his father. “You asked me once if I hunger for war. Today I do.”\n\tKuro stands up and takes the Empire Sword off the wall. “Your lips speak in anger. How about your heart?” Kuro jumps at his son, thrusting his hefty sword down at him. \n\tSun sidesteps, drawing his sword. He swings his sword down into his father’s, pinning the blade to the ground. Sun rests a foot on the back of Kuro’s blade, pushing it down out of his reach, forcing him to drop the blade or kneel—and Kuro will never kneel. With the Shogun’s sword dropped, Sun twists himself in a nekodachi, swinging his sword backhanded into his father. \n\tThe blade should have landed in Kuro’s side; deep and crippling—if not fatal. But Kuro demonstrates his superhuman speed and might, grabbing the blade with his bare hand; only the tiniest trickle of blood leaving his palm. The King of Rabbits looks down at his son. “You are ready to fight.” He speaks low and clear. “We will fight.” He drops the blade, “But first I must pray. You will come with me.”\n\tSun twists his blade one way, then slashes it down the other, flicking the blood from the edge. “If you mean to pray to our god, he will not hear of war from you again. Ours is a god of peace.”\n\tKuro looks out the window, turning his gaze to the shadow of the moon in the western sky. “It is not our god I will pray to, but to the goddess of our enemy.” With a strong breath his breasts lift, then with a hard grunt he continues, “We will pray for ‘The Eclipse’.”\n\tIn a fit of passion, Sun yells out, “Heresy!”, but immediately cringes, awaiting punishment. Kuro fails to deliver as he instead nods his head and drops his ears before his body.\n\t“That is true. Still, this is not the first time I have kneeled before gods that are not my own, and I am sure this will not be the last time I sit before a strange altar.” He looks back to Sun. “Change your clothes and put on the leather armor I had fashioned for you. Tell Moon you are going out with me for the afternoon, but say not where or why—only that it will be late into the evening before we are to be expected.”\n\tSun follows his father’s wishes, and in short order they are walking down the riverside past the old town and past the tombs. After that, Kuro leads Sun to a place on the island he is unfamiliar with. Kuro talks to his son as they walk.\n\t“To you and I, the wolves look like monsters. But that is not how they see each other. In some ways, I find the wolves beautiful. When they sing songs, they are songs of glory and might. The wolves have gods like ours, but their gods do not reign over them. Their gods stand before them to point out the road that needs be walked next. The oldest wolf god is not a god of creation, but a god of justice. The old wolf god did not write a book of laws; he instead gave only a single law. ‘Never bend your knee: not to man, not to woman, not to a king, and not to me. Wolves are a liberated people, not slaves. If you fight, you eat. When you die, do so in the name of justice and with your teeth bared.’ Those words are the only words the old god ever spoke to mortal men. Not many words, but strong words. After that the old god vanished, leaving his people to grow under the eyes of his children until strong enough to care for themselves.”\n\tKuro takes Sun to a place where there are no more roads. There are battle scars cut into trees and rocks alike. Sun has never seen this place, but he knows what it is—the burned remains of Skoll village; once the last stronghold of the wolves in the east.\n\tKuro stops before a cave mouth clearly infested with spiders as silk nearly bars the opening shut. A light flutter from the wind casts otherworldly shadows on the webs. “Sit here,” Kuro points at the ground. “Close your eyes and pray until I come back.” He looks at the cave. “I will walk alone for the last mile of this quest.”\n\tSun sits and looks into the cave. Eyes stare back at him from the deep; large yellow eyes with the silver of the moon shining from their piercing voids. Sun gasps, paralyzed by the eyes. Kuro covers Sun’s eyes for him, then grunts. “Eyes closed.” Sun complies.\n\n***\n\nKuro pushes his way into the depths of Skoll’s cave. As the light fades away, a clear womanly voice calls out to him. “King of the Rabbit’s I trust you plan to discard that filthy cloak you wear before approaching me.”\nKuro discards his clothing. “It is done.”\n“Did you come alone?” The voice calls to him again.\n“I am not a fool. There is another awaiting me outside.” Kuro replies. \n“Then come deeper.” The voice turns slightly less hostile. “You and that demon in your chest have not set foot here in nearly a lifetime. Why have you come?”\n\t“I need you!” Kuro yells.\nA monster steps out of the shadows. her chest sits at eye level with the giant rabbit Kuro. It walks on all fours, her head slightly down. Silver fangs flicker, casting light on the cave—as do her eyes. Her hair is black as the night sky, ears short and sharp. A slight musk lifts from her fur, sending out a deathly copper scent. “When last we saw each other Kuro, you cut me. You cut me in ways that do not heal. That demon hiding in your breast has the power to harm even a goddess.”\nKuro is not intimidated. This is Skoll’s mortal body. In order to speak, she must stay within that form, and in such shape must follow the rules of being on this world. Her supernatural powers are limited. “It seems I have slept for many years. The world is changing; people no longer fear and respect their elders. I need the power to remind them of who we are and what we can do.”\nSkoll is amused. “You are not mortal or divine, but still have the finest parts of both. What do you have to fear?”\n“Time—before all else,” Kuro shouts.\n“You fear you will be forgotten, and all you have built will sink into the swamp of obscurity.”\n“Yes.”\nSkoll looks down at the ground, running her paws though the thick dust. “I am old, my magic has grown weak. My children have left me. I am forgotten. You and I, Kuro, we are the last of a dead race. There are only twelve of our kind left alive. Twelve Zodiac beasts. My brother…” her voice grows weak.\nBoldly Kuro growls, “Do not kneel to despair. You are a wolf! Show me your teeth! Follow me into battle!”\nSkoll’s head darts up and a phantom light burns from within her breasts. The feral beast curls her lips showing off its hooked fangs. “I could fight once more. I can slay a thousand rabbits, swallow them all whole; just like I did to the flying horse in the stars. You will trade a dark lord for a soulless lady. But that is not the point; that is not just. You don’t need a goddess, you need a symbol—a flag that shows your people, your glory, your enemy, and your malice.”\nSkoll points at the ground where a hand axe made of a black metal and wrapped in a bone cradle rests. “A world breaker, my ‘Eclipse Axe.’ Pick it up!” Skoll orders. \nKuro understands this is a challenge. He bends down, gripping the handle of the axe with one hand. He tries to stand, but the axe will not let him, as an unknown force grips the axe firm, holding it to the ground.\nSkoll repeats. “Pick it up! Pick it up and I will give you everything I have! Everything you can ever need!”\nKuro takes the axe in both hands, but all his might will not let the axe leave the ground.\n“The world breaker has powerful magic around it. It was forged from the heart of a dead star. Even without the magic, the Eclipse Axe weights 10,000 lbs. Only when my blood is within another’s veins can the axe be moved. Not even you and your Ju-on can muster that feat.” \nKuro places down the axe. “What must I do?”\n“Become like me.” She opens her mouth, tips her head to take Kuro’s mouth in hers. Skoll stands over Kuro, pushing him over, proclaiming her dominance—in a playful way.\n\n***\n\nWhen Kuro leaves the cave, he holds Skoll’s axe in his hand—and he stinks of wolf blood.\nWhen he appears, Sun asks of his father, “What is that you are holding?”\n“Our prayer.”\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChapter 7\n\n\tMoon stands in the entertaining room of Kuro’s castle, a long bo held between her hands, a plate of salt at her feet. The Shoguness stands beside her watching her work. Moon spins the staff and dips it in the salt, the Shoguness calling out commands. Moon draws as her mother speaks, demonstrating a sophisticated dance with her staff.\n\n“The Quest of Twenty-One Blades:”\n \tThe First Blade; the young blade, carved from stone cuts deep. It must, for it is hardy and wishes to return to the earth.\n\tThe Second Blade; the new blade, plucked from the grass, thin and sharp, light as air. It flexes and quivers. A trusted friend always in arms reach, but like the grass, quickly grays, then turns to dust.\n\tThe Third Blade; the child’s blade; innocent, imaginative, weightless, shapeless, formless. Made by a child for a child, a man’s blade it will never be.\n\tThe Fourth Blade; the matron blade, clean, swift and sharp. She sits in her castle, watching her children play. She knows a pain that is only hers. Her labors are many, her suffering unheard; life gives life, as filth births purity.\n\tThe Fifth Blade; the brave blade, the true blade. He leaves his mother’s side, his eyes open. He can see only the future, tomorrows unnumbered. Fate pushes him to search for his kin.\n\tThe Sixth Blade; the mature blade. His hands are weathered, his teeth are chipped. He remembers the path he has walked and looks forth to the miles left to travel. The blade refreshed by wisdom; earned through defeat.\n\tThe Seventh Blade; the honored blade. Snow and ice, winds and rains, miles walked. Blood spilt the blade of heroes. Stand not behind us, but before us; let this sword lead you out of danger and into glory.\n\tThe Eighth Blade; a bent blade. Worn and weak, she slouches over. Her legs sit apart as she watches her feet with much interest. She hides from the path before her and the path behind her. She is tired, but she is not broken.\n\tThe Ninth Blade; the stoic blade. His hand reaches for his brothers. He bleeds, but he knows that he bleeds so that others need not. Let this blade be your wall; let him fight so you may rest.\n\tThe Tenth Blade; the hateful blade. He sits on his knees. He cries looking back at all he has lost. The nights grow longer. He has forgotten something of value. He curses himself; he curses he who stands with him.\n\tThe Eleventh Blade; the lost blade…”\n\tMoon drops her staff and it hits the ground with an earsplitting twang. The Shoguness is not amused. She looks down at her child with a most piercing gaze, awaiting an explanation. Moon ducks her head in shame. “I lost it. I crossed my wrist, pinched myself.”\n\tThe Shoguness’ eyes lighten. “Pick up the staff. We can start again. Your father spent fifty winters learning this dance. I understand. At the end adding one step to the dance--his own hidden motion.”\n\t“A twenty-second blade?” Moon asks.\n\t“A forgotten blade,” she adds.\n\tMoon goes to hand her mother the staff. “Can you show me?”\n\tAwai shakes her head, planting a hand on Moon’s chest, her eyes closed and a peculiar smile on her lips. “I have yet to master it myself.”\n\t“What are the Twenty-one Blades?” Moon asks.\n\t“Old magic. It is the oldest story I know. The blades are people; that is why we give them gender. The first, second, third, and fifth are one person; the fourth and the eighth are another. Dance was how we remembered things in the lost past.” Awai places her hands on Moon’s shoulders and spins her in a circle to about face. “Do you remember the Seventeenth Blade?”\n\tMoon whispers to herself, trying to start her dance from one of the last steps. “The Seventeenth Blade; the phantom’s blade, the healers blade. She rests her hands on the eyes of the first, second third fourth, fifth, and seventh. She invites them home. The night has come and the brave must rest. Bring all blades to her that she may place them in the ground, and with the rising of the sun, call them back to light...”\n\tAwai calls, “Stop.” Awai draws her sword. She reaches around her child, resting the flat of her blade to the fabric of her robe. “Look now at the markings you have made in the salt and at the markings on the side of my blade.”\n\t“Aki Awai Kuro.” Moon reads the writing on the crossguard of the sword. The scars of the staff on the ground have clearly drawn a picture in the salt. The same picture is on Awai’s short single-edged sword. Moon looks up with bright eyes. “You are the Seventeenth Blade!”\n\t“My grandmother’s great grandmother, maybe. This was no sword crafted by the stonesmith. This one is my family sword; my father’s sword. When he died it was brought to me for safe keeping; and when I die it will become Sun’s. That is the tradition. That is what we have done since time immemorial. That which was the father’s becomes the daughter’s; that which was the mother’s becomes the son’s.”\n\tWith skill and grace Awai wraps her leg around a staff, then kicks it up into her hand, catching it behind her back. “We will start again. I stand with you this time my beloved.”\n***\n\tIt is even later into the evening than Kuro had planned when, at last, he makes his way back into his chamber. Awai and Moon are still hard at their practicing. Both girls had let down the shoulders of their robes to free up their movements, making their dance ever so much cleaner without their thick robes weighing them down. Kuro let’s Sun into the chamber first. Once the door slides open, Awai re-robes Moon swiftly—then herself. Then Awai ties her hair back in anticipation of her Shogun’s return.\n\tKuro stinks of sweat and blood. He walks past his family without even an acknowledging glance. He throws his robe from his body, then mounts his sword in its cradle. He drops his new axe on the ground, then falls to his knees. His eyes are fixated on the wolf’s axe, the world breaker.\n\tKuro’s family waits quietly for their father to address them. Without an upwards glance, his ears twitch reminding him of their presence. “Awai, hand our robes to your escorts. Have them wash them in the river, then have them go to the church. Tell the elder monk he will be needed at sunrise. Then you may sit.” There is another pause as Kuro seems hypnotized. “No; tell him after noon prayer. I need to bathe. Sun, Moon,” he makes a gesture with his hands that is somewhat unclear to the others. “Go outside; play.”\n\tThe order to go play is one that Kuro has almost never given. If there is time for play, then there is time for work. Time for play is one holy day. But the order was clear. Sun and Moon run outside without giving their father the opportunity to change his mind.\n\tOnce the kids have stepped outside, Awai takes off her clothes and sits with her lover. She rests her hands on his chest, followed by her head on his arm. “What need does Kuro, the King of Rabbits, have with the elder monk?”\n\t“My father told me, one cold spring morning, that ‘monks are filled with the most pious of rage. In a time of fear that rage can light a fire.’ I will have him paint a picture for me. Then I will build a giant.” With that, Kuro reaches around, taking his Shoguness and holds her to his chest, hoping to chip the ice from his soul with her warmth.\n\n***\n\nAs the kids get outside, the moon is already rising. Moon climbs the side of the pagoda and throws a rope down to Sun. Her speed at climbing is unmatched, and she is even faster without her traveling gear. The two of them climb to the top tier where there are two effigies; one of a jumping fish, the other of a waiting snake.\n\tThe night is warmer than most, so the kids strip down to their undergarments and sit on the roof together. Sun sits with his head down and his knees pulled into his chest, Moon slides up behind him. She folds her arms over his chest, holding her brother lovingly. \n\t“Moon, I feel like I have done something wrong.”\n\t“Why?”\n\t“I told father that I want to fight. I want to fight for Lafe.”\n\tMoon is speechless. Moon, like so many others’ has never seen war; has never seen fighting. She steps around her brother, laying down and setting her head on his legs. She looks up at him, trying to change the subject at hand. Sun seems to understand what she is trying to do; he lays back, bunching up their clothing to use as a makeshift pillow. “Sun; what do you know about the wolves?”\n\tSun sets one hand on his sister’s belly, rubbing her as he watches the moon’s corona. “Not very much; nothing that isn’t common knowledge, I don’t think.”\n\tThe kids relax in each other’s embrace. “Taking this land from the wolves was our finest victory. But what do you think happened before that?”\n\tSun rubs up Moon’s fur, pushing it the wrong way, making her fur puff up as he talks. “When Dad was a kid, like 4,000 years ago or something, he and his uncle were weapon makers…”\nMoon squeezes Sun’s hand, stopping him from rubbing up from her hip to her chest, holding his hand to her midsection. “No no no; before that, before the war. There must have been something that sparked the fighting, right?”\nThe two of them stare off into the endless night sky. The air is warm, but the wind slowly turns the night cold. “I don’t know.” Sun sinks his fingertips into Moon’s fur, Moon lets out a comforting squeak.\n“What do you think that bone blade Kuro had was?”\n“I don’t know.”\n\t“Make something up then.” Moon is clearly requesting a story from her brother. It’s a silly game, one from their earliest memories, Awai told stories when Sun was just starting to walk, before he became a fighter. The two asked questions insufferably. Awai sometimes made up stories to distract them.\n\tSun thinks hard for a moment, then starts to spin a tale for his sister’s amusement. “Once the queen of all wolves had a son. He was all wolf, even though he wears a mask with the face of a monkey. The wolves love their prince, for he was mightier than mighty. Even the Emperor Jade loved the prince of wolves; so much so that he gave the wolves two holy gifts. First he painted a picture of the sun for them, and called it Helio. Then he panted the moon and called it Eclipse.\n\tWhen the prince took Helio into his maw, it became a mirror which he cut into a shield; and the shield was unbreakable. Then he took Eclipse into his maw and it became an axe; and it was unstoppable. Then, with these tools on his back, the prince took a name for himself. He became Gideon the Skull. With the power he now holds, Gideon became a godhunter. He searched the world over looking for those that would turn their back on the creator of worlds, or who would harm that which the old gods found pure; and he would punish them.\n\tThe world loved Gideon—just like the wolves, just like the creator. People from around the world called his name whenever they were afraid, and he would come running. He ran so fast that trees bent their knees to him and water parted to let him pass. To stand before the prince became the job of the ardent and the foolish. No man could break his shield; no man could stop his axe. He became justice in the flesh.\n\tBut not all could see his power for what it was. There was a being, one mind with endless bodies. They are called the Deep. Awaken from a sleep that was ever meant to end at the end of the sea, in a place where light never shines. A lost horse maiden summons back to this world something Luna had buried.\n\tLuna’s children revived. They brought the seas to life, giving the water a voice and the power to walk and talk like a beast. The very waters of the earth are now alive. \n\tAnd so the prince of wolves picks up his mighty shield and his axe, and he goes to do battle with the water. The prince is mighty, fast, and strong. The waters pound on his back, but his shield holds the water back. The prince swings his axe. He splits the ocean from the land, and with seven swings he carves apart the seven greater islands from ‘the one earth’—and with hundreds more he crafts the lesser lands.\n\tAs the battle rages on, the two invincible forces create with fury the lands and the seas. Mountains are forged when the prince is pushed back by the Deep; cannons are unearthed whenever the Deep takes a step.\n\tAt long last the prince finds winning this battle is impossible. He will never kill the Deep. But what if he did not need to kill to win? Gideon throws himself at the ocean, and picks it up in his mouth. He pins it to the ground. It thrashes and throws itself about and at last rolls the prince onto his back. But the prince will not yield. \n\tTo this day, the wolf and the sea still do battle whenever a storm dawns and the sky turns black. That is Gideon trying to stand up, and the Deep pulling him back down.”\n\tMoon is mostly asleep as the story comes to a close. She meekly whispers as she places one arm and one leg around her brother. “You can tell me in the morning what the horse maiden did to make the sea mad.”\n\tSun tucks one hand under her tail to hold Moon to his side. “Yeah, I can.”\n\n***\n\nAt daybreak drums pound, Awai’s escorts approach the main gate. A dozen old monks walk between them. With the monks inside, the doors to the throne room close. The doors would not reopen for months. \n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Prolog
\tIn the realm where the sun rises from the ocean at the dawn of each day rest twelve stones upon which twelve kingdoms reside. From each of the twelve kingdoms hale twelve men, and these twelve men would be the greatest heroes of their race. Should one of these great men fall, he will be born again to continue protecting his people until the end of time.
\tAtop the rock farthest from the mainland, and in turn closest to the sun, a people called the Usagi are born. They are tall slender people with white hair and long drooping ears, large feet and shapely legs. Many say that the Usagi can run so fast that they leave no mark on the ground where they tread.
\tFor more than a thousand years the Usagi have waged war on their enemies, the Uni. The Uni are everything that the Usagi are not. The Uni are bulky people; their ears sharp, their hair dark, their teeth long. When the Usagi were learning to make peace with the world, the Uni were learning to conquer those weaker than themselves.
\tFor many years the Usagi alone out ran the Uni, thereby escaping extinction by their hand. Then the Usagi where given the gift of bronze from their heavenly keepers. With this in hand the Usagi began to fight back, pushing the Uni out to the sea.
\tBut, even with this new technology, it would be years without number before the tide of war would truly swing in the Usagi’s favor. Two powerful and wise men are held most responsible for this turning. First—the King of Rabbits, Akihona; second—his nephew Kuro.
\tKuro was the largest and most powerful rabbit ever born, standing so tall he could see eye to eye with a full-grown wolf. Akihona spent much of the wealth of his people on building ships. First was the intent of hiding on them when the Uni would overrun his walls, but then came the aspiration to hand them over to his nephew to wage the greatest battle ever fought by their people. Akihona also built a device that would throw spears a hundred at a time to place on his boats, but after seeing the weapon in action, having slain 5,000 Usagi in the blink of an eye, he smashed it and planted a forest atop its broken pieces.
\tKuro had a plan, one only a mad man would dare try. Kuro attacked the Uni at their home. Launching a charge against Nine, King of the Wolves, he places a knife in the hand of every rabbit: man, woman, and child alike. If you were strong enough to run, then you were strong enough to fight. Kuro loaded every rabbit in the kingdom onto Akihona’s boats and the battle was on.
\tThe war lasted for only days under Kuro’s command, but they were the bloodiest days that have ever been seen. Ten thousand Uni and one hundred thousand Usagi were slain with each passing day, but at-last King Nine had been slain in single combat against Kuro, and all twelve kingdoms where handed over to King Akihona. Akihona gifted King Nine’s island to Kuro as a reward for his valor.
\tEven though most returned home, Kuro chose thirty men and one-hundred and fifteen women to stay with him and build a new castle atop the burning remains of King Nine’s stronghold. Kuro, it is told, will live 10,000 lifetimes as a blessing from the gods…
\t… If the story of the mighty Kuro ended there it would be a beautiful epic. But no tale I have ever heard ended so kindly. Kuro would never again sleep a sound night as the ghost of Skoll, King Nine’s mother would visit him in his sleep. She is a wolf so grand that her shadow blocks out the sun. Her jaws are so powerful she could no doubt take a bite out of the moon itself. Every rabbit knows Skoll. She is the mistress that leads us all into the next world. There are those that would say only Kuro has ever seen her and lived to tell the tale.
\tThe story of the Shogun Kuro only grows more upsetting. Only days after returning from the battle in the land that would come to be called Tanto Island, Skoll comes calling for King Akihona. As in every case, Akihona must heed her call and never be seen again. This drives Kuro into a deep rage. He locks himself in this new fortress for many years, not wishing to speak to anyone.
\tWith time his anger would numb and he would go out into the town looking for a confidant to follow him back to the castle. Sometimes a man, others a woman; but for the next 1,000 years these confidants would carry his word from the castle on high to the kingdom below.
\tIn time, the actions of the Usagi would lead to a long-lasting peace. Kuro and his followers enjoy their new world. Allowing their boats to sink into the sea, they take on a new set of traditions; becoming their own people. By order of Kuro, every man, woman, and child still carry a blade with them, but with the passage of years, the make and shape of the blade slowly changes. The people of the land now called Dagger Pass become ever more skilled fighters, never forgetting that which they learned fighting Nine and his wolves…
\t…At long last Kuro emerges from his castle and retakes his place as acting Shogun of the land. He takes a wife and she has a son and a daughter with Kuro. This too would not last. Soon after celebrating the birth of the royal children, Skoll comes calling. Many believe that Kuro stood up to protect the people from her, but if this is so, the council did not end well. No rabbit knows what was discussed by these two masters of the realm. What is known, is that every girl child in the land that was less than five years old was ordered sacrificed in the name of the Shogun.
\tAll know that the Shogun is wise and kind in ways that very few can understand, so most followed the words of their lord without hesitation. Any who did not understand the orders were given the opportunity to engage in “the Rite of a Hundred Blades”, where they may plead for the life of their offspring by doing battle against one hundred men of the Shogun’s choosing. If one should endure this trial, then their child would be spared and the family given as much gold as they can carry. Only one rabbit would take this opportunity, a woman who had given birth that very day… Aki Awai.
Not even the Shogun’s wife was spared this fate, as her newborn twins were separated and her daughter drowned. For though the Shoguness was brave, she lacked the power to defeat Kuro and his 99 chosen swordsmen…
…In the spring of the following year, the Shoguness and her court of ten maidens find their way to the stream. There they find a washtub floating down river. After dragging it to dry land they find within it an odd-looking beast. All-in-all, it looks like a Usagi, but only half the size of a newborn baby. Its hair is shorter than most, as are its ears; but its tail is as long as its legs and the teeth are short and sharp. They all can see it is a girl, and she is ever so helpless. A kanji is drawn on the child’s face—the characters are ‘Night’ and ‘Heaven.’
The Shoguness takes the beast and wraps it in a robe taken from one of her courts to bring it home. The Shoguness gives the beast as a gift to her boy, who she has named Sun. This strange beast from the river she names after her late daughter; she would be called Moon.
The two children would grow side by side; Sun ever venturing to become more like his father Kuro. Moon, much to everyone’s surprise, is a clever child. She learns the Usagi language and way of life. In spite of her strange appearance, she has convinced everyone (her self-included) that she is a rabbit and that she is Sun’s twin sister.
\tI give these words onto you, the mice or Graywall. In my dreams, the stars do speak. Do they speak of tomorrow, or do they speak of yesteryear? I have done my vows as the Weaver, now I must do my deeds as a mother. It has been written.




-Jessica Brisbane-

Act 1: Age of Love

Chapter 1
\tEven as their teen years start; Sun and Moon still share a bed, sleeping nose to nose. Their room is against the east wall so as the sun crests over the water they are the first to see it and be awakened. Sun sleeps facing west; Moon east. Moon always wakes up first. Moon playfully bites at Sun’s ears to stir him from his rest. “Sun, we have to get bathed. Father, Shogun Kuro, is expecting to see us before breakfast.” Sun and Moon step out of bed almost in step as they grab their robes from the wardrobe, tie their obis, and perform the prayer that allows them to remove their swords from their cradles.
***
The two of them leave the castle together and walk to the creek that runs past the south wall of the fortress. Sun’s ears lift high into the air as he looks up stream to the ocean. His chest puffs out as he tries to focus on something in the distance. Unable to perceive what he sees Moon bounces up and down trying to look at what Sun see. “There is something in the water,” he explains.
Moon grabs Sun by the hip and jumps up his body to stand on his shoulders. Once she can see, she speaks, “Is that an Arrow ship? I don’t think I have ever seen one.”
Sun lifts his eyes looking up at his sister. “No one has; not since before Mom was born.”
“Who is on it? Where did it come from?” Moon sits atop her brother’s shoulders and looks down at him.
“The flag has the crest of crossed hands. That is the same emblem as the flag that hangs over Father’s chamber door. The ship must belong to one of our cousins across the sea.”
“Why would it be here, do you think?”
“Maybe it is just passing by. No one from the other land comes here anymore.”
“We will have to tell Mother about this.” Moon jumps down from Sun’s, shoulders then runs to the river to start playing around. Sun playfully chases after Moon; jumping into the creek after her. Under Kuro’s watchful eyes, play is always done in moderation. The children clean themselves up and make their way home and prep for what is sure to be a day filled with work and studies.

***

Moon dresses in her finest robe to see Kuro; a hefty robe woven from spider silk with a cotton under robe and a ribbon around her waist. The silk robe is dark blue with a waterfall-like design. The ribbon is bright pink to draw attention to itself and away from the short-sword hidden, tucked within, running down the back of her legs. Her mother believes her a beautiful and desirable thing, so why not call attention to her more feminine qualities?
Sun has a formal robe, but his is yellow and has a secondary tailed vest that goes over it with an orange and red sky scene across his back. His sword is long and rests in a vibrantly decorated scabbard. His blade is not hidden, but more so displayed, resting on his shoulder. The boy may one day be King. He must look manly—expose his chest, call attention to his shoulders.
As they dress, Moon reaches under the dresser and withdraws a long thick wooden box. Sun looks to his sister, “What do you have there?”
Moon opens the box and starts to unroll a dark green gown with wood like texturing and the image of a wolf and a rabbit baring fangs at one another. “Father has a fascination with dogs. Half the paintings between here and the dining hall are of wolves.” She freezes a moment. “Also, I have seen that Father loves you but loathes me. I thought maybe I could buy his love with a gift like this.” She places the garment back into the box. “I’ve been sneaking out of the castle at night to work on this for the last three weeks or so.”
“I had no idea that you knew how to weave silk. It is lovely.”
“It’s not like I have done this alone; but thank you.”
“I don’t think Father hates you.”
“You cannot see him from the angle I can. He swoons over you as you practice with your blade; he hardly offers me an upwards gaze when we speak.”
“He can’t. You are a fourth his height! *Giggle*”
Moon doesn’t understand the joke at first and starts to shout back at him, but before more than just an angry huff can leave her lips she freezes, thinking aloud, “How tall is father? Like twelve paws?”
“Twelve of my paws,” Sun jokes around. “More like twenty of yours.”

***

The children go to the main hall where the Shogun awaits. He is sitting on his knees with his hands set on his thighs, head ducked in prayer. Kuro has chosen not to don a robe, instead, he wears the loose-fitting cloth leggings and loin cloth that he dresses in when training. With his chest bare, it is clear to all that he wears scars like few others. He has a dozen puncture marks lining the side of his body and a laceration mark on his chest where he would have been held in a beast’s mouth. He sports a moon shaped gash from shoulder to chest where surely an axe had been broken off in his body, and lastly, what could only be a handprint permanently bruised into his fur from chest to hip flexors.
The Shogun’s wife sits side by side with him looking over the scrolls set on the ground. Having finished first, the Shogun speaks. “This was sent by a man named Nero. It seems he was affiliated with my uncle. He is coming here to ‘check up’ on us.” The Shogun’s voice is low and thundering. He talks slowly, but his overwhelming size makes his whispers sound like a shout to those who are not expecting to hear it.
The Shoguness is quick to weigh in on the discussion at hand. “The Emperor has not contacted us in decades. I don’t like this. Why would he want to see us now?” The Shoguness chooses a different form of dress than most. She likes dark form-fitting dresses, mostly nightshade and gray; no fancy patterns for her. As for her sword—she has the handle cut short and the blade halved so she can strap it to her forearm to quick draw. The Shoguness has no interest in a fair fight; she plans to win at all costs—fast and dirty.
“If the Emperor’s lapdog wants to see our home, that he can do. We will give him as much wine to drink and bread to eat as he can possibly want. There will be dancing and drumming at his arrival. But should he ask for more, I shall need to remind him that this house is my house!”
Sun and Moon walk in after standing at the door for a moment to get a bead on the situation. Kuro looks up and grunts with a hint of agitation in his voice. “You two are late…”
Sun cuts in not waiting for Kuro to ask him to elaborate. “It is my fault. We were at the river and saw a strange sight in the water…”
“Captain Nero’s ship; I have seen it too.” Kuro nods in understanding at that point. “I do not wish to speak of him at this time. He is going to stay on his boat for two days before coming to shore himself. I know not why he would wish to do this; but so be it. Until then, we stay to our work as normal.”
Kuro stands to search the table in the room for his pipe and a spoonful of poppy seeds to fill it with. “Boy, I wish to ask you about your thoughts on the future.”
Sun looks to his father. “What is there to think about? I will take my 31 day pilgrimage into the mountains on the eve of my 16th birthday and then join the monks in copying the ancients’ scripts—just as any civilized rabbit should.”
“Have you ever wanted more?”
“Is there more that I should want?”
“You are the son of the Shogun! Do you wish for battle? Glory? Lordship?”
“Maybe; but you are the Shogun and you will never die, so there is no need for me to do such things as lord over people or dream of glory. As for battle, my being the son of the Shogun has no merit on that.”
Kuro leans forward to push himself upright. “Do not speak with such a soft voice. In your wake wise men should fall to their knees and kings should weep. You are Sun, your father is Kuro the immortal, and your sword may yet level mountains and part the sea; but perhaps not today. Come with me children.” Kuro walks to the door looking out to the village below. “I have not walked the streets of my kingdom in many days; I should like to do so. We will walk together.”
Moon kneels before Kuro with her head down. She holds the box over her head, presenting the Shogun with her gift. Kuro looks down to her with a grunt. “What is this you are showing me, small one?”
“I have brought you a gift, Father,” Moon explains. Kuro grunts, clearly aggravated by Moon’s words. Moon corrects herself. “Shogun.”
Kuro opens the box and pulls out the robe. Without a sound he examines it for a short time, then wraps it around himself. He nods approvingly as he ties his obi.

Chapter 2

\tShogun Kuro takes his sword from over the throne. It has a blade the length of a rabbit’s body with a soft curve to it. The handle is inscribed with his name on one side and the crest of his family on the other. The handle is long enough that four paws could wrap around it. The blade is lined with chips and cracks that have been tampered over hundreds of times, giving the blade the appearance of being covered in spider webs. The sheath is cut from a dark red wood and fire tempered to lock in its inner glory; a simple holster for a magnificently honed blade. It is a cruel weapon for a brutal heart.
\tMost Shoguns would walk with a royal entourage; Kuro needs no such thing. When he walks the streets, the wise make room for his passing, the clever keep their eyes turned down, and the ‘in the know’ do not address Kuro until he has spoken.
When the Shogun walks the streets of his kingdom he always knows where he is going first—a bar located only a short walk from his doorstep run by the Grass family. As Kuro’s shadow darkens the doorway, a yearling girl holds a clay cup up to the Shogun. Kuro nods his head with a grunt and drinks his water with mint leaves. He drops a handful of coin at his feet as he walks on.
The Shogun’s second stop is the Maple farm. Only here does he address his family, opening the door to conversation. “These trees were a gift from me to the Bark family. These trees bleed milk in the spring and cotton in the fall. The armor worn by King Nine was grown from this orchard. I trust Bark and his kin to care for them and reap their blessings in my name. But this is only the beginning of the magic Nine left in my care.”
Sun looks to his father. “I do not see the magic. We have planted, grown, and re-grown many trees here, and elsewhere. It is not magic that makes the trees grow.”
“Boy—you have never left this island. You do not understand that the cotton trees grow only here at the foot of this mountain.”
“The monks living at the top of those stairs on high told me, ‘It is the seed, not the tree, that has power.’ These trees will milk no matter where you plant them.”
“For men that speak only in whispers, they seem to have much to say,” Kuro complains. “Next, on to the rock farm.”
The Shoguness looks to her escort, “I understand that is where your friend Wind was born.”
\tThe Shoguness’ escort dresses in green; she keeps her hood up and covers her face with a veil. The veil is a symbol of tribute paid to the Shogun. Escorts have no name; escorts have no loyalties outside of their service to the family. An escort is ‘Christened’ at 14 years of age. After their ‘Christening,’ they are expected to serve the family for 14 years. Afterwards, they are awarded a mate and as much land to live on as they can build a wall around. Should the escort displease the family, they are sent home with no ill will. Should they die before the 14 years have passed, their mother and father are given a wine barrel of silk and gold to pay for time served; but—should the escort lose their virginity while in service, then the escort forfeits this contract and payment becomes void.
\tThe escort speaks softly, “My youngest sister lives there, as do her young. She is friends with your children. She plans to move into the church on the hill soon; much like Sun.”
Kuro briskly leads the group onwards. As they approach the great hole in the island that is the Rock farm, he looks down with a mild nostalgic grin. “This is what makes us different from every other rabbit to ever live—the melting stones. Heat them once and they turn to quicksilver. Let it freeze thereafter and it becomes all but unbreakable. Over the years I have used the melting stone to craft shields that no arrows can puncture, and swords no armor could keep out. If there was anything on this island that my uncle regrets having left behind, surely it would be this…”
\tAs the story goes on, a pebble strikes Sun on the back. He pays no heed at first; but when a second strikes him, he turns to look. There hiding in the trees a handful of yards away, dressed in a grassy green garb, is Wind. She has been friends with Sun since they were quite young. It has been some time since they last came face to face. Yes, they both go to the monastery for schooling, but the monks like to keep the classes small and almost never let boys and girls sit side by side—rarely are they even allowed to sit in the same room as one another.
\tSince their last meeting, Wind has grown tall and slender—in many ways starting to resemble Sun’s mother, the Shoguness. Wind beckons Sun forth. He complies, sneaking away from his father to go see his friend and classmate. Wind giggles at his approach, noticing his excited little shuffle. Wind draws the staff from her back. She twists one end of it and a long thin blade drops out of that end. She flips it around and a second drops out the other. Wind then discards her staff and takes the two blades, handing one off to Sun and keeping the other for herself.
  \tWithout a word, Wind spins forward swinging her long knife at her childhood companion. Barely keeping up with the events before him, Sun dips backwards, throwing his arms out in a shield—one high to protect his face, the other low to cover his chest down to his hip. Wind hops in to take a second slash. Sun pivots in, getting too close to Wind for her to hit as he pulls his arms into his chest in a mantis-like movement. One of his hands drops onto Wind’s wrist to grab her; the other he holds to her elbow to keep it straight. With a twist of the hip and a shuffle, Sun thrusts Wind at a tree.
 \tSun remembers this game now. Every kid in the kingdom knew one variation on it or another. It is called ‘Fox and Hare,’ as he recalls. He can’t seem to remember ever playing it with knives though. When he played, he liked to use sticks. The two players keep jumping at each other kicking and pushing until they can get their opponent to lay on their stomach. The person to push them over then sits on their back to pin them down, and the pinned needs to offer the pinner a gift to get back up; or the game is over. Last time Sun and Wind played together the currency was rocks, and all the players were around three. (last time it was Moon, Wind, and himself as well as Wind’s three older sisters and her baby brother playing. He can’t seem to remember the outcome.)
Wind bounces back into battle with a thrust. Sun cross-steps to her side and slaps her hand down, then drags his hand up her arm to slap her across the nose. Wind has seen this trick once before, as her hand is there to intercept the slap. Wind grabs Sun’s hand and twists his wrist palm up, lifting him up onto his toes. As she drops him, she delivers a palm-punch to his side, sending him toppling over.
 \tWind runs in, eager to pin Sun and win this game. Sun rolls up onto his hip, stretching out one leg to discourage the charge. Wind grabs his leg and pushes it to the side. She hopes he will roll off to the side to keep his balance, but Sun rolls twice, and when Wind jumps on him she is sitting on his chest.
Sun bucks his hips, making Wind fall forward onto all fours. Sun slides one hand under her chin and the other over her crown to grip her head. He pulls down on one side and up on the other, forcing her to roll off of him. The two of them jump back to their feet and there is a back and forth as the two of them continue to strike, then retreat, waiting for the other to offer them an avenue of attack.
\tAfter some time Wind seems to throw the match. She performs the simplest and most exploitable tactic in the game—the one every boy tries first when learning ‘Fox and Hare’. She holds her weapon in front of herself and runs in full bore. Sun drops his weight back and grabs her arm with both hands, walking her backwards and dragging her face down into the dirt. Sun climbs onto Winds back, laying over her to pin her to the ground.
satisfied by the game, Wind giggles again and rolls her hips up just once—noticing the weight on her back in a more instinctive than intentional way. Sun gasps and crawls away, sitting up against a rock. Wind follows suit, getting up. “Hello Sun. How have you been?” At last they greet each other.
“Better than you, I suspect. You aren’t even old enough to be an escort, and I understand you have children.”
“I made a mistake and got scared. I was told that I was going to follow my sister into the life of an escort and in a fit of childish rage did all sorts of things to make myself unappealing to your father. I kissed half the boys in the tea house, I laid with both men and women; some twice my age. I even rested red metal to my breast, burning symbols onto my fur like we do with worker mules.”
“All that to keep away from my father?”
“And more. I wanted to grow up and have children while I was still young and strong enough to see them grow up themselves. I didn’t expect that I would have five of them before being welcomed into the priesthood, and not know who fathered them.”
“When we were children, I thought it would be me that was the father of your first born--likely out of wedlock and in some dark corner of the church…”
“Me too.” Sun and Wind both giggle childishly at the honesty and indecency of the statement. Wind crawls in offering a quick kiss to Sun.
Moon whistles to announce her approach. The two young lovers back away from each other, startled by the shrill sound. “Shogun Kuro is ready to return home. He is sending Mother and her escort to fetch party complements for our guests.”
Wind acknowledges Moon by raising one hand in greeting as Sun looks away shyly and adjusts his robes. “Hello Moon. I was hoping to see you.”
Moon runs her hands down her legs and falls into a kneeling position, tucking her gown beneath herself. “Why were you looking for me?”
“Have you ever stood on the balcony nearest the west wing exit at the monastery?” Wind asks.
“That’s the side overlooking the dale, right?” Moon rolls her eyes up, thinking about the monastery’s floor plan.
“Have you ever visited the dale?” Wind goes on.
“It’s a drop 90 body’s lengths down the bluff before you reach the dale. One way in and no way out, as far as I know.” Moon explains, then looks to her brother, “I don’t know anyone that has been down there—do you?”
Wind cuts in before Sun can reply, “I found a trail of stepping rocks not far from the church that leads in that direction. They’re far too small for any normal Usagi to crawl down; but maybe…”
Sun cuts in, “If the path is so narrow that only Moon could follow, then why bring it up?”
“Climbing spikes. If she can crawl down leaving us a trail of climbing spikes to jump down, we can follow her and have an easy way back, too.”
Moon claps. “I like this plan! I love exploring!”
Sun ducks his head with hesitation. “This isn’t like running amuck in the town square. We aren’t likely to find friends down there, or places to hide if things don’t go according to plan.”
Wind looks to Sun. “We might not need to go back up the bluff in the end. I think that the river west of here might even be fed from a basin on the other side of the bluffs.”
“Then we should walk around the hills and come in from the north.” Sun rubs his neck as he is thinking about the plan under discussion.
The thundering voice of Kuro calls the children to attention. “*grunt* You are speaking of Shinto Valley. No Usagi has ever set foot on that cursed soil; and yes, Faith River does run through the valley.” Kuro passes forth standing over Wind. “You go home, be with your children.” He turns his gaze onto Sun. “You go to the tea shop. Tell them that we are taking their maid and five baskets worth of herbs to the castle for a special assignment. Bring Moon with you.”
No one dares say a word. Everyone nods their heads and runs off to carry out the Shogun’s orders.

***

As Sun and Moon return to the tea house, the yearling who Sun knows as Lafe, runs up grabbing Sun in a hug, proclaiming—"Prince Sun!” She energetically bounces up and down a moment until Sun places a hand on her head pushing her down.
“Lafe,” Sun explains. “My father, the Shogun, wants you to bring five baskets of herbs to the castle.”
Lafe’s mother, who is called Zatsuso, steps out from the back of the shop. “That is more than twice what he asked for last time he was here.”
Sun bows. “I will help Lafe, of course.” He looks to the mother. “My father would like her to stay in the castle as well to help tend to the needs of our impending visitors.”
Zatsuso looks momentarily shocked, but calms herself as Sun finishes his explanation. “I was going to say, the Shogun has a taste for younger girls, but not as young as Lafe.” Zatsuso, who is no small woman walks up to Sun and Moon carrying with her a small bag. The older, experienced woman kneels next to the kids, sliding them each a piece of candy from within her pouch. “Lafe darling, go with the prince. Make sure that the Shogun has everything he needs.”
Lafe jumps up at her mother, kissing her.
Zatsuso laughs as she stands up. “Come on, let’s start packing.”
The group walk into the back of the tea house and start working on setting up for the upcoming party.

***

The long boat lands. Armies of Usagi dressed in green blouses and matching bottoms jump out; all perfectly uniformed right down to a long thin straight blade tucked into the back of their trousers with a powder keg and rifle slung down their backs. All are dressed so that the belt of buttons across there breasts are their only identifying feature.


Chapter 3

\tSun and Moon sneak out of the castle well before sunrise the next day. They both dress in the darkest monochrome robes to help them hide from the Shogun and his footmen in the front yard. Moon climbs the wall on the west end of the fortress and helps her brother over. Once outside, the two of them find their way back to Wind’s home. The need for adventure having overtaken them, the two feel a need to see Shinto Valley for themselves; just as Wind knew that they would.
\tSun jumps in through Wind’s window as Moon stands watch. “No funny stuff. Get Wind and let’s get going. I want to be at the church before the dawn bells ring,” Moon scoldingly whispers.
\t“What do you mean, ‘funny stuff’?” Sun asks as he drops down into the room.
\tWinds is lying on her back, sound asleep. In the warm summer night she has kicked her blanket down so it only covers her feet, and has pulled open her nightgown, unintentionally showing off her bright white fur, from breast to knee, to anyone that happens to be looking at her.
\tSun stares at his childhood friend for a short time admiring her newly formed feminine traits. Sun reaches down and in a childish gesture places one finger on the meat of her nose and flicks it down. Wind gasps and pushes herself upright and back into the wall at the head of her bed. Her heart is racing from the shock of waking and it takes her a moment to piece together that she is in her room and that Sun is standing over her. Once Wind knows where she is and what is going on she picks up her pillow and slaps Sun with it.
\tSun pulls one hand before his face to stop the attack, and then speaks up. “We are going to Shinto Valley.”
\tWind pulls her nightgown shut and smiles. “I thought we might be.” She stands up and walks around her less than tidy room searching for an outfit. “I have a rope and some hooks in the shed alongside my house. We will need that and…” she picks up a three piece rod and it shoulder-sling. “I hope I don’t need this.” Wind throws the staff on her bed.
\tWind quickly strips out of her nightgown and puts on the same green robe she was wearing yesterday plus a pair of armguards and leggings.
\tIn short order the kids are back on the road; Sun with the 100 yards of rope tied to his chest and Wind with the climbing tools stuffed into a satchel on her hip. Before sunrise, but as the blue-black sky is starting to show the first whisper of red, the three adventurers find their way up the steps to the church and start to walk the thin walkway around the outside.
\tThe three kids look down in wonder at the pit below and marvel at the idea that there are trees at the bottom that look so tiny from their vantage. Moon is the one to break the silence. “You would think that the river would have flooded this place years ago.”
\tWind responds as Sun is untying the rope from his chest. “Maybe some sort of honeycomb network of caves has been displacing the water to other sides of the island.”
\tMoon’s ears lower as she looks up. “You mean that this is the source of all the rivers around here?”
\tSun hands part of the rope off to Wind and starts beading the climbing hooks into it. “Maybe?” Sun adds. “How far down do you think it is?”
\tWind looks at Sun and with a touch of uncertainty in her voice claims “170 paws.”
\tMoon looks around on the ground and picks up a rock. “Someone once told me a rock falls at 100 paws per second—so—if we drop a stone and start counting in ‘High Shoguns’ we can guess the depth of a hole by waiting for the thud.”
\tThe three nod in understanding to one another. Moon drops the rock and the three start counting aloud.
\t“One, High Shogun,”
\t“Two, High Shogun,”
\t“Three, High Shogun,”
\t“Four…” *ting*
\tMoon watches the others waiting for their longer sharper ears to count the distance. “Do we need more rope?” Moon asks.
\tSun looks at Wind, “How many times did the rock bounce?”
\t“Five times I think.” Wind looks at him.
\tSun nods. “Then it started rolling. There is an incline part way down the bluff.”
\tWind looks at Moon. “You once bragged about being the best climber in the land. Prove it.” Wind hands over the tools and pats her on the back.
\tMoon, feeling hotheaded, picks up the rope and gets down on all fours. She grabs onto the side of the bluff and starts to crawl down the wall head first. Moon’s dexterity is exceptional. Within an hour she has done as told; scaling the wall and nailing spikes into it creating a path for the others to follow. Sun reaches down to pick up Moon by the hips and spins around, hugging her. “Amazing! No one is more nimble than my twin sister.”
\tLooking about, the three adventurers find that at the base of the bluff plants are not like they are in the sun soaked world above. Yes, some of the larger plants are the same; trees and shrubs, but tiny flowers are not. The flowers cut around trees highlighting roads with some form of bioluminescence. Moon seems hypnotized by the glowing flowers and follows them into the deep.
\tThe team follows Moon to a cave mouth that has a wood and metal door covering it with a key hole in the shape of a hand; too small for any rabbit, but it looks like Moon, with her child-like body, may be able to use it.
\tPulled by a higher power, Moon stretches out a hand and reaches for the door. Sun grabs her. “No!” Sun proclaims. “Doors like this are ‘Shinto’—only to be opened by priests.”
\tMoon looks up at her brother. “Do you see any priests around?”
\tWind looks over. “What do you think is in here?” She kneels down looking at the door.
\t“ ’Shinto’ hide secrets from other worlds. Whatever is here is here because it is too frightful to let roam free.” Sun turns to walk away. “We have seen enough of this world. It is time to go back to our own.”
\tA dark wind blows by, seeming to make the trees and flowers turn to face the children. A voice whispers to them from the trees; that of a woman, older and soft, “Come children, I have such stories to tell.”
\tEnchanted by the voice, Moon slides her hand into the door and unlocks it. The door opening is surprisingly unceremonious; no lights, no wind, no unholy sound. The room hidden by the door is clearly a home, lit by candles and a fireplace. There is a rack of stretched leather, a chest, a chair and a bookcase. There is a spice table with over a dozen unmarked bottles resting on it, and what looks like a nine ringed bo with a birds’ head cast in bronze atop it propped on one wall.
\tA woman that looks much like Moon steps into sight from a back room. She has tan fur and short sharp ears, a long nose and a long tail. She is wrapped in a red robe with a green cumberbund-like sash tied around her waist. She has a bronze chain around her neck and a gold pendant with a red stone in it. Atop her nose sits a pair of spectacles. Her soft smooth features tell she can’t be but a handful of years older than Moon, but something about her speaks of ages—possibly greater than that of the Shogun.
\tThe woman in red speaks to them. “Sun, the only child of Kuro; Wind the stoneworker, and Moon the Weaver. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jessica the Weaver.”
“Majo Akuma!” Sun proclaims as he reaches for his sword. “Demon witch.” Sun rushes forth to smite the monster.
With a flick of her hand, Jessica pushes Sun back with a supernatural force. Jessica whispers to herself, “Why does that happen to me so often?” Jessica looks to Wind. “Would you like to try also?”
Wind asks Jessica, “What are you?”
“Now that is not a simple question at all. I am a: gnostic theist, a Kobolt, a woman, a mother, a bard, an enchantress… homo vermina would be my name in Tenshi, I’m a martial artist of sorts; a teacher. Which of these things interest you?”
Moon cuts in, “Kobolt! What is this word? What does it mean?”
Jessica lowers her eyes. “That is what you and I are called. That is our race.”
Moon stands strong. “I am a Usagi, daughter of the Shogun.”
“Look at your ears my child, your tail, your nose. Do they look like the nose, tail, and ears of any of the other Usagi?”
“No.”
“You can walk up shear walls and pick up things with your tail, can you not?”
“I can.”
“You can smell the blood of the people around you. You know when they are ill days before they do, and you know if food is spoiled without needing to taste it.”
“Yes.”
“Can you identify a coin by touch alone?”
“Yes.”
“And--you stand eye to eye with me at only three paws tall. These are all things that a Kobolt is and a Usagi is not. Do you also have a spot on your backside where hair will not grow that looks like a swallow?”
“I am not going to answer that.”
Sun finds his way back to his feet. “Jessica the Weaver; are you Moon’s mother?”
“No. Even if I could have been the woman that gave birth to her.”
Sun tips his head. “Then that is yes?”
“The word ‘mother’ means more than just the womb that carries. Her mother is your mother.”
Sun rubs his neck. “And who fathered Moon?”
“Immaculate. She has no father that I am aware of.”
Wind rolls her eyes. “Asexual reproduction? Is that common?”
Jessica clarifies. “Unheard of.”
“How?” Moon asks.
“I could have been impregnated by golden sand.”
There is a strange uneasy gaze that lasts for a long moment before Sun speaks up. “You will forgive me if I find it hard to believe that my twin sister was born to a mother that is not my own, and via magical conception.”
“Your twin? No; your twin is dead. The girl that stands next to you, was, on the other hand…” Sun starts to reach for his sword again in frustration. Jessica looks to him. “Please don’t.”
Sun lowers his head. “The purging. The year I was born my father had ordered a mass killing. Mother told me that Moon is my sister, and she escaped the purging.”
Jessica waves to her chair. “Come children; we have much to talk about.”


















Chapter 4

\t“Moon, my child,” Jessica speaks to the girl. “Sun and Wind. Let me tell you what your fathers did not. Years ago, lifetimes in fact, this land was at war—a war like few others this land has ever seen. Two of the families of the zodiac god gathered here; and for the first time the small challenged the large, the passive challenged warriors, the rabbit challenged the dog. This has not been since the zodiac gods lived on this island.”
\tSun looked to Jessica. “Who is this god you speak of? I see no gods.”
\t“The Usagi called this god Jade, the first Emperor.” Jessica looks to him.

****
\tOn the fourth day after the birth of the world and on the second day after the fish maiden birthed the moon, Jade, the first Emperor, was walking through his garden at sunset. He looked to the sky and saw a black tapestry looming overhead and thought to himself, “Something is wrong. The sky is too dark at night.” He pondered for a long time about what must be done. Jade is a master painter like no other man has ever been,  so he thought, “I must paint a new sky; one that is bright and colorful; a tapestry so eloquent that every man that looks upon it shall weep at its glory.” So Jade called Ami, and the Sun lowered from the sky as the great goddess of wolves looked to her father.
\tAmi the great wolf of the Sun bows her eyes to her father and says, “My father. It is many hours until dawn, but yet you call me here to the island where time starts. What troubles you my father?”
\tAnd Jade replies, “Ami, my most beautiful daughter, look to the sky and tell me if the sky too dark.” Jade places his hands to Ami’s face, then rolls one hand across the sky showing off the blank tapestry laid out before them.
\t“It is true the sky is dark, but was it not your will that the queen of fish govern the night alone and whisper to us that with her coming it is time to rest?” Ami sets her head on the shoulder of her father, trying to understand the words he is speaking.
\tAnd with her name spoken, if only in whisper, the moon comes down from the sky as Luna the Queen of the Fish to stand before her father and she says, “Father; your head is heavy and your arms are weak. Why do you not sleep?”
\tJade looks around him at all the things of beauty he has created. “On this land I was to paint the most beautiful painting that any should ever see. It is to be the finest thing that any god or beast could every craft, but yet—I feel it is not yet perfect.”
\tAnd so Luna grabs Ami by the tail and plucks from her back a hair-thin brush and hands it to her father. “If the world is not yet perfect, then you most keep painting.”
\tAnd so Jade holds the brush formed from the back of the sun goddess to the sky, and with one stroke of the brush summons forth from the Nothing tenfold ten billion tiny suns and dims them so that the light they cast turns the world purple. Luna is impressed and tells her father, “If this is not perfection, then I know not what perfection must be.”
\tAnd the stars line up in the sky in perfect symmetry, sharing the sky with the largest in the east and the smallest in the west. Then Jade turns to Ami and asks, “Is it perfect?”
\tAnd Ami lowers her eyes. “If you must ask if it is perfection that you see then…then you must have already spotted imperfection.”
\tAnd Jade asks, “Then what must I do next?”
\tAmi looks at her father. “You, the creator of all things, must ask your creations to do what you cannot do. Call out to all that you have given a voice and feet and ask them to come here and paint the sky. Give each of them a piece of space equal to their weight and tell them to draw their own face on that piece of space.”
\tThen Jade, Ami, and Luna slept. As he woke, Jade called to his tiniest creation which he called fly and told it, “You are the fastest of my children. You must whisper in the ear of every beast with feet and a voice, that Jade needs them to perform a special work.”
\tThe smallest of beasts, whose name is fly, sings her praises onto her father. “I will sing all day and all night and the world will hear me, and all your creations shall flood onto this land and your will shall be done.”
\tSo it was; fly flew into every home singing and knelt before each beast calling them home to the edge of the world, and the land from which the sun and the moon were born.
\tSo the fly calls to the rat, “Run forth my sister and help me sing our father’s name that all the world may know that he loves us and needs us this day.”
\tSo the rat runs to her brothers the rabbit and the cat and told onto them “Come my brothers, our father calls are names. Tell the dog and the pig.”
\tThen the rabbit and the cat run to the dog and the pig and say onto them, “Brother and sister; Father calls for you. Find the snake, the horse and the wyrm, for they must know too.”
\tThen the wyrm spoke to the turtle and he to the rest of the world, and all beasts that could walk swim or fly ran to the edge of the world. And then the Emperor spoke onto them, “Behold the night sky, for it is dark and the Queen of Fish has not the power to light it.”
\tAll at once, with a single voice, all the world’s beasts spoke back. “What must I do Father that I may light the sky and bring you glory and joy?”
\tThen Jade, the Emperor said onto them, “You will all pluck a single hair or a single feather from your crown, and with it you will paint your face on the sky. Should you have no feather or hair, take one from the back of the woman standing nearest to you.”
\tAnd so it was that the sky was painted; but, behold, the Emperor was still not happy. Now the sky is too bright. So the Emperor shook the sky. Stars fall to the earth, washing ashore and creating sand. The Emperor looks to all the beasts of the world again and said onto them, “Choose now twelve of you: the youngest, the tallest, the strongest and the smartest, the most loved and the most loving, the fastest and the most fruitful. Choose twelve that are everything you are and everything you want.”
\tAnd so twelve beasts line up before the Emperor and say onto him, “We are the twelve; the young, tall, strong, fast, smart, loved, and beloved. We are everything everyone else wants to be.”
\tSo the Emperor speaks onto them, saying, “Your name is now and forever ‘Zodiac.’ I shall now place you inside the sky for all to see….”

***

The door to the tiny hidden house opens and Kuro walks in, picking up the story as Jessica tells it. “But then rat asks, ‘How are we to know where to stand?’ And rabbit asks, ‘Need we play a game?’ So the zodiacs start a race around the world. But rat is smart and declares that the rules were to run to the Emperor, but no one proclaimed from where to start, so she ran backwards and won the game before it began.”
\tKuro stands over Jessica, towering over her. He stands three times her size, needing to crouch to fit in the home. “Return my son to me without another word, witch, and the girl as well.”
\t“Kuro; it has been a lifetime since your last trip here.”
\tKuro grunts. “And it will be another before we speak again.”
\t“The children are not being held against their will. They may come and go as they wish.”
\tKuro crawls outside commanding Sun, Moon, and Wind to follow. The children follow the Emperor without another word. As the group walks the long way around the bluffs and down the river, Moon looks up to her father. “Who is she?”
\t“A star fallen to earth, a goddess amongst men. That’s what she wants us to think. But no, she is empty—a body with no aura. She gave away her right to live amongst the pure,” Kuro whispers. His eyes turn to the water with a look of suspect unease.























Chapter 5

\tThe walk home is long and silent, taking up much of the afternoon. Kuro takes the long way around, walking along the river, then around the bluff. The look in his eyes speaks of hidden suffering and fear. Kuro stops at the road that leads into town and looks to Sun, then Moon, then settles his gaze on Wind.
\tNoticing the Emperor’s gaze, she straightens her back and stands at attention. Wind opens her mouth to speak, but Kuro lifts his hand to silence her. At last he growls to her, “We have walked around a third of the land today, but your eyes have hardly seen the road without first passing Sun’s tail.” Wind shakes her head to protest the accusation. Kuro roars to her, then lowers his voice. “I remember, when I was a boy I found a wagging tail and the fragrance of mature women kept me from many hours of labor. Is it your heart or your mind that is looking at my son?”
\tWind backs away, still frightened by Kuro’s words and her own feelings.  “I… I…” She can’t seem to get out another word.
\tKuro looks away. “It’s only skin and blood girl. Speak up when you know what it is you wish for.” He waves his hand off to one side, dismissing Wind. “Go; your sisters are looking for you.”
\tSun smiles as he watches Wind run past him. Moon whispers with her brother, “And what is it you want from Wind?”
\tSun whispers back, “Things that I dare not speak of by the light of day.” He looks down to her. “I never see you looking at anyone with need.”
\tMoon lowers her head and lets loose a sharp disappointed breath. “It seems that no one has such a grip on me. Sun, you are the only boy I talk to, and when I dream it is…”
\tKuro cut Moon off. “You are his pet, not his equal. Do not make me remind you of this again.”
\tMoon turns her head to Sun again. “But-- now I think I am starting to understand why.”
\tSun slides one hand down Moon’s back and rubs down her long fleshy tail. Getting in intimately close he nearly rubs noses with her. “Don’t let Father frighten you.”
\tWhen Sun, Moon, and Kuro reach the castle, the Shoguness has set up the front courtyard for festivities. The yard is lined with lamps, and a table has been set with food enough to feed forty or more rabbits. Ten young women have dressed in the finest of gowns and painted their bodies in white flour to lighten their fur; the Shoguness included. A team of minstrels have erected a tent and begun playing. Girls dance and drums beat. Tonight is a night of celebration.
\tThe Shoguness waves to Moon calling her forth, “Moon, my beloved girl, come to my side.” Moon rushes over. The Shoguness kneels before her, taking her by the arms. “Moon,” she holds her softly for a long moment, then stands and looks to the band. “Since you were born we have had few days when the band has played for us.” She folds her arms and her ears lift high above her. She is drawn into a brief trance by the beating of the drums.
\tThe Shoguness lets one hand reach across her breast and taps out in the air the rhythm of the drums. “When I was young, I remember having watched a band play. My mother stood alongside me. A fight broke out just out of arms reach of my mother and I. It was an ugly fight; one where knives speak louder than words. There was a single moment of silence when the town guard showed up. The only sound that anyone could hear, as footsteps slide across the floor, was the drums. Everything stops but the drums. The drummer never stops drumming. There were whispers all around us as people try to understand who started the brawl and why. I asked my mother what was going on, trusting she could see more then I could. After all, when she stretched her back and her legs she could see over the head of almost any rabbit. She looked down to me and whispered, ‘Remember this, even if you remember nothing else. In love or war, the drum is the pulse; and the drums never stop beating.’” The Shoguness lowers her hands back to her sides.
\t“I would learn weeks later that the fight was between two men I knew, Urchin and Leghorn--twin brothers. One worked in the mine, the other was a tailor. Leghorn came to visit three or fourth months earlier while Urchin was in the mine, and Urchin’s wife accidently slept with him.” The Shoguness tips her head up in contemplation.
\tMoon looks to her mother, taking in her sudden openness. “Yeah, sometimes that happens; I guess. But why would that be important?”
\t“Not long after that the herbalist Wheat was born. But we still don’t know who her father is.”
\tMoon bit onto her hand, thinking. “Doesn’t seem too hard. The men are brothers; therefore they could both father Wheat.”
\tThe Shoguness chuckles at the innocence of the statement. “Yes, that would be simple.”
\tNero approaches the castle with a group of twelve men walking shoulder to shoulder with him. He is wrapped in his war garments; a deep green coat with red ribbons running down his chest, and skin tight leggings showing off his powerful shape. He has a thin blade strapped to his belt and a staff on his back. His men are all garbed to match.
\tNero looks slightly to one side to whisper with one of his men. “Outside of the smell of muck, Ra, I would say this isn’t a bad place.” Nero looks to the twenty paw high door standing before him. “But if there is one thing I don’t understand, it’s how we lost track of an island we owned for over 20 lifetimes. You would think that at the very least some bean counter would notice some missing greens.” Ra offers an understanding grunt.
\tNero waves forward and Ra calls into the castle the alert of Nero’s arriving.
\tThe Shoguness steps into the doorway to greet their guests. She bows and waves one hand inward, showing the men the way in. The army of rabbits are quick to start gawking at the fur on display by the dancing girls. Nero sets his eyes on the Shoguness, seeming to smell wealth and power on her.  
\tThe Shoguness walks the men over to the table where Kuro is seated. Kuro sits cupping a glass of tea between his fists; Sun sitting to his right. Nero tucks his helmet under his arm and places a fist to his chest in greeting. “I trust you are who I came here to see. First off, in the name of the Emperor I would like to extend my apologies for our extended absence, and we would like to welcome you back to the states. We will forgive all late taxes and begin moving in for renovations before the end of next spring…”
\tKuro cuts Nero off. “I am Shogun Kuro. And you talk too fast.” Kuro points at the ground. “Sit; eat.”
\t“Yes, don’t mind if I do.” Nero sits down at the table. “I am sorry. I have been on a very long trip and look forward to finishing the job I was sent here to do.”
\t“You speak in the name of the Emperor, Akihona. I have not seen him in many years. Is he well?”
\tNero freezes mid-breath, his eyes rolling up and from side-to-side, thinking. “Emperor Akihona? He and all of his grandchildren went the way of the Emperor Jade over a thousand years ago. Katoi, son of Cha-Son, is on the throne today.”
\tKuro grunts. “You still wave his flag, offering reverence to his name.”
\t“That is our state flag. It shows our fealty to the Empire, not to the Emperor.”
\tKuro folds his hands and tucks them under his chin. His eyes narrow as he thinks hard. “There was once a time when every family had a flag. They placed the flag on staves and walked with them on their backs, or tied them in a bow and mounted them atop their brow. It was in times like that when the weapon you hold was crafted.” Kuro points at the pole on Nero’s back. “These were not the best of times. Families gathered arms to fight their next of kin and raid each other’s camps in search of women, food, and water. The worth of a family was measured in girls and children. The man with the most mates was surely the best man. Once upon a time my uncle killed 500 men, and took their 3,000 youths as his prize. He broke his ‘sword’ that day and planted a forest to drink the blood from the ground. The trees he planted sprouted roses. A mighty flowering field forever stands as a reminder of when a generation died to feed one man’s greed.”
\tUnsettled, Nero pulls on the coat and breathes deeply. “The age of states. Yes, those were ugly times. I’m happy none of us lived through that. It would have been quite the unsavory day.”
Nero tips his head, back thinking, “From what I understand of it, back then the average man took seven women as his mates, and if one of them displeased him, he reserved the right to take one of her children in the woman’s place. Sickness ran rampant because of such uncouth behavior.”
\t“Yes, only one in six children lived long enough to have children of their own.” Kuro waves and a dancer fetches drinks for them. “We often fall prey to sickness, wolves and war. Only the truly powerful live to pass on their strength.”
\tNero nearly spits up his drink in laughter as he replies, “Hardly. These are civilized days. Our fathers have left us the tools needed to make all rabbits equal-- in the eyes of the law, and on the battlefield alike.”
\tThe Shoguness cuts in. “There is nothing that will ever make all rabbits equal.  The strong will always be strong and the weak will always be weak.”
\tNero smiles and takes his staff from his back and places it on the table between them. “Maybe. But the score can be evened. Maybe you are strong, but you’re not stronger than this. This is the ‘Flame Tender.’ This is the weapon that brought peace to the western world. Everyone in the empire between 16 and 60 has one,” Nero boasts. “Knives are nice, but their cut is not clean—and they’re not easy. This is. This makes every man stronger than any ten rabbits can ever be. Just fill one end with flash powder and then drop in any rock or needle and point. You win.”
\tKuro grunts. “Do not place so much faith in magic. Demons are not fine hosts, and flesh will always be true.”
\t“This is not magic. This is engineering—the most perfect of devices we have forged.”
\tKuro grunts with unease. “This weapon is old and evil. Be careful to control it so that it cannot control you.”
\tNero shakes his head. “I have never shot someone without meaning it.”
\tThe Shoguness leans onto the table, moving in close to Nero. “With such a tool at your side, is there still need for swords?”
\t“The sword gave us freedom; this gives us equality.”
\tThere is a painful moment of silence before the presence of the dancers lightens the mood again. The Shoguness inquires, “And what does the mainland look like today?”
\t“We are in an age of peace. Half the mainland is under the rule of the Usagi. Industry has become the way of life. The working class have constructed allegiances and relinquished the needs of the one for the needs of each other. Truth be told, the Emperor has little real power anymore. He is tasked with protecting the walls of our land, and little more.”
\tSun takes interest in the conversation as he sits at the table with his mother and father. “The descendants of Jade, the Emperor, are tasked with watch duty? Hardly seems like the best use for such holy power.”
\tNero bobs his head in agreement. “Parliament has been broken into several houses; the Blue party and the Red party being the most outspoken. The Red party is the worker’s party, and right now they have the most money and therefore are the most powerful. They say build walls—and we have no choice.”
\tKuro and his wife trade a glance, seemingly having a level of understanding that Sun does not share. Sun expresses his confusion. “Worker’s party?”
\tLafe, Sun’s friend from the tea house, approaches the table. She too is dressed in the dancing girl outfit, but mostly for uniform sake. Lafe sets down a new pitcher of water at the table as the discussion is going on.  Lafe is intrigued by the strange rabbits and their strange clothing. She reaches down to pick up Nero’s weapon to see what it is.
\tNo one saw what happened in the next moment, and no one understood; but it changed the face of the land. The weapon discharged. The sound of thunder stuns everyone in the courtyard. Lafe collapses; Kuro throws the dining room table across the yard, Sun falls onto all fours looking for Lafe, the Shoguness yells for the band to keep playing, the royal escorts draw their swords, Nero’s men draw their ‘Flame Tenders’—and then—time seems to freeze.
\tKuro steps up to Nero. Nero holds his ‘Flame Tender’ to his shoulder, staring Kuro down. Nero breaks the silence. “Things don’t need to go down this way. I’m here to talk about taxes; not start a war.”
\tKuro growls. “I share with you my drink. I let you feast on my bread and look upon my women…”
\t“This was an accident. There is no one to blame…”
\t“… And you bring this evil into my home!...”
\t“Tell your men to lower their swords, Kuro. We will talk through this.”
\t“I AM KURO! I AM THE RIGHTFUL KING OF ALL RABBITS!”
\t“KURO! BACK DOWN!”
\tKuro pushes the ‘Flame Tender’ off line, then pulls it free from Nero’s grip with one fluid motion. Nero’s men move into position to protect their captain. Nero holds out his hands and calls for them to stand down.
\tThe Shoguness calls to Nero, “Go back to Katoi. Tell him he will have nothing from us.”
\t“Who is this wom…” Nero starts to speak.
\t“I am the Shogun’s mate. You need nothing more.” With that the Shoguness flags for her escorts to follow her back to Nero’s ship.
\tIn the confusion, Moon slides down next to Sun to examine Lafe. Sun has stripped the younger girl and cut apart her gown to make bandages. Sun tries valiantly to bind the puncture wound between Lafe’s breasts, but it is clear that no amount of first aid would do Lafe any good. In the seconds since she hit the ground, her eyes have already faded to red and her lips and fingertips purple.
\tMoon looks Lafe up and down. She perks up her ears to try to hear Lafe’s heartbeat. Moon knows instantly Lafe isn’t dying. Lafe is dead. The projectile sundered her heart. Lafe’s life bled out before she even had time to kneel. She would never have known what had transpired.
\tMoon looks to Sun. “Sun; don’t.”
\tSun, frantic and sobbing, tries to pack the wound in Lafe’s breast. “It is only a small wound.”
\tMoon places her hands on her brother’s chest to sit him up. Overtaken by fear and grief, Sun takes Moon in his arms and slides down her body like a child looking to be cradled. Sun understands what Moon was trying to say, he just didn’t want to accept it. Moon leans into her brother, holding him.
\tThe drums play on until early in the morning. Everyone has returned to their homes, and the royal escorts have brought Lafe’s remains back to Zatsuso at the tea shop. The sun rises, much as it always has, and yet—it is not the same. When Sun awakens, he can’t seem to remember much of the party, but when he looks down at himself he can still see the dirty brown—red bloodstains on his hands and arms. Bugs and birds outside the window chatter in calming tones, but Sun cannot seem to hear them.
\t“Moon.” Sun places one hand on his sister’s shoulder to rouse her. He sets his head on her shoulder. Moon reaches over her shoulder to place one hand on his cheek, rubbing down his tufts of fur.







Chapter 6

\tThe Shoguness leads the army back to the ships. Nero reaches out to grab his hostess by one ear, in a provocative fashion. Nero whispers with her, “Young lady; I don’t think you have given me your name.”
The Shoguness looks at him, her eyes shrunken with quiet anger. “The name my mother gave me was Awai”
\tNero pulls Awai in close. He reaches around her, taking her tail in his other hand. “You are young; you are lovely. Why not give up on this barbarian of a man you call your Shogun and come with me back to the mainland?”
\tAwai can feel her beastly nature pulling at her heart. She wants to play along, she wants to give in to Nero; but the thoughts of her family, what she has paid for them and where she has been, pushes back. As Awai thinks, Nero plays with Awai’s tail, tickling her and trying to provoke her wild emotion.
\tAwai enjoys herself for only a moment before reaching around Nero’s head and wrapping her fingers around his eyes, pulling him backwards. “Remove your paws from my body. I am the Shoguness.” She slaps him under the nose, throwing him to the ground. “Get on your ship and never darken my line of sight again!”

***

\tSun walks into the throne room to see his father. Sun has not yet finished tying his robe shut as he approaches Kuro, deep in prayer. Sun calls out to Kuro, waking him from his meditation. “Father! Where is Nero?”
\tKuro opens his eyes. “Why?”
\tSun paces back and forth. “He needs to be punished for what he has done to Lafe.”
\t“Nero is gone; as is Lafe.” Sun is filled with rage. He grunts and spins in a half circle, turning away from his father. Kuro calls out to Sun, “What would the monks think if they saw you today?”
\tFilled with energetic fury, he looks back to his father. “You asked me once if I hunger for war. Today I do.”
\tKuro stands up and takes the Empire Sword off the wall. “Your lips speak in anger. How about your heart?” Kuro jumps at his son, thrusting his hefty sword down at him.
\tSun sidesteps, drawing his sword. He swings his sword down into his father’s, pinning the blade to the ground. Sun rests a foot on the back of Kuro’s blade, pushing it down out of his reach, forcing him to drop the blade or kneel—and Kuro will never kneel. With the Shogun’s sword dropped, Sun twists himself in a nekodachi, swinging his sword backhanded into his father.
\tThe blade should have landed in Kuro’s side; deep and crippling—if not fatal. But Kuro demonstrates his superhuman speed and might, grabbing the blade with his bare hand; only the tiniest trickle of blood leaving his palm. The King of Rabbits looks down at his son. “You are ready to fight.” He speaks low and clear. “We will fight.” He drops the blade, “But first I must pray. You will come with me.”
\tSun twists his blade one way, then slashes it down the other, flicking the blood from the edge. “If you mean to pray to our god, he will not hear of war from you again. Ours is a god of peace.”
\tKuro looks out the window, turning his gaze to the shadow of the moon in the western sky. “It is not our god I will pray to, but to the goddess of our enemy.” With a strong breath his breasts lift, then with a hard grunt he continues, “We will pray for ‘The Eclipse’.”
\tIn a fit of passion, Sun yells out, “Heresy!”, but immediately cringes, awaiting punishment. Kuro fails to deliver as he instead nods his head and drops his ears before his body.
\t“That is true. Still, this is not the first time I have kneeled before gods that are not my own, and I am sure this will not be the last time I sit before a strange altar.” He looks back to Sun. “Change your clothes and put on the leather armor I had fashioned for you. Tell Moon you are going out with me for the afternoon, but say not where or why—only that it will be late into the evening before we are to be expected.”
\tSun follows his father’s wishes, and in short order they are walking down the riverside past the old town and past the tombs. After that, Kuro leads Sun to a place on the island he is unfamiliar with. Kuro talks to his son as they walk.
\t“To you and I, the wolves look like monsters. But that is not how they see each other. In some ways, I find the wolves beautiful.  When they sing songs, they are songs of glory and might. The wolves have gods like ours, but their gods do not reign over them. Their gods stand before them to point out the road that needs be walked next. The oldest wolf god is not a god of creation, but a god of justice. The old wolf god did not write a book of laws; he instead gave only a single law. ‘Never bend your knee: not to man, not to woman, not to a king, and not to me. Wolves are a liberated people, not slaves. If you fight, you eat. When you die, do so in the name of justice and with your teeth bared.’ Those words are the only words the old god ever spoke to mortal men. Not many words, but strong words. After that the old god vanished, leaving his people to grow under the eyes of his children until strong enough to care for themselves.”
\tKuro takes Sun to a place where there are no more roads. There are battle scars cut into trees and rocks alike. Sun has never seen this place, but he knows what it is—the burned remains of Skoll village; once the last stronghold of the wolves in the east.
\tKuro stops before a cave mouth clearly infested with spiders as silk nearly bars the opening shut. A light flutter from the wind casts otherworldly shadows on the webs. “Sit here,” Kuro points at the ground. “Close your eyes and pray until I come back.” He looks at the cave. “I will walk alone for the last mile of this quest.”
\tSun sits and looks into the cave. Eyes stare back at him from the deep; large yellow eyes with the silver of the moon shining from their piercing voids. Sun gasps, paralyzed by the eyes. Kuro covers Sun’s eyes for him, then grunts. “Eyes closed.” Sun complies.

***

Kuro pushes his way into the depths of Skoll’s cave. As the light fades away, a clear womanly voice calls out to him. “King of the Rabbit’s I trust you plan to discard that filthy cloak you wear before approaching me.”
Kuro discards his clothing. “It is done.”
“Did you come alone?” The voice calls to him again.
“I am not a fool. There is another awaiting me outside.” Kuro replies.
“Then come deeper.” The voice turns slightly less hostile. “You and that demon in your chest have not set foot here in nearly a lifetime. Why have you come?”
\t“I need you!” Kuro yells.
A monster steps out of the shadows. her chest sits at eye level with the giant rabbit Kuro. It walks on all fours, her head slightly down. Silver fangs flicker, casting light on the cave—as do her eyes. Her hair is black as the night sky, ears short and sharp. A slight musk lifts from her fur, sending out a deathly copper scent. “When last we saw each other Kuro, you cut me. You cut me in ways that do not heal. That demon hiding in your breast has the power to harm even a goddess.”
Kuro is not intimidated. This is Skoll’s mortal body. In order to speak, she must stay within that form, and in such shape must follow the rules of being on this world. Her supernatural powers are limited. “It seems I have slept for many years. The world is changing; people no longer fear and respect their elders. I need the power to remind them of who we are and what we can do.”
Skoll is amused. “You are not mortal or divine, but still have the finest parts of both. What do you have to fear?”
“Time—before all else,” Kuro shouts.
“You fear you will be forgotten, and all you have built will sink into the swamp of obscurity.”
“Yes.”
Skoll looks down at the ground, running her paws though the thick dust. “I am old, my magic has grown weak. My children have left me. I am forgotten. You and I, Kuro, we are the last of a dead race. There are only twelve of our kind left alive. Twelve Zodiac beasts. My brother…” her voice grows weak.
Boldly Kuro growls, “Do not kneel to despair. You are a wolf! Show me your teeth! Follow me into battle!”
Skoll’s head darts up and a phantom light burns from within her breasts. The feral beast curls her lips showing off its hooked fangs. “I could fight once more. I can slay a thousand rabbits, swallow them all whole; just like I did to the flying horse in the stars. You will trade a dark lord for a soulless lady. But that is not the point; that is not just.  You don’t need a goddess, you need a symbol—a flag that shows your people, your glory, your enemy, and your malice.”
Skoll points at the ground where a hand axe made of a black metal and wrapped in a bone cradle rests. “A world breaker, my ‘Eclipse Axe.’ Pick it up!” Skoll orders.
Kuro understands this is a challenge. He bends down, gripping the handle of the axe with one hand. He tries to stand, but the axe will not let him, as an unknown force grips the axe firm, holding it to the ground.
Skoll repeats. “Pick it up! Pick it up and I will give you everything I have! Everything you can ever need!”
Kuro takes the axe in both hands, but all his might will not let the axe leave the ground.
“The world breaker has powerful magic around it. It was forged from the heart of a dead star. Even without the magic, the Eclipse Axe weights 10,000 lbs. Only when my blood is within another’s veins can the axe be moved. Not even you and your Ju-on can muster that feat.”
Kuro places down the axe. “What must I do?”
“Become like me.” She opens her mouth, tips her head to take Kuro’s mouth in hers. Skoll stands over Kuro, pushing him over, proclaiming her dominance—in a playful way.

***

When Kuro leaves the cave, he holds Skoll’s axe in his hand—and he stinks of wolf blood.
When he appears, Sun asks of his father, “What is that you are holding?”
“Our prayer.”






















Chapter 7

\tMoon stands in the entertaining room of Kuro’s castle, a long bo held between her hands, a plate of salt at her feet. The Shoguness stands beside her watching her work. Moon spins the staff and dips it in the salt, the Shoguness calling out commands. Moon draws as her mother speaks, demonstrating a sophisticated dance with her staff.

“The Quest of Twenty-One Blades:”
 \tThe First Blade; the young blade, carved from stone cuts deep. It must, for it is hardy and wishes to return to the earth.
\tThe Second Blade; the new blade, plucked from the grass, thin and sharp, light as air. It flexes and quivers. A trusted friend always in arms reach, but like the grass, quickly grays, then turns to dust.
\tThe Third Blade; the child’s blade; innocent, imaginative, weightless, shapeless, formless. Made by a child for a child, a man’s blade it will never be.
\tThe Fourth Blade; the matron blade, clean, swift and sharp. She sits in her castle, watching her children play. She knows a pain that is only hers. Her labors are many, her suffering unheard; life gives life, as filth births purity.
\tThe Fifth Blade; the brave blade, the true blade. He leaves his mother’s side, his eyes open. He can see only the future, tomorrows unnumbered. Fate pushes him to search for his kin.
\tThe Sixth Blade; the mature blade. His hands are weathered, his teeth are chipped. He remembers the path he has walked and looks forth to the miles left to travel. The blade refreshed by wisdom; earned through defeat.
\tThe Seventh Blade; the honored blade. Snow and ice, winds and rains, miles walked. Blood spilt the blade of heroes. Stand not behind us, but before us; let this sword lead you out of danger and into glory.
\tThe Eighth Blade; a bent blade. Worn and weak, she slouches over. Her legs sit apart as she watches her feet with much interest. She hides from the path before her and the path behind her. She is tired, but she is not broken.
\tThe Ninth Blade; the stoic blade. His hand reaches for his brothers. He bleeds, but he knows that he bleeds so that others need not. Let this blade be your wall; let him fight so you may rest.
\tThe Tenth Blade; the hateful blade. He sits on his knees. He cries looking back at all he has lost. The nights grow longer. He has forgotten something of value. He curses himself; he curses he who stands with him.
\tThe Eleventh Blade; the lost blade…”
\tMoon drops her staff and it hits the ground with an earsplitting twang. The Shoguness is not amused. She looks down at her child with a most piercing gaze, awaiting an explanation. Moon ducks her head in shame. “I lost it. I crossed my wrist, pinched myself.”
\tThe Shoguness’ eyes lighten. “Pick up the staff. We can start again. Your father spent fifty winters learning this dance. I understand. At the end adding one step to the dance--his own hidden motion.”
\t“A twenty-second blade?” Moon asks.
\t“A forgotten blade,” she adds.
\tMoon goes to hand her mother the staff. “Can you show me?”
\tAwai shakes her head, planting a hand on Moon’s chest, her eyes closed and a peculiar smile on her lips. “I have yet to master it myself.”
\t“What are the Twenty-one Blades?” Moon asks.
\t“Old magic. It is the oldest story I know. The blades are people; that is why we give them gender. The first, second, third, and fifth are one person; the fourth and the eighth are another. Dance was how we remembered things in the lost past.” Awai places her hands on Moon’s shoulders and spins her in a circle to about face. “Do you remember the Seventeenth Blade?”
\tMoon whispers to herself, trying to start her dance from one of the last steps. “The Seventeenth Blade; the phantom’s blade, the healers blade. She rests her hands on the eyes of the first, second third fourth, fifth, and seventh. She invites them home. The night has come and the brave must rest. Bring all blades to her that she may place them in the ground, and with the rising of the sun, call them back to light...”
\tAwai calls, “Stop.” Awai draws her sword. She reaches around her child, resting the flat of her blade to the fabric of her robe. “Look now at the markings you have made in the salt and at the markings on the side of my blade.”
\t“Aki Awai Kuro.”  Moon reads the writing on the crossguard of the sword. The scars of the staff on the ground have clearly drawn a picture in the salt. The same picture is on Awai’s short single-edged sword. Moon looks up with bright eyes. “You are the Seventeenth Blade!”
\t“My grandmother’s great grandmother, maybe. This was no sword crafted by the stonesmith. This one is my family sword; my father’s sword. When he died it was brought to me for safe keeping; and when I die it will become Sun’s. That is the tradition. That is what we have done since time immemorial. That which was the father’s becomes the daughter’s; that which was the mother’s becomes the son’s.”
\tWith skill and grace Awai wraps her leg around a staff, then kicks it up into her hand, catching it behind her back. “We will start again. I stand with you this time my beloved.”
***
\tIt is even later into the evening than Kuro had planned when, at last, he makes his way back into his chamber. Awai and Moon are still hard at their practicing. Both girls had let down the shoulders of their robes to free up their movements, making their dance ever so much cleaner without their thick robes weighing them down. Kuro let’s Sun into the chamber first. Once the door slides open, Awai re-robes Moon swiftly—then herself. Then Awai ties her hair back in anticipation of her Shogun’s return.
\tKuro stinks of sweat and blood. He walks past his family without even an acknowledging glance. He throws his robe from his body, then mounts his sword in its cradle. He drops his new axe on the ground, then falls to his knees. His eyes are fixated on the wolf’s axe, the world breaker.
\tKuro’s family waits quietly for their father to address them. Without an upwards glance, his ears twitch reminding him of their presence. “Awai, hand our robes to your escorts. Have them wash them in the river, then have them go to the church. Tell the elder monk he will be needed at sunrise. Then you may sit.” There is another pause as Kuro seems hypnotized. “No; tell him after noon prayer. I need to bathe. Sun, Moon,” he makes a gesture with his hands that is somewhat unclear to the others. “Go outside; play.”
\tThe order to go play is one that Kuro has almost never given. If there is time for play, then there is time for work. Time for play is one holy day. But the order was clear. Sun and Moon run outside without giving their father the opportunity to change his mind.
\tOnce the kids have stepped outside, Awai takes off her clothes and sits with her lover. She rests her hands on his chest, followed by her head on his arm. “What need does Kuro, the King of Rabbits, have with the elder monk?”
\t“My father told me, one cold spring morning, that ‘monks are filled with the most pious of rage. In a time of fear that rage can light a fire.’ I will have him paint a picture for me. Then I will build a giant.” With that, Kuro reaches around, taking his Shoguness and holds her to his chest, hoping to chip the ice from his soul with her warmth.

***

As the kids get outside, the moon is already rising. Moon climbs the side of the pagoda and throws a rope down to Sun. Her speed at climbing is unmatched, and she is even faster without her traveling gear. The two of them climb to the top tier where there are two effigies; one of a jumping fish, the other of a waiting snake.
\tThe night is warmer than most, so the kids strip down to their undergarments and sit on the roof together. Sun sits with his head down and his knees pulled into his chest, Moon slides up behind him. She folds her arms over his chest, holding her brother lovingly.
\t“Moon, I feel like I have done something wrong.”
\t“Why?”
\t“I told father that I want to fight. I want to fight for Lafe.”
\tMoon is speechless. Moon, like so many others’ has never seen war; has never seen fighting. She steps around her brother, laying down and setting her head on his legs. She looks up at him, trying to change the subject at hand. Sun seems to understand what she is trying to do; he lays back, bunching up their clothing to use as a makeshift pillow. “Sun; what do you know about the wolves?”
\tSun sets one hand on his sister’s belly, rubbing her as he watches the moon’s corona. “Not very much; nothing that isn’t common knowledge, I don’t think.”
\tThe kids relax in each other’s embrace. “Taking this land from the wolves was our finest victory. But what do you think happened before that?”
\tSun rubs up Moon’s fur, pushing it the wrong way, making her fur puff up as he talks. “When Dad was a kid, like 4,000 years ago or something, he and his uncle were weapon makers…”
Moon squeezes Sun’s hand, stopping him from rubbing up from her hip to her chest, holding his hand to her midsection. “No no no; before that, before the war. There must have been something that sparked the fighting, right?”
The two of them stare off into the endless night sky. The air is warm, but the wind slowly turns the night cold. “I don’t know.” Sun sinks his fingertips into Moon’s fur, Moon lets out a comforting squeak.
“What do you think that bone blade Kuro had was?”
“I don’t know.”
\t“Make something up then.” Moon is clearly requesting a story from her brother. It’s a silly game, one from their earliest memories, Awai told stories when Sun was just starting to walk, before he became a fighter. The two asked questions insufferably. Awai sometimes made up stories to distract them.
\tSun thinks hard for a moment, then starts to spin a tale for his sister’s amusement. “Once the queen of all wolves had a son. He was all wolf, even though he wears a mask with the face of a monkey. The wolves love their prince, for he was mightier than mighty. Even the Emperor Jade loved the prince of wolves; so much so that he gave the wolves two holy gifts. First he painted a picture of the sun for them, and called it Helio. Then he panted the moon and called it Eclipse.
\tWhen the prince took Helio into his maw, it became a mirror which he cut into a shield; and the shield was unbreakable. Then he took Eclipse into his maw and it became an axe; and it was unstoppable. Then, with these tools on his back, the prince took a name for himself. He became Gideon the Skull. With the power he now holds, Gideon became a godhunter. He searched the world over looking for those that would turn their back on the creator of worlds, or who would harm that which the old gods found pure; and he would punish them.
\tThe world loved Gideon—just like the wolves, just like the creator. People from around the world called his name whenever they were afraid, and he would come running. He ran so fast that trees bent their knees to him and water parted to let him pass. To stand before the prince became the job of the ardent and the foolish. No man could break his shield; no man could stop his axe. He became justice in the flesh.
\tBut not all could see his power for what it was. There was a being, one mind with endless bodies. They are called the Deep. Awaken from a sleep that was ever meant to end at the end of the sea, in a place where light never shines. A lost horse maiden summons back to this world something Luna had buried.
\tLuna’s children revived. They brought the seas to life, giving the water a voice and the power to walk and talk like a beast. The very waters of the earth are now alive.
\tAnd so the prince of wolves picks up his mighty shield and his axe, and he goes to do battle with the water. The prince is mighty, fast, and strong. The waters pound on his back, but his shield holds the water back. The prince swings his axe. He splits the ocean from the land, and with seven swings he carves apart the seven greater islands from ‘the one earth’—and with hundreds more he crafts the lesser lands.
\tAs the battle rages on, the two invincible forces create with fury the lands and the seas. Mountains are forged when the prince is pushed back by the Deep; cannons are unearthed whenever the Deep takes a step.
\tAt long last the prince finds winning this battle is impossible. He will never kill the Deep. But what if he did not need to kill to win? Gideon throws himself at the ocean, and picks it up in his mouth. He pins it to the ground. It thrashes and throws itself about and at last rolls the prince onto his back. But the prince will not yield.
\tTo this day, the wolf and the sea still do battle whenever a storm dawns and the sky turns black. That is Gideon trying to stand up, and the Deep pulling him back down.”
\tMoon is mostly asleep as the story comes to a close. She meekly whispers as she places one arm and one leg around her brother. “You can tell me in the morning what the horse maiden did to make the sea mad.”
\tSun tucks one hand under her tail to hold Moon to his side. “Yeah, I can.”

***

At daybreak drums pound, Awai’s escorts approach the main gate. A dozen old monks walk between them. With the monks inside, the doors to the throne room close. The doors would not reopen for months.
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