★ MINE ★
UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

this world was quite a simple place. Money was in control of everything. It was honestly pretty pathetic. Humans were so easily swayed by the idea of receiving more or finding a better source of providing money, often thinking that they were less than others who had more money than them. In this world where the amount of money you get defines you, ironically, your wealth was decided by none other than a flip of a coin.

     Her father was born on the, supposedly, happy side. His parents had given him so much income that he would never run out. They valued him like no other and insisted that he should take fifty percent of their income. A very generous sum, but considering that her entire family held high-paying positions on the Tenryou Commission, it was quite a sum.

     Not only did Kujou Kimiko's family hold high-paying positions on the Tenryou Commission, they ran the Tenryou Commission. The Kujou clan was a clan that served the Raiden Shogun and was generally considered the most loyal and powerful of the great families that supported the Shogun's rule.

     This system the world lived in was cruel and unfair and Kimiko was never quite sure whether she should be happy to belong to the Kujou Clan or rather regret it. She had different views than her father, different views than the Tenryou Commission, and certainly different views than her adoptive sister. It wasn't that Kimiko never liked Sara. They got along really well when they were little, but as they got older they grew more apart.

     Kujou Sara was loyal to the Tenryou Commission, the Kujou Clan, and of course Raiden Shogun. She would do anything she was told to do. But Kimiko had her doubts about all three. So at least she tried, a little bit, to do her bit. At least if she managed to sneak away from home. What was often a big challenge.

     Most of the time, Kimiko went about caring for the poor on Narukami Island as best she could. Her father, of course, would never allow her to give her money to strangers, nor would he approve of Kimiko leaving the estate. He would like to lock her up, not because he didn't like her. He thought he had to protect her. He thought it wasn't safe for her outside the house because any person living in poverty would attack her immediately.

     Of course that was complete nonsense. Kimiko knew many of these people and they were all friendly. In fact, they were friendlier than most people with enough money, and above all, Kimiko felt more comfortable with them than with the people of the Tenryou Commission.

     Today she wanted to visit Konda village to deliver food to the elderly. She undressed and slipped into more appropriate clothing, a simple pink kimono with short sleeves and a white haori coat. She wore half of the cloak on her left arm, with a flowing pink sleeve decorated with orange and gold flowers while the other half was draped behind her waist and secured by a sash.

     Kimiko tied the sash in a pretty bow and pulled her pink stockings down to below her knees as her kimono was quite short leaving only her thighs exposed. The stockings had golden engravings on top, which were reflected in her shoes and ribbons in her hair. She straightened her bangs and left the room.

     »Awake already Miss Kujou?«, asked the guard just outside her door. Actually, nobody was at her door at this time. Kimiko knew the times perfectly, but it was just Hiroki. If she could convince anyone, it would certainly be him.

     She nodded and gave him a smile. »Yes, I suddenly got such a hunger for lavender melons.«

     »I can bring you a bowl besides your actual breakfast.«

     »That would be very kind,« she spoke soft. »But I also have to go to Misaki, on the way back I can get my breakfast myself.«

     »Is everything okay, Miss Kujou?«, he asked with concern. Hiroki hadn't been with them for long. He was new as some of their employees had reached well-deserved retirement. And he was young. He was only two years older than Kimiko herself and easily to get bashfuled.

     »I'm alright, thank you,« she gave him a soft smile. »But, you now, it's the time of the month and I have to talk to her.«

     Hiroki blushed around the cheeks. Of course, almost every man felt embarrassed to talk about the women's monthly problem. Completely ridiculous, but at least Kimiko had an excuse. He indicated a nod.

     »When you come back your breakfast and the lavender melon will already be in your room,« he said.

     »You're to kind, Hiroki.« And she really meant it. He was too nice to serve the Kujou clan and he certainly had different views than her family and the Tenryou Commission. But he needed money and Kimiko could see only too well that he liked her. Was it mean that she used him like that? Perhaps. But she had practically no choice.

     So Hiroki let her leave the hallway and Kimiko was finally able to set off. She didn't walk down the main path, there were more guards and Kimiko couldn't charm them. She walked through the small forest, where her shoes got dirty, but she didn't care much. She had so many clothes, so many servants to take care of her clothes and herself that the mud really wasn't a big deal.

     »Ah, it's Lady Kimiko!« One of them called and gave her a wave. She returned the gesture with a small dip of her head.

     She entered the barn where the food was stashed. »What can I take today, Hajime?«

      The old man turned to her with a grouchy look on his face. »Out giving food, are ye'? Take whatever yer obliged to.« Nobody would address her like that at home. Talking to her in that tone, everyone treated her like she was made of porcelain, but not these people. Kimiko liked that. She loved being treated like someone normal.

She thanked him and grabbed some of the imported goods. They had requested Jueyen Chilis, Carrots, Radishes, Paprika, Milk and Lavender Melon. Kimiko really loved Lavender Melon.

     After packing the goods into a box, she made her way towards Konda Village. It was a two-mile walk, neither particularly far nor particularly close. Kimiko enjoyed the time outside, in nature. She enjoyed breathing the fresh air and smelling the scent of the trees.

     Her room smelled of lavender, even on her balcony. Sniffing out lavender day in and day out made you tired and sluggish. And slowly Kimiko believed that this was also her father's intention. After all, she couldn't do anything when she slept. But thanks to Hiroki, there were now many more flowers on her balcony.

     Konda Densuke, the village chief, welcomed her with open arms. She had known him for a few years now and over time he had grown to love her. Kimiko could still remember the first day she offered to help. Nobody wanted her help. Nobody wanted anything to do with Kujou Takayuki's daughter and she could understand that. Over time, however, as they all got to know Kimiko better, they trusted her and realized that she acted differently than her father.

     She set down the crate of food and embraced him happily. It was nice that someone hugged her. Kimiko didn't often have such interactions. Not with her father and certainly not with Sara. Mainly with her thousand pillows and that was pretty sad when you thought about it.

     »It's been a long time Lady Kimiko,« he croaked. She had managed to talk them all out of calling her Miss Kujou, but they had unanimously insisted on Lady. »I'm glad that you finally decided to come back.«

     »I'm really sorry,« she replied. »Father has been having us go to many ceremonial events lately and you know, for this events I'm his figurehead.«

     A harsh laugh escaped his lips. »If everyone knew what lovely and sarcastic daughter Takayuki has, even more would support the Kujou Clan.«

     »Well then we can be glad that hardly anyone knows.« Because Kimiko didn't want any more supporters. She knelt down to the box and checked if she hadn't lost anything on the way. »It looks like it's all good! All of the items you previously requested.«

      »Thank you very much,« Densuke took the crate from the ground and called over Takeru to carry it. »You're welcome to stay for breakfast if you wish.«

     Kimiko would like to stay. Having breakfast with loved ones and talking about the most banal things. But Hiroki had already brought her breakfast to her room and if she didn't come back in an hour at the latest, he would surely look for her. She didn't want him to be punished because of her.

     »I wish I could, but I need to go back. Otherwise the idiot in love will be stoned because of me.«

     »I understand,« Densuke laughed softly.

     And so Kimiko made her way back home under the rising sun. It was really very early, for some it was still night. But people who worked in the fields got up early and needed their food correspondingly early. With no extra luggage to carry, it was definitely a lot easier. This allows her to progress at a steady pace without tiring quickly.

     The sun rose and warmed Kimiko's face. She loved sunrises and sunsets. There was something magical about the world lighting up or sinking into darkness. She used to watch the clouds with her mother during the day, inventing stories about the shapes of the clouds, and in the evenings they studied the stars. Maybe that's why she liked being in nature.

     Admittedly, Kimiko was lost in her thoughts. She wasn't particularly aware of her surroundings and didn't notice the shadows that crept up behind her. It was a warm morning, the sun blinded her. Maybe that's why she hadn't seen the men behind her. In fact, she was very observant. Sara had taught her many things before, until the day her father decided that she was now made of fragile porcelain.

     Of course, that meant she was incredibly startled and scared when she was grabbed from behind. Ten men surrounded her with evil grins on their faces. A hand around her waist, someone forcibly pushed her to the ground. Kimiko panicked. She has never been attacked in the woods on her way home. She knew there were more Bandits than usual, but that didn't stop her from enjoying life.

     »That was easier than expected!«, said one of the men.

     »I told you that she hangs around outside early in the morning,« replied one of the others.

     Kimiko turned her face out of the dirt to catch her breath. »So you shadowed me,« she noted. »I must tell my father that we must guard the festivals more closely.«

     »Yes, your father. If he wants to see you alive again, he has to.«

     »Of course you want money,« she interrupted him. »Why should you come up with something more original.« Kimiko blinked up, looking at the men standing in her field of vision. »You could also use me to get something from the Tenryou Commission.«

     The men didn't reply, as if shocked that she spoke so cheekily. So she grabbed her spear. She pulled it from the bow tied around her kimono and, without being able to look, rammed it through the chest of the man who was pinning her to the ground. With a groan he fell to the ground and Kimiko got up. She drew the spear from his chest and smashed it to the ground. Small fire sparks sprang up around her.

     »Honestly you could have caused so much chaos in the Tenryou Commission.« She shook her head. »And if you had just killed me then, you could have managed to wipe out the Kujou Clan.«

     »We can still try,« said the big guy and drew his sword. The others did the same. They lunged forward, but before Kimiko could do the same, a whirl erupted around them. A young man stood between her and the robbers. He glanced at her over his left shoulder.

     »Don't give them ideas like that.« His voice was soft, calm. But how quickly and skillfully he fought the men was anything but gentle. It looked like he wasn't having any trouble at all, he almost looked elegant doing it. The puddles of blood, however, showed how brutal it actually was. He turned to her, sheathing his sword. »You shouldn't be here. The area is full.«

     »What was that?«, Kimiko interrupted him. »I had everything under control!« Besides, she had no idea who he was. He might as well have wanted to kidnap her. Kimiko took a few steps back. »Who are you?«

     A small smile formed on his lips. »You should stop.«

     »Who are.« she wanted to repeat, but then he grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. Right behind her, where she was standing, a trap snapped shut.

     »Everything under control, hu?«

     Kimiko wasn't sure if this trap was for her or a bear. Maybe even both. She looked up at him from the trap. He wasn't particularly tall. Just a few centimeters higher than her. All she had to do was raise her head and she instantly met his red eyes. Kimiko put her palms against his chest to push off from him.

     »I think I should thank.« She wanted to thank him, but when he put his finger over her lips, she stopped immediately. On the one hand because this gesture really overwhelmed her and on the other hand because he slowly shook his head. The red strand in his hair moved to the beat of the wind and he pointed to the sky with his finger, which was just lying on her lips. Kimiko had no idea what he meant by that. But his worried, focused look couldn't mean anything good.

     »C'm with me,« he whispered.

     She didn't know him. She'd never seen him before, after all she'd been home most of her life, but something about him told her she could trust him. But still she wondered what he wanted. »Why?«

     »A lady like you shouldn't stay here.« He spoke softly. If she wasn't standing right in front of him, she wouldn't understand him at all. A lady. Did he know who she was? »The wind.. they are coming.«

     Kimiko raised her brow. The wind? She wanted to ask him who was coming and what the wind had to do with it, but he grabbed her right hand and ran with her.