"It can't be…" Rina's face went pale. Papa!
"I am afraid it is so, Princess."
"W–what about aniki?"
"It would appear Kagemaru's flame still burns. Though my connection to his psyche was severed."
"Severed?" That's impossible. "By whom?"
"Murasaki." Kagami grinned slightly. Only because Kagemaru may have turned against the Shadows.
So, they took him as a prisoner?"
"That is the most plausible scenario..."
Tears formed in Rina's dark brown eyes. "The purple-haired brat!" A dark aura burst around her, blowing wind everywhere. Her eye twitched as she cracked her knuckles. "I'll fucking kill him!"
Murasaki's rapid improvements have Nakamura written all over them. Kagami's grin faded. I had already lost my knight, and now it's two more pieces. He exhaled. I have to accelerate my plans.
Rina was about to jet off when Kagami grabbed her shoulder. "Now... calm down, Princess. You cannot just rush without careful planning. It is said that vengeance is a dish best served cold. Be patient..."
The princess breathed deeply. "Understood."
As her aura evanesced, Kagami let go of his hand. If Murasaki managed to defeat Kagero and Kagemaru... it must mean he can at least use Fudoshin. My, my, Lord Ao... I'm truly impressed. Even beyond the grave, you're trying to foil my plans.
He locked eyes with the princess. "My dear Rina, patience is a virtue. For the rest of the winter until the summer, you are to learn Senshin. Once you have accomplished that, all your desires shall be granted."
☯
Sixteen days later, Asuka made a full recovery. She got appointed as Sage by a unanimous vote from the heads of the Intelligence, Battalion and Medical Corps. She also had Kazutaka's blessing so no one contested. People from across the Lightning region came to witness their second female ruler's inauguration after the feudal Lady Kazue Inazuma.
Two months passed and winter finally ended. The cherry blossoms' pink flowers started blooming. Wild animals also came out of hibernation. It was a time for more light and warmth with the new season.
Spring also brought the annual Ninja Graduation ceremony in Kaminari. The top students for the Intelligence, Battalion and Medical Corps were Takumi, Mikoto and Kohaku respectively. Mikoto had been the overall best in all three fields. Kenji and Ayame were among those graduating that season.
Haru, having failed his exams, was joining Kazuo for another year. Though Kazuo had become the strongest warrior in Kaminari, he needed to complete his courses in the three main study fields.
After the ceremony was complete, Sage Asuka summoned Mikoto and Takumi to her new office. As she congratulated them, she reminisced about her own graduation with Hideo and Shin. She, too, like Mikoto, had been the overall best in all three fields.
Having finished school, Takumi and Mikoto were free to leave or stay in the graduate apartments. A perk that came with graduation. They could also embark on high-class missions around Nihon that brought much better wages.
"This is the main reason I called for you two..." Asuka handed each of them a file. "It's all the information we have about your parentage. Taka-sensei meant to give you when you graduated."
Mikoto opened hers and read. "It says here I'm a Chiba…" she murmured, tears forming. She perused further and discovered how she had been left outside the school with a note. As she read her mother's letter, she could not help but let the tears fall.
'My child, please forgive me. I was unable to raise you all alone as I was still young myself. Had your father and I met under different circumstances, you could've had a better upbringing than I did. Your name is Mikoto, daughter of Lord Chiba's son.'
"Is this the Chiba clan from the Rice region?" asked Mikoto, wiping her eyes. She turned to the Sage.
"Yes," said Asuka with a nod. "And going by the note, it'd mean your father is the current head of the clan. Fifteen years ago, there were cases of local geishas who claimed they were pregnant with his heirs. Most were ruled out, while a few were later accepted. So, it's all up to you if you'd want to take it up further. Kaminari will help in any way we can..."
"Thank you so much, Asuka-sama." Mikoto bowed.
Takumi was busy reading about the Sato massacre in the Artisan capital–Tanso and how he had been the only survivor. No one ever recovered the bodies of his parents, Tetsuya and Ayai. When word of it reached their longtime friend–Kazutaka, he journeyed to Tanso and adopted Takumi from an orphanage. The late Sage feared Takumi would have grown up ostracized as a mixed child.
"I've always had my guesses but I should've known when Lord Kazutaka gave me those archives…" Takumi chuckled, removing his sunglasses. "Grand Artisan Tetsuya was my father!" He turned to the Sage and his eyes sparkled. "Thank you very much for this, Lord Asuka. Now, I have all the more reason to go to the Artisan Country..."
Two weeks later, Takumi packed his satchel lightly and readied for the journey. He had bid everyone else farewell and his two friends accompanied him to the main gate. "Goodbye, Mikoto... Kazuo. Until we meet again." He waved at them.
"Bye, brother…" Kazuo waved back.
"Taku-kun..." Mikoto pouted, making a sad face. "You're really going to leave without giving us a hug."
A sweat trickled down Takumi's temple. "I'll allow it once," he said, hiding his red cheeks. "Sure."
With one big hug, the trio embraced each other.
"Goodbye, Taku-kun…" Mikoto waved at him with a wide smile. "We hope to see you again someday."
"Farewell, guys." Takumi raised a hand, chuckling. "And don't fall for each other while I'm gone."
"Kazu-kun and I? Never!" Mikoto blushed.
The boys laughed and she joined in.
Another month passed, and springtime was over. Summer brought lots of sunlight and rain for two months. In Kaminari, Asuka asked to train with Kazuo and Mikoto. She too shared her skills and the duo taught her what they learnt from Hanzo.
☯
Back in Kurai, Rina's Senshin activation was complete. The time to prove her worth had arrived. She had also been supervising Daisuke's own training ever since he joined the Shadows. All she thought of, however, was achieving her goals. When summer arrived, the Shadow Priest called for her.
"Kagami-sama, you called for me?"
"Your time has come, Princess..." Kagami smiled, raising a hand to her. "Are you ready to be Queen?"