Kyushu
1323 AD
Spring time The smell of the sakura was everywhere. The wind carried the fragrance all throughout the various modest little buildings marking the return to life after the long season of winter. The child loved the smell of the sakura. She would simply just stand there and let the smell engulf her.
The warbling sound of an unusual meow came from beside her right leg. With her long ebony hair flowing free jostling slightly with the wind, she tilted her head downward to behold the cat. “Nekochan.” She spoke to the cat. “Dō sh*ta no?” [Kitty, what's wrong?] She knelt beside the cat.
The feline had longish gray fur with tabby markings. Her lower half was wet. She had just had kittens. “Īe!” [No!] Immediately the 9 year old child started her hunt.
Desperation began to set in after she could not find any newborn kittens in the house that she shared with her uncle. The thought of those innocent kittens with nobody to protect them made her mahogany hues start to glisten. Her cries were not helped by the new mother cat who seemed aloof and uncaring for the litter of kittens she had just abandoned.
“Keiko!” The voice of her uncle was low and grumbling. He was a good man who did not have to raise her, but he did. He loved the girl as a father and even took into account her bizarre habits that made her different from the other children. “Keiko!” He called again with a tone more agitated than before.
Keiko followed the sound of Uncle's voice into the Forge where he created some of the most beautiful swords not only in Kyushu, but in all of Japan. She found him standing near the Forge itself that was not fired up at the moment. His smile was somewhat crooked. He moved one of the boxes that contained chunks of iron to show a pile of five newborn kittens mewling and crying for the mother cat that birthed them there and walked away.
“Ojisan, hontōni gomen'nasai. Ima sugu taiō sa sete itadakimasu!” [I'm so sorry Uncle. I'll take care of this right now!] Keiko took a nearby basket and scuttled toward the kittens. She scooped them all up one by one and took them away from the Forge. She took them all into her bedroom and made a home for the kittens there. Once she sat the box down, Momma Cat joined her babies and immediately started to care for them.
Current day
Greenwich VillageThe wood block print of a cat playing was perfect. By her estimation it was at least 200 years old. Various Edo period artists were her favorites over the years. What would her current client say if they knew that the woman selling these fantastic pieces had walked the earth at that time? “This is a remarkable piece. It will be a splendid addition to any home.” She told her prospective client.
The woman standing there had long brown hair that was perfectly styled. She had an elegance about her that left the Japanese woman honored by her presence. She smiled warmly. “It is marvelous. I'll take it.” She was unusually tall but most fashion models usually were.
Keiko Yoshida bowed in respect to the woman and her agreement to purchase this piece from her. “I will have this packaged and sent to you immediately.” Keiko handed the piece to one of her employees who also bowed and carried the piece off to be properly prepared for shipment.
The client was always pleased when it came to the quality of the art that Ms Yoshida had on display. “You have all the information you need to charge me as well as ship it to my Florida residence.” She stopped to bow to Keiko in respect.
Keiko bowed back with a pleasant smile on her face. She was very fond of this particular client. She was respectful, intelligent and utterly beautiful. Just as the client was about to leave, a young Japanese man entered the shop. He made eye contact with Keiko before heading to the back. Keiko's brow furrowed with annoyance because of the recognition of the man. The client did not pick up on the silent exchange. She left content in knowing her newest purchase would soon arrive in her Florida home.
Once the client left, Keiko nodded. Two of the employees at the shop immediately began to close down the doors and pull the blinds around the shop to close down early for the afternoon. She didn't wait for them to finish. She was already halfway to the back room to meet the man who had intruded on her and her client. “Kono shin'nyū ni wa seitōnariyū ga atta hō ga yoideshou!” [You had better have a good reason for this intrusion!]
The man bowed deeply at the waist. “Hai, gurandomasutādesu! Chūdan o yurush*tekudasai. Himura kyōdai no nyūsudesu.” [Yes I do Grandmaster! Forgive the interruption. I have news of the Himura Brothers.]
Keiko's brows rose. She had loved Seto Himura deeply over 100 years ago. She had failed to save so many in her long life. When she wasn't able to save Seto and Taka from being turned to stone, she considered that perhaps her greatest failure. Rumors reached her however that the brothers had been rescued from their stone prison. She had to find them. “Tsudzukeru.” [Go on.]
The man bowed again afraid of her reaction to his report. “Hi-mura seto ga shinda. Kare no ani wa mada ikite ori, mada norowa re tsudzukete imasu.” [Seto Himura is dead. His brother still lives and still remains cursed.]
Keiko's eyes shut tightly. Tears squeezed out one after another to blaze a path down her cheeks. Another man she loved was dead. She brushed away the tears forcibly from her eyes with her hands.
Damn the Shinigami’s curse! If she could learn not to give her heart to anyone, then perhaps it wouldn't always be broken. Over 700 years of heartbreak never changed. The pain was too much to bear for any sane individual let alone a woman such as her with such profound secrets.
She regained her composure enough to speak to the man who brought her news. “Hi-mura taka o sagase. Kare ni chikadzukanaide kudasai. Kare ga doko ni iru no ka oshietekudasai.” [Find Taka Himura. Do not approach him. Just tell me where he is.”
The man bowed again and nodded before leaving her. Keiko knew that both brothers were werewolves. Given that death was a part of the business of The Hand, Keiko did not want to send them to be slaughtered by Taka. She would take the chance herself if she could even find him in the first place
