Chapter eighteen : Song of the Small Hills

Fukuji remembered I was turning fifteen soon, and that I would be needing a proper name. I didn't know what name I wanted, so I asked him. He said he could not choose for me, only I can. It took some really great thinking but I decided to keep my name Muna. I know it seems a little weird but I need to accept who I am. I have gone through so much in my life like being made fun of my name,Muna,no name. It came to me that I shouldn't try change myself because this is who I am. You can't change who you are, and I've known that for a while. It just took a really long time for me to accept it. Today he told me that I am going to become his apprentice, I was overjoyed with the great news. He cut off my pony tail because he said it will be dangerous to enter the forge with it. Now the sword is hung up on the wall of the sword smith's shop for everyone to see the engraving on it "Through fire is the spirit forged."

Chapter seventeen : Return

Fukuji was playing his zither with his beautiful poetry when I arrived. For a couple of seconds, he thought I was a beggar because of the way I looked. When he saw me holding the sword then he knew it was me,Muna. I extended my arms and offered him the sword, I turned around to leave,but he said to stay. He wanted me to stay with him because he said that Kiyomori sent out soldiers and the city would be filled with blood. I was greatly confused as he took me inside.

Chapter sixtenn : The Sword of Fukuji

I ran back to the abandoned shrine to retrieve the sword of Fukuji's. It was so icy and I have been still barefoot since I left my sandals outside the forge. I dug deep within the earth until it reached three feet. I saw the F of Fukuji glittering out, I slowing removed it from the ground. It was amazing how it was almost spotless. As i was passing the shrine a soldier approached me until others came and formed a circle. I didn't know if they were talking to me or not so they kicked me, and I fell on my face with the sword came out. They demanded the sword just like how Takanobu did. It made me so angry I sprang and took the sword from the floor and ran. I was taking it back home where it truly belongs.

Chapter fifteen : Death of dreams

It is completely useless to find my father now,there are two hundred samurais that have a chrysanthemum tattoo on their left shoulder. Maybe I should give up at this rate, to spare myself more disappointment in the end. Fukuji went looking for me at Rashomon Gate,when he saw me I ran. I was scared, I didn't know what he was going to do to me. Was he going to give me to the authorities? Was he going to accept me back to his shop?None the less I still ran in fear of him. I had another dream, I was running to a man screaming aloud,"Father!Father!". I embraced the man but when I looked up there was no face, it was a skull.

Chapter fourteen : The Visitor

Fukuji knew I had stolen the sword, he didn't say anything but he did. I woke up late this morning and he yelled for me and gave me my sandals. I left my sandals in front of the forge. I prayed to the gods that Fukuji wasn't smart enough to figure the misshaps. Takanobu was in Fukuji's forge to pay him a little visit. He came here to make a deal with him that he would get back his sword if he made him an ordinary sword. He disrespected Fukuji by saying ordinary because he doesn't make ordinary swords, his swords are beautiful and very elegant. Of course Fukuji didn't take the deal by Takanobu,but made a new one. Fukuji wouldn't mention Takanobu at all to the authorities if Takanobu left Muna alone forever. Takanobu didn't want to take Muna in, he couldn't handle all the responsibility for him.

Chapter thirteen : The Forgotten God

I left the city because I had to find a safe place to hide the sword, so no one could ever find it again. I found this tiny little shrine that no one lived in, or even went inside anymore. I stepped twenty-five passes from the shrine and I buried a hole about three feet deep. I placed the sword inside and dug it up again. I kept on hearing this laugh along the way, like someone was following me or something like that. Maybe it was real or maybe it wasnt. Then I turned and saw a bunch of birds, it was the birds I was sure of it.

Chapter twelve : The Sign of the Chrysanthemum

I met Takanobu where he said for me to be, for a second I thought he wasn't coming. Then he came out and was demanding for the sword. I said,"I brought this sword with me because you said you were my father. If you are my father or not ,swear on this blade from this day you will treat me as your son. I will take your name and you will take me as your own, swear!" He just laughed and told me to give him the sword like a good puppy. I was so furious, I didn't know what to do. I took the sword under my tunic and struck Takanobu with the sword. I began to run as fast as I could, as far as I could.I ran past the Imperial Palace to Suzaki Oji. I didn't know where I was going, but any other place than here would be better. I fell into a deep uncomfortable sleep,and had a dream. I heard Takanobu's voice, but saw Plum Face in my dream. He said,"The chrysanthemum tattoo puppy,why didn't you ask?". Then I woke up,it made me think that anyone here could be my father.

Chapter eleven : Thief of fortune

Akiko was such a nice girl, I can not believe they did that to her. I will not let them crush her spirit, like what they have done to me. She knows if I could I would kill every single one of them for what they have done,but I cannot. Fukuji showed me the sword he was making for the warrior, it was almost finished. He told me to give the word that he will have put the finishing touches and will have it by the end of the festival. It came to my thought, my plan was going smoothly. I went and told him that my master is greatly sorry for the delay. I could still not believe what I myself was doing. Am I really going to steal the sword for my father? I heard men talking and saying,"watch the fires!". The revolt was going to begin so, I could feel it.
I dug under the loose stone for the key to the courtyard where the sword was kept. I slowly removed my sandals and unlocked the room. Before I knew it I grabbed the sword and wore it on me. I began to run as fast as I could. I was scared someone would catch me red handed for stealing the sword.

Chapter ten : The House on Rokujo Avenue

I ran as fast as I could to get to Rokujo Avenue to save Akiko. She must have been there for about a week now. I can't believe she is in such a horrible place like that. I pushed myself in front of all the others in line to only see a lady waiting for her pay for me to enter. I didn't want to enter, I just wanted to return Akiko to where she belongs. She was asking for her pay, but I had no pay for her. So she called Kato to take me away into the dark streets. Just before he dragged me away I saw beautiful,kind Akiko. I couldn't believe what they had done to her. She said," Go away Muna,,just leave me here." I reached my arm to take her away, but he shoved me out of the place. He started to beat every sweat and tear in my body he could take. It was slow and very painful,I tried to not feel it but I did. Then finally it was over, he gave me a warning not to come back again or else he would beat Akiko like how he beat me. I thought I was going to die for a couple of minutes, but I got my strength together and made my way back to the sword smith's shop.

Chapter nine : The Festival of Gion

I've been thinking about what I'm going to do, and still no answer has popped up into my head yet. The chrysanthemum, why didn't I ask to see it? Fukuji suggested to see the Gion festival, so I went so I could try to get my mind out of things. The festival was devoted to Susano the storm god. He could never be counted on, but sometimes he was a dragon slayer, and a little pranker on his sister Amerterasu. Then Takanobu caught up with me once more, this time he begged for him to get his sword by the end of the festival. Takanobu told me there was going to be a revolt in the city after the festival. I still didn't know what to do.
I also asked Fukuji about me becoming a man, and what he thinks of him. I want to know if there will be any hope for me becoming his apprentice. Other the less, he gave me an answer I had to think about. What do I think of myself? I'm not quit sure what I think of myself at this moment. I ran to the sandlemaker's shop to not only find Akiko there any longer. I searched for her, but her uncle appeared again. Kawaki is dead now, and Akiko has gone to a worse place. Her uncle said a pretty thing shouldn't be waisted,and now she is in the little nice house on Rokujo Avenue.How he disrespected Akiko like that wanted me to kill the man.

Chapter eight : Rain

I finally told Fukuji about me in search for my father and about my mother dieing, and everything that has happened to me. I went to visit Akiko and I bought her a fish in a bamboo stick bowl. I wanted to get her something nice, so she wouldn't be lonely if Kawaki died. When I got out of the sandal maker's shop a monk started chasing me. It was calling out for my name, and I just kept running. I didn't know who it was, I began to be scared. Then he grabbed me and said, "Ah,but that was sly puppy." Right then and there when I heard puppy I knew it was Takanobu. I thought he was dead, but no he is alive.
He was asking me for a little favor. He said that he got the word that I was living with Fukuji, a great sword maker.He didn't have a sword with him, so I knew he would ask me to steal a sword for him. After, he told me he was my father. My father?! At first I didn't believe him,I didn't want to believe him. I don't know what to do. Do I betray Fukuji, who has been like a father to me, or Takanobu, my father supposedly.

Chapter seven : Cherry Blossoms

`I found out today that Kawaki has the wasting sickness my mother died from. I went to visit Akiko and him to see how they were doing. I thought I might visit them since I was near the area. At first she wouldn't tell me what was wrong. I can't believe Kawaki might die. Where will Akiko live? Where will she go? It made me realize that so many people have problems all around us. It makes me feel not alone in the word. Today I also ran into Koishi, Takanobu's friend,at least I think it was him. We ran into one another at Rashomon Gate. I was yelling for him, but he didn't hear me. If he's alive, is Takanobu? Maybe they got out of the Red Dog in time before it caught on fire. Maybe he's still alive.

Chapter six : At the Swordsmith's shop

I learned about the two rival clans, Heike and Genji. They are two rivals against one another because of great history I learned. It's nice living with Fukuji,but sometimes I want to do some other jobs around here. All I ever do is womans' jobs, I'm not a woman. Do I look like one ? I don't think so. But other than that he's a nice guy. I love to listen to his beautiful poetry, it makes it all worth wild for me. Heike warriors came today at the sword smith's shop to talk to Fukuji about buying a sword. I asked him if he sold a sword to them, he said that it's not that easy to sell a sword just like that. I was yet confused, but he explained to me. He said that he has to see if the spirit of the sword connects to the spirit of the person he is selling it to.

Chapter five : Fukuji

I woke up in a strange place, I looked around and I soon found out that it was a swordsmiths shop! Maybe the gods are trying to send me a message. But it was a new year and he saved me that night. I met the man Fukuji and hes a really nice man .As I was told by him I was having a great fever that horrible night. I must make him like me. I want him to make me his apprentice so I can learn how to make swords and be a samurai just like my father. Still no luck in finding my father, it's been a while also.

Chapter four : At the Red Dog

Today I met up with Takanobu as promised at Rashomon Gate this morning. We then went to the Red Dog, it was a restaurant where a lot of his friends went to. When we walked in, the lady who worked there said ," No credit!" to Takanobu. It took a while to figure out but I found out that he wasn't a man of his words. I got a wonderful job today! Well, it's not all that great but it's a start. I work at the stables with the horses the samarais use. I returned to the Red Dog later and I found out that they were all on the Genji side, while I was on the Heike. It was really awkward for a couple of seconds when we were there. All the money I made from my job I would give to Takanobu because he still didn't have a job.Takanobu told me to go the Rashomon Gate and give Plum face something. When I went there I asked a man if they knew him, he said he has been dead for a while. Why would Takanobu send me to give him something if he was dead? When I returned I found that the Red Dog was on fire! There was no sign of Takanobu,that must have meant he is dead. If only I were there to help him get out, I would have done everything. Even though he wasn't all that nice, he was still my friend.

Chapter three : The capital

The boat landed today and they were looking for their pay I owe them. I didn't have any money for them . Takanobut took care of all of that for me though. He said I would have my pay as soon as I came back. He whispered in my ear to go meet him somewhere else later on that day.He seems like a really nice guy in general. Even though him and all his friend laugh at me, I'm still making progress and meeting new people. Takanobu told me to meet him at Rashomon Gate. I got lost and made my way to two very nice people,Kawaki and his pretty daughter Akiko. They said they would give me a night to spend there and some bean soup if I would tell them my journey here to the capital. They were really nice people and were very welcoming to me too.

Chapter two : King of the Pirates

Today I caught a boat to go the capital in search for my father, I begin my journey today. Well, first I didn't have any fair for the boat ride, so I thought maybe they wouldn't notice, but they did.I slept between two big rice bags on deck. I met this man named Takanobu he ate a lot of the food. He calls himself " King of Pirates". He must be joking with me, no one took him seriously though. We met on the boat, and I found out he was a ronin-a samurai with no Lord to follow. He had this little nickname for me, puppy. I didn't really appreciate what he called me,but at least it wasn't no name.

Chapter one : The Orphan

Since I've been born my name has been Muna,no name. I don't know my father, so I don't have a name. My mother died from the Wasting sickness. She was burried in the burial grounds. My mother did tell me that my father was a samurai and had a sword taller than me. He also had a tattoo on his left shoulder of a Chyrsanthemum. I was so much in grief, but I have to accept that my mother is no longer here. I know she is in a much better place now, but I do miss her greatly. Last night I had this great dream that I would get my name and everyone would bow down to me. People would beg favors from me and I would have a great sword, and if anyone disrespected my name I would kill them.