Rijul+Asri's+Short+Story

media type="custom" key="2990904" __ Kimona: A Fashion Statement  __ //Yamashiro, Kyoto, Nippon, January 1467// “Oh, so you are not interested in the best kimona, eh? I’ll have you know, I use the finest silks, and your eyes tell you that my silks are dyed with brighter colors than the rest of theirs,” The merchant brought out a bright yellow sash that didn’t even match the dark, ugly green kimona he was trying to get rid of, “I will even throw in a sash for just an extra sapphire! It’s not a bad offer!” “I don’t want anything, as I told you so many times. I am just here to meet someone!” The girl, who was about 20, was walking around the stalls. She was wearing a white kimona with a pale yellow sash. Her skin was a pale color, and her eyes were a deep, glossy hazel. She had long, black hair that was braided and tucked into her sash. She just stopped to see a beautiful orange sash when the merchant decided to dump the ugly kimona on her and make a profit, too. She strode toward the dock, carefully carrying a small, blue pouch. She found a grassy area and sat by a patch of flowers. She had bought a white parasol, which she now held over her head to block the heat of the summer sun. She sat for only a few moments before a figure, clad in a dark, ugly, green kimona appeared by a tree. She was coming toward the other girl at a fast pace. She was wearing, with the dark, ugly, green kimona, a bright yellow sash… “You fool! That merchant was trying to trick you!” said the girl in the white kimona as the other girl appeared. “But Hyouheki-san, I thought it was kind of cute,” said the girl in the dark, ugly, green kimona. She had a darker complexion than Hyouheki, but she had much brighter eyes. She wore glasses and her hair was in a bun at the top of her head. Her hair was the same color as Hyouheki’s. Hyouheki took a deep breath, “I am sorry, Hyouchuu-san. How are you? I hope the journey was pleasant.” “Well, it was certainly //un//eventful. I expected a lot more fun.” “Oh, so you wanted to get into trouble, without me?” Hyouheki pretended to be upset. She closed her parasol and strode away. Hyouchuu laughed and followed her into the city. They talked about old times and finally, Hyouchuu became serious, “There is nothing else to learn here, so where are we going next?” Hyouheki turned and gracefully pulled out the blue bag. She unsealed it and gave it to Hyouchuu. “My sister, I believe we should travel to Honshu, where we can meet Ijutsu-sensei, then Hokkaido.” “Oh, I see.” Hyouchuu said as she held the contents of the bag in her hand. She was holding a sapphire necklace, an (dark and ugly) emerald bracelet, and a ruby ring. “The bracelet is for you, because it matches your kimona!” Hyouheki said, “If we get separated again, use it to communicate with me.” They went toward the house of their brother who would take them safely. They passed the merchant who was now trying to sell a hideous grey kimona to a lady, and he also said he would throw in a red sash for just one more ruby. Hyouchuu and Hyouheki laughed as the lady smacked the man and yelled that he is a trickster. They walked for a bit and then reached a large building. They came in the dark purple curtain and went to sit on the beautifully carved chairs. A servant dressed in a purple kimono arrived and brought them tea. “Will you please call Hyouhen-kun, Dokuyoke?” Hyouchuu said, “And bring some more tea, please?” “Acknowledged, Hyouchuu-san” Dokuyoke said as he lifted up their cups. After a few moments, a figure clad in the same purple as Dokuyoke appeared from behind a curtain. He had the same complexion as Hyouchuu, but the eyes of Hyouheki. His hair was cut short and was, as his sister’s, black. “Hello, how are you both?” “We are fine, but you seem depressed, Hyouhen-kun,” said Hyouchuu. “Contrary to our plans, we must stay an extra day, I’m afraid. There is high military activity around our area. The town will be filled to the brim with soldiers and supporters of the Yamana and Hosokawa clan. It will be a little dangerous to stay here, so I have made arrangements for us to stay in the Hosokawa mansion.” “Wow! We get to stay in a mansion! That is so great! We get to use extravagant oils and wear expensive kimonas! They will look much better than that //dark, ugly, green// kimona you are wearing, Hyouchuu-san!” Hyouheki said. “Oh yes, Hyouchuu-san, I meant to ask you,” Hyouhen said, “Where did you get that //dark, ugly, green// kimona you are wearing. And why are you wearing that bright yellow sash with it. I thought at least you had a little fashion sense in you.” “Stop it, both of you!” Hyouchuu said. She started to cry, and both of her siblings started to laugh. They packed their belongings and prepared to leave. “I almost forgot, Hyouhen-kun, I have to give you this,” Hyouheki said as she removed the ruby ring from her bag, “It is a communication device, so you can talk to us if we become separated again. “Thank you, Hyouheki-san, I shall treasure it,” he said as he placed it on his finger. They left the house and traveled toward the mansion. Hyouhen carried a katana, Hyouheki carried a kunai knife, and Hyouchuu carried a samurai bow. They had obtained these weapons from Ijutsu-sensei, their mentor. They each carried their own belongings and reached the mansion by nightfall. “We will be staying upstairs, in the room by the woodlands,” Hyouhen said. They went up and talked about their future plans when suddenly, someone yelled, “Fire, fire!” Hyouchuu immediately ran to the door and felt it. It was burning. Hyouhen ripped the curtains off and opened the window while Hyouheki grabbed all of the expensive oils and clothes, and stuffed them in their bags of belongings. They all jumped out and landed on the ground. “Well, I guess we leave tonight. Are you ready to run?” Hyouhen said. They all ran into the forest and away from the mansion, which was now reduced to ash. The fire was still blazing, but it lost its ferocity. People were attempting to put it out with sand and water. “Are there any boats that can take us?” asked Hyouchuu. “Well, there could be one who did not leave. The military action might have kept everyone on edge, and sailors would be used as guides, and their boats would be used to fight. They might have all left due to that.” They continued on. They all stayed together, for it was dark and the forest was filled with creatures that attack at night. They reached the dock without any problem. So, of course, trouble is ahead. “Um, there is no boat,” said Hyouheki. “We’re stuck on this island?! No, that is impossible! We must go tonight!” said Hyouchuu. “We must scan the area for boats. Follow me,” Hyouhen said, “and stay quiet. Especially you, Hyouheki-san.” They ran for miles until they found what they were looking for. They saw a boat that was poorly hidden under leaves. They saw a man that was packing, probably readying to leave himself. “Excuse me, Sir…” Hyouhen stopped in the middle of his sentence. They all joyfully cried out “Ijutsu-sensei!” as they saw the face of the middle aged man. His skin color was much lighter than even Hyouheki’s, and his eyes where a dark brown, almost black. He was holding a cane, but they all knew that it was only a decoy to hide his sword. He was dressed in a black and blue kimono and was holding the oars of the boat. “Why are you kids here?” he asked. “We were going to Honshu to meet you, because we learned all we can here,” said Hyouheki. “And because of the amount of destruction that is bound to happen,” said Hyouhen. “I see. Shall we travel together?” They all nodded their head in agreement. So they all got in the boat and Ijutsu cut the rope and jumped in. And whenever they talked about the //dark, ugly, green// kimona, Hyouchuu always cried. And Hyouheki, Hyouhen, and Ijutsu always laughed.