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Kasandora’s feet padded on the cool hardwood floor as she tried her best to keep the bowl of water from spilling. She knew these were her father’s last moments; the vision that came to her just two hours before was currently being lived out. She walked through her father’s bedroom door. Her sister, Deina, was vigilantly seated next to her father’s bed, and the pale face of her father was moist. She kneeled next to his frail body, wrung out the cloth in the bowl and began wiping his face. His eyes slowly opened, and a content smile spread over his features. "Ami," he whispered. Kasandora returned his smile shyly; there was no need to correct him. If her father mistook her for her mother, it was okay. He would soon join Ami and both would watch over their daughters with the other Fujikage ancestors. She studied her sister. Deina had been keeping watch on her father for three days now, and it was amazing that she had been able to stay awake. Deina, the firstborn, took after her father and that included the traits of stubbornness and endurance. The elder girl refused to have Kasandora take over, no matter how many times she offered. Deina needed to be there, though, more than she knew. Kasandora stood slowly. "I am going to pray," she announced softly. "I will be back soon."
"Fine," Deina murmured. Kasandora saw the look of disgust on her sister’s face. No need to start another argument at this time; besides, I would never win. “I’ll be okay, Kashi,” Deina reassured. "Just go." The younger sister silently walked out of the room, head lowered. Though she knew her father would soon be at peace, her eyes could not keep from moistening.
Deina pushed a hand through her short black hair. Kashi and her religion, she thought. Nothing but children’s tales to help them sleep better at night. How can she believe there is some divine power? If you can’t see it, smell it, taste it, or touch it, it’s not real. What was real was the sight of her father. How cruel was this life? Fujikage Moru was a warrior; he was not only a military man, he had been a master in several martial arts and swordplay–something which had been learned by each generation of their family. She could remember his practicing, each move slow and disciplined, an image of the power his family bestowed, the power his family had earned. Now, there he was, his once black hair now grey, his once strong body now frail, weak. A man who was once brilliant and alert now confused his younger daughter for his dead wife. Life was very cruel. "Deina," he whispered. She held his gnarled hand and looked upon him. "Yes, Father?" He took a ragged breath. "Go get my katanas." Deina stood up and exited, going down to the end of the hall where his training room was set up. She headed straight for the shallow closet which held his various blades. She found the katanas shrouded in silk. Handling them as Moru had instructed her when she was young, she walked back to his room. She placed his prized swords on his torso and returned to her station at his bedside. He motioned her to come closer. "Deina, you have always been my child. Your independent spirit and strength were evident before you were even born. While Kashi has taken after your mother in her gentleness, you have been a fire that cannot be put out, something which has often been said about me. I never had any boys, but you are my firstborn. I have not needed male children." He paused to take a few deep breaths. "This is the reasoning for what I am about to do."
Kashi kneeled upon the floor with the fire lit in front of her. "Hear my prayers, ancestors. Give my father peaceful leave as he enters the world of the eternal." She was alone, her eyes closed, her soul in tune with the divine. "He has served the family name well. He has bestowed honour upon the Fujikage lineage. Hear my prayers, ancestors." A wind ruffled through her long, light blue hair. They were listening. "I do not know what the future holds for Deina and me, but be with us. Be with Deina, comfort her, for she is confused and will continue to be confused through all of this. She loves Father dearly." Kasandora.... The wind had picked up, seemed to be calling her name. Kasandora....
"When I...was a young man, my father sent me...on a journey. He said that it was a task all the Fujikage men must do. It took me through many dangers....and many lessons. The final...destination...was a shrine. The purpose I had to find for myself." Moru paused and coughed a couple of times, his chest heaving. After clearing his throat, he continued, "He did give me these katanas, though, which had been blessed by a holy man who occupied the temple where the shrine was located hundreds of years ago."
Deina had a hard time believing what her father was saying. It sounded crazy, yet he sounded more coherent than the past few days. "What are you saying, Father?"
"I am saying that you...you and Kashi must take this journey. It has been...set forth...by...the ones who went before us. I know you believe that life is only here and now, that there is no eternity, but this...will benefit you. You will grow as you’ve never grown before."
"Why did you not tell me of this?"
Moru took another deep, ragged breath before he gave his explanation. Deina was afraid that the end was coming closer. "Because I had to wait for the right moment, and now is that moment. The two of you will be on your own now. It is the ordained time. Just promise me you will take care of Kashi, and that you will allow Kashi to take care of you. She is more valuable to you than you know." He went into a coughing fit that rattled his chest even more. She was surprised that he was not coughing up blood. Deina went into action to calm her father.
"Please, Father, don’t get worked up. It’s okay. If this is what you desire, we will go."
Moru took a deep breath. "Take...these with you." He handed Deina the blades. "You will need them. I have already...given Kashi...what she needs." He took a few more ragged breaths. Deina knew the end was near, and she didn’t want it to come.
"No, Father, no! Fight it! Fight it, won’t you?!" His facial expression was serene and loving.
"I have fought. I have had a good life." Deina was not going to let him die.
This was not right. This had not happened before. Who was calling her? The wind was picking up around her, but she couldn’t open her eyes. A vision was coming. Images flashed in her mind....places she had never seen, fog in the mountains, a temple, people....so many people....dangers....
Deina was clutching to her father, cursing in her mind. "You can’t go, Father."
He smiled at his daughter. "It is ordained. It is my time, dear. I love you." With that he closed his eyes. Deina was still clutching his clothes when his last breath escaped. She threw her head back and screamed.
Kashi’s blue eyes flashed open and she gasped. The journey had begun.
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