IX

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Arc X?Chapter?10

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“No ...“ Koyuki murmured.

Her answer pleased Asami. “Indeed. You are destined for more, far more, Princess Koyuki.

Have you never considered reclaiming what is rightfully yours now that you depart for the Land of Snow?

Koyuki's eyes widened in surprise. “What? What did you say? Since when are we travelling to the Land of Snow?“

“Your retainer told me so. Sandayu informed me that you intend to head for the Land of Snow.“

Koyuki narrowed her eyes at the culprit. “Is that true, Sandayu? I wasn't told anything like that.“

Sandayu began sweating. “Well,yes, the most recent scenes of Princess Glae were supposed to be shot in the Land of Snow ...“

Koyuki fumed. “Sandayu, didn't I tell you, time and time again, that I will never return again!“

“But Princess ... I beg you, you must return. The Land of Snow needs you ...“ Sandayu pleaded.

Koyuki exploded. “I couldn't care less, Sandayu. I will never set a foot on the Land of Snow ever again. The entire country is cursed. A country of ice and snow, of frozen tears and hearts of stone.“

Asami watched and observed. This affair was apparently more complex than expected. An unwilling princess met a willing retainer. That was a problem.

Asami tried her best to mediate. After all, it was of crucial importance for the princess to return. “Princess , I suggest listening to your retainer. Sandayu has a point.“

Koyuki directed her anger at Asami. “You too?“

Asami remained unfazed. Koyuki's innocuous glare didn't bother her in the slightest. “Consider your position, Princess. Your father was known as a wise and benevolent ruler, the true paragon of a just daimyo. He loved his people as he loved you. His reign brought peace and prosperity to the Land of Snow until fate decided otherwise ...

Princess, you should step into your father's shoes. It's time for you to reclaim your legacy. I know you are a kind-hearted person deep inside you.“

Koyuki objected in a fit of anger. “I am not! Don't you know what everyone calls me? They call me the princess without a heart, the princess without emotions!“

Asami giggled. “An actress through and through. Your act might work on others, but not on me. In fact, you are quite quick to react at the mere mention of emotions for a supposedly emotionless person.

You are lying to yourself all these years, aren't you?“

“...“

“Open your heart, Princess. Your land needs you. Your people needs you. Don't let your life be dictated by others.“

...

...

...

“You don't understand ... Fighting him is ... futile ... A monster like him ... ?cannot possibly be defeated ...“ Koyuki's resistance crumbled, yet her heart hesitated.

Asami approached Koyuki and lifted her chin. A smile welcomed her. “Raise your head, Princess. Sadness and depression are terrible friends. No reason to fall victim to despair.

You are not alone, Princess. You never were. Open your eyes and look around. You are surrounded by loyal retainers and friends willing to lend you a hand.“

Asami offered Koyuki her hand. “Amegakure will lend you our strength. I will lend you my strength.“

Koyuki gazed at Asami with a sense of disbelief, staring at a girl half her age yet her spirit never wavered.

Asami reaffirmed her commitment. “My strength will be your strength, Princess. My sword will be your sword. My resolution will be your resolution. I will not tire until the Land of Snow is reclaimed, liberated from Doto's wicked tyranny. All you need to do is to accept my hand.“

Koyuki fell silent, contemplated. “... you asked what I want, didn't you?“

“I did.“

“... Lady Asami, ...“ For the first time, Koyuki used her name. “... I only have a single condition. I want to be the one to kill him. I want to see him die with my own eyes. I want to take revenge on him in person for all the sins he has committed.“

Asami smiled. “Your wish is my command, Princess Koyuki. Nothing that can't be arranged.“

Koyuki accepted Asami's hand without hesitation. Their pact was sealed.

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In a land far away in a village named Konoha, a certain ninja named Kakashi received a few days later a missive.

“What a shame.“ Kakashi shrugged his shoulders. The film crew retracted their mission. Nothing tragic. Things like this happened.

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Far in the north, a lone ship sailed through stormy and unruly waters. Wind and snow accompanied the voyage. The ship bounced while ploughing through the cold and wild waves in the middle of a frigid blizzard. Not that they had much of a choice. The Land of Snow was only reachable by sea. And faithful to its name, the weather was harsh and unforgiving up in the northern regions.

Tightly packed into a thick fluffy fur coat and an ushanka to protect her freezing earsies, Asami was stading on the deck and watching the horizon.

The forces of fate and foreign politics were working in curious ways indeed. A week ago she was asking the Fire Daimyo for a series of loans, and now she was here sailing with a ship to the end of the civilised world to dethrone an usurper with serious delusions of grandeur to install a ... more benign administration according to the best practices of Realpolitik. Not that she would ever admit the latter aloud.

From inside the ship, a man joined her in the harsh weather. It was Sandayu.

Asami greeted him. “Greetings, also here to breathe some fresh air?“

“Lady Asami ... , we need to talk.“ Sandayu's hardened.

Asami offered a smile for the sake of politeness. “I am listening.“

“Lady Asami, I am no, but why are you helping us?“

“Does that mean I need a reason to help someone in need?“

“That's beside the point, Lady Asami.“

“Then elaborate, Sandayu. What do you desire from me?“

“...“ Sandayu hesitated. “I am not that naive to believe that you are helping us out of the goodness of your heart alone. Your Ladyship expects something in return.“

Asami smirked. “An astute observation on your part. But to be fair, I think such was rather obvious to begin with. You can hardly accuse me of deceiving you. I do. You do. I give. You give. That's how the world works.“

“... ... ... So what does Your Ladyship demand in return?“

“Not much. I merely demand loyalty and fealty. We will strengthen economic and military cooperation. A public declaration of friendship. A trade agreement. A military alliance. When Amegakure calls, the Land of Snow shall answer.“

“And what if we say no ...“

Asami was forced to giggle. “How amusing~.“

Sandayu narrowed his eyes. “What's so funny?“

Asami looked into the distance. “You know, the very idea of you considering defying me ... seems absurd. As if a goldfish would contemplate to wage war on heaven itself.

“...“

“Tell me, why would you defy me, why would you try to defy the inevitable course of history?“

“... of a history yet to be written, Lady Asami. I only hope Your Ladyship knows what she is doing. I am not interested in seeing my country being led down a path of ruin.“

“Rest assured, I do. A wise man once said, the conqueror is always lover of peace. Only because I tend to use the pen, that doesn't mean that I disparage the sword. Quite the contrary. The pen and the sword, they both have their uses.“

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PS. This is called an ushanka if you might wonder. In the unbound form.