Sakuragaoka village had fields that stretched out throughout it with corn stalks that stood tall and formed green corridors that swayed under the afternoon wind. The village had learned long ago that the soil favoured only corn, tomatoes and coffee beans – so they adapted. Corn was ground into meal, boiled into pap and baked into flatbreads.
Beyond the fields, the land rose gently toward the forest where cherry blossom trees bloomed year-round. Their petals drifted endlessly through the air, pale pink against green leaves and blue sky.
Kiyoshi Yamada worked alone at the far edge of the fields, it was a habit carved into him over years. While others laboured in loose groups, sharing conversation and laughter he kept his distance. He was harvesting and stacking faster than the rest because he wanted to finish his quota and disappear back into the quiet sanctuary of his small home. And if he kept this pace, he would be home before the evening shadows touched the porch.
"Lord Kiyoshi!"
The voice made him stop instantly. Slowly, he turned and young woman stood several rows away, breathless. She bowed deeply the moment she met his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Kiyoshi." she corrected quickly, flustered. "But you must come, Lady Mika... is giving birth right now."
The basket slipped from his hand and corn scattered onto the soil as Kiyoshi was already moving. He sprinted through the village, with his heart hammering.
His house was small and as he reached the door, the baby's cry met him before he could touch the handle. Kiyoshi pushed the door open, his chest heaving and inside one of the village midwives turned toward him, with a bundle of white cloth cradled in her arms. She smiled at him.
"It's a boy."
Kiyoshi stepped forward, his hands trembling as he took the baby into his arms. He looked down at the crumpled, red face of the infant and tears pricked at his eyelids as a surge of joy washed over him.
He slowly walked to the bedside where Mika lay. Her hair damp with sweat but her smile was brighter than anything he had ever seen. Kiyoshi knelt beside her, lowering the baby so she could see.
"We have a son, Mika."
Mika reached out a tired hand, brushing the baby's cheek. "What should we name him?"
Kiyoshi looked at the boy again. "Riku. His name is Riku."
"That's a beautiful name."
The voice came from behind and Kiyoshi turned his head, slowly. Natsumi, his sister-in-law stood in the doorway, dressed neatly.
Kiyoshi glanced behind her, expecting to see more figures. "Where is Koichi and grandfather?"
Natsumi looked down, her smile faltering. "They... they are having an incredibly busy day, Kiyoshi. I don't think the news has even reached the estate yet but I'll tell them as soon as I return. They'll surely come."
Kiyoshi handed the child to Natsumi, his movements stiff. "I know they heard the news, Natsumi... we live in a small village."
"Kiyoshi, wait!" Mika called out but he was already gone. He walked toward the Yamada estate, it sat atop the highest hill overlooking the entire valley. Kiyoshi stormed through the halls until he reached the meeting room. He slammed the sliding doors open, the wood groaning under the force.
Koichi and Taro Yamada looked up from their papers.
"So none of you even bothered to come see my son?"
"We are very busy today, Kiyoshi." Koichi replied.
Taro violently rose from his chair, a smile spreading across his wrinkled face. "Son? You mean I have a grandson?"
"Don't act happy, you didn't come to see him nor even send a word."
Taro's smile vanished. "Don't give me that tone! If you still lived here where you belong, I would have been there the moment he drew breath. You are the one who chose to distance yourself from your blood."
Kiyoshi let out a bitter laugh. "I wonder why I even bothered coming here."
He turned and walked out. Behind him, Taro sighed and turned to Koichi. "Go get Mika and my grandson. We're having a feast tonight."
Koichi frowned, his pen hovering over a scroll. "Why don't you send someone else or Natsumi?"
Taro only looked at him and with a resentful exhale, Koichi grabbed his katana. "Fine. I'll do it."
By the time Kiyoshi returned to the fields, the news had already spread and the other workers were already calling out congratulations. One man walked over. "Why are you even back here? Go home and be with your wife."
"I only have a few loads left, when I'm done I'll be gone."
Kiyoshi finished the work and the time he hoisted the last basket of corn onto his shoulder, the sun was dipping below the horizon. He dropped the load at the collection point and the supervisor shook his head. "You know that, you didn't have to work today."
Kiyoshi slightly smiled. "If I don't, how will I feed my family?"
"You really are a strange man, Yamada. You could live in a palace, yet you're here breaking your back for pennies." The supervisor chuckled. Kiyoshi turned and walked home without responding but when he arrived the house was quiet.
"Mika?"
He checked the bedroom and the small kitchen, nobody was home. He then stepped back outside and a neighbor poked his head out of the adjacent house. "Oh, Kiyoshi! Your brother came by and they took them up to the main estate for a feast hosted by Lord Taro."
Kiyoshi didn't thank him, he was already walking. He reached the family estate as the lanterns were being lit. Inside the feast was already underway, a long table was laden with food – roast meats, delicacies from the village and bowls of steaming pap. The whole family was there and Mika looked uncomfortable, while Natsumi hovered over her.
"Ah, the guest of honor arrives!" Taro shouted, gesturing to an empty cushion.
"So, you decide to celebrate the birth of my son without telling me?"
"We would have told you if you had given us time to talk earlier. Now, sit and have dinner." Taro said.
Kiyoshi sat next to Mika. She wouldn't look him in the eye, her gaze was fixed on the sleeping Riku in a silk cradle beside her. The meal was a quiet until Taro stood up, raising a golden cup.
"A toast, to the birth of the new heir to our noble lineage. May he grow to be the sword that protects us all."
Kiyoshi's cup hit the table hard.
"Heir?"
Mika reached out, her hand trembling as she touched his arm. "Kiyoshi, please... not now."
Kiyoshi shook her off gently and stood up. "No, I won't allow my son to be enslaved by this family!"
Taro slammed his fist onto the table, sending plates rattling. "I won't allow you to speak of this family with such contempt! I have had enough of your shenanigans, Kiyoshi. You denied your own destiny and buried your talent in the dirt but I will not let you deny that boy his birthright!"
"It's not your choice to make!" Kiyoshi yelled, and the candles in the room flickered and died. "He is my son and until he is old enough to make choices for himself, I am the one who decides his path! Mika, take the boy and let's go home."
Mika didn't move, she looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry but we are staying here, Kiyoshi."
"What?"
Natsumi spoke up for her. "Mika isn't in the right state to look after a house and a newborn. She needs help and you're always working."
Kiyoshi looked around the table and realized he had lost. "I see what this is."
He turned and walked out into the night. Koichi watched him go, bitter resentment simmered in his chest and he stood up abruptly. "I need some air."
Koichi went to the stables, saddled a horse and rode toward the village gates. At the entrance, he stopped and looked at the paper talismans – ancient seals meant to protect the village from the things that crept in the dark. He reached out and tore them down.
He rode into the deep woods, arriving at a hidden cave where the moonlight lit through a hole above. As he stepped into the center of the cavern, his torch suddenly flickered and died.
Cold fingers touched his shoulder from behind. "I didn't think you'd be back so soon, little lord."
Koichi didn't startle. "I'm here to make my offering, what you requested has been birthed today. A soul untouched by the curses of this world... and blood related to me."
A woman emerged from the shadow ahead of him, she was beautiful in a way that defied nature and dressed in a pink kimono.
"And the seal?"
"I took it down when I came here."
The woman started circling him. "One question, Koichi. You are already the head of your village, so why do you want more power?"
Koichi clenched his fists. "My little brother... was born with the family blessing. He was the one they watched and loved. I had to break my body to reach his shadow and yet I am still nothing compared to him."
"Envy? That's quite the sin."
Two men stepped out from behind her. Koichi instinctively reached for his katana but the woman stayed his arm.
"Relax. They are with me."
The three figures gathered around a stone bowl. They each drew a blade, slicing their palms and letting their blood drip into the bowl together. The woman handed the mixture to Koichi.
"Drink and you shall lead."
Koichi took the bowl and drained it. The effect was instantaneous, he fell to his knees, clutching his own throat. "You... witch... what did you..."
He collapsed, his legs kicking in a violent seizure before his body went limp. His eyes stayed open, reflecting the cold moonlight.
The woman looked down at the corpse and chuckled. "The envious ones are always the most entertaining to watch when they die."
She turned to the men behind her, her eyes turning into glowing pink. "The gate is open. Let's go feast, boys."