Misaki San

The legend of bravery, abandon, and loyalty in Japan, AD 600

Prologue ▶︎

Misaki San arose from her bed, looking out her window at the still-rising morning sun.  She didn't know it before, and was just figuring it out, that doing so might be her favorite thing in the world.



Everyday Misaki San tried to go about her day as she was supposed to, instead of getting carried away by looking out the window and starring at nature.  But she couldn't help it.  The world was a gift, and she wanted to enjoy it as much as she could.  Besides, what harm could it bring? She was seven-years-old--there was plenty of life ahead of her, and she'd soon outgrow her dreams of starring out her bedroom windows, and be more mature, and focus on her duties more capably. 



But as much as she wished it, Misaki San knew that Sayaka wouldn't hear of it.  She'd tell her, a princess is born ready, born mature, and born into the royal family.  She'd also say that, "being born into the royal family requires responsibility, duties, maturity, capability, knowledge, respect, education, proper actions, language skills, but most importantly, a servant's heart."



Misaki San tried her very best to please Sayaka, her tutor, and her parents, Kai & Guang Qin, but she had to please herself too.  And at seven years old, you couldn't expect more from a child. 



Misaki San knew her siblings would never laugh at her, but she knew they'd never listen to her when she told them how she felt about royal life.  She felt royal on the outside, but not on the inside.  She hardly ever wore her crown, and she dressed as a common child, not a princess.  She never practiced her foreign languages outside of her study hours.  But eventually Kai Qin, her mother, would notice, and make her stop what she's doing and ask her to recite a few words in Greek, Hebrew, Persian, or Chinese.  Misaki San was good at picking up the languages and could recite all the words her mother asked her to, but she preferred Japanese, her native language.



Yes, the Qin family are the rulers of Japan.  But, not every single one of their family members are Japanese.  Kai, also called Amaterasu (her Japanese name), is Japanese.  She was born into the royal family of Japan, and was named Amaterasu.  When she was 13 years old, she was introduced by her parents to the emperor of China's family and met Guang Qin, the prince.  He was 17 years old, and he and Amaterasu fell in love, and were soon married. 



Guang's older brother was made Emperor of China by the time they were married, so they became the rulers of Japan, as a result of Amaterasu's marriage being the first of her siblings'.



At age 14, Amaterasu (given the name Kai by Guang's family) gave birth to their oldest daughter, who they named Kai Li, named after her mother.  A year later came Mu Lan, named after Guang's sister who died the same year of his daughter's birth.  After her, a set of twin girls were born (all their children are girls): Masami and Madoka.  A year later, another set of twins were born: Kohaku Masan and Suyin.  Then came a third set of twins: Hana and Sakura Mei.  After them came a single child, named Saki Mai.  Then came Misaki San.  Then, last but not least, the last set of twins: Asuka and Akiko.



12 princesses were born, and Kai and Guang loved them more than anything in the world.



Once the age of 6, the princesses began studies with Sayaka Iwata, the paid palace tutor and nanny.  Sayaka was a good teacher when it came to getting things right and making the answers and methods clear, but she was very strict and some times harsh.  If any sign of disobedience came into action, Sayaka would punish and correct strictly.  She set up a ton of rules, and anytime one was disobeyed, the consequence was very strict and was put into action right away.  One story was a story Misaki San would never forget! Her sisters, Hana and Saki Mai got tired of listening to the group study, so they ran off to go play when Sayaka left the room.  When she got back, the girls were still out of their seats and running around the halls.  Sayaka got very angry, and began yelling.  "Hana! Saki Mai!" she shouted loudly.  The girls screamed and stopped what they were doing.  "Get over here, right now!" Sayaka yelled.  The girls obeyed, crying hardly.  Sayaka turned to the rest of us and said, "Watch and learn, my little ones.  I hope you do not repeat the same mistakes that your sisters have made.  We are all wretched, but we do our best to learn and learning required discipline."  Sayaka acted right away on punishing the girls, ordering them to lie on the ground on their stomachs as she took out her long stick and began whipping the girls.  It seemed it was for an eternity, but soon it was over, and we all became more frightened of Sayaka Iwata than we had been before. 



But at the same time, Sayaka was also very loving.  She always said that being born into the royal family requires a servant's heart, to take care of the people before themselves.  She told stories with morals about selfish kings and lords, doing nothing to protect the people.  Instead, they dictated them, and set up harsh rules they had to follow or else a severe penalty.  (When she told them these stories, Misaki San thought that Sayaka herself was being a lot like the selfish kings, setting up harsh rules with harsh penalties.)  "But sometimes, the king doesn't have a change of heart until he's put into the position of his people, being forced to follow rules made by a harsh dictator," she'd say.  At night when all twelve of the girls lay in their beds in their room, they'd whisper about Sayaka and her stories.  "Maybe we should treat Sayaka how she treats us, and then she'll have a change of heart like in her stories," they'd say.



But Sayaka wasn't only a school teacher, she was a religious teacher.  She was firm in her Buddhist faith, and had excellent face.  She was more devoted than anyone Misaki San ever knew.  Every morning when Sayaka came to the palace, she'd kneel outside the girls' bedroom and pray aloud.  The girls would put their ears up to the door and laugh as they heard her mutter words in her prayers.  After a good teaching lesson whenever someone got in trouble, Sayaka would explain and tell stories of the Buddhist ways.  She'd say that she is strict and punishes them because that's the right thing to do, and that's what the gods tell her to do.  She'd say that if she didn't correct them, she'd need some serious punishing, too.  Sayaka also talked to the girls a lot about devotion.  She was the wife of a Buddhist preacher, and had great face.  She said that her great face came from her great devotion, to her husband and to her religion.  She said that she too made great mistakes, though she had amazing face that everyone respected.  She said that her husband had taken her outside and whipped her with his stick several of times, because they all made great mistakes, but she'd also explain how they all learn from them, and should be grateful after receiving discipline and teaching.  (That is all part of the Buddhist religion).



"Misaki San!"



Misaki San heard her name being cried by a familiar voice--but luckily, it wasn't the voice of Sayaka.  It was her sister, Masami. 



"Yes, Masami?" she replied.  "Hurry up! Sayaka is already in the hall! You're lucky it's me calling your name and not her.  Now hurry! If she finds out we're late, we'll be Sayaka soup!" Masami said.  Misaki San slid off her bed, saying goodbye to the beautiful sight of the sunrise, and went with her sister to begin her studies.



The girls ran through the palace until finally they caught up with the rest of the girls.  They slowed their pace and walked their way into the hall where they meet Sayaka Iwata.



When they entered the hall, they found Sayaka sitting criss-crossed on her mat, her hands in the prayer hands position.  "Ohayo gozaimasu," she said (good morning).  "Ohayo gozaimasu," they all replied.  Sayaka breathed in a moment of silence, leaving the girls in an awkward minute.  "Sit."  She ordered.  "Pray."  She added, still closing her eyes.



The girls began sitting in the same position as Sayaka and started praying.  This was how they always started the morning with Sayaka.  They knew what they were to do and they knew she would say "sit" and "pray," but they weren't allowed to do so until Sayaka told them to.  Or else, they faced punishment for impatience and disobedience.  Also, anyone who opened their eyes, dropped their hands, or fidgeted would be considered disobedient and disrespectful, and would face punishment. 



The girls spent a whole two hours in prayer--the first 15 minutes was a prayer kept to themselves, then they prayed 30 minutes with a partner, then 45 minutes with Sayaka (they took turns saying the prayer), and then 15 minutes again in their minds, and the rest listening to Sayaka's pray.



For Misaki San, it was a very boring 2 hours.  But she dare not say it! Sayaka would be furious, and she'd be considered a Buddhist sinner and face severe penalties! Even her sisters would be ashamed of her.



The oldest girls were starting to develop a strong Buddhist faith like Sayaka's.  These girls were Kai Li, Mu Lan, Masami, and Madoka.  Even Saki Mai, who was considered one of the "younger ones," had a strong faith and good face at 8 years old.



Sayaka found favor in these five, and treated them a little better than she did Kohaku Masan, Suyin, Sakura Mai, Hana, Misaki San, Asuka and Akiko.  The youngest twins she found very frustrating.  Everyday was a day of punishment for them.  Sayaka always found something disobedient about them.



Misaki San felt sorry for her 6-year-old sisters.  It was their first year of study, and they weren't having a good one.  Some days Sayaka was even harsher on them, depending on her mood.  Sometimes, Misaki San feared that her little sisters would run away.

Chapter 1 ▶︎

"YOU SAY THAT ALL THE TIME!!!" screamed 12-year-old Misaki San.  "Misaki San!" Sayaka said harshly.  "Quit saying that! I don't have to listen the list of things you tell me to be!!" Misaki San continued.  "Princess Misaki San!!" Sayaka repeated.  "No! Don't call me that!" she yelled.



"You don't tell me what to do, young lady! Isn't that your name?" Sayaka said.  "I may be born a princess, but I don't have to act like what you say they are!" Misaki San yelled.



"Misaki San!!!" Sayaka screamed.  "Quit while you're ahead and start acting like a princess!"



"NO!! I WILL NOT!!" Misaki San replied at the top of her lungs.  Sayaka's eyes turned concrete gray and cold, meaning she had lost her patience and was about to take matters into her own hands.  Misaki San, after a few seconds of silence, grabbed her crown and threw it on the floor.  Sayaka was furious.  "Pick that up, right now!!!" she ordered.  Misaki San glared at her, turned around, and walked away.



"Misaki San Qin! You are a princess, and you need to start acting like one!!" Sayaka yelled.  Misaki San continued to walk away, not even turning back to look at her tutor.  "MISAKI SAN!!!!!!" Sayaka screamed, her face turning red.  Hot tears began to stream down her face.



Misaki San heard Sayaka's scream echo through the palace.  It was so loud she almost felt as if she had lost her hearing.



Soon, Misaki San was out of sight, and Sayaka fell onto her knees and cried.  Then, Kai Li, who had adopted Sayaka as her mother, came to her side.  "Haha, are you alright?" (Haha: mother) she asked.  "Kai Li, what did I ever do wrong?" she asked.  "Oh, Haha, you haven't done anything wrong, Misaki San has," Kai Li replied.



"No--the gods are upset at my teaching.  They are punishing me--and my punishment is too much to bare.  Losing Misaki San breaks my heart," Sayaka replied.  "Mother, we all make great mistakes," Kai Li said.  "I know, my Daughter.  But I have made the greatest mistake in the world, if my punishment is losing one of you," Sayaka replied.



"I'd rather my punishment be death than losing her," Sayaka added.  "Oh, but how we would miss you, Mother," Kai Li replied.  "Oh, but Misaki San wouldn't," she said. 



Sayaka grabbed Misaki San's crown and held it close to her heart and wept harder.  "Mother, all we can do is pray," Kai Li said.  "Oh, but no one from the heavens would hear my prayer--they have rejected me.  My place is now a useless mosquito in the afterlife," Sayaka replied.



"No, Mother--you have been so good to us.  Misaki San's place is there," Kai Li replied.  "No--she was a gift to me at first, and now, she's being taken away from me.  I have done something terrible to deserve this," Sayaka said.



"Mother, you are in control here--not Misaki San.  You can do something to get her back," said Kai Li. 



The four other girls rushed to Sayaka's side.  "Mother, you have to do something to get her back," said Saki Mai.  "You have done nothing wrong--it is Misaki San.  She has rebelled against you and the gods, and you're letting her get away with it.  You have to do something before the gods strike her down," she continued.



"Arigato (thank you), my daughters.  May you be blessed.  For you are now teaching me.  Let's hurry! We must get Misaki San back!" Sayaka replied.



One month ago, Kai Qin, the girls' mother, died.  Her death was mysterious, and the men who the king called upon to investigate all said that she might have killed herself.  The king, the girls', and Sayaka all disagreed with them and turned them away.  Kai would never do such a thing!



Ever since then, Sayaka had been like a mother to the girls.  She had become a full-time nanny by the king's orders.  Misaki San was not a fan of this.  Lately, she had not been in Sayaka's favor.  Everyday of the past few weeks Sayaka would always find something wrong with her and punish her harshly.  In the evenings when Sayaka was gone, Misaki San would go to her mother for comfort.  Now, she was gone, and she had to go through Sayaka's harsh treatment to her everyday.  She argued with her father about his decision of making Sayaka their all-time nanny, but he insisted she obey Sayaka and not bring the subject up ever again.



Five of Misaki San's sisters, Kai Li, Mulan, Masami, Madoka, and Saki Mai had adopted Sayaka as their mother.  Misaki San was not happy about this.  "How could you do this to our mother? You replaced her with this...witch!! Don't even think of such wickedness!!" she had screamed at them.  She told them that their mother was still watching over them, and knew everything that was going on.  She said that she was a good person, and was probably being reborn into a different royal family as a princess.



Finally, the five reached Misaki San's door.  Sayaka knocked.  "Misaki San!" she cried.  "Open this door!" There was no response.  "I can see the light from her candles shining through her door.  She's definitely in there," said Madoka.  "Misaki San! Open this door.  Don't get into deeper trouble than you are already in," said Kai Li.



Finally, the door creaked open, but only half of Misaki San's face could be seen in the dark room.  She held the candle for her source of light, and said, "What do you want Sayaka?"



"Misaki San! Get in here this instant!" she cried.  Her face was full of anger.



Misaki San stepped out of her room. 



"My Daughters, please leave us alone," said Sayaka.  The five girls went back to where they came.  "Misaki San," said Sayaka.  "Follow me."



Misaki San followed Sayaka as she ordered.  They walked for five minutes, which seemed like an eternity for Misaki San.  Finally, they stopped, in front of two gigantic doors in a part of the palace that Misaki San had never seen before.



"Do you know where we are?" Sayaka asked.  "No," Misaki San replied.  "Silence! A princess is always slow to speak--look around," Sayaka said.



Misaki San looked around the whole room.  "I...I still don't know where we are," she said.  Then, Sayaka pushed open the doors, which revealed a secret passage.



Misaki San followed Sayaka through the passage.  She seemed to know exactly where they were.  There were several paths, and Sayaka always knew which one to follow.



Finally, they came to the very back of the passage.  "Where are we?" asked Misaki San.  "Silence!" Sayaka cried.  "Now, here we shall discuss the little...situation," she said.  "What about the situation?" asked Misaki San.  "Hold your tongue!" Sayaka said.  Her face was concrete gray and her eyes widened. 



She walked from right to left over and over again.  Then, finally, after a long moment of silence, Sayaka began to speak.



"Once, there was a girl," she said.  "Oh, but not just any girl.  She was a genie." 



"The genie lived in a cave with her family on the island of Awaji, and they all lived happily.  But one day, the genie's mother grew terribly ill, and died.  The genie was overwhelmed with sorrow, and refused to ever think a happy thought again.  A few days later, her father had remarried, and she had a stepmother.  The genie was furious with her stepmother, and ran away.  She tried to seek happiness on her own, but she never succeeded to find it."



Misaki San was very confused at Sayaka's story, as usual.  She was always telling boring, meaningless stories that weren't true.  There was supposed to be a lesson behind it, but the so-called "Lesson" never got through to Misaki San.  She saw Sayaka as some person just showing off her "knowledge," trying to make herself look like she knows something.



Sayaka ended her story.  "Now, I hope this means something to you," she said.  "Perhaps a change of heart."  Misaki San was very confused, and anger was starting to stir up within her.  "I don't understand you," she said.  "Very well then.  I guess I'll have to make my lesson clearer," Sayaka replied.



Misaki San knew what this meant--a great amount of abuse.  "You can't do anything to me," she said.  Sayaka stopped walking.  "Excuse me?" she said under her breath.  "Liar!!" she screamed, getting right in Misaki San's face.  She slapped her cheek so hard that Misaki San fell over.  She landed on her back, knowing this was the cause of some future injuries.  "You know I can do anything to you--I could kill you if I like! But no--I don't, because I love you and your sisters," Sayaka said.  "No!! You DON'T love us! You don't even know what love means!" Misaki San cried.



Sayaka stopped, closed her eyes, and had silence.  She began praying in Persian.  Then, she opened her eyes.  "Watashi wa rikai shite," she said ("I understand").  Misaki San was greatly disturbed by her words.  She knew that Sayaka had prayed, and now she had received an answer.  "I awoke from a vision," she said, "A vision that told me what was to be done to you--by me.  In the orders of Buddha."



Misaki San starred up at Sayaka, just waiting for her next movement.  But then she thought, why wait? She got up and began running the way they came.  "Oh, save your breath, child," said Sayaka.  "I'll catch up to you--you know I will."



Misaki San didn't look back.  She didn't know what was to happen, but she knew Sayaka had a so-called "plan."  She kept running, on and on and on.  Until--



"Ah!" she let out a scream as she came to see 4 different tunnels.  She didn't remember which one they came from, and she had no help to call on.  Sayaka wouldn't help her.  She couldn't pray, either.  The gods had rejected her, she was sure.



She then chose randomly, hoping she wasn't being led to a dead end. 



She had apparently chosen right.  The tunnel led directly to the door she came in from.  But, just as she started running towards it...Sayaka appeared right in front of it.



Misaki San screamed! How could she do it? She was...



"I must be faithful, and you know that, Misaki San.  I will not let you get away.  I must obey the vision that the gods gave me," she said.  "How did you..." Misaki San began.  "Silence!" she yelled.  Then, Sayaka took her hand and raised her arm slowly up.  Then, what looked like magic sparks flew up Sayaka, and then when her arms reached as high as they could go, she was a completely different person.



The sight of a beautiful Persian woman was in her place.  "Who are you?" asked Misaki San.  "Oh, it's me, Misaki San.  Just, the true me," Sayaka laughed.  Misaki San observed "Sayaka."  She knew she had seen a person like her before, but she couldn't figure out...Sayaka is Persian.  That's why she always prayed in that language!



Misaki San tried to run past her and out the door, but as she neared, Sayaka disappeared.  She pushed the door open and ran to her room.  Wait, if I go to my room she'd just reappear there, she thought.  She then made her way to the palace gates, which led outside.  She ran past her sisters, and then out the doors.



Misaki San got her horse out of the stable and ran into the woods, hoping to get far, far away from Sayaka.  But no matter how fast she ran, Sayaka's voice played over and over again in her head.



The cold winter air slapped her face as she urged her horse to go faster.  She had no idea where she was going, but she knew one thing--she had to get away from the palace.  Her long, thin, black hair whipped her face as the wind grew stronger.



Then, it struck her.  There was a cabin that belonged to an old woman who welcomed loners at the top of a nearby mountain.  The snow got up to 4 feet deep, but Misaki San didn't care.  She had to get to the woman's cabin.  There, she could stay in a warm house that welcomed her.



Misaki San was about to yank the reins on her horse to turn him around so that they could head up the mountain, when she was stopped.  She was amazed at what she saw--it was a heavenly looking woman, glowing right before her eyes.  She stood firm on the ground, with welcoming eyes.  Misaki San knew she had seen this woman before---ah ha! It was Amaterasu, the sun goddess that Sayaka always taught about.  But what did she want?



Misaki San was speechless.  Why was Amaterasu here? She thought for sure she had been rejected by the heavens.  After a few seconds of starring, Amaterasu's glowing, blue form disappeared.



"Where'd she go?" Misaki San asked aloud.  She looked up, and then saw Amaterasu standing on the first path up the mountain.  Misaki San watched as she flew to the next.  She flipped the reins on her horse and began trekking up the mountain.  Could this be something huge on her future? Whatever it was, Misaki San knew she had to follow Amaterasu up the mountain.  The ghostly figure kept going, path after path, and the higher they went, the deeper the snow.  Soon, it was piled up 4 feet deep, and her horse was slowing down.



No matter how many times she flipped the reins, her horse was too tired and weak. 



After 2 hours of travelling up the mountain, Amaterasu's ghost led her across a flat field of snow and they came to the cabin. 



Once to the doorstep of the cabin, Misaki San tumbled off her horse and onto the snow.  She looked up just in time to see the blue ghostly figure disappear into the heavens.  She finally found the strength to get up, and then reached out to knock on the door.



Once she did, the door opened not 5 seconds later.  She was overcome with joy to see a nice woman hunched over answer it, and welcomed her in warmly.



And warmly, indeed! Misaki San had thought she'd freeze to death in that snow, but the warmth of the candles and the fire lit in the fire pit thawed her.



Misaki San and the woman sat and talked in the living room near the warm fire for several minutes.  And then, something disturbing happened...



Misaki San jumped at the sound of a screaming young woman coming from the guest bedroom.  "Who's that?" she asked the aged woman.  The woman smiled and picked up her walking stick.  She stood up and then led her to the room.  "What are we doing here?" asked Misaki San, questioning if it was a good idea to go up the mountain and stay with a stranger after all.  Was Amaterasu mistaken? The old hag opened up the door, and the screaming died down.  Then, Misaki San saw a beautiful picture--a young woman sitting in her bed, holding...A BABY! That's what the screaming was about--she was giving birth to a baby. 



"Akiko, I'm so glad to see you," the woman said.  "The honor is mine," the old woman replied (Akiko).  "How's the child?" she asked.  "She's doing well.  Do we have a visitor?" asked the younger woman.  "Yes, this is Misaki San...Princess Misaki San," Akiko replied.  "Please, just call me Misaki San," Misaki San added.



"Konnichiwa, Misaki San," (hello) the younger woman said.  "My name is Minako."  "Konnichiwa, Minako," Misaki San replied, doing a 90-degree bow.  "I am happy you found your way here.  We've been expecting you," Minako said.



"Wait, you knew I was coming?" Misaki San asked.  "You see, child, we've been waiting for someone like you to come passing through here.  But the last time we had a visitor was 5 months ago.  And, you see, we need you," Akiko replied.



"But why me?" Misaki San asked.  "Well, we've been praying for this day, and it finally has come.  We just hope you will take up the responsibilities we ask of you," Akiko said.  "What responsibilities?" asked Misaki San.  "You see, dear, we need a mother for this poor baby," Minako added in.  "But aren't you the mother?" asked Misaki San.  "Well, by birth, yes, and right now, yes.  But it is not safe for the child to be raised here.  She needs a safer home, and we have been waiting for someone to visit here, in hope that they'd take on the responsibilities of parenting and raising the child back in the cities of Japan, not the mountains," Minako said.



"Will you, Misaki San, become the adopted mother of this poor, innocent baby girl? She doesn't deserve to die of freezing.  She deserves to live in a descent climate," said Akiko.  Misaki San thought.  Was this the reason Amaterasu brought her here? If it was, how could she say no to this? Besides, if it weren't, what would she be brought here by Amaterasu herself for? Misaki San then decided.  "Yes, I will take the baby," she replied.  "Really? Oh, thank you! May the Lord our God bless you!" cried Minako.  Misaki San was flattered by their words, but then, she stopped.  Minako's last sentence ran through her head rapidly.  May the Lord our God bless you.  Who is 'Lord'? She thought for sure she could remember something that Sayaka taught her about this god, but nothing entered her mind.  Was he some kind of god of the moon? No.  What was he then?



"Is something wrong, dear?" asked Akiko.  "Oh, I'm just curious--who is Lord? What is he the god of?" asked Misaki San.  Akiko's eyes lit up, as did Minako's.  "You see, dear, we aren't Buddhist believers.  We are Christians, followers of a different religion.  And in our religion, there is only 1 God, the Only God," said Akiko.  "Really? That sounds a lot less confusing than everything Sayaka taught me," Misaki San replied.  All through the night, the two women discussed and explained their religion to Misaki San.  They went on to say that their God created the universe alone, and that He saw that men needed a Savior, so He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross so that we can be forgiven of our sins.  Now, all we have to do is ask God to forgive us and He always will.  They also said that their was a heaven where God and Jesus live, and that if we believe that Jesus is God's Son, and believe He came to save us, we will go to Heaven when we die, too! They also said that in Heaven, everything's perfect.  No pain, no crying, no sadness, no hunger, no thirst, no arguments--there's absolute perfection and peace.  They also said that Jesus calls Heaven 'paradise.'  By the end of their discussions, Misaki San decided she wanted what Akiko and Minako had, and that she too believed in Jesus Christ, so she decided to become a Christian.  The two women supported her conversion with great encouragement, which convinced Misaki San more and more that she had made the right decision.  She asked the women to read from the Christian's Holy Book which they called the Bible, and read her a few stories.  They read to her about many Christian women, such as Mary, Jesus' earthly mother, Rahab, Hagar, Miriam, Abigail, Sarah, Ruth, Naomi, and many more.  After hearing all of these wonderful stories, Misaki San decided that the baby's name should be Rahab, because that story reminded her so much of herself--a young girl was living in sin and then found Jesus Christ, and was saved. 



Misaki San stayed at the cabin with Minako and Akiko for 5 days, and then was convinced by them both that it was time for her to go.  The weather was warmer, so there wasn't as much snow, and that Rahab needed a different climate fast.  It broke Misaki San's heart to say goodbye and leave, but she promised she'd visit, and the two women promised that they'd visit her, too.  Although it was hard, Misaki San knew it wasn't the end of their friendship.  She just knew it.  And now she brought home the most precious piece of memory--baby Rahab.



Misaki San rode her horse back down the mountain, this time without Amaterasu guiding her.  But as she thought about her decision to become a Christian instead of a Japanese Buddhist, she knew it wasn't Amaterasu leading her up the mountain at all.  No, it was an angel sent from God.  Minako and Akiko talked to her a lot about the angels, and by then Misaki San knew it was an angel instead of the fake goddess.  She was determined to give baby Rahab a better start than she did.  No, she wouldn't teach her a single practice of Buddhism.  She'd raise her in Christianity.  And so she did.



When Misaki San got back to the city, she was welcomed by almost everyone she saw.  Many asked her why she ran away, and was she going to resume her duties as princess.  She didn't give any of these questions answers, in fear that Sayaka would find out that she had returned and worse, now had a baby with her.  But sure enough, news got around that Princess Misaki San of Japan had returned, and that she had a baby daughter with her.  Many gossip stories also went around that weren't true.  It was a few months after her return that Misaki San knew it was time for a change, and that change meant moving somewhere where no one could ask her questions, and where Sayaka couldn't find her or the baby.  So she decided to escape to India.  But then she said no to India.  She remembered a few weeks after the idea that Christians were going through serious persecution in India at that time, and she had promised Minako and Akiko that the baby would be safe.  And going there would NOT be safe.  She began searching for a different place immediately, but she couldn't find any.  All of Asia and Africa was threatening and persecuting her new kind.  So she decided that she'd return to the mountains secretly in the middle of the night.  Sure enough, she got there, and this time it was easier.  The cold weather had died down and summer was right around the corner.  It was perfect weather for travelling.



Minako and Akiko were surprised to see her at the door.  They welcomed her back kindly, and she told them all that had happened and all the decisions that she had made and then denied.  She also asked them where they thought she should go. 



They encouraged Misaki San to escape to the Awaji Island, where there was a good and healthy climate as well as protection from Sayaka.  Misaki San agreed to the idea and put together an escape plan.

Chapter 2 ▶︎

Misaki San packed up all her belongings in two, small bags, and baby Rahab's things in 1 larger sized bag.  She knew she couldn't pack much, because she was most likely going to find herself paddling in a little canoe across waters.  But at the same time, she needed much to survive and keep her healthy on this strict and hard journey.



The baby was now a healthy, happy little one, and was 3 months old.  But as much as she'd like to stay and no matter how good Rahab's health was looking, she knew she wouldn't be healthy much longer if she did stay. 



Misaki San tried not to think much about leaving Minako and Akiko, but instead tried to think about her journey, and where she would go and what she would do.  But no matter how much she tried to distract herself from the thought of leaving the two women, the sorrow overwhelmed her more than ever, due to the fact that she and Rahab were leaving tomorrow morning at dawn.



The Awaji Island--every time she thought about it, a shiver ran up her spine.  But why? It all seemed as if she had been there before, and she had seen something, or knew something about it she didn't like.  But what?



Also, every time she thought of the Awaji Island, Sayaka always came to her mind.  Was it a story she told her?



All of the sudden--



There was a knock on her bedroom door.  "Come in," said Misaki San, waking up from her thoughts.  Akiko entered the room with a teacup and saucer.  "Would you like sugar in your tea, deary?" she asked.  "Yes please," Misaki San replied.  She tried to hide the sadness in her voice, but she couldn't.  "What's troubling you, Misaki San?" asked Akiko, who had been like a mother to her...



...Mother.  How could she have forgotten? Misaki San felt sick to her stomach.  Where was her mother now? Her real mother.  She was Buddhist, and when Misaki San was Buddhist, she believed she had been reborn as a princess in the afterlife.  But, now that she is a Christian, she didn't believe in the Buddhist afterlife, only the new life believers would live in Heaven after they die. 



"Misaki San! Misaki San!" Akiko began exclaiming.  She snapped out of her thoughts once more and focused on real life.  "I'm sorry, Akiko.  What were you saying?" she replied. 



Akiko cleared her throat.  "Would you join me and Minako in the living room for tea?" she asked.  "Yes, in a minute.  I'm almost finished," she replied.  Akiko walked out the room and closed the door behind her.  Misaki San was alone...again.



Once all of her bags were packed up, Misaki San began towards the door.  But as she walked, something caught her eye, causing her to stop.  There it was again! A flashing light of some sort.  Misaki San turned around and saw the light flash again.  She slowly walked over to the light, dropping all of her bags.  She was very attracted to it, and couldn't take her eyes off of it.  She kept walking...forward...forward...forward.  Then she heard Akiko call her name, but she ignored it.  It was as if she didn't know her own name.  Soon Misaki San was almost there...almost to her dresser.  Then, the door burst open, but it didn't disturb Misaki San.  She was completely hypnotized.  "Misaki San!" cried Akiko, and then Minako.  She wouldn't stop.  She had to get to...it.  Finally, she was there.  She used her hand to move a bag lying on top of whatever the object was.  And then, she saw it...it was a gem.  She picked it up, regardless of all the shouting around her.  One look at the jewel and...



"Misaki San"...."Most importantly, a being a princess requires a servant's heart"...."A servant's heart"..."I must be faithful, and you know that, Misaki San...I will not let you get away"..."There once was a genie who lived on an island"..."Watashi wa rikai shite"..."Being a princess requires instant maturity, responsibilities..."..."A princess does not have to act like one to be one!"..."The genie lived in a cave with her family on the"..."MISAKI SAN!!!!!!!".... "The Awaji Island..."..."On the Awaji Island..."



Misaki San threw the gem as far away as she could, waking up.  "What was that from?" she asked, full of fright.  "It came from the lost princess's crown," Minako answered.  "The lost princess?" asked Misaki San.  "Yes.  She disappeared one day and no one could find her."  "I hope she's okay," Misaki San replied.  "Oh, I'm sure she is--that princess is able to face the hungriest lions," Minako replied.



                                                                                      ~*~



Misaki San saddled up her horse and headed down the mountain, which she had traveled on at least 5 times.  Once at the bottom of the mountain, Misaki San pulled her hood over her head, hoping no one would recognize her. 



She had a goal in mind to make it to the island by sunset, and no later.  She couldn't afford to stay in the village anymore--emotionally and physically.  She had no way of making silver coins anymore, and it was too dangerous for her.



Soon Misaki San stopped her horse at the sight of the waves of the sea.  She was almost there, and the sun was beginning to set. 



Misaki San came with no way of travelling across the sea.  She only had her horse.  But, legend had it that a widowed woman, older than 1,000 years old who had been the wife of the Buddhist spiritual master had lived deep inside the jungle, which ended right at the sea.  No one knew where she lived, but she always brought travelers a canoe that would appear at sunset to travel in, and disappear at sunrise. 



Misaki San got off her horse and looked around.  All she saw was the jungle, and no canoe. 



Then, after a few minutes, a canoe appeared on the edge of the jungle floor.  Misaki San gasped! She heard the stories, but never witnessed the truth for herself...until now.  Then, she heard footsteps.  "Wait!" she yelled, and they stopped.  She scanned the jungle with her eyes, and then caught sight of something...



A little, small figure stood in the depths of bushes and giant leaves.  It was the legendary widowed woman! Though it was hard to tell that she was 1,000 years old.  She looked so young



But before Misaki San could thank her, she vanished.



She turned back to the canoe which had been given to her, and pushed it into the water.  She stuck one foot into the canoe to hold it steady, as she used her hands to load everything (which was not very much), into the long, but narrow boat.



Just as Misaki San was getting ready to put herself into the canoe, she felt a rush of shadows hover over her.  She looked up, and saw that the moon was almost high overhead.  Oh no, we only have until sunrise with this canoe, I better get going, she thought.



With that, she stepped into the boat, and with the push of her hand, they set off into the lake. 



Misaki San fought sleep all night long, especially when they hit fog.  The fog was thick and strong.  She never knew what the boat could be about to hit.  But, finally, she couldn't hold it back anymore.  Her eyes grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep, the boat still gliding through the fog.



Misaki San soon was awakened, and at just the right time.  She didn't know how long she slept, and feared that the canoe may have hit a rock and had a little leak while she was sleeping, but she knew one thing for sure...they were heading towards a cave.



She tried to turn the canoe the other way, but she had no ores, so her effort to turn the boat around made no difference, and soon, they were in the dark cave. 



Evidently, it was destined for them to enter the cave...she heard stories told that the canoe that the Canoe Woman gave knew where to go, and never took a wrong turn.

Chapter 3 ▶︎

Misaki San shivered as the canoe floated into the dark cave.  Where were they? She couldn't even see...it was too dark.  Misaki San began to panic.  "This wasn't planned," she said to herself.  She took out her map to figure out where they were and where the Awaji Island was.



Just as Misaki San spread out her map, she was reminded that it was too dark to see a finger in front of her. 



Her heart pounded harder and harder by the minute...she had to do something.  Then, she heard the sound of water.  But unlike the water they were floating on, this had a sound to it...a crashing sound, like buckets of it being poured into the river.  So far, they had floated on still, quiet water. 



Then, it struck her...they were headed towards a waterfall! She began to panic even more.  She leaned over the boat and tried to paddle with her arms to get them to turn around.  But it was no use...they kept going forward.  Then, as a result of her sharp movement, Misaki San's map fell into the river.  "No!" She couldn't help but shout it out.  Her eyes had finally adjusted, and she might have been able to read the map! But now it was gone, and floating past her reach.



Just as Misaki San had gotten used to the fact that the map was gone, she looked up and realized that they were right on the very edge of the waterfall! Then, before she could get back to her seat, the canoe was forced over the edge of the waterfall.



She tried to grab for a stone on the river floor to toss down the waterfall so she'd be able to tell how far down it went, but it was too late.  Misaki San screamed as the little canoe fell down the waterfall. 



She thought the fall would never end...it felt as if they would go down for an eternity.  But finally, they hit the bottom with a big splash. 



Rahab, the baby, began crying as Misaki San tried to settle her back to sleep.  As she did so, the canoe managed to straighten up and float softly again on its own. 



They floated for about 1 hour until Misaki San noticed another change.  She squinted to try to make out what she was seeing.  Was she just seeing things due to a lack of sleep? But finally, they floated close enough to where Misaki San didn't just see a glow of light, she heard music.  "What is this place?" she whispered to herself.  Then, she saw...land!! She couldn't believe her eyes.



Finally, the little canoe hit the land and came to a stop.  Misaki San spent no time waiting.  She held the boat with one foot once again, and the held the baby and got herself out.  Then, she tied the canoe down with a long piece of bamboo and then hurried to adventure's side.



Misaki San ran around the first corner, and then stood in amazement by what she saw. 



There was a glowing, white, ghostly woman flying, dancing, and singing around.  Then, Misaki San watched as she sat on an old, dusty bench covered in cobwebs, as she started brushing her long, floating, white hair, as the tune she sang turned sad and depressing.  Then, a golden tear dropped from eyelashes. 



Misaki San wanted more than anything to make her presence known, but how?

Chapter 4 ▶︎

"Who's lurking?" asks an unfamiliar voice.  Misaki San woke up from her thoughts and saw the beautiful, ghostly woman looking directly at her. 



Misaki San began to stutter; "I...I'm...we're...I..."



"Who are you?" asks the...creature.  "I, I'm Misaki San," Misaki San replied.  "I came to this cave by mistake."  The phantom got up and flew over to her.  "Please, pardon my behavior.  You startled me," she said.  "Please, come with me.  I must show you around."



"Where are we going?" Misaki San asked.  "To explore the rest of the island," said the phantom.  "Island? We're on an island?" Misaki San asked.  "Yes, the Honshu Island," said the Phantom.



"The Honshu Island?" There was disappointment in Misaki San's tone.  The Phantom stopped, turned around, and looked Misaki San in the eye.  She looked insulted.  "Excuse me?" she said.  "I'm sorry, it's just that, I'm trying to get to the Awaji Island," Misaki San replied.  "Well, Honshu is a great island.  Please, stay here," says the Phantom.



"Please, I'll stay for as long as I can.  Just, continue on with the tour, please."

Chapter 5 ▶︎

"Misaki San, welcome to Honshu Island!" exclaimed the Phantom.  Misaki San looked around.  She was surrounded by incredible, fantasy creatures she had only known as myths.  There were mermaids, dragons, alkonosts, griffons, abaias, fauns, anubis, and more.



"Welcome," said a new voice.  Misaki San looked around to see who said it.  Then, she saw a golden twinkle, and then there appeared a star.  Out of the star burst a powerful creature, known as a dryad.  (A dryad...a mythical, Greek, female creature that is mostly human, but with a spiritual, phantom, ghostly, look; they are usually seen in art wearing long robes with one strap made of stuff like seaweed.) 



"Misaki San, meet Hagan, the Queen of Honshu," says Phantom.  "Your majesty," says Misaki San.  Forgetting her proper princess training, Misaki San, with soaking wet black, Japanese hair, quickly tries to curtsy, but falls.  It had been about 2 years since she had last been to the palace, and she was in such shock by what she had seen in less than 15 minutes that the fact she was a princess had completely fled her mind.



"Your name is Misaki San?" asks Queen Hagan.  "Yes ma'am," says Misaki San, trying to get up but then slips again.  Queen Hagan reached out her hand to help Misaki San up, and finally she was back on her feet again.



"Interesting...you have the same name as the Lost Princess," said the Queen.  "The...Lost Princess?" Misaki San stuttered.  She then remembered Minako and Akiko telling her about the princess.  "Are you a princess?" asks the Queen.  "Yes your majesty...of Japan," Misaki San replied.



"The Princess of Japan?" asks the Queen.  "Yes ma'am," Misaki San repeated.  Then, the Queen did something even more amazing...she knelt down before Misaki San.  "Your Majesty," she said.  "Oh, please, I'm not a princess here, am I?" Misaki San asked.  "Why of course you are, love," said Queen Hagan.  "You're the princess of all Japan, which means, I am under your authority," she continued.



"Please, no, don't say that.  I'd rather be under your authority," said Misaki San.  "Well, good, because I have a special task for you," said the Queen.



"A task?" asked Misaki San.  "Yes, now listen closely..."

Chapter 6 ▶︎

Now we pick back up where Misaki San is given her task by the dryad queen, Queen Hagan of the Honshu Island.



"There is a long lost friend of ours," began the Queen, "She was the most charming creature of the Honshu Island.  But, something happened to her."



"What happened?" asked Misaki San.  "Shhh!!" shushed Phantom gently.  The queen gave Phantom a look, and Phantom smiled and stepped back. 



"She was above great.  She was the Queen of Genies, and she did good for our island.  But then, when she was off looking for a special plant to use in a new magic trick, she was kidnapped by someone," the Queen said.



"By who?" asked Misaki San.  "She is known as the Witch of Awaji Island," Queen Hagan said.  "Is she really a witch?" interrupts Misaki San again.  "Yes, and she uses her magic for evil instead of good.  But know this: her name is Sita.  But don't be deceived by her good looks and charms.  She's 6,000 years old, but she looks as if she were only 15 months," says the Queen.



"15 months old? Isn't that a baby's age?" asked Misaki San.  "In your world, maybe, but in our world, 15 months old is like 21 years old in your world."



"My world? Your world? I don't get it," says Misaki San.  "Dear, when you went down the waterfall, you didn't just go to the Honshu Island, you entered a 2nd world."



"A 2nd world?" asked Misaki San.  "Yes, love, now please, pay attention," said the queen.  "I'm sorry...pardon my interruptions, please, do, go on."



"My, my! You are as immature as a restless child," says the Queen.  "I'm sorry...I've always had a hard time paying attention.  I didn't understand a word my tutor ever said," Misaki San added.



"Yes, now, the task," the Queen replied.  "Your task is to go to the Witch's castle, and find the Queen of Genies.  Knowing the Sita the Witch, she probably used her magic to transform the Genie's mind and magic to evil as well.  So, you'll also have to find the Jewel of Awaji Island, and use it to bring back her goodness and kindness."



"But...how can I possibly do that?!" exclaims Misaki San.  "Rescue a Genie...Defeat an evil Witch...Find a Witch's Castle?!!! Oh, you must be mistaking me for someone different," says Misaki San.



"Please, dear, that's what every character in a fairytale says.  Be the different one.  For, you know that there is no mistaking in fairytales, even if the character thinks there has been a mistake," says the Queen.  "But this isn't a fairytale...it's real life...I, I can't possibly!" exclaims Misaki San.  "No, child, listen to me.  You're in our world...everything here is a fairytale."



"Well, if this is a fairytale, I suppose the good character always succeeds, am I right? So, if I go on this quest, I will succeed?" she asks.  "It is certainly quite possible...but only a vast minority actually succeed," says the Queen.  "Well, I've never read those books before," said Misaki San.  "That's because fairytales with unhappy endings are not recorded.  They are abandoned and mourned over," says the queen.

Chapter 7 ▶︎

Coming Soon!!