1 Yua

Long ago in Japan, it was said that women were only good for being housewives. Women were not meant to learn about Politics, Sword Fighting, Kung Fu, or even basic self-defense. They would only be known for how well they cooked, played instruments, danced, and their beauty.

In a small town, there lived a very wonderful, humble Husband and Wife. They were well known, the wife more beautiful, than the most beautiful painting you could find. Graceful and talented in the Arts. Her husband is known for his skillful fighting technique and smarts. Soon this loving couple would have their firstborn child. The Father of great strength and knowledge wished that it be a boy; the Mother, naturally wanted a girl. Nature was good to the couple, especially the Mother, since, yes they had a baby girl.

Even though it was prohibited and the Mother strongly disapproved, the Father would read to their daughter every night before sleeping. Not only reading stories but the history of their great town as well. Soon after their baby girl began to walk, the Father would wake her up, early in the morning, helping her with basic Martial art moves. The Mother also began training their daughter in the Arts.

Starting their daughter off at such a young age, by the time their daughter, Yua was 5, she was able to enunciate her words clearly and even started learning other languages. She was well disciplined due to her Martial Arts training. She also began helping her mother with household chores, while still training in the Arts. She conducted herself like a proper young lady, despite her young age. It didn't take long for the word to spread about the Father and the Mother's little girl.

***

The years were very good for them and their daughter. Yua remained humble as she grew stronger, yet graceful and knowledgeable. She was wise in knowing that it was not proper for a woman to speak her mind, let alone know so much in both forms of the Arts (Martial Arts & the Arts).

There were times though, while she was growing up, she would sneak out at night to walk under the moonlit sky. Unable to play with those her own age due to her constant training, she felt lonely. Walking under the moonlight, and listening to the wind and insects around her, helped her overcome her loneliness. Her father knew of her 'nightly outings' and talked with her about wearing a disguise when her body started to grow into that of a woman. He helped her by providing her with some boy clothes as well as a hooded cloak. He also warned her to stay hidden. Staying hidden was not a problem for her as there were plenty of trees and other things she could hide behind if need be.

The small town became more populated thought, as the years passed. Cutting down some of the forests to make room for the new homes became a problem for Yua. She had to walk further away in the shadows of the night before she could relax and enjoy the scenery around her. One day she came across a small cave on the side of the mountain. The moonlight shone brightly, providing her enough light to look inside. She thought to herself that she had found the perfect spot to practice her Martial arts.

***

Nearing her sixteenth birthday, her father and mother sat down with her to discuss marriage. They explained that they already had a few proposals for her hand in marriage. That was well to be expected since Yua has grown to be very beautiful, eyes the color of Jade, long hair sleek and black, skin a touch of color and smooth. She also became well known, for being just as graceful as her mother in the Arts. Aware that the time would come sooner or later for her to marry, she listened silently to her father and mother as they showed her drawings of each suitor, reading off the descriptions for each of them. She had known some of them already as they lived in the same town, others were new to her as they have moved in over the years. When her father and mother finished speaking, they looked at her, questioning her what she thought since she had remained silent the whole time. Yua said that she would need time to decide and would look over their drawings again.

Deep down inside she was hoping to find a husband who would want her not only for her beauty but for who she is.