1

As I sat in the uncomfortable I looked back towards the direction of the monastery, though I could no longer see it I would always feel a connection to it. I had been on the road for a week and I hated sitting in the carriage all day. Currently I was sitting upside down in my seat. Pulling out the bag I pulled out the content. The first thing that I pulled out was a full faced white mask with a rabbits features carved into it. The second thing was a letter of introduction from the monastery to anyone. There was a third item but I was already wearing it. I looked down at my finger at the two different types of interlocking metal. It was a ring I had made for myself a few years ago. But this ring was a bit different. On the inside of the ring there was inscriptions written in golden ink. The ink would never smear or rub off. The two interlocking rings could easily be separated with a single twist of my hand. And with that twist the rings would help me activate my spirit rings. Spirit rings came from when you killed an animal powerful enough to gather the energy in the air into their bodies and turn it into power. I had one main spirit ring and two supporting spirit rings. Just then the carriage in with Id been riding slowed down. Immediately I flipped the right side up and adjusted y clothes. I put on a friendly look on my face and when the driver tapped on the window which separated us I opened it.

"What is it?" He gave me a kind smile and said,

"If you look out your window you can see the capital, there's a good view of the whole city." I smiled polity and said,

"Thank you, it has been six years since I saw the capital." He nodded and said,

"If miss needs anything just ask." I nod and says,

"I'm all good but thank you." with this dismissal he closes the small window and I scoot closer to the window of the carriage. The paper screen that goes over it is off of the window and I watch with silent steadiness as we come past a crop of trees and I look down at a city below me. It stretches out for mile sin every direction. The huge city walls which form up different rings in the city remind me of a bulls-eye. Pulling back a fake bow I let my imaginary arrow go, pretending to hit the center. Putting my hands down I watch as we approach the city. It takes a whole hour to reach the gates. But before we can enter I shout out,

"Stop!" Immediately the driver stops and opens the window asking in a concerned voice,

"What's wrong miss?" I look at him and towards the line of beggars and poor people who were waiting in line and then I focus on a small child wrapped in a pile of blankets. From what I could see he was around six or seven years old. He looks scared and there are no one older than him helping him. I simply couldn't ignore this. I have been living in a monastery for the past couple years.

Looking at the driver I say.

"Please let me out. I will walk the rest of the way." he stutters but when he doesn't let me out open the door and step out. I can hear his protests. My long white robes flow around me, the scarlet trim along the edges match my bright red sash. Totally ignoring the driver I walk forward. Everyone in the area quieted down and as I approach people move out of my way. Reaching the small boy I smile down at him and then ask him,

"Child, are you here alone?" He nodded and I said,

"You look cold." With that I used the blanket which I had taken with me form the carriage and proceed to wrap it around him. He blinked as the arm and thick blanket covered him from head to toe. His small dirty fingers were slightly blue but they clutched at the new blanket. Holding out my hand I asked,

"Would you like to come with me to the monastery in the city?" His eyes widened and nodded his head. I gave him a gentle smile and stretched out my hand. He took my hand I was shocked by how cold it was but I ignored when he had trouble standing up from his crouched position. His legs were like a newborn calf. Looking at him I reached down and scooped him up, holding him to my warm body and then I looked the gate guard and asked,

"How much is it for a person to enter the city?" The guards looked taken aback and said,

"We could not charge a priestess like yourself." I waved my hand and said,

"It is fine. Tell me the price." The guard blinked and a woman next to him aid,

"3 coppers" I blink, it had gotten more expensive, it is not been just one copper. I smiled and pulled out three gold coins and handed it to the guards and said,

"Don't charge people coming in and out today, I'm paying for them." Their eyes widened t the amount of money in their hands. Everyone else's eyes widened. In shock. Truth be told money wasn't a problem for myself. Living in the monastery for so long I had earned money for myself easily and won money in our tournaments. Just as I was about to continue to walk but I was stopped as everyone bowed and I could see tears in some of their eyes as they all said,

"Thank you priestess." I waved my hands and said,

"I am but a simple student to the heavens. I am no priestess. Now go on in, I have things I must attend to." With that I turned my back on the people. My carriage driver looked at me with wide eyes and I said,

"Could we stop by the monetary in the third ring. I wish to let the boy stay there." The carriage driver looked at me and then laughed and said,

"Young miss is a good person indeed. Come get in. We must hurry." I need and hold the shivering child and step inside the carriage. Once I'm inside I sit down and place him on the seat next to me. He shivers mor profusely. I pull back the blankets and realize his clothe are all damp from morning dew. Sighing I say to him kindly,

"My name is Bunko, but you may call me Big sister Bun-bun. What's your name?" He looks at me and points at his mouth and shakes it. My eyes widen and I say,

"Your mute?" He nodded and I let out a sigh and say kindly,

"That's fine with me. You do not need to speak to express yourself. I'm going to take you to the monastery in the third ring. I will use my contacts to give you a decent place to live with food and board. Is that alright?" He looked up at me with wide eyes and I blinked and realized I hadn't asked him an important question,

"Do you have any family that I am contact?" He shook his head and I patted his head and said,

"It's alright, you've got big sister Bun-Bun now." It didn't take long to arrive at the monastery. I tucked my scroll of introduction into my robe and then proceeded to pick up the child. During our trip I had tried to figure out his name. In the end he wrote it on my hand. His name was Jin. I entered the monastery the fellow monks bowed as I passed. I was respected for my white and red robes. They represented my status as a senior female monk. I could be a priestess but I had chosen not to follow that path since I enjoyed fighting a little too much. Being guided by a young boy in the plain brown robe of a disciple I followed him to a main hall. Inside I bowed three times with Jin towards the big statues of our gods. I was the lead to a side room in which we waited. We didn't have to wait long before a skeletal man in bright orange robes came in. Smiling at him I bowed slightly and said,

"My you be enlightened with happiness." The monk repeated the greeting before sitting down across from us. I smiled at him and pulled out my scroll of introduction and say,

"I have just arrived from the Red Mountain Monastery. Here is my letter of introduction." His eyes widened and he said ,

"Elder sister monk is form the red mountain monastery. I am blessed to meet a student of your schools of life." I bowed and handed the scroll over while explaining,

"I have been ordered to return home but I was wondering if you could take this boy in. I found him by the gates earlier and I could not leave him there. I would ask you accept him as a display." The monk read my scroll and handed it back to me and said,

"Of course we can take him as a disciple." I smile and turn to Jin and say,

"Big sister had some business to deal with in the capitol, her family has called her home. But don't worry big sister Bun-Bun will come visit you and if little brother Jin ever needs anything you can always come find big sister alright?" Jin nodded and I turned to the elderly Monk and said,

"Elder, my little brother has no voice. But his ears are sharp and he is a kind soul." The elder smiled at Jin and said,

"It doesn't matter if you can't speak or refuse to it is not unusual here in a monastery for those to be silent. Many monks take vows of silence. My name is Elder Goro, if you ever need anything just ask me." Jim nodded his head and I said,

"Could you have a disciple take him to both and change into warm clothes. Unfortunately I have no time to watch him get use to the place here but I will be back as soon as I am allowed." The elder nodded his heads and as I bid goodby JIn grabbed my skirt and held out my now slightly damp blanket. I grinned at him and say,

"Keep it. As a reminder of your meeting of big sister alright. It will get cold in the winter and an extra blanket is always good." He nodded and with that I slipped out of the room. Saying my goodbyes to the statues of our gods I left.

Outside The carriage driver gave me a warm smile and I said,

"Let us continue to my father's household." He nodded and said,

"Yes young miss." Climbing in the carriage I calmed my inner self. I felt worried about JIn and I was concerned about my future. What did my father want." It took us a while to make it up to the second ring and threw the large sprawling mansions. As my carriage stopped I subconsciously touched my long braided hair. When I was younger I had always been forced to cut it, wich was against tradition but My mother often had me disguise myself as a boy. But when I joined the monastery I Had grown out my hair. In six years it had grown a lot and I hadn't cut and I don't ever plan on cutting my hair again.

My driver opened the door and I stepped out and looked around. Before there were guards and a few servants. The guards all word the red of my family's crest, they stood at perfect attention and I could tell their martial abilities weren't low, to a normal person they were all extremely high level warriors. Ignoring them I looked at the servants. They all stood there with slightly bowed heads and polite smiles on their faces. A girl who looked like she was of slightly higher rank than the others stepped forward and said,

"Welcome young second miss." I plastered a fake smile on my face. I could see the distaste on her face but it was hidden well. The servant raised her head and I widen my smile even more. I plastered that "oh I am an innocent saint" look on my face. The servant seems a bit shocked by how friendly I looked. Turning away from me she said to the guards behind her,

"Open the main gate for the second young miss." The guards nodded and silently opened the doors. I gave her a smaller smile and said,

"Please go first. I have not been here in six years so I don't know where I am." She nodded and quickly walked up the stairs. Her head held high. She was practically preening like a peacock. Entering through the big red gates I looked around and didn't say anything. It was a typical officials' mansion, though it was a bit larger than most. The servant said to me,

"Young second miss your father wishes for you to pay respects to the whole family first." I give her a smile and say,

"Of course, how could I dare intrude upon this officials home without paying respects to the masters first." The maid nodded and quickly led me to a huge hall. Knocking on the door she announced in a loud voice,

"Second Young miss Bunko Zhang has arrived!" At my announcement the doors slid open and everyone fell silent. With one of my natural smiles on my face I stepped forward and walked in. Around me women and men dressed in rich and fancy clothes gossiped about me. As their heads moved the slight form their heads full of riches glittered against their black hair. Stop Sign three paces from my father I turn away from him and bow politely to my grandmother and say,

"Second young miss pays respect to matriarchy." She nodded in recognition. Out of everyone she is dressed the plainest. Though she is the plainest she has a sort of eternal beauty, the only thing I could tell you is she is old but I wouldn't tell you how old. Turning from her I bow to my father.

"Second young miss pays respect to Right prime minister, Feng Zhang." My father has a square and plain featured face, there's nothing to complain about nor is there any particular outstanding traits. He nodded to me and says,

"Welcome home daughter." I nodded and turn to the woman I hat the mot in my entire life. Plastering a face and sweet smile on my face say,

"Second young miss pays respect to first lady of the right prime ministers house. Greetings lady Cho Meng." She gives me a sickly fake smile and says,

"Greetings second daughter." I nod and my father says,

"You may rise." I get up and face him. He is examining me and asks,

"How was your time in the monastery?" I smile a day,

"Delightful. I have become enlightened to the ways of the world." he nodded his head and said,

"I understand that Red Mountain Monastery specialists in martial arts." I give him a smile and say plainly,

"It is simply a monastery which gives its disciples the tools to follow their fate paths." He nodded his head, clearly not believing me. Giving me a look he says,

'Do you forgive your father for sending you away for so long?" I give him a genuine smile because in truth I was happy he had sent me away from this snake nest.

"There was nothing to ever forgive. I was never angry with father." he nodded and said,

"Good good. I am had good news for you daughter." I raise my eyebrows and he says,

"His royal majesty has invited our family to the cherry blossom viewing party in the east garden. It will be held in three days. Would you like to attend." I smiled and said,

"Of course I would like to attend. Now father I am tired from my long journey and I wish to retire to my rooms. May I know where I am staying?" He nods and says,

"Guards escort the second young miss to the willow courtyard." I heard Cho Meng gasp and she said,

"Husband that courtyard was ment as a gift for my Chen Zhang for her birthday." He waved his hand and said,

"It's the second young misses now." I bowed and said,

"Thank you father. If you would please excuse me. I will excuse myself." Turning I leave and as soon as the door behind me shuts I hear the loud murmurs of conversation but I ignore them. A guard with a friendly smile on her face says,

"Second young miss right this way." I smile at him and say,

"Okay." and follow after him.

After walking for a bit I find myself in a high white walled courtyard. There is a simple but elegant house covering the whole back wall. In front there is a small stream and a bridge with a huge willow next to the bank. Under the willow is a stone bench. Smiling I say goodby to the guards. Entering the house I make my way to the back and find my room. I am mildly surprised to find my bags already in my room. But it was obvious to me that they had been gone through. I didn't have much, just clothes a hair and tooth brush and two pairs of shoes. Unpacking my stuff I let out a sigh and think about Jen. I hope he doesn't think I pawned him of to the temple and monastery. Stretching my arms over my shoulders I hear a soft knocking and a voice says,

"Second young miss, the madam has sent over some maids for you." I get of the bed and say,

"I'm coming." Opening my door I find six arrogant looking girls. All of them had the clear mark of being bullied and had been sent to torment me. Smiling I say to the maids,

"Hello, my name is Bunko Zhang and I am the second young miss of this family. Unfortunately I have no need for servants. Living in the monastery I am used to servants and I fear you would make me feel uncomfortable. So please leave." They all looked shocked and a particularly mean looking girl stepped forward and said loudly,

"Hey you can't treat us like that." I put on a particular smile that made it hard for anyone to refute me and tilted my head slightly. I also secretly reached down and twisted the ring. I activated my third spirit ring, this spirit ring came from a night flower, which I have no idea what it is, but it let me influence those with no cultivation and attract enemies attention so they can only focus on me. I took two steps, so I was just out of her personal space and said to her,

"Thank you much for offering your services but I truly don't need any servants. It's not right. As a disciple of my gods I should not be selfish and not want for things, I should not ask others for things that I can do myself. So please return to the main house with pride. You have excellent skills but I truly don't need any assistance. If you'll excuse me I wish to have some rest and quiet." They all seemed stunned and got up, almost like they were in a trance, and left. I look down at my ring and re twist it. Sighing I rub my head and return to my room. Sitting on the bed I took of my shoes and stretched my whole body. With my main spirit ring I had adapted to that animals living habits and often found myself acting like it. Walking over I frowned at the big windows. Reaching over I pulled the wooden shutters shut and locked them. No light came into my room. I don't mind. I was comfortable in the dark. Walking out of my room I proceed to lock up the rest of the house. It was comfortably dark inside.

Exiting the dark interior I sat down on the bench under the willow tree. Pulling out a small knife and a half finished carving I beam to carve Usagi, my patron god, in her true form. I had often carved little figurines and given them to the younger disciples of the monastery. When I started I didn't know who I'd give this one to but I think I'll give it to Jen. I think I'll visit him tomorrow.

I ignored the world until the sky darkened. I had finished my carving of Usagi and started on a second one. One of the dragon god, Apalala, I was craving it out of a willow branch I had found around the base of the tree. Stopping I looked up at the red sky. HUmm this is a good sign. Stretching out my stiff muscles I check to see if anyone is watching me and when I don't find anyone I drop into the splits and grab a foot and stretch before doing the other one. Pulling my legs back together I bend backwards into a graceful arc and hear several satisfying cracks coming from my spine. Letting out a sigh I come back up. Picking up my two carving's I bring them inside. I had waisted most of the day to day doing not much. Skipping dinner I changed into my night clothes and snuggled down in bed. And then fell asleep.