#utaku

Being born to the Courageous Isamu and Beautiful and Kind Natsuki, Tsukiko had a peaceful childhood.

Tsukiko’s father Isamu was a well known hero throughout the Unicorn clan as one of the most courageous samurai’s in their land. Even stopping an assassination attempt of his Daimyo and preventing a civil war within the clan.

Tsukiko’s mother Natsuki was the most beautiful women many had ever saw who’s heart indeed matched her beauty. 

Tsukiko was born under the moonlit sky in winter and blessed with light blue eyes as her mother, a gift passed down through the women in her family. Her childhood was very pleasant and peaceful. Dispite her mother’s concern, Tsukiko trained to be a battle maiden. By the age of 11, she was the top of her class and by age 13, was granted her status as samurai, following the age of 15, she was given her choice of her steed, whom she named Hoshi.

By age 17, Tsukiko had earned the highest respect and honor for her family and would be given the honor to represent their village and gain the status to work along side her father and their Daimyo. Also given acceptance to the highest battle unit in the army.

However, this would not go as planned.

Two months after Tsukiko’s 18th birthday, her father Isamu was arrested for the murder of the Daimyo and the rape and attempted murder of the Daimyo’s wife. It was then revealed in the trial that Isamu was not the man he had claimed. The battles he had won were actually the result of illegal dealings with the enemy clans. He was also found guilty of the destruction of an allied village, raping and murdering the women and killing all casualties. 

Because of his status and family history, Isamu was given the choice to accept his crimes and spare his family’s honor and name by performing seppuku.

Isamu...declined.

Result of such dishonor, Isamu was sentenced to death by execution, however during his transfer to his cell he escaped and vanished.

After the announcement of his escape, hoping to spare her daughter of death, Natsuki performed Jigai. The council then decided that despite Isamu’s crimes, Natsuki’s jigai and status as a direct bloodline of Utaku, Tsukiko would not have to commit  jigai or seppuku but would have to be stricken of her Battle Maiden status and Samurai status and the name Utaku, and be banished as a ronin.

On the day of her banishment, her hair was cut and her clothes were stricken of any unicorn clan resemblance and all her armor and weapons taken. Her horse Hoshi was given to another maiden to take her place.

Tsukiko was then to walk through the village while others would slowly turn their backs to her as children tossed pebbles at her feet.

Tsukiko would wonder the land alone speaking to no one for 18 months, before she would be approached by a traveler, who was revealed to be Shinjo Min-Hee, Khan of the Moto Family. The instant Tsukiko saw her she fell to her knees and bowed with respect to her. When Shinjo asked her for her name, Tsukiko replied “I would give you my name great Khan, but I have no name worthy for your presents. Please do not waste your time on a ronin such as myself.” Tsukiko would then offer what little money and food she had and blessed Shinjo a safe journey, but remained kneeling in respect until Shinjo would dismiss her and continue her travels. But Shinjo did not leave.

Shinjo spoke. “I have but one request ronin. Look up at me.”

Tsukiko would do as she was told and looked up at the great khan.

Shinjo saw before her the blue eyes that was once shared with Natsuki Utaku, 3rd cousin of Utaku Ji-Yun, Utaku Daimyo.

Shinjo did not acknowledge her, but instead wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to her.

“Follow the river and seek this name. There you will choose which path you take from there.” Shinjo spoke. She then carried on with her travels.

Tsukiko would follow her instructions which would lead her to an abandoned temple. She sought out the name Benkei. A monk appeared and gave her a room stating he was expecting her.

The following night, Benkei would lead her to a secret room in the temple where cloaked figures sat. Along with her, other warriors sat. After all were seated and the doors closed the cloaked figures revealed themselves to be the head daimyos of the Emerald Empire. Immediately Tsukiko bowed before them, confused on why she was present before them.

It was then revealed that the Daimyos were in desperate need of help. A great unknown evil threatened the empire. But in order to not raise panic or start a war the Daimyos decided to bring forth the strongest and honorable warriors of each clan to find this evil and stop it. The only exception, each warrior would be stricken of their status as samurai, monk, warrior, all ranks and be labeled as ronin. Some were frightened, others outraged. Tsukiko could only just sit quietly and wait.

It was then that each Daimyo called on their warrior with words of wisdom.

When Tsukiko was called she looked up to see Ji-Yun. She simply addressed her as Tsukiko and there spoke of her father’s dishonor.

“I was going to seek out the champion of the unicorn clan. However,” she said. “considering the fact that that champion was you before your banishment, and I just happen to need a ronin, I simply ask what have you got to lose?”

Tsuikiko looked up at Ji-Yun and simply said, “Nothing your grace.”

Ji-Lun held out a sword to Tsukiko. “This is the sword of the Unicorn Clan. Sharp as the horn of the steeds themselves. Only a true member of such family can weld it. You Tsukiko no longer carry the name Utaku. But...It is in your blood. If you agree to take this task, I will lend you this sword of my family, a family that was once yours. If you succeed this task, you may keep the sword, reclaim your honor and be part of our family once again.”

Tsukiko stared at the sword and at Ji-Lun.

She thought to herself as she had lived and accepted the life of ronin. Here an opportunity came to claim her honor back and bring peace to her family. Tsukiko bowed to Ji-Lun and gently grasped the sword.