In the late 18th century innocence was a virtue long destroyed in war and savagery. Japan was on the verge of a crucial turning point, but despite these changes, the art of fighting remained fluent, power, and a way of survival. Villages became weary, but not unknown, to travelers. One village in particular had a growing population due to a samurai who lived deep within the mountains just boarding the village. Legends became the beacon of hope and the symbol of safety, knowing this samurai watched carefully over the people she cared for.

This village was a place of freedom to those who experienced entrapment.


“Shiki-sama!” Just over the stone steps leading to a shrine shrouded in thick depths of the forest, a smiling woman appeared. She put her hands against her knees and leaned forward to catch her breath before straightening herself up and rubbing her belly where her unborn child kicked.

At the entrance of the shrine, another woman appeared. Her eyes were wise and serene as she stepped out into the open. “You must be careful, Yoshozuki. It isn’t healthy for you or the baby to exhaust yourself physically,” she said. “Let us get you inside. I’m glad you decided to stay here to give birth. It is a good place for the baby to come into.”

Yoshozuki laughed, her smile brightening. “My husband isn’t so fond of the idea! He’s the one who has to move most of our belongings up three miles of steps.”

In order to make it to Shiki’s shrine one had to climb three miles of stone steps that led through thick, tall trees and lush flowers that covered the edges of the stone. It was a beautiful place that people came to for guidance and help. Shiki did all she could for her people, pulling extra miles to obtain the best things. She labored in the fields during rice season; she traveled to far off villages to get the best medicine if it wasn’t available there. She was a guardian of great respect and a warrior of malicious power.

“Yoshozuki, why didn’t you ask the villagers to help you get here?” Shiki asked. The cherry trees were in bloom and a pink blanket lay across the stones leading to the entrance of the shrine/temple.

The pregnant woman gave a guilty smile and glanced up at the budding plum trees. “I may be pregnant, but I’m not helpless. I can still go up steps so long as I don’t push myself too hard.”

“Fair enough.” Shiki pushed aside the doors and slid out of her sandals before helping Yoshozuki up the steep stair. “I’ve prepared a room for you. It appears your baby will be born just as the plum trees are blossoming.”

The pathways leading from room to room were narrow, but comfortable spacious to walk through. Window after window, but nothing but rich green earth could be seen or fluid waterfalls depending which end of the temple you were in. It was authentic with carving of flowers and gold lacing pieces of a frame Shiki made herself that hung around paintings and carvings. It was truly a gifted place to come to in a time of need.

Shiki brought Yoshozuki to a large room that had been prepared and helped the woman down. “I’ll prepare dinner and a bath for you later this evening. It’s crucial that you bathe indoors until the baby comes. We wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.”

Night came in slowly after orange and pink filled the sky, down a deep blue speckled with millions of silver stars. Shiki had finished heating water for Yoshozuki’s bath and was now outside preparing dinner for the both of them, when a black wolf with glowing green eyes wandered up the steps.

“You’re home late, Mazki,” Shiki said. “But that’s to be expected when certain company tags along.” She stood and stepped around the fire. The wolf took a respectful place beside his master just as a figure came into view. “Are you a traveler?” Mazki wasn’t growling in doubt, nor was he crouched, which indicated this visitor was not a threat.

"Your wolf has led me here," the man said.

Shiki studied the stranger for a long moment before stepping aside. “I open my home to you, traveler. You may call me Shiki. I’m the one who guards and keeps peace within the village to see below the steps.”

OOC: Okey Dokey, so this is a feudal era type rp and I need a male samurai/traveler type charrie. The samurai could be in search of Shiki or something like that… I’ll let you decide! ^^ Possible mature content, though not based on it entirely!