The fine, long, black-haired woman glanced down at the girls on her wooden porch. She did not appear to be happy with them. The Lady frowned and asked, "Our home does not associate with rebels of the anti-shogunate forces. So I will only ask you this one time. What is your mother's name?"
Hoshiyo stepped up and answered, "Our mother's name is Hoshiyo Sakamoto."
The woman's eyes widened, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. She replied, "Sakamoto... that was the name of the scientist who lived in a house down the road over sixty years ago. He did have a daughter named Hoshiyo. They were not a political family and held no grudges against my family. You may come in, but don't expect to stay longer than a month if necessary."
"Thank you," Hoshiyo said, her voice tinged with relief as she bowed low.
A guard came to the front of the house, holding his sword's handle sheathed on his side. He asked, "Lady Gekkoin, who are these intruders?"
"No need to be alarmed; these ladies are my guests for a short while," Lady Gekkoin said with a smile.
Her aids came up from behind her inside the house and stood beside her, waiting for an order. She stared at the three women in raggy Yukata and counted the nine girls before her to ensure she had enough help.
"Shall we prepare rooms for them, Lady Gekkoin?" The aids asked.
Lady Gekkoin nodded and replied, "I'm sure we have enough bedrooms for all of them."
Hoshiyo glanced at her siblings and said, "Actually, many of us would prefer to sleep together in the same rooms rather than apart. If that's okay, of course."
Lady Gekkoin nodded, moved her neck to face the aids, and said, "Please prepare three rooms for them. Our bedrooms are big enough for three people to sleep in them simultaneously."
The aids bowed and replied, "Yes, Lady Gekkoin. Anything else?"
Lady Gekkoin cleared her throat, covered her nose with her sleeve, and said, "Yes, they need baths right away."
Hoshiyo tilted her head in confusion. She hadn't smelled anything disgusting since they found Hiroshiro's body inside the cavern. She lifted her sleeve and sniffed her underarms. Her face turned green, and she covered her mouth to avoid it.
Takeko giggled in her sleeves and tried to keep herself together, like the other girls, who were unphased by Hoshiyo's inappropriate behavior in front of the Shogun's wife. Rei bowed once more respectfully in her place to show her appreciation for the last-minute housing arrangements.
Lady Gekkoin nodded and walked back to her home quietly. Her daughter dropped the bucket, caught up to her mother, and snagged her arm so she could walk beside her inside the house.
The women were not phased by the little girl's reaction to them. Hoshiyo turned to her sisters and said, "I will take a room with Rei and Takeko. The rest of you can decide who you'll choose in your rooms for the next time we stay here."
Ceres crossed her arms and nodded; she replied, "Good. Motoko will stay with me, seeing we have the same jobs except for the opposite idea. We'll take Rokuko as well. She's quiet, and I like quiet roommates."
"Fine by me," Motoko replied with a smile.
Rokuko chose not to reply, but she accepted with a nod to ensure they understood her decision. That left Seiko, Yoko, and Utaku to take their placement. The three had no problems partnering up to extend their stay in the Shogun household.
Nestled within the vast hundred-acre expanse of the Tokugawa family estate lay a serene haven—a natural hot spring framed by an exquisite garden. Attendants graciously presented the ladies with pristine white towels, whisking away their Yukata to be laundered afresh for departure the next day.
Hoshiyo wasted no time shedding her robes and immersing herself in the steaming waters. A flush of warmth suffused her cheeks as she relished every moment. With eyes closed, she surrendered to the embrace of the outdoor sanctuary, finding solace despite the weather's encroaching chill.
Rei settled beside her, comforting her in the swirling currents of uncertainty. "The journey on foot has taken its toll on us. We ought to rest here for a few days before embarking on our search," she suggested.
Though appreciative of their surroundings' respite, Hoshiyo couldn't suppress her restlessness. "I don't doubt the beauty of this place or the generosity of our hosts, but patience has never come easily to me," she confessed with a heavy sigh. "What if she's in peril and needs our aid? I couldn't forgive myself if our delay proved costly."
Rei nodded in understanding. "I share your concerns, which is why I proposed only a brief rest unless circumstances dictate otherwise," she reassured.
Grateful for Rei's understanding, Hoshiyo expressed her gratitude before sinking deeper into the hot springs' soothing embrace. "Thank you," she murmured.
As they reclined, Rei broached a more introspective topic. "I took a moment to peruse Hoshiyo's tale, to understand the genesis of your ascension to the status of Star Kami. While it sheds light on your selection, it fails to elucidate your role within our group."
Hoshiyo pondered the question before responding with quiet certainty. "I believe I was chosen to lead our company because she and I share the same core values and convictions."
Rei nodded thoughtfully. "She ascended to Kami status with a mandate to save the world, tasking many of us even as we acclimate to our newfound roles," she remarked.
With a hint of resolve in her voice, Hoshiyo echoed Rei's sentiment. "Indeed, but as you said, we have time before the world succumbs to chaos," she affirmed.
As Takeko eased into the warmth of the hot springs, joining the others already immersed in the soothing waters, a sense of camaraderie enveloped the group. Laughter and chatter filled the air, though Hoshiyo remained preoccupied with the gravity of their situation. Glancing at Yoko and Seiko, who seemed lost in their joyous conversation, she knew she had to act swiftly.
With a determined smile, Hoshiyo leaned closer to Takeko. "I might have a solution," she whispered, mindful not to disturb Takeko's half-submerged state.
Curious, Takeko roused herself from her semi-slumber. "What is it?" she inquired.
Wading through the water to approach Yoko and Seiko, Hoshiyo broached the delicate topic. "Would you two be willing to assist me with something important?" she asked earnestly.
Seiko's interest was piqued. "What do you have in mind?" she inquired.
Hoshiyo's expression turned solemn as she outlined her proposal. "I need both of you to learn how to craft weapons. We must be prepared to defend ourselves should the need arise. But to demonstrate our intentions of peace, we'll fashion wooden weapons. I refuse to have blood on our hands."
Seiko nodded in understanding. "And what about those who pose a threat beyond what wooden weapons can handle?" she questioned.
"That's where your expertise comes in," Hoshiyo replied. "We'll need discreetly carried pistols for such situations, aimed only to incapacitate, never to kill."
Turning back to Takeko and the rest of the group, Hoshiyo asked, "Does this plan seem reasonable to you, ladies?" she sought their consensus.
The girls nodded in agreement, recognizing the necessity of banding together to address the looming threats surrounding them in an increasingly dangerous world.
Rei approached Hoshiyo with a quiet determination, seeking clarity. "What's on your mind?" she inquired, her tone tinged with concern.
Ceres sighed, her skepticism evident. "I can't imagine it's anything good," she remarked.
Hoshiyo sighed, understanding their apprehension as she sought to explain her rationale. "It's not what you think," she began, her voice earnest. "After what we've been through, barely escaping with our lives, I realized we were woefully unprepared. We need to be vigilant and equipped to defend ourselves."
"Alright, what's the plan then?" Ceres asked, resigned.
Hoshiyo rose from the hot springs with a hopeful smile, retrieving their notebooks as she spoke. "We were given these books to aid one another and our communities. Until we locate the original Hoshiyo, our focus should be on acquiring essential knowledge: medicine, traditional cuisine, cultural practices, even crafting our own attire. And yes, we must learn to fashion weapons for self-defense."
Takeko's skepticism surfaced as she scrutinized Hoshiyo's proposal. "Are you suggesting we establish our own village?"
Hoshiyo remained enthusiastic. "It's a possibility," she affirmed. "But above all, we must extend our assistance to struggling communities. Many villages suffer from diseases without treatment and numerous other hardships."
"But wouldn't that require us to split up?" Takeko questioned.
"Not yet," Hoshiyo replied confidently. "Our priority remains finding our Star Kami. Once that's accomplished, we can chart our course accordingly."
A soft chuckle drifted from a nearby corner of the hot springs, drawing the group's attention. As the mist dissipated, they discerned the figure of a young girl immersed in the water at the far end.
Motoko, intrigued, ventured closer. "How long have you been there?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Ceres, with a hint of reproach in her tone, demanded answers. "More importantly, why didn't you speak up sooner?"
The young girl, Masahime, said solemnly: "I wanted to make sure my family was safe with such strange guests."
Hoshiyo, with a gentle yet persistent demeanor, approached Masahime with a reassuring smile. "There's no need for secrecy between us. Feel free to ask us anything. While it may seem unconventional, my sisters and I were only brought into existence a few days ago. We had no prior knowledge of your existence or your connection to the recent Shogun."
Masahime's expression softened as she revealed a painful truth. "My father adopted me after my mother's head was cut off for a crime she never committed."
The atmosphere grew tense as the girls grappled with the weight of Masahime's revelation, struggling to find words that could offer solace in such profound sorrow.
Sensing the need to break the uneasy silence, Hoshiyo offered some semblance of comfort. "You must have been so young when it happened. I'm relieved you were spared from witnessing such a tragedy," she offered softly.
But Masahime's response was chillingly matter-of-fact. "The Shogunate forces made sure I witnessed every moment of my mother's demise. I watched her life slip away, her eyes losing their light," she recounted, her voice disturbingly calm.
The group fell into a heavy silence, captivated and unsettled by Masahime's unwavering composure in recounting her trauma.
Hoshiyo, maintaining her gentle demeanor, attempted to extend empathy. "I'm truly sorry for what you've endured, Masahime. May you someday find peace, knowing your mother rests in a better place," she offered, her words laden with genuine sympathy.
Ceres directed a pointed question towards the young girl, her tone edged with urgency. "Your mother may be gone, but ours is still out there, and we're searching for her. What do you know?"
Sensing the tension escalating, Hoshiyo gently intervened, guiding Ceres aside with a touch of concern. "Why would you ask that?" she inquired, her voice soft but probing.
Rei, ever the voice of reason, interjected with a gentle reminder. "Remember, she's just a child, barely ten years old," she urged, her tone tempered with empathy.
Approaching the young girl with a calming presence, Hoshiyo positioned herself directly in front of her, seeking to bridge the gap between them. "I apologize for my sister's bluntness. We're desperate to uncover the truth about our mother's disappearance. Her last journal entry hinted at a meeting with other Kami to discuss the survival of our world," she explained, her words tinged with a note of vulnerability.
Masahime pondered for a moment before responding, her brow furrowed in thought. "If your mother truly holds the status of a Kami, then I may know someone who could assist you in locating her," she offered.
Hope flickered in Hoshiyo's eyes as she leaned in, eager for any shred of information. "Who?" she pressed, her voice tinged with desperation.
Masahime met her gaze steadily. "There's an old swamp not far from here, rumored to be the domain of a Kami living among humans. Perhaps they can provide the answers you seek," she suggested.
"How did you come across this information?" Ceres inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Masahime responded with a serene smile. "My mother often hears various rumors spreading among the villagers, although she usually dismisses them as silly tales," she explained.
Gratitude flooded Hoshiyo's expression as she offered a respectful bow. "Thank you immensely," she expressed. "We'll set out at the break of dawn tomorrow to seek out this swamp-dwelling individual."
The other girls nodded in unanimous agreement, preparing themselves for rest. However, Hoshiyo found sleep elusive, her mind abuzz with anticipation. Unable to resist the pull of excitement, she ventured into the garden before the house, where she spent the entire night under the watchful gaze of the moon, eagerly awaiting the dawn that would mark the beginning of their journey.