Chapter 18

The Heike warriors had won the war, and Emperor Kiyomori got back the city. The remaining Genji warriors were killed.When I was eating supper with Fukuji, he asked what name I wanted to have. This is kind of strange, but now I realize that I want to keep my name, Muna. I don't care if it means "nameless one" because that name is the real me, and no other name could change me. Fukuji then cut off my long hair because it would be dangerous to enter the forge with it. Now since I can enter the forge,Fukuji made me his apprentice because he realized that I was starting to become more responible and I was growing up. When I enter the forge I see the sword. "Through fire is the spirit forged" are the words engraved onto the sword displayed in the forge.

Chapter 17

I now had the courage to return to Fukuji. When I got to his house, he did not realize me at first, because my hair had grew, I was wearing filthy garmets, and I was barefooted. Then after I introduced myself and gave him the sword, he remembered me. Fukuji looked speechless. I was about to leave, but Fukuji told me to stay because by morning the streets would be filled with blood from the Genji/Heike war. He did not want me to die. He cares about me.

Chapter 16

I realized that I had made a mistake. What if that old man was watching me when I buried the sword at the abandoned shrine? What if he told those unworthy soldiers where the sword was? Then the Fukuji sword would be in the hand of a unworthy soldier! I must get the sword back. It took forever just to remove three feet of dirt. When I got the sword back, I put the sword in my garmet. I walked pretty weird because the sword kept hitting my leg while I walked. So the soldiers called me "stiff leg." Then I fell and the sword broke open my garmet, revealing my sword to the soldiers. They immediately became suspicous me and questioned if I was a thief or a spy. In my mind, I knew I was a thief. They told me to give the sword and I will not be punished. Why in the world would I believe the soldiers! So I took out my sword. Then I ran very rapidly to Fukuji. I was taking the sword home.

Chapter 15

The Heike warrior Muratani (from chapter 11) had came to visit Fukuji. Fukuji was wondering who my real father was. So he asked Muratani which Heike warrior had a chrysanthemum tatoo. It turns out that 200 other warriors have the same tatoo! How can Fukuji and I possibly find my father? Then I was on the streets. Someone was calling my name. It was Fukuji! I panicked and ran away because I thought he wanted to punish me for stealing the sword. Also last night, I had a dream about seeing my great father! Although he looked mad at me for some reason. Was it because of my sins? Overall, yesterday was pretty much a bad day.

(Chrysanthemum)

Chapter 14

Fukuji had noticed I was not at the house because I have left my sandals at the kitchen door. Someone went to Fukuji. It was Takanobu! What was he doing there? He told Fukuji that if he tells him(Fukuji) who stole the swords he(Takanobu) gets one of Fukuji's "ordinary" swords. Of course, all of Fukuji's swords are special NOT ordinary. That was like an insult to Fukuji. Also Takanobu had claimed to be my father. Fukuji seemed to be a little jealous, so he warned Takanobu that if he is my father he has to take responsiibility to all the bad things I had done. Since Takanobu did not want to take responsibility, he just left and just wanted Fukuji to leave him alone.

Chapter 13

I don't want this sword anymore! Everytime I walk I feel it hitting me! Also this sword caused me to do very bad sins. Like attack Takanobu and this very own sword was stolen by me! Now I know how I can get rid of this sword that contains evidence of my sins. I had buried it three feet down right by an abandoned shrine. Now I feel relieved that this sword is gone from me.

Chapter 12

I was going to give Takanobu the sword because of only two reasons. He claims to be my father, and he promises to use it wisely in the Genji/Heike revolt. I told him when he accepts the sword he must treat me as his son, even if he is not the true father. Takanobu told me that anyone can be my father and he even laughed at me. How dare he do such a thing! That is why I attacked him with that very own sword, and blood came out of his hand. I ran away as fast as I could. Then I had a strange dream about my tree being blown away and that my father was there asking me why I had not asked to see the chrysanthemum tatoo.

(Picture 1: Muna used a sword to attack Takanobu.)
(Picture 2: Tree blowing away. [Muna's dream])

Chapter 11

I miss you Akiko. When you lived in your fathers house, not in Rokujo Avenue. They've changed you. My mind has also lately been on Takanobu's request for me to steal the sword. I am going to steal the sword Fukuji is giving to Muratani. I had to tell Muratani that the sword won't be ready for a month, and I had to tell Fukuji that Muratani will pick up the sword in a months time. This whole lying thing is kind of new to me. So then at night, I took the sword from the forge, and I headed towards the Street of Ox Dealers. (the place where Takanobu was to recieve the sword.) I left my sandals in the kitchen. How stupid I was! Now I had to deliver the sword barefooted.

Chapter 10

I tried my hardest to get Akiko out of the house on Rokujo Avenue. Although I couldn't. When I saw her a rude man named Kato had beaten and kicked me out before I can even speak to Akiko! I ended up on the cement. This because I didn't pay to enter the house. What kind of fool would pay to enter the house. Now I have so many bruises! Why has this happened to you Akiko? They (Rokujo people) have destroyed you.

Chapter 9

To this point, im not sure if I want to get Takanobu the sword or just be allegiant to Fukuji. Afterall Takanobu says that it is for the Genji/Heike revolt and what if he really is my father? Should I reject a request from my so called "father." At least I have nine days to think about it. I don't think Fukuji regards me as an apprentice yet. After all he still adresses me as "child". I am going to visit Akiko. I shall ask her for advice. When I got to the sandalmakers shop, I heard some bad news. Unfortunately, her father Kawaki is dead! Also Akiko is gone. She now works and lives in the house on Rokujo Avenue. I have to rescue her from that bad place as soon as possible!

Chapter 8

As days pass by, Kawaki just keeps weakening. I can't imagine life for Akiko without her father. I do hope she likes the fish I gave her. I bought her a fish so she wouldn't be lonely. Afer I left the sandalmakers shop, their was a strange monk following me. Every time I walk slowly he walks slowly. Everytime I run he runs towards me. When I turned around, he almost bumped into me! Then I noticed the face. It was Takanobu! He's not dead! Now he wanted me to steal a sword because he claims to be my "father." Stealing a sword from Fukuji is so unthinkable. Although what if Takanobu is really my father? What should I do? I don't know what to do!

Chapter 7

Fukuji is finally allowing me to have a break! Although , I must first send a message to a Heike warrior named Muratani. After I gave him the message, he had been so generous enough to lend me some coins to spend on! Then I went to the Sanjo District and I saw the wonderful cherry blossom trees! It was like the bad things were excluded from this beautiful sight. Even the other viewers, never spoke loudly, and they seemed friendly. If I get another break, I want to return to the Sanjo District. I bought one rice candy. Rice candy is so good! When you take your first bite, the sweetness fills your mouth and you know you'll want some more! So I did buy some more, but these extra sweets were for Kawaki and Akiko. I was kind of suprised when Akiko did not remember me. After all its been a while since I first met them. After she recognized me, I was so suprised to see Kawaki,the sandalmaker. He is almost dying! He has the same disease my mother had died from.(wasting sickness) I wish he gets better. If Kawaki dies, ill feel sorry for Akiko. She may turn into a orphan! Oh no! When I was going back home, I ran into a familiar face. It looked like Koishi. A friend of Takanobu that died from the fire. I called out his name, but he did not turn around! Could it actually be him or am I just dreaming?

Chapter 6

It is starting to be kind of difficult to impress Fukuji. When I do chores for him, he expects it to be done perfectly and on a certain time. For example, I cooked him rice at eleven in the morning, and he did not want it because it was cooked one hour early! At least Fukuji does not yell at me, he just corrects my mistakes. Why does he always want things done on a certain time? If I want to become his apprentice, I have to work harder in trying to do chores perfectly. Although I start to notice that he devotes himself to all his tasks. I cannot blame him for that. He makes wonderful swords. I was pretty amazed at first, on how he didnt sell so many swords. Although the reason he only sold few swords, was because each sword has a very powerful spirit. So Fukuji sells the swords only to people who is worthy enough for the swods spirit. Worthy samurais are the honorable/true ones, not the ones who steal, or dishonor the sword they carry.

Chapter 5

Unfortunately, Takanobu has perished from the fire at the Red Dog. When I collapsed in front of the Red Dog, someone had rescued me. I also got ill from breathing the smoke of the Red Dog fire. The man who rescued me also helped me get better from the illness. This kind mans name is Fukuji. Thank you Fukuji! Fukuji is a swordsmith who makes swords for mostly Heike warriors. Speaking of Heike warriors, he may know my father. I hope he knows my father! I must get Fukuji to like me and let me stay with him. So I can learn if he knows my father. If he does I will also need to learn much information of my father. So far, he seems like a nice man who will be easy to please.

Chapter 4

I had met other Takanobu's friends in a lounge called the Red Dog. Takanobu and his friedns were talking about getting me a job. I ended up getting a job at the Imperial stables! At least I work at the stables for the Heike warriors. Knowing that my father is a Heike, I may be able to find him. Also I really hope that Takanobu and his friends have actually forgiven me for accidentally bragging about my father as a Heike warrior, when they sided on Genji warriors. Bragging about my father being a Heike warrior may also means that I may be wealthy.
Then I was pretty suprised how Takanobu sent me to give a message to Plum Face,when he is already dead! I wasted my time going back and forth to Plum Faces place to the Red Dog. Although when I returned to the Red Dog to complain about Plum Face being dead, the Red Dog was gone. All in flames. I looked to see if Takanobu was in there, but he was not. Most likely, Takanobu and his friends have perished in the fire. Now I am starting to think of reasons of why Takanobu sent me to the dead Plum Face. It was because he probably did not want me to die in that fire? If that is the reason, thank you Takanobu!

Chapter 3

I was having a very difficult time in finding Rashomon Gate, and I was tired from the long journey on the ship. Fortunately, I had ran into Kawaki,the sandalmaker and his amazing daughter, Akiko. Both of them were very hospitable. They welcomed me to eat supper, (I was pretty hungry because I have had barely anything to eat since I borded the ship.) Also since it was starting to get late in the evening, they allowed me to stay over for the night. I am thankful I met them because if i have not met them, I would had been lost in the city of Heijokyo!

(Here is a URL link to learn about the Rashomon Gate:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashomon_Gate)

Chapter 2

I am currently onboard a ship to the capital. I was asleep when someone had woken me up! It was a ronin named Takanobu.(ronin=A samurai without a master.) He claims to be "the king of the pirates." Takanobu seems like a greedy and conceited man. Greedy because he practically ate most of the food suppy in the ship! He also seems conceited because he brags about being "the king of pirates" scaring the pirates just by snoring. Although, Takanobu was the reason I did not become a ship slave for the captain. Takanobu pretended to pay for me to get off this ship, while I sneaked out of the ship. Thanks Takanobu!

Chapter 1

It is so hard to lose a mother that had cared for me all these years from wasting sickness. Now I must leave my native village of Awa so I can find my father, a tall Heike warrior with a chrysanthemum tatoo. No once can stop me from my dream. When I find my father, I will have a name, my name(Muna) will no longer mean nameless one, people will never make fun of me, and people will honor me. I must now leave for the capital city of Japan, Heijokyo.


Japan Map




= Heijokyo