Ame's Choice

Ame held her father’s hand tightly as she dropped from a large stone, landing with both feet in the mud below. They had come so far, and she didn’t know where they were going or why they had to leave home, but she had no choice but to hold her father’s hand and follow him. It was dark and cold. She wore simple, black clothes made of cotton, with no embroidery or patterns whatsoever. Her father next to her wore the same, with a shawl and a round hat made of straw. They would never have worn these sorts of things before tonight. Before tonight, they would have been riding horses, surrounded by guards and servants, but here they were, trudging through the forest outside the castle, alone.

Ame didn’t really understand what had happened. She had seen the red glow of fire and heard the sounds of men shouting and fighting. She remembered the sound of steel and that everyone in the castle was scared.

“Daddy, where are we going?” She asked innocently.

“Hush, princess,” He whispered. “We can’t let anyone hear us.”

Her father panted heavily despite their slow pace and held his side firmly with his free hand. They pressed on silently through the forest, into the night.

After a while, Ame’s father stopped at a tree, steadying himself with his free hand. He gazed ahead wearily, sweat dripping from his face.

“Ame-chan,” he whispered. “I need to rest here for a while.”

“Yes, daddy.” She replied obediently.

Her father grimaced and whimpered softly as he lowered himself to the ground, leaning against the trunk of the tree. He continued to press his side firmly, breathing heavily.

“Are you okay, daddy?” Ame asked, worried. She had never seen him like this before.

“I’m fine, princess.” He breathed. “I…I just need to rest.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw him examine his free hand, which had become dark red.

Ame looked up, into the sky. Beyond the trees was the castle, her home. Far off into the distance, the sound of yelling could still be heard, though it was much fainter than it was before. She looked back at her father, who was sitting silently, gazing off into the distance in front of them.

“Daddy?” She called. He ignored her and continued to gaze outwards, beyond the edge of the world.

Ame rose to her feet and approached her father cautiously.

“Daddy?” She called again, holding him by the shoulders.

“Daddy? What’s wrong?”

She was too young to understand death, but she knew that something wasn’t right. She knew that her father wasn’t okay and that it was her duty to get help.

“Wait here, Daddy. I’ll be back soon.”

Ame stumbled off into the forest on her own, leaving her father behind her.

“Somebody?” She called, keeping her voice quiet, remembering her father’s instructions.

“Somebody? My daddy needs help. Somebody?”

"The girl will not survive on her own," a majestic, masculine voice said. It was far off into the distance, beyond the world and the cosmos, and yet it looked upon Ame from the trees around her as if it were a bird perched on its branches.

"No, she will not," a feminine, magical voice replied. "Death is a natural part of life, brother. Thousands of children live to be no older than this one. Dragons are not to intervene in the fate of men. It is known."

"It is known," the masculine voice agreed. "Yet the fate of this girl is more than just her own. It is the fate of many. And if the world of men is lost to shadow, even Dragons will lose their light. She must be aided, sister."

"Your compassion for life is not unjust, brother. But you do yet recall the consequences of the last Dragon who acted in the world of men?"

"I do, sister. And it is because of our brother’s actions that the girl must be aided. For the sake of her world, and our own."

“Do not be afraid, child.”

Ame turned and gasped, falling backwards, her bottom hitting the forest floor with a thud. Floating gracefully in the air between the trees above her was a blue dragon. It had four legs, each with three claws, and fish-like scales across its entire body. It had two golden antlers protruding from its head, and two long, winding whiskers coming from its face.

“A dragon!” Ame exclaimed with awe.

“My name is Ryuujin.” It said to her telepathically. “I am the protector of this forest and everything in it. You and your father are now under my care.”

Ame’s expression morphed from awe to anguish as she recalled her father.

“Please help, Ryuujin-dragon.” She sniffed. “You have to help my daddy.”

“Take me to him.”

Ame rose to her feet and awkwardly ran back the way she came, with the dragon gliding in the wind behind her. When her father entered eyeshot, she picked up her pace, sprinting towards him and embracing him tightly, weeping.

Ryuujin floated above them gently.

“I’m sorry, child. Your father’s spirit has left his body. It is with your mother, in paradise.”

“No, daddy!” Ame cried. “Don’t leave me! Don’t leave me all alone!”

“Your father was an honourable man,” Ryuujin said. “I will grant him the decency of a proper burial.”

Ame didn’t move. She held on to her father’s body, weeping gently. Behind her, Ryuujin’s dragon body began to contort and change shape. His scales turned to skin; his whiskers grew into hair. Within moments, he stood behind her, no longer a dragon but a man. He crouched down beside Ame and dug his hands into the soil below him.

“You’re his daughter.” He said. “You may be young, but it’s your duty to bury your parents. Help me dig, child.”

Ame obediently let go of her father’s body and began digging with her tiny hands alongside Ryuujin. She sniffed and wept every so often, but continued stoically nonetheless. When they were done, Ryuujin picked up a nearby stone. His index finger briefly morphed back into a claw, and he began to inscribe something onto it. He laid the stone on top of the freshly laid grave.

“Can you read this?” He asked Ame.

“No,” She said sullenly.

“It says ‘Duty’,” Ryuujin replied. “He fulfilled his as your father, by keeping you safe and delivering you to your destiny. Now you must do yours, as I must do mine.”

“How?” She pleaded. “I’m lost. My daddy is gone. I don’t have a home anymore.”

“You’ll stay with me until the time comes when you can choose otherwise. I’ll watch over you as your uncle. No harm will come upon you while you’re in my care.”

Ame looked at the ground, sorrowful and afraid.

“Come, child,” Ryuujin said as she lifted Ame onto his shoulder. His kimono was softer than the finest silks she had ever felt and as soon as her cheek touched his shoulder, she was embraced by the relief of sleep.

*

17 years later…

The unmistakable sound of wood being chopped was all that could be heard, along with the songs and melodies of the birds in the trees. Ame placed another log piece onto the tree stump in front of her and brought her hand-axe down, cutting it vertically and allowing the two halves to fall audibly on the earth next to her. She picked them up and placed them on the pile behind her, reaching for another log piece.

Ame was no longer the frightened little girl she had been. She was tall and slender, and wore a thin, blue short robe over a white undergarment and matching cotton shorts and simple, wooden sandals. Her hair was long and natural, extending down past her waist. Her fingernails were clean but kept short. Her face and complexion was fair and beautiful. She had become a young woman.

Ame sat outside of a simple, wooden cabin in the middle of the forest. It had a triangular roof slanting downwards which was covered in straw, and there was a traditional sliding door at the side facing her. The cabin was surrounded by trees and wildlife. The canopy above was thick, but it allowed rays of sunshine to beam down on Ame and the cabin.

Pulling on the ropes around the pile of chopped wood beside her, Ame lifted the net of choppings onto her back and carried them inside. The cabin floor was made of timber, with a sunken fireplace at its centre. Hanging from the ceiling above the fireplace was a pot for cooking. Ame dropped the net of firewood next to the fireplace and sighed with relief. She stretched her arms and back, and then clapped her hands together.

“Another job done!” She exclaimed happily. “Now onto the last one!”

She grabbed a wicker basket by its handle and walked around the rear of the cabin. Behind the cabin was a small field of crops growing herbs, fruit and vegetables. Ryuujin had taught Ame not to kill any living thing, so they survived exclusively on a vegetarian diet. Ame crouched on the grass in the field and began examining the turnips in front of her, testing if they were ripe.

“This one ought to be good!” She said to herself, grasping it by its leaves and pulling it from the soil. She placed the fresh turnip in her wicker basket and moved on to the next crop.

After the fresh vegetables had been collected and brought inside, Ame retrieved her flute and headed back out, sliding the door shut behind her. She excitedly ran through the grass outside her cabin, past the trees and down a hill until she came to an open field near a river. She sat on the grass near the river, raised the flute to her lips, and began to play.

The sound that emerged from the flute was mesmerising; a mixture of highs and lows in a single note. The melody was slow and peaceful, and then followed by a series of sharp tweets, like the song of a bird. As if beckoned by their call, a number of birds began to circle Ame and perch around the trees near her. She recognised them as tori, haru and aoi. She smiled at them with her eyes and continued to play. The next piece featured longer, more breathful notes, as if Ame were breathing through the flute instead of her nose and mouth. From the bushes nearby, a pair of deer emerged and approached Ame, sitting down on her left side. They were nara and hiro, a wife and her husband. Ame gazed at them lovingly, welcoming them. She played on, swaying to and fro as she played, with the tunes of the flute bending with her. Behind her, three rabbits bounced out of the bushes and excitedly hopped towards her. Ame turned around to see them, continuing to sway as she played. Within moments, she was surrounded by Japanese racoons, foxes, frogs and turtles. She knew each of them by name, and loved them all.

After Ame finished playing, she took her flute, waved goodbye to her friends and walked enthusiastically alongside the bank of the river. Eventually, she came to a clearing where the river met a waterfall. Below the base of the waterfall were natural hot springs, and she enjoyed bathing in their warm waters every afternoon. She placed her flute in the grass at her feet and began to take off her clothes. She stood naked before the hot springs, enjoying the mix of warm and cool air on her skin. She entered the hot springs, sighing with relief as she lowered herself into the water. She tilted herself onto her back and floated, gazing up into the blue sky above her. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to be carried by the current of the waterfall. Before she could be carried downstream, a wall of spikes and scales emerged from beneath the water, cradling Ame and creating a pool. It was her uncle, Ryuujin the Dragon, who was bound to the waterfall and deity of the forest. This was his domain, and she was safe with him.

As Ame floated in the warm pool, protected by her dragon and his power, she tried to feel content but was troubled by the same apprehension that entered her mind daily as of late. Her life was both easy and peaceful, but she couldn’t help but wonder what was beyond these forest walls. She knew that there was a whole world out there - Ryuujin had told her so. But he had forbidden her from venturing beyond the forest, where his power could not keep her safe. She tried to recall the vague memories of her childhood - of gold, family, friends and laughter. Sometimes it felt as though she had known and experienced more in the first few years of her life than in the next seventeen combined. Ame exhaled and told herself to be content with Ryuujin and the forest, knowing deep down that she longed for more.

*

Ame sat in the grass at the edge of the river, flute in hand as she did every afternoon. The sun was warm, but not uncomfortably so. The wind blew gently, and birds tweeted in anticipation. She pressed the flute to her lips and began to play. Before she could breathe her first note though, Ame crossed her face in confusion. She heard something - something she hadn’t heard for a long time. The longest time. Voices. She rose to her feet, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement.

Downstream, three Samurai made their way through the forest. The one leading the way was a young, slender man with long, black hair named Tatsuya. He wore black robes and baggy hakama Samurai pants and carried two katana swords at his side. Behind him was a fair woman wearing crimson robes behind a leather vest. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and strung over her back was a bow and quiver of arrows. Her name was Emi. Last in the group was Daisuke; a tall, well-built man with a shaved head and facial hair. He wore a sleeveless robe and Samurai hakama pants and carried a thick glaive in his right hand, though he also had a single katana sword at his left side.

“Quiet!” Emi shushed. “Look ahead.”

Tatsuya and Daisuke held their position and looked beyond the trees in the distance to see a young but well-nourished deer nibbling on a shrub.

“What a sight for sore eyes. Can you reach it?” Daisuke asked. It had been over a day since their last meal, and each of them was picturing deer on a spit.

“If you two keep quiet,” Emi replied as she drew her bow and retrieved an arrow, crouching in the grass.

Tatsuya and Daisuke didn’t dare to breathe. They’d both hold their breath for an hour if it meant a meal. Emi slowly began to draw the arrow, lining it up with the deer off in the distance.

“Stop!” Ame yelled, emerging from the shrubs nearby. She leapt between Emi and the deer, holding her arms out.

Emi’s face dropped with disappointment as the deer frolicked away instantly.

“What are you doing, girl!” Daisuke yelled. “You cost us our dinner!”

“She’s not dinner!” Ame yelled back. “Her name is Nara and she’s my friend!”

“I don’t care what her name is! Maybe we ought to eat you instead!”

Ame was visibly frightened, but puffed up her chest and tried to look fierce.

“Calm down, Daisuke.” Tatsuya said calmly. “Don’t mind him, he’s just a little hungry. Well, we all are, but he tends to get angry when he hasn’t eaten in a while.”

Ame held her position, arms extended and all.

“I’m sorry. My name is Tatsuya. These are my friends, Daisuke and Emi. What’s your name?”

“Ame!” She yelled back.

“Ame-san.” Tatsuya repeated. “I heard that there was a princess named Ame who lived in the old Kingdom close to these woods. But she would have died a long time ago, when the Shogun sacked the castle.”

Ame was silent. Princess? What princess is he talking about?

“She didn’t ask for a history lesson, Tatsu.” Emi said, returning her arrow to her quiver and swinging her bow around her back. “I’m glad we found you though, and I’m sorry we were going to hurt your deer-friend.”

“Nara.” Ame corrected.

“Nara-san. Anyway, to tell you the truth, we’re actually somewhat lost.”

“We’re not lost!” Daisuke interjected.

“Daisuke, we’ve been going in circles since before the last moon,” Tatsuya said. “Emi is right. If it’s not too much trouble, could we ask for directions to Senriyama? It should be just outside of these woods, if we could find our way out.”

Ame finally lowered her arms and thought for a moment, silently.

“You three are hungry, right?” She said finally.

Tatsuya and Emi’s expressions showed they were surprised by her question, though Daisuke’s audibly grumbling stomach answered Ame’s question for them.

“We are. We left for Senriyama a few days ago, and have been trying to find our way out of this forest for longer than I’d like to admit.” Tatsuya replied.

“Follow me.” Ame said. “You can come to my house, and I’ll cook you dinner.”

“Is that really okay? We don’t want to leave you without supplies.” Emi asked.

“What are you doing Emi? It’s rude to reject such a kind offer!” Daisuke grumbled.

“We have plenty. But you have to promise not to hurt any of my friends!”

“If we’ve been invited to your home, then that makes us friends in my eyes.” Tatsuya said. “So friends of yours are friends of ours. We won’t harm a single animal in this forest. You have my word.”

The group walked silently for a while, up hills and through valleys.

“How long have you lived in these woods?” Emi asked finally.

“Since I can remember,” Ame replied. “They’re all I know.”

“Do you live alone out here?”

“No, my uncle Ryuujin lives with me. And I have lots of friends in the forest! That’s Saruka the monkey, and that’s Shiba the deer’s favourite shrub, and that’s Sugiru the cedar tree.” Ame stopped to point out each important thing around her.

“But…I wish there were more things like me.” She examined the palm of her hand intensely. “People.”

“People aren’t always so great.” Daisuke said. “Seems to me that you’ve got a pretty great life, kid. Once you get used to not eating deer.”

The sun was starting to set by the time the four companions arrived at Ame’s cabin. The scent of boiled rice and other savoury things greeted them as they approached the cabin. The front door slid open from the inside, revealing Ryuujin’s human form standing behind it.

“Welcome home Ame. And welcome to your companions.”

“I apologise for the imposition,” Tatsuya said. “My name is Tatsuya. This is Daisuke, and Emi. We were lost in the forest when your niece stumbled upon us. She helped us find our way, and kindly offered us dinner. We were saved by her generosity.”

“These woods are protected,” Ryuujin replied. “No evil may enter, and there is no path to follow. Come inside. Eat your fill, and rest.” He stepped aside to allow the others through.

“Your weapons.” Ryuujin said as Tatsuya was about to enter. “You will not need them here. Please leave them outside.”

“What if the cabin is attacked by bandits?” Daisuke asked from behind him. “Much better that we’re prepared to defend you.”

“These woods are protected,” Ryuujin repeated. “No evil may enter. You will not need your weapons so long as you walk in my domain.”

Tatsuya withdrew his katana by their sheaths from his belt and placed them against the door outside, nodding for his companions to do the same.

They each sat around the sunken fire, eating boiled rice from a wooden bowl with chopsticks. In front of them was a wooden tray holding pickled radish and plums, tofu and other vegetables picked from the crops behind the cabin.

“Tell me more…about the princess who lived near here.” Ame requested once they had all finished eating.

Tatsuya drank some water before replying.

“I don’t know the full story, only that there used to be a Kingdom here named Mizukawa. I’d never been there, but I heard that the king who ruled was a kind, respected man. His only heir was his daughter, named Ame. But the kingdom was sacked by Akujiro, the Shogun. I don’t think anybody survived.”

“Are there more of those…kingdoms?”

“Not many, not anymore. The same thing that happened to Mizukawa has happened to almost all of them. The Shogun has taken control of the mainland. Every kingdom that used to be has either abdicated power to him, or been destroyed. That’s why we’re going to Senriyama. There’s a resistance there that’s fighting to avenge the Lost Kingdoms and our lost loved ones. To strike back at the Shogun, and restore peace to the realm.”

Tatsuya looked to Daisuke, then to Emi. “Each of us were Samurai before our Kingdoms were lost. We’re going to join the resistance.”

Tatsuya turned his gaze to Ryuujin. “I know that you and your niece have a peaceful life here, and that your cabin hasn’t been found by bandits or thieves yet, but you won’t be able to protect her forever. You should consider accompanying us to Senriyama. Even if you don’t join the resistance, I’m sure you can find work there as a farmer, carpenter or cook, and Ame could choose a future beyond living alone in the forest after you’re gone.”

Ryuujin sat silently for a moment. “I respect your well intentions, but there is much you do not know. The decision must fall to Ame herself.”

*

The morning sky was soft and quiet. The sounds of life had not yet begun to wake. The sound of sliding wood was all that could be heard as the cabin door slid open gently. Tatsuya and his crew stepped out into the air, each retrieving their weapons from where they had left them at the door. They each turned back towards the cabin, preparing to bid farewell to Ame, who was standing in the doorway.

“Thank you so much for your hospitality.” Tatsuya said, as he, Daisuke and Emi each bowed their heads deeply.

“It’s no trouble at all. I’m really happy I could meet you.” Ame replied.

“It is a shame that Ryuujin isn’t here. I would have liked to thank him as well.”

“Oh, it’s normal for him to leave in the middle of the night. I will pass on your thanks though, and extend his blessing of the forest to you.”

“Thank you, again. And it’s not too late, you know. For you to come with us. You could meet other people like us, make friends. See what’s beyond the forest.” Tatsuya said.

Ame stood in the doorway silently, knowing that she had already made her decision, yet unsure as to if it was the right one.

“I can’t.” She replied finally. “My whole life is here, it’s all I’ve ever known. The animals, my friends; and Ryuujin, my family.”

Tatsuya smiled. “I respect your decision. And wish you all the best.”

“Do you remember the directions Ryuujin gave you?”

Tatsuya turned, looking down the hill that the cabin stood on top of. “Go down this hill and keep north until we’re out of the woods and reach a clearing.”

“That’s right.” Ame confirmed. “Farewell to you all. I hope we can meet again someday.”

“As do I,” Tatsuya replied. “Goodbye, Ame of the forest.”

“Bye kid,” Daisuke said. “Take care of those deer!”

“Goodbye Ame,” Emi said. “Thank you for everything!”

Ame watched the three companions walk slowly down the hill. For the last half a day, they had been the closest thing she had known of human friendship. They had told her so much about the world beyond the forest, and yet she had been too afraid to join them and see it for herself. Not wanting to stay indoors, she slid the door shut and ran down the hill in the opposite direction, to the only place where she might find any source of consolation: the water. She reached the river, panting. Disgusted and disappointed, Ame sat at the bank and put her head in her hands.

“Was that not what you wanted?” Ryuujin’s majestic voice sounded ambiently. He floated above her in dragon form, his blue scales glistening in the morning sunlight.

“I don’t know what I want,” Ame replied miserably. “Part of me doesn’t want to leave this place. I don’t want to leave you, or the forest. But the other part so desperately wants to meet people like me, and find out about the princess that I share a name with.”

“Do you remember the night that you came to me?”

“No. I don’t remember anything from that part of my life. I guess I was too young. Why are you bringing that up?”

“You were only a toddler at the time. Your father brought you into the forest to escape the army invading his kingdom, to save his daughter.”

“His kingdom? But that means…”

“Yes.” Ryuujin replied. “You and the princess from Tatsuya’s story are one and the same.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ame yelled angrily, rising to her feet.

“All things must be revealed at the right moment. Had I told you too soon, you would have wandered off into the world on your own, with nobody to guide you. The Samurai you met yesterday are honest, loyal and kind. They can guide you where I cannot.”

Ame sighed. “I should have gone with them.”

“You still can.”

“No. They’re too far away. I’ll never catch them.”

“They have not yet left the forest. You know these woods better than any mortal. You can reach them, if you want to.”

Ame held her breath in her chest, feeling dragonflies in her belly. Suddenly, she rushed forwards, embracing Ryujin’s body with her arms, holding him tightly.

“Thank you uncle. Thank you for everything!”

“It was a privilege to spend this time with you, child, and you can always call these woods your home. But now you must go. Go and chase your dreams.”

Ame held Ryuujin as tightly as she could, and then turned and ran, tears in her eyes. Were they tears of joy, that she had finally met other humans like herself, and that she was not alone in this world after all? Tears of sadness, that she was leaving the forest and Ryuujin behind? Or perhaps tears of fear, that she was about to leave behind all that she knew, and had no idea what tomorrow might bring? She put these thoughts aside, and ran.

Ame did know the forest better than anyone. Instead of returning up the hill that she descended from, she took the valley beside it. She knew every stone and every branch in the grass, but she still urged herself forwards, her heart beating in her chest. Past the old redwood with a hole in its trunk that used to scare her when she was little. Past the narrow creek that opened up into the river if you followed it downstream. Ame’s eyes widened and she gasped with joy as she saw the shapes of three travellers at the edge of the wood, and she recognised them instantly.

“Wait!” She called, bounding towards them as fast as she could; bounding towards her future. “Wait for me!”

The three travellers stopped; Tatsuya, Daisuke and Emi; strangers who became friends that would change Ame’s life completely.

“Slow down, kid!” Daisuke exclaimed as Ame finally caught up with them, bending over to catch her breath.

“I want…” Ame began, stopping to recover from her sprint. “I want you to take me with you,” She said finally. “I want to see Senriyama, and the city after that, and the one after that. I want to see the world!”

“I’m glad you chose to come with us!” Emi said. “It can get boring travelling with these two barbarians!”

“I’m not sure we’ll be able to see the whole world, but we’ll give it a try.” Tatsuya said with a smile.

Ame laughed joyfully, running ahead of the group.

“Come on guys! Let’s go!”