We leave for Korea tomorrow!

shouted an angry yet compassionate father who was trying earnestly to persuade his daughter to leave with him to start a new life in Korea. Kagami, the only daughter of the once powerful samurai who reigned from the Hosakawa clan quietly voice her disapproval. Father.. I.. Kagamis father quietly looked upon her sending her evil glares but then regretted the action due to his daughter soft cries. Im sorry.. My dear.. but we have to leave.. We really have no choice since I had to give back my lands to the emperor we have no place to live. He quietly comforted her best he could when he just decided that all she needed was time to herself so he quietly excused himself. Kagami and her father were forced to leave their lands that they had held in the family for 4 generations since the rise of the Togugawa shogun. It was all going back to the Imperial family. Kagami began to pack up her things when she came across her most prized possession, her mothers mirror and makeup box. She saw so much of her mother within her own self. She had never met her mother but heard wonderful stories of the once famous geisha who had given so much life to her that she had none left for herself and quietly passed in the afternoon of Kagamis birth. Kagami softly breathed out a sign and carefully placed the mirror and makeup box within the box that held the rest of her memories of her life In Kyoto. She packed away her best kimonos and then left a note under the floorboard for anyone who would be interested in who had previously occupied this house. As she gracefully walked over to futon and prepared herself for bed she

ponder what new and exciting wonders awaited her in foreign land named Korea. Maybe she could start a new chapter of her life in this mysterious land that seemed to draw everyone she knew close and closer and away from the Shrines and countrysides of Kyoto. As she settled into her futon, soft images of a sakura tree at full bloom danced in her head till her visions lulled her to sleep. Kagami squinted at the bright light that seemed to invade her sight, but became amazed at the scenery that fill her vision as she peered out from the ships exit doorway. A shoreline which she was not familiar with became her current fascination. She gazed upon the sandy beaches and the tides swiftly rolling in taking sands with it as it passes back and forth between the sea and the shoreline. Kagami who had never been to a beach before stood in amazement till she was jostled from her stance when a rude passenger shoved past her eager to get through and on his way. She fell on her knees, her father who became bewildered at his daughter now awkwardly position gently helped her up. Kagami-chan are you okay dear? Kagami lightly nodded still startled from the past experience. She was eager to get on her way as well. They would be staying at a traditional Korean hotel till they came upon a house that they could own. As she and her father made their way down the dirt path with two Korean men swiftly following behind them with their possessions. Many of the neighboring Korean residence all ran inside their homes, seeming afraid of whatever seemed to be coming their way Kagami who felt puzzled at this so asked her father.

Father.. Why are the running back within their homes..? Kagami quietly voiced. They are scared of us.. of our origin.. Our origin? What do you mean by that? Kagami questioned further wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery. We are Japanese!? Are we not?! Her father announced loudly. He quickly unsheathed his sword and swung it towards a young Korean man who seemed to have lost his respect but quickly found it at the edge of Kojiros sword. Kagami felt frightened at the sight of her father , He had once told a story of when he was a ronin and when a unfortunate peasant who had crossed his path, did not show respect her father Kojiro felt he deserved and the fate of the poor beheaded peasant. Kojiro scoffed at the pleading of the young Korean man who quickly tried to say he was sorry, almost in tears. Thats why you people were conquered by us.. You all are much too cowardly and not respectful enough to rule yourselves! Kojiro quickly drew back his sword and placed it within his sheaf that hung at his hip. Now go! Consider this your warning! The young Korean man got up as quickly as he could and ran away in the blink of an eye. Kagami was scared and before she knew it she was running away as well. Away from the man who she thought was her father who appeared to have relived his old days as a wandering samurai. She felt a fear leap through her as she found her way into a busy yet prosperous farmers market.

She quickly became part of the hustle and bustle of the market slowly following the crowd till she found a spot where she felt she was not going to b pulled and pushed from and lead into a mindless crowd. As she viewed her surrounds she suddenly came face to face with a handsome man with beautiful long, black flowing hair. Kagami who felt flustered at this new and mesmerizing face that seemed to stare right back her lost her balance and fell backwards unto a haystack. Min, the name of the boy who seemed to have swept Kagami off her feet, well.. more like backwards sweeping. Quickly said sorry and helped the young Japanese woman to her feet. He knew she was a high status, due to the colors and patterns of her kimono. He was unsure of how to further continue this conversation so he thought of the most practical way. Im deeply sorry, Miss He deeply bowed before offering his hand for her to shake it. Kagami was a little confused. Was this the way that Koreans greeted each other? Oh! Its okay.. Kagami murmured obviously embarrassed by her clumsiness. No really! It was my fault! I startled you and you lost your balance! Min stammered Kagami looked up from the ground to look at the man who had caused her to fall. Kagami was then engulfed in his eyes. His beautiful coal like eyes that seemed to endlessly go on. Min seemed to show the same fascination towards Kagami. The more he seemed to stare at her the more beautiful and radiant she became. He noticed her beautiful long hair that was black as raven but seemed to have wisps of curls running through it. He then moved onward her face which was white as snow, it was so clear and white that a pure dove would be jealous.

He then noticed her eyes. Her eyes were a unique shade of brown and green mixed in with a dark outer rim of black. Wow he muttered to himself as he seemed to lose himself in her eyes. He was snapped back into reality when she waved her hand in front of his face. Hey you! What are you doing? Kagami giggled Oh.. I Just.. your eyes.. Min stuttered while grimacing at the ground hoping to hide the blush that crept over his face. What about them Kagami questioned curiously while leaning in closer to Min. They are beautiful... He softly whispered hoping she wouldnt hear. Min whisper might as well have been screamed because Kagami heard it and she felt her heart flutter with anticipation and giddiness. She had never been told anything about her appearance. She looked down hoping that Min wouldnt see the redness that soon spread over her face making her appear as scarlet as a cherry. He looked up anxiously hoping she wasnt running away from him. He always used to have trouble with girls, they never seemed to stay around; but to his surprise Kagami was still there but her head was looking down. Min soon became concerned that maybe he has upset her in some way, he wasnt sure how he could have but didnt want to ignore the idea that she may be upset and just shrug off the incident. Are you okay..? Min asked anxiously.. Kagami looked up with her face still slightly red but most of it had faded away. Im.. great actually.. she smiled coyly trying to hide the fact that

her heart was racing. Well Im glad you are! He chuckled softly. Oh where are my manners.. Im Min! he gladly exclaimed. Im.. Kagami.. she softly spoke. Thats a very pretty name, Is it Japanese/? Yes I am... Japanese... she looked down, reliving the events of her father and how he treated the Korean who apparently didnt show enough respect towards him Well thats great! Ive never met a Japanese girl before! He was proud of the fact and honored frankly to have met such a beautiful Japanese girl for the first time. Kagami was baffled she expected him to be afraid of her, but he appeared to not show any fear only friendliness. How are you not afraid? she remarked Why should I be afraid? He asked kind of puzzled by this question Well.. my father,.. hes a samurai and we just came from Kyoto and your people seemed to be scared of us, it makes me a bit upset because I dont want others to be afraid of me. Is he tall? Mean looking? He is average height he was about 5,5 ft and has a scar doing across his face due to a battle at Sekighara Oh well thats not too bad! And as for you Kagami.. I could never be afraid of you.. youre much too cute for that. He announced fearlessly. Min then realized of what he just said and then later thinking he would regret it but soon found himself much pleased with the words he had just spoken. Kagami looked down as yet another blush came upon her face.

She thought to herself.. I dont think Ive ever blushed this once in such a short period of time I hope my face doesnt stay red like this forever. Then again.. Ive never been around anyone who made my heart race like when Im around him. Youre the first person to ever tell me that... She looked up with a slight tear in her eyes from so many emotions flooding her heart. Awww.. Jagiya. he quickly took his finger and wiped the tears that soon came dripping from her eyelashes. She was a bit shocked at how he touched her face. She questioned his motives. Min,, What does Jagiya mean? He didnt realize it but he had just all of a sudden reached out to touch her face. He didnt know much about Kagami and her background but he was already falling for her. Oh..? He drew back his hand putting it awkwardly at his side. It means Honey it is like a term you use for someone special to you.. Kagami felt like the luckiest girl because she had just gotten called Honey and its even in another language which was something she had never experienced. Kagami could feel her heart beating so fast that she thought maybe she was having a panic attack. She placed her hand over her heart to try to calm herself. She had never felt so alive in her life. The sun seemed to shine brighter and the air seemed to smell and appear cleaner. Min sensed that maybe Kagami was feeling the same way as him. He could suddenly feel his pulse in his ears and he could feel his palms dripping with sweat. He wiped his hands on his pants then swiftly

placed them inside his pocket unsure of what to do with said hands. Look Kagami I know it sounds crazy, but Id like to see you again.. if thats okay? He nervously bit his bottom lip hoping for a good answer. Kagami pondered her answer and after careful consideration she agreed to meet him at a nearby bridge that crossed the Nak Dong River.