"Two yen! You lose, woman."

"Nani?!" Usagi's triumphant expression instantly fell. "I lost! Oh, this is terrible! How could I lose? I brought my charm!" After a few moments, the blond girl rolled up her light blue kimono sleeves, licking her parched lips. "All right, I'll have one more go. I won't fail again!"

The raven-haired woman beside her snorted and folded her arms over her chest. "I advise you to stop gambling before all your money is gone, baka!"

"Demo…" Usagi gazed longingly at the variety of weapons displayed on the wall before her. "I really wanted to buy another weapon, Rei… a bigger, better one then a simple bokken! A sword…" She shook her head stubbornly. "Iie, I'm not leaving without one."

The girl seated alongside her sighed heavily and wove a few strands of lengthy blond hair between her fingers. "Usagi-chan, a wooden stick is the only weapon for a lady. Swords will get you nowhere. Perhaps a dagger?"

"Iie, Minako!" Usagi replied sharply, fire now blazing within her cerulean eyes. "A dagger will never do! I shall wield a sword, if it's the last thing I do! Ha!"

"Usa…"

Beneath the folds of her kimono, Usagi swiftly revealed a small packet with a red seal. "This is it! I bet ten yen!" She slammed the envelope down back down on the small table. "Now, roll the dice!"

The old peddler behind the table cocked an inquisitive eyebrow, and then shook his head. "Lively young woman…" He threw down the twin dice.

Usagi watched the dice carefully, eyes squinted in deep concentration. She shifted nervously in her knelt position.

"Ten yen! You win."

Usagi jumped up, knocking over the small table in the process, and threw a fist in the air. "Sugoi! I did it!" She clasped her hands together smugly. "I won't be fighting with a mere bokken any more…" She giggled with blissful satisfaction.

"Usagi-chan, perhaps we should leave this marketplace soon… Consider our pledge to Wren, ne?"

Usagi flapped a carefree hand towards her blue-haired friend. "Ami, I'll be done in a few moments… I still have to claim my prize!" She scanned the walls, and then blinked in confusion. "Demo… I swore there was a sword up there merely a second ago…" Anxiously, she twisted her head around. "Iie! I must have it!"

She quickly caught sight of a smiling merchant to her left, the missing sword now resting in his outstretched hands. "Arigatou, Misuta, here is your reward of choice." Suddenly curious, Usagi altered her vision towards the young man who gratefully took it from him. She scowled angrily as he attached the long sword to his white hakama, and then bowed respectfully towards the merchant.

"Now just wait a second…" Usagi spat, staring wrathfully in the man's direction. "That was supposed to be mine!" She gritted her teeth together. "Just wait until I get my hands on that little…"

A nearby brunette promptly interrupted before the fuming blond could go any further. "Usagi, we can't keep the Emperor's child waiting any longer. We must go."

Usagi paused in thought. "Is this really more important then retrieving my sword? Can't the girl just wait?"

Makoto cocked an eyebrow and shook her head. "Wren is an impatient child. Besides, that man one the sword fairly. You shouldn't be so rash."

Usagi stuck out her tongue. "I despise him. How dare he take my prize!" She bobbed her head knowingly. "Depriving me of my own treasure! It sickens me!"

"We mustn't keep Lady Wren waiting. She expects us there very soon, and we cannot continue without you. So get moving, baka! The stupid sword can wait!"

Usagi gave Rei a pleading look, and when she received no sympathy from the impassive woman, huffed aloud. "Why am I needed in the first place?"

"Oh, Usagi… You're the only one here who can play the shakuhachi*, and you've got such a beautiful voice… But if you don't come, then Wren won't have a show, and I won't be able to sing." Minako's face saddened. "Onegai… Do it for us?"

Usagi softened immediately, and then frowned. "Demo… What about my sword?"

Makoto sighed heavily. "Usagi, we are simple wandering entertainers. We sing and play instruments for royalty… Nothing more. You are in no need of a weapon like that."

Minako nodded in agreement. "Hai, and a woman shouldn't have to carry a weapon. That is the job of a ronin… Or a samurai… It's very unladylike!"

Usagi rolled her eyes bitterly. "Minako, I've wished for a sword since childhood. I have been practicing with plain bokken for as long as I can remember… Along with my martial arts techniques, I'd be unstoppable with one!"

"We'll discuss matters afterward! We're going to be late!" With that, Rei hurriedly snatched up a clump of Usagi's kimono sleeve, and pulled her through the remaining crowds of the marketplace.

        "Rei, don't be so rough with me next time," Usagi whined, patting down her dusty kimono. "That really hurt, too…"

Rei shot her a warning glance as she stepped towards the entrance gateway. "None of your foolishness. You'll get us thrown out."

Makoto gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Rei's just doing her best to keep us all together. She doesn't want all of us in trouble. She wants everyone to be safe."

Nodding gloomily, Usagi made her way into the palace gates.

        Wren was a small child, being the only daughter of the emperor. She was quite small, around the ages of seven, with a sullen face and long, silken black hair. Her appearance was almost depressing.

As the five women entered the small chamber, her very own room, they then realized the dull life the girl lived. No toys of any sort could be seen, but a variety of shelves crammed with research papers. There appeared to be neither children nor animals she could have spent time with, and the only object of interest was a tiny china doll rested in her lap.

With one final glimpse of their surroundings, the five took their seats before the young princess, and bowed their heads in respect.

"I thought you wouldn't arrive." Her voice was calm, almost unemotional. She peered down at them with her blank gray eyes. "But you have arrived, as expected. I'm glad."

"My apologies for our delay, Mistress," Rei responded carefully. "We will extend our performance, if it pleases you."

A slight smile appeared on Wren's face and she appeared to be gradually relaxing. "It would indeed please me. Arigatou."

"As you wish…"

        "Itai, my fingers are sore from playing my koto* for so long!" Makoto flexed her fingers twice. "I can't believe that little girl loved it so much!"

Rei nodded tranquilly. "The emperor has requested another act. We are expected back tomorrow."

Usagi was the only one out of the five to have a sorrowful expression. She sulked behind the excitedly chattering group, head hung lowly.

Ami was the first to notice the depressed blond. Her happy expression quickly altered into concern. "Usagi, I'm sorry you didn't get your sword. I am aware of just how much you craved one."

Usagi gave a weak smile and lifted her head up. "No worries, Ami. I'm going to find that man and get my sword back."

Ami blinked. "Usagi, you can't just hunt him down. It's not that simple… And you could end up getting injured. Rei would be ferocious."

"Rei isn't going to stop me this time," Usagi replied firmly. "I'll dual that man with a bokken if I have to, but that sword is mine."

"Demo…" Ami grimaced. "How will you ever find him? You don't even know his name… Not even what he looks like! He could be any man in that marketplace…"

Usagi shook her head stubbornly. "I remember distinctly the features of that sword. The blade was shining silver, with identical dragon carvings imprinted on either side. The scabbard was exactly the same. I really must find it."

"I don't see the importance of that particular sword," Makoto broke in, who had been eavesdropping. "There are tons in the marketplaces…"

Again, Usagi disagreed. "That blade was special somehow. The aurora I felt… The presence… It was made for me."

Rei stopped in her tracks and abruptly turned on her heel to face Usagi. "I don't care how special that piece of metal is, your not going to make us late again. Decide fast. Are you going off to find your precious sword, or are you coming with us?"

Usagi hung her head, ashamed. She kicked herself mentally for acting selfish in front of her companions, but in her heart she already knew she would end up regretting not attempting to retrieve the sword. Ever since she was a small child had she wanted one of her very own, but then again, her friends were very important to her…

Should Usagi:

Go after the mysterious man

Or

Attend the concert with her friends?

VOTE NOW!

Author's comments: Well, I hope you like the idea so far. Usagi and ancient times won the votes, but there will be others added! Please be patient for the next chapter! Arigatou!