Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 2

"Lord Ryoma?"

The sorrowful look on the nurse's face had my lungs failing.  "Sh-"

She shook her head.  "Resting, but... Lord Ryoma, this is no normal girl."

I heaved a sigh of relief.  "Why do you say that?"

Her brow furrowed.  "Her wounds... her scars... whoever this girl is, I have no clue how she is still breathing."

I searched her face.  "Scars?"

She nodded her expression grave.  "Someone has been trying to kill this girl... stab, arrow, burn, gun shot, and other wounds.  Looks like a dog bit her and the wound on her thigh is infected.  We will do all we can, but... she is on the brink of death, she should be dead.  This... is no normal girl."

My throat when dry.  "So many..." I tried to swallow.  "Can I..."

She was watching me closely, I didn't care, I needed her to live.  "Yes, just don't disturb her."

I nodded and went to go in, steeling for the worst.  "Send a messenger to Prince Youta and the emperor.  It should say...  'I found her.'"

She nodded.  "Yes, My Lord."

My knees almost buckled when I saw her, she looked fragile as she slept.  Little Tiger.... how did it come to this? I bit my lip as I drew closer, her breathing was labored now, some color had returned to her cheeks and lips.  Rather than a deathly blue, she was a pale white.

I sat on the side opposite the door and took her hand in mine.  Cold... but she is real and she is alive.  Better than the last two years at least.  Better than any year since you left us honestly.

Keiko or Sayomi as she is called in Shu apparently got in some type of accident when she was 5 and lost her memories.  It took us a full year to locate her and my emperor failed to bring back my betrothed because she was living happily.  To say I was pissed was an understatement, I refused to return to the palace for another full year after that until he relented a little and said we could see for ourselves.

In that year, I found out that their accident was no accident at all.  Someone had contracted a ninja clan to abduct the family and something went horribly wrong.  I already knew what that something was... Keiko.  Before their departure, she had agreed to marry me when she was of age and that she would always fight to return to me. 

That was the beauty of the girl in front of me... unlike most noble born or princesses she was a true fighter in spirit and skill.  Her sword dance was stunning and could cut down most at the mere age of four and took her first two lives that year to save herself and the prince.  She never questioned the decision and didn't bother herself with the action afterward.  Part of me knew that somewhere in that brilliant mind of hers... she enjoyed it.

So, Keiko would have been what went wrong.  She would have fought to the death to try to protect herself and her parents, but... she was 5.  I'm sure no man that was sent was prepared and probably thought they finally killed her and took flight.  Tears were falling unto our hands.  "But you fought... and you survived."

So, with the intent to bring her to home myself... I went.  A smile played at my lips at the memory.  My future wife had another amazing quirk... pranks and the inventions that brought them to life.  Once we entered the hall, I had my doubts until we began to get bombarded with confetti as we approached the thrones.  My heart soared... this was Keiko, she was the only one I knew capable of setting traps with no indication of where they were until it was too late.

I thought maybe, just maybe her memories had returned as I looked at what looked like twins between the Shu emperor and empress.  It gave me pause because though they clearly enjoyed her display, they were scolding her.  I already knew which was mine as well.  One girl looked at it all in awe happily speaking to her double while they watched with only a satisfied smirk on her lips.