The vision

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My breath was coming very fast as I ran through the Aokigahara ( white forest) . My chest kept getting tighter and tighter as I ran . I heard the Yamauba (Mountain Ogress) as she ran after me , with every passing minute I continuously heard her mouth open and close , her teeth crunching hard on each other as if she could already taste me in her mouth . My legs were getting extremely heavy and I felt sweat falling down my face in continuous drops as I felt myself start to slow . No! You have to keep running ! If you die now who will be there for Hideki ?! I then opened my eyes and stopped abruptly, right in front of me was a dead end with a long rickety bridge going all the way across . I heard the pounding of the Yamauba's heavy feet as she grew closer . Falling to my inevitable death is better than being eaten alive right? I slowly started to descend across the rickety bridge , a strong wind blowed making the bridge sway as I walked across it . With every step I took , I felt splinters start to go into my bare feet , the pain slightly slowing me down . The bridge then started to shake quite violently . As I turned my head slightly I saw Yamauba descend onto the bridge , the bridge creaking in agony of carrying 2 people at the same time . I started to move faster across the bridge , not looking down at what would await me if I slowed down even a little . As I took another step my foot stepped on a rotten board and my leg fell through . I looked up frantically at the monster that slowly grew closer , like she knew I could not go anywhere so she was toying with me . I pulled and pulled at my stuck leg but all I was doing was making it worse . I closed my eyes knowing that I would just frighten myself more if I kept looking . I then felt Yamaubas breath right on me and a tear slowly crept down my face . Had I finally given up? I then felt a gush of wind blow my hair and I heard a sword being unsheathed and then there was silence . I slowly opened my eyes and looked up . Standing over me was a man with white , shimmering hair and bright red eyes . His skin was so fair that I think if I touched it it would feel like baby's skin . The most peculiar part was what was on top of his head and behind him . He had white fox ears with slight red tips and he had a white tail behind him . Nine of them to be exact. I stared up at him in shock , why would he save a human like me? He kneeled down in-front of me and brushed a lock of hair out of my face . " What is a pretty girl like you doing in Aokigahara ?" He had blood slightly splattered on his cheek and on his clothes . I reached out and wiped his cheek , wiping the blood off and wiping it on my kimono. He then whispered something so quietly that I quite didn't catch it . "My goddess ..." And then I blacked out .

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I bolted up in bed my eyes wide and my breathing fast . I clutched my chest near my heart and closed my eyes trying to control my rapid breathing . Who was that man? And why did he call me that? I shook my head shaking away the thoughts in my head as I wiped my face feeling the sweat on my forehead . I then heard my door slam open and someone grab my arm violently . I looked up and see my sister and my fathers mistress isn't too far behind her . I groaned in annoyance at her and shoved her off me . " remove your hands from my arm . I don't wanna get dirty ." I stood up and made my bed and brushed off my kimono . "Let me at least change first . I sighed as I pushed them out and closed my door heading to grab my clothes that were nicely folded onto a chair in the corner of my room thanks to my Maid Sun Yuri .

I pulled it on and opened the door to see that my fathers mistress and my sister are still standing there waiting on me

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I pulled it on and opened the door to see that my fathers mistress and my sister are still standing there waiting on me . I sighed and I fixed my hair as I closed the door . "What is it?" I said impatiently . My sister scoffed at me and turned her head . "Father wants to see you. I would have no idea why though . Your just a ugly little girl whose the middle child . Who would ever want someone who looks and dresses like you?" Kai Yun Souyee (fathers mistress) snickered behind her . "True my daughter . For who could ever love a girl with no mother ." I rolled my eyes at them both and pushed them out the way as I started walking across to fathers side of the temple . As I came to his doors and sighed and took a deep breath . Keep your mouth closed and don't anger father . I remember mother's words well as they ring through my head . I then push the doors open quietly as I can and close them behind me . "Yuki.." I cringe slightly when I hear his voice . I turn around and bow my head not dare making eye contact . "Come child. No need for formalities ." I stand up and open my eyes looking at my father . He is wearing his general uniform . That's odd. We have no wars and he hasn't been summoned that I know of . "You called for me father?" He gives me a smirk . "Yes my child ." He reaches into his shirt and pulls out a white crisp letter with the matchmakers seal on it .

My eyes go wide as I stare at the letter

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My eyes go wide as I stare at the letter . "Father you must be mistaken .... the matchmaker?" He scoffs and folds his arms . "Yes the matchmaker. Are you deaf?" He throws the letter at my feet and tilts his head away from me . I open the letter and start to read the crisp cursive .

"Dear Kai Yuki,
I, the matchmaker, summon you to the capitol . I will send a carriage in 3 days time . Please be prepared .

The matchmaker 🌺

I fold the letter slowly and tuck it into my kimono . Souyee and Chizuru (sister) burst through the doors unannounced . My father glares at them and they get on the floor bowing knowing they have crossed a line . "So my child?" My father says to me questioning . I sigh and look up to him crossing my hands across my lap . "She is summoning me to the capitol . She is sending a carriage for me in 3 days time . I must go get prepared ." I bow my head and wit for his signal . He closes his eyes and nods his head . "Very well . You may leave ." I bow and then head out the door leaving Souyee and Chizuru to father .

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Once I return to my room I close the door and sigh . What is happening ? Why me ? And why the matchmaker? I then hear a knock at the door I open it slightly seeing Yin Seyori ( Yuri best friend) and Sun Yuri ( Yuki hand maiden ) at my door . "So? What happened ? Did he scorn you? Did he put his hands on you? I swear if he hurt you by the mountain god I will kill him ." I giggled at my best friend . "Ha ha no Seyori nothing of that nonsense . He gave me a letter . From the matchmaker ." Seyori and Yuri eyes went wide . "The matchmaker ? As in the woman who chooses matches ?" I rolled my eyes at her . " No the Kuchisake-onna (slit-mouthed woman) ." I said sarcastically . Seyori pouts and slaps my arm slightly . "That's not funny Yuki . You'll curse us if you say nonsense like that. " I giggled as I sat down on a pillow . " she is sending for me in 3 days time . Yuri you will be accompanying me ." Yuri nodded somberly and bowed leaving the room . "Where is she summoning you to?" I sighed and looked at Seyori. "The capitol ." She gasped as she sat down next to me . "Why there ?" Slowly I started to wonder myself . What would happen once I got there ? I sighed . "I don't know ..."

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