Juu - Home

“Why Rokuro? Why would you throw everything away?” a young Umitama asked. On her knees, grasping at mud. “I’m sorry, but orders are orders. You aren’t an exception from that.” Rokuro said. His auburn hair spiky, and matted, and his blue eyes, bringing Umitama peace. He stood over her, wielding a golden Katana, against her neck. “My love?” Umitama said, questioning if everything had been a lie. All while the moonlight bathed them.

Umitama woke up in Okinawa. She got up from her bed, and clambered around her room getting dressed, putting on a Ryusou reaching her ankles, it was red and orange, with a Shisa on it. She wrapped it around her and left her room, walking past a hearth, to the door, and slipping on her shoes. She opened the door and walked out into Okinawa. The city was covered in old Nuchijaa houses, with red roofs. The year was 1608. “Good morning Aji.” a man said to Umitama. She gave the man a smile, and walked by.

Umitama reached the castle, and entered it. She walked past a room, overhearing people talking. She recognized a voice, and waited outside the room. “The Nihon continue their bickering, Shō Nei, they’ve already taken the Northlands, and tried conquering Joseon, Ucinaa is not safe.” a man said, warning the king. “I am not submitting to their will. I sent no supplies to Hideyoshi, I will not do the same for this Ieyasu, nor will I fall in line for them. Remember your place Aragaki.” Shō Nei said. Aragaki, Black hair, straightened, and short, with green eyes. He stood up, and left the room. He looked at Umitama, while towering over her, and walked away. Umitama followed him. “Father, did he not listen?” Umitama asked. “No, he never does.” The two of them walked down the hall. “Father, will we be alright?” Umitama asked. “I hope.” Aragaki said.

The castle changed, it was on fire being assaulted. “I knew this would happen.” Aragaki said. He and Umitama watched from a distance in the streets of Uchinaa. “Let’s go quickly.” Aragaki said, grabbing Umitama’s hand, and pulling her. They reached the city's docks. “Where are we going?” Umitama asked. “Away, preferably Myakuu.” Aragaki said, putting Umitama in the boat. “So we are going to leave uncle?” Umitama asked. “We have to, I’m not letting you die from his stupidity.” Aragaki said, pushing the boat into water, and getting on it.

Aragaki rowed off in the night, however he didn’t reach his destination. He landed on an island. An empty, isolated island. Aragaki grabbed Umitama, and carried her onto the island. “It was a small island, there were no animals on the island, only trees, shrubs, and grasses. Aragaki saw a banana on a tree, he grabbed it, and opened it, “What is that?” Umitama asked. “Eat it.” Aragaki said.

Umitama waited at the beach, watching the stars. She saw in the distance a boat. It got closer, and docked. She stood up, and walked to it, noticing a wood, and shills, stuff to make a house, and a few people she hadn't met before, a couple with a baby. “You brought others here, to our island?” Umitama asked. Aragaki got out of the boat. “Yeah, I’m not a carpenter, I needed one to build a house. They are here to join us, don’t worry they are Ryukyuan, not Nihon.” Aragaki said. “I didn’t worry about that.” Umitama said.

Months passed, and a small village was formed, her father brought several others from the Kingdom to live peacefully. About 20 lived on the island. “Umi, would you like to return?” Aragaki asked. “Return?” Umitama asked. “Back to our old home, for a small while. I’m hoping to find a blacksmith, or a disgraced Pechin.” Aragaki said. “Why would we need those?” Umitama asked. “In case the Nihon tries to come onto our island. Which by the way, you still get to name, but hurry up with it, I'm tired of calling it the island.” Aragaki said.

The two reached Okinawa. Aragaki walked around, holding Umitama close. “I can reach the house easily. You can find your people, and we can get out of here faster.” Umitama said. “I don't trust this place, especially since Nihon started coming, and calling it home.” Aragaki said. “Dad, I’m old enough, and smart enough. I’m fifteen, I can handle avoiding Nihon.” Umitama said. “Fine, but hurry up please. Be at the docks before I am.” Aragaki said, before kissing Umitama’s head, and letting go of her.

Umitama walked around Okinawa. She noticed a Bushi, someone who looked a bit older than her. Auburn hair, and blue eyes. He was hanging with a few other Bushi, they wielded, he wielded a Katana, the others wielded Yari. She watched them from a far, as they walked around the street. She stalked after them. Following them to a small Izakaya, they entered, and she got close to the door, about to enter but a man was tossed through a Shoji door, and landed on the ground. The man was older, and fat. Umitama knew him, not personally but heard tales of him. “Do you punks mind to stay out of my street. I’ll make you rich.” the man said, standing up, he spoke Nihongo. “Do you recognize who this is? The son of Tadatsune, Shimazu Rokuro. He is richer than you’ll ever hope to be.” a man with Yari said. “Don’t oversell me.” Rokuro said. “Sir-.” the Yari man said. “So the Daimyo’s son wants war with the Kinjo Clan. Don’t mess with me boy, I’ll send your head back to your father.” the old man, Kinjo said in Uchinaaguchi.

“Pretty big talk for a man who lost to a fish. You may act scary, but the tale of you losing your knife to a Gurukun rings across the island.” Umitama said. “You little-.” Kingo pulled out a knife, and swung at Umitama. Rokuro drew his Katana, parried Kingo’s attack, and disarmed him. “You are pretty skilled, Nihon.” Umitama said. “I know.” Rokuro said, speaking perfect Uchinaaguchi, surprising Umitama. “I didn’t expect a Nihon to speak my language.” Umitama said. “Well I needed to learn it. It makes it easier to work with politics if you speak the language of the people you are working politics with.” Rokuro said. “Politics? What do you Nihon plan to do with the island now that you have it?” Umitama asked. “That’s not important.” Rokuro said. “We have a different meaning of the word important.” Umitama said. “I guess we do.” Rokuro said. “Sir, I’d love for you to finish your conversation, but we don’t have a lot of time.” the man holding a Yari said. “Then go, both of you, I’ll return as soon as possible.” Rokuro said. The Bushi left Rokuro, returning to the castle. “So that seemed important.” Umitama said. “Everything is fine. So ms, care to walk around. You can show me the best places in the city, that is if you want.” Rokuro said. “I can’t, I shouldn't, but I guess it should be fine, for a bit. My name is Umitama.” she said.

Umitama walked north, Rokuro following after. “So where are we going? You aren’t taking me somewhere to be executed?” Rokuro joked. “No. You can’t decide what's best for the people if you don’t know the people.” Umitama said. “What does that mean?” Rokuro asked. “Just follow.” Umitama said. Umitama led him to a forest next to a lake. “So a forest?” Rokuro asked. Umitama said nothing and walked into the forest, following a nearly hidden path deeper within, reaching a cave. The cave was being watched by two women. “These are Noro, they protect, and make sure our Utaki is safe.” Umitama said to Rokuro. “That right boy, we are important.” A Noro said, hyper, and loud. “These are the Chatan Siblings.” Umitama said. “So what do we do?” Rokuro asked. “Follow after us.” the second Chatan sibling said, walking into the Utaki, she was calmer. “Yes Nihon, after us.” the first Chatan sibling said. “Just get on with it Kamadu, be more like Majiru.” Umitama said. “Yes Aji.” Kamadu said, following her sister into the Utaki. “Bow, Clap thrice, and bow again.” Majiru said, getting into a line between Umitama and Kamadu. Majiru, Kamadu, and Umitama did it in sync. Rokuro walked next to Kamadu, then bowed, clapped three times and bowed again. “Thank you Utin, Jiichi, and Ryuuguu. I pray to Amamikyu, and Shinerikyu, to thank you for our lands. I ask that you continue to bless the people, so we can live within your grace.” Umitama said.

After praying they left the forest. They stood around. “That was nice.” Rokuro said. “I know.” Umitama said. “So onto another place?” Rokuro asked. “No, we go our separate ways now. It was nice meeting you, thank you for being respectful to the Utaki.” Umitama said. “Yeah, goodbye Ms Umitama, I look forward to our next meeting.” Rokuro said. “I doubt we will meet again.” Umitama said, before walking away.

A while passed, and Umitama was on the boat, with a few new people, as her father rowed away. Umitama looked back at the island. “You didn’t listen.” Agakari said. “I’m sorry I was late, I wanted to pray at the Utaki before I left.” Umitama said. “What one did you pray to?” Agakari asked. “Chatan’s.” Umitama said quietly. “Umi, they aren't real Noro, and that isn’t a real Utaki. I’ve told you this.” Agakari said. “I know.” Umi said. They returned to the island, and continued to build it up. The village was thriving, and they even started building a castle.