Prophecy

1520; Kyoto, Japan

The noble family kept news of their pregnancy a secret from the general public. The idea of new possible heirs in the kingdom may spark controversy within the already weak government. The people were not hell-bent on the idea of keeping the country closed off from foreigners, and people were not thrilled that the government couldn't sustain it's people. So when news of baby twins, both girls, broke news from the emperor, the people felt elated that maybe one day the heirs to the throne would rise and change the country.

When Sumu and Shinu were born, their mother took their hands simultaneously and felt a chill run down her spine. Their mother was a smart woman who studied European Theology from the little material Japan had inquired about them. She was someone who prominently supported the opening of Japan's borders despite her husband being thoroughly against it. She was someone who was always hungry to learn more about the world that they lived in. After she touched Shinu's hand, she created a prophecy that has lived with the family since.

"This child will kill many. This child will slay thousands. This child will die just like the ones she has killed. I shall name you Shinu. Death"

She turned to the other child, small with a plump face now crying in the blue silk sheet she lies in.

"You my child shall bring life. You shall live and bring happiness and essence to the people around you. I shall name you Sumu. Life"

Only a week after the children were born, their mother hanged herself in the backyard. Signifying before she left.

"Never let Shinu touch anyone, or they will follow the fate destined for them."

No one ever knew what she meant by "fate destined for them" she passed before they could get an answer out of her. The Emperor, Kenjirou was now to take care of the children. Most of the time he left them to the maid while he went on with his government business, but as they grew up and as Shinu started to learn about her deadly talent, he started to care more about his kids. He put Shin Fujioka in charge of the country during his leave. The government during this time was under a lot of scrutiny. Shin Fujioka was Chairman and a trusted friend of Kanjirou, but not someone well-suited to support a nation. Eventually, Kanjorou came back from his leave, but the damage was done, and reports of people rebelling had begun.

"How bad is it?" Shin asks.

"Let's just say if we don't do something to quell the crowd, I'll be out of a job and probably a life," Kanjirou says while laughing over a drink.

"What do you think life is like after we die, Kanjirou?"

"Well, I have that on my mind a lot, ya-know, with Shinu being my daughter and her mother creating that prophecy... ; it makes my spine run cold." Kanjirou explains, "But despite her having the 'touch of death' people say." Kanjou says, using air quotes. "I believe she has a great heart, having had no bad intentions before."

"You dodged my question."

"I believe we get rebirthed into a new life."

"Rich thinking."

They both got a second round of drinks.

As Kinjirou makes it back to his castle, he disembarks his horses to a screen out in the backyard.

"WHA- WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!" The young maid screams as she runs past Kanjirou.

Kanjirou's eyes examine the scene in front of him in pure horror. His seven-year-old daughter, the one he just praised to his best friend and colleague, is out back with a katana sword in both of her hands, her pretty gloves, handmade by her sister, all bloody. Her clothes look like she works in a butcher shop. Her eyes are filled with hatred as if this is what their mother saw on the day she was born. Shinu is actively beheading the goats on the property. Taking the sword and after stabbing them, laying them down, and slicing them down the throat up to the neck and ripping the bones apart, violently creating a crackle and scream that Kanjirou will remember for the rest of his life.

"STOP!" Kanjirou proclaimed as he rushed over to stop his rampaging daughter. Getting caked in goat's blood, he asks, "Why, Why are you killing the goats?"

"Because they need to die. It's their time to die."

Once Kanjirou cleans up the mess Shinu has made, and once the maid is done cleaning up Shinu, he finds out that she was petting the goats without her gloves earlier in the day. Marking today as the turning point in the history of not just his daughter, but of the entire country.