Shuriken of Honor: The Kami Prophecy, #4

By A.C. Ward

She's the most powerful kami's target...

 

Separated from Masaru, Shou is ready to face her past. Discovering the truth about her heritage confuses and intrigues her. In seeking out her shinobi lineage, Shou's enemies unite against her.  Suddenly, she's in a perilous battle with her father, the shinobi, and even the queen of the kami.

 

But when the king shields her, Shou finally understands exactly what the kami has been seeking all along. Faced with all that she once desired, Shou instead wants to fight against the gods. But will choosing the kami be the only way to protect the one she loves?

 

The fourth book in The Kami Prophecy, a YA series based on some historical fact and full of action, mythical creatures, and romance, all set in a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.C. Ward
• Release date: Jun 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201164324

A.C. Ward

A.C. Ward is a little worried that her internet search history is on some sort of watch list. For her writing she has researched demonic rituals, exorcism, and lethal stab wounds. Her next work in process is only making it worse. A.C, lives with her husband, daughter, and various pets – dog, cat, gecko, fish, and tarantula. When she’s not writing she’s watching Netflix or rereading her favorite manga. She’d love to hear from her fans. You can contact her at [e-mail].

Book preview

Author Dedication

This one is for Paul. I held out for book four because without your urging and nagging I would have never written a longer series. I appreciate you always being devil’s advocate and pushing me out of my comfort zone. And for always, always supporting me. I swear, I’m working on that strategy. You believe me, right?  ~Your Annoying Little Sis

The Kami Prophecy

After light is cast on the dragon-marked heirs of the kami

Seek the island’s blessing during a single decade night

Accept the dark passage through the shades

Approach the slithering descent of the caverns

Confront the lady among that which she tends

Discern through the dual eyes internal

Stray within the shadowy spring beneath

Earned with each successful trial passing

To rise from the ashes and into a jeweled tier hereafter.

Chapter 1

Shou gazed into the water where she had nearly drowned. It was the only courtyard throughout the Sanada castle with a pond, and the sandy bottom was not very deep. Just deep enough for her lips to not reach the surface as the kami Queen held her down.

I know you’re waiting, Shou said to the surface. No ripple skewed her reflection, no hint at the otherworldly being. Come for me. Let’s end things.

Silence surrounded her. The Queen did not come. She never did. Gods were too busy to respond to mere humans. In the distance, the Sanada soldiers could be heard at their practice. Yosuke, an heir of the clan, had them hard at work. He’d been nagging her more often lately to join them. The physical toil did help, but it was difficult to ignore how many moons had passed since she had left the Date clan.

Come now. You don’t really want to face her again.

Shou recognized the voice and felt the familiar presence even as his scent of oak and cloves reached her. Geki was a shinobi and sometimes managed to sneak up on her. Not as often as he would like.

Her hand brushed the feather tied to her waist, and she missed Makoto, the only friend she had had growing up on the island, though the tengu would never call them friends. She was beginning to let herself believe he wasn’t her only friend any longer.

I remember that queen. Geki gave a mock shudder as he leaned against the wooden railing. My rule is to never save someone without getting paid, and you still owe me for last time.

I haven’t forgotten. Shou turned her back on the pond to cross to him. She sat on the stairs beside his leg. Silence fell between them. She’d become used to the shinobi in the time she’d spent with the Sanada clan. He came and went as he pleased.

You’re brooding again.

I’m not, she said, but it wasn’t true. Each day additional weight pressed on her. The Sanada castle was more open than the one she’d been in before, but for someone who’d barely had any shelter on an island full of kami, it was still lacking. And even with all the courtyards, she preferred the other home she had briefly known.

Geki smirked before raising his hands above his head to stretch, his kimono sleeves falling down his wrists. I snuck up on you. You know what that means.

No, you didn’t. Her gaze brushed over the metal strapped to his forearm. She stood and reached for his arm.

He let her capture it, a soft, Be careful, darling, slipping from his lips.

Her finger froze before touching the strangely shaped star. When she lifted her gaze to his, she stilled even further at the eyes fixed on her. His were a light gray, but they darkened in rare moments, reminding her of someone else from a time before.

His smile returned, and it was as if the dark expression never existed. "Shuriken can be sharp."

Are they a weapon of some sort? She released her hold on him, but he didn’t shake his sleeve to cover them.

More a distraction, but they can do a bit of damage. Would you like me to show you? Geki asked.

No fair, I was going to request her time, Yosuke called out. His strides were long and forceful, bringing him down the corridor faster than one of his size should move. The Sanada heir had developed his muscles honestly, with steady weapons training. After her time within the castle, she could now swing the sword given to her with one hand, though she preferred the control of two.

You need me, Yosuke? she asked. The directness of her gaze brought a flush to his cheeks that she’d become all too familiar with.

You’re red again, Geki said with a chuckle.

Shut up, Geki, Yosuke muttered as he looked away from her. He cleared his throat. I hadn’t seen you yet today, Shou. Didn’t expect to find you here. He frowned at the small pond beyond. I thought we agreed you wouldn’t come here anymore.

I’m sorry, Shou said. She was likely to worry him in the future. She glanced down at the silver snake bangle on her wrist. It hadn’t hurt the snake kami. She remembered when she had asked Yuki to pretend to be the queen. It had been a test to her nerves, but ended with him skewered on the Sanada heir’s spear. Illusions were Yuki’s specialty; that one had simply disappeared, but he also hadn’t agreed to repeat the incident.

Come on, I know just what you need. Yosuke reached for her hand but froze in the act. His hand clenched, and he let it drop to his side without touching her even as his cheeks flamed further. His eyes darted around. Physical stuff will get your mind off things. It always does for me.

Oh, little lord, Geki said, shaking his head. Do you realize how that sounds?

Th-that’s not what I meant at all! Yosuke snapped, his eyes flying to the ninja.

Shou looked at each of them, her brow furrowing. Often the two of them seemed to have their own language. Their friendship was an unusual pairing. I don’t understand. It sounds fine. We practice with swords all the time. She looked up at Yosuke. Unless you wanted to try something else?

I don’t! Yosuke shouted.

Geki smirked at him. Inside voice, little lord. He tapped Shou’s nose with a finger before she realized his intention. We’ll practice that something else a bit later then, shall we?

Yosuke’s mouth fell open. Geki!

The shinobi had already pulled his typical disappearing act.

Don’t forget, Shou is under Sanada protection! he called after him, turning his gaze a few different directions, unsure where the shinobi had gone. He whirled to Shou, leaning in to grab her shoulders. You don’t have to do anything with him, you know that?

She patted one of his large hands where it held her. But I want to.

He looked away. W-well... I don’t think...

She watched him swallow, concerned by his anxious expression. Is something wrong with him teaching me about his shuriken?

Oh! Yosuke’s eyes closed as he took a deep breath. No, no, that’s fine. He started down the corridor. I’ll get the swords. His steps halted, and he looked to the water. You’re coming, right?

Shou ran to catch up.

All Yosuke required to focus was a weapon in his hand. It wasn’t long before sparring took all of her concentration. When they had first begun working together, she’d been caught off guard by his training technique. Yosuke held none of his strength back. He felt it would be a disservice. She had found out first hand on the island how difficult it was to face a larger opponent. Her matches with Yosuke prepared her should it happen again.

Her teacher before, Katashi, had been holding back more than she’d realized. He’d been difficult to understand, always ten steps ahead of everyone else. Yosuke was much more reactive, but that made his finesse with a weapon even more natural.

She’d learned to avoid most of his thrusts, using speed and his own strength against him. Their bouts had become more of a dance for her, trying to predict what would come next.

The other soldiers stopped their own training to watch the matches. Cheers were not one-sided, though all of the Sanada clan had a soft spot for the youngest heir. The first time they had sparred, she’d been unable to concentrate with all the voices. She doubted she’d ever become used to the noise of a castle after ten years with no one but an often-absent tengu. During the fights, she’d forced herself to adapt, not ignoring but concentrating only on what was closest.

Yosuke’s foot shifted the smallest bit. It allowed her to lunge forward, too close for the swing of his blade to reach her. The vines around her wrist, ever waiting, latched around his foot, and she yanked. Her foot slipped forward on the dirt, and she went down with him, landing on his chest with a thump. She shifted her sword to hover across his neck.

Yield! Shou cried with a triumphant smile. Her chest heaved as she struggled to draw in a deep breath instead of panting. She expected him to be proud, as he always was when she performed well.

Instead, his eyes darted away from her face and scarlet colored not only his cheeks, but his ears and down his neck as well. I yield, he said, clearing his throat from the choked-out words. Can you g-get off?

Sure. Shou scrambled to her feet. As the adrenaline wore off, the laughter of the crowd penetrated her consciousness. She frowned at the soldiers, not liking that they would laugh at Yosuke.

The closest soldier pointed down at Yosuke. Look at his cheeks. Ripe apples!

Yosuke sat up, staring at the dirt. All right, everyone, as you were. Unless you all want to carry bags of rice as training again.

Dissent scattered through the men as the crowd broke and they returned to their duties.

Shou held a hand out to Yosuke, but he didn’t see it.

Did I do something wrong? she asked, trying to peer into his face.

N-no. It’s nothing. He slid the sleeve of his kimono across his sweaty face, streaking the dirt that clung to him.

Then why won’t you look at me? Enough kami had ignored her during her time on the island for her to recognize when she was being avoided.

His eyes finally lifted, though the stain didn’t fade from his cheeks. I just forget sometimes, that’s all. That you’re a... He waved his hand at her as if that explained it.

Shou’s brow drew together, puzzled. A what?

So this is where you two have been hiding, Lord Nobusuke said from the corridor.

Shou bowed to the older Sanada heir as was proper. Lord Nobusuke had taken over her etiquette training from where Katashi left off. She still had a long way to go. Good day, my lord.

It is a fine one at that. He looked up at the sky as if seeing it for the first time. That may have been the case as he was the true heir and therefore took care of the day-to-day running of the clan, as Lord Masaru did with the Date.

Shou felt a twinge at the thought of the man she hadn’t seen in so long.

Did my brother not pass along my instructions to you? Lord Nobusuke asked.

She turned to Yosuke, who ran a hand through his hair, knocking off more dust. Sorry, I forgot, Nobu.

It looks like you took the opportunity to impart different training than what I had in mind today. The older heir’s eyes danced as he shifted them to her. And do I hear correctly? You bested poor Yosuke?

She looked at the man in question, feeling unsure from all the reactions whether she could lay claim to the win.

Shou has become very skilled, Yosuke said. It’s a good thing, with the enemies she has.

It may still be too soon to call them that. Nobusuke’s gaze became thoughtful. We mere humans cannot understand the purpose behind the kami’s actions.

As wise as she found the true Sanada heir, Shou disagreed. It had been very clear what the queen’s purpose was.

Besides, if the prophecy is true, as it seems to be, Shou herself has a path before her as heir to the kami. That is what I was hoping to discuss with you.

Did you find the book that you told me about? Shou asked, her heart lifting at the thought.

Lord Nobusuke smiled at her. It was delivered today. The book is in my receiving rooms.

I’ll come at once. Shou took the steps needed to hop onto the wooden boards of the corridor.

Very well. Lord Nobusuke held a hand out for her to precede him. He looked over his shoulder. Besides, this will allow my poor brother to recover from his excitement.

Yosuke groaned at his brother’s chuckle and flopped onto his back in the dirt.

Chapter 2

Masaru pulled his katana free from the fallen soldier as he turned to the next. Cries rang out around him, both from his own men and the other army. Or armies, really. His scouts had failed to inform him of the second clan lying in wait. Likely on purpose, as he didn’t doubt his mother had a hand in the ambush. Perhaps she had even helped to form the new alliance between the Shiba and Fuijiwara clans. If only she would use the same maneuvers to unite the Date clan instead of continuing to splinter them apart.

Blood splattered near Masaru’s good eye with his next kill, and he swiped at the streak with his fingers.

A rider bore down on him. Luckily it was one of his own and not the enemy taking advantage of the lapse.

My lord, I have news from the north! the soldier cried out. His eyes widened in fear as he stared at Masaru.

It was all the warning he needed to turn and plunge his sword into yet another opponent.

From a few feet away, Lord Ogden grunted in acknowledgement. Keep your wits about you, my lord. The enemy is numerous today. The older retainer didn’t keep his eye on Masaru for long, cutting down as many soldiers as he could with a bellow.

Masaru lifted his katana to parry a blade, two more strikes following before he could dispatch the man. Speak your news quickly, he told the waiting scout as he scanned for more, barely finding time to pull in a breath.

It’s Lord Katashi. His army has been surrounded.

Masaru put more force behind his next lunge, his blade sinking deep as he battled a sense of panic. There shouldn’t be enough opposing forces to surround them. His katana wouldn’t withdraw from the dying man, so Masaru used his hands to catch the next enemy’s weapon, snatching it from the man in order to follow through with a returning thrust.

It seems the Hojo sent more reinforcements, my lord. The scout hung his head at the admission.

Masaru swung the confiscated blade at the soldier behind