Under Sakura Shadow

By Sakkavy Jarone

     

    "Under Sakura Shadow" is a riveting tale of revenge, friendship, and secrets set in feudal Japan. Ayame, a skilled geisha and dancer, seeks vengeance against the shogun who wronged her family. With the help of her loyal friend Takeshi, a ninja, Ayame devises a plan to infiltrate the shogun's palace and get close to him during a grand event.

As Ayame's plan unfolds, she uses her dancing skills, particularly her famous "Butterfly Dance," to gain the shogun's trust and access to his inner circle. However, as she gets closer to her goal, Ayame uncovers a shocking secret: she is not the only child of the shogun. She discovers that she has a half-sister, Kaguya, who was kept hidden from her and the world.

As Ayame grapples with this revelation, she must navigate a web of political intrigue, betrayal, and danger. She faces challenges from the emperor, who has his own motives, and encounters fire ninjas who are determined to thwart her plans. Along the way, Ayame finds unexpected allies in the form of a predictor, who helps her unravel the truth about her family's past.

Amidst the twists and turns of the story, the bond between Ayame and Takeshi deepens, and their friendship is put to the test. Ayame's quest for revenge becomes more complex as she grapples with conflicting emotions, loyalty, and her duty to her family.

"The Butterfly Geisha" is a captivating tale that weaves together elements of Japanese history, culture, and folklore. It is a story of resilience, determination, and the power of friendship, as Ayame seeks justice and discovers the true meaning of family. Readers will be swept away by the rich descriptions, intricate plot twists, and the compelling characters that bring this story to life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sakkavy Jarone
• Release date: Apr 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215977781

Book preview

The forbidden scroll

In the ancient age of Japan, amidst the backdrop of samurai warriors, imperial courts, and hidden intrigues, a thrilling mystery unfolds in The Forbidden Scroll. Kaito, a skilled and enigmatic ronin detective, is called upon by the Shogun to investigate a murder that shakes the capital city of Kyoto to its core.

At Kaito's side is Haruka, a brilliant linguist and researcher with a passion for unraveling ancient texts. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind the murder and the mysterious scroll found at the crime scene, despite facing numerous obstacles, including powerful clans, secret societies, and dark conspiracies.

As Kaito and Haruka delve deeper into the case, they unravel clues that lead them on a treacherous path, uncovering long-held secrets and unmasking hidden motives. Their investigation takes them across the majestic landscapes of ancient Japan, from the bustling streets of Kyoto to the serene temples of Nara, and ultimately to the heart of a conspiracy that threatens to disrupt the stability of the realm.

With their complementary skills, Kaito's sharp deductive reasoning and exceptional swordsmanship, and Haruka's linguistic prowess and research expertise, the duo becomes an unstoppable force in their pursuit of justice. But as they inch closer to the truth, they realize that the forbidden scroll holds secrets that could alter the course of history, and they must race against time to safeguard the knowledge within.

Kaito and Haruka had known each other since childhood. They had grown up in the same village on the outskirts of Kyoto and had been inseparable ever since. Kaito, with his impressive swordsmanship and quick wit, had always been protective of Haruka, who was known for her sharp intellect and curiosity about ancient languages.

As they grew older, Kaito became a renowned ronin detective, known for his keen sense of justice and determination to solve even the most complex cases. Haruka, on the other hand, had pursued her passion for linguistics and had become a respected scholar, specializing in deciphering ancient scrolls and texts.

One day, as they were sitting in their favorite tea house, sipping on freshly brewed matcha, Kaito sensed that something was troubling Haruka.

Kaito: Haruka, you seem preoccupied. Is something bothering you?

Haruka looked up from her scroll, her brow furrowed with concern.

Haruka: Kaito, I've come across a mention of a rare and mysterious scroll in one of my research texts. It's said to hold immense power, but its whereabouts and contents are shrouded in secrecy.

Kaito leaned in, his interest piqued.

Kaito: Tell me more. What do you know about this scroll?

Haruka: Not much, unfortunately. The information is scarce, and the language used to describe it is ancient and obscure. But it's said to be hidden somewhere in Kyoto, and whoever possesses it is said to gain unimaginable power.

Kaito frowned, his detective instincts kicking in.

Kaito: This sounds dangerous. We should investigate further and find out more about this Forbidden Scroll. It could be a threat to our city and its people.

Haruka nodded, knowing that Kaito was right. They both shared a sense of duty to protect their beloved Kyoto from any potential harm.

Little did they know that their investigation into the Forbidden Scroll would soon become intertwined with a murder case, setting them on a path of intrigue, danger, and mystery that would test their skills, courage, and friendship to the limits. The stage was set for a thrilling and mysterious adventure in ancient Japan, and Kaito and Haruka were ready to embark on this new journey together.

Chapter 1: Murder in Kyoto

The sun had just set over the imperial city of Kyoto, casting a shadow over the sprawling temples and palaces. Kaito, a seasoned ronin detective, strode through the lantern-lit streets, his keen eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. He had been summoned by the Shogun himself to investigate the murder of a renowned samurai, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

As Kaito approached the crime scene, he saw Haruka, a young and brilliant linguist, already at work, meticulously examining the body of the fallen samurai. Her dark eyes were focused, and her fingers traced the bloodstains on the victim's kimono.

Kaito: Haruka, what have you found?

Haruka: "Kaito, it appears that the samurai was killed by a single, swift blow to the heart with a sharp blade.

The murder weapon is nowhere to be found."

Kaito nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He examined the surroundings, noting the absence of any witnesses or signs of struggle.

Kaito: Hmm, this seems like a calculated murder. The killer must have been highly skilled.

Haruka: Indeed, and look at this. Haruka pointed to a small scroll clenched tightly in the samurai's hand. He was clutching this when he died.

Kaito carefully retrieved the scroll, noticing its ancient and mysterious script.

Kaito: This is written in a language I've never seen before. We need to find out what it says.

Haruka: I'll take it back to my study and start deciphering it immediately.

Kaito: Good. Meanwhile, I'll question the witnesses and search for any leads.

With their roles defined, Kaito and Haruka set off on their respective tasks, determined to uncover the truth behind the murder. Kaito interrogated the servants and guards who were present at the scene, while Haruka retreated to her study to decipher the scroll.

After hours of intense questioning and analyzing the crime scene, Kaito returned to Haruka's study to find her deeply absorbed in her research, surrounded by scrolls and ancient texts.

Kaito: Haruka, any progress?

Haruka: Yes, Kaito. It was a challenging task, but I managed to decipher some of the text on the scroll.

She handed Kaito a translated excerpt, which read: Beware the Forbidden Scroll, for it holds the key to power beyond imagination.

Kaito's curiosity was piqued, and he realized that the scroll held the key to solving the murder mystery.

Kaito: We need to find out more about this Forbidden Scroll. It seems to be the motive behind the murder.

Haruka: Agreed. But it won't be easy. The language used in the scroll is ancient and obscure, and its origins are unknown.

Kaito: We'll need to dig deeper and uncover any clues that might lead us to the truth. I won't rest until we find the answers we're looking for.

With renewed determination, Kaito and Haruka joined forces, using their combined skills and expertise to unravel the mystery of the Forbidden Scroll and bring the murderer to justice. Little did they know that their investigation would uncover dark secrets and set them on a path filled with danger, deception, and betrayal, as they embarked on a journey that would change the course of history in ancient Japan.

Chapter 2: Unraveling Clues

Kaito and Haruka had been tirelessly investigating the murder case and the mystery of the Forbidden Scroll for days. They had interviewed various suspects, combed through clues, and scoured the ancient texts in Haruka's possession, hoping to uncover the truth.

One morning, as they were sitting in Kaito's small office, poring over the evidence they had gathered, Haruka's eyes lit up with excitement.

Haruka: Kaito, I believe I've made a breakthrough! I've managed to decipher a fragment of an ancient text that could hold a clue about the Forbidden Scroll.

Kaito looked at her with anticipation, his detective instincts kicking in.

Kaito: Tell me more, Haruka. What did you find?

Haruka: According to this text, the Forbidden Scroll is said to grant its possessor immense power, including the ability to control the elements and manipulate time itself. But it also warns of dire consequences for those who seek to use it for selfish purposes.

Kaito nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Kaito: So, it's not just a matter of finding the scroll, but also preventing it from falling into the wrong hands. We need to act fast.

Haruka: Yes, and I think I may have identified a possible suspect. One of the clans in Kyoto has a long-standing rivalry with another clan, and there have been rumors of their interest in acquiring the Forbidden Scroll.

Kaito: Let's pay them a visit then. We need to gather more information and see if they have any connection to the murder case.

Kaito and Haruka made their way to the grand estate of the suspected clan, where they were met with guarded looks and stern faces. The clan leader, a formidable man named Nobuhiro, welcomed them with a measured politeness.

Nobuhiro: What brings you to our humble abode, Kaito, Haruka? I hope this visit is not for idle chit-chat.

Kaito: We are here to investigate the murder case that occurred recently in Kyoto and the mystery of the Forbidden Scroll. We have reason to believe that your clan might have some information related to it.

Nobuhiro's expression turned guarded, and he exchanged a glance with his advisors.

Nobuhiro: We have nothing to do with the murder, nor do we possess any knowledge of the Forbidden Scroll. These are baseless accusations.

Haruka, ever the linguistics expert, spoke up.

Haruka: I have evidence that suggests otherwise. This ancient text fragment I deciphered mentions the involvement of a clan with a long-standing rivalry with another clan. And the description fits your clan.

Nobuhiro's eyes narrowed, but he remained composed.

Nobuhiro: That's a mere coincidence. We have no interest in ancient scrolls or murder.

Kaito, sensing that he was hitting a dead end, decided to change his approach.

Kaito: