When she was a child, she often would have trouble falling asleep. The servants and nannies would often be at a loss as to what to do. They did not wish to displease their master, the ruler of their lands. But the child often would simply be awake, far later than she should be. One of the servants, Tomio, would go against the wishes of the other servants and seek out the lord of the house. The servants thought the lord could not be bothered, that is the whole reason for them to be employed in the grand ruling house. But Tomio knew what was best for the little girl.
And so often as it was, the lord of the lands would come from his late night meetings with his council to find out why his daughter was still awake. She should be asleep, he would tell the servants. It's not healthy for her to be awake so late in the night. He would scold the servants and nannies, but it never went further than that. He knew his daughter could be a handful, and a willful child. Tomio, while accompanying the lord to his daughter's quarters, would often say "She is of your blood, master. She is strong of spirit, and only one of equal spirit has a chance to quell her." The master of the lands appreciated Tomio's attempts at levity, to make it seem like the servant were doing their best.
Now the lord of the lands, enters his daughter's room alone. She is sitting out on her balcony. The child is no older than 10, but far older than most her age. "Little child, why are you not asleep? Have your nannies upset you? Have your servants failed you?" He would join her on that balcony, and sit next to her. When he found her like this, she would be staring up at the moon. She would say nothing, she would just stare. The father, Hizashi, would in turn stare at the child.
"Tell me again, father." Silently he would stare at her, and then speak in a tone so soft as to not disturb the
hotaru (fireflies) fluttering in the garden outside of her room. "Tell you what, little child?" He knows what she will say, but he likes to hear her say it.
"About the moon, about mama…" Silently he would stare at her, and then he begins the little tale.
"Your mama was the most beautiful woman in all of Japan. Her name was Sana. We were betrothed, she and I. I think we finally met when I was just a bit older than you. She was of the greatest beauty, of both body and spirit. We did love one another, though it was not always easy." He smiles a little, and as if on cue the child leans over to rest against his larger form. His hand comes up, as he always does, and gently caresses her long dark hair. "She, like you, was blessed under the moon. Even before you were born, she loved you as she had never loved another. She loved me, she was loyal to me, but with you, it was more. She even feared for you, growing up in such dangerous times. I assured her I would protect both of you." Now the child closes her eyes. "She was the calm I needed, so often. When my anger was roused, simply looking into her eyes brought back rationality to my thoughts. And yes, looking at you in the moonlight reminds me so much of Sana. You are your mother's daughter, you are as beautiful as she. You are as giving and compassionate as she. You have the same gentle, loving spirit as she." He pauses, and he then looks to the moon. "She was fascinated by the moon… she would often say you would be the returning spirit of Kaguya-hime. Her own little princess of the moon. So strong was her will to keep you safe from harm, she left us after your birth to live upon the moon itself. So she could always watch over you. Even your name, it acts as a beacon to the moon. The name Sana gave you, it means 'Tender Moon.'" the child smiles a little, and then she is silent for a few minutes.
"I am ready for sleep now, father." "Then come, little child. I shall put you to bed, and I will leave the partition open. Sana wishes to watch over your sleep. She will keep you safe, Yuzuki."
The Royal Family exits the carriage, their steps slow and deliberate. The Queen, the Princess, move with such grace. Almost an unearthly grace really. Clad in black robes, they both move with the King. The Princess trails behind the Queen just a little, her head bowed down under her veiled cloak. And as the King addresses the crowd, the Princess gazes out into that crowd. So many people… so many love the King, this family. They have been a boon onto these lands. But that, by any measure, means they are safe here.
In fact… she is rather counting on it.
The King's speech gets to the part concerning barbarians.. a word she didn't really know until she heard it while the King practiced his speech in front of her the night prior. But something is… off… the Princess, from where she stands, has a very good view of the crowd. Most are focused solely on the King's words, as well they should be. But a few seem to be ignoring the speech. They stand out to her. Most everyone gathered has their full attention upon their King, upon his words. Save for a man in the crowd, moving through it. And a few more that enter the plaza.
Something is wrong. She feels it in her bones. It is an instinct which has served her so many times in life. And now.. in this odd afterlife. The Princess jumps as the explosions go off, and she gasps loudly. More ghost weapons… explosives! Chaos ensues, and the royal family huddle closer to one another, the Queen staring towards the Princess. The Princess seems almost dazed, staring down into the crowd. Loyal Korlen is the first to reach them, and he starts to pull the King away. Good Korlen! Get him to safety! But as soon as that thought manifests… Korlen is down. The Princess glances down as Korlen falls from the balcony, and she knows she can't help him. No, she has another task.
You see… this 'Princess'… had been found wandering in a forest. Lead by a fairy on a puppy. Yeah, that's a thing that happened. The King happened upon her, and at that moment she was in his service. She had been assigned a very important task.
Stand with us, protect us.
Just as Dean grabs onto Korlen's sword… the Princess is in motion. The King and Queen haven't even realized yet that they are in mortal danger. The tip of the blade Dean holds slices through the air, intent on ending this King's reign. Were it not for an incidental meeting in the forest, Dean would succeed. But as it stands…
From under the Princess' cloak there is a flash of light, and the sound of metal clacking loudly against metal. The Princess seems to just… suddenly be between Dean and the King. Dean's blade is deflected off of her own blade, his blade driven upwards and away from the King. Ya know, instead of through his heart. Dean stares in disbelief. No one is faster than he in this world.
No one.
Which, technically is true. But if you have good reflexes, and a sense of danger coming, then you can counter speed. You just have to start moving earlier.
Dean's eyes snap towards the veiled figure as the cloak falls away, her long brown hair falling about her shoulders. This… is not the Princess he thought it would be. Yuzuki holds her sword up, keeping his sword locked. Her own blade, it almost seems to give off a gentle glow for a moment in the sunlight. Her free hand snaps forward, and she jabs him right in the throat. He coughs, he gags as he stumbles back. She steps back as he drops the sword, stepping closer to the King and Queen. She holds her new sword in both hands, glaring towards the crowd. As if daring someone else to step up and try to harm the royal. The Queen whispers as more guards head for the balcony, all of the leery of the new bodyguard and her 'Bastard Blade' (as the guards have come to call her sword). "Thank you, Yuzuki." Not looking towards the Queen, she just nods as she stays close to them.
"Yorokonde."
Yuzuki now looks in the direction of Dean as she frowns, relaxing her stance a little. She holds the samurai sword in her right hand, her breathing slow and calmed. The white gown/robes she wears sway gently against the winds as she stands at guard, her long brown hair (tied into a loose ponytail with a white ribbon) sways in rhythm.