Chapter 4

The familiar sound of her mother's shamisen woke her from her slumber as Tsurara opened her golden eyes. The door to the garden was opened and Setsura was leaning on the paper door, holding the instrument in her arms. The song her mother usually played for her when Tsurara was young filled her ears, and gave her the warm feelings of being home, of knowing there was someone who loved her.

Tsurara was lying on the futon she shared with her mother the night before. There were wet spots on the white mattress, where her Nữ hoàng băng giá tears had melted. She could not recall when did she cry as much...