I loved my brother so much that when the spark of life spilled out of his eyes I wept bitterly. I loved my parents so much that they could not help but recoil from my bright smile. A promising young scorpion daughter sent away from her family and away from her clan, all because of the threat of love.
The Clan Wars have ended, the Scorpion reinstated among the Great Clans, and hostages are exchanged to ensure peace. My mother was once a Crane, her brother accepted me under his charge and I was exiled to the lands of beauty and perfection. I learned among them, watching their lessons from behind my pale mask. The talent I promised in my youth became as clear and precise as my Iaijutsu technique. I walked the path of Bushido in the footsteps of the Kakita and once more would I come to love.
I loved him deeply, loved his face, his smile, the way he moved as we practiced our kata in the courtyard. I loved him fiercely. So much so that I could not, would not, allow any other to capture his attention. My blood burned at the thought of them together, or perhaps it was my heritage blazing with its curse and yet again I was punished for my love. He is gone now, though the painful memories remain. I have shed so many tears, all because of the pains of love.
I have vowed never to love again, I have payed far too much for it already. However, in its place is something else, something stronger than love. Now I hate. There is no room for anything else in my cold heart. Traveling to Otosan Uchi with my Lord and Uncle, I have finally found my place and the shadowy lords of my clan have brought me back into their service. They fear me no longer, because they know I do not love them. There is no threat to them in my hate and finally I am no longer lost.
I loved, once upon a time. I hate, now and forever.
