When we arrived back at our home estate I was excited to finally be able to head out on my own but my mom didn’t share my enthusiasm.  My enthusiasm seemed to make my mother furious. She made me sit on my bed when we got home so she could “explain” how Hattori viewed us but it felt more like a lecture.


    “Look Shaokun” My mom said, putting a hand on my shoulder. I hated when she called me that shortened version of my name to be cute.


    “The Hattori and their retainers have been looking for a way to attack our position for a while.” She kept lecturing. I looked down not really wanting to meet her eyes as I started to feel embarrassed about my enthusiasm. “You need to make sure you are careful.” My mom put her hand on my chin, raising my head so I was forced to look at her. “I am not sure what they may try and do but we can’t rule out that they might try and hurt you or worse. I want you to stay near Master Banji the whole time. Do I make myself clear?”


    “Yes mommy” I said reactively, wishing I didn’t respond is such a childless way but I said it without even thinking. With that my mother let me rest. There was much prep that had to be done.


    A few days later the day to disembark had arrived. I still did not feel comfortable with all the protocols and I needed to remember. The warnings my mom gave about the other clans, Master Banji was confident I was ready but I still didn’t fully remember everything he claims to have taught me. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    The caravan is made of big wooden wagons pulled by ushi, and the wagons are packed with crates, barrels, and bags of food and other things to sell. I approached one of the ushi and looked at them in awe.


    Ushi are huge! They are like giants that walk on all fours. They got super long, fuzzy hair all over their brown bodies, like a big, woolly blanket. They have big, pointy sharp horns that look like they could poke through anything! They are so tall it almost feels like they could poke the sky. Their horns are super big and curve out like a giant swirl on each side of its head, almost like it could poke the sky! When they walk, the hooves go thud, thud, and it sounds like a drum. The one I was staring at lookin at me with his large eyes with varying shades of amber. I jumped a little nervous to have it focusing on me.


    I felt a hand on my shoulder looking back. I looked up to see Master Banji smile down at me. “Are you ready?” He said, I nodded back in response. All of our supplies were in the waggons so there was no need for us to have bags.


    “Listen to Master Banji and st-” My mom tried to say by I cut her off.


    “Stay by his side I know!” I whined back. My mom hugged me tight causing me to blush. I could see another smirk from Banji out of the corner of my eye and scowled at him. I wasn’t a little kitten anymore, I was finally doing something for my clan!


    My mom eventually let me go and we set up. Master Banji, a few of Mao Clan’s retainers and a similar party from every other clan. Looking around there were many different hair colorings. I was hit with a pang of annoyance realizing again everyone has a tail but me. But that didn’t matter right now. I finally had a chance to interact with others and make allies. From the looks of it everyone was in the teens as far as the Nine Clans. Most likely 3rd or 4th sons. They all had something to prove just like me.