The Age of Innocence - Chapter II

CHAPTER II
Age of Innocence


Weeks passed, and the thoughts of Di-Li-Su were etched softly within the heart of Re-Go, it was as if an inevitable mystery of poetic beauty were sustained as he continued, almost as if the effort was casual, soft and smooth. He thought of her night and day and simply wondered where does such attraction, harmony and peace cohabitate within the realm of a world sometimes seemingly that can be full of imperfection. It almost appeared as if an injustice of sorts had found its way into his nine year old way of thinking. But she was there, with him, every moment, every breath.
Re-Go early on in his young life had made the decision in his heart to allow love to abide where she pleased. This may have become the origin of a heaven sent wisdom that he insisted clearly upon to guide him in all the simple or yet even complicated matters in his young life. He knew there was certainly a difference between good and evil, though was he completely and thoroughly aware of where evil began or what evil was? How does someone know that such a thing exists in such a beautiful land as his? Where would evil strike next he wondered at times? He knew of such things from the elders within his family, but until now had only really heard of such things. All Re-Go insisted upon, was not to think of such things but cast his concerns on the love in the hearts of all living creatures. After all, every living thing had kami, but for now, Re-Go would not think of such things. He would only have his good thoughts in his heart for Di-Li-Su.
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Don-A-Ru-Do had been known by many of the village children to possess an inherent wicked nature creating a negative emotional sense of unreliable character. His decisions seemed to be based on a selfish side of nature as some of the nearby children and elders stayed clear of his presence. He was rude though quite cunning in his approach to receiving, (or taking), whatever he desired, almost courageous in a manner of speaking, though his actions would seem to prove futile but at the expense of neighboring tribal communities and the people who lived there.

Don-A-Ru-Do was also nine seasons of age but had not the same type of courage as Re-Go. He lived with the peoples from a nearby village who also lived in the forest valley about half a day away on foot. Yet he extended his travels to neighboring tribal communities some say to harass the other children. His father was well known for his trade of hammering the iron for the neighboring warriors who demanded high quality swords for battle with local prefectures who were considered tribal enemies, usually peaceful clans that migrated from the mainland and resisted attempts by this village of Don-A-Ru-Do’s to supply them with most of their harvest of fish and rice. It was really the land they occupied that the neighboring warlords were interested with for their value of producing food supplies was great. This type of land was little in the region and thus became quite valuable by all.
Yet as in all earthly tribal communities value is held high with many things of earthly sustenance as well as creatures and life of beauty. Di-Li-Su’s beauty was rare, for she was not only adoring in appearance by the people, but embraced such beauty valued from within, and, her voice of heavenly beings were known to be precious by all earthly creatures as well. One day though, as she would grow and mature, she would be valued also by her husband, but, in Di-Li-Su’s culture, she was to be given away by her family in an age old agreement by her ancestors to a tribal warring clan that was now occupied by the inhabitants of the village of Don-A-Ru-Do.
Don-A-Ru-Do, would grow to a man of whom, would be that man…
Di-Li-Su had only to wait in order to know the new truths of life, that one day, and one man, and a series of life changing decisions, would alter her future for all of eternity. Was being a daughter of the sun-goddess Amaterasu enough to keep her safe from the malevolent life-style of Don-A-Ru-Do, or would her decision turn to love him honoring her family’s ancestral rites be the key to her happiness…or despair?
And where would Re-Go disappear to? Would his journey bring him back to his village to restore love, and peace to a community of family whose lives had been changed in such terrifying ways?
The answers are not even known by Amaterasu for it was not her place within the earth and sky to alter the events of what the inhabitants of this lush, beautiful land would decide in their hearts to do. No, no…this was not her decision, but someone, or something may be able to resurrect the peaceful lives all of civilization that this great century once embraced. Only time, a miracle, and perhaps someone…someone with the courage and knowledge and great wisdom of who could battle this great enemy of Nambokucho. The question still remains, whom, would this man be? And when…would he manifest himself?