"Have you found Himawari-chan?" the middle-aged, yet fine man asked with his authoritative voice. He was talking to his eldest son, Ryūsaka Isasu—entitled as 'second clan master' in their family. The eldest son shook his head in disappointment, worried where his sister went somewhere again. The clan master sighed in disappointment as well, while his wife remained silent, but showed a face of weary.
"Where did that young lady ran off again?" the Clan master mumbled, looking on other direction while thinking of his daughter. Surely his girl could be quite mischief — no — utterly mischief! No matter how many guards he instructed to guard his daughter's room, once they enter the she would be found missing again. Even the guards on the window didn't notice the girl's outcome. Nor on the rooftop or other possible open doors for his daughter. Whatever would be the mystery of her sudden disappearance will remain mystery. The clan master's precious daughter, Ryūsaka Himawari, was the only female in their clan besides of their mother. She has exceptionally goddess-like visage and pale white complexion. Finest of all the finest as they say. She was even given a title of Finest Flower of the Sun Dragon*. But despite her look, she was full of mischief and pranks. She loves to mess up with anyone even with her brother. Unlike his brother who's polite and gentle, she's complete contrary in character and attitude.
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(Information: Dragon* coming from the family name 'Ryu' which means dragon. Also, the 'Flower' was from the lady's name, Himawari which mean 'Sun Flower'. The 'Sun' before the dragon perhaps, was also taken from the meaning of her name.
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The closest family remained problematic. Their father, mad at his daughter, her mother, worried sick about Himawari while the brother does both. Not too long, they heard a servant from the other side of the door spoke.
"Clan Lady Himawari!" after that, the shōji[1] slide open and there stands a fine lady, bowed down while holding a shakuhachi[2]. She soon rose, only to see her parents standing on their feet with a gloomy expression. As the girl saw this, she forced a smile on her face but silently gulps for she knew they were worried for her missing. She slowly entered the hall, and bowed down in front of her elders before she rose up. She didn't look at her father's eyes but she already knew he's glaring at her.
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(Information: 1.) Shōji* is wooden door with thin papers that serves as divider, door, or window in the Asian shrines (nowadays); 2.) Shakuhachi* is a Japanese longitudinal, end-blown bamboo-flute. It was originally introduced from China into Japan in the 7th century and underwent a resurgence in the early Edo period. The oldest shakuhachi in Japan is currently stored in Shōsō-in, Nara. .)
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Clan Master, "where have you been?"
Himawari, "I was just on the side of Amako, playing flute."
The clan master narrowed his eyes. "Don't play fool of me. That kind of practices isn't your taste. Tell me where have you been and what were you doing!" his voice may sound deep, but it sounds with authority. Himawari bowed her head with a sad face. She knew she angered her father. She held her shakuhachi tightly, as she finally decided to tell the truth.
"I was on the mountain forest, wondering around," she said half of the truth. Although it's not a full detail, Isasu already knew what his sister did earlier again.
'She must've dressed herself into a man and wondered around again,' Isasu thought and shook his head and sighed. His sister really is this mischeif. He didn't even understand why the shogun and the emperor entitled her such graceful name when it did not even suits her character.
Isasu knew his father would be more than mad whenever he knew Himawari goes outside without his nurse. Not wanting for his sister to be scolded, he opened his mouth to spoke before his father could yelled to his daughter.
Isasu, "father, let me be the one to scold Himawari-chan. Let's not scold her here in public for there are servants watching."
The clan master shut his mouth back knowing his eldest son was right. He suppressed himself from yelling and sighed and nodded. Isasu bowed as well as Himawari and left the hall with leaving the doors open. The servants slid the shōji back to close the divider.
The siblings went in the garden, walking while silence walled between them. The young lady knew her brother was mad as well for her actions. She kept her mouth shut while averting gaze from her dearest. Not long, Isasu broke the silence by starting a conversation.
Isasu, "did you went on hunting again?"
Himawari knew her brother knows everything about her actions—her plan, etc. From her head bowed down, she slightly raised her head to look at her brother but averted gaze again when she saw him glaring at her.
Isasu sighed at her sister'a actions. How can she act like a puppy after being so smug?
"Alright. If you tell me everything you've done, I'll forgive you. I might even help you cover from father," he said.
Himawari's eyes sparkled when she heard the 'plan of kindness' from her brother. She turned her head towards Isasu without hesitation, "really?!" she asked.
Isasu nodded.
The girl started talking about what were her activities earlier while she's gone. Instead of a person telling her faults with guilt, she spoke as if she enjoyed what she did earlier—which she really did.
She dressed herself in a guy's suit differently. She was the lad who chased after a pheasant and being greeted by beautiful ladies. Her elder brother hearing this couldn't help but to sigh. He can't imagine his sister acting so hyper like a loud uneducated male who doesn't know any manners. Isasu attentively listened to her young sister's story, as the girl behaves like a male who shares a story to his amigo.
Himawari, "and that's what happened. I even brought the bird with me," she ran towards the bushes not far from them and took something behind it. There showed her captured bird. "I was about to lie that I asked someone to capture the bird for me but since you knew, I guess it's fine to tell you," she added.
Isasu didn't know what to react. Her younger sister hunted when it's not even a season for hunting. Moreover, according to their etiquette for females, Himawari should just stay in her home, studying poets, medicine, and music. But instead, she sneaks outside and do ungirly things; hunting. Even Isasu himself wasn't allowed to hunt unless he's told to—or when it's necessary. With this, the elder son couldn't help but to shook his head once again and sighed.
Isasu, "after this, will you behave and act a lady?"
Himawari's smile disappeared when she heard her brother's request. She lowered her captured bird she was holding and cocked her head.
"Huh? Aren't they all boring?" she asked. "Besides, when I go outside no one knows that I am a girl so it's fine," she added.
Isasu, "but what if someone finds out?"
Himawari paused. She didn't think of that. She turn her sight to the sky and started to form some strategies about what she'll be doing when someone founds out she's a female. She snapped her fingers as a broad smile formed her lips and pointed her index finger to the sky. "Only the Shogun-s and the Emperor saw my face," she said. Her brother understand what she's trying to say.
Isasu couldn't help but to shook his head once more and facepalmed. His gaze turned back to his sister when he heard her called his name—which is impolite.
Himawari, "come on! Let's roast this pheasant!" she yelled out.