Author: Nick Scipio
Title: Ikebana
Universe: Flash
Summary: Feudal Japan, arranged marriages, and flower arranging.
Keywords: MF, flash
Revision: 1.0
Web Site: http://www.nickscipio.com/
FTP Site: ftp://ftp.nickscipio.com/
Discussion Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Scipio_Forum/

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                       STANDARD DISCLAIMER

This piece of fiction is intended as ADULT entertainment. It 
contains material of an adult, explicit, SEXUAL nature. If you 
are offended by sexually explicit content or language, please DO 
NOT read any further.

All characters in this story are fictitious; any similarity to 
any persons, places, individuals or situations is purely 
coincidental. The author does not necessarily condone or endorse 
any of the activities described in this story.

This story may not be reproduced in any form for profit without 
the written permission of the author, Nick Scipio 
(nick_scipio@yahoo.com). This story may be freely distributed 
with this disclaimer attached.

Copyright (c) 2003-2005 Nick Scipio. All rights reserved.

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Ikebana
by Nick Scipio
(299 words)

My dearest cousin,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I miss you very much 
and pray that the spirits of our ancestors watch over you.

My hand trembles, however, as I grip my brush and it hovers above 
the inkstone, for I do not know where to begin. So much has 
happened since I wrote you last.

As you know, my father secured my marriage to the great nobleman, 
Takashi Nobunaga, and I was sent to the capital at Edo. My 
wedding kimono was beautiful--red silk with embroidered irises, 
because of my name. The _obi_ was so ornate that it took three 
servants to tie. Oh, Cousin! Never have my eyes feasted upon such 
magnificence.

That night, Nobunaga-sama came to me, and I quivered with 
anticipation. He was not unkind, but he was more used to drill 
with his beloved soldiers. I hope I was pleasing to him, for I 
wish to be a good wife. But to my sorrow, he departed on 
maneuvers with his cavalry the week after our marriage.

It was then that I began spending time with my new sister, Kikako. 
And you can imagine my surprise when she informed me that it was 
_she_ who urged Nobunaga to choose me for his bride.

Where Nobunaga is taciturn, Kikako is bright and joyful like her 
namesake, the sunflower. We spend all our waking hours together, 
writing _haiku_ or walking under the wisteria arbors.

She is even teaching me the art of _ikebana_, flower arranging. 
We use sunflowers, which are cheerful and bold, but the elegant 
iris is her favorite. The two complement each other, she says.

This evening, we plan a walk in the garden, and I find myself 
quivering with anticipation.

Oh, Cousin, I am so happy here.

_Sou-sou,_
Ayame-chan

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Copyright (c) 2003-2005 Nick Scipio. All rights reserved.