Prologue

196 B.C.E. Heijo-kyo (Nara), Japan

Long ago, a young girl was born in Japan to the Samurai class. She was the only daughter and child of Hōjō Ujimasa, a highborn in the Samurai class and the head guard of the emperor. Ujimasa loved his daughter very much and taught her the ways of the Samurai, starting from when she could walk.

The girl's mother was a beautiful Roman woman. The only woman that Ujimasa had ever loved. Her name was Sabrina. She had beautiful long, brown hair; dark, brown eyes; and tan, Italian skin.

The two were never married but were very much in love. After their daughter was born, however, Sabrina's father forced her back to Rome to marry her off to some rich, patrician man.

Growing up, the town's shinshoku (religious leaders; leaders of the religion Shinto. "Shinshoku" literally translates to "God's Employee") always told her, "When you reach your lowest point, your greatest change and ally will appear." She was always unsure of what that meant, but everybody around her always seemed to know. But maybe they didn't. She would never find out.

On her hip rested a beautiful, silver and gold katana. On the blade just above the hilt, read her name in Japanese and Latin underneath it: ローズ 氏政; Rosa Ujimasa. Meaning Rose in English. Her father always wanted two things out of her. To be able to defend herself. And know her mother.

He taught her how to fight, how to read and write- Japanese and Latin, how to hunt, garden, and bargain. He taught her about money and math. How to make and fix armor and weapons. And how to show men not to underestimate her just because she was a woman.

The armor he had made for her was similar to that of a Samurai's, but lighter and more womanly fitting. Some of the town's men and women laughed at her for "trying to do a man's job". Some thought her just plain stupid. And others admired her. To be quite frank, she could care less about what people thought about her, as she was happy with herself.

At the age of 14, a common and womanly age in the old world, her father sent her to Rome to find her mother. Growing up, her father always said to her, "It's hard to be a woman in a man's world. But don't let that stop you."

Before she got on the boat to head for Rome, Hōjō put his hand on Rose's shoulder and said the same words he told her every day, hugged her and told her to be safe.