Have You Ever Seen The Rain

Always industrious, Ikigai had been working diligently at her studies. All of them. She'd taken a particular liking to music, however. So far, Ikigai could play two instruments; the shamisen and the koto. The girl had a soft spot for the koto because of its dramatic, theatrical sound, but she knew that her father and grandmother liked the sound of the shamisen, so she learned that as well.

As she practiced and her skill improved, Ikigai began to form the idea of playing for her family. Eventually, she decided that when she did play, she would invite the whole of Ashen to listen if they wished. Days turned into months and the young princess decided that she was ready to play for an audience. She sent her cat and dog around Ashen, inviting the wolves of the pack to attend a concert on a certain date.

Along with the concert, Ikigai, who asked for nothing, asked her father to build her an Azumaya; an open sided pagoda or gazebo with bamboo slats that could be raised or lowered to shelter its occupants from the elements if necessary. With the help of Ashen's guard dogs, Ikigai transported her instruments to the Azumaya and prepared for the concert that she would hold today. Up above, the clouds were gray and rolling in at a leisurely pace. She could smell rain on the air, but she refused to let it dampen her spirits. The Azumaya would protect them from the rain and she would finally share her music with her people.

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