Shoukei
Thirteen for thirty years while her father was King of Hou, her name was Sonshou but she was called Shoukei. She lived like a spoiled brat in the palace because her father would never let her out into the kingdom.
When her father was overthrown by Gekkei, her mother and Hourin (kirin) were killed before her eyes. She was then removed from the registry of immortals and forced to live out her life in a rike in Gekkei’s Kei province. Three years later, she looked nothing like the over-dressed princess and felt even more bitter. She blamed everyone else for her misfortune and never once tried to understand anyone else’s perspective. She considered Gekkei a usurper who wanted nothing but the throne and was unjust in his taking it. She couldn’t understand why anyone would praise him for his actions, especially since she believed he was living lavishly in a palace while she was forced to suffer.
When her identity was revealed to those living in the rike, they attempted to kill her. Only the old matron had enough self-restraint to run to Gekkei’s palace and have someone sent to remove Shoukei in order to save her life. Gekkei then exiled Shoukei to the kingdom of Kyou where she was allowed to stay in the royal palace on the condition that she work as a servant. She would not be made into a Sen-nin, though, because the queen thought she had too much pride. Shoukei agreed to stay but she hated it. Working as a servant meant she had to bow. So she stole treasures and escaped to Ryuu. She heard there that a person could get land and citizenship without a pass if they came from Tai. Thinking this would be a great way for her to get close to Youko, she decided she’d go to Tai and then to Kei.
Before this plan could come to fruition, she was arrested and spent a night in jail with Rakushun. He slowly came to gain her trust and show how spoiled and self-indulgent she had been throughout her life. By the time Shoukei reached Kei, she was a better person. She wanted to get to Youko not to hurt her, but to tell her what would happen if she lost her way. She unknowingly met Youko in the Wa Province when she threw a rock at a soldier during a public execution. From there she met up with the rebel group who want to overthrow Gahou, the evil lord of the province. While on assignment to pick up touki weapons, she stayed with Suzu. The two of them share information about the rebellions. Shoukei assured Suzu that Youko was a good person and would have done all she could to help Seishuu. Now completely reformed, Shoukei had learned to empathize with other people. She was appointed courtier by Youko. She sent a letter to Gekkei apologizing for her behavior and hoping that he would take the throne until the new ruler was chosen.
