The Sword Maidens of Morpheus

"Look in the mirror and tell me what you see." Momoko asked.
"I see a foolish girl who wants what she cannot have."
"Look again daughter, pretend the image in the mirror is a stranger and that you are seeing her for the first time."
Akemi tried to do as her mother asked as the image in the mirror stared back at her. She saw something of her mother in her reflection and began to compare her image to that of her mother who stood beside her. She was a little taller than her mother, her breasts, while perhaps not fully developed, where definitely there. Her skin was smooth and without blemish, just as her mother's was. Her hair and her mother's were as two pieces cut from the same cloth, silky, long and beautiful. She smiled and saw the same perfect white teeth that resided in Momoko's mouth.
"What do you see now Akemi?" Akemi looked back at her mother and did not answer. "You are too modest to say it yourself, so I will tell you what I see. I see a strikingly beautiful young woman, perhaps not fully mature in body, but nearly so. In mind, you are as mature as any of the sword maidens. You have worked hard since you were a toddler and in the art of the sword, you have no equal, at least not that I know of. As far as I'm concerned, you are an adult and capable of making your own decisions. If you wish to go with the other sword maidens on their mission, then I think you should do so."
"Father would never allow it."
"Your father is not here, his making the rounds, he'll be gone for at least three weeks."
Akemi looked again at the young woman in the mirror. "He'll be furious with me."
"Yes, and with me as well, but that is his problem, not ours. He loves us, he'll forgive us soon enough."
Akemi turned around and gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you mother." Akemi ran to tell Gertrude the news.

It was midnight in the woods outside of Sato's castle. A figure lit only by the light of the little moon and a flickering candle beckoned forth another, together they advanced toward another pair who waited in a small clearing with candles of their own.
"Who do you bring to us sister?"
"I bring one who wishes to join the sisterhood."
"Step forward supplicant."
The supplicant did as the other bid.
"Show us your sword supplicant."
A sword was drawn from its sheath and presented to the three figures.
"Do you know the rules supplicant?"
"Rule # 1: Sword maidens always stick together, no matter what.
"Rule # 2: Has been forgotten by the elders of the order.
"Rule # 3: Sword maidens don't keep secrets from each other."
"Do you swear to adhere to these rules?" Chandi asked.
"Even rule # 2?" Akemi asked.
Josie giggled and said, "Especially rule # 2."
Akemi shrugged and said, "I so swear."
Gertrude hugged her and said, "Welcome to the order of the Sword Maidens of Morpheus, sister. Tomorrow we'll take you to Missy's and get you outfitted like the rest of us."

Two days later the unicorn, who hadn't been seen since Josie was a little girl, showed up and chose Akemi for her rider. Momoko watched them ride away with much trepidation, she wondered if she had made a mistake letting her daughter leave.