Today is my wedding day, but it's to a man I don't love. I don't know what to do. I could run away but my family would be put to shame. Before I can finish doing my hair Talib, my brother comes rushes in. "Michi I have a plan, but we must hurry. I have my horse Chang ready, and I can help to make sure no one sees." Talib says as he hands me a bag. "This is all you will need to take. And here is a map, follow the red trail, it will take you to the Ōmi province in Japan." He says and as he shows me the map. "Japan?! Talib, we are in China, why do I have to go that far?" I yell at him. "It is for your safety." He says before putting the map in my bag. I nod along and slip on my flats. I hug him and give him a kiss on the cheek. "I love you Talib, I promise to be safe." I say before grabbing my stuff and running out the door. I hear people yelling as I jump on Chang and start riding off. It quickly becomes night, and I stop to rest. I lead Chang to a lake and set my stuff down near a tree. I sigh and pull my hair into a bun and take off my shoes. I finish stripping and get into the lake to bathe and wash all my makeup off.
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After I'm done washing I get out and dry off. I put my dress back on and bring Chang back to the tree. I tie his reins to the tree and put a blanket over his back. He lays down and I prop myself up against a tree. I am about to fall asleep when I hear rustling. I grab my Jian and and start looking around. I hear something scamper away and then I lay back down.
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I fall asleep but am awoken to the bright sunlight. I squint my eyes and look around. Chang is still sleeping so I nudge him awake. He gets up and I start packing up our stuff. Once I'm done packing I get on Chang and ride off. I pass many villages and finally arrive at Shanghai. I find a place in the woods and set up camp. I lay down looking at the stars thinking about Talib. What is he doing right now, is he okay? I sigh and close my eyes falling asleep. When I wake up I go and buy a boat ticket to take me to Tsu. It leaves tonight so I decide to wonder around a bit. I look at shops and see 2 beautiful hanfus. I enter the store and look for them in my size. I find them and walk up to the register.
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After buying them I kill time for the rest of the day. I head to the dock when it is about time the boat will leave. I hand the captain my ticket, and a guy takes Chang leading him to the place with pets. I head to my assigned room and set all my stuff down. I go back up to the deck and walk to the front. I lean on the railing and look up at the sky. Well this is it, I'm heading to Japan.
