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Makiko's mother was a reknowned Geisha-- beautiful and elegant, and gifted in dance and song. Her companionship was coveted by many men (and some women), and in time she became prestigious enough to be very selective. But one night a handsome stranger with glowing eyes swept her of her feet. He spent one glorious night with her to disappear and never be seen again.
A month later Makiko's mother was stunned to realize she was pregnant, as she always took precautions against such things. Her surprise turned to horror when a daughter was born with the glowing eyes of her father and long thin golden feathers instead of hair.
Told that the child was a gift from celestial beings, Makiko's mother did her best to raise the strange girl. She tried to teach her dance and samisen and the perfect tea ceremony. But while graceful enough, Makiko had no patience for her mother's lessons. She would always run into the woods; climbing trees and chasing squirrels, and utterly ruining her clothes. She would spend hours in the treetops daydreaming and seemingly talking to birds. Makiko's one useful skill seemed to be her ability to keep the stew pot full, as she could unerringly strike down any creature she aimed at.
When Makiko turned 12, her mother began long days trying to find a suitable match for the girl. She was attractive enough, but constantly fidgeted or stared distractedly out the window. Finally there was a potential match with a boy from a house of fading nobility that needed an influx of money. With the promise of a large dowry a deal was almost made. And then Makiko wandered home with another torn kimono and a string of plump rabbits she'd caught.
That was the final straw! Realizing the girl was never going to be even a mediocre geisha, and was utterly unmarriagable, Makiko's mother decided at last to drop her at the Twilight Monastery. If Makiko was a celestial gift, then the temple could figure out what to do with her.
Makiko was devasted that she had so completely disappointed her beautiful mother. She tried to straighten up and be good, and keep her simple robes tied straight, and never ever let her black wig slip to reveal her feathered hair. But the stilted behavior was so unnatural to her that she became more reclusive than ever.
If not for Master Shinmei observing her one day, on his return from his travels, Makiko might have disappeared inside herself altogether. He watched quietly as she jumped easily from tree to tree, and whistled with the birds, and unerringly struck berries with pebbles to knock them into her hands. After he'd seen enough of the girl's abilities he commanded her to come with him, and dragged the terrified girl to be tested by the Master of Arms.
At first Master Ryuji protested. Imagine asking this of someone of his station? He was meant to train noble samurai, not the unwanted get of whores. But Master Shinmei insisted. And indeed Makiko showed herself to have remarkable agility and strength and stamina. And once she was tested on the bow, it was clear she was a natural.
Master Shinmei rearranged Makiko's duties. She no longer had to make tea, mend clothes, and do endless laundry (as they had thought the only skills a geisha's daughter might have) and Makiko was given time to train everyday. Since the monastery was so small that everyone who dwelled there had to be of use; Makiko's practice became hunting wild game to bring in for meals.
Finally Makiko was allowed to thrive. She was able to quickly and painlessly bring down any game she trained her bow at, except for the feathered ones to which she sang sweet parting songs to warn them away.
Makiko's inward-turned gaze finally radiated outward brightly. At last she found what she was meant to do. And as she grew in skill and confidence, she became curious as to what might lie beyond the Temple's walls.
