Hayato Arakida : 

 Life in Japan 

Born in 1982 in the city of Kitakyushu, in the Kokura Prefecture, Kyushu Japan. Hayato is second youngest of five siblings. He lived in Japan until 2003 when he and his parents and younger sister emigrated to the States. His father Hino Arakida was sent to head up the new science lab for an aeronautics research facility partnering with the Kyushu Institute of Technology. Although expected to follow in his father and oldest brother's foot steps, he preferred studies focusing on environmental concerns and entered the Fukuoka University Institute for Recycling and Environmental Control Systems. He credits his mother for his choice. In the 1960's Hayoto's mother,Atsuko, marched in protest of pollution with other housewives in Sanroku-cho ward. This was the birth of environmental protests in Japan. In 1992, Kitakyushu was one of twelve world cities given a Local Government Honors Award at the United Nations Earth Summit to honor its environmental programs. He is proud his mother was a part of that beginning. One of his favorite memories growing up in Kitakyushu was the arrival of a large film crew that came to shoot a film about the friendship between a pug dog and a tabby cat. It was called Koneko Monogatari, and some footage was filmed in his grandfather's field. He was allowed to pet and hold a pug puppy for the first time behind scenes and immediately loved the breed. Later after moving to the U.S. he rented the DVD in English. He keeps "The Adventures of Milo and Otis" to share with his own child in the future.

 Hayato And Sharra: A Romance

       Hayato met Sharra at a local rally to protest the planned demolition of a local wildlife hotspot. A large retail chain had been trying to push through permits under the radar and all heck broke loose when they were discovered. The two Eco friendly youth found they shared a love of quiet green places, animals and vegetarian foods. Hayato is very shy and reserved so although Sharra gave him her number he didn't call her. When she called him he was glad but his shyness strangled any creative response he hoped to give to her questions. When they hung up he was sure he came across like a jerk and regretted buying a phone. He decided he needed practice talking to girls and bought himself a little black pug puppy he named Maiko (dancing child) for her quick little tap dance she did in greeting.

      A quick emergency trip to the vets late one night brought he and Shara together again. Sharra was working as the vets assistant and met him at the office. As they waited for Dr. Brenner to arrive he was struck again by her compassion and calm, comforting manner. Maiko had swallowed one or more of his mother's blood pressure pills she'd fished out of her purse. For the next few hours Sharra and the doctor worked to save his precious puppy. When Sharra gave him her number again in case there were any more concerns, he decided he would ask her on a date. A week later Hayato worked up the nerve to call and asked Sharra to a movie. It was an easier first date with only a little time to converse. Eight days later he called again and asked if she would like to go to Area 51, a local space themed rock climbing/sports center. Climbing together put them both at ease. They opened up and spoke of their childhood years, dreams, likes and dislikes. Sharra told him she had always wanted Gypsy Vanners, her peoples traditional carriage horse. He told her he wanted to run his own Dojo.

      Date nights got closer in space and longer in duration. Both of them were nervous about introducing each other to the family but as it became clear that their bond was getting seriously deeper they made the leap. Sharra brought Hayato home first. To say her father was against their relationship would be a monumental understatement. Change took it's time in her father but she believed he'd come around. Hayato's family in comparison handled the meeting much better. Mrs. Arakida spoke only broken English but her eyes were warm and she treated Sharra as an honored guest. Mr. Arakida was polite but reserved. Sharra brought them a gift of a hand painted vase with potted lilies.  Atsuko, his mother, is a gardening enthusiast and took Sharra out to see their private garden she works so devotedly on. Ten months after their first date Hayato proposed.

                                                                         The Proposal 

    He took Sharra for a hike through Belvedere Island off the coast of Jericho Proper. He led her to a gate that looked up an overgrown path to a monstrous derelict house. The bones of the house were regal and somewhat exotic looking with the arches and wrought iron work but the graffiti, weeds and broken windows gave it all a gloomy atmosphere. They prepared to picnic by the pond and Sharra busied herself laying out the blanket and food. A whinny broke the quiet of the moment and Sharra whipped her head around to look down the hill where the sound had come from. Hayato was leading a striking skewbald horse, it's mane floating on the slight breeze, up the grassy incline toward her."It's a Vanner." she said softly, wonder struck by the beauty of the mare. She started to cry right then, knowing at once that she was meant for her. Around the mare's neck hung a silver chain with a silk bag swinging in time to the horses steps. She stood and met them, looked into Hayato's smiling face and took the pouch from the chain. The mare and ring the pouch concealed were only the first part of a very happy day. Hayato, with the help of his family, had purchased the deed to the old Falcon's Ridge Estate as their wedding present. Hayato had gone to her father to ask permission to marry her and after a lengthy and strained dialogue a tentative friendship took root. Her Dad and brothers had built a traditional caravan as their gift for them. It was to be hauled to the bluff overlooking the pond later that week. Work at the old manor would take a long while before it was restored. Moving in was several months off yet but with their house on wheels they would manage just fine. Her entire family- uncles, aunts and cousins included, had pitched in to finish, furnish and decorate the newlyweds first home. Standing in the doorway to the caravan, Sharra was moved by the personal touches and care they'd taken in preparing it for her and Hayato. It's  colorful gypsy warmth was so much a reflection of her clan.

 And Now What?

       If all the renovations went according to schedule, they planned to host the annual Belvedere Renaissance Festival the following summer. Hayato said he intended to go as the famous local Samurai swordsman (back home in Kitakyushu), Miyamoto Musashi. He was author of "The Book of Five Rings" and lived in the Kokura castle under the patronage of the Ogasawara and Hosokawa clans from 1633 until his death. Hayato decided it still fit with the renaissance time line and Sharra thought it would ad some cultural flare. Among the festivities is a planned fun event showcasing the lords and ladies as well as their favorite mount posed in their finery. Props will be on hand to set the scene and pictures will be posted on this site for voting. They will release more information as renovations progress.