Shike (Book 1) Time of the Dragons by Robert Shea

In the year of the Dragon, while Japan shudders beneath the hoofbeats of the great battling clans, Jebu, a young monk of the awesome breed known as Zinja, leaves his mountain temple to escort Taniko, a beautiful and headstrong noblewoman, to her wedding in the capital. During the journey their fate is sealed. The warrior who knows ten thousand ways to kill – and to love – pledges his life to Taniko. But again and again their karma will sweep them apart. He, to serve the outlawed Muratomo family. She, to be possessed by the heir of the enemy Takashi clan… even as Kublai Khan and his wild Mongol hordes eye Japan like a covered jewel. The splendid tale is told in two volumes. TIME OF THE DRAGONS is continued in LAST OF THE ZINJA.