Short story contest - real prizes/pre-order status prizes.

[ShininShado]

After looking at the roleplaying threads, I noticed that there is a lot of solid literary talent on the forums. This contest will revolve around writing a short story. The rules are simple:


Rules:

Must be at least half a page long.
Must be original fiction.
Must relate to Tatsumaki game concept.
Must be written in character. This can be a narrative, 1st person story, 3rd person.
Stories must be posted here as a reply
All replies that are not entries will be deleted.
All questions and comments must be sent to me via a Private Message
Deadline is 8/10/2005.



Prizes:
First place: 20 dollar gift certificate at amazon.com <can be used to buy almost any imaginable goods> - pre-order status <will allow for alpha and beta testing, no subscription upon release> - 2500 forum points.
Second place: 10 dollar gift certificate at amazon.com - pre-order status <will allow for alpha and beta testing, no subscription upon release> - 1000 forum points.
Third place: Pre-order status <will allow for alpha and beta test, no subscription upon release> - 500 forum points.

All winning entrants will have the opportunity to work with the Tatsumaki Land at War development team, have their content posted on Eyes Out Entertainment promotions, and have an offer extended to them to join the Eyes Out Entertainment team.



SS

[Grun]

I'll just just the character Kurun Ti-Sakezuki. I have mentioned some families here, and I hope no one minds it. If some of the families have any objections, just send me a pm and I will change the name of that at once. Hope you don't mind I wrote rather more than half a page.

Heavy blankets of snow clad the top of the mountains. It concealed stones, bushes, even small trees were unseen under the thick white masses. The sun was a small dot on the sky, but a strong light shone everywhere. A cool mountain wind played around the peaks, whistling through passes and playing with the loose, cold snow higher up. Walking through the wetter snow of the lower passes, his eyes squinted from the strong, snowreflected sunlight and his hair being whipped around by the wind, was Kurun Ti-Sakezuki. Most of his face was hidden by a thick scarf, but his eyes smiled and shone, and he seemed to be enjoying this, despite, or maybe because of, the cold. He walked as fast as he could, lifting his feet high to get the snowshoes over the snow. Trailing from two leather strips tied to his clothes, a cart was sliding lightly over the snow. The reason for this was that two broad skies had been tied to the bottom of it. It wasn't low in the snow, and Kurun didn't seem much hindered by it.

He was going through a pass, aimed on a distant valley. Though the snow was deep and the cold freezing, he made good time. The short man soon found that he had to hold back the cart from sliding down before him. He slowly turned it, so the sides fasted a declining mountain-side, still covered with snow. Long down he could see the houses of a village. He pulled a sling from the cart, wrote a fast message before fastening the paper on a rock, and sent the message flying towards the village. He always felt it was good manners to announce his entrance. He then took out one of the disused cart-wheels and tied it to the back of the cart. It was now held at a ninety degree angle to the cart, and stuck deep in the snow. Kurun pushed the cart so it faced the village. With a few deep breaths, he pushed it before jumping up on it, so it slid slowly down the mountain-side. The wheel he had fastened worked good as a brake and he enjoyed the slow but steady journey to the village.

Kurun half-heartedly kicked off to gain some speed. He was beginning to bore of the slow pace. His ears twitched as he thought he heard a sound. A low creaking... The minute he realised what the sound was, his knots finally gave away, so the wheel stuck while the cart gathered speed. Kurun thought "uh-oh.." and searched for any outcome that didn't involve him and the cart smashing into a house. He grabbed both sides of the cart and tried to dig his feet into the snow. At first he stumbled and almost lost his grip, but he pulled himself up franticly, knowing he wouldn't have much time before the cart was going too fast to be stopped. He stood on the back end of the left ski, watching the scenery on both sides go faster and faster past. A desperate idea occurred to him. Pulling out his knife with his gloved left hand, he climbed on the left side of the cart. Like a small and desperate spider, he clutched any handhold he could. One of his feet was trailing through the snow, having found no solid foothold. When he was no further from the village then about two hundred feet, he gripped the knife hard and stabbed at the ropes that held the ski in place. First it seemed as though the ski would stay with or without hold, but then it wobbled and feel away to the side. Much happened at once. The left bottom of the cart plunged into the snow, stopping almost instantly. The right ski continued, and the forward momentum was turned into a wide turn. The momentum made the cart topple over and almost made a complete roll before stopping completely. Kurun had fallen off far behind, and lay panting deep in the snow.

As he stood up, a few villagers came up, laughing of relief. He half walked, half stumbled down towards his cart, smiling as he did. He and the villagers soon got the cart down to the village and Kurun concluded that nothing of the wares had been damaged. Many of the villagers were curious as to what he would risk so much for, but Kurun kept it fast under a cover and many ropes. He hurried off as soon as he could, after a hot meal and while his cart was fixed. He now had the wheels fastened on again, since a road went from the village further downwards. He also bought a cow to drag it, but he planned on selling it as fast as he could. After a few days he had joined a small party of musicians, who were travelling from village to village, hoping to get a more permanent position if their music impressed anyone important. Kurun liked the company, and they were very impressed when he showed his own skills with the shakuhachi. He had to leave them soon, though, as he headed ever eastwards.

He was only days away from his destination when he got to the top of a hill, overlooking a mountainside. At the bottom of the valley, two groups where facing each other. He made his way down some of the hill, to get a better view, before turning the cart so it wouldn't roll and sitting down himself. It seemed to be a fight between two families, each side had distinct clothes and marks. There weren't many, only ten at each side, it appeared. Soon, the groups seemed to notice him, and one from each family moved up towards him. He stood up and bowed deeply to each of them as they approached. They returned the bow rather stiffly, hidden beneath much armour. The first who arrived looked him up and down, and by the look of his eyes, he did not entirely approve.
"I am from the Sashi No Raku Family and I demand to know why you are here." he was a broad man, with red-brown armour and a barking tone of voice. The other, a thinner but taller man with greenish and spiky armour, determined not to let the Sashi No Raku get the better of him, quickly followed up with,
"The Yamamoto Family will also know what you are doing here." Kurun gave them both a look of mild amusement and answered,
"I am kurun Ti-sakezuki, betravelled tradesman" he gave a small bow, "and I wish simply to pass through this valley after your noble families are done." The two men looked unsure for a second, then both were about to talk at the same time. The broad one from Sashi No Raku barked out,
"Sashi No Raku have no quarrel with you, you are free to do what you want, if you do not hinder us or help the Yamamoto." The taller followed in the same rhythm, saying,
"Nor will the Yamamoto attack honest tradesmen, when they are not hindering them nor aiding their enemy." They both left, determined to get away from each other.

The two warriors joined their appropriate group, then both groups formed up and attacked. Both groups broke into a run and all drew their swords. The green-clad Yamamoto drew to the right, coming in to almost a flank attack on the reddish Sashi No Raku. One from the Sashi No Raku fell at once from a lucky swing from a small man, but the others soon locked in parrying and blocking fights. The Sashi No Raku no in the flanked side soon ran and found enemies. They got into some lucky situations, where two could attack one, and soon three Yamamoto members were lying on the ground. But the Yamamoto had formed into a half-ring, and three over-excited Sashi No Raku men soon met to a wall of swords. The wall buckled and the Sashi No Raku men fell, each with a wound in their side. The remaining 6 Sashi No Raku drew back, to get a overview of the scene. The Yamamoto kept their half-ring formation, facing their enemies. Wasting no time, the Sashi No Raku ran towards them, brandishing their finely crafted swords. But the Yamamoto were prepared. Two Sashi No Raku fell at once, swords sunk deep in their bellies. The remaining four Sashi No Raku swung their swords and one of them severed the head of a Yamamoto warrior. The last Sashi no Raku were cut down from sheer outnumbering.

Kurun took his cart down to the victors, and stopped it there. Catching their attention, he drew off the layers of protective cloth of his cart, to reveal several weapons and armour pieces.
"Now then, honoured masters, I know your leaders have enough armour to go around, but these weapons are finely crafter and will aid you well in the continued battle against Sashi No Raku. I even happen to have a bottle of very nice wine too, which will have taken no bad of the storage, to celebrate the victory." As apparently an afterthought, he added, "And maybe celebrate a good sale too?"

[Kiros]

Long since my journey began, war had erupted forth from the bowels of hell. The immortal roamed the earth in search of sport, a game was created so the immortals could be entertained. This went on for millennia... till one day the immortals became bored. Their opponents were to hard to kill and often things ended in a deadlock. They noticed the inhabitants of this earth to be fragile and easily manipulated.The immortals then decided to take over large masses of the mortals, and soon chaos ensued, and the world was lost and devoid. Rising from the entropy, warriors, once immortal came to free the world from its tyranny.

Shadows Cast by the Sun

Light shown opaque as it sank behind the horizon, everything became still, and it seemed the world had stopped spinning. The wind ceased; time itself had stopped, as if to hold its breath in suspense. Animals became paralyzed with a uneasiness, stuck with paranoia that surrounded their bodies. Kiros opened up his eyes, to meet his opponent. The eyes of the man saw nothing before him except death and decay. The enemy figure was so frail it seemed he would collapse at any minute. The man unsheathed his weapon slowly, making not a sound. As the blade came of full length, the mans expressions became even more dark then before. Kiros stood unaffected by the man's frightening aura.

Quickly he pushed off the ground at speeds just nearly visible, not drawing his blade. The gap between the two dwindled, within inches of striking the man; Kiros drew his blade out, horizontally slashing at the man's body. The dark warrior moved his arm in the way of the attack turning his blade inward at Kiros. The swords stuck together and both Kiros and the man were thrown a step back. Kiros fell to a knee, realizing the palms of his hands dripping blood down his blade, not only that but it appeared he had a laceration near his ribs. The man looked smugly at Kiros, showing expression for the first time. As soon as a smile struck the man’s face, it was replaced with a gapping mouth as his body split in two at the torso. The man of darkness was no more.

The world began to regain its life, the wind gently comforting Kiros’s weakened body. Nightfall ascended upon the horizon, as Kiros laid down on the cool grass. His face content as he lay, dying, on the ground. Kiros thought to himself, that, maybe this is the one he wouldn't get up from...

* * *

A man in many cloaks wandered the road along the Asian hillside. He looked like any other wanderer, but he was in fact not as normal as he seemed. His face was not that of any other Asian, young and bright, perhaps a foreigner. Black hair scraped his smooth face, his eyes the crimson of blood and fire. This young man stopped mid stride as he spotted what looked like another man off the road a ways. Walking casually over to the body which was bleeding from his side. The youth knelt down searching for anything valuable .Finding nothing but the corpse’s sword, the young man reached for it. Before he could grasp the sheath a hand reached out to stop him. The corpse..?

Wearily the near dead man sounded, "P-please... don't t-touch that. I'm not down and out yet...” Moving to a sitting position the man looked over to the younger man who had tried to steal his possession. "The names Kiros... nice to meet ya’..." Kiros remarked with a sly smile, his dull blue eyes wild with life.

"Hmmph," replied the younger man. Gawkily the man stood up without as much as surprise on his face. His face was more like a mask then anything, showing no emotion at all. "So Kiros we meet again, seems every time you’re almost dead. I thought that sword looked familiar. Cant say the same for you."

"Well well, Blank nice to see your disposition hasn't changed a bit! So you like my new look? Heh," Kiros joked at Blank.

Blank looked hard at Kiros, then said, "Can't say I don't... so, I take it the Dark Lord Kojimaji is in the next realm by now?"

"Yep, it was a pain though, I really thought I was done for!" Kiros exclaimed.

"Yeah, like that could happen. Look I'm heading to Mount Hokorono. That's where the next Samurai of Legend is rumored to reside. I need you to come with me," Blank explained.

Kiros got up from his temporary grave, "Well... I don't know...” Kiros considered. "Alright, but in return you must... get me some sushi. I’m broke and starved!!" Kiros began to laugh.

"It’s a deal my friend,” Blank extended his hand to Kiros, they clasped hands and shook.

* * *

Days had past since the partners headed towards Mount Hokorono. Upon nearing the base of the tremendous mountain, winter had past set in. Blank and Kiros had trudged onward through valleys day and night, in order to reach their destination. Finally they set up camp at the foot of the mountain, to rest up for the climb ahead.

Kiros and Blank sat round a swelling fire, reminiscing of their past journeys that had lead them to each other once more. Time passed and the fire dwindled down to a low roar. Kiros and Blank went to turn in, and the fire went out.

The two turned to find themselves cornered by a group of what seemed to be bandits. "Heheh, lets see, how about you two hand over everything you got before we have to send you to the next realm." Threatened one of the taller members, pointing his katars at the two friends. "Doesn’t look like much boss, maybe we should just kill em" Shouted one of the other members to the taller one. "Nah, I'm feeling generous. Just hand over your things." said the boss of the group.

Blank looked at Kiros, who grinned back at him. "Unluckily for you guys, we aren't feeling as 'generous' as your boss tonight." Kiros said with a murderous look in his eyes. The boss of the group spoke up, "Heheh, can you believe these jokers --"

With that Blank revealed twin short swords and lunged at the boss, His next move crippled the boss to the floor, and Blank wrapped his blades around the tall mans throat, ending his life and the battle. The men panic stricken, regained their common sense and began to bolt away from the camp into the nearby valleys. Blank stood over the boss' body, no emotion, no remorse.


* * *

Morning came without warning, and the two were on the move again, up the mountain to slay the Samurai of Legend to restore peace to the mountain. The climb was not as difficult as it was first imagined, in fact it was very easy a task. The two after only 5 hours of climbing, reached within yards of the summit. Blank hastily moved on, beginning to climb again, but Kiros stopped him.

"It looks like there is a cave some distance over there... perhaps," Kiros started off.

"Your right, I can feel much evil from over there. That’s where he must be." Blank suggested.

The duo crossed a length of snow covered rocks to reach the cave they had spotted a while back. It was very large and seemed to be fairly deep. Entering the cave Blank's face looked slightly paler, maybe the cold was getting to him. Kiros noticed not one but two life forces other then themselves within the cavern. After just a little while of walking they reached a hole in the ground. Seeing no other trails, they jumped down. Cracking bones sounded as then landed, but it wasn’t their bones that had cracked. From the hole there were piles of skeletal forms, some clinging to their dearest possessions. A terrible sound of steel scraping against rock, emanated from the blackest part of the underground chamber. A huge man emerged, with steel plate samurai armor, and three katana on his belt. His face masked by the samurai traditional helm. ”Fools, I am one of the Samurai of Legend, one of the everlasting samurai to walk this earth!! You have no chance at bringing me to my death bed."

"Hadn't planned on it, since I'm the one going to be sending you straight to hell!!" raved Blank. His face hardening, his eyes, embers growing ravenous. Fire imbued from the stone beneath him, drawing his twin blades, now glowing a berserk red. Blank lashed out at the samurai with speeds unparalleled to that of this realm. The samurai drew his swords, two blocking Blank's attack the third, pierced his abdomen. Blank stopped then began to shutter and the sword in his body broke in two leaving his flesh as if nothing had pierced him. The samurai moved to counter Blank but too late, as Kiros came from behind and stuck the samurai in the heart.

The samurai stopped, as Kiros and Blank backed away from his bleeding body. "It seems your more powerful then first glance, ashame I'll have to kill you both. Unfortunatly for you, I dont have a heart." stated the samurai. The two advanced on the samurai, lashing out with their swords, the samurai fending off both of their attacks easily. The three men, exchanged slashes, Kiros and Blank started off in opposite directions and attacked from both sides of the samurai cutting the straps off the steel armor he wore. His mid section revealed, they began hacking away at him.
The samurai, missing chunks of his flesh, dropped to the ground with nothing more then the sound of steel against rock.

Blank and Kiros sat in the cave as the spirit of the Samurai escaped to the next realm. The evil had been released from this mountain dwelling. But, something else still remained alive in this cavern. Kiros looked around unable to make anything out. From behind the two, a child, just a girl approached them silently. The girl looked at them, Kiros about to speak, fell silent as the girl dropped to the floor and wept.

* * *

The next few days Kiros and Blank set off down the other side of the mountain in the direction of the nearest city, with an added member to the group. Her name was Leila, she had been recently captured by the demon samurai from her home village, which she couldn't recall the name of. She was curious to the whole situation, so Kiros explained the best he could.

"Okay, I am a skilled samurai, as is Blank. We are from an Era long before this one, when samurai dueled constantly for the right to life forever by their sword. The game got old to some and they stated to kill people instead of dueling as they were intended to do. We samurai can’t die unless we are killed by another Legendary Samurai. We each have mystical blades that give us different abilities in which are used to slay the other samurai. When the samurai stopped dueling it became a manhunt. Blank and I are of the few who still remain on this earth and search to destroy the rouge samurai causing trouble on this realm."

Leila, being only eight years old accepted this as fact, and didn't question it. She knew whoever there men were, she could trust them. Hopefully they could get her home one day.


* * *

in advanced ill apologize for spelling errors or sentances that make no sence, i wrote this in the morning, but im at work rerading finding errors and editing them :]

[Trin]

Unfortunately at the moment I'm really busy finishing the final edit on the first volume of Sever Complex (which Sykoi or I will be discussing in Katana at some point), so I haven't had time to write a NEW story. I'll just submit the Kazuo/Hiromi story I posted in the RP thread some time ago.

The thatched roof that lay above Hiromi’s head was full of holes, and streams of hot sunlight shot into the ill lit room. Hiromi sat by the door to the shack, fumbling around with a pitchfork from the haystack outside. At the middle of the room sat a middle age man and his daughter. The man silently but diligently stirred the cooking vegetables in the cooking pot while his daughter looked in amazement at the fire that licked at the pot underneath.

“Toriyama-sama, when can we continue with my practice?” Hiromi asked, pretending to hit invisible enemies with the pitchfork’s blunt end.

“One cannot practice without first eating a good meal,” the man replied in a reserved tone.

“I understand, but I don’t really have much time left,” Hiromi said, with tension in her voice. “It won’t be long before my father and his envoy return from the next town.”

“Not to worry, Hiromi-chan. The vegetables I have cooked are ready. You and Asuka may serve yourselves.”

“Hooray!” the man’s young daughter cheered, her short chubby arms shooting into the air. “Hiromi-chan! Come eat with me!”

“I’m coming, Asuka. Don’t worry!” Hiromi shouted, throwing the pitchfork on the ground and racing to go eat with her favorite little girl.

As the two girls served themselves, and proceed to gulp their food down like ravenous wolves, the man looked on in amusement. With his wife lost to polio, and little help from the magistrate, raising his daughter had been hard. Hiromi’s arrival in the village was exactly what he needed. The young girl, despite being the magistrate’s daughter, was more than happy to take care of Asuka while Toriyama went to nearby villages to buy supplies.

Over the months that Hiromi had been taking care of his daughter, Toriyama saw how close the two had become. Asuka looked up to Hiromi, and had even started to emulate her. It was nice to have her around, but Toriyama found Asuka’s emulation troubling.

“All done!” Asuka shouted, as both she and Hiromi tipped their bowls in Toriyama’s direction to show that they were finished.

“Can we go train now, Toriyama-sama? Please?”

The middle aged man looked at Hiromi and smiled. There was little he could do when faced with child’s doe eyes. He motioned for Hiromi to go outside, and once she had left, he turned to his little daughter who has more than ready to follow her. Grabbing her shoulders, he looked into her eyes with a stern and almost grim face.

“Do you love Hiromi, Asuka?” Toriyama asked, his heart heavy anticipating her answer.

“Of course, father. Hiromi-chan is the best!” Asuka shouted, throwing her arms in the air as she did.

“Asuka,” Toriyama uttered, unable to swallow or talk properly. “Whatever happens to Hiromi, you must stay here.”

“Why do you say that, father?”

“Hiromi’s destiny doesn’t lie here, my little peach. Her aura is far too big to be contained within the confines of this place. Her destiny lies out there.”

"Oh daddy!" Asuka replied.

"Please, listen," Toriyama continued. "I don't know what I would do without you, Asuka. You're all I have."

As Toriyama had his heart to heart with his daughter, Hiromi worked on her spear skills, swinging a pitchfork in smooth motions around and at man shaped hay stacks. At times the staff felt like a natural extension of her water-like motions, but other times finishing a particular move felt like an upward battle. She would still succumb to a loss of balance at odd times, and even underestimated the weight of the spear’s end at critical moments. Her progress, though, had been magnificent considering much of her training was done during clandestine sessions.

As she continued to practice, she saw a mid sized man with messy hair slowly stroll past the village, and towards her father’s abode. His aura intrigued Hiromi. It wasn’t often that warriors came by, so when they did, many people took notice. The very way he walked and carried himself made it obvious that he was a man of considerable skill. Unlike most warriors, though, he had slung his katana by a frayed rope around his shoulder, as if he intended to wield both the katana and its sheath as a weapon.

Interested to know what business this strange and rather unkempt man had to with her father, Hiromi followed through the darkness, abandoning her martial arts lesson in favor of curiosity. As the unnamed man approached the guards, Hiromi noticed that he became annoyed with the inconvenience of having to identify himself.

“Let me through, damnit,” the man snapped. Hiromi wasn’t able to see more than the profile of his face, but there was a look of disdain that she could see clearly, even at her angle.

“You’re going to need to make an appointment with the magistrate,” one of the guards sternly replied, shoving the spear close to the samurai's face.

“Get...that…out…of my face,” the samurai slowly growled at the guard, pointing at the spear that glared back at him.

“Come back when you have an appointment,” the guard replied, ignoring the armed warrior's request. Before either guard had time to react, the samurai quickly swept his arm upward to move the spear out of his path, and closed in to deliver a single but powerful punch to the guard’s neck. Grasping for air, the guard fell in a heap, leaving the other to fend without backup.

“You don’t have the guts, little boy,” the unkempt warrior whispered to the stranded guard. The guard had little reason to disagree. His fear was palpable, and his guiding weapon arm was shaking like a leaf.

“That will be enough,” bellowed a voice from the top of the stairs where the guards had been stationed. As the two men looked to the top of the stairs, so did Hiromi. She recognized the middle aged man at the top of the stairs. It was her father.

“I think you’ve incapacitated enough of my fine soldiers this day, Shishikyuu,” the magistrate said, smiling. Hiromi gathered that this “shishikyuu” had been hired by her father to perform some service. Beyond that, her knowledge of the situation was limited.

The two men disappeared into the fortress, and Hiromi was left peering at the two guards, who were trying to regain some semblance of composure. Without giving poor Toriyama any notice, Hiromi sprinted across the wide expanse between the village and the fortress in a crouched position. Before the guards had a chance to survey their surroundings, Hiromi slipped into the nigh invisible passage under the main stairs that she frequently used to slip in and out of the fortress unnoticed.

On the first floor of the fortress was a meeting room, where each wall was awash with elaborate paintings. Each one depicted a fabled victory in mythology, and each one was more elaborate than the last. One wall had two square paper lanterns on iron stands, which stood nearest to the larger of the sliding doors of the room. Hiromi hunched down just out of sight, and listened to the muffled conversation from within the meeting room.

“I understand you want to keep your name anonymous,” the muffled voice of the magistrate piped up as Hiromi sat down, “but it would be beneficial to your reputation in this province if you let me know your real name.”

“I don’t need word of mouth to keep myself employed,” the man named Shishikyuu responded, his voice maintaining a calm monotone in the presence of the lord. “My reputation speaks for itself. Once my job is done here, you’ll know what I mean.”

After that, there was a lot of silence. Hiromi tried to listen closely, but all she could hear was the white noise of the sizzling flame that illuminated the otherwise dark bowels of the fortress. As Hiromi began to shuffle closer to the door, the talking began again. Alarmed, she rushed back into her darkened corner.

“So?” Shishikyuu continued. “What’s the job?”

“There is an illegal minting forge on my land,” the magistrate replied.

“A minting forge?”

“Correct. I’m not sure who for, but they’ve been forging Chinese currency in this province, and it’s likely that it’s being distributed not only throughout this province, but also neighboring areas.”

“Sounds serious.” Hiromi noticed a tinge of excitement in the warrior’s voice.

“If this operation continues any longer, it’s likely we could have an economic crisis on our hands. My people are already suffering, Shishikyuu. I cannot afford something this drastic.”

“The usual fee applies. If I find out that you’re lying about this information, I’ll make sure you hear from me immediately. You may not like what I have to say.” What Shishikyuu said took Hiromi back. She had never heard such forceful language used against her father.

Shishikyuu’s obvious distaste for authority intrigued Hiromi. If he was as great a swordsman as her father believed, then he was exactly what she was looking for. There was only one way for her to make sure.

* * *

Shishikyuu slowly opened the heavy sliding door of the seemingly abandoned blacksmith’s forge on the edge of the small village. The steel had dug into the soft earth underneath, and the door had become more stubborn than ever. Shishikyuu wasn’t much for stealth, and his plainly colored ukata and the lack of a mask was enough evidence. Breathing in the stale air that had been milling about inside the building for god knows how long, he smelled the stench of blood and thieves.

“There’s no reason to hide from me now,” Shishikyuu shouted. “I know that you’re still here, you damn forgers. Show yourself, and let’s end this charade.”

From the rafters above, a shadowy figure dropped. The grace of the figure made it obvious that it was female, but the landing had a primarily masculine footing to it, asserting an offensive stance. Shishikyuu turned slowly to the figure, scratched his head, and frowned.

“The great mastermind behind this forgery is a mere girl?” Shishikyuu questioned, clearly unimpressed.

“I’m not behind the forgeries,” the figure refuted. Clearing her throat and lowering her voice, the figure continued. “I’m here to help you.”

“You’re kidding me, right? I don’t need help little girl. Go home.”

“Hahahahaha!” a loud echo of laughter bellowed from the rafters of the old shop. “I thought I had caught one beetle, but in fact I have two. This is delicious, indeed.”

“Ah, that’s who I’m here to see,” Shishikyuu growled, a maniacal grin growing on his face. “Out of the way little girl.”

“I’m not a little girl!” the female figure shouted in his direction, her rage increasing.

“Bwahahaha!” the bellowing laughter began again. Several torches in the rafters sprang to life, revealing the residents of the dilapidated shack. Not only were several fully armed ninja hiding in the rafters, but so was their master. He was dressed in a blood red outfit, and his face was covered with a painted Oni mask.

“Greetings, my insects,” the masked leader bellowed from the rafters. “I am Sasaki the Demon face, and this is my humble abode. You have trespassed onto my property, and I’m afraid you’ll have to pay the price!”

With a snap of his fingers, the brown clothed ninja that hugged to the rafters sprang into action, raining down upon the two warriors below. As the first ninja fell into striking distance, Shishikyuu’s arm snapped involuntarily over to the katana on his back. Pulling the sword from his sheath, he sprang into action, delivering lighting quick swipes in rapid succession to any man that came within distance to hit. As unseen slashes sprang forth from Shishikyuu’s arm, crimson splashed from each of the fallen ninja, painting the dusty ground and walls.

As sinew and steel met in a violent ballet around Shishikyuu’s personal space, the warrior caught glimpses at the girl close by, who was taking care of herself with little effort. She had acquired a bo staff from the body of one of the ninja, and was attacking with effective, albeit rudimentary attacks.

As Shishikyuu continued to cut down each foe, he kept an eye on the girl, memorizing her style and predicting each of her attacks. She was predictable to someone as skilled as Shishikyuu, but it was obvious that she was trained by a true master. Her attacks had determination and definition. Her forms were near flawless, but she lacked the emotional ferocity that filled every slash of Shishikyuu’s sword.

When the last ninja fell to his knees in agony, Shishikyuu looked up to the rafters, and pointed at Sasaki.

“You,” he yelled with excitement, “are mine!”

With that, the blood red ninja jumped from his place on the rafter, and landed on the ground, splashing the blood of his minions onto the shins and thighs of his clothes. Reaching behind his back, the ogre-like ninja pulled out two kama, each more than ready to drink Shishikyuu’s blood.

“Wait behind me, girl,” Shishikyuu shouted. “This is my fight.”

“I’m not a girl!” the female exclaimed, and struck Shishikyuu over the head with her newly acquired bo. Shishikyuu collapsed in a heap, and blood began to pour from the wound.

“Oh…oh damnit,” the girl whispered to herself, realizing the error of what she had just done.

“Hahaha!” Sasaki cackled. “This truly is my day. Come, little girl. I promise I won’t bite.”

When Sasaki finally inched into bo striking range, the female warrior took a determined swing at his side, hoping to hit him square in the ribs. Without a second thought, Sasaki blocked the bo with his forearm, and cut the long range weapon in half with the razor sharp blade of his kama, leaving the young girl defenseless. As Sasaki’s cackles began to grow to fill the room, he raised each kama into the air, ready to strike.

“Hey, ugly,” a gruff voice shouted from behind Sasaki. “Is our dance finished already?” Shishikyuu got up slowly with katana in hand, blood still streaming down from his head, into his eyes and mouth.

“Leave the girl alone,” Shishikyuu growled, “or I promise you’ll regret it.”

“Hahaha,” Sasaki cackled. “You’re half dead, boy! What can you do?”
Without uttering a response, Shishikyuu sprang into action. Using his katana and sheath as a shield, he blocked the kama that Sasaki had poised to attack, and slammed the two of them into a wall.

[Trin]

...Continued.

Sawdust and ball bearings flew in all directions, obscuring the girl's view of the fight. The young girl squinted to see what had happened, but was afraid moving closer to the fight could put her in unneeded danger. Before she could shout for Shishiskyuu, she saw his body soar backwards, having pushed off Sasaki’s chest with his foot to gain space to continue the battle.

Rolling and skidding onto the dusty floor of the shop, Shishikyuu retreated into an offensive stance as he saw Sasaki leap from fog of dust in an effort to counterattack. Sasaki’s mask had cracked, and blood was dripping from its cusp. The blood on Shishikyuu’s face had dried and stained his face, but it did little to dissuade him from battle.

Unfortunately, the battle had already tired Shishikyuu, and his attacks were losing much of their force. He could force a stalemate for a little longer, but winning would prove to be much harder to achieve.

Without much thought to accompany her actions, the girl raced to a broken piece of her bo, and hurled it at Sasaki. Unfortunately, instead of piercing his skin with the shattered end, the piece turned and hit him square in the skull with the less painful, blunt end. Snapping around to see where the projectile had come from, Sasaki took his eyes off Shishikyuu long enough to lose the upper hand.

“Hey ugly!” Shishikyuu yelled with determination. “Keep your eyes on the prize!” As Sasaki twisted back around to meet Shishikyuu in the eye, he caught a glimpse of Shishikyuu’s blade thrusting into his neck, shattering his spine in the process.

* * *

“Okay, I just counted it,” the fortress guard stuttered in fear. Every denomination of gold he dropped into the sack was accompanied by involuntary shakes. “It’s all here.”

“Payment on time!” Shishikyuu shouted in happiness. “It is a great day indeed! Pleasure doing business with your lord.” Shishikyuu gave the guard a wink, a smile and turned on the balls of his feet to walk away.

The dirt road that led out of the village hugged and curled around the rolling hills, caressing each green hump and lush plain with its well trodden beige skin. Constantly looking behind him, Shishikyuu walked at a hastened pace until he had passed the second hill in the road that led out of the village.

As soon as he was out of sight, he ran over to a nearby tree. The young girl from the previous night was waiting, yari in hand. As he approached the shade of the wooden goliath, the cool air of the shade wafted against his face and calmed his demeanor.

“Why am I doing this again?” he uttered to the girl, a look of utter dismay painting his face and posture.

“You’re taking me with you, so we can be a team!” the girl shouted, excited to be a sword for hire like the great Shishikyuu. “But, I do wonder why you’re actually agreeing to this.”

Shishiskyuu paused for a moment, unsure if he should reveal why. It was her eyes. They reminded him of his sister. He couldn’t understand why, but inside her eyes he could see the kind soul of his sister, who had raised him for so long. Her eyes were like vasts pools that harbored unyielding courage, determination, and above all, compassion.

“You're pretty skilled with polearms,” he finally said. "If your hits are usually as hard as the one you delivered to my skull last night, then you're certainly not as useless as you looked.

Hiromi began to seeth inside, fed up of his constant back handed compliments. She had been treated like a harmless girl for most of her formative years, and she didn't want the trend to continue much longer. She changed the subject in an attempt to gain a more offensive position in the conversation.

“You know,” the girl said with a devious look. “If we’re going to be working together, you should tell me your name.”

“My real name?”

“Yes, your real name. Out with it, mister!”

“Mitsuda. Mitsuda Kazuo.”

“I’m Hiromi.”

“Look here Hiromi. We’re partners, but only as long as you pull your end. The minute you start being a pain in my ass, I’m shipping you back to your father with a letter about where you’ve been!”

“So that means I can stay with you, then?”

“Well, yea, but I think you missed the point…”

“KAZUO!” Her face beamed, and she tackled him to the ground, squeezing him with the strongest hug she could muster.

“What the hell are you doing?! Get off me!”

I'm not actually in the running. My original intention was to enter the story to get Hiromi's introduction more exposure. Besides, what the hell is the point of me entering, anyway? :)

[Leluu]

The mist flew through the cypress grove following the small river which made this narrow valley long ago. The sunrise didn't reach the mountain peak yet so the valley was made of oblong shadows. A fresh flavor was in the wind like after a short rainstorm. A small woman moved slowly through the valley along the river making its way from a tiny village towards the cypress grove. Following a nearly unseeable path the woman tried to avoid the dew on the grass and shrubbery, only the kyudo bow in her left hand helped her a bit but without great success. As she reached the cypress grove she visited the large stone lying in the middle of the grove checking every hole in it looking for something she can't find. After a brief sigh she took her basket off her back and dropped it on the stone fetching a small axe out of it. With a few steps she entered the grove carefully examining every tree.

At the same time down in the village two men stood together. The one clothed in a wealthy kimono with the graying haircut of a loyal follower of the Oda family was a bit sad:
"You see that woman up there in the woods? She's my daughter Kaya. For over two month now she wanders to this grove every morning. And every morning she comes back with the same mournful expression on her face."
The other one clothed in an even wealthier kimono with a katana and wakizashi at his side asked:
"So why do you let her go up there if there is so much pain for her? Didn't you have a good husband for her in mind last time we met?"
Ignoring the question the old man said:
"I know what she is doing up there apart from cutting woods for arrows and bows. She is waiting for a message from her future husband. You should know him I mentioned him last time we met. He was sent in war too early to manage a marriage. I invited you here to help me with this problem. I know you can't bring him to her but maybe you can bring her to him? She is my best apprentice better than me with her youth and my age. She understands the way of the wood and she knows to use the kyudo bow like a normal man uses his hands. It'll be hard for me to let her go but it's better for her and she is my only living child. I have to bear her departure for her own best."
"See my old friend. I want to do the favor you've asked for but it's not my decision. I will ask my lord for his allowance."

Two weeks later Saito Kaya, former apprentice bowyer, stood in front of Gojo Takao, loyal samurai of Oda family. Armed with leather armor, her kyudo bow and a kunai she made an impressive look.
"Hereby you shall follow all orders given by higher ranks of the Oda family. This is your banner, wear it with pride. You'll be one of my soldiers in the upcoming battles."
With a deep bow Kaya agrees to the words. She followed her new master darting only a short glance back at her home and her family with a small tear in her eyes.
"We have to be fast to catch up the army. Do you know any trails that can bring us quicker through the mountains than the old road?" "Yes my lord, please follow me." answered Kaya picking up speed. The next days her knowledge of these mountains was of good use. Two days later they catched up the army only arriving too late at the end of a battle to change anything important. This battle was lost, the enemy gone, only dead and wounded soldiers were left. A broken still burning flag of the Oda family was a memento: never start fights you aren’t able to win. Gojo Takao wandered through all this pain and anguish with sorrow in his heart. A shriek entered his absent mind remembering where he was. Kaya nearly unable to move stood in front of a wounded man. A horrible wound halved his head, one leg was broken, gored from a spear he struggled with his life. Bubbles of blood left his mouth as he whispered silently some words: “Beloved Kaya. Are you a vision? Do you accompany me to death?”
With some fast steps Takao was near Kaya stabilizing her preventing her heavy fall. Crying Kaya rolled over her loved man and held him in her arms. With softening voice she moaned all her sorrows to the gods. From somewhere some mist drifted over the battleground slowly hiding all the pain.

[moses]

The Dark God
By: Jake Clark aka moses

“Where do you think it came from?” asked an attractive, young Japanese woman. “I don’t know, but he doesn’t belong out in the forest during this season.” responded a handsome samurai. It was the middle of a frigid winter. The recently married couple was enjoying a peaceful walk through the snow covered forest, when they came across a baby in the middle of the well trodden path. “Well, let’s take him with us, as I have yet to have an heir and you can not bear children. I will call him Kurokami.”

Kurokami grew into a strong lad. He was taught the way of the samurai since before he could even hold a sword. He was brought up to be a true image of Bushido, a revitalizing light for the people of the village who had begun to give up hope in the samurai. In his soul Kurokami knew that Bushido was a life changing experience, not only for himself, but also for all those around him.

A few years later when Kurokami turned 6, another event occurred in his life. For a boy his age, Kurokami was exceptionally smart. By watching those that came in and out of the castle and watching who they interacted with he found an incredible secret. His mother was a ninja from a rival clan and his father’s soon to be assassin. Kurokami confronted his mother about this one night, and was proved to be correct. When she asked him what he was going to do about it, Kurokami responded by saying, “Teach me the art of Ninjitsu.” From that night on Kurokami learned the way of the samurai during the day and the way of the ninja by night. Through these conflicting philosophies, he became troubled with whether to fight with honor or without it.

Life went on as usual for Kurokami, until a month after his fourteenth birthday. He was heading to his father’s room to talk to him about a farming problem that he may have been able to help solve. When he entered the room, Kurokami felt a strange feeling wash over him. He knew something was wrong. Then he saw it, his mother committing what she had been recruited to do so long ago. What happened next startled him even more. “You must do it Kurokami, to keep your honor and avenge your father’s.” his mother said sternly. “Mmmmom, I..I…can’t….”, he replied. “You must! But before you do, I have one last gift for you.” reaching behind the bed, his mother pulled out her wakizashi. “Take this and remember that I have always loved you.” Kurokami wept as he drew the blade and avenged his father. Before he left the room he grabbed his father’s wakizashi as well. There he vowed to both corpses that he would master the two weapons. The words that were spoken that day confused Kurokami even more about honor and its place in fighting.

As that day’s dawn arose, Kurokami ascended to lord of his father’s castle. He was given his family’s ceremonial katana to show this position. Within a week his father’s greedy enemies would be marching to try to usurp the young man’s new position. Against his advisor’s wishes, Kurokami stayed at the castle and took control of the military command himself. After two weeks, Kurokami emerged victorious from the sieges and had the heads of the enemy lords. No one else dared to challenge his power. On his seventeenth birthday, Kurokami decided he wanted to see the world. At least, that’s what Kurokami told his advisors that he left in charge of the castle. He promised to return in two years. With that Kurokami headed off with only his pair of wakizashis to try his hand as a hired killer.

For a year and a half Kurokami fought. He met with many men he liked and others he despised. All the while he tried to find out more about this thing called honor. Every man he fought with or against seemed to have his own definition. He himself had hidden in a house and assassinated a man, but he had also fought in a war and slain many men in the heat of battle. To him it was all the same, killing. He never regretted what he did but felt a different type of satisfaction from defeating a man in battle. Judging by the number of assassins attempting to divert his life, he believed he had a made a pretty good name for himself through his exploits.

One night, while Kurokami was sitting in a teahouse he had come to love, a cloaked man waddled up and asked him if he needed a job. Having just finished the one he was on, he answered him with a curt nod. The man went on to explain that a mercenary had just gone crazy and murdered an entire village, which had been home to the man’s family. The town also happened to be one that was under Kurokami’s family’s control as well. Kurokami immediately accepted the job and grabbed the intel packet. Riffling through it, he quickly examined all the documents over his next sake. Excusing himself, Kurokami got up and left the building.

A month later he was outside the run-down town where he was told the crazed mercenary was heading. “Hello friend!” he greeted a villager outside of town. “Not another outsider!” was the response he got. He asked the villagers outside of town if anyone or anything out of the ordinary had occurred recently. They all answered that nothing strange had occurred but many outsiders were in the village. Kurokami believed that his man must be here with some other bounty hunters on his tail. “Thank you. Here is something for your troubles.” replied Kurokami handing the man a small bag of gold. Then whistling as he walked, he headed toward the local teahouse.

Once inside the smoke filled building, Kurokami began to examine his surroundings and fellow occupants. It wasn’t too crowded for the time it was. Sitting at the tables to the left were a quiet little couple, and some drunks. While to the right was a few, what seemed to be pirates. And in the far shadowy, corner was a man sitting slouched over on his stool. His appearance and the many empty bottles of sake proved he was drunk, but Kurokami never underestimated anyone. He could see the fire that burned in this mans eyes. Kurokami sat down in the opposite corner from the shady fellow. When the serving girl came around, Kurokami greeted her saying, “That’s a lovely kimono.” “Why thank-you!” she replied, and then asked, “What can I get you?” “Well I was wondering, what do you know about that fellow over in the corner?” he politely asked. “Oh, him...” She said grimly. “Well this is his third night in here.” she continued. “And every night he orders five bottles of sake. It also seems that he has some shifty friends,” she gestures toward the pirates, “after him. He has already started a few disturbances with those men and one full blown duel, which he won hands down.” answered the young girl. Kurokami thanked her and ordered a bottle of sake. He knew this was his man. The rest of the night he kept a watchful eye on this shady killer.

At just after midnight, as the intelligence had said, the man left the teahouse and began to head to wherever he was going. Kurokami found it strange that this man was so predictable. He decided to finish off the sake, knowing that he would be able to track the stranger, and then chased after him. Using the ninja movement techniques that he had learned from his mother, he followed as an invisible, soundless shadow. The man seemed to be heading deeper into the poor part of town, which was much more open and easier to fight in. This worried Kurokami into thinking he may have been detected. Kurokami readied himself to attack, but when he rounded the corner the man was gone. While he was trying to figure out were the man could have headed, the sense that had come over him when he walked in on his father’s murder, surged over him. Both his weapons were drawn and blocked the attack from behind as fast as lightning. “You’re good!” Kurokami answered to the attack. They both leapt back and circled before lunging at each other again. “Who are you and why the hell are you after me? Did that man Junji send you? Didn’t he learn from the last assassin he sent?” the man shouted. “My name is not important. I’m here to kill you for slaughtering the peasants at a village under my control. They were just innocent people. And I’ve never heard of this man Junji.” shot back Kurokami, while they were still locked in the battle. “Anyone I’ve ever killed wasn’t innocent.” shouted the man as they backed off. They began to prepare to attack again, when Kurokami softly said, “Well Kazuo I have heard differently.” “My employer told me my target would know my name, so you must be him.” Kazuo stated as he attacked first with his scabbard and following with his sword. Kurokami was intrigued with his style. This was no ordinary sellsword. So many things set him apart, his speed for the weapon he used was one, the inner burning to win, and the way he fought. Kurokami had never seen a warrior with this man’s skill and desire. For the first time since he had to do what his mother asked of him, Kurokami felt fear. He was not sure if he would be able to defeat such an opponent. But as he was trained, as soon as the thoughts appeared, Kurokami dismissed them. “So why are you after me?” questioned Kurokami. “Why don’t we just stop talking. ‘Cause I have to meet a nice young woman in an hour and I still have a ways to go.” slyly remarked Kazuo. Both the men paused for a second, measuring up each other. Then they both slashed on opposite sides of each other. Neither cut was bad, but both were injured. Glancing down at the small pool of blood, they saw both of their assignment scrolls on the ground. Both dove and quickly grabbed one. After rolling back into a standing stance, they examined the scrolls. Each immediately realized that they had the other’s scroll and at the same time they began to argue about the false accusations made against themselves on the scroll. Before they could even discuss what was true and what wasn’t, they were ambushed by a squad of twelve men.

Both Kazuo and Kurokami spun and confronted the new threat, each still in the bloodlust from their own fight. They looked at each other and smirked before dealing with the ambushers. Kurokami rushed straight up the middle to divide the men among himself and Kazuo. “You’re mine!” exclaimed the first soldier who attacked Kurokami. He lunged in with a naginata, wildly slashing at Kurokami’s legs. Kurokami leapt over the polearm, and decapitated the man where he stood with a quick, scissor like attack. The warm blood, gushing from the wound, showered over Kurokami. This sent his bloodlust soaring to a new height. He looked for the next target to quell it.

He found it in a young soldier wielding a katana. As he was heading towards him, Kurokami noticed the soldier held his katana way too low. Feigning a high attack, Kurokami anticipated and evaded the boy’s counter attack. Before the boy could recover, Kurokami disemboweled him where he stood. The boy’s body slumped forward into the mess that was forming beneath him. Already another guard had moved into position to attack with his yari. ‘Whoever equipped and sent these men must have really known who they were attacking. They sent them to keep us at range, where our speed and weapons can do little to them. Little do they know I have a few secrets.’ thought Kurokami to himself as he parried away the spear. Jumping back, he threw his father’s wakizashi into the ground, and he pulled out 3 kunai which he sent into the spearman’s chest and head. The man fell forward into the crimson pool of blood forming beneath him.

Kurokami rolled to pull his sword out of the ground. Just as he was about to reach for it, a katana slashed past his face. Kurokami jumped back to see another fool. “Don’t you get it, you can’t beat me!” Kurokami yelled as he moved in on the soldier. He leaped up and executed a flying side kick into the man’s chest. The warrior flew back and landed hard on the ground, causing him to drop his katana. Kurokami landed with his remaining sword pinning the man into the ground. Kurokami yanked out his mother’s blade from the corpse and scampered over to retrieve his father’s. He sheathed it and pulled his remaining kunai. These were sent into one of the two remaining guards. “Out of your tricks, eh!” laughed the final guard. He came in with his katana in a high stance. “If you only knew!” replied Kurokami softly, as he dodged the blade. In the same movement, he dropped down and slid underneath the man’s legs. The blood sprayed everywhere as the blades went through the man’s kidneys and he fell forward with a thud.

After getting up Kurokami turns to see Kazuo watching him. “Nice finishing move. What do you call your style of fighting? ‘Cause I’ve seen women fight with better form then you!” Kazuo said. “Oh, ha, ha. I don’t have a fighting style. Each opponent I face I learn from and fight to counter him,” responded Kurokami. “I just happen to have some favorite moves, that I use more then others.” he continued, smiling. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to be betrayed. I’m going to go find this bastard and kill him.” said Kazuo. “Well then, I better tag along.” answered Kurokami, holding up a note he had found on a guards body.

As they arrive at place where the note told them their would be client was. Before they entered Kurokami asked, “So who gets to kill him?” Kazuo said “I don’t care, why are you scared to go in alone?” Kurokami replied, “No, but I thought you had a date to go to. Let’s just both get in there and finish it.” Kazuo clasped him on the shoulder and said, “I like you kid.” Upon entering the shoddy inn, both men crept into the man’s room to find him alone, sleeping. Both men drew their swords and finished him quickly. As they are leaving the inn, Kurokami asks, “Want to get a drink later, after your little meeting? It’s on me.” he added. Kazuo, grinning, replies, “Well, I could never pass up a free drink. How about noon at the teahouse we met in?” Kurokami answers “See you there.”


That was six months ago. Kurokami and Kazuo had gone their separate ways, but had met up many times on the battlefield. Although Kazuo treated him as a disgruntled comrade, Kurokami sensed some form of a friendship beneath it. They had become the most renowned and sought after mercenaries in all of Japan. Enemies often fled the battlefield when they knew who they were up against. Today Kurokami was turning 19. He and Kazuo were celebrating in a local teahouse. “Anyway ladies that’s my story, and,” gesturing to Kazuo, “a little of his.” “So what do you plan on doing now?” asked the growing group of women around the two men. “Well I’m already over do for returning to my manor to check on things,” replied Kurokami. “So I guess that’s where I’m headed to first,” he continued. After he finished off his sake, he added, “Kazuo, you know where you can find me anytime.” And with that Kurokami headed off into the horizon.

[MitsueNeko]

I'm sorry but the story is untitiled at the moment. There will be many errors, so I would like to apologize. Don't worry I asked Toshimaru-sama already if I could use him in the story.

15 and here lying on my bed looking up at the ceiling like I always do Kami-sama. I feel I have been wasting my life away. I'm just playing my role in this place like everyone does. The servants serving their masters and the lords being lords. My role here is to be a rich girl who stays home and I guess lounge around doing nothing waiting to get married. What's the point of life? I mean I have riches, jewels, a big house, clothes, food, and everything, but why am I not happy? Am I missing something? What am I missing Kami-sama? I have family too, but it's just only mother, father, the elders, and the clan. But we never or hardly spend enough time together. I feel all the time, they hate me... hate my existence because I'm not the son they wanted because I'm the daughter, a daughter they didn't need so they are raising me to be a proper lady so I can 'marry' and... And bare an heir for them. An heir that they'll accept because 'he' will be of our blood. Blood. I hate that word as each day passes by. Is it because I feel strongly that I should hate it because I'm the reject? And that it's not fair? But I don't want to feel like that! I don't want to feel selfish! But I can't help it! Am I this selfish person who just wants to be accepted? I sound like a fool. Maybe I should leave this feeling of wanting to be accepted because it seems hopeless to me anyways. Why should I care if they accept me of not!? I accept myself! But if I really accepted myself, then why should I care what they think? I guess I truly don't accept myself since apparently I'm talking to you about it Kami-sama. I'm a fool as I said earlier. If I want to be accepted, I'll have to accept myself first. But how do I do that? That will be another day I should ponder that thought Kami-sama. Thank you for listening as always. May I pray for all those lost souls and ask to you to guide them.

Prayer. A thing I do everyday. Speaking to Kami-sama to ease my mind. I may not hear him reply like I want to, but I know he answers us all in his own little way. Now I need to sleep and prepare for a new day...


***

But that my sleep was disturbed when I smelled something in the air. Smoke? What is going on? I just got up of bed to see red flames dancing outside my doors and apparently the screams of people in panic. Wait... Red flames? Smoke? Red flames plus smoke usually equals… equals… fire… WHAT!? FIRE!? O KAMI! FIRE!? FIRE HERE!? But it might be something else… maybe it’s just something to cook is making… I need to check... before I do something stupid and start to panic.

But before I was going to check what’s going on… I heard someone yelling, “FIRE! FIRE!” Then I started to panic. WHAT!? FIRE!? BUT HOW!? WHO!? WHAT!? But then my questions were answer by the yells and screams outside. “Sir! At the front gates! They're here to get us back! They started a fire at the front gate and now the it's all around the estate! They are planning to burn us all and leave no one alive!" Just then, the voice was cut off and someone crashed through the door. This person was someone that was not of my people because his uniform is not of my family. The lighting of the flames behind him darkened his features so I couldn't see his face, but I knew this man is dangerous since he had his weapon out and looked like he was going to kill me. I stood there blinking uncontrolably, trying to get a thought to process through my head. A thought that will tell me what is happening before my very own eyes.

A little by his feet, I could barely see a part of someone's hand lying there on the ground not moving. So I figured that whoever that person was is probably injured badly or the other possibility, dead. My attention snapped back to this man before me as I noticed he is moving towards me. He had his blade to his side out of it's sheath dripping with something. I didn't know what is was, but I'm pretty sure it was blood beacuse I can smell it in the air. When he is close enough to me to hurt me, he raised his weapon over him. I didn't make a move or did anything. I just looked forward staring straight at what will probably soon be my death. As he was swinging his blade, he just stopped suddenly in the middle of his movements.

Why? Wasn't he going to kill me? Why did he stop? Then I knew the reason why he stopped because as I kept watch of him, his head just suddenly fell off and rolled along the floor leaving a trail of blood along it's path. The destination of the head was my feet. I just stood there in shock and just froze. I think I even forgot to breathe at that moment until I got a hold of myself a little and started to breathe again. The sight of that decapitated head just made me sick to my stomach. I'm glad his face was facing the ground because if I saw it, that image will be stuck in my mind and probably play over and over in my head. I wanted to throw up and well scream at the top of my lungs, but I couldn't. I couldn't make a sound because I was too scared and I didn't want attention to be drawn to me. Right now as of this time, some of the stuff that I saw just right now are not processing through my head, but I know I'll remember them later and hope that I'll forget them.

I sort of snapped out of it a little more as I saw a cloaked figure approaching me. I was still in my own little world so I didn't do anything. The figure just grabbed my hand and pulled on it so I went with him. I couldn’t control my body willingly as I wanted, but my feet still followed after him. I knew if my feet didn't cooperate, I would've been dragged because his grip on me was tight and the pace he went was almost a little run. Along the way… I saw it. The bodies of all my family and clan members littering the estate grounds. Lying there still and lifeless... with expressions on their faces that told a tale of their deaths. I stopped to pick up a hairpin from my mother’s hair. A hairpin with my, our, clan’s enigma engraved on it. I held it tightly in my free hand and let the person who was pulling on my arm lead me anywhere. I soon found out later that the man was leading me to safety when he mounted me on a horse and rode through the flames. We continued to ride until we got to a clearing over the cliffs that over looked my home. I watched there silently with tears falling down my face as I watched my home burn down to the ground. After that it's all black and empty from there...


***

I woke up the next morning in a warm bed in a highly decorative room. My hairpin lying on a table next to me. I grabbed the hairpin and rose out of the bed. I pulled my hair up and slit it in my hair. A woman then just walks into the room with a tray of food. Noticing that I was conscious, she rushed over to my bedside and began asking me questions about my health. All I told her was, "I don't know," but aside of that, I'm okay. After her session of questions and answers, now it's my turn to ask her my questions.

My first questions to her is are the obvious ones. The 'where am I' and 'who are you' questions. She told me that she is the owner of the inn I'm staying at. That answer wasn't much, but I just took it. I soon asked her more questions a she answered all of them surprisingly to my satisfaction. She told me a man brought me here and asked her if I could stay here and be in service to this inn as a geisha. She also told me I've been unconsious for two days already. I started to feel guilty of letting her take care of me since I've been asleep. I had no money or anything I would give to repay her for her kindness. So I thought there to myself and accepted the job as geisha.

Then from there… I became a geisha at her inn. I wasn’t well known and the ’newbie,’ so I got many visitors seeking my company because I‘m the ‘mysterious girl’ who they know nothing of. Apparently this inn was famous in serving nobles, high officials, and rarely… leaders of clans or ‘families’ as they called it.

My first visitor was from a general. He was kind and asked me strange questions. I answered them all the best I could with only the knowledge that I knew. He never asked once who I was, except for my name. My name… my name… I didn’t want to tell him my name, but I told him anyways. Well… only my first name because my last name just reminded who I was. The last survivor of my clan, my family. It just reminds me of that day… The day I lost everything. Well not everything. But something I belonged to, something that is ‘mine.’ And only the hairpin and my memories are left of it to serve as daily reminders of my loss. The general was pleased with me for not shying away or be frightened by him like the other girls were. He soon became a ‘regular’ there. Always there as much as he can be there to seek my company. We had many conversations together. I loved to hear his war stories. They were very detailed and exciting. He loved to speak of his family though. Inside it hurt me to hear what a ‘happy family’ should be like, but I didn’t show signs of my hurt. I didn’t want to make him feel uneasy or maybe offended. I just sat there, smiling as I always have and pushed away my sad thoughts aside.

Soon my other visitors became the members of renowned families. Then high government officials, more generals, and then… the family leaders themselves came to see me. They spoke often of their armies and of course their families. These were proud men with honor that I always spoke to. They were very kind to me. They are very open about their battle plans though. Always saying… “I’m going to do this; I’m going to do that.” They were very confident with their plans. They also tell me secrets of their fears and they told me of their goals and what they believed in. I always listened with interest and enjoyed their company.

My face was always hidden with that white powder on so they didn’t recognize me when I go out without it. But I do sense they recognized a familiar face, but probably dismissed it as “some other person.” I always felt fake with that makeup on. I was just someone else. A person who was not me. I stayed a geisha in the innkeeper’s service to repay her for letting me stay with her.

Then one day… an unusual visitor came. He was dressed in a cloak that hid his face. I saw him speaking to the innkeeper as I peeked around the corners. They seem to be stuck in a deep conversation though because as I watched her from a far, I saw her face change from a really happy smile to a sad smile. Thinking that it was none of my business, I scurried back silently to my room. Later she came to my room and just told me that I can leave if I wanted to. I just looked at her questionly as she left me alone in the room. Leave? Why? Why would I leave this place? This place that has become my home.

Then the ‘man’ came in. For some reason I felt safe somehow, like he was someone familiar to me. I welcomed him and smiled as always. I served him drinks and spoke to him. I never even once saw or even caught a glimpse of his face. He was a quiet person, but he asked me questions. Questions about the land, about who controlled what, and about where is whose army right now. I felt uneasy to answer these questions, but I answered them as I always do with what I know. He left that day and haven’t come by until a couple days later. This time, he asked me which army is at war, who do I think will win, and why I think that side will win. He left and since then never returned. A couple of days since that visit. A battle broke out. The army I thought will win actually won. The reasons why they won from what everyone says were pretty accurate to my own thoughts.


***

Then a couple of months later… In the middle of the night. The inn was attacked. I saw the flames again. The flames that took my other home. I was awakened by the innkeeper and told to flee. I didn’t want leave the place because it was my ‘home.’ I stayed to help the other girls and staff members escape. Upon getting the last person out… I saw it. I saw one of the ‘regulars.’ I saw him kill one of the girls in front of my eyes. He saw me and came towards me. He was smiling and laughing like a mad man. What is wrong with him? Is he the one who is burning this place down? I was trapped by flames all around and my only way out was where he was. He grabbed me and pulled something out of my hair. It was my hairpin obviously. He examined it closely and threw me down. Then he said, “I knew it! You’re that girl from that family that my father destroyed for humiliating us! So you‘re seeking revenge on us by telling our enemies our plans? Well you did a good job of it! We lost and it‘s all you‘re fault for telling them! Now you must pay!” I just looked at him strange. Then I remembered. No… It can’t be… Is he the ones who killed my family? The one who took my first home away from me?

He unsheathed his weapon and raised it above his head to get ready to strike. To get ready to… to kill me. I was angry at him for killing all those innocent girls because of a mistake I made. I knew I didn’t tell his ‘enemies’ of his plans because he never in the first place told me anything or even mentioned what he was going to do in that battle. That loser! Seeking someone to blame for his MISTAKES. I just became angry at him. So you want to kill me? Go ahead then! Let's see who kills who first! As the blow was being executed, on instinct I moved out of it's path to his side and pulled a dagger from his waist. Not giving him time to see what I was doing, I just stabbed him multiple times and I pushed him on the ground and I stood there watching with blood stained dagger in hand, waiting for him to bleed to his death.

My hairpin is still in his flithy, blood stained hands so wanting it back I took it from his hands and place it back in my hair. I got up and was going to walk away. With my back turned to him, I said, "This is what you did to me and this day I have paid it back to you sir. I don't know who you are, but I hate you. That's why I want you to suffer. I you to pay for what you did to me. Pay for what you did to those innocent girls... Do you feel it sir? Do you? That feeling is what you call pain sir. Pain. Remember that word carefully and think about it if you will please. This pain is the same pain that you inflicted on me sir. The pain of losing your life. I never actually experienced death, but I've seen them to know what it's like. Monster. That's what you are. You take lives away so you are a monster." After I said those words I intended just to leave him there to die alone in the flames with those words that I left him. Hearing him gasping for air I started to listen to the words I had spoke to him. Feeling guilty I decided I wanted to do something nice for him. I still have his dagger with me so I think I know what I want to do.

I turned back to him and leaned over his figure. "It hurts doesn't it? I guess I'll end it for you now sir." Then I did it. I killed him. He's dead. I finished him off. I stuck the blade through his heart and now he's dead kami-sama. Heh. These words I spoke to him are just cruel. I hate being mean. He and I are alike if you think about it. We are the same because we are both monsters. We take lives away, so we are monsters...

I slowly walked out of that horrible scene and once I was outside and out of harms way, I immediately sank to my knees in front of my ‘home’ and watch it burn like I did the first time. The flames were bigger than they were hours ago, but they got even bigger as more flames consumed more and more of the inn. The winds that blew that evening also added to the flames and it made the flames roar even louder. I know I couldn't do anything to stop the flames so I just watched. This time I didn't cry. I wanted to, but didn’t for I did not want the other girls that watched me through their teary red eyes to feel worse than they already are at this moment. They sort of looked up to me even though I was younger than them, the reasons why I didn't know exactly. I know they like to see me happy and 'smiling,' so to see me cry is like torture to them. I didn't want to hurt them because it's just mean to, so I just watched silently with a blank expression.

Then the cloaked man from months ago approached me. He bent down, removing his hood and smiled at me gently. I finally saw his face for the first time. He looked not much older than me so I'm guessing he's about 15-17. In his hand he held out a hairpin to me. One with an interesting emblem in it. The emblem of Bakemono. He asked me to join him and offered me a home. On impulse I refused at once, but he remained smiling. I told him that I didn’t want to because I didn’t want to lose it again, like I have done in the past and now. Then I told him that I’ll ruin him like I did to many others already and that I couldn't abandon my friends. With that being said I didn't move from my spot.

Listening in on our conversation, the innkeeper came over to me. "Mitsue... if you want to go, then go. It's alright. I have another inn that I own not far from here so the girls can stay there." I didn't want to listen to her words, so I told her that I'm going to stay with her. She smiles at me and said, "You're a stubborn one. I guess I'll have to fire you to make you leave. So Mitsue, for your own good, I discharge you from my service. Now shoo and go!" After saying that she gathered all the girls and led them down the road to her other place. Now I'm stuck here with this guy, so I turned to him.

He smiled at me gently and held my hands. He slit his hairpin in my hair next to my own and helped me on my feet. He led me to his horse and helped me up. We began riding and I asked him where he was taking me. After a few moments of silence he told me. He said… home…

***

continued...

Home. Home? As he said those words to me, I wanted to cry there in his arms. But I shouldn’t do that even though I wanted to. I must behave myself. I am a lady right? Lady… The way they raised me to be. I don’t even want to think about it, but yet I do. Then I thought and thought to myself. And that usually ends up with me arguing with myself.

What is this thing called home? I do not know anymore. I’ve been ripped of it twice already. So should I really trust this man? This man who seems to be watching me. Why? What is so special about me? I’m a girl. That’s what I am. Just a girl. I’m nothing special. What do I have that he wants? Does he even want anything at all? Why am I even questioning him at this moment Kami-sama? He is trying to help me right?

What is wrong with me? Why am I thinking like this? These thoughts. These thoughts that I think about that put me down and doubt people. Do I enjoy doing this to myself? Do I get any satisfaction from it? What in this little twisted mind of mine like thinking this way? Do I really want to feel sorry for myself? My goodness! I sound like an idiot! See how selfish I am Kami-sama?! I just like to feel pity for myself! I’m a fool! Pity! Why do I want pity!? I hate it. Hate it all! Pity! That word makes me angry. Is it because I beat myself up with it? Why? Why? Why?

This is so frustrating! Breathe… Breathe… I need to calm down...

See look at what you did to yourself Mitsue! Now is not the time to think like this! Shut that door now! Do it! I don’t want to see it again! I don’t want to remember them! All those painful memories that haunt me, those memories that make me shed my tears, they are all horrible images. The tears that I have shed these past years are all of negativity. I don’t remember if I ever shed my tears for a reason such as happiness. Was there even a point in this pathetic existence of mine that I ever shed my tears for joy at all? I don’t even want to think about it because as I do, I’m only treated to glimpses and flashbacks of myself crying over something that has upset me terribly. Everything I remember just hurts and stabs at me. Those memories are the scars I carry all my life so far.

Scar… I have scars. Everyone does right? Scars. I sort of like this word. Scar. Haha. A perfect word for me. Scar. Something that everyone has. Why do I like this word scar? Why do I like it? It is because it’s something that everyone has? In this puzzle that is my conscience, do I use it to justify that I belong? Belong in this world among these people? These people? What are people? I see them everywhere. They exist everywhere. Do I hate them too? But they’re just humans. Humans just like me. So does that mean I hate myself too? Because I’m a people, I hate myself? I guess I do hate myself. I hate feeling like this Kami-sama. I don’t want to feel like this anymore! This is a problem I put myself in. So I have to figure this out on my own. I hate it when someone tries to help me because it makes me feel so weak. Make me feel so useless because I need someone to help me.

This shell of mine. It furthers my suffering each day. Adding on to my pain little by little as I continue to exist on this plane and as I continue to breathe the same air as all those who live around me. This burden on my mind weighs heavily, always weighing a little more than it did the other days before it. Wait! What burden? What is this burden I speak of? Am I referring to the burden of living? Wait! Am I thinking about suicide? Do I want to kill myself? To relieve myself from this world? But suicide is a great sin I believe. If I cannot die by my own hands, can I die from someone else’s hands? But I can’t let that happen. Because I will then be added as a sin to them. I must not burden their conscious even though they might be heartless killers. I must not put any sin upon them. I must live. Live out my life and die… To die naturally. Waiting for my end…

***

After a while of riding and my usual ‘time alone with myself in mind,’ I see a castle. The structure of it, the shape, the color, and its size, everything about it from what I can see was so familiar to me. Familiar. Familiar like a drawing I made in the sands, but now it’s erased by the winds. I felt I knew it from somewhere before, but where? Where have I seen this place before? I felt I know this man too. Know him like from a distant memory that hangs on the edge of my mind, memories that are on the verge of disappearing forever and will probably never resurface until the day I die. Memories that I keep suppressed in my heart. I think they were memories of my life before the fire. Before I felt this big hurt. They were happy memories I think, but the reason they were happy ones is why I kept them locked away. So I would no further beat up myself and start comparing them to something else to make me feel worse than I already do now.

Now that I think about it, I regret for even suppressing them in the first place. Because now I’m starting to feel curious of this place. This place what he calls home and what I may soon call home too. I cannot pin point what this place is or even who this man is to me. During our ride he never once spoke to me except for telling me we’re going ‘home.’ I liked the silence. I’m grateful that he didn’t say anything to make ‘talk’ because if he did, I think I would have burst into tears right there and become an emotional wreck. He gave me my space and left me to tend to my own mind. This space I used to think to myself and if you’ve been listening, you know what I mean Kami-sama. It seems he knew what I felt and knew what I needed. He is so kind to me.

Why is he being so nice? Is it because he’s a nice guy? I feel I can trust him with anything, including my secrets and my life. I just feel so safe with him and warm. This certain feeling I only felt once before. Felt before? Does that mean I know him? But who is he Kami-sama!? Tell me! I want to know! I, I need to know! Please give me a sign! Make me remember! But alas, nothing came to me and I thought even harder and harder until I started to see something. These images never stayed still long enough for me to make out what they were. I started to wince as these images started to flicker uncontrollably in my head. They were going by too fast that I started to feel dizzy. With this dizziness, I nearly fell off the horse, but he was there to catch me. He stopped his horse to set up camp. We were nearly close to ‘home,’ but it seems my physical and mental health is more important to him.

At this moment, I felt really stupid. I let my personal problems bother someone because he stopped just to see if I was okay. I told him I was alright and that I can still go on, but he insisted on resting. Well I guess the horse needed rest too so I didn’t argue. We found a clearing and got settled in. He left the area to water the horse while I get some rest before we traveled again towards ‘home.’

I lay there on the soft ground, looking up at the beautiful night sky. I watched there silently, lying still as I see the little puffy white dark clouds of night pass by the full moon and watched the glistening stars sparkling above like twinkling lights in a child’s eye. It was bright and beautiful and made me smile. Beautiful. The things in nature we have are just so beautiful, nee Kami-sama? I began to ease my mind and forgot everything I was thinking before. All my attentions were directed towards the moon and the nice view the heavens gave me that evening. I started to feel better as I inhaled the fresh clean air. The smell of the trees soaked the air with a little dampness. The breeze was a little warm, but cold at the same time. All of this was nice for me. I finally felt free. Well just a little, but just that much made me happy. I wanted to laugh out and let everyone hear my voice, but I didn’t because just this simple little thing just sounded stupid to me so I just laughed to myself inside.

The fresh atmosphere gave me the energy I needed to get up again. As I was sitting there, I saw a flower petal flowing by in the soft breeze. Then more petals followed after the first one. I sat there still and one of them landed in the palm of my hand. I took my finger and caressed it. The petal was smooth, soft, and delicate like silk. The color or it was just a slight shade of pink, but it looked white under the moonlight. I recognized the petal from a Sakura blossom.

I guess this is the Sakura blossoming season since a tree is shedding its petals. I followed the trail to see a big Sakura tree on a little cliff and the moon behind it. It was a magnificent sight to behold. I felt lucky have seen it, because I never saw a sight like this one. In town, all the trees are grown on ground level, so if you wanted a sight like that, you would have to look up from under the tree itself. But this tree was a wild one and all alone on this little cliff. I could tell the tree was grown naturally here because as I look over the cliff, I saw a grove of Sakura trees. I guess a seed from another Sakura tree made it’s up there with the help of the wind to plant such a beautiful tree here by itself. I felt sad for the tree though because I wondered if it felt lonely by itself away from all it friends. Now is not the time to feel sad. I should look on the bright side. To make up for it loneliness, it gives a beautiful view of the moon and there’s people here enjoying it. The moon highlighted the outline of the tree. Making it silver and a little pink. Such a pretty color on Sakura blossoms nee Kami-sama? These delicate petals were thin enough that the moonlight can penetrate it so it hardly made a shadow, but there is a shadow because everything has a shadow right? Well except for air because only smoke can taint it giving it a color that we can ‘see.’ I’m glad Sakura trees are not like the other trees that have their dark thick green leaves blocking the light making darker shadows. There was a rustle in the branch and more Sakura blossoms came my way. I looked up the tree to see him sitting on a branch staring up at the moon, his horse tethered to the tree.

He looked calm and very relaxed. I just smiled peacefully as I looked at him. I mean really look at him for the first time. His cloak was on the ground and without that cloak to cover him; I can finally see his body. With my eyes I traced the outline of him. His build was just magnificent. His muscles were just the perfect shape and he looked so omniscient, like a god in the moonlight. By looking at his body, I could tell he’s been in many battles well because he looks like he’s in great shape so that’s what I think. As I approached him, I seemed to have disturbed his train of thought because he turned to look at me. He smiled, but I didn’t want him to. I wanted him to go back to his state before I bothered him. Well not to be rude, I smiled back. I went to the base of the tree to lean against it. With the horse near by I took out my hand and ran it through its hair. I loved how it felt because it felt like my mother’s hair. Soft and silky like hers. I felt burning tears threatening to escape my eyes, but I blinked them back. I didn’t want to stir trouble now. I rather do that when I’m alone where I cannot bother anyone.

I closed my eyes and breathed in the air. I cleared my mind and thought of nothing. Well I am thinking of something since nothing is something right? Then out of no where, he placed a hand on my shoulder. I was startled by it a little bit, so I jumped. I turned to looked at him and see him extending out his hand out to me with an apologetic expression on his face. I felt bad now because I did something to make him apologize to me even though it was my fault. I took his hand and he pulled me up to his side. He made sure I had a good balance before he let me go. I am a little afraid of heights, so I held onto his arm because I was afraid to fall. He seemed to not mind me touching him though. So for the first time in a long while, I didn’t question anything.

He picked a Sakura blossom from a branch nearby and put it in my hair. He smiled at me and said, “That looks good on you nee?” All I could say to him was, “Hai,” and nodded in agreement. An awkward silence came so I just had to break it. “Umm… I’ve been meaning to ask you this sir. What is your name? I’m sorry if I sound rude, but…” Before I get to finished he said, “Toshimaru.” As he said that name, my eyes grew wide. I was at a loss of words. The named Toshimaru meant something to me, but I didn’t know what really. I snapped out of my daze when he asked me what was wrong. I just looked to him and said, “Nothing.” I smiled my fake smile and tried to shrug this feeling off.

His name played over and over in my mind while I tried to think on where I heard that name before. Nothing came up except for images of a forest and a river. I saw my five year old self smiling and laughing as I was playing. Playing? Playing with someone? Who? Then the scene shifted to where I saw my mother sitting behind me in my room, combing my hair with a silver comb engraved with flowers and vines at the top. While she was combing out my knots and tangles she asked me what I did today. I said, “I went to the river all by myself and played with a new friend named…” Then from there all of it disappeared. No. No! Kami-sama! You bring back those memories right now! Please! I want to know if I ever had a friend... Who was that person? Was it a boy or girl? What was my friend’s name? I want to remember Kami-sama! Please…

It was no use. Nothing showed up. I started to become frustrated. Then remembering that someone was next to me, I immediately suppressed those feelings. This is my personal problem. I must not let it bother anyone that’s not connected to it. After I began to relax my mind, I tried emptying my head, eliminating thoughts that will keep me from enjoying this view of the moon. Having successfully suppressing my earlier thoughts and emotions, I finally just stared at the moon. Nothing else, but the moon. As I stared at it, I remembered something from my childhood I think. I was on my mother’s lap and she was humming a tune. It was a tune about the moon I think. I could only hear her hum it, so I don’t remember any of the words.

Another flashback? Why am I having these all of a sudden? I don’t even want to think about it. I’m just too tired right now to think about it further. Shaking my head at my silliness I smiled and began to laugh at myself. “Heh. I do have issues. Hahahaha…” With this sudden outburst, he looked at me strange. I just shook my head and said it was nothing. I returned back to staring at the moon still with a gentle smile on my face. Seeing nothing was wrong, he turned back to whatever he was doing earlier and didn’t stir from his place. In that silence I heard the sounds of nature. I heard crickets chirping and mice scurrying for food while trying to not get captured by predators. After more moments of silence between us, I began to sing a little.

“Sakura, Sakura yayoi ni sora wa…” When I noticed that my voice got his attention again, I stopped and apologized for disturbing him. He was just so silent that I forgot he was next to me even though I was holding onto his arm. He asked me to go on singing, but I was too shy, so not to be rude, I instead hummed the tune “Sakura” without the words. All we did that night was enjoy the view of the moon and the trees until we grew tired and went to sleep.

[Telakyte]

Author's note: Some of the things are historical, a few names recognizeable, others are not. The main character is fictitious, along with Father Vasquez, as is the journey taken. All other characters are real, however, as is the Toyotomi Hideyoshi takeover. Also, this is my first post so forgive the lengthy entry :)

Journey to Holiness
by D.J Rodriguez/ Telakyte

My years of early manhood were, without a doubt, something that no one could dare forget. I was Samurai and that is basic knowledge. But much more than that, I was a servant of lord Arima Yoshisada who controlled the Shimabara area of Hizen province. Keep this in mind as I share with you a story, brief only because of the time I have left.

I had fought in various civil wars, staining myself with the blood of my foes, maintaining the honor of my fathers, practicing Buddhism as taught to me.
I lived life honorably and that is the truth. I spent most of my time thinking, both of the physical realm, and the spiritual. I questioned my lot in life, wondering if I could achieve more. My family was not wealthy, but not poor either. What I lacked was confidence. I was a fine wielder of blades, but felt little joy in it. In battle I was the first to raise my sword high, and the last to clean blood from it. I did not believe this gained me all the honor I needed. It seemed the more I killed, the harder it was to cleanse my blade.

After the defeat against the Ryuzoji, things steadily declined from our favor. I was spared from the defeat of the Battle of Iyama, but that was little consolation. But with the passing my lord Arima Yoshisada, things would soon change.

The Jesuits had come to our lands sometime before and already there was a large portion of individuals turning to this “New Faith” that they so readily shared with our people. Many in the Tokugawa government were wary of the foreigners, thinking them nothing more than meddlers in our affairs. Others, like my new lord Arima Harunobu, looked differently upon these strange priests. In them he saw the possibilities of trade with the foreigners and their weapons that were unquestionably vital to our goals. Thus my master's son (after ending a persecution against them) converted to the Jesuit’s religion.

I myself was unconvinced personally, but nonetheless followed suit with Father Vasquez’s baptizing me into the Faith. I was given the name “Daniel” with my new religion, the name being strange on my tongue. While skeptical I continued to converse with the priest which was to be our European advisor. He taught me many things of the foreigners, from their customs to things like eating habits. This continued for months with the kindly priest teaching me also the ways of the priesthood of Jesuits and the Vatican itself. I found myself slowly losing doubts about my newfound religion, and with the help of Father Vasquez managed to learn bits of Latin from which he would teach me the Sacred Writings. I treasured these moments, feeling for the first time more than a simple grasp of life as a servant and warrior. My joy was boundless…for a time.


As time progressed my lord Arima began to worry that other warlords with their rumors would undermine us in some way. The government was becoming less tolerant of those who strayed from Buddhist or Traditional ways. This had only worsened with the fact that some Christian warlords were killing members of older beliefs with resolve. Thus I, Ito Tyokitu, was chosen as a secret envoy to travel back with several Jesuits (Father Vasquez included) to reach an agreement with the Vatican itself for support. It was spring 1586, according to the Christian calendar. If only we had been sent sooner.

The trip was long and uneventful, save the nights that Father Vasquez and I spent speaking on matters relating to the Vatican. He carefully advised, “Remember, these are the most powerful men in our lands, and they have the power to keep your Master secure. Speak to them in such a way as to make them want to be supporters. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get more than mere firearms.” I could only nod, feeling uneasy about the entire journey.

We arrived on Italian shores in good health, our spirits only slightly lifted as we were forced to wait for an audience with Cardinal Decio Azzolini, secretary to the Holy Father. My education in Latin had been greatly increased, and I had taken the apparel of the foreigners, keeping only those items that were necessary to my life. Some things will not change about me. This caused some disturbance as none were permitted to bring weapons into the chambers, especially before his grace. Father Vasquez showed great patience and courage by disputing the matter, with the compromise that we would meet in an outer garden under the eyes of Vatican guards.
The Cardinal entered the garden looking not like the priests I had come to recognize quickly. He was far different, his eyes studying me and somehow already judging what I was about to say. Azzolini was not haughty, but nor did he act lowly, instead emanating respect and grace that reminded me of a warlord, not a holy man. Strangely I found some comfort in this, since all my life I had dealt with such men. I knelt and in my best Latin I gave my rehearsed greeting, to which he replied, “Rise my son, we have long been anxious to meet with one of ours from the Japans.” I rose and entered straight into my purpose. I explained lord Arima’s dire situation and the threats that surrounded our lands. I told of atrocities being committed by other factions against the faithful. I made sure to note that Christianity in Japan was threatened, and only help from His Holiness could ensure our continued survival.

Cardinal Azzolini paced and reflected on the matter, seeming to give much thought to all I had said. “We shall need more time to discuss such things Daniel. You shall have our answer in two days. Until that time, please be our guest. The Guard will show you to your room. If you have any requests, merely ask and we shall do our best to accommodate.” And so the meeting was at an end. I confess I felt no better after the meeting than the months spent in journey before.

Father Vasquez stepped to my side. “Don’t worry. That went quite well actually. Had he no interest he would have given you a straight no and a simple reason. Deliberation is good in this case.” “Perhaps,” I said, saying a small prayer and following the Vatican guards to my room.
***
We sailed home with the Vatican’s answer: Help would be given in the form of firearms, and a secret allotment of gold which would be used to purchase the loyalties of perhaps other warlords, if not for the payment of our own campaigns. I felt accomplishment, more than I had on the battlefield years before. I had met a new challenge in my life, that as an envoy, with success. Sadly, this victory was the only one that would be cherished in times to come.

We returned to lord Arima Harunobu only to discover that Toyotomi Hideyoshi had invaded the islands in 1587 shortly before our arrival. My master had capitulated early in the invasion, thus sparing his lands from further ruin. Nonetheless, we were no longer to act as our own independent territory. My master was now the Toyotomi’s vassal, and the Kyushu islands under his indirect control. The gold and weapons luckily were sent back to Italy under secrecy. No one had any idea of its cargo or we all would have perished.
The following years would see more campaigns, with Christian warlords being assigned the more risky campaigns with hope of failure. Father Vasquez was forced to leave with several other Jesuits as persecution began to flare up even in our lands. Before he left he wished to ordain me a priest. I declined however, noting that the sword was a part of me and my future. I would die in battle or with it a sword clutched to my dying body, a Christian, but still a warrior. He solemnly gave his blessing to this, leaving with me a silver crucifix to wear. I held it close, knowing that I would not see this dear friend again. I was simply too old a man.

There are rumors that we shall be invading the lands of Korea, our armies taking the brunt, again with the hope of us dying in combat. At least they give us that honor. I am reserved to storytelling as I am too old to do battle.

Our future seems dim, and I myself no not how much longer I have before the blade finds me. The battles become fiercer, and our men fewer. This is my story thus far. Like an unfinished book, the next chapter is yet to be written. I pray I am allowed to complete this story of my life.

[Abc]

Lost Boy

The dim light stung at my eyes as I tried vainly to read the darkened parchment before me. I closed my eyes to rest them from the strain. Why was I here? I’m no scholar. He couldn’t want my advice in that area. Could he? I looked up to see what my master was doing. He sat still over his newest scroll, clearly enthralled by whatever it was about. The candle had nearly burned all the way to its bottom, its light starting to wane. What did he want from me? After a minute or so I decided no amount of staring could pry thoughts from that man’s head so I simply went back to my futile effort to understand the scroll I had picked up. It was about some obscure battle some years past…no doubt another rebellion in the northern-province. I gave up soon after I had started, the characters on the page blurring in my mind and giving me another unwanted headache. Tossing it aside on the pile of likewise books and loose pages he had set aside I merely waited patiently for my master to finish what he was doing.

Looking around the room I saw, in the shadowy darkness around the table, shelves upon shelves of books, papers, and scrolls. Each one was categorized in seemingly random order. At the bottom was some that covered history more than two hundred years old. Take a step one up and to the left and you would find the direction and study of how to craft a peaceful garden. Two more steps above that and you’d find battle tactics that have been passed down through the ages by the lands most renowned tacticians. Frankly, I found all this paper and ink terribly boring. Where was the action in a small room like this? None to be seen…well, then again I’m not a leader of an army. This is probably a requirement of someone so high up or, even more likely, he is genuinely questing for knowledge.
Just at that moment I saw my lord sigh heavily and put down the scroll. He rubbed his eyes to relax them and stared at the wall for the longest of moments. Then seeming to make up his mind he looked me in the eyes with a casual and friendly smile.

“How are you Ryoshin? Did that last raid take anything from you?” He asked me this as if checking his personal equipment for any faults.

“I can’t complain…” This was leading somewhere.

“So then you would be fit for another assignment then?”

“I suppose so. It would do me better then just sitting around here with the men. They don’t want to train with me anymore. I guess I’ve been a little too rough on them….” My master chuckled at this, his attention returning momentarily back to the scroll in front of him. “What do you want me to do?”

He took his time with the answer. Looking from me to many other parts of the room; including that parchment in front of him which now seemed to have something to do with his behavior. Suddenly he turned to me and stated bluntly, “I want you to kill a man Ryoshin.” That wasn’t an order, it was a request, this I noticed right off from the tone he said it.

“How do you want it done?”

“Straight to business then…I thank you for doing this my friend.”

“It’s my pleasure sir.” I smiled. It was a lie but anything to get him to give me another assignment. I was going insane just sitting around the castle.

“Good, then I will tell you, as long as you swear that any of this information I give you or anything you do this night will remain between us and us only.”

Oh, this sounds good…



The rough, sharp tiles on the roof nearly cut my hands as I made my way the steep incline. I sighed to myself irritably. I wasn’t making much headway. Suddenly one of the tiles I was holding gave way and I cursed silently and caught it before it could make much more noise. Damn shoddy construction.

As I neared the top and climbed silently over the side I thought through again for the tenth time what my master had said. Someone had wanted him dead and he had just recently found out who it was. It was a fellow general and distant relative to the daimyo, Hyaso Katomei. Obviously he was snatching for power and the daimyo’s eye by eliminating his only competition, my master. So now it was time to return the favor. Get in, kill him, and get out. So simple, yet so hard to do undetected.

I slid down the other side of the roof, slowly so as not to disturb anymore tiles. Hearing distant thunder I looked up to the west. Good, soon that blanket of clouds would cover the sky and block out the full moon and stars, thus decreasing my chances of being spotted. I leaned against and opposing roof and waited. From the position I was in I had the perfect view of the courtyard and it seemed a show was unfolding…

A boy ran out of a room that entered the courtyard from the right of myself. He looked barely thirteen summers old. When he reached the center of the yard he whirled around and raised a wooden practice sword in a ready stance. Following at a more leisurely pace was a rough and angry looking man who I immediately recognized as my target, Hyaso Katomei. He was also carrying a practice sword but his was relaxed at his side as he glared at the little boy who was getting increasingly nervous.

“A warrior does not run from combat! You call yourself royalty!?” Katomei shouted at the boy, his face contorting in a most ferocious way. The boy said nothing in reply but flinched noticeably every time Katomei raised his voice.

“Well, do you have anything to say? Do you disagree with me? Do you think it’s more honorable to get a sword in the back instead of the chest?” Katomei’s voice, against all odds, seemed to get higher and strain even more with each sentence.

“N-no Father,” said the boy tentatively. Father? So this boy was Katomei’s son. Doesn’t change anything, it is going to happen, orphaned son or no.

“Then raise that sword and beat me back at least one time!”

At that moment another man entered the scene. Though he stood out of my view I saw the gleam of an old, bald head and the hem of shabby priest robes. “Sir,” said a raspy, pleading voice, “don’t you think that is enough for tonight?”

“Be silent old man! This is my affair!” Katomei spat, his anger seeming to increase twice over. “There is no room for you to baby him here.”

The old man did not reply but didn’t move away either. My attention turned back to the boy, whose face had suddenly become determined. With the loudest battle-cry his small body could muster he charged at his father. Katomei was ready for him, quickly parrying his son’s feverish blows. Somehow he got the upper hand, striking the boy at the wrist, and making him drop his weapon. He fell to his knees but his father wasn’t finished. With a vicious back-swing he struck the boy hard across the face with the wooden weapon. Blood sprayed from his mouth but he did not move away or fall to the ground in pain. His head turned back to look at his father, his eyes empty, his expression uncaring.

“I…think that is enough for tonight.” Katomei gave his son one last wavering look then marched back into the castle, tossing aside the practice sword as he did.

The old man quickly made his way to the boy, whose shoulders had sunk and was staring at the ground in a cold way. He didn’t move from where his father left him. The old man whispered to the boy and convinced him to stand up and follow him back into the castle. I sat there for the longest moment, contemplating what I had just witnessed. When the first flash of lightning illuminated the night I realized I had stood there too long, for the storm clouds had clearly filled the whole sky. I moved faster than I thought I ever could on this damnable roof.


************************************************** ********

I twisted my back to get a reach at the window. Despite my discomfort in this potentially harmful position I managed to slide the window open silently. With the grace of a cat I swung inside, feet first, and landed softly under the sill.

There was my target sitting quietly at a small table. He was obviously already halfway drunk, his head sliding around in different directions every so often. I was hidden in the shadows directly to the right of him. The only light was from the two candles in front of him so I had plenty of darkness to move around in without being noticed. After drinking the last of whatever it was in his bowl he looked into the candle flames as it danced before him. Suddenly he seemed to get angry and tossed the bowl at that wall where it shattered, surprisingly close to my head. He ran his fingers through his loose hair and turned his attention to some papers sitting in front of him. Now that his attention was turned to something else I moved silently around the darkness of the room until I was directly behind where he was sitting. Then, still staying low to the floor, I moved in closer. As I was about to cross out of the shadows into the dim light I paused and slowly drew my short sword. Almost there…

Suddenly the door opened and new light flooded in the room. I ducked down low instantly and moved back into the dark corners. Pressing myself hard against the wall I stared and listened hard to see if the newcomer or Katomei had discovered my presence. Neither had seen me. The person at the door was that strange priest from the courtyard, his bald pate shining even more in this light.

“My lord, I-“

“Not now Gaikku.” Katomei cut him off.

“I just want to talk to you about your son my lord.” The priest now known as Gaikku ran his hand over his crumpled robes, trying futilely to straighten them out.

“I’m not going to be lectured on how to raise my son…”

“I only wish that you would take it easy on the young man. He’s only a boy.” Katomei looked into the candle flame again, his expression one of sadness and depression.

“Yes…perhaps I have let my frustrations get the better of me,” he rubbed his eyes and leaned back. “I have had some problems in court as of late. Perhaps I have let these feelings get the better of me…”

“Please my lord, act like a father tomorrow instead of a teacher.”

“Don’t worry Gaikku, I will…try.”

“Thank you my lord.” The old man made a short bow and left, shutting the door behind him quickly. Now it was just me and the target again. I moved quicker this time, not wanting yet another interruption. Suddenly a strong wind gusted through the window, blowing out one of the candles. Katomei turned around quickly, drawing his sword as he did. But this time I was too close. I sliced quickly across his throat then imbedded my blade in his stomach.

He managed barely a gurgle before he was falling to his knees. He clawed weakly at my clothes and a spark of recognition passed through his eyes before they went dead. As he hit the ground his expression was one of total surprise. He no doubt realized who had ordered me to kill him before he passed on. Good. Just another job well done.

Suddenly the room lit up again as the door slid open. Dammit how many visitors do you get at this time of night? I was fully visible from the light of the remaining candle, no chance to escape now.

“Wha? Intruder! Gua-“ Before the newcomer could say anything else I threw a dagger in the direction of the door. I heard the satisfying thump of the dagger striking flesh and knew my aim was true. Curious as to whom it was I turned and moved closer to the door. At first I thought it was the old priest again because of his small frame. However, as I got nearer my mouth opened wide in shock.

Before me, lying against the far wall in the hall was Katomei’s son. The dagger had stuck right where his heart should be. To my surprise he was not screaming out from the pain. Perhaps he could not. Tears started to form in his eyes and he reached out to me. I ran to him quickly and grabbed his outstretched hand.

“I’m here. Don’t worry I’m here.”

His eyes kept pleading me. Asking me urgently to pull out the dagger and heal him. Even if I had the proper tools I couldn’t do that. All I could do was watch him and maybe give him some comfort. Blood started to drip out of his mouth and his body convulsed in pain. He coughed weakly and then with one last moan…he died. In the dark hallway…a boy died. Barely thirteen summers old and now he would never see another. In a dark hallway my soul died as I realized that I had committed worse than murder. In a dark hallway…a young boy died, never to know the love of his father…

[joram7]

Name: Shinge Hanade
Job: Bandit
Appearance: Hanade wears simple clothing of green and black, like most bandits who want to blend in with forests of the south. He has a large white moon-shaped crest tattooed to the left side of his face, signifying his devotion to his clan. His dark green eyes hide behind his long black hair that remains uncombed and wild. He is never seen without his longbow.
Personality: Hanade is very quiet and antisocial, and most times you can catch him staring off in the distance deep in thought. He has always wished for a better and more luxurious life, and doesn’t find comfort in the gold that his clan steals because it’ll never make them rich. He only seems focused and dedicated to his archery skills, and his doesn’t seem to mind killing innocent people and committing horrible acts.
Bio: Hanade belonged to a poor family that lived in the North, and as a child he grew up watching the rich treat him and his family like dirt. Once when he was thirteen a rich boy crossed the line by making fun of his sister’s clothes, and he strangled him nearly killing the boy. He was immediately set for a hanging without trail, but was saved by a strange woman with a white crest on her face. Soon, he would find himself with the same crest, as part of a bandit clan in the south. He wouldn’t say goodbye to his family, and secretly wonders where they are today.

Setting: Feudal Japan
Location: A small village called Takaruwa in Hokkaido

Hanade watched as the boy rush towards him armed with a simple farmer’s rake, his face clear of any emotion or fear. The farmer’s son swung the sharpened gardening tool into Hanade ’s chest, but the bandit did not flinch as dug into his flesh. The boy gasped as his attack seemed to have no affect and then let out one last scream before Hanade struck him with an arrow.

Hanade stared down at the young boy at his feet, sighing deeply at the wasted life. The boy couldn’t have been more than fourteen, and now he was dead. Hanade wasn’t completely cold and was saddened by the boy’s deaths, but he had come to accept such things. It came with the job of being a bandit.

Without the emperor’s help, more and more villages in the South were consistently being raided, and their inhabitants killed. This particular village would become property of the Shimawa bandit clan, and it would soon be guarded by no less than fifty bandits. Hanade watched as bandits pulled the bodies of the former villagers out of Takaruwa to be burned and shook his head.

His friend, another bandit of the Shimawa Clan, tapped his on the soldier and laughed, “Why do you look so sad? We own this town! We’re royalty now!” Hanade sighed and walked away without responding. We aren’t royalty, he thought bitterly, the real royal families live in the North in big estates and cities…away from all of this violence and ignorance. He watched as the snow slowly covered the flaming buildings of the village and gave a rare smile. It was almost beautiful.

[ShininShado]

Well, finally the winners have been decided. I'd again like to thank everyone for entering the contest and encourage everyone to sharpen their writing skills on the roleplay forum board. With that having been said, here are the winners:

1st place in the contest goes to Shira - excellent story of "Lost Boy".

2nd place goes to Leluu with his untitled story, very good imagery there.

3rd place prize goes to none other than Kiros, unique take on the theme with that story, a lot of imagination - his story "Shadows Cast by the Sun".

I've done point prizes, and the rest of the prizes will be done accordingly.
Excellent work everyone, honorable mentions to Moses and MitsueNeko.

[Kiros]

Thanks..

[moses]

congratulations to winnners!

[Akuma]

Woohoo! Congrats everybody. Is there going to be another SS contest ever, Shin? :D

[Kiros]

congradulations to the honorable mentions!

[Slots]

congrats guys ... but the murderer gets first place?! heh... >.>

[ShininShado]

Woohoo! Congrats everybody. Is there going to be another SS contest ever, Shin? :D

Possibly, but it'll be a while I think. Really good writing guys, congratulations to winners, and thank you to all those that entered.

[Sykoi]

Congratulations everyone, I've added the winners to Ninjitsu Masters; I will send out the amazon certificates in a week or so.

[Kiros]

All winning entrants will have the opportunity to work with the Tatsumaki Land at War development team, have their content posted on Eyes Out Entertainment promotions, and have an offer extended to them to join the Eyes Out Entertainment team.

This is the only prize i had my eyes on. But i humbly accept the point and Pre-Order status, as.. well im poor and couldnt possibly hope to come up with that myself. Thanks again.

[Abc]

Congrats to all entrants. I really loved all the stories posted here. And thank you once more for this honor.

Shira

[Leluu]

Wow, i'm so happy. This is the