First things first: I apologize for my absence these last months. My computer, my old one that is, basically died and it took me a while to save up to get another desktop, even then, it is still being delivered, therefore I am writing this from school as I wait for my ride. I realize that sometime these last few months some of you may or may not have seen me comment and review on other author's and I did that through either my school's computer or my friend's computer.
Other News: College has been great for me thus far. I only have 5 or so weeks left til this year is over...holy shit it went by fast! Now, to the important part, my stories. You see, most of my files were in the old one, and I never managed to get them all to my flash drive in time, therefore, my stories, or rather A Gray Robes Snake Piper and Love Conquers All, will most likely be put on hold until further notice. I have to look back and revisit my notes as to where I was taking those stories. If I do not like it, I will completely rewrite it.
However, as many of you that are readers of my work know by now, my updates are irregular, and that is mainly due to family problems, school, or other important and/or distracting things that make me lose my train of thought. I ask you to be patient with me, that is all.
Now, please enjoy this little prologue from a new idea of mine, the title IS still subject to change.
WARNINGS: This is based off my limited knowledge of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as well as actual historical data. I will only be using limited pieces of those things however, as this is a PURE work of FICTION. Therefore, if you are a History buff, I urge you, do not read this if you get mad. I will try to use some things from the Novel and History itself, however as I said, pure fiction, I'll go over everything else in another A/N. Also, the ages are all warped to my accordance and pleasure in order to fit the plot. This is also not meant to offend Chinese or Japanese culture or any other culture in the world if I get things wrong then it is most likely that I am going with the flow or some other stuff.
Romance of Hi no Kuni
PROLOGUE
The birds chirped and flew through the clear blue skies as the sun shined down at the luscious greenery which it saw through its daily life. It was a peaceful place to live in, Ta no Kuni. Indeed, the Land of Rice Fields was filled with an amazingly peaceful pasture of land, uncorrupted, and unsoiled by the wars fought within this country. The country itself was surrounded by other small countries on three sides of it, while its southern border was aligned with Hi no Kuni's northern borders. It was a place where only skilled workers lived in for the most part. The country was also famous for its mountainous territory up north of the Kiyoshi Lake, specifically Mt. Ānníng, whereupon the foot of the mountain, there stood a small thatched cottage, besides the riverbed of Kohaku River, the longest stream of water within the country, which ran down the mountain and into Kiyoshi Lake.
The cottage was made out of clay, wood, and hay it seemed. However, it was indeed very well protected from the natural elements, for there was a moat around it, as well as a small dam, and it was surrounded by strong oak trees, whose leaves seemed to protect the cottage from rain, however, the branches seemed to grow around the chimney that stood on top of the cottage. As one would step closer, they would see a small water wheel running.
In front of the cottage, leaning against the wall, there was a hoe, an iron plow, and a seed drill. Off to the side of the cottage, there was a small stable, where inside, was a horse and some cattle. In front of the farming tools, there were four fields of crops, all growing marvelously—indeed Ta no Kuni's soil was perhaps the richest in all the land. There was a small bird nest on top of the stable, two pigeons, both resting soundly. The door opened, and a figure came out, dressed in naught but labor apparel, and a worn out conical straw hat, that covered their face, the figure grabbed the plow and began to do his daily routine, while his animal companions either watched on or helped in their parts.
The figure was tending to the crops while its voice, a calm and low; but not too deep, baritone washed throughout the ambiance of the environment.
"A big road passes through my house
My family lives under the Ānníng mountain
Under the mountain, the soil is rich on five acres of land
What should I grow on five acres of land?"
The figure, kept tending to their crops, humming once again, as they stopped for a moment, resting their forearm on the hoe, before tilting their conical straw hat backwards, revealing a grimy and sweaty face of a male. However, one could tell that the man was handsome regardless of elemental conditions. He gazed upon the sky, the sun shining down on him, as he whipped the sweat from the brow, putting his hand down, he revealed the face of masculine beauty. The man had slanted hazel eyes, high cheek bones, a smooth tanned face and skin, and a somewhat narrow nose. Upon his lips, he has a thin mustache, and a goatee upon his chin. On his head he had smooth black hair, now greasy with sweat from hard labor, tied up in a small bun on the center of his head.
Tilting the hat back down onto his head to shield himself from the sun, the man began to work again, opening his mouth in order to begin the song yet again from the beginning, as he worked at a calm pace, closing his eyes as he heard the beauty of the nature around him, while becoming one with the elements and environment.
"A big road passes through my house
My family lives under the Ānníng mountain
Under the mountain, the soil is rich on five acres of land
What should I grow on five acres of land?"
This time, he stopped and moved onwards towards another field as he tended to his precious crops that signified his hard work through his years of farming. A he walked, he kept humming the song aloud, for none but him and the nature around him to hear.
"Who will remember my appearance?
Who will remember the wounds I have suffered?
Whose desire is this? Whose battlefield is this?
That has made us turn our backs on what is good?"
Having tended to the fields that needed it most, the man turned around and pulled the hoe upon his shoulders, while whistling, gaining the attention of his cattle, who'd been plowing the farther fields as they'd been trained to since they were ready to work on the field. The cattle and man walked back towards the house, where he halted them outside as he entered and brought out food for all his companions, and a loaf of bread for himself, as well as some much needed sake.
Distributing the food and water among the animals, he sat down on the porch, leaning against a pole as he lazily swung his foot to and fro, tearing his loaf of bread piece by piece and eating it, as well as giving smaller pieces to the pigeons now resting upon his chest as they chirped at him to feed them, causing him to smile serenely at them and their innocence.
Tilting his head back, he looked up at the sky, a calm face upon his visage and he closed his eyes and drank some sake while singing the song yet again for his small audience this time.
"When can I return to my homeland?
When can I look at her red makeup?
Even if I used a sword to blind me…
It would not blind me from my homesickness…"
Pausing yet again to take another bite of his food, as well as a sip of sake, the man's eyes opened slightly, as he looked off towards the right, internally sighing exasperatedly, as he had yet another member of his audience, one whom he personally knew. The man said nothing as he downed yet another shot of sake and continued the song.
"A big river passes through my house
I have a wife, a son, and my house is big
The chickens are fat, goose are fat, cows and goats are strong
Plant beans, plant paddies, canola flowers…"
He felt the presence begin to make itself clearer, even if it was unneeded, as he knew whom it was, for this person had been here once before, only to return to whence he came from with no success of swaying him. Continuing to sing his song regardless of what was to come, the man opened his mouth yet again, even if he heard the rustling of the leaves as the figure approached him through the entrance of the woods.
"Who will remember my appearance?
Who will remember the wounds I have suffered?
Who desire is this? Whose battlefield is this?
That has made us turn our backs on what is good?"
Out of the clearing came a man, once stepping into the sunlight, he became visible to spot. Sun kissed short and spiky blonde hair, tanned face, blue almond shaped eyes that shone in the presence of the sun's light, and a grin on his face. His most distinguishing feature upon his face, however, seemed to be six whisker like marks, three on each cheek.
His apparel was that of a monk from the Northern Temples of Hi no Kuni, orange baggy robes hung on his figure, while his right arm and breast were shown to the world, with many seals and prayer beads wrapped around it. The man wore baggy beige pants, and grass woven sandals, around his neck there were two necklaces, one with a green crystal, and the other with magatamas. Upon his head, he had a worn out conical straw hat as well, and a black sash around his waist. Strapped onto his back was a long Bo staff, a bottle, filled with liquor most likely, tied to a strong string and around his chest, and finally a bag.
The man exhibited an energetic, childlike aura, energetic and hyper all the same, however if one looked deeper, they could sense that of a warm, strong hearted man, ready to fight and go down fighting while taking his enemy with him; the aura of a warrior. The man kept walking on until he finally sat down on the porch, in front of the farmer. Both stared at each other, before the blonde grabbed the farmer's sake bottle, taking a whiff of it, and wrinkling his nose in disgust, throwing it away to the side, and taking the farmer's saucers and dumping it as well, causing the farmer to gain a twitch on his eyebrow.
The blonde then uncorked his own bottle and poured both himself and the farmer his own sake. Passing the farmer's saucer back to him, the farmer took it and took an experimental sip, before nodding in approval and downing his cup, only to be poured once again, this time they both raised their saucers at the other in respect, before they downed their respective saucers. The blonde then poured another round before he opened his mouth and his deep baritone voice washed over the small clearing, finishing the song.
"A big road passes through my house
My family lives under the Ānníng Mountain
Under the mountain, the soil is rich on five acres of land
Five acre farmland of canola flowers."
They sat in silence, their filled saucers still in their hands, as they looked out on the farmland. It was truly a blessing to the people of Ta no Kuni, that they lived in a place where war never touched it with its ugly, corrupted hands. Both men looked at one another yet again, before they raised their saucers to one another and downed their sake. The blonde monk poured yet another round, a calm and friendly smile on his face, while the farmer remained quiet, his gaze going over the blonde's figure, before he narrowed his eyes and spoke.
"Why is it that you are here this time, Naruto?"
The blonde downed his sake, before whipping his mouth with his left sleeve and looked down at his hands for a moment, before he spoke, "I want you to reconsider your decision."
The farmer groaned exasperatedly before replying, "You already know my decision. I want no part in this event at all, I'd rather live my days in hermitage as I've been doing since I was sixteen…"
"It will not be too long before this country is dragged into the coming storm as well. You do realize this, correct?"
"Your warning is indeed greatly appreciated, as is your concern for me. However, when that time comes, I will be long go-"
The blonde cut him off completely, by saying four words that shook the man's bones, "The Senju have fallen."
Silence reigned supreme, for even the wind had stopped its whispers, the birds had stopped chirping, even the water had stop making sounds as the farmer looked on in shock at the man who'd just presented him with vital information.
"What?"
"Shimura Danzo, I am sure you know of him. He led a "rebellion," as he called it, into the capital and proceeded to take over the entire kingdom, demanding any opposition to stand down and swear loyalty to him or the Emperor would surly face death.
However, once he secured the military, he stole the heart of the villagers through complete slander and propaganda against the peaceful Senju…he executed Emperor Nawaki in public. All that is left of the Senju is a very distraught princess, Tsunade, and those who managed to rescue her before retreating deep into the Hitomi peninsula.
Furthermore, the Uchiha have sided with Danzo and the Hyuugas and their vassal clans; the Aburame and Inuzuka, have done the same, albeit reluctantly. The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi, while loyal to the princess, have made their own domain out west and have tightened their borders, turning their back to the princess' group as their main goal right now is to simply survive.
Sarutobi-sama has fallen in battle at the hands of his old student, Orochimaru, this staff on my back is my last memento of him, and Jiraiya-sama is mortally wounded and curtrently unable to fight. This is perhaps the biggest tragedy that has hit our kingdom since the fall of Hashirama…
Should the the other countries hear of it, they will spare no expense in attacking and enslaving many of our populace, especially Iwa and Kumo, more so Iwa as they are still sore from the last Great War, I am glad that Mizu has inner strife at the moment, for they are just six hundred miles eastward of the peninsula."
The farmer processed the information carefully, stroking his goatee, before he spoke, "There is something you are not telling me."
Sighing, Naruto continued, "As it stands, Tsunade-hime's troops are practically dwarfed by the outrageous amount of man power that the other two factions have, in order to win—no, survive, they'll need, aside from well talented fighters, a great mind, who can compete with Orochimaru's and Shibai's mind…I am certain, that when we can get enough man power, we'll be able to…"
"Enough. I have heard your story, what is your true reason for this visit?"
"…Very well, to be honest, this is not a war that Tsunade's faction will be able to win, even if she has managed to keep the loyalty of Sharingan no Kakashi, Gama Sennin Jiraiya, Kedakai Midori-jū; Maito Gai and his apprentice, Utsukushī Midori Yajū; Rock Lee, or even Uchiha Itachi, whom has partnered up with Kakashi in order to spy for Jiraiya as to the happenings within the kingdom.
To be honest, it would not surprise me if Danzo soon came for this country. It would be the most logical choice, would it not? The country has the richest soil in the land, the crops come in abundance. There is no military power in the country, it is a simply merchant and agricultural country; one that could provide Danzo enough natural resources that he'd need to feed his soon to grow army.
But this is all beside the point, and so not the reason as to why I came. I want you to come with me and my company. I want you to help me revive Uzu no Kuni. Uzushio will become the starting point of our counter attack, not only is it perfectly protected due to the natural whirlpools that only an Uzumaki can maneuver through, but it is rich with natural resources.
I want to lead a revolution against Danzo, against Orochimaru, against Onoki, against all these corrupted warlords, I want there to be a time where need not draw our weapons ever, where samurai, warriors, and ninja are not needed. For this I need you, you are brilliant, perhaps more so than the Nara and Orochimaru as well as Danzo's chief strategist and tactician, Shibai.
With your brains, and my charismatic and awesome attitude, we'll reach my ambition of there being peace!"
The farmer shook his head in disbelief at the man before him, his…friend, he supposed, before he spoke, "And if words cannot work against them, what then?"
"Then…will you follow me on the path to hell?"
He stretched his arm outwards, in a handshake. The farmer looked at it, before he laughed aloud, his loud laughter echoing throughout the field as he shook his head in complete disbelief. He could not believe that the blonde before him was actually thinking of this. He raised his hand and grasped the blonde's offered in a tight hold, shaking once, both smiling determinedly at one another.
"Yare, yare...it seems you've somehow managed to drag me into this crazy scheme of yours."
The blonde monk grinned, before he too laughed and spoke, "Good to have you on board, Shokatsuryou!"
The blonde poured both himself and his now partner in crime another round of sake, which they both threw poured on the ground, as they began to discuss the blonde's future plans.
The song they both sung is a Chinese song, as you can see the lyrics are in English, due to me not being able to play around with the Chinese version in order to change one or two words in it. I first heard the song in the Jackie Chan Movie; Little Big Solider (GREAT Movie, and the Ending just made me fucking cry my eyes out, and I barely cry in movies...that's a lie, if there's a sad moment, I'll cry, I admit it, no shame in it!). If you are interested in the song, it is called You Cai Hua, and Jackie Chan sings it :D I am also fairly certain I most likely got the literal and/or wrong translations for the lyrics, if you are a native Chinese speaker, then I apologize if I have offended you.
Also, it was supposed to be "Jiang Mountain" in the song, not "anning" mountain. Just letting you know.
Translations:
Hi no Kuni: Fire Country/Land of Fire
Ta no Kuni: Rice Field Country
Ānníng: Peaceful/Tranquil
Shokatsuryou: Zhuge Liang (YUP! :D)
Again, I hope you all enjoyed this. I yet again urge you all to read the A/N's and/or PM me if you have any questions.
Til next time,
ExMxR