Legends of the Age

Original Story By: Nobuhiro Watsuki Fanfiction By: Jenniko-chan

Part One: Time of the Sekihoutai

Prologue

There was a flash. Master was coming at me with unimaginable speed. I could feel the impeding rushing sound of death emitting from his powerful figure. What was going on? The Kuzu Ryu Sen, one of the most ultimate techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu.. How could I surpass it? Did my life matter? Was I frightened? Was I trembling in fear? Was I frightened of the ultimate step of death this possessed Was I? No. I didn't want to die. My life, I couldn't just throw it away…what about all the training I had lived through, was it worthless? It hit me at the last second. I drew my sword with a technique I had never seen. And when I pulled forwards and used it, I fainted.

Master woke me up with a rough shake. Sitting up groggily, I put my hand to my neck gingerly, feeling the bandages' rough touch under my fingers.

"So, you figured it out at the last minute, eh? Not too bad. Now that you know how to use it, you've finished the Hiten Mitsurugi Style's teachings," he commented. "You okay?"

I groaned and sat up. "Ugh…my head is swirling, and I see stars. Other than that, I'm in shape."

"I didn't expect you to do so much. I was surprised." He showed me a large scar across his chest. "But since you're doing so well, after tonight, you're out of here."

"What! You're throwing me out already! How could you! Master!" I complained.

"Stop complaining. I don't keep children under my house for long. You just turned 14; you should be okay out there."

"But what am I supposed to do? I'm flat broke, you're cruel and probably won't lend me any money 'cause you need it for sake, so I'm screwed!" I exclaimed.

"You won't need money. Just protect others. You'll be fine," he said, taking a swig of sake. "And even if I am cruel doesn't mean you have to say it. Join the police or something."

I sighed. Standing up gingerly, I started towards the door.

"Leaving already?"

"No, just visiting before I leave," I replied, shouldering my bow and quiver.

I walked out the door and stared into the night. The stars shown brightly, twinkling innocently. I walked into the forest, towards the creek where I usually went to draw water. Staring down at the water, I smiled and wondered. There was a young boy named Kenshin who was an apprentice before me here. After I was with Master for four years, he left and went to seek and help innocent people. Quite an ambitious person, if you ask me. A stick cracked behind me. Immediately reaching inside my pocket, I withdrew a small dagger and threw it. I heard it hit wood.

"What the—Who the hell threw that!" a voice exclaimed.

"Who's there?" I asked sternly.

A young man, not yet twenty, stepped out of the woods. "Sorry if we startled you," he smiled, bowing. I stood up straight and reached for my sword.

"Introduce yourselves."

"Ah, yes. My name is Sagara Souzou, captain of the Sekihou Army, also known as the Sekihoutai. My legion…er…accidentally stepped off the main route, and well…"

"…got lost," I finished.

"How observant of you," Sagara stated modestly. "May I ask what your name is?"

"…Nato Kikome."

"Well then Nato-san, would you please tell us where we could camp?"

"Right here is a pretty good place. There's a creek and everything. I could bring you some food."

"That's alright. We have food, just not a good cook." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Heh. You can't really expect men to be fabulous cooks."
Yes they could. Kenshin wasn't all too bad himself. But Master on the other hand…I thought, shaking my head. "I'll cook for you all. Don't worry; I won't poison your food or anything. But in return for the favor of letting you stay on Mitsurugi lands and cooking for the lot of you..." I hesitated. "…can I travel with your army after tonight? I finished the Mitsurugi teachings already, and my master's kicking me out of the house."

"Well, that's not very nice of him. But then again, you don't often meet young ladies who practice swordsmanship," he smiled nervously.

"I understand, but there are a couple women who have somewhat of… a fighting spirit in them…"

"And you just happen to be one of them. But it still is very uncommon to just let a random girl hop onto our army. What do you think?" he asked, turning to the rest of his group.

A little boy about nine or ten stood up. "Why in the world should we let a girl come into the Sekiho Army! That's stupid; all the Sekihou warriors are MEN! She'll slow us down!"

"Sanosuke…"

"Slow you down…" I repeated slowly, partly amused, partly annoyed at the boisterous little boy. "Honestly, I don't really know how to explain this, but you don't look above ten to me. I'm fourteen, and have finished the Hiten Mitsurugi teachings, so really, I think you'd slow the army down more than I would. Sanosuke, was it? Mind if I call you Sano-chan? You're a lot more girly than I am."

"Look here, girl—"

"That'd be Nato-SAN to you."

"—you aren't like us!" Sano-chan argued. "The Sekihou army is supposed to be strong! Not weaklings like you!"

"If you knew in your ignorant head what the Hiten Mitsurugi Style was capable of doing, you really wouldn't have said that," I said dryly. "It was a pretty bad move."

"Hiten Mitsurugi…" Sagara said thoughtfully. "I've heard that somewhere…if I recall correctly, then that is also known as the Heaven's Assaliant Swordsmanship. A legendary technique, if I am correct."

"And where did you find that out? The Hiten Mitsurugi swordsmanship is not a very popular technique. Wherever you found that out was informative in the ways of the sword." I said.

"Yes, it was a very interesting book…" Sagara explained. "If you really study the Mitsurugi Style, the Sekihotai army will be extremely grateful of your assistance. That is, unless someone disagrees."

"I do," Sano-chan said automatically.

"Anyone other that Sanosuke?" Sagara smiled, determined to ignore him.

There were murmurs of agreement.

"I suppose that's settled then," he smiled again. "Welcome aboard, Nato-san."

I gingerly shifted my bow and quivers, I turned back towards home.

"If it doesn't bother you, would it be alright if we left tomorrow morning?" I asked. "I still have a few things to take care of."

"Not a problem," Sagara said. "We'll see you tomorrow, then."

I nodded and started back, pleased that I had somewhere to go.