A/N: Hello all, Thegoh here again. This would be my first attempt at an AU K-ON! fic. I am not quite good at writing stories and having them set in a different universe, but I have decided challenge myself so that my writing can improve. So please forgive me if this does not live up to your expectations. As always, your reviews and constructive criticism are much appreciated!
This story is set in a fictional province around the early 1800s, something like feudal Japan but not entirely. For the ease of writing and understanding, I will be using the standard units for things like time and distance. I will also throw in some Japanese but mostly in dialogue only, since it helps them stay in character in terms of speech (to me at least).
Character's thoughts are underlined.
A light breeze swept itself across the huge field, bringing the fresh scent of dew and earth to any living being roaming the large expanse. The winds rose and fell as they flew past the undulating landscape, buffeting foliage and any unfortunate insects as it twisted past irregular obstacles.
On the top of a small, grassy mound stood a tall, jet-black steed sporting a flowing midnight mane. A tuft of silvery fur adorned the ridge between its eyes which scanned the landscape it faced, its ears were upright and alert, listening closely to its surroundings. The wind blew through the hairs of its mane, whipping them through the air as the handsome beast loyally carried its rider on its back, snorting as the scent of wild grass overwhelmed its nostrils. The rider inhaled deeply, her grip on the reins loosening as she slowly took in the sight before her.
It was mile after mile of lush green grass carpeting the land, dotted by the occasional boulder and dark bush. Wild flowers of every shape imaginable were scattered across the green canvas – vibrant yellows and reds, soft lilacs and blues, crisp whites and deep purples – against the backdrop of an azure sky and flanked by the base of a tall, regal mountain. The view was nothing short of breath-taking; and to the young rider, no poet or composer could hope to ever hope to capture this picture even with their best words and melodies.
A distant, deep, rumbling noise brought the rider out of her reverie; she looked up, hazel eyes sweeping the horizon and finally focusing on a large, dark, messy body moving over the field. The numerous shrill cries that escaped the moving mass confirmed their identities; a large herd of wild horses. The shifting shades of chestnut, black, cream and pinto became clearer to the rider as her eyes trained onto the herd, following their movements. The deep, steady yet tumultuous rhythm of their gallop filled her with a fiery energy; this thunderous tempo of their run boasted of the wild, untamed spirit contained within the bodies of these magnificent, yet gentle creatures that were seemingly gifted with the ability to drum a steady beat on the earth.
Her black steed watched its comrades intently, but obediently stood still as he was trained to while the girl watched the herd disappear. She tugged at the reins, easing her mount to turn back and break into a comfortable trot, having had her fill of the amazing morning view.
The slender frame of the girl belied her strength and courage; after all, she was a hunter and stable-hand, having to take down large animals and take care of entire stables of horses. A crossbow and quiver of arrows were slung across her back, and a large dagger was strapped to her hip; she did not need them this morning, but their weight was reassuring – there was no telling when she might run into trouble with the wildlife.
After a short while, she arrived back at a cottage at the base of the mountain. Dismounting from the horse, she led him to a sheltered stable away from the house and removed the saddle, allowing him to join the three other horses that were resting inside. Each horse belonged to one of her family members, and all came from the same mare that had died not too long ago. The 2 horses that had preceded these horses, one had a cream coat and the other a chestnut one. How they had managed to produce her black-coated friend, she did not know; the scholars in the city said it had something to do with "breeding issues". Whatever that was.
A distance away stood a large shack, with steam coming out of the chimney. Ah, looks like my father is awake. Looks like I should get going as well. She walked back to the cottage, making sure she closed the stable gates properly. The last time she forgot to… suffice to say she got into deep trouble because of it. As she entered the cottage, the aroma of fresh baked bread and boiled tomato stew wafted into her nose.
"Ah, Ritsu! Welcome home! How was your morning walk?" A woman in her early 40s with light brown hair gave her daughter a loving smile as she served a bowl of hot stew and placed a loaf of bread on the table.
"It wasn't really a walk you know?" Ritsu grinned as she sat down on the bench, helping herself to the simple yet filling meal. The older woman chuckled lightly.
"I know, I know. Now hurry along, you have work today don't you?" she urged her daughter. "I'll clear it up."
Nodding, Ritsu drained the bowl of its remaining contents and stuffed the last of the loaf in her mouth, using the bread to absorb some of the hot liquid and save her from scalding her tongue. She went to her room, threw on her outer tunic, stuffed a spare set of clothing into her pack and headed towards the shack outside her home.
As she neared the wooden structure, the stench of curing chemicals began to sting her nose and caused her eyes to water slightly. Her family was in the tanning business, and her father, Tainaka Soshiro, was at the forefront of this particular craft; his skills at skinning game and curing hides were well known throughout the province. Naturally, this them a major processor and supplier of cured leather and were busy all year round, especially so in the winter.
They often have transactions with the city-based hunters and merchants; the former would sell them the pelts of their game and the latter would either buy their leather directly or help transport the stock for a fee. The family would also contribute to their pelt supply by hunting in the plains near their home; a job which was once also Soshiro's, but has now been passed on to their workers, Ritsu and her younger brother Satoshi. Ritsu shook her head as she recalled how adamant her mother had been against letting her learn hunting, Tainaka Rumi had wanted her daughter to be more lady-like. Eventually she gave in, since Soshiro needed the help and at that point, Satoshi was barely of age, and the business was growing rapidly.
The Tainaka family would make sure that most of the cured hides and unused pelts would be sold in the market of Shiloh - the capital of their province - at the stall of their long time friends, the Akiyama family. The Akiyama family specialized in making clothes, shoes and beddings, and had a lucrative business in doing so. The reliability of their products, thanks to the quality of their crafting and the leather they used, gave their business a big name within the province. It was the skills on both sides that made their partnership so successful.
However, the friendship between the two families ran far deeper than just a mere business partnership. The Tainaka and Akiyama patriarchs – the ones 4 generations above Ritsu – had served in the military together during the Great Civil War, and had saved each other's lives during the fight. Once peace had been restored, the 2 grew as close as brothers, and had chosen to support each other's families together. At first the 2 families lived in the same complex, but as the size of the families grew, they had to live separately.
Even so, their children and grandchildren would continue to grow up in each other's company and give assistance in times of need, and till today the ties remain. Needless to say, the current daughter of the Akiyama family, Akiyama Mio, was Ritsu's best friend.
Peeking into the shack, Ritsu found her father and brother working furiously amongst the other workers. Now that Satoshi was older, his father has finally decided to pass on the tanning craft to him, something which he took very seriously. Ritsu giggled at her younger brother's intense look of concentration and confidence as he took instruction from his father; it was completely different compared to the shy, reserved side of him that he usually showed others. He often had trouble making new friends because of this, and had to rely on his boisterous, amicable elder sister several times to overcome his own barriers, especially when it came to girls.
"Hey Ritsu! The cart is loaded already, you should get going. You don't want to be late." Soshiro waved his daughter away. "Be careful alright? And remember to wear your coat! It's still rather cold lately."
"Shoot anything that gets too close, Nee-chan!" Satoshi grinned.
Ritsu simply gave a thumbs-up and a smile before proceeding to the horse-drawn cart loaded with pelts and leather. The man standing next to the cart gave Ritsu a soft smile, it was none other than Mio's father, Akiyama Hatori. Every morning when it was time for the Tainaka family to deliver their supplies over, Hatori and his helper would drive the cart over from Shiloh to the Tainaka household and join them for an early tea session while Satoshi would load up the cart. Every now and then, Mio would come along and join Ritsu in her early morning routine. Once all was done, Ritsu would join the cart and they would head back to the city.
Hoisting herself onto the cart, Ritsu settled herself behind the stacks of leather and pelt, using them as a backrest during the journey. Not that the journey was a long one, since the Tainaka's lived within reasonable walking distance from the city gates, but no one said it was illegal to get comfortable, even if it was just for 15 minutes.
Ritsu leaned back and closed her eyes, dozing off before the cart even began moving.
This chapter and the next few will be used to lay some groundwork: such as the roles of our characters and the nature of the place they are in. After all, it is an alternate universe and it makes no sense to give half-baked ideas about the world the girls have been placed into.
Please rate and review! Thank you very much.