I own no one except the Ishikawa family in this story and the Mikito family. All names I make up are fictional. Accounts of historical family names have nothing to do with the actual families. Any and all locations within countries are fictional.

Blade: Phantom of the Sands of Time

Blade J. Ishikawa Date of Birth: February 1, 1584 Place of Birth: Shanto Mountain Village, Japan True Name: Ishikawa Jin, son of Ishikawa Tao Species: Echidna Fur Color: Albino Eye Color: Blue Hair Color: White Loyalty: Honda Family Birth Name: Ishikawa Jin

The year is 1602. The Hideyoshi family has been in rule for 500 years. Shogun Hideyoshi Togamasu has controlled the country with a powerful will, but opposition to the country and its ways have been coming from the westerners. They have slowly begun making a move toward Japan.

Togamasu "Let those fools come as they wish. The quickest route to us is through the North Straight. Even then we will be ready with our powerful naval fleet. Our samurai shall wait on the shores to shoot their troops down!"

Togamasu's words were put to the test as the squirrel troops from England and France, as well as the hedgehog troops from Prussia marched forth against the powerful echidna samurai of Japan. In three months the western armies were defeated and sent fleeing back to Europe. The echidna had received many casualties. The greatest was the loss of Shogun Hideyoshi Togamasu who died from a sever gash across his chest. He died peacefully in his sleep after much blood loss.

The daimyos of the nation all wanted to take the high position but none were willing to start a war. So they all met in the Imperial Court of the Emperor's palace. They decided upon a soul candidate who, with the blessings of Emperor Toyotomi Hidosai, took the status of shogun. The man was Yuan Chang of the famous Yuan family of the Oyotomi Domain. Lord Chang declared none would be able to break into the country and that his time as shogun would be the greatest. Five weeks later in the year 1603 the lion army of Russia attacked.

Part 1: Master Samurai, it Begins

Chapter One: The Oath of Snow Garden

Snow drifted lightly over Shanto Mountain. At its base was a thriving village composed of farmers and traders, samurai and artisans. All of them worked together even though they were of different classes. The farmers fed the samurai who protected the traders' imports and exports onto the Zhang Xu River, who provided the artisans with needed material who provide art work to the houses of the others.

Little did anyone know that in this quite village a great warrior, who would shape the world with his sword, lived.

"I hate the snow." Mumbled Jin. Jin was of age nineteen. He would have aided in the war against the westerners recently if he had not suffered grave illness. Jin was of a samurai family. His father served in the war, his grandfather had served the daimyo of their state and his father before him and it went on to the first Ishikawa who had helped establish this state which was ruled by the Honda family.

Jin was an interesting echidna indeed. He had a lack of pigment in his fur which left him with white fur. He was hard to spot in the snow due to this. The only thing that helped him stand out was his kimono and the rather odd blue streaks in his dreads that touched his shoulders, a sign of his adulthood at hand. His birthday was in two days. His gempuku was set on his birthday. Lord Honda Ukita himself wanted to test him, but couldn't in the past due to his absence on trips and battles against bandits.

Ishikawa Jin really didn't see himself capable as a samurai. He already couldn't get himself to strengthen his nerves as he was nervous for Lord Honda Ukita was a famous warrior. To make it worse he came from a famous family line as well as a strong and proud samurai. If he messed up or failed he would shame his family and be disowned. He would be casted out of his daimyo's state. He would only be able to find work as an eta, the lowest of the social class. The very thought of working with dead bodies and be seen as waste by all made Jin shutter.

Then again he had years to learn. He was taught by Master Oda Tong. Master Tong was an echidna from the mysterious Himalayas of China. He had taught Blade the secret techniques of iaijutsu, the quick draw maneuver. Jin was so good he could cut a tree through in one fluid motion.

"Jin!"

Jin looked back over his shoulder. "Coming mother!" Jin trotted back to the home he lived in. The wives to the Ishikawa men were as well known as their husbands. They always kept the home clean and their men well fed. Lord Honda Eurketa, father of Honda Ukita, had once said, "The secret behind the strength of the Ishikawa samurai lies not in their muscle but the food their wives make for them."

Jin removed his zori and straw hat. His mother bowed to him and he returned it. "Supper is ready my son. Do you know where you father is?"

"I'm not sure mother. Father-san has not been about home today. I believe he went hunting in the woods with Honda Ukita-sama."

"They are discussing your gempuku my child." Jin and his mother bowed low to Ishikawa Kito, the father of Ishikawa Tao. Kito still carried his katana and wakizashi in his obi.

"Grandfather-san." Jin began. "Good morning to you."

"And a good morning to you both." He returned the bow and they rose.

"What were you saying father-san."

"Well my dear. Your husband is out with Ukita-sama hunting. They are talking about young Jin's future as a samurai."

"I mean no disrespect grandfather-san but I am no longer young but of adulthood."

Kito laughed in his deep manner. "I take no offense child. You are right. I forgot that you are almost of twenty years of age. Before I forget as I tend to do." Again Kito laughed and Jin and his mother joined in. "You should go meet with Mikito Haika."

"I don't understand grandfather-san?"

"I think you know what I mean." Kito said smiling.

Jin then smiled and bowed. "Mother."

"Go and meet with her my son. Supper comes every night, but love comes once in your life." Jin bowed and left. Jin went to the stable to collect his horse.

"Ah, Ishikawa Jin-san." The stable boy, a thirteen year old, red furred echidna bowed to Jin. Jin returned the bow. "Are you going for a trot in the village?"

"Hai." Jin stated as he placed his riding gloves on. He adjusted his straw hat and then was ready. The stable boy, Lu, brought out the white stallion that Jin was well accustomed to. Lu readied the saddle, the reigns, and the blankets. Jin mounted and nodded. "You may go home Lu. I will put Snow Dasher away myself when I return."

"What about Master Tao-san?" Lu asked bowing upon the master of the house's name.

"My father is with Lord Honda Ukita-sama in the woods. My father prefers to undo the gear of his horse. He always said that a samurai can do everything themselves."

"Domo arigato Jin-san." Jin bowed to Lu and then spurred Snow Dasher forward. When Jin approached the village below he slowed his horse to a trot. All bowed to him as his status in the social class was known by name and the mon imprinted on his kimono top. Jin came to a house and dismounted. Jin knocked and waited. An old man answered and bowed with a smile. "Jin-san. It is good to see you."

"You are well met Mikito Ren-san."

They both rose from their bows. Ren smiled deeper. "I take it you are here to see my lovely daughter young master of the Ishikawa house?"

"Of course Ren-san. Your daughter is the beauty of the village."

"A fine wife to bear your child." Ren said smiling.

"Why sir!" Jin stated blushing. "We're jumping ahead of ourselves."

"Yes but the people of the Shanto Mountain Village would expect the son of our most famous samurai family to marry the most beautiful girl of the village. The child will have grace and cunning."

"Don't be modest. I'm blunter then wood." Jin stated. The two laughed.

"Don't be hard on yourself child. The elders feel you shall become a great warrior. You are the first echidna in Japan since Tokugawa Yoshi of 1234 to be born with fur the color of the snow." Ren led Jin inside. Tending the hens was a lovely girl. Her fur was a light purple with pink in her hair and swirled so slightly in her fur. Her eyes were a deep violet. She wore a slight blue kimono with pink flowers embedded into the design. She turned about and bowed to Jin.

"My lord." Her voice was so soft, like the snow, and sweet like honey. Jin bowed in return.

"My lady. Shall we take a stroll through the fields?"

"I would be honored my lord." Jin offered his hand and she took it. The two left for the fields which were covered in snow at this early time of year. In a few months they would come alive and be covered again with beautiful pink and red flowers. The lush grass would appear again and be filled with small birds that would sing there spring time songs of love.

The walked in silence. Jin walked slightly in front of Haika. He suddenly stopped and faced her. She looked to the side blushing. She admired his handsome features. His white fur was soft and warm, his eyes were just as soft and caring, but they were also filled with a will she could not place her delicate fingers on. He reached on and grabbed her hands in his. She felt safe when he touched her with his sharp, talon fingers. They looked dangerous like any other male echidna's fingers but they were not dangerous, not to her.

"My lord!" She said a bit surprised when he stepped closer. The folds of his dark blue kimono fluttering as he walked.

"Hush my love. Two suns and two moons shall pass and I shall be twenty of age. If I prove-"

Haika placed a finger on her love's lips. "My love. You will pass your gempuku. You come from a family of elite samurai. I know in my heart that you shall become samurai."

He smiled. She was so beautiful and had always been there to aid him. They had never known each other when their families had arranged their marriage, but they soon fell madly in love with the other. "When I pass my gempuku I will be a samurai loyal to Lord Honda Ukita-sama. I may be called to fight the bandits on the north border. A war may come and I be called in along with my father. My love runs deep for you and you know that."

"I do my love." She whispered as her lavender eyes met his blue ones.

"I want to share a night of passion with you my fair Haika."

She blushed deeper. "My lord!"

He kissed her. Their love for each other soon brought about a night of passion they both would remember.

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"So the Red Lion army of Russia has invaded Japan?" Jin asked his two best friends. He was older then both. "Yes Jin." The first to speak was a deep voiced fellow. His fur was brown and his eyes black. He was a strong fellow. He was also a samurai except he did not use the katana like most did. He favored his nagita, a pole arm with a sword like blade on top.

"They think they can take us." The second was also of a deep voice. He had muscle but was a little chunky. He was samurai like the other two. His fur was red and his eyes green. His hair sat messy about his head. He used two katana instead of one. He was trained in niten, the twin sword fighting style.

"We all are going to war along side our fathers, all who are known." The three young echidna were from different villages with in Lord Honda Ukita's domain. "I am of twenty, you Sun Guo are nineteen, and you Huang Chuyuang are eighteen." Jin stated. "We have known each other since we were children."

"We have always backed each other up." Guo stated as he leaned his nagita against his shoulder.

"I believe we should tie our friendship in sworn brotherhood." Jin stated.

"I agree Jin." Chuyuang said cracking his knuckles.

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The three stood in the Snow Garden. It was a Peach Garden which was known as the Snow Garden in the winter. On a stone table lay fruit and a bowl. In the bowl was the blood from a goat. Guo stood in his black kimono. The right sleeve sat at his side as he didn't wear it. His chest and right arm were covered in traditional armor. His boots showed along with his black pants. He wore a black turban that his hair was tucked into. Chuyuang wore green pants with spiked knee pads. his pants were tucked into his boots. He also wore a shoulder guard that had straps connecting to the slab of metal the protected his stomach. He also wore a turban that concealed his hair. His turban was also black.

Jin wore dark brown boots, black hakimas tucked into the boots, and metal shin guard. He had on flaps that protected his waist as well as his thighs. He had the torso armor of the usual samurai with spiked shoulders, and metal gloves that looked like the claws of a dragon. His helmet had leather flaps that protected his neck as well as metal ones that protected the head. His helmet had antlers of a deer. All his armor was black They all had the mon of the Honda family on their self being somewhere.

"We here today come together as brothers of oath." Jin said.

"Though born on different days of different families we shall be brothers of word and vow." Guo said next.

"We swear to watch each other, protect each other, and will love each other like brothers." Chuyuang said next. They all brought their katanas to bear and touched the tips together.

"We swear to die on the same die at the same time at the same place." They yelled together. "May the heavens bear witness to our oath!"

An oath was formed between three friends of different families. Their names shall soon become known, and their oath shall be forever remembered amongst the scrolls of history.

End

Next time

Chapter 2: The Battle of Blossom River