Hey to the Shiznat community. Like you, I too fell in love with this anime, and especially this couple. Living with my own fears and feeling like an outcast, these two kept me going, they helped me form into the person I am today. I do not feel alone like I once did, so I wanted to write a story for other girls who may too feel alone in society, and I hope that reading this story can give you some comfort and hope to not be afraid. Thank you, J
I do not own this anime etc ShizNat
The Legend of the Princess and the Ice Samurai
Chapter one
An old woman sat in her house across from her grandchildren. Around the small yet gracious table sat green tea, brewing. She allowed the aroma to circulate the grand house. Her eyes closed, and knees knelt, her hands tucked within her sleeves of her purple kimono, encrusted with golden material.
Silence filled the room. Then she smiled, her eyes opening to reveal a passionate ruby red, unique in their colour, passionate, fierce and wise. Her hair in a bun, draping in traditional jewels dangling with gems allowing the grey of old age, to fully stand out. Taking a sip of her brewed green tea, and sighing in content, she looked at her grandchildren saying. "Ara, I allowed myself to daydream...about a story, or even more a legend." Both sets of eyes one of emerald green, the other red, looked awaiting to hear more of this tale, they both sat eagerly.
Both children a young boy, and a girl looked curiously at one another as they saw their grandmother in a different light, for a moment neither noticed. But only if you carefully studied her eyes whilst searching. The mischievous glimmer that sparkled, faded for a mere second, as she sat there contemplating.
Smiling she took a deep yet quiet breath, and said "the legend of the enchanting princess and the faithful Samurai began and ended, many years ago..."
As the story unfolded so did the reality, the legend. The past all of those years ago, now became the present...
A lonely princess sat alone in her home. During her studies she contemplated her duties for the future. The prestige, the honour and the responsibilities. Her small kingdom of Kyoto would soon merge with the brilliant Fukka. She sighed, knowing her freedom will soon end, even though the wealth and respect she received from her peers, her life was lonesome.
In a white kimono, her smooth elegant skin almost blended in with the snow like material. Her hair not of a golden shade of brown was more chestnut, which was carefully wrapped and pinned in messy bun. She stared out of the window of her palace towards the gardens, watching the fountain and stream flow in a continuous rhythm.
Momentarily it calmed her nerves, she listened breathing in and out ever so slowly and peacefully. But to her amazement she curiously watched with piercing red eyes at a figure. Normally she would not have taken interest in any servant or a person of a lower station, as it was taboo in a sense. But this figure just captivated her.
Before she could study further at the running figure. The figures head turned, her emerald eyes looked angry, fierce as a tiger, pierced her very soul. Her hair of midnight blue, blew behind her in the strong wind. Time seemed to stop in those mere seconds, the princess lost for breath could feel her heart hammer inside her chest as it bulged, beating unknowingly to the cause.
She was captivated at the intriguing stranger, until suddenly she heard a shriek of "Shizuru Hime, you should be studying and not daydreaming. It would be unwise for a princess who is shortly to become queen, to not continue with her political studies."
Sighing, Shizuru politely smiled nodding her head towards her mother. She was allot like her mother in many ways in looks it was almost like looking into a mirror, the features were uncanny apart from the age difference. Shizuma wore a elegant blue kimono, just as dark as that beautiful figures hair.
Her mother walked across the spacious room that contained hand carved furniture, where a fur rug sat upon the floor of a tigers skin, beautiful in colour of multicolour stripes that was quite soft to touch. There was a globe in the centre of the study, and many fabrics surrounding the walls in various colours. But this particular room almost smelt of jasmine, she always assumed it was from spices and such, but she could never recall actually seeing any burning.
Shizuru then glanced back at the garden, but the figure was gone. She sadly and confusingly for a moment, just thought why was she so interested in that beautiful girl? But she gracefully made her way back over to the table to go over history and practice her English, which her mother patiently sat.
On the other side of the village was a quiet lonesome hut. The farmer did not allow people to visit or trespass. Only when she went to market to sell her goods, she would utter a word and it would then be cold. Giving her the reputation of the unsociable girl, who lived alone in solitude. But it was very rare did she speak a word, not many of the locals knew anything about her, she only ever nodded to her customers and rarely spoke. Her name was Natsuki Kruger. The other villagers tried to avoid her company, as they all knew she did not want their company, and preferred her life to be quiet and solitude.
The small hut contained two rooms, one her bedroom, the other a quaint living area. with a table, a unique small stove that sat centrally in the room, and two comfortable yet very used armchairs. After a long day selling her goods in the village she looked forward to return to all of this, but on this particular day she came across two travellers. One a girl with unusual orange hair, with a robust large chest and in very dirty attire. Alongside her a companion, with golden eyes, who very short in height. Even though she just turned sixteen her appearance remained that of a child's, as her boyish hair braid hung from the side. Their names were Mai Tokiha and Mikoto Minagi.
Both starving from their travels Mikoto groaned as her stomach growled, Mai laughed uncontrollably trying to cover her mouth towards Mikoto until she too, heard the unmistakable sound of her stomach groaning. Seriously she looked around the busy villagers, where a few passers bys glanced over suspiciously and curiously at the newcomers. Mai grabbed Mikoto by her swords case, avoiding the very large but sharp hidden weapon that concealed itself in its case. She pulled her down a nearby alley saying, "come on, I have an idea."
Penniless they carefully observed the traders at market, watching for easy targets. Perhaps they could steal some fruit, or if they were lucky a bag that contained money. Until suddenly, a girl pulling a donkey and cart came into their view catching their attention.
The girl was unquestionably a farmer, her sandals scuffed, showing how used they were and her attire was strange for a woman of this area. It resembled that of a man's, kimono less, instead replaced it with a sleeveless light blue shirt and short trousers. Mai pointed, and then nudged at Mikoto, and watched the current display. Mai watched the as Mikoto slowly walked over. Blending into the crowds due to her height, as many mistook her for a child.
Natsuki unknowingly to the event that was about to occur, seemed rather pleased with herself as she made her way through the crowd after a tiresome day at market. She felt pleased she sold her harvest for the day, carrying the money in her satchel.
But only briefly did she feel contact, the thief was very experienced and swift. Their fingertips gently sliced the satchels handle in one sweep of a knife. Her eyes glanced to her left and she spun around, searching for the experienced thief. Until mere instinct, she saw a young child carrying a large sword concealed in its case on her back, almost outgrowing her.
The child glanced back, as she ran through the market people. The Horses, dogs and carts ran by her. Natsuki as if in slow motion spun on her heel releasing the donkeys rope. She did not need to worry about anyone stealing her cart and mule. No one would dare to try, as they knew of her reputation of the 'profound Ice...' But her thoughts were interrupted as she ran through the market people, as her feet almost flew between the hundreds of ongoing passer bys. Her and Mikoto danced as if in a rhythm to music, chasing and running from one another.
The sand and dust blew from the dirt ridden road as Natsuki sandals slid upon it. Her breath became deeper in her intake of breath, and her pulse quickened as she felt her blood circulate though her body for the need of fresh oxygen.
The sounds of horses, farmers, dogs and children faded out. Only now did Natsuki only see the girl. Who then changed her strategy fully well knowing she would lose this determined woman. Side stepping, she jumped over a cart, throwing the satchel into the air. Sliding across the dirt road she caught the satchel, as she front rolled into a side alley. Smugly Mikoto continued to run, thinking she outsmarted the woman. But her eyes widened, as the woman behind her continued running determined and ready.
Mikoto then found her alley narrowing, closing, and becoming smaller as she neared a dead end. Only a very tall wall remained, white, like the clouds above. She grabbed a hold of her sword and almost as if she had the ability to fly, her sword dug into the ground, and with all her strength she pushed herself from upon the floor. Pebbles and dust flew in to the air, and a single bead of sweat fell upon the floor. Her body and sword pushed itself towards the heavens, feet first. She then successfully overcame the obstacle, and landed roughly over it. Without hesitation, and now extremely bruised she got up, and ran through a garden larger than the market, and prettier than anything she ever saw.
Exhausted she carried on, pushing herself to run faster, but her sword weighed her down. Her aching, bruised body struggled to keep up with her determination to escape this crazed woman.
Natsuki out of breath, looked amazed and she thought 'where the hell is this girl getting her energy from?' She herself then grabbed a hold of a flag that was well embedded into a nearby wall. Her grip sweaty yet firm, squeezed as she swung upon it. Circulating the wooden pole until she too flipped her body, as she pushed her form over the wall. Landing with a rough front roll, she continued to run after the girl who had now irritated her.
This garden was forbidden to the people of Kyoto, but hopefully none of the guards would see her as the penalty was death for trespassing that, of the palace. Mikoto only about twenty feet in front of her, passed a small stream the quietness allowed the stream to became loud. Natsuki's foot only gently hit against the water, which allowed it to splash upwards over her sandals. A brief second past as she glanced her head over to the side towards the palace, as she could feel another set of eyes observing her. In that very moment, red and green connected. The girl in question, Natsuki did not know as she thought 'she must be a servant girl.' But those eyes entranced her, there was something deep within them that was indescribable to her.
As if the spell was broken, her eyes pulled away objectively form the beauty that stood in the palace and she ran after that annoying girl. Natsukis stamina surpassed the younger girl by far, and deep within the palaces grounds Natsuki dived forward successfully grabbing the girl legs dragging her to the floor.
Mikoto fell, stumbling forward, her face fell into the grass, grazing her cheeks. Looking back, Natsuki face was outraged, angry and fierce which pieced her very soul as those cold eyes stopped her from moving. Natsuki stood up, and grabbed the satchel. The girl below her feet quivered to the punishment she would receive, even that of death. Death was one of laws for stealing within this country. She closed her eyes awaiting for the pain, but to her dismay she felt nothing, but instead she heard a cry of a man shouting, "trespassers, halt!"
Her eyes shot open to a outstretched hand as she lay onto he floor. Natsuki pulled the girl up who looked shocked, and continued to run, towards the trees, trying to outrun two guards. Finding a tree she hauled up Mikoto first, with her hands and knees and Mikoto thankfully was very light. She looked back worryingly seeing the guard approach their position when a hand grabbed hers and pulled her up. Both out of breath they sat quietly watching the guards circulate below them with spears in hand, searching for them. Their armour sufficient against that of a sword and of a arrow, but the colour was the symbolic colours of their kingdom, purple and red.
Natsuki held her breath, as well that of Mikoto. The guards then ran passed giving up on this area and moving on to search another. When both let out a sigh of relief. Natsuki smirked to the girl whose name she did not know. And the girl cockily smiled. Natsuki nodded and whispered in a unfriendly manner "what's your name Hikou Sora?" which the given nickname meant Flying Sky in Japanese. Mikoto smiled shocked at the question, and her heart felt warm. She nodded as she noticed the other woman still looked quite angry and still impatient, and she answered with caution, "Mikoto."
Natsuki sat back against the bark, contemplating to herself staring at the girl for a few moments before asking another question. "Have you been travelling alone?"
Mikoto curiously looked at her and into those emerald fierce eyes, feeling uneasy, as she shook her head.
Natsuki raised an eyebrow. As she said "instead of stealing and risking your life, it will seem worthless...but with that sword you connect with it. I admire that, and your guts kid. Although I think we could make a deal?"
A few moments passed as the birds sang in the distance, whilst the leaves blew rustling the trees. Mikoto thought of her options, until she then curiously said, "what deal?"
Mai looked worried, walking fast along the market searching for her friend. But to her dismay as she approached the abandoned cart and mule, she stood frozen as the unknown villager who Mikoto mugged put a hand on Mikoto shoulder as Mai approached. Confused she walked over, her heartbeat hammering inside of her chest with anxiety and fear, before she then met Mikotos gaze. Mikoto then ran over with a massive grin on her face saying, "guess what Mai, Natsuki Sama is going to allow us to live with her."
Natsuki sighed saying, "I told you not to call me Sama." But then Natsuki smirked, as she patted her mule on the head grooming it as she looked over to Mikoto. Mai on the other hand stood shocked, gawking at the two of them confusingly. Mikoto then ran back and jumped onto he cart, sitting comfortable on the bench seat alongside Natsuki, who tapped the mule to single it to walk, as she looked back at the still gawking Mai. Mai then grabbed her backpack and jogged after the moving cart shouting, "hey wait for me!" Nearing it, Mikoto outstretched her hand to Mai before pulling her up, making room for all three to sit comfortably. Mai looked back at the market, before looking forward to the long dirt road that was surrounded by fields, and then the mountains came into view as she thought of their new home.
Authors Note,
I have had a current obsession with martial art films that contained beautiful love stories and this story I have been itching to tell. It fitted perfectly with my favourite anime couple, and I prefer those stories that build a relationship throughout, which I hope this one will successfully portray. Tell me what you think so far, I would love to hear your opinions an comments. J