The nights of war, are the darkest. Not knowing who or what is out there lurking for you. This thing will eat you alive; you will feel the pain of the bite on your side. Yes, the thing that lurks out there is neither demon nor monster. It's your own shadow that seeks your soul. You have no where to run from it, no where to hide. If you wish to escape the pain and fear of what you dread of, then, listen closely. The only way to be safe is to know his name, and his name, its Hattori Hanzo. Yes he's a mere human who seeks the darkness, now you know it's not a demon, so you can penetrate it. But be warned, you never lose your shadow, and he is your shadow.
Hattori Hanzo won't eat you, or burn your flesh to the bone. He only comes to serve his master's will. He is a very skilled warrior with a ninja's heart. His heart is darkness but it is true. So no matter how hard you try to stop him, he will never give up. That's why most people fear Hanzo. If this is so then you have a small chance surviving.
Once you're his target there's no way of getting out. He will hunt you down so quietly. Once you think he's gone, and there's no way he could have followed you, then you will feel the utmost of pain and die quickly and painfully. You see he is like the darkness itself, tracing your every move down to the kill. Very scary, but still I would never misjudge Hanzo, never.
The weapon that Hanzo carries isn't long or gruesome; it's merely a framer's tool. A Kusari-Gama is what they call it. It's simply a sickle with a chain. It's very useful to a ninja like Hanzo. With the kusari-gama he is able to attack from a distance and trapping his enemy with the chain then claim his soul with the sickle.
With all this talk isn't about how strong Hanzo is, not about how dark, he is, it's about how he will change. Yes just one thing can change the coldest, darkest, and fearless into a man with kindness. What ever the thing is, it's how it changes Hanzo for good. But will the thing be inanimate or will it be alive? And how will it change him ever so deeply? For someone to find out is to fall in love with someone. . .
As the night at the Tokugawa Army's camp, Ieyasu has order his army to rest, for sure he knows that Toyotomi Army will not attack, for their men are also weak from battle. His men did what he ordered and rested. Each of the men also had their pleasure times with the ladies too. They've been in the war for a long time, so most men are getting tired of waiting, if you know what I'm talking about.
Ieyasu also took time off, he rested in his chamber where the servants fed him by hand, He was most tired but he knew something is amiss. What was it that he had forgotten about? As he scanned the room he noticed there's no shadow among the walls or floor. Then it came to him, he bet that Hattori Hanzo is outside keeping guard.
"My helpful servants, will you send two soldiers to me? Just pick only two and tell them that Lord Ieyasu is calling for them. They have a special task to do for me" Ieyasu stopped his feeding and lifted up his hand. The servants bowed to him and step back towards the door. Each one made their way out then closed the door behind them, leaving Ieyasu alone to think. "Oh dear Hanzo, if you are truly the guardian of the Tokugawa family, then you should rest. Many new attacks may need your service" Ieyasu told himself.
While the servants are making they way to soldiers quarters, Hanzo is also having sometime to think to himself. As he stood upon the roof of housing he watched the leaves swiftly move pass him. Each leaf heading towards the south where the wind blows. Hanzo lifted up his hand and caught a leaf in his palm. He softly grasped is then asked himself, "What drives you to head where the wind blows? Do you wish to move this way or do you wish to move freely?" Hanzo opened his hand and slowly the leaf that Hanzo caught drifted off in another direction then the winds.
The servants picked two men and made their way along with the men to Ieyasu's room. The first servant opened the door; she opened it wide so the others can come in too. The two men quickly bowed to Ieyasu, their heads were touching the ground. "What is it my Lord?" the first man asked.
"I would like you to put this letter on the pillar outside of your quarters. The pillar isn't too high so you should be able to place it on the pillar. Since the winds are strong tonight I wish for you to stick a needle into the letter and leave it there. Once you have left it there leave quickly. Do not watch it at any cost. Do you hear me?" Ieyasu spoke up with a serious voice. He knew that Hanzo will answer the letter by returning to him. He wished for Hanzo's health to be in good condition for the next battle.
"Yes My Lord!" the two men said at the same time. The first one raised up to grab the letter from Ieyasu. They bowed once more then stood up. As did the servants they both exited in an orderly manner. Ieyasu looked out to the widow. The moon was shining bright. It usually never shines this bright during the spring season. "So something wonderful will happen tonight, but what?" Ieyasu asked himself.
The two men did what Ieyasu asked. One climbed up the pillar and stuck the needle into the letter. The letter flew gracefully among the winds. The two men hurried away as told by Ieyasu. Not one stayed behind to see what will happen. For an half an hour the letter flew among the winds on the pillar.
Hanzo skipped from each building to the pillar. The planted his feet on the pillar and grabbed the letter that was floating about. Hanzo grasped it tightly and read it to himself. "Dear Hanzo, Please return to my quarters for a request. I ask for you quickly". Hanzo dropped the letter to the winds and vanished to Ieyasu's quarters.
Ieyasu rested on his bed still gazing out to the bright moon. He heard to soft sounds of a shadow then turned to see Hanzo knelling down to Ieyasu. Ieyasu smiled then stood up. "Hanzo, I wish for you to rest. No one will attack during this time. Go sleep, bathe, or find pleasure amongst these wonderful women" Ieyasu said with a bit of laughter.
"As you wish, but the shadow will not rest easily. Lord Ieyasu , I'm not certain if the Toyotomi will attack but I would like on be on guard if they do try to attack-" Hanzo was about to finish his sentence but has cut off by Ieyasu's hand on his shoulder. "I will go and rest now Lord Ieyasu". Hanzo vanished ever so quickly as he came. Ieyasu just laughed at Hanzo's ways then fell into a slumber not to far from the laughter.
Hanzo did what his Master said, but he will not rest. He wandered off to a lake not too far from camp, but it was very close the forest. The forest gave off a creepy, dark feeling. For Hanzo, it was nothing but a forest. Well anyway, the lake was for Hanzo's bathe. He hated to be watch by the men in the bathe house at camp. He felt fine being alone so he always bathed alone.
Hanzo looked upon the water and saw his reflection. He slowly pulled off his armor then his upper garments. He let them dropped to the ground, and soon enough he was bare besides his mask. He pulled the mask off from the top. His hair from the ponytail slipped down. He looked up to the sky then back down to the water to see his face that's been hiding from the light.
Hanzo brought his kusari-gama along with him just to be safe. He hid the weapon in his clothes so it wasn't possible to catch the weapon easily. Hanzo stepped on his clothes to feel the weapon to make sure it was there, and then he stepped into the cold water. He welcomed the cold water amongst his bare body filled with scars and cuts. Most of the large cuts where wrapped up but he pulled off the wrapping to feel the cold water on the hot cuts.
Hanzo stepped deeper into the water. The soft strings of the water wrapped around Hanzo tightly, he simply pushed them away then made his way deeper. Soon enough the water was at his chin. He dived in, the bubbles rose to the top then they stopped rising. For minutes no sign of neither bubbles nor Hanzo was visible through the water. The air for Hanzo was running out, he made his way back up to the top. He gasped for the air softly.
The night air and wind was so quiet. Hanzo felt relax for once, just gazing to the moon. From his eye he saw the small carters that moon had. He smiled a bit to the soft light of the moon.
His relax didn't last long. He heard the cry of soldiers from the forest and running foot steps. Hanzo quickly reached for his kusari-gama, he moved it under the water so no one could see it; Hanzo held his defense position until he would see some type of sign to attack.
Hanzo stood in silence as the footsteps became louder. He clenched the kusari-gama tightly in his hand. His eyes squinted to see a better view of the forest. He imagines it to be the Toyotomi army charging towards the camp. His thoughts were cut off by drops of rain. He didn't see any cloud when he looked up to the moon. But when looked around him he saw blood. Someone has shed blood in that forest but how?
Hanzo was now eager to find out who's out there. Then he saw a beautiful young maiden dressed in a short red dress that was cut at the middle thighs. The dress had no sleeves; along the rip of the dress was a black lace all around it. Her hair was brown and pulled up with red chop sticks. She carried a kunai holder on her leg, a bag on her shoulder, and a small pouch on her waist; they were all red of course.
Hanzo froze from her beauty; he stared at the young maiden until she fell on her face to the blood-mud ground. He jumped then watched as Toyotomi's army picked her up. The young maiden screamed and kicked about, "Let me go! I will kill you, and I can!" Hanzo watched them take her away. He had no feelings for any body but then he struck one man out with his kusari-gama. He wasn't the only one surprised, everyone else was too.
"Leave the girl alone" Hanzo spoke up. The men turned to Hanzo and showed their swords. Hanzo grinned; he lifted his kusari-gama higher then started to swing it around. Faster and faster it went. He then let it slide to the two other men there. Their heads went flying off as the girl dropped to the ground. "Hand me my clothes" Hanzo spoke in his normal tone to the girl.
With no comments the young maiden ran to Hanzo's clothes. Quickly she handed her savior's clothes to him. Hanzo walked out from the water, he grabbed his clothes very quickly. The young maiden turned around so she wouldn't watch him change, "I'm very thankful for your saving. May I know the name of my savior?" the young maiden asked. Hanzo said nothing; he simply placed his clothes and mask on very fast.
"I heard the cries from here! Hurry and catch the girl! I heard that a ninja saved her!" the cries of the men of Toyotomi came from the forest. The young maiden flinched then smiled. She turned to see that Hanzo was all dressed. "Since you saved me, I'll defeat these guys for you". The young maiden pulled out multiple kunai with strings attached to each one from her holder.
"I'll shall fight with you, the shadow will never back down from a fight" Hanzo said. He gripped on to his kusari-gama; he lifted it up to his chest then stepped forward. The young maiden smiled, nodded, and ran up to the men in the forest.
She charged into them, first she spun around with the kunai cutting the men and leaving them in fright. After her small attack Hanzo appeared behind each one with his kusari-gama, he stabbed, sliced, and spun the kusari-gama on to the backs of the men. The young maiden threw her kunai up to two trees that were parallel and swung into the oncoming men; she kicked them in the chest then pulled her kunai out of the tree and landed. Hanzo then sliced the remaining men through their torso area; their upper part fell over in bloodshed.
"What did you do to get the Toyotomi Army after you? You do know that if this goes on any longer I may have to kill you" Hanzo said. Lucky for the young maiden the men had fled right after most of their men were killed. The young maiden sighed then looked at Hanzo, "They thought they could make me their pleasure partner. I am sorry that I brought a burden upon you, if you do have a Master or Lord, may I speak to him? I will not harm him; I'm not a spy for the Toyotomi Army. If I was then I wouldn't have killed so many men". Hanzo just nodded a bit then lead the way to Ieyasu's quarters hoping that the girl wasn't a spy. She was so strong and very beautiful. He didn't want to hurt her but wanted to be with her.
The dim light of Ieyasu's candle burned in his quarter. Many shadows stood high upon the walls, the shadows danced happily as the candle flickered. Ieyasu was asleep at this but he was awaked by the sound of a shadow. Once he woke up he saw Hanzo knelling to him and the young maiden bowing to him.
"Hanzo, what is the meaning of this!" Ieyasu huffed as he rubbed his eyes. The anger was building up inside of him but he was still too tired to let it out. He watched as Hanzo raised his head to speak, "Master Ieyasu, this young maiden has thwarted an attack by the Toyotomi. They've fled back into their camp. Once she had finished her attack on the Toyotomi she asked to see you".
"I see, amazing. This young maiden as thwarted an attack. She's so young though. What is you name young maiden?" Ieyasu asked so quickly, he was awake by now, after being surprised by Hanzo and the young maiden. Slowly the young maiden rose from her bow, she looked at Ieyasu with sad eyes and looked away, "I am sorry, but I have no name. My parents abandon me in the winter when I was born; they never gave me a name". Ieyasu's gasped, "What horrible parents! I'm very sorry that you never had a family and never received a name. Please accept my apology" Ieyasu bowed his head.
"Thank you, but I do not need sympathy right now I need a place to stay for the night. If I may ask, could I borrow a bed? I know you're a Lord but please Lord Ieyasu, I will not be a burden to your army at all" The young maiden went to a bow again. Ieyasu laughed then said, "Of course! I will offer you a room and food; I thank you for thwarting the attack, so please make yourself at home!" The young maiden quickly jumped up in excitement then bowed to Ieyasu and said thank you over three times.
"Hattori Hanzo will guide you to a room, it's not the best but it's comfortable. You shall be served with the night's dinner as well my dear child. Please be at ease for the night" Ieyasu smiled, the servants opened the door for Hanzo and the young maiden. The young maiden bowed to Ieyasu, Hanzo bowed his head to Ieyasu and followed the young maiden out of Ieyasu's room.
Hanzo led the young maiden to her room. The night was quiet, besides the sound of laughter of the men and the winds blowing. Hanzo wasn't making any eye contact to the young maiden but she was looking at him, a lot.
"Hattori Hanzo, it's a wonderful name. I think it suits you very well" the young maiden said. Hanzo kept walking without moving his eyes or head. "I'm sorry that I'm putting you through this, if I become a burden during my stay then I will be on my way" the young maiden said softly.
Still nothing came from Hanzo; the young maiden respected that but was pretty mad about him not responding. Hanzo walked to the room where the young maiden stayed and opened the door for her. The room was just a bed and a bath. Very small but it seemed nice to the young maiden who was on the road for her whole life.
Before Hanzo took his first step out, the young maiden grabbed his arm. "Hanzo, if it's all right. Could we meet tomorrow night, before I leave? I would like to talk to you. You see I'm- I just would like to see you before I leave, if it's all right" the young maiden said so softly to Hanzo. Hanzo turned his head to the side and looked at her with the corner of his eye, "It's all right, and I'll meet you at the forest".
"She's so graceful and beautiful. What am I saying? I cannot let this girl over come me, but it's hard for me not to think of her, so what is wrong? Why do I feel this feeling in my stomach when I'm around her? I feel so happy, no! Keep it together, the war is at hand and you need to protect Master Ieyasu, and make him the Lord of these lands!" Hanzo thought to himself. "I cannot let her get to me, no matter what. I have a master to serve, I will not give in to the light" Hanzo stood in his room. The futon was laid out by the wall that was furthers from the window. Hanzo grabbed on to his mask and pulled it off. "Damn it, pull it together" Hanzo told himself as he took a seat on his futon. He thought about the war and the killing he would be doing, he tired so hard to keep her out oh his mind but it was not use. She was there all of the time. "Will this become my weakness?"
The night was dark by now, no sound, not even the wind. Hanzo leaned back upon the futon and closed his eyes. Slowly he drifted off into a dreamless sleep. With nothing but darkness in his mind, not even the young maiden. As always his dreams were pointless and dark, he ever dreamed in his life, he had no dreams. . .
thud
Hanzo shot open his eyes to the bright sunlight gleaming down upon him. He pulled himself up from the futon; he grabbed his face the picked out the sleep from his eyes. He pulled on his mask then looked around to see the sound maker. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him, still he checked once more to see anything.
thud, thud
Hanzo turned his head to the door where he heard the sound. He sighed with relief; it was only the servants checking on him. Hanzo stood up from the futon; he looked out the window then looked at the door. He watched the door open and saw a servant bowing to him. Hanzo bowed his head to the servant then watched her leave. "I bet Master Ieyasu is still asleep" Hanzo smiled under his mask. His smile went back into the normal frown; he jumped out from the window and quickly made his way to Ieyasu's quarters.
Hanzo heard the sound of Ieyasu talking, and then he heard some soldiers talking. "The attack all ready? Was it because of the young maiden?" Hanzo thought to himself. Hanzo suddenly appeared behind Ieyasu. "Master Ieyasu, is something wrong?" Hanzo spoke so silently.
"Ah, Hanzo you're here. I'm very glad you could make it. The Toyotomi has just order an attack on us; they want it in two days. I've just order our men to great ready for the attack. As for you, you need to make sure the young maiden gets out quickly and safely" Ieyasu turned his head to Hanzo. Hanzo nodded and said, "She said she'll be leaving tonight. I'll guide her out". Ieyasu nodded back to Hanzo and turned to the soldiers. "That is all, you may leave" Ieyasu raised his hand up. Before Ieyasu could see Hanzo again he disappeared quickly as he came.
The young maiden made her way around the camp, she searched for Hanzo but with no luck he wasn't to be found. She also asked some of the other ninjas but they laughed at her then went on with their day. The young maiden was pretty disappointed not seeing Hanzo. The young turned back around then headed back to her room. Once she reached her door she felt like she was being watched. Quickly she turned around to see Hanzo standing there.
"Hanzo, I've been looking for you!"
Hanzo glared at her, his eyes were cold. His coldness brought shivers to the young maiden. The young maiden looked down then away to the door. She grabbed on the handle and pushed the open. Hanzo grabbed the door and closed it on her. The young maiden flinched then turned to Hanzo. She looked at him then went to open the door again. This time Hanzo didn't stop her, he merely watched her. "Tonight you must leave; I'll guide you to the next village where you'll be safe. I must warn you, if you ever come back I will kill you". Hanzo's words brought shock to the young maiden.
"I know. I know Hanzo. I'm glad I met you. For some reason you brought happiness upon me. I don't know why, but you did. You made me feel happy" the young maiden entered her room. She turned to Hanzo for closing the door.
Hanzo placed his foot in the door way. He pulled off his mask slowly and grabbed the young maiden's chin. He pulled her close to him, slowly he placed his lips upon her's. Hanzo pulled back, "You made me feel different too, that's why you should never come back. If I change then I will have a dream, a dream about you. I need only to serve my Master and that's it. If you get in the way-" Hanzo pulled on his mask, he stepped back then disappeared out of the young maiden's eyes.
"If I change then I will have a dream, a dream about you. I need only to serve my Master and that's it. If you get in the way" the young maiden thought to herself. In her lonely room she only thinks of that phase. She held herself in sadness and happiness. "He cares, but, I must go on with my journey" the young maiden said to herself. Tears filled her eyes so, and then they fell upon her cheeks. The cold water ran down her face to her arms. . .
The day became night, and night became loneliness. The young maiden made her way to the forest where she first met Hanzo. The ground was still bloodily, along with a few bodies laid upon the ground. She looked at the blood splatter ground then up to the crescent moon. To the young maiden it also seemed blood splattered.
"Are you ready to leave?" The haunting voice of Hanzo filled the air of the night. The young maiden turned to Hanzo and saw him in a different outfit than before (2nd costume of the first game). The young maiden nodded softly; on her she carried the same things. "Let's head out before it gets cold".
Hanzo led the way slowly without talking. He heard the soft sound of the young maiden's breathing. He looked at her with the corner of his eye. She looked at him then opened her mouth slowly. Hanzo covered it with his finger, "I do not know why I kissed you. It just something I needed to get off my chest". Hanzo removed his finger then looked at the young maiden.
"Do you wish to know why I'm on this journey? The journey to no where" the young maiden asked. Hanzo just kept on looking at her, to her that was a yes. "I'm looking for a worthy Master. A Master I'm able to protect, a Master who even protects me, even if I'm lower then them".
"There aren't too many men who are willing to do that. My bet is that you leave here and find a place to work. Soon after you should start a new life; Forget the Mater, forget about what happened in the past, forget about- me" Hanzo looked away, he then started off again.
"How am I supposed to forget about someone who made me feel happy? How can I, how can you!" the young maiden raised her voice loudly. Her echo was heard through the forest night. Hanzo stopped then turned a glare to her.
"I've it done many times before; don't think I can't do it again! My job isn't to be happy, my job in life is to serve my Master, and my Master always comes first! If you're trying to find a loyal Master then you must forget about everything else besides him!" Hanzo said harshly to the young maiden.
Nothing came from the young maiden. She merely stared at Hanzo with tears flowing. Her tears shimmered in the moonlight; they shined upon her beautiful face. Hanzo turned around, "Once you pass the forest there will be a village there. Go find an Inn and never return". Hanzo vanished leaving the young maiden alone, only the moon will guide her out of the dark forest.
The young maiden found the village that was located past the forest. The village was peaceful but she missed Hanzo being next to her. She felt sad and lonely once more. She didn't want to leave Hanzo, she loved the way she felt around him. The young maiden took a deep breath slowly and let it out with tears. The young maiden cried where she stood. She gasps for air so softly, she fell on her knees, and she cried her heart out. She cried over a man that never dreamed before. How can she cry over this man? For an hour she cried there until an old lady found her. The old lady took her in and made her feel welcomed but still her heart ached for Hanzo.
"Poor dear what's wrong, why do you cry these sad tears?"
"I finally felt what it was like to be happy. So did the man, but he served Lord Ieyasu, he couldn't feel the way I did. I know he wanted to but, sadly he had to turn me down. I thought he could be happy but I fell in love with a man who never had a dream" the young maiden cried softly.
"Oh dear, how horrible; But Lord Ieyasu is a very strong man and if your love must serve him, then he should. I heard that Lord Ieyasu is going so fight the Toyotomi Army in two days. I hope your man will be all right" the old lady grabbed a blanket and placed it over the young maiden.
"Hanzo" the young maiden grasped the blanket tightly. She placed her side on the futon that the old lady placed out for her. The young maiden fell asleep in the warm blanket. She dreamed that in a battle that Hanzo will be struck in the back. Painfully he falls to his knees while the enemy slowly comes towards him.
The young maiden cried in her sleep as her dream went on. She knew that this dream wasn't her imagination; she knows that this will happen to Hanzo. She feared for the worst, but he wanted it this way, but why? Why doesn't he want to feel the glorious feeling that you get when you hold someone tightly or when you smile.
For the next two days the young maiden thought about her vision. She cried over it all day until the cries of villagers saying that the Toyotomi Army is heading to the Ieyasu Camp. She flinched in silence as she thought about Hanzo dieing.
What could she do? Will she sit here and wait till she hears the news that Hanzo Hattori died in battle? Will she? The young maiden stood up from her futon. She grasped her fist, "No, I will not wait till Hanzo dies! I will come and show him my love for him; I will stand beside him to my very death!" The young maiden ran out to the Tokugawa Camp in search of Hanzo.
When she arrived to the camp she saw the soldiers all line up for battle. Many of them were ninjas, and few of them were women. So if she disguised herself into one of the ninjas then she wouldn't be noticed. So she did what she thought. She quickly and silently placed on the clothes and lined up along with the women.
They all marched out to the battle field where they met along with the Toyotomi Army. As the two leaders talked to each other before the battle, she searched around to see Hanzo. He was no where to be found. She waited till the battle to being so she can find Hanzo.
A group of ninjas ran off to one side while the other group ran off to the other side. The young maiden quickly picked the first group to go along with; she hoped this one led to Hanzo. Well it didn't lead to Hanzo but to a huge battle. The young maiden had no choice she had to fight against the enemy. She had to, just to find Hanzo.
For two hours the battle went on, and in no sight of Hanzo. The young maiden wouldn't give up until she would find him. She searched and searched, until she came across and large battle. The battle contained two enemy officers along with their army. It seemed like they were fighting against one of her officers. She came into the battle and saw Hanzo getting hit pretty bad.
Hanzo's blood went into the air as he hit the ground. The young maiden ran into the battle. She killed off many men, attacking one by one and then multiple men. Hanzo looked up to the young maiden in shock then stood up. The young maiden then threw out her kunai to the two officers.
"Hanzo, I will stay by your side" the voice of the young maiden ringed into Hanzo's ear. Hanzo gasped then turned his head to the young maiden. "Hanzo, I am in love with you" the young maiden pulled off the ninja mask. Her hair slicked down to her shoulders. "I'm sorry Hanzo but I will not leave you".
Hanzo glared into the eyes of the young maiden. He pulled down his mask and grabbed the young maiden's waist. He pulled her close to him hard. His lips glued on to the young maiden's. The young maiden wrapped her arms around Hanzo's neck. Slowly he forced his tongue into her mouth; he moved his tongue around her's so softly. Hanzo pulled back and smiled. "You shall not leave my side either, Akane" Hanzo pulled up his mask.
Akane smiled with tears. She finally received a name from her first love. She was in love with a man who never dreamed, until now. He has a wonderful dream that soars into the Heavens. A dream that isn't darkness nor shadow, but light and life.
-The Loving Hanzo? The Next Battle, Against the Handsome Magoichi Saika!-
