Disclaimers: Remember, the Disney incarnations of The Little Mermaid belong to Disney. And Samurai Warriors, including its depiction of Kanetsugu Naoe belong to Koei-Tecmo.

I'm using an idea once used Beauty and the Beast for this story.

Thousands of years ago, an ancient civilization existed under the earth's waters. These people had the appearance of humans but their lower halves were that of a fish. They were called Merfolk.

1569

The legendary sea king Triton had issued strict decrees. Merfolk were not to visit the surface world, as he considered the human race violent and evil.

Of all his children, Ariel was the youngest daughter, with red hair, and a blue seashell top.

She explored the human race, searching for human objects. This was what Triton disapproved of. He had soon found out and destroyed her grotto of human artifacts.

When Ariel felt all hope had faded, the mermaid princess heard rumors of a sorcerer of the seas. She traveled to the Sea of Japan and met the sorcerer. She begged for a way to become human.

He made a plan, "I shall give you a potion that will make you human for 100 days. You must find your lover within that time. If you find your lover and you declare for love for him or her, and that person does the same, you shall become human forevermore. But if you are unlucky, you will remain a mermaid."

Ariel accepted the potion and was given two gifts, one was a special castle for a home, and a sea flower which will bloom until the 100th day.

She hoped to find good use and was advised, "Good luck gaining the trust of the world you hope to earn a part of."

In her new home, somewhere in Japan, it was a European style castle. She had swimmable aquariums for the fish who volunteered to go with her. She also had animal friends who could go on land and sea.

On her first day, she tried a 20 year old male, who saw her as a monster in disguise. After a week, she tried a male who would have slave driven her. On the 10th day, she tried a female who was drawn to her form.

The following day however, Ariel was horrified to find her scalp floating in a swamp. It was the courtesy of a man from Owari, Nobunaga Oda, who distrusted outside species.

On the 15th day, she tried a family but was greeted with sticks and stones.

At the time of the 26th day, she seduced a 17 year old, who brushed her aside at evening and went with another.

On the 30th day, the mermaid princess she snuck into the home of an old man, but was kicked out when discovered.

The 39th day, Ariel brought in a little girl who had been searching for her family. She loved her first, but when the parents found out she was alive, the kid was returned to her family.

Day 40, Ariel came upon a man who she felt would be a perfect match for her. But instead of feelings, she was threatened that if he saw her again, would kill her.

She returned to her castle in grief, and her friends tried to comfort her. Ariel looked at the stars that night and said, "Gods, please help me. Find someone who will accept me. Help me to find a human who I can love without incident."

The princess heard no answer and said, "Daddy, forgive me." to the empty air as if speaking to her father. Then she returned to her sleep.

10 days have passed since.


Echigo, Kanto region, Japan

Within the Naoe household, their main code was of honor, love and righteousness. Meditating in front of a statue, was a young man. He was wearing white robe-like clothing with armor bits on his character. At his side was a helmet with the kanji for love. His name was Kanetsugu Naoe. Nephew of Kagetsuna.

"Any who violate the Naoe code, love, righteousness and honor, must be punished." Kanetsugu said to himself.

A messenger came in and bowed, "Master Kanetsugu, we have a report. A group of bandits are attacking a north village."

Kanetsugu got up and got his helmet on. He got out his ofuda cards and picked up his tsurugi sword. Outside waiting for him was a man with a light beard and monk robes. This man was Kagetsuna.

"Kagetsuna, am I correct you have sensed such a disturbance like banditry?"

The adopting father got out a staff and said, "Yes. We must fight evil. It is the way of the Naoe."

"Okay," Kanetsugu got on his horse, flanked by two white armored officers, "let's do some good!"

The Naoe army rushed off on horseback and foot respectively.

In the north village, bandits were attacking villagers and ransacking homes, taking what they could from gold to food and water.

As the bandit leader said "Alright, we're gonna have a big party tonight, guys!" a voice yelled "No, you're not!"

They saw the Naoe clan of the Uesugi forces before them. Kanetsugu announced, "How dare you disturb the peace of the people of Echigo! You're crime is lower than the Seven Seas." He swung his sword up, then down, then stood with his legs apart and one knee bended with his sword pointed at the ground before continuing "I am Kanetsugu Naoe, retainer of Kenshin Uesugi!"

He swung the sword to his side and said "And in the name of righteousness," then pointed the tsurugi at the leader and said, "I shall punish you!"

The bandit lead said "Let's get 'em, boys!"

Soon, the Naoe troops and the bandits got at each other. Some bandits were disarmed, some were cut down.

Meanwhile, the honorable warrior held his sword in one hand, and the ofuda deck in the other.

The bandit chief charged and he swing his axe, but was blocked. Kanetsugu cut the man's arm and jumped away. The criminal tried to cut him again but Naoe used his ofuda to create a circle. It slowed him down and distorted his voice "You snot nosed freak!" The bandit's distorted voice yelled.

Kanetsugu kicked his face two times knocking him away. When the bandit was getting madder, the Uesugi general said, "A life in hell fits you good!"

The bandit leader jumped and yelled, "You're dead, kid!" but Kanetsugu made a sign with his ofuda, and it shot a laser into thug's heart.

The bandit leader fell to the ground with a yell, and was dead. The surviving bandits realized victory was hopeless, and left without their loot. The Naoe forces cheered.

"Now do you see? The blade of love can never be beaten!" Kanetsugu declared.

Kagetsuna clapped at his adoptive son's skill, "Well done. I'm proud to call you my son."

"Shall we go home now?"

When the Naoe troops returned home, they heard a soldier screaming in panic.

Kagetsuna and Kagemochi Amakusu (he's still generic warrior) rushed into a home. Kanetsugu followed. They found the soldier crying in pain.

"Ito, what's wrong?"

Ito turned to the black haired young man after trying to calm down. "5 days ago. I was with my men. We had no one to report to, no one! We were hunting elk, and just when I decided to head alone, I heard what sounded like angel singing. I looked and saw it..."

"What did you see?"

"They say there's no devil... But there is, right out of hell, I saw it!" Ito cried.

Kagemochi asked, "What did it look like?"

"Crimson hair, blue eyes, and the height of a woman." That was all he could make out.

"Did you cry for help? Did it show hostility?"

"Yeah! I called my men, I begged them for help, they couldn't do it! They couldn't do it..." Ito looked at Kanetsugu as tears dropped down his face.

Kanetsugu crossed his arms and said, "You may file a report to a psychiatrist first thing in the morning. I don't believe you."

"Did you escape?" Kagetsuna got worried.

"I did! With my life!"

Kanetsugu looked at his men then his adoptive father and just when he was about to walk out the door, he heard some womanly singing in the distance "Ah ah aaaaah, ah ah aaaaah." He turned, "Can you identify that?"

"Hard to tell."

The young warrior came out and covered his ears, "Who's doing this?"

After another "Ah ah aaaaah, ah ah aaaaah.", the singing stopped. Kanetsugu unsealed his ears and came back not knowing he was being watched by blue eyes from a bush.

"I am simply making the suggestion that you are a liar." Kagetsuna reprimanded to Ito.

"You better believe me if the creature kills."

(jingle: Kurayami no Tsuiseki from Hokuto no Ken 1:42 to 1:46)

notes: the oc look for Kagetsuna Naoe belongs to me and in the following chapter, we'll know from the Naoe clan's pov who the devil out of hell Ito was describing really is.