This is my first fic, so please don't judge it too harshly :) It's an AU samurai kind of fic, but there are some changes to a regular samurai universe. If anyone wants to continue reading this piece of crap my brain thought up, feel free to leave a review :) This chapter is only a start to the original story I have planned, so the story really hasn't actually started. I guess it's a prologue then? Anyways, please review if you can because I can really use some criticism or any comments. I hope you guys enjoy the prologue :D
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in here. They belong to Konomi Takeshi and it's probably better that way. :P
Rikkaidai and Seigaku were not always on good terms with each other. Both powerful kingdoms, it would not be wise to wage war against the other. To stay on good terms, the kings and queens agreed to have a festival held at the kingdom of Seigaku.
Everyone was free to come and go as they please, even the poorest of the poor. Noble families, however, were the special guests to this festival. The most famous from Seigaku were the Tezuka and Fuji families. From Rikkaidai were the Sanada and Yukimura families. All 4 noble families had sons of the same age of 14. These teens would soon be taking over their respected households. As such, the citizens respected these boys, even the kings and queens.
"Hey," a voice called out. It came from the son of the Fuji family, Fuji Syuusuke. Popular with almost everyone, this blue-eyed boy is rumored to be extrememly attractive to the girls. He always has his eyes closed, with a smile on his face. His hair has a somewhat strange color of honey brown. No wonder he's popular with the ladies.
"Ah, hello," came the reply from Tezuka Kunimitsu. Like Fuji, the girls find him attractive, but in different ways than Fuji. You can say that he is very different to Fuji in terms of looks and personality since Tezuka has dark brown hair, brown eyes, and wears glasses. The main difference is that Tezuka NEVER smiles and always has a stoic mask on.
As they started talking to each other, they got along pretty well, even though there were many differences between them. Actually, it was mostly Fuji talking, receiving short replies or simple "Hn's." Despite this, they were both comfortable communicating like this. You might say it's weird, but strangely, it wasn't for these boys.
As the two boys from Seigaku got along, something similar was happening with Sanada Genichirou and Yukimura Seiichi. Sanada was like Tezuka, and Yukimura was like Fuji. Tezuka and Sanada were the quiet, never smiling, strict, and stoic ones. Fuji and Yukimura were considered as sadists by their families. And they smile, unlike the other two. Sanada's hair color is a mix of black and blue, whereas Yukimura's color is blue.
The 4 boys enjoyed themselves at the festival and got to know their new friends until they were called for by their parents. Everyone was gathered around an area that looked like a combat ground.
"As a special event, we will be holding exhibition matches between the noble families from both kingdoms," announced Queen Ryuzaki of Seigaku. "But, we are doing something a little different today," she continued, "the fights will be between the sons of the families." Everyone was eager to watch the upcoming matches between the young boys. Many names were called, but the match that was a must-see was between Sanada and Tezuka.
The two boys' families had high expectations of them, so anyone would think that these boys will put up an impressive fight. Pride was also on the line. As they both stepped up to the grounds, Fuji and Yukimura wished both of them luck.
Being just an event, wooden katanas were given instead of real ones. As they waited a little longer for the match to start, people murmured to each other, talking about who they thought would win. The people from Seigaku obviously thought Tezuka would win. On the other hand, the people that came from Rikkaidai strongly supported Sanada's victory.
Tezuka had won in an instant. The spectators were absolutely shocked at this outcome, even the kings and queens. No one had expected Tezuka to win that quickly. Sanada felt utterly humiliated at this, so he challenged Tezuka to another fight.
"Things will be different this time, Tezuka," Sanada thought.
Sanada went on the offensive and swung swiftly and accurately. However, Tezuka countered all of those swings. Really angered now, Sanada got careless and was defeated, once again. Tezuka was unharmed, as he had been before they started.
Everyone had seen enough. No one criticized Sanada's skills or anything, but Sanada felt extremely ashamed for losing TWICE, and utterly defeated both times. No one dared say a word to Sanada after that match. No one wanted to make him feel more embarrassed that day.
Sanada vowed to get revenge on Tezuka that day. "Tezuka, I swear I'll pay you back one day…"
"At least you tried, right, Sanada?" Sanada turned around to see Yukimura casually smile at him. "Maybe he had way more training than you or something, so don't get too down." Sanada didn't reply to his blue-haired friend, thinking he shouldn't because he felt too ashamed to even talk to anyone.
"Congratulations, Tezuka."
"Ah, Fuji. Thank you."
Fuji smiled at him, as usual. "Hm... I didn't know you were that good, Tezuka."
"It's not that big of a deal," Tezuka replied.
"Haha, that's so like you."
"We hope everyone enjoyed themselves today. It's unfortunate, but this is where we end it," declared King Hitoshi from Rikkaidai.
The kings and queens of both kingdoms said their thanks and farewells, and eventually, everyone went home.
Although the festival was meant to strengthen the bonds between Rikkaidai and Seigaku, the two kingdoms erupted into war 4 years later.
"As everyone knows, we have been at war with Rikkaidai for two years now. Due to many losses and sacrifices, I have come to the decision that we need to end this war as soon as possible. There will be a draft in two days, so prepare yourselves to go into war. We have lost our king, so we cannot afford any more major deaths," Queen Ryuzaki announced.
"Syuusuke."
"Yes, father?"
"About the draft in two days, I am not as suitable for war as you are, so I will have you go in my place."
"I understand. "
An agent from Queen Ryuzaki's royal palace arrived in Tokyo two days later and announced the names of the families that will be drafted.
"Tezuka."
"Fuji."
"Oishi."
"Kikumaru."
"Kawamura."
"Inui."
"Momoshiro."
"Kaidoh."
Those were the last names that the agent called out.
"Every name that was called has to send a family member to the capital's military camp. If you are not present, we will drag you there by force," he finished.
