AN: Here's a preview of one of my upcoming stories. In it are the characters of Yu Yu Hakuso, duh,except they're called by different names since it's an AU universe and stuff. You can still identify them easily, because their names are dead giveaways. I actually might give them their real names back in the finalversion or eventually, you know, secret identies.Anyways, this is just a preview to see what you all think. Enjoy. Please R&R. I appreciate any and allcomments, suggestions, etc...
EDIT: Thanks to a reader, a grammatical error was brought to my attention. As you may have noticed the title is now changed, as is the sword's name in the story. Now it's the correct Japanese. So for trivia, Shitsubou Shita means 'I'm disappointed' whereas Shoushin means 'broken-hearted.' So now all is right in the world. Enjoy!
Gallantly he marched through the corridors of polished wood and brass, of golden arches and exquisite tapestries, until he arrived at the interior garden. Rays of the morning sun trickled through the ceiling opening down to the beautiful landscape below, making the ripples of the pond sparkle like waves of sapphire. The peaceful serenity was disturbed by the splash of a koi's sunny tail as it swam quickly to the surface to venture a bite, and by the gentle creaking of bamboo as it swayed with the wanton wind. Along the banks of the pond, willow trees cascaded their saddened branches down to the water, hoping to find solace within their depths, much like his mother. There she sat upon the terrace, as she always did, overlooking the tranquil pond as dragonflies hovered over it, seemingly mused and entranced by their reflections.
He strode towards her and bending, placed a kiss upon her cheek. "Good morning, mother," he whispered, but she made no response to his display of endearment. Nor did he expect her to.
Placing his hands on the back of her chair, he observed the scenery before him, wondering what his mother was seeing within the world she was trapped in constantly. Did she see the same picturesque scene of ordinary he did? Or was she viewing something wondrous, phantasmagoric, and full of imagery? He abated fears of never knowing, not wanting to believe his mother might never speak, that he might never hear her beautiful, song-filled voice again.
Smiling, he brushed the thought away and stroked her silky tresses tied back in an imperial bun. Placing a kiss on the top of her head, he said, "I'll back be later to visit with you," and with saddened steps, left her side, doubting she was even aware of his presence.
Suddenly, his senses heightened. Someone powerful was watching him from the archways high in the ceiling of the imperial abode. Easily he himself could jump up to the rafters to challenge this intruder and banish him from the palace. He decided against it, though. Judging from the amount of power he sensed emanating from among the tapestries, the person in question might vanish before he had a chance to. So he stayed his hand and instead spoke aloud, "I know you are there. Who are you? What do you want?"
A pleased snort came from the rafters and with speed and agility beyond the young prince's comprehension, a shadow raced down the walls and onto the marble floor before him. The shadow slowly took on the form of a young man with piercing gaze and a grin full of cockiness. The intruder's blood-red eyes followed his every movement, taking in everything visible and unseen about him with their cold and calculating stare.
Immediately upon making eye-contact with this strange individual, a wave of fear and uncertainty overwhelmed him. He was shocked at his reaction. Being fierce yet gentle-hearted, he was renown for his stalwartness and valor. Yet now, he was cowering from a lesser being. Straightening himself and regaining his confidence, he boldly inquired again, "Who are you? What do you want?"
"My name is of no concern to you. However," the figure thought deeply for a moment, then replied, "You may refer to me as Nazonohi."
"'Enigmatic Fire?'" The prince mused, perplexed. "Why do you withhold your true name from me? I could order you to identify yourself, with even torture, if necessary."
The mysterious young man sneered. "You? From what I've seen, you wouldn't even slay a dog to put it out of its misery."
The prince's hand balled into fists, knowing the degrading comment referred to his dear mother. "Why you insolent piece of filth. Depart from my castle at once before I am forced let the guards deal with you!"
"That won't be necessary."
"What do you mean?"
Nazonohi sighed exasperated. "It means your guards have been dealt with themselves, by my hand."
Shocked and confused, the prince tried to calm his racing heart, knowing this enigmatic person could sense his fear. Gulping down his apprehension, he eyed him warily and asked, "What do you want?"
The smile returned to the stranger's face and he began to languidly walk to the other side of the hall. "Have you heard of the Katana no Shoushin?"
"'The broken-hearted sword?' Of course, everyone has heard that legend."
"Well, I'm off to find it. And if you know the legend, as you say, you'll want to accompany me."
"Why is that? What importance does a fabled sword have? I have my duties here and my responsibilities to my people. If you are not aware, my country is at war and the fighting must cease. I have more important matters to attend to than some myth." Arrogantly, he turned his back at the stranger and marched down the hall, yet before he had even taken a step in the opposed direction, Nazonohi stood in his path. Angered, the prince fumed. "You mongrel! Get out of my way at once!"
Ignoring his half-hearted threats, Nazonohi glowered, "Obviously you are unaware of the sword's true power."
His rage passed like a summer breeze at those words. After a moment of consideration, he asked the stranger to continue. The legends spoke of the sword as being an invincible weapon, giving the person who wielded it absolute power, but not without a price, for all who were told of possessing it were never seen again. All he had delved from the legends was power-hungry individuals soon received what they deserved upon obtaining this fabled sword, and by it, if it existed, the world's corruption would soon dissipate. However, this black-clad individual seemed to know more than what the books said.
"'Whomever wields the swords holds utmost power within his grasp.' I'm sure you are very familiar with this aspect of the legend. However, most view this strictly from a dominant point of view, believing this sword will help them bring an end to the entire known-world." A small smile brushed his lips at this idea before fading away into a distant glimmer while he continued, "Yet they are all naive of its other abilities."
"'Other abilities?'" The prince questioned haughtily. "What purpose could this all-powerful sword have but to destroy?"
"To give life." The stranger stated matter-of-factly.
"What?"
"You heard me right. I know you're not deaf, Yokitsune Hitotsu."
"You...you know my name," the prince stuttered, astonished. "How do you know this when no-"
"Do you want me to finish explaining about the sword or not?" After the prince nodded, Nazonohi continued, "Where was I? That's right. The sword not only takes life, but can give it as well. So," the stranger pointed towards the interior garden where his mother sat, as always, "see that piece of rotting flesh over there?" The prince twitched but ignored the stranger's rude comment. "Well, if you possessed the sword, you could give her her life back. You could hold the key to free her from the prison of her mind."
Hitotsu's eyes grew wide in disbelief. Tears brimmed at the dam of his eyelashes at the thought of seeing his mother smile again and call out his name lovingly. He wiped them away, reality and doubt hitting him. "That's just nonsense and stuff of fairy tales. There is no Katana no Shoushin. It doesn't exist. You're just keeping my hopes up so you can tear them down, for whatever reason you may have." Suddenly, horror consumed him, and he leapt backwards, drawing his sword. "You aren't one of Tekishi's men, are you?"
"If I were, you would have been dead long ago."
Returning his sword to its scabbard, Hitotsu slowly approached Nazonohi, a question on his tongue. "Even if this sword is real, how would it be found? The legends contain no clues or evidence of where it is hidden."
A grin of superiority seemed to be prominent of the face of this stranger. Quick as lightning, his fingers reached into his coat and brought out a tattered piece of parchment. "There is, if one knows where to look. So," the figure raised a thin black eyebrow, "will you join me?"
Furrowing his brow, the prince was assaulted by a strange thought and inquired, "If you already have everything you need in order to find this sword, why are you sharing this knowledge with me and giving me a possibly false hope for my mother's dying soul?" Caught back by this question, the figure met his eyes for only a second before staring at the ground. This display of coyness surprised and intrigued the prince, so he played further on this chord of conversation. "Tell me, Nazonohi, of what use am I to you?"
He glared at him, his eyes blazing crimson. "Do you want to save your mother or not! What does it matter what I need you for. The question is whether you want to give her the chance to live again or let her die!"
Though the young man's concern for his desires puzzled him, he was not about to let the opportunity, however far-fetched it seemed, to slip pass him without even a failed attempt. "Fine," the prince stated, causing the stranger to raise his other brow, "I will accompany you on this quest to find the fabled sword, but only on one condition."
Nazonohi rolled his eyes, as if knowing he something would be asked of him. "Your mother and your kingdom shall be watched over while you are gone. I have men who would be less than willingly to let Tekishi rule this land."
The prince smiled and nodded his head. "Then, you have yourself a deal."
"I knew you'd see it my way," the young man muttered, before jumping back up into the rafters and disappearing from sight and sense.
Hitotsu stared after him in wonderment. The sunlight drifting through the white, green, and blue tapestries altered their colors into a vibrant burgundy, like the color of freshly poured wine, as it made its way down the edge of the horizon. One of the servants came and bowing informed him the evening meal had been set for his enjoyment. Had that much time really past, the prince pondered, as he rushed off to join his mother and other royal officials to dine.
Through the idle conversation and tireless gossip of scandalous affairs and royal campaigns, of the wars in the West advancing ever-swiftly, Hitotsu found himself enrapt by the words of the Enigmatic Fire, and wondered when he would see his burning, dark flame again.