I've been avoiding the reincarnation trope for so long! But I think this time it fits to the story. I am very insecure about this fic so please, understand my lack of confidence about it.
Also! I am not english native so forgive any mistakes I've made
Chapter I
She frowned as she wrote her last name in her college application.
Akuma. AKU-MA. The exact same word for "devil"
Her guardians seemed to try to fix that, trying to write it with the kanji for "sky" and "spirit" in her papers but there was not use. It was a ridiculous last name, apparently, chosen randomly for great great grandfather. A low class yakuza who needed a spooky name to scare others because his presence apparently cdidn't do the trick.
Kids in the neighborhood used to make fun of her for that. They said she was cursed and her last name was only a proof of that. She didn't disagree completely in that, to be honest. What it really bothered it was when they said she had to be Aku when they were playing. Never the Timeless Princess or the Samurai. Always the bad one. For a normal child, this could have been just an annoying thing to remember, but for her, someone who heard for years how bad and useless she was only for existing, from her mother nothing less, it was like putting salt in the wound.
-Are you done with those, Akuma?- her teacher asked her in the hallway, seeing her application folder in her hands- Schools won't wait for you only because you are nice
She faked a smile and nodded.
-I am almost done. I will submit it this Friday- she replied, but the teacher was long gone.
So, this was the path she was taking. College and then become an office lady as any other girl without any remarkable talent. At least she would do something honest with herself. A cursed child as she shouldn't expect more.
Still, once she reached her desk and saw her kendo equipment waiting for her, her heart stubbornly skipped a beat. In an ideal world, in a world where she was allowed to dream, she would live wielding this very same wooden sword every day
"No, this is only a hobby. You can't make money out of this. Once school is over you will have to…"
She stopped herself and collected her stuff as if her life depended on it. She had to be realistic. She was not a samurai. Her heart couldn't belong to a sword. She would have to get over it. The problem it was she didn't know how
-Ashi, you have improved so much- her sensei told her after practice while his wife served them some tea. It was a common practice since she was seven, the first time she stepped into the dojo. She didn't like tea back then, but she enjoyed their company enough to pretend until she could appreciate its taste.
-It seemed like yesterday when you arrived here. You weren't very happy little girl- the sensei's wife replied, an elegant and beautiful lady that didn't represent her age at all. Still, Ashi liked to call her "Obasan"
-I was a very unhappy child back then- Ashi laughed-. You were my guardians last resource to help me to channel my anger. I really kicked that last kid's butt who made fun of my last name
-well, he said your dad had to be Aku because your last name so I understand you
-Darling!- Obasan gasped. Ashi giggled. She liked her guardians, but sometimes she couldn't help, but wonder how her life would have been if the Fujiwaras adopted her instead. She would take care of the dojo for them and bring its glory days back. Not that it needed it but they could use some more students. Also, she would take care of them. Not like the slacker of their son.
She was told he had almost her same age but he was training in different places since he was little. Apparently, he took seriously the legacy of his family and not only wanted to perfect his technique with the sword, but also other different martial arts.
Surprisingly, she never got to speak to him. When she started with kendo, he was gone already. He almost never visited too. His parents were the ones who went to see him wherever he was training.
Ashi was sure she had more chances to meet him, but she avoided them all, because deep down, she kinda hated the guy's guts. She saw his pictures, his perfect stuck up face, looking so happy next to his parents and yet, he willingly left them behind to follow some kind of mystical and ancient path.
She was aware her sensei was to blame. He sent him away to train in first place, but the guy seemed to enjoy way too much all that modern samurai crap even now.
-So, Ashi. You will have a competition next month. How do you feel about it?- the sensei asked, interrupting her thoughts.
-I think I will do fine. This is my last one so I want to win no matter what
The Fujiwaras tried to hide the trace of sadness in their faces. They were very vocal about being against her decision of quitting kendo. They understood her reasoning. Ashi needed the safety net of a common life after all the madness she experienced. Still, it would be painful to see her go. About all when she was so talented.
Maybe, if she agreed to meet their son and they would get along ... She would be such a great heir of their dojo along with him.
She always had these dreams. The therapist that used to see her during her time in foster care never could make sense of them.
Seeing her mother as a shadowy figure, with a white mask, made sense. She was projecting her fear to her and making her look scarier than she really was.
She, doing a completely impossible training, jumping rocks and fighting someone twice her size. Not so much. Maybe it was a way to tell herself that she needed to be stronger?
She, all grown up, fighting fantastic creatures along a samurai. Not at all. Was she reading The Tale of the Nameless Samurai maybe a bit too much?
The truth, it was she never heard much of him before. Her mother didn't exactly wasted her time telling her bedtime stories
-It is a legend that took place when this country was still a kingdom- the therapist told her-. The Nameless Samurai trained all his life to defeat the Ultimate Evil, Aku. However, when he was about to defeat him, the demon sent him in the future. There he met many allies and lived many adventures trying to return to his time. Time passed, though and he lost his hope. However, he found it again in the daughter of his enemy. She used the powers she inherited to bring back the Samurai and defeat the demon. Sadly, her sacrifice made her disappear. The legend says the Samurai devoted his life to reunite with her again, despite the laws of time that erased her existence. That's why she is called The Timeless Princess.
-Did he find her?- she asked, feeling an ache in her chest
-No one knows. Some say the Gods helped them and some that they reunited in the afterlife. Anyway, now let's talk some more about those dreams…
She talked and talked, but the dreams didn't disappear. By her last session, before being put in her current foster home, her therapist joked that maybe it wasn't her mind playing tricks
-Maybe the samurai really existed and you met him in another life. You have the soul of a warrior after all
Ashi laughed for the first since she arrived there two years ago. It was the most beautiful thing someone said to her.
Time passed and even if the start was a bit rough, her life improved. However, the dreams stayed and lately they were even more recurring.
She still couldn't make sense of them, but the last surprised her in a bad way.
She, walking down an aisle, wearing a white kimono.
She, falling
She, being held by a faceless person
She, disappearing
-Hello, Ashi- Obasan Fujiwara welcomed her-. You unusually just in time for your Saturday morning practice
-I had a bad night. Sorry- she said,bowing
-Well, you are our best student so we can make an exception- she joked- Anyway, my husband had to attend some business today so maybe can you start practicing with other students? Today we will do some sparring
Ashi frowned. Usually the other students around her same age they didn't even try anymore to defeat her. She should be proud of being so respected, but it was an inconvenience in this kind of situation. She was full of nervous energy and needed a challenge to release it all.
She exchanged a few more words with Obasan, who was maybe too cheerful today, and went to put her bogu. Once she was ready, a few other students were there and practicing already. Everyone with their masks on.
As she expected, most of them politely declined her offer of practice and the ones who accepted were quickly defeated. Ashi was starting to get frustrated when another student approached her.
He didn't say a word. He just crouched and wielded his sword in front of her, expecting her to do the same. She didn't recognize him, but appreciated the boldness.
After she crouched and both stood up again, the sparring started.
Ashi didn't know how, but in a matter of seconds, he scored a point hitting her left side.
-Beginners luck- she whispered, feeling a bit offended. They stopped and started again. This time, it took a bit longer, but the mysterious student hit her again, this time in her neck
-Look! He hit Akuma-senpai twice already!- she heard someone exclaim.
They started once more. This time Ashi scored, but almost by luck, hitting his left hand. It was a petty hit. Devoid of all her usual gracefulness. In the next two rounds, he hit her in the side of her face and in the top of her head. That infuriated her. That was such an embarrassing hit for an experimented warrior as she
Kendo was about discipline, self-control and modesty, but when he aimed for her head again, Ashi lost it. She ran to him and in a way that wouldn't be allowed in any competition, aiming to straight to his face. Unfortunately, without any effort, he avoided the hit and she lost her balance, falling unceremoniously to the floor.
An awkward silence fell in the dojo.
-What the hell!- Ashi growled, taking off her mask and sitting on the floor.- Did just you tripped me? Are you five?
-I did not. You just lost your balance when…
-And now you are lecturing me?- she snapped- Who the hell are you anyway?
He let out a small chuckle and offered his hand to her. Reluctantly, she took it and stood up
-I am the Fujiwaras' son. But people like to call me Jack
Duuun duuuun duuuuuuuuun!
Nay or yay? Please leave some feedback. Thanks :)
PS: I tried to research a lot about kanji and kendo but I might have stretched the truth a bit. Anyway, this is an AU after all but still. Sorry for any mistakes