-My first game fanfic…and non-Inuyasha fanfic!

I do NOT own any of Shadow Heart or Shadow Heart: Covenant characters or whatever else the owners own???

Oh, and just to note, I've only gotten to the part where Stone Platform comes up.

And I found out that there's a game called Koudelka on PS1.

Chapter 1: Peace Ambassador

In the Inugami village sat Kurando, pondering over what his master had said to him and his mother. Outside the cave sat an old man that smelled oddly like old rice whom was always there standing. Light went through breaks in the tree branches softly as Sayori walked towards the cave. He could sense her coming near, probably looking for him. Standing he awaited his lover, the visit coming in replay in his mind…

"Saki, it seems that our ally, Russia has been constantly receiving terrorist threats and attacks since the Romanov family has regained it's composure and repaired the country's life. I believe since Kurando fought with the young princess two years ago, perhaps it would be best to send him as a present as the returning princess's bodyguard. It would bring our countries closer and would be easier since both know each other," said Naniwa Kawashima sitting with his hands in his lap as Saki stood by the waterfall thinking of his proposition. Kurando sat next to Kawashima silently, wondering Sayori's reaction. He was worried about meeting Anastasia, the girl whom had crushed oh him during their journey and whose eyes were wet when it was over.

"Kawashima, I think that is a fine proposal. It would unite our two countries and perhaps help surrounding countries. Send Kurando as quickly as possible and please give them my consent to keep him as long as they see fit," stated Saki Inugami of the Inugami Clan. For a moment Kurando couldn't tell if his samurai mask had slipped and if his mouth was gaping, but when he spoke he could tell it hadn't.

"Mother?" he asked.

"Kurando, do not argue with me now. This will be great for our people," she replied to her son sitting across from her. Either oblivious or pretending to be oblivious to her son's incredulous look, she began to speak of his transportation fees with Kawashima.

He could sense Sayori had reached the cave and spun up to face her. Her brown doe eyes were filled with tears and as she twisted a piece of soft brown hair falling from the gold clasp they asked her question before she opened her small mouth,

"Is it true? Are you leaving?"

"Yes, tomorrow morning," he responded grabbing her trembling hands as her lips quivered slightly and a tear tracked her jaw line. Softly, he wiped it away as he held her close, feeling her hang onto him closely, not wanting to let go because she would then be giving him up to be the Romanov bodyguard. She lifted her lips up for a last kiss before, running away, her green hakama pants disappearing in the light filtering through the tress. Once she was gone, his own bottom lip trembled ever so slightly before he left as well to go home. In the dark he lashed out at the clay idol Joachim had given back after finding the Dark Tower. It shattered instantly into many pieces like glass bouncing harshly on the ground, only one bit into his wrist causing it to bleed slightly.

Later that night, outside his room he stared out at the moon hidden by gray clouds as if protecting it from his anger when the fireflies came out to light the evening sky like flying stars. Suddenly, he heard his mother's hakama brush against the floor, his hand practically shot out at her sneaking up before he turned his head to her. Quickly refusing to look at her he looked down as a firefly landed on his thumb while she sat nearby.

Looking over at him she said, "Please, Kurando do not make this harder. I have had a premonition and everything will be fine. However, the spirit in that clay idol is quite upset with you so there may be a few problems along the way. Come on Kurando, do you not miss your friends? Anastasia?"

"I will miss Sayori, but I suppose that has not crossed your mind, mother," he stated ignoring her as she stared straight at him, lips in a tight balance between calmness and anger.

"I have told you for years, she is not your future! Perhaps you love her now, but she will soon get over her sadness and marry another young man, like Bartholomew. He has visited her quite often recently. She does not love you as you believe you love her," Saki stated, eyes becoming upset as she looked away and to the fireflies drifting ahead.

"It does not matter what I say now. My ticket is bought, and the ship leaves in the morning. Goodnight," he remarked standing up and stretching his legs before walking to his room. Saki waved and held her forehead with a tired hand as she shook her head.

"Kurando, goodbye!" shrieked Kawashima's adopted daughter clinging to an old, decrepit Blanca who just looked up at Kurando in farewell. Kawashima himself just stood there, an understanding look on his face on how much Kurando did not want to leave. Turning, Kurando smiled at the two bidding him farewell before Kawashima clasped his shoulder saying,

"Be safe, Kurando." He didn't say anything to his master and bowed stiffly before boarding the ship, his black hair swaying slightly in the sea breeze. On board the sailors eyed him with uncertainty and distrust of this young samurai. Merchants shoved suitcases and boxes across the ship to their places and some boxes went to the lower levels. Travelers sat near the brow overlooking the sea that would determine where they would go. Soon, they pushed off and a gentle lapping hit against the ship, causing Kurando to look over surprised. Suddenly, looking down at how far that water was away, and perhaps just from the color, his face turned a quick pale into a sick green before chunking the rice cakes from last night down to the fishes.

"Hey, kid, get up," grunted a sailor, rubbing his scraggly, short beard with tan, weathered hands. Kurando moaned and rolled to his side, pushing himself up with his forearms. Of course, this would be the only personal trait he shared with Yuri. His stomach protested greatly and he dry heaved for a moment as he stood. Looking up he saw it was night, and chilly unlike Japan's current weather with a dreary, gray background greeting him. The sailor helped him steady himself before Kurando leaned against the brow with some of the others as a little girl tugged her mother's kimono softly, whispering,

"Mommy, did all past samurai get seasick?" Inside he laughed, but outside he gritted his teeth as his stomach shivered again. Another sailor came up to him and said,

"Here's your stop. Take care now samurai dude," grinned the man, showing that his two front teeth were missing. Holding out a hand he helped Kurando slowly climb onto the shaky dock before whistling. He noticed that he was the only one getting off in Russia, but looked back towards the palace where he should go. Silently he then shivered from the cold before trudging to the palace, his new home. Villagers looked at him as though he were lost before going about their daily work. Edgar recognized the new young man walking by his door and walked out having a little, idle chat. Nodding to some of the questions Kurando practiced his fake smile saying, "See you, Edgar."

Walking on he stood up to the tall, intricate building of white. For a moment he stood before walking in and guard looked him up and down asking,

"Who are you and what is your business?"

"I'm Kurando Inugami, a new bodyguard for the Romanov family as protection from the Inugami Clan of Japan," stated Kurando expertly, standing straight and looking straight into the older man's crinkled eyes. The guard turned around and whispered to his partner before walking further down the hall and disappearing behind a tall door for a few minutes. So, Kurando stood there, staring at the floor, paintings, and ceilings, but just when he shifted to his left foot the guard came back out.

"You are permitted to see the Czar Nicholas Romanov," stated the guard, turning around and leading Kurando through the door he previously passed through. Kurando was surprised to see the hallways the guard had passed through until they got to one hallway with a center door which they walked through. Inside was a beautiful room that could alone be figured a piece of art. There, down the beautiful hall sat Sir Nicholas in all his glory with his wife beside him and Alexei stood to the left. Nicholas waved the guard away who bowed to the czar and closed the doors behind him lightly, even though the noise still boomed. Kurando walked forward a bit before stopping.

"Please sit as you would normally," said his wife gently grasping her husband's hand. So, Kurando sat with his legs underneath, hands to the side, and back straight. Nicholas cleared his throat and spoke.

"Kurando, I am very pleased that you have mad it here in good condition, I was worried the sailors might have rough housed you. Though, it seems the sea did enough they took pity on you. Okay, I suppose I should get to the point.

Kawashima suggested you as a bodyguard because of your abilities and past relationship with Anastasia. You see, you are not our bodyguard, you are her bodyguard," he said, shocking Kurando although he kept a stoic f ace and inside he wondered, 'Relationship?'

"Anastasia is completely unaware of your arrival, and nonetheless will continue to be unaware of your reason here. Even if you must lie to her about why you're here, do so. She would be completely against the idea of having a bodyguard. You can spend time and speak to her, just no secrets loose. Understand?"

"Yes, Czar Nicholas."

"Good, she will be back today later on from her visit to Florence, Italy."

"Florence?"

"Yes. We were worried about her safety and sent her with Lucia a few months ago. Of course, we would have preferred Joachim, but he's in the Bahamas for vacation with Keith, and Roger Bacon was busy with Yuri. Lucia will also be visiting us for awhile. I suppose it will be a little reunion for you three, or four."

"Four?"

"Lucia is married of course. She has a almost two year old daughter, Vivian, or Vivi. However, you can talk to her about it. That is about it, right dear?" asked the czar of his wife. She nodded and both nodded to Kurando in a bidding that he could leave, which he did. Outside a servant bowed to him and showed him to his room which was placed next to Ana's room. Inside it resembled Ana's from the last time they visited before the battle two years ago. His things were already placed somewhere and his suitcases sat rejected in a corner. Softly he plopped onto the bed when a sing song voice called through the door asking, "Is any one there? I need to clean the bathroom still."

Slowly he walked up and opened the door. At first he thought he saw Sayori standing there, but noticed the eyes were green and she wore a servant's uniform. For a moment he stared at her until she blushed.

"Sir?"

"Oh, sorry, you just look like someone I knew," said Kurando, barely able to keep regret from his voice as he stood aside. The maid cleaned the bathroom as he set other personal items in place, like the scripture his father had given him as a child. Quickly the maid left his room and scurried down the hall whilst he sat on the bed before falling asleep with a grumbling stomach.

Next time: Anastasia comes home with Lucia, and Kurando notices she's grown up. She's also changed, but why? What happened during those two years??