Ahoge of the East
Chapter 1: Be my Wife!
Centuries ago, samurai ruled the Japanese war stricken world with blades to pave their path to power. Suddenly national peace swept that world of violence and blood away almost as if to carry the anger and fury over the ocean and into the depths, never to be seen again. The Tokugawa Era introduced a new samurai, one who sheathed his blade and became a diplomat and servant of the wealthy. Though the rules have changed, many samurai become ronin and struggle to avoid the fate of their brethren, aiming only for happiness in a new Japan. One warrior by the name of Konata begins her search for happiness in the bustling castle town of Edo, the year 1716 AD.
Gurgle. Konata placed her free hand on her small belly, aching from the groans of her weary body. It had been an entire day since she ate and her coin purse was defenseless against the local merchants and their tempting merchandise. "Now I will die," she whined. "Because I bought these manga scrolls. I guess I'll have to resort to eating my precious scrolls until a job opportunity arises."
Strolling through the crowds, her right forearm dangling like a cast in her robe. A tail of blue hair swung at the back of her head, adding to the unusual serenity she instilled to those around her. A katana was always by her hips, growling for a fight. Prior to the great political changes she was not an excessively violent person but in battle she made a name for herself. Those who died by her blade will only see a red, crescent moon and two emerald stars before meeting their maker.
Today she found herself another labor district of Edo, her ears endlessly bouncing to the sounds of coins slipping into palms and varying scents of fish, rice and fruit. The smell of money was easy to recognize, the sound alone hummed a metallic melody in her ear. Pulling out her octopus-shaped wallet, she could see two lonely quarters sitting about, ignoring the fact that Edo was now mysteriously using American currency for the author's convenience. "Fifty cents will only get me candy. I need something more to stop my horrible, endless pain. I pray Amaterasu grants me good fortune for I am hungry and lonely in this world."
During this prayer, small girl could be seen in the distance, tumbling with two buckets in her hands. She squealed distressfully as the buckets slid wildly along a stick. Konata examined the crowd, no one would help. She made it her duty to correct that. Losing to the slightest gale, the girl fell over, feeling the buckets slip down the stick. She covered her head, bracing for impact and humiliation. Nothing. Dashing through the herds of people, Konata gently placed a firm grip on the buckets before they fell, towering over the frightened child. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yes…thank you Ms. Samurai," the child nervously replied, rising from the ground. She was surprised by the height of her savior but nonetheless grateful.
"No problem. May I have a sip of water? I have my own cup," Konata casually inserted. The girl nodded, not wanting to deny the lady who just helped her. Konata pulled out a two liter jug, filling it to the top with water. The bucket was nearly half empty from such a blatant act of gluttony. Konata took an embracing sip, sighing in satisfaction. "Thanks, that was great. You sure know where to get good water. Bye."
Walking away, she left the girl in shock and horror, now she would have to go back and refill the other bucket. Konata was pleased for now but lunch time would fly in soon and her stomach had the natural ability to tell time. She would like to eat some ramen and have a cup of green tea but with no money thievery became the last method left and that wasn't a part of her Bushido. Her eye then caught glance of a poster. "What's this?"
"It's a tournament," a green haired woman happily said, mouth half stuffed with meat buns.
"Who are you?" Konata asked. "You're dressed in black robes and carry a lovely sheath."
"My name is Yui Narumi, an official samurai and peacekeeper of this district. I just put this poster up by orders of a Daimyo."
"What's the prize? Money?"
"Nope. It's even better. The winner of the tournament will receive the hand of the lovely Miyuki Takara in marriage."
"Marry the Daimyo's daughter? Legally speaking I would get access to the daimyo's vast wealth right? And connections to businesses that make even more money?" Konata asked. Yui nodded, reassuring Konata that what ever plan she was cooking up would work. "Looks like I just found a way to pay for lunch! Where is it being held?"
"Just cross the Edo Bridge and enter Kuramae, it's right in the center."
"The commercial center. Good. Thanks for the info," Konata said, waving farewell to the officer before running off.
"What a nice girl. Her hair was a bit strange though…that ahoge…wait a minute. Wasn't that Konata?! The Ahoge of the East?! The Bloody Crescent?!"
"Meal ticket, meal ticket, meal ticket," Konata sung to herself, making her way to the Edo Bridge. The unpaved soil beneath dusted her sandals and the bottoms of others' robes. Dirt was a mere sacrifice in comparison to the sight of the area. A river passed under the bridge, sounding like handheld fireworks as people made certain to find a spot to watch the event, close enough to even get cut from a blade. Searching all over, she spotted the sign-in table, able to skip dozens of people with her petite frame. "Like a sudden gust I make it to the front!" she cheered, grabbing a form. "Hey, you can't skip me!" a voice cried out.
"Who dares question my ideology that cuteness overrules line spots?" Konata grunted, whipping her blade out. A purple hair girl glared at the dwarf with determined ferocity. Konata stepped back, struck in awe at how beautiful this girl was. No, it was more than that, she was beautiful and cute! Those in line watched as the two confronted each other. "My name is Kagami of the Hiiragi house!" the girl revealed. "And it's proper manners to introduce yourself before asking others for their name, skipper."
"I'm Konata of the Izumi house," she waved. "I like your pigtails. They're really cute on you."
"W-w-what?! What does that have to do with anything?!"
"You're blushing. You're adorable."
"Shut up! This isn't about something trivial like that! You skipped me, apologize and go to the back of the line!"
"What line?" Konata asked, looking behind the fussy girl's back. Kagami turned back, only to see everyone who stood behind her had ran away. "What? Where did they go?"
"They recognize my furious aura," Konata hypothesized, holding her chin in one hand. Kagami slid her sword out of its sheath and placed the tip before Konata's lazy expression. "Do not mock me! I will win this tournament and take you down!"
"We'll let our blades decide that," Konata grinned, walking away. "I already signed the form while you were looking away. Makes the whole argument useless, really."
"Why you-"
Miyuki peeked out the window from her home, watching warriors from all parts of Japan walk through the tourney grounds. Few looked nice or gentle. "Don't worry," Mrs. Takara said, patting her daughter's shoulder. "You'll find someone nice today. Besides, samurai are trained with Bushido and a sense of chivalry. Even looks like there's a few cute girls willing to fight for you."
"I know mother. I'm just nervous. Many of the men smell and are rough with women. And if it were to be a ronin who I would marry, he may not take care of the family wealth so well," Miyuki said, continuing to investigate the fighters below. "Try not to worry about it Miyuki. Besides, this is the best way instead of dealing with snobby suitors who are guarantee to be rude and thoughtless."
"I suppose your judgment is best."
"Good girl. Now get dressed into your pink komon. I want you to look more beautiful than you already do now."
"Okay."
Konata found the tournament organizer standing beside the waiting rooms. Kagami happened to arrive at the same time. "Hello beautiful," Konata sweetly hummed. "Will you leave me alone you lecher?" Kagami snapped back.
"There's no reason to be mean. I'm complimenting you. You're a very pretty person."
"S-shut up! I don't need to listen to you! If you want to talk you better talk when my body's on the ground."
"An invitation?"
"I'm talking about the fight!! Geez, I can't wait to cut that ahoge off of you."
"And I can't wait to cut your robes apart and see what's underneath," Konata grinned. Kagami trembled with rage at the quick remarks from this easy-to-package girl. How could she be so confident to pick fights with other samurai? "Alright," the organizer called out. "Here's a chart of the rounds. You may wait in the waiting room until it is your turn to fight."
"See you in the ring," Konata kindly said, waving her before going to her separate quarter. Kagami snatched the chart from the man's hand, growling at Konata who already vanished from the scene. "Who does she think she is?"
"Cheers!!" Mrs. Takara loudly greeted, stepping out of her home and into the battle ring. Miyuki followed with a veil clouding her face. Konata knew that her future bride would be gorgeous; the mother was beyond cute by herself! Kagami's eyes kept on Konata, trying to decipher her opponent. "Greetings violent monsters and ronin!" Mrs. Takura continued. "As you all know, this is a tournament of strength, win using any method besides outside help. If you cheat, my own personal unit of warriors will kill you and dump your body in the filthiest river of the filthiest district."
She paused, looking around at the crowd. Was she expecting them to applaud to this threat? After a silent minute, they did. "Excellent! Now that you understand the rules, let's start! Our first battle is Kagami Hiiragi versus Zarachi the Baby Eater!"
"The Baby Eater?" Konata muttered. Kagami gripped onto her blade, entering the ring without reluctance. Across from her stood a burly man with random spikes of hair scattered along his scalp. "Prepare to die, Baby Eater!" Kagami taunted, pulling out a lavender blade. Konata squinted at the sight. "What kind of sword is that?"
Flashing by her opponent, Kagami already sheathed her sword. The fight was over. Zarachi collapsed to the ground, his blood spilling onto the ground from his stomach. Kagami didn't kill him, she never wanted to. He simply would have to live without a kidney. "That was wonderful!" Mrs. Takara cried out. "Our first fight and what an easy victory! My daughter will be happy with such a mate to defend her! Next up, Konata versus Hell Ogre Kraust!"
"A Russian?" Konata asked, stepping into the ring. It wasn't hidden at all; his origins gleamed in his thick coat and titanic muscles. He spoke nothing but Russian and towered everyone in the crowd by at least two feet. The crowd fell dead silent when Konata's fingers wrapped around the hilt of her sword. Kagami couldn't understand everyone's excitement. Was there something they knew but she didn't? Konata didn't blink. But the second Kraust did, he lost. His vision was now red before finally hitting the ground. "That girl is mine!" Konata declared.
Suddenly numerous people dropped from the tournament. Samurais began to turn around and leave, not showing up for half of the battles. Konata and Kagami both breezed through their matches, striking down their opponents in one hit. Konata played around with a few until she realized how far the sun was in the sky. Lunchtime was coming and she needed to finish this tournament quick, get money from her new bride and eat! During the battles, Kagami carefully observed Konata's style. Unable to grasp it at all, she began to realize something. Fear was seeping into her heart.
"And the final match!" Mrs. Takara exclaimed. "Konata versus Kagami Hiiragi! Either way my daughter wins! Let the match begin!" She hopped back to her seat beside Miyuki, keeping her legs on the cushion. "Are you happy Miyuki? They seem to be very nice girls. I'm sure they'll love you with a gentle hand and funny stories."
"
I'm glad," Miyuki nodded. "I just hope they don't harm each other too much for my sake."
Konata grinned as she entered the ring, seeing a new nervousness about her foe, Kagami. The two kept a hand on their hilts, waiting for the fight to begin. "Go!!!"
Konata nearly glided across the ground at Kagami who blocked the strike with her blade. The strength pressing down on her was immense! How did this dwarf get so strong?! Konata kept her confident smile as she added more force to the push. Kagami stepped back and slid her blade across Konata's, retreating to the far side of the ring. "That's an interesting sword you have there," Konata noted. "What's its name? Or better yet, its wielder."
"I'm not telling you!"
"Why are you so mean to me? I really don't want to be on bad terms with you. I really do like you."
"Stop talking so gently to me! How can you be so nice when you wield a sword?"
"Are you saying you're not nice?" Konata asked. Kagami began to pace around the ring in a circle. Konata mimicked her motions. The purple haired girl didn't seem to respond. Lifting her sword, Kagami slid across the ground and aimed for Konata's feet. Konata leapt into the air, dodging the attack. This was a perfect opportunity to plunge her blade into Kagami's head. Kagami knew this as well and closed her eyes. She felt herself sliding all the way into the end of the ring. Opening her eyes, she realized she was unharmed.
Konata stood calmly with blade in hand meters away. "Why? Why didn't you finish me?" Kagami asked. A smile remained glued to her opponent's face. "Answer me!"
"Stop yelling Kagamin."
"What did you call me?"
"I don't want to hurt you."
Kagami rose from the ground, patting the dirt off her legs and robe. Picking up her blade, she clamped it harder than ever. "Then you're just wasting my time. Hurry up and die!"
Konata easily fought off the rapid swings. Kagami was out for blood, was it for victory or did Konata bother her that much? Fatigue began to creep into Kagami's face and watching Konata effortlessly shield herself only intensified her anger. "WHY?!" Kagami yelled, trying her best to press against Konata's sword. The two were close enough to feel each other's breath. "Why are you fighting when you seem so relaxed and act so merciful?!"
"Because I'm only doing this for a free meal. It's almost lunch time," Konata explained.
"What? You're going to marry the Daimyo's daughter just so you can buy a meal?" Kagami asked in disbelief.
"Yep. I'm hungry."
"How…how petty!! You're completely different from me! You deserve to lose!!"
"Then why do you fight?"
"Shut up! That's none of your business!"
"Just tell me," Konata sang. Having enough of pushing Kagami back, she sent a surge of strength into her arms and sent the girl flying away. Kagami attempted to stick her blade into the ground but it only spun from the speed and flew out of her hand. Hitting the fence that composed the ring, she could feel every muscle aching. Konata was simply too powerful. "Tell me or I'll tear off all your clothes in front of these people."
"Fine! It's for my sister!" Kagami yelled, wiping the tears out of her eyes. "She…she lives here in the city but hasn't sent any letters back like she promised. It's been months and I'm worried. She…anything could have happened to her. I need this victory! To marry the daimyo's daughter and use their resources to find my sister!"
"Pick up your blade then," Konata calmly said, returning to the other side of the ring. Kagami instantly ran over to it and headed towards Konata, yelling at the top of her lungs. Metal clashed and scratched but Konata continued to have the upper hand. "You're so strong! Who are you? Why didn't you write your last name on the sign up form?" Kagami demanded.
"I'm Konata of the Izumi household," Konata casually said. "Better known as the Ahoge of the East."
"N-no way…the Bloody Crescent…" Kagami fearfully muttered, losing her grip on the blade. Weakness broke her stand on the ground, causing her to fall back. Konata suddenly felt like the sky above, the ahoge that would be drenched in blood was like a bloody crescent moon. Those glowing green eyes could only be described as stars from Heaven. "There's….there's no way I could win. That's…you're too much. Someone so stupid…had some much power."
"Even when you're scared you still fuss at me…" Konata sighed. Bending onto her knees, Konata tried to whisper in Kagami's ear but Kagami moved back. Konata gripped onto the girl's shoulder and kept her close. "I've decided," Konata said. "On something very important. The daimyo's daughter was a nice deal but I would much prefer you as wife."
"What makes you think I would agree to that?" Kagami nervously muttered.
"If you agree to become my wife, I will concede the fight," Konata explained. "And you can use your new resources to find your sister."
"But…what about the daimyo? I'll be engaged to her if I win."
"You'll figure something out."
"….o-okay. I accept. I accept!"
"Good," Konata smiled. "I really do like you. Quite a lot. I hope one day it can become love for both of us to share."
"Yeah right," Kagami remarked, rising from the ground. Konata sheathed her sword and walked away from the arena. "I quit. Kagami's the winner."
"Hmm? Is that how it is?" Mrs. Takara asked, caught off guard by the abrupt decision. It was okay with her, both girls seemed promising. "The victory and my daughter's hand goes to Kagami Hiiragi!! Congratulations!"
"Konata…" Kagami whispered, watching her new secret fiancé walk away from the scene. "How can someone so kind get a name like the Bloody Crescent?"
Konata's lips began to move. Kagami squinted to see, reading what was said from quite a distance. "Buy…me…lunch…later. Huh?" Kagami muttered. "Wait a minute! Now I have two fiancés...What the hell?! This is only more trouble than before!!"
Preview: Kagami Hiiragi is now wedded to two powerful people, the gentle daimyo's daughter Miyuki Takara and Konata Izumi, the infamous Bloody Crescent and Ahoge of the East. For the sake of finding her sister, she might turn one of these people into her enemies. But who has time to betray someone when Misao Kusakabe the Fanged Warlord hears of Kagami's new engagement? An all out war for Kagami's heart begins to unfold. Next time on Ahoge of the East, Samurai Love Square!
Author's Note: The first chapter of Ahoge of the East is done. I don't know how I thought this up but the idea of the girls in the Edo Period of Japan as samurais really amused me. I hope to make it 25 chapters, like an anime sort of thing. Romance combined with adventure and non explicit violence makes a good cup of tea. Tell me what you think.