AngelCatGirl: Yes it's a new story! It's an AU-ficlet centering on Sheelos with minor Kranna, Colloyd, and maybe some others I forgot. Storyline follows the book Hawksong so don't be surprised when most of the scenes or the lines are the same.
Disclaimer: I don't own ToS or Hawksong but I'm just responsible for bringing the two together.
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What is a love that has never felt hate? What is a hate that has never learned love? My people have been taught, since the day they took their first breaths, to hate the outside world. To despise and never trust any person they meet…to look for the hidden meanings behind the flamboyant words…and to hide our emotions so that we may be protected from all their lies and all their threats. I have been taught, as the next predecessor to the throne of the Hidden Kingdom of Mizuho, to never let my guard down within the eyesight of a serpent-devil like those from Meltokio…those nobles. I have been taught that they are evil, that they hold no remorse for killing, and that they have no loyalty of any kind. The kingdoms of Meltokio and Mizuho are at a war…a war that no one remembers the cause of. There has been too much bloodshed between our people to remember which side has started this conflict…but all that is known to my people is that they betrayed us. Every child learns that our faceless enemy murdered our family and loved ones. Every child learns to feel meaningless hatred: a hatred of an enemy with utmost loathing. No one knows why we fight; they only know that we will continue until we win a war it is too late to win, until we have avenged too many dead to avenge, until no one can remember peace anymore…not even through stories or songs. I am Sheena Fujibayashi, heir to Mizuho's throne and expert ninja assassin.
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As I walked down the blood covered grounds of our land, I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I am not new to death, suffering, or pain but I will never get used to the feeling of walking through the battlefield among so many of the people I have grown up with. I pushed the tears away as I searched for someone among the dead. Tears were a disgrace to my people…they believed that if someone shed tears for a dead one it would only bring shame to those leaving this world. Besides, if their future leader broke down now…they will never be fully able to look to me for courage or hope. I heard a soft moaning coming from the trees behind me as whoever had uttered it took their final breath. My heart skipped a beat because even though this person had only moaned, I recognized that voice. Before my guards could stop me, I pushed past the bushes in front of me and peered into the dead face of my younger brother…the only brother I had left since the war began…I could not be the last of my line. I could not be the last Fujibayashi to inherit the throne.
I took a shaky breath and calmed my nerves, the violet eyes that mirror my own and that run in our line have been forever closed. I will never see Haku's smile again or ever hear him laugh when something amused him. Life would never be the same without my brother.
"Sheena, we should leave now." called the captain of the most elite squad of shinobi ninjas. I could tell by his tone that he was worried about me and my safety but I shook my head and held my brother's hand. "Sheena…" he pleaded again.
"Orochi, have the guards take Haku back to the Temple. I won't leave him out here like this, he should…" I was cut off by another moan of pain. This time, it did not come from my brother—it did not come from one of my people.
A sound like that in a battlefield always draws me in like a magnet, so I immediately headed toward the source of the cry. Being protective as guards always were, Orochi moved in front of me to block my path.
"You do not want to approach that one." he said in a lowered voice, his tone hinting at something more as his brown eyes bore into my violet ones. Nevertheless, his warning angered me. Could he not see that someone was in pain and possibly dying?
I mentally chided myself, of course he could. But since I was next-in-line for the throne he would be worried about my safety above all others. "Orochi…I'm not going to leave someone-ninja or noble-out here to die all alone. If I were at my deathbed I would wish for someone sympathetic enough to stay beside me while I passed on. Now please take Haku back to the Temple."
His mouth tightened into a thin line as he said, "Not without you."
I ignored the fact that half of my guards preceded me to the clearing…it was, what they called, a safety measure. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the bushes aside and met two deep pools of sapphire. We locked glances for a few moments before I saw him recognize my linage just as I recognized his. I was face-to-face with one of the noble princes…Helios Wilder. His pleadings stopped halfway out of his mouth and his jaw grew stiff with hurt pride. He had been caught pleading for help from the enemy. Ignoring his stare of pure hatred, I cataloged his wounds. At first glance he looked uninjured but as I stepped closer I saw he had a deep wound cut across his stomach…the worst and most painful of all mortal wounds one could receive. I thought about running my cards across his throat and ending his suffering, but knowing that the nobles would not enjoy having one of their last remaining princes slain by the next Chief, I refrained. Instead, I knelt by his side.
"Please…kill me…" Helios said through clenched teeth, mimicking my earlier thoughts. I flinched at his words. He closed his eyes expectantly.
I smiled bitterly and shook my head. "I'm sorry but don't fret. I am here." His eyes flew open making me realize how young he looked. He was no older than my brother!
Tears welled up in his eyes as he mumbled a feeble "Thank you" and lay still, clutching his stomach in agony. I could do nothing but stoke his red hair away from his face and sing to him quietly. Seconds turned into minutes, minutes turned into hours…I don't know how long I sat by his side but I did it until his hands grew cold in my fingers. I remember history books mentioning a time when nobles and ninja's lived peacefully over 5000 years ago, but now no one did that. Blood was spilt constantly and without end. Oh, how I wished that someday we can walk around freely without needing to guard our backs.
The only male child left to inherit the title of Chosen from the nobles was Zelos Wilder, a devil disguised with an angel-like face. Our historians describe him as a terrible, demon-like fighter who possessed no soul at all. Legend has it that his red hair and sapphire eyes were the only things his victims saw before they met their end. I would have believed those legends if I had not held his brother's lifeless hand in my own…seeing how scared Helios was…how vulnerable he had been…I just don't know what to believe anymore.
I don't recall going back to the Temple or falling into my bed before I was greeting by the darkness. Both welcomed and feared…
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My grandfather, Saitou Igaguri, stood next to me and watched as the fire consumed yet another one of his grandchildren. My older sister would have inherited the throne in my grandfather's place had it not been for a stray arrow. Traditionally, it was only the females that took the title of Chief…but since I was only ten when the accident occurred, the people felt that it would be better if grandpa took charge until I was of age to lead my people to "victory."
I watched the light play on my grandfather's stern face, making him seem more ragged and weary—which I'm sure is due to the ongoing war. His black hair was thinning and going gray at the edges, but he still held the poise of someone who could be sympathetic and forceful at the same time. As the last embers died, he finally turned his violet gaze toward me.
"Sheena, we should return to the Temple. Do not linger in the battlefields any more. You are our last and only hope." he said without so much as a hint of sadness or anger bleeding through his reserve. Our reserve, our only defense from the outside world and the shell we use to hide our emotions. It is a valuable weapon to the people of our clan…but also a danger.
Shinobi do not cry.
I bottled my own frustration and anger deep inside me before I answered, "Yes, grandpa." We both bowed to each other and hugged briefly before he disappeared into the night. I stayed a little longer. I remember the time when my sister died; we had all attended her funeral…mother, father, Haku, grandpa, and me. Since that time, I have lost my mother and father to an ambush in the woods and my brother and sister in battle. I hope it will stay that way because I don't think I can stand to come here for another one of my relatives. I remember my sister, Sakura, as being a fighter. Her violet eyes would flare up with happiness when she was about to pull a prank or come up with some type of mischievousness. She was always so warm and lively…I really looked up to her. And Haku…Haku was just the same.
And now they're both gone.
I turned, glancing back at the ashes scattering in the winds and whispered, "Goodbye Haku." before I too, vanished into the night with silent guardians enclosed all around me.
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Our own Shinobi's Temple was built to protect whoever was within its walls. I've always viewed it as a wondrous place…but lately, I've noticed how much of a prison it's been. It keeps its inhabitants ignorant of bloodshed, suffering, and even the outside world. We almost know nothing of what goes on in the surrounding cities, towns, or kingdoms. If it weren't for our spies, we would know nothing at all and continue to live happily in our own ignorance. Every child grows up to think that our fates are sealed…that our only purpose in life is to avenge our fallen warriors and family members. Well, I've finally opened my eyes to reality and I can tell you this, I do not like what I see. I'm afraid to say that all I see are a group of people who fear the outside world...whose social alliance with the other kingdoms crumple like a burning paper crane…and who seem to want nothing but to come out victorious in a war too bloody to be proud of. Winning is our dream every day and every night. There is nothing else. Peace? The word does not exist freely in our vocabulary.
I stared at the dark walls of our Kingdom as my guards and I quickly approached it, the Temple protruded almost comically above them. The Temple itself is where my grandfather, the guards, a few Elders, and I reside. The Chief has a room at the top of the Temple, the guards are posted on the forth and fifth floor (just below the Chief's own floor), and the rest are reserved for the merchants and serve as housing for the rest of our people. I let a slight smile slip over my lips as I stared at the Temple looming closer and closer. The simplicity of my ancestors in the past gave birth to the name of our wondrous quarters…they named it after what it looked like--a temple. If we had lived in happier times, I might have laughed. But now I had to worry about giving away our position and putting my guards, and my own life, in danger; such joyfulness does not belong anywhere other than in a child's heart.
We entered our home joylessly but we still received a warm welcome for our return. It was not everyday that we had this many survive the noble's attack.
"Welcome home, Successor!"
"Were you victorious? Did you kill that vile noble prince?"
"W-Where is my husband? Does he not return with you?"
"My wife…is she with you? Did she…"
"My son! Is my son among you?"
"Congratulations on the victory!"
These are some of the things I hear every time I return from the battlefield…some of them in high spirits, others in sorrow because of their lost love ones, and some in utter despair. In the end, we all go about our daily lives with carefully hidden emotions that we all must learn how to mask. It makes me sad to think of these things. To think of nothing but bloodshed and the people who enjoy it.
"Sheena?" called a man gently. It was one of the merchants that sold the best jewelry in all of Mizuho. As I turned I noticed he looked quite flustered; he rung his hands while occasionally glancing around him but as I fully directed my purple gaze on him, he stopped and composed himself.
"Yes, Dirk?" I said smiling a bit. Dirk was one of the few traveling blacksmiths in our kingdom and he was getting quite a reputation. He made me my first ninja ring when I turned fifteen.
"I've made a kodachi for ye', Successor. I hope it brings ye' good luck out in the field." he said, gently handing me a small, short sword. The wooden handle and its sheath blended together perfectly that it looked to be one solid stick…it was actually one of the best hand made weapons I've seen. I slid the blade out and nearly gasped in surprise, the blade was truly a unique combination of special metal infused with some of our ninja secrets. I've gotten another first-hand look at what a great blacksmith Dirk really was.
"It is lovely, Dirk. Wonderful craftsmanship." I replied with gratitude. "Thank you very much."
"It was my pleasure, milady." Dirk said before disappearing inside his shop.
Once I was out of eyesight from any of my people I let my smile drop a fraction. The gift Dirk made me was thoughtful and welcomed…but I hoped that I would never use it. I made my way back to the Temple slowly, watching the last light of day fade and the street vendors pack up for the night. When no one approached me I automatically knew that Orochi was near by. He always had a way of knowing when I did not want to be bothered.
"Miss Fujibayashi?" called a female voice I recognized very much. My smile lit right back up upon hearing that voice. Colette Brunel, my childhood friend, ran toward me with that same smile she always wore. She was, in nature, a clumsy girl with a helpful attitude that got her famous throughout Mizuho with the nickname "Klutz." No one could resist that innocent personality and we all believed she would do something incredible one day; we were all shocked to find out that she decided to become just a simple seamstress.
"Colette, how are you doing?" I asked as the panting girl reached me.
"Just…fine…" she gasped between breaths. "I'm getting into the habit…of pricking my fingers, though."
I looked at her bandaged hands and laughed. Colette may have matured a bit but she will always be the little klutz that she is. "Is it really that bad?"
She shook her head, "Oh no. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing since Lloyd came to visit me today. I had to keep him fed and do my work at the same time."
"Lloyd…that name…is he in the Shinobi sword group? The prince of Derris Kharlan? I believe he's one of our best fighters we have using twin blades!" I said dumbfounded. Lloyd Aurion, was the prince of a neighboring kingdom of swordsman. His father and his mother allowed him to live here seeing that our armies would help him develop the necessary skills as a fighter.
Colette blushed a bit but nodded. "Yes, he's the one. He actually used to play with us when we were younger until he discovered the leisurely pastime of sleeping." she said with another smile, her blue eyes danced with laughter. "He loves that almost as much as food and sword fighting."
I looked back at my memories and recalled a brown-haired boy always sleeping under a tree while the rest of us played or studied from huge scrolls. When he was caught, the teacher would smack him on the head and wake him from his slumber. I remember it being so much fun to see what Lloyd was getting into next.
Colette's expression became sad suddenly as she said, "I heard about what happened today…with Helios Wilder. What you did for him gave me the hope that maybe if our Successor can put aside the past and comfort a dying man, then anything is possible. I wish I could have your courage and strength." She looked away, suddenly very embarrassed.
I couldn't begin to describe what I felt at hearing her words…it felt like something in between a laugh and a cry. Instead, I smiled tiredly and patted her shoulder. "I'm sure you already do. Goodnight, Colette. Thank you for everything."
"Goodnight, Miss Fujibayashi. Pleasant dreams!" she called running off in the direction of the seamstress' shop.
I sighed. Pleasant dreams indeed…
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ACG: Just a heads up, but if some of you already suspect that Orochi has a huge crush on Sheena…it's true. In this story it will seem like OrochiXSheena for half of it but it does gradually develop into a SheenaXZelos theme. So don't get mad at me, please. Ah, in case no one caught my little mention up top, this story is AU and all the characters are kinda off. Oh, and review on your way out! Bye!