Prologue - Part I
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Koihime Musou series or any other ideas that I might have obtained my ideas from…Except for my OC. Note that asterisk stars (*) at the end of the chapter, refers to facts that can help clarify the terms.
If there was a day when one reminisces about an event that changes everything he knows, it would feel like it was yesterday. Some may say it would be a wedding proposal, other would exclaim their promotion in a job, and there are others that are simply pleased to be free of a burden they have longed to relinquish. But no one has ever experienced a life-changing event as me: death. I remember the day when I came out of college. I was happy. I was proud. I had friends who I could count on. A girl who loved me as much as I loved her. It all felt like my world was coming together after the trials and tribulations I have passed to get that far...And suddenly, it all came crashing down in mere minutes. What came after that, would forever change the course of my life and history itself.
January 26, 2017
Tokyo, Japan
The busy streets of Tokyo exhibit the nature of the Japan's Capital, ever-moving and nonstop progress. People walked back and forth minding their own businesses whether they are businessmen or simple pedestrians looking for something to do. Within the vast complex of the famed Meiji University, proud students from across the country and across the world conversed together with smiles and glee all over their faces. It was graduation day and all of the seniors have completed their courses and made it through. Some were talking about their futures while others were simply chatting away about their accomplishments.
Meanwhile, in a large dojo, a young 21 years-old man was wearing the traditional training armor while practicing with a shinai. He had short brown hair with sharp eyes as green as the forest leaves. Gripping the hilt of his shinai gently, the young man closed his eyes and focused his senses. Taking a few swings, the lessons of all those training circulated in his mind like a computer. He was savoring the moment. Like everyone else, he was proud to have graduated as one of the top students. As he continued to maneuver, he immediately noticed someone approaching him. With a moment's hesitation, he lunged at the persona and held the shinai by his throat.
"WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! Easy, Kiriya! I come in peace! I come in peace!" Another young man with light brown hair, brown eyes, and spectacles, freaked out and held his arms up, frightened.
The man with the shinai, Kiriya grinned at his friend, "Oikawa. We've known each other since middle school. You should realize by now that you do not interrupt me when I'm training."
"Training!?" Oikawa widened his eyes, "We just graduated college and you're here training!? Where's your sense of fun?"
"This is my fun, Oikawa." Kiriya replied, "I'm so happy about today, I had to come here and do a few swings."
Oikawa shook his head, "Oh, Kazuya Kirihara. I'm never going to get your openness. You are one of this university's best student and a graduate in the major of Political Science and Economics, yet here you are still swinging a stick."
"Everyone needs a hobby, my friend." said Kiriya, who's full name is Kazuya Kirihara, "Whew...Even when it's winter, it still gets muggy wearing armor."
"Yeah~. No kidding, your head is steaming." Oikawa said gleefully, "Anyway, come on, man! Hurry up! Everyone's heading off to celebrate graduation. I don't want to be left behind."
Kiriya smirked with a raised brow, "Left behind? You just want to go hit on pretty girls."
"Oh please, Kiriya." Oikawa smirked, "It's not like you're not interested in beauty."
"I'll admit." Kiriya shrugged, "I like pretty girls. Every guy likes pretty girls. But I already have a girl I'm close to, so I'll pass."
...
"Excuse me...What did you say, Kiriya?"
...
"You heard exactly what I said." Kiriya grinned, "You're just having a difficult time processing it in that nut-sized brain."
"EEEEH!" Oikawa shrieked, "You have a girlfriend!? When!? How!? Who!?"
"No, I don't have a girlfriend...I have a fiancé." Kiriya gleamed as Oikawa's jaws dropped in utter shock.
"F-...F-Fiancé." Oikawa muttered. He walked up to Kiriya, who was taking off his armor, brought his hand on his shoulder, and whispered one word, "Who...?"
Kiriya smiled and faced his friend, "Izumi."
Oikawa's expression went pale for a second, "Izumi? As in THE Izumi Sumeragi!? No way! You lie!"
"Do I look like I'm lying?" Kiriya muttered with a blank expression.
"You have to be! Izumi is from one of the richest families in the country! Her family owns a big corporation, which means she's filled with money! What sort of scam did you pull to get her to like you!?"
"All I did was simply did my job here in this university, she thought I was useful, took me into the student council, we worked together on numerous occasions, and we grew to like each other." Kiriya explained, "Her father even accepted us as a couple so we plan to marry soon...Oikawa?"
Oikawa was embracing his knees as dark clouds eclipsed his head, "I am cursed...To think, Kiriya, of all people, would beat me in love. O' how the Heavens depraved me of such fortunes."
Kiriya chuckled before continuing to changeand brought his hand over to Oikawa, "Life has its ups and downs, Oikawa. You'll find your future. I know you can."
Oikawa was still comically tearing as Kiriya smiled and continued to change.
Later...
Kazuya trekked across school grounds and met up with his fiance Izumi Sumeragi, who was leaning next to a light pole in her college uniform. She was the epitome of what they call a 'yamato nadeshiko.' An iconic beauty, Izumi had long black hair with small braids along with eyes blue like the sky. Noticing Kiriya approaching, she smiled.
"You took your time." Izumi said.
"Sorry. I got held up." Kiriya replied as the two embraced each other, "So...Ready to spend a final night here before we set out to the wide world?"
"You know it." Izumi grinned.
Kiriya can remember how they met. At their first year in Meiji University, the two studied the same major in Political Science and Economics. At first, the two didn't associate with each other due to their difference in status. One time, during a class trip downtown, a car accident occurred when some rich playboy rammed into the car of a pair of elderly while the playboy constantly tried to frame the elderly for the accident, Kiriya walked over to a nearby tow truck and hooked it to the richboy's car before it drove off. While everyone else in the class was laughing about it, Kiriya remained unfazed and paid no heed to the matter. This caught Izumi's attention.
Later, when everyone else was talking about it, Kiriya remained quiet and stayed focus on the purpose behind the trip. It was here when Izumi spoke with Kiriya for the first time. Though it surprised him that a wealthy girl would even bother to speak with him, he conversed with her as any normal people would. Afterwards, Izumi grew fond of him. Unlike most boys in the university, Kiriya didn't flaunt himself to attract attention even if it was to catch her attention.
In future encounters, Kiriya begins to respect Izumi for who she was and not some typical rich girl. They grew close and shared a goal in joining the political and economic territory of Japan, hoping that they can serve as future pillars of their island country. Finally, a day came that word of their bond arrived to Izumi's father and he grew restless of the idea. He requested Kiriya's presence and spoke with him to subtly comprehend his angle. Much to his surprise, Kiriya was not attracted to Izumi due to her wealth nor her appearance...well, mostly. Instead, Kiriya shared an interest with Izumi in doing their duty to their country. Intrigued, Izumi's father agreed to hire Kiriya for a part-time job to weigh out Kiriya's skills. Needless to say, he was not disappointed. After a little left and right, Izumi's father agreed to their relationship and had the two betrothed, much to the couple's delight.
Ever since then, Kiriya and Izumi were having the time of their lives and simply counted the days down til graduation and their wedding. Today, it would be their last chance to be on school grounds and they intend to make the most of it before heading off to Osaka the next day so that they can take up their jobs in Izumi's company.
However, Izumi's choice of location was an odd one.
"The museum?" Kiriya asked, "You want to go to the museum."
"Yes." Izumi nodded, "There is a new history museum that has just opened a week ago about various historical relics of East Asia. I wish to go there and see it first hand before tomorrow."
Kiriya thought about for a moment, "Hmm...Alright then, let's go."
In the Meiji University History Museum...
The interior of the museum was an architectural marvel and the relics that are on display were well-preserved. Gazing throughout the artifacts, there was objects from various East Asian countries ranging from Korea to Vietnam with eras ranging from Ancient to Early Modern. Truly, it was a spectacular place to be in. As a one who was fascinated by history, Kiriya's eyes gleamed in awe. As the couple walked through a section that was about China. Other than his kendo, Kiriya had a fascination for history, especially Chinese. He has always marveled at the rich antiquity of the vast East Asian country.
Glancing at the weapons and suits of armor as well as pottery, Kiriya asked, "Which era is this from?"
"According to the brochure, these are from the waning years of the Eastern Han Dynasty."
"The waning years of the Eastern Han Dynasty...The Three Kingdoms period, huh? Amazing. These relics are from 1800 years ago..."
"You like the Three Kingdoms, I take it?" Izumi grinned.
"Of course. It has so many different iconic figures with various background and personalities. Everyone of them strives to accomplish something that they view as noble and fought tooth and nail, sweat and blood, to get there."
Izumi's expression saddened, "It's ashamed though. Despite all of their sacrifices, it all came to nothing."
Kiriya nodded. After the Three Kingdoms collapsed one after another, they were replaced by the new Jin Dynasty ruled by the Sima clan. Though reunified, China was severely weakened by the ongoing wars and bloodshed spilled by the Three Kingdoms. As a result, China wasn't ready for the turbulence that came that drove the country into anarchy for four long centuries. The stories from the age became fable legends spoken to generation after generation. A tragedy in itself.
"They all fought for a future." Kiriya muttered, "And yet, they failed to realize that their conflicting views are what's rotting the Han Dynasty from the inside until it was too late to save it..."
"I agree." Izumi frowned.
As she gazed at the artifacts, she noticed a strange circular mirror and stared at it. Blinking, she shook her head, which didn't escape Kiriya's notice.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah...I'm fine" Izumi smiled faintly.
Suddenly, her smartphone suddenly started to vibrate. She took our her smartphone and read the text message on it. With a sigh, she turned towards her lover, "Kiriya, I need to head back. Something came up and I need to be ready for tomorrow."
"Oh? Did something happen?" Kiriya asked.
"It's nothing serious." Izumi replied, "My dad wants us to be on the plane for Osaka tomorrow and wanted to make sure we are packed."
"Alright." Kiriya concurred, "Do you need me to drop you off?"
"No. You just need to get ready." Izumi smiled, "I don't want my future husband to get left behind, don't I?"
Kiriya chuckled, "Yeah...Then I'll see you tomorrow in front of your apartment."
"That's right. See ya!"
With that, Izumi took off as Kiriya watched her leave. With a warm smile on his face, Kiriya begins to head to his own apartment. As he exits the museum, he realized how long they were in there as it was already nighttime with the full moon clear in the sky. On the road back, Kiriya took a shortcut through a nearby park, thinking about what the future might unfold for him and he was thrilled.
*Snap!*
A sudden twig-snap behind him got Kiriya looking back. With nobody there, Kiriya continued to walk as he heads for the park exit, he noticed a shadow moving near him and he quickly glanced back again seeing nobody.
"Hello?" Kiriya shouted, "Is anybody there?"
...
The silence was beginning to unnerve him as he cautiously continued to walk. Kiriya immediately begins to focus and heighten his senses to find this stalker...
Suddenly, a nearby bush rustled loudly and a robed figure appeared out of it. Reacting almost instantly, Kiriya grabbed a nearby trash can with one hand and flung it towards his assailant, hitting home. More robed figures begins to appear out of the nearby bushes and begins to attack him.
'What the hell? Who are these guys?' Kiriya wondered.
Wasting no time, Kiriya got into fighting position and swiped his arms and legs, successfully fending off his attackers. Each attempt they came at him with all their might and fury and each time Kiriya outmaneuvers them, causing them to hit each other instead. Thanks to the martial arts lessons he took seriously from his grandfather, Kiriya knocked out every single one of them.
"Well...That was random." Kiriya muttered.
Glancing around, he doesn't notice any other movement and but he didn't loosen his fighting stance. Kiriya was disturbed by how these people were coming at him. They weren't here to beat him up but instead hell-bent on killing him.
Suddenly, Kiriya was beginning to lose his focus as he grew lightheaded. Everything around him was beginning to wobble as he noticed the fallen assailants standing back up. Then, Kiriya heard clapping as another robed figure walked out from the shadow.
"Bravo, Kazuya Kirihara." The robed leader muttered, "You have not wavered in prowess...But your merciful actions will cost you."
With a dark sneer, the robed leader took out a circular object that Kiriya instantly recognizes to be the mirror from the museum. But before he could say anything...
"Do it!"
Kiriya couldn't react as his body was paralyzed.
*SHING*
It felt worse when he felt a searing jolt of pain from his pack. Peeking behind him, one of the assailants have pulled out a knife and shoved it into his back. Glaring at his attacker, Kiriya struggles through the pain and paralysis and pushes the attacker away. He was only welcomed with another stab wound from another assailant, this time in the stomach. Howling in agony, Kiriya could do nothing as the rest of the robed men ran at him with knives. Again and again, Kiriya was riddled with stab wounds. It felt like a lifetime passed as they continued. Finally, the robed men backed off with their bloodied knives as Kiriya fell to his knees, bleeding and coughing out blood. Wrestling with the pain, Kiriya could vaguely notice the robed leader approaching him with the mirror in his hands as he knelt down.
With a sinister smirk, he whispered, "Life has its ups and downs, Kazuya Kirihara..."
With widen eyes, Kiriya muttered, "You-"
*SHING*
"Gah-!"
With a final stab went deep into Kiriya's heart, his vision began to darken. Finally, the robed leader brought his head next to Kiriya's ear and whispered, "Cease your struggles, Kazuya Kirihara...For your nightmare has only just begun..."
The robed leader pulled out his life, leaving Kiriya to fall over on his chest and his vision went black.
"Izumi..."
Unknown location & time...
Unknown POV
'It all happened so quickly. Everything was dark. There was nothing here. No place. No time. There was nothing. Where am I? Who am I? How did I get here? I feel as though I am being lifted in the air. No...I am on a bed. It hurts. My whole body hurts.'
"Kiriya...!? Kiriya, can you here me!?"
'I hear-...I hear a voice...A woman's voice.'
"Kiriya wake up! Please don't die! Please!"
'I know that voice.'
My eyes opened...Everything was so blurry...I inhaled and exhaled...
"Kiriya! You're alive! Oh, bless the Heavens! You live!"
I turned my head towards the sound of her voice...And I see, a woman...She looks like she is in her early thirties. She had long brown hair and green eyes. She was crying...
'Why is she crying...? Who is she...? How does she know my name?'
"Kiriya! Are you alright? Speak to me!" She asked.
I looked around and I realized I was in a wooden building...No, the building is rocking a bit...no, I am on a ship?
I raised my hand and gripped my head, which ached. When I finally shook it off, I looked at my hands and my eyes widened. My hand was small...No, it was the hand of a child. I looked at my other hand and it was just as small. I was growing scared. I was in pain, but I ignored it and got out of bed.
"Kiriya! Where are you going? Come back, you're still hurt!"
I ignored her and I continued to run. I opened the door and what I saw shocked me. I WAS on a ship...No, I was on a junk ship. I recognize those sails. I looked around. We are on a river and landscape was vast and green. I looked back on the ship and I notice the ship's crew were staring at me. They were wearing strange clothing...Like those they wore in ancient times. Wait...I looked down at myself. I am wearing a hanfu!? Why am I wearing a hanfu?
Everything was so confusing...Then I looked behind me and the woman was there. With tears in her eyes, she approached me slowly knelt down and embraced me. It felt warm. I felt this warmth before. But how? I've never met this woman before...Not until...
Suddenly, it finally hit me! Like a thunderbolt from a storm, I remember. My name is Kyoujin (Jiang Shen), the son of this woman Kyou Youku (Jiang Yu). I am ten years-old and we have just narrowly escaped death at the hands of soldiers...soldiers under local feudal lord. I am in China...In Ancient China. No, I am in the waning years of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
I have so may questions in my mind. But right now, somehow, I was somewhat happy to be here. I was happy to be alive. I was happy to be with my mother. With tears in my eyes, I embraced my mother and wept, "Hello mother..."
To be continued…
Next Time:
Prologue II
Kyoujin, aka Kiriya, reminices his new life in Ancient China. Despite being among the living once again, Kiriya cannot bring himself to comprehend his current existence. The demise of his previous life has haunted him for three years now. While his 'new' family tries to bring him comfort, fate has decided to force his path as another crisis looms toward home. A crisis that will change his reincarnated life forever...
Author's Note: Hello everyone, Seraphius here. Once again, I apologize for another remake. I thought long and hard about this and I think I can do much better. You can expect more frequent updates weekly until I covered everything on Season 1 of the anime.
And as always, review for anything including holes & errors, as well as possible improvements. Also, I welcome new ideas anytime. It will inspire me and prevent writer's block from happening so don't be afraid to share! See ya!
Here are lists of characters that are present in this chapter:
Kyou Family (Jiang)
Kyoujin/Kiriya (Jiang Shen) - Reincarnation of Kazuya Kirihara
Kyou Youku (Jiang Yu) - Kyoujin's Mother