Act 2: Lost Fragments

Even from the outskirts of the Musashi province, the journey was long and difficult for Oboro. Traveling across the stone roads, she was being constantly attacked by assassins. Taking to the shadows behind the sakura trees, Oboro avoided combat. She was still feeling too weak from her climb up Mount Fuji to fight any of her foes.

As she continued her journey, misfortune fell upon her. Gripping her stomach, the pains of hunger continued to haunt Oboro. Her eyelids became heavier and heavier with every step. She could feel Kiku pressing against her feet, trying to help her go on.

"Uhhnn..." Oboro stopped, blinking. The nighttime sky around her started to meld together into darkness. "No, must... stay... awake," she said to herself, rubbing her eyes.

It didn't help. Her knapsack was light, and her stomach continued to growl louder. Then, Oboro closed her eyes and collapsed onto the ground. The last thing she felt before drifting into sleep was Kiku licking her face.

When Oboro awoke, she found herself in complete darkness. She stood up and heard a male voice call out, "Momohime... Momohime..." The voice sounded so familiar to her. Where had she heard it before?

"Hello?" she called out to the voice. "Who's there?" Oboro's head began to hurt, and she fell to her knees. She saw something; a flicker of green light, and then the voice returned to her.

"Momohime..." The voice was deep, harsh, and yet was somehow soothing at the same time. At least, to her it was soothing; so soothing that her heart yearned to hear more of it.

"Hello?" Oboro called out again. "Who are you? Where are you?" Maybe this time she'd find out... find out what?

Then, she was bound with chains again. They shot at her from all sides and captured her. Oboro screamed, "let me go! I have to find him! I have to! I just know..." The chains somehow drained her energy—she could feel it, flowing from her body to her bonds.

"I have... to... find... him..." Her eyes began to close, and she felt weak. "Him... Jinkuro..."

And then, she died.

-S-

Oboro gasped, sitting up. She put on her hand on her forehead and she felt cold sweat over her skin. The nightmare had been different this time, why? And why did she die? Did this 'Jinkuro' want her dead? Yet, if that were so, why did her heart feel so different whenever she thought of his name?

I'm so confused... she thought with a sigh.

Oboro looked down to see a frightened Kiku staring up at her. "What's wrong, girl?" she asked with a soft, yet curious voice. "Don't worry, I am all right. It was just a dream." She petted Kiku's fur, yet the fox didn't seem to relax. "Huh? What is bothering you, Kiku?"

"She's afraid," said a female voice behind Oboro.

Immediately, Oboro jumped up and spun around, grabbing the handle of her Murmasa. Who she saw was a tall white fox—in humanoid form—wearing a lovely green kimono and carrying an umbrella. A kitsune!

"And you also don't need to be, Oboro," said the kitsune. "It's been a long time since I last saw your face," she added, smiling.

"My face?" Oboro perked up, and let go of the Muramasa. "Wait! Do you know who I am? Are the guide the dragon god talked about?" She peered around and saw a shrine to her right. It was simple shrine that was almost hidden by the darkness of the night. "You must be," she added, looking back the kitsune.

"Indeed, I am, Oboro," she said. "My name is Yuzuruha." She glanced at Kiku. "Your fox friend has no reason to be fearful." Yuzuruha reached down to pet Kiku, but she withdrew her hand quickly as the small fox snapped at her. "Hm... you're still angry."

"What do you mean?" Oboro asked, blinking. She gazed at Kiku, wondering why her friend had such an aversion to the kistune.

"I... cannot tell you why," Yuzuruha said with a deep sigh.

"You are acting like the dragon god," Oboro noted, hanging her head. "I don't mean to be rude like that, but why are you withholding my past from me if you know anything about it?" She asked, raising her head.

"Because your mind is fragile," the Kistune explained, twirling her umbrella. "The type of amnesia you suffer from is a very rare and painful one. It's often attributed to people who have no memory of their past, nor do they remember their name."

Oboro felt like lightning had struck her. My mind is fragile? She then recalled the words of the cloaked man on Mount Fuji.

"Your mind is like a delicate plate; at the point of breaking..."

"That explains it," Oboro said out-loud with a sigh; her shoulders sagged. "No wonder my head hurts whenever I try to remember a piece of my past. Or I see a vision."

She felt a hand pat her head and looked up to see Yuzuruha smiling at her. "Come, you need food and rest," she said. Out of her kimono, the kitsune took out a knapsack that seemed to be brim with food and drink.

"Kneel down and relax, Oboro," the kitsune said softly. Her smile was a kind, generous one that relaxed Oboro's body and spirit. She returned the smile to Yuzuruha. The kitsune opened her knapsack, and spread out various food to eat—peaches, rice balls, roasted fish made from trout, and more. "Eat," she said.

Oboro obeyed without thinking. Despite how hungry she was, her instincts told her it would be improper just to snatch up the food and gobble it down. Instead, in a lady-like manner, she reached out and took a skewered fish into her hand. She ate delicately and slowly, savoring every bite. The taste was a welcome sensation to her mouth, and she let out a deep sigh of pleasure.

When she finished, Oboro looked up at Yuzuruha with curiosity. "Do you mind if I...?"

The kitsune shook her head. "Not at all. Go ahead, it's all for you. When you're full, just take the rest. I noticed how light your knapsack was, so I assumed you needed more supplies."

Oboro had taken a bite from a peach. She chewed and then swallowed before asking, "how did you know?"

"I brought you here," she explained. "I found you unconscious on the ground several meters from the shrine here. Your friend... Kiku was rapidly licking your face." She giggled. "It was an adorable sight."

Kiku, however, growled at Yuzuruha again.

"She... does not like you at all," Oboro noted, taking a sip of sake.

"Yes, she doesn't," Yuzuruha said with a deep sigh. She sat down on the stony ground, and looked at Oboro. "No matter, I am here to help you remember your past, step-by-step, line upon line, and so forth."

She took another bite from her peach. After swallowing she asked, "well, how are we going to do so?" Oboro frowned. "I don't appreciate my past being kept from me."

"I figured as much," Yuzuruha said with a nod. She cocked her head to one side at her. "Well, you said that you feel pain in your head whenever you have a memory or a vision of your past, correct?"

"Yes," Oboro said with a sigh. She looked away from the kitsune and groaned. She saw Kiku looking at her with sadness in her eyes. "You told me my mind is fragile... yet the visions I see are short and lack detail." She looked at Yuzuruha, biting her lip. "What do we do?"

The kitsune smiled at her. "We talk about your past visions, Oboro," she said gently. "If you try to recall them now, I imagine your mind will not be damaged."

"So, you mean I won't feel any pain?" Oboro asked, blinking. Yuzuruha nodded. "Well, I do not recall anything about the vision I had in Totomi, but I do remember a little from one in Mount Fuji." Oboro explained what she could remember seeing to the kitsune.

"A flaming mountain..." Yuzuruha muttered with a grave expression. "Did you see anyone there in that vision?"

"No..." Oboro said. But then, her head shot up and her eyes widened. "Wait! No, I remember now! I saw myself, wearing a little armor with a broken sword in hand. I looked like I was about to die, and there was boy next to me. He appeared to be dead."

Yuzuruha smiled slightly. "There, you remembered something you forgot," she said. Oboro nodded at her. "Now then, I can tell you what happened there. You and that boy fought to the death on that summit about seven months ago. Fortunately, neither of you actually died."

"What?" Oboro exclaimed in shock. "Why would I want to kill someone like that? I mean, I defend myself against assassins, but why would I try to fight another to the dea—ow!" She grasped her forehead. "I understand... you can't tell why because... it'll break my mind."

"Yes, but you now know a bit about your past," Yuzuruha said with a calm voice. "So, as we travel through Japan, day by day, whenever you have a vision, let it sit in your mind until it does not hurt to recall the memory and then tell everything about it to me." The kitsune smiled again at Oboro. "I'll give you more information about your past. Now, are you sure you forgot what happened in Totomi?"

Oboro nodded sadly. "My mind was in so much pain that I lost my memory of that vision," she explained, picking at her kimono. "Tell me, why does knowing that I fought someone on that mountain help me?"

"Every piece of your past counts," the kitsune said with a raised finger. "Once all the pieces have been gathered, you will be able to reconstruct your memories and your mind will be at peace once more."

"All right, I understand," Oboro said. "Thank you, Yuzuruha. What follows? Do we head to another province? Or shall we talk more?"

"Both," she answered, standing up. "But first, we should go to a hot spring in the mountains to rest; it will help your mind, spirit, and body relax." She twirled her umbrella again. "I will wait until you are ready, Oboro."

She gathered up all the food and drink on the ground, and then placed it in her knapsack. Oboro lifted it, feeling it pull on her muscles. However, she was still able to carry it without difficulty over her shoulder. She took her Muramasa in hand, and straightened herself.

"Very well," Oboro said, smiling. "Lead the way."

-S-

It took them a couple of miles to reach the location of the hot springs. Yuzuruha led Oboro and Kiku up a small mountain where the water was. The path on the way up was a thin ramp covered in dusty rocks. Oboro caught some of the dust into her nose and sneezed. Kiku rubbed Oboro's legs as her friend walked up the ramp.

It wasn't long after that Oboro's nose was cleared of the dust and filled with aroma of hot steam. She looked ahead and saw a large waterfall pouring into a steaming pool of water. Oboro could already feel her muscles relaxing.

"Here we are," Yuzuruha said. "Come, disrobe and immerse yourself, Oboro." The kitsune began to remove her own clothing as well.

I suppose she's going to join me, Oboro thought as she put down her Muramasa and her knapsack at the edge of the hot spring. She removed her kimono and stepped into the warm water. She let out a sigh of relief as her skin touched the water.

"Oh," she moaned. "This is wonderful."

Yuzuruha was ahead of her, and she smiled at Oboro. "Good. Is your mind feeling any better?" she asked, sitting down on a rock.

"Yes, it is—" Oboro stopped mid-sentence as her head began to throb. Her body swayed in the water and her vision went blurry.

Soon, the blurry images began clear, and she found herself in the hot springs again, except that Yuzuruha wasn't there. Instead, she saw a boy with black hair in front of her. That's the dead boy from my vision on Mount Fuji! Did we meet before?

"How rude of you to be here while I'm naked!" Oboro's voice echoed as she spoke to the boy.

"What's your problem? I was here first, and besides, this isn't your personal hot spring."

Oboro felt herself frown. This vision was odd compared to the others because she could not see herself, instead it was as if she was in the vision itself.

The image washed away, and she found herself at the edge of the hot spring, staring at green wisp-like being.

"Stop whining about people seeing you naked!" he lectured; his voice was so familiar. "There's nothing to see! A blade would easily cut you in half!"

The pain in her head was growing too strong, and she fell into the water. She wasn't sure if she screamed or not, but the pain was excruciating. Then, she felt a pair of hands on her scalp, and the pain was slowly subdued.

Oboro found herself staring up at Yuzuruha. She felt something lick her arm and she glanced over to see Kiku swimming in the water next to her.

"You had another vision of your past, didn't you?" the kitsune asked, grabbing Oboro's attention. She nodded. "I see."

"It was—" Oboro started, but Yuzuruha raised her hand to Oboro's lips and shook her head.

"No, don't tell me yet," she said. "Think about something else for now. The pain will go away completely and then you can tell me about it."

"Very well," Oboro said, rubbing her forehead. She realized she was completely wet, her hair, face, and body. "What happened to me?"

"You suddenly fell into the water, and let out a scream of pain," the kitsune explained. "I placed my hands on your head and used some of my Fox Spirit powers to dull the pain, and stabilize your mind. Then, I pulled you out of the water."

Oboro sighed. She hadn't felt any of that, save the pain, falling into the water, and Yuzuruha's hands. She looked at the kitsune and saw worry on her face. "I'm sorry," Oboro said. "I didn't mean to worry you."

Yuzuruha smiled and shook her head. "It's completely all right," she said with a soothing voice. "Here." She snapped her fingers and a towel appeared in her hand. Oboro was surprised, what magic was this? "Take this and dry your head when you are ready to leave."

She handed Oboro the towel. Oboro wondered where it came from, but decided not to ask. "Is... this always going to happen when I remember something?" she asked with a timid voice.

"You mean losing control of yourself?" Yuzuruha asked. Oboro nodded again, anxiously this time. "No. As your memory comes together, you'll start to remember things without passing out or screaming—unless you remember too much for your mind to handle."

Oboro nodded. "I see," she said. "I'll have to be careful around people who know me then." She looked back at Kiku, who was also looking worried. Oboro pet the fox's head. "It'll be all right, Kiku." Though, she doubted her own words.

"For now, just relax," Yuzuruha said.

Oboro nodded again and let out a sigh as she washed herself in the hot springs and then allowed herself to float in the water. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath of the steamy scent in the air; it was very relaxing.

After about an hour of relaxing, Oboro felt well enough to return to her journey. She told Yuzuruha that she was ready, and dried herself off before putting her kimono on.

The kitsune also redressed and took up her umbrella. Kiku followed behind, though she still seemed apprehensive of Yuzuruha. Oboro kept wondering why.

Oboro picked up her grandpa's blade, and her knapsack. "Thank you," she said to Yuzuruha. "Thank you for saving me earlier. I hope I'll be able to recall my past without pain soon."

"You're welcome, Oboro," Yuzuruha said with a smile. "I also hope so, too."

"Where do you want me to go next?"

"We're going to travel to the Kai province, west of here," she explained. "At the shrine there, I want you to meet an old friend of mine."

Oboro blinked. "So, you're coming with me?" she asked curiously.

The kitsune nodded. "Of course, I am," she said with a chuckle. "I am your guide, remember?"

Oboro smiled at her. "Yes, that's right," she said. "All right, let us leave then."

-S-

Kai was different than Musashi; it was a vast wasteland, save groups of weeds along the road. The trees seemed to be dead and a very thick fog nearly clouded the road. However, as they made their way deeper into the province, the fog slowly dissipated.

Oboro could see the sun beginning to set, and she was enjoying the cool breeze as she and Yuzuruha walked down the dusty path.

"Where is Kai's shrine?" Oboro asked the kitsune, stopping in her tracks. Yuzuruha also stopped wrinkling her nose—most likely at the scenery.

"Just west of here," Yuzuruha said. She walked over to Oboro and pushed her forward. "Come, don't lose pace. ... are you afraid?"

"No, I..." Oboro paused. "Well, I am a little scared," she said, biting her lip. "I keep thinking about my mind, and I worry that if I continue, I might accidentally break it."

"Don't be afraid to go on, Oboro," Yuzuruha said with a generous smile. She pat her on the shoulder. "While we don't know what will happen, have faith that everything will turn out for the best."

Oboro nodded and smiled back at the kitsune. "Yes, you're right," she said.

They continued along the road toward the shrine. Oboro was deep in thought when she heard a man yell for help. Her head shot up and she ran ahead; if Yuzuruha had said anything, Oboro had not heard her.

She found herself on the edge of a cliff. There, she saw an elderly man surrounded by four tengus. The bird-like creatures were hooting and laughing at the shaking man. Oboro drew her Muramasa and dropped onto the ground below.

"Stop!" she ordered.

The tengus turned their attention to her, and their expressions faded into anger. They began to whisper among themselves. Oboro managed to catch a few words: "Human... killed before... hundreds..."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Oboro said, brandishing her blade. "But let the poor man go. Otherwise, I will be forced to end your lives."

The tengus laughed. "You may have killed many of our brethren before, girl, but we'll rip you apart this time!" He let out a roar. "She wants a fight, let us give her one!"

They swooped up into the air, flying high above Oboro's head. One of them dove at her, launching bolts of fire from his mouth onto the ground.

Oboro raised her blade in time to deflect the flames and as the tengu came in range, she swiftly spun around and slashed his face. The tengu growled and tried to swipe her with the sharp feathers of his wing. Oboro rolled out of the way, and made a clean cut in the tengu's wing.

Then, she felt something slice her back, forcing her onto the ground. She let out a scream of pain as she landed. Turning around, Oboro saw another tengu, his feathers dripping with her blood.

Oboro jumped to her feet, and brought her blade up again in defense as fire rained from the sky from the third tengu. The fire rebounded off the sword repeatedly, putting pressure on it. Oboro noticed the Muramasa's blade was beginning to crack. What? I thought Muramasas didn't break!

The fourth tengu dive bombed her and slammed into her blade, she let a cry of pain as the blade snapped in two. Oboro slammed into the cliff-face behind her, and gasped. She tasted her own blood and then fell face first into the ground.

She heard the tengus laughing. "Looks like you've gotten quite rusty, girl," one of them said.

Oboro pushed herself and looked to see the tengus surrounding her.

"So, how would you like to die, girl?" another asked with malice. "Perhaps being sliced apart will be appropriate." They raised their wings to finish her.

Oboro snatched the sharp end of her Muramasa and threw it into the face of the wounded tengu. The blade made its mark, and he let out a cry of pain. It surprised the others, but even so they outnumbered her.

Am I... doomed? She thought with horror.

Then, she heard Yuzuruha's voice. "Oboro! Take this!" There was the sound of something flipping in the air, and then a sheathed blade landed next to her. Oboro knew immediately from its shape that it was another Muramasa.

Not bothering to question how a kitsune had a Muramasa, Oboro grabbed it and unsheathed the blade. She spun around and stabbed the second tengu in the stomach with such force that the creature fell over dead. Oboro pulled the new blade out of the tengu and faced the others.

A giant column of flames from the sky appeared, frying one of them; the other two managed to avoid the blast and escaped into the air.

"Damn it!" the wounded one cursed. "She's got a kitsune with her."

"Let's make haste," the other said. "I don't want to fool around with a white fox." The two tengus flew off into the distance leaving a bleeding Oboro, a healthy Yuzuruha, and a relieved man behind.

Despite her own wounds, Oboro crawled over to the man. "Are you all right?" she asked him, wiping the blood from her mouth.

The old man smiled at her. "Yes, thank you. You are a very brave girl," he remarked. "But... you are in much worse shape than I am. Why...?"

"Because I wanted to make sure you were safe first," Oboro said, smiling. Then, she felt a pair of hands touch her head.

At that very moment, Oboro felt her wounds close and the pain vanish. "Thank you, Yuzuruha," Oboro said to her. She stood up and helped the old man to his feet; his white beard made her think of grandpa.

"Young lady," the old man said. "Why is it that you have a kitsune with you?"

"Oh! Um..." Oboro paused and bit her lip. "She's guiding me around Japan because... I lost my memory," she said, deciding to be honest.

"Oh, you poor thing," the old man said. "But still, you fought well. I hope you remain safe. Farewell," he added, turning around and walking down a different road.

"You be careful as well!" Oboro called out, waving at him. She smiled, and felt Yuzuruha place her hand on Oboro's shoulder.

"Very good," the kitsune said. "That Muramasa there I gave you is a little more powerful than the one you originally had."

Oboro nodded. She knelt down, looking at the two pieces of her grandpa's blade. "How did it break? I thought Muramasas were indestructible."

"No, they are not," Yuzuruha said. Oboro looked at her. "However, that blade will repair itself over time if you sheathe it. Muramasas are known to break, but also to regenerate. That is probably where you were confused, Oboro."

"I see," she said, looking back at the broken Muramasa. Already, the two pieces were moving toward each other. "Well, I'm not leaving this blade behind—it is grandpa's blade after all." She picked up the two pieces and placed them in their respective sheath. She placed the blade her knapsack, and then put the new Muramasa back into its own sheath.

"Well, I hope my grandpa's blade repairs itself soon," Oboro said, half musing to herself, and half-talking to the kitsune. "Um... I suppose we continue." She looked at the fried body of one of the tengus and the other that she had killed off.

"You do not like to kill, do you?"

Oboro shook her head.

"That's all right. Continue to feel things like remorse for your enemies; it will keep you human."

Oboro looked at Yuzuruha and smiled. "Thank you."