Heres chapter 2 ;)
Heishiro walked silently along the river bank by the bamboo forest, all alone.
He didn't mind being alone though, it was perferable to listening to those other stupid children laughing and playing around like primates, all the while there Father's and Brother's were off to war!
He wished more then anything to help his Brothers, but since that was never going to happen,
He would just settle with staying home, his boring, totaly predictable home, filled with weaklings,
And help out his Mother in taking care of his sickly Father.
Though the stubborn old coot would refuse their aid on every turn.
Heishiro scoffed, half proudly, and half bitterly to himself. The proud old fool will be dead and buried long before he accepts help from anyone, especially me. He thought sadly to himself.
Although, be believed that he had always known at some level, it had become painfully obvious that his Father could not stand the sight of Heishiro, he wasn't even pretending anymore!
It pained Heishiro greatly, to think that the man he had revered and idolized his whole life had secretly hated his excistence, all Eight years of it!
And what really killed Heishiro is, he didn't even know what his reason for hating him was,
Did he fear him, just as his Mother does? (Rather obviously)
But if so, at least his Mother does indeed love him all the same, and fears for him as well.
Heishiro sighed at sat beside the river, he leaned his elbows on his knees and stared at his reflection.
What am I sopposed to do now? I don't want Father to hate me, and I don't want Mother to be scared of me, but I cannot change who I am,
Besides, why should they both judge me so harshly? I may not have the same interests as the other children, but I'm a child just the same, their child! He thought bitterly to himself, he didn't like the feeling that he had,
The feeling of being all alone.
And he had been very lonely lately, he had not seen Taki, who was currently his very first and only friend, for over two weeks now, he missed her.
Though he'd rather slit his throat with a Shinai then admit it out loud!
He wondered where she was, and if she was thinking about him and missed him as well,
Or rather, if she even cared at all.
But he had seen enough of other children's cruelty to know that she probably didn't.
And yet, still he waited patiently for her return.
Why she had such an effect on him and his usually flawless common sense was beyond him, but somehow, he didn't mind it all that much.
He would just have to do the one thing he knew was foolish, and have faith in her,
Wherever she may be.
Taki was standing in a firm battle stance, preparing to face off against another young student.
Taki felt a little sorry for the poor boy, Asashi, she believed his name was, he had his black hair done up in a ponytail simular to hers, only he lacked the bangs, and he was in an all black Ninja's training Gi, where Taki was wearing a red one.
And Taki knew that he not a fool, he was as well aware as she that his skills paled severely against hers, his fear was so great that his trembling hands proved difficult to hold on to his Wakizashi properly.
But, unfortunately for him, he was being trained under the ever watchful eye of raizo, one of the Clan's top Shinobi, an arrogant, and cruel man, even by a Ninja's standard, and sworn rival to her own master, Toki.
And the rivalry fell down to their Students as well, unfortunately for them.
But even though Taki had no personal vendetta against Asashi, she didn't much care for loosing either,
Taki smirked confidently at her helpless opponent, to which made Asashi even more nervous, and lunged at him!
Her Wakizashi in tow, she slashed at Asashi,
But Asashi proved to not be as helpless as he seemed earlier, for he tilted his head back, successfully dodging her blade, and slashed at her exposed torso!
But Taki expressed simular prowess, and jumped back, saving herself,
She was surprized to find when she looked up to find the serious look in the normally timid Asashi's pale grey eyes.
" It seems the whimpering dog has some bite after all." She said, slightly smug.
" Yes, and you should know this, Taki-Sama, barking dogs rarely bite." Asashi replyed, his demeanor changing entirely, he was even now smirking confidently as he glanced downward slightly.
Taki, confused, followed his gaze, and saw that she was bleeding!
What? His blade actually managed to strike me? But how? She thought as she clutched her injury painfully.
And in the instance of her distraction, Asashi took this as his chance, and jumped up high in the air, and lowered his Wakizashi to slash Taki in the head, and successfully end her life!
Taki noticed this deception at the last possibly moment, and stepped backward just enough for her dark red cloth headband to flutter down in two, leaving a fine red line in its place.
Asashi wasted no time, and continued to slash at her repeatedly, his willingness to slay her plain to see within the raging fire that were once his eyes.
Taki almost felt sorry for him, he was at heart, a good person, shy, timid, even sweet.
But being trained under the iron fist of Raizo had given Asashi something of a dual personality,
On one end, he was the same, normal Asashi, but on the other, he became enraged, bloodthirsty, and most of all, deadly.
But Taki was never one to allow her empathy to hinder her duties,
Taki did a swift backflip away from the crazed Ninja dog, then after landing firmly on her feet, she put her hands together with both fore fingers extended together, and her eyes closed in a serene way.
What is that stance? Asashi thought, having a right mind to slay her while her eyes were closed, yet, wanted to see what she had in store.
A bright red energy started to form around the young Kunoichi's small frame, then she opened her eyes, to reveal her iron resolve to win this match.
Asashi felt his heart sink into his feet!
He already knew that Taki outclassed him, but that wasn't what scared him, him taking a savage beating from Taki meant nothing compared to the many tortures that he'd have to endure by the hands of his Master for being weak, especially to a girl no less!
But he didn't have a choice now, no matter what he chose now, there would only be pain, just like everything else that was in his life, he raised his Wakizashi, holding firmly to at least his honor, and what was left at his battered and rundown pride, then with a loud yell, he lunged at the now powered up Taki!
Taki smiled inside, knowing that her victoy was absolute, but not knowing the dire consequences that awaited Asashi when fell.
And she lunged forward as well, completely silent.
Heishiro walked silently from his house to the market, to pick up some medicine for his Father, his health was failing rapidly, he was as thin as a decomposeing corpse, and his skin was as pale as death.
It didn't take a genius to guess that he wasn't long for this world.
Heishiro's feeling on that were as conflicted as usual, he didn't know how to act, or what to say, whether he should be sad, or fearful, or, relieved.
He walked casualy in the shop were Yukari-San worked.
A smile lit the old Woman's face upon seeing the young Swordman enter.
" Hello, Heishiro, how's your Father doing?" She asked politely.
" Not so good" He replied, shaking his head. " He's likely to die soon."
" Heishiro! Thats a terrible thing to say!" Yukari said, shocked at his uncaring behavior.
" Look, Listen, Baachan, I came here for some medicine, not to get scolded by someone who is NOT my Mother, " He shouted back to her as he flung the leather pouch and some money on the table in front of her.
" Now just make your damn medicine, fill the pouch, and leave me the hell alone!"
Yukari sighed, she could see that Heishiro was in pain, and dicided to cut him some slack.
" Very well, Heishiro, I'll give you the medicine, and if you ever need someone to talk to in the future, I just want you to know that I'm here for you." She said with a kind smile.
Heishiro tensed up, not knowing how to respond.
" T-Thank you, I soppose," He replied, looking away nervously." but know this, I don't need to be coddled like a helpless child, so you don't have to worry about me." He said proudly.
When I become the strongest Samurai in Japan, no one will have to look after me. He thought to himself.
Yukari smiled." I always worry about you, Heishiro." She said happily.
Heishiro reluctantly let a small smile on his face, happy that he had at least someone's support for a change.
Yukari then felt guilty, she knew that the smile he had, however faint it may be, would not last.
Some great tragedy awaited Heishiro in the future, and he would be left a broken, and jaded shell of the innocent Boy he is today.
Hopefully that Taki girl will help him cling to his troubled humanity.
" Say, Heishiro, wheres that Taki girl you were playing with about a week ago?" She asked, faking ignorence.
Heishiro winced slightly before answering," I don't know where she is, she doesn't live in the village, she said she'd be there in a week, but I'm no fool, I know better then to get my hopes up." Heishiro said sardonically.
" A Child as young as you shouldn't be so negative." Yukari replied, mixing the medicine.
" Believe me, Baachan, if being a positive, cheerful person would make life easier in any way, I'd be the most upright and cheerfully grinning person in all of Asia! But since the world wouldn't ever cut anyone that kind of a break, I guess I'm doomed to forever be gloomy." He said sarcastically.
" I soppose your right, but still, there are many things in this life to be thankful for." Yukari said, hoping to get through to the stubborn child.
" Grateful for what? A Father that hates me, a Mother that fears me, and three Brothers who are most likely dead, I am sorry, but I hardly see a reason to thank the gods for those little blessings." Heishiro said cynically, rolling his eyes.
" Well, their alive, aren't they? Your Parents, I mean." Yukari pointed out with a smile.
" I guess your right." Heishiro agreed, with a faint smile," But thats all there is."
Well, what about Taki?" Yukari asked with a cheeky smile.
A light pink blush appeared on Heishiro's face at the question!" J-Just give me the damn medicine!" He stuttered, flustered.
" Okay, okay." Yukari sighed with a smile, diciding that it wasn't nice to tease an Eight year old about his crush.
She then put the Medicine in the bag and handed it to Heishiro.
" Tell your Family that all my prayers are with them." She said as Heishiro turned to leave.
" I will pass that on, thank you, Yukari-San." Heishiro responded as he left.
Even though prayers are worthless in the real world. He thought bitterly, as he began to walk home, ignoring the feelings of sadness he felt in the acknowledgement of Taki's absence.
Taki gave a swift and vivid diaginal motion with her Wakizashi, her round brown eyes were now in tiny slits, with a glare most fierce present in her dark orbs, and completely shattered Asashi's defense, and knocked him to the ground before her.
With a painful groan Asashi lay there, blood spilling rapidly from his wound, it was a shallow cut, nothing serious, but one thing of obvious.
He had lost.
Taki immediatly put away her Blade upon seeing the damege she'd done, she meant to defeat him, not severely hurt him!
" Asashi! Are you okay? I'm sorry, I never meant to go this far!" She said with a worried tone of voice as she kneeled beside the blank faced boy.
He wasn't dead, at least, as far as he could it, not yet.
" Its okay, Taki-Chan. We were just following orders, that is our solem duty as Ninja, don't blame yourself." He assured the guilt consumed Kunoichi, who was staring down at him with misty brown eyes.
Raizo-Shishou will most definately kill me for this, I can do nothing to stop that, and I don't even want to, I'm ready to die.
But before I go, I can at least provide Taki some comfort, god knows she'll need it.
While I'll be freed by the sweet hands of death, no longer bound by our iron codes, she'll live on, forever doomed to play the games of the sadistic minds of the higher ups.
She was destined to surpass us all along, and I was a fool to think that I could change that. Asashi thought with a sense of peace washing over him, even with the searing pain on his chest, he felt so, relieved.
Relieved that the horrible nightmare that was his life was finally coming to an end.
He smiled pleasently as he faded into unconsciousness..
" Asashi? Asashi! Wake up, hey!" Taki shouted as she tried to shake him awake.
" Taki, thats Enough! Step away from him."
The young Kunoichi turned to see his Master and Father figure, who had been over looking the match, standing there with a sympathetic expression.
He was adorned in a dark Hakama and Ninja Gi, a more formal garp then what he usually wore.
" I understand your feeling of guilt for causing another pain, Taki." He said as he kneeled down beside her and placed a empathetic hand on her small shoulder.
" But in the world of the Ninja, you cannot allow such emotions to consume you, Asashi in your eyes is an innocent boy who is simply the victem of bad luck, but that is not how you should view it, all you should see is your opponent, whom you must bring down swiftly, and without mercy.
Do you understand, Taki?" The Ninja asked his student.
Taki's eyes slowly went from large and saddened to small and sullen." Yes, my Master." She declared stoicly, then she stood up, bowed to her Master and the village elders that were over looking the match, and then walked away in silence.
Raizo watched Taki leave, with an evil grin on his middle-aged face. If only I was lucky enough to find a rare gem of a Warrior like her, even for a girl, her skills are unmatched, if only her, and not that insolent fool boy lying in the dirt like a dog! He thought angerly.
Another Student of his kneeled beside him, awaiting an order as to what to do with the mortally wounded Asashi.
" Take care of him." Was all the evil man ordered, an order his Students are all to familiar with...
Heshiro took off his Geta Sandals and slid open the door." Mother, I've returned with the medicine." He called out.
But there was no answer.
" Mother?" He said, more quietly this time.
He walked into the house, listening intently for any sign of life, but there was none to be found. the rooms were as silent as the grave, and the air was as still as death.
Heishiro felt his heart beat start to quicken as he realized his Father wasn't in his room!
Horrid thoughts began to run rampid through his head!
Where was his Mother and Father?
What could have happenend to them?
They wouldn't just abandon him, Right?
Then he heard an eery, chilling creaking noise, Heishiro's mind immediately snapped back into reality as he ran to see what it was.
And what he found, would change the course of his life forever,
Turn him from a boy, to a Demon.
He puuled open a door, and his body froze in place, his eyes widened in sheer terror, and his heart jumped right into his throat!
"M-Mother?" He said with a shaky voice as he felt tears falling out of his horrified eyes.
He saw his Mother swinging lightly back and forth by her neck, in a chilling creaking noise that he heard before from the beam that supported her corpse, her corpse started slowly turned around, her lifeless eyes pearing through her Son's as though accusing him of sin!
" Why?" was all the traumatized child could breath out as he watched her lifeless form in utter helplessness.
" Because of you!" A withered, dry voice accused.
Heishiro senses went alert upon hearing the voice.
" Father!" He shouted as he ran over to the place his Father's withered body lay, he was looking even worse then ever, he was quite obviously on death's door.
" Father, what happend? Why did Mother do this?" He asked, frantic, struggling to hold in his sobs, with tears in his eyes.
" Its because of you, Heishiro, she could no longer bare the shame of giving birth to a demon-in-the-making, she hated you, as do I." He said with an intense hatred in his half lidded eyes, and a voice barely above a whisper, as though it was his last breath.
" Y-You don't mean that, right Father? I know we were not always seeing eye-to-eye, but you couldn't have possibly have hated me, right?" He aked hopefully, with a nervous smile present on his tear-drenched face.
" I do, Heishiro, and so did she, your Brothers were lucky to have died in the War, so they would not have to live the shjame of being with you any longer," He coughed up blood harshly!
" What, their all dead? Heishiro asked in shock!
" Yes, yes boy, their all dead, as will I be, we are all finally, free, of you." he said as his voice lowered and his eyes slowly closed, and he breathed his final breath.
All was silent now, except for the creaking beside him, Heishiro sat in utter horror!
His Mother, his Father, and all of his Brothers, were all dead?
He was completely silent, his mind was blank, he didn't know how to react to the terrible reality that had now presented itself to him,
He was all alone now, no, like he'd always been!
They had hated him! They always did! For no reason at all!
He had always subconsciously expected that his Family feared and hated him, but he never truly acknowledged it, not untill he saw the truth before his eyes!
The terror of the new realization was overflowing within him, all he could do now was scream, and cry, and lament his false story of a life.
That was all his life was, a lie!
A deceitful play organstrated by his whole Family, playing the part of the loving Family,
But it eventually became far to much, to pretend to love someone that they wished was dead, and then, the play was over.
And the curtains would now close on a poor, lonely, and traumatized boy, mourning his loss of life, completely alone.
Suddenly, for the first time, he could truly admit to himself, he longed for Taki's presence, her sweet smile to calm his many demons, her cheerful demeanor to unhaunt him of his ghosts,
Only now he realized just how much her being there made him happy, truly happy!
Even though their time spend together was brief, he realized how much she meant to him, he now allowed himself to pray to the god that he did not believe in for her to come back to him.
Taki sat on the roof of her's and Toki's house, completely silent, and hugging her knees, thinking about what her Master said,
Basically that she'd have to abandoned her human feelings, and become an emotionless puppet, a demon within the darkness, another player in the dark games of polotics.
She didn't want to do that, she wanted to keep her heart, to still be able to love, laugh, cry, have fun, be scared, all the usual feelings of a little girl her age.
And in that instant, she thought of Mitsurugi.
She blushed brightly and quickly shook her head of such thoughts.
Then she remembered her promise to go see him again!
Its been about about a week now, I should go see him tomorrow, he'll be happy to see me again, at least, I hope so. She thought with a smile, as she sat contently with him in her mind, listening to the night.
A massive shift in tone right here, hope this doesn't scare anyone off. R&R, I own nothing!