Journey to the Land of the Rising Sun
A/N Sorry for lack of updates, currently preparing for exams and I won't be able to update for a while as I take these exams and take a well-deserved break from. So Apologies for the delay.
Disclaimer: Mulan and Inuyasha belong to their original owners. This is NOT historically accurate, however I may try my best to be close to it.
Chapter 4
Roadside Battle
On a lonely, wooded path, the sound of steady hoof beats broke the tranquil silence accompanied by the sound of boisterous and jovial laughter of men. Samurai in gleaming amour, six in total surrounded a highly decorated palanquin with a young "man" mounted on his own steed riding beside it.
It had been 5 days to the Day of Mulan and her companion's arrival to Japan, and the journey so far was a pleasant one. Over the course of these five days, Mulan's male persona "Ping" slowly but surely earned the trust and friendship of many of the other soldiers, telling jokes and the occasional playful teasing from time to time. Ping's charisma and outgoing personality even earned Commander Ichigo's respect as he not only showed great skill with a weapon but had strong moral roots and sense of honour, which has become less common in young men nowadays.
"Ping's" and Sadao's friendship continued to grow, one could almost compare their relationship to that of father and son!
This had even brought up rumors among the ranks that the elderly scholar up and adopted the young man as his son, but this was usually laughed off as a joke and left to rest.
Mulan as Ping enjoyed the feel of human companionship and comradery once again, as it brought back memories of her former military training and a trio of newfound friends in the form of the easily angered Yao, comedic Ling and the calm yet hungry Po. Admittedly, they didn't get along at first thanks to following Mushu's bad advice of being a "Man" but later became the best of allies and comrades.
"I wonder how they are?" he thought as Ping lifted his head to the serene, azure sky "I hope they are doing well?". The three former comrades were part of the reluctant few to oppose her probable death at the discovery of "Ping" being a woman by the order of councilor Chi-Fu. However at the mercy of her superior and her somewhat crush Liu Shang, Mulan was left on the desolate mountain with only the corpses of Huns, fellow comrades, and her animal companions for company. Mulan didn't hate her former superior's decision, as he had spared her life and defied the order of an emperor's council to do so, much to said council's displeasure. For that, she was thankful.
As Mulan was occupied by her thoughts, her draconian companion Mushu, much to Cri-kee's distress, stealthily slithered out of Khan's saddlebag and into the highly decorated palanquin containing the elderly scholar. Once inside, he continued his stealthy crawl on silk fabric as he made his way to the elderly Sadao, whom was in a meditative pose probably to combat the boredom. As he neared the scholar's leg, Mushu tapped it with a claw alerting said scholar to his presence; tired eyes, opened quickly in shock before relaxing, a serene smile on a white bearded, wrinkled face, a palm offered to said dragon placing him on his shoulder.
"Greetings, Mushu" said the Scholar, "Are you not doing well?"
Mushu managed to formally meet Sadao on the "Sea Dragon" during the "Ping is a Man" incident, promptly attacking his face. However once the misunderstanding was cleared and he was deemed an ally to the guardian dragon as he too had Mulan's interest at heart as well as being treated with respect and awe, feeding his ego.
"Nah, I'm fine" said Mushu as he waved his clawed hand nonchalantly, "I was jus' wonderin' where we are going, exactly?" asked the dragon.
"We are returning to my family's estate, my nephew is currently a samurai for the local daimyo. At least we have the place to ourselves, he can be quite the stiff" the elder cackled with Mushu snickering quietly on his shoulder.
"Ha, ha, you're not bad for an old geezer" said Mushu as he patted Sadao playfully on his jowls. "Hey!" said the scholar in mock anger, the both of them snickering quietly like fools.
The atmosphere as time went on shifted from calm and serene to being filled with tension as the sky darkened, clear sunny skies replaced by foreboding grey clouds. The travelling party of seven, became on their guard all joking and jovial banter faded, Ping along with the other samurai had their hands close to their weapons tensely looking towards the tree-line.
"Something is not right…" thought Ping as he made observations of his surroundings, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, until a quiet yet terrifying sound alerted him. *Whish*
"Get Down!" Ping screamed, his warning too late as the first of the samurai Sasaki fell off his horse an arrow protruding from his neck, blood spilling from his lips.
"It's from the trees!" shouted Ichigo, as more arrows flew at the travelling party, those not struck down paid back in kind, successfully killing the archers. However, as soon as the archers fell, nine men emerged from the tree-line, each of them scarred wearing dirty clothing, brandishing weapons and leering grins. Bandits.
Among them was the exception. The stranger's skin was as pale as snow with long flowing blue hair barely contained in his messy ponytail, wearing high quality clothing with abstract markings on his face. One would have just considered him a handsome man were it not for his claw-like hands and red eyes, wearing a grin that made those of the bandits' seem benign in comparison.
"Well, well, well… It seems we've hit quite the score" his suave, silky voice sending shudders down Ping's spine, the feeling of dread worsening as the bandits laughed.
"What do you want to us to do with them Akuma, should we do it the usual way or ransom?" asked one thug to their leader, his scarred face grinning towards his superior.
"Hmm" muttered the Bandit leader Akuma, his head casually tilted to the side as though he was contemplating whether to eat a certain food, than deciding the fate of the lives of others.
"Kill them, like usual… except that one, you'll be pleased later on" said the Bandit leader as he pointed a clawed finger towards Ping. Bringing Ping's worse fear to reality, it was a youkai.
Mushu along with Sadao also tensed upon hearing the Bandit's words. Mushu could tell something was off about him, now he was certain that the man was more than just human.
"Well, you heard the boss! Let's get 'em!" shouted a bulky, Scar-faced bandit, setting the battle in motion, bringing with it a downpour from the heavens.
The Samurai and the Bandits clashed fiercely, steel swords in a constant dance until blood was shed from either side, before moving onto their next target.
Ping whom mounted upon his steed Khan, was also part of said dangerous dance, with a thrust of his sword snuffed the life of an attacking bandit. The palanquin bearers providing an additional two men, also joined in the battle whom Ping aided in forming a defensive unit around said transport, protecting his friend within.
As Ping sought to another battle against another bandit, he spotted an axe-wielding bandit inch closer to General Ichigo whose back was turned and already fighting another bandit, who later fell to his blade. "BEHIND YOU!" shouted Ping throwing his male persona to the wind, Ichigo although slightly taken aback by the sudden feminine voice, quickly heeded said warning beheading the bandit before he had a chance. Ichigo rode up to Ping ready to confront him about his sudden change in vocals, "So, I see why that youkai, wanted you alive…you are a woman?" Ichigo said more statement than question. "Now isn't the time" said Ping in a feminine voice "but I promise to tell you more once we are out of this."
"Alright" agreed the General, "Now let's end this quickly" he said as both he and Ping entered deeper into the fray. Once they entered, they were greeted by a sickening sight.
Pools of blood and rain settled on the ground, staining the muddy earth. Corpses of bandit and samurai alike lay still and unmoving, with limbs, entrails and other body parts littering the ground. Blood stained water continued to splash as the battle continued adding more corpses to the macabre scene. As it stood, there were the Samurai were beating back the Bandits sufficiently, thanks to their training and experience. However, the youkai's overwhelming power was in the Bandits favour, swiftly and casually decapitating the Samurai as if it were childs play.
"We have to get rid of the leader" said Ping as he slapped the reins stirring Khan forward, but her way was blocked by General Ichigo and his steed.
"Are you crazy!" shouted the general looking at the young soldier as if he just went mad. "You'll get yourself killed! I need to ask something else of you" said the General, Ping's eyes trained on the superior awaiting his command.
"I need you to retreat and take Master Tsubasa to safe place, no looking back" giving his supposed final order and taking the feminine warrior aback.
"Take this map with you and Master Tsubasa will direct you towards the estate" continued the general as he gave a map to still shocked warrior.
"I can't just leave you here!" insisted Ping, expressing his clear frustration and devastation. Ping didn't want to break his newly formed bonds of friendship, so suddenly nor did he want to damn his comrades to death. Why did it have to end so soon…
The elder Samurai slammed his hand onto the younger, feminine warrior's shoulder, holding it in a sturdy grip. "I owe my life to Master Tsubasa and I would gladly give that up for the chance of his safety. I ask nothing else of you, his life is in your hands" said the General, "Promise me, that you will do this, Promise me!" the general said fervently, demanding an answer from the young soldier.
"I… I will" replied the somber, young soldier. "Now, go! We'll take it from here" said the Ichigo as he entered the fray and the young soldier rain to the aid of the elderly scholar.
Meanwhile, back with Sadao Tsubasa and Mushu. Both the Elderly Scholar and the minute dragon Mushu were fighting for their lives. Despite his old age, Sadao had an adequate amount of skill with a sword which was serving him quite well for the time being as he downed another bandit with his blade. Mushu's also helped his odds as the dragon bit and burned any bandits within his range. Sadly, the two palanquin bearers had fallen to the blades of the bandits, their corpses joining the carpet of flesh and blood.
The elderly scholar currently had his hands on his knees, out of breath due to age, barely balanced by the sword he used as a cane. "I…*pant*…. can't… take much.. more" wheezed the elderly man. "C'mon old man! Just a lil' while longer!" encouraged the Dragon Mushu as he sat on the elders shoulder and he scanned the surrounding for any allies or foes. As he scanned the area again, a black and white steed with a soldier atop its back, came speeding towards them.
"Mulan!" shouted the relieved dragon, glad that for charges safety and that it wasn't another foe that he had to fight. Mulan and Khan screeched to halt before the dragon and scholar, her hand outstretched, her face dead serious.
"Hop on!" she said as she dragged both the scholar and dragon onto the horse. The Scholar sitting before the feminine warrior and the dragon, reunited with Cri-kee in the saddlebag (whom was hugging the dragon and crying) as they sped away from the battle.
"Huh! Where are we going?" asked the confused scholar, as far as the elder knew about the female warrior, she didn't seem like on to desert her comrades.
"I've been to take you to safety" replied the woman somberly, forcing the Scholar to frown. "Did Ichigo tell you this?" he asked. The woman's silence was answer enough, the elderly released a frustrated sigh, berating the loyal yet risk-taking general in his head. He glanced back solemnly at the ongoing battle serving as their distraction as they further distanced themselves from the road turned battlefield.
Back at the battlefield, the young samurai Ichigo continued to slay more bandits as he charged towards the bandit leader Akuma. However, the youkai was not impressed or unnerved in the slightest as he continued to slaughter Ichigo's subordinates with a simple flick of the wrist. His head only lifted to sniff the air, making a slightly displeased face.
"It seems, they are trying to escape" stated the demon, his head still turned away from the charging samurai. "Naraku will not be pleased" the demon mused, before swiftly countering the General sword with his own deadly sharp claws.
"You're still not dead? You last way longer than your subordinates, that's for certain" taunted the demon, amused by the General's growl of unadultered rage whom continued his futile assault.
"You shall die, mononoke!" roared the General. " Then come at me, mortal" replied the youkai his face contorted into a wide, sickening grin.
A/N
I apologize for the long awaited updated, I have been having writers block and the summer heat is not helping. I may not update this story again for a little while, as well as beginning work on a Gaara/Toph centered fic, very soon. However, I will update this work at my convenience. Thank you, for following, reading and reviewing my work.
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