My computer recently stopped working, so I bought a used laptop. It's a bit higher quality than my old comp, but I lost all my old info. Including all I had written before and my brainstorming for the next 2 sequels and the prequel. LOL I think I might've planned the quantity of this series a bit beyond my ability level, but whatever I'm gonna try for it anyway.

Yoshimitsu

Everything was going according to plan. They didn't suspect us at all. They might not completely trust us, but atleast they didn't suspect us.

"Master?" Kunimitsu said as she appeared behind me.

"Yes, Kunimitsu?" I asked.

"Everyone is asleep. The woman was the last. She conveniently chose tonight to work late."

"It doesn't matter. We can finish our job before the sun rises." I reassured her. "Mobilize the rest of the clan."

She silently disappeared behind me. It was a shame really. These people had a noble cause, but the well-being of the Manji Clan was by far the most important factor. The majority of the former clan had abandoned us in favor of an alliance with the Mishima Zaibatsu, because of the lack of funds we'd been receiving. I was desperate to avoid that happening with my last, most loyal comrades.

Vincent

I woke suddenly. I had no idea why, I hadn't had a nightmare (for the first night in days). I looked around me. My bunk was in the largest tent and there were 5 other beds in here, all occupied by Julia's assistants. All sound asleep...so what had woken me?

I rose from my bed. Two things happened simultaneously. The second I stepped outside I heard the sound of metal scraping and saw a blur of steel flash in front of me. I gasped in shock at the blade hovering inches from my face.

I turned and saw the eerie skull-like face of Yoshimitsu reflected in the moonlight.

"Silence." He uttered the single word under his breath.

I wasn't about to disobey with a sword at my neck. Convinced that I wouldn't be a nuisance, he cautiously re-sheathed his sword and stepped into the tent. I silently followed him with my eyes. I had warned Julia he might be a thief. It appeared as though he was about to prove my judgment. I was slightly surprised to realize that I didn't care. I had been evaluating why I cared about her little project, and realized that it truly wasn't that vital in the larger scheme of things. Julia could study trees all she wanted, Ogre would still burn them down. Yoshimitsu could steal all the money he wanted, Ogre was the one stealing lives. Ogre was all that mattered.

"Have you ever heard of Ogre?" I murmured, not loud enough to wake anyone but I knew he would hear me.

Yoshimitsu

The name struck a chord in me. Perhaps the only chord I still had left to strike. The one man who had ever bested me in battle.

"What is he to you?" I asked.

"I'm hunting him down...for revenge."

His voice was void of emotion. I slowly turned. His eyes were steely, glazed, betraying no emotion. I felt a pang of recognition. No man...child his age should know the pain displayed in those emotionless eyes. I'd only seen it once before. The dead eyes of a very similar young man...too similar.

"Give up." I said quietly.

He showed a small sign of shock as he registered my words. "What?" He said, slightly raising his voice.

"It's no use. I have trained in Bushido and Ninjutsu for 50 years. I have mastered the ancient ways of samurai and ninja. I fought him with everything I have and could not best him. You lust for revenge will lead to your demise." I told him the hurtful truth as well as I could put it.

I saw a quick spasm of emotion flicker over his face. "I have the power to defeat him. I nearly destroyed him before."

His words took me by surprise. No doubt he was bluffing, delusional, or simply arrogant. Then the memory flashed into my mind again. The young man that this one so reminded me of...He had nearly killed Ogre 19 years ago.

"Perhaps you are right..." I murmured.

With sound less than a whisper, Kunimitsu appeared at my side. "Sir, we are ready to take the camp."

I contemplated. "Abort Mission." I told her. "Gather the men, tell them to return everything they have taken. If I find something stolen from this camp there will be dear consequences to pay. We are leaving now."

She was visibly taken aback. "Sir, are you certain?"

"Yes. Return everything. We are leaving." Kunimitsu silently disappeared. I turned to the boy. "You've stirred memories in my heart long dormant. What is your name?"

"Vincent." He whispered, just as shocked as Kunimitsu.

"You are an honorable man. If anyone can defeat Ogre, it is someone such as you. Don't lose faith in yourself. The last time I met someone of your caliber, they lost faith." I paused. "...Although I do not know you...It would break my heart to see history repeat itself."

I had no idea where this outburst was coming from, but I didn't supress it.

"Goodbye Vincent. May fate be on your side and may our paths cross again."

I stepped out of the tent, seeing my clan standing before me. Silently, we flew from the camp.