Prologue

Disclaimer: I do not own Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. I, however, made up all the ideas. Enjoy :P!

Summary: We all know the fate of the heretical warrior, Genichiro Ashina. A man cornerned by a powerful and scheming foe, chased down by a dutiful shinobi, chided by a child of the gods and killed by his own powerlessness. But what if fate had been different for the feudal lord? What if he was given clarity and a choice?

A pair of tombstones laid on the silverglass field near the border of what was once known as the Ashina clan. One was placed there in honor of a valiant shinobi. It was a well-carved, well-attended grave, with sakura petals and tools of different variations placed all around it.

Its twin was much less sophisticated, as if though the person the grave was made for was undeserving of honorary gifts. A simple pile of pebbles with a big dirty bow placed near it.

These were the last remnanents of Sekiro and Genichiro Ashina, adopted by the Usui and Ashina clan respectively. Half an year had passed after the Ministry's invasion. The graves had already been forgotten since.

Emma, only known friend to the two of them, used to tend to the tombstones and pray for their souls. But in the end, when the injuried where healed and were either executed or send to the Ministry's base of operations, even she was forced to desert these ruined lands and head to other cities.

But one night, a mysterious tall woman carrying a bag appeared in the silverglass field. Her face was obscured by the cloack which she wore over her head. The woman seemed to be surrounded by a beautiful serene glimmer, the beauty of which was further amplified in the moonlight.

She stopped at Genichiro's grave and put her hands in a prayer.

"I could not save you from your fate...just like you saved me that night. I am sorry."

She opened the bag and placed a kind-faced Buddha on his grave. Then, a shining jewel fell from her hands and she put them in a silent prayer. An ambiet glow manifested around the jewel, before it disappeared.

"I hope," she began softly, "that in the next life, you are more fortunate."

"Stand your ground. For the glrory of Ashina!"

There was no hesitation. Not a moment to take a breath and analyze the situation. Hesitation is defeat...Hesitation is defeat...Hesitation is-

"Hn!"

A Red Guard captain shoulder bumped him and slashed at his sides. Genichiro jumped back, using the oppurtinity to fire a barrage of arrows at the tall man. One, two, three, four, five, six...Seven arrows it took to take the ox down. This battle would be no problem for Genichiro if there was just a little group of them. But there were hundreds!

Anywhere he looked besides his behind, Red Guards came swarming like a pack of red wolves, eager to devour them all. To devour the Ashina clan and rob it of its natural resources. Well, Genichiro was not going to let them do as they wished with his land, just like how they raped and killed his mother.

His soldiers were strong, well-trained, but they were outnumbered and the Ministry's powder mixtures proved powerful enough to turn ample armor into a pile of useless metal that melted into his soldiers' flesh.

He managed to cut and shoot down many of them. He had Tomoe and his grandfather to thank for honing his skills tremendously over the past seventeen years. Eventually, the forces of the Interior Ministry seemed to realize the threat he posed so they sounded a horn and send in one of their greater warriors.

He stormed the battlefield like a hungry wolf, mad and eager for bloodshed, tearing through his soldiers like wheat. Their eyes met. The man's dual swords were raised in his direction now. He charged.

"You face...Akamero Tamura!"

A man of tall stature, donning heavy red armor. His mask was different than his comrades'. It bared the shape of a demonic wolf. Genichiro felt shivers down his spine as the man swiftly approached him. He moved fast for someone clad in armour.

Genichiro was not prepared for the brutal onslaught of attacks that came. Ten years of gruelling sparring with the Sword Saint himself had made his sword grip strong, but Isshin rarely hit him with all his strength. His foe possessed a similar strength, but he did not pull any punches. He hit to oblitarate completely. It wasn't long before his posture broke. Then, the wolf-faced warrior triggered some kind of custom-made flamethrower. Genichiro shivered as it licked at his face. For a brief moment, Akamero's face changed into that of a certain shinobi - eyes red, face grinning with malice.

Genichiro shot up from a makeshift futon made of rags. His body ached with pain, as he tried to get up. It was so unpleasant he felt tempted to lay back down and nap some more. But as he noticed the unfamiliarity of his location, he became alarmed.

"Where even am I?"

He remembered he bridged through space with Tomoe's power, which had required the last of bit of his remaining strength. He had transported himself somewhere at the far ends of the Ashina Outskirts, where he collapsed. Perhaps one of his soldiers saw him and took him in? Though why would they place him in a cavern?

He took a few steps, grunting from the struggle of doing so. He traced a hand over the stab wound. Damn that shinobi. Genichiro never expected such prowess from a mere rogue without a name. The fault was his, for underestimating him, just like he underestimated the Interior Ministry that day. But no more...If neither he nor the Ministry could be beaten through conventional means, than he'd just have to go beyond the realm of man and into that of gods and demons.

He will restore Ashina to glory...but first he needed that blade, held up in Ichigou Temple, Mount Katsuragi.

As he stepped outside the cavern, the cool afternoon breeze of the winter brushed his skin and he shivered. His eyes, still red from the effects of resurrecting via the tainted Rejuvenating Sediment, shot up to the clouds up above. For a moment, he thought he saw lightning roaring there.

So, the storm which he had summoned hadn't yet dispersed...Good, that meant there was still some time to prepare for the Ministry's upcoming attack. Though organizing a proper defense that could withstand the Ministry's might would be difficult, much less leading a counter-attack.

'You'll figure that out later...For now just focus on finding that blade.'

Before that though, he had to figure out where he was. He surveyed the area. A river flowed below and into a lake that was three castles away from his position. From even farther away, he could make out a mountainous shade.

'That has to be Mount Katsuragi...Which means,' he returned to the river, 'This is the Dragonspring River. And I am somewhere at the outlayer of the Sunken Valley. Probably close to the border, where...'

Where his secret camp was located! That's it! If he went there, he could gear himself up, organize his forces and then get the blade he needed. He thanked his display of intellect from after his victory over the shinobi that night. He had wisely began setting up camp near the backdoor of the castle in secret. It's prowess was supposed to be one of his truimp cards, if things were to go to shit.

Now, having a plan in mind, Genichiro decided not to waste anytime. But just behind the first cliffside, he stopped as he saw a woman praying in front of an idol of a dragon. She was wearing a robe that looked poorly woven and her hair was white. Genichiro thought she might be one of those Faithful of the Divine Children that occasionally appeared around Ashina Castle to yap about 'the sacred rice' or whatever.

He lingered only for a few moments, but decided against speaking to her. He didn't have time to spare.

"I see that you are awake..." the woman said, seemingly having finished her prayers. Genichiro stopped, looking back at her over his shoulder. She turned around and he was shocked to see that she was actually quite young...and exceptionally beautiful to boot. She smiled at him and approached.

"How are you feeling?"

"..." Genichiro remained silent, contemplating. Who was this princess? Had she tucked him in that warm cave? Had she tended to his wounds? He sighed internally, supposing that he at least owed her an idle conversation for her kind act. "I feel fine enough to fight."

"I'm glad to hear that..." she said, her eyes filled with relief. When she was close enough to him, she extended her arms, presenting some kind of multi-colored gourd that glistened with strange watery effects.

"What is this?"

"Please take it."

He glanced at her cautiously.

"I shall not take anything I don't know the origin of, even if it is a 'gift'." for all he knew, it could be poison.

"No need to worry. It is a sacred medicine. I found it in an abandoned Buddhist temple."

"How do you know it's a medicine? Have you tried it?"

The woman's eyes twitched, as if resisting to roll her eyes.

"Yes. It proved helpful a score of times during the past three years, now that conflict has been frequent around these areas. I'm sure you would know most of all..."

"Yes..."

"A monk who had strayed away from Senpou Temple called this 'Yakushi's Medicine'. He told me that it was made by the founder of that temple. Senpou Temple has been trying to get its hands on it for years, so I was heavily adviced to keep it strictly to myself."

"Then why are you giving it to me?" Genichiro asked, confusion spreading over his features.

"Because you were the sole purpose I took it." she answered with a soft smile, that made Genichiro's heart strangely skip a beat. Really, who was this woman?

"A strange reason, considering I have never met you in my entire life."

The woman's smile wanned a little and her eyes adopted a slightly sadder vibe. Her lips thinned.

"So...you do not remember, after all?"

"I..." Genichiro scoffed deeply as he tried to recall any memory of this woman, but failing to. He did recall someone with white hair, but nothing really specific. Could've been any aging woman.

"Don't worry, I understand if you don't. You are a Lord, after all. I know for a fact that lords lead a very busy life." the beauty assured him, her friendly facade ultimately unwavering.

The woman hummed amusedly and began walking away. She beckoned him to follow her before she disappeared behind the next cliffside. Genichiro tried to follow her, but when he looked around the corner she was gone as if blown away by the wind.

For a few moments, filled only by the sounds of the colliding airwaves in the Sunken Vally, Genichiro stood still.

'What the hell just happened?'

It was a question that he did not believe he could find an answer to. Still the same question lingered in his mind: Who was this woman or girl, or however old she was? How did she find him before any of his soldiers did? How did she know him? Why would she go out of her way to pick a special medicine, just for his sake? And, how was she so divinely beautiful-

Okay, disregard that last part...

Genichiro let out a noise akin to a quick low chuckle. His last genuine expression of amusement last appeared that night, when he faced the rusty shinobi for the first time. Truly, this woman did fascinate him. Maybe he could spare half an hour for her. But no more...

Trying to find a mysteriously disappearing young lady through the Sunken Valley proved much more tiresome than he predicted. He had a few unfortunate encounters with monkeys and hostile members of the Gunfort. Mysterious bunch, though those he could persuade where really useful. Their firepower could even rival the Ministry's. Even tameable monkeys were a welcome addition.

When he finally found her, she was at a small shrine, kneeling next to a crippled old man, with rags wrapped tightly around his mid-section as a makeshift bandage. Whatever damage he had sustained, it was obviously causing him great pain. The beautiful woman was tending to him. Genichiro could barely make out the sound of their whispers, which stopped abruptly as he caught up to the mystic girl.

"Took you long enough..." the girl said as she turned to look at him, her tone filled with cute sarcasm. This made Genichiro's always-hard expression soften, but only for a brief second.

"You are very fast." he retorted.

"Or maybe you are too slow." she shot back with a slight teasing smile. Her smile faded somewhat when the brisk old man laying next to her let out a huff and stood up so he could sit with his legs crossed. An argument consisting of hand gestures ensued and despite her silent pleas, the man won.

Now that he was closer, Genichiro could clearly make out his appearance. He was a tall man, a few inches taller than him even. There were three scar marks on his face, that resembled the claw of a tiger. His outfit was that of a shinobi, though most notably, he had a cloak of white tiger fur. A distant memory from Genichiro's green years arose.

"Kyo...What is the name of the unfortunate soul you have saved? He seems...somewhat familiar." finally, the man's eyes met Genichiro's own. "Who are you, boy?"

"..."

Genichiro chose to remain silent. Right now, he was vulnerable and he didn't want to sully the girl's-Kyo, apparently- hospitality. But telling his clan name is a risk he was unwilling to take. Maybe he'd pass for a nameless warrior, like that accursed shinobi. Contemplating over his silence, the old shinobi coughed and rubbed his chin.

"Yes, I now know where I got the sense of familiarity...in your eyes, there's a bit of Isshin's spark. It's very dim, but it is there. You, sir, are a relative of the godly Sword Saint, are you not?"

Genichiro scoffed deeply at how the man managed to stirp off the layers of his cool facade. Damn these shinobis. Always insightful about everything. Though, maybe he'd do well to learn from their thieving methods.

"I...I am Genichiro Ashina. The grandson of Isshin Ashina." he announced with some awkwardness, which made Kyo smile for a moment.

"Yes, indeed you are...Though I can see that you are unrelated by blood, but by fighting spirit."

"If we are having introductions, isn't it only fair that you tell me your name, as well?" Genichiro cut in, somewhat impatiently. This was starting to feel like a total waste of time. He only came here as a form of gratitude towards Kyo for patching him up. He was not however, obligated to listen to this decrepit shinobi.

"I'm sorry, but my name was long lost since my becoming of a shinobi..."

"Your code name will do, too."

"White Tiger..."

"Hm?"

"I was known as Great Shinobi White Tiger...I don't suppose you have heard the name somewhere before?"

"...No."

"Good..."

"So, what is your story, 'White Tiger'? How did you get these scars?"

"Hmm...which scars are we talking about?" White Tiger asked back with a bemused expression.

"All of them."

"Well, these claw marks on my face are what got me my code name. At first, I was to be named Jackal, but once, I accidentally stumbled upon a large beast of a tiger, big as four samurai. The beast and I fought a viscious battle. The rewards for my bloody victory were these unfading scars, the thing's warm fur and the respect of my fellow shinobi."

"And the other wounds?"

"Oh, those...I-"

A rumble that shook the very ravine they were in cut him off. Genichiro tensed. Something extraordinarily large was moving through the Sunken Valley right now.

"Ah...She has appeared." White Tiger mumbled. Genichiro's brows furrowed, though he could make a few guesses. Kyo stood up.

"I will be back in a minute." she excused herself before running off, out of their sight for now. Genichiro wondered once again with slight fascination what that beautiful girl was up to.

"What is she doing?"

"Making sure there are no further interruptions." White Tiger grunted out.

"What is out there?"

"Make a guess."

"The Great Snake?"

White Tiger nodded.

"Impossible? These far at the edges of the Sunken Valley?"

"That thing is bigger than any animal has any right to be. She won't be content with a cave and a few narrow passages between the mountains. The whole Sunken Valley is home to her."

Genichiro paused.

"...Did it do this to you?"

"...Indeed. You are more perceptive than you let on. Almost shows promise."

Genichiro chose to ignore that comment.

"How do you know my grandfather?"

"What a question. How can anyone NOT know your grandfather? He's the greatest swordsman ever seen since Mushimoto Sagoto."

"You talked as if though you have seen him personally."

"...Really perceptive." White Tiger licked his lips, heaved a strained sigh and relaxed his shoulders. "In my life, I have had three great battles. The first was with that tiger. The most recent one was with the Great Snake. And the second one was with Isshin Ashina."

"Shortly after my reputation grew, he came to me with a challenge in mind. Our battle was legendary, but Isshin's blade was swifter. He, however, decided to spare my life. I can only assume it was done out of respect for the good show I put for him...or maybe he is a really kind man. Either way, the spark of an unyielding fighting spirit that burned bright in his eyes shall never be forgotten by me."

"I saw some of that in your eyes, as well."

Genichiro appeared awe-struck. The fact that this man had survived so many battles, way more viscious than whatever Genichiro himself had gone through, shocked him to his core.

"You...I..." Genichiro lowered his head in a respectful bow. "I apologize for the disrespect I showed earlier."

"Don't worry. I can see that you have bigger things on your mind than the story of two hermits."

"I wouldn't have minded to learn more about you two. That girl - Kyo has fascinated me, and you have intruiged me. But Ashina needs me now more than ever. The Interior Ministry is about to launch an attack very soon."

White Tiger scoffed.

"The Ministry, eh? A viscious, but practical bunch? So far, I have only heard rumors of their newly obtained might."

"They have been growing steadily in numbers, while mine decline. Some of my best warriors were killed by a dangerous shinobi."

"It seems you are surrounded from every side by unstoppable foes. How do you plan on overcoming this?"

"There is a special blade held in Ichigou Temple."

"And you think this so-called special blade will change anything?"

"It...will give Ashina a chance."

At this, White Tiger let out a loud, bitter yet genuine laughter. It was so loud, Genichiro could make out the amount of damage done his lungs by the volume of his voice-strain.

"Oh, you naive young fool! Thinking you can change everything just by swinging a sword. I see why Isshin would groom you to be his successor!" White Tiger's laughter died out and let room for pained coughs and grunts. "...If you really want your precious Ashina to survive, you must learn how to survive yourself. For if you cannot preserve your well-being or that of your people, what's the point of preserving your land?"

The words shocked Genichiro to his core, to the point where he felt his heart skip a beat. Confusion, nostalgia, anger and sadness slowly crept up Genichiro's face.

"Ashina is...everything...It is my reason...my soul..."

Sensing that he had hit a sensitive topic, White Tiger quickly drifted to a simpler discussion.

"How about I teach you some shinobi techniques?"

"Huh?"

"Let me teach you the basics of the way of the shinobi."

"I think I made it clear that I only have a limited amount of ti-"

"Yes, that is why I shall only explain it to you through words. Employ my instructions correctly, and you shall reap great rewards."

"Well...I am not against increasing Ashina's chances. Just make it quick."

"If you are concentrated enough, it shall be over before you even realize."

"Very well, then...let us begin."