Chapter 1: Groundwork

Disclaimer: FromSoftware owns Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for only they could create a game that so many players both hate and love. I own the OCs. Sadly, no one ever asks.

Speech – "My Lord"

Letter – 'Neat'

Thoughts – 'Prepare to Die.'

4 Hours Later, Butterfly Grove

Wolf dashed between the tall trees, hoping over stray branches and twigs that littered the path. The few hours he had before meeting Lady Butterfly was spent exercising and trying to re master his younger body (and fixing his cabin). Jumping clean across a cliff, Wolf arrived at his destination. The Butterfly Grove was a flat grass land, a couple of trees spaced out and a rock formation in the center. This was where a certain species of butterflies known as Phantom Butterflies lived. They used their glass like wings to reflect light and make ringing sounds with their legs causing many to mistake them for faeries. Sitting cross legged on top of the rock was a middle aged woman in a black Kunoichi outfit. Watching Lady Butterfly peacefully mediate under the moonlight, Wolf couldn't help feeling strange learning under the woman knowing he killed her before and may need to do so again. Regardless, he shook his head of the thought and kneeled before her.

"Lady Butterfly."

"Wolf, I see you found your way here. Owl said I may need to find you but I'm glad that isn't so." Lady Butterfly said, standing up and taking out her signature Phantom Kunais. "Shall we start where we left off?" Wolf blinked at that.

"...Where was that exactly?" Wolf had vivid memories of his days training to be a master Shinobi but to remember a single session out of twenty years? That simply couldn't be done. Lady Butterfly tilted her head, watching Wolf with an unreadable expression.

"I was teaching you how to keep calm when faced with illusions that dull the senses. Even the strongest will's waver when their sense of hearing or sight is hindered. I'm going to teach how to keep your will firm." Finished speaking, Lady Butterfly clicked her Kunais and Wolf's sight slowly dimmed. Not allowing this to panic him, Wolf placed a hand on Kakedashi and focused. He unsheathed his sword and expertly deflected a pair of projectiles. Leaning down, he heard the swish of Lady Butterfly's leg go by and he slashed outward. He of course didn't hit anything and brought his sword back. "Good son of Owl, use the senses you have left."

Lady Butterfly's voice came from in front but Wolf wasn't going fall for that. Turning, he blocked and a clash of steel rang in his ears. Wolf wasn't totally blind, such a technique could completely crush any human swordsmen but his vision was heavily impacted. Like looking down a narrow tunnel, the darkness seemed darker because of the ray of light at the end. For true sword masters however it would do little harm for they trained to fight in many unfair circumstances. As for Wolf, his night eyes wouldn't help for this wasn't actual darkness but an illusion mimicking it.

Not that he needed it. Wolf listened intensely and use the small view he had to clash with Lady Butterfly, moving around the field in a blur. Steel clashed against steel with the sparks illuminating the dark night. Lady Butterfly jumped high in the air and Wolf barely leaned in time to the side, his arm being grazed. Blocking a leg meant for his shoulder, Wolf slashed at her chest but he still hit nothing. The telltale signs of her Phantom Kunais rang in every direction and Wolf wasn't able to dodge all of them. Grunting as a kunai lodged itself in his leg, Wolf pulled it out in time to see Lady Butterfly's leg come at his face. His back met the ground.

"Well done Wolf, you lasted far longer then our last session." Lady Butterfly stood over Wolf as his vision slowly returned to him. "Now get up, time to see how you react without your precise hearing." She clicked her kunai once again and Wolf felt his hearing slip from him. Standing at attention, the Shinobi lost in time waited for his teacher to make the first move.

The already quiet steps of Lady Butterfly became soundless as she leapt at him.

3 Hours Later, Owl's Nest

Atop of a cluster of trees that were larger than the rest, the home of the Great Shinobi Owl laid. Very few have seen the inside of this place with some them being his adopted Son, Wolf and fellow Shadow, Lady Butterfly. A two story house that contained the many trophies and weapons he's collected over the years; it held an untold amount of traps to prevent others from entering. Countless thieves have tried but none have succeeded. If they have then they didn't live long enough to brag about it. Owl's ethereal summon owl rested on a perch, being fed and stroked by a humming Lady Butterfly.

"I told you I don't like it when you enter without my permission." Lady Butterfly smiled slightly, turning around to see Owl enter through the ceiling entrance.

"Hello to you too, Usui." She said as Owl walked by to his tools station. "What did Lord Oren want?"

"Some rogues from the Tamura Clan were attacking his vassals. They were nothing special." Taking off his owl feathered coat, Owl started fiddling with some of his devices. "How was Wolf's training?"

"He's more talented then you gave him credit for." Lady Butterfly said but that got no reaction from Owl. "He was able to keep a cool head no matter how outlandish the level of illusion I placed him in. I was tempted to perform my Kessho technique on him to test his will power but I stopped myself."

"...I see." Lady Butterfly narrowed her eyes at Owl's response. She has known the Great Shinobi for a long time with her first mission being oversee ed by the elder Shinobi. She was assigned to wipe out a small lord's entire family and she naturally completed that mission without a problem but if there was one thing Lady Butterfly learned about the Owl is that he was a secretive man. Not like the usual Shinobi's but like he planned every move of his life in the shadows. She wouldn't go as far as to call them friends (Shinobi's didn't have friends) but Owl has told her many things that he hasn't even told his Lord.

Wolf was one of those things. For whatever reason, Owl was keeping Wolf a secret from Lord Oren and the rest of Ashina. Even Lady Butterfly had just met the boy and given him a couple of lessons so far but Owl said it's been eight years since Wolf became his son. He told no one of his adopted son for 8 whole years. Why?

'What is he plotting?' Lady Butterfly thought in suspicion while Owl cleaned his nodachi, not looking off put by her sudden silence.

"Isshin also asked for you." Owl said causing Lady Butterfly to blink.

"He did?...Did he say what for?"

"Just that he needs you at Majo Mountain to investigate the some rumors on rogue Kunoichi."

"Oh. Well I should go prepare then." Lady Butterfly stood up and walked to door. "I'll be back in a couple of days to check up on Wolf, can't have my lesson's go to waste."

"Be careful Chō." She stopped at his words and gave him a cheeky grin.

"Always am." Then she disappeared. Owl shook his head at the kunoichi's attitude and stared at his reflection in his blade. He ran a hand along his scar, faint memories of a master swords woman that could move like the clouds and control lightning like she was born to swelled to the surface. Then he remembered what else she stole from him and the scar started to burn for another reason.

"In due time..." Speaking to no one, Owl sheathed his blade and went to prepare for bed.

Wolf's Cabin

In a clearing behind Wolf's (rebuilt) cabin, said owner was holding a parchment. On the parchment was the layout the entire forest, courtesy of his illusion teacher. While she definitely felt the request was odd since he's lived here longer, she chose to hand over her copy anyway. Owl never bothered to give him a tour or a map of his forest. "We will eventually get to everything on your path to a master Shinobi" is what he said before starting his training. Wolf had other plans.

'I'm weaker than I thought.' Wolf's spar with Lady Butterfly showed the disparity between his younger and older body. His techniques, reflexes and experience all transferred over but he couldn't move fast enough to put those reflexes to good use and he can't throw around secret Ashina or Senpou arts. That will raise certain questions Wolf won't be able to answer. 'I could always lie...' Problem with that plan was that he sucked at it. Tremendously. Wolf could keep a secret without speaking no problem but when it came to making up stuff, he was god awful at it. Wolf's lack of skill at lying always vexed Owl but he chose to give up on it after awhile.

So instead of foolishly training harder to get physically stronger faster (which would just have the opposite effect) or work on his non-existent lying skills, Wolf chose a new goal. Learn different types of techniques and arts while in Owl's forest. Owl always spoke of the indigenous animals and groups of people that lived deeper in the forest, some so dangerous the Great Shinobi left them alone. Don't get Wolf wrong, Owl was definitely the most dangerous thing in this forest by a mile but some pests weren't worth the effort.

'Here.' Tracing his finger along a random spot on the map, Wolf grabbed his haori and sword before taking off. Owl gave Wolf this plot of land because the many dangerous animals in the forest don't seem approach it nor do poisonous plants grow here. Taking 10 minutes to reach his marked location, Wolf arrived at a large misty lake. The heavy fog that covered the area hid the ravens that lived here, their cries being the only indicator they actually live here. A famous species that many don't actually believe were real since few were able to collect their feathers, let alone see their actual bodies. Wolf knew better. After all, those feathers saved his life on more than one occasion.

Jumping straight into the lake, Wolf dove under the water to test if he could still use the Mibu Breathing Technique. His ability to use the technique always confused the Shinobi. He didn't learn it from a book or gain the ability from a mutation like the Mibu people, it was just ingrained into his mind after defeating the apparition of the Corrupted Monk. A quick breath and Wolf waited for the suffocation breathing in water would cause yet it never came. A minute of steady breathing the water like it was air, Wolf got his answer and started swimming to the other side. Wolf climbed out of the lake to a bunch of blackened group of trees. The streaks of shadows that littered the tree tops showed Wolf he was in the right place. Climbing a random tree, Wolf sat on a branch and placed his sword on his lap. The way to a Mist Raven's feathers was actually easier than most would expect.

You just needed to wait. Perhaps a side effect of growing feathers that emit a natural smokescreen and sweating a liquid more slippery than oil, Mist Ravens are quite mischievous. They would flock to humans and predators alike without a care in the world if bored, only retreating if actual danger is presented. The reason so few successfully gain theirs feathers is because most stumble about trying to look for them and a certain level of skill is needed to actually track a Mist Raven's movements. This would also help Wolf with training his body to catch up to his reflexes. A flash of shadows appeared in front of Wolf and he looked down.

A Mist Raven stood there staring curiously at the Shinobi, streams of shadows coming off every time it moved. Wolf calmly locked eyes with the raven and it took this as a sign to walk closer. Wolf made sure not to emit any killing intent which wasn't hard since he didn't come to kill it. That was another reason most failed at catching a Mist Raven, all animals could sense killing or malicious intent and if you just come with that in mind, you'll find yourself short. With calm breathes, Wolf grabbed the raven when it came next to his leg. He only felt the feathered body of the Mist Raven for a second before he gripped air.

"..." Staring at the slimy liquid on his hand, Wolf plucked the shed feathers and placed them in his pockets. He needed over a dozen Mist Raven feathers to make the Shinobi tool and he gained four. Getting comfortable again, he didn't wait long before another stream of shadow's appeared on the branch.

Seeing the innocent gaze being sent his way, Wolf couldn't help the uncharacteristic smile that came on his face.

2 Hours Later

After collecting enough feathers, Wolf made his way back to his cabin and started working on making the Mist Raven tool. Thanks to his father teaching him how to make Shinobi tools long ago and extra training from the Sculptor when he had free time, Wolf had the general frame. He bundled the feathers in a ball, wrapped around a non flammable oil to match their slippery sweat, Wolf held the finished product in his hands. Time to go test it out. Holstering the Mist Raven on his waist, Wolf didn't need to walk far before meeting a pack of wild boar. Larger than the kind you'd find in the more rural areas of Ashina, the boars were also more aggressive and immediately charged at Wolf when they saw him. The moment the first boar reached Wolf he made a symbol with his hands.

Black mist exploded in front of the leading boar. Then a blade pierced through it's throat. Pulling out Kakedashi and avoiding the stream of blood, Wolf was attacked by the other boars but they suffered the same fate. He sighed when the last boar fell, giving a small prayer to the lost life. Wolf wasn't bothered by death, Owl beat that type of empathy out of him years ago but he never did enjoy killing. It was one of the reasons he always respected Lord Isshin. He never killed out of satisfaction or pleasure but for a purpose. Be it to protect the land of Ashina or to further his own martial prowess, even when he was resurrected Isshin fought for Genichiro's dying wish (though the Black Mortal Blade may have a hand in it). And that's exactly what Wolf plans to do because he had a Lord to save...eventually. Bringing one of the dead boars back to his cabin to eat, Wolf started to think up a plan.

First things first, he needed to find out the current situation in Ashina. His younger self had never left Usui Forest unless it was with Owl or Lady Butterfly, both who would take him on missions for experience. He never took an interest in the Ashina Clan or it's struggles. Wolf knew that if he wanted to change Kuro's fate he needed to reach Ashina and gather information. The second thing was his current abilities. Against common fodder and troops he wouldn't be endangered but Ashina, as secluded as it was, was not a simple place. Even with his skills and the Shinobi Prosthetic Wolf died countless times, something he no longer had. He actually needed to watch his step because one death and it's all over. A cry rang out and Wolf looked up from his food, seeing an owl perched up on a branch.

'Father...' Wolf's third point was brought to the front of his mind and he frowned. Owl would be a problem. Wolf figured out the moment the Great Shinobi appeared on the Castle Tower Outlook that his father was the one who killed him all those years ago. It was his plan from the very beginning. To raise him to be a master Shinobi, to serve Kuro and eventually face Lady Butterfly in the burning Buddha Hall. All to gain Kuro's trust and have him share his Dragon Blood. Wolf remembered what his Lord said to Owl on the outlook. 'You were wrong Lord Kuro. Owl wasn't seduced by the Dragon's Heritage...He was absolutely obsessed by it.'

Owl needed to die (aspiring to become the immortal ruler of Japan wasn't a dream you gain overnight) Choosing to leave the finer details for later, Wolf started to inhale his food as the sun set. Couldn't plan to kill a Great Shinobi on an empty stomach.

Morning After, Outskirts of Usui Forest

Tei Hokuro hated his life sometimes. A small noble family of the Tamura Clan that survived Isshin Ashina's bloody coup and was quickly assimilated as a vassal, some would say he was lucky considering how the prior clan treated the people of Ashina. Though, in his humble opinion, having his head cut off by an executioner's blade was a small mercy compared to standing where he currently was. Facing the forest that held a number of irregular and horrid beasts, he made an nonthreatening smile when it's dangerous owner arrived.

"Good day Lord Owl, I'm grateful to be able see the legendary Shinobi first-"

"Enough glib, what does Isshin want?" Owl shut down the noble's attempt at flattery and got to the point. Tei flinched, not used to the Great Shinobi's bluntness, but took out a letter and gave it to him. Owl opened the letter and saw two words written in the Sword Saint's handwriting. 'Interior Ministry.' The title was lost on Owl. "Is this it?"

"Yes Lord Owl, that was all he gave me."

"Hm..." The request was obvious. Knowing Isshin for as long as he has, Owl was used to his eccentric way of communicating and wanted him to look into this "Interior Ministry". Why? He had no clue but I guess that was his job to find out. Turning back to the messenger, Owl told him to tell Isshin he'll start working on it. Tei bowed.

"Of course. Lord Isshin will definitely be pleased a man of your-and he's gone." Tei sighed, the Great Shinobi no where to be seen. How a man so tall and built can move that quietly and quickly was beyond him but at least his role was done here. Getting back on his carriage, he tugged on the reins and made the trip back to Ashina Castle. It was only after passing the front gates and walking up the steps to the front of Ashina Castle that Tei realized all the scrolls inside his carriage, which were from multiple Lords in Ashina, were completely missing. The samurai in bulky armor that was meant to retrieve them didn't look happy.

Nor were the dozen other Ashina soldier's slowly surrounding him. Yeah, Tei Hokuro really hated his life sometimes.

Wolf's Cabin

Reading through a letter speaking on how a "Lord Jishin" needed help exterminating some mutant villagers stealing his crops, Wolf tossed it aside when it no longer proved useful. A number of scrolls littered the desk, stolen from the messenger that spoke with his father. While a part of Wolf knew it was incredibly dangerous to steal all those scrolls under his father's nose, it would be more dangerous to ask if he can take a short trip to Ashina. Ignoring the fact that he would never agree, it may gain Owl's suspicion on why he wanted to go there and he'll be watched (more than he already is anyway). Thankfully, Wolf quickly found out that the powers of the Headless returned with him. Channeling the power of the Gachiin's Spiritfall, Wolf's near transparent form was difficult to see from a distance, even by someone like Owl. Grabbing another scroll from the bundle, he saw the sender's name on the front.

"Lord Oren..." Wolf's expression softened slightly. The husband of Lady Murasa, Lord of Hirata Estate...and Kuro's father. Wolf didn't know the man well, only that his father was Oren's Shinobi and that he was a kind man. Wolf had little time to know him because a couple days after he was assigned to Kuro, the Hirata Estate went up in flames and both parents were killed by Lady Butterfly. Memories of that night always felt fuzzy to Wolf. Buddha was gracious enough to help him remember the attack but the three years after? It was like a fog the Mist Noble would produce, just stranger. Not wanting to strain himself in a fruitless attempt to remember the blank years (not that it ever worked), Wolf began reading.

'Dear Tomoe, I hope this letter finds you well. I know we haven't spoken recently and for that I must apologize, things have been...difficult since Takeru's passing. You, of all people, can attest to that. Regardless, we hope you can find time to write back. Murasa misses you. Love, Oren.' Wolf blinked at what he read. It was simply surprising. Lord Oren knew Lady Tomoe?

'No, of course he would.' It would make sense for him to know Genichiro's master. Lord Takeru, whatever little they found on him, was once a Divine Heir which meant he was related to Kuro in some way (perhaps a distant relative or cousin). Lady Tomoe stuck around Ashina after Takeru's death so it was possible Kuro's father met her but what was the connection? The letter implied closeness that surpassed mere acquaintances. 'Was Lord Takeru closer to Lord Oren than Kuro knew?' His parents were taken from him at a young age and Lady Tomoe definitely passed away by the time of the attack so maybe the topic just never came up.

A soft thud outside his cabin brought Wolf out of his musings. In one quick movement, he piled a series of scrolls with different schematics on top of the letters as Owl opened the door.

"What are you doing?" The Great Shinobi asked with a raised brow, walking over to see what his son was working on. He peered over a calm Wolf to see a blank scroll that had a number of odd shapes drawn on it. Recognizing a couple shapes as axes, a pipe with flames coming out of it and...an umbrella? Owl turned to his son in confusion. "What are these?"

"A number of weapons that will give me some versatility and lethality. A Shinobi should always be prepared for anything." The Great Shinobi snorted at the claim.

"A true Shinobi should depend on his wit and deception, along with his blade. These "toys" will be useful against weaklings but when met with a real master, they won't be much help."

'They helped me kill you.' Wolf's face was like stone as he bowed his head. "I will keep that in mind father."

"Good. Now, I will be way for a short while. I expect you to complete all the training on this scroll by the time I'm back." Giving a small scroll to Wolf, Owl turned around to leave.

"Best of luck father." Wolf said as Owl exited the cabin and the moment he left the clearing, the young Shinobi tossed the scroll to the side. Now that was convenient. Wolf actually remembered this day. Why? Because it was one of the few moments Wolf ever saw the Great Shinobi injured. Unfortunately, they weren't grievous but even Owl couldn't hide the blood stains and stumble when he returned. 'But...were they real?' Wolf knew that at some point Owl met the Interior Ministry and joined forces with them to gain the Dragon's Heritage. Owl faked his own death, faking some injuries to take suspicion off him was child's play.

Not that Wolf planned to find out. Grabbing a map that was used by the messenger, he exited the cabin and bolted into the forest. If his memory served him right (which was a big leap of faith) Owl would return in about 1 week. He had no idea where Lady Butterfly was but he didn't remember her being around either so that left amble time for Wolf to start the first phase of his plan. To sneak into his Lord's old home and find information on the Divine Bloodline.

But first, he's going to need a ride.

Uma No Machi Village

"This is a rip off!" A tall, bald man yelled at the top of lungs getting a couple glances from other passerby on the street. The older man in worn out armor in front of him just looked at him with disinterest.

"Rip off? These horses are top of the line breed from Ashina Castle. I barely got a couple to sell and you want me to just give them out? Move along." The armored man said and waved his hand, telling the man to shoo. The bald man, whose face was getting increasingly redder, eventually cursed and walked away.

"Stupid low class degenerates. You weren't shit until the rebellion..." The man murmured, getting his frustration but not daring to speak louder. He was right. The people of Ashina were once the weakest people in Northern Japan at a time, something the Tamura Clan exploited to gain make them slaves but that naturally changed when Isshin Ashina took over. Now that such a monster protected the citizens of Ashina few dared to outright spite them. The armored man shook his head and turned to walk away but a voice called out to him.

"Are you selling horses?" The man stopped and looked to see a young man standing 3 feet away from him. Slightly surprised since he didn't hear him approach, the horse merchant observed the boy. A little shorter than the merchant with a waist long hay coat over his orange haori, he sported a katana on his waist and short black hair. He couldn't see the boy's face because he was wearing...a Tengu mask? In a show of professionalism, the merchant only quirked a brow at the outfit before nodding his head.

"I am, what kind are you looking for? One that can run long distances in a short amount of time or that can carry a heavy load?"

"Long distances." Giving a curt response, the merchant brought the boy inside his stables to see his horses. Walking past a couple of horses that had good stamina and were sturdy, the merchant stopped when he noticed the boy wasn't next to him. He found the boy standing in front of a shorter horse with a red mane and black skin.

"I wouldn't recommend that one kid. She's a part of my finer breeds but has a temper problem so few can get her under control." Warning his customer, the merchant jumped when he saw the boy reach out to pet the horse and quickly stepped forward to pull him away before he lost that hand. Yet, when the boy's hand touched the horse's neck, it didn't pull away or made a fuss. It actually nuzzled it's head against the boy. The merchant stood there gobsmacked when the boy turned to look at him.

"How much for this one?" The question brought a smile to the merchant.

"I don't know what trick you used to get her to like you but I ain't complaining. She can run for a long time on minimal food and she can carry a decent load but like I said, her temper made her a pain to sell. We can negotiate the price-" A bulging purse hitting the desk cut him off. The merchant slowly looked at the purse then to the mask wearing boy. Then back at the purse.

"Will that be enough?" The boy asked as the armored horse merchant opened the bag and dozens of golden coins glistened in the light. He numbly raised his head.

"...Do you know your saddle measurements or do you need me to measure them?"

A quick measurement later, the merchant led the boy out of his barn ridding his brand new horse. Giving him advice on how much food and medicine the boy will need to store if he wants to keep the horse healthy, the merchant couldn't help his curiosity anymore.

"What's your name kid?" The merchant asked, wondering where this mysterious boy came from. The boy held the reins and gave it a tug, the horse neighing and stomping ready to go. As the boy was leaving, the merchant figured he wasn't going to get an answer until he spoke.

"The Tengu of Ashina." Ending with that, the Tengu left the stables with his horse and the merchant just tilted his head in amusement.

Meanwhile, a certain Sword Saint in the far Castle of Ashina...had the unexplainable urge to start hunting wolves.

And done. With an unborn Lord to save and a new alias, Wolf sets out for Hirata Estate to uncover the secrets of the Dragon's Heritage. I hope you enjoyed!