IMPORTANT STUFF: Digimon does not belong to me, and the Final Fantasy series is Squaresoft's.
DIGITAL FANTASY: LEGEND OF THE TWELVE DIGI-CRESTS
written by K-chan
Characters of Fate: SAMURAI
"Last Vengeance"
He couldn't believe his life would end up on such a path, being hunted like an animal. Where did it all go wrong? Not only was his life endangered, he had involved his mother and aunt as well. Their lives were at the mercy of the one man that wronged them all. And here he was, the son of a great samurai fleeing for his life. If only he hadn't promised them, then he could face his uncle like an honorable warrior.
He stopped running and placed his ear against the ground, listening for the distant feet pursuing him. They were getting closer. He ran a bit farther with his keen eyes scanning the area around him. It dawned on him that the chase was in a familiar place he and his father would come to in order to practice. There was a huge tree nearby that was old and hollow.
His feet and senses took command and steered his body towards his childhood place, bringing back joyous memories of his father. Unfortunately that kind of life ended when he died by the hands of his own brother. How could such deceit and treachery exist within a family?!
He slowed down and pushed his way through the low shrubs until his hands felt the familiar touch against the rough, chipped surface. He had found the tree in all the darkness like his father was right by him, guiding his lost soul to safety. He silent thanked his father as he searched for the small entrance way at the base of the tree. The shrubs around the tree would also discourage the chance of spotting him.
As a young boy, he had always been small compared to the other children--always teased and ridicule how young warriors were supposed to stand tall and proud. Even as a teenager now, the difference was still the same compared to others around his age, but he had learned to use it to his advantage. Power did not rely on size or any physical aspect.
He got onto the ground and crawled into the hole. He pulled and twisted whatever branches nearby over the hole. He gripped his precious katana that he managed to retrieve as the rustling of leaves and the crackling of branches echoed in the distance. He waited patiently as the predators began to appear in the area. He couldn't see them, but their presence was there.
One hand was around the scabbard while the other was on the hilt, ready to lash out in defense if need be. He narrowed his eyes as he heard voices in an enlightening conversation. "This is stupid," someone commented.
"Does Hida-sama really expect us to find the kid?" another questioned.
"Idiot, he's at least thirteen!"
"What's so important in capturing him anyway? It's not like he can kick Hida-sama's butt."
"Watch your mouth!" someone ordered. "We're after the brat 'cause he has the late master's blade. Now spread out!"
There was mumbling among the search party before they went their separate ways to find him. It would take at least two hours before they gave up and return empty handed. He carefully leaned back against wall of the tree and relaxed, still holding his father's katana close to him. His last thoughts were of his mother and aunt before weariness overcame him.
It had only been a month since his father's funeral, and every day he would sit in front of the man's altar in silence. His father was a true warrior, representing honor and duty to all the clans across the country, and he strived to be as great. The family kendou school was very famous, earning disciples from everywhere, and the legendary katana that took down a hundred men with one swing belonged to them as well.
He looked up when someone stumbled into the private room. His aunt was sprawled on the floor, glancing over her shoulders as if someone was chasing her. He got up and went over to help her up. "Iori-chan," she whispered, trying to hide her face from his gawking eyes.
He stepped back, allowing her space. "Auntie, your face. What happened?" He stared at her red, swollen cheek. "Did someone attack you?!"
The tears dripped down her face as she couldn't bring herself to look at her nephew. Her lips trembled, uncertain of how to phrase her words. She covered her mouth as her eyes shut tightly, cutting off the flow of tears. "Oh Iori... it's horrible..." She shook her head in shame. "Yo-your father... He was murdered!!"
"WHAT?!" He stumbled backwards but kept himself on his feet. "Auntie, is this the truth?!!" How could he just question her like that? She was not the type to lie, and this was a delicate matter, knowing how much his father meant to him. He grabbed her by the shoulders. "Who? Who killed my father?!"
She opened her eyes, and the tears continued like it never did cease. "My... husband," she squeaked out. "Your father's own brother..." Her voice was just below a whisper. The news struck him like a sword would have, but it was his heart that was deeply wounded. How could his uncle to do that to his brother?! Was this all a nightmare?!
He clutched the sides of his head, straining his mind with unanswered questions. He fell on his knees in frustration, but his aunt gathered what sanity was left between the two of them. "Iori-chan, please. You have to get away from here!" she begged. "He'll be after you and the blade soon! You have to go. Promise you'll go!!"
He finally pulled his senses together, closing his eyes for a brief moment, and the warrior in him took control. "All right, but you and mother are coming with me. I can't have him hurt the both of you either."
She shook her head. "No, I'm still his wife, and we will only be a burden for you." She pulled him up from the floor and tugged him along like a lost child into the next room. "If you leave with the sword, he won't hurt either of us because he knows you'll be back for us." She sighed, "I know he has done great wrong, but in the meantime, I hope I will be able to convince him to redeem himself."
Then a loud crash echoed from the front yard as a horde of footsteps invaded the Hida compound. The pair ducked into a room that held the sacred sword of the family, and Iori grabbed it. He dragged his aunt with him, hoping that he could at least rescue one person. They made it into the backyard, but the woman tripped over her own kimono.
"LEAVE ME!" she commanded. "JUST RUN!! RUN, IORI!!" And that was what he did, not looking back at all, because if he did, the new path ahead of him would never be offered again. "RUN!!" was all he could hear and remember after leaving his home.
His face burrowed in discomfort, sensing the brightness against his fluttering his eyes. He blocked the bothersome light with his hands as his eyes slowly adjusted to the new time of day. He peeked outside from his hiding place and found nothing was a disturbance to nature except for him. He crawled out from the hollow tree and stood up, stretching his arms from being in a cramped spot all night.
He headed east, opposite from his home, towards the raging seas. It had to all come down to this: fleeing his own country. But what choice did he have left if his uncle already had plans to do away with him while he had nothing but vengeance on his mind?
There was no need to kill innocents when he was only after one man, but that man had too many lives at his hands to do his dirty work. With only himself, he certainly needed a plan, and now it was essential that he mastered the family techniques so he could punish the murderer with his father's own katana.
