Angel wings
Disclaimer: I own nothing except half a bag of pocky, a clown sticker, and my insanity. Oh wait I do own any new Character's that come into play.
Warnings: New Chara's, Angst. Talking about adult situations. (Not graphic)
Rated: PG-13 Just to be on the safe side
Archive: Here, that's about it. If any one wants to, they can put my story up on their site. As long as you e-mail and tell me, so I can visit and check it out. (I wouldn't be surprised if someone has already come up with a Samurai Jack site)
Feedback: No, keep me in suspense. Of course I want feedback, every author need's feedback. That's what we live on. That and chocolate pocky. Mmm pocky.
blah blah' - indicating thought or quick scene change
~^~ * ~^~ - indicating time change or memory
Sealed within thine metal blade
Lies dormant a curse with the blood of thy masters
If one is not pure thy will be destroyed with what thy hath made
Dark as night
Red as dawn
The one with a pure heart will be chosen with right
-The Ancients of Tengoku and Jigoku
It has been over three months since our hero Jack first came to the strange land he now know's is Earth but in the future. Many days he has journeyed with little water and food. Exhausted and hungry he stumbles upon a little village of quiet folks. Or so they seem. Spotting a inn he decides to rest a while and this is where the story begins.
The occupants of the inn glared at the stranger with the billowing white robe as he silently walked by them. Some whispered to each other but most ignored him. Glancing up through the straw hat the man made his way to the counter. A bald, tubby alien sat reading a magazine idly flipping through the yellowed pages.
Excuse me sir, the soft spoken man said.
Yeah what do ya want, the green blob said not looking up from his magazine.
I would like to rent a room please.
How many people?
Only me.
It's 20 credits a night. 10 more if you want extra's.
The green alien finally looked up from his magazine. He looked the tall man over once and smiled. Let me guess, you're new here.
I am only passing through.
Well I'll tell you what. Since you're new I'll give you the extra's on the house. All I need is your money and name.
Thank you very much sir. The man dug into his outfit and brought out some money. I hope this is enough.
Oh yeah plenty, here's your key. You're in room 6. It's up the stairs to your right. Your name, for the record.
My name is Jack, the man said taking the key from the grubby looking alien's outstretched hand. He saw a flicker of light from the corner of his eye and turned slightly only too see an elderly man cleaning his glasses. Relaxing Jack realized his hand was on the hilt of his sword and he removed it. Taking the key he silently made his way to the room and suddenly remembered he didn't know what exactly the extra's' were.
No matter,' Jack thought to himself as he entered the room appointed to him and closed the door behind him. Glancing around the room he saw the inn was much like the one's when he was a child. A flat mat on the ground for his bed, a little chest of drawers by the closed window. Jack opened another door and saw it was a little bathroom. Feeling satisfied with his surroundings Jack untied his sword from his obi (kimono sash) and placed it on the mat. Slipping his wooden sandals off, he placed them by the front door.
His sore muscles told him a nice hot bath and good nights sleep was in order. Untying his obi he folded it and placed it next to his sword. Shedding his white kimono he too placed on his bed. Making his way to the bathroom he turned the faucet on the tub on and soon steam began to fill the small room. (AN next couple of lines not for the young so get out, don't read. Skip this part and continue on with the next paragraph. Like anyone's going to listen to me) Turning off the water Jack dispersed of his tighty whiteys (Hehe tighty whiteys) and slipped into the scalding water. Immediately his muscles tensed but relaxed as the soothing water tended to his aches and pains. Undoing his hair he let it down and submerged himself fully in the water.
Resurfacing for air Jack thought he heard a door close but remembered he was in an inn, there were lots of people moving around the old building. The samurai sighed and leaned back against the chipped tiling looking at the peeling paint on the ceiling.
How long will my journey be. To reach my destination and win this battle against Aku and his tyranny. I will not give up.' Sitting up Jack decided his bath was over. Modesty getting the better of him; even though he was alone, as he stood he wrapped a towel around himself and pulled the plug out of the tub.
Stretching he opened the door that led to his bedroom and stepped out. His vision blurred by the hot air meeting the cold, he rubbed them and reopened them slowly. The lone samurai just about jumped out of his skin at the figure kneeling in front of him.
A beautiful woman dressed in a short blood red kimono kneeled before him. Her long raven hair spilled over her small shoulders like a black waterfall. Pale creamy white skin just screamed to be touched. Although Jack was rendered speechless by the woman's beauty, it just wasn't that. It was the white angel wings that stretched from the woman's back and surrounded her like a protective cover.
Jack tried to speak but found his mouth wasn't working. The woman lifted her head revealing almond brown eyes. They blinked slowly a couple of times at him. The woman bowed making her the tips her hair touch the ground, her angel wings moving slightly.
the woman's voice was so soft Jack could barely hear it. I amyour companion for the night. I am atyour command my lord, the woman's voice trembled with fear and displeasure.
Jack finally found his voice. I'm sorry ma'am you seem to have the wrong room. Please excuse me. The Japanese warrior reached down and grabbed his clothing and disappeared back into the bathroom. A minute later he reemerged tying his obi around his waist. He halted mid step when the woman hadn't moved from where she was on the floor.
Please my lord, I must stay here with you, the woman said bowing again. I am yours.
There is some misunderstanding, Jack said. I shall talk to the manager.
No, don't, the woman said rising to her knees. She clutched at Jack's flowing robe. I beg you please don't. Suddenly realizing what she was doing the woman let go of the white material and placed her hands squarely on the ground. I'm sorry my lord. Please don't hit me. she closed her eyes tight, her angel wings quivering.
Jack kneeled in front of the woman and tilted her face up with his hand. Her eyes were still closed tightly, her lips pursed together, she flinched waiting to be hit.
I will not hurt you, Jack said softly. Chocolate brown, almond shaped eyes showed themselves slowly. Silver tears threatened to spill from them as her lips trembled ever so slightly.
My lord, if I do not stay with you for the night I will be punished, the woman said leaning forward as Jack leaned back.
Because my lord that is what I do. I keep men company. I am like a Geisha. the woman looked away for a moment. No one ever asked her questions before like this man before. (AN A geisha is a woman who keeps men company. Not I repeat Not a prostitute. They are like a really good friend and a waitress all rolled into one. But for this story let's say some men take it too far)
The woman was silent after she talked. Jack understood she only answered questions that were directed at her. She turned her gaze back to the ground. Jack reached over and grabbed the woman's arm, she winched slightly but didn't retaliate. The man pushed back her sleeve of her kimono revealing her bare skin. The woman didn't look, she knew what the man was looking at.
Is this what you do. You allow men to hurt you! Jack ran his hand over the bruises, the woman struggled to be released as she tried to cover her arm with her sleeve. Is this what you want to do?
The woman stopped struggling for a minute and finally looked the samurai in the face. Her eyes shinned with tears that wouldn't fall but behind the silver wall something else grew. Something that burned fiercely and bright. She pulled away from Jack but he wouldn't let go of her arm. Her angel wings moved back and forth slowly, making Jack's white robe sway slightly.
Is this what you want to do? Jack said again with more force then he intended.
the terrified word exploded from the woman's lips. It surprised the Japanese warrior and he let go of the warming skin. The woman crossed her arms over chest and tucked her feet under her. No, I don't like being hit and beaten or the woman stopped talking and was quiet for a long time. Jack didn't say anything as he watched her. She closed her eyes and her angel wings surrounded her again giving her a fey look under the moonlight filtering in through the open window.
Watching her, the Japanese man realized he was completely enthralled by her. She was an amazing creature, when allowed to show her true self she had a unbridled soul. She was to be like a butterfly, to be able to run free not shackled to this place.
It was then the lone samurai decided something. Something that could alter his plans but for now that didn't matter. No one deserves to be treated poorly, especially a woman. They are a gift from heaven brought down to men to become their soul mate, their missing half.
Jack stopped when the almond eyes looked up at him. No one should ever be allowed to hurt you.
The angel wings pulled back from around the woman and she leaned towards Jack with an outstretched hand. This time Jack didn't move away but went forward. Slowly almost painfully, soft fingertips touched the Japanese man's cheek delicately. Moving slowly across his skin the woman felt every curve and plane of his face. She pulled away before she ran her the tips of her finger's over Jack's mouth.
You words are true to heart, the woman whispered. You do not lie to me. It has been a long time since someone has spoken the truth to me. I almost didn't recognize it.
Jack smiled when the woman sat down Indian style on the floor. Her short kimono riding up on her thighs a little, she pushed the red material down innocently making the front of her robe open a little.
My name is Jack, the Japanese man introduced himself, trying to distract himself from looking.
My name is the woman paused. The name given to me by my people is Shi.
But Shi means
I know what it means my lord. An appropriate name for myself. All I bring is death. (AN in case you didn't get the translation, Shi means death in Japanese)
Shi stood up suddenly, she smoothed the wrinkled edges of her kimono and strolled to the window. She pushed the shutter open fully and gazed out at the stars. Jack stood to his feet as well and looked over the woman's shoulder at the ebony sky. Shi's hair; Jack noticed, was the same color as the midnight sky. Her long ivory angel wings seemed to glow in the darkness, illuminating the room like a candle.
Shi turned around as if she sensed someone behind, her wings brushing against Jack ever so slightly. It felt as if little electric shocks coursed through Jack's body as each and every velvety feather touched him. Shi took a step back and backed into the wall, surprise filled her now wide eyes.
I'm sorry, Jack said quickly, he bowed slightly. I was just looking at you hair, wings, I mean stars. I was looking at the stars, I did not mean to frighten you.
No, it's all right my lord. I'm just a little edgy around new people. It's not your fault.
If you so wish you can leave, Jack said. I will not force you to stay.
Shi glanced at the door briefly as if considering the idea. I can't my lord. If I leave and am noticed, I will be punished for not stayingthe night. Please may I stay with youjust for tonight. Shi clasped her hands together over her heart.
don't think that is a good idea, Jack finally said, knowing he was going against his kind heart.
I understand and I respect your wishes, Shi said, her eyes growing misty. Good night my lord. She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, her angel wings shivered slightly as a cold draft blew in and then she was gone.
Jack lowered his eyes and looked at his feet. She needed someone and I just pushed her away. Time on this world has even made me weak' he felt ashamed and wished to call the woman back but he already knew she gone. Just as he was about to sit down to get some rest he heard a commotion outside his room.
What are you doing out here, a gruff voice said.
I'm sorry sir. I was just, Shi's frightened voice was interrupted by a smacking sound. Shi yelped and collapsed to the ground.
I don't want your petty excuses. Get up you wretched animal. This is the last time you fail your job.
Jack was at the door in a instant after hearing the painful cry. He flung the door open to see Shi lying the floor, a hand to her cheek. The grungy manager standing over her.
There you are, Jack said. Did you find what you were looking for. I started getting lonely without you.
Shi looked at Jack like he had gone insane before it dawned on her. I'm sorry my lord I could not. It doesn't matter we don't need the ah thing I was looking for. Shi said standing up. She took Jack's outstretched arm and leaned her head against his shoulder. She would of laughed at the blush starting to creep up from his collar if it wouldn't of given her away.
Excuse us will you, Jack said.
Yeah, yeah, the manager grumbled walking down the hallway.
As soon as the door closed Shi detangled herself from Jack and rubbed her cheek lightly. Thank you my lord. I'm sorry, I should of been more careful.
It is I who should be apologizing, Jack said taking Shi's hands away from her cheek. It was already taking on a purplish tinge and he narrowed his eyes at the cruelty. I should have never let you go. I'm sorry.
Shi stumbled over her words, no one had ever apologized to her before, for anything. I ah I forgive you.
Jack smiled. Would you do me the honor of letting me watch over you tonight. I will make sure you are not put into harm's way.
Shi once again didn't know what to say so she nodded.
You can take my bed for tonight.Jack continued.
Oh no I couldn't. You've been kind enough as it is. The floor is fine thank you. Shi said already sinking to hard wooden floor before Jack could protest.
Finding she could be a stubborn person Jack sat down on the thin mat that barely provided any comfort and leaned against the wall. He noticed his sword in the same place as he left it. Shi curled up on her side and stared silently at the warrior in front of her. She tucked her head in the crook of her arm and yawned softly. Extending her ivory angel wings a bit, she stretched one over her small body like a satiny blanket.
Soon her breathing slowed and became shallow as she slipped into a tranquil sleep. The samurai closed his eyes and listened to the quiet breathing of the woman a few feet away from him. How can someone so fragile live in a Aku infested world. This only proves that I mustn't stray from my quest. But she needs my help and I've already turned away from her once, I wont do it again. I'll talk to her in the morning. For now, I'll let her have the well deserved rest she needs.'
Shi moved slightly in her sleep and shivered. Jack stood up and grabbed the thin cotton blanket he resting against and unfolded it. He quickly laid it over Shi and tucked in the corners. The woman almost immediately stopped shivering. She sighed in her sleep and smiled.
After sitting back down Jack decided it was time for him to rest. Tucking his sword next to him, Jack too nodded off into sleep. I'll talk to her in the morning. For now, I'll let her have the well deserved rest she needs.'
Hey whatcha all think. Good, Bad in between. Yeah I know it's unbetaed but I don't care. Like I'm going to bug my beta readers at three in the morning. Hmm, nah. So anyways should I continue or I'm I just wasting my time and your's. I promise to get the rest betaed. Maybe I should continue for one more chapter. It'll give you a view of Shi's past and how she came to live like this. It might take me a while, college is starting back up and I have to get ready. Well, off I go to write some more stuff. Maybe I'll finish that stupid poem that been bothering me lately. Hey are you still reading. Go and review my story. Shoo, be gone. I command thee. Go away, quit bothering me, I have to get some writing done before I go to bed.