Angel wings
Disclaimer: I own new Charas and my insanity (pauses) and my reviews. Well who else owns them. Certainly not you. Wait, where you going. Don't be mad, I was only joking.
Warnings: New Charas, Angst, talking of 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 my demented sense of humor ^_^;
blah blah' - indicating thought
~^~ * ~^~ - indicating a memory or dream
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 thou 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's been a day since the incident with the bounty hunter brothers. Shi seems as if she's back to normal but there's a distant feel to her. We draw closer to the ocean's front every step and every step I lose a little of her. What little she talked seemed to have vanished completely, now she only sings to herself that same song, when I met her, when she changed my life.'
Will you sing to me.
Shi stopped in her tracks and looked at the Japanese warrior, her eyes widened but looked dazed for a moment before they slowly focused on the man.
she said barely above the whispering wind.
Please, will you sing me that song. I have only heard the melody of your song. Will you grant me the pleasure of listening to your words of rhapsody.
Shi looked down as she was ashamed by her humming. She continued walking next to the samurai in silence. Jack feared he had said something to bring back the past of hurts and lost memories but she raised her head, a small smile playing at her lips.
If you so wish it.
Only if you wish it, Jack annotated.
Yes. In the earth's dialect or my native tongue?, Shi asked, becoming more like herself with each passing moment.
Earth's dialect?
The one language everyone shares. The one we are speaking. I will try and sing it in this language. Shi scowled for a moment while trying to remember the words. Soon a soft delicate voice filled the woods.
I can't walk alone anymore,
The winds of time are too strong,
This thing called pain
I should be used to it, but now...
Please hold my heart as it is,
All soaked; wet,
In these times that continuously change,
A love that does not change exists
Shi stopped and frowned. I'm sorry, I'm not very good. I can't remember everything in this language.
Jack said. That was beautiful.
Shi blushed and ducked her head, smiling. You really think so?
The Japanese man nodded his head. Of course, you have a lovely voice and that is such a beautiful song.
The woman smiled again, her earthen eyes sparkling. Thank you Jack. She then pulled the hood from her face. Humming once more, Shi seemed happy, relaxed. Next to her Jack started humming but a different tune. The two continued tramping through the woods, seeing who could hum the loudest and off key.
+~+~+~+
He was being stalked. Shadows never lied and one was following him now, never straying. It wasn't an animal as he previously thought, there was only one set of footsteps that he heard, no matter how soft they were he could still hear them. He tightened his grip on his weapon and slowly advanced through the wooded area.
Snap.
The man whirled around at the twig breaking behind him. Something moved in the bush to the right of him and he tensed. A little white rabbit jumped out and sniffed the air before going on his way. The warrior relaxed for a brief moment but then it attacked.
Jumping from behind a tree the being let out a yell and threw itself at him. He ducked and rolled unsheathing his katana, the light bouncing off the metal as he swung it.
What Shi?
That's a little too close. She pointed at his katana that was mere inches from head. Ah, you heard me.
A little, Jack said sheathing his sword. But overall you were very quiet. For a while I lost you. You're quite good at moving around unnoticed.
Shi smiled. Thanks. Perhaps we should try something else. Sneak attacks aren't my specialty. What about hand to hand combat. The woman let out a few hand movements.
Jack laughed. Their journey was almost over, at least to the ocean. Another few hours and they would arrive at their destination. He was glad they were almost there, their food rations had been used up and he wasn't sure if Shi could last another day hiking over mountains and tramping through forests, even though she never complained. Once they arrived, they would cross the ocean either be by air or by water and Jack wasn't looking forward to either.
What about Kendo?
What's Kendo?
Well it's a way of learning how to fight, like fencing or jousting, except used with wooden swords or bamboo. Jack looked around at the trees surrounding them and selected a nearby branch that was as long as his sword. Breaking it, he striped it of it's smaller branches and leaves and handed it to Shi. He then untied his katana from his waist but kept the ebony colored sheath on.
Shi looked at him, then at the branch she held. I am improvising, Jack said. I would use bamboo but we seem to not have any nearby. Now with Kendo a point is made by striking your opponent on a certain part of the body. Jack tapped Shi on the legs, her waist and shoulder with his covered sword. And by blocking an attack.
But you must always stand in a fighting position. You can lose points by not standing correctly. Jack stood in an formal fighting position and Shi copied holding the branch out in front of her as the Japanese warrior did. Are you ready, we'll go slow and I'll show you.
Shi said. Jack moved his sword slowly to hit Shi on the shoulder when she twisted her branch up, blocking his attack. Like this?
Jack nodded, Yes, but keep your mind focused. He moved to swat on the legs when she blocked again. Again he went for the shoulder but at the last moment he struck her on the waist lightly. Shi frowned. It's okay, you're learning. Attack me know.
The woman went for the shoulder and Jack let her hit him. She smiled and gained some confidence and went for the waist, Jack blocked her. She gave a pout and took a step forward with her branch going for the waist again. Jack blocked her but just as he did that, she twisted her entire body around him and banged him on his side a little harder then she intended.
I'm sorry Jack, Shi apologized.
It's all right it didn't hurt. That was really good.
Beginners luck.
The samurai smirked and jumped backwards suddenly, Shi followed stepping onward. She swung forward and Jack dodged it, retaliating with his own attack, hitting the woman on the legs lightly. The angel winged woman now determined to get him attacked with an onslaught of movements. Her feet seemed to dance across the ground as she pressed forward, swiping and swinging her branch.
With a snap Shi's branch broke when Jack obstructed and she paused holding the now stick in her hands. She bursted out laughing and Jack followed.
I guess that's the end our lesson, she said, twirling the stick in her hand.
Do that again, Jack said watching the Shi's hand movements.
Do what again?
With the stick.
The woman twisted the small piece wood through her fingers and flipped it over hand. She then tossed it a few inches into the air and caught, flipping it one more time.
Attack me, Jack commanded.
With this?
I don't kno- Shi didn't get to finish her sentence when Jack swung his covered sword forward. Tucking the stick close to her forearm Shi blocked the attack and angled down swiping across the Japanese man's legs. Jack smiled and went for her side. Twisting down the woman blocked it and counterattacked but missed her target. Jack took a step back and bonked Shi on her head.
No fair, she cried, rubbing her head. You never said that counted.
Jack laughed, You are cor- Shi tapped the Japanese man on the head and smiled.
Now we're even.
Smiling, the samurai asked, Where did you learn that?
The angel winged woman's smile faltered. The stick slipped from her hand and she felt the small of her back, feeling the clothed dagger.
Jack started.
I'm okay Jack.
the Japanese man asked.
Shi looked at him. No, but I feel better when I'm with you. Jack smiled and blushed. The angel winged woman hid her laughter behind a hand.
You ready to go home.
Shi answered. No.' Thank you Jack for everything you have done for me.
It's my pleasure.
+~+~+~+
What! That is impossible, Jack said. There must be some mistake.
I'm sorry sir, the chestnut brown alien said. But there isn't. Aku himself has restricted all travel until further notice.
Perched on a wooden box Shi swung her legs back and forth slowly, listening. With every word passed between Jack and the ticket agent she grew more despondent.
Looking up she scanned the stretch of turquoise water forever teasing the white sand. Making a mental note that not even the tiniest boat was seen dancing with the waves, nor the metal birds that soared through the air at unheard-of speeds. She listened once more to the arguing warrior and woman.
Hopping off the box, she tugged at the hem of her ragged kimono and untied the emerald robe that hid her wings from her shoulders. It pooled at her feet and she extended the ivory sculptures over her head drawing attention from passerbys.
Is that-
It can't be.
I thought they were extinct.
All my life I've been afraid,' Shi said to herself. Of what, I don't know. Do I know anything.'The angel winged woman slipped quietly from the Japanese man and made her way down the rotten wooden pier towards the beach. She looked up at the sapphire sky and shielded her eyes from the glaring sun as her feet met the warm sand. Shi looked back at Jack who hadn't noticed she had or left or so she thought.
Jack glanced at the corner of his eye and watched Shi trailing away form him; across the beach. She needs some time to herself,' and he let her go.
Standing just above where the salty water lapped at her feet, the angel winged woman sank to her knees and bowed her head in what anybody passing by would think she was praying. This was true but not in a way you'd think.
Am I forever cursed to walk this land without a past or a future. Where were you my whole life when I lost my humanity and soul by someone's pleasure at my pain. When I needed someone.' Shi shifted her position and brought her knees up, resting her head on them. Answer me, where are you voice.'
Oh Jack.' Shi's heart tightened and she felt a deep slow miserable feeling drown the one little bit of nirvana of being able to belong to people. You've gone through so much all for nothing. You don't belong here.Your kind heart is withering away on this detestable planet and I am the plight. I'll leave you alone, never to bother you again.'
Standing Shi looked one more time at the Japanese man, she saw him sitting on the same wooden crate she previously sat on, her emerald robe neatly folded next to him. He thinks I am coming back. Jack I've caused you enough grief. Goodbye my beloved.'
Turning around Shi gasped when she meet cold black eyes. Demonish ebony wings curled around the man's lithe body. A spirit of evil sat upon his shoulders consuming every bit of light that shed off of Shi. She instinctively took a step back and reached for the hidden dagger. Her hand paused hovering over the element feeling it grow warm until it scorched her clothing. She didn't feel the pain of the metal scalding her skin or the smell of her clothing burning. It was as if her mind had been completely devoid of all concepts except onefear.
Are you afraid, the deep hollow voice whispered.
She opened her mouth and her voice caught, all that came out was a strangled breath of air. Her eyes widened and no matter how much she willed she couldn't move her body. It was as if she a statue rooted to the spot she stood.
I've been looking for you.
I can't move,' Shi's frantic thoughts shouted.
Do you know why?
Jack help me.'
You are the key to all that is life and death and my Father wishes to posses that power. Now it is time to leave, let us depart from this pestilent land and enter the gates of your inevitable future. The being leaned forward and wrapped his long tenuous fingers around Shi's wrist.
The woman jumped at the cold touch and she felt pain radiated up her arm. She let out a whimper and the man released his hold clutching his own hand as if it was burnt. He growled as his pale skin turned a healthy color while Shi's turned an ashy hue.
Shi realized she was suddenly free and a terror filled scream disrupted the empty sky.
And this is where I end this chapter. Am I evil? Is the sky blue with occasional rainy day showers. I thought so, but before you go getting your under clothing formats in a knot, just wait for the next chapter. Then you'll really be P.O, depends on how you look at it. What, you guys want a hint of what the next chapter is about, well okay I'll tell you. It involves Jack. Bwahahahaha. I'm so evil and I love it. Conceited Goddess I am ^_^;