Wufei: Well, whoopty freakin' doo....
Yoroiden Samurai Troopers:
Child of Saberstryke
A Miss Chang Po Production 3
The battle had been a quick one. Ryo and the others had managed to finish off the group of youjas with little or no effort. Amongst their smoldering remains, the five gathered together in hopes of finding the missing member for whom they had gone to rescue – Kiyone.
Korin no Seiji yanked off his helmet, allowing his golden locks to fall in his worried eyes. "Any sign of her?" he asked.
Suiko no Shin shook his head, gripping his trident tightly. "She was with me and Shuu when we finished off our batch of goons," he answered grimly. "But she disappeared soon afterwards."
"Sheesh, we were saving her." Kongo no Shuu grumbled, his brow furrowed in worry. "You think she'd thank us rather than running away."
"Why would she run away?" Touma asked quietly. His mind drifted back to that night in the rain, where the young aqua-haired girl had run from his embrace.
It appeared Ryo was on the same train of thought, for he answered with, "She must have been afraid of us."
"Huh?" was the collective response. Before Ryo could speak again, there was a rustling sound in the bushes behind them. Being the closest, Touma drew his bow and shot an arrow in that general direction. The golden arrow whizzed through the air into the thicket, follow by a feminine scream.
Touma's eyes went wide with shock. "Kami, no…" he gasped. "Kiyone!"
Seiji's expression mirrored his own. "Masaka…" With that, the two shot off into the bushes, soon followed by the others. What they found was a shock to everyone.
She sat there on the forest floor, quiet and still. Though her aqua hair hung loosely in her face, her eyes were wide and unseeing. She looked as though she had seen a ghost. In her hand was a sword belonging to one of the youjas, and by her feet were the smoldering remains of the sword's owner. What shocked the troopers most was the golden arrow, still glowing, clutched tightly in a shaking fist.
~*~*~*~
Back at theYagyuu estate everything was quiet and still, despite the storm raging outside. The wind blew through the trees, causing the old, gnarled branches to claw and scrape at the living room windows. So rapt with silence were the room's occupants that no one thought to get up and draw the curtains shut.
Kiyone sighed as she felt all eyes settle upon her. They all wanted the truth and Kiyone supposed she was obligated to give it to them.
"Before I say anything," Kiyone began, startling everyone with the break in silence. "I have a question."
"Yes, Kiyone?" Nasuti answered.
Kiyone turned to Ryo, her gaze piercing. "Where did you get those swords?"
Ryo blinked. "Wh-what swords?"
"The swords you fought with!" Kiyone exclaimed. "The Twin Swords of Fervor! I'd know them anywhere!"
Ryo's eyes went wide with shock, along with everyone else's. Nasuti was the only one who was able to find her voice despite the shock.
"Please, Kiyone," Nasuti said softly. "For us to be able to tell you anything, you have to tell us how you know about Ryo's swords."
"They were my father's swords!" Kiyone blurted out, much to the shock of everyone else in the room – except Byauken, of course. The large animal almost looked as though he had been expected this response.
Ryo willed one of the objects in question, the Swords of Fervor, to his hand, staring at it in shock. "That's impossible…" he murmured. "These swords are ancient…" He trailed off, risking a glance at the girl he had come to call a friend.
Her cheeks flushed and tears stinging her cheeks, Kiyone stared down at the ground. "They were his." she said firmly. "I remember. He was so proud of them." Her expression looked pained, as if she were desperately trying to hold back some emotion.
"Kiyone…" Nasuti rested her hand on her friend's own. For as long as she had known her, Nasuti had never been able to get Kiyone to talk about her family, let alone her father. Even to this day, she had no idea what had happened to them. However, something inside her told Nasuti that Kiyone was ready to talk about it – or at least she was forcing herself to.
The forced,yet reassuring smile Kiyone gave her assured her of this. "I remember." she said softly. "My family and I lived in Kyoto, outside an old rural village. My mother was French, a fencer, who had a little schoolhouse at the edge of town where she taught the village children, including myself. My father…" She trailed off, the pained expression returning to her face. "…was a great swordsman. He worked as a metal smith, crafting beautiful swords in his spare time that people would come from all around to see and buy…" She closed her eyes, opening the floodgates within her, willing all the repressed memories to come back at her full force.
~ Flashback ~
He had decided to stay in Kyoto, that sacred place in the mortal world where he knew he would face no danger. He had wound up here by accident, deciding to stay not long after his arrival. He had been uncertain about his decision atfirst, but when he saw her, all his doubts had melted away.
The sound of metal clanging against metal ran in his ears and sweat ran down hisbrow. As he dipped the hot steel into the cool water, mist and steam hissing in his face, he thought of her. Her ebony hair as it always fell like waves around her angelic face. Her clear blue eyes revealed the depths within her. They were searching, yet they never questioned. She was kind, and gentle like the wind, yet he had witnessed firsthand her skill and strength.
He laughed. How he had changed these last few years. He, who had seen many things in the several hundred years of his existence, had once believed he was incapable of any emotion rather than those focused on his skill. He had once been a ruthless, calculated, honor bound killer. He had known nothing about love, joy, or adoration. He knew now that he loved her and everything that she had allowed him to experience. It hurt him deeply to know he would soon have to leave.
~*~*~*~
"All right, count off."
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten."
"And isn't a number, my dear."
A blue-eyed, round baby face set itself into a frown. Angeline Kiyone smiled at her young daughter, a spunky six year old girl with bouncy blue pigtails. "Now, dear, in french."
"Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, seis, sept, huit, nuif, deis."
"Español."
Another pout. "Uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez."
"Very good," Angeline replied. "Now, in your father's language."
"Mama…"
"Jade Kiyone." her mother admonished. "I am very proud of how much you've learned, but you must be able to read, write, and understand these languages – as well as speak them." The young girl set her face up even more, which meant she understood. "Now, in Japanese."
"Ichi, ni,san, shi, go…" A frown marred her childish features. "Um… go…"
"Roku."
The two females occupying the small schoolhouse classroom looked up in surprise. At the door stood a man dressed in a gray shirt and black tunic vest with black slacks and boots. He had unruly blackish-brown hair that hung loosely in his face. His crystal blue eyes fell upon the room's sole occupants and he smiled warmly. This man didn't look a day over twenty-five.
The young girl, Jade, who at present-time is known as Kiyone, beamed, her eyes lighting up in joy. "Papa!" she cried out, already scrambling out of the chair in which she was seated.
"Jade, dear," Little Kiyone stopped in her tracks. "You haven't finished your lesson yet." Kiyone's mother had a smile on her face. Her eyes were focused on Kiyone's father. "Continue."
"Mama…" the young girl whined.
Kiyone's father walked into the room and knelt down beside her. "Now, now, Kaze-chan," he smiled, resting his large hand on top her head, tousling that mop of blue hair. "You must learn your lessons."
At the use of her nickname, Kiyone grudgingly obeyed. "Ichi, ni, san, shi,go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyuu, juu!" she chirped happily.
Kiyone's mother smiled. "All right, your lesson is over for today."
"Yosh!" Kiyone beamed, hopping down from her seat, diving into her father's arms. "What'd you make today?" she asked.
Her father laughed, causing Kiyone to nuzzle closer to him. Kiyone loved it when he laughed. It was a deep, rumbling sound, and unquestionably contagious. She always found herself in a fit of giggles after hearing it.
"Have you such an interest in mywork, Kaze-chan?" he asked, his eyes glowing with amusement. His young daughter bobbed her head, pigtails going in every which direction. He sat her down gently and walked over to the door where a long object swathed in cloth lay. Cradling it in his arms, he walked over to the table and sat it down, pulling away the cloth to reveal three steal works of art.
Kiyone stared in wonder at what lay before her. The first two were a set of twin blades like silver. Their hilts were made of gold with fire-red rubies embedded in their centers.
"You made those?" she asked, her eyes as wide as saucers.
Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "No," he answered. "These swords were given to me by Destiny herself."
"Who is Destiny?" Kiyone asked, her clear blue eyes blinking inquisitively. "Does mama know her?" Her parents stifled a giggle.
"You'll meet her someday." her mother said. "But not quite yet."
"Oh." With that, Kiyone satisfied herself with watching her father as he moved away the cloth to reveal a third item. This one was a long sword, resembling a no-datchi (AN: You know, the type of sword Seiji carries) , but longer and wider. Intricate designs ran along the blade, and the hilt was made of silver with hints of gold flecks. At the center of the hilt, where it met the blade, was a large green stone, resembling the seas churned up after a storm. Another identical to it rested at the top of the sword.
"It's beautiful." Kiyone's mother breathed, her eyes still on Kiyone's father. He gazed back at her, the two of them conveying some unspoken message between the two of them. Kiyone's father blushed and smiled, turning his attention towards his daughter.
"Jade," Kiyone's mother called. "What are you doing?"
The young girl was making her way away from the table. "I'm looking for Koko-chan." she answered.
"Koko-chan?" Her parents blinked at each other.
"Yeah," Kiyone said slowly, as if expecting them to understand. "He's my friend. He's big, and he's black, and furry… and… and he has a long tail… and big glowing eyes."
"Really?" her father asked, looking very interested. Her mother, however, did not look as appreciative of her choice in companionship.
"Yup!" Kiyone nodded, resuming her vigil. Her father chuckled.
"Ken…" Kiyone's mother whispered to him. "You shouldn't encourage her telling stories." Angeline was always a practical woman. Given the situation, she had to be.
"Now, now, koi," Kiyone's father grinned. Grinning was so uncommon for him. A snarl would have been much more welcome. "Jade's having an imaginary friend is perfectly harmless." She gave him a look asking him if he had had one. Before he could respond, gales of laughter from their young daughter caused them to look up.
"Jade?" Kiyone's mother called. Their young daughter was nowhere to be seen. The couple got up and quickly rushed to the door. Oncethey got their, concern was completely replaced to shock.
Rolling around in a pile of leaves like a big puppy was whom the two parents had guessed to be Koko-chan; a large, very large, black tiger with glowing eyes. On top of the massive beast, giggling with glee was Kiyone herself, tickling the animal's sides.
"Jade…" There was panic in Angeline's voice. She took a jerky step forward, only to be stopped by a strong hand pulling her back. She looked up at Kiyone's father, who had an unreadable expression on his face. Looking down, she saw one of the twin swords in his hands. "Ken…"
Almost as if it had sensed their presence, the large feline looked up, locking gazes with Kiyone's father. Seconds passed without either moving before Kiyone's father walked towards the beast.
"Kokuen-Oh…" Kiyone's father addressed the animal calmly. The large tiger seemed to snap to attention, gently shaking the small child off of itsback. The young girl rolled to the ground in a giggly heap, unaware that her playtime was over. He looked down at Kiyone and then at the tiger. "Thank you, old friend." He patted the animal on the head. "I know how much you liked it here, but it's time to go."
Angeline risked a step towards them. "Ken…"
Kiyone's father turned back towardsher, a sad expression on his face. "Gomen nasai…" (I'm sorry...)
The force that had up until managed to keep Angeline Kiyone calm and collected shattered into a million pieces, causing her to rush towards him, holding onto him as if he would disappear. And the truth of the matter was, he was going to. "You can't!" she exclaimed.
"Angeline…" For the first time, pain was evident in his voice. No matter how much he didn't want to do this, he had to. "You knew I would eventually have to do this."
"I know… but.." her voice broke as she stammered for words. "I thought Icould make you stay…" Her arms tightened around his waist. "Damnit, Ken…you have to stay! You promised me you'd stay!"
He turned around in her arms so that he could face her. He raised a hand to her face, causing her to flinch gently. Pain flashed in his eyes. "Oh, Angeline…" he whispered. "You know I would never hurt you.."
"You're hurting me now.." shereplied, clutching at his shirt.
Kiyone's father touched her mother's face, tracing it gently. "You're… as beautiful as ever." he whispered, wanting desperately to kiss away the tears now streaking down her face. "I'll remember you this way…"
"Don't…" she broke out of his embrace. "Forget about me, please. More importantly, forget about Jade." Their attention turned to the young girl, who watched them curiously, confused by their behavior.
"I can't forget about you," her father replied. "I can't forget about Jade either."
"How can I explain this to her…?"
"You don't have to explain anything." came the reply. "She'll figure it out on her own."
Kiyone tilted her head. Why were her parents looking so sad? She blinked questioningly at her father as he came towards her. "Papa?" she asked.
Her father knelt down in front ofher, cupping her face in his hands. It was if he were memorizing all of her features. Her sloppy blue pigtails, her round, tan face, those large crystal-clear blue eyes; he wanted to remember it all. "Yes, Kaze-chan?"
"Does Mama not like Koko-chan?"
Her father laughed, though this time Kiyone did not feel compelled to laugh along with him. The laugh he made was a sad, remorseful one; almost as if it would be the last he would ever make. He set his hands on his daughter's small shoulders, looking into her curious eyes. "His name is Kokuen-Oh, Jade." he told her. "He is a friend of mine who has been watching over you for me."
"Really?" Those crystal blue pools blinked up at him. "He's my friend, too!"
"Hai," her father replied. He lowered his head before continuing. "But… now he has to go away."
There was silence for a moment. "Oh." More silence followed. "Does this mean you have to go away, too?"
Kiyone's father looked up at her. She was a quick one for someone so young. He looked back at her mother, who quickly averted her gaze. She would be no help. Somehow he had known it would come to this.
"You'll be coming back, won't you?" Kiyone asked.
Kiyone's father lowered his eyes again. This was too hard. "I can't… promise you that. I'm sorry." He closed his eyes. He felt his daughter's body slip from his grasp. He felt as though his heart were going to break.
Tiny arms wrapped themselves around his neck. The smell of pine cones and autumn leaves reached his nostrils. A soft voice whispered in his ear, "I will miss you, Papa."
Her father could only smile and hug her back. "I'll miss you, too, Kaze-chan." he whispered. "You be strong for me."
"I will." Kiyone replied, nuzzling against him. "I won't forget you, I promise I won't."
Her father broke away, patting her head one last time. "I won't forget you either, Jade, always remember that." he told her. "I may not be with you physically, but I'll always be with you, right here." He placed a hand over her heart. "You need me, look there, okay?"
Kiyone nodded, not a single tear visible in her eye. "Right."
~*~*~*~
He left not long after that. He didn't take many belongings, no food, no money, only the clothes on his back and the twin swords at his sides. The third he left behind,l eaving a note tied around the hilt reading only the word: Haruka.
Kiyone and her mother watched him go from the window of their small house. They watched him slowly walk down the path leading away from them, Kokuen-Oh close by his side.
Kiyone's mother looked as though the world had ended seconds before, while Kiyone herself looked completely calm, very sad, but extremely calm.
"He's at the top of the hill now, Mama." Angeline looked up to see his tall form disappear over the hillside. When he was completely out of sight, that's when she lost it.
She jumped up from her seat, rushing to the door – her feet wouldn't let her go any farther than that. Dropping down to her knees, she sobbed uncontrollably.
"You have to stay!" she cried out. "You promised, Ken, you promised me!" She buried her head in her arms, crying out. "Kenbukyo! Kenbukyo!!!"
~ End of Flashback ~
When Kiyone finished speaking, she was eerily calm. It was almost as if reliving that day as she spoke had helped her to achieve a peace of mind of sorts. She let out a soft sigh.
Nasuti's hand was still on her own, shaking slightly. "Kiyone…" The woman looked as if she had seen a ghost. She turned her gaze towards the other troopers, whose gaze was focused on that of their leader.
The sword in his hand dropped to the ground with a loud clang. Ryo made no move to pick it up. Everything around him had screeched to a halt. He could only stare unseeing at Kiyone with a look of pure horror on his face. Slowly and softly the words came out of his mouth. "K...Kenbukyo… was your father?!"
~ End of Chapter 11