Dragon Frost by Miracle-chan
Chapter One: Every Sword's Story
"Flight 37D from Hong Kong has arrived on time in port 37." The announcement blared and echoed through the crowded airport.
A scrawny and unruly boy stepped off the plane and into the Tokyo airport terminal and gazed around. His fathomless, striking forest green eyes gazed around at the crowds of people gathering around the exit of the plane greeting family and friends that have come to pick them up. He wasn't looking for anyone himself though; there was no one to pick him up, he had come to Japan alone.
He didn't look the least bit scared or nervous though. He looked too old to be a boy, yet too young to be a man. At sixteen years old, Ryushi Luo had learned how to take care of himself. Ryushi tossed his head to shake some rebellious, spikey bangs that fell over his eyes. His hair was a deep auburn shade. it was a rich chocolate brown that seemed to shine golden underneath. He readjusted his shoulder bag over his arm and proceeded to the luggage claim to pick up his bags.
He found them immediately found them since there were only two. He didn't have many possessions and all he owned were contained in these two luggage bags. That, however, did not mean he didn't own anything of value. Until a week ago, it would have been true that Ryushi didn't possess anything worth stealing... but now, there was something he treasured more than anything else in the world.
Ryushi unzipped the larger of the two suitcases and and pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper. Good, the thought to himself, Its still here. He felt relieved; Nothing was ever a hundred percent safe on an air plane. He wrapped his fingers rightly around the long object encased beneath the stiff paper. This was most important thing he had ever come to own. He slipped the long packaged back into his luggage and zipped up the suitcase then took the handles and walked out the doors of the airport and into the unfamiliar downtown streets of Tokyo.
He looked around as the breeze of the passing taxis and busses whipped through his hair. It looked a bit like Hong Kong... except everything was in Japanese. But he had learned a bit of Japanese from his master before all of this- and now he wished he would have studied a little harder... Oh well, I'll figure it out. Hopefully I won't have to resort to gesturing in sign language... Ryushi thought to himself absently. He noticed a small cafe a few blocks away and headed toward it. He was pretty hungry and thirsty. His first ride on an airplane, even the short 3 hour flight still gave his stomach lurches, so he wasn't able to eat much, but now he felt famished!
"Deli sandwich and a bottle of orange juice." Ryushi ordered at the counter and dug out his wallet from his pocket.
The waiter who was a middle aged man with fading hair looked him up and down and asked with a smile, "You traveling kid?"
Ryushi nodded, "I guess you could say that."
"You look a bit young to come from very far." The man observed, "How old are you?"
"Sixteen." Ryushi replied.
"Ah," the man laughed, "And what's that? A boy or a man?"
Ryushi gave a small half-smile, "A boy when he's rich, a man when he's poor. So that'd make me a man."
The man laughed at that, "I like your attitude son. You're a fine looking boy. Tell you what, this one's one me."
Ryushi blinked and then grinned, "Thanks then." He took his food and found a seat by the window that looked out at the busy streets. He felt content as he munched on his sandwich. There was nothing like a free meal... he had learned that over the years. And now, more than ever, he needed all the money he could get. He had been an orphan all his life after all.
He gazed over the unfamiliar streets... the unfamiliar city. He had no idea how long he would be here. Or what exactly he'd encounter. All of this was a like a sort of gamble. But he had not much to loose anyways. Ryushi reached down to his suitcase once more and pulled out the paper-wrapped package. He undid the string holding it together and gentling unrolled the paper. He raised his eyes and scanned his surroundings quickly for a moment to make sure he wasn't being particularly noticed and then reached inside the packaging and pulled out the sword.
The sword was a breathtaking piece of weaponry. It wasn't especially large or ornate. It didn't glitter like fresh-minted metal and the tint of it suggested it had seen quite its shares of bloody battles, but never the less, it was very unusual- and eye catching. Ryushi held the hilt firmly in one hand a ran two fingers down the sleek side of the blade. The hilt was bronze, deeply overlaid with a rich gold and swirled in a circular pattern and broadened in a wing-like fashion at the end of the handle of the sword joined with the sleek silvery blade. The end of the sword dangle long, crimson tassels and the entire sword was surprisingly light and movable considering its formidable length.
Ryushi suddenly had an urge to swing the sword around- but managed to contain himself. He reluctant slipped the weapon back into its packaging and stuffed it away in his luggage.
Ryushi gazed out at the surrounding streets of Tokyo city, recalling the day, just weeks ago, when he had received this distinctive possession...
-flashback-
"Master." Ryushi bowed respectably to the old man seated beside the tea table, "You called for me?" he asked, raising his head slightly.
"I did. Come in Ryushi and sit down." Master Luo replied, motioning to the empty mat beside him.
Ryushi complied and seated himself beside his old master and poured him some tea. Master Luo took the tea and sipped some and sighed with content. Every time Ryushi had looked at his martial arts master, he knew somewhere, deep in his heart, that the wise man was getting old. He had come to know Master Luo when he was six years old, and for the past ten years, his master had been like a father to him. Teaching him everything he knew and did. He looked up to him, admired him, and loved him.
Master Luo was the sort of man, though obviously ridden with age, whom you could tell use to be strong and powerful. His build was not at all frail, despite his adding years, and though his hair was graying, he looked full of wisdom and calmness. Ryushi could never once remember a time when Master had been impatient or panicked. He had brilliant, shinning eyes that made anyone want to open up their problems and speak the truth. There was, Ryushi had noted over the years, a very faint, almost unnoticeable but definite, scar on his right cheek. Down the full length of it. It was most definitely a blade scar as far as he could tell, but his master had never spoke of it so Ryushi had never asked.
Ryushi had been passed around from orphanage to orphanage ever since he was born, and ever since he could remember. It wasn't until he met Master Luo that he really found a place to stay. Master Luo had been the master of the martial arts joto for orphans for many years, but he and Ryushi developed a specially bond. Ryushi had even taken on Master's last name since he had never had a last name of his own.
Born an orphan, abandoned in several small villages had left Ryushi no connections to his past. Not even his name. He knew his name Ryushi meant Dragon Frost" given to him because he was born in the frosty winter months, and he had fought his way into the world like a little dragon. He knew his parents were most likely dead, he remembered vaguely talk of the death of his mother upon giving birth to him. Some had even said he was sort of a "miracle child" born after his mother was already dead. But all this seemed to be mere speculation.
"You turned sixteen a few weeks ago." Master Luo said in his ever-calm voice and took a sip of tea.
Ryushi nodded. It hadn't been that big of a deal. He hadn't even been sure that was his real birthday- December 18th. Its just been a day he picked for the sake of having one and it sort of stuck around. Ryushi never needed a "birthday" to feel older, he had been forced to grow up when he wandered on the streets, homeless, for ever since he could remember.
Master Luo reached for something on the floor beside him that had been obscured by his robe. With a swish only martial-arts trained eyes could track, Ryushi saw a mere glisten of light as the object his master whipped the object from the floor with a quick flick of his wrist.
Ryushi looked up and saw the sword.
It took his breath away... The way it caught the light. The sleek, sharp blade. The intricate carving on the handle... the bold, red tassels... It seemed almost majestic. Ryushi had never seen another piece of weaponry like it, and he had seen plenty.
"This, Ryushi, is for you." Master Luo said, his eyes twinkling in delight at Ryushi's obvious stunned silence.
Ryushi's green eyes widened even more, "Master..." Ryushi didn't know what to say...his head was full of questions...and for some reason his fingers curled with anticipation and he felt as if his heart was pounding with excitement.
Master Luo laughed, "Ryu, before you say anything there is something you should know. This sword is not mine. It is yours. It never was mine. In fact, I think it has been intended for you all along."
Ryushi blinked, "What do you mean?" he asked, thoroughly confused.
"This sword was mailed to me by an unnamed sender without return address. Untraceable, unidentifiable. It came on the day of your birthday in fact." His dark eyes fixed on Ryushi strongly. "I have a feeling someone really wants you to have this sword."
The idea turned itself over in Ryushi's head. Someone wanted him to have the sword? The idea seemed to strange. he didn't have any friends far away or relatives. Who would mail him anything, and for that matter, a sword? It seemed all very strange and unreal.... "Then... I don't think this sword belongs to me." Ryushi replied reluctantly.
"Why's that?" His master asked patiently.
"Because. It wouldn't make sense." Ryushi replied logically, "You know I'm an orphan. I've got no past, no parents, no family. You're my only family. Who would send me something like this? This sword's obviously some sort of antique or something... it can't be intended for me. There must be some mistake."
His master merely smiled and shook his head, "I assure you Ryu, this sword IS for you. The packaging was very clear along with this typed letter." Master Luo handed Ryushi a plain sheet of paper that simply read:
Master Luo:
Please give the enclosed package to the young Ryushi under your care. This belongs to him and I only wish to return it. Ryushi will need this.
Ryushi looked up from the note. His master shut his eyes briefly and spoke, "Ryushi, take this sword."
"But Master-"
"Just take it." His master commanded in a sterner voice. Ryushi forced himself to swallow his questions and reached out to take the sword from his Master's hand. As soon as he curled his fingers around the handle he felt entranced with it. He liked the feeling. The sword fit perfectly in his palm. His fingers went nearly all the way around and the weight and balance of the weapon was just right. Not too heavy, not to light.
His master opened his eyes, "Now, stand up and give it a try." he instructed.
Ryushi stood and gave a small respectable bow to his master then walked to the other end of the open room. He turned to face him and drew the sword back in one hand to focus his energy. Then he swung it forward. He was amazed out how crisply it had cut through the air. Ryushi had been too poor most of his life to afford any fine weaponry such as this. He sword was sleek in his hand and he swung it upward s then backhand. He jumped up to kick and flipped over in mid air and slashed the sword up at the sky. It felt great. He felt so empowered for some reason. he landed back on his feet and looked over at his master for approval.
His master stood up and walked over to him, placing both hands on his shoulders, "Ryushi, you and this sword have a dynamic. Have no more doubts. This sword is indeed yours."
Ryushi nodded feeling the pleasant rush of blood and adrenaline rush through him from his small exercise of swordplay.
"Now, I have something else for you." His master reached one hand into his robe sleeve and pulled out a small square of paper. He handed it to Ryushi and Ryushi looked down at it questioningly.
"A plane ticket?" Ryushi was more confused than ever. He looked up at Master Luo.
"To Tokyo." Master Luo answered and turned to slowly pace his way back to the tea table.
"I don't understand." Ryushi looked down at the ticket then back at his master.
"I know swords," Master Luo continued, "And this sword is a Chinese family emblem sword. Passed down in families from generation to generation. It is like the European shield or code of arms. A code of honor and identity. This may be the link to your past Ryu"
Ryushi's dark eye brows furrowed. His past? But.... he was an orphan.....
"I always knew you were a different sort of boy." Master Luo said to him, "The first moment i laid eyes on you I knew I had to train you. You had the potential... or the "air" of a great fighter. You had the fiercest green eyes I had ever seen. And I've been training martial arts all my life, and you know I've never encountered any student like you. That's why I took you in as my adopted-son." Master Luo sighed, "I knew you had a past also though. Boys with such talent as you don't just come up off the streets. You may be an orphan Ryu, but you aren't without family, or a past." Master Luo fingered the sword, "And this may be your clue."
A few moments of silence followed before Ryushi spoke again, " But Master.... I still don't understand...why Tokyo?"
"This sword may be of Chinese origin," his master explained, "But it it had this patch attached to one of the tassels." The master held up a small patchwork in his fingers. It was only about the length of his pinky and had simple wing like ends attached to a colored center piece. It looked like some sort of school or club badge.... "I did some research and found this was the official school patch for an elementary school in a city near Tokyo called Tomeoda."
"Tomeoda..." Ryushi said softly to himself.
His master walked over and placed the patch in his hands, "Do you understand now?" he asked.
"Master..." Ryushi once again was at a loss of words. This all was so sudden. The sword, the patch, and suddenly he had a past.... "You...won't be coming with me?" the moment these words left his mouth, Ryushi regretted it. They sounded childish and stupid, he knew that. It was just....he had never been out this chinese province before.... much less out of the country. And by himself? In search of.....what? What exactly was he in search of...? His past? Parents that are already dead?
Ryushi wasn't sure. He didn't know.
"Of course not." His master laughed, "This is your journey alone Ryu."
Ryushi nodded solemnly and swallowed, "oh.... But Master," Ryushi said seriously, "I...I won't ever see you again?"
His master looked at him for a long moment and there was a long silence. Too long. His master had been like his father all these years.... And he was leaving him. "No, probably not." He replied finally.
Ryushi had known the answer before it had left his lips. Of course he wouldn't. Going to Tokyo in search of a past based on two very slight clues was not a thing you could accomplish overnight. It might take months, years.... And besides, it would take all the money Ryushi had saved up for himself doing little minimum wage jobs over the years. If he went, he wouldn't have the money to come back.
"I'm not sure I can go then." Ryushi said, feeling conflicted.
His master laughed at that, "Don't stay here because of me!" he exclaimed, "I may be your master but I am not your life. Your life is out there!" he motioned to the window and doors, "The world is still full of things for you! You can't stay at this joto forever. Go have your adventures." he smiled, "Like I did, when I was young."
"I- I don't know." Ryushi hated being indecisive and not having a feeling of control or stability in his life but that's exactly how he felt at the moment.
His master shook his head sadly, "You do know Ryu. I know the world out there beckons to you, of all people. Your air is of the world. Not of a single place. Your fights are still to be fought...out there. I am but an old man now. There is nothing left for you here. Nothing left for you to stay for. I was young once, but now I am old. I've had my share of adventures but now its your turn. There is nothing more I can teach you except this: Find out who you are."
Ryushi's fingered tightened around the sword in one hand and the small patch in the other. He knew it was true. He had always, underneath all of the "toughness" longed to know who he truly was. His past. He knew it was a mystery...and he wanted to know why.
"Remember this Ryushi," His master added as he saw the determined look come over Ryushi's features, "All the clues you need is right here." He set one firm hand on each of Ryushi's and then tapped his heart, "Its a saying among ancient sword's craftsmen that 'Every sword has its story', and I'm sure this sword's has many tales to tell. Now you just have to find what it is."
-end flashback-
Ryushi looked up from the table and his food. He looked up at the skies of Toyko. He didn't know what his sword's story would be. He hadn't evne the slightest clue what sort of advetures it would lead him to embark on. He didn't know that his sword's story would lead to bloodshed, would lead to new beginnings, and every emotion locked in the human soul. He did not know that this sword's story was one of love, hate, power, life, and death. BUt he did know, that every sword had a story.
And he was going to find his.
Owari Chapter One
Author's note: Sorry for the long gap between posting. I had most of this chapter knocked out, but then hit May and I had major college prep testing at the beginning of this month. But now its over! So I can post agian! Yay! I hope you liked it, and whether you did or not please leave me a comment to let me know what you think! Reviewers from the pologue thank you so much for you lovely comments! I'm working on developing the character Ryushi...so what do you think of him so far? Let me know!
Miracle-chan