The Forgotten Era

Disclaimer: DIE! *chases you*

MC (MysticChaos): *watches as the disclaimer chases you away* Er…ok….

S4R (ShinHwa4Real): *still angry about the eunuch part* Evil author…

DH (DarkHand): *glaring at her low score of Spank the Monkey* Evil monkey…

MC: *whistles nervously as ShinHwa4Real glares at her*

S4R: DIE! *begins to chase MysticChaos again*

MC: -_-;;; Not again…well, ON WITH THE STORY!

DH: *biting and clawing at her computer* ROAR!

(Author's Note: Sorry if the intro was lame. I couldn't think of anything. -_-)

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Prologue 6: Running Away to a New Era

Saeko yelled with impatience, "Master! When are you finished with the pottery?! The people are starting to become restless at your slowness!" Hiko turned his head and rolled his eyes. "Be patient, young one!" he snapped. Saeko huffed and sat down, feeling irritated.

Now, Saeko had turned 16 years old, no longer carrying her sword around in plain view. She had no need. Saeko now trusted Hiko with her life, even if he was unreliable at times. He was like a father to her. Only more stupider and arrogant. Also, instead of wearing the normal hakama and ho, Saeko was wearing a kimono instead, so no one would notice her and try to kill her. Saeko did not like her kimono, but did she have a choice? Nope.

Hiko turned his head again at Saeko and said in an amused voice, "Even if some years had passed, you are still the same girl that I have met 3 years ago. Only your heart has changed." Saeko tilted her head to the side, suddenly interested. "How so?" she asked.

"Your personality had become more merciful, accepting more in what's life. Of course it will never level up as mine."

"Riiiight. But personally, I think the personality inverse is dulling my swordsmanship. Don't want that to happen."

"You shouldn't even be fighting."

"Oh? Is it just because I'm a girl?! That's why?!"

"We've been through this problem before, Saeko."

"Yeah…and I won the argument."

Hiko shook his head in hopelessness as Saeko laughed. Hiko was one of the few people that she actually trust. Then Saeko's smile faded. Even if she joked around that her skill was faltering, that still didn't mean that her skill was gone. Saeko still hunted for wanted men, hired by people, in the night. Only, because she was older, did she know how to disguise her attacks so that no one could get any suspicions in who's cut was it. Her soul was still stained with blood.

A man and a woman walked down the street together, the woman carrying a basket full of groceries and Hiko carrying brown parcels under his arm. Many greeted Hiko with kindness, but they looked curiously at the woman that was following Hiko. Everyone knew that Hiko had picked the girl up from somewhere, but only to do chores. Nothing personal (DH: Ewwwwww….sicko….-MC: WHAT~?!). She had never talked, looked, or even told her name to anyone in the town, so that was why the girl was so mysterious.

Most remembered that when the single, male men saw her, they had tried to flatter her with words and gifts. The girl just ignored them or simply glared at them, making them flinch at the fierceness of her golden eyes. Not one person, except for Hiko, actually got close to the woman. Literally.

Today, Saeko was abnormally quiet. Sure, she was quiet when Hiko and her walked into town, but her silence and the seriousness of her face was unnerving with her silence. "What is it? Have I done some small mistake that did not escape your sharp eyes?" Hiko snorted, smirking at Saeko. She didn't even seem to notice that Hiko was talking to her. Hiko frowned. For the last 3 years, Hiko had learned long enough that when she was this deep in thought, it usually meant something was troubling her. "What is it Saeko?" Hiko sighed. The woman seemed to wake up from a trance, making herself scared out of her wits. "Um…er…Nothing!" Saeko frantically replied, as if trying to catch up with time. Hiko raised his eyebrow.

"With the stuttering, the failure of coming back with a wisecrack comment, and the hasty speed that you have spoken me with, I would say there is something." Hiko pointed out. Saeko frowned and snapped, "Well sorry if I have to tell you every single idea in my mind!" Then she stomped off, annoyed. Hiko shook his head, a smile creeping on his face. He knew very well that it was just an excuse to say there was nothing to worry about. Hiko knew his young friend a little too well.

Saeko was still quiet when Hiko and her went to bed. She didn't even utter one word. Not even a "Goodnight" that she usually gave. Hiko decided that he would press into her business if Saeko told him her problem. Apparently, it was until next late afternoon when Saeko actually talked to him again.

"Master Hiko?" Saeko whispered, sitting beside Hiko as he was watching the stove burn. Hiko didn't say anything which meant that he was listening. "I just wanted to…um…thank you for taking me in three years ago even if you had no clue in who I am. I also wanted to thank you again for taking care of me for such a long period of time." Saeko stopped, looking at Hiko to see if there was any emotion on his face. There wasn't. So, Saeko continued, "I think I have worn out my stay here. I will leave probably sometime tonight…unless you object to it, Master." Hiko sighed and said plainly, "Do not call me Master anymore if you are leaving. Call me Niitsu Kakunoshin." Saeko seemed to be taken back that Hiko would tell his real name to her (MC: Trust me! That is Hiko's real name! I did research! ^_^). After she had gained back her cool composure, she said in a soft voice, "Thank you Master-Ah…I mean Niitsu." Hiko chuckled. Then suddenly Saeko hugged him in a bear hug. Saeko cooed, "I love you as a father, you know that? Thank you so much for everything you had done for me!" Hiko laughed out loud and patted Saeko on the head. 'She still has her sweet innocence. Even if it was hidden somewhere in her heart…' Hiko thought, playfully messing up Saeko's hair. Then she yelled saying why in the world Hiko had to mess up her long hair.

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Saeko tied the obi around her body that held her sword and picked up her bento box that had at least a month's supply of food. Then, as Saeko was about to leave the hut, she turned around and saw Hiko sleepily peacefully against the wall ('cause Saeko took the bed). Smiling, she bent down and kissed him on the forehead. "I'll miss you Niitsu…" she whispered. Then she walked quietly out the door and ran in a god-like speed toward the forest to train for years to come…

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A woman, a manslayer, slashed through her way in the streets of Kyoto. Many had covered her path, but now they were at the woman's feet as she raced into the center of the city.

"YAH~!" The woman screamed as she killed six Imperialists at once. Then she jumped up high into the air, shooting kunai at the other stragglers. Landing softly onto a roof, she slid down, ran on the rim, and shouted, "KYAH!" as she fell down upon other warriors. Her golden eyes blazed as it reflected the light from the burning city. Instinctively, she swung her sword behind her, cutting an enemy clean off his feet. Running forward, she suddenly stopped as the members of the opposite side of the Imperialists came rushing towards her, running away. The woman looked at the people who were chasing them and hissed, "You will not take one step further." The first foolish one jumped forward, but the woman had already started to run at full speed, murdering the whole group at once.

The woman cried a battle roar as she ran forward, on the bridge, swiping at the Imperialist. Immediately, they had fallen to their feet. Even if the woman was making much damage, she knew the war was over. Her side was too weak and she was the only one that had a chance in surviving this battle. Kyoto had to fall.

The golden-eyed slayer jumped lightly on the bridge's edge, but stopped as she came face to face with the Hitokiri Battousai. Her eyes flashed in an alarming color, showing its true shine of pure hatred. The man looked at her, both of them keeping a steady gaze. Then he said, "You are the only one." The woman tightened her grip on her sword and hissed, "Yes, battousai. I am and I have the hatred to kill you. DIE DEMON!"

The woman slashed her sword at the Hitokiri Battousai, feeding her sword with all her anger. They clashed swords, sparks flying in all directions. Then the woman shifted her handle down, hitting the man's stomach. He winced, but kept his balance as he blocked the woman's next attack. She simply jumped backwards, but shot forward in a god-like speed, yelling, "THE DANCING DRAGON!" The battousai ran forward too, both of them striking each other the same time. It was still, as Kyoto burned in flames and the water churned with blood below them. The woman lowered her sword, revealing small gash on her left arm. Then she turned around, hatred in her eyes still burning. I may have not beaten you this time, battousai, but I promise you this: I will come back and kill you. Regardless of what your beliefs are until I meet you again. I will come back and walk away with your blood on my swords and on my hands. For now, goodbye." Then the woman turned around and jumped over the bridge. Alarmed, even if she tried to kill him, the manslayer looked over the bridge and saw the woman in a boat that was controlled by a young boy. The woman glared at him, then turned away, standing straight as the boat entered the river, he black hair streaming behind her.

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MC: HURRAH! I'M FINISHED WITH THE PROLOGUES!

DH and S4R: YAY!

DH: Now what do we do?

MC: I don't know.

S4R: Well, um…I saw a person steal your Rurouni Kenshin comic book and run away with it.

MC: WHAT?!

DH: Oh yeah, I saw that person too.

S4R: And that person stole your T.V.

DH: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!!!!! NO MORE PIRATES OF THE CARRIBBEAN! NOOOOOOOOOOO~!!!!

MC: I think I saw someone steal your Spanish book, ShinHwa4Real.

S4R: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!!!! MY SPANISH BOOK! MY TEST~!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~!!!!

MC: Er…sooooo review everyone and read about us mourning over our stolen items!

S4R and DH: WE WILL GET YOU EVIL PERSON~!!!! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~!!

MC: *sob, sob* T_T