Petition of Repetition

By Daito Dei Gratia

Chapter 2: A Simple Conflict

A lone swords master walked a beaten path to Xian. He looked down at his feet as he walked. He was dressed in all black, but for a gold line that divided him at the waist; black boots, black robes with a golden sash around his waist, and a black bandana.

His hair was just as black, it was shoulder length and covered his right side of his face.

The sun was setting in the background as he made his march back to his camp. The bells attached to his two swords on his side jiggled with each step.

The young man stopped and sat down on a rock as he sighed and then looked over to see

some soldiers from the same camp dragging a young girl who kept fighting back. Her dark purple hair followed her fighting body as her crimson eyes burned with rage. She wore leather shorts that stopped at the knees, leather boots, and a sleeveless silk shirt. Her three bladed arm-guards helped her fight back.

However one of the men grabbed a hold of her. The swords master couldn't just watch from a distance, he walked to them, seeking to know what at is happening.

"Well look! It's Dehiro! You just came in on the right time, we were about to have some fun with this young one." One of the soldiers greeted.

Dehiro watched to see one of the men trying to get her boots off, but she kept kicking. Dehiro drew his sword.

"Hey! Wait buddy, I understand you are a heartless killer, but can we play with her before you cut her into ribbons?" The man that was trying to undress her asked.

Dehiro stared at the eyes of the young girl, "A ninja maiden... The general would never command such an act of rape upon such an honorable girl; she is too powerful and full of spirit to be used in such a way." Then Dehiro threw his sword like a spear and it hit the man that was holding her in the eye. He fell to the ground, just dead.

Dehiro quickly cut down the man in front of him and the girl. He was only a mere sword length from her, he quickly turn to see the last man running, and he yelled, "You will pay for this act of stupidity you heartless demon!"

The girl stared at Dehiro before running up to him, attacking. Dehiro defected one of her punches by hitting her armguard and dodged the other. The young ninja tried to kick him down, but instead, he stepped to the side and let her miss and hit the ground. Dehiro somehow when he dodged her punches, unequipped her armguards.

The girl stood still in awe as Dehiro dropped the armguards aside. Dehiro walked slowly towards her.

She dropped her head and asked, "Please, sword master, spare me."

Dehiro rose his sword, the girl looked up to see this and flinched. However, instead of a death, there

was the sound of a sword being cased.

The girl noticed and didn't say anything. Why would he spare me, and let alone kill his allies.

"Because, you, unlike them are honorable and worthy," Dehiro said as he handed her back her

armguards.

Dehiro walked towards the dead body that still had his sword in its head and drew it out of the head

and back to it sheath it went.

Dehiro walked back to her and sighed, "So what was that all about?"

The ninja said, "I traded myself over in a hostage situation in order to save my grandpa." She sat down on a nearby stump.

"I see," Dehiro sat closely next to her, sharing the tree stump.

The girl gotten nervous and worried.

"Don't worry Kirei, I won't hurt you," Dehiro told the girl.

Kirei stood up in surprise and took a few steps away from him, "How do you know my name?!"

Dehiro moved the hair that was covering the right side of his face, giving Kirei a full viewing of his face. He had a scar on his right cheek that glow black and his blue eyes were full of sadness.

"You see, I am a Jupiter adept," Dehiro told Kirei.

Kirei respond, "That explains it, well… I don't know what to do now…"

Dehiro told her, "Go back to your grandpa. I will help you."

"But you are my enemy! How can you help me!" Kirei questioned.

Dehiro drew his sword and pointed at the dead bodies nearby, "I think you see how I can help you now…"

Kirei saw what he was pointing out with his black blade, "I see, so you are in trouble because of me…"

"It's nothing Kirei," Dehiro smiled and gave her a pet on the head, "You are a good girl, it was worth it." They started to walk the road and then Dehiro asked, "Do you by the chance have an older sister?"

"What?! Are you trying something?" Kirei answered.

Dehiro sighed, "I will take that as a no…"

Kirei couldn't help but wonder about the person that was escorting her home.