I don't own Love Hina. Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The story though is just a work of fiction. For all spelling and grammar mistakes I apologize in advance.
Legends
II
---
A tingling pleasurable sensation.
Motoko awoke with the warmth of the morning sun soothing her aching body. She remained where she was relishing the tranquillity of her surroundings; the beautiful sounds of birds and swaying trees. She stared above and watched the clear blue skies.
And then she felt another uncomfortable yet pleasurable sensation course through her.
Curious as to what could make her feel this way; Motoko slowly moved her head, then glanced down and found… a hand.
A hand clasped firmly on her right breast.
For a moment Motoko did not move but stared at the hand.
"So soft… hmmm… so warm,"
Motoko flashed to the right and found the owner of the voice and the offending hand. A young man was sound asleep. He has that wide smile on his face, a content look, murmuring happily in his deep reverie.
Then he squeezed again.
Another tingling sensation.
A pause.
Then a scream, "AAAAAAAAAAARRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!"
Flocks of birds suddenly flew in different direction as if a wild animal has been injured. A series of crash could be heard from the forest and the ground seemed to shake with fury. The trees swayed and a few has been uprooted from the ground. The forest was bathed in a thick could of dust.
---
The young man found himself in a knot, crumpled under an uprooted tree. His grogginess could not make out the scene and the only explanation he could find was that a mighty typhoon must have passed through the forest while he was asleep, although he doubts that a typhoon could be this strong – or maybe this angry.
He looked up and found two red eyes from the clouds of dirt approaching him with a disturbing slowness.
A moment later he came face to face with death.
"YOU LECHEROUS FILTHY ANIMAL!" A woman with a long silky hair and a beautiful face contorted with pure rage holding a long samurai sword with a clear murderous intention.
The young man shook with absolute fear. By Kami! It's a demon!
"DIE YOU PERVERTED EXCUSE OF HUMAN EXCREMENT!" The woman raised her sword to deliver a final blow that would bring this – animal – into the next world in tiny little pieces. Nobody defiles Motoko Aoyoma of the honourable sacred line of the Aoyoma Clan!
"WAAAAH!" The young man cried and raised his arms. I'm going to die without seeing a Jade Gate in my sorry twenty years life!
---
Motoko stopped.
She managed to control her raging fury in the last second as the sword came slashing down on the offending creature. What stopped her was a wound. The bundle of rags that covered the elbow to the wrist on the right arm of the young man was covered with drying blood.
A pause.
The ocean wind from the west breezed through.
Motoko froze with her sword a few inches from the man's neck. She was breathing hard.
It's him… from last night...
Then slowly she sheathed her sword without taking her eyes away from her quarry. She watched in disgust as the young man went into a shaking fit, his arms over his head, his legs folded into his chest, crying all the while. She stood before a sorry man that does not warrant even an ounce of her energy.
How can this coward be the one who came to our aid?
Motoko frowned with deeper disappointment when the young man started to wail.
But there is no denying it… that wound in his arm is sword inflicted… the very arm that saved me from an imminent death…
Motoko shook her head, Kami must be playing with my soul today… to be rescued by --- him --- is crueller than dying in the hands of another warrior… no matter… this – thing - will not utter such tale to anybody… I'll make sure of that! And besides… who would believe him?
"Be thankful… my sword does not relish killing a worthless being like you… you may live… for now…" Motoko turned ferocious, "But… if you ever mention to anybody about me or any events that pertains to me…" A sword metal suddenly gleamed in the brightness of the morning then quickly disappeared, "I… will… kill… you!"
A pause.
The young man stopped crying and carefully looked up behind his rags covered arms; he whispered, "I… I won't… I won't tell a soul…"
Motoko nodded with satisfaction, avoiding the young man's eyes, for the Aoyoma samurai creed dictates her not to look at any man's eyes unless another warrior. She turned but paused when she heard the young man continue.
"But… I… I'm sorry… I… if you could please consider…" the young man knelt and bowed, his head on the ground, "I would like to be paid for my services last night…"
Motoko did not move but controlled her rising rage again, THE NERVE!
The young man scampered backward but kept his head on the ground knowing well in himself that he would surely die, "You see… I haven't eaten anything decent for the last four days… and… and so I just ask for a few coins… if… if that's alright… you won't see me again… I mean… it's just that…"
"SILENCE!"
The young man shook.
Motoko remained where she was.
"What are you? Are you a merchant? Are you a warrior? A ronin?"
"No… no… I'm not… I'm just a wanderer… I do not fight… I just go around town working and…"
"Then you're a slave… a masterless slave… therefore you have been paid with your worthless life…"
Motoko walked away without turning. Her pride has been rejuvenated and the samurai creed that all warriors follow has not been tainted. She felt a little proud for handling such matters like a true samurai. Sister would've done the same thing...
But then after a few steps, she stopped and turned around.
To her great surprise and dismay she found the foreigner from the Molmol kingdom sitting next to the wary young man. Kaolla was handing him a roll of bread that she took from her pack that was slung behind her.
"Here you go…" Kaolla offered with a smile.
"Uhm… thank you so much… my lady…" the young man bowed, "I'm so sorry to be of trouble to you…"
"Nonsense! You were great last night! You managed to take out fifteen men! And here… I have a few coins that Tsuruko-san gave me yesterday… you can have them…"
The young man tearfully accepted the coins, smiled even wider and bowed profusely, "Thank you… thank you…"
"I'm the one who should be thanking you… we're in a tight spot back there…"
"KAOLLA SU… I forbid you from speaking to that… thing!" Motoko approached the two menacingly, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Alright! I'm coming…" Kaolla shouted back with boredom then faced the young man again, "What's your name?"
The young man was too busy gathering his things and keeping an eye on the woman with the sword when he replied hastily, "Sorry… my name's Keitaro…"
"Keitaro… do you have a last name?"
"I don't have one…"
And with that Keitaro jumped out of the way as Motoko drew her sword for the slash. Kaolla stood with her hand raised and watched Keitaro run and disappear behind the trees, deeper into the forest.
The two stood for moment, Motoko with her sword out of its sheath and Kaolla with her right hand waving a farewell to a vanishing silhouette.
A sigh.
Motoko sheathed her sword then observed the younger female beside her, this young girl could fight… she doesn't look like it but she can handle herself quite well in the midst of battle. "Kaolla Su," walking away she said, "For your own safety… I advise you to follow everything that I say. Our land is fraught with danger…"
"I like him…"
"Huh?"
"That young man… he doesn't know it but there is something… inside him..."
"You're young… you don't know what you're talking about,"
Kaolla followed Motoko and smiled, "Maybe so… but my big brother always tells me that I am a good judge of character than everybody else!"
Motoko grunted, "Is that so? We must continue our journey…" What are we to do now? My retinues annihilated… but the mission… no… I can always send a message to sister and ask for assistance if the need arises. We have to push on, "there is a small village ahead of us… we should reach it at noon…"
"I hope we'll see him again…" Kaolla looked back.
"I don't think so… he's a coward and a slave… I think we have seen the last of him,"
And they were wrong.
---
It was past noon when Keitaro finally reached the village.
He wiped his brow with his left arm and walked towards the nearest restaurant. All he could think of that time was something to drink. And he wouldn't mind where it came from as long as it's good enough to drink.
He sat on a wooden bench outside a crowded restaurant and stretched his aching legs. A servant eyed him suspiciously.
"What do you want?" the servant asked.
Keitaro ran a hand through his dry brown hair and said, "I… I just need something to drink if you don't mind?"
"Do you have any money?"
Reaching inside his clothes, Keitaro produced the coins Kaolla has given him, "I've got a few coins… and I might need something to eat too…"
The servant eyed him from head to toe then spat, "We don't need your money slave… get out of here before I call the village guards…"
Keitaro sighed. Almost in frustration, by Kami… this is really getting tiresome… I mean… I just need something to eat… it's not like I'm going to make a scandal or something… sigh… might as well look for another restaurant… this one's looks like just a fancy stop for the high and mighty.
Then he saw it.
A few miles away he saw a band of samurai walking briskly towards the small village. Their colourful banners high in the air waving along with the strong afternoon wind. This party was led by a fat warrior who seemed to be too heavy a burden for his poor horse. His head was backed with intricate designs of his position that shows how important he was with the Kamakura shogunate army, his swords shining with precious metals embedded on its sheath and hilt. And trailing along his weighty figure was a carriage that resembled a trap used for hunting bears of the northern mountains, with wooden wheels on its side pulled by big black horses.
Inside the appalling carriage were two veiled women.
Keitaro quickly walked out of the way for the scouting samurais of the party started brandishing their swords and pushing unknowing passersby away, shouting all the while the approach of an important man.
The women inside the carriage were covered with expensive clothing. The dress shows the imperial designs and emblems. They sat although uncomfortably on a makeshift stool with defiance and the familiar arrogance of the royal family.
---
"Wow… look at that… is this some sort of a parade?" Kaolla whistled happily as she watched the scene unfolding before her.
The band of samurais was passing the restaurant where Motoko and Kaolla were currently having a quiet afternoon repast. The people outside were shoved rather rudely out of the way as they came trudging along the dirt road outside. Unlike Kaolla's happy and innocent expression, Motoko stared with cold anger.
Fools… such acts of pure barbarism… showing off their prize like that.
"What's going on Motoko-chan?"
"The shogunate army has somehow captured two of the royal family's relatives… and by the looks of it I think they are planning to take them to Kamakura," Motoko explained.
"Captured? What do you mean captured?"
"The shogunate and the imperial family are still at a war with each other over the control of this land. As a result… the shogunate army has been given the orders to capture or should we say to 'protect' any person linked to the imperial family… or so they say… the truth is… the shogun is holding every relatives of the imperial family under his domain as a hostage in case an 'event' arises…"
Motoko shook her head as she knew full well that the imperial family still has the loyalty of a few daimyo or warlords from northern and far south villages. It's only a matter of time when one of these warlords would step forward and start a civil war. Even though the emperor was deemed powerless because of the Kamakura bakufu stronghold, he could still amass sympathy enough to raise an army… thus such 'event' would definitely arise.
Motoko sighed.
And we're also under a threat of an invasion… big sister's right… we don't stand a chance at all.
"What's that?" Kaolla pointed.
"Huh?"
Motoko looked up and found Kaolla running towards the edge of the streets where the last of the samurais have passed and the band has finally disappeared into the next hill. She stooped for a moment and then stood with a white cloth on her hands.
"Weird… there's some writing in it that I don't understand…" Kaolla returned happily, handing the white cloth to Motoko.
Motoko looked sternly at Kaolla about to scold her about proper womanly manners when she stopped and read what was written on the cloth. She hissed and reread it again.
The cloth was of a fine silk common only at the courts of the imperial family. And in it were these words written with blood:
Narusegawa and Konno families
A reward to those who would come to our aid.
Motoko looked up and ran towards the streets. She scanned the last of the dirt and made a quick survey as to where the band would be passing. Kaolla came jumping after her.
"What's going on Motoko-chan?"
Motoko was silent for a moment.
"We have to do something…"
"Why?"
"Because inside that carriage are the two closest relatives of the royal family… Narusegawa and Konno families… almost a direct line of the emperor… they have to be rescued…"
---
Keitaro was sitting quietly on the hill as he observed the task before him.
He doesn't know why he has to do it but he couldn't sit idle by and do nothing. He scanned the band and swore under his breath. There were atleast twenty-seven samurais equipped with long and sword shorts, armoured with thick metal, hide and wood. Fifteen were on the ground while the rest were riding horses. The foot soldiers would be easy, the only concern he has were the ones on the horses.
Keitaro searched for officers or leaders among the lines and after marking them he prepared himself.
---
Motoko hid beside the trees and behind her was Kaolla.
Motoko knew that they don't stand a chance against such numbers so she had decided to follow them and keep them on her eyesight and when nightfall comes she would attack. As long as the samurais were grouped tightly together she might have a chance of breaking through.
Motoko smiled and felt the anticipation of battle. She gripped her sword tightly.
You will all feel my wrath!
---
Keitaro looped his arrow bag on his neck and stretched the long bow to the full. He measured the strength and counted his arrows, making sure he has enough. He sighed almost in desperation but he put his worry aside and prepared to attack.
By Kami! I've only got a few arrows… I have to make sure that all shots are counted!
The weapons he had taken from dead samurais he fought last night were good enough for him. There were swords but he didn't have much skill with the sword so he chose the best he could use at the time. Well… that was before he was viciously attacked by a certain sword toting woman!
Eeeee! I don't know what got into that devil of a woman but atleast I manage to salvage some useful weapons before running away! And I thought I'd be paid! I never thought I'd have to deal with life and death with her! If not for that kind little girl… I would have been dead!
Keitaro shivered again as he remembered the woman's cold red eyes.
I hope I'll never see that swordswoman again!
---
Motoko sneezed.
She looked up and found the glare of the sun unbearable. She levelled her eyesight and watched the slow progress of the band. Only a few moments have passed and already she felt her patience growing thin.
Come on you bastard sun! Get down now and give me night cover!
But her boiling temper was cut short when she saw a figure stood on a hill directly above the party. Then she gasped with surprise when that figure ran downhill towards the procession of samurais.
What in the world are you thinking? YOU IDIOT GET BACK THERE! YOU WON'T STAND A CHANCE!
Motoko shook her head in anger but all the while she could not hide her astonishment at the stranger's display of madness and bravery. She drew her long sword, sighed, and screamed, "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
She ran towards the party which was a few paces away, her eyes locked onto the lone figure on the opposite side.
It was the young man this morning.
He drew his bow and started shooting.
Hi there guys and gals! Sorry for the delay! About this chapter, I hope that no one's upset but this is how the samurais of the thirteenth century acted or how they were trained to act. You should understand that these were the days of the samurais, shoguns and imperial conflicts of Japan where caste system was strongly held among the Japanese society which is why this makes it more interesting.
I was really surprised that somebody's actually reading this kind of stuffs. I appreciate those who have written a review and thank you Dragon Flames for your kind words. I hope I don't disappoint all of you on to the coming chapters.
Anyway… just let me know what you think! Cheers!
nivremous