Rain.
Like an infinite army marching through the Migoto valley, it hammered down on the winding road. Every drop pelted the trees that sheltered the narrow path, gathering then splashing down in great gushes on the sparse travelers below.
Few ventured out into the dreariness, even after more than four days of rainfall. A miasma hung over the valley with the fear the sun would never shine again. Yet, no matter how ominous the dark clouds were, nor relentless the driving rain or the clap of thunder that rolled through the valley, none of it could rival the power of the Subayai.
Cutting through the valley, like a katana through the air, the river that interconnected so many villages was swollen and raging. It tore away the banks and flooded the fields and villages deep within the valley like a demon unleashed upon the land.
In its aggravated state, no boats could safely sail it and no one could travel from village to village with ease.
Not that Jin had any money for such a luxury.
His sandals sank in the softened road, the white tabi darkened with mud. Every step was a struggle, for without care and he would loose a sandal.
Or worse.
His gi clung to his form, soaked with rain and matching the angry sky above. Even the edges of his hakuma were thick with mud. He was soaked to the bone and wished only for a dry place for the night.
Though for hours—had it really been hours—he had seen no place accommodating or even relatively dry if only for a little while. The roar of the Subayai, just beyond the bushes and rocks that lined the path nearly drowned out the thunder, as the sky seemed to redouble its efforts to make his journey all the more difficult.
The rain pelted him, harder with every passing step.
Around a small grouping of trees, the path opened up revealing a bridge and beyond it, appearing out of the gloom was a village. Sheltered lanterns glowed warmly, as if beckoning with the promise of a dry place to rest.
Where the muddy road hardened under a carpet of stone leading to the gently arching bridge that reached across a narrow in the Subayai, Jin stopped.
As natural as an exhale, he brought his left hand up, lightly pressing his thumb against the guard of his katana. There would never be enough rain to drown out the scent of blood. Fluidly turning about as he brought up his right hand drawing the sword with such speed that even nature tried to imitate. Lightning licked across the sky casting an electric glow across the blade.
Not thirty paces away stood a man, equally soaked, his face sheltered with a straw hat. Jin had passed him earlier on the road. He had been walking just ahead of some farmers towing a cart with their oxen.
"Yes," the man hissed as he stepped forward. His deep green gi was nearly black with moisture. He shifted his hand slightly drawing attention to the daisho at his side. "I was right when I saw you, an excellent challenge. I haven't had one in a while." He tipped his chin up, revealing a cruel grin. "At least not an opponent who lived long enough to be of any entertainment."
Jin remained in guard. "Is this what you have come too? A common street fighter, hunting for opponents?"
Calmly approaching, but making no move to draw his weapon, the man replied, "Do not act so above me. We are the same. We are the wolves. Making our way by any means necessary." He motioned toward the bridge. "And my means is this village. And we do not welcome stray dogs here."
Narrowing his gaze, Jin adjusted his hold on his weapon. Beneath his feet, the stone path was slick as he shifted slightly. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled overhead as the bridge creaked and groaned under the strain of the raging Subayai.
The dark dressed figure reached up and discarded his straw hat allowing it to tumble into the mud. Rain splashed against his tonsured forehead and gave a soft, reflective glow of the overhead lightning across a wet topknot. There was deliberateness about the man as he took his time drawing his weapon. "I am Kyoudai of the Shinku Kiba and you are trespassing," he said gravely as he raised his sword above his head. "Like in any good wolf pack, interlopers in our territory will be killed."
Even before the last word was spoken, Kyoudai was in motion. The muddy road, the standing water and even the battering rain seemed impotent against him.
Jin bound back, driven to the edge of the stone path, the muddy road hampering him. The cut of the other man's blade slashed through his blue-grey gi and second-layer kimono.
Dark laughter as a thin stripe of red glistened on the Kyoudai's blade. "Perhaps I was mistaken!" Silver cut through the air.
Blades clashed, as Jin rebuffed the attack, turning about and blocking the follow up strike.
The wood of the bridge was slick from the rain, his sandal slid and he nearly lost his footing as he retreated before Kyoudai could completely recover. There was something wild about the man's fighting style, slipping from the accepted to the nontraditional.
It almost reminded him of that madman Mugen.
Allowing the tip of his blade to drop, Jin brushed off the stray thought as he checked the cut on his arm. It was barely a flesh wound, but far closer than he would have liked. Capitalizing on his apparent distraction his opponent rushed into attack, but found himself caught in a ruse.
Jin slapped the man's blade away and then traded a series of lightning quick cuts ending with a thrust to Kyoudai's abdomen.
The man struggled beyond Jin's extended reach. "Perhaps I was wrong. You are more of a challenge." He straightened even as red stained his kimono. "Tell me," he said through gritted teeth, "where did you learn your skill."
At first, Jin remained poised to finish the fight, but then relaxed, ever so slightly, but never lowered his guard. He adjusted his footing, the raging river below was buffeting the bridge supports and the vibrations were nearly as violent as the waters passing beneath. "Mujushinkenjutsu-ryu," came the simple reply.
Kyoudai laughed. "Never heard of it." He raised his sword once more but the blade wavered when a voice tore over the roar of the Subayai.
"Brother!"
Jin turned to glance over his shoulder at a younger man, in the same dark green racing to the bridge from the village. Reaching the edge of the bridge, he drew his katana, effectively trapping Jin between the two Shinku Kiba swordsmen.
"Yamainu," Kyoudai growled. "Stay back, this is my kill."
The bridge shook violently, nearly sending Jin and Kyoudai to their knees. A large tree trunk slammed into the bridge, it's gnarled roots sticking up out of the rushing water.
Reaching out and grabbing the thin rail for support, Kyoudai looked his opponent over. He stole a glance to Yamainu. "Whatever happens, Little Brother, don't let this dog step foot into the village. It will give those fools hope."
Fear danced in Yamainu's eyes as Kyoudai let go of the rail and moved to the center of the bridge.
"The only thing in this poor village of interest, not worth, is their sad little shrine to some guy who died generations ago. He lost a duel on the bridge and drowned." A vile grin spread across Kyoudai's face. "Looks like they'll have to expand the shrine." Once more, Kyoudai defied nature and closed the space between he and Jin at a preternatural speed.
Jin sidestepped, trading slashes.
Too fast.
As if Kyoudai knew every move he was about to make, counterstriking at every turn, Jin struggled to keep one step ahead. A sea of red flooded the gloom as Jin gritted his teeth against the pain. He stumbled, falling against the rails. Fire laced through him from twin slashes to his back and side.
Kyoudai lunged, ready for the kill.
Blades clattered together as Jin twisted out of the way of a killing blow. He caught the man just above the elbow. Kyoudai growled as he rounded on the younger man but he wasn't fast enough.
Quick. Efficient. And over with the grate of steel on bone.
"No!" Yamainu howled as he stormed onto the bridge just as Kyoudai slid off Jin's blade, crumpling to the ground. Rage, checked only by terror, shown in Yamainu's eyes as he looked from his dead brother to the man that had killed him. "You bastard," he snarled as he held his blade out, ready to attack.
Holding steady in guard, Jin stood motionless with his blade at his side.
The rain fell relentlessly between them, obscuring the shadows.
Yamainu flew across the bridge, it thumped and vibrated under every step. His blade flashed, reflecting the storm overhead. His attack was swiftly countered and before he could follow up was sent on the defensive as Jin twisted about blocking him and then stepping into a thrust. Yamainu swept back around, driving his blade forward.
Victory was tempered by an agonized cry. Blood oozed down his blade as he fell against the rails.
Jin stumbled back. His wet clothing twisting around his limbs. His gi sliced open at the left shoulder and stained red. He fell to the wet bridge with a splash. The pale wood was painted crimson from the blood washing into the rain.
Pushing to his feet, he stumbled a few steps but found Yamainu mirroring him.
"Why won't you die?"
A faint smile traced across Jin's face. "You are not the first to ask that. You will not be the last."
"You will not enter Torikorosu," Yamainu said as he took position, blocking the end of the bridge again. He howled as he lunged forward. "I'll kill you!"
The clang of blades rang out over the thunder.
Throwing himself out of the way of a powerful down cut that sliced into the thin railing, Jin hit the bridge floor again. He blocked a second attack and kicked up, landing his foot in the middle of Yamainu's abdomen.
On his feet, he struggled to fend off the relentless attack. He was driven against the slashed railing. Wood splintered under his weight. He tried to escape the follow up attack but the rail gave way.
Yamainu surged forward, hacking at the rail and sending Jin tumbling into the raging Subayai before he collapsed to the bridge floor in exhaustion, gripping at his own belly wound.
Thanks for the kind replies roterritter, Elementary Magpie, and poornmiserable.
Next Chapter – Enter Mugen.