Chapter 4 - Mystery
Yes, my one-word titles never do tell much. I'm just not good at churning out catchy ones. :p
Please read and review. Oh, and usual disclaimer on MTG being property of WoTC. I'm just writing a fanfic.
Wood smacked against wood again and again. Piercing azure eyes stared back at seemingly unassuming black beads. A grin flashed across Kisame's face. The air was sliced in one quick motion, followed by variations to the move. Each time, the wooden training blade rattled against its twin, unable to gain further ground in the sparring. It was Eronu's turn to grin. A quick thrust prompted a sidestep and a swift retaliation. Kisame's aim was off, the veteran merely lunging air. Eronu exploited the opening left by Kisame's error, and attempted to plant his blade onto his side. Possessing unknown agility, and enough experience, Kisame backtracked, spun upon where he stood, and brought his blade upwards to parry the impending blade. Eronu went wide-eyed in amazement.
In the split second of awe, Eronu found Kisame's kendo blade resting on his neck, clearly defeated. Kisame withdrew his wooden sword and bowed. Eronu followed likewise.
"I'm humbled by your skills, Sensei." Eronu spoke, not lifting his head from the bow.
A grim expression seemed impossible upon Kisame's facade, after the humbling of one evidently younger than him, but there it remained. Kisame's brow furrowed, as he stared upon Eronu.
"You are a wonder, Eronu-san. Well-trained in all fields, kendo, bushido, judo, archery, horseback riding, martial arts and even some knowledge about jushi rituals." As Kisame recalled the subjects, image after image from the confines of memory rushed past. Each held the marvelous achievement of Eronu. How Eronu had shot a moving target on horseback; How Eronu adequately repeated lines from the warrior's code; How Eronu grappled Kisame, sending him flying across the room.
"And you're telling me you have no recollection of your past beyond this point?" Kisame summed up his frustration. By all substantiation, Eronu could very well be a revered general, or the member of an elite samurai squad. His laurels in the various disciplines indicate a high level of training, together with natural instincts and obvious battlefield experience. Though Kisame had defeated Eronu in the earlier sparring, it had required the exhaustion of his potential, something not many would be able force Kisame to exert.
Eronu shook his head in dismay at Kisame's query. "I'm sorry, Sensei. I truly cannot remember where I came from, what I did, and other than my own name, who I truly am."
Kisame's dissatisfaction of the answer was equally, if not twice fold, experienced by Eronu. Since Eronu had been liberated from the imprisonment of the kami Ukime, he had found dead ends in the many innocent questions posted by the various members of the Hogosha. Even Oru had voiced his concerns about the matter, citing the need to pay visits to healers or shamans to rectify the matter.
"This cannot go on. The torment of not knowing one's past is a great test. I fear for Eronu-san's well being. He might suffer mentally and emotionally."
The words of Old Oru still clear in his head. Eronu had stumbled upon Oru and Kisame's discussion. Curiosity seduced him to eavesdrop, and now wished he hadn't. Oru's suggestion wasn't irrational, though his intentions may be misread. Kisame personally lectured Eronu of meditation, the one art that Eronu showed no proficiency in, in order to combat against the sense of loss incidental to the loss of memory.
"It is time for our meditation, once more." Kisame's voice summoned Eronu from his musings. Merely nodding, the young warrior trailed his master, lining the kendo blade on the rack before heading to the tranquility of Kisame's garden. Located in the middle of Kisame's adobe, the garden held many greenery. Bonsai trees lay potted around a large lily-filled lake. A large rock, encased with moss and vines, lay on a rocky platform, more foliage decorating the modest exterior. Eronu found great peace in the midst of nature, and shared Kisame's passion in attuning oneself to their surroundings.
En route to the garden, Eronu passed the front door. His eyes merely strayed, and immediately rested upon a sight for sore eyes. Kimi stood at the door, fully dressed in official kimono. Her hair was allowed to fall today, though it remained neat, bound by a sash of flowery imagery. Her eyes sparkled, the perfect fit to her cheery disposition. She offered a warm smile, flaunting her luscious lips, triggering Eronu's bashful nod. In her hand, she carried a basket, its contents concealed by a cloth.
"Ohayou, Eronu-san." A light bow ensued. With a wider grin, she offered the basket to Eronu, whom took it gladly, his eyes never leaving Kimi's face. "My mother asked me to pass this to you. It's dumplings. She fears for two bachelor's culinary skills." She giggled at her own jest. Eronu peeked into the basket before joining the banter.
"You've been too kind, Kimi. But you should really just admit to your own work." plainly, Eronu uncovered Kimi's bluff. Her shocked expression was proof enough to Eronu's accuracy. "You always arrange them in perfect order. Today, you remembered your mum's habit of covering her food, but that itself is common practice."
Kimi was suddenly reduced to this sheepish girl, pouting at Eronu's acute awareness. "Well, I was afraid you won't try it if I said it was from me. You know, after last time..."
Eronu had to stifle a cough. Her words weren't untrue. The last time, her attempt at sushi nearly killed Kisame and Eronu, both whom had to meditate through long hours of stomach discomfort. Old Oru and Makoto had frowned at this mishap, both whom had taken a great liking to Eronu, and saw the incident as a dent to Kimi's hopes. If only they knew that Eronu found Kimi quite attractive, without further boasting from hired mouths, and quite resourceful, without further coaxing for Kimi to reveal her skills.
Seeing Kimi's dampen enthusiasm, Eronu did the unthinkable. Kisame, whom had been observing the interaction, gasped as Eronu popped one of the dumplings into his mouth. Even Kimi was taken by surprise. Time seemed to stop as all waited for a reaction. A wry smile formed on Eronu's face as he chewed. Slowly, it grew, and finally expanded to a genuine smile.
"This is great, Kimi. It's better than I had expected." Eronu exclaimed. Kisame heaved a sigh of relief, fearing the worst for his student. Kimi, as spirited as ever, couldn't contain her excitement.
"Really?" she asked for a confirmation. Eronu's nod sent her to rapture. She threw both arms around his neck, embracing Eronu, unknowingly choking him initially. At close range, Eronu found it impossible to resist admiring Kimi's beauty. Both set of eyes met in blissful silence, a chemistry forged since their fateful encounter in the spirit realm. The odd moment was quickly relinquished, a cough by Kisame breaking the hug. Bidding farewell, Kimi left, a skip in her step, while Eronu was red-faced as his sensei placed a pat on his back. He picked a dumpling and examined it closely, before risking a nibble.
Stern eyes stared back at a cheeky grin. "I think lying and acting are your expertise as well, Eronu-san." Both master and student shared a light laugh before returning to their training.
The blistering sun kami raged against the traveling party below. The Ganzan Pass was notorious for bandit raids and akki ambushes, yet today, a great company slaved through the heat. None of them bore horses, as the odd assortment of men and women allowed their feet to guide them. At the front, three individuals led the march. The largest of them was topless and bald, his bulging sinew and shiny top sweating profusely. A shaggy goatee finished the brute look. Metal greaves clinked atop an armored lower half, the leather boots being the only exception, trudging the ground with force.
"Put a shirt on, Kuma." came a disgruntled remark. Kuma shot a stupid grin at the commentator, bringing up his crude weapon to his side.
"Why? Can't stand staring at my physique, Arara?" Kuma laughed, the grin not leaving his face.
"Please Kuma. The only time I found you worth admiring was when you started hacking those cherry-blossom back with that granny. And that too because you looked so stupid." Arara flirtatiously bade her eyes at Kuma, whom tilted his head in bewilderment, trying to differentiate the sarcasm with honesty. As it is, Arara was mysterious, in personality and in fashion as well. Only her emerald eyes could ever betray her, the only visible medium of expression. Kuma, hardly the brains of the trio, decided to disregard the cheek.
A gauntleted hand raised, a signal to impede the march. Arara immediately rushed to the man's side as Kuma lumbered forward.
"Hogosha lies ahead, but there is an outpost of Konda's obstructing our path." a learned tone accompanied the statement. Arara and Kuma both turned their attention to where their braided comrade indicated. Kuma grew agitated, observing the 'outpost' in the distance, a minor military encampment marking the end of the Ganzan Pass.
"They insult us. Is that all which halts Godo from invading? I'm glad I followed you Fuwa, Godo must be weak to hold back when our enemy can't even afford a proper defense."
"Yes, my large friend. And the gold which shall line our pockets when this task is complete shall further reward you for your choice." Again, Fuwa spoke, a sense of superiority in his tone. Arara rolled her eyes, her hands working efficiently in equiping herself with the metallic claw attachments. "Enough talk. Let's rush them while their pants' down."
More had joined the trio in their assessment of the obstacle ahead. Some grew excited at Arara's call for action. Kuma laughed heartily at Arara's figure of speech, interjecting with a "You would like that now, wouldn't you?". Both stared daggers at each other until Fuwa ran his axe onto the ground, the impact silencing the rising murmur.
"Come. Let's show them what bandits are made of."
With that said, and a fearsome war cry, Fuwa charged towards the encampment. Behind him, the bloodlust of hundreds of bandits followed.