Disclaimer: MTG owns the brilliantly fabricated world of Kamigawa. I'm just keeping the folks I bring into the story.
Chapter 5 - Beginning
I'm overdoing my posts a little. I promise, partly because I'll be busier next month, that I'll try to refrain from writing like a maniac, and unpolished stories at that. :- Please R & R, TQ!
The samurai corps surrounded their prey. Each had a katana in hand, all eyes observing their opponent. The massive hulk in the middle was outnumbered 6 to one, yet it was he who wore the grin.
A sickening crack emanated as the giant exercised his fingers upon a collapsible item. Blood dripped from every crevice. Kuma released his grip, and the gruesome remains of a deceased warrior's head fell with a thud to the ground. A few of the samurai's shuffled uncomfortably. Kuma's grin widened.
"So...who's next?"
Meant as a provocation, the words forced Konda's best samurais to merely hesitate as each contemplate a plan to subdue the beast before them. Kuma stood amidst bodies of their fallen comrade, some wore faces of terror and excruciating pain, others joined the pile of disembodied heads nearby. Kuma himself was an intimidation. If his size was worrisome, his current condition would fit the description of an oni. Blood splattered his bare chest, and his machete idly awaited its next prey, despite drinking its fair share of crimson liquid.
An arrow whistled its attempt at Kuma's life. It penetrated the muscular sinew, a fountain of blood spurting out from Kuma's shoulder. He grunted in anger, wobbling, finally dropping to one knee. It was a signal, for the samurais immediately charge forward, each adding an individual war cry to the mix. Kuma's head was bowed, merely an illusion of defeat, as a smile remained underneath.
The first samurai raised his sword high, eager to behead the beast before him. Another lunged at the exposed back of Kuma, all rules of honor forgotten in the heat of battle.
A massive force pounded at the first samurai's chest plate, knocking the wind out and a few bones off as well. Blood was spit out of the samurai's jaws, as his body flew backwards from the blow. Kuma's fist then moved to his machete. Applying a quick turn, Kuma parried the lunge from the other samurai, and his free fist crushed the nose. Some of the samurais realized too late to their comrade's failures, and carrying the momentum of the charge, continued their efforts. Kuma welcomed all of them with open arms. Kuma snatched a katana off a samurai's hands, clutching the bushi by the wrists and twisting them. Then turning blade against master, he plunged the metal into the warrior's throat. A gurgling of blood was the only reply.
To say the samurai corps, now reduced to a trio, was unsuccessful would have been bluffing. Out of the remaining three, two managed to knick flesh off the giant-of-a-man. One grazed Kuma's side , and another slashed deep into Kuma's right bicep. The third dangled a few feet from the air, his neck caught between Kuma's fingers, a machete embed into his gut. The flesh wounds didn't dampen Kuma's enthusiasm, whom tossed the body towards one of its comrades, knocking him down. The last warrior stepped forward quickly, and swung a high arc towards Kuma's neck. Victory would've been guaranteed, had the samurai been facing a normal foe.
Kuma caught the blade with his bare hands. A tight grip was administered, and right before the samurai, his katana was snapped at the tip.
"And you call yourself samurais..."
"I have no talent; I make Ready Wit my Talent. I have no friends; I make my Mind my Friend."
Kisame sat cross-legged atop the rock in his garden. His eyes were shut, and his breathing regulated. The moon hung high in the night sky, patronized by the many stars, serenaded by the crickets and cry of nocturnal creatures.
"I have no enemy; I make Incautiousness my Enemy. I have no armour; I make Benevolence my Armour."
Kisame's eyebrow shifted, though his stances remained still. There was an oddity in his surroundings. The night music continued to play, but Kisame, being an avid fan, could easily identify a disruption in the melody. Something, or someone disturbs the harmony of the night.
"I have no castle; I make Immovable Mind my Castle." Kisame continued. His hands, previously tucked into his robe sleeves now grasped upon the hilt of his blade. The disruption had been confirmed. The intruder made little effort to keep his presence a secret.
"I have no sword; I make No Mind my Sword."
At the completion of his meditation, Kisame's blade slid out of its sheath, shrieking a warning to the unseen trespasser. A rustling in the bushes released a shuriken towards Kisame, whom duly turned to avoid it. Kisame rushed at the source of the ruckus, and expectantly met an empty spot, the assailant long gone. Warily, he returned his katana to its sheath. The shuriken lay protruding from the pillars of Kisame's home, a scrap of paper suspiciously impaled at its tip. Kisame relieved the piece, his eyes examining the plainly written text.
"Old rivals seek new friend."
Footsteps battered the ground, still enveloped in a screen of darkness. Terashi had begun his ascend, but the Sokenzan Range bravely defy his might. A grand shadow covers the odd traveler, his stride taking him further and further from Hogosha. In the darkness, others followed.
Eronu pushed aside the bamboo copse, stepping carefully into new grounds. The Sokenzan Range was usually barren, but like Hogosha's tranquility, its surroundings experience unexplainable fertility, allowing for a bamboo forest to prosper. Upon entering the shroud of the forest, Eronu fell to his knees, slung the light pack he carried towards the ground and unveiled its contents.
A sheathed katana, a scroll, provisions and an odd amulet spilled out. Eronu wore the amulet around his neck, and returned everything else, save the katana, into the pack. As he tied the knot upon the cloth, recent memories returned.
-----
Eronu was sleeping, after a particularly tiring though exhilarating day when he was awoken by his sensei. Thinking it early morning, Eronu sprang awake, and bade his teacher morning, apologizing for oversleeping.
But Kisame's stern facade, coupled by the apparent moon in the sky alarmed Eronu, whom knew his sensei to be rather susceptible to sleep. In a concerned tone, Eronu queried of Kisame's presence. "Sensei, what is it?"
Kisame answered with a palm, gesturing for Eronu to refrain from speaking. Eronu was shocked by the action, but did as he interpreted. Kisame produced the items aforementioned, and spoke in a solemn tone.
"Listen well, Eronu Wamuya, for I cannot repeat this again."
----
Voices!
Eronu panicked, his eyes darting wildly around, praying for a place to hide. The bamboos were unfortunately sparse and disorganized, offering little cover. However, the absence of illumination remained an advantage to Eronu, whom immediately picked an inconspicuous spot, farther from the direct entry route. His fingers wrapped tightly around the katana hilt, his senses focused upon the grove from which he had entered. In his mind, Eronu reminded himself of his duty, a promise he cannot break.
------
"What?"
Kisame's severe stare silenced Eronu once more. He stooped his head in shame, yet his heart yelled furiously at Kisame.
"I cannot explain, for worry that you might get involved. Just take my advice. The provisions should last until you arrive at Eigan Town."
Eronu nodded, though his expression betrayed his charade. Seething, Eronu didn't take the sudden order from his master well. Confused, and bitter, for Kisame had left Eronu completely in the dark about his intentions. Eronu held high respect for Kisame, for Kisame treated him like an equal, despite a clear seniority. The recent development frightened Eronu. What could possibly possess Kisame to send Eronu away, when lately, praises from Kisame of how it would be an honour to fight alongside Eronu were frequently repeated.
So many questions, yet so little time, as determined by Eronu's final words. "Go now. Every second could be the difference between success and failure."
Hesitantly, Eronu nodded again.
------
Kimi grumbled as she struggled through the thicket Eronu had so easily passed through. Her voice was obscured by the commotion resulting from the sizzling of bamboo leaves. Despite the familiar pitch, Eronu stood his ground, unable to properly discern friend or foe. Another memory invaded Eronu's mind, this one more pleasant.
The previous night, Eronu had took a walk under the guide of the moonlight. There was a spot overlooking the magnificent Towabara Plains. Despite the plains suffering from the scars of the Kami War, Eronu still enjoyed the view. Life in Hogosha had been contented, though punctuated by the occasional fantasy of adventure beyond. Such sights fed to the fantasies, and kept Eronu from wishing too much.
Eronu arrived to find Kimi surveying the same landscape, humming a melodious tune. Her head shot back as Eronu approached, and a shocked look melted into a smile. Both exchanged greetings, and upon Kimi's invitation, both commented on the pristine scenery together.
Their gaze met with alarming regularity that night, and their learned conversations deteriorated into lighter context, yet upholding the interest and continuity.
It was a memorable evening. Eronu was almost sorry that Kimi excused herself, anticipating a tongue lashing by Makoto when she returned. A magical moment ended by dreaded news of parental discipline. It was almost ironic that the same parent wished more than anything for Kimi to wed.
Eronu sighed. Unfortunately, it was his present self which performed the action. A flash of a blade was instantly accompanied by a sharp slash. Eronu ducked, hearing the bamboo fall behind him, before introducing his own blade to the equation. Both steel clashed.
"Eronu-san?" the puzzled voice of his opponent contradicted the hostilities.
It was then that Eronu realized who his opponent had been. As both blades were separated, laughter pierced the silence. Eronu placed an arm around the neck of his would-be opponent, whom returned the favor.
"Takeshi! You nearly beheaded me!" stated Eronu, a clear relief in his voice. "And I presume that the lady in the dark is Kimi?" His eyes rose to meet those of Kimi's, and her alluring smile once again took center stage.
"What in Kamigawa are you doing here, Eronu-san?" Takeshi broke the staring match Eronu and Kimi had found themselves embroiled in. "We thought the bandits had taken you for sure."
The news unnerved Eronu. His arm released Takeshi's neck, his face took a leaf out of Kisame's book, furrowed brows and a grim stare. "Bandits?"
"You haven't heard? You must have left before they came." Takeshi begun to explain. "They came by foot, a horde of them. They rounded up the villagers, but we managed to escape after Kisame sensei fought our captors off."
Takeshi paused, holding his katana up to the light. "He gave me this, and told us to find refuge at Eigan."
Suddenly, Kimi burst into tears. Her sobbing drew Takeshi to her side, words of comfort attempting to stifle the sorrow. Eronu could only watch idly. Kisame had foreseen this.
------
"You must leave Hogosha, Eronu. Long have I allowed you to believe that this village is your final frontier, but that illusion ends today."
A stark stillness punctuated Kisame's words, Eronu's tongue momentarily dysfunctional.
"It was never my original plan to convey this to you in such a fashion. Had I the luxury, I would explain to you everything." Urgency found its way into Kisame's voice. "But please believe my judgment Eronu. Go to Eigan, and there, open the scroll, which would contain further instructions."
Eronu stared blankly at the well-bound scroll. It bore the sigil of Old Oru, much to Eronu's curiosity.
"You leave, immediately."
------
"We leave, now."
Takeshi and Kimi averted their gaze to Eronu.
"The bandits will be scouting for the two of you, and if any of the villagers let slip, me as well. This woods are not safe." Eronu had lost his earlier usual carefree demeanor. In its place, Eronu resembled a samurai general.
"And where do you suggest we run to?" Takeshi retorted, not sharing Eronu's enthusiasm. "The bandits overwhelmed Kisame sensei..." Kimi sniffled. Takeshi lingered, his hands shaking with fury. "Darn it! We should avenge him and save the village! What's the use of running?"
Eronu matched Takeshi's fuming look. "If you go back now, sensei's demise would be for naught." For a moment, both men looked ready to resume the earlier misunderstanding. However, Takeshi gave in, his glare now directed to the ground.
A hand patted Takeshi's shoulder. "We go to Eigan. But I promise you, that'll not be our final destination."
Anger subside and a smile formed upon Takeshi's face. "I'll hold you to that promise, Eronu-san."
"As well as I." Kimi joined in.
By sunrise, all three had entered deeper into the woods, and were on their journey to Eigan.