Disclaimers: See Chapter One for the full one. Basically, I own nothing.
Author's Notes:
Since some do not recognize the names of the characters, I will hence make a character list. You can skip if you don't want to read it though.
Kudou Yohji - His character is designed on a mix between the Weiss character and Wu's strategist Lu Meng. Lu Meng was a man who used any and all resources available to him in order to accomplish his goals. Yohji seems like the same sort of man who would use anything and anyone in order to do what is needed to do.
Tsukiyono Omi - I designed his character on his original character as well having traits from Wu's tactician Lu Xun. Lu Xun was Lu Meng's successor and also used many ploys to avoid ambushes and helped manage Wu's military prowess of the south. He was somewhat of a protege so I thought, "Wow, they're kinda similar." So thus, Omi's role in this story was created.
Sun Quan - Minor character in this but nice to know. Wu's king and later emperor. He succeeded his older brother Sun Ce after he was killed.
Lu Su - This man existed. He was a south land advisor who's strength was in domestic affairs.
Yue Jin - No one too important in the long run of things, but someone I could use in this story. He was one of Cao Cao's generals.
Cao Cao - Another minor character but nice to know. He was regent to Emperor Xian and founder of the Wei kingdom.
Fujimiya Ran - His character was somewhat fun to come up with. At first, I wanted Ken to fulfill this role but decided against it. His titles are what Lu Bu was called. Lu Bu was one of China's most skilled warriors ever to have been born. He, however, fell from greatness due to his love/infatuation with a singing girl named Diao Chan. I felt that this would be a good premise for this story.
Hidaka Ken - I am using mainly his character from Weiss. He is not modeled after any one (as far as I know, anyways) in the Three Kingdoms. He will continue to be his feisty self as well as takin' care of his mother and being drug around by Red Hare.
Red Hare - Not a person but this horse existed. It is rumored to have lived almost thirty years due to its mixed heritage. I just love the details that the Three Kingdoms goes into on this creature.
Shao - Not real. Could have been. Actually designed on my neighbor's donkey snickers at thought of Ran riding a donkey Just something that I thought would be entertaining.
Mark ye the steed swift and tiredless, see the dust, spurned by his hoofs; rising in clouds,
Now it swims the river, anon climbs the hill, rending the purple mist asunder;
Scornful it breaks the reign, shakes from its head the jeweled bridle;
It as a fiery dragon descending from the highest heaven.
Luo Guanzhong
The Three Kingdoms
Chapter Two: The Red Devil
Tsukiyono Omi sat on the port docks. He had withdrawn here to think without the irritating presence of subordinates pestering him. Omi leaned back and laid himself fully on the edge of the dock.
"We can't use a fire attack. Doing so would destroy the town. We need to recapture it, not destroy it. Maybe we can use the river," Omi quietly whispered to himself. He needed to think of a strategy that not even the Flying General would know about. This was not going well.
He slowly stood from the dock and walked back towards the encampment to seek Kudou. He needed to know just exactly who the Flying General was and what sort of strategies he had at his dispense.
Glancing up from his map, Kudou Yohji smiled in greeting at Omi. He moved several other maps off the seat beside him for the younger man. "So, any luck with a plan? We're gonna need it soon."
Omi pursed his lips, "I'm sorry. I don't have one. I am not familiar with this man nor his strategies."
"Then what are we going to do, Omi? You know that we can't sit here and we need to strike before the Wei are fully settled in the Xianyang region. We cannot afford to wait here."
"I know Yohji. I do. But you need to realize that without fully knowing the enemy, we could easily get this army killed. Especially if this man is as talented as the rumors say he is. Is there anyone who knows this man - enough to know what sort of strategies he has ever deployed?"
Yohji slowly folded his map and placed it on the ground. "That's the problem, Omi. He is a new general from the far north. Besides, as far as I know, all of his troops and subordinates are loyal to him. That's what makes him dangerous. He is an unknown element to us south landers."
"Perhaps, then, we need to make a visit to Xianyang and find out what sort of man the Flying General is. I'll go with a few men and scout the terrain and village. At least then we'll be able to concoct some sort of viable plan," the young tactician said as he turned back towards his tent
Yohji could only laugh out loud at that. Only Tsukiyono Omi would dare to enter the enemy's camp without any disguises. Well, let the little man have his way, Yohji thought. It just might prove to be entertaining.
Hidaka Ken glared at Red Hare. The damn horse had to dump in him in the damn river. The stallion whistled at his human as if to say, "Serves you right, human." The red stallion shook his mane and laid next to the water soaked human. Ken was a pathetic sight but he belonged to the stallion. Or so Red Hare thought.
"Come on, you nasty monster. We need to get going. Mom is going to be worried," the young man said as he tried to vainly pull the stallion to its feet. But Red Hare was a creature of great obstinance. It went nowhere it didn't want to. And right now, Red Hare did not wish to return home. The great stallion remained firmly fixed on the ground, despite Ken's efforts to raise the mighty beast.
"Fine! Fine, dammit!" Ken shouted as he threw himself next to his horse. He was tired and wet and didn't want to fight with Red Hare. "I'm blaming you, demon horse."
As Ran dismounted Shao, he saw Yue Jin approaching. Great, he thought, more council meetings.
"Sir, a message from the council arrived while you were out. It says we are to remain here until further notice and to fortify our position. Your orders, sir?"
"I don't see why you need me to tell you what the council just told you. They are quite adamant that we hold this city," Ran said as he led his mare to the stables. The mare whinnied softly as she was placed in the stall. Her owner merely caressed her as Yue Jin went on with his reports.
"We are receiving word that the Wu will attempt to retake this city despite the losses they recently incurred. Should we take any action concerning this matter?"
Ran closed his violet eyes and shook his head, "Let them bring the fight to us. Until then, we will remain here fortified just as the council ordered us. Now enough of the reports, I shall read them later."
Yue Jin gave a slight bow to acknowledge his orders but as he was about to leave the stables, Ran asked him a question, "Do you know if anyone around here owns a badly tempered red stallion?"
"Not that I know of, but perhaps it would be better if you ask the inn keep. He might be able to tell you whether or not any of his patrons do." With that, Yue Jin walked out of the stables to prepare the troops for their long stay. Not that he minded Xianyang, but he didn't join the army to sit in a town. He prayed that something would happen to change the monotony. Besides, he was here to be witness to Fujimiya's tactics as well as to report any changes in loyalty.
Imperial Commander Kudou Yohji could only smile as he watched Tsukiyono Omi start his escapade to Xianyang. Naturally, Yohji didn't approve of Omi's wanting to scout the enemy with no one but himself but that was the only way to create an effective strategy. That is what made Omi the best.
"I'll be back in two weeks, Yohji!" Omi called as he sailed past the docks.
"See you in two weeks then!" Yohji called back as he watched his friend go up the river. Hopefully, in two weeks' time he would have a strategy and an insight on to how this Flying General thought. But until then, he had nothing to do but wait and prepare the troops. Besides, he hadn't even told them who they were going to be fighting.
Ran sat in the inn listening to the quite gossip from the locals. There was nothing interesting really. But it was better than listening to Yue Jin and his damn reports. But one topic did peak Ran's interest.
"So, have you heard that Widow Hidaka's boy is actually attempting to ride that beast again? Suicide is what that is."
"They should just sell the demon and be done with it. No one can ride it - not even its own master."
"They should just use it as a breeding stud. Then they could make a profit off of it."
"The problem is that the demon is too wild to even get near another animal. Let alone another horse."
Ran had a feeling he knew what horse they were talking about. The red demon that flew across the field and did not listen to its rider.
"Excuse me, sir. Perhaps you could tell me more of this horse. I believe that I saw it earlier in the fields north of town."
"Yeah, sounds like the place you'd see 'em. If the red demon had a rider then that was Lady Hidaka's son. A stubborn boy but one of the finest to ever come out of this town. Ever since his father died, he's been taking care of his mother. The horse, if you could call him that, was the Red Hare."
"Some say it's the fastest horse in all the lands. But it doesn't matter much if there is no one that could ride him. Why, I heard that some imperial general tried to buy Red Hare the other week but Hidaka wouldn't sell. No offense to you, sir, but selling that horse to a Wei general would serve them right for invading our town."
"No offense taken, sir. But tell me, where is it that I can find Lady Hidaka? I am most intrigued by this horse."
"Well, just follow the river north and you'll come across a small farm. That would be the Hidaka's farm. But just some friendly advise since you're not like the other soldiers - don't ever attempt to ride the Red Hare - even if Hidaka's boy let's you. Last time some stranger did, the poor bastard almost had his neck broken by that demon."
"Thank you for your words and time, kind sirs," Ran said as he stood and exited the tavern. A horse so temperamental that none could ride him? That's highly unlikely, Ran decided. That is just evidence of lack of proper training. Besides, maybe if he broke the stallion then he could use him instead of poor ailing Shao.
It was about sun down when Ken finally persuaded Red Hare to return home. And it was about this time that his mother saw how miserable he looked.
"Ken, I really wish you wouldn't try riding that horse any more. He's dangerous, you know that," said Lady Hidaka as she used her fingers to comb through her son's knotted hair.
"It was fine until we saw some strange guy on our field with his horse," Ken said as he attempted to slap away his mother's hands. "Mom, could you please stop that! Its annoying."
"I wouldn't have to do this if you didn't fall into the river again. Now go change and clean up. I don't want you catching ill again," the widow said as she all but shoved her son into his room. Looking out the window of their small house, she could see the silhouette of the Red Hare as he grazed by their garden. A small part of her wished Ken luck in taming the stallion, but another was reluctant to let her only child near that demon.
It was early in the morning when Ran decided to head out to the Hidaka farm with his mare, Shao. If they got there early enough in the morning, then perhaps he could persuade the Lady and her son to at least sell off another horse - even though it probably wouldn't be the Red Hare. Following the river was easier than he had thought it would be. The terrain was pleasant enough that he didn't have to take Shao. Any thoughts of pleasantness were abruptly put on halt when Ran heard the shrill of the Red Hare once again.
"Come on, girl. I know you don't like it, but we're here to see him," Ran said as he urged his mare into a gallop. If they were to run in at full gallop, possibly the Red Hare would not pursue them if he was caught unawares. But Ran had doubts that Red Hare could be caught off guard.
"Settle down, Red Hare! There is nothing out there," the young man said as he attempted to calm the angering stallion. "Just calm down, boy. See, there's nothing to worry about," the man said as he slowly calmed the stallion into a silent fury.
Ran could see that there was nothing calm about the stallion. Better to dismount and appear unarmed than to ride in at a full gallop, Ran decided. After dismounting he called out to the young man, "Good morning, sir. Is the Lady of the house available?"
Ken turned to see the source of Red Hare's irritation. It was the same man from yesterday. "She is. What do you want with her?"
"I have come to inquire about purchasing a horse. My mare, although I care for her deeply, is not fit for war anymore," Ran explained to the young man. Despite the rudeness that came from the young man, Ran was more wary of the animal. The Red Hare looked as if he were going to charge down upon him any moment.
"If you wish to speak with my mother you had better put your horse in the stable and come inside. Red Hare does not like strangers," Ken said to the stranger. Quietly he was hoping that the stallion would go after the man. He didn't like strangers and this man was dressed in military garb. Probably another imperial general seeking to buy the Red Hare.
As Ran followed Ken into the house, he thought he saw the boy smirking. He wasn't positive of it though and not wanting to be left alone with the Red Hare, he followed silently.
Lady Hidaka was younger than Ran had thought she would be. From the gossip in the village, he had assumed that she would be at least in her fifties. But this woman was only in her mid-thirties and had an air of wisdom that not even the wisest men in military held.
"I assume, my lord, that you are here to inquire about the Red Hare?" the lady asked. There was nothing impolite but just curiosity in her tone.
"Actually, madame, I did come seeking a horse but not Red Hare. I fear he is too wild for even the most seasoned rider," Ran stated. Originally he had come seeking the stallion, but after watching the fury consume that horse he quickly decided against it.
"Then I am sorry, my lord. There are no other horses for sale for a general such as
yourself. We only have two plus the Red Hare. The other two are needed for tending to the fields and selling our goods."
"Then I am sorry for wasting your time, Lady Hidaka," Ran said as he slowly stood to show himself out the door.
"Perhaps my son could procure a decent horse for the Flying General," Lady Hidaka said as she watched Ran prepare to leave. "He does know a few gentlemen who are no longer serving in the military and might be willing to part with their steeds."
"Thank you for the offer, Lady Hidaka, but that will not be necessary."
"Lord Fujimiya, if you wish to purchase the Red Hare do let me know. I do not want my son riding that beast."
Ran quietly exited the house and found Ken waiting for him.
"Are you buying Red Hare?" he asked quietly.
"No. I would not willingly ride that horse even if I were to be granted title of emperor," Ran stated as he went to fetch Shao. The Red Hare was too wild to ever be ridden effectively, he decided. But of course, Lady Hidaka's son was protective of the beast.
"You're scared of him, then. Most are, you know. He's already killed three men who attempted to break him and injured some of the best horse trainers around these parts," Ken said matter -of- factly.
Ran turned to stare at the youth who was looking at the stallion. He was amazed. "You're proud of that demon! You actually approve of its disposition as well as any injuries it may cause to another," Ran said incredulously.
Ken smiled an almost too sweet smile. "Of course I'm proud of Red Hare. He teaches idiots and pompous asses like you their places in the world." And with that Ken disappeared back into the house. Leaving Ran to stare at the impressive stallion that blocked the path back to the city. The Red Hare stood like a sentinel - unmoving and unimpressed with ignorant humans.
It wasn't until nightfall that Ran finally returned to Xianyang and his camp. That damn horse wouldn't let them pass until it finally grew bored of the old mare and its haggard rider. As soon as Ran and Shao had thought they were in the clear, the stallion gave one last attempt to scare both of them. Red Hare had chased them off of the Hidaka's land and stopped. But the sad thing was, Red Hare had scared Ran more than he wanted to admit.
Yue Jin appeared from his tent and looked at the Flying General. You wouldn't know that this was the man that had capture a town in less than two days by looking at him. "Rough day at the farm, sir? Or were you hassled by bandits?"
"Neither. But if you don't mind, could you get someone to take care of my horse while I clean up. I have had a long, painful day," Ran said as he dismounted the tired mare and made way for his personal tent. He never wanted to see the Red Hare ever again.
After two days of being on a boat, Omi was glad that they finally reached Xianyang. He and a small group of four men were on a mission to gather any information regarding the troops and their commanders at Xianyang. Well, first thing's first, thought Omi. He and his small group marched towards the inn for a much needed day of rest.
As they were passing the stationed troops' camp, Omi noticed a tall young man with red hair barking orders and some subordinates. He couldn't help but wonder if that was the source of his current irritation. If he is, thought Omi, then he is going to be in a world of pain when we meet on the field.
Of course, luck was not with the young strategist on this particular day...
"What do you mean you're out of rooms? You can't be! Where are we going to stay?" Omi asked the poor inn keeper, who was only doing his job.
"Sir, I may be out of rooms, but perhaps you could find a family willing to rent out a room to you," the inn keep replied, hoping to pacify the volatile youth.
"Perhaps. But I am unfamiliar with this town, do you know anyone who has the resources to do so?" Omi asked, getting desperate for someplace to sleep.
"Well there is always the Ma family but they're preparing for a wedding. Hm. Maybe the Hidaka farm would be willing to put up with you. They only live five miles outside of town to the north," the old man replied. The sooner he got rid of this man the better. He was scaring the customers.
"Thank you, sir." Omi turned and gathered his comrades and set out north in hopes of finding the farm.
Of course as luck would have it, Ken was currently attempting to ride the Red Hare once again. He was actually succeeding this time. Well, until Red Hare caught sight of four men encroaching on his territory. Letting forth a battle cry, the stallion leaped forward with Ken barely hanging on.
"Tsukiyono, sir, where are we going? There is nothing out here," one of the men said to Omi who was stomping ahead of the group.
"Supposedly there is a farm that will board us until the inn is vacant. That is where we are going," Omi snapped. He didn't mean to snap but he really was eager for sleep and to bathe. He stopped in his tracks however once he saw the stallion barreling towards them. "Run!"
"Get out of the way!" Ken yelled from his spot atop Red Hare. The stallion continued running and came to a stop in front of Omi. Shrieking loudly, Red Hare reared up and continued on his plight to frighten away the intruders.
Omi stood still. Too frightened to move and hoping the horse would just back off so that his rider could control him. When he finally looked up at the stallion he saw the man upon his back finally wrestled the horse back on four feet and calmed the giant beast.
Ken looked sheepish and somewhat pale, "I'm sorry. You just frightened him. Do you need any help?"
Omi quickly regained himself. Ashamed that he was nearly frightened to death by a horse of all things, "Yes actually. We are looking for the Hidaka farm. I heard that they might be willing to board us for a while."
Ken smiled, "We have the rooms if you really need them. Though, you might have to contend with Red Hare."
"We'll contend with anything so long as we have someplace to sleep," Omi replied gratefully.
"Well, its this way," Ken said atop Red Hare and started to slowly lead them back towards the farm. Omi kept a wary watch on that horse. He didn't trust that horse one bit.
Author's Note Part Deux:
Hopefully this chapter wasn't so introductory as the last. But alas, introductory things are needed otherwise things wouldn't make sense. Otherwise the story would be thus:
Yohji: I'm gonna beat me a general.
Omi: Yeah right. He'll beat your sorry ass.
Ran: I will be general-esque and cool.
Yue Jin: While he is being general-esque I will spy on him.
Ken: Damn horse!
Red Hare: Damn human!
Although entertaining, not really a story now is it?
Reviewer Responses (In which I thank you all!)
Daidaiiro-chan - I hope I spelled that right :). I'm glad you like it so far. I completely agree as far as good writing and slow updates. However, once a week or two is fast for me, so hopefully the quality will be retained.
The Invisible Fan - I am glad you find it interesting. I try... I honestly do. And yes, bringing the characters together will be an adventure in and of itself!
Miserene - Thank you! I strive to be original and yet keep the quality of my writing. I will definitely continue.
Rune - I am not truly fond of modern day settings myself. I'm glad you like it thus far!
M-Chan - Hopefully the character list helped. I use the English translation which (in my opinion) is more a bastard child of a real translation. Which means, it is basically an Americanized translation of a British translation. I went with the most common spelling of the book and online. Yes, so far it is set as a RanxKen story. I don't know about the other characters at the moment though. Thanks for the review! It makes me happy to know that there are others who read The Three Kingdoms.
And now, a short snippet of Chapter Three:
"A Couple of my men have bets running on how long you'll stand up to 'em before you go crying back to Sun Quan. I hope you know, the longest bet is on three days tops," the man said with a smirk on his lips.
"How reassuring that I am keeping the gambling community alive in these times of strife," Yohji joked.