I have to apologize for not mentioning my reviewers. I usually plan to put their names in, but I forget. I hope to get my reviewers in soon. A character is mentioned in here that's easy to guess whom it is. Oh yeah, a reminder, I usually update every two weeks unless my computer breaks or school rears its ugly head. The contest is still on whom I'll pair Toya up with! ~BlueNovaBunny
BNB: Welcome to a new chapter of Of War And Magic!
Ken: I think they know it's a new chapter _o_ ,
BNB: *sniff* Anyways, I'm happy that so many people actually reviewed. I feel confident in this story and hope you readers continue reading.
Phoenix: Where's Syaoran?
BNB & Ken: Um…sleeping?
BNB: *feels audience glares* He's coming soon…
Ken: *Dodges a girl with ''Syaoran, will you have my baby'' sign* BNB, get these anime fanatics out of here!
BNB: Righto! Oh Phoenix?
Phoenix: Here, O Master.
BNB: Clear the crowd and manhandle the weirdo with the sign.
Phoenix: *Pops out blowtorch gun* ^.^ Die! AhHatHAAhaha!!!
Ken: So that's what excites her beside me. @.@
Phoenix: BNB would like to thank Wizzu, darksecret, LiL DuDeTtE, Bloodlust Night, and Ria for reviewing. And Wizzu gets some Sour Punch Straws since Wizzu was the first person to review this story. BNB never forgets the people who first reviewed her story.
BNB: On with the story! *karate chops a girl*
Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura is owned by Clamp, but BNB would buy it from them if she had enough money or a bazooka aimed at them.
Chapter 4: Shisei Sword Maker
Sakura groaned as she opened her eyes to see the bleak treetops of the forest. She shivered as she felt a gust of cold wind swirl around her thin garments. By reading the fullness of the moon, autumn was very near. If she didn't reach Edo soon, she could die on the road.
Her small hands sliced through the freezing water of the stream. She gently washed the grit from her face as she sorted her thoughts. It's been days since Lord Matsumoto murdered Mimi. She knew she should be in Edo by now, but unfortunately Sakura had a bad sense of direction.
Sakura stretched and continued her path down the road. The main reason she couldn't find Edo because she had to keep running from the road when strangers approached. That's it! I'm sticking to the road until I find a village.
Seto grumbled to himself as he kicked a rock. The boys wouldn't let him play again. Just because his mom was a radical female blacksmith didn't mean he couldn't play with other children. It was just the superstitious villagers that tainted the children's minds to not play with Seto.
Mrs. Korowai needed to bring in the bacon once her husband perished in the mines. He was looking for a unique metal to forge his dream blade. The village brought back his body, and the metals he was looking for. Mr. Korowai had taught his wife to make swords too.
Humeko Korowai frowned as she saw her boy's angered face. She sighed, as she knew what happened to him. At least she made knives instead of swords so the villagers wouldn't tie her to a stake to burn her.
"Seto, why don't you wash up? Then you can help me cook the fish." Seto scowled, but did what his mother asked. He finally couldn't keep silent anymore.
"Kaasan, why can't we move from here?" Humeko gave her son a wide grin.
"I think we will. Three months ago, a lady asked me to make a bell. She knew of my hardships and promised me a home at her shrine when I delivered the bell. She even insisted I could make swords even though no one is going to use them." Seto's eyes rounded. He whooped and hugged his mother's waist. Humeko gave a deep chuckle at her son's show of exuberance.
"We'll leave in a week. So how about cooking that fish you caught this morning, hmm?" Seto grinned and started the fire. The fish smelt great as the aroma of the cooked flesh rose. Humeko was inside washing the dishes.
"Kaasan, a weird girl is here!" Humeko saw a poor Sakura drooling at the scent of food.
"Oh dear."
Sakura gave the strangers an embarrassed look. They probably thought she was some demented stranger drooling on their land. The little boy gave her a rebellious look, but the tall woman smiled at her.
"Would you like some food Miss…"
"Sakura Hoshi, err, just Sakura." I'm no longer a Hoshi anymore. The woman gave her another smile.
"Would you like some lunch, Sakura? It's been so long since we have entertained guest. We would be honored if you join us."
"But Kaasan!" Humeko gave her son a silencing look. "We would both be honored if you join us," Seto said in a subdued tone. Sakura gave him a smile, and it widened as she saw his face blush beet-red. Humeko gave Seto an amused look.
"Please, come this way." Humeko directed Sakura into the backyard. They had a humorous lunch since Humeko told the jokes. It ended in a somber note when Humeko mentioned the death of her husband, and Sakura, in return, told her the death of Mimi and her quest.
Humeko entered the hut with the dirty dishes. Sakura was a sweet girl and offered to do the dishes, but Humeko refused. Sakura was the guest anyways, and Seto seemed to have developed a crush on her.
Humeko yelped as an extremely cold wind burst into the hut. She froze as she thought she heard a male voice call her. She shook her head and continued wiping the bowl.
HumekoShe dropped the bowl. Arawa. Her fingers trembled as she picked up the bowl. "Arawa, is that really you?"
Yes.
Humeko cried out as she saw her husband appear. His figure showed even though he was transparent. "Arawa!" She rushed to hug him and flew past him. He gave her a sad look.
Humeko, I'm dead. You just can't expect to hug me, my silly goose.
Humeko gave a weak laugh as she heard him use the nickname he gave her.
Humeko, my love, I'm saddened to say this is a business call. Do you still have the sword you forged from the metals at my death?
"How did you—never mind. Yes I do. I even named it Wishing Star in hopes it'd bring you back." Her eyes started to tear up at her own foolishness. Arawa caressed her cheek. Surprising it felt warm.
I would do anything to come back to the living and hug you again, Humeko. But I'm dead, and the gods granted me this job, so I could at least say goodbye to you.
She nodded. "Tell me the business you mentioned before."
Wishing Star must be given to the girl, Sakura I believe, fore her destiny is intertwined with the fate of the world. She will need the sword in her journey, fore if the seal is left broken, disaster will befall this world.
"So, Sakura needs the sword. I will deliver it to her. Arawa…can't you stay a little bit longer?" He gave her a sad smile.
I'm afraid not. He brushed his lips against hers. You will always know I love you, won't you?
Humeko gave him a venomous look. "How could you say such a thing! Of course I will!" Arawa gave her a knowing smile.
Travel to Edo and for fill your destiny, deliver the bell to the lady, and continue making the swords you always loved to do. I love you goose, Humeko…He faded from her view. Humeko grabbed the sword from under her bed and carried it outside. Sakura and Seto were laughing away at some joke between them.
"Sakura, I would like to give you this." Sakura's eyes widened as Mrs. Korowai unwrapped the sword from the black cloth. The sword was long as her entire arm. It was decorated with stars and near the hilt; it had a crescent moon within a sun.
"Oh Mrs. Korowai, I couldn't. It's just to valuable!" Sakura picked up the sword to stare at it.
"Yeah!" Seto gave his mother a look that said she was crazy. "Kaasan, what are you thinking? You made that sword for Otousan!" Sakura dropped the sword.
"I couldn't possible accept this. You made it for your husband, and frankly, I don't know how to use a sword."
"See Kaasan, she can't even use it!"
"I have a feeling your father would want Sakura to have it. It is useless staying with us anyways. Male warriors wouldn't use a sword forged by a woman. Some won't even accept a sword that has spilled woman's blood for fear of her ghost tainting the sword. Sakura will have it." She handed Sakura the sheath.
"Oh yes, the sword is called Wishing Star. I put an invisible spell on the sheathe so no one would steal it." Sakura gave her a surprised look. "My Kaasan taught me a little bit of simple magic. Keep it dry so the blade won't rust." Sakura gave a deep bow to Humeko.
"Thank you, Mrs. Korowai. Words can't express my gratefulness. I'll cherish this gift forever." Humeko gave a twittering laugh.
"Don't cherish it, learn how to use it. I would be pleased to know it actually can be used in physical combat." The two females smiled at each other while Seto fumed in the background.
"Mrs. Korowai, do you know the road to Edo. I've been traveling for days, and I'm afraid I'm a little lost."
"Travel down the village road and you will come to an intersection. Facing westward, take the left road. You should arrive in the city in a couple of days."
"Thanks you!" Sakura ran to follow Mrs. Korowai's directions.
"Have a safe trip, Sakura and may the gods be with you as Fate lays out its hands toward you," she whispered into the wind. She grabbed her son's hand. "Come on Seto, let's go pack. Maybe we might see Sakura in Edo when we arrive there. And stop your grumbling about the sword or you'll have no dessert this evening." That shut him up and Humeko gave a small chuckle.
That's the last thing Sakura remembered of the Korowais was their laughter. Pure laughter, laughter with no under meanings; she only wished she could laugh like that again. Sakura sighed as she considered the next day of her journey.
Shisei (adj, n) female
kaasan (n) mother
hoshi (n) star
otousan (n) father
BNB: How was that? Good? Bad? I wasn't planning on writing this, but I felt Sakura needed a break and what I have planned for her would have made a chapter too long compared to the others. I am very comfortable writing 2-3 pagers for chapters. I actually have a Japanese name for the sword, but I'm not sure if I should use it.
Ken: Phoenix is done breaking the fanatics' back, but I think they're regrouping. I think all the violence put her to sleep.
BNB: Tell them I don't have Syaoran yet, but Yuki is up for auction for a date. He's not really coming in until two chapters anyways.
Ken: What? He's mine!
BNB: Not uh, I think I see Toya out there in the crowd. Oooh, he has his death glare on. Remember, you kidnapped him and forced him here. Next Chapter: A Rescuing Hime. *runs in the bomb shelter*
Phoenix: RevIeW!!!