SHISOU (shadow of death)
*Keiji: Japanese/male/Wise Ruler *Maeko: Japanese/female/Honest Child *Saburo: Japanese/male/Third Born Son *-hime: princess
"For those regarded as warriors, when engaged in combat the vanquishing of thine enemy can be the warrior's only concern. Suppress all human emotion and compassion. Kill whoever stands in thy way, even if that be Lord God, or Buddha himself. This truth lies at the heart of the art of combat." ----- - Hattori Hanzo (Kill Bill Vol.1)
Prologue: the warrior Saburo
------Saburo's PoV------
It was finally time to prove our worth, the Neko youkai were gathering strength to defeat our Lord. Their army was vast but we would defeat them as long as Lord Sugimi would lend us his strength. I was anxious for the battle to start to test our might against them. The Western Lands would never fall with inutaisho Sugimi as ruler.
"They say Lord's son Sesshoumaru'll be on this battle." Said a fearful furry youkai "Perhaps we have no chance on this war."
I was so angry, how dared they to fear? Our Lord was the most powerful, I knew we would not loose. "Even if we die it is our duty to defend this land. We should be honored to fight by the side of our Lord and his son." I replied though more to myself than to any of those cowards. Of course we were to die, after all we where the lesser among the inu youkai.
"Wise words." said a voice "What might your name be?" I turned to see Lord Sesshoumaru looking directly at me. It was the very first time I saw him in person. He was exactly as I was told; long silvery hair and golden eyes, just like his father Lord Sugimi. He was so different to us, he had blue moon mark on his forehead and two violet stripes on each cheek. That was proof enough for me of his power, he would be indeed our Lord one day.
"I am your humble servant Saburo" Instantly I turned to him and lowered my head, I didn't want to seem rude or disrespectful. "Me and my blade are at your orders Sesshoumaru-sama." I felt some kind of shame to call that rusty sword a 'blade'. He would surely laugh at me. Instead he rose his left eyebrow and gave me a strange look.
"Right answer, your words have gained my sympathy. Now take your weapon and follow me." After that he turned his back to me and walked to the front lines, he went by ignoring all the other youkai and their amused stares. It was amazing the way they would get out of his way. This was such a great honor to follow my master into the battlefield. I would do my best to honor my lord.
While walking he picked up a sword, it was a precious katana with a red hilt. Then he threw it over at me. "Drop that useless piece of metal and use this instead." I was barely able to catch it, I was so afraid to drop it. ".It will allow you to kill more enemies before you die." My lord was right, just as my father told me before he died that one's true purpose in life only becomes clear at the time of death. I wanted to know my purpose just as my father meet it; with a blade. "I will do so Sesshoumaru-sama"
The battle began and I followed after my Lord at a distance, his powers had no comparison to ours. Approaching him would only turn me into an obstacle for his power. The only thing I could do was to destroy our enemies with my own strength.
------Sesshoumaru's PoV------
All I could do was to think how worthless those creatures were. Thinking they could defy us. They had no idea who father was and they would pay for that mistake. I was going to make sure of that. My anger was obvious as the lesser youkai vanished from my sight. They were scared, how pathetic! All the weak ones were afraid, they knew their destiny; that they would die. But it was for the best, that way our land would be clean from the weak and coward ones. The unfaithful to power of father would fall. You have reason only when you have victory.
Among all those failures I found him; Saburo was his name. He looked mostly human like most dangerous youkai did. Short brown hair and green eyes. Only his pointy ears and fangs proved his youkai heritage. He had no markings indicating his powers were rated among the weakest ones. "Why do you follow us Saburo? All the others fear us but I sense no fear in you." He gave me a puzzled look. It was like if he expected me already to know the answer. "Because you are my Lord. The only one with the power or vision to retrieve our kind it's former glory." His words reminded me of the old ways, like the old warriors. I completely forgot about him. This neko youkai were taking most of my concentration.
Suddenly I turned back and I saw that most of our followers were dead. They dared to fall at such opponents. I was outraged. They were not worthy of life if they could not follow after me into battle. But Saburo was there, fighting and wining. I felt some enemy approaching fast, looking back at the fallen ones had granted a small opening in my defense. I was ready to take the hit when Saburo's sword flashed over my shoulder. It hit the cat demon right in the head splitting it in two. I watched as the limp body fell past my side.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." he pulled the sword I just gave to him from the corpse of the neko youkai and kneeled to me. "I will not let any of this lesser creatures to be on your way."
------Saburo's PoV------
I remembered the battle that granted me Sesshoumaru-sama's trust. I had sworn to be at his service from that day on. Many other battles took place in that very same place but this time Sugimi was not with us. The fear could almost be perceived in the air, those who dared to oppose Sesshoumaru- sama would live no more. I prepared my sword and glared at the infamous youkai at my feet.
"Please Saburo, we're companions I beg your mercy." The youkai crawled in the floor with his arm barely hanging from his shoulder. That slash had been just a warning. "Mercy? Sesshoumaru-sama is merciful by sending me here instead of coming here himself and give you what you deserve." He would get more than a cut if he dared to think that I would fail at my lord's request. "Consider yourself lucky to die here and now!" After saying that I cut his head off and watched as it rolled in the ground. After a thud the body fell to the ground lifeless.
"Well done Saburo..." It was my Lord "Take his head and put it somewhere everybody can see what happens to those who dare to oppose me." He continued while he walked away again. "Hai Sesshoumaru-sama!" That was the first compliment I had ever received about one task, I was so proud of myself that the death of my once companion had no importance anymore. I just did as I was told.
"Saburo." I heard my lord calling my name and froze in the spot to wait for his orders. "I shall start a quest soon. Alone." There was no way I could convince him to let me join him, I couldn't even bring my self to beg him and try to convince him. Yet I denied being at other's service. "Sesshoumaru-sama, I wish to follow no one but you. I shall not take orders from any other." How could I see any other stranger as my master after witnessing the greatness of my lord? "Fine, I will grant you that." He sent me an icy glare "I trust your judgement Saburo, when you think the time has come you will return to me." I instantly replied "I will!"
------Sesshoumaru's PoV------
I had no time to deal with Saburo, he would be a great aid in my search but I had to do things alone. It was true that I wanted it all my way. I must say his request quite surprised me. He wanted to obey no other than me. Yet I trusted him and his methods. So I granted him what he wanted. Saburo had done anything I asked him to; he killed his brothers, his friends, his enemies and anyone that came between his orders and him. While father lived he admired that quality. I still remembered his words long ago in the first battle I met with him.
"What do you think about Father? About his marrige with a ningen." For some reason I wanted to know what he thought of that. He was one of our most trusted subjects, he probably had an interesting opinion about that. "Sugimi-sama has his vision, with a glory and superiority I would never be able to understand. I cannot think about his actions Sesshoumaru-sama." Again he knew what to say. "You impress me Saburo, you truly do." With that I walked off. I had much to do. I had to find that hanyou half-brother of mine. He would know about father's grave and the treasure within it. I had no more time to loose in getting it for myself.
I observed as Saburo cleaned his sword and walked away, he did not beg or complained about my orders. He would never do so. "I will be waiting for the day destiny brings me back to your orders Sessohumaru-sama." Probably I would see him again I trusted he would come back once I returned from my quest.
------Saburo's PoV------
Lord Sesshoumaru was gone but I would do as I was told. I would wait as long as needed to get back to the service of my lord. There was no place left for me to go. I had forgotten how to be on my own. Obeying orders for too long had been easy, now I had completely forgotten how to act on my own. "I guess this chance that Sesshoumaru-sama has granted me will be useful to futfill my destiny." I had always expected it to come from battles and death. Guess I was wrong and now I would look for it.
*Keiji: Japanese/male/Wise Ruler *Maeko: Japanese/female/Honest Child *Saburo: Japanese/male/Third Born Son *-hime: princess
"For those regarded as warriors, when engaged in combat the vanquishing of thine enemy can be the warrior's only concern. Suppress all human emotion and compassion. Kill whoever stands in thy way, even if that be Lord God, or Buddha himself. This truth lies at the heart of the art of combat." ----- - Hattori Hanzo (Kill Bill Vol.1)
Prologue: the warrior Saburo
------Saburo's PoV------
It was finally time to prove our worth, the Neko youkai were gathering strength to defeat our Lord. Their army was vast but we would defeat them as long as Lord Sugimi would lend us his strength. I was anxious for the battle to start to test our might against them. The Western Lands would never fall with inutaisho Sugimi as ruler.
"They say Lord's son Sesshoumaru'll be on this battle." Said a fearful furry youkai "Perhaps we have no chance on this war."
I was so angry, how dared they to fear? Our Lord was the most powerful, I knew we would not loose. "Even if we die it is our duty to defend this land. We should be honored to fight by the side of our Lord and his son." I replied though more to myself than to any of those cowards. Of course we were to die, after all we where the lesser among the inu youkai.
"Wise words." said a voice "What might your name be?" I turned to see Lord Sesshoumaru looking directly at me. It was the very first time I saw him in person. He was exactly as I was told; long silvery hair and golden eyes, just like his father Lord Sugimi. He was so different to us, he had blue moon mark on his forehead and two violet stripes on each cheek. That was proof enough for me of his power, he would be indeed our Lord one day.
"I am your humble servant Saburo" Instantly I turned to him and lowered my head, I didn't want to seem rude or disrespectful. "Me and my blade are at your orders Sesshoumaru-sama." I felt some kind of shame to call that rusty sword a 'blade'. He would surely laugh at me. Instead he rose his left eyebrow and gave me a strange look.
"Right answer, your words have gained my sympathy. Now take your weapon and follow me." After that he turned his back to me and walked to the front lines, he went by ignoring all the other youkai and their amused stares. It was amazing the way they would get out of his way. This was such a great honor to follow my master into the battlefield. I would do my best to honor my lord.
While walking he picked up a sword, it was a precious katana with a red hilt. Then he threw it over at me. "Drop that useless piece of metal and use this instead." I was barely able to catch it, I was so afraid to drop it. ".It will allow you to kill more enemies before you die." My lord was right, just as my father told me before he died that one's true purpose in life only becomes clear at the time of death. I wanted to know my purpose just as my father meet it; with a blade. "I will do so Sesshoumaru-sama"
The battle began and I followed after my Lord at a distance, his powers had no comparison to ours. Approaching him would only turn me into an obstacle for his power. The only thing I could do was to destroy our enemies with my own strength.
------Sesshoumaru's PoV------
All I could do was to think how worthless those creatures were. Thinking they could defy us. They had no idea who father was and they would pay for that mistake. I was going to make sure of that. My anger was obvious as the lesser youkai vanished from my sight. They were scared, how pathetic! All the weak ones were afraid, they knew their destiny; that they would die. But it was for the best, that way our land would be clean from the weak and coward ones. The unfaithful to power of father would fall. You have reason only when you have victory.
Among all those failures I found him; Saburo was his name. He looked mostly human like most dangerous youkai did. Short brown hair and green eyes. Only his pointy ears and fangs proved his youkai heritage. He had no markings indicating his powers were rated among the weakest ones. "Why do you follow us Saburo? All the others fear us but I sense no fear in you." He gave me a puzzled look. It was like if he expected me already to know the answer. "Because you are my Lord. The only one with the power or vision to retrieve our kind it's former glory." His words reminded me of the old ways, like the old warriors. I completely forgot about him. This neko youkai were taking most of my concentration.
Suddenly I turned back and I saw that most of our followers were dead. They dared to fall at such opponents. I was outraged. They were not worthy of life if they could not follow after me into battle. But Saburo was there, fighting and wining. I felt some enemy approaching fast, looking back at the fallen ones had granted a small opening in my defense. I was ready to take the hit when Saburo's sword flashed over my shoulder. It hit the cat demon right in the head splitting it in two. I watched as the limp body fell past my side.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." he pulled the sword I just gave to him from the corpse of the neko youkai and kneeled to me. "I will not let any of this lesser creatures to be on your way."
------Saburo's PoV------
I remembered the battle that granted me Sesshoumaru-sama's trust. I had sworn to be at his service from that day on. Many other battles took place in that very same place but this time Sugimi was not with us. The fear could almost be perceived in the air, those who dared to oppose Sesshoumaru- sama would live no more. I prepared my sword and glared at the infamous youkai at my feet.
"Please Saburo, we're companions I beg your mercy." The youkai crawled in the floor with his arm barely hanging from his shoulder. That slash had been just a warning. "Mercy? Sesshoumaru-sama is merciful by sending me here instead of coming here himself and give you what you deserve." He would get more than a cut if he dared to think that I would fail at my lord's request. "Consider yourself lucky to die here and now!" After saying that I cut his head off and watched as it rolled in the ground. After a thud the body fell to the ground lifeless.
"Well done Saburo..." It was my Lord "Take his head and put it somewhere everybody can see what happens to those who dare to oppose me." He continued while he walked away again. "Hai Sesshoumaru-sama!" That was the first compliment I had ever received about one task, I was so proud of myself that the death of my once companion had no importance anymore. I just did as I was told.
"Saburo." I heard my lord calling my name and froze in the spot to wait for his orders. "I shall start a quest soon. Alone." There was no way I could convince him to let me join him, I couldn't even bring my self to beg him and try to convince him. Yet I denied being at other's service. "Sesshoumaru-sama, I wish to follow no one but you. I shall not take orders from any other." How could I see any other stranger as my master after witnessing the greatness of my lord? "Fine, I will grant you that." He sent me an icy glare "I trust your judgement Saburo, when you think the time has come you will return to me." I instantly replied "I will!"
------Sesshoumaru's PoV------
I had no time to deal with Saburo, he would be a great aid in my search but I had to do things alone. It was true that I wanted it all my way. I must say his request quite surprised me. He wanted to obey no other than me. Yet I trusted him and his methods. So I granted him what he wanted. Saburo had done anything I asked him to; he killed his brothers, his friends, his enemies and anyone that came between his orders and him. While father lived he admired that quality. I still remembered his words long ago in the first battle I met with him.
"What do you think about Father? About his marrige with a ningen." For some reason I wanted to know what he thought of that. He was one of our most trusted subjects, he probably had an interesting opinion about that. "Sugimi-sama has his vision, with a glory and superiority I would never be able to understand. I cannot think about his actions Sesshoumaru-sama." Again he knew what to say. "You impress me Saburo, you truly do." With that I walked off. I had much to do. I had to find that hanyou half-brother of mine. He would know about father's grave and the treasure within it. I had no more time to loose in getting it for myself.
I observed as Saburo cleaned his sword and walked away, he did not beg or complained about my orders. He would never do so. "I will be waiting for the day destiny brings me back to your orders Sessohumaru-sama." Probably I would see him again I trusted he would come back once I returned from my quest.
------Saburo's PoV------
Lord Sesshoumaru was gone but I would do as I was told. I would wait as long as needed to get back to the service of my lord. There was no place left for me to go. I had forgotten how to be on my own. Obeying orders for too long had been easy, now I had completely forgotten how to act on my own. "I guess this chance that Sesshoumaru-sama has granted me will be useful to futfill my destiny." I had always expected it to come from battles and death. Guess I was wrong and now I would look for it.