Tsukihime: Tsukikage no ken
Chapter 1: The seven edged sword
Disclaimer: Everyone here knows the deal. I don´t own Tsukihime, the characters and whatever Type-Moon has. Let´s get on with the story.
I had woken up this morning at my apartment at exactly 6:00 am. In the past 5 weeks I rose from my bed as though I always had an enormous burden that drained me of my energies, but this time, I seemed to be back to normal. Even as I take my shower, it felt very good and refreshing, washing away the remainders of my grief down the drain as I came out like a new man. I dressed myself into my school uniform, put on my shoes and walked to the table to eat my breakfast. I heard the voice of my personal maid which spoke a greeting.
"Good morning, Keiichi-sama. It is good to see that you are well."
The girl with green braided hair in front me clad in a European maid uniform is Ayako Mizuno. She has been in my service since I was 8 years old, after my parents had passed away following a mysterious incident and at that time, my sister and I were living together with Ayako and her sister Ai. She's three years older than me and she knows her craft very well as she is responsible for my well being. I had moved to this apartment for 5 years and though sometimes she can be a bit strict, her loyalty in unwavering. By the way, her sister Ai is gone to assist my older sister who's studying abroad in Hokkaido.
"Yes, I am. I see that you made me ham and eggs with some toasted bread.¨ I replied, putting a smile at my face as I saw my breakfast. ¨It's well done, as you always do it."
She smiled as she bowed and answered. "Of course it is. It's one of your favorite breakfast meals, Keiichi-sama."
I laughed a little when I heard Ayako calling me with the sama suffix again. She was always very proper. "Oh, just calling me Keiichi will do, Ayako; it's not necessary for you to call me Keiichi-sama all the time."
"You are my master after all. What else would I call you?"
"More than just master and maid, you're my friend, Ayako. You have been at my side since I was a boy and I am more than grateful for that. I apologize for having worried you yesterday, though." I held my tongue as I spoke that last part. Ayako definitely let me have it when I arrived after I talked with Aoko-san yesterday and even more so because it was raining. Ayako is a good person, but once you disobey, you'd better be prepared because she rarely forgets such things.
"Yes, about that, you should have called back home and tell me you were going to be late." She admonished me as I reminded her about what happened. ¨You could have gone down with a cold and it is a serious manner to consider, especially with how the weather has been these past days.¨ She soften her expression a bit as though she's giving me a friendly advice. "I suggest you take in great consideration your well being, Keiichi-sama."
"I understand, Ayako. I did take the umbrella just as you suggested; it's just that I didn't expect to actually meet someone at the cemetery." It wasn't so far from the truth as you might think, for it was after all, unexpected to meet such a person when you have just arrived to visit your friend's and all of a sudden, someone speaks to you out of the blue and tells you to take it like a man and get over it. After I arrived home, Ayako quickly ordered me to get out of my wet clothes and take a warm bath before I could catch a cold and then I had some warm miso soup and vegetables for dinner as insurance. Though I was flabbergasted at her rapid clockwork reaction, I was thankful for her attention, big sermon aside, of course.
"At least you are all right." She then raised an eyebrow as she asked me this question. "Was this person you talked to a friend of yours?"
I didn't expect her inquiry, but I answered as best I could with the truth. "Yes, she is a friend. Actually, I kind of made a friend and we talked for a long while; she helped me a lot, though we had just met."
Ayako warmed up to me, just a little, but it was reassuring. "I see that is the reason why you look so well, Keiichi-sama. I think Genya-san would be proud of you."
"He certainly would be." I mused, but for now I had to finish my breakfast and get ready to get myself to school. I ate my meal as properly and fast as I could, since I didn't want to miss the bus and drank my juice. I went to my room to get the jacket from my closet and had Ayako fetch my umbrella. I got my backpack ready, cleaned my room to ease up her work and went out the door as she wished me well for my day. Going down the stairs, I went to the street and paced my way to the bus stop, just in front of a grocery store that was two blocks from the apartment building; thankfully, the bus arrived at one minute since I got there and it didn't take too long for me get to Masushi Gakuen High School. From there, my school day would start and I would expect that Yasuhiko and Misako come to greet me any moment now.
"Yo, Keiichi!"
"Wha?!"
Again, he never ceases to surprise me. The cheery blond man just behind me who gave me one of his surprise friendly hugs is Yasuhiko Ono, one of my childhood friends and my classmate. He and I go to the same kendo school for 5 years and we are both 3rd Kyu kenjutsuka. He has the obvious weakness for women, since he always seems to have an active eye when it comes to them.
"Ne, Yasuhiko is always very energetic. You can always count on him to give you a surprise." I heard a very familiar female voice just behind us.
"Well, he never lets us down, does he?" I retorted with some humor. The brunette who just talked is Misako Ichihara, also a classmate and the 4 childhood friend I have. She has a sunny disposition and carefree spirit, so it's hard for her to get depressed for long. Unlike us, though, she decided to be part of the Archery club in our school and she does that very well, with keen observational skills, a great eyesight and talent with the bow and arrow. Coincidentally, the tournament in which she'll partake will take place in 2 months, just one shy from our test and Yasuhiko and I made a point to come cheer for her. Genya would have been happy to come too.
"I noticed that you're not sad anymore, Keiichi. You now look… liberated."
I heard her comment as I turned to see her. Liberated is a good choice for words, since Misako had seen me as though I looked like someone who has on Death Row and had no chance to have a second shot at life since Genya's funeral. She had done her best to cheer me up, on par with Yasuhiko's attempts at humor, and I was thankful for that. What would they say if I told them that someone I just met had a big hand in my recovery?
"Well, I've gotten better." I replied. "I guess you can say that the old me is back." And I smiled to emphasize my point, showing that indeed I am feeling fine.
"Well, it certainly must be because you finally remembered that you gotta go on, right?" Yasuhiko pointed out, remembering the days I was in the dumps. I don't dispute that, but I didn't respond as they could have expected me to have had. I knew better now.
"Yes. Yes, that's exactly it." I brighten up a little as I was making my point. "You have no idea how eager I am in getting this semester going on well, Yasuhiko. I feel as though I can take on anything."
"That's the Keiichi we know." Yasuhiko replied as he rubbed my head teasingly with his hands, making me laugh as my hair was getting unruly by the gesture. "If life goes straight at you, you gotta grab it by the horns, I always say. Misako and I would almost think you'd end up worse or something and we were getting worried about ya."
"I can't stay sad and brooding about it, right? Genya would like for me to keep on going and do my best in everything; it's what he would have wanted all of us to do." I responded as I've gotten my head away after he released me and used my comb to get my hair back in place. "At any rate, school should start any moment now, so let's get to the classroom fast."
Misako took a quick peek at her watch and opened her eyes as she knew I was right. "Oh, yes. We have to hurry or we'll be late! Let's go, guys!"
"We'll talk more about it at recess, ok, Keiichi?" Yasuhiko said.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Yasuhiko."
So we rushed into the school and to our classroom labeled 6th – B. It means we are on 6th. Semester in high school or Year 3 as some could put it. Today, we had English, Math, History and Reading & Writing; that's a pair of two-hour classes and the other pair one-hour classes. I have a deep interest for the English Language and so it is one of my favorite subjects in school.
Oh, and in case you might be wondering on whether or not I'm part of the cliché in which the main protagonist of every story is not good at Math, don't worry about me. I happen to be good at Math, so I don't have problems on that subject. There are rare cases in which one student doesn't have a subject in which he or she does not like, and I'm happy to say I'm one of those cases. After a long session of Math (Well, at least to some people I know of.), it was time for recess.
Having picked up my lunch and paid the bill, I sat to the table in which Misako, Genya, Yasuhiko and I always got together to talk about each class and the usual impressions we got day after day, as well as some entertaining chit-chat. As promised, we talked about me and my recovery.
"When we tried cheering you up, you were really depressed, Keiichi-kun." Misako pointed out. "It's like you just said you could try, but it seemed as though you weren't doing much or nothing at all. We even thought you'd suicide or something more awful."
"Yeah, Misako has a point. We all miss Genya as much as you do, Keiichi: Everyone at the school, his family, and the three of us as well." Yasuhiko followed in. "We were at a loss, not knowing how it happened, but you got affected the most, having been there when he… Well, you know."
Yasuhiko was not far from the truth, and as commented from our school counselor, when one witnessed the death of someone dear to us, it reaches to the deepest corners of our minds and hits us like lightning, giving us an intense trauma which is difficult to overcome with normal means other than counseling, calm times and sleep. I would have gotten worse and had professional help if it wasn't for her… If it wasn't for Aoko-san…
"To tell you the truth…" I began to explain myself, feeling somewhat nervous for the reaction they might have if I tell them a person I just met had helped me a lot more than anyone could have and woke me up from what seemed to be a horrible nightmare. "I have to tell you guys that there was someone who really helped me; someone I met at the cemetery in front of Genya's grave. She was the one who brought me back, the one who reminded me that I should always live."
"She? Is she a new friend of yours, Keiichi-kun?" Misako had asked with much curiosity.
"So she's a girl! That's a surprise." Yasuhiko commented, bright eyes shining on as he heard me and I sighed, realizing I had reached his point of interest. "So tell me, Keiichi. Was she really cute and beautiful? Good looking with some nice allure or some old lady? Come on, don't hold out anything on us."
I was very quick to reply as I looked at him. "Yes, Yasuhiko; she was a very beautiful young woman. A great treat for the eyes." I secretly hoped I would never have Aoko-dono listen to something like that.
"Did you arrange something? When are you gonna meet?"
"Well…" Knowing Yasuhiko, he'd probably trail me to no end until he sees Aoko-san. If there is one thing in which he's a specialist the most besides using the sword is being watchful of women. If he would spend a bit more time honing his skills as much as he does evaluating their beauty, no doubt he'd reach or surpass Genya's skills by now, and I've seen some good flashes of his ability with my own eyes.
"Well, I'm sorry to tell you, Yasuhiko, but this is actually a private matter." I retorted a bit, trying to calm down his hunger. "We're not going to do anything forbidden; we're just going to talk. If she wanted me to bring anyone along, she would have told me yesterday. I hope you understand."
Yasuhiko made a sound as though he was disappointed and before he could have his say on the subject, Misako covered his mouth, zapped his head with her hand and spoke with a smile. "I'll make sure Yasuhiko doesn't do anything foolish, Keiichi. I understand what you feel and I support you, but I'll have him under my thumb under one condition."
"Name it." I was wondering what Misako had in mind.
He extended her pinky finger after calming down Yasuhiko and moved her hand once, emphasizing what looked like a promise and it was indeed as soon as I heard her voice.
"Promise me that when the time comes, we'll meet her. I'm very curious to know who she is and see if we can trust her too. Do we have a deal?"
It was always so easy for us to promise something to Misa-chan, and judging our history we have with each other, it was a good thing. We smiled and I laced my pinky with hers, thus symbolizing the promise. "You have yourself a deal. I promise I'll arrange it once I have the chance."
"Sou, sou, that's good." Yasuhiko also smiled, putting his hand on ours and moved it a bit up and down. "We have your word, Keiichi, so don't let us down."
"Have I ever done that? You know you can always count on me anytime."
From there, we talked about other things, ate our lunch and as soon as the bell rang, it was back to class. Time passed uneventfully until the morning classes were finished. It was exactly 1 o'clock in the afternoon and I was walking away from the gate when I heard Yasuhiko and Misako's voices, reminding me of the promise I made to them. I smiled at them and waved a see-you-tomorrow as I went to the bus stop that would take me to the closest spot to the tree hill, to the meeting place. On my way, though, I saw the little girl that was just standing in front of the bench at the bus stop and looked as though she was waiting for me all this time. I soon recognized her as Ren, as I prayed that she didn't have to wait for me too long.
"Keiichi-san, I have been expecting you." She just said, looking at my eyes.
"Oh, so you were." I kneeled down as I gave her a smile so she could have a better look at me. "But did you have to be here all by yourself? What if something happened to you?"
She shook her head and smiled back as though it was the most normal thing she had ever heard and replied. "As long as you are Aoko-sama's friend, there is no need to worry. I can take care of myself as well, Keiichi-san."
I shrugged a little as I stood up and took her hand, saying that I would pay the fare as soon as the bus arrived. Seven minutes later, it had arrived and as expected, it was jam packed with people, mostly those that work on the afternoon shift and high school students who were just going to school. 15 people got off, 7 went in, including Ren and myself. Shortly the bus went into motion and I already feel like I got stuffed into a full sardine can; it happens nearly all the time when people ride on bus. There weren't that many people who drove cars, even in a city as big as Tokyo.
One of the commuters asked me a question, something like Ren being my little sister and I replied that she was a young cousin of mine who had arrived to visit me. We got off on the avenue and the tree hill could be seen on sight; as I walked forward, I felt a tug on my right leg and knelt down to see what did she want.
"Telling a lie is not a good thing to do, Keiichi-san."
I rolled my eyes for a bit, thinking that there was a bit she had to know about people. "I know, but there are certain… citizens that could look twice on me and think of bad things since you're with me. That's why."
"Is it bad that I came for you?" Her eyes' glimmer dimmed down a little, as if she were feeling sad. My hand slides gently on her head and I smiled a bit, giving her something to be happy about.
"You did nothing wrong. If she told you to come for me, there is no problem. Let's go; she's probably waiting."
She nodded and so we went forward. The distance wasn't as stretched as it was the first time I've gone to the hill and I realized that indeed I was feeling with some gloom and doom yesterday, which could explain why the walk seemed to linger long and deep. I looked up to the sky and saw that there were lots of clouds pilling up, covering the sun with their shade while a few parts were still in the open. It didn't seem like it was going to rain, but it was wise of me to bring the umbrella just in case.
When we reached the top where the tree stood almost as if it were there since the dawn of time, Ren paced quickly to it; I had known that she was already there, waiting for me to arrive.
"You got here on time. I first thought you'd probably take your time."
"It would be rude to keep a lady waiting." I replied as I heard Aoko-dono scoff at my reply, as if she was never referred to as a lady before. "Besides, we did agree at the time, didn't we? It was the least I could do."
"You look like the honest to a fault type." She retorted, gesturing me to come closer and so I sat down, side by side with her as I saw Ren sit at her side as well. "Before we begin, I have something for you, as befits a kenjutsuka like yourself."
Before I knew it, she pulled out a sword that was kept in its saya, or scabbard that was lying close to a suitcase I'd imagine she was carrying. She passed it on to me and I took a look at it, amazed that she had such a weapon in her possession.
"Look at its blade."
Just as she suggested, I began to remove the sword from its scabbard slowly as my eyes traced on the blade and I was shocked at one incredible detail: The entire blade seemed to have slants and it looked as if it was divided in equal parts! The edges were also separate too like some kind of toy. I counted the edges and the slants and there were seven, seven in all! I was really puzzled on how it was even tempered or put together in the first place!
Looking amused at my expression, Aoko-san began to explain this to me. "It does look a bit weird to you, doesn't it? But don't judge the book by its cover, because it is really a powerful weapon." Just like that, she too counted that there were seven edges on the entire blade, put together in a complicated pattern that made it look like it would come apart at the first swing. "This sword is named Shichihitou-ken, or The Seven Edged Sword. It is a special kind of weapon blessed and tempered with the waters of the Ise Temple itself, made by a master sword smith who lives there. It is said in a secret legend that this sword has been blessed as a holy weapon and only the one who communes his spirit with that of the sword can unleash its incredible power. This is really a samurai's sword if you think about it, only it's quite special."
"How… how did you actually get this? Is it really a holy weapon as you say?" I was awestruck as I heard her explanation, but who could have made it and for what purpose? And how did Aoko-dono get her hands on such a weapon?
"Didn't I tell you? It is a holy weapon, just as I said; and someone made arrangements to send this to you. I simply happened to do this as a favor, that's all."
I was mesmerized on how it shone in front of the few sun rays that passed through the clouds from above; somehow it looked like it was alive, like an extension of my body. Snapping myself back to reality, I took a few steps forward, looking at it while remembering that it was just the second time I actually wield a real sword. I once used a blade during one of my special training excursions with Genya and Yasuhiko last year when we travel to the mountains in order to train under the watchful eye of nature itself. Our sensei told us it would encourage some spirituality and concentration for all of us if we were to become kendo masters.
Focusing only on this sword, I made a few strokes and swings at some angles as I heard a sound as I moved it. Doing the basic attacks and strokes, it would soon occur to me that this weapon was indeed something special, and yet there was something more than it meets the eye; something that you couldn't see at first glance, but you knew it was there.
As I finished executing a few more swings and strikes, I saw that the blade was still in one piece, but a few spaces in the air were completely bland and open, as if the sword had sliced the air in just a few seconds. I placed the Shichihitou back into its saya and I went to sit down again; it would appear that Aoko-dono knew I was going to be impressed and looked at my eyes as though she was asking for my opinion, which in this case, she did.
"I could feel the air open up and give way to the sword as I made each stroke." I explained, gathering my thoughts about it. "A weapon as long as this should be somewhat heavy, but in my hands it's light as a feather, responding to what I was doing with no problem at all."
"Then it must mean that your spirit is already getting attuned with Shichihitou." She replied, looking up to the sky. "I had heard that long ago, during the age of the warring states, the spirit of the samurai were always one with that of their swords, never questioning what they did, driving forward despite the danger that each battle brought and serving their masters loyally. If one has but one moment of doubt, of hesitation for even a single second, the sword grows weak and the spirit is left broken, just like his weapon and thus, the samurai dies. In short, if you're strong in mind and body, Shichihitou will respond in kind for you; but if you're a weakling, then you'll be doomed. You must take it in mind when you start using it, Keiichi."
"Did you learn that somewhere?" I asked.
"I read books, just to pass the time."
I still had my doubts, but nevertheless, this could actually work out for me. If I get time to train with it between my kendo lessons, I could master it, refine my skills and then I'd be ready for anything; suddenly, my life became much richer as I realized that getting my objective will be done more quickly than I would expect and this may be the advantage that I needed. What was left was for me to hunt down the maniac responsible for Genya's death; he would have hell to pay.
Aoko-dono had just thought of an idea, as it emphasize what she explained to me.
"I think it's time to do a small test, Keiichi, just so you get to realize what I meant about your spirit." Then she began looking around for some kind of object in the hill. "Now, what would be the perfect target?"
"How about the tree? It would be fine by me." I proposed.
"No, it gives us shade and it's a good spot, actually. We need something else."
Ren suddenly stood up and pointed at a spot that was 8 meters behind me. "Try this rock over there."
I looked around and it didn't take long for us to see the rock. Aoko-dono grinned at this as she found what she was looking for. "Perfect. It will be the target." We walked towards the rock that sat on the ground; it was fairly large and sturdy and it looked like it could withstand some good hits. With no second thoughts, Aoko-dono gave me this order.
"Keiichi, try to slash this rock in two."
I was taken off-guard as soon as I heard her. "What?? You actually want me to strike at it??? Is this some kind of joke?!"
"If you focus and concentrate at the rock, you will make it. Just do it."
"The sword might break if I do this! It's crazy!"
"Don't give me that, junior! Remember what I told you and do this now!!"
I shook at the sudden feel of steel in her voice and her eyes. She was really serious about it and it would be a bad idea if I decide to disobey, so I closed my eyes and began focusing on the rock in front of me. I was already calm when a minute had passed and I could see a large dot that was right in the middle of the rock. Okay, if I was going to make a perfect strike and split it into two, I decide to do this by way of a horizontal slice. So I did; yelling a kiai, I made a powerful stroke with Shichihitou with all the might I could muster at this single moment and everything had gone quiet, no sound being made as soon as the blade touched the rock. After what seemed to be forever, I opened my eyes and saw that nothing happened, but then I heard a cracking sound that was before my eyes. It creaked rapidly as a line was being drawn on the rock and I saw a portion of it fly into the sky for a few seconds and landed heavily back to the ground…
I had just awakened from my stupor when it came to me: I had just sliced a solid rock into half with a sword I was just barely getting familiar in using and what was improbable it had happened by my hand. Shichihitou had not a scratch or even a dent in its blades at all and the spot where I stroke was fine and clean, as if Buddha had come down from Heaven and split the rock with no effort at all. It was… shocking to say the least…
As I drop on my butt in awe and bewilderment, Aoko-dono had made a rather hearty laugh, but at least she had the education of putting her hand over her mouth and reduced the laughter into a giggle. "Do you believe it now?"
I nodded frantically as the biggest evidence was right in front of me and what's more, I was the one responsible for it. Now this was really something and normally I would probably brag about having sliced a rock cleanly into two, but not only wouldn't it come out right, I was still amazed that the Shichihito, working in concert with my power, could have such a cutting capability beyond any other sword.
I stood up and placed the sword back into the scabbard, now that this little test was complete and took a few seconds to let the moment sink in. I breathed to relax myself and after heaving a calm sigh, I turned around facing Aoko-dono as I held Shichihito in my grip. "I would guess you made a believer out of me, Aoko-dono. This is actually the first time I sliced into something, let alone a single object; I think you know a bit more about the sword than you let on, though." I gave her a suspicious gaze as an eyebrow rose to its peak.
"You could say that I do." She replied, putting her hands on her hips, slanting a little on one side and kept her smile as she started to explain to me. "This particular sword as you know has seven edges etched into one blade and separated by seven joints. Each edge is as sharp as the next and it is known to be deadlier than a double edged sword; swords with double edge are very powerful, but there is the risk that the wielder will also be harmed as much as his enemy, but Shichihito eliminates that risk with seven edges that are on the sharp side of the sword, increasing its cutting and slicing power more than seven times of any ordinary sword and 3.2 times that of a double edged weapon. On top of that, the last edge that lies on the tip was also been sharpened to insure efficiency when stabbing an enemy, so you don't have to worry about landing the final blow to an enemy when the need arises."
So this sword was capable of doing something like that? I was beginning to wonder about what its full power would be, but as Aoko-dono kept explaining, I knew there was more about it.
"When you're attacking the enemy, the edges start to flail on the direction where you're making a slice as if they were a chain whip. That's because a special kind of power binds them together to form a cutting wave with each attack made on many kinds of angles you take. With mastery and skill, you can make it attack this way or you may wield it as though you're using it as a normal sword. Anything you can slice and dice in force will be cut down with little or no effort since the first edge meets the resistance of an object or a person; but once the rest of the edges follow suit, the cutting power increases rapidly and the resistance is diminished, allowing you to strike down the enemy."
"I'm almost feeling power drunk already, Aoko-dono." And it was true, for I was getting nearly as giddy as a young boy who was the best gift of his life on the night of Christmas. "I could certainly take on anything now with this sword."
"But remember what I told you, Keiichi." Aoko-dono responded, her smile dropping a little. "The spirit of the sword responds to the wielder's s will. If your will is strong and your mind is set, the sword will give you results. If you're weak, then you'll be in trouble. Also, the Shichihito has abilities that will prove to be quite effective when you use it."
Now I was getting excited. "It can do a lot more?? Aoko-dono, tell me about its powers, onegai! If I can use them, I might…!"
She moved her index finger negatively as she made an 'ah-ah-ah' sound and grinned at my sudden excitement. "Don't spoil yourself, Keiichi-chan." She chimed teasingly. "This is one of those things you must figure out for yourself by training day by day. Its secrets will be unlocked if you prove to be worthy of its power; only then will you be able to start to fulfill your own potential." Then she gave me an elder sister impression that one does not forget when she looks at you; her voice seemed to change too. "This will also serve you in the use of your power as well, Keiichi. Learn from the experiences it will give you, trust your heart and your feelings and most importantly, you must make your own choices and find your path. Listen to what your heart tells you as well, for it will tell you what is right."
Something I want to protect…? I thought of my friends, my sister and the people in the city and it became clear to me that life was precious. I know this because I had lost my parents when I was a child and Genya died in my arms; these lives meant everything to me and so do Misako and Yasuhiko, the sensei, my friends, everyone. When I looked at Aoko-dono's eyes, I noticed they had something that I couldn't point out at first, as if they shone quietly, full of some kind of loneliness. Sure, she looked fine to me, but I couldn't help but see that they there kind of sad. It was as if she had lost something a long time ago, but I wouldn't try to figure out what it was, at least, not at that time.
"What is it? Do I have something on my face?" Her voice snapped me back to reality as I met her puzzled expression with a blush on my face as I said that it was nothing, but my blushing visage told otherwise.
"Ooh, so is there a special someone in your life? Let's see if I can find out by asking you." And suddenly she started to tease me by rubbing my hair and started to laugh as I try to deny that fact, and there was some laughter that escaped from my mouth as I realized that in her own way she had realized that I had people to protect and that I had a good idea of what I should do. A special kind of warmth brimmed inside me as I had gained something special in my life, something I could hang on to and make sure I would never let it go and have a chance to find happiness.
Just nearby at the tree, Ren had just smiled.