Angelic: Hello Readers and welcome to Chapter ten of "My True Identity". I hope last chapter wasn't too dramatic for you guys, but we must press forward as things don't look good for our heroine. So without further duo here's chapter ten of "My True Identity".
Courage to Move On
The light of dawn begins to break through the sky as the sun begins to rises from the East. Near a running river are three children who bear various scars across their body. Breathing heavily a Hanyo girl look at the two boys who she was able to save from an untimely death. However, the younger of the two was seriously injured having his hand, and part of his upper face torn off from his body. Staring at the two the girl simply does a prayer before vanishing into the woods once more.
Traversing through the vast forest Hitomi eyes reflects emptiness as the she didn't have anywhere left to go. She had tried to go the shrine to get what she needed for her journey, but the place was swarming with soldiers who were away from the mansion when she committed that horrible act. All she managed to get was the herbal supply from a secret spot where her Ojii-san had left them incase she ever had to flee the village. Unfortunately she had used all them to treat Eiji to the best of her ability; thus leaving the two in the forest to be found by the search party. Hitomi was at lost for what to do now for she had nowhere else to go, and she had never gone beyond the boundaries of her secret spot. Jumping from tree to tree all Hitomi could think about was to getaway from the village. With no one to love her she questions the reason for living. An outcast of society. Was there even a reason for living? Landing on the surface below the girl leans against a tree at a lost for what to do. No tears streamed from the her eyes even though the situation would call for it. She was completely empty as everything in life was taken away from her. Worse of all she had left Daichi and Eiji without a father, and scarring Eiji himself for the rest of his life. Hating her entire demon heritage Hitomi punches the tree she leaning on making a huge indent upon it. However, most of all she was scared of the malicious power that rested within her.
"What am I going to do? I'm scared… Ojii-san please help me," prayed Hitomi looking up at the endless blue sky.
"So your alive. Well that good seeing as it would be a problem if you died," said a voice causing Hitomi to swerve around to see Isaac standing on a tree branch.
"What do you want demon," growled Hitomi in a frustrated voice not wanting to socialize with any demons.
"You call me a demon when you yourself are part demon," pointed out Isaac with Hitomi giving him a scornful look.
"So you hate your demon heritage huh. Afraid of that power that consumed your being back at the manor," pointed out Isaac once again as her anger rose even more with his taunting.
"Leave me be cursed demon! I have no patience to talk with you!" shouted Hitomi turning her back to him.
"So be it little lady. I'll come back after you've calmed down a little," concluded Isaac leaving Hitomi's presence in an instant.
Alone once more Hitomi presses onward with no particular destination in mind. Everything that made her happy in life was gone, and she had no reason to keep living. The thought of turning herself over to the Headman's soldiers crossed her mind. Concluding that she could atone for some of her sins if she allowed herself to be executed by them as originally planned. However, she couldn't bring herself to do that afraid that the voice would overtake her once more. Even now the voice haunted the corner of her distressed mind. Touching the wound at her chest Hitomi cursed her demon heritage for allowing her to heal so fast; thus making wounds that a human would die from insignificant to her. Her kosode was completely tattered seeing as most of it was blown off from the explosion. It now barely covered her thighs, and leaving the top of her chest exposed. Stopping near a small creek she hungrily drinks the water while her mind search for a reason wondering.
Her stomach led out a low moan signifying that she was hungry. She however, had no food on her, and the creek held no fish in it. Looking around Hitomi spots a brown rabbit grazing on the green grass, and even though she would despise herself for the action she was about to do. She knew she needed to eat if she wanted to survive, and with that in an instant she had cut the rabbit down with her demon claws. Picking up the dead animal Hitomi quickly gathered fire wood and lit a fire. Working with her claws like a knife Hitomi peel the skin from the carcass, and proceeds to cook it over the crackling fire. Paying close attention to the cooking meat Hitomi lets a sigh escape her mouth feeling repulsed with her current task. With the meat thoroughly cook she hungrily begins to eat the meat with haste. After a few seconds Hitomi puts out the fire while giving thanks to the rabbit she had slew and eaten, and with that task done she continues on her way not knowing where she was going. Wondering for what seems like hours the Hanyo girl looks up at the endless blue sky.
"Mother, Father where are you?" thought Hitomi while stretching her hand up at the blue sky.
"Ojii-san what should I do now," pleaded Hitomi as if begging the sky for an answer.
Receiving no answers to her questions Hitomi lets out a sigh as she continues on her way. She didn't know how long she was traveling, or how far from the village she had gone. However, she hope that one of the search parties had found Daichi and Eiji; hoping that the two would be alright. Time seems to pass her by as day turns into twilight with the crows cawing to the sky. Resting her weary body against a tree Hitomi looks to the west as the sun set down behind the horizon. Her eyes were void of any current emotions. All she could think about was how to survive on her own. Closing her eyes Hitomi begins to mediates on the events of yesterday, and today leaving her mind completely empty. Ojii-san had always taught her that mediations was a good way of clearing ones head of all worldly interference, and in her current situation she needed her mind free of all negative, and sad thoughts in order to live. Letting the state of peace enter her mind a light aura gently wraps itself around the girl's form. The light give off a kind gentle feeling as she breath in and out, and it soon then stretches out to become a barrier around her attracting lot of wildlife to her. Hitomi's mind was at peace as the barrier shines brightly while the sky turns from Twilight to dusk.
"So Kuroisou was right. There is something abnormal about this girl," thought the demon named Lancer as he had been following Hitomi since early morning.
"Well if she survives her encounter with the demon I sent. I wonder if we could use her soul to complete the jewel?" speculated Lancer disappearing into the night sky.
Two hours passed by as Hitomi sat there in her traced state of mind. The barrier still glowed brightly lighting up the area around her. The residents of nature sat near her in traced by the mystical barrier around the girl. While mediating she had sorted out some of her feelings making her fill less stress from the events. Although she could never atone for murders she committed in the manor. She did come to the decision to try to make up for it as best as she can, but the question was how and where could she start. Going to the village would be suicide not to mention that she didn't know how to get back. On top of that she didn't quite understand what she should do to make up for her crime. Concentrating on her mediation the forest animals suddenly flee; as the footstep of something gigantic could be heard coming towards them. Aware of the danger approaching Hitomi quickly hides in the brush to avoid being spotted. Soon enough an Oni demon appear on the spot as if searching for something or someone in particular. He was seven feet tall with red skin, a head with two horns on either side, two huge tusk, and red glowing eyes. He carried with him an spiked wooden club, and wore a brown fur loincloth. Scratching his head in confusion the Oni move on completely unaware of Hitomi's presence. Deciding that it was best to leave the area. Hitomi dashes off in the opposite direction than the Oni hoping that she wouldn't run into him during her travel. The moon is at it highest peak as Hitomi takes a breather from all the running she had been doing. She had never figured that being on her own would be so difficult, and wished that her life could go back to the way it was before Ojii-san was murder.
"I guess I'll rest for the night and head out at dawn," thought Hitomi laying down on the soft grass.
Looking up at the sky Hitomi's see that the moon is almost full. Worry is plastered all over her face while staring at the lunar object in the sky. Deciding not to worry too much she slowly closes her eyes for some sleep. The night continues on with Hitomi sleeping peacefully on the ground, but suddenly the girl is abruptly torn from her dream as she can feel her body not receiving any oxygen. Panicky opening her eyes she come face to face with the Oni demon that she had saw earlier that night. The creature tighten his grip around Hitomi's neck as she let out a gasp of fear. She desperately try to struggle against the monsters strength but to no avail. A wicked smile appears on his face as he smash Hitomi's fragile body against a large tree. The force of impact is great enough to make the tree snap like a twig, and fall to the ground with a thud. He soon drops the girl on the ground as she a roughly takes oxygen into her lungs.
"I found you little Hanyo! I hope your ready to die cause there no escape," declared the Oni banishing his ferocious club.
"Hah hah what do you want with me?" gasped Hitomi hacking up a little blood while recovering from her daze.
"Heh someone apparently want you dead, and once I accomplish my task I'll receive the jewel as my reward!" answered the Oni as he slowly approaches her with the intent to kill.
"Who employed you to do such a task!" grunted Hitomi while wobbly getting up on her feet.
"Heh you won't need to know that once your dead!" cried the Oni as he swung his massive club upon her.
Hitomi acting quickly dodges the initial strike with complications from the injuries she had just received. Looking annoyed he tries to hit her again, but she nimbly dodge his next strike. Yet her effort doesn't go unpunished for the strain on her body cause her to cough up more blood. Staring at her formidable foe Hitomi quickly dodges a series of attacks with each one crippling her responding time more and more. Unexpectedly though the voice that had possessed her mind before rang more loudly in her ear. Kneeling on one knee Hitomi hold her forehead while trying to stave of the haunting sound. Seeing his chance the Oni swings his club upon Hitomi's head; however he hits nothing but air as she wasn't there anymore. Looking over his shoulder he see the girl standing behind him staring at him with a blank face. Instantaneously his prey attack him leaving a deep claw mark across his face. The Oni screams in pain while clutching his injured face. Hitomi's aware of her actions tries to make her body respond to her, but it would seem that her body was distant from her doing things on it own thought pattern. The Oni quickly tries to crush her with his club, but his wish is deny as she jumps into the air and lands a swift kick upon his right cheek. The Oni go staggering a few inches from the force of the kick. Cursing at Hitomi he proceeds to try and strike her, but everything he throws at her is meaningless as she continues to dodge his clumsy assault.
"Curse you miserable Hanyo!" shouted the Oni while receiving a powerful blow to the gut knocking the wind out of him.
"Live," uttered the voice in her mind as she walked over to her fallen nemesis.
"Leave me alone!" cried Hitomi trying to rid herself of the of the demonic voice's hypnotic spell over her.
Gaining control over herself once more Hitomi breaths in and out heavily as remaining portion of the voice's influence dies away. Instantaneously the girl is send flying as the Oni smashes his club into her right side causing her to go sailing through the sky. She let out a deafen scream as her limb body go skidding across the ground upon impact with it. A smeared trail of blood is left upon the ground leading to Hitomi herself with her eyes completely vacancy. The Oni slowly raises his club intending smash the poor girl like helpless ant on the ground. The club boom with the sound of thunder as it crashes to the ground; However upon raising it up he see that his victim isn't underneath it or squished into a puddle of blood. Scanning the area immediately he see she is in the arms of Isaac who had been watching the fight the whole time.
"How dare you steal my prey you miserable cur!" yelled the Oni while Isaac laid Hitomi safely on the ground a few feet away.
"I'm sorry about that but unfortunately I have business with this girl. So I advise that you leave for your own good," said Isaac with a bored expression.
"Don't act so tough impudent fool! I'll kill you for intervening with my kill!" cried the Oni charging Isaac in a mad rush.
"You poor fool," commented Isaac with demon swing his club upon him, but Isaac stopped it with one hand with no effort at all.
"What the!" stuttered the Oni pushing harder with all his strength. However, the club didn't budge an inch as the Isaac held it in place.
"I think I didn't make myself clear enough," whispered Isaac in a sinister voice as he punched a whole into the Oni's stomach.
The demon double over in a extreme pain as he fall to his knee choking up a pint of blood. Unfortunately the assault didn't end there as Isaac slammed his heel over the Oni's head smashing him face first into the ground. Determining that was enough Isaac walks over to Hitomi to examine the girl's injuries. She wasn't in good shape as her stomach had been busted open by the Oni's last attack. Contemplating on what to do Isaac prepare to pick up Hitomi, but is suddenly attack from behind. Dodging the sneak attack easily Isaac faces the Oni who has recovered from his previous attacks. Once again the Oni swings his club upon Isaac, and once again he catches the club with one hand, but his eyes hold no mercy as they turn crimson red. Using every ounce of his strength the demon tries to crush Isaac with his club, but Isaac shove the club away causing the Oni to topple over. Getting to his feet once more the Oni let out a terrible growl. However, he never knew what hit him as Isaac punches a fist size hole through the his neck. The snapped piece of wind pipe comes flying out the back of the Oni's necks, and the demon falls dead upon the ground never knowing what had killed him. Blood drips to the ground from Isaac's fist as he licks a tiny portion of away.
"Heh even your blood isn't tasty. Sigh what a drag," exclaimed Isaac as he walks over to where Hitomi lays unconscious or possibly dead.
"I hope your not dead little miss for there are still things I need to talk you about," thought Isaac as he disappears into the woods leaving Hitomi's limp body on the ground.
The Sun rises high into the sky as dawn's morning light greets the world with it shinning smile. Resting against a tree is Hitomi who's wounds have been attended to by the mysterious demon Isaac. The question though is why he saved her, and what his objective has to do with her. Opening one eye Isaac peer down from the tree branch he was in to check on the girl resting. She lays against the tree still unconscious do to the injury she had received from a demon yesterday. Letting out a sigh Isaac jumps from the tree branch he was in, and disappears into the wood for the time being. No sooner had he left that Hitomi begins to stir in her sleep. Lazily opening one eyes she see that it morning unaware of what had happen to her yesterday. Trying to get to her feet Hitomi wrenches in pain with her hand going to her side. Feeling an oozing liquid Hitomi takes her hand from her side to see it covered in blood, her blood to be exact. The memories of yesterday coming flooding back to her like a dam bursting open from the strain of holding too much water. Remembering being injured to death by the Oni Hitomi can't believe that she was still alive, but not only was she alive but her injuries had also been treated. Unsure about how this was all possible she slowly gets to her feet as to not strain her injured body.
"So your awake Hitomi-chan," entered Isaac who came stepping out of the woods with a bundle of stuff in his hands
"Are you the one that saved me last night?" asked Hitomi wondering what Isaac would get from saving her.
"Didn't I say I'd come back after you had calmed down a little," pointed out Isaac with a sly look on his face.
"What are you after? There must be a reason you saved me!" shouted Hitomi who was confused with Isaac cryptic remark.
"We got a long journey ahead of us so take this," replied Isaac handing the bundle over to Hitomi.
Taking the bundle away from him Hitomi slowly unwraps the furoshiki to reveal a set of clothes. Along with bamboo container full of a foul smelling liquid; However what caught her attention most was the scabbard that laid on top of the clothes. She instantly recognized it as the scabbard that her Ojii-san had given her before he died, and the only lead she had to finding her lost parents. Picking up the wooden Scabbard Hitomi once again felt like she was strangely close to her parents. After having a moment to think she proceed to thank Isaac, but before she could she notice that he was gone like a spring breeze passing by. Confused by the demon's action Hitomi takes the time to change out of her tattered clothes into the new ones provided by Isaac. Her new outfit consisted of a waist length hadagi, with a thigh length kosode which was mostly dark purple with blood red ellipse, which was fasten with a red obi, and waraji for her feet. Finally she had a white colored scarf wrapped securely around her head to hide her dog ears from view. Completely clothed in her new outfit Hitomi slips her scabbard inside the obi which holds firmly to her waist.
"I hope the new clothes are to your liking Hitomi-chan. I went through a good amount of trouble to acquire them," entered Isaac appearing from the woods silently.
"What is your objective Isaac? I doubt you saved me just out of courteously," commented Hitomi wearily looking at her potential savior.
"Are you saying that you rather die than be saved by a demon?" questioned Isaac with Hitomi looking annoyingly at him.
"Like I said I have no attention of aligning myself with creatures like you!" spat Hitomi turning her back to Isaac.
"Hmm I think you don't understand your situation yet," whispered Isaac as he grabbed Hitomi's shoulder forcefully turning the girl around to look at him.
"You don't realize how powerless you truly are do you?" uttered Isaac shoving her against a tree causing her to wrench in pain from the wound at her side.
"Who ever said that I was giving you a choice in anything. Your like a fly caught in a spider's web with me being the spider, and I can kill you anytime I choose little lady. However, you could be of some use to me so I've decided to keep you alive for a while longer. I hold the keys to your life whether you like it or not so I suggest you don't do anything to make me angry Hitomi-chan, but if you really have a death wish I can carry it out for you right now," explained Isaac in a sinister voice with his eyes flashing crimson red as he pressed her hardly against the trunk of the tree.
Hitomi gaze into Isaac eyes realizing that she was in a dire situation. His face showed no sympathy for her life, but instead there was blood lust within his them as if he wanted to kill her right there on the spot. It was like he said she was the helpless fly caught in a spider's net with the spider questioning if he should eat her now. Knowing that she was left with no option Hitomi eyes tear up upon realizing that her future was entirely in this demon's hands. Nonetheless it made her wonder why Isaac wanted her alive, and what use could she be to him. Staring into Isaac eyes Hitomi understandingly nods her head knowing that she was powerless against Isaac. A smile appears on his face as he let go of Hitomi while the girl rubs her shoulder.
"I'm glad that you see things my way Hitomi-chan. Oh and drink the contents in that container it'll help you recover a lot faster," said Isaac while thinking about what to do next.
"Ugh what is this horrible stuff!" cried Hitomi after taking a gulp of the foul drink.
"It the blood of various snake demon. It restore your blood content and help fight of poison and infection," answered Isaac never turning around to face Hitomi.
"I have one question though. Why are you keeping me alive and how can I be of use to you?" asked Hitomi taking another gulp of the horrible concoction.
"I'll tell you in do time, but for now it nothing you need to concern yourself with Hitomi-chan," answered Isaac turning to face Hitomi with a smile on his face.
All set to go the two begin traveling east with no particular destination in mind. Hitomi looks up at the sky with a slight smile on her face. Even though she was in a horrible situation she couldn't help but feel alive once more. Isaac may be a demon, but he was also the first person to show concern for her even if it was for his own gain. Not knowing where life would take her Hitomi makes a silent promise to herself to look for her parents no matter where they might be. Thus this was the beginning of her own personal journey to find her true self.
Angelic: Well that the end of chapter ten stay tune for chapter eleven of My True Identity. What will happen know that Hitomi is in the care of Isaac? You'll have to read the next chapter to find out! This is Angelic Swordsman Signing off.