Chapter 2- Bloodshed
There was much she didn't recall. So much she had yet to know. All of that was irrelevant to her. From Shura's point of view, the moment she drew her blades for the first time and cut down her foe was when her life began. Her past was meaningless compared to it. Like a broken blade, it was something she tossed aside without a second thought. Her name was the first thing she threw away. It was replaced with a new one—Shura, Japanese for bloodshed.
As for knowledge, it was of no benefit to her. Her height, the ability to write, and news of the political landscape- it wouldn't help her in battle. Her only ally was her strength.
What else would it be? The vile spirit possessing her? It aided her in battle, but only on whim.
"Once I find the warrior I can name stronger than you, you're finished" he had told Shura.
She believed his words to be honest. However, she didn't fear for her life and his threat appeared empty to her. After all, she had yet to meet such a person.
Shura the Black Oni. This name was written on one of the many wanted posters stapled across the small farming village. It was uncommon for killers to come to such remote locations. Only the local bandits cared to stir up trouble.
It was a uneventful morning, peaceful in town and sunny across the countryside. Farmers were outside working in the plantations. Men working in the livestock business were moving their herds out to feed. In town, doors began to open up and the small shops were ready to greet early bird customers.
None of them could help but freeze and stare at the figure that had strode in to town so boldly. This woman was tall and beautiful- with midnight black hair draping down over her left eye. The rest of her hair hung down her back in a neat ponytail that stretched to her knees. She was clad in black- wearing a revealing vest, a monstrous skull on her left shoulder, nothing on her crotch area except a thong, strips of curtain on the side of her hips, and dark blue socks under straw tabi. Her most unusual feature was the four swords strapped to her legs.
"Eh?" she said, "It's just farmers. Getting myself all excited for nothing."
"Hold it right there!"
Shura turned around to see two poorly equipped guards dashing at her.
"You're the Black Oni right?"
"That's what they call me here? I don't know if I should be flattered or pissed off being compared to an ogre."
"You're to come with us."
Shura reached for one of her blades. "Is that so? You sure you want to pick a fight with a notorious killer?"
"We can't just let you leave." said one of the guards, "Besides, this town needs the money on your head."
"How noble. But I'm not interested in fighting weaklings."
"Miss, you must come with us."
"I have better things to do. Either run away or attack already. Don't waste anymore of my time."
The second guard gulped. Both posed their blades forming a basic battle stance.
Shura let them make the first move. One moved ahead of the other and swung his blade at her neck. She noted the wanted poster must have not been particular on her being dead or alive when they subdued her.
Her katana suddenly jetted upward piercing the man's hand. He let out a scream in agony and his blade fell harmlessly onto the ground. Shura suddenly pulled it out and thrust into his chest. It went all the way through and came out into the other man's collarbone. The second guard fell backwards in fear and pain. He saw his partner fall down dead onto the ground. Clutching his wounded shoulder, he flew off down the street.
Shura didn't bother to pursue him. Instead she drew her blade to her lips and licked off the man's blood before it could drizzle away.
The remaining few villagers who hadn't fled now began to at last do so. Shura suddenly reached out and grabbed a young teen girl by the nape.
"Hey brat, you know where I can get a drink around here?" she asked.
The girl replied, "A-A… There's a tavern at the end of the block."
Shura released her and changed her attention to her weapons. She swung her blade to the side, knocking off any excess blood she had failed to consume. She sheathed it before walking menacingly down the road.
The black clad woman reached her destination within a few minutes. She was just about to burst through the bar's front door when something at her feet caught her interest. There was a man lying sheepishly at the bar door. From what she could tell, he was at least ten years older than her. He was wearing a baggy haori jacket, light blue with black and gold trim and a pair of worn out black pants. His socks and sandals were beaten from too much wear and negligence to be replaced. The kimono of his was also open, exposing a well-sculpted chest. As for his face, she hadn't seen it yet. It was obscured by a straw hat positioned to shield his eyes from the sun.
She casually nudged at his immobile form with her big toe. The man stirred a bit. Shura decided to give it another shot and nudged him harder.
"Ow" he said. "You kids are so mean. Go home to your mothers already!"
"Hey old man…" she said.
"Old man?" he asked. "Who you calling old?" He suddenly rose up, though still sitting with his legs crossed. Shura could see his face now. He had a sharp masculine jaw line and shoulder length brown hair tied behind him. As for his eyes, they were lost behind a flamboyant sleeping blindfold.
"Wake up. You wanna have a good time?"
"Huh?"
"Let's go somewhere more private first." she continued, "Hell, we can do it right here if you want to though."
He slowly asked, "That depends… what does your idea of a good time imply?"
Shura stretched out her leg and nudged at him again. This time she bumped the sword lying horizontally in his lap.
She said, "I want to put my skills to the test. So pick up your sword and let's do this."
The man didn't reply to her for a while. Shura began to scowl when he suddenly yanked off his blindfold.
"Sorry to disappoint you but… that would be difficult…given my predicament."
Shura gasped. This man was blind.
"Tcch" she said, "It's just one disappointment after another this month. If I don't get a decent fight soon I'll go mad. Not even a demon has sufficed."
"Demon?" he asked.
"They like to either stalk the roads attacking travelers or haunt shrines. They tend to be more powerful than people, but it's a shame they don't use weapons like you or I."
"So are you a demon slayer?"
"Nothing like it. I'm simply a killer looking for someone worth killing."
"Is that so? Well, there aren't many duelers in this town."
"But there are duelers, yes? Which one is strongest?"
"Strongest huh? Well there's a man named Matsu, leader of a gang. He boasts he's strongest. But there's also a guy named Kanbe. He's a ronin that's been in the town for a few days. I hear he's seeking opponents."
"Where can I find Kanbe?" asked Shura, sounding noticeably more excited.
"Hmm? Where… right in there." he answered her. He cocked his head to the left signaling her to the bar's door.
"Heh… I guess you were useful after all." she said.
"Glad to be of service… I think. You can thank me if you like. I haven't had a sip of sake in a week."
Shura walked into the bar without sparing him a second glance.
The blind swordsman sighed. He finally gave a smile.
What an interesting girl. Having a cup with her would be unforgettable. But…
He lowered his head.
There's a deep-rooted hatred in that woman's soul. I wonder when she became possessed by her sword.