Fan Fiction ❯ Bushido ❯ Snow Fiend ( Chapter 12 )

Welp, I'm up here in the mountains, second night here (June 2003). It's been fun so far - save for the fact when we went horseback riding I had a serious allergic reaction to God-knows-what. Teary, swollen eyes, sneezing, wheezing, the whole bit. In fact, my eyes are still slightly swollen and bloodshot (Not to mention the back pains from riding), so I dunno how much writing I'll finish before I finally decide to go to sleep and hope I feel better in the morning. Although, technically, it already is - 1:00 am as I type. I always did work better in ungodly hours…

Chapter 12: Snow Fiend

Oshima grumbled, trudging through the dense forest. His men were such fools. He needed confirmation that Nakano was dead before he'd rest easy. Since his men where all nothing but a band of imbeciles, he'd have to resort to his other sources.

Getting out had been a hassle. All his baka servants wouldn't leave him be as he ventured into the woods. Pleas such as, "Master, it's too dangerous to go out on your own," or "you're heirless, what happens should you perish?" and such. The daimyo snorted. This was his business, no one else's. Besides, all those foolish servants of his would only screw things up. This was too delicate, too important to mess with.

Masashi finally reached the clearing he aimed for. The small, abandoned temple came into the view from over the hill. The samurai smirked, jogging to the top of the knoll and to the shrine. He pushed aside the rotted rope dangling overhead, stepping inside.

Only one room made up the small sanctuary, most of the decorations long gone. The only fully intact relic lay at the far end of the area. Here Masashi made his stop, bowing before the miniature statue.

"Master, your humble servant beseeches you hear his words."

"So, the fool human begs the mighty Akurei for aid once more." A deep, uncanny voice ricocheted about the walls. "Come to borrow more of my minions? I know my other ones failed in your task, but I care not."

"Well, Master," Oshima stuttered, "that nuisance I spoke of before-Nakano Koichi, I know not if he is dead or alive. I need to know for certain. If he still breathes, I ask that one of your men finish him off. If he is dead… well, your man could notify me of this. I don't trust my own men with this anymore. All my vassals are idiots."

"As are mine." The voice retorted with a sharp sting, then sighed. "I suppose you'd wish for the work of one of my stronger, less stupid underlings? "

"That, uh, would be nice, Milord."

"Well, then the cost shall be higher. You are smart enough to be aware of my prices, human?"

"I am, Akurei-sama," Masashi bowed, "I am very aware."

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Her breath coming out in white mists, Haruko shivered, rubbing her shoulders. Cursed freezing weather! True, it meant no farming for some months, but the winters here could be hell, especially with only paper and wood for walls. Not the best insulators, that was for certain. The young woman wiped her nose on her sleeve, shifting from foot to foot. She hated waiting out here in the cold for so long. What was the hold up? Haruko blinked in surprise when she felt someone drape a thick, warm blanket over her shoulders.

She twisted her head around to see Koichi grin slightly, sheepishly. He came up next to her, pulling his own covering tighter around himself. Since Hojo's men wouldn't be back again for months, he'd deemed it safe to dress in his samurai clothes for the time being - he found them warmer than his farmer outfit.

"Just a bit nippy out here, ne?" he joked, then, noticing her look, explained, "gomen nasai, but your father needed me to get some things out of high storage for him. He's been a bit too stiff lately to climb up and get things himself." Haruko nodding, glancing at the horizon.

"I see. I thank you for being such a wonderful help to my father, Nakano-san. He really needs it, and I may not always be able to help him. Well, ready to go?" Koichi held up his katana, nodding.

"Hai. We're going to have to go pretty deep into the forest to get some decent firewood, though. All the trees nearby are tiny."

"'Tis sad, yet true." Haruko sighed, "Let's get moving. The sooner we leave, the sooner we return."

"Good logic. C'mon, I'll follow your lead." The samurai nodded, following the young woman through the frozen fields and into the woods.

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Dagon 's Claw sliced through the tree truck, easily dividing the plant into two.

"Careful," Koichi pulled Haruko back as the tree toppled, hitting the ground with a hard thunk. Haruko cursed herself inwardly, knowing the flush on her face wasn't fully due to the chill. Thankfully, Koichi failed to notice, hacking away at the fallen tree, tossing aside unneeded branches and other debris.

"There's the first bit," Koichi huffed, licking his dry lips. Haruko gathered the wood into a bundle. "How much more do you think we'll need?"

"Hopefully this one tree is enough," Haruko answered, "You fell quite a decent sized one." She shivered. "If you can slice through a tree that easily, I hate to think what your katana can do to flesh." Koichi looked up from his work.

"Sometimes it's best not to dwell on such morbid things. I try not to."

"I suppose so… All right, that should be enough." She nodded at the stack of wood.

"All right, hold on." Koichi hefted the timber into his arms, looking to the side. "Onward, my leader." Haruko laughed, turning back towards the trail they'd taken.

"There's a storage place for firewood right by the-whoa, hold on." Haruko paused, Koichi sliding to a stop behind her.

"What's wrong?" in inquired, peering over the large stack of wood.

"The trail… this… this can't be right." Haruko murmured, pointing ahead, "Look, it's not here anymore. There's nothing but large trees in the way." Koichi squinted through the snow, seeing what she meant.

"…You're right, something's wrong here…" he muttered. Koichi scanned his slanted eyes around, at the surrounding trees, the ground, the sky. The ronin frowned, a possibility coming to mind, "Kubota-san, come here."

"Nani? Ack!" the young woman yelped when Koichi pulled her to his side, the samurai glaring up at the trees. "Nakano-san, what's wrong?"

"Something's playing a trick on us, and I highly doubt it's a friendly one." Her friend growled.

"Really? What could it be?"

"It's not human, I'm certain of that." Koichi jerked his head to the right, "THERE!" He slammed the sole of his foot into the trunk next to him, creating a strong vibration. A bluish-greenish blur fell from the tree into the snow with a screech. Startled, Haruko leapt behind Koichi.

"What is that thing?" she asked.

"An illusionist demon. Probably one with power over forests, or snow. Maybe both." The creature on the ground cackled, jumping to its feet. Though obviously reptilian, it showed no signs of being cold, merely flashing its yellow eyes in amusement.

"Clever, clever human you are." It giggled at Koichi, who only leered in return, "No wonder Oshima's men and Master's tree demons failed to kill you before. You is smart for a simpleminded human."

"So now Oshima's got demons after me, huh? Seeking help from other worlds?" Koichi snarled, "He just won't let the whole damn thing go, will he?"

"The daimyo pays Master well to do his tasks," the demon chuckled, "But now that I knows you is living, I must kill you!" The demon leapt forward at the ronin. Koichi grit his teeth, blocking the imp's claws with Dragon's Claw. He kicked, sending the demon into a tree. Koichi glanced behind him at Haruko.

"Demons are powerful and dangerous, even the lesser ones," he warned, "Try to avoid him and hide instead, but don't stray too far. His illusions are just as deadly." Haruko nodded, scrambling behind a cluster of bushes.

"Maybe you is not so clever after all! You is not paying attention to I!" Koichi grunted, feeling the demon's talon foot slam into his chest, knocking him over. The ronin recovered quickly, getting to his feet and blocking the next attack.

"You're holding back, aren't you?" The samurai barked, "I don't like being toyed with." He slashed, grazing the demon's shoulder.

"But Yinik loves to toy!" the demon grinned, returning to the offensive, "If you is gonna be no fun, I might hunt girl for game first. Maybe she be more amusing to kill."

"Harm her at all, and you'll find your head removed from your shoulders before you can blink!" Koichi snarled, hitting hard, "Kubota-san has nothing to do with me, nor Oshima's quarrel with me!"

"It matters not. Yinik will have fun with humans, no matter who. Maybe I gets you first, maybe female. Either way, I have lots of fun tonight!" He swiped at Koichi, opening four gashes in the ronin's bicep. Koichi winced slightly, but made no verbal signs of pain. He instead replied with his own blow, managing to remove one of the evil creature's claws. The demon shrieked in pain, stumbling back.

"Dirty, stupid human!" he scowled. Koichi snorted, his sword clinking as he held it up, ready to defend.

"I warned you, demon." He stated simply. Yinik growled, eyes flashing dangerously.

"I is done playing, human! Time to die!" the creature glowed bright green, transforming. His remaining fingers elongated, wings sprouting from his back. His muscles rippled, and the demon sprung forward with insane speed, Koichi barely dodging.

Dammit! The ronin cursed mentally, pushing against the slippery snow, only to lose his balance and topple over. Rolling over swiftly, Koichi managed to avoid Yinik's next blow, though barely. Praise the kami for his own advanced speed.

"Nisk-Malin!" Yinik hissed, a burst of cold wind shooting from his fingertips. Koichi squinted his eyes, using his arms to shield himself from the cold winds. The icy air stung as it hit his skin, tearing at his sleeves.

Dammit, He thought, he does have ice powers. That's especially dangerous in this weather. Koichi glared at Yinik, who blew ice into his arm wound. The ronin tore the frozen water off, flinching when it stung. He leapt at the demon, managing to remove three more of the creature's fingers.

Haruko crawled along the undergrowth, cringing when she saw Yinik slash into Koichi's leg in fury. Biting her lip, she scanned her thoughts frantically for an idea-anything that could aid Koichi.

I don't care what he says, she thought, I gotta to something to help him. Nakano-san gave me plenty of sword lessons in the past months, I can do something. He's done so much for me and Otousan! Besides, the quicker we kill this demon, the better. Think! Glancing up, she spotted a thick branch within reach. It would make a wonderful makeshift bokken; the problem was removing it from the tree.

By an amazing stroke of luck, Yinik clawed at Koichi's obi, tearing the cloth off. Koichi's hakama slid down, tripping him, while his wakazashi tumbled into the bushes.

Praise all the kami! Haruko grinned, snatching the small sword and unsheathing it. Wow, it's heavy. How can Nakano-san swing these blades as if they were nothing? Samurai never cease to amaze me. She hefted the curved sword up, quickly hacking away at the tree branch. The limb fell, Haruko swiftly carving away the excess leaves and smaller branches. She crouched low, Koichi's wakazashi in one hand, her makeshift bokken in the other.

Koichi growled, returning Yinik's strike with fervor. "Damned demon!"

"I thought you says you not want I to hold back!" Yinik grinned.

"You wouldn't be such a smartass if I had my wakazashi!"

"Or if your pants weren't around your ankles, ne?"

"Blasted demon of the netherworld! I'll kill you!!"

"Honto? Actually, I think it'll be the opp-" Yinik failed to finish that sentence. Instead, a hard blow from a branch momentarily stunned him, knocking the evil creature over.

"Nakano-san! Catch!" Koichi looked up to see his wakazashi fly towards him. The ronin skillfully caught the hilt, twirling it around in his fingers before placing a firm grasp, armed with both blades. He grinned at Haruko, who stood behind Yinik, "bokken" in hands.

"Arigatou, Kubota-san!"

"You're welcome, Nakano-san."

"Kuso! You'll pay for hitting I!" Yinik snarled, flying up at the young woman. Haruko was all too prepared, whacking the demon across the face, sending him soaring back towards Koichi. The samurai failed to miss a beat, swinging his arms in a deadly wind of blades, removing Yinik's wings. The demon fell to the ground hard, his black blood soaking into the white snow. Life liquid flowed through his fangs, down his lips. Yinik stumbled to his feet, cursing mankind as the duo cornered him.

"What were you saying before, demon?" Haruko growled with uncharacteristic hatred.

"Wings or not, I is still stronger than you, woman!" Yinik spat, lunging with impressive velocity. Haruko dodged, but his remaining claws raked her side. The young woman cried in pain, and Koichi's eyes flashed in anger. Before Yinik could make a second attack, the ronin shoulder tackled him into the snow.

"Remember what I said before?" the man snarled, pinning the evil being down, blades pressed against its throat. Never giving the demon a chance to respond, Koichi tore both swords across, decapitating Akurei's minion. Yinik's body twitched a few minutes before going limp, his yellow eyes glazing over. Koichi sighed, relaxing his muscles and pulling up his hakama. He plodded through the snow, over to Haruko.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, "Let me look at that." Haruko moved her hand from where Yinik had scratched her. Koichi examined the cuts, then sighed. "They're not deep at all, thankfully. Should heal by the end of next week.

"Well, what about you?" Haruko asked, raising her eyebrows. "He hit you more, and harder." Koichi glanced at the wounds in his bicep and leg, knowing they were deeper than Haruko's. However, they were still minor, and would heal quickly as well.

"They're not that bad," he shrugged, fishing around for his blades' scabbards and the remains of his obi. Sheathing his swords, Koichi used the longest cloth piece he could find to tie up his hakama. He slipped his daisho into the belt, helping Haruko to her feet. He picked up another piece of cloth, handing it to his companion. "Use it to cover your wound so it doesn't risk infection." He explained. She nodded, doing so.

"What about your wounds?" she asked. He tore shreds from his cloak in response.

Seeing her looked, he spoke, "It matters not. Clothes can be replaced, but my health is harder to restore." Koichi changed the subject a bit, gathering the wood back into his arms, "Kubota-san, you know, you're pretty quick in both body and wit. That was quite a blow you gave him." Haruko grinned.

"Ah… arigatou, Koichi-san. You were-" Her eyes widened, realizing her blunder. "Nakano-san, forgive my rudeness, I never… uh…What's so funny?" She blinked at the chuckling ronin.

"I take no offense at all," he said, "Actually, maybe our formalities were a bit overused, ne? After all, we've been sparing partners for quite a while, and is it too much of me to assume we've become friends as well?" he smiled, "Well? What say you, Haruko-san?" She returned the grin, nodding.

"I think I'd have to agree. So, it's Koichi-san now?"

"Hai. And Haruko-san. Your father won't mind me calling him just 'ojisan,' would he?"

"To be honest, I think he'd be flattered, He adores you, you know. You're like a son to him."

Koichi chuckled, then looked ahead. "Oi, Haruko-san, look." He pointed - Yinik's illusion of trees was long gone, their path once again clear."

"Yosh'!" Haruko looked up at Koichi, "Shall we head back then? I'm freezing." He nodded, and the duo set back towards the Kubota household.

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"Ah, so the young robins return to the nest," Hidemi greeted as Koichi and Haruko returned with the firewood. He tilted his head, squinting, "By the spirits! What happened to you two?!" Koichi sighed, dropping the wood into its container before plopping down on the deck.

"Ojisan," he muttered, "I don't know if you'd believe us if we told you."

"Hai," Haruko agreed, sitting down next to Koichi.

"Nonsense!" the old man disagreed, pulling at them until they stood back up. "Nakano-san, after all the crazy adventures you've had, I wouldn't doubt your word for a moment! Come, let's get you guys out of the cold and tend to your wounds." He opened the shoji then paused, looking back at the ronin, "Ojisan?"

"Uh, yes, I…" Hidemi laughed, reaching up and ruffling the young man's hair.

"That's just fine with me, Koichi-san. Just fine." He chuckled, closing the door behind the teenagers once they came in.

"Told you he'd be thrilled," Haruko giggled, whispering to Koichi, who only smiled.

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Akurei snarled from his room, upsetting the pool he'd been looking into with a swing of his arm.

"Damn humans!" He snarled, "They killed Yinik! This… Koichi? He is stronger than I'd thought. Curse the tengu! I should know better than to underestimate ones trained by those blasted goblins!" He growled, his purple eyes flashing a bright red.

"Akurei-sama!" The demon lord turned his head back towards the pool, now showing an image of Masashi.

"Dammit, Oshima, you fool, what do you wish to pester me with now?" he grumbled dangerously. The daimyo bowed low.

"Forgive me, sir, I just wanted to know how your servant did."

The demon snorted, "Yinik's last memories were just transmitted to my lair. The ronin you seek lives, but my minion has died." Though knowing the human could not see him, he raised a claw as if to silence the man, "Do not say it, Oshima-baka. If you want me to waste more of my vassals, I require more payment."

"But… but sir!"

"Silence, mortal fool! That was our deal! I will need powerful servants to defeat this samurai, and so now I ask for 5,000."

"5,000? But I'll need to surrender one of my own vassals for that much!"

"You're complaining? I thought you believed all your servants to be fools." Akurei sneered.

"… This is true. I see your wisdom, great Akurei. I shall bring one of my loyal fools to you tomorrow morning. His force shall be yours."

"It'd best be, Oshima," Akurei growled, "Or you'd be smart not to seek me out again."

"H-hai, Akurei-sama!" The short man stumbled out of the shrine, his image disappearing from the demon's pool. Akurei sat back, grinning, his sharp teeth gleaming in the darkness.

"Fool. Humans are so easy to manipulate. It is a sin that I must resort to their unknowing help for my needs and plans…"

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Lesse… 12:45, Thursday. Only took me about 4 days to do, and I managed to do 2 Samurai BANZAI! strips in that time as well. Not bad, I guess. By the time you guys are reading this, it's either 6/14/03 or later, because I get back home this Saturday, and that's when I once again have access to the Internet. Sorry it's shorter than some of the other chapters, but, then again, I guess my chapters are kinda long regardless, huh?

Know what? I don't think I used any new words or customs this chapter! O.O Someone pleas notify me if I'm wrong… ( pikaholly@email.com ) Don't use the address in my profile - I'll end up in my junk folder and I'll probably accidentally delete it. I need to change my account e-mail….

Well, I'd best wrap it up. My friend wants her laptop back. ^^;