Fan Fiction ❯ Silver Tear ❯ Hoku's Journey Begins ( Chapter 1 )

Takerin looked out the window. A cold breeze came through and went right through her fine, thin rags. It chilled her to the bone, but she didn't let it bother her. Being a servant, she was used to being cold and uncomfortable. Her owner never treated her servants with respect. Mostly because they were human. They all lived in a fine mansion, but to her, it didn't live up to it's fine accommodations. She and the other servants slept down in the cold dark dungeon. The only time they saw the light was when their master needed them. Takerin respected her master and obeyed her every will. Mostly hoping that someday their master would have pity on her and set her free. Takerin came from a small village that had been attacked by a demon. The village and its people were destroyed. She was the only one left standing. When the demon turned on her, she begged for her life to be spared. The demon agreed and took Takerin to her mansion and made her into a slave.

Takerin drew from the window and faced the long hall. Fear struck through her when she heard her master's voice calling. Trying not to run or look too intimidated, she eased down the hall to the large room at the end. A dim light shone through the painted glass door. The floral and bamboo design reflected on the wall beside her. She looked at them warmly. She had once been an artist. A good one too.

Her master's voice came through the door again. Beckoning her to come in.

"Coming my lady." Takerin said, and she opened the sliding door.

Her master was standing in front of a large window. She wore a loose Kimono, and a printed robe over it. Her long, white-blue hair blew in the wind that came through the open window and white skin reflected brightly in the sunlight. The sun shone through and was lighting up the room. Large, smoking oil lamps hung from the ceiling. The smell could have put Takerin asleep. It was sweet and musky. She tried not to let it distract her too much.

"You called, my lady?" she said while bowing.

Her master didn't turn. She kept her eyes at the window.

"I hear from the other servants that another demon had wondered into my territory." she said. "Is this true?"

Takerin shivered. She noticed that her master's question didn't sound like a question. It sounded more like an order.

"Yes, my lady." she replied. "A Shikoku dog demon by the name of-"

"Silence!" her master interrupted.

Takerin hushed quickly. She'd always worried about slip-ups. Knowing that her master could easily kill her with a single flick of her wrist.

Her master's large, black tipped ears twitched and turned to face Takerin.

Takerin avoided her master's large, green eyes. She never looked at her straight in the face.

"I know the mutt's name." said her master. She then turned away from Takerin, and faced the window once more with a grin. "I hear she is strong. A fine trophy for my collection. Wouldn't you agree Takerin?"

Takerin gasped. It was the first time her master had ever called her by her name.

"Yes, my lady." she said. "I agree."

She looked over on the far wall and saw a large group of various demon heads hung there. They had all been defeated by her master.

Her master was a fearsome cat demon by the name of Hoku. She was feared and intimidated by many all over the country. She took pleasure in fighting. When her foes were defeated, she severed her heads and mounted them on her wall.

Hoku was considered strong like most Zodiac demons. They were known as the first creatures that roamed the land long before humans ever did. Many of them were strong and terrible beasts. Others, however, were kind and gentle such as the Zodiac rabbit and chicken.

There were also other demons to roam the land in these dangerous times. The Imps, ogres, and devils were huge and strong giants, but lacked the smarts and speed of an animal based demon. The animal based ones that weren't of Zodiac origin weren't as powerful and normally didn't possess the gift of having a spirit form. This was another thing that set the Zodiac demons apart from the rest. A spirit form showed their inner self as a human, but with the features of an animal, forming a hybrid. Those who did have a spirit form, went through hard training to maintain and focus their power. It was hard work nevertheless.

Takerin hadn't met too many demons or knew too much about them before she met her master.

"Takerin," Hoku said strictly.

Takerin snapped from her thoughts and faced her master.

"Fetch me my `work' clothes." Hoku ordered with a grin. "It's time to see how strong this Marrowind really is."

* * * *

Hoku strode boldly from her mansion. She was now wearing a red yakata with white pants. She wore a blue obi that was tied in a butterfly bow in the back. She heaved a deep sigh and looked around. The landscape was covered in greens. Many forests grew in the area as well as grass. Hoku loved being outside.

It took Hoku a long time to get used to the climates and scenery of Japan. Her original land of origin was eastern China. Her family was known for their dominance and she was raised in wealth and prosperity. It wasn't too long after when the humans began to take over the land. When they took rule of her family's land, the head of her family, Linn Chang, sent her to this new place to restore her family. But Hoku was a devious one, she didn't fully fulfill her grandfather's wish, not finding a mate and all, and took rule of western Japan by herself instead. She wanted everyone to cower before her name, and not the name of her forgotten family.

The wind blew strongly through her hair. That's when she caught the scent. Her eyes widened. Something was coming. Just when she turned, a ball of flame shot out from the door behind her. She jumped out of the way and was thrust forward by a huge explosion. She did a flip and landed on her feet. She looked at her home in sheer terror. It was up in smoke. Fire burst from the windows and roof. It wasn't too long before the whole thing was up in flames. The sky was black with smoke.

The smell of burning human flesh met her nose. She knew that all of her servants had been killed. Ironically, she was about to set her favorite servant free. Her house was destroyed along with all most prided possessions. She knew that she was now in poverty and was no longer great for all that she had worked for.

She turned and walked from the flames. Seeking vengeance for the one who had destroyed her life.

* * * * *

Hoku laid beside a large pond. She stared at the reflection of a large, white, green eyed cat demon. Her true form. There were three scars on her right cheek. They had been created by her own claws out of anger.

She had been wandering for months now. Searching for the one who had destroyed her manner and greatness, killing everyone she met in her path. She still hadn't found the one called Marrowind. She had a feeling that the dog demon had been the one who destroyed her home. She had been searching for her ever since. She was alone but not afraid. She wouldn't let foolish friendship or compassion stand in her way. She would live up to her feared name and never let her guard down again.

She suddenly stood up. Her claws unsheathed and her fur rose on her back. Someone had been watching her, she could sense it. She let out a shrieking roar to beckon whoever it was to their death.

A tall yellow fox demon stepped out. It had small, glinting red eyes.

Hoku roared and hissed, showing the fox that she wasn't afraid.

The fox didn't move. It just stood there and stared at her.

It was just as tall as she was in her true form. She wasn't very big for a demon but she was strong. She fearlessly took on much larger opponents, but she wasn't going to let her guard down because of his size. Most foxes were small, but tricky. She'd never went against one before so she wasn't going to kill him just yet. She wanted to see what it was made of first.

She roared again.

The fox demon continued to stare at her, not moving at all.

Hokou was beginning to feel annoyed. It didn't seem afraid of her, and that bothered her the most of all. She was beginning to loose her patience. She went down on her hunches and lunged.

The fox leapt out of the way and landed on a large rock at the other end of the pond.

Hokou growled and lunged at it again. This time, when she got close enough, she tore at it with her fire claws.

The rock was desecrated. It was in many smoky pieces by the time she landed back on her feet. Hoku turned and saw the fox at the other end of the pond from were she had started.

She let out a roar of frustration, and tried again, and again, and again, but the fox acted like it was only playing a mere game of tag with her.

Hoku couldn't understand it. She couldn't touch it. She couldn't even get close enough to reach out and slap it. She was now gasping for breath. She had used up all of her energy to gather enough speed to catch it, and now she was warn out.

The fox kept on staring at her. It didn't even brake a sweat.

Hoku suddenly felt alienated and insulted. Never in her life had anyone got the better of her. She wasn't willing to give up or retreat. Her foolish pride held her back. She turned back into her spirit form, then glared at the fox.

Unable to move, the fox just glared back. Of course, It couldn't paralyze people with his stare like Hoku could.

"What do you want?" Hoku demanded.

She then blinked, and the fox was able to move again.

The fox then transformed into his spirit form.

"Why didn't you glare at me before?" he grinned. "You probably could have caught me then."

Hoku looked at him from head to toe. He was slightly taller than her now. He had small fox feet and pointy little ears. His hair was a light, yellow-blonde and was drawn back into a long braid. He wore a tan and green kimono. His bright blue eyes seemed friendly.

"I don't want to capture you." said Hoku. "I want to kill you!"

"Why?"

"What in the hell do you mean by that?!"

The fox shrugged.

"Well, I wasn't doing anything to you. So why would you want to kill me?"

Hoku hissed. She didn't know what to say to this. The fox was obviously trying to confuse her. She wasn't about to let that happen.

"Listen you." she finally said. "Just leave now before I really do kill you. I was only toying with you before."

The fox 's eyebrow raised. He then nodded.

"All right..." he said. "By the way, my name's Kitasato."

"What do you want?" Hoku repeated.

Kitasato shrugged.

"You looked lonely." He said.

Hoku's eyes flashed. She was never lonely. She liked being alone.

"I am not lonely." she hissed. "I'm just alone. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Not at all," said Kitasato. "But don't you get lonely at times?"

Hoku folded her arms.

"No. I'm just fine."

"Where do you come from?" Kitasato suddenly asked. "I've never seen you around here before."

Hoku sighed. It made her sad to think of her once beautiful home. How it had just suddenly went up in flame. She suddenly became angry.

"That's none of your business." said Hoku.

Kitasato looked at her from head to toe.

"Well, then I'll guess." he said thoughtfully. "Judging by your nice clothes and your well groomed stature, you were rich."

Hoku didn't say anything. She knew that she was always well groomed, but she wasn't about to admit it.

Kitasato kept on thinking.

"And your home was destroyed…"

Hoku gasped.

"Ouch, I struck a nerve!" said Kitasato humorously.

"How do you know?" Hoku asked. "I don't deny the fact, I just… want to know."

Kitasato sat down.

"A lot of us know." he said. "You are the fearsome cat demon, Hoku, aren't you?"

"Yes." Hoku sighed. She then sat down on a rock across from him.

"I'm sorry to hear about your home." said Kitasato. "I once belonged to a rich family, but our home was also destroyed too. Taking my parents with it."

Hoku couldn't believe that he knew about her. She felt somewhat invaded. She stood up.

"I don't need your sympathy." she said. "I still don't know what you want with me. Your problems are no concern of mine."

Kitasato stood up too.

"Yes it is." he said. "The same demon destroyed my home too."

"Marrowind?" Hoku gasped. "You've… heard of her?"

"Oh, yes." Kitasato nodded. "She owns the east-lands."

"Have you seen her before?" Hoku asked. "Do you know where she is?"

Kitasato looked thoughtful. He had a cunning look about him that made Hoku feel uneasy.

"Yes." he finally said. "I know where she is."

Hoku was about to ask him where, but her pride held her back.

"Do you want me to tell you?" Kitasato asked.

"No." Hoku said. "I can figure it out on my own."

With that, she stood up. She looked down at Kitasato with a frown.

"Listen, if you even think of following me, I will kill you."

"Like you did back there?" she heard Kit ask after a couple steps.

She paused for a moment, then continued on her way. She wanted to ignore him.

"Uh, Hoku?" Kit said as he pointed over his shoulder. "That way is east. You're going north."

Hoku growled and turned around.

"Okay, Mr. Smart-ass!" she hissed. "If you think you know the way then show me!"

Kitasato smiled.

"With pleasure."

Hoku groaned. She fell into it.

"I really don't like you." she said as she walked back up to him.

"I can live with that." Kitasato grinned. "It makes sense to travel together seeing as how we're both after the same person."

"No… no, no." Hoku shook her head. "You said you'd show me the way. I travel alone."

"Well… isn't showing the way and traveling the same thing?" Kitasato asked.

"Ugh!" Hoku growled. "You're impossible!"

"No." Kitasato said. "I'm impeccable."

"That's what I was afraid of…" Hoku groaned. "Okay, fine! But when I say it's time to split off, then we spit. Got it!?"

Kitasato nodded. He then pointed in the way she started to walk.

"I was only kidding before." he said as he walked. "You were going the right way. I was just messing with you."

Hoku stared behind him angrily. She then caught up with him with clenched fists.

"Don't make me kill you before we get there…" she hissed.

"Ah… yes." Kitasato said as he stared up at the sky. "I can see that this is the starting of a beautiful friendship."