InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Alternate Storyteller ❯ Orientation ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

For the next nine weeks, Hoshi very graciously put me up in her home and not only fed me, but taught me the bare necessities of existing in her time. I learned about the most commonly-used herbs and plants for food and medicine, watching and listening carefully as she explained how they were to be prepared and stored. I ended up with a crash course in first-aid as well one day, when a villager came in with injuries sustained in the fields. I also utilized my time with her to the fullest to improve my Japanese and learn the etiquette that would ensure my social survival. In return for her endless patience and generosity, I helped her with some of her duties, like giving medical aid and tending to the gardens and fields with the rest of the village folk. I grumbled at first because I hated gardening, but after about a week, I realized every task she gave taught me a bit more about the culture and land I was dealing with. Every once-in-a-while, I was allowed to assist Hoshi with the most minor of tasks required in the upkeep of the small shrine located on the small hill at the west side of the village. Those opportunities were few and far between, however, because I wasn’t a follower of their religion.

One morning I woke up with a decent-sized case of wanderlust. Hoshi sensed this because she sat down with me during the midday meal and addressed the issue that had been distracting me during our morning chores.

“I sense that you wish to explore the land on your own,” she observed with uncanny insight, “I, too, feel that you should go, although, as with the night you came to our village, I do not precisely understand why.”

“I don’t understand it completely myself.” I replied, somewhat confused. I had no idea where this restlessness had come from. I was simply compelled to take up my own journey. “I know I haven’t acquired all the skills I need to live here on my own, and yet I feel the strangest need to see and do something. I just don‘t get it.”

“The one skill that you lack is the ability to defend yourself should you be set upon by a bandit or demon,” She looked unhappy at this thought. “I cannot teach you this myself because my skills are focused in the healing and communication aspect of the spiritual realm.” She thought hard for a moment and spoke again, “Kenichi-san is the most skilled warrior of our people. I will ask him if he will teach you the ways of defence, and perhaps some attacks should you be forced to take the offensive in a battle.” The prospect of actually having to fight someone for my life stemmed the odd excitement that was already coursing through my veins. Fear was beginning to war with my desire to be see this strange, and yet familiar, world. It must have shown on my face, because the next words she spoke were soothing.

“Do not fear what you do not know,” she said gently, “for as long as you keep your head and apply what we have taught you to every difficult situation, you will live to see another sunrise.” I took some comfort from her words, although they didn’t entirely dispel the chill now gripping my heart. She stood up abruptly and gestured to the door.

“Come,” she commanded, “We will go and see whether or not Kenichi-san will teach you what he knows.” I got to my feet and followed her out the door as she purposefully made her way to a small hut on the outskirts of town. She stepped up to the door, called “Kenichi-san”, and waited. I stood just behind her, a bit scared about what kind of drill sergeant would walk out the door. Not a moment after she called, the straw mat over the door swung aside and out stepped what appeared to be a seasoned warrior with a stern face. Wherever you could see his skin around his yukata, he had scars. Arms, legs, face, hands; everywhere. His bearing was of a man who had seen many hardships and battles in his life. His build spoke of many hard hours of training, even though Hoshi told me on the way over that it had been several years since he had seen actual battle. His salt-and-pepper hair was thick, falling to his waist, and was currently pulled back into a high ponytail. His eyes were the most unnerving part of him. They were dark, unreadable, and yet seemed to penetrate your very heart and soul. He reminded me of Amon from Witch Hunter Robin for some reason. The thought amused and terrorized me.

“Hoshi-sama! What a pleasant surprise! To what do I owe this pleasure?” Kenichi exclaimed, his rough, deep voice sounding his genuine pleasure at his visitor.

“I must ask a great favour of you, Kenichi-san.” She gestured at me trying dismally to hide behind her slight form, “Persephone-san has need of some battle skills. Would you be willing to take her as your pupil for a while?”

Kenichi turned his attention to me. Was it my imagination, or did his face soften a bit when he realised I was the one with Hoshi? The moment was fleeting and broke completely when he turned back to Hoshi and addressed her request.

“I was wondering when you were going to bring Hothead over and ask,” he said with a hint of amusement. At the beginning of my stay, some village kids thought that because I had red hair my head was on fire. The nickname stuck, much to my displeasure. “I’ve seen you and many of the village teaching her everything you and they know.” His tone turned teasing, “So you finally realized that you don’t know everything?” My jaw dropped at his reply. Since when did anyone other than InuYasha address their village priestess so brazenly?!

To my even greater astonishment, Hoshi merely smiled and replied calmly, “Yes,” and added mischievously, “So? Are you going to help us or are you too old to show off and bellow instructions at a poor, helpless female?” I had to battle to contain my laughter and hope it didn‘t show on my face.

Kenichi merely smiled and bowed graciously. “I bow to your superior wit, as always. And of course I’ll help you. When do you wish to start?”

“Tomorrow morning will be fine,” Hoshi said with a smile of her own. Kenichi nodded his agreement at the arrangement and turned his attention to me once more.

“I wish to speak with Hothead about her training. Does she have a moment?” he asked Hoshi, although his eyes remained on me, as if he was sizing me up. I felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but agreed to meet with him. Hoshi bade me farewell and told Kenichi that I couldn’t be too long because we still had chores to do before sunset. After Hoshi turned and left, Kenichi led me around to the back of his hut, where he had a veranda of sorts with a couple of cushions next to a low table. He gestured that I should make myself at home on the one cushion and sat down across from me.

“I asked to speak with you alone because I wish to know how much you know about defence and weapons,” he began simply. So, he was a man of few words. I would do the best I could to honour his generosity and avoid rambling on about myself. I told him about my limited instruction in Go-Ju Kai karate and Kung Fu, adding with a bit of pride my higher rank in Korean martial arts. He looked kind of amused and disturbed when I talked about the Kung Fu, but said nothing to interrupt me. I moved on to describe the limited weapons training I’d had with both the shinai and Tai Chi sword. Since the shinai was relatively new in my time, I had to give a brief explanation about Kendo as well. He took all this in without a word and seemed to ponder it for a while. After several minutes, I just blurted out, “If need be, I can scream bloody murder and run, as well.” He looked up, startled at the abruptness of my words. He chuckled when he realized what I’d said.

“That would be a good skill, young one, for it could very well buy you the time needed to escape a dangerous situation.” His grin grew as he continued his thought, “Perhaps you should learn the names of the people to scream that you think would scare your attackers off, too.” I grinned at his comment. I could think of a certain someone already. “However,” he said as he got to his feet, “you should be on your way or Hoshi-sama will most certainly put some sort of ill will over me for keeping you from your duties.”

I got up, bowed as gracefully as I could, and made my way back to the other end of the village and my waiting chores.

Hos hi got me up just before dawn so I could grab something to eat and make a lunch.

“Kenichi-san is tough. He saw many battles and commanded many men back in his youth. However, he is also fair and generous, as you already know from his agreeing to train you,” she explained as she doled out our breakfast. “He asks only that you work hard and learn all you can before you leave the village.”

Kenichi had come by just after sunset to finalize the terms of my training. We all agreed that it would be best if I stayed an extra four weeks and was excused from my regular chores to train every day to get as much as possible from him. I was fine with it last night, but the morning had found me grumpy at the thought of another four weeks stuck in the village. Hoshi glanced at me as she caught some of my mutinous grumbling.

“Persephone!” she said sharply, “I will not send you out without a means of defence, no matter how strongly this yearning pulls at you! Be grateful that Kenichi-san is willing to take you on for such a short period of time.”

I felt ashamed of my bad mood and apologized, “I’m sorry, Hoshi-sama. I know that it’s very generous of Kenichi-san to take the time to impart his knowledge to me. It’s also most kind of you to arrange all this for me in the first place. Please forgive me.” I finished humbly, bowing low. Hoshi bowed her head in acknowledgement of my apology, then sighed.

“I fear this strange pull you feel will lead you act rashly.” She came and sat down facing me, “Please, be as strong as you can and resist these urges until you have finished your training.”

I took her hand between my own. “I will do my best for both you and Kenichi-san.” I vowed to her. She smiled and squeezed my hand.

“That is all I ask of you,” she replied. Hoshi looked at the lightening sky and got up, bringing me with her. “Now, you must be off. Kenichi-san will be expecting you.” I grabbed my midday meal and dashed out the door, crying “See you later!” as I ran down the road.

I didn’t stop running until I arrived at Kenichi’s back door, panting and raring to go. He was waiting for me, piles of cloth and metal lying by his feet.

“Don’t use up all your energy yet!” he scolded as I approached the hut. I gave him a chagrined look and a bow. He smiled faintly at my “Forgive me, Sensei,” and gestured at the piles on the floor.

“The first thing you are going to do is garb yourself as is befitting a warrior-in-training.” I was wearing the calf-length sleeveless peasant kimono and headscarf I had been given my first day here. “These,” he pointed to the cloth pile, “will be your training clothes. You are to wear them everyday with me, and I also want you to wear them while going about your daily business with Priestess Hoshi. This will help you to become more comfortable in them in the coming days.” I nodded to show my understanding. Pleased that I was so agreeable, he then pointed to the metal pile. “This will be addressed at a later date, when I feel that you have earned it.”

With a smile he picked up the dark clothes and tossed them to me, advising me to dress as quickly as possible. I hurried into his hut, eager to put on some real clothes. My training uniform consisted of medium brown hakama and haori, complete with the front panel closure that InuYasha had on his haori. The hakama where open on the bottom like Hoshi’s. I even had the appropriate underclothes that were supposed to be worn with the outfit. I was delighted when I saw what I was training in. After spending several minutes sweating and swearing over them and having to sheepishly ask for some directions about how the stupid things went together, I came out and presented myself for inspection. He eyed me critically and pronounced my appearance acceptable. Next, he took me to a clearing not far from his place and began my instruction.

“Now,” Kenichi began, all business, “show me what you have learned about our fighting style from your land, using this wooden katana.” I nervously picked up the training weapon and gave a somewhat clumsy demonstration of my battle prowess. When I was done, he looked most unhappy.

“That will not do!” he huffed, “You move as though you are a log. You must flow as a gentle, graceful stream and strike like a snake, while your blows bear your opponent down like a boulder falling from a cliff.”

I knew what he meant. It was somewhat similar to the iron butterfly concept, which I had heard in dance class repeatedly. You had to dance like it was no effort, but have the stamina to see it to the end. I did what I could to not take his comment personally. In what I hoped was a calm tone, I gave my excuse for my poor performance.

“Forgive me, Sensei. I have not trained with the shinai for some time.”

“Why is that? Do you think it beneath you to use such a weapon?” he asked, crossing his arms and with a scowl.

“No, Sensei. It is because I am a poor student with it and as a result, I do not enjoy practicing.” I replied. Kenichi ‘humphed’ and looked hard at me for a moment. I forced myself to not break our staring contest.

“Show me what you can do with that flimsy sword those fools on the Continent use,” he barked suddenly. I jumped to obey, only to discover there wasn’t anything similar I could use.

“Sensei,” I began hesitantly, “what do I use for a sword?”

He picked through the brush and pulled out a stick about the length and weight of a Chinese sword. It wasn’t very good for what I was about to do, but it was the only thing available. He thrust it at me, which I took as my cue to begin. As I stood in the clearing, I closed my mind and visualized my stances. I began to move, feeling the sword as an extension of my body, my movements graceful and flowing. Thrust, parry, turn, step, twirl, crouch. I lost track of time as I performed the intricate dance, startled out of my concentration when Ken harrumphed loudly.

“It is clear that you prefer this style to everything you have learned,” he said with great disdain. My anger flared up at this. I knew why the sword style had been developed, but kept my mouth shut. Why was he so hostile, anyway? Did it have to do with the fighting style being Chinese? My questions were answered by his next comment.

“It is beautiful to look at, but has no substance beyond training or fighting against someone who uses the same style.” He snorted derisively, “You would be slaughtered while you tried flitting around your opponent.”

I had to answer to that! “Sensei, with all due respect, the Chinese developed the style as a counteraction to your warriors’ fight--”

“Enough!” he snarled, “I am well aware of what its purpose is! That is enough for today. You will return at the same time tomorrow.” With that, he turned on his heel and stalked back to the hut, not looking to see if I was following him. I followed him at a distance and picked up my things. He was already in the hut, and after giving the door a fearful look, I ran back to Hoshi’s.

Later that night, I relayed what had happened to Hoshi. She looked somewhat disturbed at the beginning, but her expression cleared by the end.

“Your fighting style brings back memories of his wife,” she stated.

“What?!” I exclaimed, “How so?”

“Shortly after they were married, she was slain by a rogue warrior from the Continent. He caught up to the man a few days later, but the rogue had killed himself to deny Kenichi-san his revenge. He still carries some of the bitterness and anger,” she explained.

“Oh,” I spoke in a small voice, “So I guess further training with the Chinese sword is out of the question.”

Hoshi sighed sadly and nodded. I slumped down and ate the rest of my supper, bidding Hoshi good-night shortly afterwards. As I lay in the dark, I felt sympathy for Kenichi and his anguish. As I fell asleep, I resolved to put aside my love for the sword for now and work hard at what he could teach me, thereby honouring him.

When I arrived that morning, Kenichi proceeded like the events of the day before never happened. I decided if he wanted to put it behind him, I could too. I learned how to hold the katana properly and to move more smoothly with it, so he spent the day showing me the basic katas and helping me with my positions. I dragged myself home, absolutely exhausted but happy with my progress.

The ensuing days were the same as the second, with my progress advancing rapidly. I didn’t know if it was the instructor I’d had back home sucked or just being here in the Feudal era inspired me, but everything came to me with more ease than I’d ever experienced. By the end of the third week, Kenichi was pleased with the results.

“You are learning quickly and correctly,” he praised as we sat in the shade, taking a break between sessions, “I think tomorrow we will try the techniques with an addition.”

I was puzzled by his comment as I walked home, wondering what on earth the addition could be. I shrugged it off for the time being and hurried the rest of the way, thinking of the savoury supper that awaited me.

By the time I arrived at Kenichi’s hut the next morning, I was practically prancing around, I was so excited to see what he was going to teach me today.

He walked out the door, carrying the same metal pile that I’d seen by his feet the first day of training. He motioned for me to follow him to our training ground and once we got to our destination, he carefully placed his burden on the ground.

“I feel that you have earned this,” he spoke as he turned to me. In his hands he held a dark grey breastplate with a black strip across the top that would cover my chest. It had shoulder straps and was similar in make to the one Ayami wore on the show. I couldn’t believe it! I would be getting my own armour! Kenichi helped me put it on. It was a bit heavy, as was to be expected with a piece of metal, yet it allowed me a good range of movement. Next, he held up thick leather forearm guards. He helped me put those on as well and then pulled out the unexpected.

“I feel you should have this,” he explained as he held it out for me, “It was my weapon as a youth and it seems fitting I should pass it on to another youth who would properly honour it. It is called ‘Tomoshibi’.”

I was overwhelmed. Not only was he giving me armour, but his childhood katana as well. It was simple, with a plain black sheath and leather-wrapped handle. I pulled the blade out and took a closer look at it. The blade was also unadorned, but clean and sharp, and the hand guard was a simply-carved design and plain silver.

“I don’t know what to say, Kenichi-sama!” I managed to choke out, almost in tears.

“Say you will use these well and honour you old master,” he said with a gentle smile. He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Now, I will show you how to fight with them.”

So we moved into the final stage of my training. I worked doubly hard that week to become comfortable with moving in the armour and wielding the katana. Kenichi was very happy by the end of my last day.

“I have taught you the basics for survival and now it will be up to you in how you use them,” he said as I took the stuff off and packed it up and headed back to Hoshi’s to celebrate.

When we got back, it was to Hoshi waiting with a celebratory meal of rice dumplings and tuna sushi, with a special dessert for afterwards. Once we finished eating the delicious food, we stayed up late into the night, swapping stories about virtually everything we could think of, trying to one-up each other. It was in the small hours of the morning by the time Kenichi had said goodnight and I was heading off to bed.

Just before I lay down, Hoshi approached me, a serious look on her face.

“When do you wish to leave?” she asked as I settled onto my mat.

“I was thinking the day after tomorrow,” I replied, pulling the covers over me.

“Very well. Just remember what I told you about your visions.” For the past several nights, I had been having very vivid dreams about a few specific people . She wasn’t sure these were visions of events that had yet to happen and had given me some advice and warning. I smiled up at her.

“I’ll remember all of your wisdom in my travels,” I reassured her. She nodded and returned to her sleeping mat. We bade each other good night and she put the fire out. My last thoughts before the darkness took me was that I was finally going to be on my way.