Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Poupuru Koukon ❯ Yakusoku ( Chapter 3 )

Hello readers! Well, what little of you are actually READING… I mean, seriously, it's getting to be a serious annoyance that the only people reading this fic are the two whom assisted in constructing this character… I mean, it just seems like a waste…

 

Anyway, if you're actually NOT one of those two people, I must praise you for having a broad enough horizon to view this fic for the sheer art of the classic samurai fic…. or whatever reason you came here. Really though, the sad truth is, no matter how awesome I think she is, people don't take well enough to OCs to really admire fics centered entirely or even just vaguely around them.

 

Well, that aside, whether you're here because of my whining, because of Watch For Star's whining, or because you like my writing in general, I applaud your presence. Thanks in advance…

 

I mean, I think I can establish the characters well enough to keep you interested… if not, I'll try at it. But now that I think about it, if you've come all the way to chapter three, you must have some tolerance for my writing.

 

Ok, no more of my blabbering… I'll make sure the fic is worth your while! Just be sure to review, so I know that there are some open minded people left in the world.

 

“Poupuru Koukon” Chapter 3: “Yakusoku”

 

Liliha's POV

 

 

As I wander through the streets aimlessly, I begin to wonder what the name of this village is. Merchants went about in their dealings with the commonfolk, and children played in the streets as the elderly servants of certain families went about tending to their gardens, and such tasks suited for their feeble, but kind old hands.

 

They all looked so happy.

 

As I scanned the area for a place to rest my weary feet, and fill my grumbling stomach, an old vixen woman with a long, fluffy tail smiled, and waved at me. I only gave her a weak wag of my head. She went on her merry little way, slowly, taking her time.

 

It was so very peculiar, but nobody in this little town seemed to recognize me. I had to admit, it was a bit of a backwater place, but it had a very humbling feel to it. I hadn't felt so welcomed, so at home in a long while… it was nice change from the reproachful glances and fearful looks I received in the previous towns I visited.

 

Needless to say, it was hard for me to travel because of my renown. People recognized me everywhere I went... If it were not by my description, or by the insignia upon my sleeve, it was by the gleaming garnet on the hilt of my katana, Akuma.

 

And, when you're a warrior, being well-known isn't safe, I found. Though I did not have a bounty on my head, I was samurai, and that alone was enough to make people pick fights with me…

 

The fact that the thing I was known for was my ability to take lives… it didn't seem to help, either. Even the weakest of warriors, and foolishly audacious men met an ill fate at my blade, all because of their foolhardy dauntlessness. Everyone wanted to be the one to slay me… Just for the fame it would grant.

 

…It was enough to make me physically sick, that people could be that trivial.

 

I did not enjoy ending lives, despite what was said about me. Joy was a rare commodity, in my case. I only knew of one thing that would bring me happiness, and it was a twisted, sick thing. I tried to think of other things, but to no avail. I searched for ways to give myself a different purpose, another way I could be satisfied with my time in this world, I sought it more fervently than the most resolute Epicurean, but… In the end, I knew of only ONE death that would bring me joy, only one. He was so evil, in my opinion, he made demons and devils look like saints, so everyone else I slay is as good as innocent, I deemed.

 

But in this world, the weak die, and the strong survive. Master always told me I should be magnanimous toward those weaker than myself, and I did try… However, sometimes I found I had no choice… I was on a quest, and it was no pilgrimage. It was sinful, black, like the wicked.

 

My master would be ashamed of me, and I knew it, clear as tears shed in the past. Nevertheless, even in my undying respect for Sensei, I found it against my morals to let him die unavenged. It was in this way that I found my morals… well, they weren't moral at all.

 

I found my legs shaking, and my head getting dizzy… I almost staggered, like the common lush. It was times such as this that the gods were reminding me of my mortality. My mind was too hazy to remember how many days I'd gone without sleep.

 

However, I didn't really have time to try, as I suddenly felt a tugging at my skirt.

 

“S'cuse me, miss samurai,” Said the young boy. I looked down at him, unsure how to react. Children usually fled at the mere sight of me.

 

It was a very small rabbit-boy. He was very cute, but it was something that I usually overlooked, since most younglings I'd seen before held that particular merit of charm. The boy wore a little blue tunic, and his ears, unlike most of the long-eared kind, stood straight up. He lisped just a bit when he spoke, and a sardonic grin came to my face, a ticklish reaction to his manner. It had been a long time since I'd seen a child this close.

 

I didn't answer, but the smile told him I would listen, and his little brown eyes sparkled like sunshine. He was ever-so innocent. His little paw pointed, past a little crowd of his friends, and toward a sturdy little house with a gazebo-like roof. The house was bigger than most around it, though, and had two levels, rather than just one.

 

“My papa wants t'see you, if you would be s'kind.” He explained. At this point I became wary: It was rather strange that the child came up in the first place… even if they did not know who I was, I didn't exactly look like the type of person children flock to.

 

My gloved palm traced the hilt of Akuma, but I was quick to trail off of it. I may not be the purest of the pure, but I do have certain ethics. I wasn't about to draw a blade with infants and pups in the vicinity. Still, I wasn't in any condition to deal with an ambush, or at least I didn't feel like it… but I decided to place a little faith in my luck, and nodded to the boy. He skipped in the direction of his house, and his comrades broke apart, letting him through.

 

I was taking a big chance, putting my well-being in the frivolous hands of lady luck.

 

…But, in the end, I was glad I did.

 

“Papa!! Here she is! I got er', just like y' asked.” Said the little boy.

 

I was happy to see that this man was quite old, having expected a big burly fighter. It's not that I hadn't fought deprived of sleep before; I fought on that, and an empty stomach quite often, but I didn't feel it was right to take the boy's `papa' from him.

 

Fight fight fight… That was my life, more or less. My sword seemed to spend less and less time in it's scabbard with each day. So I suppose you could say this was a welcome change in my view.

 

The old rabbit smiled. He had a very long beard, and a very kind old face that actually reminded me a bit of Sensei's… I felt like I could trust this man. He looked at his son and patted him on the head.

 

“That's m'boy. Good Job, Shinichi.” He said, giving the boy a small carrot as his reward. He took it happily and trotted out the door, sliding it shut behind him. The old man then turned to me.

 

“Hello young lass… This is a bit awkward… but… ah, forgive my rudeness… but you wouldn't happen to be… Liliha Doux…. would you…?”

 

I felt my muscles tense, and all the trust I felt for the old man was abolished, as people who knew my name… well, they had a history of betraying me. However, I wasn't about to lie about my identity. I was proud of who I was.

 

“What of it?” I said, simply.

The old man, his facial features melted into a warm smile. He looked at me, as if I were a long lost friend… Why did I feel like I knew this man?

 

“Gehehe. I thought so. I don't suppose you recognize me, eh?” He said. Suddenly I found myself trying to identify the man. I'd seen him somewhere before… but he was… different.

 

“What are you on about, old man?” I said. He chuckled a rusty chuckle, and shook his wrinkly face.

 

“My, you're still as much of a rotten little brat as you used to be! Still haven't learned any real discipline, eh?”

 

I scoffed. He just chuckled again.

 

“Ghahaha! Yes, it's definitely you, then. Tell me, Mrs. Doux, did you ever perfect the Vorpal Slash?”

 

I was sure my eyes grew wide, as I finally realized exactly who this was.

 

“…J… Jin…?”

 

He only smiled once again.

 

“Gehehe. So you haven't forgotten! That's a surprise, why, I remember when you used to forget everything I told you, quicker than a snap.”

 

I felt a strong sense of nostalgia, ever since I walked in the door, so I knew this HAD to be who I thought it was.

 

“I can't believe it… Jin-Sama, you survived?” I asked him. I couldn't believe it… I thought all I knew was killed by Eggman when he ransacked my home, but there was a survivor besides me? I felt happy at that, but also strange. How did Jin survive?

 

“Aye, young'un. I lived. I got lucky… I was visiting my family in this village at the time that…” He trailed, looking solemnly at the ground. I shook my head.

 

“Don't say it.” I told him. With that, I pulled the old one into one thing I never thought I'd pull somebody into ever again. A hug.

 

I'd thought he was dead. He and I never got along THAT well, but nevertheless, he was part of my long lost family… And he was still alive. Jin-sama… When I saw him last, he was only about 40. A middle-aged adult, and Masashi-sensei's star pupil. He was SO good in fact, that Masashi assigned him as an assistant teacher of the Poupuru Koukon fighting style.

 

In all honesty, back in those days, I didn't like him that much. He was far more strict than Sensei, and he was always scolding me for holding my sword the wrong way. Masashi lectured that I was the only left-handed student in my class, and that I naturally held the katana differently, but Jin-sama didn't listen, and pressed on, trying to teach me a single right-handed move called the Vorpal Slash. I could never do it… And neither could anyone else in my class, but he scolded me the most about it. But, I could do the move now, rather easily… After all, If you hadn't noticed, I currently used my right to wield my blade. My… my left-handed days were over…

 

“Gehehe, there there, Liliha-San.” He said, patting me on the back softly. He seemed to be a tad nicer now that he'd had a few years… or about 10 years, under his belt, but maybe it was because I was talking to him as a person, rather than a sword instructor. I broke off from the hug, and he looked at me, up and down.

 

“You're quite famous nowadays, I hear…”

 

I only frowned. “Infamous, rather.”

 

He shook his head.

 

“Don't forget what Masashi-Sensei taught you, young'un. To have power is to be feared. To be feared is a responsibility.”

 

The words rung clear in my soul. This certainly was Jin, always quoting Sensei, as if his words were law… which, in the ways of the katana, they were. I nodded.

 

“Yes, I know.”

 

A long moment passed, and we didn't say anything. Suddenly Jin-sama moved.

 

“Heh. Heads up.” He said.

 

I snapped to attention as he flung a wooden sandal at me. I grinned, as my senses peaked and Akuma whizzed out of it's sheathe. Using a familiar old move, I twirled about on my left foot, letting my sword section the item into two, then four pieces.

 

The pieces of wood clattered upon the ground, cross cut in a symmetrical manner.

 

I whirred my katana about, and returned it to it's case, with well-practiced expertise. That move was the Vorpal Slash… Excellent for when one is surrounded.

 

I saw his face, which seemed a mixture of pride and satisfaction. I said nothing, but smiled triumphantly at him.

 

“Gehehehe. You changed your sword-hand?” He asked me. I shook my head.

 

“That move is impossible to do left-handed, you know that.” I said. He rubbed his whiskery chin.

 

“Alright, young'un, let's not get into that… But my, that was a fine display. Wonder what else you can do with that blade…?” He mused.

“Well, I can more than hold my own.” I told him. He grinned.

 

“So I've heard. They say you're the most skilled samurai alive…”

 

“I am.” I told him, confidently, as I took a seat.

 

“Mmm. Pretentious, as always, I see. Well, I won't disagree with you… But you're a tad slow.” He told me. “… And you still have that habit of bending your right arm when you swing horizontally.”

 

I scoffed.

 

“I'm tired, alright? And besides, you're one to talk. I doubt you could do any better, in your age.” I told him, disdainfully. That was really only an excuse. I was embarrassed that I still had that old habit of crooking my sword arm on the horizontal swing. Had any truly skilled samurai I'd fought in the past noticed it as he did, they would've been able to use that knowledge to disarm me. He only chuckled again.

 

“True… And I won't lie, that Vorpal Slash was better than any I've ever been able to muster… but… Masashi's was still better.” He said. I sent a cold glare in his direction.

 

“Don't mention Sensei in my presence… He's dead. Dead, ok?” I said, talking more to myself than Jin. He shook his head.

 

“Liliha… I've been hearing some disturbing rumors about you lately… The kind of rumors that would make your master ashamed of you.” He told me. I began to get impatient with him.

 

“…Listen, I know Sensei wouldn't approve of what I'm doing, but it's a path I'm too far down to stray from at this point. And besides that, his, much less your word does not govern my life, mine does.” I said, in an icy tone. He shook his old head again.

 

“Liliha… Don't let the quest for power, or vengeance destroy you.” He told me.

 

I was silent for a moment.

 

“…Don't lecture me, old man.”

 

“Gehe, what happened to `Jin-sama?'”

 

“I demoted you for irritating me.” I told him. He just laughed.

 

“Gehehe. Well then, young'un, let's get off that subject… I've been meaning to ask you…” He trailed, eyes centered on my katana's glistening garnet. “Where on Mobius did you come across the cursed blade, Akuma?”

 

My face became grim, and my hand traced the hilt of the evil sword in which I carried. I could always feel the malevolence resonating from it… It was almost a consuming feeling. The memory of that fateful day came flooding back to me.

 

(flashback)

 

The echoing sound of my footsteps filled the dark, ominous chasm. I gripped my ratty old katana, which was a bit rusty, and a tad too short. I'd heard the rumors… the rumors of the demon living in this cave. I didn't know what I was thinking; coming in here with only a necklace of rosary beads, a cheap talisman, and my own sword skills. Everyone who'd come before me failed… so how was I different? Determination? Anger? Or was it the fact that I had nothing to lose?

 

I heard moaning, a horrible, mind-chilling sort of moan come from all directions, as I felt my body tremble in fear. I had no idea what could jump out and mutilate me at any given moment… but I didn't like it. Not one bit. But I couldn't turn back, not now. I needed the power that this cavern held, I needed it to gain what I wanted… vengeance.

 

I felt my heart sink even further as I laid my eyes upon it… The famed blade, Akuma. The evil sword, crafted by demons, with a mind of it's own… Sharpened so meticulously, it's said that it could cleave even the horizon. This was what I came after.

 

I looked around, surprised that none stepped forth to challenge me, no guardian, nothing… all I saw was darkness, and scattered bones and pieces of shredded armor… the remains of warriors that tried, and failed. What could rend them asunder in such a grotesque manner, I wondered? I did not wish to know the answer to this question, but my throbbing heart told me that I soon would.

 

I walked quietly, slowly, hesitantly, nervously, and reached my hand out to grip the blade, which was firmly stabbed into a stone, placed in the center of the room. In the stone there were kanji carved in a language I couldn't decipher.

 

As soon as my hand gripped the sword, I flinched, as I heard a rumbling sound.

 

I turned my head back, to see the cave collapsing. I had to get out fast… but I would not leave Akuma. No, I couldn't. I pulled with all my might, and the sword… It spoke to my mind.

 

“Audacious warrior who seekest to wield mine power… Art thou worthy?” It asked me. I pulled harder, and ignored the question.

 

Suddenly the garnet on the hilt of the blade lit up, like a red-eyed dragon spewing flames.

 

“ART THOU WORTHY?!” It asked my mind, enraged. A rock fell down and nearly hit me. I was frantic and sweating, and fearing for my life.

 

“Yes! I AM!” I shouted at it.

 

Instantaneously, the katana slid from the stone, and it's blade shimmered. In place of my reflection, I saw the eyes of a demon… They were frightening, but they resonated a feeling of amazing power.

 

“…Then prove thyself.” It said.

 

The earthquake that triggered the chasm suddenly ruptured the large stone upon which I stood, cracking it, and knocking me to the ground, Akuma in hand.

 

Before I knew what was going on, a creature of the likes I'd never seen before appeared, erupting from the ground where the sword was, as if it were buried there.

 

I was horrified, as I looked upon the dragon-like demon. It hissed, and smoke rose from it's nostrils. This beast… I knew if I wanted to wield Akuma, I had to defeat it.

 

The creature wasted no time, as it dashed at me, at an unbelievable speed, considering it's size, which was nearly 20 times larger than myself. I wasn't fast enough to keep up, or counter, so it hit me directly, with a bone-shattering headbutt.

 

A shout was ripped from my lungs, as I was sent into the far wall with a resounding thud. I didn't feel like I could get up again, the pain was so unbearable. The dragon let out a thunderous roar, as the cavern continued to collapse around us.

 

…I tried to get up, but I couldn't. Was… Was I going to die here, I thought?

 

“…Weakling…Thou shan't hope to wield mine power when thou cannot wield even thine own emotions…” It chastised me. I looked at it, angry, as the dragon's gills began to glow a fiery glow.

 

“Grr…What are you talking about, you stupid sword!?”

 

“…I can feel it within thee… Anger… Boundless rage… Fury blazing more illustriously than even the flames of the dragon… but thou doest not use it.” It said to me. I was getting angrier as it told me these things.

 

“Shut up…” I told it, through gritted teeth.

 

“Yes… That is it… Let thine wrath grow… Use it to strike down thine enemies!” It shouted.

 

I grabbed the blade, and stood, on borrowed strength from my rising fury. I charged, as the dragon exposed it's gills, ready to blast me with it's fiery breath.

 

“SHUT UP~!!!!!” I screamed, as I ran, and, in one angry swipe, cleaved the Dragon's head, right through the scales, which were fabled harder than diamond, like they were butter.

 

The beast grumbled, and fell to the ground, as it's green, cold blood erupted from it's freshly sliced neck, covering me head to toe. It collapsed before me, slain.

 

The power… the unfathomable power! To think, I'd just defeated a mighty dragon…

 

That thought, however, was cut short, as the cave continued collapsing. Without hesitation, I ran to the exit, I ran as fast as my feet would take me, rocks falling left and right. As I finally neared the exit, a huge boulder fell from the chasm's roof, covering my escape.

 

In a furious bout of adrenaline, I took Akuma in hand yet again, and cleaved the mighty rock in two.

 

Without sparing a second, I rolled out quickly, leaving the cavern completely caved in a mere moment later. I had barely made it out… but I DID make it out. I was alive… Akuma in hand. I'd done it.

 

I held the sword high, and it spoke to me once again.

 

“Very good, warrior of strong heart. I submit to thee… Use me, cleave thine enemies, rend all obstacles in thine path asunder… Fulfill thy quest for bloody revenge with my help.”

 

“…Yes…” Was the only word I said in response.

 

(end flashback)

 

“Liliha-san? You gonna answer this old man's question? Where did you find that blade?” He persisted.

 

I shook my head, and crossed my arms as I sat at his table. I did not meet him eye-to-eye.

 

“I stole it from a warrior I killed.” I lied. He shook his old head.

 

“Don't lie to me, you whipper-snapper. I want the truth.”

 

“Well you're not getting it. It's my business, and mine alone.” I told him, in a venomous tone.

 

“Bah, stubborn child.” He said. “That blade is cursed… It's givin' me the heeby-jeebies from here. You'd be wise to get rid of it…”

 

“I'm sorry, but the curse disallows me from doing any such thing. And, even were that not a factor, I need this sword to achieve that which I desire. And I made an oath to myself long ago, to always achieve what I desire. Selfish, maybe, but I have the right. You know what I desire now…?” I asked him.

 

“Revenge, huh?” He said, seeming disappointed in me.

 

“Well, maybe you're not going senile after all… Jin-sama.” I said, though I was smiling. He smiled back, albeit weakly.

 

“Well, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Gehehehe.” He said, laughing. It was only funny because it was true. I even let myself laugh with him.

 

“So then. Jin-sama… I have to ask you…” I trailed, feeling sort of embarrassed. He gave me a wave of his paw.

 

“Don't you say it. There's a spare room upstairs, feel free to shack up for the night. I'll make sure the misses, whenever she gets her rear end back here, cooks up somethin' mighty fine fer ya. Go on now, young lady, go get you some rest.”

 

I felt so very thankful that he said it for me… As you can probably tell, it wasn't my style to accept charity. I bowed to the elderly man, and walked quietly up stairs, finding the room he mentioned there, waiting for me.

 

End Chapter

 

I am very proud of this one, so I hope you guys like it, too. ^_^

 

Now, it's back to work on Miles Foxy! O_O I know, about time, eh? Heh. Well, I better get to work on that. Ciao!