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by Kaileena on Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:09 pm
Just north of Kagoshima was a small fishing village. Silence fell the moment the four men riding on horses came into view. All the men were dressed royally with samurais at their sides. An arrogant chuckle escaped the one leading the clan. His dark stare burned directly at one individual. Ikue’s heart pounded loud within her chest. Heartbeats rhythm echoed in her ears. Every nerve fiber in her body screamed to run. She stood her back turned to them, her vision fixated upon the locals before her. She was a bounty-hunter and very little knew of her existence. Slowly, Ikue looked from left to right. The sun was high and blazing, beating heat upon her satin skin. Beads of sweat formed from her forehead, rolling down her cheeks only to drip off her chin and land upon the dry ground, thirsting for something to drink. Her warm amber orbs would occasionally catch a few surrounding her, but soon after the ones around her mattered no more.
The commanding leader, Taro Minoru, spoke accusingly, "You fit the description. You killed Shoji Ichiro." Shoji Ichiro was a wealthy man who owned a small army. He governed various small villages, one was Yoroido; her village. Minoru impatiently called out to her. "Ikue... Shiratori Ikue", he stated.
A sly grin tugged at her full scarlet lips. Ikue rolled her shoulders, relaxing her muscles. She replied sarcastically, "I'm impressed. Your observation astounds me, but your ignorance knows no boundaries. Do you really think you can capture me?"
Minoru only laughed, mocking her. "Please, child. Turn yourself in. Surely..." ,he paused to look at his comrades beside him, " You can't mean to fight us all. A woman's place is in bed beside her man. Or do you not know what a man is?" Minoru baited Ikue.
Without thought, slowly, her right hand crossed over her chest, reaching for the hilt of her Uchigatana. Sliding the blade out its sheath, her slender form would turn fluidly. Her golden gaze challenged the mans steel gray stare. Ikue’s face, though benevolent looking, held no expression that would give away whatever emotional turmoil that was hidden within. She stood with her feet shoulder lengths apart, right hand gripping her Uchigatana. The blade felt good in her hold. The feeling as if it was a part of her--An extension of her arm. The blades tip pointed downward before she brought it up, wrapping her left hand just below her right. Now she stood with the blade in front of her, the sharps end at the enemy’s direction. Readying herself for an attack. "I'd hate to have to kill you without a price." She said challengingly.
Minoru dismounted his horse. Another arrogant chuckle escapes his lips. He inched closer to Ikue as the commoners dispersed. His right hand calmly resting on the hilt of his samurai, withdrawing his sword. The unsheathing sound made his men dismount their horses. Minoru held up his left hand. They stopped behind him and nodded, pulling back. He stared at her, mesmerized by her unseen beauty. It was the kind that you have to really look at to appreciate. A subtle beauty. A bit rough around the edges, but nothing that water and a good etiquette wouldn't do.
Minoru spoke again, " Surely, you do not wish to battle with me?" He asked mirroring her stance. "I don't wish to hurt that pretty skin of yours. It's only natural to obey a man." He then grinned.
His laughter mocked her defiance. The rest of his followers soon followed with his laughing. Her mind becoming slowly at ease as the voice of her father brushed up against her mind, remembering. His words were a gentle caress against her minds wall. "Ikue-chan, relax. You cannot effectively execute a move and expect to recover if your mind is filled with rage. Take a deep breathe daughter of mine. Exhale slowly and allow yourself to be free. You cannot depend on your blade alone. Strength doesn’t always have to be used. Sometimes something soft and gentle can take down what strength alone cannot." Her fathers’ words. He was always teaching her, showing her that violence wasn’t always the answer. And sometimes we have to do what is necessary. A sting could be felt behind her eyelids. The sensation of tears threatened at the rims, but dignity fought them back. Inhaling the afternoon air, deeply, allowing her lungs to take in as much as possible. Slowly she exhaled, her body becoming relaxed. Her mind at ease as it played out various moves and counterattacks.
Ikue raised her Uchigatana just above her waist and ran towards him. Minoru came up with his blade to block the attack, using hi weight to push her slender form back. Ikue stumbled back, flipping to land firmly on her feet. She held out her Uchigatana in right hand, peering up at him. Minoru took the opened opportunity and came down at her with much fierce. Ikue then blocked oncoming blow with her Uchigatana, pushing him back with a forceful front kick to his abdomen. Minoru staggered back, hunching over. His dark stare still locked on hers. The two went at it for what seemed like forever. Each countering the other just the opposite. Arms burning, lungs filling like it was about to explode, Ikue came with another forceful blow. Already, she observed his attacks. She knew his next move. When Minorus' blade came down at her in mid-air, Ikue swung her Uchigatana forcing his blade to her right. Following her swinging momentum, she turned, her left hand reaching back and unsheathing her Wakizashi. Swiftly, she dug the blade in his side, respectively. Minoru stared shockingly at her. Death took his breath, unable to speak.
"I can't hear you." She said wickedly. Minoru choked, blood spewing from his mouth. Ikue withdrew her Wakizashi. She re-sheathed her Uchigatana and Wakizashi in one quick fluid motion. Minoru fell heavily on the ground. His comrades scared and dumbfounded dismounted their horses. She came at them, jumping in mid-air. Fear froze the three comrades, slowly taking their samurai's out. As she landed and before they even fully unsheathed their weapons, Ikue slid Uchigatana out cutting them with one smooth lightening fast motion. The three men fell helplessly in their pool of blood.
Ikue wiped her blade clean with the dead man's royal clothing, sheathing it back. The warm wind blew, sending her mass of raven strands flying about. She'd relish in that moment before she exited the fishermen's village. East of Kagoshima was her next destination. Perhaps she'd pick up another bounty
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