Prologue: A Journey's End.

[Kuro]

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Prologue: A Journey's End.

The rolling hills that sit on the Eastern edge of Yu no Kuni would be where this tale came to an end. The samurai would find himself sitting there quite often, gazing off into the sunset hoping to find some answer to life that he hadn't found yet. Each day he sat there, he'd be accompanied by a young lad from the small nearby village that had housed the wandering swordsman for almost a year now. He lived in the small shack adjoined to the young lad's house. Helping the boy and the young mother take care of the property and make ends meet. A passing breeze would be crisp on the skin of the duo as they gazed at the sun. The young lad was only waiting for something cool to happen, never truly understanding the reason why the warrior spent time out here.

It would be sudden, the feeling of the surrounding prairie would change. Kurogane's muscles tensed for a moment as he lowered his left eyelid. When he raised it, three figures would stand behind him, they had moved silently and appeared like phantoms from a story. White porcelain masks hid their face, yet aggression wasn't the feeling of the scene. The boy would only take note of the change in wind before they'd speak. "Sarutobi Kurogane. You have over stayed your welcome, it is time to come home," the voice of the middle would speak. The samurai would say nothing, only nod in agreement. The voice would seem to come out of nowhere for the small child whom would leap to his feet and turn around ready to fight. Fists clench Shibu would be seconds away from lunging when Kurogane would rise to his feet, placing his right hand on the head of the young boy. No older than nine years of age. "Easy there Shibu-kun, no need for violence" he'd say in a calm tone before glancing back towards the ANBU of Cloud. "Keep the mutt in line," another would pipe in, though the words weren't welcomed, for as he finished his sentence, Kurogane had drawn a single blade and placed it near his throat. "I would choose your words carefully," the tone no longer calm within the warriors voice. The lead ANBU would push Kuro's blade away from a kill strike along with push the mouthy subordinate away.

Sheathing his blade, Kuro would turn to the young boy. "Go back home Shibu, I'll be there in a few ok?" he'd crouch down and smile as he spoke face to face with the boy. Shibu knew that his friend could handle himself, so he'd do as he was told and ran home. Once the boy was out of range, Kurogane would rise and face the ANBU once more. "I need two more days, once everything is finished I will return home. You have my word," he'd say facing only the middle member, the other two were only their to protect and enforce. "You have forty-eight hours, do not make us use force Kuro," with that, the three figures would vanish into the wind once more. A sigh would slip past the lips of the warrior as he turned to face the sun once more. He'd take only a moment before begining his stride towards the small farming Village East of his current position. It wouldn't take long before he'd stride through the main road of the Village, heading straight for the hut he called home.

Stepping in the open front door he'd hear Shibu explaining what happened to his mother and the friendly neighbors from next door. They always seemed to be here around this time chatting up a storm. Kuro would smile as he stepped into the hut, removing his katanas he'd place them in the corning as he'd walk up to the group whom hadn't even noticed his entrance. They had been so caught up in the young boy's story. "Just as I was about to show those ghosts who's boss, Kurogane-sensei stood between me and them, making sure I didn't hurt them of course," his voice was so intense, the story so grand within his mind. "Oh Kurogane-san, Shibu was just telling us of your recent adventure," his mother would speak as a greeting when she noticed the warrior approach. The smile remained on the sun kissed skin of the the Samurai. "Well, Shibu was right, I couldn't have him hurt them. But they weren't ghosts," he'd say as he joined the circle around the small fire where food was cooking. "They were Shinobi, high ranking ones at that," he'd say as he leaned in next to the fire to help light up his face ot add effect to his statement. "Aww, come one Kuro, they are soo much cooler as ghosts," Shibu would pipe in, not wanting his sensei to ruin his story.

"Oh don't worry Shibu, the rank of Shinobi you saw are what we refer to as some of the best a Village could offer. They are only called upon when secrecy and stealth are of the most importance," he'd try to sell the story to the young kids, making Shibu appear brave. Though everything he said so far was true. ANBU weren't shinobi to trifle with, it was a great way to end up dead. "But, I can't finish this story quite yet," he'd say with a smile as he stood up and stretched. All the kids would wine and go off to play games. Shibu would look up at Kurogane and wonder what he meant. "Kurogane-sensei, when are we gonna train?" Shibu would ask, trying to change the subject for now. "Aw, come on now Shibu. I told you I'm no sensei," he hadn't taken on Shibu as a student, the boy only hoped that he could learn how to wield a sword as well as Kuro could. "Come on Kuuurrrooo!" he'd tug on his arm as he pleaded, only to be pulled off by his mother. "Go play with the others, I need to speak to Kurogane-san," she'd smile at her son, but once he did as he was told, she'd lead Kuro out back behind the hut. Concern was on her face, as were the other adults as they went home.

"Why did Shinobi visit you so close to our Village?" she'd ask, positioning herself on an old wooden stump. Kuro could only sigh as he knew she wouldn't remember, or at least refused to remember who he really was. "Come on now Asami, you know I serve Kumogakure as a Shinobi," he'd say with a polite and honest tone. He didn't wish to offend her, but he wasn't quite in the mood to be accused of wrong doing. "I know this Village has it's issues in trusting Shinobi, as do I. But as long as I'm here or it directly involves me, no harm will come to your home or your people," as he spoke he'd approach her, placing both hands on her shoulders as he smiled, a single blue eye gazing into her dark brown eyes. She'd smile back a bit before asking another question. "What did they want?" her smile would be faint but apparent in his sight. "I have to go home, my vacation time has long since passed..." with that he would watch her expression drop. She'd slap him hard upon his cheek before pulling free from her position and turning her back on him. They'd stand in silence for a few moments before she'd leave and go back inside to tend to supper. Everyone gathered to eat, though Kuro wouldn't join them. Instead he remained outside upon that stump, gazing up at the crescent moon above.

[Kuro]

Prologue: A Journey's End.

The night would pass and before most would rise, Kuro had already packed his things and readied for his return home. Though he'd await for this day to begin before he considered the next path. As families began to do their daily chores and tasks around the Village, the sound of thugs would echo in. A scream from a young girl would perk at Kuro's ears. Though before he could even react Shibu would dart around the corner, a cut upon his forehead and marks of a fist fight all over his body. "Kurogane-sensei! ... Help!" his gasping breath interrupted the cry for help, but Kuro took no time, the swords already upon his hips. The duo would take off to the streets where they'd confront the six thugs, one holding up a small girl by her ankle. Her skirt dangling down, revealing her underwear and embarrassing her. She was roughly in her teens if the Samurai remembered correctly. "Put her down..." a calm tone yet stern would leave the stoic warriors mouth. The thugs would laugh, though the brute holding her would do just that, tossing the girl aside, villagers rushed to her aid to make sure she was unharmed. "Leave this place, this is the last warning. Leave this place or forever remain..." the statement confused most of the thugs, though the brute's leader was just to his right. He understood it, a mocking tone would allow him to approach Kurogane a bit. Leavinging only a meter between them. "You're outnumbered samurai, and your way of life is long since outdated. Lay down your arms and we may let you live..." his serpentine face and slithering sound of voice annoyed the warrior. Though only a smile sat upon the one eyed man's face.

"Wrong answer..." the simple response was of disappointment, at this point Kurogane would waste no more time on these fools. His hands crossed his hips and pulled forth all six of his swords. Holding them between fingers, each hand held a total of three basic katana's. "These people are hardworking and are filled with good morals, I can no longer sit by as you attempt to corrupt such kind souls!" with this said, the talking would be over. Kurogane would not allow a single of these rats to live, the pests must be exterminated for the people of this small village to live peacefully. His body would bolt forward, speeds that these thugs couldn't match. Six blades twisted together into one point as they'd impale the leader through his chest. The force would delay after the impale and suddenly blow the leader backwards three meters to fall to the ground. Death would surely follow, though Kurogane wasn't waiting for a reaction. Just as the leader blew backwards past his five thugs, the samurai would bolt forward once more, this time slashing upwards into two of the five remaining thugs, each took three slashes as they lifted ten meters into the air. Though just as he completed this, the samurai would spin rapidly, creating a tornado of sorts meant to cut through anything it came in contact with. Bouncing between the three remaining thugs, they'd all be flung off away from the street.

Death littered the street of this small Village, though once it was all said and done, the warrior would sheath his blades and approach the young boy known as Shibu. "Up to your heroics again?" he'd say as he crouched down and patted the lad's head. The blue eye would look over the wounds, nothing major though the cut upon his forehead would scar a small amount. Shibu would fear being in trouble so he remained silent. The teenage girl, petite in her figure would then approach and place a kiss upon Shibu's cheek. "If it wasn't for you Shibu, who know's what they would have done to me. Thanks," she'd would make eye contact with Kuro and a simple nod would say all that was needed. Shibu immediately turned bright red in the face. "Go clean yourself up ok?" with that he'd send Shibu on his way and turn around to clean up his own mess. An older man would be hard at work attempting to gather the bodies to the large fire pit. "There won't be any need for this. I created this mess, I shall clean it," with that he'd take the body from the man and carry it himself. The samurai was sure to get blood upon his clothes but he wasn't worried. If you're willing to take a life, then you must be willing to take responsibility for the aftermath. It would take another thirty minutes to gather and burn all the bodies, once that was done he'd approach the home of Shibu once more.

Sticking his head in the front, he'd see no-one was home. Looking around the small hut he'd wonder where Shibu and his young mother had taken off to. "They won't be home until tomorrow Kurogane-sama, they took off towards the Capital, something about finding her brother," the neighbor lady would say with a kind tone. Kurogane smiled toward her and approached slowly. "Could you please relay the message for me?" he'd ask and she would simply nod in response. "Thank you for your kindness, and I only wish I could have stayed here longer, but I will check in from time to time," with those words spoken, Kurogane would bow and take his leave from the small village. His pack upon his back, the warrior would walk through the hills, and head North to the bay. He needed to take the ferry across to get to Lightning, far easier than crossing the land of Frost to get home. As he wandered, destination in mind, he couldn't help but wonder why she chose to leave so suddenly. Especially after the fight Shibu had just gotten himself into. Perhaps it was fear of being unprotected, or anger for being abandoned. Nothing he could do for now, for if he was to stay longer he'd warrant himself a criminal and bring more danger to that Village that it was worth. Upon reaching the ferry, he would pay the simple man, boarding and finding a comfortable spot to rest, he'd lay his pack down and sit next to it. Gazing up at the grand blue sky as he felt the water move beneath them.

Exit.