Aimi & Yakunan Love & Misfortune: one

A Chapter by JohnDrwell

The first chapter of the Short Novel

Aimi & Yakunan

Love and Misfortune: One

By Jonathan Santiago (aka. John Drwell)

A new life was brought to this world during the climax of a raid. His village and family were slaughterred, save for his dying brother. The spear did not impaled his will to live as the child carries the newborn to the outskirts of the newly formed graveyard. He comes across a farmer in the middle of a road. The man was pulling a heavy wagon, being accompanied by his young son. They stopped as soon as they saw them. Relief fills the brother when he reaches the man. His Life flees and plumets to the ground. The baby is in stranger's hands. Never were their names spoken. Death smokes from the distance, a warning for everyone near to stay far away.

Many years later, a partially bandaged, battle-scarred man reaches a village in the early years of the Meiji Era. It was the very same person who was born at that fateful day. Villagers react indifferently towards him. To them, he was just anoher stray swordsman that wandered into their streets. He asks merchants and some people in the street if they know of a woman named Aimi. Many respond to have never heard that name. Lies are notacible. Others simply say that there are other women with the same name in other places. A discussion between a young food merchant and two warriors captures the attention of everyone nearby. They appear to be causing trouble, demanding free food. "What's wrong, boy?" - one of the men said. "Don't be impolite We are great warriors who deserve your gratitude and contributions." The second and much larger and muscular warrior continues - "You wouldn't want there to be an accident." The merchant doesn't want any problems and tries to cooperate with the menacing men. The young man's grandfather arrives at the scene and stands by him. "This is a family bussines." - The old man said. Courage is noted in his voice and gestures. "We will not intimidated!" The not so tall warrior smirks and responds - "You insult the Kyōdaina Brothers! Isn't that right, brother Garo?" The immense brother lifts up a large kanabo, a wooden and metallic club with spikes, and crushes the food stand with one hammering motion. The villagers are concerned and scared. The law enforcers are not near.
The traveler walks towards them and asks - "You two seem to have traveled around. May I ask a question?" Garo laughs and says - "Look at him, Brother Gachiki! He looks like a walking corpse!" Gachiki Kyōdaina replies - "Although... he does have two blades with him." They see two swords hanging from the left side of the man's kaku obi (samurai belt): a katana with a black sheet and cheriblossoms painted near the hilt, and a sword completely covered in ripped grey clothes. "Those look interesting. Mind if we see them?" The traveler raises his hand slightly. "Not for now." - he replied. "I only wanted to ask if you heard of a woman named Aimi Akiba?" Nearby villagers were surprised to hear that name. "1... 1... 4..." - he added. They knew who he was talking about.

Gachiki looks at the traveler from head to toes. - "Why would you care for that outlaw? We are hunting her! Who are you?" The traveler responds - "My name does not matter. Please, answer the question." "Disrespectful!" - said Garo. He readies his weapon. Gachiki avoids a confrontation by stopping him. "Can't you see who's in front of you? He is an experienced samurai. And it would appear that he is searching for her bounty as well." He takes out a sharp katana and gives a gesture to his brother. They charge at the man at the same time. The katana slips by the head, barely grazeing a hair. Moving like the wind, he also avoids the strike of the club. Both of them are surprised to discover that no blood has fallen. They realize that none of their weapons had touched him. Gachiki throws a smoke bomb at the traveler to blind him temporally. They attack once more.
The inmense club is slicing through the smoke, aiming at the traveler's head. He quickly uses the cloth covered sword as a shield with both hands. The impact of the heavy kanabo's shakes the ground. The spikes begin to tear through the cotton. Sparks fly. As the rusted katana zooms straight to his chest, the traveler guides the weight of the kanabo on top of the katana. The man twirls and uses the momentum to punch Garo on the side of the face. Everyone heard the loud impact. As the smoke clears, Gachiki discovers his unconcious brother on the floor. His anger blinds his attack. The traveler grasps one of his arms and breaks it using the elbow. He then throws him over his head and into the floor. As they lay defeated on the ground, one of the town's people conveys his gratitude for defeating them. "They come here from time to time and cause trouble. Thank you very much!"
The cloth of the sword began to catch a small fire. "I didn't do it for you." - the traveler replied. The cloth covering the weapon began to unravell with fire. "Can you answer my question?" The site was frightening for everyone. They could not believe the calmness on a man that close to a fire. "Yes..." - the vendor mumbled. "Aimi Akiba, yes... She is our heroine. She helped us in the past. She..." The grandfather interrupts and tells the traveler - "She is headed north, but we don't know to where exactly. What will you do when you find her? Are you a friend? What's you name, stranger?"
"I am Yakunan, and I am not her friend." - the traveler replied. "But when I find her..." Gachiki manages to stand up and lift his katana. He yells as his legs sprint at the man with blade at hand. The traveler lifts up the heavy sword. The sudden movement tears the entire sheet and fire as it reveals a medieval sword. The flames dissipate. He grabs the hilt with both hands and claims - "...I will kill her!" The sword hammers down.
To be continued...

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