Fanfiction- Crimson Regret
Okay...I'm writing a new fanfiction based on Tenchu 2...
Here's the first chapter for it, I just wanted to get some feedback and know what you guys think. It's not mushy...yet. I haven't posted it up on fanfic yet, I have about 13 more chapters to write...and then I've got to edit this whole thing ^^;; So there will definitely be changes etc. based on the feedback I get...if any. This chapter is pretty short, but they gradually get longer.
ACT I: THE RED LOTUS
Chapter 1: Butterfly
It was a calm, beautiful day in the Azuma village. The older members of the village walked about, enjoying the weather and stopping to say greetings to one another. Some were working in the rice patties, talking as they bent to gather and plant rice. Others were doing laundry, preparing meals, and other various jobs that helped to support their rather small families. These people mainly took care of the village, but would come to defend the village shall trouble befall it. They left the main mission work for the younger more spry ones, for they were more effective at the job.
The small village was tucked away at the foot of the mountains, and shrouded by countless lush green bamboo trees. It was the perfect area, helping to the disguise of it being a normal village when really, it was anything but. The Azuma village was the home of the Azuma Shinobi Ryu, a group of ninjas that lived by honor, killed by stealth, and dedicated their lives to protect their lord.
The Azuma ninja would be needed now more than ever, during such harsh times. It is the conflict between uncle and nephew that will set off one of the largest power struggles the soil and people of Japan had yet to witness.
This is a story that is inexplicably intricate, the story of three young ninja, ready to lay down their lives for their lord without a moment’s hesitation. Their dedication, training and willpower will take them through the most daring events, to places they had never dared to go, and cause emotions they never knew they had to emerge.
The events that will soon come to pass will not leave any room for love, fear, or any such petty emotions...or will it?
* * *
“Tatsumaru!” Ayame called as she ran into the training dojo. Tatsumaru turned and stopped the twirling of his ninja-to to look at the young fourteen-year-old running towards him. He saw that her hands were cupped around something, and as he leaned closer, he could see that she held a small butterfly. It had brightly colored patterns on its delicate, paper-thin wings. Ayame smiled at Tatsumaru sweetly.
“Isn’t it pretty?” She asked him, watching as it flexed its wings, lightly tickling the skin of her hand. A light breeze rippled through the dojo, cooling their faces and tousling their hair.
“Yes, very,” Tatsumaru agreed, using the back of his arm to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Ayame released the butterfly into the wind and it fluttered around the two for a moment before making its way out the door. “Where’s Rikimaru?” Tatsumaru asked Ayame, watching as she went over to retrieve her practice short swords from the weapons shelf. She shrugged.
“I thought he was with you,” Ayame replied, slashing at an imaginary enemy and making as if she were to evade their attack and perform a counterattack of her own.
“He was here practicing with me a minute ago, but then he left and I thought that he had gone to you,” Tatsumaru replied, going back to his sword techniques. Ayame shrugged again and paused, her swords at her sides as she watched Tatsumaru. She loved watching him, and the attitude she had around him made it evident that she had a crush on him, ever since the moment they had first met. Ayame called it ‘love’.
“I bet I can beat you Tatsumaru!” Ayame said suddenly, a mischievous look on her face as she raised her practice swords and stepped towards him.
Tatsumaru laughed, and blocked what Ayame intended to be a surprise attack with his sword easily. “You’ve still got a lot to learn. I don’t think Master Shiunsai will approve of me tiring you so much!” He was used to the girl following him around everywhere, ever since she was first brought into the Azuma village, and of course, he knew of how she felt about him. He wasn’t completely oblivious. But Tatsumaru chose to act that way, for he didn’t want to break her heart. He loved her like the little sister he probably never had, but he didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth.
“I wouldn’t be talking Tatsumaru since you’re the one who’s going to be tired!” Ayame taunted, raising her blades again, “You just don’t want to fight with me because you know I’ll win!” But Tatsumaru merely chuckled again, knowing what the girl was trying to do.
“We’ll see. Go and find Rikimaru, you know how he is!”
“Fine, but when I get back, you better accept my challenge!” Ayame called over her shoulder as she walked out of the dojo. She headed towards the small lake that was a little west from the dojo’s entrance, obeying her notion that told her he was there. Ayame finally spotted Rikimaru sitting by the edge, Semimaru right beside him. They both looked rather lonely, their heads bowed as they stared into the water’s depths. She headed towards them.
Rikimaru felt her ki coming towards him, and he tensed ever so slightly, though he didn’t quite know why. He turned to see her settling herself beside Semimaru to his right.
“So...what are you doing?” Ayame asked curiously after several moments, scratching the head of Semimaru. She looked at Rikimaru and watched as his silvery hair blew in a breeze. At eighteen years old, four years older than herself, his hair was already a mix of gray and silver! Though she knew that it couldn’t have been because of age, and she let her eyes wander downward on his face. That black ever-present face mask covered his nose and his mouth as always. Ayame couldn’t help but wonder why he insisted on wearing that mask all the time, even while he was just in the Azuma village. She had seen him maskless on several occasions, and she knew that there was nothing wrong with him. She could even confess that he was rather handsome. But not as handsome as Tatsumaru, her mind added at the last second.
Rikimaru’s choice of clothing was nothing more than a shirt and baggy pants, both of a dark green color that made his strangely colored hair stand out all the more, his collar and belt were a contrasting blue. His sword wasn’t present in its usual place on his back, most likely in his room, resting on its proud stand.
“Resting...” Rikimaru finally answered. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ayame turn to focus on the water before her, and he took this as a chance to steal a glimpse at her. She was beautiful, at such a young age. The name “Ayame” suited her, for she was just as stunning as an iris. She had a face that seemed as delicate as porcelain, and it was so perfectly pale. Her black hair was piled messily onto her head, held back by blue cloth, thin wisps tickling her absolutely flawless face. She preferred to wear a short, dark red kunoichi kimono, her obi, scarf, and one arm guard that were all of a black color. Her shoes were sandal-like, and the black wrappings reached to about mid-thigh.
Rikimaru found himself wondering about all these thoughts that he was having of his clan-sister. It made him feel rather awkward, though he couldn’t help himself. How strange to even think that he had any such feelings for her! He remembered all the times that he had been annoyed by her on more than one occasion for her cynical attitude. It was obvious that she hated him anyway, and thought him of no more importance than one of her fellow pupils, and if he was lucky, as a brother.
Ayame was gazing into the light, clear blue waters that glittered in front of her. She saw her reflection, and Rikimaru’s too. She noticed from the reflection that he seemed to be studying her so intently. She turned and met his gaze for several seconds, before they both looked away quickly. What am I doing? Ayame asked herself, what exactly am I doing? Okay, so I just looked at him, and he just looked at me...but what was all that about? Ayame focused on petting Semimaru and decided that she was making a big deal over nothing, ignoring the fact that her heart had possibly started beating a bit faster as she stared into those dark orbs of his. She didn’t know how long they sat there, but she knew from the quickly fading sun that it was almost nighttime.
“Tatsumaru was wondering where you were,” Ayame spoke eventually. Rikimaru nodded. It stung his heart slightly that Ayame had said Tatsumaru was the one that was looking for him, and not she herself, or both even! He knew how highly Ayame thought of Tatsumaru, and it was easy to see that she was so captivated by him. But he repeated to himself that this was his clan-sister he was talking about, and that these feelings were most definitely forbidden.
“There you two are!” a voice came from behind them. They turned to see Tatsumaru looking down at the two of them. “Master Shiunsai summons us for the evening meal.”
Ayame jumped up, thankful for Tatsumaru’s interruption. “Good, because I’m starving...”
Rikimaru rose slowly, Semimaru following suit.
“So this was where you were all along huh?” Tatsumaru said to Rikimaru, punching him playfully on the arm. “Anyways, come on, Master Shiunsai will be wondering what’s taking us so long!”
The three headed for the house, Semimaru at their heels.
Oh and if anyone's interested, I'm in the middle of writing a collab Tenchu fic called Tenchu: Sins of Shadows. The URL is here: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2192414/1/
We would love more feedback for it ^_^
Here's the first chapter for it, I just wanted to get some feedback and know what you guys think. It's not mushy...yet. I haven't posted it up on fanfic yet, I have about 13 more chapters to write...and then I've got to edit this whole thing ^^;; So there will definitely be changes etc. based on the feedback I get...if any. This chapter is pretty short, but they gradually get longer.
ACT I: THE RED LOTUS
Chapter 1: Butterfly
It was a calm, beautiful day in the Azuma village. The older members of the village walked about, enjoying the weather and stopping to say greetings to one another. Some were working in the rice patties, talking as they bent to gather and plant rice. Others were doing laundry, preparing meals, and other various jobs that helped to support their rather small families. These people mainly took care of the village, but would come to defend the village shall trouble befall it. They left the main mission work for the younger more spry ones, for they were more effective at the job.
The small village was tucked away at the foot of the mountains, and shrouded by countless lush green bamboo trees. It was the perfect area, helping to the disguise of it being a normal village when really, it was anything but. The Azuma village was the home of the Azuma Shinobi Ryu, a group of ninjas that lived by honor, killed by stealth, and dedicated their lives to protect their lord.
The Azuma ninja would be needed now more than ever, during such harsh times. It is the conflict between uncle and nephew that will set off one of the largest power struggles the soil and people of Japan had yet to witness.
This is a story that is inexplicably intricate, the story of three young ninja, ready to lay down their lives for their lord without a moment’s hesitation. Their dedication, training and willpower will take them through the most daring events, to places they had never dared to go, and cause emotions they never knew they had to emerge.
The events that will soon come to pass will not leave any room for love, fear, or any such petty emotions...or will it?
* * *
“Tatsumaru!” Ayame called as she ran into the training dojo. Tatsumaru turned and stopped the twirling of his ninja-to to look at the young fourteen-year-old running towards him. He saw that her hands were cupped around something, and as he leaned closer, he could see that she held a small butterfly. It had brightly colored patterns on its delicate, paper-thin wings. Ayame smiled at Tatsumaru sweetly.
“Isn’t it pretty?” She asked him, watching as it flexed its wings, lightly tickling the skin of her hand. A light breeze rippled through the dojo, cooling their faces and tousling their hair.
“Yes, very,” Tatsumaru agreed, using the back of his arm to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Ayame released the butterfly into the wind and it fluttered around the two for a moment before making its way out the door. “Where’s Rikimaru?” Tatsumaru asked Ayame, watching as she went over to retrieve her practice short swords from the weapons shelf. She shrugged.
“I thought he was with you,” Ayame replied, slashing at an imaginary enemy and making as if she were to evade their attack and perform a counterattack of her own.
“He was here practicing with me a minute ago, but then he left and I thought that he had gone to you,” Tatsumaru replied, going back to his sword techniques. Ayame shrugged again and paused, her swords at her sides as she watched Tatsumaru. She loved watching him, and the attitude she had around him made it evident that she had a crush on him, ever since the moment they had first met. Ayame called it ‘love’.
“I bet I can beat you Tatsumaru!” Ayame said suddenly, a mischievous look on her face as she raised her practice swords and stepped towards him.
Tatsumaru laughed, and blocked what Ayame intended to be a surprise attack with his sword easily. “You’ve still got a lot to learn. I don’t think Master Shiunsai will approve of me tiring you so much!” He was used to the girl following him around everywhere, ever since she was first brought into the Azuma village, and of course, he knew of how she felt about him. He wasn’t completely oblivious. But Tatsumaru chose to act that way, for he didn’t want to break her heart. He loved her like the little sister he probably never had, but he didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth.
“I wouldn’t be talking Tatsumaru since you’re the one who’s going to be tired!” Ayame taunted, raising her blades again, “You just don’t want to fight with me because you know I’ll win!” But Tatsumaru merely chuckled again, knowing what the girl was trying to do.
“We’ll see. Go and find Rikimaru, you know how he is!”
“Fine, but when I get back, you better accept my challenge!” Ayame called over her shoulder as she walked out of the dojo. She headed towards the small lake that was a little west from the dojo’s entrance, obeying her notion that told her he was there. Ayame finally spotted Rikimaru sitting by the edge, Semimaru right beside him. They both looked rather lonely, their heads bowed as they stared into the water’s depths. She headed towards them.
Rikimaru felt her ki coming towards him, and he tensed ever so slightly, though he didn’t quite know why. He turned to see her settling herself beside Semimaru to his right.
“So...what are you doing?” Ayame asked curiously after several moments, scratching the head of Semimaru. She looked at Rikimaru and watched as his silvery hair blew in a breeze. At eighteen years old, four years older than herself, his hair was already a mix of gray and silver! Though she knew that it couldn’t have been because of age, and she let her eyes wander downward on his face. That black ever-present face mask covered his nose and his mouth as always. Ayame couldn’t help but wonder why he insisted on wearing that mask all the time, even while he was just in the Azuma village. She had seen him maskless on several occasions, and she knew that there was nothing wrong with him. She could even confess that he was rather handsome. But not as handsome as Tatsumaru, her mind added at the last second.
Rikimaru’s choice of clothing was nothing more than a shirt and baggy pants, both of a dark green color that made his strangely colored hair stand out all the more, his collar and belt were a contrasting blue. His sword wasn’t present in its usual place on his back, most likely in his room, resting on its proud stand.
“Resting...” Rikimaru finally answered. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ayame turn to focus on the water before her, and he took this as a chance to steal a glimpse at her. She was beautiful, at such a young age. The name “Ayame” suited her, for she was just as stunning as an iris. She had a face that seemed as delicate as porcelain, and it was so perfectly pale. Her black hair was piled messily onto her head, held back by blue cloth, thin wisps tickling her absolutely flawless face. She preferred to wear a short, dark red kunoichi kimono, her obi, scarf, and one arm guard that were all of a black color. Her shoes were sandal-like, and the black wrappings reached to about mid-thigh.
Rikimaru found himself wondering about all these thoughts that he was having of his clan-sister. It made him feel rather awkward, though he couldn’t help himself. How strange to even think that he had any such feelings for her! He remembered all the times that he had been annoyed by her on more than one occasion for her cynical attitude. It was obvious that she hated him anyway, and thought him of no more importance than one of her fellow pupils, and if he was lucky, as a brother.
Ayame was gazing into the light, clear blue waters that glittered in front of her. She saw her reflection, and Rikimaru’s too. She noticed from the reflection that he seemed to be studying her so intently. She turned and met his gaze for several seconds, before they both looked away quickly. What am I doing? Ayame asked herself, what exactly am I doing? Okay, so I just looked at him, and he just looked at me...but what was all that about? Ayame focused on petting Semimaru and decided that she was making a big deal over nothing, ignoring the fact that her heart had possibly started beating a bit faster as she stared into those dark orbs of his. She didn’t know how long they sat there, but she knew from the quickly fading sun that it was almost nighttime.
“Tatsumaru was wondering where you were,” Ayame spoke eventually. Rikimaru nodded. It stung his heart slightly that Ayame had said Tatsumaru was the one that was looking for him, and not she herself, or both even! He knew how highly Ayame thought of Tatsumaru, and it was easy to see that she was so captivated by him. But he repeated to himself that this was his clan-sister he was talking about, and that these feelings were most definitely forbidden.
“There you two are!” a voice came from behind them. They turned to see Tatsumaru looking down at the two of them. “Master Shiunsai summons us for the evening meal.”
Ayame jumped up, thankful for Tatsumaru’s interruption. “Good, because I’m starving...”
Rikimaru rose slowly, Semimaru following suit.
“So this was where you were all along huh?” Tatsumaru said to Rikimaru, punching him playfully on the arm. “Anyways, come on, Master Shiunsai will be wondering what’s taking us so long!”
The three headed for the house, Semimaru at their heels.
Oh and if anyone's interested, I'm in the middle of writing a collab Tenchu fic called Tenchu: Sins of Shadows. The URL is here: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2192414/1/
We would love more feedback for it ^_^