Ancestors By: Discord A/N: Alternate Universe. Uruki/Takiko. The Genbu seishi live in 1653 Japan during the Tokugawa shogunate. The seishi serve daimyo loyal to the shogun in the city of Edo (present day Tokyo). Stirrings of revolt and betrayal reach Edo, and Uruki is sent to investigate. Journeying north to Morioka, he finds a hardened seventeen-year-old girl who talks with the blade of a naginata. What she has to say could change Japan – and him – forever. -- Chapter I – Girl of the North -- Uruki -- I've seen a lot in my life. Battles, burned towns, orphaned children — the like. Serving the shogunate exposes you to things better left to dark alleys and closed mouths. I've worn the blood of men and fled the echoing cries of their women. Women. Ugh. Ridiculous creatures. Hysterical, pottery-throwing, husband-smacking, angry things. I have them pretty figured out. Especially since I become one when using my power. At least, I thought I had them figured. The girl blocking my path seemed an exception. Of course, there were no pieces of house-ware to throw. She was obviously a fighter. Katana scars marred her arms and outlines of muscle from more than weeding gardens peeked out of wide sleeves. I knew I was gaping like an idiot. I didn't care. The new always surprised me. I continued to stare. My eyes roamed the rest of her without apology. Harsh wind swept the road, swirling piles of snow into the air. God it was cold up here. The girl didn't seem to notice. She wore a short happi coat and stood like a man. Her hair was pulled in a high, tight ponytail, mirroring male style, and practiced fingers gripped the end of a naginata. She had appeared from nowhere. The wind always brought the smell of ill intent to me, but she had snuck through the trees while I led my horse, oblivious. The point of her long spear filled the space between us, edging closer. "I ask you again samurai. Why are you in Morioka?" I frowned. Her lack of respect was appalling. She didn't even bother with title. The coarseness detracted from the pleasing set of her face. She seemed to hear my thoughts. Her forehead furrowed in scowl. "I'm not looking for your approval." I snorted. Be nice Uruki. "Good thing. Your beauty doesn't delve deep enough to garner esteem." I knew I was trying to match her rudeness. Still didn't care. "Because of course, women can only gain such through powder on their cheeks and paint on their lips," she scoffed. The naginata hiked higher. She had missed my point. I resisted her bait. "You know of such things? I doubt your common features have seen either." She resisted mine. "Yet I still stand in your way. And this plain, simple girl shall not let you pass." I dropped my horse's lead. He wandered to the roadside, digging to find grass under the snow. "I mean you no harm," I held hands up, empty fingers splayed. "I'm just a wandering samurai." "Dressed in the Tokugawa crest? I think not." I palmed my armor. "Why should my attire bar entrance?" "Why should Morioka be of interest?" She countered. I frowned again. This was annoying. "You speak as if an equal. Your husband should teach you your place." Good one. "Were I married perhaps a try would be made," she stepped forward. "Men need such things to bolster fragile egos." Oh, I get it. She's bitter. "Common and an old maid," I sent her a smirk. "This is who Morioka has greet guests?" Color rose in her cheeks. I'd hit a nerve. "This is the last time I say it. What do you want here?" My hand casually fell to the hilt of Souren's sword. Fingers curled in warning. That would scare her. Prove she was like every other woman after all. Her eyes followed my arm. "I see," small knuckles whitened around the naginata. She lowered to a crouch. My eyes widened. "What are you doing?" Her muscles tensed. "Preparing to run you through." "WHAT?" My mouth swung open. "Forget place. You need a husband to teach you sanity." "I manage just fine," her hands spread down the spear's shaft. "Somehow." "You won't win," the wind carried my words, robbing them of volume. I had meant them to sound strong, but I had never fought a woman. For all my dislike, I didn't want to hurt one. I just needed to cross. She scowled again. "Turn back." "No." "I won't let you pass." I answered automatically. "Then this road will mark your grave." A small smile stole the corners of her mouth. "So be it." The smile was one of resignation. Almost relief. Did I just threaten her? How had she tricked me into that? I couldn't do this. I could find another way. There had to be a second road. "What's your name?" My mind was on the fork I had passed yesterday morning. The smile dropped. Indecision flashed her face. She was surprisingly easy to read and seemed unaware of pretense. Maybe she was an exception. I shuddered, thinking of the guarded, coy women who filled Edo. Vultures the lot. Her eyes locked mine. "Takiko." With a sigh, I pulled the sword from my waist. It rang. "I have to get to Morioka, Takiko." I had orders to follow. "You're welcome to try." Now I would have women's blood on my hands too. The thought didn't sit well. I forced my arm to steady. We lunged at the same time. -- Two Weeks Earlier -- "You're an idiot Uruki," Tomite pulled his arrows from the tree's stout trunk. I knew he was rolling his eyes. "I'm just saying," I shrugged. Tomite tucked his bow to his back. He turned with a dry look. "I've lost count how many times my shots have saved your life." "But my blade keeps you safe to fire in the first place." Tomite shook his head. "I'm not learning the sword." "Your funeral." "Oh?" He raised an arm. His fist glowed. Shit. My eyes widened. "Don't!" "You think I can't hold my own in close combat?" "I was kidding!" Blue shot from his fist. A ribbon of solid ice punched me in the chest. Cold stole my air. I gasped for breath. "Defensive much?" Another ice beam knocked me to the ground. I landed on braced elbows. "You wanna fight?" I snarled. Rising, I brushed my front with angry fingers. The ice crumbled off. "Bring it, wench!" My eye twitched. "You can't use female insults while I'm still male!" Tomite laughed. "You're so pretty, it's easy to be fooled." The twitch grew. "You're DEAD," I transformed, calling wind into my palms. My kamishimo became tight as my chest expanded. The armor wasn't built to accommodate the frame of a woman. Especially one so well-endowed. I take pride where I can. Tomite dropped the gathered arrows. He raised his other fist, grinning. "Upset Uruki-chan?" "Upset I'll have to dress nice when they put you in the ground!" My voice was high. I called more wind. "That's enough!" A tall man appeared at the edge of the field. He crossed arms and glared with his uncovered eye. Hikitsu. His gaze bore into my side, practically burning a hole. The man knew how to glower. Tomite pretended he didn't feel the heat. He kept his arms straight. "We're just sparring." Hikitsu frowned. "Liar." I released the wind. It left me in a rush. "Don't be so serious," my voice was deep again. "We're not hurting any—." "We weren't hand-picked by the daimyo to use our powers on each other," he interrupted. "There are more important things than settling score." Tomite grudgingly unclenched fists. "What do you have for us?" He and I both knew what Hikitsu's speeches on duty prefaced. "There is news of rebellion in the north," he ignored Tomite's tone. "The daimyo requested Uruki." I grinned, risking Hikitsu's disapproval. "You see. Sword beats bow." Tomite bent to retrieve his arrows. "Idiot." A wave of water erupted from the field's periphery. It crashed into Tomite's backside, soaking through to his kimono. He sputtered, straightening. The man wiped wet from his eyes. "Hikitsu, you're an ass!" "What?" A trace of smile touched the newcomer's face. "Such freak weather this time of year." "Yeah, yeah," Tomite shook water from his bangs. "Defending Uruki just cause you're in league together," he glared balefully at the katana on Hikitsu's hip. Hikitsu lifted two fingers to his face in warning. "Oh what're you going to do? I'm already wet." I backed up. Hikitsu's smile grew to smirk. Water shot from his fingers. It flew towards Tomite, yawning wide in a great maw. The seishi turned to run, but too late. The flood swallowed him, sweeping out his stance. White, churning rapids carried him across the field towards a line of trees. "HIKITSUUUU!" Tomite floated into forest, disappearing. Expletives rose up behind him and the surging water slowly died. The white seeped into ground and Hikitsu pulled his hand from his face. I swallowed, glancing to the trees. "So… rebellion in the north?" "Yes," Hikitsu swept long hair from his shoulders. "The daimyo wants you to find their leader and silence him." "Where?" "A small town. Morioka." "Do we have a name?" "Only family. Okuda." "More than I've gotten before." Hikitsu nodded. "You're to leave immediately. Your horse and supplies are already packed." I walked to his side. "And his followers?" "Dispatch them as well." -- Her strength surprised me. She met my strike with force. I bore down and she grimaced. "I don't want to hurt you," I whispered. "And I don't want you in my village," she grit out. We broke. She swung the naginata around, aiming for neck. I ducked and sliced my sword across her exposed side. The blade bit into her obi, ripping through. Blood bloomed at her hip. She didn't cry out. Whipping the butt-end of her spear, she caught me in the jaw. My head snapped back. The girl dropped low and kicked her leg under me. My knees buckled and I fell hard. "You little—!" Her elbow connected with my chin. Snapping bone echoed the blow. I swore. My voice cracked as the word seared fire across my face. Spots darkened my vision. I shook my head. Her elbow was returning. I grabbed her arm, pinning it up behind her back. She cursed, far more colorfully than I. I pushed the shoulder over me, sitting up. The spots danced wildly. The road spun. "Who the hell are you?" I shoved my face to hers. Fury splotched her cheeks. She drew in quick breath and I could see she was going to spit. I grabbed her chin, turning her face away. My fingers dug. "Don't even try!" Speaking made everything blur, but I couldn't seem to stop. "I told you my name!" She glared from the corner of her eye. I pushed her face further. "We're fighting over yours!" I refused to let go. "We're here because you're a stupid girl doing a man's job. Who's supposed to guard this road?" "I am! No one else stands up to the Tokugawa contribution collectors who come through." I froze. "That's treason." She dug nails into my wrist. "I don't care." I reached for her free hand, twisting it behind with the other. She didn't flinch. I twisted harder. Her face returned to mine. Defiance fed her anger. My mouth opened without thought. "What's your family name?" I don't know what made me ask, but I won't forget the moment. It was the beginning of everything. Fear replaced her anger. I knew instantly. "Why?" "Okuda?" I pulled her arms tighter, forcing her close. "Takiko Okuda?!" Her chest heaved against mine. Her breathing sped. "Have you come to kill me?" I could almost taste her words. No light fit between us. I couldn't answer. The leader was a girl? Her 'uprising' was refusing taxes? "I'll take that as 'yes'," she spoke for me. The same smile returned. It held a different note than before. "Not today samurai." I had relaxed my grip without realizing. She wrenched free and swung fists towards me. She struck my temples from both sides and the spots merged together. Black followed the blow and oblivion swallowed me whole. -- To be continued...