There’s death all around him as the man stood tall in the field surrounded by bodies that had reddened slashed armor on them. A black katana dripped with the fallen enemy’s blood, as did Hensetsu’s armor and hair. His normally white blonde hair was deep crimson with blood. What have I done? Hensetsu thought to himself as he cast his gaze upon his fallen comrades and enemies alike around him lying dead by his own hand.

As he entered the worn down tavern the inhabitants already there quickly finished their drinks and left when they saw who had entered the building. The long black katana hung at Hensetsu’s side as he passed everyone, their stares wondering what he was. In that place the only reason you showed up covered in blood was if you needed to be patched up or had gotten into a fight at the bar. Hushed whispers and stares followed Hensetsu as he headed upstairs to his room.
His room contained a plain mattress on the floor and bandages and clothing strewn about the floor. The bandages were bloodied and worn and the clothing was torn or shredded. Hensetsu fell onto his bed and fell into sleep’s kind embrace.

Hensetsu was woken up by someone banging on his door. “Hey, Hensetsu, wake up already. You’ve been in there for three days.”
Hensetsu stumbled to the door and opened it to let the only person who could be classified as a friend in. “What are you doing here, Chijin?” he asked him tiredly.
“Like I just said, you’ve been in there for three days.” Chijin told him again kindly.
Hensetsu opened the door farther to reveal Chijin standing there. Hensetsu slumped in the doorframe, “When I asked what you were doing here, I meant why are you here. You never come here unless there’s a problem concerning me.”
Chijin’s expression became troubled. “The last time anyone saw you, you were covered in blood that I don’t think was entirely yours.” Chijin looked down the dim hallway then back to Hensetsu, “Can we talk in there? I don’t want anyone overhearing what I want to talk to you about.” Hensetsu stepped inside to let Chijin in then shut and locked the door after he glanced up and down the hall to make sure no one followed him there.
Hensetsu faced his friend who was exploring his room, taking in the lack of personal belongings and his katana lying bare on the bed- three day old blood flaking off on the blanket. Chijin saw the freshly stained clothes and bandages on the floor, then looked at Hensetsu, concern once again in his eyes.
“I know you don’t talk about anything you do or have done, but are you alright? This last time was a mess. There’s no way you got away without being terribly injured.”
Hensetsu watched Chijin as he moved about the room. “I’m fine, now get to your point or get out.”
“The Sasori Council wants to employ Faita Hensetsu Fuubi into its army.” Chijin officially told Hensetsu, and handed a thick envelope to him.
Hensetsu opened the envelope cautiously, his eyes never leaving Chijin as he tore open the seal and pulled out its contents.

The Sasori Council is interested in having Faita Hensetsu Fuubi in the employment of the council’s army. If you so choose to accept this offer, it is yours. If you decide not to accept, you will be thrown into the council’s jail for the remainder of your days. You will also be stripped of your Faita title, and all of your personal belongings and your weapons will be the property of the Sasori Council during you imprisonment.

Hensetsu looked at Chijin who was studying Hensetsu’s katana with great fascination. “Would you leave Shouten alone and tell me why the Sasori Council wants me?” he asked Chijin angrily.
Chijin looked at Hensetsu with confusion, then comprehension when he realized Shouten was the name of the katana. Quickly he stepped away from Shouten. “I’m sorry Hensetsu, but you know you can’t refuse them anything unless you want death upon yourself. I was sent here to get you,” Chijin looked down at his feet, ashamed. “again, I’m sorry. You’ll be employed immediately, so bring your things with you. I’ll wait outside the door for you.” Chijin turned to leave, then paused with his hand on the door. “And Hensetsu, don’t try to run. Some of the Council’s army men followed me here and are waiting outside if you resist.” With that he left the room, the door’s slam echoing through the silent room.

Chijin was joined outside by Hensetsu a few minutes later. Chijin wore his jacket that showed he was a Sasori Council’s messenger, while Hensetsu preferred his usual black pants and black jacket that he left open to reveal his well toned torso that let people know he wasn’t someone they wanted to mess with, especially with Shouten strapped to his waist in its black sheath. As the two of them made their way down the street other pedestrians moved out of their way and scrambled into the crevices by the buildings.
“You have the oddest effect on people, you know that right?” Chijin told Hensetsu as a mother quickly pulled her children by her side, away from the two men. “See what I mean?” he said as he nodded to the woman. Hensetsu grunted as he kept walking, as if he didn’t care about it.
After a few minutes Chijin ran to catch up to Hensetsu. “Tell me, what do they want me to do for them other than command their army?” Hensetsu asked Chijin after a few miles.
“I don’t know, but you’ll soon find out because we’re here.” Chijin told Hensetsu as they approached a large building made of dark grey bricks that appeared to always be in shadow.
They were greeted by two burly guards who had size, but little muscle, where Hensetsu had muscle, but not so much size. The first guard stepped into their path, blocking them from entering the building. “You must relinquish your weapons. There are no weapons allowed past this point.” The guard told Hensetsu and Chijin, always glancing from their faces to Shouten and back.
Hensetsu glared at the guard, then told him, “There’s no way I’m giving you Shouten just to get in.” he looked at Chijin who had already given them his knife from his side and his tantous. Chijin looked at Hensetsu pleadingly. “No, you aren’t putting your hands on Shouten. Now let me pass.” The guard placed a hand on Hensetsu’s chest when he tried to pass them. He looked down at it calmly, then looked the guard in the eye. “Take your hand off me.” The guard put more pressure on his chest and Hensetsu could feel the guard’s kijutsu building for an attack, but before it could be used, Hensetsu slammed his palm into the guard’s chest and pulled the kijutsu the guard was building to send him crashing through the heavy wooded door accompanied by the second guard rushing forward to Hensetsu, who whipped around quickly and kicked the guards feet out from under him, causing the man to fall stunned on the ground gasping for breath. Chijin rushed in front of Hensetsu to prevent him from continuing his assault on the two men.
“Hensetsu, stop! What are you getting so angry about? You don’t have to give them your katana, alright? Just come with me to the Council’s meeting room before these guys throw you in their jail for assault.” Chijin told him as he lead Hensetsu deeper into the building’s maze of halls and rooms.

The doors to the meeting room were dark wood with the symbol of the Sasori Council on them- a giant black scorpion with its stinger raised to strike its opponents. Chijin grasped one of the scorpion’s legs and pulled, the doors’ hidden seam opened to reveal a pale light from within. Chijin entered the room behind Hensetsu and closed the doors with a dull thud. The council’s members sat at a long table in front of the open floor where their summoned sat before them.
The man in the center of the table spoke first, “Faita Hensetsu Fuubi, you have been brought here of your own free will to accept our invitation to lead the Sasori Council’s Army; is that correct?” the man’s last words echoed off the stone walls.
“If you consider what you do as my free will, then yes I have.” Hensetsu answered belligerently.
“And you already know our policy on weapons in the Council’s building?” Hensetsu nodded curtly. “Then why have you come baring your blade so boldly in this room?”
“The reason why I don’t relinquish my blade is because your men tried using their kijutsu against me when I refused them the first time.” He replied stubbornly.
“You are to hand your blade over to Chijin or have it taken from you by force.” Chijin approached Hensetsu warily, not wanting Hensetsu to beat him like he had the guards out front.
“Please Hensetsu; allow me to hold onto Shouten for the time being until they allow you to have it back.” Chijin told Hensetsu quietly when he got near.
“No,” Hensetsu told the Council, “I would be taken by a Shinigami before I relinquish Shouten in a place like this.” Chijin looked as if Hensetsu had just spat in the face of the Council’s leader.
“Very well, that can always be arranged. Guards, take this man to conference room two and have fun with him until I come and get him.” Two burly guards came out of the shadows towards Hensetsu to take him away.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Hensetsu told the man calmly. The men advanced closer to Hensetsu until they were arms distance away from him. Hensetsu’s arms reached out to each of the men’s throats, and as his hands made contact, he grasped their throats tightly; causing their air supplies to cut off. The two guards dropped to their knees and each of them reached for the bags that hung at their sides. “Don’t do that.” Hensetsu told the men calmly. The two men withdrew their hands from the bags and raised them in surrender. Hensetsu nodded once, then released them, the two falling on their hands grasping their throats. “What did you want me here fo-“ his words were cut off as a fine mist floated down over him and he whipped around to see Chijin standing there, his hand still raised from throwing the powder from his bag on Hensetsu.
“I’m sorry about all this.” Chijin told Hensetsu before he collapsed in a heap on the stone floor. The two guards took the opportunity to bind Hensetsu’s hands behind his back and drag him to the other room.

When Hensetsu awoke he was standing in a large room with his hands bound together to a long chain connected to the ceiling. His jacket was tossed in the corner with Shouten thrown on top of it carelessly. Seeing his prized katana treated so carelessly enraged Hensetsu, he bellowed out, “Kono yarou! What the hell do you want with me?!” his voice echoed throughout the room, mocking him. Hensetsu struggled to loosen his chains, but was interrupted by the guards entering the room.
“Aw, he’s finally awake. Well, vermin where’s your fighting spirit now?” the first guard sneered at Hensetsu.
“Go to hell.” Hensetsu grunted at them. The first guard pulled a fine blade from his belt and approached him. The light from the torches on the walls licked at the blade as it was raised to Hensetsu’s shoulder. The blade bit deep into the flesh and muscle of his shoulder.
“Do you want to repeat that, vermin?” the guard asked Hensetsu as he pulled the blade through his shoulder.
Hensetsu ground his teeth in pain, then repeated, “Go-to-hell.” The blade found its way to his side and drew deep crimson on its edge that dripped on the floor and ran down his side and soaked into the material of his pants.
“Why do you still resist us?” the second guard asked as he raised a whip with barbs on the end. The first guard retreated as the second advanced on Hensetsu; he swung the whip with such force that it whistled through the air before it tore the flesh of his chest. This time Hensetsu let out a cry of pain then colorfully swore at the two men. “Listen to the mouth on this one.” The second guard told the first joyfully. “You shouldn’t use words like that, someone maybe offended.” The man pulled back the whip again and let it fly through the air to Hensetsu’s face, tearing the side of it open in a large, long gash. His head snapped to the side, causing blood to spray in an ac on the floor.
“What the hell-“ Hensetsu started before the whip connected with his torso again and again. “Damn you, damn you both.” He ground out between clenched teeth before the barbs caught his pants at the knee and forced his legs to give out from under him. The sudden weight on his arms caused his shoulders to dislocate, and him to yell out from the excruciating pain.
“That’s enough boys.” The leader of the Council told them calmly. “You may leave now if you wish.” The two guards quickly left the room. The man turned towards Hensetsu after the door slammed shut. “Faita Hensetsu Fuubi, you are here because you were summoned, then you fought us. If it were someone else and not the best damned fighter around, you’d be dead right now, or wishing for death’s sweet release.” Hensetsu tried to focus his kijutsu, but it slipped away like a piece of melting ice. “Your kijutsu won’t work until I order Chijin to release it from his hold. Until then I hold your life and future in my hands; I can squash you like a bug, or you can agree to help us with our requests. It’s your choice.”
Hensetsu thought about it for a little, then ground out, “Fine, now release my kijutsu.” The man nodded and raised his hand, and then suddenly Hensetsu could feel his kijutsu flow like a cold river through him. Hensetsu quickly gathered some of his kijutsu and, without wasting time, used it to heal the side of his face and his shoulders, along with all the other abrasions that bled heavily on the ground at his feet. “What, never seen a person heal themselves before?” he asked the very wide-eyed leader who stared at Hensetsu. “Unbind me Katakidoushi, or I’ll unbind myself.” When Katakidoushi made no move towards him, Hensetsu’s bonds burned away and fell to the ground at his feet. Hensetsu rubbed his wrists and moved his arms to flex the muscles to get the blood back into his hands. Hensetsu glared at Katakidoushi until he gathered his thoughts.
“Faita Hensetsu Fuubi, the Sasori Council is requiring your services in leading its army into battle once again.” Hensetsu’s head dropped and turned away from Katakidoushi. “You cannot turn away from us Faita; the Sasori Council runs everything here, from the police to the smallest store owners. Even if you did run, there’s nowhere for you to hide from us. We have eyes and ears everywhere.”
Hensetsu stopped his retreat, “Why me? can’t you get another Faita, or are they all dead?”
“You would know, you killed all of them. The Council has been lucky enough to wrangle up some soldiers for you to lead into battle in two days time. All of them are well trained and will be equipped with armor and some knowledge on how to tap the kijutsu around them.”
Hensetsu looked at Katakidoushi and told him, “See you in two days.” Then turned and left. As he passed the two guards outside the room he noticed that they, too, now cowered as he passed.
The two guards raced into the room once Hensetsu left. “Sir, do you want us to retrieve him?” the first one asked Katakidoushi worriedly.
“For now, leave him. He’ll come though for us when we need him. After all, his honor is at stake with this battle.” Katakidoushi threw in quietly.

Hensetsu stormed down the stairs and found Chijin in a room below the one he had just been in, listening to the conversations going on above him. When the door banged against the wall when Hensetsu entered, Chijin jumped with surprise and fear when he saw who it was. “Chijin, how could you? Why would you?” Chijin remained silent. “If you value your life right now you will answer me.” his eyes widened in fear and he started to gather his kijutsu as backed away. “Don’t bother, who do you think will win in a fight with our kijutsu anyway? Unlike most people I don’t gather my kijutsu, I hold onto it and pull other people’s in when I fight. That’s why I still have the rare Faita title.”
Chijin backed into the far wall and his hand found a hidden panel in it that called guards into the room. The panel sunk in silently as Hensetsu threw a ball of glowing kijutsu at Chijin’s stomach. Heavy, quick footsteps could be heard in the hall outside coming to the room for help. “What the hell did you do?” Hensetsu growled at Chijin when he heard the men coming.
The men entered the room with swords raised ready for a fight. “Ten against one, that hardly sounds fair.” Hensetsu commented lightly. “Let me even the odds a bit.” As he said this he sent his kijutsu out to fetch Shouten from the room above. The katana flew through the grates in the floor above Hensetsu’s outstretched hand. His hand grasped the hilt and he got in a ready battle stance for them to come.
They waited a few moments then came rushing forward at Hensetsu yelling. He waited until they reached him, and he started swinging his blade. Shouten whistled and sang as it flashed through the air to meet the steel of its enemy’s blade. The clash that was made when steel met steel was deafening in the enclosed space. Hensetsu whirled around in a low kick that knocked the men’s feet out from under him. The man behind him came forward, Hensetsu shoved Shouten into his chest, and pulled it out, spraying blood along Shouten’s arc as it cut another man from shoulder to hip. When the blade was low from its swing, Hensetsu drew it across another man’s Achilles tendon, causing him to collapse on top of his fallen comrades. Before Chijin could withdraw any of the powder from within his bag, Hensetsu cut the bag then the drawstring on it, the powder and bag both falling through the grates in the floor to the room below. Suddenly Hensetsu felt someone tapping into his kijutsu supply, looking around while parrying the swords coming at him he saw one guard holding back from the fight, his eyes unfocussed and distant. Hensetsu latched onto the man’s own kijutsu and severed it from the man, the man yelled in pain and Hensetsu ground his teeth and let out a shout of pain as well, when the mans kijutsu was drawn into his own pool and refused to combine and mix at first. The guards ceased their fighting to look at the man who lost his kijutsu and at Hensetsu who collapsed on his hands and knees with pain when the man fell to the floor.
“Sir, sir what’s wrong?” the men asked their leader frantically.
The leader stopped his shouts, then looked up quickly at Hensetsu who met his gaze easily. “What the hell’ve you done to my kijutsu? I can’t reach it, and I can’t draw any either.”
“I’ve severed your bond with it permanently; you’ll never be able to use it in the slightest bit.” Hensetsu told the man calmly.
“Chikushou.” He growled at Hensetsu angrily.
“Yes I am.” He replied lightly.
“Kill him!” the men rushed at Hensetsu immediately, he parried the first attack then threw three of the men through the far wall with his kijutsu. The remaining two swung wildly at Hensetsu in an attempt of mindless swings, which were easily deflected by Shouten. The men’s attempts finally ended when Shouten cleanly cut through both of their rib cages. The men fell to the side, landing on top of one another as their blood ran into the room below through the grate on the floor. Shouten came to rest on the last living guard’s throat, its edge sharp and cutting the skin on the man’s throat as he swallowed nervously.
“Why do you constantly try to fight me when you know full well you’ll always lose?” Hensetsu asked the terrified man. “Go, and tell Katakidoushi I’ll be ready for battle, but if he keeps allowing his men to fight me I’ll go into battle as his enemy. Go and tell him that.” Hensetsu lowered Shouten and the man scrambled to his feet and ran quickly away, falling over his own feet as he left. “As for you,” he said as he bent down to wipe the blood off Shouten with the clean material of a fallen guard’s coat. “Chijin, why do you side with them?”
“They run everything here, to disobey them means death, or battle where you won’t come back from. Don’t you get it? I can’t disobey the Sasori Council, and you shouldn’t either. Especially when your own father leads it.” Hensetsu’s attention snapped back to Chijin with fury in his eyes.
“How’d you find out? Only Katakidoushi and I know about that.”
“You two came to the Sasori Council at the same time and you hated him enough to have known him well before he came into power. No, you may not call him daifu or father, but you don’t try to kill him either.” Chijin told him then continued. “Katakidoushi is the head of the Sasori Council, while you, his son, is the stinger on its tail.”
Hensetsu looked at Chijin questioningly. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you are the Council’s sole Faita ranked soldier, since the rest, you know, died.” Hensetsu nodded slowly as Chijin spoke. “You are-and always have been-the best in the Faita ranks. But to the Council, you’re not much better than a hired sword.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because, I’ve seen hired swords treated the same as you are, and other Faitas treated like little more than inu kuso.”
“Gee, thanks for that. Like I needed you to tell me something I already knew. Besides, it’s not that different from how I treat them, except that they gave me a reason to treat them like inu kuso first.” Hensetsu stood, sheathed the now clean Shouten, and left the room.

The room above was silent as Hensetsu retrieved his jacket and strapped Shouten on his hip. The way out was clear of Council members and guards as he exited the building, even the guards that were by the door outside moved to the side when he passed. Even though they had changed since the time Hensetsu entered the building earlier.
Hensetsu made his way to the familiar tavern he crashed at after his visits to the Council or after any battle he’s fought in. The usual customers who knew him shifted in their seats to get farther away from him, hoping they wouldn’t get hurt if he lashed out. As he approached the bar the new bartender smiled at him kindly.
“Can I get you anything sir?” she asked him with a sweetness in her voice. She had a gentle smile and light brown hair that was pulled back into a braid and her deep blue eyes matched Hensetsu’s.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” he asked her darkly.
“No, I just moved here. It’s my first day working here.”
“Obviously.” He said lower. “Get me the bottle labeled ‘Never Touch’ and go away.” The girl looked surprised, then went in back to get his drink. The attention in the tavern was all focused on Hensetsu’s back until he turned around.
“Here you go sir.” The girl said as she set the bottle of black liquid on the counter by Hensetsu. She quickly left when she saw the wicked gleam in his eyes when he brought them up to meet hers.
A few minutes later Hensetsu was leaning over a half empty bottle when a man wearing an emerald green army jacket came over and sat next to Hensetsu. “I’m looking for a man by the name of Hensetsu Fuubi, you seen him?” he asked Hensetsu.
Without looking up from his drink Hensetsu responded. “Yeah,” he had a slight smile when he responded. “what do you want with him?”
“I heard this was a normal hang out place for him and I thought someone here might know him.”
The new bartender came back smiling at the newcomer, then asked him if she could get him anything. “Yeah, do you know a man named Hensetsu Fuubi? He’s supposed to be a Faita rank and have white blonde hair with deep blue eyes. Oh, I was told he always has a black katana with him and doesn’t speak much.”
The girl’s eyes flashed to Hensetsu-who she had discovered earlier was the last remaining person holding a Faita title. Hensetsu glared back at her, telling her silently not to tell the man who he was. “I’m new here, so I don’t really know anyone yet, but I’ve heard his name spoken here a lot. I’m sure if you asked one of the regulars, they would know.” She told him sweetly.
The man let out a sigh, and before he left to ask the other inhabitants of the tavern he told her, “If you see him, tell him Gunryo was looking for him.” Then left the bar.
“Aw, shit.” Hensetsu said when the man left.
“What is it?” the bartender asked him.
“The Sasori Council is here looking for me to bring me back. That’s what it is.”
The girl’s eyes widened in surprise. “What does that mean?”
“It means get in back and stay there.” Hensetsu told her after he quickly finished his drink. Gunryo returned then and placed a hand on Hensetsu’s shoulder.
“I guess you have seen Hensetsu Fuubi a bit, huh?” Gunryo told Hensetsu quietly in his ear. “I’ve been sent by the Sasori Council to retrieve you.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then by force.”
“So be it.” Hensetsu said as he threw a burst of kijutsu at Gunryo. Gunryo was sent flying backwards into the tables behind him. The occupants of the tavern looked at Gunryo, then at Hensetsu who had kijutsu gathering around at his hands. There was a stampede for the door and several people jumped out the open windows to get away. They knew Hensetsu was dangerous at the best of times, but when he got riled or started to fight you’d better be gone or have said your farewells earlier because you wouldn’t be seeing anyone again.
As Gunryo rose from a pile of tables and chairs he threw a chair with extra force from his kijutsu at Hensetsu who caught it, then was pushed back into the bar. The wood splintered and broke as Hensetsu’s body was forced through the hard wood. Some glass shattered behind Hensetsu, their contents covering the floor. Hensetsu drew Shouten then raced to Gunryo with it raised. When Shouten swung through the air towards Gunryo’s shoulder, it was met by a silver katana with kijutsu symbols engraved into the blade. The clash of steel on steel hung in the air ominously.
“You can’t beat me Hensetsu.” Gunryo told him. “This blade was made to destroy, that thing won’t be more than an insect against it.”
“Uchitoru against Shouten, death will always triumph over kill. You may have kijutsu boosters inscribed on it, but mine is pure skill and art. Time to meet your maker Gunryo.” Hensetsu told him as he gave Gunryo a shove backwards.
Uchitoru sang through the air and bit deep in Hensetsu’s shoulder before Shouten could be raised to block it from sinking through the bone entirely. “Che.” Hensetsu growled between clenched teeth. Hensetsu’s kijutsu surrounded the part of Uchitoru that was in his shoulder and pulled it out. Then he used Shouten to thrust Uchitoru in the air, he held it there with his kijutsu, and swung Shouten around in an arc, slicing open Gunryo’s abdomen and having blood spill freely and spray Hensetsu thoroughly. “You-are going-to fall.” Gunryo said between labored breaths. Hensetsu took Uchitoru in his left hand and headed to the Sasori Council.

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 26.05.2011

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