-Tora-
(Kyoto, Present Day)
I smiled as my brown eyes took in all the sights around me in Kyoto, trying to contain my giddiness. 'This is my first vacation on my own. But you know what? I feel great! Not a care in the world!' I stretched my arms above my head. I was enjoying a peaceful nighttime stroll through the city. I'd finally got my dream job and it was all due to my amazing portfolio. 'Goodbye matte gray cubicle! In a few days, I'll finally be a fashion designer! And this is my reward! I'm gonna get all the partying out of my system so I can focus on my new career.' My steps had a spring to them as I walked. I reached into my purse and pulled out my guide book, "A Traveler's Guide to Japan's Hottest Warlords." I had originally gotten it simply because I liked the title. But I will admit that the images weren't too bad either. This book promised information on some good sightseeing spots, since Kyoto is a hub of historical activity. I flicked through a few pages before a familiar name caught my eye. 'Yukimura Sanada, often called the Peerless Warrior. I've heard of this guy before, but I can't remember what he was famous for. Unfortunately I always did my Japanese history studying last, which showed in my tests.' I turned the page and my eyes fell to the next warlord. 'Masamune Date, the One-Eyed Dragon. I'm more familiar with him. People have done a lot of historical dramas about him. I loved his name, The One-Eyed Dragon. Just makes him seem so...rugged. And his eyepatch was a definite bonus, unfortunately he wasn't from Kyoto.' As I stared into his one beautiful, blue eye, I found myself becoming lost in it. I quickly shook my head to clear it from the intrusive thoughts.
"Let's see, where's the closest famous place I can visit?" I turned the page. 'Here's one! A stone monument to Honno-ji, at the temple's original location.' On the opposite page was information about Nobunaga Oda, the Devil King of the 6th Heaven, the most famous man who was tied to that location. 'I definitely remember him, since he unified all of Japan under his rule.' "In the year 1582, betrayed by Mitsuhide Akechi, Nobunaga commited suicide admist the fiery wreckage of Honno-ji." 'If I remember correctly, Nobunaga's ambitions burned in a coup.' I was amused that I could still remembered that old mnemonic, and I followed the map to where Honno-ji once stood. Once I reached my destination, I was a little shock by how simple it was. I frowned, 'I wonder if Nobunaga would be disappointed.' I walked closer to the monument when a man suddenly appeared. He was wearing a lab coat, which was a little odd to see in public. His eyes were fixed intently on the stone while he stood beside me. I peaked an eyebrow as I quietly observed him. 'He way too young to be a doctor. I wonder if he's a medical student and why does he have such serious expression?' I soon found him more interesting than monument and I couldn't help looking at him. Suddenly a drop of cold rain fell on my nose. I looked up and saw the dark clouds that must have formed while I was lost staring at the strange man. "Oh no." The clouds broke open and it started to downpour. "What poor timing." I looked over at the man as I started to get frustrated by the sudden weather change. "Clear skies all day and all night it said! Stupid weather report." He approached me with a calm expression. "Are you all right? Do you have an umbrella?" I nodded, "I do. But it's back at my hotel."
I looked into the man's eyes, when suddenly a bolt of lightning touched down in front of us, shattering the stone monument! 'That couldn't have just happened!? I've never seen lightning that close before!' "Be careful, miss-" the man had offered me a hand, when suddenly there was a loud crash and everything went black. I felt dizzy and squeezed my eyes shut. 'What's happening?' The dizziness finally passed. I opened my eyes, only for them to be quickly obscured with streams of billowing hot smoke. 'Wait, what?! It was raining just a moment ago! I was outside! How in the world did I get here?!' I coughed from the growing smoke. 'And it's so smoky here. This place is on fire! I covered my mouth and tried to look through the smoke. I couldn't see the man from before anywhere. Instead, I saw something unbelievable. 'What in the world?'
