Call of Samurai: A Mugen Love Story

Introduction

I slowly stood up from the calming water and stretched before shaking out my hair and some of my body. Steam rose from my skin. I dressed in an all-black kimono and began to adjust it onto my body. I had a bit of difficulty attempting to make my breasts look smaller and more modest under the black dress. This had always been a problem for me. Even after wrapping them up I struggled. I gave up my fidgeting and collected my weapon from the ground. I tried to preserve my identity as best possible for my own sake. My best effort usually included routine wearing of a large hood with a cloth to cover the wearers mouth and nose. The makeshift mask was better than a real one because it muffled my voice in a way that altered the tone plus it was rather comfortable. I'd like to think that I had mastered wearing it. I could move lucidly without revealing any part of my face if I maintained a slight hunch while fighting or running. Aside from cloaking my face, I'd also wrapped my hands and feet just around the middle. I'd always done this for combat purposes but as time passed it seemed to be more of a habit than anything else. When I was done, I didn't look like me, and that was the perfect look in my opinion.

My weapon was one of beauty to me. It was thinner in the middle for me to grip. Both ends of it had silver blades trimmed with gold and glass. It was nearly as if my weapon were a double edged sword that didn't hurt me because of its design in the middle. What I felt was the best part was that the blades were swung a certain way, they would extend via a chain unseen in the middle. The chains would escape and drop the blades, dangling from the pole like encasement. This allowed me to twirl it and massacre crowds, nearly sending them into the effects of a meat grinder or a dicing machine. It was an unusual weapon, one that I had made for myself. While not being used, the blades were hidden in the encasement, making it nearly appear to be a stick or a sheath. Its outer appearance was not very threatening, but my usage of it was.

I walked quickly yet quietly, hurrying back into my room at the inn. This particular inn that I checked into tonight was not very satisfying in my opinion, but it was cheap, convenient and not very well known. I entered my room, noticing that I now had neighbors next door. One spoke loudly, the other very softly. The conversation went on until the sound of me sliding the door closed caused near silence. The rooms were separated, and it sounded like there were two men occupying the room. I didn't think anything of it as I got into the prepared bedding on the ground.

There was a light knock on the door.

"Excuse me miss, it's me, Yana, the innkeeper."

I absolutely did not want any visitors. The extent of my interaction with people usually ended after I paid for a room. I could already imagine the stress involved in accepting such a situation.

"Yes?" I answered. I was not the most social person, but I knew well enough to not be rude to elders. She was much older than I, and from what I'd overheard, she had been running this inn for over 30 years.

"I'm sorry for this inconvenience, but I was wondering if I could ask that this young lady share this room with you."

I was confused and said nothing as I was fully expecting an explanation.

"Well, you see, I do not have very many rooms here and the rest are taken by men. I can't do that to the poor thing."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeease", the young girl begged.

"Sure," I said, hesitantly.

I was amused by the girl's seeming innocence.

"I'll need to get the extra bedding from the room next door and set it up in here. I'll bring you a snack for all of your trouble miss...."

It took a moment for me to remember the name that I used when I checked in.

"Sanyo", I answered.

"My name's Fuu", said the young girl.

I said nothing.

I slipped outside before she could open the door and see me. I allowed the girl to settle without my looming presence. I sat outside, just out of view of anyone that could possibly be in the room. I paid attention to the sounds coming from it- I assumed that the bedding was set up after things quieted down. Yana left after the task was complete. The sound of the girl's complaining stomach filled the room. I frowned. I usually keep my nose out of the business of others, but in a way I felt it was sad. I remembered the snack that Yana insisted that she would bring. Yana arrived and brought in a few orders of dumplings as the snack that she had promised. She prepared to deliver them to my side. I hadn't realized that she would know where I was. Before she sat down the plate, I stopped her.

"Give them to the girl..."

She looked at me concerned. I pushed the dumplings back to her. Yana smiled, possibly shocked that someone who had remained so mysterious actually had a heart. Yana sat the orders in front of Fuu and explained what had happened. She looked over in my direction, amazed. I was certain that she could not see me.

She scarfed down the first portion more quickly than any girl I'd ever seen eat before. I fully expected her to give the other orders the same treatment, but she stopped. She stood up, taking the plate with her, and exited to enter the room next door. My stomach growled loudly after she exited. I sighed a sigh of relief that it had waited for her to leave, not exposing the paradoxical nature of my gesture. I also realized that partaking would require that I remove the mask from around my mouth which would have ruined the purpose. I expected her to return immediately and come to bed, but she was gone for longer than that, conversing with the men no doubt. I paid it no mind and climbed into bed. I turned away from where her bedding was and tucked my sheathed weapon under the covers with me, before falling asleep.