She entered slowly and cautiously, her silk yukata flowing gently, into the dining area. She entered this way partially because she was carrying hot tea and did not wish to spill any of it, but also because she did not wish to interrupt the conversation which her older brother and his comrades were having. Whether this was because of the fun this group was having, their reputation as great samurai, the fact that she, as a woman, had been raised to be subservient to men, or a combination of all these reasons and more, she herself did not know.
Yoko's brother, Daisuke, had been a brave warrior during the Bakumatsu, leading his fellow samurai to aid the Meiji in gaining rule over all Japan. They had won that war, and though there was still much change to come, the fact that they had served their emperor well brought them all great satisfaction, and earned them the right to drink and be merry.
Yoko slowly filled the cup of a warrior who had just finished his previous drink, trying her best not to disturb them. She was so focused on her duties that she almost dropped her tea kettle when one of the men called out to her.
"Yoko, young lass," an older warrior, named Shiba, called out, "Why don't you sit and have a chat with us?"
"Yes, please join us," said another warrior. Yoko tried to hide her blush as she realized who had just seconded Shiba's invitation. It was the young and handsome Kira. She did not even hear the agreement of all the other samurai, for her focus was solely upon this man, whose skill and bravery rivaled even that of her older brother.
"Very well," Yoko shyly replied. "If you are sure it is no trouble to you all..."
"Nonsense," one of the other warriors replied. "It is no bother to have the beautiful younger sister of brave and noble Daisuke with us. So what do you say, Daisuke?"
Daisuke's gaze met with that of his sister. He tried to fake a cold, stern, scowl, but even if he had had a trace of talent as an actor, everyone knew that Daisuke loved his sister dearly. Their parents had both died many years ago; their mother of illness and their father defending their village from bandits not too long afterwards. Since then Daisuke had raised and cared for Yoko, even during the turbulent times of war they had just been through. Daisuke's fake frown quickly gave way to a caring smile, and without any words being said, Yoko went to sit at his side. Just as she did, Daisuke leaned over and whispered something into her ear.
"I need to speak with you. Please meet me at the Black Shrine after we're done here."
Before Yoko could ask for more details, Shiba called out (louder than he actually needed to, partially thanks to the sake he had been drinking), "Yoko, my girl, I hear that you're no slouch with a sword. Any truth to that?"
"Well, Daisuke has taught me a bit," she meekly answered, "but it's mostly just self-defense techniques..."
"Well, now we all know how you whip Daisuke into shape," Kira joked, arousing wild laughter from everyone at the table, including Daisuke. The evening was filled with such friendly humor and merriment, and lasted long into the night (and only really ended because most of the men had passed out from consuming too much alcohol). It was a few hours after midnight before Yoko was finally able to head to the Black Shrine, where Daisuke was already waiting for her. He silently motioned for her to follow him into the shrine, and she did so, curious as to why her brother had called her out so late.
The Black Shrine was named for the black gemstone it housed. The legends said that the gem was used by the gods to contain a demonic spirit, and because of this legend the gem was never to be touched, and was always sealed with a variety of sutras and charms by the monks who usually attended the shrine. It was a shame, for the black jewel was quite beautiful, and virtually every woman in the town would comment on how much they would love to have it in their possession. But Yoko did not have the time to focus on the black jewel before her attention was turned to Daisuke.
"Yoko," he began, "you know that I have cared for you for a long time now, and your happiness means more to me than anything, right?"
"Of course, big brother," Yoko replied. "Why do you seek to confirm that which you already know?"
"I know you have had feelings for Kira for a long time now," Daisuke explained. "Well, Kira recently asked me if I would allow him to take you as his wife."
Yoko's surprise was apparent. Daisuke waited a few moments before continuing. "I told him that he is my best friend, almost like a brother, and you are my little sister, and that if you two would be happy together, I would have no objections. However, it is not up to me. Yoko, you must decide for yourself. Will you marry Kira?"
Yoko was silent, a million thoughts racing through her mind. She had been infatuated with Kira since she was fourteen years of age, but did she really love him? Was she ready for marriage? To become a wife? Perhaps a mother, even? She was silent for so long that Daisuke almost gave up on getting an answer. He was just about to leave, when Yoko looked at him with eyes almost about to burst into tears. Tears of overwhelming joy.
"Yes. Yes, brother. I will become Kira's wife." She then embraced Daisuke in a very emotional hug, one that almost could have crushed the life out of him, despite the fact that he was wearing armor. He patted Yoko on the back, and prepared to deliver the good news to his longtime friend as soon as he could.
The next few days were filled with the purest bliss for Yoko. Daisuke insisted on making all the arrangements, and encouraged her to relax and prepare herself for the big day. She and Kira encountered one another a few times on the street, and tried to strike up conversation, but both were too excited and overwhelmed to say much, or at least not anything coherent. Yoko's friends were also very helpful, even buying her a brand new kimono for the wedding day. Even after Kira and Daisuke were called by the Emperor to help quite down a few small rebellions by those who still chose to follow the shogunate, Yoko's happiness could not be contained. Her joy was made obvious to everyone who saw her, and it wasn't long before her cheer was spreading to the other villagers like the blessing of a goddess.
Such was her mood one night, while Daisuke, Kira, and their group were still away. She sat alone in her room brushing through her long, silky-black hair, her yukata open just enough to reveal a small portion of her chest. A letter was left lying on her dresser, a message from Daisuke saying that they had been victorious, and that he and everyone in his platoon would be returning by the end of the week. The thought of seeing her brother and her fiancé so soon put her in an especially bright mood.
As she hummed a tune to herself, a lullaby that her mother had sung to her while she was a small child, she heard a strange, crashing sound coming through her window from a distance. Curious, she gracefully stood up and made her way towards the opening to find out what was going on. She almost wished she hadn't.
"Bandits!" cried one man, running down the streets. "Bandits are coming! Hurry and run before they get-"
His words were cut off as a mangy man on a large, black horse stabbed a spear through his gut. Yoko gasped in horror, and wasted no time in running away from the window, towards the door, stopping only to grab the sword Daisuke had left her to protect herself with. Despite the panic, there was one odd thing that she kept thinking to herself.
"The Shrine. I've got to the get to the Black Shrine..."
The horror hit her as soon as she left the door. Buildings were already ablaze and possessions stolen, while the men were killed and the women beaten and raped. She did not have time to take it all in, for she was quickly spotted by a pair of the villains. She heard one of them say something, but was too busy running to really pay attention. She just assumed that the bandit was pointing her out to his partner. Yoko was fast, but not fast enough to compete against a man on a horse. One of the thieves cut her off.
"Where d'ya think yer going, pretty little girl?" the man coyly inquired, his lack of hygiene painfully obvious to Yoko.
"I was off to the local shrine, to beg the gods for forgiveness."
Before the bandit could react, Yoko's katana was drawn, and the bandit was missing an arm. Yoko grabbed the man's leg and pulled him off the horse, taking the steed as her own. She swiftly lifted herself onto the saddle, and rode off to the Black Shrine, leaving the bandit to squirm in the agony and the dirt.
As soon as Yoko reached the shrine, she slid quickly (yet gracefully) off the horse she had commandeered and ran towards the entrance. As soon as she was in, her focus was caught by the Black Gem. She did not know why, but for some reason she felt that the gem was the best chance she had of saving her village, or at least making it out of this ordeal alive. She ran towards the altar at the end of the Shrine, reaching out for the gem, but before she could reach it, she felt a strong grip on her arm and a dirty hand covering her mouth. Before she could react, three of the invading bandits had her subdued, and she was not able to escape them.
"This must be the little whore what nearly killed Yuji," one of the men said.
"I think she should pay, but it doesn't look like she has any coin fer us to be paid with," another said. "Guess she'll have to pay with... something else. Ryu, you're Yuji's brother. I think it's only fair that you take the first payment."
The third man grinned, his decaying teeth and foul breath doing nothing to hide his malevolent intentions. "Hold still, little whore," he grunted. "Cooperate with me, and you just may be allowed to live and be our little slave girl..."
"NO!" Yoko cried, breaking free of their hold. She force caused her to stumble and fall into the alter holding the Black Gem, and Yoko watched in dismay as the onyx-coloured jewel fell to the ground, shattering, and releasing a strange, black ooze. Yoko gasped, believing her only chance had just slipped away, but her thoughts were interrupted as one of the bandits pulled back on her hair and threw her to the floor.
"Little wench!" the one named Ryu growled. "Hold her still boys. I want to get this done with so that we can kill her quickly!"
Yoko tried to break free of her captors yet again, but to no avail. She flailed around, kicking and squirming to get loose, but could do nothing as the bandit Ryu untied her yukata, first exposing her chest, her delicate breasts bouncing around as she tried to resist, and working down to the abdomen. Then, Yoko felt the horrifying pleasure of Ryu forcing himself into her. She cried in shame, knowing that she was no longer pure for Kira, her husband to be. This man had taken her honour from her, and he did not even care. The death that he promised seemed almost like a relief, as though she would not have to live with herself and the sins this man had committed upon her for very long. Finally, Ryu finished up, giving no care to the mess he was creating as he pulled out. Yoko bit her lip in a combination of fear and acceptance. She was going to be killed now, and if these bandits wouldn't do it, she would commit seppuku so that she would not have to tell Kira how she had been shamed this day.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Yoko didn't know where the voice had come from, but she knew she heard, or rather, felt it. It was unmistakable.
Take me. I will help you punish this foul creatures and reclaim you're precious honour.
"Hey! Guys! Look at what's happening!"
Yoko had not wanted to look down at herself for the embarrassment she would have to endure, but upon hearing the bandits, and feeling a strange sensation coming over her, she forced herself to look at her body, and could see why the bandits seemed to be so spooked. The black ooze that had leaked out of the jewel on the altar was now covering her entire body. Her feet, her crotch, her hands, her breasts. All were now being slowly consumed by the strange substance. With this ooze came a warm, pleasant sensation. It was similar to the sensations Yoko had just experienced while being raped, and yet not so horrible. It was almost soothing, and Yoko felt a wave of orgasmic pleasure overtake her. Also, the voice was even clearer than it had been before.
Accept me. And kill these pathetic humans. Take back your honour.
"Yes, I think I will."
Yoko stared at the men who had taken her innocence, and the bandits could have sworn that they were looking into the eyes of a demon. But they held firm and drew their blades, charging at Yoko with fierce determination. They had just assaulted this woman not minutes before. Surely they could easily kill her. They were to be severely disappointed.
Yoko raised her hand, which had now grown a set of black, razor-sharp claws, and slashed at the throat of one of the men who had held her down while Ryu had his way with her. The man grabbed futilely at his wounds as blood began to spray out of his aorta and fill his lungs.
She leapt right over the other two, and grabbed her sword. She returned her focus on the two bandits, and smiled sadistically. Then, faster than either of the men could track, she was between them, and the second bandit's head was lying on the floor.
"You're not human!" Ryu cried out in fear as he ran towards the shrine entrance. He was stopped, however, as a set of oozing black tendrils wrapped themselves around his legs, and began to slowly pull him back towards his former-victim. He tried to grab hold of the floor boards, but his fingernails only succeeded in carving out a series of gouges in the wood.
"I'm going to make you suffer for what you did to me, and then I'm going to wipe out all of your comrades!" Yoko hissed. She raised her blade and brought it down, cutting off the part of Ryu's body which had been used to penetrate her flesh. As Ryu bled through his groin, crying in pain, Yoko lifted him up off the ground with strength that would not have been possible for any human being, let alone a young woman such as herself. She ran her right index finger down Ryu's chest and licked her lips.
"Such as disgusting man," she murmered.
"Please, no!" Ryu shouted, but his words were lost, and Yoko plunged her hand straight through his rib-cage and out the other side, holding his heart in her fist. She removed her arm from the body, and dropped it and the heart to the ground at her feet. She then looked out to where her village now burned brightly. She doubted that there was much left worth saving, but she didn't really care. She was going to make sure that all those thieves paid for their crimes.
At first, she had accepted the strange creature in the hopes of reclaiming her lost honour for her beloved Kira, but Kira no longer mattered. Yoko doubted that he would want anything to do with her, anyway, after all that had happened today. She had been raped, and now she wasn't even sure if she was human anymore. But whether a human or a demon, Yoko cared very little any more, for with this power at her disposal, the possibilities were endless.
And she was eager to explore all the possibilities.
