The Story Of Hyakkimaru And Mio

Daigo Kagemitsu

(Daigo point of view)

"Did you kill the girl?"

The chilling voice of Daigo Kagemitsu asked a soldier as he surveyed the dying crops of rice paddies one afternoon.

The emperor had come on horseback with his men to inspect the conditions of his land, and with each place he stopped, he bristled. Everything was starting to die.

Livestock, rice, vegetables, and fruits dwindle causing concern and slowly fracturing people. It all was a gradual fall but one Kagemitsu had known would come to strick him back. There all would come a time when the dam would break and all Kagemitsu could do was watch as his sacrifices went to the waist.

That boy was making such a mess of things. He was only 17 now and slaying demons with a bloody vengeance that Kagemitsu couldn't keep up with. If he had been the one to kill him this wouldn't be happening.

Kagemitsu frowned deeper drawing out the wrinkles that were starting to set in from age and stress. Smiles did not grace the face of a Damio who had struck a deal with the devil.

Kagemitsu let his focus turn back to the soldier who he was addressing.

"Well?"

Kagemitsu asked making the soldier stammer with fear.

"I-i w-well we- I m-mean i-i...."

When the soldier still hadn't answered but continued to trip up his words, Kagemitsus' frown deepened to a sneer at the fat soldier before him. The man quickly dropped his head to stare at Kagemitsus' feet where Kagemitsus' eyes meet with an armored helmet.

"Well? What? I have business to attend too, or do you not care?"

The dry sneer from Kagemitsus' lips had the solider shuddering in fear as he clutched at his bandaged and bloodied arm to his chest. Kagemitsu internally scoffed knowing exactly who would have one of his soldiers scuttering like a crab. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree indeed.

"It w-was a demon sir! H-he came and killed all my m-men! I had n-no ch-!"

Kagemitsu waved a hand and silenced the man in front of him. Kagemitsu didn't need others knowing of what was loose and running about.

"Answer the question."

The soldier straightened himself and shook his head, slowly confirming that no, he hadn't killed the girl.

"Perfect... You lost a potential spy, got my men killed, and lost an arm."

Kagemitsu said as he massaged his eyes then grimacing up to peer at the grey sky. It seemed to be his only companion that didn't cause him to want to rush into any idiotic actions. No, he had to wait.

"Men, let's go. We can talk about the next phase of the plan when Tohomaru gets back."

Daigo Kagemitsu said as he got upon his horse and kicked it into a low gallop. He could only hope that his deal with the demons would hold out long enough before that boy did any more damage.

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(Dororo point of view)

"So that's what happened. Mmmm, poor girl."

The solum voice of the priest had Dororo stopping her work of cleaning out a fat river fish that she had just stripped of scales.

The village that the three had been staying at was so kind and peaceful. Many of the villagers, however, had been quiet and Dororo had noticed that they seemed shy around Hyakkimaru and herself. Of course, who would want to go near Hyakkimaru when he had rushed into the village drenched in blood, a girl slung across his back, and looking like a mad man?

Her brother was more like a mother hen now, staying with Mio for most of the day and keeping watch over the house at night.

Dororo frowned down at her fish scale covered hands and sighed.
Mio needed comfort and truly, Dororo wanted her brother to stay with Mio. but Dororo knew something was brewing within her brother.

She could feel it, but she just hoped he wouldn't do anything stupid.

Dororo then gave the priest a shrewd look and furrowed her eyebrows in determination.

"Hey old man, do you think you can find a fun demon hut for bro?"

The priest thoughtfully scratched his chin and shrugged with a smile as he spoke.

"If Hyakkimaru is ready he will find a demon himself. He is a growing boy, let him find his own hunt."

Dororo rolled her eyes and rubbed her hands together shaking the silver scales from her hands. The fish slime stuck to her fingers making them really gritty and rough. She reached down into the water and began to scrub.

"If you won't do that then why are you here? We aren't doing anything and Mio is grieving."

The priest smiled at the question and shrugged his sharp shoulders as he stood up, using his cane in front of him to hold his weight. It always confused her as to why the priest needed one. Bro didn't need one so why him? It was so weird.

"I was just around."

Dororo rolled her eyes and pick up the fish she gutted and began walking away from the priest.

"Yeah yeah, well thanks for nothing though. I'll tell bro that you stopped by."

Dororo said as she scampered away ready to take on another job to earn the village's trust.

The priest chuckled low as he watched the child's soul go towards the village.

(To be continued)