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 Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:01 am
Am I…dead?
He stood in the center of no where. Everything is white. He stare at the floor…surprise to see that he does not have a shadow. That very moment, he thought he is dead.
“I’ve been expecting you to come, Izanagi…” A blue light appears not far away from Izanagi’s vision, forming lines and curves. “Follow the blue light…it will lead you to me.”
Whoever this person is, he knows my name…I guess he is god? The boy thought it was god who spoke to him. And so, he followed the light and began to look for this ‘god’. Not long after walking, he has reached the end. Well, that’s just what he thinks.
“Don’t stop. Keep walking.”
Another blue light has been formed. Say nothing. The boy keeps going until he meets a black shadow with blue fire in front of him. “Matsuo?”
The shadow ran away when he knew he was spotted. Izanagi chase after him. “Matsuo! Wait!” No matter how hard he yelled, ‘Matsuo’ won’t slow down.
Izanagi had lost the shadow. Why is Matsuo running away from him? He will not understand unless he can catch up to Matsuo.
“Izanagi.” Just when Izanagi is desperating where to find Matsuo, the red hair appears.
“Why do you keep running from me just now?” The boy is pissed at Matsuo. “I was yelling your name!” He is heading toward to where the red hair stands. But something caught his legs…He can’t move. Look down to his legs; he saw many evil souls pulling him downward to a blood pool.
When he looked up again, Matsuo is already gone. Izanagi is panic. He is struggling with the souls. But there is too many of them…
Izanagi finally give up. It is impossible for him to fight these many souls. Especially when he knew he does not have that much energy to make it possible.
Under the pool of blood, it is another place…
There is clear blue sky with just a few cotton clouds hanging sky high. The wind blows mildly from the south and he is lying in huge grassland. “Is this heaven…or hell?”
The boy is confused. What just had happened? First a man called me to follow the blue light, and then Matsuo appear, and then there are evil souls pulling me down to the blood and now…
He sits up and has a good look around him. There is a mansion not far from where he is.
The boy does not think much. Hoping he can gets what he needs to know there. He runs to the mansion and knock at the wooden door. Suddenly he felt someone standing behind him.
Izanagi slowly turn back his head and is surprise to see how tall the man is. “Just where do you think you are going, young man?” The man said angrily. Izanagi noticed the man has a samurai sword on his waist. The tall man pick Izanagi up and take him inside the mansion.
“Hey! Let go!” Izanagi shout. Huh? What happen to my voice? What is with this kiddy voice?
The tall man put him down at the backyard. “You will not have dinner until you finish your practice.” The man said seriously. Throwing a wooden sword to Izanagi.
“Do not disappoint me, Iemon.”
Iemon?! Izanagi looked up to that tall man. His eyes can’t get any wider. Just who is this tall man? No, wait. He is not tall…It’s me. I have been shrunk. Is this, Iemon’s father?
“Someday, you will have to replace me to work for the Enya family. Remember, our great competitor is Yotsuya Samon and his family. As one of the Tamiya member…” The man laid his hand on Izanagi’s shoulder. “…And as my son. Do not disappoint me.”
After the man left, Izanagi sighed. He does not understand why he had become Iemon and experiencing Iemon’s childhood life.
Maybe he will find out if he stays longer here…will he? Izanagi stare at the wooden sword. “I don’t even know how to use a sword properly…” He rolled his eyes and turn around, ready to head over to the practice field.
Hold on a second! What was that?
Quickly, he turns his head to the Sakura tree that is just beside him. That person sitting on the tree…
Umeda-san? The same scene he saw before in his dream. This is how they met...in the past four hundred years.
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 10:32 pm
(((OOC: I want to know before I work on the post reply if I have free reign to play Umeda in this flashback/dream. Because I've got a few ideas in mind for their meeting if I can.)))
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:23 pm
(Yes, of course. You can write anything you want ^w^)
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Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:00 pm
Mou mayou hitsuyou nante nai... Mamoritai mono nara wakatteru...
Dark eyes, eyes focused on the lake which sat just an arm's reach away, turned their gaze to latch onto the small figure who was standing just below the sakura.
The bearer of those eyes smiled, swinging his legs over the edge of the branch, before jumping.
A slight gust was all it took to make the man appear to be floating, until sandal-clad feet touched the grassy ground.
Long black hair cascaded down before his face as he bowed, the elegant blue and purple woman's kimono that he wore, clinging just right to his lithe frame.
And then those dark eyes were focused on the boy again as the figure straightened and smiled once more.
"Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Umeda desu... douzo yoroshiku."
He used a more feminine form of 'I'... and for good reason.
The man looked like a woman, albeit missing a certain something or two.
One smooth black eyebrow rose in question. "Your training seems to be going poorly. I've been watching." his smile was in place perfectly, in an attempt to not alarm the boy. "Perhaps... I could help you with some of the finer points of swordsmanship, Iemon-sama?"
Yes, he knew who the boy was.
He had watched over the family of that house for quite some time...
Mou mayou hitsuyou nante nai... Mamoritai mono nara wakatteru...
Time passed slowly...
With each hour, Umeda felt himself growing stronger.
And yet...
With each hour, he watched unnoticed by any, as Izanagi lay unconscious.
Was he getting enough rest?
Was he too far gone to awaken?
Was there something that the kodama could do?!
Reaching out one hand, for their futons were right next to one another, Umeda took one of Izanagi's hands in his own. They were left undisturbed by the priests, even by Hakase, though this was because Noe had specifically instructed them to leave the two in peace.
Knowing that he himself was well, Umeda focused everything he could through his hand.
He wouldn't overload the young man.
No...
But he would save him.
He wasn't about to let a nightmare try and claim Izanagi's life again.
Mou mayou hitsuyou nante nai... Mamoritai mono nara wakatteru...
(((OOC: Translations... Mou mayou hitsuyou nante nai... Mamoritai mono nara wakatteru... = I don't have to hesitate any more... I know what I want to protect... Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Umeda desu... douzo yoroshiku. = It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Umeda... please favor me. [literal translation] )))
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Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:16 pm
I have seen this before...In my dream. That's right. I've remembered. Perhaps, this is my past? Or just another dream...
Izanagi watches as the kodama floating down from the tree. All he can do is stare at the beautiful creature, a spirit, a feminine man.
The kodama introduced himself to Iemon, which he probably don't know it is the descendant himself. I know exactly who you are...You don't have to tell me. He thought.
"Your training seems to be going poorly. I've been watching. Perhaps... I could help you with some of the finer points of swordsmanship, Iemon-sama?"
...Iemon-sama. He called me Iemon. That hurt so much. Especially, it is called by the person you love. And you know he will never love you unless you are Iemon, the man he loves.
Tell him you are Izanagi, not Iemon! But this is not what Izanagi can control himself. It is like everything has been fixed...The scenes, the dialogue, the character...
This is like a long lost, forgotten drama, repeating it's story.
"What are you doing in my house?" The words came out from Izanagi's mouth. He even point the wooden sword at the kodama. That isn't what Izanagi will do to the kodama.
Right...The first time you saw Umeda appear in your room, you were using a broom to chase him away. Isn't all this nostalgic?
What the heck? His body isn't listening to his command. Someone...or something has been controlling him. But by who or what? How?
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:53 am
Mou mayou hitsuyou nante nai... Mamoritai mono nara wakatteru...
Smiling softly, Umeda didn't even take a step back from the brandished wooden sword.
"Would you strike me down?" he asked softly.
Reaching one hand out, he touched one long well manicured nail to the tip of the wooden sword... and suddenly it wasn't a sword anymore.
No...
Tiny buds began to sprout all along the sword, blooming swiftly into small sakura blossoms.
"Forgive me, Iemon-sama, but I must confess that this is where I live as well. This tree..." he turned, dark gaze focused on the sakura behind him. "Is my home." looking back to the boy, the kodama kept his slight smile in place. "And since I have been watching you practice your swordsmanship, I think I could help you with a few of the problems you seem to be having. Hesitation, being the first."
Iemon's hesitation in striking the kodama, had allowed Umeda to make the weapon somewhat useless. Sure, Iemon could still hit someone with the wooden sword, but it would hardly be as accurate or effective as before.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:30 pm
Hesitation? The one who wants to strike you with this wooden sword is Iemon...not me, idiot.
Izanagi stare at the sakura blossoms on his sword for a while and then the kodama again.
"Why do you offer to help me, ugly monster?" A hand on his waist while another hand still holding his sword. The boy asked emotionlessly.
Yeah...why? Izanagi wants to know why too. Though he didn't expect Iemon to call Umeda as ugly monster.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:02 pm
There was a sudden slight twitch to Umeda's right eye.
That brat had just called him ugly!
UGLY!
Monster he didn't have so much of a problem with, since he was a kodama and he figured that could easily be interpreted as a sort of monster.
BUT UGLY?!
"I offered aid since my home is on your family grounds." Umeda spoke, his tone suddenly very cold. "But if you are to but insult me..."
Looking over the land behind Iemon, Umeda smirked slightly...
The wind began to pick up, so drastically in fact that the banners and flags, everything that hung outside, lanterns included, were ripped from their posts and poles and tossed into the air.
A small payback for such a grave insult to the kodama's beauty.
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Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 12:32 am
"I offered aid since my home is on your family grounds."
Oh is that so? Well that is reasonable. Izanagi thought. Maybe the kodama thinks Iemon is some interesting toy too.
"But if you are to but insult me..."
Insult you? No no no! It wasn't me! Izanagi wish he could tell the kodama he didn't want to say that. It was all Iemon's fault!
Izanagi know it is not the best thing when the kodama is angry at you. Stupid Iemon!
He saw the banners, flags, lanterns and poles being tossed into the air from the land behind him. Izanagi is such a coward that he will never ever do such insult to the kodama. Especially he barely tell lies. He know the kodama was never ugly...Iemon is a fool to have called Umeda ugly.
"Don't forget you're on my family ground...Unless you want to lose your home." Iemon had set the kodama's home on fire. Ahhh! What the hell is Iemon thinking?!
Normally if a person saw a spirit for the first time, they would have at least feel scared? But Iemon...He doesn't seem like he care what the kodama will do to him. Does he see them all the time?
But angering the kodama is not a wise thing to do. Iemon could get himself into big trouble like this.
If only Izanagi could stop Iemon being silly in front of Umeda right now...However he can't. He know something must have controlled him from being himself. Allowing him to see, to feel, to smell but does not allow him to speak or move freely on his own. Why? What is all this about? Flashback? A dream? Was it Iemon himself trying to tell Izanagi something? About what then?
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 12:53 pm
Fire.
Normally, Umeda didn't have a problem with the element... if directed at him.
But at the very source...
The moment that flames licked the sakura's bark, the kodama reacted. It was as if somehow, Iemon had set the spirit himself on fire, sans the flames.
Wincing, Umeda couldn't help by grab his right arm at the shoulder, squeezing the joint tightly as a searing burn ripped itself through his limb.
The kodama hadn't transferred his own power and energy to another sakura, something he tended to do when the tree was nearing the end of its life, and with the tree on fire....
Carefully, Noe used the wind to brush away the flames and to pick up the water from the lake nearby to douse the blaze.
But he was a bit too late to keep harm from himself...
"You would dare to bring down the wrath of a kodama on your head, boy?" Umeda asked darkly, though it was obvious that his wound hurt badly. "I inhabited this land long before your family... and I will inhabit it long after your bones have turned to mere dust."
(((I'm just assuming he like tossed a lantern at the tree base or something to set it on fire.)))
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:56 pm
"You would dare to bring down the wrath of a kodama on your head, boy? I inhabited this land long before your family... and I will inhabit it long after your bones have turned to mere dust."
What the kodama said it's true. But that was a cruel way to tell a boy his fate. Iemon can only laugh at the truth. "Hai hai, you said that because you are speaking to a mortal who might die on battlefield in young age. `My life and death isn't that important. So why should I scare of you?...When I know I'm going to die anyway? You are immortal..."
Izanagi can feel Iemon's sadness and fear at that moment. Iemon dislike the burden his family has set on his shoulder... Despite the family rules he has to follow. The honor he has to keep and the status of his family he has to fight for.
Iemon was never wanted to be a ronin like his father. He rather live like the other kids in the village. Runs freely on the street, playing with their stuffs and toys.
All Iemon do is practice, training and learn how to be a great ronin like his father and ancestors. Compare his childhood to the other kids...He has a boring one.
"Iemon!" His father appear just at the right time to cut off the conversation. "What are you trying to do?! Burn down the house?" Iemon's father is not pleased. He yells at Iemon in front of other servants and followers that are also at the scene, carrying water pails. But it is uselss now...The fire has been put out by the kodama already.
Iemon does not like this situation. Of course, this is Iemon's own fault and mistake. And the others probably won't be able to see the kodama except for him. The kid remain silence and dare not to lift up his head. He knew if he tries to say something, that would only anger his father more. It's embarassing to be scolded in front of other people, especially they are servants and followers of Tamiya.
The father look at the half burnt sakura tree and then his son. "...Even the fire had been put off, you will still recieve your punishment." He said with a rough voice.
Punishment...Iemon don't care about it. He probably can't take dinner tonight, sleep in the servant's place or get caned. Or the worst, he has to kneel on the stones in front of his ancestor's tomb until morning...no food, no drink and no sleep.
"Kneel in front of the ancestor's tomb till morning...you know what stones to pick." His father said coldly and walk away with his followers.
The servants leave too since they can't do anything about it. One of them was kind enough to show what stones to pick and point out the place. "Pick those. They aren't too sharp."
Iemon nodded slightly. It is his way of thanking. "...Go now. Before he sees you."
The servant bowed and left a pail for him. Iemon can't say thank you to a servant. He know his status. Also, his father never allow him to befriending anyone other than the nobles.
Iemon fill the pail with sharp edge stones that is able to cut his flesh. He didn't go for those the servant told him. Ignoring that the kodama probably is still watching, he left to the tomb without forgetting his wooden sword. He wouldn't mind if the kodama decided to come along.
The tomb is not far away from the backyard. It is actually a little shrine built inside the Tamiya mansion. Carefully placing the stones on the floor neatly, Iemon kneel on them. It is painful to kneel on such sharp stones. "Guess I should have pick a few round shape ones." Iemon regretted a bit.
"Ancestors of the Tamiya..." He stare at the tomb, said. "It's me. I'm here again... It seems like father had put all his hope on me. But I don't like that. " He sighed. "Do I really have no choice but to follow orders and take the path I don't want? Do you all never thought of doing something else beside of judging enemies with your katana? Something...not dying for the lord's wish."
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Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 7:32 pm
Invisible to those he wanted to remain hidden from, Umeda watched as the 'brat' who had set fire to his home was punished.
The kodama wasn't about to help the kid.
In fact, he had half a mind to make things worse... if he could.
Thus, he followed after Iemon, transforming from his beautiful visage to that of his true form. The tiny kodama rode the winds, leaping from one particularly strong gust to land on the top of the gravestone.
In that form, he could heal.
But in that form, he could also speak to those who could see spirits...
"And here I had taken you for a fool." Umeda spoke, his dark abyss-like eyes focused on the boy. "I feel your father to be an even greater one than you."
The tiny kodama drew a symbol in the air... and strangely enough, it soon began to rain.
Of course Umeda was prepared for this, and was now holding a particularly large leaf over his head to keep the water off.
"Praying to your ancestors hasn't made you stronger, has it? It's only scrapped your knees and bruised your spirit. Why fight for the glory of a mere feudal lord? Why fight to bring a pompous old man glory, when you yourself should desire it, hmm?"
Shrugging, Umeda kept the leaf above his head. "So now you're kneeling there miserable, your knees cut and bleeding, your clothes soaked through, and your bones frigidly cold... all because you set fire to a tree."
The leaf above the kodama grew exponentially, and as it did, so did the spirit's form.
Soon, Umeda was standing in front of Iemon again, the leaf like an umbrella... and there wasn't a speck of harm on the man's body.
Only this time, he forced his form to be truly corporeal.
Anyone would see him now if they so looked.
"So tell me, Iemon-san. If you hate judging your enemies by your katana... why have you judged me in just the same fashion?"
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Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 11:16 pm
Iemon notice there is something tiny moving on top of the gravestone. No doubt, this must be the kodama's true form. This is the reason why he set the kodama's tree on fire. To be punished. So that he can be alone.
He knew this is wrong to use other people for his own purpose. The kodama get hurt because of his selfishness. "A no..."
"And here I had taken you for a fool. I feel your father to be an even greater one than you." It cuts off what Iemon trying to say.
The tiny kodama drew something real strange in the air. That Iemon never sees such symbol or word. Not long after that, it began to rain. That was cool. The kodama summons rain.
Iemon is all soaked. But he enjoys the rain though it is cold.
The kodama then start lecturing Iemon without giving him a chance to say "Gomene..." or ask "Are you hurt?" something like that.
Maybe he can do that after the kodama finish talking? Yeah...maybe.
But the kodama keep on talking and lecturing. It annoys Iemon. Forget it... He doesn't want to apologize to the kodama anymore.
He watches the kodama change to his corporeal form. That face and the way the kodama dress is incredibly funny to him. Why a male like spirit would wears a kimono? If he wants to look like a female, why won't he just transform into one?
"So tell me, Iemon-san. If you hate judging your enemies by your katana... why have you judged me in just the same fashion?"
"Done talking, Obasan?" Iemon smile sweetly to the kodama. "Judge you in the same fashion you say?" Iemon sighed and scratches his head. He took a deep breath before answering the kodama. "What?! Are you stupid? You are a dangerous thing to mortals!" He glares and shouts at the kodama. Not afraid that he would anger him once more. "I was taught that katana is a dangerous weapon. A weapon that can kill with one swing. But I believe a katana isn't just a weapon for killing. It can also be a weapon the defend or protect someone and oneself."
Iemon calmed down. "I wasn't judging you but wanted to protect myself. You are an immortal. Even a real katana won't be able to kill you. Besides, it was just a wooden katana. A toy. Everyone thought katana is for judgment. A symbol of loyal and the sign of bravery. But I use it to fight for my own reason..." He paused a while.
"To be honest, I don't sense danger from your presence. But your appearance...I mean by look. It frightens me."
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Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 12:06 pm
While the 'obasan' comment did grate on Umeda's nerves, the boy's reasoning could only make the kodama laugh.
And he did so, nearly doubled over in mirth at the kid's naivete.
When he finally composed himself, the kodama had moved to sit on a nearby gravestone, the leaf still shielding him from the rain. "Dangerous? Immortal? My my... you humans sure do need to learn a few things regarding my kind, don't you?"
Somehow, even wearing such a voluminous robe, Umeda managed to cross one leg over the other. He propped one elbow up on his knee, leaning forward, so as to rest his chin in his upturned palm.
"First of all, I'm not done lecturing, so pay attention, brat. A boy who wants to protect, shouldn't pick fights carelessly. If you wanted to protect yourself, you would take stock of your opponent without resorting to violence or threats first. A casual conversation was all I was after, and there you went pointing a wooden stick in my face... then setting fire to my home to boot." the kodama's left eye twitched slightly at that comment, which was an obvious indication that he was still rather pissed about the fire. "Second, why fight a kodama? We're nature spirits, baka. Yes, we could do damage to you, but we really do prefer to simply watch the world pass us by while we cultivate our gardens. My specialty just happens to be sakura. I could kill you I suppose... but there's no fun in that, and there's certainly no profit to be made by it, so why bother, hmm?"
He sighed, thinking for a moment in silence.
"Now onto the more annoying comment you just made..." and at this, one delicate black eyebrow arched in frustration. "What's wrong with my appearance? I happen to be quite beautiful, and graceful, and I like it that way. Would you rather I appear as an ugly fat pig of a man? Honestly... children these days have no tact or good taste..." the kodama crossed his arms over his chest, sitting up straight again as he took in Iemon's own appearance. "Besides, you're no blossom in spring yourself... at least not the way you are right now. Maybe in a few years you'll look a bit more handsome, but you're still too boyish for my tastes."
Umeda shrugged his shoulders, drawing another symbol in the air with his lithe fingers.
This time, the rain stopped.
"And if you're wondering why I did that, it was for my home and not you. After that fire, my tree needed a good rain... course it was rather amusing to watch you try to not shiver." the spirit laughed slightly.
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