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Yuki's Tale

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  • Yuki's Tale

    “Yuki, come back here!”
    “Yes, Mother, I was just playing in the snow”
    “You will catch a cold if you stay out thee too long!”
    “No I won’t Mother, I’m a big boy now!”

    I awoke then from my dream about the past, and looked to the West, where smoke was rising from the burning city. My commander had told me to get some rest, for I was no use to anyone tired. As I looked at the fiery spectacle before my eyes, I wondered what had brought back those memories of the past, of peaceful, simpler times, before this madness began…

    I was only eight when the war began, a war that seemed so far away, especially in the mountain town of Nara. The battles were distant from us, in the land of Persia, our allies. It was winter, and the first snows had fallen. My older brother, Aki, had been drafted into one of the new Musketman units, and my parents were worried about me. Often, as I played in the snow with my other friends, I would see my parents talk in quiet whispers, periodically looking in my direction. I had no idea what they were talking about, other than about me. So I just continued to play, innocently, constantly awaiting the spring, when classes would start again, and I would turn nine.

    As the snows melted, and the Sakura blossomed, the town mayor approached our house with a grim look on his face. He handed a piece of parchment to my mother, who after reading it, fled into the house in tears. At that time, I did not know, but the people in class were treating me differently, for some reason. On the day of my birthday, my Father led me outside.
    “Yuki,” started Father, “I have some bad news. Your brother Aki, he passed away outside a place called Susa”
    I was shocked, and now I realised why my mother was so depressed, and why my classmates had treated me differently. A tear started to form in my eye, my older brother, Aki, was dead. I then felt anger, I knew Susa was in Persia from class, and I knew that there was a war going on in Persia. I felt like I wanted to kill. I did not know whom, but I just wanted to kill. My Father placed his firm hand on my shoulder and continued to speak, “Your mother and I have been talking about sending you to your Grandfathers in Kyoto, where it is safe. They say the war is getting closer. I… we want you to be safe,” he finished stoically. Mother came out, tears in her eyes and gave me a hug. A cart approached, driven by the eccentric Satama-san, the old merchant in the town. Mother looked at me, her eyes holding back the tears, and said, “Satama-san will take you, he needs to pick up some supplies from Kyoto.”
    Satama-san jumped out of the cart, and started to collect my bags, and load them onto the cart. Father turned and said, “Farewell, son, please, once this terrible war has ended, return to us!”
    Mother could do nothing but weep at my going, even though she knew it was for the best. I climbed on to the cart with Satama-san and said my farewell. My parents stayed out watching the cart intill I could see them no more. My new life in Kyoto was about to begin, or so I thought.
    I am the second place man!

  • #2
    This is not part of my Roman Trilogy. I have decided to give it a rest for a while (but I will get back to it) I would appreciate any comments on what I have posted so far.
    I am the second place man!

    Comment


    • #3
      It looks good enough.

      Yes, quite alright, i shall allow this to proceed.

      Good job Zalz.
      Read Blessed be the Peacemakers | Read Political Freedom | Read Pax Germania: A Story of Redemption | Read Unrelated Matters | Read Stains of Blood and Ash | Read Ripper: A Glimpse into the Life of Gen. Jack Sterling | Read Deutschland Erwachte! | Read The Best Friend | Read A Mothers Day Poem | Read Deliver us From Evil | Read The Promised Land

      Comment


      • #4
        Thank you, oh great SKILORD for your vote of confidence. I shall continue as planned

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


        Satama-san was an interesting travelling companion. The trip to Kyoto was long and usually took at least a month, but the time seemed to pass like an instant. Satama-san told me tales of his past. He used to be a member of an elite group of Samurai known as the Shinsengumi. He would tell me tales of his constant battles with the Indians to the north, and how he personally captured the city of Delhi by himself. I now know that these tales were little more than extravasations of the truth, but as a nine-year-old, I enjoyed and believed them. He even showed me his sword, which, he said, killed ten thousand Indians on its blade. I constantly looked at it, and when we stopped for breaks, I swung it around as if I was a samurai.

        It was at the mountain village of Kyokano that we stopped at on that fateful night. Satama-san was in the Tavern, and I was outside, swinging the sword. Just outside the tavern, I saw a sinister group of men, whispering quietly to each other. Every so often they would look at me, then the cart, and continue their talk. Satama-san walked out of the Tavern, and gestured me to come with him. He said quietly that a man inside said it would snow tonight, and it was best we get over the pass now. I climbed on to the cart, taking one last glance at the sinister looking men. Their number had increased by one, who came from within the tavern. They took one last glance at the cart, and disappeared into the darkness. Satama-san lit the lanterns, and continued towards the pass.

        It was close to midnight and for some reason I had awoken. The cart was no longer moving, and Satama-san was no longer beside me. Quickly, I sat up, and looked, seeing Satama-san inspecting a log that had fallen across the trail. He shook his head, and returned to the cart. He was shocked to see me awake, and told me in a soothing voice that reminded me of my mother, that we have to head back. At that moment, an arrow hit Satama-san in the chest. Five men, dressed in black, were standing near the log, one with a bow, the other three with swords. I looked at Satama-san, who struggled to say “run” I looked for the Satama-san’s sword, but I could not find it anywhere. Then I remembered, I had left it at the village. Cursing my stupidity, I jumped off the cart, and ran into the forest. The bandits started to chase me, firing arrows and abuse in my general direction. In the distance, I saw a light in the distance, and started to head towards it, praying that whoever was there would help me. I broke out of the forest, and into a clearing where the light was coming from.

        There, I saw about five men, sitting around a fire, talking. One of them noticed me and stood up. I could just see his face in the light of the flickering fire, and recognised it… but from where? Then it struck me, these were the men that were outside the Tavern earlier that night. He recognised me too, and drew out a sword. The bandits chasing me had reached the clearing, and slowed down. They put their swords away, as the other four men stood up, drawing their weapons. Their leader or at least the one I thought was the leader, flashed a satiric grin in my direction, and then turned to my pursuers. One of them advanced and exchanged a few words with the leader, who nodded his appreciation. The pursuer then turned, taking his companions back in the direction of the trail. The leader approached me, pointing his sword menacingly at me. I heard a rustle from the forest behind me, but did not look to see what it was. The leader raised his sword, ready to strike me, when a blood curdling scream rang out across the forest. One of the bandits who pursued me earlier returned screaming, then a blade sliced him in half. The leader turned, only to find that same blade aiming straight for his head. He started to raise his weapon to parry this attack, but he did not complete the action. The leader was sliced in two. Seeing this, the remainder of the bandits fled in to the forest and the mysterious swordsman turned to face me.

        “Why would a child be alone in these dangerous woods at night?” asked the swordsman
        “We… we were ambushed!” I replied
        “Oh, so that must have been your cart I saw earlier. I cannot believe Satama-san would be fooled by simple trickery.”
        “You… you know Satama-san?”
        There was a pause, and then the swordsman replied, “Well, everyone does, don’t they? Hero of the Battle of Delhi, Commander of the Shinsengumi,” in a tone, which I knew, meant he was concealing something important. “What is your name?” he continued, changing the subject.
        “I am Yuki.”
        “Well Yuki-chan, I will escort you back to the village. Where might I ask, were you going?”
        “To Kyoto” I replied
        “Ah, and why might that be?”
        “To live with my Grandfather.”
        “Oh, are your parents dead?”
        “No, sir.”
        “Then why?”
        “Because they thought it would be safer.”
        “In Kyoto? Its safer in these mountains than in Kyoto”
        “Why?”
        “Don’t you know anything? There has been civil unrest in that city. It is no place for a child.”
        “Oh. Why is there civil unrest?”
        “Because of the war. It is not going well.”
        “Oh. Anyway, might I ask you your name?”
        The Swordsman stopped, and looked at me. Smiling he said, “You can call me Sensei. I have decided to train you in the arts of swordsmanship.”
        “Oh, thankyou very much, Sensei" I replied, flattered at the offer
        I am the second place man!

        Comment


        • #5
          This looks very good indeed although I hope you return to the trilogy soon. But as the great SKILORD has cast his eye of approval over this new work then so shall I.
          A proud member of the "Apolyton Story Writers Guild".There are many great stories at the Civ 3 stories forum, do yourself a favour and visit the forum. Lose yourself in one of many epic tales and be inspired to write yourself, as I was.

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          • #6
            Are you aware that both "yuki" and "chan" are both feminine?
            Here is an interesting scenario to check out. The Vietnam war is cool.

            Comment


            • #7
              This story gets my "Fit for a Hit" seal.
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              • #8
                Are you aware that both "yuki" and "chan" are both feminine?
                I don't realy worry about such trivial matters (well, maybe there not trivial, but Its too late to change them!)...
                Last edited by Lord Zalzabad; March 18, 2003, 02:49.
                I am the second place man!

                Comment


                • #9
                  ... wait a minute, I have just realized somthing. I have written nowhere that Yuki is a male or a female, so maybe this could be saved... with a little bit of manipulation... actuly, I think I can make the plot better that way! Thanks for pointing that out to me, unscratchedfoot!
                  I am the second place man!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Sensei led me to his nearby hut, where my training began earnestly. Sensei showed me the basic skills of the sword, and the basic means of defence. I was a fast learner, eagerly taking in everything that he taught me. I was soon very skilled, but not as skilled as Sensei. I spent many about five years training with Sensei, training every day, except the odd occasion when I went to the Village for supplies. But on one, fateful day, the village was very quiet. Walking into the Tavern, I saw the owner packing up his belongings. Turning to him, I asked, “Why are you packing”
                    “Haven’t you heard, Yuki-chan? The Persians have declared war on us, and burned the City of Nara to the ground! Everyone’s leaving.”
                    I stood there, shocked. Mother and Father would most properly be dead. Anger that I had only felt once before, when informed of my brother’s death, swept over me. I picked up my sword and rushed back towards the mountains. Sensei was meditating at the time, and my sudden arrival broke his chain of thought.
                    “Why are you back so soon? Where is the meat I asked you to get?”
                    “I must go, Sensei…” I started
                    “Is this about Nara? I thought you would want to leave,” said Sensei, leaving me in shock. He stood up, and walked over to me. “Yuki-chan, you are far from finishing my training, but if you want to go, you may.” He turned and walked into his hut, emerging after a while, carrying a sword. “This is Satama-san’s sword. I give it to you. You may ether stay here and become stronger, or you may leave,” he said, handing me the sword, “the choice is yours.”
                    “I must leave, Sensei, I am sorry.”
                    “I expected, and yet regretted that answer. With more training, you could have become a master. Go, to Edo, just over the pass. There you can join up the army. Just give them my name.”
                    “Ok, Sensei, but might I ask, what is your name?” I said, wondering why he had not revelled his name.
                    He paused for a moment, and then said, “I am Zakido Yukuro,” he turned and headed for the hut, “I was once a samurai, but not no more. They will know the name. Farewell, Yuki-chan.” He closed the door behind him, and I began to walk off to the East, where hopefully I would get to Edo.

                    The trip to Edo was uneventful intill the third and final day of my journey. On the trail, I met a group of refugees. They were not the first I had encountered in the past three days, but unlike the others, they were from Nara. I enquirered about my parents, but they knew nothing, intill I got to the Yaraka van. They were a family that lived close to us all those years ago, I use to go to class with their daughter, Sakura. They had only just escaped from the town before it fell. However, when I enquired about my family, they quickly changed the subject t what I had been doing over the past five years. I soon grew tired of this, and continued up the caravan, when who should I meet, but Sakura. She was surprised to see me alive, asked me what I had been doing. When I informed her of my training, her eyes lit up, and she informed me that she, too wanted to be a samurai.
                    “But they do not except females into the Samurai!” I replied with horror.
                    “Well, I want to join anyway! I want to teach those Persians a lesson for killing the Takada’s like … opps!” she stopped suddenly, knowing that she had said too much.
                    “What!” I said, shocked and angry, “Mother, Father, dead? Why were they killed?”
                    Sakura knew that she could not conceal the truth any more, so told me the truth, of how Mother and Father tried to protect the city, but got captured and executed for being part of the resistance. She then tried to calm me down, “Do not worry, they died honourably. They would want you to live on and continue the family name.”
                    “I guess they would,” I said calming down finally, “But I am still joining the Army. I must get my revenge for the brutal slaying of the people of Nara, and my parents.”
                    We continued talking for the rest of the journey about various things. She was, however, very interested in my training, and I told her all the moves and theory behind it. At Edo, we said our farewells, and wandering towards the barracks, I wondered if I would ever see her again.
                    Last edited by Lord Zalzabad; March 19, 2003, 04:32.
                    I am the second place man!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Lord Zalzabad
                      ... wait a minute, I have just realized somthing. I have written nowhere that Yuki is a male or a female
                      4rth sentence first episode
                      Here is an interesting scenario to check out. The Vietnam war is cool.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Yep that Mr Scratch is right you know, its there in the fourth sentence but nethertheless it hardly matters so please continue with the story and I think you retain our hero as a male character.

                        Im no expert on Japanese names but in England many Christian or Forenames can be applied to both boys and girls , eg George, Charlie, Francis and many more that I cant really be bothered to list.
                        A proud member of the "Apolyton Story Writers Guild".There are many great stories at the Civ 3 stories forum, do yourself a favour and visit the forum. Lose yourself in one of many epic tales and be inspired to write yourself, as I was.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Yeah, sometimes names are used for opposite sex intended here in japan too. And chan is very occasionally used in guy's names like Dai-chan. So go ahead with the story lord salsbury.

                          If all else fails maybe he can be gay? Nah, scratch that idea, too gross.

                          Before writing story about unfamiliar country you need check name list for country like enter "Japanese male names" in google and there are many website for each country. Then you avoid problems and make more authentic.

                          YAH!!!!! Soon we can see mother of all bombs in action!

                          Hippie says, "Make peace not war. Saddam is good leader."

                          Hi. I'm iraqi soldier.
                          Here is an interesting scenario to check out. The Vietnam war is cool.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            No thread hijacking, Scratch! And in the case of Yuki being male or female, I think I will go back to the original plot... I will be deleating the 3rd chapter and rewriting it (or maybe just editing... I dont have to change that much). If anyone has any objections... you have 6 or so hours to object. There is nothing like a ticking clock!
                            Last edited by Lord Zalzabad; March 18, 2003, 21:19.
                            I am the second place man!

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                            • #15
                              'kay, since no one objected, I have changed it
                              I am the second place man!

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