Deaths Door

I look around while checking that our surroundings are safe. All that was seen is a beautiful forest as dawn shone upon me and my current traveling partner. My traveling partner, a very beautiful woman, especially as the sun rises onto her face. She has pale skin with jet black hair and a slender build; but her most beautiful trait is her eyes, an oceanic blue. She opened her eyes while I was staring— caught off guard, I immediately look away, but she caught on anyway and just stares at me with a deadpan.

Sweat drops from my forehead as she speaks up, "You know, I could tell you were staring at me the whole time right, Akira?" A teasing smile formed on her lips.

Feeling myself get flustered, I glare at her. "Shut it, all I did was gaze at you Nanaka…Idiot.," I let out a huff while packing our things away, giving Nanaka to go to a nearby river to wash up before we move out again.

After some time, we finally arrived at a small town to restock and eat before we head out once more to take Nanaka to be blessed by the deity Amaterasu. Doing so is tradition in her clan, seeing as her clan comes from a long line of honored ones. As an heir, you are expected to be blessed with extraordinary gifts from the gods themselves. I am one such person, and unfortunately, I have no family left. On my own, I was trained by a great swordsman for a time before escorting Nanaka, as we are childhood friends.unfortunately again, we lost contact 3 years ago only to have recently obtained a letter sent by her family, asking for my assistance. To which I agreed only if I was to be allowed a position as head guard of their main estate, which, of course, I already planned on reaching with or without help.

I look over and notice Nanaka has seemed down our entire trip so I've decided to ask why, "Oi, Nanaka, why're you so down? If ya don't cheer up, I'll kick yer ass?!"

She laughs in response before answering, "Hahaha, well, I can't really say as it's a clan secret that you need not know of." She waves me off.

Alright, that does it, she's getting a head smack. I run over, smack her on the back of her head, and run ahead laughing, although she seems less pleased now.

"Get back here you fool!!!" She screams as she quickly gives chase, not able to catch up due to her lack of stamina and speed.

I'm currently looking towards the night sky wishing to be amongst the stars, so free and unshackled by the weight of others just floating aimlessly, not much purpose nor weighed down by those weaker than you...I wish I could be up there with them I take a glance towards Nanaka, only to see her sleeping soundly. I have a feeling this blessing isn't anything good, I don't wish for her to have this burden that I carry. She's far too innocent for that, she hasn't experienced the hardships I have. I simply wish she could be free from her clan, I know they sadden her greatly. One day I shall have allies that will help me kill all of the clan leaders and replace them with leaders who care, not for themselves and power but for their people and the safety of those who they hold dear. snapping out of my thoughts I see her shifting uncomfortably, so I walk over crouching down. I gently pat her head which seems to do the trick of calming her down a little. I smile before heading over to a tree and leaning on it to get some shut eye.

I yawn, stretching as I lean forward looking around a little before spotting Nanaka who was packing her things, and after doing so, she turns around seeing me stare. I smile at her and wave as she smiles back before walking over to me and smacking the top of my head lightly.

"Listen here Mr. I won't have you sleeping more than me, especially since you're my bodyguard so I need you on high alert at all times, you hear me?" I simply nod my head as she's too breathtaking even when angry. I wish I could see her like this all the time, but sadly, we do have to start moving again, meaning that I have to focus on everything else so my attention would be elsewhere. This may be the last few days I have before I can't see her as happy as she is now.

I'm waiting for Nanaka to catch her breath as we've been walking for hour's. we're going to have to find a large enough body of water soon to wash up. We stink so I ask her, "oi Nanaka, you want me to go find us a pond to wash up at as you stink pretty bad?"

She looks at me a little before answering "Sure, just be quick, Akira, I don't want to get robbed or hurt by any bandits while I'm resting." I nod, and take off searching the forest luckily I found one just now I have to go get her.

We're currently at a small pond washing up. I look over to see her getting in slowly, since the water is cold but she can't keep being a wuss about cold water so I quickly splash her, with the water getting a yelp in return. So I prepare to run from her once she jumps in to get me, which she does and once she does, I push her over after she gets back up. She punches my shoulder I just laugh, as I stand about 30cm taller than her with her being 160cm, so she looks very adorable from where I am. So I just pat her head, and get ready to wash off and she does the same. Being grump and mumbling something about cutting all my hair off, while I'm asleep so I ask,

"What was that brat?"

she immediately freezes up and attempts to play it off, "I-It was nothing Akira-kun!" I chuckle, and continue washing off ignoring her. afterwards I simply put on my favorite outfit that recently got repaired which consists of an all black hakama, while also sporting a black haori with the kanji for 1 on the back. After putting them on I wait for Nakama Chan to get done so we can leave. I also check on my weapons which consist of a katana, 10 kunai, 10 shuriken and a spear.

I hear her call out, "Akira! I'm ready." I put all of my weapons away before we head out.

We are now back on the trail heading towards the next town. While we're walking, I notice yet again that she's sad, but even more so this time, so I ask,

"Alright be honest with me, why are you upset? And don't you dare try to lie either I'll beat it out if whoever I need to!" Finally giving in as guilt has been eating away at her she starts crying as she answers,

"I-I'm s-so s-sorry I quit sending letters as 3 years ago, I was caught in bed with a criminal who I later found out I was bearing his child, so as a way to not let anyone know my family cut me off from everyone to make sure I, didn't tarnish their name and they also sold my daughter off to slavery please don't think any different of me!" Not able to form a sentence I slowly reach forward. I see her flinch most likely expecting me to be upset which I am but I, can't bare to see her so sad. I wrap her in a hug rubbing her head not saying anything, letting her sob as I soothed her while also finally gaining the courage to speak.

I say, "so it looks like I have a clan to kill huh, Can't have them going around hurting you now can i?" I laugh, and she smiles a little. I can see as she lifts her head a little. I pull away and smile, deciding, I've heard enough, I now know what I must do. I'll kill every last one of them for her and find that child.

We are almost at the nearest village i it's getting dark to I tell Nanaka to hop on my back. "Yo Nanaka, hop on my back, I'll get us the rest of the way before it's too late."

She's a bit hesitant before asking, "Akira, are you sure? You're already carrying everything… I don't want to burden you too much!" Hearing this I sigh and nod, so she hops on and I sprint as fast as possible, and while I took off, she gripped onto me as hard as she possibly could, probably shocked, while choking me a bit. But it was just a little annoying, but eh, I ain't even moving at my top speed. But hey at least we'll get to the nearest village soon

It took up a total of 1 minute, to reach the village which was 16km away. we reach it just in time to be let in, and find a room to sleep in while also washing up and eating. Hell I even found time to get my weapons ready just in case! You never know, so I wished Nakama a good night, "Night Nanaka."

She giggles a little before responding, "Night Akira."

The next morning, we move back to the road after freshening up. I decided to talk a little more since I have been very quiet the whole trip, so I started with asking about her daughter.

"So who did y'all sell your daughter to? I mean, I could get her back for you and make sure she's safe?"

She ponders a little before answering, "Well, the person we sold her to is named Ka-" And before she could finish, she gets shot with an arrow coated in a strange black energy. I immediately look to where it was shot from, only to take an arrow to my left eye and see a black blur before my right arm is gone. I look around to find what did that, currently running on adrenaline.

I hear a laugh from behind, turning around I see a man dressed similarly to me but he has no haori and instead is wearing a black fox mask with a Katana in hand. I decided to talk first, "Who— who are you?"

The stranger takes a moment to answer "Your end." he dashes towards me, and before I can react, he stabs me through the heart before picking up Nanaka's body and walking away. I try to walk forward but I can't as I feel my strength fading and everything is getting colder and colder as I close my eyes....Everything goes black.

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