Name: Fuji Chitose (Might but seldom introduce himself as Akumairo Chitose)(Fuji means 'wisteria', which can be a symbol of humility and Chitose means 'ascend with the strength of a thousand')(CHEE-toe-seh)
Rank: ANBU (Codename: Quicksilver)
BA/CL: Nanjirou
Samurai Spirit: Kamikakushi (Hidden by Gods)
Kinjutsu: Tsukumogami
Preferred Weapons: Dual Short Swords
Fighting Style: The Style of the Undrawn Sword (Iaijutsu)
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Dark Violet
Hair Color: Musty Brown
Height: 5’10
Weight: 127 lbs
Age: 17
History:
And he had reached that place. Feeling quite content and that he had found his meaning of life, he wed a woman of a neighboring rival village to ensure lasting peace and two sons were born, twins. The father was proud and considered no greater treasure than the two. During his wandering as a swordsman, he learned that there was no greater legacy than leaving behind a child, in his case two, to continue his bloodline and pass down the knowledge he had obtained. The man adopted the favorite flower of his wife as his family name, thus, establishing the Fuji clan. He sat down, crossed legs on his cushion, watching his boys grow up. But never did he realize one must be chosen, that one might be at the end of the other's blade. It wasn't until his end he realized his swordsmanship was missing something. His blood was too blessed...
The twins eventually grew up. Both had the violet eyes of their father, along with the musty-brown hair. The eldest, Yusuke, had long hair, reaching his butt. The youngest, Itsuke, had short shoulder-length hair. Both were equally in everything, even in skill, yet were so different in battle. Yusuke had an insatiable bloodlust and craving for battle, while Itsuke fought with honor and for peace. Yusuke was tolerant in his own way, but nonetheless brash, rude, arrogant and quick to anger. Itsuke was chivalrous, dedicated, adaptable and simply graceful. The two were like day and night, all at the same time. They loved each other, however. Eventually, Yusuke became known as the Sword Devil, for his harsh method of brutally cutting down anybody who seemed strong and his younger brother, the Sword Saint, for his graceful dance of swordsmanship. The Hero of the Sword, on his deathbed, wanted to pass down his knowledge to both sons, but he realized only one could be chosen, without severe consequences. In the end... the eldest was chosen, given scrolls and the youngest accepted the consequence with honor, respecting his father's dying wish. But little did the Hero of the Sword knew... Yusuke, with his violent swordsmanship, abused his powers and wrecked havoc upon several villages just to test himself. Fuji Itsuke, seeing his brother had gone too far, had to stop him. Yusuke, offended his brother stood up to him, had the younger's wife killed, leaving his six year old nephew untouched. Furious, Itsuke went against his brother. The two were gifted twenty-five years old who had killed veterans with an easy swing of their blade, assisted by one of the spirits given to them by whatever gods blessed their family.
Both fought for five days and five nights. On the next day, Itsuke pierced his brother's heart, proving to be the stronger, then beheaded Yusuke... and the Sword Devil was no more. Yusuke's children, however, were alive and remained the main line while Itsuke's son remained in the branch line, as punishment, always watched. Though Itsuke's son was born first, the child of the first son always has the first claim, no matter and Yusuke was the eldest. Itsuke, then, was exiled. Regardless of the events, the name of the Sword Saint rang true all over. He was to be remembered, despite his actions, as a man of great swordsmanship who held the reins of the Fuji clan while his brother went mad with bloodlust. Many, many years later, their descendants remained true to the sword and not since has there been a Sword Saint, despite the obvious skill many of the clansmen possessed. They were simply missing something. But fifteen years ago, one man discovered that. A secret buried by the main line and might just change everything for the clan. There might be a Second Coming, one even greater than the first. The man who discovered the secret is Fuji Chosei...
And he's on the run.
Chosei had done it now. Since a child, he had pestered the main line with his existence, being known as a troublemaker. Not because he was of the branch, but he was far more gifted than they were all combined, arousing jealously. The man understood swordplay on a whole different level. He realized there were levels of swordplay, not just in skill, but in how one used their blade. How one fought told everything about them. Occasionally sneaking into the clan library, he studied the life of Fuji Itsuke, the Sword Saint. Oddly enough, however, after the death of Fuji Yusuke, Itsuke's life after exile was pretty much vague. Such as taking the life of a fisherman and another wife. The fishing part made sense, somehow, considering Itsuke's recorded samurai spirit was named Sakanamaru, with sakana meaning fish. He also discovered Itsuke was the inventor of Style of the Undrawn Sword, which involves fighting his opponent without drawing the blade. While most have mastered the basic idea of sheathing and unsheathing of Iaido that is their clan's fighting style, none could take it as far as to draw the blade so fast, it is portrayed as if the swordsman never did so. There were few clansmen in the history of Fuji who used this style, but they never shared the secret, for even if they did so, it was impossible to understand. The mastery of the sword is a natural birthright to the Fuji, they never questioned it, only followed their instincts. Sadly, Chosei was not one of those men. Seemingly, there were very, very few men who could use the Style of the Undrawn Sword in the branch family, but Chosei had heard of conspiracy theories that these men were usually silenced with accidental deaths or sent to suicide missions by the elders and the Head, who was Fuji Chokichi, his cousin. Feeling there was not much he could find to his advantage, he left the library.
There was inequality for the branch family, as expected, but they also felt they deserved some respect, with some of the clansmen like Chosei being descended from Fuji Itsuke himself. However, it seems, no matter the reason, one does not simply kill their sibling. Kinslaying occurred, but was merely frown upon. So, the branch family was always looked upon with ridicule and shame, considered lower than the main family, who are like their ancestor, Fuji Yusuke in that they are very direct, and arrogant, believing that to live by the sword is to kill those who are stronger while the branch family rather test themselves and reach the highest level attainable by the mastery of the sword, despite always being so close. They have a prophecy of sorts kept to themselves that someday a member of the branch family, having claim to be a direct descendant of Fuji Itsuke, will reach the greatest level of swordsmanship and bring back honor to the branch. This descendant, whoever it may be, will be known as the Saint of Swords. As well as it may be a flicker of hope for the branch, Chosei does not believe in such folly. He will do as his blood commands him, travel the distant lands and find worthy opponents to improve his self.
That night after he left the library, dreams came to him. Odd dreams that did not seem to be his own. He saw his own Samurai spirit, a female named Kagami. Apparently, once in life, Kagami was known as the Singing Swordswoman, for singing once she had cut down her opponent. So to summon his blade's power, Chosei would go, 'Sing, Kagami'. A terrible singer she was, though. Sounded more like a shriek, so he'd sometimes, to tease his spirit, use the command, 'Shriek'. "...What is going on, Kagami?" Chosei concerned.
"I'm not sure. I think an ancestor is trying to contact you. Keep your eyes open! And I shall sing while we wait~!"
"That will not be necessary, fellow brethen," said a man who looked to be in his 30s, wearing a simple kimono made for fishing and a conical straw hat that covered most of his face. "I am here on the behalf of my master. Go back to the library, find the area that recorded the birth and life of Fuji Itsuke's father... look for a latch behind the shelf. Push it and a secret cabinet shall open. There contain a scroll with many great secrets of the Fuji. Farewell,"
"Waaaai--"
Chosei suddenly bolted up and got out of bed. Many would be asleep right now... perfect time to sneak into the library. He wanted to know who that spirit was, but now was not the time. He headed for the library immediately, sneaked in the best route he knew and found the area. On the supposed shelf was scrolls of the founder of the Fuji clan's life and whatnot. Chosei reached the back of the shelf and pulled something. Something above him, what thought to be just the ceiling, opened and dropped a single scroll. Words were visible but barely readable. Fortunately, he could make out most of it, 'The Will of C... the Hero of the Sw...d'. Opening it, Chitose read on and could not believe his eyes...
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! FUJI CHOSEI, IS THAT YOU?! DROP THAT IMMEDIATELY, WHATEVER YOU ARE HOLDING! IT IS FOR THE EYES OF THE MAIN FAMILY, NOT YOU!" shouted an old man, with a long, flowing white beard. One of the elders. Chosei had done it now. He threw the scroll up the ceiling and in went it with a loud click as it shut close. He swiftly left the library, but once outside, he found himself held up by the blades of the main family. "It's... it's not what you think!"
"Oh, is that so?" Approached a man with royal purple robes. Chokichi. "Hold him for trial at first light. I will question him,"
"No..."
And so came dawn's morning light. Chosei was thrown into a large cell below the Fuji mansion, built by their ancestors to hold vile men waiting for execution. Like him. Except he wasn't vile. He was merely answering a dream... now he just has to wait to reason with his cousin. All he had to do was make his case and all should be well. If not, his last trump card would be to share what he discovered. He was family, they would not surely kill him... right? Right then, two men he recognized as Kenshin and Shinichi, two of the serving branch members, came and opened his cells. "It's time," The two took him and not before long, bought him to the main square of the family mansion, with members of the main on the right and the branch on the left, as it always had been. In front of him, the center, was the current head sitting on a chair, Fuji Chokichi. He looked smug. Chokichi had been looking for ways, just anything, to rid of his cousin and now he had his chance. "Fuji Chosei... you are being charged with treason, of invading the private resource of the main family. What say you to this?"
"I... I had to! It came to me in a dream!"
"It matters not your reason. Such place was reserved for the main family, for the main family only. Our deepest secrets and whatnot! And for you to sneak in... it's an insult upon our name! Have you any final request before I personally behead you?"
"You... I request trial by combat!"
Everybody gasped. Trial by combat was seldom requested because after all, who would go up against one of the main family? It usually ended in the loser's death being greatly gruesome and dishonored beyond words, then said family members of said loser's honor takes long to repair. The branch knew how skilled Chosei was, him being a direct descendant of Fuji Itsuke, but could he truly defeat Chokichi, their leader?
"Ha! You speak of foolish things. Do you not truly care for your own life that you'd eagerly throw it away in combat, rather to a quick painless death?"
Chosei stood up and glared at his cousin. What's done is done. "You think to best me? Words are wind, cousin, speak with your steel instead! Bring me my sword!"
The one named Kenshin looked at Chokichi and received a nod of approval. Chosei's katana was handed to him. Chokichi unsheathed his own and charged, making the first strike. Many expected the battle to be done by a minute, but Chosei stood on equal ground. Chokichi realized that and did not like it. At all. "You fare well for a branch member... but no more holding back... it's time for you to die! Cut him to pieces, Fuyukaze!" Chokichi's blade became wrapped with small but visible winds. "This is the end!" Chosei acknowledged that his cousin decided to take him seriously... from what he knew, Fuyukaze (Winter Wind) was wind-based and very fast... he had to be careful now.
"Sing... Kagami!" A shrill noise rang out and the two men charged at each other. At the moment their blades contacted, a cloud of dust enveloped their surroundings. When it cleared, Chokichi was on the ground, and Chosei stood victor. Just as he was about to behead his own cousin and be declared winner, five of the main branch members were on him and pointed their swords at him. One of the elders who busted him spoke, "Stop... you win. Sheer luck, but we cannot allow your crimes be forgotten. You, Fuji Chosei, are banished until are seen fit to return, which is... never! Leave now, heathen!"
"What?!" said one of the many branch members, seemingly ready to fight for Chosei, seeing him as their only hope of equality. Chosei, sensing this, sheathed his blade.
"Stop, clansmen! It is alright. I will take my leave. Sad as it may be, laws are meant to be followed, not broken. I must be punished in some way... so farewell!"
And that was the last many saw of him as he walked right out of the gates of the Fuji mansion, never to be seen again...
Chosei was excited. Sure, he was banished from the clan, but he'll find a way back in. He know he will, but for now he'll take advantage of the freedom he has now! The first place in mind was the Village Hidden in the Mist. He had been staying here for two weeks when he realized his cousin had sent men to kill him. He had encountered three so far and made quick, short work of them. He was getting tired of being hunted. He wanted to pour his time into studying further on the way of the sword and think upon about the scroll he had read in the Fuji library... what was it talking about? What was Dugu Qiubai? He had to figure all that out. Meanwhile, he placed everything, his ideas and methods, into a single journal. Who knew? Just in case.
He was going on one of his hiding time when he bumped into the most astonishing woman he'd ever met. She was fierce, strong-willed and independent. Not only that, beautiful as well. A warrior, he could tell. She refused to introduce herself to him, even though he had done it first. It took a week of courting, giving her gifts and telling her jokes to get her to smile just once. All that effort, he believed to be worth it. Eventually she learned how to, well, avoid him. Just after having lunch, Chosei was ambushed by hired men, set out for his death. He was good, but even he had difficult time handling five men. Then, out of nowhere, she came to his rescue and took them all down with her giant blade, a thick, large serrated blade meant to cause severe bleeding. There was also some sort of liquid coated on the blade's edges... poison? Shortly after seeing Chosei's swordsmanship, she decided to open up a little. After all, no men had ever gone such extreme lengths for her, having been intimidated by her. "You're not bad yourself, handsome. I'll give you my name, then at dusk's time, meet me at the general store, okay? You can't be late, it's our first date lest I end up looking for you and take your head! My name is Akumairo Chiaki... see you, then, Chosei!"
Chosei couldn't stop grinning for a while, but then he realized two things. First, did she just threatened to kill him if he did not show up early? Second... Akumairo...?!
It had been a year. The two couple fell in love with each other, but Chosei did not see her everyday, in fear of her getting caught up with his personal things. He had plans to marry her, but he wanted to resolve the issue with his cousin first. Not too long ago, she told him she was with child. He told her if it was a boy, Chitose. A girl, Chiyako. As soon as he found out, he left to meet with Chokichi, to resolve matters. But he should have known. Known it was a trap. Known Chokichi was too jealous to let things go... and now he paid for his ignorance with his life.
"So, cousin, what can I do to resolve this matters of ours? I like my freedom and I do not intend to intrude with any of your business in any way,"
"Well, you can start... WITH YOUR LIFE! I will show you why the main family is meant to rule. I trained harshly, see... and I gained unquestionable power! Power YOU cannot possibly hope to attain! Of course, I had to force it and it was very difficult, but I--"
"You discovered the true name of your spirit?"
"Wha... How... How did you know that?! Don't tell me... you...!?!??!!"
"No... not yet. I have been, admittedly, lacking in my training, but you see, I do not intend to achieve this state... not me, somebody else,"
"Who?! WHO?!"
"You will never know. You may have achieved this state, but you had to force your spirit to tell you... it has to be under complete harmony..."
"IT DOESN'T MATTER! POWER IS POWER! Rip him apart, Moju no Fuyukaze!" (Wild Beast's Winter Wind)
Chosei was strong, but with this new power he did not understand completely, he had no chance against it and so he fell under its blade. As he laid dying, he had visions. Visions of the future. How? It didn't matter at the moment, only that he died smiling with tears, having seen that it was never him, but his son... those dark, sad yet strong purple eyes...
About seven months later, Chiaki was giving birth. She screamed, screamed for her lover, but he never came. He couldn't. He was dead. The baby wailed, but when Chiaki held him, he stopped. Stopped and opened his violet eyes, staring into his mother's warm brown. Chiaki shed tears. Not of happiness, but of sorrow, for she should have been married now. So her child would not have to tolerate being glared as 'that bastard child of Chiaki'. Her clan won't hate him, but it did not change the fact he was a bastard... it will be a hard life for the boy. Not only that, she never told who impregnated her, which caused some strain within her family. It didn't matter, though. They all eventually found out...
"Akumairo Chitose... you are Chitose... you will grow strong... I will see to it, okay? Then you'll make the one who took your father away pay. 'Til then, keep your head up... handsome..." She smiled weakly, her dark brown hair touching the boy's sleeping face.
At ten, he had already mastered a sword style mentioned in his father's journal as the Style of the Undrawn Sword, an advanced form of Iaijutsu. This style cannot possibly work without a certain samurai spirit. It seemed his samurai spirit was one of the very few that had the power to lift the sword style into complete mastery. Kamikakushi's name meant 'Hidden by Gods', but it also meant 'Spirited Away' or 'Mysterious Disappearance'. Just knowing your samurai spirit's name meant nothing. You have to understand the meaning of the name to use its full power. By utilizing this knowledge, he discovered he could cut something in a high-speed movement to make it appear as if he hadn't drawn his blade, thus, the way of the undrawn sword. So this was the gift of the Gods, the ones who blessed his ancestor with this power. While it sounded all fantastic, Chitose was aware he had two souls within him... he'd often wonder who was the true owner of this body of his, him or Kamikakushi?
Encouraged by his mother, he joined the shinobi academy to further his skills so he could know how to survive in this harsh, cruel world. Within a year, he had graduated. His mother was proud, but there were still doubt from the clan. He was of the branch family of the Akumairo line, so he had to work twice as hard to contribute his clan and show his worth, that he was not some mistake created in a fleeting moment of passion. Well, he was not, but still. His mother believed her son had a lot of hidden potential, so she did her best to train him. She taught him how to wield a giant blade, her preferred choice of weapon. It was no trouble since it was a sword and her son could easily wield anything with a blade. In the end, Chitose chose to wield a short sword, which eventually led to two. He took his time in becoming a Chuunin, waiting two years. During this period of wait, his mother finally told him about his father when he became twelve. His name was Fuji Chosei, a member of a prestigious clan of swordsmen who would send men to Kirigakure as retainers. Chosei had committed a horrendous crime, being of the branch family, and was banished, but there were some who would not let it ago and killed him for it. Chitose felt anger... he wanted to avenge his father, but he also knew he had to become much stronger first before even confronting the Fuji clan. He was not stupid. He needed to gain information first. From childhood, there were things Akumairo children learned for survival, one of them was: Know your enemy. But how can he do that? It was quite simple, actually. Take the name of Fuji Chitose in order to gain information and trust from the Fuji clan. Then he'll find the man who killed his father. Among his people he was Akumairo Chitose, but to his enemies... He was Fuji Chitose, the second coming of the Sword Saint.
Before long, after years of isolated training on the volcanic rim of Kirigakure's mountain, he was seventeen. He became a Jounin at sixteen. He was deeply honored, to be able to serve his people. However, he had considered joining the ANBU. He felt his blades were best used there. He was strong, gifted and reliable, but he still felt he was lacking. He achieved everything possible, discovered all the hidden techniques and secrets of his father's clan noted in the man's journal. One thing that threw him off was this one paragraph at the end of the journal:
Well, he had time to figure it out now, didn't he? The first step is to apply everything he learned about his bloodline into discovering his samurai spirit's true name, whatever it may be...
We will become stronger...
Indeed, master...
Rank: ANBU (Codename: Quicksilver)
BA/CL: Nanjirou
Samurai Spirit: Kamikakushi (Hidden by Gods)
Kinjutsu: Tsukumogami
Preferred Weapons: Dual Short Swords
Fighting Style: The Style of the Undrawn Sword (Iaijutsu)
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Dark Violet
Hair Color: Musty Brown
Height: 5’10
Weight: 127 lbs
Age: 17
Appearance: Chitose got most of his father's traits, as expected of a Fuji, with the brown short hair and haunting violet eyes the color of wisteria. Sometimes at first glance, it may appear he has dark eyes. However, he looks more like his mother, with the stern face. He wears a simple white sleeveless V-shaped shirt with a gold trim. His arms and wrists are covered in bandages, the results his rigorous training. He wears a half-sleeved beige robe that easily shows his white shirt. His pants are cream-colored, made of strong, soft fabric, possibly cotton or a sturdier version that goes down to his feet. As for his feet, he wears long leather boots, the sole wrapped with leather. He had to wrap it due to having climbed up to the village's volcanic rim for his training.
Personality: Chitose is a young man who sticks to a personal code of honor but will do as much it takes to win. He is polite, tolerant, loyal and persistent. He believes if one is treated with respect, he then will be respected. Not only that, but he also dedicated himself to his village as well as his clan. His father was banished from the Fuji clan and Chitose grew up with his mother, so his loyalty lies with the Akumairo. His mother oversaw most of his training growing up. He is not one to use underhanded tricks, but his blades are coated with poison and does not hesitate to apply them to an opponent, whoever they may be. His goal is simple: to be the fastest and greatest swordsman of Kirigakure. His father believed his son could do so, acknowledging the boy as the Second Coming. But of what? The Second Coming of the first Sword Saint, Fuji Itsuke.
History:
Prologue: The Twins
A long time ago, roughly five hundred year ago, there existed a man who was widely known as the strongest swordsman to ever walk the earth and blessed under the heavens. They said he was well-versed in the way of the sword, so skilled he could cut a man to death without drawing his blade. His name was forever lost to history, lost in the records of the Fuji clan, though Fuji scholar says it might had been omitted, for the name alone aspired and literally symbolized strength. This powerful swordsman was just too gifted and eventually ran out of worthy opponent, being simply peerless. The Gods given him a great power and he used it to test himself to his limits, earning the name, the Hero of the Sword. He knew one thing and understood it well, for all paths of the sword lead to one place...And he had reached that place. Feeling quite content and that he had found his meaning of life, he wed a woman of a neighboring rival village to ensure lasting peace and two sons were born, twins. The father was proud and considered no greater treasure than the two. During his wandering as a swordsman, he learned that there was no greater legacy than leaving behind a child, in his case two, to continue his bloodline and pass down the knowledge he had obtained. The man adopted the favorite flower of his wife as his family name, thus, establishing the Fuji clan. He sat down, crossed legs on his cushion, watching his boys grow up. But never did he realize one must be chosen, that one might be at the end of the other's blade. It wasn't until his end he realized his swordsmanship was missing something. His blood was too blessed...
The twins eventually grew up. Both had the violet eyes of their father, along with the musty-brown hair. The eldest, Yusuke, had long hair, reaching his butt. The youngest, Itsuke, had short shoulder-length hair. Both were equally in everything, even in skill, yet were so different in battle. Yusuke had an insatiable bloodlust and craving for battle, while Itsuke fought with honor and for peace. Yusuke was tolerant in his own way, but nonetheless brash, rude, arrogant and quick to anger. Itsuke was chivalrous, dedicated, adaptable and simply graceful. The two were like day and night, all at the same time. They loved each other, however. Eventually, Yusuke became known as the Sword Devil, for his harsh method of brutally cutting down anybody who seemed strong and his younger brother, the Sword Saint, for his graceful dance of swordsmanship. The Hero of the Sword, on his deathbed, wanted to pass down his knowledge to both sons, but he realized only one could be chosen, without severe consequences. In the end... the eldest was chosen, given scrolls and the youngest accepted the consequence with honor, respecting his father's dying wish. But little did the Hero of the Sword knew... Yusuke, with his violent swordsmanship, abused his powers and wrecked havoc upon several villages just to test himself. Fuji Itsuke, seeing his brother had gone too far, had to stop him. Yusuke, offended his brother stood up to him, had the younger's wife killed, leaving his six year old nephew untouched. Furious, Itsuke went against his brother. The two were gifted twenty-five years old who had killed veterans with an easy swing of their blade, assisted by one of the spirits given to them by whatever gods blessed their family.
Both fought for five days and five nights. On the next day, Itsuke pierced his brother's heart, proving to be the stronger, then beheaded Yusuke... and the Sword Devil was no more. Yusuke's children, however, were alive and remained the main line while Itsuke's son remained in the branch line, as punishment, always watched. Though Itsuke's son was born first, the child of the first son always has the first claim, no matter and Yusuke was the eldest. Itsuke, then, was exiled. Regardless of the events, the name of the Sword Saint rang true all over. He was to be remembered, despite his actions, as a man of great swordsmanship who held the reins of the Fuji clan while his brother went mad with bloodlust. Many, many years later, their descendants remained true to the sword and not since has there been a Sword Saint, despite the obvious skill many of the clansmen possessed. They were simply missing something. But fifteen years ago, one man discovered that. A secret buried by the main line and might just change everything for the clan. There might be a Second Coming, one even greater than the first. The man who discovered the secret is Fuji Chosei...
And he's on the run.
1: Banished
The Fuji are nomadic, mind you, preferring to be on the move, if possible, but even they wanted a permanent home. So, they journeyed, with the branch members setting out first to seek a habitable land. Eventually, they came upon Water Country. Loving the place, they stayed near the fishing village of Aoikakou, not bothering the locals and whatnot. If necessary, some of the Fuji members would serve as mercenaries to protect against bandits, thieves or simply just to, well, find things. To contribute to the Village Hidden in the Mist, they could occasionally send retainers and warriors to the village. Since then, the Fuji were swordsmen for Kirigakure, their loyalties belonging to the Mizukage and the Head of their clan. One such retainer was Fuji Chosei...Chosei had done it now. Since a child, he had pestered the main line with his existence, being known as a troublemaker. Not because he was of the branch, but he was far more gifted than they were all combined, arousing jealously. The man understood swordplay on a whole different level. He realized there were levels of swordplay, not just in skill, but in how one used their blade. How one fought told everything about them. Occasionally sneaking into the clan library, he studied the life of Fuji Itsuke, the Sword Saint. Oddly enough, however, after the death of Fuji Yusuke, Itsuke's life after exile was pretty much vague. Such as taking the life of a fisherman and another wife. The fishing part made sense, somehow, considering Itsuke's recorded samurai spirit was named Sakanamaru, with sakana meaning fish. He also discovered Itsuke was the inventor of Style of the Undrawn Sword, which involves fighting his opponent without drawing the blade. While most have mastered the basic idea of sheathing and unsheathing of Iaido that is their clan's fighting style, none could take it as far as to draw the blade so fast, it is portrayed as if the swordsman never did so. There were few clansmen in the history of Fuji who used this style, but they never shared the secret, for even if they did so, it was impossible to understand. The mastery of the sword is a natural birthright to the Fuji, they never questioned it, only followed their instincts. Sadly, Chosei was not one of those men. Seemingly, there were very, very few men who could use the Style of the Undrawn Sword in the branch family, but Chosei had heard of conspiracy theories that these men were usually silenced with accidental deaths or sent to suicide missions by the elders and the Head, who was Fuji Chokichi, his cousin. Feeling there was not much he could find to his advantage, he left the library.
There was inequality for the branch family, as expected, but they also felt they deserved some respect, with some of the clansmen like Chosei being descended from Fuji Itsuke himself. However, it seems, no matter the reason, one does not simply kill their sibling. Kinslaying occurred, but was merely frown upon. So, the branch family was always looked upon with ridicule and shame, considered lower than the main family, who are like their ancestor, Fuji Yusuke in that they are very direct, and arrogant, believing that to live by the sword is to kill those who are stronger while the branch family rather test themselves and reach the highest level attainable by the mastery of the sword, despite always being so close. They have a prophecy of sorts kept to themselves that someday a member of the branch family, having claim to be a direct descendant of Fuji Itsuke, will reach the greatest level of swordsmanship and bring back honor to the branch. This descendant, whoever it may be, will be known as the Saint of Swords. As well as it may be a flicker of hope for the branch, Chosei does not believe in such folly. He will do as his blood commands him, travel the distant lands and find worthy opponents to improve his self.
That night after he left the library, dreams came to him. Odd dreams that did not seem to be his own. He saw his own Samurai spirit, a female named Kagami. Apparently, once in life, Kagami was known as the Singing Swordswoman, for singing once she had cut down her opponent. So to summon his blade's power, Chosei would go, 'Sing, Kagami'. A terrible singer she was, though. Sounded more like a shriek, so he'd sometimes, to tease his spirit, use the command, 'Shriek'. "...What is going on, Kagami?" Chosei concerned.
"I'm not sure. I think an ancestor is trying to contact you. Keep your eyes open! And I shall sing while we wait~!"
"That will not be necessary, fellow brethen," said a man who looked to be in his 30s, wearing a simple kimono made for fishing and a conical straw hat that covered most of his face. "I am here on the behalf of my master. Go back to the library, find the area that recorded the birth and life of Fuji Itsuke's father... look for a latch behind the shelf. Push it and a secret cabinet shall open. There contain a scroll with many great secrets of the Fuji. Farewell,"
"Waaaai--"
Chosei suddenly bolted up and got out of bed. Many would be asleep right now... perfect time to sneak into the library. He wanted to know who that spirit was, but now was not the time. He headed for the library immediately, sneaked in the best route he knew and found the area. On the supposed shelf was scrolls of the founder of the Fuji clan's life and whatnot. Chosei reached the back of the shelf and pulled something. Something above him, what thought to be just the ceiling, opened and dropped a single scroll. Words were visible but barely readable. Fortunately, he could make out most of it, 'The Will of C... the Hero of the Sw...d'. Opening it, Chitose read on and could not believe his eyes...
Will of the Hero said:
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! FUJI CHOSEI, IS THAT YOU?! DROP THAT IMMEDIATELY, WHATEVER YOU ARE HOLDING! IT IS FOR THE EYES OF THE MAIN FAMILY, NOT YOU!" shouted an old man, with a long, flowing white beard. One of the elders. Chosei had done it now. He threw the scroll up the ceiling and in went it with a loud click as it shut close. He swiftly left the library, but once outside, he found himself held up by the blades of the main family. "It's... it's not what you think!"
"Oh, is that so?" Approached a man with royal purple robes. Chokichi. "Hold him for trial at first light. I will question him,"
"No..."
And so came dawn's morning light. Chosei was thrown into a large cell below the Fuji mansion, built by their ancestors to hold vile men waiting for execution. Like him. Except he wasn't vile. He was merely answering a dream... now he just has to wait to reason with his cousin. All he had to do was make his case and all should be well. If not, his last trump card would be to share what he discovered. He was family, they would not surely kill him... right? Right then, two men he recognized as Kenshin and Shinichi, two of the serving branch members, came and opened his cells. "It's time," The two took him and not before long, bought him to the main square of the family mansion, with members of the main on the right and the branch on the left, as it always had been. In front of him, the center, was the current head sitting on a chair, Fuji Chokichi. He looked smug. Chokichi had been looking for ways, just anything, to rid of his cousin and now he had his chance. "Fuji Chosei... you are being charged with treason, of invading the private resource of the main family. What say you to this?"
"I... I had to! It came to me in a dream!"
"It matters not your reason. Such place was reserved for the main family, for the main family only. Our deepest secrets and whatnot! And for you to sneak in... it's an insult upon our name! Have you any final request before I personally behead you?"
"You... I request trial by combat!"
Everybody gasped. Trial by combat was seldom requested because after all, who would go up against one of the main family? It usually ended in the loser's death being greatly gruesome and dishonored beyond words, then said family members of said loser's honor takes long to repair. The branch knew how skilled Chosei was, him being a direct descendant of Fuji Itsuke, but could he truly defeat Chokichi, their leader?
"Ha! You speak of foolish things. Do you not truly care for your own life that you'd eagerly throw it away in combat, rather to a quick painless death?"
Chosei stood up and glared at his cousin. What's done is done. "You think to best me? Words are wind, cousin, speak with your steel instead! Bring me my sword!"
The one named Kenshin looked at Chokichi and received a nod of approval. Chosei's katana was handed to him. Chokichi unsheathed his own and charged, making the first strike. Many expected the battle to be done by a minute, but Chosei stood on equal ground. Chokichi realized that and did not like it. At all. "You fare well for a branch member... but no more holding back... it's time for you to die! Cut him to pieces, Fuyukaze!" Chokichi's blade became wrapped with small but visible winds. "This is the end!" Chosei acknowledged that his cousin decided to take him seriously... from what he knew, Fuyukaze (Winter Wind) was wind-based and very fast... he had to be careful now.
"Sing... Kagami!" A shrill noise rang out and the two men charged at each other. At the moment their blades contacted, a cloud of dust enveloped their surroundings. When it cleared, Chokichi was on the ground, and Chosei stood victor. Just as he was about to behead his own cousin and be declared winner, five of the main branch members were on him and pointed their swords at him. One of the elders who busted him spoke, "Stop... you win. Sheer luck, but we cannot allow your crimes be forgotten. You, Fuji Chosei, are banished until are seen fit to return, which is... never! Leave now, heathen!"
"What?!" said one of the many branch members, seemingly ready to fight for Chosei, seeing him as their only hope of equality. Chosei, sensing this, sheathed his blade.
"Stop, clansmen! It is alright. I will take my leave. Sad as it may be, laws are meant to be followed, not broken. I must be punished in some way... so farewell!"
And that was the last many saw of him as he walked right out of the gates of the Fuji mansion, never to be seen again...
II: He Will Pay
Even if he were banished and away for good, Chokichi could not forget his humiliation. The main family were superior! They were strong and descended of Fuji Yusuke, the powerful Sword Demon! So why! How did he lose? He began to cast his defeat as sheer dumb luck. That was the only explanation. However, Chosei's banishment did not satisfy him and it would be folly to blame the branch family... he decided to have the man hunted down until his dead, cold, lifeless body was in front of him. That will be his best day...Chosei was excited. Sure, he was banished from the clan, but he'll find a way back in. He know he will, but for now he'll take advantage of the freedom he has now! The first place in mind was the Village Hidden in the Mist. He had been staying here for two weeks when he realized his cousin had sent men to kill him. He had encountered three so far and made quick, short work of them. He was getting tired of being hunted. He wanted to pour his time into studying further on the way of the sword and think upon about the scroll he had read in the Fuji library... what was it talking about? What was Dugu Qiubai? He had to figure all that out. Meanwhile, he placed everything, his ideas and methods, into a single journal. Who knew? Just in case.
He was going on one of his hiding time when he bumped into the most astonishing woman he'd ever met. She was fierce, strong-willed and independent. Not only that, beautiful as well. A warrior, he could tell. She refused to introduce herself to him, even though he had done it first. It took a week of courting, giving her gifts and telling her jokes to get her to smile just once. All that effort, he believed to be worth it. Eventually she learned how to, well, avoid him. Just after having lunch, Chosei was ambushed by hired men, set out for his death. He was good, but even he had difficult time handling five men. Then, out of nowhere, she came to his rescue and took them all down with her giant blade, a thick, large serrated blade meant to cause severe bleeding. There was also some sort of liquid coated on the blade's edges... poison? Shortly after seeing Chosei's swordsmanship, she decided to open up a little. After all, no men had ever gone such extreme lengths for her, having been intimidated by her. "You're not bad yourself, handsome. I'll give you my name, then at dusk's time, meet me at the general store, okay? You can't be late, it's our first date lest I end up looking for you and take your head! My name is Akumairo Chiaki... see you, then, Chosei!"
Chosei couldn't stop grinning for a while, but then he realized two things. First, did she just threatened to kill him if he did not show up early? Second... Akumairo...?!
It had been a year. The two couple fell in love with each other, but Chosei did not see her everyday, in fear of her getting caught up with his personal things. He had plans to marry her, but he wanted to resolve the issue with his cousin first. Not too long ago, she told him she was with child. He told her if it was a boy, Chitose. A girl, Chiyako. As soon as he found out, he left to meet with Chokichi, to resolve matters. But he should have known. Known it was a trap. Known Chokichi was too jealous to let things go... and now he paid for his ignorance with his life.
"So, cousin, what can I do to resolve this matters of ours? I like my freedom and I do not intend to intrude with any of your business in any way,"
"Well, you can start... WITH YOUR LIFE! I will show you why the main family is meant to rule. I trained harshly, see... and I gained unquestionable power! Power YOU cannot possibly hope to attain! Of course, I had to force it and it was very difficult, but I--"
"You discovered the true name of your spirit?"
"Wha... How... How did you know that?! Don't tell me... you...!?!??!!"
"No... not yet. I have been, admittedly, lacking in my training, but you see, I do not intend to achieve this state... not me, somebody else,"
"Who?! WHO?!"
"You will never know. You may have achieved this state, but you had to force your spirit to tell you... it has to be under complete harmony..."
"IT DOESN'T MATTER! POWER IS POWER! Rip him apart, Moju no Fuyukaze!" (Wild Beast's Winter Wind)
Chosei was strong, but with this new power he did not understand completely, he had no chance against it and so he fell under its blade. As he laid dying, he had visions. Visions of the future. How? It didn't matter at the moment, only that he died smiling with tears, having seen that it was never him, but his son... those dark, sad yet strong purple eyes...
About seven months later, Chiaki was giving birth. She screamed, screamed for her lover, but he never came. He couldn't. He was dead. The baby wailed, but when Chiaki held him, he stopped. Stopped and opened his violet eyes, staring into his mother's warm brown. Chiaki shed tears. Not of happiness, but of sorrow, for she should have been married now. So her child would not have to tolerate being glared as 'that bastard child of Chiaki'. Her clan won't hate him, but it did not change the fact he was a bastard... it will be a hard life for the boy. Not only that, she never told who impregnated her, which caused some strain within her family. It didn't matter, though. They all eventually found out...
"Akumairo Chitose... you are Chitose... you will grow strong... I will see to it, okay? Then you'll make the one who took your father away pay. 'Til then, keep your head up... handsome..." She smiled weakly, her dark brown hair touching the boy's sleeping face.
III: Fuji Chitose
His mother kept true to her word, she oversaw his training and growth. Well, not exactly. It seemed Chitose leaned toward his father's blood, already a skilled swordsman at the age of five. Chiaki would often tell her son what her lover once said, "The mastery of the sword is my birthright,". And it was true. Chitose wielded the sword like one would play music, he danced gracefully, cutting down anything with precise swiftness. However, many within his clan sometimes forget that and look at his birth status, that he was bastard-born. It was not really a problem, he got along with his clansmen but it made him feel so different from his clansman. He had no father, nobody to look up to, nobody to guide his hand to adulthood. All he had from his father was his blood, gift of the sword and journal. The journal helped greatly, allowed him to understand certain techniques. Not only that, it also helped him discover more of his spiritual powers. He had a feeling that in order to become masterfully profound with the sword, he had to build a great relationship with his other samurai spirit. From what he understood, many like him are born with two souls, one is his own, the other belonged to an manifestation of his ancestor, of whom is the source of his powers. Through this samurai spirit, he had thousand years of swordsmanship experience and knowledge. The first few years of his childhood, he could not hear the whispers of this other spirit, but as he grew older, he had learned her name was Kamikakushi. Chitose wanted nothing but to know more about his father, but his mother's refusal to mention his father did not help. However, she promised him she would tell him. Tell him about his father on his twelfth nameday. He was seven at this point and that seemed so, so, so long. But eventually it will come. 'Til then, he continued perfecting his swordsmanship.At ten, he had already mastered a sword style mentioned in his father's journal as the Style of the Undrawn Sword, an advanced form of Iaijutsu. This style cannot possibly work without a certain samurai spirit. It seemed his samurai spirit was one of the very few that had the power to lift the sword style into complete mastery. Kamikakushi's name meant 'Hidden by Gods', but it also meant 'Spirited Away' or 'Mysterious Disappearance'. Just knowing your samurai spirit's name meant nothing. You have to understand the meaning of the name to use its full power. By utilizing this knowledge, he discovered he could cut something in a high-speed movement to make it appear as if he hadn't drawn his blade, thus, the way of the undrawn sword. So this was the gift of the Gods, the ones who blessed his ancestor with this power. While it sounded all fantastic, Chitose was aware he had two souls within him... he'd often wonder who was the true owner of this body of his, him or Kamikakushi?
Encouraged by his mother, he joined the shinobi academy to further his skills so he could know how to survive in this harsh, cruel world. Within a year, he had graduated. His mother was proud, but there were still doubt from the clan. He was of the branch family of the Akumairo line, so he had to work twice as hard to contribute his clan and show his worth, that he was not some mistake created in a fleeting moment of passion. Well, he was not, but still. His mother believed her son had a lot of hidden potential, so she did her best to train him. She taught him how to wield a giant blade, her preferred choice of weapon. It was no trouble since it was a sword and her son could easily wield anything with a blade. In the end, Chitose chose to wield a short sword, which eventually led to two. He took his time in becoming a Chuunin, waiting two years. During this period of wait, his mother finally told him about his father when he became twelve. His name was Fuji Chosei, a member of a prestigious clan of swordsmen who would send men to Kirigakure as retainers. Chosei had committed a horrendous crime, being of the branch family, and was banished, but there were some who would not let it ago and killed him for it. Chitose felt anger... he wanted to avenge his father, but he also knew he had to become much stronger first before even confronting the Fuji clan. He was not stupid. He needed to gain information first. From childhood, there were things Akumairo children learned for survival, one of them was: Know your enemy. But how can he do that? It was quite simple, actually. Take the name of Fuji Chitose in order to gain information and trust from the Fuji clan. Then he'll find the man who killed his father. Among his people he was Akumairo Chitose, but to his enemies... He was Fuji Chitose, the second coming of the Sword Saint.
Before long, after years of isolated training on the volcanic rim of Kirigakure's mountain, he was seventeen. He became a Jounin at sixteen. He was deeply honored, to be able to serve his people. However, he had considered joining the ANBU. He felt his blades were best used there. He was strong, gifted and reliable, but he still felt he was lacking. He achieved everything possible, discovered all the hidden techniques and secrets of his father's clan noted in the man's journal. One thing that threw him off was this one paragraph at the end of the journal:
Fuji Chosei's Final Page said:
Well, he had time to figure it out now, didn't he? The first step is to apply everything he learned about his bloodline into discovering his samurai spirit's true name, whatever it may be...
We will become stronger...
Indeed, master...
