Dark Hero Days (Open)

[Morei Haji]

I had learned much in my short time out in the world, as my journey gradually grew darker. My ideals, my beliefs, every value that I held close in my heart seemed to be nothing but foolish notions to give myself hope. If it were possible to change the world through peace, it would've gone that path a long time ago, right? Why create swords and weapons if they weren't meant to kill? Maybe Masahiro was right.

No, I hadn't gone to the other side yet. Even if on the outside, I looked like a monster, on the inside I was the same person. Or at least I thought so. The dark mask I had received in the dungeon was on my face, and it's power had changed my skin to pitch black. It covered my face entirely, and my eyes shined a bright red. Complete with my white hair and other pieces of the dark knight's set, I looked like a demon in a human's body, and that was perfect for this. Identity completely safe, I could be a hero, albeit a dark one.

I rode on horseback quickly as I heard a village was being attacked, wasting no time in getting there. As the village neared on the horizon, I drew my blades, leaping off of the horse and landing on my feet. I charged forward, realizing there weren't too many bandits in the area. They would rush me, but I would be faster. My swords would come up to parry their blades before I spun them around to slam the hilts into their faces to knock them out. Another one rushed me and I would block his attack with one of my blades, slashing the other at his arm to cut into it before I spun around and kicked him in the stomach to knock him back. He crawled away, screaming in pain. A few more of his friends ran forward at me, and I quickly combined my weapons at their hilts to form one conjoined sword, both blades extending to twice their length.

I ducked, spinning the blade around my back to deflect any attacks coming in before bringing my weapon forward, grabbing the blade of it and swinging it around myself to slash at some of the men around me. It would cut them, but I ensured I did not injure them fatally. Tossing the blade up in the air, I'd catch it and detach the blades from one another, holding one in each hand now. The remaining bandits looked as though they were starting to flee.

Taking a look around, it looked as though the villagers were still scared of me, despite having been their savior.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou had been passing through the village on another normal trip when the bandits came. Demanding hospitality of every kind, the threat of steel backing up there demands. There were to many for him though. There would be no way for him to fight off all of them at once in his mind, and memories of doubt stopped him. Last time he had been in such a situationist and attack a bandit stealing a horse to ride for help he had lost a family in punishment of the action. Everything inside want him to strike out and try and deal with the bandits but he knew that he would fall to them, and feared that it would be another child that lost a family in punishment. Or a family that lose a child.



However Shou fear didn't do anything to slow a lone rider, who dismounted and charged the bandits. Shou reacted and added a few thrown blades to the mix, to not much effect as he hope, as the almost demon like fighter took down the bandits without a issue. Shou notice how even though the man had did what he had not, they were scared, he outwards appearance obviously intimidating them. As no one of the village was going to Shou stepped forwards. Secretly ready to spring a blade to his palm, he had to admit the attire of the other man was slightly off putting.

"I thank you on behalf of these people." Shou said walking forwards, putting himself between the man and the rest of the village just in case. "But maybe you should take off the mask, you kinda scarring them as much as the bandits." Shou explained. "I'm Yamabara Shou thanks for acting before someone did something to get themselves killed." Shou introduced himself, meaning himself more then anyone else. Even though fear had stopped him from acting, anger eventually would have pushed him into a stupid decision. 

[Morei Haji]

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man walking forward. My weapons were gripped firmly in my hand just in case he tried something, but it seemed all he wanted to do was thank me on the behalf of everyone else. But he wanted me to take my mask off. Even if I did that, my white hair on its own struck fear into people's hearts.

"Sorry, but the mask stays on." I said to him. To me, it was a symbol of my failure. I failed to be a hero to Katsumi the day she was kidnapped, and now my hands were stained. Hiding in the darkness, it was the only way I could make up for that unforgivable act of failure. Besides, I didn't know if this man would strike at me once my mask was removed or not.

"Shou, huh? Well, you can call me whatever you like."

[Yamabara Shou]

The man seemed adamant that he wasn't going to remove the mask, and Shou decided it was best to not push the subject. No reason to cause a continuation to the fighting over it. Shou relaxed his hand no longer ready to draw a weapon if needed, but did notice the informality the man offer him by calling by his first name so quickly. Even Captain Koboyashi still called him by his family name and they had been working together for quite some time.

"Well then Shiro-san." Shou started having no idea what else to draw on for a name other then the man demon like appearance. Which didn't seem like a good idea, while the man's white hair was iconic and unheard of to Shou. "What now? You seemed to be riding here with intent of dealing with the problems here." Shou asked pointing out, just how quickly the man had gone to arms, faster then someone who didn't know of the trouble here would of done so.  

"I'm sure the people here would like to properly thank you, once you appearance settles in." Shou told the other man, he had no intent of letting the village though hand over good in gratitude that they were previously going to hand over out of fear. If the man accept the idea. Shou knew he would feel inclined to compensate them for it. It's not like he would need the coin to buy a bottle of wine once home. It would feel like a reward he didn't deserve for his lack of action today. "Plus you've drawn my curiosity out." Shou admitted, white hair and demon attire still sticking in his mind. The man seemed like someone Shou didn't want to mess with but learning about the man a little would be useful. If not just so he could report it in greater detail, and ask if anyone had heard of such a man back home. 

[Morei Haji]

Shiro-san? Heh. I guess that would be my name for now. I didn't mean to drop the honorific on his name, but while I was riled up in being defensive, it slipped my mind.

"The people of this land need protection from those who would do them wrong." I sheathed my blades, no longer having them out in the open, hoping this would cause less intimidation. "If no one will rise to protect them, then I'll do it myself."

Those were my intentions, laid out in the open. Maki and so many others had thought of my idealism as foolish, thought that I wasn't strong enough to protect everyone. I vowed to proof them wrong. Even if I did it under the guise of a monster, or with a heavy heart.

"Curiosity, you say?" I guess anyone would be curious. I looked like a demon, most people's first instinct would be to try and cut me down. This man was brave enough to speak to me where others weren't, so there was something curious about him as well. That said, I was sure I could count on him just in case the bandits returned. I wondered how he would react if he knew there were three others like me.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou could respect the man's intentions if, it was one that he agreed with with completely. However were doubt's that he could follow the correct course of action to do so. Such as back in a inn on the road, a week ago when he allowed a child to witness death only to be broken down after by a swordsmen who words hit home about that grandstanding nature he went about rather then the smarter course. That combined with his duties meant that this man had acted where Shou had not. 

"Who wouldn't be. Though most's would be limited to is this guy going to kill me." Shou replied noticing the still scared nature of the people of the village. Some had taken their leave. While other watched dumbstruck, while some obviously seemed to paranoid to turn there back on the demon man. "So the mask is to strike fear into those who would do harm Shiro-san." Shou state, not asking but assuming it was the case. It was a shame that someone like him hadn't been in his village 5 years ago, not only would he have dealt with the bandits, but fear of the man would have stopped him from the actions Sou had taken as well. Self-doubt and What-ifs playing on his mind. 

[Morei Haji]

"That is correct. Without the mask, I am but a normal person trying to do good. But with it on, rumors will spread, those who do wrong will learn to fear me."

This is with the assumption that I don't bite off more than I could chew. This was a difficult task for one man to do alone. "Hopefully my presence will be a call-to-arms for people to defend themselves. To make themselves stronger."

Looking over this man, he seemed a lot different than the average villager. He must've been someone who could hold his own quite well, especially if he wasn't afraid of me. No matter, he wasn't my enemy, nor did I intend for him to be.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou listened as the man explained himself a little and it was a nice idea. Shou didn't really agree with using fear to control people, because the bad people did the same. But sometime means could be justified by the end. "Well every symbol has a meaning, or a name. Maybe you should think of one. Cause Shiro-san isn't very fear inspiring. And in my head it's what you are quickly becoming." Shou suggested looking back over the people.

Some were becoming less wary, not because the demon garb wasn't off putting but because they were seeing Shou quite happily talking to the man if it didn't matter. "That's just my view. I call my horse Gokaze, the wordwid. To be a symbol to myself, that I will become the best at what I do." Shou revealed looking over to one of the building nearby where his horse was tied up. 

[Morei Haji]

"A name, huh...?"

I placed a hand on my chin, as I pondered over what name I could possibly go by. While this man called me Shiro, it really didn't strike any sort of fear at all. It was also probably a name only he would call me by. But if it caught on, that'd be something. Regardless, I had plenty of time to think of a name. "Maybe someday, you'll learn my real name."

He seemed trustworthy enough. I just wondered who or what he aligned with, and if he was actually a friend or a foe in the long run. I looked at Shou, posing a question for him.

"Yamabara-san, you speak of becoming the best, but what is it that you wish to do?"

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou watched as the man thought about what he had said, before turning round and asking him what he actaully wanted to do. Shou also noticed the fact the man had stopped being as informal, and so Shou put the previous instant down to being in the moment. "To make up for a failure of the past, in my own mind. To do my part helping the land be united in peace under the banner, the symbol that I follow." Shou explained.

"So similar desires, different means." Shou added, wondering how the guy would reacted. If the man asked question, some he would be willing to answer and some he wouldn't. But Shou wouldn't feel bad, it seemed quite as clear the white demon had things he also wanted to hide just as much as he did. 

[Morei Haji]

"Uniting the land..."

This man's desires were noble indeed. It seemed there were others who shared in my desires to create a land of peace. With so many like minds, one had to think that there was a peaceful resolution to things somewhere. So why were people so turned against each other?

"It seems that you and I are on the same page. I too desire a land at peace." The difference was, I currently fought for no banner. As time passed, I began to ponder Sanada Yukimura's proposal for me to join the Takeda, but I still hadn't provided him with an answer. I wanted to bring Katsumi with me.

"If you do not mind me asking, which banner do you fight under?" The perfect way to see if he was an ally or would become an enemy in the future. Nevertheless, I hoped never to fight him.

[Yamabara Shou]

The man voiced his agreement of Shou sentiment before asking which banner it was that he consider himself to. Shou hoped that the other man wasn't under one that clashed with his, but seeing as he was trying to be a symbol himself it seemed unlikely. "I'm a Takeda man. I have been for the last few years." Shou revealed, it was one of the questions that he didn't mind asking. It would take a big problem or serious change in his ways to deny his loyalty.

"And you? You don't seem like the man to liege himself to any lord." Shou stated his opinion of the man. Hopefully he was right otherwise it may be seen as a insult of some kind. The last thing Shou wanted to do was fight the man, maybe the demon appearance had more of a effect on him then he would like to admit. 

That and the man fought well enough to have put the bandit down quick and hard, and hadn't needed any assitance in doing so. Shou had already learned that fighting a good swordsman up close did not suit the way that Shou fought himself. 

[Morei Haji]

"Takeda? Fancy that."

I smiled behind my mask, but of course, Shou would be unable to see that. It seemed he was with who I considered the good guys. After having met Yukimura, who incidentally could look the same as me, I realized how good the Takeda truly were.

"I'm not aligned to anyone. However, I am a friend of the Takeda's. Sanada Yukimura and I are quite close."

I felt that saying his name out loud would show my words were true, if this man even knew who Yukimura was. He was with the Takeda, and Yukimura was one of its leaders, so I didn't see why not. Shou seemed alright in my book, and it seemed he would be an ally in the future.

[Yamabara Shou]

The man mused over Shou alignment in these current times out loud, before revealing to Shou surprising him that the man, knew Sanada Yukimura. Shou own experiences of meeting the man were small, and Shou had been tried at the time. But Shou did know that Yukimura and his father and family were key members inside the Takeda and loyal as anyone could be.

It seemed strange that and man not of the Takeda considered himself a friend of Yukimura, but Shou had also met men who were not and like them quite well. Shou actually believe the guys words.  Which gave Shou more then the other man probably hope in terms of information. It meant he knew someone, if he could get time to see him. Could reveal who the man was possibly. Getting rid of even more of his curiosity at the same time hopefully. 

"A friend of the Sanada is most likely a friend of the Takeda. It is a pleasure to meet you Shiro-san." Shou would reply giving the other a more formal bow. If he was personal friends of Yukimura it was best not to show any disrespect. "Do you want me to take him a message once I'm home. It's kind of what I do for the Takeda." Shou offered, an extra message was no hassle, and it was a excuse to speak to hi superior. 

[Morei Haji]

I would bow in return to Shou. Knowing he was an ally now was good. But for now, my identity would remain a secret. Especially in public like this, people couldn't know who the one who wore the guise of a demon really was. They'd probably become even more afraid.

"It is always great to meet another friend, Yamabara-san." I would stand up straight, wondering about what message he could possibly take to Yukimura for me.

"Tell him I set my sakabato aside and that I'll grow strong enough to protect everyone, will you? I'm sure he'll know who I am from that."

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou tried to make sense of the message in his head. The man quite clearly hadn't set his sword aside, so why say he had. It must have been something only Yukimura would understand. It seemed the man was pretty damn good at being vague and cryptic. 

"Sakabato aside? Got it. I'll track him down when I get back." Shou would reply. "And likewise about the friend thing." Shou added, in his head not really thinking of the other man as a friend quite yet. It was hard to when, someone actively hide their face to trust them quite that far. 

[Morei Haji]

Shou looked confused, which made sense. I didn't have my sakabato on me right now. Being a reverse-bladed sword, it seemed to hinder me more then necessary. These demonic blades were stronger, and I could aim for non-vital areas. Granted, I did miss the sakabato at times...

"Maybe if you're lucky, Yukimura will tell you my identity... I just hope we will never oppose each other."

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou doubted that Yukimura would just tell him simply from him Shou asking. If a friend of his was attempting to conceal there identity surely the man would respect that wish and keep it to himself. Shou couldn't help but wonder how exactly the message would reveal who the man was. 

"Well I hope that to. Mostly because I like the idea of living. Though if your friends of Yukimura, I shouldn't think you'd move against the Takeda." Shou would say,not entirely sure would drive him to fight against what he wished. 

[Morei Haji]

"The Takeda aren't my enemy. I'm a loyal friend to them to the end."

I spoke quietly, but was sure of my words. Yukimura was a dear friend, and anything that caused me to fight against him would surely kill me. This man too was with the Takeda, and I could see that they were full of people who did right.

"We'll only oppose each other if you ever stray from the right path, remember that, Yamabara-san." I turned to look at him. "And if I ever stray, I'd like you to take me out instead."

[Yamabara Shou]

If he ever strayed from his path. Well Shou had no plan to go against the Takeda, they were his family in a way. "Well I don't plan to stray." Shou would assure the other man. "And if you do." Shou started thinking to himself, and looking over the man's weapons and armour and those he had defeated. "Well I'm not going to risk my life by fighting you face to face. But I'll stop you my own way." Shou would tell the man, knowing that he wasn't the best for a direct confrontation. 

[Morei Haji]

I gave a small smirk behind my mask. Shou really considered me to be a deadly force, huh? It meant my disguise was as intended, at the least. That said, without my armor I was nothing. He could probably take me out without it. If I ever strayed, that was probably his key to beating me. I was curious about what his own way was, but I felt it better to not know for now.

"With people like you around, the Takeda have some good retainers. I get this feeling from you... one day, you'll be quite strong, Yamabara-san."

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou gave the other man a nod at the compliment. He wasn't sure why the man though that Shou would become stronger. But Shou didn't know that sometime in the near future he was going to find a set of armour similar to that set that the other man wore. 

"Then roll on that day."

Shou's mind wandered to what he would actually do if he ever became strong. Maybe he wouldn't be scared to try and change. To try and settle down with somewhere and people he could protect. Somewhere big though, Shou would still need to run about. It was part of who he was now.