Samurai's Apprentice[Guardia District, Konoha outskirts |flashback, private]

Age : 25 Posts : 175

[11 years ago]

the small red-haired boy sprung up from his bed. Beads of sweat dripping from his brow. The room was dark, dawn was still nearly an hour away. It was that same dream, the same one he had had every night this week. It began with him standing on an small barrier island in the middle of a dark pool of water. The moon was full and gleaming down from above him causing light to dance gleefully off the surface. Then, the island would begin to shake and rumble. Crono would take a step back and suddenly would find himself on the edge of a cliff high above the water. His footing would give way and he would come crashing down to the abyss below as a low roar would bellow from everywhere around him. He would look at the oncoming water, trying to brace himself for impact when suddenly a enormous horned creature would leap up from the depths and swallow him whole, waking him up.

"Huhhhhh...", "Huhhhhh" the small child panted as his mother and brother had ran into the room. The thin woman was dressed in a blue kamono and had brandished a kunai in her left hand, Crono's brother however had rushed in wearing shorts and a tee-shirt while they both rushed to his side. So powerful was Crono's shock that he never even realized he had screamed himself awake.

"Crono?!" his mom gasped at the small four-year old. His eyes staring through her, not acknowledging her presence. His mind was still trying to make sense of what happened. Realizing the situation was of no immediate danger. his mother put her kunai away inside her robes and grabbed her youngest son by the shoulders, staring into his terror filled eyes. She looked over to her eldest. "I'll take care of him Surge, go back to bed." The startled elder brother of the child shivered his head in a nod before moving out of sight of the door.

"Crono..." he muttered, still standing next to the entrance. He slumped down the wall, bringing his knees to his chest and listened out of curiosity. This was the fifth time it had occured this week. He did love his younger brother and was scared of what he was going through. Surge was old enough to know something wasn't right. Other incidents over the years kept tugging at his gut, telling him that something bad was happening. Adults whispering when they thought he was out of earshot only caused more questions then answers. His hand tightened into a fist, while his eyes glared into the distance. "What is happening to you?" he breathed silently to himself.

Crono's mother, Gina, began to stroke her youngest son's flowing red hair. She knew what this was, and it pained her to see her child suffer. Every night this week her guilt had grown. Every night, Crono had suffered the same nightmare, or so she had let him believe. She knew the truth, it was no mere nightmare. On the contrary, it was a living nightmare that she, herself, had afflicted upon her son by sealing it inside of him almost 3 years ago. The nightmare that had only just begun to toment her son. The nightmare that had a name... Five Tails.

Crono's eyes slowly regained their focus and stared into his mom's eyes. "Mom!" he cried out leaping into her embrace. Tears now pouring from his eyes. She held him close and continued to stroke the back of his head. "It's okay... It's okay" she comforted again and again to the young child until he fell back to sleep from exhaustion.

Age : 25 Posts : 175

[The next day]

the young red haired boy walked out of his room, which was dimly lit from the morning sun through the blinds of his window. strands of hair were still fused to his cheek from the salty residue of his tear from the previous night. His mom was already busy moving about the room, one of his female cousins was assisting her with breakfast. As Crono scanned the other room he noticed that his brother was already seated awaiting his food as was Surge's sensei and the current clan leader, Onimaru Guardia.

The tall aged man glanced over at him with his right eye, his left one concealed beneath a leather eyepatch. His muscular arms extended out from his blood red Kimono with black trim. Crono felt a shot of electricity jolt through him as his eyes met the forboding figure's.

"Crono, Come. Sit", Onimaru spoke out, his deep voice commanding a intense level of respect and fear from the small child. Nervously, he lowered his gaze with a shimmer of a nod and inched his way to the table, kneeling down on the custion to the left of his brother, Onimaru sitting at the head of the table on his brother's right.

The Old man lifted his cup to his lips using both hands, his nostrils inhaling the steam erupting from the dark liquid inside before letting it flow into his gaping maw. His eye closed for a moment as he savored the flavor of the tea before allowing it to be swallowed and sending a short wave of euphoria through his body before lowering the cup back down.

Crono's mother, Gina, kneeled down at the other end of the table, taking a seat next to her youngest son, while Crono's cousin politely left the family to eat in peace. "Gina, you make the best tea in all of the village. " , She politely bowed in place to him. "you honor me, Onimaru-sama" before she began to fill Crono's bowl with some rice and then her own. Surge was already devouring a helping of eggs and beef, as the four began eating their breakfast in silence.

"Crono" the voice at the end of the table boomed, breaking the stillness of the room. The young child was gripped in fear, afraid of what he may have done. "I have heard of your problems at night." The old man stated as he placed his bowl down on the table, before once again reaching for his cup of tea and taking a sip. His eyes looked over toward his apprentice, Surge. "Surge", the elder brother looked up at the man with respect. "Yes, senpai?". The Guardia leader once again spoke. "I know you have been worried about what has been going on with your brother... I have not been training a fool." The brother nodded to his master. "yes". The old man sighed for a moment before speaking again. His gaze looked over to Gina and then back to both of the boys before he began to nod in affirmation of his own decision. "I think it is now time for the two of you to know the truth of what is happening with Crono, and why. "

Age : 25 Posts : 175

Onimaru began his story. "Surge, you remember living in the land of Iron when you were younger and why, and Crono, you have been told how your father had saved the Iron Shogun's life at the cost of his own." he took a breath. "And.. how the Shogun was so grateful that he freed the three of you allowing you to return to Konoha and regaining our clan's lost honor." His voice softened. "but... what you don't know is that while you were living there, A great demon went on a rampage." Crono almost jumped at the mere mention of the word "demon", his brother, was likewise confused. " Well" Onimaru went on, "I can see you are confused, so let me tell you. In our world there exists 9 great demons, each one with a different number of tails. Before you went to live in the land of iron, the five-tailed demon appeared in the land of Iron and lived their peacefully under the protection of the Iron Shogun. The great villages at one time sought out to capture this demon to gain it's power, however knowing that the Land of Iron was neutral territory they agreed to honor the Shogun's wish to leave it alone. I was one of the people sent to find the beast, and I am the reason that the land of Iron learned about our faction of samurai, I am the one responsible for your family taken prisoner for over a year..... and ultimately I was the cause of your father's death. " Gina jumped up as Onimaru choked out those last few words. "ONIMARU-SAMA!" she exclamed. "Benkei's death belongs not to you. His death was one of sacrifice, honor, and courage. He died, freeing his family from a lifetime of servitude and freeing his clan of the dishonor that had reigned over us for almost two-hundred years. My husband was proud to die and would not have exchanged it for even another lifetime of living, nor would I if given the chance." The elderly man was caught off guard. She was right, he died just as he had always ment to, but even that knowledge did not completly absolve him of his guilt. "Gina-chan, I apologize. You are right." he took a deep breath as she sat back down and continued his story.

"After you four began living in the Land of Iron, a rogue group of ninja snuck into the country to try and claim the demon's power for their own. They failed and instead caused the beast to rampage across the countryside." He paused momentarly. " Crono, you mom and dad stopped that beast's rampage and sealed it within a large Jar. Those rogue ninja attacked that night, to try to get the beast. your mom fended them off, and your father sacrificed himself to save the Iron Shogun. After proclaming you free, the Iron shogun, fearing others would come for the beast, allowed your mom to take it with her when she returned, however, the container was cracked and the seal was quickly coming undone." Onimaru paused once again, his eyes meeting Gina's gaze before returning back to the boys. "Crono, your mother needed a vessel for that beast's power. She had no choice but to seal it inside of you, myboy." Crono took a deep breath. His brother looked astonished as he looked to his younger brother. "Those dreams you have been having... that is the power of the beast trying to take control over you through fear, but you Crono are stronger then it is. You have the blood of Benkei Guardia running through your veins, and you will not falter."

The man stopped for a second and reached down next to the table on the other side of the boys. lifting up a wooden bokken. "That is why I have decided to take you on as my apprentice, Crono. " Crono was speechless, still in shock over the sudden revelation. "I will make sure you don't falter." The old man got up and handed the small child the sword. "we will start training tomorrow. but for now, I have other matters to attend to. Surge? lets go" he said as he walked towards the door. Crono's elder brother jumped up, scrambling to follow after him. Crono just stared at the wooden sword in his hands. "Onimaru-sama?" he spoke, quivering, causing the massive man to stop in his tracks and turn to the young child. "Thank you" he said bowing. Onimaru nodded to him before walking out the door. Crono's training would soon begin.

Age : 25 Posts : 175

The following night was actually quite peaceful, for the first time in a long time Crono slept undisturbed. His dreams consisted of him running playfully through a field. No sign of the monster that had devoured him nights prior.

The events of the next morning were but a blur, quick breakfast and then out the door alongside his brother to see Onimaru at the Clan shrine. The wooden bokken, Onimaru had given him was strapped to his side, as a sign that his official apprenticeship had begun. The dark haired elder samurai began walking toward the two brothers as they neared. "Surge-san" he called. "head inside and begin your routine" his eyes moved to Crono. "Crono-san, your training will begin elseware. Come!" he spoke, in a commanding tone as he began to walk down the path out of the district and into the woods. "Crono, we are samurai." he began speaking as they waked out among the dense trees. "A samurai is one who serves, and we are no different. Samurai dedicate their entire lives to the service of a greater cause. And to do that we try to live our lives following the eight virtues of bushido." the pair had come upon a fork in the road, Onimaru wasted no time as he turned toward the right hand path. in the distance Crono could see a large open gate that was the entrance to Konoha. "In time, I will teach you of Honor, Courage, Mercy, Respect, Honesty, Loyalty, Recititude, and Character. You will learn to give purpose to every breath you take." he paused for a moment as they neared the gate. "however, we are samurai. We live to serve our master, and our master is the Hokage."

The large gates loomed over them as they passed through, a set of ninja were sitting in a booth watching the checkpoint. Onimaru looked over to them and bowed his head in respect. The two ninja reprocated the action displaying their acknowledgment of his presence and right to enter. "Because of this Crono, in order to be a samurai you must not only pass my tests, but his as well." they walked down a few paths buzzing to and fro with villagers, shopping and buying groceries. Crono had to duck and dodge his way past some of them as he was in danger of being stepped on. "Yesterday, I sent a message to the Ninja Academy informing them that as of today you would be attending class. " he looked to the young child. "And from now on, you will attend the academy. In the mornings you will prove your worth to the Hokage, and every day when you are released, you will prove yourself to me" he stopped as they were now in front of a large building that had a fenced in yard. above it were the kanji for School.

Onimaru turned around and began walking away. "I will see you at the clan shrine when you are finished, Crono-san " Crono stood and watched him walk away. School? he was almost paralyzed in fear. His eyes drifted toward the ground almost trying impossibly to count the grains of dirt. "Well? Are you gonna come in" Crono looked up to see a instructor watching him. "Come on now, you're....." he scanned the clip board in his hand, his eyes looking across the small pictures attached. "Ah... you're Guardia, Crono... Looks like you're new... well. Comeon, i'll get you situated and show you to your classroom. " Crono reluctantly followed, still unsure of the unknown future that lay ahead of him.

Age : 25 Posts : 175

For the most part, Crono's first day at the academy was rather uneventful. He met his instructors and began to learn the routine. After their second lecture, there were brought out to the schoolyard and were allowed to roam a bit. Some children began sparing each other, some others began throwing kunai at a wooden dummy; all with the instructor keeping a careful eye on them and their activities. Crono, however just moved to a quiet part of the yard and sat quietly until they were called back inside. One lecture later and they were released.

Crono began walking back home, he noticed some of the other children whispering to each other as they watched him pass by, laughing suddenly if he caught their gaze. The walk back home was rather quiet for the young boy, even for his short legs it took him only 10-15 minutes to reach the entrance to his clan's district. He stared at the doorway of his house as he passed it by, wondering what his mother was up to.

"CRONO!!" someone shouted from up ahead causing him to jump. "wa..?" it wasn't until he turned to look that he could see his elder brother running toward him in full sprint. "Ni-san?" he questioned. "Quick, come on... Master Onimaru is waiting for you. You're late, he sent me to find you!" Crono suddenly gulpped. Onimaru was a rather imposing figure, and crono was afraid of him. He didn't want to earn that man's wrath. "Sorry, let's go" he appologized as he and his brother ran the rest of the way to the shrine.

As they entered the doorway, Crono could see Onimaru sitting in the center of the room, a small table sat in front of him with a lit candle flickering. across from him was another cushion for someone to sit upon. "I found him, master. " Surge said, motioning to crono. "Very well... you may go, Surge. I'll see you tomorrow" Surge quickly bowed before turning to leave. "Good luck." he whispered to his brother before dashing away.

"Crono, Come, sit." Onimaru beconed to the young boy, his right arm outstretched, palm up motioning to the pillow. Reluctantly Crono entered, taking his boots off at the door before entering and sitting down cross legged across from Onimaru.

The air was silent but spoke volumes. "Why do you fear me, Crono" the man spoke. "i-i....i dunno" the small child replied. Onimaru's left hand moved up to stroke his beard for a moment while he closed his eyes before chuckling to himself. Crono thought back to the children at the academy... "s...st" he stuttered. "hmmm" Onimaru looked at him. "Stop laughing at me!" he yelled, his voice breaking the tranquilty of the shrine. Onimaru looked at him, smiling. "Oh, Crono. I am not laughing at you, I'm laughing at the Irony." he began. "For you see, inside of you is a power so great, we... should be afraid of you...and yet, you are the one afraid." He reached down inside of his robe and pulled out a small gorde, he uncorked it and drank a swallow of its contents before replugging the container and returning it into his kimono. "Crono. It is not me you are afraid of... it is the entity that haunts your dreams. It wants to communicate but your mind isn't clear enough for you to communicate to it contiously, so instead your subcontious mind is communicating to it, but your subcontious mind is weak and so every night when you dream it devours you. " he stopped and looked at Crono. "The only energy you are getting from it is fear, and thus, you are now afraid of everything. " Crono looked down at the ground, before looking up into the fire of the flickering candle. "The only way to stop the spread of this fear is to cut it off at the source. You need to face your inner demon. Speak to it contiously that way your subcontious mind is closed off from it. " he stopped. Crono looked up from the fire and opened his mouth. "but... how do I do that?" "I will show you the door, Crono... but" he paused. " you will have to walk through alone. I cannot train someone filled with fear and without the courage to face that fear. Success or failure is yours alone. Just remember... while he may be a prisoner inside of you, he will always be with you." Crono nodded.

Onimaru took out another gourde from his kimono, this time it was colored purple. he uncorked it and passed it to crono. "Drink this." Crono pressed the container to his lips only to immediatly spit out the contents all over the floor. "UCK!" Onimaru looked at the child. "you need to drink it, it will open your mind and will allow, even one untrained as you to reach the inner sanctum of your mind." Crono took a deep breath, wrapping his mind around what he must do before quickly gulping down as much of the bitter sour liquid that he could before handing the container back to Onimaru and wiping his mouth with his sleeve. his face was contorted in disgust. "yeah, its an acquired taste" Onimaru chuckled as he put in back inside his kimono.

"Crono, i want you to stare into the flame....... Watch it flicker and as you do take a deep breath in.....and out....." Crono looked deep into the flame, the small candle flickered in the light wind that moved through the shrine. his small chest heaved in and out as he began to breath in sync with movements of the flame. Onimaru's voice began to fade into the background. Crono's eyes were now closed yet he could still see the flame of the candle, dancing in the darkness. Slowly the flickering light of the candle would move the darkness back, moving to and fro until it became the reflection of the moon upon the tide of water moving in and out upon the shore of an island. Crono's breathing was syncronized with the tide.

He looked around only to find himself no longer at his families shrine, he was now on a small island in the middle of a pitch black lake. A full moon shown above him providing illumination upon the ground. In the center of the island stood a tall tree, thick with gnarled roots. Crono could see that the island itself was only about 100 feet across. Crono began to walk closer to the tree, and he could hear a loud rumbling coming from the base, as he neared he noticed that underneath the tree's roots was a deep cavern, pitch black in appearance. he immediatly though back to onimaru's words... "I can show you the door, you will have to walk through, alone." was this that door? "Hello!" Crono shouted into the darkness. the rumbling sound grew louder and crono grew closer to the darkness. Suddenly a pair of eyes, glowed eerily from inside and began to move towards him. the island began to rumble as the eyes moved from deep within the tunnel until they were so close, Crono could see the face attached to them.

Crono suddenly lost his footing and fell backwards into the sand. "A-are you the demon?" he asked innocently as he stared at the oblonged face that stared him down. he could see several horns jaggedly protruding from it's head. The creature stuck it's head out from between the roots of the tree, however the roots too close together to allow it to get out from underneath the tree. It was then Crono had realized that the tree itself was the prison keeping the beast sealed inside of him. The White-headed demon stared at the young boy and could see the fear in his eyes. "I am, and you must be the warden" The beast's voice echoed across the small island. Crono slowly stood up... "my name isn't warden... it's Crono" he stated... the tailed beast chuckled to himself. "Warden isn't a name, but a title.... for you see, I am the demon prisoner, and you are the warden. It is strange, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon, Warden Crono." Crono looked at the beast and while his hands were shaking, he moved ever closer to him until he was staring at the beast's eye mere inches away. "y-you're not a demon.... " crono announced. "oh?" the bijuu inquired. "no... demon's are scary. you may be big but.... " crono's hands stopped trembling. "I'm not afraid of you." the two stared each other over for a minute. The bijuu was rather impressed and wasn't quite sure what to make of this child. the way Crono had said it, didn't make it sound like a insult but more of an observation. Crono's next question, however, would really give the bijuu something to think about. "Do you have a name?"

Age : 25 Posts : 175

The child's question left the beast with his own. Its own curiosity was peaked. the five-tailed demon had many hosts prior but none had shared this level of both innocence and showed as much courage especially at such a young age. Perhaps this child.... would eventually be worthy of his power. He stood there staring into the eyes of the child. The dark blue abyss of Crono's pupils giving him insight to his soul. Yes... perhaps, through proper guidance he would be worthy. The beast never cared much for humans but something in this child triggered something in the dolphin horse. Was it his purity, his courage, or his curiosity? The demon would need to ponder on this, but for now the child didn't view him as a tool, but as a living creature.

"I was once called, Kouko" Crono looked at him and smiled. "Okay, Kouko. Pleased to meet you." the child gleamed. the demon was beside himself with wonder. He didn't fear him, referred to him by name, and was 'pleased'. This child was definitely unique. Crono, however saw this completely differently. Onimaru had said this demon would be with him forever, Once his fear subsided, he hoped they could be friends and he would never be alone. Crono, too, saw something in the beast's eyes.... sadness. And in the mind of a child the best way to solve sadness was with a friend. Kouko bowed his head down slightly in respect or acknowledgement of crono's words. As he did, Crono noticed the area begin to fade dark once again as the island he once stood on became ripples on a lake, and those ripples became a flame. Crono opened his eyes and stared into the flame ahead of him. A wave of calmness overcame the child. He looked ahead to Onimaru. "I won't have nightmares anymore." he declared. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't think Kouko would be haunting his dreams anymore.

"I was..." Onimaru looked to him and cut him off, "very well, What happened is for you alone to know" he looked down at the candle, what was once a tall stick of wax was now just a short stump. "lets stop there today, Crono. head home." the boy looked to him. "yes, Onimaru-Sama" and got up. The sky outside the shrine was already dark and a crescent moon shone down upon the boys face. He looked to a small shrub next to him and bent down and grabbed a nearby bucket that had been collecting rainwater from the gutters and proceeded to pour it upon the shrub. Onimaru saw this as he arose and walked to the boy. "Crono" he called out. "Why did you do that?" The child looked to his sensei and answered him honestly. "It hadn't been watered in almost a week." The elder nodded and hurried the child home. As the boy disappeared in the darkness Onimaru's hand fondled a wettened leaf from the shrub and whispered... "it begins"