Author's Note.
Ok so I can't be bothered to split this into more than one chapter.
Also, I know this book is stupid so I really don't care if you swear at me in the comments.
Thanks for even attempting to read this.
On a barrel outside the Shicho's estate beside the chicken coop, Asta's scrawny body shivered in the cold winter night. Wearing his ō-yoroi and gripping his sword, he was ready.
The Shicho had ordered him to protect his prized chicken coop. At first, Asta had frozen up at this. It was well known the demon fox prowled this area, and it was famous for killing chickens. Indeed, even samurai had been outsmarted by it. But his mother had reminded him that the amount the Shicho would pay would change their lives, and Asta loved to make his mother proud. So, with fear in his heart, he had put on his armour and left.
And now he was here, listening to a disturbance at the Tenshu. Trembling, the boy jumped up and drew his sword.
***
The inky black sky was illuminated only by the torches lining the streets. Bobu stumbled through the darkness, every step bringing him closer to his goal. With every step however, the hunger burned through him, blurring his vision, sending his head spinning. Drawing on the last of his stamina, he ascended the hill to the Shicho's estate. It felt like an eternity, until finally, through the blur he made out the dark shape of the small Tenshu - an exact replica of the life-sized one inside the palace. Not for the first time, Bobu cursed the day he'd woken to a glowing golden figure staring sympathetically down at him. He'd been in pain after being wounded in battle, but nonetheless he'd begun raking at the ground, desperate to escape from the strange figure. "Hush little one I will not hurt you," she had whispered "I will heal your wounds and mend your clothes." Bobu had thought that sounded nagomi, but she had continued, "Although your actions in the heat of battle - turning your back while your brother fought and fell - are a stain on your honour. You let fear rule, choosing self-preservation over duty. Such cowardice will not go unpunished." Bobu had blacked out at that point, but had the former samurai known what would happen next, he would have wished for death.
***
Bobu gripped the latch and silently lifted it. The gateway was large enough for him to crawl through and seize a sleeping chicken. He'd barely brushed its gristly leg however, when a pair of beady eyes shot open, and the creature began screeching louder than a Banshī. In a flash the coop descended into mayhem; razor-sharp talons slashed and sliced, creating a thick cloud of feathers, as the gaggle of hens fought gallantly to save their friend. Bobu was forced backward backwards stumbling out of the coop. Crash! Bobu hit the dirt; every fibre of his scrawny body screaming in pain on account of the onslaught. He began rolling downhill until he careened into an old oak tree. There he lay, coughing blood onto the ground, until at last the barrage stopped and the feathery uprising retreated to their quarters.
In the silence, Bobu heard again the words the golden lady had said before she'd disappeared in a vortex: "And you shall become a fox, cursed to eat one thousand chickens before you may once again live as a samurai."
***
Out of the bushes came a paw, then a snout. When a face emerged, Asta leapt straight at it, sword drawn, ready to kill. The fox hopped out of the way. Asta spun, then lunged. The aura of a flowing waterfall following his katana, but the fox simply jumped backward, before it ducked in and scratched Asta's thigh, cutting a deep gash. A red mist of fury overcame Asta, he began ferociously swinging and slicing at the fox.
Eventually, the fox flopped on its side, exhausted. Asta staggered forward, his breathing also ragged. He raised his sword to deliver the final blow when the fox squeaked, "Please don't kill me!"
Seeing the fox's humanity, Asta hesitated. "I'm sorry but I can't disobey the Shicho. Quivering he closed his eyes and raised his katana. Seeing the boy's conflict, Bobu knew what to do. His last act was to show Asta that a true samurai wielded honour as fiercely as a blade. With a guttural scream the fox lunged at Asta impaling his heart onto the boy's katana.
Slipping off the jet-black blade, Bobu looked to the sky, seeing the blood red moon. For the last time, he saw his brother's face, calm as Biwa-ko, welcoming him into the afterlife no longer a coward, but now a hero reborn.
Dattebayo.
Anyway thanks for reading. I know it was dumb but it was my first book on this haven know as wattpad. Feel free to swear in comments.
Be happy, healthy, and drink water. 👍
