{Sengoku Era}
The sky was dark and grey while the rain came streaming down from the gloomy sky. A lonesome woman stood in front of a Temple that was merely a small distance away from her village. The woman appeared to be praying to the Gods for something of great importance to her. Once the woman opened her eyes she heard a soft tone around the corner of the Temple; the sweet melody allured the woman to come closer to the source. Once the woman turned around the corner she saw Koharu and Dororo sitting on the Temple's floor playing with Nota, and Koharu was playing a song with a leaf flute.
The young woman couldn't help, but feel enchanted by Koharu's melody, and the girl's strange appearance. Koharu's dark raven hair was tied up in a high ponytail as a few strands of hair hung loosely on her shoulders. She was wearing a tanned coat that hugged her figure and a pair of green camo jeans. Not only that; but she was also wearing her dark green knee-high combat boots. The woman's eyes soon settled on Koharu's sword that was leaning on the edge of the wall. The sword was magnificent; a royal blue handle and its corners made out of genuine gold, with a ruby embedded in the center of the handle. The scabbard matched with the blade's handle; Royal blue with corners of gold and precious gems embedded into the scabbard making it beautiful. The woman looked back at Koharu and Dororo querying who the owner was. She doubted it belonged to the boy the blade was too big for him. Then, the woman looked at Koharu and wondered if she was the fabled Iron Maiden. No, it couldn't be, unless.
Suddenly, the woman noticed there was a man across from Koharu and Dororo. He was standing outside, letting the rain hit his body, soaking him in the process. Then the woman thought that the blade belonged to this man. "You there." The woman called out, but he didn't reply or even acknowledge her. "He won't reply." The woman turned her head around to see Koharu stopped playing her flute, as she stretched her arms out. "He can't hear a word you're saying. He's deaf up here." Dororo said as he demonstrated his ear to prove his point. "He's been standing there for a while now. If Hykkimaru doesn't take cover, he's gonna catch a cold." Koharu said in a stern voice, but her eyes showed concern Nota barked in agreement. "He can catch a cold for all I care," Dororo said with a hand under his chin. Until the boy felt an unexpected, fist hit his head in a swift moment. "OW! What was that for Big Sis?!" Dororo screamed out as he held his head. "Quit, acting like that Dororo. You and I both know that you care about Hyakkimaru." Koharu said with a smirk. Until Dororo lunged at the dark-haired girl and started a little brawl with Nota was barking at the two. The woman couldn't help but laugh at the scene before her. For it had reminded her of what she once had before the war began. The woman then looked at Hyakkimaru again "The rain. I think he's listening to the rain." The woman said making the two stop their fighting. "Huh? I told you, he can't hear." Dororo said even if his cheek was being pinched by Koharu." I just have a feeling." The woman said as she gives a smile to the boy. Dororo was confused as he stared at the woman.
Dororo and Koharu let go of each other "You're from a rich family, aren't ya?" Dororo asked making the woman thrown off by the question alone. "Pretty words, and a ladylike face. You're not some country girl." Dororo said until Koharu gave him a chop on the head. "Stop it Dororo your being very rude!" Koharu scolded with her hands on her hips. "OW! AT LEAST SHE'S LADYLIKE UNLIKE YOU!"Dororo yelled making Koharu have a vein mark on her head. "So I'm unladylike HUH?!" Koharu said in a low tone as flames began to rise behind her form. The two once again began their little brawl, making Nota and the woman sigh at their childish antics. "Well, the past is the past. I'm just another peddler now." The woman said making the two stop again. "Whatever," Dororo said as he leaned on the wall next to the sword. "I must ask. Is that man the owner of this sword? It's very unlike a swordman to not have his sword on him." The woman said while pointing at the sword.
"Oh, that's mine," Koharu said with a blank look on her face. "Your sword?! Does that mean...You're the Iron Maiden." The woman gasped as she stared at the silver-eyed girl with wide eyes. "Yep, that's me," Koharu said playfully with a cat-like grin on her face. "Amazing...I've heard stories that a beautiful, young woman carries a sword to strike down those with wicked hearts. I was so moved, and wished if I could have just an ounce of your strength and bravery." The woman asked with her hands in a praying manner. Koharu then notices all the little cuts on the woman's delicate fingers, this woman who once had everything in her life now works hard just to survive. "Let me ask you this, what were you praying for? Good Fountain?" Koharu asked as she leaned on one of the beams. The woman looks at Koharu but then shakes her head. "No, I was praying that my brother would come home soon." The woman said with a sad smile. "Where did he go ?" Dororo asked while he was holding Nota. "To fight a war. Its been five years now." The woman answered. "So you still have faith that he'll return, huh?" Koharu asked with a sad tone. "I do..." The woman answered with a sad smile. Koharu then smiled just before she placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Then that means your already strong," Koharu said making everyone's eyes widen. "You're surviving in this world so that one day you and your brother can reunite. So in a way you are strong and brave..." Koharu stated with a toothy smile. The woman couldn't help but feel happy, the Iron Maiden telling her that she was strong. Dororo also couldn't help but smile at Koharu as he hugged Nota closer to his chest. "Help...me..." a hoarse voice cuts through the sound of the rain. Everyone turned around to see that a man was trying to call for help however he fell on the muddy road. Koharu, Dororo, and Nota ran towards the fallen man, while Hyakkimaru noticed something ominous in the woods.
Once the three got to the man they found a large gash on his back as his blood seeped through his clothes. "Oh, no...Big Sis!!!" Dororo cried out just as Koharu ran to the man's side and checked his pulse. Koharu gasped for there was no pulse...the man was dead. Koharu slowly shook her head at Dororo silently telling him there was nothing she could do.
Then suddenly Koharu saw Hyakkiamru dashing through the woods "Hyakkiamru?" Koharu yelled but the teen continued to run. "Shit!" Koharu growled as she made a mad dash for her sword and ran after Hyakkimaru. "Wait! Big Sis!" Dororo yelled just before he grabbed Koharu's bag and chased after the two teens with Nota.
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Hyakkimaru kept on running to the strange disturbance he felt before; till he suddenly stops. Then Koharu stops right after she saw the disgusting sight. Bodies...Dead bodies littered all over the road, as their blood soaked into the mud. "Big Sis!" Koharu froze when she heard the child's voice call out to her. "Why'd you run off like that-" Dororo was cut off when Koharu wrapped him and Nota in her arms. However, it was too late for the little boy saw the dead bodies and blood-stained road.
Dororo began to shake in the girl's arms "What the heck? How could anyone do such a thing, Big Sis?" The boy said as he clutched his hands into the jacket's material. "I don't know, Dororo, but whoever did this couldn't have gone far," Koharu said as she hugged the two closer to her.
And she was right for the dark soul that caused the carnage was behind the group, hidden in the trees. while the weapon, this person used to spill blood, began to glow along with Koharu's sword that was hidden in the scabbard.
Hyakkiamru then removed his prosthetics, before a middle-aged man with long white hair jumped from the trees and tried to attack Hyakkiamru. However, Hyakkiamru used his sword to block the strangers. "Hyakkiamru!" Koharu cried out before she releases Dororo and Nota from her arms. As Hyakkiamru pushed the man away, Koharu got into a fighting stance, ready to draw out her weapon. Nota began to bark at the stranger until Dororo grabbed the little puppy and kept it close to him. "Who are you and why did you attack us?" Koharu asked with a stern voice as held a glare to the man. The man didn't answer her questions, however, he didn't need to. The answer was as clear as day...
This man was covered in blood but he had no wounds and his sword was covered in blood too. "YOU BASTARD!" Koharu roared out as her grip tightens on the handle of the sword. "This sword was thirsty for blood. And so I killed them." The man said with a sadistic smirk on his lips. "A thirsty sword? Give me a break!" Dororo yelled at the man. "This is no ordinary sword...It's alive, a cursed sword that drinks human blood. Once you have in your hands, it controls your body to kill anyone alive." The man said until he pointed his sword directly at Koharu. "And now, It wants to destroy that sword." The man said as he pointed his sword to Koharu's sword, then directly at her. "And your blood, Miss Ashikaga Koharu..." The man was with a sickening grin. Koharu gasped how did this man know her full name. Whoever this man is, Koharu knew that he was bad news...