A boy of 6 years old standing at 4'0 with long smooth black hair could be seen standing in front of a middle-aged man of around 30 years old. It was finally time to start their training for the sword.
"Master do you think I'm ready," Yasuke asked his teacher or better to say, master, how did this happen?
One year ago Yasuke saw his teacher dueling with one of the strongest samurais in their house and won with ease. Not because of his strength no because of technique since then Yasuke has been trying to get him to be his official master.
After all, a teacher will teach you somethings but having a Master is something completely different a master would teach all his techniques to his disciple.
"how many times do I have to say it, young master, I'm not your master," The man said while smiling deep down he wanted to see how this young master would learn and if he was worthy to inherit his techniques.
"Well I will just call you master till you accept me but that doesn't matter what techniques am I learning" The boy almost had stars in his eyes when he asked this he was looking forward to it for years to be trained by a real samurai.
His master finally couldn't hold it anymore and started slowly laughing even if samurai were most of the time serious he just couldn't stand how cute his young master was being.
"why are you laughing," Yasuke said while looking a bit annoyed that he was being made fun of.
"it's just that we aren't starting with techniques so to say we will begin with the basic swings like the Yoko Giri (Known as the sidecut), The Kesi Giri (an overhand slash) the overhead cut and the Nukitsuke (a sword drawing technique).
"But master arent those techniques" the boy had a confused look on his face after all in the future those would be known as samurai techniques.
"those are the foundation of every technique yes but every samurai has a different fighting style, and even their techniques are slightly different."
"Thank you for enlightening me master," Yasuke said with a small bow.
The duo got started at his sword training after a while Yasuke could be seen getting tired he finally understood why he had to through those 2 years of hell training to strengthen his body. He was only swinging the sword for about 10 minutes, and his arms almost gave up on him. But he persisted he bit on his teeth there could be even seen some blood escaping his mouth since he was biting so hard on his teeth and lip. His teacher was looking at him with a satisfied expression in his mind he had already accepted this young master as his only disciple.
Another 10 minutes soon passed Yasuke fell down on the ground while breathing heavily, his master sat by him and started speaking while looking up at the beautiful cloudless sky. "You know Yasuke you remind me of someone," he said while reminiscing.
"of who master" Yasuke was wondering the man he wanted as his official master had never displayed such a look yet right now he was giving a look like he was defeated.
The man looked at Yasuke with soft eyes and told him "my son."
Yasuke was shocked he realized one thing he didn't know anything about his master, not even his name yet right now he tells him he has a son.
"what happened to him Master," Yasuke asked
"He is dead, but that's a tale I will tell you later" The master got up and walked away while saying.
"We will end today's training here your father has called for you some of his old friends are visiting so you need to attend," He said with a small grin on his face, after all, how could he not know how much his dear disciple hated gatherings like this.
"I really don't want to go, but I guess I need to" Yasuke said while slowly getting up and walking away after giving a small bow to his master.
He had never liked gatherings of these sorts because he knew that he was destined to become someone with an arranged marriage, after all, he was the second son. And the Date clan would always welcome new alliance's so every time he did go to such a gathering he was indifferent and cold towards everyone. He just wanted to be on his worst behavior to try to delay his marriage.
Right now he was walking towards the room where he knew everyone was gathered he walked in and saw someone he knew. Rusu Masakage a man that was known to be one of the vassals of the Date house and a samurai with some fame on his name because of helping Masamune. Right beside him stood a little girl of about 7 years and when Yasuke saw this.
He knew what was about to happen he saw his father approach him and his worst nightmare came true. "Hello, son this here is your uncle and his adopted daughter and your future wife."
As soon as those last 2 words were heard Yasuke could be seen getting pale. He knew this day would come one day, but he didn't want it to be true. After all, even if he lived like a samurai in his past life even if it was a modern time. It would be a lie if he didn't pick up at least some morals from his time he knew he could never love more than one girl in his life he would be faithful his whole life.
But how could he be faithfull if he was forced to marry her? How would he find love in this life?
And what Terumune saw next shocked him his so behaved son calmly collected son walked right out of the door with tears in his eyes. This was considered terrible behavior in this time after all you were supposed to show a lot of respect tot he older generation. Yet Yasuke decided to walk out he didn't know what type of consequences this would have, but he didn't care at this moment.
Al his past life what he wanted was to live a good living as a samurai achieve something, but he would be lying if he said that he didn't crave for love. He wished to find love this life someone he truly would be able to trust unconditionally.
He walked to his favorite spot of the courtyard and sat down watching the beautiful pond in front of him where the coy fish were swimming around he could feel the warm sun on his skin burning he could feel the slow wind in his hairs. He looked around the courtyard and what he saw made him annoyed he was a bird to be precise he saw an,
Crane, a bird that is seen as a mystical creature in the Japanese culture also known as the bird of happiness. A bird that is supposed to be the sign of good fortune and happiness but how could Yasuke be happy knowing he had to marry a girl he didn't love?
After being annoyed for a couple of minutes, he closed his eyes and started his meditation, after all, how could he think straight when he was this angry.
A couple of minutes later he opened his eyes and let out a long breath while he came to a conclusion.
The conclusion was simple he was prepared to marry this girl even if he didn't know her name right now but on one condition. That he would fall in love.
He slowly made his way back to the room and entered while he bowed to his uncle.
"I'm sorry for my outburst earlier its just that I didn't expect that I would have to face this so soon I will marry your daughter on one condition" Yasuke said while looking up at the face of his uncle who was a bulky man he had big katana strapped at his side and there were scars all across his chest. 'so this the well-known samurai' thought Yasuke.
Terumune this time was surprised that his son would marry this girl he was sure that after his outburst he would try to resist it, so he decided to ask "what is your condition."
Yasuke looked him straight in the eye "father I want to get to know her and see if I could fall in love with her a marriage without love is doomed to fail. I will wait 10 years to decide if I want to marry her till then don't announce our engagement so that others won't see her as something thrown away."
This was the only thing Yasuke could think about that would save him.
"Yasuke, please let us be alone" (Terumune)
Yasuke slowly left the room and could hear faint talking between the two adults until his uncle opened the door and looked at him and said.
"We agree with your condition as long as you will never spread that you two are engaged."
"I agree with uncle," and Yasuke slowly bowed to show his appreciation.
"We will leave you two alone now to meet each other" (Terumune)
And like this, the two adults left, and yasuke finally turned towards the girl he was engaged with.
She was small probably about 3'1 in height she had smooth skin black hair and silver eyes she wore a white kimono, and Yasuke knew she would become a beauty many men wanted to have. Yet he didn't care he just wondered 'can I truly fall in love with her.'
He looked at her and told her "I'm sorry about all of this but nice to meet you im, Date Yasuke second son of Date Terumune."
"I don't mind it at all nice to meet you im, Rusu Yuki adopted daughter of Rusu Masakage.