1580 AD feudal Japan the age of Gekokujo , a time of sporadic provincial warfare. A time when the feudal domains of Daimyos rose and fell overnight.

The full moon lit the forest in eerie white light as a large fortress loomed over the woods. Within this fortress resided Jubei. A warrior by nature, Jubei was one of Shokiku Island’s Daimyo's. He stood silently on a balcony facing the courtyard, surveying the keep. Middle aged, Jubei had strong features. His silvery black hair fell past his sturdy shoulders; a black patch, testimony to his many battles, covered his useless right eye. With his good one he watched the samurai guarding his fortress.

"Dear, come to bed," said his wife, Mioko. Small and shapely, she was at least fifteen years his junior. She smiled lovingly at him as her slender arms encircled his waist and she pressed herself close to him. "Why do you worry so much? There is no way clan Yoshida can get to us." Jubei stood quietly, enjoying his wife's closeness.

"Where is Nikomi?"

"Our son is asleep, like we should be," she said kissing his neck softly. "Your warriors will protect us."

"I wonder about Koyoto. He leads my samurai, but I question his expertise, his heart."

"What about Vincent?" Asked Mioko, "he is the best swordsman of all the samurai. Why not put him in charge?"

"He is the best, but no matter how much I want to, I cannot overlook his age and linage. His father was my friend, but he was Gaijin, a foreigner. He was a brave and honest man, but he was not Japanese. He was a Blackman, a navigator on a Portuguese ship."

"So!" Mioko exclaimed, "he is the one you can trust the most." She disembraced herself from Jubei who turned to face her. She was frowning.

"Lets not talk about this now. We have other things we could be doing," he said taking her hand. They walked back into the main house, to their bedroom.

*

Over 160 samurai in guarded the keep and the outlying forest. Outside amid the trees and shrubbery patrolled Vincent, near him another samurai, Ichobushi. Short and thin Ichobushi’s dark eyes pierced the night. Vincent was much taller, at least 6'. He moved smoothly and swiftly, his wooly black hair waving in the night breeze. His eyes, almost as black as his hair, searched sharply for any sign of ninja , the dishonorable assassins that had been hired the kill Jubei.

Kahomisa, another Daimyo, had long feuded with Jubei, but Kahomisa was a coward. He would not risk a direct attack on Jubei. So he employed clan Yoshida, an infamous ninja clan known for their skill and ruthlessness, to kill Jubei.

Ichobushi gave Vincent a quick glance, as they continued patrolled the forest boundary. He had never seen a Blackman until he came into the service for Jubei. He met Vincent when the boy was around 14 or 15, but even then his skill as a swordsman had surpassed that of most experienced samurai. But before then Ichobushi had Vincent’s story. Vincent's mother was Jubei’s 1st cousin. She fell in love with Leon a Blackman of Moorish Descent . Leon was a navigator on a Portuguese trading ship . After one voyage Leon did not return. Another trading ship reported that Leon’s ship sunk in a violent storm. All hands aboard were lost. Jubei’s cousin was distraught over his death, and pregnant with Vincent. She had him and cared for him until she became ill and died. Vincent was just 4. He was alone in a world that shunned foreigners, and he was left to die. But Jubei took him in. He was not going to let the boy die. After taking him in Jubei discovered Vincent's skills in the arts of the samurai. He mastered karate, jujitsu and the sword and was tutored in the ways of the samurai and the Bushido Code .

All of Jubei’s samurai respected Vincent, all except Koyoto, the leader of the samurai. Koyoto knew Vincent was destined to take his place as leader of Jubei's legions, and he did not like the idea of a Black foreigner becoming the head of a samurai army.

The two ninja came from nowhere. Ichobushi jumped, gabbing for his sword. One assassin sliced his stomach open with a sword. Ichobushi's intestines and lifeblood spilled onto the damp forest floor. He fell to his knees trying to hold his innards in. With a quick down slice the ninja decapitated Ichobushi, his head rolling across the grassy ground.

Vincent was the best, but this was his first encounter with the dreaded ninja. He moved with a master samurai’s precision and swiftness. To battle the ninja he would have to use unethical moves, moves most samurai would not use, but moves that would save his life. Few samurai but all ninja mastered Iaijitsu. Vincent was one of the few.

One ninja rushed in, his sword held high ready to strike. Vincent drew his Katana his slice was quick and clean. Squatting in a battle stance Vincent sliced upwards, cleaving the ninja's hands off. They, and the sword, fell to the ground. In a continuing motion Vincent cut back and downward, carving the ninja open from the top of his chest diagonally to his pelvic bone. The assassin fell in the wet grass, a pool of blood forming on the earth.

The other ninja was smaller and slimmer than the first. This made Vincent cautious, this ninja was quicker than himself. He moved carefully, sheathing his katana, throwing the ninja off as to his next action. The ninja moved sharply, sword drawn. All Vincent could see of the assassin's face were dark eyes through the masks’ eye slits. The ninja moved cautiously then, suddenly lunged for Vincent. A pitiful move, Vincent stepped forward punching the ninja palm up. Dazed the assassin's hands fell. Vincent grabbed him pulling the killer down and planting his feet in the assassin's stomach. Vincent rolled back, pushing with his legs and catapulting the assassin over his head. The ninja flipped up, facing Vincent who was ready for the kill.

Then the assassin reached for his mask and pulled it away.

There, gazing at him was a beautiful young woman. A woman with skin like his. Her lips were full, her cheekbones high and delicate. But it was her skin that kept his attention. It was like his, smooth and dark-brown.

She held her sword out and inched toward him until he felt the weapons tip against his chest. She moved from behind the sword, one hand on it keeping it in place, the other moved to his face. She touched him, running her fingers down his face. He watched her, seeing a certain wonderment in her darks eyes. The same was in his. Her sword lowered and she pressed against him her cheek against his, felling his warmth against hers.

“Who are you?” She asked.

He sheathed his katana in its scabbard and tucked under his obi toward his left hip, his short sword hanging further back, near his posterior.

“Vincent,” he said the cool night breeze blowing his kimono, the cloth rustling in the wind.

"Why?" She inquired, sheathing her sword.

“Why What?”

“Why didn’t you kill me?”

“Why didn’t you kill me?” He repeated.

“You are like me. That’s why.”

“You don’t know me,” he said.

She smiled, “I don’t need to. All I need to know is that I’m staring at another Black person. That’s it.”

“Your clan? Your loyalty to them?”

“I don’t care. My loyalty is to you.”

“You just met me?”

“That’s all I needed.”

“They’ll kill you.”

“They’ll try. There are three others inside." The girl backed up still gazing at him, “I wish there was time.”

"WHAT THE HELL!" Exclaimed Koyoto, running toward Vincent. The ninja bolted, disappearing into the forest. "What in the hell! You Christian bastard. You let the ninja go. TRAITOR!" Koyoto grabbed Vincent's arm only to receive a swift kick to the face. He stumbled back.

"Fool! There are three others inside!" Vincent exclaimed sprinting to the fortress.

*

Jubei and his wife enjoyed each other. They were on their quilt bed, naked, embracing, kissing, feasting on each other’s body when he heard a noise. "Quiet," Jubei said softly to his panting wife, sweat was glistening off their bodies in the light of the full moon. He crawled, naked, reaching and picking up his katana. "Someone's out there that isn't supposed to be. Hide wife!"

"My place is at your side, in life or death," Mioko answered.

"And who will care for our son if I should fall?"

"You had better not fall then," she answered forcefully. Jubei grinned, kneeling down, keeping low to the floor. He could see two silhouettes through the translucent paper of the wall. The shojin of Jubei's bedroom opened slowly. In stepped two ghost-like ninja moving slowly, postured for battle, their eyes searching for a target. They saw Mioko, the covers of the quilt bed around her. One of the assassins moved in for the kill, sword in hand. She watched not giving notice of her husband who was hidden in the shadows by the wall ready to strike.

*

The light wooden framed shojin to Nikomi's room slid open gradually, waking the alert child. He rose from bed and looked as the assassin entered. The ninja looked around, then he looked at the eight year old boy, "I will make it quick and painless," whispered the ninja, moving toward Nikomi.

Vincent bolted into the room. With blinding speed the ninja turned to greet the attack. Stopping in a foot from the assassin Vincent drew his sword, the battle was over. As the ninja moved forward to strike, Vincent whipped his katana from its scabbard . Slicing up with almost inhuman speed, he struck the ninja in the groin cutting up to the assassin's shoulder, he then stepped back and to the side. The attack was too fast, it took a few seconds for the ninja to realize he was dead. Looking down he saw his intestines, liver, and life pouring out onto the hardwood floor. Bile began to spurt from the assassin's mouth as he fell over, splattering on the wooden floor. "Nikomi, you okay!"

"Yes brother," Nikomi said running over and hugging him. To Nikomi’ Vincent was more than a cousin, he was a brother.

"Listen, stay here and don't make a sound. I'll be back," Vincent said backing up. He cleaned his bloody blade on the ninja's clothes, resheating it. He gripped the sword’s hilt with his right hand, holding the scabbard with his left, placing the sword further back on his left side ready for quick draw. He moved to Jubei's room.

*

The assassin was ready to strike. Mioko sat motionless on the quilt bed as the ninja moved to her. Jubei rushed from the shadowed corner. He ran hard for the ninja, who swung his blade expecting to loop off Jubei's head. Jubei dove to the floor dodging the blow, rolling forward and springing to his feet behind the assassin. He made a sharp backward cut, ripping the assassin's side open. The ninja screamed, Jubei thrusting his katana through the killer’s back, its tip exploding from his chest. Putting his foot on the ninja's back Jubei pushed, pulling his sword out and sending the dying assassin face first to the floor.

Jubei turned as two shuriken streaked through the air toward him. Mioko tackled him, pushing him out of harms way. One shuriken hit the wall, the other Mioko's shoulder. "Mioko!!" Exclaimed Jubei. He plucked it from her shoulder.

"I'll be alright my love," Mioko said weakly. The wound was deep and Jubei knew that the shuriken was poisoned, he hoped he had removed it before too much got into her system. The ninja moved in for the kill.

*

Vincent rushed through the door, sword in scabbard. The ninja turned nimbly, his sword before him. Vincent drew his sword as he charged. There was a loud "clang", reddish-yellow sparks of friction flying into the air as their swords met. Repositioning himself Vincent tried to cut the ninja from the side. The ninja blocked the blow, and sliced upward, nicking Vincent's cheek. A minute drop of blood trickled down his face. The assassin came down hard, attempting to cut Vincent's head off. He ducked and backrolled springing out of it into a battle stance. Vincent thrust his katana froward, stabbing the ninja in the chest. Withdrawing quickly Vincent sliced toward the ninja's stomach, the assassin blocked, but in a continuing motion Vincent swung his right foot behind him. Pivoting the rest of his body and squatting Vincent let his right hand take the katana, cutting further behind his back, slicing a long clean incision in the ninja's abdomen. Vincent came up, sword over his head in both hands as the ninja doubled over, trying to hold his guts in. Coming down hard and fast he cleaved the assassin's head off, it fell heavily to the floor. Vincent stood cleaning and resheathing his katana.

*

Two days later Mioko had almost totally recovered from the poison. After the defeat of the ninja, Lord Kahomisa was humiliated and committed seppuku , ending his feud with Jubei. All was not well for Vincent though. Koyoto told of Vincent’s conversation with the female ninja. He was branded a traitor, despite saving Jubei. The only way he could honor himself and his master was either to leave the castle or commit seppuku. Today Vincent prepared to commit seppuku. In his room by himself he knelt on the tatamti his two swords, the katana and wakazashi lain out before him. The shojin to his room slid open and Jubei stepped in. He looked down at Vincent.

"Vincent listen, and listen carefully. By honor I cannot allow you to stay here. You admitted to having let the ninja escape. I don't know why, but I do know you would never betray me. That's why I'm telling you, do not commit seppuku. We both know you're an honorable man. You do not need me or this place to give you honor or your life meaning. You are the perfect swordsman and any Daimyo would be proud to have you serve under him. You can go out into the world. You will be a Ronin, a masterless samurai. You will either meet an honorable death in combat or be taken in as a samurai. Think about this and think hard. You will not lose face with me or my family, and as far as the others are concerned, let them talk, none of them have the sheer bravery to face you in battle." Finished Jubei left the room, leaving Vincent to contemplate. In a few minutes he came to a decision. Taking only his swords Vincent left.

He strode through the woods close to the fortress when Nikomi ran up to him. "Vincent," he said with a small voice, "my father and mother wanted me to give this to you." Nikomi handed Vincent a bag filled with money. "They say you will need this to start your new life. They said for me to tell you that they love you, and so do I." Vincent hugged Nikomi and continued on his trek through the wooded terrain. He thought of his life, what he was going to do. He was now a mercenary samurai, a samurai without any allegiance-a Ronin.

"Hi there handsome," said a soft sexy voice from overhead. Vincent had been walking for hours and was miles away from the keep. He looked back. There, perched on a strong tree limb was the Kunoichi from two nights before.
"What do you want? I never expected to see you again,” he said. She leapt down from the tree landing agily.

"Doesn’t sound like you care to either?" She asked walking up to him.
“I’ve just lost my home.”

“Why?”

“They saw me let you go.”

“Do you regret it. Do you wish you killed me.”

He stared deep into her eyes, “I don’t regret a thing I did that night.” He started to walk away, she followed.

“Well you seem like the average stiff-ass samurai warrior,” she said.

“You don’t seem like the average ninja. Then again you guys were my first,” he said.
“First ninja’s or your first kills?”

“Both.”

She stopped, “you mean before last night you’ve never killed a man?”

“No.”

“Vincent the man you killed. He’d been a ninja for 8 years. He’d killed many samurai and you cut him down in seconds in your first battle. You are a dangerous man,” she smiled and I like that in my men

“You think I’m that good. You think I could have beaten you?”

“I watched you kill him. I know you could beat me and I’ve killed dozens.” He heard respect in her voice, almost to the point of reverence. “I’m not a man. I’m not ashamed to admit the truth.”

“Just surprising to hear that. You’re not norm for ninja’s are you?”

“Do I look normal.”

“No. Are you crazy or just...”

“Oh I’m crazy.”

“Great I’m walking through the forest with a crazy Kunoichi who happens to be my only friend in the world.”

“Life’s great,” she smiled, “you can smile samurai. It won’t kill you.”

“I’m not a smiler.”

“Or a talker, listener.”

“Please be quiet.”

“Why? You’d better learn to deal with me now. We’re going to be together a long time.”

“What’s that mean.?”

“What I said. You and I are meant to be together, until death.”

“I think I should have taken the easy way out instead of this.”

“You love it.”

“You’ve managed to annoy in only a few minutes. Nice way to start a new friendship.”

“I think it’s best you know the worst things about me before the better.”

“How much more of the worst.”

“It’s just beginning my samurai friend.

She’s cocky, talks too much and is getting on my last nerve. But I do enjoy her company-he thought, watching her girlishly bounce behind him as they walked through the woodlands. It wasn't long before they came upon a stream, and by it a small house. The house belonged to a friendly old man. He was leaving to visit his son and allowed them to use his house, no charge. He actually hoped they'd be there when he got back, he liked the company.

The sun slowly dipped below the mountains as dusk settled over the land of the rising sun. Vincent practiced karate moves outside, trying to ease his restless mind. His beautiful companion had left, but she soon returned. "Hmmm, having a good time? You know a couple of your movements are off," she said descending a small hill by the house.

"Where'd you go?"

"To scout around. You miss me?"

"Why, someone after you," he said unemotionally, the young woman's facial expression turned serious.

"Yes someone is after me. You don't leave a ninja clan like I did and expect to live."

"Why'd you leave," he said concentrating on his movements.

"When the others didn't return and I did, they actually expected me to take my own life. Well four deadmen and a ten mile run later I ran into you, so here I am...Since my great grandfather died the clan hasn't been to happy to have me around, I'm a disgrace. You see like you my father was Gaijin, a foreigner, a sailor with whom my mother fell in love with. Well he got some and left. My mother died in childbirth, my grandfather wanted no part of me, but my great grandfather and great grandmother fell in love with me. How could you not, I'm such a beautiful person."

"Yes and humble to."

"Anyway, my great grandfather was the head of the Yoshida clan, and over time I proved to be his best student. I've killed more men than you can count."

"I can count pretty high?" Asked Vincent, ceasing his movements.

"Vincent you haven't even asked me my name?" She asked softly, the expression on her face becoming softer.

"What is you name?" He asked, sensing hurt in her.

"Hikano," she moved close to him, "Vincent when you didn’t attack me. When you put your faith in me. You did something no other samurai in this whole country would have, and because of that you are now Ronin. You may not have a master but I am your servant." Her eyes soft she descended to her knees, "we all look for something to give our life meaning. For you it is honor and duty to a Daimyo. It is the same for me, but I am not a true ninja. Once my great grandmother and great grandfather died so did my allegiance to the clan. I lost my soul while I was with them, that is until I laid eyes on you that night. I am now in your service, you are my Master."

"You're your own master Hikano," Vincent answered, bending down and leading her back up by her chin.

"Then we’ll start our own clan," she said caressing his cheek. They kissed, softy at first then passionately. "We can sell our services. People will pay a lot for swordsmen as good as us. With your skill and the nasty little things I can do we could make a lot of money. We could have our own castle, but only together. I am giving myself to you Vincent. My skill, my life, my love. Would you ever betray me, tell me now I must know?" Her tone was forceful and serious.

"I've only known you for a day but I would throw my life away for you if need be." They kissed, walking into the small house. There they shared their bodies until dawn, and then they would start new lives, the lives of a Ronin and Renegade Ninja.

End