Newest Chapters

      The Sorceress' Revolt    Dororo:Choose Your Own Adventure Novel    Fire Hunter Series    Shijukara (Starting at 40)

Dororo: A Novel - Part 5 Chapter 1 - The Tale of Hakumenfudō, the Demon Without a Face

Dororo: A Novel

Tsuji Masaki

 

Part Five

The Tale of Hakumenfudō,
the Demon Without a Face

 

Chapter 1

    Aniki, those look like some tasty persimmons. We should get some!

    Dororo had been trying to get Hyakkimarus attention all day, but Hyakkimaru didnt spare Dororo so much as a second glance. He stared straight ahead and kept walking.

    Dororo waved his hands overhead, still trying to distract Hyakkimaru. Scowling, he threw a rock into the higher reaches of the persimmon tree, dislodging a few fruits that fell. Hyakkimaru didn’t pick up any of the fruits and left Dororo to gather them himself.

    Picking up a likely-looking large persimmon, Dororo bit in, then almost immediately spat it out. “Yikes! These are sour!” The persimmon he’d eaten was far from ripe, and his face contorted into a variety of weird expressions.

    Any other person on the road would have noticed Dororo’s antics and perhaps been amused by them, but not Hyakkimaru. He kept walking.

    Arent you gonna say something, aniki? Dororo asked. You look like you just came from a funeral or somethin. It makes me not want to steal your sword arms anymore.

    Then dont, Hyakkimaru said with more force than was strictly necessary.

    Dont? Dororo snorted. You think thats an option, aniki? No, Ill just take care of you until you feel better. Thats when Ill make my move.

    Who asked you to take care of me? Hyakkimaru asked.

    No one has to ask! Dororo answered cheerfully. Friends take care of each other, aniki, even without asking.

    Who says were friends?

    Uh, Miss Mio seemed to think we were...

    Go away, Hyakkimaru said. Dont remind me of what happened. Not ever. He whirled on Dororo, towering over him. Dororo had never seen Hyakkimaru look so terrifying before.

    I mean it, Hyakkimaru said after a long pause. You should leave. Leave, and dont come back.

    Dororo waited for Hyakkimaru to say more. When he didnt, Dororos mouth dropped open. Eh?

    Im saying that we shouldnt travel together anymore, Hyakkimaru said. He was thinking about the future--a dark and dangerous future, now that Mio and the children were gone. If he and Dororo stuck together, Hyakkimaru would be constantly reminded of the day when the temple had burned. He would probably never forget that day, but Dororos presence would do nothing to help him now.

    You said I should leave? Dororo asked.

    Hyakkimaru was thinking about Dororos safety as well as everything hed lost, but Dororo didnt interpret his words that way. He felt like Hyakkimaru had poured cold water in his ear while he was sleeping.

    Dororo shook his head. Youre just in a bad mood. Itll pass. Were bound to each other now, aniki, and Im not about to let go. Dororo blew air into his cheeks and put on his best smile. Lets go! Were wasting time.

    Hyakkimaru removed his prosthetic right arm, revealing the blade beneath.

    Whoa, aniki, Dororo said, stepping back. Hyakkimaru was obviously angrier than hed thought. Theres no need to wave that sword around! Keep doing that, and I might get scared!

    Turnabout was fair play. Hyakkimaru had ignored Dororo, and Dororo had ignored his command to leave. Dororo still thought that Hyakkimaru threatening him with a sword was overkill.

    So you really wanna ditch me that bad, huh, Dororo said, putting more space between him and Hyakkimaru. You gotta be more clear. Sometimes I, uh, just dont get it... Dororo started spouting nonsense. It was a defense mechanism. He often did that when he was upset or angry, and it was easier and less wounding to his pride than begging Hyakkimaru to let him stay.

    If you want the sword, take it, Hyakkimaru said.

    Dororo stood dumbstruck in the road. Take it? Are you stupid? Thats not how this works! I cant steal it from you if you give it to me, ya moron.

    At this point, Hyakkimaru should have realized that Dororo would stick by him through everything. Perhaps he did realize it, but didnt want to admit it.

    You never understand me at all, aniki. Im so tired of it, Dororo said. Hed known Hyakkimaru for all of a month, but he was sure that hed never forget him. Tears streamed down his face that he brushed hastily away.

    Dororo laughed, still crying, though he was trying to pull himself together. Hehehe!

    Little boy, why are you crying?

    Dororo looked behind him and saw a woman standing in the road. The woman blinked rapidly, looking at Dororo with an expression of bewilderment.

    Uh... who are you, lady? Dororo asked.

    Im just passing by. She smiled.

    Well, I wasnt crying. Get your eyes checked, Dororo said. He looked more closely at the woman. She reminded him of someone. Indeed, the woman was the spitting image of his own mother.

    When Dororo thought to look for Hyakkimaru again, he was gone, but that bothered him less now. The woman that looked like his mother had his full attention.

    My home isnt far. Why dont you rest there for a while before you go chasing after your friend again? 

    Her voice was so kind. Dororo agreed to her idea and followed her down the road. As they walked, Dororo kept sneaking glances at the woman.

    Hm? Is there something on my face? the woman asked. Why do you keep staring at me?

    Its nothing, Dororo said. You just look like my mom, is all.

    I see. The woman seemed amused. Dororo didnt know why.

    They reached the house. The woman made tea and poured it for both of them. Then she asked, What was your mother like?

    Uh... what do you mean? Dororo asked.

    What I said.

    Most people are surprised when I tell them about my mom.

    Why?

    “’Cuz she was a thief, Dororo said. And a bandit.

    The womans eyes widened. Dororo rarely spoke of his past to anyone. Even Hyakkimaru didnt know about Dororos parents.

    The truth was that both of Dororos parents had been world-famous thieves.

No comments:

Post a Comment