Faita Hensetsu Fuubi, Roxas Winchester [book recommendations for teens TXT] 📗

There’s death all around him as the man stood tall in the field surrounded by bodies that had reddened slashed armor on them. A black katana dripped with the fallen enemy’s blood, as did Hensetsu’s armor and hair. His normally white blonde hair was deep crimson with blood. What have I done? Hensetsu thought to himself as he cast his gaze upon his fallen comrades and enemies alike around him lying dead by his own hand.

As he entered the worn down tavern the inhabitants already there quickly finished their drinks and left when they saw who had entered the building. The long black katana hung at Hensetsu’s side as he passed everyone, their stares wondering what he was. In that place the only reason you showed up covered in blood was if you needed to be patched up or had gotten into a fight at the bar. Hushed whispers and stares followed Hensetsu as he headed upstairs to his room.
His room contained a plain mattress on the floor and bandages and clothing strewn about the floor. The bandages were bloodied and worn and the clothing was torn or shredded. Hensetsu fell onto his bed and fell into sleep’s kind embrace.

Hensetsu was woken up by someone banging on his door. “Hey, Hensetsu, wake up already. You’ve been in there for three days.”
Hensetsu stumbled to the door and opened it to let the only person who could be classified as a friend in. “What are you doing here, Chijin?” he asked him tiredly.
“Like I just said, you’ve been in there for three days.” Chijin told him again kindly.
Hensetsu opened the door farther to reveal Chijin standing there. Hensetsu slumped in the doorframe, “When I asked what you were doing here, I meant why are you here. You never come here unless there’s a problem concerning me.”
Chijin’s expression became troubled. “The last time anyone saw you, you were covered in blood that I don’t think was entirely yours.” Chijin looked down the dim hallway then back to Hensetsu, “Can we talk in there? I don’t want anyone overhearing what I want to talk to you about.” Hensetsu stepped inside to let Chijin in then shut and locked the door after he glanced up and down the hall to make sure no one followed him there.
Hensetsu faced his friend who was exploring his room, taking in the lack of personal belongings and his katana lying bare on the bed- three day old blood flaking off on the blanket. Chijin saw the freshly stained clothes and bandages on the floor, then looked at Hensetsu, concern once again in his eyes.
“I know you don’t talk about anything you do or have done, but are you alright? This last time was a mess. There’s no way you got away without being terribly injured.”
Hensetsu watched Chijin as he moved about the room. “I’m fine, now get to your point or get out.”
“The Sasori Council wants to employ Faita Hensetsu Fuubi into its army.” Chijin officially told Hensetsu, and handed a thick envelope to him.
Hensetsu opened the envelope cautiously, his eyes never leaving Chijin as he tore open the seal and pulled out its contents.

The Sasori Council is interested in having Faita Hensetsu Fuubi in the employment of the council’s army. If you so choose to accept this offer, it is yours. If you decide not to accept, you will be thrown into the council’s jail for the remainder of your days. You will also be stripped of your Faita title, and all of your personal belongings and your weapons will be the property of the Sasori Council during you imprisonment.

Hensetsu looked at Chijin who was studying Hensetsu’s katana with great fascination. “Would you leave Shouten alone and tell me why the Sasori Council wants me?” he asked Chijin angrily.
Chijin looked at Hensetsu with confusion, then comprehension when he realized Shouten was the name of the katana. Quickly he stepped away from Shouten. “I’m sorry Hensetsu, but you know you can’t refuse them anything unless you want death upon yourself. I was sent here to get you,” Chijin looked down at his feet, ashamed. “again, I’m sorry. You’ll be employed immediately, so bring your things with you. I’ll wait outside the door for you.” Chijin turned to leave, then paused with his hand on the door. “And Hensetsu, don’t try to run. Some of the Council’s army men followed me here and are waiting outside if you resist.” With that he left the room, the door’s slam echoing through the silent room.

Chijin was joined outside by Hensetsu a few minutes later. Chijin wore his jacket that showed he was a Sasori Council’s messenger, while Hensetsu preferred his usual black pants and black jacket that he left open to reveal his well toned torso that let people know he wasn’t someone they wanted to mess with, especially with Shouten strapped to his waist in its black sheath. As the two of them made their way down the street other pedestrians moved out of their way and scrambled into the crevices by the buildings.
“You have the oddest effect on people, you know that right?” Chijin told Hensetsu as a mother quickly pulled her children by her side, away from the two men. “See what I mean?” he said as he nodded to the woman. Hensetsu grunted as he kept walking, as if he didn’t care about it.
After a few minutes Chijin ran to catch up to Hensetsu. “Tell me, what do they want me to do for them other than command their army?” Hensetsu asked Chijin after a few miles.
“I don’t know, but you’ll soon find out because we’re here.” Chijin told Hensetsu as they approached a large building made of dark grey bricks that appeared to always be in shadow.
They were greeted by two burly guards who had size, but little muscle, where Hensetsu had muscle, but not so much size. The first guard stepped into their path, blocking them from entering the building. “You must relinquish your weapons. There are no weapons allowed past this point.” The guard told Hensetsu and Chijin, always glancing from their faces to Shouten and back.
Hensetsu glared at the guard, then told him, “There’s no way I’m giving you Shouten just to get in.” he looked at Chijin who had already given them his knife from his side and his tantous. Chijin looked at Hensetsu pleadingly. “No, you aren’t putting your hands on Shouten. Now let me pass.” The guard placed a hand on Hensetsu’s chest when he tried to pass them. He looked down at it calmly, then looked the guard in the eye. “Take your hand off me.” The guard put more pressure on his chest and Hensetsu could feel the guard’s kijutsu building for an attack, but before it could be used, Hensetsu slammed his palm into the guard’s chest and pulled the kijutsu the guard was building to send him crashing through the heavy wooded door accompanied by the second guard rushing forward to Hensetsu, who whipped around quickly and kicked the guards feet out from under him, causing the man to fall stunned on the ground gasping for breath. Chijin rushed in front of Hensetsu to prevent him from continuing his assault on the two men.
“Hensetsu, stop! What are you getting so angry about? You don’t have to give them your katana, alright? Just come with me to the Council’s meeting room before these guys throw you in their jail for assault.” Chijin told him as he lead Hensetsu deeper into the building’s maze of halls and rooms.

The doors to the meeting room were dark wood with the symbol of the Sasori Council on them- a giant black scorpion with its stinger raised to strike its opponents. Chijin grasped one of the scorpion’s legs and pulled, the doors’ hidden seam opened to reveal a pale light from within. Chijin entered the room behind Hensetsu and closed the doors with a dull thud. The council’s members sat at a long table in front of the open floor where their summoned sat before them.
The man in the center of the table spoke first, “Faita Hensetsu Fuubi, you have been brought here of your own free will to accept our invitation to lead the Sasori Council’s Army; is that correct?” the man’s last words echoed off the stone walls.
“If you consider what you do as my free will, then yes I have.” Hensetsu answered belligerently.
“And you already know our policy on weapons in the Council’s building?” Hensetsu nodded curtly. “Then why have you come baring your blade so boldly in this room?”
“The reason why I don’t relinquish my blade is because your men tried using their kijutsu against me when I refused them the first time.” He replied stubbornly.
“You are to hand your blade over to Chijin or have it taken from you by force.” Chijin approached Hensetsu warily, not wanting Hensetsu to beat him like he had the guards out front.
“Please Hensetsu; allow me to hold onto Shouten for the time being until they allow you to have it back.” Chijin told Hensetsu quietly when he got near.
“No,” Hensetsu told the Council, “I would be taken by a Shinigami before I relinquish Shouten in a place like this.” Chijin looked as if Hensetsu had just spat in the face of the Council’s leader.
“Very well, that can always be arranged. Guards, take this man to conference room two and have fun with him until I come and get him.” Two burly guards came out of the shadows towards Hensetsu to take him away.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Hensetsu told the man calmly. The men advanced closer to Hensetsu until they were arms distance away from him. Hensetsu’s arms reached out to each of the men’s throats, and as his hands made contact, he grasped their throats tightly; causing their air supplies to cut off. The two guards dropped to their knees and each of them reached for the bags that hung at their sides. “Don’t do that.” Hensetsu told the men calmly. The two men withdrew their hands from the bags and raised them in surrender. Hensetsu nodded once, then released them, the two falling on their hands grasping their throats. “What did you want me here fo-“ his words were cut off as a fine mist floated down over him and he whipped around to see Chijin standing there, his hand still raised from throwing the powder from his bag on Hensetsu.
“I’m sorry about all this.” Chijin told Hensetsu before he collapsed in a heap on the stone floor. The two guards took the opportunity to bind Hensetsu’s hands behind his back and drag him to the other room.

When Hensetsu awoke he was standing in a large room with his hands bound together to a long chain connected to the ceiling. His jacket was tossed in the corner with Shouten thrown on top of it carelessly. Seeing his prized katana treated so carelessly enraged Hensetsu, he bellowed out, “Kono yarou! What the hell do you want with me?!” his voice echoed throughout the room, mocking him. Hensetsu struggled to loosen his chains, but was interrupted by the guards entering the room.
“Aw, he’s finally awake. Well, vermin where’s your fighting spirit now?” the first guard sneered at Hensetsu.
“Go to hell.” Hensetsu grunted at them. The first guard pulled a fine blade from his belt and approached him. The light from the torches on the walls licked at the blade as it was raised to Hensetsu’s shoulder. The blade bit deep into the flesh and