[Prologue] Samurai's Pride

####A day like always on the first look - Childrens on the road playing, the parents are working on the fields and the guards protect the village against something that they don't even know themselves.

####Beneath a thatch sitting a group of partially covered swordsmen - One looking deadlier than the other. As if the atmosphere is electrified due to a shocking truth, one of the persons, Chizu, repeats her question.

Chizu: "When does Yasuo come back? He told us he would come with his brother Yone to introduce us to him"

####Only silence appears, a bit too silent for the group of lone wolves. Instead to resist to answer, one dares to open his mouth - Takumi.

Takumi: "Didn't you receive the news? Yasuo's brother is dead.."

####Chizu's eyes widened and her chin seem to fall literally down on the ground. A brief shock, but Chizu recovered somehow to continue.

Chizu: "D-Dead? How? Does this mean Yasuo is on his way to revenge his brother?"

####Noone dared to continue, everyone seemed to hate to speak those words out loudly. Fortunately, someone came out of his hideout - it was Yasuo.

Yasuo: "I doubt that I can chase myself forever. I am honored to meet you again guys.. and of course Chizu too".

Chizu: "What do you mean by chasing yourself? D-Did you kill him..?"

Yasuo: "I had no choice. Do you know the recent news? I, one of your friends, am responsible for murdering an elder."

####The sound of footsteps slowly coming out of the shadow made their conversation abruptly end. A person came out - it was Mitsume who interfered.

Mitsume: ".. and.. are you the murderer?"

Chizu: "What is wrong with you Mitsume? He can't be the killer! .. but.. Yasuo, you killed your own brother. So I have to ask you the same - did you kill the elder?"

Yasuo: "I am responsible for the death of the elder, but I am not the murderer... However, I had to kill my brother - there was no way to avoid our battle."

Takumi: "He was your brother. You could've atleast let him survive the fight"

Mitsume: "Blood doesn't matter when it comes to a fight of honor"

**Takumi: "Honor? I only know that if I had a brother, I wouldn't kill him, and try everything to keep him alive." **

Yasuo: "Takumi.. You as a half-swordsman who can't even fight with a real sword wouldn't understand this.. My brother and I were not only siblings, but also best friends. If I would've spared him from death, he would be ashamed of himself and kill himself right after. With my blade ending his life, I gave him the chance to die like a 'Samurai'."

Chizu: "A what?"

Yasuo: "A Samurai. It's a word from ancient Ionian. This word is like the ancient language itself almost forgotten. A Samurai serves for his land; He does not fight for his own nor fights for the sole purpose of his feelings; A swordsman does not pointlessly murder, but defines his technique as art, thus honors every fight."

####Chizu silently tried to remember something that Yasuo said before. She knew something deep down in her memories, but couldn't help but to agree somehow

Chizu: "Art.. this reminds me of my father. I think you are right about it"

####Takumi sank deep down in his mind and tried to remember if he ever heard about the word 'Samurai'. Unfortunately, not his master and father nor anyone else mentioned it before

Takumi: "Mhh.. I might as well think that you are right Yasuo"

Yasuo: "Don't be foolish Takumi - You can't be a Samurai, you don't even have a blade! Hahaha"

Takumi: "I don't need a blade to cut your dirty tongue! Ha!"

#Chizu smiles, but continues with the serious mood
"What do you do now Yasuo? Everyone is after you, you'll never escape the grip of Ionia - atleast not when you stay in Ionia"

Yasuo: "You are right.. I thought about it and I already contacted the Institute of War. They might help me and protect me atleast enough so I won't be fighting anymore against my own people for something I didn't do... Takumi, Chizu.. what are you planning? Might as well join?"

Chizu: "I'm sorry Yasuo. I really desperately wanted to see your brother.. but now that I can't, I'll continue with my dojo. I had to replace my father because he died recently, his apprentices need further training."

Takumi: "And I can't because I am preparing myself for a tournament.. I need to win this to become a great swordsman!"

Yasuo: "What about you Mitsu..?"

####Mitsume seemed to left for awhile for unknown reasons.

Yasuo: "However.. Both of you have great dreams. Don't forget them! Perhaps we will see us soon again!"

####The place where the four once had a conversation became silent - All four left without turning back, as if those friends have never met before.

Yasuo - The Unforgiven
Chizu - The Untainted
Takumi - The Reluctant
Mitsume - The Merciful