ice style haku

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And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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They would have to look into the history of the man housing them one day. Snoop amongst his things, see if he had any unusual secrets… it was a necessary thing to do, if one was unsure of whether a tenant was secretly a serial killer who targeted young women and burly men or not. Either that or a conman… Nevertheless, Iskander was sure that he’d be able to take on this stick of a guy. Unless he was a Master. But since there weren’t any marks on him, and Iskander could sense no energy of a Heroic Spirit, the man was merely a mortal threat… if even that.

Hopefully, his Master wouldn’t mind staying a woman for too long. It wasn’t like they would actually share a room. That was what a Servant’s spirit form was for. But it seemed like Mr. Suna might have mind-reading powers, because-

The apartment’s small, so you’ll need to share the foldout sofa bed… I’m not sure if it’ll both of you, though. Anyways, I have work. See you two in a few hours. No shenanigans!

At the abrupt exit, Iskander released his pent-up laughter. “Well “Yuki”, seems we’ve gotten ourselves into a lot of trouble. Let’s hope his work keeps him away from home more often!” The pat on the back the conqueror gave his Master was a bit more like a whack. It seemed to be the de facto strength setting for the Servant. “You’re pretty good at acting though. Good job! Where’d you learn that?”

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As Mr. Suna departed, Haku couldn't help but feel a weight lifted off of his shoulders. The apprehension from creating personalities and histories from thin air had dissipated, and their search for a temporary shelter had ended. There didn't seem to be a team that operated quite as efficiently as they did. This pair of personalities balanced each other out almost perfectly, with Iskander's loud and boisterous actions contrasting the younger boy's quiet and serene nature. And, as it would seem, those personalities reflected enough in both 'Alex' and 'Yuki' to make their story even more believable.

The smack on the back caught Haku by surprise, although followed by praise. A few more questions came into the shinobi's mind, more about keeping their story together than anything, but he could afford to save those for later.

"Mr. Suna is a strange man. We'll need to keep our stories as tightly woven as possible if  we wish to remain as his guests. I don't blame you for wanting to avoid his company."

"Though, I've been seen as a girl more than a number of times. It's an assumption that I haven't been able to escape, but it isn't anything I wish to give up. Such a trait can be beneficial in the right situations."

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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It was how a partnership worked. Two people filling in the gaps for each other. Harmonizing. At the very least, it told Iskander that their partnership would be a fruitful one. The way this man had accepted them into his home so readily was more than a little bit suspicious. However, if he tried anything stupid then the conqueror would deal with him quickly. 

The stranger raised an eyebrow at the young man… woman’s name. So it WAS a woman before him. Straddling the line between beautiful and handsome, just like half the J-rockers populating the charts. Rubbing his chin as the larger of the two sat down on a tiny couch, Mr. Suna decided to forget his suspicions.

“Yuki-chan, Alex-san, it’s a pleasure to have you in my humble home. Although may I say, Alex-san, that you should probably take better care of your girlfriend in the future.”

The last comment had been added by the apartment owner almost as an afterthought, which brought a derisive snort from the Rider. His girlfriend? What kind of flimsy story was that? Then again, it made sense. The cross-racial companionship, Iskander being a take charge person in their encounters… Putting a ‘protective’ arm around his “girlfriend”, the big man grinned.

“I’ll be sure to remember that when we get back to America. Yuki is a native, but I’m alright at Japanese, and I’ve always wanted to visit her home. So we decided to travel here for vacation before our stuff got stolen.” A slight shrug. “Still, if you need anything from us, just go ahead and ask.”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

In retrospect, such quick acceptance of strangers was one to be further observed. These situations did not tend to end very well for any of the people involved. Any suspicion could immediately be quelled by the sight of Mr. Suna's humble abode. It didn't look anything at all like the home of someone who could become hostile at a moment's notice. No, it was more along the lines of an average person who'd just so happened to be a good samaritan.

Inside, it would seem that Haku's story would prove to be just a little too convincing. He'd been used to being called a female in the past, but to this extent? He was almost prepared to explain that he was, in fact, a boy, but stopped just short of it. Mr. Suna's assumption had inadvertently filled in a few more gaps in their story. If a female persona would need to be kept in order to remain relatively inconspicuous, then so be it.

And more pieces of this deceptive puzzle were beginning to fall into place. 'Yuki,' a native of Japan, and 'Alex' hailing from a land that sounded odd and distant. To not be able to travel to that area because of stolen possessions attested to the distance between Japan and that America. This story was making more sense by the second.

It was probably best that Iskander gave his words last. Was there anything else to say, apart from volunteering to assist in trivialities? Haku simply remained silent, awaiting the next words that would come out of someone's mouth, supporting the Servant's statement with a brief and... almost dainty nod.

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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The man at the front of the house didn’t seem convinced. He was one Kikono Suna, 27 years old and current employed at a video game making company… which meant that he spent quite a bit of time at home, writing. And it also meant that he was a bit more discerning when it came to the difference between fact and fiction. An overly eloquent young man and his huge companion finding their way into a stranger’s home? It sounded more like a manga.

“… How’d they manage to steal money from a big guy like you?”

Thankfully, Rider had an answer for that. “I’m big. Doesn’t mean I’m fast. They took our bags, which means money, passports and ID are gone… so we’ve got nowhere.” A slight shrug. “I told him that we’d be alright if we met someone nice enough. We can do dishes and clean. Just let us stay for a bit. Until we sort it out, alright, pal?”

He seemed to be considering it, which relieved the conqueror. In truth, what Mr. Suna saw in them was character material. Good artists copied… but great artists stole. And if he could take the likenesses of an odd couple like this and put them into video game form, they were certain to be popular characters. And so, he welcomed two strangers into his home with open arms and an empty Word document.

“Of course! I’d have to be a terrible person to leave you to fend for yourselves. Now… who are these visitors I’m welcoming into my home, and where are you from?”

“My name is Alex. Alex Gritte. And this is-“

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

It was fortunate for the both of them that Iskander could fill in the holes that Haku might have left in his explanation. Fate seemed to be smiling on the two, since the stranger on the inside was both amiable, agreeable, and for the most part, gullible. Whatever Rider said would have to be remembered for future reference. Stolen bags made it easier to explain why the two had been 'robbed' in the first place.

When Mr. Suna accepted the two into his home, it seemed that they had caught a bit of a break. It was better than remaining in the darkened alley, that was for sure. Iskander was quick on his feet with an alias to cover his true identity. In hindsight, alternate identities should have been discussed prior to this predicament. The only thought about a different personality... Well, it was worth a shot.

"Yuki Shien. Please, just call me Yuki. I insist."

...Yuki. Considering Haku's androgyny, a feminine sounding name to match his feminine looking appearance might just make his character seem even more interesting to Mr. Suna. To be thinking so swiftly, as this very act of deception determined just how trusting this man would prove to be. The shinobi began trying to think of a response to the man's second question, about where they had come from. Perhaps he could simply skip over that, and let Iskander pick up from there.

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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Unless his Master had any cash, there was no way to find a home in Fuyuki City that didn’t result in hiding their identities somewhat. Even getting a job would require pretending to be someone else. But that was better than theft. At least they would do an honest day’s work.

“Oh, I’m sure they will. It’s not that difficult to believe. And if we contribute our income to the household, they’ll have very little reason to kick us out. …” A slight pause. “You ARE planning on getting a job of some sort, right? I mean, I could get one too, but most of the money will go to food. It takes a lot to restore prana.” Which begged the question, did Haku know about prana restoration and whatnot? He didn’t seem to be a mage, which meant that he had to learn about the other methods.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that! They were approaching an apartment complex, so  Iskander took the liberty of ringing on a door. “You should speak with them. You seem  less intimidating than I do. Although if I were you I’d take off the mask.”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

Even with the slight lies, Haku finally accepted whatever needed to be done, so long as it found them a place to stay. Remaining in the streets or lingering in shadier areas never sounded appealing in the first place. It was certainly better than the alternative of dying.

As they began to walk, Haku once again listened as his companion spoke, giving ideas of a side occupation to pay back a kind stranger who would allow them room and board. Something like that would prove fruitful, and would certainly pay off in long term thinking. The boy began to open his mouth, but another idea shut it up quickly. Prana? Restoration with food? Was this some sort of chakra that existed within Iskander? There was much to learn about this city, and the people within it. Hopefully, the idea of this prana did not affect Haku. Having to maintain that, as well as chakra levels, and keeping up with his skills? Before he was able to speak up once more, they had already arrived at a building which, despite its bleak appearance, was made to house multiple individuals at once. Iskander had probably garnered the attention of the persons dwelling inside, and left Haku to work the greeting.

With a sigh, the boy removed his mask, holding it loosely in his left hand as he greeted the man that opened the door.

"...I, uh, hello."

"Oh! I- Good evening. I was wondering if you would be... able to assist me and my friend. As you can see, we aren't from this city. Or... this country, even. We... Someone has managed to steal all of the money that we brought with us. It's our mistake for trying to go through an alley to save time."

"In any case, we have no way of returning to our homes for some time, and I was hoping that you could help us... find temporary housing arrangements until our matter is resolved."

Haku put on the most innocent face he could, with the final intent to deceive and reach a positive outcome. Let's just hope it worked.

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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The magic of being a magus, presumably. Waver’s explanation had been that he had used something to cloud their minds. For someone allegedly unskilled in his usage of magic, Rider’s friend had been quite proficient when he wanted to be. Although the Servant had a feeling that the old couple hadn’t been as oblivious as they had seemed. Maybe it was the fact that their “grandson” looked nothing like them. Or the fact that they had come home at around 2 am every evening.

Other options? The king would have to think on that.

“We could always say we were travelers stuck in this country due to a mishap in our own country, a theft of passports, or something similar.” It would require relying on the kindness of strangers, but there were always bound to be good people in any place. “Now come, Master of mine! We’ll have to search for good people willing to put up with us. Unless you happen to have any money…”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

It would seem that Haku's comment about duplicity may not have had as much of an affect as it could have. The second option that Iskander raised was, although still reliant on giving false information, a better and more viable one. A mishap of 'passports?' Whatever that was supposed to mean, it sounded as if it could convince someone to lend a hand... Or, some money. The masked boy nodded in agreement, hoping that the dissimilarity in the way the two of them spoke would be able to convince a stranger of their, ahem, devastating new tragedy.

"Hopefully, we won't be searching for too long. I wonder if anyone will believe our story. It is better than nothing."

The shinobi turned then, trying to remember the path out of this darkened alleyway. If anyone were to happen upon the two now, it would look just a bit suspicious. A large and muscular man consorting with a masked and, at first glance, possibly shady character? They ought to find their way to the main street quickly.

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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Servant and Master were both just terms. It simply meant that their lives were bound to each other so long as this Grail War continued. The end of the Fourth Grail War had come with a similar arrangement between the great king and his previous Master, hadn’t it? Waver… The Rider missed him, although he had a feeling that he hadn’t seen the last of the magus just yet. Good. It would be interesting to see what kind of trouble Waver would get into, and who was going to have to pull him out.

Of course, Iskander no longer deserved his title of “The Great”. Not after his defeat at the hands of the King of Heroes. It had been an honorable battle, but one that the great king would have to work hard to make up for. That, and fighting the King of Heroes again would certainly make for an interesting challenge. Watching his new Master don his mask, the larger man wondered why he was more comfortable hiding. Ah well. Every army needed men like this.

“The last time I was in Fuyuki City, we stayed with a helpful family. Of course, my Master was impersonating their grandson and I his friend from overseas, so that might not work so well…”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

The concepts of Master and Servant seemed all too familiar with the mask-clad boy. Though, in some respects, his previous knowledge of the subjects were not as... reliant as they were now. Previously, as a tool and servant of master Zabuza, Haku felt just a bit more contented. A similar idea had formed in this time. To protect someone, no matter the cost. To help another reach their dreams. 

Haku listened to his acquaintance's rambling, at first intent on stopping by this family that he'd mentioned. When the last detail had been brought up, however, the boy smiled behind his mask. How was it that such a family did not recognize that a stranger had disguised himself as a member of their own? An interesting idea.

"...Maybe it would be in our best interest to consider an option with less... duplicity."

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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At least they were on the same page now. After all, war required coordination of troops… up to a certain degree. After that, it was every man for himself on the field of battle, provided that they still maintained their loyalty. Perhaps not dignity, but that was pretty much a given. 

But who would they face? Before, they had been seven. Seven whose lives had been passed down through the annals of history. Seven whose names were still revered and respected long after their physical bodies had left the mortal plane. But now, the possibilities were infinite, and Iskander had a feeling this was far beyond the known spirits of history. From all walks of life, and all parts of the world. They were all immensely powerful, though. That much was obvious.

Of course, all it took was a little faith and a lot of planning. But Iskander was not THE GREAT for nothing. He knew his tactics well: all he needed was a bit more information, and considering the way his new Master operated in the shadows, the great conqueror figured that would come easily.

“GOOD, GOOD!” Now that that was settled, their jobs for the day were finished… unless another pair showed up. But, for now, perhaps it was time to get the basics down. “Now… where are we going to sleep today?”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

It would seem as if it was now Haku who considered himself the Servant in this partnership. Iskander, though charged with keeping the teenager alive long enough to see the end of this war, had a dream that could not be granted through ordinary means. Haku's own was simple enough to be granted with his involvement in the fighting. The least he could do was help his new acquaintance reach his goal.

There was a slight tinge of worry that went through the boy's mind. What would happen if he were defeated in battle? If his skills were not as great as Zabuza had claimed? Worse, how would events play out if Iskander were to be felled? While the ninja was considered the Master, he could not allow himself to sacrifice his life for his Servant's wellbeing. It felt almost as if an act like that would damn the great king, rather than save him. Though, once Iskander's loud voice shook Haku from his worries, a smile returned to his face, and the boy donned his mask before responding.

"I'm... unfamiliar with this city. Maybe you would have a suggestion?"

As long as their accommodations were fair and nonlethal, the shinobi would follow along with whatever his Servant had in mind.

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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Equals. Even a king was still a man, a lesson that Iskander would be hard-pressed to forget. He had gained victory through his own successes, true… but it was the work of those loyal and true to him, bound by both envy and gratitude, that had lifted this king to the level of Heroic Spirit.They were his true strength. A king was alone at the top, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have people lifting him up.

This battle would probably be the bloodiest the world had ever known. No longer seven, or even seven times seven. But more Servants and Masters coming in each day than anyone could even count. No longer a war, it was slowly turning into a massacre. But the king wasn’t worried. All wars inevitably reached that conclusion. There would be only winner here, and it was going to be THIS team…

And, of course, the army that came with it.

The great man blinked once. Twice. What a simple dream. “… If that’s all you wanted, then they should have made me the Master.” A burst of laughter escaped the lips of the redheaded giant, before he turned back to his new Master. “Well, I know what I want from the Grail. A body, a true flesh and blood body, so I can take on this world and conquer as I did before! But a king and conqueror is nothing, if he does not have good men behind him. If you wish to be desired, then join me as my loyal servant. My brother in arms. My friend. With you and the rest of my army, WE COULD TAKE THIS WORLD BY STORM!”

“… So how about it?”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

Though Haku valued the idea of teamwork, many of his experiences revolved around being used as a subordinate, as a weapon, and not as an equal. Fighting under Zabuza's command only reinforced that idea, but at the same time, it granted the ninja's wish. Now, Haku would pay no attention to the titles of Master and Servant, for it was clear that fate had made that one mistake.

It was true that there were many new pairs coming into the city, each destined to battle until only one remained. At this rate, even a Shinobi World War would not compare to the amount of fighting that was soon to commence. The piles of bodies would no doubt fill the streets, and all of the fallen would watch from above as Haku and Iskander claimed victory. Considering the two of them had great strengths, there would not be many out there that could overpower them. Perhaps Zabuza, maybe, but unless he was here in this city as well, that possibility could be overlooked.

The Master listened carefully to the will of his Servant, understanding what his own wish would be. To have a body? The two of them seemed to have very differing wishes, but they seemed simple enough to grant, as long as they emerged victorious. 

"Very well, then. If that is what you wish, then as your companion, I swear to assist you in your endeavor."

Talk about a role reversal.

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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What an odd pair they made. A boisterous bruiser and a quiet shinobi. And yet, Haku’s thoughts weren’t wrong. There was a reason yin and yang were opposites. When brought together, they were able to act harmoniously as one. A Servant was destined to protect his Master. And a Master was meant to aid his Servant in this glorious battle. That was the sole intent of the Holy Grail War. And this was how Iskander the Great would come out victorious.

His Master’s grip seemed tentative. Unsure. Grimacing slightly, Iskander was sure his disapproval was written plain on his face. And why not? To march alongside the King of Conquerers, one needed to be strong and brave. To be able to face the world with their head held high. To lead… but also to serve the king, if need be. But the Grail had chosen this young person to be his Master, so perhaps there were a few nuggets of wisdom he could impart on this little one.

“Haku? A good name.” A slightly ominous sounding one, but simple, so it was good. “And I have no doubt of that. The Grail wouldn’t have paired me with a weakling. After all, only the strong can ride beside me in the field of battle!” And hopefully, his Master would consent to doing exactly that.

“Now… what is your wish for the Grail, Master Haku?”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

Although the positions may have been questionable, Haku would not make the mistake of considering Iskander an actual subordinate. No, for any sort of victory to be achieved, they would have to be equals. The titles of Master and Servant would serve only as a formality. As long as the two played upon each other's strengths, defeat would not be an option. And, treating each other as equals, predictions from others about who was in what position would vary tremendously. A good advantage to have.

Iskander continued to speak about the battle, and Haku wondered just what sort of altercation it would be. No doubt, a bloody one. One by one, pairs would fall, until only the strongest of them all remained standing. But, would it be a traditional stand off, as multiple pairs clashed at the same time? Or, would it be a matter of kill or be killed, with those who struck preemptively gaining the upper hand?

"Make no mistake, when the time comes for us to battle, I will be at your side. As long as you and I are partners, I will be a tool for our success."

But as for the wish...

"Though, I do not yet have a wish in mind. There is not much that I desire in this world. I only desire to be needed."

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

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The sound of footsteps right behind him. Could that be…? The sound of a young man’s voice put any worries to rest. Yes, it was his Master. Could he be a coward? Skulking in the shadows, hiding like some common thief. No, that wouldn’t do at all. Sure, caution was well and good in war, but that was not how Iskander fought. If you were up against the King of Conquerors, you knew you were going against the King of Conquerors.

“As am I, Master. Your wish is my wish. Your will is my will… as long as you’ll follow me into battle!” The somber tone introduced by his ninja master was immediately broken by Iskander’s boisterous nature. It was just how he worked. All this hiding in darkened alleyways wasn’t very becoming of a conqueror.

“Hmmm… now that I think about it, we don’t know anything about each other!” Partnerships and armies required that a leader know his people, and one partner knew another. Iskander couldn’t work without knowing at least a little bit about this man… woman… person he was now contracted to. So, with a cheerful smile to rival a gorilla’s and an outstretched hand, Iskander greeted his Master properly.

“So, you know me. I am Iskander the Great, King of Conquerors and representative of the Rider Class! Follow me into battle, and we shall conquer the world!!! … What’s your name?”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

And as fate would have it, a warrior of stealth would find that his Servant was one for being... just a tad bit more conspicuous. Strategically, this may prove to be an advantage. While it would be clear that a larger and more muscular individual would be a protector, the swift movement and ability to incapacitate by a shinobi master would prove doubly effective. At least, that was how one could envision the circumstances.

Haku observed his Servant, a proud and thunderous man. Still, he was amiable, and it was better than one who was hostile. The ninja gave a curt nod, in agreement with Iskander's words. As long as they fought together, their wills were one. He extended his own hand, shaking his Servant's with a tentative trust.

The other's name alone made the ninja of the mist question the roles that had been given to them. A King of Conquerors, made a servant to a teenager? If anything, the roles should be reversed. Haku, the servant and protector of a king, who would give even his life in the attempt of defense. Just like it had been with Zabuza. But, while the user of the tool was yet unseen, he would have to make his own decisions. And that started with introductions.

"You may call me Haku. While I am no King of Conquerors, I assure you, I'm just as powerful as one."

As odd as it felt to be the one in control, the shinobi still maintained the need to be used as a tool. It was, after all, the reason he existed.

[akingforhismen-blog]

And So I Say, Are You My Master? [Closed]

Everyone had already seen the light show that was Iskander’s chariot. No sense trampline anyone to death; he was still gathering allies. It was good that there were people interested in joining his army. A king was nothing without his people. A king without a country, or at the very least an army, was a very lowly king indeed. But in this War, this king was not the leader.

Indeed, he was a Servant.

The scene? A darkened alleyway in Fuyuki City. It was a shame that the conqueror’s Master hadn’t ridden beside him during his first foray into Fuyuki City. But that couldn’t be helped. All he had to work from was a face. … A man? A woman? A monster? Something in between? “The people of today truly are an interesting bunch!”

He’d only been waiting for around ten minutes, but already the King of Conquerors was beginning to grow a little antsy. Where could his Master be? Stuck in traffic? Or… intercepted. Once more, then. 

“MASTER! MASTER OF ISKANDER THE GREAT, OF THE RIDER CLASS! COME OUT FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE HIDING!”

[crystalicemirrors-blog]

Once again, it seemed as if Haku had been taken from his eternal rest. This time, it would be a city that housed the shinobi. When his consciousness had once again restored itself from the cold hand of death, the teenager was surprised to find strange markings upon his hand, with the echoes of a dream still resounding in his mind.

A Master in a terrible war. A Rider as a Servant. What was that all supposed to mean? Shaken and confused, the ninja began to explore the city, sticking to shadows in order to conceal his movements. If this conflict was as Haku believed, then he not only a fighter, but a target.

It only took a few minutes of roaming before the boy heard a booming voice from but a little distance away. Perhaps Haku was not the only one lurking in the darkness. Yet, it was not the proximity that sparked something in the shinobi's mind. No, it was what had been said that sounded familiar. Iskander the Great... Haku's Servant.

It was then that the ninja stepped from the darkness and towards the source of the voice. Yet, if one appeared deliberately in front of an unknown, one might be setting themselves up for an ambush. Thankfully, Haku's path would bring him behind his Servant. Once again, he felt wanted. Needed, even.

"Iskander. I'm glad to have found you so quickly."