Steps to Reincarnation

Part1

The air was cold, but the cold was not what was on people’s minds. It was the war. Personally I felt more welcomed to it than any thing else. I’ve spent years fighting seemingly endless battles. This battle, though, was the ‘real deal’. I was one of the four hundred chosen to aid in the galactic war against Eryuden, a planet in our solar system with an almost invincible army. The tyrant leading them, Edaku Shinasi, was planning to drive out the peaceful leaders of the other planets, so he could lead. That meant my planet and I’ll be damned if I let that happen. I was sent to Eryuden, with the rest of the unified army, because of my status. On my planet, Terrid, I was known for my involvement in battle. I was sent as leader of my division, which includes fighters from other planets as well.
I was planning on fighting this with out losing any of my people. Many thought my idea was unrealistic, but after the first initial battle they started to listen to what I was saying. Our first battle was quick, nothing more than my training would have supplied, but I knew that it would get more difficult. Nothing is ever easy. I was sitting out by the river near our camp. The others were in their tents or by the campfire telling stories, or listening about wars and battles they’ve seen. None of them had seen what I, in my fifteen hundred years, had seen. I was considered young to elders in my race. But I had the experience even if I looked no older than a typical teenager to other races. The glow of the blazing camp behind me gave the river an eerie appearance. I heard the soft crunching of grass as two people approached me. I turned my head to see my second-in-command Keo Reon and a silver haired woman behind him.
“Sujuka, sir, this is the new recruit that was sent to us.” He spoke with a fake tone of high respect. In all the years I knew him he was still the only punk I could call my best friend. I stood up and greeted my new comrade. I don’t like to consider myself higher than others, unless it means life or death, then they had better follow my orders and I did a good job explaining that to her.
“Your name?” I asked.
“Shel Aberdane.” She said in a straight tone.
“Nice to meet you Miss Aberdane, let me lay it out straight, you may call me Sujuka or Jet, which ever is preferable to you. When we are in battle I want no back talk and I expect my orders to be followed as I give them. When not in battle you may feel free to do as you please. You may sleep in tent four, which is the one that I, Keo, and the rest of the ladies here sleep in. And watch out for yourself some of the men around here will get out of control when they drink. My men won’t touch you, but I can’t guarantee the others won’t.” I explained standing up and walking towards the camp motioning her to follow and she did. We walked quickly past some of the drunks, hoping not to attract their attention. Which we, unfortunately, did. “Hey beautiful, why don’t you hang out with us for a while, Miss.” One drunk said grabbing my wrists. And that really pissed me off.
“You Idiot, sober up! I am not a woman and don’t you touch me!” I said kicking him in the face, which made him let go of my hands. I looked from left to right before threatening any one who could hear.
“If any of you touch the new girl, I’ll personally kill you! It makes me look bad when you idiots can’t behave!” I bellowed making the men tremble. I may have to scare the crap out of them, but I get my point across. I continued on, kicking the idiot, who groped me, out of my way.
“Lecherous idiots, I’m glad they weren’t my men, other wise I’d have knocked them backwards.” I seethed out loud. We approached a tent and I walked in side with Shel right behind. The tent was large about twenty by twenty and the floor was covered in sleeping bags, sheets and an occasional piece of clothing. “Welcome, to your new bedroom. The only spot left open is the spot next to me, you can take that spot. I don’t usually sleep so you don’t have to worry, if that would have made you uncomfortable.” I said shuffling through the heap of material.
“Nah, it wouldn’t have bothered me. But thanks for the concern.” “Some of the people here aren’t that comforting to be around, that’s why the women stay in this tent. We would have left it completely to the women, but with me and Keo here nobody messes with the ladies, like they would have if we weren’t.” She opened her mouth to say something when a young man rushed in.
“Sir! Edaku sent out a sect of his shinobi!” He cried out urgently.
“So soon? Alright get quadrants three and four out now! Have the rest lay low. I’ll be out with three and four. Tell them no one is to move until I say so.” “Yes sir!” He ran out as fast as he came in. “I want you to follow me. I want to see what you can do.” I said to Shel.
We ran out hastily catching up to the dispatched fighters. Among them were some very powerful contenders. There were some shinobi of our own, some sorcerers, a few mages, and a plentiful share of demons. No, when I say demons I don’t mean evil spawns from the dark world, I mean we are peace fighters; we are trying to keep our worlds balanced. I fall under the category of demon/healer. I’m a mixed blooded Sujukan/Cujora, a one of a kind. I know it’s pretty stupid that my father named me after my race, but I couldn’t help that! I pushed my way to the middle of the groups and they became silent.
“Listen, I need any healers among this group to stay on the sidelines, fighting only if an enemy tries to pass to our others. We are running short on people so I don’t want any screw ups. If anyone in here is too injured or drunk to fight now, leave.” I ordered clearly. They started to dispatch when I felt the unfamiliar displacement of air. A dark clothed being jumped into the air and came down upon my people with every intention of massacring them. However that wouldn’t happen with me around. I pushed the people out of the way and blocked the demon’s attack with my silver bladed staff. I backed up with swiftness the demon could not distinguish and brought the bladed end of my seven foot long weapon right through his side, cutting the demon in half and gushing blood everywhere. Which was truly disgusting, but hey it wasn’t my blood so who’s complaining?
More of them spread out around those who stayed to fight, which was fortunately most of them. Keo slipped up next to me. When we fought outnumbered, like we were, we usually fought in pairs. He gripped at the Kunai in his hand and pulled at the chain, preparing to launch it. “All right every one, you know the drill! They’ve about a hundred more than what we’ve got. Group up, watch each other’s backs! Don’t hold back!” I shouted then let every thing run on its own. Shinobi are very swift fighters. They are gifted with the abilities of illusion, which made me thankful that we had mages in our ranks, which were high class spell casters. They fight alone, which made them easy prey to combined attacks. I stepped over the fallen body and began started one of my main techniques. I began rotating the silver staff until it reached a speed that caused a strong wind. All of my comrades were crouched down or holding their weapons into the ground to keep on their feet. I pulled back, which pulled the source of the wind back, creating a spiraling wind, as if inside of a tornado. This was a great technique, because it forced all of those opposing me to stay on the ground or risk being slammed down by the downward pull of the swirling winds. Now that they were all on the ground my people would be able to take them out with out getting killed or, hopefully, injured. I mean, I couldn’t guarantee that nobody would get hurt, because there is always one stupid person that will screw up on something simple. I was distracted by the finishing of my attack that I failed to see the demon that snuck up behind me. I tried to turn but was gutted in the stomach with the gold blade of a sword. I could feel the blade trying to drive its way further up towards my heart. But there was no way I was dying like that! I lifted my foot up enough to reach it with my hand. I slipped out a dagger from my boot and swung the dagger at the demons neck. The dagger pushed its way into the neck, but not enough to kill it. “Damn!” I hissed stepping back. I wondered how the thing was still alive with a blade piercing its throat. I figured it was going to try and attack me again, but it didn’t. Instead it went for the person behind it, which was Shel. “Aberdane, watch out!” I called and she turned quick enough to avoid the creature’s razor sharp claws. She fought him off with her own weapon, which was a short bladed scythe that she took from one of the enemies. I ran up behind him and yanked my dagger sideways out of his neck, which tore a gash in his neck, causing blood to spill into his air passage. Not to mention I ended up covered in his blood too. “Red is such a good color on you, Sujuka.” I heard the cynical laugh of a female and I turned to see the source of it not but ten feet away, standing a top a tree branch. “Variko! I should have known it to be you!” I growled at her.
“Sujuka, you’re such the perfect man, I don’t see why you don’t join us, and with power like yours we could have anything. Being smart and lacking emotions makes you a perfect fighter.” She said with a lusty voice.
“Quit trying to flatter me and hold still so I can kill you!” “If that’s how you want to play, then fine.” She said angrily, jumping down at me. I tried to move but found myself held down by dark roots that had sprung up from the ground. She raised the blade in her hand and swung it down. I watched it come down on me and bury itself in my shoulder. The blade stopped in its path when her arm was wrenched away by the chain on Keo’s Kunai.
“Hey, looked like you needed some help.” Keo said with a slight smirk. “Thanks, I need a few minutes to heal up the hole in my stomach, can ya cover for me?” I asked and he nodded. “And watch out she uses dark roots to hold her enemy down.” “Not a whole lot of good it’ll do her against me.” He said spinning the Kunai in a circle. “It’s you again. Sujuka’s little lap dog, always doing as master says.” She sneered at Keo.
“Who are you to call me a lap dog, you bitch!” was said by a very angry Keo. Such a short temper, but then the prospect of him being my lap dog was pretty sick. “You shouldn’t get so upset over it, that’ll make you sloppy and that could get you killed.” “I don’t need advice from you. I’ve been fighting since before you were born!” Keo stated truthfully. He had been my childhood friend, even though I was much younger, and that was like fourteen, and something, hundred years ago. I don’t really remember the exact years, I lost count around fourteen hundred years, I’m really just estimating now. “Then prove it!” She laughed. “Let’s see how good of a lap dog you are!” “Bite me!” He launched himself at her.
“Gladly, male blood is always the sweetest.” She grabbed him by the collar with one hand and held back the hand that was holding the Kunai. She bit down into his neck, drawing blood. He jerked to the left, which caused her to cut deeper into his neck. She must have thought he did that because he didn’t know what else to do; otherwise she wouldn’t have been so surprised when the chained Kunai pierced into her back. When he moved he had launched his weapon over her and he pulled back when it was close enough, sending it right through her back. She was forced to let go of him and he yanked on the chain, causing the blade to be ripped out of her back. “Err…Lucky shot, lapdog…Aren’t you going to go lick your masters wounds.” She said laughing. Keo was getting pissed and that wasn’t good.
“Keo, ignore her! She’s trying to mess you up! Focus!” Don’t make me have to bury my friend because of a stupid mistake, I pleaded silently. I concentrated more on healing my wound and I closed my eyes when I place my hands at my stomach. My hands began to glow with warmth and the hole in my stomach seemed to get smaller and less painful.
I looked up to find Keo, with a dark purple aura raging around him. He usually only did that when he was extremely pissed, but the look on his face, suggested complete control. And I’ve been around him long enough to know that wasn’t normal. I’d spent years and years trying to teach him to focus on his hidden energy. You see Keo was telekinetic, but hadn’t quite grasped on how to effectively use it. Telekinesis was rare and few people knew how to even comprehend it. Of everyone there I was probably the only one who could see the massive energy radiating off him. I could comprehend this rare power, because I was telepathic. Although not nearly as gifted as Keo, but enough to help push him along. Unlike most close male friends, we didn’t compete with each other, instead we helped each other excel. Keo, along with his telekinetic abilities was his strategic thinking and his multi-weapons skills. He could effectively handle any object and make a lethal weapon out of it. He was a little taller than I was and had a more muscular frame too. We were like night and day. Complete opposites. His bright orange-blonde hair, which was short in the back and semi-long in the front, stood out next to my black and bluish-gray long hair. And boy did that little bastard like to use that against me. Every time we got into a fight he’d pull me back by my hair. His personality was completely different too. He was outspoken and liked to get loud, especially when he drank. He was liked by everyone, because he was a really friendly person. Me, on the other hand, I was quiet. The only person I ever let loose around was Keo. People admired me rather than liked me, not that it was a good thing. And gods forbid if I had decided to drink. Not only was I easy to get drunk, but I was a nasty drunk too. I broke Keo’s arm once, when I was drunk. I focused my attention back on the battle field and watched as my people got their asses kicked. A good majority of them were trying to heal themselves or have someone else heal them. My eyes eventually feel on Shel. She was doing a great job protecting the fighters who were out for some reason or another. She wasn’t too far from where I was actually. How are you hanging in there? I spoke to her telepathically. She stopped and looked around. Don’t let your guard down; I’m talking to you telepathically. You can talk back, I’ll hear you.
Like…this you can hear me? was her reply.
Yes, I can hear you. How long can you hold out there?
For a while, why? she answered.
Give me a few minutes and I’ll help fight off those pains in the ass, Keo’s got his hands full and may need some help.
I’ll help him if I can get over there.
I’m trying to use this as the element of surprise, so make your self look discreet.
Hehe, over and out she replied and I could help but let out a chuckle, even if it hurt.
The sound of someone’s scream grabbed my attention and I turned to see Keo being crushed by the plants that Variko had used on me.
“Keo!” I leaned forward and jumped for my staff. I picked it up and threw it at Variko, much like a spear. The bladed end pierced into her side, which forced her to release her control of her plants. I crawled toward Keo and rolled him over so he wouldn’t bleed to death. I pulled back my hands to find them covered with blood. I searched his body for the source and found a broken rib, which caused a wound to open. He was still breathing heavily and clenching his fists.
“Hang on Keo, this is gonna hurt for a minute,” I said putting a leg on each side of Keo’s body; I placed my hands on the rib that was slightly protruding out of the skin. With all the body weight I had, I pressed down, pushing the bone back in place. He let out a loud shriek that made me wince. I focused on healing it. “You think that’s it!” I heard Variko and turned my head to see her coming at me with my staff, the bladed end pointed at me. I closed my eyes and focused on healing Keo, at least he would be able to fight back, even if I got killed.
“Back off witch!” I opened my eyes and saw Shel blocking Variko, with the chain from Keo’s Kunai. She must have picked it up after Keo dropped it.
She swung the blade and flung it at the weapon Variko was holding. The chain wrapped itself around the staff and Shel yanked it from her grip. She caught it and threw it next to me. I pulled back after Keo’s wound was healed and stood up. I helped him up and Shel threw him his weapon. We advanced toward her, but she leaped up into to the tree limbs landing safely on a branch. She whistled and raised her hand. All of her allies who weren’t killed pulled back and followed her. “Damn it all! I hope they don’t get reinforcements I don’t think we could take another round.” Keo said in a shaky voice.
“Well, of course not we’re several hundred people short.” I said. Everything felt like it swirling. I leaned my head against Keo’s shoulder to keep on my feet. I faintly heard his voice saying, ‘Sujuka, are you okay?! Sujuka? Sujuka!?’ I felt him shake me but I couldn’t respond. Completely exhausted I finally gave into the sleep that was calling me.

I woke up and saw several people hovering over me. I wanted them to go away, but they wouldn’t. It was so hot and I needed air. I became frantic and sat up, pushing the people away. They still wouldn’t leave. I tried to choke out words but my throat felt dry. I vaguely remember seeing someone with bright orange hair pull them away. What a great time to have a panic attack. The orange haired person, who I’m choosing to believe was Keo, pushed me back down and I fell back to sleep. I woke up a second time, but this time the air felt cool, like normal. I sat up and looked around. It was bright outside. The battle that had taken place the previous night seemed like a distant memory. “You feeling better?” Keo asked which made me jump since I hadn’t seen him there.
“Yeah, I guess.” I took a deep breath. I was still a bit jumpy even though everything seemed normal.
“You know I’ve never seen you like that. You were completely out of it. After you leaned against me you just went limp, I had to carry you back. We were afraid that something was seriously wrong.” “Was something wrong?” “Well, we found traces of poison in your blood, it’s cleared out now, but we damn near lost you. Shel and I have been taking turns watching over you for the past few days.” “Poison? It must have been from the first guy who snuck up behind me. Did you say days? How long have I been sleeping?” “You were more like in a coma than just asleep and for past three days. Oh but yeah, everyone was worried. Most of the girls were in tears praying you’d be alright. Especially Shel, though not in tears, she was probably the most worried one there. You should really consider courting her; she seems to be your type.” He said and I playfully smacked him.
“Come off it! She’s cute and all but you know me, I’m not the type to ‘settle’ down. And if I go off falling in love then I wouldn’t be able to risk my life at every turn and what fun would that be?” “Sujuka, you are the biggest weirdo I know. I just hope you know that.” He said chuckling.
I saw a figure at the tent opening. The person walked closer and when the cloth covered the opening I could see that it was Shel. “Hey, you’re awake. Uh, Keo someone’s on the radio and wants to talk to either you or Sujuka, what should I tell him?” She asked.
“What’s his name?” Keo replied with another question.
“He said Osaka.” “Likan Osaka?” I spoke.
“Yes, that’s sounds like what he said.” “Let me talk to him. Help me up Keo.” Keo pulled me to my feet and I wavered from one foot to the other until I found my balance. My clothes were different, as opposed to my normal combat clothes, which consisted of a white and green shirt and black pants, I was wearing a loose shirt which was really long, it traveled down to knees, and loose sleeping pants. The cloths were practically falling off me.
“These are your clothes, aren’t they Keo?” I asked raising an eyebrow at my occasionally obnoxious friend. “Yes, but that’s because I could find your clothes! And I wasn’t about to let you sleep in bloody clothes!” “Feh, all you had to say was yes, Keo, it’s not like I would have gotten mad.” We reached outside and walked towards the canopied end of the tent. Under the covering was a table and on the table were a radio and a communication wire. After I slaved myself into finding the energy to get there I sat down and picked up the wired microphone. I pressed the side button and spoke.
“Osaka here,” I said stating my last name. “Sujuka, what the hell happened over there!? I heard you almost got yourself killed! ” Likan Osaka, my superior barked through the radio.
“Mr. Osaka,” I said. I have no relation to him by the way. “I’m going to be blunt and you can do what ever you want about it, I refuse to care, but I can’t control the outcome of every freakin battle.” “I’ve seen you pull through worse! ” After his statement my frustration began to build up. I slammed my fist down on the table, grabbing the attention of everyone who could see me.
“I’m short two hundred people Mr. Osaka!! We almost got our butts kicked by a group of shinobi who wouldn’t even compare to my armada back on Terrid! Send me some damn recruits! Send me some people who can listen, who can speak my language! Half the people I have here speak other languages! And I can only speak so much of each!” I shouted through the radio.
“Sujuka, I’ll try to get you some people down there, just be careful, you’re our best bet right now. I can’t have you being reckless. ” “Yes, sir.” Was all I said, to keep from going into another fit.
“ Listen, we have plans to move you forward, but we still want to keep you on the west side of the river. ” “So we travel along the river? We may have to wait a few days; I’m not going to rush my people if any are injured.” “we’ll give you time, I want you to sent the word to me when you do start out. I’m counting on you Sujuka.” “I haven’t let you down yet, sir.” I finished and placed the piece back on the radio. I stood up and walked as far as I dared to with weak legs. I was irritated and the next person I came in contact with was liable to get chewed out for something. I leaned against one of the metal poles holding the cover over us. Nobody dared to come near me, except Keo. “Sujuka, you need to go back to bed, you can barely hold yourself up!” He tried to persuade me. It didn’t work. “Listen I’m not going back to bed, I’m not tired! And I’ve lived through worse anyways.” “Then at least take a bath, the hot water will do you good.” Keo pleaded, I swear sometimes I feel like he’s babysitting me.
“Fine, just get off my back. Where’d Shel go, by the way?” I asked looking around.
“She said she’ll be back in a bit, I don’t remember where she said she was going, though.” He folded his arms trying to remember.
“You are an air head; I just hope you know that.” I said with a smile.
“Oh my gods! Don’t look now; the king of the emotionless has smiled!” “Shut up,” I said elbowing him.
“Oh yeah make me!” “Fine, I will!” I attacked him pulling him into a head lock. But he picked me up by my waist and carried me over his shoulder. “Ack! Put me down Keo! I’m going to get you for this!” I screamed as he carried me through the middle of our camp. He made me look so stupid! I kneed him in the ribs and ran like a bat out of hell. I could hear him following me. “Sujuka, you can’t run from me forever!” He yelled catching up. I turned my head and stuck my tongue out. I probably looked ridiculous, but for some reason I was in a really good mood. And that was rare. He caught up with me when I ran out of energy. Those three days of unconsciousness really affected me. We grabbed some clothes and headed down to the spring. All the way down picking on each other, nothing out of the ordinary. The path we walk down was shielded on both sides by solid rock, with lots of plant life growing on the walls. I hit something hard and my knees buckled sending me to the ground. I opened my eyes and saw a girl half naked on the floor and an army of girls in the spring.
“Um…Sorry,” I said sheepishly.
“Come on in sweetheart!” said the voice of Nu, one of the female officers and the voice of the girls. “Nu! I’m a guy! I am not bathing in a spring with a group of women!” I explained. But she didn’t seem to care. She wrapped a towel around her and walked over to me and pulled me toward the water.
“Oh come on! We won’t bite!” She pressed. It was one thing to share a tent with the girls; it was another to bathe with them.
“Keo! Help!!” I cried out, but he was in the same position I was in.
Needless to say we ended up in the spring. This is where I will attempt suicide now…not really…but I was so embarrassed I probably should have. “Sujuka?” I turned to see Shel, wrapped in a towel standing behind me.
“Shel! Uh…hi…” I replied.
“I thought you were a man when I met you. I didn’t know you were a girl….” She said and I almost died. “Hehe…He is Shel…We just got dragged into the spring.” Keo explained for me; since I was too busy trying to keep from sinking into the water.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there Keo.” “Sujuka’s a little sensitive about his being a little feminine.” Keo said, embarrassing me further. “I am not! Shut up Keo, before I hurt you!” I snapped.
“It’s okay Sujuka, we like your girlishness, It makes you cute!” He winked. I pushed him down in the water. “So what if I’m feminine? I could take you any day!” I yelled at his submerged form. The girls laughed, amused at the scene being played out. “And I’m not CUTE!” He pushed his head above the surface of the water and chuckled.
“Oh come on! You’ve always been cute! Even back then…” He said, hitting a sensitive cord.
“Keo, I don’t like to be called that, so stop okay.” I turned not really wanting to look at him. You see there was one secret I had that I kept from him and from everyone else as well.
“Hey…what’s wrong? I was only playin with ya.” He tried to explain. I felt incredibly uncomfortable. I’d never talked about my childhood to him. So he was unaware that I was sensitive about it. I stood up, holding my towel firmly around my waist. My good mood turned into a depressed one. I wrung my hair out as a walked to my clothes. I heard a splash and turned my head to see Keo approaching me. He walked up beside me.
“Sujuka? What’s wrong? Please talk to me.” He pleaded. I couldn’t just, not talk to him; I was just a little apprehensive about talking about the one thing that gave me nightmares.
“Let’s talk later okay?” I said hoping he would just forget about it. He nodded and we made our trip to the spring short. “Sorry ladies! We gotta go, catch ya later!” Keo called to the mob of girls, several of which were whistling at me. That’s right ladies go ahead and lust after me, I’m not interested. I turned my head to the girls to give them a wave. My attention was caught by Shel, who waved at me and winked. I blushed, that never happened before.

End Chapter One