Soul Calibur II
Unprecedented Love
Saiko Ninja

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Soul Calibur II characters, etc, etc. They are all the rightful property of Namco and such.

Well then, apparently it would seem that it's the New Year. I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that all you plan to achieve will be… achieved? Ah-heh, anyways, I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but I have a life outside of writing fanfiction as I'm sure that all of you also have things to do besides wait. However, for those who've patiently awaited the coming update for my fanfiction, I thank you for bearing with me.

Note: Eeh, I'm not really sure about Taki's past despite the fact that I have info of her from the game. The way I portray her, I don't mean to make her look frail at times, but this is a romance fanfiction. I'm really winging it so if I'm not accurate or anything, I'm sorry. I'm working with what I have and trying to the best of my ability to provide all of you an entertaining work of fiction. Eep, I'm still in writer's block mode, so forgive me for lack of usual depth and... "color"? Ah, whatever. With that out of the way, enjoy!

Note (Again): Ah-heh, err.. yeah, if you've played Soul Calibur II, just picture Taki's stage if you want a "visual aid".

Prologue: The Whisper of Demons

What is it with wanting to be a ninja? What is it that makes a person long for so much stealth and ability to kill swiftly? The hunger for the blood of demons, and for the satisfaction of knowing that there is one less demon on this mortal coil, is what. At least, to this raven-haired female we all know as "Taki".

Raising up a fingerless gloved hand to her face, the kunoichi then placed two fingers to her cheek, caressing her alabaster toned skin gently. Apparently, a few cherry blossoms fell upon her face as she sat upon the platform of Kaminoi Castle (otherwise referred to as Sakura-Dai Gate), thus the action of caressing her face lightly.

"...Mother.. Father.." she whispered.

Though she was a rather cold and menacing assassin, she was human, and she had feelings... emotions. Closing her chocolate brown tinted eyes, flashbacks of memories which she wished to forget haunted her once more. Witnessing the death of her family being taken by a sickness which had no cure in the past, t'was a harsh event in her life, but it also triggered what led her to becoming a ninja.

Sitting upon the platform of Kaminoi Castle, it would look as if our kunoichi was clad in her usual crimson bodysuit, it clung to her as if it were a second slightly textured skin. Shoulder-blade guards were adorned upon her shoulders and resting snuggly around her lower legs were faded brown shin guards. To top it off, her hair was held in a clean ponytail by a hairclip similar looking to a butterfly, almost.

She was a beautiful woman and were one to gaze at her, she perhaps would look harmless and fragile. Deep within, however, blazes the soul of a vengeful woman. Her eyes which appear frightful and cold during the heat of battle, appeared to look empty and... thoughtful at this moment. Was there more to life than just capturing and ridding the world of demons? Somehow, she came down to the realization that all this anger welled in her was because she had lost her family.

Not only was her demon vanquishing beginning to become lacking in satisfaction, but the evasion of her previous master's assailants were also annoying her to the point of frustration. Were it not for the power which she felt course through her from her twin swords Mekki-Maru and Rekki-Maru, she perhaps would have lost her life in a recent duel between two of Toki's assailants.

"...I feel so.. empty.. drained.. almost.." she whispered.

However, as she sat there, her ears perked faintly at the sound of something not too far off. An assailant of Toki's perhaps? She took hold of her twin blades Mekki-Maru and Rekki-Maru and then pulled over her midnight colored veil which wrapped snugly over the bottom half of her face. Frowning shortly thereafter, she knew that it was one of Toki's assailants as her blade Mekki-Maru began to illuminate, noting to her that another shard of Soul Edge was nearby... assumingly held in the possession of the assassin.

"...Hmph. When will he give up..." Taki uttered quietly.

Standing up slowly, she gazed about thoroughly scanning every single surrounding section of the area. Nothing seemed obvious, so it would be assumed that this assassin was more trained compared to the others who could barely block her sneak attack which would send them soaring into the air. Merely beating this one would be harder than expected...

"I know you're here... Come out now and spare me the magic show."

The moment Taki uttered the word "show", she quickly pulled out a few shuriken from her shuriken holster which was conveniently around her right thigh and then threw them immediately to her right. The shuriken didn't even seem to visually show up until they struck a target, the sound of flesh being struck.

"..."

No response came from the direction she threw the shurikens. Apparently the assailant had replaced his hiding form with a mid-sized log. Frowning a bit beneath her mask, she then began to walk about, her steps muted and her breathing barely audible. Within moments, though she thought she was well on-guard, she was surprised being on the receiving end of a well placed kick to her stomach. Though she loosened her grip upon her two swords, she never let it drop to the ground lest the assailant find an opening to snatch it and make an escape.

Forcing herself to remain on her feet, she skidded back from the force of the fierce kick, clouds of dust rising up to the level of her shins swirling about randomly. Coughing a bit, the crimson kunoichi appeared to look rather agitated, eyes narrowed and filled with anger. Without a second to hesitate, she twirled Mekki-Maru and Rekki-Maru about and gripped them in a manner, the blades facing away from her body, one of the blades pointing to the side and the other to the ground. Inhaling deeply, she then exhaled and then scanned the area once more.

This time around, she was more alert and ready for what she was up against. Apparently, there was more than one assailant (just like before). Just by the sound of attempted tries to conceal the sound of footsteps, she knew there was at least two ninjas on her tail.

"Kkh. He really must be desperate for this blade of mine." she muttered, gazing momentarily at her short sword Mekki-Maru.

At that very moment she gazed down at her sword, she heard the sound of rustling coming from her right. Knowing that she was about to be attacked, she left herself open for the purpose of throwing off her enemy. The assailant who assumingly thought that Taki was still unaware of the threat coming her way dashed head on towards her, weapons unsheathed ready to shred at her flesh.

"Seiiiiiiiaaah!" shrieked the nameless ninja.

A quick swipe and it would be apparent to the open ninja that he had struck his target. In his view, it would look as if Taki was dead, but the next moment, he would realize that it was fake.

Shhht Shhht Shhht!

The sound of flesh being seared through and then the splashing of blood across the ground was observed by Taki as she watched the nameless ninja fall to the ground dead. Followed by the death was the explosion of multiple cherry blossoms which was previously recognized as her form (a decoy, in other words).

Swiping away the remnants of blood which splattered across her face, she shook her hand letting it fall to the ground. Gazing at the unconscious form at her feet, she shook her head and gazed about wondering where the other assailant was. Perhaps the ninja fled once realizing that a fellow comrade was slain. Twirling her two short swords once more, she sheathed them like it was routine and then sighed.

"..."

If life was going to be like this where she had to repeatedly escape pursuit of Toki's assailants and perhaps even Toki himself, Taki felt that it would be better to find a solid solution to this problem and eliminate Toki once and for all. Staying at this castle/shrine would not do anything for her. Coming to this realization, she confirmed to herself that starting tomorrow, she would leave and complete her journey of collecting the shards of Soul Edge and fuse the energy into Mekki-Maru. By doing this, she would be sure that Toki would not chase after the power of Soul Edge were she to seal the power into her own sword.

Slowly reaching to the side of her face, she unlatched the veil which was over her bottom half of her face and then took it off. Gazing up to the sky which was now a hue of orange mixed with soft yellows and hints of lavender. Though she found comfort and solace in this place, she would have to leave soon to go in search for the shards. Starting tomorrow, she promised to leave and start her journey of the collection of the Soul Edge shards.

Heading on into the inner sanctum of the dwelling after disposing of the body, she headed straight for her room which was located on the third floor. Reaching to the wooden and fragile designed paper sliding door, she of course slid the door open and entered. Closing the door behind her gently, she then walked to the tatami mat which lay in the corner of the room next to the window. Sitting down on the rather cushioned tatami mat, she leaned her back against the cool wall and gazed out the window watching the cherry blossoms fall from the tree which was nearby the room.

"...Is this all life has to offer for me?" Taki questioned herself.

Apparently, she felt this empty feeling within her heart once more as she sat there. Reaching for the back of her head, she then undid the band which held her hair in a clean and cute ponytail and then placed the butterfly looking band on the small and thin support near the window. As she took that band away from her hair, it spilled down her waist giving her a look of... simplicity.

"Can someone like me ever find someone to..." she paused.

Looking to the sky outside past her window, it would appear that it was almost evening, the skies clear, the stars sparkling. Her heart which for the most part never felt like this, began to swirl with a feeling she was unfamiliar with. Was this a longing for something called...

"...love?"

Well, that's about it coming from my way for now. I hope that all of you that read this chapter liked it. It's still but another prologue (Taki's prologue). Though I'm a bit late in updating, I'll be more diligent this time around. I have many other chapters to write for this fanfiction as well as many others... Also, I'm open for constructive criticism, and, as always, please be sure to back up your statements and I would gladly take your comments into thought while revising previous chapters(if needed) and typing up followingchapters.

If you have a chance, give my other fanfiction a chance and kindly read and review them on your free time. I would greatly appreciate it. It will also pass the time while waiting for my the next installment in this series.

Again, Happy New Year and I hope that you all will keep coming back to read more! Thank you for your kind support of my fanfiction!

Ja matta, minna!

I love you.
More than anyone.
Do you love me too?

-Quoted from "Suki" (Manga)