Celestia sat on her throne as she thought back to the day that Aku had killed Stricthoof and destroyed the trial room. While everyone else though of what he did was out of sheer evil, she knew well enough he did it because of the way that he had been treated for both his appearance and ability. SHe was conflicted about what she should do. Should she leave him to his own devices and let him live the way he wants or, should she send out who she could to bring him back and try to do what she could for him? Either way, it didn’t stop her from worrying about him and those around him if there were any. Just as her mind continued to wander further on the subject, the throne room door opened and several lightly armored informants approached her and got to a knee “Your highness, we have found where Aku has been hiding. In a small town just east of Equestria.”.

Celestia’s eyes widen as she sits up straight and listens intently “In a town? Which one?”. The solider handed her a scroll with the information on it. She took it into her hand and opened it immediately. “Kazoku. A rather interesting name. And from what I can see from your findings, they sound quite modern. But...it is certainly not what I expected to hear.”. She looks over at her notepad and begins to write a letter to Twilight. Instead of sending soldiers, she decided to send Twilight and her friends to see if there can be anything done with only words rather than force. “Prepare the elements of harmony for a long journey when they come to the castle, I want you to get them up to speed on everything you know so far.” she ordered. “At once, your highness!” they then stood up and made their way out of the throne room to do as instructed.

“Kiotsuke!” Aku shouted as his students stood at attention in their rows. “Bow.” he said as he bowed to his students at the same time they did. This was his adult teaching time, late in the afternoons when most of them had finished their jobs for the day. “Alright, that’s enough lessons for the day. You are all taking to this form of fighting quite well. I am very impressed with all of your progress. But for those of you who are falling behind a little, don’t get discouraged. Everyone learns at their own pace. And soon enough, all of you will know how to kick anyone’s ass who tries to get in your way or cause you harm. With that said, I hope you all have a food weekend and I will see you here monday afternoon again. Dismissed!”. As Aku made his way over to grab his towel and wipe the sweat from his face, one of the gryphons came up and whispered something to him. “Oh? Is that right? And you have informed the others about this? Good, if things get out of hand when they send someone, aim for anything not vital should I give the word. Hopefully they won’t be stupid enough to attack right off the bat.”

Aku stood in his kitchen preparing dinner now that everything had quieted down for now. The menu tonight was deep fried chicken and fried rice with a side of rolled omelette. Just as he was getting ready to settle down with a book, there was a knock at his door. He gets up from his couch and makes his way over to the door”Coming.” he called out. Once he opened the door, he saw that it was Iron Heart with a bottle in his hand. “Hey there, kiddo! Just picked this up from the store. Wanna hit it with me?” He asked with that big grin of his, holding the bottle up by its neck like it was a trophy. “Heh, sure. Knowing you, you are here to tell me something vital anyway. I’ll go grab the glasses, make yourself comfy.”

“As the two of them sat at the kitchen table drinking, Iron started up the conversation. “You know, I never, ever would have thought that I’d be sharing a drink like this with anyone in my life. Back in Equestria as a royal guard, I was the most straight laced soldier ever before I was sentenced of a crime that was no fault of my own. There was plenty of evidence to back my case of, but that damned judge worked with the nobles and got me convicted. I suppose I was the scapegoat they chose after what happened with the paper trail that my squad and I were investigating. Turns out the nobles didn’t like that one bit.”. He then takes a big gulp of the grape wine in his glass and smiles at Aku “But, here I am now, drinking with my right hand stallion. I know I have said it over and over. But thank you, Aku. You gave my people a fighting chance in this world. Homes, jobs, food and water, things we could only dream of back in those days.”.

Aku only smiled back at Iron Heart and waved a hand in dismissal”I should be thanking you for accepting me into all this in the first place. I finally have a home I can call my own, comrades I never had when i first came here. I have a place in this world now. And I couldn’t be happier. Here, you, I and others who have wanted a fresh start have made that happen and have become better people for it. Our little town is growing even more everyday. I bet when the time comes, we will have our own nation. And with you at the helm, there’s nothing we can do.” Iron lowers his head as he stares into his cup, a look of uncertainty coming across his features. “Yeah, about that. I am thinking of giving the leader position to you, Aku. I am just a soldier. I was never really good at being a leader myself. But it is because of you and your organization skills and the hope that you gave these people that you seem more of a perfect fit for the role.”. Aku’s eyes shifted to the right as he was completely taken back by this news from Iron. “I may have helped with this town’s quick development, but that certainly doesn’t make me leader material. I can promise you that.”.

Iron chuckled lowly and pointed to the stairs that led down into the dojo with his thumb over his shoulder “Your students seem to think otherwise, my friend. Both the kids and the adults. You run this place like it is a military training facility. But, everyone seems to be as happy as can be once the walk out those doors and return home. Who knew that one’s body could be turned into such a weapon with those styles. You called them ‘karate’ and ‘aikido’ right?”. Aku nodded as he gazed back at Iron “Yes, karate is strictly for offense while aikido is strictly for defense. Both are powerful styles of martial arts and when you have both under your belt, you are an incredibly hard target to take down. And of course with the weapon styles I was taught with the katana and staff, those further enhance one’s fighting style. Speaking of which…”. Iron nodded and gave a thumbs up “They have all been made and distributed to the samurai and ninja.”. Aku nodded again and lifted his glass to the hard working stallion “As soon I and the development team can figure out guns in this world, swords and bows will become completely outmatched, but will still remain useful.”

The two continued to talk for a little longer until it was about midnight. Aku walked Iron to his door and opened it for him. Before Iron left, he looked to Aku and gave a serious gaze. “Think about what I said, Aku. I know in my heart that you’d be an excellent leader to take my place. The other members of the council also share this idea with me as well. Have a good night, kiddo.” he said as he made his way home with a light stumble. Looks like he hit the bottle a bit too hard. Aku nodded and waved him off goodbye before closing his door and locking it for the evening. As he made his way upstairs for bed, the thought rolled over in his head over and over again about him becoming a leader, a ruler. Something he never ever thought would be an idea in his mind. He climbs into his bed and flops face first onto his pillow, slowly drifting off into slumber for a nice quiet night of peaceful sleep.

The next day came and Aku was already out doing his shopping and visiting the places he’d normally go when he wasn’t teaching his students at his dojo. Just as he got to his favorite market, a pony clad in samurai armor ran to him. But this wasn’t the old style clunky armor from his world. It was more streamline and form fitting without the platting being to bulky and heavy without sacrificing its strength either.The colors being the same as the gis that Aku’s students wore. “Sensei! We have movement heading our way. The ninja have reported them within half a mile away from the town.” said the dark blue furred and white haired stallion. Aku nodded and placed a hand upon his shoulder. “Good work. It makes me happy that the samurai and ninja teams I have put together work so well in unison. Tell the town ninja team to be on standby and split the samurai into four man teams at the other three entrances just in case they have some who try to sneak in.”

Aku made his way over to the main entrance of the town. Gone was that old clothing that Rarity had made for him. The man now wore a long black and snow white coat that flowed to his ankles and the sleeves grew wider the further down that got to his wrists, A tight silver underarmor shirt with black hakama pants. He certainly looked the part of being a master of his dojo and leader of a military force. As he stood in front of the entrance, a few curious onlookers from the streets gathered up behind him. He puts his arms out in front of the civilians as he looks back at them”If things get bad, I want you all to return to your homes!.” he commanded before looking back, seeing the figures approach the town. As they get closer, Aku’s eyes widen in surprise and darken in anger. He clenches his teeth a bit before eyes Twilight and her friends as they are stopped by a couple of samurai with their hands hovering over the hilts of their katanas.

Rainbow Dash took offense to this and was about to get in their face when Aku stepped between the two samurai with a completely displeased look up his face. “Just what the hell do you all think you are doing coming here? Did the princess send you all here to try and bring me back? Ifd that’s the case, all of you are leaving here empty handed.”. Rainbow Dash made a grab for Aku’s collar”Hey, we came here to bring you back and we aren’t leaving without-!” He words were cut short be a quick draw of the samurai to Aku’s right with the blade pressing right to her neck. The blade shimmering in the light with a deadly gleam. “You will not touch sensei Aku. Do you hear me..? Back. Off.” commanded the long white and pink maned mare.”Blossom, there won’t be any need for that. She is just a stubborn pegasus is all. Though you were very quick on the draw to defend me. Quite impressive. Keep on perfecting the style I have taught to you all.”. Blossom glared at Rainbow before sheathing her sword back and bowing deeply to Aku “Yes, sensei. Thank you, sensei.”

Aku placed a hand upon Blossom’s head and gave her a gentle petting before turning his attention to the six that stood at the town gate.”As you have seen, if you plan on trying to take me by force, it won’t be pretty for you.”. Twilight wanted to just run up to him and cling to his arms at this point. SHe decided she would do just that as she runs at him with all her might and pushes past the two samurai and begins to sob uncontrollably in his chest. “Aku, please! I am sorry! I am sorry for everything that had happened to you when you were in Ponyville, Canterlot! All of it! Just please come back! I was never even mad at you when you struck me down! We can fix the evil that has been growing inside of you because of all the magic you have consumed! I miss you just as much as the others who befriended you in Ponyville do! Please, Aku!” She said as she fell to her knees while still holding on tightly to his sleeves.

Aku looked down at the sobbing unicorn for a moment. His eyes remained the dark form they took earlier “No.”. He simply stated before stepping away and pulling his wrists away from her. Twilight’s tears only flowed further when he stepped back behind the samurai “I am never going back to that place full of hypocrites again. I found my place here with pony and other creatures who accept each other. And they have accepted me with open arms for the past two years. So your trip here was a waste of time. All of you go.”. As Twilight sat there in tears, Pinkie and Rarity got to ehr side to comfort her and a small voice called out to Aku.

“The Aku I knew was many things. But never cruel...this is not who you are…” Fluttershy said as she stood there with her hands balled into fists, tears welling up in her own eyes but a look of anger and hurt on her face was apparent. “The Aku I knew was a kind hearted stallion who would help out however he could. And would come see me to see how the puppies I was caring for were doing.”. Aku turned his gaze over to Fluttershy, those his expression did not change a single bit

”Fluttershy, you are the only person in that place that showed any genuine care for me. That is why I do not harbor any ill feelings towards you, nor will I ever. But as I said before, I found a place where I belong. However, I will allow you and your friends to come into this town should you want to visit it. Just know that I have eyes and ears all over this town and around it. But if I find out you are here to only cause trouble for these citizens and myself. And I learn that you are here as a pretense for Canterlot soldiers to come and obtain me, NONE of you will ever be welcomed here again. And I will personally cut down any royal soldiers who dare to step foot in this town we have worked so hard for.” He then looked toward the roof of one of the taller buildings “Eagle Eye, report!” and like a shadow, a hooded stallion leaped down and dropped to a knee before Aku. “Sensei, there have been no others spotted outside the town. All is clear.” Aku nodded and looked back at the group of mares “I want round the clock watch on these six. Inform the other ninja as well, please.” He then turns away and makes his way to his destination from earlier. “Enjoy your stay here at Kazoku. But make sure to not overstay your welcome.”

Author's Note

Whew, cranking them out lately x3

May the darkness grant you peace.