Blind Devotion

Chapter 2

She stayed at the Aoi-ya for another four days before word was sent that Nagi would be in Kyoto by the end of the week. By then Yui had started helping around the area, washing dishes, sheets, clothes--she even helped with the cooking and weighing tables. There were definite times where even he forgot that Yui didn't have her sight. Others also noticed her presence at the Aoi-you, but she either was oblivious to the sudden influx to men at the restaurant or maybe she was just ignoring it. However, analyzing her had to wait. Aoshi received word from several of the other posts. Different ninjas from the Shimizu family were seen, and many were coming towards Kyoto. He started to spend more time at the Aoi-ya. Aoshi felt he needed to keep a close eye on Yui because of the increase. Two days before Nagi was to come, Aoshi saw Yui meditating in her room. He stood by the door wondering if he should disrupt the silence.

"You're welcome to come in, Shinomorai-san."

"I thought I was quiet."

"You always are very quiet. However, I didn't sleep very well for the past couple of days. My senses usually become more acute because of it. So I heard you coming from the stairs," she explained as she stood up and walked out of the door.

"Why are you having trouble sleeping?"

"I'm not used to the sounds of Kyoto, so I kept waking during the night. Plus, I'm was used to traveling by night and sleeping during the day on my way here. My body has yet to adjust."

Aoshi was going to ask the need to travel on foot at night when Omasu came with a message for him. It was information on nearby Shimizu strongholds, and suspected Shimizu supporters around the area. Aoshi also received the genealogy trees of the Mizuno and Shimizu families he asked from one of the annexes. He decided to stay in his study to go over these records. It was a silent night as the others left for bed, and the stoic ninja was still in his room absorbing new information when the sound of an explosion reached him. Almost at once Okina, Shiro, Kuro, Okon, Omasu, and Yui appeared at his door.

"Shinomori-san, the explosions came from the center of the city," the blind one proclaimed.

Shiro turned to her, confused. "Explosions? I only heard one."

"Sound wise, yes, you could only hear one explosion. But the ground rumbled several different times, inconsistent with just one blast, and there were at least three heat waves, so there probably is a large fire going on," almost in anticipating another question she gave a short explanation, "My room is the closest to the central part of town. By the way, isn't the hospital located there?"

All present except Aoshi reacted in horror to the implication Yui had just presented. Several explosions indicate a deliberate attack, not an accident, but who would do such a thing? was the thought racing through their minds.

"Assuming the worse, it is the hospital that the explosions originated from and most of it is destroyed, the fire has to be contained; the police will need help," Aoshi commented, breaking their thoughts. He slipped back into a leadership role, the one which he had no desire to take back. "Okon, Kuro, Shiro, and I will go to the hospital to help survivors and to look for clues on the origin of the attack.

Omasu, Okina. Stay here if there are many victims and the hospital is gone. They'll need places to help receive and treat patients. A fire shouldn't reach us, so the area around here ought to be ideal to send people. I need you to prepare the Aoi-ya for such a circumstance. Okina, I'd like a word with you before we go." The others left as the older man stood in front of the young stoic. "I think there is another reason for the attack. I'm not positive though." he told his elder.

"But for what purpose would an attack like this serve?"

"A diversion to get us out of the Aoi-ya." Okina wasn't expecting that as an answer and he showed it. Aoshi just continued. "Yui was sent here by Nagi Mizuno. I have gotten reports from different posts that ninjas loyal to the Shimizu family have increased their numbers around here. Maybe it's nothing, or maybe it means something will happen tonight. Just keep a close eye on everything, people coming in and out, but more on her."

By that time the others were almost ready and Aoshi excused Okina from the room. Within minutes they were gone. Getting there was easy; they went on the tops of roofs from different houses and businesses until there were no roofs to run across. Still, when they reached that point it was clear that a fire was indeed raging around the hospital, but not at it. Actually the fire was slowly encircling the hospital, coming from the east to the west. Before they could offer their assistance to the people, Aoshi and the others witnessed another explosion coming from the west. Another fire began; if they didn't hurry it would envelop the area, trapping the ones trying to get away from the first fire.

Watching, Aoshi noticed someone running away from the burning building. Without a word he left the others and disappeared into the flames, dancing in the black night. The others also came down to follow him, but the danger to the surrounding buildings soon took precedent over finding their former leader, and the hospital still needed to be evacuated.

Fortunately, many citizens were helping as well, and with their combined efforts the fire was brought under control. But the damage was done; the hospital's east wing was completely destroyed. It was at this time that Aoshi returned, carrying an unconscious man over his shoulder. In one of his hands, he held a couple bars of dynamite. The ninjas encircled the sleeping form as Aoshi laid the man down to rest his muscles, all facing their leader not expecting an explanation, but hoping for one.

"He didn't feel like answering my questions. So I decided he needed time to think it over," was the calm reply that they got. "We need to get back to the Aoi-ya," he said, finally picking up the lying figure and headed toward their home.

--

"It's been a long night. I hope that nothing else happens," Okon commented, yawning as she and the others re-entered the building. "Because I don't have the energy to deal with another--" her voice lowered and slowed as she saw the interior of her home, "--crisis."

The tables and cabinets were overturned. The curtains, well the remains of the curtains resembled blankets torn to shreds. Broken porcelain and glass creaked as they stepped inside looking towards the damage, and the stairs. Just as the realization of what had happened sank in, Okon's head shot up "Omasu, Okina!" She ran up the stairs looking for them as the other two also spread out looking except for Aoshi. First he let go of the unconscious man by the stairwell. Going up the stairs he went straight through the hallway, past the rooms, the last room on the left. He didn't stop, didn't knock. Aoshi just walked right into it.

Empty.

There was the bed, the dresser, Yui's bag, but she wasn't there. Looking around Aoshi noticed that her gauntlets were on the surface of the dresser. Turning, he left the room. Coming out, he saw Okon; she had located Okina and Omasu. They were in two different rooms, bloodied from battle, coming out of unconsciousness. Looking over them, the Oniwabanshu members saw that most of their wounds were superficial. Helping Okon, they moved the two injured members to beds, and Okon began to dress their wounds. Aoshi checked the other empty rooms, and even went downstairs. He was only being through, but he already knew the answer to his question. Yui was gone, she didn't leave on her own, nor was she willing to leave.

Some hours later, the Aoi-ya was back to some semblance of order. The injuries of Okina and Omasu were dressed and tended. Both were resting. Aoshi planned to ask them questions later. Most of the Aoi-ya was cleaned up, Okon had made the rest tea, while neighbors, and others were helping move victims of the night attack to rooms.

Aoshi went back to the upper level to assess the damage and to try to figure out what might have happened earlier. The upper level sustained very little damage, unlike the lower level which had broken dressers, booths; even the kitchen had suffered.

Therefore it could be assumed that most of the fight occurred at the lover level. The front where most of the booths were and the kitchen sustained the most damage, probably where three separate fights took place. It meant that Okina, Omasu, and Yui had struggled against their attackers. This also meant that there were several attackers since all three were fairly accomplished fighters. Either there was a very elite group, or several who overwhelmed the three of them. Okina and Omasu must have been taken out downstairs then moved to the upper level. Whoever was here was smart enough to wipe up the blood trail making it harder to find them. They probably were going to clear up the lower level--the area around the stairs was relatively clean, but only three feet away there was broken glass, wood, and cloth heaped in a pile. Aoshi and the others must have returned earlier than expected.

He headed back towards the others when he heard a low groan. Their prisoner was beginning to wake up. Looking at him, Aoshi walked over to him. "I see that you finally awoke. You want to explain what you were doing by the hospital?"

The man just glowered at Aoshi. It looked like he wouldn't respond until he saw Okon, Kuro, and Shiro behind Aoshi, and they didn't look very happy. In fact they looked fairly murderous to the man, and Aoshi…well, Aoshi's face had that same stone cold visage, except that his eyes had narrowed at the glower, and now, in the shadows of early morning, he resembled a ghost. Taking in all of this the man's proud face slowly transformed into a more cowardly expression. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

He explained how the fire at the hospital was a diversion to get the Oniwabanshu out of their home. They were hired by another group of ninjas, he didn't know who or why, but Aoshi had a pretty good idea about the who and the why. The man didn't remember much except for a red dragon on the left shoulder of on one of the men. They met at the north side of the city outside of the gates.

"That's all that I know. I swear it," the man told them emphatically. Then he added in a whimpering voice, "Please don't kill me."

Aoshi only turned ways and headed for the stairs. "I'm going in to look in on Omasu and Okina. If anyone needs to talk to me, I'll be with one of them."

Both Omasu and Okina felt well enough to relate what had happened within that hour. Aoshi and Okina were exchanging information on the events of that night. He explained the scene at the hospital, and what their guest had relayed to them. Okina revealed the situation at the Aoi-ya. For the first half-hour no one disturbed the restaurant. Yui and Omasu were preparing the rooms for possible victims, and making sure that they had enough bandages, and other medical supplies available. He had been preparing tea, and keeping watch on the activities of the neighbors and the night. He couldn't remember exactly when, but Okina recalled hearing a crash near the stairs. Heading towards the commotion, two ninjas surprised him. He was able to get rid of them quite easily, but three others came in their place. Fighting them off, somehow he managed to get to Omasu and Yui. Both had been ambushed, probably by the same way he was, he mused, but they were holding their own.

Although Yui was handling four ninjas quite efficiently and effectively, Okina noticed that she was getting tired. "Most likely a combination of lack of sleep and the constant fighting." he reflected. So she didn't seem to notice a fifth ninja come from the behind, and give her a very hard hit at the base of her neck. Seeing Yui fall distracted Okina for a second, but it was enough for someone to take advantage of it. He was taken out fairly soon after that.

The two were discussing the different Shimizu strongholds Yui could have been taken to when Okon interrupted them. She handed Aoshi a report of the damage done to the hospital and the surrounding areas. Besides the east wing, several hospital uniforms, bandages, ether, and other supplies, including a stretcher, were reported missing; either lost in the fire, or stolen. However a complete list of damages was yet to be finished. When she didn't leave Aoshi turned for an explanation.

"Someone is asking to see the Okashira"

"I'll meet the person in the office," he stated rising towards the door.

Aoshi found this guest waiting for him as he reached the office. Physically the visitor's stature was similar to his own. Unlike Yui's lean, willowy, seemingly fragile frame, the visitor resembled a taut sword. Eyes level with Aoshi's, the figure turned his body to face the man; he was tense, but calm as well. Locking gazes, Aoshi realized that the person in front of him wasn't some green young man with a sword in hand just for show. He could use it, and he could use it well. The stranger's hair was black, short, but still covered the eyes. Probably, just to hide them from others since Aoshi was looking at a forest of black with only slits of blue shining through. Aoshi recognized the visage as a way to make others feel uncomfortable in conversation or in battle.

Opening the door a small sense of dread came up through Aoshi's body. He knew who was coming through the door behind him. He just didn't want to admit it, but facing him again, Aoshi acknowledged the visitor's identity.

"You're two days early."

"I've been traveling for three days straight. I want to take Yui to a safe haven as soon as possible. Where is she?"

Damn, he asked, Aoshi thought. At the moment feelings of embarrassment, regret, and most prevalent, shame for failing in his duty to protect another person were coursing through his body. His first impulse was to stall and not to let him know, but looking at Nagi, Aoshi suddenly wondered how he'd feel if Misao were missing. Slightly irked that he would get distracted by an irrelevant thought but realizing how Nagi may feel, he took a small breath in and let it all out.

"She's not here."

Nagi flinched at the admission and tightened his hold on the hilt of his sword. The actions betrayed his mind set; He already knew.

"For how long?" came the soft response.

"Five to seven hours, we're still not too sure on time frame."

"How?" Nagi asked, almost as if the question was meant for himself. Was that distress in Nagi's voice, or was Aoshi just tired?

For the first time since Nagi came, Aoshi really didn't want to get into the details of her disappearance. Seeing the man in front of him only reaffirmed the discomfort. Why put a person through more punishment than he needed to go through? However, Aoshi was responsible for her well being, and he began.

Nagi was listening to the words spoken to him, but his mind kept repeating the words, "She's not here," over and over. His first instinct was to panic and shout, "Where the hell is she?" to Shinomori. Nevertheless, that wouldn't be productive. Suddenly, Nagi felt very, very tired. He just stared at Aoshi for a while, the man's words not registering except for the few that came:

"...it seems she got knocked out from behind."

Nagi's eyes flashed and widened, "Where? How was she hit? Did any one see?"

"Omasu or Okina might have seen what had happened, but it was very chaotic at the time. Come--I'll take you to them to ask for yourself."

Both went to Omasu, but she could not elaborate from his tale. Yui had several attackers and she was fending them off when one came up behind and gave her a very hard hit at the base of her neck. Okina told the same basic tale. After hearing them both, Nagi turned to Aoshi and asked for a family tree of the Shimizu clan. Looking over it, Nagi seemed to find what he was looking for. He turned his head towards Aoshi and began to explain.

"Before Yui lost her sight, her mother was training her how to dance. Ribbon, if I remember correctly, but my father was also teaching her kenpo, to increase her agility. Trying to perfect her form, it was part of her personality and something her mother taught her while she danced. She was very good at one on one sparring; but with two on one, she would get distracted easily.

"And then after the accident, Yui's uncle trained her to have almost hypersensitive senses to over-compensate for the loss of sight. Her fighting style reflects this ability, but there's a weakness to it. When she either uses the hypersensitive-like mode for too long, or if she tries to focus on too many attackers at once, Yui will experience sensory overload. As she tells it, each sense begins to waver, between working and blanking out again. Being tired and being in a very long fight would induce an overload. Yui is too good to be hit from behind; she knows better than to put herself in that type of situation."

"I take it not many people know about this."

"Besides family and myself, there's only one other person who knows about it: Ihara Kenko. He noticed Yui experience sensory overload after the two of us sparred once. It's a long shot, but looking at the genealogy of the Shimizu, one of the daughters of Akira Shimizu, Sei, married a Yukio Kenko, a fairly wealthy merchant. Ihara may be related, perhaps a grandchild, and I know of a house outside of Kyoto owned by the Kenko family."

"Assuming that Yui was experiencing this sensory overload as you think, I gather that you have another reason for thinking that Kenko would be behind her kidnapping."

Nagi stopped, as if he was considering telling Aoshi something. He stood up straighter and completely turned to face the ninja.

"While I was in Tokyo, I found Shion, and his son. Shion told me that my father went to him almost thirty years ago with the same goal in mind. He gave his word to my father the clan wouldn't touch either him or my mother. Apparently he swore on his son's life. Meaning that if any of the Shimizu clan did anything against my blood family, my father had the right to kill Shion's only son. I know it's true. I saw the written blood agreement they both signed. It was my father's hand writing, and Shion is known to keep his word. I don't think any of the Shimizu's would be stupid enough to risk the life of their new heir. There also is evidence that the same person, or people, were behind both my parents' death, and Yui's. Assuming that the person responsible does not directly belong to the clan, and doesn't care about the clan's politics, I think Ihara is the most logical suspect. Besides, ever since I was young, I always got the feeling that Ihara didn't like me much. Although I really don't know why."

"It's possible that Ihara knows his heritage, but it is a long shot as you so describe," Aoshi noted.

"Would you rather just search random strongholds?"

"That would require a vast amount of people, which I currently don't have considering the attack here and at the hospital. Plus, we'd need time to do a thorough search of the strongholds nearby. Ihara might have planned the attack expecting me to go the Shimizus."

"While he'd use that time to either move her or ..." Nagi never finished the remark, he didn't want to think of the other consequences. "Anyway, the house is about three to four hours away from here."

Aoshi was about to tell the young man to stay put while he retrieved Yui, when Shiro came in.

"Aoshi-sama, one of the victims is relapsing, and the other doctors are busy with other patients."

"Where is he? I'll tend him." Nagi volunteered. He gave Aoshi a sheepish grin, or at least his version of a sheepish grin. "Yui's father was a doctor after the war, I studied the medical arts from him." Then his expression became completely icy and in a solid tone stated, "When I'm done, we're going to find Yui."

Aoshi nodded his agreement. Am I really that transparent? I must really be tired if one person could read me so easily.

As he followed Shiro through the halls of the Aoi-ya, Nagi's hand went instinctively to the chain around his neck. Fumbling with the neckline of his shirt, he finally pulled out the pendant, which was fashioned in the design of two doves. Nagi had given it to Yui on her sixteenth birthday.

"I want you to give it back to me when you come back. Promise me that you will be the one to return it. I don't want to get it in a letter, or by some messenger, but you. I'll be here waiting until you do, Nagi."

Nagi paused as the memory rolled through his mind. Hold on Yui, I'm coming just like I promised. Just wait a little longer. I'll be there, I swear.