Far passed the Great Wall, Hinoru and Takata now strode towards the main kingdom, which wasn't at all as far as they had thought. They managed to grab some horses from some of the murdered Chinese soldiers and hurried to the base of operations, Potala Palace, the heart of China. After only several hours of travel, the palace was just up ahead now, fields of golden flowers glistened with yellow, lighting the path to the palace gates. The air tasted of morning dew, Takata and Hinoru both felt the need to stop and enjoy the day, but with such a point in time, they stayed true to their nature.
They reached the palace doors, large, golden crested barrack doors. It was all that blocked their path to destiny now. Even from yards away they can still see the tiniest of glimmers from the doorway. Takata and Hinoru stopped directly in front of the doors only to be stopped by guards. A line of the palace's finest troops limited the Shinigami's movements. They then formed a rotating circle around them. Their armor a shining silver, their helmets bare, no symbol or crest to amplify their presence. The emperor was even more simple with his men than Hinoru thought. Takata tapped Hinoru on his shoulder signaling him to drop his weapon. Hinoru was hesitant, but deliberately did as his general said. Takata dropped his first. A clang filled the dead silent air as the soldiers stood emotionless in their sights. A gong was sounded followed by harps and music that was beautifully in rhythm. But it was the rhythm of death, the time has come for Takata and Hinoru to reap what they have sown. Or maybe not?
"THE EMPEROR HAS ARRIVED!" Shouted a royal messenger beyond the doors as they slowly banged open. Countless lines of servants, Geisha's, and guardsman followed behind the messenger. As the messenger stepped aside now walking in a mesh with the countless followers, a tall man in a golden robe was seen walking right toward Takata and Hinoru. The other remaining Shinigami looked shocked and dumbfounded. They have never seen such a powerful and discrete man in their lives. Takata just spat to the ground as Hinoru almost felt the need to kneel to such a presence. As the emperor made his way down the flower covered and carpeted path, his troops knelt as well along with his followers once he stopped in front of Takata and Hinoru. "Why have you intruded us! Bow before me if you wish to speak!" The emperor demanded. Hinoru was not reluctant, he bowed before him as Takata did the same out of caution. "My name is Emperor Zhujong, you may speak and make it good Shinigami!" He boomed as Takata spoke first.
"We have come from the land of the rising sun to warn you that your army AND your kingdom shall end your alliance with Japan. You have brought us nothing but sorrow and disappointment! As hired soldiers, we, the deadly Shinigami, bring you an order from Japan's King Nakamori to stop your trade and lies to end your leeching from us once and for all. You deceived us your highness, and we can no longer abide by your lies." Takata was proud after he stated that handing the document to Zhujong as he glanced if over, rolled it up, and gave it to his nearest guardsman to burn it in front of their eyes. "HOW DARE YOU! You think you can march your men in here and expect a simple agreement and compliance! BAH! YOU'LL NEVER BE TREATED THAT WAY! You aren't even royal blood, just a bunch of contract mongrels willing to do anything to make a living! Leave my kingdom at once before I have you all killed." Zhujong was filled with built up anger, Takata was unimpressed, but Hinoru was in a beating sweat.
The betrayal of Emperor Zhujong was unforgivable. He destroyed towns and cities for profit, illegally pilfering Japanese communities for his own greed, claiming fees were unpaid, and debt was owed. This was where the Shinigami came in, to end his nonsense. "Suit yourself your highness, but know this, you have made one of the biggest mistakes of your life. We will be back, and we will strike unexpectedly on your men. We will do whatever it takes to bring you and your kingdom down to hell...and by our culture, our PRIDE, we will take you to hell with us." Takata and his men turned their backs to the emperor and marched out of the kingdom's walls knowing they had lost too many men to confront the emperor now, but they did their job, they delivered the message.
Hinoru was still by Takata's side as the emperor and his men made their way back inside the palace barracks with the large doors slamming behind them. When they made their way back to The Great Wall Of China, it was in ruins. Dozens and dozens of soldiers lie dead. None survived. Takata and his men, what is left of his men, stomped through the dead bodies and roped back down the wall to the marshes ahead. Their horses stood loyally awaiting their riders' return. As Hinoru and Takata mounted their horses, questions and plans filled their head.
"What do we do now sir...what is there left to do now?" Hinoru said confused. "Simple. We alert the king of their decision, and we come back with a full division of Shinigami as well as some of the king's men to finish the job. If Zhujong wants it the hard way then we shall show him no mercy. The king will not like this, and neither will the council. OFF WE GO!" Takata shouted as his troops screamed in reply: "HOI!" and followed him and Hinoru gallantly back to Japan's borders. "General, there is a village up ahead, maybe we should take camp there." Said a nearby soldier as Takata nodded in reply.
"Very well. Let us ride to the village of the silent and rest. We will refuel for the trip back to japan past our armory and straight to the king. Let god guide us on our blood filled journey." Takata was worn out from battling, he did not want to issue a battle at the palace, his troops were outnumbered, and their morale low. As they trotted ahead and as the morning grew to evening a day's journey ended as the men reached The Village Of The Silent.
"Halt men." Takata stated as the village's wooden gates opened after watch tower guards noticed they were Japanese soldiers. "If it weren't for your emblems good men, we would not let you in! But for you, proud Shinigami, we can't say no!" One of the watchmen shouted from up high as he cranked the wheel to open the gates. The village was what it was made out to be, silent and still. Lanterns and candles gleamed in the windows of many cottages and rusted shacks. Because the evening was so hot, many villagers sat on their porches as their children and family played in the village courtyard.
The well in the courtyard was dry and near empty, crying and screaming from babies and the diseased filled the air. "Such filth." One soldier said as he trotted slowly with Takata and the others on their noble steeds. "Quiet soldier, they welcome us, treat them with respect." Takata waved to some of them as Hinoru rode silently watching his surroundings.
The stables could be seen up ahead. The soldiers got off their horses and tied them to their stables, or what little stables were available, and made their way to a nearby tea house. "Hey general, Ha, I'm gonna go treat myself to the whore penthouse ok?" Said a tired soldier acting as if drunk from battle. "Fine, but don't make trouble...hahaha!" Takata mumbled as the soldier nodded with a dozen following behind him liking the idea. The rest of the Shinigami soldiers entered the tea house with Hinoru and Takata. The servants and maids beautiful, Geisha's also filled the room, the tea and rice excellently served to customers.
As Takata removed his armor and relaxed himself in the bathing area, Hinoru simply sat quietly sipping warm tea in a lone corner. Takata had no interest in Hinoru's troubles, he soaked himself in hot, bubbling water, laughing with other bathers and servants around him. Hinoru remained quiet and content. As he looked to his right he noticed a Geisha that seemed so familiar to him. She looked over to him, and in shock dropped her tray of tea she was catering and ran off.
"WAIT! COME BACK!" Hinoru said running after her in the back alley of the tea house. She was now folding sheets in worriment when Hinoru found her. "Please leave me, I am much too busy..." She said now almost in fear. Hinoru grabbed her shoulder and turned her around releasing her from her avoiding position and looked her in the eyes. They were a luscious green filled with all the colors of the Osaka Forest. She was definitely someone Hinoru has seen. Hinoru, helmet-less and vulnerable, revealed ruffled black hair and beaming brown eyes. His face pale, his cheeks red and passionate. "Princess Yuhay, is that you?"
