Chapter 2
I'M DRUNK… MISSION TIME!
Goemon, Jun, Falitna, Yamato, Katashi, and I were all on our way to Natsuko Village, but before we went too far, we had to stop because Katashi said someone else is coming with us. I wonder if we are waiting for Sakura since we are going to her hometown.
My head felt light and everything around me is blurry. Yep, I shouldn't have drunk as much as I did at the banquet. I tried to hide that I'm drunk, but my brother saw right through me because he kept lecturing me how I should never go on missions in the state I'm in.
My brother was even going to force me to stay in Madoka Village while the others go on this mission, but Goemon stuck up for me since he wanted me to be by his side.
"So, who's the one meeting us?" I asked out of nowhere.
As soon as I asked, everyone averted their gaze to the ground. Wait is it someone I don't want to come? Maybe it's my imagination since I'm drunk and all.
"Hey, everyone!" I heard a deep voice from behind but froze when I recognized the voice.
"No, no, NO!" I shouted out.
Nobuyuki went to wrap his arms around me, but Goemon pushed him away roughly.
"Lay a finger on her, and I will kill you," Goemon threatened.
"But I can take advantage of her since she's drunk!" Nobuyuki said teasingly.
Goemon went to punch him, but Falitna, in a blink of an eye got in the middle of them to stop Goemon.
"Let's just go now. We are already behind waiting around!" Falitna hissed.
Goemon rolled his eyes as he wrapped his arm around my waist so I would stay close to him. We trailed behind the others and I'm not going to lie, but this is awkward. I have my ex-fiancé, my strict brother, and a man who I WAS supposed to marry all in one group.
I actually don't regret my decision on over drinking since I have to now deal with Nobuyuki…
"Are you alright?" Goemon asked in a low voice.
I think he realizes I feel uncomfortable. I curse myself for being easy to read.
"Yeah, I just have to deal with Nobuyuki now," I sighed.
"I won't let him go near you, don't worry," he said gently.
"Thanks, Goemon."
He squeezed my waist for comfort, but I don't think we should be this close together… I just got done breaking my engagement off with Jun and he's right here…
I don't want Goemon to be mad if I push him away, though. I know he was growing annoyed when I kept doing that to him, plus I personally don't think I can be distant from him any longer.
"Everyone be alert. I can sense Chiyoko ninjas around," Yamato warned.
"Right." Falitna nodded.
Goemon, Jun, Nobuyuki, and Katashi took their swords out of their scabbards. I grabbed an arrow and placed it in my bow, ready to attack while Falitna took her fan out of her kimono and Yamato got in his fighting stance to prepare to slice his enemies with his hand claws.
"They're here," Katashi muttered.
My brother was right as more than a handful of Chiyoko ninjas jumped down from the trees, but we all didn't hesitate to attack them with our weapons.
Goemon made sure I stayed close to him as he slain one ninja after another. I kind of wished we fought them during the day because it's hard to see them in the night.
I am surprised I killed a couple with my bow and arrows. I guess I'm better at fighting when I have alcohol in me, or is it just my imagination?
It didn't take us long to slay every ninja and as soon as we all made sure there were none left, we continued to walk in the forest.
"Good job back there, Anya. Your training is paying off," Goemon complimented.
"Thanks, Goemon." It means a lot when he compliments me. I guess him training me isn't a waste of time.
*~*~*~*~*Always And Forever~*~*~*~*
We have been walking for quite some time now and I was starting to sober up. Is it sad that I'm disappointed in not being drunk anymore? Anyways, thanks to Falitna, we are taking a break to rest for a little bit before we continue on our journey.
Jun sat under a tree by himself while Katashi and Nobuyuki sat on the ground across from him. Falitna is combing her hair as Yamato rested on a tree branch above.
Goemon and I decided to have some time alone, so we went to the river to dip our feet in. I felt my body starting to shake from the touch of the cold water.
"I can tell you're sobering up," Goemon said teasingly.
"Yeah, kind of sucks, to be honest."
"Hey, don't worry about them; you have me." He soothed.
I rested my head on his shoulder. I'm grateful to be able to touch him again. It's been way too long…
"I can't wait until this mission is over," he muttered.
"Why?"
"So, I can claim your body."
I felt my face heating up. "Stop."
"What? I can't help myself. I miss it, you know, plus it's been awhile since I have had sex. I never go this long without it," he stated.
"It must've been hard for you, Goemon."
"No, not really. I mean I missed it, but I wasn't tempted to be with another woman when I was away from you."
I felt my heart sinking. He wasn't even tempted, but here I was sleeping with another man then to top it all off, get engaged to him.
"What's wrong? Did you have your doubts on me?" He turned his head to study me as I still had my head resting on his shoulder.
"No, I trusted you, it's just…" My voice trailed…
"I told you that I didn't blame you for your decision while I was gone. Please, let it go. It's all over now," he whispered.
"You're right, I'm sorry." I need to stop letting the past haunt me. I am happy Goemon didn't sleep with other women while he was gone. It shows he truly cares about me.
"I love you, Goemon."
He smirked before answering me… "I love you too, Anya."
*~*~*~*~*Always And Forever~*~*~*~*
After our break, we continued to walk. Everyone was quiet and I wondered if it's because of the tension between all of us, or if they were focusing on the Chiyoko ninjas or Shinobu samurais that might ambush us.
"WATCH OUT!" Jun shouted out.
"Huh?" I asked in confusion, but out of nowhere, Shinobu samurai came out of the bushes. Geez, it's like Jun's father knew we are trying to see him in Natsuko Village.
"GAH!" Nobuyuki cried out in pain as a Shinobu samurai stabbed him in the back.
My eyes widened as Goemon ordered me to stay behind him. There are way too many samurais! We all started to attack them, but I started to worry about Nobuyuki. Is he going to be okay? I would look at him every second, but he just laid there.
I always seem to not realize that it takes a second to die on the battlefield. It's such a scary thought, but it's something we should all be concerned about.
I hope Nobuyuki isn't dead… I can't imagine him being gone…
I shook my head violently for the thought to leave my head as I kept shooting arrow after arrow from my bow. We all have to survive! We have a future to live!
Goemon and Jun killed most of the Shinobu men, but the rest of us helped out a lot. We all examined the dead men lying around us.
Falitna and I then rushed to Nobuyuki's side to see if he's okay.
"Anya, tell Goemon to come here," Nobuyuki said in a weak voice.
I did as he said and called him over even though I'm confused on why he would want Goemon.
Goemon crouched down so he was on the same level as him.
"Goemon, I know we had our differences, but please, take care of Anya for me, it's my dying wish." Nobuyuki choked out.
I gasped at his request while Goemon slowly nodded.
"Of course, I will take care of her for you. You have served Takara well, Nobuyuki. I respect you as a strong man."
He can't die! This isn't fair! I started to regret on not being kind towards him. Yeah, he forced himself on me multiple of times, but he doesn't deserve to die! He's a great ninja to Takara!
Nobuyuki gently smiled at us before closing his eyes. I felt tears streaming down my face as Goemon wrapped his arms around me to secure me.
He's gone, forever.
*~*~*~*~*Always And Forever~*~*~*~*
Everything happened so fast, from us getting ambushed, to Nobuyuki getting stabbed, to him dying right before our eyes.
It was hard to bury him because I kept crying. I can't believe he's out of our lives, but he won't be forgotten.
After we buried Nobuyuki, he all continued to walk a little further until we all decided to call it a night since we have to get up early in the morning to go to Natsuko Village.
"Anya…" Goemon said my name softly.
"I'm fine," I whispered as I nuzzled into his chest.
I'm sitting on Goemon's lap, under a tree. I couldn't get my mind off of Nobuyuki…
"I'm sorry…" He sighed.
"For what?"
"I should've protected him, but I didn't sense them coming…"
"It's not your fault… It's no one's fault."
"Anya."
I looked up at him and gently smiled at him. I just hope none of us get hurt… No one deserves to die.
*~*~*~*~*Always And Forever~*~*~*~*
We all got up bright and early to go to Natsuko Village. We were a lot closer than I thought because it only took a couple of miles until we finally got there. I felt my stomach forming into knots as I stared at the village. Was I worried about everyone's safety?
Goemon and Jun ordered us to go straight to the village's mansion so we don't have to deal with the villagers, Chiyoko ninjas, and Shinobu samurais. They didn't want to waste any time for their goal is to see Makoto Shiori.
Their plan didn't work out so well because Shinobu samurais charged at us as soon as we walked towards the entrance of the mansion.
Falitna, Katashi, and Yamato ordered Jun, Goemon, and I to go without them so we can see Makoto before he tries to escape from us. I trailed behind Goemon and Jun as they ran a fast pace to find Makoto.
I grew tired once we reached the top floor of the mansion and there stood Jun's father with a huge smirk on his face.
"Hello, Jun."
