Scene 1
Shoko struggled with all her might to break free of Kunoichi's grip. But nothing she did, not kicking or punching the woman's leg and arm, not even biting her, made any difference. Although when she sank her teeth into the ninja's arm, Shoko heard the woman curse about spoiled princesses under her breath. Shoko stopped her wild attempts to be free when they entered the streets of her village. She thought the Hajin would turn her over to the first patrol they encountered. Yet the guards they approached either made a wide circle around them or avoided them completely. Any villagers still on the streets ran to the closest building, tracing a sign against evil as they passed. Sensing Shoko's stillness, the woman stopped.
"What's wrong?" the female ninja asked Shoko through her mask. "Have you finally decided to give up and go home?"
"No!" Shoko shouted. "It's just—" Her tone quieted. "What are they all afraid of? I mean, it's not like any of them are in trouble or anything."
The woman set Shoko down and kneeled in front of her. "Look at me," the woman instructed. "Aren't you afraid?"
Shoko took a step back. The dark purple demon mask the woman wore was scary, but only in the dark. Here in the well-lit streets of the village it looked plain. The woman's hood and gi, also a dark purple, were of the same style as many of the other warriors Shoko had seen walking the streets. The only difference she could find was that the woman's arms were bare to her shoulders, And that the upper sides of her uniform was some type of fish netting.
"You look okay to me," Shoko shrugged.
"Do I?" The woman chuckled again. "I don't think the people feel the same way."
"Well then, they're just stupid." The angry look came back to Shoko's face.
"Don't worry," the woman sighed behind her mask. "I'm use to it." Raising her mask, the Hajin Mon smiled at Shoko.
Shoko stepped closer to the woman, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Why are your eyes like that?" she whispered.
"Like what?" The woman pulled back a little from Shoko.
"They're red," Shoko marveled. "Can I get eyes like yours?"
A dark look entered the woman's expression, causing Shoko to take another step back.
"Radu gave me these." A dark bitterness entered the Kunoichi's tone. Seeing the look on Shoko's face, the woman closed her eyes and recomposed her expression. "Now, little Shoko, are you going to walk back to the village temple or do I have to carry you there?"
"No," Shoko kicked the dirt with her foot. "I can walk."
"Good." The Hajin Mon lowered her mask. "Then let's go—I think we've caused enough commotion here for one night." She gently urged the child forward as they resumed their walk.
Shoko had a sinking feeling as they approached the temple grounds. The whole building and grounds were lit up as bright as day. She could see shadows of countless people running back and forth. The sounds of rice paper screens were being pulled open and slammed shut.
"It would seem as if they lost something," The Hajin Mon muttered behind Shoko. "I wonder what that could be."
"Halt!" Four elite guards appeared around them. Yet, when they looked at the purple clad ninja beside Shoko, they dropped their hands to their sides and lowered themselves on one knee. "Forgive us, Ayane-sensei!" The guard leader touched his head to the dirt. "We had orders to stop anyone on the grounds! One of the princesses has disappeared and…" The captain lost his voice as he looked closer at Shoko.
"I hardly think running around in a panic will solve anything," Ayane stated flatly. "As for the runaway," Ayane lightly shoved Shoko to one of the guards. The elite ninja gathered the girl up and disappeared into the darkness.
"Ayane-sensei." The captain caused Ayane to pause from her attempt to exit quietly. "Hayate-sensei will want some type of report." A nervous edge wormed its way through the captain's voice. "He will want to see you as well."
Ayane, her mask over her face, turned to face the kneeling captain. She took a step toward him and looked down at the top of his head.
"Are you telling me I cannot leave?" a flat voice came from behind the demon mask telling the captain he treaded on rice paper.
"No, Ayane-sensei!" The captain rubbed his forehead deeper into the dirt. "I would never presume to have authority over the Master of the Hajin Mon! I spoke out of turn—please forgive me!"
Ayane was quiet for a tense moment, then nodded to the captain once and turned to walk into the temple proper. The guard captain waited until she was out of sight before he breathed again. Then, recovering his composure, he ordered his men to resume their post, thanking the gods for their protection as he resumed his.
Scene 2
The temple had quieted somewhat by the time Ayane reached its main door. The sentries pulled the doors aside as she approached. The smooth, polished floors of the main hall reflected the light of strategically placed oil lamps. Large red and gold pillars lined the room, supporting a high, vaulted ceiling. Doors veiled by painted lithographs exited the hall at spaced intervals. At the end far end of the hall was a raised tier with a mat and armrest. Ayane walked with the entire honor and rank afforded her. Reaching the lip of the tier, she lowered herself slowly to a sitting position and waited.
The hall was deathly silent but she felt the eyes of many upon her. Some wondering, some distrustful, all were hostile. This was but one of the many reasons Ayane hated coming here. The door behind the tier opened and a tall, well-built man dressed in a white yucata entered. Ayane noticed a few more worry lines had been added to his rugged features. More grey strands peppered his shoulder-length auburn hair. He bowed to her before taking his seat on the mat. She returned the bow in kind.
"The Master of the Hajin Mon is welcome and does us great honor with her visit." His tone was respectful and remote, just as she had expected.
"The Lord of the Mugen Tenshin pays us great honor by receiving us unannounced." Ayane mirrored his tone as was expected of her.
"It has been told to me that you brought a gift with you upon your arrival here. May I inquire how it came into your possession?"
Ayane was about to speak when a small movement behind Hayate caught her attention. From behind her mask, she could just make out the small shape of a child as it huddled in the shadow of the door Hayate had come from. She smiled at the skill Shoko showed at eluding her watchers so quickly.
"I was returning home when I spotted young Shoko wandering lost in the woods," Ayane said as Shoko scrunched even closer to the door. "She had gone out to get her mother some flowers," Ayane lied, "and had gotten lost." Ayane saw the girl relax.
"Flowers?" Hayate frowned. "That does not sound like Shoko?"
"Like mother, like daughter." Ayane kept rigid so that Hayate would not see how much she wanted to burst out laughing at the expression on his face.
"We have prepared a small meal within the temple. It would give us great satisfaction if you would stay but a little."
Ayane felt the stares about her intensify. She was about to refuse when a woman spoke from where Shoko had been moments before.
"Please stay, Ayane." The woman was dressed in a white kimono decorated with cherry blossoms. She came forward and knelt before Ayane. "Give me a chance to thank you for returning my daughter." She had the same color hair as Hayate, but it was deeper and fuller than his. Her brown eyes looked hopefully at Ayane. Then, as if remembering her manners, she quickly bowed a deep, long-lasting bow.
"Please," Hayate muttered. "I'm sure Shoko would like to thank you too." Hayate looked over his shoulder and the ten-year-old girl crept out of the doorway.
Ayane sighed heavily in defeat at such an overwhelming force. She nodded her acceptance and stood.
Shoko sprinted to her before Hayate or Kasumi could stop her. Grabbing Ayane's hand, she pulled the Hajin Mon lord into the back living quarters of the temple.
To be continued...