Chapter the Second
Deep in the mountains the ground roared like thunder. The Earth itself seemed to split apart, a crack forming that oozed an inky darkness to the surrounding land.
Shadowy forms crawled from the depths, taking refuge in the midnight hour… creeping forward like wolves in the night.
Rikimaru woke suddenly, the dream disturbing his sleep. Sweat beaded on his brow, his ash blonde hair wet with perspiration caused only in part by the summer humidity.
The ninja was instantly aware of the other that stood in his room and with adept silence drew the sword – Izaoi – from beside his futon and raised it in the darkness.
Soft amber light slowly filled the room as Suki lit the lamp and knelt close, brushing past the blade.
Riki's voice was soft and steady. "What are you doing in here?"
Suki smiled, her evening kimono clinging lightly to her body. "How long has it been… since you've shared a bed?"
As the woman pressed forward, Riki rolled to the right, off of the futon and onto the tatami mats in a crouch, wearing only the his loose pants. "It is best you leave now. I have no desire for this now."
Suki grinned, reaching up and removed the clip that held her long dark hair in place. With a slight bounce it cascaded over her shoulders and she closed her eyes… her fingers moving down the front of her torso and to the belt that fastened her robe.
Rikimaru cocked his head slightly. "What has come over you?"
Time crawled to a near stop as Riki watched the woman draw a sword from beneath her. The blade arched up and curved to the left, even as her eyes remained tightly shut.
The ninja brought his own sword up, parrying the blow and moved in to strike her with his left hand but was met by a firm grasp on his wrist.
Riki's mind reeled, the motion faster than he could see… faster than humanly possible. "Who are you?"
Suki smiled and opened her eyes… eyes that burned into the darkness and drained the light from around them. Her voice rippled the air like a stone cast into a pond. "This land is dead. Bow before us."
A blur of motion sent her across the room and she landed on all fours, her sword clattering off to one side. Suki hissed, her eyes burning brightly.
There was no reason for Riki to greet the stranger, his senses finely tuned so he merely nodded. "This is not your fight anymore."
The stranger let out a deep guttural laugh, his black hair falling forward over his tattooed torso. "Very well. Die if you wish!"
The woman rolled toward her sword and lunged, plowing the blade ahead of her. Rikimaru jumped quickly, kicking his legs up and over and coming to a landing behind her. Again with uncanny speed Suki spun and their two blades met with the sharp clang of steel on steel.
Izaoi shattered in Riki's hands and he quickly discarded the handle with a heavy thud on the mats.
The woman snarled, raising her sword. "You are finished."
Rikimaru could sense the wall behind him and suddenly spun, forcing his fist through the panel with a crunch and grasped the handle inside. Using the momentum he had created he brought his arm back around, the katana's blade slicing through Suki's mid-rift before she could bring her own sword down.
Deep crimson washed over the floor and the woman's form crumpled before the ninja. Her body started to glow from her wound, growing and absorbing her whole body until finally her once beautiful form melted away, leaving only ash.
Riki let out a sigh and looked up to where Onikage had stood, but he was gone.
Well it's been a while but I thought I should write another chapter to this. I've got lots of plans for this so keep those reviews coming!
And… for those who may be interested… I'm a student of the Bujinkan, which ninjutsu is a prominent part of. I draw my historical information and inspiration from the writings of Grandmaster Masaki Hatsumi, among others, though of course I try to adhere to the Tenchu mythos as well.
Ryko
