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Chapter 4 news from the witch

I awoke to hear noises outside my window I got up and took a look. It was Bankostu showing some battle moves to Lord Haruko army. I sat and watch wishing that I was down there.

"Now you come at me," Bankostu said while pointing his banryu at one of the soldiers. The soldier then madly dashed full speed toward Bankostu. Bankostu easily blocked the soldier attack and send him flying across the field. "Ha ha is that all you got Lord Haruko your men are weaklings I will not waste my time on them any longer."

Lord Haruko then came up and said, " Bankostu you are right my men are weak," turning to look at the men to say "All of you are to leave and train until you become stronger starting tonight you will leave with General Kin to start the training." With that General Kin took over and march the men away to start training.

Jakostu, Renkostu, and Suikostu then show up. " Big brother why are we wasting our time here I mean look at these guys we can really take them on without breaking a sweat," Jakostu said " Yes big brother why won't we just destroyed the castle and kill them all," Renkostu added in to the conversation. "O we will in a day or so I just thought we could just rest up before we continue on," Bankostu said with a hint of blood lust in his eyes to his brothers.

After Bankostu and his men got done talking they started to head inside. That's when Bankostu saw me then smile and wave at me screaming, " Hey Ai, you should come down I would like to enjoy your company again," Then I saw Lord Haruko staring straight at me with anger written all over his face. I just smile to Bankostu and hurry to get away from my window.

20 mins later

WHAM!!

Lord Haruko was standing at my door ready to bring his wrath onto me.

"Wrench how dare you disrespect me, I shall kill you for that," he said through his tight lips. Before I could say anything to him he then picked me up and slam me hard on the ground. Not stopping without saying anything like usual he just kept punching and kicking me. With each hit it just got harder and harder. What felt like a hour of this he then stop and pull out his katana and hold it up to my neck. "You know Ai you should thank me that I'm going to spare your life," and with that he left the room. I lay there in a pool of my own blood with the room spinning around having the darkness close down on me. Before my eyes close I wonder if it would be my last time of seeing this awful place that is my home.

8 hours later

Knock, knock, knock " Ai, Lord Haruko says that it is dinner time and he say, OH Ai you poor child."

"oh don't worry Amaya I'm fine my bruises will heal soon." I said trying to convinced her that I'm ok. "No you are not here lets go to the bathing area so we can help you." she said as she help me up off the floor and taking me to the bathing area.

"Well now it was a good thing that Lord Haruko didn't broke any bones or do any real damages." she said as she was washing my hair. I didn't reply I just sat their in deep thought. Amaya was the only one here in this castle who really try to help me. Of course she never help me while the beatings where going on but usually whenever the beating is horrible she will come in and help me to get back on my feet.

After Amaya was done cleaning the blood off of me I went to the mirror and see how much damage he did to me. My face look a lot better with all the blood off it was just a little swollen and I have a black eye. Which would be pretty hard to hide. I sighed and hurry on to dinner before Lord Haruko would decide to do anymore damage to me.

Dinning room

As soon as I enter the dinning room everyone stop eating, talking, and whatever else they was doing and turn and look at me. Already knowing what they was staring at I try my best to hide it by looking down at the ground. Feeling their eyes on me I hurry and took a seat next to Lord Haruko. Gin came and served me my food and I continue to looked down not even touching it.

Breaking the silence Bankotsu speak " Soooo Lord Haruko the new year is coming up does your people celebrate or do anything special?"

"Well yes there is my village is known widely for throwing the best festival in Japan. We have many people coming from all over Japan to celebrate the New Years here."

"May I ask what is so special about this festival for it to be so popular." Renkotsu asked.

"Well we have the best food, shows, floats, and well to be honest you just have to be there to see for your self." Lord Haruko said with a light chuckle.

" Well the new years is only four days I guess we can stay longer then I attend to." Bankotsu said while standing up and getting ready to make his leave.

"Good news and you will have the best time there I promise you that and oh have you decide on what you going to do about our deal." Lord Haruko said with food stuff in his mouth.

" No not really I haven't really thought about it much but I will let you know." Bankotsu said with a disgusted look on his face and turn to me and said " Hey Ai I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me in a little bit."

First time looking up since I been here I was about to say something but Lord Haruko cut in. " Ai have to do something for me maybe later on Bankotsu." Bankotsu gave me a sad look and simply said ok and walked out. Renkotsu, Jakotsu, and Suikotsu soon followed.

"Ai I need you to take something to the village witch for me and hurry up." Lord Haruko said while handing me a small box. I got up to leave when he suddenly grab my arm to turn me around and stare into my eyes and said " I hope you don't think that I'm going to let you get away I know Bankotsu have some likening to you and I DO NOT LIKE IT!!!! I'm going to make sure he does not touch you ever and when you get back I'm going to lock you in MY room to show you that no man will be ever to touch you like I do." Lord Haruko then let me go and let out a evil laugh.

Out of the castle I let out a small sighed and started my way to the witch house. Entering the village I said Bankotsu just exited out of one of the brothels here with a big grin on his face. Hoping he doesn't see me I picked my pace up and started speed walking. " Hey Ai wait up" Bankotsu yelled while catching up with me. I let out a sighed mad that he saw me and stop to wait on him. Finally catching up he said " Ai where you off in a hurry to" "Well I have to dropped off this box to the village witch." I replied smelling the hint of sake on his brethe and the perfume all over his clothes. "You wouldn't mind if I company you" He asked and I simply said yes and contnuie to walk.

"So Ai are you going to the New Years festival" Bankotsu asked while trying to get a look at my eye. I lower my heard down and sadly answer " If Lord Haruko lets me" Bankotsu gave a sad look with a hint of disapporval in his eyes and asked " Why do you seem so sad all the time I mean you rich, get anything you want, you have servents you served to your every need and you are very beautiful." I didn't anwser and just continued to look down. " Or is it not all it seem to be" He said while stopping and grabbing my chin and look at my eye. " Well now he really did some damage to this pretty face of yours." I look at him and ask how he know it was Lord Haruko. " Well I'm not stupid I can tell by the way he speaks to you and the way you act that he does horrible things to you." he said while contnuie walking.

Finally at the witch house Bankotsu said he would stay outside and wait for me I knocked on her door. After a few knocks she open and rushed me in. She was very old looking and very ugly with many moles all over her face. " Aww Lord Haruko favorite whore you brought me my gift from him." She said with a high pitch voice. I hand her the box and hurry back to the door so I can leave. " Wait Ai I have some good news for you." She said with a smile on her face. " What is the good news" I turn with curiosity in my eyes. " Ai I have look into your future and a very handsome mercenary will be helping you in your troubles and I believe he walking with you now." I look at her and made a small giggle and said " yea right" and with that I left.