It had been a little over eighteen years since Aiko had come to live with the Saisho Clan. She was nineteen now and although she was not originally from within the village, she was happy. Rin was very kind to her and although some of the villagers were extremely weary of her, most were nothing but nice. Aiko was not a secret. Everyone in the village knew who she was and that she hosted the Third Eye.
Life was good. Aiko felt safe and was thankful for her freedoms. Now that she was older she understood that she was very lucky to be aware of herself at all. No one that had hosted the Third Eye previously had ever been able to maintain their sanity.
The only problem that Aiko felt she could call a problem, was her lack of knowledge about her biological family. She had asked Rin about the subject a few times but Rin always claimed to have no knowledge of those details. It was disappointing but Aiko felt guilty if she pressed to hard.
Even without that information, Aiko still remained happy and kind. She spent her time working in the herb garden for Rin and making medicines for the hospital. When she wasn't working, Aiko enjoyed painting. It was a good outlet and could be time consuming.
Because of the laws in the Clan, Aiko was careful about getting to close to anyone. She was an outsider. She could not ever marry or conceive with someone from the Clan. She would likely be unharmed. Not only was she not from within the Clan, but she hosted the Third Eye. However, her lover and their children would be at great risk. It was a risk that Aiko refused to take. Her hobbies kept her from being tempted at all.
Aiko had just retuned home from filling the last medication orders that she had. The house was empty. Rin frequently worked late. She was able to now that Aiko was grown. Rin enjoyed her work and was very good at it. She trained Aiko in gardening, alchemy, health, and anatomy. Aiko was happy for the instruction and knowledge.
She slipped off her black sandals and headed into the kitchen. She began preparing herself some jasmine tea and a seared piece of salmon. She made extra food for Rin and then carefully stored it so it would remain good for her when she got home. Aiko was happy to cook for Rin. She felt it was the least she could do. Rin had done so much for her for so long now.
After eating, Aiko headed to bathe and then went to her room. Rin had a nice house that was very open. The space was rectangular. There were nice sliding doors that were centered at the front and back of the house. On the left side was Rin's room. She had her own private bath. The center was a modest kitchen and an open dining and sitting area. There was also a second bathroom. On the far right was Aiko's room. It wasn't as big as Rin's but it was big enough for her to have her bed roll and a work table. She had plenty of storage for all of her canvases and paints and still felt like she had plenty of room to work with.
She sat down at her table and looked down at a work in progress. She had began this painting in watercolor. It was depicting a young man. He looked a bit older than her but not by much. His eyes were intense and turquoise colored. His skin was pale and white but looked healthy. He looked more like he had color than she did. It was like he had been lightly kissed by the sun. His hair was short and messy. He had auburn colored hair that looked more red than brown. The most unique trait he had was the kanji in red that was on the left side of his forehead.
In the picture the man looked serious and yet very calm and unshakable. She had no idea who he was. She had just been seeing him in her dreams and finally decided to paint him.
Aiko gently touched the picture. Somehow, the man seemed important. In her dreams, he was always shielding her from something. He always used his own body as a defense and yet he was never hurt. He never spoke either. He was always focused on protecting her from whatever he was protecting her from. She still couldn't figure out what it was.
Secretly, Aiko had been looking for the strange man. She found herself frequently scanning faces in the village expecting to see his. She had yet to though. He was still a mystery and most likely he was just a dream.
The sound of the front door sliding closed caught Aiko's attention. She quickly jumped up and headed out to greet Rin. She slowed her pace when she noticed that Rin was not alone. Councilman Ame stepped in behind her followed by another younger man. The younger man looked quite intimidating. He had shoulder length, layered, messy black hair. His eyes were a cold icy blue. His features were very defined and he was in good shape. He was not gigantic, but still very healthy and fit. His already pale skin looked ghostly against his all black outfit. He wore a long sleeved turtle neck that was snug against him. His pants were baggy and he had two pouches tied around his right thigh. On his back he carried two katanas in black sheaths.
Aiko could not deny that the man was attractive in a dark intimidating kind of way. She quickly lowered her head to Councilman Ame. "Good evening Councilman." Aiko said politely.
"Come now child, there is no need for all the formality. It is nice to see you." Ame replied with a smile. Aiko could not help but smile back. Her eyes drifted then to the second man. Ame caught her gaze. "Ah, this is Yasuo. Yasuo, this is Aiko."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Aiko bowed politely with a smile. Yasuo responded only by lowering his head slightly in acknowledgment. She got the feeling that he did not intend any disrespect but that he was simply a quiet person. That was okay with her. He certainly did not appear to be uncomfortable.
"Please come inside and make yourselves comfortable." Rin finally said with a halfhearted smile. She glanced briefly at Aiko before heading to the dining table. Aiko became weary. She could feel that something was about to happen.
After everyone was sitting down, Councilman Ame began to speak. "Thank you for responding to me so quickly Rin."
"Of course." She didn't have much of a choice. "What business do you have for me?" She asked curiously.
Ame frowned. He knew the next part was going to be difficult for Rin. "I am afraid that it is time for Aiko to be relocated."
"What? Why?" Rin demanded immediately. Any previous kindness to her tone was gone.
"Mamoru." Ame said to Rin in a calm, serious tone. Rin's expression changed. Aiko was confused.
"Who is that?" Aiko asked. Rin looked down at the table appearing to try and avoid Aiko's gaze. Ame closed his eyes and then looked towards her.
"Aiko, Mamoru is your father." Ame explained.
"I don't understand. Why is he an issue?" Aiko had gathered that Mamoru was the reason for her needing to be relocated. Yasuo narrowed his eyes at her in a way that conveyed confusion but he remained silent.
"Your mother's name was Yuka Hojo. The Third Eye came to your mother as soon as she conceived and told her of you and your uses and and how much you were needed. Yuka was a kind woman and was happy to be able to help the being. She was instructed to go without telling anyone where or why. The Third Eye lead your mother safely here. She later had you and sadly passed during the birth." Ame paused for a moment, seeming sad remembering Yuka's fate. "Mamoru did not find out about you until your grandmother was notified of her passing. He was outraged. He has tried to find you for a long time, but without the help of the Third Eye, or someone from the Saisho Clan, he had been unsuccessful."
"I still don't understand. Why can't I just meet him? Is that not what he wants? That doesn't seem so bad..." Aiko said confused and sad. She felt sorry for Mamoru. How awful it must feel to lose your lover and never know your own child.
"Aiko, Yuka did not want Mamoru to be in your life if she could help it." Rin began. "Mamoru is a very dangerous person. He was a part of groups like the Akatsuki that killed a lot of people."
"Your mother did not realize what kind of person Mamoru truly was until after her first encounter with the Third Eye." Ame added.
"I see." Aiko said quietly. Yasuo's eyes softened slightly. She looked defeated. Was she trying to find a reason to be able to stay? Why would she want to stay here?
"Where is Aiko being relocated? I can gather my things and-" Rin was cut off by Ame raising a hand to her. She stopped talking.
"You will not be joining her Rin. You are needed here. " Ame began. "Yasuo is the only one who knows where they will be going. Excluding of course whoever he contacted. We will not know their location for their safety and ours."
"So what? I will never get to see her again?" Rin began angrily. "I have raised her! I deserve to know where she will be so I can be able to check on her."
"Aiko can always write you. As long as she does not disclose her location." Ame said calmly.
Rin began to protest more but Aiko gently placed a hand over hers. Rin looked at her. She looked deep into Aiko's eyes. They looked sad but she smiled to be reassuring. This felt right. It was terrifying not knowing what was going to happen now. How much would her life change? Would everyone be safe? With all the fears, Aiko knew she had to go.