Poisoned Sakura - Chapter 3 - The Message
Upon finishing his final bowl of porridge, Masamune seemed to be content, rocking deeply back onto his heels. Asuma put her own empty bowl on the table and clasped her hands together. She bowed to her lord, "Thank-you for allowing me to partake of your food." Both Kojuro and Masamune seemed to focus on her and Masamune mumbled, "It seems we were wrong." With arms crossed, Kojuro replied, "Yes, it appears so. The eight hot Narakas would freeze over before this boy became a spy."
Asuma had been so caught up in her cooking that she had forgotten she was only brought into the house to be determined as a spy or not. With a happy sigh, Asuma smiled, "Thank-you!" Lord Masamune rested his chin on the back of his propped up hand, giving Lord Kojuro a curious look. "However, Yahiko…" Kojuro began, looking from Masamune to her, "You mustn't tell anyone what has happened here tonight." With a nod of her head, Asuma promised, "Of course not. You have my word."
She was curious as to why she couldn't speak of it to others, but was in no position to question it otherwise. The One-Eyed Dragon preferring porridge over cannibalism had been a relief after all.
Noticing the kitchen was now dirty from her labor, Asuma asked, "May I use the kitchen a moment longer? If we do not clean up this mess…" Kojuro walked over to her and exclaimed, "Please, allow me to help." He wasn't offering his help, but rather asking permission from Masamune. Asuma tried to object but Kojuro interrupted her, "Do not worry about me, let's get to work." It was evident he would not take no for an answer. Asuma conceded, grateful to have help. It would've been a nightmare cleaning the dishes if the rice had begun to stick.
Once the two had finished scrubbing the pots and bowls, and started wiping down the table and counters, Masamune called out, "Hey." Asuma turned, "Yes? What is it, milord?"
"You... did well today. Choose your reward."
"A reward?"
"Tell me what you want."
The question caught the woman completely off guard and she had no clue how to answer. Trying to buy more time to decide, she muttered, "I couldn't possibly accept a reward. You provided the ingredients for me to work with. Is that not more than reward enough?" Masamune was at a loss for words and Asuma added, "Just knowing you enjoyed the porridge is satisfaction enough…" Kojuro stepped in, "Milord is being quite serious. There is no need to sidestep the reward, ask for anything you like." Asuma held her hands up in protest, and Kojuro spoke again, "I am sure you believe you are acting selflessly, but if you protest too much we would have no choice but to find it rather suspicious. Do you still insist you need no reward for your actions?"
He smiled mischievously and Asuma slumped at receiving no help in refusing the offer. Kojuro's words seemed harmless enough, but Asuma felt a cold sweat upon her back having been so close to death earlier because of suspicions.
The poison taster took a moment to think, having decided what she wanted, but feeling it may be too much to ask for. "What is it?" Masamune asked, sensing her hesitation. With a deep breath, Asuma responded, "I would like to have my own room with a koto in it." Kojuro seemed surprised with the request and he prodded her for an explanation. While picking at her fingers, Asuma muttered, "I'm just not used to being packed into a communal room like sardines. I also like playing music."
Masamune responded swiftly and calmly, "Very well, it shall be done." The woman's mouth opened and she started to speak but Masamune cut her off, "Hm? You do want your own room, complete with floor harp, don't you?" Asuma nodded with a quick, "Yes."
"Then that is your reward."
He acted as if what the poison taster asked for was nothing at all. Staring at her from the corner of his eye, Kojuro seemed troubled, but Asuma paid it no mind, happy to know she would no longer have to sleep amongst the crowd of male servants. With determination, Asuma decided she would work harder in order to live up to the greatness of her reward.
As the night continued on, Masamune stood from the mats, and looked at Kojuro. The retainer nodded and said, "It is time to go back. Until we ready a room for you, you'll have to settle for the servants' quarters." Asuma nodded, giving the lord a deep bow of respect. Following Kojuro out of the house and back towards the castle, Asuma looked back one last time as Masamune closed the door to the quaint house.
As the two approached the sleeping area, Kojuro commanded, "Make sure you do not find yourself lost again." Asuma bowed, "I will be more diligent. I am sorry."
"And… remember…" Kojuro stopped, putting a finger of silence to his mouth.
"My lips are sealed."
"Well, then. Go on and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be upon us before we know it."
"I will. Sleep well, Lord Kojuro."
Asuma watched him leave with one last bow to him, his sandals clacking as he walked away. Back in her bedroll, Asuma thought back to everything that had happened. Masamune had grown kinder to her and her thanks to him would never be enough. She grew tired, stomach full with porridge, and her mind wandered to her mother and Yahiko. Whispering to herself, Asuma promised to make her way back home to them. Her eyes closed and she drifted to sleep as she thought of her father, asking him to keep watching over her. Though she was now living in a strange place, Asuma felt at peace for the moment.
The next morning, Asuma awoke with the other servants, and headed back to the kitchen with Umeko. As poison taster, she was quite unsure what other job needed to be attended to and decided to shadow the maid. She helped Umeko sweep the verandas, straighten and dust the non-private rooms, and wash the laundry.
After Umeko had left to run another errand, Asuma was arm deep in warm water, scrubbing bloody clothes from the battle. A retainer approached her with a shallow bow, instructing her that Lord Masamune desired a word with her. Asuma grabbed a towel, wiping the pink water from her forearms and followed the gentleman through the shoji lined halls until they reached a large ornate bedroom.
The white walls were mostly bare inside the room, except for three pastel kakejiku scrolls hanging next to one another depicting the waves of the sea. Several small buddha and samurai statues were displayed in a simple manner, interspersed with trophies of antlers and furs. A bed with plain robes laid upon it was placed off to the side with a beautiful gold byobu folding screen behind it with forestry scenes upon it. Masamune was sitting with Kojuro at a low desk on the other side of the room and looked up when the door to his quarters slid open
Asuma bowed, "Milord? You sent for me?" Kojuro deeply asked, "You haven't told anyone about last night, have you?" "Of course not," she replied, shaking her head.
"In that case, we have one more request for you."
Kojuro's tone was much more serious and Asuma adjusted her posture, preparing for his words. But he was not the one who spoke next. It was Masamune. "I want you to come to the southern side of the castle again tonight so you can make me something palatable," the Lord said calmly, his jaw settling back into a firm clinch. Asuma was astonished, "Me?"
"See anyone else here?"
Asuma blushed at her idiotic question, trying to recover with, "Of course! I would be more than honored." She enjoyed the chance of being able to cook for nobility, just as her father had done, but did that mean Masamune would not be eating in the main dining hall tonight? Interrupting the thought, Kojuro commanded, "Go into the jokamachi village below the castle and fetch the ingredients you require. We will pay for what you retrieve." Asuma bowed, thanking them as she took the pouch of money from Kojuro's outstretched hand.
Before she left, Asuma asked, "Lord Masamune? Do you have a favorite food? Or anything specific you wish for me to make?" Masamune replied to her smile coldly, "Not really. It's up to you."
"All right… Is there anything you don't like?"
"What do you expect me to do with all of these questions?"
The lord's eye narrowed and Asuma tried to save face, "I just wanted to make sure you enjoy whatever I make, that is all, milord." "I already said it's up to you," he hissed and Asuma bowed, "Understood, Lord Masamune." She was exasperated from his avoidance of her questions but tried to see the situation as a sign of respect for her cooking skills. "I shall leave immediately for the market. I'll be back soon," Asuma said, turning on her heels to leave. Kojuro called for her to be careful and Asuma thanked him.
On the way to the jokamachi, Asuma wracked her brain, trying to remember what foods she had served to Lord Masamune back in Kyoto. She crossed over the castle moat, walking into the fairly busy walled village, remembering the Dragon had been more partial to the smaller plates than the main dishes, such as pickles and skewers of grilled chicken. Asuma pondered longer, beginning to realize that she did not see Masamune eat seafood very often. In her head she decided upon a menu of yakitori chicken skewers.
The village felt so alive compared to the deserted castle halls from last night, and Asuma travelled through with a pep in her step. Asking several villagers for directions to the market, the poison taster neared the area lined with merchant stalls and shops.
The crowd grew louder as Asuma drew closer, but above the chatter, she could make out an odd conversation. "It's not that strange to want an apology for being run into, now is it?" remarked a whiny male voice. A familiar female voice responded, "That's why I already apologized!" Asuma moved through the gathering of villagers, searching for the voice.
Asuma's eyes widened when she found that it belonged to Umeko. Two rough looking men surrounded her, sneers on their scruffy faces. It wasn't clear what the situation was yet, but Umeko was unmistakably distressed.
Asuma rushed over to her, waved for her friend and yelled, "Umeko! This way!" "Yahiko!" Umeko exclaimed, startled to see the familiar face, but before she could say anymore, Asuma ran between her and the men, grabbing the maid's hand and dragging her away. The man with the whiny voice and scrawny arms shouted, "Who the hell are you?!" His companion, a blonde haired brute of a man, reached for Asuma's sleeve but could not catch her in time.
As the two women ran down the village street, Umeko asked, "What are you doing here, Yahiko? I thought you were still at the castle attending to the washing!" "I was running an errand. You're going to dodge left up ahead," Asuma replied.
"What?!"
"I'm a faster runner than you in my hakama trousers. I'll go straight to keep them off of you, just go!"
Asuma pushed Umeko into the side alley, and bolted forward with all her might. From behind she could hear the brute yell out, "Get back here, you little bastard!" Asuma kept looking forward, relieved that they had kept following her and not Umeko.
With burning legs and heaving chest, after running for what felt like ages,the young woman ducked quickly into a side alley and leaned against the wall, putting her hands on her thighs and leaning over in exhaustion. She stood back up, heaving a sigh of relief as she brushed the kicked up dirt from her hakama. This was one time she was grateful for having been dressed in men's clothing.
Asuma decided to head back to the castle to see if Umeko had made it home safely, walking down the alley, when around the corner appeared the scrawny thug. "Haha, you thought we were actually going to let you run on home? Think again, boy!" he whined and Asuma backed up in retreat. She turned around to run the other way down the alley, but she hit something solid, falling back onto the ground. The blonde man was grinning down at her evilly, the two blocking her only escapes.
The brute pounded his fist into his hand and growled, "We can't let a pip squeak just run away after taking our woman from us…" He reached for the poison taster's collar and she struggled to scoot back in the dirt to avoid his grasp. She was only drawing closer to the beanpole and he laughed, "We aren't going to go easy on you either, can't go down without a fight to a brat like you!"
As he whined, he lifted Asuma up by the collar of her kimono, tearing the collar from the stress. Asuma yelped, the bandages binding her chest clearly visible. The one who lifted her coquettishly remarked, "What have I come across? You're a woman too, huh?" Asuma tried to yank him away as his friend responded, "Now this is a real treat. I think she deserves something really special for showing us her softer side…"
The thin man turned Asuma around and grabbed her arms forcefully. He appraised her up and down, "Now that I look at you, You're a cute one aren't you? Little pudgy, but who wouldn't like having more woman to feel?" Asuma could sense the fear rising in her chest as her eyes began to water. An ice cold hand crawled across her side towards her stomach while the beanpole wrapped his fingers around her throat so she couldn't scream.
Mustering all of the courage within herself, Asuma kicked the whiner as hard as she could in the shin while stomping back onto the brute's foot. The thin one doubled over in pain, holding his leg, but his partner yelled, "This would turn out better for you if you just fucking stayed still!" His thick fist seemed to move in slow motion as Asuma watched it swing towards the right of her face. She had no time to duck the punch and her head turned with a force she had never felt before as the attacker's knuckles connected deep into her temple and the apple of her cheek.
Asuma hit the side of the building hard, her body numb and her ears ringing but she could hear a familiar voice yell out, "What the hell are you doing over there?" She strained to turn her head towards the voice, and her good eye widened in surprise. Lord Katakura Kojuro was walking down the alley towards the punks with an aura so calm, that Asuma allowed herself to slump to ground, trusting she'd been rescued. The beanpole lept from the dirt, hobbling from the kick to his shin and yelled, "What're you looking at? Trying to show my girl a good time and your ass is getting in the way of that!"
It was a pathetic lie, and Kojuro growled, "Go." It reverberated the same forcefulness of a tiger's roar and Asuma chilled at the sound of it. He stalked forward, unsheathing his katana so slowly that the blade sang from the metal sliding against sheath. The men started backing up, but once Kojuro dropped into stance with both hands on his katana's hilt, they panicked and started to run, no longer having the upper hand in the fight.
Even in her daze, Asuma noticed her chest still exposed and hurriedly covered herself with what was left of her topcoat. The right side of her face was now inflamed from the punch and her heart was beating way too fast from panic, wondering if Kojuro had seen her wrappings or not and connected it with the thug calling her "his girl". The woman looked at her savior wearily, and he grabbed her under her arms, lifting her up as he said, "It appears that our new recruit is quite the troublemaker, indeed." Asuma looked up to see exasperation instead of anger in his eyes, the soft gaze she knew finally back on his face. "Thank-you, Lord Kojuro," Asuma bowed, but Kojuro forced her to stand back up, holding her chin in his hand as he examined where she was hit. The skin was bright red on her cheek, but her eye was quickly purpling.
His brow knitted at the sight but he tried to overlook it, asking, "Have you finished your shopping?" Holding back tears, and chest throbbing with buried sobs, Asuma shook her head. Kojuro smiled, "You really have been busy, haven't you?" He let out a long sigh, escorting Asuma out of the alley as he exclaimed, "Come on, I'll help you. Quickly get what you need." She looked up at him confused, "You're coming with me?"
"How else am I supposed to keep you out of trouble? Lord Masamune has requested you cook for him this evening. I have to make sure you're back in order to fulfill his wish."
Asuma felt he was fibbing, but accepted his words anyways and the two marched off to the market. "Thank-you… for helping me back there," she quietly mumbled. The samurai waved his hand and calmly said, "Think nothing of it. I would've been unable to relax if I knew you were out here getting yourself hurt." He was trying to be rough with Leanne, like a father to his disobedient child, but he really didn't sound bothered by helping Asuma. His body exuded such a natural calm, and Asuma tried to be like him, calm and collected.
After gathering the appropriate meats and vegetables along with a few seasonings, the two walked back to the castle in silence, Asuma filled to the brim with thankfulness.