Yeap, it turned into a double post day. I just can't keep this story from writing itself today. Here's chapter eight. Hope you enjoy!
I own nothing having to do with Samurai Deeper Kyo.
As Yuya had discovered in her hunt for Kyo's sake the day before, the village was still pretty much the same as it had been years before. Different merchants set up along the one main road that lead through the town, a few little tea houses (like taverns) where people could find food and drink, and of course a small board in a back room of the larger tavern. On this small board the local authorities posted the latest bounties. It didn't take long for Yuya to find the bounty for a local gang that had been causing trouble. Four of the men would bring twenty ryo each and the leader would bring in thirty.
Unfortunately the little bounty poster gave no clues as to where the gang may be hiding. That was up to the bounty hunter to find. Finally back in her natural element, Yuya sat about asking around the village. The first person she asked was an older woman who was selling a wide assortment of herbs and spices. "Have you heard of them?" Yuya asked after describing the gang.
The old woman shook her head, and answered, "A group of thieves and hoodlums. You'd be wise to stay away from 'em and the east road." Used to hearing a number of concerns from elders wanting her to stay out of trouble, Yuya smile and thanked the lady.
Turning to head to the next shop, Yuya nearly bumped into the little whited haired ninja. "Sasuke, what are you doing here?" she asked as she took a quick glance around for Yukimura or any of the others.
"I wanted to offer you some help, nee-san," Sasuke answered in his normal devil may care tone.
Continuing to the next shop, a clothing stall, Yuya said, "Yukimura doesn't need you?" Hearing the boy answer that his master had no need of him, Yuya nodded. "Well, you're welcome to tag along, but I'm just looking for information."
The middle-aged clothing seller was more than willing to explain to Yuya that most of the crimes and sightings of the gang had occurred on the east road leading out of town. In fact, everyone she asked seemed to know that the men stalked the east road in the evening. In fact, two of the vendors had been robbed themselves by the criminals. Many of the merchants had even started to close shop early and travel home well before dark to avoid any run-ins.
The entire time Sasuke was silently standing near-by, and after the fifth person, Yuya had more than enough information to track down the group of criminals. Turning to Sasuke, she said, "How about we grab a bite to eat and then I have to find Jin."
"You don't have any money, nee-san," Sasuke reminded her. Yuya instantly lost a bit of her triumph and let out a sigh. Rolling his eyes, Sasuke grabbed her hand and pulled her towards one of the tea houses. "I'll buy."
"You have money?" Yuya asked, shocked that the little boy would have any type of currency on him.
Glaring back at her, Sasuke said, "Of course I do. How else am I supposed to eat when I'm away from Yukimura?" Giving into a free meal, Yuya found herself seating in front of a plate of dumplings. Even if she did feel a little guilty about using Sasuke's money she realized that she was very hungry.
"Thanks," she said before digging into her food. Across from her, Sasuke was slowing eating his own meal. Somehow the boy managed to down an entire plate of dumplings before she could, the whole while only nibbling. After he finished he sat, staring at Yuya, and before too long she realized something was wrong. "What is it?"
Sasuke lower his eyes to the table top and answered, "I saw you friends. They seemed like nice people."
"They are, Sasuke. I've known them nearly my entire life," she said smiling at the boy.
"Then why are you the one hunting down these criminals?" He didn't sound like the confident ninja boy she had met in the sea of trees. Very suddenly Yuya realized he sounded like a little boy, and it make her smile a little.
Reaching her hand across the table, Yuya ruffled his hair. "Jin is still here looking, but Shin needs to take care of Yucci," she explained.
Roughly brushing her hand away from his head, Sasuke looked up from the table. "But he is her brother. He should be looking for the men that did that to her. Not you or your friend Jin," Sasuke exclaimed.
"Shin isn't a fighter, little man," someone said from the side of the table.
Looking up, Yuya saw that Jin had found her and was now standing just behind and to the left of Sasuke. Knowing how Sasuke would react, Yuya started to intervene, but Sasuke was already drawing his sword when he said, "Who're you calling little?"
In a flash Sasuke was standing on the bench and had his sword halfway drawn. It was Jin's larger hand covering Sasuke's hands that had stopped the blade's exit from its sheath. "You are a man and you are little. Shorter, in fact, that Yuya," Jin said staring down the young ninja.
Yuya was not surprised by Sasuke's reaction and only mildly surprised that Jin had moved faster. Jin had been training for most of his life, and was himself the son of a samurai. It was the increase in his speed that surprised Yuya the most. "Jin, let him go," Yuya said from across the table.
Jin released Sasuke's hand and waited for the boy to sit down before he moved around the table to sit next to Yuya. "Did Yucci find you?" he asked. Yuya nodded her answer. "Good. I've been asking around the village, and it seems that the gang use .."
"The east road," Yuya finished for him. Looking back at Sasuke, Yuya added, "Thank you for the meal, Sasuke, but I need to speak with Jin now."
The boy stiffly nodded his head and stood. "If you need me, nee-san, just let me know," he said before leaving.
Yuya watched Sasuke walk out of the tea house before turning back to Jin. "I have a plan, but you're not going to like it," she said, pushing her plate away.
Sasuke had left the tea house, but had moved around to the side wall, where he could hear Yuya and the tall fighter talking. Who was that man, anyway? He had taken hold of Sasuke's hands before he could even blink. If nothing else, Jin was no ordinary friend and Sasuke didn't like it. Yuya didn't need another fighter in her life. She saw enough blood shed traveling with Kyo.
Yuya's plan unfolded in light whispers, and Sasuke had to admit that he didn't like the plan any more than Jin. The man had tried to argue the vague loop holes that could happen, but in the end Yuya's plan was the best choice they had. Sasuke instantly wanted to run in and throttle the man for agreeing to Yuya being in so much danger.
Watching a number of the merchants start to close up shop, Sasuke realized that Yuya's plan to capture the criminals was going to be put into play a lot sooner than he would like. Yuya hadn't even brought up the idea of asking for help from him or anyone. Seeing her and Jin walk out into the street again, Sasuke rushed off in a flash to inform Yukimura.
That stupid Yukimura may think it was all fun and games, but if nee-san managed to find these criminals she'd be in much more danger than she realized. What if Jin couldn't get there in time? What if he couldn't protect her?
Jumping the low wall of the inn's garden, Sasuke flashed to Yukimura's side. "Ahh, Sasuke!" Yukimura was cheerful and all smiles, as usual.
"She's being an idiot," Sasuke said kneeling in front of Yukimura.
Before turning up his sake bottle, Yukimura let a big grin spread across his face. "Oh, so she's found them? Tell me all about it!"
Sasuke repeated the plan that he had overheard Yuya and her friend go over. Leaning against a wall inside, Kyo listened quietly as the ninja reported to his master.
What is Yuya's plan? Is it really as bad as Sasuke thinks?
Sneak Peek:
Kyo's eyes met Yuya's briefly before turning back to Jin. "Staying or leaving is her choice. Not yours," Kyo said, his deep voice holding a threat that Yuya prayed Jin could hear. "So, Dogface, do you want to keep looking for your revenge?"
