Ch8 Yuki no furu naka ni

Our sword's met with sparks from the steel. But I quickly recovered hacking and slashing at him in a flurry of movement that was so unpredictable that he was barely able to block. I grinned and flew up in the air and brought my sword down on his head.

Poof

He was gone. A shadow clone! Damn!

And without a second thought I turned and fled into battle once more cursing about wrecking my beautiful kimono.

Finally it ended with the opposition retreat. They had lost many but we were still strong so those who were left. Well. Left. There were cheers from the crowd of nin, that were left and a hell of a lot of swearing coming from the visiting daimio.

I went to join them with a small smile. "Sir's you need to move away from here while we secure the aria." They nodded. Shocked out of there mind's.

"Are you ok Katana!" Said the daimyo of the land of sand. Shocked at the state of my kimono and the blood that now stained my powdered white face.

"yeah I just got caught in the cross fire." I told him smiling coyly.

I felt some strange stare's as I led the men and there attendant's away. To be truthful I would be questioned more on my former job later and how the hell I could move like that. And most of all why didn't I tell them.

"Great were being showed around by a river side beggar." Muttered the disgruntled attendant.

I looked down on him and with dark eye's and told him. "I'm just the hired help so don't complain. Please remember I'm in charge of your drinks and I have no qualm's with spiking the lower of this gathering's." That shut him up and I led them to the bath's.

I cleaned up quickly and thru a jacket over the top of my kimono to hide it's tattered state. I then picked up my Shaimisen and entertained them while they soaked in the spring.

Joy for me. I thought to my distain. Would I be stuck with these uncivilized leader's till the morning dawned?

Luckily I was saved by Tsunade when she arrived to tell the men that there quarter's were secure. I was glad as we escorted them out of the tea room that I would be able to get clean sooner than I had first thought. On the way to the room's we happened to pass a mirror and I stopped in shock at my reflection. Noticing for the first time along slice along my cheek and 2 slice's on either side of my throat that had just missed my arteries. And yet no one had told me they were there. Or about the blood that had trickled down my neck and cheek. I hadn't felt it yet because of the adrenalin still rushing through me but were these men so rude as to not tell me that I may be bleeding to death. Or did they just like the look of a bloodied and battle worn woman serving them drink's as they lived it up.

"Katana. Are you ok?" Asked Tsunade

"Ah yes sorry for stalling." As I chased to catch up.