CHAPTER 9

Kazama

Kazama appeared at Sen's doorstep. "Hello Princess Sen," he greeted her, uncharacteristically warmly, "Where is Chizuru?"

Sen looked down; she had been dreading this moment since receiving Chizuru's letter. What could she tell him? "Ah, Lord Kazama, it's good to see you again. Chizuru has left our care…"

His face darkened immediately, tension and anger rolling off of him in waves. "What do you mean, 'Left your care,' she was staying here when I left; I expect her to be here now that I've returned." His red eyes narrowed. "If looks could kill…" Sen thought to herself.

"I'm sorry to say, she is no longer interested in being courted by you. When she made that decision, she also made the choice to leave my care." Sen replied calmly.

A brief moment of confusion and hurt crossed his face before the angry mask snapped back into place. Kazama's hand moved deliberately to the hilt of his sword. "Princess Sen, you will tell me where she is or I will slaughter every man, woman, and child in this household…"

Kimigiku and several other guards stepped in between Sen and Kazama, also reaching for their weapons. Sen waved them down, "There is no need for bloodshed Lord Kazama; she is not interested. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"I have reason to believe Chizuru is in danger. Kodo Yukimura is creating Rasetsu, and rumors have suggested that he needs her blood to strengthen them. Her brother, Kaoru Nagumo, is also after her. We've gotten wind of even more disturbing rumors that they intend to breed her with the Rasetsu to bring back the Yukimura clan. You will tell me where she is Sen. This is not a request; I will protect what is mine." Kazama spoke through gritted teeth, his agitation clear by the twitch of his sword hand.

Slowly, realization dawned on Sen, Chizuru was with her father. Could she be in danger and not know? "Would Kodo hurt her!?" she exclaimed, feeling herself start to panic. Kazama simply glared at her in response. "Wait, she sent me a letter. I will get it."

Sen stepped out of the room to fetch the letter. By the time she had returned, the tension had eased somewhat, both Kazama and her guards having backed down. Kazama had seated himself in a corner but immediately jumped up when she entered. She handed him the letter and he skimmed it quickly.

"Do you know where they are?" He asked steadily.

"No, I'm sorry Lord Kazama. I thought the letter was genuine. Do you think she is in danger? What can we do?" she asked, concern evident in the quiver of her voice.

Without a second glance or word, Kazama turned and walked out, malice coiling off him like dark tendrils as he walked away. Sen had lost her in the first place; there was no way he would trust her with Chizuru's protection again.

Kazama returned to the hotel he was staying at with Amagiri and Shiranui; they were waiting in his room when he arrived.

"Amagiri, I need you to find Kodo Yukimura; he has kidnapped my mate. Shiranui, you need to look for Kaoru Nagumo; I have reason to believe he is a threat. Go, now, I have something I must attend to immediately."

Kazama plopped down on his futon, fear overtaking him. Chizuru was missing, had been missing for several weeks if the date on Sen's letter was correct; and he hadn't known about it. Guilt, a feeling he was wholly unfamiliar with, made him feel nauseous and restless. How could he not know? Sighing, he laid down. It was midday, but perhaps he could catch Chizuru in a nap. He needed to see her, right now.


Chizuru

I found myself in a hotel room; a window in front of me overlooking the mountains of Kyoto. The air was crisp and cool, adding a pleasant briskness to the atmosphere. Suddenly, I was wrapped in a tight embrace, the smell of nutmeg and lavender enveloping me comfortingly. "Chizuru, you're ok," he trailed off, burying his face in my back.

"Chikage! I've missed you." I mumbled, turning so I could wrap my arms around him tightly. "I expected you to come for me soon, but…" Chikage shushed me with a passionate kiss, pulling me closer to his warmth.

He paused, pulling back abruptly, "Why are you so thin? You look really ill, actually…"

"You don't want to know," I cautioned, knowing his rage would be unpleasant.

"If they are hurting you…" the tension in his body beginning to build.

I put my hands on his cheeks, bringing his face around to look at me, "I'll be fine. Just come get me, please. What I'm experiencing now is nothing compared to what they have planned."

The tension didn't ease, but he covered my hands with his own, looking at me tenderly. Guilt crossed his face, an expression I never expected from Chikage. Leaning up, I kissed him gently, "This is not your fault. You did everything you could to protect me; I got myself into this. It's a good thing I have such a great man around to rescue me from myself."

He smirked, the usual conceited demeanor overtaking his features. "Yes, I will rescue you. Know that," he declared, hugging me close. We sat, taking comfort from each other for several minutes.

I sighed, turning to more serious matters. "They will wake me up soon… As you must already know, I'm travelling with Kodo and the Rasetsu. They've locked me in a box; and they are using my blood to make the Rasetsu stronger. You can't come for me alone, Chikage, they are frightening warriors."

"Do you have any idea where you are?" he asked, frowning as I shook my head solemnly in response.

"No," I sulked, "North, north-east… probably."

"You are mine to protect and care for, I have many resources at my disposal. I will find you," he paused meaningfully, "I have something for you." Smiling cockily, Kazama pulled something small from the folds of his kimono.

Pulling my left hand forward, he placed a beautiful ruby ring on my finger, haloed with diamonds. The color perfectly matched his eyes. "To remind you that I promise to be only yours, just as you are mine. You will be my wife, as soon as this war is over. I don't want you to forget that." He leaned forward, kissing me gently, "I will see you soon," he whispered, then disappeared.

I found myself being shook awake by Kaoru. "You are to be completely silent now, or I will have the Rasetsu murder anyone we cross paths with on our journey." I nodded solemnly; understanding that he would absolutely follow through on this threat. I would have to bide my time until Chikage could find me.

Kaoru threw the sheet over my cage, and I was thrown into darkness. We continued forward for about an hour, then the pathway suddenly felt… unstable? My cage had stopped moving forward, but it was somehow shifting back and forth. A loud bird cry erupted nearby when it suddenly hit me, we had boarded a ship. Men started barking orders to cast off, and the rocking suddenly became more pronounced. We were starting to move, and I had no idea where we were going.


Kazama

Kazama found himself staring at the ceiling of his hotel room; the warmth of Chizuru already fading from his arms. Sitting up, he felt the fury at his predicament start to turn his vision red. Chizuru was not only in danger, they were obviously starving her. How dare they treat the future Lady Kazama like a slave.

He stood, pushing the anger to the back of his mind. He would most certainly unleash the full force of his power upon Kaoru and Kodo, but to find her he needed to remain calm. Just at that moment, Amagiri appeared at his door.

"The Sa-Cho alliance is pushing north. It appears the Rasetsu were created under their direction, and they are moving them to Sendai for a direct attack on the Shinsengumi from two fronts. If the Rasetsu will be in Sendai, I imagine so will Kodo."

Kazama nodded his acknowledgment, turning to the window and looking longingly out at the mountains leading north.

"I will prepare a ship for our passage. We can travel more swiftly than their large group, perhaps we can catch them before they reach the harbor or beat them to Sendai and prepare an ambush."

"Yes. Find Shiranui, we are leaving within the hour," he turned, leveling his gaze at Amagiri. "Also, contact Princess Sen. Tell her if she wants to help, she will send me five of her best men to use as I see fit. They will accompany us to Sendai. When I spoke to Chizuru, she warned me these new Rasetsu were stronger and faster than the originals. They have her blood in them. I may be confident in my ability to protect her, but we can't take any chances when we have no idea what we might be walking into."

Amagiri turned, disappearing into the deepening dusk. Kazama sighed, Chizuru was proving she attracted trouble like a magnet; first the Shinsengumi, then him, he smirked, and now her brother. At least he could count on his married life being interesting.

He looked wistfully out the window, "And somehow, she has managed to burrow into my heart," he reflected aloud. "I love you, Chizuru," he whispered to the air, testing out this new feeling that was blossoming despite the separation. Sighing heavily, he turned to pack and prepare himself for the chase ahead.