Chapter 9

The Bet

Goemon, the men and I returned back to Takara Village. I hope Mamoru Masaru is pleased with Goemon's recruits. They did wonderful defeating the Chiyoko ninjas in Yuichi Village… Goemon told me that Mamoru is going to train all of us hard because Mamoru feels that the Shinobu will attack us very soon. Goemon also told me that he was really nervous for us, which made me feel unease. Goemon is ALWAYS confident, so him saying he's nervous really is a big deal. But as soon as we came back to Takara, we found out Sakura, Yamato, Hiroko, and Osamu found recruits too, so at least we got more men on our side. Jun tried to recruit people from the Shinobu, but they refuse to go against his father… Jun wasn't in a pleasant mood because of it, but I don't blame him. He didn't say it, but I think he feels alone and neglected.

"Goemon, good job in recruiting these men!" Mamoru praised.

"It was nothing." Goemon grinned.

"We should start training right away! Meet me at the dojo!" Mamoru ordered.

"Damn, I just got back too. Alright." Goemon sighed then turned his attention to me. "I'll be back, but you should get some sleep since you didn't get a whole lot last night."

He was right after we defeated the Chiyoko ninjas; the men, Goemon and I just left Yuichi to come back here. We didn't stop to take a break.

I wasn't tired, though, but I just nodded. "Alright. I'll see you soon."

Goemon left me and I went into town to see if anyone wanted to hang out with me. All the high-ranking ninjas were training, so the only person I could hang out with is Naomi. As I went searching for her, I saw Falitna. Geez, doesn't she ever train?

"Commodore." She greeted me bluntly.

"Shouldn't you be training?" I asked in a sour tone.

"Nope, I don't feel like it."

"Whatever." I wasn't in the mood for her today, so I went to leave her, but she roughly grabbed my wrist.

"You aren't going anywhere!" She shouted.

"What do you want?!"

"I want to make a bet with you…" She had evil in her eyes.

"Why would I make a bet with you?!" I wonder what she is up to.

"It's about Goemon."

"Then no." Does she think I am stupid? She's a very sneaky person; she is probably trying to ruin our relationship.

"Hear me out first!"

"Fine." I knew she wouldn't let this go until I at least hear her out.

"We should do a friendly sparring match. If I win I go on ONE date with Goemon-"

"NO!" I interrupted her.

"LET ME FINISH!" She yelled in annoyance. "If YOU win then I will leave you and Goemon alone."

I hesitated for a second. That would be really nice if she would FINALLY leave us alone, but I am no match for her… She is a high-ranking ninja after all… BUT my life would be SO much easier if she was off our backs.

"There's one more thing I wanted…" I can't believe I am caving into her…

"Yeah?"

"You AND the village girls have to leave us alone."

Falitna grinned like she won a title to be queen. "I can see what I can do…"

"Alright, then I am in." Something tells me I will regret this…

"GREAT!" Falitna stretched out her hand for a handshake.

I took a deep breath then accepted her handshake.

"We will do this in the woods…. NOW!" She grinned.

"NOW?!" Geez, I thought I could at least train a little first!

"Yes, now! Let us go!"

Without another word, Falitna and I walked side-by-side to fight. People around examined us, but Falitna decided to announce to everyone that we are fighting for Goemon. Everyone in the village was interested. (Wow, they must not really have a life if they cared so much). Everyone followed us into the woods and circled around Falitna and I. I hope I don't regret this, but I won't give Goemon up even for a night. I will win and Falitna and the village girls will finally give us peace.

"Ready?" Falitna wielded a small fan.

I grabbed my bow and arrow and positioned it. "Yeah."

"Let's begin!" She flicked her wrist so that a gust of wind from her fan was coming towards me.

I immediately dropped and rolled away from the wind. Damn, it almost hit me! I hurried and shot my arrow at her with my bow, but she blocked it by slashing it with the wind from her fan. I hurried and dropped my bow on the ground, and I grabbed shurikens from the inside of my kimono and threw them at her. She dodged them effortlessly. She then charged at me and started to punch! I blocked every punch with my arms, but she was going too fast! I jumped back and threw more shurikens at her, but AGAIN she dodged them. The villagers around us were silent. They weren't cheering or anything, just examining us. I was happy that they were quiet so I could concentrate. She started to keep attacking me with the winds from her fan. Her fan reminded me of Jun's power. The wind was strong and powerful, but I will not give up! I'm grateful I didn't get hurt yet, but she doesn't even have a scratch on her either. As she kept attacking me with her winds, I kept dodging them, but they were close calls every time she attacked. I started to shoot arrows at her with my bow, but she kept blocking them with her fan. As we kept trying to attack and dodge each other's moves, I heard a voice.

"ANYA!" It was Naomi!

"Can't talk, I am busy at the moment!" I grunted. I was really getting frustrated that I wasn't hitting Falitna at all!

"I heard what your bet is! Break it off, Anya! Goemon is going to get mad, and you're going to get hurt!" Naomi warned.

"No! I want her to leave him and me alone for good!" I started to throw kunai knives this time, but that didn't help. She, of course, kept blocking them. She then flicked her wrist and aimed at the ground… I thought that was pointless until I realize that's what Jun does with his sword. Before I could react, the gush of wind hit me!

"AH!" I fell backwards, but I hurried and got back up. It really hurt! I looked down on my body and the side of my body was bruised and I was bleeding!

"That's it! I am getting Goemon!" Naomi huffed.

"NO!" I called after her, but she was gone.

"Ha, ready to give up?" Falitna laughed out loud.

"No, you only hit me once!" It did hurt, though.

"TAKE THIS!" She went to attack me again with the wind, but I jumped away. There was no way I was going to get hurt from her fan again!

I kept shooting arrows from my bow, but I wasn't quick with my attacks like she was. This is A LOT harder than I thought. I knew she would be a tough opponent, but I didn't think THIS tough. Goemon has trained me well, but I wasn't even compared on Falitna's level. She then threw a kunai knife at me! I went to dodge it, but it was too late. It hit me on the shoulder.

"Damn…" I was on one knee.

"Goemon WILL be, mine!" She laughed obnoxiously.

I went to pull out the kunai knife from my shoulder, but it was really stuck in there! I wasn't going to give up this easy even though I started to feel numb. I should've listened to Goemon and just went to go take a nap. He is going to kill me!

"Anya!" Goemon pushed passed the crowd and kneeled down next to me.

Naomi came rushing too. She stood next to Goemon. "Thank goodness you aren't passed out yet!"

"Move! We aren't done fighting yet." Falitna hissed.

"ENOUGH!" Goemon glared at her. "The bet is off!"

"If she forfeits, then you get to take me on a date tonight!" Falitna said.

"That is not going to happen," Goemon muttered as he examined my shoulder. "Dammit Anya."

"She shook my hand, so you have to!" Falitna argued.

Goemon deeply sighed. "Why did you bet me like that?" He sounded pissed.

"I…" I couldn't help but stutter. This was a mistake…

"Answer me." He looked into my eyes.

"If I won then she and the village girls would leave us alone. I thought it would be nice…"

"That was stupid, Anya! You were no match for her!" He said sternly.

"Of course she was no match for me!" Falitna snorted.

"Stay out of this!" Goemon shouted.

"Just be ready for tonight, love." She winked and left us.

The other villagers frowned and they followed after her back in the village. I couldn't help but to feel really guilty. Naomi took the hint and left Goemon and I alone. I couldn't even look at him in the eyes. I was embarrassed and upset at the same time.

"How could you do this to me?" He whispered as he slowly tried to take the kunai knife out of my shoulder. "Why are you so reckless?"

"Why are you acting so surprised that I am reckless?" I tried to make a joke about it, hoping to ease the conversation, but it wasn't working. He was very angry with me… I clenched my teeth together as he pulled the kunai knife out from my shoulder.

"Not only did you bet me like I am some type of sex slave, but you got injured badly."

"You aren't going to have sex with her are you?!" I started to freak! Why would he call himself a "sex slave"?

"Let's go back to the village. You need to see a doctor." Goemon slowly lifted me off the ground, holding me like a newborn.

"Wait, you didn't answer my question!" I didn't even think that Falitna would seduce him… I am so stupid!

"It's funny," he muttered as he started to carry me back to the village.

"What?"

"You worry that all these women are all over me, yet you make a bet with another woman to go on a date with me. You don't make sense at all."

I couldn't even answer him. He was right, that didn't make sense at all… I thought I was helping our relationship, but I was only making it a lot worse. He had every right to be mad at me. I would've been mad at him if he bet me like that.

*~*~*~*~*Temptation~*~*~*~*

Goemon took me to the village's hospital and I lied there, waiting for the doctor to see me. Goemon stayed with me, but I can tell he wanted nothing to do with me. He wouldn't even look me in the eyes, but he kept staring at my bruised body. It's sweet that he still cares for me even though I did something stupid that made him angry.

"Are you going to sleep with her?" I couldn't help but to ask.

"Are you worried?"

"I…" It's my fault that she gets a chance to hang out with him…

"No, I am not going to sleep with her." He shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong. I really messed up." I really was sorry. What I did was so uncalled for. I can't believe Falitna talked me into doing that stupid bet.

"There's nothing we can do. I'll just go on that stupid date and be done with it," he whispered.

"Where are you going to take her?" I asked curiously.

"Why do you care?" His tone was harsh.

"I'm curious."

"Probably dinner in town. Nothing special." He shrugged.

"Oh."

"Hello, Goemon." The doctor came in. "Oh, your girlfriend is injured, not you."

"Yeah, she bet on me and lost." Goemon rolled his eyes.

"So I heard." The doctor gave me a weak smile. Great, it's going around how I lost Goemon… It is only for one night, though… Right?

"Can we not talk about this?" I pleaded.

"Let me examine you." The doctor changed the subject as he studied my wounds.

"I have to get back to the dojo to train. Can I trust you to stay here until I get back?" Goemon gave me a cold glare.

"Yeah," I said in a small voice.

"Alright, I'll see you. Thanks doctor for checking on her." With that, Goemon left us.

"He sure loves and cares for you," the doctor said as he continued to look at my wounds.

"Yeah, I know." I felt guilty again. What kind of a person am I?! I can't believe I did that to him…

*~*~*~*~*Temptation~*~*~*~*

I was still lying on the hospital bed. The doctor left me to rest after he applied medicine and band-aids on me. He also gave me pills that made me feel all loopy. The whole room was spinning. I could not see straight to save my life…

"Anya?" Goemon finally came back from training.

"Hey!" I was very happy to see him. I went to get up to hug him, but Goemon forced me to stay lying down.

"Let me carry you…" Goemon said gently.

"I want to hug you!" What am I saying? That medicine must've gone to my head…

"Stop…" Goemon picked me up off the hospital bed in a baby cradle.

I obeyed him and he took me back to his room and laid me down on his bed. He was still very pissed at me. Every time I tried to touch his face he would flinch away. How can I get him to forgive me? As I ponder the thought he went to take a bath to get ready for his date. I felt my beating heartache. I wish I never made that bet with Falitna, now I am a fool and he's mad at me…. Do I have the right to be jealous when it's all, my fault?

I heard someone open the door. Is Goemon done already? But, it wasn't him.

"Hey." Jun came in and sat on the bed next to me.

"Hi." I was happy to see him, but he looked sad… "What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing…" He sighed. "I was wondering if you were okay. I heard what happened…"

"Yeah, I am fine." Thanks to these painkillers. They made me feel numb, but my heart still ached.

"Do you want to do something tonight to get your mind off this date?" He asked.

"What did you have in mind?" I wouldn't mind hanging out with Jun, and by the looks of it, he needs company too. Maybe he will tell me what is wrong with him…

"I don't know. Want to go to the town's bar?"

"Sure!" Alcohol makes EVERYTHING better.

"Wait, maybe we shouldn't since you took those painkillers…"

"No, no! I want to go drinking, please?" I begged.

Jun closed his eyes and inhaled. "Oh, alright. I'll come back for you later. Don't take any more painkillers. See you soon." Jun left me with my thoughts about Goemon's date.

*~*~*~*~*Temptation~*~*~*~*

Goemon returned to the room, but he didn't greet me. He was too busy getting ready. Why was he so into this date all of a sudden? I also can smell him from across the room. He smelled REALLY good. Why would he smell good for her? I started to feel paranoid. Was it the medicine?

"Goemon?"

He didn't answer. He was in his closet picking out a kimono.

"Goemon…" I repeated his name. Is he punishing me? Will he go through with sleeping with her?

"What?" He finally answered me.

"Um…" Now, what do I say?!
"Can I trust you to stay in bed? I'll have Sakura check up on you to make sure you obey my orders." He asked over his shoulder. He wouldn't even look at me!

"Actually I was going to hang with Jun to forget this whole date thing you are doing."

"You are hanging with Jun?" He didn't sound pleased with the idea.

"Yeah."

"What are you two going to do?" He curiously asked. That's it? Doesn't he care I will be hanging out with him?

"Um, we are going into the town's bar."

"You shouldn't be drinking since you took those painkillers."

"I'll be fine! Honest." I went to sit up from the bed, but my body refused, so I just stayed lying down. How am I going to go out tonight?

"Alright. Just be careful." Was all Goemon said to me; he sure doesn't care about me anymore. Maybe that's what these pills want me to think… No, he would've told me that it wasn't safe and I should just stay in bed all night…

I didn't say anything else to Goemon. I left him alone get ready in peace. I just stayed lying down, staring at the ceiling.

*~*~*~*~*Temptation~*~*~*~*

Goemon finally was done getting ready, and I couldn't help but to stare at him. He looked amazing! Why would he look this good for Falitna? I mean, he ALWAYS looks good, but he really put effort for this date. I felt like someone kicked my stomach hard. Goemon didn't bother to say anything to me… He left without saying goodbye. I hurried to the window and ducked down. I wanted to see what Falitna looked like. I saw her outside and she looked flawless. She had a light blue kimono on that looked very sexy on. Her boobs were overflowing. I then saw Goemon walk up to her and they both linked arms. Why are they linking arms?! Falitna laughed very obnoxiously, making me feel very ill. She looked up and gave me a huge smirk.

"That dirty bitch." I thought to myself. She sure is the devil's daughter…

After Goemon and Falitna were out of my sight, I forced myself to get ready. I was going to cancel on Jun, but then I would be driving myself crazy if I stayed in bed all night, wondering what Falitna and Goemon were doing the whole night… I put on a red kimono, took more painkillers, and fixed my hair up. It was hard to get ready because my body felt all, numb, but I ignored it. If he can go out, then so can I!

"Hey." Jun came in the room.

"Hi," I said cheerfully. I finished pinning my hair up.

"You look stunning."

I couldn't help but blush. I need a compliment since I've been through hell all day… "Thank you. You look good too!"

"Shall we?" He asked.

"We shall!"

*~*~*~*~*Temptation~*~*~*~*

"Did you take any more painkillers?" Jun asked after he ordered us drinks from the bar.

"No." I lied. If I told him the truth, then he would only make me drink a little. I wanted to get really drunk tonight to forget all about this stupid date Goemon is on.

"Alright." Jun didn't seem suspicious.

We got our drinks from the bartender and we both chugged them. Not only was I going through hell, but Jun was too.

"So, are you finally going to tell me what is wrong?" I set my empty glass down on the bar.

"I'm just annoyed," he whispered.

"Why?"

"I thought I could recruit Shinobu samurais, but I guess they favor my father more than me."

"That's probably not it." I disagree. "It's hard to go against your own people, you know?"

Jun looked like he thought about what I just said. "Yeah, it is hard… I just wished Alvah agreed with me, but he didn't."

"You asked him?"

"Yeah, he said he thought it was stupid for me to go against father, and he said he wanted nothing to do with this," Jun explained.

"I see… Well, at least you have Goro!" I tried my best to cheer him up.

"Ha, Yeah." Jun chuckled.

*~*~*~*~*Temptation~*~*~*~*

Jun and I kept drinking. I think we were on our fifth round? I don't know… We were having a lot of fun, though. I am not going to lie, but he helped me forget about Goemon's date for a little while. I mean it was in the back of my mind, but it wasn't driving me crazy. I was also helping Jun get his mind off of the Shinobu and his brother. Jun and I should hang more one on one. He is really a fun guy. (I swear I say this every time we hang out). We cheered and clang our glasses together for our sixth round.

"I just notice we keep gulping and gulping all our drinks." I hiccupped. I was starting to feel a little drunk.

"We always gulp our drinks down."

"That's true." I was feeling different, though. Maybe I shouldn't have taken those damn pills before I came here, but I didn't want to feel pain from my wounds!

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah!" I shook it off. I can't let Jun find out I took those pills. He would be pissed at me. I REALLY didn't need another person pissed at me...

"ANYA!" Sakura and Kenichi sat next to us.

"Hey, guys!" I was happy to see them.

"I wouldn't be so happy to see us, Anya," Kenichi said in all seriousness.

"Why?" My stomach drop…

"We saw Goemon and Falitna together and they were all into each other!" Sakura answered.

"WHAT?!" I couldn't believe my ears!

"Anya, Goemon wouldn't do that to you." Jun rolled his eyes as he ordered us more drinks.

"But, Kenichi and Sakura said-" I was starting to feel hurt… Would Goemon really cheat on me?

"Anya, no one would ever cheat on you. You are one of a kind… Guys would kill for you." Jun interrupted.

"AWE!" Kenichi and Sakura shouted out loud.

I couldn't help but blush. "R-really?"

"Yes." Jun blushed as he handed me another drink.

"We are being serious, though." Kenichi killed the mood. "Goemon is really into Falitna. Don't be shocked if he doesn't come back in his room tonight."

Sakura hit Kenichi in the head. "Geez. You could've said it without being so blunt about it!"

"I'm just being honest!" Kenichi rubbed his head.

"Let's not talk about it anymore. Let's just drink up!" My voice was shaky. I didn't want them to think I was upset even though it was killing me inside, but I don't want to ruin Jun's night.

"Anya…" Sakura knew I was hiding my emotions.

"It's fine." I gave her a weak smile. "But, seriously, let's drink up!"

Jun, Kenichi, Sakura, and I started to drink together. I tried to forget about Goemon and Falitna, but it kept haunting my mind. This was no good at all. It's like the more I drink, the more I think about him and it was destroying me. I didn't let the other's know, though. They were having a great time. I didn't want to ruin it for them. Maybe Jun is still upset too, but he's doing the same thing as me and was hiding his emotions from the others; I just wanted to lie on the floor and start sobbing, but I know I couldn't do something crazy like that. After a couple more drinks… I couldn't remember anything else, just darkness.