Shinku Raikou (Crimson Lightning)
-Chapter Ten-
When the weary samurai and women arrived at the Firefly Inn, they were greeted by a chuckling Yukino.
"Akane-sama has already told me you would arrive soon, she also asked me to remind you that you lost," she laughed quietly and allowed them free stay which they gladly welcomed.
Katsu watched quietly as Kambei asked Yukino where Akane was. The geisha smiled and pointed upwards with her fan to the roof.
"You can't miss her."
Kambei nodded his thanks and left outside to find her. Katsushiro, eager to find Akane, was also curious as to the two older samurai's relationship. As far as he could tell, she and Kyuzo seemed to be together, so was Kambei on the end of unrequited love?
Kambei left outside of the Firefly Inn and as soon as he stepped out into the koi gardens, heard beautiful flute music coming from the roof. He smiled with closed eyes, recalling the same music from the Great War. It had puzzled him and Shichiroji when they first heard it, only to discover now that it had been Akane all along. Opening his eyes, he climbed onto the rooftop and found Akane as easily as Yukino had said. She sat on the edge of the roof with her legs crossed; eyes closed as she played her Japanese flute beautifully. For a while he just stood there and listened until the last note trailed away and she looked back at him with a smile.
"Figured me out already?" she patted the space beside her, gesturing for him to sit with her, "I used to love playing the flute when I was younger, it always seemed to bring people to me so I used to play it when I was sad or lonely...like during the Great War."
They sat silently, gazing out into the night, fireflies floating round languidly, their green light casting over their faces.
"You left with Kyuzo-dono," his voice was quiet, on the edge of a whisper, "so why did you return to the Capital and meet with us?"
Akane was silent, nothing slipped from her face or eyes until she held out her hand, one finger outstretched and a firefly landed on her finger. Slowly bringing it to her face, she smiled slightly.
"I know the root of your question Kambei, I am no fool..." she watched as the firefly flew off into the air, "I love Kyuzo with all my heart, but don't think you are forgotten," she turned to him with one of her warm smiles, a true one that she only shared with a few people, "you still are held deep in here," she tapped the place over her heart, "and will be forever."
Kambei looked at her, unable to tear his eyes away from her beauty. The scar she had covered up before was now in the open and only seemed to enhance her beauty. Part of him wanted to lean in and kiss her, to announce that he had never forgotten her, always blamed himself for her death and never wanted to let go of her again. But that was a dwindling part of him. She loved Kyuzo, and had done for longer than she and Kambei had loved. Maybe it had been a fleeting love through the Great War when both had needed someone to speak with, someone to find comfort with, someone to lose themselves in. Still, if it was, it was a love not forgotten and he doubted he would ever forget.
"Come," she took his hand and stood up, "lets go inside before we freeze."
Kambei's face softened and allowed himself to be led back inside, content with her warm hand in his. Both were unaware of Katsushiro hiding in the shadows below and had listened to their conversation. He felt guilty for listening to such a deep talk between two samurai. Even more when it contained their love for each other. He felt his heart go out to his sensei for being unable to be with Akane, yet at the same time was glad that Akane had found her true love in Kyuzo.
'Love is such a confusing thing,' he thought, shaking his head as he returned inside, Yukino pouring them all drinks.
Akane was sat beside Kambei; Katsu sat to the side with Yukino facing the two samurai. Komachi was asleep with Kikuchi watching over her. Kirara came out from Sanae's room with a sad look.
"How is she?" asked Yukino.
"Mizuki-san is taking care of her," she sat beside Yukino and was giving a cup also, she stared into her cup, "how something could like this happen..."
Kambei held his chin in thought, "she truly longed for the Emperor."
Katsu seemed angry about the whole situation until Kirara put him in his place.
"How could you understand? We have bled for the Nobuseri for rice; we were only kept alive for the rice..."
Akane lowered her eyes as a feeling of guilt washed over her, "back then I refused to use my swords again, yes I couldn't leave them behind, but I didn't use them to take another life," they looked at her now, Kirara's hands clasped in her lap, "so I fought the Nobuseri without my swords...this time they had two Raiden and I was injured, almost killed until...Sanae offered herself to save me and the others," her hands curled into fists, "I was a coward hiding behind a mask and cloak."
"Enough," Kambei spoke gently with his eyes closed, "that is the past now."
"Look who's talking," Kikuchi suddenly spoke and sat in at Kambei's other side.
"What she needs now is Rikichi-kun," Masamune said wisely.
Kambei suddenly stood up and drew his katana, hitting Kikuchi on the head with the flat side and Katsu on the shoulder with the dull side of the blade before sheathing it.
"You fools!"
With that Katsu ran out, a red mark on his face and Kirara running after him. Akane sighed and leant back on the floor, hands behind her head and one leg crossed over her bent knee.
"What will you do now?" asked Masamune.
"It is up to Katsushiro," Kambei spoke with his arms crossed.
Masamune looked at Kikuchi, "I would have thought you would have been one of the first to die."
Kikuchiyo finished his meal, "what? After watching him for a while," he looked at Kambei, "I stopped wanting to be like him!" he put his bowl down, "nope! Plus, I think Katsushiro would rather be like Akane-sama."
At this, said crimson haired woman scoffed, "why would someone with half a brain cell want to be like me?" she asked without opening her eyes, "I'm a coward with blood on my hands, not to mention a real bad side to me and the constant fighting."
Kikuchi hit his metal chest, "because you are a samurai! Unlike grumpy over there, you can laugh, smile and have a good time even during a fight."
She opened one crimson eye and looked at him before closing her eye again and standing up, picking up her swords from the floor.
"See you later, there's something I want to check," before heading out.
Kambei finished his drink slowly, eyes downcast before standing and leaving also. He headed slowly out until he came to the top of the stairs. Below sat Yukino and Kirara talking quietly before Akane joined them. This made him pause with curiosity and kept himself silent to listen.
"Will you join us Akane-sama?" Yukino asked.
The female samurai smiled and nodded before sitting at Yukino's other side. One of Yukino's arms were round Kirara, the other pulled Akane into a warm hug which she gladly accepted.
"It's like being held by my mother," Kirara whispered with a small smile.
Akane nodded with closed eyes, "it's been so long I barely remember what my mother looks like..." the arm round Akane tightened lightly.
They separated slightly to talk as Yukino told Kirara her wise words.
"You should live more for yourself Kirara-dono."
"But..." Kirara looked down.
"No, no," Yukino was smiling, "you're always too serious, be like Akane-sama, lazy."
The three women laughed as Akane pouted lightly.
"The reason you came was because you are worried about him," Yukino spoke.
Kirara's crystal lit up telling them the truth. Akane looked at Kirara with an unreadable expression.
"You're still young; women need to be more open with their feelings," Yukino smiled, "isn't that right Akane-sama?"
"What?" Akane blinked before looking away embarrassed, a small blush across her face, "I'm actually quite shy to say I'm round men usually."
Yukino smiled widely, "Oh? Go on then, who has your heart?"
Up on the stairs, Kambei gripped the banister tightly, his eyes on Akane's back, knowing she would say Kyuzo. She paused and it made the hurt worsen.
'Say it Akane, just say it and put this heart at rest!'
"It's hard...." she almost whispered and his heart momentarily stilled, "so many reside in my heart, it's hard to say who has taken it...but yes, there are two who have taken my heart and it is hard to choose...so very hard..."
Kambei realised he wasn't breathing and sucked in his breath quietly. So she hadn't chosen. Once again parts of him were battling each other. Then he realised, what about Kyuzo? Kyuzo had been alone in life as long as he had but Kyuzo and Akane were childhood friends, separated cruelly by the Great War and love like that could not be simply tossed aside for another.
'I will lose her...' he thought knowing it was true, 'and I will be happy for her and Kyuzo.'
Akane had her eyes closed and while she did her senses soared, picking up movement outside. Her hand twitched slightly to her katanas which didn't go unnoticed by Yukino.
"Akane-sama?"
"I'll be back soon," Akane stood and smiled at them, "thanks for the talk, I think it's good to get things in the open."
"You can talk to me about anything...Akane-chan."
Akane smiled at that and bowed her head before heading outside to face the waiting assassins.
Once outside the Inn, she watched as around six mechanical assassins leapt from the water and she ran forwards. A crimson blur moved to her side and she smiled at seeing Kyuzo. Both drew their two katanas and sliced the assassins in a deadly dance within seconds. The final assassin ran at them but another sword cut it down leaving Kambei in its place. Kikuchi came running over and was ready to fight.
"You're a bit late," Akane snickered.
Kambei looked at Kyuzo, "you came all the way here?"
"These assassin's were after you, that's why I killed them," he had his back to Kambei.
Kikuchi laughed, "I knew deep down you really cared about Kanna Village!"
"Don't misunderstand," Kyuzo spoke emotionlessly, "I'm just waiting for my job to be done."
Kikuchi blew off steam, "how nasty!" that's when they spotted the shaking body behind a tree, that didn't even fit behind the tree's thin body.
"Hey, isn't that Maro?" asked Akane with a raised eyebrow.
He came out of hiding and looked up at Akane oddly, a mixture between curiousness, awe and...pity?
"A...Are you...the Akane?" he asked cautiously.
She blinked and sheathed her blades either side with a click making him jump to her satisfaction, "yeah, what of it?"
He was wringing his hands together as if nervous, "erm...d-do you kn-know of a T-T-Tanomo?"
Akane's eyes widened in shock, paling slightly before her eyes narrowed dangerously. In a flash of steel one of her blades were poised at his neck, the top barely millimetres from his skin as he started to sweat considerably.
"How do you know him? Answer me!" she growled angrily.
Maro squeaked in fear, "h-h-h-h-he's th-th-th-the h-h-h-h-head of th-th-th-the N-N-Nobuseri!! H-H-He was asking f-f-for information on y-y-you!"
"And what did you tell him?" her eyes narrowed further, her blade nicking his skin lightly causing his eyes to widen to the size of saucers.
"Akane!" Kambei almost shouted at her, trying to reign in the anger that had come over her for reasons unknown.
"What. Did. You. Tell. Him."
"N-N-N-N-NOTHING!!!" he whimpered pathetically.
Akane drew back her sword and sheathed it quickly before Kikuchi rounded on her.
"Hey! Hey! What was that for? He hasn't done anything to you!"
"Mentioning that name alone is a death wish," Akane spoke coldly before brushing past him and walking back inside the Inn.
Kirara smiled as she entered but Akane could barely smile back, instead headed out into the koi gardens and leapt up onto the roof, sitting on the edge to calm herself with the night air. Below her, she could hear the others walk in and Kirara ask what was wrong with Akane.
"We don't know," Kambei sighed, "she just got very angry over the name of the leader of the Nobuseri."
'You could put it that way,' she mentally sighed before pulling out her flute. It really had been too long since she had played it. Earlier she had had the sudden urge to play it from being far from Kyuzo yet it had brought Kambei to her, turning her heart and mind into a turmoil of emotions. Placing the flute to her lips she closed her eyes and wondered who her music would bring this time.