Chapter 16: Ketsui; Resolve

Mikan opened her eyes but shut them quickly from the piercing rays of the relentless sun streaming through from the openings of the leaves.

Groggily, she sat up and found Sumire asleep beside her. Hearing footsteps behind her, she instinctively grabbed her katana and turned to face the sound. However, the footsteps belonged to Natsume. The last person she wanted to see right now.

Immediately, she remembered the memory that she witnessed. She remembered the deal she made with Kami's sword and wondered what memory he had seen. At the same time, she had a hard time swallowing what she witnessed.

Natsume was dismissed from the army because he had killed an innocent person on one of the missions which he was sent on. Known for his coldness, he was called up to Izumi's office.

"You killed an innocent person." Izumi commented while looking at the young soldier.

"I didn't." Natsume said quietly. His three emerald green beads reflected the light from the fireplace.

Mikan was taken aback, she knew Natsume was a member of the army, but she never knew he belonged to the private unit which her father had set up. Her father had always liked the colour green and putting it together with the fact that the colour green was not used in the army, she concluded that Natsume belonged to this unit. Personally, never having seen any tell-tale sign that someone belonged to that small unit, she and the rest of the palace regarded it as a rumour.

"We have witnesses saying that you skewered the man in front of you."

"I did no such thing."

"You were on your way back from your mission and this man came up to you to ask for your help against the bandits that were plundering his home. But you refused him because you were tired. Then the man, in hysteria, pulled on you, and in your irritation, you killed him."

"I did not do that."

"It doesn't take much effort on your part, since you were one of the most agile people in the army." Izumi continued.

Natsume just stood there and shook his head.

"Natsume…" Izumi tried coaxing the young boy.

"I'm telling the truth. I did not kill him. I did not touch a mere hair on that man's head."

"Then what happened?"

"By the time I processed everything, he was dead before me and my sword was in my hand, but I swear, I didn't kill that man."

"Natsume, there's no use in hiding it anymore. The evidence against you is overwhelming. Because of that man's body, the unit has been found out and now must be destroyed. In your hastiness, you caused the fall of your comrades." Izumi was clearly disappointed in the young boy.

"Izumi-sama! I swear! I did not kill him!"

"I chose you from the rest because of your talent but you have let me down Natsume. To take an innocent life is…"

"Trust me! Call Ruka out! He was with me when we were returning! He would tell you that I did not pierce that man!"

Izumi shook his head sadly. "Ruka was one of the people who witnessed your gruesome act."

Silence enveloped the room.

"You are to pack your things and leave the palace by tomorrow morning. Your act should warrant the death penalty but since you have done much for this kingdom, I'm letting it slide. Just disappear and never appear before me or my family again." Izumi gravely instructed.

"I'm not that kind of person who goes around killing people ruthlessly." Natsume tried pleading again. "Please, I have nowhere else to go."

Izumi let out a sigh, "you should have thought about that before you ruthlessly murdered a man in cold blood."

Seeing no other way to argue his cause, Natsume bowed grimly and left the study. Before he closed the door, Izumi spoke.

"Thank you Natsume, for all your contributions. I do regret dismissing one of the best."

Natsume closed the door behind him and walked back to his room. In his frustration, he punched the stone wall with all his might and from the shadows, Ruka walked up to stand beside Natsume.

"Ruka!" Natsume called out and grabbed his friend. "Tell Izumi-sama Ruka!" Natsume pleaded.

Ruka looked at the ground and shook his head slowly.

"TELL HIM! Tell him I didn't do it!"

"I can't Natsume. I went off to investigate some rumors I heard from the animals, but when I returned, I saw with my own two eyes that you stab that innocent man. I know you were tired, and I know it was a mistake, but you can't deny that you killed him."

Natsume couldn't believe what he was hearing. His best friend refused to believe that he did not raise a hand against an innocent man. He knew Ruka for 3 years, yet he couldn't believe that a friend could doubt his character.

"It wasn't me! I have no memories committing that act! You know me better than anyone, I'm not the kind of person who kills without a reason!" Natsume shouted.

Ruka sadly looked at his friend. Maybe the shock of being dismissed is messing around with Natsume's memories.

"Believe me Ruka! I didn't want to do it! I have no memory or desire to kill that man!"

"I'm sorry." Ruka quietly muttered before running away.

Leaving Natsume in the quiet and dark corridor, he collapsed into a pile and anger grew within him. If his best friend, who was with him didn't believe him, that meant no one else will.

"Did you do it?" Mikan asked Natsume who was staring at the sun through his fingers.

"If I said no, would you believe me?" Natsume asked back.

Mikan thought carefully. He was the type of person who could kill without feeling guilt because that was how they were surviving for the past month. If he reasoned saying that the soldiers after them were merely following instructions, they would have been brought back to the palace a long time ago. If that is so, that means he killed that man?

Natsume let out a sigh, "I felt my arms move by itself. Then the whole world went black. When I next saw something, that man was on the ground and my sword was in my hand. My sword was stained red with his blood, but for a moment, it felt like I was instructed to do so."

Mikan remained quiet.

"Look, if you want to doubt me, then by all means. I can't do anything about what you choose to believe, but I know for sure, I didn't kill that man. Besides, even if I'm a killer or not, I'm going through with this whole mission with you."

"Weren't you against the idea of being forced into the role of the Shinigami?" Mikan enquired.

"I was. But after seeing that memory of yours, I realised I was just pushing all my anger onto you. You had no choice in this mission as well. I'm… I'm sorry. Please forgive my rudeness." Natsume bowed and waited for her answer.

"It's all right and… I believe you."

"What?" Natsume was taken aback.

"I believe that you didn't kill the man because you have always exerted self-control. You'd never kill without a reason. But I guess I only know this because I've gotten to know who you really are through your memories."

Natsume remained silent. He felt a strange emotion, relief? It was a long time since that incident but to hear someone say that they believed him, it was really an uplifting thing.

"Thank you." Natsume whispered.

"You're welcome." Mikan beamed at him. "So we're good?"

"Yeah. Let's wake them up and hurry to the town. We have less than a day to make it there." Natsume said while gently tapping Ruka.

Grabbing their things, the group quickly moved towards the harbour.

Hotaru glared at Misaki for the umpteenth time.

"Sorry." Misaki mouthed as they approached the large cave beside the vast ocean.

Despite the roaring of the ocean being echoed within the cave, it also meant that any foreign sound would also be amplified as well.

Pulling the night vision goggles over her eyes, Hotaru waited till she could see everything before taking one step forward to venture deeper into the cave.

After two days of enquiring around for the person they were to find, scarce amount of information pointed them to this cave which was a distance away from the town but yet still close to the port. The priestess had instructed them both to find a person who was 'Master of the Sea'. Thinking that it would be a captain of a ship, they immediately went to the port to search for the person who held this title, but most people would look at them weirdly and shooed them away.

Frustrated at their lack of information on this person, they had to resort to extorting information from the back alleys.

Apparently, this person was a well-known pirate and feared by most captains, including those in the royal navy. He was said to frequent this harbour town when he was on his off days and while most people fear him, the townspeople welcomed him due to the goods he brings back. Sometimes it was rare whale meat, at other times, it was lucrative treasure which he shared. In turn for these goods, most people in the city would never give up his location to the authorities despite being a wanted man.

The only light which was illuminating their path was that from the full moon which shone on their backs. Going deeper into the cave, Hotaru started to hear voices.

Turning around to look at Misaki, she brought a finger up to her lips, indicating that there are people within the cave. Getting closer, Hotaru pushed up her night vision goggles as the light was bright enough. Hiding behind one of the rocks, she and Misaki noted that there were about 20 people in the cave, including those that were standing guard.

2 men stood guard while the rest were in the inner part of the cave, which broadened out and allowed the moonlight to stream through from the top. Picking up a small pebble, Misaki looked to Hotaru for a signal before throwing it as hard as she could behind her.

The stone hit the wall with a loud resonating sound. The men within the cave all heard the loud clack and their heads immediately whipped in the direction of the sound. Tensing up, the two guards drew their weapons and walked towards the sound just as Hotaru had planned.

Both girls pressed their bodies as close to the wall as they possibly could and waited till the guards and a few more men walked past their position before moving closer to the inner cave. Seeing that there were people who went out to investigate the sound, the rest of the pirates went back to their merry making and practically ignored the two intruders who slipped behind a closer rock.

Poking her head out from the larger rock, Misaki looked for a man who had the distinctive description she was told, but like most people unaccustomed to snooping around, she leaned out too far and her foot slipped on the moss growth.

"HOLY S-!" She screamed as she felt herself fall towards the ground.

Opening her eyes, she came face to face with a pair of worn out black boots. Looking up, she found the person she was looking for.

"What have we here? A maid and a chibi." The man chuckled and the whole cave laughed along with him.

Picking herself up quickly, Misaki brushed any dirt that was on her black and white maid's uniform. If she could, she would have chosen to wear any piece of clothes, but since the inn they were staying in needed some help, Misaki was forced to don on their attire.

"It's not chibi." Hotaru coldly replied while being restrained by two burly men.

The man looked towards the young inventor and smirked, "I don't see how someone who's in that position has anything to argue for, chibi. Now…" He turned his attention back to Misaki, "who are you, maid-san?"

"We're…" Misaki began but was cut off by Hotaru.

"We're looking for the Master of the Sea." Hotaru interrupted, clearly annoyed that he refused to renounce his title on her.

"The chibi is looking for the Master of the sea boys!" The man repeated and the whole cave erupted into laughter once again.

"What's so funny?" Misaki asked, irritated that they were being mocked.

The man walked closer to her and Misaki backed up all the way until her back touched the stone cold wall.

"Do you know what it takes to see the Master?" The man smirked and Misaki's eyes wondered to the mark on his face.

The man saw her eyes dart towards his tattoo, and he brought his face close to her ear, "why are you here?" He whispered in her ear.

Chills ran down her arms as she was caught in between the wall and this man. Gripping her fists tightly, she threw away all morals and decided to play along. Bringing her hands up, she placed one on his chest while placing the other on his cheek.

Whispering back, she coyly replied, "we're looking for you, .sa-san." Then immediately bringing her foot up, she stomped on his feet with the back of her boot causing him to curse in pain.

"JEEZ WOMAN! I was only playing with you!" Tsubasa hopped on one foot while his men rushed over to capture Misaki, but he brought his hand up to stop them. "Enough! Stand down men. Let the chibi go as well."

The men who were holding Hotaru didn't need to be told twice as she somehow managed to slip out one of her baka guns and started aiming it at them.

"Oi chibi… ALL RIGHT ALL RIGHT OJOU-SAMA!" Tsubasa hastily changed his way of addressing Hotaru once he was staring down the barrel of her queer invention.

"Hotaru's fine." Her purple eyes flashed with annoyance.

"Hai hai, Hotaru-chan. Please put away your gun. My men will stand down and we can talk civilly." Tsubasa held his hands up nervously.

Lowering her gun, Hotaru replaced it back inside the pouch she was carrying and started to move to the large fire which was in the middle of the cave. After seeing what had happened, the other men were afraid of the ice princess and quickly parted to make a path for her to the fire.

Misaki looked pitifully at the frightened men and then back at Tsubasa, who placed his hands on his hips and shook his head slightly.

"You men are really something. Get some food for them!" The young man shouted, and the men moved quickly to pass both Hotaru and Misaki the food which they were cooking. "Anyway, you mentioned something meeting the Master of the Sea?" Tsubasa threw the question out while grabbing one of the skewers with a roasted fish and munched on it.

Moving to sit near Hotaru and get some warmth, Misaki nodded in reply.

"Why?" Tsubasa bit a large portion of his fish and chewed it.

"Huh?" Misaki furrowed her brows at the man her age.

"Why'd you want to meet me, or rather my crew?" Tsubasa looked strangely at the girl. "No one has ever dared come looking for the famous crew and its captain till you two."

"We're helping our friend who's on a mission."

"Who is said friend and what's the mission?"

"Haven't you heard the news?" Hotaru shot him a glare while snapping a crab's leg in two. She obviously did not appreciate the useless exchange between Tsubasa and Misaki.

"I hear a lot of news. Which one are you referring to in particular Hotaru-chan?"

"The ones about a certain pair of princesses going around the kingdom…"

"AH! And they're to be brought back to the palace?" Tsubasa interjected excitedly. He loved it when people decide to go against authority.

Hotaru nodded and continued, "they're going around the land collecting Alice stones. Do you know the legend that's famous in this land regarding Kami's sword and how a little girl managed to bring about the balance of the world?"

Tsubasa and the rest of his men nodded in anticipation.

"Well… Mikan-hime and Sumire-hime are on that journey now. They will be arriving here shortly to find another stone and they need your help." Misaki explained.

"Wait wait, you said another. Means they've found one already?" Tsubasa asked.

"According to the priestess, they would have obtained the Terra element's stone before moving on to this town. So yes, they're coming here and would be here soon." Misaki's eyes glistened with the dim light.

Tsubasa tried to consolidate the information he was told and rubbed his chin in contemplation, "so… you need me to help you find a stone?"

"Yes." Misaki replied and took a bite out of her given fish.

"I'm assuming this stone would be the aqua one, since we're near the ocean and both of you were tasked with finding the master of the sea."

Hotaru nodded and smiled a little, "you're getting smarter Tsubasa. I'd appreciate if you'd keep this up."

"Hmm… what's in it for me?" Tsubasa turned the tables on them.

Misaki just stared with her mouth agape at the man's question. "Is he an idiot?! How can be thinking of a reward when it's obvious this kingdom will fall to chaos soon?!"

"Hey hey, I wasn't feared as a pirate for nothing. What do I get in return for helping you?" Tsubasa pressed further and his men nodded in agreement.

"How about doing it without a reward so we don't see this land fall to chaos? How about doing it so we can get the right person on the throne again?" Misaki argued.

"But wasn't it the royalty's fault that we're all in this predicament? Why should I help out someone like that?"

Hotaru's eyes narrowed at the impertinent man, "look here, you can go about your merry ways and live in this short-term happiness, or you can help Mikan and company and enjoy a future for your grandchildren. Because from what I'm seeing these few days being here, Kuonji isn't going to let the people prosper. So go ahead and be selfish, if you can live with it."

Everyone looked at the young girl who snapped and deep down inside, they knew she was speaking the truth.

It was only 5 days since the army had arrived in this town, yet they ran it like they had been living here for years. They entered inns and pubs, ate their fill, and left without paying a cent. They harassed people who stood up against them and took whatever they liked from shops. If people directed their anger against them, they would simply turn it on the two princesses who ran away and blamed the increase on taxes on them. They claimed that because the princesses ran away, they required more funds to capture and bring them back to the palace.

Worst still, those who revolted were captured and sent away. Word had been going around saying that they have been placed in concentration camps to mine for more gold and silver ore for the kingdom.

"All right." Tsubasa broke everyone's train of thoughts, "I'm in but don't expect my whole crew to be. They're like my family and I don't want them getting tangled with the army for no reason."

"Captain!"

"Don't say that!"

"We'll follow you to the end!"

His men protested loudly.

Raising one hand to silence them, Tsubasa spoke again. "Those who want to join are doing so at their own peril. Those who want to be left out are free to do so and there will be nothing held against them. If you are keen to join in this battle against the authorities, say aye!"

"AYE!" The whole cave shook with their resounding voices.

Tsubasa smiled and looked at the two young women.

"So… what's my first action ladies?"

Hotaru stuffed the last bit of crab into her mouth before pulling out a map handed to her by the priestess.

"We need to gain back control of the port, otherwise we won't be able to set sail for our destination. Here's the plan."

Natsume did not like what he was seeing from his point of view. No, he absolutely detested it. The only way into the harbour town was being guarded heavily by a patrol unit.

"Dammit, they've moved so quickly!"

Obviously unhappy that his plans had been disrupted, he suggested that they went around the perimeter to try and sneak in. While sneaking round, Natsume noted that there were at least three patrol groups walking around the perimeter and every suspicious person they met, they interrogated relentlessly.

"How are we supposed to enter?" Ruka whispered.

"Ruka, try using your Alice to see if there's a route in." Natsume suggested and Ruka nodded.

In a few minutes, a few mice and bats told him that there was an inn on the outskirts of the town which was not really frequented by the patrol groups. Reporting this piece of news, they moved quickly and found the inn. Looking around to make sure there were no army personal, they entered the inn.

"We're not open! Get out!" An older lady yelled once she heard the bell at the door jingle.

"I'm sorry, we were told this was our best bet in finding accommodation for the night." Ruka bowed and apologised.

"Hmph, do you have the coins?" The older lady stared menacingly at them.

Sumire looked around at the inn and noted how unkempt it was. At that moment, a young boy tripped out of the kitchen and the pots in his hands flew out, landing on the ground with a loud clang.

"Zen! I told you to go to bed! What are you doing out here?" The older lady chided the child while picking him off the ground.

"I wanted to help you and otou-san." The boy started sobbing.

"There there, don't cry." The woman wiped the tears streaming down the boy's face.

"Erm… we have money but I'd also like to offer my help." Sumire spoke up and the woman gave her a dumbfounded look.

"You don't look like the type who could handle kitchen work, miss." The lady replied curtly.

Sumire tried again, "I'm a fast learner and you obviously look like you need the help. I'm going to be around for a few days and in that time, I will help you in whatever you need."

The lady thought carefully before pulling out a key from her apron pocket.

"We only have one room left, if you don't mind squeezing. I will take you up on your offer as well dearie. After the army's arrival, things in this town just went from bad to worst. How are people like me supposed to keep our livelihoods if the army comes in here, ravages everything on the menu, and leave without paying?!" The woman was obviously infuriated.

Ruka took out two gold coins and placed them on the counter in front of the woman. "Look, if it helps, we'll pay this much in advance. Thank you very much."

"Thank you very much." The group answered in unison and bowed.

"Hmm, there's still some respectful people I see. Come, it's late and I'll show you to your rooms." The woman started walking ahead and opened one of the doors behind the staircase leading to the second floor. "I need you up at dawn to help with the chores. Sorry for the squeeze. Goodnight." The lady bowed and left.

Looking at the two beds in front of them, the boys laid out on the floor, using their bags as pillows while the girls took the bed at their insistence. Unlacing their boots, the four of them crawled to bed and fell asleep straight away.

Since they could remember, this would be one of the rare nights they could get a restful sleep.