TENCHU: Assassin Resurrection


" My eyes only see darkness...
My skin burns like white-hot fire...
I can't fight it...
I can't move...
Help me...
Ayame...
Help me...
Please..."

Ayame awoke in cold sweat and her whole body shivered. "That dream again?" She said. "What does it mean? That voice...calling my name?"
~
Chapter 1
Return to the Shadows

Ayame stepped out of her home in the Azuma village and looked out at the bamboo forest. The villagers were up and about when she awoke earlier that morning. Lord Gohda had sent for her services and she was to leave for the castle at once. "It's been six months since my last job," she thought. "I wonder how Princess Kiku is doing?" Without a second thought, she set off for the bamboo forest.

"Oh father! Father! Good morning to you father!"

Lord Gohda looked up to see Kiku skipping into his chambers.

"My dear Kiku, you seem quite content this morning!"

Kiku smiled and replied, "Today Big Sister Ayame is coming! I haven't seen her in six months! Not since..."

Suddenly Kiku's smile disappeared and her face now had a look of grief upon it. Lord Gohda remained silent. He knew how much guilt Kiku felt but he did not know what to say.

"Kiku, it's all in the past. We needn't worry about it any longer." Kiku looked down at her feet and slowly nodded. "Come; let's prepare to meet Ayame," he said as they walked out of his room together.

The birds chirped and flew through the sky above the trees. Ayame swiftly moved through the forest like the wind, her mind set on greeting her beloved little sister Kiku.

"Ayame..."

A voice echoed through the bamboo trees and drew nearer and nearer. Ayame stopped and looked around her. The voice came closer and closer until it reached Ayame's ear and in an almost frightened whisper, it called her again. Her eyes widened and she drew her blades, striking in the direction the voice came. A bamboo tree fell to her feet. Cold sweat began to run down her neck and coarse the seams of her clothes.

"It was that voice again, that voice. My memory... I've tried so hard and yet, that voice only speaks to spite me." She said as she stared at the fallen bamboo tree.

"Rikimaru, its you isn't it? Your soul cannot rest, why? I've no time for this I am needed by Lord Gohda" she said and continued on her way.

Ayame stepped out of the forest and stood before the gates of the castle. She smiled and jumped onto the castle walls.

Lord Gohda sat in his chamber, waiting rather impatiently for Ayame to arrive. Princess Kiku looked out the window at the people in the city below.

Without warning, Ayame somersaulted through the window and appeared kneeling before Lord Gohda.

"Forgive me for being late. I just had to fend off a few courtiers" said Ayame with her usual cocky voice.

"Well Ayame, it seems your body has changed a bit but you're still the same slightly selfish woman we all know." Said Lord Gohda. Ayame raised one eyebrow and turned her attention to Kiku who was on the ground almost in shock.

" Heh, did I scare you Kiku?" Kiku stood up and smiled.

"N-Not at all, Ayame! You know you can never scare me!" Ayame smiled and turned back to face Lord Gohda.

"You sent for me?" she asked.

"Yes, I have a job for you Ayame. Can you handle it on your own? You always had him with you before."

"I can do this on my own!" She shouted. I don't need Rikimaru to go on a mission! I'm not a child anymore!"

There was a long pause. "I'm sorry Sir, I forgot my place."

"Your beauty grows each day. It would be a shame for your life to end now. But, if it please you Ayame. To the north of here lies a mountain high above the clouds. Go through the forests in the west and make your way along the roads leading north. A group of rogue ninjas are there; they have been terrorizing the countryside and their tyranny has claimed countless lives. They have even gone so far as to capture Sekiya. Go rescue Sekiya, learn of the faction's motives and if necessary destroy them all. Show no mercy; I will not have them claim any more lives." Said Gohda.

Without a word, Ayame exited through the window and disappeared amongst the villagers in the city below.

In the next chapter of TENCHU: Assassin Resurrection, Ayame finds herself in a whirlwind of memories and an old friend in her arms. Next chapter Mysterious Reunion