Chapter 5 Broken Swords
The wind blew cold in the night and there was an eerie silence in the darkness that surrounded the tent. Ayame's face was white as snow and she looked like death. She had asked too many questions and she wished she hadn't asked at all.
::FLASHBACK::
"What do you mean you're his sister?" asked Ayame.
"Just what I said I'm his younger sister." replied Kyoushuu.
"How do you know this?" said Ayame.
Kyoushuu turned around and peered outside.
"Isn't it obvious? We found Rikimaru near the cave, he was very much alive yet he'd been dead for almost 6 months. Isn't that proof enough?" she said.
"That's not proof enough for me, that doesn't mean he's your brother." said Ayame.
Kyoushuu looked over at Nyanko who had moved to one corner of the tent.
"I hadn't had the chance to tell her yet." he said quietly.
"All right then. I shall tell you. I was not abandoned like Rikimaru...of course I was not born under the same circumstances either. You see, our Fathers are not the same. Rikimaru's father used my mother and he left her to care for an unborn child on her own. The thought of her child also belonging to that man was too much for her, so when Rikimaru was born she left him in the bamboo forests near your village, thinking now he would die. However, he survived thanks to the Azuma ninja. About 7 years later I was born and able to have the privilege of learning of what power was bestowed to our family. You see my mother is descended from a family which held the secret to the stars. Our ancestor learned how to conjure the power of the stars and was able to encode its power into his blood. So the power was passed down, to each first born. A small amount of power was given to the second child but nothing that would compare to the firsts'. Those that receive this power bear a mark on their bodies similar to the symbol for star. When we discovered Rikimaru outside the cave we also discovered this mark. So you see, I am his sister." said Kyoushuu.
Ayame sat down next to the table.
"And what of his mother?" she asked. Kyoushuu turned and looked at Ayame.
"She died." Ayame gazed at the girl's eyes and shook her head.
"I see...I'm sorry." she replied.
"How else would I be here? Mother never would've allowed me to become a ninja." she replied.
"You understand why we must keep him within reach now?" asked Kyoushuu.
Ayame sighed heavily and nodded slowly. Nyanko stood up and walked towards the entrance.
"You may return to Rikimaru tonight. But I must have your word that you will return with him by sunrise." Said Nyanko.
"Wait there's one thing I must know. If he was so important to your cause then why did you let him find his way to me?"
Nyanko laughed at this.
"Isn't it obvious? We thought we would show a little courtesy and let his friends know he lives, so we brought him with us to the mountain where we had Ghoda's little servant. He regained consciousness and stumbled out after you freed our hostage. Of course we had captured him so as to try and find out about any secret passages into the castle. And I must say you did show your skills on that mountain. It was quite impressive."
He said with a smirk on his face "Now then, do I have your word that you will return with Rikimaru?"
Ayame stood up and walked passed Nyanko. She stopped just outside the tent and looked up at the moon.
"You have my word." She said before running into the woods.
Washi was waiting at a fire nearby and Kyoushuu walked over and sat down next to her.
"Who was that?" asked a woman's voice.
"Our only weapon." replied Nyanko.
"She seems familiar." said the woman.
"She is a 'friend' to Rikimaru, and she knows Ghoda's castle like the back of her head" he said.
"I see, well then we will need her won't we?" she said.
Nyanko nodded and went to sit by the fire with his comrades.
~
The cave was cold and wet all except for that small room. Rikimaru stirred and threw one arm over his head. Ayame pulled the boulder to the side letting a rush of cold air come in. Rikimaru shivered at the sudden change and painfully opened his eyes. Ayame had sat down next to the fire and was putting fresh wood on top of it to keep it burning. She turned and noticed Rikimaru was now looking at her. She glanced at him for a moment and then poured water into a small pot and placed it over the fire.
"Ayame?" he said weakly. She didn't look at him, but only continued with her work.
"Ayame is that you?" he said and then he tried to sit up, but quickly fell back to the bed after he felt a sharp, burning pain in his chest. He made a noise between a whimper and a moan, causing Ayame to pay him attention.
"You shouldn't move you big dope. Do you want to make your injuries worse? They're bad enough as it is." she said feeling his forehead.
"Oh no, you're burning up" she said rushing back to the boiling water.
Rikimaru hadn't moved his gaze from Ayame and he noticed her pouring some sort of powder in the water and mixing it before putting some of it in a small cup. She walked over the bed a sad on the side.
"Here, drink this." she said lifting his head to meet the tip of the cup.
After she made sure he swallowed all of it she set his head back on the pillow and then went back to the fire.
"Listen Rikimaru, forgive me for what I've done and what I'm about to do. I know this isn't what you wanted. But I have no choice and now...neither do you." she said staring at the flames.
Rikimaru looked at her confused. "What?" he asked.
It was the only word he could get out.
"You're not strong enough right now. I'll tell you soon, for now just sleep." she said.
Rikimaru couldn't ask anymore, he was too tired to ask. Instead he just drifted back to sleep.
Ayame turned and crawled towards his bedside. She stared at his face for a few moments and then without thinking, placed a kiss on his lips.
Startled by her actions she darted back. ((Why did I do that?)) She thought pressing her fingers to her lips.
~
Morning was coming soon. Ayame had very little time to reflect on her actions. She simply had no choice but to shake it off and go. She decided to leave before sunrise since Rikimaru would cause her to move slower.
She left the cave with him on her back and set out for the Burning Dawn's camp. Nyanko was waiting for her in the bamboo forest.
"What? You didn't think I would come?" she said narrowing her eyes.
Nyanko squinted one eye at her.
"I just thought you might need help carrying him. Is this how you act when people try to do you favors?" he asked haughtily.
She just rolled her eyes and carefully allowed Nyanko to take Rikimaru from her. As soon as he had Rikimaru, they continued towards the camp.
As they reached the camp, Kyoushuu came to meet them and to lead them back to a tent where they could put Rikimaru. Ayame sat down next to him and stared straight at Nyanko and Kyoushuu with untrusting eyes.
"Do you think we're going to hurt him?" asked Kyoushuu. Ayame crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side.
"You tell me." she said in a cocky voice.
Kyoushuu simply looked at her and sighed. "We've sent one of the generals to scout the area. When she returns we'll plan our invasion of Ghoda's castle." said Nyanko.
Ayame nodded slowly.
"Very well, I will tell you the best route." said Ayame. Nyanko nodded and turned to leave, dragging Kyoushuu with him.
"Who....was that?" Ayame turned to Rikimaru.
"So, you're awake." she said.
"What's going on?" he asked. Ayame looked at her hands and shook her head.
"I'm sorry...Rikimaru." she said and she stood up and ran out.
((Ayame...)) he thought. "I guess she doesn't have the courage to tell you. I can't say I blame her. It is a hard thing to say given her position." said Kyoushuu walking into the tent and sitting down next to the bed.
"So we finally meet big brother.." she said. Rikimaru's eye grew wide and he tried to sit up again but he was too weak and the pain was too much.
"You shouldn't try to move...relax, I shall explain." she said smiling.
And so, she told him everything, about himself, about what Ayame had done and why...everything. Rikimaru was still very weak, but through everything she said, he had no trouble keeping awake.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you now, this surely won't be any good for your health." she said smiling.
"Try not to think about it for now." She got up and left him to reflect on her words.
Rikimaru turned his head to the side in disbelief. It was all too much for him to bare, maybe because his mind was so unclear and it was difficult for him to collect himself. It didn't matter now, all he knew was that the life he and Ayame once knew was gone forever and now things would never be the same. He wished Ayame had not left, because she had made the decision to end their former life and he was angry with that. Even though he understood why she did it. It was all too much for his mind at the time, he still had a fever and couldn't think clearly. Instead of contemplating it any further his mind gave into sleep.
Kyoushuu found Ayame sitting up in a tree, staring at Ghoda's castle. She climbed up a tree next to it and sat on a branch about level with Ayame's. Ayame didn't pay attention and just continued to stare at the scenery.
"I know you're ashamed of what you did, but you must've known what was going to happen, you must've known he was going to learn of what you did sooner or later." said Kyoushuu. Ayame glanced at her from the side and looked back at the castle.
"I know, but that's not why I left..." she said.
"Then why?" asked Kyoushuu. She didn't look at Kyoushuu but only quietly replied.
"It's nothing." she said. Kyoushuu looked at her funny and noticed the pair of sheathed swords.
"Where did you get those?" asked Kyoushuu. Ayame looked at her and then at the swords.
"Oh these? They were a gift from Kiku." she said.
"Kiku?" she asked.
"Lord Ghoda's daughter." said Ayame.
"She was like a little sister to me. I miss her. It's for her that I am ashamed of what I've done not for Rikimaru." she said.
Kyoushuu tilted her head to the side and smiled. "We must get you new weapons. Those no longer suit you." she said.
~
The cool morning had turned to a warm noon when Rikimaru awakened again. This time it was by Ayame who had knelt before him.
"Ayame..." She said nothing but only held up a small bag. She opened it and poured out the shattered remains of her former weapons.
"Listen to me Rikimaru, I cannot live in dust anymore, and I cannot let you live in dust either. We have no choice now, we have to keep going. You know what you must do, I shall protect you and be there for you if you need me. But all will be in vain if you do nothing." she said taking his hand in hers.
"This is it Rikimaru, you've got your chance, you can find for yourself who you are and you can save all these people. You can bring them honor."
Rikimaru stared into her dark eyes. "If you're with me...then...I can make it." he said holding her hand tightly.
Next Chapter: Rikimaru has chosen to help the Burning Dawn, and as he concentrates on recovery, Ayame and the Burning Dawn concentrate on carrying out their plans for invasion. But what will happen when Ayame confronts those whom she betrayed. Next Chapter: Cold Eyes
The wind blew cold in the night and there was an eerie silence in the darkness that surrounded the tent. Ayame's face was white as snow and she looked like death. She had asked too many questions and she wished she hadn't asked at all.
::FLASHBACK::
"What do you mean you're his sister?" asked Ayame.
"Just what I said I'm his younger sister." replied Kyoushuu.
"How do you know this?" said Ayame.
Kyoushuu turned around and peered outside.
"Isn't it obvious? We found Rikimaru near the cave, he was very much alive yet he'd been dead for almost 6 months. Isn't that proof enough?" she said.
"That's not proof enough for me, that doesn't mean he's your brother." said Ayame.
Kyoushuu looked over at Nyanko who had moved to one corner of the tent.
"I hadn't had the chance to tell her yet." he said quietly.
"All right then. I shall tell you. I was not abandoned like Rikimaru...of course I was not born under the same circumstances either. You see, our Fathers are not the same. Rikimaru's father used my mother and he left her to care for an unborn child on her own. The thought of her child also belonging to that man was too much for her, so when Rikimaru was born she left him in the bamboo forests near your village, thinking now he would die. However, he survived thanks to the Azuma ninja. About 7 years later I was born and able to have the privilege of learning of what power was bestowed to our family. You see my mother is descended from a family which held the secret to the stars. Our ancestor learned how to conjure the power of the stars and was able to encode its power into his blood. So the power was passed down, to each first born. A small amount of power was given to the second child but nothing that would compare to the firsts'. Those that receive this power bear a mark on their bodies similar to the symbol for star. When we discovered Rikimaru outside the cave we also discovered this mark. So you see, I am his sister." said Kyoushuu.
Ayame sat down next to the table.
"And what of his mother?" she asked. Kyoushuu turned and looked at Ayame.
"She died." Ayame gazed at the girl's eyes and shook her head.
"I see...I'm sorry." she replied.
"How else would I be here? Mother never would've allowed me to become a ninja." she replied.
"You understand why we must keep him within reach now?" asked Kyoushuu.
Ayame sighed heavily and nodded slowly. Nyanko stood up and walked towards the entrance.
"You may return to Rikimaru tonight. But I must have your word that you will return with him by sunrise." Said Nyanko.
"Wait there's one thing I must know. If he was so important to your cause then why did you let him find his way to me?"
Nyanko laughed at this.
"Isn't it obvious? We thought we would show a little courtesy and let his friends know he lives, so we brought him with us to the mountain where we had Ghoda's little servant. He regained consciousness and stumbled out after you freed our hostage. Of course we had captured him so as to try and find out about any secret passages into the castle. And I must say you did show your skills on that mountain. It was quite impressive."
He said with a smirk on his face "Now then, do I have your word that you will return with Rikimaru?"
Ayame stood up and walked passed Nyanko. She stopped just outside the tent and looked up at the moon.
"You have my word." She said before running into the woods.
Washi was waiting at a fire nearby and Kyoushuu walked over and sat down next to her.
"Who was that?" asked a woman's voice.
"Our only weapon." replied Nyanko.
"She seems familiar." said the woman.
"She is a 'friend' to Rikimaru, and she knows Ghoda's castle like the back of her head" he said.
"I see, well then we will need her won't we?" she said.
Nyanko nodded and went to sit by the fire with his comrades.
~
The cave was cold and wet all except for that small room. Rikimaru stirred and threw one arm over his head. Ayame pulled the boulder to the side letting a rush of cold air come in. Rikimaru shivered at the sudden change and painfully opened his eyes. Ayame had sat down next to the fire and was putting fresh wood on top of it to keep it burning. She turned and noticed Rikimaru was now looking at her. She glanced at him for a moment and then poured water into a small pot and placed it over the fire.
"Ayame?" he said weakly. She didn't look at him, but only continued with her work.
"Ayame is that you?" he said and then he tried to sit up, but quickly fell back to the bed after he felt a sharp, burning pain in his chest. He made a noise between a whimper and a moan, causing Ayame to pay him attention.
"You shouldn't move you big dope. Do you want to make your injuries worse? They're bad enough as it is." she said feeling his forehead.
"Oh no, you're burning up" she said rushing back to the boiling water.
Rikimaru hadn't moved his gaze from Ayame and he noticed her pouring some sort of powder in the water and mixing it before putting some of it in a small cup. She walked over the bed a sad on the side.
"Here, drink this." she said lifting his head to meet the tip of the cup.
After she made sure he swallowed all of it she set his head back on the pillow and then went back to the fire.
"Listen Rikimaru, forgive me for what I've done and what I'm about to do. I know this isn't what you wanted. But I have no choice and now...neither do you." she said staring at the flames.
Rikimaru looked at her confused. "What?" he asked.
It was the only word he could get out.
"You're not strong enough right now. I'll tell you soon, for now just sleep." she said.
Rikimaru couldn't ask anymore, he was too tired to ask. Instead he just drifted back to sleep.
Ayame turned and crawled towards his bedside. She stared at his face for a few moments and then without thinking, placed a kiss on his lips.
Startled by her actions she darted back. ((Why did I do that?)) She thought pressing her fingers to her lips.
~
Morning was coming soon. Ayame had very little time to reflect on her actions. She simply had no choice but to shake it off and go. She decided to leave before sunrise since Rikimaru would cause her to move slower.
She left the cave with him on her back and set out for the Burning Dawn's camp. Nyanko was waiting for her in the bamboo forest.
"What? You didn't think I would come?" she said narrowing her eyes.
Nyanko squinted one eye at her.
"I just thought you might need help carrying him. Is this how you act when people try to do you favors?" he asked haughtily.
She just rolled her eyes and carefully allowed Nyanko to take Rikimaru from her. As soon as he had Rikimaru, they continued towards the camp.
As they reached the camp, Kyoushuu came to meet them and to lead them back to a tent where they could put Rikimaru. Ayame sat down next to him and stared straight at Nyanko and Kyoushuu with untrusting eyes.
"Do you think we're going to hurt him?" asked Kyoushuu. Ayame crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side.
"You tell me." she said in a cocky voice.
Kyoushuu simply looked at her and sighed. "We've sent one of the generals to scout the area. When she returns we'll plan our invasion of Ghoda's castle." said Nyanko.
Ayame nodded slowly.
"Very well, I will tell you the best route." said Ayame. Nyanko nodded and turned to leave, dragging Kyoushuu with him.
"Who....was that?" Ayame turned to Rikimaru.
"So, you're awake." she said.
"What's going on?" he asked. Ayame looked at her hands and shook her head.
"I'm sorry...Rikimaru." she said and she stood up and ran out.
((Ayame...)) he thought. "I guess she doesn't have the courage to tell you. I can't say I blame her. It is a hard thing to say given her position." said Kyoushuu walking into the tent and sitting down next to the bed.
"So we finally meet big brother.." she said. Rikimaru's eye grew wide and he tried to sit up again but he was too weak and the pain was too much.
"You shouldn't try to move...relax, I shall explain." she said smiling.
And so, she told him everything, about himself, about what Ayame had done and why...everything. Rikimaru was still very weak, but through everything she said, he had no trouble keeping awake.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you now, this surely won't be any good for your health." she said smiling.
"Try not to think about it for now." She got up and left him to reflect on her words.
Rikimaru turned his head to the side in disbelief. It was all too much for him to bare, maybe because his mind was so unclear and it was difficult for him to collect himself. It didn't matter now, all he knew was that the life he and Ayame once knew was gone forever and now things would never be the same. He wished Ayame had not left, because she had made the decision to end their former life and he was angry with that. Even though he understood why she did it. It was all too much for his mind at the time, he still had a fever and couldn't think clearly. Instead of contemplating it any further his mind gave into sleep.
Kyoushuu found Ayame sitting up in a tree, staring at Ghoda's castle. She climbed up a tree next to it and sat on a branch about level with Ayame's. Ayame didn't pay attention and just continued to stare at the scenery.
"I know you're ashamed of what you did, but you must've known what was going to happen, you must've known he was going to learn of what you did sooner or later." said Kyoushuu. Ayame glanced at her from the side and looked back at the castle.
"I know, but that's not why I left..." she said.
"Then why?" asked Kyoushuu. She didn't look at Kyoushuu but only quietly replied.
"It's nothing." she said. Kyoushuu looked at her funny and noticed the pair of sheathed swords.
"Where did you get those?" asked Kyoushuu. Ayame looked at her and then at the swords.
"Oh these? They were a gift from Kiku." she said.
"Kiku?" she asked.
"Lord Ghoda's daughter." said Ayame.
"She was like a little sister to me. I miss her. It's for her that I am ashamed of what I've done not for Rikimaru." she said.
Kyoushuu tilted her head to the side and smiled. "We must get you new weapons. Those no longer suit you." she said.
~
The cool morning had turned to a warm noon when Rikimaru awakened again. This time it was by Ayame who had knelt before him.
"Ayame..." She said nothing but only held up a small bag. She opened it and poured out the shattered remains of her former weapons.
"Listen to me Rikimaru, I cannot live in dust anymore, and I cannot let you live in dust either. We have no choice now, we have to keep going. You know what you must do, I shall protect you and be there for you if you need me. But all will be in vain if you do nothing." she said taking his hand in hers.
"This is it Rikimaru, you've got your chance, you can find for yourself who you are and you can save all these people. You can bring them honor."
Rikimaru stared into her dark eyes. "If you're with me...then...I can make it." he said holding her hand tightly.
Next Chapter: Rikimaru has chosen to help the Burning Dawn, and as he concentrates on recovery, Ayame and the Burning Dawn concentrate on carrying out their plans for invasion. But what will happen when Ayame confronts those whom she betrayed. Next Chapter: Cold Eyes
