TENCHU: Assassin Resurrection
Chapter 6 Cold Eyes
Author's Note: Well last chapter was a bit OOC for Ayame and Rikimaru but we knew that was gonna happen. N*E*Ways! Enjoy the next chapter!
Fire, a fire was glowing in the center of the circle of ninja where Ayame sat. A fire which somehow represented her soul. For fires burn small at first then they grow strong and if they go unattended to, they spread and destroy. Or, if they are attended to, they must be fed to stay alive. This was Ayame, only if Rikimaru lived would she stay at as close to ease as she may get. If he were not with her, she feared what she might do.
"So that is the plan. We send small groups of the elite through the castle's secret escape route, while sending another group on a frontal assault, this will cut off Ghoda's two main means of escape. He might attempt to retaliate. Let's leave the remaining ninja on alert here at camp." Said Ayame.
Nyanko, Kyoushuu and Washi all sat around the fire listening to Ayame's plan.
"You're sure there is no other way for him to escape?" Asked Nyanko.
Ayame nodded. "I've been there so long and through so many battles, I know the castle like the back of my hand." She replied.
"Very well, we attack tomorrow night." Said Nyanko.
"No." said Ayame. Nyanko and the others looked at her funny.
"Why not?" Asked Washi.
"He'll expect us at night. We attack at dawn. That way we catch them off guard." Said Ayame.
Nyanko looked at the others and nodded.
"Very well, Kyoushuu, prepare for the assault." Said Nyanko. Kyoushuu stood up and headed towards the center of the camp.
Ayame thought long and hard about what she was about to do. She didn't move from the fire, she only stared into its flames. This was the point of no return; if she went through with this, she could never go back to her old way. ((Can I really do this?)) She thought.
"You know you don't have to go through with this." Ayame looked startled, she hadn't realized Washi was still there.
"We'll do fine without you. You can just stay back here with Rikimaru if it bothers you so." Ayame just shook her head.
"I've no choice, I must go." She said.
"It is your decision, you can do what you wish...as for me? I'm not in this for glory or for fun. You see my mother was killed by a group of bandits when I was young. They would've killed me too but you see Nyanko saved me. He told me I could get revenge for my mother. I trained under the Burning Dawn for three years before I met those bandits again. I got my revenge but something seemed to be missing in my life. I couldn't even remember what my real name was anymore. I was like an empty void. I felt like I needed to stay with Nyanko, to protect him and to aid in his cause. From then on Nyanko and the Burning Dawn have been my life."
Washi had seemingly summed up her whole life in those words. Ayame stared at her for a moment.
"So you wish to serve Nyanko? That's a strange thing coming from a woman. You're not in love with him are you?" Said Ayame.
Washi blushed lightly.
"No, he's more of a brother than anything. I know for sure he doesn't feel anything for me, so it doesn't matter. Though I am sure that Kyoushuu has some feelings for him, though she thinks he couldn't care for someone like her." Said Washi.
"Well she'll never know until she tells him. If she loves him then she should tell him. It's not worth it to live your life locked up." Said Ayame. She couldn't believe what she just said.
"You're right. She should tell him, but not now. I'll tell you what, I'll make Kyoushuu tell him how she feels, after you tell Rikimaru how you feel!" Said Washi skipping away.
Ayame's pride boiled up. "You've got me all wrong! I don't feel anything for him he's nothing but a stiff backed 'yes sir no sir' bastard! How could you even think I could love him!" She shouted.
Washi stopped and several other ninja turned around and stared at Ayame. Washi turned around and gasped at whom was behind Ayame. Ayame turned around to see Rikimaru leaning up against a tree staring straight at Ayame's eyes.
Rikimaru looked at the ground and cleared his throat. "Uh...s-sorry, I know I should be resting but I...I couldn't stay in bed I j-just needed to walk around for a bit. I'll...go back now." He said limping back to the tent.
"Rikimaru...I-" before she could finish he was gone. Washi walked up to Ayame.
"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have said that...it's my fault." She said apologetically.
"No, it's not your fault. What I said...I...I meant it. Well, most of it. But I..." Ayame couldn't finish.
"I...I have to go, I'll meet you at the secret passage in the morning." With that Ayame ran through the woods.
Nyanko approached Washi. "What just happened?" He asked.
Washi just stood there staring at the woods. "Washi, what happened?" He repeated.
Washi shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm gonna go check on Rikimaru." She said and she quickly went to the tent without giving Nyanko time to say anything else.
Rikimaru was lying on his back staring up at the ceiling of the tent. He didn't make a move when Washi entered. She sat down next to him.
"Listen Rikimaru...I...I'm sorry...what just happened was...it was my fault. I should've known she would say that. I barely met her but still I could see the type of person she was. I let it slip my mind and now-" Rikimaru raised his hand signaling her to stop.
"Don't...please...just don't." He said turning his head to the side.
"It doesn't matter to me...I'm okay...even if it did matter...there could never be anything between us." He said quietly. Washi tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes.
"You know..." she said standing up.
"You don't have to live in a lie anymore. Don't forget you're no longer with the Azuma ninja. So both of you should quit being cowards...." she said leaving.
((She doesn't feel anything for me. Why should it matter? How am I being a coward if I already know the truth? There's nothing to cower about.)) He thought to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ayame remained hidden for hours. When the sun began to rise she saw Nyanko and Washi approach with a few others.
"Are we ready?" Asked Ayame.
"As ready as we shall be. When daylight is complete we shall signal those at the main gate to attack with this." Nyanko held out a gun.
"I don't like these things but they can be useful for some things." He said.
Ayame nodded and leaned against the wall. It would be another half-hour before daylight. It had gone by slowly.
Ayame's mind raced with thoughts of what she was about to do. She thought of Princess Kiku, and of all the memories she was about to destroy. The firing of the gun startled her. It was time. She opened up the passage and ushered the others to follow her.
It wasn't long before they were inside the castle. A few guards were around, but nothing they couldn't handle.
"All right everyone. Spread out and attack. Make sure you leave Ghoda alive. Don't lay one finger on the innocent, especially the women." Said Nyanko. A few of them went in each direction. Ayame and Nyanko and Washi went in one direction.
"We'll go this way. This is the way to Ghoda." Said Ayame.
Moments passed slowly. The servants looked in awe at Ayame and at what she was doing. Soldiers for Ghoda and former comrades of Ayame, were falling at her feet by the new swords she was given by Nyanko. It felt like she was killing herself. Her former self.
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Sekiya rushed into Lord Ghoda's chambers where he and Kiku were waiting with a few guards.
"My Lord! It's her! She's here!" He said frantically.
"Calm down Sekiya, who's here?" Asked Ghoda.
"Ay...Ayame!" Said Sekiya out of breath.
"What?!" Ghoda stood up and walked over to Sekiya.
"Speak! What is she doing here?!" He said shaking Sekiya.
"Calm down father! You'll never get it out of him if you shake him so violently!" Said Kiku pulling her father's hands off of Sekiya's shoulders.
"Now Sekiya, what is happening?" Asked Sekiya.
"Ayame...is...killing off our men. She's coming up here with two others! She must've come through the passage. More of the Burning Dawn came through the front, they're fighting their way up here! We have no way of escape!" Said Sekiya.
Kiku's face looked pale. "Father...what have we done?" Said Kiku.
"We have done nothing! We are being tormented for nothing!" He said.
"No father..." she said looking him straight in the eyes.
"We have betrayed her and now, we shall suffer the consequences. Step down father. Go quietly and perhaps we'll receive forgiveness. I am not a child anymore, I know what's going on. It's over now, we have no means of escape, and we must stand down." Said Kiku.
Ghoda stared at his daughter. "I will not surrender! We shall escape! Somehow we must find our way back to the passage! Sekiya! Gather the remaining men in the throne room! Make sure you're not soon. When you've finished, send for Kiku and I! They might have someone waiting at the end of the passage we'd best be ready." Said Ghoda.
Kiku narrowed her eyes and went to the window. Sekiya left with the orders.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ayame pressed herself against a wall next to the corridor that lead to Ghoda's quarters. She saw Sekiya pass through the hall but paid no attention to him, she simply ushered the others to follow her down the hall. The doors were locked and barricaded on the other side. It seemed he knew they were coming. Ghoda wasn't very strong and not very skilled in fortifying things, so it was quite simple for Ayame to break through. She took a deep breath and kicked the doors open. She found Ghoda sitting at his table calmly drinking tea. Nyanko and Washi drew their swords and approached him slowly.
"Get up Ghoda. It's over!" Said Nyanko.
Ghoda didn't move.
"I said get up!!" He said irritated.
"What makes you think that I would obey scum like you?" Said Ghoda smugly.
"Enough of this Ghoda! It's over you're through! Surrender now!" Said Washi.
Ghoda still didn't move. Ayame noticed Kiku in the corner. She looked to Nyanko who understood what she wished.
"Very well" said Nyanko walking towards Kiku.
"But if you will not..." he grabbed Kiku and held his sword to her throat.
"Your precious daughter will suffer instead." He said.
Kiku struggled to break free but stopped when she realized her movements were hurting her and only tightened his grip. "
Big Sister!" Cried Kiku. Ayame only turned around and crossed her arms.
"The choice is yours Ghoda...what'll it be? Your daughter...or your pride?" Said Ayame.
Ghoda clenched his fists and looked to the ground.
"You treacherous little whore...how dare you do this to me...you will pay for this...you will pay..." said Ghoda quietly.
Ayame turned to answer but noticed he had laid his sword on the ground at his feet. Washi quickly grabbed the sword. Several other ninja had made their way up to the room and they took Ghoda and Kiku down the passage. Kiku looked at Ayame with sad, guilty eyes as she left. Ayame could barely hold in her sorrow for Kiku and her newly born hatred for Ghoda. Nyanko fired the gun to the air signaling to the others down below of victory.
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Ghoda and Kiku were taken to the camp while most of the villagers were evacuated. A few volunteers stayed behind to aid them after learning of their cause. Sekiya was allowed to stay with Ghoda so long as he didn't try to help them escape. Their hands were tied and they leaned up against a boulder on the ground next to the fire. Washi had been ordered to come and keep an eye on them while the ninja who had stayed behind were moving all possessions. There had been no attack and they were fortunate for it.
Washi sat down on a boulder opposite of Ghoda. He only stared into the flames.
"You know," said Washi, pouring water into a pot.
"If you'd really like to know, he is alive. I knew you guys were once 'friends' as she put it. I figure friends might want to check up on one another if they've been injured. Though I must warn you...he willingly agreed to our cause just as she did. So if you want to see him, he's in there. Just tell me if you do." Said Washi pointing to the tent on the hill.
Ghoda looked up at her and quietly sighed.
"If that's true..." he began. "Then I have nothing to say." Washi looked at him for a minute and continued preparing some tea.
"Sorry if this stuff isn't up to your standards." Said Washi pouring a cup.
"But I'm not a cook so you'll have to make due with it." And she untied Kiku and handed her two cups.
"I don't trust him with his hands untied, I'm sure you'll help him drink it. I've got to check on a few things, I advise that you stay where you are if you value your life." Said Washi heading down to supervise her comrades.
Kiku put the cup to her father's lips and he drank all of it. She put it down and stood up.
"I've got to see Rikimaru. I'll be back in a minute keep a look out for me." Said Kiku running towards the tent.
"Kiku stop wait!" Said Ghoda but to no use. She had already gone into the tent.
Rikimaru had been sleeping when she came in. Kiku sat next to him and he opened his eyes.
"Princess what are you-" she cut him off.
"Shhh, they'll hear you, I'm not supposed to be here." Said Kiku.
Rikimaru nodded slowly and laid his head back down on the pillow.
"I'm glad you're doing better Rikimaru..." said Kiku quietly.
"But tell me, why are you here, what is these people's cause? Why did you agree? What-" he puts his hand to her mouth.
"Calm down, one question at a time...I'll tell you everything I know." He groaned and painfully sat up. Kiku brought him some water, which he thanked her for. Rikimaru told her everything he knew as fast as he could. He told her of his alleged past, the new Burning Dawns cause, and of Ayame. Kiku quietly nodded at everything he said.
"You're right...father never would've allowed any of this if they just came to him for help. I understand why they're doing this and why the both of you have joined them and I don't blame you for it...though I shall never forget Ayame's eyes when they found us...they were so cold...even colder than before...she's been that way since you died you know. I think she truly does want this and I think perhaps she's doing it for you more than herself." Said Kiku.
Rikimaru leaned his head against one knee.
"No, not more for me than herself. She wants the best for me and she wants me to know myself, but it's the same thing she wants for all these people and herself. Understand that both of us are in this for ourselves." Said Rikimaru
"For once I am not serving anyone but myself." He said. Kiku smiled lightly and took his arm.
"But you're not...you're not in this just for yourself. You want these people to have honor 'real' honor. Surely something such as that cannot be a service to one's self." Said Kiku.
Rikimaru looked up at her and smiled. "Thank you, Kiku."
Kiku nodded and headed towards the door. She started to open the tent flaps but stopped and turned to him.
"You know...maybe..." she said. "Just maybe...it's time for the both of you to stop hiding from each other." She said and left.
Rikimaru laid back down and looked up at the ceiling. ((Ayame...)) he said feeling his lips. ((I wonder if that kiss really was a dream?))
Next time, Ghoda has been defeated now the Burning Dawn has gained control of a powerful territory. But who is this enemy? And how will Ayame and Rikimaru cope with the newfound tension between them? Next Chapter: Arata Meshia
Uncut Next Time: In Your Arms. Lemon Warning!!!
Chapter 6 Cold Eyes
Author's Note: Well last chapter was a bit OOC for Ayame and Rikimaru but we knew that was gonna happen. N*E*Ways! Enjoy the next chapter!
Fire, a fire was glowing in the center of the circle of ninja where Ayame sat. A fire which somehow represented her soul. For fires burn small at first then they grow strong and if they go unattended to, they spread and destroy. Or, if they are attended to, they must be fed to stay alive. This was Ayame, only if Rikimaru lived would she stay at as close to ease as she may get. If he were not with her, she feared what she might do.
"So that is the plan. We send small groups of the elite through the castle's secret escape route, while sending another group on a frontal assault, this will cut off Ghoda's two main means of escape. He might attempt to retaliate. Let's leave the remaining ninja on alert here at camp." Said Ayame.
Nyanko, Kyoushuu and Washi all sat around the fire listening to Ayame's plan.
"You're sure there is no other way for him to escape?" Asked Nyanko.
Ayame nodded. "I've been there so long and through so many battles, I know the castle like the back of my hand." She replied.
"Very well, we attack tomorrow night." Said Nyanko.
"No." said Ayame. Nyanko and the others looked at her funny.
"Why not?" Asked Washi.
"He'll expect us at night. We attack at dawn. That way we catch them off guard." Said Ayame.
Nyanko looked at the others and nodded.
"Very well, Kyoushuu, prepare for the assault." Said Nyanko. Kyoushuu stood up and headed towards the center of the camp.
Ayame thought long and hard about what she was about to do. She didn't move from the fire, she only stared into its flames. This was the point of no return; if she went through with this, she could never go back to her old way. ((Can I really do this?)) She thought.
"You know you don't have to go through with this." Ayame looked startled, she hadn't realized Washi was still there.
"We'll do fine without you. You can just stay back here with Rikimaru if it bothers you so." Ayame just shook her head.
"I've no choice, I must go." She said.
"It is your decision, you can do what you wish...as for me? I'm not in this for glory or for fun. You see my mother was killed by a group of bandits when I was young. They would've killed me too but you see Nyanko saved me. He told me I could get revenge for my mother. I trained under the Burning Dawn for three years before I met those bandits again. I got my revenge but something seemed to be missing in my life. I couldn't even remember what my real name was anymore. I was like an empty void. I felt like I needed to stay with Nyanko, to protect him and to aid in his cause. From then on Nyanko and the Burning Dawn have been my life."
Washi had seemingly summed up her whole life in those words. Ayame stared at her for a moment.
"So you wish to serve Nyanko? That's a strange thing coming from a woman. You're not in love with him are you?" Said Ayame.
Washi blushed lightly.
"No, he's more of a brother than anything. I know for sure he doesn't feel anything for me, so it doesn't matter. Though I am sure that Kyoushuu has some feelings for him, though she thinks he couldn't care for someone like her." Said Washi.
"Well she'll never know until she tells him. If she loves him then she should tell him. It's not worth it to live your life locked up." Said Ayame. She couldn't believe what she just said.
"You're right. She should tell him, but not now. I'll tell you what, I'll make Kyoushuu tell him how she feels, after you tell Rikimaru how you feel!" Said Washi skipping away.
Ayame's pride boiled up. "You've got me all wrong! I don't feel anything for him he's nothing but a stiff backed 'yes sir no sir' bastard! How could you even think I could love him!" She shouted.
Washi stopped and several other ninja turned around and stared at Ayame. Washi turned around and gasped at whom was behind Ayame. Ayame turned around to see Rikimaru leaning up against a tree staring straight at Ayame's eyes.
Rikimaru looked at the ground and cleared his throat. "Uh...s-sorry, I know I should be resting but I...I couldn't stay in bed I j-just needed to walk around for a bit. I'll...go back now." He said limping back to the tent.
"Rikimaru...I-" before she could finish he was gone. Washi walked up to Ayame.
"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have said that...it's my fault." She said apologetically.
"No, it's not your fault. What I said...I...I meant it. Well, most of it. But I..." Ayame couldn't finish.
"I...I have to go, I'll meet you at the secret passage in the morning." With that Ayame ran through the woods.
Nyanko approached Washi. "What just happened?" He asked.
Washi just stood there staring at the woods. "Washi, what happened?" He repeated.
Washi shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm gonna go check on Rikimaru." She said and she quickly went to the tent without giving Nyanko time to say anything else.
Rikimaru was lying on his back staring up at the ceiling of the tent. He didn't make a move when Washi entered. She sat down next to him.
"Listen Rikimaru...I...I'm sorry...what just happened was...it was my fault. I should've known she would say that. I barely met her but still I could see the type of person she was. I let it slip my mind and now-" Rikimaru raised his hand signaling her to stop.
"Don't...please...just don't." He said turning his head to the side.
"It doesn't matter to me...I'm okay...even if it did matter...there could never be anything between us." He said quietly. Washi tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes.
"You know..." she said standing up.
"You don't have to live in a lie anymore. Don't forget you're no longer with the Azuma ninja. So both of you should quit being cowards...." she said leaving.
((She doesn't feel anything for me. Why should it matter? How am I being a coward if I already know the truth? There's nothing to cower about.)) He thought to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ayame remained hidden for hours. When the sun began to rise she saw Nyanko and Washi approach with a few others.
"Are we ready?" Asked Ayame.
"As ready as we shall be. When daylight is complete we shall signal those at the main gate to attack with this." Nyanko held out a gun.
"I don't like these things but they can be useful for some things." He said.
Ayame nodded and leaned against the wall. It would be another half-hour before daylight. It had gone by slowly.
Ayame's mind raced with thoughts of what she was about to do. She thought of Princess Kiku, and of all the memories she was about to destroy. The firing of the gun startled her. It was time. She opened up the passage and ushered the others to follow her.
It wasn't long before they were inside the castle. A few guards were around, but nothing they couldn't handle.
"All right everyone. Spread out and attack. Make sure you leave Ghoda alive. Don't lay one finger on the innocent, especially the women." Said Nyanko. A few of them went in each direction. Ayame and Nyanko and Washi went in one direction.
"We'll go this way. This is the way to Ghoda." Said Ayame.
Moments passed slowly. The servants looked in awe at Ayame and at what she was doing. Soldiers for Ghoda and former comrades of Ayame, were falling at her feet by the new swords she was given by Nyanko. It felt like she was killing herself. Her former self.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sekiya rushed into Lord Ghoda's chambers where he and Kiku were waiting with a few guards.
"My Lord! It's her! She's here!" He said frantically.
"Calm down Sekiya, who's here?" Asked Ghoda.
"Ay...Ayame!" Said Sekiya out of breath.
"What?!" Ghoda stood up and walked over to Sekiya.
"Speak! What is she doing here?!" He said shaking Sekiya.
"Calm down father! You'll never get it out of him if you shake him so violently!" Said Kiku pulling her father's hands off of Sekiya's shoulders.
"Now Sekiya, what is happening?" Asked Sekiya.
"Ayame...is...killing off our men. She's coming up here with two others! She must've come through the passage. More of the Burning Dawn came through the front, they're fighting their way up here! We have no way of escape!" Said Sekiya.
Kiku's face looked pale. "Father...what have we done?" Said Kiku.
"We have done nothing! We are being tormented for nothing!" He said.
"No father..." she said looking him straight in the eyes.
"We have betrayed her and now, we shall suffer the consequences. Step down father. Go quietly and perhaps we'll receive forgiveness. I am not a child anymore, I know what's going on. It's over now, we have no means of escape, and we must stand down." Said Kiku.
Ghoda stared at his daughter. "I will not surrender! We shall escape! Somehow we must find our way back to the passage! Sekiya! Gather the remaining men in the throne room! Make sure you're not soon. When you've finished, send for Kiku and I! They might have someone waiting at the end of the passage we'd best be ready." Said Ghoda.
Kiku narrowed her eyes and went to the window. Sekiya left with the orders.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ayame pressed herself against a wall next to the corridor that lead to Ghoda's quarters. She saw Sekiya pass through the hall but paid no attention to him, she simply ushered the others to follow her down the hall. The doors were locked and barricaded on the other side. It seemed he knew they were coming. Ghoda wasn't very strong and not very skilled in fortifying things, so it was quite simple for Ayame to break through. She took a deep breath and kicked the doors open. She found Ghoda sitting at his table calmly drinking tea. Nyanko and Washi drew their swords and approached him slowly.
"Get up Ghoda. It's over!" Said Nyanko.
Ghoda didn't move.
"I said get up!!" He said irritated.
"What makes you think that I would obey scum like you?" Said Ghoda smugly.
"Enough of this Ghoda! It's over you're through! Surrender now!" Said Washi.
Ghoda still didn't move. Ayame noticed Kiku in the corner. She looked to Nyanko who understood what she wished.
"Very well" said Nyanko walking towards Kiku.
"But if you will not..." he grabbed Kiku and held his sword to her throat.
"Your precious daughter will suffer instead." He said.
Kiku struggled to break free but stopped when she realized her movements were hurting her and only tightened his grip. "
Big Sister!" Cried Kiku. Ayame only turned around and crossed her arms.
"The choice is yours Ghoda...what'll it be? Your daughter...or your pride?" Said Ayame.
Ghoda clenched his fists and looked to the ground.
"You treacherous little whore...how dare you do this to me...you will pay for this...you will pay..." said Ghoda quietly.
Ayame turned to answer but noticed he had laid his sword on the ground at his feet. Washi quickly grabbed the sword. Several other ninja had made their way up to the room and they took Ghoda and Kiku down the passage. Kiku looked at Ayame with sad, guilty eyes as she left. Ayame could barely hold in her sorrow for Kiku and her newly born hatred for Ghoda. Nyanko fired the gun to the air signaling to the others down below of victory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ghoda and Kiku were taken to the camp while most of the villagers were evacuated. A few volunteers stayed behind to aid them after learning of their cause. Sekiya was allowed to stay with Ghoda so long as he didn't try to help them escape. Their hands were tied and they leaned up against a boulder on the ground next to the fire. Washi had been ordered to come and keep an eye on them while the ninja who had stayed behind were moving all possessions. There had been no attack and they were fortunate for it.
Washi sat down on a boulder opposite of Ghoda. He only stared into the flames.
"You know," said Washi, pouring water into a pot.
"If you'd really like to know, he is alive. I knew you guys were once 'friends' as she put it. I figure friends might want to check up on one another if they've been injured. Though I must warn you...he willingly agreed to our cause just as she did. So if you want to see him, he's in there. Just tell me if you do." Said Washi pointing to the tent on the hill.
Ghoda looked up at her and quietly sighed.
"If that's true..." he began. "Then I have nothing to say." Washi looked at him for a minute and continued preparing some tea.
"Sorry if this stuff isn't up to your standards." Said Washi pouring a cup.
"But I'm not a cook so you'll have to make due with it." And she untied Kiku and handed her two cups.
"I don't trust him with his hands untied, I'm sure you'll help him drink it. I've got to check on a few things, I advise that you stay where you are if you value your life." Said Washi heading down to supervise her comrades.
Kiku put the cup to her father's lips and he drank all of it. She put it down and stood up.
"I've got to see Rikimaru. I'll be back in a minute keep a look out for me." Said Kiku running towards the tent.
"Kiku stop wait!" Said Ghoda but to no use. She had already gone into the tent.
Rikimaru had been sleeping when she came in. Kiku sat next to him and he opened his eyes.
"Princess what are you-" she cut him off.
"Shhh, they'll hear you, I'm not supposed to be here." Said Kiku.
Rikimaru nodded slowly and laid his head back down on the pillow.
"I'm glad you're doing better Rikimaru..." said Kiku quietly.
"But tell me, why are you here, what is these people's cause? Why did you agree? What-" he puts his hand to her mouth.
"Calm down, one question at a time...I'll tell you everything I know." He groaned and painfully sat up. Kiku brought him some water, which he thanked her for. Rikimaru told her everything he knew as fast as he could. He told her of his alleged past, the new Burning Dawns cause, and of Ayame. Kiku quietly nodded at everything he said.
"You're right...father never would've allowed any of this if they just came to him for help. I understand why they're doing this and why the both of you have joined them and I don't blame you for it...though I shall never forget Ayame's eyes when they found us...they were so cold...even colder than before...she's been that way since you died you know. I think she truly does want this and I think perhaps she's doing it for you more than herself." Said Kiku.
Rikimaru leaned his head against one knee.
"No, not more for me than herself. She wants the best for me and she wants me to know myself, but it's the same thing she wants for all these people and herself. Understand that both of us are in this for ourselves." Said Rikimaru
"For once I am not serving anyone but myself." He said. Kiku smiled lightly and took his arm.
"But you're not...you're not in this just for yourself. You want these people to have honor 'real' honor. Surely something such as that cannot be a service to one's self." Said Kiku.
Rikimaru looked up at her and smiled. "Thank you, Kiku."
Kiku nodded and headed towards the door. She started to open the tent flaps but stopped and turned to him.
"You know...maybe..." she said. "Just maybe...it's time for the both of you to stop hiding from each other." She said and left.
Rikimaru laid back down and looked up at the ceiling. ((Ayame...)) he said feeling his lips. ((I wonder if that kiss really was a dream?))
Next time, Ghoda has been defeated now the Burning Dawn has gained control of a powerful territory. But who is this enemy? And how will Ayame and Rikimaru cope with the newfound tension between them? Next Chapter: Arata Meshia
Uncut Next Time: In Your Arms. Lemon Warning!!!
