Disclaimer: I do not own Destiny Ninja or its characters; that right belongs to the talented people at NTTSolmare!
Author's Notes: This is the last story. It now officially ends!
Silence hung heavy in the air as two groups of people stared at each other. IT wasn't awkward, nor was it oppressive. Yet tension seemed to build.
"Hmmmph."
A soft cough broke the silence but did not relieve the tension. All parties turned to look at a tall, fair-skinned guy with purple-tinted eyes. The faint smile on his thin lips had everyone reacting as they watched the man step forward. The elegance he oozed commanded their attention and respect.
"I am glad, Captain, that you've safely delivered my niece, Tsukikage, to me."
The words floated like music in the air. He was causing the tension to break as the man being spoken to finally stepped forward.
"Yes, Lord Yoshitsune," Mizuki said, bowing politely. "I've done as you requested of me."
With a weave of his hand, the petite woman dressed in a heavily modified dress stepped forward. It had those behind Lord Yoshitsune gasping. They felt shocked at her appearance.
"You, child, look like my late sister Fumiko. Down to the green tone in your eyes," Lord Yoshitsune said, smiling warmly at the petite girl. His joy is evident in his eyes.
Silence met his words as the young woman stayed by the Captain's side. There was curiosity and uncertainty in her bi-colored eyes.
"She seems shy, Captain. The total opposite of what you told me," Lord Yoshitsune said as he narrowed his eyes at Mizuki.
"My Lord, I did not lie. She has gone through a lot. There are many she does not know. And I am unsure if she is familiar with our motherland's language since your sister passed away while she was young," Mizuki replied, trying to explain her odd behavior.
Everyone saw the Captain's body tense and shift to block the girl slightly. As if to protect her, causing the tension to rise once more. In the next second, everyone stared in shock at Captain Mizuki hopping up and down on one leg while biting his bottom lip to keep from cursing aloud. The girl had kicked him hard below the back of his knee.
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She felt so out of place. This small beach was beautiful. And seeing a man resembling her mother made Tsukikage do her best not to cry. Then all these unknown people had a noble feel to them.
But as the man called Lord Yoshitsune talked to Mizuki, Tsukikage felt displeased. The implications of his words and the fact she had just found out that Mizuki was hired to kidnap her compounded her feelings.
But what tipped her emotions into raw anger was Mizuki's reply and then his gall to try and hide her. It felt outright insulting. She and Shizuka always conversed in the native tongue of Japan. It was how they'd planned her great escape. Besides, Tsukikage still had to get Mizuki back for this morning.
Feeling heat rise to her ears and face, she huffed in indignation. When everyone's eyes shifted to Mizuki in front of her, Tsukikage shifted and delivered a 'light' kick just below one of Mizuki's knees. It was a childish thing to do, but he deserved it while enunciating her words carefully as she spoke in perfect Japanese.
"Do not make me sound stupid, Mizuki. You're still in trouble with me."
The look of shock and irritation that flashed across Mizuki's face as he looked at her over his shoulder did not faze her in the least. It was the smothered chuckles coming from Mizuki's crew and those gathered. It was causing both her and Mizuki to flush red.
"Oh, I see you were wrong, Captain. And she is indeed feisty."
Tsukikage narrowed her eyes as a child ran down her back. The speaker set her nerves on edge. She looked over to see a man with short hair and golden-brown eyes standing next to her uncle Lord Yoshitsune.
"Noritsune," Mizuki growled, telling Tsukikage that this man was unintentional.
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Mizuki had noticed the man staring at Tsukikage when she stepped off the plank. He did not like this man. Noritsu was a member of his mom's clan and the 'next' leader. And he was already inquiring about marrying his childhood friend and tormentor. Who had dug him a shallow holt to fall into earlier with her comment about being on her wrong side?
They had long moved from the beach to a small rural village. Food and drink had been passed out to celebrate the return of Lord Yoshitsune's niece. A princess, to be precise.
And having Tsukikage not speaking to him, yet staying so close was frustrating. Though over half a day had passed, Mizuki could still feel her body's warmth and soft curves pressed against him. The sweet natural scent her body exuded was burned into his brain. Though teasing her after she woke up had been worth it at the time, it wasn't now; seeing his employer was angry, she wasn't going to speak up and try to clear the misunderstanding.
Then he had his crew which in the past week had bonded with Tsukikage. Then there was his Lord, Yoshitsune. Who seemed to be observing and assessing. It had a part of himself on edge. Mizuki was well aware of how shrewd this man could be. How he and his Noble family line actually were the true face of the Legendary Dragon Pirates.
"So, now that the Princess is back, and she is of age, Lord Yoshitsune," Noritsune drawled. "When will she be married?"
Mizuki went still as he cast a glance to his side. He turned his gaze to look back at Lord Yoshitsune, Who was openly frowning. Silence had descended, but the familiar hiss soon broke it of metal on leather. Knowing it was Tsukikage drawing her sword from her parasol, Mizuki smiled widely and stood, giving her both space and a direct line to Noritsune to attack freely.
The damn bastard brought this upon himself.
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Yoshitsune felt shocked at the scene before him. He also felt nostalgic. His niece was definitely a miniature version of his sister, down to her feisty personality.
"You think I want to be married? You think you are even worthy?"
Having talked with Soma after they arrived at the village, learning of all that had transpired over the last week on the ship. Yoshitsune knew how deep the bond between his niece and the Captain ran. He knew he had a choice to make, and he wouldn't be like his father and force Tsukikage to be with someone she didn't love for political gain.
Having had many reports from Shizuka about his niece's life. Adding how Tsukikage had the tip of the sword pressed to Noritsune's neck. A wise man would let fate run its course. And it was apparent how the two youngsters felt; thus, there was a higher chance of the promise his sister and her best friend made come true.
It was amusing.
"Enough," He finally called out. "Noritsune, my niece, has spoken. Besides, my sister taught her our family's sword technique. Now, Tsukikage, let him up. But if he continues to irritate you, then, by all means, don't hold back."
Smiling at everyone's reaction being silence to his words, Yoshitsune burst out laughing. When his niece pulled her sword back from Noritsune's neck and flicked it swiftly at his waist twice, the sound of both air and cloth being cut filled the air, and all knew if the man moved to stand, he'd be thoroughly embarrassed.
It was indeed a good start to the return of his niece. However, he didn't miss the understanding and pride on Mizuki's face.
TBC!
