Disclaimer: Slam Dunk does not and will never belong to me. However, this plot belongs to me. If anyone dares to duplicate Cruel, be it rename it or change the characters' names and make it your own, be ready to get a letter from my lawyer.
Cruel -- Chapter 14: MASTER
---------------------------
Tomigaoku Falls is extremely secluded at night. Especially at 12 midnight. I waited quietly at the side of the waterfall. It was pitch dark and extremely quiet. So quiet that I could even hear the leaves rustle. I took out my flute and played a heart wrenching tune. It has been long since I played this tune. This is the tune that I play for my prey each and every time before every assassination to prepare them for DEATH. I do not believe in assassinating them without giving them a chance to prepare themselves, they have a right to fight for their own life. I only believe in killing them in a fair and square duel. Suddenly I heard footsteps. They were soft and almost silent, an evidence of someone well trained in Qing Gong. I knew it was Master. I had not seen Master's real face. Before me was a well-built man dressed in black. The only thing visible was his eyes. His eyes were cold and hard, void of emotions. He exudes a overpowering sense of authority and power. I confirmed my suspicion. This is Master all right.
"Sakuragi Hanamichi. Congrats for assassinating Rukawa Kaede successfully. I supposed you received your payment." Master begins.
"Yes." I replied.
"In case you are wondering who I am, I am second to none in the organisation. I am your Master." Master said.
"Suppose I see some proof?" I want to be more sure. In case this is an imposter.
"You sure live up to your name. Here." Master handed a red pendant with a cross scar to me. This was the symbol of our organisation. He is Master. I knelt down.
"Master!" With two outstretch hands, I handed the pendant back to Master.
"Let's forget the formalities for once. Get up." Master said. "I asked you out tonight regarding Haruko. I had made a lot of concessions towards you. Just what is your final decision?"
"I cannot do without Haruko. She's the most important thing in my life. I can lose anything including my little life but I just can't lose her. I love her. My life had always been empty and bleak before she appear. Without her, I'll not live." I said. I saw Master frown and his eyes betrayed the fact that he's angry. Worry and fear soon clouded my heart. I reached for my sword. If Master is going to be a threat to Haruko's life, I'll fight him till the very end.
"Sheath your sword. There's a time and place for everything. I asked you out to talk, not to fight. If you don't even give me the chance to say what I intend to, what's the point of coming out to meet me today?" Master said. I kept silence.
"Sorry." I murmured.
"You are forgiven. Are you really serious about being with Haruko?" Master asked.
"Yes." Just what are you thinking about and what do you have up your sleeves, you old wily fox?!
"I have nothing up my sleeves and I am not thinking about how to deal with you and Haruko." Master said to my astonishment. It was as if he could read my mind. It's not any amazing feat after all he's the one who raised me up and taught me all my skills as an assassin. I had been an orphan starving in the streets before he took me in under his wings. That, I'm grateful to him. The fact that I almost wanted to kill him makes me ashamed of myself. He's my benefactor.
"Out of you, Miyagi and Sendoh, you are the disciple that I value the most and dote on the most. But you are just another disappointment like Miyagi. I had thought that Miyagi's demise would serve as a good reminder to warn you against falling in love but you still fell in love. What should I say? Throughout the years, you're the closest to me. You are just as dear to me as a son would be. I really can't bear sending someone after your life." Master said. All of a sudden, his tone changed. "However, I would not feel anything sending someone to kill Haruko." Beads of cold perspirations ran down my spine.
"No Master. Don't. If you kill Haruko, I'll kill myself right now." I threatened.
"I knew you would. Therefore I can neither kill you nor Haruko. I can't make you leave her as well. Can you promise to remain loyal to me and the organisation if I allow the two of you to be together? I seriously don't want the disciple that I value most to hate me." Master said. I was astonished. This can't be true! Someone pinch me please! Master actually allow Haruko and I to remain together!!!
"Yes Master I promise!" I could not conceal my happiness.
"Let me tell you something. This is what you promised. Don't come regretting it in future. It's going to be hard to be a good lover and assassin at the same time. But I wish you luck... Hahaha..." Master said. With speed like lightning, he grabbed hold of the sword in my hand and blocked my acupoints. I feel my entire body go numb and I cannot move at all. The dim moonlight reflect off the shiny greyish blade. Master held the blade high against his throat. All of a sudden, I realised what he's going to do... No... Master... Don't...
~To Be Continued~
Just what is Master going to do with Sakuragi's sword? Read on to find out.
Cruel -- Chapter 14: MASTER
---------------------------
Tomigaoku Falls is extremely secluded at night. Especially at 12 midnight. I waited quietly at the side of the waterfall. It was pitch dark and extremely quiet. So quiet that I could even hear the leaves rustle. I took out my flute and played a heart wrenching tune. It has been long since I played this tune. This is the tune that I play for my prey each and every time before every assassination to prepare them for DEATH. I do not believe in assassinating them without giving them a chance to prepare themselves, they have a right to fight for their own life. I only believe in killing them in a fair and square duel. Suddenly I heard footsteps. They were soft and almost silent, an evidence of someone well trained in Qing Gong. I knew it was Master. I had not seen Master's real face. Before me was a well-built man dressed in black. The only thing visible was his eyes. His eyes were cold and hard, void of emotions. He exudes a overpowering sense of authority and power. I confirmed my suspicion. This is Master all right.
"Sakuragi Hanamichi. Congrats for assassinating Rukawa Kaede successfully. I supposed you received your payment." Master begins.
"Yes." I replied.
"In case you are wondering who I am, I am second to none in the organisation. I am your Master." Master said.
"Suppose I see some proof?" I want to be more sure. In case this is an imposter.
"You sure live up to your name. Here." Master handed a red pendant with a cross scar to me. This was the symbol of our organisation. He is Master. I knelt down.
"Master!" With two outstretch hands, I handed the pendant back to Master.
"Let's forget the formalities for once. Get up." Master said. "I asked you out tonight regarding Haruko. I had made a lot of concessions towards you. Just what is your final decision?"
"I cannot do without Haruko. She's the most important thing in my life. I can lose anything including my little life but I just can't lose her. I love her. My life had always been empty and bleak before she appear. Without her, I'll not live." I said. I saw Master frown and his eyes betrayed the fact that he's angry. Worry and fear soon clouded my heart. I reached for my sword. If Master is going to be a threat to Haruko's life, I'll fight him till the very end.
"Sheath your sword. There's a time and place for everything. I asked you out to talk, not to fight. If you don't even give me the chance to say what I intend to, what's the point of coming out to meet me today?" Master said. I kept silence.
"Sorry." I murmured.
"You are forgiven. Are you really serious about being with Haruko?" Master asked.
"Yes." Just what are you thinking about and what do you have up your sleeves, you old wily fox?!
"I have nothing up my sleeves and I am not thinking about how to deal with you and Haruko." Master said to my astonishment. It was as if he could read my mind. It's not any amazing feat after all he's the one who raised me up and taught me all my skills as an assassin. I had been an orphan starving in the streets before he took me in under his wings. That, I'm grateful to him. The fact that I almost wanted to kill him makes me ashamed of myself. He's my benefactor.
"Out of you, Miyagi and Sendoh, you are the disciple that I value the most and dote on the most. But you are just another disappointment like Miyagi. I had thought that Miyagi's demise would serve as a good reminder to warn you against falling in love but you still fell in love. What should I say? Throughout the years, you're the closest to me. You are just as dear to me as a son would be. I really can't bear sending someone after your life." Master said. All of a sudden, his tone changed. "However, I would not feel anything sending someone to kill Haruko." Beads of cold perspirations ran down my spine.
"No Master. Don't. If you kill Haruko, I'll kill myself right now." I threatened.
"I knew you would. Therefore I can neither kill you nor Haruko. I can't make you leave her as well. Can you promise to remain loyal to me and the organisation if I allow the two of you to be together? I seriously don't want the disciple that I value most to hate me." Master said. I was astonished. This can't be true! Someone pinch me please! Master actually allow Haruko and I to remain together!!!
"Yes Master I promise!" I could not conceal my happiness.
"Let me tell you something. This is what you promised. Don't come regretting it in future. It's going to be hard to be a good lover and assassin at the same time. But I wish you luck... Hahaha..." Master said. With speed like lightning, he grabbed hold of the sword in my hand and blocked my acupoints. I feel my entire body go numb and I cannot move at all. The dim moonlight reflect off the shiny greyish blade. Master held the blade high against his throat. All of a sudden, I realised what he's going to do... No... Master... Don't...
~To Be Continued~
Just what is Master going to do with Sakuragi's sword? Read on to find out.