Authors note: I want to thank all reviewers, your constructive criticism
and support means a lot to me.
You guys really saved my day, actually many of them. I rewrote this chapter cause those stupid unnecessary marks
really bothered me Oh, and feedback is always welcome. Hope you enjoy the story. Special thanks to Riki who rereads
my stories.
Disclaimer: Please do not sue me. I don't own anything, but if I some day do I will tell you about it.
-Smiling statue-
* Rikimaru's thoughts *
It was after midnight when Rikimaru finally reached lake's shore. He had lost some time when he was forced to explain to
few hungry wolves that he wasn't easy prey. Luckily he had borrowed a katana (it is a sword type, same looking as his
usual sword) from one of the younger ninjas, before he left Lord Gohda's grounds.
His own sword, Izayoi was in blacksmith's cottage waiting to get repaired.
In the moonlight the whole lake and its surroundings looked magical, even the silvery mist that hid Nalea's temple
seemed unreal as it floated gracefully above surface. Bamboos reminded fence, which was closing something outside or
maybe . . . inside.
*Now, where was the boat . . . hmm . . . it was near moonflower bushes.*
But whole shoreline was full of different flower bushes, and to be honest Rikimaru couldn't recognize any of them.
Only flower that he recognized by appearance and by name was rose.
"Damn." he muttered searching Ayame's little boat.
After a while he had to confess that if Ayame really wanted to hide something, it would stay lost as long as she wanted
so, even if tracer was as high-level as he was. And so he decided to swim to Nalea's temple.
Water was freezing and Rikimaru gasped as he swam towards silvery mist. Behind the mist was the most beautiful building Rikimaru had ever seen. It was small, but graceful, somehow dainty and
it was glowing slightly at the moonlight. Rising from the water he moved inside. Temple's walls were white stone that
glowed in mysterious way, lighting whole building. Rikimaru looked one of the walls little carefully and noticed that it
was full of writing. It was a tale about woman whose village was saved by white tiger, symbol of goddess Nalea. Woman's
home village was under an attack, and when everything started to seem hopeless huge white tiger appeared out of nowhere
with pack of white wolfs to protect the village. Any of enemy's weapons did no harm to the tiger or wolves.
In the room's end was standing silvery goddess Nalea's statue, smiling gently and right next to it was little altar.
On the altar was three flowers and paper, where was written: Goddess Nalea I give you blood drop
( it is translated from my language, I don't know what is that flower's English name)
* Must be that little red flower.* asking forgiveness from the souls that I have killed and from you I ask forgiveness for the path that I have chosen. I
give you tiger lily * Probably the yellow one.* asking speed and power to my swords and wisdom to use them right. And last I pray your blessing to my greatest wish that
someday I will able to leave my current path and become normal woman, to get loving husband and children, to this pray I
give you moonflower, one of your sacred symbols. *This must be that white one.* (I just love colour white. Oh, you have noticed that) *This is Ayame's writing! Does she really wish to be like some normal villager?* Rikimaru had always thought that
Ayame didn't dream anything like that at all. He remembered how Ayame's biggest dream as a child was to become the best
ninja ever existed. And that wasn't all that long ago. *When had she changed? How hasn't he noticed it? Did she really want to quit? Why?* having more questions than
before coming to temple Rikimaru swam back to shore. He was so deep in his own thoughts that he didn't notice that Nalea's
statue was smiling wider than before. He didn't even hear soft chuckle that echoed in temple long after him.
Next morning in Lord Gohda's grounds was rainy. Rikimaru wandered around castle's endless corridors as he heard very
colourful cursing inside of princess Kiku's room. He was going to knock as furious Ayame rushed out of princess's room
wearing kimono and using curses that even sailors would have been proud. She stride towards Gohda's room with strong
determination. Rikimaru looked in to Kiku's chamber. Princess Kiku looked astonished and her maids looked death pale as
they watched how Ayame rushed towards Lord Gohda's private room. "Princess, what was that all about?" asked Rikimaru, as he politely bowed down before Kiku. "Father ordered me to teach Ayame how to dress and act like a noble woman. And when I started to teach her how to do proper
make-up she became angry. First she said something that you never got so stupid assignments as she . . . and this was
enough, then she started cursing and rushed out. I didn't understand almost any of those words." Kiku said frustratedly. "Me neither." replied Rikimaru as he thought what kind of mission demanded kimono and other feminine things.
Usually missions demanded only weapons, luck and skills. * I will ask about that when she comes back.*
As Ayame departed Lord Gohda's private chamber she was calmed down, and apologized
"I' m sorry about my behaviour my lady. I lost my temper. Could we continue studying the make-up?" She asked in her soft
voice, as she bowed before Kiku, showing the respect that she usually didn't. Ayame's face was as bright red as her kimono, which was only sight about the inner turmoil she was going trough.
*Whoa . . . I bet Gohda scolded her really badly.* Thought Rikimaru, he knew Ayame well enough to knew how hard it was to proud woman to show her respect.
"Yes" answered Kiku shortly. She was more surprised than Rikimaru about her "Almost sister's" unusual behaviour.
"Ayame, could you tell me what your next mission is?" Asked Rikimaru before either of them could evict him from princess
room. " I think you better ask that from Lord Gohda." I don't even want to think about it, let alone talk about it."
Ayame's answer was not more than a quiet whisper.
A moment later Rikimaru stood in Lord Gohda's luxury private chamber. "Master can you tell me: what is Ayame's next mission she seems to hate it and I thought that if it is so unpleasant to her
maybe I could do it for her" suggested Rikimaru.
"I am sorry Rikimaru, but this task is not for you."
"But master we have done this before. Don't you think that I could handle it?"
"You are my best ninja, but only woman can complete this mission and because Ayame is my only female ninja she must do it."
Lord Gohda answered slowly. "Can you even tell me what this mission that only Ayame can do is?"
"When you were on your last mission a young woman came to ask me to take her under my protection. Her family had sold her
to Lord Kawashima (made him up) as a mistress. As you know I have wanted to kill him quite a long time now. I have sent
countless number of ninjas to kill him, without success. He used to be one of the best ninjas ever and famous assassin.
The fact that he still lives is most convincing proof of his skills. I have tried to kill that old bastard for 20 years
and now I finally have invented something that he can't expect. I invented it yesterday when I saw Ayame in that red kimono.
(Red is a wedding colour in Japan, at least my friend told me so.) Ayame will take that poor woman's place and pretend to be his mistress. I bet he can't be on his guard in bedroom with
beautiful young mistress." announced Lord Gohda triumphal to shocked Rikimaru.
"That clears me why Ayame don't want to do it and why I can't do it. But . . . master how can you do this to her? Isn't she
like a daughter to you? I have seen how over protective you are, when it is about princess Kiku and her honour, but if it is
about Ayame's honour you don't give a damn, do you?!" asked Rikimaru with a fury that surprised both himself and Gohda. * I can't stand a thought that someone would rape Ayame, because she probably can't hide weapons in that too
close-fitting kimono. A moment ago you didn't think that the kimono was too close-fitting at all. Instead you thought she
looked really good in it, and even hoped that it would be a little tighter.* reminded little voice inside his head.
"Calm down. You know that some things are more important than others. In this case Ayame's honour is a little prize to pay
from many innocent lives, which we spare when we kill that tyrant. Even Ayame had to admit that I was right, so do not
argue with me. Ayame leaves today evening to Lord Kawashima's fortress and you can do nothing about it." said Lord Gohda
in voice full of authority. Then he softened his voice and continued: "Don't worry. Ayame is a clever woman; she will
survive even without us or her weapons."
"You are sending her to kill most skilful ninja and assassin without weapons?! You could as well kill her yourself!"
stormed Rikimaru.
"If you stopped to think for a moment you would notice that she is safer without them. And remember that Ayame is
considerably dangerous even without weapons. She has been one of my best ninjas last 13 years. She was three years younger
than Kiku is now when she became ninja and even that time she could take care of herself." reminded Gohda patiently.
Rikimaru knew that Lord Gohda was right, but he didn't like it at all. He didn't want to risk Ayame's life even if he knew
that she was willing to die for the greater good like him. After defeating Tenrai she had become more and more dear to him.
He had been able to put his feelings aside and ignore them last 3 years but now it felt impossible task. They seemed so
powerful. He didn't know what he should do to the repressive feeling of worry that he felt for Ayame's sake. He turned
around that Lord Gohda couldn't see the worry and other mixed feelings that were written on his normally so stoical face.
With great struggle he finally got his face back to stoical. Turning to Lord Gohda he said
"You are right my Lord. I go out to spar with other ninjas; I am near the river if you need me."
Rikimaru sparred many hours in the rain with other ninjas. When he finally ended his sparring he was sweaty and every
muscle of his body was tired and aching. Before going inside he visited blacksmith to see if Izayoi would be repaired,
but blacksmith hadn't even started yet. * This really isn't my day.* thought Rikimaru frustratedly as he dragged himself in to his room.
He was changing his shirt when his room's door suddenly flew open, and before he could do anything, Ayame was in front
of him hugging him and sobbing against his bare chest. Surprised Rikimaru couldn't do anything else than comfort crying
woman in front of him.
Hope you liked it. I would like some feed back and I try to update as soon as possible.
You guys really saved my day, actually many of them. I rewrote this chapter cause those stupid unnecessary marks
really bothered me Oh, and feedback is always welcome. Hope you enjoy the story. Special thanks to Riki who rereads
my stories.
Disclaimer: Please do not sue me. I don't own anything, but if I some day do I will tell you about it.
-Smiling statue-
* Rikimaru's thoughts *
It was after midnight when Rikimaru finally reached lake's shore. He had lost some time when he was forced to explain to
few hungry wolves that he wasn't easy prey. Luckily he had borrowed a katana (it is a sword type, same looking as his
usual sword) from one of the younger ninjas, before he left Lord Gohda's grounds.
His own sword, Izayoi was in blacksmith's cottage waiting to get repaired.
In the moonlight the whole lake and its surroundings looked magical, even the silvery mist that hid Nalea's temple
seemed unreal as it floated gracefully above surface. Bamboos reminded fence, which was closing something outside or
maybe . . . inside.
*Now, where was the boat . . . hmm . . . it was near moonflower bushes.*
But whole shoreline was full of different flower bushes, and to be honest Rikimaru couldn't recognize any of them.
Only flower that he recognized by appearance and by name was rose.
"Damn." he muttered searching Ayame's little boat.
After a while he had to confess that if Ayame really wanted to hide something, it would stay lost as long as she wanted
so, even if tracer was as high-level as he was. And so he decided to swim to Nalea's temple.
Water was freezing and Rikimaru gasped as he swam towards silvery mist. Behind the mist was the most beautiful building Rikimaru had ever seen. It was small, but graceful, somehow dainty and
it was glowing slightly at the moonlight. Rising from the water he moved inside. Temple's walls were white stone that
glowed in mysterious way, lighting whole building. Rikimaru looked one of the walls little carefully and noticed that it
was full of writing. It was a tale about woman whose village was saved by white tiger, symbol of goddess Nalea. Woman's
home village was under an attack, and when everything started to seem hopeless huge white tiger appeared out of nowhere
with pack of white wolfs to protect the village. Any of enemy's weapons did no harm to the tiger or wolves.
In the room's end was standing silvery goddess Nalea's statue, smiling gently and right next to it was little altar.
On the altar was three flowers and paper, where was written: Goddess Nalea I give you blood drop
( it is translated from my language, I don't know what is that flower's English name)
* Must be that little red flower.* asking forgiveness from the souls that I have killed and from you I ask forgiveness for the path that I have chosen. I
give you tiger lily * Probably the yellow one.* asking speed and power to my swords and wisdom to use them right. And last I pray your blessing to my greatest wish that
someday I will able to leave my current path and become normal woman, to get loving husband and children, to this pray I
give you moonflower, one of your sacred symbols. *This must be that white one.* (I just love colour white. Oh, you have noticed that) *This is Ayame's writing! Does she really wish to be like some normal villager?* Rikimaru had always thought that
Ayame didn't dream anything like that at all. He remembered how Ayame's biggest dream as a child was to become the best
ninja ever existed. And that wasn't all that long ago. *When had she changed? How hasn't he noticed it? Did she really want to quit? Why?* having more questions than
before coming to temple Rikimaru swam back to shore. He was so deep in his own thoughts that he didn't notice that Nalea's
statue was smiling wider than before. He didn't even hear soft chuckle that echoed in temple long after him.
Next morning in Lord Gohda's grounds was rainy. Rikimaru wandered around castle's endless corridors as he heard very
colourful cursing inside of princess Kiku's room. He was going to knock as furious Ayame rushed out of princess's room
wearing kimono and using curses that even sailors would have been proud. She stride towards Gohda's room with strong
determination. Rikimaru looked in to Kiku's chamber. Princess Kiku looked astonished and her maids looked death pale as
they watched how Ayame rushed towards Lord Gohda's private room. "Princess, what was that all about?" asked Rikimaru, as he politely bowed down before Kiku. "Father ordered me to teach Ayame how to dress and act like a noble woman. And when I started to teach her how to do proper
make-up she became angry. First she said something that you never got so stupid assignments as she . . . and this was
enough, then she started cursing and rushed out. I didn't understand almost any of those words." Kiku said frustratedly. "Me neither." replied Rikimaru as he thought what kind of mission demanded kimono and other feminine things.
Usually missions demanded only weapons, luck and skills. * I will ask about that when she comes back.*
As Ayame departed Lord Gohda's private chamber she was calmed down, and apologized
"I' m sorry about my behaviour my lady. I lost my temper. Could we continue studying the make-up?" She asked in her soft
voice, as she bowed before Kiku, showing the respect that she usually didn't. Ayame's face was as bright red as her kimono, which was only sight about the inner turmoil she was going trough.
*Whoa . . . I bet Gohda scolded her really badly.* Thought Rikimaru, he knew Ayame well enough to knew how hard it was to proud woman to show her respect.
"Yes" answered Kiku shortly. She was more surprised than Rikimaru about her "Almost sister's" unusual behaviour.
"Ayame, could you tell me what your next mission is?" Asked Rikimaru before either of them could evict him from princess
room. " I think you better ask that from Lord Gohda." I don't even want to think about it, let alone talk about it."
Ayame's answer was not more than a quiet whisper.
A moment later Rikimaru stood in Lord Gohda's luxury private chamber. "Master can you tell me: what is Ayame's next mission she seems to hate it and I thought that if it is so unpleasant to her
maybe I could do it for her" suggested Rikimaru.
"I am sorry Rikimaru, but this task is not for you."
"But master we have done this before. Don't you think that I could handle it?"
"You are my best ninja, but only woman can complete this mission and because Ayame is my only female ninja she must do it."
Lord Gohda answered slowly. "Can you even tell me what this mission that only Ayame can do is?"
"When you were on your last mission a young woman came to ask me to take her under my protection. Her family had sold her
to Lord Kawashima (made him up) as a mistress. As you know I have wanted to kill him quite a long time now. I have sent
countless number of ninjas to kill him, without success. He used to be one of the best ninjas ever and famous assassin.
The fact that he still lives is most convincing proof of his skills. I have tried to kill that old bastard for 20 years
and now I finally have invented something that he can't expect. I invented it yesterday when I saw Ayame in that red kimono.
(Red is a wedding colour in Japan, at least my friend told me so.) Ayame will take that poor woman's place and pretend to be his mistress. I bet he can't be on his guard in bedroom with
beautiful young mistress." announced Lord Gohda triumphal to shocked Rikimaru.
"That clears me why Ayame don't want to do it and why I can't do it. But . . . master how can you do this to her? Isn't she
like a daughter to you? I have seen how over protective you are, when it is about princess Kiku and her honour, but if it is
about Ayame's honour you don't give a damn, do you?!" asked Rikimaru with a fury that surprised both himself and Gohda. * I can't stand a thought that someone would rape Ayame, because she probably can't hide weapons in that too
close-fitting kimono. A moment ago you didn't think that the kimono was too close-fitting at all. Instead you thought she
looked really good in it, and even hoped that it would be a little tighter.* reminded little voice inside his head.
"Calm down. You know that some things are more important than others. In this case Ayame's honour is a little prize to pay
from many innocent lives, which we spare when we kill that tyrant. Even Ayame had to admit that I was right, so do not
argue with me. Ayame leaves today evening to Lord Kawashima's fortress and you can do nothing about it." said Lord Gohda
in voice full of authority. Then he softened his voice and continued: "Don't worry. Ayame is a clever woman; she will
survive even without us or her weapons."
"You are sending her to kill most skilful ninja and assassin without weapons?! You could as well kill her yourself!"
stormed Rikimaru.
"If you stopped to think for a moment you would notice that she is safer without them. And remember that Ayame is
considerably dangerous even without weapons. She has been one of my best ninjas last 13 years. She was three years younger
than Kiku is now when she became ninja and even that time she could take care of herself." reminded Gohda patiently.
Rikimaru knew that Lord Gohda was right, but he didn't like it at all. He didn't want to risk Ayame's life even if he knew
that she was willing to die for the greater good like him. After defeating Tenrai she had become more and more dear to him.
He had been able to put his feelings aside and ignore them last 3 years but now it felt impossible task. They seemed so
powerful. He didn't know what he should do to the repressive feeling of worry that he felt for Ayame's sake. He turned
around that Lord Gohda couldn't see the worry and other mixed feelings that were written on his normally so stoical face.
With great struggle he finally got his face back to stoical. Turning to Lord Gohda he said
"You are right my Lord. I go out to spar with other ninjas; I am near the river if you need me."
Rikimaru sparred many hours in the rain with other ninjas. When he finally ended his sparring he was sweaty and every
muscle of his body was tired and aching. Before going inside he visited blacksmith to see if Izayoi would be repaired,
but blacksmith hadn't even started yet. * This really isn't my day.* thought Rikimaru frustratedly as he dragged himself in to his room.
He was changing his shirt when his room's door suddenly flew open, and before he could do anything, Ayame was in front
of him hugging him and sobbing against his bare chest. Surprised Rikimaru couldn't do anything else than comfort crying
woman in front of him.
Hope you liked it. I would like some feed back and I try to update as soon as possible.