******************************************************************************Act III
A Sorrowful Price For Treachery
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Chapter Eight: The resigned eyes of Kenichi
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Mission: Assassinate the young Advisor
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Taro let out his breath as he glanced around. The fighting was nearly over. He smiled happily, knowing that not many of his men had been lost in the fight. This was a great victory for the Godha clan.
"HEY! I DID IT! I BLEW UP THE BOATS!" called a high and excited voice.
Taro turned and was pleased to find the girl in the kimono running along the other side of the river, waving to him frantically. She seemed to be beyond all euphoria.
"I USED ALL YOUR BOMBS, AND NOW ALL THE BOATS ARE GONE!" she cried, jumping up and down and waving to him.
"GOOD JOB!" Taro bellowed to the other side of the river. "STAY NEAR THE WOODS! WE SHALL BE RETURNING HOME SOON!"
"OKAY! OH, AND BY THE WAY!" the girl called, "LORD IEKAZU WAS IN ONE OF THE BOATS WHEN I BLEW THEM UP!"
"WHAT?!" Taro cried. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!"
"WELL, I MEAN..., oh this is stupid," Tomoyo muttered, getting sick of shouting. She quickly crossed the river and made it over to Taro, despite his orders.
"What I mean is that I grouped the boats together and was about to blow them up when Lord Iekazu appeared and jumped into one. I warned him, I swear I did, but he wouldn't listen. I threw all the bombs at once and there was a really big explosion!" Tomoyo said excitedly.
"And you're positive that the explosion killed him?" Taro questioned.
"Yes!" Tomoyo exclaimed. "I saw his head floating down the river."
Taro stared at her, perplexed. This girl did not at all seem fazed that she had just killed one of the most powerful Lords in all Japan.
"Are you sure you're a Maiko?" Taro asked.
The girl shook her head furiously. "I'm not anymore. I'm going to leave my Geisha house." Tomoyo said determinedly.
"Well, then how about you join the Azuma ninja? With your great speed you would make a fantastic messenger."
"Really?" the girl asked, her eyes going wide and sparkly. "I could be an Azuma ninja?"
"Yes, I think so. Why don't we start you off now. Take this." Taro said, handing her his spare dagger. "Do you know that third...uh...supposed girl who rescued you? Uh...what was the name?...oh, Akane!"
"Are you talking about Atsutane?" Tomoyo asked.
Taro laughed. "Yeah, him. Go get him and make sure that he comes with you. I'm afraid he might be getting ideas about staying behind. Tell him he has to start grouping the others by the river. Try to stay out of trouble, but if anyone bothers you, throw this at them and call for help. Got it?"
"Got it!" Tomoyo exclaimed happily, then ran off to find Atsutane.
***
Sayako sat on a rooftop, watching the scene play out before her in horror. Her mother was...conversing?...with Nagen. What were they talking about? It seemed that Nagen was suggesting that he knew something his mother did not want him to know.
Oh mother Sayako thought sadly. What does this man know about you?
***
The boy opened his eyes again.
"It is all right. Do not hesitate. Please take my life." he said slowly.
Rimiko simply stared at him. He was asking her to kill him? What was going on? She raised her sword and mentally prepared herself for the kill. Rimiko stepped towards him and tried to ignore how her hands shook.
"You know, I don't need your permission to kill you!" she hissed.
The boy did not respond.
"What? So, am I supposed to believe that you really want me to kill you?" Rimiko ground out.
She sheathed her sword and then placed one hand on her hip. There was a perfect scowl on her face. Anyone who knew Rimiko knew that this was the stance of determination. And of course it was the stance of unrelenting determination, for she inherited it from her mother. The boy seemed to sense this and frowned.
"You don't understand." he sighed. "It is important that you kill me. That way it all ends here. Tonight."
Rimiko shook her head, completely frustrated. "So you want to die? You are insane, you know that? You are a true fool."
Rimiko took out her sword again.
The boy smiled at her.
"Thank you." he said, sliding his eyes shut again.
Rimiko gulped, then raised her sword. It would be a clean cut, right through the heart. She pulled the sword back and adapted a stance that would allow her to push all of her weight forward, to push her blade deep within the boy.
A few seconds past. Then a minuet. The boy was breathing gently with his eyes closed, his long eyelashes laying against his pale skin. The boy was so unlike the strong and energetic men she was used to. He seemed so tranquil, so frail. And there was a great wisdom hidden in those sad eyes.
Rimiko felt something tighten in her chest. The cruelty of life suddenly seemed too much to bear. Why was violence such an all encompassing thing? Was no one able to escape it? Was no one free to live a peaceful life? This boy was a scholar. He was not meant to be a part of this.
I must stop hesitating. I am a child born of the shadows. His life is rightfully mine Rimiko thought.
Is it? A voice inside her head questioned, a sage voice sounding very much like her mother's.
I choose this life of blood. I can not turn back now Rimiko thought furiously.
Yes, you choose this life. He did not!
The thought reverberated throughout her, bringing upon her a great and terrible realization. Every instinct told her that the decision she was about to make would probably be the greatest mistake of her life. But she had one great and comforting solace.
This was the only thing she could do.
"It is my responsibility to kill you," she said softly, "But you are an innocent person, and it is also my responsibility to save you from everything that I have willingly thrown myself into. You actually desire cessation? Well, I won't give it to you."
***
Atsutane lay on the ground, cursing his foul luck. As he saw the guard slowly approach him he accepted the fact that he was about to die. At least he had put up a damn good fight, even if it had only delayed the inevitable. All his energy seemed to have left him, and his arms and legs refused to move. A steady stream of blood poured down for a large cut on his head.
"Beautiful rivers of crimson flowing from the head," he recited, then began to laugh hysterically.
It was just too funny. All of it was just too funny. He would be one of the few ninja to die that night. What terrible luck.
"I am so sorry, father." Atsutane whispered.
The guard suddenly took a step forward, and with a strangled cry, fell to the ground. A short dagger was deeply embedded in his back. Tomoyo stood behind the dead man, looking at him curiously.
"Wow. That's the second man I've killed tonight." Tomoyo said thoughtfully, then looked down at the blood that had splattered onto her kimono. "Aiyaa! Look at what I've done to this kimono! Good thing I'm leaving the Geisha house, or they'd have kicked me out. Hey, are you all right?" Tomoyo asked and knelt beside Atsutane.
Atsutane smiled, reached up, and grasped her hand. Tomoyo blinked and stared at him silently. The faintest blush crept up her cheeks.
"Tomoyo..." Atsutane said, his voice heavy.
"Yes?" Tomoyo asked.
"Tomoyo..." he repeated softly.
"What is it, Atsutane?" Tomoyo asked, leaning in close towards him.
"Is Amana all right?"
Tomoyo face vaulted.
"Yeah, Amana's fine. I'm fine too. Thanks a lot for asking." Tomoyo ground out.
"Oh wonderful. I was afraid something had happened to her and her lovely face." Atsutane let out a sigh of relief.
"I can assure you that both she and her lovely face are perfectly fine." Tomoyo spat. "Now can you hurry and get up? Taro wants you."
Atsutane cocked his eyebrow at her. "Taro wants me? What, are you his new messenger?"
"Yes, I am, actually." Tomoyo said, lifting her chin proudly.
"His new messenger running around in a kimono? That's a first." he said skeptically.
"If you'll try and remember, you were in a kimono just an hour ago!" Tomoyo yelled, smacking Atsutane.
Unfortunately, Tomoyo had struck the spot where Atsutane had been cut. Without even crying out Atsutane fell over in unconsciousness. Tomoyo studied the sleeping boy for a moment, completely unbelieving of what had happened. Realizing that she was now going to have to carry him, Tomoyo hit him once more for prosperity.
***
"Come now Ayame. Don't make me say it." Nagen pushed. "We both know that there are many secrets hidden behind that calm surface."
"You know nothing!" Ayame spat.
Nagen took a tentative step forward. "Oh but I do. All those reports, spanning over years. Years Ayame, years. They all tell me one thing. One undeniable thing."
"Shut up!" Ayame hissed.
Why didn't I see this? She wondered furiously.
"If I am correctly interpreting your features, I think that you are now wondering why you did not...foresee...this unexpected turn of events. Well, I shall just say this, dearest, we very much so alike. Many a...common bond, as it were."
Realization hit Ayame. A realization so great and terrible that she did not know whether to laugh or to cry.
"Yes." Nagan said calmly. "It certainly is a lot to take in, isn't it? Did you truly think that everything was so one sided, Ayame? That the universe, in all its greatness and magnitude, was purely on the side of your little clan? Tsk tsk, you're common sense should have warned you of this."
Ayame was silent for a long time. Eventually she sheathed her swords and took in a shuddering breath. She looked at Nagen with a greater semblance of calm.
"I congratulate you. Nothing has been able to produce such imbalance in me for over ten years now. It seems that my enlightenment has failed me once again. The older I get the more I realize I don't know." Ayame said softly.
"Ah, that is a drawback of old age. But also one of its greatest features, wouldn't you say?"
A smile graced Ayame's lips.
***
"What an idiot...never met...any...one...so...thick headed...should drop him in...the river...tied...to...boulders." Tomoyo huffed.
Atsutane, still in deep unconsciousness, was slung across her back. There was a peaceful expression on his face that made him look very innocent. Tomoyo ignored it. She was walking extraordinarily slow due to her burden. Between her deep gasps for air she cursed him with the remainder of her strength.
"...in the fouls of hell...rot forever while demons torture..."
Tomoyo stumbled a bit and nearly dropped him. Unable to balance herself, Tomoyo fell to her knees. She could feel the wet dirt seeping through her kimono.
***
Sayako's head snapped. She wasn't sure, but she could have sworn she just heard a young girl screaming obscenities. Shrugging it off, she returned to watching the scene between her mother and the mysterious advisor Nagen.
Sayako's entire world froze as she watched her mother sheathed her swords. Her world swayed, and for a moment she actually believed that she had fallen from her perch. But no matter how many times she blinked or tried to convince herself it wasn't true, the sight lay before her; her mother was standing before an enemy without her weapons drawn.
They were talking as if they were kin, as if they alone shared one another's secrets. The horror slowly crept into Sayako until she could take it no longer.
"Mother!" Sayako cried, jumping down from the rooftop and standing beside Ayame.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sayako asked, her right scythe held high and ready to be thrown at Nagen.
Ayame placed a hand gently on her daughter's arm and forced her to lower her weapon.
"But mother..." Sayako protested.
Nagen laughed. "Well, neither you nor your daughter may believe me, Ayame, but it was very enjoyable to speak with you. We shall meet again Ayame, and under worse circumstances, I am afraid. None the less, I look forward to it." he said, then with a friendly wave he walked off.
Sayako started after him. "We have to...!"
Ayame held her back. "Not now. I am not...we are not...meant to face him now."
"I don't understand! Why were you talking with him? Why did you sheath your swords?" Sayako asked furiously.
Ayame shook her head. "You would not understand."
"I AM TIRED OF YOUR SECRETS!" Sayako screamed, stepping back from her mother.
Ayame recoiled as though she had been hit. Sayako's anger deepened into a smoldering and unrelenting fury.
"I've sensed it mother. My entire life I've sensed it. The many, many secrets you hold. Not only from me, but from everyone. I am sick of it." Sayako spat.
Ayame stared at her child in wonder. Her beautiful daughter, her perfect little Sayako, how different she was then her twin. Ayame could not help but think of their many differences. Rimiko was quick to anger and quick to calm, blunt with her words and superfluous with her emotions. And yet the girl was easily able to conquer her emotions and function with their benefit, honest to a fault. Sayako, however, rarely showed her true emotions and was a great deal more secretive. She never showed her anger, but now it was apparent that anger was stored inside of her, waiting, waiting to be unleashed...
"You are so like your father." Ayame suddenly burst out, tears in her eyes.
Sayako was thrown by this. For a moment she opened and closed her mouth like a koi, unsure what to say. She forced herself to be cold and turned away.
"You're evasive, mother, but that won't work much longer."
***
Tomoyo was very pleased to find that a group of the Azuma ninja had gathered to return to their estate. The group was small compared to the amount staying behind to make sure that all of Lord Iekazu's men were rounded up. It comprised mostly of the injured and those who were tending to them.
Taro was among the group. He looked very tired but a huge smile lit his face. Tomoyo felt relieved. His smile was such a great assurance of victory.
In his hand Taro held the reigns to several horses, all of whom were huge and powerful creatures. Tomoyo had never seen such fine looking beasts before. Taro laughed and talked with the men, distributing the horses among them. When he came to her he gasped.
"Is Atsutane injured badly?" Taro asked urgently.
"No. Just unconscious." Tomoyo huffed, eager to be rid of him.
"Oh good. You've been of great help, Tomoyo. Thank you. Now lets get you and him on this one and you can ride with the rest of the men back to the estate." Taro said, gesturing to one of the larger horses. "Do you think you'll be able to handle the horse? The others will help you, of course."
"I won't have too much trouble handling the horse..." Tomoyo started.
The temptation to protest being stuck with Atsutane was very powerful. She sighed, remembering that Taro was the one who offered her the chance to join the Azuma ninja. She faked a smile.
"Yes, actually, I really think I can handle it. I'll take him back." she said.
Taro was thankful and helped her up into the saddle. It was tricky, but the pair were able to maneuver it so that Atsutane sat in front of her and she was able to hold him up. The boy turned in his sleep and snuggled up to her. Tomoyo made a disgusted face and Taro laughed as the couple went off.
"Taro! Are there any extra horses?" Sayako called out as she ran to the departing group.
"Well, actually, there is one more..." Taro said, wincing.
The only one left was a little pony that was meant more for transporting supplies than riders. It was a great embarrassment to ride. Sayako sighed impatiently and hopped on. Without another word to Taro she speed off after the group. Taro frowned, wondering what was wrong with the girl, but then remembered that this had been her first battle. Both she and Rimiko had first shed blood that night. It must have been difficult for them.
The group had now fully disappeared into the woods. He eyed them with envy. Taro wanted more than anything to return home to his precious Kiku and Shiro. He knew though that he would have to be a part of the group that stayed behind for the next week or so. It would be a long time before the estate was completely secure and in the hands of the Godha clan.
The responsibilities that had been thrust upon him due to his marriage to a Princess were often difficult and sometimes nearly impossible. But remembering his loving Kiku and his beautiful son Shiro, Taro smiled and decided this was not too great a price to pay.
"Taro!" Bano yelled out to him from a distance. "Come now! Our long week begins!"
Taro laughed at the man's actual enthusiasm. Someday he would be a hardened ninja like Bano was, with countless years of experience under his belt. For now he would simply have to draw on the strength and courage all the older ninja had to offer and lead his men to his fullest abilities.
"A very long week indeed!" Taro called out, laughing and rushing over to his brother in shadows.
***
Rimiko and Kenichi walked through the long hallways hand in hand, though Rimiko's grip was not kind. Kenichi was putting up no fight, but Rimiko was simply waiting for an escape attempt. However, the boy seemed so resigned that he simply followed where Rimiko lead. Not able to understand the boy's reasoning, she questioned him on this.
"Why are you so...I dunno...I mean...why the hell don't you at least put up a fight?" Rimiko asked impatiently.
The boy refused to answer. A low growl emanated from the back of Rimiko's throat. She was about to threaten him to give her an answer, but then realized that the boy would probably relish the threat.
"I don't get it. Why would you want to die?" Rimiko asked, more to herself than to him.
Quiet words escaped his lips, seeming to be beyond his control.
"You said that before. What do you mean by "it would all end here"?"
The boy look surprised.
"You heard that?" he asked, clearly not thinking she could pick up his whispered words.
"Of course I heard it! Ninja senses are the best. We hear everything, see everything, know everything..." she chuckled. "The only thing I don't know is why anyone would ever want to kill themselves!" Rimiko exclaimed.
The boy stared down at her in wonder. Rimiko suddenly realized that he was a good inch taller than she was. Any other boy with a height advantage definitely would have tried to fight her by now. Who the hell was he?
"Well you know," the boy said, suddenly hardening, "What I don't understand is why don't you kill me. It would be much easier for you. I'm not of any use."
"Oh no? I'm sure you have plenty of information that could be of great benefit to us." Rimiko said coyly.
The boy laughed, though it was greatly bitter. "You'd be surprised." he spat.
Rimiko was taken aback but his sudden anger. She tightened her grip, expecting his attack to come at any moment. It never did.
"You have foolish expectations. I was only the advisor in training. Lord Iekazu was teaching me by the books, not by experience. I never did or saw anything outside of my library. Your clan probably knows more about Lord Iekazu than I do. But it doesn't matter. If you won't take my life, than I will." he warned seriously.
Rimiko was now beyond all comprehension. This...this was a boy she would never understand. The pair walked on in silence and exited from the building. Rimiko looked around and felt a group of her kin coming towards them. Hurrying Kenichi along the opposite direction, Rimiko took a round about route to where she was truly aiming.
"Gorgeous stables." Rimiko commented as she took in the sight of the grandiose stables.
The pair went inside and found dozens of strong and healthy horses all waiting in pristine clean rows of stalls. Rimiko looked them all over with a critical eye and finally choose one that was a deep chestnut brown. She patted it's nose affectionately with her free hand. The horse nuzzled her gently. Rimiko simply bashed the lock off the stall and lead the horse out. She then gazed at Kenichi critically.
"Let me guess. The second you get on this thing and we head off in a trot you're going to jump off and try to land head first on some pointy rocks, right? Or will you try to flip over the horses head and let it squish you to death? Or maybe your more of a clean kill guy. Maybe you'll wait till we ride past some branches and try to impale yourself on one. Am I getting close?" Rimiko asked, her mother's sarcasm inflected in her voice.
She caught the briefest hint of a smile on his lips before the boy again stared at her impassively.
"Well, I'll take that as a yes." Rimiko chuckled.
Then there was no other way to do it. She locked eyes with the boy for another moment before she looked away. Sorrow now encompassed her heart.
"I'm sorry." she said honestly. "But for some reason I simply cannot let you die. Forgive me."
Before he could respond she swiftly punched him in the stomach. A look of complete pain and surprise crossed his features before he passed out. Rimiko caught him easily and lifted him onto the saddle and in front of her. The horse trotted out of the stables and into the night.
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A/N: I hope all you die hard Ayame fans aren't too angry with Sayako right now! She's a really good girl, I swear, but she's getting very fed up with some of the things in her life right now. Ayame's secrets don't help at all. And what exactly are Ayame's secrets? Ah, in due time, in due time...
Big thanks to Dragon Lady, I'll be sure to look out for your story (or maybe you could send me the link, please?). And Lady Kieryn, nice hearing from you! Hope you all like everything so far.