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Act V
Pain of Eternity
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Chapter Thirteen: Somatic
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Mission: Prevent Rimiko from killing Kenichi
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Tomoyo weighed each shiruken in her hand carefully. She was so close to mastering the Happou that she could taste it. The Azuma ninja technique of the eight shuriken throw was one of the most deadly skills a throwing master could accomplish.
With a mighty cry Tomoyo tossed her weapons. They were thrown with such deadly force that they whistled through the air. Six struck the array of wooden targets with frightening precision, but the last two sunk into the walls of the dojo, completely off their mark. Tomoyo let out a frustrated sigh.
"Hello!" a happy voice called from the dojo entrance. The door slid open a crack and a hand slipped in, waving energetically. "Is it safe to come in?"
"Yes. I am finished for tonight." Tomoyo called.
The entire gang of young Azuma filed in eagerly. Whenever Tomoyo practiced she had to close off the dojo for fear of a rogue shiruken injuring her friends. They had been waiting outside for her to finish, eager to see her progress.
"Look at that! Those last two barely missed their target. She's improving at a stunning rate." Atsutane said proudly.
"Not fair!" Rimiko protested. "When you used to train my sister and I it was nothing but complaints."
"Well, neither you nor I were his fiancee, Rimiko. Of course he is nicer to Tomoyo." Sayako said mildly.
"Fiancee!?" Tomoyo and Atsutane shrieked at once.
"Well, yeah." Rimiko said as though this were obvious. "Aren't you two going to get hitched? You're not getting any younger, Tomoyo." Rimiko pointed out.
"And what about you? What are your plans for the future?" Tomoyo shot back.
Rimiko smirked. "A ninja doesn't have obligations to marry."
"I may just be a messenger but once I master the art of the shiruken I'll be on my way to becoming a ninja!" Tomoyo said defensively.
"Oh, so you're training so hard to become a ninja so that you won't have to marry Atsutane?" Sayako asked.
"No, I'm not!" Tomoyo said.
"You're not training hard?" Rimiko asked.
"Yes I'm training hard!"
"To become a ninja?" Sayako asked.
"Yes to become a ninja!"
"So you wont have to marry Atsutane?" Rimiko prodded.
"No, not so that I don't have to marry Atustane!"
"So you do want to marry Atsutane?"
"Of course I want to marry Atsutane! I...opps."
There was a pause of silence as Tomoyo regarded what she just said. Atsutane was staring at her with wide eyes. The twins looked at each other smugly and nodded.
"We'll be leaving you now." Rimiko said politely.
"Yes. Have a nice night." Sayako added as she and her sister left the dojo.
The two laughed as soon as they shut the door behind them. Sometimes it was just too easy to mess with that pair. The day was still young and the girls debated what they should go do. Many of the Azuma were still tied up in the affairs with the Western estate, leaving things back in the Godha estate to be very dull. The streets were abandoned and there was little sign of life.
"This is depressing." Rimiko sighed. "I wish everyone would hurry back."
"How about we go visit Lord Godha? He is still with Hinageshi, is he not?"
"His wounds were quite serious." Rimiko said, recalling the state that he had been in. "Let's go see him."
The twins headed over to Hinageshi's healing quarters and waited politely by the room that was reserved for Lord Godha. Princess Kiku opened the door and allowed them inside. Kiku, faithful as ever to her father, had stayed by his side during his time of recovery. Hinageshi was also by his side along with Shiro. The boy smiled at the sight of Sayako and dove into her arms.
Sayako held him gently as Rimiko went to Godha. "How are you feeling my Lord?"
Lord Godha smiled. "Ah my dearest Rimiko, have you come to visit an old man? I keep trying to tell her," he said, inclining his head towards Hinageshi, "that I am full fit and ready to get back on my feet. She simply won't have it."
"Of course not! You need to rest and recover your strength" Hinagehsi said firmly.
"Yes, yes I am aware." Lord Godha said wistfully. "Though I should not complain. The company has been good." he said kindly as Kiku returned to his side and took a hold of his hand.
"Sayako," little Shiro beckoned gingerly. "When do you think papa will come home?"
"Soon. He is going to come home soon, Shiro." Sayako said.
Sayako looked away from his wide eyes, knowing full well that this was a lie. So many of the Azuma were tied up with the Western Clan because of that one terrible castle. A single corridor could take hours to navigate through. Its labyrinths were so confusing that the ninja were being forced to work in pairs, one to watch for any remaining threat and another to work on mapping out the path. Taro was hoping to have a master plan of the castle finished within a few weeks time.
Shiro gazed at her steadily, somehow seeming to know that she was withholding from him. Sayako wasn't surprised that the sensitive child had detected her hesitation. Shiro decided against pressing her for more information and for that she was thankful.
The door slid open and a servant bowed low at the door.
"I am terribly sorry for disturbing you, my Lord. But I must inform you that we seem to have a visitor from the Northern Clan. A young boy sir, named Morimoto Kenichi , has just arrived and asked to speak to Madame Hinageshi. He is unescorted, my Lord."
Sayako's eyes immediately turned to Rimiko. Her sister was motionless, and for a moment Sayako could feel her own heart constrict along with her twin's.
***
The twins peaked over the side of one of the lower walls in the main courtyard. In the distance they could see a group of Lord Godha's guards surrounding Kenichi. They searched through all his bags and checked him twice for weapons. They still seemed unsatisfied and were about to interrogate him when Hinageshi approached them. She spoke with the guards and the twins could see that they were mollified by her words. The guards dispersed, leaving only Kenichi and Hinageshi together. They exchanged a few hurried words before they returned to Hinageshi's quarters.
"What the hell is he doing back here?!" Rimiko hissed furious. "And what business does he have with Hinageshi?!"
Sayako said nothing. She had never before seen her sister in such a rage and was unsure as to what she could say. It seemed that nothing could distemper Rimiko, and for the rest of the day she locked herself in the dojo and practiced furiously.
"What's wrong with Rimiko?" asked a completely flustered Tomoyo, who had just been thrown out of the dojo with Atsutane.
"Is that girl crazy or what?" Atsutane demanded, rubbing his backside where he had so gracefully landed.
"I'm not exactly sure myself." Sayako said. "Lets just show her some respect and leave her alone for the day."
***
Rimiko stared at the ceiling of the dojo, memorizing the detailed patterns in the grain. She had practiced for hours and her muscles had finally given up. She didn't know how long she had been laying there, and in her lethargy, she didn't care to know. A deep rumble in her stomach managed to catch her attention though, and finally being moved by hunger, she peeled herself up off the floor and sleepily made her way out of the large building.
On the way to the kitchens she just happened to pass by Hinageshi's quarters. All the doors and windows were shut and no light shone inside. Rimiko sighed and was about to leave when she heard the soft swish of a door being opened and then closed. She carefully followed the sound and saw a shadow move across the balcony outside of Hinageshi's quarters. The dark figure leaned against the railing of the balcony and stood silently in the cool night. Rimiko watched from a distance before slowly moving closer.
"I was wondering when you would show up." Kenichi said. His words were neither kind nor unkind.
"Don't you think you're pushing your luck? You've already inconvenienced my clan once before with your presence."Rimiko snapped.
The boy laughed softly. "I suppose you are right."
"Asked anyone to kill you lately?" Rimiko asked nastily. "I'm surprised you aren't already dead. Why is it that you do not have the courage to do it yourself?"
Kenichi laughed again, a hollow, bleak laugh. "So you still don't know? You still haven't figured it out?"
"Figure what out?!" Rimiko demanded angrily.
"I suppose it is better that you do not know. I am already nothing in your eyes."
He slowly drew himself from the railing and walked away. Kenichi's movements were slow and forced, as though every step caused him great pain. Rimiko watched him depart, wondering how one person could cause such trouble for her.
***
The next few days passed by in blurry meaninglessness. Rimiko had never before felt at such a great loss. Clearly Hinageshi knew what she did not, as did her mother and Lord Godha. In fact, after a few days Rimiko got the impression that she was the only one of ignorance when it came to Kenichi. Her sister was avoiding her, but when Rimiko did manage to speak with her she could see a tide of words held at bay on Sayako's lips. Rimiko knew that her twin desired to tell her and was furious that she was withholding her knowledge. Overall, Rimiko held a general anger towards the world at large and kept herself locked up in the dojo for frightening periods of time.
It was three days after she had spoken to Kenichi and very late at night. Rimiko was just pulling herself from the dojo, beyond exhaustion. She was trying to think up a good excuse to pass by Hinageshi's but decided to just walk by the place. What she saw surprised her. Hinageshi stood outside with Ayame, talking hurriedly and seeming very upset. Unable to withhold her curiosity, she edged closer to the pair and eavesdropped on their conversation.
"He's getting worse, Ayame! I'm afraid there is nothing I can do for him. That poor child! The pain he must be in."
"Is there nothing we may do for him?"
"There may be a cure just yet, but I have great reservations. It would require a mission into the Northern clan, and as of now, we are on unstable grounds with them. I doubt that we would have any ninja willing to undergo the danger for a child who does not belong to our own clan."
"I will discuss these matters with Lord Gohda. In the meantime, continue giving him the sedatives. We should try to at least make him comfortable."
Ayame suddenly turned and gazed upon Rimiko's hiding spot. "Rimiko, you are to help Hinageshi tonight. Understood?"
She's always does that! Rimiko thought angrily.
"Yes mother." she snapped.
Ayame went off to speak to Lord Godha. Hinageshi brought Rimiko inside and went straight to her work table. She ordered Rimiko to put a pot of water on to boil and did not speak another word to her.
"What is it that you are all hiding from me?" Rimiko suddenly demanded. "Is Kenichi sick?"
Hinageshi paused in her sorting of herbs. A great sigh escaped her lips. "If only it were that simple."
"What do you mean?"
"Kenichi suffers from a very rare condition. It's difficult to explain, but it's a condition that's present from birth and grows steadily worse over the years. Kenichi's muscles cause him great pain, and with every movement he suffers terribly. When he was last at the clan I gave him medicines that I was sure would eventually heal his ailments. But over the past month Kenichi's pain has come back tenfold. It was all he could do to make it back here."
As Rimiko heard this story her chest ached terribly. "Will it cause his death?"
"No, although that would be a mercy. If no cure is found this condition will cause him pain for the rest of his life, making it so that he may no longer move his owns limbs. How I feel for the poor child! To know only pain your entire life. There has never been a time where he has been free from it."
"There must be a cure!"
"There may be." Hinageshi said, picking up a map from her table and handing it to Rimiko. "I've heard rumor that there is a man in the Northern clan who uses acupressure to treat this ailment. It is not a true cure, but the acupressure relieves the sufferer from their pain. I've circled the area on the map where I believe he is located, but still, it is just rumor."
Hinageshi then sighed. "Yet his ailment is not all we have concealed from you, Rimiko. Kenichi is the..."
But when she turned around to speak to the girl she found both Rimiko and the map gone.
***
Kenichi lay motionless upon his futon. On that night the pain was so great that he found difficulty in sleeping. He resigned himself to the waking world and passed his time by studying the ceiling. The door to his room slid open and shut quietly.
"The pain is still great, Hinageshi." he said. When the figure moved to his side he was quite startled.
"Oh, it is you."
"Yes it's me your jerk. Why didn't you simply tell me about this condition of yours?" Rimiko demanded.
Kenichi smiled, though this time it was of light. "I did not want you thinking any less of me than you already do. It is difficult for me to even leave my bed. Do you understand how pathetic I feel?"
"You shouldn't feel pathetic at all. It is not your fault that you suffer from this." Rimiko protested.
"Please stop with your kindness. It only makes me feel worse." Kenichi said. Suddenly he shook with pain and sucked in a deep breath.
"Are you all right? Is there anything I can do?" Rimiko asked quickly. She noticed that Hinageshi had left him a cup of water and held up the drink. "Here," she offered.
Rimiko gently held his head up and put the cup to his lips. He drank a few sips and then lay back down, seeming calmed. He gazed at Rimiko intently for a few silent minuets.
"I am undeserving of your kindness." he said softly. "I've wronged you and yet you still take care of me. Tell me, please, why did you not kill me that night?"
"I..." Rimiko began. "I...I couldn't. My mother, Lord Gohda, Taro...they always taught me never to kill the innocent. You were innocent. I simply could not kill you. I could never kill you."
Kenichi smiled, but another wave of pain washed over him and he moaned in agony. Rimiko grasped ahold of his hand. He squeezed her own tightly, as though she were his anchor to this world.
"Rimiko...if this pain continues, I may once again ask to be killed. I will not ask you, but I may ask one of your comrades. I can not live on like this. I would do anything to be free from this pain." he whispered, tears now filling his eyes. "I am so sorry Rimiko. My entire life has been nothing but pain. I should never have been so cruel to you. It is my greatest regret."
And with those last words Kenichi lost consciousness. Rimiko stayed with him throughout the night, never letting go of his hand. When morning came she finally left his side. Holding the map tightly to her chest, she quickly ran back to her room and packed a huge sack full of supplies. Upon completing that she ran to the stables and began to saddle up the fastest horse the Godha clan possessed.
"Rimiko! Where have you been all night? Hey, are you going somewhere?" Sayako asked, running up to her.
"I'm going to the Northern Clan to find the man who can cure Kenichi. I expect to be back in two to three weeks."
"WHAT?!" Sayako exclaimed. "Rimiko, think about this for a second! You can't go by yourself. And besides, Hinageshi said this man was only a rumor."
"Ah! So you knew what was going on this whole time. Why didn't you tell me about Kenichi?"
"I didn't tell you because I knew you'd do something like this! What is your fascination with this boy?"
"What is your fascination with Yasha?" Rimiko shot back.
There was a long silence and Rimiko finished saddling her horse. She looked down to see if Sayako was to further protest, but it seemed that the fight had left the girl.
"Rimiko," she said wearily, "make sure that you come back before the month's end. Our birthday is coming up. I expect you to be back and to bring me lots of presents."
"Now there's a promise I can keep." Rimiko laughed.
She leaned down from her saddle and gave her sister a quick embrace. Then, with a parting wave, she rode off into the distance. Sayako stood and watched as her sister departed.
"I wonder though..." Sayako whispered to herself. "She did not mention Kenichi's other secret. Does she know who he is?"
The thought bothered her, but Sayako shrugged it off and whispered, "Please, please be careful, Rimiko."