A/N: I do believe I must give a slight heads up for this chapter. I don't know by other people's standards, but by my own I have to say it gets graphically violent. But I'm sure the hardcore Tenchu fans are actually pleased by this.
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Act V
Pain of Eternity
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Chapter Fourteen: Village under siege
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Mission: Retrieve the acupressure scroll
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"A full week without one good meal. A full week without one bath and without one night spent sleeping on a nice and cozy futon. I could have taken my time and packed some decent food and extra money but no, I had to leave just that second. What the hell was I thinking?" Rimiko wailed.
A weeks worth of traveling through the woods had finally taken its toll on the girl. The first few days of her journey had passed by in pleasant optimism, but the longer she rode and the more she needed a bath, the more foolish this seemed to be.
"An entire week riding on nothing but a rumor. And could Hinageshi have made this map any more ambiguous? The region she circled is at least five miles in radius. I'll never make it back in time!"
Suddenly there was a break in the trees and a small village made itself known. Thanking the gods, Rimiko eyed the village dreamily and hurried her horse along. Riding along its outskirts she found a group of young girls drawing water from a well.
"Hello there!" Rimiko called. "Do you think you could give me some directions?"
The group of girls looked up, screamed, and ran off. The buckets that they had been carrying littered the ground. Rimiko dismounted and helped herself to the well water.
"Now that was strange..." she muttered, wondering exactly how badly she needed a bath.
After her drink and refilling her water pouch she decided to try again. She rode a little further and spotted a small field. In the middle of the dusty field there was a stopped over old man tending to his crops.
"Excuse me grandfather! Could you give me some directions?" Rimiko called out to him.
The old man was startled by her words and clutched his chest. "Its not nice to go around scaring little old men like that!" he yelled.
"Well if I see any little old men around I'll be sure not to." Rimiko said kindly.
He let out a raspy laugh. "Well now don't you know how to sweet talk them? You're just lucky you're talking to a kind soul like me. The other villagers would have ran at the sight of you."
"So I've noted."
"Don't take it personally, little miss. This entire region's been in a right sorry state."
Rimiko dismounted from her horse and offered the man a drink. He took a long swig from her water pouch and sat in the shade of her horse with her.
"Please tell me what's happening." Rimiko requested.
The man scratched at his head. "Well it's a sad story it is. There's a little village just up north of here." he said, pointing just behind them. "It's a real secluded village in the woods and hardly any other village besides this one knows that it's even there. Well this village just happens to be located right along a river that is right full of fish. It's a goldmine, it is. Well, they managed to keep themselves secret for a long time, only trading and doing business with us. But a few weeks ago bandits caught wind of their activities and took over. A messenger managed to tell us what happened and this entire time we've been trying to send for help from our Lord. We don't know whether the messengers haven't gotten through or if our Lord simply doesn't care about one little old fishing village."
"That's awful!" Rimiko exclaimed. "So the bandits are holding everyone there?"
"Yes. I've got some family over there and there ain't no way for them to leave. We keep on sending for help, but that's all my little village can do. We're just farmers. We don't know how to go on and protect ourselves."
"Well please tell me this, does a doctor live there? One famous for his work with acupressure?"
"Oh yes, everyone knows about him. Something of a legend, one might say. He was a revolutionary when it came to using acupressure in his treatments. He's gotten on in age and took up residence in that small village, wanting a bit of peace and quite. Ha. Look what its gotten him."
The man sighed deeply. "I'd like to at least hear from my family. I've got two nieces and a nephew there. All beautiful, they are."
"Thanks for the information, grandfather." Rimiko said, standing up. "Don't lose hope. The hand of justice strikes swiftly."
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Sayako stared at the sky upside down. The clouds were in odd formations above her, seeming as though they were putting in as little effort as possible to move. The sky portrait she had been gazing at had not really changed in over an hour.
"Lazy clouds." Sayako muttered bitterly.
Her head was beginning to ache from hanging upside down for so long. With a resigned sigh Sayako dropped from her perch and landed lightly on the ground. She then sprawled out and gazed at the sky from the earth.
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you're bored." spoke a voice from behind her.
The smiling face of her mother suddenly filled her vision and Sayako laughed. "I think you would be right." she said. Her mother grinned and then began to tickle her.
"Hey! Not fair!" Sayako protested as she tried to flee.
"What exactly were you looking at that was so interesting?" Ayame asked.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's driving me nuts, mother. I've never gone a whole day without at least seeing Rimiko. But a whole week completely without her and I'm already starting to lose it! And who knows when she will come home? I just don't know what to do with myself."
"Ah, it seems that twins simply can't live far away from one another. I know it must be hard on you but it is good that you two be separated every once in awhile. There will be times when you must leave your sister's side."
"That doesn't make it any easier."
"I understand. Come on. I'm going to put you to work." Ayame said mischievously, then pulled her daughter off the ground.
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Rimiko frowned at her little map.
"The old man said it should be here! Why isn't it here?!" Rimiko ground out.
The ninja girl was slowly discovering that when the old man said the village was secluded, he meant secluded. Her horse whinnied in protest of the ever dense forest. Rimiko eyed the fading trail critically. For the next mile she had to lead her horse on foot through the trees that grew more and more tightly together. Just when she thought she and her horse could go no further she saw it. There was a break in the forest which suddenly lead to a small field covered in greenery. There were tiny little row houses in perfect little lines right after it. Each one had its own charm to it, but there was a creeping dilapidation and desertion that took away from the pretty scenery. There was no one out on the streets, and not single sound could be heard except for the swish of the river the old man had been talking about.
Rimiko turned away from the village and instead followed the sounds to the river. It was the largest and fastest river she had ever seen. The old man was right. This was a goldmine.
Her horse happily trotted over to the water and took a long drink. Rimiko removed her pack from the mare's back and gave her a comforting rub. Her horse would be alright for a few days in this area, and was trained well enough not to stray to far. Sad to leave the fine mare but knowing she was safer here, Rimiko left her horse and headed back to the sad looking village.
"What a sorrowful sight this is." Rimiko muttered as she eyed the town critically. There was absolutely no sign of life as far as the eye could see. "Those bandits must have those people scared out of there mind just to leave their houses."
Rimiko slowly approached the village and observed it's layout. If she could just keep to the outskirts of the town she could slowly circle closer and find where the bandits had gathered. Constantly checking behind her back, Rimiko made her way to the outer most row of houses and skulked along in their shadows. She peaked into the first set of windows but found the house to be dark. In fact, all the houses were completely dark. Frustrated, she moved on.
Suddenly she saw movement. A face had appeared momentarily in the window two houses down. Rimiko made her way over to the house, peaked around its side to make sure there was no guard, and then approached the window.
The room was very dark, but she could make out two moving figures. The shadowy blurs pressed their faces to the pane, and only Rimiko's keen eyes could have discerned their outlines. She held up her hands to show that she meant no harm and motioned for them to allow her inside. There was a long hesitation, but the window was slowly opened.
As soon as Rimiko entered the room she felt a small pair of hands grab her own. The other person closed the window as the one holding her pulled her across the room. Rimiko followed obediently, able to tell from the hands that these were mere children.
"Sit here. We will be able to see you in the moonlight." a sweet voice spoke.
Rimiko obliged, sitting where a single moonbeam from another window illuminated a spot on the floor. The two children sat next to her. One was a little girl and the other was a boy. Their appearances were identical.
"We can tell from your clothing that you are not one of them. Have you been sent by Lord Hachiroujirou?" the boy asked.
I can't say I'm from the Godha clan or else they'll be suspicious, Rimiko thought quickly.
"Yes, I was sent from our Lord. Have you children been harmed?"
"Fortunately not. But I can not speak the same for our parents. The bandits took all the adults and have been working them day and night."
"Where are they exactly?"
"Farther up north. The river slows down up there and it is easier to fish. The bandits have been forcing the villagers to fish non-stop. We are afraid that there will soon be none left."
"And have any of the bandits stayed behind in the village?"
"A few stay behind to keep guard. I've kept my sister in the house for a week now, but we are running out of supplies."
"Well, you're a very good brother. Don't worry, I'm here to help. What's your name?"
"My name is Koji, and this is my twin sister Keiko."
"That's funny, I have a twin sister too!"
"Is she here as well?"
"No, she's back at home. I'm the only one here, but I promise I will help your village as much as possible."
"Oh, you are not the only one here!" the girl suddenly pipped up. "A boy sent by Lord Hachiroujirou came here the other day."
"Oh really?" Rimiko asked.
"Why didn't you know about him?" Koji asked curiously.
"Well, you see, I was the first one sent out but I sort of got lost. So I haven't really heard from my clan in awhile." Rimiko said, hating to lie to children but knowing this statement wasn't too far from the truth.
"Oh, I see! Well, we saw him pass by our window just a few nights ago. He looked like he was your age. We didn't talk to him, but we were assuming that he was sent by our Lord." the girl said, suddenly doubtful.
"Thank you for all your help. Stay inside and keep the doors and windows locked. This will all be over soon."
With a parting wave Rimiko disappeared, leaving the children with a hope they hadn't felt in weeks.
***
Sayako was thrilled. Ayame had taken her to the Nakazawa estate and she would be spending the week helping her mother in plotting out the castle's interior. It showed what a great amount of faith her mother held in her for allowing her to do something so difficult. Even the eldest ninja were becoming frustrated with the castle's dangers. The two stood in one of the corridors, Sayako holding parchment, brush and ink, while Ayame held a large sack of rocks.
"Shall I give you a demonstration as to why we need this?" Ayame said, referring to her large and cumbersome bag.
Sayako had a feeling she already knew, but nodded her head anyway. Ayame smirked and walked towards the end of the hallway. In the very corner of the hallway at its end there was a small and odd formation. It was easy to overlook and at a glance appeared to be no more than a scuff in the flooring. Ayame held Sayako back, took a rock from her bag and carefully threw it at the formation.
A small explosion suddenly went off. A burst of flames shot into the air and disappeared just as quickly. Sayako's eyes were wide.
"Bano has set off two dozen of those things just this week. They're literally everywhere. I feel bad for the former servants of this castle. From what we're hearing from the villagers it seems there were many fatalities in this castle."
"Lord Nakazawa certainly must have been paranoid. But why must we set them off? Is there no way to disarm them?" Sayako questioned.
"No, too dangerous. The bombs are set to be powerful enough to kill its victim but not to inflict much harm to the castle. It is easiest to just set them off. Their positioning is ingenious. They're in every corner, and every shadow. Even though I am here with you, Sayako, you must promise me that you will be careful."
"I promise." Sayako said happily.
"Good. Now, we're right here." Ayame said, pointing to a small corner of the parchment. "I began this map yesterday but I'm not very good at drawing. We'll be walking through this eastern end of the castle, and hopefully we can knock out a good section of it by nightfall. Now make a little mark here to indicate we set of an explosion." Ayame ordered. "Hope you're ready for this. Today is going to be a long day."
***
Could these bandits have made it any easier for me? Rimiko thought haughtily.
She had found a perfect spot on Koji and Keiko's rooftop from which she could observe two guards lounging in the next alleyway. They both wore a dirty brown outfits. Another guard had passed by a few minuets ago, wearing the same clothing. Rimiko's biggest fear had been that she might confuse the bandits with villagers, but now she had nothing to worry about.
Well, I suppose I should go find this boy before I have my fun.
She made her way from the rooftop and circled the town. There were barely any guards to speak of. The majority of the bandits must have made camp by the river in order to make sure the slaving villagers didn't try to escape. In a corner of the village farthest from the river Rimiko felt one lone ki. It was very distant, but concentrating her fullest, Rimiko was able to pinpoint her source and headed in its direction.
Peaking around the corner of a small building, a lone boy stood watch. Rimiko studied him from a distance and could just make out the words he was muttering.
"...can't believe I got myself into this...not ready...those bandits will tear me in two..."
Are his knees shaking? Rimiko thought incredulously. Surely this terrified boy can't be...
"Hey!" Rimiko called out. "You sent by Lord Hachiroujirou?"
The boy literally squeaked and turned around, drawing his sword at the same time. The weapon was impressive but seemed to be of heavy metals, and the boy struggled under it's weight.
"Tell me who you are!" the boy demanded, though his voice shook terribly.
"I have also been sent by Lord Hachiroujirou. I am here to help." Rimiko said swiftly.
"What is your name?" the boy demanded.
Uh-oh...can't give him my real name...who knows if he'll recognize it? Mother is famous after all!
"My name is..." Rimiko said slowly, "Morimoto Ken...ko. Kenko! That's it."
Oh real slick Rimiko! She scolded herself mentally. And why did you think of Kenichi's name first? He is now officially the bane of your existence!
"Well, Kenko," the boy said, suddenly straightening and holding himself pompously, "My name is Hitoshi Akiyori. I have been sent here by Lord Hachiroujirou himself, and your presence is unnecessary. You may return home to your family."
Rimiko's temper waged a vicious battle within her, but years and years of ninja training somehow allowed her to fake a smile.
"That is all right. I can stay and help you. Besides, I'm already here." she said through her teeth.
"Well, all right then. I shall allow you to remain. But stay by my side! These bandits are crafty." the boy said loftily.
Well now here's a switch, Rimiko thought. She decided she should be pleased that his legs had stopped shaking.
"So I've noticed you've been standing here and keeping watch. But exactly who were you keeping watch of?" Rimiko inquired innocently, looking around the deserted area.
"Oh...well...there had been a rogue guard who had passed by here. I was hoping to corner him and pump him for information."
"Uh-huh. Well I don't think this guard is going to come. Lets circle around the outskirts of the town and pick off the guards one by one. Once we have the village cleared we can move on to the river." Rimiko said, her words no less a direct order.
"Just as I was about to say! Right, follow me then." the boy said, but Rimiko had already gone.
Time to have fun...time to have fun..
A great and frightening energy coursed through Rimiko. Her body craved battle, and knowing it was about to be fulfilled, her limbs and muscles stretched in delight. A ninja could not go long without battle. The fight was simply in their blood. The instinct of the kill took over Rimiko's senses, and she eagerly followed where they lead.
I can not apologize for the blood I shall shed...all I can do is pray the earth shall wash clean.
Rimiko leapt onto a rooftop and quickly ran up its steep side. When she reached the highest point she leapt into the air, seeming to fly in the night. As she came down her katana was drawn and sliced through the air with her. In perfect form the blade was brought down, bringing with it the fury of heaven itself.
The first victim of the night was split in half. The bandit was dead as soon as he hit the ground.
The blood was flecked quickly from her sword. Drawing next her twin blades, Rimiko flung herself forward, allowing the darkest part of herself to reveal itself that night.
Her mission was simple. Elimination.
She saw movement from the corner of her eye and barreled towards it. At the last possible moment she jumped onto a rooftop. Just as she did a guard passed below her. Rimiko leapt back to the ground, her arms and swords extended in front of her. Her blades struck the guard first and then her body. The kill was instant.
Rimiko leapt back onto a rooftop, feeling an eerie calm take over her. At the end of the rooftop a guard was perched, his back turned to her own. Rimiko simply walked up to him and tapped him in the shoulder.
As the bandit turned Rimiko spun and slammed both blades into his stomach. She held them there for a moment, feeling the life leave him, and then she pulled them out.
A terrifying, dark part of her actually wanted her to be spotted. There was something so dangerous...so thrilling...about being found and having an all out confrontation. But Rimiko was distracted by these inner urges as a bandit passed below.
The bandit stopped for a moment beneath her building. Rimiko crawled slowly to the roof's edge. Wrapping her feet around an outcropping, Rimiko hung upside down. She arched herself all the way backward then swung her blades forward. The man let out a startled cry as the blades entered his back. Rimiko dropped from the roof and ran off to find more victims.
***
"Sayako, your map is looking wonderful!" Ayame complemented.
Sayako blushed and muttered something in response. Ayame's comment had not been superfluous. Sayako's drawing skills were extraordinary. She took down every detail with great precision.
"Have you ever created a map before?"
"No, never."
"Really? And you're this good without any previous experience? Well...I am impressed!"
But the number of things that made Sayako impressive was growing at a frightening rate. Sayako could easily navigate her way through the corridors with as much ease as Ayame, who had already spent days exploring them. Sayako made it appear as if she had lived in this castle.
Ayame wanted to question her daughter but decided against it. Sayako was glowing in satisfaction at her mother's praise, and Ayame wouldn't want to ruin that for anything. The two made a great pair, and with Ayame handling the traps and Sayako in charge of the map, they were making greater progress than any of the other Azuma.
"Look up there. That small groove on the wall is an arrow trap. Stand to the side." Ayame ordered.
Both she and Sayako pushed themselves against one of the walls. With crafted aim Ayame threw a stone past the trap. An arrow whistled through the air and landed harmlessly all the way down at the end of the hallway. Sayako made anther mark on the map as to where a trap had been by putting a small x. There were x's dotting the entire map.
"So many traps..." Sayako whispered. "Oh! I think that's another one!"
"Good eye. Stand back." Ayame ordered. She threw another stone, but this time a spear popped out of the wall and went back in. Ayame frowned.
"Here," she said, handing Sayako a stone. "This will be a two man effort."
Ayame unsheathed one of her swords and held it ready over her head. Sayako threw the stone and triggered the spear. Ayame slashed her sword down as close to the base as she could. The spear clattered to the ground. Waving her hand in front of it, only a small nub of wood now protruded from the wall.
"We're making such great progress!" Sayako exclaimed. "Lets hurry on!"
But in her excitement she did not look down.
The floor just in front of her had such a strange pattern to it.
If she had only looked, the grain would have told her its secret.
"MOTHER!!!" Sayako screamed as she fell into darkness.
***
"Get over here!" Rimiko hissed.
The brave and wonderful Hitoshi Akiyori had been cowering in an alleyway again. Rimiko hauled him over to the bank of southern part of the river. She then abandoned him and ran straight to her horse.
"Are you okay?" Rimiko asked, gently rubbing the horse's nose. "I hate leaving you alone out here." The horse nudged her affectionately.
"Well, at the rate I've been going I'm sure we'll be able to leave here soon!" Akiyori said with a self satisfied smirk.
"I highly doubt that, Akiyori." Rimiko grumbled.
Akiyori's smirk turned into a grin. "Don't be so distant! Call me Hitoshi, Kenko."
"Umm...no. I'll stick with Akiyori and you may refer to me as Morimoto. So listen, Akiyori, don't try to put on an act. You haven't even drawn your sword this night."
"That's a lie!"
"Oh, actually, it is. You did draw your sword...to hold up at me. Terribly sorry for that mistake."
"Are you challenging my talents as ninja?"
"I would if I thought you had any. Let me see your blade."
Akiyori drew the blade slowly. Rimiko drew her own and approached the boy.
"See my blade? It's lost some of its precision edge because I've been using it so much. But look at your own. The blade is so fine it could split hairs. If it had shed any blood it would not be this way. Tell me now. Who are you? You are no ninja."
The boy took a step back. His face was horrified.
"Dammit! I should have known Lord Hachiroujirou would find out. But that is why you are here. You were playing coy from the start!"
Rimiko was startled. "What are you talking about?"
"Rubbing salt into my wounds? Making me explain my follies when you obviously know? Fine. I am no ninja. I am only a ninja apprentice. Because Lord Hachiroujirou was offering payment for any ninja to come to this village and investigate the problem. I convinced him I was a fully trained and took the money. But seeing as how he has sent you, dammit! You're not taking the money from me!"
"You heartless bastard! You only came here for the money? These are people's lives at stake and you were willing to gamble with them. Keep your damn money and just stay out of my way."
Rimiko stalked off angrily. A fresh determination swept over her. Quickly she headed up the river. Voices sounded out from up ahead. The farther she went the more distinct they became. Rimiko used her grappling hook to vault onto one of the trees and moved from treetop to treetop, a horrific scene unveiling before her.
Dozens of men and women were wading in the river depths. Each toiled with large netting, capturing scores of fish at a time. The bandits were watching from the sides of the river, occasionally yelling or beating a villager at random.
Rimiko watched this hell for another hour. Finally, the bandits allowed the villagers to stop. Wearily, the villagers dragged themselves to river bank and sank down on its edge. Instantly they fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. A few guards were position around them, but most of the men had gathered in their own circle. They seemed to be preparing food.
"Well now that's a thought..." Rimiko said, eyeing their large cooking pot with interest.
***
"NO! SAYAKO!"
Ayame screamed hysterically as she knelt by the trap door opening. Her inner calm, her inner balance, was now non-existent. Her ninja mind, perfectly trained to handle emergency situations, had gone totally blank. What could she do?
But unknown to her, in that darkness, Sayako still lived.
It was such an odd experience; unique, frightening, and pleasurable all at once. At first she was caught up in the feeling, that dreadful feeling of a never ending fall which made her stomach plummet. But as the darkness rushed around her it quickly turned into bliss. There were quite rushes reverberating through her ears, and her limbs stretched to their fullest as she swam through the darkness. It was wonderful to just fall, to not care what happened when she landed. Never had she felt so close to flying.
But then the memories came. Memories of Atsutane teaching her to fight. Memories of Lord Godha and Taro teaching her the morals of the Azuma. Memories of Kiku, Shiro, Hinageshi, Bikki, Chiharu, Shoko, and Tomoyo all laughing with her, not having a care in the world. And her mother. Her mother and Rimiko. What would she do without them? What would they do without her?
I've been so reckless with my life, Sayako thought suddenly. Rimiko and I are the same person. If I am to die, if she were to die, would we both not truly die?
Sayako's hand shot to the inside of her shirt. I must live!
Her grappling hook was pulled out in a flash. Sayako instantly assessed that the walls were too smooth for her grappling hook to grab onto. Her only hope was that she had not fallen too far, even though it seemed an eternity.
With all her strength she threw her grappling hook. It was so surreal to see the rope flying upwards. To see her one and only hope flying so far above her.
It will never reach, Sayako thought, tears coming to her eyes.
But as the rope flew above her and her demise came ever towards her, Sayako felt a warmth wash through her body.
Her hand was stretched out, holding onto the grappling hook, but there was now another hand upon her own. A strong arm was wrapped around her, supporting her and holding her. She turned and beheld a man falling along with her. His features were sharp and handsome, and his clothing was that of a ninja. There was something so loving and gentle upon his features, as though Sayako was a person of great importance to him. When he gazed upon her his eyes were full of love and joy.
But perhaps most striking about this man was his hair. It was white. The white of snow.
"Keep reaching, Sayako", he whispered gently into her ear. "Just keep reaching."
Sayako smiled back, the tears now trailing down her cheeks. It was so oddly wonderful to be falling freely with this man holding her. Holding her as though she were a mere child. Never could she remember at time when she had felt so loved and protected. She didn't know this man...she couldn't truly know...but was this her...
Suddenly Sayako's world stopped. Literally. The rope had caught, and the sudden cessation of falling snapped Sayako roughly. She slammed into one of the walls and ricocheted painfully from it. When she finally managed to hold still she could feel the rope being pulled upward.
Sayako blinked. The man had disappeared.
***
Rimiko laughed evilly. Some things in life were just too easy.
"What are you doing?" a voice hissed behind her.
Rimiko grabbed Akiyori and pulled him to the ground.
"Just wait and see."
The bandits had all gathered around in a circle now, not bothering to keep watch on the villagers. They were too terrified to attempt an escape, anyway. A huge man dished out servings of whatever it was he had cooked in the large pot. From the smell it did not seem too appetizing, but the bandits didn't seem to be picky. Each man got a slopping bowl full, and as they ate, they greedily chugged it down as if it were the last meal of their life.
"They have worse manners then me." Rimiko muttered, fairly impressed.
The men laughed heartily and told some of the dirtiest jokes Rimiko had ever heard ("My virgin ears!" Rimiko wanted to protest). But quite suddenly one of the men dropped his bowl, starred off into space, and slumped to the ground. The other men simply laughed at this, not knowing what had happened. But one by one the same happened to them all. Soon all the bandits were scattered upon the ground, unconscious.
Rimiko stood and dusted herself off. She approached the group calmly, Akiyori on her heals.
"What did you do?!" he exclaimed.
"It's a sleeping potion. I'm glad I remembered to bring it along. I'll have to thank Hinageshi when I come home. If she doesn't kill me, that is." Rimiko said. "Now help me tie them up."
The two scrounged around and found some rope among the bandits. They also used pieces of the fishing nets, and working carefully, they began to tie up all the bandits tightly. In the middle of tying up one particularly foul man Rimiko heard a whiny in the distance.
"That was my horse." Rimiko said. "Finish up the job. I'll return soon."
Rimiko ran off to find her horse. When she arrived she found her horse traveling up the river, having been started by some thunder in the distance. Rimiko calmed her horse and brought her along back to Akiyori. But when she returned she was utterly shocked.
"Oh please, do not thank me. I am a humble servant of Lord Hachiroujirou's."
Akiyori had awoken all the villagers and was now claiming all the credit!
Rimiko watched numbly as all the villagers crowded around him and congratulated him. She watched as he disgustingly tried to act humble while simultaneously bragging. Her blood began to boil.
I'll kill him, Rimiko thought simply. I'll out and out kill him as soon as he is away from the villagers.
This seemed like a perfectly natural course of action, and satisfied with her decision, Rimiko began to walk away. She suddenly smacked her head and remembered the reason she was here. She had to find that doctor!
Not wanting to approach the villagers now, for she would surely behead Akiyori in front of them, Rimiko instead returned to the house of Keiko and Koji. The two let her in and eagerly asked her what had happened.
"You no longer have to worry. The bandits are all tied up now. Your village is safe."
"We knew you would do it!" Keiko exclaimed.
"Thank you so much!" Koji said.
"You are welcome. As long as you two appreciate me, that's all that matters." Rimiko said, now rethinking Akiyori's death. It still seemed necessary, though.
"Can you please tell me where I can find this doctor? I need to get going."
"We'll go with you! The doctors a shut in, he never leaves his house. Its so old and run down that the bandits didn't even check there."
Rimiko felt like smacking her head. So she could have just gone to his house and have been done with it! But seeing the happy faces on Koji and Kenko didn't allow her to regret what she had done.
The trio headed over to the doctor's house. He was a kind old man who was clearly relieved that the bandits had been overthrown. Rimiko explained Kenichi's condition as best she could. The doctor seemed to understand completely, and handed her a small parchment.
"This is an acupressure chart." he explained. "Do you see these points marked on the back? If pressure is applied to these points, the pain will disappear. Now, mind you, this must be done once a day, and unfortunately is not a cure of the ailment. But it is a wonderful treatment. Now let me demonstrate how to do it properly."
The doctor kindly taught Rimiko for the next hour everything she needed to know. The crash course in acupressure was actually quite interesting, and Rimiko soaked up all the information he gave her. Rimiko thanked him profusely and offered him payment, but the doctor insisted she had already done enough. Keiko, Koji, and Rimiko bowed low to the doctor as they departed.
"Will you be going home now? Home to your twin?" Keiko asked sadly.
"Yes. Thank you so much for your help. You two are smart and brave little children. Listen," Rimiko said seriously, "Make sure you always appreciate each other, okay? I mean, you two are always going to be twins, and you'll always have a deep bond between you. Its almost like you two are just two parts of the same person. That's really special."
The children seemed to greatly appreciate her words. "Yes! We love being twins!" Keiko said. "Its fun." Koji agreed.
Rimiko reached down and hugged them both. As she walked away they called out their goodbyes to each other. Her heart was greatly warmed.
Now its time to kill that bastard...
But the more she thought about it the less she wanted to shed more blood that night. And all that talking about twins had her thinking about dear Sayako. Suddenly Rimiko found herself wondering what Sayako would do in a situation like this.
Wait, Rimiko thought. Sayako wouldn't kill him. Sayako would do the smart thing.
Having a random epiphany, Rimiko switched directions and ran off.
***
Sayako gripped the edge of the trap door. Ayame dropped the rope she had been pulling and grabbed a hold of her daughter's hand. She pulled Sayako up easily and dragged her a great distance away from the pit. The two grasped each other desperately.
"Oh Sayako! I thought I had lost you!" Ayame exclaimed, her voice choked with tears.
"Mother..." Sayako mumbled, burying her head in Ayame's shoulder.
Sayako was trembling violently, and the two sat like that for a long time. When Ayame could speak again she found herself thanking all the gods for this miracle.
"Mother." Sayako interrupted. "I saw him. When I was falling, I saw him, and he held me, and he told me to keep reaching."
"Who?"
Sayako smiled happily. "Father. I saw father. He had white hair and he was handsome, just as you had said. His spirit came back to me. His spirit came and saved me."
"Rikimaru...?" Ayame whispered.
Sayako nodded. Ayame suddenly knew that more than her daughter had been returned to her that day. Hope itself had been returned to her that day.
***
Akiyori greatly enjoyed the night he spent at the village. The villagers treated him as if he were royalty. The meal they served him was the finest he ever had, and everyone of them clambered to hear his tale. He happily told them of his adventurous night spent beheading all the guards, then brilliantly lacing their food with a sleeping drought. The only ones who knew the truth were Koji, Keiko, and the kind doctor. On Rimiko's wishes they did not challenge the boys story, though Koji did kick him in the shins and run.
The next morning Akiyori roused early. When he went in search of his horse he was surprised to find his mare was not in the place he had tied her. He looked round the entire village but could find no traces of either his horse or the pack containing all his belongings.
Far off in the distance, riding away from the village, his horse was happily trotting along. Beside her was another fine horse matching a fine rider. This rider was eagerly sifting through Akiyori's pack. Its contents were priceless. Food, medicine bottles, clothing, weapons, a compass. Such wonderful things to have for travel.
But the most important item was a medium sized leather pouch. Inside this pouch was a hefty sum of coins. Rimiko weighed the bag in her hand thoughtfully, thinking that she would make good use of the reward from Lord Hachiroujirou. Yes, this would be just enough for all those presents she had to buy Sayako.
She whistled a happy tune as she rode along beneath the warm sunlight.