******************************************************************************
Act V
Pain of Eternity
******************************************************************************
Chapter Fourteen: A Triumphant Return
******************************************************************************
Mission: Free Kenichi from pain
******************************************************************************
Sayako had returned home for three days now and she was still being pampered. After hearing her near death tale it seemed that everyone in the Godha Clan was treating her as though she were made of glass. At first Sayako had been so shocked by the entire incident that she had not even noticed, but now it was getting irritating. But as she waved off Hinageshi's offer of tea for the fifth time that hour, she reminded herself that they were all just worried about her.
Tonight at midnight it would be her birthday, and Rimiko had not yet returned. Sayako had tried to pass the day in her room, but it seemed that everyone wanted to keep her company. So she was surrounded, quite literally, in one of Lord Godha's chambers by her friends and family as they all awaited the midnight hour.
"We were just telling Hinageshi what a wonderful student you are, Sayako." Bikki gushed.
"Yes, you're a faster learner than we were." Chiharu giggled.
"We're jealous of you!" Shoko exclaimed.
Hinageshi, who had been conversing quietly with Ayame, smiled. "Yes. Perhaps I shall sit down and teach you myself one day."
"Is it midnight yet? I want to celebrate." whined Atsutane, who was sharpening weapons with Taro and Tomoyo.
"If you're like this on Sayako's birthday I can't imagine you on your own." Tomoyo commented.
Everyone let out a collective groan.
"Every year he tells me two weeks in advance as to the precise date, as though I forgot." Lord Godha sighed.
Taro growled. "For me it's a month."
"Ayame, hey Ayame! My birthday's coming up. Just thought I'd remind you. Again." Ayame mimicked, rolling her eyes as she did so.
"On your next birthday I'm sedating you and I won't wake you until its over." Hinageshi warned.
Atsutane busted out his classic pout as the door to the room slid open slowly. Juriette entered, bowing and going through all the proper formalities. She smiled when she saw Sayako but was shocked to discover everyone else in the room. She seemed especially surprised to find Lord Godha there, and was seemingly flustered.
"I am terribly sorry if I am intruding." she stammered. "But I've brought some food to help pass the night hours."
"Get on in here." Atsutane ordered, eyeing the large tray she held in her hands. "I'm not missing your snacks this time."
"Yes, do come in child." Lord Godha beckoned.
Juriette nodded curtly and stood. As she walked over to the group and was about to offer them her food, a loud voice suddenly boomed throughout the room.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAYAKO!"
Rimiko pounced into the room and startled Juriette so much that she dropped her tray. The tray upended and its contents flew all over the room. Everyone laughed, except for Juriette, and circled around Rimiko.
"It isn't past twelve yet? I did make it, didn't I?" Rimiko questioned eagerly.
Sayako smiled for the first time in days. "Yes! You have just a few minuets to spare! I'm so glad you made it!"
"A promise is a promise. And not only did I make it back in time but I have PRESENTS!"
And with that Rimiko threw down a huge sack upon the ground. It landed with a gigantic thud. The group wondered vaguely how she had managed to carry such a large burden upon her back.
"Now I had really wanted to wrap all this in fancy paper but I simply didn't have enough time. Give me a minuet while I sort through all this."
Rimiko shuffled through the bag, grabbing here and pulling there. The entire group kept trying to peak into her bag, but Rimiko blocked their view. Finally Rimiko grabbed a huge armful from the bag and literally threw it at Sayako.
"Hope you like it." Rimiko said happily.
Sayako looked down and discovered she was now holding a new ninja suit of armor. As she slowly unfolded the silky fabric she drew in a deep breath. This was exactly as her mother had described her old armor! The outfit was made of a silky violet material, and across the chest there was a strong iron mail. A beautiful pair of armlets, strong boots, and silky face mask completed the outfit. Sayako was beyond words.
"Rimiko...I...." Sayako began.
"Wait! I have more!" Rimiko exclaimed.
And that she did. Rimiko gave her sister a new carrying pack, sharpening stone, dagger, set of three shurikens, a finely lacquered pair of wooden sandals, and Akiyori's compass. Sayako kept opening and closing her mouth dumbly.
"Oh, and your last present is outside." Rimiko said, hauling her sister up.
The two ran outside with the rest of the group on their heels. Sayako looked around expectantly but could only see Rimiko's two horses. Sayako paused. Two horses?
"I don't understand..." Sayako said slowly.
Rimiko rolled her eyes. "Well dummy, if you don't care about always having to borrow a horse from the Godha stables then that's fine with me. I just thought that having your own horse would be nice, is all."
Sayako gasped and ran up to her new horse. It was a snow white mare with clear eyes and fine mane. Rimiko smiled as her sister began to jump up and down.
"Rimiko! Where on earth did you find such a well bred mare?" Sayako cried, already rubbing the nose on her new horse.
Good question...Rimiko thought. Akiyori must have stolen it. Well, it has a better home now, so I did right by stealing from him.
"Come back inside. I have plenty to tell you."
***
The twins spent the night with their friends and family, admiring Rimiko's presents and listening to Rimiko's tale with great interest. Everyone was proud when she told them of how she had laced the bandit's stew with sleeping drought, and none more so than Hinageshi. But when she recounted how she had stolen both mare and money from Akiyori, Atsutane was greatly alarmed.
"You bought all this with stolen money?! Rimiko, what were you thinking?! And not only did you steal, but from the Northern Clan no less! We don't even know where we stand with them!" Atsutane exclaimed.
Taro was also grave. "Atsutane is right. This may cause trouble."
But it was the laughter of both Ayame and Lord Godha that lightened the mood.
"Your concerns are valid but there is nothing to fear. Once the boy discovers that Rimiko was not sent by his Lord, he will not worry about her publicly disgracing him. That will matter most to him. He will not put himself and his reputation in further jeopardy by pursuing her." Ayame explained calmly.
"And besides," Lord Godha added. "The reward was offered to whoever freed the villagers. Rimiko was the one who single handedly captured the entire group of bandits. The money is rightfully hers."
"And what about her stealing his horse?" Atsutane questioned.
"Well," Lord Godha said, "That he simply deserved."
Tomoyo and Rimiko then tackled Atsutane for trying to get her into trouble and the group disbanded from there. Light was now dawning outside. Hinageshi promised to bring them all a cup of strong tea. None had gotten any sleep that night and there was still a celebration feast for the twins later that day.
As Sayako carefully gathered her new armor she noticed a small scroll in Rimiko's pack. Picking it up she found it was a detailed chart of the human body. Sayako held it up to her twin.
"What's this?"
Rimiko snatched it from her. "I forgot about Kenichi!" she exclaimed and ran from the room.
Rimiko ran all the way to Kenichi's room, bowling over several servants in the process. She threw open his door and shut it, not bothering with formalities. She slammed down on the floor beside him.
He looked absolutely terrible. Every breath he took was raspy and forced. Beads of sweat poured from her forehead. He was unearthly pale.
"Kenichi...Kenichi wake up..." Rimiko beckoned.
Slowly the boy opened his eyes. It took him a few moments to focus on her, but even when he did, Rimiko could tell his vision was blurred with tears. He wet his lips and tried to speak. His voice was chocked with pain.
"You're back."
"Yes. Yes I am. I found the doctor who can help you, Kenichi. He taught me what I can do to make your pain go away."
A wry smile formed on Kenichi's lips. "The pain will never go away."
Rimiko hardened. "Yes it will! I'll have no more talk like that. Please, just turn over and let me try this."
Rimiko threw Kenichi's sheets off of him. Beneath he wore a lose fitting robe. Rimiko helped him turn onto his stomach and then pulled the robe down to his waist, exposing his back and arms. Rimiko whispered soothingly into his ear.
"I pray that this makes the pain stop. But if it doesn't, then I'll keep looking, and I'll keep looking until I get it right. But listen, the doctor said the first time I do it it will hurt. Just stay with me, Kenichi."
Rimiko eyed his back critically. There were seven main spots on his back that she had to press with just the right amount of pressure. They were all located either on or near the spine, the center for nerves and the center of Kenichi's pain. The doctors technical explanations were lost on her, but Rimiko had practiced furiously, and she knew the places she had to touch by heart.
She placed both her hands on the first two spots and applied the perfect amount of pressure. Kenichi did not react. She then moved on to the third and fourth spots, which were lower on the back and required more force. Rimiko felt him shudder slightly, but he made no further indication of discomfort. But when Rimiko touched the fifth and sixth spots, Kenchi hissed audibly.
"I know, I know it hurts. I'm so sorry that it does." she said, extremely upset because she had to hold these spots for longer periods of time.
"Okay, I'm moving onto the last spots. Just try to think about something else." Rimiko said helplessly as she places her hands onto the small of his back and pressed.
Kenichi cried out in pain but made great efforts to hold himself still. Rimiko could hear how he struggled to breath.
"I'm sorry, it'll be over soon. It'll be over soon." Rimiko kept whispering.
In desperation she leaned over him, as though she were trying to shield him from the cruel life he was being forced to lead. She gently kissed the back of his neck and enjoyed the warmth of his skin. As she placed her cheek against his back he suddenly seemed to calm. After another minuet Rimiko removed her hands from the spots. Slowly she moved over to Kenichi's side and allowed him to sit up.
There was a look of complete bewilderment on his face. He looked around him as though he was a newborn child, so full of hope, so full of unknowing. Rimiko could not tell if this was good or bad. He could be in complete shock from the abundance of pain.
Kenichi gently took a hold of her hand and lead her to the balcony outside. He watched as the first rays of sunlight melded with the horizon. Tears were now streaming down his face.
"I never thought this would happen." he said numbly. "I thought the pain would never leave me."
Rimiko smiled. This was the Kenichi she knew. This was the Kenichi who had looked at her so desperately that night, that night when he had been so willing to end it all. This was the man that she had been unable to kill. This was the one man she would never be able to kill.
He turned to her with a beautiful smile lighting his face. "Rimiko, I can never thank you enough."
But Rimiko's face had suddenly turned beat red. Kenichi blinked at her innocently.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Rimiko made an odd squeaking noise. She then frantically pointed at him and shrieked, "Robe! Robe!"
Kenichi looked down and discovered that his robe had slipped off. The only thing he now wore was a look of horror. Just as he made a grab for his fallen clothing the door to the balcony slid open to reveal Hinageshi.
"There you are Kenichi, I've been...WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE DOING?! PULL UP THAT ROBE AND GET INSIDE SO I CAN STRANGLE YOU!!"
***
Come now Ayame...I must speak with you...
Ayame sat bolt upright from her bed. She sucked in a few breaths and tried to remember where she was. Glancing around she realized she was in her own room, safely taking an afternoon nap. But it wasn't safe. Not any longer.
So soon? Ayame wondered desperately.
She grabbed several lightfoot scrolls from her room and in a whirling tornado of motion she had left the Godha estate miles behind her. She stood alone in a desolate wooded area, scanning the unfamiliar territory. She placed a hand against one of the tree trunks and felt it's great age resonating from within.
"I am glad you came. We have much to discuss."
Ugaki Nagen appeared from one of the trees. Ayame regarded him warily.
"Not too much to discuss, I hope. Today is the birth date of my twins. I will not miss their celebrations for anything."
"No." he shook his head. "Even I would not pull you away from celebrations. For there shall be so few in the upcoming days."
"So you have seen it?" Ayame asked.
"Yes. All that you see, I see. Both our sides had been hoping for days of peace. I wonder if that is even possible, anymore."
"And exactly what side do you take?"
"My own. The side that inspires progress."
"The side that inspires chaos."
Nagen smiled. "Two words. Same results. Do you see me as being evil, Ayame?"
"I see no evil. Not anymore. Evil is a wonderful word to paint something as one thing. But nothing is ever one thing, for nothing is ever anything."
"Ah! Brilliant answer. One that can only be expected from a person of great enlightenment."
Ayame shrugged. "You asked me so I answered. No, I do not see you as evil. And so you know, I do not see myself as good. But tell me, does it have to be so soon?"
"You know it can not be postponed any longer. I have done my part. What further role I take has yet to be decided."
"I see. Can you tell me, will there be many deaths?"
Nagen grinned. "You are in a better position to find that out. You have an unfair advantage on your side. I do not find it just that your daughter has made friends with...well, I do not know what to call him. He is certainly no boy."
"Ah, so you've seen him. She believes I know nothing of him, but I have seen it for some time know. His presence does greatly confuse things." Ayame sighed.
"Ayame, the time has come." Nagen said gravely. "The catalysts are set. Blood will again soak this land. But there is solace. For all that is to happen, it will bring about great change. Change that may someday lead to days of peace. And that is all that we may hope for."
Ayame accepted this. "But tell me," she pleaded, "Why the Godha Clan? Why has there always been such strife in the Godha Clan?"
"Because of its power. Great power causes need for great change. Do you not see? This strife that causes such grief also makes you strong. Take pride in that."
"Thank you. I shall. Now if you'll excuse me, I must return to my daughters."
"All right Ayame. But please be careful. I wish no harm to befall you, or your family."
"Nagen, no stranger enemies there ever were. Be careful. I am afraid events shall unfold that even we have not foreseen."
***
When Ayame returned home she found Hinageshi screaming at a flushed Rimiko and Kenichi. Sayako was vainly trying to calm her.
"And you swear upon everything that is sacred it was not what it looked like?" Hinageshi asked for the tenth time.
"Yes! I swear! I swear upon everything there is that I can swear upon! Please believe me." Rimiko begged.
"Hinageshi, please, at least lower your voice." Sayako asked.
But Hinageshi had just spotted Ayame and all but flew over to her. She quickly recounted whsy she had walked in on. Ayame laughed heartily.
"Hinageshi, so little faith in my children! If Rimiko says that it was purely an accident, than it was an accident."
Hinageshi looked as though she wanted to argue more, but Ayame was so placid that she knew it would be pointless. Angry, Hinageshi grabbed Kenichi and stomped away, determined to keep an eye on him and put him in clothing that was as conservative and as she could make it.
"Mother, I really had only..."
"You do not need to explain, Rimiko. I'm actually glad I have you two here. We must talk."
Rimiko and Sayako exchanged a glance. Her mother had become oddly serious.
"It is time I told you all that lay in my heart. Events are unfolding...times are changing. You must be prepared for all that lay ahead."
Ayame heaved a deep sigh. "And trust me. It will not be easy."
******************************************************************************
End of Act IV
******************************************************************************