The Daughters of Ayame

by Poppy-Chan

The third and final arc, now completed. All the characters have assembled. The play begins its ending. Ayame and her kin must survive the final purifications of the Godha clan.

17. Deadly Siege

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Act VI

Night of a Thousand Falling Stars

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Chapter Seventeen: Deadly Siege

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Mission: Discover the enemy

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It was late, everyone already having retired to bed. It was quite. Looking back, they all should have realized. They all should have realized by that quite what was about to happen.

Tomoyo stumbled towards the gates of the Godha clan. Across her back was slung Atsutane, who had been unconscious for hours now.  Tomoyo was soaked through with his blood.

AWhy am I always carrying you, you idiot? Why am I always saving you?@ Tomoyo whispered.

She began to laugh hysterically. AWhy can=t you be a little more careful with your damn life? If you die...if you die...@

Cold tears poured down her cheeks as her heart emptied. The Godha clan was so close, yet she could feel every vestige of her strength leaving her. Her vision swam in and out of focus as her laughter increased in volume.

Tomoyo felt darkness take her.

AIf you died, I=d kill myself. I=d kill myself you idiot.@

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ADid you see Juriette=s kimono?@ Bikki asked.

AI know! That silk was absolutely gorgeous!@ Chiharu giggled.

AWhat a lucky girl. I don=t know how she manages to look so feminine all the time.@ Shoko said.

The three girls simultaneously sighed. Oh, to have excess time and money! How fine they could make themselves look.

AHey! Cheer up! We're working girls! We don=t have time to worry about stupid things like pretty kimonos.@ Bikki exclaimed.

AThat=s right! We don=t have time to worry about clothing.@ Shoko agreed.

ANope, no time at all for clothing!@ Chiharu agreed. AOr jewelry.@ she added. AOr hair ornaments. Or makeup. Or looking pretty. Or looking like a female in general.@

The three girls stopped and stared at each other.

AI WANT A VACATION!@ They cried simultaneously.

AIt's so hard being Hinageshi=s student. She even has us fetching water for her.@ Bikki wailed.

AI can=t remember the last time I did my hair up nice and fancy.@ Chiharu said.

Shoko was about to add a perfectly melodramatic complaint to their rant session when she suddenly noticed two oncoming figures. She set her water buckets down rushed towards them. The other two followed and gasped at what they saw.

Tomoyo stumbled towards them, smiling in relief. APlease...help...Atsutane...@ she said, and then fell to the ground.

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Neither Rimiko nor Kenichi knew how long they had been embracing. There was such an overwhelming relief between them. Never before had Rimiko been so happy.

AHow about in the spring? Can we be married when the sakura are in bloom?@ Rimiko asked wistfully.

AThat sounds wonderful. We can begin the plans for this spring.@ Kenichi said, gently kissing her hair and then placing his chin on her head. There was something so perfect as to the way Rimiko pressed against his body.

AYou don=t know how happy I am. I was so afraid to even mention the prospect to you. I was sure my lineage would have discouraged you from accepting my proposal.@

AKenichi, I love you more than...uh...@

AYou love me more than uh?@

ANo...uh...what lineage?@

Kenichi pulled back and looked at Rimiko to see if she were joking. When the girl stared back at him seriously his eyes went wide with fright. He quickly pushed her away.

AKenichi!@ Rimiko pleaded. AIt cannot be that bad, can it?@

Kenichi=s eyes were dark. AA wedding when the sakura were in bloom? I should have known it was too good.@ He spat bitterly, not able to look her in the eyes.

AKenichi, what does your lineage matter?@ Rimiko insisted.

But come to think of it, Rimiko had no idea who Kenichi=s parents were. She did know that he had cousins up north who had been willing to take him in, but her knowledge stopped there. She suddenly wondered why she had not thought to ask him before.

ARimiko...my lineage is filled with nothing but shame. When I tell you of whom I share my blood, I doubt you will wish to stay with me.@

ADon=t tell me how I=m going to think or feel!@ Rimiko cried indignantly. AI=m telling you I=m not going to think or feel anything any differently than I do now. You can be descended from a dog for all I care.@

Rimiko paused, suddenly realizing something. AHey! You're not trying to get out of the wedding already, are you? Oh no, you just proposed to me. Okay, it may not have been formal, but you proposed and were getting married whether you like it or not.@

Kenichi was silent. He still refused to look at her. His hands were clenched.

AI would rather be descended from a dog then be descended from Iekazu Obu.@

There was a heavy silence. Rimiko blinked.

AWho?@

If Kenichi did not love her so much he would have rolled his eyes. ARimiko...@ he began. AObu Iekazu. Iekazu.@

AOh.@ Rimiko said. AWho?@

This time he did role his eyes. ALord Iekazu, Rimiko. Lord Iekazu.@

Rimiko put a hand to her head. ANo no no! Too many lords in Japan!@ She complained. AWhich one is that?@

AYou mean which one was that. He was the ruler of the Eastern Clan.@

Rimiko snapped her fingers. AEastern Clan! That I know. We took that one over and killed the...uh...oh...I=m so sorry Kenichi.@

ADo not be. The day my father died was a blessing.@

AWait!@ Rimiko suddenly exclaimed. AThat means you=re the heir to the Eastern Clan!@

Kenichi shook his head. AI don=t want it. My lineage is nothing but shame. My father had an illicit affair with a prostitute. I was the result. He paid for my mother=s silence and sent her away. He would have done the same for me if it were not for the persuasion of Ugaki Nagen. He was my father=s advisor and convinced him to keep me. My father was hoping that I could join his ninja, but my ailment destroyed any chance of that happening. Further disappointed in me, my father placed me in the charge of Nagen and had nothing to do with me. Nagen essentially raised me and was teaching me in the ways of leadership. He knew someday my father would lose his power and I would have to take over the clan.@

ASo...is he a good guy or a bad guy?@ Rimiko asked, thoroughly confused.

Kenichi grinned. ANagen...is Nagen. He is an extremist, not afraid of bloodshed if the end justifies the means. But he was a wonderful teacher and had extraordinary faith in me. I never had any in myself, though. That night when your clan took over my own, I knew things would change for the better. I also knew my father would be killed. I was the only one remaining with royal blood.@

ASo you wanted me to kill you.@ Rimiko whispered. ASo there would be no more heirs to the throne. So the Godha clan could take over completely. That=s what you meant when you said AIt all ends here.@@

AI have turned my back on my clan and I leave it fully in the hands of Lord Godha. My cousins in the north took pity on me and took me in. But when my ailment worsened they sent me back here.@

He finally looked at her, now smiling bitterly. AI understand if this information is too much for you. I was a fool before, thinking you already knew. Even if you did, I should not even dream that you would accept the bastard son of a tyrant. The Godha clan has been good to me, but I do not belong here. I shall leave soon.@

There was a long moment as Rimiko just stared at him with wide open eyes. Then, as everything that he had just said registered, Rimiko drew back her right arm. Opening her hand wide, Rimiko swung and gave Kenichi a rough smack to the head.

AOw!@ Kenichi cried in protest.

ADon=t ow me!@ Rimiko bellowed. ASomebody has to knock some sense into you! What the hell was I saying to you a few minuets ago, huh?! Huh?! I said we're getting married and I meant it! I don=t care who your parents are! I=m not marrying them! I=m marrying you! Now just shut your mouth about this leaving business because we are going to have a wedding, and its going to be in the spring, the sakura are going to be in bloom, and we are going to be damn happy or else!@

Kenichi rubbed his head gingerly. ARimiko...are you sure ab...@

AYes! Yes dammit yes I=m sure! We=re getting married.@

ABut...@

AWe=re getting married.@

AFine.@

AFine.@

ARimiko?@

AYes?@

AI love you.@

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ASayako...@ Yasha whispered gently, AWhy do you not allow yourself to be happy?@

AI...@

The two had been upon the hill for an eternity. Sayako was so content there, beneath the stars and with her Yasha. That was right, he was hers. Maybe she should allow herself to be happy.

ASorry. I suppose I should not be quite so serious all the time.@

Yasha kissed her brow. AThere are hard times coming, Sayako. Lighten your heart but do not drop your guard. Even now they are coming.@

AWho is coming?@

AYou shall see.@ Yasha said. There were cries off in the distance and both their heads shot up.

AIt seems it has already begun.@ Yasha whispered.

AWhat has?@

He gripped her tighter. AThe purification of your clan.@

AYasha, is there anything you can tell me? Where is my sister? My mother? Will they be all right?@

Yasha gazed at her mournfully. His eyes were fully dilated, showing only the smallest ring of indigo surrounding never ending darkness. Sayako gazed into the darkness and was comforted greatly.

AThe girl, Juriette. She certainly has beautiful jewelry.@ Yasha finally said, and said no more.

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AEVERYONE RAISE ARMS! RAISE ARMS! WE=RE UNDER ATTACK!@

Ayame and Taro screamed as loudly as they could. Fires were lit, whistles pierced the night. Women and children ran inside their houses as the ninja awoke, their blood boiling. Swift shadows quickly moved to the borders of the clan, trying to spot the enemy. Although the Azuma could feel their enemy, they could not see their enemy. Lines of guards stood at the ready in a huge circle around the estate while the ninja crept along the rooftops and alleyways. The number of guards to ninja was greatly unbalanced, with much fewer ninja. As Taro surveyed his people he cursed again, wondering why this latest generation of Azuma had produced so few good ninja and so many good guards. Ayame noted this as well but had no time to ponder it.

AWhere are they?@ Ayame hissed, straining her eyes.

Taro moved to her side. AAnything?@

ANo,@ she whispered. AYou?@

Taro sucked in a breath. APerhaps,@ he said, suddenly launching forward.

He pulled his long spear from the sheath at his back. In one smooth motion he flipped it around so that the lethal point was forward. Bringing his arm all the way back he suddenly threw his spear with all his might. It sliced through the air with perfection and landed straight into the chest of an enemy ninja. The ninja stood for a moment, the spear standing in his chest, before he slumped over. Taro retrieved his spear and searched the ninja but found nothing. He quickly returned to Ayame.

AA scout,@ he said. AThe others are keeping their distance.@

AHas anyone besides Tomoyo and Atsutane been attacked?@

Taro shook his head. ANo. Thankfully no one else was outside of the borders.@

Taro surveyed the dark woods outside of the clan, knowing what danger lie within.

ADamnit.@ Taro whispered. AWho are we fighting?@ 

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Rimiko and Kenichi pulled apart from their kiss.

ANot to ruin the moment, darling,@ Kenichi said. ABut I believe there=s trouble.@

Rimiko nodded. AI have to go.@

AIs there anything I can do?@

APlease don=t stray from the inner estate. But you can make sure that the women and children have gone inside. Help raise the alert.@

AAll right.@ Kenichi said. He then gently grasped her chin and gave her a parting kiss. APlease be careful.@

AAlways am.@ Rimiko said with a cocky smile, kissed him once more, and then ran off.

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Lord Godha sat silently in his chambers. Ayame and Taro knelt in front of him.  The tension in the room sizzled. 

AHow bad is it?@ Lord Godha asked.

AWe are completely surrounded.  All supply lines have been cut.  We can only survive a few weeks under these conditions.@ Ayame reported somberly.

AWe need backup.@ Taro said. ABut there is no way to send out any messengers.  None would come back alive.@

AWhat of the Azuma who are still at the Western estate?@ Lord Godha asked.

AThey are set to stay there until the month=s end.@ Taro said bitterly. AAnd that was my greatest mistake. I sent too many of our best ninjas to sort out the affairs of the Western estate. It left us too vulnerable.@

ANo guilt, Taro. I need you thinking clearly.@ Lord Godha ordered.

AI wonder...@ Ayame said. AHow did the enemy know exactly when to strike?@

AWhat do you mean?@ Lord Godha questioned.

AWell, the timing is just too perfect. Half our best fighters are stationed at the Western Clan. That leaves the Southern Clan vulnerable. But we have been very secretive about our dealings.  What other clan could have known?@

AThere is only one place of threat left in this area of Japan. It has to be the Northern Clan. Not unless you think it is enemies from out of this region?@

ANo.@ Ayame shook her head. "Our enemy is from this region. They came too quickly to have come from any other part of Japan.@

ASo the Northern Clan then?@ Lord Godha pressed.

AI don=t know.@ Ayame said. ASomething just does not feel right.@

Lord Godha contemplated this for a moment. AWe are running out of options. Our supply lines are cut. We will not last out the month to see the rest of the Azuma return. Go Taro. Rally our people. If not a full frontal assault, we shall at least reclaim our supply lines.@

AYes.@ Taro said curtly, and then ran off to gather his men.

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Now Kiku was not one to lose her head. Kiku had matured greatly over the years. Though she was a clingy, often spoiled child, she had grown into a fine young woman. She had been able to choose her husband, a man she loved dearly, and she had a son by him, who she cherished more than her own life. She had become a very balanced and calm person, but when either her son or her husband were in danger, something about her just snapped.

ALET GO OF ME! I=VE GOT TO FIND SHIRO!@

A scream from Kiku was a scream like no other. Several of Kiku=s personal bodyguards were literally on top of her, trying to prevent her from leaving her quarters, as their eardrums pounded in protest.

APlease Princess,@ one of the guards begged. APlease stay here where it is safe.@

AIf you leave you shall be in danger,@ another guard said, who was close to tears. All the men were, actually. Their little girl was all grown up.

ANO!@ Kiku bellowed, somehow squirming out of their grasp.

The second she was free she made a mad dash for the door. She sprinted out of her headquarters and went straight to the nursery. The guards, all trying to run for the door at once, had gotten stuck and were well behind her.

Kiku nearly ran through the sliding door. She did, however, break it off its hinges with a terrible squeal. Agasuta, Juriette=s mother and head nurse who watched over the nursery, jumped in fright.

AYou nearly scared me to death!@

AWhere is Shiro?@

Shiro, who had been huddled in the corner, perked up. AMommy!@ he cried, leaping into Kiku=s arms.

AI am sorry, Princess. He refused to leave the nursery.@

AWhere are the other children?@

AAll safely away with their parents. Little Shiro was the only one remaining.@

AOh thank you. Thank you.@ Kiku whispered, burying her face in Shiro=s hair.

Agasuta smiled widely and chuckled. AOh, no need to worry. You=re both quite safe. Quiet safe.@

Shiro stiffened.

AMommy, look out!@

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ARimiko! Over here!@

Juriette was waving frantically. She stood in the doorway of Hinageshi=s quarters. She was wearing a dazzling kimono and jewelry to match. It seemed as though she were a live flower swaying in the wind.

As soon as Rimiko ran up to her Juriette pulled her inside. AHinageshi needs us to retrieve her herbal supplies! There have been terrible injuries!@

AAll right, give me the list.@

Juriette named several herbs and Rimiko got to work. She sorted through Hinageshi=s cabinets and carefully measured out the herbs into vials. She thanked the heavens that Sayako had nagged her enough to finally make her relent and learn each one.

Juriette calmly waited behind her. AYou know,@ she said, AI know what all of these herbs do. My mother has been teaching me.@

AReally?@ Rimiko said offhandedly.

AOh yes. My mother really is very good with herbs. She could have been a healer. In fact, she could have been an even greater healer than Hinageshi.@

AMm-hmm.@

AI could have been a great healer, too. But that won=t happen now.@

AFinished!@ Rimiko exclaimed happily. She held up several vials of herbs, each one perfectly filled and corked. Rimiko smiled proudly and admired her work.

The light went out of her eyes as the blade plunged into her back.

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