Can there be no peace?
Ah, young Rikimaru, you will live to see a day where there is no more suffering. You will live to see a day where you'll learn to love your shadow, and everything around it.
Rikimaru opened his eyes. "Master Shuinsai..." He hadn't seen Ayame for over a week, but it didn't bother him. She was a free spirit, and couldn't be tied down by love or duty. No more was heard from Tiger Eyes, and Rikimaru was pleased. Relaxation was hard earned, and couldn't be bought for love or money. He emerged from his shady refuge, and shielded his eyes. On his way back home, he heard a familiar voice.
"It's been quiet the past few days." Rikimaru looked up to see his partner on the roof. "I don't like it."
Rikimaru sighed. Although he hated to admit it, she was right. He grappled up to her, and crouched down. "Be on your guard. We must get Lord Godha and the princess to safety." Ayame laid back against the shingles. Rikimaru caught a glimpse of her, with her hair stuck to her forehead with sweat, and the sun gleaming off her eyes. He looked away before allowing himself to get lost in her again. I have to keep my guard up. I don't want to be back in this same boat again. I cant allow myself to fall in love with her... a lovesick ninja is a dead ninja! "I'll go warn Lord Godha. You prepare yourself." The young woman sighed as Rikimaru jumped off the roof and ran towards the castle.
He could never know. His heart has put up barricades. And yet... so has mine... Her mind reeled as she remembered the times that he'd try to protect her when she was younger. How he would make sure she'd get the extra portion of rice, or the first picking of candy every new years. At the time, though, she was deep in puppy love with Tatsumaru, who barely lifted a finger to all her puppy eyes and big smiles. He passed them off, calling her 'kid,' or rubbing her head. I thought the world of him. She smiled, but realized that in the past eight years, she's grown so much more closer to Rikimaru, both spiritually, physically and emotionally, than she ever was to Tatsu. Seeing Tatsu again... sure, it stirred emotions. But it was Rikimaru who saved my life. Her hands involuntarily reached for the sisters bells that she still hadn't given back to Kiku. The young woman's mind whirled back to the days following Tatsumaru's death. The New Year's festival where Rikimaru bought her a jade comb from China because she had her eye on it. He was so upset when I told him that it broke fighting a female ninja while trying to cross a checkpoint. The times when she'd tease Rikimaru for being too uptight. That look he'd give her when he was annoyed. The way he yelled at her for being careless. Oh, the way he would laugh when he was in a good mood. A smile formed on the ninja's cheeks. He knew. He knew something was going to happen the night we went to save Kiku from Mei-Oh. That look he gave me the night before. He was talking crazy. Saying things I'd never imagine coming from his mouth. How he wanted kids to carry on the Azuma legacy. I couldn't give it to him. I was too young. I had thought we had all the time in the world. And the afterglow...how I felt when I realized that he wasn't coming back. How I had wished that I did give him that one wish. But now it's too late... my window of opportunity is gone. She had hardly realized that she was crying when she felt Rikimaru coming towards her.
He looked at her tear stained cheeks. "What's wrong?" Ayame sighed.
"Nothing." She mumbled. "I was just thinking about things, that's all. It was a moment of weakness." She looked away, so that the older ninja wouldn't read her face like he's been able to do so many times before. "Rikimaru..." Ayame nearly bit back her tongue. "I was thinking..." He didn't look at her, his eyes seemed to be glued to a spot on the ground.
"What?"
"Never mind." She stood up. "Are Godha and Kiku safe?"
"We're arranging for them to be sent to the Southern State. They'll be fine. I have an uneasy feeling that the Tiger is out plotting her next move." His eyes closed into little slits. Ayame yawned.
"Beats battling demons. Come on, I'm famished. I haven't eaten in almost a day!" She jumped down from the building and beckoned Rikimaru to join her. "Come on!" He jumped down and ran after her.
II.
The rain was coming down in sheets. One was unable to walk outside without getting pelts on their skin from the hail. Ayame frowned as the thunder rang out. At least we got everyone to safety before the storm. She felt Rikimaru come up from behind.
"There's smoke coming from about a mile away. Are the traps set?" They crouched down into a little nook in the forest.
"Yes. I've got the castle surrounded by mines. I scattered some caltrops around the forest. That should keep them busy for a few minutes." A wolf howled in the distance, sending shivers down Ayame's spine. She turned to look up at Rikimaru. "You know, one of us might not make it out alive. Two against an army..."
"It's the same case everywhere. One of us could have easily died taking on Tenrai." He lowered his voice as the sound of footsteps neared. The intruders came dangerously close to Rikimaru and Ayame's hiding place, but never stopped. Ayame let her breath out. She went to speak, but Rikimaru silenced her. More footsteps came by, and one even stopped before continuing. "I'll go." Rikimaru got up, and jumped silently to the tree before them.
Ayame waited a few minutes before leaving herself. The forest was on fire with all the unfamiliar ki's. If I can make it through tonight, I can do anything. The spear guards were easy, they never even saw it coming. The archers were a bit harder, seeing as they'd randomly shoot arrows if they thought they heard a noise. The hardest were the female ninjas wondering around. I don't know what it is about those damn female ninjas, but they're always the most vicious. Ayame smiled to herself as she jumped down to kill an archer. Before the spear guard behind the tree could see her, she gutted him. She felt a nearby guard become alerted, and jumped on the limb of a tree.
"Show yourself!" The guard yelled. "Coward!" As he crouched over his comrade, Ayame swooped down for the kill.
"I must hurry." She muttered. In the distance, a mine went off. Ayame's lips twisted into a wry smile, and she shook her head. "Idiots." The hail pounded off her armor, making it impossible to stay in one place for too long without raising suspicions. She rushed down the forest, weaving in and out of trees. A voice called out behind her, and she whirled around to see a female ninja at her heels.
"One of Godha's bitches, I presume." She placed her hand on her blade.
"Where's your leader?" Ayame demanded. She swung and brought her blades to the girl's throat. The girl spat defiantly. Ayame beheaded her. "Someone had to teach you manners." Ayame cringed as even more mines went off. "What fools!" She slowly made her way towards the castle, watching out for caltrops and any extra mines that might be laying about. She noticed a few dead bodies about. Rikimaru must be well into the castle by now. Luckily for her, she knew the castle like the back of her hand. It was just a matter of finding the Tiger before the Tiger was able to pounce. A chill was sent up Ayame's spine as she entered the castle doors. She lifted her hands up in just enough time to catch the arrow whizzing by. She threw a shuriken back, and listened to a scream. There's an enemy past the door to the right. There's another one down the hall. Rikimaru probably went from the top floor down, so that means... She couldn't finish calculating, as she felt the ki down the hall come closer. Crouching in the corner, she waited until the guard turned his back before she shredded him to ribbons. Down the hall... up the stairs... She went over the structure of the castle quickly before moving. Every twenty seconds she'd look behind her, because the strange feeling that she was being followed was plaguing her.
There were dead guards scattered throughout this floor and the next. Rikimaru's ki was strong, but still far off. A gleam out the window caught her eye. Lightning lit up the sky, and Ayame looked down to see Tiger glaring up at her. Ayame jumped out the window, and walked towards her.
"So glad you decided to join me."
"Call off your pets. There is no way you're getting this estate, by any means."
"Silly girl! It's not the estate I want." Her eyes flashed, and they seemed to be smiling, although her mouth was not. "It's your head." She drew out her sword.
Ayame drew her blades. They circled each other before Ayame struck, hitting air. She spun around, and went for a more substantial hit, but got air again.
"I could dodge you all day." Ayame flared, and caught the lady with a spin back kick. The lady flew a few feet, before catching herself and rushing straight for Ayame's throat. Ayame blocked, and was hit with an axe- kick straight to the shoulder, bringing the ninja to her knees. Then a pain went striking up through her shoulder as the sword pierced her skin.
"You lose." The lady sneered.
Ayame fought for breath. "So do you." The lady looked down, and to her amazement, Ayame's blade was shoved deep into her gut. And then the world went black.
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Okay the next chapter is purely fluff, so all you people who get grossed out at Rikimaru/Ayame fluffiness should stop here. And do you really think that I'd kill Ayame off? (
Ah, young Rikimaru, you will live to see a day where there is no more suffering. You will live to see a day where you'll learn to love your shadow, and everything around it.
Rikimaru opened his eyes. "Master Shuinsai..." He hadn't seen Ayame for over a week, but it didn't bother him. She was a free spirit, and couldn't be tied down by love or duty. No more was heard from Tiger Eyes, and Rikimaru was pleased. Relaxation was hard earned, and couldn't be bought for love or money. He emerged from his shady refuge, and shielded his eyes. On his way back home, he heard a familiar voice.
"It's been quiet the past few days." Rikimaru looked up to see his partner on the roof. "I don't like it."
Rikimaru sighed. Although he hated to admit it, she was right. He grappled up to her, and crouched down. "Be on your guard. We must get Lord Godha and the princess to safety." Ayame laid back against the shingles. Rikimaru caught a glimpse of her, with her hair stuck to her forehead with sweat, and the sun gleaming off her eyes. He looked away before allowing himself to get lost in her again. I have to keep my guard up. I don't want to be back in this same boat again. I cant allow myself to fall in love with her... a lovesick ninja is a dead ninja! "I'll go warn Lord Godha. You prepare yourself." The young woman sighed as Rikimaru jumped off the roof and ran towards the castle.
He could never know. His heart has put up barricades. And yet... so has mine... Her mind reeled as she remembered the times that he'd try to protect her when she was younger. How he would make sure she'd get the extra portion of rice, or the first picking of candy every new years. At the time, though, she was deep in puppy love with Tatsumaru, who barely lifted a finger to all her puppy eyes and big smiles. He passed them off, calling her 'kid,' or rubbing her head. I thought the world of him. She smiled, but realized that in the past eight years, she's grown so much more closer to Rikimaru, both spiritually, physically and emotionally, than she ever was to Tatsu. Seeing Tatsu again... sure, it stirred emotions. But it was Rikimaru who saved my life. Her hands involuntarily reached for the sisters bells that she still hadn't given back to Kiku. The young woman's mind whirled back to the days following Tatsumaru's death. The New Year's festival where Rikimaru bought her a jade comb from China because she had her eye on it. He was so upset when I told him that it broke fighting a female ninja while trying to cross a checkpoint. The times when she'd tease Rikimaru for being too uptight. That look he'd give her when he was annoyed. The way he yelled at her for being careless. Oh, the way he would laugh when he was in a good mood. A smile formed on the ninja's cheeks. He knew. He knew something was going to happen the night we went to save Kiku from Mei-Oh. That look he gave me the night before. He was talking crazy. Saying things I'd never imagine coming from his mouth. How he wanted kids to carry on the Azuma legacy. I couldn't give it to him. I was too young. I had thought we had all the time in the world. And the afterglow...how I felt when I realized that he wasn't coming back. How I had wished that I did give him that one wish. But now it's too late... my window of opportunity is gone. She had hardly realized that she was crying when she felt Rikimaru coming towards her.
He looked at her tear stained cheeks. "What's wrong?" Ayame sighed.
"Nothing." She mumbled. "I was just thinking about things, that's all. It was a moment of weakness." She looked away, so that the older ninja wouldn't read her face like he's been able to do so many times before. "Rikimaru..." Ayame nearly bit back her tongue. "I was thinking..." He didn't look at her, his eyes seemed to be glued to a spot on the ground.
"What?"
"Never mind." She stood up. "Are Godha and Kiku safe?"
"We're arranging for them to be sent to the Southern State. They'll be fine. I have an uneasy feeling that the Tiger is out plotting her next move." His eyes closed into little slits. Ayame yawned.
"Beats battling demons. Come on, I'm famished. I haven't eaten in almost a day!" She jumped down from the building and beckoned Rikimaru to join her. "Come on!" He jumped down and ran after her.
II.
The rain was coming down in sheets. One was unable to walk outside without getting pelts on their skin from the hail. Ayame frowned as the thunder rang out. At least we got everyone to safety before the storm. She felt Rikimaru come up from behind.
"There's smoke coming from about a mile away. Are the traps set?" They crouched down into a little nook in the forest.
"Yes. I've got the castle surrounded by mines. I scattered some caltrops around the forest. That should keep them busy for a few minutes." A wolf howled in the distance, sending shivers down Ayame's spine. She turned to look up at Rikimaru. "You know, one of us might not make it out alive. Two against an army..."
"It's the same case everywhere. One of us could have easily died taking on Tenrai." He lowered his voice as the sound of footsteps neared. The intruders came dangerously close to Rikimaru and Ayame's hiding place, but never stopped. Ayame let her breath out. She went to speak, but Rikimaru silenced her. More footsteps came by, and one even stopped before continuing. "I'll go." Rikimaru got up, and jumped silently to the tree before them.
Ayame waited a few minutes before leaving herself. The forest was on fire with all the unfamiliar ki's. If I can make it through tonight, I can do anything. The spear guards were easy, they never even saw it coming. The archers were a bit harder, seeing as they'd randomly shoot arrows if they thought they heard a noise. The hardest were the female ninjas wondering around. I don't know what it is about those damn female ninjas, but they're always the most vicious. Ayame smiled to herself as she jumped down to kill an archer. Before the spear guard behind the tree could see her, she gutted him. She felt a nearby guard become alerted, and jumped on the limb of a tree.
"Show yourself!" The guard yelled. "Coward!" As he crouched over his comrade, Ayame swooped down for the kill.
"I must hurry." She muttered. In the distance, a mine went off. Ayame's lips twisted into a wry smile, and she shook her head. "Idiots." The hail pounded off her armor, making it impossible to stay in one place for too long without raising suspicions. She rushed down the forest, weaving in and out of trees. A voice called out behind her, and she whirled around to see a female ninja at her heels.
"One of Godha's bitches, I presume." She placed her hand on her blade.
"Where's your leader?" Ayame demanded. She swung and brought her blades to the girl's throat. The girl spat defiantly. Ayame beheaded her. "Someone had to teach you manners." Ayame cringed as even more mines went off. "What fools!" She slowly made her way towards the castle, watching out for caltrops and any extra mines that might be laying about. She noticed a few dead bodies about. Rikimaru must be well into the castle by now. Luckily for her, she knew the castle like the back of her hand. It was just a matter of finding the Tiger before the Tiger was able to pounce. A chill was sent up Ayame's spine as she entered the castle doors. She lifted her hands up in just enough time to catch the arrow whizzing by. She threw a shuriken back, and listened to a scream. There's an enemy past the door to the right. There's another one down the hall. Rikimaru probably went from the top floor down, so that means... She couldn't finish calculating, as she felt the ki down the hall come closer. Crouching in the corner, she waited until the guard turned his back before she shredded him to ribbons. Down the hall... up the stairs... She went over the structure of the castle quickly before moving. Every twenty seconds she'd look behind her, because the strange feeling that she was being followed was plaguing her.
There were dead guards scattered throughout this floor and the next. Rikimaru's ki was strong, but still far off. A gleam out the window caught her eye. Lightning lit up the sky, and Ayame looked down to see Tiger glaring up at her. Ayame jumped out the window, and walked towards her.
"So glad you decided to join me."
"Call off your pets. There is no way you're getting this estate, by any means."
"Silly girl! It's not the estate I want." Her eyes flashed, and they seemed to be smiling, although her mouth was not. "It's your head." She drew out her sword.
Ayame drew her blades. They circled each other before Ayame struck, hitting air. She spun around, and went for a more substantial hit, but got air again.
"I could dodge you all day." Ayame flared, and caught the lady with a spin back kick. The lady flew a few feet, before catching herself and rushing straight for Ayame's throat. Ayame blocked, and was hit with an axe- kick straight to the shoulder, bringing the ninja to her knees. Then a pain went striking up through her shoulder as the sword pierced her skin.
"You lose." The lady sneered.
Ayame fought for breath. "So do you." The lady looked down, and to her amazement, Ayame's blade was shoved deep into her gut. And then the world went black.
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Okay the next chapter is purely fluff, so all you people who get grossed out at Rikimaru/Ayame fluffiness should stop here. And do you really think that I'd kill Ayame off? (