a/n: Hey guys! Thank you so much my reviewers. Your comments are
encouraging and inspiring. Here's the next chapter. I just noticed last
time that my italics don't show up when I post this, so instead of using
italics for thoughts, I'm just indenting the paragraphs that are supposed
to be thoughts. Sorry if this caused any confusion for you guys when you
were reading. If you find any other problems or hazy areas just write it
in your review or email me about it. Thanks! I hope you enjoy. A lot
happens here. Tell me if it was moving too fast or anything. Enjoy.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Flower Gathering
::Battery of Mamo-chan::
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Soon after the sinister ninja left Sakoshita's shop, Recca and Yanagi strolled in after a long day in the marketplace. Yanagi floated into the shop as if she were in bliss while an angered Recca dilly-dallied in the doorway.
"What does he have that I don't? Besides the girly long hair."
"Recca-kun.I can't believe you don't see the dreaminess about him. Besides, I like his streaming hair, how it shines in the sun. Only a true man can wear that coif with such confidence. But I'm afraid it cannot be for I am stuck with you."
Yanagi gave him a teasing smile as Recca slumped more toward the floor.
"Keh. Like I care. Go run off with that prissy ninja." With crossed arms and practically a burst blood vessel Recca hardly matched his statement.
"Recca-kun! I'm just joking." She snuggled up to her own ninja. "I would never leave you. Gomen." Pouting her lips Yanagi slowly softened Recca's prickly anger, and they began to cuddle.
"Ehm." Sakoshita audibly cleared his throat as he witnessed his daughter's act of affection. Disentangling themselves the couple straightened up for Yanagi's father. Witness to Sakoshita's straight-face the two understood that something was awry.
"As my apprentice, Recca, I expect you to be focusing on craftsmanship and not my daughter. Remember that if you begin to falter in your studies I will prohibit the two of you from going out. Now, seeing as you're my apprentice I need you to run an errand for me. Go to the temple and warn Fuuko that a man clad in full ninja attire is searching for the sword. Tell her to stay on her guard."
Recca and Yanagi looked at one another shocked at what news Sakoshita brought them. Had he really just said that a man was looking for THE sword? It always seemed like a myth to them, one that Recca had left without rest when fighting with Fuuko.
"Yes sir. I will go right away." Recca rushed off with a new expression of gravity in his face. The overpowering silence of Sakoshita's words lingered even after Recca opened the door, letting the night's breath to pour into the room.
"Be careful, Recca-kun," Yanagi said a little delayed. "Father, do you think he'll be alright?"
Sakoshita softened under his daughter's gaze. "Don't worry about him. Recca is a good enough fighter to take care of himself. Otherwise I wouldn't allow him to be around my precious daughter. It's Fuuko I'm worried about. How did that man even find the place? Anyhow, tell me, how was your day?"
Sakoshita placed is arm around his daughter and approached the stairs to the house. Yanagi was about to relay her encounter with the handsome ninja when his entirety entered the shop, peering in with timidity.
"Excuse me. I know the shop is closed for the night but."
Yanagi rushed forward and enwrapped Raiha with her arms. "Daddy, he saved my life today in the marketplace. I was walking along minding my own business when a shrew of an old lady pushed me. As I fell toward the ground, and my inevitable death, this brave ninja risked his own life by swooping down and catching me despite the rumbling of footsteps below. I owe him my life."
Once again Raiha found himself a tomato of embarrassment. "Well, it wasn't really all that heroic," he explained as he escaped from Yanagi's clenched arms. Her wide smile radiated the room with happiness.
Oh he's so strong. I feel secure in his arms!
What's with this girl. She's so clingy. Doesn't she have a boyfriend?
But Sakoshita seemed hardly to notice and approached the ninja. "Son, your heroism is incomprehensible. To save my daughter's life a little lateness in entering a shop beyond open hours is completely excusable. From your looks you must be a traveler. Why don't you join us for dinner? We have a spare room as well."
"."
Before Raiha could contest, he was dragged deeper into the dwelling.
"What is your name anyhow?"
"Raiha," escaped his lips as he reluctantly obeyed the man's lead.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Another day hard at work. Fuuko knelt on the floor as she set up her futon. She slept in a large den with the nine other miko-in-training. These girls came from all odd places to train in the untainted countryside. And here she was, the niece of a weapon maker with no particular desire for inner peace-so long as it involved curfews and chores that occupied the bulk of the day. Rather than a miko, Fuuko pictured herself the ill- treated temple maid, if they had any.
My stupid uncle. I shouldn't be here. I could be making weapons like
Recca, and I'd beat him at it, too. He wastes so much time chasing
Yanagi anyway. Since when were family members denied the inheritance of
the trade? There must be some law against it.
Fuuko creeped under her blanket ready as possible to drift into never-never land. Just as the stiffness of the floor gave way to the softness of her tea-leaf pillow there, there came the sound of rattling rice paper. Furrowing her brow Fuuko concentrated harder on how soft the tea leaves could sometimes be but to no avail. Fuuko perceived the rough, "Fuuko, get your butt out here."
No doubt the loser Hanabishi Recca owned the ruckus. It seemed any moment that the door would cave in and awaken all its inhabitants. Knowing that the discovery of a visitor, male, after hours would yield less than desirable consequences for her current state of disfavor, Fuuko grudgingly stepped from within her covers and crept out to join her childhood friend and the incessant chirping of the grasshoppers she was forbidden to squash.
"What is it?" Fuuko sneered quietly at her pal. Surprisingly her usually goofy acquaintance wore a countenance rivaled in seriousness only by that during his fights over Yanagi. This rarity froze her smirk and straightened her angry eyes.
"Sakoshita-sensei sent me."
What happened? Recca, like me, never uses formalities in addressing anyone.
Sensing this change not only in expression but also in speech, Fuuko prepared herself for what she knew was imminent.
"Today a person dressed in full ninja clothing came looking for the sword. He doesn't know about you but he might hear some rumors. You know how we have our enemies."
"Hey! Don't worry about me. I'm Fuuko Kirisawa. If there's a girl who can take care of herself, you're looking at her."
With that ensued a powerful slap on the back as Fuuko rushed Recca homeward after hearing some stirring from the room yonder.
As she watched her closest friend wander away, Fuuko worried about this news. Her smile disintegrated into a slight frown.
Is it going to start now? This life and still I cannot escape it.
Better get some flowers tomorrow. I wonder if it's the same ninja.
It's too coincidental for there to be two fully clad ninja in the town.
Fuuko hurried into her room to slumber away the few hours left of twilight. As she turned the cool breeze of the season blew the strands of her loose, waist-length purple hair in the wind.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
In some dark alley in the town crept the selfsame black ninja who had caused this knot of anxiety within the Sakoshitas, Recca, and especially Fuuko. With him was a smoke emitting crinkled man with a pipe.
"So what is it you can tell me about the Sakoshita's sword? How can I get it?" Kurei narrowed his eyes at the man who had thus been nonchalantly smoking his pipe. To associate himself with such lowlifes was not in his nature.
The old man cackled at the boy's ignorance. His face fell into the creases of his skin. "That's exactly it. You can't get it."
Kurei snarled at the man's ignorant remark. He snatched the man's throat. "Remember, old fart, I could kill you in an instant. Just keep insulting me."
"Heh. It wasn't an insult. Only the insecure would think so. I mean that you must be given it. Let me ask you. What is so prized by a father to be given such honor?" As Kurei's eyes widened in understanding the man was freed from the confines of Kurei's fist. Seemingly he let out a gasp of relief. One more day he could live out his pitiful existence.
Kurei grinned. "The daughter." Throwing a pouch at the old man, Kurei abandoned the alley and left the informer to waddle in the clinking of coins.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Raiha munched on the last of his grilled fish as his red face was marveled at by the Sakoshitas, three in all-father, mother daughter. He'd been making polite conversation since his arrival. Finally as Yanagi helped her mother clear dishes Raiha was free to ask Sakoshita for information.
"I was hoping you could tell me where the black ninja that came to your store this evening was heading."
"What business do you have with him?" Sakoshita's smile disappeared at the mention of Kurei, the first serious expression Raiha witnessed all evening. As he exhaled his breath, the fire seemed to flicker in response, throwing dancing shadows on both faces.
"I have some family affairs to take care of."
Interrupting their conversation came the spiky ruffian known as Recca. Making an audible entrance and glaring at the visitor he sat next to Sakoshita.
"I delivered the message to her, but she seemed undaunted by it. Really, sensei, I think that she needs to treat this with more caution. Maybe we should keep an eye on her. She won't ask for help even if she needs it."
For once Recca truly looked worried, a new concept for the boy. After pouring his demons to Sakoshita, though, Recca resumed his glare at Raiha.
"Don't you have somewhere to be? Jeez, talk about wearing out one's welcome."
Sakoshita waved a hand of dismissal at his apprentice and thought long at whether he could trust this well-liked stranger with the task at hand. They'd met just tonight, but his family seemed smitten with the boy in every way. He studied Raiha's features and his mature conduct. Everything seemed proper about him. Yes, he would do.
"I have a task I want you to do for me. I have a niece, an apprentice miko at the temple on the hill. I hope you could serve as her bodyguard for the duration of your stay here. Although it is not what you intended to do, I assure you that if you stay by her side you will find your adversary."
Raiha studied the man.
What could the girl have to do with Kurei? She must hold the
whereabouts of the sword. But why me? How can this man trust me to
take care of her? If the family is this trusting she really need
protection considering miko's aren't allowed to hurt anything so they
aren't taught to focus on fighting only on defense. The last thing I
need is to be hanging around a helpless girl that will slow my pursuit.
Still, it's my closest lead to Kurei.
"Alright. What's her name?"
Sakoshita let escape an audible sigh of relief. He'd found a temporary stand-in to protect Fuuko. "Kirisawa Fuuko. Now she may not be as refined as Yanagi, but you'll be well compensated when the time comes."
This family certainly is simple. Don't waste your time offering
payment. If she'll lead me to Kurei do my best I will. This should be
an interesting second encounter with the girl. Hopefully she'll
understand the urgency of the situation and listen to my instructions.
"." Raiha bowed and went to his room for the night.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Apparently dawn came too quickly as Fuuko barely began draming when sunlight leaked through her eyelids. Fuuko groaned as she rolled up her futon, ignoring the trembling of her hands from the morning cold. Composure had never become Fuuko as it did now. Her profile was of complete stillness.
I must hurry to the garden to get some flowers before too many people
wake up to see me.
Fuuko rushed down the hallway past all the picturesque box buildings of the temple with their share of gardens and behind the tattered edifice of the old meditation room that had been wrecked by a fire two hundred years ago. As a warning to always be on guard the structure loomed over the back portion of the temple, always present but hardly discernable behind all the other buildings and the downward slope of the dell it was cupped in. This her own place to relax was filled with beautiful flowers. She knelt down to pick a few stems of Japanese orchids splotched with dew.
This should do. If only I had more time to spend here. Hurry on.
Thank goodness yesterday was the last day of my punishment. Stupid blue-
haired, hollow-brained ninja.
As she rushed to her room, she sensed another's presence. Slowing her gait she awaited the bystander to reveal herself. Certainly a miko had seen her, hopefully it'd be one in-training like herself rather than the snobby miko that lived here.
"Yo!" Although they'd met but once, she'd recognize his smug glee anywhere. She turned to face the blue-haired boy whom she declared war on just the day before.
"AHHH!" Fuuko launched her fist at him then barraged him with kicks. Luckily she wasn't any helpless miko. She'd spent her childhood training in a dojo. Knowing that his job was to protect her, Raiha attempted merely to dodge her attacks. Unfortunately he underestimated her agility. All the while it seemed that he was trying to tell Fuuko something, but she was too busy fighting and straining her vocal chords to let the explanation reach her ears. Slowly the number of hits Raiha received increased. By the time Raiha collapsed from these swift unforeseen attacks, certainly not just for defense purposes, the entirety of the temple peered out from their rooms.
Fuuko froze where she was as her instructors watched disapprovingly at their student. Clearly she'd need more training and a more severe punishment this time. Her teachers wondered at how she'd ever become a real miko. Just when they'd thought she'd been disciplined enough, here she was unmercifully pummeling a visitor. They'd be lucky if the temple still attracted visitors today.
Soon enough people rushed forward to tend to the motionless boy. Water was brought out to clean off some blood and his body was inspected for broken bones before he was moved. Fuuko stared wide-eyed at how successful an attack she'd executed.
I certainly taught him to stay away from Fuuko Kirisawa. That'll show
him to come looking for the sword. I hope I didn't leave any scars
though. Oh no, more punishment though.
The priests motioned for Fuuko to enter their conference room. And so her punishment grew a little closer. As she reluctantly waddled to the room, she brushed by her victim. His face, slightly swollen, still had smiling eyes. How odd that this boy seemed so content in pain.
I can't believe how uptight she is. Maybe the sword is more valuable
than I expected. What is it that Kurei wants from it? No matter how
foolish she acts I will fulfill my duty. Otherwise I'll never find
Kurei. Ugh.
As a few miko carried the disheveled boy inside, he managed to whisper into her ear, "Your knight has arrived."
a/n: I hope you liked it. Next chapter should be pretty interesting. Please come back and read it. If you haven't figured out yet, I'll try to post at least once each week, I know I missed one last week. Okay, please review. Thanks. ^_^
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Flower Gathering
::Battery of Mamo-chan::
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Soon after the sinister ninja left Sakoshita's shop, Recca and Yanagi strolled in after a long day in the marketplace. Yanagi floated into the shop as if she were in bliss while an angered Recca dilly-dallied in the doorway.
"What does he have that I don't? Besides the girly long hair."
"Recca-kun.I can't believe you don't see the dreaminess about him. Besides, I like his streaming hair, how it shines in the sun. Only a true man can wear that coif with such confidence. But I'm afraid it cannot be for I am stuck with you."
Yanagi gave him a teasing smile as Recca slumped more toward the floor.
"Keh. Like I care. Go run off with that prissy ninja." With crossed arms and practically a burst blood vessel Recca hardly matched his statement.
"Recca-kun! I'm just joking." She snuggled up to her own ninja. "I would never leave you. Gomen." Pouting her lips Yanagi slowly softened Recca's prickly anger, and they began to cuddle.
"Ehm." Sakoshita audibly cleared his throat as he witnessed his daughter's act of affection. Disentangling themselves the couple straightened up for Yanagi's father. Witness to Sakoshita's straight-face the two understood that something was awry.
"As my apprentice, Recca, I expect you to be focusing on craftsmanship and not my daughter. Remember that if you begin to falter in your studies I will prohibit the two of you from going out. Now, seeing as you're my apprentice I need you to run an errand for me. Go to the temple and warn Fuuko that a man clad in full ninja attire is searching for the sword. Tell her to stay on her guard."
Recca and Yanagi looked at one another shocked at what news Sakoshita brought them. Had he really just said that a man was looking for THE sword? It always seemed like a myth to them, one that Recca had left without rest when fighting with Fuuko.
"Yes sir. I will go right away." Recca rushed off with a new expression of gravity in his face. The overpowering silence of Sakoshita's words lingered even after Recca opened the door, letting the night's breath to pour into the room.
"Be careful, Recca-kun," Yanagi said a little delayed. "Father, do you think he'll be alright?"
Sakoshita softened under his daughter's gaze. "Don't worry about him. Recca is a good enough fighter to take care of himself. Otherwise I wouldn't allow him to be around my precious daughter. It's Fuuko I'm worried about. How did that man even find the place? Anyhow, tell me, how was your day?"
Sakoshita placed is arm around his daughter and approached the stairs to the house. Yanagi was about to relay her encounter with the handsome ninja when his entirety entered the shop, peering in with timidity.
"Excuse me. I know the shop is closed for the night but."
Yanagi rushed forward and enwrapped Raiha with her arms. "Daddy, he saved my life today in the marketplace. I was walking along minding my own business when a shrew of an old lady pushed me. As I fell toward the ground, and my inevitable death, this brave ninja risked his own life by swooping down and catching me despite the rumbling of footsteps below. I owe him my life."
Once again Raiha found himself a tomato of embarrassment. "Well, it wasn't really all that heroic," he explained as he escaped from Yanagi's clenched arms. Her wide smile radiated the room with happiness.
Oh he's so strong. I feel secure in his arms!
What's with this girl. She's so clingy. Doesn't she have a boyfriend?
But Sakoshita seemed hardly to notice and approached the ninja. "Son, your heroism is incomprehensible. To save my daughter's life a little lateness in entering a shop beyond open hours is completely excusable. From your looks you must be a traveler. Why don't you join us for dinner? We have a spare room as well."
"."
Before Raiha could contest, he was dragged deeper into the dwelling.
"What is your name anyhow?"
"Raiha," escaped his lips as he reluctantly obeyed the man's lead.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Another day hard at work. Fuuko knelt on the floor as she set up her futon. She slept in a large den with the nine other miko-in-training. These girls came from all odd places to train in the untainted countryside. And here she was, the niece of a weapon maker with no particular desire for inner peace-so long as it involved curfews and chores that occupied the bulk of the day. Rather than a miko, Fuuko pictured herself the ill- treated temple maid, if they had any.
My stupid uncle. I shouldn't be here. I could be making weapons like
Recca, and I'd beat him at it, too. He wastes so much time chasing
Yanagi anyway. Since when were family members denied the inheritance of
the trade? There must be some law against it.
Fuuko creeped under her blanket ready as possible to drift into never-never land. Just as the stiffness of the floor gave way to the softness of her tea-leaf pillow there, there came the sound of rattling rice paper. Furrowing her brow Fuuko concentrated harder on how soft the tea leaves could sometimes be but to no avail. Fuuko perceived the rough, "Fuuko, get your butt out here."
No doubt the loser Hanabishi Recca owned the ruckus. It seemed any moment that the door would cave in and awaken all its inhabitants. Knowing that the discovery of a visitor, male, after hours would yield less than desirable consequences for her current state of disfavor, Fuuko grudgingly stepped from within her covers and crept out to join her childhood friend and the incessant chirping of the grasshoppers she was forbidden to squash.
"What is it?" Fuuko sneered quietly at her pal. Surprisingly her usually goofy acquaintance wore a countenance rivaled in seriousness only by that during his fights over Yanagi. This rarity froze her smirk and straightened her angry eyes.
"Sakoshita-sensei sent me."
What happened? Recca, like me, never uses formalities in addressing anyone.
Sensing this change not only in expression but also in speech, Fuuko prepared herself for what she knew was imminent.
"Today a person dressed in full ninja clothing came looking for the sword. He doesn't know about you but he might hear some rumors. You know how we have our enemies."
"Hey! Don't worry about me. I'm Fuuko Kirisawa. If there's a girl who can take care of herself, you're looking at her."
With that ensued a powerful slap on the back as Fuuko rushed Recca homeward after hearing some stirring from the room yonder.
As she watched her closest friend wander away, Fuuko worried about this news. Her smile disintegrated into a slight frown.
Is it going to start now? This life and still I cannot escape it.
Better get some flowers tomorrow. I wonder if it's the same ninja.
It's too coincidental for there to be two fully clad ninja in the town.
Fuuko hurried into her room to slumber away the few hours left of twilight. As she turned the cool breeze of the season blew the strands of her loose, waist-length purple hair in the wind.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
In some dark alley in the town crept the selfsame black ninja who had caused this knot of anxiety within the Sakoshitas, Recca, and especially Fuuko. With him was a smoke emitting crinkled man with a pipe.
"So what is it you can tell me about the Sakoshita's sword? How can I get it?" Kurei narrowed his eyes at the man who had thus been nonchalantly smoking his pipe. To associate himself with such lowlifes was not in his nature.
The old man cackled at the boy's ignorance. His face fell into the creases of his skin. "That's exactly it. You can't get it."
Kurei snarled at the man's ignorant remark. He snatched the man's throat. "Remember, old fart, I could kill you in an instant. Just keep insulting me."
"Heh. It wasn't an insult. Only the insecure would think so. I mean that you must be given it. Let me ask you. What is so prized by a father to be given such honor?" As Kurei's eyes widened in understanding the man was freed from the confines of Kurei's fist. Seemingly he let out a gasp of relief. One more day he could live out his pitiful existence.
Kurei grinned. "The daughter." Throwing a pouch at the old man, Kurei abandoned the alley and left the informer to waddle in the clinking of coins.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Raiha munched on the last of his grilled fish as his red face was marveled at by the Sakoshitas, three in all-father, mother daughter. He'd been making polite conversation since his arrival. Finally as Yanagi helped her mother clear dishes Raiha was free to ask Sakoshita for information.
"I was hoping you could tell me where the black ninja that came to your store this evening was heading."
"What business do you have with him?" Sakoshita's smile disappeared at the mention of Kurei, the first serious expression Raiha witnessed all evening. As he exhaled his breath, the fire seemed to flicker in response, throwing dancing shadows on both faces.
"I have some family affairs to take care of."
Interrupting their conversation came the spiky ruffian known as Recca. Making an audible entrance and glaring at the visitor he sat next to Sakoshita.
"I delivered the message to her, but she seemed undaunted by it. Really, sensei, I think that she needs to treat this with more caution. Maybe we should keep an eye on her. She won't ask for help even if she needs it."
For once Recca truly looked worried, a new concept for the boy. After pouring his demons to Sakoshita, though, Recca resumed his glare at Raiha.
"Don't you have somewhere to be? Jeez, talk about wearing out one's welcome."
Sakoshita waved a hand of dismissal at his apprentice and thought long at whether he could trust this well-liked stranger with the task at hand. They'd met just tonight, but his family seemed smitten with the boy in every way. He studied Raiha's features and his mature conduct. Everything seemed proper about him. Yes, he would do.
"I have a task I want you to do for me. I have a niece, an apprentice miko at the temple on the hill. I hope you could serve as her bodyguard for the duration of your stay here. Although it is not what you intended to do, I assure you that if you stay by her side you will find your adversary."
Raiha studied the man.
What could the girl have to do with Kurei? She must hold the
whereabouts of the sword. But why me? How can this man trust me to
take care of her? If the family is this trusting she really need
protection considering miko's aren't allowed to hurt anything so they
aren't taught to focus on fighting only on defense. The last thing I
need is to be hanging around a helpless girl that will slow my pursuit.
Still, it's my closest lead to Kurei.
"Alright. What's her name?"
Sakoshita let escape an audible sigh of relief. He'd found a temporary stand-in to protect Fuuko. "Kirisawa Fuuko. Now she may not be as refined as Yanagi, but you'll be well compensated when the time comes."
This family certainly is simple. Don't waste your time offering
payment. If she'll lead me to Kurei do my best I will. This should be
an interesting second encounter with the girl. Hopefully she'll
understand the urgency of the situation and listen to my instructions.
"." Raiha bowed and went to his room for the night.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Apparently dawn came too quickly as Fuuko barely began draming when sunlight leaked through her eyelids. Fuuko groaned as she rolled up her futon, ignoring the trembling of her hands from the morning cold. Composure had never become Fuuko as it did now. Her profile was of complete stillness.
I must hurry to the garden to get some flowers before too many people
wake up to see me.
Fuuko rushed down the hallway past all the picturesque box buildings of the temple with their share of gardens and behind the tattered edifice of the old meditation room that had been wrecked by a fire two hundred years ago. As a warning to always be on guard the structure loomed over the back portion of the temple, always present but hardly discernable behind all the other buildings and the downward slope of the dell it was cupped in. This her own place to relax was filled with beautiful flowers. She knelt down to pick a few stems of Japanese orchids splotched with dew.
This should do. If only I had more time to spend here. Hurry on.
Thank goodness yesterday was the last day of my punishment. Stupid blue-
haired, hollow-brained ninja.
As she rushed to her room, she sensed another's presence. Slowing her gait she awaited the bystander to reveal herself. Certainly a miko had seen her, hopefully it'd be one in-training like herself rather than the snobby miko that lived here.
"Yo!" Although they'd met but once, she'd recognize his smug glee anywhere. She turned to face the blue-haired boy whom she declared war on just the day before.
"AHHH!" Fuuko launched her fist at him then barraged him with kicks. Luckily she wasn't any helpless miko. She'd spent her childhood training in a dojo. Knowing that his job was to protect her, Raiha attempted merely to dodge her attacks. Unfortunately he underestimated her agility. All the while it seemed that he was trying to tell Fuuko something, but she was too busy fighting and straining her vocal chords to let the explanation reach her ears. Slowly the number of hits Raiha received increased. By the time Raiha collapsed from these swift unforeseen attacks, certainly not just for defense purposes, the entirety of the temple peered out from their rooms.
Fuuko froze where she was as her instructors watched disapprovingly at their student. Clearly she'd need more training and a more severe punishment this time. Her teachers wondered at how she'd ever become a real miko. Just when they'd thought she'd been disciplined enough, here she was unmercifully pummeling a visitor. They'd be lucky if the temple still attracted visitors today.
Soon enough people rushed forward to tend to the motionless boy. Water was brought out to clean off some blood and his body was inspected for broken bones before he was moved. Fuuko stared wide-eyed at how successful an attack she'd executed.
I certainly taught him to stay away from Fuuko Kirisawa. That'll show
him to come looking for the sword. I hope I didn't leave any scars
though. Oh no, more punishment though.
The priests motioned for Fuuko to enter their conference room. And so her punishment grew a little closer. As she reluctantly waddled to the room, she brushed by her victim. His face, slightly swollen, still had smiling eyes. How odd that this boy seemed so content in pain.
I can't believe how uptight she is. Maybe the sword is more valuable
than I expected. What is it that Kurei wants from it? No matter how
foolish she acts I will fulfill my duty. Otherwise I'll never find
Kurei. Ugh.
As a few miko carried the disheveled boy inside, he managed to whisper into her ear, "Your knight has arrived."
a/n: I hope you liked it. Next chapter should be pretty interesting. Please come back and read it. If you haven't figured out yet, I'll try to post at least once each week, I know I missed one last week. Okay, please review. Thanks. ^_^