Blade of the Immortal :
Chapter Four: The Long Road
Dusk had came by the time they began to walk again, and still the child couldn't explain what was going on. She walked next to the young girl holding her hand as they fallowed the old dirt road. Hyakurin could fell hers legs begin to give out on her once again. Yet she pushed herself forward, staying the night anywhere wouldn't be the best for them, especially if the assassin's were still in search for the girl.
Hyakurin yawned as she looked into the sky, "Do you know haw far to the next village?" she asked quietly as she looked at the young girl who now looking like the living dead. "We need to rest and clean ourselves up..." she muted under yet another yawn.
The little girl turned at the sound of a voice, but she couldn't quite make out the words... the white noise that had enveloped her world this afternoon hadn't gone away and she couldn't seem to care. Giving the strange blonde woman a blank stare she returned her gaze to the pebbles at their feet. Then, she clutched tightly at the slim fingers in her infant's grasp, they were the only thing that kept her afloat in the river of blood that they walked through.
Magatsu cast a weary glance to the sky, when was the last time he'd seen such a blood-drenched sky? The setting sun shed tears of crimson that stained the liquid sky like blood falling in a still pool. If this wasn't a sure sign this day was cursed by the gods... Kicking a pebble in the wavering evening light he saw a distant village outlined in the setting sun.
Hyakurin's dark eyes stared at the village, she knew that they couldn't stay there long yet they still could rest some. She had watched the sunset by the time they reached the village. She looked into her small money pouch and counted what she had. It was enough to get them the night at an inn and some food. She let out a heavy sigh as she looked at the man she was traveling with, a unlikely ally, but only for the time she told herself.
Feeling her eyes on him Magatsu turned his head and gave her his most fang some smile. "Believe me this ain't gonna last for long. Why am I still here...?" he thought to himself. His swords were banged up like shit from that last fight. He'd be lucky to find a competent swordsmith in a little village like this one, little more than a group of hovels. More likely he'd have to touch 'em up as best he could with a whetstone, and do a more thorough job of cleaning the blood and... other things from the sword, it was bad for the steel to leave it for too long. Well, at least they had a small inn, they were just off the main highway after all.
Walking into the inn, Magatsu paused to let his eyes become adjusted to the change in light, dark had fallen outside and the lamplight was bright in comparison. Taking in the gore splattered clothes of the group did nothing to overcome the peasants' usual suspicion of strange travelers, especially ones that arrived by nightfall. Face absolutely deadpan, Magatsu tossed a small gold coin at the inn keeper knowing that was probably more money than he'd seen in a good long while. "Get us a room", he said, "kick out whoever you need to."
The quivering inn keeper led the way up the rickety wooden stairs. Damn ronin! They were a plague, he just hoped this one left before he could cause too much trouble. Or else...
Hyakurin took a seat as they entered the room, her legs bloodied and sore from the walking she knew that if she kept it up she'd be rendered useless soon. Resting her head on the wall she ran her fingers though her blood crusted hair. "We need to find some new clothing come morning." she muttered as she pulled out her pipe from the small bag she carried with her. She packed it and lit it with a near by candle. Her eyes again rested on the kenshi that had been escorting them.
The girl had laid with her head on the woman's lap, "come child rest in the bed." she said as she walked over to the small mats on the floor and laid the child to rest. She ran her fingers though the young girls long black hair though it got caught in the knots she made sure not to pull it. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.
Haykurin's dark eyes once again looked over at Magatsu. She had so many questions to ask him yet she knew now wasn't the time. She yawned as she looked out the small window.
Magatsu poured some water from the chipped pitcher into the equally chipped wash basin. Splashing some water in his face he toweled off the worst of the blood. Carrying the wash basin and towel over to Hyakurin, he set them down by the sill where she sat before quietly leaving.
Glancing down at the little girl he paused in the doorway, before gently shutting the door. He was damn tired, so he hoped the woman didn't take too long to clean up. Slumping down beside the doorway, he clutched the Chinese sword in his arms. Half dozing, he was still ready to wake if he heard anything or at least he told himself that.
Hyakurin cleaned her self quickly as she wiped off the young sleeping girl. A small smile came over her face as she leaned against the wall, both of her legs showing the horrific wounds on them, yet she kept her mind free of what the men had done to her.
(Mr. Narrator: So our hero of the dark soul was slumped against a wall in the last episode, waiting for the beautiful but damaged Hyakurin to finish her sponge bath. Looking disheveled yet infinitely cool as he held his deadly Chinese sword with casual ease, he lightly dozed.
scene fades in from black, to zoom in on Magatsu's face. Mouth opened wide and snores like sawing wood coming out, with an improbably huge snot bubble hanging from his nose.
Mr. Narrator: sigh I guess all guys are the same in the end no matter how cool they seem at first. )
Waking up with a start, Magatsu rubs briefly at his eyes. He wondered if Hyakurin was ever going to come out of there, or would he just have to sleep on this uncomfortable wood planking for the rest of the night. Shifting uncomfortably on a wooden plank that was jabbing him in a rather intimate area, he grumbled quietly as he dozed off again.
Hyakurin lightly placed her hand on Magatsu's shoulder. She smiled as she looked down at the tired man, yet she didn't say a word. Her dark brown eyes watched him sleepily. Glancing up with a slight smile, he jumped lightly to his feet determined to put on a brave face in spite of his injuries. Walking into the room he took a tatami(is that right? forgive me if I'm wrong... --''') mat to the right of the girl leaving the mat to the other side of the girl for Hyakurin. Ever the gentleman, he scoffed at himself. He was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. The stars neutral light shone through the window on what looked like a normal family to the casual observer, granting their faces an eerie look of peace.
Hyakurin sat there looking out the window, her mind raced as her wounds throbbed. As time passed her eyes grew heavy as did the rest of her, she lay down looking over at the small girl. The thought of never having her own daughter live to be the girls age. She slowly drifted off into a dream of the past, she smiled.
He woke up in the darkness with a start, shaking the cold sweat of nightmare from off his brow. Why is it like this? Not every night, but just often enough that the image of her desecrated corpse horrifies him afresh. Holding his head he sobbed silently, as if he could push out all the memories and things that hurt inside with the force of emotion or conviction. But... if it hadn't worked the first time what would make this time any different. Regaining himself, he wiped the tears from his face and smoothed back his sleep tousled hair in the same gesture.
The moon shone so brightly alone in a sky bereft of stars. Robbed of sleep he sat still staring until the moon began to set. And as it set, it's waning light slanted a beam down upon Hyakurin's still smiling face. She... too used to smile like that he thought, a tenuous smile upon his own face unused to the expression as it was. She used to smile so openly and so full of the sweet innocence that most people only kept in their sleep, lost in memory and dream. She had managed to keep that sweetness, despite all she had endured, and that was why he must never ever forget her or the joy she had brought to his life no matter how short-lived. It was his legacy and responsibility to hold onto those memories, because he was the only one who ever truly knew her. And if he didn't, who would? And so he slept in peace the whole rest of the night as far removed from the earth as man can be while on the ground, dreaming of a ghostly dance with a woman of beautiful countenance. Her softly shining hair complimented by the fineness of her kimono and the grace of her steps. And a smile that lit both their faces, his as much for her as hers did for him. And who knows, in the strange places men reach in dreams perhaps he reached farther than the merely mortal realm and touched something higher, a state of grace in which love could once again shine freely, bravely and without fear.
Morning
Hyakurin sat looking out the window, the sun was midway till it was high noon. She looked over the sleeping man and slowly walked over lightly shaking him. "Do you plan on sleeping the day away?" she asked as the girl lessened to the sound of a flute from the outside.
Hyakurin looked down at him yet she smiled. The bandages on her legs though fresh they were still slightly tinted red. He woke up to a beautiful face, and the sun beaming down. "What better sight to greet you as you woke than that?", he thought pleasantly.
Magatsu frowned as he looked down at her bandages to see that Hyakurin was still bleeding. "Here, you need to tie the bandages tighter if you want the wound to stop bleeding", he said. Picking up the roll of fresh cloth bandages he said, "Will you let me?" He hadn't put on his face scarf yet. He missed it at times like these when he would rather his expressions were better hidden.
Hyakurin nodded as she sat down to a lowing him to fix her bandages. Her chocolate eyes watched him, "I wasn't sure what you wanted for breakfast so we haven't eaten yet." she was quiet as her mind raced back to the lumber yards as she stared at her wound.
"Ah, forgive me for making you and the girl wait", he said as he knelt down before her. Measuring out a length of the coarse white makeshift bandages (really just torn-up cloths), he gently wrapped the first loop around the punctures just above her knee. Looking up at her face, he was worried that she might be in pain because of the required tightness of the bindings, as well he was aware of the awkwardness of the situation. It was rather... well... intimate, even if unintentionally so. Seeing her expression, he wasn't sure whether to be relieved or to be worried. She had a blank expression as if she wasn't even aware of the pain or er... anything else as he wrapped the wounds around her upper thighs. Tying it with a small precise double knot, he stood up, "There, all done. I hope it wasn't too bad. Why don't we get something to eat now?" "Bet you'd like that, eh?" he said to the little girl. She nodded once shyly.
Hyakurin agreed with the two she looked over at her male companion, "What are we going to do with her exactly?" her words weren't much more than a whisper as they walked into town. "Heh, I hadn't thought about it really, leave her with the innkeeper?" ,he mumbled back. "She is a cute little bugger though", he thought as he tousled her hair making her squirm and make a face at him. He laughed aloud. The little girl evidently saw a restaurant she liked, because she began pointing excitedly before breaking into a run. Magatsu sighed, and grabbing her by the back of her yukata turned her to face him. He had to laugh at the fiercely pouting face and crossed arms that faced him. "I don't know about you, but I don't think everyone here would enjoy having only candy or desserts for breakfast", he said with a wink at Hyakurin. "Why don't we go here instead? I'm sure they have some treats as well."
Hyakurin raised a brow as she handed the child some coins, "Hurry back." she said as she watched the girl run off. "Is that really what you want for her? So she'll end up in a brothel? Or is that they type of woman you want her to become?" She spoke as she stood there, "Or is that the type of women you like?"
"Keh. That must be it... What's one whore more or less in this world, right?", he said as he turned and walked away and raised his mask. Whatever good feelings he had this morning were gone as easily as that. Her callous words had snatched away that tenuous happiness with careless ease.
Hyakurin dark eyes watched him as the girl ran back out of the store. She stopped watching Magatsu, she slowly approached the masked man holding her candy up as an offer. Hyakurin bowed her head as she walked towards him, the girl looked between the two then began to pout.
Magatsu kneeled down in front of the little girl. Looking like a knight bending knee to a queen, for all the ridiculousness of the gesture, he accepted the candy from the girl with a muffled thanks. Bending his head over hers he gave what might have been called a kiss to the top of her head had his mask not been in place. Then standing up with a little self-deprecating chuckle he walked over to Hyakurin and breaking off half of the hard sugar candy, he held it out to her. "Why don't we talk it over after we get some breakfast", he said turning around and walking into a restaurant. The little girl flashed a smile bright with innocence at Hyakurin before skipping along behind Magatsu.
Hyakurin Watched the man and the child as she began to fallow, as she entered the restaurant her eyes scanned the room. She wrapped her arm around Magatsu's she looked over at him and flashed a smile.
They as they sat down she watched the girl, eating her candy. Her hands moved slowly as she moved the hair from the girls face. Slowly the blonds eyes closed, as she thought of the children she had lost. Her eyes flung back open as the sight of her son's small dead body came to her sight. She sat the silent with her head bowed.
Magatsu was startled at the gesture from Hyakurin, which though uncommonly familiar, was also terribly... sweet at the same time. These abrupt moments of kindness that she allowed to slip through, he wondered if they could be trusted. Was that what really hid behind the mask of everyday life... or not? Still, he gave no outward reaction to his thoughts and as they sat down and she disengaged her arm from his, and if his arm quivered ever so slightly who could tell but him?
The girl raised a face adorably sticky with sweets as she looked at the woman who so tenderly had combed the hair back from her forehead. The lady with the strange hair looked so sad... she reached out unthinkingly mimicking Hyakurin as she brushed back the hair from Hyakurin's forehead. "Oops!", she thought as she began to laugh impishly. She had meant to comfort the lady, but now there was a streak of sugary syrup across her forehead, and a little bit in her hair too where her hand had touched. She hoped the lady wouldn't get too mad...
Looking at the tableau Magatsu could not help but laugh. He stifled it as best he could, holding a hand over his mouth and doing his best to sound like he was coughing.
Hyakurin's reaction wasn't one that she even expected, if out with Shinrji naturally she would have yelled but she chuckled and a smiled. She could fell the young woman gently wiping as much of the syrup as the laughter died down they ordered their food as she looked towards the child, "Are you felling a little more like talking today?" She asked as she reached over and took the girls small hand into hers.
The girl knew that she could talk if she really wanted to. It's just that there wasn't any point after her mother and father died. But, she would try if only to take away a little bit of the nice lady's sadness. Opening her mouth wide she said, "I want to eat some mochi." But, as the two people looked at her strangely, she knew that she had only heard the words inside her own head. Frowning just a little, a little furrow in her brow showed how much she was concentrating now. And then she just shouted a wordless cry, but it only came out as a whisper of breath despite her best efforts. Hanging her head, her hair curtained her face and hid the fat tears that slid warmly down her cheeks.
Hyakurin kissed the girls forehead and looked at her and smiled softly, "Don't worry I'm not going to make you." the blonde's short hair hung in her face as she brushed it away, she looked over at Magatsu.
Magatsu shifted uncomfortably. What was he supposed to do in these situations? He'd never really had to comfort children before, all he knew was the rather harsh upbringing he'd received as a child. Reaching over he dropped his hand roughly on top of the girl's head. Ruffling her hair, he told her, "Don't worry 'bout it, kid. It'll come in time. And even though we want to hear your pretty little voice, we can wait. Ok?" The girl smiled at Magatsu's comment as their tea was served to them.
Hyakurin moved her hair from her face as she looked over at the slender man. There was a time that she would have tried to kill him, yet the more she was around him her thoughts began to change. She began to wonder what Giichi would say to her about this. She chuckled slightly to herself shaking her head as the thought that Shira was still looking for them.
The smell of blood was in the air. Looking up from Hyakurin and the girl, Magatsu was not all that surprised to see Manji walk in. It was a rare man who had killed quite so much. "Well, I'm surprised you're still alive with your sloppy sword work, you old dog, well not really...", Magatsu said to Manji with a wink. "Heh, I could say the same for you", came the easy reply.
Hyakurin looked at the scared man and smiled, it was nice to see a familiar face. Even if it was his. "Any sine of Rin?" she asked as she sipped her tea. "Not really", he said, "she moves pretty fast for such a brat, I would've thought she'd have given up by now. Guess I'll have to pick up the pace a little."
"Well, we're almost done here", said Magatsu. "You 'bout ready to leave this dump", he asked Hyakurin.
Meanwhile A strange looking man, with his bleach blonde hair and one hand, was having a conversation with a group of three small-time thugs. "So, I'll give you guys 8 ryo each to take care of a little problem for me. Half now and half later. Whaddaya say...?"
Back at the Restaurant
Hyakurin nodded as the girl looked at Manji and hugged onto the older woman who smiled slightly. "It's alright child he's a friend." Her eyes looked over at Magatsu then to the girl with a questioning look.
Hmm... thought Magatsu, who do we have that is relatively stable and can afford to take care of...? "Ah, I know someone we can leave the girl with, but he's back in the last town. A certain painter friend of ours? Now I know he may not be the most reliable, but he does have a daughter who is."
Manji muttered from the corner of his mouth, "it's about time you got rid of the kid, what're you thinking of hunting down a murderer like Shira with a little kid in tow?"
"I know, I know", said Magatsu, "but she", he said massaging his neck as he nodded towards Hyakurin, "was pretty picky about who we'd leave the kid with." Mutters "It's not like I WANTED her to turn into a whore or something, men just don't think of weird stuff like that..." mutters cough, cough "Anyway, let's go already!" said Magatsu beating a hasty retreat outside under the fearsome gaze of two somewhat indignant females, albeit one being about 2 feet shorter than the other.
Hyakurin carried the girl on her back as they walked, the child ate candy as she eyes Manji up. Not blinking she watched the man like a hawk watches it's pray.
The blond smiled softly almost un noticeably, as she treaded onward. Manji turned around with a deliberately hideous look on his face; nostrils flared, eyes crossed, with one eye bulging, and the other squinting, his tongue protruding from the left corner of his mouth. "What're you looking at?" he asked the child. "What is there something wrong with my face?"
The girl laughed as she finally spoke "Silly." Hyakurin looked in disbelief at the tiny girl on her back. There was some loud thrashing as something either very large or very clumsy stumbled through the forest beside the road. 3 stupid looking guys confronted the group with weapons drawn. Took one look at the group and said "excuse us for just a moment". whispered conversation"There was only supposed to be one guy, now there's like a whole freaking group of 'em. That's ok it's only one more guy, and the woman and the kid shouldn't be any problem so it shouldn't be any problem. Besides, remember we're just supposed to delay 'em here until "he" gets here. whispered conversation ends "Ok, we're ready now." "Well, we're glad to see that YOU'RE finally ready." said Manji who had taken the opportunity to draw his 12 blades in the meantime. "Holy crap..." said the profusely sweating thugs.
Authors Note
Okay this is the Forth chapter what do you think? I DO NOT OWN Blade of the Immortal, Hiroaki Samura and Dark Horse comics own it I'm just barrowing it. This is also based after the 11th book Beasts. Please leave a review and let me know what you think, and Please also note that I am not the only writer of this story, a friend (Joel) also helps write it. He writes for Manji and Magatsu, and I write for Hyakurin and Giichi. Anyone else we've both used. Thanks for reading
Chapter Four: The Long Road
Dusk had came by the time they began to walk again, and still the child couldn't explain what was going on. She walked next to the young girl holding her hand as they fallowed the old dirt road. Hyakurin could fell hers legs begin to give out on her once again. Yet she pushed herself forward, staying the night anywhere wouldn't be the best for them, especially if the assassin's were still in search for the girl.
Hyakurin yawned as she looked into the sky, "Do you know haw far to the next village?" she asked quietly as she looked at the young girl who now looking like the living dead. "We need to rest and clean ourselves up..." she muted under yet another yawn.
The little girl turned at the sound of a voice, but she couldn't quite make out the words... the white noise that had enveloped her world this afternoon hadn't gone away and she couldn't seem to care. Giving the strange blonde woman a blank stare she returned her gaze to the pebbles at their feet. Then, she clutched tightly at the slim fingers in her infant's grasp, they were the only thing that kept her afloat in the river of blood that they walked through.
Magatsu cast a weary glance to the sky, when was the last time he'd seen such a blood-drenched sky? The setting sun shed tears of crimson that stained the liquid sky like blood falling in a still pool. If this wasn't a sure sign this day was cursed by the gods... Kicking a pebble in the wavering evening light he saw a distant village outlined in the setting sun.
Hyakurin's dark eyes stared at the village, she knew that they couldn't stay there long yet they still could rest some. She had watched the sunset by the time they reached the village. She looked into her small money pouch and counted what she had. It was enough to get them the night at an inn and some food. She let out a heavy sigh as she looked at the man she was traveling with, a unlikely ally, but only for the time she told herself.
Feeling her eyes on him Magatsu turned his head and gave her his most fang some smile. "Believe me this ain't gonna last for long. Why am I still here...?" he thought to himself. His swords were banged up like shit from that last fight. He'd be lucky to find a competent swordsmith in a little village like this one, little more than a group of hovels. More likely he'd have to touch 'em up as best he could with a whetstone, and do a more thorough job of cleaning the blood and... other things from the sword, it was bad for the steel to leave it for too long. Well, at least they had a small inn, they were just off the main highway after all.
Walking into the inn, Magatsu paused to let his eyes become adjusted to the change in light, dark had fallen outside and the lamplight was bright in comparison. Taking in the gore splattered clothes of the group did nothing to overcome the peasants' usual suspicion of strange travelers, especially ones that arrived by nightfall. Face absolutely deadpan, Magatsu tossed a small gold coin at the inn keeper knowing that was probably more money than he'd seen in a good long while. "Get us a room", he said, "kick out whoever you need to."
The quivering inn keeper led the way up the rickety wooden stairs. Damn ronin! They were a plague, he just hoped this one left before he could cause too much trouble. Or else...
Hyakurin took a seat as they entered the room, her legs bloodied and sore from the walking she knew that if she kept it up she'd be rendered useless soon. Resting her head on the wall she ran her fingers though her blood crusted hair. "We need to find some new clothing come morning." she muttered as she pulled out her pipe from the small bag she carried with her. She packed it and lit it with a near by candle. Her eyes again rested on the kenshi that had been escorting them.
The girl had laid with her head on the woman's lap, "come child rest in the bed." she said as she walked over to the small mats on the floor and laid the child to rest. She ran her fingers though the young girls long black hair though it got caught in the knots she made sure not to pull it. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.
Haykurin's dark eyes once again looked over at Magatsu. She had so many questions to ask him yet she knew now wasn't the time. She yawned as she looked out the small window.
Magatsu poured some water from the chipped pitcher into the equally chipped wash basin. Splashing some water in his face he toweled off the worst of the blood. Carrying the wash basin and towel over to Hyakurin, he set them down by the sill where she sat before quietly leaving.
Glancing down at the little girl he paused in the doorway, before gently shutting the door. He was damn tired, so he hoped the woman didn't take too long to clean up. Slumping down beside the doorway, he clutched the Chinese sword in his arms. Half dozing, he was still ready to wake if he heard anything or at least he told himself that.
Hyakurin cleaned her self quickly as she wiped off the young sleeping girl. A small smile came over her face as she leaned against the wall, both of her legs showing the horrific wounds on them, yet she kept her mind free of what the men had done to her.
(Mr. Narrator: So our hero of the dark soul was slumped against a wall in the last episode, waiting for the beautiful but damaged Hyakurin to finish her sponge bath. Looking disheveled yet infinitely cool as he held his deadly Chinese sword with casual ease, he lightly dozed.
scene fades in from black, to zoom in on Magatsu's face. Mouth opened wide and snores like sawing wood coming out, with an improbably huge snot bubble hanging from his nose.
Mr. Narrator: sigh I guess all guys are the same in the end no matter how cool they seem at first. )
Waking up with a start, Magatsu rubs briefly at his eyes. He wondered if Hyakurin was ever going to come out of there, or would he just have to sleep on this uncomfortable wood planking for the rest of the night. Shifting uncomfortably on a wooden plank that was jabbing him in a rather intimate area, he grumbled quietly as he dozed off again.
Hyakurin lightly placed her hand on Magatsu's shoulder. She smiled as she looked down at the tired man, yet she didn't say a word. Her dark brown eyes watched him sleepily. Glancing up with a slight smile, he jumped lightly to his feet determined to put on a brave face in spite of his injuries. Walking into the room he took a tatami(is that right? forgive me if I'm wrong... --''') mat to the right of the girl leaving the mat to the other side of the girl for Hyakurin. Ever the gentleman, he scoffed at himself. He was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. The stars neutral light shone through the window on what looked like a normal family to the casual observer, granting their faces an eerie look of peace.
Hyakurin sat there looking out the window, her mind raced as her wounds throbbed. As time passed her eyes grew heavy as did the rest of her, she lay down looking over at the small girl. The thought of never having her own daughter live to be the girls age. She slowly drifted off into a dream of the past, she smiled.
He woke up in the darkness with a start, shaking the cold sweat of nightmare from off his brow. Why is it like this? Not every night, but just often enough that the image of her desecrated corpse horrifies him afresh. Holding his head he sobbed silently, as if he could push out all the memories and things that hurt inside with the force of emotion or conviction. But... if it hadn't worked the first time what would make this time any different. Regaining himself, he wiped the tears from his face and smoothed back his sleep tousled hair in the same gesture.
The moon shone so brightly alone in a sky bereft of stars. Robbed of sleep he sat still staring until the moon began to set. And as it set, it's waning light slanted a beam down upon Hyakurin's still smiling face. She... too used to smile like that he thought, a tenuous smile upon his own face unused to the expression as it was. She used to smile so openly and so full of the sweet innocence that most people only kept in their sleep, lost in memory and dream. She had managed to keep that sweetness, despite all she had endured, and that was why he must never ever forget her or the joy she had brought to his life no matter how short-lived. It was his legacy and responsibility to hold onto those memories, because he was the only one who ever truly knew her. And if he didn't, who would? And so he slept in peace the whole rest of the night as far removed from the earth as man can be while on the ground, dreaming of a ghostly dance with a woman of beautiful countenance. Her softly shining hair complimented by the fineness of her kimono and the grace of her steps. And a smile that lit both their faces, his as much for her as hers did for him. And who knows, in the strange places men reach in dreams perhaps he reached farther than the merely mortal realm and touched something higher, a state of grace in which love could once again shine freely, bravely and without fear.
Morning
Hyakurin sat looking out the window, the sun was midway till it was high noon. She looked over the sleeping man and slowly walked over lightly shaking him. "Do you plan on sleeping the day away?" she asked as the girl lessened to the sound of a flute from the outside.
Hyakurin looked down at him yet she smiled. The bandages on her legs though fresh they were still slightly tinted red. He woke up to a beautiful face, and the sun beaming down. "What better sight to greet you as you woke than that?", he thought pleasantly.
Magatsu frowned as he looked down at her bandages to see that Hyakurin was still bleeding. "Here, you need to tie the bandages tighter if you want the wound to stop bleeding", he said. Picking up the roll of fresh cloth bandages he said, "Will you let me?" He hadn't put on his face scarf yet. He missed it at times like these when he would rather his expressions were better hidden.
Hyakurin nodded as she sat down to a lowing him to fix her bandages. Her chocolate eyes watched him, "I wasn't sure what you wanted for breakfast so we haven't eaten yet." she was quiet as her mind raced back to the lumber yards as she stared at her wound.
"Ah, forgive me for making you and the girl wait", he said as he knelt down before her. Measuring out a length of the coarse white makeshift bandages (really just torn-up cloths), he gently wrapped the first loop around the punctures just above her knee. Looking up at her face, he was worried that she might be in pain because of the required tightness of the bindings, as well he was aware of the awkwardness of the situation. It was rather... well... intimate, even if unintentionally so. Seeing her expression, he wasn't sure whether to be relieved or to be worried. She had a blank expression as if she wasn't even aware of the pain or er... anything else as he wrapped the wounds around her upper thighs. Tying it with a small precise double knot, he stood up, "There, all done. I hope it wasn't too bad. Why don't we get something to eat now?" "Bet you'd like that, eh?" he said to the little girl. She nodded once shyly.
Hyakurin agreed with the two she looked over at her male companion, "What are we going to do with her exactly?" her words weren't much more than a whisper as they walked into town. "Heh, I hadn't thought about it really, leave her with the innkeeper?" ,he mumbled back. "She is a cute little bugger though", he thought as he tousled her hair making her squirm and make a face at him. He laughed aloud. The little girl evidently saw a restaurant she liked, because she began pointing excitedly before breaking into a run. Magatsu sighed, and grabbing her by the back of her yukata turned her to face him. He had to laugh at the fiercely pouting face and crossed arms that faced him. "I don't know about you, but I don't think everyone here would enjoy having only candy or desserts for breakfast", he said with a wink at Hyakurin. "Why don't we go here instead? I'm sure they have some treats as well."
Hyakurin raised a brow as she handed the child some coins, "Hurry back." she said as she watched the girl run off. "Is that really what you want for her? So she'll end up in a brothel? Or is that they type of woman you want her to become?" She spoke as she stood there, "Or is that the type of women you like?"
"Keh. That must be it... What's one whore more or less in this world, right?", he said as he turned and walked away and raised his mask. Whatever good feelings he had this morning were gone as easily as that. Her callous words had snatched away that tenuous happiness with careless ease.
Hyakurin dark eyes watched him as the girl ran back out of the store. She stopped watching Magatsu, she slowly approached the masked man holding her candy up as an offer. Hyakurin bowed her head as she walked towards him, the girl looked between the two then began to pout.
Magatsu kneeled down in front of the little girl. Looking like a knight bending knee to a queen, for all the ridiculousness of the gesture, he accepted the candy from the girl with a muffled thanks. Bending his head over hers he gave what might have been called a kiss to the top of her head had his mask not been in place. Then standing up with a little self-deprecating chuckle he walked over to Hyakurin and breaking off half of the hard sugar candy, he held it out to her. "Why don't we talk it over after we get some breakfast", he said turning around and walking into a restaurant. The little girl flashed a smile bright with innocence at Hyakurin before skipping along behind Magatsu.
Hyakurin Watched the man and the child as she began to fallow, as she entered the restaurant her eyes scanned the room. She wrapped her arm around Magatsu's she looked over at him and flashed a smile.
They as they sat down she watched the girl, eating her candy. Her hands moved slowly as she moved the hair from the girls face. Slowly the blonds eyes closed, as she thought of the children she had lost. Her eyes flung back open as the sight of her son's small dead body came to her sight. She sat the silent with her head bowed.
Magatsu was startled at the gesture from Hyakurin, which though uncommonly familiar, was also terribly... sweet at the same time. These abrupt moments of kindness that she allowed to slip through, he wondered if they could be trusted. Was that what really hid behind the mask of everyday life... or not? Still, he gave no outward reaction to his thoughts and as they sat down and she disengaged her arm from his, and if his arm quivered ever so slightly who could tell but him?
The girl raised a face adorably sticky with sweets as she looked at the woman who so tenderly had combed the hair back from her forehead. The lady with the strange hair looked so sad... she reached out unthinkingly mimicking Hyakurin as she brushed back the hair from Hyakurin's forehead. "Oops!", she thought as she began to laugh impishly. She had meant to comfort the lady, but now there was a streak of sugary syrup across her forehead, and a little bit in her hair too where her hand had touched. She hoped the lady wouldn't get too mad...
Looking at the tableau Magatsu could not help but laugh. He stifled it as best he could, holding a hand over his mouth and doing his best to sound like he was coughing.
Hyakurin's reaction wasn't one that she even expected, if out with Shinrji naturally she would have yelled but she chuckled and a smiled. She could fell the young woman gently wiping as much of the syrup as the laughter died down they ordered their food as she looked towards the child, "Are you felling a little more like talking today?" She asked as she reached over and took the girls small hand into hers.
The girl knew that she could talk if she really wanted to. It's just that there wasn't any point after her mother and father died. But, she would try if only to take away a little bit of the nice lady's sadness. Opening her mouth wide she said, "I want to eat some mochi." But, as the two people looked at her strangely, she knew that she had only heard the words inside her own head. Frowning just a little, a little furrow in her brow showed how much she was concentrating now. And then she just shouted a wordless cry, but it only came out as a whisper of breath despite her best efforts. Hanging her head, her hair curtained her face and hid the fat tears that slid warmly down her cheeks.
Hyakurin kissed the girls forehead and looked at her and smiled softly, "Don't worry I'm not going to make you." the blonde's short hair hung in her face as she brushed it away, she looked over at Magatsu.
Magatsu shifted uncomfortably. What was he supposed to do in these situations? He'd never really had to comfort children before, all he knew was the rather harsh upbringing he'd received as a child. Reaching over he dropped his hand roughly on top of the girl's head. Ruffling her hair, he told her, "Don't worry 'bout it, kid. It'll come in time. And even though we want to hear your pretty little voice, we can wait. Ok?" The girl smiled at Magatsu's comment as their tea was served to them.
Hyakurin moved her hair from her face as she looked over at the slender man. There was a time that she would have tried to kill him, yet the more she was around him her thoughts began to change. She began to wonder what Giichi would say to her about this. She chuckled slightly to herself shaking her head as the thought that Shira was still looking for them.
The smell of blood was in the air. Looking up from Hyakurin and the girl, Magatsu was not all that surprised to see Manji walk in. It was a rare man who had killed quite so much. "Well, I'm surprised you're still alive with your sloppy sword work, you old dog, well not really...", Magatsu said to Manji with a wink. "Heh, I could say the same for you", came the easy reply.
Hyakurin looked at the scared man and smiled, it was nice to see a familiar face. Even if it was his. "Any sine of Rin?" she asked as she sipped her tea. "Not really", he said, "she moves pretty fast for such a brat, I would've thought she'd have given up by now. Guess I'll have to pick up the pace a little."
"Well, we're almost done here", said Magatsu. "You 'bout ready to leave this dump", he asked Hyakurin.
Meanwhile A strange looking man, with his bleach blonde hair and one hand, was having a conversation with a group of three small-time thugs. "So, I'll give you guys 8 ryo each to take care of a little problem for me. Half now and half later. Whaddaya say...?"
Back at the Restaurant
Hyakurin nodded as the girl looked at Manji and hugged onto the older woman who smiled slightly. "It's alright child he's a friend." Her eyes looked over at Magatsu then to the girl with a questioning look.
Hmm... thought Magatsu, who do we have that is relatively stable and can afford to take care of...? "Ah, I know someone we can leave the girl with, but he's back in the last town. A certain painter friend of ours? Now I know he may not be the most reliable, but he does have a daughter who is."
Manji muttered from the corner of his mouth, "it's about time you got rid of the kid, what're you thinking of hunting down a murderer like Shira with a little kid in tow?"
"I know, I know", said Magatsu, "but she", he said massaging his neck as he nodded towards Hyakurin, "was pretty picky about who we'd leave the kid with." Mutters "It's not like I WANTED her to turn into a whore or something, men just don't think of weird stuff like that..." mutters cough, cough "Anyway, let's go already!" said Magatsu beating a hasty retreat outside under the fearsome gaze of two somewhat indignant females, albeit one being about 2 feet shorter than the other.
Hyakurin carried the girl on her back as they walked, the child ate candy as she eyes Manji up. Not blinking she watched the man like a hawk watches it's pray.
The blond smiled softly almost un noticeably, as she treaded onward. Manji turned around with a deliberately hideous look on his face; nostrils flared, eyes crossed, with one eye bulging, and the other squinting, his tongue protruding from the left corner of his mouth. "What're you looking at?" he asked the child. "What is there something wrong with my face?"
The girl laughed as she finally spoke "Silly." Hyakurin looked in disbelief at the tiny girl on her back. There was some loud thrashing as something either very large or very clumsy stumbled through the forest beside the road. 3 stupid looking guys confronted the group with weapons drawn. Took one look at the group and said "excuse us for just a moment". whispered conversation"There was only supposed to be one guy, now there's like a whole freaking group of 'em. That's ok it's only one more guy, and the woman and the kid shouldn't be any problem so it shouldn't be any problem. Besides, remember we're just supposed to delay 'em here until "he" gets here. whispered conversation ends "Ok, we're ready now." "Well, we're glad to see that YOU'RE finally ready." said Manji who had taken the opportunity to draw his 12 blades in the meantime. "Holy crap..." said the profusely sweating thugs.
Authors Note
Okay this is the Forth chapter what do you think? I DO NOT OWN Blade of the Immortal, Hiroaki Samura and Dark Horse comics own it I'm just barrowing it. This is also based after the 11th book Beasts. Please leave a review and let me know what you think, and Please also note that I am not the only writer of this story, a friend (Joel) also helps write it. He writes for Manji and Magatsu, and I write for Hyakurin and Giichi. Anyone else we've both used. Thanks for reading