A/N:
Ah! The great and satisfying feeling of accomplishment! I've finished two more chapters! Sorry about the delay. My computer crashed and everything I've written/ drawn/ created has been wiped out. Vanished, DESTROYED! There's nothing left! Thank goodness some of my well-written stuff was saved here. If I lost this story...boy would I be mad! ALL MY HARD WORK GONE TO WASTE! Anyway, now I'm back on the writing field and am making a homerun toward the finish line. Only three more chapters and an epilogue to write and its all over! Or is it? BUM BUM BUUUM! Muahahahahhhaaaaaa!
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Chapter 8 – Battle Beneath the Twilight
He stood fast in the doorway, his chest heaving, robes slightly tattered. His hands trembled slightly, dripping with blood and sweat from the battles fought moments ago in the hallways. Eyes glowing with a powerful rage, he glanced around the room, searching for his next victim. The blinding silver katana licked the sweet crimson that clung to its graceful form and whispered to the swordsman, "more...more!"
His footsteps sent a silent wave or horror through the tatami, a rushing breeze and fog following after him, creating the sense that a bloodthirsty spirit had entered. An air of lust and passion for death hovered about him like a scarlet nimbus, sending his gold eyes gleaming into a murderous insanity.
He approached stealthily, as would a great tiger looming before its prey. His heavy breathing echoed as a growl through the room, each step drawing him ever closer to the maddening bloodlust.
She should have been afraid, a normal heart would have skipped and failed at such a sight. Not so with the trembling flower sitting in the center of the room. Her hands flew to her mouth, drowning the soft gasp that caught in her throat. Her heart soared as she gazed at his magnificent form, battle-scarred and bloody, lungs heaving, eyes flashing fire in the darkness. Her soul filled with an exhilarating euphoria as she gazed in awe at his astounding majesty.
Fingers trembling she reached out toward the smooth curve of his exposed neck and the small of his back that creased the folds of his haori. A love stuck sigh escaped her lips as she watched the silver rainwater drip down his arms. A trail of liquid storm water trickled from his sandals, soaking into the tatami and taken up by the fog. Her emerald eyes bled silver tears as her soul rejoiced at the sight of him and the beacon of hope he represented.
Turning toward her moonlit form, he spoke softly, his breathing shallow, "Toshiki, are you all right?"
Enwrapped in his gaze, she failed to see the gleam of a silver sword reflecting from the shadows, until a movement stirred her senses. "Akai! Look out!" she shouted.
Kokkaido emerged from the darkness, sword raised to strike the Battousai down, but his cover had been blown and the young swordsman easily blocked his attack. A loud ping sounded through the room as the steel fangs clashed, their wielders reeling into the shadows.
Kokkaido stepped out into the moonlight, sneering with an air of disdain and a look of disappointment on his face, "So, you must be the swordsman hired by Matsu, the man called Battousai. Pity. I had presumed you to be further gifted with the sword. Apparently I was wrong."
Battousai, concealed in the shadows, whispered, "You are unwise to talk in such a manner when you are soon to lose your head."
"Oh, presumptuous aren't we? Strange that Matsu sent only one swordsman to retrieve his lovely little daughter from my wicked hands. It amazes me that you came this far into my castle. Most of the others who have come against me could not get past the front gates."
"If you know so much, I advise you to be more wary than proud, for it is the proud who are first to die."
Kokkaido flinched slightly, seeing a fire in the young swordsman's eyes flashing from the shadows. This intruder was not playing games with him. Enraged at his insolence, Kokkaido searched for a sign in the darkness and caught sight of a glinting blade. He charged, swinging his drawn katana in a great arc, slashing into the wall. He missed, his eyes catching the young warrior leaping into the center of the room and standing in front of Toshiki, who was paralyzed by the tension rising in the room. Battousai whispered softly for her to leave while the battle ensued. She nodded, and rose to flee but Kokkaido's keen hearing caught it and he rushed forward.
"I shall not let the blood of Matsu escape alive!" he shouted as their swords clashed, sparks flying from the ringing steel. Toshiki cried out as she saw Kokkaido shove the scarlet swordsman away, draw his wakizashi and throw it straight toward her heart.
Unable to move, Battousai shouted, "Toshiki! No!" But the girl was not harmed, for with cat-like reflexes, she had dodged the blade, letting it pierce the wall on the far side of the room. Angered at such a close call, Battousai glared at the daimyo and said, "Your battle is with me. Leave the girl out of this."
He fought Kokkaido off and leaped into the air, somersaulting onto the wall and leaping toward his opponent. The daimyo blocked and sliced toward his chest. Battousai dove out of the way and placed his sword back into its sheath.
That stance! It's coming, thought Toshiki, who had backed up into the shadows so as not to be seen. It was the same attack he had used on the night he rescued her from the armed trespasser infiltrating the gardens. Nothing could possibly survive the speed of it! Within moments he had drawn his sword, colliding with the daimyo in a powerful display of speed and strength. Kokkaido could barely hold it, but continued without letup.
Breathing hard, the daimyo snarled, "I could go on like this all night."
"You're confidence will be your undoing," Battousai replied, viciously coming with a counter attack, this time from above. Disappearing into the shadows, he leaped up and came down on the daimyo, slashing his shoulder open, bright-red blood spilling onto the tatami. Kokkaido cried out in agony and stumbled into the gloomy doorway. Battousai took his chance to finish him off. He followed the sent of blood to the side of the entryway and lunged. A sharp pain grazed his cheek as his opponent grasped his lost wakizashi and thrashed it into the darkness before him. Battousai flinched and jumped back into the center of the room, holding a hand to the long gash trailing from his cheekbone to his chin, warm blood seeping through his fingers.
Kokkaido, from his place in the shadows, though badly injured, laughed shrilly at his small victory. "As I suspected, you are not even a samurai, just a poor imitation. Matsu must have been at his wits end to hire a man such as yourself. 'The strongest of the Imperialists.' Ha! I laugh at you. You are nothing but a weakling."
"I ask you this, would a weakling have been able to inflict such a deep wound in your shoulder while he only received a scratch? Look at yourself and tell me who the better swordsman is," Battousai snarled, his eyes full of rage. "Look into my eyes, Kokkaido, and tell me you are not afraid."
"I have nothing to fear, you pathetic excuse for a swordsman!" Kokkaido shouted, blood trickling from his lips. "What are you to me? Nothing! Nothing but dirt beneath my feet, which I intend to leave you as!"
"You are wrong," the scarlet swordsman hissed. "I am more powerful than you shall ever hope to be."
"You would have to be a god to defeat me in battle!"
Battousai's eyes sparked with an inhuman fire. He slowly inserted his sword into its sheath and stood at an angle before the daimyo. His voice, harshly muted to a devilish tone, whispered horribly, "I am."
Kokkaido gasped in horror as the young swordsman came toward him with a speed matched only by spirits, disappearing into the darkness. He raised his sword to defend himself from the invisible attack but it was too late. Eyes white with terror he saw the shining blade inches from his neck, silencing his horrible scream. Toshiki watched as the daimyo's body fell to the ground, blood gushing onto the tatami. She wheezed in sickened fright as his head rolled across the floor, coming to a halt at her feet.
Gasping at the blood-shot eyes wide with frozen shock, and the mouth wide with a silent shriek of death, she turned away, weeping. Warmth wrapped around her quivering shoulders, the arms of her swordsman lover. Her eyes rose to meet the tender gaze of Akai, who had rescued her from certain death. She clutched to him, embracing him weakly and sobbing into his chest. His hand reached up and stroked her raven-black locks, loosed and flowing down her back Tucking his fingers beneath her chin, he raised her eyes to meet his and whispered, "You are safe now."
Silvery tears pouring down her cheeks, Toshiki smiled and stroked his hands. Concern welled in her heart as she looked upon the terrible wound that had scarred his perfect face. Angrily, she tore off a piece of her yukata and dabbed the blood away. She felt his warm hand cover hers as he took the cloth and silently pressed it to his wound, eyes shimmering in the coming twilight. Leaning toward him, her lips brushed against his for a moment, but her touch was broken almost as quickly as it had come as he rose and slowly walked over to the bleeding head. He took a piece of cloth from his sleeve and gravely wrapped it around the twisted face.
"Come Toshiki," he said, putting a hand out to her. "We must leave this place quickly."
Nodding she grasped it and rose, following closely toward the doorway. As they approached, Toshiki caught sight of something written on the wall near the place Kokkaido was standing seconds before he was slain. The words, written sloppily in blood, read: 'Meisho Kokkaido no taeru itsu made mo.' (The name Kokkaido shall endure forever.) Her heart skipped and fear welled in her soul, realizing that the battle may not be over. Was this his desperate attempt to keep his honor alive, or worse his wicked threats? Was this war going to continue? Would it ever end?
Her train of thought was halted by the warm presence of her guardian, softly grasping her hand and leading her out of danger. Her fear was stifled slightly, as she stared into his trusting gaze. Still, despite her unquestionable confidence in the great swordsman, she couldn't shake the feeling that some part of that threatening spirit still lived, lurking in the shadows.
~
Dawn was ascending over the castle of Kokkaido; the moon slowly sinking while the east glowed with a silvery radiance. The valley below sang with the hushed songs of early-awakened birds, fleeting through the cedar trees, and the soft creaking of bamboo in the wind. However, for the crimson samurai and the delicate flower, this was no time to gaze upon such beauty. Their very lives were in the balance.
Creeping silently through the mansion, they soon came upon a balcony overlooking the outer courtyard. Though the swordsman had taken down many of the sentinels, there were others who had not been alerted to their loss. In time, perhaps moments, it would be found out and things would prove to be more perilous for them.
Battousai held her in the darkness, concealed from the ever-watchful eyes below, and whispered, "We need to get to the outside as fast as possible. Scaling the wall is the quickest way out of here. There is a sakura tree just ahead. The guards will not catch sight of us if we climb it."
"How will we escape if they do? We will never be able to outrun their horsemen."
"Have you any faith in this enchanted horse of yours, or in your samurai for that matter?" Battousai smiled slightly.
Toshiki smiled back, realizing his wisdom in taking the best steed from her father's stables. Only Shiro Tsuki had the strength to run so far in such a short period. It was no surprise then that he had arrived just in time. There was no way for them to lose.
Her joy was suddenly broken by a terrible cry, coming from the entrance gate. She whirled around to see a horde of guards rushing outside with so much excitement one would have thought they had found a trove of gems. Horrified, she caught sight of the form of a white horse being dragged into the courtyard. It was Shiro Tsuki, shrieking terribly, rearing and striking out at his attackers. More and more men came flocking from their posts to see this find.
"This is unfortunate," Battousai, grumbled, looking over the roof to the ground below, deciding upon a safe descending route.
Toshiki's hands flew to her mouth to stifle a shout, and her heart broke, realizing something awful. She could see that Battousai wished to escape while the men were distracted but she had to insist on something important. "Akai, I cannot leave Tsuki behind."
"There is no time, Toshiki, if we do not leave now we sure to be caught. Come, quickly. Let us go!"
"No!" she fought against him. "I cannot leave him here!"
"Do you wish to fight those men for the life of a horse?" Battousi demanded, growing frustrated at her idiocy.
"It is not his life I am concerned with," she whispered, her voice weighty, remembering the dripping words written upon the wall. "Once they discover what has happened, they could use Tsuki to discover the culprit of their master's death. They will trace him back to my father's house and surely come against us. Let us end it now, once and for all."
Though the girl seemed to be acting reckless, Battousai did agree that a danger still remained. If he was to accomplish what he had set out to do, destroying the threat of Kokkaido, it had to be done in every sense. The two of them fled down the stairway and into the inner courtyard. The hallways were vacant for every soul had gone to see the find. They crept from corridor to corridor, coming ever closer to the growing mob. They waited in the shadows until the men had put the horse into the stables, most of them going back to their posts afterward, a few others going into the house to inform their master.
"We don't have much time," said the scarlet swordsman.
Grabbing her hand he led her inside the barn. The walls echoed with the harsh snorting and stomping hooves of the white horse, still saddled, marching around the straw-bedded stall in a great huff. Wild-eyed from his battle with the guards, his grunts were more like growls as he pawed the hay and white foam dribbled from his half-open mouth.
Toshiki ran to the stall door and said softly, "Tsuki, I'm hear. Calm down or the guards will hear you!"
The white beast's ears pricked at the sound of her voice and he half- trotted to her, snorting and blowing out his complaints. She grasped the reins in one hand and opened the latched door with the other. It made a small clicking noise that raised the hairs on her neck and Tsuki flew out of the stall, dancing in the cramped aisle, snorting wildly. Battousai took the reins from her hand and leaped into the saddle. He quickly helped her into the crook just behind him, feeling her quivering hands wrap around his waist tightly. With a swift kick he sent the white steed into a run, barging through the loosely shut barn doors and galloping into the twilight.
They rushed by the first squadron of samurai who had gone back to their posts, the pounding hooves pelting them with flying sand and pebbles. Confused at the sight, they were alarmed by the sudden news. Three guards came rushing out of the house screaming, "Our master! Our master has been slain! Kill them! Kill them!"
Shouts of alarm echoed across the courtyard as Battousai and Toshiki approached the great entranceway. The doors had been left wide open, however, once the alarm had gone off they slowly began closing. Samurai rushed from the shadows, lining up before the gates, swords drawn and glinting in the morning light. Toshiki's eyes went wide.
"Akai, the gates! We'll never make it through!" she cried.
Battousai growled through his teeth angrily and pulled back hard on the reins. Shiro Tsuki's head flew into the air as he rose upon his hind legs, towering before the ranks of samurai. His wild blue eyes sent an ethereal chill down their spines, for he appeared as a phantom in the dim light. Battousai turned him quickly to the right and they barreled down the courtyard, flanked by a growing number of troops. The glinting silver of a hundred swords shimmered like the ripples upon a moonlit pond, like a school of hoary carp writhing in a drought-stricken pool. Toshiki could not believe their numbers. Perhaps the words were true. Perhaps Kokkaido's spirit won't let the blood of Matsu escape. She grabbed onto her lover and prayed for a miracle.
Battousai drew his bloodstained katana and slashed it to and fro, cutting down samurai one by one. Blood spattered everywhere and Tsuki's white neck grew red. She saw a dreadful fire in the eyes of the swordsman as he fought hard against the growing legion. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a guard aiming for her and as she dodged it wished she had her naginata blade. She was suddenly struck with an idea and reached for Battousai's wakizashi. Drawing it clean from its sheath, she swung it round and took off the arm of her attacker. He fell screaming to the ground. Sickened by his cry, she hesitated to continue, only to put it aside as the next attacker struck at her. Agile as a cat, she swung round, balancing herself on the horse's jerking backside and slashed viciously at Kokkaido's samurai. Battousai looked back at her for a moment and smiled at her determination.
The numbers were overwhelming, swords and arrows so thick and deadly she was certain they would never be able to make it out alive without some kind of miracle. Tuski charged through the masses, snarling and snapping at any offender who dare lay a finger upon his bridle. Mouth foaming he let out a horrible cry, roaring like a glowing wild spirit, fighting back as if in a great battle.
Suddenly they found themselves heading straight for the far wall. Battousai saw it coming and veered to the right, circling round and fleeing from the growing mob of samurai, wrought with anger and vengeance for the attack upon the fortress. Toshiki righted herself but shrieked loudly as they met head on the mass of samurai and neither one them was gaining advantage.
"This is impossible! We cannot fight them all!" Toshiki cried, still praying in her heart for some form of salvation. They had come too far to be destroyed in such a terrible way. She stared into the glinting crimson upon her sword. There must be a way...there must be a way! Her grip tightened on the hilt and she shouted to the heavens, "There must be a way!"
Suddenly the white horse stopped in mid-stride and looked to the left, staring up at the great meeting hall on the far side of the courtyard. In the same instance, as the swordsman tried to urge on, an arrow flew toward them, aimed for their hearts. Toshiki's gasped as she saw the deadly speeding contraption coming at her, but before the danger could strike them down, Tsuki took off like a blazing bullet toward the building. Battousai pulled and jerked at the reins to alter his course, but the horse had clamped onto the metal bit with his teeth, making it impossible to stop him.
Toshiki, eyes wide with fear, watched helplessly as they raced toward their imminent fate. The guards and samurai, armed and raging, closed in around them. There was no way out. As they came to the steps of the building, she was sure they'd crash into it. Yet, amazingly, Tsuki leaped from the ground straight over the mob and onto the tiled rooftop. During that instant, Battousai reached over with his sword and cut down two burning lamps, setting the roof aflame. Nimbly, Tsuki hurdled over the peak and down to the other side, and in a great bound that surpassed any samurai or any amble creature, flew over the wide span of the rear garden, over the stone wall, and into the bamboo thicket beyond. Landing powerfully outside of danger they escaped, galloping on toward Osaka, leaving the Kokkaido estate to burn in the distance, and ending his threat forevermore.
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A/N:
Boy that chapter was hard to write, all the battle scenes and action. My poor brain! But don't you worry; the fun's just starting! PLEASE REVIEW ALL MY HARD WORK!
Ah! The great and satisfying feeling of accomplishment! I've finished two more chapters! Sorry about the delay. My computer crashed and everything I've written/ drawn/ created has been wiped out. Vanished, DESTROYED! There's nothing left! Thank goodness some of my well-written stuff was saved here. If I lost this story...boy would I be mad! ALL MY HARD WORK GONE TO WASTE! Anyway, now I'm back on the writing field and am making a homerun toward the finish line. Only three more chapters and an epilogue to write and its all over! Or is it? BUM BUM BUUUM! Muahahahahhhaaaaaa!
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Chapter 8 – Battle Beneath the Twilight
He stood fast in the doorway, his chest heaving, robes slightly tattered. His hands trembled slightly, dripping with blood and sweat from the battles fought moments ago in the hallways. Eyes glowing with a powerful rage, he glanced around the room, searching for his next victim. The blinding silver katana licked the sweet crimson that clung to its graceful form and whispered to the swordsman, "more...more!"
His footsteps sent a silent wave or horror through the tatami, a rushing breeze and fog following after him, creating the sense that a bloodthirsty spirit had entered. An air of lust and passion for death hovered about him like a scarlet nimbus, sending his gold eyes gleaming into a murderous insanity.
He approached stealthily, as would a great tiger looming before its prey. His heavy breathing echoed as a growl through the room, each step drawing him ever closer to the maddening bloodlust.
She should have been afraid, a normal heart would have skipped and failed at such a sight. Not so with the trembling flower sitting in the center of the room. Her hands flew to her mouth, drowning the soft gasp that caught in her throat. Her heart soared as she gazed at his magnificent form, battle-scarred and bloody, lungs heaving, eyes flashing fire in the darkness. Her soul filled with an exhilarating euphoria as she gazed in awe at his astounding majesty.
Fingers trembling she reached out toward the smooth curve of his exposed neck and the small of his back that creased the folds of his haori. A love stuck sigh escaped her lips as she watched the silver rainwater drip down his arms. A trail of liquid storm water trickled from his sandals, soaking into the tatami and taken up by the fog. Her emerald eyes bled silver tears as her soul rejoiced at the sight of him and the beacon of hope he represented.
Turning toward her moonlit form, he spoke softly, his breathing shallow, "Toshiki, are you all right?"
Enwrapped in his gaze, she failed to see the gleam of a silver sword reflecting from the shadows, until a movement stirred her senses. "Akai! Look out!" she shouted.
Kokkaido emerged from the darkness, sword raised to strike the Battousai down, but his cover had been blown and the young swordsman easily blocked his attack. A loud ping sounded through the room as the steel fangs clashed, their wielders reeling into the shadows.
Kokkaido stepped out into the moonlight, sneering with an air of disdain and a look of disappointment on his face, "So, you must be the swordsman hired by Matsu, the man called Battousai. Pity. I had presumed you to be further gifted with the sword. Apparently I was wrong."
Battousai, concealed in the shadows, whispered, "You are unwise to talk in such a manner when you are soon to lose your head."
"Oh, presumptuous aren't we? Strange that Matsu sent only one swordsman to retrieve his lovely little daughter from my wicked hands. It amazes me that you came this far into my castle. Most of the others who have come against me could not get past the front gates."
"If you know so much, I advise you to be more wary than proud, for it is the proud who are first to die."
Kokkaido flinched slightly, seeing a fire in the young swordsman's eyes flashing from the shadows. This intruder was not playing games with him. Enraged at his insolence, Kokkaido searched for a sign in the darkness and caught sight of a glinting blade. He charged, swinging his drawn katana in a great arc, slashing into the wall. He missed, his eyes catching the young warrior leaping into the center of the room and standing in front of Toshiki, who was paralyzed by the tension rising in the room. Battousai whispered softly for her to leave while the battle ensued. She nodded, and rose to flee but Kokkaido's keen hearing caught it and he rushed forward.
"I shall not let the blood of Matsu escape alive!" he shouted as their swords clashed, sparks flying from the ringing steel. Toshiki cried out as she saw Kokkaido shove the scarlet swordsman away, draw his wakizashi and throw it straight toward her heart.
Unable to move, Battousai shouted, "Toshiki! No!" But the girl was not harmed, for with cat-like reflexes, she had dodged the blade, letting it pierce the wall on the far side of the room. Angered at such a close call, Battousai glared at the daimyo and said, "Your battle is with me. Leave the girl out of this."
He fought Kokkaido off and leaped into the air, somersaulting onto the wall and leaping toward his opponent. The daimyo blocked and sliced toward his chest. Battousai dove out of the way and placed his sword back into its sheath.
That stance! It's coming, thought Toshiki, who had backed up into the shadows so as not to be seen. It was the same attack he had used on the night he rescued her from the armed trespasser infiltrating the gardens. Nothing could possibly survive the speed of it! Within moments he had drawn his sword, colliding with the daimyo in a powerful display of speed and strength. Kokkaido could barely hold it, but continued without letup.
Breathing hard, the daimyo snarled, "I could go on like this all night."
"You're confidence will be your undoing," Battousai replied, viciously coming with a counter attack, this time from above. Disappearing into the shadows, he leaped up and came down on the daimyo, slashing his shoulder open, bright-red blood spilling onto the tatami. Kokkaido cried out in agony and stumbled into the gloomy doorway. Battousai took his chance to finish him off. He followed the sent of blood to the side of the entryway and lunged. A sharp pain grazed his cheek as his opponent grasped his lost wakizashi and thrashed it into the darkness before him. Battousai flinched and jumped back into the center of the room, holding a hand to the long gash trailing from his cheekbone to his chin, warm blood seeping through his fingers.
Kokkaido, from his place in the shadows, though badly injured, laughed shrilly at his small victory. "As I suspected, you are not even a samurai, just a poor imitation. Matsu must have been at his wits end to hire a man such as yourself. 'The strongest of the Imperialists.' Ha! I laugh at you. You are nothing but a weakling."
"I ask you this, would a weakling have been able to inflict such a deep wound in your shoulder while he only received a scratch? Look at yourself and tell me who the better swordsman is," Battousai snarled, his eyes full of rage. "Look into my eyes, Kokkaido, and tell me you are not afraid."
"I have nothing to fear, you pathetic excuse for a swordsman!" Kokkaido shouted, blood trickling from his lips. "What are you to me? Nothing! Nothing but dirt beneath my feet, which I intend to leave you as!"
"You are wrong," the scarlet swordsman hissed. "I am more powerful than you shall ever hope to be."
"You would have to be a god to defeat me in battle!"
Battousai's eyes sparked with an inhuman fire. He slowly inserted his sword into its sheath and stood at an angle before the daimyo. His voice, harshly muted to a devilish tone, whispered horribly, "I am."
Kokkaido gasped in horror as the young swordsman came toward him with a speed matched only by spirits, disappearing into the darkness. He raised his sword to defend himself from the invisible attack but it was too late. Eyes white with terror he saw the shining blade inches from his neck, silencing his horrible scream. Toshiki watched as the daimyo's body fell to the ground, blood gushing onto the tatami. She wheezed in sickened fright as his head rolled across the floor, coming to a halt at her feet.
Gasping at the blood-shot eyes wide with frozen shock, and the mouth wide with a silent shriek of death, she turned away, weeping. Warmth wrapped around her quivering shoulders, the arms of her swordsman lover. Her eyes rose to meet the tender gaze of Akai, who had rescued her from certain death. She clutched to him, embracing him weakly and sobbing into his chest. His hand reached up and stroked her raven-black locks, loosed and flowing down her back Tucking his fingers beneath her chin, he raised her eyes to meet his and whispered, "You are safe now."
Silvery tears pouring down her cheeks, Toshiki smiled and stroked his hands. Concern welled in her heart as she looked upon the terrible wound that had scarred his perfect face. Angrily, she tore off a piece of her yukata and dabbed the blood away. She felt his warm hand cover hers as he took the cloth and silently pressed it to his wound, eyes shimmering in the coming twilight. Leaning toward him, her lips brushed against his for a moment, but her touch was broken almost as quickly as it had come as he rose and slowly walked over to the bleeding head. He took a piece of cloth from his sleeve and gravely wrapped it around the twisted face.
"Come Toshiki," he said, putting a hand out to her. "We must leave this place quickly."
Nodding she grasped it and rose, following closely toward the doorway. As they approached, Toshiki caught sight of something written on the wall near the place Kokkaido was standing seconds before he was slain. The words, written sloppily in blood, read: 'Meisho Kokkaido no taeru itsu made mo.' (The name Kokkaido shall endure forever.) Her heart skipped and fear welled in her soul, realizing that the battle may not be over. Was this his desperate attempt to keep his honor alive, or worse his wicked threats? Was this war going to continue? Would it ever end?
Her train of thought was halted by the warm presence of her guardian, softly grasping her hand and leading her out of danger. Her fear was stifled slightly, as she stared into his trusting gaze. Still, despite her unquestionable confidence in the great swordsman, she couldn't shake the feeling that some part of that threatening spirit still lived, lurking in the shadows.
~
Dawn was ascending over the castle of Kokkaido; the moon slowly sinking while the east glowed with a silvery radiance. The valley below sang with the hushed songs of early-awakened birds, fleeting through the cedar trees, and the soft creaking of bamboo in the wind. However, for the crimson samurai and the delicate flower, this was no time to gaze upon such beauty. Their very lives were in the balance.
Creeping silently through the mansion, they soon came upon a balcony overlooking the outer courtyard. Though the swordsman had taken down many of the sentinels, there were others who had not been alerted to their loss. In time, perhaps moments, it would be found out and things would prove to be more perilous for them.
Battousai held her in the darkness, concealed from the ever-watchful eyes below, and whispered, "We need to get to the outside as fast as possible. Scaling the wall is the quickest way out of here. There is a sakura tree just ahead. The guards will not catch sight of us if we climb it."
"How will we escape if they do? We will never be able to outrun their horsemen."
"Have you any faith in this enchanted horse of yours, or in your samurai for that matter?" Battousai smiled slightly.
Toshiki smiled back, realizing his wisdom in taking the best steed from her father's stables. Only Shiro Tsuki had the strength to run so far in such a short period. It was no surprise then that he had arrived just in time. There was no way for them to lose.
Her joy was suddenly broken by a terrible cry, coming from the entrance gate. She whirled around to see a horde of guards rushing outside with so much excitement one would have thought they had found a trove of gems. Horrified, she caught sight of the form of a white horse being dragged into the courtyard. It was Shiro Tsuki, shrieking terribly, rearing and striking out at his attackers. More and more men came flocking from their posts to see this find.
"This is unfortunate," Battousai, grumbled, looking over the roof to the ground below, deciding upon a safe descending route.
Toshiki's hands flew to her mouth to stifle a shout, and her heart broke, realizing something awful. She could see that Battousai wished to escape while the men were distracted but she had to insist on something important. "Akai, I cannot leave Tsuki behind."
"There is no time, Toshiki, if we do not leave now we sure to be caught. Come, quickly. Let us go!"
"No!" she fought against him. "I cannot leave him here!"
"Do you wish to fight those men for the life of a horse?" Battousi demanded, growing frustrated at her idiocy.
"It is not his life I am concerned with," she whispered, her voice weighty, remembering the dripping words written upon the wall. "Once they discover what has happened, they could use Tsuki to discover the culprit of their master's death. They will trace him back to my father's house and surely come against us. Let us end it now, once and for all."
Though the girl seemed to be acting reckless, Battousai did agree that a danger still remained. If he was to accomplish what he had set out to do, destroying the threat of Kokkaido, it had to be done in every sense. The two of them fled down the stairway and into the inner courtyard. The hallways were vacant for every soul had gone to see the find. They crept from corridor to corridor, coming ever closer to the growing mob. They waited in the shadows until the men had put the horse into the stables, most of them going back to their posts afterward, a few others going into the house to inform their master.
"We don't have much time," said the scarlet swordsman.
Grabbing her hand he led her inside the barn. The walls echoed with the harsh snorting and stomping hooves of the white horse, still saddled, marching around the straw-bedded stall in a great huff. Wild-eyed from his battle with the guards, his grunts were more like growls as he pawed the hay and white foam dribbled from his half-open mouth.
Toshiki ran to the stall door and said softly, "Tsuki, I'm hear. Calm down or the guards will hear you!"
The white beast's ears pricked at the sound of her voice and he half- trotted to her, snorting and blowing out his complaints. She grasped the reins in one hand and opened the latched door with the other. It made a small clicking noise that raised the hairs on her neck and Tsuki flew out of the stall, dancing in the cramped aisle, snorting wildly. Battousai took the reins from her hand and leaped into the saddle. He quickly helped her into the crook just behind him, feeling her quivering hands wrap around his waist tightly. With a swift kick he sent the white steed into a run, barging through the loosely shut barn doors and galloping into the twilight.
They rushed by the first squadron of samurai who had gone back to their posts, the pounding hooves pelting them with flying sand and pebbles. Confused at the sight, they were alarmed by the sudden news. Three guards came rushing out of the house screaming, "Our master! Our master has been slain! Kill them! Kill them!"
Shouts of alarm echoed across the courtyard as Battousai and Toshiki approached the great entranceway. The doors had been left wide open, however, once the alarm had gone off they slowly began closing. Samurai rushed from the shadows, lining up before the gates, swords drawn and glinting in the morning light. Toshiki's eyes went wide.
"Akai, the gates! We'll never make it through!" she cried.
Battousai growled through his teeth angrily and pulled back hard on the reins. Shiro Tsuki's head flew into the air as he rose upon his hind legs, towering before the ranks of samurai. His wild blue eyes sent an ethereal chill down their spines, for he appeared as a phantom in the dim light. Battousai turned him quickly to the right and they barreled down the courtyard, flanked by a growing number of troops. The glinting silver of a hundred swords shimmered like the ripples upon a moonlit pond, like a school of hoary carp writhing in a drought-stricken pool. Toshiki could not believe their numbers. Perhaps the words were true. Perhaps Kokkaido's spirit won't let the blood of Matsu escape. She grabbed onto her lover and prayed for a miracle.
Battousai drew his bloodstained katana and slashed it to and fro, cutting down samurai one by one. Blood spattered everywhere and Tsuki's white neck grew red. She saw a dreadful fire in the eyes of the swordsman as he fought hard against the growing legion. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a guard aiming for her and as she dodged it wished she had her naginata blade. She was suddenly struck with an idea and reached for Battousai's wakizashi. Drawing it clean from its sheath, she swung it round and took off the arm of her attacker. He fell screaming to the ground. Sickened by his cry, she hesitated to continue, only to put it aside as the next attacker struck at her. Agile as a cat, she swung round, balancing herself on the horse's jerking backside and slashed viciously at Kokkaido's samurai. Battousai looked back at her for a moment and smiled at her determination.
The numbers were overwhelming, swords and arrows so thick and deadly she was certain they would never be able to make it out alive without some kind of miracle. Tuski charged through the masses, snarling and snapping at any offender who dare lay a finger upon his bridle. Mouth foaming he let out a horrible cry, roaring like a glowing wild spirit, fighting back as if in a great battle.
Suddenly they found themselves heading straight for the far wall. Battousai saw it coming and veered to the right, circling round and fleeing from the growing mob of samurai, wrought with anger and vengeance for the attack upon the fortress. Toshiki righted herself but shrieked loudly as they met head on the mass of samurai and neither one them was gaining advantage.
"This is impossible! We cannot fight them all!" Toshiki cried, still praying in her heart for some form of salvation. They had come too far to be destroyed in such a terrible way. She stared into the glinting crimson upon her sword. There must be a way...there must be a way! Her grip tightened on the hilt and she shouted to the heavens, "There must be a way!"
Suddenly the white horse stopped in mid-stride and looked to the left, staring up at the great meeting hall on the far side of the courtyard. In the same instance, as the swordsman tried to urge on, an arrow flew toward them, aimed for their hearts. Toshiki's gasped as she saw the deadly speeding contraption coming at her, but before the danger could strike them down, Tsuki took off like a blazing bullet toward the building. Battousai pulled and jerked at the reins to alter his course, but the horse had clamped onto the metal bit with his teeth, making it impossible to stop him.
Toshiki, eyes wide with fear, watched helplessly as they raced toward their imminent fate. The guards and samurai, armed and raging, closed in around them. There was no way out. As they came to the steps of the building, she was sure they'd crash into it. Yet, amazingly, Tsuki leaped from the ground straight over the mob and onto the tiled rooftop. During that instant, Battousai reached over with his sword and cut down two burning lamps, setting the roof aflame. Nimbly, Tsuki hurdled over the peak and down to the other side, and in a great bound that surpassed any samurai or any amble creature, flew over the wide span of the rear garden, over the stone wall, and into the bamboo thicket beyond. Landing powerfully outside of danger they escaped, galloping on toward Osaka, leaving the Kokkaido estate to burn in the distance, and ending his threat forevermore.
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A/N:
Boy that chapter was hard to write, all the battle scenes and action. My poor brain! But don't you worry; the fun's just starting! PLEASE REVIEW ALL MY HARD WORK!