From behind, I observe the girl clad in light blue kimono with interest.
My savior, I thought amusedly, was a master in the handling of kunai, and probably a shinobi, judging by the way she moved just now.
Interesting…a shinobi girl with her rebel father…I could probably find some sport in their company. The hooded-magician was right. I am really fitted for this kind of job. I let out a low chuckle.
Short hair frames her face as she half-turned, an irritated expression on her face.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing," I replied.
She looked at me for a moment. "If you try anything funny, --" she stopped, as if just realizing she did not have my name.
"What's your name?" she trudged on.
"Yogotoya no Kichisaburo."
"Kichisaburo-san, if you try anything funny, I will kill you."
And threatening me too, I added. Either this girl had guts, or she is really confident of her skills.
Then I was confident that i could finish them off...
My smile vanished. I cursed again. Curse those Miburo wolves…
"We're there." She announced.
I lifted my head to see a traditional mansion like the ones at town, except this mansion was considerably shabbier and looked as if it was unoccupied for years.
Instead of the front door, Machida-san walked up to the side of the wall and leapt. She flew up to the wall and mentioned me to follow her. Surprise, surprise.
"Is this the route I am supposed to use next time?" I ask, following her down the wall.
"Yes," she answered without looking back.
I followed her to her so-called father's working room. Stopping to announce her presence first, she slide the shoji door open and went in.
My eyes took in the spacious room, traditional made as all the Japanese house were, with tatami mats covering the floor. A man sat crossed-legged at the far corner of the room, bending over something on his low desk. He never looked up when we entered.
"Otosan, I found this man just now when I went out. I thought he might be useful to you." Machida-san says. She waits for an answer.
Still the man does not look up.
My earlier irritation had not yet subsided. The man who claims to be Machida Hisamatsu seems to be ignoring us. Irritation gnawed at me, wanting to slice this man into half.
"Oi, old man," I walked towards him, my hand already at the hilt of my sword. "Can't you look at people when they're talking to you?" My sword flew out.
Sparks flew as the resounding clang of steel with steel rang in the spacious room. Machida-san's kunai was fending off my katana, her other at my throat. Her narrowed eyes stared at me.
"I thought we had an agreement," she said quietly.
My eyes travelled the kunai below my sword, which both mine and her's were trembling with the amount of force used. The cold steel of the other kunai pressed agasint my Adam's apple.
"It's alright, Kei."
My eyes flickered to the man behind her. He was finally closing whatever he did, doing so calmly. I curse beneath my breath as she removed her kunai and stepped humbly aside. That was the second time she had an advantage over me.
"My name is Machida Kisamatsu. And you are--?"
"Yogotoya no Kichisaburo." I said coldly.
"Yogotoya-san, forgive my daughter's rudeness." He said from his sitting position. "She can be sometimes be a little over protective." If she was offended, she did not show it. Instead, her face wore a blank mask as she listened to our conversation, never cutting in. The man's eyes swept over me.
"Now, as my daughter has probably told you, I am plotting to overthrow the Shogunate. I receive instructions from my superior, and lately he has been asking as to why I always failed the missions he gave me. He gave a severe warning, and that if I should fail again, he would chop off our heads." The man's tone was conversational, as if we were two commoner having a chat over tea.
"So I sent my daughter out to search for a professional killer. I trust that her instinct would be good. So, your job is to assassin anyone that my superior or I order. Apart from that, you will also be Kei's bodyguard." Machida-san's head snapped up, her shocked eyes directed at her father. Her mouth opened in silent protest.
I pondered the man's words amusedly. I was to be a bodyguard?
"My daughter is a trained shinobi. Her skills I doubt no more than yours, but the heart does worry so," He patted his chest. Machida-san is openly gaping at her father, but she said nothing.
"My daughter is the only one I have since my wife died. I cannot afford to lose her. I trust that she will be safe in your hands." Machida looks at his daughter fondly. Machida-san looks at the floor. I almost cringed from their loving air. I could never get comfortable with those.
"And what if I fail?" I asked, wondering what his reaction would be.
Though her face pointed to the floor, her eyes swirved to the corner and eyed me warningly.
"…Well then, I guess I will have to chop you into pieces and feed to the dogs then," he says, smiling a small smile. His eyes had a wild look to it. I got my conviction.
I gave the man a one-sided smile.
"...I accept."
"Why did you accept it?"
We were walking side by side down the corridor leading to my room. Father instructed that he would be sleeping the next room, to make the guarding easier.
I watched his reaction. He just stare ahead and smiled.
"Is it important?" he asked.
"...Not if you don't think so," I brushed off. We came to the back garden. It had not been tended for quite some time, and was overgrown with weeds. Kichisaburo spared a glance at it. I lead him to the end of the corridor.
"This is your room." I opened the doors, revealing a dark room that was completely bare. A musty smell meet my nose.
"It's hasn't been stayed since my father bought this house. After some cleaning it should be fit for you." I left and went in to the next room and emerged with a pile of futon and blankets and dumped them in the middle of the room. A cloud of dust billowed up. I was grimacing when I appeared beside him. He surveyed the room silently.
"You should take a bath too." I commented, taking in his slightly charred white yukata, blackened in some places. He noticed my gaze and looked at me.
"The bathroom is just left after the corridor we went. I'll go and get some hot water and clothes for you." I felt his eyes on me as I departed.
I knocked on the door acknowledging my presence. A moment later Kichisaburo opened it. I thrust the piles pf towels and clothes at him, trying not to look at his build, which Kichisaburo had exposed with his upper yukata opened. The cloth hanged loosely at his waist.
"Your hot water," I said, bending to take it up. He took it silently and closed the door.
I remained at the spot after that. He was unusually quiet just now. No sneering smile or sarcastic tone.
I shrugged and strode to my room.
I opened the doors to my room to find the room cleaned. The previous musty smell that lingered had disappeared. Somehow by miracle, someone had tidied it all while I was having a bath. It felt fresh and clean, more fitted for staying now. A pile of neatly folded futon lay in one of the far corner of the room.
Looking at this all, I turned my head slightly at the door that separated mine and Machida-san's. No sound came from it.
I grinned and closed the doors.