Disclaimer: Hello again. Here is Chapter 2 to Under the Scarlet Moon. I'm
glad you liked my first one, and here's Chapter two just like I promised.
Yeah I know I have to say I own nothing, although I wished I owned it all.
Enjoy and please R&R
Introduction
I remember, how long that night had seemed. Everything seemed so quiet...too quiet, as if we were an entire audience holding its breath waiting for the final act of a play. The orchestra hits its peaking note, and the audience leans forward on their seats waiting...
The only sound audible was the heaving sound of hooves slamming against the muddied earth below. The horse continued on, carrying two vessels that weren't sure if they were leading themselves to trouble, or if the trouble had drawn them in.
That's what that night felt like, waiting, deep anxiety. The skies were dark and spoke of many horrors that filled the eyes of manslayers. The clouds cried their dusty tears mourning for all those who perished that night. Only the trees paid witness to what went on that night under the scarlet moon...everyone else, just turned away.
Chapter 2 Becoming Clear
After mounting Aoshi's horse we become remotely silent. Aoshi kept his eyes ahead, a stern look upon his face; he concentrated hard, trying to maneuver between the fallen trees and burning flames.
I could only bury my face in the back of his jacket gripping him close and crying. I had never been attacked with so many emotions; anger, vengeance, morn, fear, and it all seemed to hit me at once. I cried softly into his back crying for my father, "Namura.... Namura...."
Aoshi still rode forward but I heard his stern voice call to me. "Anju, I know you are in deep pain after seeing our parents that way. But this is going to be a dangerous night, and I need you to be strong. Can you do that for me?"
I looked up and looked away pitifully. I seemed to have forgotten, that Aoshi too had just lost his parents. I placed my head on his shoulder, so I may see the road ahead and I tightened my grip around his waist.
"I will be strong Aoshi. I will be strong..." and very faintly I whispered to him "I am sorry..."
Aoshi said nothing and kept his eyes on the muddied road ahead, but I could have sworn, I saw a tiny smile sneak across his face.
We finally arrived to the town, and I was awestricken by what I saw. My city was in flames and ruins. There were corpses hanging from broken windows, and young children's bodies scattered about the street. Aoshi slowed the horse to a trot, as we looked onward. Everywhere I looked, memories flooded back to me.
I found myself remembering the days in the candy shop with Tai and Kip, and how the store owner would always save us each a piece of the sweetest fresh made candies, and even a special treat for Kip as well. Kip could stay in the store, and sleep at the foot of the counter, while we went around trying to count all the candies in each container within the store.
I saw myself with Meiko in the fabric store, picking out many colors so she could create beautiful new kimonos and ceremonial dresses for the harvest party.
But those memories slowly faded, and I was brought back to the reality that lay before me. The entire town had been stricken of its life unjustly; all were murdered by those manslayers. I clenched my fists and looked away.
Aoshi could see that this sight was upsetting me, and he snapped the reins and his horse continued to gallop. Leaving that town, I know realize as I look back, was leaving my old life behind. After this night, I would never be the same, and I would forget, all that I was.
It took another quarter hour to get back to my house within the community. When we arrived at my home, I quickly ran to the dojo. That had been where I left Tai, telling him to train until I got home, when I then would teach him basic swordsmanship.
As I arrived in the studio deep concern filled my lungs as I slid open the door. To my surprise, and utter shock, Tai was not here, and I began to feel desperate. His wooden sword lay unaccompanied on the floor. I inspected the room carefully, trying to see if a manslayer had entered. Strangely, I saw nothing of the sort.
I left the training rooms and quickly ran to our sleeping chambers. I threw open Tai's bedroom door and called for him as I looked inside.
Still yet again nothing I could feel myself grow with grief with each empty room I found. I looked in my parents' bedroom, empty.
I looked in my bedroom but it too was empty, for sometimes Tai would sneak in there in the middle of the night. When he couldn't sleep, he'd come to me, and I would tell him stories until he fell asleep in my bed. I did not mind truthfully, my brother and I were only apart in age by 2 years. 15 years old, and now it seemed more like a tradition then him actually fearing nightmares. Tai.... where are you?
I darted to the eating quarters next, wondering if maybe Tai had just simply gotten hungry. As I opened the pantries, I noted that, all our food was missing. At first I thought that the Imperialists had entered and taken all it, but I noted that it was still too neat. If they had stolen it, everything would have been in a barbaric manner and state. I stopped and realized I had lost track of Aoshi, too set on finding my brother.
"Aoshi? Aoshi where are you?" For the first time, my home seemed extremely large, and extremely empty. It felt as if the corners of the room were creeping up on me, and every sound I normally paid no notice too seemed to echo in the halls. From the shadows, after a few moments had passed I saw a pair of blue eyes. I grabbed a knife from the dinning table and held it ready. "Who is there?" and then, the figure stood in the light, and Aoshi smiled with his hands up.
"Please young maiden, spare me," He laughed, although I did not find it funny, but I realized that he was trying to help my mood. "Have you had any luck on finding Tai?"
I shook my head deplorably, "I have not found him Aoshi. Even if Kip were here as well, Kip would have barked when he heard my voice, this seems so hopeless"
Aoshi walked over to me and squeezed my shoulders "Don't give up Anju. If Tai is even half as smart as you are, he probably escaped." He released me slowly and took my hand as we traveled through the rest of the home.
After four hours of searching my estate, I realized he was gone, but that did not comfort me.
"Oh Aoshi, what if the Imperialists took him hostage? What if they plan on killing him? What if he went after the Imperialists to fight them?" I was ready to sob now.
Aoshi took me into my arms and tried graciously to coo me. He awkwardly put his hands around my back, not sure if he should be embracing me in my time of vulnerability. He suddenly jerked his head up looking to the windows.
"Aoshi what is wrong?"
"Anju, we are no longer alone. I think it is time we flee from here. The Imperialists are starting to enter this side of the town. If your brother were here, he would have heard you calling, and if he escaped, he shall be fine with your wolf at his side. We must flee to the countryside. I promise once this chaos dies down, we will search for your brother." I took his hand and stared to run "Where are we going?" he asked perplexed.
"There is a hidden exit in this home. I can get us back to your stallion without being detected."
I opened up a closet door, and Aoshi looked at me as if I were insane. I kicked at the back wall until finally if tell in, revealing much to Aoshi's surprise a hidden staircase that led into an abyss of black. We walked slowly down the stairs, and I grabbed one of the torches that had been ablaze. As Aoshi walked behind me I could only hear the sound of his breathing, this continuous calm pattern that reminded me of his heartbeat.
After winding through the maze blow my home, we walked up another staircase. I pushed at the ceiling, and hay fell through the cracks, which made Aoshi jump a little. As we walked up, we finally saw light. We had made it to the stable. For a moment, Aoshi plumped down on a bail of hay, and I stood up pulling the straw out of my hair.
"You must've had a lot of fun when you were a child. Playing hide and go seek in that maze below your home."
"That exit is only for an emergency escape. I was forbidden to go down there, my father told me, that a monster would eat me up if I were to wander down there for the sake of entertainment."
He threw his head back and laughed and I covered my mouth snickering at myself. For a moment though, I started to feel faint, and I felt myself getting vertiginous and I held my head.
"Anju? Anju what is wrong?" Aoshi had stopped his laughing, and I fell forward and he reacted quickly enough to gently catch me. "Anju? Anju can you hear me?" His voice sounded direful and he tried to shake me gently.
"Aoshi.... I'm sorry," I tried to stand back up, though his hands still stayed on my shoulders. "I guess I'm just anemic. I am slowing you down...."
His face weakened as he bent over and looked into my eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut short by the sound of crashing plates and men cursing and screaming.
"Anju there is no time. We must flee now. My aunt and uncle live in the countryside. We can take refuge there. Please try to hold on." He looked at me so worried, like he was my older brother. I simply nodded and we ran over to his stallions stable.
He whipped the reins and the horse reared but then sped off in a gallop. A heard a man shout that he had spotted our horse taking off, and then I saw men running after us.
"Aoshi! It's the manslayers"
Aoshi looked back seeing them coming "Shit!" he whipped the horse trying with all his might hoping this horse would have an adrenaline rush and it would speed up. It became aware to me that these men were gaining and Aoshi could see it too. From my pocket I pulled out a side arm. Aoshi only turned back around after he heard the gunshots and looked incredulity as he saw the Imperialist's bodies dead on the ground.
"Aoshi please forgive me for murdering these men." For a moment he was speechless, but said nothing as we finally were out of the Imperialists reach. I kept watch on the rear all night with my side arm ready. Far in the distance, I could see my home and above it much smokes. I closed my eyes and whispered softly a final prayer of goodbye. "They will pay...."
We had left my house three quarters past eleven, and we rode straight to the countryside until midmorning. We were pushing this horse to its limits, and just as the stallion seemed to have met defeat, he stopped and said, "We have arrived"
We had traveled many many miles, and Kyoto seemed to be ages away. Finally we were safe. The Imperialist would have no purpose wandering aimlessly through the countryside when Hiroshima was on the other side of Kyoto. For once, both Aoshi and I breathed a breath of ease.
He took my hand and we began to walk up many stone stairs. Eventually we arrived at a temple, and behind it father up the mountain you could see a small cottage. Aoshi continued walking but I resisted. He looked at me
"What is wrong?"
"I want to pray for my family...is that alright?"
He nodded approvingly "And I will pray for my parents"
We both rang the ceremonial bell and I cupped my hands together praying.
"Mother and Father, Suzu-chan and Namura I am sorry I could not protect you in your final hours. Grandmother Meiko, I am sorry as well for not aiding you. May you begin your second life, and live a happy one indeed. I will never forget the good memories I had with you. Father, I hope one day I can live up to your expectations and be the sakura flower like you said I could. Tai, wherever you are, please be cautious. I miss you dearly brother, and I do not know whether you are even among us living. If you are out there, please, I pray we shall find each other. And Kip, my loyal wolf dog Kip, if you are with Tai, like I believe you to be, guard him with your life. May Buddha watch over you."
I clapped my hands together and walked away from the shrine slowly. I stood by the stallion and waited for Aoshi, who still prayed softly. I couldn't hear what he had been saying. He turned around slowly and walked over to the horse. He took the reins and walked the horse with us up the trail to the cottage.
Aoshi knocked on the door gently and then smiled to see his Aunt open it.
"Aoshi? What are you doing here boy?"
"Aunt Hikaru, the Imperialists entered Kyoto last night."
"Oh no...please don't tell me..." She stopped slowly and weaved her hand through her turquoise hair, knowing the answer Aoshi had for her.
"Mother and father are dead. I am the only one to escape."
"Aoshi...I am so sorry." For a moment, she took in the loss of her sister and brother in law, and then she saw me standing behind Aoshi's cloak. "Aoshi who is this young girl?"
Aoshi instantly blushed and rubbed the back of his head embarrassed.
"This is Anju Akira. My father had introduced her to me last night, her family was visiting last night before...you know" Aoshi did not mention I was to be his fiancé. Frankly, I did not even know if we were engaged anymore. It had been against our wishes, and our fathers had forced it upon us. But now that our parents were gone, maybe Aoshi would just cast me aside and find the one he truly wanted.
I bowed solemnly to Hikaru. "Greetings. I am Anju Akira. My family was visiting Aoshi's last night...when they were attacked. My parents and grandmother perished last night as well. We went back to my home to find my brother Tai, but were defeated. He said that, we should try to escape, so we came here, we rode all night."
"Oh my Dearie. I am so sorry for your loss, please both of you come inside, you two deserve to rest."
She escorted us inside, and sat us down on a couch. Hikaru returned quickly handing us each a cup of green tea and placed some tea snacks on the table. I bowed humbly
"Thank you so much for your hospitality."
"Anju dear, there is no need to be so polite. Look at you both; you are so exhausted, that you have rings under your eyes like the raccoon. Finish your teas, and after you are done I will show you to your quarters where you can sleep."
Out of habit I bowed again graciously and sipped at me tea. Finally, the feeling of warmth and nutrients entered my body. I could feel it rush through my veins, oh what a lovely feeling that was. Aoshi gulped down his tea quickly and quickly began his decent on the cookies. I only ate a very few, I was not hungry. I was still feeling the shock of the deaths.
For a while, I stared down at my tea, looking at my reflection within the cup. I stared at it for a while, and then stared at the ripples within the liquid as my tears hit it. Aoshi looked up, half a cookie in his mouth, and saw that I was crying. He quickly chewed the cookie. I did not look at him, only stared down at the cup. Aoshi doubtfully put his arm around me and held me close.
"It's alright Anju. You are safe now..." he murmured nuzzling his face against mine.
"Aoshi...I just feel so weak...I could not protect them...." I trailed off closing my eyes as I felt his warm skin rub up against mine.
"You are not weak, fate was just not with us tonight." He nuzzled me more and I could feel his breath blow against my ear.
"I am so worried.... I miss Tai and Kip...."
"Anju, I know in my heart, that they are alive. We will find them...I promise with my life that we will."
I looked up at him surprised. "You promise with your life, but why?"
He moved his face closer to mine "I promise you, because I will always protect you..."
"Aoshi..." I looked at him fondly, and he smiled wiping away one of my tears. Just as he moved in closer, I fainted again, my face falling into his chest.
"Oh Anju, you are so frail now, unstable from all your emotions..."
Hikaru came in and like out a little shriek seeing I had fainted.
"Aoshi, we should get Anju to the sleeping quarters right away. A look like she is taking her families deaths and the shock is setting in. Here nephew, follow me"
Aoshi picked me up and followed Aunt Hikaru to the extra bedroom she had. Aoshi stood in the doorway and gulped as he stared down at the one bed. It was a couple's bed and Aoshi looked for Aunt Hikaru in disbelief, but Hikaru had already left him calling from the corridor.
"Make yourself at home, and when you both wake up I will have a beautiful breakfast ready for you. Though it might be lunch, depending upon how long you sleep."
Aoshi sighed and walked into the room. He quietly pulled back the covers from the bed and placed me under them, making sure I was warm and content. For a while, he stared at my face adoringly, but then shook his head in disbelief.
This was the girl he was forced to marry, the girl he barely knew at all, one night together mixed with tragedy meant nothing in the long run. Hikaru did not know they were to be engaged anyway, and now that their parents were gone, Aoshi wondered if a beautiful girl like Anju would ever want Aoshi as a fiancé let alone a husband.
Aoshi left me there to rest, only pulling off my shoes so I could sleep at ease. He walked out the room and stood outside leaning against the door sighing. He walked down to the water chamber. He removed his shirt and turned on the faucet splashing water onto his face and running it through his hair. The water felt good and cool against his tired skin and he took his moments to continue splashing more water on his face. The heat from the flames and made his skin feel very dry and irritated, and when he washed himself, he saw that a thick layer of ash washed off.
He then walked back down the hallway shirtless and stopped as he stared up at the sky. It seemed as though the hellish clouds of ash were clearing, and finally the morning sun could be seen upon the eastern horizon. For a moment, he smiled at the sun, thankful that the night before was finally over.
Aoshi tried to keep himself occupied even though he wanted nothing more then to sleep. He went back out to the front of the house, and tended to his tired horse. He stroked his horse slowly and smiled
"You've done well my faithful steed. You too deserve a rest far greater then me or Anju does." He walked the horse over to the koi pond where the horse drank its fill of water. Aoshi then found a bucket and washed his horse carefully, trying to get all the ashes away from its eyes. Aoshi walked the horse to the back, where there was a small stable. He removed the stirrups and saddle and smiled. "Rest up Blue, you've done well."
The horse only whinnied and closed its eyes in understanding. Aoshi once again went back to the bath where he washed his face and neck again, removing the sweat and odors.
Aoshi then walked back to the bedroom. Although Aoshi held his pride very high he still needed to rest. He threw his shirt onto the floor next to the bed and then looked back at me. He saw that I was still in a deep sleep and he pulled off his shoes and slid into the bed. He stayed on the far side of the bed, and I stayed on the other. His face turned a cherry red from embarrassment, but soon after he too fell asleep.
Aoshi did not sleep very long; his dreams only flooded back more memories of his mother and father. Aoshi had slept long enough to get his strength, and still smiled as I was still lost in my dreams.
For a moment, he wondered what I was dreaming of, but then still saw the tears that were sliding down my face. He wiped one away gently, and he was a bit startled when he saw me smile. He thought I was awake, but when I turned over away from him, he let out a gasp of relief.
"Anju, I'm sorry. This is my entire fault. If our fathers had not wanted us to meet that night, if father had not insisted that you come to my estate, your parents would not be gone, and you could still be leading your happy life. I hope you shall forgive me" He stroked my cheek.
When I finally awoke from my sleep it was already dusk again. I had not realized I had been asleep for so long. I sat up on the bed, and pulled my kimono back over me, but it slid of my shoulders and stopped a few inches below them.
I looked around wanting to call for Aoshi, but then I saw him. He was sitting down in the doorway daydreaming. His back was to me, and he did not realize I was awake. When I looked at him, I covered my mouth with shock, there was a huge scar going diagonally down his back. It started at his left shoulder, and stopped a little past his spine on the right.
I quietly walked over to him and kneeled down behind him. I silently rested my hand on his scar, and traced it slowly. For a moment I felt Aoshi tense, but then calm again realizing it was only I. Aoshi did not face me, but still spoke.
"So you are finally awake Anju-Chan?" he replied as I continued to trace his scar.
"Yes I am. I am sorry if I worried you when I fainted. I don't know what's come over me, I feel so frail. But thank you, for bringing me to the sleeping quarters"
He gave a small laugh and I felt his shoulders shake. "It was nothing, do not worry"
I stopped tracing his scar, and leaned forward wrapping my arms around his waste and nestling my head in the arc between his neck and his left shoulder.
"What happened to you Aoshi-San? What gave you this horrible scar?"
He laughed again and closed his eyes leaning his head back resting it against mine.
"When I was young, I was taught swordsmanship like you were taught. My instructor would always say I was never dedicated enough and I told him I wanted to be the best of my style. So one night while we were training, he slashed my back, and now said I was forever banded with the swords style, and now that I had bled from it, I could master it. He was a senile man. But I continued training, the scar on my back took years to heal, always training, allowed the wound to gape open again. I just wanted to prove...I was the best."
"Oh Aoshi...." I murmured softly and I squeezed him tight. "I wish that hadn't happened to you. What a retched man to injure a child who was only so innocently young"
"Yeah...my sensei...was my father"
For a moment I looked at him in disbelief. "Your father?"
"Yeah...when I found out he was a womanizer, he started to train me, hoping it would take my mind off it. But I'll never forget, I will never forgive my father for hurting my mother, so if he hurt one of his family, he'd hurt the other, exactly what he did."
"Aoshi...."
"Anju Akira, may I ask you something?"
I looked at him again surprised; he never had addressed me in my full name except for the moment we had first met.
"What is it Aoshi-San?"
"When we first met, our parents were forcing us into this engagement, and neither of us wished to take part in it. But we agreed to go through with it, for their sake. But now that our parents are gone, we no longer are forced to...."
"What are you asking?"
"Should we go through with the marriage, to honor our parents? This would've been what they wanted right?" For a moment I thought. It would indeed honor my mother and father's wishes, and the same for his. But...I barely knew him, but he had saved me. It was a hard decision "Anju-Chan?"
I swallowed slowly trying very hard to hold back my tears. I could feel my freedom slipping away but I nodded slowly.
"Yes Aoshi-San, I will marry you, it will, honor our parents"
For a moment, with both sat there silent, my arms still wrapped around his waist, and his head still resting with mine. We both wondered if we were doing the right thing, and I wondered what my brother was doing right now.
The scarlet moon had slowly faded, and a pale white moon took its place. When another moon passed, we were to be married, during the time of the festival. I wondered if Aoshi was going to tell Hikaru of our engagement. I wondered about many things, but I felt his face nuzzle mine, and I smiled.
He took his arm and moved me so I sat beside him, and I released my grasp. He placed his arm around me, and pulled me close endearingly allowing me to rest my head on his chest.
We were silent, and the only sound I could hear was his heartbeat, this repetitive beat, that only sped up as I whispered my soon to be new name.
"Anju Akira Shinamori...."
End.
Author's Note
Hey everyone. I hope you enjoyed Chapter 2 and more is on the way. Please Read and Review! Aoshi Rocks!
Introduction
I remember, how long that night had seemed. Everything seemed so quiet...too quiet, as if we were an entire audience holding its breath waiting for the final act of a play. The orchestra hits its peaking note, and the audience leans forward on their seats waiting...
The only sound audible was the heaving sound of hooves slamming against the muddied earth below. The horse continued on, carrying two vessels that weren't sure if they were leading themselves to trouble, or if the trouble had drawn them in.
That's what that night felt like, waiting, deep anxiety. The skies were dark and spoke of many horrors that filled the eyes of manslayers. The clouds cried their dusty tears mourning for all those who perished that night. Only the trees paid witness to what went on that night under the scarlet moon...everyone else, just turned away.
Chapter 2 Becoming Clear
After mounting Aoshi's horse we become remotely silent. Aoshi kept his eyes ahead, a stern look upon his face; he concentrated hard, trying to maneuver between the fallen trees and burning flames.
I could only bury my face in the back of his jacket gripping him close and crying. I had never been attacked with so many emotions; anger, vengeance, morn, fear, and it all seemed to hit me at once. I cried softly into his back crying for my father, "Namura.... Namura...."
Aoshi still rode forward but I heard his stern voice call to me. "Anju, I know you are in deep pain after seeing our parents that way. But this is going to be a dangerous night, and I need you to be strong. Can you do that for me?"
I looked up and looked away pitifully. I seemed to have forgotten, that Aoshi too had just lost his parents. I placed my head on his shoulder, so I may see the road ahead and I tightened my grip around his waist.
"I will be strong Aoshi. I will be strong..." and very faintly I whispered to him "I am sorry..."
Aoshi said nothing and kept his eyes on the muddied road ahead, but I could have sworn, I saw a tiny smile sneak across his face.
We finally arrived to the town, and I was awestricken by what I saw. My city was in flames and ruins. There were corpses hanging from broken windows, and young children's bodies scattered about the street. Aoshi slowed the horse to a trot, as we looked onward. Everywhere I looked, memories flooded back to me.
I found myself remembering the days in the candy shop with Tai and Kip, and how the store owner would always save us each a piece of the sweetest fresh made candies, and even a special treat for Kip as well. Kip could stay in the store, and sleep at the foot of the counter, while we went around trying to count all the candies in each container within the store.
I saw myself with Meiko in the fabric store, picking out many colors so she could create beautiful new kimonos and ceremonial dresses for the harvest party.
But those memories slowly faded, and I was brought back to the reality that lay before me. The entire town had been stricken of its life unjustly; all were murdered by those manslayers. I clenched my fists and looked away.
Aoshi could see that this sight was upsetting me, and he snapped the reins and his horse continued to gallop. Leaving that town, I know realize as I look back, was leaving my old life behind. After this night, I would never be the same, and I would forget, all that I was.
It took another quarter hour to get back to my house within the community. When we arrived at my home, I quickly ran to the dojo. That had been where I left Tai, telling him to train until I got home, when I then would teach him basic swordsmanship.
As I arrived in the studio deep concern filled my lungs as I slid open the door. To my surprise, and utter shock, Tai was not here, and I began to feel desperate. His wooden sword lay unaccompanied on the floor. I inspected the room carefully, trying to see if a manslayer had entered. Strangely, I saw nothing of the sort.
I left the training rooms and quickly ran to our sleeping chambers. I threw open Tai's bedroom door and called for him as I looked inside.
Still yet again nothing I could feel myself grow with grief with each empty room I found. I looked in my parents' bedroom, empty.
I looked in my bedroom but it too was empty, for sometimes Tai would sneak in there in the middle of the night. When he couldn't sleep, he'd come to me, and I would tell him stories until he fell asleep in my bed. I did not mind truthfully, my brother and I were only apart in age by 2 years. 15 years old, and now it seemed more like a tradition then him actually fearing nightmares. Tai.... where are you?
I darted to the eating quarters next, wondering if maybe Tai had just simply gotten hungry. As I opened the pantries, I noted that, all our food was missing. At first I thought that the Imperialists had entered and taken all it, but I noted that it was still too neat. If they had stolen it, everything would have been in a barbaric manner and state. I stopped and realized I had lost track of Aoshi, too set on finding my brother.
"Aoshi? Aoshi where are you?" For the first time, my home seemed extremely large, and extremely empty. It felt as if the corners of the room were creeping up on me, and every sound I normally paid no notice too seemed to echo in the halls. From the shadows, after a few moments had passed I saw a pair of blue eyes. I grabbed a knife from the dinning table and held it ready. "Who is there?" and then, the figure stood in the light, and Aoshi smiled with his hands up.
"Please young maiden, spare me," He laughed, although I did not find it funny, but I realized that he was trying to help my mood. "Have you had any luck on finding Tai?"
I shook my head deplorably, "I have not found him Aoshi. Even if Kip were here as well, Kip would have barked when he heard my voice, this seems so hopeless"
Aoshi walked over to me and squeezed my shoulders "Don't give up Anju. If Tai is even half as smart as you are, he probably escaped." He released me slowly and took my hand as we traveled through the rest of the home.
After four hours of searching my estate, I realized he was gone, but that did not comfort me.
"Oh Aoshi, what if the Imperialists took him hostage? What if they plan on killing him? What if he went after the Imperialists to fight them?" I was ready to sob now.
Aoshi took me into my arms and tried graciously to coo me. He awkwardly put his hands around my back, not sure if he should be embracing me in my time of vulnerability. He suddenly jerked his head up looking to the windows.
"Aoshi what is wrong?"
"Anju, we are no longer alone. I think it is time we flee from here. The Imperialists are starting to enter this side of the town. If your brother were here, he would have heard you calling, and if he escaped, he shall be fine with your wolf at his side. We must flee to the countryside. I promise once this chaos dies down, we will search for your brother." I took his hand and stared to run "Where are we going?" he asked perplexed.
"There is a hidden exit in this home. I can get us back to your stallion without being detected."
I opened up a closet door, and Aoshi looked at me as if I were insane. I kicked at the back wall until finally if tell in, revealing much to Aoshi's surprise a hidden staircase that led into an abyss of black. We walked slowly down the stairs, and I grabbed one of the torches that had been ablaze. As Aoshi walked behind me I could only hear the sound of his breathing, this continuous calm pattern that reminded me of his heartbeat.
After winding through the maze blow my home, we walked up another staircase. I pushed at the ceiling, and hay fell through the cracks, which made Aoshi jump a little. As we walked up, we finally saw light. We had made it to the stable. For a moment, Aoshi plumped down on a bail of hay, and I stood up pulling the straw out of my hair.
"You must've had a lot of fun when you were a child. Playing hide and go seek in that maze below your home."
"That exit is only for an emergency escape. I was forbidden to go down there, my father told me, that a monster would eat me up if I were to wander down there for the sake of entertainment."
He threw his head back and laughed and I covered my mouth snickering at myself. For a moment though, I started to feel faint, and I felt myself getting vertiginous and I held my head.
"Anju? Anju what is wrong?" Aoshi had stopped his laughing, and I fell forward and he reacted quickly enough to gently catch me. "Anju? Anju can you hear me?" His voice sounded direful and he tried to shake me gently.
"Aoshi.... I'm sorry," I tried to stand back up, though his hands still stayed on my shoulders. "I guess I'm just anemic. I am slowing you down...."
His face weakened as he bent over and looked into my eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut short by the sound of crashing plates and men cursing and screaming.
"Anju there is no time. We must flee now. My aunt and uncle live in the countryside. We can take refuge there. Please try to hold on." He looked at me so worried, like he was my older brother. I simply nodded and we ran over to his stallions stable.
He whipped the reins and the horse reared but then sped off in a gallop. A heard a man shout that he had spotted our horse taking off, and then I saw men running after us.
"Aoshi! It's the manslayers"
Aoshi looked back seeing them coming "Shit!" he whipped the horse trying with all his might hoping this horse would have an adrenaline rush and it would speed up. It became aware to me that these men were gaining and Aoshi could see it too. From my pocket I pulled out a side arm. Aoshi only turned back around after he heard the gunshots and looked incredulity as he saw the Imperialist's bodies dead on the ground.
"Aoshi please forgive me for murdering these men." For a moment he was speechless, but said nothing as we finally were out of the Imperialists reach. I kept watch on the rear all night with my side arm ready. Far in the distance, I could see my home and above it much smokes. I closed my eyes and whispered softly a final prayer of goodbye. "They will pay...."
We had left my house three quarters past eleven, and we rode straight to the countryside until midmorning. We were pushing this horse to its limits, and just as the stallion seemed to have met defeat, he stopped and said, "We have arrived"
We had traveled many many miles, and Kyoto seemed to be ages away. Finally we were safe. The Imperialist would have no purpose wandering aimlessly through the countryside when Hiroshima was on the other side of Kyoto. For once, both Aoshi and I breathed a breath of ease.
He took my hand and we began to walk up many stone stairs. Eventually we arrived at a temple, and behind it father up the mountain you could see a small cottage. Aoshi continued walking but I resisted. He looked at me
"What is wrong?"
"I want to pray for my family...is that alright?"
He nodded approvingly "And I will pray for my parents"
We both rang the ceremonial bell and I cupped my hands together praying.
"Mother and Father, Suzu-chan and Namura I am sorry I could not protect you in your final hours. Grandmother Meiko, I am sorry as well for not aiding you. May you begin your second life, and live a happy one indeed. I will never forget the good memories I had with you. Father, I hope one day I can live up to your expectations and be the sakura flower like you said I could. Tai, wherever you are, please be cautious. I miss you dearly brother, and I do not know whether you are even among us living. If you are out there, please, I pray we shall find each other. And Kip, my loyal wolf dog Kip, if you are with Tai, like I believe you to be, guard him with your life. May Buddha watch over you."
I clapped my hands together and walked away from the shrine slowly. I stood by the stallion and waited for Aoshi, who still prayed softly. I couldn't hear what he had been saying. He turned around slowly and walked over to the horse. He took the reins and walked the horse with us up the trail to the cottage.
Aoshi knocked on the door gently and then smiled to see his Aunt open it.
"Aoshi? What are you doing here boy?"
"Aunt Hikaru, the Imperialists entered Kyoto last night."
"Oh no...please don't tell me..." She stopped slowly and weaved her hand through her turquoise hair, knowing the answer Aoshi had for her.
"Mother and father are dead. I am the only one to escape."
"Aoshi...I am so sorry." For a moment, she took in the loss of her sister and brother in law, and then she saw me standing behind Aoshi's cloak. "Aoshi who is this young girl?"
Aoshi instantly blushed and rubbed the back of his head embarrassed.
"This is Anju Akira. My father had introduced her to me last night, her family was visiting last night before...you know" Aoshi did not mention I was to be his fiancé. Frankly, I did not even know if we were engaged anymore. It had been against our wishes, and our fathers had forced it upon us. But now that our parents were gone, maybe Aoshi would just cast me aside and find the one he truly wanted.
I bowed solemnly to Hikaru. "Greetings. I am Anju Akira. My family was visiting Aoshi's last night...when they were attacked. My parents and grandmother perished last night as well. We went back to my home to find my brother Tai, but were defeated. He said that, we should try to escape, so we came here, we rode all night."
"Oh my Dearie. I am so sorry for your loss, please both of you come inside, you two deserve to rest."
She escorted us inside, and sat us down on a couch. Hikaru returned quickly handing us each a cup of green tea and placed some tea snacks on the table. I bowed humbly
"Thank you so much for your hospitality."
"Anju dear, there is no need to be so polite. Look at you both; you are so exhausted, that you have rings under your eyes like the raccoon. Finish your teas, and after you are done I will show you to your quarters where you can sleep."
Out of habit I bowed again graciously and sipped at me tea. Finally, the feeling of warmth and nutrients entered my body. I could feel it rush through my veins, oh what a lovely feeling that was. Aoshi gulped down his tea quickly and quickly began his decent on the cookies. I only ate a very few, I was not hungry. I was still feeling the shock of the deaths.
For a while, I stared down at my tea, looking at my reflection within the cup. I stared at it for a while, and then stared at the ripples within the liquid as my tears hit it. Aoshi looked up, half a cookie in his mouth, and saw that I was crying. He quickly chewed the cookie. I did not look at him, only stared down at the cup. Aoshi doubtfully put his arm around me and held me close.
"It's alright Anju. You are safe now..." he murmured nuzzling his face against mine.
"Aoshi...I just feel so weak...I could not protect them...." I trailed off closing my eyes as I felt his warm skin rub up against mine.
"You are not weak, fate was just not with us tonight." He nuzzled me more and I could feel his breath blow against my ear.
"I am so worried.... I miss Tai and Kip...."
"Anju, I know in my heart, that they are alive. We will find them...I promise with my life that we will."
I looked up at him surprised. "You promise with your life, but why?"
He moved his face closer to mine "I promise you, because I will always protect you..."
"Aoshi..." I looked at him fondly, and he smiled wiping away one of my tears. Just as he moved in closer, I fainted again, my face falling into his chest.
"Oh Anju, you are so frail now, unstable from all your emotions..."
Hikaru came in and like out a little shriek seeing I had fainted.
"Aoshi, we should get Anju to the sleeping quarters right away. A look like she is taking her families deaths and the shock is setting in. Here nephew, follow me"
Aoshi picked me up and followed Aunt Hikaru to the extra bedroom she had. Aoshi stood in the doorway and gulped as he stared down at the one bed. It was a couple's bed and Aoshi looked for Aunt Hikaru in disbelief, but Hikaru had already left him calling from the corridor.
"Make yourself at home, and when you both wake up I will have a beautiful breakfast ready for you. Though it might be lunch, depending upon how long you sleep."
Aoshi sighed and walked into the room. He quietly pulled back the covers from the bed and placed me under them, making sure I was warm and content. For a while, he stared at my face adoringly, but then shook his head in disbelief.
This was the girl he was forced to marry, the girl he barely knew at all, one night together mixed with tragedy meant nothing in the long run. Hikaru did not know they were to be engaged anyway, and now that their parents were gone, Aoshi wondered if a beautiful girl like Anju would ever want Aoshi as a fiancé let alone a husband.
Aoshi left me there to rest, only pulling off my shoes so I could sleep at ease. He walked out the room and stood outside leaning against the door sighing. He walked down to the water chamber. He removed his shirt and turned on the faucet splashing water onto his face and running it through his hair. The water felt good and cool against his tired skin and he took his moments to continue splashing more water on his face. The heat from the flames and made his skin feel very dry and irritated, and when he washed himself, he saw that a thick layer of ash washed off.
He then walked back down the hallway shirtless and stopped as he stared up at the sky. It seemed as though the hellish clouds of ash were clearing, and finally the morning sun could be seen upon the eastern horizon. For a moment, he smiled at the sun, thankful that the night before was finally over.
Aoshi tried to keep himself occupied even though he wanted nothing more then to sleep. He went back out to the front of the house, and tended to his tired horse. He stroked his horse slowly and smiled
"You've done well my faithful steed. You too deserve a rest far greater then me or Anju does." He walked the horse over to the koi pond where the horse drank its fill of water. Aoshi then found a bucket and washed his horse carefully, trying to get all the ashes away from its eyes. Aoshi walked the horse to the back, where there was a small stable. He removed the stirrups and saddle and smiled. "Rest up Blue, you've done well."
The horse only whinnied and closed its eyes in understanding. Aoshi once again went back to the bath where he washed his face and neck again, removing the sweat and odors.
Aoshi then walked back to the bedroom. Although Aoshi held his pride very high he still needed to rest. He threw his shirt onto the floor next to the bed and then looked back at me. He saw that I was still in a deep sleep and he pulled off his shoes and slid into the bed. He stayed on the far side of the bed, and I stayed on the other. His face turned a cherry red from embarrassment, but soon after he too fell asleep.
Aoshi did not sleep very long; his dreams only flooded back more memories of his mother and father. Aoshi had slept long enough to get his strength, and still smiled as I was still lost in my dreams.
For a moment, he wondered what I was dreaming of, but then still saw the tears that were sliding down my face. He wiped one away gently, and he was a bit startled when he saw me smile. He thought I was awake, but when I turned over away from him, he let out a gasp of relief.
"Anju, I'm sorry. This is my entire fault. If our fathers had not wanted us to meet that night, if father had not insisted that you come to my estate, your parents would not be gone, and you could still be leading your happy life. I hope you shall forgive me" He stroked my cheek.
When I finally awoke from my sleep it was already dusk again. I had not realized I had been asleep for so long. I sat up on the bed, and pulled my kimono back over me, but it slid of my shoulders and stopped a few inches below them.
I looked around wanting to call for Aoshi, but then I saw him. He was sitting down in the doorway daydreaming. His back was to me, and he did not realize I was awake. When I looked at him, I covered my mouth with shock, there was a huge scar going diagonally down his back. It started at his left shoulder, and stopped a little past his spine on the right.
I quietly walked over to him and kneeled down behind him. I silently rested my hand on his scar, and traced it slowly. For a moment I felt Aoshi tense, but then calm again realizing it was only I. Aoshi did not face me, but still spoke.
"So you are finally awake Anju-Chan?" he replied as I continued to trace his scar.
"Yes I am. I am sorry if I worried you when I fainted. I don't know what's come over me, I feel so frail. But thank you, for bringing me to the sleeping quarters"
He gave a small laugh and I felt his shoulders shake. "It was nothing, do not worry"
I stopped tracing his scar, and leaned forward wrapping my arms around his waste and nestling my head in the arc between his neck and his left shoulder.
"What happened to you Aoshi-San? What gave you this horrible scar?"
He laughed again and closed his eyes leaning his head back resting it against mine.
"When I was young, I was taught swordsmanship like you were taught. My instructor would always say I was never dedicated enough and I told him I wanted to be the best of my style. So one night while we were training, he slashed my back, and now said I was forever banded with the swords style, and now that I had bled from it, I could master it. He was a senile man. But I continued training, the scar on my back took years to heal, always training, allowed the wound to gape open again. I just wanted to prove...I was the best."
"Oh Aoshi...." I murmured softly and I squeezed him tight. "I wish that hadn't happened to you. What a retched man to injure a child who was only so innocently young"
"Yeah...my sensei...was my father"
For a moment I looked at him in disbelief. "Your father?"
"Yeah...when I found out he was a womanizer, he started to train me, hoping it would take my mind off it. But I'll never forget, I will never forgive my father for hurting my mother, so if he hurt one of his family, he'd hurt the other, exactly what he did."
"Aoshi...."
"Anju Akira, may I ask you something?"
I looked at him again surprised; he never had addressed me in my full name except for the moment we had first met.
"What is it Aoshi-San?"
"When we first met, our parents were forcing us into this engagement, and neither of us wished to take part in it. But we agreed to go through with it, for their sake. But now that our parents are gone, we no longer are forced to...."
"What are you asking?"
"Should we go through with the marriage, to honor our parents? This would've been what they wanted right?" For a moment I thought. It would indeed honor my mother and father's wishes, and the same for his. But...I barely knew him, but he had saved me. It was a hard decision "Anju-Chan?"
I swallowed slowly trying very hard to hold back my tears. I could feel my freedom slipping away but I nodded slowly.
"Yes Aoshi-San, I will marry you, it will, honor our parents"
For a moment, with both sat there silent, my arms still wrapped around his waist, and his head still resting with mine. We both wondered if we were doing the right thing, and I wondered what my brother was doing right now.
The scarlet moon had slowly faded, and a pale white moon took its place. When another moon passed, we were to be married, during the time of the festival. I wondered if Aoshi was going to tell Hikaru of our engagement. I wondered about many things, but I felt his face nuzzle mine, and I smiled.
He took his arm and moved me so I sat beside him, and I released my grasp. He placed his arm around me, and pulled me close endearingly allowing me to rest my head on his chest.
We were silent, and the only sound I could hear was his heartbeat, this repetitive beat, that only sped up as I whispered my soon to be new name.
"Anju Akira Shinamori...."
End.
Author's Note
Hey everyone. I hope you enjoyed Chapter 2 and more is on the way. Please Read and Review! Aoshi Rocks!