Chapter Four: Shishio and Mashitoga... And Lamango!?
They stood as a third walked up behind them. He was a tall, reptilian male. He had a long, smooth, and dorsal plated tail that swayed behind him. He surveyed the area for Shizuka. "Not here, sir," he mumbled. "It has surely been awhile, Saitou," Shishio said as he just smirked. Saitou only sneered with no reply. Shizuka was spying out from beneath the cot. Lamango lunged at the cot where Shizuka hid. She moved but was too late. Lamango's hands grasped her neck. She let a struggled cry for help when he was stabbed in the side by Aoshi's kodichi. He let out a shriveled screech and ran out the hut to recover himself. Shizuka was still beneath the cot, wheezing and breathing heavily. Shishio sneered at Saitou and Aoshi. Then, he and Mashitoga left the premises. "Shizuka!!" Saitou lunged to the floor and pulled Shizuka from beneath the bed. She had her small hands upon her collarbone as she coughed. Saitou hugged her. "It's okay...," he muttered as he lain her upon the bed. She looked at him and smiled a weak and pathetic smile as she drifted into a slumber.
Later that day Shizuka woke up to Aoshi sleeping beside her. Saitou was nowhere to be seen as she looked around the house for him. She walked out side and there he was. He was training. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead and landed on the ground with silence. He finished approximately 15 minutes after she came out. She looked encouraged and ran inside. A few minutes later, she came bolting outside with her sword in her hands and she looked at Saitou, determined to make him train with her. They trained but did not spar at that moment. Aoshi watched through the opened window. He looked as Saitou and Shizuka train with each other. He watched at what the seven year old did. He then noticed the area go black and only the 'shank' of her blade was heard. The area grew alit again as a tree collapsed at the same time as the child. Aoshi saw the tall figure of his police officer partner kneel down and lift the child in his arms. He walked into the hut and lain Shizuka upon the bed. He knew she needed her sleep. He had a plan. To go and kill Shishio, Mashitoga, Lamango, Sojiro, and Girahi. He lain beside her and rested. "Rest, Shinomori," he muttered as Aoshi lain down in his cot. "Just about to...," he mumbled in a tired tone. That night, Shizuka had a nightmare. She dreamt that Lamango had killed her mother and father, Spike. She slept with worries and whimpers. Nevertheless, there was a catch in her dream, she and Saitou killed Lamango. She had a deep feeling what was in store for her and Saitou that next day.