Chapter 2: Interruptions
Rikimaru was jolted out of his somewhat peaceful sleep by the princess. Princess Kiku stood in her full regalia, kimono and all, and was looking down at him with a mixture of both happiness and playful anger.
"Rikimaru! You're alive!" Kiku said, tugging at his arm to get him out of bed. Rikimaru obliged, sitting straight up, his hand running through his silvery hair briefly, and stifling a yawn. He looked at the young girl with a small smile. It was good to be seeing her again. Immediately, Kiku launched herself at him, giving him a small hug around the neck. Surprised, Rikimaru patted her back affectionately.
"I can't believe you didn't come and see me!! Does Ayame-san know you're here? We've got to go and tell her!!" Kiku said, her voice excited and her eyes sparkling with happiness.
"I'm sorry princess, I did not want to wake you. I thought it best to leave it a surprise." Rikimaru said, in a slightly playful tone, "And yes, Ayame knows I'm here." Ayame. The thought of the kiss from the night before made him blush. Kiku didn't notice though, and just continued looking at him happily.
"Princess, I have a meeting with your father soon." Rikimaru said, just remembering it. Kiku already understood the importance of those meetings and didn't argue.
"Okay Rikimaru-san, I'll see you later!" Kiku said, giving him yet another small hug, and then left. Rikimaru stood and walked over to his small closet, and chose a simple white shirt, and a dark green haori with matching pants of the same color. He put them on, and, reluctantly, left his mask. It would look rather suspicious if he wore it to breakfast, as he would be posing as Lord Gohda's nephew. Rikimaru also left his sword, Izayoi, on it's protective stand inside his closet. He walked out of his room, and down the twisting corridors into the small breakfast room.
Rikimaru looked around at the counselors and advisors kneeling around the table. They were each engaged in some type of conversation or the other, talking about things like how the farming was going, or how much the taxes on a certain resource had gone up. There was only one female, a Lady who he was not familiar with, that sat near one of the advisors, listening to his conversation politely. The woman had long light brown hair that fell past her waist. He gave a brief nod to Lord Gohda as he passed the Lady and walked over to his Lord and kneeled on the cushion near his side.
Several minutes right after, Ayame walked in. She was wearing a light orange kimono with a yellow obi tied at the back in an amazingly complex bow. The small flower designs that danced along the material of her kimono were the same brilliant yellow as her obi. Her black hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and flowed lightly behind her as she walked forward. Her face remained expressionless as she took the seat almost directly in front of him.
After a moment, Ayame looked up and saw that his gaze was on her. She gave him a mysterious, yet beautiful smile, her dark brown eyes meeting his amber ones, and he could see that her cheeks were reddening. His own were too, for she looked absolutely breathtaking. It was rare that she wore a kimono, but when she did, it was hard to take his eyes off of her.
Rikimaru returned her smile, just as Lord Gohda called for the maids to start bringing in breakfast. The maids came, setting dishes before them, and the room's occupants fell silent for a moment, as they took their first bites. The rest of breakfast was rather dull, all filled with the uninteresting conversation about taxes, natural resources, and farming. Though occasionally, Rikimaru and Ayame sneaked glances at each other, silently waiting for the time when they would be left alone.
Much to Rikimaru and Ayame's relief, the monotonous breakfast ended. One by one, the counselors and advisors filed out of the room. Rikimaru noticed that the young woman hadn't left, and was still kneeling on her cushion. As soon as the last of the men went out, the woman removed the wig that she wore, revealing her short hair that was cut to that of Kunoichi. She had light brown eyes that peered at both Rikimaru and Ayame in pleasant curiosity, who stared back at her in return.
"Ah! Tama…how nice to see you!" Lord Gohda called out to her. He smiled warmly before turning to the very much confused Rikimaru and Ayame and introducing her. "Rikimaru, Ayame, this is Tama Hyakawa, a Kunoichi from the Takeda Kunoichi clan, and she is in alliance with me. Tama descended from one of Lady Takeda's maids. Tama, this is Rikimaru and Ayame Azuma." All three nodded their heads in recognition to one another.
Tama focused her attention back to Lord Gohda and opened her mouth to speak. "So onto the subject of business. Well, I'd say the province is in for hell again. There's a fortress by the ocean that seemed to have appeared overnight. Nothing much has happened yet, but I wouldn't give it much longer. It appeared out of nowhere and I somehow doubted it was your idea."
Lord Gohda's brow furrowed in concern, "How long did it take to build it?"
"I repeat, with all due respect, it appeared overnight. I think there's something bizarre at work here." Tama said patiently.
Lord Gohda nodded to her, before saying, "Thank you Tama. Your help is greatly appreciated." He turned to Rikimaru and Ayame who still kneeled at their spots, listening intently. "You may go. And Tama, you may as well if you wish." The two Azuma bowed to their Lord and stood up, walking out the door. Tama followed not long after, watching the pair with increased curiosity. She had seen the two sneaking glances at each other during breakfast, and it was a wonder that their Lord hadn't noticed.
"…Well…that was an interesting way to start off the day. Mysterious fortresses popping out of nowhere…" Ayame said to him nonchalantly as they walked side by side. She tried to make it seem casual, though the memories of the sweet kiss from the night before lingered pleasantly on her mind. Her arm lightly brushed his, and it was a wonder how she tingled inside, even just at the mere touch of his fabric on hers.
Rikimaru didn't answer. All he could keep thinking about is the kiss, and how nice her voice sounded, and how his body reacted to seeing her in that kimono. He sneaked a sideways glance to her. Ayame was looking at him, amused, and already guessing what he was probably lost in thought about.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" she said playfully, lightly slapping him on the arm with the back of her hand.
"No it's just…"
"I'm waiting."
"You look…really good in that kimono."
Ayame laughed. "You look really good in your clothes as well. Green is definitely your color. And I'm glad you chose to leave the mask."
Rikimaru turned at smiled down at her. "Ayame? Would you like to take a walk?"
"We already are walking."
"In the garden."
"Of course." Ayame said, grinning to herself. The two walked alongside each other on the small rock pathway and under blooming cherry trees, the flowers swirling around them in clouds of pink. "Rikimaru, I need help remembering that kiss last night. Would you care to show me how it went?" Ayame asked him as she stopped and turned towards him, a mischievous smile on her face. Rikimaru laughed at Ayame's obviously good mood. He didn't need any more further instruction.
Rikimaru drew Ayame in close, much closer than they were last time, his arms around her waist and lower back. Ayame looked up at him and raised one of her arms to encircle his neck loosely, resting the other hand on his chest. For a moment, the couple just looked lovingly into the other's eyes, silently exchanging words of love. Then, Rikimaru moved in closer to her and gently pressed his lips against hers, closing his eyes. Ayame responded, and lightly applied pressure to Rikimaru's neck, causing him to kiss her with a little more force. Ayame still couldn't believe that she was kissing her own partner and leader, but she pushed the thought out of her mind.
Finally, the two came up for air, breathing heavily. They clung to each other still, Ayame's head resting on Rikimaru's shoulder.
"Looks like I'm interrupting something." A voice said to them. Immediately, the couple looked up, reluctantly letting go of the other. Being caught up in their little moment, they hadn't noticed Tama who stood just a little distance away from them, her curious light brown eyes flitting back and forth between them. "…I'll just be going now…"
"No, no. Does Lord Gohda have need of us?" Ayame asked her.
"…no…I just sort of…took a wrong turn…" Tama said. "But anyways. Couldn't help but notice. You do realize that there are harsh consequences for two ninjas that fall in love? Not to be a total pain…"
Ayame looked up at Rikimaru for a moment. He looked down at her with such love, as if he didn't care about any type of consequence for their secret. Ayame felt more tingly feelings inside her as she read through his expression. "We know." She whispered slightly.
"I'm right behind you guys. Takes guts to do that. And you guys definitely are cute together." Tama said with a benign and knowing smile. "Well…I'll leave you guys to your business now." And with that, Tama turned and walked quickly out of the garden, leaving the pair alone.
"Now where were we…" Ayame said, turning to face Rikimaru and allowing herself to be swept up in his strong arms again. She rested her head again onto his chest. They stood like that for awhile, Ayame listening to Rikimaru's steady heartbeat. After a moment, Rikimaru spoke.
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you always look?" Rikimaru whispered into her ear, his lips brushing the outer edge causing Ayame to shiver at the feeling. She sighed in contentment, and closed her eyes. Ayame could feel Rikimaru tense up a little suddenly, and then he spoke. "Someone's coming."
"Whoever it is, tell them to wait damn it." Ayame said, still hypnotized by Rikimaru's gentle voice. The sound of hoofs stopped just before the entrance to the garden. Sighing at yet another interruption, Ayame pulled away from Rikimaru to face the visitor. The rider was heading towards them, panting heavily.
"…there's been…a horrendous spate of crime in a nearby village. Grave robberies and more of the sort. I've asked that you would help!" the rider said.
Rikimaru and Ayame looked at each other, now concerned. "I guess we should get ready then." Rikimaru said, looking back at the rider. "We'll be there." The rider bowed briefly and returned to his horse.
"…so many interruptions." Ayame muttered as she followed Rikimaru back into the castle. They visited with Lord Gohda briefly, telling him where they were needed. Then, they returned to their rooms and emerged with all their necessary equipment, ready for the mission. Little did they know of the things that would lead up from there…
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Author's Note:
Yay another chapter down! What do ya think? Review please…