Chapter 7: Pain and Worry
Gaida sat alone in his room brooding for many hours, sprawled on the floor and gazing blankly at the ceiling.
Rikimaru, Rikumaru….it was all Kagura said anymore. She had found herself a new plaything, it seemed. Plaything? What was he thinking? Lady Kagura was nothing like that. It must be Rikimaru, he decided. Rikimaru had taken her from him.
And yet he dared not try to take her back. Silently he damned himself and his cowardliness. Kagura was attached to him, and he dared not hurt her. No, not after everything that had happened before this bastard ninja came and ruined it! Why couldn't they just fight, and may the best man take the Lady's hand?
Perhaps I have done something, Gaida thought fearfully. Perhaps it is me? Oh don't let it be that…
Ayame woke slowly, the feeling of something nearby, something warm. There was a soft rustle of clothing, and the feel of a hand.
"Kiku?" she groaned.
There was a sharp intake of breath as the person moved away quickly,
quicker than Kiku. But Ayame was quicker, unsheathing the knife she slept with and
pinning the person's pant leg to the ground with it.
"Rikimaru?" she gasped.
Rikimaru smiled weakly, seeming weary, but still himself. "Yes, me," he said. "I'm sorry to wake you."
"I hope so!" she scoffed.
He just smiled again, casting a glance down to the knife. "Would you mind…?"
"No, not at all."
Ayame yanked the knife out of the tatami and sat back, gesturing for him to sit as well. "So, what in hell's name were you doing here anyway?"
"I wanted to see you…just see you," he said quietly.
"Alright. Where'd you find that sake?"
"What?"
"Riki," she said with a laugh, "you're being weird, even for you. What's your problem?"
"Nothing I…it's nothing," he said, shaking his silver head. Rikimaru, Ayame was forced to admit again, was the most exceptionally handsome man she had ever seen. "I was wondering…would you want to go walking again today? There's something I need to tell you."
"I knew it," Ayame said with a small laugh. "Okay, it sounds good to me. The lord's garden? Away from the commoners?"
"Meet me by the koi pond," he said in agreement, nodding. She was so beautiful, he thought sadly, and so innocent. She didn't know her life could end in a second. The way that the gold light of the sun touched her hair, bringing out the golden-brown highlights…the way it fell in a slightly messy silk sheet around her shoulders, her bangs long enough to tickle her nose with. Her eyes…so beautiful! They were like a deer's eyes, so perfectly brown, sad and sparkling and lovely. Her skin was like a combination of Han silk and pearls, and was whiter than snow. Gently he reached out a hand, touching her face gently. She blushed as he did.
"Get dressed then," he said softly. "Don't be late."
"Practice what you preach," Ayame said with a small smile.
Rikimaru managed a smile back, for her, and placed a soft kiss on her sweet, perfect lips. Containing his feelings as any ninja was trained to do, he smiled at her and departed.
"How odd," Ayame muttered. "I knew Rikimaru was an odd person, but…" Maybe it's me, she thought? I probably shouldn't have fallen asleep on him like that. She sighed. Well, I guess I just won't do it again.
Reaching into her closet, Ayame removed a red kunoichi's kimono, tying it with a think black obi. Quickly she did her hair in the usual ponytail and even went so far as to add a comb, then went into the garden.
She found Rikimaru sitting under one of the cherry trees, dressed in his usual ninja uniform. Much to her joy, however, his mask was around his neck. He must have sensed her ki, for he turned to her with a small smile.
"What took you so long?" he asked.
"I stopped to daydream about you, I guess," Ayame replied with a smirk, resting in his arms. "What did you want to talk about?"
He took a deep breath. Damn it, why did she have to have that no-nonsense attitude that he loved so much?
"Ayame…," he began. "You know that I would do anything for you…right?"
Ayame looked up to him. "Rikimaru, have you been at the sake?"
He smiled slightly. "I wish."
"Riki," she said seriously. "What's wrong?"
Looking into her eyes, Rikimaru struggled with himself. He loved her with all his heart, and now that he finally had her, he was a slave to Kagura. She was so innocent, so oblivious to her own plight…and he loved her that way. If Ayame did know, he decided, she would go and do something headstrong like try to attack Kagura. And if Kagura was watching now, what would she do if he told her?
"Nothing," he said softly, "just a nightmare I had. It occurred to me that I needed to tell you that. I just…I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Rikimaru," she said with a smile. "We're ninjas. It's our job to be in danger."
"And you thrive on it," Rikimaru chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. "Alright. I'm paranoid. You win."
"'Bout time," she said with a grin, nipping playfully at his nose.
Kagura watched with loathing as the water in the bowl showed the lovers kiss yet again. 'Lovers' meaning Rikimaru and Ayame, not Rikimaru and herself.
"I'll have to try harder," she muttered.
Author's Note:
SO SORRY guys for the LONG WAIT! Miyuki had technical difficulties. But now we're back and better than ever XD I guess…
Hope you guys enjoyed the short and sweet chapter! Don't worry, we'll have longer ones coming up!