Disclaimer: I don't own Marimite, but I own this fic. Pretty self-explanatory. Ayt? Ayt!
Chapter 2: Her Resonating Light
Kubou Shiori. That was her name.
She was supposed to go to a temple in Tangou with some friends. They were supposed to become priestesses. However, bandits ambushed them, and thus they got separated. She ran for her life, and while doing so, she bumped into me. I was, at that time, walking towards an abandoned hut to rest, and maybe to die, because I left my ruined village...I had nowhere to go. Shiori looked very afraid, maybe because I looked awful. Suddenly I saw a poorly dressed yet armed man, who, I assumed, was a bandit. I effortlessly killed him, and then, my weak body dropped to the ground. Shiori helped me up, and I pointed to her the hut I was supposed to go to. We trailed towards it, and hid.
We both introduced ourselves to each other. However, I told her only parts of my truth.
After that incident, we travelled to many towns. We met so many people, good and bad. We learned a lot, but I learned more from her, like a religion where they had only one God.
There was one time when I thought I'd lose Shiori, primarily because of my slowness in choosing garments.
Flashback
"Hey, Shiori-chan, would you mind waiting for a second? I'm just going to buy some clothes at that shop." I said to her, pointing at a clothes shop.
"Sure, Satou-san. I won't mind."
"Thanks." I replied, and then dashed towards the said shop.
It took me quite a while to choose a uniform. I chose a wide turtle-necked black shirt, then a pair of black shorts, which had a skirt-like style that covered it. I bought a new pair of black tabi, and also a pair of zori. The quality of all the things I bought weren't bad at all.
I wasn't able to pay the shopkeeper. But I promised her that I would be able to do that someday.
"It's alright. I believe that you shall keep your word."
Maybe she was assuring that I, as a ninja, would not break my promise. Well, I never break my promises. Or maybe she was just scared of me, because I had my shinobigatana resting on my back. But whatever the reason was, I thanked her.
As I left the store, I remembered Shiori. I looked around, but I didn't see her. Where could she be?
I walked around the market, but still I couldn't find her. I thought of a shop where I could see a clue.
I walked once more. As I did so, I saw a flower shop.
What really caught my sight were the white roses. I went closer and stared at them. Their whiteness made them looks so pure, so innocent. Their fragrance was so alluring, but the thorns made them somewhat fearsome to touch. I wanted to buy some, but I knew it wouldn't be practical to do so--they'd wilt anyway, like all flowers do.
"Satou-san1!"
I quickly turned my head. Thanks to the gods, it's Shiori.
I scolded her for leaving the place I told her to stay put at. She quickly apologized, but it seemed like she wanted to cry. I gulped.
"I'm sorry...I just got attracted to that necklace shop...when I-when I came back to check you out I couldn't see you...so I entered that clothes shop to ask the lady there, but she said you left already."
While she was saying those words, she was crying. I felt bad for her, and I wanted to say 'I'm sorry' but I was too scared to tell her that.
End of flashback
I looked up at the sky, hoping to see light. But I didn't see light--I saw a cross.
Flashback
We went to a necklace shop, because we thought those stuff on sale were attractive.
Some had shells as pendants, some had gems studded around the strings. Some had pearls, and so many others that are too many for me to name. I could say a lot caught my eyes.
"Hey, look at this one." I said to her, showing a red-colored shell necklace. "It costs a lot, but it's really beautiful."
Shiori didn't respond, so I thought of tickling her. But I saw, at the corner of my eye, a necklace that she was probably focused at.
The necklace had a silver string, and it had a pendant that looked like a cross. The cross was beautifully made, and like the string, it was made of silver. I thought that, because it was made of such material, it would cost a lot. But it didn't.
As I looked back at the pendant, I remembered reading a book that told me something about it.
It was said that such symbol was used to ward off evil spirits, plus it signified eternal salvation. But seeing that symbol again, I wonder why it had a low value in this shop.
We both decided to go back to the inn, because it was getting darker and darker outside. Besides, a delicious serving of dinner was waiting for us.
"Hey, Shiori."
Before she could say "What?" I quickly grabbed her hand. I clasped it then I let it go.
She brought it up to her face to see. "This is..."
"Yeah, well, it doesn't cost a lot, so I bought it. I liked the pendant, but I think it would look much better on you. Don't you agree?" I said to her, chuckling afterwards.
"Oh...thank you very much, Satou."
I smiled at her in return, seeing her clasp the necklace close to herself, with a smile on her lips. Seeing people smile makes me want to smile, too.
End of flashback
My memories of my village still bothered me, of course. Even if I have escaped, I still cannot run away from my roots, my past. Youko's face would always flash in my mind, followed by our childhood memories and also, the day she slaughtered everybody.
Even if I despised her, I still wanted to see her. I thought then, that if I saw Youko, the questions bothering my mind would somehow be given clarity, though I doubt that she will answer them all. What made me think so was the fact that I was her best friend, and, if I just hold on to that belief, she will grant my wish.
But Youko was able to betray her parents and the whole village--what more of me? I was her bestfriend before, and not now.
Flashback
"Sei, you'd better order another bottle. Yours is almost empty."
I put down my glass. I recognized the voice.
"Youko?"
I turned my head to make sure I wasn't dreaming. She was there for real-her appearance didn't change, neither did her antics. As usual she's smiling.
"How's life being free, Sei?"
I couldn't believe it. It IS her. "What on earth...Youko, there are so many things I wanted to ask you..."I said to her, fumbling. Trying to stare at her in the eye, I asked her, "why did you kill everyone...?"
"For hundreds of years, our clan has done many crimes," she answered, with that same air of calmness in her aura. "therefore the gods have condemned us. It was my destiny, as the 7th generation descendant of the Mizuno family, to kill everyone by my own hands, so that our clan would be exempted of eternal damnation."
"Your destiny!" I retorted, almost shouting at her. "Who told you that nonsense?"
"There are so many things that you will never understand, Sei."
"But that's so unfair! I will...I will never forgive you...I thought we were friends..." I said, almost retreating like a child.
"Indeed we are." Youko replied. "I knew you would survive. You are a strong ninja. So I came here personally just to tell you that we can be reunited once more, start once again, only if you join forces with me and agree to my terms."
My voice was rising, and I was shaking with anger. "There is no way that will ever happen! How could you have the guts to come here and ask for my alliance! I always trusted you, but seeing and experiencing what you have done to our village...Youko, that is truly unforgivable. Sad to say, but I doubt your sincerity. I am sorry, but I could no longer trust you. Even your kinsmen will do the same."
"So, you are now treating me as your enemy, aren't you?"
I said no more.
"Very well then. That is the path that you have chosen, and I respect your decision. I will await our next encounter...and when that time comes, your blood will be flowing gracefully on the blade of my katana."
I heard the sound of Youko's footsteps growing fainter and fainter. Youko disappeared.
The people in the tavern didn't seem to care, probably because they were too drunk to understand. I rested back to my seat.
That moment when she was attacking me with her cold replies--I almost wanted to draw my shinobigatana right there and then to kill her (or at least land a fatal blow) and prevent her from causing any more trouble. But I knew I would only fail, because Youko possessed greater skills than I did.
End of flashback
I almost wanted to cry then. I don't know who I should blame--the gods or Youko. Killing people, especially one's own kin, so as to achieve redemption, doesn't make any sense.
I tried to be strong. I tried to tell myself that what happened to Youko and me was just a lie. That she didn't destroy our clan. That she didn't betray me. That she is still the same person I knew.