Whoo! Here's another update. Cultural note from last chapter that I forgot:
Sugi – Japanese pine tree. They've got narrow, tall trunks, with the pine bows way at the top. And they are REALLY tall….
Okay, the conclusion to the burial. Enjoy!
OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO
Above a wintry garden
The moon thins to a thread:
Insect's singing.
--Matsuo Basho
Edo, Chapter 15
Burying the Dead
Brown eyes shone with emotion as they watched the swirl of thick grey smoke and brilliant orange flames. The heat coming from the blaze revived his once-numb skin painfully, and Ken winced slightly as the feeling returned to bitterly cold fingers and toes. He felt Ran's arms tighten around him instinctively and drew comfort from the nearness of the other man as they watched the remains of what had once been his house fade away as smoke into the clear blue sky. Ken knew, as he had watched, that he had set his family free, finally, and regretted only taking so long to do so.
His heart still felt heavy, however, as he watched the make-shift pyre, and Ken ached as he was reminded yet again of Kase. Gods, he'd been too late, and it had cost him so much.
"Ken." A deep voice murmured in his ear. "Stop it. You're doing what's right now; isn't that enough? There is nothing that can change the past. It is the past. Live now; neither in the future nor the past. I don't think your family would have wanted you to suffer and torture yourself this way."
"Ran-kun is right, Ken-kun. You did the honorable thing; you've avenged the clan and saw to it they received a proper, respectful burial. You can't do anything else." Omi's voice reassured from somewhere to his left. Ken sighed, nodding.
"Naa, KenKen. You're doing the right thing. Let it go. It's the only way anyone's going to rest in peace." Ken smiled a small smile both at Yohji's wisdom and Ran's reaction to the lanky man's nickname for him.
And everyone was right. He'd buried the dead. It was time to let go. Behind them, the remains of the other huts burned high into the azure sky, releasing the anguished souls trapped within. Ken felt a weight ascend with them into the heavens, not even realizing the weight had been there in the first place. He had Ran to live for; live with. He had Ran and Yohji and Omi. And he had every intention of keeping them. He'd make his clan proud of him. He'd do them justice.
And he was going to hunt down Yanagi, and put his head right in front of Takeshi's grave. As soon as he found both. Frowning, he turned towards the group. They returned his gaze with complete attention, respect, and admiration, and Ken felt a well of affection spring up for them.
"There's someone else, that I have to find." he began. He was met with three puzzled frowns that clearly said 'This isn't over yet?' Ken smiled bitterly.
"I don't expect you to come with me…" he began. At two slightly exasperated looks and one dark glower, he pressed on hastily. "There was another traitor—he set up the group of men I was with. I need to find him, and give him what he deserves." Omi and Yohji nodded, Ran crossed his arms and gave a brief nod, his eyes already closed in thought.
"Where was he last seen?" the ronin prompted. Ken frowned.
"In the town that we had our mission in." the brunet tried not to shudder. "We lost him before we even left the village." the red head nodded.
"We'll start there then." Omi and Yohji nodded and the blond youth put a hand to his chin, frowning thoughtfully.
"I'll see if Kritiker can't spare a few agents and get on that immediately. I'm sure Yohji-kun has quite a few resources of his own." the last comment was spoken in a slightly teasing manner, and Yohji balked in mock-indignation.
"Hey! Never mind how many I have or how I found them! I happen to be a very useful person because of it!" he quipped. Omi smiled.
"Not saying you aren't, Yohji-kun." the youth replied. Ken could only nod, speechless, and smile at them. Sensing the overwhelming nature of things, Omi stepped forward and gently put a hand on Ken's shoulder.
"It's alright, Ken-kun. We're a team now, and teams do things together. We're here to support each other." Ken smiled at the youth and nodded.
"Yeah. Just hard to imagine sometimes." he replied. He shuddered involuntarily at the thought of his new team going the way of his clan, and steeled his resolve even further. Nothing was going to happen to these people he cared about, absolutely nothing. Omi smiled at him sympathetically and they all turned back to watch Ken's house blaze once more. Ran's arms came around his waist and the ronin pulled him into a comfortable embrace.
"And you'll always have me, Ken. Always." the ronin murmured into his ear loud enough for only Ken to hear. The brunet smiled.
"I'm more grateful everyday." he replied, and leaned back into the embrace as his former life scattered on grey smoke into the clear-blue heavens.
OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO
Yanagi, by any means, was a patient man. It was once said that his patience rivaled that of a spider, forced to wait in the shadows while its prey came to it. This case was no exception. His family had worked for generations towards the downfall of the emperor's reign of power. And now that a military-regime had been established, that dream was partially realized; partially.
The elder man exhaled languidly, a puff of strongly tobacco-scented smoke wafting from between dry, cracked lips. He glanced at the two old men and single elderly woman across from him. She returned his casual study with a lethal one of her own, steel in the depths of an otherwise relaxed face.
"Yanagi-san. It seems things are getting out of hand. We have need of your services once more." the ancient voice sounded raspy, like wind through dry leaves, and Yanagi wondered idly when the oh-so-powerful leaders of Esstet were going to kick the bucket.
"You mean to tell me that both Schwartz and Takatori screwed up?" he asked, sounding bored.
"Yanagi. Your family has been in our service for many decades. We still remember people who were dead long before you yourself were born. Many have done great deeds for us. One would think there was an expectation levered upon you to exceed them." The errant ninja raised an eyebrow, the only sign that he was annoyed at being pinned with such a trivial accusation.
"Of course, you know I'll exceed them. Tell me what you wish of me, and it will be done." he murmured, straightening to attention finally.
"Right now, you must watch. We do not trust Takatori. Nor do we trust Schwartz. Kritiker stirs; there is a new force to be reckoned with, and we would see this force properly defended. Within it's ranks is one of the men you were sent to eliminate." the seemingly jovial man to the left replied, raising his bushy eyebrows in slight accusation. Yanagi straightened further.
"Who!" he demanded in a tight voice. He'd rid himself of all of them; he'd been sure of it. The two he hadn't finished hadn't made it past the village.
"Hidaka. He is a fierce fighter, that one. He has joined with several capable companions. They seek to eliminate Takatori. We will allow this. The man grows too cocky. However, we cannot allow this team any closer to Esstet." Yanagi nodded in response, frowning thoughtfully. If anyone'd survive being poisoned and stabbed, it'd be Ken. Despite the anger this news brought, it also brought respect. It seemed he'd been passed-over as jyonin with good reason.
"Kase is dead. See to it that you do not follow in his footsteps. You will doubtless be hunted for your sins. See to it that you do not get caught. Observe this new team, but do not approach them until you have further instructions from us. If you are caught, you will receive no aid. Is this clear?" the stern-looking old man to the other side of the woman demanded. Yanagi nodded. And with a quick bow, he vanished from the room.
"Well. It seems we may have a bit of entertainment before all is finished." the woman murmured calmly, smiling and sipping her tea.
"Yes, I imagine so." one of her companions replied. The three laughed, the sound echoing off cedar-wood and rice-paper, disturbing the silence of a heavy winter-evening with the mis-placed lightness of the sound.
And somewhere in the country, the members of Schwartz and Weiss sneezed simultaneously.
Oh dear. Things were going to get complicated.
OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO
Ack! Another short installment. Sorry. Wanted to post this before heading out today, because I have classes for the rest of this week which means a busy Aubrey with no time to update or even write for that matter. Hope you liked the bit of a twist.
And yes! Mwahahaha! Bet you forgot about Yanagi. Only one or two people ever mentioned wanting to know what was gonna happen with him. He's a lot more of a bastard than even I thought he was gonna be, but that's ok, as I find I like evil clever bad guys way better. They're so much fun.
A HUMONGOUS THANKS TO ALL MY REVIEWRS!
I love you guys, and you keep the fire burning! This story is turning into an epic and I have to confess, I really would not have the energy to finish it if you didn't keep asking for more! I'm working hard on the other stories, and it looks like the Saiyuki parody may be up first. : ) Sa sa! See you later!
OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO