Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own any of 'em.
Author's Notes: Well, I'm not too sure if this chapter will be longer than the first but I'm trying my best. FIGHTO!
Chapter Two: Shift
A drizzle poured down from the heavens, trickling softly onto the samurai's face. The small paper lantern in his hand swung on its handle as he turned to face the sky. He shook his head and continued his way down the sandstone walkway.
The path brightened as he approached the entrance of the grounds, the torches by the posts lighting his way. He stopped as soon as another samurai within his vision. "Looks like a slow night," he said, lifting the lantern.
The crickets continued to chirp and the light rain continued to fall, but no answer was heard from his companion.
Souma Hatsuharu turned to his presently quiet relative, who was apparently leaning intently on the wall. He chuckled lightly at the position of one Souma Kyou. The orange-haired samurai looked like he had fallen asleep during his shift.
Hatsuharu walked closer, extending a hand to tap Kyou on the shoulder.
"I'm not asleep," said Kyou before Hatsuharu's hand made contact with his shoulder.
"It would be hard to believe if you did. After all you're very thorough with your work," Hatsuharu said with a shrug.
Kyou cracked an eye open and raised an eyebrow before pushing himself off from against the post, and straightening out his gi. "And what makes you say that?"
Hatsuharu refused to answer, changing the topic as a distraction. "It seems like tonight is a perfect weather for the shift." He let out his arm once again, allowing the rain to drip onto the palm of his hand as it began pouring down heavily.
"Perfect weather for an attack," the other added, his handlanding immediately to the hilt of his sword.
A tree rustled against the wind. There was a pause, and almost on cue, five ninja-clad warriors hopped out of their various hiding places surrounding the two.
"Not so discreet, are they?" hinted Hatsuharu, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"I suppose so." Kyou unsheathed his sword, ready to attack. He remained steady, waiting for one of the ninjas to attack him first.
Hatsuharu, on the other hand, immediately rushed into a ninja on the opposite side.
Kyou sighed at his relative's careless attack, but recovered quickly enough to parry an attack aimed for his neck with his sword. "Thought I had my guard down, did you?" He said, rather smugly, pushing the ninja to the side.
The ninja fell to the ground. He staggered slightly as he pushed himself off the floor. He stood for a few moments only to meet the muddyterrain once again as the bleeding body of one of his comrade crashed into him.
He simply pushed the body off for he could care less for his now-dead comrade. He had to stick to the original game plan after all, and the only thing that needed to be done was to assassinate one of the head samurais of the Souma clan.
That samurai leader happened to be Souma Kyou.
These ninjas were actually quite discreet, contrary to Hatsuharu's earlier comment. They have been watching the Souma guard shifts for over a week now, memorizing the certain days Kyou was on duty.
The ninja hurtled himself forward in hopes of knocking the orange-haired samurai down. Instead, Kyou had grabbed the ninja on the wrist, pulled him forward, and landed a hit on the back of the ninja's neck with the hilt of his sword, causing the ninja toeat dirtfor the third time that night.
The ninja, persistent in wanting to accomplish this job, pushed himself off themud but his efforts were in vain. A katana drove right through the back of his heart. He screamed in agony before he decided to kick the bucket to meet his maker.
Kyou twisted the sword slightly as assurance that the ninja was finally dead. He turned to block a shiruken (1) that came hurtling toward him. He reached for another sword fastened onto his belt before throwing the other toward the branches of a tree.
A few seconds later, a body fell from the tree, the sword going from his forehead straight through the other side.
The samurai leader began walking to the third dead ninja, ready to take back his sword but before he could even reach the corpse he felt another presence. The sound of footsteps filled his ears as he focused on that presence. Soon afterwards, he began chasing after it.
He looked back and called out, "Haru, I found a stray! Can you handle the rest?"
Hatsuharu finished off a ninja before answering. He held the ninja in a headlock and slit his neck. Blood spilled, staining his robes as he let go of the enemy. Stepping away from the pool of blood, he turned to his relative. "Are you kidding me?" His dark side definitely released itself not too long ago.
Kyou continued to give chase, making a mental note to himself to be sure Hatsuharu wasn't as bloodthirsty when he got back.
Small water puddles rippled as he crossed and mud caked the hem of his pants as he continued running after the ninja.
"I can't lose him now."
The strong scent of incense slowly died down as the rain poured onto the small graveyard. A lone figure stood near the center of the sea of tombstones.
It was odd to see someone at such a place during this ungodly time of night but they must've had their own reasons for coming out. Yet there was undeniably something much more curious than the fact that someone was out there at this time and place because it would definitely be surprising when one realizes that the lone figure happened to be a young Japanese girl.
The girl crouched down, her knees barely touching the floor. "I'm sorry for coming out at such bad weather." Strangely, it looked like she was talking to the tombstone. Maybe one of her reasons was because of that. There's no doubt that if people had heard her during the day they would think that something was wrong with her.
"But I haven't visited in a while. And you do know this is the only time I could go out." Her words came out choked, and her grip on the umbrella tightened.
She bent her head down. A few tears began to fall from her eyes, mixing with the rainwater that had accumulated by her feet. "Oh, mom. It's only been a month and I really miss you. It's just so hard…
"Uo-chan helped me get a job at a certain household but I only started last week. It might take a while for me get used to the place." She began wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her kimono. "But I'm sure that I can do it!" She clenched her fist in determination, looking up at the tombstone once again, her lips now in a smile. "Right, mom?"
Not far away, Kyou had finally caught up with the ninja. The two were now having a standstill, calculating the moves they were about to pull on their opponent. They slowly began pacing in a circle, directly across each other. Then, both ran forward, swords drawn and ready. Metal clashed onto metal and sparks flew.
The fight was close enough to draw the girl's attention. She looked up and around, trying to pinpoint where the noise was coming from.
She turned back to the tombstone and bowed. "Excuse me, mom. I have to see what that is, but I promise I'll visit soon!" She raised her head and made her way to the sounds and shouts.
The shouting increased as she drew closer to what seemed to be… "A sword fight?"
By the time she reached the scene all she saw wasthat a samurai had cornered the ninja against the tree. She made sure that she remained out off sight, but with her curiosity getting the better of her, she just had to stay and watch.
Kyou slowly advanced toward the ninja, who looked as if he was ready to wet himself. He was going to make this wouldn't be a quick kill. After all, this ninja looked like he was unit's leader, as unbelievably as it may have seemed.
He brought his sword down, its edge slicing the ninja's skin.
The ninja yelled out in pain as Kyou dragged the katana back up the wound.
Kyou backed away slightly deciding that he might as wait until his enemy ceases his incessant bawling. "Done yet?" He asked sternly as the ninja dropped his head, panting for air.
The ninja gazed at the samurai and muttered something either inaudible or in a foreign tongue.
Kyou's eyes narrowed. He got into stance and slashed the ninja's head clean off his neck. That one moment seemed frozen in some sort of timeframe before Kyou stood upright once again, replacing his sword into its sheath.
Only then did the girl decide to scream, her umbrella falling onto the ground as both her hands came flying to cover her mouth. She only realized her mistake when it was too late. The samurai had seen her.
She stepped back only to be stopped by the graveyard's wall. The shocked expression on her face grew more frantic as the samurai began walking toward where she stood.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" he shouted, his voice stern.
Her body refused to move. She simply stood there almost as frozen as a statue.
As the samurai stepped into the light, she was about ready to pass out right then and there. Only then did she realize that the samurai was one of her employers.
"Souma Kyou…san…" she said, her voice raspy and inaudible.
"Didn't you hear me?" Kyou asked, much more harshly. "I said what are you doing here?"
To be continued…
Author's Notes: Well, it's definitely longer. XD I hope that you guys are liking the outcome of my insanity so far, but if you are still clueless on who the girl is… get help, all right? XP
(1) shiruken – small projectile weapon also known as "ninja stars".
Rabid Lola- I updated, baka! I won't tell you what's gonna happen until I decide to write it in the chapter it's supposed to be explained in! AKAMBE!
limelie- No fawking way, I made limelie tear! SUCCESS! XD Joke lang! Enjoy the rest!
SeaGal- Holy... yes, I did. Happy? XD
PinkGoddess- I e-mailed you, right? I didn't know what else to write... thus the shortness of the (last) chapter.
Kute Anime Kitty- Thanks for the props. Hope you continue reading!
Wielder of Paperclips- Haa-san! I still have to write the Gregorian Chant fic! I'll do it soon! Read it, ha! Thanks for the props, Haa-san! I almost made it on time! ALMOST!
Lulz Fluffy-sama- Gah! Thanks for the props! Here's the next chapter!
Midosoup- Thanks for the props, imouto!
OwL7- I know that it is sappy, Hiro-kun, and yes, I am capable of writing stuff like this! I have even sappier you know? Nga pala, I'll write the one about Hiro as soon as I can, okay? XD