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Finsternis
By Kochan
Chapter II - Lieselotte
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Stinging, cold water.
The Kunoichi swept several palmfuls upon her face and exhaled in a sigh.
Things were clearer now. She heard the music of the birds. The air was crisp, alive and her body surged with newfound energy as she drew a sip of the water down her throat.
Her evening reflection in the stream stared back in contemplation. It shivered with each drop of water that fell from her face before becoming still.
Everything had a place, a purpose. She pondered hers.
As another ripple journeyed across the pond, her mind returned to the events from a few nights ago, her inability…no…refusal to save the man who'd called to her. She'd scoured the countryside in search of the man's family since, showing the locket to lone children who would not suspect her.
The grey overcoat she'd pilfered added yet another item to her growing list of larceny, but it'd been necessary to avert suspicion. One of the boys she'd met playing by an old church the day before had spoken of the people in the locket. They were a farming family that resided close to where she was now.
Another palmful of water and then she discarded the coat to tie on her hood and mask.
It was time.
The evening haze had settled over the valley and she left the sanctuary of the trees. A short sprint across the small vegetable patch brought her to the side wall of the farmhouse.
The Kunoichi flattened her back against the mud bricks and that was when the aroma of fresh yeast dumplings struck her. Days had passed since she'd eaten anything other than seeds and wild berries.
She shook the thought from her head and focused. Pots clanked, dishes clattered and furniture shifted behind the walls.
Someone was home.
A snort sounded around the corner and her hand flashed to her sword. Two silent steps allowed her to peek about the stained brick wall.
A white Landrace pig, characterized by its drooping ears hovered below the window. It circled and sniffed about in a makeshift enclosure of planks, rusted nails and one side of the house wall. She shrank back as a pair of hands emerged from the window to empty a bowl of food scraps into the pen.
With a delighted squeal, the pig wallowed in its snacks. Her mouth watered as she longed for even a small bite.
As the window closed, she apologized to herself for this one moment of weakness.
A quick dash, a flip across and she was grinning under her mask at a half-eaten apple spiked atop her blade. She crept back about the corner, fruit in hand to savor...only to crash headlong into another small pig.
How could she be so careless?
With a rush of blood she resolved to unleash a terrible kicking and beating upon the stealthy swine. But instead of four legs, this one had two. It had two arms, beautiful golden hair and the terrified face of a five-year old girl.
The child was clutching her leg and potato dumplings were scattered about the ground. That quivering lip, the wide eyes and that soft whimper which was at risk of turning into a deafening howl told her the girl was more afraid than hurt.
Her mind raced and she knelt, freeing her long ponytail before slipping the mask from her face. She smiled her brightest smile, hoping this would dispel the image of the dark, shadowy monster the child had no doubt feared would devour her before.
The cloth strip of her mask wrapped around one of the soiled dumplings before she presented the lump with a wide grin. There was confusion in the girl's blue eyes before tiny fists rubbed at them. They came wide again as the cloth was whisked away, the dumpling nowhere to be found.
Another dumpling was shown, shrouded and also made to vanish.
She caressed her belly and licked her lips with a soft 'mmm'. As comic as her actions were, the giggle she received for her efforts settled the void in her stomach and she found herself joining in on the laughter.
One by one, the remaining dumplings were tossed into the air as the young girl sat down to watch. The Kunoichi added the fourth and fifth buns from their hiding place in her jacket sleeves, juggling them all with the natural reflexes and superior coordination she'd always known to draw soft coos of awe.
To close, she caught four of the buns in the cloth. The last was bounced off her forehead onto the lap of her delighted audience.
She bowed her head at the enthused clapping and offered the buns back. The child shook her head to refuse and the Kunoichi smiled, giving a bow of gratitude this time.
The woman's shout from within the house almost caused her to drop her hard earned supper, "Lieselotte! Iss nicht alles das Klöße! das Essen ist fertig! "
Fear had widened those blue eyes again and Lieselotte hesitated before replying with what seemed like a lie, "Nien Mama! Ich habe zu Norbert etwas gegaben!" she cried before scrambling to her feet and tossing her dumpling into the pig pen.
"Ich muss fort…" whispered the child before waving to her with a pout.
She took a deep breath. They were without husband and father, yet they didn't know it. Soon, Jurgen's body would be identified and the authorities would come to deliver the news.
The Kunoichi eased the silver locket into Lieselotte's palm and closed those tiny fingers over it. A last chance to bring some happiness into her life before it changed for the worse.
"Herrlich!" the child gushed before opening it with a gasp. "Es gehört Papa! danke schön!" The Kunoichi found herself hugged and they shared a giggle before Lieselotte pranced towards the side door."Wie heißt Du?" came a last question.
She didn't understand but held up two fingers in a 'peace' sign and winked back with a smile.
Lieselotte beamed with wide eyes, "Zwei? Auf Wiedersehen, Zwei!" she waved again before dashing through the door. That flaxen head popped out one last time before the girl waved to the pig, "Gute Nacht, Norbert!"
She winced at the barrage of words the woman unleashed upon her daughter after.
...Zwei... It had a nice sound to it.
She reached for the apple before noticing Norbert. The pig was poking his snout through the planks at her, perhaps noting his property. The fruit was soured through, but she managed a smirk on biting into it.
Norbert squealed as the apple core bounced off his head after to mix with the swill.
The trees embraced her once more in their cover as she brushed the dirt off a dumpling.
These would see her home.
Long Overdue Replies:
Rendered voice: Hope 4 years isn't too long for you Thanks for reviewing ?
Auron: Ok.
Visitor: Well, DOA's main story's about Ninjas. This has one in it
Li-Chan: That's fair enough. I didn't leave too much clue in. Thanks for the time ?
Paul: Thanks for reading…and glad you got something out of your first fanfic.
ValkyrianNight: Hehe…you're not the first but you won't be the last. Thanks for reading ?
Steel Angel: Oh well…we do what we can I guess ?
Katherine Parker: Much appreciated on the honesty and the depth of the review. I've already answered your first questions I'd say. Bren's story ends there and yes, the next couple of chapters will answer the remainder of your questions ? I realize that you'll probably never read this (like most others here), but I'm glad you enjoyed the read. Thank you for your time.
AziAzlea/Pyralis: Not dumb at all – you're hardly the only one here who didn't understand it. But if you enjoyed it, then that's probably more important to me ?
Juunko: Haha…it really did feel like Sayonara. It's been 4 years. In a sense I did try and liken what happens to what the main character's like. A mish-mash of emotions. It's from a Kunoichi's point of view – exactly who does become apparent later ?
Sibling: And I'm so happy you reviewed ? Your review…by far is the most valued and appreciated
Mark SYNTHESIS: Thanks for reviewing. Right – you are. Kunoichi is a female ninja, not necessarily Assassin. Her actual job does become apparent later though ? A shame about RTCW. I do wonder if you ever got that fic up – will check later Thanks for reading again.
Supercharger: Haha…your answer's already there actually ;)
TigerEyes2: And you…my dear Imouto…are probably the only one that will ever read the reply to their review. It's only been 4 years before I've answered ;) special snuggle
Mask: Hmm…how about 4? And yes…I can see an end in sight ? Thanks for the kind words
RedHeadTina: Thank you – I haven't actually written a Hayabusa x Kasumi romance though. Tanjoobi Omedetoo was about 2 friends spending some time together ? Glad you liked em both though ?
Lordfolken: Haha…well…it's KIND OF about Kasumi. (ahem) Thanks for the lengthy review Hope you don't mind me taking 4 years to arrive at chap II. Yes…I'll be 60 when I finish this at this rate :P Fortunately – you've only had to wait about a year actually. Facing Side HAS received updates far more often than this has. And this one's mostly because I was clearing up and found a draft I'd worked on years back ? Salutes back…till next…(whenever that is)
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It's been more than 4 years since the last installment and I'm expecting that most people thought this fic to be dead in the water. Not surprising really. But heck...I WILL finish all the fics that are half done...even if it kills me. Won't say anything other than the fact that the direction in which this fic was to go has changed several times since it began. But the premise remains the same, and after DOA3 and DOA4, the ship IS still bound for it's original destination (just a few different stops on the way). Till next all !