Chapter 2: Leaves of Crimson

Ignoring the steward's protest, Haruko walked along the riverbank. Although some severe wounds frightened her, she still hoped to catch a glimpse of Rukawa through the moaning people. Was he injured? Or even worse, was he killed? She had overheard from the conversation of others that there were several deaths, mostly of the escort group, incurred by the bandits. She was worried with grief at the thought that perhaps Rukawa was gone, until she spotted his figure under a red maple tree, perhaps resting, or perhaps sleeping. His gray cloak was still wrapped around him, but a few maple leaves had fallen on his cloak, and with such intense hue of red it almost looked like blood had stained his clothes, had not been the shape of the leaves. Haruko breathed a sigh of relief.

At this point they were still a half-day away from the next immediate town, so it was agreed universally that after lunch they were to get on the road again. Afraid that Rukawa might sleep through a meal, Haruko asked for two bowls of food and took it to the figure still resting under the maple tree.

As she was debating with herself regarding how to approach him without showing her infatuation, the situation suddenly changed unexpectedly---The bandits struck again! This time they were mounted brigands, swift and fierce as ever. Men who were still capable of fighting gathered hurriedly into a half circle, but were soon scattered by the vicious assault. There were only a dozen brigands, but they were all mounted on strong steeds, and evidently skilled with weapons of their choice. On the other side, Haruko's men were more than thrice their size, but were overpowered rather easily. So before long most of the fighters were struggling for their lives, and Haruko could only watch in horror while hiding behind a tree.

She knew if her group had failed, it would be impossible for her to escape the bandits' chase. It was no secret that most outlaws lust after both money and women; she dared not to think what would happen to her and others. She thought desperately, brother, if only you were here!

At this point most fighters of the escort group were down either by death or by wound, and the few remaining men seemed so powerless that they posed no threat to the remaining seven bandits. A member of the brigand looked around and noticed Rukawa's cloaked figure, which was silent through all the slaughter. Taking him for a coward who dared not to fight, the bandit picked up a spear and shot toward him in disparagement.

"Rukawa!" Haruko yelled out in horror…and yelled again the next second, but in charmed euphoria.

The spear shot deep into the bark of the maple tree, and the figure that was sitting there a second again, now stood beside the still trembling spear. He threw away his cloak and pulled out his sword. As if peeling away a skin of disguise, he suddenly appeared to be entirely another person, feeble no longer, but shone with razor-edged radiance---bright, sharp and full of strength.

"Was it you who stirred my sleep?" He pinned the bandit who threw the spear with his eyes, glaring daggers at him. Surrounded by falling crimson leaves that danced upon his hair, his shoulder, his feet, and contrasted with his snowy-white tunic, he seemed almost inhuman, like a spirit of nature, beautiful yet deadly.

The accused one was shocked for a moment at the sudden change in appearance, but one look at the lean youth, he laughed and answered to the youth's question.

"Yes, I did. What, were you asleep through all this chaos? You've got some guts, kid! It seems you've some quick reflexes, wanna---"

"Be on guard." Stated the youth flatly.

"Sure, but what can a pretty boy like you do to me? Do you really think you can beat a man twice your size? Ha ha---"

His laughter was cut short suddenly. The cold sharp edge of the youth's sword had already touched his throat.

"I can." He heard the youth say, and that was the last thing he ever heard.

The remaining six bandits encircled Rukawa, who in turn looked back at them expressionlessly.

A gentle breeze blew past the short grasses by the riverside, and all was in silence. Suddenly the brigands were in action, two of them charged their horses toward the youth, aimed to kill. But Rukawa was evidently the more superior one when it came to swordsmanship, and with a few swift slashes of his sword, one horseman was down. Seeing this, all five charged at the same time. If they could not gain victory by skill, then they would do by number. No matter how extraordinarily skilled were the youth, he was only one, and they were five.

Rukawa snorted lightly, but made no attempt to move. He simply waited for the right time. For the second time today, he raised his sword. The air around him seemed to intensify.

And he glided.

Not physically gliding, but that was the only word that came to the bandits' minds. The youth's movement was so smooth and fluid, as if a gust of wind was blowing through them, aiming for every imperfect flaws there existed in their own techniques and postures.

To Haruko who was watching worriedly at a distance, Rukawa's movements were too fast for her to see clearly. She simply saw an ambiguous white silhouette whipped through the brigands, and all five horses fell, leaving the riders on foot. But ground-fight was surely one of Rukawa's virtues, because with every two or three slashes a bandit would fall. Within a few minutes there was only the leader standing, and wishing to retreat in fear of death. Rukawa re-sheathed his sword, not wishing to do more damage than what was needed.

Just as the leader of the bandits was starting to leave, a wave of music drifted to the ears of those who were still conscious. It was getting nearer rapidly, and soon a boat came into sight. It was a relatively large boat, and as it sailed closer all could see that it was constructed with delicacy and beauty. Haruko was used to seeing such fanciness, but Rukawa was not. He was fascinated by such extravagance of the boat. The leader of the bandits saw his chance, and with renewed hatred and anger, he charged his sword towards Rukawa's chest.

Had Rukawa not been distracted by the boat, he would never be wounded by such a simple move. But he was distracted, long enough that when he felt the air of danger, he was only able to dodge slightly. The glance of sword cut his left shoulder. He frowned as the pain kicked in, but before his enemy could pull off another move, he own sword had struck deep into the heart of his opponent.

Blood oozed out from his wound, leaving scarlet stains on his white tunic, but he would care less. Wiping his bloody sword on the nearest cloth he could find, he re-sheathed it again, looking as indifferent and reticent as ever, standing among the dead and the wounded.

Where should he go now? He wondered. He had no desire to stay with this group any longer, since most of them eyed him with fear. Also…

"Ru…Rukawa, you're still bleeding… Would you let me tend your wound?"

He turned his head at the shy voice, seeing a girl with a familiar face, holding some medicine and bandage timidly.

He remembered her, but at the moment he had no desire to attend his wound. Instead his attention was still fixed on that boat, which was passing by him very soon. This is it! He thought. Wasting no time, he ran to the bank of the river, leaped high into the air, and landed, exactly, on the deck of the boat.

The boat swayed a few times at the impact, but stabilized eventually. He looked back at the riverbank, seeing the girl who had offered him medication ran toward the boat and shouted something, but the passing wind and the increasing distance swallowed her voice.

He shrugged. He did not even know her. I owe them nothing now, he thought. I've just repaid their hospitality.

"Hey friend, what business brings you here?"

Rukawa turned around at the gentle voice, and saw a youth not much older than himself came into view from the boat's cabin. He was dressed in layers of fine embroidered silk, as well as some ornaments laced with precious gems, but most strikingly, his hair was fashioned as pointing upwards. Yet to Rukawa, the most important thing was that the newcomer also wore a sword beside his waist.

"I'm not a friend." Rukawa finally replied. "You're responsible for this." He pointed at the wound on his shoulder.

The other gaped at him with utmost confusion, "How so?"

"Distraction." Rukawa answered as simply as possible.

After a moment of silence, the other youth finally understood that Rukawa had no intention to explain further. So he lightly cleared his throat and tried again.

"I'm Sendoh Akira, the owner of this little boat. I don't know your intentions, but if you're just looking for a place to tend your wound, you're welcome to stay, so long as you don't damage any of my properties. Would this be reasonable?"

Rukawa nodded. Seeing there would be no more trouble, he started to inspect his wound.

"Excellent. Now would it be possible to know your name? But if it must remain a secret, you don't have to tell."

"Rukawa."

Sendoh watched amusedly as Rukawa ripped a strip off the bottom of his tunic, and clumsily tied it around his left shoulder. He waited until the other was finished and asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what's your forename?"

Rukawa frowned, but complied with the request, "Kaede."

"Rukawa Kaede… Nice name." Sendoh laughed, " 'Rukawa' means 'flowing river' in the ancient language of Shohoku, and 'Kaede' means 'maple'. How befitting of the current scene!" But seeing Rukawa's annoyance, he toned down his smile. "You wouldn't happen to be an apprentice of Master Anzai Mitsuyoshi, would you?"

Rukawa stared at him: How did he know?

As if he could read Rukawa's thoughts, Sendoh replied, "I'm an apprentice of Master Taoka Moichi, who is an old acquaintance of Master Anzai. Surely you have heard about him from your master?"

The young disciple of Anzai blinked several times, trying to recall this name. However, as he was digging through his one-tracked memory, he found something else. He remembered a year ago his master Anzai had leisurely talked of the name "Sendoh" as a talented young swordsman, whose skill could surely rival that of Rukawa's. At this recollection Rukawa's eyes blazed with belligerence.

"One-on-one!"

This time it was Sendoh who had to blink in confusion. Seeing this uninvited guest armed himself with a sword, several thoughts raced in his mind. He had heard from Taoka that Rukawa was the youngest and the most gifted apprentice of Anzai, so he was looking forward to meet him, perhaps to befriend him, or to rival him. In a split second he resumed his smile and answered, "I accept your challenge, but I won't fight you in your injured state. If you will lend me your trust for a moment, follow me and I'll apply some medicine to hasten the healing of your wound."

Rukawa looked at him curtly, then he lowered his eyes. By now Sendoh had figured out that Rukawa Kaede was a faithful follower of laconism, so he took the silence as a sign of approval.

"Come with me," said Sendoh, and into the cabin they went.

Along the riverbank outside the boat, falling leaves of maple trees danced in the refreshing autumn wind.

tbc…

Notes: Cheers! Rukawa and Sendoh have finally met, and the famous quote "one-on-one" is out too! Hehehe