Disclaimer: See prologue.
Rise of Samurai
Chapter 3
By UesugiKenshin
The ground was silent, after the bloodbath was witnessed. A man stood in the center, covered in blood. He looked like he was a creature from the pit of hell, no such monster could possible be from this earth. His unearthly screams faded into the night. No one was moving.
Keitaro gently swayed in the wind. He just stood before Kano's headless body. But his eyes weren't looking at the body, his eyes saw nothing. His body felt nothing, not even the wounds that had been inflicted upon him before. Everything was empty to Keitaro: mind, soul, and heart.
His body was protecting him from the agony, he did not want to remember and his body responded.
He did not even hear the crash of the iron gates, Motoko's attack was successful. She quickly made passage to the direction where she heard the scream.
What she saw was a painting of hell on earth. Keitaro was in the middle of that hell, drenched in blood. 'Keitaro!' Her mind screamed out before seeing the prone figure in front of Keitaro.
She believed she was in a nightmare, it terrorizing her mind with images.
A headless man was held in place by a sword struck through his heart. The head laid five feet away; the man's face was serene, contrary to the scene. His blood was splattered like how a child would splatter paint. The ground seemed to reject the blood offering, like the blood was cursed and it wanted nothing to do with it. And Keitaro just stood there, his sword still in his hand. The sword was still dripping with blood from its unholy task.
Motoko felt herself having to take a step back, trying to get rid of the sickly copperish smell of blood from her nose. It continued to permeate into the air.
'Kami-sama,' Her mind tried to sort out what happened here.
She just wanted to get away, leave the carnage behind. And she was about to, when her head laid eyes on the man the she loved.
'Keitaro, what happened…?' Motoko decided to quickly reach Keitaro and get him out of there, questions could wait for later.
She quickly sped up using her chi for giving herself greater endurance. She reached the middle of the unholy bloodbath.
"Keitaro…" She hoped her voice would reach the broken mind of the man. When Keitaro didn't respond, she slowly reached out and touched his shoulder.
Keitaro's body moved like lightning, his sword coming from his side to Motoko's neck in a heartbeat. His eyes terrified Motoko, it was completely black, no brown caring eyes that made Motoko feel safe whenever he looked at her. He did not seem to know who she was.
"Keitaro…" She tried again with her voice, now that he was facing her, hoping some of the power of her voice could bring back the same old Keitaro.
No such luck, but he did move his sword away from her neck. His grip loosened, and he dropped the sword. The clang of the sword was amplified a hundred fold in the death grip of the silence.
He just stood there, staring at nothing.
Motoko did the only thing that she thought could bring him back. She suddenly embraced the man, "Keitaro, please come back to me." With all her heart and soul, she said those words.
It worked.
"Motoko?" Keitaro said weakly, "What happened?"
"Keitaro, you don't remember?" Motoko gently questioned him, not wanting to break the fragility of humanity she was able to bring back.
But Keitaro did remember, and what happened during the duel began to rush through his mind. His demon side took over completely, humanity be damned.
"No, no!" Keitaro pushed away Motoko; he quickly backed off, nearly losing his balance.
"Don't touch me Motoko, Don't Touch ME!"
Keitaro took off toward the shattered gates, pushing aside the guards that stood terrified as the man splattered crimson ran past them.
"Keitaro, wait!" Motoko began her chase. She looked at herself; her embrace with Keitaro had covered her with blood as well. 'What really happened?'
Tokugawa could not believe his eyes. One moment Keitaro looked like he would be killed, annihilated by Kano's sword.
The next, Keitaro transforms into a demon, no human could ever hold that terrible expression, laughing at Kano's bleeding form. All because of something inaudible that Kano said to Keitaro. 'What kind of man allows himself to abandon all humanity?'
Tokugawa was troubled. 'Such men are uncontrollable. Should I have gone to such lengths to bring out the demon?'
"H-have the eta, clean up that…" Tokugawa couldn't find the words to speak the remains.
"H-hai!" The samurai began to move to obey his commands. They were all horrified. All of the men here had abandoned their humanity once, but never to this extent. They had all felt the pain of killing a fellow human. All had cried the first time.
But the butchery before them was not just a killing. It was complete obliteration.
They brought in the eta, the lowliest ranking in the Feudal society. The leather curriers, the gravediggers, the menial jobs that not man would ever touch. And the samurai were glad, and blessed their karma that they wouldn't have to touch Kano's body.
"Kaemon," Tokugawa pointed at his daughter, "Send Takara-chan to her room."
"Yes my lord," Kaemon had to carry the traumatized girl.
Tokugawa turned and left his sit, he had much to mull over.
In Takara's mind, the scene was forever etched. She saw the blade enter and leave Kano's body. She saw the sword impaling his heart. She saw the stroke that took off his head.
She could not believe any man was capable of such carnage on another human being. She just couldn't.
Urashima-san wouldn't do such a thing, he just couldn't! Her mind of her mind tried to explain the situation.
But he did, and he loved every moment of it. You saw the glee in his eyes. You cannot mistake that he loved every moment of it. The dark side of her soul answered her.
He was just…He was just…
He abandoned all humanity for something. He never saw you, and only you saw him. Something else Kano said set him off. I think it was that woman, Kano said something about her. Why else would Urashima do such a thing? No man would just lose his humanity for anything. She will comfort him.
I wanted to be there, I wanted to comfort him! I wanted to tell him that he took my heart away the moment I laid my eyes on him!
But you never did… you were afraid, you were afraid of him. You were afraid that he might have killed you. You have too much fear and now, that other woman is chasing him, she will comfort him.
I will go after him.
It is too late, by now you lost your chance. She will comfort him; she will take him to her bed. And he will love every moment of it. You lost all chance Takara, give up on him.
No, he pushed her away!
You know why, he needs time to adjust; time will partially erase his pain. And she will be there to mend his heart.
I want to be the one who does it…Now, now Takara. You're sounding like a child… and Urashima wouldn't love a child… he will love a woman… like her.
No… No!Takara's poor mind was raped again and again by the images of her first love being taken away by that woman, the woman who seemed to hold Keitaro's heart.
Tokugawa sat on his tatami mat, and called for tea. The castle servants promptly delivered it. He stared at his tea, seeing his reflection in the calm water.
He slapped away the cup in self-disgust, the tea splattering all over the walls.
'Damn my impatience, why did I press Urashima too early?' Tokugawa replayed the scene in his mind.
'I should have foreseen this happening. Now my gem has flaws, will I be able to bring it back to its former splendor? Or it is lost to me forever?'
The servants quickly rushed out to clean the mess; they were all in fear of Tokugawa's rage. They had never seen him so angry, he was always stoic, never showing any sentiment. It was not the samurai way, to express emotion was to lose concentration, and losing focus meant death.
'Damn Kano, his womanizer affinity must have been what set Urashima off. He must have talking about that woman.' Tokugawa made up his mind.
"Kaemon!"
Kaemon looked from his position outside the door. "Yes my lord?"
"Kano's family is commit mass seppuku. No one shall be left alive; his actions nearly lost me the person who could bring definite victory."
Kaemon blanched, "M-my lord… even the children?"
"No one is to be left alive! Even the children shall be sentenced to death!" Tokugawa roared.
"Yes, my lord…" Kaemon was about to obligate his lord's demand when Tokugawa called out for him again.
"I want all heads, man, woman, and child on pikes outside their family home. Others will know what dishonor Kano brought upon himself. His family's lands will be given to Urashima if we could bring him back to normal."
"I will make sure the deed is carried out my lord, according to your wishes." Kaemon gave a half kneel; his armor was too cumbersome to give a traditional bow.
Tokugawa saw his chief guard leave to complete his task. It was distasteful to completely annihilate a samurai family but the situation called for desperate measures. The opposite side outnumbered his forces by several thousands of men. He was almost in rebellion against Toyotomi Hideyoshi's council of five regents. All that would not matter if he won, but till then, he was still vulnerable. He was using his spies to spread to several western commanders that he would give clemency if they turned to his side in the upcoming battle. Even with all contingency plans in order, he would gladly accept Urashima's expertise with the sword, to give his men something to believe on the battlefield.
They will be fighting for his name, they will fight like tigers. Give them a sense of invulnerability, and they fight like gods. In battle, numbers is not always the decider of victory, but in the heart of the men fighting. A man fighting half-heartily is worthless as dirt.
'Right now my army is down on moral, and Urashima will bring them the flames to rekindle their warrior spirit!' Tokugawa could only hope Motoko could bring him back to the world of man.
"Yoshi!" Tokugawa had to guard his treasure. His ninja master suddenly appeared before his tatami mat.
"What it my lord?" Yoshi bowed deeply before Tokugawa.
Yoshi looked like a sickly man, someone who most people would never give a second glance, or if they did, they would find reasons to avoid him. What they did not notice was the most deadly man in Yedo before them. His ninja clan had served Tokugawa for years, ever since Tokugawa offered them land if he would win the upcoming battle.
"Send your two best ninja to look after Urashima and his woman."
"I will send Chiko and her sister Jun'ko, to guard over him my lord." Yoshi bowed again and disappeared.
"That will do."
Tokugawa decided to visit his concubine tonight; he felt his wa or harmony, constricted by events that happened tonight.
'Yukiko always was able to make me feel rejuvenated, and I want to see my son again.'
For the first time tonight, Tokugawa smiled.
Keitaro!" Motoko had been chasing after him, slowly closing on his person. Motoko was finally close enough to seize his body and throw him to the ground.
As she lay on top of him, she was in an uncomfortable position. Any other time, it would have brought embarrassment and blushes to their faces if the situation wasn't so somber.
"Motoko, I said don't touch me!" Keitaro tried to push her body off him, but he was so weak and tired. He stopped his struggle as soon as he started them.
"Why won't you just leave me alone…" he cried, every tear a swipe to her heart.
"Because Keitaro, I… I care for you too much," She finally got off his body; she knew that he wouldn't run.
"Why would you care for a monster like me? Didn't you see what I did back there? I killed a man… a man with family, a wife and kids… I just killed their father Motoko, I just killed their father!" Keitaro sobbed, "They will never learn how it feels to have a father, and they will grow up without a father… I don't deserve to live Motoko, please… just kill me now!"
He reached ineffectively for her sword, trying to stab himself. Motoko jumped away just far enough. "Keitaro, killing yourself will not help your cause." Motoko said soothingly.
"I can't, I just can't…live like this…" Keitaro looked like he was about to flee from his predicaments again.
Motoko again grasped the broken man in her arms, giving him the fortitude he was sorely lacking. "Keitaro, I will always be with you. I will help you; I will never leave your side."
Keitaro melted into her arms; he cried and cried till the tears would no longer come out.
Motoko had to basically carry Keitaro back to the house, house servants still awake at the bewitching hour. They looked in fright as both their master and mistress were covered in blood. They quickly went to heat up the bath.
They both sat outside, not wanting to fill up their house with the stench of blood. Keitaro slowly walked over to the garden, its tranquil beauty finally giving him some peace.
"Motoko."
"Yes Keitaro?" Motoko looked at Keitaro lay himself on the medium sized boulder that was the center piece of the garden.
"Look at the sky, so beautiful."
Motoko also looked up the sky, it was as if the gods were playing marble with the stars, hundreds upon hundreds of stars shined their glow upon them.
"Beautiful…" Motoko whispered. She hadn't seen the sky so luminous since her training in Kyoto.
"Without the artificial lights that blots out their shine, stars are magnificent…"
"Yes…"
"Also look at the moon Motoko…" Keitaro remembered his last thoughts before duel.
"Do you know what I was thinking of when I saw that moon before my duel?"
"What?"
"I was thinking of you, and would you have seen the same moon."
Motoko grew red and redder. 'His last thoughts were of me?'
"Yes, I thought it was the gift from the gods, granting me such awe aspiring beauty before my death."
"I was just saddened that I could never see such sight again, without you…" Kaa, redness came to Keitaro's face.
Both persons looked at each other; there was a flicker between them. They were both afraid; this was something new between them. For Motoko it was her first, she had never allowed a male near her. Keitaro, he loved Naru, but he gave his heart to Motoko. Naru was his first love, but she never gave him an answer, always running from the truth. Motoko was willing to give a chance at love and she had been there when he needed someone the most.
Bubum… Bubump… Bubump…Their hearts raced at a hundred miles per hour…
"Urashima-sama!" Aki quickly shuffled her feet to reach the two new lovebirds.
The moment was shattered but love was never gone, Motoko and Keitaro both faced away.
"What is it Aki?" Keitaro looked up the huffing house servant, and stopped her from bowing.
"Your baths are ready…"
"I understand."
Keitaro reached the baths and slowly dipped himself into the steaming water. He saw the servants take out his old kimono outside and burn them. They laid a fresh new kimono so he would have something to wear.
'So effective,' He began to wash himself.
He scrubbed his face vigorously, getting rid of his sin. When he thought he was clean enough, he decided to wash his arms.
Before he did, he looked at his hands. 'These hands have killed…' Keitaro had been trying not to remember, but memories are alien things, once opened they do not like to be put back.
He saw Kano's frightened face as he picked up his former blade. He struck Kano's blade into Kano's heart, the blood… the blood…
"Ahh!" Keitaro screamed. He stared wildly around him; the blood was reappearing on his arms. The blood that seemed like it disappeared during the bath. It came back.
Keitaro picked up his scrubber and began to furiously scrub at his bare skin.
"Why… Why won't it disappear?"
His skin was rubbed raw all over, but he didn't care. The blood always came back.
He tried to get out of the bath but it always seemed to suck him back in.
Motoko made an appearance; she had heard his scream from her bath.
At first she thought he was being attacked but she had heard him scream out "Why won't it disappear," on the way into his bath.
'Survivor's guilt, he survived and Kano died. Most of the times people blame whatever that killed the other, but Keitaro did the killing himself so he will force pain onto himself!'
Motoko held the man for the third time tonight. "Keitaro, there is no more blood, no more blood…"
"Why do I keep remembering him?"
"Because you are human Keitaro, killing another is the most terrible pain one has to face on this world."
"…"
"Keitaro, we will get through this together."
Keitaro slowly nodded.
"Let's go to bed."
For the next couple of days, Motoko had to stop several suicide attempts that Keitaro tried. He felt he was too guilty to live but she was always able to bring him back. Both their love grew, Keitaro was thankful for her support and she was happy to give it.
One day, the two of them shared their first kiss. It was again in the garden at night. Both of them staring at the night sky, it was their special place. Keitaro again talked about how beautiful everything was, mentioning indirectly the most beautiful thing was next to him. This time, there was no bath waiting for them. No Aki to stop their hearts' desire.
They felt more alive then ever before. Their lips slowly touching, almost like a breath rather then an actual contact.
They turned away as soon as they touched, embarrassed.
Keitaro gathered up enough will to ask the question.
"Motoko… lets try that again…"
"Ok…"
Their second kiss was more adorned; they explored each other's mouth with their tongues, more intimate.
So into their love that neither Motoko nor Keitaro noticed a black shadow leap back to Yedo castle.
Soft knocks were heard on Tokugawa's door.
"Yes Kaemon?" It was late, 'What could be the problem?'
"My lord, one of the ninja assigned to guard Urashima-san and Aoyoma-san is here to report."
"Let her in."
Tokugawa was always in awe of the ninja, even though he was their lord, they could be unpredictable. The lithe ninja woman, climbed through the door with a catlike movement. Looking around like a cat, missing nothing.
"My lord, there seemed to be more samurai guard in here today…" Chiko chuckled, Tokugawa had nothing to fear but she could see him trembling ever so slightly, only in her trained her eyes did she see the movement.
'There is another presence… it is Tokugawa's daughter, Takara…' Chiko frowned, 'She is always here when I am to report… could she be listening for what happens to Urashima?'
Chiko thought no more of Takara as Tokugawa berated her, "More guards or not that is not your place to question, now report."
"Yes my lord, Aoyoma-san has almost brought Urashima-san back to normal, he is still a bit unwell, but will be fine in couple of more days."
"Truly?" Tokugawa was exuberant; his gem was back to normal.
"Yes, and more… They are getting closer; I believe their love is growing to new heights."
"Interesting…" Tokugawa had all but forgotten about Takara and Keitaro. He was just afraid to lose his emblem.
"Yes my lord, and now…" Chiko continued onto the report that her father had given on the current situation in Osaka.
Takara had indeed been listening in on Chiko's report. She was delighted that Keitaro was almost back to his former self. But when Chiko went onto talk about Motoko and Keitaro getting closer, her heart despaired.
'Urashima-san is falling in love with that woman?' She was in distress.
'I love him… That woman cannot have him!' But she saw no way to take him away from her unless… 'He will continue to fall for her unless… I have his child in my womb.'
Takara smirked, 'with his child, father will be forced to marry me to him, and that woman will be a second rate concubine.'
'But how to get him to make love to me?' Again her mind thought of a solution, 'the mama-san at the Moonlight Willows could help me… and the courtesan, Black Widow works there… with her expertise, I will be carrying Urashima-san's child before the next full moon.'
With her mind set up, Takara decided to visit the Moonlight Willows the very next night.
Takara was able to find the funds to pay the mama-san. As a woman, she was taught by her mother how to deal with all kinds of situations that her husband might need to spend money, to pay his soldiers, for courtesans, and others occasions that might arise.
She didn't have a husband yet, so she took a few ryo from her father, he would never allow her to carry out her plan if he knew.
'What he doesn't know can't hurt him.' Takara was in love, she did not care whatever the consequences that could come from her actions. All she wanted was Keitaro.
She was able to slip past the guards that her father assigned with ease. They were all admiring the courtesans in the window shops. They never noticed her leave.
Takara made tracks to the biggest building in the red light district; it seemed to be out of place around the lower brothel surround it. It was almost regal compared to the rest of the buildings.
She entered the front door, and of course everyone there immediately recognized her. The house servants rushed to get the mama-san to greet Takara. Takara didn't have to wait long.
"Takara-san…" the mama-san bowed. She was once a beautiful courtesan that was able to make enough money to create her own house. Now she was an ugly hag, but she was the owner of this establishment and all the courtesans and house servants answered to her.
"What can I do for you Takara-san?" Mama-san was delighted, 'Maybe Tokugawa wants to buy Blooming Sakura from me!'
'And sent his daughter to establish the cost for her, oh ko… how much should I ask? Three thousand koku? No… better not be greedy.' She cautioned herself, 'Start at two thousand five hundred… yes, that…'
"I am looking for a courtesan…" Takara stated.
The mama-san was almost having an orgasm, her excitement overpowering her, 'Two thousand five koku… enough to buy out that other establishment, and make mine theonly one!'
"… for myself." Takara concluded. She was disgusted by the mama-sans expression, 'merchants… pah… worse then peasants, at least peasants farm the land, I should get rid of this … foul presence from my sight.' She was glad to see her comment shut up the mama-san.
"W-what Takara-san?" Mama-san was indeed in shock, 'courtesan for herself!'
"I said I wanted a courtesan for myself." Takara was amusing herself with the brainless expression on mama-san's face.
When she was finally able to speak, mama-san croaked, "N-none of our courtesans are trained to pleasure a woman…"
"There must be one mama-san," Takara mocked the woman, "I want your best, I want Black Widow…" She smiled most evilly.
'Black Widow?' Mama-san was about to faint, only a few knew of the woman called Black Widow, nevertheless asked for her.
Black Widow was the nickname of the cruelest woman at the establishment. She was a stunning beauty; no one could match her in her beauty or the coldness in her heart. She was once in love but that man ran away with another courtesan. Instead of making her more repulsive with the loss, she became a thousand times more beautiful. The man came back for her, when he got tired with the other courtesan, and she allowed him to make love to her for one last time. After that she stabbed him in the eyes with needles and feed him arsenic. She watched him scream and twitch in pain the whole time.
After that she allowed the men to only sleep with her once, after that they died mysteriously. Thus her nickname, the Black Widow, she killed almost all the men that she made love with. The few that survived the night with her, she never allowed them to ever touch her again.
"Takara-san that is impossible!" Mama-san wanted this woman out of her building, "I…"
She couldn't complete her sentence, her eyes grew round as Takara dropped a gold ryo in front of her. Worth a month's pay for a foot samurai.
She swallowed, 'So much money but death…'
Takara dropped a second ryo.
'Death…'
Takara finally dropped a third ryo, in front of mama-san, laid enough gold to pay a peasant village for an entire year.
"Mama-san, after this is done, I will pay you three more ryo." Takara had to bribe the woman, as much as she found the current situation distasteful, Keitaro meant that much to her.
"Cho!" Mama-san cried for Black Widow's understudy, a ten-year girl, just going through how to be a courtesan.
"Yes mama-san?" Cho said, running to mama-san's commands.
"Go find Black Widow and tell her to bring her shamisen and other items." Before Cho could leave, mama-san whispered in her ears, "Tell Black Widow the client is Takara-san!"
Cho's eyes grew wide, 'The daimyo's daughter?' She quickly sped up her pace to reach her mentor.
"Now Takara-san, this way…" Mama-san pointed to the best room in the house.
Takara nodded and let herself to be lead to the room.
She was served tea the moment she entered the room. Fifteen minutes past before Black Widow was made presentable.
Black Widow entered the room with her shamisen and other items she would need to pleasure Takara. She had never done 'it' with a woman, but Cho had told her the enormous amount of gold Takara had presented. And she was ready for anything.
"Should I …" Black Widow tried to speak but Takara interrupted her.
"Put all those things away, I only need information on seduction."
"W-what?" The turn of events shocked the Black Widow.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Takara grew irritable, "I said I only need information on seduction."
"Yes Takara-san," Black Widow's mind whirled, trying to figure out who the person that had caught the daimyo's daughter's heart.
"I see that you are curious Moonbeam," Takara decided to use Black Widow's real courtesan name, "Yes, you are very curious…"
'This woman is trained by someone to read emotions…' Black Widow became more guarded, "How can one not be, Takara-san? Every woman would be curious on the man who caught your eyes."
"Hrm, who the person is none of your concern," Takara said, she knew that the information might be used against her and she might never get the child that would complete her plans.
"Of course Takara-san, what kind of man is he?"
"He is already in love with another."
'A married man?' Black Widow voiced her thoughts, "A married man? Takara-san that would violate our laws, the man can have one wife and many concubines. I cannot help you seduce a married man!"
"He is in love with another; I never said he was married!" Takara shuddered; Chiko said they had begun to get close, but never to the point of intercourse. A husband and wife would have intercourse… 'I hope… Or I might be too late…'
"Ah, then there is many ways to steal a man Takara-san."
"Is he fond of the arts? Or the body? Or does he prefer both?"
"I don't know." Takara admitted.
"Takara-san, without that information seduction will be nearly impossible…" Black Widow was incensed, 'what a stupid woman! She is love with a man and not know his preference!'
"Wipe off that ugly thought Moonbeam," Takara said coolly, she saw the face of the woman in front of her change for a brief moment.
"O-of course Takara-san."
"I will figure out and come back before the end of this week."
Takara handed her a gold ryo, "If you tell me how to seduce him, that amount will triple."
She walked to the door, and still facing the outside she whispered her threat, "If you tell anyone of what I asked here, I will have you killed."
She continued to walk out, not even bothering to speak to the mama-san who asked her how well Black Widow had performed.
A/N: I made a mistake from the previous chapter; geisha class wasn't created till couple of years from 1600. I should put courtesan, instead of geisha.
I have a request from you guys. I am deciding to fix this story's OOC. If I do such thing, the story will be delayed from chapter 5 on. It will take a month to full research the Battle of Sekigahara, the samurai class, and ninjas to bring it more into the fold. When leaving your next reviews, please place 1 for yes to delay and more authentic or 2 for no, and I will continue more or less like how I been continuing.
Peacemaker, Thank you for your awesome services. Claps