Hello all, I am a day late on this update, but it's here and in what i feel is a more reasonable time than i've been doing. I hope you enjoy and as always

Stay Caffeinated~~

The one thing Yamura hated above all else was guard duty. Standing around staring out into the forest was his own personal hell, but everyone had to do their part. With leader's plan on taking over each ruling Lord's area one section at a time finally in full swing, there really wasn't much time left in the day to goof off like he wanted.

And man had it been a minute since the last time he had a woman under him.

"Agghh". He aimlessly kicks a clump of Earth away from him. At the very least they could have settled on two-man guard duty. At least then, he'd have someone to talk to.

Now, Yamura loved being a bandit. The raids, the plundering, the killing. He lived for it. Watching people beg for their lives, for their children's lives. And the women! Hell, the stupid whores would do just about anything if they think it'll keep them alive.

But this…this moment here; with nothing but trees, leaves, and dirt for company, was what he hated most about being a bandit. There was no action. Nothing to stimulate and excite him. And lately, this was the highlight of his days. He'd stand around for several hours watching the grass grow, get relieved and have a meal, go to sleep and wake up for his post again.

A routine that was slowly driving him mad.

Guard. Eat. Sleep.

Guard. Eat. Sleep.

He wasn't even a part of the ambush the other night because his post happened during the goddamn morning!

Nothing ever exciting happened on his post.

That is until an arrow ran straight through his throat embedding itself in the tree he was leaning on and pinning him to it soundlessly.

As Yamura chokes silently on his blood, he watches as the six man group casually walk by.

"That's not fair!" An abnormally tall lean woman approaches Yamura's dying body a firm pout on her face, "I called him first, Yaruki, and you fucking know it."

Yamura's eyes flicker to the other approaching form. A smaller woman with piercing violet eyes set against a cold neutral expression. For a moment, he saw a flicker of guilt light her face as her mouth twitches in disgust.

"Fuck." She says softly leaning closer to him, "I think I missed his spine." She lets out a low sigh shaking her head, "He's not dead yet if you want to finish him."

The taller woman snorts, "I don't want your sloppy seconds. I'll find my own good looking man."

"Calling him good looking is a bit of a stretch don't you think?"

Yamura's eye twitches at the insult.

"Let's go you two!"

The tall woman huffs walking back to catch up with the group leaving the hotter one to stand before him. She watches him struggle for a moment longer before loading another arrow, "I'm sorry. I usually don't miss like that. I guess I'm still a bit hungover."

She positions it right at his eye, "Sleep well."

The encampment was small.

A bit too small, for the hassle these bandits had been causing. The job was done within minutes of our arrival, but something didn't sit right with me about the whole thing.

"See! This is what happens when you let a woman pick a job. WASTE. OF. TIME!"

I make an obscene gesture towards Jakotsu as I stepped towards what I could only assume to be the main tent of the camp. A loud battle cry sounds giving me enough of a warning to jump back just as a sword slices through the flap and air where I once was.

I lose my footing falling to my ass and by chance missing another swing of the bandit's blade. He brings the blade up high once more only to be sliced into quarters by Jakotsu's freak of a blade.

"HA! Saved your life! You owe me."

"The fact that I haven't shot you yet, Jakotsu, should be repayment enough." I stand to my feet and snatch the flap of the tent open with more force than needed. My eyes scan over the makeshift meeting room swiping any supplies or money left begin before flipping through papers, letters, notes anything really to figure out where the rest of them were hiding.

"Look at her. She's like a fucking hunting dog."

I roll my eyes ignoring the movement of Jakotsu and one other member as I continue to sift through the paperwork noting letters of plans and areas the group would be taking over. I glance up for a moment to see Renkotsu pick up a letter I just finished with.

He scans the letter at a faster pace than I did and hums, "They appear to be more organized than I initially believed."

I nod holding up a map to him, "Yeah, they're trying to overthrow most of the ruling Lords around the area. Ambitious little shits really, but I was right. There are more and they don't seem to be too far from here."

I feel Jakotsu lean over my shoulder to look at the map I started studying again.

"But they aren't in the immediate area of the village."

I glare up at Renkotsu, "Yeah, but they are still the same group. So, we should just go after them and finish the job."

"If there's more killing to be done, then I'm in."

I nod a quick thank you to Jakotsu. "See, there you go! You all get to kill more. Doesn't that tickle your little black heart? Plus…" I shift though the papers once more before finding what I was looking for, "There's over fifty of these guys, at least." I say shaking the paper at him, "More fodder for you all to have fun with."

Renkotsu growls knocking my hand away from him, "I understand the two of share the same weak mind, but follow my words closely. If we go beyond what was agreed, then who exactly will pay us for the extra work?"

"Riiight, but if we waste time going all the way back to the village, we run the risk of them discovering what we've done here and running."

"I fail to see how that would be our problem."

"We're being paid to wipe out the bandits-"

"Bandits near the village, which we've done. If they want us to do more than they must pay for it." Renkotsu steps closer to me and I match his steps craning my neck to glare at him properly, "They will also pay for this information that we've gathered, so keep your mouth shut."

I sneer at him, "You're a real piece of shit I hope you know that. Not everything is about money. We have the chance to do something good. To help these villagers, and here you are wanting to hold this information to ourselves. Think of the benefits we could bring these people if we just go after them now.

"And it's because of that precise ideology that makes women unfit to lead jobs. Big Brother may insist on having you in charge but do not forget that your place is beneath us." He leans in closer, "Preferably on your knees."

Jakostu bursts into laughter as I narrow my eyes at him feeling my face curl into an ugly snarl.

"Here lies the bald bitch Renkotsu

Who thought today was the day

And that I was the one."

"Is that supposed to-" He jerks back right as my blade bites the underside of his chin, and I chase after him taking as many strikes to his body as I could make. He leaps out the tent and takes a swig out of his gourd just as I flip my knife to throw it.

"HEY! HEY! Cut it out!"

We both freeze at Bankotsu's command glaring at one another as he approaches. "What's wrong now!?"

Renkotsu and I continue to glare at one another for a moment before I stand down, "I think we should go after the whole group. I found some letters in the tent proving there is a bigger camp, maybe even their main one. You all were just bitching about how this camp wasn't any fucking fun, so I mentioned this to that disappointing rice ball over there, and he went on his mighty man woman hating bullshit again after stating that we should charge the village for this info and charge extra for the larger camp."

"As we should."

I throw my glare at Bankotsu, "What?!"

"If you're good at something, Yaruki, you don't do it for free. If we have information they want, then yeah we should charge them for it."

I catch the smug look on Renkotsu's face and I throw him a violent sneer.

"Ok, but-"

"Gather anything you can find that's of value and let's start heading back."

I deflate slightly as I watch him walk away trying steady my irritation. Suddenly, a line of fire dances dangerously close to my feet and I jump back with a yelp before letting out a low growl at the smirking Renkotsu.

Assholes. Every one of them.

"Are you still mad?"

I keep my eyes forwards treating Bankotsu's question like most of the others' idle conversations and ignoring it. He moves a little closer to me and my eyes flicker over to him for a second before moving them back to the path in front of me. He lets out a sigh as he shifts in front of me while walking backwards.

My eyes harden into a glare.

"You have to admit that Renkotsu's right about-"

"I'd rather piss blood."

"Yaruki."

"No, ok. And since when did you care about money? I figured you of all people would be like 'hell yeah, let's go slaughter more people for the hell of it.' But no…here you are agreeing with that angry nipple-headed bastard."

Banktosu lets out a soft laugh, "I don't care about money. It's just a lot of these guys aren't a challenge for me, so if I'm not having fun with it then I might as well get paid for it."

I roll my eyes at him before pushing him out of my way after finally seeing the village entrance in the distance. "Oh well, excuse me. I didn't realize you had fucking standards when it came to who you killed." I shift away from his hand as he tries to pull me back to him and begin walk backwards towards the entrance so that I could continue fussing at him.

"The one fucking time I'm actually ok with you- all of you in fact- going all hack slash happy, and you don't want to do it. So, you know what, fuck it and fuck you. I don't care anymore." I spin around and come face to face with a soldier's pike.

Instantly, more guards appear and roughly grab hold of me, "HEY! HEY! LET GO! It's us! We're coming back from the job you idiots gave us."

"We know who you are, and you're under arrest."

"For fucking what?!" I glare at the solider whose pike is still in my face, and he jerks it forwards almost piercing me if I hadn't of moved in time. "WATCH IT, YOU SHIT!"

I glance backwards to see more guards surrounding the others, but they remain in their spots eyes on Bankotsu; waiting for the go ahead.

"If you value your men, then I suggest you let my archer go."

The solider in front of me snorts, "This does not concern you or your group. Report to our Lord for your payment and leave. This woman here is under arrest for murder and threats against the good people of this village."

I stop struggling at his words and huff, "Can you prove anything?"

"We have plenty of witnesses who can vouch for your bloodied state and the innkeeper you threatened. The body of the young woman who was with you was found torn apart and even you admit to having been with her last." He lowers the pike slightly and presses the tip to my throat, "That is more than enough to have you beheaded."

"Last chance."

I glance back over to see Bankotsu's grip tighten on his Banryuu, "Let me speak with your Lord."

The solider huffs, "There is nothing more you can say. The decision has been made."

I roll my eyes, "Alright so let me explain something to you really quick. You have two options going forward: 1. you lower your weapons and escort me to your Lord where I can state my case and where my companions can get their pay."

"And the second choice?"

"Well, those five men behind me will proceed to put you and your men through the most painful and needlessly gruesome deaths you can imagine. I, personally, don't want you all go through that. I'm a bit of a bleeding heart you see, buuuuut there really isn't much I can do once they get going."

The solider growls as his eyes flicker between me and the others.

"Also, just to tip the scales in your favor; That bandit camp that's been just decimating your brothers in arms here for the better part of what I can only assume is a couple of months now; yeah, those five men fucked that camp over. Left no survivors." I lock eyes with him just to make sure I had his full attention for the last part of my sentence, "And were upset afterwards because it ended so quickly."

I break the eye contact and shrug, "But you know, it's your choice. I just thought I'd put that out there for you."

There is a moment of quiet contemplation among the soldiers before the one in charge nods, "Fine, but by order of this land, criminals are not allowed to speak on their own behalf. They must present someone of strong moral standing to speak for them. Do you have such a person?"

I glare at him, "What kind of stupid-"

"Do you or do you not have someone of good moral standing who can speak on your behalf?"

I stare at the man for a moment then turn to scan over the group of mercenaries behind me before looking back at the solider, "…Define good."

The guards grip on me tightens as they begin to lead me off.

"Yaruki-" Bankotsu tone is low. A warning.

"Just…hang on ok!" I throw him a waning look over my shoulder, "Let's not jump to any major conclusion and just vouch for me to the Lord."

"Or I could just kill them all and save time."

I dig my heels in the ground slowing the guards' movements before throwing another glare over my shoulder, "Don't-" I stop myself taking a moment to reword my sentence with an annoyed huff, "Will you please just speak on my behalf. Plus, if you kill everyone, you won't get paid."

"This is stupid, you know that right."

The guards proceed to haul me off.

"Banktosu, just…FUCKS SAKE!"

They had me sitting in that cell for damn near most of the day before someone finally came and took me to the Lord. As they slide open the doors, I take a minute to scan the room. Various samurai and soldiers all seated around the center of the room. Those of lower rank standing along the walls, weapons ready. My eye catches one as he jerks forwards. I stare at his masked face for a moment and although I could not see his eyes, I knew they were locked intensely on me.

At the front, seated upon a raise platform sat a muscular man dressed in ornate clothing, not quiet young, but not old either. His face is stern as his eyes scan me for a moment. A look of slight confusion flickers over his face as I am pushed towards the center of the room and forced into a kneeling position.

"What is your name, woman."

The guards release me, and I take a minute to stretch before settling back on my haunches, "Yaruki"

"You are aware of the charges against you, Yaruki?"

"I'm aware that you all have no proof outside of the opinions of others."

"Multiple people have witnessed your bloodied state and have overheard your threats to the inn keeper. I doubt all of them are merely imagining things."

"I've already explained my state to your men, and I never threatened anyone."

"Of course the accused will vouch for their own innocence." He takes a minute to study me more, "Which is why I require someone else of good standing to speak on the criminal's behalf." He rubs his chin letting out a low sigh, "I must admit I find it difficult to think one such as yourself is capable of doing what was done to that poor girl, but I cannot deny the claims of my people."

"Has anyone come forwards stating that they saw me kill my friend?"

"I have no reason to doubt the word of my villagers. They are loyal and honest people. Quick to report anything that may put the village in trouble."

"Well that's pretty biased if you ask me."

"Watch your tongue, girl."

"All I'm saying is that it doesn't leave much chance for travelers."

"I've never had issues with travelers before your arrival. Now who are you presenting to vouch for your where abouts and character?"

"I guess that's me."

I turn seeing Bankotsu for the first time since walking into the room, and god the look of sheer utter boredom on this man's face would have had me laughing if it wasn't so terrifying.

His violent streak hit a lot harder when he is bored.

He throws me an annoyed side eye as he flops down cross legged next to me. He makes an audible sigh as he props his elbow on his knee and rests his chin in the palm of his hand. I mean for fuck's sake he could at least pretend to be respectful.

This act doesn't go unnoticed by the Lord, and I could see the slight twinge of rage behind his eye.

"So, this mercenary is the one you want to clear your name?"

I flash the Lord a quick smile as a reply and the Lord turns his gaze to Bankotsu, "And what exactly have you done that's proof of your goodness."

Bankotsu stares at him for a lot longer than what's appropriate prompting me to nudge him slightly, "You're not dead yet, so…"

"EXCUSE YOU!?"

"BANDITS!" I say louder than necessary while discreetly pinching Bankotsu's side, "What he means is that the bandits would have killed you all if it wasn't for him, soooo that's his proof."

"That's hardly acceptable given that he was paid to clear out the bandits."

I sit up a bit straighter ignoring Bankotsu's glare, "Yes; however, if we had not offered our services to you at the time, more of you would be dead by now. Also, we've discovered they're overall plans as well as the location of their main camp." I motion towards Banktosu, "A task that they would be more than happy to do for free, as a sign of good will towards the village."

"THE FUCK!?"

I slap my hand over his mouth never breaking eye contact with the Lord, "Yes. FOR. FREE. Because that is just how…moral…this man is. I cannot state that he is an overall good man because he does kill for money, but he is not ruth-MMmm." My lips twitch unable to complete that lie. "He is not bloo-ughhhh." My throat seals momentarily and I let out a low sigh, "…He's…help…ful?" I squint my eyes slightly trying to assess if that was a lie I could swallow, "…Yeah…yes, helpful. This man right here is that." I throw him a warning stare as I remove my hand, "And because he's so helpful, I feel that his helpfulness should be an adequate replacement for goodness."

Bankotsu looks at me for a moment before huffing, "I really hope you stretched with all that fucking reaching you just did." He mutters and I clear my throat as I throw another bright smile at the Lord.

The Lord leans forwards studying our faces, "So you offer to clear out the remaining bandits for free?"

"There's that fucking word aga-"

I slap my hand over Bankotsu's mouth, "Yes, if you will accept his statements on my character and whereabouts."

"Are these terms acceptable to you?" The Lord asks staring Bankotsu down. Bankotsu matches his stare for a moment before removing my hand from his mouth. He leans in closer to me so that only I could hear him.

"If you want me to go through with this your way, understand that I will get paid one way or another."

I roll my eyes, "What's your price."

"You."

My face scrunches in confusion as I look at him, "What do you- Oooooh…" I feel my face heat up instantly, and I shake my head, "That's a bit much don't you think?"

"And all this isn't? I can easily clear out this whole room and be done with it. You're the one putting on this little show, so…if you want me to play along, you have to pay my price."

"This is very underhanded and manipulative of you, I hope you know that."

"You don't have to agree, but I won't entertain this anymore either. You're choice."

"Where was all this 'let me kill them' energy back when we were at the camp?"

"Yes or no, Yaruki."

I let out an annoyed huff, "I just find it rather annoying how one minute you're all 'it has to provide me with a challenge' but now- and you and I both know none one here can provide you with a proper challenge- I have to bargain with you to not kill someone?"

"So that's a no then."

"…,"I narrow my eyes at him before letting out another huff, "I get to decide when."

"It has to be within the next five days."

"It'll be when I say it'll be."

"If I agree to that, then you'll never do it. The next three days or I'm out."

"You just said five."

"Two."

"FINE!"

He smirks before looking back to the Lord, "Sure, we'll do it for free."

"Very well. What is it that you have to say about the accused?"

"She killed her."

I choke on my spit, "WHAT THE FUCK, BANKOTSU!?"

It's his turn to cover my mouth, "That's our job as Mercenaries. My archer here accepted a job on her own. That girl was her target but managed to escape her."

"Because the young woman was in my jurisdiction, she was under my rule. Therefore, you had no right to kill her."

"Doesn't work like that. We get paid to do a job, so we do it. If you really want to stick by that belief, then technically, the main bandit camp falls outside your jurisdiction meaning there is nothing we can do about it without permission from that ruling Lord. You can see how tiresome all that gets after a while right?"

The Lord lets out a low hum of annoyance.

"And about the threatening villagers thing, that's actually pretty unlikely for her. She's a pain in the ass about not killing or hurting villagers unless there is an absolute need for it. So, what exactly was said to the innkeeper?"

The Lord looks over to one of the lower ranked samurai who clears his throat awkwardly, "W-well…according to the innkeeper…it was more of the way she said it versus what she said."

The Lord sits up a bit straighter irritation growing on his face, "I was told that she threatened a man, not that she sounded threatening. What was said to him?"

The samurai is quiet for a moment before glancing over to his superior-the samurai from earlier- who leans forwards to bow before speaking, "My Lord, I had encountered the accused and the victim when they first arrived at the village. The victim was out of sorts claiming that they were being held captive by the mercenary group here with us now. I believed that perhaps there was some truth to victim being a captive; however, I did not have the proof needed at the time that accused was a danger to anyone. When the innkeeper approached me, he was shaken to his core. Regardless of what the woman said to him, her appearance and tone could not be mistaken as anything short of a threat."

The samurai presses his forehead to the floor, but his voice remains clear and loud, "What the accused said was not a threat; however, if what they claim is true than all parties involved are deceptive by nature. That young girl believed the accused to be a friend. Trusted the accused and even went as far as trying to remove the accused from the company to which now I see she willingly keeps."

"I told you it was willingly when we met, idiot."

The samurai looks up at us, and I could feel his glare through his mask, "For those reasons, I decided to apprehend the accused under the charges of murder and threats, and- if you will allow me to be blunt- I feel that they are once again lying in an attempt to cover their actions."

"How so?"

"I spotted the accused with the victim. If in fact she was hired to kill her, why then would she not have done it prior to our meeting."

"I said she was a mercenary. I never said she was a good one. I also mentioned that she is hesitant to kill villagers. She has a bad habit of freezing up on a job."

"Regardless of if it were a job or not and if she is a good mercenary or not, I cannot allow one such as her to remain among my people."

"I haven't harmed a single villager!" I spit glaring at the man before me.

"That does not mean you won't or can't."

I scoff, "Well by that dumbass logic, every man here should be under arrest."

"ENOUGH!"

I narrow my eyes at the Lord matching his gaze, "You will be held in custody until your comrades return from the bandits. From there, you and your vile group will leave my lands, and if you ever have the audacity to return, you will be killed immediately."

"We need our archer-"

"Make do without her, or I'll have her beheaded on the spot."

Bankotsu throws a look in my direction, and I shake my head.

This Lord isn't a bad man. He merely wants what's best for his people. "Fair enough." I say giving him my first genuine respectful bow, "It's rare," I add sitting up once more," to find someone of your status still able to care for those who serve him in this day and age."

The Lord huffs, "I am a strong believer that times of hardships allow one to show who they really are." The Lord makes a quick mothing with his head, and I am immediately snatched to my feet. "Make quick work of those bandits, boy. I wish not to have the likes of you all around my people for any longer than necessary."

I throw Bankotsu a small pleading look hoping he would take the hint and just do the job without much trouble.

…but it is Bankotsu…

I let out a low sigh as I rest my head against the cold cell wall.

Three. Fucking. Days.

Three days of nothing but cold dirty floors, watching the rotation of the guards as they change shifts, and the soft moans of another prisoner next to me.

The Lord seems kind enough, but clearly, he means what he says. Perhaps it is better that I'm here versus out with the others or among the villagers.

Perhaps…maybe there is some truth to me being a danger.

I furrow my brows at the thought. No. I'm only a danger to those who deserve it. Who give me a reason to be?

If all of his villagers are such good people, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

I close my eyes letting out another low sigh. 'I must admit I find it difficult to think one such as yourself is capable of doing what was done to that poor girl'

I huff. He spoke as if I had done something awful. No. She needed to be saved she needed to be cleansed. And I did just that. That rot would have prevented her from truly resting.

I did her a justice. A kindness.

I saved her.

"YOU!"

I open my eyes to stare lazily at the guards as they unlock and open my cell.

"Rise! You have been summoned before the Lord for your sentencing."

My face twitches in irritation, "I've already been sentenced, you idiot. Leave me alone."

One of the guards storms in and snatches me roughly to my feet. "I said rise!"

"Let Go you fucking piece of-"

The strike across my face from the guard's partner stuns me momentarily.

"You will mind your tongue, wench! Or I'll cut it out of your head."

"You will regret that"

They proceed to yank me forwards out of the cells and up towards the surface levels. After a few silence minutes of walking, we appear before a door slightly different than the one they had taken me to three days earlier. Sliding it open, I notice the room was much smaller more personal. The Lord sat casually sipping tea, but my eyes linger on the man next to him.

My face twists into confusion as I continue to stare at the familiar-looking scarred man. He eyes flicker over my body and a look of relief seems to wash over his face.

"Do you know this man?" The Lord asks casually setting his cup down. The guards who were holding me force me down across from the scarred man.

"I….he…" I squint trying to figure out where I had seen those scars before. "He's coming…..I can't…..I can't kill him right now… I'm not strong enough…I'll come back for you…..I promise…..I'll find you again…"

I blink, "Jinje Village?"

The man smiles and makes the motion to speak, but the Lord stops him.

"Do you know this man?"

I look between the two men trying to figure out the purpose of all of this, "…Am I supposed to know him?"

"Answer the question or you'll be dismissed back to the cells."

I look back at the man whose eyes flicker nervously between myself and the Lord.

He was indeed the man from Jinje. The one who showed up again after the small argument between Bankotsu and I, but I feel as though that would not be a sufficient answer.

"Answer the question."

"My Lord. My face has changed drastically since last she's seen me. Please….give her a moment."

My ears perk up a bit at the scarred man's voice. Despite the harsh rasp that accompanies it now, it did sound familiar.

"I do not care how long it's been. If your claims are true than a wife should be able to recognize her own husband."

Husband?

My mind suddenly begins to work running with the one piece of information as I continue to stare at the man whom I supposedly am married to…

Married…

To…

…!

I jerk upwards suddenly startling all around me. His face coming back to the front of my memory. Matching perfectly with the scarred man's features in front of me.

"…I…you…" I struggle to get my lips to work not fully believing what my own mind was telling me. The dark brown eyes, his sandy brown hair. Despite the scares and the tan, it was him.

He was alive.

He had survived.

Just like I did.

"Shinjou?!"

Hoped you all enjoyed it!