Jun pulled her injured hand to her chest, covering it with her free hand as she closed her eyes. Her face and ears were flushed—heat was radiating from her. She was sure that she was steaming in the cool air like a dying fire or a newly forged sword quenched in water. Hold, Hanzo's voice rang in her ear as she breathed deeply, Hold...
"Jun?" Jun's eyes opened at the call of her name, it was Genji—she knew by the sound of his voice, but she couldn't see him. "Up here." She looked up to see the young man looking awkwardly at her from the roof of the engawa, peeking over the edge. "Are you okay?"
She quickly hid her hurt hand behind her and nodded slowly, looking down to the wooden floor, hoping that the color would drain from her face and not give away how upset she had been just a moment ago. She could hear Genji shifting on the roof above and peeked up to see him watching her, his doe-brown eyes wide with concern.
"I'm fine Genji, really."
"She's...not a nice person...is she?" He asked softly, looking to the spot where Tora had reentered the house.
"Genji, were you spying on me again?" Jun tried to make it a joke, but she heard the hollowness in her voice and felt a twist to her heart. She wanted to keep Genji shielded from this—for multiple reasons. For one, he was younger than her—and didn't need to be mixed up in her and Hanzo's affairs. He had his own life and problems to handle without worrying more about them. Another reason was that if he became knowledgeable about the way the Spirals women manipulated their men, he would undoubtedly begin to question Jun's feelings and motives for Hanzo. She loved Genji as though he were her own younger brother, but Hanzo was his blood relative and had spent his entire life clinging to his brother's kimono sleeve, nothing could separate the two of them.
"Nooo..." his voice trailed off and made her look up at him with a pleading look. "I was spying on the new woman. I...overheard her."
Jun sighed, this wasn't good—and telling his mother, while the right thing to do, was going to be difficult with snakes slithering around her heels, listening for gossip. She was racking her brain for something to tell him, some task to distract him that would keep him both far away from Hanzo and Tora, when the hard thump of Genji dropping to the ground made her look.
"Genji..." She started but fell silent, struggling with herself.
"I don't want her anywhere near my brother." Genji snapped, Jun's eyes widened when he turned and stared at her with fire in his eyes. "She's mean and intends on trying to steal him from you. I won't let that happen." He climbed up onto the engawa and took Jun's hands in his own and squeezed them.
"You're my brother's true love Jun, I've never seen him so happy. Hell, what am I saying, it's Hanzo—I've barely even seen him content—much less this happy!" He barked out laughter but there were tears in his eyes. His cheeks were flushing with the struggle to keep them locked away but Jun could see him trying to swallow the lump in his throat. "He loves you Jun, and I know—I know you love him!" He moved his hands to her cheeks and put his forehead to hers. She could see images reflected in his watery eyes, "Don't let that vile snake-woman get inside your head. No one tears the Shimada's apart. No one."
"Genji—"
"I know, you're not a born Shimada, but as far as Hanzo and I are concerned, you are a Shimada in all but name." He smiled and a tear escaped from his eye. Jun stopped its trail with her thumb and pinched his cheeks.
"Thanks, Genji, I felt myself sinking into a dark hole." Jun slapped his shoulders and forced herself to grin, she wouldn't let Genji become too cynical or downtrodden because of her. "But you've pulled me out of it." She gave him a stern look and put her forehead to his to make sure he couldn't look anywhere but her eyes. "Your home has become a snakes nest Genji. We have to be careful in getting rid of them." The young boy blinked and nodded, determination hardening his stare and the stiffness in his jaw. "Keep an eye on Tora when you are around and use all those hiding skills to make sure you aren't caught. If she catches on that we are watching her, then she will work harder to stay."
"Then the mission would fail." Genji looked down, already sadden by the thought. "But what can we do to make her leave?" His voice cracked with the rise in fear, "If she's determined to get between you and my brother—what can we do to make her leave?"
"I'm not sure—and it's not just her we have to worry about. She's with her mother and Grandmother too, even if we get Tora to want to leave, her mother or grandmother could order her to stay put. To put up with whatever we threw at her for the sake of her clan. You know how far you'd go and what you'd do and put up with to keep your mother happy—right?" Genji grimaced and nodded, "Then we must assume the same for her."
Genji pulled back away from Jun, looking toward the house. Jun took in a deep breath and hold it, counting out the beats to her heart to keep calm against the racing thoughts spurred by worry pricking the back portion of her mind. Then she heard it, the soft playful call from Tora from inside the house.
"Genji-kun~, where are you?"
A mischievous smile spread across Genji's face, his eyes lighting up. "I have a few pranks that might do well against her."
"Oh, Hanzo!" Tora's pitch rose and both Jun and Genji's looked soured at the same time.
"Only a little dangerous now," Jun ground her teeth as she spoke, "We wouldn't want to kill the little bitch."
"Understood," Genji growled as Hanzo's voice filtered through the air.
"Kobayashi-san," Hanzo's voice responded flatly as Genji slipped away, reaching out and giving Jun's hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry to have left you all with little greeting, but I'm afraid we had to make accommodations for your carriage and horses and there were other matters to deal with." Jun was too wrapped up in looking inside the house to see Genji slip away.
"Oh it is no trouble Shimada-dono," Tora was practically purring, "I was just admiring your mothers splendid garden with Hashira-san."
"Where is she?" Hanzo asked, and Jun didn't bother to hide the pride on her face as her heart lifted, the sound of Hanzo's voice picking up at the mention of her.
"Oh I'm not sure—we decided to split up and—"
"Do I hear my Dragon rumbling?" Jun called as she walked inside the house. Hanzo and Tora were standing on opposite sides of the hallway, and Hanzo brightened at the sight of Jun. "There you are, are the animals taken care of?" She crossed her arms as she walked to stand beside Hanzo, sliding a sly glance at Tora to catch the shift in her eyes and stance.
"Yes, they're being cared for and prepped for when you're ready to leave," Hanzo spoke first to Jun, and then nodded to Tora who looked hurt. "We wouldn't want to delay your arrival to your appointed destination."
"Oh, I don't think we will be leaving for some time—" Tora began when Jun put her hand on Hanzo's arm and pulled his attention to her.
"Dear, I was hoping to speak with you privately, we haven't had a chance to discuss the wedding since the fire and Lady Ryoko was asking me about some of the preparations. Will your duties be finished soon?"
"Yes, of course." Hanzo covered her hand with his and gave it an affectionate squeeze. "I was just looking for Genji, have you seen him?"
"No," Jun lied effortlessly, shaking her head and glancing at Tora who blinked and matched the movement but seemed unsure of what she was answering to. "Have you checked the kitchens yet or his room?"
"I have my rooms, but I hadn't thought of the kitchens—are you ladies hungry? It is almost time for dinner to be served, would be just like the little troublemaker to sneak in for a pre-dinner snack." Hanzo rubbed his chin in thought with his free hand.
"I'll come with you to check; I'd like to see if they need help in the kitchens." Jun offered, turning toward the kitchens, "We can talk privately along the way." She pulled out of his grip slowly, noticing how he tightened his hold but only slightly so that when their hands separated and she walked away, he was left holding his hand out toward her.
"I passed by and said hello to your mother and grandmother Kobayashi-san," Hanzo said as he stepped toward Jun who took another half step away, teasing him into following her back down the hall the way he had come. "They were growing a bit worried, would you mind telling them that I'm stealing Jun away for some time? We will return at dinner with Genji in tow and we can all sit down for some proper company and conversation." He dipped into a bow before he turned and followed Jun down the hallway, reaching out and taking her hand firmly.
Along the walk, Hanzo opened his mouth twice to speak but stopped when he saw the look she gave him and the squeeze she gave his hand, silently pleading 'just a little longer'. They had reached the door to the kitchen and he held her back by her arm to keep her from walking inside. His face was stern, his brows knit together while not angrily, it showed concern that showed in his eyes as they searched her face.
"Jun what is wrong?"
Jun glanced around, peeking inside the kitchen which was buzzing with servants going about their preparations. Down the hall, there was no one, but she didn't like how close some of the rooms were to them, and part of her wanted to check if the closest door truly was slid all the way shut. She pulled Hanzo back up the hall and turned right through a door onto the engawa and stepped out into the yard before checking the roof carefully, leaving Hanzo standing confused and skeptical on the engawa's edge. "What are you looking for?"
"Genji," She replied, Or someone who shouldn't be there. She added silently to herself, then beckoned Hanzo to follow to a nearby tree. It wasn't until she was under its shade and sure by the sounds around her that they were alone that she looked back to see her groom to be watching her with more than a hint of concern in his expression. "What is it?"
"You're acting far beyond strangely," Hanzo snapped under his breath as he came closer, glancing both ways to make sure that no one was about to walk up on them and overhear. "You act as if there is danger nearby."
"Perhaps there is." Jun hissed back at him, putting her hand on the tree, feeling as though the very earth beneath her feet would give way with the sinking feeling in her stomach. "Hanzo I feel as though I'm walking on spear-tips, there is danger with every breath and every step of my way."
"You're still tired," Hanzo's anxious look gave way to heartbreak and he pulled her close, gently rubbing her back as he squeezed her. "You didn't sleep well, and you've not been taking proper care of yourself—things have happened in such quick succession." He pulled back from her and pressed a kiss to her forehead, the warmth and caress of his lips softening muscles that Jun hadn't realized where so taut and tense. "I want you to try and relax some, enjoy the company of Kobayashi-san, she seems to have taken to you."
"I have not to her." Jun grumbled sourly, tightening her hold around Hanzo's waist and glaring at the house from around his shoulder as he put a hand on her head, rubbing her short hair affectionately.
"That is the exhaustion telling you there is a threat. While it's true that they can't learn the truth about the situation, I do not think they hold ill intention and are simply looking for companionship. Traveling long distances can be tiresome with the same company day in and out. They long for fresh faces and conversation." He pushed her away and held her at arm's length, "When was the last time you spoke to some of your friends? What about that one girl...the one you introduced to Genji so long ago? I have not heard you speak about her in so long."
"...Keiko..." Jun felt a pang of guilt, she hadn't sent a letter to her friend Keiko in a while, to busy with the events going on. She hadn't even thought of Keiko in weeks, to busy being wrapped up in Hanzo's world and daydreaming of wedding possibilities and plans. If there was anyone still alive that Jun could wish that she had by her side in a time like this, it was Keiko.
"Why don't you write her a letter and invite her over once the Kobayashi's have gone? It would do you some good to have someone else you trust nearby, someone you can confide in."
"It will do nothing for the feeling I have inside now," She pulled on his kimono sleeve to make him look at her as he sighed and tried to turn away from her, "Hanzo listen to me, please. There is something about Tora Kobayashi and her elders that I do not trust. They have some alternative goals, and I'm sure of at least one." She tried to fight the quiver in her stomach as she spoke, How foolish and jealous will he think I am when I tell him that their plan is to come between us. She thought hatefully to herself as she watched him turn to regard her carefully. "I can hear it in their tones, see it in their eyes. You may not believe me, but I implore you my dragon, listen to me. Those women are up to no good."
"I want to be able to trust in what you're saying Jun," Hanzo cupped her face in his rough hands and rubbed her cheeks softly. "But I need to know that this isn't something you have imagined in the darkest corners of your mind either. You have suffered so much the last while, it would be so very easy to turn your back on the entire world and see dangers with every shadow, an attack at every turn." He leaned in close, barely allowing their lips to brush, "Promise me that you will take care of yourself, starting now."
"I have been trying to—"
"Shhh," Hanzo hushed her gently, pressing his lips against hers to silence her when she tried to speak again. "Self-care. Promise me."
"...I promise..." Jun agreed meekly, closing her eyes. She couldn't deny the truth in his logic if there was anything that Hanzo was—it was logical to a fault. She hadn't gotten anywhere near the amount of rest she needed to be at her best, and she hadn't been eating regularly to fuel herself and it was beginning to catch up to her. Maybe I should tell him about what Tora said...or let Genji. He might see how tired I am, maybe he would listen to Genji with ears that actually listen and see with clear eyes the danger at his feet. I dare not leave him alone with her, even if it means running myself ragged; I can't leave him vulnerable to her.
"That's my resilient peony." He gave her another kiss, lighter and gentler before he pulled away, "I'm going to see if I can find Genji, I don't want any arguing..." He was pulling away from her, but she didn't want to let him go, holding onto his hands tightly. "Go to my room and take a nap, I'll come to wake you when dinner is done, I'm sure my mother, brother and I can entertain the guests—they'll understand that you're tired after all the excitement."
"At least let me help you find Genji," She pleaded, stepping toward him but Hanzo kept her at bay, pushing her backward softly. "Please Hanzo? I'll sleep so much better."
"Then go to his rooms while I check the kitchen a little more thoroughly, if you find him—then send him to the tearoom with the women, it will be where I go next if I can't find him. Do you agree to that?"
No, she thought hatefully to herself—realizing how her fatigue was making her irritable. It's making me sloppy, she continued to herself, I can't protect him if I'm falling asleep and delusional.
"Okay, but if I don't find him in your rooms, I'm going to come tell you and you can't stop me." She warned as Hanzo gave only half a smile, his eyes softening before looking toward the house and letting her go. The sudden loss of his heat in her hands seemed like a foul omen of the future.
He had just turned his back to her and started for the kitchen when Jun made her way to the engawa and followed it around the side of the house to the garden that lead to the brothers set of rooms. There was no sign of Genji along the rooftops, or along the estate wall, she glanced through the trees but knew that if Genji were hiding and knew that she was looking for him as obvious as she was—he would come to her without the need for shouting and drawing attention.
She didn't dare go toward the storehouse, unsure if Ryoko had time enough to send Shuzu away silently and unable to ask—too frightened of listening ears to even risk it until long after Tora and her family had left the estate. A flash of green fabric caught her eye as someone turned the corner around the engawa that encased Genji's rooms and she called out, "Excuse me!"
She was pleased to see Genji turn around and beam at her, doubling back and coming to clasp her hands tightly, the glint of mischief in his large eyes. His kimono seemed lumpy and she resisted asking him what it was that he was hiding, the less she knew about what he was up to for pranks—the more genuine and believable her surprise would be once she saw them for herself. She waved her hands as he opened up his mouth and began reaching inside.
"No, no." She told him with a smile, "The less I know, the better. Go about your business and then please, stay by your brothers' side?" She put her hands on his shoulders and was shocked when she thought she felt something move and twitch away from her hand. She flinched and pulled her hands away in caution, not liking how Genji was snickering at her reaction. "Hanzo is all but ordering me to rest," She sighed and felt the tense muscles shift as she wrapped her arms around herself protectively. "I didn't rest as well as needed and with preparations, I've been running around like mad trying to prepare for their arrival and..." She put one of her hands to her forehead and felt the pinch of skin between her brows that seemed permanently wrinkled with anger and despair. "That woman taxes my nerves."
"I didn't want to say anything.." Genji's cheeks tinted softly in the dimming light of the setting sun, "But Jun-chan, you do look really tired. I saw you working with the servants...helping scrub and wipe and clean...you've worked yourself really hard and you've not even eaten yet today." He looked up at her and she could see the same look of worry that Hanzo's had held. "No wonder you are tired and worn, you should rest." He put his heels together and straightened his posture, the waist area of his training clothes shifting and moving in several different places, concealing some other being inside its fabric. "Leave it to me, I'll run her off and everything can go back to normal."
"Thank you Genji," She smiled sadly, "I'd hug you, but I'm frightened of what you are harboring in your clothes." She tapped his nose with her finger, "Best to get rid of...whatever you are hiding before it decides to bite you."
A smile started to spread across Genji's face but she could see sudden fear take the flush from his cheeks and the joy from his expression. His eyes were locked on something behind her, low to the ground. Jun tried to turn and look to see what it was that was scaring him, but he grabbed her right arm and pulled her to his side. A hiss reached her ears and Jun felt the familiar rush of cold fear turn her blood into ice, it had come from the room Genji had just left, the door slightly left open in his rush. It curled up on itself and hissed again as Genji reached inside his shirt and produced a small kunai.
"Stay really still," He told her, "we can't let it just wander the grounds." He tightened his grip on the kunai and slowly drew back his arm, watching the snake curl and wind itself into a mess of its lengthy body. Jun held her breath, half wondering how a snake could be wandering around—the winter season was ending but it was far too soon and too cold to see snakes about naturally. As she blinked Genji threw the knife and she could feel him flinch beside her as they heard it sink into its target.
It wasn't a direct hit, but it had pinned the creature to the wood and prevented it from moving. Its mouth opened and closed as it struggled against the knife, too deeply embedded into the wood to release itself. Genji groaned when he saw it was still alive and looked toward the door where it had emerged.
"I was just in there and had no idea it was even..." He trailed off, his mind obviously going to the worst possible events.
"More than that..." Jun whispered in his ear, her eyes scanning the surroundings slowly. "It's still too early for snakes to be about unless it has been kept as a pet." She gave him a pointed look as he blanched, looking at her slack-jawed and wide-eyed. "A snake nest indeed." She glared at the writhing form and took Genji by the shoulders. "Go..." She glanced down at his clothing as it wiggled and twitched with more agitation, whatever he was hiding was nearing the end of its patiences. "Get rid of whatever that is and come to the tearoom with us, Hanzo said they would be serving dinner soon and I think it's prudent that we share this...odd development. Don't you agree?" She waited for him to nod and then put a hand on his head, although a little difficult as he was starting to leave her behind in height as well. "Be swift little brother, and sure in your skills, don't let anyone follow you, hear you or suspect you of any wrongdoing."
"You too," He beamed at the title and went to hug her around the neck, only to be held at arms length and reminded with a pointed look to his clothes before he laughed and took off for the edge of the yard, climbing up on the wall and walking across it with sure silent steps before he disappeared into the trees.
Jun glared once more at the snake as it lost fluid on the hardwood floor and reminded herself to fetch some kunai for herself. She wouldn't be getting any true rest anytime soon—but she wasn't about to be bitten in what had become her own home.