Act 3: Garment Thief
Kisuke, Momohime, and Yuzuruha were screeching through the bushes, every nook, and cranny for their clothes and equipment.
Finding nothing more but twigs, bugs, grass, and trees. Kisuke responded in a loud voice to gather the group's undivided attention to his plan.
"Okay everyone I think we should look for clues around the forest. Momohime and I will take the right and Yuzuruha you take the left."
"Why do I have to join you? You just want a good look at my boobs, butt, and junk all night, don't you Kisuke!?" Momohime replied feeling quite annoyed about this ridiculous situation and Kisuke's flirting remarks in the hot springs.
Kisuke sighed deeply and said. "No, I don't. I know you're still angry at Yuzuruha because she didn't keep watch over our clothes and equipment. So it would be a bad idea to keep you too close together."
"Besides someone has to be your human shield in case someone is wandering the woods late at night."
"Oh... um. Thanks, Kisuke I really appreciate your kindness to protect my almost exposed body from prying eyes."
The young princess was quite surprised to hear this from Kisuke. Momohime thought he would tease her skinny appearance again, like moments ago in the onsen.
I guess Kisuke has a polite personality depending on the condition of the atmosphere Momohime thought.
"If everyone is okay with my plan, then let's move out before the thief or animal gets further away." After they separate for half an hour scouting the area for any evidence, Kisuke found muddy sandal footprints and a piece of cloth stuck on rough tree bark.
"We're getting closer Momohime. This thief of ours has probably stopped to rest or has a shack nearby these woods." Kisuke suggested because the signals in the environment seem like somebody came here moments ago.
"Good work Kisuke, the sooner we find our clothes and items the better. Because I can't take this cold night breeze any longer." Momohime replied and attempted to put her hands in her underarm for warmth.
Then out of nowhere Kisuke tackled her to the ground within a bush in the missionary position and told her to be quiet. By showing one finger on his lips.
"Shush Momohime I heard some people walking by the main road. No matter what, don't move a single muscle." Kisuke has spoken at a low volume trying to keep him and Momohime as unseen as possible.
Just the thought of being seen naked in front of a whole crowd will bring dishonor to the Kagami family. She will be humiliated for the rest of her life. Momohime thought, as she started to panic and sweat a little on the forest floor.
Kisuke saw how Momohime was shaking out of fear and anxiety so he said in earshot. "Momohime try to keep calm. They won't see us, so long we are silent."
"I trust you Kisuke, I know you'll find a way to get us out of this."
"Even if they find us. You still got me to cover your private parts."
"Uh... Thanks, Kisuke." Momohime replied in reassuring smiling knowing that everything will be okay soon.
"I think those people left a few minutes ago," Kisuke said after he got off Momohime as he started to follow the footprints through a short pass. "Come on, let's get moving," Kisuke replied waving his hand to get the princess's attention.
"I'm on my way Kisuke."
Then out of nowhere, they spotted a young man resting on a tree trump holding a large knapsack. Filled with their food, clothes, money, and Muramasa swords.
"That's the asshole who stole our stuff Kisuke. Let's show him a lesson about what happened when you steal from a noble princess and her ninja bodyguard friend." Momohime said violently and yearning to have her fists on that horrible thief.
"Momohime be cautious. We don't know what this thief has up his sleeves." Kisuke replied as he turned around only to see Momohime quarreling with the thief; demanding him to return their belongings immediately.
Damnit, that idiot princess is gonna get herself killed. Kisuke thought as he rushes into the scene to help Momohime, preparing himself for a fight anytime now.
He responded with a voice of authority in front of the thief. "Listen scumbag, just returned our property and nobody gets hurt, okay." Kisuke is trying to negotiate as much as possible. Only until the thief lets his guard down, so Kisuke can knock him out.
"I have a better idea. Why don't I kill you and your girlfriend with your own swords and bury both of your dead corpses in a ditch."
"I wouldn't draw that Muramasa sword if I were you. It will be the greatest regret you ever made." Kisuke replied, warning the thief the best he could.
"Just shut up and die already!" The thief responded angrily as he draws out his blade from its sheath and charged forward to kill both of them.
"Look like we're going up princess," Kisuke replied as he grabs on Momohime bride style and jumps on a nearby tree branch to avoid the thief's assault.
"Hey, both of you get down here and die like the peasant you are." The thief replied as he randomly slashes right and left on the old decaying tree bark.
"This is coming from the thief who doesn't have a shred of mercy inside of him. That you would stoop so low to steal from other people's property."
The princess explained; feeling utterly disappointed by the young man's actions as she holds on to Kisuke's strong shoulders for dear life. Trying not to plummet so high among the branches.
"This so-called, Edo period society, ruin my career. I was a famous Kabuki of Kyoto for many years until my boss replaced me with a younger male actor."
"Then I wasted my money on sake and whores until I ended up broke on the streets, during my sorrow. So I had no choice but to steal from traveling vagabonds and merchants just to survive; It's really ironic don't you think."
The thief ranted, feeling enraged about his whole ordeal of the past. Then Momohime grudgingly responded. "You losing your career isn't ironic at all. But completely expected for someone like you. Who doesn't have a backup plan for everything."
"Say what now?" The thief said confused by the statement. "Instead of taking responsibility for yourself and finding a new job like most common citizens of Japan. You undoubtedly waste your money in your own sorrow, while blaming society for your own misfortune. Which is really stupid and cowardly if you ask me."
"As an example of your irony, you called yourself famous kabuki. Yet you're naive and stupid when things don't go your way, which is quite sad honestly." The thief gasps with his mouth wide open because Momohime diminishes his character stature.
"Oh great Kami, Momohime that was incredible! I wish you could be a famous geisha (geisha: actress in Japanese). Everyone would be astounded by your killer comments." Kisuke replied with quick excitement to Momohime insult to the scumbag thief.
"Why thank you Kisuke. It was pretty easy to scorn this pathetic man." Momohime said with a self-confidence grin on her face.
"Hey am I just a joke to you guys!? How... DARE you defile my intelligence and status."
"This is coming from a foolish adult who couldn't find a single job," Momohime replied feeling unimpressed by the Thief ranting to himself.
"Fuck you whore. Once I cut down this stupid tree I'm going to kill your boyfriend and then I'm gonna rape you until your soul isn't pure anymore." The thief shouted.
"Just you wait… just you wait... Oh no." The thief said angrily.
While swinging the Muramasa sword until he pauses to look at his left hand, which was completely sliced off by his own doing.
As blood starts bleeding on his robes and blood oozes on the forest floor as he gives a painful scream out loud. Similar to a wolf howling for his pack in the moonlight.
"My hand is gone, my hand is gone, why did I slash it unknowingly!?" The thief said as many droplets of blood stained the Muramasa blade on the ground as he tries to stop the bleeding on his right hand.
"Yeah, I forgot to mention. If anyone has drawn a Muramasa sword from its sheath. It immediately begins thirsting for blood. Now witness the fate of your actions by falling prey for the demon blade power."
"You never thought about warning me first!?"
"Weren't you listening to me earlier scumbag?"
"I said and I quote; It will be the greatest regret you ever made. Also, you never asked about the sword's true power until now."
"This is all your fault you monster. I swear; I will have my revenge on both of you someday." The thief said; While crying out loud as he runs away back to his household. Leaving the belongings he had stolen near the tree roots.
Kisuke descended down the tree branch while carefully carrying Momohime in his arms and said. "Looks like our foolish thief learn his lesson about stealing from other people. Don't you think Momohime?"
"Maybe so? But could you kindly put me down and stop touching my thigh and ass you pervert."
"Pardon me," Kisuke replied as he drops his arms and let Momohime get up on her own two feet. "Now where is my pink kimono in this knapsack?"
Kisuke and Momohime both retrieved their clothes and then separated to a nearby bush to change back into their normal attire. "Well, I guess that's everything Momohime. Let's get out here before more trouble shows up at midnight."
"Kisuke we just got robbed, walked around in the forest half-naked, and cause a thief to lose his left hand. How could things possibly get any worse?" Momohime said sarcastically. Suddenly a downpour of rain started to appear and slowly begins to soak Momohime and Kisuke's garments.
"For the love of Kami you gotta be joking; why is this happening to us? Is it bad luck or are we just cursed, Kisuke!?" Momohime painfully said as she smacked her forehead with frustration in her mind. While watching Kisuke search through the knapsack of stolen items.
"Maybe the universe has a funny way of showing gratitude I guess?" Kisuke replied as he withdraws a small orange umbrella.
"The umbrella is pretty small don't you think? It could barely cover two or three people at least." Momohime suggested this outcome of events with a frown on her face.
"Sometimes you gotta accept the little things that matter Momohime. Now grab my hand and stand beside me before you catch a cold."
Kisuke recommended while reaching out his hand in the cold rain shower. Trying to let Momohime know the bright side after poor midnight.
Momohime grab his hand and said. "Your lucky it's raining cat and dogs right now or things would've turned for the worst for you short stuff," Momohime said with a pouting look on her face. With a hint of pink, on her blushing cheeks.
"Whatever you say Momohime; I live to serve you, until the very end," Kisuke said with a grin on his face as they both watch the breathtaking view of the rain until they reach the shrine where Yuzuruha was patiently waiting for her companion under a large leaf trying to avoid the rain on her delicate pure white skin.
I hope you are all enjoying this story so far viewers. Because there's more coming your way in the next couple of weeks. Please leave your suggestions, ideas, and reviews about Muramasa Demon Blade: Battle, bath, and bonds.