Raizo sat up in bed with a sharp jerk. Heavy breaths pulling into his lungs as he tried to gain his composure. The dream he had of Mika had been way too real. He shuddered with the fading memory of himself buried deep inside of her only to groan and pull the sodden blankets away. With the frustration that he was feeling he would go bald with the amount of times he had to pull his hair away from his eyes. Tiredly he looked out at the moon dancing through the clouds. Taunting him as if it dared him to hope that Mika was watching it with him
He rose from his bed and pulled on a simple black pair of cotton pants. He drew the strings of the his pants closed as he fought the image of Mika pressing her lips against the scars on his stomach as she sank to her knees in front of him. His body tightened again, and had him cursing out loud. He had to force himself from the room before he could give into the impulse of falling to his own knees and pleasing him self with thoughts of running his hands over Mika's skin. He stopped and closed his eyes he could imagine letting his fingers tips slip beneath the hem of… Another curse and this time he slammed the door as he left his room.
Silently he moved thought the night. There was nothing to be afraid of here, but he forced himself to stay in practice. His skills were unique and had been obtained the hard way. There were a few clans that had offered him sanctuary and the chance to come work for them, but he declined as politely as he could. He had no desire to join another clan like his. Cut throats and murders who bragged about having honor, but were only refined thugs. The only difference was that they had a history that spanned thousands of years, and enough gold to make them feel important.
With what he was planning he doubted they would want him there for very long. He was not the only ninja who had broken rank. Once news of his success had reached the streets. There were many ninja's who were rising against their clans. Some ninja turned traitor because they wanted a normal life, others because the hate was too strong to allow them to stay. Either way Raizo had caused a lot of problems for a lot of people. In his legend they had begun to call him Traitor Shadow. Any one of those loyal to the clans would love to make a name for themselves by killing him. He knew it was only a matter of time before the dust settled and they would try. His lips curled in dark amusement. With the thoughts he was harboring about Mika riding him in Ouzno's bedroom a fight would be most welcome.
Slowly he moved into the reconstructed training room. So much blood had been spilt here, his among others. His fingers brushed lovingly over the walls. He tried to keep as much of the grounds intact as possible. A feat increasingly hard due to the explosives that had been used by the agents. A grim line settled upon his face as he moved to the wall that held all of his weapons. Lifting his kusarigama from its hooks he let the chain slip through his fingers testing the weight. Moving to the center of the floor he let the weighted end fall, and waited for that soft clink of chain before moving into a simple kata. The chain spun deftly through his fingers. Every move controlled and precise as if dancing to a song only those who killed could hear. The memory of that night washed over him. He could feel the heat of fire against his skin as if it was still there. The smell of scorched earth and gunpowder filled the air. If he tried he could faintly here Mika calling out to him, and the gasp of fear as Ouzuno stabbed her through the back.
Raizo's hand tightened in anger around the chain as the memories flooded back to him. It was the second time in his life he had been truly afraid. Thoughts of almost losing Mika had the blood in his veins going cold in away nothing else could. He wished there was a clan of ninja's in front of him now just to take out his frustrations on. A sharp swing of his sword, and he ended the kata. Pulling himself together he left the training room to wash himself off. He would leave the mountain tomorrow. He wanted to speak to Mika. It had been less then a week, and he was finding that a week was starting to become to long.
Getting into town was a trial. He would have to trek down the mountain. Avoid traps set by him and other members of the Black Sand. It took roughly 3 days to travel by foot. It was a problem at times, but the clan grounds were remote for a reason. If everyone could get to it then everyone could get killed. Normally the irritation of coming down the mountain wouldn't even bother him. But he had to hear Mika's voice. Something, and he wasn't sure what it was compelled him to call her just to hear her voice.
It was starting to become an addiction to him. It was too dangerous to bring her here. Though the selfish part of him wanted her there in the mountains with him he understood that she had a life to lead. One that didn't include him, ninja's, or clan wars. There was so much ugliness that he would bring into her life he opened up their friendship to more then just the occasional phone calls. The problem was that the phone calls were not enough for him any longer. Soon enough the selfish desire to taste her skin would win out over the desire to keep her at arms length.
Reaching a small hotel he asked the innkeeper for a room and a phone. Being the only heir to the Black Sand clan who stepped forward he had access to their resources. That and help from the agency Mika worked for. They felt that the money was probably best given to someone who would use it for good. Well, Mika felt that way. He was sure that the banks would have loved to keep the money. His lips tugged at the thought of Mika again. Thanking the innkeeper he headed to the room. Resting back against the bed until the maid came upstairs with the phone. Thanking her he waited until the door was closed before he picked up the phone and dialed Mika's number. Hopefully she would be home he wasn't really sure what he would do if he didn't hear her voice.
The next evening Mika almost jumped out of her skin when she heard the phone ring. She never got calls this late at night. Well she did, but they were usually from the one person she wanted to hear from the most. She saw Ryan everyday, and her social life was non-existent, so that only left Raizo. Fumbling a bit she finally hit the talk button. She had been in the middle of making dinner, so she was only dress in cutoffs and a black t-shirt that had a cracked heart in the center of it. Not that you could see it with the "Kiss the cook" apron that she had on.
"Hello?" Mika knew who it was, but she didn't want to make it too easy. After all he didn't need to know that she the phone next to her on the counter just incase he wanted to give her a ring.
"Mika, Mika, Mika, so hesitant. Have you forgotten me Already? Maybe you have company?" Raizo teasing her was something new, but it made her heart skip several beat. He knew there was no on there. She just truly had not expected to hear from him for another week. Hoped? Yes. Expected? No.
"You know very well that I would never forget you. I miss you." Mika leaned against the counter keeping an eye on the stove. No sense causing a fire just because he called and made her want to forget everything.
"So, someone is there?" There was something possessive about Raizo's voice that made her go all liquid and girly inside. The desire to play with the particular emotion was short lived though. He could literally cut someone in half.
"Don't be silly. You know very well that I'm alone. Is everything okay?" White teeth bit into her lower lip. Though she hated it she couldn't keep the concern from leaking into her voice. Getting another call from him in less then a week's time was unheard of.
"Everything is fine. Here is no need for you to worry. I came into town for supplies and thought I would call." The pause after this statement had Mika leaning in closer to the phone She almost forgot to stir the soup she was making "I am surprised to hear that you are home. I thought maybe you would have gone out."
Mika's eyes rolled, a she gave the phone an irritated look before answering. He knew good and well she was addicted to his memory. If she could draw she would be able to sketch out the golden cords of his arms, and the slightly mocking smile he gave her when she told a small lie. "No just a quiet evening at home." Thinking about you… She kept that thought to herself though. No sense letting him think he had the upper hand, which he did. But he didn't need to think he did!
"I'm glad to hear tat you are safe. How is work?" Mika practically loathed the way her mood perked up when she heard the pleased lilt to his voice at the fact that she was at home pining for him. She wanted to slap his superior ninja ass into next month… then kiss his cheek to make it all better.
"Dull, boring, and safe. Ryan insists that I stay chained to my desk for his viewing pleasure! Something about me getting myself into trouble" Mika seethed inwardly. She still had a lot of hateful things to say about being taken out of the field.
"Ah" Mika blinked at the simple statement Raizo made to her complaints. Normally he would tell her he agreed, but something about the sound seemed painful. Like it hurt him to think about her being chained…. Hello!
Mika smiled and turned the burner off on the stove. She could get back to that later. Much later. "Yeah he keeps me trapped under him all day long pushing paper. I'm bored, and I want something hard to do, you know? A case with a little… bite in it!"
"I see… Mika." The soft sound of Raizo clearing his voice had Mika bouncing on her toes.
"Exactly! I told him I could take whatever he gave me. I would work all night if I had to. No stopping until the job was all done." She had cut him off and moved to her bedroom pulling away the apron. Letting him hear the door snap shut, and the sound of the apron hitting the floor.
"Mika… where are you?" The strained tone in his voice made her shiver. Hopping on the bed she softly laughed into the receiver. . "In my room. I wanted to get comfortable while I spoke to you. Give me just a second, okay? I have to take off my shirt." Pay back was a bitch named Mika! He may not want her as bad she wanted him, but she would be damned if she allowed him to sleep through the night comfortably when she couldn't!
"Oh, I didn't mean to disturb you. Maybe I should…" Raizo started only to have Mika cut him off again.
"Don't go Raizo. I miss the sound of your voice. " No the throaty hum at the end wasn't necessary, but it was there. "Tell me where you are"
Did she imagine the shuddery breath he took? She wasn't sure if her smile could get any wider, but she rewarded herself with some light stroking. One should always treat themselves.
"Mika, I don't…" Raizo started, but Mika was not going to let up on him this time. She was getting tired of the game of cat and mouse they were playing.
"Raizo… please" She channeled every night of pent up feeling into that request. She wasn't asking him to say the words out loud, but she wanted to know he cared.
"I… I'm home Mika. I'm rebuilding the clan grounds." With those words Mika stopped touching herself and sat straight up. Why on earth would he do that?
"Are you okay there… alone?" He better be alone! If not he better have a cock eyed, 93-year-old maid with 3 teeth and two hairs! The soft sound of Raizo's laughter told her that he heard the jealousy in her voice. Well too bad he belonged to her!
"Yes Mika, I don't mind being here by myself. It's peaceful." Raizo's voice succeeded in un-ruffling her feathers.
She hadn't realized how long she had been holding her breath until he said that he was alone. Elation flooded her limbs, and she shifted back into Plan A "As opposed to being with me?" Mika put an extra bit of pout in her voice. The one she used on Ryan when she wanted to get into the restricted section of the file room. Hey! She didn't make the rules she just played the game.
As if reading her mind she could hear Raizo take another deep breath. "Ryan is far too easy on you"
"Oh? How hard would you be?" There was a moment of silence on the phone so intense it made Mika skin break into goose bumps. She was playing with fire toying with Raizo this way, but never had she wanted to get burned so badly.
"Mika, I should go." The finality in Raizo's voice made her blink twice. Trying to make sure she was hearing what she was hearing.
"So you don't want me?" There. She put the cards on the table. If he wanted to play then he would show his hand, if not then he could forfeit and they would both move on.
"That's not it… Mika, don't be mad." He was doing that awkward back peddling thing guys did when they made a social misstep. Funny, how that translated into all cultures.
"Then what is it Raizo? I want you, and like a crazy person I love you." Well that cat was out of the bag, but she truly didn't care. She was been playing the game for a whole year, and she was tired of it. "I'm not asking that you ask me to marry you. I am just hoping that you at least partly feel like I do." The silence on the other end made her see a shade of red only comparable to blood. This time it was her turn to take a deep breath. "You know this was a lot for one night. I'll talk to you later."
"Mika wait!" Raizo though was once again cut off in mid sentence.
"Good night Raizo. Sweet dreams." She couldn't even find it in herself to stay mad at him. She hung up and looked at the ceiling for a long moment. Mika had made a mistake. She had no intention of telling him that she loved him