Chapter 8: Solving the Riddle of the Philosophic Blade

The pathway had only just been opened to the wily C'tarl C'tarl; she'd find her conquest was littered within a path of riddled with complex and narrow pathways that seemed only more impossible for her to get past. Barrier after barrier that wasn't quite so easy to fracture, even with her great strength she was finding problems within the might of his natural pagoda walls that held even her at bay.

"How…can't I get through..?" her voice strangled with irritation and a hint of disheartened emotion, she'd found that her savior had many issues of his own, he offered her very little to help him with, let alone to see her way through with.

Only words that offered forms of hollow relief to her from time to time, very often a word of confidence such as, "Aisha…you're helping me only with your support, giving me the strength I require to deal with this myself." And still such words haunted her consciousness as she lay in the bed, the single thought passing through her mind as she rolled onto her side. She knew that she'd lost sight of her freedom, this point now the idea striking her with subtlety.

"We need to go…we need Gene and Jim…" her face cracking a small grin, a little cat grin that stirred about old feelings within her heart. She did miss them, those of her friends that felt like family away from home; those who brought her sense of duty and even love. She knew then that she needed her friends and would tell Haomaru just where they were going next.

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His body thrashed softly in rest of the bed, as his form lifted within a blurred streak of cold sweat and wide eyes. Haomaru shot up from the bed in a rush, holding a pale look of horror for several moments that had lasted an eternity for him; a nightmare…the third within a week to haunt him.

"Again…why does this horror return to me..? Was it not just to save someone…?" his words came to him once more trying to solve the problems that had haunted him, those that had ransacked his precious sleep and gave him only bitter feelings left to gather inside.

He rose from the bed and had headed towards the bathroom, heading into the shower for a warm shower to settle his emotions and help him to awaken. While his mind examined the horrors slowly in the back of his mind, as he turned on the shower and awaited the warmth to come to him; he stood with questions swarming his entire train of thought.

"My mind...why am I haunted..? Did I ask for such terror..?" his mind wandered as the water beaded through his hair; which he'd let down over his showers, his eyes closing as he placed his hands against the shower wall now and let the water bead on his face as he rested down in it.

His mind swam as he felt arms wrap around his waist while he rested in the shower, this causing his eyes to shoot open after the initial moment; though the fingertips had scritched his ribs, and the voice had warned him of who it was.

"You'd better stay standing straight, because I've got some good news for you Hao, we're going to be going someplace to get your mind off of those damn nightmares you told me about." her fingers moved up and cupped his blushing cheeks, causing her to grin a little bit.

His blushing had made her grin a little bit, this hadn't bothered her in the slightest, her people obviously were less modest than humans and being so close, at the early stages of the relationship she was pursuing with him this meant nothing.

"Blushing already Haomaru? My my, you've a lot to learn about C'tarls if you're blushing already, this is only the beginning my pretty kitten...I've a lot more to show you. But first of all you're going to find that we're going back to the Outlaw Star. We need to pay close attention, we're going to fix this problem of yours, I want to help more than you say."

She seemed to growl softly to him, his fingers moving to her shoulders as he smiled gently to her, "Thank you..." was the only thing he said to her as his fingers had nuzzled against her gently now. She pushed his face back and just grinned.

"Calm down Haomaru, it's just taking charge which is what you need to do with your life and dreams once in a while." she said this as she gave him a light brush of his chin, then stepping out of the shower. "Now hurry up and get out of there, we've got to be going now; especially if we except this ship of your little friend's to get us all the way after the Outlaw Star."

Her comment left Haomaru in the shower leaning against the wall, just sighing as the hot water beaded down on his skin, "Fates...I've not understood just what I've gotten myself into, but I dare say that I've grown accustomed to wishing it upon me. Guide me straight as I progress this line together with Aisha."

His small prayer was the last thing he'd say before leaving the shower, taking his time to dry off and then get dressed once more, by the time he'd left the shower room the ship had already altered direction and headed towards the Outlaw's last location, they had some exploring and he was glad; Tomoe agreed to help them find the Outlaw Star.

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Later that afternoon, it came into Tomoe's hands that the Outlaw Star left port around 18 hours ago; this news being excellent for what she found as mere luck to find them.

"Alright, some good news finally; we're not too far behind and we'll have met them in no time flat." Tomoe's fingers had come together as she sat back in the luxury chair, she was a surprisingly skilled captain and navigator and as simply she told people who asked her "it saves me a fortune"; a simple sign that she enjoyed saving money in key positions where she could.

The time had Haomaru in the gymnasium meditating just after his regular coupled workouts, with his sword blade balanced upon the center of his forehead while he held his body in a contorted position against the ground had made for an odd position; this practice being regular so as to center the person with their weapon, joining the blade in unity was key.

Though Haomaru's peace would be broken as the blade's hand was snatched up and the utterly annoyed eyes of one specific C'tarl were focusing on him in narrow position, "Haomaru...what...the...hell are you doing?!!" the yelling had made his ears clamp flatly against his head as he'd rolled over twice clearly to get away from the pissed off Aisha, who followed his movements and put her foot to his chest and started to press down.

"You have this goddamned sword on your forehead with a point, balancing it in some odd way, what brings you to do something so odd as this now hmm?" her voice was matter-of-fact 'give me the answer or feel pain' in tone, and he caught that on a large scale of her gestures; thus quickly offering an answer.

"This meditation is meant to bring peace of mind and centering the wielder and it's sword to be connected as one in the focus of the mind. It is done with such precision that the samurai in focus would be able to slice through anything, as one's will can be focused through the blade and that will may be projected clearly." his explaining had come clearer than he'd expected, but her expression seemed to only grow worse.

Becoming a snarl, he could hear her knuckles popping as her fist curled up tightly, "And since when in the hell does any of this have more importance to you than me?! you'd better explain or you won't be able to move when I'm finished." her anger was something he quickly began to regret, as so he hated his own forgetfulness. His next action hadn't puzzled her, instead amused her to some mild degree.

"I am deeply apologetic for my lack of attention to you Aisha, I should know better that my sword meditations pale in comparison to you as my significant other; for this I offer my neck to my very own blade to suffice for this pale dishonor that I have misgiven you." his form spralled before her in kneeling position, with his long silver hair pooling infront of his face, covering the ground in soft silver locks and baring his dark brown neck to her.

This only served to make her grin, she had to admit how serious she knew he was...it was important; she knew he'd give his life to her if it would please her pride and honor. She placed the sword in it's sheath and set it down beside him, before rising and kicking him over onto his back.

Once more her foot coming to his throat, as she spoke, "The offer would be for my enemy to offer me, you who would be mine needn't offer me your neck, just your attention and feelings. Now get up Hao, you'll only end up dirty down there." she said in amusement, as her hand was offered to him to help him up.

There when she helped him up, she tugged him into a hug and stroked through his hair briefly, "Haomaru, you big idiot...you'd better not go anywhere on me okay? You are just starting to make sense and the last thing I need now is for you to die; especially before we figure this out. Just...don't forget next time alright?" her voice was a little softer as she embraced him, this letting Hao's face rest in her hair; this just allowing them both a moment.

Very soon they'd be back amongst Aisha's family/friends, she could see that living there would loosen up even this enigmatic feline before her, he was hers and he'd sooner than later figure out what that meant; both to her and to himself.

(End chapter.)

Going back to visit the crew of the Outlaw Star, figure to bring more life to the story, not to forget mentioning I've a few more surprises for you all. Take care until next time, R & R.