Chapter 4

A retired woman sat in a small pub, drinking alone. A bottle of Saki in her hand to keep the cough away. But to her dismay someone dared approached her, a young girl to be exact. The woman eyed her suspiciously as the girl said "granny would sure love this place but I'm trying to locate my mother" as she gazed around the room.

The middle aged woman thought, 'this young girl was naïve, did she even know who she was? The infamous Black Widow. Yes she was naive' She continued to ramble on about her granny, Juliet was her alter ego, another creation from her imagination. But her alias was the Black Widow this was her legacy. She would never reveal her real identity to anyone, as that would be simply idiotic. She would not have lasted this long in her career otherwise, which is why she is retired now.

She took a swig of the bottle, pulling a face as the contents continue to burn her throat. Then she began tapping her metal fingered glove on the wooden bar surface, as she said to the girl quite un-amused. "Squirt, beat it you'll get hurt around her." Arika looked interested she perked up saying, "don't worry about me I can take care of myself." Juliet smirked, eyeing up the girl with her one good eye replying "I like you kid, you got spunk." She paused, before continuing on "You remind me of an old friend of mine."

Arika leaned in on her stool in the hazy fog of smoke in the bar saying, "who was she?" Juliet looked sad for a moment, starring at nothing, thinking of the fond memories. Before grinning and saying "I'll tell you what, buy me some more Saki and I'll tell you all about a story of a dumbass girl, thinking she was a Samurai, and a adventurous assassin who became friends."

Arika ordered a bottle, and Juliet smiled smugly, before coughing lightly ready to tell her story.

"In the country of Fuka where the Royal family of the Viola's lived, a traveller made her way to the country from the West. Her journey ventured throughout the land. Seeking for work, for contracts. Her job description was simple someone would meet her and request a task. If it was either to take care of an individual, or obtain a certain item so on and so forth.

Entering the famous gates of Fuka not a single guard approached her. As she made her way over to the closest bar called Otome."

But before she could continue on Arika interrupted, blurting out "Otome...as in here?" Juliet then frowned and continued. "Entering the pub, she lowered her hood of her cloak, she carried no possessions apart of that of her weapons, and a bag of coins. She eyed up a man nearest her as she sat down. He ordered her a drink, which she happily accepted. The man who sat to her right, was not particularly good looking and he had no intriguing features that stood out.

He came over saying, "names Jin, what's yours...Hime?" All these years later and I still remember that stupid grin of his like it was yesterday, man he got me in trouble. I leant forward towards him saying as I whispered in his ear, 'people call me Juliet.' But I tell you now darling, don't trust a vixen."

With that she winked, continuing with her tale of how she meet the famous Ice Samurai.

Natsuki sat on those hills, thinking of her past. She still felt confused. Not over these unknown feelings, but of her training. Her master told her there were seven stages of becoming a Samurai, she still had not reached the last two. She sighed, and stood making her way down the hillside to be meet by her surprise Mikoto in the early sun. She swung that sword of hers over her head, thrashing down a invisible enemy huffing with her every thrust, due to its heavy weight. Natsuki watched her. She admired her strength, but her posture and moves were inexperienced. Natsuki made her way over and said, "Mikoto, I'm going to train you." Mikoto beamed smiling, whilst jumping around ecstatic.

Natsuki frowned, thinking how much discipline she needed to teach this mad cat before she could continue, she shouted impatiently "STOP!"

Mikoto froze, dropping her weapon saying "Natsuki Sama?" Natsuki nodded her head saying, "I will tutor you like I have been, to protect not only yourself but those who you love and most importantly your loyalty to the ones who need you most."

Mikoto nodded making a "ya huh" sound and bowed. Natsuki nodded a little saying, "right first things first, discipline." Mikoto looked eagerly but what Natsuki had in store for her was pure torture.

Mai sat around their table eating lunch, ramen with eggs and noodles. Just like Mikoto loved. But Mikoto was not touching her food, she just sat there starring at it before glancing away, to then glance at it thinking it may have moved. Mai chewed slowly and curiously glancing at Natsuki who ate in silence, with her eyes closed. Mai lost it in that moment demanding "what's going on?" Natsuki sighed, then said "Mikoto must learn how to be disciplined and if she can't , she can't continue." Mai slapped her forehead saying "she can't starve Natsuki!"

Mikoto stomach gargled and she groaned, the smell of Mai's ramen was becoming very difficult to maintain control, she felt like she was going to faint and that she did.

Mai rushed to her side saying in anxious voice, "Mikoto are you ok? Mikoto answer me." Natsuki did not even glance, but only said "put her on the futon, and when she awakes tell her to continue starring at that bowl of ramen until I say so otherwise."

Mai's face looked distraught, she spat "no that's cruel. Mikoto won't play your silly games to become some sort of Samurai." Natsuki slammed her bowl on the table, shouting "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME? Am I cruel, cold? These so called games will teach her how to protect her and the ones she loves. So do me a favour and just take her to my room."

Mai sighed, still angry but did as she asked. Mikoto lay there, tired and passed out. Mai then shut the door, trying to block out the dim-witted idiot next door. There was nothing in this room really, just a futon, a wardrobe, a basin, a old mirror and a small dog toy on a shelf.

Mai smiled before curiously making her way over to the wardrobe, where Natsuki was so protective about its contents. She reached out to the handle, hesitating at the knob before gently yet quietly, opened it. There starring back at her was a very grim fierce looking mask of a wolf, snarling it's teeth. But her attention was caught further by a sword that sat at the bottom on a stand. With both hands she lifted the case of the midnight persian blue and examined it. She could see the handle clearly it was perfect in detail. The hilt was ivory, carved into the shape of a wolf's head. She slid it out, admiring the craftsmanship. But before she could fully release it a voice said behind her. "His name is Duran."

Mai shut it and twirled around to face the voice to be stared back at by Natsuki, leaning against the door frame, eyeing her up curiously. Natsuki walked over signalling for the sword.

Mai guiltily handed it over and watched amazed as Natsuki pulled it out. She held one hand on the handle, the other allowing her palm to sit on the top of the metal's surface feeling the coolness. She then stepped back, breathing quietly in her surroundings of the afternoons light. She carefully manoeuvred the blade to swipe through the air slowly making a swoosh sound as she did so in a clockwise position past down by her waist. She said whilst doing so, "this blade is quicker than many others like the wind. It's deadlier than a wolf, and lighter than a feather."

Mai was impressed at Natsuki movements, she envied them even. Natsuki then grabbed it's case and put it back in it's sheath, before gently placing it on the stand. Turning back and looking at the girl passed out, she then frowned. The silence was only interrupted by the girls growling stomach. Mai smiled and laughed, which followed by Natsuki.

As it died down Mai looked at Natsuki and walked over, grabbing both of her hands with her own saying. "Can you teach me how to protect myself and Mikoto even?" Natsuki was taken aback by this pleading request, but nodded. Although she said quietly, "I think you will train more precisely with a bow, have you ever used one?" Mai looked confused as Natsuki led her out to the back of her hut. Walking farther down was a worn out post of a ring marker full of holes and a shed. Natsuki went over and exited, with a exquisite bow.

It was as long as Mai about five foot long and it exterior pattern on the hand carved wood was of orange and red carved as flames. Natsuki then went to retrieve some arrows, which were all handmade. The feathers were from chickens and various other bird feathers of browns and egee shell whites and the hilt of the arrows were extremely sharp. Mai poked on with her index finger, she winced as it drew blood slowly. Natsuki stood behind her, positioning Mai whilst saying "you should always look with two eyes open and your feet must be comfortable, but steady."

She then placed Mai's left hand on the wooden frame and put her right hand on the string and placed a arrow between her fingers explaining how to load an arrow and how to hold it, whilst aiming with the bow. Natsuki was now behind her, her head on Mai's shoulder quietly whispering in her ear before pulling back on the arrow in Mai's hand and saying "let go." Time seemed to slow at a drastic pace. The arrow shot like a lightning bolt, too quick for the human eye to determine where it would exactly hit. It impaled on the outer ring.

Mai smiled, jumping with enthusiasm saying "that was amazing. "Natsuki smiled, saying "I knew it would suit you."

Mai continued all day, firing her arrows. Learning from her mistakes, retrieving the arrows, to fire again. Her throat was becoming dry and sweat poured off her brow, but she was determined to hit the centre target. After Mikoto awoke, she could see Mai firing continuously from the window. She grinned, but winced as her stomach growled. Though determined she said, "if Mai can stay strong, then so can I." Mikoto then walked over to the next room, placed her hands on the tabletop and continued to stare at the bowl of ramen.

Natsuki meanwhile felt proud of her work so far and decided to go into the city to get that wood, to start building a extension for the girls. Taking her cart and mule Natsuki put on her hat which resembled a lampshade, to blend in with her crow. As she didn't want to cause any more attention than she already did.

But she would encounter someone she would never would associate with. Lazily the mule strode slowly through the rougher parts of the city, in the outer sections to reach the market. Natsuki sat bored, briefly glancing at some of the people and children that occasionally ran past. But something grabbed her attention, she saw a young woman. Pretty in the face with a guy, he had her arm around her waist, suggestively. Natsuki scorned, thinking he was in for a treat going down that alleyway. But she was surprised as she passed, she saw something she did not expect. The redhead punched the guy in the face and she then rotated her right foot clockwise with a high speed, which collided with his face, knocking him flat against the wall making him cry out in pain.

Natsuki then jumped off her cart and ran in the direction of the alleyway to confront the girl. The redhead was bent down in front of the guy, whose face was already beginning to bruise and was covered in blood. Natsuki saw that she put a bag into her pocket, most likely coins before smirking. The girl looked up, with her one good eye, as the other was concealed behind a black eye patch and with a cocky grin she said in a seductive tone of voice "my my what do we have here?" Natsuki eyes widened in surprise before she said, "someone here to kick your ass into order."

The redhead laughed amused, before replying. "A girl in a lamp shade hat who acts as if she's tough? You're like a mutt on the street...pup."

Natsuki barked now irritated at the rudeness and disrespect of this tramp as she spat out saying, "let him go and return his possessions and you won't get hurt." The redhead smiled at her before saying amusingly "hmm how about no?"

Natsuki grinned making the other a little curious at her next move, as she watched her remove her hat calmly, revealing her hair in a tight topknot before she threw hard and fast at the red heads direction, like a disc. Juliet stepped back slashing it into two with her claws.

Natsuki in that exact took the opportunity and punched through the hat, directly at the others face. She looked surprised, but she quickly stepped back causing Natsuki to miss.

Natsuki huffed in irritation now, quickly growing frustrated. She then lashed out with her right foot in a high kick aiming at her smug face. Juliet ducked, punching Natsuki hard in the stomach, hearing a crack of her metal claw against flesh and bone. Natsuki felt like the wind was kicked out of her and she fell onto her back wincing at the severe blow.

Juliet with her right foot tried kicking downwards with her heel, trying to penetrate some flesh. Natsuki quickly rolled onto her right side, dodging it. She sprung up into action yet slightly winded studying her opponent, whilst the other girl said. "you got some moves there pup, but you're not quick enough."

Natsuki had her hands balled into fists and her breath was quickened from the adrenaline. She said angrily, "don't make me hurt you." The redhead laughed amusingly saying, "if you land a blow on me. I'll give you back the bag." Natsuki smirked saying "you're on."

The guy meanwhile saw his chance to escape before getting up, staggering and running screaming "GUARDS, GUARDS!" Towards the end of the alleyway. Juliet clicked her fingers in her metal glove and watched interested for a few seconds before she lashed out with her claw, aiming for Natsuki.

Natsuki dodged it leaning to the left and grabbed her hands on the girls wrist, twisting it. Juliet cried out in pain. To swipe the air with her left claw ecstatically, cutting Natsuki's face drawing a bit of blood on her cheek. Natsuki then kicked her knee from behind and Juliet let go of wrist.

Juliet shrieked, to then angrily dive at Natsuki. This was close and personal now like a dog and cat in fight. It was as if they were in a dance, one struck at the others face, the other deflected it. Jumping to avoid low kicks, ducking for high. Both were feeling tired, exhausted now both in pain from the receiving blows. Juliet felt the blue haired girls knuckles clearly on her jaw and it stung like a bitch.

They both jumped back starring at the one another, their hands were in a defensive position. Both out of breath panting and covered in blood and developing bruises, Natsuki said between exhausted breaths. "I...believe you, owe me...that ...bag?"

Juliet in the same state coughed out "I...lie."

Natsuki growled thrashing out angrily with her right fist. Juliet ducked, to then attempt to punch Natsuki in her stomach, but missed as Natsuki blocked it, kneeing her instead. Juliet winced and stepped back. Natsuki's hair as this point was falling out. She had a three finger scratch mark on her face. Whilst Juliet had a developing bruised chin that was beginning to go red and yellow and now she felt her very bruised left arm. Panting they stared at one another in silence. Not a word was exchanged. But that suddenly changed as a man shouted, pointing a finger at the girls with several guards. "That's her."

Natsuki turned around at the charging guards with spears. Both she and Juliet exchanged looks as Natsuki made a lazy gesture pointing to Juliet saying, "it's her" Juliet pouted saying, "she's lying, it's her."

The guards just kept on running nearing towards them. Both Natsuki and Juliet then turned. Juliet ran first and Natsuki caught up shouting, "no you don't, you liar!"

Juliet was very quick on her heels, she was used to this excitement it's what she lived for. Natsuki on the other hand wanted a peaceful life, and she was sick of chasing or being chased this past week. Juliet glanced behind her shouting amusingly through the maze of alleyways "you want to run faster, the dogs are catching up!"

Natsuki felt even more angry now, pushing herself to catch this girl, but the girl then somehow ran up the side of a wall in a arched position, successfully grabbing hold of the window ledge. Natsuki skidded to a halt and Juliet poked her head out of the window saying "see you mutt." Before disappearing. Natsuki growled "baka." The guards were still behind her, she clearly heard one shout, "she's over there!"

She ran into the market, bashing people out of the way screaming "move you baka!" She was out of breath, her limit was coming. She grew exhausted, her joints ached and on top it all off when she looked behind her a girl was chasing her. She groaned "what now?"

She tried to lose her, side stepping people into the crowd before diving into a alley, and she saw a wooden crate and smiled happily, before jumping into it.

She then tried to smoother out her heavy exhausted breath by covering her hands over her mouth. She could hear the footsteps of a individual, most likely the girl. She peaked out of a hole in the crate as she saw the girls back before creeping out of it and slamming the girl into a doorway demanding, as she pinned her arm "what do you want?" She pressed into her, their bodies touching, as two guards ran past shouting "FIND HER!"

Her heart was beating rapidly, she was not sure if it was from the red pools in front of her or the fight, or the excitement of that chase. But she felt as if she was swimming in them, or was it from the previous occurrence of the adrenaline? She stepped back from the girl and bowed saying, "arigato." As the woman kept quiet and continued to just stare at her, expressionless. But before either could speak another word, Mikoto ran down the alley shouting "Natsuki!" Signalling for her to follow.

Natsuki ran off in the other direction towards Mikoto glancing back at the unknown girl who stood motionless as she followed Mikoto back to the cart to avoid the detection of the guards.

When they finally made it back to the hut, it was very quiet. Natsuki looked at Mikoto before running to the house. She barged in the swung open the door. Sitting there was Mai drinking tea and another. Natsuki was outraged at the visitor, her blood boiled as that stupid smug Cheshire grin, grinned back at her. She screamed "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Starring back amusingly was the one eyed girl, drinking tea casually, she had her legs crossed and she smiled mockingly saying, "aw that's no way to treat a guest." Natsuki stomped over, but before she could punch her Mikoto grabbed her arm pulling her back, Natsuki frustratingly barked "get off me."

Whilst Mai shrieked "what's gotten into you Natsuki chan? Juliet here was just saying that you two are good friends. I mean... she even took the time to drop off this money for you, saying she owed you it."

Natsuki stopped fighting and looked at the table where the bag was. She starred, glaring at the woman who smiled amused, taunting her as she said "yea Natsuki chan don't you remember?"

Natsuki barked, "how did you find out where I live?" Juliet sipped her tea smiling at Mai, saying "this sure is very nice tea Mai chan, arigato. But sweetie it's not that hard to track you down and by the way...you should control that temper of yours it may cause you trouble in the future"

Natsuki went to lash out at her, but Mikoto was strong in her lock. Mai stood up in her controlled bu harsh voice and said "Natsuki, sit!"

Natsuki stopped, a bit intimated by Mai's voice she then sighed and sat on the pillow. To cross her arms defeated, saying in a much more calmer voice "why are you here?" Juliet grinned saying "as I said I owed you that." Pointing to the bag with the metal finger, Natsuki then glanced down as Mai asked angrily, "Natsuki why's you faced scratched?" Natsuki opened the bag to see it's contents full of coins to then push it away saying, "I won't accept it."

Juliet frowned saying, "do what you want with it, keep it, return it, give it to charity. He stole it anyway, most likely off a poor family."

Her eyebrow arched suggestively, her meaning was extended to Natsuki to return it to the man, she eyed her suspiciously saying "how can I trust you?"

Mikoto stood behind Natsuki defensively ready to pounce as Juliet eyed her up with her one good eye, laughing as she said "you can't... but you've intrigued me. I think we can help one another out." Mai glanced confused saying quietly "what have I missed?"

Mai ended up cooking dinner for all four of them and Mai tired to make conversation with Juliet but Natsuki kept giving her awful looks. Juliet sai enthusiastically "mm this is great Mai chan, don't you think Natsuki chan?" Natsuki scoffed, which caused her to cough into her bowl. Making her blush, as the other now smiled evilly.

After they finished Natsuki said "arigato" to Mai, before standing and motioned for Juliet to follow. Both outside leaving Mai and Mikoto to give exchanging curious looks, Natsuki said outside whilst closing the old door "what do you want?"

Juliet pouted saying quietly, "you just seem to be gleaming with friendship and so much fun. Why is it I can't just hang around with you?" Flickering her eyelashes towards Natsuki, the other just looked away huffing, before she said through gritted teeth. "Because I don't associate with thieves."

Juliet smiled saying, "well that's fine then because I'm not one." Before she playfully punched Natsuki in her arm. Natsuki sighed, groaning as Juliet hurriedly opened the door saying, "arigato again Mai chan but I think I'll be leaving for now, although I hope to see you Natsuki, at the Otome pub, say sometime soon?" But before Natsuki could reply, she ran off into the sun.

Natsuki sighed feeling exhausted. She still did not have that wood. But she wouldn't risk going to the market today with those guards searching for her. But thank god that Mikoto found her mule and cart. She walked back into the hut and said, "I need to rest, but Mikoto you passed the first and second stages. The first was to conform to discipline, you did that by fighting with your desire and craving for food, our basic first instinct. When under pressure you were forced to make decisions. Weather to eat or not. You controlled it an thus, yourself. The second I was surprised that you tracked me down in a sticky situation and successfully snuck me out of the city, avoiding being detected. It was bold courage and that is what I admired, so rest."

Mai smiled hugging Mikoto, who smiled just enthusiastically. Natsuki was emotionless as she entered her room, before smiling secretly and shutting her curtains, blocking the sun. Her joints ached and her mind was screaming overload. "what did Juliet want? Could she trust her? What about that servant girl, could she trust her? Her minds voice quietened down and she faded into a deep sleep. What awaited her tomorrow?...

Authors note. For this chapter I wanted to introduce the Black Widow as she plays a vital role later on in this story. My next chapter is going to be exciting! There's going to be a lot of drama and action, so keep reading and reviewing me your thoughts so far on this story and PLEASE keep bugging me I cannot believe it's been two years since my last update, deepest apologies!

J