A Samurai's Pledge
A/N: And another chapter is up!
Believe it or not ladies and gentlemen, but this story is almost done! That being said, from now until the end of the story, I will but putting up polls in my profile to help me determine what I should do after this story is done. The first poll is up now (if not now, very soon), so head over and vote! For those of you who leave unsigned reviews and who would still like to take part in the poll, leave your vote in a review. Happy voting!
I've tried to keep everyone as close as possible to their characters in the anime though I'm sure there will be a few OOC moments.
For those of you who left unsigned reviews, see my replies below:
trumm12345 – Thanks for the review. ^^ Don't you know by now? I love teasing you all with cliffhangers. XD As for Shamal's answer to Victoria, I believe this chapter will answer that question for you. ;)
Sammie-chan89 – Thanks for the review! You'll have to forgive me, I was too lazy to send you a pm. Lol. Yep, the last chapter was pretty short, but I think this one will make up for it. ;)
Love thus story – Thanks for the review. ^^ Indeed, lots of angst. XD Victoria is definitely a schemer, and you'll see what I mean in the coming chapters. Prepare yourself, it will get a lot worse before it gets better. ;)
Disclaimer: The characters and the worlds I write in do not belong to me. The stories that I write are intended for entertainment purposes. I do not make any money from them.
*** ~ Chapter 11: Parting Ways ~ ***
Violent coloured eyes scanned the room, taking in what had been their home for over ten years. Shamal's gaze landed on the bag sitting atop her bed, half stuffed with various pieces of clothing and items she'd collected over the years. She couldn't possibly take everything with her, there was just too much, but she managed to pack what was most important.
Dragging her hand along the bed, her fingers stopped on one particular item that still had yet to be packed. A hand kerchief. It originally belonged to a certain pink haired samurai captain, Shamal having been the one to make it originally for her. Over time and many uses, the hand kerchief wore thin, starting to fray on one of the ends. The head healer made the samurai another, but much to her surprise, it took a lot of convincing before Signum gave up the old one, replacing it with the new one. Shamal never threw out the old hand kerchief, keeping it as a special reminder of their bond. Such a reminder no longer held joy anymore, but pain whenever she looked at it now.
~ One hour ago ~
Shamal stood nervously outside of Signum's bedroom door. A full week had passed at this point, the samurai now healed enough to wander the palace like she usually did before the almost fatal fight. Hayate had yet to clear the captain for active duty however, and as a result, Signum often spent time holed up in her room, brooding. She was in there now, Shamal knowing this as one of her Deshi had just finished checking in on the samurai to make sure everything was alright.
They hadn't spoken since that last time. That very argument still shook Shamal to the core, the blonde clenching and unclenching her fists in indecision. Closing her burning eyes, the healer feeling the beginnings of tears forming, Shamal took a deep breath to settle her nerves.
This had to be done.
She would never forgive herself if she left things the way they currently were. So she raised her shaking hand and knocked.
"Signum... san?"
Shamal mentally chided herself for such a weak introduction. But for the life of her, she just couldn't stop shaking. After a few seconds of getting no reply, Shamal closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the door.
So this was how it was going to be.
"I'm sorry, Signum-san," Shamal said, just loud enough that her words could be heard through the door. Tears threatened to fall, but she forced herself to continue. It was going to be quick, painful, but every much needed to be said.
For both of them.
And then that would be the end of it.
"I know no amount of words or apologies can make up for the hurt and suffering I've caused you from my own ignorance," Shamal continued. "But even so, I am sorry."
Silence.
Shamal chuckled, but her laugh held no mirth.
"I wish there was some way that I could make it up to you, to make things better, but there is not. So I've chosen the next best thing."
A pause.
Shamal swallowed back the lump in her throat, gritting her teeth as her tears fell. With another deep breath, she forced her voice steady.
"I shall bother you no longer, Signum-san," Shamal said. A white knuckled fist clenched at her side. "I will no longer be the reason you shut everyone out, like you did before we became friends."
A muffled sniffle.
"I'm sorry things could not have happened a different way."
And with that said, Shamal walked away from Signum's bedroom door for the last time.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Sucking in a shaky breath, Shamal pushed open the door to the Empress' bedroom and walked through. She was greeted with the sight of Hayate sitting at her desk, scowling at the various papers and parchments littering it, looking as if she wanted nothing more than to burn all of them. The Thunder Reaper and the White Devil were also with her, the black assassin lounging on Hayate's couch nearby while the white assassin half sat, half leaned back against the brunette's desk with her arms folded over her chest. All of them looked at Shamal in surprise.
"Shamal?" Hayate said, clearly not expecting a visit from her head healer so soon. "Is..." Hesitation. "Is something wrong?"
Shamal swallowed uneasily, gripping the sealed envelope in her hand hard enough to crinkle it. It was now or never.
"Another request for you, Empress," Shamal said, forcing a weary smile. She held up the envelope in her hand.
That explanation seemed to relax the trio, Hayate resting her forehead against the desk, moaning. "Another one?"
A grumble.
"Can't I just burn them, Shamal? Pleeeeeeease?"
Shamal chuckled audibly, a hand to her mouth. This was one of the few genuine laughs from her lately, and was probably the last. The White Devil reached over and patted the Empress on the head consolingly.
"There, there, Hayate-chan," the White Devil said.
The Thunder Reaper looked at the brunette, her ruby eyes filled with mirth. "Just think of it this way, Hayate-chan," she said. "It would be a lot worse if we did that."
"Ugh."
Shamal took this moment to stride up to Hayate's desk and deposit the parchment in front of the brunette. At that action, the Empress lifted her head long enough to look at the new request, before huffing again, resting her forehead back on the desk, groaning.
"If this is another one of those stupid requests to change the colour of the carpet again..."
Shamal's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Ile," the head healer said. "Nothing of that sort. Though it's something which requires your attention, nevertheless."
Hayate straightened in her posture. She looked at Shamal, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. The two assassins must have noticed it too, both of them also looking at Shamal critically as well.
It was her tone. Something about Shamal's tone didn't sit right with any of them. And the fact that the blonde head attendant refused to meet any of their gazes right now.
After taking a quick glance at the two assassins, the Empress proceeded to tear open the envelope and read the note inside of it.
"You're leaving?!"
Shamal closed her eyes to steady her resolve.
Hayate was flabbergasted. As was the White Devil and Thunder Reaper.
"What?" the Thunder Reaper said. She was on her feet in an instant.
The White Devil took one look at the note in Hayate's hands before her head snapped back towards the blonde head healer, her violet eyes wide.
"I'm here to regretfully inform you Empress, that I'll be stepping down from my position as Head Kusushi and Otomo."
The Empress rose to her feet, albeit a bit shakily. "But... but why?"
Shamal's gaze resided on the floor at her feet. "I am no longer capable of continuing my regular duties," she said quietly. "Not when... when..."
"Surely this is just a passing thing?" the Thunder Reaper said. She took a reluctant step forward towards Shamal. "Things will get better, you just have to-"
"I wish it were so," Shamal interrupted. She looked up at the Thunder Reaper, giving the assassin a watery smile.
"But Shamal-san," the White Devil began.
"I've already made up my mind," the blonde attendant said, turning to the other assassin. "Finieno Shari-san will take over the role as Head Otomo. And Mariel Atenza-san is more than qualified to replace me as Head Kusushi. All of the arrangements have already been made."
"Shamal-san..."
Shamal bowed her head, lowering her gaze again. "Please don't make this harder than it already is."
The blonde flinched slightly when arms wrapped around her and pulled her in for a hug. Shamal quickly relaxed once she realized those arms belonged to a certain brown haired Empress.
"You'll come back and visit, right?"
Shamal smiled, tears running down her cheeks as she hugged Hayate back. They'd been together for years, ever since the Empress was a child. Those were some of the best times of her life. If only it didn't have to end like this.
"Of course," Shamal said thickly.
Both of them knew that to be a lie. Shamal would never be coming back after this. Once she was gone, she was gone. Because Shamal couldn't bear the thought of hurting Signum any longer.
"Take care of Signum-san for me," Shamal said, sniffling as she held her former charge closer.
"I will," Hayate said, her voice heavy with emotion. "Take care of yourself too."
"Hai."
~ Present ~
Fingers curled around worn fabric, Shamal's smile a sad and heartbreaking one. Picking up the tattered hand kerchief, she set it aside on her night table. She'd be better off leaving it. Too many painful memories.
With that finally done, the former Head Healer and Attendant to the Empress closed her bag. Pulling the straps of her bag over her shoulder, Shamal shut the blinds to her room one last time. Taking a deep breath, she made her way towards the door and closed it behind her.
Signum was quiet.
Sitting in bed, all she could do now was drag her fingers along the broken edges of the sword on her side table. A week had passed since that terrible fight, and Levantine was still in pieces. Was the blade forever broken now? Was that the end of her being a knight?
Signum could have easily gotten another blade. Any of her choosing in fact. But it wouldn't have been right. It wouldn't have fit. Legendary Weapons were something unique, not some turn of the mill tool to be used by any hooligan. Wielders were chosen, not the other way around. And to be chosen was something more special than having a weapon specially crafted for you.
A sigh.
Would things ever be the same?
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Signum, open the door. It's Hayate."
The pink haired samurai turned to look at her bedroom door. It was locked, and had been locked ever since Shamal's Deshi left after checking in on her. As of late, Signum lacked the desire to interact with other human beings, a certain green robed attendant and healer in particular. At times, it was even pressing not to yell at Agito when the fire sprite kept her company. Agito was not here now though, Rein having stolen her away for some mischief or the other. Signum was actually pretty glad about that. The fire sprite had been in a foul mood as of late, and it was without a doubt because of Signum.
"Signum! I know you're in there! Open this door, or I will!"
Signum stared at the door for another few seconds before rising to her feet. But rather than unlock the door, as was demanded of her, by the Empress no less, Signum instead wandered over to the balcony doors and opened them. The brilliant sun was warm in its embrace, temporarily blinding her. So often she brooded in the dark, the sun's light was actually a nice change for her.
"Baka yarou!"
Signum blinked, looking back at her bedroom door. That was a first. Hayate had never used that tone of voice with her before.
"You have five seconds to open this door before I kick it down. I'm not joking, Signum! I'll do it!"
Signum shook her head before turning back to gaze at the capital city. This wasn't the first time someone threatened to kick the door in. In fact, a certain black assassin threatened to do the same days ago, when Signum refused to leave her room for a walk outside. It was an empty threat of course, for soon the Thunder Reaper gave up on yelling through the door and left her be. And there was no doubt in Signum's mind that Hayate would soon do the same.
"So that's your answer, huh? So be it."
There it was. The moment when Hayate realized that-
"Come forth, the wind of snow..."
Or maybe not.
Signum's eyes widened.
"... and become the fletching which falls from the heavens."
A growing rumble.
"Hræsvelgr!"
Signum went ducking for cover as her bedroom door was literally blasted open and torn apart by a burst of magical power so intense, it caused the hairs on the back of her neck to raise on end. Splinters of wood rained down on the samurai captain, along with the rest of her room, Signum's once pristine abode now looking like a battle zone.
"You stupid, stupid samurai!"
Before Signum could make heads or tails of anything, she was roughly grabbed by her collar and thrown up against the nearest wall. Hayate's angry face was mere inches from hers now, the Empress snarling in fury.
"Do you know what you've done?!"
Despite being a head taller than the brunette, Signum couldn't but cower like a small child being scolded by a parent.
"How long were you going to hide in here?! Hmm? How long were you going to act like a spoiled child and push people away!?"
Signum gritted her teeth and looked to the side, avoiding the Empress' gaze.
"Don't you dare look away from me when I'm talking to you!"
Signum was pulled forward a few inches before she was slammed back into the wall again.
A growl.
It was one thing to shout at her. Signum could take all the shouting and yelling that anyone threw at her. But the moment you started physically lashing out at her, you'd be in for a rude awakening when she started to hit back.
"Let me go," Signum said through clenched teeth, her eyes narrowed to nothing but crystal blue slits. There was no leeway in Signum's command. You either did what she said, or paid the consequences of not.
Hayate smirked. Signum was angry? Good. She needed the pinkette to be angry.
"Or what? You'll leave like Shamal?!"
Signum opened her mouth to retort but then froze when her mind processed what the Empress said.
Wait. What? Shamal was leaving?
"I shall bother you no longer, Signum-san," Shamal said through the door. "I will no longer be the reason you shut everyone out, like you did before we became friends."
Another smirk from the Empress.
"Oh? You didn't know? Of course not," the brunette mocked. "How could you? Being that you've been in your room the whole time."
The Empress released her hold on the samurai's collar and took a few steps back. That gave Signum the opportunity to straighten herself out and stand up properly.
"Let me get you up to speed on the most recent events here in the Imperial Palace."
A piece of parchment was tossed at Signum, the pinkette catching deftly.
"While you were sulking away in your room, hiding from your problems," Hayate began. "I was not only dealing with the mess you made over a week ago, but that." She waved her hand in the direction of the parchment Signum held.
Signum's eyes widened, the samurai's heart dropping into her stomach as she read the contents of the note. This cursive script she'd recognize anywhere, having seen enough of Shamal's messages to know who wrote them. And the actual words, Shamal announced her resignation from her role as the Empress' Head Attendant and Healer. Not only that, she had chosen to leave the city with no word on if she'd ever return. She'd be leaving tonight.
"I can't even imagine what issues you're trying to sort out right now," Hayate said, snapping Signum out of her shock. "But whatever they are, get over it. Fast."
"But-"
Hayate wouldn't let her finish.
"She loves you, Signum!"
Signum went rigid at that declaration.
"And I know you love her back. All of us can see that! Why can't you!?"
Signum clenched her jaw, the note in her hand crumpling as she made a fist.
"You don't understand!" the samurai exclaimed, all of the anger and hatred she felt before bubbling to the surface again.
"Do you hate her?"
"Pardon?"
"Do you hate Shamal?" Hayate's voice was firm but not condescending.
Signum looked away.
Silence enveloped the pair for minutes, minutes which felt like hours to the samurai.
"Ile."
Signum did not hate Shamal. After days of nothing but contemplation and herself, Signum realized this truth. She could never hate Shamal.
It wasn't Shamal's fault her cousin turned out to be a homicidal maniac who just so happened to kill her previous master because of Levantine. It wasn't like Shamal could pick who her living blood relatives were. It just happened like that. Not to mention, Signum hadn't even know Shamal existed at that time, which was most likely true for Shamal regarding her as well.
It wasn't like Shamal covered for her cousin either. It wasn't like she knew her cousin had killed Signum's master and hid it, getting closer to her, just to mess with her head. Shamal was not that kind of woman. No, Shamal was warm and kind and friendly and had the kindest, biggest heart that Signum had ever known (aside from her immediate family that is).
In spite of knowing of Signum's bloody past, maybe the not finer details of it, but knowing that Signum had killed people before, she accepted the pinkette. Shamal didn't try to change Signum. She didn't try to turn her into something else. She didn't want that. Shamal wanted Signum the way she was.
Slowly, bit by bit, Shamal befriended her. She made Signum feel comfortable, welcome and even proud of who she was. She was the first person to make Signum feel safe, and in doing so, Signum opened up her heart to her.
And now Shamal was leaving.
Because of her.
When Shamal had come to talk to her earlier, Signum didn't have the heart to answer back. What could she say? What should she say after all that had happened? Signum was ashamed of herself.
"I'm sorry things could not have happened a different way."
"You're right," Hayate said with a huff. She turned around to leave. "I don't understand."
A look back over her shoulder.
"I don't understand why things happened this way, when it was clear both of you felt the same thing for each other."
Hayate walked away.
"She's leaving because of you, Signum."
Signum sank to the floor on her knees. She looked down at the piece of crumpled parchment in her hand.
"She's leaving because she can't bear the thought of hurting you any longer by being around."
Hayate's voice was nothing but an echo now, resounding from the hallway as she continued on her way.
"And you're letting her leave."
A pause.
"Is that what you really want?"
Signum could only scrunch up the parchment in her hands again.
A/N: I figured that Shari would make a good replacement for Shamal as Head Attendant due to the fact the role of Head Attendant is something like a second-in-command of sorts to Hayate, the Empress. As seen in the StrikerS anime, there are at times where Shari seems to take the role of second-in-command when Hayate is in the field, so that seemed to fit. As for Mariel taking over the role as Head Healer, she was the devices technicians in StrikerS, one of them at least, so I figured that was close enough to 'healing' someone, and put her in that position.
I realize that Hræsvelgr is a massive and powerful long range attack, so for the purposes of this chapter, let's just say Hayate held back on it enough to make her point. A watered down version of it. ;)
For those of you unfamiliar with the non-English words, I have translated them below.
Hai = Yes
Ile = No
Otomo = Attendant
Kusushi = Doctor
Baka yorou = Idiot (a harsher way of saying it)
Hræsvelgr = Corpse Swallower (from Norse Mythology)
For an explanation of Japanese honorifics (eg. [name]-sama), please check out: wiki/Japanese_honorifics