He sat. He stood. He paced. He waited.
Finally, frustrated beyond reason and agonized over the uncertainty, he flung himself to lie on the only furniture in his dark and shabby cell.
Certainly, the arrival of the food and the garments was proof that the meeting was not just a heady dream.
However, in the eerie quietness and the darkness of his world, doubt somehow invaded his thoughts.
Would the lady perhaps see to the end of the bargain?
Or would she rather force herself into her father's wish than spend a night of passion with him?
He sat. He stood. He paced. He paused.
He rested his forehead on the bars of his cell door.
Visions of the lady's soft creamy skin flooded his mind; those brown locks falling ever so daintily on her fair shoulders, those perfect curves that he so longed to caress...
"Goddammit!" he muttered underneath his breath.
He rubbed his hand along his eyes blocking out the illusion that tortured him so.
And then suddenly, he heard something that was (for the moment) more interesting than the memory of her.
Footsteps.
Moments later, the face of Rui stopped right in front of him.
"Ee's come for ye, ye bloody scum!"
Youcihi grinned.
"Step back! I don't want ye tryin' any of yer trickery." Youichi took a step back, as the other man jangled the keys in his pocket, looking for the right one.
"Now ye be followin' what Mr. Musashi tells ye t'do" as he motions to a man just outside Youichi's cell. "Mind ye, he'll blow yer head off if you try to 'scape. Dead or alive, the gaol will be waitin' for ye."
And he guffaws in such consternation that it echoes in the stillness of the underground prison.
"You're fucking funny master gaoler. " Youichi says lightly.
"Git goin' ye bloody rogue!" as he shoved the blonde man out of his cell.
Through all these, the man called Musashi simply stood and watched in silent observation of the brawl.
With a final thrust, Rui said "I reckon good ol' muscle man 'ere will keep ye from doin' to 'is lady...what ye did with the wench at the inn. Khaaahaahahaha"
Youichi's shoulders squared and his eyes hardened. Chuckling, he turned and said, "Now, dear sir, I have a rope around my neck, and I assume they will hang me even quicker should I take another one's life."
There was banter in the other's voice but Rui could not help feeling overwhelmed - intimidated. He immediately reached for the pistol in his belt.
Youichi cackled loudly. "Do use that pistol and rid me of your half-wit jokes. But then, how will you explain to the lady that you have just blown the head off her chosen piece?"
Youichi had a nasty way of turning the tables and taking much enjoyment in it.
"Sir, I assure you, I am not a patient man." Youichi smiled ruefully "Do not taunt me again."
So much was said with the beast's eyes that even the gaoler was left rooted on the spot, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
"Good day, Mister Habashira."
Musashi chuckled in bemusement as he watched the episode take place.
The prisoner soon walked toward him as if nothing had happened.
Now here was a man who might just match Mamori's fiery spirit.
And if they clashed head on, which one would be baited? Which one would be first to yield?
As they walked up the path to the carriage, Musashi turned a little to glimpse at Youichi, who still wore that insane grin.
Then again, perhaps the lass don't know what she got herself into.