Setting: Isle of Ojou, Ballista Ship
Sunlight.
It truly is a wonder. Sena thought to himself, as he squinted in the direction of the blazing light. How long has it been since he last saw it? How long has it been since he last felt its warmth?
Just minutes ago they were battling a raging storm and it was thought that the voyage would have to be delayed. But soon the storm clouds cleared and he was allowed to see hope--
"OY!" shouted one of Takami's guards, breaking his reverie. "Standin' around for no apparent reason."
Sena was forcibly swerved around by Rui to face the guard. "Git yer arse there ye' brat."
"G-Gomen." And he walked to where the others were. The rest of the prisoners were slowly loaded onto a huge and magnificent ship.
But unlike passengers who strolled along a reclined path, they had to scurry on a ruddy plank, like rats.
The line moved slowly and soon Sena found himself about to place one foot inside the boat opening. But he was yanked backward and the steam sounded an alarm.
"Captain, we're ready, shall we be settin' off?," cried one of the men from the opening.
"Aye." Takami gave a curt nod before stepping closer to the row of prisoners. "Rui! The line is not moving."
From the other side, Rui hissed, "Get a move'on ye' bloody rogues!" prodding the last of the men with his rifle.
"I- I can't move... sir..." cried one of the men at the middle. "I... I'm scared of the water."
"Sir, the lady is gettin' impatient," another crew member informed.
Light gleamed along the rim of Takami's glasses. "What to do... what to do..." he whispered to himself.
The guards stood at attention, ready for any mandate. The onboard prisoners sat rigid as they looked apprehensively at him. The rest of the men could only stand still on the wobbling board.
A drop of Sena's sweat trailed along his face before it fell on the plank. The sun was already taking its toll.
And this boy... Well, he could only stare in horror as Takami's mouth opened to dictate absolute judgement.
A pause, "Kill them," before he turned on his heel and left.
~o~
"It's about time Takami-san," greeted the Lady Mamori, as the man emerged onto the ship's deck.
"My apologies," he bowed "I was taking care of cargo."
"New workers for papa?" she fluttered, fanning her face and eventually shielding herself from the sun's rage. "Yes, my lady." He allowed himself a little smile, much more like a leer if any.
"But tell me, what brings you to the Isle of Ojou?"
She smiled coyly as she turned around, she hadbeen waiting for this cue after all. "My husband."
A bird crowed in the distance and the waves lashed on the bottom grid of the boat.
"... You... entered wedlock?" came the apparent surprise of Takami.
"I am insulted," she cried with a false disdain, trying her hardest to hide her smile "Think you that I am incapable of charming a man?"
"...... That is..... irrelevant." After all, how many times did he, as cold-hearted as he was, fell into this lady's wiles?
"The countless number of suitors who came to... beg... I... merely thought that no one would ever match your standards."
"I waited for a prince. And such a prince did appear."
"In a span of a month?!" He noted, knowing that she left Deimon on a cruise just days ago.
"It was like a dream. He swept me off my feet when we met on a masquerade party. Ever such the gentleman, my Youichi." Inwardly though, she hurled.
He flushed "Well, is he, on this journey with us?" looking around for this walking, living, breathing "checklist of a prince."
"..."
When he heard no response he looked at the lady once more.
"S-Such a dark expression my lady."
Indeed, her eyes were the very expression of having lost purpose in life. "Alas. He is not," she whispered.
Comprehension still did not dawnon his face. "He will be journeying to Deimon alone then? I gather." And then she began to sob.
"M-My lady?"
"I am... sorry Takami-san. It's just that... my husband, he died on the night of our wedding."
"Died?!" These surprises just kept getting bigger. "So soon!"
"He, did not tell me, but apparently, he was already dying of disease. And then... and then..." she wailed, unable to continue any further. "The doctor... He couldn't... He..."
"So... that is why, he asked that you be wed as quickly as possible?" Takami tried to grasp all this information in.
She did not respond though, and only a soft sob could be heard every moment or two.
It was hard to believe if this was the truth. But if at all, he understood this girl to be so pure hearted she would never-- never--
"My... condolences?" he seemed so unsure. After all, such a time span could not have made her develop any deep attachment to this Youichi. Then again, to have the perfect prince be taken away from her in an instant...
A foot soldier suddenly appeared beside him. "Sir, all accounted for, except for those who were--"
"I'll take that--" Takami angrily interrupted. The fool. If he divulges that several died, were killed for that matter, it would not bode well with his position with the Lord.
The lady was known to be too meddlesome on behalf of other people's affairs. Grabbing the sheet from the other man he gave a quick glance and noted that only five were abandoned.
Good enough, he thought. He did not care for the lot. So long as Rui idiotically accepted the fake gold, he would never lose money. That was enough for him.
With a purposeful look the other man leaned in and whispered something. "Sir, something happened below."
Hastily jamming the sheet into his pants pocket, Takami quickly excused himself from the still sobbing Anezaki and made his way down the cargo area once more.
Indeed, too reckless he was, that he failed to notice the sheet of paper be blown away by a strong gust of wind--
-- hitting Musashi squarely on the face. "Takami!" he called, but the landing down to the cargo was already closed.
"How troublesome." He sighed. Giving the paper a quick examination, his eyebrow twitched as he locked on a single name.
He made his way beside Mamori, noted the droplets of tears on her lashes and began. "I should say, that your act was quite the spectacle. Tears... here and there."
There lay a guilty expression in her eyes. But still, she was determined in this so, "I have resolved to lie," she replied.
She looked as if she were pained. "Even to papa, because I will not be married to a gold-seeking, lust-driven imperfect fool."
That is why... That is why... She reminded herself.
Musashi simply gazed into the horizon. "Well then, since you're already deep into this play of yours... and since you unwittingly dragged me into it... might as well..." he handed a piece of parchment to her.
Puzzled, she wondered what on earth Musashi wanted her to find... until--
"Im-Impossible." She gasped, crushing the paper immediately. "How can this be?"
"It might or it might not be him." Musashi offered.
She bit her lip and tightened her hold on the paper. "It is NOT him." She convinced herself. She couldn't believe her eyes but she did very well see it.
"An innocent relative perhaps. Or a complete stranger."
"Or a plan to haunt me." She hissed, remembering the name on the parchment....
Dropping the paper into the ocean, she hopes that Takami would never discover the minutest of connections.
She will certainly see who this is... this...
Hiruma Sena
~o~
Setting: Isle of Zokugaku, The Fort
Shadows of two men could be seen slowly making their way through the dark tunnel.
It had been a busy day for one of them, for Rui. He had to take care of delivery and now another of them rich blokes are coming to his domain.
If it means fattening up his purse, he is most certainly not one to complain but there was something odd happening here, he just didn't know what.
"Ee's gettin' plenty of vis'tors, that man." Rui commented, as his footsteps echoed through the dungeons. "Don't know what ye all wantin' 'im for... that no good fer nothin git."
No response came from the gentleman who followed him, merely roaming his eyes about, as the torch Rui held, casted light on the filthy cells of The Fort.
Bloodshot eyes were gleaming from every direction to watch him. Each pair, with hawk-like scrutiny.
"I'm gettin' s'spicious ta who he really is," Rui continued as he glanced at the man behind him. "Sumthin' really fishy 'bout a foin gentleman, such as yerself, bein' ere."
The man stopped. And for the first time since he stepped down from his carriage, the man gave the warden a serious look.
Thinking the other was going to start a brawl, Rui stopped in his tracks too, ready to face the blow and deliver one himself should the muscled figure attempt to attack him.
But instead, the calm-faced black haired man asked him in a cool manner. "You are aware of Mr. Hiruma's crime, am I correct?" The other gave a curt nod.
"The girl at the inn..." he paused, "was an acquaintance."
A drop of moisture fell down to a puddle, the sound echoing through the prison cells.
"Gahahahahahaha. ACQUAINTANCE?! Ya bedded the wench, tis what you wannna say! Gahahahaha."
The man raised his eyebrows to a considerable degree.
"N'ver you mind. Sir," scoffing the title as if he didn't deserve it. "We're 'ere at 'is cell. Roar when ya need help. GHAHAHAAHA."
The man continued to watch Rui's retreating figure, hearing him mutter "Friend my arse! GAHAHAHA! Playin' aroun' wit bitches, these rich folk are."
He tugged his cowboy hat down, stepping inside the murderer's cell, a bit too placidly at that.
His head turned toward the direction of the prisoner, and green eyes met brown.
"Youichi" he stated.
"Fuckin' Shien." the other retorted, before this Shien...
...landed a surprise blow on the blonde's jaw.
Youichi spat out a few drops of blood, "Tch. You came here to give me that?"
Sighing, he tipped his hat down "Really, you bring out the worst in me."
"..." Youichi grinned, as he grabbed the last piece of gum from his generous wife's condiments.
"Now," the other continued "tell me everything, before I decide to shoot your sorry ass or not." He drew out a revolver and threateningly placed the tip on the table.
"A murderer now, are we? Kekekekeke."
Shien sighed again. "Well, you are destined to hang. Might as well quicken the process," slowly loading six bullets onto the gun.
Cocking his cowboy hat once more, he stated "The girl at the inn... Explain."