Chapter 2 : Glistering life.

Cherry blossoms adorned the vast woods. The leaves rustled a little as humming birds flew from flower to flower frantically to get nectar. Dappled sunlight flickered down through the bare branches like sunlight. The bark of the tree-trunks glowed with a slivery sheen. Squirrels slithered and scrambled and lept along the upper branches like tropical monkeys. Hollow hammerings were heard. The picturesque forest scene was complemented with the stream with gleaming clear waters. Stream water percolated into the porous rocks which adorned the both sides. It flowed precautiously down the hill.

Such alluring scenery would require a similar scene. However, the presence of air of heinousness around, seemed to warn forest folks of an incoming affliction was indeed ironic.

With a cock of the head Onikage said "Do you like games, General Yuge?"

The man with dark tousled hair and a fine line of moustache on his swearing upper lip was quivering. He certainly had no idea what Onikage had up his sleeve. He just wished he had killed himself before Onikage's men got to him.

"Hmm... I assume you do. Last week I caught a glimpse of you and your son painting together. What a heart-warming scene I had thought to myself" said Onikage maliciously, running a pale hand through his shoulder-length jet black hair.

He chucked Yuge's chin and laughed throatily. "What a pity he won't have another chance to play with his dear old Daddy."

"No! My Lord, please spare Takeshi! Please spare his life—"

Onikage swung a leg onto of the trembling man kneeing in front of him. "Shut up! That's not for you to decide, dog. Well, we could have a fun game."

"The rule of my game is that If you don't make a noise in 2 minutes, I'll release you and your men and spare your family's life." Onikage snapped his finger twice. "Fair enough, eh?"

"I-I-t's a deal" Yuge was already hurt with battle wounds, he didn't know if he couldn't handle another blow.

At once, Onikage dug the heel of his boot with the sharp steel angle into his back. Blood oozed out and the man with his dirt stained cheeks gasped in pain.

Yuge clamped a hand onto his mouth and grimaced as Onikage continued sawing him. The pain was excruciating that he almost blanked out. The stars in front of his blurred vision danced and twirled in ironic exuberance. All the same, he played by the rules and didn't make a single squeak.

After a minute, the evil Lord got bored and threw a kick at his chin. "You lose." He declared.

Fear began stealing through Yuge, like cold water seeping through his veins. His face was contorted in pain. "I made not a sound, my lord." He rasped. "Y-Y-You cheated."

"Oh-ho? I didn't say there won't be no cheating."Snapping his fingers twice again, one of his followers took out a huge axe. "I am the game master after all."

"P-Puh-Please…"

The ground was splattered with crimson blood and gore by the time the whole party left. The hacking had been so terrible till the body was beyond recognition. Yuge was cursed to be a wandering spirit that is bound to roam around the planet for eternity.

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"Har!" Ayame woke up with a startled shock. Cold sweat poured down her neck. She gripped the sheets tightly to her chest, and tried to regain control. She tried to move, but her legs were numb.

The doors flew open and in rushed an anxious Rikimaru. He plopped on her futon and asked "What happened?"

"I-I…"The shock robbed her of her speech.

He put his arms around and cradled her as she sniffled into his chest. "there, there" he hushed, rocking her to-and-forth. Being orphans, they had always relied on one another for emotional support.

In dim room, only lighted up by a lone beam of moonlight, Rikimaru could see the Ayame's tearing eyes. She had never allowed anyone to see, yet alone sense her vulnerability except for Rikimaru.

"I dreamt of Tatsu," she finally spoke and swallowed hard. She could feel Rikimaru tense up beside her.

"Oh?" he went nonchalantly. The fainest trace of unease stirred within him. She was always "Tatsu this" and "Tatsu that" since he died. It was got on his nerves, though he had never showed it. Tatsumaru was already fucking dead.

"Onikage's preparing his army of ninjas!" Ayame cried out hurriedly. "In my dream, I was in this mystical land where bright marigolds scattered the field as far as eyes can see. And Tatsu, he came to me clad in a pearl white kimono and gave me a reassuring hug. Then, that Yuge guy floats beside him, oh his robe was crusted in scarlet, and said in a somber tone "Onikage's ready". He burst into a million petals while we looked on. The dark clouds crowded the sky menacingly and started to rain and even moaned. It was as if it was crying crimson tears. The golden heads of the flowers lined with blood were horrifying. When I looked to Tatsu for support, he was already gone. Oh, rikimaru" her eyes were misty with emotion.

Fear hit him like a wave of seasickness, and Rikimaru's legs felt weak and his heart was beating too fast. "It's just a dream, ayame."

"No!" Her angry gaze bored down on him and he felt defensive.

"You are hiding something from me." Ayame's eyes searched his face for an answer. "Yuge's dead right? He was murdered by Onikage and his group."

Rikimaru averted his gaze. "Yes."

"Why did you hide it from me?!"

"Lord Gohda ordered me to keep it a secret." He sighed.

"I have the damn right to know everything!" Ayame huffed and pushed Rikimaru away. It was scary when Ayame got mad. She was the type who would bear grudges.

She continued "And I was the one who saved your sorry ass from that evil Lord Suou the other time."

"Fine, I'm sorry. From now onwards, I'll tell you everything." He looked down at her. Silence engulfed both of them. The sweet twinkling of the wooden wind chime and hoot of the owl from the window were the only sounds.

"And?"

"I was wrong to keep things from you." He murmured.

Ayame laughed and studied his face. Rikimaru was a handsome young man, such a knock-out that many maidens would stop and stare at his striking features. She was proud of having a leader like him.

"I forgive you, bad boy." She patted his cheeks and shoved him aside. "Go back to sleep. By the way, what were you doing outside my room?"

"I couldn't sleep and decided to take a stroll." Then, Rikimaru leaned forward to give her a kiss. A tingle of pleasure went down his spine which he tried hard to ignore, the brief instance their lips met.

He got up and slid the doors close. He would have a word with Lord Gohda in the morning. If Onikage was really coming, it would be disastrous.

End of chpt 2.

If you want me to continue, then drop me a review pls! I have a feeling that the Tenchu thread is almost dead. : (