Hey Everybody!

I hope you've all had a great Thanksgiving. I certainly did. I had like three dinners with three different groups of church friends, at hot pot twice, had two turkeys, and we're still eating leftovers... And in like three weeks this cycle will repeat with Christmas. Whee~ Anyways, November finally passed by and just wanted to share with ya'll that I did complete the NaNoWriMo challenge: to write 50k words in 30 days. I finished my quota like an hour before 12:00 midnight. Talk about a close call. After I edit it a little and tweak it up I'll be posting it on my fictionpress also. I still need to finish it also. Yep, 50k words later and I'm only about half way. :P

Anyway, I hope you guys will enjoy this installment of The Minstrel. Happy Thanksgiving!

RueLin

Second Movement, Part 8

Mayuri slid the paper door of the inn opened. It was late at night and neither the keeper nor his family was attending the reception desk, so Mayuri thought they must have gone to sleep. Taking off her getas again, she crept up the stairs to her room. She was tired and sore from walking all day. All she wanted to do was fall onto her futon and replay the entire day in her head again until she drifted into sleep.

When she reached the top of the stairs, though, Toroki was waiting silently, leaning against the wall with his hands crossed. His expression was colder than usual.

Mayuri eyed him from head-to-toe. "What are you doing here?"

"Go in and find out." He gestured toward her room.

Glancing at him suspiciously again, Mayuri walked passed him and opened the door to the inn. The innkeeper was there, sitting quite beseechingly at the feet of Masamoto, the leader of the caravan Mayuri traveled in. Nakao, his wife and Joiji, Kaimu's old friend, were all crowded in the small room also.

"I'm sorry, Miss, I told them you didn't like being bothered," the innkeeper said.

"What is this about?" Mayuri looked Masamoto straight in the eye. Masamoto was a large, bear-like man, and with his physique came with a warrior's heart. He never liked weak people, and treated them with distain and indifference; he only tolerated his wife's goofy ways.

"Miss," the innkeeper pleaded.

"You may leave, this is obviously a matter within our caravan."

With that the innkeeper quickly scrambled out. Everyone knew better than to be in Masamoto's way when he was in a mood.

"What is it, Masamoto? What do you want with me so urgently you can't wait until morning?" There was no point in feigning illness now, Mayuri thought, might as well get to the point.

"I was told you were ill today and will remain so for the rest of the festival," Masamoto said matter-of-factly. "My question for you, Shinpi, is, 'Are you?'"

Mayuri sighed. "Stop beating around the bush. You know I lied. Now tell me why you are here and leave so I can rest."

"Insolent chit!" Masamoto erupted. Nakao quickly put her hands on his shoulders, ineffectively trying to calm him down. "Unhand me woman!" He shoved Nakao gently away and turned back his fury towards Mayuri. "This behavior is unheard of from the Players of this caravan! Kaimu would be greatly disappointed by you today!" He pointed an accusing finger at Mayuri.

Even though Masamoto was taller than Mayuri by at least a foot, she stood up to him with courage when most men would have cringed in fear.

"And what makes you think you can dictate what I do and how I spend my time?" Mayuri challenged. "Every child of a merchant is able to go to and fro without any supervision. You even let your own son go wherever he wants to go. Why must I alone be punished for doing what I please?" Mayuri paused for a quick moment. "Now that I think about it, the Players have always been under the mercy of the dictating family in this caravan. You are always the one that told Kaimu when to play and where to play. Please, oh great leader, explain that to me."

Masamoto and Mayuri stared down at each other for what seemed like a very long time, neither willing to give up. Finally, Masamoto closed his eyes.

"You mean to tell me that Kaimu had never told you about the contract between the leadership family and the Players? What a fool he really is. Fine then, I'll explain it all to you.

"Generations before Kaimu was even born, when the caravan was formed, two men made a contract out of good faith. One was a natural born leader named Natori and the other was a minstrel called Shirakawa. Down along the line of generations, the Shirakawa family betrayed the Natori family, and the contract was rewritten. The Shirakawa clan is forever under the rule of the Natori clan. Now Kaimu is a direct descendant of Shirakawa, and I am a direct descendant of Natori. Now do you understand?"

"No. No, I don't. Shin and Kagura weren't under your rule and they were part of the Players."

"They aren't direct descendants. You, on the other hand, was been registered into Kaimu's family as his adoptive daughter. You are under the rule of the contract, under the rule of me." Masamoto crossed his arms in victory.

Mayuri clenched her fists so tight the knuckles turned white.

"If you have doubts, I can take the written contract out right now and show you." He gestured to Nakao who started rummaged through her belongings.

Mayuri waved her hand. "That's not necessary. Just tell me the point of all this." Overly annoyed by all this, Mayuri was willing to do anything to get Masamoto out of her room. He had already ruined her lovely day, is he going to continue and ruin her evening also?

"Since all your clients have heard of your illness there is no other choice for you except to stay put in your room. You are not allowed to take a single step out of this building for the remainder of the festival. I will have food and drink arranged to be set up to your room. Am I understood?"

"Yes, yes. Are we finished?"

"No."

"Well, I am. If you aren't leaving, I am. I'll abide to your wishes tomorrow. But for now I just want to be left in peace. Good night." Mayuri picked up her pouch and kokyu case and stomped out of her own room.

Toroki was still standing outside and confronted her.

"Wait," he said as she walked passed him angrily.

"What do you want with me?" Mayuri asked impatiently. She has had it with the Natori family today.

"I just want to ask some questions."

"Have started taken an interest in me again, have you? I hope you won't be resorting to your childish foolery and teasing."

Toroki ignored her distain. "Who was the man you were with today?"

"What man?"

"Don't play the fool, Shinpi. Just tell me. I saw the two of you enjoying your time at the festival today. Who is he?" Without realizing, Toroki had grappled the small bones of Mayuri's shoulders.

Mayuri scoffed. "So it was you who tattled. When will I ever be free of your selfish acts?" She shoved his hands away. "Let go of me." When he failed to release her, Mayuri finally had it, and slapped him square across the cheek.

Finally, he let go and staggered a few steps.

Without looking back, Mayuri left the inn went over to the inn Lupa was staying at. As she neared the building, Kurochi flew out to greet her.

Mayuri raised a hand to receive him and kissed the bird on his feathery head. "I missed you all day," she whispered. "Can you wake Lupa up and send her down here?"

Kurochi flew back through the window he came from and soon a small candle flame lit up the room. Lupa emerged from the front of the inn in her sleeping clothes, still groggy from sleep. She woke up instantly when she saw Mayuri standing outside in the cold.

"What's wrong? Why are you out here in the cold? I thought you were sick," Lupa fretted.

"Lupa," Mayuri said, holding her friend down by her shoulders even though she was taller than Mayuri, "I had the most wonderful day, and Toroki just ruined it."

"Oh no." Lupa pulled Mayuri into a warm embrace. "He wasn't teasing you again was he?"

Mayuri shook her head. "No, it's not that. Some how he got his father to ground me. I'm not to step out of my inn for the entire festival."

Lupa touched Mayuri's arm sympathetically. "Let's talk more inside. Come on, I'm sure my family won't mind."

Mayuri and Lupa crept into her room and closed the divider between her parents and them. Lupa set the candle on the table and Kurochi went to sit near the flame and dozed off. The two girls snuggled in the warm blanket together on the futon what was just a little too narrow for both of them.

"So, tell be from the beginning," Lupa initiated.

Mayuri smiled as she remembered every single that had happened between her and Itachi, every delightful detail.

"So, does Mr. Mysterious Handsome Ninja have a name?" Lupa asked after hearing the story.

"Well, he does, but I'm sorry, I don't think I am in a position to tell you. Sorry, Lupa, I know there shouldn't be any secrets between us. This will be the only one. I promise. It's just... I can't tell you."

Lupa sighed. "Okay, I guess there's no helping it. This is just my opinion, but if you can't even tell me his name, and he puts on a disguise when he's in public, is he really safe to be with?"

"Well… If he means me any harm he would have had the chance to take me out long before this conversation," Mayuri whispered, pulled the edge of the blanket closer to her cold body.

"What about his cohorts?"

"His what?"

"His comrades, ninjas never travel alone. They are always in a group. Like those we met on the road when we were leaving Suna."

"I've only ever seen him alone."

Lupa sighed. "I guess there's no point in trying to understand a ninja."

"Why do you say that?"

"They are too secretive. It's an advantage for them to be sneaky and hide in shadows. Honestly, I didn't think you would still be contacting him after an entire year. Why are you so bent on seeing him? You can't possibly have any feelings for him, can you?"

Mayuri blushed and hid her face under the blanket. Lupa blushed also and nudged Mayuri's shoulder.

"Shinpi-chan, please say that you don't like him!"

"Shh!," Mayuri shushed with her index finger in front of her pursed lips. "You'll wake our parents," she whispered loudly. "Yes, I like him. Is that so bad? Toroki seems to dislike it."

"Yes, I think it's a horrible idea! Of all the guys out there that would kill to go out on a date with you, why do you have to go and fall for a mysterious ninja that's no good for you? Toroki would be a better choice than him!" Lupa thundered as softly as she could manage.

Mayuri stuck out her tongue in distaste. "I would rather die than have to spend a day with Natori Toroki. Even since he picked me up from the snow, he has never been nice to me. You know, you've been there when he and his posse tormented me. The only reception I've ever gotten from his bullying was Chikako's bullying. He made my life miserable! The bullying only stopped since Kaimu died, but it seems to have started again."

"I'm sorry, Shinpi-chan," Lupa said quietly, "I didn't mean to bring up Toroki. Everyone knows how badly you've been treated by him. I'm so sorry, if only I was a stronger person, I would have stood up for you. Believe me, Shinpi-chan."

Lupa looked as if someone had taken her to stake to be burned for her crimes as she looked at Mayuri for forgiveness. Mayuri smiled and pulled back a strand of hair from Lupa's face.

"Mayuri."

"What?"

"He calls me Mayuri," she explained, feeling all giddy inside.

"You mean Mr. Ninja?"

Mayuri nodded quickly with a bright smile on her face. "He said "Shinpi" was too plain a name, and didn't fit my character when we first met. And I couldn't agree more. Why should I be called dark and mysterious just because no one knows my origin? Being called a lily is much more accurate, don't you think?"

"Well, I never really thought that Shinpi was a name at all, at least not for a human girl. I agree, Mayuri is much more suitable for you." Lupa giggled. "Well, at least there is one good thing about Mr. Ninja, he's creative."

Mayuri winked at her dearly beloved friend. "You've got that right."

Lupa smiled and took Mayuri hands in hers. "Shin—Mayuri-chan, if you ever need anything, you can always come to me. I'll lend you an ear. I know Heikuro would listen also."

"Heikuro, as in the old doctor's son, Heikuro?" Lupa nodded. "Oh, when did you two get so close?"

"When you were busy sending letters and thinking of your ninja," Lupa answered sassily. "Anyway, I'm just saying, you're not alone anymore. You have comrades. Try and depend on us, I know you've been raised to be independent. Just remember we're always there to help."

"I will," Mayuri promised. "Now let's go to sleep before your parents find out."

Lupa blew out the candle and the two girls snuggled under the small blanket as the giggling continued.

The next morning, however, was not very enjoyable. The word had already gone out to those in the caravan about how Mayuri had skipped out on her duties and had talked back to Masamoto. There was even a rumor that the dispute was because of a man.

As Mayuri made her way down the stairs with Lupa many people from the caravan that also stayed at the inn annually stared and whispered some nasty words about her. Mayuri's worst nightmare started, however, when she spotted Chikako brown hair facing the staircase as she sat with a bunch of her loyal followers. Once Mayuri had made it down fingers were pointing and accusing stares were being made.

Ignoring them as she always did, Mayuri sat down at the table as Lupa went to get some food. Immediately, Chikako stood up and walked over to where Mayuri sat. Stealthily, she slipped her kokyu underneath the table where it'll be safe from the oncoming onslaught of Chikako's wrath.

"And here comes the twit that dares oppose our leader, Masamoto, in front of his wife, who had treated her so well. Do we approve of that kind of behavior, girls?" Chikako questioned her gang as they surrounded Mayuri. They all murmured some kind of disapproval before Chikako motioned for a girl's hot tea and poured it on top of Mayuri's head.

Mayuri winced at the pain inflicted, but made no cry; it would only make things worse. There was a room full of people watching, but Mayuri knew no one would lift a hand to help her. Even though Lupa said she would stand up for her, Mayuri would rather have her step back than face this group of vicious teens.

I'm used to this, Mayuri reminded herself, this is no different than before.

When the girls have finished their first round of humiliating laughter, Chikako moved on without any hesitation and grabbed a fist full of Mayuri's wet hair at the scalp and tugged it right and left.

"There's also a rumor that there was a man involved, you whore!" Chikako emphasized the last word as she slammed Mayuri's head onto the surface of the table. Wicked laughter was in the air again. "Do you really think anyone would like you?" Chikako pulled Mayuri's head so far back to she could look her straight in the eye. "You disgusting slut! Toroki's too good for you!" she screamed and shoved Mayuri so hard she fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Just then a nervous Lupa appeared from a crowd that has stood up to watch.

"Stop this, Chikako-chan."

"Oh shut up, Lupa," Ayumi, Chikako's right hand, said as she slapped Lupa's head playfully. "Are you so dumb you can't even tell this doesn't concern you?"

Lupa shook her head frantically.

"So just stand there and keep quiet. Unless you want some of this too."

Lupa looked at Mayuri, whose lip had started to bleed. Mayuri shook her head at Lupa and she burst into tears, too afraid to do anything else.

"Aw, what's this?" Chikako asked in a fake sweet voice. "A friend carrying for another? Well, wake up, Shinpi, she," Chikako pointed at Lupa weeping on the ground, "just abandoned you. I guess you are all alone after all." She shrugged.

"You know what I think?" she continued. "I think you had a crazy idea that you were better than all of us. No, I seriously do. How else can you explain the hooky playing, the back talking, and that pompous attitude you had when you walked down here? You were a very naughty girl. But, fortunately, the gracious Chikako-sama shall discipline you, so you can become a good girl. Now, isn't today just your luckily day?" Chikako asked with disgust as she pulled up Mayuri's head with her bangs.

Mayuri didn't say anything, but just glared at Chikako with defiance that burned from the bottom of her soul. Her rage escalated, Chikako threw Mayuri back on the ground and turned around.

"Get her," she ordered her girls as she walked away.

Just then Toroki burst through the door to find Chikako looking bewildered and Mayuri being kicked around like a ball on the floor of the inn.

"I knew it," he accused Chikako, who looked as he was going to kill her.

He started toward Mayuri, only to be held back by Chikako's pleading grasp.

"What are you doing here? Please, leave now, Toroki. Go!" Chikako said in a whirlwind.

Toroki grabbed her wrists and pried her off of him. "Let me go, you crazy woman! Stop this instant!" He thundered and the entire room stood still. "Who told you to do this?"

"I'm just following up on what your father was doing."

"My father never ordered this. You're despicable," he spat at her as tears dripped from her eyes.

Toroki made his way through the crowd and the girls made way quickly, knowing his temper to be much like his father's. He grabbed Mayuri's shoulder and helped her up as she moaned painfully. But, as soon as she was on her feet, she shoved him away with all her strength and he didn't touch her again.

"Come to finish the job, have you?" she asked him with hatred even though it hurt to speak.

"No, I-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses, but I'm sure they are very sufficient," she said with dripping venomous sarcasm.

Wiping away the blood from her mouth, Mayuri reached down and took her kokyu from under the table and limped toward Lupa, who was still in a crying heap on the ground. She knelt down next to the girl and shook her shoulders gently.

"Lupa," Mayuri beckoned. Lupa looked up; her eyes were already read and starting to puff. "I need help getting back to my inn. And can you call Heikuro afterwards? I think I'm going to need some mending done," she said with a cheerful smile.

Tears flowed out of Lupa's eyes like two rivers running down her cheeks. "Yes," she gasped gratefully and stood up immediately to help support Mayuri.

They walked passed Toroki, the girls, Chikako, and the door silently. Once they were out Mayuri asked for Lupa's shawl as a head cover.

"Can't ruin my reputation, you see," she explained as Lupa draped it over her head and the two walked away from the nightmare that had just happened.

From atop a building, Itachi watched them. There was a strange nagging feeling in his chest, as if someone tied a thin string around his heart and pulled on it incessantly. To see Mayuri battered and bruised hurt more than his own battle wounds. He will have retribution on those who dared to lift a finger at her, but he would wait. Wait until he could act on her behalf.