Chapter 13- Samurai

Shura continued to trail the bandit train closely. Her mind began to wander at times only for her attention to return to the pursuit. Her demon took notice of her odd behavior and said, "You seem unnerved. Could it be you've missed your boyfriend?"

Shura glared at him for a second, but then returned her eyes ahead. This seemed to anger her demon as he let out a small hiss.

"Silence!" she said.

The bandit gang now dismounted and headed into a tavern. A few minutes later, now accompanied by bottles of sake, they headed out again. For the next hour, they stopped at one location after another to speak with locals. Shura wondered if they were searching for someone.

To her clashing dismay and relief, Haru was nowhere to be found. She knew it wasn't unusual for him to be relaxing well out of town though. A picture came to her mind of him lying comfortably in the green pastures, humming ever so slightly. Such an image gave her the urge to walk up to him and nudge him awake. He'd jump a bit, but upon realizing it was her, give a lazy smile. Then they would shoot the breeze for who knows how long.

It was a simplistic bliss.

Shura cursed herself for thinking of something like that, especially at a time like this.

Her demon let out a little cackle. Shura wondered why for a minute, until it finally hit her. She wanted to shout at him to stop reading the color of her soul. Unfortunately, she was within hearing distance of the bandits, so she bit her lip.

The outlaws were leaving the city now and started to head into the forest. Shura followed suit, hiding behind the tree line. She maneuvered her feet with special care as not to crush any twigs or dried leaves.

One of the bandits started muttering. Another replied, "Where is he? You'd think someone would have seen this legendary swordsman by now."

Shura gasped.

Legendary swordsman? Sounds like a good time.

"This wouldn't be so bad if we weren't hauling so much. This is the first job we've gotten that didn't involve pillaging, so can we at least act like it?"

"If we don't find this guy, do you want to face him empty handed?"

"Shut your trap Eikei. You just can't help yourself when you see something shiny."

Their argument turned into ineligible insults and grumblings. Shura considered all she had heard. She had been mistaken about them being a raiding party, but they would still return to Jaken. Shura now had another desire- to fight this legendary swordsman. But doing so could blow her cover.

Shura decided she'd just torture the survivor. There was the possibility of him trying to uphold his honor to Jaken, but she didn't care anymore.

"What are you planning Shura?" asked the demon.

"I only need one. I'll tie him up for later. That swordsman will be today's objective."

"You there!" she heard a bandit shout.

She could see through the trees that they were entering a small clearing. Shura quickly moved towards their location. A root snagged her foot. She tugged at it to no avail. With a slash of her blade, she cut it in two.

A bandit now said, "That sword… you are him."

"Eh? Do I have business with you men?"

That voice… Shura halted her advance.

This time another bandit spoke. "We know you are Adachi Yoshimoto, the samurai who carved through the northern alliance!"

"I'm sorry my friends, but you have the wrong man. I am no killer, but a poor blind vagrant."

"A sword of elegance in a sheath of ivory and black vines... Your lies are betrayed by the weapon at your side."

"This is merely a sword I purchased from a merchant. I'm sorry but I am no killer."

"It is unmistakable. We have orders to kill you on sight. If you will not pick up your blade, so be it."

Haru sighed. He slowly got to his feet, pushing off of his hips to stand up straight. His fingers slowly ran up the sheath. Finally, they came to rest on wrappings of his katana's handle.

The blind swordsman said, "I should have tossed away this blade long ago, as I did with the rest of my past. Tell me, how did you know of it?"

"Our master knows much."

"Does he? And he sent you to kill me, even after hearing of the legends?"

"We are his finest men. Even with your skill, you have rusted and are well outnumbered."

"Is that what he told you? Listen to me." said Haru, his gaze narrowing, "Go home. Your master is just testing my strength and using you to do so. Your lives are too valuable to be spent so lightly."

"Silence! We are the strongest of the Gang of Sinners!"

All ten men lined up. They drew out their blades and assumed an offensive stance.

"I had hoped never to draw this sword again." whispered Haru now reaching for his sword.

For a moment, there was silence… a calm that preceded the thunder of battle. Haru felt the gentle breeze touch his neck and sway his hair. He would miss it. Words escaped his lips, an intimate confession that fell upon the deaf ears of the bloodthirsty.

"Forgive me."