Chapter 23. The Road

Shura's recovery took longer than she had anticipated. Rather than the week she had been promised, it took an additional fourteen days for her wounds to heal. It would have taken far longer had Haru not wound up tracking down a doctor from a neighboring town and bought an expensive healing ointment. The ointment greatly helped speed up the process, even leaving her scar-less, something that disappointed Shura. She became more and more restless over time and would sometimes wander from her bed despite Haru's orders. The process wasn't however too horrible. She cherished her moments with Haru. But she was overjoyed the day she could finally unwrap her bandages and wander leisurely through town.

Today the weather had taken a turn for the worse. The blue sky had subsided and now a gray overcast was wandering in. Accompanying it was a harsh wind. The town's collage of wanted posters flapped around wildly. One tore off and was taken by the wind. It finally landed in the center of town. It showed the picture of a gleeful woman with animal-like eyes. It branded her with the names "Shura" and "The Black Oni." She was wanted dead or alive with a substantial fee. Her crimes were all the same: manslaughter.

Shura was laying lazily on Haru's back as he stood at the door of a small shop. Her arms were wrapped around him with her head resting atop his left shoulder.

"That's it." she said. She slipped off of him and walked up to the door.

"I'm going to kick it down!" she said.

Haru said in monotone, "Do you want him to give you the sword or would you rather he ran away?"

Shura said, "He was the one who said the sword was ready and yet I've been waiting here for an hour. Such disrespect won't be tolerated."

"Would you just listen to me? We'll come back later. Let's go get something to eat."

She said, "I'm tired of waiting. We went through the trouble of coming to this city just to see this master only to spend hours trying to convince him to sell to a criminal because you wouldn't let me threaten him. Now we're stuck here waiting for a sword to replace Reijin-Maru with, but what's the point? There is no replacing him; a sword as fine as him can never be replaced."

"I see." said Haru, "Let's wait a little longer then."

Shura said, "You can go. There's no reason for you to wait here too."

Haru said, "It's fine. I want to be here."

Shura gave him a thoughtful look. Her lip seemed to pucker into a small pout. Haru sat down beside her and pulled his straw hat over his eyes. He felt something soft press against him. Shura was sitting down on his lap facing him.

She said, "I still haven't driven you away huh?"

Haru said, "Don't say that. I can't think of a single reason to not want to be around you."

"Maybe you've gone insane." she said.

"No. Just in love." said Haru.

Shura's cheeks gained a red tint for a second. She said, "They say insanity attracts insanity. So since we're both insane and there's no help for us, I'll freely admit… I'm in love too."

Haru said, "You… that was the first time you said you love me."

Shura said, "I'd hoped it was obvious, it's something I've felt awhile now. I suppose it's not something I'm good at showing."

Haru said, "You know you aren't as abrasive to me as you might think. Most people hit me by now, but here you are acting like I'm some saint. You don't even tease me anymore."

"I can tease you if you like…" she said as she stroked his chest.

"I didn't… that's a different sort of teasing."

Shura laughed and Haru even gave a small smile, though he hoped she didn't see.

Shura meticulously eyed her new katana. She swung it through the air several times and then held it still for several seconds. She stopped to admire its black hilt, then the slight silver ornate pattern that traveled down the blade.

"Nice work old man." she said. She placed the blade back into its sheath. The elderly blacksmith gave as a small bow. To his slight annoyance, he didn't receive one from the manslayer. Instead, she tossed him a bag of coins. Shura turned and exited the store. Haru, in her place, gave his respects to the crafter's workmanship. He then turned and followed after Shura.

Haru said, "I take it, it's to your liking?"

Shura said, "Masterfully done and in such a short timeframe. He has a loyal customer."

Shura suddenly pulled out Fuijin-Maru and her new sword simultaneously. The speed of her swing cut through the air and emitted a high pitch ring.

"Beautiful."

Both friends walked down the center road of town. They'd returned only the night before. All around the, people were slowly clearing out. The ronin and thugs became especially nervous and slipped indoors. Neither Shura nor Haru paid them any notice. They were engaged in a conversation. They were speaking of the condition of her new sword and her desire to soak it in the blood of powerful youkai

The subject of their conversation shifted repeatedly. It went to wartime bans to alcohol to the weather. Eventually though, their words came to an end. Both stopped in their tracks. They both sensed it. At that very moment, the wind itself changed in suit.

Haru was the first to speak. He asked, "Shura, will you leave now?"

Shura said, "Yes."

She continued, "The last duel was satisfactory. But my appetite is returning. My blade itches for more battles, for stronger opponents."

He said, "I'd hoped you'd stay longer, but I understand. Our time together has been amazing."

Shura said, "I'll be back sooner than you think."

Haru said, "If only it would feel that way. Still, I'll be fine."

Shura placed herself directly in front of him. Her lips gently met with his. At last, they pulled away, a silent heat exchanged between them and a dangerous magnetism threatening to intertwine them there forever. Both gave out a small hot breathe then shuddered as if already exhausted.

Shura stepped away now.

Haru said, "Let's drink together real soon."

Shura turned away now, her long bangs fluttering to the side as she did. She smiled enthusiastically.

She said, "I'm looking forward to it. See ya."

She turned her head to the side to get another glimpse at him. Despite his blindness, his eyes interlocked with hers. Their friendly expressions softened into that of tender lovers. Shura then looked away and shut her eyes for a second. She felt the cold wind go through her as it often did. It came in the direction of her next quarry. Her eyes quickly opened and she stepped down the road.

She was returning once more to the bloodshed she lived for. Wherever she went, blood and death was soon to follow. Her only companions here were the blades at her side. She traveled lightly and unarmored, with barely enough water and money to get through days end and no clear destination in mind.

Her tracks would be found in numerous cities. Many would hunt her. Many would challenge her only at her hands. Her dread would reach across all of Japan and carry on as legend for centuries. The end of this woman would remain unknown to the world.

There was a rumor of such a figure often visiting to a small village without date or pattern. It was said that in this village was a certain man who she would come to see. Those who carried the rumor would often quarrel over this. What was her reason for her visits? Some believe it was simply business matters or that he was one of her contacts. There are some that disagreed. For no small reason would the Black Oni appear they argued. But what force can weaken the greatest of warriors, and cool the fire of the fiercest of demons? The Black Oni was in love, and no matter the distance and the paths traveled, she would always return to him. So is the Tale of Shura.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading Fascination! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Knowing this story was completed is such a relief. Once again, I hope you enjoyed this and thank you so much! ^_^