Chapter 80

Fuka sat in the weathered wooden chair, staring out the tiny window as the river passed her by. Behind her Chidori lay asleep, flat on her back, hardly making a noise. Fuka was still uncertain about the whole situation they found themselves in. So far Sakaki and Kaorin seemed to be perfectly happy with the newcomer, but she was still uncertain. Could they really trust this Chidori person? Did Kaorin and Sakaki actually trust her, or were they merely very good actresses?

Fuka leant forward, her head bowing down slightly as she rested her chin on her hands. Tomo was gone and they didn't know where. They had a newcomer who had been an enemy until very recently now working with them. And speaking of newcomers, Fuka herself had only been with the group for a very short time as well. Perhaps they knew something she didn't. Perhaps they had actually been planning on working with Chidori all along…perhaps they had secrets.

She shook her head in her hands. No she couldn't allow herself to start thinking like that. If she couldn't trust Sakaki and Kaorin in this situation, who could she trust at all? She had never seen anything to suggest the duo possessed any ill intentions. Her gut feeling upon meeting the group had been that she could trust them, and that Tomo might be a bit foolish. And experience had taught her that trusting her gut feeling usually turned out for the best.

She glanced back at Chidori quickly, thankful the girl was still asleep so she didn't appear stalkish. Sleeping Chidori seemed to possess almost an innocence not seen when awake. Fuka was still uncertain, but for now she had to work with her. If the time came when she had to fight her, she would be ready for the day.

But for now Fuka instead found herself thinking about what Chidori had said just before they set off on their return journey to the village to find help. Sora. What was this Sora? A person? A place? An event? It sounded very vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn't place the name. Hopefully the more experienced ninja at the village would be able to help them upon their return. With Tomo missing, and their actual mission seemingly completed there had been no reason to stay behind. The people who had taken Tomo had been able to disappear, so Kaorin had suggested returning to the village to seek help. She doubted the elders of the village would offer much help, but she was at least looking forward to meeting Kimura again so they could have someone experienced to help them. Sakaki and Kaorin seemed to have an unease about them when Kimura was mentioned, but again Fuka's gut feeling had told her Kimura was a person she could trust.

In Kline's opinion the room was far too cramped, but Takino had insisted on everyone being present for the brief meeting. Shuzo sat close to him, Sen and Kagesaki either side of the duo. Takino sat in front of the group, the only one talking to the giant of a man that was with them.

Kline also believed there was no such need to resort to using individuals such as this man and his…ilk. Mercenaries had no sense of honour, no loyalty to the cause. They hadn't worked on this mission before, they had no idea of its importance and the lives lost for the cause. And now they were being invited to help at the very end. How could mercenaries be trusted? How could such people be asked to help with their mission? Yet Takino insisted that they would need help to keep anyone from getting to them while they carried out their final mission. Takino had insisted there was a need for more bodies to help with the mission. Kline merely held his tongue as the two men spoke.

The giant man reached a muscular hand into a small pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses. They looked miniscule on his large frame as he read through the parchment Takino had handed to him. He licked his lips once as he finished reading, seemingly a nervous tic. He was quiet for a moment, more thoughtful that his muscular frame gave him credit for.

"You really intend to attack this place?" asked the man.

Takino nodded. "Yes. It may sound odd, but that is what we intend to do." Kline was silent. They had no intention of launching an attack- in fact they expected to be welcomed. But this man and the others like him would help to cause a distraction to stop them from being discovered. Kline was certain none of them would escape alive. They were trained in the arts of weaponry from a different land; none appeared to possess any ninja skills.

"We are mercenaries," said the man removing his glasses. "We do not fight for honour or out of loyalty. We fight for gold and other payment. And never have we been offered so much before."

"So do we have you on our side?" asked Takino.

The giant man nodded his bearded head. "We will attack how and when you have described on this," he said holding up the parchment.

"I thank you Curtis," said Takino.

Curtis was about to speak when suddenly they were interrupted by a voice from outside.

"Takino! Come out here now! I know you're there!"

Kline was momentarily puzzled. He knew that voice. What was Yamato doing here? He did have a slight inkling, but he was confused to how they had been found so quickly.

"Please excuse me for a moment," said Takino. Curtis nodded once as Takino stood up and left. Kline gave Shuzo a look- stay here and watch over this Curtis person. He gave a faint nod. Kline followed Takino out into the evening, Kagesaki following behind him.

Yamato stood before them, dressed in his armour, holding his sword. Kline could see that it shook in his hands slightly.

"What are you doing here?" asked Takino.

"She's dead!" yelled Yamato. "She's dead you bastard!"

"What?" asked Takino.

"My sister you bastard! She's dead. You said you would help, you said if I joined you she would live. The things I did for you and now she's dead!"

"But this can't…I told them to supply medicine and start working on a cure…I gave them money to help…" said Takino looking shocked. "I-"

"Don't say anymore!" said Yamato. "I swear by this sword you will die!"

Kline smiled slightly. He stood before a man who was already dead. He suspected Yamato knew as much too, but still he charged. It was quick. Kagesaki stepped in front of Takino and from beneath his cloak raised an arm. The sword clanged against steel and then Kagesaki reached out with his other hand. It grasped down on the helmet, and suddenly the helmet collapsed inwards with a great crunch. Yamato's body twitched for a moment.

Takino turned away as the figure with the collapsed head fell to the floor. Kline could see blood dripping from the bottom of the helmet, as well as from the slits for eyes.

"I told them to help her…" said Takino.

"It doesn't really matter now does it?" asked Kagesaki.

"It would appear we arrived too late to view a gruesome spectacle," spoke a smooth voice. Takino and Kagesaki appeared surprised, but Kline remained unfazed. Kline stood unmoving with his arms crossed as a man in brown leather armour marched forwards. Adorning both short sleeves of the armour was an "H" sewn gold. Behind him four other men in matching uniforms stood waiting.

"Friends of yours?" asked Takino with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Not such much friends, as reinforcements," replied Kline.

The man came to a halt. Though not the tallest of the newcomers, he still stood above Takino. His black hair was greying at the sides and across his left eye he wore a brown eye patch. He stood waiting, his arms crossed in a similar pose to Kline.

"Reinforcements for who?" asked Kagesaki, finally breaking the silence.

"To help the mercenaries with their mission," replied Kline. "To give them a better chance of success…"

"Commander Hoxha at your service," said the man with his relaxing voice again. "And may I present the rest of the Hoxha fighting squad!"

The tallest of the newcomers stepped forwards first, taller even then Curtis and with very short brown hair.

"Gagnon!" said the giant, and for added impact flexed his muscles. Kline almost groaned, but by contrast Hoxha looked almost proud.

The second tallest stepped forwards: "Dubois at your service sir!" he said with a surprisingly deep voice.

Following Dubois, the only member of the group with a weapon visible stepped forwards. Against his side was a sabre. "Costa, ready to fight any enemy!"

The shortest of the group swept his long blond hair behind him and stepped forwards. "Farkas here, ready for battle!"

"My squad, all present and all ready for battle," said Hoxha as Farkas finished.

"Well-," said Takino.

"I assure you they come very highly recommended," replied Kline. "And surely you would like to ensure there is a hundred percent chance of the diversion lasting long enough?"

"Well I did spend quite a lot on the mercenaries just now," replied Takino. "I don't know what I could offer you."

"Fear not, for Mr. Kline has already paid for our service!" replied Hoxha.

"And we are always willing to battle!" said Dubois.

"Gagnon has an itch that only a fight can solve!"

"I've never heard of any Hoxha squad," said Kagesaki with visible displeasure.

"We aren't exactly local," said Farkas from behind Hoxha.

"They are not from these lands," replied Kline. "They are from where I lived, a squad feared for their fighting prowess. Led by the man so skilled at illusion techniques that at times even loyal dogs have been fooled by it."

"Now you're embarrassing me," replied Hoxha, Kagesaki looking further unimpressed.

Takino's expression of scepticism changed. "If Kline recommends them then I suspect I would be foolish to turn them away."

"Ready for battle!" called out Hoxha and the others cheered. Kagesaki groaned.

"What about the body?" asked Farkas, pointing towards the corpse of Yamato.

"We should-," started Takino.

"Leave it," replied Kline, turning towards Takino. "We do not have time to bury this traitor."

"That is true…I guess. I'll get one of the mercenaries to do it," replied Takino.

"Very good," said Kline.