Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom – ep. 26
"Vibrations"

"Of course, due to the constraints we might not be able to move with the flexibility required for such a project...we can have things restructured as needed, to match your wishes as clients."

The conference room at the hotel is where today's meeting has been set. Some haggling over suppliers and services that will be dealt with as quickly as possible. I know what it is I want, and I don't care who I have to upset to get it to it. Especially since these types have little else but money on their minds. They'll get over it. And if they don't, they can be assured of their demise trying to fight me.

Multiple people are participating in this call. I have two assistants from Magnolia House here to check against what I'm planning and to serve as witnesses. There shouldn't be much trouble.

"We've offered you a contract that goes beyond competitive already," I say. "And you've been given plenty of flexibility to accomplish your goals as you saw fit. If there were mistakes or errors, we would not penalize you for them or make unreasonable demands. How much more space do you need?"

"We would need at least half a year of extra time, plus the assurance of a larger contract, as we are taking on an increased amount of risk-"

"No, I think you've been given enough time, and your contract is large enough. Can you do it, or is it too much for your group?" I ask.

"We would have a hard time proceeding as is, miss."

I frown at the address and glance over at my assistants. They both shake their heads.

"Then we're terminating the contract as of now. You will receive payment for services rendered, and we will pay out in line with the terms of the contract for early termination as agreed. Please feel free to take on lower risk contracts at your leisure, now that you have been freed from your burden with us. Thank you very much, and good morning." I push a button and remove him from the call. "Is there anyone else looking to restructure their contracts? If not, progress reports would be lovely."

"We made contact with that Earth jutsu guy you hired, Miss K. Job got done, but it was a little trickier to use shinobi stuff for this kind of work than we thought at first," another voice calls over the phone.

"Mm. That much makes sense. It was a test run in the first place, but now we know what to do, and what not to do. I read the reports you've sent over. Was there anything compromised at all?"

"Nothing really, we just went and double checked everything, did all the necessary reinforcements for the lines that we installed. The gas guys came and left pretty quick. It was good stuff, we saved a bit of time overall."

"Good. Thank you for indulging me, I appreciate that. If there are any other adjustments to be made, we will cover them. Cable systems are up, water is up...what is the estimation on our rapid transit system? Did we get an answer on that?"

"Local councillors are saying no," a woman replies. "We were soft on them, offered a few extra carrots. No bites so far."

"Alright. Put that away, then. I'll go back to it on a larger scale later. Thank you for your work on this matter."

"Of course, ma'am."

"Since the last time we spoke, I made arrangements to bypass the police department for background checks and the like, when it comes to our adoption system. Far as I know, they've been trying to poke their noses in every so often as some form of intimidation. We need to go over our numbers and make sure that what we have is more efficient than what they have."

"Heh. Not hard, it's the cops after all," someone says.

"I take it you're not a fan, Madam Kobayashi."

"No," I say bluntly. I think back to the indignity with which my late mother was treated.

"I thought the cops and shinobi would get along well enough. Guess I was wrong."

A man laughs. "The police and shinobi, working in harmony. What a world that would be."

Another hour or two passes and we finish the meeting. I check with my assistants one more time to see if there's anything immediate we missed, and once we determine there isn't, I thank them for their help. We part ways, I have myself a late breakfast, and then start across the village to deposit another scroll.

"Tomorrow isn't a good day. I think I'm going to stay inside in case it comes on again."

"Alright."

I pause as I recognize one of the voices, then take a few steps backwards to get a good look at the faces. Karin and...I believe this rather large human being is the Jugo that was mentioned in a few conversations.

"I've been eating properly as well," he says to her.

"You don't have to tell me all that. I'm not your mom, you know."

"But I know you've been worrying about me."

"N-not that much. I just don't want anything bad to happen. Or to make Fio upset. She's the one that worries about you the most, not me. So don't get any weird ideas."

Tall, muscular, with spiky orange hair and eyes that look to be a dark orange. He has on a dark grey sweater and trousers. I can imagine he had some difficulty finding clothing that big. A handsome young man all around, and very gentle looking. He would have many a girl chasing him, provided the rumours about his disorder haven't gotten around too much.

As for Karin, she's still got that unique hairstyle of hers. Her outfit has changed slightly, in line with the advice I gave her a while earlier: a short sleeved lavender shirt beneath her combat jacket, and cargo shorts with enough pockets for what she likes to carry. Storage space is a must in these times. There are lavender sleeves over her arms and the same coloured stockings over her legs.

"A pleasant day to both of you. I see that we're engaged in lively discussion," I say to them.

"Lili? I...you look so...so different! I mean, in a really good way!" Karin says, blushing. "Fantastic, I mean you look fantastic! I-I heard that you came back the other day, but you've also been busy all this time. It's really good to see you."

"Likewise. You've grown more beautiful since the last time we spoke," I say with a smile. She fiddles with her glasses nervously and coughs.

"T-that's a bit much, I think. I mean...um, thank you. I really appreciate hearing that. But, um, compared to you...I don't think I match up, you know?"

"You don't have to worry about that, darling. You are very lovely as you are. Don't forget that, okay?"

"Y-yeah."

"Good. Shall we have ourselves a hug?"

She nods and runs into my arms, giving me a warm and happy squeeze around my back. Eager as always, but I always found this side of her incredibly cute. I feel her straighten up after a while, making sure to smooth out her clothing and regain her composure in front of the other person present.

"Y-yes. I should introduce you to the last member of our team, who is currently on modified assignment. His name is Jugo."

"You did mention him in passing before, yes. It's good to finally meet with you in person, Jugo."

"Thank you. It's an honour to finally meet with you, Lady Kobayashi."

I extend my hand and he takes it firmly, shaking once.

"Very good. If you feel comfortable, Lili is quite fine when you would like to address me."

"Thank you, ma'am. I'll consider doing that." He pauses. "I take it that you've heard about me, in less than flattering terms."

"To say the least of it," I reply. "You have been suffering from a disorder that made you disposed to unpredictable and uncontrollable rages, as well as a substantial increase in destructive power."

"Yes."

"Those were enough to make it so that you would live in a containment facility within the village, something that you desired more than anyone else. You have been described as a very gentle person otherwise. With all of that in mind, you are currently in public, unrestrained and with minimal supervision. I can only assume that progress has been made with regards to your condition."

"Lady Tsunade led the development of a special drug that helped slow the transformation process. It means that I can at the least try to exhaust myself in order to reset the time I have, or lock myself away when I feel the urges are coming on too fast. I've been combining all of that with meditation to manage the effects. So far, it's been working well enough...I can't say that I'm normal yet, but it's the closest I've felt to it in my entire life."

"Orochimaru's cursed seals were developed from Jugo's body," Karin says. "They replicate the very thing that makes him prone to those rages, using a special enzyme."

"Passive absorption of natural energy," I say. "Something that drives a person insane if not properly balanced. I see...it's the opposite effect, then."

"Opposite?" he asks.

"Improper balance of natural energy in the creation of sage type chakra, or senjutsu chakra as it is known, changes the user physically to the point where they will permanently become a stone statue, in the form of the animal medium that they were drawing from. There are tools to prevent such a thing happening while training, but they must be used quickly and frequently in order to avoid that fate. It's a crude guess on my end, but it seems that in exchange for a body that can passively absorb natural energy without any physical ailment, the power becomes overwhelming for someone who isn't properly trained for it, and so it breaks their minds into pieces."

"Is...there more to this?" Jugo asks. "Do you think that it's a matter of the mind, in the end?"

"Not entirely. Something like that is not easily controlled, no matter how much you try within yourself. Meditation is certainly one avenue, but it has to be combined with other things. Those who become sages must be able to sense the natural energy in their surroundings first, something that they are typically not aware of before. They then gather the energy inside of their bodies and achieve a proper balance in order to transform themselves and improve their capabilities. There are barriers to this for most human beings. They need to naturally have a very large reserve of chakra, and they need to learn to become one with nature itself, otherwise they will be destroyed by the influx of senjutsu chakra, in various ways."

"I see. So those of my clan...since they didn't need to meet those requirements and simply absorbed the chakra...even though their bodies survived, they were affected in many other adverse ways," Jugo concludes.

"The drug creates a higher threshold for the transformation. Whereas something like the cursed seal artificially lowers it," Karin says.

"Jugo? Would you give me your hand?" I ask him.

"Of course."

He extends his large hand, and I place mine in his palm. I close my eyes and feel at the atmosphere around me.

This boy really is drawing all of that energy in, constantly. And this is supposed to be slower than normal. No wonder he's been suffering for so long.

Even for a moment...I want to do something to give him peace.

"Karin, please observe us. I am going to test something briefly."

"Right."

"What is it you mean to do, ma'am?" Jugo asks nervously. "I would rather you not do something dangerous for my sake..."

"It's alright," I say as I place my other hand under his. "I have a bit of experience in these things. A while back, I did become a Sage myself. Which means I can do little things...like this."

I concentrate and keep myself perfectly still, pulling the energy gently from his body and into mine. Familiar strength ripples through me, and I swirl the energy around in my belly before letting it flow through the rest of my body. Warm and vibrant, refreshing and calming, all at the same time. A radiant, happy feeling from the chakra that is building within me. And I can feel so much within the village, too. Flora and fauna alike are beneath my gaze.

Gently, I move my hands away from Jugo's. My eyes open, and I let out a breath before fully relaxing, the energy filling me slowly fading off until I'm back to normal.

"You...really did it," Karin says, awestruck. "You took away all that energy. W-wow."

"I've never...felt like this before. So...empty." Jugo looks down at his hands. "So that's what sage power really is."

"Yes," I say. "That is what mastery of the sage arts can bring you."

"I know that I can't rely on something like this...but even if it's just this once, thank you so much," he says while bowing deeply. "I can be a normal person for the first time in my life, even if it's just for a day or two. I can't even begin to repay you for this."

"I would not want you to do such a thing. My only request is that you see how long this feeling lasts, so that we might be able to develop an effective plan for you in the future." Actually...disrupting the accumulation might work as well. Some sort of shock therapy, perhaps? We can look into that as well.

"Of course. I'll be sure to take plenty of notes."

"Does that mean you're free tomorrow?" Karin asks.

"Hm. No, I still want to take the day off. With my urges truly suppressed for a while, I wanted to go and see the animals for the first time. Though I've been told that the village takes good care of its captive ones."

"There would be hell to pay if it were not so," I say. "This place has too many summoners to let any mistreatment go unpunished, believe me."

"I see. Then it should be a good time. I'm sorry to leave so soon, but I have another engagement. I took out a D-Rank mission...they're quite relaxing, honestly. I like having things to do."

"Oh, you too."

He blinks a few times. "Really. I didn't think an elite had time for such things. No offence to you, ma'am."

"None taken. I find them relaxing myself, and a good way to connect with people in the village. We can't immerse ourselves in excitement all the time, can we?"

"Not entirely sure I get what you're bonding over. But if if makes you two happy, then have at it," Karin says with a shrug.

"Hmm..." Jugo seems to be thinking on something. "I hope this isn't too forward of me, but...I was wondering if you would like to join me on my excursion, ma'am...or, Miss Lilith, I meant."

"That sounds lovely. I did want a chance to speak with you at some point, so this is quite good. I have a scroll to deposit, so we can do that before heading over to the mission itself. Is that acceptable?" I ask.

"It is."

"Good. Karin, my love...I will see you later. Be well, and send my regards to Suigetsu." I kiss her gently on the cheek.

"I will. He's out in Wave Country looking for something...didn't say what."

"I think it was a sword of some kind," Jugo says.

"..." Wave Country. That was the site of Naruto's first mission, wasn't it? Hm.

"Well, it must have been. He seemed pretty excited about it. But you two should go on and have fun cutting lawns or whatever. I'll be at home if anyone needs me. Oh, and I'll probably call you later tonight, Jugo. Not because I care that much, I just want to be able to give Fio a proper report when she gets back. Alright?"

"Alright, Karin. I'll expect a call after your dramas are finished."

"W-whatever. Don't wait up or anything," she says while adjusting her glasses again. "Bye."

"Karin is terribly adorable. I'll be sure to tell her so in private, so that I can get a good glimpse of her blushing face."

The mission that we're on currently is, as predicted, a simple clean-up of a small yard and garden. We've cleared pretty much everything in a comfortable silence, and are working at a more casual pace now to finish things off.

"These should work out very well. Sturdy little plants with colour to them," I say to myself. I bury a few seeds properly before reaching for the watering can at my side.

"From the way other people talk about you at times, I didn't think you would be so skilled at this type of thing. But then, after hearing more about you from Karin and Fio, it makes a lot of sense," Jugo says from behind me.

"Does it, now."

"Yes. You look at these sorts of things in a way that not many people do. Not to say that others don't care, but...it's hard to explain. It just feels like you put more of your heart into it than most would."

"Mm. Well, I do try my best to treat every task with the respect that I feel it deserves. Of course, I am also capable of irreverence at times."

"Nobody in this world is perfect."

"True. I always like to strive for more, however." I finish watering the last of the seeds and set the can down. As I turn, I see that Jugo is using his height to reach towards a tree branch and snap it away gently. He sets it into the large paper bag nearby and seals it by rolling the opening over. "Do you think that's enough for now?"

"More than enough. I wasn't planning on doing so much today, but with your help it was very easy. We've cleared everything and a little extra. Thank you, Miss Lilith."

"You're very welcome. We have done good work, and I have some sweets for us to enjoy, if you would like."

"I would like to try one, then. And I would also like some water, if you have any."

"Of course." I stand up and go over to my bag, where I get the filled bread that I bought earlier, along with a soda and water for Jugo. "Chocolate or vanilla?"

"I would like to try the chocolate one."

"Lovely. Here you are, darling." I hand him his items before taking a seat on the freshly cut grass. He sits cross-legged nearby and takes a sip of water.

"Ah, that's nice. This is regular water, then. I always liked it better..."

"Yes, they put all sorts of strange minerals and such in so many the bottled types these days. Never cared for them. I always seek out a fountain if I can. They're kept clean enough in the village, though most people assume otherwise without questions."

"Yeah."

I gently flip open the cap on my soda bottle and take a sip. "Mm. So...I wondered if you had anything you wanted to ask me, now that we have all this free time to ourselves," I say as I swing my legs to one side.

"I had a lot of things...I just wonder if they're too sensitive, since we've only just met."

"Very understandable. But I will be more than fine with whatever you might want to ask. Within reason, of course. It's because our histories are...closer than most, in many ways."

"I see." He sighs. "I...had a feeling about you. Before we met, and I had just heard of you and your feats in passing. You met someone named Kimimaro Kaguya, didn't you?"

"Indeed I did, on a long-classified mission years ago."

"The one where you stopped Sasuke from reaching the Hidden Sound. And...you fought and killed Kimimaro, didn't you?"

"Yes. I did. Kimimaro was close to you, wasn't he..."

"He was my best friend. My only friend until I made it to this village. He was the one who could calm me, one of the only people in the world who could subdue me and stop my rages without causing me harm. I used to be an outcast. Because of my condition, I was a terror to everyone around me. I tried to contain the anger, but...it barely ever worked. I killed a lot of people. Innocent people. Men, women...even children weren't spared. I killed everyone in a village once, people who were kind to me and took me in. When I came to, I realized that my entire existence was cursed, and that I could never become a normal human being like everyone else. So I left civilization altogether. I started living in caves, riding out the waves of madness on my own and hoping that I would never harm another person."

"It was Kimimaro that found you," I say.

"Yes. He must have told you that he was the last of his clan, too."

"The Kaguya, yes. Warmongers who were so deranged and drunk on their own power that they attacked the Hidden Mist, and got their just reward. Obliterated, down to the last man. Kimimaro was the only one who remained. Do you know why, by chance?"

"He was...a lot like me. Despised, even by members of his own clan for the power that he displayed. They kept him locked away until it was time to fight. He escaped in the midst of the battle, as a child who knew when he was outmatched, and as someone who never cared for fighting and bloodshed like the other members of his clan. That insight allowed him to survive. From there, Orochimaru found him." Jugo pauses. "And it's true that you helped Lord Hokage destroy Orochimaru as well. You're quite formidable, thinking about it some more."

"Flattery is always appreciated, and welcomed."

He chuckles at that. "Your confidence is formidable as well."

"Orochimaru, who must have given you hope and a sense of belonging...and Kimimaro, who gave you peace and means of living normally within this world. I saw them both off to the Pure Land. I have to wonder what you think of that," I say to him.

"Well...I felt a certain way about Orochimaru, but only because Kimimaro guided me to him. I was living in one of those caves, out in the wilderness, when he first found me. And he convinced me to give myself up to Orochimaru...I thought that maybe it would lead to a cure for my condition. I trusted him, and agreed. At first, it seemed like there would be progress. But I slowly saw the radical devotion that Kimimaro had towards his master, and on top of that, Orochimaru progressed from actively studying me, to keeping up pretenses while he obsessed over my transforming abilities, to just not caring altogether. He locked me away, seeing me as more trouble than I was worth aside from my genetic material. The one positive I could take away from it all was that I was finally in a secure facility, far away from others. I was locked away, unable to hurt anyone else. I had Kimimaro. I thought that I would be fine."

Jugo pauses a bit to take a bite from his filled bread, pushing it out of the packaging slightly. He seals it back up with one hand and takes a swig of water.

"Then Kimimaro got very sick. He said that they were trying everything, but nothing was working. Nobody knew what was wrong."

"I suspect that it was a disease unique to the Kaguya clan, or perhaps more specifically the bloodline limit that he used. It seemed quite complicated when I saw it."

"Yes. It was actually very rare within his clan, and it was the reason he was restrained so often. It was a challenge to the power of the clan leader."

"I see now."

"The last time I saw him was before he left on the mission to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha. I didn't want him to go. He was doing badly the last time I checked...but he said that he had to go and get Sasuke for Orochimaru. Because they were the only two branded with the strongest cursed seals, Kimimaro said that they were the only ones worthy of becoming vessels. And since Kimimaro was sick, he said that Sasuke was like...his reincarnation."

"..." That much obsession, then. It's beyond what I imagined before. I suppose that Orochimaru gave him a second chance at life, but he was used as a tool and indoctrinated, then thrown away like trash. If nothing else, he would have been left to rot without a second glance.

Depriving someone of their value, right to the bitter end. That level of evil is something that I've encountered myself once before.

"He said that he was grateful to me for our friendship, and that he would return...the meaning of those words didn't really hit me until later on. He meant that he would return, not as himself, but as a part of Sasuke once everything was completed. Of course, he ended up fighting you...and I can see why he lost. Just your will alone would have overcome his. But you had more than that on your side."

I nod. "Very insightful of you."

"Thank you. I...have something else to say, that might be offensive to you."

"Please, go ahead."

"Alright." He takes a breath in. "You...remind me of him. Of Kimimaro."

"Is that it?"

He blinks. "I really thought you would be angry at that. He worked for Orochimaru willingly, and tried to kill you and your comrades."

"Kimimaro Kaguya was many things, and I don't regret erasing him from existence, even if he was your most precious friend. I understand why you said that, Jugo. He had a sense of honour, and it wasn't simply decorum. He loved deeply and cared for others. You loved him like a brother, and someone as kind and gentle as you would not just be attached to anyone, no matter how good they were to you. As humans in this world, we were not polar opposites. We both faced the beast called loneliness, in different ways. Both of us lost pieces of our families, and suffered in new and strange worlds. We had to find ourselves, and we learned how to show kindness to others."

"I see..."

"Make no mistake. Similarities are not enough to stop me in my tracks. Enemies are enemies, once I determine it to be so. And those determinations must come quickly on the battlefield. Not every venue is a place for kindness and understanding. My aim in life is not to perpetuate cruelty...but I will not shy away from displaying the power that I have cultivated. Bowing mindlessly to one person or creed is beneath me."

"It's a level of complexity that I'm relieved to see," Jugo says.

"Many in our circle have said the same."

"I did meet with Sasuke once. He was...interesting. Seeing as you undertook a top secret mission to bring him back to the village, I wonder how you feel about him..." Jugo takes another bite from his bread.

"Sasuke Uchiha is little more than an acquaintance of mine, if even that. He holds value as a human being, someone with the right to life and liberty like many others in this world. And bringing him home was for the sake of his loved ones, more than anything else. My personal feelings towards him in those moments were not important."

"What are your personal feelings towards him?"

"He is an arrogant, snivelling, worthless brat who I would rather not look at, speak of, or speak to unless absolutely necessary."

"Hm. And you risked yourself for such a person."

"Yes. He wounded me once before...and left a heat in my chest that is likely to remain for the rest of my existence. I welcome it, because it is proof that I can overcome myself for the sake of other human beings. Even if I loathe them, like I do him."

"You really are kind, Miss Lilith."

"I try to be."

"I understand fully now, why Karin likes you so much, and why Fio loves you and is so cheerful all the time. She told me about her time as one of Orochimaru's experiments. She was treated even worse than Kimimaro and I were, and...more than that, she wasn't afflicted with some disease or special condition. Fio was a normal, healthy girl who had her life completely destroyed by Orochimaru. And yet...the first time we met, she expressed a desire to help me. I didn't understand why she was so happy and energetic after everything that happened to her. So I asked. And she said that she was a lot like me before."

"She was very shy and gloomy, yes."

"What changed for her was that she found her sun. She likened herself to a flower that was trapped in a box with holes, before being pulled out into the light, bit by bit. She said that you never gave up on her, and that it was your light that helped her grow big and strong."

"Fio can be silly at times," I say with a smile. "But that's a very good way of putting it. She's a beautiful flower who is growing day by day."

"I thought that I would have to stick by Sasuke's side, since Kimimaro sacrificed his life to see him fulfill his destiny as Orochimaru's new vessel. But with Kimimaro and Orochimaru gone, Sasuke has a new path now. I don't know what that path might be. I don't even know if I'll be around to see where it leads. Kimimaro is someone I love dearly. But his path and mine are different now. Now that I know I can be myself, and that living a normal life is possible, I want to see what the world looks like through my own eyes."

"As you should," I say.

"Thank you for taking the time out to talk with me, Miss Lilith. I thought that it would be more difficult...that's to say, I assumed you would be more guarded regarding these topics. Willing to listen to my story was enough on its own."

I take another sip from my bottle and look towards the sky.

"Most people aren't me. Whether rich or poor. Human interaction at times is...difficult. Even for someone who seems as composed as I am. I turn many things over in my head, many times a minute. I simply want to try to be better, even if it's only for a handful of people on a personal level. I told someone once that I wasn't a good person. Do you know what she told me in return?"

"What was it?"

"That I didn't need to be a good person to be good to people." I return my gaze to Jugo. "And so, I hope you can accept this measure of kindness, even if it is from a spoiled princess like me."

"It would be an honour, as far as I'm concerned."

"Hm. No wonder Karin fawns over you so often. You really have a way of sounding precious, you know."

"Is that so...?"

"Yes. I'm glad that your heart has remained the way it is. It's a comfort to me...another sign that fighting to free this world from its chains will be well worth the effort. It means that we can help so many other people who feel trapped and alone, and reach out to them with the help they need. And if they do choose to live in solitude, they will be able to wander as freely as they would desire."

"A world where everyone is free to choose their own future. That sounds wonderful."

"When the time comes, I will call for you. Until then...take this chance you've been given to become the person you want to be. And enjoy life knowing that you can love, and be loved, freely."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll remember."

I nod and give him a smile. "Good boy. That's all I ask."

We finish our treats while talking some more, and then Jugo departs to deliver the mission report. I am by myself again, but I know that I am not alone.

Someone has been watching us for quite some time.

"Get out here, you worthless fucking dog."

He emerges from behind the corner of a nearby building.

Sai.

"Miss Kobayashi. A pleasure to meet you again after so long."

He hasn't changed at all. The same outfit, the same pale skin, the same abominable features. But he infuriates me even more than before. A commendable feat, considering we've barely spoken.

"It's very clever of you to take advantage of your physical growth like that," he says with his plastic smile. "I'm sure you've earned many positive comments to that effect."

I look towards him, but not at him. An obstacle. That's all he ever has been to me. Dehumanizing someone? I don't think this is it. He is a person, who has probably been through some sort of trauma himself. But I don't owe him anything. I don't owe anyone anything. Not kindness. Not forgiveness. Not compassion. Not love.

More than that, he's another one of Danzo's dogs. I don't have time to waste trying to rehabilitate them. Nor do I have the energy. Even with both of those present, I would not have the inclination. It makes me sick to think about. I wonder if those feelings will ever change. Maybe they won't. In that case...I have my loved ones to deal with such things on my behalf.

"It is a bit reckless, even for you...to associate with a monster like that man. And to discuss village secrets with him as well."

To threaten progress...and those who I think are deserving of affection. I won't let it be.

Hero...villain. Those titles are nothing. Transient at best. Symbols that become useless after a season. What I want is more than that. The world will turn, and if I have to become a monster to do that, then I will become one. I can become terror itself on a whim.

"I would not want anyone to get the wrong idea-"

"You are dead."

He pauses and gathers himself. "Pardon, Miss Kobayashi?"

I finally focus on him, and my eyes meet his.

"I am going to kill you."

It's a moment that would pass by most people. Something that manifests as a brief flicker on his otherwise impassive face. But I saw it.

Fear.

The way his eyes widened, and the way his body tensed. The muscles in his face tightening. A surge of adrenaline, his brain racing to make sense of the situation and whether he should attack or retreat. His very being, shaken to its core.

Sai catches himself as expertly as he can, and after a few more moments, pushes himself towards another strained, artificial smile.

"I see. That doesn't sound very pleasant. I hope you will reconsider, Miss Kobayashi."

"I am not the type of person to break my promises," I reply. "I am coming for you, Sai. And there is nothing you can do to stop it."

"I think you are making a mistake by saying something like that."

I look past him again, into the distance.

"Goodbye, Sai."

He bows before retreating into the shadows.

"Soon the restraints will come off. You will not survive...and neither will your master. That is how things must be."

I roll my neck back and forth a few times, then let out a breath. The day is still young, and there are places to visit. That, and I should look into a few things for my upcoming ocean voyage.