Flying in the Wind

by WingzemonX

Ayaka and Kazuha were engaged as children, and a sweet young love blossomed between them. But Kazuha's family fell into disgrace, and the engagement was undone. Several years later, and at the height of the Vision Hunt Decree, Ayaka's path crosses Kazuha's again, and she quickly realizes that her feelings for him still linger.

34. 34 I'm not a threat to you

Chapter 34
I'm not a threat to you

Tomo knew in advance that his mysterious new friend would not come with him for good, so without even asking first, he took it upon himself to knock him unconscious with a precise blow to the right spot on the neck. Of course, going around the city and carrying the unconscious body of a ninja was a challenging task too. Still, he managed to hide him inside a wooden barrel he found right there in the alley and carry it on his back, like another merchant carrying his merchandise. He walked with a leisurely step, and his head bowed. Nobody paid attention to him, and nobody asked questions.

Despite everything, it seemed to be his lucky day.

He managed to get out of the city and down a hill towards the beach. First, he was thinking of taking his guest to a cave, but later, he glimpsed an old wooden hut, perhaps belonging to an old fisherman. He looked at it from the outside and then took a look inside. It seemed that it had been a long time since anyone had been there.

Once again, he seemed to be in luck.

When the ninja regained consciousness, the first thing his eyes began to see was the hut's dark, dusty, and cobwebbed interior. The second thing his senses picked up was his inability to move freely since he was firmly tied at the wrists and ankles. He was sitting on a barrel (the same one where he had been transported), and on the floor, at his feet, he glimpsed a thick, dark liquid whose pungent odor he immediately identified as whale oil for lamps. The liquid formed a circle around him and then spread out in a straight path to the front, ending just in front of the shack's front door. Or, rather, right in front of the person sitting on the ground in front of the door.

"You finally wake up," Tomo murmured with a carefree smile, looking at him from his position. He had removed his scarf, his sword was placed on the ground on one side, and on the other, stuck in the ground... he had a burning torch whose fire was the primary source of light, in addition to the little that entered through the only window into the room. "I was afraid I might hit you in the wrong place. It had been a while since I did it."

The ninja remained silent, and his only appreciable reaction was his eyes hardening. It took him only a short time to understand his situation. His restraints, the oil, and the torch made that quite clear.

Tomo stood up, wiping his hakama pants with both hands. Then he took his sword with one hand and the torch with the other to approach his new friend, careful not to step on the trail of oil.

"I'm sorry about how uncomfortable you must be feeling right now," Tomo apologized, actually sounding almost sincere. "This won't take long, but that depends much more on you than on me."

He then stood to one side of the barrel, placing the torch in a wall bracket, but close enough to grab it with a flick of his hand if needed.

"Let's start with something simple, shall we? What's your name?"

The ninja remained quiet, his gaze fixed and steady ahead instead of looking at his captor. Not a single sound came from his mouth.

"So we'll just get on with the silent rude boy act, huh?" Tomo mumbled, amused. "Well, my friends call me Tomo. And although I don't think you fall into that category, we can still make an exception. I have a little kitten named Tama, and recently I met a new friend named Thoma. So as long as you don't tell me your real name, you will be Tamo to me. Agree?"

There was no answer, but Tomo didn't expect it.

"Alright, Tamo. Tell me, who sent you to follow me? And what were your exact orders?"

Again, just silence.

"At least you don't deny that you were following me. That could be considered progress."

He took a step closer to him, leaning his body slightly in his direction, almost as if he was going to whisper a secret in his ear.

"Listen, Tamo… the truth is that neither of us wants to be in this place, right? I was actually going to a much more fun place when you forced me off my route. So why don't you do us both a favor and get this over quickly? I understand that keeping secrets is basically the cornerstone of your profession, and I respect that. But, for the same reason, I hope you also understand and respect that I cannot let you leave here without telling me exactly what you were up to..."

"And will you let me go if I tell you?" the mysterious ninja Tamo suddenly muttered.

"Ah, you spoke," Tomo exclaimed in fascination. "Well, we are already making progress. At this rate, we will be real friends sooner than expected. About your question, that also depends on you. I don't know what you've been told about me, but I'm not entirely interested in…"

Before he could finish speaking, the ninja jerked his body around, turning him around on the barrel and pulling his still-bound legs toward Tomo's face. An instant before moving quickly back to avoid it, the wandering samurai managed to see how a small and sharp blade emerged from the tip of the ninja's right sandal, which ended up passing a few centimeters from his nose, so close that he could almost see the reflection of his own eyes in the small blade.

The barrel in which the ninja was sitting overturned due to the sudden movement, and the man fell to the ground. He wasn't down for long because, despite his restraints, he managed to stand on his feet and jump towards the door with agility, thanks to his training. However, he didn't manage to get too close before Tomo, in the form of a ferocious purple lightning bolt, disappeared from his current position and reappeared right in front of him in midair. He then quickly turned his body, stamping the ninja with a well-aimed kick to the side of his head and making him fall face-first to the ground again, smearing himself with oil.

Tomo landed very close to him, and immediately the ninja wasted no time before placing his legs against him again, still with the blade out, this time trying to reach his thigh. Tomo dodged that first attack, as well as the second. For the third, instead of dodging it, he quickly drew his sword, charged with his elemental energy, cutting that small blade in two with perfect precision; a few more millimeters and it would have sliced off the tips of his fingers.

At the same time that he unsheathed his sword with his right hand, with his left, he firmly took its scabbard and directed it at his hostage's abdomen, right in the pit of his stomach, pushing him hard backward against the ground and taking all the air out of him. The ninja rolled to the side, coughing hard and trying to get air into his lungs.

Tomo sighed heavily, laden with palpable frustration.

"Okay, let's try again..."

He then approached the man on the ground, taking him by his bound wrists and pulling him back onto the ground with the oil.

"Despite what many say about me, I consider myself an honorable warrior. I am not someone who enjoys threatening a person with their wrists and ankles tied, much less hurting or torturing them. The idea of prolonging pain unnecessarily strikes me as repulsive. Every time I find myself in the situation of having to kill an opponent, I try to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Many times, just a blow, a cut, and that's it. And if I could, I would like to give such an opportunity to you too, Tamo."

At that moment, he retook his scabbard and pressed it hard against the back of the ninja's head. He tried to say something, but it was difficult with his face pressed against the ground, especially against the thick and penetrating whale oil.

"But that… also depends on you…" Tomo blurted out, sounding like a dangerous threat.

Still pressing the ninja's head to the ground, he put his sword aside and reached for the torch, retaking it. He then squatted to one side of the ninja, bringing the torch close enough to him so that he could feel the heat emanating from it on his face.

"Once again: who sent you, and what were your orders exactly?" he questioned with a hard edge that made his words feel almost like blades.

The ninja Tamo turned to look at him out of the corner of his eye to the best of his position. The samurai was no longer smiling at all. And his eyes held no emotion; all visible in them was the dancing glow of the fire, moving seductively and teasingly.

He knew immediately that these were not empty threats. This man was more than willing to set him on fire or do anything else to get what he knew from his lips... with no remorse.

And yet, the ninja wouldn't tell him anything; they both knew it from the beginning. So all that could only end one way...

Or maybe two.

At that moment, they both heard, to their surprise, how someone knocked on the hut's door with enough force and presence for both of them to divert their attention in that direction. Tomo looked at the door and then looked back at Tamo as if he expected to tell him with his mere glance if he knew who he was. If Tamo did know, he hid it very well.

Tomo released his hostage and stood up. He put the torch back in its holder, took back his sword, and put it back in its scabbard. He then calmly approached the door, opening it wide without the least ceremony, not even trying to ask who was first. On the other side, he was greeted by a stoic and calm look, framed by shiny blue hair, who was observing him.

"Good afternoon," Kamisato Ayato greeted unceremoniously, his voice overwhelmingly calm.

"My, Commissioner Kamisato," Tomo said, smiling. "What a surprise to see you here. What can I do for you?"

Saying nothing yet, Ayato subtly shifted his gaze over the samurai's shoulder toward the hut's interior and the man on the ground within it.

"Can I enter?" he asked right after, not breaking his mask of harmony, allowing himself to even smile back at him.

Tomo watched him for a few moments, perhaps pondering whether this might be a good idea or not. Whatever his reasoning was in the end, he stepped aside, leaving the way clear for him to do as he wanted.

Ayato calmly entered the hut. The ninja on the ground was looking at him with wide-open eyes, filled with confusion, surprise, and especially fear. The nobleman, however, smiled back calmly, nodding slightly.

"I was the one who sent this man," the Commissioner stated without rambling, turning back to Tomo. "Let him go, and we can talk about what his orders were and why."

"My lord! No!" the ninja snapped, terrified by such a proposal. Ayato, however, only raised a hand towards him as a sign of silence, an instruction he obeyed without question.

"So, Mr. Tomo?" the Commissioner insisted.

"He goes out, and you stay?" Tomo asked curiously, looking at him skeptically. "Is that the exchange?"

"If you want to call it that, yes. You accept?"

"Sounds good to me," the samurai replied, shrugging. "You can release Him. Go ahead."

Ayato nodded his thanks and then approached the ninja, crouching down beside him. He drew his sword and took it upon himself to quickly cut the bonds on Tamo's wrists and feet.

"My lord, please," the ninja pleaded once he was free. "Don't stay here with him. This man… he is…"

"Don't worry," Ayato replied calmly, placing a hand on his shoulder and offering him a reassuring smile. "Go out and heal your wounds. I'll be fine."

The ninja, unable to disobey an instruction coming from that person, just bowed his head obediently. He stood up and began to walk to the door, limping.

"See you another time, Tamo," Tomo dismissed him sardonically as he walked past him. The ninja didn't even look at him.

Once he was outside, Tomo closed the door behind him.

"I suppose it would be wise to assume that the whole shack is surrounded by more ninjas, waiting for the slightest excuse to attack me, right?" Tomo commented in a mocking tone, turning to Ayato. He smiled, even noticing something amused.

"It would be wise not to rule out that possibility," he replied. "But if you think the two of us can have a civil and calm conversation, I don't think anyone else's intervention would be necessary."

"Besides that, you can defend yourself perfectly, right?" Tomo pointed out, jerking his chin toward the bluish orb vision hanging loosely from his waist.

"Same as you," Ayato pronounced. "An Electro vision, isn't it?"

Tomo fell silent in an immediate response, but the smile didn't fade one bit from his lips. It shouldn't surprise him that they had seen what he had just done a moment ago to subdue Tamo. Even back in the alleyway where they fought, there might have been another pair of prying eyes that he hadn't noticed. He should have foreseen it before.

"And what will you do about it?" Tomo demanded defiantly, resting his hand against his sheathed sword. "Are you going to take it from me and arrest me for breaking the Vision Hunt Decree? Because I need to anticipate that no matter how many ninjas you have brought with you, I will be forced to resist until the last consequences."

"I don't think we have to come to that," Ayato replied, accompanied by a mocking laugh. "Officially, it is the responsibility of the Tenryou Commission to enforce that decree."

"Maybe. But as an officer of the Shogunate, it would be your responsibility to report the presence of a wandering swordsman prowling the city with Electro vision. Or am I wrong?"

"That would be true," Ayato agreed, "if I came across that wandering swordsman and saw him use that vision with my own eyes, of course. However, by the time I walk through that door back, neither of you nor I will have ever been in this shack. So I don't see how I could report something that, in theory, I never saw."

That brought out a shrill laugh from Tomo.

"Perfect answer," the swordsman pointed out, apparently much more relaxed, withdrawing his hand from his sword shortly after. "I guess we just have to trust each other, right?"

"As much as possible."

"Of course... So tell me, what exactly caused Commissioner Yashiro to pay so much attention to a mere traveling swordsman like me?"

Ayato passed his gaze around that small space, paying attention to a box tucked away in a corner. Without saying anything, he approached it and looked at it carefully, even passing his gloved finger to see how much dust was on it. It was quite a lot, but given the situation, he didn't care and allowed himself to sit on it, crossing his legs relaxedly. A relatively simple act, but one that Tomo immediately perceived as a way of showing his absolute calm and control in the situation."

"I don't think I need to explain myself too much to make my actions understood," Ayato pointed out, shrugging slightly. "An unknown and suspicious man suddenly approaches my younger sister; what else could I do? You could say, in a nutshell, that I just wanted to make sure you weren't a latent threat to her… or me."

Tomo couldn't help but let out an incredulous giggle.

"So it was just the normal concern of an older brother?" the samurai asked curiously. "Was it just that?"

"Basically," Ayato replied calmly. "Especially after someone I trusted shared with me their concerns about you."

"And that someone you trust would be the nice Thoma?" Tomo inquired almost accusingly. Ayato, however, did not reply.

Tomo crossed his arms, hiding them inside the wide sleeves of his coat, and began to approach where Ayato had sat, doing the same in another box in front of him to speak face to face.

"A normal older brother wouldn't send a group of ninjas to spy on a person out of simple concern," Tomo pointed out wryly.

"I think they would if they had one at their disposal," Ayato replied with slight humor. "And I must accept that my worries have not diminished after all… this," he added, turning his gaze to the rest of the hut, especially to the torch and the oil on the floor.

"For what it's worth, knocking people unconscious and bringing them into out-of-the-way huts to threaten them with oil and fire… isn't something I often do."

"That's not exactly what worries me," Ayato pointed out with a hint of seriousness. His entire face suddenly turned a little more severe. "You may not believe it, but the men I put behind you are highly competent at what they do. They have spied on or followed men and women of considerable skill, some being among the most skilled I have ever met. And the truth is that it is common for one of these targets to realize their presence and also to be able to subdue them with such ease. Even having a vision."

Ayato was silent for a few moments, carefully inspecting the face of the man in front of him, perhaps trying to detect some reaction to those last words. However, there was none as such, not one he could decipher, at least. Tomo just stared back at him with that sly, tight smile.

"On the other hand," Ayato continued after a while, "even though you say you don't do this often, it can be deduced at first glance that it's not even close to the first time. So all of this obviously leads me to the most important question."

There was another short pause, and then he blurted out his question:

"Who are you really, Mr. Tomo? And what exactly did you come to Inazuma to do?"

Again, the rock mask that turned out to be Tomo's expression remained unchanged. Ayato had met many men in complete control of their emotions; he considered himself particularly good at it. But this man… he was even more challenging to read than most.

After a few moments, Tomo stood up from the box where he had sat, running a hand over his behind to clean some dust off it.

"I must admit, you took me by surprise, Commissioner," Tomo said in a relaxed tone. "I didn't think there was someone as interesting as you working for the Shogunate."

"Interesting?" thought Ayato, a bit taken aback. He was hoping he meant that in a good way.

"However," Tomo added right after with a proper dose of bitterness in his tone, "at the same time, it makes me wonder how this nation got into such a sorry situation as it is now, having you, supposedly, in charge of protecting it."

"Excuse me?" Ayato mumbled with slight confusion. Tomo paid him no attention and instead continued with what he wanted to say.

"I suppose that this could be a clear reflection of the little power that the Yashiro Commission, or even the Shogun Raiden herself, have in this new Inazuma that practically lives under the oppressive yoke of the Tenryou Commission and has insisted on going to war against the very people they claim to protect."

"The actions of the Tenryou Commission obey the wishes of the Almighty Shogun and nothing else," Ayato answered quickly without hesitation.

"That would be much more worrisome, then," Tomo concluded sternly.

Tomo's expression now reflected much less joviality than a while ago and instead showed much more of that cold aggressiveness that had intimidated the ninja Tamo a few moments ago. Ayato, however, managed to remain calm. In fact, it gave him a little more confidence to realize that he was probably already talking more directly to the man behind that friendly Mr. Tomo.

Ayato then stood up and took a step closer to him, facing Tomo more squarely and holding his gaze quite firmly.

"I must understand from your words that you are a person with radical ideas and a possible opponent of the Vision Hunt Decree and the Closing of Borders, or am I wrong?" Ayato questioned bluntly. "Are you a lone supporter of these ideas, or are you involved with someone else? The Sangonomiya radicals, perhaps?"

Tomo held her chin with a thoughtful expression and subtly shifted her gaze to the side.

"Maybe it's not that the Yashiro Commission has little power," the samurai blurted out, practically completely ignoring Ayato's question, "and actually, the explanation is simpler. Perhaps you, Commissioner, are in fact an overly astute man whose highest priority is not precisely the well-being of Inazuma but that of your family. Or, being more precise, that of his sister."

A slight movement in Ayato's right eyebrow was enough to reveal that those statements were not indifferent to him. Tomo smiled, almost triumphantly, seeing this.

"Perhaps you have already pondered all the implications of this situation," Tomo added, "and concluded that the best scenario that could guarantee the survival of both is to go with the flow... or at least pretend to do so. And after this protective display towards the well-being of your sister that you made today, I am more inclined to that option. What do you say? Do you think I'm getting close?"

"You express yourself quite eloquently, Mr. Tomo," Ayato replied seriously. "Have you considered going into politics?"

"Me? No, not at all," laughed Tomo, ironic. "I'm not a so literate or high-born man as you, Commissioner. But let's say that life has led me to see and know many things... and many people. And that experience has helped me understand how things work more than enough. In answer to your question about who I really am and my radical ideas… The truth is that I am just a wandering samurai whose sword is not at the service of any lord, of any clan, of any God, nor of any specific ideology. My loyalty and sword are only in the service of justice, good, and the good people of Inazuma who may need me."

"You're an idealist, then," Ayato teased, to which Tomo responded with another of his guffaws.

"I have been called that. But mainly, my sword is at the service of everyone I consider my true friend. And my place will always be there, standing firmly between them and anyone who tries to harm them. And for that very reason, there is no reason for you to worry that I might be a threat to you or your family, Commissioner."

That sudden turn in the direction of their conversation caught Ayato a bit off guard.

"Really?" he questioned, a bit distrustful. "It is more than clear that I could not fit into the category of people you consider your 'true friends.'"

"Maybe not," Tomo answered bluntly, shrugging. "But Kaedehara Kazuha does. Of all the friends I have made throughout my travels, he is one of the most special and the ones I appreciate the most. And he is madly in love with your sister, Lady Kamisato Ayaka. And the short time in which I have been able to treat her has been enough to confirm that she is more than deserving of that affection, and that it is also mutual. But you already know that, don't you?"

It was now Ayato who had to remain silent without giving a direct answer to the question. But for the moment, that was really enough to show what he thought about it.

"Anyway," Tomo said, walking to the other side of the hut, "what I'm getting at is that I would never do anything that would hurt Kazuha. And as long as he and Lady Kamisato are together, I won't do anything that could hurt her and, therefore, you."

"So I'm to think it's fair because of your friendship with Kaedehara Kazuha that you don't pose a threat to us?"

"That's the truth. But it's up to you to believe it or not."

"But you well said that that would be while the young Kaedehara and Ayaka were together. What would happen if that relationship did not prosper or was broken?"

"I'd like to see you try, Commissioner," Tomo laughed loudly. "Have you ever tried to separate two young people truly in love? They will burn down all Inazuma before that happens; remember my words."

"It is very bold of you to suggest that you know my sister's feelings better than I do."

"I'm not implying anything. You can ask her directly if you want."

Certainly, the fact that the conversation had gone so directly towards Ayaka was not to Ayato's liking, especially in the context that that man was insinuating. The matter of the Kaedehara boy and she was something that Thoma had also made him notice in their talk the day before, and it was something that Ayato would also have to take care of investigating further when the time came. However, he did not want to think too much about it at the moment.

"Anything else I can help you with, Commissioner?" Tomo asked after a few moments, perhaps a little impatient.

"You haven't told me why you're here in Inazuma," Ayato pointed out shrewdly, advancing firmly toward him.

"I only come to the festival, obviously. Like everyone else."

"I must declare myself skeptical of such a statement."

"It's in your right. But you must believe me when I tell you these two things."

Tomo turned fully towards Ayato, both of them being a matter of a few steps away. Both fixed their eyes on the other with such tenacity as if their gazes were already having their respective duel, without the need for either of them to draw their weapons.

"Before the festival is over, I'll be leaving town," Tomo declared in a stoic voice. "And most likely, we will never see each other again after that. And by leaving, I won't have done anything that would require you to take another afternoon out of your busy schedule to dedicate it to me. Like I said, I'm not a threat to you at all."

"I'll have to believe you, then," Ayato stated mildly.

"Or at least pretend, I suppose. Oh, and the second thing: for both of our sakes, you better not send any more of your spies after me, okay? Since if I realize again that one of them is following me, on that occasion, I will no longer knock them unconscious and bring them to a hut to talk. We are clear on that, right?"

"Of course."

"Perfect then."

That carefree smile returned to Tomo's lips. And, apparently ending the conversation, he took a few steps away from Ayato and went to where he had left his scarf, calmly placing it around his neck.

"Think about what I told you about those two before you do anything," he blurted out as he apparently prepared to leave.

"How do you say?" Ayato asked, a bit lost as to what he meant.

"I know Kazuha well, even a little better than he himself. And that sparkle in his eyes when he sees Lady Kamisato, I had never seen it in him before. In general, he is a very calm and peaceful boy, but I have seen what he can do to protect what he holds dear."

"Is it some kind of threat?"

"Oh no, of course not," Tomo laughed in amusement, turning to him once he was done. "It's just that I feel that Lady Kamisato must be the same, or maybe worse. So I absolutely wouldn't want to be the one trying to get between the two of them."

"I'll take it into account," Ayato replied dryly.

Tomo offered him a slight bow of his head as a sign of farewell, and without further ado, he headed for the door. The sun's glare got a little into his eyes when he looked outside, but it didn't take long for him to get used to it and begin to walk calmly through the sand, even beginning to hum a song as he walked away.

Ayato stood in the doorway, silently contemplating the figure of the mysterious samurai. When he was at the correct distance, the figure of a man in all-black clothing practically materialized next to him, hiding somewhat in the shadows that the hut and the nearby cliffs cast.

"My lord, do you want us to follow him?" the man in black questioned, crouching down to one knee on the sand.

Ayato pondered for a few moments before answering.

"Not. For now, let's leave him alone. He turned out to be a much more dangerous individual than I anticipated, so we'll have to exercise more caution. Just keep your usual watch on Ayaka, and report to me any contact she has with that man or Kaedehara Kazuha."

"Yes, my lord," the ninja replied solemnly, just to disappear into the shadows the next moment.

Alone now (although not quite in reality), Commissioner Yashiro began to walk back along the beach, accompanied at every step by endless thoughts. Although it might not seem like it at first glance, that had in fact been a fruitful afternoon in more ways than one. But now it was time to think and decide his next move carefully...

---

Tomo was preparing to return to the city, although looking at the sun's position made him wonder if he still had enough time to go to the place he had proposed before being interrupted. Of course, the actual movement of the red-light district had to start right at sunset. However, he had arranged to meet Kazuha at their camp not so late, and the last thing he wanted was to worry him so much that he would have to go there to look for him personally, afraid that he had been apprehended or that some cunning courtesan had robbed him and left tied to the bed. Kazuha didn't know, but it wouldn't have been the first time.

Besides, if he was being honest with himself, he wasn't exactly in such a good mood for that plan anymore. It had been a hectic afternoon for him too, and he needed to think things through as well. Especially deciding how much of what really happened that day should or shouldn't be shared with his partner.

A shrill, shrill mew nearby caught his attention, snapping him out of all his musings. Turning to the side, he immediately noticed standing on a rock the white body and bright blue eyes of a kitten that was more than familiar to him and that was observing him from its position. As soon as their eyes met, the kitten hurried towards his feet.

"Hey, Tama," he exclaimed in surprise, crouching toward her. The kitten rubbed against his leg and then also against his hand as Tomo reached out to her. "What are you doing here, little girl? Let me guess, you ran away from Kazuha, right?"

Tama then let out a tiny meow, which could well be an answer or a mere coincidence.

"He must be crazy looking for you. Good thing you've always known how to find me, you little devilish."

Tomo took the kitten in his hands and lifted her up. Tama did not resist and allowed the samurai to carry her in his arms, almost as if she were a baby.

"Let's go to the camp to wait for our friend, shall we?" Tomo proposed, to which the kitten simply responded by snuggling better in his arms, practically snuggling up.

Tomo continued on his way, although now with a different destination, and resumed the same song he was humming a few moments ago.

Author Notes:

A chapter with a lot of dialogue, but that will be relevant to several things that will happen later... and I won't say more. As I have mentioned before, Tomo is a character whom I have had to take many freedoms to characterize due to the little we know about him, but trying to take care that his actions and words are consistent with it. And perhaps for the same reason, I enjoy writing about him. And a clash of ideas with Ayato, I think was just what we needed. What did you think?

Well, we finished with one topic and two more to go (the adventures of Kazuha and Itto and the outing of the Tri-Commission girls). With a few more chapters and hopefully, we will be able to move on to the festival, which has taken so long to arrive...