Imperatrix Umberos 13: Shadows of the Past
Beta'd and edited by Dr_Feelgood, Philosophysics, the Grand Cogitator, and October Daye
The scent of the tea was rich and fragrant as Ami carefully steeped the leaves. As her mother had taught her, she had Mushu infuse a little Electro into the liquid, which added both a tangy flavor and gave the liquid magical properties. It was hard to make a tea ceremony awesome, but her mom could definitely do it. Especially one held in another dimension.
Above her head, the sky of Euthymia glowed, a swirl of endless purple clouds. There was no lightning or distant rumbles, which meant that her mom wasn't mad. It was sort of useful to know if you were in trouble because bolts of lightning started flashing outside, but it was also embarrassing and kinda scary that everyone knew if you got a bad mark because there was a thunderstorm.
When the tea finished, she poured a cup first for her mother, then her sister. Tsu nodded gratefully, breaking her staring contest with their mother, who sat placidly herself. It was strange that they were drinking the more traditional tea, and not coke or milk tea. The food was traditional as well, simple rice balls and some sushi.
When Ami handed her mother her cup, Ei nodded and took a long sip, then gave Ami a small smile. "Good. You have learned well."
It was simple praise, but it made Ami's heart swell with pride more than any number of accolades from her teachers, or even awards for her TV show. She tried not to blush too much, and picked up her cup, taking a long sip. It actually was pretty good tea!
"So. What shall be the consequences for our errors?" Tsu asked, setting her cup down, her expression utterly flat.
"There will be consequences," their mother said, and Ami's heart lurched. "But none meted out by me. All actions have consequences, and those of the paths my daughters have taken may prove quite severe."
For long moments, their mother gazed up at the sky. "I have given much thought to my meeting with Barbatos. And what the consequences of it shall be."
"Are you, um…mad that I said I killed him?" Ami asked timidly, trying to meet her mother's gaze but mostly staring down at the table between them.
A small smile twitched at the corner of her mother's lips. "To be fair, I too attempted to kill Barbatos upon our first meeting. It was only Makoto's intervention that spared him from the Musou no Hitotachi."
"He is… uniquely infuriating," Tsu said after a moment to digest that fact. "But that is not a memory you bequeathed me."
"No. I limited the memories I gave you to the bare minimum. I have learned from the failures of my last two kagemushu," Mother said with a shake of her head. "You must grow and develop as your own person. Attempting to remake Makoto again would be… unwise."
"I see," Tsukuyomi said, and bowed her head. "I yield to your wisdom in this matter."
"That is not to say that there are not things that in light of recent events, I must tell you," their mother said, her gaze resting heavily on both her daughters. "You know I come from another world."
"Teyvat," Ami agreed eagerly. "Are you going to tell us more about it?!"
"Some," her mother agreed, drawing the word out slowly. "I still do not know what qualifies as Forbidden Knowledge, or what the Dictates of the Heavenly Principles of this Realm are. Only that violating them would spell disaster, and ensure the destruction of Japan and all her people."
Her throat suddenly felt thick and raw, and Ami swallowed. "Can't… can't you beat the bad guys? Even… even if it's…"
"No. There are some foes even I cannot face alone. That is why I chose you to be my daughters."
Ami gasped, and even Tsu shifted slightly. "You mean, you want us to fight Sc-"
"Do not speak His name," the Raiden Shogun snapped, and this time, thunder did crackle around them. "Not even here. Do not even consider fighting him. Not yet."
Waiting until both Ami and Tsu nodded, Raiden relaxed slightly. "But yes. Not alone, however. That would be suicide."
"What of Barbatos? He is not of Eternity, but if he is as powerful as you claim…" Tsu asked, her own eyes flashing, this time in eagerness Ami thought.
"Barbatos is cunning and strong. But no. Not even with his aid," their mother said with a gesture of negation. "But that brings us to the tale I have summoned you here to share."
Holding her breath, Ami leaned forward, and she noticed that even Tsu was gripping her cup of tea tightly and leaning toward their mother.
"What I have to say is for the ears of no other. Not even Mushu," their mother said sternly, and both girls quickly nodded. Taking a deep breath, Ei peered into her cup of tea. "I tell you now of the Seven Archons of Teyvat. And, perhaps, if my guess is correct… a path to victory, even over the Heavenly Principles."
As Ami listened, her eyes growing ever wide as her mother explained just a bit of her past, and by extension, the future, she couldn't help but grin. Tsukuyomi was serious the entire time, though she did look touched when their mother spoke more of her sister, the original Electro Archon. It was a distinctly domestic moment and one that Ami would treasure for the rest of her long life.
Though it was but the Eye of the Storm, as outside, Japan shuddered in the midst of a great storm. And this time, the blade of the Raiden Shogun would not be able to quell it.
"-and finally, I am appointing a task force to look into the various war crimes committed during Hirohito's reign. We will need to assess which countries are owed an apology, to what degree, and what sort of reparations would be appropriate."
Nakamura had no sooner spoken those words than a loud slam resounded throughout the room, and he glared at the red-faced minister who had been overcome. The man was not young, with gray hair going from gray to white, liver spots on his skin, sagging jowls, and as Nakamura knew, five grandchildren.
"You dishonor your ancestors, Lord Nakamura! How can we even consider such a thing!"
"Because the Raiden Shogun has ordered it. You need no other reason," Nakamura said firmly, locking eyes with the old man.
Old man. Hashigumi was only four years older than Nakamura was. But his back was still straight, and there was pride in his eyes. Don't do this, Toyo. Don't make me shame you more than you already have been.
"Then you explain to her that this is wrong!" Hashigumi demanded, now behaving with stern dignity after his outburst. "Help her to understand that her actions dishonor our nation, our people! Or do you forget your elder brother? For I have not forgotten my father, or my brothers."
That sent a pang through Nakamura's heart. His older brother, Masao, had died in Manchuria close to the start of the war. His father had survived and indeed had become rich through his willingness to work with the Americans. But Hashigumi's two older brothers had died in the Philippines and Iwo Jima, and his father had died in the firebombing of Tokyo. Looking around the room, especially at the older faces, Nakamura even saw those a decade older than he was who had fought in that war.
"Look at these men. Would you dishonor them? Or would you betray your country again, former Prime Minister?"
Slowly, Nakamura's head turned, and he faced Ishihara. He might have known. The man's face was cold, and his eyes smoldered with rage. He was a brilliant administrator though, and he had been enthusiastic in his support of Raiden up until now.
"I have never betrayed Japan, or her people," Nakamura said, his tone soft, but dangerous. "I serve the Raiden Shogun. Have you all forgotten? Or are you so full of pride, that you cannot see past your own egos?"
He looked around the room, and some expressions softened. But not all.
"I will be eternally grateful to the Raiden Shogun for saving Japan in our hour of need. I was on Kyushu when the attack came, as you will recall," Hashigumi said, his expression blank. "But while I will serve the Shogun, I will not dishonor my ancestors."
"Our ancestors dishonored themselves. My brother…" Nakamura took a deep breath. This came from a place of deep pain and shame, but it needed to be said. "My brother Masao Nakamura… saved face by dying early in the war. I pray that he was not one of those who shamed himself, and shamed Japan, by committing the atrocities that are so sickening that we as a nation to this day have pretended did not happen. No more!"
Nakamura drew his short tanto. He placed it on his palm, and cut a short gash, wincing at the pain. He was old, and weak in so many ways. But he had to be strong for this. He made a fist, and dribbled a bit of blood onto the table as the others watched in horror. "I will bleed for Japan. I have bled for Japan! But I will not lie for Japan. I will not dishonor myself and my country, or my brother and all my ancestors, by pretending that they did not commit acts of evil! The Raiden Shogun herself recognizes that we dishonored ourselves! The only way to save face is to not turn our faces away from our shame! We must turn towards our shame, and make amends. This is true Eternity!"
As he said the words, words he had practiced, and felt the throb of his hand as the blood dribbled out, Nakamura realized something: He believed. He wasn't just saying these words because he was Raiden's puppet, wasn't simply carrying out her orders to save himself and his position. In his heart of hearts, his very soul, Nakamura believed that Raiden Ei was the god of Japan. And that he would do his utmost to bring about her Eternity.
"If you cannot join me in this, I will accept your resignations in the morning. Go home now, and meditate on this. Pray to the Raiden Shogun to grant us courage to face the past, and to step forward into the future."
The other ministers stood and bowed, Hashigumi holding his longer than the others. When he stood at last, even as most of the officials were already at the door, he met Nakamura's eyes. "It has been a pleasure and an honor serving with you, Lord Nakamura. I know you have always done what you believe is best for Japan."
"Toyo," Nakamura began, half rising.
"Do not worry," Hashigumi said, turning away. "I will not dishonor you, or the Raiden Shogun."
Fear gripped Nakamura's heart, and he almost spoke. But he let his old friend go.
The next morning, they found his body and suicide note. It was far from the only one. From the high to the low, an epidemic of suicides spread, including many veterans who, despite Raiden's decree to the contrary, committed suicide as a form of apology.
At the funeral, Nakamura found himself standing by Ishihara.
"It was you that killed him. You, and Raiden," Ishihara said, his tone calm, but his eyes shining with hatred and rage.
"He killed himself. Raiden said herself that she opposes suicide and that she alone would atone for the sins of our people. He was a stubborn and proud old man, who could not change," Nakamura growled, and he wished that it had been Ishihara who had killed himself instead.
"You have utterly lost your way. Someone must save this nation," Ishihara snapped, and then he moved away, leaving Nakamura to grind his teeth, bowing his head in contrition.
It was his fault. If he had coached Raiden better, had softened the blow somehow… maybe Toyo Hashigumi would have still been alive. He wept bitter tears and mourned the death of the past. However, when he departed the funeral, he turned East, towards where the sun would rise the next day. And rise it would. Japan would come out of this, stronger than ever. But for now, this hour felt darker than even the moments before Raiden had appeared.
"Where are you, my Lady?" Nakamura, gazing up at the empty sky, the stars themselves blotted out by the lights of Tokyo. In the blackness, he found no answers.
Laying back on their giant bed, Mushu held Keiga close, stroking her hair with one hand, the other resting on her still-flat stomach. He half fancied he could feel the baby, but the doctors said that was unlikely as Keiga was only eight weeks pregnant at this point. For her part, she was snuggled up close to him, her face pressed into the side of his chest, her legs wrapped around his, her eyes closed.
"Feeling alright?" he asked gently. She'd been up the night before sick again. Supposedly it wasn't unusual, but it was still a bit frightening to have her be so ill so often.
"'M' fine," she mumbled into his chest.
Mushu shifted in bed, but Keiga clung to him tightly. He glanced over at the curtains, the faint glow of the morning light filtering in. He had a great deal of work today, he did every day, but he could afford to spend a few more minutes in bed with his future wife.
Future wife. Future child. It still made him dizzy. He'd had to talk to Keiga's parents, something she rarely did as they had heartily disapproved of their daughter becoming a Sentai. Her marrying a fellow cape would have left a bad taste in their mouths, if Mushu hadn't been Raiden's right hand. In contrast, Kenta's mother had been ecstatic and had been pressuring Mushu to marry Keiga almost since their first date.
After a few more minutes (and with his arm growing increasingly numb with Keiga lying atop it) Mushu shifted again, but Keiga only wrapped herself more tightly about him, which stirred something in Mushu. He rolled over to put himself atop her, but she put an arm on his chest, not meeting his eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his heart pounding with sudden worry. Was she having second thoughts?
"Did… did we really do… what Raiden says?" Keiga asked softly. "I mean… did Japan… I know you're half Japanese, and I don't normally care, but… you're half Chinese too."
Anger stirred in Mushu, and he sank back onto his side, staring at Keiga as she turned away, curling up into a ball. "Yes. The Rape of Nanking is just the most famous one. I didn't study much in school, but I know about the Sook Ching Massacre in Singapore, the Bataan Death March, and so many more. It was disgusting and vile. Raiden was right to apologize. The only problem was it took too fucking long."
Keiga made a soft sound, and Kenta realized she was crying. His first reaction was fury, to walk further down the easy course his anger charted for him. But he stopped, took a breath, and thought. That wasn't the way to Eternity. Or how to treat the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. So he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why do you weep?"
She flinched away, but slowly rolled back over to face him, tears staining her cheeks. "Do you…do you hate me?"
"What?" the anger washed away, and Kenta cupped her face in his hands, drawing her closer to him. "How could you ask that? I love you, Chiyo Wang."
She hiccuped at that, and let him pull her into a hug. "I just… I never thought… we weren't taught about this. We were taught… that it was the Americans. That we were punished with nuclear bombs, and that war is evil. I… I heard about horrible things we did, but, I didn't think, didn't know…"
Kenta kissed the top of Keiga's head. "It wasn't your fault, Keiga."
"But it was my grandfather's!" Keiga wailed. "I remember… remember Grandpa Keiji talking about his time in the war, but only rarely, and when he didn't think I could hear… Did… did he…?"
"I don't know. And I don't care," Kenta lied. It did hurt, a little, though he had never really considered himself Chinese, he'd at least learned about the evils Japan had done to justify his hatred of so many Japanese for treating him and his mother like second-class citizens. "I fell in love with you, not your grandfather."
She nodded, pressing her face against his chest. He could feel the snot and tears, but he didn't say anything, just holding her tightly. After a few minutes, she managed to pull away, and Kenta handed her a tissue from the nightstand to clean her face. "I… I'm sorry. I hope… I hope Raiden does apologize. That we do make the War Reparations like Lord Nakamura has said. I just…"
"What? You've been weepy all night," Kenta asked quietly.
She bit her lip. "Grandfather Keiji… my mother won't say it, but he died yesterday. I think… maybe it was suicide. He was old though, eighty-seven. I think… hearing the Shogun say that what Japan had done was evil… it broke his heart. And I'm not… I'm mad at him. I'll miss him but… how could he!? How could… how could we do such horrible things?"
Thinking back to his days in the Yakuza, Kenta was quiet. At last, he said, "You know I've killed people."
Keiga met his eyes, confusion on her face. "We both have. I was standing next to you when we executed those monsters on Raiden's orders back in Matsuyama. And that wasn't the first time I'd killed someone anyway."
"You know I was a gangster. A yakuza," Kenta said quietly, his turn to look away in shame. "I killed… well. Mostly rival gangsters. But sometimes… I killed a man for abusing one of my girls. One I was… pimping. Broke his legs, tied him up, dropped him in a sack into the bay. Other things."
The man had really been killed because he owed Kenta's boss a large gambling debt, but he'd been more than happy to torture the bastard and then dump him into the ocean. There had been plenty of other horrible acts that he'd perpetrated. Pushing drugs. Rape. Murder of rivals. He'd been a horrible person before he'd met Raiden.
Keiga shifted. "Yes. But that's in the past. I don't hold it against you. Like Raiden said: you faced the Lightning's Glow, and were reborn."
"And I don't hold the sins of past Japan against you, or current Japan," Kenta said gently, wiping away the tears from Keiga's face, then kissing her tenderly. "We need to make reparations. To move forward. So that the past no longer binds us."
Slowly, she nodded, then pulled him atop her, opening herself up to him. They didn't speak as they clung to one another and reconciled, but all the pain and emotion came out in frantic lovemaking. They ended up not getting out of bed until nearly noon, but when they did, they left something behind them. Hand in hand, they walked forward to face Eternity together.
Kneeling with the rest of the Shuumatsuban, Sayu stifled a yawn. This was way, way past her bedtime. How was she ever supposed to get taller if she couldn't get her rest? Clearly, a change in leadership was needed.
"Speaking of, where's the old man?" Sayu whispered to Ryu.
The big ninja didn't stir from his position of supplication. "Wait. You must learn patience, young one."
Rolling her eyes, Sayu tried to keep still, really, but she was stiff and tired. "This is child abuse."
"This is discipline. Now be silent."
Thankfully, after only a few more moments of torture, something finally happened. First, there was a rush of wind overhead, and a dark shape swooped down from above, then a giant raven alighted upon the stage, before transforming with a crackle of electro into Tengu. She was such a drama queen. She could have just walked in like a normal person.
"Shuumatsuban!" Tengu barked, and Sayu noticed the normally goofy ninja was dressed in a new outfit. Instead of black, she wore a white robe over a black body glove, and a red tengu mask dangling from a cord around her neck. She withdrew, of all things, a rolled scroll of rice paper. "We have failed the NaruKami Oshogu! We followed the orders of a traitor, one who violated the dictates of Eternity! For his crimes, the man formerly known as Lord Kenichi has been banished to Hokkaido!"
"Huh?" Sayu looked up, startled, and she was far from the only one. Was this because they failed to kill the Anemo Archon? But Princess Ami had fought the Anemo Archon, before her mother made peace. The Shuumatsuban would, of course, have fought the Anemo Archon, and Tengu had, but Sayu had been in America, saving people. "That's bullshit!"
"Tanuki!" Ryu hissed, turning a glare on Sayu, before prostrating himself, along with most of the other Shuumatsuban.
"We humbly offer our apologies to the Almighty God of Thunder, the Raiden Shogun!" Kokusho cried.
"Your pleas are heard. For though you falsely waged war on the God of Freedom and betrayed Eternity, the merciful God of Eternity will spare your lives," Tengu declared.
There was a crash of lightning, and a purple bolt of thunder fell down from above in a blinding flash, resolving itself into a dark-haired woman with glowing purple eyes. She was dressed in a non-traditional short kimono, one that looked a lot like Raiden's, actually. The main difference was this woman's hair was shorter, but her features were more angular and younger looking, and her garb was dark gray and black with purple highlights.
"You have been led astray," the woman declared, even as Tengu stepped aside and bowed to her. "Kenichi was blinded by his lust for power. You are but a blade, and a blade is no more to blame for striking falsely than a stone is for rolling down the mountain."
"Look lady, I know that just following orders isn't a defense and all, but we kicked ass!" Sayu snapped, putting her hands on her hips and glaring, even as Ryu looked up at her in horror and the rest of the ninjas abased themselves. "We did good stuff! Senpai and my team saved some PRT soldiers and liberated a town from a crazy guy! Daichi's team killed a warlord in Africa and liberated tons of people! And, uh, well it's sort of unfortunate what happened to that Tinker in the Pampas, but we can't get 'em all right! But like, he was still kind of a jerk."
"Do you know who this is?" Tengu hissed, stepping forward to glare at Sayu. "The rest of your brethren kneel in supplication before-"
"No, I don't know who that is, and for your information, where I grew up, we don't just kneel to people because someone tells us to, so there!" Sayu huffed. "So before you come in and start chewing us out for no reason, maybe start with an icebreaker or something!"
"Your Highness, please forgive my pupil," Kokusho said, rising slightly to glare at Sayu even as Ryu tried to drag her down. "She is uncouth, and was born in America. She is Japanese, but-"
"Let her approach us," the woman said, a faint smile on her lips. "I wish to speak with the lone member of the Shuumatsuban who would stand up to the Dictates of Eternity."
"Yeah, yeah," Sayu grumbled, slapping away Ryu's hand. Despite the fact he was like ten times as heavy as her, his powers made him an empath, and he was classified as a Thinker by the PRT system. Sayu on the other hand was super awesome and had a Vision, which was telling her right now that this was completely stupid. She used a gust of wind to jump extra high over the kneeling forms of the ninjas around her, landing atop the stage and glaring up at the woman.
"So, who are you, anyway?"
"You have not been paying attention. This is the Kage no Hime, the recently revealed elder daughter of the Raiden Shogun," Tengu hissed, glaring down at Sayu.
She blinked, and studied the other woman. She did look like a teenage version of Raiden, with that same serene expression, dark purple hair, and incredible aura of power.
"Well, I didn't vote for her," Sayu muttered. There had been something about that on the news, but Sayu had been too busy trying to catch up on her sleep and schoolwork to really pay attention. Plus, everyone had been yelling about Japanese War Crimes and stuff, and she'd pointed out that yes, Japan really had done all that stuff, and now most of her friends at school weren't talking to her and calling her a gaijin despite the fact that both her parents were fully Japanese. It wasn't Sayu's fault she'd been born in Seattle!
"One does not vote for a princess," Himo no Kage said. Wait, no, Kage no Himi. Drat. Sayu really should have paid more attention when her parents were trying to teach her Japanese. "I am Tsukoyomi. I see you bear the mark of the Anemo Archon."
"Yep!" Sayu puffed out her admittedly unimpressive chest and felt a slight pang of jealousy as looked up at Tsukuyomi. The princess wasn't quite as stacked as Raiden was, but she was still both a lot taller and more well-developed than Sayu. Well, she was only 12, so Sayu had plenty of time to grow yet! She wouldn't stay 4'6" forever! Or whatever that was in centimeters.
She very carefully didn't think about the fact that her mother was five foot nothing with heels on.
"I'm super awesome! Big Sis Akemi led us to an incredible victory over the forces of Evil! You should be giving us an award and a vacation instead of a chewing-out. Positive reinforcement! It totally works better than yelling at people, trust me. We should all just take a nap, we'll feel better in the morning."
"I see." Tsukuyomi regarded Sayu for a long moment, then turned away. "Kokusho, collect your pupil. See to her discipline."
"Huh?" Black arms grabbed Sayu, and multiple shadow clones yanked her down off the stage, forcing her into a kneeling position.
"You have erred, and gone against the precepts of Eternity. As the Princess of Shadows, I shall ensure that from now on, the Shuumatsuban properly follows the path of Eternity, and eliminates all obstacles that would oppose the will of my Divine mother."
Tears sprang into Sayu's eyes as Tsukuyomi laid out how the Shuumatsuban, in general, would be punished for their laxity, and how she would reform the organization. It wasn't right! Sayu had stood up for her beliefs, but instead of being rewarded, she was being punished! Life just wasn't fair.
After the speech, the Shuumatsuban were dismissed, but instead of finally getting to take a nap, a furious Kokusho informed Sayu they would be doing an all-night training session. "First you are continually slothful, now you do not know how to work in silence! You are forbidden from speaking for three days, and you will not rest this night!"
"But I have school-"
"I SAID YOU ARE FORBIDDEN FROM SPEAKING!" Kokusho snapped, and the flat of a shadowy blade struck Sayu's shoulders, making her wince in pain. "You will learn discipline. You may be Japanese, but your time in America has made you disrespectful and soft. I will train this out of you. I knew taking on one who held an Anemo Vision would be a trial, but I will not suffer insubordination!"
It was a full night of exercise and patrols, and Sayu wasn't allowed to speak once. Ryu, who was normally sympathetic towards her plight, having a younger sister Sayu's age, gave her cold stares and told her she deserved her fate.
She didn't even get to skip school, and Sayu dragged herself, exhausted, into class, her hair disheveled, her body drained. When she tried to sleep, her teacher actually rapped her knuckles with a ruler! She tried to hold back the tears and wished she was back with Tiffany and Lauren back in Seattle. Japan sucked.
At the end of the day, totally drained of energy, Sayu wanted to find a corner to curl up in and take a nap, but instead, she was dragged to the principal's office.
"Young lady, sit up straight!" Her teacher told her as they waited outside. "You have been given a great honor!"
I'd feel more honored if someone would let me get some sleep, Sayu mentally groaned, her eyelids feeling like they weighed a thousand pounds.
"And I suggest you quit pouting, and speak when you are asked a question!" her teacher added, frowning. Sayu had, of course, not said a single thing the entire day. Kokusho would know, and she didn't need another all-nighter of training and a beating to go with it.
She slumped into the principal's office, where he stood up, beaming at her. "Sayu Nana, you have been honored!" Mr. Matsamura declared, hurrying around his desk. Her 'parents' were there, which meant Kokusho and Ryu were standing and watching Sayu. There was someone else in the room, and for a long moment, Sayu's exhausted brain was too tired to figure out who.
"Oh, it's you. What now, come to yell at me again?" Sayu blurted before she could stop herself. Thankfully, she said it in English, so she was pretty sure no one else understood it.
Tsukuyomi didn't respond at all, merely standing there quietly, dressed in a lighter and longer hemmed kimono.
"You are being transferred to the Tokyo Imperial Academy!" Principal Matsamura burbled excitedly. "It is a great honor for such an esteemed guest to travel all the way from Tokyo to visit us! Her Imperial Highness herself! We are honored to-"
Sayu was too tired to pay attention. The endless droning of the adults was putting her to sleep, and she slumped where she stood, almost nodding off upright. She glanced at Kokusho, wincing as she realized she'd spoken. That would be another horrible night. She was already so sore…she healed of course, but that didn't mean that getting beaten up in the course of training didn't still hurt.
"I think Miss Nana is overcome," Tsukuyomi suddenly interrupted. "Come. You will ride with me back to Tokyo. A car is waiting."
Blinking, Sayu nodded. Tokyo? Right. She was transferring schools. Why? She'd already transferred twice since moving to Japan! Great. Now she had to start over with making friends again… she was going to be alone forever.
To her surprise, Kokusho and Ryu bowed to Tsukuyomi, then left them when they got down to the ground floor. They got into a limo, but they drove off, leaving Tsukuyomi and Sayu standing alone in the parking lot.
"Wait, do we have to walk?" Sayu moaned. "I'm too exhausted… Please, I'm sorry I mouthed off to you or whatever. I get it, I was wrong. I'll be a good little brainless minion from now on, if you just let me sleep!"
"If you are so easily broken, perhaps I made an error in selecting you," Tsukuyomi said, regarding Sayu with that same dumb look on her face.
"Broken!? Lady, I have been up for two days straight!" Sayu burst out, and on reflex, summoned her claymore to her, leaning on it for support. "If I thought I could run away or fight you, I would! But you people would just haul me back! My stupid parents have already given me up to be a child soldier! Well, I'm not gonna take it anymore! You give me one more dumb order to assassinate someone because they looked at Raiden funny, and I quit! I signed up to be a hero like Princess Ami, not to be a bad guy! And yeah, maybe we didn't follow your stupid orders in Ellisburg, but dammit we did the right thing! And I'll always do the right thing and be a good guy, so you can just kill me now or whatever! Maybe then I'd actually get some sleep!"
When she wound down, Sayu stood there, hands clenched around her sword's hilt, breathing hard, staring up at Tsukuyomi, eyes slightly wild, her Vision glowing brightly. She half expected another beating, but instead, Tsukuyomi nodded.
"I have selected wisely, then. Come."
And then she cut a hole in the air with her sword. Sayu blinked, then shrugged and stepped after the princess, too tired to really care.
"These will be your quarters," Tsukoyomi stated. "Your things have already been brought over."
That did appear to be the case, with Sayu's posters of Green Day and Linkin Park on the wall, as well as her manga collection on a bookshelf. She didn't care that much though, because there was a bed. A glorious, wonderful bed.
"You shall be my personal agent. Alone of the Shuumatsuban, you were willing to defy me, and stand up for what you believed to be the true path of Eternity. As such, you shall serve under Tengu, and work for the Imperial Family."
"Super," Sayu mumbled, her eyes still fixed longingly on her bed. Her hand relaxed, and her sword vanished back into her Vision.
"We shall see to it that you learn discipline, but for now, you appear weary. I have learned much of the needs of adolescent humans. You are but a few years older than my sister. You may meet her in the morning. For now, you may take the evening to rest and acquaint yourself with your new position."
Then Tsukuyomi left. Sayu didn't even bother trying to figure out what was going on. Staggering over, she fell onto the bed, and was out before her head hit the pillow.
It was only later that she would come to realize that she'd just been promoted. And that with promotions came a bigger workload, and by extension, less time for sleeping.
Being a teenage ninja was a lot harder than Sayu had thought it would be.