Scarlet Justice - ep. 04
"Journeys"

My father is a rice magnate now. This is his third marriage. My mother was his second wife, a woman from the West with lovely red hair. It's where I got my own from. I am his only child.

It's something that he's seemed to regret for a long time. The fact that I was born a girl, along with everything else.

Kobayashi is my stepmother's name. My father always married into the woman's family and took over the family business, because of the prevalence of old-fashioned attitudes among the elite. He didn't mind much of anything, as long as he could continue to amass wealth. Kobayashi Rice is remarkably successful, thanks to my father's work and the infusion of cash he was able to provide - a product of my late mother's will. She never cared much for money, or wealth of any sort...she simply wanted to love my father. But he only ever cared about work. He cared so much about it that he didn't realize she was dying until it was too late.

Or...maybe it was that he didn't really care.

...

I don't know if I hate him or not.

Six weeks of work begin. Week one: a focus on chakra. Capacity, generation, movement, and distribution among other things. The sorts of things that children from shinobi clans would have access to from the earliest age. I'm behind them.

It's time to change that.

I run around the track circling everything in the basement today, attempting to improve my circuit time. Midori and Luna watch, both taking notes as they stand just off the track. They seem to be talking, getting to know each other a bit more. Bits of conversation reach me as I pass them.

"...things like that, Luna. It's based less on the ideal form, and more on what can be..."

"Ah, I didn't think of it that way..."

It's probably nothing terribly important, or less they would let me know about it. I pick up my pace and keep running.

The rest of the week goes about the same; a focus on physical areas while fitting in everything else for rounded lessons. I go home each night and take a warm bath, with Luna taking care of my hair gently. She had insisted on it for a long time, even after teaching me how to do it properly on my own.

Emi seems pleased at my progress over the week.

The next week has a focus on taijutsu, or physical arts. I still do my regular laps to start off, stretch, and then work at different stations. There's a weight room and Midori teaches both myself and Luna how to work out properly. Focusing on my legs, I feel a bit stronger midway through the week.

Luna takes notes while I skip rope, and Midori brings her water. They share a smile that I take note of before parting. Midori wants me to focus on counting the rotations of the rope, and I do so until they actively start to slow down in my eyes. Being able to see these things...so it's that important, then.

An adjustable speed bag that I spend some time batting around. This is good for for coordination and reflexes, among other benefits. Punching bags and wooden dummies. Midori throws heavy balls at me that I have to dodge, and I must be alert because she's tossing them to Luna behind me at speed. She does the same thing, trying to hit me with Midori catching the missed ones at the other end.

I do get hit quite a few times before the session is over.

The baths help with the soreness. Luna seems to have a spring in her step, which I highly enjoy. And Emi tries to hold conversation with me over breakfast. Between her personality and mine, it's...very awkward. But I show my appreciation for her attempts.

My father is naturally nowhere to be found.

Week three sees focus on identified 'specialty areas'. My primary combat style is offensive ninjutsu, meaning close to long range attacks depending on scenario. The default will be to start at a middle range relative to my opponents. The secondary part of my combat style involves high speed movement and physical flexibility, which we are working on today with a series of stretches and poses.

Midori explains the unique contract I now have.

"It's called Chaos Connection," she says as we do handstands together. "With the seal inscribed onto your body, you have an instant connection to the snake kingdom at the cost of some chakra. You can immediately summon smaller snakes without the need to perform the standard jutsu, and the elite specialized snakes within your memory. Crim is one of them. The unique construction of the seal gives you a direct connection to me as well."

"So we can speak without words, and over long distances?" I ask.

"Exactly. Wonderful, no?"

"Yes. I'll try not to bother you too often."

"Ufufu...so considerate. You won't ever be a bother to me, Lili. But I do appreciate your discretion."

"So there is a unique style for each snake person I can summon?"

"Yes. The ability that Crim shares with you is called Chaotic Movement. He will appear right near you, in the position you desire. It only takes a thought. There is another serpentine technique to teach you, but...the specific needs aren't in your grasp just yet. Fortunately, I have scrolls that you can study once you're ready."

"Understood. Thank you, Midori-nee."

The week goes smoothly. I watch Midori and Luna spar lightly, with Luna wearing a proper athletic shirt under her jacket so that her chest doesn't move around so much. They bow to each other before starting their routine, focusing on quick movements in close with open hands. Luna is...very fast and light on her feet. She's far from oversized, but most wouldn't guess that she could move this quickly based on her looks. Her hands are also incredibly fast; a few weeks ago they were blurs in my eyes, now I can see them clearly but I'm still in awe of her movement and reflexes.

Midori is far from a slouch on her end. Voluptuous, surely, but with speed that makes her very much untrackable as soon as she puts in effort. It's little wonder she can keep up with me. She focuses and gives Luna the respect she deserves, landing strikes with her fingers and palms as soon as she finds openings. Luna responds by tightening her stance, reducing Midori's blows and speeding up until her hands are again blurs to me. It only lasts for a while before Midori overpowers her, and she yields.

"You've improved, Luna."

"Thank you, milady. You've been a great help to me."

"Oh, stop. It's been all you. Take a break, yes?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Lili, let's start again. Shadow my movements."

I get to my feet and take my position before she starts moving. I start my movement in time with hers.

Luna is absent a bit more starting from the midway point of the week. I assume she's training on her own. Emi talks to me a bit more and asks what I do during training. She makes small suggestions on stretches that I can do in the morning and before bed.

There's something she means to say, but always comes short of saying it to me.

My father is away on business. But that has always been the case.

Fourth week. Speed training. I work on things like extreme lateral movement and acceleration. Ropes, weighted clothing and accessories, and running at the bottom of the pool. We try water walking and I pick up on it after a few tries. The rest of that will be left for the academy.

"I'm sorry to interrupt."

Luna quietly approaches me as I run in place with Midori. It's Monday today.

"Luna? Are you okay?" I ask while moving.

"I...don't quite feel well. I would like to return home, if that's alright."

I look to Midori, who is nonplussed.

"We have plenty of room here, Luna," she says.

"I would rather not impose."

"I see." We stop our running. "Then...if you must. Are you sure there's nothing we can do?"

"There is nothing, milady. I apologize again...I should be alright for tomorrow."

"Understood. Please get some rest, Luna."

"Please take care," I say to her. She gives me a kind smile and nods before leaving.

"..."

Midori is clearly worried, but turns to me and makes a gesture to start again. We work quietly for this session, and the rest of the day.

Luna is in her room when I get home, sleeping. My stepmother has relieved her for the rest of the day.

I want to check in on her...but it might be rude to do so. I hope to see her in the morning.

She indeed wakes me up the next morning, and is quiet through breakfast and the entire way up to Midori's place.

"Good morning, Lady Ryuuchi."

"Good morning, Luna." I don't know what it is, but...the exchange sounds off. Luna is still quiet, taking notes. As I do laps, I notice that she speaks very little to Midori-nee. She is just as quiet in the weight room. She stands silently at the edge of the pool, making sure I'm safe while I'm in the water.

Week five out of six arrives. I work on academics and the finer points of shinobi arts, namely handseals. They're not too difficult to get on the first few tries, and I spend much in the way of time learning how they affect chakra flow. I have done homeschooling for the past while also, because of my move out to this part of the country, so I take the time to catch up on my course work. It goes very well with Midori's help. I pass my tests with flying colours, the results have been mailed back during the week.

Luna is absent.

One of the other maids is Sara, a waifish-looking girl with freckles and a terrible, yet endearing laugh. She assured me that Luna would be taken care of, and I relayed the message to Midori-nee. But it hasn't helped much, has it...

I go home. She comes out of her room to tend to me, but says little like the last week. And so it goes, day after day. Nothing changes.

The sixth week is our last scheduled week of training, and Luna says she has errands to run in the next town along with other assignments inside of the house. I have no idea where these came from all of a sudden...I ask Emi about them over breakfast.

"Hm? There are some things she had to do in town, but...there are also some things that she asked to do on my behalf. It's good, since they likely wouldn't get done in time otherwise..."

"..."

I don't know exactly what is going on.

One of the butlers takes me up to the mansion, and it's arranged for one of Midori's maids to escort me back at the end of the day. This week is about physical conditioning, mainly. More weight and resistance training to finish off everything I've learned. But it feels strange, in a way.

"Is she alright?" Midori asks as she watches me do leg raises. "She hasn't seemed well for a while now."

"I don't exactly know," I admit. "She's spent a lot of time in her room, or just doing odd jobs around the mansion as soon as we would get home. When did you notice something was wrong?"

She crouches and puts her head in her hands.

"It must have been two or so weeks ago. She...started to withdraw, but I thought little of it. Then we started talking less and less. Once she said she was unwell, I thought it would resolve, but..." She sighs. "I don't understand. Something must have happened, but I don't know if it was my fault. I can't apologize for something I don't realize I did, you know?"

"Right."

"Hopefully, I...never mind." Midori gets to her feet. "Rest a bit, then we'll move to the vertical bar. Actually...when you're a bit older..."

"What is it?" I ask.

"Well, I don't want to upset Emi any...but pole dancing is a good thing to try."

"Pole dancing? You mean adult dancing?"

"It's not necessarily erotic, you know. There's a sort of unique finesse that goes into the art."

"..." Well, she's not wrong. "You can show me later."

"I'll do that. Just...don't tell your stepmother."

I'm not sure she would mind too much, having spent all that time doing erotic photo shoots. It would make her a...hm. But she's not exactly averse to hypocrisy, is she.

Yes. Best to keep it a secret. For now, anyways.

Training ends successfully. Even so...

It's been a while since I've talked to Luna.

I find her in the kitchen, polishing silverware. Her brown eyes seem a bit dull today, again.

"Luna?"

"Hm?" She turns her head lethargically before snapping to attention. "Miss Lilith. I am at your service. I apologize for being absent recently. What might I help you with?"

"I don't need anything right this moment," I say.

"Yes, understood. My apologies."

"When you're finished, bring some tea up to my room, please."

"Of course, Miss Lilith. Right away." The sullen look on her face returns as she focuses on cleaning the silverware as quickly as possible. I give her one last look before leaving the kitchen.

It's not too long before I hear a knock on my bedroom door.

"Come in," I say, putting down my book.

Luna enters with a silver tray. On top of it is a china teapot, a small bottle of milk, sugar cubes, and a china teacup. She sets the tray down on the table near my bed, and stands rigidly at attention.

"Is there anything else you would like, Miss Lilith?" she asks me.

"Yes." I pat the empty space on the bed beside me. "Please sit."

"As you wish." Luna quietly sits and places her hands in her lap.

"You can talk to me," I say.

"..."

"I don't like seeing you upset. And you have seemed upset for a long while."

"...I just don't feel well."

"Are you sick again? Please, we can find you a very good doctor."

"No...not physically. I'm just...miserable. My work has probably suffered, hasn't it? I apologize, Miss Lilith."

"Your work is fine," I say, getting a bit frustrated. I'm not angry at Luna, I just...want to make her stop hurting. "What is causing you pain? Please, tell me."

She is quiet and still. She doesn't want to answer...but she makes herself do it.

"...for the first time in my life, I don't feel adequate for someone else."

"Is it love?" I ask, thinking of how she and Midori looked together.

"I'm scared to go any further. I don't know what to do."

"..." I know that Luna and Midori-nee have been getting very close, but Luna seems tentative about the whole thing. I don't know why that is. Inadequate? What would make her think something like that? Why would she cause herself such pain?

She deserves what she has now. She deserves someone as warm and kind and loving as Midori-nee.

"I've done this before, I just don't know...I don't know what it is, but I feel like it's a mistake. Like I might not be good enough."

"You shouldn't think such things," I scold lightly.

"You're right. I should simply focus on what's ahead...we're leaving in a week or two, anyways."

I frown. "If you're giving up, then I'll make her my bride eventually," I say, trying to rile her up a little.

"A rivalry? If it's you...it might be nice after all," she says with a solemn smile. She stares at the floor and I feel distressed. I want to fix whatever was wrong, but I know that I can't. It reminded me of the rift between my mother and father.

It's unfair.

"Maybe you could marry me instead?" she jokes. "I already follow you around all day as it is..."

"I can do that too," I say quickly. "If it will make you happy, Luna."

She closes her eyes. "You're too kind sometimes, Miss Lilith..."

"..."

Sometimes I wonder about that. Being kind...was that really who I was? Or was I just dissecting these situations and saying the right things?

Life is confusing sometimes. It's painful.

I want to say something to Luna, to make her feel better. But I don't have anything.

My hand squeezes hers. She looks at me, and produces a melancholy smile as she squeezes mine back.

...

Love is something I still believe in.