Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Kazemaru and Miharu ❯ Chapter 26

Miharu went to her room, the familiarity of the place now seeming odd. Had she only been gone for two weeks? It felt like an eternity. She wished it had been. She was given food, and something to drink. Her handmaidens watched her intently, fussing at every dropped grain of rice, saying how weak she looked but not asking her any questions.

 

She noticed a few new faces, cringing with the knowledge that some of them may not have survived the attack. While she had been dallying in paradise, they had been recovering from a serious blow. She was worried, though. Emi was not there. At first she thought she may be angry with her, but it soon became apparent that she would not show.

 

“Where is Emi?” Miharu asked, truly concerned.

 

“She left,” one of the girls reassured her. “Said something about failing as a handmaiden because you got captured.”

 

“Which is of course total nonsense,” another added. “I think she was injured in the attack, though.”

 

“Yeah, didn't she have bandages on her hands?”

 

“Uh-huh, she did. But I don't remember her bleeding or anything. Weird.”

 

The girls prattled on a little, and one of the new girls, who had been quiet to this point, spoke up, silencing them. “I will be your main handmaiden now, milady,” she said, her voice liquid smooth. “My name is Chiaki, and I am pleased to be in your service,” She bowed low.

 

Miharu stared at her a moment. The girl's hair was almost as black as hers, with a purple sheen. She was her rival in beauty, but where Miharu was soft and airy, Chiaki's beauty seemed sharp, precise, like a cat. Miharu nodded to her, but was wary. There was something about her that just didn't seem right. She passed it off as unfamiliarity, but didn't let her guard down. After she finished eating, a bath was suggested. Miharu did not turn it down, as it sounded very nice. She was, she realized guiltily, still a little sore. She turned down all offers to assist her as a large tub was brought into the room and gradually filled with hot water.

 

“Are you sure, my lady?” Chiaki pressed.

 

“Yes, Chiaki. Thank you for your concern, but I really need some privacy right now, to … recuperate.”

 

Chiaki nodded. “Of course.” she eyed her a moment. “You aren't… injured, are you milady?”

 

Miharu began to say no, but realized that would be a strange impression. “I have a few bruises,” she said truthfully. “I fell down…” she lied, that time. Kaze had caused her no harm, of course, but betimes in their eagerness accidents had happened. Their location, plus the little red marks on her skin would be an instant giveaway to anyone knowledgeable, and Miharu got the impression that Chiaki would know such things.

 

The girl left though, and it suddenly struck Miharu that she was the only one who had asked such a question. Last time they had nearly fallen over her with such concerns. Perhaps they figured that this time would be no different than the last. She smiled a little. Everything about this time was different….

 

She undressed to her under-yokata, and stepped into the hot water, removing the yokata once it was wet, draping it over the edges of the wooden tub. It kept in the heat, and kept out any prying eyes. She settled down into the water for a good soak, letting the hot water take the stress from her limbs.

 

Tears rolled unbidden down her cheeks, and she brushed them away frustrated, only making her face wetter. He would be back soon, she reasoned. She just had to be strong. She looked down at herself, at the little marks he had made and the few bruises, remembering the way his fingers felt on her skin. She stopped, though, realizing that such thoughts were useless torture. She sighed, and settled into her long wait.

 

 

 

“How is she?” Kaito asked.

 

Chiaki smiled. “She's doing quite well. She's taking a bath at the moment, but she didn't want anyone to help her.”

 

Kaito frowned. “Is that alright?”

 

Chiaki laughed. “I'm sure she's quite capable of bathing herself. There are guards at each door, it's not as if she's going to spirit away. She said she had no injuries, save for a few minor bruises, from falling.” She laughed a little. “Such delicacy.”

 

Kaito ignored the comment, unsure of how to interpret it.

 

Chiaki decided to fill the silence. “So how long do you think it will be before the bastard comes after her?”

 

He winced, and though he had spoken with the girl many times, he still wondered how such a refined-looking girl could speak so coarsely. Of course, appearances were deceiving, especially where Chiaki was concerned.

 

“I don't know,” he said honestly.

 

She sighed. “Well, I must admit I'm a little impatient.”

 

Kaito frowned. “I trust you will remain to complete your contract.”

 

She grinned. “Are you kidding? Who could possibly turn down that kind of money. I better get back though.”

 

He nodded, and she left without a dismissal.

 

From behind a screen, Shun emerged.

 

“I don't trust her,” he said, as he had many times.

 

Kaito grinned. “Of course you don't. I don't either. But you yourself said you wouldn't be able to kill a daiyokai, so she's our only chance.”

 

Shun sighed. “Yes, but how do we know she won't turn at the crucial moment?”

 

The daimyo smiled. “I think, perhaps, you should know the girl's story before you judge her so.”

 

Shun nodded and sat down to listen.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AN

 

Short chapter, but I've been waiting to introduce Chiaki FOREVER!!!! I love her to pieces. The plot is definitely thickening, and from here out things get pretty hairy. STAY TUNED FOR MORE!!!! lol. You guys know the drill with the comments.