Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Of Legendary Creatures and Mystical Beasts ❯ The Meeting ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

I do not owe ANY right over ANY RK character.

Xian, Asiyah, etc, are mine though

I'm sorry I took so long to update, but I felt it was not worth the time to upload something, which is not good enough due my lack of knowledge in English. But then, it would be a major disrespect not to continue to those readers who started to read it in English. For Spanish-speaking readers, I'll be soon uploading chapter 19 (it would be chapter 21 in fact, because of the Prologue and the lemon).

As I've told you, English is not my first language. I apologize in advance for major grammar mistakes and lacking vocabulary skills. I NEED a beta-reader to correct my mistakes, so I'll be most grateful to anybody out there wishing to become the victim of my attacks on English language.

My most SINCERE and DEEPEST thanks to MARA, tweese-chan, Sephy, and Yasai-Chan, my kind reviewers.

As Mara said in her remarkable fic "Saitou Tokio, a Life", you would have to read the whole (or at least the 10 first chapters) to appreciate it.

Mara, I take your words on not being a native speaker , making them mine: "I'm sorry for native speakers"…

Next chapter: It will explain the nature of Jinn, (feminine form: Jinniyeh) or Djin, from a pure traditional Islamic point of view and Mystical Beasts (which are lightly based on true beliefs of traditional peoples), the interaction among the Universes or Spheres, etc.

PS: To Mara: so you got your own clone of Saitou for yourself, I mean, a look-alike boyfriend? And you even didn't know RK then! What a lucky girl!

The story begins few month before the events of Kyoto Arc, so it will include spoilers and some elements from it as well as from the Revenge Arc too, although my fic will not follow neither the encourages nor the sleeve, and I will break some rules.

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His sight was lost into the space outside the window, somewhere at the garden below.

As an annoying background sound, Heishin, his second in command, was giving him the usual reports.

He turned to face the pathetic creature.

He could only feel repugnance for him as much as Heishin felt for him. But as they needed each other, they had established a kind of bearable coexistence for both convenience's sake and the goals they aimed for.

Of course, such relationship had its ups and downs.

Heishin's arm, still hanging on sling since Enishi discovered the scratches and the cigarettes marks on the polished ebony surface of his desk was a proof beyond doubt of that fact.

Two months had already passed from that incident.

As he remembered the pleasing sound made by Heishin's bones when they broke under the blows of his hand, a satisfied smirk found its place on his lips.

- ... with that we can assume we've solved the feud concerning the jade shipment with that annoying Englishman ... As to the deal with our client in Japan, his agent said he doesn't want to lose any more time, so he rejected the installation of any blindage around the engine room.

- Did you warn him concerning the dangers if anyone manages to sneak on the ship? No matter how heavily armed it is, its weak point is the engine room and if someone with the right amount of good luck and guts get on there, he can even sink it.

- I did explain all that to him, but he and his boss seemed not concerned at all. They think the ship is so powerful that nobody will be able to touch them, even with that weak point. They are willingly and knowingly taking the risk in order to get the boat ready for battle as soon as possible.

- Well, then. It's their money and their election. - Enishi gave a slight shrug. - But to avoid future groundless complaints, remember them this decision when you give it to them. I don't want to get our reputation stained by any careless buyer. If any incident happens it would be bad for our business, spreading the wrong idea about our products.

- They have requested a personal inspection of the ship to be carried on by their boss himself before the delivery.

- Quite unusual… I thought he did not even consider the idea of leaving Japan yet for a short trip… - Enishi mused on to himself- Well, then it's settled. Get the list of their requests. We want them to be very comfortable around us. They are a very interesting investment, and we don't want any disappointment. Any other maters to discuss?

- Yes. We have a situation with that shipment to Fateh Ali Khan. Tadjiks attacked our men just on arriving the oasis of Kuqa... The Silk Route has indeed proved to be expensive lately...

- Shit! SHIT! - Enishi's voice deepened dangerously- I want our men to hunt those bastards day and night and I want them to spread the limbs of those sons of bitches among the Tadjik tribes in the desert. They need to learn a lesson, and I'll give them one they will never forget. I want their heads on spears by the road. Nobody should be spared among them, not even the younger attackers. Those who hold any weapon must be punished, except their women and children, if you find them in their tents. They have to serve as example and warning to others. -There was a silence - The Silk Route... that reminds me of the other matter that I've asked you to take care of…

- Enishi ...- Heishin saw his inevitable fate of the last two months coming down on him…again- We have turned the country upside down for the past two months and yet we have not been able to find her.

- I'm pretty sure you are doing it not as I've required from you. - Enishi sighed - Now, look at me. I still cherish the idea that someday I'll get through that thick skull of yours to be understood by your sleeping brain. Do tell me... How many green eyed, white skinned, redheaded women can be found in Gensu? I'm positive that women like this one are not a common view there. I can't believe she has left the area without anybody noticing it, especially when we are the ones requiring the information on her whereabouts. There should be any trace of her still there. Traces that I'm sure like hell that you and the idiots working lately for me have neglected. I cannot believe you people could be such a bunch of incompetent morons. Kami! Her looks are so distinctive that she should be easily found in such place! This is a simple task I've asked of you. Now, Heishin keep this in mind: I want her here. And I want her here soon. I will be greatly disappointed if you don't bring her to me quickly. And you won't find that amusing, that I can tell you.

Heishin sweatdroped. That guy gave him the creeps

- We would have already located her if she was held in any a brothel or as a concubine. We would have also any news if she were among the Westerners. And although her looks are quite uncommon we have already followed dozens of erroneous hints.

- I'm sick of pathetic excuses. People don't vanish into thin air. We have the resources to take over a country, and there you are, babbling about the fact you can't find a girl. A girl. For Kami's sake! I won't take it any longer. I hope I made myself clear enough to you.

Heishin was fed up with the whole thing.

Once and again, they had the same discussion over the situation since Enishi's return.

That ghost of the redheaded woman had become his boss' latest and annoying obsession; almost as sick as the one he had for his sister due its persistence.

Were it not for the fact he himself heard the poor bastards from Dunhuang describing her before they were given a quick exit from the organization, he had really thought that the woman was produced out of Enishi's mind. But seemingly, the woman existed ...o she had existed, at least.

The possibilities about her fate after her escape from Dunhuang's quarters were numerous. She could have been abducted and sold inside or outside of China, she could have been attacked and dead, or she could even have left the country voluntarily. However, the boss wanted to find her or at least, to have an idea of her final fate.

Making a long story short... it was a problem that they both came fighting around weeks ago and it had already become a dead end alley.

A sudden change of topic would be a good and safer course to follow now.

He trusted that Enishi's projects and his busy schedule for the weeks to come would keep him busy enough to let him forget about his desert ghost. Heishin didn't meet her at all, but he already hated her for all the nuisances that she had put him through.

He specially resented the fact that he was stolen his rightful place as boss when she went on saving Yukishiro Enishi from his convenient death in the desert. He will never forget or forgive her interference.

- Enishi... We have just received some samples from that new merchant from Beijing. He wants our permission and protection for carry his jewels of to Japan and America, via Shanghai.

- Mmmm. They seem... perfect - looking down at the gems with a connoisseur's look, Enishi took them from a little velvet pouch that his associate gave him, putting them on his desk

- But this is by far the best piece... - Heishin passed him a black case

The blue diamond shinning on the hilt of a curved Mogul-style dagger[1] was magnificent. The hilt itself could be considered as a superb piece of craftsmanship, being designed as a head of a tiger, the diamond flashing from its setting as the tiger's eye. He looked at the weapon drowned in some kind of strange fascination.

When he drew out the blade, he felt as if an energy discharge passed over him.

He got a strange feeling forming inside of him.

- It seems it was made for you... - Enishi detected a subtle hint of envy on Heishin's tone

- Take the stones for yourself.

- How nice of you…

- What do we know about this new dealer? - Enishi chose to dismiss that fool's retort while he pressed his hand on the exquisitely engraved scabbard, his mind lost in thought

- We have almost no clue on him. Nobody knows who he is or where he comes from. He does not show himself, selling his goods only through representatives. He made his first deal barely a month ago, and he has established himself on the market ever since with such marvelous jewels. He was wise enough though to contact the appropriate people, including us, to avoid problem with his competitors. Nobody has seen him personally, although according to Xian, the English Consul asking for his attendance to his reception tonight sent him a message. The Consul's wife seemed quite interested in acquiring some of his jewels but she demanded him to be there in person.

- Are we invited?

- As usual. They wouldn't dare not to.

Heishin raised an eyebrow.

It was not Enishi's common behavior to ask such things.

He was an antisocial loner, and it was almost impossible to get him to attend any kind of social event. Anyway, as they need to keep the façade of their lawful silk trade as a cover up for their real business, Heishin used to play the social part. Since he seemed to enjoy it moving into society circles like a fish in the water, he fulfilled his role rather reliably.

- Should I suppose that you would attend?

- Aha. I need my tailor to come to me immediately. I need clothes to the occasion.

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The party was deadly boring.

She always felt that way among human females.

In fact, she felt that way fact among humans all the time, no matter which genre.

Period.

However, she found human females quite annoying. They were mostly frivolous and selfish gossipers.

This last trait was aimed to her countless times lately.

However, she was already used to be the direct target of the apparent hostility of the gender to the point it didn't bother her anymore.

As a matter of fact, there were some reasons for such human behavior.

As it transpires from their behavior, the European as much as the oriental ones had found that there was something different in her. Of course, they could not define the extent of such difference. But their intuition marked them the point. And as it was the general rule among humans, they tended to reject everything that that didn't fit in their normal parameters.

So usually, she was subjected to the purest form of ostracism on the part of the human beings.

Oh, yes ... They were always extremely polite, but one could sound civil and at the same time to rise invisible boundaries meant not to be trespassed ever, as they did to her.

They used all those good old clichés to maintain her outside of their social gatherings.

She seemed to them to be a half-breed woman, an unforgivable sin to most Europeans and Oriental people. Since her looks did nothing to change the view, she never bothered to deny such fact.

Another main objection to her was that she was an independent woman. No honorable woman used to wander alone, without a husband, a father or brother screening her from public view, and no respectable woman work on her own. Only low class maids, factory workers or prostitutes did it, this is, unfortunate women without a family to take care for them.[2]

Her independence was another bad point in her score. It was an annoyance to most men, either European or Chinese, who were the ones she used to deal with. Although most women see that aspect of her life not without a little glint of envy in their eyes, they bow to male's main opinion condemning her for what they'd love to do themselves.

Last but not least, her exotic features had proven to be as a charm for men, a bad feature when your main clients are their wives. Most spouses would chose an inferior quality gem rather to let walk so a dangerous woman into their houses.

Then she found that it was easier as a woman to be locked away in her own place. So she established herself in Beijing and run her business trough her employees who carried out the transactions and the exhibitions.

Anyway in some rare occasions, the buyers demanded her presence, only to be shocked to find her being a woman.

However, this was her first time as a formal guess to a reception.

The Consul's wife had been very specific regarding her attendance, and she chose to be there against all wise thoughts, to take the chance to open a whole new market among the rich fat European women from the Shanghai's Settlement. Now she had to bear the consequences.

But it was worse than that she'd imagined.

She felt, as any rare species under some severe scientist's eye, so sharp was the probing and scornful glance of the Consul's old wife and her court of flattering bitches.

She resented especially their derisive remarks about her, which of course were made in English, since they thought she was unable to understand them

It was her mistake to be tempted by such tasty morsel as Shanghai's upper-class ladies were. They were nothing but big-mouthed parasites. She hissed in sheer distaste

<Idiotic poor things> she thought for herself.

These old witches had pissed her off... She'd give them a brief glimpse of the true meaning of a Jinniyeh's anger for the next few weeks. Ah, magic could be useful, but besides it had an amusing dark side when used in full vengeful mode...

There was a swift turn in people's mood. It was almost as if the temperature dropped a few degrees on the ballroom. She snapped into attention over nervous and excited whispers all around her.

- How dare them! And they are bold enough to try to mix themselves with the rest of us! How could they be counted among decent and honest people?

- They should not be invited...

- Dear ... That is out of the question...Believe me if we ever got the chance of get rid of them we would have done it by far. We hate the company of such …savages... Anyway, my husband says we need them to smooth things. We could face some…dangers without them

- Look! ... They had the nerve to bring him here...

- I've heard such horrible things about him... they say…

- Darling, it's not for a lady to talk about such things...

She wouldn't stare at whomever that group of witches chose as their new sacrificial victim. But at last, her curiosity was stronger than her principles and she finally gave up. She went forward the balcony looking for that poor bastard.

What she faced instead took her breath away.

The world seemed to stop for her at that very moment.

There it was.

Floating over the ballroom, imperceptible for the weak human senses, it was the figure of a huge white tiger, seemingly stalking for her as his prey.

Under the beast's shadow was Enishi, the man who was responsible for her present misery, moving inexorably toward her, his turquoise disturbing orbs fixed now into hers, barely concealed by a pair of round glasses. He seemed to glow moving himself with the graceful, dangerous force of the feline. She shuddered at the view; his western-style suit couldn't even conceal his feline grace.

The eyes of the Consul's wife and their companions were wide open in shock when she unwittingly, uttered his name.

Suddenly, everything made sense in her mind. Now she understood why she was stuck right there, among those inferior beings.

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He knew she was in the residence just before getting out the carriage. She possessed a unique and unforgettable ki and she could be clearly distinguished from all the other ones in the surroundings.

He grinned widely, congratulating himself to follow his instincts.

- She is here. - He simply stated

Confused looks were exchanged between his companions, Xian and Heishin, who then fixed their eyes on him with curiosity. At his deafening silence, the first broke it asking him:

- She who?

- The woman from the desert

Xian and Heishin were completely aware about Yukishiro Enishi being a first class swordsman. In fact, the concept wasn't accurate enough to describe his capacities neither associate abilities. They also knew that he had the ability to detect the people's vital energy, due to his long hard years of physical and mental training.

There were no room to any doubts: if he said that the woman was there, then that was a fact.

Heishin felt a chill running down his spine.

His boss had been acting oddly since he got that strange dagger.

Oddly than usual, that is.

He wondered if that damned thing had something to with it.

<Nah> he quickly dismissed the thought

Once they were inside the building, Enishi used his highly sharpened senses to look for her, moving among the crowd of flustered guests, who backed away at his advancing figure. It didn't take too long until he found her.

She was in a balcony, surrounded by the hostess and her group of European fawners. He could tell that the Consul's woman claws were tearing the young girl apart.

He knew her well enough, a detestable old hag whose main aspiration in life was to impose the British "superiority"[3] to all those that were not under Her Imperial Majesty, Queen Victoria's kind rule. And the witch seemed to be giving the young woman her special treatment.

He couldn't ask for more favorable circumstances. Asiyah, the woman from the desert, would definitively be grateful to be rescued from that old dragon's fangs.

She was not aware of his presence yet, although the sound of shocked whispers and the looks set on him filled the room, heralding him before he himself stepped in.

When she turned around, meeting his gaze, he felt as if he was struck by a thunderbolt.

She seemed some sort of mythical princess taken from The Arabian Nights, enveloped in sophisticated Hindu clothes and wearing exquisite jewels. She moved with measured elegance, which increased the effect surprisingly.

The contrast between the woman that he had met in the desert and the remarkable beauty before his eyes was extraordinary to say the least.

Anyway, although her external appearance differed greatly from the young girl that had found him in the desert to the point of death, the eyes remained the same.

- Good night, My ladies - he addressed those females in neat English, nodding his head lightly enough not to sound impolite to those yi[4], then he spoke to the Consul's wife- Lady Berry, would you mind if I took your guest for a while? She was an old acquaintance of mine and I haven't seen her for a long while…

Asiyah saw the opportunity to leave and seized it without any further hesitation.

- I'd be delighted- she answered him also in English, provoking the general dismay at the realization she understood all the numerous and offensive comments about their person they had made.

Just before the astonished old hag could utter any word, he extended his arm, and she took it, to be driven away by him from the group of gossipers. Of course, they did not even wait for them to be outside their hearing range to begin making comments such as the duty of every honorable woman to avoid questionable companies.

- I'm sorry. I think I'm staining your reputation with Shanghai's upper-class ladies...

- Never mind. I don't give a damn for those high society whores. In fact, I'm thankful to you for rescuing me. I was never fond of becoming an object of unhealthy curiosity.

- Don't mention it... - an amused smile grew on his face, while he found an isolated place in a balcony just in the opposite to her former location- You are not somebody easy to find, you know.

- Haven't I told you that it was useless to look for me, because you would not find me?

- Oh, but I found you at last... See, here you are…- he chuckled lightly- We have finally met although not in the way that I expected, I must admit.

An ironic smirk creped to his lips, and there was by an odd shining on his eyes also.

- I was wondering… What are you doing here?

- I might as well do the same question to you…

- Oh, so it seems you enjoy playing games… Well, strange as it may sound I'm here at Lady Berry's request.

- So you are the mysterious jewels dealer from Beijing…

- How did you know...? - Asiyah was shocked

- Oh... I have my own resources. There are very few things hidden to me in Shanghai. I knew Lord Berry required the new jewel's merchant to be at his reception. I never knew it was you till now, but I had that odd feeling this morning when I received your little…gift. I just knew I'd find you here

- My…what?

- That amazing engraved Jambiya with that tiger's head you sent to me arrived just this morning. A very tasty detail, I must say...

- I have not…- then a sudden realization come to her mind

Yes, she had sent such a present, although not to him purposely. The hilt was carved as a tiger head and an amazing blue diamond was the tiger's eye.

In fact, she sent a personal present to each one of the Triads bosses in Shanghai, using their aliases as reference in many cases.

So that was his "career"...

She gave a sigh; a sudden understanding awakening on her head about the guests' behavior towards Enishi.

She made a quick mental check trying to remember the information she gathered about these people. She wanted to be sure the "line of work" he was devoted to. She almost prayed it had nothing to do with women or opium traffic

And then, she remembered.

He was weapons' smuggler. And very powerful one, by the way.

<Well, it was not as bad as it could have been. > thought with some relief

Humans were wicked beings, always at each other's throats. No matter their reasons, money, power, land, nation, God, all were pathetic excuses to do what was imprinted as they true nature. They killed and were killed with dreadful efficiency and extreme ease if they happen to carry any weapon with them.

She was not pleased at all at the mere idea of her future partner[5] being related to such hideous activities. Anyway, she was a very open and pragmatic woman, so she'd deal with the fact, solving it in any satisfactory way sooner or latter.

- Well, we are face to face at last, so, I want you to answer me why you left me this way. Better still... how did you make it? And why were you alone in such desert? Why did you lie to me about your brother and your family?

- I've told you before. There were powerful reasons to do so. They are beyond your understanding. -< At least, by now>, she thought- Sorry, not offence meant.

- Try me. - he pressed

- Maybe someday I'll do it. But not tonight. I understand for your words that you were searching for me, but you never told me why. Were you so pissed off at me that you wanted to punish me? - she said teasingly

- All I wanted to do was to be thankful to you. I owe my life to your care and help, so I do have an obligation towards you. I wanted and still want to reward you for your efforts and kindness to me.

- I've told you, it was not necessary at all. People do it all the time in the desert.

- However I insist, and I won't take a 'no' for an answer.

- I'll tell you how we could solve this. I won't accept anything from you, except maybe your friendship. But let me tell you something firstly, I do have mysteries. As you have your own share of them. I won't ask about them as long you don't ask about mine. Do we have a deal?

Enishi was taken aback for such an answer. He was puzzled by the fact of somebody acting so boldly with him. Every minute in her company aroused his curiosity even more. She made him feel more and more confused and he found his determination to get to the bottom of that mystery hidden on a female body was increased proportionally.

- Yes, we do have a deal. -he said after a brief moment of hesitation. Then he inquired, trying to sound casual - Are you one of the Consul guests to stay in his in his residence?

- Oh, here you are with your twisted sense of humor…- Enishi's eyes widened and almost choked at her remark- I'm not a lady, you know. I do not have a husband, neither a family to protect my honor and reputation. I'm an independent workingwoman, who earns her own money and do not put it into any man's control. I'm not a moral example to any woman according social standards. Besides, I'm not white, but I'm not Asian though. I'm some kind of alien, a freak. And with all that, if I had still any chance to stay here, no matter how low they were, they are below zero since I'm chatting with you.

- Are you upset at that?

Her crystalline laughter startled him and it made that some eyes were fixed on them. Enishi's glance discouraged those bold enough and soon everybody was again into their own business. Asiyah took note of that fact, but she didn't say anything.

- I have already told you; I don't give a damn for them and their opinions. How could I? They are a bunch of hypocritical fat dogs. Could you name just one of them who had not become rich because of the opium trade?[6] I bet that every respectable European gentlemen in this place has more than a half breed children begotten with the same Chinese women they and their wives use to despise and revile. And you and I are pretty aware about all their illegal activities, which are the very basis of their wealth...[7] Where is their moral superiority when they force others by brute force, putting them into submission, stealing from them their lands, poisoning them with opium? Is it what they claim 'civilization'? Forgive me, but then I just prefer to be a savage. They fill up their opulent bellies and they are loaded of gold, jewels and silks thanks to the robbery, the trade with opium, and the venality of corrupt officials. They are worse than those they loathe, because they do all this under the excuse of morality and civilization.

- That is definitively a fact...- he chuckled.

- Believe me, I honestly choose those who are not afraid of showing what they truly are despite their tarnished reputations above the devils hidden under a mask of politeness. - she said, her emerald eyes set on the moon shinning above them

She was leaning next to the rail of the balcony, while Enishi was by her side, his back against the veranda. His intense turquoise glance was fixed over her, looking at her from above his small round glasses, her words still trying to sink through his head.

It was quite uncommon those days to found people who voice such thoughts in places like this one, since they were quite happy with things as they were. That meant money would keep flowing.

He was glad she shared his own ideas.

The air around them got thicker at every minute due guests' stares and whispers.

It was the right time to left the place.

- So, you are in Shanghai on your own. This is not a place for women to be alone. Believe me, I know. - he smirked, and a chill run under Asiyah's spine- So let me invite you to stay at my place while you carry out your business here. I wouldn't have dared to ask you this before because who I'm, but as far as I understand, you are not concerned at all with people's views about you. I would feel honored and somewhat relieved to have you under my protection while you're in the city. It's the least I can do for you.

- I bet you won't take a 'no' as an answer...

- Very perceptive of you... Besides you do owe me a dinner yet, remember? - He took her by the arm again guiding her towards the door- May we go? The place is getting... annoying, to say the least.

- Ah ...Yukishiro-san... I thought that you would already have left...

Their exit was suddenly interrupted by that unexpected comment at their backs.

They turned to be met by two Chinese men; one of them was an old man, dressed as Enishi in Western suit. The other one was short and slim, with cunning slatted eyes. Despite them being Chinese they addressed Enishi using the Japanese suffixes, which she felt certainly odd.

- I was about to make it, Xian-sama ... Actually; I wonder how I could last so long staying here…

- Yes, I see. I'm also under the impression we are not quite welcomed today

- Heishin, I think you can handle things here, while I return to the house. I'll send the carriage for you as soon as I reach there.

- Of course.

- Ah ...Yukishiro-san... I see you find a lovely partner tonight - said the older man

Asiyah felt as both men were evaluating her as some piece of merchandise. The idea of burning them to death right there played on her mind briefly, but she finally dismissed it.

<So many idiotic humans all around are getting on my nerves> she thought

- Oh ...I'm sorry... - it was clear to her that Enishi was trying to avoid the conversation and to slip away quickly and safely without exposing her to them-Her name is...

- Asiyah Bajtiarí - she interrupted him.

Bajtiarí was the last name that she was for during her years in Isfahan. It was convenient to dust it off for the occasion

- Are you the little woman from the desert our friend was so eager to find?

- I never imagined I'll cause so much troubles to him.

- I was highly interested in meeting you, young lady. Now I know why he was so…

- At any rate, she is our new mysterious jeweler from Beijing... - Enishi said curtly, putting and end to the conversation- Asiyah, let me introduce my friends to you. They are my partner Wu Heishin and my friend, Mr. Xian Zedong

Both men looked at her, astonished.

- Oh ...I must say that the quality of her merchandise is... amazing. - the shorter man said

- Certainly. - the old man added- We will surely keep a very profitable relationship, young lady.

- We surely will, no doubt in my mind... - the three men couldn't help but to notice the ironic tone in her voice.

- Ah, Heishin... Could you please do me a favor? - he used a smooth intonation which his associate recognized as the one meaning 'don't-you-dare-ask-me-any- questions-now' so he took the clue and was ready to obey him- Take Ms. Bajtiarí to my carriage. I'll go in a moment.

When his associate and Asiyah went away enough for not listening to them, Enishi talked to Xian.

- I want to request a personal favor from you...

- I know... - the old man smiled - I understand. She is under your protection. I will let the others know about her to leave her alone with her business. Of course, you will have to compensate them somehow.

- Of course. I'll talk to you later about that.

- Well, then. It's settled. It's my pleasure to make business with you... Now go to her... - the old man wink him an eye, to Enishi's dismay- You got the major prize in today's hunt, hey, Yukishiro-san? Ah ... I would give my right arm to be young and strong as you are... Enjoy yourself and have a good time with her...

He sighed. It was useless to try explaining him anything, especially when he didn't even know what would happen in the next few hours.

Anyway he was pretty sure it would be something out of the ordinary, if it were related with the mysterious lady that awaited him in his carriage.

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NOTES