Samurai Champloo Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing Cherry Blossoms ❯ The Hanafusa Shikyakus ( Chapter 4 )

Dancing Cherry Blossoms

 

Chapter 4: The Hanafusa Shikyakus

 

 

 

Kyoko's sister, Sasami, knocked on the door to the headman's house. She was one of their maids. Kyoko watched her younger sister. She always watched Sasami until she went inside the house. It was a habit. She was very protective of Sasami, even if she was now fifteen. Sasami turned and waved back at her sister. Kyoko smiled and waved back.

 

Sasami stood at the door for another minute or so. She frowned when she noticed not a sound had been made. It sounded as if no one was home. She knocked again.

 

“Sekiko-sama?” She called loudly. Maybe they were still asleep. That was highly unlikely. Sekiko was not one to sleep past sunrise. She was usually up at an ungodly hour on a daily basis. Sasami knocked one more time.

 

Kyoko watched her sister. Something was definitely not right. Fuu walked up next to her, straightening her hair. She followed Kyoko's gaze to Sasami.

 

“What's going on?” Fuu asked. Kyoko shrugged.

 

“Not a clue. No one's answering at the headman's house. Do you think they left in the middle of the night?” Kyoko asked loudly. Fuu cringed.

 

“ Not so loud, Kyoko. Not that I know of. But, then again, I passed out.” Fuu said. She sighed in pain at the dull throbbing of her head.

 

Sasami sighed and just decided to walk in. It was not like Sekiko was going to yell at her for letting herself in the door. Yukio barely even noticed her from day-to-day. Her name was everything that started with an “S” except Sasami. When Sasami opened the door, the house was deathly silent.

 

“Why do I get the feeling something is not right?” Fuu asked, squinting at Sasami. Kyoko shrugged.

 

“I don't know. The problem is, I have the same feeling. By now, Sekiko should be yelling at Sasami for either being late or looking untidy. That woman is unbearable.” Kyoko said.

 

Sasami saw that a lamp was on in Yukio's study. She swallowed hard and stepped around to look in the room. She was not prepared in any way for what she saw. In response, she screamed at the top of her lungs.

 

Jin was rubbing his head as Sasami screamed. He was walking up behind Fuu and Kyoko. The people in the street turned and looked towards the headman's house. Naturally, everyone started to go forward. Kyoko broke into a run, slipping out of her sandals. Fuu and Jin followed, Jin's hand on the hilt of his sword.

 

Mugen rubbed his stomach, yawning. He had just heard a rather dim scream. It sounded far off, but it was enough to wake him up. He turned over, noticing that Sakura's belongings were gone. She had left one of her hair ribbons, though. Mugen smelled it. It smelled just like her. Smiling to himself, he stood up to see what all the commotion was outside.

 

Sasami ran out of the house, breathing like she was having an asthma attack. She ran directly into Kyoko's arms. She squeezed her sister. Jin walked up beside her.

 

“What is the problem?” He asked. Sasami looked over at him, tears in her eyes.

 

“Horrible...inside...headman...Sekiko-sama...” She whispered. She could not make a coherent sentence. Jin walked inside the house followed by Fuu. Jin looked around, still holding onto his sword's hilt. He went to the study and walked inside. The smell of death and blood overwhelmed him. Fuu peered from around him to see what the problem was. She nearly threw up.

 

Yukio, Sekiko, Shigeto, and two of Yukio's guards were all laid out on the ground, dead. Jin frowned and examined the cherry blossom petals spread out over Yukio. He looked at the way everyone had died.

 

“An assassin did this.” He whispered.

 

Mugen pushed his way through the crowd and met with Kyoko. Kyoko was kneeling, still holding her crying sister. He looked down at her and she looked up at him.

 

“What's going on?” He asked.

 

“Something happened with the headman.” She said. Mugen looked at the door to the house and went inside. He went all the way to the study where Jin and Fuu were. Fuu was holding her mouth, obviously trying to stomach the horrific sight before her. Mugen's face frowned up at the smell.

 

“Well, someone finally knocked old Yukio off.” He said, looking at the headman's body. Jin and Fuu turned around, Jin drawing his sword. Mugen laughed. “Relax. It's just me.” He said. Jin put his sword away and sighed.

 

“That it is.” He said. Mugen raised an eyebrow.

 

“What the hell is...”

 

“Boys, let's keep our minds focused on the problem at hand. Can you tell how long they've been dead?” Fuu asked Jin. Jin took his eyes off of Mugen and looked around at the bodies.

 

“Well, it had to be after dinner at Ai's ended last night. Shigeto was with us. I'd say they've been dead for about six hours. An assassin did this. Not just some random bandit.” Jin said. Fuu nodded.

 

“How can you tell an assassin did this?” Mugen asked. Jin sighed.

 

“Look how clean everything is. This person obviously knows how the human body works. There is barely any blood anywhere except what came out of the bodies when they hit the floor. They were killed swiftly and modestly.” Jin stated. Mugen just crossed his arms.

 

“Well, it's about time the old bastard got his come-uppance.” He said indifferently. Jin nodded. Fuu looked between the two furiously.

 

“How can you two be so damn tactless? This whole family was slain and you two have no feeling. Have at least some respect for the dead.” Fuu said, looking very angry with them. Jin and Mugen just stared at her.

 

“The whole family hasn't been slain.” A small voice said from behind them. Fuu, Mugen, and Jin turned to look at Sasami and Kyoko. Sasami was still sniffing. Fuu looked confused.

 

“Nani? This is everyone, right? Shigeto, Yukio, and Sekiko.” She said. Sasami shook her head, rubbing her red eyes.

 

“Sekiko had a baby about six months ago. You never wondered why she had not made an appearance outside of this place.” Sasami asked. Fuu thought about and realized that about three months ago was the first time she had seen Sekiko in about a year. It had never dawned on her that Sekiko had been absent.

 

“She was pregnant?” She asked. Sasami nodded.

 

“That's why she hired Fumiko...” Sasami was cut off.

 

“Oh my...” A girl with dark brown hair walked in. She gasped at the sight she saw before her. She looked around at Mugen, Jin, and Fuu. “You did this?” She asked. Mugen shook his head.

 

“No. Fumiko, I found them like this.” Sasami said. Fumiko looked at her and nodded. She mentally counted the bodies.

 

“Where's the baby?” She asked, looking very worried. Before Sasami could answer, the cry of a child answered her question. Fumiko ran down the hall to go up the stairs to the next floor. Sasami looked back at the others.

 

“Tamami is the daughter of Sekiko and Yukio. They wanted to keep her a secret for a year. Don't ask me why. I have no idea. Fumiko is somewhat her nanny and she cares for the child while Sekiko helps out with Yukio's affairs.” Sasami stopped talking when three men pushed in past her and Kyoko.

 

“What happened here?” The one in charge asked. Mugen sighed. He hated the police. They incompetent and never, ever got the job done right. All they did was harass people by threatening to arrest them if they don't do what they want.

 

“An assassin broke into their home and killed them last night.” Fuu said, gesturing towards the bodies. Masaru, the policeman, nodded.

 

“All right. All of you out. This is a crime scene. You should not be in here to begin with. I will be questioning all of you later on.”

 

“Hai, Masaru-san.” Kyoko said. Everyone but the policemen filed out as Fumiko came down the hall, carrying a baby girl. She was sniffling. Fumiko tried to hide her face from seeing her family in their murdered state. She walked outside with the others. Fuu turned to face her. She looked at Tamami.

 

“What's going to happen to her?” She asked. Fumiko shrugged.

 

“I don't know. I don't want them to send her to an orphanage.” She said.

 

“Why don't you raise her?” Mugen said unenthusiastically. Fuu turned and looked at him. “I mean, you've cared for her probably more than her own mother from what Sasami said. She's used to you. You take care of her.”

 

“I couldn't possibly raise a child on my own. Plus, now I have no job. How will I feed her?” She asked. Jin looked thoughtful for a moment.

 

“I'm sure all of the money that the headman had will go straight to the child. You can use that until you find a job.” He said. Fumiko nodded.

 

“I guess I could...” She whispered. She looked back down at Tamami. The child was staring up at her with big eyes. “Hiya, Mami. How are you doing?” She whispered. Tamami giggled happily. Fuu smiled.

 

`To be so innocent. She has no idea what happened last night,' she thought sadly. The girl had just been orphaned. Fuu gasped. `Just like me.'

 

Sakura walked across the bridge into Edo. She had been traveling all night and she was now practically running on empty. She walked slowly down the street to a beautiful house. From the outside, it looked like a beautiful house of peace and serenity. Sakura laughed to herself as she thought what a load of crap that is. She walked up the stairs to the front door. Before she opened it, she heard a voice.

 

“I could've easily just killed you and you wouldn't have even felt it. You're getting sloppy, Sakura.” The voice said. Sakura rolled her eyes and turned her head to the left. A girl with a high braided ponytail stood there, smiling.

 

“Kika, I'm REALLY not in the mood. Do not test me.” Sakura said. Kika laughed.

 

“Whatever you say, Otome. Okusama is waiting for you.” She said. Sakura nodded and walked inside the house. She passed three rooms before she came to a door with a guard. A man about seven inches taller than Sakura was standing over her. He smiled when he saw her.

 

“Sakura.” He said. Sakura nodded weakly.

 

“Shi. Is okusama in there?” She asked. Shi nodded and stepped to the side, sliding the door open. Sakura stepped inside. She moved the silk hanging curtain out of the way to reveal a woman.

 

“Otome. You have returned.” The woman said. Sakura sighed.

 

“Hai, okusama.” She said. The woman chuckled dryly.

 

“Otome, come around so that I may see you.” She said. Sakura obeyed and walked in front of the lounging woman. She looked Sakura up and down. Satisfied at what she saw, she met Sakura's eyes. “How many times have I asked you to call me by my given name?” She asked. Sakura nodded.

 

“Gomen, Hinome.” She said. Hinome nodded, popping a cherry in her mouth.

 

“It is quite all right, Otome. You know I hold you dear to me like you were my own child. You need not be so proper with me. Now, sit and tell me how this assignment was.” Hinome said. Sakura nodded. She sat down on a pillow across from Hinome.

 

“The assignment knew that I was coming. He was rather easy to dispose of.”

 

“Did you leave any witnesses?” Hinome asked, looking at a cherry she was about to eat. Sakura looked down.

 

“Iie, Hinome. Everyone was eliminated, including the guards he dispatched on me.”

 

“Guards, you say? Guards are pathetic in skill compared to you, Sakura. It is an insult to your capabilities that he set `guards' on you.” Hinome talked through chewing a cherry. Sakura nodded just as the door opened. Sakura looked up as a girl peered around the silk curtain. She smiled immediately.

 

“Sakura!” The girl yelled, running over to sit with Sakura. She hugged Sakura as soon as she sat.

 

“Sayuri...I can't breathe.” Sakura said in a strangled voice. Sayuri released her best friend. Sakura looked at her. “I have missed you, Sayuri.” She said.

 

“I have missed you as well, Sakura. I see you went straight to see okusama.” She said, nodding towards the smiling elder. Hinome shook her head.

 

“You two are like my own children. Why do you insist on calling me by that proper name?” She asked. Sayuri shrugged and picked up a cherry.

 

“Bad habits die hard.” She mumbled. Sayuri looked back at Sakura. Sakura looked as if she was about to pass out right then and there. She laughed. “Hinome, I think that Sakura is very tired.”

 

“I see that as well, Sayuri. You two may go. I will send San and Ni to retrieve your earnings.” Hinome said. Sakura and Sayuri nodded. The bowed and stood up.

 

As the two walked down the hall, Sayuri looked at Sakura. She knew something was on her friend's mind. They had grown up together sense they were both six. She knew Sakura like the back of her hand.

 

“Sakura, what's wrong?” She asked, looking directly ahead of her. Sakura was pulled from her thoughts.

 

“Nani?” She asked.

 

“You heard me just fine.” Sayuri said. Sakura nodded and sighed.

 

“Nothing, really. I'm just extremely tired. That's all.” She lied. Sayuri laughed outright.

 

“You can at least sound HALF convincing, you know. What kind of person do you think I am, anyway? I'm Kohana aka Sayuri. You are Kaori aka Sakura. I've known you since you were six, Sakura. I think you should give me a little more credit.” Sayuri said, sounding falsely hurt. Sakura laughed.

 

“Whatever, Sayuri. If you must know, I met this guy while I was in Sugiyama.” She said. Sayuri slid the door open to their room. Sakura went inside and plopped down on her futon. Sayuri sat across from her.

 

“Oh, really? I'm interested. Was he charming and sweet?” She asked, looking star struck. Sakura stared at her for a moment before she bust out laughing. Sayuri looked confused. Sakura was holding her sides. She finally caught her breath and looked back at Sayuri.

 

“No. In fact, he lacks both of those attributes. He's a total jerk, to tell you the truth. He is tactless, arrogant, sloppy, mean, perverted, and lazy.” Sakura said. She looked up.

 

“Sounds like someone I know...” Sayuri said. Sakura threw one of her pillows at her. “And he's so great because...” She said. Sakura laughed.

 

“He's actually kind of fun to be around. He's not as badass as he makes himself out to be. I think I might actually like him. I don't know if he likes me, though.”

 

“How did you meet?” Sayuri asked. Sakura yawned.

 

“Well, some thugs were harassing me in a tea house. They followed me out and tried to rape me or whatever. So, you know me. I wait until the person thinks they are home free until I strike. Well, this guy tries to save me. I said I don't need his help, but he stayed and helped me fight them anyway. He wanted to know my name and I said if he could disarm me, then I'd give it to him. If not, he had to find me a place to stay. So, I disarmed him and I spent the night at his house. The next day, we sort of sparred.” Sakura lay down.

 

“Is he any good?” Sayuri asked. Sakura yawned again and nodded.

 

“Actually, he's a perfect match for me. I'd never admit that to him, though. His head would swell so much that he wouldn't be able to hold it up any longer. But, he was actually pretty nice to me, in a strange way.” Sakura's eyes closed. Sayuri watched her friend a moment longer before leaving the room.

 

Mugen sat on the porch of their house, twiddling Sakura's ribbon between his fingers. He was so lost in his thought that he did not see Masaru walk up with two of his cronies.

 

“Hey, Mugen.” He said. Mugen looked up at him and frowned.

 

“What the hell do you want?” He asked. Masaru frowned at his disrespect.

 

“Have you ever heard of the Hanafusa Shikyakus?” He asked. Mugen raised an eyebrow.

 

“The what?”

 

“The Hanafusa Shikyakus!” Masaru yelled.

 

“Iie, jerk-off. Now get the hell off of my porch.” Mugen said.

 

“You mean to tell me you've actually never heard of them?” Masaru asked. Mugen stood up and faced the man.

 

“Iie! Damnit, get the fuck off of my porch and leave me the hell alone.” Mugen yelled. Masaru backed up, not really wanting to challenge Mugen. That would definitely be a fight he would lose.

 

“We'll be back, jackass.” Masaru said as he walked away. Mugen rolled his eyes and went inside. Fuu was drinking tea with Jin. They looked up at him.

 

“Mugen, are you okay?” Fuu asked. Jin frowned at Mugen. He was not used to seeing him look so down and distraught. Mugen waved his hand and sat down roughly.

 

“Hai. I'm fine. Jin, have you ever heard of the Hanafusa Shikyakus?” Mugen asked, yawning lazily and scratching his stomach. Jin nearly dropped his cup. Both Mugen and Fuu looked confused at his actions.

 

“Where did you hear that name?” He asked. Mugen shrugged.

 

“Masaru just finished asking me about them. You know who they are?” He asked. Jin nodded solemnly. “Well?”

 

“They are very good and efficient assassins. No one really knows WHO they are. But, then again, all who have seen them in person have died horrible deaths.” Jin said, sitting his cup down. Fuu looked at him then at Mugen.

 

“Do they think that the headman and his family were killed by one of them?”

 

“Perhaps. Even I wouldn't rule that out. I've seen what they are capable of firsthand. One of them can slay ten men at the same time, they are that skilled of fighters.” Jin said.

 

“Ha! That's nothing. You or I can do that!” Mugen said. Jin shook his head.

 

“That may be true, Jin. Unfortunately, that is practice for them. I pride myself on being very fast and efficient, but these assassins are in a league of their own. You could be talking to one and not even know it. They can infiltrate anyone's life and kill them without being suspected.”

 

“So, they're like super-assassins, eh? Sounds like fun.” Mugen looked at the silk ribbon in his hand that smelled so much like cherry blossoms. Fuu noticed him and smiled. She got up and walked over to him. She kneeled in front of him and touched his hands. Mugen looked confused by her actions. If Fuu could help it, she would never, ever touch him.

 

“Why don't you just go find her?” Fuu asked. Mugen looked back at the ribbon.

 

“Why?” He asked. Fuu sighed.

 

“I'll let you figure that one out by yourself.” She stood up.

 

Sakura opened her eyes to the sun's rays being shone in her face. She mumbled something illegible and rolled over, trying to shield her face. She heard chuckling.

 

“Rise and shine, Otome!” A voice said. The person jumped on top of Sakura. Sakura squirmed underneath the person. They were too heavy to Sayuri.

 

“Get off of me, Shoubi, or I will make you wish you had.” Sakura said. Shoubi laughed.

 

“Ooh. A bit touchy this morning, aren't we, Otome? Anyway, Hoshi and Kin-Kin pare here. They want to see you right now. Hoshi does not look happy.” Shoubi warned. Sakura sighed and sat up as Shoubi got off of her. “I'll see you up there.” She left the room.

 

Sakura walked into a large room. Hoshiakari and Kinpa were sitting there. Hinome was also there. She smiled when she saw Sakura. Sakura sat down across from them a bowed.

 

“Hoshi-san. Kin-Kin.” She said. The two women nodded. Sakura looked up and saw four guys standing behind them. Ichi, Ni, San, and Shi all winked down at the youngest member of the Hanafusa Shikyakus.

 

“Well, it took you two weeks to complete your assignment, Sakura. Why was this?” Hoshi asked. Sakura sighed.

 

“I wanted to watch the assignment. I wanted to learn his schedule.” Sakura said. Hoshi nodded.

 

“A great strategy, Sakura. How many did you kill?” Kin-Kin asked. Sakura tried to count the bodies.

 

“Including the assignment, I killed five people, Kin-Kin. I killed the assignment, his wife, his son, and two guards. That is all.” Sakura answered. Kin-Kin nodded.

 

“Very good, Sakura. You are surely gaining quite a reputation with out clients. You are very efficient. You are so efficient that you have a new assignment. Sayuri will be joining you on this. The assignment is still in Sugiyama.” Hinome said. Sakura's breath caught for a moment.

 

Sayuri watched from the hallway. Kika and Kiku, the twins, watched as well. Sayuri noticed her friend's sudden stiffness. Hinome pushed a scroll towards her. Sakura picked it up and read it. She rolled the scroll back up and looked at her superiors.

 

“When shall we leave?” She asked. Hinome and Hoshi exchanged looks.

 

“In three days time. I'm sure they are wondering what happened in Sugiyama with the headman. You are dismissed, Sakura.” Hinome said. Sakura bowed again and left the room. When she left, Sayuri grabbed her arm.

 

“You get to see your boyfriend again.” She whispered. Sakura nodded. Sayuri looked confused. “Aren't you happy?” She asked. Sakura looked at her.

 

“Sayuri, I'm an assassin. You're an assassin. We can't have feelings. It doesn't come with the job. We are cold-blooded killers. That guy will be nothing but a hindrance to me. I cannot let him get to me. So, I will not pursue him. Don't mention him again.” Sakura said. Sayuri nodded.

 

“We will see what happens when we go. I'd like to meet him anyway.” Sayuri said just to annoy Sakura. Sakura rolled her eyes and walked off, leaving Sayuri grinning like mad.