Samurai Champloo Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing Cherry Blossoms ❯ Not Alone ( Chapter 14 )

Dancing Cherry Blossoms

 

Chapter 14: Not Alone

 

 

 

Ayame walked in the dining room. Hinome and Hoshi were eating. Shi and Ichi were standing behind them. Hoshi smiled at her pupil. Ayame looked thoroughly satisfied with herself.

 

“Is she dead?” Hoshi asked. Ayame sat down. Hinome continued to eat quietly. She had yet to even acknowledge Ayame's presence. Ayame shrugged.

 

“I don't know. All I know is that I exposed her for what she is. She was forced to fight that Mugen boy. Is Shoubi back?” Ayame asked.

 

“Hai. I sent Shoubi and her son away for the time being,” Hinome said as she took a sip of her tea. Ayame frowned.

 

“Why?”

 

“Because Sakura is coming here to kill you,” Hinome said calmly. Hoshi looked at her comrade.

 

“Sakura is dead, Hinome. She could not have possibly killed that Mugen guy,” Hoshi said. Hinome said nothing else. Hoshi looked back at Ayame. “You didn't see whether or not Sakura died? Why didn't you stay to watch?” Hoshi asked, her voice raising an octave.

 

“I just came back here right after I talked to those two girls,” Ayame said. Hoshi stared angrily and Ayame for a moment.

 

“Go back and make sure she's dead!” Hoshi yelled. Ayame started to turn around.

 

“Wait, Ayame,” Hinome said.

 

“Hai, okusama?”

 

“If I know my Otome, she is on her way here as we speak. You'll do better to let her come to us. Fight her tired and you'll most definitely lose,” Hinome said. Ayame looked at Hoshi. Hoshi nodded.

 

“Go and get some rest, Ayame. You'll need it,” Hoshi said. Ayame nodded and left the room. Ichi and Shi followed her out. Hoshi looked at Hinome. “Do you plan on fighting your own student, Hinome?” she asked. Hinome took another sip of her tea.

 

“I will most likely have to. That is the way around here, is it not? Live by the sword, die by the sword. I haven't actually killed someone in about eight years now. Maimed, yes. Killed, no. I did not think it would have to be my own student, though,” Hinome said serenely. Hoshi smirked. She stood up and picked up her own katana. “Where are you going, Hoshi?”

 

“Afraid of being alone, Hinome?” Hoshi said, almost mocking the woman. She used her thumb to push her katana out of its sheath slightly as she stepped up on the table, masking the sound.

 

Hinome sighed. She did not want to kill anyone before she had to, but Hoshi seemed to want her out of the way now. She finished her tea and looked up at Hoshi.

 

“Of course not, Hoshiakari. Why would I be afraid?” she asked. Hoshi smiled and looked back at Hinome. She took hold of the hilt of her sword with her right hand.

 

“Because you are about to die,” she said, whirling around as she drew. She slashed downward. Hinome threw up the teacup. Hoshi blinked when she realized that she had only sliced it in half. She looked and saw Hinome calmly standing with her sheathed katana.

 

“Why do you want to kill me, Hoshi?” Hinome asked. Hoshi stood up straight.

 

“Why does it matter? You are going to die, and that's final. I'm tired of being your slave,” Hoshi said. “It's time someone else took reign over the Hanafusa Shikyakus.” Hoshi noticed that Hinome still had not drawn against her. Instead, the elder woman just wiped a strand of black hair out of her face and sighed once more.

 

“Hoshi, you would not know how to lead the Hanafusas if it was written on a scroll for you. You don't know the meaning of sacrifice. That is a lesson you did not teach your student, and that will be her downfall. Sometimes you have to take one, to gain one,” she said.

 

“You're not making sense, you old bitch. Shut up and fight me,” Hoshi said. Hinome blocked a strike from Hoshi. Her katana was still sheathed.

 

“You're not really leaving me a choice, are you?” she mumbled. Hoshi smiled sadistically.

 

Sakura tried desperately to mask her limp as she strode over the bridge leading to the city where she lived. She had practically yelled at Fuu in order not to make her come, but Mugen was a different story. He had been waiting for her as she made it to the gates of Sugiyama. She just kept walking, and he just kept following. Not a word had been passed between them.

 

“So, this is where you're from, eh? Nice place,” he mumbled. Sakura smirked.

 

“It's loud, and surprisingly, it gets louder at night,” she said. She winced as a rock came under her foot. Mugen noticed it and caught her before she went completely down. Sakura tried to shrug him off of her. “I can do this, Mugen. I don't need your help.”

 

“Sak, you're going to get yourself killed if you fight them now,” he said. Sakura smiled and looked at him. He refused to release her.

 

“Well, Mugen. I'd actually think you cared. You better hush. Someone might hear the loving words.” Sakura stopped smiling when she noticed the not amused look on his face. “Listen, I'm not going to die, okay? I've fought people in worse shape, believe me.”

 

“Were any of them trained assassins?” Mugen asked. Sakura started walking again, ignoring his question for the time being. This time, she forced herself to walk upright, no matter how much pain she was in. Mugen cleared his throat, signaling that he was still waiting for an answer.

 

“Does it matter? Let's just go so I can get this over with,” she muttered. Mugen started walking next to her again.

 

They came to a large house that looked like any other house. By looking at it, you would not be able to tell what kind of people lived inside. Mugen saw a man sitting on the porch. He eyed both of them. Sakura just stared back at him. He walked over to them.

 

“Ichi, where is Hinome?” she asked.

 

“By the noise coming from the tea room, I'd say having an argument. She told me to give you this. Go away for now, Otome. You look weary,” he said. Ichi handed Sakura some money and a satchel full of clothing. Sakura smiled and kissed the big man on the cheek.

 

“Thank you, Ichi. I'll be back tomorrow,” she said, looking him directly in the eye. Ichi knew she was lying, but obviously she did not want the man she was with to know.

 

This must be who she is taken with, he thought. He eyed Mugen thoroughly. He noticed the way he was watching Sakura's every move. The older man smirked. And he is very taken with her as well.

 

“Come on, Mugen,” Sakura said, turning around. Mugen gave Ichi and the house one last look before turning around and walking away.

 

Hoshi was wondering why Hinome had not drawn her katana. It was starting to frustrate her. Hinome was calmly countering almost everything that Hoshi had thrown at her. Hinome backed up on the table. Hoshi backed away also.

 

“Why don't you draw, Hinome?” she asked. Hinome looked up at Hoshi.

 

“I don't see the point, Hoshi,” she said.

 

“So how do you plan on winning this fight?” Hoshi asked. Hinome smirked calmly.

 

“With my leg,” Hinome said. Hoshi raised an eyebrow.

 

“Bullshit, Hinome. That's impossible. You underestimate my abilities if you think that's possible. I'm not one some flake,” she said. Hinome chuckled softly. She shook her head.

 

“You highly underestimate mine as well, Hoshi. Just like you and Ayame have largely underestimated Otome's,” Hinome said. Hoshi frowned. She raised her katana and came at Hinome. Hinome sidestepped her and Hoshi gasped, realizing her error too late.

 

Hinome elbowed Hoshi in the back, making her fall into towards table. As Hoshi fell, Hinome wrapped her leg around her neck and sat. Hoshi struggled to breathe. Hinome squeezed tightly until Hoshi released her katana. She loosened her grip slightly, but not by much.

 

“Why don't you finish it?” Hoshi asked. Hinome sat in silence for a moment, considering her answer. Then she spoke.

 

“I don't want to kill you. Death is too great an honor for you. You deserve something far worse than death, Hoshiakari,” Hinome said. It was then that Ichi and Shi walked back in. Ichi raised an inquiring eyebrow at the position Hinome and Hoshi were in. Hinome shrugged and removed her leg. Shi kicked away Hoshi's katana. “Take her from my sight. Let Sakura decide to what to do with her later.”

 

“What if...”

 

“She'll be able to decide,” Hinome said as she walked away, finalizing the conversation. Shi and Ichi looked at each other.

 

Mugen sat outside of the bath house at the inn they were staying at. He had forced everyone out so that Sakura could be alone inside. Right now, he supposed he was “guarding” her. He did not know why he was; Sakura could take care of herself. She had proven that many times before.

 

“Mugen!” she yelled to him. Mugen moved hastily inside the bath house, drawing his sword in the process. Sakura sat in the steamy room under the water. She smiled at him. “You can put that away. It's just you and me in here.”

 

“Then why are you screaming like someone is trying to murder you?” he asked gruffly. Sakura let out a pained laugh, like her ribs were hurting.

 

“Believe me, if they were trying to murder me, I guarantee you that they would be the ones in more pain than me,” she said. She moved over to where he was standing. Mugen looked down at her. “Why don't you pass me that towel?” She pointed to a bunch of folded, white towels. Mugen frowned. He stalked over to the pile and threw a towel in her face. Sakura smiled and stood, wrapping the towel around her in the process. Mugen went and sat across the steamy room. Sakura moved over to her clothes.

 

Sakura's back was still heavily bruised from when the two had tried to murder the other. Mugen had seen his share of bloody messes, but not on someone he actually cared about. Or at least, would never openly admit he cared about.

 

Did I really do all of that? he asked himself as she began to move the towel to her waist. She was not facing him, but he could only imagine what the front of her looked like. The real damage had been done to her leg, where the gash was.

 

Sakura could feel Mugen's eyes on her. She knew he felt a little angst over her condition because it was his fault she looked the way she did. But, she was no saint, either. Mugen did not look any better under his clothes. But, Mugen did not have to face angry assassins later on. Sighing, Sakura turned her head to the side.

 

“Could you come help me, Mugen?” she asked.

 

Mugen blinked out of his thoughts, realizing Sakura had just said something to him. She was holding up some extra bandages. She wanted him to help wrap her up again. She knew he hated touching her and not being able to do other things as well.

 

The sneaky little bitch. She's going to get all the pleasure, he thought. When he got over to where she was, she stared up at him innocently as he sat down in front of her. Mugen sighed and took the bandages away from her. Sakura held one end.

 

“Hold your rack up. I wouldn't want to leave them out, would I?” Mugen said sarcastically. Sakura almost laughed.

 

“I suppose not. I wish you wouldn't refer to them like that, though,” she said.

 

“Then how would I refer to them?” Mugen asked, wrapping the bandages around her. Sakura removed her hands so he could go around her breasts. She held her arms up and leaned forward, moving closer to Mugen.

 

“I have no idea,” she whispered. Mugen tied the bandages together. Sakura pointed to her leg. “Could you wrap it too?” Mugen gave her the evil eye and held her leg up. Sakura smiled.

 

While he was wrapping her leg, Sakura watched his face. He seemed to be pondering something intently. She knew he was going to say something, she just could not figure out what it was. Finally, he came out with it.

 

“You know, you don't have to do this alone,” he said. Sakura blinked.

 

“Yes, I do. I don't want you getting involved. You're supposed to be dead anyway, Mugen. Ajisai, Ayame, Shoubi, and Hinome are still alive. For all I know, Hoshi is, too. You are a marked man. I don't want anything happening to you,” she said. Mugen frowned.

 

“You don't have to get all sentimental,” he said. Sakura rolled her eyes and stood up.

 

“Who was the one getting sentimental first? I believe you were,” she said, turning away from him. Mugen watched her closely. She turned back around and looked down on him.

 

“You know, you almost look flat-chested,” he said. Sakura glared at him and rolled her eyes. She walked away. “Where are you going?”

 

“Back to the inn,” she said. Mugen got up and followed her. There, they ate in silence. As usual, Mugen was the first to finish. Sakura continued to eat silently. Mugen squeezed his fist together until he pounded them on the floor. Sakura just smiled. “Something to say, Mugen?”

 

“Damnit, Sakura! You're not going to do this alone!” he yelled at her. Sakura looked up at him. She sat her bowl of rice down.

 

“And who's going to stop me, hm? You?” she asked. Mugen just stared at her. “Fine, Mugen. You can come. But, I have to fight Ayame on my own. You also cannot do anything when I confront Hinome,” she said.

 

“Why not? I'm positive you'll be spent after you fight that other dame,” he said. Sakura looked back down.

 

“You just can't, Mugen. I could drug you and leave you here. Would you like that?” Mugen shook his head. “Then it's my way or no way. Why don't you go to sleep? We'll need a lot of energy tomorrow,” Sakura said in a tired voice. She sat her bowl down. Mugen nodded.

 

Ayame walked up to Hinome's door. Ichi was standing outside of it. When he saw Ayame coming, he turned towards her. Ayame looked up at the taller man. She had never said more than five words to Ichi before, but she knew how far he would go for Hinome.

 

“Where is okusama?” she asked.

 

“I suspect she is resting from her fight with Hoshiakari,” he said. Ayame raised an eyebrow.

 

“Fight? When did they fight?” she asked.

 

“Right after you retired for your rest. Your mistress challenged okusama to a duel. As you can see, it looks like my mistress won. Do not despair, young one. Your mistress is still alive,” Ichi said calmly. Ayame frowned.

 

“Ichi, who are you talking to?” Hinome called from the room. Ichi turned his head to the side.

 

“Ayame,” he said.

 

“Send her in,” Hinome said. Ichi stepped to the side to allow Ayame passage. Ayame rushed past him. She walked around the large room to find Hinome on her futon, polishing her katana's sheath. “Hello, Ayame.”

 

“What have you done, you bitch?!” Ayame yelled. Hinome looked unaffected by Ayame's temper. She continued polishing the sheath silently. Then she sat it to the side and looked up at the angry young woman.

 

“Listen, child. Your mistress is far from dead. Besides, I never even drew against her. She attacked me, and fortunately for me, lost. It is not my fault that she is just that bad, or that I am just that good,” Hinome said with a smirk. Ayame squeezed her fists together.

 

“Where is she?”

 

“You do not need to know. Besides, you have bigger problems. Ichi has informed me that Otome has arrived and will be here shortly. I suggest that you get ready,” Hinome said. Ayame bit her lip and left the room in a huff. Hinome just watched her.

 

Mugen stared out at the city. Sakura had been right; it was definitely louder at night than during the day. A crisp, autumn wind blew and chilled him. Mugen stepped back inside, sliding the door shut. Sakura was already sitting on the futon. She had just changed out her bandages again. She looked up at Mugen and beckoned him closer. Mugen walked over to her.

 

“Hn?” he mumbled.

 

“G'night,” Sakura said as he leaned down closer to her. Sakura hit him swiftly on the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious. The normal person would be out for at least thirty minutes. Mugen, however, was far from normal.

 

“Ten minutes, tops,” Sakura said as she moved over to her weapons. She picked them up, putting her sai in her sash and putting her sword on her back. She grabbed her sandals. Since she would be traveling by rooftops, she would have to do it barefoot. She sighed. This meant fighting barefoot later on.

 

A small price to pay, she thought. She headed for the door and took one last look at Mugen. She had just betrayed his trust and used his lasciviousness to her advantage. Try not to think of it that way. You just saved his life. Sakura took off into the night.

 

Ayame sat outside on the porch's railing. She was twirling a dagger between her fingers. Her katanas sat next to her. The moon was beginning to show itself overhead. It was growing colder and it was growing noisier.

 

Ayame suddenly threw the dagger to the left. It lodged in the vertical wooden beam. She got up and looked at it. She had pinned a moth the dagger and the beam Sighing, she went back to her perch. All the waiting was making her anxious. She began twirling the dagger again.

 

Sakura landed silently on top of the building across from the house of the Hanafusa Shikyakus. A pain shot through her leg, and she ignored it as she had been doing for the past ten minutes. She saw the very last person she wanted to see first sitting on the porch, alone. She had a look that a cross between slightly unhinged and eager on her face. Sakura looked at the ground, realizing that the moon was behind her.

 

Shit, she thought.

 

Ayame looked at the ground. She saw a small figure shadow in the moonlight. It was coming from the rooftop directly across from her. She stopped twirling her dagger and looked up, a grin on her face.

 

Finally, she thought.