@xxx220: Yes Jurina and Rena are sisters! It's just Rena doesn't know she has one.
@Sasshii: Yes Mariko is the ojou-sama! It suits her well. And Nezumi has skill so don't underestimate her!
@nori: Center and Gekikara both have rage modes and I won't spoil anything but the Wmatsui pair do have something to do with the death of Black's parents. But no spoilers! I can't say anything about Mariko yet. You'll find out as the story progresses.
@Chanaline: Black's one word answers are perfect for her. And hey I do care! I care about all my readers. What song is it? I wanna know so I can listen to it. I think this fic needs a theme song help me find one ok?
@JuRikki: Rena doesn't remember anything and Yuko is taking care of her. Everything will be revealed as the story progresses.
@kahem: I can't say that Sado will die soon but she will eventually. Or will she?
@Strawberri: Yep it's time to bring everyone out of hiding! However they won't be mentioned as much since this is a Mayuki fic.
@alpacas: I'm not telling how they got separated! That's something to be revealed later on. Oh and yeah more characters!
Well it's been a while since I lasted updated this one. I couldn't get any ideas for a while but now I'm back and ready to continue the adventure! I hope you guys like it~
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Chapter 4
They had been traveling for a week and they were nowhere near the next town. Their horses were ready to drop dead any minute after traveling for so long. They were running low on water and food and to make things worse, Nezumi was out cold. How did this all happen? Well long story short, Nezumi had ticked off a group of bandits back at the beginning and they followed them all the way through. At one point one of the bandits managed to hit Nezumi and knocked her out. Black had no idea when she was going to take up and for the longest time thought about leaving her. But something in her told her to keep her.
They were going at a slow pace when suddenly the horse gave out and fell. Black stood on feet while supporting Nezumi on her back. Black was seriously considering leaving Nezumi now that the horse was done. However in a distance Black could hear the shuffling of people. Black had to keep moving or else they would be caught.
Black walked and walked and walked not showing a sign of weakness. She walked far with every step while supporting the sleeping mouse on her back. Black was moving slow because of Nezumi and felt like a turtle. Her condition was starting to worsen and she felt her legs starting to grow weaker. Eventually Black couldn't move any further and she collapsed right there in the field. As she rested there, she heard the sound of people surrounding them.
"Looks like they're finally done for!" a man said.
"Let's kill them now!" another said.
Black could hear the sound of blades being drawn but then there were two loud thuds and a couple cracks. She could hear fighting in the back ground but couldn't tell what was going on. The fighting continued and then everything became quiet. A dark figure loomed over Black casting its shadow down upon her. Black thought she was done for at this point. She watched as the figure moved its arms and stretched across Black. Black was waiting for something to kill her but instead, she felt herself being lifted.
"Hang in there. I'll take you somewhere safe."
Black had no idea what was going on but all she knew was that she was being taken somewhere. The question was though where? Black tried to think but she was so weak that the fatigue and dehydration got to her and Black passed out.
When Black woke up she found herself in a room of some kind. She looked around and took note all all the farmers tools lying around. While looking around she heard the sound of a very familiar voice. She looked over and saw Nezumi resting with a bandaged wrapped around her head. Black felt a little relieved that Nezumi was safe. But what she was really concerned about was her sword. She couldn't feel it on her and it was nowhere in the room.
When Black tried to move she immediately fell back down. She was still weak from all the traveling and there was a blistering pain in her feet. She struggled to move and thought she was stuck. But then the door opened and there was a little girl standing there. When she saw Black she screamed and ran off. A couple minutes later she came back and this time with a boy.
"What are you doing up?!"
He rushed over to Black and helped but her back in bed.
"You shouldn't be moving around. You just woke up."
Black thought there was something strange about the person. It looked like a boy yet there was something in his voice that didn't sound right. It had a hint of a girlish tone in it but Black couldn't tell at the moment. Right now she was more concerned about the pain in her feet.
"Shaku run and get me a pale of water, the ginko juice and a rag!"
"Hai!"
The little girl ran off. Meanwhile the boy focused on Black.
"You've got some nasty injuries on your feet that need to be treated." he said.
Black didn't even need to hear that because she could feel it. A couple minutes later the little girl came back with the things needed.
"Ok this is going to sting a little but it will prevent infection. Here bite on this."
The boy put a cloth in Black's mouth for her to bite on. Then he took a bottle of strange liquid and poured it on her feet. An unbearable stinging sensation shot throughout Black's body. She felt like she was walking on needles and her feet started to burn an itch. She screamed in pain and she felt the boy start dabbing her feet with the rag. She wanted to kick him but she had to fight the pain and let him do what he had to do.
"Almost done. You're doing great."
He finished dabbing the last of the strange liquid and then finally took the water and dumped it on Black's feet. The cool water soothed them and Black started to relax. As the pain started to dye down, the boy started wrapping Black's feet with bandages. Then when he was finished, he had the girl bring some food and water.
"Ok now I need you to sit up."
Black sat up but was barely able to hold. However the boy got behind her and used his body to support her. Black's head was resting right on his chest. Black could hear his heart beating. It was almost soothing as if she could fall asleep to the beat. But something felt off to Black. SHe could feel two bumps poking her in the back of the head. It was then Black realized what those two bumps were. Then she concluded that it wasn't a boy but a girl.
"Here you go nee-chan."
Now Black was for sure this person was a girl.
"Here drink this. You need it."
She held the cup up to Black's lips and carefully poured the water into her mouth. Black's mouth felt like a desert getting rain for the first time as the water flowed down her throat. Black had been dying of thirst and the feeling of water was refreshing. Then when it came to eating, the girl had to spoon feed Black which was a little embarrassing. She was glad Nezumi wan't awake to see it. When she was done, the girl set Black down and then went to check on Nezumi. When she was done, she walked back over and sat next to Black.
"Your friend is going to be fine. She's just got a minor head injury but otherwise she'll be fine."
Black just nodded her head slowly and started to drift off. She was tired and ready to sleep.
"The name is Gakuran by the way. And this is my little sister Shaku." the girl said.
Once again Black nodded her head.
"What's your name?"
Black pointed to a bottle of ink sitting next to her.
"Your name is Ink?"
"Her name is Black nee-chan." Shaku said.
"Black? That's an interesting name."
"Nee-chan I'm tired."
"Come here."
Shaku came over and sat on Gakuran's lap. A couple seconds later she was out like a light.
"Usually she's always hyper but after today's events I guess she's tired. She's was very helpful today and she deserves to rest. This is the first time I've seen her sleep quietly without shouting out Choko's name."
Black just looked at Gakuran with a confused look. She had no idea what Gakuran was talking about.
"Let me tell you a story. Is that alright?"
Black nodded yes and listened in.
"Years ago, my parents were killed in a village raid, the gates were sealed shut and I was left all alone. I was stuck in that town scared and alone even though I was one of the older kids. I was there for days living off as a scavenger looking for anything I could find. Eventually things started to become scarce and hard to find food. I was down on my hands and knees crawling looking for food. I thought I was done for but then someone found me. They took me here to this farm and took care of me. That person was a woman named Choukoku and she's a soldier."
A sad expression formed on Gakuran's face as she continued to talk.
"Choukoku taught me all kinds of things from fighting to growing crops. Then she said I had to look after the farm while she went off to fight. Just last year, she came back after a long journey and had this little one."
Gakuran looked down at the sleeping Shaku.
"She took care of us and raised us like sisters. But now she's off out there somewhere fighting. I really wished she didn't have to fight. But it's because of what she does that we're safe and I can't stop that. But when she left, Shaku and I missed her a lot. But now we're working hard to support ourselves and for Choukoku. We want to make her proud by bringing in tons of crops."
"Mind if I help?"
Black was startled and looked over to see Nezumi up and staring at Black and Gakuran with those playful eyes of hers.
"I couldn't help but hear your conversation earlier. Mind if I help? My partner here is injured so we won't be going anywhere for a while. If you let us stay, I'll be happy to do some work around if you need it."
"That would be great. You'll start first thing tomorrow."
"That's great!"
Something inside Black made her wonder what Nezumi was up to. This type of behavior isn't like her which means she has something planned. Black wondered what though. They had been staying there for week and Black's injuries had already healed. Now they were just staying there to help out and repay what they owe.
The next day, Black woke up to the sound of oxen and shouting. Black looked out and couldn't believe what she was seeing. Nezumi was standing on top of an ox shouting commands at the other oxen. It was like she was talking to them and they knew what she was saying.
"Forward! Move it you lazy butts!"
Nezumi looked very happy being the leader of the oxen. Black didn't even see Gakuran coming up from behind.
"I believe this is yours."
Gakuran handed Black her katana back. Black checked it to make sure nothing was wrong with it. Nothing seemed wrong so she put it to the side.
"I had to hide it so Shaku wouldn't mess it with you know? She says she wants to grow up and be a fighter like Choukoku but I don't want that to happen. I think she would make and excellent royal assistant. But that girl won't listen to me. She worries me sometimes."
While Gakuran went on about how much she cared about Shaku, Black felt uneasy. She felt like someone was watching them waiting for the right moment to attack. Black looked out in the distance and saw nothing except Nezumi now chasing the chickens like a crazy person. At one point she caught one and raised it high into the air. It was then an arrow shot out of nowhere and killed the chicken. Soon more arrows came out and were landing everywhere.
"Shaku!"
Gakuran ran out and grabbed Shaku. She started to run when an arrow suddenly stuck her left shoulder. She feel down and covered Shaku trying to protect her. Black felt hopeless not being able to do anything to help. But then to her surprise, Nezumi came riding on an ox and swooped the two up. They ran all the way to the barn and then Nezumi shut the doors. Black could still hear the thuds of the arrows hitting the door.
"What's going on out there!?" Shaku said.
"It's the bandits." Nezumi said.
"Bandits?"
"Yes bad people. Now stay in here with Black while I go take care of them."
Nezumi walked out the room leaving Black with Shaku and Gakuran. Black looked at Gakura who looked like she was in a lot of pain. They had to get that arrow out otherwise things could get bad. Black grabbed the arrow and started to pull which caused Gakuran to scream.
"Stop it you're hurting Nee-chan!"
Black just ignored her and kept pulling. Eventually the arrow came out and now the wound was heavily bleeding. Black quickly otre off a piece of her own clothing and used it to bandage her wound. A couple minutes later Nezumi came running back in with flamming arrows follwing her. She quickly ducked behind a crate as another arrow shot past.
"What are you still doing in here!" Shaku said.
"There's too many of them!" Nezumi said.
"Nonsense!"
"Look I don't know where they all so I can't get rid of them!"
"Then what are we going to do?"
"I don't know!"
Just then another arrow shot past and almost hit Shaku. The fire from the arrow caught some blankets on fire and was quickly spreading.
"Quick run!"
Everyone got out in time to avoid the fire but when they walked out, there was at least thiry bandits all aiming their weapons at them. Black thought they were done for when suddenly something shot past her head and straight into one of the bandit's head. Black turned around and saw a woman standing in the distance aim an arrow. Three more shot and they all hit their targets right on spot. The bandits saw this and started shooting at the woman. However the woman dodged the arrows and charged straight at the men.
"UHO!"
The woman crashed into the group and took out five of them. Then she took out something that looked like cards. She threw them at the men and sliced their necks making them fall. She started spinning in circles and throwing them at random hitting her target everytime. When she was done, all of the bandits were dead and only she was left.
"Choukoku!!"
Shaku ran over and hugged the woman who smiled and knelt down to her level.
"Hello Shaku. Have you been good since I last left?"
"Choukoku help! Nee-chan is hurt!"
"Let me see her."
Choukoku walked over to Gakuran and saw the wound. She knelt down and pulled out a bottle of green liquid.
"This will stop the bleeding."
She poured it on and Black watched as the liquid formed a cast over the wound. Then Choukoku picked Gakuran up and carried her inside the house. Meanwhile the farm burned to the ground and it wasn't until after it had collapsed Nezumi decided to put the fire out. Ten minutes later Choukoku came back out carrying Shaku on her back.
"Gakuran will be alright. It's a good thing you slowed the bleeding from before. Thank you for watching and protecting my sisters." she said.
"No problem." Nezumi said.
"Please take this as a thanks."
Choukoku handed Black a map. When she looked at it she saw areas she had never been to before and would have to go to.
"This is the newest map straight from the palace. I hope you find it useful. You can take our horses too."
"Thank you." Black said.
"If you ever need anything we'll be her rebuilding the farm right Shaku?"
"Un!"
"Then let's get started!"
The two walked away leaving Nezumi and Black.
"Well isn't that sweet?"
Black just stared at Nezumi with a nasty glare.
"What?"
(Meanwhile over at a palace....)
Everything was quiet at the palace. Everyone happened to be out at the time and the only one there was Ojou-sama who was locked in her chambers resting. But then suddenly a soldier came rushing in on his horse. In his hand was a scroll and something else. He ran into the palace and into the chambers.
"What is it?" Sado asked.
"I bring news about the Matsui sister." he said.
"Yes?"
"We found her."
Sado was silent. She had a blank expression on her face as she processed what she was just told.
"Where is she?"
"Living with Master Yuko."
"Yuko?"
Memories flashed through Sado's mind at the mention of that name. Yuko, the former ruler of the Rappapa Kingdom who suddenly vanished without a trace. She left Sado to take on the responsibilites of the Kingdom and ever since then Sado had grown cold. Hearing her name only brought bad memories back to her as her eye slightly twitched.
"What are your orders?" the soldier asked.
"Nothing. We do nothing for now. I don't want to get involved if it has Yuko involved in it."
"Should we tell Center?"
"No. I will tell her eventually. But for now you must not tell a soul do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good. And just to make sure..."
Sado flung a dagger at the soldier's head killing him instantly. She quickly had the body removed and then went back to her study. She pulled out a journal and a brush and started writing.
"We've found Center's older sister Gekikara. She was spotted living with the former ruler. I don't know how she got to Yuko or what she was doing with her but I knew that whatever Yuko was doing it was wrong. Gekikara is a demon and must be dealt with immediately.The only probelm is I fear if we bring her back, she will bring the down fall of the Kingdom. As the current ruler I will not allow that. So for now I will not allow Center to know about her sister. I think it is best for them to not be togehter. If the two are, it could lead to the destruction of Japan. I must keep this secret safe and keeped it locked away for as long as I can. But I fear I am running out of time."
Sado turned to the side and coughed in her sleeve. When she pulled it back there was a small stain of blood. Sado looked at it with digust and then went back to writing.
"I fear my time is running out so I must do what I must to avoid chaos. I will have to tighten the seal on Center and make sure Torigoya takes the throne when I die. And now that I know where Rena is, I should go and take care of her while I still can. That girl brings nothing but death ever since day one. I knew there was something wrong since the day Yuko found her and her sister. I still remember that day at the Kashiwagi Palace..."
Mariko shivered and took a sip of tea to try to help her forget what she was seeing.
"I understood why Yuko wanted to separate the two but her way was the most difficult. Surly she could've done something better than leaving the Rappapa. Especially after we-"
The door suddenly opened and Sado had to shut her book. It was Center who came rushing in with a bag.
"Nee Ojou-sama look what I found outside your door." she said.
"What is it?"
"I don't know let me see."
Center untied the string and the thing that came out was very very disturbing. Jurina screamed as the thing fell and rolled over to Sado's feet. There lying on the ground was the head of one of her soldiers. She could tell because of the helmet he was wearing. Attatched to his head was a note with Sado's name on it. Sado picked it up and read it silently.
"Oi Sado!"
Sado could hear Yuko's voice inside her head as she read.
"What's the bright idea with you sending your men after Geki and I? I thought we had a deal that you wouldn't do that! If it's because Center is looking for her tell her to foget it. She's never going to see her sister and that's that. If those two are together it could awaken Gekikara which we don't want. So keep Center away from me and away from Gekikara. Otherwise more of your men will end up like this poor sucker on the ground."
"What did it say?"
Sado crumpled the note up and threw it in the fire before Center could ask questions.
"It's something I'm going to take care of. You stay out of it ok?"
"Hai."
"Good. Now then if you exucse me I'm going to take care of this."
Sado picked up the head and walked out of the room. Once she was gone, Center rushed over to the fire and looked for the note. She quickly reached into the fire and pulled it out without burning herself and uncovered what was still there. But then out of the burned note, one word was readable. Gekikara.
"Gekikara?"
Center stared confused at the name wondering what it meant.
"I wonder who that is."
Center put the note in her pocket and then walked out after Sado.
(Back with Black and Nezumi...)
The two had finally arrived to the town they were looking for. However they were in for one heck of a surprise when as soon as they walked in, they were knocked out, tied and thrown into a jail cell. Black was wondering what was going on but wasn't to happy about it. It looks like they were a little late and the enemy founf out they were coming. Now they were stuck with no way out. Or that's what she thought. Black looked over at Nezumi who had a sly grin on her face.
"Hey you wanna play a game of cat and mouse?"
Black looked at Nezumi with a questioning look.
"We're going to be the mouse so~"
Nezumi pulled out a small ball.
"Start running."
Nezumi threw the ball and the cage door ezxploded off. Nezumi rushed out and down the halls looking for a way. Black took this as a go and started running as well. Black figure out that she was going to follow Nezumi and escape the cell. From behind she could hear the sound of guards starting to chase them. It was a game of cat and mouse.
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Ahh it's been a while since I updated this one. I hope you guys liked it and look forward to the next one!