"You can still do something," Wen Ling said. "Kyuubi uses weaknesses and desires already there to bend humans to her will. You know Imari. With the right push, would she go to Aozora on her own to stop Hayate, despite the danger?"
Kaede dropped her arm. "Absolutely," she said with a laugh of frantic desperation. "She's always trying to step in and fix my problems for me, even though I've told her a hundred times not to."
"Now we're getting somewhere,” Suanni said. "I'll fly you to Aozora myself, Kaede."
Kaede didn't even have to consider the offer. She had spent months running as far from home as possible, but if Imari was in Aozora, that was where she would go. Her guilt had hardened into resolve. Imari needs me. I can’t let her down again.
“Thank you, Suanni. I won’t forget this.”
“I’ll go find Takeshi and Kenta,” Wen Ling said, making a swift exit from the forge. “You’ll need to bring them with you.”
Kaede’s heart sank as she realized she would have to explain herself to them too, but she had no other choice. She needed their help to save Imari. If they wanted to hate her afterward for lying to them, that was fine with her, as long as Imari was safe.
“We’ll find her,” Rin said, nudging gently at her shoulder.
Kaede wrapped her arm around Rin’s neck. She tried to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. Her heart was missing, and all that remained as an empty hole in her chest.
***
When the rush of wind stopped and Imari opened her eyes, she was no longer standing on the mountainside. Instead, she was in a dim room heated by a square irori sunken in the center of the floor. Aside from the hearth, the room was empty. There didn't appear to be any other furniture—or any other people either.
As her eyes adjusted to the light, Imari realized it wasn't an ordinary room at all. Instead of tatami mats, there was stone beneath her feet. The walls were stone as well, solid and smooth rather than made up of carved blocks. She wasn't in a castle, but a cave.
She looked in the other direction. Through the shadows, she could make out a sliding screen. More light flickered beyond, the only illumination the dark space had aside from the dying embers in the irori. Imari reached to draw her jian from its scabbard only to realize that her hand was already full. She was still holding the large pearl Kyuubi had given her. It was warm to the touch, and she felt a surge of confidence, the same unwavering certainty she had felt while talking to Kyuubi. In fact, she could almost hear the fox’s voice. Keep it safe. I need it to help you.
She tucked the pearl into her obi then brought her hand to her jian. Step one was simple: look for some indicator of where she was. Yukimura was a large province, one she wasn't familiar with. Step two was slightly more complicated. She needed to find Hayate and kill him before he could march on Aozora.
Wait, kill him? She lowered her sword, feeling a flicker of doubt. I didn't come here to kill anyone.
But she had to. Blurred memories flashed through her mind, images of Hayate striking at Kaede with his sword. They grew sharper and sharper until her head ached. There was no other way. Hayate was a threat to Kaede and her family—to the Empire itself. If she truly loved Kaede, she would make sure Hayate could never harm anyone again.
Imari crept toward the screen, listening closely. Aside from the distant drip of water, she couldn't hear anything. She stopped, pressing her ear against the screen, but still, nothing. If anyone was nearby, they were silent as death. She caught the toe of her right foot against the wooden frame and slid the door back.
The room beyond the door was dark as well. The only light came from a low-burning candle, and the soft yellow circle around it highlighted a ghostly face. At first, Imari wondered if she had stumbled across someone dead after all, but as she looked again, she realized she was wrong. The person's eyes were closed, but they were merely asleep.
She peered closer, a sense of recognition passing over her. It was a woman, and a familiar looking one at that. Although the face wasn't an exact match, the resemblance was unmistakable—this person had to be related to Kaede. She had the same dark skin and chiseled features, although her hair was black. At once, Imari knew who this had to be, and she couldn't believe her luck. It seemed she wouldn't have to search for Hayate after all. If anything, he would come running to her.
As she slipped closer, Setsuna's eyes began to twitch behind her closed lids. Her head rolled uneasily across her futon, spreading her dark hair around her head, and a wrinkle formed in her brow. She groaned, and Imari froze, certain she had been spotted. But her fear was for nothing. Setsuna remained trapped in her fitful sleep, lips moving without sound.
Imari stopped beside the bed, aiming the point of her jian at the vulnerable center of Setsuna's throat. She pressed it forward, not enough to draw blood, but enough to make contact. Setsuna's eyes flew open, white and wild. She opened her mouth, and Imari dug the tip of her sword in harder. "Don't scream," she warned, but Setsuna didn't listen. A loud shot of surprise burst from her lips, echoing through the room and beyond.
Imari knew she wouldn't be able to sneak out. Surely a shogun wouldn't be hiding out in a cave without guards nearby. A few moments later, hurried footsteps came from somewhere beyond the bedroom—several people from the sound. She glanced around the room, making certain Setsuna didn’t have a weapon within easy reach, and then whirled toward the door. She turned just in time to see three guards burst into the room. They were well-armored and wielding unsheathed swords, and upon seeing her, they charged.
Imari’s training with Wen Ling had made her swift and her new sword made her strong. She crossed blades with the nearest soldier, blocking his downward strike and sending him stumbling back. While he reeled, one of his companions came at Imari from the side. She swiveled, sweeping her sword beneath the leather plates of his armor and aiming for his legs above the greaves.
His katana missed her shoulder by an inch, but her jian reached its target. Imari sliced across his thigh and then pulled back, thrusting into the vulnerable gap beneath his right arm. The blow connected. He let out a sharp cry of pain, curling in on himself as blood rushed out to stain the leather plates of his armor.
Imari didn't have time to be shocked by what she had done. The other two guards were upon her again, and she had to sidestep to avoid them. One of them attempted to engage her with a swift circle. She sent his sword wide, bringing her elbow down hard against his shoulder. Her fury gave her strength. Even with his armor protecting him, the guard's knees buckled.
While he hit the ground, Imari whirled to face her third opponent. He had attempted to get behind her, but she sent him scurrying back with a lash of her jian's tassels. He shifted his two-handed grip, knuckles bulging, and launched a flurry of strikes, trying to push her back further into the room and away from the door.
Imari held her ground. She blocked him blow for blow, reacting on instinct. The next time his katana slashed toward her, she brought her jian screaming down. It severed right through his arm above his kote, sending it and the katana falling to the floor. The soldier dropped, crumpled and bleeding.
The final soldier looked at his two companions in terror. He began to back out of the room, but Imari pursued him, blocking his path. Before he could plead or drop his weapon, she engaged. He countered, but not fast enough. His arm faltered. She struck. He let out a rattling sound, a rasp that sent a shiver of doubt racing down Imari's spine. When she looked down, she realized that she had skewered him through a gap in his armor.
She withdrew her sword, wincing at the squelch, and began to come back to herself. A slow, creeping horror consumed her as she looked upon what she had done, and she sucked in a painful breath. The samurai missing his arm wasn't moving. Rivers of blood spilled onto the floor, and her first thought was to crouch down and help. Before she could move, something stopped her.
No. This price needs to be paid. These men are working for Hayate and Setsuna to kill Kaede's family. To overthrow the empire. You can't a
fford to leave them alive. The thought was repugnant to her, but the voice swelled inside her head until it drowned out her protests. The louder it grew, the more right it seemed. Of course she couldn't stop to help. Better for them to bleed out. She had to focus on Setsuna and Hayate. She had to stop them to save the Aozora and Kaede.
She turned to Setsuna, who had clambered to her feet and was staring at the scene in a sort of paralysis, as if she couldn't process what she had witnessed. Imari lowered her jian, holding it at her side with the point aimed at the floor. Blood dripped from the blade, leaving a thin trail as she approached the shogun. Rage boiled within her, consuming the last of her regret. This was the woman who had chased Kaede away, who had sent her on the run, who had betrayed her and hurt her so deeply. The desire to send her to the floor like the other men was intoxicating. Setsuna wasn't armed. Her jian would pierce that fearfully bobbing throat with ease.
Not yet. She is still useful to you. Kill the other guards and take her as your prisoner. Then Hayate is sure to come to you. You can take care of both of them at the same time without even having to search. The thought of taking revenge upon Hayate, whom she hated even more than Setsuna, was enough. Just thinking of how he had rushed toward her, katana drawn, in the garden of the Zhong An Inn made her tremble with anger.
"Who are you?" Setsuna whispered, snapping Imari out of her memory. The shogun stared at her, wearing the expression of someone trapped in a nightmare.
"Someone who loves Kaede." Imari looked away from Setsuna, glancing around the room for something she could improvise as bindings. "And I'm here to make sure you never hurt her, or anyone else ever again."
In the end, Imari bound Setsuna's arms with the thin ribbons of her own yukata. Tying the knots one-handed was difficult and time consuming, but with some effort, they held firm. Without a weapon, there was no way to slice through them. Through it all, the shogun didn't struggle. She still seemed as if she were in the midst of a horrible dream—that, or she was in a state of shock. Once Setsuna's elbows were tied behind her back and her ankles wrapped together, Imari shoved her onto the futon. Then, she returned to the door and waited. More guards were undoubtedly coming, and when they arrived, she would be ready.
On the way, she picked up the severed arm of the second man she had slain. The rush of blood had slowed, congealing in a sticky pool beside him. If he wasn't dead, he would be soon. Imari removed his kote and placed it over her shortened left forearm instead, ignoring the wet crimson stain it left on the sleeve of her kimono. She had left in such a hurry that she hadn't been able to retrieve her own.
One last time, a small part of her heart rebelled. She had removed someone else's arm, had taken his life. Surely Kaede would react with disgust upon seeing what she had done. But there was no room for guilt within her. The voice in her head was soothing, certain, and filled her with warmth. You're doing this for Kaede. Once Setsuna and Hayate are dead and her parents are safe, she'll apologize for lying to you and fall into your arms with gratitude.
***
"What do you mean, she's gone?" Takeshi said, staring at Kaede in anger and disbelief. He was dressed more hastily than usual, the folds of his brown kimono rumpled, and he was panting lightly from what Kaede suspected was a rapid sprint down the hallway.
"Just what I said," Kaede said in a strained voice. A knot was stuck in her throat and her chest burned with guilt. "Rin saw her disappear after talking to Kyuubi. She vanished into thin air."
"But people don't just vanish," Kenta protested. He looked even less put together than Takeshi—his hair stuck out every which way and his usual smile was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a worried wrinkle creased his brow. "There has to be some other explanation."
"There isn't," Rin growled, seeming annoyed the Hibana brothers dared to question her. "Wen Ling and Suanni have already told us that this Kyuubi is powerful and manipulative. Wherever Imari is, she must be in terrible danger."
It was the wrong thing to say. "Then we need to get her back," Takeshi declared, drawing his katana even though there were no enemies to face. For a moment, Kaede thought he looked like he actually wanted to use it on her. She took a cautious step back, but there was no need. Kenta put a reassuring hand on Takeshi's shoulder.
"We will, right, Kaede?" he said, giving her a pointed look.
"Yes, we will," she said, with more confidence than she felt. "From our…conversation, Imari seemed determined to go to Aozora to warn them about Hayate."
"She's probably half way across the continent," Takeshi muttered. He shook his head angrily, his frown carving deep grooves in his face.
"That isn't a problem," Suanni said, entering the conversation for the first time since Takeshi and Kenta's arrivals. "I'll fly you there within the day."
"And I'll make sure we ask my parents for help once we get there," Kaede said. "They'll be able to send their soldiers out looking for her."
"Don't think we're going to avoid that topic," Takeshi said, aiming a fresh glare at her. "You lied to us, Aozora-dono. Once Imari is safe, that will be dealt with."
Kaede lowered her head, wincing at the use of her formal title. Her lie was the whole reason Imari had fallen under Kyuubi's influence. I never should’ve left the two of them alone. I ran off like an idiot because of my own hurt feelings.
"This isn't the time, Takeshi," Rin said. "Kaede had her reasons and they aren't yours to judge."
"They are mine to judge," Takeshi insisted, "especially since they're the reason Imari—"
"They aren't the reason Imari was kidnapped," Rin interrupted. "It was Kyuubi's fault. If anything, I blame myself. I suspected the fox was trouble, but I didn't warn you strongly enough."
"Stop!" Kenta said, raising his voice loud enough for it to echo through the forge. Everyone paused and looked at him in surprise. He rarely shouted unless it was with excitement. "This isn't helping. We need to go find Imari. The three of you can bicker with each other until the sun goes down once she's safe, okay?"
Takeshi looked deeply unhappy, but eventually, he nodded. Rin too seemed to accept Kenta's words. She remained silent, although the points of her teeth still showed between her lips.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry," Kaede murmured. "I never meant for it to turn out this way, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we find Imari and bring her back safe."
Even though she hadn't been expecting forgiveness, Kaede was still hurt when Takeshi turned away. He headed toward Suanni, approaching the dragon's tail and preparing to climb on their back. Kenta followed, shoulders slumped. Kaede remained behind until Rin nudged her arm.
"Come on, Kaede," Rin said, licking the side of Kaede's face with her warm tongue. "Be strong. For Imari."
Kaede closed her eyes and took a deep breath. For Imari. How her friends felt about her didn't matter right now. Her first priority had to be getting Imari back, wherever she might be. With that goal to latch onto, she began to climb Suanni's tail.
"Wait," a voice called, and she turned to see Wen Ling hurrying toward them with three packs. They were heavy with supplies, and Kaede took them with some difficulty. "You'll need these. I have a feeling the three of you won't be coming back any time soon, although I suspect we'll meet again."
Kaede bowed. "I hope we do. Thank you, Wen Ling. You've been a generous host and a wonderful teacher for Imari. I know she would love the chance to tell you that herself."
"You're right," Wen Ling said. "I am a wonderful teacher, which means you should have a little faith in Imari. She's strong, and her time here has only made her stronger."
The statement soothed Kaede more than she expected, and she gave Wen Ling a genuine smile. "I'm sure you're right. In fact, she'll probably be annoyed with us for chasing after her like a disobedient child who's run away."
"With any luck. Now, go. Find her. I know you can."
With one last bow of farewell, Kaede grabbed the packs and scurried up onto Suanni's back, taking the rearmost spot in front of their hind
legs. Takeshi didn't acknowledge her at all, and Kenta shot her a worried, sad look from over his shoulder. She didn't return it. Despite Rin and Wen Ling's attempts at comforting her, the sting of guilt was too strong.
I'll find her, she told herself, fighting to push those feelings down and gather her courage. I have to.
***
Imari stepped over the crumpled body of the last soldier, the spikes of her sandals squelching in the pool of blood that surrounded him. Another dozen had come to try and rescue Setsuna, but Imari had slain them all. Each time fatigue tugged at her muscles, her sword lent her strength, filling her with fresh energy. Each time one of the lucky samurai scored a hit, she thought about Kaede and pushed past the pain. Each time she saw the life leave another man's eyes and doubt took root deep in her heart, the pearl tucked in her kimono scoured the earth before it could sprout.
You're doing the right thing, Kyuubi's voice whispered. You're helping Kaede. You're helping her parents and the whole Empire. These men are simply part of the price that must be paid.
Nothing was too steep a price for Kaede's safety. Imari would go to the ends of the earth for her love. Kaede would thank her for this when it was all over. Kaede would be proud of her.
With a careful eye, she scanned the bodies in front of her. They had all been killed in different ways—some skewered, some slit at the throat, others missing limbs. Wujian could cleave through flesh and human bone like it was nothing more than mist. She could feel its power pooling within her, waiting to be unleashed again. But there were no sounds of approaching footsteps. The corridor was still and silent, still and silent except for the sound of soft breathing.
One of the soldiers was still alive. He bled from his nose, his chin bubbling and red, and he looked as though he had just regained consciousness. But his body was otherwise whole. Imari stepped toward him, watching as his hazy eyes grew wide with terror. He looked like a mouse caught in the shadow of a hawk, simply waiting for death to snatch him from above.
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