“Thank you, Himiko-sama.”
Their eyes met for a moment; and, to his amazement, she blushed before looking away. “You look tired again. I’ve been inconsiderate of your injury. We could sit here together and rest for a while. I could even have some of the maids get us some tea.”
He nodded eagerly at the idea. He knew the time for her to leave would be coming upon them soon.
Any delay seemed worthwhile.
Himiko’s retinue gathered around as they settled under a tree close to a running brook. No longer free to discuss their troubles, the two of them passed the time discussing trivialities, acting for the moment as if their lives were free of complications.
Time passed much too swiftly; and, before he knew it, Toshi had emptily promised to join Himiko later for dinner as she dropped him off at his room. As soon as she and her retinue were gone, he found Yuko and quickly explained what he was about to do. After he was through, he went back out into the garden and made his way to the courtyard that could very well determine his ultimate fate.
*
He found the courtyard empty. A bolt of nervousness cut through him as he realized this was the point of no return. Trying not to let his worry overpower him, he crossed the courtyard and climbed onto the stage. He sat down, making sure he faced the six small windows on which so much depended. With a nervous hand, he set the kettle before him and unwrapped it. He turned it until its sun-emblazoned side was toward the windows as well.
He tried to look at what lay beyond the high windows but could see nothing. He realized with a sense of irony he would never be aware if anyone saw him or not.
As the sun descended gradually to the horizon, two men, both bearing Asano’s crest, appeared. Without a sound, they lit ten lanterns and hung them around the open space. When they were finished, they went to stand guard at the only path leading into the courtyard.
Sadly, Toshi watched what little he could see of the sunset before it was cut off by the castle’s tall outer walls. He realized in chagrin he had missed dinner. He hoped Yuko would pity him in the morning and bring him something to eat.
The sound of far-off crickets eventually filled the night. His shoulder itched, but he tried to ignore it.
Though he attempted to sleep sitting up, the best he could manage was to doze for a few moments a time or two. Time seemed to crawl. When morning arrived, he felt even more tired than he had the day before.
As he waited for dawn, he heard the tinkle of bells. Glancing rapidly about him, he saw the two guards were still in place. He then scanned the lines of trees behind him. The sun rose, and he spotted something shiny hanging from a branch. The more he stared at it, the surer he became it had to be a small silver bell.
Miko had been there! She had seen him! How had she entered the castle grounds? He wished desperately the lights had somehow burned out during the night. He needed to talk to her, to hear her welcome voice. He wanted to tell her and Asaka all that had happened so far. He wanted their advice on what he should do next.
Toshi rubbed his shoulder, excited the others had somehow made it there. He got to his feet and stretched his tired muscles. Taking great care, he worked through a few of his exercises, trying not to push his shoulder too hard but wanting to get his blood pumping. His shoulder complained about what he was doing; but, despite that, he felt better. After he was through, he took one long look around him and then sat to stare again at the windows holding all of his hopes.
He was startled by harsh whispers coming from the entrance into the courtyard. He glanced in that direction and noticed the guards who had been with him last night had been replaced by two others.
There were also two more, but these wore the triangle crest belonging to Tsuyu. He frowned as he noticed the four arguing with Yuko, who was standing in the middle. The remains of what may have been breakfast lay where it had fallen on the cobbled path.
As soon as Yuko saw him staring in their direction, she started toward him. One of Tsuyu’s men grabbed her roughly by the arm. Asano’s men tensed and reached for their swords. Tsuyu’s men followed suit.
“ Stop!”
All five of them turned to stare in his direction.
“Yuko-san, it’s all right,” he said. “It’s not worth it.”
The young woman ceased trying to pull away from the guard. Toshi smiled, trying to reassure her, then forced his gaze back to the windows. At least Tsuyu hadn’t gained an excuse for direct interference—not yet. He told himself this over and over as his stomach grumbled about the missed meal.
The day wore on very slowly, even more so than had the night before. The sky darkened threateningly in late morning, thankfully reducing the heat of the day. Having nothing better to do, he dozed. Now and again he was awakened by harsh voices. He stopped paying attention to them, even though the number of Tsuyu’s men had risen to six. He couldn’t help but smile when he realized they had purposely stationed themselves where they couldn’t be seen from the windows. Himiko had been right—Tsuyu’s hold wasn’t as strong or encompassing as he would like them to believe.
Himiko arrived with her retinue sometime in the early afternoon. She sneaked into the courtyard by cutting through the curtain of trees. Tsuyu’s men spotted her as she walked toward the stage and rushed to block her path. Toshi’s blood raced through his veins as he saw the iron expression on her face.
Would she win through? His empty stomach hoped so as he spotted Yuko walking behind her with a laden tray.
From where he sat, he couldn’t hear Himiko’s words as she spoke to the guards. By the tension he saw in their backs, he was sure they were tipped with steel. One of the men removed a parchment from his sleeve and showed it to her, keeping it well out of reach. Her maids called to her as they started back the way they’d come. He saw Himiko smile coldly and then turn away. In an instant, she’d spun back around with Yuko’s tray in her hands. Before the guards could stop her, she’d thrown its contents on them.
Without comment, she turned her back to them and left. The two guards bearing Asano’s crest rushed forward to protect her. Her retinue scurried after her with shock-filled faces.
Toshi returned his attention to the windows as the soiled guards turned to stare at him in anger. He tried hard not to think about the naked blades that might then be heading for his back. After a few minutes, he finally dared to look and saw the men had gone back to their posts. A grin plucked at the edge of his mouth as it occurred to him that Himiko’s actions held a certain amount of justice. The food, after all, hadn’t gone totally to waste.
The sky darkened even more, the air reaching a dead calm, the scent of threatening rain tainting the day.
The lamps set about the courtyard were lit early. Glancing about him, Toshi counted ten of Tsuyu’s men, but still only two of Asano’s. He shifted uneasily, wondering how long Tsuyu would play the game. He hoped Asano wouldn’t wait too long much longer.
A misting rain settled on him as the sun disappeared from view. He shivered, though the drizzle wasn’t cold. He could tell this might well be a very long night. He sighed, knowing there was no alternative.
The wind began to blow, and the rain intensified. He looked about as he became soaked, trying to see how the guards were coping. He wondered if they, like he would have not long ago, had given up this madness and decided to escape to the warmth indoors. He spotted both of Asano’s men trying to take shelter beneath a large tree next to the entrance. Without much surprise, however, he found no sign of any of Tsuyu’s men. He wondered if they would get caught and punished. He hoped so.
The paper lanterns went out one by one as they were overwhelmed by the rain. Darkness swallowed him whole. He groped at the area before him until he grabbed the kettle. He placed it on his lap.
If there were a time to try to strike him down, this would be it. He tensed as he tried uselessly to peer into the darkness, the wind driving the rain into his eyes. He drew the wakizashi at his waist.
As the minutes craw
led by, nothing changed. Even so, he couldn’t get rid of the feeling enemies were waiting for him out there, and they would eventually come for him that night.
The sky violently lit up for a moment, which was followed seconds later by a booming clap. Toshi turned, startled, though not by the thunder. He could have sworn he’d just heard a strangled scream mixed in with the sounds from the sky.
A second crack of lightning flashed above, showing him a crumpled form on the paving stones, while another fought several dark opponents for its life. He leapt to his feet as the thunder boomed, ignoring the added weight of his soaked clothes, intending to go to the man’s aid.
“Toshi-kun, wait!”
“Miko-san?” He spun around, trying to pinpoint the source of the familiar voice. “Miko-san, where are you?”
“Toshi-kun, you must sit and remain very still,” she cautioned. “There are a large number of ninja in the castle grounds, and for some reason they seem to have a strong dislike for you.”
He realized he was grinning foolishly even as he did as he’d been bid.
“You have nothing to worry about,” Miko added. “We are with you now.”
Three lightning bolts lit the sky in succession as armored skeletons surrounded the stage from every side.
His grin grew wider.
He felt a warm hand on his bandaged shoulder. Turning his head, he found Miko’s blue-lit eyes staring at him.
“You’re hurt,” she said.
Euphoria gurgled through him. “It’s nothing. An old woman took care of it for me. Lord Asaka need never worry about the traitor ninja again.”
The sounds of steel on steel echoed through the rain-stained night.
“So, he was here.” Her voice was close. “We’d suspected as much over a day ago but weren’t sure and couldn’t get in to warn you—that is, until the other ninja came. It was from them we learned how to get past the walls and into the castle grounds without being seen. They can be so crafty.”
The silly grin just wouldn’t leave his lips. It was insane—he was sitting on a stage, soaked to the bone, surrounded by a pack of assassins, but he was still terribly happy. He might die at any second, but his companions were with him once again.
Lightning tore through the sky, with thunder following immediately after. The courtyard was filled with black-shrouded shapes darting back and forth in dizzying patterns as they tried to break through the armored forms before them. The undead men parried their attacks. Flying pieces of star-shaped metal struck at them from afar. The guards ignored them, having no flesh for the shuriken to harm.
Another flash of lightning showed him that Miko was sitting very close to him, her arm and long sleeve raised behind his back to block him from view. With wide eyes, he noticed the glinting points of a number of the shuriken stuck in its other side.
He saw two ninja bring out long pieces of paper, which they slapped to the sides of one of the fighters.
Steam rose in the air as the skeleton fell to his knees. The two assassins rushed past him before the gap could be closed. Toshi realized the ninja had brought sacred wards to use against them. The tide might be turned.
Asaka’s men struggled harder to cut the other ninja down as the latter strove to place wards on them as well. Blinded again by impenetrable darkness, Toshi tensed as he heard something fall not far ahead of him. Miko touched his arm reassuringly.
A rapid volley of lightning showed him Mitsuo’s bowed form to his right. He stared breathlessly as the stooped form swooped like a hawk to cut down one of the two ninja that had leapt onto the stage. To his left, another sword slashed just as fast. That one belonged to Asaka.
The rain fell in ever-greater sheets. The lightning accentuated pieces of time. Water ran in rivers off him, but Toshi no longer noticed. With a calm he’d never known he possessed, he watched the deadly battle rage around him.
A grunt rang out somewhere behind him; and, all at once, Miko screamed. He twisted around and spotted one of the wards stuck on her shoulder as a man in black loomed over them both. Not pausing to think, Toshi struck upwards, his wakizashi sinking it into the man’s flesh. Hot blood splattered on his face before he yanked the sword out and propelled the wounded ninja backwards off the stage.
“Miko-san!” A grimace on his face and panic in his heart, he tore away the ward from the geisha’s shoulder, her pained scream still ringing in his ears. “Are you all right?”
A raging anger was building inside him. How much more were they going to be asked to pay?
“Thank you, Toshi-kun.” Miko leaned heavily against him. “I am fine. I only need a moment.”
He held onto her and, looking up, saw a pair of green lights stare at them for a moment and then look away.
More ninjas broke through the line.
Miko pulled him closer to the center of the stage. He kept his wakizashi ready to defend them in one hand and the kettle in an iron grip with his other. Asaka and Mitsuo dominated the stage and brought down anyone coming too close. Toshi guarded their rear, though he could see very little.
“Toshi, to the right!”
He didn’t hesitate, just swung out where the geisha had directed, his blade slicing through flesh. A flash of lightning showed a ninja stepping back, blood flowing thickly down his leg. Mitsuo pivoted from the man falling before him and backslashed the bleeding ninja, cutting his breast in two. The man dropped without a sound onto the ground.
The rain continued, the lightning, thunder and wind waxing and waning in the raging storm. Though he had half-expected it, no alarm ever rang through the castle to announce the battle going on within it. By the end of the night, the courtyard was littered with black-clothed bodies, though occasionally one or two of them would disappear.
As the rain trickled to a stop, dead silence fell. The air felt cold, and shivers wracked Toshi’s body. His shoulder throbbed, not appreciating his efforts in the night. Though the attacks looked to be over, no one moved or attempted to relax. Still blind, and more so as the storm receded, he tried to remain as alert as his companions.
It was some time before he realized dawn was creeping up on him. Vague shapes grew in his vision, and not much later something warm touched his face. Still feeling the warm sensation on his cheek, he looked up and to the side to find the sun just rising over the top of the walls. With rapt attention, he watched it.
As it came fully into view, he allowed himself to accept the fact he was still alive.
Realizing he’d won the night, he looked around for the others. His lord and all his people were gone.
He’d never heard them leave. He comforted himself that they were still somewhere on the grounds, then heavily berated himself for not having taken the time to talk to Asaka. It was essential he talk to his lord, that he explain what it was he was doing on this stage. Asaka had to be told how things had degenerated since his last visit.
All but two of the ninja bodies were gone. The two that remained were on the stage with him. No sign of those killed elsewhere in the courtyard remained. His eyes turned toward the windows. Would these two bodies be enough to gain Asano’s attention? Would the mystery prove strong enough now?
His grip on the kettle tightened, turning his knuckles white. If this sight didn’t succeed, nothing would.
What he’d do then he had no idea.
A shrill scream snapped his attention to the courtyard’s entrance. Yuko stood there with two samurai, staring at Asano’s murdered guards. What would have been his breakfast lay splattered on the ground.
Toshi groaned.
A shiver ran down his spine as the three looked up in his direction. His brow furrowed in confusion as he saw Yuko raise her hands to cover her mouth in fear. The guards’ faces were unreadable but looked strained. One of them spoke some quick words to her, but Toshi couldn’t understand what was being said. Yuko made no response, so the man spun her around and pushed her roughly from the courtyard.
Toshi heard the echo of her wooden shoes as she ran
toward the castle proper.
Their hands coiled about the hilt of their swords, the two guards trotted toward the stage. Their eyes constantly roamed about the courtyard, avoiding him as they looked for any signs of danger. Neither looked directly at him as they reached the stage and bowed. He returned the bow as best he could and watched as they positioned themselves on either side of the stage. One went so far as to draw his blade and stab at both of the bodies lying on it to make sure the ninja were really dead.
Toshi’s vision swam momentarily as the sound of many running feet intruded into the courtyard. Both guards tensed, their hands still on their weapons. He grimaced as he noticed the new arrivals all wore Tsuyu’s crest. Both of Asano’s men shifted to stand between them and the stage.
A rather stocky man stepped out from the others. “That man is to come with us. Move out of the way,”
he ordered.
“Kazete-san is to go nowhere,” Asano’s man barked back. “Murder has been committed here, a guest has been attacked and our security has been breached. Nothing shall be moved until our superiors have had a chance to examine what has befallen here!”
Asano’s men put their hands on the hilts of their swords.
“We have our orders. We will take this man,” the captain insisted. Tsuyu’s group took a step forward.
“Is this what we’ve come to? That guests of our lord need fear aggression from his men as well as ninja?”
All eyes turned to look back toward the courtyard’s entrance. Toshi strained and glimpsed Himiko.
Tsuyu’s men reluctantly parted as she stepped forward. With some surprise, he noticed Kirin was with her, as well as a large number of armored men.
He tried to hide a smile as Himiko glanced toward him. He sobered, however, as her eyes grew wide.
She pried her gaze away from him and then turned to deal with Tsuyu’s men. What had she and Yuko seen that he hadn’t? He shivered.
Gloria Oliver Page 30