The downpour had entered into another powerful chorus of singing hydration, the streets made derelict in the continuing rainstorm while Retsuya stayed patient in her watch upon Aoi’s tavern. Standing against the right wall in a close alleyway opposite the building’s entrance, she was nearly invisible in the shadows, adorned in a gray shawl and quite dry under the curves of the roof that spanned overhead. The waterfalls that fell over the sides offered an additional pitter-patter of music to the entirety of the rainy rhapsody, a ghostly medley that drowned the sounds of the environment and demanded her to keep her wits at all times. She had little fear of being noticed in the darkness, however, for she would make haste in escape should she see the need.

She estimated that Shisuka had long left the tavern, with Tajira in his usual place within. How delightful he must be, finding his solace within the embrace of the Winter Iris, the very woman he had tainted with the blood of innocents and yet she managed to retain her purity. She knew it was the guilt that kept him coming back to her, but Retsuya was not a very giving woman when it came to him. Already the thoughts of them together enkindled a fire inside, fed by a stream of rage and whirling jealousy. She clenched her teeth in a snarl and balled her thin fingers into tight fists at her sides, lustful for nothing more than to glide her knives across the girl’s supple flesh for hours on end…to hear her scream in sheer agony, with an invigorating cry that would give her the most primal and sexual of satisfactions. That day would come, yes, but not yet. She had plans for Aki still, and her life was worth that much to her until Tajira could be returned to his old self. Such was her ambition, her desire to once again loose that unrepentant killer upon the world and enjoy a life of carnage at his side. A process of careful planning, months in the making was nearing fruition, with only a few more steps to be taken.

All that is needed is for the Azalea girl to acquire a fondness in his heart…and for Thor to sound his hammer.

Her thoughts were cut short with a startling crash, the doors of the target building blown open by a man of black kimono that stumbled drunk over the steps to fall clumsily upon his face. Restuya had managed a wry smile, half amused until the man lifted his head and brought his right arm forward—the limb soaked in blood as he tried to pull himself forward. It was then that she recognized the strained face of pain, tired exhalations huffed into a fine mist while he crawled into the wet road.

Tajira…?

Her heart froze like a man at gunpoint, Retsuya unable to breathe as she attempted to place the pieces together. He was severely wounded and without his swords. It didn’t make sense that someone could get the drop on him so easily, but she could see it was no act. Her first instinct was to run to his aid and offer bandage, but she knew that Aki would soon come to the rescue. Even as he managed to rise, slow and with a near-buckling leg, he began to walk left with his left hand clasping his right side, the sleeve torn loose and area coated in a glittering scarlet. Each breath he released was a groan of anguish, each step one of speed and desperation as if he were attempting to run but could not; he only made it perhaps ten steps before falling to his knees with a heart-wrenching gasp of pain…and Aki would not come.

Where the hell is she?!

She bit her lower lip with anxiety, her muscles restless and like a pin cushion as needles pricked her limbs, screamed for them to act. She found herself torn. The necessity for secrecy and stealth found itself overshadowed by the cries of her breaking heart, and just when she had decided to bolt into the open in rescue, Chiaki stepped out with his katana in her right hand. The silver edge had been stained red, and the look upon the girl’s face carried little compassion. It were as if she sought to take his life—or come damn close to it.

Just what the hell is going on…?

None of this made any sense. She could think of not one scenario from the possibilities leading up to the current point where this would happen, but here it was nevertheless. A multitude of thoughts raced through her mind all at once, flooding reason. All she could focus one was the image before her eyes, the damaged body of her beloved while he turned onto his back and pushed himself back from the coming killer with a look of utter terror. Restuya spoke objections under her breath, shook her head in complete disbelief of what she saw to be real…it was only when she stepped out of the shadows and into the light that she began to understand, and understand well.

Pain. Instant and intense. A shock and force collided with her right shoulder so hard that it knocked her flying upon the ground like an abused daughter, an arrow fired straight through the flesh. Sensation instantly became lost in her arm, forcing her to use the other to keep her up while she looked to the rooftop of the tavern. There stood Shisuka, gallant while the waters fell atop her, bow in hand and a doll’s vacant look upon her face. Immediately movement from Tajira screamed for her attention, the man fast in his sprint. His sword was held effortlessly in both hands as he kept it lowered to his left, the former display of agony washed away and replaced with remorseless lust for the kill. He—they—all had played a ruse…and she had fell for it like a stupid fool.

There was nothing she could do now. She was dead.

~~~

At long last, the final loose end would be sewn to perfection. Now, assuredly, each wet snap of his sandals saved the seconds for Retsuya’s death, and not a thing would be able to spare her. Within moments he was within the fatal range, bringing his katana overhead like the scythe of the Reaper itself. Down it would soon cleave, through bone and cartilage alike whilst it ate through his skull…only to be interrupted by the off-key clinking of chain.

A linked viper flew forth from the path behind Retsuya, a razor nail upon its tip that came hungrily for his throat. A swift downward diagonal cried in the cacophonous connection, the threat parried and immediately pulled back to its source. A ninja full in black silk and theater mask painted with crimson markings came into view, though it would not be for very long.

Along the ground rolled a vial of mixed color, soon to stop at his feet like the stray ball of a toddler—only to erupt in a blinding flash identical to the one the Azalea girl had produced. Tasuke shielded his eyes in primal reaction, though too late to prevent the stun from the blossoming nova. The image of the alley sailed and burned before his retinas, cutting the surroundings into his mind with a single jarring portrait. It lasted only a few seconds, but when he finally came around, Tasuke could feel no joy for the outcome.

Retsuya was gone.

He clicked his tongue in displeasure and turned around. Stepping toward Aki and Shisuka, he couldn’t help but feel that persistent drive to maim…he wanted blood, Retsuya’s blood. And now it appeared she had the alliance of the Shogunate, if not at least the ninja on her side.

“What happened?” Shisuka asked, her bow at her side. “Did you finish her?”

He shook his head with a sigh. “No, but it looks as though we’ll be causing trouble for the Shogunate after all…and they us.”

Her expression boiled intensely. “What do you mean?”

Tasuke looked upon the unsightly gash upon his favorite kimono, now ruined for nothing…yet another debt Retsuya would repay. “Retsuya is in league with our enemies, and has likely told them of us. Assassins will be deployed, so this place is no longer safe. Shisuka, may we stay with you?”

She nodded gently. “Yes. Come with me. We should not idle in the rain.”

__________________
Armies lay in waste, their corpses strewn along, an all-too-faint breath of death, a shallow little song.

With my sword I kiss the wicked, and bring them to their knees, with this sword their evil is answered and heaven is well pleased.

Those who spread the tainted seed, who know that they have sinned, will feel the icy steel I swing like a whisper in the wind.