sz_ ⚚

chapters every wednesdays & saturdays 3PM EST!

SYNOPSIS

What words truly cannot express, steel will speak.

And when steel cannot speak?
Then love will.

After seven grueling years isolated from the world, the wind finally brings you back to your closest friend, your beloved samurai, Mizu.
Following your friend on “his” bloody path for revenge, you see the true nature of your friendship slowly unravel itself alongside hidden truths and secrets.
Until the two of you find the courage and words to express, the steel will speak for you both.
Though what do you do when not even the language the two of you know and understand all too well fails to express your true feelings?

“Is it that hard for you to understand!?” You look up at her, tears running down your cheeks, gripping her fists as tightly as she held them. She looks at you with an unreadable expression, lips parted and brows threaded closely.

“You can’t be serious.” Mizu whispered under her breath, shook by the confession.

“I am, Mizu. Why don’t you get it?” You shout, continuing to weep. Her heart twisted as your cries rang in her ears before she dropped down to her knees and grasped your shoulders.

“..Don’t cry, [Name].” She murmured, tilting your chin to meet her gaze. Her other hand left your shoulder, wiping those precious tears from your face. Even in distress, you looked so breathtaking. Having no idea how to comfort you, she pressed her lips together as she pulled you close, wrapping her arms around your back in a tight embrace. You wept on her shoulder, the rain pouring onto you both. She didn’t care for the rain, nor whatever sickness she’d catch from being out in a bad storm. Your tears soaked the fabric of her kimono, but she couldn’t care less. She was warm. You wanted to stay like this forever, if you could. Holding you tightly against her chest hoping you wouldn’t feel the bandages concealing her breasts..especially afraid you’d change your mind on your feelings finding out such a revelation.

After a few minutes, she felt your tears come to an end, leaving you with shaky breaths and twitches. Mizu gently lifted your head from her shoulder,

“Are you alright, now?” She asked, searching for an answer in your reddened eyes. You shake your head and she huffs in relief, slowly pulling you up as she rose to her feet. Eyeing the mud on your kimono though ignoring the dirt on hers, she dipped down to brush it off as much as she could in that moment. Your breath hitched at the gesture, still shook from whatever just happened. Her warmth, your confession, the rain weighing heavily on your kimono.. It was a lot to take in. She rose back up,

“We’re both going to get sick.”

“Does that matter?”

“No.”

“If it doesn’t matter, could I stay with you?”

“Always, [Name].. Let’s go back to swordsfather?” She extended her hand to you, glancing over at the forge just a few feet away. Her words made your heart flutter in a way you despised. Taking her hand, you both walked to the hut hand in hand. You’re not supposed to feel these things. You’re sixteen.. and fell for your best and only friend. Your friend of mixed heritage, at that. But no matter how badly you’ll be judged for having feelings for a “demon”, you wouldn’t let the taboo of something dictate your relationship. Her mixed heritage is seen as demonic, but who were you to care? You had already been reduced to nothing but your father’s daughter, the world refusing to give you a chance to sprout. As you two approached the hut, entering the small yard where customers would train, you halted, pulling on her hand as you tugged her back closer to you. Her eyes widened slightly, curiosity piquing as to why you stopped. Mizu raised an eyebrow,

“Hm?” You didn’t answer. You simply tugged her closer, hand creeping up her cheek as you leaned in slowly, asking for permission. Her breath hitched at the realization of what you were trying to do, swallowing as she nodded. With her permission, you captured her lips in a gentle kiss. The rain continued to pour down on you both, leaving you like two sopping wet dogs. Her eyes widened at the kiss, unsure what to do. Her arms wrapped your back oncemore, hugging you tightly.

…

Your eyes shot open at the memory. You woke, finding yourself in Eiji’s hut. You blinked, allowing for your eyes to adjust to the light. A thin blanket was placed over you as you sat up, rubbing your eyes. You thought you had went home last night.. apparently not.

Falling asleep beside Mizu, huddled into her side as you two shared the blanket.

Your eyes drifted beside you, her absence noticed. Where had she gone? You grumble, rubbing your temples, soothing the pressure. Your eyes flicker everywhere, before noticing your katana is gone. You nearly jump, breath hitching as it’s gone from where you left it. Sitting by the wall, behind where Mizu slept. Exhaling softly, you get up from the cold concrete floor and make your way out the door, observing a sleeping Taigen and Eiji. A quiet morning, indeed, as you pushed out of the hut. The waves were whispering, birds seemingly taking a vow of silence and the wind gone. Hm. You looked at the ocean from the cliff, watching as the waves were calmer. That’s new. Your attention snapped as you heard a soft click in the distance, head snapping as you turned behind you to find the commotion. There, your gaze landed on Mizu, already up and about, training. You sighed, approaching her as she swayed carefully. The closer you got, the clearer view you had of the sword she wields.

Yours.

Evident by the red detailing and the snake engrave. Stepping on a twig, it snapped. How cliche.. Hearing the snap, she turned swiftly, pointing your blade at you. Her firm and stoic expression dropped as she withdrew the sword the second she realized it was you. You arched a brow as a small smile crept onto your face, amused by her falter. She was sweaty and red, indicating she had been training for a while.

“Morning.. You’re up early.” The woman muttered.

“You’re still recovering from your injuries though you’re already training?”

“I’ll be alright.”

“Please.. don’t overexert yourself..” A strong hint of worry lie underneath your words.

“I hope you didn’t mind I took your blade.” Mizu huffed as she wiped the sweat off her forehead.

“I don’t mind.. you could’ve asked, though. I thought Taigen stole it.”

“You were asleep, and I didn’t want to bother you.” She whispered, averting her gaze as if embarrassed.

“How sweet of you..” You giggle, watching as a faint pink blush like the flowers she has gifted you slowly made its way onto her cheeks. Cute.

“..Do you want your blade back?”

“No.. you could keep training. I just said I didn’t mind.” She nodded, a silent “thank you” as she turned, continuing to move as she trained her sword skills. You remember how she had mentioned once, how Master Eiji dislikes when his things are messed with.. explaining why she didn’t take a sword of his, but yours, instead.

Brewing two cups of tea for the both of you, you sat hers down on the fence as you continued to watch her sway gracefully. Such mastery with understanding the way of the sword, you could only wonder,

are you as skilled between a woman’s legs as you are with your blade, Mizu?

Feeling your eyes on her, she suddenly felt the need to show off. To be perfect for you. To impress you. She pushed herself a bit further, her movements growing swifter and with more purpose. Each cut of oxygen molecules she viewed as a slice to the tension between the two of you. She wanted needed it cut. Gone. Resolved. Each move left a gust of air behind her as she weaved through the air. Safe to say, you were impressed. When were you not? You had burnt yourself trying to get a better look at her as she trained. Speaking of that wound.. it healed within a few weeks, though leaving a mark. As all burn marks leave their marks.

The snake.

You tense, eyes narrowing. Mizu doesn’t know of it, right? No doubt she’s noticed it on your blade when you two sparred, but she’s never asked. But the snake on your skin? Nope. You sigh, watching as she approached you,

“Is this for me?” She nudges the cup of hot tea as it sat on the fence. You nod, lips parting to speak,

“Let me guess.. ginger tea?” She chuckles, taking a sip. You blink, shook by her quick identification.

“I assume I’m right..?”

“You are.” She nods as she takes another sip, the hot tea sliding down her throat and filling her warmly. You always knew how to brew tea. Clearing her throat,

“Your blade.. there’s a snake etched onto it.” You gulp at her words, already knowing what’s coming.

“There is..”

“If I may know why?”

“It’s.. a long story.”

“The mark of a snake is branded onto her katana, a way for the Yakuza to identify her if ever again. It’s rumored by many that even her flesh was branded.”

Kaji’s words to Mizu as she explained your past to her. It disturbed her, knowing your involvement with the Yakuza. For it to be rumored your flesh was branded as well, it irked her, rubbing her the wrong way

because she’s almost a hundred percent sure that she’s seen the branding of your skin.

Looking down at you from the boulder she sat on at the river you two relaxed in, she swore she saw a glimpse of a tattoo on your left side. She didn’t think to ask, as it wasn’t the time to.

“Could I know?”

“Another time. It’s too early in the morning.. you know?” You insist. She simply let a grumble escape from her throat, sighing deeply as you delayed such need for her curiosity to be soothed. Sensing her disappointment, you set your teacup down, gaze landing on a rather large stick on the ground. You pick it up, holding it as if it were a sword as you approached her.

“You want to spar?” She notes the stick. Her head tilted as she’s curious as to how you would plan to go against a sword woth a stick.. let alone try to land an attack on her.

“I’ll go easy on you.”

“Don’t hold back..”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You are a monster.”

Her eyebrows threaded close together as she brushed the sudden memories away. This isn’t the time. Sparring with you never brought this many memories with Mikio before.. what’s changed? Adjusting your grip on the makeshift sword, you let your hands get accustomed to the feeling of the slender branch as you kept your eyes on the woman in front of you the entire time. Calculating. Predicting.

“Learn to read your enemies better.”

With one slow breath, you set out, rushing towards her with a lifted weapon. She slid out of your way and to the side, shifting her grasp as she lifted the blade to strike your side as you approached. Watching her arm extend out, you sway away. You chuckle,

“You’re still fast for someone recovering.” You raise an eyebrow.

“Tch.” She brushes your words off, running at you. Raising her (your) blade, you watched as she aimed to disarm you. As the sword came closer, you threw the twig up in the air, disarming yourself as you dodged her attack. The branch met the ground, leaving you without a weapon and hopes you don’t get too injured. Nor does she. Mizu raised an eyebrow, though continuing to deliver cuts in the air meant for you. Obviously not wanting to hurt you, her strikes were careful, and always attacking you with the blunt, dull end of the sword.

Moving with elegance, you two danced in the calm dawn. Each sway of either of your bodies looked like a paintbrush meeting the canvas, careful and precise with purpose. Each movement of either of your bodies reminded the woman of her last sparring session with someone she loved very deeply.

Mikio.

Each twist, turn, dodge and block you deliver, mimicked Mikio’s almost exactly. And she hated that. She was afraid, if you were to claim you loved her but slowly see her as a monster. Deathly and deeply afraid, more than any western rifle scared her. Mizu was afraid to lose you, the only person who seems to not be repulsed by her impurity, the person whom she’s slowly coming to terms with the fact she loves.

She looked so concentrated. You were impressed with how quick she moves considering her healing injuries. And you were distracted. So distracted, that you took a strike to your side. You yelp, stumbling back from the sensation. Mizu gets thrown out of her thoughts at your hurt sound, registering what had happened. The sudden contact ached ferociously.

“[Name]— I didn’t mean to..” She strides close, watching as you clutched your side.

I’m not a monster.

I’m sorry.

“I’m alright.. it just caught me off guard.” You reassure.

“Are you sure?” Her hand reaches out, stopping mid air, afraid to hurt you more.

“Mhm.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” You remove your hand from your side.

“Do you still want to continue?”

“Uh-huh. Don’t hold back.” You smile, watching the woman nod and raise the sword once more. With a soft inhale, you run back towards her. Watching as you approached, she bobbed her head back as you threw a punch, barely dodging her attack as she carefully swayed from your fist. She attempted to strike both of your sides, watching as you swayed away from each attack. You moved gracefully.. and she could exploit that. If she knocks you off balance, she’ll definitely have you right then and there. Her eyes lit up as she struck again, whilst her foot shot out to kick your ankles as you dodged the blade. You gasp, and as she predicted, you lost balance and your eyes widened as you begin to fall. Your hands fly to grip the front of her kimono in an attempt to anchor yourself, though only dragging her down with you. She groans as you two hit the ground with a loud

THUD!

Your back met the dirt, sending a wave of soreness down your spine and throughout your body. You let out grunt as the pain simmers and Mizu’s weight pressed against you. Her form was packed against your own, chest beginning to tighten at the feeling. She grumbled as her eyes fluttered open, brushing the dirt off her face. She gasps at the position, immediately shifting to hover over you instead of being huddled into your chest. You blink, catching your breath just to find her hovering over you, hand on your wrist and essentially pinning you down. Your sword was on the ground, seemingly forgotten by her. Your breath hitches, feeling your face warm up from your neck to your cheeks. You were gasping for air, the sudden pressure of her weight against yours (more specifically, your torso) leaving you sore, each breath like a punch to your ribs. Taking in her appearance, her face was flushed, as well, sweat dripping down her forehead as strands of hair stuck to her face as she pants like a dog for air.

She’s so fucking gorgeous.

She raises an eyebrow, chuckling at your reaction as she takes in the sight of you under her. A sight indeed. She was warm against you, warm in a way that hugged you tightly. Warm in a way she always made you feel. It felt amazing, and you wanted to drown in her warmth.

Instead of being terrified underneath her, you were quite.. flustered.

Opposed to the sight of Mikio underneath her.

“Yield?” Mizu smirks, catching her own breath. You grumble, hands shooting up to grip her waist. Her eyes widen instantly,

were you to shove her off just like he did?

Grasping her waist, you used all your strength to throw her off and switch positions, now on top of her. She met the ground, grunting as she did. You were basically straddling her, knee on each side of her hips as you help her shoulders tightly, panting. With the now flipped position, she felt electricity run through her body once again. Her face flushed and she was in no place to claim it’s from the training session.

The sight of you hovering above her as you kissed her, knee slotted in between her thighs as she squirmed around.

That image was burnt into her mind along with the sight of you in the river, looking up at her.

You’re just so breathtaking.

You gasped for air above her, swallowing deeply as you stared down at her. A sight you were definitely looking forward to getting used to.

Flushed, sweaty and breathless.. your mind drifted inappropriately. You wanted to see more of this. You needed to see more, to know how it’d feel

to hold her bare, admire her as you did in the river and have her breathless because of you. You wanted to know, to please her and soothe her worries and relieve her of all stress. Hear her sweet moans and squirms as you drive her to the edge of her peak, pleased with yourself as she finally finishes on your fingers.

Slow, faint footsteps and leaves rustling in the distance could be heard. Mizu’s stomach twists, eyes darting to the commotion. Ringo making eye contact with the scene as he was passing by, walking into the hut. She sighs in relief, nudging your thigh with her knee. You blink, gulping as you’re brought out of your thoughts and right back to reality. You had almost forgotten what you were doing. The reality of the situation hit you immediately, the close proximity feeling like you had swallowed butterflies, feeling them flap around in your stomach. You clear your throat, hopping off her awkwardly in an instant. It was awkward, but you getting off of her brought a pang of disappointment. Sure it was awkward, but you two have kissed more times than she can remember. Mizu huffed as she picked up your blade as she rose to her feet.

“Is your side alright?”

“Mhm.. you fight pretty well even when you’re injured.”

“Mm.. thank you. You also hold up quite well.” Mizu mutters, staring down at your blade. The image of her own blade broken into three pieces flashed through her vision for a split second. Disappointment washed over her in that exact moment, the memories of infiltrating Fowler’s castle rushing back.

The bullet tearing her skin open,

his evil chuckles as he beat her,

drowning in the water,

only to be saved by you.

You notice this, obviously, when do you not? Seeing her gaze fixated on your blade, you sigh. It’s likely due to her broken sword, she’s conflicted. You approach, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“You can always ask swordsfather to fix your blade.” You assure, resting your hand on hers as she held your katana. Her lips parted, eyes softening slightly as she cleared her throat,

“I will. I need my blade.. then I will continue with my journey.”

“You won’t even give yourself time to heal? All you want is solely just your sword to be fixed?” You press, raising an eyebrow. Your irritation brewed to the surface. Why was she so insistent with refusing to rest when she needed it?

“I don’t need to heal here, I’ll recover throughout my journey.” She spat, grip tightening on the hilt of the red detailed sword.

“Mizu, you need to rest. You’re still injured.. you didn’t even tell me your foot was also nearly broken.” It was a startling sight, for her foot to start bleeding out of nowhere whilst attending to her fever. Though it might just be your own fault for not noticing when you cared for her main injury, the bullet wound. The woman grumbles, huffing out in response,

“You don’t need to know each and every scar on my body.” But you’d love to.

“I don’t. But it was a fresh injury I didn’t notice until after we got to Kohama. It could’ve been infected!”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Mizu argues.

She’s so stubborn, you think to yourself.

“You’ll get yourself killed with that mentality.” You restate as she sheathes your blade, turning to face you with an agitated look. Her eyes trailed down to your obi, before gripping it softly with one and pulling you slightly closer. Your breath hitches as she slides your saya in between your yukata and the obi. The sudden and random doing made your heart flutter and pulse pick up.

You thought she’d shut you up with a kiss, apparently not..

Her eyes trail back up, lingering your still slightly sweaty and flushed face. She removed her hand and strides away. You sigh deeply, shoulders slumping in disappointment. You collect the discarded and finished cups of tea as you return into the hut. Setting the empty cups down on a small tea table in the corner of the forge, you brush the beads of sweat from your face as you stand.

“Don’t think I haven’t forgotten about our duel.” Taigen sneers, leaning against the doorframe with his crossed arms.

“When did I ever agree to a duel with you?”

“You didn’t. But that doesn’t mean I won’t kill you and your husband.”

“He’s not—“

“Your fiancé. Whatever! When I’m better, I will sever both of your throats. Hell, I could even kill you right now, in my state.” He barks with unnecessary confidence. You have never met someone with a level almost equaling to your father’s obsession for murder.

“Why do you have such an obsession with my fiancé, anyways?” You embrace the assumption, at this point.

“He cost me my honor. My own dojo and my fiancé’s father see me as dishonorable! I will kill him and bring his head back to gain my honor back.” He laughs. You momentarily forgot about the existence of his fiancé, Akemi. That kind woman deserves much better than this dog who dares speak to you or her. You could only hope the Shogun’s son treats her well. Does he really believe he will have her back, considering the fact she’s being married to the Shogun’s son? You scoff.

“Fuck off with your talk about honor. You just want an excuse to be around Mizu.”

“I need to spend time with my enemy to understand them better.”

“Is this about killing him, or about wanting to kiss him? He’s my fiancé, I’ll have you remember.” You’re starting to think he’s attracted to her.. and that irks you. Your irritation spiked, and so did your possessiveness. If Taigen believes you and Mizu are about to be wed, that’s perfectly fine since neither of you really care, but what doesn’t he understand from that? If you two are fiancés, why doesn’t he understand she won’t bat an eye at him!?

“Excuse me? You think I’m disloyal to my own fiancé, let alone, think I’m.. gay!?”

“Why the fuck else do you refuse to leave him alone?” You push past him, rubbing your temples. A migraine was creeping up on you from this conversation, and all you hope is to relieve it before it starts.

“For my honor!” Taigen shouts.

“Go explore your bisexuality somewhere else, with someone else.” You hiss as you stalk away, out of the hut. He’s such a fucking headache! What does he fail to comprehend? Why doesn’t he understand he can’t explore his sexuality with Mizu?

So annoying!

As Mizu stood outside, she huffed as she threw the last brick onto the wagon. Winter was still slowly fading into a blossoming springtime, but the sun felt way hotter, today. Wiping the sweat off your forehead, you were near the side of the forge, training with your katana by a bunch of trees. Why, when you’ve nothing to train for, yet? Your turmoil from last week had most definitely messed up your healing process for your fingers, slowing the healing down significantly.

“no place in it for love..”

You gasp sharply at the sudden memory.

No, shut up.

“Let me show you there is a place for it.”

You blink a couple times, before dropping your blade and delivering a clean kiri. You had returned to bandaging your fingers to prevent any further damage being done and also because you didn’t have to rely on Ringo’s sparse supply. Your grip felt comfortable, at least. Nearly forgetting how it felt to use your weapon with such protection on your joints ever since the fight against the army—

Each SLICE! of metal breaking flesh and the disgusting SPLATTER! of blood spraying onto you. The recollection of the happenings in Mihonoseki’s adult district came rushing back to you faster than your adrenaline when trying to drown in the feeling of Mizu’s lips.

Adjusting your stance, you lift your katana up again,

Standing face to face with Minamoto at once after five years

“soul reaping demon”

Your grip nearly faltering, tightening on instinct.

“You’re gripping too tightly.”

Each pick at you and every comparison to your parents

“You’re just like him.”

WHOOSH!

“That bitchy attitude of yours came from her, I know.”

You sway, landing another cut on the oxygen around you. Sweat drips from your forehead and onto the dirt, the heat evident. Kohama’s weather was truly unpredictable considering how it was pouring rain just last night. Your eyes flutter shut, steadying your ragged breathing.

The feeling of Mizu’s lips against yours for the first time, taking your breath away in the middle of the night in a cheap brothel.. It felt exactly how it did last night, kissing her with just as much or arguably more ferocity than the last. Delicious. As if you were a starving, malnourished woman begging to be fed, you simply feasted greedily like royalty on her mouth, leaving you fed for days to come.

Eyes fluttering back open, turning sharply as you jump up and slice a tree branch from above. The twig falls fast, but not fast enough to reach the ground just yet as you readjust your grip and slice behind you without eye contact. You hear two soft clicks behind you as they fall to the ground, a faint smile appearing on your lips at your progress so far.

Mizu watches you as if hypnotized the entire time, distracted by your sheer fluidity and entrancing moves. The soft light of the morning was making you glow. Your precise movements and how you handle your blade with such care.. you treated the blade as if it were your whole world.

Your skillful fingers, do they do anything besides wielding a sword and teasing her?

Oh.

“Hm. The dog seems to be infatuated.” Taigen’s voice rings out from behind, crossing his arms as his gaze flickers between you and Mizu. She looks at him with pure indifference at the comment, brushing it off as she pushes herself to tear her gaze from you. He raises an eyebrow.

“You don’t have to deny it. I’m still surprised you had found a wife.” Mizu shoots him a glare, followed with a click of her tongue making her irritation clear as day.

“Okay, sorry! Not your wife.. but maybe a fiancé?” He chuckles.

Fiancé, huh. She blinks, immediately remembering how Akemi had been hauled away against her will as she allowed it to happen just because she’s better off. And that’s when she also remembers, Akemi was being married off to the Shogun’s son in Edo.. meaning her engagement with Taigen was truly doomed, as you said before.

Were you and Mizu destined to be doomed, as well?

Taigen sighs, “Akemi.. When I kill you and bring back my honor, I can finally return to her.”

Too bad, he doesn’t know, there are three people in his marriage.. she thought. She almost feels bad for him. The thought of marriage only led her to think of last night, opening up to you about her marriage. Last night, where a simple conversation of her past resulted in a fiercely affectionate makeout session.

Tangling her fingers in your hair to pull you closer, anchoring herself with a hand on your waist. The sensation of you nipping at her bottom lip leaving her breathless as you were both fighting for the upper hand.

Mizu wanted more.

She needed it.

She wanted you to touch her. If a simple brush of your hands could cause her to spiral, she was curious what more would do to her.

Your hands all over her, touching her with such tender gentleness,

loving each and every crevice, every dip, every curve. Kissing her waist and worshipping her on your knees as you dip lower, looking up at her for permission.

And when she allows you to?

To dip into her slick, capturing and lathering it on your tongue as you dive in with your tongue. Wet lips meeting her waiting pearl cool to the touch as she moaned loudly.

Did you even know how to give oral sex?

Mizu blinks back to reality, her face slightly flushed and sweat beading on her forehead. The same knot in her stomach formed, twisting her abdomen uncomfortably tight while a heat coiled below her stomach.

Damn.

She had completely zoned out, unaware he had just spent a good two and a half minutes talking about Akemi’s beauty.

Taigen raised an eyebrow, confused by her reaction. He brushed it off with a scoff, believing it to be because she was simply staring at you train.

“[Name]’s not even that skilled. I can beat her in a fight.”

“I highly doubt it.” Her tongue clicks. She’s seen you both fight, and it’s clear who would win. She’s even seen you purposely miss your aim at him just to punctuate your threat. Your threat to Taigen, warning him what would happen if he tried to fight Mizu once again..

“You touch him like that one more time, I will make sure you submit to my blade my the end of the night.”

Gods, that was hot. A protective version of you? Send her over. Being in constant danger, having someone like you to basically protect her from harm was refreshing. Something she didn’t know she needed until you came along. Mizu found herself longing for you despite basically already having you.

Her brows furrow as she exhales slowly, as if that would soothe the painful heat between her thighs. It aches horribly.

“What, you don’t want me touching whats yours? I have a loving wife waiting for me. I could kill you and her easily. Two love birds, one stone.” He snorted. So, so much was wrong with his claim leaving Mizu bewildered. You’re not hers. She doesn’t see you as property, something to own. Women all around Japan are sold and bought..even you, at some point. The idea of being bought, of being someone else’s property irked her badly. No woman or man deserves to be treated as such. Pressing her lips together, she glared at the man with a cocky smile on his face.

“Why’d you even choose to marry a whore like her?” Her eyes narrowed, brows furrowing as he insulted you again. She hissed, fists balling up. Her grip was extremely tight, her knuckles were whitening.

“[Name]!” He called out. Mizu watched as you turned, lowering your blade to eye the man. Brushing the sweat slicked stray hairs on your face, you meet eye to eye with him and Mizu.

“Taigen.” She barked, serving as a warning.

“Relax, dog.” He rolled his eyes as he approached you, picking up a lengthy twig from the dirt. You arched an eyebrow as he strides towards you, easily figuring out he wanted to duel. Or try to. Ringo had told you that Taigen was extremely injured.. so why is he trying to worsen his condition by fucking up his healing process?

“You’re weak.” You say bluntly. His brows furrowed in response, followed by a growl as he raises the stick.

“I can kill you. And your dog of a husband.” You blink at his words, the word “husband” nearly throwing you off once again. It’s weird. Strange.

“You can barely even stand.” Mizu’s voice rang out from behind as she approached the two of you. He hissed,

“Then another day, it is.. whore.” Your eyes widened at the disrespect, gritting your teeth as your grip tightened on the hilt of your katana.

“..weak, barking, whore.”

You froze, lips pressing firmly. Your gaze found the stick in his hand, instantly remembering how Chiaki attacked Mizu with a stick one night.

Noticing your expression, Mizu quickly stepped between the two of you, her hand shooting out to block you from him.

“You fucking moron! I’m not a whore!!” You shouted as he basically waddled away. Disgusting. You could feel the smirk on his face.. how you want to rip it from his face.

“[Name].” Mizu groaned, holding you back. You hiss angrily at the insult. How could he always say such things?

“I can’t just let him say shit like that without doing anything!” You argued.

“Leave him be. Ignore him.”

Your grip on your katana was tight, probably tighter than Mizu’s bun. It ached to hold your blade, your fingers shaking on the hilt. Mizu notices this, hand dipping down to attempt to pry the sword from your grip,

“Let go of it.” Of the blade or his words? You’re unsure, and so is she. You huff, loosening your grip as she basicslly confiscates it from you.

…

“Ringo—“ Mizu mumbled as the man walks straight past her, completely ignoring her. She sighed, feeling that familiar sense of guilt return. You watched as he stalked off without a glance back at her. He was still upset. You walked over to the woman and put a hand on slumped shoulders tensing at your touch.

“He’s still upset.” A statement, not a question.

“Unfortunately..” You replied, exhaling softly, “Would you want me to talk to him?”

“No. Don’t bother him anymore in regard to me.” She frowned slightly as she walked away. You watched as Ringo walked to the front Eiji’s hut, raising an eyebrow with curiosity. Mizu may have just told you not to bother him further..but you were stubborn, deciding to follow him. He was cooking, kneeling down by a fire as the smell filled the surrounding air deliciously. In a saucepan, the man was cooking what appeared to be soba noodles. Mizu had once mentioned how when first coming across Ringo at his father’s noodle shop, he had cooked the best soba for her, though the worst tea. Striding over, you kneeled down as well,

“Soba?”

“It’s an easy dish, I remember it from all those years at my father’s shop.” He smiles softly, exhaling as he remembers his first encounter with Mizu.

“You never made soba on our travels.” You smiled at the man. It was true, he had never served you and Mizu soba. Though it made sense considering the sparse resources when traveling, only left to hunt for food and scavenge for edible plants or vegetables. You were sure as hell curious of how it tasted, though.

“I actually didn’t have any noodles with me when we traveled.. but now that we’re in a town, I had the time to buy some.”

The steam hit your face as you stirred the chagama, brewing tea alongside the man.

“Bad tea, great soba! That was what my father’s shop was known for.” He chuckled. You’ve heard those words before.

“She.. told me that before.”

“You know, you were right. There’s still room for us in her journey.”

“I don’t want to have anything to do with her anymore.” Ringo spat. You winced at his words, tensing slightly. You’ve thought that before, multiple times. Being so angry with her for her sour words, upset with yourself for finding yourself tangled around her finger and wanting nothing to do with her anymore. You know exactly how he feels all too well.

“I know how you feel. I didn’t want to have anything to do with her either.. but I talked to her last night. She didn’t answer my question entirely, but when I asked her if she had meant what she said back in Mihonoseki.. she felt remorseful. If that helps.”

“Is she truly remorseful? Or was it only because you were asking? We both know Mizu has a soft spot for you.” You blink at his words, stunned by his boldness. She has a soft spot for you? Naive, you were.

“Unless you didn’t know? But it was quite obvious..”

“I didn’t. But that doesn’t change anything.”

“[Name], I was only just her apprentice. You’re her childhood friend. We’re on different levels.”

“..and because I’m her childhood friend, I can tell you that she truly didn’t mean to hurt us.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I know I am.“

..

“I thought I had told you not to disturb him?” Mizu raised an eyebrow as she practically gobbled her soba up.

“How could I not?” You fidget with your chopsticks.

“I told you to do something yet you went against it and did the complete opposite.” She set her bowl down on her lap as she eyed you.

“..I’m sorry.” You huffed, shoulders slumping. Taking a sip from her tea, she glanced over her shoulder to look at the setting sun behind her. It was hazy and fleeting, a rich orange and red color decorating the skies. Sunsets always made you feel bittersweet. After your mother found out you had developed a tongue for katauta, she dragged you to help her describe the skies she painted. It was one of your last happy memories with her. Hundreds of paintings of the same view of the sun setting on a beach, each and every sunset you see reminded of her. Always painting the skies so beautifully. Your eyes trailed over to Mizu’s side profile, highlighted by the soft glow of the shifting light. So, so gorgeous. Her beauty always stunned you.

“What did you even say?”

“I just brewed tea with him..he’s still bitter because of what you said.”

“I know. He resigned being my apprentice.. because of my journey he forced his way into, he got hurt in the end. Now, I’ve lost yet another person.”

“You didn’t lose him.. he’s still here with us.”

“I lost my apprentice.. I don’t even deserve him.”

“Mizu, you didn’t lose him. When we came after you to Fowler’s castle, it was his idea, not mine. He was worried, and he still cares for you. Why else would he have travelled eleven days for a woman who he doesn’t care for?” You huff, taking a bite of your soba noodles. Your words hit Mizu like a punch in the gut as she turned back to face you with an unreadable expression. You didn’t plan to go after her?

“I don’t know him that well.. but from what I’ve seen, he enjoys serving you.”

“I was wrong to say such harsh things.”

“..and there’s no place in it for love, friendship, or weakness.”

“You.. were.” You gulp, tensing as her words replay in your head.

“[Name], you’re still upset.” Mizu observes the obvious.

“Only a little.” You admit.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, Mizu.” You mutter, sipping from your tea.

“Why do you stay with me?”

“What?”

“Why do you stay with me? Following me on this journey.. you’ve risked your life for me so many times. I even hurt you. So, why don’t you leave?”

“I don’t want you waking into danger.” You tense.

“Cut the bullshit.” Mizu remarks.

“I’m not bullshitting.” You retort.

“Why’d you kiss me?”

“I don’t know, Mizu.”

“You know why, [Name]. You just don’t want to tell me.” She pushes.

“I wanted to show you there’s a place for love for you.”

“Why did you choose me of all people? You could’ve chosen anyone else, yet you’re by my side, chasing me like.. some lovesick teenager.” She mutters, finishing her soba. You exhale deeply at her words. She really does listen.

“I don’t know. I don’t know why I chose you and I don’t know why I’m here. I could’ve left, chosen to stay in Kyoto and never follow you..”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I’m a fool, Mizu. A fool for you.”

“I am one for you, as well.” A silent confession.

“After Mikio, I’ve been scared to love again.” The woman admits, gripping her bowl tightly. Your hand finds hers, resting atop of it. Her eyes dart from your hand on hers to your face, taking in your softened expression.. you looked like you understood her. She tilted her hand, interlocking your fingers.

“Until that fear fades, I’ll be here, no matter what.” You reassure, squeezing her hand, “I want you to know you can be loved.” You smile softly. She takes a shook breath, pressing her lips together firmly.

“Flaws and all.” You set your teacup and bowl down onto the ground, lifting that hand to cup her face as you lean in, pressing a kiss to her warm cheek. Your lips send a familiar heat coursing throughout her body, a heat she knows all too well. A heat she’s always felt with you. Removing her other hand from her bowl, she placed it onto the ground with a soft clink, lifting her hand to grip your chin gently as she leaned in to capture your lips in a kiss. Unsure where your hands go, they found themselves resting on her nape, pulling her closer.

The kiss seemed a desperate plea, making your heart swell. She nipped at your bottom lip, seeking entry as you parted your lips and allowed her tongue to dive in. Her other hand found your hair, gripping tightly as she kissed you tenderly. Sweet and sloppy. In the moonlight.

Perfect puzzle pieces, truly fitting one in one.

…

“I believe your eyes are quite beautiful.”

“..Why?” Mizu’s brows furrow. She swallows deeply, looking at you with an unreadable, conflicted expression. Why do you think her eyes are beautiful, when it’s one of the things which have made her life a living nightmare? She’s confused. Utterly confused of your thinking. You huff, the rain irritating you as it continues to drench your kimono and your hair. You walk towards Mizu, standing directly in front of her. She raises an eyebrow as your hands snaked up, finding each side of her face, cupping those soft cheeks. She tenses at the touch, like a bold of electricity had just shocked her. Her fists clenched into balls as the rain continued to pour on you both.

“Why do I find your eyes beautiful? It’s unnatural. I’ve never seen such a beautiful color beyond nature.”

“You’re not making sense.”

“I love your eyes. If no one loves them, I’ll be the only one.”

“[Name]—“ Her hands shot up to grasp your wrists, though not hard enough to inflict pain,

“Why don’t you just go? Away from me?” She quavered in the rain, pushing you away as you hit the ground, knees hitting the mud as you look up at her.

“Do you want me gone that badly?” You raise your shook voice, tears threatening to fall. Why doesn’t she understand?

“Why aren’t you repulsed by me!?” She shouts.

“You may be of mixed metal but it’s stronger than pure metal.”

“Are you hearing yourself!?” She clenches her jaw, fists tightening. Something Master Eiji has told her before, you had just recited. She was conflicted.

“Mizu, your imperfections are what I love about you.” Your hands creep up, holding onto her balled fists as your tears stream down your face. You couldn’t even tell if they were tears or the rain.

“What?”

“No one in town was ever informed of my parents’ deaths.. so the house was left like this, stuck in time.”

Stuck in time.. like her old estate with Mikio and her mother.

The corpses of the bounties and the two people she had loved so much left to rot, bugs likely feasting on their corpses.

Disgusting, Mizu thought. The thought caused a shiver to run down her spine, swallowing hard as a lump formed in her throat. She blinked as she processed your words. Your parents’ deaths? She had only known, having witnessed your father’s brutal execution.. but to find out your mother is gone, as well? That explains the emptiness.

“Parents?”

“Yes.. My mother had died in my arms.” You explain, eyes narrowing as you remember the horrifying scene.

“Bury me by the beach. My soul will swim with the waves I painted for you.”

The waves crashed loudly as you watched her paint peacefully.

“Each touch of the ocean is an embrace to you I never gave. Don’t you dare drown in my love.”

Diving into the freezing ocean, water dancing and swirling around you tightly as if truly an embrace from your mother.

You pressed your lips in a firm line, fists clenching tightly despite the sting of joints and the stems being crushed in your grasp. You were angry. Angry at yourself for allowing your mother to die to bounties after you.

Your actions ultimately cost you your mother’s life.

Clenching your jaw and swallowing deeply, you looked back up at Mizu with an unreadable expression. Her eyebrows were threaded closely as she watched you with concerned eyes. She knew this all too well, as she could almost feel your grief bubbling up onto the surface like if it were really a physical matter. With one shallow breath, her hand nudged your free hand as if asking for permission to soothe your worries. Unsure how to comfort you, she was afraid her touch would worsen your state. You glanced down at her hand, ultimately deciding to turn your palm and meet hers, interlocking your fingers. You sighed, your eyebrows furrowing slightly.

“Hahaoya.. Hahaoya!”

I wish I could’ve saved you.

“What happened to your mother?” Mizu muttered to you.

A lot happened, you almost thought to spit. It wasn’t wrong, truly a lot happened. The deal with the Yakuza, Minamoto’s bounties, and eventually her death? You squeezed her respond tightly in response to the recollection, biting back a hiss. She tensed at your reaction, eyes softening. A sensitive topic it was, certain she must have definitely hit a nerve or two.

“You don’t have to tell me.” She adds softly.

“It’s about time I tell.. anyone. You’ll be the first who cares.” You whisper, striding over to the balcony whilst nudging her to follow. She complies, stalking over with you as you two walk over. Sliding the door open, you lean against the wooing fencing as you look down on the town. A decent view of the village, watching the soft light of the afternoon shine down on the buildings and the dwellers walk tending to their daily tasks and needs. With one last glance, you sit down on the flooring, looking up at Mizu. She takes in the view of the village, stunned to see such view. It was the best view of Kohama she’s seen in a while. Not only the village was visible but so was the beach down the cliff. She could feel the faint gust of wind brushing against her skin as she looks down at you. You tilted your head, as if instructing her to sit, as well.

Sitting in the river as you stitched her wounds up, looking up at her with a dazed look painted across your face, as if on your knees praying to the gods above.

As if you were worshipping her with each reverent touch, like her entire being were a sacred temple.

Mizu could not brush that image out of her thoughts, her heartbeat picking up in her chest as she sat down beside you.

“It started after a fire in my old brothel.. I had to make a deal with the Yakuza and..” You continue, explaining each little detail leading up to your mother’s death. Your chest felt heavy, but it felt rather amazing to rid of some of that weight.

It felt so fucking good to get all this off your chest.

“I miss my mother.”

The conversation of so stretched on for a long while, resulting in you resting your head on Mizu’s lap as you spoke. Her thighs cushioned your head opposed to just laying your head down on the wood below. As you spoke, her fingers tangled in your hair, massaging your scalp softly.

“You look like her.”

A great contrast to the most recent comparison made to you,

“..like him.”

Chiaki..

You’re nothing like Chiaki.. you hope not to. Severing not only ties but also severing his throat, you hated the weak excuse of a man.

You smiled at the compliment from Mizu,

“Do I, now?” You chuckle.

“A lot. You took a lot of her traits.” Mizu whispers, her fingers sliding from your scalp down to your cheek and cupping it, tilting your face to meet her gaze. You blinked, her blue eyes watched you as you observed her closely. That stubborn piece of hair which refused to slick back with the rest of her hair flowed slowly in the slight breeze. A small, faint smile painted her face as she watched you intently. She could see your mother’s physical traits in you.

She could see a lover in you.

She could see herself loving you.

Her lover.

It terrified her with the knowledge it would and easily could be possible for you two to express her feelings for you. She was slowly coming to terms with the obvious fact she was falling in love with you painfully so.

But coming to terms didn’t mean she was accepting it.

Nor was she not deathly afraid of it.

“My father used to say I was a lot like her.. he said I took most of her traits and the most evident one was my ‘bitchy’ attitude.” You grumbled under your breath.

“You have her soft eyes, hair, and her bitchy attitude.”

Goosebumps raised, allowing a small sigh to leave your throat.

He’s gone, now.

It’s all over.

“You’re not a bitch.” She assured, sensing the memories which likely rushed back to you.

“I know.. he was just.. rude. Full of nonsense not worth listening to.”

DRIP!

A drop of rain traveled down the roof and onto the wooden railings of the balcony.

Your gaze finds the wood, noticing the darkened skies with clouds. A storm was brewing. Kohama’s storms were always treacherous.. you and Mizu knew a thing or two about them having always gotten sick from them.

“Should we go in?”

“..I want to stay here with you.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“I just want to stay like this for a bit longer..”

“For a bit longer, you’ll definitely get sick.” She rasped, nudging you off her lap.

“You don’t get it.” You nag like a child, shoulders slumping.

“I don’t. Come on.” Mizu dictated, her gaze never leaving your face as she pulled you up with one swift motion.

Returning inside, you slide the door into your room open. She follows you inside, eyes widening at the sight.

“I haven’t seen this in years..” She murmured, walking over to the window she had always snuck in through. Her fingers brushed the dusty sill, particles of gray flying up in the air and painting her fingers as she dusted them off. A small smile creeps up on her face.

“I remember.. you almost slipped and fell down the roof.” You giggle. The slowly darkening sky painted her beautifully. Her eyes looked almost as if they were glowing. She turned to face you, face reddening in the slightest as you mention such an embarrassing moment. Shooting you a glare as if to demand you shut up. Cute, you thought. You can’t help the small chuckle from slipping out of your mouth at the sight of Mizu trying to appear stoic.

“If you want me to stay with you, we’ll have to be inside.” She dictates. You sigh at her command, falling back onto your futon still soft as ever. She strides over to you, “Could I sit?” You nod, shifting to give her room as you watched her take a seat on the edge. Your eyes trace over her form ss she stares off into.. nothingness. She usually does that. Your lips curl slightly as you exhale, continuing to observe the woman. Your gaze finds the numerous stitched tears in her kimono, the same kimono she’s worn since probably childhood considering it barely even reaches her knees. The thought saddened you, with the knowledge she had been limited to one kimono as a child and eventually became the only thing she wears up until adulthood? And looking at you, coming from a high income family and given numerous options for clothing. Grateful you were, though it upset you to see someone less fortunate than you. Your eyes traced over the tear you had stitched up, her gunshot wound below her shoulder. Your eyebrows threaded closely together as you observe, full of curiosity. At the observation, you remember

seeing her clutching her broken blade as she sunk deeper into the depths of the ocean.

You shivered, tensing. What had happened? Who had shot her? What had happened to her blade? You had so many questions.. and maybe today you’ll ask. Clearing your throat, you spoke,

“Mizu.. what had happened in the castle you infiltrated last week?” Her eyes meet yours, surprised at your curiosity. You seemed worried, sounded concerned, and that confused her.

“Too much.” She uttered, clutching the futon tightly. You notice this, shifting over to lay by the end of the futon, now, allowing her to see you.

“You can tell me.. only if you want to.” You assure, hand creeping up and resting on top of hers. She glances down at you, blinking at the touch. Mizu exhales, lying back on the futon with her other hand cushioning the back of her neck.

“I snuck in using Madame Kaji’s instructions.. It took a while but I made my way up the castle and..” She goes on, explaining in detail how she infiltrated Fowler’s castle. Shuffling around, you two had finally found a comfortable position and laid together with her words. Her fingers were interlocking with yours, careful not to hold you tightly considering she’s holding your injured joints.

“He pulled out a rifle, a western one.”

“I assume.. he fired it at you?”

“He did. I tried to block it and cut it with my sword, but it shattered it into three pieces. Then, the bullet had struck my shoulder.” Your free hand brushed the cloth clothing her shoulder to show sympathy for the wound.

“I have one, as well. On my left shoulder.” You blurt out as if it’d make things any better.

“From the Yakuza.”

“You—”

“I listened, [Name]. I always do.”

..

“What else do I not know about you?” You interrogate out of pure curiosity. She exhales at your question, pressing her lips into a firm line.

One of the only things you didn’t know?

Her past with Mikio

as a wife.

“I have the answer to all our prayers, I found you a husband!”

“..I was married, while you were gone.”

Your breath hitches at her words. Mizu? Married? Is that why she had always been so.. repelled by the jokes of your marital status? And to whom..?

“Married? To whom?”

“To a fool. He wanted a wife, not me.” Her voice cracked, her discomfort evident as she squeezed your hand.

“You are a monster.”

Was Mizu not enough of a wife for him?

What had even led up to such events?

What happened?

“Had you not been enough of a wife for him?”

“I tried to. I put my revenge aside to live as one for him.. and my mother.” Your eyes widen at the mention of her mother. She had told you she had passed, though?

“Mother?”

“I found out my mother was still alive.. she took me in and married me to a man.”

“Mama, you— you’re alive..”

“What woman doesn't want a man to take care of her? Of her mother?”

“He asked to see who I was without being the bride he married, then he called me a monster, took the horse he gifted me and offered it to his lord for his title back.” Mizu tensed at the recollection.

Disgusting.

“In the end.. both my mother and he saw me as a monster. One of them had sold me to bounties.”

Bounties?

Your sobs rang in your ears, continuing on as if your ears were never ending canals.

The bounty’s katana digging into your mother’s stomach, twisting it to mush up her insides as she fell.

Holding your mother’s lifeless body cold to the touch in your bloodied hands with absolutely nothing left to do but mourn and wallow in grief.

You and Mizu were too fucking similar for your liking.

“Oh.” A single word was all you managed to get out.

“We’re quite.. similar.” She made her attempt to bring light to the situation.

“How many times must I tell you, that you’re not a monster?” You squeezed her hand tightly to scold her.

“You’re the only person I know who’s told me that.. repeatedly, at that.”

“At least I know what’s true.”

“Everyone else sees me as a hateful creature. The world rejected me without giving me a chance.” Mizu sighs, shifting on her side to face you.

“I’ll give you as many chances as you need.” You say as you turn on your side to face her as well. She looks at you with a conflicted, unreadable expression trying to process your words.

“You are far too kind for your own good.” It’s true, you are too kind. Her voice lilts, speaking softer as if talking to herself rather than you. You were the only one to show her such genuine kindness her whole life, it’s hard for her to believe you have no ulterior motives. She almost feels teary eyed, blinking to rid of the threatening tears. This doesn’t go unnoticed by you.

“Well.. what can I say?” Your eyes soften, hand creeping up to caress the soft skin of her cheek. She wrapped your hand around your wrist and tugged you close, chest to chest as she holds you close. Your left hand rests on the futon as your other stays on her cheek.

Her cheek hot to the touch as you contemplate whether to give in or pull away.

So delectable.

These garments of steel get so lonely at times.

A physical pull like a magnet, reeling you in as if you were a fish caught, gravitating towards the woman.

You look at her as if you were asking for permission to taste her on your lips oncemore, hold her and give her the tender love she deserves. Understanding your plea, she huffed, before you leaned in, connecting your lips in one swift motion.

Sealing your lips together and unraveling your hearts to one another.

Hoisting your leg over hers, you shift and pull away from her mouth, moving to hover above the woman, elbows propping you up with your knees boxing her in, one on each side of her hips. You gasp for air desperately, almost as desperate as the kiss. The world felt as if the axis tilted, giving you a slight dizziness.

Looking up at you, she remembered Mikio. How he looked at her, kissed her and made love to her.

But this was better, so much better. You were nothing like Mikio, nothing like that asshole at all. Mizu’s hands snaked down to your waist, hesitating before placing them on each side gently,

“Is this alright?” She searches your face for any discomfort, or any sign it isn’t alright. You simply nod, the feeling of her holding your waist sending heat throughout your body.

Gorgeous, a thought you both shared looking at each other.

“Is there really no place for love in your journey?” You question. Her breath hitches, squeezing your skin ever so slightly.

“I was a fool to say that.”

“Please. Answer me.” You beg.

“[Name], I don’t know..” She replies, choking out her response as her eyes bore into yours.

“Let me show you there is a place for it.” You murmur desperately, before diving back into her taste. Savoring the feeling of her lips on yours, as an addict would when relapsing. Addicted to her, her taste, her feeling. One hand held your waist firmly as another went to cradle your nape, bringing you impossibly close. Truly hunger denied far too long as you’re pulled closer, slotting your knee between her thighs. Mizu yelps against your lips, the sensation coursing through her entire body as she feels her core especially electrocuted by the contact.

Kissing her— each other until your lips swelled and were simply too exhausted to continue, completely out of breath.

Such intense passion unleashed, you were never aware of its presence, begging to be let out.

A hunger Mizu had denied leaving her starving, starving for you to touch her body, starving for the feeling of your body pressed against hers, starving for your lips, and starving for you. She can’t have any distractions with her revenge.. but for a split second, this felt more important. This felt like her sole purpose in life. To drown in the feeling of you and your affection, and to not set out for the men who made her a disgusting creature.

She didn’t feel disgusting with you. She felt comfortable with her mixed heritage, considering your tolerance and admiration for it.

She felt loved.

…

The waves crashed against shore loudly as the sun slowly set. Still raining, the sky was painted like liquid gold, glowing radiantly as the air was growing quieter with the sun’s departure.

Your mother seemed to paint the skies just as beautifully, once again.

The wind howled as you and Mizu walked along the shore, watching the waves meet sand. Tilting your wagasa slightly, a raindrop drips down the slope of your nose, before dripping onto your yukata.

“Mizu! Come on!” You shouted as she flicked the water onto your face.

You blink at the memory, the sweet memory of running along the shore as she harassed you by flicking water onto your face to annoy you. A warm memory which made your heart swell with affection. Pausing in your tracks, you go down to squat, dipping your fingers in the water, flicking upwards to hit Mizu’s face. She flinched at the contact, the cold droplets hitting her skin as they dripped down. Her eyes widened as

she remembered what you’re doing.

“Seriously?” Mizu raised her eyebrow with a small smirk. She was daring you to try that again.

“Absolutely.” Your wrist snaps up once again, more droplets hitting her skin. She exhales, wiping her face before she nudges you with her foot, causing you to lose balance fall into the water. You yelp, falling onto your knees with one tucked under your thigh, hand shooting down to support yourself and to not fall into the water. The sudden pressure felt like a small sting, but it was nothing you can’t handle. Your wagasa is dropped onto the sand, swaying in the breeze and getting wet from the waves.

“Mizu!” You yell as she laughs. Her warm laugh brings you a warmth nothing else could give you. But as you sit down with the waves continuing to hit the shore and the water dances around you, it felt like something else was also being given to you.

Was it ability to relive such moments?

Mizu chuckles as she watches you stand, the bottom half of your yukata drenched. But as her eyes meet yours, her smirk vanishes. The fiery sky highlighted your entirety in a way absolutley exquisite. You looked as if you were a goddess standing before her. Breathtaking. She feels as if all the air was brutally knocked out from her already bruised ribs as she takes in your form. The way the gale makes your hair flow and your yukata sway. As if the wind were dancing and twirling around you. You looked sacred. All her stress, her conflicted thoughts, faded in your presence as always.

You tilt your head at the woman staring at you intensely, noting how her features were illuminated perfectly by the setting sun. Her sharp features look as if they were softened, allowing for her to appear more feminine. She’s gorgeous, as if she were straight out of your dreams. Her bun rocked slowly in the breeze, her stray hair flowing along.

What is this?

Were you in the afterlife, looking at a goddess herself?

A beauty so massive you refuse to believe it’s real.

All I ever wanted.

…

“Her grave?” Mizu asks as you two stand in front of the “grave” you had made for your mother. She held the wagasa above you two (considering she was taller), shielding both of you from the rain. The likelihood of you getting sick is immaculate, considering you had fell into the water and indulged in a fight of flicking water onto each other.

“It’s barely a resting place.. I had buried her when I was only nineteen and trying to leave Kohama as fast as I could before any other bounties found me.” You huff, looking down at the flowers you had left a few days back. They were slowly discoloring and dying. Taking the peony Mizu slid into your hair, you hand it to her, tilting your head to the tombstone. Understanding your request, her lips parted before she took the flower and dropped down, gently placing the peony next to the tombstone. You took the wagasa from her grasp as she kneeled down. She looked at you over her shoulder, taking note of your conflicted expression, before her gaze flicked back to the tombstone.

Always painting the skies so beautifully

Mizu exhaled, rising to her feet,

“She painted tonight’s sky beautifully, as well.” She smiles softly at you.

“She always does.” You mutter, brows furrowing as you stare down at the grave.

It’s been five years

but your love still has nowhere to go.

Sensing your inner conflict, her hand hovers over your shoulder as if afraid her touch would scald you, before lowering her hand and pulling you closer to her as an attempt to comfort you. Seeing you grieve your mother reminds her of herself, in a way. Watching her mother die by her ex-husband’s hands despite the possibility she had sold her to bounties that day, she still grieved the woman deeply. She was her mother, afterall.

Even if she couldn’t even love her own daughter.

SPLASH!

The cloth sunk into the bucket of cold water as you lifted it out,

like the loud splash as you dove into the water saving her.

DRIP!

The rag soaked, dripping excess water as you twist it out.

The chimes of childhood rang softly around you as the gale brushed against your skin.

“How many years has it been?” Eiji asked as he towered over you and Mizu.

“Seven, swordsfather.” You utter to the man, your hand lying on her burning cheeks as her fever raged. The wet cloth sat on her forehead with hopes to lower her temperature. You sighed at the recollection, remembering how you had left Mizu alone mysteriously.

I’m sorry for leaving.

“After all this time, you’re still following Mizu around. You still take great care of my apprentice.”

“..I still try to.”

“You say you try.. yet I have no eyes and I still see your efforts.”

“Thank you, swordsfather.” You smile softly, gaze lifting to land on your unconscious friend. Her face was burning, skin slightly flushed and sweaty despite the cloth cooling her. Mizu’s breathing was shallow, close enough to her you could hear it beside the crackling of the hut’s fire.

“And you, are you sick at all, yourself? I remember you used to ignore your own needs to help your friend.” He interrogates. You wince at his words, as they were true to an extent.

“No.. not really.” You murmur.

…

You sniffled as Mizu sipped on the medicine you had brewed for her. Her ears perk up at the sound, blinking as she brought the bowl away from her lips and swallowed the soup. Oh, shit! Had you caught a sickness, as well? To be fair, you both got caught in one of Kohama’s ugly storms..

“You’re sick as well?” Mizu asked.

“I don’t think so.” You sniffle, blinking as your eyes watered slowly. She raises her eyebrow, obviously not buying your lie. You sigh, shoulders slumping as you cleared your sore throat,

“We were both out in the rain, so I’m not surprised we both got sick..”

“And you didn’t think to make yourself medicine?” Your brows furrowed at her question. You nod as you have no explanation as to why you really only had brewed enough medicine for Mizu.

..

Mizu stirred the chagama of soup she had brewed for you. She wasn’t even sure how to make soup, she just watched you add random ingredients and decided that was enough. What she didn’t know is, they weren’t random ingredients. But she was proud of herself for creating her concoction. Smiling as she stirred, Eiji had stood to take a break from forging and approached Mizu. The aroma was very strong. He grunted, holding his hand out to taste. She scooped a generous amount of the hot soup with the spoon, before lifting it and bringing it to his hand. Awaiting his response, she fidgeted with her hands before he took a sip, brows furrowing at the sour taste.

“Mizu? Or [Name]?” He asked, returning the spoon to the girl’s grasp.

“Mizu..”

“It’s sour. You’ll make yourself sicker if you drink that.”

“It’s not for me.”

“Then whom for? Are you trying to kill them?”

“No!? It’s for [Name]..she’s sick.” Mizu murmured as she looked back at your sleeping form on the ground.

“Hn. You’ve already used a plethora of ingredients, so I suggest you not start over. Dilute it with water and see how it tastes.” Eiji instructs, turning and walking away. Mizu exhales deeply, shoulders slumping.

..

You stir, shifting to lay on your side. Your throat was incredibly sore and your body slowly started to ache horribly from whatever illness infected you. Your eyes flutter open as you feel something on your head, almost massaging your scalp. Blinking a few times, your gaze finds itself on Mizu whose hand rests on your head, her fingers tangled in your hair as she held a bowl of steaming liquid.

“Did I wake you?” She whispers, pulling her hand back as you sit up. Rubbing your temple to relieve pressure, you shake your head.

“No.. everything hurts.”

“It’s that bad, and you didn’t bother trying to help yourself?” She queries, bringing the bowl to your mouth. The steam dances in your face, warming your already burning cheeks up even more as you get a whiff of ginger. Lifting your hands to the bowl, you take a slow sip, letting the hot soup to travel down your tender throat.

“You brewed this?”

“Yes.”

“It’s.. surprisingly not bad. The ginger is really strong, though..”

“I remembered what you said about ginger. It helps heal you, or something.” Your eyes soften at her admission, a smile creeping up on your lips as you drank in more of the soup.

“You were actually listening?”

“I always do.”

…

“You fool.. risking your life once more for the death of a man..” You utter to the sleeping woman, sipping on a bowl of medicine you had brewed earlier. A strong taste of ginger as she prepared for you at one point which you tried to mimic. The medicine was slightly bitter, just like you were still bitter about her words.

“..no place in it for love..”

You just couldn’t brush it out of your thoughts despite all the distractions. The crackling of the fire, the faint sounds of her shallow breathing, and the rain hitting the hut were simply not enough to rid of her words repeating in your head over and over again.

“..I fear I’m just as foolish as you are for believing you’d have room for any form of love in such hateful heart.” You sigh, tensing slightly,

“A creature born from hate will never experience love as it ages.”

You recite Chiaki’s haunting words to yourself rather than to Mizu.

Each rock thrown at you

also tossed at Mizu.

Rejected by the world,

and so was she.

Drowning in hate

with someone to accompany you.

You found peace in drowning, even though it was killing you slowly.

And so did she.

Similar in ways which have always surprised you.

“I didn’t know much about you.. I still don’t, besides the fact you’re dehumanized by everyone.”

It’s true, you still don’t know too much about Mizu. You two had opened up about your pasts, but on her end, she had only spoken about her revenge against the possible four white men responsible for her birth. She had once vaguely mentioned her mother to you, but never explained much.

All you know is, she heard her mother’s agonizing screams in a house fire as a child.

You tense, grip tightening on the warm bowl, before setting it down beside you and shifting to lay down on your side, facing her. Your arm cushioned your head from the harsh concrete floor as you observed the woman.

Peaceful.

“After all the hate I witnessed you experience.. I believed all you needed was love.” Your eyes soften slightly as you whisper, lifting your hand to find its home on her cheek once again.

You knew.

You watched.

You watched her get bullied, harassed, and attacked by village dwellers just for her irises.

You found them beautiful ever since you locked eyes with her.

You found her beautiful ever since the first glance.

Cliche? Or is she simply just breathtaking?

You were shamelessly infatuated with the samurai.

“I tried to give you that love.”

“Hell, I should be getting married at my age, but I’m here with you.. hoping you feel the same way I do, like some.. lovesick teenager.”

I’m that lovesick teenager, you thought to yourself.

“What am I doing with my life?” You chuckle breathlessly, before sighing deeply.

What are you doing? You don’t know. At your age, you’re supposed to be getting married off to some suitor.. but no, you’re chasing after your best friend like a dog.

Shallow, you thought.

Seven years away from your best and only friend (at that time), the only consistent thought was wondering when you’d see Mizu again.

Your shallow self’s raison d’etre.

She was somewhere there, after all.

Seeing her in the forest was like watching your heart being handed to you once again.

Gods, are you hearing yourself right now?

“I just wish these feelings were mutual.” You whimper, biting back a wail as you watch her sleep.

…

Mizu’s eyes flutter open to the sound of the fire, sitting up as she’s immediately struck by the searing pain of her bullet wound. She pants, her eyes searching and finding herself in her old hut. Swordfather’s hut. Dark and warm, both from the fire nearby and the memories of her adolescence with you.

Her eyes flicker through her surroundings, landing on a sleeping Taigen across the hut. She sighs, before slowly averting her gaze to Master Eiji sitting with Ringo.

“Hm. Looks like someone is awake.” Eiji mutters.

“Tell me if Taigen ever wakes up.. or when [Name] comes back.” Ringo spat. She blinks in confusion at the mention of you. She was aware of your presence, but where were you? She’d expect you to be here, with her. Why was your absence suddenly affecting her when she chose to leave you? She shook her head.

“Thanks to your apprentice and your friend, you did not die.” Swordsfather spoke, before Ringo rose to his feet.

“Your soul is stubborn.”

“I’m not Mizu’s apprentice.” Ringo affirmed, pushing past the door. Mizu winced at his words, tensing as they sunk in deeper than most blades. As much as she wouldn’t admit it, she enjoyed Ringo’s presence as much as he annoyed her. Having an apprentice, let alone another person who doesn’t judge her and is willing to help her with her revenge? It’s a new concept to her which she welcomed. Not really, because Ringo was the only person she welcomes.

“Will Taigen live?” Mizu murmurs as she glances at the man. Remembering how she and he barely survived Fowler’s castle.. a shiver ran through her spine, goosebumps raising. Her irritation flared at the thought of Fowler, brows threading close together as she huffed in annoyance. Mizu had failed to kill the man.. but she will kill him. She won’t fail this time. She was lucky she and Taigen got out alive— barely. Remembering how she had thrown them out of the window and falling into the freezing ocean below them, she could still feel the stings of the water and how she was gasping for air trying to swim up to safety. Before she lost consciousness, she remembers watching Taigen get pulled from the water as she sunk down, before she saw you dive down to save her even after she had hurt you.

Mizu begs the question, why do you stay with her?

“Hm.. His soul is also stubborn.” Eiji remarks. Mizu’s brows furrow as she watches the man sleep peacefully.

The image of you sleeping right beside her with your hand on her cheek flickered through her mind.

Where were you?

“Do you know where [Name] is?” She breathed out, averting her gaze away from Taigen and the flickers of you.

“[Name].. She also took care of you and refused to rest and leave you alone unless she knew you were breathing steadily.”

Is that why you were nearly huddled into her chest earlier?

“The universe works in mysterious ways, Mizu. Seven years and a thousand swords ago, she had left mysteriously.. yet fate had brought the two of you back together at once.”

“I can’t be certain we’ll stay together forever.” Mizu replied sharply.

“Why is that?”

“I made a mistake. We were never supposed to reunite, but she’s just so stubborn! She refused to leave my side and.. the gods above know just how much her being with me has affected her.” Mizu rambled. Why had she even allowed you to join her? You’ve taken too many blades (meant) for her and she even had the audacity to hurt you, yet you’re still with her. What is your issue!?

“You surround yourself with stubborn people.. I am not surprised you turned out this way.”

“Do you know where she is?” She repeated her question.

“No. She left. If she had found her way back to you after seven years, I have no doubt she will be back after a few hours.” Eiji affirmed.

“..and if she doesn’t return?” She asked softly, not even knowing why she was asking nor why the thought upset her. If you leave and never come back, she has no control over that besides how she feels about it.

“You don’t take no for an answer.”

“It’s nighttime, and I—“

“You’re worried, I know. Your apprentice must likely be searching for her.”

“He’s not my apprentice.” Mizu’s shoulders slumped.

…

“Salt and fish guts. Kohama?” Taigen searched his surroundings, leaning on the doorframe.

“Near it.”

“This is Master Eiji’s forge.. So this is where you disappeared to after all those years ago. This is where you trained.” He remarked.

This is also where she met you.

“No one in town cared if I starved or died.. He took me in.” Mizu sighed as she picked up her shovel, nudging the wheelbarrow,

“Rest, I’ll be back.”

“Wait. You have to let me thank you for saving me. It’s hard enough to admit you did.”

“You don’t owe me anything.” She rasped as she tossed the shovel into the wheelbarrow, striding off.

She knew where to go.

She knew the exact way.

Your old house, across the town from Eiji’s hut but not too far.

Maybe, just maybe, you would be there.

Maybe, you were with your mother.

Mizu made her way down the village, the memories flooding in as you two were children chasing each other down these streets like idiots. The village where she had been harassed, and so have you. Remembering each turn and shortcut by heart, her feet guided her as she continued to observe the town. It hasn’t changed much since she was last here seven years ago, the only things changed are the buildings upgrading and streets way cleaner. She missed Kohama. Finding her way back years later, it felt as if it was welcoming her back. Eventually she paused in her tracks, coming to a stop in front of a familiar house.

Yours.

Surprisingly not run down nor sold. Mizu took in the sight, the same pink and magenta flowers she’d always seen as a kid still continue to bloom by the front. Remembering how you had given her a small bouquet of them out of pure kindness after your mother bugged you into doing so, she smiled at the memory. A whiff of the flowers and she swore she felt herself reliving the moment as she shut her eyes.

The moment she held the arrangement in her hands unsure what to do.

The moment she leaned in and pressed a kiss to your cheek as she’s seen couples do so.

She inhaled sharply, eyes fluttering back open as her face warmed ever so slightly.. and it wasn’t from the fever. Mizu plucked the flowers, picking only the most beautiful and vibrant from the flowerbed. She was careful not to take too many, only picking three. Why was she even doing this? With a slow breath, she stepped away and up the porch, wood creaking as her weight settled above it. Sliding the door open and stepping in, she took in her surroundings, having never been in here besides one time, when she had walked you home and snuck in.

…

“Are you sure I can even be here?” She quavered as you took her hand, pulling her in through the window from the roof. She stumbled into your room, feeling her anxiety skyrocket. She wasn’t afraid of your father, rather afraid of being caught by him. Mizu hated him. He hated her. Your mother, on the other hand? She doesn’t know how she feels about her. You don’t, either. The gale blew into your room from the open window, causing you to shiver slightly.

“Don’t worry.. as long as we’re quiet, we won’t get caught.”

“Why’d you even bring me in?” She asks. You had no response, only shrugging. You had no answer for her. Why did you bring her in? You wanted to savor each moment with her. Mizu rolls her eyes in response, taking a seat on the wooden floors against the shoji walls. Your parents’ income was extremely clear with how.. sophisticated the house appeared. She assumed the rest of the house looked like your room. You took a seat beside her, knees nudging one another at the proximity. Mizu tensed, yet refused to move away from you. You two were sitting so close, you could feel each other’s body heat radiating off one another.

It was comfortable.

“If your father catches me here, he’ll kill m—“

“Shh..” You shut the girl up, resting your head on her shoulder, “Don’t worry about him. He’s not even in town.” You assured her with a small smile. Her muscles relaxed at your reassurance, her anxiety soothing as it faded slowly. Her head rested against yours as you two sat in comfortable silence against one another.

What was this?

Mizu wanted it to last forever.

…

Her assumptions were right, the rest of the house looked exactly as your room did. Thin shoji walls surrounded her as the wood rasped under her weight.

Empty.

Dim.

Why was it so empty? Where was your mother? It was unsettling, eyes shooting everywhere as she ventured, before she found herself fixated on a painting— multiple paintings. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of them, all beautifully created. She could tell the artist, your mother, loved her art as each stroke was placed carefully with great precision. Multiple portraits of sunsets and beaches, it was evident what your mother liked to paint.

…

Staring at your reflection in the mirror, your first real glance at your shortened hair. That once far reaching mane spilling down to your waist now severed like the necks of the men you’ve slaughtered, now only barely touching your shoulders. Holding the short strands in your fingers, ends poking your skin, you couldn’t help but feel.. strange. What was once your “best” feature and symbol of a past which weighs you down. Is this growth, for the burdens of your past now lie cut? You sighed. You can’t even put your hair up anymore.. but maybe that’s for the better. On the bright side, you don’t have to worry about your hair flying in your face during battle.

On the bright side, you looked like your mother with your short hair.

You had stayed the night in your old “home”, not wanting to bother Master Eiji.. not really, as you were just afraid of Mizu waking up and having to face her. Still bitter and having not exchanging a word to your friend besides talking to her while she slept during her injuries. Staying at your old house overnight, you found an old, burgundy yukata similar to your hakama and kimono. It had designs of flowers decorating it. Somehow fitting you after all these years, had you not grown? Your brows furrowed, and before you know it, footsteps could be heard. The wood was hissing with each step as you hear them coming closer, up the stairs and approaching your room. Who could it be? You turned, ripping your tanto from your obi.

Mizu.

Your biggest fear at the moment.

Her eyes widened ever slightly at your appearance. She was aware of your hair, yes, though seeing you in something other than your hakama was a first. You’re beautiful.

She wonders what her life could have been if she hadn’t been forced to pose as a man.

To be comfortable as a woman, expressing her femininity.

You blink, lips parting. You were relieved she had finally awoken, and especially relieved she is able to stand after her treacherous state. You braced yourself for whatever awkward interaction is next. Mizu tensed at the sight of your pointed blade, sighing as she understood you likely wanted nothing to do with her. As she approached you, you felt her watchful eyes well.. watching you. Your gaze shifted downwards, to the flowers in her hands. Two peonies and one azalea, likely from the porch’s flowerbed. You raise an eyebrow, sliding your tanto back in your obi.

“Your hair looks good. I like it.” She murmured.

Refusing to meet her gaze,

“I remember you spoke those words to Taigen as an insult.” You glanced over at her, seeing the sweat beads on her forehead.

She still has a fever? You thought to yourself.

“I mean it.” Mizu whispered softly, handing the flowers to you as you did to her as a child. Your eyes softened at the gesture, pressing your lips together as you reluctantly took them.

“Are you feeling better, now?”

“My shoulder still hurts.. but I’m alright.”

“How’s your fever?”

“I don’t feel sick, anymore.”

“Swordsfather told me you refused to rest unless you knew I was fine.” Mizu alleges. You sigh at her words, not any denial there.

“Well, I couldn’t let you die.”

“I wasn’t going to die.. even if I was, you could’ve let me.”

“Don’t… say that.” You whisper, turning away and facing the mirror. She exhaled slowly, taking another step towards you as she watched you through the mirror. You continue running your fingers through your hair with an unreadable expression. Conflicted, maybe? Mizu took another step forward, now directly behind your shoulder as she took a flower from your hand,

“You’re still.. pretty without long hair.” She whispered as she lifted the peony, hooking it over your ear. “Pretty” because she wasn’t sure if you’d react well to her calling you beautiful after her rejection for anything but hate in her journey. You tense at her touch, blinking as you look at her through the mirror.

“Why are you here?”

“You weren’t at the forge.”

Silence filled the air.

Mizu was uncomfortable.

You felt troubled.

“[Name], I know you’re bitter about what happened in Mihonoseki.. and I don’t know if this will change it, but I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said back there.” Mizu fidgets with her empty hands as she hoped you’d respond to that. Your breath stops momentarily as if you were having a heart attack, processing her words. A simple apology, though it felt genuine..

“You seemed to mean it back there.”

“I didn’t.”

“What am I doing with myself? I should’ve never went out looking for you after you left.”

“You really shouldn’t have.”

“..but I couldn’t just let you walk into possibly another death trap.”

“I’m not your responsibility, [Name].”

“I know! I just don’t want you to.. die.”

“When you said you tried to show me love, I felt it.”

“What?” You shift to face her directly, looking eyes with piercing blues.

“I know what I’m supposed to do. Be a samurai, just like you!”

His bell jingling in her bloody hand.

“Okay.

I’ll teach you.”

Swiftly, a breathless Mizu grabs a hold of her broken blade before standing up weakly. Seemingly running for her life, which she was, she pounced onto Taigen and threw them both out of the shattered window. With that the two plummeted down, escaping from Fowler’s burning castle.

He is still alive.

They crashed down into the hard ice below, shattering the ice and sinking into the ocean beneath. All air was knocked from Mizu’s lungs as her ribcage burned with pain at the impact. The pressure of the water was insane, weighing down on her and slowing her movements. Holding onto her blade tightly as she sunk down, she weakly grasps Taigen’s hakama and began swimming up to the surface, screaming as she went.

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

Mizu desperately swims up to the surface, carrying Taigen’s heavy weight with one arm as the other grasped the ice above her. Then, it broke under their combined weight, pushing the two further down into the water. Was she to die like this?

You and Ringo gasped, flinching at the sight of ice breaking off in the distance. You two exchanged looks, signaling to each other: move fast. With a sharp and deep intake of breath you ran from the snow covered grass and onto the ice covered ocean. You stumbled upon your sandal meeting the slippery surface, carefully sprinting across, ensuring you don’t fall through. Nearly slipping, you cursed to yourself internally. You could now make out the silhouette of a drowning figure— two. One was closer to the surface whilst the other was slowly sinking, clutching onto a blade?

Mizu?

Your face darkens at the sight, swallowing deeply. Ringo quickly arrived soon after you, eyes widening at the scene. He crouched down with extended arms, pulling the closer figure up to the surface.

Taigen.

No doubt Mizu was the one drowning. This time, you had no time to gouge on the disgusting creature who appeared a sopping wet dog with a patch of hair missing. Mizu was definitely in the water, drowning. You threw her cloak off of you and the next second later you dove down, jumping into the freezing cold water. The frigid waters pierced your skin mimicking a thousand daggers digging in. You felt alive, invigorated by the chill of the water.

Because each touch of the ocean was an embrace to you your mother never gave you.

Swiftly, ignoring how you were already shivering, you swam down towards the drowning Mizu. As you swam closer, the water was growing more and more vibrant with a crimson. Drowning and injured. Stubborn bastard! Close enough to grasp the woman, you grabbed a hold of her kimono, pulling her up as you slowly swam to the surface. Your knuckles still slightly ached from your turmoil a few days back. Despite the stinging sensation as you clutched onto her tightly, you persevered through the pain. Her weight was weighing down slightly, due to her sopping wet clothes. You felt your own hakama growing heavier by the seconds from the water being absorbed. Nearing the surface, your free hand shot up and out of the water, gripping the ice tightly, as if your life depended on it. You threw her broken blade upwards onto the surface. The tender and injured joints throbbing excruciatingly as you clutched onto the ice with every ounce of strength left in those fractured fingers.

CRACK!

Dangling off the cliff.

You tense up at the recollection. No, don’t get distracted. Mizu’s life is on the line.. before you know it, two arms grasp your wrist tightly. Ringo’s. He pulls you up, dragging Mizu up along with you as you’re torn from the freezing water. You gasp for air, insanely deep breaths as you cough out water from your throat, clearing your airways. You were practically wheezing. Ringo’s arm lowers down to your back, hitting you gently as you feel the liquid slowly get knocked out. You glance at the unconscious Mizu lying on the ice with parted lips and paler skin than usual. Hot ash fell from above as the fire from the castle raged. Your gaze found her broken blade. Unfortunate, though how had had it broke? You pushed your curiosity aside,

“I know where we can go.” You muttered to Ringo, continuing to rid of the invading liquid choking you as he assisted.

“Where?”

Kohama.

The children’s judgmental and hateful gazes on you as they laughed cruelly, tossing pebbles at you until you bled.

Master Eiji’s hut.

Carefully observing Mizu as she moved with her makeshift sword, a stick, circling around her as she swayed.

Your hand holding hers as you had lifted the bowl of bitter medicine to her lips, watching her shoulders slump and relax whilst she looked at you, half-lidded.

You shift to face Mizu, eyes softening as your finger instinctively went to brush her neck, feeling her slow pulse. You were relieved to be assured by her body that she remains alive.. though for how long could she, with her state? Her kimono was torn once again though on her left shoulder, in a circular tear. Your curiosity spiked, questioning what could’ve caused that. A bullet from a pistol, maybe? You couldn’t help but wince at the assumption, finger grazing on her face. Soft, wet skin.

You’re going to get yourself killed, one day.

You pressed your lips into a firm line before sighing deeply, removing your hand from her cheek as you shifted up. Your hands bent her knees up as you grasped both of her wrists and pulled her up with little struggle. As she rose up, you shifted downwards and grasped her back, before lifting her up completely and onto your shoulder. Almost stumbling back, you glance at Ringo, already carrying Taigen in his arms as the two of you began to walk slowly from the ice and falling ash. Death waiting to happen if you stay any longer.

…

The night grew quickly as you and Ringo set camp in a forest hours away from the island. Lowering Mizu gently onto the ground against a boulder as Ringo was already tending to Taigen’s wounds whilst medicine brewed for the two.. perhaps three, because you’ve caught a cold from diving into freezing cold water.

“You should change out of your clothes, since they’re still damp. You don’t want to worsen your sickness.” Ringo stated calmly as he began to bandage up Taigen’s wounds. Why was he even tending to his wounds? You sigh,

“I’ll do that later.” You mumble, sprawling Mizu’s cloak out and laying it on her lap to give her warmth. Never having such a close look at her clothing, you slowly noticed things you wouldn’t have on another day. She’s worn the same exact shit from head to toe since you’ve known her. Your fingers found the knot of her obi, untying it as her kimono fell open. As her obi came undone, many things dropped and fell from it. Ringo’s bell, Akemi’s dagger, and your hairpin. You blinked, ah.. That’s where it went. You had freaked out looking for it last week, now finding it. You were utterly confused why she had it. You pushed your curiosity aside once again as you opened her kimono further, revealing her toned and extremely injured body. The scars from the claw and even more slices scattered and decorating her body. You felt a lump form in your stomach at the sight. Having not seen her, let alone half bare, seeing the woman’s newfound wounds ached. She really is going to get herself killed one day. Your eyes found the bullet wound, flinching at the sight. It went deep into her axila. How were you going to remove it? You glanced behind you, searching for any tool to help.

Chopsticks.

That would hurt.

You didn’t want to hurt her anymore than she already is.

“Ringo.. do you have anything to help.. pull something out?”You queried the man working on Taigen. He turned his head back to face you,

“I have tweezers.” He stated, rummaging through his supplies before tossing you a pair of them. You caught the small metal, observing it slowly. This is much better than digging chopsticks into her flesh. You turned to face her, before breathing in as a hand rests on her shoulder,

“I’m sorry if this hurts..” You murmur quietly to her, despite her state of unconsciousness. Slowly, you slip the tweezers into the wound, immediately locating the bullet inside.

Mizu’s eyes fluttered open at the sting, the raw, agonizing pain surging through her entire right arm. As you worked diligently to remove the metal, her gaze landed on your face. You noticed her gaze, bright blue eyes, and how she woke. Beautiful, as always.

You can’t think those things, [Name].

She was weakly blinking, scanning you with half-lidded eyes. You cursed yourself internally, pressing your lips firmly together as you continued to work. Taking in your appearance as her vision slowly focused, she couldn’t help but yelp of pain at the gnawing sensation as the bullet is removed at once. Mizu’s body tensed, shoulder locking as her back arched slightly.

“Easy, Mizu.” You uttered to the woman trembling in pain. You threw the bloodied bullet onto the ground along with the tweezers as you lift a needle and thread up, pulling the thread in through the needle.

“..[Name]…” Mizu mumbled as her hand weakly rose to graze your hand. Your ears perked at her voice, your name on her lips as your gaze shot down to where her hand weakly grasped yours.

“..What?” You quaver, pushing her hand away softly and beginning to dig the needle into her skin. As if her touch had scalded you, removing her hand at once. Allowing her hand to rest on yours relishing the burn you received. Why? Why had her touch always affected you in such a way? The ghost of her hand on yours lingered, your skin itching to feel it at once. Her breath hitched, becoming labored as you stitch the wound shut. A lump forms in her throat as you brushed her hand off, sensing— knowing instantly you were upset with her. Guilt washes over her slowly as you work on her wound, squeezing her eyes shut.

“no place in it for love..”

Mizu exhaled weakly at the recollection of her own words to you and Ringo. As much as she hated to admit, she wasn’t wrong. She had tried to love once, and where had it landed her? There’s really not a place in her journey for love.

Even if her heart flutters every time you compliment her, body burning up as electricity courses her through with each touch you deliver to her, and her stomach knots painfully tight each time she’s with you. Mizu knows all too well what this feeling is.

Love slowly creeping out of her heart and attacking her.

And you.

How had this happened? For her to have slowly fallen in love with you, one of her only friends throughout her entire life? Utterly pathetic. Conflicted, she was of her feelings for you. She hated herself for slowly allowing her facade to falter. Mizu despised herself for letting these emotions creep up and slowly seep through walls she had built so high, sure no one would get through them.

But no. You just had to be her weak spot. You had found a way into her heart after she was sure she had shut everyone out, making it nearly impossible for anything or anyone to come near. She hated you for that. She hated you so much for breaking down her walls. For seeing past her disguise. For being you.

With overwhelming and complicated thoughts, her vision swam.

You had finished stitching her wound up, assuming she had fallen back asleep when her eyes first shut. Mizu looked immensely peaceful as she slept. You thought this each and every time you’d watch her lower her guard and fall into rest, and you’ll never quit thinking so. With a sigh, your hand subconsciously lifted up to her cheek, now warmer than it had been earlier. Your fingers held her face as you observed each and every detail. Her sharp and striking features, each small rise and fall of her chest as she breathed slowly, and plump upper lip you wished to capture between your lips again.. [Name], no. These thoughts are unwelcome. Yet they still felt so fucking right. It hurt even physically beyond emotionally, your chest aching painfully each time you remember her words. Each time you look at her. You swear you could feel your soul shattering.

Knowing you’d never be given the chance to love her properly when all she’s been shown is hate.

Knowing she would never love you the way you love her in incomprehensible amounts.

Face it, [Name]. You’re nothing but a friend to her, as unfortunate as it is.

You pulled your hand away from her before scooting away from her as if she would infect you with an unknown plague. With a harsh blink, furrowed eyebrows and lips tightly pressed together, your upper teeth sunk into your lip as you bit back utterly stupid tears.

“[Name]? Are you alright?” Ringo prompted.

“Mhm. Yeah, I am.” Your voice crack gave you away, though you weren’t sure how concealed your pains are anymore.

“Ever since we left Madame Kaji’s house, you’ve been..”

“Fine. I’ve been fine.” You interjected, shutting the man down.

“Could it possibly be about her?”

Silence fills the air with the cackling of the fire and the soft hum of the breeze passing. Your heart drops into your stomach as your face darkens, leaving you with a hitched breath.

“..yes.” You whispered breathlessly.

“She said there’s no place in her journey for love, friendship, or weakness, but look, we both ended up getting caught along her journey. I think the way that happened shows there is a place.. even if it’s really little, or how much she tries to fill the space in with hate.” Ringo smiled as he continued to stir his pot of soup.

Maybe there is a place.

Even if it’s really little.

His words gave you a small spark of hope as you looked back up at Mizu, resting against the rock and looking as gorgeous as ever.

Gods, you wished there was that small part in her journey for love.

because the gods above know how something beside hate blossomed inside of you for once.

…

“Hello?! Hello, in there?!” You shout out, knocking on Eiji’s door. Finally back in Kohama after a four days walk. The air felt.. different. The sun kissed you in ways it hadn’t in other cities like Kyoto and Mihonoseki.

“Please! You have to help us. We have dying people or... Maybe they're already dead— I'm too scared to look, but I'm trying to save them, even though I'm really mad at one of them. I think you know him. Please! We've been walking for days, and bad guys are after us, and I don't know where else to go..” Ringo mumbled, voice full of desperation as you two stood outside of Eiji’s door. He sighed to no avail for the man inside,

“What do we do?” His pained and defeated expression hurt you. He grunted, hitting his wrist on the wagon(?) the two laid unconscious on. A piece of Mizu’s broken blade then slipped off the wood and onto the stone below, a loud cling echoing in the air. With a deep breath, you knocked once again,

“Swordsfather..? It’s me, [Name].. I have Mizu.” You call out, adjusting your posture. Just then, the wooden door slowly slid open. As a teenager, you’d thought the door was simply stubborn in its time, leaving it to open slowly with a struggle. Now, returning years later, you see that the door is just faulty. Master Eiji steps out. He looks like he hasn’t aged one bit since you’ve last seen him.

“Mizu.. Come inside.” Eiji murmurs, standing in front of you and Ringo. Even if you hadn’t said it, you knew he could sense her presence. Maybe even yours..? Hopefully. Despite the uselessness of it, you bow your head down.

..

Kohama.

Where you grew up with Mizu. With forests so terrifying you swore they’d swallow you whole the second you stepped foot inside. A town where the air felt different, laced with nostalgia. A town where all your traumas were outweighed by the amount of memories with Mizu. A town with a beautiful, absolutely beautiful beach where fishers fished for a living, gaining their income.

A beautiful beach where your mother is buried.

The waves crash loudly as you stare off into the ocean in front of you with a slowly setting sun, painting the sky a gorgeous amber color. Observing the skies

as you did for your mother as she painted.

You turned your back away from the scenery, to face the large piece of wood you stuck in the sand to mark your mother’s resting place. Three sticks of incense in your hand as they burned, filling your nostrils with the scent of agarwood and the air surrounding you as the smoke danced around you. You were only nineteen when had to bury her, and with only your tanto, you created a pathetic tombstone. You sigh deeply, dropping down to your knees onto the sand.

MASAKO NAKAMURA

1601-1652

Always painting the skies so beautifully

You adjusted the wood as it was slightly tilted. You were shocked it stood intact after so many years. Your other hand held the incense, and a bouquet you had put together consisting of pink peonies and magenta azaleas. Flowers you often saw which bloomed by your house as a child, even gifting Mizu some at one point after your mother’s pestering.

…

“Musume.” Your mother called out.

“Huh?” You turn your head as you wipe the sweat from your forehead. A hot summer day in Kohama, it was. You turn to face your mother, watching as she gestured for you to come over to her as she was seemingly gardening? You blink, before striding over to her.

“Did you need help?”

“No.. I want you to learn something.”

“Gardening?” You ask, looking down at the beautiful and vibrant flowers she had tended to.

“Not quite.. take the flowers I had plucked for me.” She instructs. Your eyes search, before landing on a bunch of flowers she had plucked out of the ground. You pick them up, feeling the wet stems and inhaling their scent.

“Rip the leaves off the stem from all of them.” Your mother says, watching as you comply, tearing the leaves off of each one,

“Then, with your tanto, cut them all to the same height.” You blink at her directions before obeying, pulling your tanto out of your obi as you begin to slice them to similar heights.

“Like this?” You watch as the cut pieces fall to the ground.

“Like that, yes.” She assures with a smile.

..

“What now?” You prompt to her as you hold the small arrangement of flowers. She’s had you do this so many times, you could probably arrange a bouquet blindfolded.

“Go to your friend’s house. The half-breed and his grandfather.”

“That’s not—“

“I know you’re going to tell me he’s not ugly. I know already, Musume.“ You weren’t even going to say that..?

“These are for Master Eiji, then?”

“No. Your friend.”

“Why?”

“Musume, I know you have taken a liking to him. I’m honestly proud of myself for figuring out your routine for going over to their hut..”

“I do not—“

“Ah, ah, ah. Go. Leave. Just don’t get pregnant.”

“Hahaoya.. I’m sixteen.” You grumble as she pushes you off the porch.

…

You smiled at the memory, as if it had hugged you and warmed you up. Setting the flowers down, you stuck the three burning sticks into the sand, and bowed your head down and beginning to pray.

…

“You know the door’s stubborn.. Come in.” Mizu prods as she hears your knocking.

“Come out.” You call out, holding the small bouquet in front of you like you were to propose to the girl. You hear her sigh from inside, before stepping outside, cursing from the stubborn door.

“Why did you want me out..” She trails off as she takes in the sight of you holding the bouquet out to her with slightly trembling hands. She blinks, her face warming up at the gesture. Awkward as ever, you press your lips into a firm line, and feeling your face heating up at a rapid pace,

“Just take it!” You blurt out.

“Gods, okay!” Mizu blurted back, yanking the flowers from your hands, fingers brushing against each other. With nothing in your shaking hands, you’ve none to do but fidget around with them.

“Thank you..” She whispers, staring down at the bouquet. Pink and magenta flowers she had often seen at your house whenever she’d pass it chasing you down the street. Or when she’d not seen you in longer than usual (a few days), striding over to your house to find you. Thankfully not being caught by Chiaki, and only your mother. She’d never been gifted anything, let alone such gorgeous flowers. It was thoughtful of you. After likely catching her staring at them on your porch multiple times, it warmed her heart strangely to think you’d remembered.

“My mother pestered me to give it to you. She was talking about how she recognized how often I sneak out of the house to see you.. crazy, right..?”

A smile curls on her lips with cheeks almost as red as the lipstick you’ve seen courtesans wear.

Beautiful.

“Well, she’s not wrong..” Mizu chuckled.

“..What?”

“You have a way with always sneaking into this hut.” Her finger lifted to your chin, lifting your face up slightly to meet her gaze better.

“and my heart.” She whispered to you, holding the flowers close to her chest as she leaned in, turning your face as she pressed a small peck of her lips to your burning cheek.

“She dies today.. but she doesn’t have to. We offer a deal.”

“A deal?”

“Oh, nothing big. We ensure you and your mother’s safety in exchange we know you never dare wield a blade to the Yakuza again.”

“An assurance.”

“For your blade to be branded, to ensure your identity sealed.”

“If you refuse,” The pistol clicks.

“No.. No! Don’t you dare fucking touch her!”

“That’s more like it.”

..

That sickening snake.

Clenched fists as you faced yourself in the mirror with deep hostility.

..

“[Name]!”

“Huh?” You turn to face the call

to be met with such a gorgeous smile.

..

Watching as she moved with grace, hypnotizing you with each sway of her body. Your wrist falling into the campfire as your flesh seared, retracting your hand as your breathing quickened.

“[Name]!”

…

Mizu found herself venturing in the forests again. A day’s walk away from Mihonoseki after slipping out of town, as always. Her solitude is common, quite normal. Despite her overwhelming brain chatter rushing through her head, one thought stood out from the thread.

Abijah Fowler.

I will kill you where you stand.

Her blood continued streaming slowly down her waist as the wound(s) from the soldier’s claw began to sting her once again. She grumbled as the blood rushed, but in her lip as the pain was torturous to her flesh and coursed through her entire torso. Fatigued, the woman was. Walking on barely a day’s worth of sleep with rocks in her sandals and wet, bloodied socks. With one hand on her katana and the other pressed against her wound, her steps were jagged as she approached a river.

The same one you and her had laid bare in together.

Nudging you gently with the heel of her foot as you lied beneath her in the water. You were looking up at her as if you were praying and worshipping her, pleading the goddess before you for something.

What was it you were pleading the woman for?

Praying to her, why?

Looking up at her with those eyes. Dazed, you were.

Mizu inhaled sharply as she stumbled onto the boulders, setting her naginata down as it leaned on the rock. Her hand found itself slipping into the fabric of her obi as she began to remove every object slipped inside. From Ringo’s bell, to Akemi’s knife, and then your golden hairpin. Have you even realized it’s no longer within your inventory? Why had she gotten it? No clue. Mizu had saw it on the ground as she walked away from Hamata being mutilated by Madame Kaji and her women to return to you.. though considering your shortened hair, returning it would be useless.

She set the items down on the boulder, before untying her obi and removing her kimono off in one swift motion. Stripping herself naked to bathe as she reeked of sweat and blood, whilst also needing to tend to her wound she had ignored up until this point. Dipping her feet into the river as she stepped into the shivering cold waters bluer than her irises. Instantly, her mind flooded with the memories of her bliss spent with you. Such vulnerability you had somehow unlocked,

such vulnerability which terrifies the woman more than any opponent.

Vulnerability expressed with Mizu’s ex-husband she had locked away for seemingly good after he had used it against her. To never be shown ever again, she thought.. not at all after what he had done.

Trust she had granted the man only for him to shatter it into thousands of shards leaving her repulsed to even try picking the pieces up.

Pieces you slowly picked up for her without a care for how much of your blood it would take. Had you no dignity, why were you so willing to bleed for her?

…

“[Name]!” Ringo exclaimed as your eyes shot open, sitting up quickly as you were immediately punched by the pain of the previous battle. Your chest was clenching with pain as you struggled to breathe. Was it from the battle, or the memories which rushed through your mind? Sweaty and teary eyed, your chest rose with each violent intake of air as you blinked to adjust to your surroundings. Your eyes darted everywhere, trying to make out where you were. Low, dim light, seemingly night. Swallowing deeply, the metal taste of blood lingering in your mouth as your gaze finally lands on Ringo’s form, kneeled down to your level. He was holding a bowl of steaming hot liquid, his face twisting with concern. You blink.

Mizu’s face flashes through your vision.

Breath hitching violently as you clenched your fists into balls, grasping the wooden floor. Your tears nearly fell at the sight of her face. Her beautiful face. The one you fell in love with.

“..no place in it for love..”

Right.. No room for love, no room for your stupid feelings. Your heart felt as if it were broken into a thousand pieces you could never pick up.

“[Name].. breathe.” Ringo instructed as he brought the bowl to your hands. Left fingers bandaged up whilst the wrap around your right wrist was replaced. You allow yourself to exhale slowly, an attempt to steady your shook breath. Your body ached and stung in every direction possible, wincing with every movement you make.

“Careful. I stitched your wounds while you rested last night.”

“..last night?” You repeated. The man nodded. You had no perception of time, unbeknownst to how long you had been unconscious for. Maybe a day, maybe a week, who knew? Well, Ringo did. You sighed, thumb brushing on the rim of the bowl in your lap before bringing it up to your lips, drinking in the hot liquid. Your lips met the edges as the medicine streamed down your throat.

Lips meeting hers.

Your grip nearly falters at the recollection,

Perfect pieces in hand.

ripping the bowl from your mouth as you swallow down. You wiped the soup off your bottom lip as you set it back down onto your lap.

Oh, Mizu.

I long for you in unhealthy ways.

Why?

“Where are we?” You quaver to Ringo as you watched him stand up. You assume you’re inside an inn of some sort, considering the light shoji walls surrounding you. You looked down at your lap, spotting Mizu’s cloak lying on top of you. Your heart clenched at the sight, inhaling sharply as your grip on the bow tightened.

“An inn. You were unconscious the entire day after you passed out yesterday.. and most of today.” Your face darkens as he speaks, remembering your exhaustion from the battle against the army. Never in your years of living would you even think to be a reason for you to fight half an army of soldiers. Gods, had you no place to be, resulting in fighting soldiers out of nowhere?

“..no place in it for love.”

Your breath hitches violently as her words replay in your head for the fiftieth time like a sutra you chanted.

Had there really truly been no place in her journey for love? She kissed you, not the other way around, that had to mean something..even if it were just from the heat of the moment.. Your heart felt wounded. Your head was clouded as the world felt.. grey and empty without those blue eyes. Your tears threaten to fall as you grieve a woman who wasn’t even dead. Or you hope. You have no idea where she is or how she’s doing. Mizu could be dead, and you wouldn’t even know that. Your lips pressed into a firm line, teeth sinking in as you bit back your sorrow.

Where is she?

Was she okay?

Without you and Ringo, you could only wallow in your worry and concern for her, hoping she takes care of herself.

“Where..?” You blinked, looking up at Ringo as your thumb brushed the bowl’s rim. Aware of her plans to Tanabe Island to meet, probably assassinate, a white man you were sure she was setting out in pursuit for his blood. You sighed.

Her vengeance is truly the only thing on her mind.. the most important thing to her. Nothing will change that. Not even you.

“Mast— she is on her way somewhere. We never spoke about where.” He spoke lowly. You caught his stutter, how he suddenly remembered he no longer serves as her apprentice. Your eyes soften for a moment, before your eyebrows thread together as you stare down at your reflection in the medicine.

Please, be okay.

..

Walking through the snow, the two of you ventured once again. The journey from Mihonoseki to Tanabe Island was a long one, you were sure. Considering its close proximity to Honshu, which was ten fucking days away from Mihonoseki, plus another one assuming the journey to the island from Honshu be around a day, you sighed deeply in exhaustion. Eleven days of walking, and you two already missed one. You cursed yourself for letting your fatigue overtake you after the battle. If you hadn’t allowed yourself to collapse cold and stay in a death-like state for gods above know how long, there would’ve been a chance to catch up with Mizu, by now.

This journey didn’t feel right. Something was missing.

Someone.

Your heart ached to remember her absence. Why were you this affected? The past seven years, you lived.. well, horrible, but alright without her. You know you can live a life just fine without her, so why were you so affected when the situation happened again? Had you grown attached..? Or was it the fact you seem to have fallen deeply in love with her, that her absence irritates you? You were clutching on her cloak, walking around with it thinking she was with you. Her scent, a weird combination of blood, sweat, and sage (for whatever reason) which followed you and Ringo as you two walked. Feigning her presence, apparently so.

You’ve never felt like this. Not since those seven hellish years away from her.

It felt like you had been pulled back into that nightmare to relive those horrendous years.

…

Mizu was fueled with rage for her vengeance. Fowler dies where he stands. She could almost taste his death, now. Striding through the forests of Otsu, a three days walk away from Mihonoseki where she had left you and Ringo.

She exhaled sharply, followed by a rough step forward onto the snow as if it had personally offended her. Mizu’s mind was still reeling on the events of the battle—the entire time at the brothel. She felt an odd sense of guilt under her ribs.

Guilt for taking Kinuyo’s life. Though, it was for the best, right? She’s free, now. Unfortunate it is for death to be the only solution for a young girl like her. To grant her freedom was to take her life.

Guilt for allowing Akemi to be taken. She really was better off. If she had stayed, they would both be caught in no time by her guards searching for her. It’s better to send her back rather than keeping a fugitive princess with her, endangering her journey. It was right, but gods, it felt wrong. Even Ringo had called her out..

“You are no samurai!”

Mizu flinched. He’s correct, she is no samurai. He assumed so and she had never corrected him.

..and lastly, guilt for.. you? Mizu didn’t understand why she felt guilty for you. Maybe she was guilty for leaving you? For all she knows, you could be dead, right now. Her last sight of you was when you had fainted, cold and pale against the ground before Ringo took you away.

Mizu flinched at the thought, stepping another aggressive step into the snow. You’re not dead. You can’t be. She’s seen you dodge death’s attempts to take you before!

Dangling off the cliff

Taking gods above know how many blades meant for her

Mizu grumbled at the recollection. You’ve gotten so injured after following her.. it was all easily avoidable. Curse her, for allowing you to follow her and Ringo. If you hadn’t joined her, you could’ve stayed in Kyoto, living a nice life there.

Without her.

If you had stayed put, your fingers wouldn’t be fractured and nearly broken, leading to you having to relearn the mechanics of having joints and the sword. A permanent reminder to your body of your actions that day which cost your fingers.

If you had stayed put, you would have never had to step foot in a brothel ever again. You were traumatized. She knew that. It was an explanation to your stiffness and sudden anxiety after entering the house. It explained why you acted different. Because she practically forced you into the house with her. Mizu had offered Ringo explore the harbor as they waited, but why had she kept you there, with her?

It wasn’t to torture you, absolutely not!

But rather because she enjoyed your presence.

Before being informed by Madame Kaji of your traumas, she had suspected something wrong with you.

Your shook hands, and how you melted into her touch as she soothed you. Carefully avoiding the bandage on your wrist, ensuring she doesn’t strain the burn underneath.

Mizu was so careful with you, treating you as if you were delicate..which you were, in her eyes. Despite knowing how well and strong of a defense you put up, she still felt the strange need to protect you. Physically, from every blade. Emotionally, from anything that would hurt you more than you already were hurting.

But she had failed. From the second you entered the brothel, down to the moment she argued with Ringo. You looked distraught by her words. As if the life was sucked from your body, empty eyes and paler skin than usual.

What had even triggered such a response from you?

With each step, Mizu began to replay each moment in her head after the battle in hopes to find out what caused you to look so.. hurt. A hurt she’s not seen in you even after slicing your father to shreds.

How you lowered her onto the ground, catching her fall.

Your hand interlocking with hers.

Your fingers brushing against her skin, wiping the blood off and away.

Akemi being taken away.

“A samurai is honorable.”

Another rough step in the snow. She was not a samurai. Why had he made her out to be one? Why had his expectations of her been so high!? Mizu straight up growled. Her irritation flared as with every step her body begged for rest.

Rest.

You’d always pester her to rest.

Rest, on this journey? There is no rest in her bloodsoaked path for revenge. She was closer than ever to finding another man. Rest would be worthless.

..

Reaching the fifth day of treacherous walking. Your legs ached to such extent you were debating on asking Ringo to carry you. But you wouldn’t succumb to the sheer pressure your bottom half was experiencing. You and Ringo couldn’t risk losing another day to locate Mizu. He had told you,

“[Name], if you must rest, we can stop at anytime.”

Though your stubbornness got the best of you,

“No. Don’t need it.”

“Are you sure..?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Despite how your knees felt weak, ankles struggling to hold your weight and allow you to stand, and your calve still screaming and lacerating. You swear you could feel the metal claw digging and piercing your skin, as it felt like taking a beating with each step. You were weak, and you knew that. Despite how you were constantly annoying Mizu to rest, you, yourself couldn’t bring yourself to allow yourself to rest. How ironic.. Rest? No, thank you.

You’re going to find Mizu. As you stumbled upon her twice just last month in the span of three days.

One way or another, you’ll find this woman.

You sound fucking psychotic.

..

Nine days.

Maybe you were bordering insanity, though you argue it’s just a declining mental state. Severely fatigued and greatly weakened, refusing to catch rest. Mizu’s words really latched onto you like a disease, plaguing your thoughts with the bacterium known as her hurtful words. They rang in your head over and over..

“no place...”

SLICE!

A clean cut through the air. Your katana hummed with the wind under the night as Ringo slept peacefully, unaware of your inner turmoil.

“Have you seen Chiaki’s daughter? That’s her!”

Chiaki? You haven’t thought of him in weeks. Your head starts aching at the thought. The words of the children suddenly flash through your head. Isolated by the children— no, entire village of Kohama due to your father’s status as a psychotic killer. Sickening.

How it felt to see Mizu fume with irritation and slight anger when the children threw pebbles at you. Her sheer concern when your blood trickled from your forehead.

Her hand on your shoulder as if to relieve your anxiety, staring down at the cliff you fought your own father.

As if trying to tell you,

It’s okay.

He’s gone, now.

WHOOSH!

Another deafening slice in the air.

Mizu.. why do you haunt me?

For you to be judged for your father’s existence as a child. Could you blame them? The daughter of a borderline murderer lurking through the streets.. how could you not be afraid of her? You were feared, village dwellers and locals believing you to soon walk the path of blood your father did.

You didn’t, right?

You killed for good.

You weren’t the demon they made you out to be.

“soul reaping demon.”

SWOOSH!

Another cut in the air almost strong enough to cut the oxygen atoms themselves.

“Not only am I a half breed monster—“ “Stop there. We went over this, you are not a monster.”

Your words to Mizu.

CUT!

Yet another slice, your grip faltering on the hilt.

“Don’t tell me this is all you’ve got.” Mizu’s chuckle rang through your head. That stupid chuckle you adored. With a sharp intake of breath, your blade dropped to the ground.

BAM!

A blow connecting your tightly balled fist to a tree conveniently nearby. The impact hurt like hell, though like nothing you’ve gone through, before. You’ve experienced worse, that’s a fact. This pain was annoying, though still hurting as it coursed up and throughout your arm.

“for friendship,”

No. Enough!

Mizu’s hand soothing your shook hand, drawing circles onto your knuckles as you leaned on her shoulder, your fatigue slowly taking control.

CRASH!

Another painful punch to the tree as if it had offended you as much as her words. You groaned at the sensation, your knuckles feeling as if they were being penetrated deeply as it traveled up your entire arm. You winced, with a deep breath.

“for love.”

I said, enough!

You flinched at her voice as it crept louder and louder, as if she were with you, repeating her words to you over and over again.

Her lips on yours, perfectly matching together as if the two of you were made to kiss. Pure bliss you felt in that moment.

“no place in it for love..”

Get the fuck out of my head, dammit!

Another punch, harder than the rest as the tree bark broke skin, knuckles bleeding.

Followed by another punch with your left fist, this time the pain significantly worse due to the fact those joints were healing. You nearly scream at the feeling, jolting with pain.

..

Eleven days. Mizu had arrived.

“I’m on the path for revenge. There’s no place in it for love, friendship, or weakness.”

Oh, that’s why..

Mizu sat on a hill, overlooking Fowler’s castle. Tanabe island. Breathing slowly as her gaze landed on the trees surrounding her.They swayed as if they were laughing with each other, listening to her stupid thoughts. She pressed her lips into a firm line, shutting her eyes as she stood, contemplating, waves crashing in the distance.

No place for love..

or friendship.

The words had slipped out from her throat and out of her mouth without a second thought. Love was one thing, but friendship? The sole thing the two of you were?

Just friends, right?

Her lips pressing against yours in a heated moment, pouring all of her heavy emotions into the kiss. She held you tightly, to anchor herself and out of fear you’d slip away any second. How she melted into your touch, whether it be your embrace of when you pulled her closer, deepening the kiss..

Why had she kissed you? A fleeting, heat in the moment thing, right? It meant nothing, but why did her stomach twist into knots similar to when she was with Mikio? Why was her heart practically threatening to jump from her ribcage with each touch, each word from you?

Her eyebrows furrowed at the recollection. She cannot bear wasting time thinking about you. Thinking about how stupid this situation is.

“My enemy is near. Give me the strength. Guide my hand to kill him and return alive to kill those who remain. May all evil omens, the dire cry of birds, a malign conjunction of stars, all evil dreams and angry words—“

“Master?

“A samurai is honorable.”

“You are no samurai.”

Mizu inhaled slowly at Ringo’s words replaying in her head.

“Mizu, breathe.”

Oh.

You jumped at the sight, backing away as you were left no choice but to fight off the men hoping she’d rise.

“Mizu!” You screamed. Was this your fault? Your breath hitched violently as you watched her struggle underneath their weight, hands shaking slightly. The woman is slim, and weighs no more than 130 pounds so you knew that’s crushing her. As Taigen called her, she’s malnourished and you never denied it beside the “urchin” part. Though, she’s been eating well after you joined her, so that’s good, really good.

You swallowed deeply as you turn away from your friend to face the army. You gripped your katana tightly and ran off into the cluster of the awaiting soldiers, ignoring the way you were so obviously and clearly outnumbered. Running straight into an army of probably over fifty men, you swallowed deeply as you hear Mizu’s grunting, the weight pressing down on her. You hated to hear her struggle, especially alone. But you needed to take care of the rest of the claws before they came and tried laying a hand on her. Knowing you were overpowered, your goal wasn’t to massacre, but to distract them from your friend. Being met with the claw of one man, another shooting up towards your neck, you dodged both attacks, ducking down. Your katana raised up with one hand as it met one man’s arm, pushing deeply as you grunted, feeling your blade cut through the bone as it cracked. You grunted as you continued, the man yelling loudly before you severed his forearm, the stump bleeding as the arm fell onto the ground. You swayed up and shifted, swinging your blade straight into his neck as you severed it, the blood streaming out as he fell.

…

The Maiko wiped blood from her lip as she stared at the corpse of the samurai lying before her in a pool of crimson. She sneered, before yet another sudden gunshot rang out. The sound was deafening and striking. Her eyes widened. The only gun left besides the one she had destroyed was—

Her head snapped up as she eyed the man holding a pistol to her mother’s head. She was hit by a wave of wetness and heat, not from arousal. She froze until remembering to breathe, lifting a hand to her shoulder. The bullet he had shot pierced right into her shoulder, barely missing a major artery. The Maiko glanced down her shoulder as she removed her hand, eyeing the torn fabric of her nagagi. Bloodied hands. This time, her own. Her adrenaline began pumping to levels incomprehensible as her heartbeat picked up greatly with the invading metal bullet. It didn’t hurt. It just felt like one of the pebbles kids used to throw at her and her friend. But she was ineed shook. The Maiko heard the pistol loaded again. Her eyes shot up as the pistol was pointed at her again, a bullet moving faster than light itself as she barely got away. Out of breath, she gulped down her shock as she ran towards the men once again.

…

Thrusting your blade into the man’s chest, you stumbled back into the army as his arm shot to strike you. You eject your katana and fall back into the crowd, before twisting your body as your sword sliced through numerous calves as you hit the concrete floor. Hearing the blood squirt out, you dug your blade into the stone, attempting to lift yourself up, before

BAM!

A foot connected with your back, throwing you back down onto the frosted concrete.

A woman dropped a small pouch into the Maiko’s waiting hands, “Here.”

The Maiko unraveled the pouch, revealing a golden hairpin, cold to the touch. She smiled warmly at the gift,

“Aw.. Ane..”

“From Kyoto.. The pins do nothing to help with your hair, so..I thought to fetch you another to help.” The woman smiled.

The Maiko fought back tears at the thoughtfulness of the geisha standing in front of her.

Your hair fell from the ponytail, your hairpin clinking as it hit the floor. Your hair fell loose, framing your face as your vision was momentarily blocked by the strands. You cursed, flipping it over and away from your face as you pant heavily.

“Any form of attack to your enemy works. Your goal is to take them down, not win in a stupid swordfight.”

Mizu gasped as a claw came extremely close to her face, adrenaline pumping as she struggled to move her head out of the way. The door was crushing her on top of the men’s weights all stacked on top, trying to kill her with the wood. She was weakly, so weakly pushing herself out from under. Mizu’s fingers were shaking as they felt as if they were to break any second under the immense pressure. Her ribs ached as with each flare to breathe, extreme pressure was applied and pressed down as her lungs felt compromised. Breathing was a luxury, in her position. Gasping for air with each grueling groan, Mizu felt herself growing dizzier and dizzier as her body was beginning to weaken. The alcohol in her system was not helping, attempting to weaken her and forcing her to relive past memories she had pushed away. Another gasp of air,

The woman dressed in a white kimono and sloppy makeup walked from outside her house, hopping onto the grass as she watched men approach her on horses. Bounties. Her eyes narrowed at the sight at the realization her location had been given. Her hand slid behind her, gripping the kitchen knife conveniently placed in her obi.

“Those eyes.. That’s her.” A man calls out as he and the others hopped down from their horses.

“Which white devil do you work for?” She grumbled.

“The only white devil I see is you.” The man responded, approaching her. She flinched at his words, brows furrowing. White devil..her. That’s what she is. Mizu felt a surge of rage fill her bones. She is a white devil. A half breed demon.

“Let’s kill her quick!” Another man exclaimed.

“Who told you I was here? Was it her?” Mizu rasped, implying if her own mother had sold her. She was smoking opium again, and the likelihood was great. Her heart twisted as she thought of the possibility her own mother had sent bounties to kill her. Not only rage filled her, but a hint of sadness, as well.

No one could love a creature like her.

Not even her own mother.

“The bounty is a sum few could resist.” The man spoke up as they continued approaching her, backing her into the rock behind her. As she zeroed in on the men, eyes narrowing as she calculated her next move, footsteps and a horse neighing rang out in the distance. Her eyes widened, turning to face the commotion as she gasped, smiling as her husband approached on a horse on a hill.

“Mikio..” Mizu smiled as she looked at the man, ignoring the bounties as they slowly approached her from behind. Forgetting about the bounties, about her mother selling her, everything. Nothing mattered more than to see her husband come back for her. Her earlier rage was slowly outweighed by joy and courage as she smiled like a fool at Mikio, waiting for him to help her in battle. He stared back at her for a moment, hesitant, before pulling on the bit of the horse, running in the opposite direction.

Mizu felt her heart drop to her abdomen as she watched him disappear into the forest. As if her heart were mutilated and torn right out of her chest, it ached. Her courage for him? Shattered. Trust? Gone. She was confused. Why had her husband run from her when she needed him the most?

Truly a monster she was incapable of loving as even her husband whom she loved so, so deeply could not be there when she needed him.

Mizu stood there for a moment as her heart ached in her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks as her patchy foundation was washed off, eyeliner dripping, as well.

Her original rage came back and burned stronger, more intense as she gritted her teeth. Her breathing became ragged as her tears fell, before turning and slicing their leader’s neck clean. Grabbing her husband’s naginata without a care it was his, she spun it to find her grasp before holding it in front of her, staring at the bounties.

Hellfire now bloomed in her dead eyes.

Extending one leg, you swayed and lifted yourself up, your foot aggressively hitting the man’s neck, knocking him straight onto the ground, unconscious. The wood was rasping loudly alongside her pained groans and breaths. Retrieving your blade, you backed away to catch your breath. Your eyes glanced at your friend, watching as a severed leg flew in the air and the wood came off her. You were relieved, having great amounts of hope for her. Though you still had to distract these idiots. A man lunged forward as you ducked, barely in time as the metal of his weapon brushed against your neck, a long slice down vertically as you felt your blood trickle down. If that wasn’t one of your best dodges, what was? A second too late, the blade would’ve actually gone deeper in rather than just leaving a cut. Your grasp on your katana was tight—

“Relax your fingers. You’re only straining your bones if you hold it so tightly.”

Your fingers were aching slightly before you loosened your grip comfortably, continuing to back away from the men. Without the bandage, you were more prone to anything and everything. It allowed you to move more freely, though the freedom was aching.

“You’re outnumbered. Fighting is useless, girl.” A man chuckled. Swinging your blade, you held it over your shoulders with each step you took back. The amount of men significantly lowered down to about thirty, biting your lip hard as another grunt from Mizu’s lips echoed into your ears. The sound of her struggling twisted your stomach in ways you couldn’t explain. All you can do in the moment is fight off as many soldiers as possible to deter their attention from her. You tore your gaze from the woman before you lunge forward with a growl, being met with the sound of metal clashing and clinging, piercing through your ears with every sound your weapons make. As with every deafening clink of steel your warm blood streamed down with every miscalculated block resulting in a slice or stab.

The Maiko moved with precision, cutting past the men approaching the women. Blood, sweat, and tears streamed down her face as she ran, holding the women’s arms tightly as she navigated through the brothel with her ragged breaths

“Where.. where’s the rest of them..?” She panted as she ran through the corridors and dragged the woman with her.

“The front. They’re waiting for you.” She mumbled.

Waiting.

She swallowed, releasing the lady’s arm, “Exit through the back, the door I always go out of and don’t you ever dare turn around nor lay a glance at this building.”

“Shōjo—“

“Ane. Go.” The Maiko sniffled, wiping the tears off the woman’s cheeks, before a loud crash rung in the air. She pushed the woman away with pained eyes before running off.

Glancing over, Mizu fought whilst unfastening her weights, severing the necks of the men surrounding her as her weights clicked into her sword. So, her sword doubles as a naginata.. You blink as she rose up to her feet with her now, naginata held in her hand. Her loud yelling filled the air as you watched her move fluidly in the air, whilst managing to keep up and block each incoming attack for you as you admired the warrior. Gods had truly blessed you with this woman.

Pouncing forward, you pressed your blade deep into the man’s neck, deep enough your blade meets bone. You grunt as you push past, cracking the bones and beheading the man as his blood spurted out and onto your hakama.

“You dare a hand on any of these women any longer and my blade will cut each bone in your body until you become limp.”

The blood met your lips sickeningly. You wiped it off, removing the blade and spitting on the tip as you thrusted it into man’s chest. You exhaled sharply, before being knocked into the concrete once more, your blade slipping out of your hands as your chest hit the floor, causing you to cough out your blood. Your vision grew blurry and dazed as your limbs screamed in protest against you. Arms gnawing at you and legs beat up and bruised, you felt weak. At that moment your ribcage felt a tremendous amount of pain to them, as when you fell from the second story of Hamata’s gambling house. Your breath hitched violently, as if trying to inhale as much oxygen as possible, at the recollection of Hamata’s house.

Minamoto.

Your old brothel.

Your eyes fluttered as your eyelids held an insane amount of pressure, almost trying to force your eyes shut as your body practically begged for rest. Surroundings blurring as you grew weak, barely making out even just a singular snowflake. Your chest was torturing you with each breath you take, feeling your blood drip down your flesh and onto the concrete, further staining your hakama. Slowed breathing and blood forcing itself out from your throat. Everything burned. Your entire existence punishment for surviving your past.

Remember who you did all this for, [Name].

Mizu continued to groan loudly as she brutally stabbed and sliced through the soldiers coming for her. Her breathing ragged as blood was spilling everywhere, her naginata pistoning in and out of flesh. Pure rage blossomed in the woman’s eyes, darkening with anger with each body dropping dead. Wielding her naginata skillfully, moving sloppily with the pure need to kill, whilst also moving with precision and elegance with each imperfection. Mizu didn’t care about perfecting her form, she only cared for blood. Severing these hooligan’s throats as the life is stolen from them in an instant.

As she moved when slaughtering the bounties after her.

..

The rage consumed woman swayed the naginata wildly in the air as the metals clashed together with each block from the bounties. Her white kimono now stained and soaking with blood as she stabbed into the bounties. Makeup now sweat off as her tears washed the foundation away, red eyeliner dripping down her face along with blood. Slicing through each and every one of them, before being left with one as she mercilessly stabbed the man’s chest.

…

Moving forward to your blade just inches away from you, the sharp and drilling sensation of your calve being torn open by a claw caused a loud scream to erupt from your throat as you fought a tear, slithering towards your blade as the metal left your calve. Act. Fast.

“Ane [Name], I want to become like you.”

Your breathing became labored once more as you gasped for air, your airways feeling extremely blocked from all the saliva you swallow as your anxiety. Your body was absolutely searing. Barely able to lift yourself up onto your knees as your calf bled, feeling the inside of it mutilated, you breathed deeply with yet another painful punch to your ribs.

“Like me?” The Maiko scoffed as she removed her fingers from the koto strings.

Hearing the footsteps approach at an insane speed, you clutched the handle of your blade tightly, ignoring Mizu’s teachings for now.

“Beautiful, talented, and you protect us, here.. So, will you teach me?” The younger girl muttered.

“I’ll teach you.”

You lifted your blade pointing the tip to yourself, before tossing it into the man behind you with ease as you remained kneeled down. The sound of flesh tearing and your katana piercing the skin, you sighed in relief and closed your eyes.

WHOOSH!

Shooting your eyes open as your breathing steadied, only to be met with long locks of your hair on the ground. Your hair doesn’t reach the ground when you sit.. You flinched at the sight, your weak fingers immediately going up and brushing your neck, feeling the pointy ends of your hair prickling your knuckles. Gasping, you rose fully, fingers stroking your now shortened hair. Once a “far reaching mane”, now severed, barely grazing your shoulders. Ignoring your surroundings, your vision felt hazy as you blinked down at the cut hair. Your brows furrowed, before breathing in deeply and turning, pulling your katana out of from the man’s chest.

Your katana disgustingly warm as blood streamed down it, staining not only the steel, but the handle as well. The red snake was barely visible as the liquid streamed down.. And of course, every inch of your fucking body. Yet again you stood covered in your enemies blood, when do you not?

The images of the fire raging intensely as all you could do was watch while tears fell like a river down your cheeks

was all you saw staring at the bloodied corpses around you and the brothel to your side.

Always swimming in a pool of blood and guilt..

Though you felt as if you weren’t drowning, anymore.

You felt as if you’d finally stopped drowning.

You looked down at the severed hair with indifference. Hearing footsteps approach, you turn, facing an exhausted Mizu with an unreadable face. Looking at her with a pained expression, she grunted, walking past you and into Hamata’s house.

…

Following Mizu as she walked into an alley, throwing her katana onto the ground as she nearly toppled over, your hand wrapped around her waist as the other grasped her arm as you held her, slowly lowering her onto the ground as her head laid against the pavement. You two rested against the porch of a random building sitting impossibly close whilst the air filled with the heavy scent of blood and the sound of the faint breathing of the both of you coming from lungs about to fail in its function. Your thumb, while trembling, traced circles onto the cold skin of her wrist as you noticed her ragged breathing,

Please

rest.

“Mizu, breathe.” You plead to her, wiping the splattered blood off her face as she opened her eyes to glance at you, before closing them again. Gods, this woman is beautiful.

Hearing a bell ringing, knowing exactly who it was, you propped yourself up, as Ringo appeared in front of you both.

“Oh, [Name]. Haircut..?” He asked, before averting his gaze to Mizu, “Master.. Master!” Ringo called out, Mizu’s eyes fluttering open, “You beat them. Both of you! All of them. An entire army!” Her irritation was evident as she lifted her head, grinding her teeth together. Your fingers wrapped around the rest of her wrist, before her palm opened and let you slide your fingers between hers. She glanced at you with a puzzled look, swallowing as her apprentice continued.

“Akemi and I helped. She killed one man, I killed.. one..” His face darkened with a pained expression as he held up the knife, “Something came over me from inside.. it felt dark.”

“You want to be like me? Don’t hide from the dark.” She murmured with a rasp voice whilst you continued drawing circles onto her wrist, squeezing her hand slightly.

“Ane [Name].. Will I ever become like you?”

She returned the squeeze, before lifting herself up with her naginata and pulling you up with her.

“More of Hamata’s men..?” You asked in a short breath as the horses galloped past the three of you. You all walked towards the horses which stopped at Princess Akemi, your fingers still interlocked with Mizu’s.

“Thats her, Princess Akemi, we found her.” A guard states, “By order of Lord Daichi Tokonobu, his daughter must return with us.” The other guard declared, as the two stepped off their horses, preparing to grab the princess. Oh. So she had escaped from her castle to set out for Taigen..and Mizu.

Making it difficult for the guards, she held her knife up and cut the guard’s knuckle, backing into the three of you.

“I’m not going anywhere. Right, Mizu?” She asked.

“Do we have a problem here?” A guard demanded.

“Get him.” Akemi barked.

Your irritation flared at her words,

“You treat him as if he’s some sort of dog.” You scrunched your nose at the princess, who turned to face the both of you as Mizu sits down.

“Take her.” She muttered. The guards did, grabbing her as she began to struggle once more.

“Get off of me! Mizu! Get off of me!” She yelled, before the guards lifted themselves onto the horses and rode away, Akemi’s shouting echoing through the town.

“Let me go! Let me go!! Mizu!” She screamed out.

“Mizu!” Her last scream echoed thoroughly throughout the town, the sound ringing in your ears and sending a shiver down your spine.

“Master? You just stood there.” Ringo wrinkled his nose at her.

“She’s better off.” Mizu stands as she murmured, dragging you up with her as she walks away. Slinging your arm under hers, you assisted her walk. The bell rings as he approaches oncemore,

“You are no samurai. A samurai is honorable.” Ringo barks as Mizu turned sharply, removing herself off you as she released your hand,

“I never said I’m a samurai. You did. I’m on the path of revenge.

There’s no place in it for love,

or friendship,

or weakness.” She glared at the man.

And with that, one final blow and you’re out. Every blade which sliced you and claw digging into your skin, each fall you took, yet this stung more than any physical injury. Your breath hitched as your lips parted, staring at the woman in shock. Heart dropping into your abdomen as if your own tanto had been dug into the cardiovascular organ and crushed it like your hope for her. Your eyes pierced through her blues, the same ones you fell in love with, eyeing your reflection. Bloodsoaked. Disheveled. You clenched your fists tightly at her words, feeling your head spin faster and faster with each second.

“Now, I have a man to kill.” She said sharply, before the apprentice ripped the bell off his ankle and shoved it into her hand. She gripped it tightly, before turning to start walking away.

“There’s no place in it for love”

Your mind repeated and chanted like a sutra.

“No place.”

With your head spinning, you bit your lip, refusing to show the said weakness she mentioned. “No place”, though as if the two of your lips weren’t perfect puzzle pieces fitting exactly in one another.

“For love.”

You felt wretched by her words. What steel could never touch in you, her words managed to slip right in and destroy

all hope you held

hoping she’d feel the same knots in her stomach

hoping she’d recognize you are more than a parasite leeching onto her

hoping she’d requite your feelings

of love.

For her.

Your vision began to swim, knees giving out as you dropped onto the ground, the concrete scraping your knees through the fabric of your extremely stained hakama.

The woman turned back slightly, watching as Ringo took your unconscious form into his arms and walking away, giving her one last glare before disappearing into the town.

Her thoughts spun in her head as she turned back around, with one clear thought rushing through her mind:

“If I die today, I die free.” The princess hissed, pointing her knife forward, in front of her. Hearing her words hit you more than any punch ever would. Thinking of the past that weighs you down,

the faces of the courtesans as their lives are taken from them,

their horrifying screams echoing throughout your head like a never ending canal,

the sight of the fire burning reigniting the deep fire in your heart,

If you die today, you die free.

Free from that burden, the guilt of being unable to protect the women, knowing they’d appreciate your unorthodox services.

Doing what you’ve always done, protecting the women you cared for.

Biting your bottom lip, you inhaled deeply as you dropped your tanto onto the ground before turning to Ringo, with tears threatening to fall,

“Ringo, stay down here.”

“But, [Name]—“

“Stay.” You interjected with a growl. You swiftly took your blade from your saya, unsheathing it as you turned, nodding at the two of them. Before running up the wooden stairs, up to the awaiting army, you slipped Mizu’s cloak off and handed it to Ringo, before running upstairs to face possible death.

Your breath was heavy as you roughly wiped your tears out of your eyes, your hair swaying as it was held in a ponytail. Walking through the dark rooms of the brothel as you heard the struggling grunts and whimpers of pain in the distance, you sweeped through the area, running across each room as you searched for any enemy. Stumbling across the hallway with peepholes into every room, you discovered a ton of corpses. Fresh. Mizu was near, definitely. Your eyes followed the trail of dead men and blood, before locating a man strangling the woman herself. A surge of rage and protectiveness overcame you as your breathing stuttered at the sight. She was choking. Loudly. You quickly rushed over, though not before

WHOOSH!

A claw came maddeningly close to your face, bobbing your head back just on time as you raised your blade.

“Let me teach you to burn without turning to ash.”

Raising your katana with both hands, gripping, you swayed your elbows, slicing the man’s arm clean off. He erupted into a horrid scream as the severed arm fell to the floor with a thud, his disconnected arm bleeding before you shifted your grasp, pointing and thrusting it straight into his neck, causing him to fall forward as you ejected your blade. Running towards the man strangling Mizu, your eyes darkening as you watched the life momentarily slip from her eyes. Shit! You lifted your blade, aiming and tossing it into the side of his neck as he nearly falls forward onto your friend before your foot catches his chest and kicks him off, pulling your blade out as it hit the floor. Two men down, and the gods above know how many more out of a thousand remain. You dropped to your knees, fingers lifting to her neck as you felt for her pulse.

Still there.

Beating slowly,

faintly,

barely even there.

“Hahaoya.. Hahaoya!” The Maiko screamed in misery as her mother’s body fell cold and limp, pale face with a slowed heartbeat and eyes shut closed.

You gasped as you felt her heartbeat slow significantly, eyes darting to her chest and watching, waiting, begging for it to rise. You tilted her head back as you shook her shoulders, hearing the incoming footsteps approaching you both.

Barely a breath.

You watched as her eyes weakly fluttered open,

“Go.. fast..” Mizu panted out, before her eyelids gave into immense weight and shutting. You curse as you place your hand down on her chest and pushing down firmly, delivering chest compressions to her.

…

“Why don’t you just go? Away from me?” A young Mizu quavered in the rain.

“Do you want me gone that badly?”

“Why aren’t you repulsed by me!?” She shouts.

..

“Too fast! You’re going too fast!” Mizu shouted as her nagagi flowed in the air as she rode her horse, following Mikio. She laughed as she rode behind him, following close behind.

They came to a stop at a huge, beautiful peach tree. The sight made Mizu gasp, fascinated by such. She got down from Kai as she stared up at the tree.

“I’ll get you a ripe one.” Mikio smiled softly, withdrawing a tanto from his cloak and tossing upwards, slicing a peach from its stem as it fell into his hand.

“Huh.. Impressive.” Mizu smiled at the sight. Truly a skill it was to wield a tanto so skillfully.

It reminded her of you.

Two years after your disappearance, and she still wondered where you were, carrying a grief with her everywhere she went.

She pressed her lips into a thin line as she began losing herself in her thoughts.

..

“You wield.. a tanto?” She looked up at you bewildered.

“I do.. unfortunately my father never let me touch, let alone near a single blade.”

“How is your tanto any different?” Mizu asks softly, eyeing the blade in your hand.

“My mother gave this to me. She told me just in case my father’s dumb tactics land me in a bad situation, I can defend myself without a longer blade.” You chuckled at her,

“You try.”

Mizu shook her head. She has no need, as she wields a katana.

“Come on, I’ll show you.” Mikio insisted, “Hold your hand back.. aim for that one right there.” He took her hand into his, directing the tanto upwards.

Remembering your soft touch on her hands whenever you’d stitch her wounds up, squeezing your hand as you worked on her bleeding wounds.

She threw the tanto upwards, only for it not to go far and fall onto the grass. She sighed,

as you chuckled when her attempt at throwing your tanto fails.

“Oh, don’t laugh!” Mizu boasted, face reddening with embarrassment.

“I’ll show you.” You picked up your tanto as you made your way to her. Putting it in her hand and closing her fingers around it, your touch reverent as you fixed her grasp,

“Don’t flick your wrist.. or force the rotation. It comes naturally to the knife as it’s thrown.” You explain, “Now, throw.” She swallowed at your directions, tossing the knife in the air as it hit the tree trunks. Her eyes widened after it hit the target, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. Her lips curved upwards slightly, as you blinked with proudness.

…

“Come on..!” You murmured as the heavy footsteps approached, continuing to press down on her chest to keep her blood pumping. Your anxiety was at an all time high, sweat dripping from your forehead while your own heart pounded and raced inside your ribs with every push down. Feeling her chest rise ever so slowly, you exhaled deeply in relief before a man chuckled behind you, followed by the sound of knuckles cracking. You gasped, quickly pushing off your friend as you backed away from the men, forgetting your blade.

…

“Slow down!” Mikio called out from behind Mizu.

“Keep up!” She shouted as Kai galloped towards the tree.

They arrived to the peach tree, now orange with leaves falling, the wind picking the amber leaves up. The wind caressed Mizu’s neck, as she looked at her husband.

“The lord is going to be so pleased with this team.”

“With Kai, your wish may come true.” She smiled, leaning into the man.

“No, Kai is too good for any lord. Kai is.. yours.” He muttered softly, watching the leaves fall from the tree. Teary eyed, she lifted a hand to his, cupping Mikio’s cheek as she turned his head, leaning into to kiss the man. Chapped lips against her wet ones as their lips danced together,

as Mizu always silently yearned with you.

Was it wrong, she still thought of, no, yearned for you? She gasped for air before he gripped her waist, pressing her against the tree. He kissed her jaw and down her neck as she held his head close to her, lost in the feeling of his lips on her skin. She loves Mikio, yes, but why couldn’t she stop thinking of you? Was it grief? It has to be.

..

The two laid bare as Mikio hovered over Mizu, kissing the woman deeply as she arched into him before he kissed his way down her chest. With one nip at her chest he made his way into warm heat, eliciting a loud moan from Mizu’s throat as he thrusted up, inside her.

..

The Maiko pointed her blade forward as she backed away, watching the men’s movements like a hawk. The gunned man lifted a finger to the trigger once more as a bullet shot out, the Maiko ducking down and back up as she gasped. She raised her blade only to be met with a grueling punch to the side of her jaw as she stumbled back from the impact. She coughed out, glaring up at the man as the pistol was pointed right at her again. The Maiko groaned, irritated by the existence of his pistol. She lunged forward and lifted her blade, aiming to knock the pistol out of his hand. He quickly shifted his grasp and stuck her with the pistol in her neck, eliciting a loud groan from the young woman. It was torture to experience such gnawing pain in such a sensitive spot of her neck.

A spot Mizu got extremely close to leaving her mark on.

…

Your back met the divider, cursing yourself as you backed yourself into a corner. The two men approached you with smiles evident in their eyes. Your breathing was shallow as you stared at the man in front of you as he raised his claw at you, before

BAM!

Your side was met with the man’s heavy foot, causing you to stumble to your side as you let out a grunt.

Oncemore, your side was attacked and the pain was sharp as it pinched your side tightly in a cruel matter.

Similar pain to the burn.

“Shōjo!”

…

Nights spent bare because of the sheer pain and stinging from the kimono sticking to her wound, clutching her blade tightly.

This is what she is, now. None more but to be defined by a snake.

..

The Maiko yelled loudly as she dug her blade into the man’s chest, before ejecting it and slamming his head down onto the wooden stairs as she pushed his body down aggressively. Her neck snapped to the side, giving the second man with a katana a disgusting glare as she spat onto the corpse. She stepped past the pistol now broken to pieces and striding towards the man. One deep breath and she runs towards him, lunging forward as their blades collided and crashed together once again. She pushed on hers as she stared at the man clearly struggling to hold his own. He swallowed before pushing on his, causing the Maiko to stumble back before he struck and sliced her side. She gasped at the torn skin, feeling her blood begin rushing down her hip. Clean and deep.

…

You bit through the pain, lifting your fists, ready to attack before suddenly a blade penetrated the man’s chest, spurting blood onto your face. Disgusting, but you could seriously care less in this moment. The familiar blue tip assured you as you backed into the divider once more, pressing your weight onto it away from the man approaching you, before

SLICE!

His face was suddenly sliced in half, the mush of his brain enough of an attempt to make your body regurgitate your stomach acids. You’ve seen gruesome, but gods, brain mush? You tore your own father’s chest apart, that was the most gruesome you’ve executed.

Your screams replaying over and over again.

You swallowed the acids coming up your throat as you breathed deeply as the man collapsed in front of you, Mizu’s figure appearing behind as she extended her hand to you.

“Mizu—“

“No time, [Name].” She interrupted, grabbing your arm before sliding down to your palm as she pulled you as she ran, kicking your blade high up enough for you to grasp. She led you running through the corridors of the brothel, taking corners here, hopping down stairs, there.

Exactly how you did, running through the brothel and searching for any woman left behind.

“[Name]. When I strike, run to the others.” She glared at you, never releasing your hand from hers as her fingers only tighten around yours. Her eyes lingered on your face, before wiping the blood off your lip,

“Strike who?” You spat, searching the room for anyone, ignoring your internal screams from her touch. Her thumb lingered on your bottom lip as both of your faces were slowly warming up. You raise your eyebrow as your lips part to speak, watching as she tore her gaze and thumb, licking her own.

Damn. You don’t remember her being this attractive.

Fuck’s sake, [Name], focus!

She walked towards a vase on the ground and kicked it into the doorframe as it shattered loudly. “Akemi and Ringo are protecting the others. I’m here to help you.” You whispered.

“[Name]. Leave me be. I don’t need you hurting yourself anymore.” Mizu hissed.

“I fight with you now, remember? They have two people to kill now.” You recited. She blinked at your words. Were you really willing to risk death to fight alongside her once again? Her brows furrowed as she recollected the last time you fought beside her. Eyes trailing down your hands, finding the bruised joints as you lacked the bandaging around them.

Watching you from below as you dangle off the cliff above her as the wind caused your hair to rock back and forth. Still remembering that terrified look in your eyes as you stared down at the height. Any minute you’d plummet to your death.

She was still impressed by the fact you could hold your weight with one arm even with crushed fingers.

Your fingers cracking loudly—

CRACK!

Kinuyo’s neck snapping in Mizu’s hands.

Her breath hitches violently, before blinking back to reality. Mizu pressed her lips into a firm line as she tore her gaze from you, shifting her focus to listening for the incoming soldiers.

A shoji wall crashed nearby and you raised your eyebrow at the sound as you yelped, gripping your blade at the sight of six soldiers appearing. She growled, releasing your fingers, unsheathing her blade loudly as you stood behind her. The wall crashed again, more members appearing out of seemingly nowhere as her blade remained circling the both of you. You two backed away from the men as you lifted your blade to defend the both of you as the soldiers zeroed in on the two of you. Each man who tried, or even looked in your direction, her blade pointed at them.

This is a horrible time to say, but if that doesn’t turn you on, what does?

The men cornered you both, before Mizu stepped forward, glaring at you from over her shoulder as a signal to go back to the others. You simply shook your head, following close beside her as you both backed into the main room. The entrance. Light was pouring in from outside, bright light. Used to the dim light, your eyes were struck again by the brightness. Your eyes fluttered as you spotted figures— too many, and likely more soldiers waiting just conveniently in front of the brothel.

“They never stop fucking coming, do they!?” You growl, raising your blade at the sight. Turning away from the opened door you watched as Mizu makes enough space between her and the group of soldiers, before she pulled your arm and pushed you away, jumping up as she sliced the wooden beam above. You flinch at the sight as the beam came crashing down loudly and particles of dust fall. She had created an obstacle for the group. You cough from the dust flying in the air, fanning it away from you with your hand. You both ran outside onto the porch, the light immediately straining your eyes as she lifted the door, beginning to pull it up. You quickly sheathed your blade before you joined her. Not long before the group barraged the door, their weight colliding with it as the wood threatened to fall on you two. You both pressed your weights to the wood, though the concrete slippery from ice caused you both to slip, not helping with the weight of the group was pushing you both back greatly.

She groaned as the weight pushes against her, turning her head just to see more claws conveniently waiting. You cursed, one hand slipping down and gripping the hilt of your blade tightly,

“Can you handle them?” You gestured at the men behind the door. She nodded, before narrowing her eyes at you, “What are you—“ She was quickly cut off by the men behind the door’s grunting, followed by her own yelp as the weight of the door fell on her.

…

The birds chirped outside as the two laid in their blankets, watching the sun rise. Their night of ambition had come to an end as they rested, now in the soft light of the early morning. Mizu exhaled deeply, shutting her eyes. She had just had sex with Mikio, her husband, the hours before. She’s to feel happy, yes? Why didn’t she, though? Of course, she was happy to have intertwined with her husband, but she felt eerily strange. Was the pleasure short lived? Why was she feeling so odd?

“Mizu! Come on!” You shouted as she flicked the water onto your face.

She nearly flinched at the memory, the sweet memory of you and her running through the shore like absolute fools. When were you two not acting like fools? You managed to get under her gruff exterior quickly, allowing for her to express her vulnerability and deep comfort with you. A great state of ataraxia she wished was not limited to being ephemeral. Finding curiosity lurking within the involvement of your pasts, the both of you did. Mizu had opened up to you about her past and reason for revenge as you opened up very vaguely of your home life.

You had made her feel alive when the world rejected her.

That alone outweighs any pleasure and satisfaction she will ever receive from her cunt being thrusted into.

Oh, how she so deeply misses you everyday.

“You wanted to be a man?” Mikio asked as he took a slice of peach.

“I had to live as one.” Mizu corrected.

“All so the men who were after you couldn’t find you?”

“And so I could have my revenge.” She rasped, “against the man who made me this way.. A monster.” She tensed.

“I don’t see you as a monster, Mizu.”

You cough out blood from the impact of the fall, your body gnawing at you in every direction. It was torturous. Your heart pounded in your chest. You saw Madame Kaji waiting outside.. for you? You weakly made your way to her as she gasped at your appearance. Bloodied and disheveled, when are you not? Blood painted your face as it dripped, watching as you sheathed the red blade. Red from the detailing, or the blood staining the metal?

“You..”

“I didn’t kill her. She got away.” You spat in disappointment, clutching onto your stomach it ached from the fall. Kaji’s breath hitched at your words, “Were you waiting for me?”

“No.. I’d think your husband has told you.”

“I haven’t spoken to him since last night.. Why?”

“Allow him to tell you.” She looked at you with a pained expression. You sighed as you made your way up the stairs and back into the brothel. You walked through the lobby and into the corridors, striding into the back room where the prostitutes got ready. It was empty, as half of them had left for their place, or rooms. You found a bucket of water, immediately falling to your knees as you dunked your head in. The water was ice cold, slowly reddening as the blood washed from your face. You lifted your head up to gasp for air, before you dipped your hands in and further stained the water. Your hair stuck to the sides of your face as the strands were wet. You smelt like blood.. you smelt it on yourself. How horrendous was it you could smell, even taste the liquid on yourself? You stared down at your reflection in the red water.

Truly a river of your enemies’ blood you drowned in, full of hate begging for air.

You swallowed, before rising to your feet and sliding the door open, into an empty onsen. The blood was no longer on you, but you still felt it. You needed it off. Stepping out of your sandals and tearing your stained socks from your feet, you desperately undid your obi and let your hakama fall open before ripping it off of you and jumping into the water along with your blade. The warm water kissed your shook skin as the goosebumps all over you slowly left as you dipped your head underwater. Hair sprawling out in the water as you laid there, allowing the heat of the water to dance around your body.

..

“You.. showed her the sign?” Madame Kaji asked shakily as Mizu approached her, nodding, “What did she sign back?”Mizu looked up at her, before back down,

“She understood.” She said lowly. Kaji whimpered at the confirmation, swallowing her weeps,

“At the furthest point, before rock becomes shore, is a well. A hundred paces north is a door covered by tide. It leads to a tunnel under the sea into the belly of Fowler's castle.” She stated, handing Mizu a map,

“Sleep the day. Then go and die. Your wife is inside, waiting for you. Explain to her what you have done as the woman is curious.”Kaji weeped quietly as the wind sung her a tune.

What she has done.

CRACK!

Mizu entered the brothel with quiet steps as she took her kasa off her head. Each step was weighing heavily on her. She had just killed such an innocent, young girl, and she couldn’t help but feel remorse. She felt sick. Killing many men yet the first woma— girl, it didn’t feel right. It wasn’t right..but it had granted her freedom. To set her free by killing her, was there really no other solution? It seems death was the only way to free the girl. She approached the corridors, standing in front of her room with trembling hands. The room was dimly lit as she sensed the presence of Ringo and Akemi, and likely you as well. Mizu shifted away and leaned against the wooden beam, panting loudly as the guilt drowned her in her wake.

Kinuyo is free now, though. Right? She balled her fists, clenching tightly as they continued to shake. A familiar sound of metal clicking caught her attention, bringing her back to reality and out of her misery. She looked up, meeting you as you sheathed your blade, approaching her. You stopped in your tracks as you noticed the woman, relieved she was okay. The water dripped from your hair as it remained damp, your hakama clinging to your wet skin. Kaji’s wording made it seem like she was sent off to battle without you.. little did you know. You quickly made your way over to her, noticing her shook hands and disturbed state.

“Mizu, where were you!?” You interrogate the woman. The question only made her breathing more unstable as she swallowed, squeezing her eyes shut.

CRACK!

The sound of Kinuyo’s neck snapping in her hands.

You saw her pained state, sighing as you took her hand into yours and squeezed it tightly.

“Mizu, breathe.” You murmur to her. What could’ve possibly happened..? Her miserable state only worried you, momentarily forgetting about your own thoughts. You hadn’t seen her like this ever, and it terrified you to witness for the first time. Her breathing slowly steadied as her eyes fluttered open as she squeezed your hand tightly as if her life depended on it. Her strength didn’t surprise you as she squeezed tightly, as if trying to crush your fingers. Your other hand found her cheek as you cupped it, tilting her face slightly down towards you. Her face was ice cold. Your fingers were cold as you had no bandage to use but the stained ones.

“Talk to me.” You requested as she swallowed,

“I killed someone.”

“As you always do.. What happened this time?”

“It was a girl. A young girl, a bit younger than us.” She explained as your lips pressed into a firm line.

“..Why?”

“Madame Kaji told me to. It was the only way to free her in exchange for information of my enemy.”

“To be set free, she was killed?” You repeated, only getting a tight squeeze from her hand in response. You nearly yelped, her strength evident. Your thumb brushed against her skin, drawing circles onto the flesh as you attempted to calm her.

“She’s free now, though.. it just feels so wrong..” Mizu whimpered. Your breath hitched at the likely— definitely immense guilt she was experiencing. You shifted, wrapping your arms around her waist as you pulled her into a tight embrace. Something you’ve never given nor received from her ever. Mizu practically melts into the touch like snow meeting your skin, holding you tightly as you felt every breath and hitch against your neck.. as she did with Kinuyo’s corpse. She held you tightly, your stomach aching from the pressure..but you didn’t care. This mattered more. You smelt very faintly of powder, Mizu inhaling your scent viciously. Your hakama was slightly damp along with your hair. You smelt fresh, with a tinge of blood. She wasn’t going to question it, not now. Her breathing was heavy and labored as you held her, a hand lifting up to the back of her head as you tried to soothe her of her heavy emotions,

“What matters is, she’s free now, okay? Even if she’s dead..” You whisper to her as you felt your hakama get wet. This wasn’t from your bath, these droplets were tears falling onto your clothes. You gulped, “she’s free.” Precious tears you’ve never seen once in your life. She was practically crumbling and falling apart in front of you.

“Free.. She’s free now..” Mizu repeated as you lifted her face up, thumb swiping over her cheeks as you wiped those tears away and off her face. She felt comfortable with you. Vulnerable. Her gruff exterior never faltered once until your rearrival. Why did you make her feel this way? What did you doubt she felt for you? Do you feel the same way as she does? Mizu could lower her guard in front of you, trust you, hell, even be naked in front and if not with you. She was extremely conflicted. Guilt and remorse with her unsaid, denied feelings for you were all too much for her to handle. Why are you so kind to her, despite her nature as a cold hearted woman for revenge? Were you blind? Naive? She doesn’t know.

Mizu blinked with a sharp though deep intake of breath as you spoke,

“That’s it, just brea—“

You were cut off by the feeling of her lips against yours, shutting you up as her wet though chapped lips made contact with yours. Your breath hitched and your face warmed. Why?! Was this really happening right now?! Like fire igniting throughout your bones, you felt a spark of heat within your body at the kiss.

As if your lips were the ocean meeting the shore, they danced together before her tongue flicked out and asked for permission into your mouth. You allowed her tongue to slip in as it expedited in your mouth, tanging with tongue. You whimpered softly at the feeling, your eyes fluttering open and sliding her glasses off her face. Her own eyes opened as you got what you wanted, to see her eyes as you kissed her. Or she kissed you. She tasted the blood in your mouth on her tastebuds. She wouldn’t dare ruin this moment to ask. Mutual, raw, and unknown passion spilling from your mouth into hers as your stomach fluttered, sending you into ataraxia. Mizu poured all her emotions into the fierce kiss, all her remorse, guilt, and hidden adoration for you. Craving your lips for the longest time she had finally been given the chance to taste and to feel them on hers. Your fingers moved from her cheek to the back of her neck, holding her closely as her hands grasped your damp hakama tightly. You both stayed there whilst your hearts swelled in was it, affection? and hunger denied far too long. You finally pulled away, watching a string of saliva connecting your mouths snap in the air as you two gasp for oxygen. The both of you were panting heavily from the intensity of the kiss, faces reddened and flushed as your lips swelled.

“Mizu—“ You panted out, breathlessly. She looked up at you with hungry, starving eyes, “What.. was that?” You cough out.

“A kiss, [Name]. I’d expect you to know.” Mizu rasped, gently taking her glasses from your grasp and sliding them back on.

“Why?” You ask, watching her take a deep breath and slide the door open. Why do you hide your eyes?

Why did you kiss me?

Why?

You sigh at her lack of response, following behind her before you slid the door shut.

Akemi and Ringo were somehow still awake in this time of night. They took in the sight of your flushed faces and disheveled appearances, even. Akemi raised an eyebrow at the sight, not doubting what she is assuming had happened.

Sex, likely.

Though why would you two have sex? It’s a brothel, yes, but to fuck when you “don’t know if he feels the same.”

Either that, or a goddamn murder as her gaze found your swords. She glanced at the saya in your obi.

Likely the latter. Either way, something physical had happened between the two of you. Now she really begged the question, what are you two?

You followed Mizu as she sat down against the wall. You eyed the sake in a kettle. Maybe you were to forget about tonight, about everything. Sulk in misery and sake. Drink your grief away. Your hands found the kettle, pouring a cup for yourself. A rather large shot. Your alcohol tolerance? It’s okay. Though you hadn’t had a drink in years, when the ladies at your brothel..

Fuck, you’re supposed to be forgetting! You grip the cup tightly before bringing it to your lips, downing the sake in one gulp. It was sweet, faintly tasting like melon. You swallowed the liquid, feeling as it rushed down your throat. Mizu raised an eyebrow, unaware you drunk. You didn’t. You had just been offered by the women at your brothel to drink once after your first murder.

Drink up.

…

“Here, to calm you down.” A woman chattered as she poured a cup of sake for the Maiko. She swallowed at the sight of the alcohol poured. The geisha lifted the cup, handing it to her.

“Is this really the only remedy?” The Maiko asked as she took the cup with shook hands from the murder. She had washed the blood off herself, though still shook from what she’s done. The face of the perverted man as he lied in his blood with her tanto thrown into his neck, how his blood streamed like a waterfall.

“Well..” The geisha trailed off. Useless to even speak. The Maiko sighed, before lifting the cup to her lips and drinking a small amount of the liquid. Sweet.

“Drink up. You’ll need at least three to fully forget what happened temporarily.” The woman spoke up as she watched her gulp down the alcohol.

…

Mizu brushed it off, grabbing a hold of the kettle and pouring into your cup, before taking it from your hands. She brought it to her lips, downing the liquid in one go, as well. As if she were salvaging the feel of your lips, she craved to feel them on hers, directly or indirectly. This, indirect as though directly pressing her lips onto where you drunk. You blinked, your face warming up again. Though it pained you to watch as she drunk, knowing she does not want any involvement in any sort of alcohol or opium. Upsetting it was to watch her drink away her guilt and remorse like you did.

“I should have just killed you.” Akemi blurted out at Mizu, “That was my mistake. I wanted to meet you first.. to see what power you have over Taigen to send him running from me.”

“You’re one to speak.. what power does Taigen’s have over you to send you running for him?” You retorted, glancing at Mizu as she downed another cup.

“Oh, shut up!” The princess snapped at you, shooting you a glare that spoke more than she ever would.

I know your secret.

I know what you hide underneath that facade.

Don’t you dare piss me off or I will expose you.

Then slowly averting her gaze to Mizu after noticing the stutter im your breath as your brows furrowed at her glare,

“Under your mask, you’re not who you pretend to be.” She spat. You watched as Mizu rose, clicking her blade as she unsheathed it and sliced her ropes.

“Just go.” She rasped as Akemi gasped, staring at her free arms. The princess looked back at you, and how you pushed the alcohol away from your friend as she sat back down.

“I thought you had to be something special.. Your face isn’t even so scary. You’re just.. angry.” She went on.. True, her face wasn’t scary at all. You’ve never seen it as scary. She was never scary to you. Breathtaking, actually. You stared at Mizu from the corner of your eye, watching as the alcohol somehow made its way back to her hand. Her head bobbed forward and back slightly. Her eyebrows furrowed, before her eyes opened, gaze shooting to you from the corner of her eye. Seeing your watchful, admiring gaze, her heartbeat slowly picked up as she clutched the air tightly, before glancing at Akemi,

“I see why he likes you.. You’re just like Taigen when we were children. A fucking brat.”

If that wasn’t attractive, gods so help the heat between your thighs.

“You knew him?” Akemi’s gaze softened, before a scream rang in the air. You flinched at the sound, instantly remembering Minamoto’s screams of anguish..

You and Mizu rose in an instant. What could it be? She slid the door open as she sprinted to the front of the brothel, you following her closely behind. Meeting the early morning’s soft, clouded light, you blinked at the sudden brightness. Mizu walked out as you followed, only to be met with the sight of Hamata’s army, with the man himself as he held a man with a claw to his neck. You gasped as equal amounts of eyes were on you and Mizu. The sight was familiar.

As you approached the front of the brothel, the Maiko was met with the Yakuza themselves as they held her mother captive with a pistol to her head.

“Boy!” Hamata yelled, as a small child appeared, pointing at Mizu.

Oh no.

Goosebumps raised as their eyes watched you, feeling your stomach knot tightly.

“The woman, too, boss.” A soldier mumbled to Hamata, pointing his claw at you. You swallowed, brows furrowing and eyes narrowing. You thought you had successfully left like smoke as you always did. But no, you just had to fail.

The image of the five soldiers dead by your hand as Minamoto successfully escaped the room. The fools drowned in cranberry liquid, the walls and floor stained.

Hamata glared angrily at the both of you, before digging the claws into captive man’s neck. You flinched at the sight, watching the blood spurt out of the man’s neck as he fell to the ground, dead.

“Kill everyone. Then burn it down.”

The man in an expensive hakama sneered, smirking at the Maiko. She stared in shock, gripping her sword tightly as she took in the sight. A pistol to her mother’s head and the fucking Yakuza.

“Great, just great,” She thought to herself, spitting onto the wood of the porch. The Yakuza elites stared back at you, before gesturing for the rest to go. The lower ranked men, armed with pistols and katanas approached you slowly.

“A hate that radiated deep from his heart.”

The claws began to walk towards the brothel, your breath stuttering at the sight. Mizu ripped her glasses from her face, glancing at you,

“Go protect the women as you always did.” She demanded, throwing her cloak onto you as she approached the men. An entire army, she thought to go against!? You grumbled as you took her cloak, gritting your teeth,

“You’re not defeating them alone.” You spat, beginning to follow. She glared at from over her shoulder, then Ringo. With that, Ringo’s arm shot out to stop you,

“Come on, [Name]..” He murmured to you. You looked up at him with a troubled expression, then Mizu as the claws circled her.

Go on, protect those women.

Okay.

You backed away from Ringo, looking at Mizu as a woman would her husband off to battle as you wrapped her cloak around you, before running into the brothel.

“Everyone to the cellar, now!” The Maiko shouted at the women as they rushed fearfully.

“Shōjo—“

“Go. Now.” She retorted to the woman.

You pinned your hair up with the hairpin, up into a ponytail. Hearing a small conversation between Ringo and Mizu being interrupted by the door banging, you flinched again at the noise. You followed the women down to the cellar, ensuring each of them get there safely.

Down by the cellar, the banging of the door was still extremely loud even from below. You breathed deeply, steadying your breath as it came shallow and jagged. Anxiety surged through your body as you recollected this exact scenario years ago.

The Maiko groaned loudly as she ran towards the men, ducking down as a bullet shoots through the air, barely missing her. She grunted, lunging up and forward as her bare blade met the second man’s. The collision elicited a deafening ring in the air as the steel argued, sparks flying in the air off the two blades. She spat at the man, before retracting. The sound of another shot being fired startled her as she jumped out of the way and closer to the gunned man. She lifted her blade to his forearm, before being met with the pistol pointing right into her chest. She blinked as her breath stuttered, watching his fingers wrap around the trigger before lifting her blade again. The Maiko swayed gracefully like nihon buyō, how she was taught.

..

The shamisen string plucked.

“Hold the wagasa upright, and bend your knees.” The oiran blew out smoke of her opium from her kiseru.

“Why do I need to learn this, again?” The Maiko scrunched her nose at the smoking oiran. The smell sickening, gifting her a migraine.

“You’re training to become an entertainer. A Geisha must know to please and perform, this is your training.” The Maiko sighed before complying, before swaying slowly and gently. Another woman began to sing,

“If you want to see cherry blossoms, please come to Yoshino!” She sung as the Maiko moved gracefully.

..

The Maiko moved with elegance, and ease, with each step calculated to kill yet hypnotizing and entrancing the man.

…

You stood guard beside Ringo, hearing small whimpers of terror from inside. You bit your lip as their fear was evident. You’ve done this before, you can do it again. The door suddenly slid open as Akemi walked out, withdrawing a knife as she pointed it at the stairs.

“Now they have to get through the three of us.” She hesitates. The sight of a princess, a noble, protecting lowly prostitutes brought a small warmth in your heart. Maybe not every noble is a selfish dictator, you thought.

“You’re the bravest princess I’ve ever met.” Ringo smiled.

“I’m not brave..” The princess corrected, eyeing the man before her gaze averted, “I’ve been a captive my whole life.”

Your breath stutters at her words. She’s a noble, she could have anything! Or so you thought. You blink, and before you know it, the image of the snake etched onto your flesh flashed through your mind oncemore.

Holding your mother tightly as her body grew colder and colder as her vision swims, deciding it’s time to rest whilst you sobbed every ounce of water in your body from your eyes.

“Shōjo! Shōjo!!”

“Don’t you dare touch her!” A gunshot rings out.

The anguished screams of the women in the brothel as the building burnt to a crisp.

Mizu’s head nearly began to spin at such confession. What do you feel for her? She groans as she slides the door open as Ringo follows behind her.

Your head nearly snaps as it shot up to face the two. A second earlier she would’ve walked in on such conversation. You blink, rising to your feet. Your eyes dart to Mizu, with a slight flush on her face and Ringo, who gasps at the sight of the princess bound by rope,

“You got a girl.. A pretty girl! Wait.. How does that work?” Ringo exclaimed, eyeing you and Mizu. You blinked at his gaze. What was he trying to imply? Mizu glanced up at him with an annoyed expression,

“She's not a girl. She's a princess. She's Taigen's princess, and she tried to kill me.. She screams, kill her. She moves, kill her.” Mizu roughly grabs the nub of his wrists, sliding Akemi’s knife into his sleeves.

“What?! I can't kill her.” He pulls his wrist back to his chest.

“What do you think an apprentice does?” You sigh as you approach the door behind the two. Mizu raises an eyebrow at the man. He sighs, attempting to shoot the princess a glare. You slip out of the room. Somehow retrieving your katana from Ringo, you walked through the dim corridors. Your thoughts were scrambling as you reached the door, slipping out and into the streets of the cold, silent night. Snow flew wildly in the air as you walked. You had bigger issues to tend to, and fighting the strange yet strong feeling of jealousy and your hidden feelings were not one of them…Maybe it was.

“A watchful and protective gaze you hold for him.”

Akemi’s words spin back to strike you aggressively. You curse, continuing to walk through the night.

“Never will a woman simply look at her friend the way you do him.”

Your lips pressed into a line, feeling your heartbeat picking up. Fuck’s sake, you have a mission to do, [Name]. Focus!

“Musume. Have you taken a liking to that mixed breed?”

Your heart catches in your throat as you nearly yelp into the hum of wind at the words. Your mother’s words. The person you’re doing this for. You pause in your tracks, breathing slowly as your heartbeat slows as you calm.

“Minamoto is always left alone.”

An easy target.

This shouldn’t be hard.

The snow crunched under your sandal as you approached closely, staring up at Hamata’s gambling house searching for an entry avoiding the claws. You inhaled slowly as you closed your eyes,

“Hahaoya.. I will avenge you.” You whispered as your eyes reopened.

“Each touch of the ocean is an embrace to you I never gave. Don’t you dare drown in my love.”

With swift moves mimicking the wind, you hopped from fence, to wall, gripping the flooring of the second level as you lifted yourself up.

CRACK!

No. Don’t let yourself be distracted.

The footsteps approached, wood creaking under heavy weight as you pulled yourself up and onto the level. You glanced around you, eyeing your surroundings. You jumped off and onto the wall of the other building, pulling yourself up as you barely grasped the wood of the third floor. You grunted softly as you flipped yourself upwards and onto the ground, tumbling as you met the floor. Light neared and footsteps sounded louder, before you slipped inside. You exhaled as you finally reached the warmth, the strong smell of medicine and fire greeting you.. with sake, as always.

Now the hardest part, to locate the woman.

You sighed, carefully walking through the dark corridors as you slid doors open in pursuit for Minamoto. Empty rooms after room, growing annoyed as you pass. Irritation brewing and anxiety rising with each room you slip in and out of to no appease. Sensing the presence of a claw, you hopped down the stairs, onto the second floor. Repeating the process, you began searching room after room. Sliding in like the wind and out, the shoji doors rustled with the action and your footsteps lighter than a feather with each step in your search. Hearing footsteps, you paused, listening in. Heavy. Obviously not yours. You quickly slipped into another room, this time dimly lit by candle fire.

You blinked, noticing a figure standing across the room, looking out of the open window as the breeze kissed your face. The figure had a tall standing nihongami as she was plucking her hairpins out one by one.

Minamoto.

I’ve found you.

For your safety does not exist anymore in my presence,

this breath will be your last.

I strip you of your precious life

as you did my innocence.

Stealing my purity,

As you stole my mother’s life.

The wind hummed,

“Minamoto.” You hissed, as your sword clicked, unsheathing the metal. The startled woman flinched, turning back to face you. The candle light did nothing to assist her in making out your face, only noticing your short appearing hair (due to the nihongami you wore) “Masako..?” Minamoto muttered, shooken.

“No. [Name].” You announced yourself as you pulled your hair from its nihongami, allowing the long locks to flow freely. You slid the hairpin in your obi as you tapped the blade against the wood. That familiar, red blade with a heavy story it carried. She eyes the blade, swallowing at the metal she’d never thought she’d lay eyes on again.

“I was informed by Saeko I would be expecting a guest.. which I now see is you.. You should’ve died years ago. What’s a fool like you doing here?”

“Fool? You dare accuse me of being a fool when I only see one true fool: the one who stand before me.”

“You still carry Masako’s tongue far beyond her end. It seems she never ended beyond death. That bitchy attitude of yours came from her, I know.” Minamoto smirked devilishly. You glared at the woman, “I repeat my question. What are you doing here, [Name]? Are you here to kill me?”

“I am, actually. Will you make this easy for the both of us?” You took a step closer, blade dragging across the wood. She stared at you with narrowed eyes, backing away from you as she leaned into the window.

“My bounties? How are you so sure I sent them?”

“The Yakuza would not waste time or money to simply slaughter an assassin like me.” You spat, hearing footsteps rumble throughout the ground.

You turn your head only to be met with two claw soldiers barging into the room, glaring at you angrily. You yelped at the sight, backing away as their clawed weapon came extremely close to your spine.

“Kill the brat.” Minamoto grumbled as she stare at you, then the claws. They grunted, approaching you quickly. Where had they come from? You growl, backing away as you held your katana tightly.

“You’re gripping too tightly. Unnecessary pressure on your fingers makes it difficult for you to swing fluidly.”

You blinked as you loosened your grasp, remembering Mizu’s words. You swallowed deeply before lifting the metal, running at the two.

“Learn to read your enemies better.”

You watched as the man in front of you shifted, his foot tilting as he adjusted his weight into that foot. He twisted his body slightly as he raised his claw, before running towards you as well. You took a steady, deep breath in

and out.

You lunged down to dodge the metal claw coming towards you, shifting your hold in your blade as you cut upwards, slicing the man’s forearm cleanly. His forearm fell onto the wood with a horrified yelp as the stump of his arm flowed blood like a waterfall. Now disarmed (literally) and too shook to attack, you lifted your blade one more to sever his throat. Suddenly, the second soldier’s hand shot out, claw threatening to dig into your stomach. You gasped, withdrawing your cut as your blade shot down to block the metal. The claw dug shallowly into your stomach, eliciting a loud groan tear from your stomach. The ear splitting sound of steel clashing together rung in your ear as if to deafen you. Your eyes darted from over your shoulder, to Minamoto as she watched intently, to the first man’s second (and only) arm as it shot out to dig into your side. You grunted loudly as you pushed off your katana, adjusting your grasp as you threw it into the man’s neck. You gasped for air as warm liquid began to stream down your stomach, the wound sticking to the fabric of your hakama. His blood spurted onto your face as you spat at the liquid hitting your cheeks, brushing some off with your sleeve. The second, remaining soldier gasped as the man toppled onto the ground. The man raises his claw to attack, though you ducked down and retrieved your blade from the corpse’s neck, swaying gracefully as your katana met his neck, slicing it. He coughed out,

“We.. will come for you..” before blood spewed once more and he fell onto the ground. You snicker, turning to face Minamoto once again with another gasp for air,

“Sorry, where were we?”

“You really are a monster. The Maiko I raised grew none to be a worthless fucking soul reaping demon.” Minamoto growled. You stare at her, really stare at her for a moment as you process her words.

“soul reaping demon”

Is that what you really were reduced to, now?

She’s right.

You’ve done this to yourself.

No one’s to blame but you.

…

“Have you seen Chiaki? That’s his daughter!”

Yet another rock hit the side of your forehead as you winced at the annoying, sharp pain. Mizu looked up at the sound, blinking as she watched blood trickle down slowly. You breathed deeply, allowing for the blood to slowly stream down as the two of you walked.

“A demon and another demon!” A younger child yelled out with a group of his friends. Two demons, was that what you both were to everyone? You grit your teeth.

“Together they make a demon baby!” Another remark, causing the group to erupt in laughter. You stop in your tracks to glare at the children with disappointment. Not anger. But wait, what did they say? A child with Mizu!? Mizu growled at the group, threatening to stride over before your hand shot out to grasp her wrist.

“They’re not worth either of our time. Just keep walking.” You stated calmly to her, squeezing her wrist to stop her. She sighed deeply, before reaching out with her free hand and wiping the warm blood from your forehead. The red stained her thumb as her touch lingered on your skin for far too long. Eyes glowing, mesmerizing you as you stared deeply into them. More beautiful than the seas your mother painted and kimonos she wore.

The world went quiet as the wind stopped humming, time slowing for this moment between the two of you.

…

“Look at you.. Chiaki’s genes are strong. His obsession for slaughter latched onto you quickly. You’re just like him.” She remarked, taking a step towards you. Blood trickled down your stomach slowly, the warm liquid kissing your skin as the wound stung with each movement. You held your blade tightly as she approached you, knuckles whitening from your tight grasp.

Just like him? You stare at the woman with a pained expression. To be compared to your excuse of a father? You’d rather be called anything else. You are nothing like that hooligan.

Right?

You turn around slowly to face the corpses on the ground as the lawless hooligans drown in a pool of cranberry. A severed forearm drenched in blood and the neck of a man sliced open as blood streamed down slowly though surely. Your brows furrow as you examine your doings. Your breath hitches.

Murder.

Slaughter.

Were you just protecting yourself?

You stare down at the dead men’s corpses as they lied in their blood. The image of your mother as she laid on the dirt as her blood spurted out at a rapid pace flickered through your mind.

Have you become what you truly hated most?

What killed your mother,

a murderer?

The sight of the snake etched onto your skin flew past you, how you stared at yourself in the mirror with your open kimono with absolute disdain. Marked so the Yakuza would always recognize you.

“Oh, [Name].. always too caught in her emotions for anything. Too caught in her grief to differentiate good from bad.. I pity you.” Minamoto purred. You groaned loudly as she now stood beside you, before lifting your blade and swaying heavily. Minamoto gasps, barely getting away from the red steel as you land a cut on her furisode.

Hellfire bloomed in your dry eyes tired of weeping.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Mizu smirked at you.

“It’s not!” You shouted as you ran towards her.

You shouted out a loud groan.

..

Mizu flinched at the sound of a loud shout, turning her head to the noise as she watched the Fangs run to the commotion. She breathed deeply, before carefully crawling on the wooden beams above. Watching intently as they ran down the stairs, the sound of screaming only got louder. What the fuck was going on downstairs? She brushed it off, before loud flapping of a bird approaching caught her attention. She clicked her blade and sliced the bird dead, catching its small, dead body in her hand. Mizu gasped as the bird hit her hands, bringing it close to her as she sheathed her blade.

“Fuck,” The woman thought to herself as guilt washed over her, cradling the animal. Its soft feathers tickled her skin, feeling the bird slowly turn cold as the blood stopped rushing. She pressed her lips into a firm line, swallowing her remorse as she glanced up to the sight of a nest and eggs. If things could not have gotten worse, she had killed a mother bird. She breathed slowly, placing the corpse into the nest. The woman swallowed hard before crawling over to the room filled with smoke.

There laid a woman bare, cones of incense placed carefully on each point of her body. Kinuyo. Mizu surveyed the room, eyeing the bodyguard as he appeared fatigued. The smoke filled her lungs with each breath she took, holding in her coughs.

“Medicine for my headaches.” The woman smiled softly, offering the opium kiseru to Mizu. She pressed her lips together as she watched the smoke leave her mother’s mouth, before shaking her head back and forth signaling a “no.”

Waiting for the guard to turn away, Mizu hopped down the beam swiftly as she swiped past Kinuyo, undoing her hair as she stole her hairpin, throwing it into the guard’s neck as he fell to the floor. The noise of his body meeting the wood and his soft grunt woke the girl, before eying Mizu. Kinuyo’s breath hitched, pulling the cloth over her body as she backed away from the blue eyed woman. Mizu looked at her with a conflicted expression, signaling the sign for “love” with her movements. Kinuyo’s eyes widened at the sight of Madame Kaji’s old signal to her.

Love.

Love?

The woman who allowed for her to be taken, who couldn’t keep her promise that no man would touch her ever again? Love? Had she sent an assassin for her!?

Her eyes flicked with pain as she backed away.

Had she not understood her? Mizu blinked, singing the signal once more, hoping she understood. Kinuyo looked at the woman with a troubled expression as her memories of Kaji flooded her brain. Her brows treaded together before she nodded her head sideways, clearly repulsed. Another scream tore from the house as a door nearby slid open, eliciting a gasp from Mizu. Someone’s nearby. She must do it now.

Kill her.

It’s the only way to set her free.

It’s the only way to set anyone free.

..

“Come on, girl!” The perverted man shouted, forcing your nagagi loose.

“Get the fuck off me!” You yelped, grasping your tanto from your obi.

SLICE!

The sound of your blade cutting flesh.

You stumbled back as yet another fang fell before you, blood painting your face and blade.

At this point, your soul was painted by the blood of your enemies.

Of your past.

The Yakuza flicked through your mind as your throat dried up.

“That’s her. The whored out assassin of Mihonoseki.” A man grumbled, unsheathing his katana. Another man chuckled as the group of bounties approached.

Thrown out from your thoughts, you groaned loudly as you rocked forward, slicing yet another man’s throat. Quick though painful deaths. Like an assassin. Like the assassin you were.

Still clearly are.

You shut your eyes,

The memory of blood.

The

Metal collided with each other as you defended yourself from each attack. One bounty was dead, two more. You grunted with each parry, swaying to T awYtay with great defense. Your forearm was sliced along with your shoulder and side, the warm blood running down your curves, the wounds stinging as the air hit and kissed them.

“Stubborn girl! You don’t know when to stop!” The bounty yelled. You hissed at the sting of your wounds, before raising your katana and directing his away, before pulling it back and slicing his neck open.

Your eyes shot open, twisting to face Minamoto as she attempted to run away.

“You have not my permission to depart.” You hissed, sprinting to the woman. Your katana raised as you encapsulated the woman, blade pressing against her delicate neck.

“I came here for you, not these soldiers.” You spat with a vicious glare. She smelt the sweat on you, the blood so palpable she could taste it. Splatters of blood painted your face as you stared at her in absolute disdain and rage, pressing your dyed blade into her neck. She swallowed, eyes widening as a Fang came up behind you. Your eyes shot wide as well, removing your blade as you turned swiftly, bobbing your head back as the claw barely missed your neck. Your blade shot up to block, before lifting your leg to kick the man away. He stumbled back with a loud grunt, before being silenced by your blade digging into his neck, a stream of blood mimicking a waterfall fell.

A waterfall of blood.

Your enemies’ blood.

How you’ve always drowned in that river.

I was told not to drown in love, so I chose to drown in hate.

..

“I’ll protect you.” She whispered to Kinuyo, extending her hand. Kinuyo wouldn’t comply, shaking her head once more. Footsteps approached again as a candlelight could be seen through the shoji walls behind Mizu. She hesitated. Would she die by the hands of a soldier, or an assassin? She swallowed, taking Mizu’s cold hand into hers. Mizu exhaled softly, bringing the two of them to a divider, holding the girl close as the fang approached. They watched as the silhouette walked away, before Kinuyo sighed deeply, leaning into Mizu as she rested her head on her collarbone, Mizu’s heat enveloping her.

Kill her.

I’ll get directions to Fowler with this.

Mizu leaned into her touch, her hand finding the back of the girl’s neck.

I’ve killed many,

She then twisted Kinuyo’s neck, a loud crack at the move. Her hand cradled the back of her head, the other dipping down to hold her back close as she fell limp in her arms.

but why does this feel so wrong?

Mizu swallowed deeply, remorse overtaking her as her breathing grew ragged. She had just taken the life of an innocent, young lady, at what cost? Her sworn enemy’s location? Mizu held her closely, hugging the limp girl as she grew cold, the blanket falling over her bottom as her bare chest pressed against Mizu’s.

I’m sorry.

After wallowing in her guilt, she laid Kinuyo’s body onto the wood, dragging the dead guard’s body over to hers as she arranged his hand onto her neck, making it seem as if he had tried to kill her. She carefully placed her hairpin into Kinuyo’s hand, rising to her feet as she stared in pure horror of the scene she had arranged. What she had done.

She’s free now, right?

Mizu stared at the corpses, before swiftly running and hopping up the beams, lifting herself up as she navigated her way out. She heard a loud thud from below. What the fuck was going on!? It was too much for her to handle. She groaned as she navigated her way through the house. She hopped down, running down the stairs as she slid into an empty, dark room. Mizu shut her eyes, swallowing her remorse and biting her tongue. Reopening her eyes, her gaze found corpses, about five scattered onto the ground, drowning in their blood. Her eyes widened at the sight. An ambush, was it? She couldn’t care less. She eyed the window before jumping out and down, picking her weights up and wrapping them around her trembling hands.

It was the right thing to do, right?

Right!?

..

THUD!

Your body met the hard concrete, all the air knocked from your lungs in an instant. Your hand found the ground, lifting yourself up shakily as you breathed heavily, trying to get as much air back into your lungs as possible. You fell back onto the concrete, the cold floor harassing your exposed skin. You grumbled, laying there like a fool as you caught your breath before finally being given with enough energy to lift yourself up successfully. You rose to your wobbly feet like jelly, swallowing the blood from the inside of your sore mouth as you began to walk through the midnight.

Minamoto.

This isn’t over.