#half-flat

I’ve decided MC and I would have a three-day outing from Azuchi castle. I’ve been busy, but I managed to slip in a break. My schedule will be even busier in the coming days and I don’t want her feeling lonely for too long. Though Hideyoshi lectured me about going out without guards I didn’t need them, I understand the risks, but I can handle anything and besides We were riding my black stallion and strolling through a wide path in a dense forest that’s often traveled. I didn’t tell her the location and listening to her sweet voice trying to guess possible places was endearing. “Are we going to Kyoto? This route looks familiar.” Her curious eyes wander the scenery and I couldn’t help but smile at the brightness her eyes held. “How insightful but no. You will see when we get there, it shouldn’t be-” I glared to my right, a thick bramble of bushes swished, and an arrow darted from it. I wrapped an arm around MC’s waist and jumped off my horse, the arrow went straight for my stallion’s head lodging itself in its brain, it stumbled and with a great thud fell to the ground. I continued to look where the arrow had come from, my hand resting at the hilt of my katana and positioned myself in front of MC protecting her, her gaze was at my stallion’s dead body. The arrow must’ve been coated in poison for it to kill it my horse that fast. The next town over isn’t too far from these woods we’ll have to trek there on foot for another horse but first… “You have admirable talent and skill to take down my horse with a single arrow. Come out before me.” The attacker didn’t speak a single word, they only gave myself the slightest window of reaction as he thrust himself at me with great speed. I drew my blade in front of my face, a deafening clash of metal resounded from the ferocity of their attack, it caught me off guard at first, but I stood my ground face-to-face with the attacker, only his dark brown eyes were visible in his lightweight, dark blue garments he adorned. A ninja. I had to push MC back to get her out of his sword’s reach, I heard an ‘oof’ escape her lips as she fell on the ground from my abrupt push. Our eyes met for a split second and was met with a surprise, her soft hues were painted with determination and she gave me a firm nod before moving further out of the way. How odd such a simple gesture invigorated me without realizing my grin grew wider.

 The attacker’s sword was a wakizashi, shorter than my katana which he used to his advantage of being nimble, but I easily overpowered him pushing him back. The attacker stood there, eyes narrowed not at me but past me and he gave a small nod. I furrowed my brow in realization. He’s not alone. On the other side of the road within the tree line I saw a similarly dressed ninja dart straight for MC. Moments felt like minutes my feet moved on their own accord. I just had to get to her. Protect her. No matter the cost. I ran as fast as I could towards her, but he was closer. In that moment my eyes meet hers, those beautiful eyes I come to love were in a wild panic peering into me, desperate and hopeful. She tried to get to her feet to run towards me, but the ninja gripped her shoulder forcing her back on the ground to her knees. I didn’t stop running, I gripped hard on my hilt, my teeth clenched hard and I focused on her attacker who had a dagger in his grip, He glared straight at me. His eyes had a malicious glint in it and I could tell he was smiling under his face garments. I ready my blade for the bastard’s head, I dove my foot into the ground right in front of MC and gave a powerful thrust forward aiming right for his forehead. I felt the familiar resistance of bone and flesh as my katana continued to drive into his head. I glared at him as he reaches his final moments of life, his face contorted into agonizing pain, and his eyes slowly becoming lifeless yet through it all he used the last of his strength to give a mocking smile. Trivial. Wasting your life in pursuit of hers, I will never allow harm to come to her. A promise he did not keep. I heard a painful gasp and labored breathing below me, unsheathing my katana from the ninja’s skull I realized all too soon why he died with a smile. Kneeling before the women I love her my brow furrowed deeply at her right shoulder its dying her kimono in bright red and the dagger jutted out loosely. In that moment I couldn’t pinpoint what I was feeling but I felt like a…failure, she believed in me and I let this happen to her. I push down the encroaching thoughts into the back of my mind. I steeled myself she is not permitted to die, and I will ensure that myself. I guided MC’s body to lay against me, her eyes were dull, and her face is pale. Frustration began to nag at my mood she was getting cold, tearing off a chunk of fabric from my haori I tied a bandage around her shoulder, it should stop the bleeding at least.