The Old Wolf 3

The Five remaining Serpents regarded the fallen Eiichi’s body Callously. They had watched the fight intently, how the old man moved impressed them. Even still, Eiichi should have been able to kill him easily. But Eiichi was careless and prideful. He had gotten what he deserved.  The Five left him to rot, and disappeared into the night.

Junichiro dreamed of blood and flashing steel, his many sins laid bare to torment him as he tossed and turned, He remembered his duel with the assassin, with as much poison as he had been dosed with he knew he should have been dead. He hoped that he would see Inari again, but instead there was only darkness, he should have known he could never be forgiven for his past. Junichiro would never see Inari again this was a truth that he would need to accept. He opened his eyes and awoke in a house he didn’t recognize, before he could get out of bed, the darkness took Junichiro again and he slept

“Mama, how long till Master Juni wakes up?” a little boy asked

“I don’t know, maybe in a day, maybe never.” We just need to be patient, Kenji” Himiko said calmly

“But he’s so cool! Will he teach me to be a samurai?” Kenji asked excitedly

“Why do you want to be a samurai?” Himiko asked in a bemused tone

“So, I can fight bad guys and keep you Fumiko safe!” said Kenji taking a heroic stance

“Oh, my hero! For now, go get some water so I can clean Master Junichiro’s wounds

“Ok mama!” Said Kenji leaving

Himiko watched her son run down to the well, in many ways she envied her son. He was so innocent, and despite all he had been through especially in these recent weeks nothing had been able to diminish the light of his purity. Her daughter Fumiko hadn’t been as lucky, she had been plagued with night terrors since the loss of her father. and since they had been attacked her daughter had barely slept. It had been difficult for Himiko to sleep as well, at the very least now she had Junichiro to distract her from her growing paranoia and depression. It wasn’t healthy and she knew it, but it was at the very least something she could hold onto.

Now, Himiko stood in the doorway of her spare bedroom watching the samurai sleep. The first night he had been here, Himiko had examined his body, it was awash with countless scars and though he was a man of advanced age his muscles were still taut. Himiko had been ashamed to say that feeling his body awakened something in her, feelings that she had long suppressed since her husband had been gone. Now again, Himiko found herself staring at the sleeping man, unsure of what to do with herself.

“Are you alright? You’ve been standing there for some time.” Junichiro groaned

“Oh my, Lord Junichiro, I didn’t know you were awake!” Himiko said surprised

“I go In and out, how did I get out of the meadow?” Junichiro asked

“I followed you that night, I saw your duel.” Himiko began

“How long ago was that?” Junichiro asked

“It’s been at least a week. How do you feel?” Himiko asked walking into the room

“I’ve felt better, but I’m grateful to you for your help. In the small time I’ve known you you’ve given me so much. I humbly thank you.” Junichiro said

“It’s really the least I could do. I’d likely be dead as well as my family if it wasn’t for you.” Himiko responded

For a time the two stayed there, draped in an awkward silence, there was likely more to be said but neither of them had the words right now, luckily the silence was interrupted as Kenji came storming back into the house.

“I should...” Himiko began awkwardly

“Yes, my wounds.” Junichiro quickly responded

Himiko worked in silence and quickly finished changing Junichiro’s wounds. Both parties felt ashamed over their impure thoughts. With an awkward bow, Himiko quickly exited the room. Left alone both literally and figuratively Junichiro attempted to meditate to quell the fire in his loins. His wife was dead, wasn’t it wrong for him to love someone else? More to the point, he was an older man, was it not predatory for him to want to pursue Himiko? However, the biggest obstacle Junichiro saw was Himiko’s safety, knowing the path he walked was it fair to her or her family to further involve himself in her life? Junichiro attempted to focus on anything other than the hurricane of emotions that currently plagued him as he continued his meditations.

“What was I thinking?” Himiko whispered to herself as she hastily retreated from Junichiro’s room. It was true, she was lonely, and it felt good to have a man in the house again, still she felt wrong for the feelings she harbored for Junichiro.  Why had she followed him that night? Why did she drag him back home? What was her attraction to him? All that Himiko had was questions for herself. She had hundreds of questions and no answers. Luckily for her she had a rambunctious young boy to keep her occupied. But still, Himiko wondered, why not?

After attempting to meditate fruitlessly, Junichiro decided to go for a walk, maybe the calming environment would sooth his mind. Though admittedly to avoid any more awkwardness, Junichiro grabbed his sword and departed through the nearby window, he tried to leave as quietly as possible. The grass felt good under his toes, and already Junichiro felt at ease. He moved calmly towards the forest. Hopefully being out in nature would still his mind.

The Serpents looked on intently, they had been watching this house for what seemed like weeks. Their collective patience was beginning to wear thin. Had Junichiro not shown himself, they were unsure of what they might do. Luckily for them, the old fool had willingly offered himself up. For the Serpents, this was a matter of professionalism. Junichiro had killed Eiichi, somehow. But this wasn’t about him, Eiichi was a fool and he could rot, the fact was they had never failed a job, and this old man wouldn’t be the first. The Serpents kept to the trees and followed their prey.

Himiko had tried to keep herself busy throughout the day to avoid interacting with Junichiro. The awkwardness of the morning was still fresh in her mind; however, it was getting late and she wanted to make sure he wasn’t in pain. As she prepared to meet him, Himiko had butterflies in her stomach, she hadn’t felt this way since she met her husband years ago.

“Lord Junichiro? I’m coming in.” Himiko said tentatively

She dropped her supplies in shock when she saw that the room was empty and that the window was open. Almost immediately Himiko began to panic. Junichiro was in no condition to travel, let alone fight. She wondered why he had left, but there was no time for that, she needed to find him and quickly. She turned on her heel and went to a part of the house she hadn’t visited in a long time. Himiko opened the door to her husband’s room. Himiko hadn’t been here since her husband’s funeral, she didn’t want to face his death she couldn’t. But now she couldn’t face the thought of Junichiro dying in her care, maybe she did love him? She would think on it later, after Junichiro was safe. She picked up her husbands bow and hurried out of the house.

Junichiro breathed in the earthy air, nature truly put him at ease, it always had. But there was something rotten on the air. He had been followed. The four assassins sat perched on trees, surrounding the samurai. Junichiro cursed his carelessness. But there was no time for this, there was no words to be said, he tensed himself and prepared for battle. Junichiro was taken aback when he heard the whistle of an arrow and then watched as it tore through one of the assassin’s throats. As his body collided with the ground, there was silence. The forest itself spoke not a word, then after what seemed like an eternity the silence was shattered by the assassin in the tallest tree. He let out the roar of an ogre and he stormed at Junichiro.

His blows were full of anger and rage, he was much faster and stronger than Eiichi had been. Junichiro was unprepared, but he had to be careful. He wasn’t sure his body could take anymore of the poison. The only good thing about the way this assassin moved and fought was that he was reckless, if he carried on like this, he would tire himself out. Junichiro just had to weather this storm. Meanwhile the other assassins moved from tree to tree scanning the forest for the archer, another one fell as another arrow tore through the sky. Whoever this person was, they had tremendous skill. Junichiro was torn back to his own fight, as the assassin bought down an earth-splitting strike attempting to destroy Junichiro utterly. This was the opening the old samurai had been waiting for, he had been listening to his attackers breathing. Junichiro listened intently the breaths had become ragged and labored, Junichiro took this opportunity and struck. The blow was swift, Junichiro felt the mist of blood on his face, then there was nothing, the forest was silent again. Junichiro breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad for a modicum of peace. But he still had questions, mainly who his mysterious helper was. Junichiro calmly walked over to one of the corpses and began to examine it

“These arrow shots are clean. A practiced hand.” Junichiro said examining the wound as he continued there was the snapping of a twig. There was still someone here.

“We both know if you wanted me dead, you’d have shot me by now. Why not come out so we can talk?” Junichiro said to the forest

Himiko toyed with her bow string nervously. Before, she sprinted out here determined to save Junichiro, but now that it was over and the adrenaline had worn off, she felt like a fool being out here. Luckily Junichiro hadn’t seen her, she could leave and he’d be none the wiser. She attempted to calmly leave but ended up accidentally snapping a twig. Before she could recover, Junichiro was there

“Himiko? Was the archer you?” Junichiro asked in surprise

“It was.” She whispered quietly

“This was amazing, where did you learn how to shoot so impressively?” Junichiro probed

“From my husband, I never knew why he wanted me to learn but, I did because I loved spending the time with him.” Himiko said sadly

“That’s beautiful, my wife did the opposite. She taught me how to garden, how to make peace with the monster within me. I miss her terribly.” Junichiro said wistfully

“She sounds like a remarkable woman.” Himiko responded

“She was, in fact I never thought I’d meet another woman as remarkable, until today.” Junichiro said

“Oh Master, Junichiro, you shouldn’t say such things.” Himiko said blushing

“I mean it, I was afraid of what I felt for you before, but I can’t get you out of my mind.” Junichiro said, tentatively approaching Himiko

“I felt the same, I felt that by getting any closer to you I’d be disrespecting my husband’s memory. But I don’t think he would want me sad or lonely.” Himiko said

The two broken spirits embraced in the forest. Maybe they needed each other more than they could say. For now though, they had this moment, and it was perfect. Neither knew what waited over the horizon, but right now they had each other. And right now, that was enough.