Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 3

I glanced up as two men rushed into the room and froze.  "It's her, but..."

I faltered, I couldn't stand to see her in this state.  Youta came to my side and hugged me around the shoulders.  "We've already sent for the best doctors.  We came as soon as we heard."

I nodded.  "Thank you."

His father approached slowly, enraged.  "Who did this?"

I shook my head.  "She stumbled from the forest, soaked from water, bleeding, and couldn't maintain consciousness.  I just rushed her here, I couldn't..."

He stiffly nodded.  "We will find what we can.  At least she is safe here."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.  "A dog apparently bit her and other wounds, she was fighting or running I don't know which, but..." I met his gaze.  "There are other scars apparently, all manner of weapons.  The nurse said she didn't know how she survived some of them."

He stopped breathing as Youta stilled.  "What?"

I shook my head.  "How did it come to this?  We shouldn't ha-"

Youta released me, shaking his head.  "She was fine before that bitch, Homura... it was after."

I squeezed her hand.  "That night... I wanted to believe it wasn't her, but... nothing surrounding her makes sense since her adoptive parents died."

He was clenching and unclenching his fists.  "Yeah... everyone has been denying her existence since then, but... she was seen with that princess."

He glared at his father.  "I don't care what you have to say about it.  She's not going back, not after this."

He nodded.  "I agree, but how will you get her to stay.  Every report every sighting and she vanishes into thin air.  We can't force her to stay, not if what I think is true."

I looked at him.  "And that is..."

He shook his head.  "You know of the clans... but this is much darker... more..."

I stood and rounded the bed.  "Tell me."

He took a step back.  "If I do, it could get her killed faster.  We have to wait until she wakes, maybe we will have answers then."

I could feel myself trembling.  "She was a prostitute that night... is th-"

He shook his head.  "Even worse than that."

I closed my eyes, trying to contain my rage.  He couldn't know, none of us could.  "Please, just... go.  Find what you can and go."

I whipped around as she started to to become restless.  "RUN SAYOMI!"

I wasn't thinking when I grabbed her, but was greeted with the sound of steel cutting air and put my hand up reflexively.  I caught her blade, thankfully she was weak or I would have been without a hand.  After ripping it away from her, I was knocked back as her fist connected with my face.  Damn, she's strong.

I tried my best to hold her down, but if her hands or feet got free I paid the price.  Youta ran into the hall.  "Nurse! She needs medicine."

She kept fighting my hold, yelling for Sayomi to get away.  She broke free again as staff rushed in and slammed her fist into my chest, the other into my jaw.  She'll have me in the infirmary at this rate.  I heaved a breath, regaining the wind she knocked out of me.  "Dammit! Nurse!"

She finally jabbed a needle in her arm and her shouts died down to whimpers as she stilled.  "She shouldn't have been able to..."

I sighed in relief.  "It's fine."

I looked her over and froze.  Did her wounds...  "My Lord... your hand..."

I blinked at the woman then down at the hand that caught the sword.  The cut was to the bone and pouring blood.  Where did she even hide that?  "It's fine... her first."

I grabbed a cloth and pressed it into the wound.  She always was a fighter, imagine if she was at full strength.  A hand gently touched my sleeve.  The handmaidens wi-"

I shook my head.  "She has had enough people seeing her scars, please..."

She sighed in defeat.  "Then please, leave for a few moments."

I left the room, holding pressure to my hand as Youta looked me over.  "She beat the shit out of you... and she wasn't even awake.  Now that was a sight."

I scowled at him as my hand started to throb.  "A lot of help you were."

He chuckled.  "That sword came out of no where.  I like my life."

I sighed and looked at the door.  "Yeah, where's Emperor Wu?"

He looked towards the exit.  "After she got the medicine, he felt it best he go.  You do have a bit of a temper."

I lowered my gaze.  "I sho-"

He shook his head.  "We all failed her and though she is our family, you were the one who searched the hardest.  He understands."

The door opened.  "Now you, no more stalling."

I frowned and went back in the room, sitting in a chair as she examined my hand.  "It's not that bad."

The nurse frowned at me and then glanced at the sword in the floor.  "Be glad she was in this state.  Awake and alert... she would have killed you."

I smiled softly.  "I know."

She shook her head and held pressure until the bleeding slowed.  "I can't stitch this area, good thing this isn't your sword arm.  I don't know who this girl is to you, but she is dangerous."

I sighed.  "It doesn't matter.  Do all you can please."

She nodded as she began to wrap thick bandages around.  "That is my every intention.  She is dangerous, but she has been through enough.  You will keep her safe at least."

I smiled at her as she finished.  "Thank you."