Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 32

I blinked awake and sat up, panicking when I saw I was alone. It was short lived as I heard the bushes rustle and Sayomi emerged, her sack heavy. "Where'd you go?"

She didn't seem at all concerned as she set it down. "Hunting."

She looked mildly impressed as I built the fire, still not okay with being left behind. At least she trusts me with this... "I could've went with you."

She shook her head. "Your steps are too loud, you would have scared away the prey."

I paused hearing the truth in her words. "That's true, so what's the plan?"

It seemed as though she was deciding something before she answered. "We'll kill all the men and dogs."

I gaped. "We haven't even seen the place."

She smirked. "I have."

So, she left me and now I really will be in the dark if she tells me nothing. "So what about after, we can't just leave bodies to rot."

She turned sinister as her smile widened. "Bodies won't be left to rot, everyone within fifty to one hundred miles will know, but there will be little to recover."

I froze and slowly looked at her as my eyes widened. The gunpowder... "What do you plan on doing?"

Her eyes were shining when they met mine. "Burning it all to the ground."

I stood. No, they've gone too far if she thinks this is okay. "You can't..."

She arched a brow, daring me to challenge her position. "I told you, my job is not for the clean hands of nobility." Slowly, she rose and closed the distance between us. "You will not interfere with this."

I instinctively shied away from her bloodlust. She won't back down... "But why?"

Her head tilted as she stilled. "To send a message and prevent a war. Both Wei and Shu have called their armies, there's no need for those lives to be wasted."

Gently I grasped her shoulders, hoping she would understand. It will change nothing... "This will only start a war."

She sighed softly as her head shook, stepping away from my touch. She seems so certain, but... "It won't, no one will know Shu was involved because I won't leave a trace."

I tried to reason with her, mentioning alternatives only to be shot down. I was more upset that she was at ease with the prospect. The girl I knew wouldn't consider this by any stretch. She killed only to protect herself and those she cared for, not mindlessly slaughtered on the whim of an empress.

As the day wore on, I could see she doubted I would be of any help. Still, I put the deer over the fire and she made us tea. I was resigning to defeat as we ate. "I can't talk you out of this."

Her eyes were clouded with uncertainty. Maybe... "There's nothing to talk about."

My mind started to feel foggy with sleep and she laid on her back, hands behind her head for support. "We should rest."

I mumbled my agreement. Maybe I can convince her after she has thought about it a bit. "Don't leave me this time..."

Even if I wanted to stay awake, I couldn't and my mind wandered to training her for the first time as darkness claimed me.

***

I was surprised as the girl was in the center of the training area, waiting. "You're early."

She smiled at me. "Excited."