Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 34

"This is where I leave you."  I was torn away from my thoughts, surprised as Keiji stood at the door of the carriage.  So fast?  But...

I followed Sayomi out and didn't know she hung back as I went to the horses, talking to the red haired man sadly.  I wanted to comfort her, but my mind was everywhere, trying to find a way out of this life for her.

She glanced at me as we mounted the horses, the melancholy in the air suffocating.  I noticed we were close to the palace and my heartsank.  She can't go back yet... I need more time to-

She clicked her tongue and I had to go in the very direction I wanted to avoid right now.  I looked over at her, but her face gave nothing away.  I couldn't tell if she was happy to be back with her princess, regretting bringing me, or sad that it has come to an end.  I, on the other hand, was panicking.

The closer we got, the sooner she would be Homura's clutches and it made bile rose to my throat.  She didn't deserve this, none of it.  If we had just brought her home or better yet, listened to the five year old girl who insisted it wasn't safe... this would have never happened.

I heard her inhale deeply, as though she could smell the flowers in the air.  I opened my mouth to speak, but came up short as she looked miserable, confused, and close to tears.  What could she be thinking in that brain of hers?  She refused to look at me, so I was at a loss.

Does she want to leave this life behind?  We would do anything to...  No, she's been sure about who and what she is.  So... why...

My palms were sweating when we reached the stables and the man she called Genkai quietly took her horse.  Somehow, he knew that Sayomi was upset and thought better of bringing it up.  He frowned at me when he took my reigns.  "Keep this up... and you won't be an issue much longer."

I blinked in surprise.  "Wha-"

He scoffed and led the horses in without another word and I hurried after the girl.  What did I do?  Even as I approached, she continued to ignore me.  What did I do?  I grabbed her hand when we were in front of her door.

I was so confused as her eyes met mine, but I had to at least let her know that I wasn't running.  I took a breath to say as much, but her head snapped around as someone screamed.  "Asami..."

She barreled through the door and I went towards the sound as well.  Who wou-

She froze at the door and my heart sank as I heard the princess's pleas as she flung herself at Sayomi.  "Sayomi!  I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

The clear hesitation and discomfort told me this was not normal as she took the princess back to her bed.  "What happened?"

I hovered at the door and saw the other handmaiden about to make her escape.  "Night terrors... she's been having them since Wei."

"I'm so so sorry... I didn-"

Sayomi's eyes widened as she stroked Asami's back and rocked slightly.  "She was fine at Ryoma's."

The other girl shrugged as she kept trying to soothe the girl in hysterics.  She was definitely confused, but whatever happened was traumatizing the princess.  She must have given the girl a signal as she looked at her because she took my arm and led out.  "Asami... ca-"

I looked back at the door.  "What happened there?"

The girl's name escaped me as she sighed.  "Taka bird..."  The hawk swooped in from a room and landed on her outstretched arm.  She stroked its chest, ignoring me.  "Let's get some fresh air..."

I hesitated until she glanced at me when she reached the door.  "Okay... what can you tell me?"

She glanced at me.  "That you are far too trusting of those around you."

I frowned.  "What's that supposed to mean?"

Her eyes landed on a servant, who quickly scurried away.  "There are seeing eyes and listening ears everywhere."

"They'll tell the empress?"  She stayed silent and we came to the stables.  I looked around, hearing the horses breath and bay in the stalls.  "Seems even shadows have stalkers in this land."

"Not many, just one... but he seems as restless as we."

I spun around to see Genkai, glaring at me.  I'm about to die.  "I remember this one... he called Katana from the trees.  She left him a gift."

The girl chuckled.  "She forgot until she was reminded."

A man from the past seemed to appear from no where.  "She has played many tricks, hard to keep up I'm sure."

I readied myself to fight and she rolled her eyes.  "We won't kill you, that would be hard to explain to Saiya."

I froze.  "Saiya?  Who i-"

The older man stepped closer.  "Sayomi, Saiya, Katana... they are all the same and you... seem to have information we have been seeking about her."

My heart was racing as they all began to lounge on hay or the floor.  "What information?"

The man gestured for me to sit.  "She comes from here... before she had no memories and no name."

I stiffly sat.  "Why would I tell you anything?  You taught her t-"

My words caught in my throat as images of my betrothed flashed through my mind and he sighed.  "I taught her what she asked to be taught, the empress, molded her to become what she is.  However, this is the longest the Katana has come out and stayed.  Something in her remembers."

I looked at each.  "You all let her... all for a prin-"

The girl sighed.  "I told you we have only one purpose."

I frowned.  "Yeah and that making her endure this life to protect the princess."  They all exchanged sad glances and I paused.  "You're not doing this for Asami..."

The stablehand grunted.  "The girl... the swordancer... we keep her alive."

I relaxed a fraction.  "Keiko... that is her name and... this is not the life we wanted for her."

They all nodded and turned their attention to me, but it was the man who spoke.  "Then tell us about our little sword dancer and the life she would have led."

I looked at each of them, all genuinely interested in the life Keiko refused to ask about.  They love her and want her alive... that's a lot more than I thought I had not too long ago...