Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 44

I nearly jumped out of bed when my door was slammed open. "Wake the fuck up!"

I glared at Youta, but froze when I saw his face. "What happened?"

He closed his door, jaw clenched. "That woman is going around hysterical because she's saying the princess was kidnapped."

I was already getting dressed. "What do our people say?" He fell silent and I looked to see pure terror on his face. "Youta..."

His eyes met mine. "Asami went to town... with the other girl..."

My knees nearly buckled. How... "Are they su-"

He was close to tears. "They know the difference, Ryoma... and we can't find Sayomi."

I sprinted from my room to their and threw open the door. I frantically went to the bedrooms and stopped at one in the back corner, shaking with rage. I brushed past the prince, trying to stay in control. "She left the flute and swords..."

I heard the air leave his body before he grabbed me at the stables. "Please... I don't care what you have to do. Bring my cousin home."

I thickly swallowed. "That's the plan... the princess can't come back here."

He nodded quickly. "Take her to my betrothed. She'll be waiting."

I stiffly nodded and went into the stalls. I needed the fastest horse and stopped in front of Raden who became restless instantly. "Listen to me... she has been taken and you can get me there faster than the others." He seemed to calm and I opened the stall. "I need her home, Raden..."

He trotted out and I skipped the saddle and reigns. As soon as I settled he shot out and had to catch myself.  How the fuck did she...

I directed him towards the town amd saw Genkai. He looked surprised and I barely got Raden to stop. "Genkai... she's been kidnapped. Shu thinks it's the princess."

His expression turned grave as Sunako exited the carriage. "Shizu, we-"

I shook my head. "Do you know who the prince's bride is?"

Sunako nodded stiffly. "Your girlfriend."

I clenched my jaw. "Take her there, she'll be safe."

Sunako got on the horse behind me. "Hold on tight..."

Genkai looked at the horse. "Find your keeper, Raden. Taka will lead the way."

As soon as the words left his lips the hawk flew dangerously close to us and I gripped his mane for dear life. I glanced back when I didn't feel the girl brace and saw she was drawing out knives. Okay, this isn't strange at all... how can she...

The hawk circled above a run down shack and when I saw some men I stiffened. There were six outside. I felt the girl shift and steel cut air, making all of them fall. Damn...

The door was opened and Sunako jumped from the horse before it came to a full stop. I didn't have time to think as I dismounted and ran into the house. Rage took over when I saw the scene, Sayomi was pinned to the ground, blinded by her shirt, three men on top of her. I tackled the first while Sunako got the one at her legs.

I felt his neck snapped and grabbed the last one off and threw him to the ground to beat his face in. Red was all I saw as my fists connected until I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. "It's over."

I froze and saw Sayomi, blade in hand as she stared down at the man. She knelt. "Please..."

Her frown deepened at his plea. "What happens to little girls that try to escape?" My chest bloomed in pain as his eyes widened in shock as she sunk the blade into his side and twisted. He fell still and his eyes dulled as she took it back out and it clattered to the ground.

I stood staring at him as she moved away. They were going to... did they... I clenched my fists. How did this happen?

I heard a painful groan and saw Sayomi kneeling beside a white tiger, speaking softly. I blinked. He... followed?

I couldn't register what either of the girls were saying as I looked at each man, my eyes stopping on the one she killed. She said she would fight... but this...

I tensed when arms wrapped around me. "Come back..." I blinked away tears. "They're dead... what's done is done."

I turned and wrapped her in my arms, thankful she was alive. "Are you okay? Did they..."

She leaned back to look at my face. "I'm fine. They didn't have the chance."

I crushed her to me. "I was so worried."

She embraced me. "I'm fine, if you don't suffocate me. That isn't the glorious death I imagined I'd have."

I relaxed and she heaved a breath, making me laugh. "Ready to go home?" She nodded as she smiled softly, letting me lace my fingers through hers to go to the cart.

Sunako was trying to get the tiger into it. "... can't walk."

She looked at her friend in dismay and Sayomi scratched his head. "You did well, but it's time to rest." It looked at her and huffed, but backed up to jump in and laid down. She went to Raden and stroked his face. "Thank you for bringing them."

When he whined and threw his head around I pulled her back. "Careful..."

She smirked and snatched away from me to hold his muzzle again. "You are free if you wish, if not Genkai will be waiting at the stables."

Raden nudged her before darting off towards the palace. "How do they..."

She turned at smiled at me. "Let's get on the road first."

I pursed my lips as she climbed in the cart and sat under the tiger's head when he lifted it. "His head is as big as you are." She hummed as she traced her fingers lightly over its face. "Animals seem to like you."

She smirked when he licked her hand. "Mhm..."

I sighed. "Sayomi..."

Her eyes met mine. "They usually do, but... they are free to follow or not."

I nodded. "Sunako she killed 6 men from Raden's back, she didn't even hav-"

Her hands stilled for a moment. "All of us can do such things... mine anyway. We are trained."

I paused. "What... are you?"

She sighed. "Everything and yet nothing at all. The ghost of a girl that only leaves behind dreams and fantasies."

I bit my lip. "But... you kill people..."

She shrugged. "Only those who would bring us or Asami harm."

I nodded, I preferred that over cold blood. "Sh-"

She smiled softly. "The princess will be where the carriage driver took her, I trust him with that. She will be safe there."

I fell silent, watching as she started to play with the tiger's whiskers and he playfully tried to bite her hand. It made me smile as she nuzzled the top of his head and he purred. If not for witnessing it, I never would of thought she was so close to being defiled, but she was. It would be an image I would never be able to erase from my memory.