Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 47

The seconds seemed to last hours before the sun finally began to set.  I spent most of my time with Youta and his father, but nothing really productive could happen without knowing what the next move was.  "Damn her... it's like she is the only one who sees all the pieces."

The emperor chuckled.  "And seems to be an expert in making them move as she sees fit."

I thought back to the stables.  Working as you should be...  "Yeah, hard to move around though."

Youta sat back.  "You gave her the stuff already?"

I paused.  Careful or careless... "Ayama took them to her."

He nodded.  "Good, I guess we are sitting ducks.  That empress is acting strange though, if she was the one who ordered the kidnapping..."

I nodded.  "But it failed, those men dead so, she really does need to know where they are."

He rubbed his face in frustration.  "Maybe she'll out herself."

I scoffed, thinking of where Sayomi would try to find me.  "You think she is that much of a fool?  She's been at this for years now."

He sighed.  "True..."

The idea struck me and I stood.  "I'll be around..."

He arched a brow.  "Doing..."

I thought a moment.  "Thinking of ways to kill that bitch.  See you tomorrow."

He clearly didn't buy it.  "Don't go to her, it is too great a risk."

I sighed as I opened the door.  "I know..."

A servant girl stopped me.  "My Lord, the empr-"

I frowned at her.  "Not interested..."

"I figured you would say as much."

I slowly looked up into gleaming grey eyes.  "How may I be of assistance?"

She smiled and gestured for me to follow.  "Just a chat."

I crossed my arms.  "We can talk he-"

Her smirk was evil as she glanced back.  "Don't be shy, seems you frequent many girls rooms.  I have something of interest to you though."

My heart sank.  She couldn't have...  "Like..."

She shrugged as she continued down the hall.  "One way to find out."

I clenched my jaw, but followed, hesitating when she went into her room.  She looked back at me, I guess it was supposed to be seductive, but bile rose to my throat.  "Come in, this isn't for everyone to see or hear."

Reluctantly, I went in and she smiled.  "What do you want?"

She attempted a pout.  "Is that any way to speak to an empress?"  I just watched until she began to remove clothing.  "Shy?"

I turned to leave, disgusted.  "I have no in-"

"You want to know about the girl, yes?  Funny, since your supposed to be engaged."

I froze.  Because she's who I'm engaged to you conniving cunt...  "Then why are yo-"

I almost lashed out when she touched my back, but she quickly retracted when I tensed.  "Oooo touchy, touchy... does she like it rough?  It wouldn't surprise me considering..."

I swallowed my rage.  "I'll ask one last time.  What do you want?"

She sighed.  "Before you go jumping to her defense... take a look..."  I turned when she moved away and saw as she gestured to documents and photos.  "Maybe you'll reconsider if you know just who she is."

My heart raced as I slowly went to look and stilled when I saw one picture in particular.  It was her...  My little tiger was in the lap of the dead minister... feeding him the dumpling.  "What's the meaning of this?"  I looked over other pictures, each as bad as the one before it.  A lot of men, an equal amount of women, and the way it was thought they died.

She clicked her tongue.  "Isn't it obvious?  She's a whore and a murderer."

I glared at her.  "Why, I wonder..."

She shrugged a victorious gleam in her eyes.  "Not sure, but I couldn't have that posing as a princess, now could I?"

I turned my attention back to the photos and focused on the faces, enthralled with the seductress in their arms.  She did this to you and then...  "And what does it have to do with me exactly?"

I tensed as her arms wrapped around me.  "Well, I figured if you were lying for her... you should know, she isn't worth it.  She's used and vile, though she does play the part of innocent handmaiden well..."

I roughly pulled her off, red invading my vision.  "I'm not and I would appreciate if you would stop such advances."

She smirked.  "You lay with that other girl... my servants saw you go into her room.  Is that you future wife?  Does she know you've had a time with tha-"

"Enough!  I will hear no more of this."

She chuckled as I stormed out.  "We will be leaving as soon as they are found... it isn't safe for the princess, being kidnapped and all."

I stalked to where I was originally going, thankful because I needed it.  As soon as I was in the weapons room, I drew my blade and slashed at the air relentlessly.  She...  The pictures of her flashed through my mind.  It was never supposed to come to this...

If I could kill any of them, I would have, but... she already saw to that all on her own.  How did it...  I felt helpless, I expected it to be bad, but that was dozens of people, men and women, all of the upperclass.  She doesn't even seem to... 'only those who would bring harm to us or Asami...'"

I slowed.  "Why would all of those people..."  I thought of the faces again.  "What danger could they pose?"

I killed the lights.  If what she said is true... then can I really blame her?