Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 60

Again, another meeting with the invisible council was called, a little more than a month after the last.  This month was better, knowing Sayomi was alive meant I had something to look forward to and these were the only people with information.  The hunt for her continued and seemed to be getting worse as there were whispers of sightings on various places.  Everytime it fear struck my chest only to be eased in the following days that reports were false.

I held my breath when Asami came in, Sunako trailing behind her as always.  It was strange that they seemed distant outside of the castle, just a princess and her handmaiden, but behind closed doors... they were friendly and bluntly honest.  I stopped asking them about Sayomi because other than the brief periods Sunako disappeared there was no way they had any more information than me.

I did notice that Katashi was absent other than these meetings and I could only assume it was to keep the tiger out of trouble from what he said the last time we spoke.  "Report."

Katashi hesitated.  "No new news."

Her head tilted as fear struck my chest.  What does that mean? "None?"

He net her gaze.  "No, Princess, there have been no talks on rebellion or possible conflicts."

She searched his face.  "And Katana?"  He shook his head and she stiffly nodded.  "Very well you are all free to go."  What is going on here?  Is she...  She stood motionless as everyone left except us and the original three that I met.  I exchanged a worried glance with Youta, but he just shook his head.  The boy glanced in and closed the door when Akio nodded.  "What happened?"

Sunako frowned.  "She seems to have tired of our company."

She glared at her.  "Tired of your company?"

Akio nodded.  "Yes... in the dead of night."

Katashi sighed.  "So much so that she incapacitated quite a few that stood in her way.  They were quite distraught when they woke up this morning."

She looked at each of them.  "And what does Keiji say?"

Katashi frowned. The smuggler?  "He came when we called and had nothing to say."

She slowly sat.  "What was her condition before she left?"

He pursed his lips.  "Mobile and clearly able..."

She pressed her eyes.  "And who exactly is in charge at the present moment?"

"You said I-"

She glared at him.  "Don't play games with me, Katashi."

Sunako cleared her throat.  "Saiya has been in command for over two weeks now."

Asami took a slow deep breath.  "So we know nothing until she is ready."  They all nodded.  "How does she expect that to work i-"

Akio arched his brow.  "She's your sister... you know her best."

She laced her fingers on her stomach and stared at the wall.  I know that look...  "If you find a way to get word to her, let her know I am doing all that I can to bring her home.  If she allows any updates, I want them brought to me or Sunako immediately."

They all nodded and the men left the room.  "What the fuck just happened?"

Sunako gave me a sad look.  "Just as we said... she left, taking down, but not killing our own to manage her escape."

I crossed the room furious.  "I trusted all of you and now sh-"

Asami was still staring at the wall.  "In her mind, we are all at less risk this way.  No one knows where she is, so if she is found... it can't fall on us.  I have no true power in her world, even Katashi who trained her won't be able to get any information if she says not to.  Only one person would possibly know where she is and he will die before he reveals her location."

I slumped in a chair.  "The smuggler..."

She nodded.  "I could say the same for any of them though.  Even if Katashi, Akio, even Sunako knows anything, they will not speak unless she gives the okay."

Youta joined me.  "Are you their princess or not, she can't ju-"

"With all due respect, Prince Youta... she has as much right to ascend to the throne as I do.  I can show you her birth record, as far as anyone is concerned she is my twin thus their princess."

He slammed his hands on the table as I tried to process.  "She was born in W-"

She slowly turned to him, eyebrow arched.  "A girl named Keiko was born in Wu and disappeared along with her parents at the age of five.  Sayomi... my sister, best friend, and the other crown princess of Shu was born a mere 3 minutes after I.  I don't remember a life without her and she without me.  Tell me... who has the greater standing?"

He sunk in a chair and I looked at her pleading.  "So what do we do?  Where would sh-"

She stood.  "We wait..."

Sunako hung back and waited for the door to close.  "You have to know something..."

She pursed her lips and handed me a slip of paper.  "She said for this to be given to you and to tell no one."

I blinked.  "You've seen he-"  Her head shook.  Taka...  I clutched it in my hand.  "Thank you."

Youta frowned.  "She's my cousin.  She doesn't send me messages."

I put the paper in my pocket.  "Maybe because she doesn't know you."

He scoffed.  "Maybe because you were constantly pestering her when she came back home."

I glowered at him.  "Possibly... I gave you a day and you said you would just pop up... even had a meal with her alone."

He rolled his eyes.  "Figured a little breathing room wouldn't hurt."

I nodded as I stood to go to my room.  "Exactly."

He sighed as I opened the door.  "Just don't die... whatever that note says."

I smiled softly, silently thanking him for understanding.  "I won't."

Once I was in the safety of my own room, I read the note and groaned.  "This tells me nothing."  I slammed it on the table and went to glare at the sky.  "Where are you now Little Tiger?  What are you doing?"

Having nothing better to do and ultimately feeling lost, I slept, dreaming of the ghost of a girl that I loved.  My eyes snapped open and I went to read what she sent again.

Safehouse are no longer safe if you know where to find them.
                                                           -K