Dakü Ai Ninja

Chapter Two: Spilt Sake

"Are you sure of this?" Yoshitsune asks firmly, his hands interlaced and pressed to his mouth. Even with all the lunch on the table, no one laid a finger on the food. I stared at my plate. Goyo...

"Yes, in fact it was on his command to invade the royal palace.. and his command to execute the Emperor and his sons.." The messenger said in a shaking tone. I grasped my kimono and squeezed hard beneath the table.

"Noritsune.. He was the commander of the Heishi." Mizuki spoke up.

"I believed that Goyo had finished him off.. he must of made it through the waves of the ocean...somehow.." Hyuga said staring at Yoshitsune with the same expression.

"..." I sat there quietly, what was I to say? I can't control my emotions. If I say anything I'd break down all over again.. I cant! I cannot show anyone here!

"Noritsune?" Goemon asked lifting his chopsticks with some rice in his mouth.

"My brother's right hand man. His loyalty was to him and only him. A noble man, he was not the man to murder the royal pillars of the mainland." Yoshitsune answered with furrowed brows, he was thinking hard.

"Well then it seems as if you did not know Noritsune as much as you thought." Goemon let out a small colorless chuckle.

"Goemon!" Hanzo barked slamming his fist on the table, it made me jump.

"I don't see the point of this." Goemon rose from his seat, "Sitting here like bums, when we should be taking a plan of action. For Nanami's sake." The whole table turned to me, and my heart froze.

"...!" I felt my hand that grasped my Kimono be held tightly, the warmth calming me. Saizo held my hand with fierce sincerity, he protected me.

"Tch. Envolving Nanami now? How much more of a fool can you be.." Saizo said annoyed.

"Sit down, Goemon!" Hanzo demanded and even if angered Master Goemon sat down taking a sip of his sake, and pouring more into his cup.

"It's too dangerous to send help for the mainland at this time. We must wait till things settle before making any further judgement." Yoshitsune said. Out of all people, I had thought Yoshitsune would be the one to act quickly, but for the first time I believed he was wrong. We had to do something! Before they.. kill Goyo!

"...." Everyone sat silently, even I who was on the verge of crying.

Later Afternoon.

I sit in my room looking outside. The sound of streaming water and crickets filled my ears. Goyo... A tear rushed down my eye, as I stared into nothing. You saved me in my time of need.. I was lost and you found me. Why is it that I cannot do the same.. Shhaak. The sliding door opened and closed, I quickly looked to see Saizo. Was it so wrong to think about Goyo and feel worried? Was it hurting Saizo? Of course not, if anyone understood it was him.

"..Nanami." Saizo's voice rang in my ears. I turned my face to see his, he seemed upset. He lifted his hand and placed it on my cheek. I held it there, and he wiped the tear away with his thumb. All day I haven't thought about Saizo, he had been the last thing on my mind. I didn't think about how he felt, but I couldn't rid my mind of the fear I was feeling..

"Saizo, I'm-"

"No, don't be sorry." He let go of my face suddenly and turned to look outside aswell. He had his usual expression on. Why can I never read him?

"But- ..!" His smooth lips were quickly pushed against mine. Our mouths formed with each other, the heat in my face rising I pushed away for breath, "S-Sai-" instead of letting me finish he pushed his lips on me again, this time wrapping his strong arms around my body. Finally, he pulled away.. leaving my dizzy.