Black Water

Chapter 11

The wagon filled with spirits for Shoko's Saloon pulled up to the back entrance and Sho jumped off eager to stretch his legs and glad to be back in town. The vastness and utter loneliness of the landscape forced Sho to think of Kyoko and he itched for a distraction. While the chore boys empty the wagon he walks to the nearest water trough and dunks his head in trying to clear to clear all the dust that feels layered on him. Later he'd get his cloths cleaned and take a nice long bath. He straightens up and wipes his face and pushes back his hair with his free hand that isn't holding his hat. When he saw a crowd of men standing around the sheriff's office. Curious he walks over to join them placing his hat back on to shield his eyes from the sun. Just then Sheriff Hidehito walks out a telegraph in hand.

"Thanks for waiting men. The horse theft up at LME Ranch has escalated, the horses have been retrieved by the owner and his people but in their absence a woman was taken; it appears to be the same men." The men mutter their disapproval, horse theft is already a hanging offense but kidnapping women, that's a whole other level of evil. Sheriff Hidehito raises his hands to silence the crowd.

"We need about five men then we'll leave as soon as everyone's mounted. We're heading out tonight, they can't track the men and woman at night so I've sent word that we'll be there a little before sunrise before they leave we'll join them."

Sho's heart drops into his stomach, that's the name of the ranch Kyoko was at. He speaks up over the crowd of men.

"What's the woman's name who was taken?" Hidehito looks at Sho and shrugs his broad shoulders.

"The telegram didn't say." A few men raise their hands to join the posse, Sho raises his hand too and quickly signs on.

'I only want to check and make sure it wasn't her.'

LME Ranch

Ren paces the floor unable to calm his boiling nerves. The longer she's gone the farther away she could be. While they couldn't track with the sliver of a moon the=at rose and now was setting those men could keep traveling to god knows where. Ren felt utter anger and uncontrollable rage just underneath the surface, something he hadn't felt since that black day when he'd left his old life and name behind. Trying to keep his emotions in check is proving to be difficult however. He needs his head to be clear of distractions and focus solely on saving Kyoko not getting revenge. Taking a deep breath he sits down on one of the plush armchairs that face the fireplace in the living room. The fireplace is filled with half burnt pieces of wood and ash but he stares past it deep in thought, his hand resting in his hair making it a mess. Thoughts of Kyoko flood his mind, the crying little girl to the woman laughing at him covered in petroleum and her embarrassed blushes. His features soften and a small grin plays across his lips.

'Who would have guessed they would find each other years later, both each others first love.'

Lory just as anxious to find Kyoko and bring the men to justice who tied up his family, injured one of his men, took his horses and stole one of his charges from his own house. Yes, these men would pay but if he wasn't the voice of reason Ren would be out in the dark chasing ghosts. The sun would rise soon enough now and the Sheriff and his posse should arrive soon to assist in the search and apprehension. Lory enters the living room witnessing Ren's change in demeanor and a look in his eyes he'd never seen on the boy. Kyoko's sudden appearance seemed to soften Ren in many ways. But he had a feeling there was more. Lory joined him sitting in the chair beside his. Ren broke out of his thoughts when Lory decided to ask.

"Is there something going on between you and Miss Mogami, you warmed up to her very fast." Ren looks at Lory a little shocked but quickly remembers how sharp and observant this man is despite his eccentric behavior. Ren sighs and resigns himself to reliving the past.