Black Water

Chapter 14

Just as sudden as the gunfire started it stopped, but not soon enough. The posse not far off now, every man unlatching their pistols and some slinging their Henry Repeaters across their laps ready for any kind of fight. Lory slows his lead horse and the others do the same. He speaks loud over the horses.

"We go in nice and steady, we don't know what we're riding into. Everyone keep your firearms ready!" Some of the men nod in understanding but everyone remains silent readying for the fight.

Sioux Camp Ground 1 ½ Miles Ahead

Reino gives Kyoko a mock innocent grin and looks at her as if her words and actions wound him.

"Oh Kyoko, such a sweet woman, only you would offer your own life for an Old Indian." He lowers the knife from White Clouds neck.

"Here have him BACK!" He yells the word back and pushes the old man toward Kyoko. White Cloud's eyes burn with anger and her runs the few remaining steps to Kyoko taking her knife and putting himself between Reino and Kyoko.

Reino sends White Cloud an evil grin and waves his knife at him in challenge.

"Come on, old man." He licks his lips anticipating the cries of pain the old man will scream as he cuts him.

Kyoko puts a hand on White Cloud's shoulder. He feels her hand trembling as she squeezes.

"Please..." She says her voice low and a little shaky.

White Cloud stands back up straight his fighting stance no longer needed. He turns to face her and pats her head lightly while she fights the tears from spilling forth.

Kyoko feels White Cloud jump and his breath hitches sharply. His eyes wide. A warrior cries out loudly but she doesn't understand his words. White Cloud leans forward and she reaches around to steady him. Her hand rests in a warm liquid and she pulls it away holding him with her other arm.

'Red...blood.' Meets her gaze and she looks at it confused.

"When...?"

White Clouds knees buckle and she goes with him trying to soften his fall. The cause is right in front of her, Reino stands his knife dripping the same crimson red.

"Why...?" She asks her voice barely audible, the tears coming in sheets down her face.

"Why!!?" She asks again her face twisting in anger locking eyes with the madman.

Reino feels no obligation to answer but he does just to see what kind of face she'll show him. Her anger making him shiver.

"I really wanted to hear him scream in pain." He says, then his face twists in dark anger.

"But he didn't make a damn sound!" He rears his leg back to kick him and Kyoko shields White Cloud with her body. But a gun shot rings out and a bullets rips through Reino's leg. Reino cries out in pain holding his leg and falls landing beside White Cloud and Kyoko.

Lory leads the pack of men as the break the treeline. Kyoko scans the men looking for the shooter and as the smoke clears from his barrel she sees his face. The sight of Ren makes her heart swell and relief washes through her.

'He came for me...' As his image sinks in her vision blurring another face forms through the haze of tears. Her blood begins to boil.

The men circle on their horses guns pointed at the remaining Vie Ghoul men who surrender. The men get off their horses as Kyoko lays White Clouds head down, his men tending to his wounds.

The men tie up the remaining Vie Ghoul members and Sheriff Hidehito helps Reino to his feet as he begins securing the dangerous man.

Kyoko walks past Lory and Ren only nodding at his question of concern and marches straight up to Sho's face. She pulls back and slaps him as hard as the momentum will let her on the same side of a nicely forming bruise on his jaw. He looks at her with unbridled surprise and satisfying to her, pain. Her cheeks red with unchecked anger and her eyes a golden blaze she gives him a seething look and he shrinks back. No words need to be said but he apologizes very solemnly, realizing his grave mistakes.

Lory and Matsushima proceed to White Cloud and check his condition confirming out loud. "He'll live."

Kyoko turns on her heel and walks back to Ren who looks amused trying hard not to laugh out loud.

Kyoko shakes her hand trying to erase some of the sting. Ren takes her hand and wraps some white torn cloth around it, which she recognizes.

'My under dress.' Ren raises her too lightly bandaged hand to his lips and kisses it, their eyes never leaving each other.

"Without this we would have never found you." His voice is heavy and he gives her a serious look. She smiles lightly and gives him a soft look her free hand lowering his hat and running her fingers through his dust covered hair.

"Yes you would have...Kuon."

He gives her and blank stare for a minute then he smiles.

"How did you know?" Kyoko shakes her head.

"I just did." He places his hand under her chin ans raises her face up kissing her hard letting all of his feelings be known.

"HEY!" Hidehito yells as his gun gets pulled from it's holster. Reino swings around pointing the barrel at Kyoko's back. Kuon spins them preparing to take the bullet. Kyoko cries out.

"No!!" The gun sounds off and Kuon holds Kyoko to him keeping her in place waiting for the bullet. But two seconds go by and nothing, he opens his eyes.

Sho is standing just behind Kyoko his gun smoking. Reino lays in a sunken heap in the dust. Kyoko turns to meet Sho's eyes.

"I should have done that back in town."

Kuon gives him an appreciative nod, Sho gives a nod back.

"You'll be good to her?"

Kuon smiles. "No question."

The remaining Vie Ghoul members Miroku and Daisuku are taken back to Sulpher Springs where they are convicted of kidnapping, and horse theft. They hang for their crimes gladly ready to join their leader in Hell.

Shotaro makes up with his father and goes back home ready to finally take on some responsibility and inherits the inn chain.

White Cloud recovers from his wounds and visits Kyoko regularly, calling her daughter.