Missed

Intruders

I was fourteen when they found me huddled in an alleyway covered in dried blood that wasn't my own. I was on the verge of death but, he decided to help me in exchange, I give him my life to do as he pleases. At the time, I thought I would be safe and being fed and underneath a warm roof, who would question it? I was utterly wrong.

I was trained to be the most elite assassin for him. Day or night, I watched over him. Hardly sleeping and barely eating. He gave me comfort yes but, only enough to teach me my place in his world. I would train throughout those times, each moment a different scenario so I would be prepared for everything and anything that tried to kill our Lord.

A few years had passed and I hated the feeling of taking someone's life...so I cut my emotions and hardened my heart. I closed everything out until I was unable to feel any remorse or sentiment for the being that stood before me; and my Lord liked that.

"She's a quiet one, isn't she?" one of the Lord's from the mountain region spoke as he stared at my body. "Quite a figure too."

My lord nodded. "Indeed. She'll kill you with no hesitation before you take a step near her." They both laughed, the lord from the mountain region stood up and looked at me with a mischievous grin.

"Is that so?" he reached his hand to me and my lord quickly shook his head.

"I wouldn't--." I quickly held my sword at the lord's throat before he finished his sentence. "—do that." He sighed as blood trickled down the wide eyed lord's face. He stumbled back and landed on the hardwood floor as he looked at me with sweat dripping down his face.

"I-I...!" He yelled as his men rushed in and my lord glared down at him.

"Do you intend to use this opportunity to kill me?" my Lord said as he hissed at the lord from the mountains.

"N-no, Lord Genzo..." he trailed off as he shoved his men out. "Besides, the poison in your food will do that for me and, who else but blame the assassin that is known for having skills like a demon?" he laughed hysterically as my lord began to panic as he looked down at his food.

"Wh-why?!" My lord panicked as he sat in his chair.

"Because the Hanji clan offered me a much, much greater deal than you could EVER offer me! And in six days' time, this will be mine." He pointed to me. "Including you, wench!"

I sheathed my sword as I stepped forward and stared at the man who would not meet my gaze. My lord looked up at me as he waited for me to say something.

"I had a feeling you would do something such as this, that's why..." I vanished and reappeared beside him with my kunai at his throat. "We replaced his food with yours." My lord stood up and nodded as I quickly slit his throat as the blood began to splatter over the walls.

"You knew he would betray me?" my lord said as he walked over to the dead lord in front of him.

"I had my suspicions." I held his gaze as he nodded in approval. "I only needed him to get closer to figure out if the information that was given to me, was accurate." He nodded as he stroked his beard.

"I understand, thank you." He slid the door open as the dead lords men were still waiting patiently by the door. My lord jumped back at the sight of them. "And what of them?!"

"Our men, sir." I bowed and then walked away as they removed their helmets and bowed to him. "They will not betray us, I've made sure of that." I hissed as I glared at them in the moonlight. Their bodies stiffened as they all cheered at once.

"Yes sir!"

"Once again, you've proven yourself. Thank you, Risa." He whispered the last part as he walked away with a smile. "I'm glad it was I that found you that fateful night."