Shadow of the Orochi

Chapter 2

As they darted down the alleyways, Nobushi wondered why did it have to be in Nagoya. Nagoya of all places. In any other city, she could have escaped downriver before morning broke and then become nothing more than a memory. She never thought she would miss alleyways she had to squeeze through sideways or sewers she had to trudge through, knee-deep in muck.

But Nagoya was the home of the Imperial Palace. Harbours and River ways were closely patrolled as were the main streets. There were no pathways that couldnt fit five armoured soldiers abreast, and no underground waste tunnels either. Instead, royal shit was carted off discreetly. Their feces were prized as night soil and sold to the highest bidder. Something Nobushi had witnessed more than she'd like to.

Though they hadn't said a word since they left the Eagle's Roost, Nobushi knew the kid was upset with her, but the feeling was mutual. No doubt Misaki was filled to the brim with angst, having been denied an opportunity to use her magic earlier. Nobushi was a young girl a life time ago, but she still knew the desire every adolescent had. Though it was nothing specific like using magic, but she knew the desire to prove one's worth.

The only thing that Nobushi proved however was that dead fish could fly. She bested a samurai in combat, and true enough he yielded with honor. But Nobushi wasn't stupid enough to think the battle was over. That samurai had just eaten a face full of his spiritual granddaddy, and lost to a nameless ronin to boot. There were only two options left for honor bound fools like him.

He could either commit seppuku and kill himself, or have Nobushi killed. It didn't take a genius to know which one he was going to pick. Having more experience in this than she would like, Nobushi knew that bounties and increased guard patrols were the least she could expect. Getting out of this city was not going to be easy. Much like everything else in her life.

While the street was lit by paper lanterns at every corner, Nagoya was a ghost town at night. This may be due to a curfew, or a simple lack of disreputable fellows like Nobushi up and about. Either way, guards were sure to find a one-eyed swordswoman skulking around with a little girl at midnight questionable. Questions that Nobushi would have no desire of answering.

Luckily Nobushi's entire career has been one life-endangering job after another. Situations like this were nothing new and the reason why she managed to stubbornly persist in a life stacked against her was because she knew how and when to run.

While most samurai preferred to die with honor, Nobushi preferred to live and had no shame in running to live another day. Honor was useless if she were dead.

Simply put, Nobushi knew how to turn tail and run, to fly the coop and sprint like a bat out of hell. However anyone wanted to say it, Nobushi was fast. And if it came to it, even faster in a fight. If Nobushi learned anything from battlefields to alleyway brawls, its the power of having sharpened steel at her side. A talented warrior can cut their own path in life. Be it for women, men, ryo, or fame. Nobushi began to wonder why she alone was destitute, alone, and almost habitually disrespected?

Nobushi cracked her neck and couldn't help but smile at the thought. Perhaps she hadn't learned much after all.

When they were safe enough away, the pair stopped in an alleyway and Nobushi gestured her to keep a look out. "Why? Don't tell me you still think we are in danger. He gave us his word," was her curt answer and Nobushi sighed in exasperation.

"He could have given us his house and I still wouldnt care," Nobushi snapped back as she unslung her pack and began rummaging through it. "He's a samurai," Misaki reasoned, which her bodyguard promptly replied, "and I'm the Shogun, but lo and behold. Neither of us cares, but knowing you, you'd probably answer the door to a beggar at this hour." It was harsh, but Nobushi was just as irritated.