The God of War's Love

Chapter Eight

For the past few days, I have been recovering steadily. My friend, Kojuro, another healer, has told me that I was suffering from extreme fatigue and had a cold that lasted for the past week.

"Akane, how are you feeling today?" Kojuro asked me as he came into the small infirmary.

"My neck is fine, now. I think I could still accomplish my duties if I go with the troops," I said solemnly.

"No, no, no. Kenshin and Kagenobu both prohibited you from leaving the outpost after all of the ruckus."

"Ughhhhh... Can I tend to the soldiers inside?" I asked with a pout.

"That's quite a good idea. I have to go with the troops, so it will be good for long term patients to come back here, to you."

"Sounds like a plan." I stated victoriously.

Later that night, heaps of our soldiers came into the outpost with terrible injuries. Some of the servants even had to help while following my instructions. I had tended to countless men by the time one man came in that I did not expect to see. Malcom came limping in with a knife in his leg and blood dripping from his forehead.

"Akane..." he mumbled as he fell to the floor.

"Malcom!" I yelled as I ran over to him. I struggled to lift him, but with the help of a strong servant woman, I got him on his feet while he leaned on me. Once he was on a small bed, I took a look at his head, which was more pressing than his leg. After that examination, I realized he had no concussion, but someone had hit him in the head hard. The shape of the bump was like the back of a sword. I looked down to his leg. It's gonna bleed when I take it out. A lot. I prepared cloth, stitches, sake, water, and bandages before I took out the knife. I wrapped a scrap of cloth tightly around his leg, above where the wound was. The moonlight gently glistened off of the metal as I gently and slowly pulled it out. The second it started bleeding, I held the fabric against his leg with a great deal of pressure. The pale fabric was slowly dyed red, like the battlefield only a mile or two away. Once the bleeding slowed down, I took the soapy water and gently cleaned the wound, and proceeded to pour sake on the wound, to disinfect it. Well, it's the closest thing to rubbing alcohol here. I then stitched it and bandaged it shut.

More and more men started to come inside, as did negative thoughts into my mind. If our side of the battle has suffered so many casualties, are we winning? Is Kenshin okay?

"Lady Akane, thank you." A soldier mumbled as I finished patching him up.

"No, thank you. People like you protect people like me from the Oda." I noticed that I spoke without hesitation, but I had never lived inside the walls of Azuchi, nor any region of Honshu. Maybe Kenshin and Kagenobu's hate for him has rubbed off on me. I only vaguely remember learning of various successful military conquests he had conducted. One of his most infamous acts was the Siege of Mount Hiei, which saw the destruction of 3000 buildings, and an estimated 20000 deaths which included monks, women, children, and other civilians. To my understanding, it was this event that earned him the title of "demon king". His cruelty, no matter how barbaric, did pave the way for how stable and isolated Japan was and became. Should I hate him?

Malcom stirred in the corner as I heard him grumble. "Excuse me." I quietly mumbled in apology to the soldier underneath me. I ran over to him and he grabbed my hand.

"Akane." He groaned as he held his head.

"How are you feeling?" I inquired quietly, so to not give him a bigger headache.

"Like hell. Argh. I could kill Kenshin." He growled, making sure no other soldier heard.

"What did Kenshin do?"

"He did this to me. Normally, I never get hurt in battle, much less it be by the hand of my lord."

"Kenshin STABBED YOU?" I loudly whispered, astonished.

"Shh! Yes." He said while holding a finger to his lips.

"But... but why?" I asked him quietly. He looked at me quietly, keeping it a secret, I could tell.

He hesitated as he whispered, "You."

"What?" I, once again, loudly whispered.

"He's obsessed with you, Akane. He hates women, but he's really nice to you. He thought I had a thing for you, and I provoked him. He stabbed my leg and hit me in the head. I didn't pass out, but I barely made it here." I was silently fuming. As I was furious, I heard the loud victory cries coming from the north. I ran outside, ready to talk to Kenshin. "Akane!" Malcom yelled.

"Kenshin! I swear to all that's- AGH!"
I yelled as a tall man in a black suit grabbed me. He dragged me behind the outpost and held a cloth against my mouth and nose until I fell unconscious.

Malcom's Point of View.

Still thinking over what happened, I remembered the feeling of Kenshin digging the knife into my flesh. Only moments before...

"Malcom. Why do you seem so close to Akane?" Kenshin harshly demanded the explanation I would deny to give. I remained silent. "Malcom. I swear to god, if you don't answer me." He grunted as he cut down five men at a time. His gray armor was soaked with blood, his face covered in a mask of death. This is the Dragon of Echigo; the God of War. It was terrifying.

"I care deeply for her." I quietly said as I tossed a throwing star into a soldier's chest.

"You barely know her!" He yelled.

"I've known her longer than you have," I responded. With a dark glint in his eye, he threw the knife from his side at me, aiming for my head. I jumped to the side, and it dug into my leg. "Agh!"

"No ninja of mine falls by my hand."

"Then why do you fight me so harshly?!"

"If you can't survive my attacks, you are not a ninja of mine." He grumbled as he walked to me and hit me with the back of his sword, ignoring the death and soldiers that surrounded him. I barely stumbled back to the camp without falling. The black spots that danced across my vision were batted away by determination. Maybe I deserved this. I've been manipulating and lying to both Akane and Lord Kenshin. My close relation to Lord Nobunaga could be my undoing.