Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 11: TAKEN

"Mother!" Ryogetsu's voice was now filled with trepidation. He sounded as if he were about to cry.

Hisako hugged Ryogetsu close to her chest. "Sh-sh. It will be well," she assured.

She was surrounded by mercenaries. Four of them. They were outside now. The rain was coming down on them, soaking all six of them. Hisako had made the decision to go with them peacefully.

Ryogetsu looked up at her with his big, fear filled eyes. She, too, was afraid. But she knew to stay strong for the sake of her child.

The mercenaries stopped at a small hut. They had walked for a minimum of two hours. Home was far away now.

One of the men pushed Hisako into the hut. It was one room, small. There was a pole in the middle, it stopped short of the ceiling.

The mercenaries ripped Ryogetsu from Hisako's carry and tied her to the pole. Her hands were fastened above her head.

Ryogetsu was beside her. His wrists were constricted behind his back. There was a rope tied around his waist connected to the pole.

Three out of the four mercenaries left the hut. The last slammed the door shut behind him.

The mercenary left had a large scar across his face. He crouched down in front of her. "So," he started, "this boy really has what they say?"

Hisako held her tongue, keeping her lips shut tight.

The scarred man shook his head, laughing. He said nothing more.

The night would be long. The scarred man kept himself busy by playing with a short piece of wood and a dagger.

Hours passed and Hisako's shoulders began to ache. The material of her clothes had dried by now, but it was chafing her skin. There was a single knock on the door. The scarred man raised his head. He knocked twice in answer. Thrice now. The scarred man went out.

When the door had shut Ryogetsu scooted closer to Hisako. "Mother? Are we going to die?"

Hisako looked down at Ryogetsu. She forced a reassuring smile. "All will be well." She had lost count of the number of times she had repeated that phrase. She no longer believed it.

She did not know if Noboru had even sent someone after them. Did he know they were gone? He had been wishing for her demise for so many years, if it had been just Hisako that had been taken she would surely have been doomed. But it was not only Hisako. It was also Noboru's favourite son.

She guessed it was near sunup. Her gut turned with the unnerving feeling that no one was coming to rescue them.

She looked at Ryogetsu again. He was too young. Her baby boy... would not die tonight.

"Ryogetsu," she said, "I need you to promise to do exactly as I tell you." The boy looked at her, fear crept into his face. "Promise me," she repeated, this time more urgently.

"I promise," he said in a small voice.

Hisako turned her eyes to her hands tied above her head. She pulled herself up, straining her abdominal muscles until she was hunched down on her feet.

Hisako sucked in a deep breath of air through her nose. She spread out one of her hands. It had been far too long since she had done this.

A warm white light appeared at her fingertips. It materialised within a matter of seconds. It still came naturally.

The katana was beautiful. Its hilt was bound in white silk. Its sheath was white, too. Hisako unsheathed the blade. Its curved blade was engraved with patterns of lotus flowers.