The memoires of Akashingo pt.2

I see you came back.  Well good, we still have a few stories to tell before we can close the books on this.  As promised, I have more stories today.  Yesterday we went through my own timeline more or less.  How I became who I am, and the position I carry.  A simple thing really, but important for the backbone of any good story.  Now however, I think it is time to touch on the meat of my life.  A few selections that should fill that pad of paper.  Hopefully you brought enough.  I think we should start with a particularly riveting one.  However, I must warn you…….this story isn’t for the children.  I would be particularly remiss if my granddaughter ever was able to read this.   Though, to hide the truths of our life….is to show shame, and in my heart I do not have shame for anything I have done.  So, to start with the story we begin as many do in my office.  I had been chief of missions for a few months at that point, married and a child.  He was still young, before I knew he would never follow in my footsteps.

Across my desk came what I thought would be simple.  A rogue Akari was using her strengths to sell herself as a mercenary.  The Black Light we called her.  She did not infact have black light as her preference, but it was more a note on her rogue status and looks.  She had hair darker than pitch.  Her eyes though….. to call them black would be an insult.  They instead….we the embodiment of the lack of color.   It was one of the most beautiful parallels to see those darkened orbs shift to the bright light of the Akari.  She had been on the mission squad with myself for some time, but then she had never returned.  I had assumed her dead, it does happen.  Some of our agents go so deep into a mission it could be years and years before they ever return.  It is policy not to contact them, or do anything in the event of a missing Akari.  We are tigers in that regard as opposed to lions.  So, when her name finally did come across my desk, I was disappointed it wasn’t something for me to sign saying sorry to her family.  Instead assassinations order.

It was something I did not look forward to.  Normally, to dispatch a rogue is a good feeling.  This was however….more personal.  She had been a part of my team, the ones I trusted the most.  The red, blue, yellow, violet, and black light of the Akari.  The most fearsome enforcer squad in the history of the clan.  Now, two had died, one crippled, and another a rogue.  Indeed, the greatest are often brought down the hardest in the end.  I often wondered if my own end would be the same.  Though, I had no time for such thoughts.  So I did what I could.  Gathered supplies, information and headed off from the village.  Did I stop and see my family?  I did, but briefly.  Long enough to say good bye to my son, and to attempt another.  Not something my heart was really in to however.  Perhaps if I had been there more, if I had tried harder my son could have been more like me…..it is something I will never know.  Age…..it allows that, to look back and view the world with a different perspective.

Outside the gates, I breathed in the air of freedom and set off. It was always a great feeling to start a mission.  You still had all your energy, your body was not wounded and sore, and the freedom of the wilds revitalized your faith in nature.  By the end I was usually so beaten and bloodied I could hardly enjoy myself.  Though I try to take things one at a time, enjoy my time while I can you know.  The walk to the small town was comfortable enough, and it was there I hitched a ride on a grain cart.  The land of Bears is where I was headed, and it was a long journey.  As part of the missions squad we did things very different.  Preferring to hide in the open rather than the shadows.  It wasn’t enough to be a trained killer; you had to be a trained person.  Hitching rides with merchants, finding places to stay besides hotels, these were essential abilities, that each of us picked up in time.  This actually marked the first time I had traversed into the land of Bears and was looking forward to the change in scenery.  

If I knew I was after her, than I had no doubt she knew as well.  My guard was up for the entire journey.  If truth must be told, I assumed this could be the mission that got me killed.  I knew where I stood with each of the members of my team in their prime, except for her.  In tests, sparring it was always I that came out on top…..but I could never shake the feeling it was because it was what she wanted…not what should be.  I half expected to be killed as I left Konoha.  However, no attack came and my journey was boring.  Not that I complained, it was just nice to be away even if the business inevitably would turn messy.

On the day of my arrival it was raining.  No no, that isn’t the right word.  It was a deluge.  The rain came down in sheets completely soaking any and everything that did not have shelter.  Even things under shelter got wet if they weren’t lucky.  The village she was supposedly in was one of the largest in the land.  It was a trading village, mostly markets and merchants, the kind people traveled far to get to.  No doubt she had been making a killing in such a place with her skills.  Upon my first day I had acted as a wandering workman, and was hired to assist in the stables.  This provided me with an excuse to be in the village, a place to sleep, and access to most new people who entered.  Shoveling a little horse shit on the side was worth all of this.  

I wondered who would find who first.  Two assassins in their prime, who had worked with one another since childhood….it was…..exhilarating if the truth be told.  I didn’t know what would happen, and it was one of the few times I thought I might die.  To lay down and sleep, what a challenge that was.  In the end I came to a revelation that dropped me into a slumber. It’s a simple one, if I die then there is nothing to worry about.  Therefore, what was the worst that could happen?  Back then, I had less concerns for the clan should I die, so putting my life on the line was not something that concerned me.  Around 3am was when it happened.

I awoke briefly, and there she was.  I could feel her hips, her slender legs running down my sides from where she sat atop my stomach.  I remember everything from that moment.  The smell, lotus blossoms……her light frame, yet with such strength.  The way the moon pierced the stable, leaving her face in the pale light.  I knew she had chosen this, she….was skilled.  The blade rested at my throat, as her smile revealed white teeth contrasted with the pink of her lips.  Those eyes staring into mine.....or where they looking deeper.  “Why hello there…”  Her voice was a purr in my ear.  I was at her mercy in the moment.  As she had spoken the blade pressed just slightly, I could feel a wetness move down my throat as she drew blood.  “soooo is that a blade…..or were you perhaps dreaming of our meeting…”

It was amazing how she spoke.  She could make a sentence feel like it was going on and on.  It was…..and still is the most erotic moment of my life.  I can’t fully explain it, but that’s how I felt in that moment.  The prospect of death realer then than ever before, and yet…I would never have changed that moment.  “I think you already know”  I said to her.  Not a very chilling thing to say, but I find in life it is actually rare to say something dramatic in the moment.  Besides, it was true.  My right hand shifted uo as I flexed my hips into hers.  In this way I moved onto of her as my knife had slid from hip bone to her ribs ending with the point resting outside where her heart was.  

Not a deep cut, but enough to show I wasn’t playing around either.  Her own knife had slide downward as well, and now the hilt rested on her abdomen near her navel with the tip just pressing into my own.  So in that way the position had changed just slightly.  It was obvious to her and me she had allowed such a thing.  Licking my lips I looked into those blackened orbs.  Well what happened next…..isn’t really appropriate for the archives so no need to mention it.  When we had finished with our…uhh…scuffle, I found myself sitting in the stable staring at her.  “Why did you betray the Akari…”  It was a simple question, phrased like a fact.  It had happened, and I needed to know.  

She told me her reasons.  They were sound, they were logical, but they were not excusable.  Did you think this would be a love story?  No I thought you knew me better than that.  What had to be done was what would happen and we both knew it.  Her reasons?  I guess I didn’t explain them did I.  She had felt repressed in the clan.  She had felt her talents wasted and had desired to rise above her station.  As a mercenary she would be able to gain the means to have such a thing happen.  Standing, the cold night air caused my frame to appear as if it was on fire, the steam coming off my flesh in waves.    She stood as well, and there we stood eye to eye.  I knew I would kill her in that moment….except I didn’t.  That was all I remember, I blacked out shortly after.  

She had poisoned me at some point, it wouldn’t have been hard.  I had been distracted after all.  She had meant to kill me, I know she had.  The dose was far too lethal to just be a test.  I was in that stable for a day before someone found me.  The day had been a holiday, she had planned to make escape and my corpse would alert no one until it was too late.  However, I did not die.  I was found, aid was called and I just barely lived.  Rage….that was what filled me.  She knew of my vice for women, how could she not.  She had used me, played me, and what hurt more than my stiff muscles was the blow to my pride.  Taken out like some green boy fresh out of the academy.  Me…Akashingo Akar, the Red Light, the most dangerous Akari that has ever lived.  Sorry, I don’t mean to sigh, but it was a frustrating time you see.  

In total it took three days in that hospital to gain enough strength to leave.  I immediately set off following whatever trail I could.  If she knew I was alive or not I did not know.  I could only assume she thought me dead.  Trust me when I say my body would have felt better if it had been dead.  So there I was, I set off once again following her trail.  Ahh one second, I think I hear the door wonder who that could be.  Should take but a moment and I will be right back to continue the story.

(twc 2001)

Sorry about that.  Damn kids selling sweets again.   O, yes here you can have some if you like.  Can’t help myself you see, to deny oneself the little things of life is to not live.  It is only when you let it consume you, does it impede your life that you sought to enhance.  So, where was I…..Ahh yes.  I had just left the hospital.  Well to be honest I wasn’t sure where to head after that, except the one place I could not go.  Coming home was something that was impossible.  Never had I returned before with a failed mission, and I was not going to start now.  So I merely bought a map, and began examining it.  In the end, I put it up on the wall of the stable, threw a knife and went where it landed.  The Land of Birds, not very ominous I know.  I had no real idea if it would lead me to something or not, but I had to travel.  I had to keep looking, and it wasn’t a bad place to go. 
 
The land gained its name from the amount of birds, and this caused, on occasion for a great number of important people to arrive.  Coincidence, fate, or just good old fashioned luck….can’t tell you which but whatever it was it led me to the right place.  I suppose I should first mention this.  In the business, the quickest way to make ryo and reputation is through assassinations.  A specialty of the Black Light.  So you can see how this time of year, the migration, was an opportune time for her to make her name.  The migration often attracted Daimyos and other important individuals to bear witness to this natural phenomenon.  So, a simple contract and she was off to make herself the most highly paid assassin in history.  I of course didn’t learn any of this until I had already entered the land and began to piece each detail together.  I guess I skipped that part….but vetting a lead isn’t nearly as exciting as some of the old men at the bars make it seem.  It’s a lot of waiting, watching, and tucking ryo into the right pockets……..and if you’re really good taking it back out without notice.
 
I had forgone any attempt at picking up a side job this time.  I had hoped she assumed me dead, and I was attempting to use that to my advantage.  Her name?  I suppose I haven’t used it yet have I.  Mishara Akari, that was her given name.  A unique name among the Akari, but it fitted for a unique individual.  I guess I never described how she looked then either have I?  You should ask for these details in the beginning, so we don’t have to interrupt the story for them.  However….I suppose there is no harm in it.  She only stood around five feet and four inches.  Her frame was small, and light.  Thin I suppose, but such a word fails to describe her strength.  She was someone who was so comfortable in her own skin it was obvious to a complete stranger.  Dark hair often kept up, using her looks to her advantage whenever the situation dictated.   Across her shoulders, and down to the small of her back was the tattoo of lotus blossoms. 
 
I don’t mean to speak so fondly of a traitor, but in the end I sometimes can’t help myself.  She was born to the branch family, far from the main trunk that I was.  However she had never let that stop her.  That was something that I cannot hide…..I admire it, it’s just that simple.  Though we really should be cracking on.  I had entered the village, and maintained a level of secrecy unparalleled before.  Never had I worked so hard at concealing myself, and it paid off.  I caught glimpses of her, and for once I was confident that I was the one hunting instead of being hunted.  Her tinkling laughter filled the ear of the Daimyo she was with.  Sorry, which one is classified in the log, just know he was important.  Her disguise, well she didn’t need one.  Beautiful young women, she easily made her way to be among his favorite company.  Flattery, batting of an eye lash, laughing at horrendous attempts at humor……old men are suckers for these kinds of things.  Perhaps all men are though, a sin of circumstance. 
 
Watching, I finally had my chance.  The hotel her target was staying at had a wonderful security regime.  Which meant I wouldn’t be disturbed once I broke it.  Inside, I found a nice dark corner and awaited my chance.  Stiff I grew waiting, but like I said earlier, that is most of the game….waiting.  I was rewarded however, when I saw my target walking past me.  I had no doubt she had planned on doing the deed that night, though from her dress it was clear she would be using a….unique weapon to kill the man.  He surely would have enjoyed it up until his death though I had little doubt.  From the shadows, my grasp took her and pulled her in, something I can’t deny was enjoyable for myself.
 
One hand covered her lips, while the other grazed over her abdomen to grab her opposite wrist, trapping her arms against my body.  A slight tearing sound as my hands tore through the sheer nightgown as they had moved to grab her wrist.  I could feel her breath quicken, and it gave me some joy to know I had taken her off guard for once.  “You can’t escape from me Mishara…..I think you know that.”  AS my hand moved from her lips to her throat seeking to finally complete what I had set out to do, for the second time I found myself in the wrong position.  The cold steel pressed into the lumbar section of my spine, and I felt myself slowly releasing the grip I held on Mishara.
 
“Sorry lover…..But my friend doesn’t like to be kept waiting.  Your alterations, will likely improve the game” she said as she looked down.  “If you make it out, and I hope you do…well perhaps we can have dinner tomorrow.”  Her words were a purr, and when she had finished she gave me a goodnight kiss.  This mission had turned out to be one of the strangest and most difficult I had ever undertaken.  As the click of her heels disappeared I could hear the shuffling of several more feet, and then an even greater pounding as a number of guards I could not count unmistakably were heading to my present location. 



Ahhh I see you are out of tea, let me get you some more.  Besides, a cliffhanger often enhances a story.  A little foreplay makes the climax better, a fact known to any women.

(WC = 1145)
(TWC = 3146)

Twc 4282

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