If I was asked "What is it that is important to you?" I cannot answer straight away.
But if you asked me whether or not I would die for this clan... then no, I would not.
In the end I am but an outsider in this place. One that fit in, but still an outsider regardless.
The truth is I don't want to stop being the bodyguard of Kenshin because it earns me a place to stay and gives me room to practice my martial arts. But with the ever closer reality that war is about to befall this country, I have no choice but to leave.
But before I could abandon everything and go back to where I came from I have to do somethings first.
I have two objectives now - to reunite with my sister and to do what Kenshin has instructed me to do.
Marielle is with the Takeda boys. If I want to reunite with her and ask her to come with me I have to pay Edo a visit. It is their home base after all, I am bound to run into her over there.
Kenshin wants me to take Enna, Sora and Danzo to leave the clan together and go to somewhere safe before the flames of war consume the city.
Kenshin has given me the official go to own the Severance Blade but it was stolen. Without the sword I will not be able to remove the "merging" of my soul and the dragon soul within me, so leaving without the blade is a no-go.
That makes three loose ends I have to settle in this country.
"Well then... there is no time to waste."
____________
One week passed since Takina has woken up from her coma.
"No, I will not leave the clan just yet."
When asked to leave the clan, Enna replied to Takina with a stern rejection.
"Why not?"
"...I have a duty to fulfill, as both the doctor to Oji-sama and the others. I cannot afford to leave when I play a crucial role here."
"Kenshin-sama personally instructed me to ask you to leave. I cannot take no for an answer."
"Don't misunderstand Takina-san. I am staying here until the absolute last second but I do not intend to throw away my life.
I just... wish to help in whatever way I can."
"I see... We are not done with this topic Enna-san, but I will respect your wishes for now. When the war comes knocking on the door I will be here to drag you out myself if I must."
"Prickly are we today? But I appreciate your concern..."
"Don't mention it. I have some other matters to take care of so I will take my leave now, good luck in your task."
"Wait!"
Enna rushed over to Takina and handed her a small pouch.
"What is this?"
"It's a new antidote medicine that I've been working on... it can heal basically all common poison used by assassins and ninjas.
I figured your "other matters" has to be involved with fighting, this is the least I can offer to you."
"Thank you. I will pay you for the-"
"Just take it Takina. I have a whole bunch of antidotes ready anyway."
"I see... Thank you. If I may ask what are you making this for?"
"It's just a personal project of mine, to make a medicine that can cure even the most dangerous of poison.
You could call it an 'unfinished business' of mine."
Enna returned to her bowl of herbs and medicines, grounding it up with a mortar.
"I see... I'll stop getting in the way of your work then, take care Enna."
Before Takina left however, she noticed the herbs and spices that is being used to make the medicines.
(They were poisonous materials.)
Just as Takina was thinking in her head and leaving the room, someone tapped her on her shoulder.
"Woah! Don't scare me like that Danzo."
"Good afternoon..."
"Why do you always sneak up on me? I thought I told you about it...."
"I am not trying to hide myself either... It's just that your senses have dulled ever since you were shot."
"Hmm... Can't deny it.
Regardless, I have something to talk to you about. Do you have some time to spare?"
"Good timing, I also have something to discuss with you in somewhere more... quiet. Let's get to a secure place."
The two made their way to Takina's bedroom.
As they walked down the hallway, Takina can't help but notice that the usually busy and cheerful castle halls were now filled with the sound of armours and spears being moved around. No one but samurais of the noble class even remained in the castle, and smell of gun smoke and medicine filled the air.
"Danzo, will you leave the clan once the battle comes to Niigata?"
"No."
"You too huh..."
"I take it that Enna-sama gave the same answer?"
"Not as direct as you but yeah..."
"I am a kunoichi. I will not forsake my master and his clan just because we are about to lose."
"Well your master has personally instructed me to take you out of the war before we are wiped out."
"If that is the command of my Lord then I will ignore it."
"In the end it's your decision and you know what you're doing... unlike Enna. I won't insist if that's your wish."
"Thank you. I'd tell you about the reason outside of just my ninja duties but... I'd prefer to keep it hidden.
You don't have to worry about me, Takina-sama. You have enough on your mind already."
The two finally arrived at the room.... One of the maids in the castle exits at the same time as they enters.
'Thud-!'
Kato Danzo grabs the maid's arms.
"I have never seen you in the castle before. Are you a spy?"
"Most of the servants I'm the castle has left the city so I-I was stationed here to help...! Please believe me I'm just a servant!"
"Relax Danzo, I know who she is."
"My apologies, you may leave now."
"Y-yes... Sorry for intruding."
The maid quickly left as the two entered the room and sat down.
"What has made you so... cautious?"
"After what happened at Toyama city I cannot be too careful. Besides, ninjas would frequently infiltrate just before an invasion takes place. It's good to be cautious."
"Regardless, what is it that you said you wanted to speak to me about, Danzo?"
"I'd like to hear what you have to say first."
"Well..."
The two sat down at the floor table, where Takina poured out two cups of tea.
"I require your help to do something that I cannot fulfill myself. It's not easy."
She said as she puts down the tea pot.
"I take pride in fulfilling difficult tasks."
"I need your help to sneak into Edo."
"What...?"
Takina takes a breath as if reassuring herself before continuing.
"Promise me to keep this a secret."
The ninja nodded her head.
"That girl on the train with the white hair, the one who shot me... She is my sister."
"You're joking."
"It is the truth, believe it or not."
Danzo leaned closer to carefully look at Takina's face.
"No it can't be, you don't look much like her...
Or is it just that I can't accurately tell the faces of Westerners apart? You all look the same to me..."
"Hey... that's rude you know?"
"Sorry." Danzo sat back straight after hearing that.
"Her hair colour has changed drastically but... there's no doubt she is Marielle, my sister. Even when she's grown up I still recognize her."
"Are you sure it is her? Not a look-alike?"
"Yes I am very sure. The way she hesitates while speaking to me... even if she can't remember, she instinctively does."
"To think you would reunite with a family member like that... what are the chances."
"Even I found it hard to believe when I first saw her back in Toyama's castle halls."
Takina swirls the cup of tea as she spaces out a bit before continuing her sentence.
"Before the battle reaches Niigata, I want you to help me sneak into the Takeda Clan to speak with my sister.
All you need to do is to just find a way for me to get into Edo, that's all. I will figure out the rest myself."
"But that would basically be suicide for you..."
"I understand and that is why I am asking you of all people."
After a brief consideration from Danzo, she replied.
"I cannot afford to send you into such a dangerous place, that's simply too risky...
Not to mention what's the point of visiting her to speak if you aren't even sure she won't just shoot you again?"
"Even if she won't come with me I must try. As unreasonable as it may be, she was the single most important person to me... I can't leave this country without at least trying to make up with her."
"I see... If you put it like that then I cannot refuse you can I?
Besides, it's not as if it is entirely out of the question to sneak into Edo now. It's risky but not impossible."
"What have you got in mind?"
"...In one more week, imperial guards from the Imperial Palace at Kyoto will come to escort a group of refugees out of the city. The destination of this refuge will be Edo.
Genji-sama suggested that we avoid sending ninjas on that group as it would be too obvious. I say we do exactly the opposite and sneak in through the crowd, because that's the most straightforward and overlooked way."
"They do say that the best hiding spot is in plain sight. I'm in."
"Right. You should start by preparing your equipment accordingly... we need a way to hide your sword if you were to sneak into Edo.
Consider what equipment you need and only take what's necessary. If possible I'd advice you to not even bring your sword."
"It's not difficult to find a weapon on the spot, especially in this warring period."
"You should see what Takahashi-san can do about that first. He's been a great help... I'm sure he will think of something, he's experienced in this regard."
"Yeah I'll go check him out... It's been a while since I last spoke to him anyway."
"Good, then this topic is settled. Get yourself a hidden weapon, and I will take care of the rest of the planning. Just wait for my news."
"Okay. Now that is out of the way, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Oh yes I almost forgot... It's about the physician lady."
"Enna? What about her?"
"I have figured out that she is plotting something"
"A plot?"
"Yes... I believe she has given you that antidote, correct?"
Danzo took out a small packet of medicine powder from her pouch and placed it on the table.
"This looks identical to the one she gave me." Takina said as she picked up the packet of medicine.
"Well she didn't tell you the full picture. This antidote can not just cure most simple poisons, but it is also the only antidote for a unique poison...
A poison that she is brewing right now."
"She hardly has the nerves to harm a rat... but she did seem kind of suspicious recently."
"I have personally checked her records. For these few months all the medicinal herbs she have worked on has been related to poison in some way....
That antidote is likely an insurance. In case her very own poison was used against us, she didn't want anyone to suffer the consequences."
"...You think she's planning to kill someone?"
"Why else would one need such a unique poison if not for that?
But this is still just speculation on my part, so take my words with less intent than you would."
"Still, the truth is that she is planning something with the poison.
She's oddly resistant to the idea of leaving Niigata, although I don't know if it has anything to do with this..."
"For now we have no more evidence to base off of... but I do believe that Enna-dono will not harm any of us with that poison. I doubt she'd even use it against her enemies."
"I have the exact same thoughts. She has no reasons to kill any one of us, so it must be for a reason. Perhaps if I help her resolve this issue she'd even be willing to leave Niigata behind...
If I may ask why is it that you noticed it out of nowhere? You couldn't have been studying everyone inside the castle..."
"I am running an investigation to determine who's likely a spy in the castle, that's what led me to that discovery.
The truth is if we discount the fact that Kenshin-sama hired you, you are the biggest suspect of being a spy."
"What?"
"Foreigner, skilled, have contacts in the enemy clan, joined the clan at a time when spies are the most common, and have an unknown background... all of this screams a spy to me.
Well, the same thing applies to me as well."
"Sheesh... Well thanks for telling me about that anyway."
"Naturally. Take care Takina-sama and look out for Enna-dono for me."
As Danzo left the room, Takina grabbed the cup of tea she had poured earlier. It was boiling hot when she poured it but from all the swirling it is now lukewarm.
"Poison huh...."
_____________
(Evening, Niigata's streets)
Takina made her way towards Takahashi's workshop.
As she approached the front yard of his shop, she heard the muffled sound of a conversation from inside.
"-You were like a father to me... that's why it hurts to hear this from you."
'Thud!' The door to the shop was slammed open, a woman stomped out of the shop.
"Enna?"
Perhaps too distracted, Enna didn't notice Takina standing besides the main gate and left.
"I wonder what happened..."
As Takina approached the old man, the sound of wood being carved was heard.
'Creak... Creak... Creak...'
"Takahashi-san, why did you make her cry?"
"Ah it's you... kid."
Takina entered the shop, and places a bottle of wine on the table.
"I brought some sake... as always."
"Yes, that's what you always bring."
And air of silence fills the room.
The old man puts down the piece of wood that he has been carving, and turns around to face Takina.
"I could feel it, the call of the fox spirit."
"Ah..."
"I want you to be the one to put me down once the demon takes over... Please, Lady Takina."
"I'll... But...."
Takina averted her gaze for a bit, before replying.
"...I will do my best."
"Thank you. You don't know how grateful I am for this."
The old man puts down his carving tool and sits facing Takina.
"The demon inside of me will take over but... not yet, not now. There is a better time for it. I will make the most use out of this event.
"What do you mean....?"
"When the time comes and Niigata is overrun... I will let the demon loose and buy some time with it. I want you to kill me then, and I believe you'd be able to do because you have the skill to do it."
"I will help you... but you must first tell me why Enna was here just now, and why she is brewing poison of all things?"
"...The poison is to kill me."
"Huh...?"
"You heard exactly that. It's designed to kill painlessly with just one sip, but I couldn't do it.
I couldn't have her bear the weight of killing someone she loves. It's too cruel for a girl like her."
"She isn't a girl anymore, just like how I'm not a kid anymore."
"Even still... consider it my own weakness, being unable to face the reality where I am to be killed by Enna. But even so, I don't want the girl to handle that guilt alone. A doctor shouldn't face the guilt of poisoning her patient.
I will leave this matter in your hands when the time comes... I'm counting on you, Takina.
And when the time comes... please take her and run from this city."
"Yeah. You can count on me for that. Is it possible to use the Severance Blade to cut off the Fox spirit's soul from your own?"
"That is not possible. What did Kenshin-sama told you about the Black Lotus Blade?"
"Not much... that it is capable of harming the soul and it caused your soul to merge with the fox?"
"Not exactly. The Black Lotus Blade never was capable of merging souls, the fox demon was the culprit behind it.
But yes, the Black Lotus Blade is capable of harming souls itself. It 'curses' it's target when it's black mist is unleashed and strike down the target's spirit as if it were the body. A sword that curses others."
"I... see."
The sword isn't actually capable of slicing apart souls...?
"Then wouldn't that make it... useless for my dragon soul as well?"
"That I'm not sure."
"....If it truly is not capable of fusing and diverging souls then it would have been useless for me to seek it out after all this time.
But I will leave this problem for now... we have more important matters to discuss now."
"I figured you wouldn't be here just to chat. Tell me, what is it that you need?"
"I want you to create a gadget that can hide away my blade and allow me to sneak it into Edo."
"Edo...? Why are you even— no, I shouldn't be asking that.
But are you sure about doing something like that? It's a difficult task even for Danzo, let alone someone like you. You are a fighter, never was a ninja and never will be."
"Even so I must do it... I will at least try."
Takahashi looked her in the eye as if checking her resolve...
"I understand. Let's take a look at your blade first."
"Here." Takina hands to the old man her katana.
"Hmm...." The old man examined the weapon, taking a look at its shape and even it's curve on the blade.
"So?"
"It can be done but I need some time. Come back a few days later."
"Alright. Guess I'll leave you to your work then, good night to you Takahashi-san."
_________
[Takina's POV]
Now that everything is finished, I just have one more thing to do.
I need to talk with Sora.
As I walked down the streets heading towards the castle I came across a night market.
I suppose I'll get some sweets for Sora.
The sun was setting but the people were lively. There were still mothers and childrens in the street buying food and groceries from the countless stalls.
And to think that all of this will be consumed in the fires of war.... It's such a shame.
'Thud-!'
Suddenly the sheathed katana on my waist bumps into someone else... I could see that the man I bumped into is wearing armour and carrying a sword of his own.
This is bad, the samurais hate it when they accidentally get bumped like that.
"Do you have a death wish woman?"
"My apologies, it was an accident."
"An accident? If I cut you down here and now it would be an actual accident."
While his words sounded like that of a thug, it wasn't an empty threat.
The man was accompanied by two more samurai looking men. They smelled like smoke and sweat, it seemed like they had just returned from the battlefield. Soldiers who had just returned from the battlefield ate oftentimes the most... volatile.
"Huh, now that I look at you, you're a good looking one."
The man reached his hand out to touch my face.
Now he has gone too far.
Should I kill him here? Or should I just run for it to avoid making any trouble-
'Thud-!' Suddenly, another hand reached out and grabbed the man's hand.
"Stop this at once, Fukuoka-dono."
It was Genji, who is accompanied by a whole group of samurais, even more men than the "noble" before me.
"Tch.... My lord, what a surprise to see you here at the market. Do you intend to relax as well after the preparations for the battle to come?"
"I am merely passing through."
Genji glared at the man and glared at me as well.
"Do not make any trouble around here. We are about to face the greatest peril this clan had ever encountered, we cannot afford to fight amidst ourselves."
Before the noble man could leave, Genji said out casually :
"...It is Oji-sama's personal bodyguard that you have just bumped into. If she wanted to, all three of you would've been dead in the blink of an eye."
"Oh?..."
The man looked at me from head to toe as if checking whether or not Genji is lying.
"...Even if I am not from here, I did hear that Kenshin-sama has a bodyguard that is not just a woman, but also a Westerner and a complete demon with a sword.
While I am curious at just how skilled you are with your sword, today is not the day I can test you out. I suppose I shall let you off out of respect for Genji-sama.
Now if you'll excuse us, me and my gentlemen will take our leave."
The trio continued on their stroll through the night market, as if nothing happened.
A man also dressed in armour walked forward from behind and whispered into his ear. He is likely a personal assistant or bodyguard to Genji.
"I know. This will only take a moment." Genji replied.
After answering that man, Genji walked over towards me, his armour and his height absolutely towering over me in my casual clothes.
"Are you alright Fujiwara-dono? Did that man do anything to you?"
"You stopped him before he could make this a bigger problem than what it was. I was thinking of whether or not I should kill him or make a run for it to avoid making trouble... thank you for resolving it for me."
"I see... Well I did not resolve it for you, more so I am stopping you from killing a vital asset to our forces."
"A vital asset?"
"That man is the head of one of the larger families in the Uesugi Clan, even though he is from outside Niigata. He didn't know who you are because of that, not a single soul who has seen you with Kenshin-sama would dare to pick a fight with you."
"Am I that feared in this clan...?"
"That is the truth."
"I see... Now then if that's all I will also be taking my leave-"
"Wait, Fujiwara-dono. I have something to speak to you about."
"....You know I still haven't forgiven you about what happened at Toyama castle, right?"
"I know. But I ask that you hear what I have to say first."
"Very well, I'm listening."
"I will allow you a permit to leave the clan.... You only need to take Enna with you."
"Not you too..."
"What is it?"
"You, Kenshin-sama and even Takahashi-san has asked the same thing — to take Enna with me and go. I can't do that if she doesn't want to leave."
"Then I will allow you to use force if necessary."
"What, do I knock her out and carry her out of the city?"
"....If it comes down to it."
"Don't be ridiculous.... but rest assured, me and Enna have an "agreement" to be fulfilled. Once that thing is done, I will take her and leave."
"I see. I am counting on you to take care of my sister then.
Now, so long."
Genji gestured for the guards following him to continue on their way.
"Genji-sama."
"What is it?"
"Good luck to your battle."
"Yeah. Good luck to you too."
Genji left with the whole squadron of samurais, leaving behind only confusion in the surrounding bystanders.
By sheer luck, I ran into not just a nobleman from the outer areas but also Genji... but that is to be expected when war is drawing closer to this city every day.
"...Ah, the sweet rice balls."
I had almost forgotten what I came here for in the first place.
(Chapter End)