Alone

Chapter Ten: Outrageous Request

Sunlight blazed into Ayame’s room, waking her from her slumber. She felt as though her heart was burning inside of her, warm tears trickling down her cheeks and her hands steadily raising themselves to cover her face. Thoughts of Raiden raced through her mind. So much time had passed since she had last seen him. Her muscles tightened at the thought of his possible death. Her mind took control, allowing her imagination to run wild. She could see Raiden slowly fading away into the dungeon, where she presumed he would have been taken. There was one thing she feared most, that he would allow himself to go into the darkness lying in wait inside his heart. She could still see the red-eyed demon he had become to save her.

She could no longer control herself. A month had passed and the nurse continued to claim she was not informed about anything to do with Raiden, nor would she declare her well enough to move around freely. Ayame felt if she wasn’t soon told he was alright, she herself would have to claim insanity. Before she realized it, her voice yelled out, “Nurse!... Hana!” That was the only word her body would allow to slip through her lips. Within moments, the nurse rushed into the room, a terrified expression on her face.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Ayame could see the fear in her eyes.

“I’m fine, but there is something I need you to do for me.”

“Anything. All you have to do is ask.”

“Take me to Raiden. I can’t sit here like this much longer without knowing.” She pleaded, praying to the gods that Hana would finally concede.

“Ayame, you know that’s the one thing I can’t do for you. Even if I wanted to, I don’t have the authority to.”

“Then take me to Master Tadashi!”

“I don't think that’s a wise decision,” the nurse said with an uneasy voice.

“I will take the punishment. Just take me there! Please!” Ayame knew if the nurse said no again she could not pursue the topic any longer.

“If you are prepared for whatever punishment awaits you, then I will take you.” Ayame felt a smile creep across her lips. She watched as the nurse went to the door and called for the two guards lingering in the hallway. They entered the room. Both leaned down and lifted her from the mattress. Carefully, the bulkier one of the two took her into his arms, carrying her bridle-style down the hallway toward Master Tadashi's quarters. She wished Hana would allow her to walk on her own again, but she was set in her way of thinking that Ayame was still too weak. She ignored all the signs that Ayame had completely healed nearly a week ago. She would say it was humanly impossible for someone to heal at that pace, but how can she dismiss what her eyes see?

The guards opened the doors, taking Ayame inside. Her feet were gently placed on the floor, giving her the chance to finally stand on her own. She mouthed a thank you to the guard as he left. Katsu stood by the fireplace, a handsome grin on his face and a fire in his gaze. The way he looked at her made her stomach twist into a knot. His gaze was directed only at her. “My dear, I see you are feeling better since Raiden put his sword through you.” His laugh was more evil than joyous. “But I do wish to know to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you?”

“I’m not here to see you,” she responded sternly, “but rather Master Tadashi.” Her voice rang out strongly though her body was in a weakened state.

Katsu smiled cunningly. “Then this is your lucky day. But if you wish to see him, I ask you to tell me why.” He stepped from the side of the fireplace, to get within a few feet of her.

“Why do I need to tell you anything?” She took a step back only to find herself against the door. “I mean, you don't care about me, and you definitely don't care about what I need or want.” She fought for her voice to remain steady.

“Alright, I'll tell you what you, what you won't tell me. You are here to see Master Tadashi in order to try to see Raiden, or at least to find out where he is being kept. But I will tell you a secret...” he paused dramatically. “Master Tadashi won’t tell you anything.” He placed his hand against the door, beside her head.

“Why wouldn't he tell me?” She watched carefully to make sure he didn’t move any closer.

“His reasoning would be he is fearful, since you brought out the demon in Raiden you could put it back and enclose it in him forever.” His eyes seemed to shine, full of curiosity.

“What are you talking about? Why does everyone always say there’s a demon inside Raiden? And why do they say I'm the one that brought it out? I don't understand.” She didn’t want to understand. She didn’t want to hear the truth about him.

“What a fragile girl you are. You are quite amusing, you know.”

“Just answer my question!”

“Patience my dear, for there is a story you should know.” His hand slipped from the door to land on Ayame's hand. Taking it, he led her toward the fireplace to the two red velvet chairs. He motioned for her to take a seat, then took the seat next to hers, tilting his head to face her.

He began to tell a tale, “Once upon a time there was a man whose hands were white as snow, but one day his hands became stained with red. At first, the man didn’t know where such a beautiful color came from. But little by little he realized the beautiful color was from something, or should I say, someone. With this realization, the man searched for the blood that had spilled, only to find that life had already ended. In his remorse, he closed himself up from the world to live within his own heart.” He reached across his armrest to place his hand on Ayame's right cheek. “You, my dear, have released the man who was closed up within his own heart. Now it’s just a matter of whether he will return to his old self or be able to continue on with the new life that you have given him. I wonder what he will choose.” He smiled, letting out a light laugh as if to him this was all a game.

“I don’t understand. Are you saying it’s my fault things are turning out like this?” She took her free hand and shoved away his.

“In short, I guess that is what I was implying.”

“Then I need to fix it!” She knew this was not going to be an easy task.

“See, my dear, I have already predicted your move before you yourself.” He stood to his feet and clapped his hands together as if to applaud her. “There’s only one flaw with all of this.”

“And what would that be?” She questioned as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“As I have stated before, Master Tadashi will never allow you to see Raiden.” He let out a cynical laugh as though he was watching the world fall to its knees.

“Stop it!” she yelled.

He turned his face toward her with a questioning look. “What’s the matter? Why are you so upset?”

“Because all I want is to see Raiden, and you’re making nothing but a joke of it.” She stood to her feet and he followed by standing as well, only to have her place her hand on his chest, pushing him so his back rested against the brick of the fireplace. His eyes widened as he looked down at her, but they did not show an expression of fear, instead amazement at her bravery.

“Making a joke of it? I would never do such a thing to you, my dear.” As he spoke Ayame's fingers slowly wrapped themselves around his shirt. “Now, now calm yourself.” He took hold of her hand, loosening her grip until it fell to her side, followed by tears flowing steadily down her cheeks.

“Please, just allow me to see him.” She looked up at him with her violet eyes. She felt so tiny compared to him because if he wished, he could crush her at any moment. But she also knew he didn’t desire to. Even though he appeared like a fool who only wished to play games, there was something about him that caused an odd feeling to whelm up inside. She ignored it and waited for him to respond to her.

“If I say I will take you to him, then you must do something for me in return.”

“I’ll do anything. Just let me see him.”

“When I take you to see him you’ll kiss me in front of him.” He smiled. In her mind, the words played over and over. Still, it seemed she couldn’t understand the meaning behind them. “Why so shocked? It’s but a simple request.” The glow of the fire reflected on his face, making him look all the more cynical.

“I can’t do that.” She started to blush at the thought of kissing anyone.

“Then your desire to see him is nothing more than a whim.” He smiled at her, placing his hand on her cheek as if to taunt her. She slapped it away with more force than necessary.

“That is where you’re wrong!” She took a step back as if being close to him would cause her pain. “I’m not here because of a whim. I’m here because I’ve waited and asked for this past month to see him, and every time the answer was, no. All because they said I was too weak. Now, as you can plainly see, I’m well enough.”

“Oh, I can clearly see it now,” he laughed, “you’re in love with him. How pitiful that you would fall for a man that...” His sentence was cut short by the opening of the doors and Master Tadashi strolled in, a confused expression, as he noticed her, crossed his face.

“Ayame, why are you here?”

“Master Tadashi I'm here to...”

“She is here to see me.” Katsu took hold of Ayame's hand, pulling her close to him.

“Is this true?” Master Tadashi looked questioningly at Ayame.

“No, it’s not... I came here to ask you if I could see Raiden. I have been waiting for a month.” She pulled her hand from Katsu's grasp. “Please, Master Tadashi, I just want to talk to him.”

“Miss. Ayame, may I remind you you’re the reason for what happened. I can't allow him to go back.” He started to turn away from Ayame. “He is far more useful to me in his current state,” he said over his shoulder.

“No! Please stop! I just want to talk to him!” Ayame went to grab his arm but caught herself before she did.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” He turned around to face her. His expression was stern, yet when she looked into his eyes she could tell he was in the midst of thinking.

“Please, I will do anything. Just let me speak with him.” She watched as Katsu leaned over to his uncle, whispering into his ear. With a nod, Master Tadashi turned to give her his full attention.

“Alright, I’ll allow you to see him, but it would seem Katsu has a request for something you could do since you previously told him the same thing, am I correct?” He smiled and allowed Katsu to step forward. Ayame nodded her head. She already knew where the conversation was heading. “Good, then you will kiss him in front of Raiden. But I want you to do it after you have finished speaking with him.” He motioned for the two guards to come forward. “But there is one other thing. You can’t breathe a word of this agreement to Raiden. I want this to be a surprise.”

“But why must I do it in the first place?” She flinched at the thought of it all. “I don't understand.”

“Ayame, I realize this is all unclear to you, but in the end, it will all be for the best.” He turned from her, to face the guards. “Take Ayame and Katsu to Raiden's cell.”

“Yes sir.” They snapped to attention and then went to the door, waiting for Ayame and Katsu to follow behind.

After a few moments, Master Tadashi realized Ayame was not going to move so easily. “Ayame, this will be your only chance to see Raiden... I will not offer again!” Katsu moved towards Ayame, taking her hand, trying to move her toward the door, but failed. By doing that, he only angered her and she pulled away from him all the more.

“Fine, I'll go.”

“And you will kiss Katsu, otherwise there will be a harsh punishment. And no matter how important of a person you are, I will go through with it.” His eyes hardened. “Do I make myself clear?” His voice rose as though it were a sword ready to kill.

“Yes, sir,” Ayame answered regretfully. She went to the door with Katsu and followed the guards out. It felt as though her heart would stop beating at any moment. Her nerves had finally gotten to her from the conversation with Master Tadashi and Katsu. She had tried hard to stand strong and appear as though she could handle herself easily in any situation, but she was shaken up and knew they could tell.