Alone

Chapter Seven: Traitorous Surprises

Ayame watched until the moon had started to dip down to the horizon, trying to figure out what exactly she had seen. With no logical explanation, she decided her eyes were playing tricks on her. Finally able to bring herself to believe this, she turned, heading back to the room where Akira had been imprisoned since it appeared to be the only way back in from this section of the yard. Once inside she found the door to the hallway had closed and locked behind her. Turning back to the old wooden door to the outside she saw it closing squeakily. She raced for the door, but it closed too before she could stop it. She jostled the handle, but it refused to open a second time. Placing her ear against the door, she listened intently to find if anyone was outside, but not a sound could be heard.

A few hours passed and the sun had risen in the sky, allowing its rays to stray through the window. She watched as they danced across the stone floor, and then finally heard footsteps echoing in the hallway, becoming louder with every passing moment. Fear gripped her. She quickly glanced around the room, trying to find a place to hide. She finally moved herself to where the door would open, knowing it wasn't the best spot. But there was nowhere else to conceal herself.

After only moments of standing near the door holding her breath, it swung open and there, through the c***k between the door and the frame she could see Raiden along with two other men, dressed in black. The men charged in at the realization that Akira no longer resided in the dungeon. “Where is she?” They turned to Raiden. He stepped forward, placed his hand on the door and closed it. Ayame drew in her breath, hoping he wouldn't turn to see her standing there. But it seemed he already knew someone was hiding. He peered over his shoulder to see her, his expression changing from tense to shocked. He stepped in front of her, as the other two guards turned to him.

“Master Raiden,” one said, “it would appear someone came here and helped Akira to escape.”

“It would seem so,” he replied.

“We'll search the grounds to find her,” announced the second guard.

“Good. I'll be out in a moment.” He motioned them away. When the door opened next to him and then closed he turned to Ayame. “What are you doing here?” he whispered, a hint of anger in his tone.

“Ummmm, I was looking for the washroom,” she said with a sheepish smile, trying to lighten the mood.

“What?” He raised his eyebrow. “Ayame, this is not the time to joke. What really happened?”

“Ummm...” she stuttered, feeling scared. She knew what she had done was going to get her in trouble. She had been hoping to get back to her room before anyone noticed and then no one would know she had a hand in what happened with Akira.

“Please tell me the truth this time.” He sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

“Okay, here's the truth.” She looked up to finally meet his gaze. “I was looking for Akira last night. Not to visit her, but to get her out of here. I’m sorry I didn't tell you the truth.” She could feel tears tugging at her eyes.

“Ayame, what have you done?!?” He was now enraged. She cringed at his sharp tone. She could see the sweat begin to dot his forehead and his hands begin to shake, as though there were something he knew, something horrible. She wanted to turn away from the eyes that held such knowledge, but as she did she felt his hands on her cheeks, lifting her face to gaze at him once more. Her curiosity finally peeked at the sight of his violet eyes with yellow flicks shining, but she silenced her thoughts before she could ponder the change in his eye color.

“What? I don't understand.” She felt his hands fall from her cheeks to her shoulders and his grip tightened, causing pain.

“There's a large price to pay for what you have done.” As she looked into his eyes she could see the sadness they held and could feel his hands shaking on her shoulders. “Please, can you tell me where she went?” he begged. His eyes changed once more, green seeping into the coloring from the inside. It was at this moment she realized Raiden was no ordinary man, but she couldn’t conclude how different he really was.

“No, all I know is she ran into the woods.” As she finished, two men burst into the room.

“We thought we heard voices coming from here.” Their gazes landed on Ayame. “It would seem you did this!” they yelled in unison. Stepping past Raiden, each took hold of one of Ayame's arms and started toward the door with her in their grasp.

“What are you doing?!” Raiden yelled with rage, standing between them and the door. “I want you to leave this to me.” He calmed his voice to sound authoritative.

“Master Raiden, we have to take her! She has committed a crime, and you more than anyone should know the laws we have here. The Master has called for us to either retrieve Akira or have the person who helped her take her place.” They held mischievous smiles across their revolting faces. The towering man released Ayame's arm and the other took hold of her. He advanced toward Raiden, placing a hand at his throat. His attempt to lift him off of the ground was thwarted when Raiden swiftly placed his hands on the man's elbow and wrist, sending him flying over his shoulder and into the hard wooden wall.

Ayame tightly shut her eyes at the first sight of blood starting out of his mouth and on the wall where the man’s head had hit hard. She cautiously opened her eyes again when the man that had hold of her arms suddenly released her. He now resided on the floor in the middle of the room unconscious. She looked around trying to find Raiden, only to feel a hand rest on her shoulder. She turned to notice him behind her. Fear made her take a step back from him, seeing flicks of red and blood thirst in his gaze.

“We have to go see the Master.” The red receded from his eyes, changing to emerald with yellow flicks.

“But didn't you murder those men?” Worried Ayame. What would happen if this was found out by the master?

“No, they are just unconscious, with minor injuries. Now we must see the Master, immediately.” His voice sounded frantic as he started for the door, taking hold of Ayame's hand. She followed behind silently, allowing Raiden to pull her along down the hall, out of the dingy, old, run-down dungeon-like cellar. She could feel his grip tighten as he quickened his pace. They moved quickly down the hallways of the mansion, finally entering a room with double doors. It was a dark place when they entered, curtains pulled across the four walls where the windows were located. There were lit candles, with two chairs facing a grand brick fireplace.

She could see hints of the man's face, because of the light that blazed from the fireplace. His appearance wasn’t as aged as she remembered from their first meeting. As they moved slowly toward the man in the chair, he spoke to them, “Raiden, is that you?” The man seemed confused as to why he was there.

“We've come ...,” Raiden began to explain.

“We?” He inquired, cutting Raiden off. By the sound of his voice, he had an essence of knowing without the need to see or hear them. It also seemed he had a dark sense of humour.

“Ayame and I. As I was saying, we have come to tell you Akira is no longer in our custody. She has escaped.” His voice held a formal note. She glanced up, seeing his strained facial expression.

“I know,” he replied, laughing playfully. His tone was deep with a slight rasp.

“You know?” Raiden's confusion could be clearly heard.

“Yes. I also know how she gained her freedom.” His voice told them of his joy, letting out another playful laugh, confirming his gleeful state.

“Master?” Raiden questioned as he stepped slightly in front of Ayame, trying to protect her.

“Raiden, I know Ayame was the one to free her.” He stood, and for a moment they both could see his brown hair lingering down past his ears to his shoulders, around his pale face, his white teeth shining and a mischievous sparkle in his bright blue eyes.

Only moments later, he appeared by Ayame's side, pulling her gracefully away from Raiden’s side, placing his hand gently along her left cheek. Before she could think, let alone blink, she felt his lips press against hers. Her eyes widened just as he released her, stepping away to look into her eyes. Quickly she turned her gaze from his to meet Raiden's. His emerald eyes had hints of red seeping in, but his expression remained strained to appear calm.

Raiden turned from Ayame's gaze to face him. “How dare you,” he said in a rage. She could see his fist clenching. His voice may have seemed mostly calm, but she had a feeling there was more he intended to say, but he forced himself to bite his tongue.

“Well, my dear Raiden, I love how people react in different situations. And your reactions were both absolutely splendid.” His smile grew wider as he spoke, his eyes dodging back and forth between them, memorizing their expressions.

“You like how we react?!” Ayame yelled, allowing her emotions to show freely. “Kissing someone simply for a reaction is a horrible thing to do, let alone if you don’t even know them!” She moved quickly toward the man they had thought was the master, raised her arm, and slapped him across his right cheek. He grabbed her hand, and in one swift motion spun her till her back was against his chest. Pulling her arm slightly, leaning her head back, he looked into her eyes.

“My name is Katsu. It is very nice to meet you, Miss. Ayame,” he whispered in her ear, then leaned down and kissed her once more. Leaving his eyes open to enjoy her every reaction.

Ayame quickly pulled her arm from his grasp, enabling her to pull away from him. As she did, she felt Raiden take hold of her, pushing her to stand behind him as he started to draw his sword. His anger was clearly showing now. She raised her hand, taking hold of his brown kimono. She wanted to feel safe again. The feeling he always gave her.

“Stop!” A deep voice echoed through the room. Master Tadashi moved from the shadows into the light of the fire. “Ayame and Raiden, this is my nephew, Katsu.” He laid his hand on Katsu's right shoulder, looking directly at Raiden, motioning for him to step aside.

“My apologies, Master.” He bowed his head apologetically, stepping to the side, revealing Ayame standing behind him.

“It is all right, Raiden. I understand the situation.” He stepped away from Katsu and turned his gaze on his nephew. “Katsu, you should not be doing such things. She is not here for your enjoyment.” He turned to face Ayame. “Come with me, my dear.” He motioned her toward the fireplace chairs. Ayame walked over, taking a seat in one of the red velvet chairs. “My dear, I have heard some very disturbing news from my men.” He spoke gently to her as he sat down. “Have I heard correctly that you helped in Akira's escape?” Ayame tilted her head to look at Master Tadashi and nodded. “I see, then I have not heard wrong.” He turned to look back at Raiden, then again at Ayame. “You do understand what happens to you, right?”

“Yes, I understand, but I also understand she didn't deserve to die.” Ayame could feel fear start to bubble up inside her heart, but she tried to hold it all in. Fear had become a normal feeling for her even though she wanted to be brave.

“Good to know. Then it won’t come as a surprise to you when I tell you what happens next.” He motioned for the two guards standing at the door to come forward. They trudged toward them, stopping just behind the red velvet chairs. Ayame braced herself waiting for them to pull her away.