Chapter 8
1244 Words
Aryah took her usual spot in the garden that was adjacent to her room. It was located in a shaded arbor that faced the western corner of Lord Matsuda’s estate. The corner consisted of a miniature hill and was covered with low-growing grass with decorative rocks placed in strategic locations. There were gnarled black pine trees, as well as miniature maple and oak trees. Shrubs of camellia, winter daphne, gardenia and sweet osmanthus decorated the sides of a small but elegant pavilion with their colorful and fragrant blossoms. It was a quiet, conducive spot that is perfectly well-suited for relaxing, meditating - and practicing her lyre.
Sitting down on a small stool, Aryah did a series of exercises to stretch and loosen the muscles of her palms, fingers and forearms. The exercises served to warm up her hands in preparation for her lyre practice. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, the practice commenced …
It flowed like currents of river water, the notes melding and dancing one into the other, like pure crystal glass, like raindrops …
It wasn’t the first time he heard her play - or practice … he has heard it many, many times …
To be honest, he knew as much about music as a mountain goat knows about knitting - which is another way of saying his knowledge of music is almost nonexistent.
But it always fascinated him … even bewitched him … he was entranced each and every time she played … he, who was called the Devil’s Assassin, an instrument of death and deception, shadow and stealth, was completely enchanted by a mere slip of a woman who played music he knew nothing about. He should have been utterly ashamed of himself … Master Gorō would have cast him out, even had him killed for giving in to such a fatal weakness … they are just shinobi after all, a means to an end to those who hire them, and should never, ever see themselves as men … feelings are for people, not for the likes of them …
Yes, he really ought to be ashamed … but he did not mind it all … nor could he find it in his heart to get rid of these feelings for her …
My beloved …
As soon as the words appeared in his mind, her fingers suddenly stopped dancing on the strings.
“I think you’re here right now. Aren’t you?”
His whole body tensed. How could she have sensed me?!
“It’s all right,” Aryah continued to speak, smiling. “I won’t tell anyone you’re here. And no one else is in this pavilion.”
I’ve known that all along, beloved … I made sure of that …
Aryah gave a start as Kai soundlessly dropped from the ceiling rafter of the pavilion. He fell down to kneel on one knee and bowed his head.
Setting aside her lyre, the woman took a good long look at him. Just like before, he was completely clad in that distinctive, close-fitting garments of soft black. Just like before, he wore sandals. Leather guards covered his upper arms and calves. A short sword was strapped diagonally on his back. Aryah was somehow not surprised that there would be a small collection of weapons hidden in his person. The only major difference in her erstwhile rescuer’s appearance was he wasn’t wearing that small, conical hat from before. Instead, his head was covered with a hood in the same soft black cloth as the rest of his clothes.
“At your service, Miss Aryah.”
Yes, she would never forget that voice. It was low and smooth, but somehow soothing … words that one wouldn’t ordinarily use to describe a killer …
Kai swallowed hard as he knelt before her. He prayed that she wouldn’t hear the pounding of his heart. He has never had an actual conversation with his beloved “princess” until now, and words other than those he was customarily used to speaking to those who hire him are stuck in his throat. But what she said next almost unmanned him …
“Can you kindly show your face to me, please?”
“Miss Aryah?” he replied in a startled tone of voice.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to be so rude. But Lord Matsuda has told me all about you and what you have done for his family. And, and even though …” the young woman hesitated as she recalled that awful day. There was a tremor in her voice.
“Yes, Miss Aryah?”
“I’m sorry,” she replied in a near whisper. “I was just remembering that time. Who knows what could have happened if you hadn’t …”
Kai’s head went up and he looked at her. Aryah could not fail to notice that his slanted eyes not the usual black or brown. Instead, they were colored a clear grey, like a cloudless sky after a rainstorm. But they were neither cold nor lifeless, but seemed rather warm and even friendly …
“Miss Aryah, it was a great honor to have served you. And as long as I’m here, I will do my best to keep you safe.”
She smiled. “Then can I see what you look like, please?”
Kai went very still for a moment. For a minute, Aryah thought he wouldn’t grant her request.
But he slowly got up to his full height. He then proceeded to remove his head covering.
Aryah gasped and her eyes became round in surprise.
He was taller than most Yashima men, around 6 feet, she reckoned in her head. He had long black hair that was tied back in a high ponytail. But it still flowed down his back like black silken threads. He had a lean and athletic, well-muscled build. But what took her by surprise was how startlingly handsome he was. His face was well-shaped with angular cheekbones and a cleanly-defined jawline. His nose was straight and not too long, and his mouth was straight and well-formed with a distinctly curved and full lower lip.
“Are you all right, Miss Aryah?”
Aryah gave herself a mental shake. Is there such a thing as a handsome shinobi?
“Miss Aryah?”
She realized she has been gaping at him like a silly, empty-headed ninny for several minutes, and was deeply embarrassed. “I, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to impolitely stare at you but … but … you weren’t what I expected you to be.”
Kai inclined his head a bit to one side, his brow slightly furrowing. I wonder what she meant by that …
Aryah’s cheeks became faintly pink in embarrassment. “Oh, never mind. It’s not important. What is important is you have saved me. And I will always be very thankful for that.”
“And I will always find it an honor to serve you, Miss Aryah,” Kai replied. He gave a deep bow to her. After a while, he stood up straight and vanished …
“I wonder when we can meet again,” she mused, smiling.
- Writer
