Chapter Nine: Calm before the Storm

The year was 1867.

Along the north-eastern Asian coast was an island country in the Pacific Ocean called Japan, or locally as Nihon - a name which means 'source of the sun'. Kyoto was its capital, a cultural city located in the largest island called Honshu. An era of militarism thrived upon this land, headed by the shogun, whose power had been derived from the emperor around three hundred years ago. In this city, the shoguns resided in the Nijo Castle, which had been used since the 1600's as home to Tokugawa shoguns.

Corruption and greed were the common attributes of government officials. From the shogun, the bakufu leaders, the daimyos and the samurais who preserved the militarism of the estate, there seemed no hope for a better future for children even though some truly righteous rebels were always striving hard to overthrow the government.

But amidst these kinds of people, there were others. Others who could be a part of either side of the coin - rebel or government worker, rich or poor. Most of these people were young and talented, only longing for a brighter tomorrow for the country that they lived in. These kinds of people still hoped, still strove and still had hearts that were unstained by the filth that surrounded them...

***

A clap of thunder boomed outside the walls of the mansion as a bolt of lightning brightened the darkening room for an instant. Outside, the rain seemed to worsen, falling in torrents and washing the sinful world of Japan. If one was being aware, the volume of its sound would have been loud. If one was before a window, one could see it nourishing trees, plants and flowers with minerals that only water could provide.

But inside one of the rooms in Shidareyanagi, two young people were not being aware of their surroundings. Their world had been reduced to a place where only the two of them existed as they escaped reality through a warm and comfortable embrace...

Kaede laid on his side, eyes looking absently forward towards the far wall where dark grey shadows of late afternoon lurked. He kept his thoughts blank, needing to defend himself internally against whatever emotional assault that Akira seemed to easily hurl at him. He was laying on the soft futon and behind him, holding him without malice unlike the other men who hired him, was Akira.

Akira too lay on his side, his arms wrapped around Kaede, face buried in the boy's raven hair. His desire had already faded minutes ago, because of the strength of his will. Instead, he had pulled Kaede in his arms earlier on and they had both laid on his futon, comfort in their silent embrace. Sound of rain lulled the moment to become peaceful, as they found a balance amidst everything tragic. There was quiet zeal in what they shared, but it was subtle, just like their personalities...

"Kaede..." Akira whispered against one of the boy's ear, lips pressed against the softness of the flesh. He could not help but converse now with the boy because the morning after tomorrow, he and his master Hirohito would have to go back to their jobs. His plans for letting Kaede escape would then be thoroughly researched. "I really like your name..."

Kaede shrugged his shoulders, almost out of instinct, his skin shifting against Akira's muscled pectorals, as he too spoke in a soft voice. "Thank you."

"One day... when you're free... Do you intend to leave Japan?" Akira could not help but ask, a hand caressing the smooth flesh of Kaede's abdomen. The skin beneath his fingers shifted slightly, perhaps in surprise. "It's only natural, I think... But I wonder if that is your plan..."

"I... Perhaps... China maybe... or a country in Western Europe..."

A small smile touched Akira's lips as he closed his eyes, sight of the room or Kaede fading from his vision. "I'm sure you would be successful one day. I see your talent. I know you can make it..."

"I... think it would be hard but... I'm determined to make it..." Kaede responded, somehow feeling the need to do so. Kaede's hands clenched into fists in front of him as he too closed his own eyes, the darkness behind his eyelids a welcome respite. Warmth comforted him from his back without cease and that too contributed to soothing a part of him.

"And one day, maybe we'd meet again..."

It was Akira's wistful wish...

Silence reigned for one moment as their eyes both stared at darkness, behind the lids of their eyes. Around them, the world shifted, rain carving earth, increasing river and lake depth, washing dirt away...

But it did not wash away the guilt and ache in Kaede's young but broken heart.

"A... Akira-san...?" Kaede broke the moment of stillness as he just had to ask a question.

"Akira." was the firm but gentle reply.

"I'm sorry... Akira... but why...?"

"Why?" Akira asked in silent confusion, needing to clarify the question.

"Why are you... holding me?"

Unknown to Akira, pain was crushing Kaede inside as he could not understand why a man would just hold him and not do anything else. All his life, he'd longed for someone to do so but now that it was happening to him, he did not know how to react. He did not even understand the purpose behind such an action.

And... what's more...

The man who was touching him so intimately yet so... respectfully... was going to be a man who would hate him soon. So much kindness given to him, whether real or not, but later on, he would just throw it back at the man's face. He could almost not bear the guilt and the ache that wrenched his heart. But he had to survive nevertheless because fate dictated him to.

Gentle whisper against his ear answered his simple question.

"When those men touch you, you don't like it, I know. Even if you do something, you want and long for another thing. They dictate your actions. But when I hold you like this, don't you feel warm? Isn't it nice to know that someone could touch you so kindly? I'm teaching you, Kaede... That there is a difference. That it shouldn't always be about pain..."

A silent breath escaped Kaede's lips as he wanted nothing more than to flee from the embrace, to run away from Akira, to escape as far as he could from /everything/. Guilt assaulted him without mercy. Blood that had been on his hands in the past seemed to suddenly coat his pale fingers again. Murdered men who died by his hands seemed to suddenly surround him as he struggled to breathe through the ache. It was a kind of ache that vanished soon because Kaede was used to such harsh cruelty ripping him apart. Such offensive emotions that threatened to break him had been his companion since the moment he had been torn away from his home...

Immediately, he let go of his afflictions. It wouldn't serve him any purpose if he were to analyze them and cling on to them so much. Instead, he asked a question, one that could distract the both of them from the reality of his life. A question of fate, of the future, of something that Kaede hoped to one day see, even though he was not worthy to do so. "Akira... what would you like to change in this country if ever you were allowed?"

There was a quiet stillness as Akira took in the question, analyzed it and tried to think of what to answer to the young prostitute between the circle of his arms. One arm pulled back from wrapping around Kaede and unconsciously began to touch Kaede's sides. With his fingers running along Kaede's naked waist and hips, he answered...

"Change," he muttered, opening his eyes slowly, sight of dark early evening greeting his sight. Greyness of afternoon had already converted to dusk as rain continued to fall and touch the earth. "I want so many things to change. I suppose it's impossible to just say one thing or another right now. Because they all go hand-in-hand. But if there was one thing I would like the most... One thing that was allowed for me to create, it would be peace. This country of ours had been ravaged enough even by its own people. So much corruption, so much hate and so much bloodshed... One day, I wish that instead of men raising weapons to kill other men, they would instead raise farm tools that would dig the ground so that the earth would be cultivated. To plant their crops and instead be productive rather than destructive... Don't you think that it's a good dream, Kaede?"

For a moment, Kaede's closed eyes squeezed shut even more as he heard such profound words from the swordsman. But eventually, he merely opened his gaze, looking absently at the darkness that enveloped the room. He spoke, "Maybe one day it could happen... but... if you want such things... I hope you forgive my question but... If you want such things, why are you working for the Tokugawa government instead of the side that is fighting for such a thing to happen?"

Wise words were calmly blown to his ears. "Each side... is fighting for a reason. I had been thrust at the side of the current regime. My samurai background - my family and so many factors dictate where I must belong. But... Is there a side that does not cling to bloodshed? Is there really one? I can't speak for anyone else but I am what I am... Even though I act as a guard to a government official, it does not mean that I naturally am loyal to what he represents. I am my own person as you are your own person..."

"So by being a guard to one of those who serve the oppressive government in this era, you are actually working against the change that you had told me earlier on?"

A smile curved against Kaede's hair as Akira inhaled the scent of rain, garden and tatami. "You have a point, Kaede. Such a good point... I'd like to think that I too am striving to meet the end that my heart desires. But I suppose it's just an illusion with what I am truly doing. Thank you for pointing that out for me, Kaede... I truly appreciate it..."

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean..."

"You're smart, Kaede. Your skills and talents are hidden behind a cage. I truly hope within my heart that you would be free very soon. You could do so many things. Your strength and your determination are just what's needed for a better Japan."

This time Kaede could no longer find the words to answer the swordsman who spooned him from the back. What was he supposed to say to such misinformed words? As Kaede looked on sadly at the black wall that was darkened by evening, he could just recall all the wrong things that had occurred in his life. It almost made him want to surrender to the man behind him, to be a child instead of being a man. But he did not do so. He had already lived for fourteen years and was old enough to take care of himself. He could never depend on and trust anyone but himself. He was used to being alone. He could survive without anyone by his side, just like the nine years of solitude that he had already lived through in this brothel. He needed no one to give him false assumptions on his attributes. He needed no hope through promising and ornamental words. He only needed himself.

But then, he almost wanted to let go of such a strong belief. And the fact that there was doubt in his heart made him ache all the more. It was almost hard to breathe...

For a few more minutes, the two youths stayed that way, trapped in an almost chaste embrace despite the sinful estate that surrounded them. The contact was peaceful, comfortable and warm, a welcome respite from the bloody era they lived in.

If only... time could stop...

***

"Wake."

Kaede opened his eyes in wakefulness as he felt a large hand shaking his bare right shoulder. It was still dark, night-time. He was still in Akira's room, trapped in Akira's gentle but almost possessive embrace. Kaede shifted his gaze upward, following the trail of the sight of dark clothing covering a large powerful body. From clothed muscled thighs to the face, Kaede squinted until he felt himself relax. It was just Toru, the bodyguard who had been by his side since he was barely ten years old.

"Toru-san, what is it?" Kaede whispered, his voice soft enough so as not to wake the man behind him. He did not move from his position. Only his eyes had shifted.

"It's soon, Takato-san had wanted me to inform you."

The simple words of reminder made Kaede's body stiffen as he looked intensely at the guard. The rate of his heart increased as he recalled the mission that had been given to him mere days ago. The time had finally come when blood must be shed once again. And it was he who was destined to play the part of the reaper as always. There was no choice but to do his job, despite the guilt and hesitation that always played in Kaede's mind. The task must be done. For a better Japan. For a brighter tomorrow.

With calm, educated movements, Kaede shifted from Akira's embrace, beginning to move the swordsman's arms away from his naked waist. If he was precise enough in his movements during this night, he would be able to escape Akira's room without waking the young man. He achieved such a thing sometimes. But there were those who were far too skilled to easily trick into undisturbed peaceful slumber. Akira was no exception.

As soon as Kaede had successfully pried one arm away from his waist, Akira's eyes opened in alarm as he stared first at the darkness that engulfed them, at Kaede trying to get away from his embrace, then suddenly up at a black-clad man who, despite being a ninja, was not quick enough to escape his attention. Akira immediately stood from his position on the bed, lack of clothing ignored, as he held on to one of the katanas that he had asked one of the maids to bring up to his room, right after he had bathed with Kaede. He had strictly instructed that maid to place his daisho under his futon. Now, one hand rested on the exquisitely designed hilt while the other gripped the smooth silver scabbard. Akira was set to murder anyone who threatened his life at that moment, and right now, the one who stood against him seemed to be the tall black-clad man who...

As Akira squinted in the darkness, his reflexes on high alert, he slowly took in the features of the man who was looking back calmly at him, as if he was just being silly. Akira didn't care about his disposition though because, for him, it was better to be safe than sorry. Soon though, as seconds passed and Akira began to realize who the man was, relief washed over him and a small smirk broke into his tense features. His body came to a relaxed state, dropping its stance, as Akira released his hold on the hilt of the sword, that hand coming to rest on the back of his head. It was a gesture of sheepishness as he looked at the man in the darkness.

"It's you." Akira muttered as he cocked his head to the side to acknowledge the man, hand at the back of his head falling to his side. He backed away slightly, his sight never leaving the ninja as he went towards the low table near the open window. Crouching down beside the oak table, he took note of the ninja merely standing in the darkness and Kaede finally beginning to sit up and look towards the direction of the window. Akira looked down only briefly to pick up his yukata before he stood again, placing it on quickly, even as he still held his katana. Soon, the yukata was covering him and he only had to tie the sash around his waist.

And that was when Kaede had finally stood from the futon and began to near him, gaze unseen as he walked with his head bowed, fringe familiarly covering his eyes. Kaede bent to pick up the sash that was intended for Akira's yukata before straightening his body and wrapping the said sash around the swordsman's waist. Soon, his carved marble fingers were moving like spiders, tying the sash in an artful knot. Akira would soon know that such artistic fingers were not only meant for beautiful things. It was also used for sin and death. For morbid things. There was nothing beautiful in death, is there? Except if those who were being killed had a fascination with dying at the hands of a youth with a beauty that was otherworldly. Then, there is beauty after all.

"You are always where Kaede goes, are you not?" Akira asked, his voice raising slightly as he stared at the ninja, over Kaede's head. "Perhaps ever since he was a child. Could I assume that the shogun had sent you to guard this boy?"

For a moment, the guard said nothing as he looked back impassively at Akira. He was not truly one to talk and interact with the customers of this brothel. He was only to speak when spoken to, just like Kaede. But unlike the boy, he had more freedom. He was not used nor degraded. He was just the watcher, the one who could not do anything despite his wishes. From the beginning, it had always been that way...

Finally, Toru just answered, to appease the waiting swordsman who stood almost importantly in the darkness, his clothed, strong body pressing against Kaede's naked one. "Your assumptions are correct, my lord. I have been with Kaede since he was barely ten years old. And yes, the shogun was the one who instructed me."

"And you have always seen. You have always known. And yet, as a man who was supposed to be born to an honourable society... You've not done anything."

Anger almost coursed through the ninja's veins at hearing those accusing words. And yet, in those words, he found truth. From that winter morning when he had arrived in this brothel, when he had first set eyes on the injustice being committed to the innocent boy, had he done anything at all? It eased his conscience through the years he'd spent with Kaede when the boy never complained or cried out loud. He would turn a blind eye whenever he witnessed the young boy shedding small crystal tears in silence. He tried to ignore the strong ache that coursed through Kaede's veins. And it helped so much when no one questioned him, but merely praised him for a job well done. Tonight was the first night when someone questioned his motivations - who he was as a person as based on his actions.

It made Toru feel threatened, not physically, but in another sense. The man who stood across the room - who was separated from him by space and a young prostitute - was forceful, in his words, his creed, and in the manner that he carried himself. For the first time in years, Toru felt dominated.

But, of course, he ignored such a feeling that his heart felt so clearly. It did not help him in any way to recognize such emotion.

And thankfully, the heavy atmosphere was cut through by a voice he recognized, a voice he loved to listen to, a voice he had conversed with in the silence of the night when both he and the boy were plagued by too many nightmares. Toru had shared many conversations with Kaede - most of them short ones, but meaningful nonetheless. They had talked of the past, the present and the future. Just listening to the prostitute's voice brought Toru to a state of bliss. But sometimes, it brought him guilt too. The guilt of not having killed the boy on that fateful morning when they first met. If only he had not listened to the boy's wish of not wanting to die, then Kaede would already be free of this dirty world that they lived in. But it was already too late and regret did nothing for him...

Kaede, who stood silent between the two men, clung on to his will and his toughness, one that had been honed through the many years of experiencing first-hand the harsh life that the shogun had hurled at him. He had to react somehow to the two assuming men who thought that he was some damsel who needed support and guidance. Did they not see that his youth and the attractiveness of his features were a mere mask to the monster that he really was? Such fools. Kaede ignored the longing in his heart as he lifted his gaze and looked from one man to the other. There was no expression in both his voice and his face as he uttered the words that made the men quiet, "Please stop. I am not yours to save. I am my own person. I never wished to be saved. I can survive on my own. Give your efforts to someone who actually has the will to be resurrected from whatever gutter they are stuck in."

And with that, Kaede bent to pick up his own yukata, draping it over his shoulders in fluid movements before looking first at Toru then at Akira. There was intensity in his eyes - something that only geniuses could decipher perhaps. Now was not the time to listen to two men arguing over something nonsensical. From the moment he had been born into this life, he had become an adult. And as an adult, he had always been strong. He needed no comfort from anyone. He was capable of living on his own.

Lowering his gaze, Kaede moved across the tatami floor, bare feet sliding against the mat as he realized for the first time that sound of rain did not cease. It continued, pouring over the bloody lands of Japan, as heaven continued to cry. Kaede opened the door of Akira's room and stepped out, leaving the two older men behind him.

It was time to carry the burden of murdering yet another government official once again.

Hesitation was not an option.

***

"Did you enjoy Akira's attentions, my dear Kaede? You should have since you had spent so much time with him lately. Tell me, is he planning your escape yet? Such frivolous lovers you have, Kaede. They're so passionate when it comes to loving you. I swear... Not even the ladies get so much attention. It's because you surpass them in beauty and intellect. You outwit them. Such a clever boy you are, aren't you?"

Kaede said nothing as he slid the office's door close with a click, then slowly turned his body around with a calm disposition. The white yukata that had been wrapped around him, but not tied with a sash, shifted as caused by the breeze created by his action. Heard words that came from the manager were ignored, as they always were, as Kaede was aware that they were either outright lies or meaningless compliments that did nothing for him.

"It is time to murder Hirohito Koichiro, is it not, Takato-san?" Kaede asked seriously, moving his bare feet towards the desk of the manager of the estate. The man's two hands were steepled before him, the top of the fingers resting against his chin. Yellow light from a lit lamp on the gleaming redwood table was reflected on the glasses he wore, as his eyes spoke volumes of amusement, directed to his most favourite prostitute. Silence reigned for awhile as the manager just watched Kaede. And as this quiet moment stretched on, the background sound of heavy rain pattering on the red-tiled roof of this mansion grew louder.

"Do you remember when you were a child, Kaede?" Takato could not help but ask, smirk upon his lips. A sudden bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed not a second later by an intense sound of thunder, as the unbarred windows allowed light to pour inside the room. Brightened by lightning, the manager's old dark face looked, for one moment, haunting, as if he was a ghost from an inescapable dream. It reminded Kaede of the many men he had killed throughout his life as an assassin. A feeling of guilt and ache squeezed his chest as his eyes shifted downward, towards the dark mahogany floor, just so he could avoid the manager's gaze. Kaede hated the times when the manager liked to remind him of his more painful memories. Sometimes, the man just forgot tact.

"How old were you then, Kaede?" the man continued. "I think you were seven or eight when I first taught you how to avenge your family. To murder those who are guilty of serving the shogun. Those who deserve to die. You asked me once how I knew why they should be killed. I showed you one of the rebels who told you about what kind of people the shogun and his lackeys were. I reminded you about your bitter past. And one day, I gave you a dagger... Do you remember it, Kaede? The first time you had power under your fingertips? The first time you could decide the fate of a human being? You were crying after your first kill... Expected, of course. But as time passed, you became a killer. A killer who was clothed in the body of a child. The body of a pretty child..."

Kaede's back was stiff as faces of men breathing their last breaths assaulted his memories, trying to make him unable to breathe. He hated these thoughts that tried to break his mind into surrender. He hated the words that continued to pour out from the manager's lips. On other times, the man adored him with ornamental words that tried to flatter him, lies or not. But sometimes, Takato just could not resist to remind him of reality - the truth of the kill. It made Kaede realize that on each day that he lived, he was just pretending, despite the pain. Even though men continued to buy and consume him, he could pretend that they were just temporary tenants of his flesh. That they were but nonsensical pests that he allowed to come nearer to him. Brutal honesty only returned when he had to act like a rebel and he could no longer hide behind any sort of mask. For then, he had to hold a dagger in his hand and he had to be an assassin. Use his flesh to seduce the wicked and, in turn, be a child of hell as well. And the only comfort in that reality he had to live was that, the end could justify the means. Because those that he sent to afterlife, or to wherever souls went after death, were those who were victimizing the citizens of the country they all lived in.

Slowly, as the silence continued, Kaede raised his head. Despite the guilt and ache that he felt, he had to do what was needed to be done. He had to be strong enough. His will and resolve must be able to stand through the pressure. And so...

Fourteen year old dark blue eyes stared coldly into old brown ones. Clearly, in Kaede's gaze was the message that he could do his job well. Hirohito Koichiro was the target, and so, must be annihilated. The man will be a corpse soon. Akira didn't matter. His beliefs and personality may be admirable and respectable, but in the end, he too was of the government that killed and destroyed. Kaede had to think of the many lives that had been lost, and will be lost in the future. He had to realize that his life was played upon again and again, and in turn, many more people might suffer his fate if he didn't do anything about it. Kaede hated his life and, to know that someone else might end up with a similar life, would be unbearable. Kaede would do all that he could to make sure that that sort of thing would not happen.

"Your eyes tell me that you've psyched up and you're ready." Takato nodded his head, before looking down at two items on his desk. There was a beautifully printed kimono that would be Kaede's killing costume for tonight, and a piece of paper that had columns of neatly aligned calligraphy. The kanji that was inscribed in the white paper described Hirohito Koichiro's misdeeds - the crimes that enabled him to become the killing child's latest victim. "So, now, do you still need to hear about why you must kill this particular man?"

"It's mandatory that you do, Takato-san. It had been our practice ever since my first time."

"Very well." Picking up the kimono that had been spread on the table, the manager stood and handed it to Kaede. Letting his hand touch the boy's as the silk fabric was passed on, he looked up just in time to see Kaede look at him darkly. And so, Takato smiled as he looked on down once more, one dark hand picking up the piece of paper that was on his redwood desk. Using the one lamp that glowed yellow in the near-dark office, he began to read, looking up once in awhile to take in the sight of the young prostitute disrobing his yukata and dressing into the silk kimono.

"Advising the shogun to attack on countless villages, upon unfounded accusations that rebels are hiding there. Sending trained swordsmen to pillage towns when tax that had been collected did not meet the desired amount of the shogun. Sending scouts throughout the country to look for young boys and girls - talented boys to be trained as swordsmen of the government, and girls for pleasure for either the bakufu, or, if standards are met, the shogun himself. Molesting unwilling women and girls in Kyoto and in other cities. Making baseless suspicions that lead innocent men to be - "

"Enough."

Looking up from the paper, the manager looked at Kaede who was now draped with the printed silk kimono. Shades of purple, rose, gold, green and ivory were the main colours, in patterns that looked like earth and fire. Takato let his eyes wander, up and down the length of Kaede's body, his eyes appreciative of the brothel's most prized possession. Wonderful as always. A broad smile settled in on Takato's face as he nodded his head in approval.

"Now, wait there. I have something to give to you, Kaede. Something to add decor, something for old Hirohito-san to perhaps remember you by. The angel of death..." As he said the last sentence, he looked down, his dark hands first placing down the paper then reaching towards the drawer of his desk and pulling it open. The sight of a small black velvet pouch was inside. Takato picked up the pouch, closed the drawer, then began to move around the table, sock-covered feet walking across smooth, polished mahogany floor. His dark shadow danced across yellow light that bathed the walls and soon, he was at the right side of Kaede, his body slightly larger and taller than the boy.

"Raise your left arm to my eye level please, Kaede."

The boy did as he was told and a pale, thin arm rose, kimono sleeve shifting as caused by the motion. Slender wrist of Kaede exposed, Takato nodded before lifting the pouch so that he could see it by the light of the lamp. The short black string that tied the pouch together was unbound and then, the manager reached inside it with two fingers, retrieving something. Soon, he was pulling out what seemed to be a simple purple cord. It was slightly long and on its end was a ringing bell the shape of a ball, made out of gold. Takato placed the black velvet pouch on his desk, forgotten, as he reached forward and began to wrap the purple string around Kaede's lower right forearm. In a crisscross pattern, it was wrapped around forearm then wrist then hand until the time came when only a small space of string was left - space that had to be used to tie it together. The cord was tied artfully so that no knot was visible, and when that was done, Takato dropped his hands to his sides and admired his work. The purple cord that was around Kaede's right wrist area brought out the delicacy of paleness and slenderness. It strengthened beauty and seeming frailty. It was an added seduction to the boy who did not need to seduce to get men to notice him...

Kaede looked blankly at the manager before letting his hand fall gracefully to his side again, creating the sound of a small bell ringing and breaking the almost meaningful moment. It made Takato blink and be reminded of the situation at hand.

"Akira-san, by the way, who had been so fascinated with you, is being taken care of by a woman. An invitation, some sake, and some company ought to take care of him for awhile. Toru-san is already waiting for you near Hirohito-san's room, ready to enter before you slide that room's door shut. The dagger had already been concealed under the blanket that was placed over the futon. Even the paper handkerchief to wipe off the blood after had been placed on the low table in the room, behind a concealing ceramic jar. As for Hirohito-san, he should be in his room right now, drinking expensive foreign rum during his last few minutes of life. The only thing that's needed is beloved Kaede and his lullaby. The lullaby to put Hirohito-san to eternal sleep..."

Bowing his head slightly to signify that he understood, Kaede closed his eyes for one moment, taking a deep yet silent breath, before he opened his eyes again and straightened his body. Looking up at the man who stood on his right side, he asked, "Is there any last detail that I must know?"

"Clever as always." The man smiled. "But no, not this time. All that's needed is the job to be done. Now, we must go. I'll be accompanying you to the room, of course. And I'll be waiting right outside for the good news. Ready, Kaede?"

As Kaede nodded his head without word, Takato cocked his head to the side with amusement in his eyes, as if there was something humorous in the task that would be done a few minutes from now. But the amusement was gone soon as he turned towards the direction of the door, walking towards it with soft footsteps as lightning striked outside once again, illuminating his broad back with white light. Silently, Kaede followed, only the sound of a bell sounding with each movement of his right wrist. The door was slid open, Takato and Kaede went out, and soon, they were trekking the candle-lit hallways.

Across smooth wooden floors that were occasionally brightened even more by flashes of lightning, they travelled until they were before the staircase that lead to the second floor. As they ascended the flight of steps, sound of their faint footsteps seemed to echo in the near-silence of the mansion, only accompanied by the harsh sound of pattering rain across the red-tiled roofs and the occasional thunderclaps that followed after every lightning that cut through the sky. Soon, they were in the second floor, meeting the sight of the ninja Toru who was looking alert, then seeing the second door from the stairs. Briefly, Kaede looked at the first door from the staircase, knowing that Akira was not there, but somewhere in the dining room perhaps. Hardening his will and resolve and trying to recall his purpose in breaking the trust easily given to him by the swordsman, he walked on the rest of the way to Hirohito's room, preceded by Takato and succeeded by Toru. When he was standing before the door, Takato stood on the left side, and Toru on the right.

Kaede took a deep breath before lifting his right hand, making the bell tied around it emit a tiny sound. He closed his hands to a fist before knocking on the panel of the sliding door, needing to seek permission to come in.

"Who is that?" a deep masculine voice asked upon the third knock.

"It's Kaede, Lord Hirohito. You had called for me. May I come in?"

"The door is open. Please come in."

"Thank you."

With his natural grace, Kaede slid the door open, allowing light to spill from the room towards the hallway. A patch of rectangular light touched the mahogany floor of the hallway, only marred by the slim shape of Kaede's shadow. Kaede's gaze was lowered as he stepped forward, into the brightly-lit room, first letting the breeze of Toru pass him by as the ninja entered, before moving to close the door. Using his left hand, even as he was looking forward, he slid the door shut behind him with a click before pausing and waiting for the command to let him come on forward to his latest client. And soon, it came.

"Don't be shy, young one. Come. Sit and we shall talk. Talk first before anything. Lift your gaze as well. I like your face. You remind me of someone I knew way back."

Lifting his gaze, Kaede peered up from beneath his long fringe and eyelashes, taking note that there were barely any shadows around for Toru to hide in. So many candles in golden candelabras were lit in Hirohito's room, apparently all made from the finest wax there was: beeswax. The window was ajar so that it would not be too hot inside the room. Sound of rain and thunders was a perfect background, its harshness intensifying the beauty of the prostitute and the pleasure that the old man would feel later on. It reminded Hirohito greatly that good things are accompanied by the bad. The saying "It is only in darkness where one could appreciate the light." came into mind.

Kaede began to walk towards where the man was, in feline-like footsteps, needing top class seduction to precede the kill. His eyes only on the man who held a cup of rum to his lips - the man who appraised his every move. Needing to distract. To control the situation. To create the perfect spell...

To begin to sing the killer child's lullaby...

To put the evil man to eternal sleep...

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