She did it! Relief washed over Kyou like rain.
After the rebellion stormed the streets and smashed their way into the lord's manor, he gave up the distraction. Seizing two guards by the necks, he bashed their heads together and stole their weapons. The town was engulfed in flames of chaos – people screamed and ran wildly, seeking refuge. He sighted a lone horse tethered to a tree and gently soothed its nerves before mounting it. Riding to the manor, he noticed a crowd in the courtyard. A deep sense of foreboding urged him forward.
The sight that greeted him roused a hot, savage fury in his gut. The little witch was fighting Kusunagi blow for blow, his gaze zeroing on her bleeding forearm. Wrath like wildfire spread through his veins at the partial swelling of her face. Kusunagi would pay for his sins whether or not she finished him off.
This was the first time he witnessed her with a sword. Even handicapped, she was magnificent — a flawless performance of swordsmanship.
Block. Parry. Thrust. Counter.
However, it was clear her wound was draining her strength when Kusunagi dealt a final blow. Inka's weapon clattered to the ground, and she buckled at the knees, her lungs straining with exhaustion. Her body was at its limit, fatigue overwhelmed her quivering muscles. They struggled to hold her upright. She had underestimated the cut of her wound. It hadn't stopped bleeding and spots danced before her. Had he poisoned his blade?
Her teeth clenched. She hated this sense of weakness, of helplessness. If her parents saw her now, they would be ashamed.
Kusunagi dug his glinting tip into her neck, forcing her to look up as he cruelly fisted her hair. She flinched but her eyes never wavered from his – her spirit strong.
"To kill both mother and daughter…," he sneered hatefully, a gleam of madness in his dark depths. "It's a pity I couldn't find your brother but don't worry. As soon I find the women and children, I'll send them into the afterlife too."
"You won't find them!" she retorted fiercely.
Incensed, Kusunagi drove his sword forward and Inka prepared for the worse, eyes closed.
Suddenly, a mighty horse careened into the courtyard and a man leaped off the animal. Dark, ominous energy swirled around Kyou's tall form as he pointed his sword at Kusunagi. "This is the last time you will hurt anyone ever again, Kusunagi. It's time to pay for your sins."
Although she couldn't see him, immense joy and relief overwhelmed Inka. Kyou was here. Everything was going to be alright. The unyielding tension in her shoulders faded away.
Without giving Kusunagi a chance to blink, Kyou attacked. Reading into the older man's agitation, he patiently waited for an opening. When Kusunagi lunged, Kyou stepped back. When Kyou thrusted his sword, Kusunagi dodged. It was a perpetual back and forth, a battle of both skill and mind — to see who would falter first.
And then, he saw it. The slightest readjustment of Kusunagi's grip on his sword hilt. Surrounded by icy calm, Kyou smoothly blocked and trapped that wrist, wrenching it into an odd angle.
Kusunagi was forced to drop his weapon as he screamed in pain. "Arghh!"
Hoisting the rebel leader by the collar, Kyou threatened maliciously. "If you ever lay a hand on Inka again, you will regret being born on this Earth."
"And who are you?" Kusunagi jeered resentfully. "A lusty fool playing the hero?"
Kyou ignored the insult, his words deceptively calm. "Who I am doesn't matter to scum like you. But it seems you're unaware of the disadvantage you're in."
Outrage distorted Kusunagi's tawny features as he struggled in Kyou's imprisoning hold. "You won't get the best of me!" He glanced towards the rebels. "What are you waiting for? Kill this bastard!"
The rebels hesitated, no longer certain if Kusunagi was sane of mind.
Like a predator allowing its prey a false moment of victory, Kyou released him, watching as Kusunagi predictably scrambled to pick up his sword. "Stop fighting and allow me to put you out of your misery, Kusunagi. You've done more than enough. I'm tempted to kill you right here but, I think you'll prove to be a wealth of information."
Fortunately, Kyou anticipated Kusunagi's actions and counter-attacked with his infinite battle experiences. He drew a deep slash across the man's chest. All the while, his breathing remained smooth and even while his enemy stumbled. Kusunagi was clumsy and unrefined. Kyou concluded he was more of a charismatic charmer than a true warrior - to have brainwashed so many minds in a short period of time. A commendable talent to be sure.
Clutching a hand over his wound, Kusunagi felt as if he were being toyed with. Anger surged and he roared from the depths of his lungs, positioning his sword to pierce through the arrogant young man.
Kyou shifted his stance and waited on the last second before spinning and driving his blade into Kusunagi's side, enough to immobilize but, not kill him. Blood spurted and Kusunagi fell facedown into the dirt, his body twitching. Simultaneously, a group of liveried soldiers barged into the courtyard, wearing the Emperor's colours. The rebellion and manor guards panicked as the royal infantry surrounded them.
A tall, broad shouldered figure marched in assertively. "In the name of the Emperor of Xi, you are all under arrest for treason and the murder of Lord Daifuku!" To his soldiers, he commanded. "Arrest them all! Round up the rebels and isolate the guards for interrogation."
Kyou was relieved that his message had gotten through to his Royal Captain of Guard. Days ago, before leaving the palace, he had sent word to Captain Shamon to stake out in Shiryuu's capital. He specifically told the Captain that should the beacon tower light up, he must act without delay. It was a premature plan based on his initial hunch and short timeframe but, he was glad it worked in their favour.
"You think you have w-won," Kusunagi gurgled. "T-this is only the begi-nning."
"Lock him up!" Kyou ordered his soldiers.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Kusunagi choked out a bloody laugh. "Y-you're the Great Emperor of X-xi? So, it's true that t-those who see your face...encounters d-death,"
"You're lucky to live for now," Kyou muttered, motioning for the soldiers to take him away.
"Wait!" Inka shouted, struggling to get up. "I wish to ask him something."
Kyou assisted her to stand, his arm secured around her waist. He didn't like her paleness. She needed a healer.
Inka hobbled to Kusunagi who refused to look at her. "When you said you loved my mother…what did you mean?"
The men were startled by her unexpected question. Kusunagi grimaced. "I intended to marry your mother before she…c-chose to be with your father."
"If you loved here then why did you kill her?" she demanded, unable to believe he was capable of love. "You don't kill the people you love."
Kusunagi gritted his teeth. "I was doing her a favour! Better she dies now than to suffer when I kill her beloved children and sell her precious tribe to the Donggu slavers!"
A gasp of betrayal tore from her lips. "You're lying!"
Kyou's confusion was clear as day on his face. Who were they talking about? Were there more Ashina tribe members out there?
Kusunagi hacked out a mouthful of blood. "I won't take the credit for it. Your stupid brother must have led the women and children to their own deaths."
Air wouldn't enter her lungs and she collapsed into Kyou's arms, her mind turning blank at the revelation. She believed she would find her brother but, with Kusunagi's admittance she wondered if she wasn't already too late.
"Pray that he's dead, Inka! It would be kinder on him!" Kusunagi persisted to dig into her open wound.
"Take him away!" Kyou barked, watching the soldiers lug the cackling man away. He then accessed Inka for more scrapes or bruises. "How badly are you hurt?"
"Kyou," she murmured distractedly.
He became alert. "What is it?"
"I'm sorry!" She lurched out of his grasp.
He was stunned when she snatched a bow and arrow from his soldier. Before he could stop her, she had already released the shaft. The arrow pierced Kusunagi's heart from behind, killing him in an instant. The soldiers faltered when their prisoner keeled over.
Kyou was nonplussed by the vacant stare in Inka's eyes. Her arms lowered; her weapon forgotten. His body reacted on cue when she swayed and slumped into a dead faint.