BLACK HOODED FEMALE
Yoshiki has worked in this shop for the past many years as a service for his mistress. The bookshop he owned was situated in one of the corners of a discrete alley in Moya Lake town. For a commoner it would appear as a normal book shop but for a few specific people this place was for something else.
A familiar figure draped in black stepped into the threshold just as Yoshiki expected, his mistress was always on time. He bowed respectfully to the black figure as they exchanged greetings.
"He is waiting for you inside." He informed her with his head bowed down respectfully, as he led his master along the many shelves of the book shop.
Between the books specialised on weapon techniques and weapon type a man was waiting impatiently. After showing the location to his mistress, Yoshiki moved away closing the front gate and putting up the banner for closed sign. He waited by the reception table keeping an eye on the exit.
The black hooded woman walked in between the aisle knowing full well that the man whom she had expected to meet here was strolling just the other side of the book rack. She could see the glimpses of the straw hat as the man browsed the books.
"This is unexpected." The man with straw hat spoke from the other side his voice low and cold. Not even a single greeting was exchanged between them.
"Situation is dire, you were needed to be informed." The hooded woman replied calmly not even offended by the man's blatant disrespect. She never expected one from him to begin with.
"And a letter would not have been sufficed?" The man asked sarcastically knowing full well they were not the reliable source for important information.
"It's too dangerous for this information to get leaked." The hooded figure spoke with steel in her voice.
"Out with it."
"I have a boy in mind. There is a chance that the person we are searching for, is him." The black hooded woman spoke in her velvety voice as she sifted through some books, she knew this information would be a shock for him too.
"How sure are you." The straw hat man spoke after a long time.
"I will need to run few more tests to confirm it solidly." And it was the truth there were many ways through which she can confirm the identity of this individual but she needs few more days to do that.
"Mmmm." The man looked like he was still processing the information.
"If it is him, you need to start assembling the factions."
"You have some nerve to ask me that." The straw hat man spoke with venom dripping from his mouth. "The factions do not follow anyone."
"They have been left to their own devices for so long. They will answer to the royal line." She spoke with conviction asserting the seriousness of the situation.
"Oh, they will acknowledge it alright but it's the cooperation that is not guaranteed." The man spoke sarcastically as he continued to walk around.
"They have been running wild for years now, our reputation has already been tarnished enough, we need to bring them into our fold and start preparation."
"Mmm...factions will only listen to the royal line. Present them with the boy, if he turns out to be the one we are looking for, you will get yourself an army."
"Over the years, you have been lenient with them, otherwise this won't be happening now." The hooded woman couldn't help but blame him as it was his family who had been assigned to this task.
"Years ago, if Tokugawa clan had succeeded in what they were supposed to do, then we won't be standing here right now, will we?"
"You dare disrespect me." She burst out angrily as she released her control over her Qi and the strong, dense killing intent spread the small bookshop. Both of them were in standstill as they stared each other down without backing away.
It was the choking noise of the shopkeeper that broke her concentration. Immediately she withdrew her Qi, killing an innocent shopkeeper was not what she wanted.
Not wanting to spend any more time with the despicable man she turned away deciding this meeting was over.
"I will contact you again, once I confirm the identity of the boy. You will do your duty and assemble the factions and I will do mine by keeping him safe and alive." She glared at the straw hat man who was scowling at her, as she walked away.
to be continued---------