Chapter 3: Kill The Day
[Name] sat at his dining table bright and early in the morning. He had already prepared breakfast for himself and Kasumi. He had eaten his already and he just waited for Kasumi to wake up and do the same. [Name] had to do it, he had to sit her down and tell her that he has been the shadow in the night. That same shadow that has been going around and stopping numerous imperial atrocities in the capitol.
She had no idea, she was just a traumatized little girl who was caught in the middle of an atrocity he was too late to stop. He felt horrible for it, every time he saw her thought of that moment where she ran through her burnt out village to see her executed parent's bodies. Now it's time to make things right, to tell her what he does and maybe just maybe, she'd want to jump in and help bring down the empire.
[Name]'s mind went numb thinking of how cool it would be to have a sidekick of sorts. Even thinking about it whil sitting down at a breakfast table was too good to be true. But what snapped him of this trance was simple, how long It took. At first it was minutes, then a half an hour to about an hour. She usually doesn't get up that late, so he then sighed and got up.
[Name] had then left the small kitchen and went up the wooden stairs. He then walked into the only room there, the attic. She slept in a bed that was rather close to the floor. [Name] had walked over to see her only to notice her physic. Her scrawny arms, and legs. No real muscle at all and she doesn't at all seem to be anywhere near fit to aid him in anyway on the outside. She lied in bed curled in a comfortable ball while partial covered with the sheeting. [Name] felt dejected, he almost felt like a fool for ever thinking that she could be anything else but a school goer.
[Name]: I can't tell her anything. . . She's just a little girl.
Kasumi: I'm 13.
This startled [Name] as he almost flinched. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was awake? Or was she just hyper aware of [Name]'s presence?
[Name]: You're a small 13 year old.
Kasumi: And?
[Name]: Wouldn't that still make you a little girl?
Kasumi: No, I'm a young girl. There's a difference.
She stated as she yawned and stretched. [Name] then folded his arms and flattened his expression.
[Name]: Well, "Young Girl" Breakfast is downstairs. Come on, let's go.
Kasumi: Thank you.
After around another half an hour the two ate breakfast together and [Name] prepared himself to leave the house in search of a job. The sun shined through the small house as Kasumi had washed the dishes and asked something.
Kasumi: Mr?
[Name]: Hm?
Kasumi: What was it you couldn't tell me? When you were hovering over me while I was sleeping, you said I can't tell her.
[Name] Looked out of the window to the lively neighborhood of the less fortunate people of capital. The sun light gleamed through the entire home as it was also filled with an awkward silence.
[Name]: Nothing really.
She almost immediately realized that it was a lie. But she isn't going to argue for some a truth that might not even be worth telling. She then smiled.
Kasumi: Okay. . .
[Name] knew he dodged a bullet, maybe just maybe she accepted that lie. But right now it's job searching time.
[Name]: Okay Kasumi, I'm going out.
Kasumi: So will today be the day where you finally get a job?
[Name]: It could be. Hold down the fort while me and Rom are gone.
Kasumi: Okay. . .Good luck out there.
[Name] nodded and he left out for the day. He walked down the old cobblestone road. Again as [Name] walked down the road passed all of the playing children and merchant stands he thought. Rom serves as bar room scum with connections to the underworld. Only ties enough to know what and where things go down. That's how he gets his leads in order to go out and stop them and fight the empire.
[Name] continued to walk as he could barely think among the bustling citizens. Where to find a meaningful job during the day to earn more money? Clothing shop? Construction? And as he thought he was met with a massive Bump!
He didn't fall, he was just annoyed and looked back to see who it was. As he was doing it he heard her urgently apologizing to him. He looked to see a sweet looking young woman in imperial armored garbs. She had hazel hair and had a long ponytail, while she had a dog on a chain?
Seryu: I'm really really sorry Mr.!
[Name]: It's fine really.
[Name] bit his tongue. He can't lash out and attack this imperial scum in his normal state, in public, and during the day. So he let it slide.
Seryu: I was just on a morning jog. I was going to slide past you but that didn't work out to well.
[Name]: I noticed. Hate to cut our conversation short, but I have to go look for a job.
He then began to walk away but she then grabbed his arm and asked.
Seryu: Look for a job you say?!
She had a huge enthusiastic smile on her face. A grief came over [Name] as she grabbed his arm and dragged him across town against his will. As she was running with [Name] in tow she looked back as he spoke.
[Name]: MAM! It's okay! I can find one on my own!
Seryu: Nonsense, I won't have a jobless citizen roaming around the Capital.
They stopped at a stand that's slightly larger stand filled with papers. A shorter and dark haired girl wearing a school uniform had looked at [Name] and Seryu. She was eating from a small bag as she stood beside the wooden stand.
Kurome: Seryu? Who's this?
Seryu: Hm?
She said as she was flipping through many papers. Before [Name] had even realized it he was dragged all the way to the front of the capitol's city hall.
Seryu: Hey Mr?
[Name]: Yeah?
Seryu: What's your name?
[Name]: It's [Name], I really appreciate what you're doing, but I'm not really interested in signing up—
He then nearly instantly felt his wrist zip through the paper and he realized she signed his name!
[Name]: MAM NO! What did you sign me up for?!
Seryu: Okay Kurome, this fine gentleman here is now a new member of the capital palace's elite guard! [Name]!
[Name]: You didn't—I didn't. That doesn't count as my signature. Now Let go please.
He tried to snatch his wrist back but she still had a firm grasp.
Seryu: Now remember [Name] from this point forward, if you desert or disobey any commands. You may or may not be subject to torture, execution-
[Name] then within an instant, reversed the woman's hold, took her arm behind her back and smashed her face first through the table of the stand. The people walking, horse carriages, and others stopped to look at what happened in silence. The other girl's dark eyes widened as [Name] attempted to run away.
Nearly instantly he was flanked and surrounded by dozens of imperial soldiers. And the Dark haired girl herself. [Name] face palmed and surrendered. [Name] was surrounded by tens of pointed edged weapons.
Kurome: Back off men.
All of the soldiers then looked at one another and held their weapons back. The sun shined on this extremely awkward scene as silence filled the streets of curious people.
Kurome then placed a hand on her hip and extended another one. She then gestured with her figure for [Name] to come to her. She then began walking into the city hall.
Kurome: Follow me "[Name]"
[Name] complied and as he followed her he walked passed Seryu who was still waking up as he small black and white dog had grown to nearly the size of a human and was growling at [Name].
The Shade of the columns and the ceiling began to make things darker and darker as they traversed deeper into the city hall. They walked along and into a bright corridor with red velvet carpeting, light colored columns. It was a long hallway but where were they going. Neither of them said a word. So [Name] still be shocked and curious broke the silence and asked.
[Name]: Where are you taking me?
The girl didn't answer. So [Name] said again and added more hostility to his tone.
[Name]: I asked you, where. are. we. Going?
She stopped in her tracks.
Kurome: Out towards one of the exits.
Her calm response to him almost calmed him down to an extent. All he could do at this point is comply.
Kurome: You caused a whole lot of chaos out there. So I need to get a good look at you for a minute. By the way, the name is Kurome.
They walked through the halls filled with wonder paintings and wall designs of an elegant identity. They finally reached an exit and left through it.
The area looked similar to the front with an outdoor hallway with lots of columns and beautifully cut grass with a fountain in the middle of the massive yard.
Kurome told him to stand out in the sun light. So he did and he stood still as she did numerous measurements from afar with her hands inspecting [Name]'s frame. Then from down the outside walkway walked a dark haired young man who walked up to Kurome.
?: Hey Kurome, What are you doing?
Kurome: Oh, Hey Wave. Let me get your opinion on something.
She took Wave and turned him around and they began to whisper rather loudly. [Name] now was in a state of total disbelief. [Name] at this point could at least make out a few words. Like , maybe, tall, short, weak, strong, and general. They then concluded their discussion and turned to [Name].
Wave: Hey, my name is Wave. Nice to meet a new face.
[Name]: I wish I could say the same right about now. But it's nice to meet another seemingly sane person in the Capital.
He went over to shake [Name]'s hand and [Name] was hesitant, however still shook the smiling male's hand anyway.
Wave: Say, what made you want to join the empire as a guard?
[Name]: Well see, that's the thing. I was just looking for a job and then I wound up here. It's nice to meet you both but I—
Kurome: Committed a felony. You assaulted military personal. So as of now, we'll just throw you in jail then execute you.
[Name]: Fine . . .
[Name] said with extreme dissatisfaction and annoyance. He was just looking for a job and was literally dragged into this stupid situation. Now he's an imperial guard and he'll be jailed and or killed if he does anything wayward. Not only that he probably won't make it home before he can perform his "night job". With the simplest words [Name] could describe the situation easily. It sucked.
[Name]: I'll take the damn job.
Kurome: Good, That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
The black haired girl said with a smile.