mare’s coat was a rare cream colour, making her stand out from all the other horses in the castle.
Kara admired such beauty, as well as the strength of these wonderful creatures, and Sakura definitely seemed like a strong and resilient horse.
As soon as she got onto her back, Sakura tensed up and beat her front hoof on the ground – she was obviously looking forward to have a good time.
«Take care of her, alright?» Ayame caressed her horse on the neck.
Itsuki led Kara out of the castle and they set off through a picturesque road that curved through the forest.
Kara felt that Sakura could do better if she were to let go, and so she allowed the mare to quicken her pace and burst into an amazing gallop. Itsuki followed, knowing both horses better than Kara, and easily keeping up.
It was obvious that these horses knew each other well and worked perfectly in tandem – they ran in unison, turning and slowing when needed.
Feeling the freedom of galloping on a road again, Kara started smiling, happy to be on a horse.
* * *
Kara started her days with training – Itsuki was relentless when it came to her and it helped her return to her form after the wound she suffered in the battle. After her usual morning training sessions she went to the stables to spend some time with Akuma.
As the days passed, the stallion was becoming more and more susceptible to her. He stopped being angry and nervous all the time, turning out to be a very calm and confident horse. And with each new day he started waiting for her to come to his paddock and greeting her at the gate.
And it wasn’t because she had a couple of treats ready for him, he wanted to receive her gentle touch and feel her combing his mane and tail. Very soon she managed to put a special bridle she had made. It was different from the usual bridles that others used, and the leatherworker was surprised to make such a thing at Kara’s demand. But he dared not refuse – after all, Kara was favoured by Lord Ryuu, and the master leatherworker feared his wrath.
Akuma received the bitless bridle with ease, and the very same day allowed Kara to get up on his back. The young woman took a short ride, showing the stallion how to react to her subtle commands, and let him be. She didn’t want to rush him into anything, and proceeded with caution.
When she worked with Akuma in the paddock, others would sometimes come and watch. Ayame and Itsuki were the most frequent witnesses of her «magic’, but Lord Ryuu visited them as well. He never said anything, but whenever Kara noticed him among others – he was standing there, watching her closely with a very concentrated expression on his stern face.
By the time Kara felt confident that Akuma will be able to behave outside the paddock, she saddled him up and opened the gate.
The people who were watching scattered aside, fearing that the stallion would bolt through them, but Akuma stayed by Kara’s side – she wasn’t holding the reins, and yet the stallion was listening to her. All he did was look out with a curious gaze.
Kara finally took the reins and calmly walked out of the paddock with him.
Surprisingly, Akuma listened to her every move and did not even try to run or hurt anyone. Instead, he reached to the other horses he was passing by and seemed to be greeting them – relaxed and calm as he could ever be.
Kara checked the saddle and jumped onto Akuma’s back.
The stallion stood still, looking around with wonder, and by the time Itsuki and Ayame got onto their horses, Kara was ready to take Akuma for his first ride outside the castle walls.
«Are you sure about this?» Itsuki asked her, while they led their horses to the gates.
«I’m confident in him, Master Itsuki.» Kara replied. «Have faith in us.»
When the guards opened the gates and they walked out, Akuma tensed up for a split second, but allowed Kara to calm him with a short stroke of her palm across his neck.
They took it easy, and Akuma showed himself a trustworthy and attentive horse, surprising both Ayame and Itsuki. He listened to Kara so well that they couldn’t believe their eyes!
As soon as they returned to the castle, Lord Ryuu met them in the courtyard.
«I see, you have tamed Akuma, Nakano.» He said with a smirk.
Kara jumped off the stallion and bowed to Lord Ryuu.
«Thank you for the opportunity, Lord Ryuu.» She replied.
«I hope he will be a worthy partner for you.»
Kara smiled, caressing the stallion on the neck.
«He already is.» She said.
Lord Ryuu nodded and walked off, leaving Kara and the others by the stables.
«He’s impressed!» Ayame nudged Kara on the shoulder and Akuma flinched – he still didn’t trust anyone near, except Kara.
«You think so?» Kara replied, calming the stallion down by caressing his nose.
«We know so, Nakano.» Itsuki chuckled. «And he is not easily impressed.»
Kara took Akuma back to his paddock, still doubting that the two Spy Masters really meant what they said. It was strange for her – being in employ of a shogun, becoming part of his warriors. But everything seemed so natural, so easy. Though she put a lot of effort into training and working with Akuma – she already knew a lot before she came to this world. And it must have played its part, otherwise things could have been different.
Leaving Akuma to rest, she took the saddle and bridle to the stable masters and joined Ayame and Itsuki, as they too left their horses to be watered and fed.
«Are you up for some sparring?» Ayame asked Kara, as they walked off towards the castle.
«Do you want to knock me down again?» Kara chuckled in reply, remembering how Ayame knocked her prone last time they sparred.
Even though Kara was a skilful fighter, Ayame was training ever since she was a child, and could teach a lot about shinobi fighting. Of course, Kara was still looked at as a very skilful warrior, but sometimes she felt much less so, when it came to some of the techniques the shinobi were taught.
Kara would even scold herself every time she felt that her chaotic, mixed fighting technique made her fall prey to the mastery of Itsuki or Ayame.
«We’ll see, Nakano. See you in the training hall in an hour?» Ayame smiled.
Kara nodded, agreeing to yet another lesson. She wasn’t even thinking about refusing – she only wanted to show them that she was capable of becoming what they expected from her.
As Ayame walked off, Itsuki nudged Kara in the side.
«I see you’re overthinking again.» He said. «What is it about?»
«I keep thinking if I even deserve to be here, Master Itsuki.» Kara shrugged her shoulders.
Itsuki
