a little time to decide on what to ask him next.
«Has anyone tried closing the gates?» she asked.
«Yes. We have a number of capable… mystics who do this for us. But closing the gates is easier than battling the hordes of oni that can come out.» Lord Ryuu looked Kara straight in the eyes again. «You don’t seem to be at all shocked hearing of oni.»
«Yes, I… I have seen them.» Kara said quietly. «And killed a few. Small ones, but still.»
«And you did this all by yourself?»
«Yes. Why?»
A strange expression of acknowledgement and respect appeared on the lord’s face:
«You are much stronger than you appear, Mariko. Others might miss it, but I have an eye for potential and talent. You have both.» He said. «And you understand some things that others might find… barbaric and unacceptable.»
«Like executing three men…»
«Exactly! With all my searching I have come across various people. Most of them are not worthy of saving at all. They are weak, flawed, and either enjoy killing too much, or do not kill at all, even when it is absolutely necessary.» Lord Ryuu fell silent for a couple of moments, studying Kara’s face. «But you do not enjoy violence. You do not kill for the sake of killing. And you fight with honour.»
«I spent too much time surviving on my own. I kill only when threatened. That is why I killed your men – you kidnapped me and I was defending myself.»
«We had no time to persuade you. So I took the risk. And I am sorry to have snatched you from your home.» Lord Ryuu suddenly bowed. «But I could not let you die in that place.»
Kara looked down into her bowl. She knew that even if she could come back – there was nothing to go back to. Her world was dying and Lord Ryuu was right. Perhaps, he did what no one else could do for her – actually saved her from the lonely existence and constant survival that was slowly driving her insane.
«Inei said that you enjoyed my garden?» Lord Ryuu woke Kara from her thoughts, returning her to reality.
«Yes. Thank you. It was very beautiful.»
«I told Inei that he can take you out into all of the gardens within the castle walls. You will be able to see how we live and, perhaps, understand us better?»
«Thank you, Lord Ryuu.»
«I hope I have answered your questions?»
«Yes, quite.»
«Then, perhaps, you can tell me a little bit about yourself – where did you learn to fight like that and what you did back in your home world?»
Kara smirked and took a few bites of food before starting her story. She had nothing to hide and didn’t see any need in doing so. She told him everything he wanted to know.
3
* * *
Lord Ryuu was right about taking strolls in his gardens. Kara learned about the people and their traditions more by looking at how everyone lived – including the simple people, like the gardeners and servants who tended to the needs of people living within the castle walls.
She loved spending time in the gardens, and she didn’t mind her silent guard – the shinobi Inei, who followed her everywhere and never said a single word. She knew that he was watching her and studying her just like she was studying everyone else.
Her shoulder healed and she returned to her training every morning and evening, but she also found that having a little time to meditate in the garden was a pure bliss.
One day, as she was walking on a path she had never taken before, she came across a small pagoda with a drum inside. Intrigued, she walked in and found a monk sitting behind the drum and meditating.
Kara took her time looking at the beautiful carvings and paintings on the massive columns that held up an intricate roof of the pagoda, before the monk stood up and walked up to her, offering her two big drumsticks.
«You are welcome to pray, if you wish.» The monk said with a gentle smile.
Even though he was a young man, he spoke with such confidence and tranquillity that Kara felt a little lost. She glanced back at her shadow – Inei stood at the entrance and slightly nodded at her silent question.
She hesitantly took the drumsticks and stepped up to the drum.
«I’ve never prayed like this…» she said quietly.
«All you have to do is let your soul out and follow it through the beating of the drum.» The monk replied and stepped back, leaving Kara by herself.
She looked at the drumsticks and at the massive drum in front of her, then closed her eyes and sighed. For the weeks that she already spent in the castle there was enough in her soul that needed some way to escape. She raised her arms and two beats sounded, as she gently hit the drum.
Then something inside her opened up, and she began beating a melody that sounded somewhat soothing and familiar. It was as if a giant horse was trotting in the midday sun on a road to somewhere. Then the trotting turned into a gallop and the melody changed into a more powerful, vibrating sound of strength and a sense of purpose.
Kara dissolved in these sounds, creating something insane and magical – something that made her soul sing and cry at the same time. She kept beating and beating, until a scream rose from deep inside and escaped with the last hit she made before falling to her knees – emptied of all the anger, hate and hurt that were living inside her for so long. She felt tired, but free.
When she looked at the monk, she noticed that he was looking outside – at the sudden storm that was rumbling and roaring with thunder above the gardens. Heavy rain was falling from the skies, and Kara stood up and walked out of the pagoda into the rain, soaking in the feeling of its cool embrace and the thousands of fingers that caressed her face.
She had forgotten how it felt – to be free, soaking wet and happy just to be alive. And she started laughing, swirling under the cold rain in a simple and yet captivating dance.
Kara didn’t know how long she was enjoying herself, when suddenly she bumped into Inei – the man caught her mid-step and embraced her gently. She looked into his eyes and smiled – something in his gaze was different. Softer, more intrigued than ever.
He nodded his head in the direction of the castle and she understood that he was asking her to go inside. Maybe, he was worried that she would catch a cold?
Bursting into laughter, Kara nodded. Inei took her hand and they ran off towards the castle, where it was dry and warm.
«I’m sorry.» Kara smiled to her shinobi. «I don’t remember when I felt so… good.»
Even though she couldn’t see his face – she noticed that he was smiling under his mask. And for some reason this made her feel warm inside.
It wasn’t until the evening when the storm started to weaken and Kara found out that it was a very much needed
