Death Is Your Destiny

For an extended period, silence enveloped me like a heavy shroud. I was cloaked in solitude, surrounded by an impenetrable silence, save for the rare interactions I had with the exceedingly wealthy clients during my sessions. I was isolated, and Ren had not returned yet. The lingering absence gnawed at me, casting a shadow of worry over my thoughts. Had something terrible befallen him? He had never specified when he would return.

A week later, as I prepared for another significant event with a new client, an unexpected guest entered my room, my Godmother, filled with concern.

"Godmother, what brings you here?" I inquired.

"Darling, you are in grave danger. I must speak with you," she replied.

"What has transpired, Godmother?"

"Your father is searching for you, but not to exile you. He has dispatched soldiers with orders to eliminate you for the alleged theft of the scroll and your unexplained departure."

"But I didn't steal the scroll, Godmother. I swear it on my life!"

"I believe you, my dear, but they won't heed my words. So, I've come to warn you that you must leave Japan immediately."

"No, I won't leave Japan, not until Ren returns. He'll protect me from them!"

"No man could withstand an entire army, my darling. I'm sorry, but you must depart without him. I understand your deep affection for him, but this is for your safety. Now, where is the scroll?"

"Ren was the one who took the scroll. I have no knowledge of its whereabouts, and he hasn't informed me when he'll return for me."

"I'll return in three days. If the worst should happen and you don't make it, please know that I will never forget you, my beautiful. I wish you a life of happiness or, if it comes to that, an honorable death."

"Thank you, Godmother."

She left me alone for three days, and I remained resolute in my decision not to flee, even if it meant my demise. I implored my dog Rikki in my prayers to safeguard me from this great evil. Time was running out, and the horrors of my existence in this place continued to escalate. I longed for Ren to rescue me, for it might be too late if he didn't come soon. I grappled with whether to search for him, but the looming threat of the soldiers finding me held me back. And so, I persevered in my feigned normalcy, pretending nothing ominous loomed on the horizon.

Then, on the third day, Ren arrived just in the nick of time. My prayers to Rikki had been heard, and he had reached out to Ren on my behalf. Ren appeared somber as if the world itself were ending today. I was at a loss for words, but I suspected he was already aware of the perilous fate that awaited me.

"I'm overjoyed to see you, Ren!"

"I know you are. Your Godmother is here as well."

My Godmother stood before us, her blind eyes gazing upon the two of us. She was displeased with me for staying here, driven solely by my longing for my boyfriend's return.

"My darling, I wish you luck in escaping this malevolence. You and Ren share a powerful bond, one I won't sever. However, what is your plan now that the soldiers are nearly upon us?"

Outside the room, chaos erupted as girls screamed and scattered in response to the approaching soldiers. They called my name, searching for me, but I was determined not to be found. I was prepared to confront this threat head-on.

The soldiers barged into my room, finding the three of us awaiting them with unwavering gazes. Ren unsheathed his long sword, ready to defend us. He pounded the floorboards with his foot, retrieving the scroll from beneath them.

"So, it's been here in my room all along!"

"Yes, I apologize for not being able to tell you sooner. Your life is the priority now, so let me protect it."

"I'll fight by your side!"

"No, stay here. I'll handle these fools!"

Ren cut down each man approaching him, descending the stairs and engaging them in groups. My Godmother and I were left defenseless upstairs. If anyone wanted to reach me, they could, and in doing so, harm my Godmother. Therefore, I searched for a sword hanging on the wall upstairs, with my Godmother following close behind. Upon reaching the stairs, I couldn't discern Ren's location downstairs. All I could see was the girls and the men inside, running about in panic. A soldier confronted me on the stairs, drawing his sword menacingly. I heard the blade unsheathe and struck down the untrained soldier. I realized that I could do this, even without Ren's help. With my sword, I struck down each soldier who confronted me on the stairs, dispatching them individually. Eventually, Ren returned to fetch me. Armed with our swords, we made our escape, ensuring the safety of the other girls and customers by guiding them out of the building through the back and avoiding the front entrance. As more soldiers arrived, I remained with the girls to protect them while Ren followed close behind.

"What the hell is happening, Sakura? Why are soldiers attacking us?"

"It's not about you, Moriko. They're here for me because they believed I stole the scroll, when in fact it was my boyfriend who took it."

"Yeah, right, like I'd believe that."

"Shut up, you... I've always cared for Sakura. She's my friend, and I love her. So, fuck off!" Nanami yelled, swinging a shovel she had found. Moriko sought out a weapon and discovered a hoe on the ground. She struck Nanami with a single blow, and Nanami fell lifeless to the ground. The room fell silent; Tomomi and Akiko wept for Nanami.

"You got what you deserved for standing up for her!"

"How could you do that? You monster!" Akiko screamed, slapping Moriko. Tomomi joined in, kicking her until she couldn't get back up.

"Akiko, hand me that shovel; it's for Nanami."

"You're right; it has to be done."

Tomomi pinned Moriko down to prevent her from resisting. I felt helpless, unable to intervene or find the right words. Fear paralyzed everyone's ability to think clearly. Akiko picked up the shovel and slammed it against Nanami's head repeatedly. Her skull was so brutally damaged that she became unrecognizable. Only the two of us remained, and the cherry blossoms didn't bloom that night. As they approached, I continued to fend off the soldiers while some pursued Ren, who was also battling them ahead of me.

I remained oblivious to the other girls, deeply engrossed in the battle with my sword. Suddenly, a scream pierced the air behind me. I swiftly turned to witness a significant knife thrust through Tomomi from behind. Akiko lay on the ground, crying out for my help. As Tomomi collapsed to the ground, it became evident that Yoko was the assailant, still alive and wreaking havoc.

Yoko sliced off Akiko's legs without hesitation, leaving her to succumb to blood loss. The confrontation was now between Yoko and me, but I had no time to engage her. I needed to locate Ren before anything happened to him. Our swords clashed fiercely under the night sky, their bright silver gleams flashing with each clash. Eventually, I inflicted a slight wound on Yoko's stomach, and she fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. Akiko finally closed her eyes, a faint smile gracing her lips. However, there was no time for mourning. I sprinted off in search of Ren but only found a vast, desolate lake strewn with the bodies of the soldiers he had fought. There was abundant blood, but it was unclear when it had been spilled. Ren was nowhere in sight, or so I thought. The lake seemed to end my search, but it was so dark I couldn't discern much.

By morning, I reluctantly conceded defeat. I hurriedly returned to the house, changed into clean clothes, and left without a word. I could only fathom that he was no longer among the living, perhaps pushed into the lake. He was gone, and that was the last time I saw him. The story concluded there, and I remained in the dark regarding his fate, unsure if he was alive.

"Sakura-hime, the man you love is alive."

"He's alive? Thank goodness. I couldn't bear to live without him. Where is he?"

"He's injured and requires an extended period of recovery."

"Where is he? How do you know him?"

"This house is known as the Dragon's Den. It's his home, and I am his brother, Kenshin."