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  “Yeah, you got to take care of that,” said Jiro while he examined the blood that continued to stream from Hikari’s nostrils. “Hitachi must be mad at you!”

  “Do you think it is broke?” Rika asked, appearing to be concerned about Hikari’s well being.

  “I don’t think so, I just need to stop this bleeding.”

  “Well, we’ll see you tonight at the quad,” said Jiro as he moved down the hallway, Rika following his steps.

  “Yeah, thanks, guys. I owe you. See you tonight.” Hikari continued her brisk walk down the hallway to her dorm room.

  She closed the door behind her, and right away, her eyes met the most beautiful armor that she had ever seen. “Wow!” Hikari gasped. The black linked chain mail laid on her bed. Unfortunately, Hikari had to tend to her nose, which was still bleeding.

  She made her way to the wash area in her dorm, dampening a rag in the water bucket that she kept in her room in case she needed to wash up or drink. She wrapped the moist rag around her nose still holding it with her hand, which felt as though it hadn’t left her face for the last hour. The coolness from the water chilled the burning she still felt from the contused cartilage. That was cruel of Hitachi. He had never acted so aggressive toward her like that. Hikari knew she was not any competition for him, so why did he behave so callous and insensitive? That was not the character of Hitachi and Hikari justified it that he was upset she missed class and was stressed by the imposition the clan had found themselves in.

  The bleeding had finally stopped and Hikari was able to wash her face, neck, arms, and hands with the damp rag. Removing the dried blood that she wore as a reminder of the path she was on was comforting. For the first time, Hikari was accomplishing her dreams and goals without the help of anyone else. Ayuka had cheated her way to the top, but Hikari had earned her way. She took satisfaction that she could achieve her goals without demeaning her character, a lesson that Ayuka never learned, always covering up for her lies and deceit. However, this felt good to Hikari, and she wanted more of it. Her next step was to gain admittance into the Kanga Clan, and they had already recruited her. She had a meeting with them later on in the night after all. After her dinner date with Cain and before her mission at midnight.

  She picked up new armor, and it glistened in the light that was just setting over the horizon that peaked in from the open window in her quarters. Hikari took off the heavy chest plate and put on her new armor, equipping it.

  Inventory

  Equipped:

  Black Shinobi Ninjutsu Stealth Uniform

  Black Tabi Boots

  Black Tabi Socks

  Arm Gauntlets

  Hood with Mask

  Pouch

  1 Gold Coins

  5 Silver Coins

  2 Shuriken

  Unknown Shinobigatana

  Armor: Cloak of the Shadow

  Not Equipped:

  Ninjatō

  Civilian Clothing: Travel Cape with Hood and Pants

  Armor: Karuta Chest Plate

  The armor made a difference between how she moved. Hikari took a few moments to do several motions with her new armor on. This was so light. She already felt the aerodynamics of it compared to the cumbersome samurai chest plate she had worn.

  While she maneuvered with her shinobigatana in her room, she glanced at the window. It was pitch black out. Night had fallen as the sun had fully set. “Right, Cain!”

  7 Chapter Seven

  Hikari exited the stairway in the Buddhist monastery, heading for Royal Court. She was excited to increase her rank and upgrade her armor that she let the day slip past her. She hoped Cain hadn’t waited long.

  Entering the Royal Court, she found a flood of people who were taking advantage of the cool evening. Patrons visited the vendors who made a variety of concoctions. Seaweed wrapped figs, barnacle bread, and grapes and chicken skewers were a few of the offerings by the vendors. There was a long line by the minced roasted rabbit cart, where plates of rabbit were dished out to excite customers.

  Hikari took a lap around the court, admiring the happy families who were enjoying the evening. Hikari’s eyes were following a family of four, a mom, dad, and two sisters. For a moment, she thought back to Heroki and Keiko. Her roommates when she was Ayuka. Momentarily she missed them, but then realized she could not form an emotional bond with someone who was not in front of her. Her attention quickly diverted when she ran into Cain, nearly falling over him.

  “Oh, hey, Cain!” Hikari nearly squealed, excited to see him.

  “Hey, Mildred!” Hikari momentarily forgot that she told him a fake name. Mildred? How did she come up with that one?

  “I was hoping you didn’t forget,” he replied, his pectorals muscles dancing while he spoke. Hikari’s eyes were on his chest while he spoke. “Mildred, Mildred,” he repeated. Hikari was both tuned out because of his chiseled chest and that she did not recognize the name he was calling her.

  “Oh! Right! No, I didn’t forget. Of course not,” she shouted as she drew her attention back to Cain’s eyes. “How was the rest of your day?” Hikari was still weak in the knees from being in the presence of an Adonis, but she was maintaining control the best she could.

  “It was good,” he answered. “So what are you hungry for?” Cain looked around at the different vendors. He continued, “There’s fried fish lungs, curried cured squid. Oh! They have penguin filets here. I haven’t had those since I was a child.”

  “If the penguin filets are what you want, we can go to that cart,” replied Hikari.

  “Well, it’s up to you. I want to get what you want.”

  Hikari’s heart raced even more. Not only was this guy ever so easy on the eyes, but he was also accommodating to Hikari’s wants and needs. “Could we try the fried fish lungs, and if we are still hungry grab a penguin filet or two?” Hikari compromised.

  “Sure! I like fish lungs too. I just haven’t had the filets since I left for the Clan of the Dark Harvest,” explained Cain as his eyes fell to the ground.

  The pair walked toward the line of where they were serving the fried fish lungs. Cain took special care to ensure that no one person passing by bumped into Hikari. Not only was this guy handsome and considerate, but he was also very protective and thoughtful.

  They stood in the line for the fried fish lungs and chatted a bit more. “So, where did you grow up?” Hikari asked, hoping to learn more about Cain.

  “I grew up just south of here. It’s a small district in Nara, where my parents and brother live. I haven’t seen them since I joined the clan. How about you? Where are you from?” Cain leaned into Hikari, his body warmth radiating toward her.

  Well aware that she would have to lie, she continued the fib she had told the Erito Preparatory Academy Clan members. “I am from the main part of Nara, but on the Eastside. Just me and my two parents growing up. My dad fell ill a few months ago, and I have been seeing him here and there when I can get away from the clan.”

  “Oh wow! The clan allows you to see him?” Cain asked, appearing to be nervous as he shifted his body weight away from Hikari.

  “Well, no,” answered Hikari as she learned that the Clan of the Black Harvest differs greatly from the Erito Preparatory Academy, where they support her visiting her father. Apparently, the Clan of the Black Harvest would not stand for it. “I sneak away when I can. I know I left my family, but my father is close to death,” explained Hikari.

  “I understand. If you ever need help with a cover while you go visit them, just let me know. I’m afraid my parents will pass and I will not know. The only justification I have is that I have my younger brother. You don’t have another sibling, you are all they have,” justified Cain.

  A warm sensation fell over Hikari as she learned that this man would lie to his clan for her. She watched the wording come across her field of vision and it was what she feared:

  Hikari felt an emotional bond to Cain Himuro- Adoration

  The line kept moving as they inched cl
oser and closer to the vendor with the fried fish lungs. “These fish lungs are certainly popular,” exclaimed Cain. “I hope they are a good as I remember.”

  Cain made small talk regarding the fried fish lungs, but something was bothering Hikari. As if she could not hold it in any longer, she blurted, “So why did you join the Clan of the Black Harvest?” She asked this knowing the question would be returned to her as well, and her ability to come up with a story satisfied her.

  “Well, it was going to always be my future. My uncle was a clan member, maybe you know him. His name is Kuruwa Jonin-Gashira. He led the espionage last night.”

  “Oh right, Kuruwa Jonin-Gashira. I’ve heard of him,” fibbed Hikari, satisfied with how she played that off.

  “Right, well they were successful last night, so that was a big win for us,” continued Cain. Hikari had no clue what he was referring to, yet it scared her to ask and blow her cover.

  Hoping that he would reveal more if she kept Cain talking regarding the night before, she pried further, “So, you joined the Clan of the Black Harvest because of your uncle?”

  “Correct. He had made a deal with the clan that he would need to recruit his most capable family member for his advancement. That is how he became such a high rank at such a young age.”

  “Well, we all make deals with the devil at times,” justified Hikari, wanting to retract the words she had just said. Perhaps that was a little too close to home. Basically, this clan was making deals with the devil or Amun-Ra.

  “Yes, we all do make deals with the devil eventually,” relented Cain. They had reached the front of the line and the vendor stood, waiting for them to order.

  “What can I get for you two?” asked the vendor.

  “Two fried fish lungs, please,” answered Cain. He turned to Hikari and asked, “Is that enough? Want anything else? A side of petrified moth wings?” Cain pointed at the petrified moth wings being handed out to customers who had already ordered.

  “Yeah, let’s get an order of those,” answered Hikari.

  “One order of petrified moth wings to go along with the two fried fish lungs,” said Cain to the vendor.

  “Coming right up. That will be twelve silver.”

  Cain dug in his pocket and took out the coins. “Here you go,” he said as he poured the silver coins into the vendor’s palm.

  “Wait off to the side, it will be ready in just a few moments.”

  Cain and Hikari stood off to the side of the cart as they waited for their food. Hikari kept pressing the issue regarding the night before. “So, your uncle had a successful mission?” Hikari asked, coming out directly with what she wanted to know.

  “Oh, yeah! You didn’t hear?” Cain answered, monitoring the orders that were being given to other customers.

  “You know. I’ve been so busy with keeping up with my training and seeing my father, making sure my mother has everything she needs that I have just been going through the motions the last couple of weeks. Care to catch me up?” Hikari was once again satisfied with her ability to deceive others.

  The vendor interrupted the inquisition as he said, “Two fried fish lungs and an order of petrified moth wings. Here you guys go.” The vendor handed Cain the food. Cain handed one of the fish lungs over to Hikari and he held the moth wings for them to share.

  “Let’s walk while we eat,” suggested Cain. “One thing I love to do is people watch.”

  “People watch?” responded Hikari, appearing to be annoyed by the proposal.

  Cain quickly backtracked the suggestion, “There’s a bench over there under the tree. Let’s eat there. I’m sure some decent people watching could be done from that vantage point,” he said while he pointed to the stone bench under the tree.

  That suggestion agreed more with Hikari, and she replied, “Fabulous idea!” The pair made their way over to the empty stone bench. Cain helped Hikari with her food while she sat down and made herself comfortable. They soon resumed eating and conversing.

  “So, you said you would catch me up since I’ve either been with my sick dad or training,” started Hikari, hoping to get to the bottom of what had occurred the night before.

  “Oh right. I’m shocked you did not hear about it,” defended Cain. “It was a big win for my uncle, and more importantly, our clan.”

  “Yeah, I missed it. I was at the ritual where the Mage conjured the companion for Amun-Ra.”

  Cain could not keep his enthusiasm under wraps regarding the ceremony, “Yeah, wasn’t that amazing! It was the first time that we conjured a dark being with none of the sacred artifacts.”

  “Right, that was quite a feat!” Hikari matched his enthusiasm. “Too bad about the virgin,” said Hikari, hoping to at least show some remorse for the sacrifice. Hikari realized she had to come across as callous, but deep down what she witnessed ate her up inside as she vowed to avenge the poor girl’s death.

  “Yeah, I don’t like that part much either, but I realize it is a necessary evil. We have to use that pure energy to power these conjurations. But we need not rely on that anymore,” explained Cain.

  “We don’t?” pried Hikari.

  “Well no. The night before we got the artifact we were after. We only tried that ritual with the virgin because the Kage started the spell several weeks ago while the pet grew. It was an experiment, even though we don’t have to do that anymore,” explained Cain.

  “The artifact?” Hikari continued by gathering more information.

  “Yeah. The Bushido Jewelry Casket” answered Cain.

  “Oh, we have that now?” Hikari did her best in trying to conceal all that she knew regarding this artifact.

  “Right we have it. The mirror inside it that jewelry box is the Mirror of Purity. I’m surprised you don’t know this,” challenged Cain.

  “Oh, I do. I just didn’t know we got it last night.”

  “Yeah! We are one step closer to summoning Amun-Ra. We still need to gather the Sword of Valeria and the Jewel of Prosperity, but we are closer nonetheless.”

  “That’s fantastic,” exclaimed Hikari, her eyes practically bulging out of her head. She did her best to conceal her shock and horror that the Clan of the Black Harvest had one of the artifacts and was one more step closer to summoning Amun-Ra. She quenched her jitters by sticking a handful of the petrified moth wings in her mouth. She crunched on them like she was trying to chew through a piece of stale pizza crust. She could do it, but it took most of the muscles in her mandible.

  “So how did you guys get this artifact?” Hikari asked after gaining her composure.

  “Well, we knew this girl, Kikyo had a plan to steal the Bushido Jewelry Casket from the owner,” started Cain.

  “Kikyo?” Hikari asked. Appearing to be puzzled with what she knew about the situation. Hikari had a feeling that there was some double-crossing going on somewhere when she was questioned by the Himitsu Agency.

  “Yeah, Kikyo. I think she might go by Lady Rose to play up the whole young niece who inherited a piece. “

  “So you know Kikyo?” Hikari asked, wanted to know how all of this fit together.

  “Of course. She’s in the Clan of the Black Harvest.”

  “Oh right. I got confused with all of her aliases,” Hikari sought to backtrack the line of questioning as it made it appear that she did not know all that much regarding the Clan of the Black Harvest when she was trying to pretend she was a member of.

  “I get it. I know you’re new,” justified Cain. “I and Kikyo used to date.”

  “Date?” Hikari, feeling a tinge of jealousy about the revelation.

  “Yeah, we dated when she first joined the clan. But, it didn’t work out. She is set on increasing her rank as soon as possible,” shared Cain.

  “I see,” replied Hikari. She thought for a second and then said, “I thought he Kagaku Clan got the Bushido Jewelry Casket.” Hikari did not even realize the mistake she made.

  “Oh! Sounds like you know about the caper then,” concluded Cain.
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br />   “Oh, right. I heard some conversing about it here and there when I’ve been around the clan.”

  “Right. Erito, those pretentious pricks were hired to escort Kikyo. They totally fell for it. It just cost us a few hundred gold for their service.”

  “Right, those pretentious pricks,” affirmed Hikari, not believing a word that came out of her mouth.

  “Aren’t they? They always think their the best because they got admitted into the elite shinobi academy. They think everyone should try to get into there. I’ve always wanted to be with the Black Harvest, because of my uncle,” explained Cain.

  “Totally,” mustered Hikari.

  “Well, anyway. So those bozos protected Kikyo from the attack from the Senshis. We knew they were going to attack because they could use the money and the advancement in their arsenal the Bushido Jewelry Casket could bring them. They are a formidable opponent, and Erito hates them, so we thought that was the perfect pairing.”

  “Makes sense. You guys really put some thought into all of this,” affirmed Hikari.

  “We really did. We knew that the owner of the jewelry box, Tatua Hasuba was tight friends with the Crown Prince and we knew he was compromised with his gambling addiction. We sent Kikyo to seduce him and to befriend him. She told him that she had a plan to sell the jewelry box so no one would steal it as it transferred hands.”

  “Brilliant,” exclaimed Hikari, trying to get as much information as she could.

  “Isn’t it?” Cain shouted with enthusiasm.

  “So how did the Kagakus get involved?” Hikari asked.

  “That one was the toughest for us. We knew that we were susceptible to certain places. During pickup of the piece and during the sale.”

  “Well, why did you guys go along with the sale of the piece if you were going to keep it?” Hikari asked.