by Kate Grove
Before sad memories could overtake her, another groan reached her ears. She ventured deeper and realized all the cells were full, more than full, actually. Several of Kawayuki’s soldiers sat in each one. They didn’t have enough space for all of them.
Ciara gaped at the sight of them. Some of the soldiers simply stared vacantly at the wall. Most of them put their heads in their hands. However, a few of them had caught her gaze and sneered back. There were one or two with a sad expression on their face, as if begging her do to something. To end their suffering.
She quickly escaped the dungeons and hunted down a few guards. A little while later she returned with them, each of them carrying either water or cooked rice. She gestured for the prisoners.
“Do you want to give this to them, Milady?” one of Katsuo’s soldiers asked her, furrowing his eyebrows.
She nodded.
“I’m not sure Milord—”
Ciara’s eyes flashed in anger as she put a hand on her hip. The soldier stopped talking. Ciara pointed at the bucket of water in his hands and waved her hand impatiently.
“As you wish,” he replied and yelled to the others, “Feed and water them.”
Ciara rolled her eyes at the phrase but was glad they were complying. She was there the entire time with the soldiers, looking at the prisoners. When they were done with their meager portions, Ciara pointed out a few of them and gestured for Katsuo’s soldiers to get them out of the cell.
They were all moderately injured. She led their little procession to the healer. A field medic was assisting him and a few other, less injured soldiers. When Ciara appeared in the doorway with several wounded prisoners and a handful of Katsuo’s soldiers behind her, the healer’s expression was hilarious.
“What do you want?” he asked in a curt manner. Ciara raised an eyebrow and pointed to the prisoners’ injuries.
“You want me to treat their wounds?” he asked, incredulous. “Why? They’ll be—”
Ciara held up her hand, stopping him.
“What?” He furrowed his eyebrows.
“Show some respect,” the soldier on Ciara’s right said. “If Milady wishes you to treat the prisoners’ wounds, then you will do so.”
Ciara nodded for emphasis.
“I only answer to Katsuo-sama,” the healer said, straightening up.
Ciara’s fingers twitched in annoyance. She took a deep breath to calm down, but it proved difficult.
“What’s with the commotion over here?” a familiar voice asked from behind the small group.
Riku! Ciara’s eyes lit up, hoping he would be able to put some sense into the healer. They couldn’t just leave them like that.
“Milady wishes for the healer to treat the prisoners, but he refuses to do so.”
“Oh, why is that?”
“I only follow Katsuo-sama’s orders.”
Riku tapped his chin.
“I seem to recall that you serve the Kitayama family. Am I wrong?”
“That is correct. What are you trying to say?” The healer was getting visibly annoyed. “I have patients I need to see, you know!”
“Yes, five of them right here,” Riku said, gesturing to the prisoners. “Ciara-sama is practically part of the Kitayama family, which means you answer to her as well. Now do your job.”
“When I talk to Katsuo-sama—”
“Argh, this is worse than a Brazilian soap opera!” Ciara cried out. She looked surprised for a moment before a big grin appeared on her face. “Hey, my voice is back!”
“Unfortunately for me,” the healer mumbled under his breath. Ciara glared at him.
“I kindly ask you to treat them,” she said.
“But they’re prisoners!”
“And so what?”
Silence met her words. Even the prisoners looked dumbfounded at her reasoning.
“So what? Can’t you see they’re in pain? You’re a healer, aren’t you? It doesn’t matter for a true healer whether they’re treating friends or enemies. Are you saying you’re not a real healer?”
“I refuse your accusations!”
“Then do your job,” Ciara said, her eyes flashing dangerously. She let a small amount of power seep into her voice, but it was enough to make the healer do what she wanted. She looked at the soldiers accompanying her. “Please stay here and make sure everything is safe.”
“Where are you off to?” Riku asked as she exited the room.
“I have a lot to discuss with Katsuo. Do you happen to know where he is?”
“May I show you the way?”
“That would be great. Thank you, Riku.”
“My pleasure, Milady.”
They quickly made their way through the corridor, and Riku led her outside to the courtyard.
“Was she…” Riku started, but couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Sorry?” Ciara glanced up at him.
Riku gulped as he gathered his wits.
“Was she alone, I wonder?”
“Who?”
“Yura.”
Ciara froze at the name, stopping in the middle of the courtyard. She looked at Riku as if seeing his face for the first time.
“I’m so sorry,” she said with sadness covering her features. “She… I… I can’t believe it happened.” Ciara sniffled, quickly wiping away a few stray tears. With great effort, she forced herself to stop the tears. “I was there with her. I wish she didn’t follow me that night.”
Riku looked at her for a long moment before turning away and starting walking again.
“Don’t worry yourself over it, Milady. She simply chose to follow you. It’s not on you.”
Ciara nodded, but her throat was so constricted she couldn’t form any words. She silently followed Riku to the barracks.
67
Ciara stood in the doorway for a long moment, not knowing how to announce she was there. Katsuo was moving slowly around the room with paper and brush in hand. There was a soldier by his side, also taking notes. They didn’t notice her silent presence.
“Hey,” she said in the end, pushing away from the doorframe. Both men turned their heads. “What are you doing?”
Katsuo’s eyes brightened. He shoved the paper and brush to the aide’s hands and rushed over to Ciara.
“I thought I’d never hear your voice again!”
“No need to be so dramatic.” Ciara smiled at him.
“I’m not,” he replied, and before she could continue their little argument, he kissed her.
The soldier in the background did a quick turnabout and silently wondered how to disappear into thin air. He cleared his throat, quite embarrassed.
Katsuo withdrew and looked Ciara in the eyes.
“Now that we can have a proper conversation, let me tell you how much of an utter idiot I was.”
The soldier slowly inched toward the window after determining that escape through the door was impossible. He dropped the scrolls and the writing brushes at hearing his lord’s words.
Ciara and Katsuo looked at him.
“Oh, right, you were here,” Katsuo said, as if just remembering his aide’s presence. “You may go.”
“Thank you, Milord.” He bowed and rushed out of the room as if rabid wolves were chasing him.
Ciara chuckled as she looked after the retreating guy.
“Where were we?” Katsuo asked.
“You were just saying how you had been an utter idiot,” Ciara helpfully supplied. “Can’t wait to hear more.”
Katsuo grabbed both her hands in his. His gentle touch had a calming effect on Ciara’s soul.
“Even though you’ve never given me reason to doubt you, I ended up questioning your motives,” Katsuo said. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too.” Ciara’s voice was sincere. “I let my misgivings get the better of me. I’m ashamed it took so little to arrive at the wrong conclusion. Although, you were acting pretty suspicious.”
“I didn’t think you’d see it that way,” Katsuo replied
with a bitter smile. “In hindsight, I can understand now.”
There was a heartbeat of silence.
“We’re both idiots,” Ciara concluded, chuckling. “I think we should stick together.” Then she hastily added, “If that’s okay with you!”
Katsuo laughed heartily and squeezed her hands before letting go. He fished something out of the pouch hidden in his sash. Ciara watched, curious.
“I know you still have questions—I do, too—but we’ll have time to discuss them later.” He held out his hand and opened his palm. There was a small, elegant silver ring in it. A precious stone sat in the middle and a pattern curved along the band. “That is, if you decide to stay with me.”
Ciara gasped and her hand flew to her heart. She looked at Katsuo with wide eyes.
“What do you say, shall we make it a real engagement?” He smiled at her, hopeful.
She wanted to say yes. Her heart screamed YES. Naturally, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind after arriving at this conclusion. “I’m a witch from the future.”
Katsuo blinked, but he didn’t seem that surprised. It was more like he finally received the last and most important piece of a puzzle. Understanding dawned on his face.
“So that was it.”
“What?” Ciara looked taken aback. She had expected more of a reaction. “Is that it? You’re not going to freak out?”
Katsuo chuckled.
“Would you ‘freak out’, if I said I was part youkai?”
“Was that that strange power?” Ciara asked, her eyebrows furrowing. Katsuo nodded, and she said, “But you’re still Katsuo, aren’t you?”
His eyes flashed gold, and a small smile played in the corner of his mouth.
“Certainly. And I’m still waiting for your answer.”
Ciara collected herself. He seemed to be okay with her and had strange powers himself. They made a peculiar couple. Finally, her brain’s excuses were silenced. She grinned at him.
“Yes.” Ciara reached for Katsuo’s hand. He captured her fingers in his own.
“Yes what?”
“Yes, I want to stay with you. Yes, I want to make it real. And yes, I want to know more about you.”
“Glad to hear we’re on the same page,” Katsuo slipped the silver ring on Ciara’s finger. She was so overwhelmed as joy blossomed in her heart she felt tears well up.
“What’s wrong?” Katsuo asked, alarmed at the reaction.
“Nothing! There’s nothing wrong!” Ciara replied, flinging her arms around his shoulders and attacking him with a kiss.
After taking inventory, Ciara was sad to realize that there was no trace of the mirror. That evening, she told Katsuo about how she had arrived here. They were sitting in a room near the top floor and had just finished eating dinner.
“I remember the mirror was here when we fought them,” she told him. “I don’t know where it had disappeared to!”
“Do you want to go back?” Katsuo asked, his voice carefully neutral.
“Of course not!” She waved and leaned close to hug him for emphasis. She had already made her decision to stay in this time period. “I’m content here… with you.” She felt a blush creep up her neck but didn’t retract her words. She truly was content in Katsuo’s arms.
“Then why are you so focused on that mirror?”
“Because it’s a gateway to my world, and he… did you say his name was Juro?”
Katsuo nodded.
“Juro threatened my cousin if I didn’t help him. I don’t know how it works, but he can use the mirror to get to her. What if he kidnaps her like he did with me?”
“I see…” Katsuo seemed to be contemplating something. “Then I’ll use my resources to locate the mirror. If we have the mirror, your cousin should be safe, correct?”
“I suppose,” Ciara nodded. “But how are you going to get that info? Taiki was the one with the information net.”
She winced, because as soon as Taiki’s name left her lips, Katsuo’s expression darkened.
“I’m sorry,” she said, snuggling to him. He hugged her back.
“It’s okay. I have to face it.” Katsuo planted a kiss on Ciara’s head. “He might’ve been the head of operations, but in the end, all those people work for me. Don’t worry about it.”
Ciara decided to place her trust in him and let him deal with the logistics of finding the whereabouts of the mirror. It was such a strange and reassuring feeling, not having to solve everything on her own. She had someone on her side, supporting her.
“Why do you still think Juro wants to kidnap your cousin?” Katsuo asked. “It’s obvious you’re not going to help him, and I can protect you, so that threat doesn’t work now.”
Ciara let out a deep sigh.
“I’ve told you I’m a witch, right?” she asked, and Katsuo nodded. Ciara continued. “It runs in the family. We have traditions, but there’s something else. Each one of us has inherited a special ability. Mine is the Voice.”
Katsuo got goosebumps as he remembered when he first heard her use it. He and Yuki were standing in the courtyard when a strange magic crawled over their skin. It had no effect on them; however, the change in Yura’s behavior had been immediate.
“Whenever I use it, I can make people do what I want. I don’t like it,” she crossed her arms.
“But you had to use it when Kawayuki captured you.”
Ciara nodded.
“Do you regret it?”
“No.” Ciara’s reply was immediate. “I did what I had to do. That was my only chance, and I’d do it again. Preferably before anyone got hurt.”
She fell silent as her thoughts turned toward Yura.
“What about your cousin?”
“Karen’s ability is to give powers to items. Originally, Kawayuki thought I was the one who had that power.”
“What do you mean she can give power?” Katsuo’s interest was piqued.
“Special powers. Like, she can bestow healing powers on a soap so every time you use it, it heals your injuries. Or make a stuffed animal speak.”
“That sounds awfully disturbing.”
Ciara laughed.
“Probably because the stuffed animal I talk about is something different than what you imagine! I’m talking about toys!”
“Less creepy, but still disturbing,” Katsuo settled on that. “Does this mean she can use her powers on weapons?”
“Bingo. She can make it so the arrow would never miss its target. Or a sword could be covered in flames to deal more damage.”
“That is a very valuable ability in this age of endless wars,” Katsuo observed. “I see why Juro wants her power to himself.”
Ciara tensed, and Katsuo kissed her forehead.
“Fear not. We’ll figure out where the mirror is and get it so Juro won’t be able to use its powers, and your cousin will be safe.”
“Thank you,” Ciara squeezed his arm, trusting his words.
68
During their ride home, Ciara and Katsuo had plenty of time to talk. She was riding with him at the front of the procession and was suddenly reminded of the time when they met. They had come to rescue Ayaka, and, incidentally, Ciara had joined them in their journey to Shirotatsu castle.
“Don’t you want to ask me about stuff?”
“Stuff?” Katsuo echoed the strange word.
Ciara shrugged.
“About the future. Aren’t you curious what it’s like?”
“We live here and now,” Katsuo replied. “Of course, it’d be interesting to know about the future, but I don’t want to lose focus of what’s important.”
“And that is?” Ciara sat up and twisted around to look him in the eye.
“What’s important is right in front of me,” he said seriously. Ciara looked away, blushing.
“Gods, so cheesy!” She chuckled.
Katsuo cocked his head to the side. “Would you prefer I don’t share my thoughts with you?”
“No, no, please continue
to do so,” she said, settling down in his arms again. “I’m just not used to this side of you. But I like it.”
Katsuo smiled as he heard her words.
“And I enjoy your reactions,” he admitted. That earned him a pinch in the side. “Ouch!”
“Yep, definitely a reaction to enjoy,” Ciara grinned, happy with herself.
“Please don’t do that unless you want us to be thrown off,” Katsuo said, his voice tense.
“Then don’t tease me so!”
“Fair enough. I’ll leave the teasing for when we’re back on the ground,” he promised.
“Hey!”
Katsuo chuckled at her feeble protest. Ciara’s thoughts wandered as she calmed down.
“Do you remember the first time we met? We took the same route, but it’s so different now.”
“Of course, the leaves have fallen off the trees.”
Ciara snorted.
“That too. It was only a few weeks ago, but it feels so much longer,” she admitted. “Doesn’t it?”
Katsuo thought for a moment.
“It does.” There was a small pause before he added. “But I like the change.”
“The fallen leaves?” It was Ciara’s turn to tease him.
“Yes, the fallen leaves.” He chuckled. His hand, which rested on Ciara’s waist, gently squeezed her side. “You’re not so nervous on the horse now.”
“Because you’re here.”
“You were nervous the first time.”
“Because you were there.”
“I think I’ll need a dictionary to understand you.”
Ciara laughed at that. Something cold hit her nose. She looked up, squinting.
“Is that snow?”
Katsuo glanced up for a moment.
“It seems so.” He glanced back at his men. “Pick up the pace!”
He turned back and moved his arm to a more secure position around Ciara’s middle and leaned forward. Ciara followed his movements.
“Hold on tight.”
“Right.” She was able to get that one word out before her whole world blurred. Katsuo set a ruthless pace in order to reach Shirotatsu castle as soon as possible. The time for talking had passed, and Ciara missed her opportunity to ask Katsuo regarding the youkai topic.