Fall from Grace, part 3

Derunaze waited in one of the upstairs rooms of the Emperor's Peace inn, pacing back and forth nervously. Would she arrive? He'd spent much of the last two days reflecting on his decision to accept Suhime's offer, and had hardly slept, his mind troubled by the details of the choice he had made. Even after all this he still hadn't decided whether she could be trusted or not. All he knew was that he didn't want to leave her, and that nothing else mattered any more. He would serve her as he once served the Phoenix, if it meant that he could carry on seeing her. He sighed. Had he fallen so far? She was his master's killer, his enemy. Bushido dictated that he should avenge Kutada-sama with her blood. But he knew he couldn't bring himself to harm her, and that knowledge only crushed the grain of honour left in his soul still further.

Just when he was beginning to worry that she wouldn't arrive, the door opened and Suhime entered, putting down a bag and removing her black cloak as she did so. Stepping over to him she embraced him warmly, the feel of her arms around him reminding him why he'd agreed to this. Closing the door and sitting on the bed, she gestured to him to come over. As he lay there with his head in her lap, her hands running through his hair, she spoke.

"If I'm going to be able to come and see you often, I'll need an excuse for Unaki-sama." He knew what was coming and didn't pay too much attention, content to relax and enjoy being with her. Hearing the sound of her voice wash over him was balm to his tired soul. "He won't be fooled by excuses and lies. But maybe he'll have a use for you, which would mean that I could keep coming back. You won't mind doing a few things for me, will you? It will give me an excuse to pay you and see you, and you won't have to do anything hard. I couldn't bear to know that you were here, but that I wasn't allowed to see you."

Her words echoed his thoughts, but he'd ceased to worry about whether she was sincere or not. She was here, and if doing tasks for the Scorpion meant that she would come back then he would do them. He searched his memory of the Tao for a suitable quote to reply with, but found none. That was as damning a judgment as any on his choice, he thought. Out loud he replied, "I am willing to work, if need be. My search for an employer in the city hasn't gone well, thus far. I may as well work for you." He tried to sound nonchalant.

"Thank-you, Deru-chan." She smiled down at him warmly, a relieved look on her face. "I hoped you'd say that."

The next morning she was gone before he woke, though he wasn't surprised. Rising, washing and dressing in the drab garb of a ronin he reviewed the previous night with more than a hint of longing. Pulling himself together, he tried to clear his thoughts. Desire was a sin, and he was still a samurai even if a fallen one. Placing his swords in their saya, he left the inn and headed out into the streets. Suhime hadn't given him a task yet, but he decided to get to know the city a bit before she did so. If he were going to work for her, he would at least try to be competent. As he had done the previous day, he walked the streets of the city, blending into the crowds making use of the cool of the morning to run errands and go shopping. He carefully noted landmarks and distances, estimating how long it took him to travel in each direction. The Shiba had trained him to observe carefully, and he put that training into practice. In the heat of the day he retired to a teahouse and went over the city in his mind, testing his memory. He bought a straw hat as he left, allowing him to return to the streets a little earlier than most. Later he was on the streets again, checking and double-checking. Nobody paid him any attention. As darkness fell he returned to the inn, had a quick meal and returned to his room.

Sliding open the door with one hand, lantern held in the other, he entered to find Suhime lying on his bed in the darkness. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as he almost dropped the lantern in shock. "You've been busy today," she observed neutrally. Without taking his eyes off her reclining form, he slid the door shut and put the lantern down on the table. "I... I was learning a bit about my new home." Suhime was wearing a loose-fitting kimono, and out of the corner of his eye he could see her cloak folded up on one of the floor cushions. Her swords sat in the rack on the far side of the room. The delicate scent of her perfume filled the room, an open perfume bottle next to her mask on the low table beside the bed enhancing the effect.

She gestured for him to join her, and he added his swords to the rack and moved over to her, almost tripping over his armour set out on the floor between them. "Unaki-sama has a task for you," she whispered as he sat down next to her, his hands gently reaching out to her. "He wants you to watch a Unicorn samurai who has arrived in the city. This samurai has been conspiring with bandits in our lands, and doubtless comes to the city to seek sympathetic peasants and ronin to join his friends. Unaki-sama wants you to see who he meets with, and to provide me with descriptions." She twisted under his touch and rolled over to look up at him. "Got it?" He leant forward until his face was inches from hers. "Got it," he whispered. "And the name of this bandit?"

"Shinjo Kurimo," she replied softly, bringing her arms up to embrace him.

He tracked the Unicorn down in a teahouse during the heat of the afternoon. Kurimo certainly fitted the description Suhime had given him, from the long scar down the left side of his cheek to the loud, drawling voice. He was talking to a Doji samurai at a table in one corner of the room, describing in almost poetic detail his ride down from Shiro Shinjo. It didn't sound like anything important, but that was not for Derunaze to judge. Taking a table and ordering some of the house special he listened to the conversation, eyes watching the street outside. The Doji - Gentaro appeared to be his name - spoke softly, on the edge of Derunaze's hearing. Most likely a courtier, Derunaze thought to himself. He made a mental note of the name, and waited for the topic of the conversation to change.

"Samurai-sama?" His concentration was interrupted by the waitress arriving with his tea. Paying her, he sipped his tea and carried on listening. The Doji was talking now, describing a festival that he was helping to plan. The two seemed like old friends, catching up on each other's gossip. Certainly nothing suspicious, Derunaze thought to himself... but then, they would hardly plot against the Scorpion in the open now, would they?

As the heat of the day waned the conversation drew to a close. The Doji left first, heading off to see a shugenja about unusual lighting effects. Kurimo remained a minute or two longer, draining his latest cup, before heading out into the streets. A moment later, Derunaze got up and followed him.

That night, Suhime reclined on the bed, holding Derunaze in her arms as he gave his report. "...and then he went into the Three Stars inn on the far side of the city. That appears to be where he's staying," he concluded. "Other than Doji Gentaro-sama and Kakita Hyrime-sama he spoke to no samurai, and only exchanged a few words with heimin manning stalls. No sign of anything suspicious."

She lowered her mouth close to his as she whispered a reply. "He must know we're watching him. Our last agent was... less than cautious." She felt Derunaze tighten in her arms.

"The Shinjo spotted him?"

She carefully considered what to say next. Lying was an art, and one she was good at. One had to tailor the lies to the person, that was all. She ran her hands over his shoulders and neck, buying time to assemble her answer. "She was less than cautious. She underestimated him." She felt Derunaze relax slightly and carried on, adding a touch of extra silk to her voice. "I am sure that you won't make the same mistake."

"I will try not to. Did he kill her?"

Suhime paused for effect, and put a slight quaver in her voice. "Yes."

"I am sorry. Was she a friend?"

"Yes." She had to work hard to stop herself from laughing. This was so easy. He was sitting up now, moving to embrace her, to comfort her. She let herself melt into his arms, as she considered how to get him to do what Unaki had asked.

"Why have the Crane not arrested him, then?" Derunaze's voice interrupted her reverie.

"He has friends in the Crane. The magistrates called it self-defence, when all she had done was watch him." A crocodile tear welled in her eye. "Can't you get revenge?"

Yes, you silly boy, she thought to herself. That's why you're here. "The magistrates know that he has offended the Scorpion. Should anything happen to him, suspicion would naturally fall on us. We cannot touch him, as much as we would like to."

"So you watch him, and wait until he leaves the city?"

"Yes. But he seems to want to stay, and sends messages home in his stead. Or tries to." She raised her head to look directly into his eyes. "He will not evade us for long. But you see now why you watch him." He nodded silently, and she kissed him lightly. That was the easy bit done, she thought to herself. Now he should react appropriately...

It was raining the next morning. Suhime was gone, of course. She was never there when he woke up. Washing and dressing he headed out to look for Kurimo again. He wasn't hard to find: he was still finishing his breakfast in the teahouse across from the Three Stars. Stopping to examine some fruit at a stall outside, Derunaze waited for him to leave. When he did so, the ronin bought an apple and strolled down the street after him.

Today's schedule was no more suspicious than the previous day's. The Shinjo attended a kabuki play by a local troupe and stopped in the same teahouse over the heat of the day, as the muggy rain gave way to hot sunshine. Afterwards he headed off to look at a jewellery shop amidst the back streets of the city. There was a lot of fine craftsmanship there, to be sure, and the Shinjo spent a good while examining it while Derunaze watched from a doorway on the far side of the street. He didn't exchange more than a word or two with the owner, even, and Derunaze started to have doubts. Wandering around jewellery shops wasn't what a bandit captain would do. But then, if he knew that someone was probably watching him... and anyway, why would Suhime ask him to follow a man if he wasn't up to something?

Some time later, as night began to fall and Derunaze was wondering if the Shinjo intended to sleep in the damn jewellery shop, Kurimo left and headed back through the alleys towards his inn. The streets around were quiet, with most people indoors by this late hour. As they reached an otherwise-abandoned junction, a small woman dressed as a servant walked quickly up to the Shinjo. Derunaze snapped to attention - the first suspicious thing that had happened all day! The servant passed a note to Kurimo and then quickly headed off - Derunaze was only able to catch the barest glimpse of her face, and didn't recognize it. His quarry read the note, and stopped abruptly before turning round. His eyes fixed on Derunaze.

"You! Ronin! Come over here." The Shinjo had dropped the note to the ground, and his right hand rested on his katana.

"Yes sama? What do you want?" Derunaze tried to sound natural, and slowly walked forward.

"I want to know why you've been following me." The Shinjo's voice was heavy and full of menace. Derunaze remembered what had happened to the previous spy, and his hand crept towards his katana.

"Me, sama? I wasn't following you!" It sounded unconvincing, even to him.

"Liar!" The Unicorn's sword flew from its saya, but Derunaze anticipated the strike and leapt backwards. Drawing his own sword he parried the man's next strike, nearly losing his grip in the process. The Shinjo was strong, but thankfully not particularly skilled. Their blades locked for a second, then they separated.

"I hate Scorpions," growled Kurimo. "Can't get a moment's rest with them around." Derunaze remained silent, waiting for his opponent to attack again.

Sure enough, Kurimo swung hard at Derunaze's chest, a little too hard. The ronin stepped back to avoid the strike, then attacked while Kurimo was still trying to reverse his swing. Derunaze's katana sliced through the man's right wrist and into his torso. Kurimo fell to the ground, and Derunaze's next strike found his neck. The Unicorn's head rolled onto the street as Derunaze became aware of footsteps approaching at a run. Lots of footsteps.

Looking up, he saw a half dozen ashigaru running towards him, with two Doji samurai at their head. "You there! Stand and be recognised!"

Shaking the blood from his sword and sheathing it, Derunaze knelt before the approaching samurai, carefully avoiding the pooling blood. "Derunaze, sama. I was attacked by this man, sama, and defended myself." With his eyes lowered to the ground, he caught sight of a scrap of paper lying in the muck. Kurimo's message. It read, simply, 'You are being followed. Beware. - Doji Gentaro' Shocked, he was vaguely aware of the two Doji whispering to each other.

"Who did he kill?"

"A Unicorn. Shinjo, by the look of it."

"That would be Shinjo Kurimo, then. Looks like the Scorpion was telling the truth." Derunaze's ears pricked up. What did the Doji mean?

"There's something fishy about this." Then, for Derunaze to hear, "You're under arrest. Surrender your weapons, and come with us."

He offered no resistance as the ashigaru bound his hands behind his back. That would only make matters worse, given the circumstances. A pity the Crane hadn't arrived in time to see Kurimo draw his sword - but what had the magistrate meant about a Scorpion? And how did Doji Gentaro know to send a note? His mind raced as the guards escorted him down the street. The arrival of the Crane, tipped off by a Scorpion? It made no sense. He was working for the Scorpion, after all... was someone waiting to rescue him? What would happen to him now?

He was escorted back to what looked like a guard station, and roughly pushed into a kneeling position on the floor. One of the Doji sat down opposite on a powder-blue cushion, while the other stood behind with his hand on his sword. The seated one looked slightly older, thirty maybe, but both had the same chiselled faces and long, dyed hair. The first wore the mon of a family magistrate, while the other appeared to be his yojimbo. The magistrate spoke first.

"Well, ronin? What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I was walking down the street, heading back into the main part of town. A servant came up to the Shinjo, and I think she gave him something. Whereupon he turned around and attacked me." It was the truth, if a little light on detail.

"And why did he do that?"

"I don't know." The magistrates' glare told him that this answer was not satisfactory. "He accused me of following him, and said something about Scorpions." Something told him that to admit to being a Scorpion agent would not be a good idea.

"He did, did he? Now there's a coincidence. Tenju-san, fetch the girl."

The yojimbo went into the next room, and came back accompanied by someone who Derunaze recognised instantly. "Bayushi Suhime-san." The magistrate had risen to meet her. "It appears that your information was correct.

Unfortunately we were not able to apprehend the miscreant before the deed was done." Derunaze was struck dumb with shock. What was she doing here? Perhaps she would get him out of this? Hope sprang up in his heart.

Suhime's face was a picture of disappointment and regret, her thin mask doing little to cover it. "I am so sorry, Doji-sama. Perhaps if I had been a little faster the poor man's life could have been saved."

Suddenly, he understood, and the remains of Derunaze's life shattered into a thousand shards with each one cutting deep into his very soul. She had betrayed him, used him to kill Kurimo and sacrificed him to the magistrates to avert any blame being attached to her Clan. He was a tool, nothing more - she had never loved him. Two betrayals were proof enough of that, even to him. In that moment of realisation love turned to hate, a deep desire for revenge. He would be dead soon, no doubt, but at least he could bring her down with him.

"That's funny," he growled, "considering that it was you who asked me to follow him."

A shocked, awkward silence filled the room.

"Silence, ronin." Suhime spoke with calm authority, quickly regaining her composure. "I did no such thing."

Damn, Derunaze thought. There is no way the magistrate can accept my word over hers. Not even if he believes me, which I doubt. "You planned the whole thing, didn't you," he continued. "Was that note really from Doji Gentaro? Or was it just a convenient name?" The Crane made no move to silence him, though the yojimbo's knuckles whitened on the handle of his sword; Suhime seemed totally unperturbed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, ronin. Magistrate, if you have finished with me?"

The magistrate frowned. "Perhaps you could spare me a few more moments, Bayushi-san." It wasn't really a request.

Suhime laughed, though it had nothing to do with humour. "Surely you don't take the accusations of a ronin seriously? I had thought the Crane polite enough not to question an honourable samurai's word. Particularly one who assisted in this criminal's arrest."

"If you would kindly wait in the next room, Bayushi-san. I am sure that Tenyu-san here will assist you if you need anything." Suhime bowed slightly, radiating injured pride as she allowed herself to be escorted into the next room.

"And now," the magistrate turned to Derunaze, "you are going to explain what in Jigoku is going on here!"

Seeing no point in holding back. Derunaze told him. From meeting Suhime in the streets of the city, through to the message reaching Shinjo Kurimo shortly before his death, he told the tale of betrayal. It was all so clear in hindsight. The magistrate listened, nodded, occasionally asked questions. And then he was done, and a weight seemed to be lifted off his shoulders.

"So in short, you claim that you acted in self-defence, and that the Scorpion are to blame for causing the death of Shinjo Kurimo-san?" The Crane's voice was clipped and professional, his eyes cold.

"Yes, Doji-sama."

The magistrate's eyes narrowed. "But you have no witnesses?"

"None, sama."

"Then this accusation holds no weight in court." The magistrate paused, seemingly considering whether to carry on. "Though since I have no love for the Scorpion, I will allow you one chance at proving yourself correct in the eyes of the law."

"Yes, sama?" Hope rose in his heart.

"Challenge that Bayushi to a duel over the matter. I am unable to act otherwise."

"Surely she will just refuse, sama. She is under no obligation to accept a duel from a masterless man." What was the magistrate up to?

"I will see to that, ronin. Would you rather be executed for a crime that I don't think you are responsible for?"

There was no answer to that.

A few moments later, Suhime was escorted back into the room. Derunaze was standing, his swords returned to him. Tenyu glanced at the ronin, and then at the ashigaru who had also entered the room, surprised at the change. The magistrate remained silent, but motioned to Derunaze.

"Bayushi Suhime-sama, I accuse you of conspiracy to cause the death of Shinjo Kurimo. I invite you to prove your innocence by facing me in a duel." Derunaze delivered the words smoothly, though a turmoil of emotions warred in his heart.

"Bayushi Suhime-san," the magistrate added, "you have the opportunity to end all investigation into this matter now. You are entitled to refuse the challenge of a ronin, as I am sure you are aware, and to walk free from this place. However, his accusations have been noted, and if further testimony should arise concerning the matter at a later date..." he left the sentence unfinished. "Of course, should you be afraid to face the ronin, then I am sure that you would be able to deal with any complications that may arise further down the line as a result." His face was a mask of sincerity, but his eyes were smiling.

Suhime frowned. She was in a corner now: to refuse would now cause her great loss of face, to say nothing of anything that the magistrates might uncover. She got the impression that if she left now, rather a lot of resources would suddenly be employed to discovering the truth. Besides, Derunaze wasn't particularly experienced. And she had defeated him many times already, figuratively speaking.

"I accept this challenge. Let the ronin fall before my blade for daring to challenge the honour of a true samurai." She spat out the words with venom.

"Then the duel will take place outside, in the garden. Duel to first blood." He made to leave, but Suhime interrupted.

"I wish to duel to the death, Doji-sama. I desire the pleasure of taking the dog's life myself." Her voice was cold and hard, every word cutting Derunaze like a blade. He found it very easy to hate her, now, though her obvious confidence was unnerving.

The magistrate's face remained impassive. "Very well, to the death."

They faced each other in the garden, lanterns providing the only light. Doji Tenyu stood between them, while his master watched from a bench to one side. A ring of ashigaru stood around, casting ominous shadows towards the duellists. When both were prepared, Tenyu stepped back. Their eyes met. Derunaze saw two pools of calmness, but for the first time ever he could see a hint of fear around the edges, a slight loss of control. It encouraged him.

Suhime saw two orbs blazing with anger and injustice. And yet, as she watched, the fires burnt down and died. No, not died, contracted. All the heat and anger was concentrated into a tiny gleam, right in the middle of the pupil. Part of her idly wondered how such a weak-willed fool as Derunaze could possibly find so much focus: the rest concentrated on preparing herself.

His heart was blazing, but he controlled it. The lessons of his instructors came flowing back, as he remembered how to concentrate his feelings. He poured all the pain and anger into his limbs, flushing them with energy, then slowly drew his emotions in and stored them away in his heart. Clarity returned, clarity and focus. He watched as Suhime's eyes settled in determination as she readied herself, all trace of doubt removed.

Fear was for the weak. So what if the ronin proved a challenge. She would still beat him: the Scorpion could not lose. Her confidence returned, she readied herself for the strike...

Blades flashed in the lantern-light. Derunaze felt the sting as her blade clipped his arm, deflected as his own blade cut deep into her body. Bayushi Suhime fell to the ground, blood pouring profusely from the massive wound across her torso. Her blade fell useless to the ground, clattering on the gravel. Derunaze remained motionless for a second, blade outstretched, as his actions sank in. He had killed her. It was done.

A polite cough from the bench roused him from his dazed stupor, and he flicked the blood off his blade and bowed to his fallen opponent before turning to kneel before the magistrate. He was shaking almost uncontrollably from anger, pain and relief. She was dead. He had killed her. He couldn't feel the scratch on his arm, though the warm, damn feeling further down his arm told him that he was bleeding.

"I suppose I should congratulate you. You have your freedom: now kindly leave. I do not want to see you in this city again." Derunaze nodded, rose and departed, sheathing his katana and tearing off a corner of his kimono to bind his arm. Despite his success, he felt no elation. Emotions raged in his heard, while quotes rose unbidden in his mind. Only a fool takes pleasure in victory, the wise man take pleasure in achieving his goals without conflict, he thought to himself. He had never truly appreciated that wisdom until now. One other saying rose unbidden in his mind - some of Suhime's first words to him, in fact. But he had defeated a Scorpion, eventually. And lived to tell the tale...

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