Dawn of the Samurai

"Just leave me alone!" Koza said as he shook her off and ran into the forest.

 

"Koza......" Kyo sighed, and cried. 'I thought you loved me as much as I did you.'

Neka ran after Koza, in her human form. "Koza! Don't you care about Onee-chan?!"

 

"I don't know what to think now.....I really care for Kaia, but how do I know she won't stab me in the back like Maiko?"

 

"I know Onee-chan won't do something like that to someone she really cared." Neka thought to Maiko. "At first, Onee-chan only wanted to find Yuki, and she did. Now, she just wants to be with Yuki, you, and me."

 

"Go back and tell her that I need some time to clear my head. I'll be back soon."

 

Neka smiled and nodded, she ran to Kyo. "Koza just needs to clear his head. He'll be back soon."

 

Maiko thought about everything that had happened. Koza was a devil. He had used her and those she loved to get what he wanted, regardless of the cost. He used people and discarded them. He never thought of her as a sister, it was just a ruse to get her cooperation. He had betrayed her and he had probably lied to her as well. She packed her things into her pack. Once the funeral was over she would leave.

 

Koza leaned up against a tree, deep in thought.

What should I do now? My quest is over, so does that mean I no longer have any purpose?

He walked back to town. As soon as he crossed through the gates, he found himself bound to the wall.

"What the..."

A hooded figure approached him. He repeatedly slashed Koza and finally stabbed him in the stomach.

"Your friends will be joining you tomorrow...." The hooded man said before walking off.

 

Kyo got up and walked toward Koza. "Koza, are you alright?"

 

Koza said nothing. His vision was growing dark. He had passed out from the blood loss and stood on the verge of death.

 

Maiko began to get ready for the funeral. She felt used and betrayed. The one who meant the most to her was about to be buried and she would go home saddened with her life shattered. All she had was the sword to remind her of her love. She walked out to join the funeral procession with her head bowed.

 

"Koza!" Kyo picked him up, and held him in her arms. "Koza, you can't die! I love you too much!"

 

Tears streamed down her face. She wanted to scream out how happy she had been in the short time that she was with Takahiro. They had never stood a chance though. Maiko was fated always to be alone.

 

Koza gripped Kyo's arm.

"Tell the innkeeper...to call the doctor....and find Maiko....and warn her that her life....is in danger....."

Koza passed out again, but was still breathing.

*Elsewhere....*

The mysterious figure who attacked Koza the night before waited in the shadows to attack Maiko.

 

As she walked along a dark figure walked into her. She felt the sharp sting of the knife as it entered her several times. Dropping to her knees she watched with detached fascination as her blood drained out. She would be joining her beloved so there was justice after all. A smile of peace crossed her face as she collapsed and darkness took over her.

 

Kyo ran to the inn. "Innkeeper, one of my friend is hurt. Call the doctor." The innkeeper nodded and the doctor started to work on Koza, Kyo ran to find Maiko. "Maiko, your life is in danger! You have to get back to Koza!"

 

The assasin moved to attack Kyo, but stopped short as a blade pierced his throat. as he fell to the ground, Koza withdrew his blade. He collapsed again as the doctor came running up to them. He began patching up Koza and Maiko.

 

Kyo sighed, and smiled. "Koza....." As the doctor worked on them, Kyo thought if they were going to be okay.

"Kyo, they'll be alright," Yuki walked up behind her.

"Yeah, onee-chan," Neka smiled at her sister.

 

Maiko resisted the treatment and she refused food and water. There was no reason for her to carry on and she wanted to join Takahiro. No one wanted or needed her now.

 

Koza slugglishly got up and hit Maiko.

"Get up, you idiot. Takahiro would kill me if you died now."