Nighttime problems
(Riko and Yoshiko – Night-time after the meeting)
"You know, if you sharpen that blade much more it will break." Riko heard Yoshiko say to her side.
Riko dropped her tanto to her side with a sigh "Sorry, I'm just concerned."
"We'll get her back Riko, but try and relax a bit, Nico's worried about Maki going on this journey, but honestly my biggest worry is you."
"Me?"
"Yes, your heads not all here and when sneaking into a castle we don't need someone who's on edge so much."
"I can't help it; how would you feel if the person you love was in danger."
"I understand, but you can't help Yo if your caught, so try and relax a little, otherwise I won't let you come in."
"What, you're not serious."
"Deadly, if you're not careful you could get us all killed including Yo and I'm not about to walk into an enemy fort with you like this, so calm down."
Riko growled but admitted defeat and put the Tanto back into its sheeve before laying on her back staring at the ceiling.
The two stayed in relative silence till the darkhaired girl broke it "What is your plan for after?"
"Pardon?"
"After we rescue Yo, what do you plan to do?"
"It rather depends on her to be honest."
"How so?"
"I'm not inclined to stay in the Minami land, Tsuki asked that me and Yo be allowed to live the Tojo lands if we so desired, which Nozomi has allowed us to do if we wish to do so, now it depends on what Yo wants to do."
"And if she wishes to remain in the Minami lands?"
"Then I'll stay with her, I'm not leaving her again." Riko said clenching her fists.
The redhead heard the ninja shift before appearing at her side and placing a hand on her shoulder "Hey, we'll save her don't worry."
"Thanks." Riko smiled "And thanks for going along with this, I know it's a big risk I'm asking of you."
"Don't worry, you two would do the same for me." Yoshiko said with a smile "Now get some sleep you'll need it."
"Hey, what do you plan to do after all this is over?" Riko asked.
"I'm not sure, I was planning to stay in your service, but now I'm not so sure."
"How so?"
"Maru, she's thinking of staying here and serving Hanayo and Rin, besides I think Tsuki might need some help in the early days when she takes over."
"Are you and Maru…?"
"No, we are just friends, I just owe her."
"How so?"
"Well I won't go into details but in short, a job went bad for me and I was injured, Maru found me and helped me, as I was recovering people who were searching for me came to the temple, I thought she was going to turn me in but she didn't, I owe her my life for that."
"I see, so that's why your so close." Riko said with a yawn "So what is Maru going to be doing while we are going to the castle?"
"She didn't tell me, she said she wanted me to focus on this task and not what she's doing."
(Nico and Maki)
"Hey, something on your mind?" Maki asked as she walked towards Nico who was standing outside the chamber and looking up to the sky.
"My siblings." Nico said quietly "I'm wondering how they are doing is all."
"They'll be fine Nico." Maki said and she wrapped her arms around the ninja "They'll be safe in that castle, besides Kira's attention will be on us not on the Tojo lands."
"It's not just Kira that could want them hurt."
"They'll be fine the castles remote and I only let those who I trust to look after them." Maki said tightening her hold on the ravenette "And if anyone tried, they'll answer to us or Nozomi." Maki said kissing the ninja's cheek.
"I know, but I still can't help but worry, I'm their big sister."
"I know and its sweet you care so much about them, you're a good big sister Nico."
"Thanks."
"Anytime." Maki said before leaning in and whispering into the ninja's ear "Now you going to tell me else is bothering you?"
"What…?"
"I know you Nico, I know you were telling me the truth about your siblings, but that's not the only thing that's on your mind."
"Damn you, knowing my tells."
"I know a lot more than that, now spill."
"I'm just wondering what's going to happen with Umi and Kotori, that has to have been hard for them."
"I'm not so sure, I think Kotori's a little relived actually."
"How so?"
"Remember when you came to get me and I was talking to Kotori?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"She said the will made what she did pointless, I think she feels she's been punished properly now."
"But it wasn't her fault."
"No, but she feels it is." Maki whispered, "Just like Umi feels it's her fault this all happened to begin with."
"Those two are terrible."
"Yes, they are." Maki said kissing the ravenettes cheek "Now, you going to tell me the other thing that's bugging you?"
"I'm still not happy about bringing you along."
"We'll be fine, I trust you." Maki said kissing Nico's cheek "Now trust me to do as you say and trust yourself and we'll be golden."
"I'll try, but I'm still going to worry."
"I know, I will too, but as long as we are together, I'll worry a lot less."
"I'm not sure I will but I'll try."
(Honoka and Tsubasa)
"Hey, what's on your mind?" Tsubasa asked as she played with Honoka's hair, as the ginger lay on her lap running her thumb over the swords guard the whole time.
"Umi and Kotori." Honoka sighed "I'm worried about them."
"We were both there, Kotori wants this."
"I know, but I can't understand why."
"You know why, she feels guilty over all this."
"But it's not her fault."
"I know love, but she feels it is and this is her way of taking responsibility, we can't change that however much we may hate it."
"I really hate this." Honoka sighed in defeat knowing the brunette was right and stopped playing with the sword.
"They have both lost a lot, Umi lost her sister and her home, Kotori lost her title and father and they lost each other for a while, I'm not sure how much more they can take." Honoka groaned as she turned over so she was facing Tsubasa's stomach.
"All we can do is be there for them as they go through this."
"I hate that to; I hate seeing my friends upset and hurt and being unable to help them."
"You have helped, you've helped bring them closer again and you stopped Umi leaving Kotori behind when she wanted to rescue Ruby, you've done plenty."
"It still doesn't feel like a lot."
"There's nothing for you to do now, relax and rest for now."
"Ok." Honoka sighed closing her eyes. The pair stayed like that for a while and Honoka was almost asleep when she heard Tsubasa speak again.
"Speaking of responsibility, you need to take some responsibility."
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"What for?" Honoka asked as Tsubasa leaned closer to the ginger.
(Ruby and Yo)
"Well my Lady's how are you doing tonight?" Yo and Ruby heard Sakura say as she appeared before the cells door with a grin that made Ruby shiver with fear.
"What do you want?" Yo growled.
"Well with my dad away, I'm responsible for you two and I have a vested interest in your wellbeing's."
"Yeah, right." Yo spat.
"Oh, don't be like that, I can be quite caring when I want to be." Sakura said before turning towards Ruby who shuffled back slightly under the gaze.
"Oh don't be scared, I treated your sister oh so sweetly, I can show you if you want." The brunette smiled in a way that made both Ruby and Yo think she was trying to be flirtatious towards the redhead.
"No." Ruby mumbled.
"Oh come…
"Let it go Sakura, your reputation as a bully and an abuser is well known, I've seen more than enough hurt servants walk past these bars to know that to be true." Yo said with a glare.
"I don't do anything your friend Nishikino doesn't."
"Maki, makes it plain what's going on, she also doesn't pretend she doesn't do that," Yo groaned as she struggled to stand up, her wounded leg burning and cramping all the way "She also doesn't get kicks out of abusing young girls, unlike you."
"Careful!" Sakura said her smile dropping "I have my limits."
"Then leave, neither of us are interested in your debauchery."
"Guards the gates!" Sakura snarled.
"Yo?"
"It's ok Ruby." Yo smiled to the redhead as the guard opened the gate and walked in with Sakura.
"Really?" Sakura growled "Why don't I give you two a special demonstration of what I do?"
"Leave her alone." Yo growled putting her arm out to block Sakura from Ruby and staring down the brunette the whole time.
Sakura scoffed before turning to the guard "Bring her along, a demonstration for one it seems."
"Yo?!"
"It's alright Ruby, I'll be back."
"Oh she will." Sakura said with a grin "Though in what state remains to be seen."
'Please hurry up Riko, it looks like I'm getting in over my head here with this sadist.' Yo thought to herself.
(Lady Ohara)
"I see." Lady Ohara said to herself as she read the document Kira had sent with Kanan "So that's why you hate the Sonoda's so much."