_____News of the Black Lotus and their hideous deeds spread throughout the land. Not a soul alive didn't know about the mysterious group. As the days went on, more and more people were being slaughtered in the mask of darkness. The women and children I see cower in fear, whereas the men around me attempt to hide their insecurity. I am not surprised by their fears; after all, our existence is a fragile one. Once our fate has been sealed, their's no escaping it. At least, that's what I want to believe. I couldn't possibly imagine the life I would have, not after meeting...him...
_____"Why must I stay inside? Why must I stay here or all places?!"
_____"The Black Lotus have been on the move. We don't know when they will strike."
_____"Have you even seen the Black Lotus?!"
_____"Well, no...but..."
_____"Then I see no need for this. I wish to leave here immediately!!"
_____"But..."
_____"I don't want to hear anymore on this matter. I want to leave NOW!!"
_____"As...as you wish, lady Mamoro."
_____I threw the nearest object at the hesitant soldier. "Address my father that I will be leaving here." The soldier bowed as low as he could, and left the room. I sighed at the fact that the soldiers around me are afraid of a rumor. "Idiots. Every one of those soldiers are idiots. Why would my father have such spineless idiots protect us?" I was so irritated, that I decided to walk around for a while, to clear my head. As I turned the corner, I bumped into one of the servants.
_____The servant was carrying the tea I requested a few minutes ago, before the soldier attempted to keep me here. As she fell to the floor, the cups and teapot fell and broke into countless pieces. As the servant regained her posture, she realized her error. She immediately fell to the floor and bowed for forgiveness. She bowed so low that her head nearly fell on the broken pieces. "I'm so sorry, my lady!! I'm such a fool. I beg for your forgiveness!!"
_____As I looked at the scene around me, it was clear to me that it was purely my fault. I was in such a hurry, that I became careless. I address the servant in a pure, calm manner. "Don't worry about, Hanako. It's not you're fault." Hanako remained one of my faithful servants. I consider her more of a friend than a servant. Despite her somewhat klutzy personality, I can entrust her with my secrets.
_____Hanako remained in her position. "It's all my fault, lady Mamoro. Because I didn't see where I was going, I dropped everything..."
_____"Stand up Hanako." She hesitated at first, but she did as she was told. As she stood, I could see her shaking in fear. I never had any reason to punish her, but she always seems so timid in front of me. "I told you, Hanako, don't worry about it. Here, I'll help you clean up." I knelt down and started to pick up the broken pieces.
_____Hanako covered her mouth, in attempt to hide her shock. She immediately fell to the floor and started to clean as well. "Lady...lady Mamoro!! You don't have to clean up my mess!! Someone like you shouldn't be cleaning up a lowly servant's mess!" I ignored Hanako's rantings and continued to clean. After a few minutes, the mess was cleared. "Lady Mamoro...you didn't have to help me. It's my duty to make you're life as easy as possible.
_____"Oh, Hanako. You really don't have to do so much." I signaled Hanako to come into my room. "Take a look at this." Hanako, again hesitated, but eventually came next to me. I instructed her to look out the window.
_____"It's...it's so beautiful..." Hanako seemed drawn to the landscape.
_____I giggled a bit, which Hanako looked at me with a strange look. I looked at Hanako and bluntly said, "Hanako, do you want to accompany me when I leave here?"
_____Hanako just stared at me with a confused look on her face. "Me? Accompany you? Why me?"
_____I just sighed in response. "Hanako, I see you more as a friend than anything else. We've been through many hilarious events. We've shared many secrets with each other, which is why I'll ask you again, will you please accompany me when I leave? I don't want to ask anyone else." It fell silent shortly. I could see tears dripping from her eyes. She fell into tears, and I embraced her as she cried.
_____"Thank...thank you, my lady..." she clung to me as much as she could. "No one...no one is as kind as you are. Thank you...thank you for calling me your friend." She continued to cry as I embraced her. I felt happy for her, for she is like my sister. At the same time, I wished I could cry, for I long to be reunited to be with my sister.
_____As the day became night, I was summoned to my father's quarters. I assumed he would give me the same lecture as the soldier had, but surprisingly, he wished to talk to me about the very same thing. "Mamoro, my daughter, you wish to leave the castle, am I right?" I simply bowed in response. "You have heard of the Black Lotus, haven't you?"
_____"Yes father, I have." I bowed once more. "However, I believe it is nothing more than a rumor." My father looked at me with slight concern.
_____"Do you believe so?"
_____"Yes. How can a small group commit such acts?" My father continued to stare at me, still with concern in his eyes. I stomped my foot with disapproval. "You don't honesty expect a small group of swordsman be a threat to you anyway?!"
_____My father stood as I finished my remark. I thought I was going to be scolded for my rude behavior, but he simply walked up to me and embraced me with his physique. "Perhaps your right, my daughter. I shouldn't worry about it." He let go after a few minutes had passed. He then said, "Very well. You may leave here, but only when the sun rises. Rumor or no rumor, it's still dangerous to be riding anywhere at night."
_____I wanted to leave now, but I knew he was right. "I understand. I'll leave when the sun has risen." I stepped back and bowed once more, and then turned to leave the room. Without turning around to face my father, I said, "I will also be taking Hanako with me."
_____My father chuckled at the idea. I wanted to yell at him for laughing at my request, but before I could do so, he replied, "Very well. Hanako will accompany you when you leave."
_____As I closed the door behind me, I sighed in relief. As I walked towards my room, I turned to see a group of soldiers kicking someone on the ground. I walked toward the group and asked, "What are you doing?"
_____The soldiers turned toward me and bowed. "Lady Mamoro, we were disciplining this pathetic servant," a soldier answered.
_____Another soldier added, "She dropped the food we asked for and was too slow upon cleaning the mess."
_____I heard what the soldiers had to say, so I turned to the fallen servant. I froze in horror at the very sight. It was Hanako, who wasn't moving. "Ha...Hanako!!" I kneeled to aid her, and noticed the various wounds on her body. The soldiers looked at each other with confusion. I stood up and slapped the nearest soldier as hard as I could. The soldiers stepped back in shock. "How could you do this?! Who gave you the right?! Leave here at once, before I have all of you executed!!" The soldiers scurried off in different directions like blind mice. I picked up Hanako and rushed her to my room. I prepared a wet cloth to put on her head, and wiped the blood dripping from her mouth. As I opened her yukata, I noticed odd marks on her body. The soldiers did more than "discipline" her. I was furious. I tended her wounds throughout the night. Her life wasn't in danger, so I calmed down a bit. The next morning, I went to my father and told him what had happened. I ordered to have those soldiers executed and wanted to watch them as they died.
_____Later that day, as the executions we're being prepared, I watched as the soldiers were restrained and had to kneel in front of me. Two of the soldiers tried to struggle, but it was no use. I was no so surprised at their useless struggle; what surprised me was the soldier who was silent. I walked towards him and asked, "Why do you not resist? You do realize that you'll be executed, right?"
_____The silent soldier looked up and stared with his dark, black eyes. As I looked into his eyes, he muttered, "I deserve to die. It was my fault and my fault alone. The other two had nothing to do with the servants discipline." I stepped back in surprise.
_____I heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind. I turned to see it was none other than the executioner. He inspected his sword throughly, but as he did so, I turned my attention to the silent soldier. "You're willing to accept death?"
_____"Yes." The soldier lowered his head and waited for death. I was shocked to find a soldier of his stature. The executioner approached the silent soldier and raised his blade.
_____I could not have a soldier of his caliber to go to waste. The executioner swung down, and I grabbed the blade with my hands. I flinched at the moment I felt the pain rushing through my body. The executioner himself couldn't believe what he was seeing. I could see my blood dripping from where I grabbed the blade. The blood dripped onto the soldiers neck, making him look up once more. He was surprised to see me protecting him. I gave him a weak smirk and muttered, "I can't have you die...not like this." He stared in disbelief. I turned to the executioner and said, "I decided...not to execute them. Untie the soldiers and make sure they return to their quarters." He quickly nodded in agreement and let go of his blade. He went to untie the soldiers, beginning with the shocked soldier. I threw the sword away from me and stared at the blood on the sword. Without turned my head, I asked the soldier, "What is your name?"
_____"It's...it's Matsuda...Konoha, Matsuda."
_____"Matsuda, you will come...with...me..." I began to faint. As soon as the restraints were taken off, Matsuda rushed to my aid. I soon blanked out.
_____When I awoke, I was in a carriage, with Hanako staring at me. Without any thought, I tried to stand up. In the process of doing so, I bumped into Hanako's head. we both shuttered at the moment of impact. "Ow...Hanako? Are you alright?"
_____As Hanako regained her composure, she answered, "I should be asking you the same question, my lady."
_____I inspected Hanako and found that she seemed okay. A soldier opened the carriage blinds, and looked in. I was shocked to see the silent soldier. "Matsuda?"
_____"It seems you have awoken, my lady." I was confused at Matsuda's remark. "It seems you do not remember. You protected me when I was about to be executed. I am forever in your debt, my lady." I looked around and noticed my bandaged hands. It all seemed clear once I caught sight at my injured hands. "I would rest for awhile, my lady. It's a long trip to Kyoto."
_____"Yes, my lady. You really should rest for awhile," Hanako added. I nodded in agreement and Matsuda closed the carriage blinds. Hanako then said, "Rest peacefully, angel of mercy." I looked at her with a confused look. I then yawned and rested my head.
_____In the end, I couldn't bear to watch anyone die in front of me. As bad as they were, I couldn't bear the fact that I would drag them to their graves. I don't know whether or not this feeling is a sign of weakness, or a sign of strength. The only thing I did know, was that I was now considered...an angel of mercy.
