The Little Dragon Pt. 1

“It really is ideal that they allowed you to come back,” Kitsuki Kenshin said as they made their horses continued down the road.

Not far ahead of him was Ichiro Mayu, of the Badger clan. In size, she dwarfed the little Dragon. Her broad shoulders were cloaked in the fur of a bear. The mountain wind making it billow in the wind. She was tall, strong, a grand warrior, but none of that seemed to matter.

Kenshin was busy examining a small puzzle he picked up in a village half a day back. Small round segments that had to be twisted and turned until the colors formed a picture on the surface.

“It is my duty,” Mayu said, looking back at Kenshin, “I will guard you until I’m ordered to do otherwise.”

“Still,” He said, dropping the puzzle down long enough to make his horse keep pace, “Your expertise have been a boon.”

Mayu took a deep breath. It was difficult to talk to him. For the last half year she served alongside Kenshin as he did his duty as a Dragon clan magistrate. She enjoyed the work, it seemed more important than scaring off scattered Yobanjin. Kenshin brought justice using an intellect she couldn’t quite understand.

She looked back at him, and he was back at his puzzle.

“Then I will continue to serve you, in whatever way you require.”

Kenshin went stiff, his puzzle going into his lap as he looked straight off into the distance. Mayu went stiff as well. She didn’t know what he saw, but his mind was definitely wandering. Had he figured her out? Was she too obvious this time?

His eyes relaxed, and Kenshin nodded, “I fear I will need you more than ever this time.”

She resisted the urge to smile, and turned back to the road. Then her mirth faded. Up ahead was a mountain village, and along the side of the road were three pikes sticking out of the ground. On top of each pike was a decapitated head, flies buzzing around them.

“I think we may be too late,” Mayu said.

“I doubt that,” Kenshin said, he slowed his horse and went to the heads. Three men, and the Kitsuki brought his face within inches of each. He took a small prodding knife from his side bag, and cut at each of them, putting the excess into wraps of leather.

Mayu didn’t know what he was doing, but it wasn’t her place to question it. Soon enough they were on their way into the little mountain town. They went straight to the house of the governor, and requested an audience. The servants rushed inside, and Mayu looked at the town.

While this was Dragon territory, something seemed strange. The people moved through the streets quickly, and there were men who looked like ashigaru moving through the streets. This far from the border, she couldn’t imagine why they would need peasant soldiers.

“Magistrate Kitsuki,” Said a servant, “Governor Mirumoto will see you now.”

Kenshin nodded. It seemed he hadn’t noticed the condition on the streets. His mind was elsewhere. They walked into the central hall, and Kenshin moved closer to her.

“Do not move to defend me,” He whispered.

She looked down at the little Kitsuki, “What? It is my-”

Kenshin smiled at her, and Mayu’s tongue caught in her throat.

“Kitsuki Kenshin,” Said a woman as they entered a room with a low table and tea at the ready.

Mirumoto bushi, even out of her armor, Mayu could tell right away. The governor was still smaller than Mayu, but she contained a calm storm. Her weapons were at her side, leaned against wall behind the table. Her brown hair was cut short, and her eyes contained a spark Mayu couldn’t identify.

“Mirumoto Noriko,” Kenshin said as he got to the edge of the table. He bowed low, and Mayu followed behind him, “I’m glad we could meet. It is the first time I’ve had to stop in your village here.”

Noriko motioned for them to sit, and everyone went to their knees. There was another man in the room, seemed like a bodyguard. He was far from the table, his back against the wall, and eyes low.

“It hasn’t been mine long,” Noriko said, “Who is your accomplice here? Another magistrate?”

Kenshin didn’t look at her, “A bodyguard, nothing more. The roads can be dangerous.”

The words stung. Didn’t her family mean anything to the other clans? She swallowed her thoughts.

Tea was poured, and Kenshin drank deep.

“I imagine you are here about the criminals outside of town?” Noriko said calm, “I promise you it was a simple matter of blood for blood.”

“Rarely are things that simple,” Kenshin said, “If it was, I wouldn’t have a job.”

Noriko laughed, “We couldn’t have that could we? The Kitsuki family is known for their brilliance. The brains of the dragon, a flame of insight. I have always wondered why they don’t just make a Kitsuki governor in every town, and we could solve all crime forever.”

Kenshin chuckled, it was out of character for him. Mayu tried not to think about it too much, they were just chatting, maybe he was trying to relax.

“Without the strength of the Mirumoto, we would wilt at the first sign of trouble,” Kenshin replied.

“Still,” Noriko said, “If a governor and magistrate both dispense the laws of the empress, surely the two positions can come together?”

Mayu’s ears were burning. She looked back to the governor, and found the woman circling the top of her tea cup with a finger. Was she flirting with Kenshin? The game of words was not her forte, but she was not without her womanly wiles.

Kenshin put his cup down, and watched the drink settle, “We can solve this crime then, coming together in the name of the empire.”

Noriko’s expression went stiff, “The crime is solved. Two men murdered a woman, I officiated over it myself. The third was their accomplice, and they were put to death for their crime.”

“How long ago?” Kenshin asked.

“Two days,” Noriko said, “I won’t turn my little town into a mad house over a petty crime.”

“I just need two days,” Kenshin replied, taking a sip of his tea, “Then I will leave.”

“Do you question my judgement?”

Mayu watched Kenshin’s expression. She expected him to be far from this room, thinking of some future plan. Instead he was right here, what was he trying to find out?

“I answer to the Dragon Champion,” Kenshin said.

Noriko moved so fast that Mayu had to admit she was shocked. The woman grabbed her swords from the wall, and her hand went to draw her katana. Mayu wanted to move to intercept, draw her own blade. She wouldn’t let this Mirumoto hussy hurt him.

Kenshin’s words echoed in her head. Against everything she knew, she stayed in place.

Noriko stopped herself, her face twisted in anger. Then just as fast, she went calm.

“Two days,” Noriko said, “Then you leave here, and leave my people alone.”

Kenshin stood, and bowed again. Mayu followed close behind him.

Every step out of the building was torture. When they hit the steps, Mayu had overtaken Kenshin’s position.

“I think,” Kenshin began, “We are going to have to start-”

Mayu grabbed him by the collar, and pinned him against the wall next to the door.

“You could have been killed!” She snapped.

Kenshin’s eyes went wide, “But I wasn’t.”

“Did you know she was going to attack you?” Mayu said, “Why would you instruct me to stay my sword?”

Kenshin looked through her, “Her reputation proceeds her. I needed to know for sure. I knew that if she knew who you were, she would overreact. You would fight, and you could get hurt.”

Mayu loosened her grip. She didn’t know if she wanted to punch him, or kiss him. The confusion burned her up.

“Getting hurt is my task,” She said, “Don’t do that again, don’t protect me.”

Kenshin’s eyes darted around, he was confused.

“I can’t promise that,” He said.

Mayu groaned, but she couldn’t say more. She looked around, and saw the eyes of commoners on them. She took a step back, and bowed to Kenshin.

“Apologies,” She said, “Where do we go next?”

“The family of the dead always have secrets,” Kenshin said.