kscans

Chapter 9 - The Mountain Pass

"Do you still have lingering feelings for her?" Sahei asked.

Shintaro responded with a wry smile, which Sahei took to mean he had plenty. That explained why he hadn't made a move on Shion after all this time. When asked, Shintaro had said the woman was the daughter from the Hokura dojo. Their betrothal was still three years away, but his had been a devoted love; he'd never looked at another woman.

What a mess, Sahei lamented inwardly. Of all people, Hokura Saimon's daughter. And to top it off, it was the woman who had strayed. The man who had stolen her was the worst possible rival, too.

The master of the Silver Tower—Kagasaki Razan.

Sahei knew that, contrary to his rugged name, Razan was a man of striking beauty. He personally thought Shintaro was more handsome in a masculine sense, but there were few men who possessed Razan's androgynous features. Add wealth and status to that, and most women would fall for him.

Sahei was tormented. The very words "Tower Master" would undoubtedly become taboo from now on, but it was a topic they couldn't avoid.

He studied Shintaro's face, trying to gauge his feelings as he searched for his next words. He needed Shintaro to sever those lingering ties and turn his attention to Shion. But that would be difficult if Shintaro now harbored suspicion and hatred toward the very position of Tower Master.

Of course, Masaki and Kagasaki had nothing to do with each other. In fact, holding the same position made them rivals, if anything. It would be best if Shintaro could understand that and compartmentalize his feelings, but he was young, so Sahei couldn't expect much. If Shintaro was now determined to live for revenge against Kagasaki—and intended to be with Shion to achieve it—then Sahei would have to call the whole thing off.

He had to... but if he did, the dream of rebuilding the Masaki family would be shattered as well.

Sahei felt a surge of panic. He had to get Shintaro to Kyo, no matter what. He couldn't give up here.

Feigning nonchalance, Sahei tossed another log into the fire. "You're still young. These things happen. The best thing to do is to forget her quickly and accept that you two weren't meant to be," he offered.

Shintaro was a man, after all. A time would surely come when he could no longer retreat. Until then, it was best to just bury it all in darkness.

*

It was a blessing in disguise that they hadn't revealed their true identities.

Sahei explained this to the others when Shintaro stepped away. At the news, Shion grew a little distraught.

"So there was someone else. He's a swordsman whose fame reaches even Kyo; it's no wonder he wasn't available... Oh, but I hate it."

Shion began to cry softly, clinging to Nana.

"I hate the one who has captured all of Shintaro-sama's heart. What should I do, Nana? What am I supposed to do with these feelings?"

Nana held Shion tightly.

"It's alright, my lady. Shintaro-sama's love has already ended. Time will heal his heart."

Nana was right. Though he was suffering from lingering feelings now, a time would come when he would forget. All that mattered was that Shion was by his side when that happened.

"Do you think Shintaro-sama will ever turn his affections to me?"

"Yes, of course. I'm sure of it."

After a while, Shintaro returned. He had been looking for lilies on the pass.

"They were blooming over there, but they're quite high up."

"Well, let's go have a look anyway," Sahei replied, acting as if nothing was amiss.

He mustn't find out.

A quiet tension spread through the group.

Just as Shintaro had said, the lilies were blooming high on a cliff. The rock face was nearly vertical, so high that five adults standing on each other's shoulders wouldn't have come close to reaching them—in fact, it would be more accurate to say they were somewhere far above the clouds. The flowers themselves looked no bigger than chinese milk vetch. For Shion to enjoy flowers, she needed to touch them while someone described their colors and shapes, and she needed to smell their fragrance. This was a cruel sight.

"Their color is... a pale orange, and their heads are bowed beautifully," Nana tried to explain, but it was difficult when they were so small. The scent of the lilies, of course, couldn't reach them from this distance. Even for those who could see, it was hardly a situation one could call flower-viewing.

"And we hurried here for this," Shion said, disappointed. Seeing her, the others felt a pang of disappointment as well. Just then, Shintaro spoke up hesitantly.

"If you don't mind me cutting one, I can bring it down."

Shion turned her face toward the sound of his voice. "Are there many of them?"

"Yes. I'm sure no one would mind if I borrowed just one."

"But that's dangerous, isn't it?" Kiku said.

Shintaro just smiled and pointed upward. "There's one flower tilted this way. I'll cut that one down."

"Huh?! Which one?" Kiku squinted, shielding her eyes with her hand, but she couldn't see it clearly.

In that moment, Shintaro drew his sword and told everyone to step back.

"What are you planning to do?" Saneyuki asked, but Shintaro only half-listened. Without so much as a running start, he took his stance and kicked off the ground. The initial leap was of an unbelievable height, but then he kicked off the cliff face before him, launching himself even higher with superhuman force. He repeated this several times, reaching the top in a flash.

"————!"

The astonishing feat left everyone so stunned their knees gave out. Only Shion, who couldn't see, remained standing.

Soaring through the sky with the divine skill of a bird or a tengu, Shintaro swiftly and precisely severed a single lily from the cliff. He caught it with his free hand and then began his descent. He spun gently a few times as he fell, protecting the flower, a sight as magnificent as a phoenix.

Shintaro landed safely on his feet and offered the lily to Shion.

"The center is a deep orange," he said. "It fades to a lighter shade toward the edges. There are a few black spots, but it's a beautiful lily. It smells wonderful, too."

Unsure of what had just happened, Shion timidly reached out her hand. A fragrant lily. Its sweet scent was a delightful stimulus to her senses, and the feeling of the thick, soft petals traveled through the nerves in her fingers.

"It's marvelous," Shion sighed, enraptured.

"Are you even human?" Saneyuki asked, knowing how foolish the question sounded. "I've never seen a jump like that." He glanced at Shintaro, who was matching his pace to Shion's, his gaze still scanning their surroundings. Shion, for her part, was happily continuing on their journey, clutching the lily as if it were a treasure.

"There's a trick to it," Shintaro replied simply.

It was no surprise that Saneyuki's face soured. "A trick alone wouldn't get you that high."

At the objection, Shintaro averted his attention for a moment and met Saneyuki's eyes. "When I was a child, I just got the feeling I could probably do it. So I tried, and I could. That's all there is to it."

"Gah! What kind of explanation is that?!"

"Sorry." Seeing Shintaro apologize when he'd done nothing wrong made Saneyuki feel even more dejected.

The phrase natural-born talent seemed as if it had been created just for Shintaro. A gift bestowed upon one without desire, wielded by one without sin. That was the look in Shintaro's eyes.

"A swordsman like you must be in high demand," Saneyuki commented honestly.

Shintaro tilted his head. "I wonder. I've always wielded my sword timidly, thinking I'd be struck down if I stood out too much. It's a miracle I managed to become an assistant master based on my formal sword skills alone."

"What? So the people around you have never seen swordplay like you showed us, or a jump like that one? What a waste."

Shintaro gave a wry smile. "I've been told I was possessed by a demon before. It's best not to use power that could invite such misunderstandings."

Saneyuki frowned. 'A demon' was hardly a comforting description. But it was true that Shintaro's abilities were so extraordinary one might be tempted to describe them that way.

"You seem to be using it freely enough with us."

"You said you needed skilled bodyguards. Ones who could fend off any foe. If I didn't show my strength, you'd fire me on the spot, wouldn't you? I'd be in a real bind if you abandoned me out here."

"What a strange thing to say. I don't have the luxury of firing a swordsman of your renown." Saneyuki crossed his arms and sulked playfully. Shintaro watched him with a curious expression.

"About that... is it true?"

"Huh?"

"That I'm famous..."

Saneyuki's eyes widened, and he let out a short laugh. "Ha! To think you didn't know yourself. You're famous in both the West and the East, you know."

"Somehow I doubt they're good rumors."

"I've only heard good things."

"Is that so. You must have been disappointed when you met me in person."

"Nonsense. I'm shocked you're even better than the rumors," Saneyuki declared, then paused to think. "You might just be the greatest swordsman in the country. Don't you want to test it?"

"Test it?"

"Why not fight against every swordsman in the country?" Saneyuki's expression was bright. Shintaro laughed, assuming it was a joke, but his smile faded when he realized the man was beginning to speak with genuine passion.