Book 3: Chapter 43: To Love and Protect You

The mountains of Kai Province were submerged in white mist and a frigid autumn chill wrought by the translucent rain as it showered on the withered leaves incessantly, but there was still a vibrant pine tree drenched in rain droplets that embodied the last foliage of this season.

s.h.i.+muzu and Lily stood under this very pine tree at this moment while holding the crimson parasol together.

What? You want to leave the sheath with me? Lily asked puzzledly while holding the nice and warm sheath in her free hand.

If I leave something of mine with you, little sister, and know that you are waiting for my return while carrying it with you every day, it will set my mind at ease, s.h.i.+mizu stated.

Really? All right, then, Lily replied gently while blus.h.i.+ng.

Lil Sis. Although Yumi is a loathsome woman, she really hasnt committed any unpardonable crimes. I met with Haihime on this occasion and got the feeling that the Land of Hundred Demons isnt as simple as the Land of East. Although we and the Hundred Demons might see each other as foes, in fact, theres a rising undercurrent and an unimaginable desire for vengeance present within the Hundred Demons as well.

Uh-huh Lily recalled the battle between Shuten Doji and Sugawara no Michizane. If any of these two Great Demon paragons had discovered her back then, they could have killed her with just a snap of a finger, but the two of them seemed to be in conflict with each other at that time.

Im going to leave, little sister.

Eh?! Lily quivered, Why? Havent you returned back with great difficulty, Sis? Weve finally reunited after overcoming perils. Sister Uesugi also left after saying that shes leaving. You just saved just me moments ago, so why are you also leaving after moving my heart, Sister s.h.i.+mizu?

Shus.h.!.+ s.h.i.+mizu sealed Lilys lips gently with her finger and then opened her glistening lips to say, Youre not allowed to mention that womans name in front of me, got it?

Eh?

I also dont want to part with you, little sister, a thousand million times more than you, got it? However, theres still one thing that I have to do, just like how you have something to do as well, little sister. Isnt that so? If I tell you to stay beside me forever, and not go anywhere, what will you do, little sister?

Lily was stunned after hearing this as she knew it was impossible for her to do that.

It wasnt possible for anyone to stop her from embarking on the journey she had planned.

Since that was the case, she realized that she too didnt have the qualifications to demand her Sister s.h.i.+mizus company in her journey.

s.h.i.+mizu caressed Lilys hair gently after seeing Lily hesitate, Ill return to your side as soon as Im done with my matter, so you must be really careful until then, all right? I wont always be around you to protect you like this time.

You too Sis. Be careful, Lily could sense that the thing s.h.i.+mizu planned to do was pretty dangerous, and also knew that she herself would have to embark on a journey soon as well, but she couldnt bear to see those close to her cry again, What are you planning to do, Sis? Let me accompany you as well!

s.h.i.+mizus face flushed up and her eyes filled with emotion, it was as if her entire body was br.i.m.m.i.n.g from the happiness of being immersed in saccharine.

Hearing you say that makes me very happy, Lil Sis Lily. However, it wont be possible for me to accomplish what I want to do if you tag along with me. Eh?! But

s.h.i.+mizu sealed Lilys lips with her finger once again even though she was unwilling to part with Lily, the woman who was everything to her.

But that was the very reason s.h.i.+mizu had no choice but to part with her.

A determined gleam flashed through s.h.i.+mizus love-filled gaze, Im leaving, little sister. You have to take care of yourself

Sis

Lets do this, shall we? We shant bid farewell to each other, that way, we will definitely see each other again in the future! Because neither the Heavens nor this World can shake my resolve to see you again, little sister!

s.h.i.+mizu tiptoed and kissed Lilys lips suddenly, leaving behind a moist yet cold feeling on Lilys lips as she turned around silently. Her black long-sleeves danced in the wind along with her dark hair as she unfurled the golden miscanthus-patterned black parasol and disappeared into the distant woods, never turning back.

It was because she knew she wouldnt be able to leave if she turned back. It was because loved her little sister way too much. She liked her the most in this world. Which was why she had to part with her!

Lily followed s.h.i.+mizus back with her eyes while holding the lonesome sheath that was bereft of its blade in her hand, and experienced a deep sense of emptiness and loss, something that she had never felt when she was together with s.h.i.+mizu previously.

s.h.i.+mizu had left before Lily could even enjoy the happiness born from reuniting with her, her lonesome, waning, yet staunch silhouette disappearing within the mist.

Pitter-Patter! By the time Lily regained her senses, the rain had turned torrential and the red parasol in her hand had also fallen to the ground.

After walking until the point where it wasnt possible to see Lily even after turning back within the torrents of rain, s.h.i.+mizu finally turned around with a longing look in her eyes and gazed towards the direction her little sister was in even though she couldnt see her at all.

How could I be willing to part with you, little sister? You are everything to me and my lifes whole purpose But I cannot be careless with this matter at all. This matter is the biggest hidden danger to your safety, little sister. I shall investigate it clearly as thats the only way I can truly protect you! Ill return to your side immediately once Im done investigating and definitely make you my woman then. Hehehe. Just thinking about it makes me so happy. The hindrance thats threatening little sisters safety from behind the scenes must be eliminated! At all costs! Hmph. It was quite unexpected that I was able to join the Hundred Demons through a stroke of luck. Ill be able to help my little sister a lot more this way. Kamakura, Hundred Demons and the Heian Empire can all go to h.e.l.l for all I care. I will do anything as long as its beneficial to you, little sister, and I shall eliminate all threats to you no matter who they may be. Hehehehehehe!1

s.h.i.+mizu voiced out the thoughts she wasnt able to tell her little sister within the rain and her mellow chuckles echoed within the depths of the rainy mountains, with the only probable witnesses being the rain and mountain deities.

s.h.i.+mizu turned to the front and vanished into the depths of the misty mountains gradually.

Around the same time, Lily returned to the cave in a slightly frustrated mood. She and s.h.i.+mizu werent that far from the cave entrance, so she wasnt worried that Yukiko would let Yumi escape. After entering the cave, she found Yumi still bound in her original location, so it seemed that Yukiko really hadnt done anything at all.

Yukikos inaction puzzled Lily even further and made her wonder if she wasnt worried about her taking revenge on her little sister. However, Lily then recalled that Yukiko had never directed any malice at her and was even more a.s.sured that she was a really unfathomable married woman.

Wuh! Yumi spitted out the handkerchief shoved into her mouth and gasped for air while sending Lily a resentful gaze, Hey! Let me go! I just need to take you to where the treasure is, right?! A-Although Ive done something unforgivable to you, I-I couldve stabbed you to death easily while you were asleep, but I spared your life! Shouldnt you be thanking me for that? Yumi stated in a slightly stubborn and willful manner as if she had forgotten the pain of getting slapped by s.h.i.+mizu a few moments ago.

Lily was in a bad mood because of s.h.i.+mizus departure, so she felt anger well up inside her after hearing Yumis words.

She stepped forward and pulled Yumi by the rope behind her then hoisted her up against her katana that was wedged into the roof of the cave.

The katana was wedged in pretty solidly, so it was able to hoist the face-down Yumi up properly.

Tch. W-What are you planning to do? Put me down Yumi seemed to recall something at this moment, so her att.i.tude turned a lot softer after being hoisted up.

Lily ignored her and turned her head around to look at the meek Yukiko, Im going to punish your little sister in front of you. If you want to plead me for leniency, do so quickly. Theres no guarantee that Ill listen to you though.

However, Yukiko got up with a faint smile on her face. This smile looked pretty different from the one Yukiko wore previously and was much calmer and more collected, completely unlike her previous appearance of a weak, bullied woman. At the same time, her gaze also turned wiser and seemed to see through numerous things.

No. I dont plan to plead for leniency. Im already quite grateful that you havent killed her, but this little sister of mine whos turned into an utter bad apple, youre going to punish her, right? Let me help you with that, Yukiko stated calmly.

Huh?! Yumis face flushed up in a panic, W-Whats wrong with you, Sis? Why are saying such things instead of saving me? Have you become mentally unstable after being abused by that Tokugawa?

Shut up! Yukiko stated fiercely, How dare you give in to despair and aid the Hundred Demons! Youve stained the prestige of the Mid clan, let alone its honor!

s.h.i.+u, who was planning to plead for Yumis sake, was left dumbfounded after hearing Yukikos words, wondering why Yukiko, the seemingly gentle and meek married woman, had become so fierce suddenly.

Even Lily was left dumbfounded by this development. She observed Yukiko and didnt notice any injuries to her head, so she also felt perplexed about her sudden flare-up and wondered if this was what it meant to be a married woman.

Yukiko, however, said nothing more and raised up Yumis skirt directly. She then raised one of her feet to take off her own footwear and slapped Yumis b.u.t.tocks thrice in a row.

The force behind the slaps definitely wasnt on the level of an ordinary married womans and didnt lose out in terms of power to Yumi!

Argh! I-It hurts! Even Yumi found herself on the verge of tears from the pain, but she felt even more shocked and ashamed, S-Sis

Yukiko circled to Lilys front and then kneeled before offering up the footwear with her slender fingers, Miss Lily. Please use this elder sisters footwear to firmly slap the b.u.t.tocks of the little sister who committed a mistake! It doesnt matter even if her b.u.t.tocks bloom from the slaps, please dont be soft on her!

Lily really wanted to slap Yumi so badly until she was left in tears, but she was more bothered by Yukikos change, Madam Yukiko, what are you

Yukiko revealed a disgusted expression on her indifferent face, Please dont call me madam ever again, it makes me utterly disgusted! So much that I want to pierce my skin with my fingernails!

Yukiko quivered in extreme rage.

Lily really couldnt make sense of her, so she received Yukikos footwear and held it in her hands perplexedly before asking, Didnt you say that depending on a tyrant in these chaotic times will at least provide a decent and comfortable life even if you have to experience some grievances in exchange for it? What kind of tricks are you playing now that your little sisters scheme has failed?

Please forgive me, Miss Lily, but my words have nothing to do with this failure of a sister of mine. I needed to protect the Mid clans real secret even if I had to sacrifice all my life for it! Yukiko stated firmly.

The Mid clans real secret?

Lily, s.h.i.+u and even the suspended Yumi looked at Yukiko with doubts across their faces.

Yes. As far as Im concerned, Im still the real overseer of the Mid clan as I never stepped down!

What?! Lily and the others were stunned after hearing this.

Yukiko, however, kept kneeling, and showed the intensity an ancient kunoichi clan member ought to possess as she looked up towards Lily and stated in a devout and resolute tone, Lady Lily the Mirror Girl, Ive been waiting for you, no, it would be more correct to say that as the overseer of the Mid clan, weve been waiting for the Mirror Girl to appear for a long time now!2

Robinxen: I cant tell if shes become a yandere or something remarkable similar yet not the same.

Silva: Gasp! PLOT TWISTS! Robinxen: Well this is unexpected