Before Death
"Oka-san!" A girl with long blond hair ran upto an older woman in a blue kimono and had short black hair. "What now Ayame?" "Oka san, the boys won't leave me alone!" "Were you picking fights again?" "No! They were making fun of Oto san! They said he's a no good lap dog!" There was a slight pause, then her mother sighed, "Just go inside and grab a snack." The child nodded and went into the small tea shop.
Later that day, Ayame's father came home. As usual, she ran out to greet him, "Oto san!!" HHe chuckled and scooped her up, "How's my little Aya chan?" The smal girl chuckled and embraced her dad. He then looked over to his wife, "Hello Miyuki chan. How wasyour day?" Miyuki smiled and kissed him on the cheek, "It was fine, Kenshin." That night, hey had a peaceful dinner and went to sleep.
The next day, Kenshin left to do his usual duty as the Daimyo's Yojimbo, and Miyuki began her work in the tea house. Ayame was outside wandering around when her friends came over and they were playing a game where one person was a rogue samurai and had to turn the others as well. As they were running around, Ayame failed to notice the horses coming and accidentaly ran into the road. One of the horses spooked and threw it's head back. That lead to the carriage it was pulling to tip and the Daimyo fell out. The carraige then tilted over and landed on his leg.
"AYAME! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!" Kenshin snapped grabbing his daughter by the arm. "I'm sorry oto san, we were just playing. . .It was an accident," she replied feeling genuinely terrified.
After the Daimyo was pulled out and taken care of, he ordered Ayame and her parents over to him. "Enma Kenshin, understand your daughter caused the accident?" The dark haired samurai nodded gravely, "Yes Daimyo. My most humble apologies." The Daimyo paused for a moment, then smirked, "Is that so? Alright, I will spare her and your wife from punishment. But in return. . .Your duaghter comes with me." Miyuki looked up at him, horrified, "What! We couldn't!"
Sadly, his mind couldn't be swayed. Ayame was grabbed by one of the other guards and shoved into the carriage. Kenshin and his wife were left home to grieve. Ayame just sat there, arms crossed, glairng at the Daimyo. The elder man just chuckled, "Come now. Your going to be in the lap of luxury." "I don't want to! I want to go home!" she snapped sticking her tongue out at him. The rest of the ride was uneventful. When they arived, one of the Daimyo's servants led Ayame to a vacant room and proceeded to take measurements for new kimonos for the girl. Ayame spent the next few days in the garden, just sitting beside the Koi pond, not speaking, hardly eating. As the months went on, Ayame sowly started coming out of her shell. She made friends with a few of the srvants and such.
"Daimyo san. . .If it's alright with you. . .I. . .I'd like to visit my parents," Ayame stated one night over dinner. The elder man paused, then put on a sloemn face, "Ayame, about your parents. They left for Edo last month. THey asked me not to tell you so you wouldn't be too hurt." Ayame's heart grew heavy with the news, but said nothing else on the matter. In the next few years, as Ayame hit the age of 13, the Daimyo requested a private tutor to teach her swordsmanship. As she went through the lessons, Ayame showed to be greatly skilled in the art.
On her 17th birthday, the Daimyo had to leave for Edo on buisness. Ayame managed to sneak out of the manor for a day of freedom. "Ah! This is great!" she replied stretching her arms up. After about twenty minutes of walking, Ayame stopped dead in her tracks. In front of her, was the burnt down remenants of her mothers old tea shop. "What. . .what happened?" She stagered forward and placed a hand on the remenants of the doorway, "What happened?" "Hm? Are you alright?" An old woman stood there, looking up at the confused teen. "Excuse me ma'am," Ayame asked trying not to cry, "What became of this tea shop? And the couple that lived here?" "Oh. It's tragic, it is," she replied, easing herself down against a tree, "It happend about 10 or 11 years ago. The couple had a daughter, and she scared the Daimyo's horse. He got hurt and took their daughter as retrebution. As the girl was dragged off, two soldiers locked the couple in the home and set it ablaze. Their screams could be heard throughout the town." The news shocked Ayame and destroyed her at the same time, "What? But. . ." She then regained herself and bowed to the old woman, "Thank you ma'am." She then turned to leave. "Ayame. . .Becareful," the woman called out before walking away. "How did she. . .never mind," Ayame muttered hurrying back to the manor. After she washed up and put on her evening kimono, it was announced that the Daimyo had returned. Managing to calm herself and went to the dining hall where a fairly nice dinner had been layed out.
The aimyo joined her soon and smiled kindly as always, "Ah, Ayame. You look lovely." Ayame thanked him politely, and started t drink her tea. after aminute she spoke up, "Daimyo san, while you were in Edo, did you happen to run into my parents?" "No, I was far too busy. I would have loved to see them though," he replied quietly. Ayame put her tea cup down, then looked up at the Daimyo, a serious look in her eyes, "What about their tea shop?" The Daimyo cleared his throat a bit, "I think it's being owned by an old woman now." "May I ask one more thing?" Ayame asked gently walking over to him. She then tried to give a sensual smile towards him and leaned aginst his chest, "Do you really care about me?" The Daimyo blushed a bit, then smirked, "But of course Ayame. I care about you more than anything in the world." As he gently grabbed her waist, Ayame got next to his ear, "Then tell me. . .Why did you kill my parents." Before he could react, Ayame grabbed a katana from a nearby yojimbo and went straight for his throat.
He managed to block it with his own sword, "What!? What are you talking about!?" "You killed them! You mercilessly killed my parents! YOU b*****d!!" she shrieked slashing violently at the Daimyo. after this went on for about five minutes, the yojimbo managed to suppress Ayame as she swore and shriked at her guardian. "Place her in the holding cell now! I'll decide her punishment at a later time!" Ayame glared at him as she was dragged away.
Two days passed and Ayame was finally taken to se the Daimyo. "Ayame, you attempted to kill me. After decieving me none the less. For this you will be sentenced to death. At sunrise, three days from now, you will be forced to commit Sepukku. Anything you wish to have taken care of must be deatl with before then," he replied seriously. Ayame simply stared listlessly at him, then was lead back to the cell. For the next few days, Ayame sat, praying for her parents well being and for safe passage into the next world. Finally, the third day came, sunrise only tw hours away. She was lead to a small room where a ceremonial kimono hung for her to wear. She slowly put it on and tied her long blonde hair up into a tight bun. On her neck was the necklace she was given long ago by her mother, "Oka san. . ." She tucked the necklace inside the kimono and was lead to the courtyard. The Daimyo sat in his usual throne while several servants that had befriended Ayame. Ayame took her seat in front of the small altar that contained the tool for her death. "Ayame, if there is anything you wish to say, say it now,'' the Daimyo said sternly. "Only one thing. It's a shame I can't take you to Hell with me," she snapped angrily. Trying to keep his calm, the Daimyo signaled for the sntence to start. Ayame picked up the dagger and began to slice herself open.
Finally, she closed her eyes for good. She woke up in a small shack, "Huh? W-What. . .what happened? Where am I?" "Your in the Seireitei," an older woman replied with a smile. Ayame sat up in a hurry and ran a hand over where she had just cut herself, "But. . ." "Oh, don't worry. You aren't hurt. Your soul has carried over into the next life."
