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He Who Sees All	By : AlmitaFine Category: +S to Z > Samurai Champloo Views: 1747 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Samurai Champloo does not belong to me in any way, shape, or form. I do not make money off of this dribble.

Chapter List
- 1-He Who Sees All
- 2-Chapter 2
- 1
- 2
The cold was now accompanied by a stinging freezing rain that left Nina numb to the core. Her legs had long lost feeling, the burn turning to to a dull ache until all that was left was the slight shake as her muscles kept working long after her energy was depleted. She tried to ignore it however, still hearing the occasional shouts of men echoing against the buildings around her. She could hear Kali starting to whimper and knew that she had to find them a place to stay for the night quickly. Suddenly recognising where her feet had inadvertently taken her she pushed herself the last few blocks praying that no one was close enough to notice when she slipped through the screen doors of the small dojo.
Collapsing almost immediately on the padded floor, she took a few needed breathes. The familiar smell of sweat, wood, and incense filled her senses. It did little to ease the tight restriction she felt in her throat and lungs but it provided a small comfort nonetheless. Feeling Kali struggle slightly against her back, she reached up with trembling fingers to the knots of the blanket.
“It’s ok Kali, they won’t find us here..” She whispered sitting up and looking to her sister, “Are you alright? He didn’t hurt you did he?” Running a hand up her cold bare legs she was relieved to have her fingers come away clean. She didn’t think she could handle seeing blood on Kali at the moment. The sight of Bomoar on her sister was still fresh in her mind, the blade he had held pressed to her delicate skin. If she wasn’t on the brink of passing out she was sure bile would be working it’s way up her throat by now.
“Let me just rest for a moment, then I’ll find us a place to sleep.” She promised, laying back on the floor willing her heart to return to it’s normal pace. Closing her eyes as she tried to get her thoughts in some semblance of order. So caught up in the turmoil of her own mind she failed to notice the other presence in the room. Her sister’s soft gasp was all the warning she had before feeling the cold kiss of steel against throat. Eyes snapping open in panic she was met with familiar flint grey eyes.
She wished that she could see what he was thinking, see everything that he saw when he looked at her. His face was blank however, shadowed and hard. There was no indication that he was angry with finding her soaking wet and lying on the dojo floor in the middle of the night.; except for the blade he still kept on her skin. Tearing her gaze away from his she glanced down, mortified to find a small blade pressed to Kali’s throat as well. Her eyes were wide, glassy with fear.
“Please Jin.” Her voice coming out in a strangled croak as she slowly raised her hands, palm up, to show she meant no harm. He didn’t respond as her stomach dropped further at hearing shouts coming from down the street. She could feel her body seizing up when his eyes flicked towards the thin screen door, the warm glow of torches beginning to creep through the paper.
“Jin.. I.. please, I promise you’ll never see me again, just please…” She stuttered, feeling the familiar burn behind her eyes that she pushed back down with a vengeance. He may be a far better swordsman than her, but she would die before letting Tresk take Kali. Fully preparing for a fight her body tensed watching as he continued to study her, eyes traveling quickly over her form.
“So you decided to run.” He said lowly, surprising her when he sheathed both blades. She laid there for a moment more watching those grey irises take in the scars and bruising now visible with only her filmy undershirt to hide behind. Feeling heat spread through her cheeks she averted her gaze.
“No, I..” She started before letting her voice trail off. Slowly bringing herself into a sitting position, still avoiding his knowing gaze, she reached for her sister. The child had calmed some looking back at the warrior with slightly curious eyes. Bringing her behind her as she stood before Jin, she swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to look him in the eye.
“Yes, I ran. The situation had changed.” She whispered, failing at keeping her voice and legs steady. She hoped that he would let them be, her vision was starting to get blurry and with their pursuers almost at the door her chances of getting Kali out unharmed were slim. He considered them a moment more before turning and making his way towards the back of the dojo. She swayed slightly in relief before he stopped and looked back at her.
“Come, you are soaked through and cannot hope to continue on tonight.” He said, in that same low tone before continuing on through door that lead to the living quarters of the dojo. Hesitating for only a moment Nina glanced at the flickering lights outside and took Kali’s hand. Following the silent swordsman through the dark passageway she stiffened slightly noticing the open engawa at the end of the hall. The storm shutters were left partially open revealing the worsening weather outside. Jin stopped momentarily glancing towards the street. NIna held her sister back in the shadows up against the shoji, her tired heart picking up speed.
They stayed that way for an eternity, Nina gripping Kali’s fingers until the young girl yanked her hand free with a small glare. She barely noticed waiting for their unexpected savior to tell them it was ok to come forward. Jin stretched his hand back towards her without taking his eyes from the street, flicking his fingers upward quickly, motioning her towards him. Pushing Kali forward until Jin took her sister’s hand they made their way quickly to the smaller building across the walkway.
Jin pulled Kali sharply in front of him while sliding the door open to his private rooms, pushing her inside. Nina jerked suddenly, hearing feet coming their way, not noticing Jin grip her arm before pushing her in as well. Looking back just as he slid the door shut, she didn’t miss the hardening of his face nor his hand moving towards the swords strapped to his waist.
“Away from the door Kali, com on.” She whispered urgently sliding up against the wall. She could hear a few angry demands, none of which were answered by Jin. Knowing he was beyond skilled with a blade in his hand she tried to even out her breathing, reassuring herself that they were safe for the time being.
“Will he be ok?” Came Kali’s small voice from beside her.
“Yes, don’t worry, just be quiet until he comes back.” She smiled slightly looking around Jin’s single room. There was a small irori towards the back of the room with comforting fire warming the space. The only furniture was a tall cabinet and a few zabuton set out around the fire. Tatami mats lined the floor. It was simple, clean, but she could tell that it was one of the bigger rooms belonging to the dojo. She noticed his futon already laid out, and wondered if they had woken him from sleep. Looking up as Jin slid the door open she was relieved to see he appeared to be completely uninjured. He spared her a glance before moving towards the cabinet.
“You may wear these while your clothing dries.” He said, handing her and Nina a pair of simple men’s practice robes.
“Thank you” She whispered softly with a blush knowing that these were for his own personal training time, nothing that he would wear in the dojo or out in public.
“I will check the surrounding area, leave your wet things on the rack over there.”
She barely nodded before he was out the door again leaving them a small window of privacy. Turning to Kali she helped the younger girl pull off her wet shift, drying her off as best she could with the still damp blanket. The robe was much too big for her but she was almost grateful for it. She had outgrown most of what she had and Nina could only slip a few coins here and there for fear of Tresk noticing.
“Go sit by the fire and try to warm up.” Nina whispered pulling off her own wet clothing. The threadbare undershirt and men’s trousers were hardly appealing, although functional. Debating for a moment whether to remove the wrap around her chest her fingers shook as she fiddled with it. Deciding it was better to remove the soaked fabric, she quickly unwound the covering and shrugged the borrowed robe over her shoulders. It smelled like him, though she was unsure if that should bother her or not.
Scooping up their wet things she brought them to the rack near the fire to let them dry. Glancing down at Kali she noticed the dark circles under her brown eyes and the paleness to her skin. The night’s events must have been catching up with her. As she sat down beside her she tried to think of someway to comfort her, but just couldn’t find the words. She hoped, as she began combing her fingers through the long brown locks, that this would be enough for now.
Jin came back a few minutes later, once again going to the cabinet and reaching inside. They both watched him as he silently made his way to them, settling down on the zabuton with the same grace she’d seen him use with a sword. He slid a small box towards her, keeping his eyes on the fire.
“This is for your head injury.”
Nina’s brow furrowed as she reached up to search along her hairline. She winced when her fingers found the gash there.
“Thank you, I hadn’t realized.” She said softly. She handed the small box to Kali who promptly sat up to tend to her sister’s injury. As Kali worked, Nina watched Jin begin preparing tea from a small pot of water hung over the fire.
“You will stay here for the time being, it wouldn’t be wise to attempt travel at the moment.” He said, pouring the hot water into three simply cups.
“I am not ungrateful Jin, but I cannot ask you for anything more than what you have already given.”
He handed both her and her sister a cup of herbal tea, fixing her with his steady gaze.
“Drink. It will help you sleep. You may use the bedding behind you. We will speak more tomorrow once everyone has had a full night’s rest.”
Nina could feel the slight warming in her cheeks as she turned to eye the futon. Again he was offering them his own personal belongs, without ever stating a price. Her stomach churned a little wondering if he was the man of honor she had thought him to be or if he did expect a form of payment when all was done.
“You are over thinking things Nina.” He said gently, startling her, “Drink the tea, and get some rest. I assure you no further harm with come to you or your sister tonight.”
Prompted by her sister’s hand on her arm she hesitantly took her cup sipping the tea and taking immediate comfort in the slight burn that traveled down her throat. Opting not to worry too much about Jin’s sudden involvement in her life for the moment she took solace in the fact that the were safe for the night. She dared to indulge in rare flight of fantasy as she gazed at the fire. Picturing a home with a warm fire and soft bed a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. It was a farfetched dream, but one that she visited often.
Feeling the effects of the herbal tea she barely noticed her sister gently guiding her to Jin’s bedding behind them. Inhaling deeply once covered and Kali was snuggled into her chest, she noticed the foreign scent invading her hazy mind. Vaguely aware that this must be Jin she took another deep breath letting herself become familiar with it. There was still much that needed to be said between the two, but for now she let sleep claim her, knowing that he would keep watch over them, if only for the night.

Jin studied the two girls asleep on his futon. They were both much too thin, like most of the young women he’s seen on the streets. Mere shells of what they could have been if born in a different era not littered with the trash of the perverse and vile. The war had been much harsher on the fairer sex. With jobs and money scarce, husbands had sold their wives and daughters into slavery and prostitution. Those that had lost their providers and protectors to the ever hungry mauws of the beasts of war had been left to wander the alleys pillaging and scrounging to survive.
By the looks of it, Nina had taken the harsh world head on, if only to keep her sister safely hidden from its eyes. He had seen the marks on her skin, had noticed the ever present misery behind her guarded eyes. Watching her, he had long guessed the agony that awaited her once she left the dojo. He had seen it before, that look of almost utter defeat held at bay by just the barest bit of hope. Though he could only guess the details, looking to the younger girl in her arm he knew that was why she hadn’t run before tonight. Something must have changed, some unbearable circumstance that had caused Nina to take her sister out onto the streets where everything was uncertain. Her face had fresh abrasions, as if she had been held against a rough floor and her hands held the telltale signs of combat; light bruising was already marring her white skin.
Watching the steady rise and fall of their chests Jin took note of their differing appearances. Kira looked little like her older sister, with deep brown hair and even deeper eyes that betrayed every thought and flinch of the heart. She still held the childlike wonder that was missing in most children today. Nina possessed none of that, having lost it much too early in life he was sure. Her dark tangle of curls were a stark contrast to the paleness of her eyes. Instead of the warm brown of her sister her eyes held an icy blue. It was an interesting combination, one that wasn’t common in their region. The people further west were more akin to those lighter attributes. Different parenting, he realized, only half sisters. Looking at the entwined siblings clutching each other he came to the conclusion that the mother must no longer be present. Nina would never have left her behind as he was sure that their abuse came at the hands of a male family member.
Giving his temporary wards one last look he settled back against the wall drawing his swords close. He would sleep lightly tonight, ever mindful of the wolves still lurking through the streets around their small haven. Tomorrow would likely hold the same, and the day after. Persuading Nina that she and her sister would be safest with him for the time being was likely going to prove a difficult task. She wasn’t one who trusted easily, though he hoped that their time spent together in this dojo would help ease her mind. Letting his eyes drift shut he let tomorrow’s worries be put to rest and trained his senses to the world outside his room. No one would harm the girls this night, he was a man of his word.
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He Who Sees All