Jiraiya's First - Part 3

* * *

The mood has changed. Aoki and Bika feel threatened all of a sudden, surprised to realize that they did not feel this when the first words emerged from the dark. So many questions to ask, so many fears to consider. A thousand thoughts swivel through Aoki's head in a heartbeat, and he replies firmly.

- "If it is so, then take mine."
- "Oh I wish it was so, but your life is of no value to me. I want the boy whom which we are standing on top of this very moment."

The immense sensation of awe brings Aoki to his knees, gasping for air. For years they have managed to keep him secret; unexposed to Minamoto no Yoshinaka’s manipulative ways; as pure of heart and innocent as few. To hear these words come out of the mouth of a complete stranger is just more than what his body can bear, and he falls, face down; surprised not to find the stranger's feet anywhere. All this time, Bika has been standing fixed to the point when the voice first got her undivided attention, struggling since to find a rational thought to go with. In an instant she throws herself down on the floor, searches around with her fingers until she finds the chilling metal handle, heaves up the heavy scuttle in a swift thrust and yells:

- "Run!"

They all expect to hear little footsteps speeding out the door and off into the rice fields. But the steps they hear are light, approaching slowly in a calm fashion.

- "Don't you understand? This man wants to kill you!"
- "But mum, when did he say that?"

Little Myamoto's head appears for the first time before the three, and Bika enfolds her son in her arms, drenching his airy hair wet with her tears.

- "Young Myamoto here is right. I do not intend to end his life as a whole, merely his life as a farmer’s boy, your son. Time is a ware of deficiency to me, and right now I have little left of it. Question my demands and the proposal is terminated. Answer now, quickly."

By this time Aoki has blindly crawled his way over to his wife and son, lead by the continuous sobs and the tears falling on the iron handle of the hatchet.

- "I'll do it"

- Whispers Myamoto in a monotone voice. The four shaking arms around him hold on a little tighter for a while, then they let go, finding their way wrapped around one another instead. As Myamoto walks towards the door into the darkness, it's as if he is covered in a cloak of light, and the two grieving parents see their son waving them goodbye, and they wave back. Bika then turns to the stranger in black.

- "You.., you said this was all a dream. How can all of this still have happened?"

- "Just because this is a dream doesn't make it any less true. Sleep now, and tomorrow you should fill your son's hideout with your food supplies for they will surely search this place."

* * *

The next morning the small chamber was empty. Not a word was spoken as the two farmers took out their son's few belongings and filled the room with their food supplies. They let their tongues rest for the bigger part of that day. Then, when they were both outside working the rice fields, a small party of Minamoto no Yoshinaka’s mob made their way through the fields, went right past the two dirty workers, and started searching their house. They came out again looking even more displeased than at their arrival, and they walked up to Aoki.

- "Have you in the past, or are you currently providing shelter for anyone besides the two of you?"
- "No, no we have not"

Replied Aoki coolly.

- "Ehm, may I inquire what it is that brings you here to our humble household?"
- " Minamoto no Yoshinaka had a visitor last night. Little is known of what was said, but he has now ordered the entire force to go out on an intensive search that is not to end until the night-guest is caught.
- "Huh, I see. Well I'll be sure to let you know if I see a stranger walking around on these fields."
- "You do that."

The group of hooligans roamed on. Aoki and Bika were puzzled at the least. Minamoto no Yoshinaka was supposed to die tonight, and all the stranger had done was to talk to him? But it only took another day to ease their weariness, as a group of joyful rebels whom the couple knew came running to spread the news. In some distant hideout, Minamoto no Yoshinaka had been found lying dead in his bed. Cause of death: Unknown, but his face was said to be stuck in horror, as if he died screaming.

The story of Kuma doesn't end there, but the tracks of Jiraiya are tracked elsewhere.