The Rise of the White Lotus

"Suzuki-kun, I might not travel with you back to the Capital's border." As they dined, Tora stared down on her half-consumed dish as she interrupted Aki's jubilant storytelling. What happened today, she just couldn't leave the north unless she thoroughly investigates the incident.

"Is that so?" Aki stretched his lips a little up. "How unfortunate." He added as he glanced on her bandaged hand that showed a stain of blood.

"It is unfortunate, indeed." Shrugging her shoulders, Tora said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Actually, it wasn't unfortunate for her as prolonging her stay in the north meant she wouldn't have to deal and see the emperor. Not to mention, her interest in Aki enormously extinguished to none as she perceived him as no less different from other men she had encountered with.

Although in this era, men and women were equally had the same privileges and rights, there was still discrimination about gender. After all, most of them saw women as fragile things and there are only a few numbers of women warriors.

However, ever since she became the general, it encouraged dauntless women like her who were more inclined to fight enlisted in the military. Those women who weren't blinded by shiny pieces of ornaments and silk dresses. Regardless, for Tora, it only made a little change: Men still thought they were above women, not equal.

"What can I do? I am guessing you have gained a good position in the imperial military and it was inevitable to be tangled down with its affairs." Sigh after another heavy sigh, Aki shook his head sideways, disheartened to hear the news. Still, he didn't thoroughly press on the matter as he wasn't in place to question her.

Furthermore, he had guessed that with Tora's strength and the current general's influence, she must have gained a good position in the military. He would even mistake her that she may even be a daimyo if he didn't know that no woman had taken that position at the moment. Thus, he guessed that she may be a captain of her own little squad.

"Regardless, I must thank you for inviting me." Tora smiled without a touch of displeasure. "Fret not, my little Churu here is enough as a companion." Turning to Churu, the little girl smiled back. Churu ignored Aki ever since he came and only bowed her head as a greeting. After that, she said no words and ate to her heart's content.

"Churu?" Furrowing his brows, Aki cast Churu a glance with a conflicted look.

In his mind, it was quite an odd name to have as it meant 'slurp' or something like that. However, he didn't dare laugh by it as it would be impolite and might offend the two, especially Tora who has her brow arched as if one wrong word, he would snap his head.

"Anyway, I had thought to challenge you to a match but I see you're wounded. How despairing that I might not see you again after I leave the north." Aki set the subject to the side as he diverted the matter on what he had been obsessing for quite some time.

"If the heavens allowed, we will meet again." Insincere, Tora never wanted to see him again. Not that she despised him or anything of the sort. She just found him a little troublesome to have around. After all, he was quite sharp despite his happy-go-lucky facade.

"Must I hope I will see you again, then?" Slowly, the corner of his lips curled into a sly smirk. "I believed our encounter wasn't an accident. Thus, the heavens would allow it." he confidently said, which made Tora's brows twitch.

'What a true philanderer.' Tora hissed inwardly. 

'No, I forbid it!' Churu secretly ground her teeth as she was utterly disappointed at Aki's misconduct.

After all, he sabotaged himself for being caught with the courtesans from the other day. However, no matter how she desired to shoo him away, she doesn't have the ability as she didn't bring her full powers when she descended on earth.

Going to the mundane world from the heavenly realm required for her to store her powers back. Although she was immortal with little powers now, she didn't have the ability to bless or curse any human. Well, not that she cursed people as she rarely intervened in Tora's life — unless it was a life and death situation.

"Let's hope not." Speaking what's on her mind, Tora bluntly responded. Surprisingly enough, Aki showed no sign of displeasure. Rather, he seemed he already expected that kind of response which truly pleased him.

"My, Yamada-san, don't be heartless." Aki heartily chuckled as he didn't take her words to the heart. "Alas, I still hope we can meet again. If I may excuse myself first," Slowly, Aki stood from his seat as he politely bowed his head. "I must tend to the last preparation of our journey back to the capital. I am grateful for your treat tonight. I will certainly return the favor when the time comes." Still bearing his smile, Aki sounded as if he would do it for sure. Or rather, he sounded as if he was certain that they would meet again.

"I will not look forward to it, but, I must bid you a safe journey." Smiling, Tora distinctly revealed her unwillingness to meet him again yet, she hoped for a safe trip without encountering bandits. Well, he reached the north without having any problem hence, he must have reliable guards to protect him and his goods.

With that said note, Aki left the two with a smile.

Outside, Aki continued to take the route to the darkest alley of the town. He faded to the dark where no one would notice that there was a person clad in an all-black suit with his face covered, waiting for him.

"My Lord, the assassination of the daimyo failed." The man clad in black stiffly reported.

"He's sharp, I am not surprised. Alas, it is enough to dither their base." Aki, bearing a vile smirk, slowly formed on the side of his lips.

"My Lord, I am afraid it won't. Our man was injured." Dreaded to deliver the news, the man gulped a mouthful of saliva as he added to his report. "Unfortunately, a female warrior noticed the incoming arrow and stopped it by the skin of her teeth. Afterward, she shot an arrow back from the border tower and injured our man. She knew it didn't come from the military archery." 

"A woman? From that distance?" Furrowing his brows, Aki's smirk gradually vanished. For some reason, Tora flashed across his mind.

To his knowledge, the only person who was capable of doing that was the general. However, he had reports that the general was in the capital. Thus, he threw the thought of Tora being the general to the back of his head.

'Yamada-san… you're really interesting.' He chuckled inwardly before he waved his hands and spoke.

"Fret not. It would be enough to rattle Arakaki's state of mind." With that said note, Aki turned and began walking away. On the other hand, the man in black also left without leaving a single trace as if he wasn't there in the first place.