Rivers and Cheap Onsens

Ten's laughter faded into a smile. She tilted her head, silver hair catching the lantern light.

"My my, what an interesting conclusion you've drawn. Though I wonder what gave it away?"

"This isn't a joke!" I slammed my palm on the table. Peng jumped in my lap. "If you're the General, then-"

"Then our dear Jiko wants me dead? Yes, I'm quite aware. He's tried. Many times, in fact."

"What?"

"Let's see... There was the poison in the tea. The rockslide during harvest. That clever trap with the irrigation gates. And of course, all those arrows. Though I must admit, his aim has improved considerably."

My mind raced. Bow boy had tried to assassinate Ten multiple times? But why? She protected the village from those Rust things. Protected him too, probably.

What wasn't he telling me?

My eyes drifted to the crimson mark on Ten's chest. The intricate lines pulsed faintly through her robes like a wound that refused to heal.

Ten caught my stare.

"Ah, this? No, this wasn't Jiko's doing. Our young archer isn't capable of leaving such a... signature."

The way she said it sent chills down my spine. If Jiko, with his dead eye shot, couldn't touch her... what kind of monster had managed to brand her like that?

A thousand other questions burned in my throat but Ten raised her hand before I could voice them.

"The hour grows late. I must patrol the village perimeter." Ten rose gracefully, hoisting the bundle of bamboo poles onto her back.

"Wait!" The word burst from my lips before I could stop it. Ten paused, half-turned toward the door.

"Please. Just one more question." I gripped the edges of my sleeves, Inorin's jacket suddenly feeling heavier. "My aunt Inorin. Have you seen her? She might've been like me, fallen from the sky two years ago."

Something flickered across Ten's face. A flash of... was what the hell was that? But it vanished so quickly I couldn't be sure.

"No. I haven't encountered anyone by that name."

She turned away, adjusting her grip on the bamboo. "You should clean up. The river isn't far. I'll guide you there myself before I begin my rounds. Kanon can wash your clothes when she wakes."

The way she deflected my question about Inorin gnawed at me. There had been something in her reaction, brief as it was. But pushing further right now felt impossible. Ten's tone made it clear the discussion was over.

Ten ducked outside and returned with a small bundle of neatly folded clothes. The fabric felt soft, nothing like the rough peasant rags Jiko had tried to force on me earlier.

We then stepped out into the night. Ten's bamboo poles clicked and clattered with each step. The sound reminded me of wind chimes in summer - gentle, hollow notes that seemed to float in the breeze. Even Peng, still cradled in my arms, had dozed off to it.

The path opened to reveal a wide river, its surface smooth in the moonlight. Back home, the water were choked with trash and factory runoff. But here? The water ran crystal clear, reflecting the stars above like scattered diamonds.

"The Rust should avoid this area so you can relax properly." Ten then gestured to a natural pool formed by smooth rocks. "The current is slower there. Perfect for washing up."

The words felt clumsy in my mouth, but... "Thanks. For everything."

Ten's smile was gentle. Without a word, she turned and walked away, her bamboo poles still singing their song into the night.

Peng's steady breathing tickled my arm. It had completely passed out now, probably exhausted from all that tumbling around earlier. I carefully nestled it between two Peng-sized nooks, making sure it wouldn't roll into the water, before heading to the water.

The jacket slipped from my shoulders, followed by the rest of my clothes. As I eased into the river, a pleasant warmth spread up my leg, nothing like the icy cold showers back in that dingy apartment.

Man, Inorin would've loved this. My chest tightened at the thought of her. We used to hit up this cheap onsen near our apartment at least once a month. Inorin would always splash around like a kid, getting us both kicked out more than once.

If you were here instead of me, you'd have figured everything out already, wouldn't you?

Inorin was always like that - chaotic and messy on the surface, but scary competent when it mattered. She probably would've been standing toe-to-toe with Ten, trading quips while casually destroying those Rust things in five minutes flat. And probably beat this whole game thing while drunk off her ass.

But instead, I'm the one searching. And what do I have to show for it? Nearly being killed by a monster and getting kidnapped by some archer on day one.

A rustle in the grass shattered the quiet. My muscles locked up as memories of that void wolf flashed through my mind.

But Ten said this area was safe. She wouldn't have lied, right?

Inorin's words echoed in my head: "You always expect the worst in people, Kuro-chan. Give 'em a chance before you bite their heads off."

Yeah, fat lot of good that advice did when I got dumped into whatever the hell this place was. Still... Ten had helped me so far. Maybe it was just a rabbit or something.

The rustling grew louder.

Screw optimism. My hand found a decent sized rock by the riverbank.

"Whoever's there, come out now!" I barked into the darkness. The rustling stopped dead.

Nothing.

With a snarl, I hurled the rock straight at the bush. The satisfying thunk of stone striking something solid followed.

A figure stumbled out of the undergrowth, one hand rubbing his head. My eyes narrowed as moonlight revealed his face.

"Jiko?"