Sayuri

Hana's Secret

"Alright, let's go." Eriko agreed.

After unfreezing Riku, we get onto the horses they brought and went into the forest that led to the Shimizu Clan. We had almost passed the forest when something caught my eyes. Lining the trees in the distance were talismans. 

"What's that?" Eriko asked.

"Did you forget who's speciality is using the talisman?" I replied.

"Yuriko," Eriko muttered under her breath. "What do they do?"

"It's to prevent unwelcomed guest from entering the premises," I answered. 

"What do we do now?" Eriko asked.

"Use your iron balls, knocked down Riku's horse." 

Throwing the iron balls against the horse's legs, it buckled under contact. Riku reacted quickly by jumping off of the horse. 

"What happened?!" He shouted.

"I think there's something wrong with the horse, Riku-San. Why don't you take my horse and rush back to Yuriko-Sama? We will take your horse back." I offered, getting off the horse. 

"Alright, don't take too long." He said before galloping off.

Walking towards the fallen horse, I patted its neck. "Sorry for hurting you." 

"No one in the clan has been able to defeat her when it comes to her talismans. What are we going to do now?" Eriko asked, pacing around.

"Look," I spoke. "There is a talisman on each tree. But if you look closely, you'll realise that there is a leader amongst them, you destroy that talisman, you destroy all of them." 

"How are you going to destroy it?" 

"I'm going to alter it," I replied.

Walking towards the talisman, I drew a few more strokes.

"Come on, we don't have much time to waste, it's going to be dark soon," I stated before getting onto Riku's horse.

"I didn't know you were proficient in the act of talisman," Eriko spoke, sounding surprised.

"I'm not as good as Yuriko when it comes to creating new talisman, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve for altering and destroying them," I confessed.

"I was right to ask you for help." She voiced out. "If I have come here on my own, I'll never be able to get through the forest."

"I'm actually thankful that you asked me for help," I stated. "If not, I wasn't sure when I'll find a reason to sneak into the Shimizu Clan."

"What do you plan to do from now on?" Eriko asked.

"I only have at most a year to stay in this body, and before I return to my body, I want to help Shirayuri get her revenge. There is also an unfinished business between Yuriko and me." I replied, clenching my fist.

Moving passed the townspeople. We soon arrived at the pavilion, Kage Shimizu resides in. 

"Why are you two back so late? Riku is already inside and seeing Yuriko-Sama." One of the guards shouted when he sees us.

"There was something wrong with the horse, so Riku-San came back first," I replied.

"Then, you two should go back and rest." He responded. 

"We will," I replied, getting off the horse and walking into the pavilion.

"Where do you think they're keeping Hana-Hime?" Eriko asked, walking beside me.