Chapter 91

Chapter 91

"Gorouza" sets sails



Mai narrowed her eyes. There was no doubt – beside one of the palanquins was walking none other than master Sekiguchi. Was he about to board "Gorouza" too? The girl felt a faint spark of hope in her heart. Maybe not everything was lost yet. All she had to do right now, was to catch the old man's attention. She pushed some people aside and made her way closer to the empty space. She lifted her arm to wave to Sekiguchi, when suddenly she felt someone pulling her arm forcefully and whirling her around.

"Ouch." She moaned, as her face collided with someone's firm chest. She spit the long black hair out of her mouth and lifted her head to see Sesshomaru. She tried to pull back from him to scold the demonic asshole, but he was pressing her tightly to himself, so that she could barely breath.

"Sesshomaru!" she hissed out, angry, that he interrupted her.

"Silence, woman." The inu-youkai said quietly, never breaking his hold on her. "Keep your head down. One of the noblemen may recognize your face."

The girl stilled, ceasing her struggling. The demon was right. She cursed herself mentally, that she hadn't thought of it first – if someone, who knew princess Amayami, would see her, she and Sesshomaru would be in real trouble.

"Sesshomaru, Sekiguchi!" she said to the inu-youkai, tugging at his kimono. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.

"I have noticed him." He replied and made a pause. "As he noticed us."

Mai hissed like a snake, irritated, that she couldn't turn around and see it for herself. She had to depend on Sesshomaru on this one.

The inu-youkai bored his gaze into the old man, till the scholar noticed him – it was really a matter of time, as the pair managed to push their way through to the first line of onlookers and Sesshomaru definitely wasn't short. Sekiguchi's eyes widened, as he kept walking beside a palanquin. The man nodded to the inu-youkai and leaned over the palanquin, whispering something to the person inside, bowing his head continuously. Finally, slowly he began approaching the place, where Mai and Sesshomaru stood.

"Not here." He said in a nervous whisper, getting past the armed guards and leading the dog demon after himself. Mai had some difficulty walking, as Sesshomaru still had her pressed against his side. She thought, that both of them would use a bath. The elderly scholar led both of them in a considerably quiet place, where only the ship's crew could enter. Once they were outside of the people's hearing range, Sekiguchi relaxed a bit.

"It's dangerous for you two here." He hissed out. "What are you seeking here, anyway?"

Sesshomaru glared at the old man, visibly annoyed, that the old man had the guts to scold him. He freed Mai from his grip.

"I need to board this ship." He stated shortly. Master Sekiguchi looked him in the eye for a longer moment, considering, what he just heard.

"Board this ship?" he repeated, scratching his head. "It's not so simple. There are no passengers allowed, you'd have to be employed…"

Mai decided to step in.

"I've already got hired as a maid. We need a place for Sesshomaru." She looked at the elderly with pleading eyes. "I beg you, master Sekiguchi, help us!"

The old man's face softened and he nodded. A smile appeared on his lips.

"I owe you two my life. I would be a horrible man, if I refused." He said. "Come with me, I have an idea."

Sekiguchi looked at Sesshomaru.

"Do you know how to read and write, demon?" he asked. The inu-youkai glared at him.

"Hn. What a foolish question. Of course I do." He retorted. The old scholar nodded, acknowledging his words and made a gesture to follow him.

Mai blinked, nod believing her luck. She trotted after the old scholar, walking close to Sesshomaru. Cautiously, she stole a glance at the cortege, that finally reached its destination. Out of the palanquins stepped a large group of nobles, with servants at their sides, ready to grant any request. It seemed, like some sort of farewell ceremony was taking place. She spotted a nobleman from before – he was standing beside a young boy, a child of about ten years old, maybe eleven. The kid was dressed even fancier than a noble. Mai kept her head down, afraid to be recognized. She saw a middle-aged man giving a solemn speech. She narrowed her eyes and noticed Maeda's crest. The girl guessed, that the man must be a new lord, appointed after the death of the monster Maeda Goemon. So… the child was his son? Mai frowned, when she saw also a heard of young women surrounding the lord – they were richly clothed, but their behavior suggested, that they were rather prostitutes than noblewomen.
Before she knew it, Sekiguchi led her and Sesshomaru to the footbridge linking the ship with the wharf. Two soldiers were guarding it. One of them was constantly checking a list.

"Master Sekiguchi!" the other exclaimed, bowing his head with respect. "We were worrying about you. We're leaving the haven soon."

The second guard didn't even lift his head and made a mark on his list.

"This way, master Sekiguchi." He muttered and finally lifted his head. He looked at Sesshomaru, then at Mai and checked something on his list.

"You're the new maid?" he asked, without waiting for the girl's answer. "Come on board quickly. You're late."

Master Sekiguchi cleared his throat.

"This man is my assistant. He'll be boarding too." The old man said confidently, pointing Sesshomaru. The guards looked at each other in confusion. The one with the list checked the paper.

"But, master Sekiguchi…" he began, finding the right place in the list. "Your assistant already boarded."

The elderly man furrowed his brows and straightened his back in attempt to look intimidating. Mai
thought, that he looked rather like Gandalf. Sekiguchi sent a glare.

"I have hired a new assistant in place of that useless man. Just replace their names on your list." He said. The soldiers exchanged glances again. The one without a list stepped on a footbridge and went on board. The other one scanned Sesshomaru up and down with doubtful face expression.

"A new assistant?" he muttered, taking his time to stare at the demon markings on the youkai's cheeks. "He looks like a killer to me."

Sesshomaru said nothing, while Sekiguchi waved his hand casually.

"Do not mind his appearance. We all make mistakes, when we are young." The scholar explained.

"Sesshomaru used to be a mercenary, but he had to give up the trade and turned to books and scrolls."
The guard nodded, but he didn't look convinced enough. Apparently books and scroll weren't going with the demon's looks. Mai couldn't blame him for that, as the lie sounded strange, while confronted with Sesshomaru's imposing stature. The guard looked at the inu-youkai once again and noticed the missing arm. After that, the harsh look in his eyes softened a little, as though he saw a vital evidence, confirming Sekiguchi's words.

"Your papers." He stated, reaching out and making an impatient gesture. Sesshomaru sent him a cold glare and handed him the passes. The guard examined them carefully, nodding continuously. Mai was glad, that their lie sounded plausible and could be easily linked with everything, that was written in those papers. The soldier folded the passes and returned them with a heavy sigh.

"So you're betrothed?" he asked, looking at Mai somewhat sadly. "Just when I began to have hope…"
Instantly, he stopped in midsentence, seeing the girl's face turn red and an ominous presence behind her back. Sesshomaru looked like he was about to strike the guard down with merely a glare. The guard laughed sheepishly and stepped out of their way, making a gesture to get onto the footbridge.

"Get your hands off me!" a man's yell caught the attention of the small group, gathered at the footbridge. Mai looked up and saw the other soldier, dragging a young man, who kept struggling and yelling. When the man spotted Sekiguchi, his face brightened, a hopeful smile appearing on his lips.

"Master Sekiguchi, tell them…" he began, but the old scholar interrupted him unceremoniously.

"I regret to inform you, Okabe, but you're fired." He said calmly. The young man stared at his now former employer with disbelief. The soldier took advantage of the moment and pushed Okabe over the side, sending the screaming young man into the cold water.

"Come." Sekiguchi said quietly and with surprising speed got on board. Mai and Sesshomaru followed him, before the fired assistant could get out of the water. The guard also went after the pair.
When the girl crossed the footbridge, she saw the military man from earlier.

"Everyone's on board!" the soldier with the list reported to him, passing the piece of paper. His superior nodded and looked at the newcomers. He furrowed his brows, when his eyes rested on Sesshomaru.

"You… what are you doing here?" he demanded harshly. Fortunately, master Sekiguchi came with help in time.

"He is my assistant." He explained shortly. The soldier glanced at the list and nodded with approval.

"If you say so." He muttered, before lifting his head and clearing the throat. "Don't dawdle and take your places!"

Mai looked around, unsure, what he meant, when she noticed the people standing in a row. There was a gap at the end of it, big enough for three people. She, Sesshomaru and Sekiguchi marched towards it and took their places. The girl hung her head, so that the bangs would cover her face, as she could be seen by the noblemen. She observed her surroundings cautiously. She saw, that in the row stood a dozen of soldiers, a fat man and a skinny youngster in ragged clothing. Aside that, there were a few crew members running here and there, readying the ship for departure. Mai lifted her head a little and saw, that the ceremony on the wharf was over. The nobleman and the little boy were heading towards the ship. Once they set their feet on the deck, "Gorouza" began leaving the haven, slowly sailing towards the sea. The boy stood motionless with the fancy-clothed man at his side, till the ship left the haven.

The girl leaned on her other leg, wondering how long they would have to stand in the row. Finally, something began happening. The nobleman introduced himself as the emissary of Kaga's province. Mai learnt also, that the ship was headed towards the Hizen province, but that wasn't a problem, because it would be no more than a day's ride to Saga. They were supposed to disembark in seven days, so there would be still three days remaining till the deadline. The noble called Sasaki made a long and boring speech about how important is to serve the young master properly, confirming Mai's suspicions – the boy was the son of the current lord of Kaga. After that, Sasaki began checking the people in row, making sure, they were the same as those mentioned in the list. The girl nearly fell asleep, when he was instructing a dozen of soldiers, what they're supposed to do. Then, he reached the fat man, who turned out to be a cook and a skinny youngster, responsible for laundry and cleaning.

Finally it was Mai's turn.

"Mai from Hida province, maidservant." He muttered, looking at the list. Mai nodded, waiting for him to continue. Sasaki looked at her seriously. "Your task is to be young master's personal maid. You will cook his food, wash his clothes, clean his chambers and serve him. Remember, that his word is final. Do not disappoint me."

The girl refrained herself from frowning, as she thought, that Sasaki took the position of a maid a little too seriously. Come on, how difficult it may be? She was taking care of Rin, so she'll cope with another kid too.

Then, Sesshomaru earned a harsh look.

"Assistant?" Sasaki read aloud, what was written in papers. He had his doubts, but proceeded with instructing the new employee. "You are supposed to write letters for master Sekiguchi and provide all help, he may require. Is that understood?"

A long moment of silence fell, as Sesshomaru glared at him. Mai saw the murderous intent in his eyes.

"It is." The dog demon replied finally, making the girl breath out with relief.
Apparently he wasn't that stupid to jeopardize this opportunity. It was a miracle, that they made to Kanazawa alive and managed to board a ship. It would be a higher level of idiocy to screw up now. Fortunately, even Sesshomaru realized this. Mai saw a vein pulsing in his neck. Once Sasaki ordered everyone to get to their jobs, the girl grabbed the dog demon's arm and climbed on her toes to whisper to his ear.

"Bear this, it's only a week." She whispered quietly. "It's for the sake of getting your powers back."
Sesshomaru didn't answer, but Mai noticed, that he looked more at ease. Perhaps he wouldn't murder anyone during their trip…

"You two! To work!" the girl heard the military man, who turned out to be a general, yell to her and the inu-youkai. Mai opened her mouth to make an excuse, but Sekiguchi stepped into action.

"Come, boy." He said, addressing Sesshomaru. "I need some help deciphering the tiny characters. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be."

Mai saw already the demon's face expression, that told "do not dare to order me around, you pathetic human" and sent Sesshomaru a meaningful, pleading look. The inu-youkai glanced at her and nodded, leaving after master Sekiguchi. The girl sighed with relief. She was pretty sure, that she could count on the old scholar to keep Sesshomaru out of trouble. Now when the youkai-problem was more or less solved, she had to roll up her sleeves and get to work. Sasaki was sending her death-glares already. She smiled sheepishly and trotted after the man.

"You surely took your sweet time." He hissed out to her, making angry face. "If you dawdle too much, you'll be punished."

The man glared at her in a way, that was supposed to be intimidating, but Mai withstood it and looked back at him with prideful face. Sasaki's glares were only squinting compared the ones Sesshomaru sent her from time to time. However, she reminded herself not to draw too much unnecessary attention. There were really not many people on board and she with the inu-youkai looked the most suspicious of all. She bowed her head.

"I'm terribly sorry. That won't happen again." She apologized, while cursing the man mentally. Sasaki fanned himself.

"Follow me. You will meet your master." He said shortly and made his way towards the wooden superstructure. He opened the door and led her to the small corridor. Mai saw stairs leading under the deck and few doors on this level. Seeing how curiously she was looking around, Sasaki decided to explain. "Here are the quarters of the young master, master Sekiguchi, general Shimada and mine. Under the deck is everything else, including the kitchen."

Mai nodded. She made a mental note to do some sightseeing later.

In the meantime Sasaki instructed her to obey the kid, who was the daimyo's son. She learnt, that the boy's name was Maeda Akira and he was the only child. The kid was being sent to his mother's family in Hizen province to know the world and such. Mai pitied the young one – it must be tough to part with the parents. She decided to comfort the kid somehow, for surely he would be a little sad.
Sasaki announced their presence and slid the solid door open. He went in, followed by the girl. The boy was sitting on a pillow in front of a low table with his back straight. Mai looked around and barely restrained herself from whistling with awe. The cabin was huge and, from what she noticed, consisted of three rooms. The one, they were in, was particularly spacious and richly decorated. Everything looked very tidy and perfect.

Mai noticed Sasaki's poisonous glare and immediately bowed her head.

"My name is Mai. I'll be your maid. I hope, we'll get along." She said with a friendly smile. However, the boy didn't smile back nor react in any other way. He behaved, as though Mai wasn't even in room. He looked at the noble. Sasaki bowed his head.

"I will take care of some things now. Have a nice day, young master." He said, bowing deeper and retreating towards the door. Once Sasaki was out of sight, Mai sat down in front of the boy and smiled friendly again, hoping to make the atmosphere better. She was sure, that Sasaki's presence was just making the child tense.

"So, what do you want to do?" she said, the smile still glued to her face.

The boy didn't answer her right away. He stood up, taking a cup of tea from the table, and walked towards her. Mai looked up, wondering, what he was doing. Soon his intentions became apparent, as Akira emptied the cup right at the top of her head.

"Never speak to your master first, you filth." He said with a venomous grimace.