Episode 3. Guided by distant voices, Saku
navigated to the market district where multi level housing
structures loomed above. Fearful whispers came from
people in the windows as well as the crowd gathered in the square
below. Three men in armor stood by a
boy and his sister with cloth wrapped around their eyes.
She ran faster, feeling the ground, and even on her bare
feet she gripped at the hilt of the Cortana around her waist.
Don't, somebody begged you remember, you don't know how to
use that sword, right? Camo said to her.
The large men holding the children stood next to a flower
cart and a number of booths with high scaffolding.
They wore a red over vest around their white kimonos, with a
Cortana strapped around their waist.
At the front of the crowd, people lay down their large
curved swords. Saku joined in the back and
watches. One by one people began to
kneel. I don't care who demanded it.
One of the voices spoke, refusing to lower his weapon.
This is madness. We don't know where she is.
You were warned. And yet there were uprisings.
The man holding the boy hostage spoke.
His helmet had a large half Crescent symbol on the front.
His skin looked weathered, his eyes all but unwavering.
This is how Lord Yataku deals with these problems.
Now there is no exception. The skull girl was reported
found, yet not taken to the castle.
Their fate will be the same as the head of the Misomano.
Failure will no longer be tolerated unless one of you
brings us the Skullgirl and the bag she was carrying, another of
them said. He tightened his grip on his
yati and the frightened girl at the same time.
She breathed heavily and her hand shook.
Her brother tried to control his breathing while he kept turning
his head as if to look for his sister through the blindfold.
Saku's eyes darted to the little girls, who stressed she
recognized the one who wanted a skull flower. 1 by 1 the market
guards lay on the ground and put their hands on their head In a
plea of mercy. The crowd slowly began to do the
same, dropping to their knees, then laying down begging.
Voices from the housing above cried down.
Let them go. There's nothing you can do, Como
said. Not with the reach of those long
weapons against your stubby little sword.
And not three on one, But sneak out of here while you still can.
Before he could finish speaking, he realized everything had gone
silent. Only Saku remained standing.
If you want my head, then come take it for me, she said,
stepping forward. Why don't you think about
anything you're doing? These are pros, Kamo said.
Well, nice knowing ya. The three men took a step
forward, not releasing the children.
Saku unseaved the sword as fast as she could and held it up.
The blade shook in the air. What are you doing?
Kamo said. You're holding that in your left
hand. You people, things always fight
with your right. I use my left hand, she said.
Kamo quacked the guard with the girl Let her go, his left hand
grabbing the far end of the yachty.
He slashed down at her. His blade met with her with the
clang. The Cortana fell to the ground
from Saku's hand. She grasped at her wrist and
watched as the man used the center of his weapon to knock
her to the ground. OK, time to get up.
You got this, Kamo said. She doesn't have the T We can
kill her, a guard said. She leapt onto her feet and
sprung onto a cart. Before the man could bring the
weapon up to strike again, he stopped looking at her in
amazement. Get her Hojo, one of the armored
men cried. Can she do that, Ito?
He yelled, turning to the other two.
Holding on to the kids, she climbed up to the booth
scaffolding that bent and shook with each step she took.
Yadi jabbed in front of her, still being in reach from the
ground. She brought the sword up again,
swinging her elbows back, trying to find her balance.
A voice called out from somewhere nearby.
Nope, don't hold it like that, you're exposing yourself.
Hold up the Cortana with two hands at the angle low in front
of you, with the blade pointing up.
She looked around, looking for the source of the voice, but
stopped when the men started kicking at the support beams.
The Reed at the scaffolding began to shake.
What are you doing? No one does that in a fight.
That's against the code. The man shouted at her boy
squirmed in his capturer's hands.
The guard dropped his weapon and wrapped his arms tightly around
the child. There's no code, Hojo.
Just kill this girl already. Don't be over spirited and do
not let the enemy see your spirits.
The skull said. Come again, Saku said nervously,
trying to catch her breath. Chill out and focus on your
breathing. The voice went on.
If they swing, swing downwards, defend yourself and get the
sword back up high, but keep it low enough so you can cut at
them if you need to watch their movements.
Saku jumped onto the ground below.
The guard saw this and took a jab at her Clay.
She swung, glowed block, cutting sword.
Slash. The voice cried.
The Cortana flipped up and slashed the cheek of the man
hard. He let out a cry.
She staggered, gasping for air before raising her sword to meet
his weapons. Thrust.
Breathe through your nose, Exhale through the mouth when
you swing. The voice seemed to be coming
out of an eagle owl skull, laying on one of the plates in
an outdoor eatery nearby. It sat alone, as if somebody had
placed it there after a meal had been finished.
The other man bobbed his head twice, then swung, heaving out
all the air through their nose. She raised her elbow up the
block she spotted. His right knee had extended too
far the movement of the swing. She tried to slash it, but out
of the corner of her eye she caught sight of another man
withholding his yachty high. Having released his grip, the
boy ran free. The children took off their
blindfolds and ran towards the people still in the ground.
They stood up and gathered around the kids making their
escape, leaving only the guards and Saku in the market.
Her hands held the sword at the base position.
She took a chance and swung. The weapons clanked.
Yeah, don't do that. Just try to stay alive.
You can't beat these guards, the voice said.
Let them make the mistakes. Who are you?
Saku yelled quickly, moving behind a bend, dodging in the
tack. I am known by the name for shish
chow, the small eagle owl skull said.
Don't lose focus then stop talking, Saku shouted.
The three men found themselves on the wrong side of the booth,
unable to reach Saku as she ran. She jumped on a stall and
reached for the banner to pull herself up.
The banner ripped, sending her crashing down.
They stood in front of her with their weapons drawn.
The one called Ito nodded the whole Joe, who unleashed a
mighty swing towards her, but he stopped.
He stared at something in front of him.
In the distance, the others gaze turned to whom he was looking
at. A man wearing a bright orange
kimono walked into the market with a bow on his back.
He walked down leisurely towards them.
I leave the Scully alone. Familiar voice rang out.
She's taking it easy on you. Yashi walked to the cart and
picked a yellow morning glory and placed it behind his left
ear. He picked up Prestige Chow from
the table of the eatery. That's your Saku?
He tossed the skull to her. Nice throw for Chichao said in
soft hand. You must study this well.
Saku put the skull in her pocket.
You have no business here, Ayashi.
The guard said. The man withdrew from the skull
person and turned his focus to Ayashi.
He readied the bow, drew an arrow, and pointed at the guard.
His shadows stretched far out in front of him.
Ayashi pulled the string tighter to the region.
He can't run a city if he keeps killing all of its people, he
said. We are everyone's problem now.
The man called. Ito said.
A flash from high above caught Saku's eyes.
Without thinking, she swung, slatching Hojo's side.
Who would try to take a swipe at her?
The man cried out in pain. Stop.
Ito screamed. Don't come at me, Saktu said.
Told you, Ayashi spoke. Ito rushed to the side of the
fallen man. The cut was deep in his flesh.
My son, He cried. Saku's face turned white.
Ito's turned red. He'd look to a Yashi, then back
to Saku. Next time, Skull girl, it will
be me talking to your skull, he said.
Ito and the other guard helped the wounded man up.
Blood gushed from his side, his face narrowed when he realized
the commoner still watch from the windows above.
The three men left the market. Saku pushed to Yashi and crossed
her arms. You tricked me.
You tried to kill me, Ayashi Shicho was my master's trained
bird, Ayashi said. And my gift to you for almost
cutting you in half. That and the sword that you
stole from me. You could have that too, I
guess. Well, golly, thanks, Saku said
sarcastically. That yokai saved you.
He said These skulls aren't yokai.
She said, incensed. Morning.
OK then. Ayashi waved her off.
Doesn't matter. You need to help me help you.
You poison me with that teeth that has me hearing skulls, and
you want me to help you? How about you give me my tea
back and I give it to the city heads and I go home where I had
to relearn everything I know about everything.
You're welcome. Ayashi said I was wrong trying
to kill you. There's nothing we can do about
it now. He paused a while before saying.
When was the last time you ate? Saku's nostrils flared.
I will do nothing. You.
Ayashi rolled his eyes. You saw the daimyo and his son
whom you have seriously injured. If you don't come with me and
listen to what I have to say, then he will make sure you die.
That was the Daimyo? She asked.
Ayashi straightened his garment and hummed softly to himself.
Soku narrowed her eyes as he walked away.
She went after him. Drunk men stood on their chairs,
singing together as Ayashi sat down, reaching for a grilled
meat stick. He took a giant bite as one of
the patrons took a step onto the table before the bar.
Keep verbally berate the men for standing on furniture.
You're safe here. I've bought you some time.
Eat Ayashi Setsaku, who sat facing the door on the other
side of the izekiah. You need your strength, he went
on. But I need your help on next.
Isn't going to be easy. Saku looked at him and then down
to the meet. One.
I'm not helping you two. I don't eat, that doesn't eat
meat, he said. This is good.
It's teriyaki. It's sweet.
Fine. And tell the bartender what you
want. Hey, Ayumi, can you bar keep
Scully here? Some animal feed or something?
What do you want? Ayumi asked, walking over
swinging A rag rice, She said. With vegetables, if you have
them, that's all you want. You sure you don't want some
pork pointed to meat sizzling on hot coals?
Yeah, try the chicken. Something in the wastebasket
said. I bet I taste great.
I'm fresh. I didn't even see it coming.
I went to the theater to see if a butterfly was there, hanging
around and then whack. That was it for me.
Oh, I had so much I was planning on doing.
I guess I won't get the do any of that anymore.
I really wanted to see that butterfly.
The voice inside the basket grew sad.
He may try to figure out why Saku didn't speak.
The meat is fresh. Saku began to cry.
Can you get me rice and vegetables please?
The man shrugged and returned to the stoves to prepare the meal.
She noticed 2 armored men in blue in a booth in the corner of
the small room, Downing Saki as fast as they could.
They didn't look like guards Saku had seen, and she wondered
who they were and why they were there.
Although Ayashi did not seem bothered, she watched them from
a safe distance. After a while, Yumi came back
with the giant bowl of rice stacked high along with the
plate of roasted vegetables. Saku stuffed their rice inside
her mouth and shoveled in the vegetables of chopsticks as fast
as she could, the men in blue scarf.
We having an eating contest? Ayashi asked.
Saku talked with her, mouth full.
The only reason I am here is because I haven't eaten in
almost two days. You tried to kill me, I get it,
Ayashi said. I'm naughty, but I'm going to
tell you where your tea is, no strings attached, which is
usually my choice in how to make arrangements.
The conversation of soldiers in blue nearby grew in volume.
One spoke too loudly before returning to a whisper.
Bloody Skuller. The other man nodded and poured
back another cup. That village is complicating the
peace talks. Hearing the slur almost made
Soku stop eating. Almost.
After she had eaten the last Lotus root and sweet potato, she
finished her rice. She poured water into the bowl,
whirled it around, and then drank the water, making sure
every grain of rice was gone. She placed the chopsticks in the
bowl and set it on the table as the soldiers gave the bar.
Keep a few coins and left, but not before giving Saku a cold,
hard look. You're going to see a lot of
that talk up north, Ayashi said. They're like birds who repeat
everything they hear. They know nothing.
You can't do anything about that.
What you can do is get the T It's in the red light district
at the Kissing House, past the street gambling alleys.
Someone is holding it for you. Waiting.
Saku shook her head in confusion.
That you've raised your hands upward and spread them apart
with their palms facing up the kissing house.
Did you leave something in your room when you stayed there?
Not my kind of place most. The tea is intact.
I've enjoyed a couple of cups, but I'm not hearing skulls talk.
I left it for someone who needs it.
Voices raised. Maybe the Northern clan could
show us a thing or two about bringing wealth.
You are a traitor for even suggesting such a thing, the
other drunk man shouted. Ayashi looked over.
The arguing stopped, and the men returned quietly to their
drinks. The tea will be there waiting
for you with the geisha named Hana, Ayashi said.
I don't have a choice, do I? Saku asked.
Sure you do. I paved the entire road ahead of
you. You can pick what side you walk
on. Don't forget that, he said.
Better get out of here. Ayumi's pretty shady.
If they don't know where you are now, they soon will.
What'd you say, Ayashi? Ayumi said from the other side
of the bar. I said you were a great friend.
I will go, Saku said. But I do not forgive you.
Good. Ayashi said.
Forgiveness is a means of control.
I'm not here to control you. These are your choices.
Saku left. The glow got brighter.
A sock. Who walked towards the red
light? District.
Men stumbled drunk, smelling a sake in sweat.
Music could be heard playing down the street at the kissing
house. Dice rolled.
It's going to be Cho, a voice cried from inside the cup.
A man was shaking. The man took bets and slammed
the glass upside down to the ground.
He lifted up to reveal 2 dice, both with one red dot facing up.
Even the man said it was Cho. A few men grumbled and groaned.
The cunt man took the bets and placed them in to his earnings.
Don't complain, next game, don't be cheap.
Como spoke from Saku's pocket. What was that voice?
They must be made of skulls, Saku said such games were not
allowed in her village. She found herself wanting to
learn how to play. She walked past the gambling and
into the Red light district. The strong smell of incense and
perfume hovered in the air, yet something smelled foul.
Her eyes adjusted to the red light.
She could see the kissing house on the left, a giant structure
with the rice paper front with the words kuchibashiya written
on it. A large cherry blossom was
painted on the paper next to the door.
A few men crossed over from a bar across the street into the
kissing house, hanging on to each other, singing loudly.
Kamo let out a nervous sigh. This is all very bad, Kamo, Is
it? The other skull said.
Nothing comes easy. You seem to lack direction, my
friend. She tried to clear her mind and
separate her thoughts from those of the skull.
Oh, I lack direction. Kamo lashed out.
You didn't tell me how to breathe, too.
You're dead. You don't do that, Fuchi, Chao
said. Stop, Saku yelled, clenching her
fists and tightening her face. The air dealt with static.
She felt a sting, and a few hairs on her head stood up.
You're both great, you're awesome, But I have way too many
thoughts for everyone to be talking all the time.
Inside the kissing house, men laugh, glasses clinked, and
young women in white face paint and long Komodos hung onto the
men. Saku did not know whom she was
searching for and knew she couldn't go in and start asking
everybody where Hana was. She walked past the entrance,
hearing some shaking in a room closed off with the divider
painted with a :). Women giggled.
Everyone seemed to be involved with somebody else in the room
except one. She stared at Saku as if she had
never seen anything like it. She couldn't look away.
She walked across the Tommy mat. Her white painted face in
blackened teeth, red lipstick and eyeliner stood out amongst
the other women. Her figure was stunning,
especially to someone who had not seen the kimono look as
smooth and soft, her eyes locked with sakus.
When she got too close, she took her hands and put them around
sakus face. She spoke passionately.
I've been waiting for you. Tell me you're looking for
Hannah, the geisha said. What?
Saku said, noticing the woman's hand smelled of expensive
perfume. Ayashi says.
You have my tea. I need it this way.
An emotion Towards divided room. They entered.
She slid. Door shut.
She spoke. You must know something.
I am Lord Yataku's wife. Banished here for speaking out
about his treatment of the people.
If you help me escape from this city, he will not let you live.
He will kill you. It's a matter of time.
At this point, the only one who can change my husband's mind is
Ito. If you help me out of the city,
I will convince him to help us. Baku's heart sank, Wife.
He sent you here. A voice raised in the other
room. A scuffle broke out.
Cups crashed against the floor. Women yelled.
They heard multiple footsteps clopping on the flooring.
Ayumi sip. The school girl is here.
Somebody said there's no way out.
Please tell me you know how to use that sword, And it said,
pointing down. I've gotten lucky a few times,
Saku confessed. Where is she?
Saku remembered the voice of Ito, who stood on the other side
of the divider. The door began to slide open.
Saku kicked the rice panel as hard as she could, grabbed
Hana's hand and pulled her out of the room.
Ito turned and ran towards them. With a sword in his red, swollen
hand. Saku drew.
The Cortana kind of stepped away.
Ito neat the talk. Saku pleaded.
Ito charged. You've killed my son, Ito
screamed. Saku swung at a wide sweep.
Ito dug his foot into the tatami mat and leaned in to avoid the
hit. The Cortana cut him across the
side, slicing open his armor. She rushed out at the kissing
house and on to the street nearby, stumbling into some
bystanders who had gathered to watch the commotion.
Soku saw Ito cross over the building's threshold and had
close the distance. Giant man charged at Little Soku
in desperation. She hooked his shoulder and used
his momentum to sue flex him, The back of his head stumped
against the stone Rd. hard. His peoples dilated.
He didn't move. He looked up.
She stood to her feet and looked at him, bleeding on the ground.
I didn't want this, she said. Lord Yataku will surely kill you
now. Ito said, slurring his words.
Even if you give him his tea, you have shamed him in front of
the other warlords by not arriving on time.
He will not stop until you are dead.
I just want to go home to Mibu, Haku said.
There's no chance of that now. Ito's eyes closed.
If his spirit left him, she did not know.
They heard footsteps and clinking armor approach from the
kissing house. Saku and Hannah ran.
Hannah had the bag of tea in hand.
Others went to eat aside and began to give aid in whatever
way they could. Someone cried for help, but his
own men did nothing.