Page 40 of Son of Shadows

While her loving sister had always been kind to her, Haruki had wanted nothing more than to have the Ryukage’s love.

She buried those feelings deep, praying she’d never need them again.

As he turned more and more evil, Haruki had become everything he needed. Unlike her sister, she’d dedicated her life to learning all she could about the Ryukage. To molding herself into his perfect handmaiden.

So much so that nothing of the real her remained.

To serve the one she loved, she’d become outgoing, loud, brash, and whatever else she needed to be to stand out.

For him.

It had gained her nothing. At best, he ignored her; at worst, he abused her.

But he needed her.

And that was good enough.

With her powers gone, she would be useless. Discarded. Thrown away.

Koichi and Ryuichi-kage might even do the same.

And where would that leave her?

“We should stop somewhere and stock up on supplies,” Koichi said as he got on his horse and took the reins.

“I know a shop that sells kimonos,” Haruki replied.

It seemed like a trivial thing to mention, but there was a part of her that wondered if she changed her torn and tattered clothes, some of her magic might return. It was a shot in the dark, but she might as well try.

“That’s not what he meant,” the shadow responded. “We need more weapons.”

“The lady can have her kimono,” Koichi said. “Maybe it will cheer her up.”

Haruki was shocked.

“Are you being serious?” Haruki asked.

Koichi grinned. “Yes. I’d do anything to get you out of this never-ending foul mood.”

When Haruki mounted her horse, she felt a strange, peculiar feeling in her chest. One she’d never known before.

She had no words to describe it, and yet it reminded her of the girl she used to be.

The quiet and shy Haruki.

“Fine. We’ll go shopping. As long as there will be more fighting later,” said Ryuichi-kage.

Koichi snorted. “That is almost guaranteed, my favorite little monster.”

The shadow rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

“To Kagemura! May we bathe in blood.”

Rolling his eyes, Koichi turned around in his saddle to look at Haruki. “Don’t lag behind. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I won’t.” Haruki kicked her horse forward with a smile on her face.

Huh, smiling. How very strange. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done that.