Drops of Blood
	Part Two: A Burgeoning Trust
	By: Heike Detsune <rvcarzq@compass.com.ph>
	    Eiji <TigerRocs@aol.com>

   Eiji was the last one to fall asleep, he glared at Detsune 
as she slept. He hadn't known her long but he hated her for 
what she already did to him.
   "She's not important now, put your feelings aside and get 
what needs to be done taken care of." He mumbled to himself. 
Minutes later he was asleep holding his sword like a child 
would their favorite teddy bear.
   Not long after he fell asleep Eiji woke up to see a man jump
onto the side of the carriage. The swordsman was immediatly to 
his feet to meet the attacker. The first bandit was thrown off 
of the carriage, only to have three more jump Eiji from behind. 
Two held his arms as the third hit him in the back of the head 
with a rock.

   Eiji regained conciousness later that night staring the 
ceiling of some sort of cell. He tried to move to find that he 
couldn't, then he dawned on him that his hands had been tied, 
his mouth was gagged, and he was in some sort of cage. The 
sound of dripping water could be heard coming from somewhere, 
and in the corner two rats fought over the remains of the last
person in the cell. The moon shining through a bar covered 
opening was the only light in the room. Eiji`s first thoughts 
was that he had been tricked again by Destune but as he was 
looking around for a way to get out his current situation he 
noticed she and Shukou were having the same problem.
   After a moment of thought he rolled back untill he was held 
up by just his shoulder blades, neck, and the back of his head. 
Eiji brought his legs to his chest while keeping himself 
balanced, then he slipped his hands over his legs and in front 
of him. He rocked himself back and forth one time, then in one
quick movement he rolled himself over almost completely, pushed 
himself up with his hands, and flipped to his feet.
   Eiji removed his gag and got to work on untieing his hands 
with his teeth. After he got one hand free he began to force 
his other hand out of it's bonds, as he did this the swordsman 
seemed to be in pain and his wrist was obiviously bending back 
further than it normally did.
   Once free he began to walk over to Shukou to free him, but 
then he found that his feet had been tied as well when he began 
falling to the ground. After performing an almost breakfall he 
turned and untied his legs then stood up. This time he made it 
to Shukou without tripping, and ungaged him. "If you say one 
word about my falling I`ll leave you tied up." He whispered to 
him as he began work on the ropes.

   "Aren't you going to help the lady?" a voice from the 
darkness called coldly. Eiji saw the outline of her figure 
slowly appear, irritated with rope-marks on her wrist. "My, was 
that an experience? Freeing Shukou for the second time, while I 
have to rescue you." Detsune muttered.
   "Come, let's hide the ropes and wait for them to question 
us. Its almost daylight." she added.
   "I'll do what you say-for now. dont think that for one 
second I trust you."
   "My, Eiji! What a horrible thing to say!"
   "Drop the sarcasm."

   Two men came in. Their eyes were cold, dark and remorseless. 
They approached Detsune.
   "If it isn't Heike Detsune, one of the richest in Shinjuku. 
How unfortunate that she had to meddle in our affairs. You were 
supposed to be a promising pawn as soon as we offered you 
something, but your attitude dictates that you would have 
refused us. Oh well. Now, tell us how much do you know about 
our activities in Shinjuku."
   "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." she countered. He 
raised his arms up to hit her, but before anything happened, 
she was behind him and she broke his neck with her hands. The 
other man brandished his blade and started to lunge at her. 
Detsune quickly took out two jeweled daggers hidden in her 
clothes and began to fight.
   "Fool." Eiji commented at Heike. "That guy will kill you in 
a heatbeat." He took out his sword which he had no idea why it 
was still with him. He started to begin his attack.
   "Eiji. I see you have accompanied this skilled lady. But the 
two of you cannot defeat me." the man taunted.
   "You... you... I know you. But that is enough talk. Prepare 
to die."

   Detsune and Eiji attacked at the same time. The man blocked 
Eiji's attack, but failed to block Detsune's. He was surprised 
when she struck at his sword arm. Eiji took it from there. He 
repeatedly slashed the man, but he was wondering why his 
opponent could not lift his arm. Then he spurted blood and 
died.
   "What did you do to him?" Eiji asked.
   "My daggers are poisoned. The poison can kill in large 
doses, but it only has a paralytic effect when a small amount 
enters the bloodstream." Detsune explained.
   "Pretty useful. Let's get Shukou out of here. But dont think 
that I still trust you"
   "I'll agree-- for Shukou's sake."

   Nishima Shukou was semi-traumatized after that scene. 
Detsune simply gave him some herbs to regain his senses, then 
they escaped. As soon as they got out, a poison dart hit him in 
a shoulder.
   "Shukou!" Detsune wailed hysterically.
   Eiji grabbed the both of them and darted off, dragging them 
with him. He ran, thinking of where to stay and hide, but all 
he could to was run. Shukou was ailing, and Detsune was 
wailing, where could he go?

			*	*	*

[End Part 1/A Burgeoning Trust]