Crash Land on Kurai – Chapter 32

“I propose we split up,” Kazuo says, raising his hands to ward off my impending argument. “Don’t start, Yumi. If I had my way, I’d send you back in an instant.”

“We need to leave now for Kinyoake, or we’ll be late, and I don’t want to go without you,” I say, looking between Kazuo and José. A giant black cloud hovers over my head, reminding me my best friend died yesterday, and Kazuo could be next. Splitting up is not a good idea as far as I’m concerned. I fold my arms across my chest and tap my foot, turning to Rin for help. Then I remember how he rolled over and went back to sleep this morning. I shouldn’t count on his support for anything.

“I agree with Kazuo, of course. You’re lucky to be alive, and it’s my duty to keep you that way.”

“Yeah, because I’m worth so much,” I mumble, sarcasm coating every word.

“Hey. Don’t pretend to know my motives for anything.” Rin’s words smack me upside the head. He clears his throat as Kazuo looks on in glee. “I’m going to leave behind four men. Kazuo and José and the others will go with them to a rendezvous point where they’ll be picked up and dropped off in Aka Matsuba territory, near the temple. The same ship will come back for us when we’ve secured the hostages.” He points to the equipment they set up last night. “I’ve been in contact with Tamura. He’s eager to meet his new employees and get you on your feet.”

“Employees?” José asks, glancing at the other woman we rescued, but Kazuo shakes his head at him to stop any more questions.

“It’s complicated, but I’ve secured work and a way of life for us when we reach the planet.” I point to the large disc in the sky. “Aka Matsuba is the ruling corporation of Hikari. You should have no problem working for them. They can use scientists like you.”

“Good. Let’s get you moving.” Rin takes over the situation, directing people to pack up and break down camp. We part ways, but not before I give Kazuo a big hug.

“Listen to and stick by Rin. His instincts are better than yours,” Kazuo says, pulling me close. “It’s hard for me to go since I promised your mother I’d watch after you.” He buries his lips in the top of my head, and I squeeze him tighter. “But that’s not my place now. I know you don’t trust him, but Rin will take care of you. And between the two of us, you and me, we have to take care of everyone else. Bring your brother home.”

My brother — he’s my only mission now. If I can bring him back to Tamura, and make sure he’s safe until we’re rescued, my family will be better for it. I failed with Ayamé, and now I must succeed with Shintaro.

The journey down the mountain is less painful than the journey up. My body managed to rest and repair overnight despite the migraine, so the muscles in my legs no longer burn like I’ve run a marathon. My throat still aches, and my voice is scratchy, but it’s an improvement on yesterday. With every step though, my brain bounces off the inside of my head, and my eyesight is still blurry. Anger swells in my chest. I can’t confide in my best friend, can’t tell her how much I miss her or remind her how important and wonderful she is. I pause briefly, blowing out a long breath, trying to calm myself. I have to get through this and mourn on the other side.

“Here. I have something for you,” Rin says, running up next to me. He holds out a handful of picked leaves, green and young. “I’m not sure of the name of this plant, but I remember it from field training when I was learning to become a kenryōshi.” He thrusts the leaves at me, and I fumble, trying to avoid touching his hand.

“What is it?”

“A mild painkiller. Chew it up and swallow it with some water before letting it sit in your mouth too long. It should help with your head.”

I hesitate for a moment, wondering what he possibly has to gain from poisoning me or making me suffer further. Nothing, I think.

“Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”

He’s silent for a few steps. “I told you not to guess at my motives. I didn’t have to do it. I wanted to do it. Just like I wanted to help you last night. It’s not because you’re my property.” He sounds sick when he says the word, and that’s the first glimmer of hope I’ve had in days. “So please don’t think that. Without Kazuo around on Hikari, you’ll need someone’s help, and that will be my duty. Going to the hospital will not always be an option.”

“Let me guess. It’s too expensive.” I rub my thumbs along the length of the leaves, ripping one into a smaller piece and shoving it in my mouth. The leaf is bitter and tough.

“Yuck. This is awful,” I say, covering my mouth with my hand.

He smiles as he gives me his canteen, and I wash it down as quick as possible.

“Medicine is subsidized, and mine is free. Yours? No. It’ll definitely cost us if you need hard painkillers. We’ll have to see what we can use that’s standard for everyone.”

Back home on Orihimé, we only manufactured drugs for hospitals, so I had to make do by smoking or ingesting the local herb we call ‘cake’ for smaller migraines like last night. Stronger migraines required narcotics from the hospital.

“What do you mean Kazuo won’t be around?” My chest tightens as my brain leaps forward and tries to puzzle out our situation.

“He’s asked to join my corporation, not Aka Matsuba. He will most likely be trained in intelligence, which means he’ll live in the northern part of the city. I live close to there, but I don’t believe we’ll be living in the same building as him.”

“We?” I rip off another piece of the leaf and choke it down with more water.

“I have a two bedroom apartment. I had planned on moving to a smaller place, but now that you’ve joined my… household, you can have my ex-wife’s room.”

“You used to be married?” This was not something I expected. But then again, everything about these people is a surprise. Even the way they look, dress, and talk is different.

“For about five years. We divorced last year, and she moved out.”

“Did you have kids?”

“No. She didn’t want them.”

She didn’t want them. Not he. Not we. She.

“Does that bother you?” he asks, a hint of humor in his voice.

“Which part? The part where you used to be married? The part where you have a two bedroom apartment that I’m expected to live in, with you? Or the kids part?” I clear my throat, attempting to get the bitter taste of the leaves out of my mouth. “And why would it matter to you what I feel?”

His attitude shuts down, the hint of humor lost. “I’m curious why you’re openly hostile to me, even though I’m trying to show you I’m not a threat.”

I halt in my tracks, and Rin takes two steps before he stops as well.

“Rin, we didn’t start out on the best of footings, and I want you to know that I’m grateful you spared me from becoming a prostitute. But I don’t know what you expect of me. If you’re looking for some upbeat and fun companion, you might as well sell me off as soon as we get to Hikari.” I turn my eyes from him and look out at the empty farmlands in front of us. We’ve emerged from the forest into a lifeless bread basket. The metaphor for my life is so ironic, I nearly laugh. “I’m not a lovable person. I just lost my best friend, one of the few people who actually loved me. And I’m defective and dead inside. The only thing I’m good for is asking questions and getting into trouble.”

I’ve been passed over so many times, my neck aches watching other people receive the accolades that were meant for me. My older brother got all the attention from our parents and the family legacy. Shintaro could choose to do whatever he wanted and stole the only man I ever loved. Even my boss, who I adore and I hope she’s still alive, promoted someone else over me, even though I worked harder than he did.

“As a wise man once said” — I lower my voice and mimic the Commander — “‘You’ve been in jail a dozen times. You published an unauthorized account of the empress’s personal life, leading to days of protests in Yamato. And you put two people in the hospital after you lost your temper at being fired from your job.’” I sigh, wishing I could apologize to Commander Nagaoka. “I’m not a nice person.”

He cocks his head to the side and blinks at me. “Do you really believe that? I think you sell yourself short.” He turns and walks off. “Let’s go, Yumi!”

I stand in one place for a moment before I pick up my feet and follow Rin. He’s not afraid of dealing with me, though he should be. He doesn’t grasp the enormity of the situation, and quite frankly, neither do I. I have no idea how I’m going to pay back my debt with no job and no skills that are worth anything on Hikari. I can’t help but repeat that he got a bum deal by purchasing me, and I open my mouth to say so, only to be brought up short at the bottom of the hill.

A path stretches away through the winding fields, leading off to a series of red temple gates. They frame the looming façade of a bright, golden temple nestled into the woods. The sun reflects off the surface, bouncing around and lighting up everything within distance. I wince and shield my eyes from the brightness of the temple.

“Kinyoake. Golden sunrise,” I say, running up next to Rin.

“It was always a bit bright,” he says, also shielding the glare with his hand. “Most of the monks here have worked on repairing the land for the last five years.”

“Why doesn’t everybody just leave? Seems to me that would be the best idea. They must have to import everything. It’s not like they have the sunshades that Ryuanji Temple has.”

Rin laughs, throwing his head back. “War is filled with bitterness and the need to seek revenge. The people who live here do everything they can to bring back health to the land because this moon is due to turn around in the next ten years. If they leave, they forfeit. And no one wants to forfeit. Everyone wants to win.”

“How is this moon due to turn around in the next ten years?”

“They used a forty year terraforming cycle. The radiation died out in the first year, and I’m sure you’ve seen it.” Rin takes two steps into the farmland off the path. He pulls back the hip-height stalks of straw and points down. “The earth is repairing itself.”

I follow him in and crouch down to see the green shoots budding closer to the dirt. Yeah, I noticed as much during our time here. It’s good to hear it confirmed.

“All of this” — he sweeps his hand out over the decayed farmland — “has grown and died many times in the past forty years. This used to be rice paddies.” He pulls the grains from the top of a few brown and brittle shoots. “This used to be rice. And it will be rice again someday once the genetic manipulation comes to a halt. Hopefully, we can eat it.”

We start walking to catch up with everyone again, the significance of this moon nagging at the back of my thoughts.

“And this place used to be for the wealthy? Why is it called Kurai?”

“Yes. It’s named after the darkness we all felt when we first arrived here. Hikari is the light on the horizon.”

We crest a hill and the path curls off to a flattened area before it comes to the temple and the woods beyond.

“Shit,” Rin mutters, grabbing my arm and swinging me behind him. But even though his actions are admirable, there’s no escaping what lies before us.

Standing outside of a ship like the one that carried me only a few days ago, Narumi, Akikazé, and other members of her Aoi Uma corporation stand and wait for us, swords drawn and guns in hand.

Rin’s team bristles, their shoulders and backs straightening, but they don’t draw weapons. I’m heartened by their confidence. These people are trained for combat, and now I’m a part of their brigade. I hope I chose the right side.

“Look at what we have here,” Akikazé growls, his lips curled in a smug smile. He pauses to narrow his eyes. “Hara, have you been strangling your merchandise?” He nods his head as I bring my fingers to my throat. Narumi laughs, and I drop my hand. “I didn’t think you were into kink. Looks like we sold off to the best bidder of the bunch, boss.”

“What are you doing here?” Rin asks, ignoring their accusations and banter. Anger heats my lungs and legs. I could breathe fire and run at them faster than they could cut me down if I didn’t value my mission.

“Same as you, I’m sure. We’re here to bid on the hostages.”

My stomach drops out, and I turn my head from them all to stop a groan. I didn’t really think it would be that easy, did I?

“And I believe this time, we’ll have more success than last time,” Narumi boasts, smiling down on me. “There’s a certain young man I’m interested in. I hear he’s an amazing geneticist. Exactly the kind of person I need on my team.”

She’s after my brother.

She can’t have him.