Misao's breath was ragged as she raced down parking lot. Her usually impeccable hair had fallen from its braid, black tresses blurring her vision.
She hadn't thought Shinta would be able to follow her. He did not know where his former teacher resided. She could quietly get on a plane and head west. Tokyo was a dense city. He wouldn't be able to track her that easily.
She had underestimated him. Yuuki Shinta would hunt her down until one of them was dead.
Misao fell to the ground, body wracked with sobs. She was infinitely tired. She hid between two cars, hoping to be hidden enough to get the drop on Shinta.
For so many years she had hidden from him. Oh God, WHY couldn't she have STAYED hidden?
The buzz pierced her senses, filling every part of her being. It called out to her, RUN! RUN, MISAO!
Metal on metal shrieked in Misao's ears as Shinta ran his katana over a car hood. Instead of going with her first instinct and covering her ears, Misao reached for her sword.
"Misao...." she heard him taunt, his voice powerful and commanding. "Come out where I can see you."
She stood up, holding her blade out before her. "Shinta.... Onegai.... Iie...." Her voice was nearly inaudible as she gasped for breath.
"You beg me to stop? How could I, Misao? You're unclean, unworthy. You need to be cleansed." Shinta shook his head. "You refuse me. Instead, you run to those Westerners. They are the ones who dishonoured me!"
Misao looked at the car beside her. She took a deep breath, steeling her emotions. She raised her sword, shattering the window. Alarms broke through the calm night air. She opened the door, getting into the driver's seat. Tearing at the wires, she hotwired the car. She shook her head. "You dishonoured yourself."
Peeling out of the parking space, she raced out of the parking lot.
*****
He is immortal.
Born 5,000 years ago, the details of his birth have been lost to the ages.
He will only fall with the strike of a sword and the loss of his head.
He has been a healer....
A scholar....
A killer....
He is Methos.
The Methos Chronicles
Episode 3-- Towa no Mirai (Eternal Future)
Written by MC
*****
A yawn escaped Methos as he stretched out. Rubbing his eyes, he pushed the term papers aside. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to head off to bed."
Rose looked up from her place on the couch. "Goodnight."
Rising from his seat, Methos strode over to her. He knelt on the floor and took the journal from her lap. "So, are you staying over?"
"I was thinking about it," she replied brusquely, taking back the journal. "Is that okay?"
"Hmm...." Methos wrapped his arms around Rose's waist, flashing her a devilish smile. He lifted her off the couch. "A beautiful woman wants to sleep with to me? Why would I turn that down?"
Rose laughed softly, drawing comfort from Methos' hold. "Next to you, not WITH you." She felt her confidence rising as Methos drew her into the bedroom. "You haven't done the dinner and a movie thing yet."
"Dinner and a movie? You've changed, Rosa," Methos commented as he peeled off his clothes, climbing into bed. He nestled into the pillow. "I remember when all I had to do was quote a poet and you were writhing in my sheets."
Rose shook her head, sitting on the edge of the bed. Methos covered her hand with his, sitting up. "Serious now, Rosalyn.... You've been here almost every day since the funeral. Are you afraid to go home?"
"I'm not afraid." She laid down, curling against Methos. She rested her head on his chest, feeling his arm cradle her close. "It's just so.... Cold, empty. I have this huge manor and there's NO ONE there. When I'm here, I feel comfortable." she smiled. "Safe."
"You're welcome here, Rose. I want you to know that." He dusted a kiss over Rose's forehead. "There's not many people I make that offer to. It's nice to know you're here. But I do think you need to go home. If for nothing else but to check you mail. I promise there's nothing there that's going to get you in any trouble."
Laughing softly, Rose closed her eyes. "You do know I'll probably get challenged or something, just so fate can prove you wrong."
"Have a little more faith in me."
****
Methos strode down the hallway of the university, books clutched to his chest. He coughed, his throat left dry from his last lecture. He didn't know how long he was going to be able to put up with this life. Between lectures, a secretary who didn't know how to use the copy machine and lovesick college girls.... Methos preferred being a student.
Erin rose from her desk when Robert came in as she always did. She looked less frazzled than usual, smiling as "Professor Roberts" approached her desk. "I have your messages for you, Professor."
"I assume by your smile you have all of them?"
"Yes. I have an urgent one for you. It's from Roberta Morgan."
Methos took the message from Erin. "Roberta Morgan? I don't remember a Roberta Morgan in any of my classes."
"It's a personal message."
"Roberta Mor-- Oh. OH!" He read over the message, then looked at his watch. "Okay, I need you to copy the reports on my desk. Take any phone messages, I have to leave campus for a while."
"Professor Roberts, is everything okay?"
"I really hope so."
****
Methos raced up the path to Rose's house. He panted, pounding on the door. "Roberta! Let me in! It's Benjamin!"
The door opened slowly. Rose clutched a sword in her hand. She relaxed when she saw who it was. "I'm so glad it's you, Doc."
Methos breathed a sigh of relief. "You said there was trouble.... Are you okay?"
"Relatively speaking."
He pulled away from Rose as he felt the second buzz. His eyes widened. The slight woman drew her lip up between her teeth.
"Misao."
****
1907-- Japan
The carriage traveled down the road through the countryside, carrying the young couple. Rose looked outside, sighing as the scenery went by. "Oh Doc, this is wonderful! Thank you."
Methos smiled, leaning back in his seat. He had put this trip together to cheer Rose up after her latest foster child had been put back with his family. She had become attached to him and had hoped to adopt him. "Well, it's been a while since we've been on vacation together. In fact, I don't remember the last time."
Rose rolled her eyes. "I remember it. You took me to meet your friend, Byron."
"Oh, of course." Methos cleared his throat. "I really didn't think you would dislike him so much."
"It's not your fault he was a sexiest, masochistic wretch."
"At least you gave him a chance."
The buzz of an immortal tickled through both Methos and Rose. "**Driver, stop!**" Rose commanded. The carriage pulled to hard stop in front of a small home.
"Are you insane?" Methos hissed. "You feel like getting into a challenge?"
"Come on, Doc.... You felt that. It's such an immature buzz, it might was well be from a pre-immie."
"Fine. Are you insane? You feel like getting a STUDENT?"
Rose stepped out of the carriage. "Are you coming with me?"
"Rosalyn." Methos followed after her. "You do remember what happened the last time you got a student?"
"Then I'll train this one differently."
"Darling, I know you like adopting strays, but this is different." Methos wrapped an arm around her waist. "Why don't we go back to the inn? It will be more fun. And safer."
Rose brushed Methos aside, hiding behind a cherry tree, peering into the garden at the side of the home. There were two young girls, both wearing silk kimonos. They were obviously of breeding, with the poise and grooming of geishas. One was in her early teens; the other was reaching full womanhood. They were with a man. He dressed like a warrior, sword at his hip, defying current Japanese law.
"Who do you think it is? The samurai or one of the girls?" Rose asked, turning her head to look at her companion.
"I'm not part of this," Methos snapped, crossing his arms over his chest. "I really don't want to know. I haven't had a student in years, Rosa. I don't plan on starting now.
The samurai raised his head, sensing something odd. He pulled his sword, eyes narrowing to slits.
"He senses us and isn't happy about it," Rose backed away from the tree. "I think we're in trouble, Methos."
"We?" Methos laughed. "This was your--"
The samurai leapt in the air, bringing his sword in a downward slash. A branch of the tree was severed neatly, blossoms fluttering around the towering swordsman. Reflex served the two immortals well, their swords out before they had time to think.
"**What do you want?**" The samurai demanded. "**I am Yuuki Shinta. This home is under my protection.**"
"**We mean you no harm,**" Rose stuttered out, "**We have come to teach.**"
"**Our home has no use for Western ways,**" Shinta snapped, lowering his sword hesitantly.
"**They are not Western ways.... Let me try to explain....**"
Methos strolled towards the garden, Rose's flustered explanation fading as he moved away. He smiled at the eldest girl. She bowed her head, cheeks flushing pink.
"**What is your name?**" Methos asked quietly.
"**Misao. Hino Misao.**" she replied softly, not letting her eyes meet Methos. "**You are friends of Shinta.**"
Methos shook his head, raising Misao's chin so she looked into his eyes. "**You felt something strange when I approached.**"
"**There was a fluttering in my stomach. It felt like bells were ringing in my head.**"
Shaking his head, Methos turned to Rose and Shinta. "Rose, you're wasting your time. That's the wrong one."
Misao looked confused as this stranger spoke a foreign language to his companion. "**Why are you here?**"
"**I would like you to meet me at the inn. It is about the injury you received. The sword wound.**"
"**My injury?**" Misao's eyes grew wide with shock. "**How did you know?**"
"**7:00. Come alone.**" He sighed, glancing at Shinta. "**And I mean ALONE. Don't worry, Misao. I'm a doctor. I can help you.**"
****
Methos tossed his coat onto the futon, staring down Rose. She bit her lip. "I'm sorry. How was I to know Shinta wasn't the immortal."
"You're 905 years old, Rosalyn. You should be able to recognize buzzes now. If you can't, I'm really shocked you've lived this long." He shook his head fiercely. "Shinta's a pre-immortal. Misao is the immortal. I don't like this. It's not good to have a pre-immortal and a new immortal in the same place."
"Well, what are we suppose to do? Take off? Leave Misao and Shinta on their own? That's not how it works."
"Can you clear out tonight? Misao is coming by."
"How can you be sure she's going to show?"
"I scared her," Methos replied. "I knew she had been injured by a sword."
"How did you know?"
"I guessed." Methos sat on the futon, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. "I can take care of Misao."
"I thought you didn't want a student."
"She intrigues me." He took in a deep breath. "She's got a certain something."
"Oh really." Rose cleared her throat, clenching her jaw. "Are you sure about this? I mean, taking a student is a big responsibility. And she lives here in Japan."
"I can handle it," Methos opened his eyes, glancing at Rose. She had her arms crossed tightly across her chest and took deep, calming breaths. He chuckled softly.
"You expect me to clear out while you convince this beautiful, young, virgin immortal you need to train her?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"I know how you convince beautiful, young, virgin immortals to let you train them."
****
Methos slid the door open as the buzz filled his head. Misao spotting him, walking slowly to the table. She knelt down beside him.
"**I'm glad you could come, Misao.**"
"**Why did you want to see me?**" Misao demanded, leaning over the table. "**Who are you?**"
"**My name is Doctor Alexander Adams. I want to speak to you about this.**" Methos took out a dagger. He held his hand out, palm up. Slowly, he slid the dagger over his palm. Rich blood spilled out from the cut. He wiped the blood away, revealing the healed wound.
Misao gasped, recoiling. "**It's magic!**"
"**I'm immortal. As you are. If you would let me, I will teach you all this entails.**"
****
Misao looked up at Methos with wide brown eyes. "Adams-Sensei.... It has been many years."
Methos attempted to swallow the lump in his throat. "Misao. Your English has gotten quite good."
"Thank you. I have spent a lot of time learning," she replied, kneeling on the ground. Methos sat down on the staircase. "I have been working for a car co--"
"Why are you here?" He cut in, growling under his breath. "Is this about Shinta?"
Misao lowered her head. "Hai."
"Why haven't you taken care of him?"
"I have tried, Sensei. Shinta defeats me every time."
"Then why aren't you dead?" Methos asked.
Rose put a hand on his shoulder. "Doc...."
"He leaves me alive, taunts me. Saying it's not time yet. He wants my friends to suffer."
"Your friends as in us?" Methos turned his head away. "Did he follow you?"
"Sensei...."
"DID HE FOLLOW YOU?"
Misao nodded silently. "I did not think he would be able to."
"Obviously he was." Methos got off the steps, pacing the floor. Rose moved back, flattening herself against the wall. She had seen Methos in a bad mood and did not like it.
"Did I not teach you anything, Misao? If an immortal turns his back to you, you take his head! I don't care if you see it as dishonorable. In our line, there is no such thing."
Misao played with the hem of her shirt nervously. "I tried.... I'm so sorry. I need your help."
"I taught you better than this."
****
1907, Japan
"**Please, Sensei.... It is too much.**" Misao dropped the sword, falling to her knees. "**Let me rest.**" Her body was wracked with pain and weariness. She felt naked, wearing a training uniform from the local dojo instead of her kimono.
Methos pulled her roughly to her feet, placing his sword at her neck. "**An opponent will not give you time to rest. You must put aside your weariness. Fight through it or you will find your head separated from your body.**"
"**It is late, Sensei. The rest of the house has gone to sleep. Why must our training take place at night? Why can't Shinta and Yui know?**"
Methos lowered his sword. "**Shinta and Yui are mortal. They will not understand our world. They also do not think a woman should carry a sword. I do not want to see you hurt by Shinta. He is of the old way. As his fiancee, you are supposed to follow him. Being able to defend yourself will be seen as a defiance.**"
"**It is not fair. We have been training every night for six months. I need to sleep!**"
"**You were the one who insisted on staying here. I wanted to take you West. Immortals rarely stay where they lived before their death.**"
"**I cannot leave Yui. She depends on me. And Shinta and I are to be married within the year. We will carry on my family's legacy.**"
Methos touched her cheek. "**You will eventually have to leave this life, Misao. It is the way of things. You will have to join the Game.**"
"**You and Miss Rosalyn will help, won't you?**"
"**Not always. One day, you will be on your own. You must fight your own battles.**"
****
"You're being much to hard on her, Methos!" Rose hissed, shutting the door to her room. "She came here for our help."
Methos placed his hand on his hips, eyebrow cocked in disbelief. "Was I listening to a different conversation, Rosalyn? She led Shinta right to us!"
"Well, then one of us will have to kill Shinta." Rose shrugged. "If Misao isn't strong enough, I'm sure one of us is."
Methos shook his head. "I had a completely different plan."
"Oh? And what is that?"
"I take a few days off work, we fly down to Rio and let Misao clean up her mess." He drew Rose close. "Come on, Rose.... We could use a break. Just you and me."
"As appealing as a long, dirty weekend is, this is a big deal!"
Methos let go of her. "I know this is a big deal. That's why I want to take off."
"Shinta wants us all dead."
"I repeat...."
Rose pursed her lips, shutting her eyes. "You know how bad I feel about all of this."
****
1908-- Japan
"**How old are you?**" Misao asked, looking up her from her flower arrangement.
"**Older than I look,**" Rose responded casually, picking up a petal that had fallen off.
"**And Sensei?**"
Rose smiled. "**Older than that.**"
"**Where is Sensei?**" Misao whispered, lowering her head. "**Why hasn't he been coming to train me. Is he angry?**" She had taken her first head. Since that night, Adams-Sensei had not come by.
Rose laughed softly. "**Misao, dear.... Your training over. You are ready to join the Game.**"
"**I am? But--**"
Misao cut herself off as Yui stumbled into. The younger Hino sister was dripping from head to toe. Tears flooded her eyes as she fumbled out explanations. "**Misao.... The river.... Shinta.... Oh, Shinta!**"
Rose took charge. With gently hands, she grasped Yui's shoulders. "**Yui. Calm down. What has happened?**"
Yui shut her eyes, breathing deeply. She tried to halt her tears. "**I was walking by the river with Seiya. Shinta insisted on chaperoning. I fell in the water. Shinta dove in after me. I got to safety, but Shinta... Oh, Shinta!**" She began to weep harder.
Misao covered her mouth, feeling her stomach clench. "**He can not be....**"
Rose nodded. "**You two stay here. I am going to get Adams-Sensei.**"
****
Methos wrapped his arm around Misao's shoulders as she wept. "**I am so sorry, Misao. I know what Shinta meant to you.**"
"**My father selected him just for me. Shinta was the only one he wanted me to marry. And Shinta wanted me. He knew I would be a loyal wife. And I have betrayed him with our training!**"
Hours had passed since Shinta's drowning. Yui was sent to the doctor's. Methos had said he didn't want her getting sick. In truth, he didn't want her there when the newly immortal Shinta returned.
"**There is something you should know about Shinta, Misao,**" Rose started. Methos looked up, shaking his head.
Methos, Misao and Rose became alert to the immortal presence. The door slid open and Shinta entered. He was soaked to the bone.
"**SHINTA!**" Misao cried. "**We heard you had died!**"
"**I did.**" Shinta whispered. **I was dead. I am sure of it. I drowned. Yet I still breath.**"
Rose moved away from the wall. "**Shinta, I can explain.**"
"**THIS IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!**" Shinta roared, hitting Rose. "**This is a matter between myself and my family. Why are you two Westerners here?**"
"**They are my friends,**" Misao whispered. "**They came to comfort me.**"
Rose got to her feet. "**Shinta, I know what--**"
Methos touched Rose's arm. "Don't. He won't listen to you. He can't be trained. Not by us."
"He needs us."
****
Methos and Misao stood next to the door, listening to the conversation Rose was having with Shinta. They could not hear Rose, as she was too soft-spoken, but Shinta's words came through clearly as he screamed at the Westerner.
"**You expect me to believe this legend? You're mad!**"
"**A game? That is a GAME to you? It is honourable combat!**"
"**How dare you suggest that? I would never let a WOMAN train me. I am the best fighter in Tokyo. There is nothing you can teach me.**"
Methos pulled out his sword. Shinta was getting angrier by the minute. It was even worse now that he knew what immortals were. If he had to, he would step in. He hadn't faced anyone in nearly one hundred years, but he would not let this one get Rose.
"**MISAO IS ONE?!?!? YOU TRAINED MY BETROTHED?!?! YOU HAD HER DISHONOUR ME?!?!**"
Methos threw open the door when he heard the sword come out. Shinta's eyes were burning. Rose pulled out her sword, preparing to fight.
"**NO!**" Misao cried. "**You cannot fight him, Miss Rosalyn!**
She jumped between Rose and Shinta. "**PLEASE! Shinta has protected me since my father's death. You cannot kill him.**"
Shinta dropped his sword, raising his hand and slapping Misao. She covered her stinging face.
Methos picked up the fallen Misao. He backed away. "Rose! RUN!"
The three immortals started running from the Hino home. They could hear Shinta's vow as they went. "**You betrayed me, Misao. I swore on my life in front of your dying father I would protect you. You did not believe I could, so you went behind my back. You trained in the ways of the sword. You have dishonoured me. I shall kill all three of you for what you have done.**"
****
"We were cowards, Methos. We RAN! I could've faced the sonabitch, but instead we turned tail! Now you want to do that again." Rose covered her face, cheeks red in anger and embarrassment. "No, I couldn't have just lured him outside and taken his head. I had to do the mothering thing and told him what we were. How could I be so stupid? We knew how angry Shinta was going to be about Misao knowing how to fight. But NOOOOOOOO..... I just HAD to see the good in everyone. Why do you put up with me, Old Man?"
Methos smiled softly. "Because you do stuff like that. You.... You have faith in people. In a way I've long since forgot."
Rose shook her head. "I'm not going to leave. I won't abandon Misao. We all are in this mess. You can take off if you want, Methos. But I can't ignore this. This is as much my mess as it is her's."
"I'm sorry Rose. I won't do it. I can't put my head on the line just because some former student tracked me down. I sympathize with Misao.... But she's the one Shinta followed. Not us. There's no use getting dragged into this. I'm giving you one last chance. Are you going to come with me?"
****
Misao picked up one of the photos on the mantel. Rose was with two young people, a muscular young man and a girl wearing entirely too much eye makeup, and an older gentleman. She ran her fingers over the picture. It was obvious Rose was close to them. It had been so long since Misao had people like that she cared for.
Yui was the last one. Misao had loved her sister dearly. She had not returned home after the confrontation with Shinta. Shinta had not gone after Yui. The youngest Hino had not dishonoured him. He had no interested in her. Misao had watched from afar as Yui grew old. She married Seiya, the man who had pursued her. They had lived happily for many years, having several children. Yui had died only thirty years ago. She could still remember playing in the garden with her. They were both so young, so innocent. At that time, Misao had no idea how much bloodshed would dominate her long life.
She set the picture down as Rose came in. "Miss Rosalyn.... Where is Sensei?"
"He...." Rose sighed. "He's gone. He went out the back. I'm so sorry, Misao. This has nothing to do with you."
"I know. Sensei believes it is all for one. That we must protect ourselves. I should not have come here." Misao pointed to the picture. "Who are these people?"
"My children," Rose responded. "That's Douglas, Greta and Micky. It was taken a few years ago." She smiled sadly. "Micky died a few weeks ago."
"I am so sorry, Miss Rosalyn." Misao took in a deep breath. "You have a family. You have people who care for you. Yet I deliver you into the hands of Shinta."
"You did what you thought was right."
"I did what I thought would keep me alive. There was no honour in my actions."
"Your Sensei taught me a very long time ago honour is overrated." She became alert to the presence of another immortal. She pulled out her sword.
"No," Misao held out her hand, halting Rose. "It is Shinta. I must fight him."
"I can face him."
"NO. It is my fight." Misao pulled out her sword, walking outside, proud and strong. Rose followed her out.
Shinta was laughing, already in fighting stance. "It was not you I came for, Misao. It was that bastard doctor who trained you."
"He's not here. You'll have to settle for me." Misao said. Shinta shook his head, pushing her aside. "What about the lovely Miss Rosalyn? Are you ready to die, dear woman?"
Rose pulled her sword, jumping over the rail of the porch. She landed on the driveway in a crouch. She looked up at Shinta, eyes burning with a fiery passion. "I don't die easily. Even by our standards."
Shinta swung his sword at Rose, she ducked beneath the blade, contorting her form to avoid his slashes. He laughed. "You're good, Miss Rosalyn." She swung her blade, meeting his. "But your sword is heavy. You cannot get in as many hits as I can."
Rose reached behind her beneath her jacket. She felt the gilded blade of her dagger. She wrapped her fingers around it, pulling it from the leather sheaf. She thrust the blade forward, burying it in Shinta's stomach.
"Well played, Miss Rosalyn," Shinta laughed, running his fingers over the wound. He licked the rich blood from each digit. She prepared to give the final strike. Shinta was faster, running the blade over Rose's neck. She dropped her dagger, her hand reflectively covering the wound.
"You'll live," Shinta growled as Rose fell to the ground. She panted, feeling the blood spill over her hands. "At least, you WOULD...."
The blade began to fall. Rose rolled out of the way, holding her blade up.
"Miss Rosalyn, RUN!" Misao begged.
She wouldn't be able to beat Shinta. The wound in her neck throbbed, pain coursing through her entire body. She scrambled off the pavement, racing to her car. She hesitated, looking to Misao. She had her sword out, ready to face Shinta.
"JUST GO!" she yelled. "Find Doc and LEAVE!" She turned to Shinta. "There was no honour in that." Misao leapt at Shinta.
Shinta deflected her move, slashing through her chest. "I find honour to be an abstract these days."
Misao rose to her feet, staggering. She held her sword out. "If honour is not important, why do you still seek us out?"
"Revenge is a concept I still understand quite well." He raised his sword, bringing it down against Misao's neck. He hissed as the Quickening took over.
****
Methos threw his bag into the back of his car. He yawned, rubbing his eyes. He needed to get out of town tonight. If there was even the slightest chance Shinta could find him.... Well, he wouldn't be around long enough to consider that.
He felt the prickle of another immortal, looking around. Rose walked through the parking lot, a bloodied hand covering her neck.
"Rosa," Methos sighed in relief, "Did you come to your senses? Are you coming with me?"
Rose moved the hand from her throat. Methos recoiled. "Oh, Rose...." He touched the wound. "Who did this? Shinta?"
She nodded.
"You'll recover. You should get it covered so it doesn't get infected. You don't want you talking like Kalas."
"Misao is dead," Rose croaked.
He considered this for a moment. "I was able to get Professor Haley to fill in for me. Convince the university I had pneumonia. Highly contagious. I'm heading to Vegas. I've been meaning to go for a few years. I've got some spare change on me. Thought I might try my hand at craps. You can come with me and recover."
Rose slammed Methos' trunk closed, leaning against it. "Did you hear me, Old Man? Misao is dead. Shinta killed her."
"I heard you. I just don't see how this changes my plans at all." He opened the passenger side door. "Are you getting in?"
She stood her ground. "Shinta came and I let him beat me. I let her fight him, even though I knew she wasn't strong enough. I got Misao killed."
Methos clenched his jaw. "No, Misao got Misao killed. If she wasn't strong enough, that was her fault."
"You don't feel anything?" Rose felt her stomach wretch at the thought. "One of your friends just got whacked and you don't even care?"
"Misao was a student. I taught her all I could. She should have been ready for this. If she wasn't, then there's nothing I can do." Methos shut the car door. "What would you have me do, Rosalyn? Break down in tears? Go after Shinta in a vengeful rage? She was someone I taught and that was it."
"Someone you taught? Well, I'm glad to know how you feel about your students." Rose turned, walking away.
"Hey, wait!" Methos followed her. "Let me take a look at your neck. It needs to be treated, or you'll end up with a scar.
"Forget it!"
"What is this about, Rosalyn?" Methos demanded.
She whirled back. "You said you saw something in her! Something special! Did that mean nothing? You taught her for a year and you can't even flinch at her death?"
"No, stop.... This isn't about Misao and me.... this is about you and me, isn't it?"
"No it's not," Rose muttered, "Because there is no you and me."
"You think I wouldn't care if you got killed. You think I'd turn my back on you if you needed my help."
"It does fit your modus operandis."
"Wait a sec--" The buzz filled their senses. Methos whirled around, pulling his sword. Shinta leapt from the top of a car, sword clashing against Methos'.
The old immortal yelled ferally. "I was THAT CLOSE to getting out."
Shinta's tongue darted out, wetting his lips. "Well, well, well.... So Miss Rosalyn couldn't stay away from her Sensei. Those women feel the need to dishonour us by learning the art of the sword, yet they continue to hide behind us."
"You've seen the changes in this world.... Yet you still think it's all about your honour. You had to kill Misao just because your fucking pride was hurt."
Shinta darted out of the way of Methos' sword. "I swore to protect her. But that wasn't enough! I was going to love her, honour her, treat her as a proper woman!"
Methos reached for his dagger. Shinta smiled, grabbing Methos' hand. "Miss Rosalyn gave your secret away already."
"I always have a few more up my sleeve." Methos flipped Shinta over his back, the samurai landing hand on the pavement. Bones cracked in the impact, leaving the younger immortal immobilized.
Shaking his head, Methos brought his sword down. "I hope honour was worth it. I find it rarely is."
The Quickening took over his body, lightning surging through his core. Methos panted, feeling the bile rise in his throat as the Quickening subsided. Slowly he rose to his feet. "Rose?" He looked around.
She was gone.
****
Rose stretched, sitting down at the kitchen table. She rubbed her neck, feeling the faint scar there. She would always be marred by that small mark, neck wound rarely healed perfectly. "Doug.... I'm glad you called. I'm doing fine. Things are going okay. I'm going to try getting back to work soon. No, I still remember all those languages. I've known these languages for hundreds of years. A few weeks away from translating isn't going make a difference. How's what's her name doing... Yes, Nancy, that's it. I'm glad. Doc? He's.... Doc." Rose shook her head. "Don't worry, sweetie. Things are fine. I promise you. Doc and I have these spells. I'm sure...." She perked up, looking around. "He's right here."
She bit her lip. "Doug, I'm going to have to call you back." Not looking away from Methos, she hung up the phone.
"We need to talk," Methos said. One of his hands was behind his back "I let myself in."
"I noticed." Rose crossed her arms. "What are you doing here?"
Methos moved his hand in front of him, producing a red rose. He handed it Rose.
"What is this for?"
"I've given you roses for years." Methos moved closer. "I wanted to talk to you. Why did you leave when I was fighting Shinta?"
"I led him to you. Shinta followed me to your place. Exactly the way he followed Misao."
"You're not Misao." He ran his hand over her face, tracing her features. "I meant what I said before. Misao was a student. I trained her for a year and never saw her after that. A few years after training her, I didn't remember her. It didn't come back to me until I saw her."
"I was your student."
"You were never just my student. You are my friend, my companion, my lover...." Methos took her hand. "Even if I didn't see you for decades, I've never forgotten you. Your look, your smell...." He growled softly. "Your touch."
He ran his hand to her hair, brushing his fingers through the locks. "There are probably five people in this whole world who I would not turn my back on. People who I would put my head on the line to save. The people who if they weren't around anymore, there would be something horrible wrong with my life. A huge hole that couldn't be filled."
"Stop this," Rose said firmly, pushing Methos' hand away. "You're being silly." She got up, walking away from the table.
Methos followed close behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He pulled her close to him. "Guess what, Rosalyn," he murmured, "You're one of those people. If you were to die, I would lose a very important piece of me."
"You shouldn't have to protect me."
"I'm not." Methos casually ran a finger over the scar on Rose's neck. "I'm protecting my life."
He let go of Rose, striding to the door. "Well, I'll see you later, Rosa. Watch yourself."
He left the house, leaving Rose dumbfounded.
****
April 27, 2001
Dear Em,
I think you have the right idea, not taking on students. I've had way too many problems with these kids turning up.
Misao was a sweet girl. I really did see something in her. There was a hidden strength that was being quashed by the environment she was in. I have always loved strong women.
Yet I couldn't bring myself to risk my life for her. I hadn't seen her in nearly a century. It's a one-on-one game in our world.... She needed to finish it herself. Even if it meant her death.
I only know of one surviving student. I know that student will never look for my assistance.
And she's the only one I'll offer it to.
~The Old Man
****
|
aoki sora yo, hateshinaki sora |
Oh blue sky, unending sky Light is out there, limitless. Passionately, strongly, we will live on. I want to protect love, for it to flourish. ...the eternal future --Eternal Future, Mori Yukinosuke (Translated by Takayama Miyuki) |
****
Next time on "The Methos Chronicles": Words
Methos will pray for beheading when he is tormented by a lovesick royal, an young Hugh Fitzcairn and some misplaced poetry.