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Spirit Bound: Bonus Story

The Love of Takahashi Yoishi: Part Four

When last I spoke of my time with Ohtori Kaoru, we had just mated for the first time. We had gone for a picnic beside our waterfall in early May, and I had convinced him to bathe in the water with me, wherein I seduced him behind the waterfall. After we had separated, I took the greatly embarrassed young lord over to the hot spring and we sat there for a time talking. After a pleasant afternoon, we returned to the Otter's castle.

Life was quiet for some weeks. Each night I would retire to my chambers by the western sitting room and each night I would be summoned to Ohtori-sama's bed. Hmm, to be more accurate, I would retire if I was not with him in the late evening, in which case he would deliver the summons in person. Each night we would 'tweet that damned flute,' as Masashi-san had said.

In the morning, I would wake some time before him and practice my higher martial arts forms in the spacious room he occupied. Once he woke, I would ravage him before brushing him and clothing him in his 'clothes to be worn to the bathing hall.' Getting fully dressed to walk to the bathing hall was a most pointless exercise, yet such was the custom. I would then exercise some more before getting my own bath.

Then came breakfast and leisure. Some days, perhaps once a week, we would make the trip to the waterfall; otherwise we would spend time in the garden or in the western sitting room. Should the young lord be busy I would retire to the garden on my own to paint or compose music and would often be treated to Ohtori Sakura having her lessons nearby.

The time after lunch was frequently spent in the former healer's office and workshop; she had had a marvellous collection of writings on the Japanese healing arts and on a startling variety of poisons. Otherwise, I would be in the company of Ohtori-sama. For the evening meal, I frequently played before the hall, to mixed reviews. During the evening I would often retire to somewhere quiet with Ohtori-sama to engage in debates; at times just the two of us, but occasionally we would be joined by guests.

It was in these evenings that I began to speak more with Ohtori-sama's sister Sakura-dono. She would visit her brother and either listen to, or participate in, our discussions of philosophy, art, and politics. She truly had a keen mind and offered many startling insights, despite having only begun learning such things after her father's death. A most intriguing young woman, yet she is not the subject of our story.

The story is, as I have said, about my young and most delightful Otter lord. I do not wish to discomfit anyone by singing his praise or waxing poetic about his many fine qualities, so I shall restrain myself. I will instead speak of the key events leading up to...the days before Ohtori-sama's pending marriage.

...

First, I must backtrack a small degree to briefly touch upon a small mystery that was unravelled within a week of my finally possessing my beloved Otter. It was early morning, before Ohtori-sama woke, and I was about to start my forms when a thought struck me: Ohtori-sama had two guards outside his door, the ceiling did not open up to the remainder of the floor like most other rooms did, and there was no other entrance into this room. How, then, did the latest assassin gain entrance to administer the poison? Were he or she to come in through the door, then the Macaque, Tetsuo-san, would surely have remembered such a thing and ordered Kagura-chan to eliminate the traitor. Was I dealing with another chi-adept such as myself? I would not have been terribly surprised -- indeed I would have been more surprised to discover that there were shinobi without that ability -- yet to be able to step into the realm of ghosts and kami, however briefly, was an extremely rare skill. Given its rarity and the incredible amount of effort I would need in order to guard against such things, it would be wise to assume I was not dealing with such an opponent until all other avenues were eliminated.

I took that thought and began to prowl the perimeter of the room, carefully examining the wall, before giving up in disgust. Even with my superior night vision it was far too dark to see much detail. I grabbed the candle before pausing. To reveal my knowledge of whatever secret door there may be would be foolish in the extreme. I still had my duty to eventually fulfil. I could use it to...

I stifled an agonized sigh and gazed in despair at the draped bed where my lover lay sleeping. Tears sprang to my eyes before I banished them; shinobi do not cry -- except as a deception or diversion. I was forced to concede, unhappily, that nor do they fall in love. I berated myself, thinking, 'I really am a terrible shinobi. I've broken one of the most basic rules: never fall in love with your target. I guess I must be punishing myself for all the deaths on my paws, yet such is the life I've been born into. It's my duty and I can't forsake it.'

I quashed my emotions and instead lit the candle with Timeus-san's Soul Fire. The dim bluish-green flame seemed to barely pierce the darkness, yet it highlighted every tiny detail. I began my search in the far corner and quickly went along the back wall. In the next corner, the one to the south-west, I found the signs of a secret door. I mentally cheered, 'Banzai!' before placing the candle on a nearby table. I did a double take at the candle -- the wax did not appear to be melting. I tilted the candle and, indeed, there was no liquefied wax. I knew from Timeus-san's memories that this fire burned most cruelly; indeed it could even burn those without corporeal forms, yet it produced no smoke nor did it seem to consume fuel. With a final perplexed look I turned back to the task at paw.

The door was old; the mechanisms were well cared for, but they were not terribly difficult to uncover. I slipped back to the bed and gently kissed my Otter as I placed the sleep jutsu upon him ('jutsu' being the Japanese word for abilities that drew upon one's chi to perform supernatural feats; the shinobis' forms of jutsu were called ninjutsu). He would not wake for many hours unless I released the jutsu. I returned to the door and carefully checked for traps. There appeared to be a mechanical trap facing the other side of the door, but it was jammed as far as I could tell. I would have to check on the other side. There were no other means of dissuading unwanted guests. Did no one know of this door other than the assassin? How could it be so poorly guarded? I engaged the mechanism to release the door. The panelling on the wall slid in a few centimetres and was then easily slid into a recess. There was another panel on the other side, with the trap visible. It was a trap that would fire several bolts at the offender should the wrong release be triggered, but all of the bolts had been carefully lifted off the strings. It had to have been done from this side, as the trap would be completely hidden once the far side of the door was opened. I left the trap alone, grabbed my candle, and opened the door.

It was a very cramped hallway, stone to my right and wood and paper panelling to my left; my shoulders brushed each wall as I eased my way down it. It proceeded for some distance south, turned west, and continued on. At the end was another 'door;' a simple one, yet easily disguised. It was a one-metre-by-one-metre board made of bamboo fastened together that could be easily moved aside; the public side of it was covered in the ubiquitous rice paper. It opened into the western sitting room. Perfect...if perhaps, too perfect.

The security risk was, however, easily remedied. I returned to Ohtori-sama's room, reset the trap, ensured everything appeared normal, and released the jutsu.

That afternoon, I went to the healer's workshop and concocted some shinobi ink -- a very expensive and specialized potion that could store chi and release it in a predefined manner when triggered. It was a most stupendous thing; the trigger could be very specific or very broad, and the 'release' could do many things completely impossible normally. It all depended on the quality of the ink -- and thus the skill of the crafter, what the ink was composed of, and the skill of the person doing the inscriptions. It was a new art to me. I had only a few years' practice, but the manufacturing of the ink was very similar to that of salves and potions. It took a few hours to craft an ink designed for the purpose I had in mind -- sealing ofuda (or charms). Once done, the scrolls were carefully painted; one for now and a second in case it was needed. I had not made a sealing ofuda before, but the concept did not seem terribly complicated. That night I sealed the second door into Ohtori-sama's room -- the one with the now active trap.

...

One evening, as the summer solstice approached, I was attending on Ohtori-sama in one of our evening discussions. We frequently held these in a smaller common room in the vicinity of the dining hall; it held a few small tables, one of which lay upon a slightly raised dais where Ohtori-sama would sit. Like all such rooms there were no chairs, for Japanese custom dictated that we sit upon cushions beside the low tables. Many of these meetings were held here so those who wished to join us in our debates, or merely listen, could do so. I sat on one edge of the table while Ohtori-sama sat on the long side facing out into the room with his Akita bodyguard, Masashi Akemi, standing near his right shoulder -- the side closest to me.

Ohtori-sama held a cup of sake in his paws as he stared into its depths. "Yoishi-sensei, it is approaching the summer solstice. I should have asked this of you at an earlier time, but it is not something--"

He was interrupted by the soft padding of delicate paws and the swish of heavy silk. Sakura-dono entered the room attended by her handmaiden, a petite and surprisingly beautiful Snow Leopard. The life of one named Tai Lung always stirred when I saw her; my master in that life had been a Snow Leopard. The way she moved also reminded me of him -- they both moved with grace and purpose. He had been a kung fu master, one of the earliest, and she was either a dancer...or shinobi. Perhaps both. Sakura-dono moved up toward the main table and bowed to her brother; her servant remained a few paces behind and also bowed, though far more deeply, as was appropriate.

I noticed Masashi-san shifted to stand on Ohtori-san's other side when the young lord moved his cushion closer to me and smiled at his sister.

The Otter lord gestured to the cushion beside him. "Sakura-chan! What a pleasure! Please, please, come sit beside me." He gulped his sake and gestured at the orange and white hamster serving girl for the tea to be poured. "I have some sweet buns, if you care to have one with your tea."

The young woman, who appeared to be fourteen, smiled at her eldest brother. Her fur was a slightly lighter shade than his and still carried some juvenile traits, but was quite luxurious. Her large eyes sparkled in amusement as she gracefully slid onto her cushion. "Always with the sweets, Nii-sama." (As Nii is the term used to address an elder brother.) She picked up her teacup and took a dainty sip. "Tea is sufficient, thank you." She looked at me appraisingly, as she often did. However, it was not the way one would appraise a potential bed partner, rather the way one would appraise a tool...or weapon. "I do not wish to interrupt your conversation; please, continue." Polite, but not suitable for a woman of the time; she spoke with far too much assertiveness.

Ohtori-sama did not mind in the least; indeed he appeared to appreciate it. He chuckled, making his whiskers quiver. "You are correct, dear Sister; I do seem to enjoy my sweets more often than I should. You are also right; I was in the middle of making a request." He became very serious and turned back to me. "Yoishi-sensei, I...wish to commission a piece of music and a small painting." Sakura-dono slid her paw over to clasp his; he squeezed her paw gently. "Yoishi-sensei, it is approaching the anniversary of the death of our mother and baby brother. I wish to have you compose a piece of music and play it at the shrine, as well as paint an icon to place there."

I nodded slowly. It was not something I cared to do, as I knew nothing of either person, yet -- as an artist and a guest -- he was essentially my patron, and I could not refuse. "As you will, Ohtori-sama; I will do my best. When is the anniversary?"

"Two days after the solstice."

There should be sufficient time. The icon would be done first so that it may be framed; an appropriate icon would be a mere fifteen centimetres by twenty-five or thirty centimetres and include only one focal item set against a rather plain background. The music would be more difficult. It should be five minutes at minimum and cross three emotions: the 'greeting' (which would be somewhat melancholy), the grief over the separation, and the celebration of the life.

I took a sip of my tea. "To do this justice I need to know more about them. How long ago did they pass and under what circumstances?"

Sakura-dono answered. Her voice carried traces of grief as well as a sizable amount of bitterness. "Four years ago. Mother died during childbirth; our brother did not survive, either."

Ohtori-sama lowered his head and placed his free paw over the one holding his. "Please, Sakura-chan, I know this displeases you, but now is not the time to discuss such things. We are speaking of how to honour her, not rail against the role of women in noble society."

Sakura-dono's lips curled back, exposing her teeth. "Indeed, Nii-sama, we must not discuss a topic that is only raised at this time. You rarely ever mention Mother other times of the year. Why is it wrong to ask why noblewomen are consigned to the role of bargaining tokens, ornamentation, and childbearing? Even the oxen of the peasantry are given more purpose. Why must I be happy to be consigned to the back rooms of a castle for my whole life, only to be brought outside when I am shipped off to another man's castle? Once there, I will again be confined, only brought forth when he wishes to bed me or display me as a trophy to another nobleman. I will likely suffer the same fate as Mother, dying during childbirth...or suffer a worse fate, to be ignored until I waste away from boredom and despair." She paused. "I actually do not know what is worse: be raped frequently and die during childbirth as Mother did, or be raped rarely, having few children, and live as a prisoner for a long and pointless life."

Ohtori-sama looked at me beseechingly; he was most obviously distressed by this topic, yet Sakura-dono was correct and there was nothing anyone could say to dispute it. I was about to try to provide comfort when a snide voice answered instead.

"Be silent, woman." Ichiru-dono strode into the room as if he owned it. "Your role isn't to speak or think about your fate. It isn't to even think at all. Women aren't fit for such things. Sit there, look pretty, and be happy to serve your family by making a good alliance for...us." He very briefly bowed his head to Ohtori-sama before stepping up onto the raised dais.

Masashi-san's paw tightened around his sword hilt, making the leather wrappings creak. This was an obvious breech of protocol, but neither he nor I could say a thing to a noble without Ohtori-sama first indicating we may. Ohtori-sama merely ducked his head, silently.

Sakura-dono did not remain silent. She took her paw back from Ohtori-sama and glared at her younger brother, as if she were an empress seated upon her throne. "Step down, Ichiru. You did not receive permission to approach your lord, nor did you receive permission to speak." Masashi-san gratefully moved forward to stand between Ichiru-dono and Sakura-dono. She rolled her tea cup between her paws and smiled at the furious young noble. "Step down, bow, and ask permission to approach when you have been addressed."

Ichiru-dono's paw rested on the hilt of his sword as he glared at his younger sister, then Masashi-san, and finally Ohtori-sama. Masashi-san slid the first few centimetres of his sword free; the sound seemed to echo in the deathly silent room. Ichiru-dono growled and stepped back off the dais, turned, and strode out of the room.

Sakura-dono snorted: a very unladylike noise. "Coward. He also did not have permission to leave. You are too soft on him, Nii-sama; you may lose the support of the rest of your guards and shinobi if you allow this to continue. You have already lost his." She tipped her fingers up to Masashi-san, signalling to him that he may resume his post. He promptly sheathed his sword and moved back to stand by his master.

Ohtori-sama gave her a stricken look. "Do not say such things! He is our brother, he is family. How could he turn on me?" He shook his head and raised his paws before either of us could berate him for such foolishness. "No! Do not answer; I do not want to hear such awful things. Besides, it was only a small breech of decorum; it was not worth the fuss."

I could scarce believe what I heard. "What? Ohtori-sama, you...you've_got_ to be joking. He spoke to Sakura-dono first, before you. That was rude. To walk up to the dais, with only a slight tilt of the head, and without even pausing in his stride was a major breech of etiquette. He hadn't even addressed you at that point! He hadn't asked for permission to join you! He hadn't removed his swords! If he wasn't your brother Masashi-san would have killed him for that and rightly so! Anyone else who did that would've been killed on the spot, even me, your healer! I nearly took him to task for that, consequences be damned!"

Ohtori-sama looked at me like I just struck him, then turned to his sister who just nodded. He then looked back at Masashi-san and the handmaiden; both nodded too. Even the serving girl hesitated but nodded in agreement. He cringed and held up his sake cup. The serving girl scuttled forward and poured a small amount of sake in his cup before going to add the usual splash of water. Ohtori-sama shook his head and motioned for more. She filled it up and was about to move back when Ohtori-sama gulped the liquor down and held his cup up for a refill. She topped it up again.

Sakura-dono motioned the serving girl to step back; the hamster did not even hesitate, but moved back. Sakura-dono put her paw back on her brother's paw. "Nii-sama, you are a lord; start acting as one. It is your duty, and anything less dishonours our family and those under your command. Ichiru needs to be put into his place; he is your younger brother, yes, but he is still your vassal. He cannot treat you with such disrespect and not face the consequences." She nodded to me as she continued. "Takahsahi-sensei speaks with too much familiarity and insolence, yet he is mindful of what is and is not appropriate for the situation...in most cases. However he never has treated with you with the disrespect Ichiru does. The next time our brother acts in such a dishonourable way you must act as a lord should."

Ohtori-sama cringed and went to move his paw away so he could call for more sake, but his sister held him firm. He whimpered and asked despairingly, "What would you have me do? Order him flogged?"

Both Sakura-dono and I at once said, "Yes." The certainty in our voices and the rapidity of our answer to a question he likely thought absurd struck him speechless.

I could not console him on such a topic; this was something he should have learned before he first picked up a blade. I instead addressed Sakura-dono. "Sakura-dono, what role would you have a lady assume if you believe bearing children for her husband is insufficient? I don't believe you'd go so far as to say she shouldn't bear children, as that is the duty of both the lord and lady, but what is it in addition to it?"

Sakura-dono picked up her tea cup with her free paw and took a drink. "So you would have a woman be at the whims of her husband? I care not what class we speak of, no woman should be forced into bed against her will." She reluctantly added, "Yet, you are right, it is the duty of a lord and lady to have children. I know of some lords who would rather not bed any woman, but it is still their duty to marry and sire children...and their duty to forsake the one they love." Ohtori-sama hung his head, tears forming in his eyes. Sakura-dono squeezed his paw and rubbed his fingers with her thumb. "But we speak of the role of a lady. Even though she has a duty to bear children this does not mean she has no say in when the bedding takes place. I believe a lady's place is at the side of her husband: in council, in meetings, in all things that affect their land and people. If she married into the family she is second to him. If she is the eldest she should be heir and her husband should be second to the lady. I see no reason to believe that a woman is any less capable than a man or any less deserving to rule."

A quick glance showed that Masashi-san and the serving girl were ready to fall over at the almost heretical words. Such a thing was likely beyond their understanding and completely alien. Even Ohtori-sama, who had likely heard her speak on such matters before, was taken aback.

I smiled and raised my cup. "Kampai." Sakura-dono looked shocked but raised her cup in return and drank with me. "Masashi-san, what is the role of a woman in Shinto? Is Amaterasu, the sun goddess, beneath any god? Is a priestess incapable of leading? Must she wait for a man to tell her how to do her duties?"

Masashi-san bowed his head. "No, Sensei, there is no difference between a priest and a priestess, and the sun bows to no one. Shinto doesn't offer a reason to forbid a woman from leading, but the Way of the Warrior does. It states that the role of a woman is to serve her father as an honourable daughter and then her husband as a dutiful wife."

"So teaches Confucius." I raised my cup for more tea. "Bushido is essentially Confucianism modified by Buddhism and Shinto, then further modified by Japanese traditions. However, are we talking about a woman becoming a warrior or a woman ruling beside her husband? Or even ruling on her own?"

Masashi-san was almost squirming in discomfort. "I wasn't talking about anything, Sensei; I was standing here guarding my lord." He looked at his lord's back and swallowed what he was going to say.

I said it for him. "But under bushido most would say there is no difference: a lord is a warrior and must be prepared to lead his men into battle." Ohtori-sama cringed. I smiled at him and continued. "What does bushido say about a lord who was a warrior but has grown too old to fight? Should his wisdom and experience be discounted because he can't swing a sword? What about a lord who brings strengths other than force of arms to his role? Should the emperor, long may he live, be leading armies on the field of battle, or is that the duty of his shogun and generals? A lord is one who cares for his people. That doesn't mean he has to lead them into battle if he's better served elsewhere. This is also completely irrelevant because there's nothing to say a woman can't fight. I've seen some pretty nasty barroom brawls and the serving women can be pretty dangerous."

Sakura-dono looked interested. "Is this so? Are there tales of fierce women warriors? Have any led men into battle?"

Ohtori-sama looked a little pained. "Sakura-chan, would such tales be wise? I am far more lenient than any would recommend, yet you are treading on dangerous ground as it is. What if I cannot find a tolerant husband for you? What if the Imagawa or i families insist that I give you to one of their sons? We could not refuse; we could not survive without their backing."

I smiled softly. "The Imagawa and i are too vulnerable to risk dedicating many resources to such a venture. The Takeda sit on their doorstep and hunger for their lands. A daring and skilled leader could play them off each other, but it'd be a very risky venture. If war did break out, the Ohtori would likely fall or be forced to become a direct vassal."

Sakura-dono looked thoughtful. "It would be a difficult thing for a lord married to the daughter of the i to accomplish; that marriage would tie us too closely to refuse such a reasonable request. However..." She trailed off, gazing at a blank spot on the far wall. After a few seconds of silence, excluding the sound of Masashi-san's grip tightening on his sword, she asked, "Where did you place Takahashi-sensei's painting, Nii-sama? If it had a complimentary piece it would fit very nicely on that wall, with the second flanking the door."

Masashi-san kept a hostile glare focused on her back but removed his paw from his sword. Sakura-dono's handmaiden, who stood near her lady's other shoulder, shifted her paws in her sleeves-likely removing them from some knives.

I held my cup up to be refilled. "Has any of the spring picking gone to market, yet, Ohtori-sama? I would like to see how it turned out; the spring has been damp for much of Japan. Young tea leaves brewed slow/ Water clear becomes darkened/ As light fades from view."

Ohtori-sama was delighted to have the conversation turn to lighter subjects and quickly began discussing the possible benefits of the weather on the tea crop.

...

The next afternoon I sat upon the battlements over the training ground meditating on the icon I was to paint. Despite the noise I found this to be a more pleasant place to meditate on painting; the view was spectacular. Even when the subject was not to be Mount Fuji, there was an almost mystical element to the sight of the volcano that was capable of inspiring the most jaded artist. I know not if it could truly be called 'holy,' but I have believed, and do believe, it to be sacred. I had decided on the subject: another sacred piece of nature. Later in the previous evening, Sakura-dono had mentioned that, despite her name, their mother was most fond of flowering trees, especially peach trees. 'Sakura' even means 'cherry blossom.' I was going to paint the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, a tree the master of Tai Lung spoke of many times. It was a tree on the edge of a cliff beside the monastery where kung fu was first taught and should make a nice picture. I was just figuring out how to best paint it.

My meditation was interrupted by the voice I was coming to dread most in this castle: Ohtori Ichiru. He walked into the courtyard loudly boasting of his skill with the katana and demanded Sergeant Kaito bring him a challenge. I sincerely hoped the sergeant would leave me out of this. I shifted so I could see what was going on without looking like I was watching, but did so slowly enough that I may escape attention.

My hopes were realized when the sergeant said, "I don't have any trainees that could provide a challenge for you, Ohtori-dono. Would you be willing to take on a pair of them, using shinai of course?" He gestured for two of his trainees to step forward.

The young Otter sneered, "Shinai? Bamboo training swords? What do you take me for!? I'm a warrior, I don't use toys!" He spat on the smooth stone floor where the soldiers trained; there was a soft gasp from the crowd.

Sergeant Kaito's eyes narrowed ever so slightly; it was the only reaction he had toward the dire insult to him and his training grounds. "I beg your indulgence, young lord, but it's forbidden for a low ranking samurai to wield a sword against a nobleman." That was not entirely true, but sufficient for the purpose.

"Then they can use shinai." Ichiru-dono's pronouncement caused a murmur of concern to ripple through the twenty-odd young men.

Sergeant Kaito's ears flicked; he was trying very hard to maintain a respectful stance and demeanour. I had thought for sure he was a supporter of Ichiru-dono, but after this he certainly would not be. The Tanuki bowed apologetically. "I'm sorry, Ohtori-dono, but I cannot allow my students to be cut down like that. They're under my protection. If it pleases you, I will face you in a duel. As training master, I may provide some challenge; however it would displease the lord of this castle should either of us be injured. The security of these lands requires that training continue uninterrupted, and the lord doesn't want his brother to be injured. I must beg your indulgence in this matter; we should use shinai as your father did in his duels."

My opinion of the Tanuki rose considerably. He was risking much with this and most men of his position, when faced with a volatile nobleman, would let the noble do as he wished with the trainees -- they did belong to the noble's brother after all. Sergeant Kaito would be safe from Ohtori-sama's potential wrath as well had he gone through with it, too, for it was Ichiru-dono's decision.

Ichiru-dono flicked his paw dismissively. "And look where his weakness landed him. Dead beneath an Oni's foot in an attempt to save some squalling peasant cub. A lord is worth more than one cub, or even one village. Take up your shinai, then."

I believe I may have liked Ohtori-sama's father; a pity he was not still around to bludgeon some sense into his younger son. I was having trouble believing this arrogant snot had any support within the castle; who could hope this creature gained power? He would see the world burn for his own amusement. I did not trust him to duel honourably, so I sought out something I may use as a projectile while Sergeant Kaito fetched two shinai. I found a small piece of stone which would be sufficient for my purposes and began letting my chi flow through it.

The Tanuki quickly returned with the shinai and bowed as he passed one to Ichiru-dono. The Otter's lips curled up in disgust as he accepted it, though I noted he was violating protocol by retaining his daisho -- the paired swords of the samurai. They stepped back from each other and raised their 'swords' in salute as the crowd moved to the edge of the courtyard.

Ichuri-dono charged forward and launched a very aggressive series of attacks against the startled samurai. Their staves made a very loud clack as they met in a rapid cadence of strike, block, and counter-strike. The ferocity of the young noble's attacks was incredible, as was his skill. Sergeant Kaito was giving ground, though I could see that he was not going full out; he was toying with the cub and assuaging his ego. It appeared Ichiru-dono was perceptive enough to see this as well.

The Otter changed the pattern of his attacks to a more conservative, if faster, pattern. The clatter of the blades increased in tempo as they decreased in volume. Twice I saw the sergeant barely deflect the shinai and his mouth opened as he began to pant. Ichiru-dono smirked and struck with his hindpaw, attempting to catch his opponent and either trip him or injure his hindpaw. It was tactically sound but most uncouth. This appeared to anger Kaito-sensei.

The Tanuki shifted his stance, switched into a one-pawed grip, and drew his targeted hindpaw back. He began his counter-attack, weaving his shinai around in tight patterns while keeping most of his body back out of range of the shorter swordsman.

It appeared Ichiru-dono had never encountered such a style before; he began quickly giving ground and his swings became wider as he attempted to bat the dancing shinai out of position. The only thing this accomplished was to open his guard up a little at a time. The sergeant was very familiar with the flexibility of the shinai, and was able to make wildly divergent strikes while keeping his paw centred, but the noble had scoffed at the use of non-metal weapons such that he was used to stiff blades. The youngster could not accept the change and suffered for it. He yelped as his guard was pierced and the flexible bamboo struck his upper arm; a large welt would soon form beneath his fur. In a few more seconds several blows landed on his arms, side, and thigh.

Sergeant Kaito stepped back and swung his shinai up in a salute. "Enough. The duel is over."

Ichiru-dono growled and jumped forward. "It's over when I say it's over." He threw his shinai aside when Kaito-sensei had resumed his stance and drew his katana. The steel blade sliced cleanly through the bamboo, sending two-thirds of it flying aside. The crowd yelled in anger at the breach of all codes of honour and civility, though they quickly fell silent. Sergeant Kaito staggered back in shock, but managed to block a second strike, losing a third of his remaining weapon. Ichiru-dono smiled grimly in triumph and brought his steel blade down at the defeated Tanuki's neck.

The stone in my paw was sufficiently attuned to me, enabling me to quickly charge it with some chi before hurling it at Ichiru-dono's katana. It connected with the metal in mid-swing with the noise of a gong, stopping the blade where it was. I could see the vibrations travel up the vile Otter's arms; the blade dropped from his numbed paws and clattered to the stone. I stood and stretched as if roused from meditation, hiding a satisfied smile.

The duellists did not smile. Ichiru-dono looked about searching for the interloper while Sergeant Kaito lunged forward and punched the Otter in the face, kicking the katana aside as he did so. Ichiru-dono fell sprawled over the smooth stone with a grunt and a stunned expression on his face. The Tanuki was furious. He reached down and hauled the noble to his hindpaws. Then he unbuckled the Otter's belt and stripped his daisho from him. Sergeant Kaito strode over, picked up the katana, and sheathed it.

The Tanuki snarled as he walked back to Ichiru-dono. The Otter gathered his wits and was about to issue a command, when he was struck across the other cheek. Sergeant Kaito's voice echoed across the courtyard, "Hear this, you worthless louts! You've just seen behaviour that's even beneath you! The rawest recruit knows better than to engage in this shit! A samurai's pup who just learned to stand knows better! You are all witnesses and may be called before Lord Ohtori; if and when you are, tell the truth about what you saw. Dismissed!" His gaze flicked up to me and he nodded slightly before he dragged Ichiru-dono out of the courtyard by the scruff of his neck.

...

A week later I attended Sergeant Kaito's funeral.

The sergeant had dragged Ichiru-dono through the castle until they found Ohtori-sama and the sergeant laid out the lout's crimes. Ohtori-sama was at a loss, but he said that Tetsuo-san and Sakura-dono were there and advised him when he called for a break to think about it. After a brief recess he followed some of their advice: Ichiru-dono was confined to his rooms for two weeks, though they also pushed for a public flogging, and his daisho was confiscated until he turned twenty. A punishment of Ohtori-sama's own devising was that for a month, including the two weeks Ichiru-dono was confined, his brother was to wear a muzzle whenever he was out of his room -- as a mark of his shame -- and word of his crimes were to be passed to all residents of the castle. Furthermore, he was only permitted to wear or wield a shinai as a weapon for three months.

Sergeant Kaito was given ten lashes for striking a higher ranked samurai; it was the lowest penalty permitted under law for that crime. Tetsuo-san administered the punishment that sunset, and, while each strike drew blood, they were as 'gentle' as a lash could get. I had the honour of treating his wounds -- they healed by morning.

Ohtori-sama was devastated by these events, though Sakura-dono was delighted. She initially thought Ichiru-dono got off too easily, but the shaming was what she was most excited by. She believed, correctly, that Ichiru-dono would have preferred a public flogging than such a public shaming. The flogging was done and over with quickly, but to be muzzled for a month would be like a fresh strike from a lash every time a person saw him. To be denied any form of weapon outside of the shinai, the weapon he dishonoured himself with, was to be branded by his failing -- for everyone knew what it signified.

However, the castle was rife with tension the entire week. Fights broke out frequently and it was dangerous for any serf or servant to speak ill of Ichiru-dono around any samurai. Even around other servants it could prove hazardous, if at a later time. I believed it was the shinobi hiding amongst the servants who took exception to ill words about the disgraced Otter. On the sixth day I was informed that some farmers had found Kaito-sensei floating in the river, but his body had washed away before it could be retrieved.

The funeral was kept low key and quiet. I noticed that many who came to pay their respects appeared more satisfied than grieved, with the exception of some of the youngest samurai. They had likely received personal training by him. I believe that two-thirds of the samurai I saw were pleased at his demise, though the ten minutes I was there did not provide a large sample. It did not bode well for Ohtori-sama's continued rule...though that would not be an issue for long.

...

It was the morning following the funeral that I received another surprise. I was in the courtyard in which Kaito-sensei used to teach; it was strangely quiet and empty with all the students gone and thus I moved to the spot where the Tanuki used to stand while conducting drills. I began going through some forms and was on my fifth repetition when I smelt Sakura-dono sneaking up behind me.

I waited until she was within a katana length of me before spinning down low and moving in close, my paw stopping when it almost touched her chin. I was surprised to note that her handmaiden was three paces away and did not react, though Sakura-dono most certainly did.

She stopped suddenly, eyes wide, and then stepped back uncertainly. She turned her head slightly to address her handmaiden while keeping her eyes fixed on me. Her voice barely betrayed her shock; the young Otter was most brave. "It appears you are correct, Yukiko-chan. He is not dancing." Her full attention turned back to me. "Who are you? Why are you here? Are you an Imagawa or i shinobi here to make sure the wedding contract is fulfilled? If that is the case then why not make your presence, or more accurately your intent, known to the Ohtori shinobi?"

I stepped back and bowed. "I'm sorry about nearly striking you, Sakura-dono. It wasn't my intent to harm or scare you; however, given recent events it wasn't a very smart idea to sneak up on someone you think is a shinobi." I took on a teasing tone. "How do you know I wasn't dancing? Just because I almost hit you when you snuck up on me? That just means I can go from dancing to defending myself from attack. Why does knowing unarmed combat styles mean I'm a shinobi? There are many monks and other individuals who know those skills -- they aren't shinobi."

Her eyes narrowed. "Monks and priests do not travel in such a manner. Nor do they seduce and bed any daimyo who strike their fancy."

I gave her an evil grin. "What of one who took priest training and left before taking the final vows? Besides, there aren't any vows preventing a Shinto priest from seducing a daimyo; there just aren't all that many daimyo who want to be seduced that way. It took some work but your brother is well worth it and enjoys it as much as I do."

Sakura-dono blushed and opened her mouth a few times before spluttering, "I did not need to hear such things! He is my brother; such information is not appropriate!"

"You brought it up...Sakura-dono. May I ask why you interrupted my exercise?"

The Otter lady frowned at me. "To ask your purpose while my brother is not around. Do you truly expect me to believe you are a...samurai who failed his training as a Shinto priest and is now travelling as an artist and minstrel seducing daimyo he stays with? You have no ulterior motive being here other than my brother is feeding you and sharing his bed? That is...preposterous."

I shook my head amused. "I never claimed to be a samurai...or anything other than an artist. It's everyone else who keeps adding titles, motives, and history to me. I know that no matter what I say people will believe what they've already decided is true."

"You have a family name. Only samurai have family names. Only those who have pride would give it despite seeking to play at being a peasant artist. You were born to a samurai family and raised by them; that is the only reason for you to unthinkingly claim your name."

She had me there; I did give my family name without thinking it through. A very careless mistake. My father had earned the family name seven years ago while on a mission for Takeda-sama. He completed his mission, leaving my mother behind to die to do so, but he also died shortly after returning home from his wounds. My grandfather, my siblings, and I were granted the name Takahashi. The kanji, the symbols used in Japanese writing, used to write the name were the ones for taka: 'death' or 'the next world' and hashi: 'bridge'. Our name essentially meant 'Bridge to the Next World,' as opposed to the more common meaning 'High Bridge.' With a family name we were technically given the status of a samurai, though being peasant-born we were always treated as less than samurai.

I laughed, causing her fur to bristle in anger. I waved my paw at her in an attempt to soothe her. "Then shouldn't that prove I'm not a shinobi? What shinobi would be so foolish as to give their name like that and become...fond of their target or ward? Or whatever motive I'll be given next. It appears I've gone from trying to kill him to trying to protect him. Who knows what I'll be blamed for trying next. Doesn't it make more sense for me to be samurai-born; one who was orphaned at a young age, raised in a monastery, and who then struck out on his own when he became of age? I have my name, the skills of a martial artist, the grounding in philosophy and art I demonstrate, and the reason to travel. It'd also be why I don't carry the daisho and why I'm quite comfortable acting as a member of any 'class,' since I would've been raised outside of the class structure. Far less mysterious and complicated than the conspiracies swirling around me, yes? I swear to you, I care for your brother and would love to take him with me, or stay here with him, but duty doesn't allow that. He's promised to be married." It felt like my heart was on the verge of breaking. 'And I'm ordered to kill him before that happens. Damn duty and honour!'

Sakura-dono relaxed and smiled. "I wish he could go with you and I am most certain he does, too. He would be most pleased to be able to travel and see new places without the worry caused by being daimyo. He was born in the wrong family." She bowed. "Takahashi-sensei, would you train me? If you must leave I would learn what I can to protect him."

I stepped back in surprise. "Sakura-dono? I...don't understand; there are many shinobi here who could train you in unarmed -- or armed -- combat. Why me? You have one not four paces back. Ask Yukiko-san to train you."

She crossed her arms and frowned. "You refuse me, peasant, samurai, priest, shinobi, artist, healer? Did I forget any? Ah, yes, minstrel and acrobat. Whomever and whatever you are, you are skilled -- greatly so -- and the wise student seeks out many teachers."

"The wise also don't claim to be wise." My teasing caused her to roll her eyes in amusement. "Very well, Sakura-dono." Her eyes lit up before I said, "Let me make some unfounded accusations." I received the expected response: surprise and anger. "Someone wants to kill Ohtori-sama, someone close to him that has the support of at least several of his shinobi. There's no way so many assassination attempts could get that close to him -- killing so many of his personal guard, and even nearly killing him twice since I've been here -- without some of his shinobi being traitors. That would imply that either you or Ichiru-dono, or both, are plotting against him. Why would I want to help someone who could be trying to kill the one I love?" I did not mean to say that last line quite that way.

My eyes widened in shock, as did Sakura-dono's. My surprise did not prevent me from seeing the two daggers flung at me by Yukiko-san. I slipped down and aside, placing Sakura-dono between the shinobi and me, letting the daggers fly past. I did note that it was the handles that would have struck me had I not dodged. It appeared Yukiko-san thought me too valuable to harm...at the moment.

The Snow Leopard did still hiss angrily as she pulled out two more daggers. "You'll apologise and beg for her forgiveness, knave!"

Sakura-dono snapped angrily at her handmaiden, "Silence!" She glared fiercely at me. "You dare to speak to me in such a manner?" She deflated. "But...you are correct. Ichiru has the support of many of the samurai and some of the shinobi. He does not think Kaoru is capable of leading the samurai and will destroy our family name. He seeks to usurp Kaoru's place and marry the daughter of i instead."

I shook my head. "You've volunteered too much, young one. There's no way you could know all of this without having the support of many shinobi yourself. You wouldn't have one acting as your handmaiden, either. Does Kagura-chan answer to you or to Kaoru-sama?"

We both ignored Yukiko-san's growls. Sakura-dono sighed, defeated. "To Kaoru. She is one of the few still loyal to him alone. She does not know how deeply the division runs through her clan; she still thinks they are all still loyal to my brother. She is a good person, perhaps too good to be a shinobi, but such loyalty is most admirable. I love my eldest brother, Yoishi-sensei. I would support him to my dying breath, but can he lead? Is our land better off under him?" She shook her head. "It is better off under him than under Ichiru, but without me to protect him and advise him he would be dead in days -- likely even before my carriage left the castle. I do not know what to do. I cannot kill him, nor can I kill Ichiru. Kaoru would find out who did it and he would not understand. I would lose his respect and my influence over him, and doom the family name. Unless I can prove that Ichiru is behind these attempts on his life, he would do as he did when Ichiru sought to kill Kaito-sensei. Attempt to brush it off and ignore it."

Sakura-dono at least believed what she said or could control her chi such that it did not betray her deceit, for I could find no indication that she spoke a falsehood. She seemed genuinely distraught and eager to protect Ohtori-sama. That did not mean her supporters were innocent of any attempts on his life, nor that she was innocent of all wrong in this matter. Nor did it mean I trusted her. It did mean that I was going to show her some trust; I would rather see her take over these lands than Ichiru-dono. However, would her leadership serve the interests of Takeda-sama?

Regardless of that question, I knew my answer. "Very well, I don't know what you expect to learn in a single season, but I'll entertain your request. But be warned, if I find out you're acting against Kaoru-sama I'll consider that a personal betrayal and act accordingly. Do you still want me to teach you, knowing that?"

Yukiko-san looked ready to skin me alive, but Sakura-dono didn't miss a beat. "Yes." She bowed deeply to her new master. "Kindly give me your advice, Sensei. I will honour your trust and your lessons."

"Then let us begin." I glanced over to the doorway where Kagura-chan was hiding, wondering what she thought of all of this. She was too far to hear our words, but the body language and expressions would have spoken volumes. What would Yukiko-san say when she was questioned later?

I made certain to tell Ohtori-sama most of what transpired the next time I saw him, leaving out the details of the schism in his castle. He would be unable to do anything about it, due to his personality, and it would cause him to fret greatly. Ohtori-sama did not entirely approve but he allowed us to continue.

...

Two days later, after lunch, I was called to the common room in which we held our frequent evening discussions and was asked to bring my shakuhachi, my flute. Once I arrived, I saw Sakura-dono sitting by the raised table holding a biwa. Biwa were short-necked lutes with varying number of frets and strings that were played with large bachi, a type of plectrum several times larger than a guitar pick. This biwa had the most frets and strings common to the instrument -- six and five respectively -- making it one of the most complex and expressive of that style.

I was not expecting Sakura-dono to have been the one to summon me but approached the dais and stopped at an appropriate distance to bow. Yukiko-san moved from the shadows to stand at her mistress's shoulder.

"Approach, Takahashi-sensei." She did not look at me; instead she began to play a slow tune. I had heard far better players, though considering her age and the limited time she likely had to practice, it was not unexpected.

I walked up to the table and sat at my customary spot. "I normally study at this time, Sakura-dono. Why did you call me here?" Yukiko-san frowned at the question; I got the distinct impression the Snow Leopard did not care for me.

I stopped my ear from twitching at the very faint scuffing in the rafters; we were being spied upon. I could barely smell a fourth scent. It appeared to be a Feline of some sort; the room had enough people passing through that it was difficult to discern that much information. I suspected it was Kagura-chan trying to determine if we were plotting against Ohtori-sama, but it may have been her brother -- who likely worked for Ichiru-dono.

The strings plinked and quavered as she played for a few more seconds in silence. Her voice was very faint when she finally spoke. "I heard that the icon was done and is now being framed. What of the music? Would it be too difficult to write something I could play along with you? I...miss her, Sensei; I want to do something for her. Please. This is the time of day I would spend with her, learning what little a woman is permitted to know. Frivolous, trivial things, like flower arrangement." She struck a loud, discordant chord on her biwa. "Music, how to speak to whom, things that are appropriate for a woman to say in whatever company she may find herself in. You cannot believe how little a woman can discuss in certain people's presence. How to rebuff the advances of a man unworthy of your status without discouraging him or causing insult."

I cut in when she paused to breathe in. "Gozan Tomoe, mistress of Yoshinaka Kiso." I smiled when Sakura-dono paused in confusion. "You had asked about tales of women warriors; she is one of the most famous. The sisters Gozan were attendants of Yoshinaka-sama and Gozan Tomoe was his mistress and most trusted warrior. She was given command of many samurai during his battles and fought at his side when he was finally defeated. I don't know the full tale of her achievements, but there have been accomplished and celebrated women in Japan and China. As for your more recent question, I...can try. From the little I've seen you're a better fighter than musician." She blushed in embarrassment and shame. "I'm also not a biwa player. Furthermore, I'm finding it difficult to write such an important piece of music on short notice. Finishing fast enough to give you time to practice will be a big challenge, but I will try."

Sakura-dono bowed her head, pleased.

...

The morning of the memorial found me waking with a start. Ohtori-sama was awake and his slight restlessness had woken me. He was obviously anxious and upset. I gently pulled my Otter over to me and put his right ear over my heart. "You woke up early, Kaoru-sama. It's early for me."

He clung to me, but kept his ear where it was, listening to the slow and steady drumming of my heart. "I miss her, Yoishi."

"I know. Sakura-dono does, too. Mothers are incredible people and make an eternal impression on their children. It's okay to grieve their passing."

"I keep losing all whom I care for and trust. Mother, Father, my bodyguards, Kaito, then...you and my sisters. I will lose Sakura and you too, and soon. I am alone, Yoishi. I am cursed to be alone, sending those under my care out to die or to take a blade or poison meant for me. My loved ones must leave to never return and strangers must take their place. This woman who comes to be my wife will seek to bend me to the i will, and then, as Sakura said, she most likely shall die while giving birth -- taking her and my child. My daughters must be traded off as bargaining chips, like their aunts before them. My sons must lead armies or squads of samurai in combat." He sobbed. "I do not want to be alone."

I knew all too well how he felt, but with deeper certainty and inevitability. I had lost, and lost, and lost. Always finding myself with new parents, family, and friends; always seeing them torn from me through violence, disease, or distance, and knowing I would never be able to stop it. The Fates may not be forsworn, nor Death denied.

"I know, Kaoru, I know exactly how you feel." I rubbed his back, soothingly. "We live two different lives, but some things aren't so different after all. The best we can do is take comfort when we can, treasure what we have when we have it, and let them pass when it's time. For now, we're here, together, so don't waste time grieving before we have to part; we'll have more than enough time to do that later."

He lifted his head up slightly to blindly look at me through the darkness, tears slowly trickling down his furry cheeks. "I do not wish to marry. I do not wish to lose you." He rolled so he lay atop me, chest to chest. "I want to wake each morning beside you...or -- as occurs more often -- wake and have you jump through the curtains to greet me." He smiled sadly. "Yet, such is not meant to be. How can I not grieve, knowing this?" Ohtori-sama's expressive brown eyes flitted over my face, as if he sought some source of comfort in my concealed face. "I will try to not let it ruin what little time we have." He stifled a yawn before kissing me. "It is early. I will sleep a little longer, perhaps to wake in a less melancholy mood." He rolled off me and appeared to be sound asleep before he hit the mattress.

I watched him sadly for a few minutes, sleep the farthest thing from my mind, before quietly slipping out of the bed and beginning my exercise. Damn the generals of Takeda-sama... However, Ohtori-sama did say something of interest. He did not wish to marry. I was ordered to kill him before he married the daughter of i. Could I somehow convince him to...abandon his family, betray his people, forsake his honour, go against everything he has been taught and believed in? For what? It was not like I could very well bring him to live with me in Takeda-sama's castle. And I swore an oath to serve my lord; I could not break it to live with Ohtori-sama on the road, whether we stayed in Japan as fugitives or went to Korea or China in exile. My honour was my life, as it would be for Ohtori-sama. No, the Fates had me boxed in most cruelly.

It was shortly after breakfast that the Ohtori siblings gathered together and went to the nearby temple. The four Otters were accompanied by a sizable entourage: Akemi and Tetsuo, Yukiko, two samurai with Ichiru-dono, a handmaiden with Ohtori-sama's baby sister, and six samurai as general guards. There was also a servant to attend to whatever things may require it and one to drive the carriage and watch the horses.

Sakura-dono nearly caused a row even before everyone had arrived at the stable or anyone sat upon their horse. As she walked up to the stables with Yukiko-san, rather than waiting by the front hall, she pronounced, "I shall ride upon my own horse. I do not wish to ride in the carriage like some incompetent child."

At this point, there was only Sakura-dono, Ichiru-dono, Yukiko-san, the two samurai guards of Ichiru-dono, and myself present.

Ichiru-dono sneered at her. "You are incompetent; you are a woman. Women cannot ride a horse; a pony perhaps, one so docile it may as well be dead, but not a horse. Wait by the hall like you were ordered, woman." He was barely intelligible through his muzzle, but even if one could not decipher the words, the tone was obvious.

Sakura-dono smiled sweetly at him. "I am sorry, but you must learn how to pronounce your words, Ichiru, if you wish to be understood. It is almost as if you were muzzled. Oh, I apologize, I forgot! You shamed and dishonoured yourself, did you not?" The false sweetness vanished. "Silence yourself, honourless cur. Do not seek to determine the competence of others if you are incapable of engaging in a simple duel without cheating. I think the ghost of Kaito-sensei would find your words on competence most insulting."

Ichiru-dono and his samurai guards scowled most viciously and all reached for their katana. Ichiru-dono jerked his paw away from the hilt of his shinai when he touched the bamboo, and turned his murderous gaze to his brother, who was just arriving with his samurai.

I noticed that the clothing which Sakura-dono wore had divided skirts designed for riding, so when the grooms brought forth the horses I took the reins of Ohtori-sama's horse and said, "The Lady Sakura wishes to ride, prepare a horse for her." I nodded to Yukiko-san. "Will you be needing a horse, Yukiko-san, or will you be riding in the carriage?" She did not have clothing suitable to horseback riding.

Yukiko-san's tone spoke of long-suffering patience. "I shall ride beside the carriage driver so I can keep an eye on my lady." It seemed like Sakura-dono would receive an earful later.

Ohtori-sama looked around in concern, noting the hostility of the gathering. "What is the trouble? We are preparing to honour our deceased mother; this is no time to be bickering." He addressed Sakura-dono specifically. "Why are you here and not at the front hall with Rei-chan?"

The lady Otter tilted her head up defiantly. "I will be riding my own horse, Nii-sama. I find the carriage becomes too stuffy and uncomfortable on the rough roads."

Ohtori-sama nodded, confused. "Very well, I trust that was not the source of tension. You may ride if you wish; there is no law preventing it, nor any custom discouraging it." Ohtori-sama made no comment about the way Ichiru-dono was violating protocol by having two personal guards -- as if the younger Otter was the daimyo.

Ichuri-dono turned away to mount his horse, fury and disgust marking his movements.

...

The temple lay along the same route as the waterfall, on the western slope of Mount Ashitaka. The road was in moderate repair, considering the little traffic it typically saw, but I would have been most unhappy should I have been forced to ride in a carriage along it. We travelled in pairs; I walked beside Ohtori-sama followed by Masashi-san and Tetsuo-san, then came Ichiru-dono and a samurai, Sakura-dono and Ichiru-dono's second samurai, the carriage, and the six general samurai.

As we travelled I could feel the murderous intent in Ichiru-dono's gaze strengthen upon my back, as it did with his two samurai bodyguards. This went beyond normal hostility -- they were planning something. I wished to warn Ohtori-sama's guards and Sakura-dono, but I could not think of a way to do so without tipping my paw. Then again, all involved seemed to have attributed motives and abilities to suit their hopes or fears, so I was uncertain what difference it would make.

I fell back to walk between Tetsuo-san and Akemi-san for a moment. "Everything is going well? Neither of you are overheating?" When they looked down at me I held my paws where only they could see and quickly drew the symbol for 'ambush' on my paw and pointed back to Ichiru-dono.

Tetsuo-san and Akemi-san stiffened up reflexively, but the Macaque covered it by saying, "We are samurai, Healer. A little heat will not unhorse us." He sounded honestly indignant. "You may want to inquire as to Sakura-dono's wellbeing if you're so concerned about others." He pretended to fiddle with the placement of his katana while making sure it was loose in its scabbard.

I took the hint and fell back to walk at Sakura-dono's side, on the outside of the road where Yukiko-san could see my paws but none of Ichiru-dono's men could. We were approaching a bend in the road where the bamboo grew thick along the roadside.

She prevented me from speaking, however. "I am in good health and spirits, Takahashi-sensei. You need not trouble yourself on my account."

I took on an amused tone, drawing her gaze to me. "Indeed? That's quite a relief." I swiftly sketched the symbol for 'ambush' again, noting Yukiko-san immediately rubbed her arms, as if in discomfort, to check her knives. "In that case, I'll return to Ohtori-sama." I flicked my eyes back to the carriage, hoping she would take cover there when the trouble began, if only to protect her sister.

I suddenly realized I had not actually spoken to the youngest Ohtori at any point, and only ever saw her at meal time. It was not surprising when looked at from one perspective, yet considering how I kept running into Ohtori-sama's other two siblings I would have expected to have spoken to her at least once.

I pushed the thought from my mind and ran forward to my position beside my lover. I wondered if Tetsuo-san would ask to move ahead of their lord or remain between Ichiru-dono and Ohtori-sama. Judging from hostility I could sense directed at me, and presumably the daimyo, it was likely a better decision to stay where they were.

We passed from the sunny farmland and into the dappled light of the bamboo forest coating the western flank of the volcanic mountain. The road would soon be turning around a large rock outcropping and the bamboo grew closer; the large stalks bent overhead forming a solid canopy as we continued on. I sniffed the air, catching the scent of many Furs, almost a dozen, and...two Oni. This, even without treachery from within, would be unpleasant.

I raised my voice, though not enough to be overheard by our ambushers. "Ohtori-sama, have you heard any rumours of more Oni coming down from the eastern side of Ashitaka? This is the second most common time for mated pairs to raid." Those warned of the ambush fluffed their fur up in alarm. "Have your patrols swept through here recently?"

Ichiru-dono mumbled something through his muzzle, but it was unintelligible. His tone was contemptuous, though this was not truly surprising. His eyes then darted back toward the carriage nervously, a reaction I found most perplexing.

Ohtori-sama glanced back at his younger brother, but answered my question. "Indeed, my patrols were sent up this road yesterday. They went much farther up the road than we will and were not expected back. They will, if all goes as planned, meet up with us as we leave the temple." His tone became nervous. "Why? Have you seen signs of Oni?"

Ah, so these Furs I smell may be samurai loyal to Ichiru-dono, though I could not understand how they could work with Oni. Oni did not answer to Furs, nor did they care overly for wealth -- who would sell to one who may choose to eat them and keep the goods offered for sale? They only answered to powerful magic, such as wielded by malevolent Fey or Demons. Many powerful Demons were rumoured to have brought Oni back to the hells to breed, or to have taken over an area populated by Oni and turned them into shock troops. If such was the case now, we would be in trouble with the help of Ichiru-dono and his bodyguards. Even a Succubus would not be strong enough to subdue two Oni for long.

We began to round the corner and slowed when we saw an old female Otter in grey robes leaning on a staff in the middle of the road. The scent of the Furs betrayed their presence ahead and to either side of this old woman, with two more sneaking around to approach from behind us. The scent of the Oni vanished once the woman came into view. To our left was dense bamboo, to our right a large rock face rose out of the greenery. The rock was different than the last time we came by here; it was closer to the road and a different shape. I suspected an illusion.

Tetsuo-san rode forward, calling out, "Make way, grandmother; we are passing."

I looked at her closely, sniffing the air once more. She was beautiful, even though age made her frail and touched her fur with white. Yet, I could smell bone. She did not seem to wear bone and the scent could only come from her. So to combine that and the illusion over the Oni... "'Ware, Tetsuo-san. We are in the presence of a Fey, a Kitsune to be precise." I addressed the Fey, "Why do you block our path? We seek to honour our ancestors at the temple ahead and look for no trouble."

There were shocked expressions from all, excluding the Kitsune, at my pronouncement. The Kitsune merely looked amused. Her form wavered and shrunk into that of a large feral fox; her bright red fur showed no signs of age, from her delicate black nose to the twin white tips of her two tails. The scent of bone came from the Otter skull she wore on her head in place of the more customary reed or broad leaf.

Her musical voice danced through the rustling of the bamboo leaves, making up for the lack of birdsong. "Ah, I've heard of you, but I never thought I'd actually get to meet you." Her eyes seemed to pierce my soul, reading all of my secrets. She knew what I was, that I was an Ancient One. She sat, her tails coiled around each side of her to cover her paws. "This truly is a noteworthy day."

The shocked stares shifted from the Kitsune to me. I ignored them. "You have now met me. I would be delighted to walk with you and talk for an hour, once my duty at the temple is complete. Would you care to accompany us?" I hoped her presence here was incidental, mere curiosity and mischief, not as an accomplice in this treason. My hopes were dashed by her toothy smile.

There was the twang of a bowstring from one of the assailants now at our flank. The arrow flew unerringly at Tetsuo-san, but he swiftly drew his sword and deflected it. Ichiru-dono yelled something and charged after the two archers, followed by his two men. Two of the six samurai at the rear of the carriage also followed him. Five samurai after the source of a single arrow? At least I knew the treason would only entail abandonment and not these five joining our attackers.

The tips of the Kitsune's tails twitched and the illusion hiding the two Oni vanished. They were massive brutes, typical of their kind, easily twice the height of Tetsuo-san on horseback. Their blue, furless bodies were knotted in muscle, their black hair hung wildly around their muzzle-less faces, and their tiny gold eyes peered out from under bushy white eyebrows. Massive fangs sprouted from both their upper and lower jaws, poking past their lips to rest upon their homely faces. Their danger came from more than their large teeth, sharps horns, and ferocious claws; it came from their two metre-long iron clubs -- their kanabo.

The ten Furs waiting in ambush also charged out from cover. Four carried bows and stood on the rock outcropping. They unleashed a barrage of arrows at us before their comrades could close. Tetsuo-san easily deflected those aimed at him, but I had to leap onto Ohtori-sama's horse to catch three others. The ambushers all wore peasant's garb but carried a samurai's weapons, including the daisho. Amateurs.

I turned to Ohtori-sama quickly as I jumped back onto the road. "Get to the carriage! Protect your sister!" I wished to also say, 'And stay out of combat.' He nodded and wheeled his horse around, letting the four other samurai flow past him. I watched them carefully to ensure none would take a swipe at the tempting target he presented -- he hadn't even drawn a sword.

Yukiko-san stood on the carriage seat -- the driver having taken cover -- and hurled several daggers at the archers. She struck one in the throat, ripping his windpipe open. A second caught a dagger under his arm; the long, thin blade slid between his ribs and pierced his lung and heart. Another dagger bounced off the tunic of a third, ripping a large gash in the fabric and scratching the bright green armour beneath.

Sakura-dono drew two ninjato from her sleeves -- those being straight-bladed short swords frequently used by shinobi due to their ease of concealment -- and charged the Oni. "For my father!"

'Fool!' I thought. Her war cry only served to ensure the Oni knew she was coming...as if the thundering hoof beats weren't enough warning. I ran forward, ducking under Masashi-san's horse, since the Akita was busy fighting three foes, and sought to aid my student. No one was close to her, being too smart to try to fight Oni without long spears.

The closest Oni, who was still by the cliff edge as if waiting for an opening to enter the fray without squashing his allies, bounced his kanabo on his shoulder, watching the small Otter come after him in amusement. He waited until she just entered his reach and swung with the startling -- and deadly -- speed that cost most of their enemies their lives. The massive iron club whistled piercingly as it flew through the air and connected with a sickening crunch. It nearly split Sakura-dono's horse in half; the dead beast flew over the combat, spraying blood over all those beneath and crashed into the tops of the bamboo on the far side of the road. Sakura-dono was not to be seen. She was, in fact, on the road with her blades slicing into the back of the giant's knee.

I was aghast at her foolishness, impressed by her bravery, and stunned by her skill. However, ninjato were not ideal for slicing the tough skin of the Oni; they lacked the force necessary to do so. A katana had the weight and leverage from its swing, and a spear had piercing power behind the thrust; this had neither. She did draw blood but severed no tendons. She also drew his attention.

She was unlikely to survive long, now that her attack failed and she had the attention of both Oni. I danced between several combatants, not even pausing as I struck at the 'brigands' as I passed -- shattering the kneecaps of one as I rolled between his legs, and causing a second one's heart to explode in his chest. I grabbed his katana as he fell, as well as his wakazashi -- which I tucked into my belt.

Sakura-dono was exhibiting tremendous grace and bravery as she flipped, tumbled, and leapt over repeated swings of those massive kanabo. Each strike was pounding into the ground beside her or smashing large chunks of volcanic rock out of the cliff face, making the ground pitted and covered in loose rock. She never once cried out and she frequently darted in to attempt to land a telling blow. The legs of the Oni were covered in ribbons of blood that were as deadly as paper cuts and just as annoying.

I noted that Yukiko-san was running toward her charge as well, but that was as far as I paid attention.

I leapt high into the air and brought the katana down upon the edge of one Oni's neck and shoulder. The blade cut through the tough skin and cracked the collar bone and shoulder blade, causing the cut to skitter aside and into the thick muscles of the neck. The wound bled profusely and would eventually kill the Oni if he did not receive treatment soon; however it did not do as I intended and prevent the monster from using his arm.

I bounced off the blue-skinned back as my target spun around with a thunderous bellow and a wild swing of his club. I, like so many before me, misjudged the speed these monstrosities exhibited. I saw the upper arm hurtling toward me and decided to use it to my advantage. To free a paw I tossed my borrowed katana toward Sakura-dono and caught the beast's arm with both paws. I swung beneath the thick appendage (the stench therein nearly knocking me out) and flipped up and over the Oni to land beside the foolish Otter. My momentum prevented it from being a clean landing; I tripped on the loose rubble and staggered into the rock wall.

Sakura-dono grabbed the katana from the ground, yelling, "Duck!" as she rolled away from me. Such overwhelming gratitude.

She did have cause for alarm; the uninjured Oni sought retribution for our efforts and stabbed at me with his club, hoping to squish me against the cliff. The other Oni held his position in preparation to strike once I committed myself to an escape path.

I chose to follow Sakura-dono's orders and slipped down the wall, letting the club crash into the rock above me, covering me in dust. I reached into my pack, which was fortunately still on my shoulders and undamaged, fishing for my ofuda scroll. To buy some time I also hid myself using my chi, hoping they would pause rather than strike where I should be.

Yukiko-san was having trouble manoeuvring through the melee; the two archers had decided she was a threat to be dealt with and were aiming exclusively at her. She was getting closer, if slower than she liked, yet she must be out of knives for she was holding a war fan and using it to knock arrows and sword strikes away.

The club pulled away with the same speed it had crashed into the rock above me, and I prepared to roll aside in a hurry, but the Oni paused in confusion when they saw neither a bloody mess nor me lying upon the ground. I found my ofuda and drew it out, then stood. The Oni did not pause long, but swiftly turned most of their attention to Sakura-dono, who was also baffled by my disappearance.

The blue-skinned louts decided on the same tactic for dealing with her and the first Oni struck straight out at her. She, too, decided using the club as a shield was wise and ducked under it, but the Oni had planned for this and went to smash downward to kill or at least pin her.

I, however, expected this plan and sought to prevent it. I leapt forward as the club crashed spectacularly into the rocks, slapped my ofuda onto the kanabo adjacent to the stone and activated it. This required me to become visible, but the confusion it created was worth it.

The attacking Oni swung his club -- rather, tried to swing his club -- at me, but found it stuck to the wall. His companion expected the club to be withdrawn or moved and swung as well; their kanabo collided with a deafening clang, numbing both of their hands. I jumped up, drawing my stolen wakazshi, and stabbed the stunned monster in one of his beady eyes, killing him almost instantly.

That 'almost' cost me, however. In his death throes, the Oni reached up to cup his eye, accidentally slapping me aside and causing me to lose the blade. I flew several paces through the air toward the carriage, and landed on my hindpaws, but tumbled over a few times before coming to a stop. My bag landed halfway to me with a clatter; I hoped my ninja ink was intact as well as my shakuhachi. I winced as I stood; I also hoped my ribs were intact.

Sakura-dono did not stand idle throughout this. She darted forward a split second after I leapt and rolled between the other Oni's legs, standing with a two-handed grip on the katana and swung with all her might. This time she cut deeply into the back of the knee, severing the tendons with a clean cut. She kept that momentum and spun again, this time striking at the elbow of the brute's right arm -- the one holding the club. She missed her target, instead connecting above the elbow, but she cut deep enough to remove all strength in that arm.

The club fell with a dull thud onto the packed earth of the road, followed by a heavier thud of the ogre. He fell fully on his right side; the knee was incapable of supporting any weight, and his arm was no better. Sakura-dono ran beside the Oni's body while he still fell and clove his head from his shoulders with two well-aimed blows before the ogre had finished bouncing from the hard landing. The grotesque trophy rolled into the middle of the dying melee.

One of the guardsmen, the only survivor of the four who stayed, yelled out, "Sakura-dono, Oni Slayer!"

Of the melee, there were three samurai on our side (counting Masashi-san and Tetsuo-san), Yukiko-san, and the five non-combatants. Ohtori-sama was upon his horse next to the carriage, looking nervous as he held his now-drawn katana and peeked around the edge the driver's bench at us. His sister was staring out through the curtains at her elder sister with a shocked expression. For our foes, there were two archers and three swordsmen...but, unfortunately, the Kitsune remained. She looked most amused at the turn of events, yet did and said nothing.

Using the momentary lull, I used the remaining chi in the ofuda to burn the paper to ash, hiding all traces of what caused the kanabo to stick in the rock.

I noted the archers slipping into the bamboo cover behind them, fleeing the combat. It appeared the Kitsune did not appreciate that, as her tails flicked briefly. Piercing screams lanced out of the thicket before they fell silent as suddenly as they started.

I channelled some chi to my ribs to stabilize them -- they appeared to be damaged but not broken -- and walked steadily toward the Fey fox. I glanced at the swordsmen dismissively. "Lay down your arms and surrender." I did not wait to see their actions but continued onward. "With your playing pieces defeated, will you take the field yourself or withdraw? I have no quarrel with either Fey court, and I do not wish to start one."

In my peripheral vision I saw the two Oni shiver and begin to rise. I frowned. The Kitsune did not so much as twitch. Did she do this? However, I acted before the magic could take complete hold. I dashed to the corpses and summoned Death Priest Timeus's fire. The bluish-green flames enveloped my paws before transferring to each corpse with a quick touch. The flames crackled and burst into an inferno with the sound of wailing souls, consuming the bodies in mere seconds. I was as stunned as everyone else -- Timeus-san's memories were correct; these flames did burn most cruelly...and spectacularly. The examples I had observed in those memories did not match this at all. It must have reacted with the magic animating the corpses.

Again at the edge of my vision, I saw the curtains upon the carriage snap shut. It appeared Rei-dono, Ohtori-sama's littlest sister, was frightened by the sight and sound of these developments. Not that I could blame her.

I turned to the Kitsune. "Well? Shall we call the game a draw or play to the utter defeat of one side? Even if mortal blades can't harm you, I can." In truth, I was not sure if a katana could or could not strike a two-tailed Fey fox.

She smiled demurely, tilting her head down and to the side, so the skull she wore mostly hid her face. "It appears the stories don't do you justice. I will depart, accepting this 'draw,' if you promise to hold no grudges. I, too, wish no quarrel."

Sakura-dono strode forward angrily. "Takahashi-sensei, step aside! You have no authority to give our attackers leave to depart! They killed three of our samurai and sought the death of our daimyo! You--!"

I cut her off by sharply raising my paw and gathering my chi as I met her eyes. She froze as Hamataro-san had a month prior, but was not so thoroughly crushed. "Silence. It is not your place, either, student. I have made my decision and we can see with whom the daimyo agrees. You stand no chance against the Kitsune; none of you do." I was not sure if I did -- I had never fought this type of Fey before.

I turned back to our foe, releasing Sakura-dono, and nodded. "I will give that promise in return for a name. Your name."

The fox shimmered as she assumed the form of an elderly Otter. She walked up to me and whispered in my ear, "Kodokuro. Repeat it to no one in Japan, nor allow it to circulate back here. May I leave now?"

I whispered back, "If you promise to keep my secret just as closely. Your discretion thus far has earned my gratitude. You may leave, and I will honour that request for as long as my heart beats." I met her eyes evenly when she gave me a small frown, knowing what I meant. The promise lasted but one life.

"This was not my choice. Beware, Ancient One." She stepped back and bowed.

I bowed in return. "I, Takahashi Yoishi, thank you and leave you in peace."

She stepped into the bamboo beside the cliff face and vanished as the sound of approaching horses came from the other side of the road.

Sakura-dono glared at me but not as viciously as Yukiko-san. All others just stared at me in shock, including the three disarmed assailants.

Ohtori-sama rode forward cautiously when Ichiru-dono and his followers crashed onto the road, laughing and joking.

Ichiru-dono stopped laughing when he saw the scene before him. "How the hells...?" He looked absolutely flabbergasted, his mouth hung open widely as he stared at the bodies.

Sakura-dono noticed the same thing I did. Her voice was sweet and mocking, "Why, dear brother, you look as if you expected something else. And you seem to have lost your muzzle -- it is allowing your mouth to gape most unbecomingly. Perhaps its absence will allow you to explain why you rode off so suddenly, with four samurai at your back, after a single archer? Or why you took so long to return when any worthy samurai would know one archer wouldn't try to ambush this many samurai. Your duty was here, with your family; two of the samurai at the rear of the train were sufficient to deal with any threat on our flank."

Ichiru-dono exploded in anger. "Silence, woman! How dare you question the honour or tactics of a warrior!" He saw the katana in her paw and nearly went apoplectic. "You! How dare you touch a samurai's weapon! Release that at once before I strike you down for your dishonourable insolence, wench!"

I strode over and grabbed the Oni head and raised it. "All hail Sakura-dono, Oni Slayer! Three cheers for the champion of the Ohtori!"

Ohtori-sama smiled broadly as he led the cheer. Once the cheer died down, he kept the smile as he exclaimed, "You should have seen her, Ichiru; she was marvellous! You would have been most proud of our sister as she rode forth to avenge our father, crying out a challenge to two of these monstrous brutes! I was quite worried for her, I thought she was done for, but Yoishi-sensei ran out and aided her. Between them they vanquished the Oni while our samurai killed most of the brigands."

Sakura-dono interrupted her brother. "The 'brigands' were your patrol, Nii-sama. They were your samurai."

Ohtori-sama's jubilance vanished and his jaw dropped as Ichiru-dono's had earlier. "They... They... What!?" He stared at the three captives in disbelieving horror. "You...betrayed me? Why!?"

The three traitors bowed their heads, but remained silent. Masashi-san looked at them in contempt. "How will you execute them, Daimyo?" He pulled out his katana. "Shall I behead them, and then send these laggards--" He gestured at the two samurai who went with Ichiru-dono. "--back to the castle to place their heads on the castle walls? It's obvious those two are useless as an escort." The samurai glared at the Dog and fingered their swords. Masashi-san met their gaze contemptuously.

The daimyo dropped his eyes, refusing to look at anyone.

Sakura-dono shook her head. "No. They need to be executed publicly, without any honour. To die by the blade is giving them more than they deserve. They should be hung, as a peasant would be, then have their heads put on display until the birds have stripped all the flesh from their skulls. Their bodies should be thrown out with the trash. They have no honour, less than the meanest peasant. Less than a merchant." In the four-class structure of Japanese society, merchants were the lowest class as they made their profits off of the work of others; they produced no goods, but merely sold the goods made by others.

I smiled grimly. "I agree with Sakura-dono, but there is a matter of logistics. Are we to drag them along with us to the temple? They know what their fate will be so they may try to escape and flee to whomever they work for. We don't have enough reliable samurai to watch them and protect us against further treachery. We can't spare our trusted samurai to bring them back to the castle, either. As long as they're alive, they're a danger. They can be killed without blades. We can take the harnesses from their horses and string them up with those. Then we can send the worthless members of our escort back to the castle with their heads, the heads of their colleagues...and the head of the Oni. A mark of honour and valour for Sakura-dono amongst the marks of dishonour. Should those heads go missing we can make do with the heads of those who misplaced them."

Sakura-dono and Masashi-san immediately nodded in agreement. Tetsuo-san paused but nodded, too.

Ichiru-dono scowled at me but said nothing. His scowl turned to a smirk when he looked at how horrified Ohtori-sama looked. The younger brother laughed harshly. "Why, Kaoru, has the title of lord lost its shine now that you have to actually do something? You got to lounge around all--"

He was cut off by his sister. "Muzzle it, cur! I mean that literally. You are still under orders from your daimyo to wear a muzzle when out of your quarters. Or have you forgotten your own shaming? Be silent when those with untarnished honour discuss matters obviously beyond you."

"Damned wench! I challenge you, here and now, to a duel! How dare you speak to your betters in such a fashion!"

My voice was silky smooth as I asked, "So would you offer her the terms you offered the trainees under Sergeant Kaito? You can use your shinai, since you're forbidden from using anything else, and she can use her katana. You thought it was perfectly fair, then. You even thought it acceptable to change the rules mid-duel. By all means, challenge your sister."

"Silence!" Ohtori-sama's anguished shout took us all by surprise. His face was grief-stricken, but his eyes were dry. He shook his head, sadly. "Hanging will take too much time. I will not delay our visit to honour our mother in such a way. I will also not have Rei exposed to anything so gruesome. Make it quick and quiet, then let us be on our way." He pointed at the two samurai who followed Ichiru-dono and his guard into the forest. "You two collect the heads of the others." He pointed at Ichiru's guards. "You two prepare the honoured fallen for transport back to the castle." He frowned sadly at his brother. "You have disobeyed your lord, Ichiru. You will retrieve your muzzle and don it immediately. You will receive the flogging you desired upon our return to the castle, along with the punishment I gave you." He looked at his sister. "I...will leave the manner of execution to you. Have Akemi-san or...Yoishi-sensei carry it out." He looked at me pleadingly, hoping he did not cause offence. I smiled wanly, a smile he returned. He gestured at Tetsuo-san and had the Macaque follow him to the carriage. The curtain slid shut before he arrived -- it appeared Rei-dono found the proceedings interesting.

Ichiru-dono's glare was venomous. He appeared to greatly desire his brother's demise at that moment, but he rode off into the bamboo as ordered. His guard appeared no less fond of their daimyo as they obeyed.

The remaining samurai of our guard looked uncertain as he sat upon his horse. He had received no orders and was at a loss as to his lord's wishes.

Sakura-dono glanced at him. "You are here to guard, so do so. We are still in dangerous terrain." The samurai bowed, relieved, and began to ride along the edge of the road keeping watch. Sakura-dono turned back to me. "Now what, Sensei?" She appeared a little annoyed by my earlier comments and refusal to defer to her. "How do you propose we execute them? We cannot hang them, nor may we use a blade. Shall you use one of the kanabo and crush them? Is there some plant nearby with which you can poison them?"

Masashi-san looked at me curiously, though the Otter lady's sarcasm appeared to cause him some aggravation. "I'm curious, too, artist. I suppose we could suffocate them, maybe hold their heads in a river until they drown. Or impale them on some sharpened bamboo."

I interjected before they became more gruesome in their plans of killing the traitors. "Or I could just make it quick, like Ohtori-sama wanted." I suited action to word and walked over to the waiting Furs. The first one died as I quickly lashed out and snapped his neck. His comrades gasped and drew back slightly, the suddenness of the death alarming them. The second died when I struck him twice in the neck; the first blow to knock him unconscious, the second to crush his windpipe. He would be dead before he could regain consciousness. The last barely had time to take a deep breath to steady himself and stayed upon his knees as he looked up me calmly. The Ryukyu Spiny Rat died when I struck the side of his head with my paw and sent a spike of chi through his brain, disrupting its inner workings. He passed on in seconds. Such a strike would be ineffective against a chi-adept who resisted it, but he either accepted his death or was unable to manipulate his chi.

I paused to look out at the carnage all around me. It was too much. Eleven Furs lay upon the road; two more were in the bamboo atop the ledge. I was quite certain that the two archers Ichiru-dono chased, only one of whom was known by my colleagues, were still very much alive. The souls of the recently departed flickered at the edge of my vision, restless. Such a place would become a magnet for Demons and evil Fey, preferably the Fey, should it be left as it was.

I lifted my paws and sought out Timeus, letting the echo of my life as a death priest come forth. I called out in Ancient Greek, <I call upon the Guide of Souls, Hermes. I ask that you come retrieve those recently departed, those who have fallen in battle. Lord Hades, I beseech you to view the honourable with favour. They have given their lives in defence of their lord and his family.> A sudden chill breeze heralded the arrival of the Messenger God and the opening of the way into the Underworld. I gave the last rites before switching to Japanese and addressed the confused ghosts. "Souls of the fallen warriors, the time for battle has passed. The way to the afterlife is before you and the Guide is here to take you on. You no longer belong here." I saw the flickers of movement slow and vanish. They had gone on.

I was a little perplexed. Timeus could see the realm of ghosts and kami clearly, yet I could not see Hermes at all, nor could I properly see the ghosts. Perhaps there were mysteries yet to explore in the Athenian's life that would open my eyes.

Speaking of eyes, I had the eyes of all in the vicinity upon me, even that of Ohtori-sama and Rei-dono in the carriage. I quickly began moving amongst the bodies and offering the more expected blessings of a Buddhist priest. This seemed to calm those around me.

In less than a half-hour the party split in two and carried on: some back to the castle with a most grisly cargo, and the rest toward the temple. The headless bodies of the dishonoured fallen lay stacked upon the side of the road and the thoughtful gaze of a very young Otter lay upon them until they passed from her sight.