FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 1

Hundreds, I have killed, no I have murdered hundreds. A lone swordsman wanders alone threw the black streets of a Kyoto night, making his way back to the inn where he was staying. That all I am, a murderer. I can still see every face, every whisker, every inch of fur. The look of horror as my blade slashed threw their bodies, the colour of their blood on my fur, the smell, the taste, it sickens me. Though it was in the chaos of the revolution, I still took lives. The people I killed had families, who are now fatherless and sonless. My sins can never be forgiven for those I have wronged, if there was only a way I could repent for what I have done.

A noise from the street wakes the wander from his thoughts.

"It has been a while since the memories of the Bakamatsu have been on my mind. Why here? Why now?"

Pausing in his journey, he looks around at the empty street, first where he was headed. Slowly he turned around looking where he came from, his past. The past which until now has been burried deep in the recesses of his mind. "Great, I was so lost in thought I forgot to pay attention to where I was. I have no clue where I am headed."

From out of the darkness of an alley a growling voice howled,"Kiyoshi-san, I know exactly where you are headed, strait to the bowels of Hell."

The loan wanderer, Kiyoshi, turns to the voice just to see a masked figure emerge from the alley. Though the face was completely covered Kiyoshi could tell by the tail that it was a wolf. Not just any wolf that can bee seen on the streets or in the shops of Kyoto during the day. This one prefers the shadows. For it is much easier to track someone from the shadows and the darkened streets at night.

"Sir Wolf, I do not intend to die for a reason that I don't know. Who are you, and tell me why have you been following me for the past mile," said Kiyoshi.

"I am surprised that you knew I was following, seeing your vacant eyes deep in thought I thought I had you for sure," replied the wolf. "My name is of no importance seeing who you will die soon after hearing it."

"As I said, Sir Wolf, I am not going to die for any unknown reason."

"Fine ask me with that sword you have on your hip, when you are in your grave I will tell you," pulling a hidden dagger from the sleeve of his robe.

Kiyoshi's attacker lunges towards his target, dagger in hand, thrusting when the tip of the blade was with in striking distance.Kiyoshi being a master swordsman read the attack with ease, dodging the attack he took his opponents back with ease. By the time the wolf's blade reached where his target was, all that was left was some red and white hairs could be seen in the moonlight floating slowly down to the ground.

"You are worthy of being called a master of swords," growled the wolf, glancing over his shoulder teeth bared. "Let's see how you handle this."

On the word 'this' the assailant preformed a spinning back slash aimed for the waist. Again the effort was useless. This time instead of dodging, a clang rang threw the night air. The dagger hit the metal scabbard of Kiyoshi's katana. Hand tingling from the metal on metal inpact, the wolf dropped the dagger to the street and clinched his hand writhing in pain.

After kicking the dagger down the street, Kiyoshi drew his sword for the first time since the war ended, placing the blade at the wolf's throat. "You have I told you, I am not going to die for unknown reasons. Sir Wolf tell me why you want to kill me? Through out my life I recall no one like you, what harm have I done you?"

"Please, don't kill me." Cried the wolf, fearing for his life. "I'll tell you what ever you want."

"Then first tell me who you are?" withdrawing his sword a couple inches from the neck.

"I'm nobody, a street vendor."

"Why did you attack me?"

"I own a shop, the yakuza game me money to open it. Business was great at first. I was able to pay back most of the money I owe. Lately sales have dried up and I couldn't make payments. They threatened to kill me if I didn't pay soon."

"What does that have to do with this one?"

"A few days ago somebody came to me and said that they would pay off my debt plus some extra on the side if I killed this fox who was also a swordsman."

"And what did this person look like?" Sheathing his sword.

"I don't know, it was dark and he was in the shadows. All I know is that his eyes showed an evil that knew no limits."

"This man, other than his eyes do you remember anything else?"

"Only that...."

Kiyoshi recoiled when a sword blade came rushing threw the chest of the wolf. Drawing his sword for the second time that evening Kiyoshi saw who killed his attacker. A face he hadn't seen since he fought in the revolution. "When he mentioned eyes that were pure evil, I knew It had to be you."

Chapter 2

"It's good that you remember me Kiyoshi-san. I would hope that after all the times we fought against each other you would not forget." said a wolf whose face Kiyoshi never forget.

In disbelief the fox asked, "Daisuke-san, why did you kill that merchant?"

"You fool, I needed to see if you were still worth my blade. You have not withdrawn your sword in more than three years..."

"Buy why Daisuke, why did you kill him?"

"Shut up and listen and I will tell you. The last time we fought I was the protector of the Shogun and you were a pitiful free swordsman for the patriots. It should be obvious even to a small minded fox like yourself that times have changed. The Shogun is no longer in power, and the country is now in the hands of the strong headed Emperor Meiji. My alliances always have lied with the people in power, that is how I have gotten where I am today." Both Kiyoshi and Daisuke circle around the lifeless body lying on the street. "My new employer has a mission for you to complete for the government. My assignment was to test your ability, to see if your sword wasn't rusted over. That itself is below me, so I hired that idiot to test you for me. So I offered to pay his debt, and now since he is dead he has no debt and I am not out of any money."

"You saw he was defeated. Is that not enough of a test for you. A man of your position could have easily taken care of his debt without putting a dent in your pocket book. There is no reason for an innocent wolf to die for a test. If you want to test my skill, you should have come at me yourself," putting away his sword.

"You seem to have lost your killer's spirit Kiyoshi. Since that man," points to the dead body, " was too easy for you, I say let us have a one point duel. The person to draw first blood wins."

"Daisuke-san, I have murdered hundreds, I do not wish to add to that list ever again. If I duel you will you tell me why the government needs me?"

"Fine, if you win I will tell you."

Daisuke draws his sword and gets ready for the first attack. In the blink of an eye he lunges towards his adversary so fast he is just a blur to the untrained. Kiyoshi a master of Battojustu, used his skill to slash the incoming sword to the side, causing Daisuke to pass. For in battojustu pressing the blade edge against the inside of the inside of the sheath increases blade speed. That slight increase was just enough to block the lunge. Both turn to face each other, for it in never wise to show your back. This time it was the fox's turn to take the offensive and slashes downwards at the wolf's neck. It was to no avail, for when the the blade was about to land, Daisuke slipped to the side, the only thing that the blade cut was the tip of the wolf's tail, cutting only fur; and launched a counter attack to the waist. The momentum of Kiyoshi's rotational force during his slash put him in the perfect position for the most improbable move of any sword fighting techniques. He caught the counter attack in his scabbard, it was just like he sheathed his own sword. The only thing Daisuke could do is retreat back a few meters to try and retrieve his sword.The retreat allowed Daisuke to remove his sword from the fox's sheath.

"That was an interesting movie their Kiyoshi, in all my years I have never seen a move like that. Now let me show you one of mine."

With that Daisuke slashed at Kiyoshi's neck, but it was no where close to the speed or power that Kiyoshi was used to.

What was the purpose of that move, thought Kiyoshi, dodging easily. I thought that his move would equal that of mine. Keep an eye out, he must be planning something.

Kiyoshi was right; the slash was just a diversion for the main attack. With all the attention on the blade Kiyoshi never saw the scabbard of Daisuke's sword until it was too late. Daisuke landed the first blow of the duel with a powerful swing of the scabbard right into the side of his opponent. The force of the blow sent Kiyoshi sliding back. He was sure that at least two of his ribs were broken, but no blood was drawn so the match was still not over.

Daisuke laughed, "If I was trying you would be dead right now. What happened to the person I fought years ago?"

"He is still right here, in front of you, let us finish this before the police come and arrest us both."

With that both men prepared for their final attack, one meant to kill the opposition quick and painless. Daisuke known for the most powerful thrust in all of Japan, Kiyoshi for reading opponents moves and improvisation, both motionless, waiting, waiting for something to signal the start of the final round.

The both stood motionless for what seemed like hours but was only a few moments when far in the distance a flash of lightning could be seen out of the corners of both men's eyes. Daisuke, faster than the eye could follow unleashed his thrust at the midsection on Kiyoshi. Spinning Kiyoshi dodges the thrust by whisker width. Launching his own strike he aims for the neck. The skill of Daisuke allows him to convert a thrust into a side slash if the thrust misses. Both attacks Kiyoshi's at the neck and Daisuke's slash to the waist barely connect.

"It looks like you are the winner Daisuke-san." Kiyoshi removes his hand from where he was hit. Even in the darkness you could make out the darker colour of blood stained fur. "It's not deep but blood is blood."

"Don't admit defeat to easily Kiyoshi-san." Daisuke moves his hand from his neck revealing a sword wound, which was not there before the fight. "It appears that our skills are equal. Though I do wish we could have finished this fight once and for all. Come with me there is somebody who would like to talk to you back at the inn where you are staying."

"Well, there is a little problem there; I have no clue where I am."

"You are staying at the Kal Inn, right?"

"Yes, but I don't know how to get there from here."

"Well it is actually around the next corner, even an idiot could find it from here."

"You know you don't have to be so mean about it." Drooping is head and shoulders in embarrassment.

Chapter 3

At the door of the Kal Inn, Daisuke turns to Kiyoshi, "I can't believe that you got lost so close to where you are staying. How pathetic can you be?"

"Will you just drop it already; I told you that I was deep in thought."? The two walk threw the wooden door in to a modest little in

"You chose to stay in a place like this, I thought better of you."

"It's really not that bad. I have no need for luxuries, just a futon to sleep at night and a roof over my head," replied Kiyoshi. "And how are you this evening Kalida-dono, how's business" to the fox working in the main area, the owner of the Kal Inn.

"I am doing well. You are the only one here tonight again so it has been quiet around here, except for a little commotion about a block away a few minutes ago," replied the owner. She sees the wound on her tenets side and the blood on the neck of the stranger he is with. With concern, "Oh my, what happened? Are you alright?"

"It's nothing really; my friend and I had a little disagreement."

"So that is what I ruckus I heard from down the street."

Daisuke interjects," I wouldn't say he was totally uninjured, his pride took a pretty hard blow."

Kalida looks at Kiyoshi with a look of concern, "What is he talking about Kiyoshi-dono?"

Embarrassed he replies, "It's nothing really." Turning to Daisuke with a sharp look, muttering under his breath" I thought I told you to drop it."

Daisuke ignores the remark by his companion and flatly states, "Let's stop the small talk, Kiyoshi and I have urgent business to take care."

"I am truly sorry for the manors of my friend, but he is right. We really have to be going."

"It's okay; ya'll have a good night."

Kiyoshi and Daisuke turn, and start walking to Kiyoshi's quarters.

"Oh, Kiyoshi-dono, I almost forgot, you have a guest tonight, a fox whose fur is a colour I have never seen before.He showed up about an hour ago. I showed him to your room, sorry if I over stepped my boundaries."

"It is quite alright, you have a good night Kalida-dono."

Kiyoshi and Daisuke leave Kalida alone at the desk with a worried look on her face. Walking threw the hallway the two swordsmen reach Kiyoshi's room. Sliding the worn wooden door to the side the two saw their visitor. They saw the face of a wise old silver furred fox. The face of a compatriot from the days of the Bakumatsu, a face belonging to the Secretary of the Interior, Lord Silverkitsu. The lord's face had aged considerably since the final days of the revolution; Kiyoshi's heart was warmed at the sight of his old friend.

"It has been a long time Lord Silverkitsu," bowing deeply out of great respect.

"Too long, my old friend," returning the bow just as deeply. "Please come in, we have much to talk about, and not much time to do it in."

Shutting the door behind them, Kiyoshi, Daisuke, and Lord Silverkitsu gathered around a table located in the corner of the room.Before they got comfortable around the table, there was a small knock, almost a tap, at the door.

A little startled, Kiyoshi asked, "Who's there?"

A voice replied from the other side of the thin door, "Yes, ummm, I am Firefox, I work for the inn. My employer, Kalida, thought you might want some sake."

Rising from his cushion, Kiyoshi walked to the door and opened it to find a young fox with three bottles of sake and three cups. "Thank you very much Firefox-chan." Reaching into his robe, Kiyoshi pulls out his purse and took out a few coins for Firefox. "Here you go young one. Tell Kalida thanks you very much, and if it not too much, see that we aren't disturbed anymore tonight.

"Sure thing, Thanks, and good night, Sir."With that the young fox turned around and walked back to the front of the inn.

Closing the door again, Kiyoshi returned to the others, sake in hand. Sitting back in his cushion, passing out a bottle and a cup to each of his compatriots.

"Kiyoshi, Daisuke, since our time is short, I will get right to the point." Silverkitsu pauses to think of what his next words will be. "Ryuu has escaped from prison and has taken a high ranking government official hostage. I have come to you because you were instrumental in capturing him the first time."

With a look of surprise and horror Kiyoshi inquires for more, "How did he escape? He was in the harshest prison in all of Japan. There is no way he could have escaped without help."

"That is true, he did have help. He has three accomplices, all that you helped put in prison. The first two are the twin bears Tarou and Taichi, and the third is a monkey named Itsuki. All three are of his helpers are of little concern to the government when compared to Ryuu. The four have taken the afore mentioned official to Edo, I'm sorry I mean Tokyo. I am still not use to the change. Please Kiyoshi, please go to Tokyo and take care of this problem."

"By 'take care of' do you mean kill, Silverkitsu? I have not killed anybody since we last parted ways, and I don't wish to ever kill again."

Speaking for the first time in the meeting, Daisuke interrupts, " I told you Silverkitsu, you should have sent me for this mission, instead of this weakling, to take care of this."Turning to Kiyoshi, " I've been watching you since we sat down. As you can see I have finished my sake, and seeing how you haven't even uncorked yours yet, mind if I take it?"

"Sure, whatever," sides his bottle over to Daisuke.

"I know Kiyoshi, Taking a life is a horrible thing." Pleaded Silverkitsu. "You wouldn't have to kill him, that is the last resort. Bringing him back to prison is most preferred. The most important thing is the governments only concern is that the hostage is safely rescued. So Kiyoshi will you go, will you help your country one more time?"

The room fell silent, Daisuke even stopped drinking, waiting for the fox's answer

"I will go to Tokyo, to save the life of the official. I do not intend to kill Ryuu, it it can be avoided. I'll leave tomorrow," announced Kiyoshi.

"The government thanks you Kiyoshi, and I thank you." Silverkitsu said while bowing so deeply that the tip of his muzzle touched the floor.

Standing, somewhat wobbly, obviously drunk, Daisuke stammers, " I think (hic) it's time to go. We (hic) have our answer and I want to (hic) go to bed." Kiyoshi and Lord Silverkitsu stand and escort Daisuke to the door. Silverkitsu and Daisuke leave Kiyoshi's room and the inn. Once again Kiyoshi is alone, alone with his thoughts, alone with his past.

Chapter 4

About an hour after everybody left, Kiyoshi is on his futon contemplating what has transpired that evening.

Can It be that not over three hours ago I had left my past where it belonged. First the memories of all that I have killed come rushing back into me mind. I wish I could forget their faces, but I know that I will never. Then that wolf assassin attacked me, making me draw my sword for the first time since the war. I wish I knew his name, so I could send my respects to his family. Why did Daisuke kill him? I know what he said, but I feel that he left something out. The fight between the two of us was the most alive I have felt in years. All my senses were at their peek performance. The last time Daisuke and I fought were in the streets of Tokyo. Tokyo, I did most of my fighting there, it is also where I took the most lives. It seems fate will always lead me there, no matter how hard I try to avoid it.

With that the fox slips in to a deep sleep.Not a restful one that he would want, but with dreams, dreams that took him to the final days of the revolution.

**********

"Kiyoshi, I have a mission for you." Said a voice from behind. Turning he saw the leader of the patriot army, General Silverkitsu. "Someone, in the Council of Leaders, is a spy for the Shogunates forces. We don't know who he is, but we need you to find and capture him, before any more of our fox brothers are killed by those Shogunate wolves. We know the spy reports directly to the protector of the Shogun, Captain of the tenth unit of the Shinsengumi, a wolf of Mibu named Daisuke. They say Daisuke's skills with a sword match yours, so be careful. Let us hope that you find the traitor without running into him."

For the next few weeks Kiyoshi searched for the traitor. He came up with an idea to have Silverkitsu give each member of the Council of Leaders false orders, telling each that a small patrol wold be at some place at a certain time for a surprise attack against the enemy wolves. The ingeniousness of his plan was to give each member of the council a different location date and time of attacks. Therefore, if Daisuke showed up to attack they would know who the traitor is.

Kiyoshi was going to personally be apart of every patrol to protect his friends, and to see if the wolf of Mibu showed up.The only flaw that could be seen in Kiyoshi's plan was if Daisuke never showed up. If that happened Kiyoshi would have to find another way to deal with the traitor.

There were eight people on the Council of Leaders, including Silverkitsu. Kiyoshi knew in his heart of hearts that Silverkitsu would never betray his brothers in arms. To keep Kiyoshi unprejudiced in his plan he meets with Silverkitsu before the first orders were given out.

"Sir, to keep this plan working, I musk ask you when you give the orders to the council members, only tell me time and place. I do not wish to know the name of the person I am spying on until I have proof that it is him."

"Fine Kiyoshi, I understand where you are coming from. Very well it will be as you have asked."

Seven men could be a traitor. Of those seven, four were certain to not be traitors, and the other three Kiyoshi wasn't sure about. Unknown to Kiyoshi, Silverkitsu picked the three that Kiyoshi had reservations about, to receive their fake orders first.

For the next three nights Kiyoshi went out on patrols with the fox army, and for three nights there were a few attacks but no Daisuke. The next day the fourth and fifth leaders received their orders, and like the previous nights there was no Daisuke. On the sixth day of the operation the final two sets of orders were given.

About halfway though the sixth night of patrol duty something happened, something nobody saw coming, except one fox in the middle of the pack, Kiyoshi. From out of the alleyways there came soldier after soldier, wolf after wolf. One wolf stood out from the pack, dressed differently than the ordinary soldiers of the Shogunate army. This one wore a cloak of dark blue with white peaks at the bottom, the cloak of the Shinsengumi. The cloak of a wolf with nothing but evil in his eyes; the cloak of Daisuke.

The numbers were even and the battle quickly started. The clashing of swords and the firing of guns could be heard for miles around. The battle raged on for hours, dead bodies lying everywhere on the street. Wolves lying next to foxes, their fur matted with the others blood, blood mixing into dark pools in the low areas. In the end only two were left standing, one fox and one wolf, both with their pelts stained crimson with the blood of their enemies.

Never speaking, the circled both looking for an opening to attack. Finally the wold stumbles over a dead fox's tail and loses balance, the fox seized the opportunity for attack and thrust his blade towards the chest of the Mibu wolf. Daisuke regained his balance just in time to block his attack with his own sword.

When the dust settled, both men were still standing. Kiyoshi looked at his sword, in horror he noticed that the blade was broken in two by Daisuke's block. Giving himself up for dead Kiyoshi turned to great death by Daisuke's sword. At least with my death Silverkitsu will know who the traitor is. When he turned around he was alone, the wolf had vanished into the darkness of the Tokyo night. All that remained from their personal battle was the tips of two broken katanas.

The next morning Kiyoshi met with Silverkitsu in private. "Sir the fox you gave orders to last night is the traitor. How do you want me to go about taking care of him?"

"Before you gave me this grievous news, I already had a meeting planned with him for later this day. When that meeting starts I want you to come take him into custody."

"Yes, Sir."

"In the mean time you are still have blood on your fur, go wash it out."

Half way through the meeting, the sound of a wooden door could be heard opening. Kiyoshi entered the meeting room where the two foxes sat talking, Silverkitsu was seated facing the door. The other, a grey fox that Kiyoshi had known his whole life.

With a look of shock on his face, Kiyoshi draws his new sword. "How could you? Out of all the people in the Council of Leaders, I never could have thought it could have been you. Ryuu, why?

**********

Waking suddenly Kiyoshi realized that it is already morning. "I guess this is it. Time for me to face him one last time." Leaving his room he walks to the inn's main hall where the owner is working. "Kalida-dono, thank you for the sake last night and for your hospitality during my stay. I must be leaving now, I do not know if or when I will be back this way."

"But Kiyoshi-san, you have already paid for five more nights."

"Give my room to somebody who could use a nice place to sleep for those nights. If I come this way again, I will come to this inn and see you again."

Exiting the Kal Inn, Kiyoshi start the long journey to Tokyo. Thinking to himself, Once again, I must face my past. I do not know how much more of this I can take. The weather is nice this time of year, I think I will take the East Sea Road.

Chapter 5

Five days have passed since Kiyoshi left Kyoto, Making better time than most people on the road he has already passed the half way point in his journey. He travels alone save for the memory of his past. Realizing that he has not eaten a hot meal since he left the village of Hamamatsu, he decides to stop at the next rest station for a bite to eat. Which shouldn't be far for there are many places to rest on the East Sea Road.

Not long after he had the idea of resting, he sees a soba stand in the distance. Reaching the stand he sits at an empty stool between a young female raccoon and an aged weasel. The owner of the shop approaches Kiyoshi ready to take an order. "What can I get for you young swordsman?"

"I will have..." Kiyoshi's voice trails off when he realizes that the raccoon next to him tried to order at the same time he did. Kiyoshi turns, with a look of bewilderment on his face. to see that the raccoon is not much younger than himself. "You are a swordsman?" he asks the raccoon, with the owner of the shop looking on impatiently.

"Yes I am," rep[lied the raccoon a little annoyed. "Since I was here first do you mind if I order now."

"Sure, I didn't realize, I mean I thought she was talking to me when she said young swordsman."

The raccoon Turns to the shop owner, "Yes I will have a bowl of plain soba."

The owner turns then to the still stunned Kiyoshi, " and what for you other young swordsman?"

"I...I'll have the same thing she is having," stuttered the fox.

"Very well, both of your orders will be out shortly." With that the owner turns and walks away.

Turning back to face the female swordsman. "I am sorry to interrupt you," offered Kiyoshi as a apology. "I had no clue that you were a swords man like me, Miss...," Trying to draw a name out of her.

"Satsuki, my name is Satsuki; and I am not like you. Unlike you, I have manors, and I do not smell of blood as you do, Mister..."

"Kiyoshi, I'm Kiyoshi. You have quite a nose on you, that you do. I have not killed anybody since the war. What style of swordsmanship did you learn where you have never killed, Satsuki-dono?"

"The style the feels that a sword should be used to protect people, not kill them. I have drawn my blade many time for the protection of myself and those around me, but unlike you I have never slain anybody, never will I kill."

"Here you both go," said the owner as he slides two bowls of plain soba in front of the two swordsmen.

Both start to eat their meal before it starts to get cold. Satsuki seems to be in a hurry, since she finishes her meal so quickly, her muzzle has a noodle stuck in it. She pays her bill and leaves with out saying another word to Kiyoshi.

What a strange woman. I have never met a woman like her before. I hope I have a chance to meed her again.

Kiyoshi takes his time in finishing his meal. Once finished he thanks the owner for the dish, pays his tab, and once again resumes his journey to Tokyo.

About 20 kilometers outside of the next village, Shizuoka, Kiyoshi spots a group of five bandits surrounding someone."Leave that person alone, If you wish to fight somebody fight me," commands Kiyoshi. Three of the five attackers turn and start to advance on the fox. For the First time Kiyoshi releases that the person the bandits surrounded was the raccoon Satsuki. "Cold you use some help Satsuki-dono?," shouted Kiyoshi in her direction.

"A little would be nice," came a reply with a little nervousness in her voice.

"Alright, i will handle these three, you take care of the other two."

The bandits all drew their swords and at once all attacked. Kiyoshi quickly slashed through two of his attackers. The third put up a little more of a fight, but soon he was sent retreating into the woods. By the time Kiyoshi had finished, Satsuki had one attacker on the ground out cold. Kiyoshi went to try and aid her. When he reached her the fighting had ended, and both of her attackers lay on the ground, both knocked out.

Looking back to where he had just fought, Kiyoshi saw the first two he battled still lying on the ground. Looking closer he noticed that beneath where they were lying there were pools of blood. Falling to his knees, Kiyoshi dropped his blood stained sword and began to weep. Through his tears Satsuki could hear what he was saying. "I have not killed in over three years. I never wanted to kill again. Why could I have not been more careful? All I did was try to help. I didn't mean to kill them." Feeling pity for the fox Satsuki approaches slowly. Looking into his green eyes she noticed the tear stained fur under Kiyoshi's eyes. just before she was able to console him, Kiyoshi passes out from the realization that once again he has become a murderer.

Slowly waking up, Kiyoshi feels that he is not alone. Looking around he sees the sun setting behind the mountains. Feeling light leaded he lies back down and sees a dark figure moving towards him. The sunset and being light headed made it to where Kiyoshi couldn't see who was coming. Feeling that he might be in danger he feels by his side and discovers that his sword is not by his side.

"You will not find your blood stained blade anywhere near you," came a soft, warm voice that Kiyoshi knew, but couldn't place. The dark figure kneels by Kiyoshi's side and offers him a drink of water.

His eyes slowly start to focus on who the person next to him is. The first think he saw was her long black hair and blue masked eyes. "How long was I out for Satsuki-dono?"

"Almost three hours, you had me worried there for a little while."

"You stayed the whole time?"

'It was the least I could do for you helping me. I could handle most of them but not all."

Kiyoshi slowly sits up and faces Satsuki. "Thank you for staying and looking after me. i am sorry that you had to be around when I killed those two men. I know you dislike killing, and so do I. I just lost myself in the heat of the moment."

"Though I don't condone your actions, I must say i was really impressed with your skills. if I am not being too forward, may I ask where you are headed?"

"Yes," was the only thing the fox said.There was a long pause, Satsuki finally had enough.

"Well are you going too tell me or not?

Starting to laugh, "You didn't ask where I was going ,you only asked if you could ask."

"Don't be so literal," smacking the fox in the back of the head. "Fine have it your way, Where are you going?"

"I am headed to Tokyo to take care of some business," replies the fox, rubbing the back of his head.

"Tokyo, huh, that is where I am headed too. My father is a big government official there, and I visit him twice a year.Since we both are headed to Tokyo, lets travel together, it would be much safer for the both of us. In one condition, you try not to kill anymore."

When Satsuki mentioned that her father is a government official Kiyoshi thought to himself. Her father is a government official, could she be the daughter of the person that Ryuu kidnapped .There are a lot of officials in Tokyo. I had better not tell her until I know for sure. I would not want to tell her that her father has been kidnapped, if it was some other official. Better safe than sorry.

"So do we have a deal Kiyoshi?"

"Deal."

Satsuki helps the still weak fox to his feet and returns his sword. Putting it back through his belt, he turns to the raccoon," Shall we be on our way, I know we cant make Shizuoka tonight but if we can get a little further along we can reach it by sundown tomorrow." As the sun finally hides behind the mountains to the west, Kiyoshi and Satsuki start their journey to Tokyo, together.

Chapter 6

Upon reaching the castle town of Shizuoka, Satsuki turns to Kiyoshi, "You know ever since we started traveling together, I have had this feeling that we are being watched."

"I have felt the same thing, I have felt it since I left on my journey," said Kiyoshi. "I am sure that it is nothing to worry about."

"I hope you are right," she said with a worried look on your face.

Sensing her concerns, Kiyoshi tries to change the subject. "I was watching you during the fight the other day, and I have never seen a sword style like yours, who taught you?"

"Well to be honest, I learned to use the sword by myself."

"You were self taught?" asked the confused but impressed fox.

"Yeah, I was," replies the raccoon. "My father said that the art of swordsmanship was for men only, and that I should focus my attentions elsewhere. For as long as I could remember I have always loved swords and swordsmanship. I was crushed when my father denied my dream. So when I was ten I started working at a couple local sword dojos in Tokyo, cleaning the floors and such. My father didn't care if I worked at a dojo as long as the instructors knew that they could not teach me. What he didn't know was that I watched every sword swing and listened to every instruction. At the end of the day, on the way home, I would practice what I saw. I didn't have any form of a sword, my father would kill me if he found one, so I had to practice with branches that I found. When I was old enough I left home and moved to to Kyoto, where I bought my first sword. At first I wasn't use to the weight of a real sword, so I practiced every chance I got. That is how i got to where I am today. My father still doesn't know, but I brought my sword with me this time so I could finally tell him."

Reaching the door to a local inn, Kiyoshilooks into Satsuki's blue eyes, "For being self taught you have incredible skill, that matches your beauty." The last part Kiyoshi didn't mean to say aloud.

Blushing a little, "What did you just say?" Walking into the inn.

"I said you have great skill."

"No, what did you say after that."

"Umm," Kiyoshi thought quickly. "I said, ahh, we have reached an inn."

"Oh, okay," she knew exactly what he had said, she just wanted him to say it again.

The inn was completely booked except for one room. The two decided to share, Satsuki would sleep on the futon, and Kiyoshi would rest against a wall. He didn't really mind sleeping this way, for during the war he slept that way all the time. As both prepared to retire for the night, Satsuki said quietly to herself, "He thinks I am attractive." Starting to blush she looks at Kiyoshi, who has his back turned to her. "He is handsome, for a fox."

Turning Kiyoshi asks, "Did you say something?"

Turns away quickly, so Kiyoshi couldn't see her blushing, "No I didn't, you must have ben hearing things."

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the rooms thin, wooden door. Kiyoshi walked to the door, already in his sleeping clothes. Opening the door Kiyoshi saw a wolf, the same wolf he saw his last night in Kyoto.

"Daisuke, what are you doing here?"

"I have been following you since you left Kyoto, I need to make sure that you reach Tokyo and finish your mission." Stepping through the fox to enter the room, "I figured you would be closer to Tokyo by now." Seeing the raccoon sitting on the far side of the room, "Oh, did I interrupt something?"

"NO! It is not like that," says Kiyoshi blushing. " We are just sharing a room, because it was the only one left. Sure come on in."

"I saw you lying on the ground unconscious after you killed those two. Has the sight of blood become that sickening to you?"

"Shutting the door, Kiyoshi takes a seat next to Satsuki. "No Daisuke, the sight of blood does not bother me, It was the fact that I killed again."

"Killed again? You killed everyday during the revolution. Killing should be second nature to you. What is two more lives?"

"Every life is precious, Daisuke. It is true that I killed hundreds." With that Satsuki's eyes went big. "But I never liked killing. I can still see every face of each that I killed. I know that it was during war time, but it haunts me."

"Let's hope you change your views by the time you reach Tokyo."

For the first time since the wolf showed up, Satsuki spoke, quietly saying with a quiver in her voice, "What is he talking about Kiyoshi-dono? When you told me that you were headed to Tokyo for business, I never thought you meant you were going to kill anybody."

"So she can speak," laughed Daisuke."So Kiyoshi-san, you didn't tell her yet, you sly little fox. Do you even know who her father is? Her father is the one we are trying to rescue."

"Give me a minute Daisuke," Kiyoshi turns to the scared raccoon sitting next to him." "Satsuki-dono, I did not know this for sure, until just now, which is why I have not told you." Takes a deep breath, "Since Daisuke's last words just now, everything has become clear. I am sorry for what I am about to tell you but now you must know. A few weeks ago, your father was kidnapped by a mad fox, named Ryuu, who recently escaped from jail. The reason I am headed to Tokyo is to rescue your father and take Ryuu back to jail."

With tears in her eyes, Satsuki speaks through her tears, "My father, kidnapped. Why didn't you tell me before?"Starting to cry even harder, Kiyoshi pulls her in, allowing her to cry into his shoulder. Wrapping his arms around her body, not knowing why, but it felt right.

Starting to cry himself, feeling her pain, "I am sorry for keeping this from you." Not being big on emotions, Daisuke exits the room without being seen. Satsuki remained to Kiyoshi's arms for what seemed like hours. So long in fact Kiyoshi never noticed that Satsuki had fallen asleep in his arms. Lying the sleeping raccoon on the futon, Kiyoshi cleans her tear stained face. Sitting in the corner of the room, Kiyoshi leans against the wall, and slowly falls asleep.

The next morning Kiyoshi wakes up, alone in the room. Looking around, he sees a note on the futon:

Kiyoshi-dono,

Thank you for all that you have done for me, but I must go and save my father. Your kindness will never be forgotten, I hope that one day our paths cross again.

-Satsuki.

Tearing the note up Kiyoshi rushed out of the inn after Satsuki, fearing of what could happen to her.

Chapter 7

Running through the streets trying to Satsuki, Kiyoshi searches the entire town, with no results. Damn it, where could she be. It is too dangerous for her to be on her own. She must have gone to Tokyo to try and take on Ryuu and his gang, to rescue her father. How does she plan on doing that, alone? She has some skill, that was obvious a few days ago when I saw her fight, but she is no where near the swordsman that I am or even Ryuu is. I Just Hope I can find her before she gets into too much trouble.

After hours of searching, Kiyoshi sees someone at a small street stand, looking right him. He knew who it was, and had a strong feeling that he had something to do with Satsuki's leaving. Approaching the man Kiyoshi asks, "Daisuke, did you have anything to do with Satsuki-dono leaving in the middle of the night?"

"You stupid little fox, of course I did."

"Why? if she goes to Tokyo to face Ryuu alone, she will surely die." Angry with the answer he received from Daisuke, Kiyoshi grips his sword, withdrawing it a few inches. "If you do not tell me why, I will kill you where you stand."

"Fool, You know that any enemy will always attack the weakest point. If she were to stay with you, Ryuu would focus his efforts on her, making you have to protect her, causing you to only fight with half of your strength. So in a way you should be thanking me."

Thanking you, I should kill you here." Putting his sword back fully into its sheath, "But Satsuki would not like it if she found out."

The wold only snickered, turned, and started down the road headed for Tokyo.

"Where do you think you are headed?"

"To Tokyo, of course, Do you think that you would be the only one the government would send to take care of Ryuu?"

"I had a feeling that was the case, but why did you not tell be before?

Avoiding the question, Daisuke turns his head slightly, "Well are you coming or not, We still have a ays to go before we reach Tokyo, and now we have to find your girlfriend."

"She is not my girlfriend." Said Kiyoshi embarrassed, "But thank you." So the two started the journey to Tokyo and to find Satsuki. The whole time Kiyoshi thought to him self, I wonder what Satsuki is up to, I hope she is alright.

*********

Hurriedly making hey way down the East Sea Road, a frightened raccoon is rethinking her latest decision on leaving alone. What am I doing, Should I really be going to Tokyo alone? What of Kiyoshi, I know after last night that he cares for me and that he will be worried about me. He is sure to try and follow and catch up. Maybe I should have stayed. He is a great swordsman and all, far better than myself. I was an idiot to think that I could leave with out him. My father needs me and I can't rest until I save him, or die trying. Who is this Ryuu character anyways, and why did he go after my family? Is it because he is a high ranking government official or is there more? Is Ryuu alone, I I don't know if I can take on more than one. i should have stayed with that fox. He knows what he is doing.

With that satsuki came to a stop, turns around, and starts her way back the she came, back to Kiyoshi. "Don't worry Kiyoshi, I am on my way back."

"I don't think you will be going back that way, or any way," cam a voice from behind. "You will be going to Tokyo with me."

"Who are you, and what do you want with me?"Demands Satsuki Turning she sees someone wearing a hooded robe coming closer to her.

"the great Itsuki has no reason to tell his name to a woman like you, as for the reason I am here, my boss thinks it would be nice to have his hostage's daughter in his care too."

"Didn't you just tell me your name? You can't be that great if you are that stupid."

"Good point, feeling dumb. " This would have been much easier a few days ago when you fought those bandits. But no, you had to get help from that stupid fox. I thought that my mission was a failure when that man came along. You two started traveling together and made it impossible for me to get to you. Now that you are alone, again things will be much easier."

"What are you thinking, that an idiot like you can really take me." With that she takes her sword off of her belt, she prepares to fight.

"Awww, a cute little sword, but you are no match for me." Removing his robe, Satsuki sees for the first time her attacker. A monkey with half of his tail missing. The wound looked as if it was from a battle a long time ago. The monkey had no weapons and quickly took a stance as if to say he was ready to fight.

"What are you waiting for?" Questions Satsuki, " You are the challenger."

"Fine let's see how you handle this."

With that Itsuki left into range and attacked with a punch. Satsuki dodges it, but at the last second the monkey's arm extended father and landed into the raccoons side.

Clutching her ribs in pain, " How did you do that, you arm stretched a good two inches at the end of your punch."

'You can thank your fox friend for that.When we fought years ago, he hit my shoulder so hard with his scabbard that it tore all the ligaments from the bone. Now my shoulder can dislocate at will causing it to reach farther."

"Now that I know your secret, you won't be able to se it again against me."

"Well, we will just have to see about that."

Itsuki throws the same punch, but this time the raccoon blocks it with her scabbard, and withdraws her sword slashing for the right arm of Itsuki. Before her attack could land, Itsuki kicked her in the back, causing her to drop her sword and fall to the ground in pain.

"I can see the you have never fought somebody trained in martial arts before. Unlike in swordsmanship, martial arts uses both hands and feet."

Satsuki reaches for her sword, but it is kicked away from her before she could reach it. The last thing she saw before she blacked out due to the pain from the kick, was seeing itsuki pull the cord from his robe and start walking towards her.

**********

About an hour later a wolf and a fox approach strange marks in the road.

"Looks like a fight happened here recently." states the wolf.

The fox looks around and notices bloody fur next to some foot prints. "Hmm, these prints appear to be from a monkey."

"There are some more over here that appear to be from a raccoon."

"No, it can not be," cried the fox in horror.For at the side of the road a sword was stuck in the ground. Kiyoshi recognized the sword, for he had seen it used not three days ago." This sword it belongs to Satsuki."

"So she was in a fight here and it looks like she lost. Judging by the prints in the ground, the monkey was skilled in martial arts. Does that ring any bells Kiyoshi-san?"

"Yes, only one, the one who escaped with Ryuu, a man I put into prison years ago, Itsuki."

"Very good, at least your deductive reasoning has not become dull. It is safe that he did not kill her, she is far more valuable to Ryuu alive."

"You are right." Kiyoshi picks up Satsuki's sword and scabbard lying next to it. before he re-sheathed the blade he cleans the blade oh his top. and slides her sword next to his belt next to his. "These tracks are still fresh, If we hurry we might be able to catch them."

A stranger approaches the two, "Anything I can do to help?"

Daisuke turns to look, and sees a young female skunk carrying a staff, "You think you can help us? Go home Luna and leave this to real fighters."

"What do you mean, I am a real fighter," swinging her staff at the wolf. Daisuke blocks the attack with ease. "I have a feeling that I will be of help in your fight against Ryuu, so I am coming with."

"Fine just don't get yourself killed."

Kiyoshi turns to Daisuke, "You know her?"

Chapter 8

"Of course he knows me, silly fox," giggles the skunk. "He has known me ever since my parents died in the war. He promised them that he would keep an eye on me if something ever happened."

"Oh, Daisuke I would have never thought I would see this side of you," exclaimed the fox.

Lowering his ears in anger, Daisuke turns to Kiyoshi, "Her father saved my life in the war, this is the least I could do for him. If you ever tell anybody that I have been nice, I will kill you." Turning to Luna, "How many times have I told you, always attack your opposition with your full strength. You are almost as bad as this dumb fox here," points to Kiyoshi, who has a look of distain. "He has a sword but doesn't kill. You have mastered the staff, a less-lethal weapon, to be effective with it you have to use it right."

"You are right, "replies Luna, "I just didn't want to hurt you is all. We haven't seen each other in almost six months, I thought you would have forgotten how good I was."

"Hurt me, " Laughed the wolf. "Like you could ever hurt me."

"Oh yeah, wanna bet?" questioned Luna starting to get a little angry. Bringing her staff up ready for a match.

"Now now, let's not get in a fight." Said Kiyoshi trying to defuse the situation. "I know that in swordsmanship the first thing that is taught is to never attack out of anger, and I am pretty sure that the same can be said for one trained with the staff."

"Listen to the fox Luna. He may be dumb, but he knows what he is talking about. Anyways remember what happened last time you got angry. I think that the smell is still in that inn."

Turning red, Luna silently says, " Oh, yeah, I forgot." speaking louder, " Anyways, about an hour ago there was a fight here between a monkey and a raccoon. The monkey won and took the raccoon that way." She points down the road headed for Tokyo. " I bet if we hurry we can catch up and rescue her."

"Then what are we waiting for." Exclaimed Kiyoshi as he started running in the direction the skunk pointed.

"Wow, he really took off fast. Is that raccoon his woman or something?" asked Luna looking up to Daisuke.

He only looked down the road to where Kiyoshi could barely be seen. With a smile on his face he replies, " He says that she is not, but I have a feeling that there is something there. They may not know it yet, but I think there is something there." Looking down into Luna's hazel eyes, " We better follow him, I would like to question Itsuki about Ryuu and his Plans."

**********

"Wake up already," came a voice. " I am tired of carrying you."

Starting to come around, Satsuki slow starts piecing together what has happened. The last thins I remember is that monkey walking towards me, now I am being carried and my wrists are bound with the cord from his cloak. The way I am being carried is not very comfortable."Hey, ether carry me better or put me down and let me walk, I can walk on my own."

"So you are finally awake." Itsuki puts the raccoon down. "You wrists are bound and I have a rope tied to your wrists. Think of it as a leash. You will walk n front of me so I can keep an eye on you."

The raccoon started to walk in front of Itsuke. After about a mile on their journey, Satsuki slows and stops. Turning to the monkey, "I can't walk in silence. It is to boring, at least tell me why you are working for Ryuu. I know he escaped from prison, did you escape with him?"

"If you must know I was in prison with Ryuu.He helped me escape with two others and we all pledged our lives to him." He nudges her to get her walking again.

" Why were you in prison?"

"If I answer, will you be quiet? I am starting to like it better when you were unconscious."

"Fine, if you tell me, I will be quiet."

"Well, I was put in to prison for selling weapons to the Shogunate army during the revolution. Your little fox friend caught me in an undercover operation and, long story short I wound up in jail. When I was there I met this grey fox and he told me that if I helped him escape, he would take me with him. He told me that the same fox put him there too, and he had a plan to get his revenge." Pausing, "I have said too much." Itsuki yawns and stretches, causing him to pull on the rope, jerking Satsuki causing her to fall. "I think carrying you took too much out of me, I think I will rest for a little while."

Leading the raccoon off the road into a wooded area, he ties her arms behind her around a tree stump. " You will be safe her." states the Itsuki, who proceeded to sit at the base of the tree across from her.Curling his tail around his feet the monkey soon falls asleep.

Thinking to her self the whole time she was being tied up. He can't be this stupid can he? He is tying me up to a tree stump. If he falls asleep or drops his guard I can escape, or even better capture him. Ok good he just sat down across from me and it looks that he will soon me asleep. If I just stay quiet for about a half hour he will fall asleep and I can get free.

So she waited until she knew that the stupid monkey was asleep. Cautiously and quietly she inched the rope up the stump, until she was able to slide the rope over the top. She still had the problem of her hands being tied behind her back. Which was easily resolved when she brought her hands under her legs . With her hands now in front of her, she quickly untied the knot that bound her wrists. Using the ropes that bounded to the stump, she ties Itsuki to the tree to which he is sleeping against. Tying the rope as tight as she could, "There that should hold him. Now let's find something I could use as a weapon." Looking around she spots a fallen tree limb. "That will do just fine." When she was younger that was all she could practice with. Taking the lomb, she trimmed it down to a more manageable size, to about the size of her sword but with a sharpened end that could really do some damage.

Returning to where the monkey lay sleeping, she pokes him with the sharp end until he wakes. Stunned at being woken so abruptly, he tries to stand only to realize that he was tied down. Looking around he sees a sharp object being pointed at him. Seeing who held the object Itsuki had a look of confusion on his face, " What, how did you escape?"

"It's not very hard when you tie someone to a tree stump. Now if you are nice I will untie you from this tree. Then you will be leashed and we will walk back the way we came. I have a friend who is most likely looking for me right now.

"I will never agree with that." Spat Itsuki, "If I get out of this, I will kill you!"

"You kidnapped me, you threatened my life.I could leave you here, and you could most likely escape, but I would say that you won't, or I could Kill you here and not have to worry about you ever again." Satsuki raises her weapon and aims it for Itsuki's head. The frightened Itsuki looks up the weapon into Satsuki's eyes, seeing something that he never expected to see. For Satsuki's eyes were full of tears.

She was crying because she knew what she was about to do. She was going to kill this man, who could not protect himself. She was about to go against everything that she stood for. Closing her eyes, she tightened her grip, and with all her strength thrust towards Itsuki's head.

Not hearing anything, Satsuki slowly opened her tear laden eyes, only to see something, a hand. A black furred hand that turned to orange/red around the wrist. This hand stopped the attack inches from Itsuki's head. Following the arm with her eyes she sees who the hand belongs to.

"You told me once that you never wanted to kill. Why would you want to start now." Dropping her weapon she turns into Kiyoshi and falls into his chest, crying even harder.

Chapter 9

Her tears staining Kiyoshi's top while he tries to comfort her. "Satsuki-dono, everything will be fine now. You will be safe with me."

Looking up into Kiyoshi's warm and gentle eyes, she speaks through her subsiding tears, "I don't know what came over me. I have never lost control like that before. What would I have done if you hadn't showed up to stop me."

"I know what wold have happened." came the quivering voice of Itsuki. "She would have killed me, I should thank you, but after you put me in prison i vowed for revenge. If i get out of these ropes I will kill both of you."

Taking his sheathed sword out of his belt, Kiyoshi strikes the monkey on the top of his head, rendering him unconscious.Putting his sword back through his belt, the two swords, his and Satsuki's, hit each other with a clang. Satsuki looked down to see what had made the noise. Seeing the swords on the fox's waist she looks back up to Kiyoshi. Starting to laugh a little raccoon laugh, "Did you get a new sword, or are you just that happy to see me safe."

With the skin under the fox's fur turning red with embarrassment, it made the white hairs on his face look almost pink. "umm... it is another sword, yours to be exact." Taking her sword he hands it back to Satsuki. "When you were captured it was left behind, I thought you might want it back."

Taking her sword from Kiyoshi, Satsuki returns her blade to where it belongs, on her belt. "I was only kidding with that last comment. I'm trying to get into a better mood. I don't want you to see me all weak and crying."

"How could I ever think you are weak.You are stronger than most."

"Thanks for that," smiles the raccoon. She hugs Kiyoshi tightly, "That's for stopping me from doing something that I would always regret."

Returning the hug, "I am just glad that you are alright."

"This is the second time I have walked into you two like this," laughed Daisuke coming through the brush. "Did I interrupt something, again?"

Letting each other go, Satsuki turns to Daisuke, "No, I was just saying thanks to Kiyoshi for rescuing me."

"Is that so," smirked the wolf.

"Kiyoshi-dono, how did you find me," asks Satsuki turning her attention back to the fox. "I was off the road a good ways."

"I could hear you from the road, which we are not that far from."

"There y'all are," came a tired voice of a skunk. "Daisuki-san, you are much taller than me and have a longer stride than me.I lost track of you soon after we set off after the fox."

Seeing a new face, "Who might you be?"Asks Satsuki to the skunk."

"I'm the person who told your boyfriend here," points to Kiyoshi, "which what that monkey took you."

"Well thank you for that" says Satsuki with a bow. "Do you have a name or should I just call you Lady Skunk? And he is not my boyfriend, he just has a knack of always coming to my rescue."

"The name is Luna, and I will be going with you three to Tokyo. It seems like y'all need a level head to even things out."

Starting to come around, Itsuki realizes that more have joined the fox and the raccoon. "Who the hell are you two, wolf you look a little familiar, did you use to be an officer for the Shogun?"

"Yes, I was his protector." replied the wolf.

"Ahh, Daisuke, Its good to see you again, are you here to help me kill these two?"

"No, I am working with that pathetic fox.As for the raccoon, I wouldn't dare do anything to her, not with Kiyoshi by her side."

"So, I will have to KILL all for of you then."

Speaking for the first time since Itsuki came to, Luna turns to Daisuke, "I am not a big fan of dying, and even less fond of dying by this idiot." Turns to Itsuki, "I liked you better when you were quiet."Takes her staff and swings it at the already injured head of Itsuki. Striking the same place where Kiyoshi hit earlier, the monkey quickly loses consciousness again.

"See that's how you aught to use the staff," commented Daisuke, as Luna replaced her staff behind her back. "No more of that crap you used on me earlier today."

Kiyoshi walks over and checks on Itsuki, he turns to the skunk, who has a pleased look on her face, "You should really be a little more careful where you aim. I hit him where you hit not 30 minutes ago. If he takes much more he will most certainly die."

"What do you think we should do with him?" questions the inquisitive Satsuki. "For all I care we could leave him here after what he has done to me, but I don't want him to die or escape and come after me again."

"There is only one thing that would work for all of us." Daisuke unties the monkey and binds his hands with the rope. "I will take him back to the town of Shizuoka, to the police station, there I will question him and learn what I can about Ryuu and what his plans are."

Kiyoshi nodded, "That sounds like the best course of action given the circumstances." Speaking with a firmer tone, "Question him all you like but try not and kill him. I know that he has insulted us and kidnapped one of us but there is no reason to take a life."

"Still pathetic as usual," Laughed Daisuke. "Fine, I will try and not kill him when I question him. In turn I want you to look over Luna while I am gone." With that Daisuke picks up the unconscious Itsuki and walks off towards Shizuoka, with Itsuki over his shoulder like a bail of rice.

Luna yells after him, "Look after me, you are the one that needs to be looked after. Kiyoshi-san told you not to kill him and I expect you to do your best to listen to his words."

Daisuke never stopped walking into the distance, he only smirked and looked over his shoulder. "You should be in Tokyo in three days I will meet you at the Serakitsu Inn."

With an sinister look on her face, Luna turns to Kiyoshi and Satsuki, "Three days, thats just enough time to tell you all the embarrassing personal things about Daisuki-san." During the next three days Luna presided to tell the two every little fact that she knew about the wolf.

At the end of the third day, the three travelers saw a large city on the horizon, Tokyo. With Luna still talking about Daisuke, Kiyoshi turns to Satsuki and in a low voice, not much more than a whisper, so that only she could hear. "It has been years since I last left Tokyo during the war. Since then I have traveled to every corner of the country, but never did I once think that I would ever end up here again for a major fight. Back then the everyday was a living hell. Now as I return to Tokyo you and I are forced back into a living hell. Right now that hell is her." Kiyoshi points slightly at Luna.

Satsuki tries to hold back a laugh but the harder she tries the more she laughs, until she is laughing so hard Luna turns and looks at her. "What?" asks Luna "Did something I say make you laugh."

"No, its something that Kiyoshi said just a second ago." Laughing so hard tears start to form in her eyes.

"Kiyoshi-san, what did you say?"

Not wanting to tell the skunk that she was why Satsuki was laughing so hard he thought of a quick answer, one that was not a lie but left out information, "I just told her a joke about the last time I was in Tokyo."

"Really, I love jokes," responded Luna. "Please tell me."

Seeing that Kiyoshi was in a bind Satsuki redirects the conversation back to a safer topic. "Luna, you know an awful lot about our fourth companion, Daisuke. Its almost like you have feelings for him or something."

Reaching the outskirts of town Luna turns to the raccoon, a little red in the face, though it was hard to see with her dark fur, "I don't have feelings for him." Her words running together. "I have known him since my parents died, He is a good friend of mine and taught me how to use the staff, nothing more than that." Looking around she sees the inn were they are to meet Daisuke. Breathing a sigh of relief that she doesn't have to talk about her feeling towards Daisuke anymore, she points out the inn to the others.

Entering the inn, the three notice an almost all white fox, with orange fur only on the head and tail. "Hello, I am Serakitsu, the owner of this inn, you three are welcome to stay here as long as you would like."

"Thank you, Serakitsu-san," Said Kiyoshi with a small bow. "If possible we would like to have two rooms, one for me and one for the two women."

"It shouldn't be a problem sir." The inn keeper shows the three to there rooms.

Shutting the door behind him Kiyoshi starts to prepare for bed. I am in Tokyo, the only thing left to do is wait for the return of Daisuke and face my past.

Chapter 10

"It has been two days since we have entered Tokyo," exclaimed Satsuki in frustration. "My father is somewhere in this city and we are just sitting here doing nothing. Why do we have to wait of that stupid Daisuke to come back here before we can go searching?"

"Who are you calling stupid?" retorted Luna. "Kiyoshi told you yesterday why we are waiting. We have to stay where a place were Daisuke can find us easily. If we go out who knows what information we could miss out on if we were to stumble across their hideout."

"That is very true there Luna." came Kiyoshi's voice as he enters the room. " For all we know Ryuu has added to more to his force, other than those two bears." Turning to the raccoon, "I cannot say that I know what you are feeling right now Satsuki, but I do know Ryuu and I know that he will not harm your father. He wants revenge on me for what I did years ago. He is using him to get to me. So if we wait for Daisuke to come here and tell us what is going on and where they are hiding."

Pouting a little, "Fine, we'll do it your way."

"Listen to him, Satsuki. From what Daisuke-san has told me, Kiyoshi is one of the smartest 'dumb little foxes' that he knows. He was the one that first had the idea on how to capture Ryuu. It seems that Daisuke has great respect for you" motioning to Kiyoshi "I think we should so what he says."

"Thank you for that, Luna-dono." Said Kiyoshi with a small bow. "Anyways i have a feeling that Daisuke will soon be arriving here to brief us on our next course of action. Cheer up Satsuki-dono, your father will be rescued very soon."

A sneeze is heard from behind the thin door to the room where the three were talking. All heads turned to face the door. Everybody in the room, except the fox readied their weapons. The door to the room slides open and in walks the topic of the three's conversation, Daisuke. "It appears that I was a topic of a recent conversation."

Satsuki and Luna relaxed their guard when they saw who it was. "I have information that you will find useful, Kiyoshi.If you two will leave the room for a little while so the two of us can talk." Motioning for the raccoon and the skunk to leave.

"If it has to deal with the upcoming fight against Ryuu and his followers I think that everyone here should know what you have to say."

Shutting the door to the room Daisuke sits in a corner and motions for the others to sit as well. "You are still as soft ever." he smirks seeing Satsuki sitting next to Kiyoshi, "but I am starting to see that being soft suits you well."

"Enough with the criticism of my beliefs, Daisuke. Before we listen to what you have to say, answer for me this one question."

"Fair enough, what is it?"

"That monkey, Itsuki, did you end up killing him to get this information?"

All three pairs of eyes were fixed on Daisuke waiting for his answer. Daisuke sighs, "No, the monkey, Itsuki, if you can call him that now, for he is more like a chimpanzee, with out his tail, lives. He will spend the rest of his days in a tiny cell all alone so that he can never escape again." The three others breath a collective sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Daisuki-san" bows Kiyoshi, "I know it was a hard thing for you to do, holding back."

"Think nothing of it, Itsuki's life will be more of a hell for the rest of his life, than if he were to die. Now if we are done talking about nothing, I have some very important information to give to you all." The fox, raccoon, and skunk all gather around the wolf to listen to what he has to say. "After questioning Itsuke for a long period of time, I have learned all of what Ryuu has told him." Looking to each party of the company Daisuke paused to prepare his next words. "Kiyoshi, you now this, but you two don't; besides Ryuu there are only two others left. They are the bear twins, Tarou and Taichi. The only thing they have in common is that they are twins, and both are decent fighters. They differ in weapons, one uses a naginata and the other a katana, though I can't remember which one carries which."

"Great Daisuke" sighed Satsuki, "What good are you if we don't who is who?"

"Kiyoshi, please keep your woman quiet until I finish my report."

Embarrassed, Kiyoshi restrains the angry raccoon from trying to kill Daisuke, "She is not my woman, now please continue whit your report."

"Very well. Satsuki your father is being held captive in his own house, on the other side of town. It's not a very clever hide out for Ryuu, but it works out pretty well. The house is pretty well defended by high walls and the river behind estate. It's safe to say that Tarou and Taichi will be guarding Ryuu, and that your father will be close to Ryuu as well."

Satsuki leans onto Kiyoshi's arm wondering how she will rescue her father. "So how do you think we should go about rescuing him, Daisuke?" the raccoon questions.

"For once she has something worth while to say."

"Now, now Daisuke," pleaded the fox, " I think I have a way to answer your question Satsuki-dono. The way I see the best way to go about this is that Daisuke, you and Luna duel the bears. Luna I am trusting that you can take on the naginata bear yourself. If you can not I need you to tell me now."

"I can handle him, it won't be a problem."

"Good, while you two take care of the bears, Satsuki-dono and I will find and rescue her father and take Ryuu in to custody."

"do you really think you can handle Ryuu, Kiyoshi?" questioned the wolf. "Knowing your history with him do you think you will be able to fight him full strength?"

"I do not know, but I must be the one to settle things with Ryuu. It is the reason the *Ishin Shishi* army hired me during the revolution and why the Meiji Government hired me now."

"Do you know him or something Kiyoshi-san?" asks Luna. "The way you talk about him, you must."

"I do, it is a very long story that maybe Daisuke-san will tell you one of these days It is of no concern of the current situation. All that is needed right now is that I will fight Ryuu and return him to prison."

Satsuki rises from her seat next to Kiyoshi, "Now that we have this all figured out what are we waiting for."

Kiyoshi grabs the raccoons pant leg to stop her from leaving. "Now it not a good time to go Satsuki-dono, we should wait a little while longer."

Anger apparent in her eyes Satsuki turns to the fox holding her pant leg and with her free leg kicks his hand off of her. "What do you mean wait. We know where my father is, how many people are guarding him, and we have our battle plan. What are we waiting for?"

"I think Kiyoshi-san is right, Satsuki-senpai" came the voice of the only other female in the room, Luna, with a small bow. "It is already late in the day, and your father's house is a good distance from here. If we leave now it will be night before we reach our destination. It is best we wait until first light. I find that it's easier to fight in the light of day rather than in the darkness of night or by glow of a lantern, Isn't that right Daisuke-sama?"

"That is correct Luna," responded the wolf, "It is best that we wait until morning before we set out for battle."

Chapter 11

As the sun started to rise over Tokyo the next morning, the four had already started their journey to Satsuki's father's home. The group all had the same mission, but by the looks on their faces one would never know. There was the raccoon, Satsuki; who had a look of concern, both for her father and for her traveling companion Kiyoshi.

The fox, Kiyoshi; had a look of stoic graceful confidence. He knew that it would e a hard fought battle, but he hoped that with the wolf's skills he could save his strength for his battle against Ryuu.

The wolf, Daisuke; also wore the face of confidence. Unlike the gracefulness of Kiyoshi, his confidence was different.His was like stone, not caring who lived and who died as long as the mission was a success.

Luna, the skunk, the last and newest member of the group, had a look of excitement mixd with nervousness. For she had never been in a fight of this magnitude before.

These four all traveled to their destinies, willing to accept what fait had in store. They traveled in silence so that each could prepare in their own way for what lied ahead

As the sun reached the highest point on its journey through the sky, they reached the mansion of Satsuki's father.The door that lead to Ryuu, Kiyoshi's past and now to his future. Reaching for the door The fox pauses and looks at each member of the group, ' once we go through these doors,there is no turning back." Kiyoshi tries to open the door, only to find it locked. A hard kick from the fox sent the door flying into the courtyard.

"There goes the element of surprise, dumb fox" muttered Daisuke under his breath. " Maybe we should bang a gong a few times just in case they didn't hear your."

Reaching into her sleeve, the raccoon produced a key, "If you would have been patient, I could have unlocked the door for us."

"Well..." replied the fox turning a little red." I am sure the government will replace it after we finish." Walking through the now empty doorway, he takes a quick survey of the courtyard. Seeing that it was empty save for the now destroyed door, he motions for the others to enter. Turning back to Satsuki, "Where do you think Ryuu would be keeping your father?"

"Well, the most fortified place in the dojo out back. He had it built when my younger brother was born. He is much younger than me, and by the time he was old enough to hold a sword I already had moved out and into my place in Kyoto."

"Tell us then, which way to the dojo? I am sure that the twin bears and Ryuu can be found on the way there."

" It's not that hard to get there.You go through those doors, then the last door on the left." She points to a set of doors to the right of the courtyard. "From that room, go across and go through the door on the far side of the room. That hall will lead directly to the dojo."

"Then what are we waiting for? He father needs to be rescued," stated Luna grasping her staff.

"We are, but do not rush." stated the fox flatly. "If we rush we will likely make mistakes and somebody could get killed."

"Quiet, and let's get going," Stated the wolf. " We can't stall much longer."

Entering the doors the raccoon pointed to Daisuke and Luna lead the way. Finding the hall way clear the cautiously proceeded to the last door n the left. Everyone stepped with caution, not wanting to make a sound that might alert somebody to their presence. Eyeing each door they passed, they half expected a trap or one of the enemies to appear. Reaching the end of the hall, Kiyoshi stopped the group, whispering," I would bet that our first two targets are through that door. I am counting on you Daisuke to take care of your target and help Luna with hers, if she needs it. I do not want any of us to die here today. While you two are fighting, Satsuki and I will proceed on to the dojo and rescue her father and take care of Ryuu."

"You worry too much, you dumb fox. We are capable of taking care of ourselves, so don't worry about us and let's just get going." Stated the wolf with a look of disgust growing on his face. Pushing the door open and stepping through Daisuke sees nothing at first but an empty room.

After everyone had entered Luna was the first to notice, "Hey guys," she said with a small quiver in her voice. Each turn to look at her. She points to the shadows in the corner of the room by where they entered. "I saw something move over there. I'm not sure what it was but it was big."

"You shouldn't be scared. I thought I had taught you never to show fear when facing an adversary." Daisuke started to walk over to the corner hand on the hilt of his sword. "I know you are there, I can since you."

Coming from the shadow, two bears slowly stepped forward. "Very well, but I am afraid that this is as far as you will be allowed to go." Said the bear holding a sword.

"You will never get past us to face master Ryuu," followed the bear with naginata. The bears slowly separated and moved to each side of the group. The one with the sword moved closer to Kiyoshi and Luna, while the one with the naginata moved between Daisuke and Satsuki.

The wolf laughed an evil laugh, "You think you can fight us like that, the skunk and myself are more than enough to beat you two." He turned to Luna. " I have trained you to the best of my abilities. I don't plan on helping you with your opponent, I know you can handle him, but just to make things more even for you, I will give you this one little gift." Drawing his blade he leapt over the group and landed between the swordsman bear and Luna.

"What was your gift to that pathetic skunk? All I saw you do was just jump and face my bother with the sword."

"If you did not see what he has done, these two are beyond your skills. Satsuki and I will be on our way to the next room to find her father." With that Kiyoshi and Satsuki parted with the others and vanished behind the door leading to the dojo.

As the door slid shut behind the fox the naginata suddenly lost its blade. It was not broken off but rather cut by Daisuke when he leapt over him. A small smile appeared on the wolf's face. "There Luna, now it is an even match for you two."

Surprised, for the skunk and never seen Daisuke smile before. "Thank you Daisuke-san, I will not disappoint you." Readying her staff she moved toward the still bewildered bear, bewildered for he did not see the wolf slice through his weapon with such ease, with a new confidence that she had never felt before. Thinking she could get a shot at the midsection of the bear while he still looked confused, she swung her staff as hard as she could.

Still half confused, the bear saw the attack coming and was able to block the swing, and place a well aimed kick at the ribs of the skunk. "Trying to take advantage of me while I was shocked, but I am not a novice with a staff. Attacks like that won't work on me."

Clutching her side, she had an apparent look of pain on her face. She knew that others were depending on her, and that it would take more than one kick to her side to make her quit. She saw in his counter attack a weakness that she thought she could exploit. When he kicked his upper body was totally defenseless. Both stood motionless waiting for the other to make a move. Finally the skunk spoke up, "Are we just going to stand here or are you going to attack. I attacked last time, so I think it is only fair for you to attack this time."

"Fine, if you want to die that much faster so be it." With that he thrust at her head. She figured that a thrust was coming, and when she saw where it was going she slid to the side and was missed by the width of a piece of paper.

That width was all she needed, she countered her thrust with an over head swing, she did not aim for the head or body of the bear. She aimed for just in front of his feet, planting the tip firmly onto the floor. The bear thought it was swing for the head, he prepared for that and left his body wide open for her next attack. With the staff planted on the floor she swung herself around her staff and landed a kick to the belly of the bear, causing him to drop his arms. Not finished yet, she planted her feet when she landed and then landed a shot with her staff to the top of the bears head, rendering him unconscious.

"You see that Daisuke-san? I beat him, my first battle and I beat him," stated the raccoon with a big smile on her face. She was proud of herself, able to stand up for herself, and help her friends when she needed to.

"Very good Luna, but we can talk about this later, after I take care of this fool." Pointing to the other bear.

"If you think I am as week as my brother, you are wrong. Now prepare yourself."

Chapter 12

"Prepare yourself, what kind of line is that." mocked the wolf. "For your final words I think you could have picked better than that." Slowly Daisuke moved into range so he could attack his foe. He knew what kind of swordsman the bear was. He was sure that he could defeat him, but he had seen too many of his allies killed by weak swordsmen to take anybody lightly. He himself took Kiyoshi lightly when they first met, but was able to make their fight a draw. The wolf was not going to make the same mistake twice.

Luna was close by taking in all the action.She was amazed on how confident her guardian, Daisuke, looked. This was the first time the skunk had ever seen him fight. She knew stories of how great he was back during the days of the Revolution, but she had always secretly yearned to see him in action. "Daisuke, please be careful. You still have to keep your promise to my family to protect me." Half under her breath, as if to herself; she didn't want to break the wolf's concentration. Being in the middle of the room still, Luna backed away to lean against a wall.

Taking the sheathed sword from his belt, the bear held the blade with two hands out in front of him, one paw on the sword the other on the sheath. In dramatic fashion he withdrew his blade from its home. Tossing the sheath to the side the beast took a stance ready to fight. Drawing his sword, Daisuke was ready for anything, anything except...

**********

Leaving their compatriots behind, Kiyoshi and Satsuki head to the door that leads to the dojo, her father, and to Ryuu.Reaching the door the two stopped and looked at each other. Both were nervous, for they did not know what was behind the door. Satsuki was worried, both for her father, and for the fox standing in front of her. Even though she just met the fox while both were headed to Tokyo, she felt something for the fox. She didn't know what the feelings meant, but she was worried for his safety in his upcoming fight.

"Be careful Kiyoshi-san, I will never forgive you if you get yourself killed here today." Stated the raccoon, half serious.

With a small hint of a smile on his face Kiyoshi spoke "Thank you for your concern Satsuki. Be assured I promise that we will leave this house together." Getting more serious, "This fight is between Ryuu and myself, when the fighting starts please stay out of the way. I do not wish for your involvement, for your safety." Kiyoshi put his hand on the door ready to face his past. Opening the door slightly, he paused, waiting for Satsuki's answer.

"Okay," said Satsuki, a little reassured, and a little uneasy. He promised me that we will leave this house together.I don't care if he gets upset with me, but I will not sit idly by and allow him to be killed. Either we leave this place together alive, or we will leave by our deaths.

**********

Without warning a floor board came rushing up and hit the wolf under his chin, knocking Daisuke out. Before the battle the brothers had loosened some of the floor boards, allowing for a surprise attack. The surprise worked for the wolf was lying on the ground out cold.

Standing over his unconscious opponent, the bear laughed, "You thought you had me picked as an easy target. I know that my move was under handed, but when you are outmatched like myself, one has to resort to such tactics. I never figured that it would have worked so well. I don't like killing a helpless person such as yourself right now, but I will take what I can get." Positioning the tip of his sword at the neck of the helpless Daisuke, he prepares himself for the kill.

"Stop right there," came the voice from the skunk. "If you want to kill him, you will have to go through me first." She moves towards the bear holding her staff with one hand, while the other clutches her ribs where they broke. "I will not allow you to kill him as long as I can do anything to prevent it."

Turning his attention away from Daisuke, the bear laughed at Luna. "You think you stand a chance against me like you are now. I doubt you be a match for the great Tarou if you were uninjured. What do you expect to accomplish fighting the way you are now?"

Letting go of her side and took a defensive stance. She turned with her left side facing the bear, staff in the her left hand behind her arm. With determination in her eyes she challenged, "If you are so confident, then come attack."

**********

Opening the door that lead to the dojo. As the door slid open they both noticed a dimly lit room. Kiyoshi withdrew his sword, expecting to see Ryuu as soon he stepped through he door way. Satsuki, as if attached to the fox's hip was closer than what the fox was used to. Motioning with his hand he signals to the raccoon to back off a few step. A little upset with his gesture she stepped back.

Entering the dojo first, the fox slowly looked around the room. At first it appeared to be just like any other dojo that he has seen, except in one corner. In that corner there was a lone figure, sitting on the floor. Kiyoshi couldn't tell who or what it was, to be safe he turned to Satsuki and whispered, " There is something in the far corner of the room, I do not know for sure what it is; I am going to go look, stay here until I say it is safe for you to come."

Approaching the seated figure, his sword drawn at the ready. His senses at peak performance, ears hearing everything around him and his eyes adjusting to light conditions. Slowly the dark figure started to began to become clear. Kiyoshi recognized the figure who was kneeling facing not to the center of the room but was looking at the wall. The head was covered, hands bound behind its back, the tail blocked the view of the feet. Kiyoshi couldn't tell whether they were bound or not, but his figured they were. It finally clicked in his mind, the tail. The tail was not like his nor any foxes, it had rings, the rings of a raccoon. Grabbing the cover on the head of the raccoon, Kiyoshi pulls it off to discover the identity. It was the person that he was sent on the mission to rescue, it was Satsuki's father.

Motioning to Satsuki to come over, she rushed to her father's side. With tears of joy coming down her face she helps the fox to unbind the ropes that bound her father's hands and feet. "Are you all right?" asked Satsuki through her tears, hugging her father tight. "I was so worried about you when I heard that you were taken hostage."

"I am none the worse for wear." Hugging back. "I was worried too, that I would never see you again. It warms my heart to see you safe." Looking at her traveling companion, but still talking to his daughter "Who is this young fox with you?"

" His name is Kiyoshi, he was sent by the government to rescue you. We met on the East Sea Road from Kyoto, and he saved my life from one of Ryuu's gang members."

"I would not go that far, Satsuki-dono" interjected the fox. "You took care of Itsuki by yourself. You showed great clarity of mind and resourcefulness, not having your sword and all." When Kiyoshi mentioned that she had a sword, Satsuki shot him a look that could make even the fearless scared.

Looking at his daughters waist, noticing the sword through her belt. "Is there something you want to tell me.Later though, for I fear that Ryuu is closer than we would like."

"Much closer." A voice came from across the room, where a second door was being slid open. Kiyoshi knew the voice immediately, though he had not heard it since the Revolution. "It has been a long time Kiyoshi-san."

Turning, Kiyoshi stands, "Ryuu..."

**********

"Come on, attack me if you think I am so weak," shouted the skunk.

"Why are you so ready to meet your death?If you want to die so much, I will accommodate your request." Replied the bear.

Rushing for the skunk, the bear held his sword with both hands over his head. His goal was to slice Luna in two. Tarou started his swing for the top of Luna's head, she took a small step back, allowing the blade to pass just in front of her. Missing its target, the bear's sword sliced into the floor causing it to get temporally stuck. This gave the skunk an opportunity to take the back of Tarou.

Quickly she made her way to the backside of the bear. Thinking she had her target's beat she held her staff above her head and brought it down on to Tarou's neck. The attack however failed, for when the staff was about to make contact the bear managed to loosen his blade from the floor and block the staff with the back of his sword. Luna was quick to get back on defense, with her staff back in front of her before the bear turned to face her.

Pain was apparent on the skunk's face.The fight was causing her to breath deeply, causing her broken ribs to shoot pain through her chest. I can't attack him with my ribs broken. Why must Daisuke be unconscious. He could have had this fight won a long time ago. Tarou used a underhanded tactic to beat him. Wait a second, that gives me an idea.

Luna began to quickly look around looking for something to aid her in her fight. With out warning Tarou split her staff in two. "Keep your eyes on the fight, little skunk. Next time I won't just destroy your weapon, it will be you."

"You forget, that a staff is a non-lethal weapon, even if it is broken into two it can still be used." With a twist of her wrists she positions the two smaller staffs so that most of it is coming out the back of her hands. "If you don't believe me, attack and finish me off." she taunted.

The bear did what she wanted, he attacked, not with just one swing, but with many slashes and thrusts. Each one was blocked by one of Luna's arms, protected by the broken staff. She kept backing up and moving around the room blocking the attacks from Tarou. Moving, always moving, feeling the ground with her feet, searching for something. After dodging a thrust to the right, her feet found what they was looking for. Taking an aggressive stance with her right hand over her head, she brings it down to attack Tarou. She wanted the bear to concentrate on the attack to his head so she could cary out her real attack.

"After being on defense all that time is that the best you can do to attack me with a pathetic attempt to hit me on my head." Laughed Tarou

"No, that was just a distraction for this." With that she stomped on a floor board causing it to fly up and strike Tarou under his chin knocking him out cold. Standing over her second fallen opponent of the day, smiling, "Its fair that you lose this way, by a taste of your own medicine."

"Very good, Luna." came Daisuke's voice as he approached her, still a little wobbly. "Even after you fought one person, you saved my life and used your surrounding to outsmart and beat another." Giving her a hug, "I am proud of you, and I know your parents are too. Now let's go catch up with that dumb little fox and his woman, though they don't see it yet, those two were meant for each other."

Making their way to the dojo, Daisuke and Luna hurried to the door Kiyoshi and Satsuki entered a little while before. Opening the door they see a grey fox approaching the others.

"It has been a long time Kiyoshi-san."

Turning, Kiyoshi stands, "Ryuu."

"Is that the way to greet your former sensei."

"Uncle, you are unworthy of being greeted any other way."

Chapter 13

"Daisuke, Did Kiyoshi just call him uncle?" questioned the skunk. "It's obvious that Ryuu is a grey fox, and Kiyoshi is obviously red."

""You can't be serious, that question is something that I would expect from Kiyoshi." Smirked the wolf. "Just because Ryuu is Kiyoshi's uncle doesn't mean they are blood related. Ryuu was married to Kiyoshi's father's sister."

"But, the are relatives, why would they fight each other?"

"Ryuu always was loyal to the shogunate, when the War started he came to me and asked what he could do to help. My superiors and I found it necessary to have him spy on the revolutionists. Kiyoshi found out and they arrested him. Now be quiet we can't be a distraction for what is about to unfold." Together the two moved around the room to join Satsuki and her father.

Moving away form the others, never taking his eyes from Ryuu, Kiyoshi moves to the center of the dojo. Resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, he prepares himself for the toughest fight of his life. _I can do this. Too many lives hang in the balance of this fight. I cannot afford to lose. For the sake of those around me, I WILL NOT LOSE._Rushing forward Kiyoshi draws his blade and slashes at his uncle's mid-section.

Blocking it easily, Ryuu let out a small laugh."Is that the best my former student has. You have gotten rusty. It would be no fun to kill you like you are now. I will pack away at you until you are begging me to kill you."

"I have not intention of killing you Uncle.I have done my best to stop killing since the war." muttered Kiyoshi through his snarl. "It is my job to stop whatever you are up to and bring you back to jail."

"Back to jail? You are going to bring me back to jail? You don't have what it takes." Pushing Kiyoshi back and slashes downward at the neck.

Dodging it by the width of a hair Kiyoshi moves right ant counters with a thrust to the side.

Blocking with his scabbard, Ryuu deflects the attack and swings at Kiyoshi's arm, wounding him just below the elbow. Kiyoshi winces in pain from the cut on his arm.

"If I was trying I could have killed you now. What happened to my student who was said to be the best during the Revolution? Your former self would have never let me wound you like that."

Backing away and sheathing his sword, Kiyoshi glances at his wound, "You call that a wound? It is hardly a scratch. I would not boast about a mere cut on my arm."

"Does that mean you are ready to stop holding back and start fighting at your full strength. I am just playing with you to entertain myself. If I can kill you at anytime I choose. Remember I taught you everything you know. I know all your moves and how to counter all of them." Starting to laugh, "So you can see that it is pointless just give up now and accept your fate."

"It is true you have taught me a lot about swordsmanship, but not everything." Moving closer, "There is something that is learned in every fight, that betters the swordsman."

Slashing, Kiyoshi attacks, but it easily blocked by Ryuu. "It that all that you have learned though out your battles?"

Though clinched teeth, Kiyoshi growls, "Take a closer look."

Looking to where the blades met, Ryuu suddenly had a look of surprise. Kiyoshi did not attack with his sword alone. He attacked with it sheathed. While Ryuu was taking in the situation, Kiyoshi quickly drew his blade from the sheath, while still holding Ryuu's sword at bay. Rotating his body Kiyoshi lands a well placed hit at the back of Ryuu's neck.

As Ryuu falls to the ground, Kiyoshi walks to where the others are watching. Satsuki relieved that the fox is safe, rushes towards him. Hugging and with tears in her eyes, "I am glad you are safe, I was worried that you might not win the fight."

Returning the hug after wiping away the raccoon's tears, "I was worried also, but there is no way that I would have let him win. The future of Japan rested in the balance of me winning."

"That move looked awfully familiar, you dumb little fox." Daisuke walks over and looks at Kiyoshi with a smart look in his eyes.

"That move?" asked the fox. "Yes I have learned the technique from you, and I added my own little spin to it."? "True, if I were to have done that, Ryuu's head would be detached from his body. I noticed that at the last moment you reversed your blade.

"As I told him I had no wish to kill."

"And that will be your down fall." Came a voice from across the room. Everybody froze, and turned to look. Ryuu was standing sword in hand, rubbing the back of his neck. "If you landed that strike just a little higher I would be incapacitated and you would have won. You shouldn't have reversed your sword and killed me. Now that I know that you are fighting at your full strength I will not hesitate to kill you." Moving closer to Kiyoshi, Ryuu is unsure of his steps at first, but with in a few steps has regained his balance.

Kiyoshi moving from the others, prepares himself for the conclusion of the battle. "Ryuu, I am surprised that you are still able to walk after that strike I landed."

"I'm not feeling it right now. My mind has been trained to overcome pain in order to survive. Something I never taught you, nor I doubt you have learned this due to the reaction to me landing that strike to your arm. Let's finish this now. My revenge on you will be complete with your death"

Ryuu lunges at Kiyoshi barley missing his head. Kiyoshi counters with a slash to the midsection of Ryuu. Blocking with the side of his sword Ryuu steps back and waits for Kiyoshi to attack. Kiyoshi sheathes his sword, and rushes Ryuu. Ryuu expecting his opponent to unsheathe his sword while swinging , closed the distance. Kiyoshi starts to draw his sword to attack, noticing that Ryuu was too close for a slash he drives the hilt of the sword in to the abdomen of Ryuu. Recoiling, Ryuu retreats a few steps to take hold of the situation. "You have gotten very strong as my student. It wouldn't be fun to kill you out right, I will make you wish for death.

For what seemed like hours to the people in the room, the fighting continued. Neither warrior finding an opportunity for a finishing strike. There were many flesh wounds on both fighters, but none that would give an advantage to the other. Nobody spoke, the only sound that could be heard was the breathing of the two swordsmen and the swords cutting through the air and striking metal.

Both were getting tired, Kiyoshi knowing that he was reaching his limits decides to end the fight with his next attack.Ryuu lunges at Kiyoshi's midsection, Kiyoshi utilizing his favorite move, catches Ryuu's sword in his sheath. "I have your weapon Ryuu, give up and accept your fate of going back to prison."

"Have my weapon, you say. I taught you this technique, but i never taught you how to counter it." With his right hand still on the hilt of his sword, Ryuu throws a left hook to the temple of Kiyoshi. The rotational momentum of the punch allowed Ryuu to unsheathe his sword from Kiyoshi's scabbard, spin and slash downward with very little effort.

Shocked from the unexpected punch, Kiyoshi never noticed Ryuu unsheathing his sword. Unsteady on his feet Kiyoshi sways forward when Ryuu slashes downward. Feeling a sharp pain, Kiyoshi lets out a pain-filled scream. Turning to see his injury, Kiyoshi falls to the ground. Next to his face lies something he would never expected to see, his tail. Standing up, he tries to attack Ryuu. He is off balance and Ryuu was in no danger of being hit.

For the first time since the fighting began, Luna spoke, "Daisuke, what happened? I know that Kiyoshi lost his tail, but its such a small part of him. Why is he now a completely different swordsman than before?"

It's simple, Luna." Stated the wolf, with no emotion in his voice. The tail provides balance to a swordsman. If one were to lose their tail, they could only fight at one-third strength. Kiyoshi, though he fought valiantly, has no hope of surviving this battle."

"He can't die." whispered Satsuki to herself. "I don't know what I would do without him."

Kiyoshi, stumbling around the dojo, trying the best he could to fight, though all of his efforts were in vein. He stumbled around always off balance. Ryuu now had the upper hand and rushed Kiyoshi and attacked Kiyoshi's head with his scabbard, knocking Kiyoshi to the ground. Standing over Kiyoshi's almost unconscious body, Ryuu positions his sword at the neck of the fallen Kiyoshi, ready to deliver the killing strike. "I have had enough of you. You were my best student, I am sorry to see you go like this."

From the corner of Kiyoshi's field of vision, a blurry figure approached. As he slipped into unconsciousness, a body fell limp to the floor next to him, he recognized the body as Ryuu's.

Chapter 14

Awaking from unconsciousness Kiyoshi could not focus his eyes. He could tell that people were around him, but was unable to disguising who was who. Blinking from the light shining into the room his eyes slowly start to focus. Still not being able to recognize who was sitting around him, Kiyoshi tries to sit up. "Please lay back down, Kiyoshi-san," came the voice he had come to know along his journey; the voice of Satsuki. "Your body isn't recovered from your injury from the duel for you to be moving around."

"I will be fine," replied the fox, but when he was halfway up to a sitting position, he collapsed back on to the futon that he was lying on. "I feel weak, did something happen in my fight with Ryuu that I do not remember?"

Another voice came from the other side of the fox. With his vision cleared he was able to recognize the other visitor at Satsuki's father. "What is the last thing your remember from your fight?"

"The last thing that I am able to remember is being punched by Ryuu. After that all I remember is waking up here. How long was I out for?"

"Two days," replied the elder raccoon, "It was pretty touch and go for a while but I am sure that you will make a somewhat full recovery. For now rest in my home until you are fully recovered."Turning to his daughter, "I am sure that Kiyoshi-kun is hungry from not eating these past two days, why don't you go bring him something to food."

"Yes father." Satsuki looked one last time at Kiyoshi before she rose and left the room, sliding the door shut behind her.Kiyoshi noticed the single tear that fell down her cheek before she left.

"Sir, why did your daughter..." Before he could finish, Satsuki's father finished his thought for him.

"Shed that tear before she left? Yes, Kiyoshi, I saw it too." Smiled the raccoon. "While you were unconscious, she hasn't left your side for more than five minutes at any time. It is obvious to this old 'coon that she cares deeply for you, and it's thanks to her that you are still alive today."

Kiyoshi's eyes went big, "What do you mean? What happened that I do not remember?" Asked the fox with surprised in his voice.

"Ryuu had you beat, you were lying on the ground with your sword out of reach. You were exhausted and losing blood quickly. Ryuu stood over you about to finish you off, when Satsuki rushed Ryuu. She surprised and killed Ryuu before he could kill you."

"You mean she took a life with her sword?"

"Yes, she did."

"She told me when we first met that she never wanted to take a life with her sword. She felt that using he sword she could protect people without death and destruction."

"She has told me the same thing. She also told me that the purpose of this visit was to tell me that from a young age that she taught herself swordsmanship." He repositions himself, to be more comfortable and so he could talk to Kiyoshi better. "I never wanted her to hold a sword and know what it feels like to kill someone. That is why I banned her from learning it when she was younger. I thought that if I could keep her from it, that sooner or later she would give up her dream of becoming a swordsman."

"I just cannot believe that she would give up that dream of hers to save me."

"Well, as I told her, love can make a person do strange things. Yes, I said love. I can see it in her eyes and that is why she shed that tear before she left. She is relieved that you will recover."

Soon after Satsuki entered the room with a small plate of food. Her father smiled at his daughter, stood and left. As he turns to slide the door shut, he gave a small smile and nod to his daughter.

Satsuki placed a small tray of rice balls on the ground next to Kiyoshi. "Kiyoshi-san, here's some food, please eat some so you can regain your strength." Satsuki sits next to the fox, and hand him a rice ball.

"Thank you..." said the fox as he took the rice ball from her. He looks into her eyes, "... and I am sorry."

"Sorry for what?" replied the raccoon with a small look of confusion on her face.

"For having worried you these past two days, and more importantly that because of me you broke your vow never to kill.I feel that my life, because of my history, is not worth what you did to save it."

"Don't say that Kiyoshi, your life is precious. Everyones lives are precious. I didn't like taking your uncle's life; but to save yours, a person who I have grown quite fond of along our journey, I had to take his life."

A tear can be seen in Kiyoshi's eye when Satsuki spoke those words. "I did not know that you had such strong feelings towards me." Wiping his eyes, he tries to sit up again so he can be face to face with Satsuki. Making it all the way upright he positions the pillow at the small of his back to help support himself. Feeling something off when the pillow hit his fur, he reaches back to see what is causing the sensation. Starting on his lower back he slowly, almost fearfully lowers his hand to where a small nub lay. A look of realization. "It was not a dream after all. Ryuu has severed my tail. With out my tail I can never use my sword to its potential again." With that he breaks into tears. "Swords are all I have known, I do not know what I will do with out it."

"Yes he did. After he was killed, the doctor did all he could to try and reattach it, but it was too late, and it was too damaged to be reattached." Satsuki reaches her hand and takes the fox's that is covering where his tail used to be. "Its going to be okay Kiyoshi." She uses her other had to dry the tear-stained fur under his eyes. "It may be true that swords are all that you have known up to this point in your life. But you can live in the fact that you are still alive, and that I...," catching herself before she could finish her thought.

"That you what, Satsuki-dono?" Tears starting to subside, "That you care for me, or could it be something deeper, possibly love? If it is, I have started to have the same feelings for you. Why do you think I wanted to protect you, I do not know what I would do if anything happened to you." Taking his had off of where his tail used to be, he takes Satsuki's had and holds it tight.

The two lock eyes for the briefest of seconds, in that time they connected on a level deeper than they could ever imagine. To them is seemed as if time stopped and they were the only two in the world. Slowly they leaned closer to each other. They could feel each other's warmth as they drew nearer. After what seemed like an eternity , their lips met with such passion none had ever seen. When they broke away, they were content to sit quietly holding onto one another, relishing the moment that they had shared.

A quiet knock came at the door. "Hey you stupid little fox, are you awake yet?" Came the all too familiar voice of the wolf. Kiyoshi and Satsuki broke from their embrace as the door slid open and Daisuke and Luna appeared in the door way. "It's good to see you awake and upright. Of course if I was fighting rather that you, I wouldn't have lost my tail."

"If it was you fighting, you would be dead," responded Luna moving to Kiyoshi's side to check on him. Sitting next to Kiyoshi she looks at the wolf, "Tell Kiyoshi how you got knocked out by that bear. If you then were to fight Ryuu you would have lost more than your tail," she says hugging the fox while sticking her tongue out at Daisuke. "How are you feeling?"

"I have been better," replied Kiyoshi returning the hug. "It feels like I was on the losing end of a sword fight." He pauses. "Oh, wait I was," he laughed. "Other than that I am feeling a little weak but I know that I will recover from that and will be on my feet in no time."Looking at Luna's side, "That is a nice bow you have there."

"Thanks, Satsuki's father gave it to me when he found out that my old one broke in the fight." She lets go of the fox and backs away to give him some room.

Kiyoshi gives a small bow to Daisuke. "Thank you for your concern about me, even if you do not show it."

Daisuke returns the bow. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I was never concerned for a stupid fox like yourself." He said with a smile on his face. "We just came by because she," points to Luna, "wouldn't shut up until we came to see you." Turning to Luna, "You have seen him and you can see that he will be fine. Can we go now?"

"Not just yet." Came a voice from the shadows in the corner of the room. "My master wishes to speak to you." Out of the shadows came a figure dressed in full shinobi robes, dotanuki in hand. The only thing that any of the four could tell was that the figure belonged to a woman and that she had a white tail and fur around her eyes. From her posture she looked like she was ready to attack.

Before anyone could stop her, Luna grabbed her staff and tried to attack the mysterious shinobi. With movements faster than the blink of an eye, the shinobi disarmed and had her blade at the throat of the young skunk. Staring into the skunk's eyes she whispers "Move even a whisker and I will kill you." She turns her head an looks at the others, still holding her blade at Luna's throat. "As I was saying my master wishes to speak to all of you."

Kiyoshi tries to stand, but is unable to. Satsuki stands from Kiyoshi's side and steps between the unknown figure and Kiyoshi. "And just who is your master?"

"I am," said the voice of the person who sent Kiyoshi on his journey. The voice of Silverkitsu "Yukionna, put away your sword, how many times have I told you to stop threatening others like that. The skunk learned her lesson when you disarmed her there was no reason to threaten her too." The shinobi releases Luna, who sticks out her tongue at the masked figure. "Kiyoshi-san, Daisuke- san, Satsuki-san, and you young skunk I wish to congratulate all of you. Thanks to your work three of the four escapees have been returned to prison, all almost none the worse for ware. You all will be rewarded for your time and effort spent on this mission." With that he turns to leave. As he reaches the doorway he half-turns, looks at Kiyoshi from the corner of his eye. "I am sorry the injury you suffered because of this, I hope you find peace in your new life." With that he turns and leaves.

"Aren't you leaving to, Yukionna?" Asks Luna, as she sticks out her tongue yet again. The masked figure gives a small nod, reaches behind her back, pulls out a small capsule and throws it on the ground. A flash of light and a pillar of smoke appear where the shinobi stood and as the smoke dissipated the figure was gone.

"I have had too much excitement for one day. Come on Luna we are leaving." With that Daisuke made his way to the door. "I do like the sound of that reward." Luna waved bye as the door slid shut leaving the two alone again.

Chapter 15 (Epilog)

Hundreds, I have killed hundreds. A swordsman wanders through busy streets of Kyoto. _I can still see every face of those I have killed, but unlike in the past, I know what to live for. I live to protect the ones that I love for however long I can._Lost in his thoughts he does not notice the small hole in the path. Upon reaching the hole his cane becomes stuck and the middle-aged fox stumbles.

Looking back to where his cane is sticking out of the earth, a young hand reaches out to dislodge it. "Father, it has been seven years since you lost your tail and yet I have seen you walk around home and the dojo without it. Why do you still rely on this old thing?"

"Kimiko, my daughter, this 'old thing' may not be needed to move freely," started Kiyoshi, "but the dojo and our home are flat and the roads are not, and I still have problems with my balance from time to time." Taking the sword from his daughter. "Not only that this cane, like everyone around us, caries hidden secrets. You know that. I have seen you looking at it when you think I am not looking." Kimiko blushes and gives a wry smile.

"Why not get a newer one then, the wood on yours is cracking and it looks like it is ready to fall apart?" The two continue there way into the center of town, towards home.

"This cane has more value to me that what it is worth. Your grandfather gave this to me, as a thank you." Slowing his pace a little, "You know that, I have told you this story many times."

"I know father," Kimiko said with a smile, "I just love hearing how you and mom met. That you met on the way to Tokyo to save granddad. How you lost your tail, and how mom saved your life."

"She is never going to let me live that down, will she Kimi?" Kiyoshi said with a laugh.

"No, I don't think so, but I don't think you mind." She laughed back.

"That is true, but do not let your mother know." Whit that he picks up his daughter and carries her on his shoulders back to their home.

Opening the door to their home, Kiyoshi lets Kimiko off his shoulders and wanders around looking for his wife, only to find her in their private dojo, in the middle of a training session with a young skunk. Walking in unnoticed he takes a seat on a pad along the side of a wall. "Good evening Luna-chan, is Satsuki working you too hard?

Both women turn to look at the newcomer in the room. "Kiyoshi-san, I'm not little any more, I had my Genpuku right after Kimi-chan was born. Speaking of her, where is she? I love seeing her."

"Has it been seven years? My how time flies.You are right Luna-san." Emphasizing the 'san', "You are and adult know and should be treated as one, my apologies. As for Kimi, she is around here somewhere. Go look for her, and tell her to get ready for supper. Silverkitsu and Satsuki's father are here for the 10-year remembrance of what brought us all together for the first time. Will you be joining us tonight?"

"I would love to!" she said eagerly.She hurries out of the room to clean up and look for Kimiko and prepare for supper.

"You really should be nicer to her, Kiyoshi.She is lonely right now. Daisuke came by today and told me that he will be away for the next few months going up north on a mission for the government." Satsuki walks over wraps her arms around her husband and kisses him. Kiyoshi returns the embrace and passionately kisses his wife.

Breaking from their embrace, Kiyoshi looks into his wife's beautiful blue eyes, "Come my love, dinner is almost ready, our family and friends are waiting for us, best not keep them waiting." Together the two walk hand and hand out of the dojo and into the future, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Knowing that they will face it together, whatever the future may bring.