The Journey

This is originally started as a school project, but it is now kind of like skateboarding, a way of life. This is the story of several people in Feudal Japan. I put in many story elements I like, action, some adventuring and yes, a little romance. Read on and tell me what you think.
Chapter 1
It had been a slow day in the Kyoto marketplace. Joji, a farmer and a successful merchant, was packing up his stall while his daughter Hikari took inventory. Hikari was a rather plain girl, not exceptionally beautiful, but not ugly. But, making up for a lack of outer beauty, Hikari had an inner beauty. She was incredibly smart, sharp as a katana, a samurai sword.
Her father had been home schooling her since she had begun to speak in fluent sentences, when she was less than two years old. Her father was always proud to boast about his daughter, who now, at seventeen years of age, could best any boy in the city in a battle of wits.
Hikari looked up from her parchment and said in a warning tone, “Father, it is that boy again.”
“You mean that flirt Genjiro?” asked Joji, without looking up. “Shoo him away. But make sure he doesn’t take anything, at least not without paying. He took three peaches the other day. They were the expensive kind, too.”
“Don’t worry about that, Father. If he so much as knocks one over…”
Her voice held a steely edge. Joji looked at his daughter with warning in his eyes and reprimanded, “Now Hikari, Akira said that gift was only for emergencies, when you are in real danger!”
“Father, please!” Hikari pleaded, while fingering the knife she had sewn inside her kimono, her deadly gift from Akira. “Try to understand. If I tell him I am engaged, he will want to know to whom I am engaged! And if I do tell who it is, that could leave Akira, Satoshi, Chikaze, and the rest of the clan in real danger! I can’t just keep sending him away Father, I just can’t!”
“All right, Hikari. I will tell him, but only just today. You will have to face him soon, though.” Joji replied. He could never win an argument with his daughter. He glanced up at the sun. “Oh my. It’s getting late. Akira and Chikaze were supposed to come by and pick up some supplies today. I got a special shipment in for them, too”
“Chikaze was supposed to come today? Why didn’t you tell me?” Hikari exclaimed. “Father, we have been friends since we were little girls!”
Joji sighed, a bit exasperated. “I know you have been friends for years, Hikari. I am your father for, Amaterasu’s sake!”
He looked as if he would continue, but just then, Genjiro walked up. He was about to make some lame excuse to Genjiro with Hikari, but just as he opened his mouth, a throwing knife seemed to materialize out of thin air and imbedded itself in the wooden post not a centimeter from Genjiro’s ear.
A figure, probably a man, clothed all in black followed close behind. He had a black cloth wrapped around his mouth and nose, so completely conceal his identity. He said something, but it was barely legible behind the cloth. It also didn’t help that he used an incredibly false, gravely voice. “That was warning shot. Next goes in between your eyes. Now, to prevent that from happening, you never talk to this young lady again. You never so much look in her direction, you understand?”
Genjiro nodded, looking like he would rather be anywhere but near Hikari. The masked man looked in Hikari’s direction, and winked.
“Akira,” she breathed.
The Genjiro was finally able to speak coherently and called for help.
“SAMURAI! C-COME QUICKLY! BANDITS!”
Then, his eyes closed, and he collapsed on the ground. A new stranger was standing right where the Genjiro had been a moment before, also clothed in black. The second figure was definitely female. In her gloved hand, she held a tonfa. In a falsely high voice, she asked “Am I too late? Did I kill him?”
“Chikaze?” asked Hikari, in complete disbelief. The figure held a finger to her mask where her mouth would be and giggled.
“No time for that!” exclaimed the first figure, “The samurai will be here soon!” Then, quieter, “Sorry, Joji, can’t pick and choose today. I need to take anything I can.”
Joji smiled and whispered, “Don’t worry. It has been a slow day anyway.”
“Thank you,” the masked man, Akira, murmured and began stuffing everything he could into a sack.
The second figure, Chikaze, had already filled her sack and had climbed to the top of the stall. “Hurry,” she called down. “The samurai are getting close. I think it is Hiromasa and his battalion again!”
Akira glanced up at her. Then he glanced across the marketplace. Three other bandits, his comrades had entered the marketplace during the chaos, had already begun to fill their sacks at other stalls. “Come on!” he yelled. “Samurai! Hiromasa again!”
The other three looked up in alarm. They crossed the marketplace square, and the five bandits raced off, with the hoof beats of the samurai’s horses close on their heels.
Hikari spied a piece of parchment left on the stall. Thinking Akira might have accidentally left it, she grabbed it and unfurled the paper.
Written on it was a haiku. She read the three lines over a few times in her head.

Meet me at sunset.
We haven’t talked in ages.
The usual place.

She smiled.

***

The bandits raced through a maze of streets, trying to leave Kyoto far behind. When they reached a forest located just outside of town, the five masked figures reached the first few trees, Akira looked at his four friends gathered in front of him, all of them trying hard to catch their breath.
“Nice job, everyone. We should be safe now. The samurai won’t be able to chase as swiftly now that we’re in the trees.” Akira complimented, as he hurriedly tried to catch his breath.
All of the bandits had seen what could happen if a rider pushed a horse too hard in this forest. With the trees making a natural labyrinth, a frustrated horse could buck its rider, usually sending the unfortunate soul riding it flying into a tree. The rider would be lucky to get away with just a few broken ribs and an injured nose. A samurai’s horse was always beautiful and fast, but most had a very short temper.
As the bandits prepared to flee into the darkness of the forest, the battalion of samurai galloped into the trees.
The battalion was most certainly Hiromasa’s. At the head was a broad man on a black horse. The horse had a small white diamond between its eyes, and going through that diamond was a scar, given to the beast by an enemy’s sword in the heat of battle. The horse was called Raiko after a legendary samurai and hero from the 11th century. The only one Raiko allowed to ride him was Hiromasa. The horse had been with Hiromasa since his very first fight as a samurai.
On his way to fight, Hiromasa was granted permission to use a horse. When he entered the stable, only two horses were available. One was a sickly horse, with one foot in the grave, the other, Raiko, had just lost his old rider in battle, and would let no one else ride him.
Hiromasa did not know this, and leapt on the beasts back. The stable boy covered his eyes, not wishing to see Hiromasa bucked off. But Raiko seemed to sense Hiromasa’s confidence and power, and allowed him to stay on his back. The two had been inseparable companions ever since.
Hiromasa drew his katana, which he called Raiden, after the Shinto god of thunder and lightning. He pointed it at Akira, at growled, “You will not escape me this time!”
Akira jerked his head back towards the trees. The other four bandits nodded in acknowledgement. The five masked figures ran into the trees.
“What are you all standing around for?” Hiromasa yelled. “After them!”
One samurai, a new recruit, kicked his horse, eager to return to the chase. His horse cantered to the tree line but then stubbornly refused to go any further. It could tell that the trees were too thick to ride through. It gave a snort and tossed its head, plainly saying that if the samurai wished to continue, then they would have to go on foot.
Behind his helmet, Hiromasa was chewing his lower lip, deep in thought. Then, after a moment of reflection, a thought dawned on him. “Ha!” he exclaimed. “It’s so simple! Why didn’t I see it before? You!” He pointed to a group of men. “Tether your horses. You will pursue the bandits on foot. The rest of us will find an opening large enough to get our horses’ through. We shall capture those insolent bandits like trapped rats! Let’s go!” he shouted with a little too much force, startling the horses. The samurai separated into two groups, one galloping off to circle the forest, and the other racing off into the trees.
***

The small party of bandits expertly raced through the trees, dodging branches, roots, and trunks effortlessly. One bandit, Anbi, looked over her shoulder.
“It has been kind of quiet.” she remarked, “Do you think they gave up?”
Akira scoffed. “Hiromasa? Giving up a chase? That would be like a bird giving up flying or a fish giving up swimming. No. He’s planning something. Everyone on your toes!” He almost shouted the last part.
As if by magic, out of the foliage, five samurai charged, shouting war cries.
Akira looked over his shoulder and shouted “Oni take you!”
Chikaze dared a glance back. “That isn’t all of them. More are coming from somewhere else.” Then louder, but not loud enough for the samurai to hear, “It’s an ambush!”
Akira’s eyes showed true fear. One bandit, named Satoshi, had pulled out two knives and braced himself for a fight. As Akira passed him, he grabbed Satoshi’s wrist and hissed, “Not the time or place, you fool!”
Satoshi, the scar across the bridge of his nose all too visible, glared at Akira with eyes full of contempt but then nodded.
Suddenly, the rest of the samurai battalion burst through the trees. These samurai were mounted, so the bandits had no hope of running away. Behind his facemask Hiromasa laughed a cruel, cold laugh. “Kill them. I will take their heads to Shogun Masashi.”
Satoshi whistled. “Are we really that much of a pain?” he asked.
Hiromasa glared at him. “All of that and more. Alas, you have wit. There is never enough wit in the world. It will be a shame to kill you.”
“You insolent little…” Satoshi screamed. “Let’s see you off that horse and in hand-to-hand combat. Then we shall see how high and mighty you are!”
“Enough!” Akira barked. “Get back here before you get killed. You die when we die!” Then to the fifth bandit, Anbi’s twin sister Arisu, “Now!”
While Satoshi had been taunting the samurai, Arisu had readied eight shuriken, or throwing stars, and had been prepared to fire on Akira’s order.
She now threw them, aiming four at the horses of the mounted samurai and four at the samurai infantry. The four that had been aimed at the horses all met their mark. Two hit a horse on a leg and made deep cuts. The other two hit in more fatal places. One imbedded itself in a horse’s forehead, right between the eyes. The beast bucked its rider, who crashed headlong into a tree. The animal reared up, then crumpled to the ground, dead. The last shuriken sliced into a remaining horse’s neck. The beast let out a piercing screech, and sank to the ground, and the rider jumped clear.
The next four were aimed at the infantry. Two went into the ground at the samurai’s feet, and were meant simply as a warning. One imbedded itself in a samurai’s armor, but not deep enough to cause any damage. The final star, a misfire, drove itself into a crevice in a samurai’s armor, a quarter of an inch to the left of the shoulder. The unfortunate samurai crumpled to the ground, grasping his shoulder.
Hiromasa assessed the damage in a moment. The bandits will pay dearly for this! He thought. He surfaced from his thoughts to find that, in the confusion, the five bandits escaped into the trees.
“You!” he barked at the samurai who had jumped from his horse. “Tend to those two.” He jerked his head at the samurai with the injured arm and the unconscious one slumped against a tree. “We will pick you up on our return.” Then to the rest of the samurai, “What are you waiting for? Chase those bandits! I wish to kill the witty youth and the star-throwing female personally! Go!”
The remaining samurai, Isamu, watched his comrades depart. “Good luck. You shall need it.” He murmured.

***

The five bandits ran as hard as they could. “Come on!” Akira whispered to himself. “Just a little longer! Just a little further! Come on! Come on!”
The sound of clopping hooves reached the ears of the bandits. Chikaze turned to Akira. “Will we make it? Will we really make it?” she asked him, fear in her eyes.
“Yes.” Akira answered her bluntly. “We have to make it. We have outrun them many times in the past.”
“But they never chased us through the forest!” Anbi exclaimed.
“Don’t worry, any of you. We’re almost where we need to be. And if it does come down to a fight, I will lay down my life so you all can escape. I swear it with all of the gods as my witness!” Akira promised.
“Akira…” Anbi and Arisu said in unison.
“Wow…” breathed Chikaze. “That’s really noble of you Akira.”
“Thanks, I guess. And what happened to ‘you die when we die’,” mocked Satoshi, but Akira could tell he was truly amazed at the declaration.
All was silent for a moment as the five raced through the forest, drawing ever closer to their destination. But then the moment of silence was ruined as Hiromasa, but only Hiromasa, tore noisily through the trees. It seemed he had left the rest of the remaining samurai behind.
“Hello, my little bandits! You don’t know how much pleasure it will bring me to finally have your annoyance no longer a thorn in my side.” He said with malice.
“Actually, you may have to wait a little longer, Hiromasa. It looks like the cunning bandits are going to make their escape. Again!” Akira jeered. Silently, he praised all the gods he could think of for allowing them to reach the clearing where they could retreat to their cave dwelling. Now if the others could play it out right…
The two bandits who were Anbi and Arisu took a small pellet from their cloth belts and threw it at their feet. A cloud of acrid black smoke billowed up, and when it cleared, the two bandits were gone.
Hiromasa couldn’t believe his eyes. No one could simply disappear!
Now Akira and Chikaze threw their smoke bomb and made their escape. Only Satoshi was left now.
He had long ago resolved that if it came down to this, he would leave Hiromasa with a little more than just a cloud of smoke. He pulled off the cloth that covered the lower part of his face, revealing his features to the elite samurai, stuck out his tongue and made an incredibly rude noise. Then he too threw his smoke pellet and, in turn, vanished. But he left behind a note that was the last thing Hiromasa saw before he collapsed of exhaustion and shock. All through Hiromasa’s troubled sleep, the words echoed through his mind, over and over. That was for Mother and Father!

***

Satoshi leapt into the crevice of rock that was the entrance to several hidden caves. He started to run down the natural corridor hewn into the rock, but was grabbed from behind. He took out one of his many knives and whirled to face his attacker. Unfortunately, before he’d had a chance to do any damage, the assailant had him pined against the cave wall. “Not bad Satoshi.” the assailant complimented. ‘But is the knife is the knife really necessary? It is only I.”
Akira stepped from the shadows. “Listen,” he hissed. “I saw what you did back there! Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“What did I do wrong?” Satoshi retorted. “I threw the smoke bomb and escaped before the smoke cleared. All according to plan.”
Akira took a deep breath. “Satoshi. You executed the smoke bomb perfectly. I couldn’t have asked for better. I’m talking about removing your face mask!”
“So I made a face. Big deal!” Satoshi said in a bored tone. “Listen, I took a bunch of peaches in the raid, and I’m dying to try one. Can I go now?”
“Satoshi!” reprimanded Chikaze, leaping into the cave from the forest. “Show some respect!”
Akira glanced at Chikaze. “Chikaze, have the samurai retreated?”
“Yes, Akira. The rest of the samurai followed shortly after we left and picked up Hiromasa. Apparently he collapsed. Anyway, what were you and Satoshi talking about?” She smiled, thinking she was missing out on some fun secret.
She’s so innocent, and pretty spacey, thought Satoshi. When is she going to wake up and see the world the way it really is? But of course, maybe she’s happy like this. Maybe it’s good to forget…
“Know your place Chikaze! If I want you to know, I would tell you!” snarled Akira.
Chikaze looked shocked for a moment. Akira was usually so nice to her, and she was always nice to him. Then her lower lip trembled. She burst into tears and ran down the corridor towards the cave that served as her quarters.
“Akira, what did you do that for? She’s always so nice to you!” Satoshi angrily said. His hands curled into fists and struck Akira square across the face. “What is your problem?”
Akira recoiled in startled silence. Satoshi narrowed his eyes, and turned. “I’m gonna go bring her one of my peaches.”
“Ah, Satoshi, my boy. Did hear you say you had peaches? I haven’t had a peach in weeks!” an old man strode up the corridor, a young girl following him. She was trying to balance on each hand a platter carrying a teapot and two teacups, and on her head, a rolled up wall scroll.
“Actually, Master Genkei,” the girl behind him said, “It has only been four days.”
“Ah, so it has Umiko. So it has.” Genkei replied.
Akira went into a deep bow, and kicked out at Satoshi for doing the same.
“Hello Master Genkei. How are you today?” Satoshi muttered.
“Actually, I am feeling quite well. Now, about those peaches…” Genkei said, his one-track mind making the girl, Umiko, behind him giggle, and almost drop one of her teapots.
“Master,” Akira cut in sternly, “ I need to have a word with you.” He paused for a moment, and then continued. “Anbi and Arisu probably told you that the samurai pursued us through the forest and that we used our smoke pellets to escaped. Well, Satoshi, he, well he…” Akira stammered and trailed off.
“Geez, I took of facemask and made a face, okay! Akira, why do you have to drag it all out? Huh, why?”
The cavern was silent for a moment, and then the girl broke the silence with her giggling and saying through her laughter, “Wow Satoshi, you really are stupid, I didn’t think you could beat the monkey in Akira’s sleeping quarters, but this really takes the cake! I feel so blessed to have a genius brother like you!”
“Umiko!” Genkei snapped. “That is quite enough! Or shall I make you balance a bamboo pole on your nose?”
“ No! No Master! That will not be necessary!” Umiko stammered.
“Now to the matter at hand. Satoshi…” Genkei said gently, “One of these days, your gambles will fail and you shall, quite simply, die. Satoshi, remember the story of our clan…”
“Master! I have heard this lecture many times in the past!” Satoshi exclaimed.
“Then why don’t you heed it? Why doesn’t it penetrate?” yelled Akira.
“Akira.” Genkei said simply. “Be calm. Now Satoshi, I wish to tell you the story of our clan’s annihilation.
You see, Satoshi, some years ago, when you were but four years old, the shogun sent fifteen samurai battalions to attack our clan. Hiromasa led the lead one. They took us completely by surprise. The other bandits; your parents, your comrade’s parents, and several others, all fought valiantly to protect you young ones. Come Satoshi, my boy! You must remember! You must remember how, one at a time, the parents left the fray to say good-bye to their children for the last time!” Genkei’s eyes shone with tears. Satoshi had never heard the story like this before. Genkei drew a shaky breath and continued. “Satoshi, if you are to remember nothing else, you must remember how I took you and the other children and we fled to these mountain caves that are now our home! Remember how you held Umiko, still but an infant! Remember how Akira walked at the front bearing the torch that we could only light once we were out of sight! Remember how Anbi and Arisu held each other’s hand and went on in shocked silence! Remember how Chikaze held your arm so she would not be afraid! Please Satoshi, try to understand! Our clan used to have twenty-seven members, thirty-three if count you six children! I don’t want you to end up like my other disciples, hacked and slaughtered by samurai! Please Satoshi, try to understand.”
Satoshi could only nod. “Well, Satoshi, I hope now understand why I don’t want you to pull reckless stunts near samurai.” Then his mood suddenly reversed. “Come Umiko, we will continue you training. Akira, go do whatever it is that you do. Satoshi, you are free to go, but stay within the caves.”
Genkei, Umiko and Akira departed, leaving Satoshi alone at the cave entrance. “I think I’ll go see how Chikaze is holding up,” he stated to no one in particular.

***

Satoshi strode into the cave that was Chikaze’s quarters. Chikaze was slumped in the corner with her head down. “If you’re Akira, go away.” she muttered.
“Don’t worry, it is just Satoshi,” Satoshi said with a grin. “What’s so interesting about your floor anyway?”
Chikaze looked up. “What do you want?”
“To talk about how big of a jerk Akira is. And to give you two things.” Satoshi replied. “Here, take this.” He threw her a peach, which she deftly caught. “But don’t eat it yet,” he said.
“Why not?” Chikaze asked.
“Because you haven’t received the second present yet.” With that, Satoshi leaned down and kissed her.

Okay, for anyone who's read my first chapter, and acctually liked it, well, here's chapter two. Chapter 3 is being edited right now, and will be up in a week or so. I just started chapter four, but vacation's coming up so I may work on it.
So read on and enjoy, I guess...
Chapter 2

After Satoshi had given Chikaze her presents, Chikaze took out her go board and gave Satoshi a coy look.
“So, Satoshi, since you’re here, how about a game of go?” Chikaze asked.
“Oh, no!” Satoshi exclaimed in mock horror. “She has a go board! Help!”
Chikaze sighed. “Who knows Satoshi? Maybe today you shall finally beat me. But we will never know unless you try.”
Satoshi laughed a little. “You’re just lucky that I can’t turn down a challenge.”

***

After an hour or so, Akira rushed into Chikaze’s quarters. “Ah, Chikaze, there you are! And Satoshi, you saved me the trouble of tracking you down!”
Satoshi looked up from the go board. “Are you saying that I should be hidden?” Then he went back to staring intently at the go board.
“No! You’re missing the point!” Akira cried. “Listen, I want both of you to change into to normal clothes, pack a bag for a night and another day, and meet me at the entrance in fifteen minutes. Do you understand?”
Satoshi stood up. “Well, Chikaze, you were going to win anyway. Again.” Chikaze giggled and shooed the boys out of her quarters. Then she drew a screen over the entrance.
Satoshi dashed down the corridor until he reached his quarters. Once there, he threw on some breeches and a slightly worn shirt. He grabbed some spare clothes and stuffed them into a satchel. Once he was finished, he looked like any normal teenage peasant youth.
He dashed down the corridor back to entrance. Chikaze was already there. She was in a red kimono with a flower pattern and a yellow sash around her waist. She wore her hair up for the first time in months. Tied to her sash were her painting supplies.
“What do you think?” she asked, gesturing to her clothes.
“You look magnificent!” Satoshi said with a smile.
“Great!” Chikaze said. “You don’t look so bad yourself! Here, catch.”
She threw her satchel to him. “What? Why do I have to carry your belongings?” Satoshi asked incredulously.
“Because it is polite for a man to carry his sweetheart’s bags,” Akira said dryly, approaching the two young bandits, causing them both to start, for one at his sudden approach and another at his remark. “That is the role you two shall play while you are in town, a young couple.”
Chikaze cast Satoshi a sideways glance that said, Should not be very hard. Satoshi smiled and winked at her, both to say that she was right and that their secret was safe.
Akira continued, “I will accompany you to the edge of the forest. I am going to see Hikari and will be with you for a short time. After we part ways, you are to go to the Shinto temple. Satoshi, when you are there, you are to receive a lecture from Kazu. He has already been contacted, so he will be expecting you. Chikaze, you are accompanying him to make sure he actually goes to the shrine. I can trust that you will make sure he does, right?” Chikaze stared at him for a second before nodding. “Good. Now, Satoshi, I hope that I don’t regret this, but here.” He tossed Satoshi a small bag. It jingled as it flew through the air. “In that bag is enough to pay for one night’s stay at Hideaki’s inn, a medium-sized supper, a small breakfast, and a small luxury item. You probably won’t leave Kazu’s shrine until almost nightfall. You are to get a modest dinner, and go to the Kashiwaya Inn and stay the night. You can spend the morning however you please. Try to be back here at noon. Do you understand?” Akira concluded.
When both Satoshi and Chikaze gave an affirmation, the trio set off.

***

An hour later, Satoshi and Chikaze stood in front of Kyoto’s largest Shinto shrine. Chikaze walked into the large fence that surrounded the complex and sat down. She took out her painting supplies and unrolled a painting scroll. Over the top of her scroll, she saw Satoshi lingering outside the fence, and moved her hand in shooing motions toward the shrine.
Satoshi heaved a huge sigh and walked into the shrine. When he pulled the sliding door closed, the small, old man seated on a tatami mat in the center of the room called out to him.
“Satoshi, I heard you were coming!” The old man exclaimed, then he paused. “You aren’t going to greet me?”
“Hello, Kazu…” Satoshi muttered.
“Much better!” the old man, Kazu, exclaimed, “Now shall we begin?”
Kazu closed his eyes and lit his pipe. Once Kazu was in this state, he could talk for hours. Satoshi had long ago taught himself how to be distracted. Discreetly, he pulled a knife from the inside of his tunic and scratched the character for love onto the back of his hand. Then he let his mind wander, drifting into a daydream.
Today he rode on the back of a giant eagle and flew over the islands of his homeland, Japan. With that eagle, he fought hordes of highwaymen, bandits from enemy clans, and assassins. When he had purged the land of all evil, the eagle flew him high into the clouds, where the goddess Amaterasu greeted him. Why did she look so much like Chikaze? She traced her finger across the scar on the bridge of his nose. He was now filled with a divine light. He got back on his eagle and flew back to earth so he could…
“Satoshi! You are free to go now.” Kazu’s voice sliced like a sword through Satoshi’s daydream.
“Yes, sir,” Satoshi said. He got up from his floor mat and dashed out the door.
Once he was out, it was already sunset. “Chikaze!” Satoshi called. “Come on Chikaze! I’m starving! Let’s go get something to eat.”
Then he realized something was wrong. Chikaze was nowhere in sight.
***

Isamu sat impatiently at the barstool. He had already drunk half of his mug of sake . Hiromasa had promised to treat him because of Isamu’s promotion. He had been waiting for almost an hour, and Hiromasa was always on time. What could possibly be taking him so long? Isamu thought bitterly. The bartender was starting to get impatient with him.
Isamu took a large swig and almost gagged. At just twenty-two, maybe the strongest the bar had was a little too strong for him. After his coughing spasm ended, some of the older men sitting around began to laugh. Isamu blushed a deep red.
“Hey!” a gruff voice called out. “I’d like to see any of you take a mug of Akako’s strongest!”
“’Bout time you showed you up,” grumbled Isamu. “I was just about to give up and leave.”
“Be grateful,” Hiromasa said, dropping onto a stool next to Isamu. “Just saved you from being laughed out of here. But all previous conversation aside, congratulations on your promotion to unit commander!” Then Hiromasa shouted “Hey, Akako! Two rounds over here!!” Then quietly to Isamu, “Drink slowly this time, lad. I’ll take the charge.”
“’Course you will. It is your way of congratulating me.”
“So it is, boy, so it is,” agreed Hiromasa.
After the bartender brought their drinks and the pair toasted Isamu’s fortune, Hiromasa turned to Isamu. “You know, boy, you have it easy these days. For me to become a commander, I had to present our shogun with fifty heads. You only had to save the lives of three men.”
“Now you’re the ungrateful one!” Isamu laughed. “Dai and Chikao are great fighters! And, if you shall recall, one of the men I saved was you! You really pushed yourself to hard out there. And if you had a wife, you could have had her patch up my rough bandage job.”
“Then you ought to be shogun, saving my life!” Hiromasa now had his turn to laugh. “And a rough bandage job? When I went to see a doctor, he said that he probably couldn’t have done a better job himself!”
“Really?” Isamu asked, in complete disbelief.
“Isamu, do I lie to you? No, I don’t. You are like a son to me. I’ve watched you grow from a street rat and pickpocket to a full-fledged samurai. Which brings me to that part about a wife: I think that Chifumi is enough female for one household, lad.” Hiromasa said with a little chuckle at the end.
“Hiromasa, I hardly think that your pet cat counts as a house hold female!” Isamu laughed. “And don’t call me lad or boy anymore. We are equals now. That means I am getting closer to my goal! A goal I have had ever since I met you! Even way back when I was a child of the streets!”
Hiromasa looked at him. “You mean when I caught you trying to cut my purse? And may I inquire what this goal might be?”
Isamu took a deep breath and then looked Hiromasa in the eye. “To surpass you as a samurai!”
Hiromasa was shocked for a moment and then turned to look into his mug. A smile played on his lips. That lad really has grown up. I wouldn’t be surprised if he really does rise up to be shogun one day.
Hiromasa looked up. “Come on, Isamu. I’ve got a craving for some sashimi.”
“Are you paying?” asked Isamu.
“Halves,” Hiromasa replied.
“Fine with me! Come on, old man!” Isamu called as he raced out of the bar. If anyone ever deserved to be a commander, it is you, Isamu. Hiromasa thought as he paid the bartender. But you should watch your back for that old man crack.

***

“Chikaze!” called Satoshi. “Chikaze, where are you, you empty headed little…”
After Satoshi had come out of the temple and realized Chikaze was missing, he searched high and low for any signs of how and why she left. She left no note to say where she went, and as far as Satoshi could reason, she simply got up and left.
He had spent roughly the last hour racing down Kyoto’s streets calling out her name, to no avail.
He ran up to a merchant’s stall and picked him up by the front of his shirt. “Listen. Have you seen a girl with a red kimono, and a yellow sash come by? Come on, out with it!”
“No! No, I haven’t seen anyone like that! Please! Don’t hurt me!” the merchant cried.
Satoshi huffed. “You’re pathetic.” He tossed the merchant back into his stall.
“I’ve seen someone who fits that description,” a merchant called from across the street. “But my lips don’t want to say anything.”
“Oh really,” Satoshi said. He threw down some coins down on the counter of the merchant’s stall. “Talk. Now.”
The merchant scooped up the coins. “Now you are speaking my language. All right, a girl who looked like you described passed this way earlier talking about paints. Try Fumika’s stall down a ways and to the left. She has the best paints in the city.”
Satoshi nodded. “Thank you. But if you lied to me, you will regret it.”
The merchant gave a sly smile. “Does your girlie wear a paintbrush in her hair?”
“That would be my girl. Thank you, stranger.” Satoshi took off.
That empty headed little painter. Once I get my hands on her she is dead!
Satoshi rounded the corner and screeched to a halt. Chikaze stood at a stall that advertised all sorts of paints.
“Chikaze!” called Satoshi. “Chikaze, why didn’t you tell me you left the temple?”
The woman who ran the stall looked him. “Young man, you have yourself quite a catch here. Be careful not to loose her.”
Satoshi smiled at the woman. “Actually, she is kind of a handful. I’m probably the only man who can stand her.”
Chikaze put her arm around him, causing Satoshi’s insides to turn in somersaults. “Shall we find a place to eat?” she asked sweetly.
“Of course!” Satoshi said, his previous anger forgotten.

***

The two found an acceptable food seller. Satoshi ordered two bowls of miso soup and a platter of sushi. The couple then found a quiet park to eat in.
“Are you mad at me, Satoshi?” Chikaze asked.
“You know, I’m not. I’m just glad that you are safe. Kyoto is a big city, and it isn’t safe for a pretty girl to go wandering off alone.” Satoshi replied.
Chikaze flicked a piece of sushi at him. They ate the rest of the meal with little conversation.

***

Once the meal was finished, the young bandits went to the inn of Genkei’s long-time friend Hideki. The couple walked into the inn. At the main counter sat a small old man, Hideki. “Welcome to the Kashiwaya Inn!” he called and then screwed up his eyes in concentration. “By the gods! Is that you, Satoshi? My, how you have grown! And is that little Chikaze? What a beauty you have become! Having a night out with the lady, Satoshi?”
Satoshi and Chikaze looked at each other and laughed. Hideki was just playing his usual game. It was impossible for them to grown so much. They had visited Hideki just last month.
“No, Hideki. Chikaze and I were just told to spend the night here in town!” Satoshi said.
“Yes, yes,” Hideki waved his hand dismissively. “Here, you two. Tonight’s room is free. Take your key.” He handed the key to Chikaze. “Enjoy your stay at the Kashiwaya Inn!”
When the two reached their assigned room, Chikaze made a big show of opening the door, and when she finally did open it, she turned to Satoshi with a big “Ta-daa!”
When they walked in, Chikaze blushed. Hideki had gotten the completely wrong idea. In the room, instead of two beds, there was a single two-person bed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take a chair!” Satoshi said hastily, pulling one of the three bamboo chairs to the window. “Much better view anyway. But is Hideki ever going to get an earful from me tomorrow!”
Chikaze nodded, and then shooed him out of the room, saying “Privacy, please!”
Satoshi leaned against the wall outside the room and let the day’s thoughts and emotions wash over him. It was his preferred way of meditation.
Chikaze opened the door. “Okay, you can come in now.” She had traded her bright kimono for a tan nightgown.
The two sat by the window and watched the crowds rush around below preparing to leave the marketplace and go home. When night had fallen and the square was at last quiet, Chikaze yawned. “I think I’ll go to sleep now,” she told Satoshi. “We had a long day.”
She crawled into the bed and pulled the covers up. Within minutes, she was asleep.
Satoshi saw that she left her painting scroll out. He unrolled it and was pleasantly surprised to see what it contained.
Painted on the scroll were the silhouettes of two people, a man and a woman. Cherry blossoms were painted below and interlocking sprigs of bamboo surrounded them. Flying above both of the heads were two sparrows, and the sun was setting in the background.
Satoshi looked over at Chikaze’s sleeping form and smiled. He rolled up the scroll, walked over to his sleeping friend, and kissed her forehead, then made himself comfortable in his bamboo chair. He would just rest for a little while.

***

At the palace of the shogun, Princess Saika couldn’t sleep. She had just had an argument with her father, Shogun Masashi. He thought that at sixteen, she should be looking for a husband, not training with the samurai. She argued back that she didn’t want a husband; she wanted to go into battle. Masashi said that he would no longer be able to live if she fell in battle, and if she did fall, no one could succeed him. Saika was enraged and challenged him to a duel. She drew her katana and stepped forward menacingly. Masashi accepted, but only to show his daughter that she still had much to learn.
Every slice and thrust Saika tried, was immediately deflected or parried by her father. And even through her battle rage, she could see that her father was holding back a large amount. When Masashi could tell that at last his daughter had used up all her energy, he sheathed his blade.
Now Saika stood on her balcony and wiped a tear absent-mindedly from her cheek. Her father’s parting words still rang like a bell in her mind. “You see, Saika. You still have much to learn. I can accept that you do not wish to have a husband yet. You must also accept that you cannot go into battle yet. But if you continue to train as hard as you do, I shall let you ride into battle in one year’s time.”
Suddenly, a strange birdcall sounded over the palace grounds. Saika, startled back to awareness, sounded an identical call. A tree near her window rustled. Saika picked up her katana for the second time that night. Just a precaution, she thought. A masked black figure leapt out of the tree and landed on Saika’s balcony. Saika prepared for a sword technique she herself had invented, the Sword Wild Dance, something she had purposely withheld from her father. She didn’t want to kill the old man, now, did she? With her free hand, she checked to make sure her hair was tied up. As usual, it was. She then went into an intricate of leaps, kicks, slices and thrusts.
The masked figure jumped back and whispered “Be calm, Saika. It is only me.”
“Oh, I know that Satoshi.” Saika said, putting on a false battle face. She jumped up to him and swatted him with the flat of her blade. “That was for not visiting me for a month.” She leapt and swatted him again. “That was for scaring me half to death.” She swatted him a third time. “And that was for your little stunt with Hiromasa.”
“You heard about that too? I’ve already had two lectures about that today!” Satoshi cried.
“Fine, I’ll spare you from having another.” Saika retorted. “But only if you have a good excuse for not visiting me, or a good new story. I liked that one about the bandit who outwitted the monsters, and got the samurai to join him. Or that one where the wanderer who traveled far to the north and led the all the bandits who lived up there back to fight with him. I also liked the one where the two samurai got a whole army in three months by visiting neighboring commanders. Do you have anymore?”
“No, Saika. I’m sorry, but with things so busy with the clan lately, I haven’t had time to come down here or come up with new stories.” Satoshi replied, and then he smiled. “And why would a grown woman such as yourself want to hear stories?” He leaned against the railing that encircled the balcony. He had seemingly scored a point against Saika.
“You are never to old for stories. A girl gets bored when she has nothing to do but practice sword fighting all day and work on calligraphy.” Saika sighed. She leaned against the railing as well, and put her hand over Satoshi’s. “And I am nowhere close to being grown, you moron. I am only sixteen. Both you and my father think I am of marriageable age, and many of the samurai think that I should find a husband, possibly among them. I don’t wish to marry, at least not yet. Maybe in another year or two, maybe then I shall be ready.”
Satoshi stared at this girl, so close to his own age, just two months younger, and talking like a woman who was many years older. “Saika,” he said, closing his eyes and turning his face to the sky. A calm breeze blew his hair around, and Saika could tell that behind his mask, he was grinning. “The thing that I like most about being a bandit is the freedom that comes with it. I don’t have to worry about my status in society, because I am already the lowest of the low. I can only get better from here. I don’t have to worry about where my next meal comes from. I can just take it.
“I don’t have to worry about tomorrow or yesterday. All I have to worry about is right now. ‘Will the samurai catch me this time?’ is really my only worry. And sometimes not even that. Sometimes, it’s just the thrill of the chase, and I think some of the samurai feel that way, too. If they catch us, they will turn us in, put, that doesn’t really occur to them until they really, actually catch us.
“The wind is the same, just like me. No worries, no cares, no limits. It just blows through and leaves anything that it was carrying behind. And I like that feeling.”
Saika smiled, and surveyed the palace grounds. Satoshi was defiantly like the wind. He could leave any and all troubles behind, and always had a carefree attitude. Saika turned to Satoshi. “Satoshi, remember when I first met you? I said that you should turn yourself in and become a samurai. You told me that I should become a bandit like you. We both decided to stick with our own paths. Looking back, I’m glad we did. I think that after being a noblewoman for so long, being a bandit would be overwhelming, and settling into a new life like that would be nigh impossible. And I’m sorry, but you wouldn’t last a week as a samurai.”
“You couldn’t be more right!” Satoshi laughed. “The structured lifestyle would kill me!”
Then his face lit up. “I just thought of a story!”
For the rest of the night, Satoshi wove a miraculous tale of a mischievous, acrobatic bandit and a beautiful, powerful and likeable lady samurai journeying all over Japan, sailing, climbing, exploring and meeting new people.

***

In the dead of night, two figures crept toward the mansion of a wealthy merchant. One, clad in a black tunic with a red dragon embroidered into the sleeve, had a snow-white katana strapped to his back. The other, a female, was dressed in a rose colored kimono. When she flapped out her twin fans, a deadly metal edge flashed in the light of the moon.
“Are you ready Yoshe?” asked the black-clad figure.
The other, Yoshe replied, “Of course Ryuu. Just like my geisha days. Nothing to worry about.”
“Aye,” Ryuu grunted. “Are you clear on the plan?”
“Again, yes. It is the simplest plan yet, and we have been carrying out your plans for eight years.”
The two figures nodded to each other, and went in their separate directions.

***

Yoshe couldn’t have asked for an easier entrance. By simply winking and batting her eyelashes, she was able to bypass the servant serving as a guard. The fool was half asleep anyway. What a pushover. Yoshe thought. I’ve killed people livelier than this. When she entered the main hall, quite by chance, the nobleman who was her target, had stayed up late, and was painting at a small table. Saves me the trouble of tracking you down, you loser, she thought.
She batted her lashes again. “Hello. I was assigned to greet you this fine evening.” She paused and fanned herself. “My, is it hot in here! If I may open a window?”
The nobleman stared blankly at her. “I hired no geisha, but if you were assigned to me, you were assigned to me.” He sighed and went back to painting. Rude little… Yoshe thought, but put on a false smile.
She glided over to the nearest window, slid it open and flapped open her fan, her signal to Ryuu that the coast was clear. She then engaged the nobleman in polite small talk she had been taught as a child as Ryuu silently crept through the window.
She only stopped talking when she saw Ryuu’s white sword was skewered through the man’s chest. Then the two escaped through the window Ryuu entered from, Ryuu helping Yoshe through like a proper gentleman. An assassination mission had never gone smoother.
Suddenly a gruff voice said, “Move no further! One twitch and we kill you on the spot!”
“Blasted samurai!” Ryuu hissed, but it was too late. They were caught like a bird in a cage.

***

Chikaze woke up as the sun rose. She looked over at Satoshi’s chair and found it empty. On the table next to her bed was a note. The handwriting was definitely Satoshi’s. Next to the note was just enough for one breakfast. Satoshi took the would-be inn fee and his breakfast allowance.
The note read simply:

I went out early.
I will try to meet up with you.
If I do not, go back to the caves on your own.
I will see you there.

Chikaze resolved that if he went gambling, she would pummel him. Well, she would pummel him if he came back empty handed or close to it.
She dressed quickly and picked up the two satchels. She went to Hideki’s desk and returned the room key. Then she found a food stall with stools in front of it, where patrons could eat.
She chewed forlornly on her rice and baked fish . As she reached for a bit more rice, a band of yellow fabric covered her eyes. “Boo!” a voice said from behind her.
“Satoshi! You had me worried sick!” She exclaimed, for it could only be Satoshi.
“Akira said we could get one small luxury good, and here we have it. It cost me my breakfast money, too.” Satoshi explained, as he eyed Chikaze’s fish hungrily.
“All right, you can have a little.” Chikaze replied, trying to be serious, but ruined it by the giggle she let through at the end.
Satoshi wolfed down half the fish, and took Chikaze’s arm. “Come on, we’ll go back up to the cave. Maybe we can play a round of go.”

Yeah, well, I got Chapter 3 done faster than I thought, so here it is. After this I'm only gonna post two chapters at a time. Meaning eventually I will post chapters 4 and 5. Eventually. Well, for now, read on and enjoy Chapter 3.

Chapter 3

Chikaze held tightly to Satoshi’s wrist as they raced down the streets of Kyoto. She suddenly stumbled and nearly fell. “Chikaze,” Satoshi reprimanded. “Next time we leave town, you wear breeches.”
“If you would just slow down a little…” Chikaze said, looking downcast.
“No time!” Satoshi shook his head. “We are already behind schedule. Akira said to be back at noon, and I won’t stand for another reprimand!”
“Don’t you go reprimanding a lady,” a voice said from a dark alleyway. A group of seven boys, at least a year older and a foot taller than Satoshi, sauntered out onto the street.
“She would be better off in our care,” one of the boys, obviously the leader of this little gang, droned on.
“Not likely!” Satoshi yelled. He jumped over to the lead boy and delivered a hard punch to his gut. He then went into a handstand and landed two sharp kicks to the boy’s jaw. As he flipped back forward, Satoshi pulled out two knives and pinned the thug against the wall. “Don’t try funny stuff with me!”
The thug grinned, and showed a mouth full of missing teeth. “Don’t try funny stuff with me, either. You see, kid, I’m the head boy around here. All the thieves listen in the area listen to me. And if I give the signal…”
He pulled out a whistle and blew three notes. Thugs and thieves began to emerge from doorways, alleys, crouching on rooftops, and leaning out of windows. Satoshi did a quick count and came up with a grand total of too many to fight. “Well, I think we’re in trouble now,” he said casually to Chikaze.
“Yes, it looks quite bad. Our only choice looks like to run.” Chikaze replied equally casually.
Satoshi gave a discreet nod, grabbed Chikaze’s wrist, and ran, ran as fast as his legs would carry him.
“Get that kid!” the crime boss yelled from where he was pinned to the wall. “And somebody get me out of here!”
The thieves, thugs, and robbers all started to climb out of windows, jump down from their rooftops, emerge from their doors and alleyways, and take off after Satoshi, drawing swords stolen from samurai, wooden clubs, daggers, and all manner of nasty-looking weapons.
Satoshi, quickly fleeing the city, looked over his shoulder and wished he hadn’t. A group of roughly fifty men were bearing down on him. There was no way that he and Chikaze could fight them all and win. “Chikaze,” Satoshi turned to her. “Listen to me. If it comes down to a fight, leave me. Run back to the clan to tell them what happened. I might even last a little while. Just make sure that you get away.”
“No,” Chikaze said to him. “Listen. We are partners on this mission. We fight together. We die together. And don’t think that just because I’m a lady means that I’m weaker than you are!”
Satoshi stared at her for a moment. Wow. She sounds just like Saika. I’ve got to introduce those two someday. They are exactly the same, Satoshi thought then returned to running.
After several minutes of silence, Satoshi heard a strange sound. The sound was that of a flute echoing across the small flat stretch that lay between the city and the forest in which the clan was located. A moment later, the source of the music was revealed.
Sitting under one of the sparse trees was a man with his hair pulled back in a ponytail, a flute at his lips and a sword on his belt.
As Satoshi and Chikaze raced past, Satoshi turned on impulse and called, “Stranger! If you value your life, please, come with us!”
The stranger turned. “Torao is my name. And why should I come with you? I have traveled for days, from Edo , and I am incredibly tired. This tree is very comfortable. I wish to rest a while.”
Satoshi sighed. “All right, listen. See those guys back there?” He gestured to the approaching robbers. Torao blinked as if seeing them for the first time. Satoshi continued. “Well, they aren’t friendly. Actually, they’re trying to kill me and my friend here.” He gestured towards Chikaze. “If you stood in their way, I doubt they would hesitate to kill you, too.”
Torao stared into space for a few second, as though thinking. He stood up and slid his flute into his belt. “Well, I suppose I shall come with you. So much for a better life in Kyoto.”
“Yeah! Glad you’re on board!” Satoshi butted in. “Now what are we doing standing around looking at each other? Those cutthroats are only getting closer!” He grabbed Chikaze’s wrist and said over his shoulder, “Listen, Torao. Just follow me and we’ll be safe in no time.”
Torao shrugged again. “You’re the leader.”
Satoshi took off running. After a few tense minutes, the group reached the first trees of the forest. As if drawing strength from the trees, Satoshi took a deep breath and took off at an even faster pace.

***

Akira stood outside the cave with Sensei Genkei, Anbi, Arisu, and Umiko. Arisu was using a kunai to pick something out from between her teeth.
“Well, they aren’t back yet, and it’s just past noon. We better go out and get them.” She spit out the crumb.
“Arisu!” Anbi cried. “You may be a bandit, but you should conduct yourself like a proper woman, like Chikaze and me. You’ll set a bad example for Umiko. She is only thirteen and still looks up to us to set an example.”
Umiko cast her a dirty look.
“Feh.” Arisu snorted. “She’s already learned too much from her big brother, the idiot.”
Now it was Arisu’s turn to receive a dirty look.
Akira cut in. “Ladies, be quiet. Arisu’s right. We need to find Satoshi and Chikaze. Sensei has already given it the okay. The four of us will set out immediately. I shall lead. Anbi, Arisu, you shall flank Umiko for protection. Just in case. And Sensei, I would like you to bring up the rear.”
“With pleasure, my boy.” Genkei replied cheerfully, as he twirled his walking stick, which he only ever needed in a fight. Akira pitied any marauder on the receiving end of that staff.
“All right! We are off!”
The bandits took off into the forest. Akira smiled. He might see some excitement today!

***

“Well, this is not good.” Torao said.
Satoshi looked at him. “You think?”
Satoshi had taken a few wrong turns in the chase, and ended up at the base of a sheer rock face, maybe fifteen feet high and impossible to climb.
“Satoshi,” Chikaze looked at him. “Remember what you told me earlier, about running?”
“Yes,”
“Well, that’s kind of out of the question now!”
Satoshi shrugged and nodded. Then his face lit up. “Chikaze, see if you can signal Akira and the rest. Maybe we are close enough to the cave!”
Chikaze smiled and nodded. She pursed her lips and whistled some tuneless song.
“Hmm, may take a while to get them rallied. Until then, let’s see how long we can hold out,” Satoshi turned to his companions and thrust his right hand out. “Who’s with me?”
“I’m in.” declared Chikaze, and thrust her hand in.
Torao yawned. “Well, I got nothing better to do. What the heck,” and thrust his hand in.
“You know, for a slacker, you aren’t half bad,” Satoshi said to Torao.
“Umm, thank you, I think.” Torao replied, and then exclaimed, “Oh, look, those men chasing us are here!” He drew his sword. Satoshi was startled by the blade’s workmanship. It was long, but still short enough to have good control. The handle was a perfect fit in Torao’s hands, but what struck Satoshi was the delicate red streak that ran the length of the blade’s edge. If an ally didn’t wield it, he would have most certainly stolen it.
He shook his head, and then reached for the two blades he kept tucked into his belt. They were too short to be swords, but too long to be daggers. He had lifted them right from their poor owner’s nose. How he loved his beautiful twin blades!
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chikaze reach for some of her seemingly endless supply of knives. The three each met each other’s eyes, almost a final salute, and prepared for a brutal fight.
With a huge yell, the cutthroats tried to overwhelm the trio. Torao immediately leapt into the action, swinging his majestic katana with a frenzied grace. Satoshi joined the fray with his own unique fighting style, by using kicks to open up opponents, and then slicing. Chikaze hung back for a second, developing a strategy. When she seemed to have a good one, she leapt into the fray and began her strange combat dance. If an enemy was close enough, she would slice out with her knives. If she knew she couldn’t reach her foe, she would throw her knives, then take out two more.
At one point, Satoshi was fighting three thugs who had encircled him. One held a massive axe; the second wielded two sets of nunchakus with incredible skill. The third held a heavy looking ball and chain. Satoshi laughed softly. Three on one? That hardly seems fair, he thought. For them. He leapt into the air, and kicked the axe holder three times before landing. The man retreated, a wise decision. Out of the corner of his eye, Satoshi saw the chain man swinging the large sphere above his head. Acting quickly, he pulled a kunai from his belt. He stuck the knife in one of the links, pinning a portion of the chain to the ground. Just enough to not reach him. In the same motion, he delivered two kicks to the nunchuks user. One caught him in the gut, bending him over. Satoshi delivered a second kick to the boy’s head. He fell down hard. The last man held up his hand and shook his head as if to say ‘no’. Satoshi made a feral face and growled. The man fled as if he had oni on his heels.
Satoshi took a second to look around. Chikaze was holding up well, with a good combination between thrusts and throws. He saw one thug getting close, and was about to signal Chikaze, but Chikaze heard the cutthroat’s approach, and threw a roundhouse punch to his temple. The poor boy collapsed on the ground.
He turned his attention to Torao. The swordsman was faring well, cutting down enemies with nonchalant swings of his sword. The red edge was harder to pick out now, as the blade was stained with thieves’ blood. Satoshi made a note never to cross Torao. It would not end nicely.
After fighting through four more waves of thugs, they seemed to learn Satoshi’s strategy. They moved accordingly, matching his strength, and shoving it back. More thugs had ganged up on Chikaze, making it hard for her to pick out one enemy to take down. She caught Satoshi’s eye, and mouthed, “Good bye.” Satoshi wiped a tear from his cheek and waved.
Torao still fought with a brutal intensity, but a sound startled him out of his bloodlust. The sound was a barley detectable snap.
“You…” Torao turned to a young boy, holding a split piece of wood in his hands. The boy fled. “You deformed son of a three legged goat! You broke my flute! Get back here so I can kill you!”
“Torao!” Chikaze’s voice cut through his bloodlust. “Torao! We need a defensive formation. Come help me and Satoshi!”
Torao nodded. He cut his way through the thugs that lay between him and his two companions.
When he got to the cliff face, he joined the formation they had quickly created.
Satoshi turned. “Well, Chikaze, I’ll miss you. And Torao, it was nice to know you. Sorry for getting you into this mess.”
The unlikely trio braced themselves for what would inevitably be their last stand. But as the thirty-five or so remaining cutthroats closed in, a rain of shuriken peppered the ground at their feet.
“Hey, big brother! Did we make it in time to save your skin?” a voice called out from the trees.
“Yes, but just barely. What took you so long, you little brat?” Satoshi called back.
“We’ll tell you later.” Arisu’s called out, probably a few feet to Umiko’s voice’s.
“But for now,” Akira’s voice said from atop the cliff, “We’re going to help you guys out. Now, everyone!”
Arisu and Umiko leapt out of the trees and started to kick, punch, claw, slash, and in all ways harm the marauders. Akira and Anbi leapt from the top of the cliff and, on their way, threw smoke pellets in all directions, and then hit the ground slicing. Genkei erupted from the brush swinging his staff above his head. “I may be an old-timer, but I still have energy in these old bones!”
Seeing their comrades gave Chikaze and Satoshi new strength, and their strength gave strength to Torao. They joined the struggle again with a stronger vigor than before. Torao fought side by side with Satoshi. They settled into a rhythm of parries, thrusts, and slices. Soon, only five cutthroats were left. These men feared for their life and fled. “Yes, run!” Genkei called after them. “I’ll hunt you down, and it shall be a dark day when I catch you, you hear me, you…“
“Deformed sons of three legged goats!” called Chikaze and Satoshi in unison.
Torao whirled. “Hey! That’s my insult!”
Chikaze looked at him. “So?”
The sound of hoof beats interrupted the argument. Satoshi, facing away from the noise asked, “I don’t want to know what’s behind me, do I?”
Chikaze, Akira, and Umiko all shook their heads and mouthed, ‘No.’
But Torao exclaimed “Shogun Masashi! I have traveled from Edo to warn you of great danger.”
The shogun, flanked by Isamu, Hiromasa and Saika, crossed his arms from atop his horse. “So, you must be Torao, the wandering swordsman. I heard you were on your way. Welcome to Kyoto. But why are you in the company of bandits?”
Torao looked at his new companions. “I thought you were bandits from the weapons you used. But you are very honorable bandits, although I do not know how that is possible. Still, you have my sincerest thanks for assisting me. You may just be the people I need to fulfill my mission.”
“Yes, Torao.” The shogun agreed. “You all had better come back to the palace with me.” He gestured to the bandits. “I will instruct you about Torao’s mission.”
“Satoshi! This is excellent!” Saika exclaimed. “Now we can actually work together!”
Satoshi shook his head violently from side to side, obviously saying ‘No, please stop!’ Saika seemed unaware of this and continued, “This could be history in the making, samurai and bandits finally working in tandem-”
“Saika! Be quiet!” Satoshi yelled. Flocks of birds flew from the surrounding trees. “Oops…”
The shogun turned his horse. “Saika? Do you know these bandits?”
“Goodbye, head.” Satoshi said mournfully. “My shoulders will miss you.”
Shogun Masashi turned to him and gave a smile that was half warm and half contempt. “Although you are bandits and you have some sort of affiliation with my daughter, you possibly have saved Torao’s life. So instead of killing you, we are going to send you, all of you present actually, on a long, and quite possibly very dangerous mission. You bandits could be quite useful to us. And some of you will have along two strange partners.”
The reaction of those gathered was quite varied. Saika exclaimed, “Dangerous? And I’m going? Amazing!”
Akira’s reply was quite different. “Oh, why do I get myself into these messes?”
Genkei bowed deeply to the shogun. “Thank you for sparing our lives. We shall do everything in our power to serve you.”
“Good. Now, if you would follow me to the palace,” Masashi said. Then he turned to Hiromasa. “I like that old one.”

***

An hour later, the bandits, Torao, Masashi, Hiromasa, Isamu, and Saika were gathered around a table in the shogun’s palace. On the table, a map of Japan was spread out. “Now that we are all comfortable, let the briefing begin.” Masashi declared. “Torao, please, tell us all you know.”
Torao stood and bowed. “For those of you who may not know, I am a ruroni . I was chosen to deliver this message because it was unlikely I would be stopped on the road.
“Anyway, for the bandits’ sake, as they may not know, there is great uprising in our home nation. The cities of Nara, Osaka, and Kobe have formed an alliance and plan to storm Kyoto, and appoint Daimyo Harotamaru of Nara. Daimyo Kamenosuketa of Osaka and Daimyo Nagatakahiro of Kobe joined so willingly, they seem so eager to be rid of you, Shogun.” Masashi gave him a look that clearly told him to cut to the chase. “Yes! As I was saying,” Torao continued, “Daimyo Mamorohei of Edo knows of this and wishes to offer his aid. If you send word in the next three months he will also supply you with one bowl of miso ramen.” He burst out laughing at his own joke.
“Moron,” Akira muttered. Isamu smiled and nodded.
“Torao, if you do not hurry up and stop joking around, I will personally throw you off the palace roof and see how funny you sound on the way down,” Masashi threatened. “And believe me. I will throw you.”
Torao gulped. “Uh, as I was saying, Mamorohei has offered his assistance, although he suspects that even our combined strength cannot stop the combined strength of Harotamaru, Kamenosuketa, and Nagatakahiro.”
“Yes,” Masashi affirmed. “That is where you bandits come in. You must know some other clans from around the nation? Some allies who have helped you through a tough time?”
Genkei thought for a moment. “You shall not arrest them?”
“You have my word as a warrior.”
“I see,” Genkei retreated into thought again.
“Hurry it up, old man!” Hiromasa cried. “We aren’t getting any younger, and the enemy isn’t getting any farther away.”
“Actually,” Torao butted in. “The assault isn’t for another year or two.”
“A year?” Hiromasa yelled. “You come and warn us a year, if not two years in advance? Do you really think we are that lazy?”
“Well,” Torao pointed out, “I am not the most active person-”
“True,” Isamu cut in.
“If I wanted your opinion, I’d ask,” Torao retorted, but looked slightly hurt. “As I was saying, I am not the most active person, and preparations for this battle will take more than just making sure the samurai’s swords are sharpened. This battle could just be a blood bath for us if we do not have enough allies. Some extra samurai are always good, unless they are chasing you…”
“Been there, done that,” Satoshi muttered, and Chikaze burst out laughing.
Torao finally lost it. “I have had it with the interruptions! This is a war council and we are acting like children! Genkei, is it? Have you finally come up with some names?”
Genkei looked up. “As a matter of fact, I have. Two clans. Fuyuto-san resides far to the north, in a mountain range. He has a clan of about thirty. He will probably join the cause right away. He is quite young and always likes a good fight. Hoshishi-san lives to the south, on the coast. Her clan is a large one, about forty-five members. If we split my clan into groups, we can reach both clans in time. Chikaze, Satoshi, you will go to the north and convince Fuyuto to join the cause. Akira, Anbi, and Arisu, you will go south and convince Hoshishi that we are worth her time. Be warned about her. She is quite stingy. And due to that, you are taking Umiko with you. If anyone can persuade Hoshishi, it’s her.”
Masashi nodded. “Very well. Hiromasa, Isamu, you are to travel to Edo with Torao to give Mamorohei a message that we accept his offer. Also, you are to take Saika along.”
Saika leapt up from the corner where she had seemingly fallen asleep. “Father, are you serious? I get to go on an adventure? I accept!”
Masashi smiled. She is ready, he thought to himself. She’s grown, so you can stop worrying about her. She is enough like her mother to handle any obstacle.
“And accompanying you are two special ambassadors,” Masashi continued. “Bring them in.”
The door to the small room opened, and two samurai walked in. “Uh-uh, no! I refuse to travel with them! I’m probably going to die in the first two weeks anyway, so I refuse to let those two speed up process!” Torao raved.
“Torao,” Masashi said through clenched teeth. “Be. Quiet. You are not traveling with those two. You are traveling with these two.”
He gestured to the two people the guards had brought in. They wore rope around their wrists, clearly prisoners. One wore a black tunic with an embroidered red dragon. His guard held a white sword, presumably the prisoner’s. The second was female, wearing a slightly tattered kimono. She glowered at those assembled.
Masashi looked at Torao. “You will take them with you. You might have heard of them. The male is Ryuu. Yoshe is the geisha.”
Satoshi whistled. “You finally roped those two up. How long have they been running away from you guys? Three years?”
“Four,” Arisu muttered. “Hey, Saika, right? What does a girl have to do to get some food around here?”
Anbi smacked her. “Be respectful. She’s the princess!”
Saika just laughed. “When Father dismisses us, I will get us some fish.”
While the three girls had been talking, Torao had shrunk back. To Satoshi, he whispered, “Please, may I travel with you? I would much rather travel among…friends than samurai and assassins.” He shuddered.
Satoshi smiled. “Feel free. The more the merrier. But maybe we should ask Shogun Masashi first.”
“Yes, that would be wise. But why does it matter to you?”
Satoshi grinned. “Because I want to see what kind of face he makes when someone rearranges his plans.”
As it happened, Satoshi didn’t get his expression. Masashi just shrugged and agreed. “Darn,” Satoshi muttered. “I really wanted to see how he looked when he was angry.”
Saika, who had walked up behind him, laughed. “Dealing with me growing up, Father doesn’t get angry anymore. He has a lot of control over his emotions.”
Satoshi muttered something incomprehensible under his breath. It sounded a little like one of Torao’s curses.

***

The next morning, the three parties prepared for their long journeys. Food was put into packs, weapons were sharpened, and goodbyes were said.
The group consisting of Hiromasa, Isamu, Saika, Ryuu and Yoshe had opted to travel by horse. Ryuu, and Yoshe were still bound, and their horses were being led.
Genkei thought that the teams of bandits would be more mobile and overcome obstacles easier without horses, and would be less likely to be questioned by Fuyuto and Hoshishi at their destinations.
Akira had urged Genkei to stay behind, due to his age. Genkei reluctantly accepted, and would help Masashi develop maneuvers that would incorporate both bandit and samurai fighters in the groups’ absence. “Although I would greatly prefer to be running around like you, having adventures,” Genkei grumbled.
“Don’t worry, Master!” Satoshi joked. “We’ll bring you back some rocks from the north!”
“And some sand from the south!” exclaimed Umiko. Both siblings burst out laughing. Genkei replied by rapping both of them with his walking stick.
Masashi had taken Hiromasa and Isamu off to one side. “I want you two to be careful with those two assassins you are with. Their task is identical to yours. They are to recruit outlaws to help us.”
Hiromasa staggered back. “Masashi! You must be going crazy! Asking for the aid of criminals?”
“All will be clear in time, Hiromasa. Until then, just remember. You can release the two assassins when you think you both have an equal trust of each other.”
“Right,” Hiromasa replied in a mocking tone. “That will happen when our islands sink.”
“Be a little more optimistic,” Isamu chided.
“Exactly!” Masashi exclaimed. “Hiromasa, you should follow Isamu’s example. Those two could be the key to our victory.” He paused, and all three started laughing. “You are dismissed.” Masashi said after the fit of laughter. “Actually, Isamu, you stay.”
Isamu paused mid-stride and turned around. Masashi waited until Hiromasa was out of earshot. “Isamu, I am entrusting you with the care of my daughter. Make sure she stays out of trouble.”
“Yes, Masashi-sempai ,” Isamu said, trying to contain his emotions. He couldn’t believe it. He was entrusted to look after the shogun’s daughter!
Hikari had run up to see Akira off. “Akira,” she said breathlessly, “You come back alive now! I can’t keep Genjiro away forever!”
Akira smiled. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I promise.”
Hikari smiled. Akira would make it back, even if he had to crawl. “Good luck out there. Bring me back something from the coast.”
While Hikari and Akira said their goodbyes, Satoshi and Chikaze were making fun of Torao. They had both climbed trees, and were sitting on branches. Occasionally, one would drop down, hanging by their legs, and taunt Torao, first by poking him and then clambering back up as he turned around. It had since progressed into full out punches. Torao had drawn his sword. “Next time someone hits me,” he threatened, “they get their hand chopped off!” The two young bandits could tell he meant it, and swung out of their trees.
“We’re sorry, Torao,” Chikaze mockingly apologized. “We were just getting so tired of waiting around. We needed something to do.”
“Yes!” Satoshi picked up. “And you were the only one around. Usually we only do this to Akira.”
Torao laughed. “All right. I will let it slide this time. This time.”
Masashi clapped his hands. “I am pleased that you all are taking up this quest. The outcome is quite literally life or death for this entire city. Good luck to you all, and may Amaterasu follow you.”
“Don’t you worry Shogun! We’ll be back before you even know we’re gone!” Satoshi exclaimed.
Genkei leaned over to Masashi. “That’s either a bad thing or a good thing.”
“Impudent little brat,” Yoshe spat. Ryuu, who had fallen silent after his capture, simply nodded.
Akira and Saika had a similar reaction, and buried their heads in their hands.
Chikaze turned to Torao. “It’s going to be a long trip.” Torao nodded in agreement.
Masashi started again, disregarding the previous remark made by Satoshi. “Please hurry back, and tell our soon-to-be allies that they will not regret their decision. Now, Hiromasa, if you would be so kind as to lead your party down this path,” he gestured to one of several roads. Hiromasa nodded and urged Raiko forward. Isamu, Saika, Yoshe, and Ryuu followed silently behind him. “Akira, Anbi and Arisu, please take this path,” he pointed at a path pointing south. Akira nodded, and started to run down the path, the twins hot on his heels. “And finally, Satoshi, would you please lead your group on this path?”
“Come on!” Satoshi called over his shoulder, already running. “You two are so slow!” Chikaze sighed, and started to run after him. Torao waited a moment, and then yawned. He poured on a short burst of speed to catch up. Once they were out of earshot of the shogun and Genkei he started to talk. “Do you think we will meet a monkey? Or two monkeys? Or three monkeys? Or maybe even-”
“Torao,” Chikaze said rather impatiently.
“Yes?” the swordsman asked.
“Be quiet!”