Darian nodded his head at Hache but otherwise remained unresponsive.

The air blew harshly as the two groups stood still. It was as if time had stopped, and the only thing running were the thoughts that echoed in everyone's mind. Why were they all here? There were a few expressions such as Hache addressing Darian who just merely nodded. The scene was intense as the bodyguards were poised for combat.

"Don't tell me now that this was all a trap, Danjo-kun?" Ogen said in a calm tone with a smile.

"I could say the same to you, Ogen-chan. Here I thought that there was actually a spy. It turns out it was all part of your trap." Danjo replied with a shaky voice.

"Then... this could only mean.." Ogen started.

"That someone set us up." Danjo continued.

"This was a trap." both of them spouted at the same time.

The eyes of the two leaders looked together at the temple roof as a new figure's shadow shone in the hazy afternoon sun. Ogen pulled the handle of her umbrella, revealing a sword hidden within. At the same time, Danjo pounded his cane on the ground, causing the wooden exterior to fall off, revealing a sword beneath.

"What's the meaning of this? Who are you, child?" Ogen inquired calmly while facing the figure.

"Child? You're quite mistaken, Ogen-dono." a familiar yet unnervingly new voice resonated through the temple. The sun's rays prevented anyone from clearly seeing the new adversary. "The only children here are all of you."

"You have the nerve to mess with us, you ignorant fool. I hope you are ready to face the consequences that not even the GOVERNOR of this town wanted to be dealt upon him." Danjo threatened as the figure merely echoed out a soft laugh.

"Can we all please drop the act? We're all sinners here, aren't we? Danjo-dono, Ogen-dono." the figure addressed them all as it stepped down to a lower part of the roof. "All of you came here on the notion that there would be a traitor from either side. You shameless elders. To think that you'd be willing to use underhanded tactics to win a war? You dare speak of honor and glory when all you've done is taint your already bloody hands with the blood of the innocent?"

"For a stranger to make an accusation, isn't that hypocrisy, child?" Ogen replied with her eyes closed.

"Stranger? I guess you don't recognize me anymore, Ogen-dono, and after you boasted that you loved all your children equally. A tongue coated in silver, a heart painted with night." the figure retorted with a scornful voice. "Then again, no one knew the real me. Not even the proud Darian-kun, not even you, Kouga-san, or should I call you Hache-kun?."

The figure stepped down from the sunlight, revealing its features. A slender and female figure, clothed in black garments that resembled those of assassins. She wore a black mask that covered half of her face. Her yellow eyes were staring yet unseeing. Her long and jet black hair just fell to her back as it was blown by the furious winds. Her pale face was still quite obvious although there are obvious tints of tan. A sword hung at the hilt of her waist, sheathed in a red container.

Ogen and Danjo stared blankly at the girl, their faces showed no emotion. "Perhaps you need a little more of a clue." the woman chuckled softly as she kneaded her hair, and tied it into a bun within a matter of seconds. Her hair had now become shorter. The pale skin, the unseeing eyes, the familiar sword, the black garments; it was all coming to place.

"Enma." the two elders said at the same time.

"So you were a girl after all. I thought you would be more graceful." Ogen smiled as Enma let go of the bun, causing her hair to fall naturally.

"Women. Always our problems begin with a woman." Danjo seethed as he gripped his blade.

"Let me tell you a bedtime story... Especially, you, Darian-kun." Enma chuckled, ignoring the insults. "Once upon a time, in a village called Iga, there were tons of powerful warriors. They were so powerful that their own leader, Ogen, was afraid of them. Sooner or later, Ogen knew that someone more powerful than her would take her place. So what did she do? She used the Akahimes; you're familiar with them are you not, Darian-kun, and silently killed off each and every famous warrior until only their children remained. Ogen knew that these children would grow to be more powerful, so what did she do then? She led these children to the Kanzashi river, and instructed hired mercenaries from the Kouga to kill the children, hence, the river in Kanzashi ran red for three days. Have you ever wondered why there are only small numbers of children in the Iga, Darian-kun? Now, you know." Enma narrated as she cleared her throat. "Ogen still causes the vanishing of strong warriors. In fact, she has a listed protocol on how to kill every strong warrior in the Iga, including you, Darian-kun. I wasn't in the list because I was blind, and thus, not even a threat. What a mistake that was, Ogen."

Enma turned to Danjo as she winked at Hache. "Do you want to hear a bedtime story as well?" Enma chuckled as Danjo whistled. Kuma, one of the burly bodyguards, rushed forward as he equipped his kusarigama, and swung the scythe at Enma. In a flash, Enma turned her ear to the side, and dodged quickly. As Enma regained her balance, Tama, one of Ogen's guards, jumped behind Enma and swung her sais at the assassin. Enma pulled out her katana, blocking Tama's attacks.

Enma dashed backward as she stood in the center of the temple, the two factions surrounding her on both sides.

Ogen and Danjo uttered only one command to their retainers, a command that they placed their emotions into. "Kill Enma."

Enma chuckled as she faced the guards. "Here's a choice... You attack me now, and possibly kill me, then, you can live on with your blind lives, or you drop your weapons and listen to another bedtime story, and perhaps, know the truth of your existence." Enma smiled as she pulled down the mask. "Choose wisely."

Darian looked in suprise at the new Enma, truthfully he had never thought of Enma as either a boy or a girl only as, Enma. Nevertheless he was suprised at her secrect and her apparant beauty, it was almost an insult really that he hadn't even guessed that she was a girl. He was also suprised the her snake wasn't with her, but he figured it must just be recovering, he knew that it vanished to somewhere else when it got was injured until it regained its strength.

Darian considered what Enma said, it was true hardly any children remained in the village and he was well aware of the Akahimes ablities and he has always felt a some sort of hostility from them, knowing that they might be ordered to kill him at anytime might be a good reason for that. A glace at Ogen revealed only anger, but she shouldn't be angry if Enma was just lieing... right?

Darian blinked and was suddenly behind Tama and swung his hand at the back of Tama's neck knocking the guard unconcious, "I'm sorry Ogen-sama, I find these bedtime stories of her's most interesting and I would like to hear some more, afterall if they are just bedtime stories then what harm are they to listen to?" Darian now stood between the Iga village and Enma waiting for Ogen's responce, and prepared to defend Enma from either Iga or Kouga.

Kane was brought in relunctantly He was asked to be a guard to this meeting. He sat listening to Enma. Before the guard do anything ans draw their weapons, he drew his own saying "If you attack him then I attack you....we listen to his story or I will kill you all.." The guards looked scared and dropped their weapons. Kane sheathed his wristblades and sat "Please continue Enma.."

hache's smile started to file away as he heard the old woman begin with him. His bloodlust was stopped by his true self and he wanted to know more. Still he needed time. Grabbing a small clay ball full of meaty stenches, used to attract omnivores and carnivorous for rare meats to sell. he chucked it carelessly into the fray of the solders. "let the girls talk or I'll cut you up like the carcass of a rabbit hhahahahaha' he said with a fake eagerness. He was tempted to jump in as well but he knew well that emna would be more prepared for him this time, and with the addition of a fully armed tank of a man and kane he wasn't in the mood to fight. "what's your little story madam of the igans?"

Ogen was alarmed as Darian knocked out Tama, one of her guards. "What is the meaning of this, Darian-kun!?" Ogen seethed as she pounded her sword on the ground. "Men... so barbaric. That's why I hate your kind." Ogen cursed as she sighed deeply. "Of course I would get mad, Darian-kun... She is talking filth and lies about my village, your village. Wouldn't you get mad if a traitor would begin to slander the people whom you love? Of course you will. I am just angered by her insolence against the good name of our village, of our home." Ogen replied as she sheathed the blade back into her umbrella. "Fine. Do what you want. Choose a traitor over the village that has protected and housed you. Know this, Darian, don't return to the village unless you have her head. I always thought you were honorable, Darian. It seems you were just all talk; beneath that suit of armor lies a hypocrite without a heart for those who have been there for him." Ogen threatened Darian as she turned around and left, ordering Tarou to carry Tama's unconscious body.

"Thank you, gentlemen." Enma smiled as she sheathed her katana. "And Kane-kun, I'm a 'she', if you haven't noticed." Enma chuckled as she sat on the dusty floor. "Onward to Hache-kun's bedtime story. You know the kougan mercenaries that Ogen hired? Danjo was one of them. Why did the kouga accept an assassination request from the Iga? The answer is simple, Ogen didn't reveal her true identity. Danjo and his men merely assumed that the governor wanted their aid, and killing igan children didn't seem such a bad idea to Danjo. Meanwhile, Ogen used this opportunity to order his akahimes to pretend that they were injured from a fight. This was to make the scenario more believable. Ogen announced to the people that she had found out who was killing their warriors and the children... she told them that it was the Kouga. She revealed her injured akahimes, and the people believed her. Ogen sparked an immense hatred within the people for the Kouga village." Enma turned to Danjo as she smiled. "After the massacre of the children, Danjo and his men went off to assassinate another group of refugees. The refugees, however, were able to seek sanctuary with a family who lived at the opposite side of the valley, these people were called as the Rodriguez family. Danjo and his men were lost and exhausted, as such, the Rodriguez gave them shelter as well. However, Danjo discovered the Rodriguez's alliance with the refugees. So what did he do? He set multiple traps within the forest... in order to kill the Rodriguez family. Apparently it worked. Danjo's mind was eased for a moment until a boy arrived at the Kouga a few years after the trapping... it was Hache-kun." Enma turned to Hache. "Yes, Hache-kun, your family's death wasn't an accident. It was planned by the kougan assassins, it was planned by Danjo. In fact, he was already making plans on how to kill you." Enma chuckled as she placed her index finger on her red lips. "Do you like that bedtime story, Hache-kun?"

Enma turned to Kane with a smile. "Would you like to hear a story as well? Let's see. In the Kouga, only the strong are regarded as those who are fit to live. Simply put, Kane-kun, the only reason why the Kouga still accept you is because of your strength. They don't care about your desire for peace. Yes, they preach peace through war, yet, Danjo benefits from war more than peace. Did you ever realize why Danjo ony speaks to you, Kane-kun, when he needs something? You're only visible when he needs something from you, Kane-kun. What would happen when you become injured? Paralyzed? Blinded? You become the human sacrifices for those wild beasts who Hache-kun hunts everyday. In order for the creatures to grow strong and fat, Danjo needed to feed them with something nutritious, human meat." Enma shuddered as she brushed her hand through her hair. "In other words, you could ask yourself... did that Wild Boar you just ate also consumed a fellow paralyzed kougan?" Enma continued. "If you truly want peace, Kane-kun, you will open your eyes, and see Danjo for the fraud HE IS!" Enma pointed at Danjo... well, almost at Danjo; she mistakenly pointed her finger at Hache.

Danjo roared in wrath as he pointed his sword at Enma. "You don't seriously believe this witch's allegations, do you? She doesn't have any evidence! Hah! Kane is a strong warrior, but I believe that excessive praise will only dull a fighter. Do you not agree, Kane? And Hache's family?! Hah! That boy was only found in the forest! I never even knew his family! In fact, I was never even part of the Maous, they are merely my elite guard!" Danjo retorted in fury as he swung his blade in front of him.

"Never part of the Maous? Then why is your blade carved with the insignia of the maous? Demon tendrils wreathed in thorns. Does Hache and Kane even know of the existence of the maous, you haven't told them, have you, Danjo? You want your men to be unaware of your elite troops so that you could kill them by surprise if they become a threat to you." Enma retorted while smirking.

"Well, err... My blade was just a hand-me down from one of the fallen maous! So what if I didn't tell my warriors of the maous' existence! It's not like they needed to know!" Danjo screamed angrily.

"A leadership where things are kept secret from the people? If you have nothing to hide, if you have nothing evil to hide, why would you keep that a secret from your people, Danjo?" Enma replied as she turned to Darian, Kane, and Hache. "Is this the kind of leadership you want? You being blind to the corruption behind their smiles?" Enma asked them as she put her mask back on. "There are more things than just living... What's the point in being alive if you are still blind to the truth?"

Kane wrist blades drew out and looked at him. "Why am I taking orders from a old fool like you....I said we will sit and listen to her talk....I said I woulod kill anyone who would attacj her. Now Sit down before I kill you." Kane listened and said "Your men couldnt kill me.......I trained them all...I know their weaknesses...." Kane then said "Im leaving the village....I wont be part of your stupid feud anymore. If you wish to kill Me Danjo go ahead but you might need more men..." He said "I will bring my vision of peace to a reality...even if it means taking down the people I once defended." He looked at Enma. "I am will to help you in anyway I can,"

hache looked to the old man as he let his mask slid off his face to appear over his head covering his hair. His face expressed sadness like that of seeing everything you knew as a lie. "I never ate the meat I hunted, I pretend like it's out of respect but I had a deeper meaning. The meat had a foul taste in it, one that I knew well wasn't meant to be there. That taste was human, I knew after I took a sample of my own skin to test it, but I refused to beleive. I was young then, but now I am old enough to think for myself and I agree with kane" hache mummbled as he walked closer to the woman staring at her face with wide eyes. "you always spouted girls were the problem but this one is the only that could spout the truth out of al of you, this battle of villages never even concerned me but I fought because the people were willing to feed me, like they knew I as human too, but is it worth it? Human communication for useless fighting, no I'd rather take my chances with her dragon here, because in your fight no one wins" hache said as he glanced at darian with a sorry expression. "so there you have it, think you can take us on? I doubt kane will fight for you either" hache let out as he slide the mask back down.

Darian was dissapointed at Ogen's singlemindedness but that really didnt mean anything, he looked at Enma, "These are nice stories, but how about you prove to us that they are more than just stories, I've had no reason to distrust Ogen over the years i've lived in the village and you suddenly tell me she has been hiding lies and had been prepared to kill me my whole life. I am not afraid to fight for my village not matter the odds, what proof can you offer to turn me from my cause?"

Darain sighed and and walked closer to Enma, "I cannot return to my village without your head so i am left with no choice." and with that Darian lazely swung his sword in a decapatating arc.