Jin poked her head out of the kitchen as she heard the prince’s cries, but did nothing to assist. She was too busy laughing at their antics. She heard the splash as Prince Hotaru was dumped into the bath, and just laughed until her sides hurt.

The soup on the stove was about done, and Hotaru appeared not soon after, clean and smelling of soap. “Good morning, Han. Of course you can help. Please grab the bowls and spoons.”

Hotaru pulled a small step stool from underneath the table, and pulled it over to reach the cabinets. Once he set the table, Jin poured soup into each bowl. A heaping portion for Ishawari, and smaller portions for Hotaru and herself. Fresh tea came next, and then everything was ready.

“Now, my dear Han.” Jin settled at the table, looking slightly sternly at the Prince across the table. “Today you’re going to have to be very good in school. Do it for me and Takumi.” There had been concerns that Han was acting up just a bit recently, and Jin realized quickly that the boy was probably bored.

“Aw...” The Prince pouted. “Do I have to go to school? I know all of that stuff already.” He blew the steam from his soup, trying to cool it.

Jin sighed. This had been the boy’s argument from the beginning, and it was a decent one. The Prince’s tutors had brought his knowledge far beyond what they taught in the little village school. “I know you know. But you must be somewhere while Takumi and I go to work. You need to go to that school, so that we can be sure that you’re safe.” She reached over and gently rubbed his head.

“Besides, you get to see your friends there.” Jin offered him a big smile, hoping the boy would see the good in the experience.

“I guess.” The Prince did not smile back, still looking a bit dimmed.

Jin thought. There had to be something that could cheer him up. “Maybe… if you’re very good… I can take you out after school and teach you something about plants. Would you like that?”

The boy brightened visibly at the thought. “Yes, Akemi-san. I would like that a lot.”

“Good. Now eat up before it gets cold. I’ll go get Takumi.” With that, she got up and called behind the house.

“Takumi, it’s getting late. Come on and eat!”

Ishawari set the small, finger-sized blade aside, content with the reflection staring back at him from the bath water's surface. His long beard was groomed to a much shorter length, and he gave one last run through with his hands to feel that everything felt even and right. Then, he melted away with the coolness of the world, slowly collapsing backward in search of relaxation. The bath water's icy frills traveled throughout his skin, jolting nerves, but the calm breaths of battle meditation placed him in undisturbed stillness. The bath felt more like a pond, then a lake, until the feelings of complete nothingness made it feel as though he were wading out in the open sea. The sea... ah, yes... the sea... He took one slow, deep breath, then fully submerged.

Thoughts came and went, but when focused upon the imagery of a vast ocean, a memory lingered. He opened his eyes, saw the sun touched clouds dance through his hazy, underwater lens. He reached his hand out, breaking the surface tension of the bath to feel the wind brush against his fingers. A hand grabbed his from the memory, and he took it, bringing himself back upright to hear:

“Takumi, it’s getting late. Come on and eat!”



Ishawari dried off and changed into a long red yukata robe before joining everyone in the living space. His hair was pulled into a slicked back comb, its long ends tied into a bun hung between his shoulder blades.

"Oh, Takumi! You're not so...hairy!" Hotaru said, an observation not meant to be taken as an insult.

Ishawari grinned anyways, patting the boy's bald head which began to show a thin patch of raven black stubble. He sat down beside the boy at the table and watched as Hotaru finished his bowl of miso soup, wondering if that was his first or second.

"Thank you, Akemi. It smells delicious." He said, staring at her carefully. "Were you able to get some sleep?"

Jin smiled warmly as he finally entered. She couldn't help a faint snicker at Hotaru's comment, even though she knew the boy meant nothing by it.

"You do look very nice, Takumi." He did. Red was a good color on him, and even though it wasn’t the brilliant crimson of their old royal armor, he looked nice all the same.

When he asked if she’d slept, her gaze turned away momentarily. “I slept enough.” She hated to lie to him, but it was necessary. He’d worry otherwise, and she simply didn’t want him to. In truth, she’d managed maybe 2 hours worth of sleep against a tree. Her back was still a bit stiff, and she was exhausted. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

After the pot was empty of soup and their bellies were full, Jin went to get dressed herself. Hers was a very simple, pale blue kimono robe that still smelled of tree sap despite many washes. She fluffed her curls and grabbed her leather traveling back, looking back at the both of them.

“I’ll be taking Han out with me once we’re both home. As long as he’s on his best behavior.” She gave him a Look with arched brows.

Hotaru smiled, his innocent eyes alighting. “I promise, I’ll be the best ever!”

“That’s what I like to hear. Now would you like one of us to walk with you?”

“No, I’m fine. Have a good day!” He rushed over and gave them both hugs, leaving Jin grinning. Then he was off. The school was smack dab in the middle of the village, not even a ten minute walk. When they had first arrived, either Ishawari or herself had walked him there. But as they settled into the rhythm of the village, small freedoms were granted. Besides that, no one else walked their child to the school, so they didn’t want poor Hotaru to stick out.

With just the two of them left, Jin looked to Ishawari. “I’ll be off soon myself. I think Kana is up even earlier than we are. Don’t ask me how.”

Part of Ishawari lurched as Hotaru exited, as if it were going against everything ingrained by duty. It was the right thing to do after all, not only to avoid suspicion, but to also gain the boy’s trust. Still, Ishawari wanted to list off the usual do’s and don’ts like that of a doting parent, but decided not to. He nodded to Jin, choosing to focus on other things. She looked refreshed, beaming in a blue kimono that complemented her dark skin and curls. He laughed at her mention of Kana.

“The old bird still loves her worms,” He smiled. “Tell her I said hello.”

Ishawari rose from the table, stretching his legs, consciously peering out to see Hotaru skipping down the path to school.

“I’ll be heading over to the Ochi farm to check on Saito. Even though Masuka was strongly against it, her husband, Toji, insisted the drunk stay with them overnight. A bit odd if you ask me. Those two are always at each other’s throats over something.”

“That is a little odd.” Jin mused, also rising from the table. She started to clear it, picking up all the bowls and putting them in the basin. She banked the fire with a splash of water, and brushed her hands off.

“Well, what ever it is, I’m sure you can handle it.” She flashed him a grin, then headed toward the door. “I’ll see you later tonight, okay? Be safe, my friend.”

She had said that every day since they had come to Hanowa, like a mantra, whether it was in Ishawari’s hearing or not. A part of her believed that it worked. It had so far, anyway.

Stepping merrily down the path toward Kana’s shop, she dodged cheery children on their way to school. It was a lovely day out – brilliantly sunny and a light breeze blowing green scents her way. The thought of coming back here one day struck her again. Part of her felt like that could be more happiness than she deserved. But there was time to think about that later. Kana would be waiting.

After jogging down the path to keep herself limber, she reached Kana’s humble herbal shop at the edge of the forest.

“Good morning Kana-san!” She called out loud as she slid open the panel door, as Kana was a touch deaf.

“Ah, good morning Akemi-san.” Kana was already behind the counter, kimono sleeves rolled up and gray hair tied back. “How are your Takumi and Han, dear?”

Jin smiled warmly. “They’re both very well, thank you for asking.”

“Good, good. Hand me that mortar and pestle, dear. Mrs. Ogawa will be by soon for a fever cure for her daughter.”

“Yes, Kana-san.”

The work began. Customer after customer came by to pick up cures and chat a bit. Jin’s keen ears searched for pertinent information, but everything seemed like the usual scuttlebutt. Who was out of work, who was having a child, even petty things like affairs and such. Jin heard it all and commented on very little, simply offering enough response to keep the conversation going.

“Did you hear?”

Jin was plucking stems from mushrooms, ears open.

“The Prince was nearly assassinated!”

“No!” Thank goodness for Kana’s love of gossip. Now this was something. Jin slowed her work to listen closer.

“It happened a few days ago – the Prince survived but now he and the Emperor are in hiding!”

“Who would dare try to harm the royal family?”

Jin spoke up. “Pardon me, miss Okita… where did you hear of this?”

Okita tapped her chin, thinking. “Well, my husband heard of it yesterday at the docks. The news is everywhere! I hear they’re going to double security going in and out, and post more guards.”

“Is that so? Well, I hope it doesn’t interfere with his work.”

They started up a round of gossip about children, and Jin slipped into deep thought. The timing was far too late – then again, rumor could transform from place to place. Maybe there was some truth to this after all.

Ishawari bowed to Jin. As the last to leave the house, he double checked the back doors and windows, glancing around to make sure no personal items were out in the open, before making his exit. The sun was barely inhibited by the speckle of clouds strafing above, though a gloomy patch whirling from the north could disrupt all of that by evening. As he made his trek toward Ochi farm, he came across the usual traveling merchants that hailed from the port, but was in such a rush, that he only nodded to their familiar faces in passing.



Ochi's farm was within a mile's distance to the rest of the village. It veered off its own private road west, a little ways from the main path that connected the port town with Hanowa. Most of its acres were set in a flooded, arable basin, filled with rice crop, while the elevated acres had a variety of fruits and vegetables. Ishawari noted the evenly spaced, little bushels, which replaced the fully ripe crop he harvested from yesterday. They don't waste time, do they? He thought, nodding approvingly at their work ethic. The family of six were a salt of the earth kind of people, always busy doing something, so it concerned him when he didn't notice anybody working about. Ishawari approached cautiously, taking in the stillness of his surroundings as he advanced toward the family house. As he got closer, he heard what sounded like cheering, then, lots of shuffling that followed a loud clang!

Ishawari darted toward the entryway, his bodyguard instincts taking over. He slid the door open to see Toji Ochi wrestling Saito, the town drunk, in the main living space. The main eating table and chairs were cleared or this peculiar match. The four Ochi boys, each a year apart, were cheering on their father, as their mother, Masuka, was armed with her broom.

"Would you two stop already?! You're going to break something!" Masuka yelled, waving her cleaning utensil in the air like a crazed warrior. She then noticed Ishawari at the entrance, and the angry lines on her face immediately unwrinkled to a soft marshmallow.

"Oh, Takumi-san! Just the person I need!"

"Uh, what's going on?" Ishawari said, not sure what to make of the present situation.

"Oh just two idiots trying to prove a point nobody cares about." Masuka rolled her eyes, then took a deep breath and yelled:

"STOP THIS INSTANT YOU TWO! TAKUMI-SAN IS HERE!"

The four boys turned, greeted Ishawari, signaling him to join in on the spectacle. Toji managed to put his weight on top of Saito, mounting from on top, and restraining the man's wrists.

"Oh, Takumi-san!" Toji said in between exasperated breaths, "Welco-"

Saito took advantage of the distraction, cut loose from Toji's hold, plopping him to the side to regain an advantageous position.

"Ha, you fool! How can you be the better wrestler if you're so easily distracted!" Saito said, his slender face, drenched in sweat.

Masuka had enough. She scuttled over, her feet quickly shuffling at speeds permitted by her tight, purple kimono that limited her gait. With her broom raised, she brought it down in a continuous arc, smacking both Toji and Saito with its sharp, bristled ends.

"Waste your energy on this stupid bet will you!?" Masuka raged, her boys laughing uncontrollably as Toji and Saito cowered, both trying to use the other as their shield. "Embarrass us in front of guests will you!?"

"Well, then..." Ishawari looked around, slowly backing up towards the door.

"No, Takumi-san! Please, help us get this crazy lout out of our house! He does nothing but distract from our daily routine, a routine we so desperately need to get back to!" Despite the room's disapproval, Masuka insisted. She grabbed Saito by his collar and dragged him towards the exit, throwing in a couple more smacks with her broom along the way.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry Masuka! No more!" Saito hid behind Ishawari, who held his own arms up in defense.



The two men made their way back with almost little to no small talk. Ishawari slung a bag with a ripe assortment of fruits and vegetables, Masuka's payment for helping them get rid of Saito.

"So, I see that you're feeling much better." Ishawari said, breaking the ice.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for helping me." Saito said, looking over his shoulder.

"Well, I couldn't just leave you on the side of the road." Ishawari shrugged, noticing how shifty Saito was becoming. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." he uttered, his pace now quickening. "I just need to get home is all."

Again, Ishawari shrugged. All the better I suppose.

"Oh, no." Saito's widened eyes stared down the path. Ishawari frowned at him, then turned, squinting down the road past his own house to see a group of men making their way towards the village. Ishawari sighed.

"I take it you know those men?"

"I, uh, might owe them some coin." Saito shamefully nodded.

"Some coin?"

"A lot of coin. We should go back to Ochi's, I can't let them see me!"

Ishawari sighed again.

"No, get off the road. Stay low and loop around the bend to get behind my house. Hide there while I sort this mess out." Ishawari said, handing Saito the bag of farmed goods.

"No, Takumi-san! Those men are dangerous! Let's just run."

Ishawari glared at the man, and in that moment, Saito wasn't sure who to be more scared of.

"And you've now endangered the village. Go. Now." Ishawari then bolted into a running jog.

When Ishawari got within 100 yards, the details of the four men were more clear. The smallest of them turned, signaling the others of Ishawari's approach. The group turned in unison, and Ishawari could see the sheathed blades at their waist. He looked ahead, elated to see nobody else was nearby, then approached them with a carefully measured smile.

"Hello!" Ishawari said, slowing his jogging pace until he was about ten feet away He noted their shifty hands reaching for the hilts of their swords. "Are you traveling merchants from the port?"

"Do we look like merchants?" The biggest of the four stepped forward. Easily 6'7', built like a thick tree. They all wore sleeveless black coats, but his looked like it could tear at the seams at any moment."We're looking for a man named Saito. You know him?"

"We know he's from here so don't lie to us." The second tallest man said. He was more slender, with hawk-like features, but had the longest sword. "Just give him to us, and we won't hurt anybody."

"Oh, Saito eh?" Ishawari rolled his eyes, his acting, not far from the truth. "Of course you're looking for Saito. Heck, we all are. That drunk comes and goes as he sees fit. Can't say I've seen him around though."

"Well, that's too bad." The third man said. He was the least athletic of the group, but his gaze was by far the most menacing. "I guess we'll just have to take what he owes us out on this village then."

"Yes..." The fourth one said, the smallest of the bunch. His bulbous eyes inspected that Ishawari was unarmed, unsheathing his sword with a laugh. "Starting with you!"

Ishawari calmed his mind, slowing his breathing until the falling leaves appeared to float as though they were underwater. He saw beyond the small man's advance; to the portly one's hand with a hidden dagger, to the hawk-like man flashing his long blade, and to the biggest of them all, standing with his arms crossed. These men were not foreigners to death dealing, and without his spear, could prove to be a handful. Ishawari recalled Jin's words at breakfast, her belief in his ability to handle whatever situation he'd come across. And as the short one's blade missed its illusive target, Ishawari couldn't help but smile, reaffirming that her confidence wasn't misplaced.

The short one frowned as he missed his target. The air close to his air was like a sharp gale wind as the blade from the portly one traveled toward Ishawari, who gracefully caught it by the hilt between his fingers. Ishawari nodded approvingly at the balanced weight of his newfound weapon, then brought its blade to parry the short one's second strike.

"This is a good knife! How much for it?" Ishawari said to the portly man, who unsheathed his machete in a fit of rage.

The hawk man thrust his long blade at Ishawari, who nodded approvingly at his technique, but shook his head with disappointment after sidestepping with a blade parry, sending the hawkman off balance. As he did, the machete came flying at him with a variety of crude slices, which became even more reckless with every missed swing. Ishawari used the portly man's momentum to fling him off the road with a simple, one armed push with his free hand. The short one and the hawk then jumped in to attack as one, but then something caught his eye. The bald man, who was observing this fight like a spectator, noticed the slight distraction in Ishawari, and turned to see what it was.

Prince Hotaru stopped in his tracks as he made eye contact with the giant man.

"Run, Han!" Ishawari said, the loudness in his voice shook both of his attackers.

He whirled around the short one, slamming the butt of the knife into the back of his head, crumpling him into the ground. The hawk man found an opening and brought his long blade down diagonally, nicking Ishawari's shoulder. Ishwari ignored the pain as he stomped the blade flat onto the ground with his foot, then lunged in close to deliver a hard right hand to the chin that sent him on his back. By the time Ishawari neutralized the threats, the bald man was already making his advance toward Prince Hotaru, who was running his hardest back to the school. Ishawari kicked it into gear, but just as he was about to break out into a full sprint, the portly man leaped at him from the side of the road, cutting off his path by slashing with desperation. Ishawari roared fists in between his clumsy attacks until he was knocked unconscious.

"Come back here, runt!" The bald man yelled.

Ishawari ran after the bald man, who was within twenty feet of Prince Hotaru.

"Hey! You some kind of coward? Leave the kid alone!" Ishawari roared, but the brute didn't respond. Ishwari surmised the man knew he couldn't take him on, and resorted to going after Hotaru to exploit his weakness. Damn it! Knife still in hand, he waited until he closed enough distance to fling it at him, but when he saw that the bald man grabbed a hold of Hotaru, he altered its trajectory at the last second for fear of hitting the boy. The bald man flinched as the knife flew past his broad shoulder, but regained his confidence with Hotaru now as his hostage.

"Not so tough now are ya?" The bald man spat, dangling Hotaru by his collar. "Could've made this so much easier, but you had to be a hero."

"Let me go, you ugly ogre!" Hotaru kicked and screamed.

Many villagers who were within earshot ran over to the scene, yelling at the bald man, but his hold on the boy only tightened.

"You pay me the 10,000 gold I'm owed from Saito, and I won't snap this boy's neck!" The man's hands were as big as Hotaru's head. Ishawari clenched his teeth, holding back the rage he had for this coward and focused. If I can just get the prince free from his grasp...

The bald man circled, threatening everyone to keep their distance.

Jin was just outside the village outskirts, plucking wild onion from the ground, when Okita came running down the path. She smiled and straightened up.

“Back so soon, Miss Okita? Forgot something?”

“No!” Okita was panting with exertion. “There’s a commotion in the middle of the village!” Then she said something that made Jin’s stomach drop to her knees.

“Someone has your son!”

Prince Hotaru.

Jin’s face went wan as she went from humble herb picker to trained bodyguard in an instant. She dropped the onions, picked up her kimono to the knees and started running, full tilt, toward the village square.

It took too long, far too long, to get there. But things were still active when she arrived. There was a very large brute, there was Ishawari in the middle of the circle. And crying out was dear Hotaru. Jin felt herself going into a red eyed rage. How dare this – this – ruffian lay his hands on the Prince of their nation?! Beyond that, how could he so casually threaten a helpless child? She slowly dropped into deep breathing, calming herself slowly and taking stock of the situation. Obviously Ishawari couldn’t get near enough to their attacker to pull Hotaru away. He’d need some kind of opening. A distraction, perhaps.

A distraction that she could readily provide.

She stepped forward out of the crowd, eyes cold as ice as she stared upward at the man. Oh, her fingers itched for steel, but she would have to do this the hard way.

“I’ll thank you to put down my son.” Even she was surprised to hear her voice come out without the slightest hint of fear. “Han, are you alright?”

The man turned, and she got a good view of him then. Weaponless but solid bulk, muscle under fat, Hotaru in a vice grip. The boy himself was still struggling, quite hopelessly, but she admired the fighter in him all the same.

“Get this big jerk off me, Akemi-san!”

Jin only nodded in response, keeping her eyes fixed on her opponent. She kept walking slowly, starting to circle the man with dutiful steps.

The man laughed rudely, staring down, way down at tiny Jin. “What exactly do you plan to do about it? Are you going to pay me my money?”

“You’ll be very lucky if you leave this encounter with breath in your lungs.” There was something deadly in her voice, and while she heard the distant murmurs of the crowd, she paid them no mind. She simply kept circling, watching the man shift and keep up with her.

“Hmph. You’re a brave little bitch, I’ll give you that.”

Jin smiled like an animal baring teeth. “I’m far more than that.” She shifted her weight subtly, preparing for attack. Because she’d turned them just enough for Ishawari to be directly at the man’s back, out of his sight, and open for surprise attack. She couldn't meet his eyes, but knew the time was now. If he could hit the man, she could grab Hotaru, and it could be ended.

The ruckus grew louder with every passing second. Some of Hotaru's classmates rallied to his aid, barking like wild pups at the big oaf. Several villagers arrived with wooden sticks, or whatever bludgeoning items they could find.

"Put the boy down!" They screamed, followed by distasteful comments about Saito. Ishawari shook his head in agreement, wondering how Saito will talk his way out of this one.

It wasn't until Jin showed up did Ishawari feel some sense of relief. The two made eye contact, and Ishawari nodded. Their telepathy forged by years of experience as warriors was as instant as a casual gesture. They knew what needed to be done and how to do it. While the village was at an uproar, the two bodyguards were probably the most calm of the bunch. Ishawari scoffed as the man fell into her trap. Jin approached the bald man, knowing he'd underestimate her and lower his guard when challenged. The brute's attention now focused on Jin, Ishawari circled the man until he was directly facing his backside. The cut on Ishawari's right shoulder was still bleeding, only a minor flesh wound, but his dominate striking arm wouldn't be as effective now.

"I'm far more than that."

"Well, maybe you can show me!" The man responded to Jin's statement, licking his lips.

Ishawari eyed the man's left temple as his target, then pounced. When just within a hair's length, he squatted low to gather momentum into his legs, then jumped, spiraling his body midair to increase his torquing power. In a three-sixty degree motion, Ishwari raised his left elbow and slammed its hard, pointy edge at the man's eardrum.

"ACK!"

His equilibrium went, the world shifting around him in ways his motor skills couldn't adjust to. Hotaru felt the hold loosen, then kicked himself off from his grip and right into Jin's arms. He stumbled onto his knees, making it easier for Ishawari to jump on the man's back. He hooked his left arm around the brute's thick neck, then flexed his bicep tight as his right forearm locked the choke in place. The man struggled, desperately clawing at Ishawari, who could barely wrap his legs around the man's wide torso to keep him in place. The brute fell onto his back in an attempt to crush Ishawari, but the choke didn't break. With the man's front side exposed, several armed villagers attempted to club him, but he kicked out like a raging bull, scaring their advance. Pinned against earth and giant, Ishawari gritted his teeth, using all of his strength to choke the air from his lungs, refusing to let go until the giant body slumped unconscious.

Ishawari released his arms, sucking in air as the man's body lay on top of him. Several of Hotaru's classmates approached, kicking and punching the unconscious man for hurting their friend. Ishawari wanted to tell them to stop, but he was too tired, and just laid there sandwiched between stinky skin and dirt. So much for handling the situation, Ishwawari laughed. He stared up at the cloudy sky, noting that the charcoal overcast from up north had caught up to Hanowa village.

"Looks like it's going to rain soon." Ishwari said to nobody in particular, drowsy from fatigue. The villagers eventually came to his aid, rolling the man off to his side to free Ishawari. He slowly rose to his feet, greeting Jin and Hotaru while clutching his hurt shoulder, now ablaze with pain. His thoughts went back to his calm morning in the bath, and couldn't help but chuckle at how wrong his prediction was about today's uneventfulness.

Jin clutched Hotaru like the treasure he was as Ishawari made his attack. She stepped them both back and into the crowd, setting him down but watching, praying that Ishawari had it under control. Her whole body was coiled, waiting to strike if he didn't. He did, eventually, clinging to the giant’s back in a powerful chokehold. It took far too long for the man to fall, and she exhaled with relief. Thank the Gods, it was over.

She went rushing in to try and roll the man off of her friend, noticing that Hotaru was kicking the giant along with his little friends, absolute fury in his eyes. Good, that was good, the fear had worn off quickly. For her own credit, she did give him a hard kick in the kidney that he’d definitely be remembering later.

As soon as Ishawari was up, talking nonsense about the rain, she ran to him and hugged him close. “I thought this village was supposed to be peaceful.” She murmured in a way that only he could hear. Hotaru was not far behind, and for several sweet moments the strange little trio clung to each other.

Now that the moment was over, her adrenaline was wearing off. Her whole body went cold and started to shake. “I think we should go home, all of us. Before more trouble happens.” She looked up at Ishawari and smiled.

“Besides, you owe me a story about what in the Gods’ name happened to cause all of this.”

“That fool Saito apparently owed men a lot of coin,” Ishawari shook his head at Jin, clenching his teeth. “He’s hiding back at our house.”

“There’s more of them?” A villager panicked.

Ishawari then told everyone about the situation, how there were three more left unconscious on the road. He then began delegating volunteers, telling them to round the big man up in a cart and scoop the rest from the road, while someone fetches the local constable to meet them there. Seven men immediately offered to help and broke off to do as they were instructed. He glanced over to Jin and Hotaru.

“We should get going.”

Ishawari, Jin, and Hotaru made their way down the road, escorted by four volunteers. Three of them kept an eye on the big man tied up on the horse-pulled cart while the other navigated it forward. Ishawari noted the anxiousness of the driver, who kept looking over his shoulder to make sure the big man was still incapacitated. Looking ahead, two villagers had rounded up the three downed vagrants and upon closer inspection, another one was tied up. Saito. The portly man and the smaller one were groggily aware of their surroundings, but the man with the hawk-like features was awake and furious.

“Let us go bastards!” The hawk spat, glaring at Saito, who was also struggling to get out of his bonds. “You damn piece of shit thief! I’ll kill you!”

“Hey, I told you I’d pay you back! You didn’t have to come here and make a mess of things!” Saito yelped.

“Quiet!” One of the villagers drove a stick into both men’s guts to cease their squabbling.

When Ishawari approached with the group, the hawk man shot daggers in his direction.

“You coward! Catching us off guard like that. Won’t happen again!” He threatened.

The villager jammed his staff end into the hawk man’s gut again, eying Saito with anger. Ishawari was unfazed by his threat. He was more focused on Saito, who was too ashamed to look him in the eye.

“Saito approached us when we were rounding these three up. Damn idiot! I hope they throw you in the same cage as these bastards. That’s the least you deserve for how much of a mess you’ve caused!”

“Wait here for the constable.” Ishawari told the four men who came with them, then glanced back at Jin and Han. Especially Han. He didn’t have the chance to comfort the young boy, and hoped he was handling the situation okay.

“Let’s go home.”

To say that Jin was furious with Saito was an understatement. As soon as the villagers rounded up the rest of the gambler’s gang, and Saito himself, Jin fixed him with an icy glare. She stepped close to the tied up man and hissed in his ear.

“If you ever put my family in danger again, no one will be able to save you from me.” She stepped back and joined Ishawari and Hotaru as if nothing had happened.

“Home sounds delightful.” Only then did she notice the blood slowly leaking from his shoulder. “AH! When did that happen?!” Probably while trying to rescue the undeserving drunk, no doubt. “I’ll make something that will help heal that up quickly.”

She stepped back and grabbed Hotaru’s hand. The boy was shaking all over, and staring at the ground. Jin’s heart twisted for the child.

“...It’s alright, Han. We can talk when we’re alone.” She gently patted the boy’s back, feeling a strange disorienting mix of worry and rage. Apparently, even a small village like this was no stranger to trouble.

They separated from the villagers, and headed down the path to their own house alone. Once they were inside, Jin exhaled deeply. “Han, are you alright?”

Han nodded once, but then shook his head. “I was so scared. I wasn’t strong at all, Akemi-san.” His eyes started to fill up with tears. Jin knelt to his level, giving him a tight hug.

“I was scared too, Han. Scared for both of you. Like I’ve told you, fear is not a lack of strength. Chin up, now. You fought the whole time, like a little warrior. I’m very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Akemi-san.” He looked to Ishawari. “Thank you for saving my life, Takumi-san.”

Jin stood up and went to Ishawari then, raising up on her tiptoes to get a look at his shoulder. “A poultice of root of echinacea and ground chamomile should help that heal up. It doesn’t look too deep.” It helped her anger to have something to do. She went to her herb pouch, collecting the necessary items, and started to grind them up. It took several minutes, and by the time she was done, her hand was sore but she was calm. She grabbed some clean cloths and smeared it with the greenish yellow mixture.

“This is going to sting, I’m afraid. Hold still.” She carefully applied the bandage.

Jin’s remedy woke Ishawari. It was as if his mind were stuck in an icy web, and it brought him back to the present with a fiery sting.

“Hmm.” Was his only registered response to the pain. It was there, and he acknowledged it, but his anger for what transpired today superseded all.

He turned to her suddenly. “Thank you. Not just for this, but for helping me earlier. Because of you, I was able to stop that bastard.”

Ishawari sheepishly glanced at Han, forgetting that he was still in the room.

“I am sorry, Han. You shouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place. If only I’d handle the other three more quicker...”

His words trailed off as he thought about the four men, feeling the spirit of his halberd calling to him, yearning for their blood. Slow, deep breaths sought to cool him from his temper as a sudden realization entered his mind. He glanced at Hotaru, then stared at Jin and said:

“We’ll have to train him. Better to be prepared, should something like this happen again...”

The boy stared at them with his big eyes, a tinge of fear at such a prospect. Prince Hotaru was trained back in the palace, but that was just with sticks and more for play then actual use. To hold a blade and do what Jin and Ishawari do, was another thing entirely.

Jin raised her eyebrows, surprised at Ishawari’s sudden thanks. “You’re welcome. Anytime you need me, I’ll be there.” She too, looked to Hotaru with a searching gaze.

“It’s funny. I was thinking the exact same as you. We’re about to leave, which means far more variables than here. Plenty of opportunity for danger. I don’t like that we have to, but we have to.” She would have preferred that he stay innocent of battle for a while longer, btu something told her that was an idealist’s dream that she couldn’t afford.

“I was thinking knives. Something small, since he’s still young. Plus, they can be hidden, and a surprise knife is it’s own weapon.” She was starting to like the idea more and more. While the two bodyguards would protect him from any danger, there was the chance of such random happenings as today. That oaf could have grabbed any child, but Hotaru was the unlucky one. Such things couldn’t entirely be prevented, no matter how they would try.

“I have just the thing, for now. Soon we can get him a better one.” She went to her pack and dug a bit, then pulled out a short knife with a well-sharpened blade.

“Come here and hold this, Hotaru. Very carefully.”

Hotaru was still staring at the two with a blend of fear and possibly a touch of excitement. He reached out for the knife, and Jin placed it in his hands, hilt first. “This is just my spare stem cutting knife, but it will do.”

She straightened up and looked very serious. “Lesson one. Treat your weapon with respect. I will be teaching you to sharpen and clean that, first thing tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Akemi-san.” Hotaru muttered nervously.

With a deep breath he held the knife firm, getting a feel for its weight while never losing focus of its sharpened point. Jin’s words echoed into his thoughts as he gripped the hilt tight, holding the weapon at arms length with both hands.

“I’ve...never trained with an actual blade before,” The realization was profound in the prince’s words. He took a step back as if the knife had turned into a venomous snake, tilting and shifting in his anxious hands. The boy looked to his bodyguards with fearful uncertainty, but Ishawari held his hand up.

“Relax, Han.” Ishawari said in a low register. “Deep slow breaths. Think nothing but of the now.”

Hotaru did as he was told, but today’s events flickered into his mind when given a moment of clarity. If I had this with me, would I be able to use it? The giant man’s glare disrupted his thoughts, his fuming breath bared down on him in their chase, followed by his powerful hold that still ached his neck and shoulders. Overwhelmed by fear, Hotaru dropped the knife and took a step back. Ishawari approached the boy and knelt at his eye level.

“Remember this moment, Han.” Ishawari said, glancing at the knife on the wooden floor. “This is what happens when you respect the blade, but don’t let it respect you.”

Hotaru’s watery eyes stared long and hard at the knife on the ground. Ishawari brought a comforting hand on his shoulder and said:

“In time you’ll be comfortable in each other’s presence. You’ll think it simply as a companion, like an extension of me or Akemi-san. For now, let’s just-”

Hotaru took a step forward. With sheer determination in his eyes, he bent down to scoop the knife up by the hilt. There was conviction this time, perhaps mixed with a little anger and frustration, but he refused to let fear take hold. Ishawari smiled at Jin.

“You don’t give up easily. Good. Just like your father. We’ll need that.” Ishawari said, rising to his feet. He approached Jin, still keeping a careful eye on Hotaru as he began testing the knife’s balance. “The day we leave for the Ferryman can’t come soon enough.”

Jin nodded with approval as Hotaru picked up the knife again. He was showing the faint beginnings of the man he would become, and she was proud to see that.

Faintly sighing once Ishawari reached her, she wasn’t sure whether she agreed. “I admit that I’ve been too long without a weapon in my hand. Despite all the stick-training and push ups, I still feel stale. Like my muscles are going.” She was sure that wasn’t entirely true, due to all the work she did to keep them up. But the idleness made it feel that way.

“At the same time, I am going to miss this place.” But she knew the village would be just fine without them. Today had shown her that much; these people would band together at the sign of trouble, cover each other’s weaknesses and be stronger for it.

“Oh! In all of the trouble and afterward, I never got to tell you. The rumor mill finally spit out something interesting.” She quickly relayed that word was out, seemingly about an attack on the prince. One who was supposedly sequestered in his father’s chambers, instead of here taking his first steps as a warrior.

“They mentioned more guards being at the port, and I really hope that isn’t true. It will make our jobs all the more difficult.” Getting to the unknown Ferryman was going to be it’s own ordeal, but to have to deal with dodging Imperial guards? Not fun.

“There will be no way to tell until we get there, so I’m putting it out of my mind for the time being. I don’t know about you, but I am starving. Mushroom rice for dinner; don’t go anywhere.”

With that, she went to the stove and got it lit. Though she’d never be adept at it, cooking somehow helped calm and organize her mind. Dinner was on the table within the hour, fresh mushrooms and fluffy (for the most part) rice.

The night came all too soon, and the rain with it. Jin lay awake on her cot, eyes shut but body jumping at every peal of thunder. Sleep wasn’t going to happen tonight, but the storm was too go outside in. Nothing to do but lie here and fight the fear.

“This is irrational and you know it.” She murmured to herself. “It’s just a bit of lightning and-” A particularly hard bout of thunder silenced her into a nervous squeak. “Y- you are a warrior, and not a child, and you have nothing to-” The sky outside lit up again, and she trembled. “Dammit.”

The rest of the evening was calm and relatively uneventful. The constable stopped by to get a statement from Ishawari. He gave the officer meager details; just enough info to confirm the villager’s testimonies. The man looked visibly frustrated while taking note of it all, as if annoyed for having to do his own job. Ishawari didn’t care for him, not one bit. The man was assigned to Hanowa from a big city in the east, and village gossip suggests it was punishment for a misdeed. Judging by his attitude, Ishawari wasn’t surprised. He just hoped the officer was competent enough to transfer those bandits to the port city authorities in a timely manner.

The constable, however, wasn’t completely useless. He did in fact confirm what Jin mentioned with regard to increased port security. Ishawari tried to press the constable about any news regarding the assassination attempt on the prince, but the man didn’t know, or seem to care.

“I’m sure the prince is nice and safe,” The constable yawned. “Better locked in that castle, then out here in the... wild. Such an overreaction! Why increase security out here anyways? The trouble is at the Emperor’s own doorstep for crying out loud!”



Today’s events weighed heavily on Ishawari’s mind, so much so that sleep wasn’t a viable option; the rain and thunder would make sure of it. And judging from by the sounds coming from the other room, he wasn’t the only one. As usual, Prince Hotaru was fast asleep. Ishawari looked to the corner where Jin was clearly distraught. He approached her when he felt it was appropriate and said:

“The prince’s snoring keeping you up too, huh?” He joked, hoping to ease her mind.

He glanced at Hotaru, then gestured with his index finger out into the living space and said:

“Care for some tea? I’ve some at the dinner table.”

Ishawari isn’t one to pry, but if Jin was willing to open herself up to him, he made it a point to be graceful about it.

Jin was surprised to find Ishawari still awake. She thought with the day he’d had, he would have slept immediately. But she was grateful to see him, surely. Anything to distract from the storm.

“Tea sounds good.” She rose in silence, and followed him to the dinner table. Settling down in the chair, she stared at the teapot sleepily for a few moments, before pouring cups for the both of them. Thunder pealed, and lightning split the night sky, causing her to spill a bit.

“Dammit all.” She swore low under her breath, snatching up a cloth to wipe it up. Once the tea was poured, she looked at the steam rising from the cup as if it could take her problems away. For a while, she simply sipped and flinched every so often. Once her cup was empty, she spoke without preamble.

“My father was killed on a night like this.”

She shut her eyes, letting the memories come forth. Maybe the only way out of this was through it.

“He was my hero, my father. Strong, and brave, and good. Everything a father should be, I think. I told you he was part of the town militia. What I didn’t tell you is what he had to go through to get on it. A lot of people still don’t trust foreigners, even in a port city like Susuka. Even though my father could have picked any other job, he wanted to protect people, even if they weren’t his own. The militia went to a vote to allow him. It took a week for them to decide, and even then I think there was trouble about it.” She sighed, circling the rim of her cup with a fingertip.

“He was good with a sword. Nothing so grand as your people, I’m sure, but he was enough for the city. He took to the katana so easily, everyone was certain he’d used a sword before. He never opened up about that part of his life. I always wondered why, but I guess I’ll never know.”

She stared off into the distance. “It was a truly horrible storm. Some said a small hurricane. I’ll never forget the way my mother begged him not to go, when the fires started. I did too. Clinging to his leg, even, crying like the little girl I was. I’ll never forget what he said:

‘When people are in need, you don’t look away.’

Those were the last words I heard from him.”

She was surprised to find herself slowly crying. Tears were slipping down her face and puddling beneath her chin.

“They said the fires and subsequent destruction killed 13 people, my father among them. It took months for the village to recover, but my mother never really did. She took ill, I think from grief, and she died within the year.” She hiccuped suddenly, covering her mouth to contain a sob.

“There was so much I never got to ask them, Ishawari! So much time we never had, so many things I did wrong or said wrong that I can never take back! I-” She was crying in full now, arms wrapped around herself. “Sometimes I hate them both for leaving me behind. They should have been here, and they’re not, and I hate myself for daring to think that way. On nights like these, they’re all I can think about, and I wonder how many storms have taken people’s whole lives away.”

That was apparently the end of the story, or all that Jin could muster. She couldn’t hold back a wave of fresh tears.

The rainfall added a somber depth to Jin’s confession. It was as if the entire world cried along with her, and Ishawari was caught within the eye of its storm. It hurt to know that she carried such a heavy burden, that her warm smiles were haunted by a tragedy that visits on stormy nights like this.

He wrapped his arms around her, feeling the warm sorrow of her face against the crook of his neck, and gently said in her ear: “Had I the power of the gods, I’d smite the Thunder Maidens themselves for ever hurting you.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, all Ishawari could do was hold her tight, hoping it was enough to keep her from getting swept up by the storms of sorrow. In her vulnerability, he felt exposed by the grim brushstrokes painted on his own canvas, allowing for a moment of clarity on the path they currently tread, as the words from Jin’s father echo in his mind.

‘When people are in need, you don’t look away’

Ishawari gently released from her, allowing enough space between them so he could look into her eyes and say:

“Perhaps it’s destiny, that we, who mourn for our parents, guard the boy who mourns for his.” Ishawari smiled. “I can’t speak on the pain that clutches at your heart, or pretend to know the sorrow of a child who was loved by their parents. Lightning casts itself onto you as a haunting reminder of loss, but in time, I hope the fear of its arrival becomes a jolting embrace, one that kisses your forehead before you drift to sleep. Just know that you are not alone, Jin. You will always have my shoulder to cry on.”

Jin cried against Ishawari's warm, solid self, his words just as soothing as his shoulder. As he pulled back, she tried desperately to wipe her face and compose herself. It wasn't working well. “Thank you.” She managed to croak out after a few seconds.

“I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, because it’s too true. I could not be doing this without you.” She wiped at her face again and attempted a smile. “If you ever need my shoulder, it is here. No questions asked.”

“Thank you for… listening. And letting me completely embarrass myself.” Despite her speeches to Hotaru, she was uncomfortable with her own tears and anguish. Her heart was pounding, with a mixture of fear and stress and something else she couldn’t quite quantify.

“You’re always so...” She waved her hand in the air, searching for the words. “So eloquent at times like this. Some days I would rather just cuss at myself and call it a day.” A brief chuckle escaped her. “Thank you for being kind to me when I wouldn’t be to myself.”

Finally she leaned away, somewhat red-faced in the dark. “I suppose if we’re both awake, we should be plotting our next steps.”

He softly chuckled as she associated him with the word ‘eloquent’.

“I might not be the sharpest tool in the armory, but I do have my moments.” Ishawari grinned. He never knew how to handle compliments, and with the moment so intensely vulnerable, he more than welcomed her idea to plot their next course of action. Was he so duty bound that he failed to read the moment? With what happened today, his mind was weary and filled with concern. Hanowa brought peace into his life, and perhaps a look into a possible future, but he muffled his emotions because that is how he was raised. Strict discipline through the art of combat did not allow for emotions like love to blossom. Will I guard my heart forever? He shook his head.

“Today is a grim reminder of the dangers that await us. We should definitely make preparations to take our leave as soon as possible. Perhaps we can even use what transpired as a valid excuse for our departure? No doubt the villagers will do everything in their power to make us want to stay. We have to remain vigilant on that front...” Ishawari looked over to the open entrance way into Prince Hotaru’s room and sighed. “The sooner we leave, the easier it’ll be on the boy. He’s made friends here...”