Tokugawa Bakufu (chapters 1 & part of 2)

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Tokugawa Bakufu
Chapter 1
 In the mid nineteenth century, during the Edo period in the land of the sun’s origin, a great conflict had been set abrew in our political hierarchy which would eventually become known as the Great Boshin War. The Tokugawa Bakufu, The leading power in our feudal land, was opposed to the policies of Meiji imperial rule. Heated diplomatic debates lead the way to battle, which all too quickly became that familiar climate: war. However, beneath the massacre, an underground resistance force was established; the Shogun’s best warriors were recruited to fight against the modernization coming from the western world, and our Samurai and Shinobi – the best that any training could turn out – would indeed die for the cause. It was the time to test our skills and our valor and thus finally end this war to restore our tradition and honor. 
***
 
 “First cell move ahead!” Captain Tatsuya commanded with a quiet, yet stout whisper. We were in a group of a half score, the finest stealth warriors the Tokugawa could muster; we were burning a hot trail with much purpose toward our target. The first cell, a five man squad, ascended into the treetops and moved ahead of us to their contact points. The moonlit night was at its darkest point, made darker still by the thick arboreal canopy of the forest at the edge of the castle grounds. All the many stories of this splendid estate towered into the sky, the pagoda silhouetted against the glowing night. The stars glinted dimly, as if trying with all their might to bring us illumination, however, this glow paled vastly in comparison to that of the full moon, which blessed our mission with a silver spotlight. When one’s focus was on the castle, it was easy to see the lights in the windows as they shone forth with a golden splendor, surely the corridors were crawling with palace guard. 
 I can call forth the memory of seeing one window at the top, facing east of our northerly path. My eyes bore witness to a young woman, her gaze caressing the countryside, as her dark hair flew in the wind like an army’s banner. Even from such great distance, my men and I were awestruck by this young lady, the wife of a top Meiji general, whose beauty was said to rival that of a goddess. The men to my right and left shook off their temporary memorization and regained focus, the intent of their mission blazing in their determined eyes. 
 “When we reach the mark, wait for my signal. We will split into smaller cells. If anything should go wrong on my part, Kioshi you are to take my place.” said Captain Tatsuya, as he drew his sword. I nodded my acknowledgement as the others and I unsheathed our ninken, the sound of Iron scraping bamboo filled me with anticipation and a strong sense of duty. 
 “Ready your blades, we are at our mark.” we hastened our pace and swiftly approached the edge of the forest, towards the clearing of the castle lot, regrouping with the five reconnaissance men, the area swept and proven clear. We moved into the trench system that would guide us to the guards’ quarters. Captain Tatsuya was ahead of us by a few paces, but he stopped, held up his fist, and we all came to an immediate halt as he peered around a corner. He held the position for a short moment then motioned for us to follow. Our swords shone faintly in the moonlight, and our footsteps made absolutely no sound as we dashed towards the base of the castle, the housing of the samurai guard. We arrived at a simple bamboo and rice-paper door. Captain Tatsuya waited as I tried the lock. Nothing moved. 
 “Isao!” I motioned for one of the men in the back to come forth. 
 “Yes sir!” he reported. 
 “Pick this lock,” I ordered. “You’ve never failed us before. Just do as you have been trained.” His instructions made clear, I stood aside. A few seconds later, the lock clicked and I slid the door open silently, nodding thanks to Isao.
 Taking careful steps, I moved forward and scanned the area. There was a long hallway, with a staircase at the end, and doors along either wall, each one identical to the one we had just come through. It was very well decorated just to be the guardhouse, lit by rice paper lanterns and a lowboy table set between each door. The dark floors creaked slightly as I carefully crept toward the first doorway, ready to kill the first guard. Our mission was to kill every living, breathing creature in the castle, eventually working our way up to the Meiji general, Raiden, and his wife, Shinju. 
 I opened the door slowly; all was still well. Two men were inside, asleep across the room from each other. Two suits of armor rested upon wooden poles in the back of the room and a candle flickered on a small table in the center of the tatami mat, providing just enough light for an efficient kill, an event they would only know for a brief moment. Their chests slowly raised and lowered as they drew breath in their slumber. I stepped out and motioned for Tatsuya to follow me as the others stayed behind. We nodded to each other and prepared ourselves at their sides. We slid our hands under their heads, and wrapped them around in such a way that our hands covered their mouths. Our blades touched their throats lightly before we swiftly drew them across, cutting through artery, vein, and trachea alike. Blood sputtered wetly from their severed throats, red bubbles popping with attempted screams, sending flecks of crimson onto the exposed areas of my masked face. Their gargling and sucking duet faded as they went limp as boned fish in our arms. Tatsuya and I dropped their heads carelessly onto the ground, as if they were spoiled melons, further disgracing our enemies by wiping our blades on the cloth of their beds. I opened the door and instructed the others to pair up and cautiously enter the rooms as Tatsuya and I waited at the far end of the hallway, just at the foot of the stair case. The men made quick, silent work of the other rooms and swiftly regrouped before me and the captain. 
 “We will continue to sweep the levels until we reach the top and kill the general. I thought I would just take a moment to tell you to keep up the excellent work.” Tatsuya reminded his men, after sheathing his ninken. He motioned for me to head up the stairs to do another sweep of the area. 
 On this level, there were more rice paper lanterns and lowboy tables, but there was a central block, a thick pillar with doors here and there; quite obviously, these doors concealed rooms. There was yet another staircase around the back. I could see just the edge of it from my position at the top of the stair-case. At the other end I spied a guard with his back to me, so I quietly moved across the hall and pressed my back to the central block as I carefully sidled to my right and daringly looked beyond the corner, keeping him in view. I signaled for the others to follow me, and they obeyed, stopping inches short of my position to await further orders. 
 “I will take that guard just around the corner.” I began with a well-practiced whisper. “Shingo, you will go around to the other side and kill any guards that may be just out of our sight.” Shingo nodded and readied his blade. I stepped out from my cover and crept up behind the guard – swiftly yet silently – and covered his mouth tightly with my hand, steadied my blade, and placed it on the back of his neck. Little resistance presented itself as I sawed through his neck, severing the spine with no particular difficulty. His body fell to the floor in a pool of dark, thick crimson. The candle light danced in the fresh puddle, as it slowly grew stagnant. I wiped the blood off on his gi, placed his head on his back, and sheathed my ninken. I could hear a muffled grunt, and blood spilling to the floor on the other side of the block and I knew that Shingo had killed another guard. We met as we came around back to the first staircase. 
 “It is clear, I whispered.” The second stair-case was now unobstructed, so we were able to continue. The others followed as I passed the fallen guard, and began the ascent. When we arrived at the top, I peered around yet another corner to the left and down another hallway. Windows on the right side of this hallway showed a magnificent view of Edo down below. I was about to signal to my comrades, when a guard came around a far corner and spotted me. He had only just managed to get his hand to his katana’s handle before one of my kunai bored into his throat, partitioning his vocal cords and his ability to cry out. He fell to the ground convulsing as he lay upon the floor, bleeding drier than sand. We went down the way he had come from and beheld the largest staircase we had yet confronted in our mission. We climbed and climbed the flights, wasting no time to breathe. For five stories we climbed the steep stairs, (which were similar in angle to those on a sea vessel) to finally arrive at one last door. 
 This door was far more splendid than the other doors we had come to. It was laden in gold floral patterns, and a tiger chased a dragon in a still, yet epic ellipsis. Two handles met in matrimony at the center of the double door, which I tried cautiously to find that it was unlocked. I slid the door open very gently and very slowly, and inside I could see the finest furniture money could buy, at least to our standards. A high western style bed sat to the left of the door, across the room a small distance, upon which general Raiden slumbered deeply, lulled by the false sense of security afforded by the warm sea of soft blankets. 
 Gold inlayed dressers and wardrobes sat at either side of the bed. A large suit of samurai armor sat between two windows a small distance away from the foot of the bed. The general’s wife, Shinju stood in front of two windows toward the back of the room, to the right of the bed, if one were standing at its foot. I signaled for the men to follow as I entered silently. 
 “If you’ve come to kill me, make it swift and silent.” The woman spoke quietly, in her voice of satin. “If my husband was to awaken and find you here, he’d have you tortured and killed without question. I believe that a good blade testing is his method of choice.” Her words, although ominous, were somehow soothing; the voice we heard was almost melodic. She sighed, and revealed her true beauty as she turned to face us, causing a momentarily lapse in my focus, yet again. I shook it off and continued into the room, my captain at my side. Tatsuya moved for Shinju, and I for Raiden. I sheathed my sword and drew a kunai, my hand clutching the general’s throat, causing him to awaken. His flabby jowls quivered like fresh octopus as fear flooded his used old body. 
 “This is retribution for the life your soldiers stole from me.” I growled quietly with chill composure, pointing to the scar on my face that crossed from the outside of one eye to the far end of the other, and then I removed my mask so that he may behold my whole face. He began to turn scarlet while tears of self pity and frantic fear formed in his beady little eyes, which were wide with terrified realization. I let go only to raise my blade for the strike, the fury of my loss was ready to come down and deliver judgment. He closed his eyes tightly and exhaled his alcohol imbued breath as he braced for my vengeance. A lethargic Shinju merely watched as I plunged my blade thrice into Raiden’s heart. I tossed my blade aside and violently pressed down on his face with a pillow, feeling a series of vibratory disturbances as I crushed the life out of him with a demonic fury. His white blankets faded to red, as the first step of the Tokugawa rebellion moved into its adulthood. Quickly, however, and without warning, Shinju drew a small blade from within her robe and held it to her throat, but a well aimed kunai from my hand knocked the blade from her fair hands. The general’s wife knelt down and bowed her head. “I am humbled that you would wish to preserve my life, but I cannot live with myself after associating with this man.” She cried. I approached her, and instructed one of my men to lift her onto my back and to bind her hands as they hung before my chest. “What are you doing Kioshi?” asked Isao. “We are supposed to kill her.” added Shingo, as he scratched his head. “Yes, but I figure that if she was with a general of the Meiji army, we could interrogate her. Maybe she has information that we would otherwise be without.
 “If you insist, Kioshi.” Shingo sighed. “Shouldn’t you clear this with captain Tatsuya?” he asked.
 “It’s alright. Kioshi has made a wise decision. It would be best to take her back to the village and keep her in custody until we know what is happening.” Captain Tatsuya had come into the discussion. He patted me on the shoulder and moved for the door, motioning for us to follow him and we left the castle, setting fire to each level as we descended. We watched from a safe distance as the blaze grew into an inferno.
 “Splendid! Another mission accomplished!” Isao cheered, as he reached for a drinking gourd on his back. “Sake anybody?” We each took a hearty swig of sake in celebration of our victory and offered some to Shinju. She took the gourd and had a small sip. It was strange to all of us that she didn’t try to fight her captors, and stranger still that a woman of such high social standing would drink after a band of sweaty mercenaries.
 We arrived at our village deep in the woods after about a forty minute hike up the mountain. Tatsuya ordered us to take Shinju to his home and put her in the main room, where mission briefings are usually held. We bound her hands with fresh wet bamboo strips, and tied her to a support beam. I knew, from what I had experienced with her earlier, was that she had no intention of escaping, but neither did our captain have any intention of gambling the chance.
 “Kioshi.” Tatsuya called for me as the squad headed for their homes. I turned and stood before him.
 “Yes sir?” I replied, waiting for him to begin. He stood, motionless, and clearly deep in meditative though. He put his hands together and inhaled with powerful purpose then spoke.
 “I think it wise that you decided against killing this woman.” he began as his hands separated. “If we had, we could possibly have lost valuable information crucial to our true mission.” He put his hand on my shoulder, nodded, and then put both of his hands at his side and bowed. “You are truly a valuable member of the clan. I shall put in good words for you with the Jounin elders at the conference at the next new moon.” He moved for the door and looked back. “I think that you should stay here tonight, Kioshi.” He said with a proud smile. “We need somebody responsible to guard that woman while I am away.” I nodded and bowed, as did Tatsuya, and he left the house. I turned to look upon Shinju and she looked up at me. Her eyes must have been enchanted by a demon’s magic, because I could not look away. “Your scar…” She cooed. “Raiden’s men gave it to you, didn’t they?” I closed my eyes and ran my finger from the edge of one ocular bone to the other, feeling my eyelids and the bridge of my nose on the way. I reopened my eyes and spoke. 
 “How very observant of you,” I replied. “However, I wouldn’t say it’s any of your business.” I sat down next to the fire that had been prepared just prior to Shinju’s imprisonment. “I would rather hear the story of how you ended up at Raiden’s side.” I absent-mindedly threw some spices into the flame and watched it dance. Shinju hadn’t moved a muscle, save for those in her neck. She looked dead at me and I waited. After a moment or two, she sighed, and spoke. 
 “I would rather not go into that, so it seems we are at an impasse.” She smiled, and I suppressed one of my own, not wanting to show emotion; she was, after all, still a prisoner. In the time since we spoke, a stagnant silence had been hanging in the air, which grew thick from the aromatic steam that rose from the stew pot that now rested on the fire. I had begun to boil water with onions, potatoes, and chicken stock; mixture that blended kindly and appealed nicely to the senses. I poured Shinju a bowl, untied her hands, and placed it before her. She stared at it, not eating, as if she wanted still to seem high of class. I paid no heed to this display and poured myself a bowl as well. I ate with much content, and was nearly finished when Shinju greedily snatched her bowl from the ground, and ate. Her appetite was perhaps limitless, for she asked for seconds, thirds, and eventually fourths. 
 “Why are you hungered so?” I asked, perplexed. A woman of her standing should never have to go hungry for any reason just for the simple fact that it defies logic itself. She did not reply, but merely looked away, her pride still intact. With nothing left to do, other than watch from the fire as she drifted to sleep, I busied myself by collecting the dirty bowls and taking them to the well just outside. The window into Tatsuya’s home bled forth light from the dying fire, and if I exerted myself in a sufficient manner, I could spy Shinju slumped in deep slumber, confirming that her intentions, besides being clouded, were far from any involving defiance. Needing sleep as the hour grew late, and the sky blacker, I staged a bed before the glowing embers of the now struggling fire and drifted to sleep as darkness took me and I bade the waking world good night. 
 The night had gone by quickly, with no recollection of a dream, the crowing of the rooster from the street awoke me from my slumber. I stretched my rested muscles and surveyed the room; Shinju was still asleep in the same position, her shoulders rising and falling with her breath. The smell of charcoal filled the air, as it was stirred by a breeze created by the blanket lifted from the floor. I returned the sheets to their appropriate storage area and stepped from the house to drink in the clean morning air. The men and women of the village had already begun to execute the morning chores, and the pigs and chickens were moving about in their morning search for food. Children, awoken by their parents helped with the early hour tasks. The village sat high upon mount Kumotori, affording a wonderful view of Edo, just to the east. It was a sunlit morning with but a few downy clouds in the sapphire sky. The air carried the scent of blossoming cherry and wisteria, and the sound of the brook that babbled through the middle of the village seemed to communicate lightheartedly with the soul. From the west of the house, three of my comrades approached; Isao, Shingo, and another-- Keiichi, a formidable swordsman who had not come on our last mission. 
 “The hour is later for you than usual.” Shingo said, as he bowed. “I would expect you to be in the dojo, having already been instructing the young ones before the sun realized it.” he said with a laugh. 
 “Yes, it is late.” I gazed into the sky, breathing in the warm, sweet-scented wind that swept for a moment through the way. “However, you will benefit from knowing that I was charged with the task of guarding a prisoner.” I pointed through the door, just feet behind me. 
 “…The great and powerful Kioshi, on guard duty? That is a laugh!” Isao and the others smiled, suppressing their laughter. “So old Tatsuya has you back at journeyman level, does he?” 
 “Perhaps Tatsuya would rather not take risks, and trust anybody other than Kioshi to a high priority prisoner.” Keiichi suggested. He was a taller man, around five and eleven, and had hair that brushed his shoulders, which he frequently tied back with a string. He had a serious demeanor and was one who thought practically, even in situations harshly demanding skill and concentration. Of the Jounin, he was respected, and feared by rival clans, as he was a deadly, merciless swordsman. 
 “You seem to forget that Kioshi outranks you, and Tatsuya has never failed our clan in the decisions he’s made.” He passed and gave me an appreciative pat on the shoulder. I bowed. 
 “I was only joking with you, Kioshi. You know I respect you as my friend and superior.” He also bowed, and smiled. Shingo, still having not said a word, followed as they continued on their way. I stepped back inside to see that Shinju had awakened, yet she sat still and stared at the floor. I tapped gently on the doorway to get her attention. Her eyes found me, and fixed their gaze. “I trust you have a nasty neck ache,” --I shifted my position in the doorway-- “judging from the single position you stayed in the whole night.” She gave a small smile, much to my surprise. “You seem rather content with your situation. Shall I make you a bowl of rice?” She nodded, so I moved to the fire pit and set to work building a flame for breakfast.
 After much trivial conversation, and after finishing our rice, I decided that it was time to discuss the events that led us both to the present. I set aside our dishes and sat squarely in front of Shinju and looked her in the eye.
 “You seem like a fine lady; reserved and well mannered,” I began rather hesitantly. “I need to know: how was it that you came to be at Raiden’s side?” I searched for what I should say next, but no appropriate words came to my mind. However, unexpectedly, Shinju spoke in my stead. 
 “It was not my choice…” She trailed off, and ran her fingers together. “I had no desire to go with him, but I was forced to.” Her eyes found mine once again. “Nearly two years ago, Raiden had sent his men to Edo, where I lived. They were looking for young women, and were offering their families large sums of money to take the girls back to the castle. Their goal was to find a suitable wife for their leader.” 
 I had somehow guessed that this was the reason for her unhappy marriage, as it was common practice among the corrupt and powerful. 
 “Raiden immediately chose me upon our arrival at his residence.” Her demeanor was chillingly emotionless. “My family had sold me for just enough money to pay the month’s tax.” She bowed before me, once again showing warmth. “I thank you deeply for rescuing me. I am in your debt. Anything your leaders may wish to know about the plans of your enemies, I shall gladly share.” She bowed once more, and then threw her arms around me 
 I knew at this point that she was wholeheartedly on the side of the Clan and that, once the meeting of the high Jounin was called to order, we would have key information regarding the advances of the Emperor’s forces. Our plan was as simple as it was bloody: eliminate every imperial soldier and politician until Japan’s honor is restored. Since the arrival of the black ships on the eighth day of the seventh month, the balance of power had shifted. In short, our children’s guarantee of a future was robbed from them. “I trust in you, if you would only hold fast in your ways.” I told her, not wishing her to turn, having grown fond of her and her anti-westernization ideals. 
 “You doubt me more highly than you should, and you underestimate my hatred!” she said with a fiery passion. “I will fight if I have to. I wish to see the blood of every Meiji noble spill forth from their miserable, cowardly throats!” She stood, as I did, and stretched. “Come, show me your village, I wish to acquaint myself with my new allies.” She strode to the door and waited. I supposed there was no breaking her of her will, so I followed her and accepted her request. As we headed for the street, Tatsuya approached, and it seemed as though he were bewitched. 
 “…Kioshi...! The prisoner…?” He stammered, his face reflecting disappointment. “Why is she loose in the village? You were assigned as her guard!” He seemed truly disappointed and I actually felt a pang of shame grip my stomach. 
 “Her will is our own.” I assured him. “You shall know of her hatred of the Emperor if you will only listen to her for a moment.” Shinju then explained herself to Tatsuya, and he seemed, in his wisdom, on the same level of understanding as I was, not that I am great and wise. He did not doubt for a minute that her story was true, and took her by the hand, much to my surprise.
 “Take a walk with me, Shinju. I shall give you a tour of the village.” He smiled at her, and turned to me. “Kioshi, I am come to tell you that you are needed in the dojo, as per my original directive for coming to my home this morning.” He had been on a follow up assignment that night, not one requiring blade and sweat, but one that called a convention of the three squad leaders, a conference discussing the events of the castle raid on the outskirts of Edo. “I shall be there. Thank you, captain Tatsuya.” We bowed before each other, and went our separate ways. 
 ***** 
 The dojo was a simple building--a single story and one large room, comprised mostly of wood and seemed to be held together by rice paper. The students appeared restless, having wandered into the yard to socialize, possibly to discuss their theories on why I might be so late. A group of my pupils – who were standing by the entrance to the yard – greeted me as I walked the short path which led from the village to the secluded spot in the woods; it was no more than a five minute walk.
 “Good morning, Kioshi-Sensei!” they shouted with relieved surprise. “Yes. I bid the same to you, my students.” I replied with a bow. “Please, go back inside. Gather the others and find your places.” 
 There was a dull roar as my students spoke amongst themselves. I took my place at the head of the class, and sat to face my pupils. 
 “It would seem that I am late upon arrival this morning,” I began. The class had fallen silent as they listened. “As you all may know, the meeting of the high Jounin three will be held at the beginning of the next moon, and I am to be attending in anticipation of my promotion, as Tatsuya retires.” A few of my students nodded their heads to confirm their knowledge of the fact. “This will be the last class I teach you before I leave, and am replaced by Shingo-san. You all know him well, and that he is a skilled warrior. You will learn much from him.” I knew that my students had come to respect me very much, and that the consensus was that they did not want me to leave them. I had mixed feelings on the matter. I wanted to be promoted to high Jounin, yet I had grown fond of my students, who were very dedicated and skilled. It had been five years since I had been assigned as the instructor to the dojo. Before then, I had already proven myself in the fires of battle. Admittedly, I had more to offer than Shingo did, and I was worried that, although he was quite gifted, he wouldn’t be able to teach my students with the same amount of intensity that I had. Nonetheless, I was confident in his ability. The students would not be let down in the end, and I was glad of it. 
 The class had gone very well, and the students had gotten everything they could from my lessons. As the sun began its descent below the tree line and twilight approached, I instructed the young ones to make for their homes, and in the silent chill of the dusk, I was alone. Naught but the sound of the crickets held conversation with my thoughts as I pondered the events of the past two days. Shinju’s face was present in my mind, even when I gave it no attention, the image appeared. Our fateful encounter, I couldn’t help believing, was a great omen for the resistance. 
 The matter of my promotion also shone brightly on my thoughts. The idea that I would become a high ranking member of the council, having the ability and right to command my own squad was one that brought great pride. My reflection would carry on for a small time longer, but would ultimately come to be broken by words from another. 
 “Look at you.” Captain Tatsuya had come into the dark room. He stood in the doorway, but eventually took a seat next to me. “You’ve grown so much since you first joined us in unbridled battle.” The only sunlight was that of an obscured sun, one that was forbidden from shining by the horizon and the army of trees on the mountain. 
 “Yes, it has been many a year since then, has it not?” I can remember no event more clearly than when I was first deemed ready to fight, to bleed on the battlefield. I was no older than fourteen winters, and by the time two winters had passed since then, I had already killed many men.
 “It seems that time truly does burn like dry grass.” Tatsuya chuckled.
 “Captain, if I may be so bold: what of the time when you were accepted?” Tatsuya was not one to make idle conversation if it was not entirely necessary. He had never spoken much of his past, since he was a reserved and well composed individual. 
 “Ah, yes,” he began with a smile, “those days were indeed grand. I was Samurai, you know!” This news, this revelation, was a globe upturning shock. My captain, the man I had known as a mentor and as a father for so long, was once the enemy. 
 “Tatsuya-Sama….!” I tripped over the words. 
 “Is it such a shock, boy?” He chuckled and gave me a light punch to the shoulder. “You are young. Twenty winters is not much to have existed on the plane of the living, especially in the shoes of a soldier.” He turned and looked at me with a very matter-of-fact expression. “I am an old man, Kioshi. Times have changed since I was a servant of the Emperor, and indeed I am content with my choice to defect, however rough the life of a ronin may be.” His eyes seemed to smile when he said this. There was no doubt in my mind that he missed it, yet no doubt that he knew he had done the right thing by betraying the Emperor. 
 “What did you do when you left?” I asked. 
 “I ran,” he replied. A short silence ensued; however, it was not one that made me uncomfortable, but rather pensive. I knew that one day I could be telling a disciple of mine how I came to be so experienced. “I did not just run,” he continued, “I took to the shadows. I had to hide, and I had to learn to fight from the darkness, for, as you know, it is unthinkable to betray your daimyo. I was not released from service; I broke my vow. That is an offense punishable by death.” 
 “It just surprises me, Captain. I’ve grown up hearing you preach that the samurai were the enemy.” I was having difficulty wrapping my mind around this new Captain Tatsuya. 
 “Not all samurai are the enemy,” he retorted. “Only the ones loyal to the emperor, I thought you would know that, Kioshi.” He laughed and sighed, placing his hands in his knees. 
 “You think I truly am ready to be a Jounin, Captain?” I asked with hopeful curiosity. Tatsuya thought for only a moment. 
 “If you would like me to be perfectly honest, I’d say that, if anything, you’re over qualified. Your skill far exceeds your years!” He gave me a very proud face and then formed a look of accomplished nostalgia. “I knew the moment you were accepted that you were destined for greatness.” His smile was wide and bright. 
 “Of the hundreds of people in this village, only three will ever get to be a squad leader at a time. You’ve worked hard, and you’ve made your people extremely proud!” He stood up and I followed his lead. He bowed to me, and I bowed back. 
 We talked a bit more on the way back to the village and we arrived at Tatsuya’s home. The others were all sitting around a boiling pot inside: Shingo, Isao, Keiichi, and Shinju. 
 “I see you are all being subjected to Shingo’s deplorable cooking,” I said with a smile as I walked into the room with Tatsuya. Shinju looked up at me with a smile and approached me. “I was wondering when you’d be back. Tatsuya took much longer than he stated,” she whispered with a smile. We bowed before each other. “I like your friends. They’re very polite and easy to relate to.” She took my wrist and we walked back to her spot between Keiichi and Isao and I took a spot to her left and to Isao’s right. 
 “So tell me, Kioshi. Just what is so bad about my culinary styling?” Shingo asked with his arms folded. 
 “Nothing in particular…” I trailed off and allowed some suspense to build. “I just prefer food that doesn’t taste like cesspool soup.” He stared at me, and I at him. Isao opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Shingo as he let out hearty laughter. 
 “Shut your mouth and have some stew!” he said loudly with a dramatic grin as he poured me a bowl. I took it, bowing slightly, and had a bite. Tatsuya had taken a seat across the fire from me, between Shingo and Keiichi. The environment was overall relaxed – the peace almost tangible. Everybody ate their stew contently, in relative silence, when Tatsuya spoke. 
 “As you all know, the next high Jounin convention will be in the next three days.” Everybody had fixed their eyes on their Captain. “You all are also aware that Kioshi-san will be taking my place.” I looked at everybody’s faces after this remark. Their expressions were either ones of awe, or just a wide congratulatory smile, like Shinju’s. “The effort and dedication that Kioshi has always shown is close to legendary among the elders, and that is why when I step down, Kioshi will be the youngest squad leader in the history of our village!” Everybody issued verbal congratulation, and Isao reached for his signature drinking gourd and took a big swig before passing it to his left, to Shingo. “Also,” he continued, “I’ve agreed to accept Shinju as an honorary member of the clan. She’s more than willing to cooperate, and we can all safely gather that she has defected to our cause.” There were more words of excited congratulation. “The mission at the castle was indeed a tremendous victory, and our intelligence was solid and reliable. Shinju, welcome, and please know that you are now family in my eyes.” He smiled and took the gourd from Shingo, who had taken his sip, and took a draught of his own. 
 “Thank you!” Shinju replied with relieved elation. “I am not sure if I’d be able to properly express my gratitude. My fortune is unexpected, and I feel like I have been granted a second chance in life.” She turned and looked me in the eye. “I thank you especially for sparing me. If I had died, I still would have been freed, but I would not have gotten the chance to come to Mount Kumotori.” She bowed deeply, and at great length. When she arose, she turned to Tatsuya and repeated the ritual. 
 “Shinju, I do not want you to pay it any heed,” Tatsuya replied, kindly. “This is how we treat allies.” He yawned and stretched, standing up and informing the others that it was time he got to bed. Everybody stood and bade one another a good night and made their way home. Only Shinju and I stayed behind with Tatsuya. 
 “Kioshi, three days from now, you will be one of the three most powerful people in the village. Remember that, and keep in your heart the soul of the entire clan.” I hadn’t ever thought of it that way. I knew that I would be one of the High Jounin Three, but I never thought of the position as ‘one of the three most powerful people in the village’. That almost gave it a negative connotation. 
 “Captain Tatsuya,” Shinju interjected. “I will accompany Kioshi back to his home.” I hadn’t discussed this with her before, so it was news to me. 
 “Are you sure that is necessary?” I asked, unsure about the situation. 
 “And what is the problem?” Tatsuya asked with a chuckle. “A lovely young lady is coming home with you. Rejoice!” He laughed at his own wit, and Shinju joined him. “I might have a lantern you can use. I noticed you never took yours when you left.” He left for a moment, presumably to his bedroom, and reemerged with a basic lantern, which he lit for me. 
 “Come now, I can’t stay with Tatsuya, He has his own agenda to worry about, you’ll be idle for three days to come. We’ll take that time to get to know each other.” She smiled and took my wrist again and led me out the door. “Now show me where you live!” 
 My home was like the dojo: secluded. I didn’t care for the bustle of the village as much as the others could tolerate it, and I knew that to find my center, I would need serenity. I spent any idle time I had in the woods, training. I had not become the finest warrior among the chunin out of luck alone. I worked hard and rarely indulged myself in temptation or distractions. To accommodate my need for solitude, I had done little with my home outside the bounds of practicality. It was simple, consisting of four rooms; my main room, used for cooking, a bedroom, an extra bedroom, and a room for bathing. Few furnishings could be found inside, save for my two futons, tub, table, and an odd smoking device I had acquired from an Arab trader who came with the westerners, in exchange for some black eggs. 
 “You walk such a beautiful path to the village,” Shinju marveled, as yet another brook slithered across the walkway. She looked at me, expecting an answer, but it was not as though she was demanding one, rather trying to coax one out of me--so I obliged her. 
 “It does hold the key to inner peace, does it not?” She took my arm in hers and hastened the pace, obviously eager to see her new home--a realization that hit me as suddenly as it was profound. 
 Shinju lives with me now. I thought to myself. In my life, I had only known bloodshed. I lead a healthy social life, but in the clothes of a warrior, people tend to view one differently.
 “That must be it!” She exclaimed, hurrying me along yet more intensely. Shinju released me and dashed up the step to my door and spun around to plead me into the house with her eyes. I stood at the end of the path, just feet from her, and admittedly a smile crept across my face. 
 “Come inside. I’ll make us some dinner.” I stepped past her and slid the door open for her. She immediately found the table and took a seat. “If you need to have a bath, I can begin burning wood beneath the tub.” I offered. 
 “Are you saying I am filthy?” She teased as she turned around. I shook my head, giving her a pitiful yet reassuring smile. “I would appreciate that, thank you.” Her smile was bigger than mine, and had more power. It almost forced me to draw her bath and set the fire. The night ended as Shinju took her bath and I gave her my spare futon. I laid my head to rest, but couldn’t find sleep for hours, but when it came, the last thought on my mind was Shinju and the unusual nature of the past two days.
Chapter 2
 The day broke with grey skies and large raindrops. Thunder would follow the lightning that flashed across the clouds with an awe-inspiring crash, weather I tend to prefer. I searched my stores for breakfast, but found nothing but rice. Shinju was still asleep, which gave me time to boil water and prepare the first meal of the day. Once the rice had been properly cooked, I roused Shinju from her sleep, and she groggily entered the main room. “I’ve prepared you a bowl of rice. I’m sorry I don’t have anything else to eat.” I sighed. The day’s plan was to go to Edo to see a friend of mine and buy bait for fishing. I made myself a bowl and ate with haste. The hour was around noon, and I wanted to make no waste of the day, so we dressed and headed for the path. 
 “Edo--,” Shinju said quietly as we approached the village. I had forgotten that she had lived there with her parents not long ago. “The greatest city ever built.” She finished with words quite contrary to those I expected. There was no mention of her parents, which I found both strange and inspiring. She knew that if you only think of the positive side of things, sorrow will be rare. 
 “Kioshi!” Keiichi greeted us as we came to the end of my path. “What does today hold for you?” He asked after a bow. 
 “A trip to Edo. I am in need of fishing supplies.” I replied. A group of children ran by, nearly splashing the three of us. 
 “I like that idea, an outing on such a wet day.” Keiichi chuckled. 
 “Keiichi, Kioshi!” Shingo called as he neared our group. “And Shinju.” Two words accompanied by a deep bow upon his arrival. 
 “There you are, Shingo. I have been wondering where you wandered off to. Apparently when we had been strolling about town killing time, Shingo was distracted by a young woman.” Keiichi scoffed. 
 “It is not my fault! She approached me. Would you rather I had been rude and sent her off?” Shingo explained, but much to his dismay, Keiichi ignored him. 
 “We could use some company on our trip. Would you two care to join me?” I offered. Shinju nodded as she added her own attempt at convincing them. “Yes! Please come with us! We will make today a good one!” Her excitement only seemed to build since the time she first arrived in the village. 
 “I suppose we could accompany you. In fact, a hot bowl of ramen sounds very pleasing indeed.” Keiichi accepted the offer, while Shingo nodded once. Our party formed, we made way down the hill, having in depth conversation about this and that. Our walk was half an hour old by the time we broke from the beaten path and took a secret wooded path to the Edo city limit.