Fantasy Sengoku: Dying Embers

[WorldWeaver]

The first light of dawn shone across the mountains as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. But Tenshi was already up long before then. Moving as quietly as the mist surrounding him, he leaped from a cliffside onto a nearby rooftop in the capital hold of the Okane Province, ruled by the Daimyo Lord Matsu Okane; one of many across the war-torn nation of Dobutsu. Among the many provinces, few chose to stay neutral and keep to themselves, one of these few being the Okane Clan's territory. Many a neighbor has tried to take this bastion of relative peace, but after countless attempts, have failed. And part of the reason why rested in the Okane family's secret weapon: The Shokage Clan of Ninja.

Tenshi Shokage slid down the last rooftop between him and the palace, landing on the stairs leading up to the front gate and hurrying in. As he entered, the guards from night shift were being cycled out for fresh and rested men. Tenshi almost envied them, but he'd have a bit of time before having to wake the princess to get some rest. Taking off his mask and pulling his hood back, he took a deep breath as he made his way to the grand hall, where his father, Adachi Shokage was waiting. Stopping in front of him, he knelt. "I managed to stop another bandit attack before it happened." he reported to him, "Whoever's commanding them is sending out smaller vanguard packs to raid travellers. We haven't even been seeing close to their real numbers yet." As he said this, he handed his father a scroll with orders written in it he found on one of them. His father took a moment to read over it, nodding.

"Good work, Tenshi." Adachi replied, "I'll notify Lord Matsu of your success as soon as possible. I'm certain he'll be willing to reward you for your efforts in keeping our home safe."

"Thank you, Father." Tenshi said, looking up with a smile. That smile faded, however, when he saw that Adachi was already walking out with his attendants. He pouted slightly, wishing he'd get a bit more attention from him, but reminded himself he was busy too. He then retreated to the barracks for a bit of rest.

A few hours later, as the rest of town was beginning to wake up, Tenshi, now a bit refreshed after his nap, walked to Princess Riko's room with some breakfast balanced on a tray. Sliding the door of the bedroom open, he smiled as he looked to his childhood friend, still asleep. "Up and at 'em, Sleepyhead." he chimed as he rested the tray beside her bed and poured her a cup of tea. "I brought your favorite."

thestarscall

 

[thestarscall]

Riko was running. Bright sunlight gleamed in ellipses on her face as she wove through a whimsical forest, yokai of all shapes and sizes surrounding her as she chased one resembling a fox. She hadn't a clue why she was there or even where she was but right as she was about to grasp the creature with her fingers, a voice cut through her, causing the trees to collapse and the ground to crumble beneath her. Riko only got a glance more at the fox before the forest faded. Her eyes twitched as she groaned in annoyance, rolling over as she muttered, "I almost had it." She was mildly annoyed that her strange dream had been interrupted but hearing the word 'favorite' and the strong smell of freshly steamed onigiri wafting through her nostrils made her stomach protest in hunger. She yawned as she pushed herself up, blinking at the young man near her bed. Only then did she realize it was her best and most trusted friend, Tenshi. She smiled and thanked him before she patted down her no doubt disheveled hair and wiped the slight drool at her lips, hoping he hadn't noticed.

"Hey Tenshi... I had a weird dream," Riko mumbled as she picked up one of the rice balls and munched on it, delighting in the warm and rich flavor. She didn't wait for him to reply as she continued. "I was in a forest. And there were yokai everywhere," she said, gesturing around with her free hand. "There was a fox too. But it ran away so I chased it. I almost had it but you woke me up," she finished with a pout, glaring slightly at the man as if it was his fault. "Do you think it meant something? Maybe it was leading me somewhere?" Riko asked with a sparkle of excitement in her eyes, always looking forward to as good an adventure as she could manage before she was thrown on the back of a horse and hauled back to the palace by the guards. Or by Tenshi who pretended he wasn't in league with her and was simply 'forced' to go along.

"What do you say, Shi-chan?" Riko started, using the nickname he used to often snap at her for when they were kids but got used to as they grew. "How about we go yokai hunting?" She smirked with mischief. However, she was sure she knew what the answer would be. A lot of the spirits were far too dangerous and hurt people. Even killed them from what she heard. Her parents would throw a fit and ground her for a month if she ever even suggested something so reckless. Still, it didn't hurt to try. Riko brought the cup of tea to her lips, sipping on it as she eyed Tenshi.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi smirked as she sat up and began eating, handing her a comb so she'd have an easier time straightening her hair out and listening to her describe her dream. The dream did sound a bit interesting, if a bit childish. Then again, someone like Riko would have that sense of wonder and innocence. "Maybe it was, but when it comes to fox yokai, you have to be cautious. Many of them are devious and like to play tricks on humans." He said with a small hint of his own mischief. "Maybe he was leading you to get lost in the woods..." He held out his hands as he continued in a spooky tone "Foreeeeveeer..."

When Riko asked about Yokai Hunting, Tenshi gave it some consideration. It sounded fun, if he was being perfectly honest with himself, but it was, as Riko knew, far too dangerous. Yokai were unpredictable at best, and malevolent and cruel at worst. There were some friendly ones out there, for sure, like the fox spirits that serve Inari, God of Agriculture. But that was one example for every 100 other yokai that would want to eat humans, tear out their souls or curse them with magic. And then there was the factor that her parents, the Lord and Lady of the province would be most displeased should he, her supposed guardian, put her in such a trecherous situation, and given the strain between their families already, he definitely felt it would be better to pick the safer option.

"As much as I want to say 'yes', milady, I'm afraid I cannot do so in both our best interests." He said, choosing to explain from other points of view. "If your parents found out we did so, they might replace me with someone who won't even let you off the palace grounds. I doubt very much you'd like that. And even without the threat the yokai could present, it's too dangerous out there, with the nation fractured as it is." He began considering alternatives.

Maybe a walk to the Town Gardens? No, they did that yesterday, and Riko, so long as he knew her, didn't like repeats. Pull a few pranks on some of the more snobbish samurai retainers? He did have half a mind to get back at Yamamoto for having bowled him over earlier this week. That might be fun. Definitely an option. Then, there was the third option: His home village. It was relatively safe, not too far a journey. They could go there and be back by sunset, with no one being the wiser. And it was a place she hadn't seen before. However, with the growing divide between their fathers, he worried about how his family would react to him bringing her to their supposedly secret home. Then again... this could be a way to mend the split between their families a bit, with the heiress of the province getting to know the Shokage a bit better. A smile came across his face.

"However, I don't believe you've ever seen my home village, and as heiress of the province, you should get to know your lands and people..." he mused, looking to her. "What do you say?"

 

[thestarscall]

Despite predicting his answer, Riko couldn’t help but be a little bummed, tipping her head in disappointment. She knew he was right in every way but the answer left her a little hollow with regret for even asking. But then all of sudden, Tenshi uttered words she never thought she’d hear.

Riko snapped her head to him, her eyes widening in disbelief. He was offering to take her back to his village? The village of the legendary Shokage that was so secret almost no one had ever even seen it or lived to tell the tale? She must’ve still been dreaming. She pinched herself, wincing when she felt the sting. So this wasn’t still a dream? And why now of all times? She honestly didn’t really care. Opportunities so rare came out of the blue and disappeared quickly, like fleeting dandelion seeds you could catch if you were lucky. Before she knew it she was grabbing onto the sleeve of his Gi, bubbling with eagerness at the prospect.

“Yes!,” Riko exclaimed, before her cheeks pinked in realization. She released his sleeve and cleared her throat as she settled back. “What I meant is, as heiress of the Okane Clan, I’d be honored to accompany you to your mighty and oh-so-secret village and take the time to explore your home and get to know its wonderful people,” she said with exaggerated politeness. She broke out into a grin when her act was complete.

“So then, when do we leave? Soon? Today? Should I get ready?” Riko grabbed his right arm and puffed her cheeks as she pulled with greater strength than she ever usually used to bring him to his feet. She grabbed one of the onigiri and stuffed it in his mouth before ushering him to the entrance of her bedroom. “I’m going to change,” she clarified. She called out to her personal attendants. She shoo’d him away as three women clad in matching plain kimonos scurried through the door. “I’ll be there soon!” And with that, she shut the door on Tenshi.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi smiled as Riko's mood flipped so quickly and suppressed a laugh when she put up a front of noble etiquette. "I would be honored to-" he began to reply in an equally exaggerated tone before an onigiri was pushed into his mouth and he was pushed out the door to get changed. Taking it into hand and pulling a bite off it, he chuckled as he himself went to go prep himself for the trip.

The first thing he did was make his way to the barracks to get a fresh uniform, as the one he was wearing now was a bit messy from last night's mission. Removing the dirty uniform, he put a fresh one on, looking over it as he did. It was a dark navy blue, all the better to blend with the night sky, with dark underclothes that reached over his neck to hide paler skin. The gi an hakama were lined on the inside with leather padding to act as armor, protecting him from glancing blows from blades and arrows, though he'd still have to be careful, as one good hit can make it obsolete. His shoes had a layer of tightly woven straw, like most sandals, but also were covered on the bottom by soft cotton to muffle his footsteps. Binding the Hakama at the shins to keep the legs from snagging, he then gathered his gear and checked it. His Kodachi was cleaned, sharp, and tempered, but he was running a little low on caltrops. Thankfully, there were water chestnuts in the garden to make more. All he'd have to do is dry them out. Everything else seemed plentiful, and he looked over the six tools he was expected to always have on him whenever he went out.

First, his Amigasa straw hat. Good for keeping the rain and sunlight out of his eyes and off his head, but also good for concealing his face from view while looking inconspicuous. Then, the chalk and clay pens and a notepad of parchment. Perfect for jotting down notes or marking the way whenever he's lost or needs to pass on a message. Flint, steel and tinder? check. Fire was one of the best tools a ninja could have. Perfect for signaling, sabotage, and survival. Then, the Kaginawa, a grappling hook on a length of rope for climbing steep slopes and walls. But he knew it could be used for so much more than that. Next was his medicine box, containing treatments for headaches, fevers, stuffed or runny noses, nausea, and about a hundred other ailments. Finally, the Sanjaku Tenugi. It was a three-foot towel, nothing special, but like every other tool in his kit, it had its purposes.

Finally, once he felt he was ready, and packed some extra rations just to be on the safe side, he picked up his mask and made his way to the palace entrance to wait for Riko.

 

[thestarscall]

After what felt like hours of showering and dressing, Riko was finally presentable. Her attendants left after fussing with her clothes and hair a little more, too much of perfectionists for Riko’s liking. She let out a sigh once they were no longer in hearing distance, walking up to an ornate mirror to check her appearance before she met up with Tenshi. The pattern of her attire reminded her of flower fields and blooming trees, the intricate embroidery resembling blossoms and branches. The fabric was smooth and sunset-colored. Since she asked for a simpler hairstyle, only a few locks of her hair were tucked neatly into a matching hairpiece while the rest flowed silkily down her back. Riko turned her face side-to-side, admiring the pretty pink that was dusted onto her cheeks and the soft red that adorned her lips. She did a final twirl then hurriedly left her room without a single glance back.

Riko greeted a few tolerable guards as she made her way to palace entrance, skipping lightly with glee. She brightened up further when she noticed Tenshi who seemed packed and ready to leave. Perfect and punctual as always, she thought. Though she’d never admit it to his face. She waved as she approached him.

“I’m ready,” she said with a strong look of determination and enthusiasm. But then she remembered where they were going, and a hint of insecurity infected her spirit. What if his people didn’t like her? Sure they served her clan, but did that mean they truly enjoyed doing so? What if she was dressed too extravagantly? Would they mock her or call her spoiled behind her back? What if she was just being silly? Her growing concerns birthed a simple question.

“Tenshi… do I look okay?” Riko kept her tone casual.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi heard her walking up to the entrance and turned to see her, giddy and dressed like she was going to a formal event. He smirked a bit despite himself, knowing full well it was more her attendants' fault than hers. Not the best attire, but it wouldn't matter too much. Or rather, he hoped it wouldn't. He saw the doubt grow on her face and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You look fine, Riko." he assured, "Besides, if you're worried about first impressions, they'll warm up to you soon enough. You've always been good at making new friends in the rare opportunities you get to."

With that, he led her over to the stables and picked out a horse for them. With her father having been a samurai before a lord, and having samurai retainers of his own now, his stables were never empty. As he led the horse out of its stall and toward the exit of the stables, he spotted Yamamoto's horse, already saddled. Smirking a bit, knowing the samurai was planning to train today, he decided to capitalize on the opportunity, and, leaving the horse for a few seconds, ever so slightly loosened the straps keeping the saddle on the beast's back. After that, he brought the horse out and helped Riko onto it, clambering on himself once she was comfortably seated. He then put on his mask and pulled his hood up. Even for a fun trip like this, he had to conceal his identity somewhat. A shokage's true face must never be seen in active duty. He only made one personal exception, that of course being Riko.

"Ready to go?" he asked her, though he already knew the answer. And once he received the go-ahead, started the horse trotting through the palace gate and down the town roads. Some residents looked to the riders, and some looked at Tenshi in slight fear, others with a scowl of distrust and contempt. His mask was meant to bring fear, with an appearance resembling that of a horned oni with crimson red eyes and small horns over the temples. But that wasn't the only reason. Shokage were only ever seen on active duty as escorts and bodyguards for the Okane family. Other than that, they were masters of the night and shadows. This sense of mystery made commoners wary of them, and sparked rumors of evil magic and demons around them.

The road soon let out to rice fields and farmlands, where the people were a bit too busy with their chores to scowl at Tenshi. It was also at this point Tenshi decided to pick up the pace just a bit. Proximity to safety aside, he knew they'd have more time the sooner they arrived. Then, they began riding through dense forest, not too dissimilar from Riko's dream, perhaps. Except there were no Yokai in sight. Probably for the better... he thought to himself. After about an hour of riding, he stopped the horse before an old Tori gate, the once majestic structure now laying in an overgrown heap on the side of the path it started. You couldn't even see it unless you were looking for it. The path ahead led upward, and he got off the horse, helping Riko back down and hitching their ride home so the horse didn't run off without them. "Not much further from here." He assured her, leading the way uphill. The trail winded up the mountainside a good bit, but just as it seemed it might never end, it dipped.

There, built along the ridge of the mountain was a collection of houses, separated from them by a bridge, and with some folk out and about. Further down the trail were more houses, many with small patches of farmland, though little livestock. It didn't look that much different from the average village. But of course, this was a clan of ninja. Of course there were secrets to be found.

 

[thestarscall]

With his reassurance, Riko was back to her normal, giddy self, barely able to contain her eagerness. However she did both herself and Tenshi a favor by remaining as quiet and calm as possible on the journey, clever enough to know not to attract more attention than she was sure they already received. A dolled-up, lavishly-dressed heiress and a ninja bearing the mask of the Shokage, a frightening but powerful symbol of their clan. The two certainly made an odd pair. She hadn’t missed the judging and wary looks they’d gotten from the residents. Despite it being far from the only time they’d been spotted together, she supposed the sight was too strange to get used to for some.

The journey was without complications, just the way anyone would prefer but not all were so lucky to experience. But when they passed through a forest, it greatly reminded Riko of the dream she’d woken up from so recently. Although they were no Yokai in sight, she couldn’t shake the feeling off that they were being watched. Unseen eyes seemed to bore into the back of her head, causing her to shiver slightly. She tried to ignore the sensation. It was probably just lingering traces of the dream messing with her senses.

Once they arrived at the village, Riko couldn’t help but marvel at it. Or specifically, at the lack of something to marvel. She’d imagined warriors walking about with swords and bows and arrows. Maybe children being taught the ways of the Shokage. Steel barracks and blacksmiths forging mighty weaponry. But all Riko saw was an average, one-of-thousands kind of village. The type you’d come across on an epic journey to stop at and replenish your energy. Perhaps their strength lied beneath the surface. Hidden from the world and too dangerous to let loose. She gulped when a few residents spotted them.

Riko moved closer to Tenshi, half hiding behind him. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. It was unlike her. Why did it matter so much that this was Tenshi’s village? His home. His people. She’d visited her fair share of kingdoms before but usually with her parents. It had been child’s play to her. But here and now, it felt different visiting her childhood best friend’s birthplace. And that of many who have served her clan for generations.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi noticed some of the village residents approach them as Riko suddenly hid behind him, taking off his mask. One was an elderly woman, his Great Aunt Kyoko. "Tenshi! What a pleasant surprise to see you here! Are you on break from-?" She paused when she noticed Riko. "Oh, goodness! I'm so sorry, these old eyes aren't worth much anymore!" she laughed, "Tenshi, don't be rude, introduce your friend!"

"Oh, this is Riko, Auntie. You know, Lord Okane's eldest daughter?" Tenshi said, looking back over his shoulder to her. "It's alright. Aunt Kyoko's not gonna hurt you." Kyoko's face lit up with surprise. That name might have rung a bell with Riko from her history lessons. Decades ago, Kyoko was an Ona Bugeisha, a female soldier, who used Shokage techniques to infiltrate an enemy city and work with any rebel groups to help them achieve their goals.

"Oh, welcome to the village, dear! Forgive my ignorance, I suppose I should've known it was only a matter of time before Tenshi brought you here!" She chuckled as she politely bowed, albeit a bit stiffly due to her age, "He thinks quite highly of you." Tenshi flinched as his face went a little red.

"Auntie..." he moaned, feeling a bit embarrassed as he tried to hide his face again. Kyoko simply laughed at this sudden display of bashfulness.

"Oh, come along, dear. You two must be tired and maybe a bit hungry from the trip, I take it? I made dumplings!" As she led them to her house, a small group of children rushed by playing tag, though when they approached a haystack, rather than run around it, they vaulted right over, the one being it landing in a roll to maintain momentum. A blacksmith was sharpening a meat knife, and a woman was tending to a garden of herbs and plants. Tenshi slowed down until he was beside her.

"See, the thing about Ninja villages, is that they're always inconspicuous. Try looking a bit closer, and you might see its true nature. But most travelers see this place as just another village to rest and resupply in." He muttered into her ear as he smirked, "All the better to hide in plain sight, with those looking for us none the wiser." Should Riko follow this advice, she would spot designers and weavers planning and making new costumes. A careful look at the blueprints showed that the flute going with one doubled as a blowgun when all holes were covered; perfect of putting a poisoned dart into a target out of nowhere. As one of the blacksmiths fiddled with a farming sickle, he tied one end of a rope onto the bottom of the handle, and the other to a weight. He smiled and put it away in a chest, but as he dropped the lid, the false top dropped first, revealing for a split second, a compartment filled with throwing weapons. These barely visible hints, details most folk would overlook, showed where Riko truly was.

Finally, they reached the small house where Kyoko lived, and were invited inside. It was a quaint little two-room home, with the other being a bedroom. On one wall hung a Naginata, a Kasa hat, and a Noh mask. A half-finsihed painting was set in the corner alongside a desk with a brush and inkwell, and a delicious smell came from the table, where a large tray of dumplings and a pot of tea sat. "Help yourselves, dearies. Tenshi, I can go get your mother if you wish. Oh, she's been worried sick for you."

"Thanks, Auntie. Is Uncle Muten around?" he asked, looking around.

"Oh, he'll be back soon; just went to get more ink for his artwork." Kyoko remarked. She then left the house.

 

[thestarscall]

Riko eased up at the warm welcome, staring in awe at the elderly woman who seemed anything but frail, if only a little less supple. But what else could she expect from someone she’d read about and admired even as a child? She was snapped out of her memories of the tales of the soldier by Kyoko’s comment about Tenshi admiring her. She smirked and stifled a giggle when he hid his reddened face in embarrassment, pretending her own face didn’t feel a little warmer and her heart didn’t skip a beat at the revelation. She never really believed herself to be admirable but if Tenshi really did think highly of her, she ought to give herself more credit sometimes.

As they walked through the village, Tenshi’s hints about the village led her to discover more. Her head whipped around several times, trying to find more clues and hidden things to point out in her head. It almost felt like a game, and Riko undeniably enjoyed those. She probably should’ve been more fearful about entering a village where practically everyone was armed, but she couldn’t bring herself to particularly feel so. Like a child would, she continued ‘playing’, whispering to Tenshi about things she uncovered like he obviously hadn’t already seen them, until they reached Kyoko’s house. She formally announced herself aloud when she stepped inside, not expecting it to be empty.

When Kyoko left them, Riko looked around the space. No, it was nothing like back home, but it was interesting all the same. The last thing on her mind was food and refreshments as she took in the interior. The marks on the walls. The showpieces. The unfinished painting that was supposedly done by his Uncle. The home was… cozy. And warm. She tried to picture the life there, undoubtedly one unlike her own. But there was something she wanted to see more than anything else: Tenshi’s house. Even so, asking for it would only make her seem presumptuous, so Riko decided to remain polite. Yes, Tenshi was her closest friend, but that didn’t give her the right to go prying into his personal life and place of upbringing. Then again, he likely knew everything about her.

Riko seated herself at the table, neatly folding her kimono beneath her, then helped herself to a dumpling. “It’s good…,” she muttered as she had some more. She gestured at Tenshi to join her.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi smiled and took his seat across the table from Riko, pouring both of them a cup of tea and taking a dumpling. "Yeah, Great Aunt Kyoko's cooking is amazing! You can really tell how much care and effort goes into it!" he remarked, biting into his dumpling and washing it down with a sip of his tea. As a calming quiet came across the room, he looked around, his face full of knowing as he looked over some of the artifacts and decorations hanging on the wall. Of course, he knew some of the history behind them, yet not even he, a member of his clan, knew all of it. This clan had existed for generations, working together with the Okane to maintain peace in the province. Recalling all of its history would be hard even for his father.

And now, that long friendship had been growing more strained lately. He looked to Riko for a moment, his expression neutral, but his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Their fathers had been growing more apart lately, both heads of powerful clans, even if one was subservient to the other. He worried that if no one acted to try and ease tensions between the families, then the resulting animosity would mean something much worse than just losing the pleasure of being with Riko. No, it could mean a feud that would tear the province apart, leaving it open for neighbors to sweep in and annex it. Tenshi was pleased Riko was enjoying this trip. He thought it would be fun too, but there was another motive. Should the Shokage and Okane grow more familiar with and better understand each other, keeping the peace between them would be much easier. It was an act of trust as much as an act of friendship.

The door slid open, and an elderly man with a long beard and mustache walked into the room carrying a small bag, at which Tenshi smiled. "Hello, Uncle Muten." he greeted, standing up and walking over to his Great Uncle, hugging him. The old man simply chuckled and hugged him back, then spotted Riko. "Ah, that's Riko. Lord Okane's daughter." He explained. Muten's eyes widened slightly, but he smiled warmly to Riko, bowing in a silent greeting. He then went over to the table alongside his nephew and picked up a dumpling himself, Tenshi sitting back down. "Riko, this is my Great Uncle Muten." The shinobi introduced. After finishing his dumpling, Muten made his way over to the painting and took some jars of ink in a variety of colors, setting them beside it. Then grabbed a scroll of paper, as well as the pen and inkbrush at his desk, joining them at the table.

 

[thestarscall]

Riko smiled politely as she stood up and bowed in return, greeting him back, then sat down again. Curious, she scooted a little closer to the man sitting at the other end of the table, wanting to get a closer look at the scroll as she wasn’t sure what he was going to write or if he was going to draw. He didn’t seem to do anything right away though, so she backed up. She ate her dumplings and drank the tea, the rich flavors melting on her tongue. Riko was enjoying the warmth and homely feeling. Once she finished, she decided the silence was running too long and making her feel a little restless.

“Er, sir, if you don’t mind me inquiring, do you usually paint? Is there a reason you do it or is it simply a hobby you partake in?” Riko had her fair share of hobbies too, ranging from embroidery to on rare occasions, baking. While she wasn’t the most adept at the skill, it brought her great peace, finding something comforting in the process of it all. Though she didn’t relish the odd faces Tenshi would make sometimes when he tried her sweets. She found them quite delicious herself after all. Her parents never tasted them but always remarked on how ‘presentable’ they looked. The rare compliments were welcome to her. Riko couldn’t see them as often as she liked but knew their duties and troubles were endless. Yet sometimes she welcomed their absences. The scoldings she was subjected to whenever she was, in their words, ‘reckless and troublesome’, could hardly be missed. But one could also say she sought attention through means of mischief. Riko dispelled the thoughts, wondering how she got distracted so easily.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Muten smiled at her question, nodding, then unrolling the blank scroll and writing down a response. His brush strokes were quick, but precise, as if he was used to doing this. The response eventually read:

It's both a favorite hobby of mine and a way for me to make a living after my retirement.

Tenshi noticed Riko's face fall slightly as a thought seemed to cross her mind. What it was, Tenshi could only guess, but out of all of the problems he knew Riko had in her life, there was one he could easily sympathize with: Strained family relations. His father, Adachi, was the head of the Shokage clan and its operations, meaning like Lord and Lady Matsu, he was frequently busy managing them, leaving little time for them to spend together. Anytime he called Tenshi forward related to work, he stayed strictly professional.

Like Riko, Tenshi understood why he had these characteristics, but he nevertheless resented them. He felt alienated from the man and found himself looking up more to his more sociably amiable older brother Hazama instead. The bond Tenshi shared with his big brother, who taught him everything he knew, was much better than that with his father. In Hazama, he had a true friend and mentor, someone he admired and wanted to be more like. Hazama was the heir to their father's title, though, and Tenshi knew deep down, his brother would have his turn running the clan, and feared when that day came, their relation would become more like that between him and his father now.

He came back to his senses and continued to eat. Maybe now wasn't the time to be thinking on that. He should just focus on the here and now. And as he ate, Kyoko returned with another woman, who seemed rather stern-faced as she looked at the two of them. A look of worry flickered over Tenshi's face, but he smiled regardless. "Hello, Mother." He greeted. His mother didn't respond at first, carefully eyeing Riko. Then, she spoke.

"Do you have any idea how furious your father's going to be with you for doing this, Tenshi?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "You know you shouldn't be bringing outsiders here without his permission, even if it is Lord Matsu's daughter! Especially when her father doesn't know it either!" Tenshi sighed, knowing this was coming sooner or later.

"Look, Mom, I get why you're worried, but I would trust Riko with my life." Tenshi began. His mother shook her head.

"It's not just your life you're gambling; it's your whole clan." She stated irritably, "I can't believe you didn't think this through! You know we have to keep the secrets of the clan secret!"

"Maybe I'm the only one who is!" Tenshi protested, growing a bit cross himself. "Look, I get why you're worried, but you don't know Riko like I do!" He calmed down a bit before continuing. "And that's the problem right now between our families: we don't know each other. Maybe if we took the time to learn, we wouldn't need to be so tense around each other."

"That's not your call to make, though!" His mother stressed. Tenshi didn't flinch.

"And you really think Dad would make it? The man so closed off from everyone else he doesn't even-?!"

"ENOUGH!" the woman snapped, then took a deep breath. An awkward silence followed. Then, Muten held up his scroll, Tenshi's mother looking his way to read it:

If I may have a say in this, as a retired Shokage Captain myself, I'd like to second Tenshi's motion. Lady Riko has shown us no ill intent, and it would be unfair to lump her with her family and their retainers just because they have enmity with us. Things may be tense between our two families now, but if this can help mend our friendship in the future, I am more than willing to support taking this gamble and opening up to those whom we serve.

"Muten's right, Kayumi." Kyoko replied. "She's a very kind-hearted person. We shouldn't judge her based on her bloodline. Just...give her a chance." Kayumi scoffed, but her expression did soften. She then looked right to Riko, an expectant look on her face, a silent demand for the princess to speak for herself.

 

[thestarscall]

Riko stiffened slightly, only now realizing Muten didn’t speak when he replied to her via the scroll of paper. She felt like apologizing but refrained, not wanting to call attention to it when there was no need. When she read the response, she nodded and smiled. “I see,” she said. An empty but not particularly uncomfortable silence followed. She glanced over at Tenshi, who seemed to be lost in thought the way she’d been only moments ago. She pondered what he was remembering. About his family? About her? She couldn’t guess, and resisted scaring him out of the trance like she often did when she found him that way. The first few times she was fortunate enough to have escaped his reflexes. But in front of his family, she’d only seem immature.

Riko looked up when Kyoko came back, only she wasn’t alone this time. A woman followed her, her expression less than welcoming. Tenshi’s mother. When she ignored Tenshi’s greeting and eyed her displeasingly, Riko tensed. She turned to Tenshi, watching him with uncertainty. Had Tenshi made a mistake in bringing her to the village? She watched as mother and son rounded on each other, crossing words with growing tension. She felt like crawling into a hole each time her name was mentioned. Maybe it would be best if she shortened their visit and made it back to the palace. In one piece while she could. Back home wasn’t going to be any more pleasant. Surely Mother and Father would’ve gotten word by now. They were most definitely enraged. Though she knew they couldn’t send anyone to the village to retrieve her or it would be seen as an act of hostility. Best not to worry now, she thought, sighing quietly.

Riko was positive she could grab a utensil and pierce the thickened air. The voices grew louder before a yell of “Enough!” forced quiet into the room. Riko flinched before quickly composing herself, throwing Tenshi, the very person she loathed seeing upset or angry, a sympathetic look. She knew about the strained relationship between him and his Father, having seen glimpses of it whenever she’d found them together at the palace. However she hadn’t expected to see the unease between him and his mother either. She wished she could comfort Tenshi.

Muten wrote something down and held it in front of Kyoko and Tenshi’s mother. That, along with Kyoko’s words, caused her to mellow a little. Riko smiled nervously when the honestly terrifying woman turned to her. She cleared her throat before speaking.

“I-I’m Riko of the Okane clan. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Riko said with a bow. She straightened up as she continued with a little more strength in her voice. “I understand that the Okane and Shokage clans haven’t been on the best terms as of lately. A lot of my people are to blame as well. So on behalf of my clan. And as a friend of Tenshi’s, I’d like to help in repairing the bonds between our clans. I don’t want to lose our friendship.” A significant part of her meant Tenshi. “It won’t be…easy, but I’m going to try. You have my word,” she finished with a determined gaze, hand on her heart in a show of sincerity.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Kayumi listened intently to what Riko had to say, carefully observing her for anything signaling a lie, half-truth, or omission. When she found none, and the girl finished her speech, she glanced aside to Tenshi, who nodded, silently vouching for her. A look of deep consideration melded onto her face as she weighed her options. Then, she decided. "Very well. If Tenshi trusts you, and my aunt and uncle are willing to vouch for you... I suppose I should give you the benefit of the doubt." She said, massaging her forehead. "But there's a good reason we're so secretive; a reason we need to keep this village hidden from the rest of the world."

She sat down with them, pouring herself some tea. "The life of a shinobi is difficult and dangerous. One mistake could be the difference between life and death on a mission; My Uncle Muten once almost got caught, and he was lucky to only lose his voice that day." Muten nodded, then pulled the collar of his top aside, revealing a scar going from his neck to his sternum. "But that's just the surface."

Sipping her tea, she looked downward. "There are many people in this country who either wish to steal our techniques and secrets to use for their own selfish ends, or to destroy us because they either see us as a threat, or because they were wronged by us. Imagine if every province held the secrets of stealing, spying, sabotage and assassinating without being caught like we do." she continued, "Our way of life, our teachings, our techniques... in the wrong hands, they can cause travesty. That is why we are always so careful when bringing newcomers into our fold. It's why we seclude ourselves, hiding in plain sight so our enemies cannot abuse our discoveries and techniques."

"Which is why If you're serious about the promise you are going to make, to restore our families' relationship, then you must also swear to not speak a word of this visit, or any future visit to anyone outside this village." She informed Riko. "I want our families to get along again as well, but I don't want it to be at the risk of the whole clan. So if you're going to be among us, knowing the truth, you must keep our secrets as well. No matter what."

Tenshi looked to Riko, already knowing her answer, smiling. His mother, however, watched her cautiously, waiting for her response.

 

[thestarscall]

Riko listened intently to Tenshi’s mother. When Muten revealed his scar following her words, she gasped slightly, her hand on her mouth, nodding with grim understanding at the picture that was painted in her mind. Everything the woman spoke of after carried greater weight than before. Riko knew the adversity and oppositions met by the clan but not of the extent. The hand she’d covered her mouth with fell to her lap, clenching tightly. Her mind couldn’t help but torment her with an image of Tenshi falling to a similar fate or worse. She knew she couldn’t let it happen. As much as Tenshi protected her with everything he had, Riko felt she had to do the same. He was more than just her knight.

Riko placed a hand on her chest again. “I, Riko Okane, swear to reveal none of the secrets of the Shokage or my visits. I will carry them to my grave if it comes down to it. If you are betrayed, know that none of the secrets escaped my lips.” She matched the heavy, expectant gaze with a sincere one of her own. She noticed Tenshi’s smile and gave him a half-one before declaring, “Tenshi, Muten and Kyoko are my witnesses.”

Riko knew her statements were bold and ambitious for a girl of her age. One dressed like she hadn’t a care in the world. Maybe even laughable to a certain degree. Sure, she’d never been faced with the possibility of torture before, thanks to the untiring security that shadowed her every step, but she was knowledgeable enough to know pain could easily break the mightiest of warriors. She shuddered slightly at the unwarranted thoughts and focused on the present.

“My parents will not hear of this visit, I assure you. They only know that I’m gone but not where to.” She hoped Tenshi would help her make up a story to tell them later on. “Thank you… for hearing me out,” she said with a bow. And not kicking me out right away. That would’ve been mortifying.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Kayumi listened intently to Riko's vow, watching like a hawk for any signs of faltering. She seemed genuine, though she had to wonder whether this vow came from a strong resolve and loyalty to her friends or from naive bravado that she wouldn't be pressured into it due to the intensive security measures taken to keep her safe. Still, only time would tell, and she was grateful at least that she took the gravity of this topic seriously. She's a fair bit more mature than I heard she was... She thought to herself with a warm, tender smile. "Very well. Stay as long as you like then, Riko. In the meantime, I've other matters to attend to in the village." She said, standing after finishing her tea. "Thank you for the tea, Auntie." And with that, and a quick kiss on Tenshi's cheek, she walked out the door.

"I do hope you'll pardon the commotion, Riko." Kyoko sighed as she too stood up and walked to a wash basin, getting to work on the dishes inside. "My niece has always had the village and its people's best interest at heart." She chuckled. " Of course, once you get past all that responsibility and conviction, she's a big ol' softie like my Muten here. Muten smiled and blushed modestly as he quickly wrote something in his scroll.

Love you too, my sweet, silver moon.

"Oh ho ho, stop it, you!" Kyoko laughed with a blush of her own. Tenshi, chuckling at their antics, turned to Riko.

"Well, looks like you've been accepted by the village to some extent." the shinobi remarked with a smile. "I told ya you were good at making friends." All intents and purposes aside, he was glad that Riko was just as willing as he was to try and mend the relationship between their families. "Sooo, anywhere else you wanna visit on this tour?"

 

[thestarscall]

Once it was all over, Riko breathed a sigh of relief she hoped wasn't too obvious. That was intense. But she was happy the matter was resolved. While she was sure she had yet to be completely accepted, she was grateful for the progress towards a better bond between their clans. She was hoping her parents would show the same resolve when it mattered most. But for now, she would wait patiently and do her best to earn their trust and show them she wasn't going to make light of her promise. She smiled as she watched Muten and Kyoko's interactions.

When Tenshi spoke, Riko nodded but was doubtful on the last bit about her being good at making friends. If Tenshi hadn't been there to vouch for her, or his uncle and aunt, she doubted any of her words would've been taken as honest or significant. She didn't mention it. What good would it do anyway? She was sure Tenshi too was relieved that things hadn't gone downhill. That they weren't sent back with warnings and told to never come back again. With her at his side at least. She had to make sure she remained less than a threat. Even one small misunderstanding could change the entire outcome. She decided she would stay out of trouble and be vigilant. When Tenshi asked her where she wanted to go, she thought for a minute.

"Hmm let's see. Honestly Tenshi, I don't know. I'll be happy to see as much as I'm allowed to. Although, I do wonder if you have anything... fun to do around here," Riko said with a suggestive glint in her eyes. Yes, she would stay out of trouble, but she wanted more than to simply walk around and look at things. She'd done enough of that on the way to the house. "And... I want to see the places you like," she added a little quietly. As his best friend she had to know.

 

[WorldWeaver]

"Well, in that case, there is one place we could hit up that matches both those criteria." Tenshi said with a smile. He then looked to Kyoko and Muten, bowing politely. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Oh of course, dear! And Riko, you will always be welcome under our roof." Kyoko replied with a warm smile. Muten nodded in agreement.

Once Riko was ready to go, they left the house and Tenshi led her down the hill toward the woods. As they entered, the sunlight was all but smothered by a thick canopy of leaves, leaving the area bathed in shadows. The trees were quite large, their trunks growing in strange ways, twisted and crooked. Clumps of bamboo stretched toward the canopy as well, and in the distance was the gentle babbling of a creek. "These woods are used as training grounds for upcoming ninja in the clan." Tenshi explained, smiling as a nostalgic feeling crept into him. "Before we met, I spent a lot of time here honing my technique. Maybe even a little too much time." He gave a chuckle as he scratched the back of his head. "I was pretty dedicated to my training back then. Still am, kinda."

Vaulting onto a huge, unearthed tree root and helping Riko up, he continued. "And, if memory serves correct, this is about the time Hazama's teaching his class." He grinned at the mention of his older brother. Unlike Adachi, his father, who was always busy running the clan's operations, Hazama was always there for Tenshi back then, and even now. He always supported him whenever he felt down, and for that, Tenshi thought the world of him.

Finally, they reached a clearing, and sitting in the center was a bunch of students, not that much younger than Tenshi or Riko, and standing at their fronts was a young man with the sides of his head shaven, hair tied back into a ponytail, and a small goatee on his face. As they entered, a surprised expression came onto his face, which soon melded to delight.

"Hey hey, little bro! What're you doing here?" he greeted before spotting Riko. "Ahh that must've been what all the fuss was about earlier." he chuckled. "Look at you, Ten. Not only didja bring a girl home, but the princess? You little overachiever!" Tenshi went scarlet in the face at the joke.

"C-C'mon, Zama, quit teasin' me!" he exclaimed with a pout. And here he was having thought so fondly of him not even a minute ago. "I just thought Riko might be interested in learning more about the clan that-"

"Yeah I heard. Word gets around here quick, kiddo. I'm gonna guess Mom gave you the talk?"

"Yeah, did she ever. We managed to convince her, though." Tenshi sighed.

"Well that's a relief." Hazama said. He then looked to Riko. "So Riko, how athletic would you say you are? We're about to get some practical training done, if you'd be interested in joining."

 

[thestarscall]

Beautiful, Riko thought with wonder as she breathed in the fresh air and drank in the scenery with her eyes, trying to capture every detail. She smiles softly as Tenshi explained his dedication to his skills and arts and how he spent his time there. Her fingers grazed the barks and leaves, trying to feel traces of memories that weren’t hers. So this was a place Tenshi enjoyed visiting. She couldn’t blame him. The openness, the greenery, the odd shapes of the trees; she understood why one would feel the urge.

When Tenshi brought over over to the unfamiliar faces of people not so much younger or older than her, she grew slightly nervous. More so when Tenshi’s older brother who he had spoken of so singly and dearly on a number of occasions, Hazama, appeared to be training the young ones. But seeing their resemblance and Tenshi’s joy calmed her nerves. She knew she had nothing to worry about around him. Upon Hazama’s teasing and Tenshi’s red face, Riko found herself giggling for the second time that day. He seemed more open than usual. More at home, she supposed. His emotions weren’t as guarded. She felt his love for his family and people and for the place he was born in. The warmth was contagious and had her smiling like a fool.

But that was interrupted by Hazama’s question that almost made her trip over air. She cleared her throat as she steadied. Athletics? One would laugh if they heard the term associated with the heiress of the Okane Clan. Her capabilities leaned towards the craftier side of things. And she was sure horse riding didn’t count.

“Err well… I’m not sure if that’s the best idea. I’m not so… gifted in that area,” Riko said, trying not to give away her reluctance. She glanced over at Tenshi who knew the full extent of her abilities, silently hoping for a way out, pleading with her eyes. As much as the offer enticed part of her, the one that wanted to get closer to Tenshi’s brother, learn some of the ways of the Shokage and participate in their training, she felt she’d only show how unskilled she was. What good could she make on her promise being so weak as she was? At least, they didn’t have to see it for themselves. Riko decided she would leave it up to Tenshi.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder as Hazama chuckled. "Ah, perhaps I should've been more specific about what kind of training it was..." the elder brother laughed. "My mistake. We were gonna do a few rounds of Samurai and Ninja, with a bit of a caveat." he explained, taking out a scroll. "Ninjas must try to capture this scroll containing 'military information' from the Samurai and bring it back to their base without being caught. Samurai, meanwhile, must scour the forest for the Ninjas' base and capture it, all while defending their scroll." he explained, "It's something we use to give the recruits some practical experience without actually putting them at risk."

"So, you know how you and I are always sneaking into the kitchen when we're feeling a bit peckish?" Tenshi asked with a smirk. "It's essentially the same thing for ninjas. Just imagine the samurai being the stewards." Hopefully, that comparison would help ease her mind.

"Wait a sec, is that where my spring dumplings went yesterday?" Hazama asked, raising an eyebrow. Tenshi flinched as he remembered the plate of dumplings that were left in the kitchen that he and Riko had taken.

"Those were yours?" He asked with a nervous chuckle. "Whoops..." Hazama gave him a half-lidded look, then sighed.

"Moving on. If you'd like, Riko, I can even lend you a spare uniform so you can play without worrying about getting your outfit messed up." He offered, "Changing room's right over there." He gestured toward what looked like a burrow between the roots of one of the huge trees, leading down into a lantern-lit corridor with rooms on either side. "Oh, and one more thing... Nobody starts an expert at anything. Not me and Tenshi, not the Samurai, not even the Daimyo." He said, "So don't worry if you're inexperienced or need work. That's the whole point of these sorts of things: to learn and grow."

 

[thestarscall]

Riko internally breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders slightly loosening up under Tenshi's steady and reassuring hand. She nodded with sudden attentiveness, leaning closer as she hung onto every word and detail. She knew that if she wanted to build the relationship between their clans further she'd have to begin with good impressions. They wouldn't trust her as much if she proved to be unfocused and incapable. And she certainly wouldn't let Tenshi feel anything of the sort either.

Riko smirked when Tenshi brought up one of their routinely shenanigans they got up to when they felt they had nothing better to do. Food had always been a mutual interest. But when Hanazama inquired about the dumplings, her face was wiped clean of any humor as she looked away, resisting the urge to snicker at Tenshi. It was unbecoming of a princess to laugh at one's misfortune or acts of mischief after all, she justified to herself. She was snapped back to the training exercise as Hanazama continued to speak, offering to lend a uniform and words of wisdom. She smiled warmly and nodded in what she hoped looked somewhat confident.

"I'm looking forward to it," Riko answered. "And thank you for offering a spare change of clothes. I don't think sneaking around in this is very practical." Or amusing to anyone. They'd surely scoff at such a bold act of naivety. She looked to Tenshi, then realized she'd done that quite a numerous amount of times throughout the day. She reasoned she was simply still getting used to the surroundings and required his familiarity to feel at ease and not as though she had no idea what she was doing. She sighed under her breath.

"I'll go get ready then." Riko followed his directions, gesturing at Tenshi to follow her. "Wait outside for me?" She entered one of the quaint rooms and hung the uniform on a hook. She faced herself in the mirror, squinting as she gave herself a once-over then glanced at the uniform. I guess it'll do. Beginning with the pins in her hair she plucked them out, allowing her hair to flow down her back. She grabbed a ribbon and tied half of her locks into a simple style. Much better, she thought, running her fingers through the ends. Riko finished off with undoing her kimono and folding and laying it delicately across a stool in a corner. After the uniform was on, she immediately felt highly conscious of the way she looked in it. A part of her even considered calling the whole thing off. She would make up an excuse and save herself the trouble. But before she could go through with it or at least attempt to, she decided to suck it up and remain as neutral as possible. She exited the room slowly, but as soon as her eyes found Tenshi's her discomfort threatened to break through.

"H-hey, I'm done," Riko began.

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi smiled as Riko began to calm down and even seemed interested. Though he did notice how often she looked to him. When she asked him to wait for her, he nodded with a smile, and did just that. As she changed, he let his worry show a bit about her lack of confidence. Sure, his brother's words helped, or at least seemed to, but he knew Riko was always self-conscious about how she appeared to others. She was always doing her best to leave a first impression, but sometimes she tried so hard she forgot to just be herself. All because of the strict formalities nobility often forced onto their offspring. His brow furrowed.

Riko's uniform was very similar to Tenshi's, albeit with patches of green along the gi and hakama to break up her silhouette and help her blend into the forest foliage. She wore the same undershirt, gi, hakama, and sash around her waist, but her uniform also included a chest wrapping for girls to wear beneath their undershirt. As she donned the uniform, she noticed just how many pockets lined both the inside and outside of the gi, and just how light and flexible it was, even in the places where the leather pads added more protection. When she stepped out, Tenshi joined her again, helping her pick some equipment for the game (including the six essentail tools, the Shinobi no Rokugu), then gently taking her hand as he pulled her aside real quick.

"I can tell you're still nervous about all this." he said, sitting her down on a fallen log. "But don't worry. Remember the warm reception you got from Aunt Kyoko and Uncle Muten? You've got a natural charisma, Riko. But don't be afraid to be...well, you." He chuckled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You're not like your mom and dad. You've already shown that to me. You've already earned my mom's trust and respect. And in time, I'm sure you'll earn my father's as well." He then gestured to his brother and the other students. "But here? Here no one's going to judge you."

 

[thestarscall]

“Well, I’ll take your word for it, Tenshi. You know your people better than anyone after all. But maybe it’s you I have to worry about. You might make fun of me,” Riko said with a hint of humor, throwing him a lighthearted smile. “Anyway, I’m glad you think your family respects me. That’s, well, relieving. But I hope I don’t trip over something anyway. Though I’m sure my charisma would make up for it,” she added, her smile widening into a teasing grin. Maybe, just maybe, if he says she’ll be fine, she will be. She’d always trusted him with her life and her thoughts. What different should it be now? He’d always been there for her. So her being here, training how his people did, learning his ways, almost felt like returning the favor. What better way than to try and make peace with his clan? She knew they both feared that it would all be in vain. Even now the peace between them was fragile. The smallest crack could shatter it completely. If that day ever came, Riko knew she wouldn’t be able to fight her best friend, who’d be forced to side with her clan, and her with her own. She had to do everything in her power to make sure that never came to be.


“Thanks, Tenshi. I mean it. Don’t know what I’d do without you.” When the eye contact felt too long and too real, Riko looked away quickly, clearing her throat and shrugging Tenshi’s hand off her shoulder. “We shouldn’t keep your brother waiting. Let’s join everyone, yeah?”


Riko rose from the log and walked back to the rest, the students glancing at her as she stood close. She put on the amigasa that Tenshi picked out as part of the essentials. She tipped it back slightly so it wouldn’t hinder her sight. I must look like the real deal now, she thought delightedly, smiling smugly to herself. “So, uh, how do we begin?”

 

[WorldWeaver]

Tenshi chuckled at Riko's newfound confidence, and even let the jabs she made at her slide. He was just happy she was feeling better. When she thanked him, he nodded. "Of course. As your retainer, and even more so as your friend, I'll always be here for you." he said. Then, after a long moment of eye contact, she shrugged his hand off as a small jab of nerves seemed to hit her too. He chuckled nervously. "Y-Yeah..." he agreed at her suggestion to rejoin the class.

As they returned, and she asked how to begin, Hazama gave an answer. "Well, to start, we need to divide the class into teams." he said, "I'll put you and Tenshi on the same team so he can keep tutoring you during the game." With that, he divided the 32-person group in front of him into teams of 16. Tenshi and Riko would be Shinobi, as well as their teammates, and the rest would be Samurai. The Samurai team were given armor to better defend them and access to wooden replicas of standard samurai weapons; yari spears, naginatas, katana, yumi bows with cloth-tipped arrows, the works. The Shinobi were supplied with wooden Kodachi shortswords, Kusarigama, shuriken, kunai, etc. Then, the Shinobi took off into the forest, looking for a good place to hide their flag, which would mark their base as the Samurai did the same to hide their scroll.

"The game will begin when Hazama gives the signal. Look for a column of green smoke. After that, both teams will have an hour to complete their objectives." Tenshi explained as they made their way through the woods, the team ever on the lookout for an ideal spot to hide their flag. "We win if we bring the scroll to Hazama before the Samurai bring our flag to him. Simple enough, right?" As the other Shokage picked up the pace, vaulting and leaping among the roots and branches of the trees, Tenshi began teaching Kyoko how to do a few basic vaults, some landing techniques, like landing in a roll to turn her downward momentum into forward momentum, and a couple other tips. In time, they caught up as the team found a good place to hide their flag: A small, narrow gorge that had foliage growing over it on either side, great for setting up ambushes and enclosing any samurai who manage to reach their flag.

"So, what's the plan? Split into four teams?" One student asked. "One guards the flag, the rest scout and capture?"

"I'd say we start with smaller scouting parties to know the layout of the rival team, and where they hid the scroll. We can cover more ground and be less detectable in small groups, like two or three" Another proposed, "Then, once we know how to hit them, we can form larger groups to flank and exploit any weaknesses in their defenses."

"But the more groups we split into, the weaker each group, to say nothing of the increased likelihood of being caught and captured or followed by Samurai." the third stated. Tenshi listened to each point carefully, thinking of a plan himself as he sat down, eyes closed in focus.