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Interlude

'How could that have happened?' Dan Katsumi, the chunin of the Neko ninjas who had attacked Lord Noriyuki, sword to himself.

'The order to attack had come directly from Lord Hikiji himself!' he thought upset. 'And now many of my men lie dead in the forest! Slaughtered by Hikijis men! If all this had only been a feign of Lord Hikiji to get Lord Noriyuki under his control, why didn't he tell us? We could have acted out our deaths just as easily!'

Maybe the idea to betray Idane Makiko, the leader of the Neko Ninjas, hadn't been that smart after all. Kagemaru-chunin, his successor, had also failed at his attempt to overthrow Chizu, the former leader of the Neko Ninjas. 'At least she doesn't suspect me of attempting to seize the power over the Neko Ninjas.'

His report would tell that they had run into a large group of fighters under the lead of Lord Hikiji who had attacked them by surprise. 'Close enough to the truth to raise no suspicions.' He relaxed a bit. 'At least, we have managed to shake off our pursuers.'

"What happened?" a voice suddenly cut through the forest.

'Makiko,' Katsumi moaned inwardly but rose immediately and knelt down before his superior. 'Today is not my day.'

Fortunately, no one could make a connection between him and the murder from behind of her husband Arinori. Some day, he would get his chance to get rid of her, too, and then, finally, he would be able to lead the Neko Ninjas to new greatness.

"We have run into soldiers of Lord Hikiji," he reported almost truthfully.

"And why are there corpses with the mon of Lord Noriyuki?" she asked sharply.

While Katsumi was still working on an answer, a casual voice from the border of the clearance said: "They ran into Katsumi."

Horrified, Katsumi looked up. The voice came from the border of the clearing which they used to rest. The source of the voice was a lanky figure which leaned relaxed against a tree as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

'How had he managed to get past the sentries without being noticed?' Katsumi wondered when the first ninja already lounged at the stranger.

With a casual movement, the stranger grabbed the throat of the attacker but couldn't prevent that the ninja hit his head with his sword.

Several ninjas gasped when the sword bounced off the unprotected head of the stranger without causing any harm. The stranger didn't even blink when the sword hit him.

The ninja wriggled in the grip of the stranger, who seemed to hold him without effort. The sword lashed at the unprotected throat, the face, the hand which held the ninja. To no avail. Even a direct stab into the eye of the stranger produced no visible reaction.

Then the stranger moved his thumb slightly and with a dry crack, he snapped the neck of the ninja. The man went limp like a puppet after one had cut the threads.

The stranger pushed free from the tree and pulled the mask off the ninjas face. "So young and already dead," he said unconcernedly. Then he moved a little bit and threw the body almost 8 ken(1) across the clearing. When it impacted, it tumbled several times before it finally stopped next to Katsumi.

Dead eyes stared at Katsumi. He knew the face. That had been one of the few ninjas who had known his plans and who had supported him.

He was about to order the killing of the stranger but Makiko was faster: "Kill him," she ordered.

Nothing happened.

"Tststs," the stranger made. "Looks like a pretty bad case of insubordination," he joked.

'Who is he?' Katsumi asked horrified. 'What is he? What does he want?'

Then the stranger came over. Katsumi tried to draw his sword but he couldn't move his arm! Neither his legs! The muscles strained but they couldn't move a finger.

Whistling and mumbling under his breath, the stranger walked around in the clearing. He stopped in front of some of the ninjas. Sometimes, he nodded approvingly, sometimes, he shook his head. Then he touched the head of one with his index finger.

The ninja vanished without a trace or sound.

Sheer terror held Katsumi in its cold grip. He struggled to break free but whatever held him in place, it didn't yield.

Eight more ninjas vanished this way, then it was Makikos and his turn. Smiling, the stranger came over. Cold sweat ran down Katsumis brow when the stranger slowly stretched out his hand and touched his forehead.

"Abayo(2)!" the stranger shouted happily at the other ninjas and then vanished on the spot.

Old Friends and New Enemies

"Please, let me try," Lord Hirano insisted.

Angry, Lord Hikiji grimaced: "Would that change anything?"

"If it wouldn't, then why have you spared him?" Lord Hirano asked.

Hikiji wondered himself. The sword would cut with the requested resistance and kill, wound or paralyze his enemies just as he wanted. But why he had spared Noriyuki, he couldn't really say.

Soldiers had pulled the motionless body outside and staked him for his execution. He lay unconsciously in the grass but it would only need one thought of Hikiji to wake him up. 'For the last time,' Hikiji thought for himself.

'Why did he attack me? It just doesn't make sense!' he wondered. After all he had heard about Lord Noriyuki, he would never have expected such an unhonorable behavior.

But this whole encounter had been under bad portents. He had been surprised how cool Noriyuki had been yesterday. When the other lords had turned away from the shogun and sworn their loyalty to him, there had never been any problems.

Noriyuki had been right when he had suspected that it had been more than mere chance that Hikiji had shown up at the right moment. As it had happened several times before in the last months, Kusanagi had led Hikiji.

Until he had ridden around the bend of the street, Hikiji had had no idea whom he was supposed to help but when he had seen the mon of the Geishu clan, he had been overjoyed. With Noriyuki, the last of the important lords would stop supporting the futile efforts of the shogun to stop the inevitable.

Kusanagi had chosen him to rule as emperor. Hikiji-tenno, he would be in a few days. No one could prevent that, now. Except of course an accident would happen in which he was killed.

But the sword had protected him reliably as always. Even before Noriyuki had made the decision to attack, Hikiji had been warned. 'Fool,' he thought shaking his head. 'Didn't he know that it's impossible to attack the owner of Kusanagi by surprise?'

But Hirano was right, of course. Lord Noriyuki was probably still confused because he believed that it had been him who was behind the coward attempt to take his life. Still, it was strange that Hikijis words just failed to reach him, somehow. All other lords, who had joined his side, had been cool, too, in the beginning but at least they had listened to reason.

In the end, he had been able to find a solution which both sides could accept. Only Noriyuki seemed to refuse to listen for some reason. Hikiji had almost agreed to allow him to return to the shogun but after the attempt on his life, that wasn't possible anymore.

It would turn out to be hard enough to calm the other lords and allies down again should Noriyuki still decide to join them. But he was still important.

If he joined their cause, then it might even be possible to seize the power over the land without another battle. Surely, the shogun wouldn't want to fight against a fourfold superior enemy and Kusanagi. Hikiji would be able to press him into negotiations.

Because of this, he agreed: "Try it. Talk to him."

"But if he doesn't listen to you, then there is nothing I can do anymore," Hikiji went on.

"I understand," Hirano said openly relieved. "I will give my best."

"Maybe it would be possible to speak with him alone?" he proposed. "Lord Noriyuki will probably be more receptive when he isn't staked here out in the open like an animal."

"Of course," Hikiji decided and gestured the guards. Those untied the unconscious lord again and carried him into an empty tent. There, they lay him on a bed and then retreated when Lord Hirano asked them to.

Outside, Hikiji waited until the guards had left the tent and then ordered Kusanagi to allow the lord to wake up. As usual, the sword acknowledged the order humbly.

In the tent, the eyes of Noriyuki popped open. 'What happened? Am I dead?' were his thoughts. He didn't feel any difference.

"You just lost you consciousness for a short time," a voice explained which Noriyuki didn't want to hear again -- ever.

"Lord Noriyuki," Hirano said forcefully, "we have been close allies for almost 25 years, now. In the light of this long time, I ask you to listen to my words."

Noriyuki didn't look at him. No muscle moved in his face. But Hirano could feel the anger, the desperation in the other lord. Once more, Paus words were more true than he had known when he heard them for the first time: Even if one kept his emotions carefully away from his face, one still radiated what one was trying to hide.

He sighed. Pau would have known how to overcome the refusal of Noriyuki. He knew his old friend Noriyuki only too well to have much hope left. Noriyuki was clever and one could talk with him but he never deviated from his principles.

Again he asked himself why he had switched allegiance. And as before, he simply was sure that he had done the right thing. He couldn't explain it. But Pau had told him to trust his feelings more than his reason. So he did.

"I'm listening," the lord said without raising from his bed.

"Do you want to know why I have deserted the shogun?" Hirano asked his old friend.

"Why?" was the curt reply.

"I don't know myself," Hirano admitted calmly.

That took Noriyuki by surprise. The lord frowned and looked at him for the first time. "You really expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth," Hirano vowed and Noriyuki, who knew his friend almost as good as himself, really had the impression that Hirano meant what he said.

"All I know is that I made the right decision," the old lord went on. "You probably remember that I told you how Pau Tai has healed me. Sanshobo did the same with you."

Noriyuki nodded and continued to listen.

"Pau Tai told me at that time that I can trust in my feelings and my feelings tell me that I'm right."

"Would it be possible that Hikiji has bewitched you and you are wrong?" Noriyuki asked with a neutral voice.

"I've thought about this myself," Hirano admitted, "but I can't find any signs which support the idea. Lord Hikiji treats his allies with respect, doesn't ask anything which he isn't willing to do himself, he acts fair in a negotiation and he is true to his word."

"Look at yourself!" Hirano added. "The late Lord Hikiji wouldn't have thought twice to execute you after such an assault on his life. But the tenno(3) asked me to talk with you, instead. I assure you that he has nothing to do with the attack of the ninjas on you."

"You really insist that he appeared at the last moment by pure chance?"

"No, of course, he didn't. Kusanagi had led him," Hirano explained, "to save your life."

"Kusanagi," Noriyuki laughed ironically. "Now that explains everything."

Hirano wasn't willing to give up that easily. "You know what I've heard? Allegedly, it was our friend Usagi who had found the sword originally."

"Really?" Noriyuki said but he didn't sound very interested. 'I wonder what Pau Tai would say if he knew how badly we have used our chance for freedom,' he thought for himself.

"I simply cannot understand you," Hirano said, his frustration could be heard clearly in his voice. "What is wrong with you? Why don't you listen?"

"I'm listening," Noriyuki retorted.

"No," Hirano replied, "no, you don't. You hear my words but you refuse to understand what I'm trying to tell you."

Noriyuki was finally tired of this farce. "Would you listen to someone who has betrayed everything in which you have believed all your life?" he asked coldly.

Hirano sagged. He had failed.

Without much hope, he started a last attempt: "I didn't betray the shogun," he said calmly.

"Oh, you didn't?" Noriyuki taunted him. With a mixture of sorrow and satisfaction, he saw how his words did hurt his old friend. "Surely, Lord Hikiji is a secret ally of the shogun and all this is just a game."

"I know that everything seems to tell that I have betrayed the shogun but I don't feel that way," Hirano defended himself. "I can't explain it. I made the right decision."

"Anything else?" Noriyuki snarled and Hirano silently shook his head.

Noriyuki rose and stepped out of the tent, ignoring his former friend and ally completely. From today on and for all time, the name Hirano would be spoken with disgust in the Geishu clan. 'At least if there will be a miracle which allows me to leave Hikijis camp alive.'

With that, he stepped into the midday sun, ready for his execution.

Hirano followed at a small distance. At Hikijis question, the old lord just shook his head. Upright, Noriyuki looked into the eyes of Hikiji. He wouldn't humiliate himself in front of his enemies.

Hikiji sighed. "Just one word," he made a last attempt, "and I will give you safe conduct from my camp."

"I will not beg for my life," Noriyuki refused the offer decidedly.

Hikiji had to surrender to so much stubbornness. If he would let this pass, then he would humiliate himself and he couldn't allow that in the current situation. To much was at stake.

Wordlessly, he pointed at the executioners block and Noriyuki set into motion without comment and with his head exalted.

When asked about his last wish, he just shook his head silently.

"I still don't understand it," Hirano said quietly to Himesama, "why he has changed so much. It was suicide to attack Hikiji and still, he did."

"Many strange things have happened in the last months," she replied absent-minded.

'Kusanagi, I want him to die painlessly,' Hikiji ordered. After a slight delay, the sword acknowledged the order like it always did. Hikiji was surprised because that had never happened before but he decided to postpone his curiosity for the reasons of the delay.

He drew the sword, that glowed gently in yellow as it always did, and stroke out.

Interlude

A wide ocean quietly washed up the beach. Confused, Katsumi blinked into the bright daylight. A few moments ago, it had been night and now, the sun was high in the sky. Surprised calls showed him that he wasn't the only one.

He looked around and saw Makiko and the other nine ninjas on the beach with him.

"Where are we?" she asked after she had recovered from the surprise.

"At my place," the cheerful voice of the stranger sounded.

Out of nowhere, he had appeared a few steps away from them on the sand.

"Who are you?" Makiko demanded. "What do you want from us? Why did you kidnap us?"

The stranger gave no reply but made a few steps towards them and began to pull the masks from the faces of the ninjas. A few ninjas grabbed their weapons but Makiko just shook her head. Instead, she ordered to take off the masks.

"Ah," the stranger made, "much more comfortably in this heat."

Katsumi almost couldn't believe his luck! By chance or on purpose, the stranger had brought all ninjas here who were loyal to him! There wouldn't be a better chance to get rid of Makiko.

"Kill her!" he yelled and drew his sword.

All his allies immediately followed his order except for Kimi who lunged at him instead. Surprised, he realized that she must have betrayed him or must have worked for Makiko all the time!

But that didn't matter anymore. In a few moments, those two would be dead and no one would be able to question his demand for the lead of the Neko Ninjas.

Quite some time later, he had to admit that he hadn't taken the mysterious stranger into account. The stranger had lain down on a large rock nearby and took a sun bath. In one hand, he held a bunch of grapes with unknown berries from which he ripped off a few from time to time and put them into his mouth. With mild interest, he had watched their attempts to kill each other.

As with him, the swords bounced off their bodies without effect. Kicks into the face and other, more sensitive parts of the body, also didn't seem to hurt.

"Is something wrong?" the stranger asked politely.

"We'll talk later," Makiko hissed at Katsumi and turned towards the stranger.

"Ooch," the stranger made, "let's talk now!"

"Makiko, Kimi, please come over here and sit next to me," he said and patted on the rock next to him.

Makikos eyes became small slits but she had no illusions that the stranger would get in the end what he asked. Trying to resist in the current situation would have been outright stupid. She decided to postpone her protests until later when she would have a better overview of the situation.

Wordlessly, she set into motion and Kimi followed a few steps behind. Stiffly, the sat down next to the stranger.

"Hello," the stranger said while he suddenly placed his head on her shoulder. While she still wondered how on earth he had managed to move so fast, he went on: "How wonderful to enjoy the company of two women who are as beautiful as you are. Do you already know how you will spend the evening?"

'Is he flirting?' Makiko thought unbelievingly.

"Nothing which would include you," she finally answered coolly.

"Oh," he said disappointed, "I'm not your type, huh?"

His sigh was openly theatrical. "My fate is really unjust!" he complained. "Finally, I managed to become one of the most powerful wizards of the whole universe! I could heap power, wealth and everything she could ever desire on any woman. But now, they are afraid of me!"

Beaten, he crept back to where he had been sitting before. "Well, probably nothing I can do something about."

"Here," he said and threw a short silver rope at Katsumi. It fell into the sand at his feet.

Without looking down, Katsumi bent down and picked it up. He shot it a quick glance. It seemed to be a single piece, quite heavy and flexible despite lacking visible links or anything like that. At first glance, it seemed to be a massive, round rod of silver but it behaved more like a thick rope.

"Put it around your neck," the stranger ordered him.

"Why?" Katsumi asked distrustingly.

Again, the stranger gave an exaggerated sigh. "Look. The rules are pretty simple: I ask and you do. All other options which you might believe to exist, are just an illusion."

For a moment, Katsumi stared at the jewelry. He couldn't make out any fastener so he just hung it around his neck and let the ends dangle over his shoulders.

"Just put the ends against each other and it will close," the stranger helped.

Katsumi did as he was asked. The band really became a seamless ring. He touched the spot where it had been open but he couldn't find a gap, anymore.

"How does it open again?" he asked.

"Oh, I can open it but you will wear it until you die, I would guess. Which will take place after many, fulfilled years, by the way."

"And why do I wear it?"

"Oh, it just avoids unnecessary discussions. You see, I can force you to comply to my orders. But the slave-ring will make you want to comply. That's much more comfortable for me."

"Slavering," Katsumi groaned and jerked at the neck-jewelry which seemed to have gotten much tighter all of a sudden. He drew his sword and shoved it under the ring but he couldn't cut it.

"Help me!" he cried and the other ninjas tried to open the ring together with him. But whatever they tried, it didn't change anything. They couldn't even break Katsumis neck or suffocate him.

"Like little kids," the stranger commented while Makiko followed the horrible spectacle disbelievingly.

After some time, the ninjas gave up. "Finished?" the stranger asked politely. An icy silence was the only answer.

"Here, catch," he said and threw the handle of a sword towards Katsumi. Skilled, Katsumi followed the order. His face showed that he didn't want to but he still did.

"There is a button on the bottom. Please press it," was the next order for Katsumi. With an eerie humming, a long, glowing blade retracted from the handle.

"This is a light saber," the stranger happily explained. "It will cut anything. Please kill all the ninjas next to you," the stranger went on mercilessly.

Katsumi immediately lashed out. In a few moments, he had killed his last seven supporters. Full of hope, he looked at the glowing blade but before he could use it against himself, the stranger said: "Please take care not to hurt yourself."

Katsumis howl was full of frustration.

"Switch it off and give it back, please."

Katsumi also followed this order. With the blade vanishing in the handle, his hopes left him. Tears ran down his face when he handed the handle back.

"Life means rules," the stranger explained, "some, you are told and others, you have to find out yourself. Here are a few new rules for you."

"You must not talk unless being addressed."

Katsumis mouth closed itself and he became silent.

"If you are addressed, then you will answer politely and humbly. If a male being talks to you, you answer with master and if a woman talks to you, you will answer with mistress. Did you understand that so far?"

"Yes, master," Katsumi said humbly and only his eyes showed his terror.

"Very good. If you are asked a question, then you will answer openly and truthfully."

"How long have you been working for Lord Hikiji?" the stranger asked casually.

"For five years, now, master," Katsumi answered against his will.

In the following hour, the stranger grilled him about everything. Whatever Katsumi tried to avoid the interrogation, in the end he had to answer everything openly and truthfully. Adamantly, the stranger pulled his whole, dark past into the light.

Every treason he had ever committed against anyone.

The murder of Makikos husband.

The plans to kill her.

Everything.

In the end he couldn't say whom Makiko despised more: Him or the stranger.

"What will you do with him, now?" Makiko asked.

The stranger smiled and told(4) her.

She looked at him in disgust but he seemed to really mean it. "You can't be serious!" she said horrified.

"But of course I am!" he assured her enthusiastically. "This way, he is at least useful in some way and can make people happy instead of only spreading sorrow and pain."

Katsumi just prayed to die soon. Everything was better than what the stranger had just proposed. He would have even preferred torture or a long, painful death.

"Are you ready?" the stranger asked. "Here are your last rules."

"Never again, you may own or touch a weapon, neither to protect yourself nor to hurt anyone else."

Full of desperation, Katsumi dropped his weapons into the sand.

"You must not wear clothes."

Katsumi wanted to moan but no sound escaped his lips. He wanted to resist but his hands began to undress himself against his will. After a few moments, he stood on the beach completely naked.

"Whatever you have been before, doesn't matter anymore. Now, we only need someone, who can break you in," the stranger said happily. "Marena? Could you please come over here?"

A few moments later, an incredibly erotic appearance stepped onto the beach out of nowhere. "You called, master?" she asked and her voice promised immeasurable pleasures.

"Hello Marena," the stranger greeted the woman who was clad into a flowing nothingness of a dress through which one could see flashes of her body when she moved.

"We have a newcomer. Can you please take care of him and prepare him for his new duties?"

Dark, brown eyes swallowed Katsumi. Her tongue licked over her thin black lips in anticipation. The stranger handed her some kind of thin rope, then she glided towards Katsumi.

She walked around him several times, her hands stroking skillfully through his fur and he shivered under her touch. With a skilled movement, she attached the leash, which the stranger had given her, to his slave-ring.

"You will obey her every command," the stranger ordered him.

"Follow me, sweety," she said and set into motion. Helplessly, the being without a past followed her into a future that he feared.

Miyamoto-tenno

When Qu'ral appeared with Ferdo, the soldiers set into motion to kill whatever might have appeared in their camp. Sighing, Hanshiro erected a small shield to hold them off.

The whole scene became a silent movie. Sanraku, who wasn't used to this, stared at the soldiers who moved without a sound all of a sudden; whose cries he could see but no longer hear.

"Don't worry about this," T'he said to him and explained in quick words what was going on.

Usagi, who still felt that something terrible was going to happen, looked around nervously. If he didn't take the excitement of the soldiers here into account, then everything seemed to be in perfect order.

His look fell on the camp of Hikiji and realized: It happened over there! He cursed and called: "Field glasses!"

Wordlessly, Khassar passed him one out of his equipment. Nervously, Usagi began to scan the camp on the opposite side. 'There, an unusual light.' Hastily, he worked on the zoom.

He could see a young lord in full armor with the crest of Hikiji on it. 'So that's the new lord,' Usagi thought. It seemed that the lord was executing someone that instant.

Usagi snorted. 'Probably one of his allies didn't bow down deeply enough,' he thought bitterly.

Then his gaze fell on the victim and the blood curdled in his veins. 'Noriyuki!'

"No!" Usagi yelled against all reason. "No! Kusanagi! Don't kill him! Not Noriyuki!"

Aghast, the others looked at him. "Lord Noriyuki?" Sanraku asked horrified.

Too far away for Kusanagi to hear him.

Not enough time to ask Qu'ral to get him there.

Ferdo might have been able to revive Noriyuki again if he would have had access to the necessary equipment. If they had been able to get him to the other side. If he had stood a chance to help before Hikiji or one of his men would have killed him, too.

The sword moved up in a perfect arc and came down again.

Usagi had to watch helplessly.

Saw it cutting into the neck fur of Noriyuki.

And stopping.

Usagi didn't need to see the confusion in Hikijis face to know that he had made it.

Kusanagi had heard him.

Had obeyed.

Now, he was in real trouble.

From the relief, he shook so hard that he had to sit down. He almost dropped the field glasses.

"What happened to ... ?" Sanraku asked anxiously but Ferdo waved him off.

Quickly, the doctor examined Usagi. "Only the shock," he announced eventually, "he'll be alright in a few moments. Here, suck that." He put a pill into Usagi hand.

Obediently, Usagi followed the order.

In the meantime, a large number of soldiers had gathered around the invisible obstacle which held them away from the intruders. The first officers showed up to get an idea of the situation.

"Qu'ral, you must get me over there!" Usagi ordered.

"Right now?" the wizard asked uneasily.

"Yes. Kusanagi has obeyed my order and spared Noriyuki. But maybe Hikiji is working on a way around my order."

"He could use a normal sword," Khassar spoke his mind.

"All but that," Usagi groaned.

"I can get us to the other side, but that's out of the frying pan into the fire."

"No, if Kusanagi obeys me, then the army over there is mine," Usagi argued.

"And if not?"

"Then I'll die in the attempt to save almost one hundred-thousand lives," Usagi retorted.

Qu'ral sighed. "I really hope you know what you do. Where to?"

Usagi looked though the field glasses again, looking for an outstanding landmark. "Here," he passed it on to Qu'ral.

"On the top of a hill, there is a tent with lots and lots of standards," he explained.

"Yes, I see them," Qu'ral replied.

"In front of the tent are a couple of guards and several lords. One of them is Noriyuki. There is a large block of wood on the ground."

Qu'ral nodded to signal that he was ready. "Sanraku, please make sure that there won't be a bloodbath here while I'm over there to save Noriyuki and the rest of us," Usagi said forcefully.

"You can depend on me, father," Sanraku promised.

"Let's go," Usagi ordered Qu'ral.

On the Other Side

'Should have known,' Noriyuki thought bitterly, 'he wants me to suffer a bit longer before he kills me.'

Lord Hikiji was confused. For some reason, he was unable to hurt Noriyuki with Kusanagi. The sword seemed to be unchanged but it did not even cut a single hair in Noriyukis fur.

He was positive that it had to do something with the strange delay which he had noticed earlier.

'What is the matter?' he asked upset. 'Why do you fail me?'

'I mustn't kill Noriyuki,' Kusanagi replied.

'Why not?' Hikiji asked surprised.

'My owner did forbid it,' came the unbelievable reply.

'Your owner? I'm your owner!'

'You are just a tool which fits into the plans of my owner,' was the answer in the same humble tone of voice as always. Now, it sounded more like mockery to Hikiji.

Hikiji stared at the sword. "Just a tool?" he asked aloud.

By sheer willpower, he got a grip on himself. 'You said that the gods have chosen me to unite the land.'

'That is correct.'

'That I'm the tenno!'

'I said that I serve the tenno,' the sword corrected humbly and unmoved.

'And who is the tenno, then?'

'You don't know him,' came the staggering answer, 'but he will arrive here in a few moments.'

Hikiji lowered the sword. 'What should I do now? What can I do now?'

He knew that he couldn't do anything against the power of the sword. It had him in its grip, maybe even more so than anyone else.

'I did bind you to me,' he tried one last, desperate attempt. 'You must obey me.'

'The rite to bind a sword,' was the answer, 'doesn't mean anything to me. I only obey your commands as long as my owner doesn't tell me otherwise.'

Hikiji realized that this was his end. He only could hope for the kindness of the real owner of Kusanagi. With a frustrated movement, he took the precious scabbard off his back and put Kusanagi back into it. Thoughtfully, he held it in his hand for a moment. But he wasn't willing to give up all hope, just yet.

"Please stand up, Lord Noriyuki," he asked and wondered how he could stay so calm. Only moments before, he had been the future ruler of Japan. Now, he was just a tool of the sword.

But it was of course Kusanagis doing. Since he wasn't the real owner of the sword, Kusanagi could use all its powers on him. That was the reason why he was so composed.

With an unmoved face, the lord rose. "So you managed to come up with something else to make me suffer a little more before you kill me?" Noriyuki asked bitterly.

"I cannot kill you," Hikiji replied discontentedly.

"Why not?" Lord Hirano asked astonishedly and the other lords gasped.

"Kusanagi refuses my order," Lord Hikiji replied.

"How can that be, Hikiji-tenno?" Noriyuki asked spitefully.

"It seems that I misunderstood it. When it followed my orders and said that it serves only the tenno, then I thought that it meant me. But that seems to be wrong. I'm just a tool for Kusanagi to unite the land for the real tenno."

"But who is he, then?" Lord Hirano asked.

"Kusanagi said that I don't know him but he would arrive here in a few moments."

A loud bang made him look. As if the ground had spit them out, a white rabbit and a dog, whose white fur was covered with a complicated black pattern, stood there. Both wore armor with the crest of the Geishu clan. Lord Noriyuki's clan.

The message of Kusanagi that his owner had arrived, wouldn't have been necessary; Hikiji felt the strong charisma of him.

"Usagi?" Lord Hirano and Lord Noriyuki asked at the same time.

"Lord Noriyuki, Lord Hirano," the rabbit greeted the two lords. To Hikiji, he seemed to be a common samurai.

Lord Hikiji didn't waste any time with this puzzle. He turned directly to the tenno and bowed before him. "Welcome, tenno," he greeted him respectfully and offered the sword.

"I'm very sorry," the dog said and made a quick step backwards as if he was afraid. "As much as I would like to have a closer look at the sword, it isn't my property. At least I hope so."

Hikiji inwardly cursed himself for this mishap. He should have waited until the newcomers had introduced themselves. He turned to the rabbit. "My apologies, tenno. It wasn't my intention to deny you the proper respect."

"I see," the rabbit said slowly and took the sword.

"My name is Miyamoto Usagi," the rabbit introduced himself, "and my companion is the Wizard Qu'ral. You must be Lord Hikiji?"

"Yes, Miyamoto-tenno," Hikiji confirmed.

"Please stand," Usagi asked. Hikiji rose and had a closer look at the tenno while Usagi drew Kusanagi out of the scabbard.

With him, the sword didn't glow. When Hikiji was already fearing that he had passed the sword to the wrong person for a second time, Usagi held it behind his head as if there was a scabbard for it. But he still kept the scabbard in his hand. Then Usagi let go and the part of the sword which Hikiji could see vanished.

Automatically, he looked down but the sword also didn't fall on the ground.

"I don't need this," Usagi said politely and passed the empty scabbard back to Hikiji.

"Of course, tenno," the lord said and passed the scabbard on to a servant who hurried over and took it.

When Usagi went past him, Hikiji could see that the sword had in fact vanished completely.

Together with the wizard, he followed the tenno. He was a bit relieved how good it had went so far. It seemed that the real tenno didn't mind that he had used Kusanagi. New hope began to rise in Hikiji.

At the same time, Usagi had his own problems. He had stopped to hate Hikiji a long time ago but he still didn't trust him. He would have to have word with Lord Hirano and Lord Noriyuki to find out if and how far one could trust the young lord.

Kusanagi, on the other hand, seemed to be happy. Contently, it hung invisible and unreachable for anybody except him on his back just as Paus sword. At least Usagi felt that way even if he couldn't really say why. At any rate, it was impossible to steal, now.

Which left him with the question how to untangle this gigantic web of intrigue, betrayal, distrust and fear.

He felt the tension of the people here. There was a large difference between Lord Noriyuki and Lord Hirano. While Lord Hirano seemed to be happy to see him again, Noriyuki was terrified.

"Lord Noriyuki," Usagi greeted his old friend.

Desperately, Noriyuki shook his head. "Not you as well," he whispered, "not you."

Confused, Usagi blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Tell me that you didn't switch allegiance, too," the lord begged and Usagi feared that he would break into tears any moment.

"I didn't," Usagi comforted him.

Then he sighed: "The situation is much more complicated, I'm afraid."

Usagi turned to Lord Hikiji. "I assume that you have the supreme command over all your troops and that you make all important decisions yourself."

"Well, not quite," Hikiji admitted, "this is only the case during a battle but all other decisions are made on a convention of the lords."

"I see," Usagi said mildly surprised. "Your father would have handled that differently."

"With all due respect, tenno, but I'm not my father," Hikiji replied in a controlled voice.

Then something crossed his mind: "My father often told me about someone who looked a lot like you. He had even the same name. Was the arch-enemy of my father your father, tenno?"

"Not quite," Usagi replied calmly and was really curious on Hikijis reaction to his words: "I'm the arch-enemy of your father."

Hikiji was obviously astonished: "I would have thought you to be much older, tenno."

"I'm much older than I look," Usagi replied.

But Hikiji worried about something else, now: "I guess that my fate is sealed with that, tenno."

Thoughtfully, Usagi looked at the young Hikiji. Even if he didn't want, he began to like the young man. 'But can I trust him?'

But then, he realized that he now had someone he could ask and who couldn't lie to him.

'Kusanagi! Can I trust him?'

'He can become a valuable ally for you or you can simply kill him and take his place,' the sword immediately replied. Its humble tone of voice made Usagi uneasy just as Paus friendliness had done.

'Is he involved in the attack of the ninjas on Lord Noriyuki?'

'No, that was his father.'

"He still lives?" Usagi called out unintentionally.

'Yes,' the sword replied soundlessly while the people around were openly confused because of his words.

"I'm sorry," Usagi said, "I'm not yet used to talk to Kusanagi."

"Kusanagi told me that your father is still alive," he told Hikiji.

The young lord made an unhappy face. "That is true, tenno," he admitted.

"Really? He must be age-old in the meantime!" Lord Hirano said astoundedly.

"He clings to life," Hikiji sighed and Usagi had the first delicate idea for a plan.

"Where is he?" Usagi asked.

"Here in the camp, tenno," Hikiji replied. "I assume that you want to see him?"

"Who knows that he is here?" Usagi asked instead.

"Well, only the people who have overheard our words and his personal servants and guards," Hikiji replied.

"Perfect!" Usagi said happily. "Wonderful! Make sure that it stays that way!" he ordered.

"Of course, tenno," Hikiji obeyed still being confused.

The longer Usagi thought about his idea, the more he liked it. It was simple, in the end, no one would survive who knew about it or who would have an advantage from sharing his knowledge. He grinned. Pau himself had prepared the necessary groundwork for this to work a long time ago.

'I wonder if he knew that I would be able to make good use of what he did show Hikiji 20 years ago,' he thought amusedly but sobered quickly. 'Who am I trying to deceive? It has just happened 20 years ago. Of course he did know!'

"Lord Noriyuki, Lord Hikiji, I would like to have word with you two alone," Usagi said.

"Of course, tenno," Hikiji said immediately. "Here in this tent, we'll be undisturbed."

The other lords and advisers made grim faces but they obeyed the will of the tenno. Usagi wished he could order them to stop calling him like that. But if he really wanted to save them all, then they would have to do as he said.

At least for a little while longer.

"Qu'ral, can you create a shield so no one can eavesdrop on us?"

"Yes," Qu'ral said.

They went into the tent and Qu'ral asked them to sit close together in the middle of the tent. "Unfortunately, I can only create small shields," he said excusingly. "And my shields are of a different nature than the ones from Hanshiro. Therefore, it will be dark inside."

"I can fix that," Usagi said and made Kusanagi reappear. He held it in front of himself and ordered it to glow. Just as with Hikiji, the sword shone in a warm yellow.

"When you want me to drop the shield, then touch it carefully with the sword," Qu'ral said. "If you don't, then I'll drop it on my own in 17 minutes."

"Why such a short time?" Usagi wondered.

"The air inside will be used up by then," Qu'ral explained. "Oh, and don't touch the shield with your hands!"

"Oh," Usagi said. With Pau, everything had been so much more simple. "We are ready."

The world went dark.

"I would like to try the following," Usagi started.

Since they had only a short time, he quickly lined out the basic idea of his plan.

"If everything works out as I think it will, then we should all be able to come out of this with only a few bruises," he finished.

Both lords stared at him but for different reasons.

"You don't intend to rule?" Lord Hikiji asked.

Usagi shook his head. "The people believe that the owner of Kusanagi should also be the tenno. For Kusanagi, this doesn't mean anything. It just serves its owner."

"Since all other tenno(5) tried to unite the land, Kusanagi simply assumed that I want to achieve the same and tried to fulfill my assumed desire so I would find everything to my liking when I return."

"But I'm not suitable as a ruler and I have no ambitions to become one. All that I want is to repair the damage which Kusanagi has caused and then to leave again."

"But this time, I'll take the sword with me," he reassured Noriyuki.

"Just thinking that the sword manipulated us the whole time," Noriyuki said glumly, "and we didn't notice anything."

"You still don't," Usagi replied, "or do you really believe that Lord Hirano is here on his own free will?"

Hirano wasn't very happy to hear this. "How does it do that?" he demanded to know.

"I have no idea," Usagi admitted, "but probably in the same way Paus weapon stroke us all with fear and terror."

Noriyuki shivered when he remembered. "So you want to say that we can put our trust in Lord Hikiji?" he changed the subject.

"At least Kusanagi recommends him."

"And if it deceives you like the rest of us?"

"I hope that it cannot do this but when you return to the shogun later on, then you can ask T'he. He has come here with the rest of my men and maybe, he can answer this question. I must admit that I'm curious about this, myself."

Then the shield vanished. When the fresh air washed over them, they realized how bad the air inside had already got.

"If you need more time," Qu'ral said exhausted, "then I need some time to recover, first."

"Thanks a lot," Usagi said, "but I think that everything important has been said." Questioningly, he looked at the other lords.which

"I have no further questions," Hikiji said and Noriyuki agreed to this.

"And now you expect me to sell this to the shogun," Noriyuki sighed.

"Who would be better suited," Usagi smiled.

"And you really believe that it might work?"

"I would never turn down any advice."

"Well," Noriyuki decided, "in this case, I should be on my way. If someone in the camp of the shogun should have stumbled over the corpses of my retainers then they will be ill of concern, by now."

"The worst which could happen right now would be the shogun loosing me as well."

"What will you do when the shogun decides against my plan?" Usagi asked quietly.

Noriyuki looked at the ground. "I'm sorry," he finally said unhappily.

"In that case, all I can do is to wish you best luck," Usagi said goodbye to his friend.

"May we meet again, soon," Noriyuki tried to cheer the mood up, again.

Outside, Hikiji gave orders to ready an escort for Noriyuki. The lord looked one last time at Usagi, then they rode down the hill towards the camp of the shogun.

Hikiji made the servant fetch him the precious scabbard and Usagi returned the sword. The lords and advisers followed the events with puzzled looks.

"Because of the current situation," Hikiji explained while he put the scabbard in its place again, "the tenno has decided that I should keep Kusanagi until after our victory. Furthermore, I will stay in supreme command."

Many lords were openly relieved by these words. To change the leader at such a short time before an important battle would have only caused unnecessary problems and meant that more soldiers would have died.

Interlude

"So what are your plans for us?" Makiko asked darkly. "Are we going to have the same fate as Katsumi?"

"No," the stranger said casually, "that's not necessary."

Moaning, he stretched. "I'll go swimming. Enjoy yourself."

Unnoticed, a naked lizard had stepped next to them. Like Katsumi, he wore a flexible silver ring around his neck. In the hand, he balanced a tablet with several glasses and a carafe with a light, yellow juice.

"Ah, Tep, how considerate of you," the stranger rejoiced and the naked slave smiled.

Skilled, he poured juice from the carafe into three glasses and then offered two to the ninjas. Reluctantly, Makiko and Kimi took a glass but didn't sip.

As the last one, Tep offered a glass to the stranger. He took it and quaffed half of it at once.

"Delicious," he commented while putting the glass down and the slave beamed.

"Should you need something," he said while he stripped, "just ask Tep." The slave bowed.

Disgusted by this reckless demonstration of his powers, Makiko grimaced while Kimi took a careful sip. It tasted strange but pleasant. Kimi felt refreshed by it. 'At least it doesn't seem to be poisonous,' she concluded.

"It's very good," she praised while the stranger dove into the sea.

"Thank you, mistress," Tep answered humbly.

"You must be serving your master for a long time?" Makiko asked and put the glass next to her without touching its contents.

"Yes, mistress, for several thousand years."

Kimi got some liquid into the wrong throat and coughed. Makiko showed her surprise only for a moment before she regained control over the expression of her face.

"Then you must know him exceptionally well."

"Yes, mistress," Tep replied.

"What's his name?"

"I ask for your forgiveness, mistress, but when he didn't tell you himself, then I don't dare to ignore his wish," Tep regretted.

"How do you know that he doesn't want us to know his name?" Makiko asked.

"Everything my master does has a deeper meaning, mistress."

"And you surely can't tell us either what he plans for us?"

"This I don't know, mistress," Tep regretted. "My purpose is to serve the wishes of the guests of my master."

"What's in this juice?" Kimi asked to buy Makiko some time to think.

"It's pure water and the juices of several different fruits," Tep explained, "and green tea."

"The taste is really interesting," Kimi said and held her glass up so Tep would pour her some more. Makiko still hadn't touched her glass.

"Where do you come from?" Kimi asked.

"From far away, mistress," Tep replied smilingly.

"Father than Europe?"

"Much farther, mistress."

"Where are we here?"

"This is the home of my master, mistress," Tep replied.

"And this is where on Honshu?"

Tep hesitated with the answer.

"This isn't Honshu, is it?" Makiko joined the conversation again.

"No, mistress," Tep replied unhappily. "Please don't press me further, mistress."

Out of nothing, a gigantic warrior suddenly stood on the beach. He was a lizard like Tep but he wore a black armor and several swords. He shot a few glances around, then he came over, ignoring the corpses on the beach.

"Tep," he nodded at the slave and then glared at the ninjas. When he was finished mustering them, he turned to Tep again. "Where is he?"

"He takes a swim in the sea, master," the slave replied.

The newcomer grimaced. Neither Makiko nor Kimi could say what it meant, so alien it was for them.

"I'm Idane Makiko of the Neko ninjas and this is my subordinate Kimi," Makiko introduced themselves. "And who would you be?"

The warrior didn't care for her words but stared at the sea. A short time later, the stranger emerged from the waves.

"Käl, hello!" he called and waved. Käl didn't move a muscle.

The stranger took his towel from the rock and began to dry himself. "How did it go?" he asked.

"No problems," Käl replied curtly.

"Good, very good, that means the Komori and the Mogura ninjas are completely annihilated," the stranger murmured.

"Thanks a lot for your help," he said to Käl who vanished without a trace, again.

"You are going to kill us," Makiko said tonelessly.

"Why talking with you first, then?" the stranger asked back while he dried his legs. He handed the wet towel to Tep, stretched out his arm, smiled and suddenly held a fresh towel in his hand.

As if it was the most natural thing in the world, he spread it on the rock next to the ninjas and then himself on it to dry further in the hot sun.

When Makiko almost wanted to jump out of her skin, the stranger went on: "The time of the ninjas is over."

He gestured Tep and got his glass back. Half erect, he took a sip.

"The problem with the Komori and Mogura ninjas was that they had specialized themselves too much. A wizard had modified the bone structure of the Komori ninjas so they were light enough to be able to fly and the Mogura ninjas couldn't stand sunlight anymore."

"The Neko ninjas on the other hand, are still normal people who can leave their past behind and start a new life."

"That is what you want from us?" Makiko reassured herself. "We should disband the Neko clan?"

"Exactly. When you return to your castle later, then you will find all Neko ninjas there. The glowing ring around your castle will be impossible to pass for a ninja but no barrier for someone who has decided to lead a normal life."

"What happens if we refuse to comply?"

"This option is an illusion," the stranger said flatly, drained his glass and lay down again.

Shocked, the two ninjas looked at each other.

Back in the Camp of the Shogun

The escort saw Noriyuki safely to the border of the camp of the shogun. A courier had ridden ahead and announced their arrival. An escort of his own men already expected them and they received their lord with open relief. But Noriyuki also noticed the uneasy looks which the men at shot each other behind his back.

'Is this our lord or a traitor who has sold us to Hikiji,' Noriyuki thought bitterly. He prayed for the success of Usagis plan or the damage for the land would be tremendous.

On their way to the part of the camp where the Geishu clan had its tents, a courier from the shogun met with them and told Noriyuki that the ruler wanted to see him at once. Noriyuki thanked him and told him that he would only dress himself properly and then be available.

The courier bowed and hurried away. Noriyuki followed him with his gaze for a few moments and then rode on. It was probably too early to mention Usagis companions. He would have to get an idea of the situation himself before he could do something to help them. Since Usagi had reassured him that they would be able to protect themselves against anything which the shogun could come up with, Noriyuki thought this to be one of the less pressing issues right now.

One of his men had ridden ahead and so everything was prepared when Lord Noriyuki arrived at his tent. There was nothing to complain about but here, too, he noticed that his servants also feared that they had lost him forever.

The news that ninjas had murdered his companions had caused sorrow and dismay, even more so because it had happened so close to the camp of the shogun. His subjects were relieved a bit when they learned that Lord Fujishima had decided to join the side of the shogun but everyone who had already been in a battle against Hikiji knew that his help wouldn't mean much.

Helplessly, the lord had to receive more report of desertions. Even when Hikiji didn't do anything, his army grew every day while the shogun slowly but surely lost more and more of his power.

With fresh clothes, Noriyuki was on his way to the shogun. The mood in the camp was depressed but not much worse than he remembered.

On the way, they passed the place where Usagis men had appeared. As Usagi had told him, the screen under which they covered, was completely invisible. He could see soldiers digging at several places but the shield went through the ground, too. More soldiers surrounded the shield in some distance to be able to attack as soon as it fell.

"What is going on over there?" he asked one of his companions acting curiously.

"We don't know for sure, my lord. They appeared here out of nothing and with a loud bluster. For some reason, they wear our crest and someone, who looks a lot like Sanraku is with them. We have tried to force our way inside of the invisible ball but without any success, so far. We also tried to speak to them but the invisible wall doesn't allow our voices to pass."

"How about written messages?"

"I haven't heard anything about that, my lord."

Noriyuki had one last look, then he rode on. As far as he could understand the situation, Usagis men were in no immediate danger which would have asked for his intervention.

At the tent of the shogun, an officer received him and led him inside. Respectfully, Noriyuki bowed before the shogun and waited to be addressed.

"Lord Noriyuki, welcome back," the shogun greeted him with a calm voice. "Please report what you could achieve."

In quick words, Noriyuki reported to his superior what had happened during the negotiations with Lord Fujishima, which concessions he had had to make and what they could expect in return.

"I'm glad to hear that. Lord Fujishimas help will be a very welcome," the shogun thanked him. "But we also heard that you have returned with an escort made of men from Lord Hikiji. Can you tell us which events lead to this?"

Noriyuki told about the attack of the ninjas and under which circumstances he had met with Lord Hikiji. He told in detail what he had seen in the camp of Hikiji. He mentioned the controversy which he had had with Lord Hikiji and that his last men had died, then. Lastly, he told them about the attempt of Lord Hirano to calm him down.

"When Lord Hirano couldn't make me change my mind, Lord Hikiji ordered an escort to see me safely back to here," he finished his report. He didn't mention the failed attempt of Hikiji to behead him nor that Usagi had intervened.

"What was your impression of Lord Hikiji?"

"It's hard to rely on ones feelings in the current situation," Noriyuki replied seriously, "but I had the impression of an open and honest man. Despite the fact that the attack on my men so clearly seems to follow the same schemes which his father used, I tend to believe his words when he says that he didn't order it."

"Which of course doesn't mean that none of his advisers or another ally of him is behind this in order to earn himself the gratification of the lord," he added.

"What have you learned from Lord Hirano?"

Noriyuki openly showed his uneasiness. "It was a shock for me to see this man which I have always admired for his integrity and loyalty next to Hikiji. Even more so as he didn't show any signs of shame or regret for his actions."

A murmur went through the people in the tent.

"Did you learn anything which is related to the rumors that the tenno has returned?"

"Lord Hikiji is in possession of a sword which he calls Kusanagi-no-tsurugi but I cannot say if it really is the legendary sword of the gods. But I can confirm that Lord Hikiji thinks of himself as the rightful tenno."

"So it is true," the shogun said.

"But there might be hope," Noriyuki went on hesitantly.

"During my stay in the camp, I met with Miyamoto Usagi, who has become a pupil of Pau Tai. He told me that he is trying to help us."

"Is this the same Pau Tai who came to Edo with you 25 years ago and with whose help we were able to find out who was behind the attempt on your life."

"Yes, shogun."

"He promised us a long period of peace and wealth."

"I remember his words," Noriyuki replied, "but unfortunately, he didn't tell us when that period starts."

"You think that he has withheld some facts?"

"I'm almost certain," Noriyuki said. "With Pau Tai, everything has at least one hidden meaning."

"Has Pau Tai returned as well?"

"No, Usagi told me that only he and eight other people have returned. I would guess that the men behind the invisible wall out there are some of his companions."

"Can you explain why the companions of Usagi wear your mon?"

"I don't really know; there wasn't much time when I met with Usagi. Therefore, I don't know any details of his plans. But Usagi had one of his companions with him so there should be seven people outside. But I only saw five and now, I wonder where the rest of this group is. We can only hope that the person, who looks so much like Usagis son Sanraku is in fact my retainer Sanraku. He should be able to answer our questions."

"For that, we would have to get through the invisible wall, first," one of the advisers threw in.

"Maybe Usagis companions can get through it from the inside."

"They show no signs of trying anything like that," one of the officers said.

"If Usagi has looked for me and Sanraku is one of the people, then he will recognize me. Maybe they will talk with me, then," Noriyuki proposed.

"I would like you to try it," the shogun ordered. "But there is another issue."

"A question of trust, I guess?" Noriyuki replied.

"Yes. After even a man like Hirano, who had our full confidence, has betrayed our cause, we are very uneasy to keep our confidence in you."

Noriyuki gave a sigh. "While I was a ... guest of Lord Hikiji and also on my way back here, I had similar thoughts. Unfortunately, I must admit that I have no solution, myself. And even though I haven't noticed any difference in my behavior, I have lost a lot of my trust in myself, too."

"Therefore, I came to the conclusion that it might be best if I would offer you the supreme command over my troops," Lord Noriyuki went on. "This way, I can at least make sure that I won't be able to cause a large damage should I have switched allegiance."

"As hard as it is for me to turn over the responsibility for my subjects, this is the only solution I have found," Noriyuki finished.

Many advisers and lords relaxed and the shogun heaved a breath as well. "We have thought along the same lines," the shogun admitted openly. "But we thought that we could name someone from your clan as your representative until we have found out how Lord Hikiji could turn our most trusted allies into traitors."

"I do thank you," Noriyuki said depressedly, "but my most capable men have died in the ambush of the ninjas."

"We think that adviser Jotaro would be suited best for this," the shogun said.

"Jotaro?" Noriyuki asked surprisedly.

"Who would be better suited?"

"Well," Noriyuki said, "we would have to get him here, first and, as I see it, Lord Hikiji will not wait with his next attack much longer. And it also means that I would have no one to make sure the supplies from my province keep flowing."

"Who would you propose?" the shogun asked.

Noriyukis laugh was bitter. "As a traitor, I would of course now name someone who serves my plans but there is no one of my clan left to represent me. They are either dead ..." 'or did already betray us,' he finished his sentence but didn't speak the words.

"Then there are only two solutions," the shogun concluded, "but both are unsatisfactory. Either I name someone from another clan or I put someone at your side whom I trust and who supervises your decisions."

"Is there anyone left to trust?" Noriyuki asked the depressing question which everyone had at that moment. "Even Himesama, who had become a deadly enemy of Hikiji after the murder of her children, is now over there. And surely everyone realizes what the consequences would be if someone else would have the supreme command over my troops."

"But we also cannot let you stay in your current position because you could have been deceived and Lord Hikiji has somehow gotten you under his control," the shogun said.

"Then I would like to propose that we talk to the companions of Usagi. Maybe they can tell us how one can control another man in such a way," Noriyuki proposed.

"That, of course, could be a trap," an adviser threw in.

"From the moment on," the shogun said with a firm voice, "when we start to suspect an enemy below every stone, we are lost."

"Lord Noriyuki, I would like to ask you to try to talk to the people behind the invisible wall. Adviser Tekkan here will accompany you to support you," the shogun decided.

"Yes, shogun," Noriyuki bowed. Until now, everything had gone according to plan. That he would have someone staring over his shoulder while he tried to put the next step of their plan into action was unfortunate but he had already expected this. Somehow, he would manage.

With his bodyguard, the adviser and writers, who brought brushes, ink and paper with them, they set out.

Inside of the Shield

"Both arrived safely. Had a few words with the people over there. Someone gave Usagi a scabbard with a sword. Probably Hikiji. Now, Usagi, Qu'ral, Noriyuki and Hikiji have vanished in a tent," Khassar reported what he saw.

"Someone has erected a level four shield," Hanshiro explained shortly after that. "I would guess that it was Qu'ral."

Again Khassar cursed the fact that they hadn't been allowed to bring radio sets. They should have brought telepathic implants, at least. Then they would have been able to exchange thoughts.

After the first heavy attacks against the shield, the soldiers of the shogun had retreated somewhat. The futile efforts to dig below the shield were ignored inside of it.

It had taken the people outside a while to realize that sound didn't pass through the shield. An officer which had probably tried to convince them to surrender, had finally retreated exhausted from yelling and had been replaced by another officer with a writer.

T'he had sacrificed one page from his valuable notebook and they had told the officer that they wanted to see Lord Noriyuki. The answer of the officer was what they had expected: There was nothing they could ask and they should surrender immediately.

With that, the short conversation with the world outside had already ended. Since then, they waited for the return of Noriyuki, Usagi or Qu'ral while the last one would probably not show up before tomorrow morning when he had recovered.

'Fortunately, Hanshiro can keep the shield for days,' Khassar thought while he went on to watch Hikijis camp. Because of his dermal armor, his improved immune system and the artificially enhanced strength and endurance, he would have been able to force his way through the ranks and leave the camp alive but he would have had to leave Ferdo, Hanshiro and T'he behind.

At least T'he took to the situation like a duck to water. As from a showcase, he observed the events around them and noted them down. Every now and then, he would ask Khassar for the field glasses because he had seen something at a distance which looked interesting and Khassar would reject his wish.

Ferdo was as nervous as he always was and irritated Sanraku, who tried to meditate, with his never-ending strides.

"Noriyuki is on his way back," Khassar said when Noriyuki set out with his escort. "Huh? Usagi passes the sword back to Hikiji?" he wondered.

"At least they don't try to kill him over there," Ferdo said cynically without stopping. "How long until we run out of air?"

"If you don't stop running, not much longer," Sanraku said irritatedly.

"Long enough," Khassar replied curtly.

"I still can't believe that my father would make common cause with Hikiji," Sanraku said angrily.

"Sometimes, one has to make a personal sacrifice because one attempts to achieve a higher goal," T'he replied casually while he made notes how an officer talked to a subordinate.

"That would be no sacrifice," Sanraku defended his father, "but self-abandonment."

"For all priests of Ookaa'h, truth and honor are just means to an end," Khassar said coldly and Sanraku ground his teeth.

"Eventually," T'he narrowed to their surprise. "You're father still stands his ground."

"What do you know about Ookaa'h and her priests?" Khassar asked against reason.

"Well, when I came on board of the TAURUS, I was very interested in its history, of course. The priest from the first line or Philmann Dark, as he calls himself right now, is a most dazzling and interesting person," T'he told him.

"It seems to me that your culture doesn't ask the superior to reward a subordinate for a good idea or proposal, does it?" he asked Sanraku.

"Well," Sanraku replied reluctantly after shooting an angry look at Ferdo, "that depends on the superior."

"It always does. But it's not part of the underlying culture, the social contracts, like bowing to a superior or something like that."

"If you look at it from this way, you are right," Sanraku admitted, "but a capable Superior of course encourages his subordinates. Unfortunately, the number of capable superiors is limited."

"I'd sign that," Khassar laughed dryly.

"Would that include Usagi?" T'he asked and looked innocently at Khassar.

Khassar frowned and lowered the field glasses. "Usagi at least knows his weaknesses."

"And he knows how to trust," Ferdo added with a glance at Khassar.

Khassar just nodded and put the glasses against his eyes again to see how far Noriyuki had got.

T'he used the waiting period to talk over some other questions with Sanraku. Enthusiastically, he took notes in his booklet.

"He's here," Khassar said and pointed in the direction out of which Noriyuki came with a couple of companions. He told something to one of the officers and all soldiers retreated from the shield.

"I'm wondering if Noriyuki fell in disgrace, here, now," T'he thought aloud.

"What do you mean?" Sanraku asked surprisedly.

"Well, have a look at the past. Many very reliable men have switched allegiance to Lord Hikiji. And now, Lord Noriyuki returns from the camp of Hikiji. I wonder what the allies of the shogun and he himself are thinking, now."

"You want to say ...," Sanraku said weakly.

"Yes. Is Lord Noriyuki now under the control of Lord Hikiji?"

Shocked, Sanraku watched his lord. The lord seemed to be crestfallen but other than that, he couldn't notice any difference.

"Well," Khassar shrugged, "staring won't change a thing. Lets meet with them."

They went to the border of the shield. Only Hanshiro stayed where he was.

Lord Noriyuki stopped on the other side while Sanraku bowed before his lord as it was proper. "Please bow before my lord," he hissed when no one else followed his example.

"Bowing is not my style," Khassar replied, sighed and then went into a similar posture as Sanraku.

T'he was amused but bowed as well. "And how do we know when we are allowed to look up again, now?" he asked.

At that moment, a scribe already held a paper near the ground outside of the shield on which the quickly written words "Lord Noriyuki asks you to rise," stood.

"Who are your companions, Sanraku?" was on the next page.

"They arrived together with my father Miyamoto Usagi to help us," Sanraku wrote on the only piece of paper which T'he had allowed them and put it against the shield so his lord could read it.

"Can you tear down the invisible wall?"

Sanraku nodded.

"Only when he guarantees our safety," Khassar asked. Sanraku passed the condition on.

"I vouch for your safety," the lord answered.

"Can we trust him?" Khassar asked.

"I vouch with my life for the trustworthiness of my lord," Sanraku replied seriously.

"Won't mean much if he plans to trick us," Khassar said cynically and Sanrakus made an angry face.

"Hanshiro, on my mark, drop the shield but stay alert," Khassar ordered while he readied himself mentally for a fight.

"Now!" Immediately, the sounds of the camp could be heard again.

"Are you Lord Noriyuki?" he snarled at the lord.

"I am," the lord replied composed while Sanraku paled at the tone which Khassar used.

With an authoritative gesture, Khassar cut off Sanrakus protests. "My name is Xut Khassar and while Usagi is not here, I'm in charge. Do you have a message for us?"

"My meeting with Usagi was only brief," the lord replied, "and he didn't ask me to pass anything on to you."

"Fine. What now?"

"Do I have your word that you will keep peace?" the lord asked.

"As long as Usagi doesn't order us otherwise, we will only defend when we are attacked. That also means that we will not become part of any battle which your army might fight," Khassar replied.

"That is good enough for me. I have a couple of questions for you and especially for your wizard. Please, follow me. We'll talk in a more quiet place."

A soldier lead them into an empty tent. Someone had spread covers and cushions on the ground and they sat down.

"Who of you is a wizard?" Noriyuki started the conversation.

"That would be me. My name is Hanshiro."

'Let's hope that Usagi estimated his reactions correctly,' Noriyuki thought.

"As you might know," Noriyuki started his egg dance, "we have the problem that trustworthy people betray us for unknown reasons for some time, now. As the most terrifying example, I would like to name Lord Hirano who was thought of to be a loyal and reliable ally of the shogun and myself only weeks ago."

"I met with him in the camp of Lord Hikiji," Noriyuki went on, "and to me, he didn't seem to feel the shame which his treason means nor did he seem to really realize what he had done. It almost looked like he would still serve the shogun or as if he had always served Hikiji."

"And now, we all are worried very much," Noriyuki said depressedly.

"One asks who has returned in the form of Lord Noriyuki," Hanshiro guessed.

"Yes," Noriyuki replied quietly, "am I still myself? Can I still trust my actions? Do I talk to you because I worry or is that just a trick to strengthen my credibility again so I can again get into a position where I can cause more damage?"

Hanshiro thought about this for a moment. "My telepathic skills are only weak, my strengths are telekinesis and teleportation. Therefore, I can't examine you and base my judgment on a sound basis. All what I can do is to explain you some techniques with which one could achieve the observed effect."

"From this, we will be able to deduct hints which one can use if someone is under suspicion but these are unreliable. Only a level four telepath or better could come up with a reliable test but even there is still room for imponderabilities."

"We will accept all help you can offer to us," Noriyuki encouraged him, "however small it might be."

"Let me think," Hanshiro said slowly.

"I guess," he went on after a while, "the best course of action would be to try to find out if something has happened to you. For this, I need someone who knows you inside-out."

"Most people who knew me very well are dead," Noriyuki said sadly. "Sanraku knows me for a long time and Jotaro, of course, but he is not here."

"May I propose to talk to Lord Arakawa?" Adviser Tekkan said. "He has also spend a lot of time with you."

"The more, the better," Hanshiro confirmed. "Often one person will notice what another will overlook."

Tekkan ordered a soldier to go to Lord Arakawa and tell him that they would like to see him.

T'he bent over to Hanshiro and whispered something in his ear. Hanshiro thought about it and nodded.

They used the waiting time to introduce themselves. When the soldier returned with Lord Arakawa, Hanshiro explained what he was expecting from them: "T'he will now talk with Lord Noriyuki. I would like you to observe the reactions of the lord because I will have some questions about that, later. T'he?"

"If you allow, Lord Noriyuki," T'he said, "I would like to ask you a couple of questions ..."

In the following discussion, T'he asked the lord many questions about the position of a lord in the society and about the correct protocol in court. He let himself explain in detail how one had to move and they even enacted various situations.

As usual, T'he took many notes and even did some quick sketches. Then he began asking questions concerning the death of the companions of the lord and how Noriyuki felt about that.

"Hm," he made, "I was under the impression that the life of a subordinate is of minor importance in this culture. Still, you seem to regret the fate of your subordinates. Isn't that uncommon?"

"While it may be true that a single person doesn't mean much to the whole society, I'm not the society," Noriyuki said angrily. "For me, the death of each of my retainers is a high personal loss."

"I see. One last question: Under which circumstances would you betray the shogun?"

"Never!" Noriyuki said outraged.

"Even if it would mean the certain death of all your subordinates if you didn't?"

"Not even then!"

"And if he would ask you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Many important people seem to have switched allegiance on their own free will. Could it be possible that the shogun has given them orders to do that so they could attack the enemy from the inside?"

"That's not an honorable thing to ask! The shogun would never ask something like that from one of his allies!" Noriyuki defended his superior.

"Maybe. But my question was if you would sacrifice your principles if he would order you."

Noriyuki pressed his lips together in anger. Unimpressed, T'he waited for his answer.

"I think it would depend on the actual circumstances," Noriyuki finally admitted. "Maybe I would sacrifice my life for such an order if the shogun would personally order me to do it and I could accept the reasons."

"Am I right when I say that this condition means that you would not obey to every order of the shogun?"

"I'm a lord and as such, I have a great responsibility," Noriyuki said still upset. "Should I get into a situation in which I receive an order from the shogun and I come to the conclusion that I see no way to fulfill my responsibility towards him, then it would be my duty to express my concerns in the proper way."

"Should the shogun then decide to ignore my concerns, which is his right as supreme ruler, then I would have to decide if I would have to end my own life or if I would be able to live with the consequences out of this decision. But as you surely know yourself, there is no simple answer to your question."

"Well, some people would not agree to that," T'he replied, "but who cares. Did the shogun ever give you a similar order?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm referring to the classic motive of the traitor: Wounded pride."

"My relationship with the shogun is untainted," Noriyuki retorted. "The current situation was the first one which did strain it and I hold no grudge against him because his decision to no longer trust me unconditionally is correct. I would have decided the same way in his place."

"I thank you," T'he bowed, "for the patience with which you did answer my questions."

Noriyuki just gave a curt nod. He was still pretty upset from the last questions.

"I will now ask you a couple of questions," Hanshiro said to Lord Arakawa and Sanraku. "It would be best if you just told me the first thing which crosses your mind. If you have to give it some thought, then this will adulterate the desired result."

"Some of my questions will seem to be strange of even unhonorable but this is to be expected because I haven't grown up in Japan and therefore, I'm lacking the necessary sense for the subtleties which are so very important for you. I would like to ask for your forgiveness for this. There is no evil intent behind my words."

"Lord Arakawa, Sanraku-san, my first question is: What was your first impression when you saw Lord Noriyuki again for the first time, today?"

"He seemed calm to me," Lord Arakawa replied, "or maybe composed would be a better word."

"My impression was that he seemed depressed but then, we all are," Sanraku described his feelings. "He seemed to be more depressed than he was last time I saw him but not much."

"Did you notice something which is unusual? Something which might not mean much but somehow still caught your attention?"

"He touches his head more often than I remember," Lord Arakawa said. Conscience-stricken, Noriyuki stopped to scratch himself and put the hand down.

"It might mean nothing," Sanraku said uneasily, "but I think that he moves a little bit slower than I remember."

"How much slower?" Hanshiro asked interestedly.

"It's really only a little difference," Sanraku defended himself.

"So you would say that his behavior hasn't changed very much or at least not in a noticeable way?"

Both agreed to that.

"How do you feel, Lord Noriyuki?"

"Exhausted, tired, sad," Noriyuki summarized.

"Is it a relaxed exhaustion? Maybe like after a long and perfect day?"

"No, more sadly. Or even desperate."

"Good. So it's probably no hypnosis or any other simple psycho-block. These often make the victims easy, happy and relaxed or they seem to be lethargic, tired and apathetic."

"Now, I would like you two to try to remember something which only Lord Noriyuki himself can know. Ideally something unimportant."

Lord Arakawa thought some time over this. "It's something very personal," he finally said. Then he went over the Noriyuki and whispered something into his ear. Ashamed, Noriyuki looked down. Then he whispered the answer into Arakawas ear.

"That is correct," Lord Arakawa confirmed and sat down again.

Sanraku took his time but then, he grinned. "It happened about two years ago. Only you and I were there. Jotaro made an unexpected visit and you said something which surprised us all."

"Two years ago," Noriyuki murmured straining his memory. "I'm sorry, I don't remember," he admitted after a while.

"It was during a visit of Lord Fujishima after a long negotiation about selling him a large amount of rice," Sanraku helped.

"Oh, yes," the lord said and smiled amusedly when the memory came back.

"Usagi?" he said in a surprised, sanguine tone of voice.

"Exactly!" Sanraku laughed. "I have to admit that at that moment, I took him for Usagi, too."

"Good," Hanshiro was pleased. "You really seem to be Noriyuki and not only someone who just looks like him. Shape-shifters can sometimes copy the memory of a person whom they plan to replace but usually, they don't burden themselves with too many details from that persons past."

"Did you notice anything unusual during the conversation between Lord Noriyuki and T'he?"

Lord Arakawa and Sanraku gave this some thought and then said no to this.

"That means there are three things left which could have happened but which I'm unable to find out," Hanshiro said.

'Hopefully, Usagi's estimation of him was right,' Noriyuki worried but without moving a muscle, 'or he will now give us away.'

"One possibility is that they did nothing to him and he is still the same Noriyuki who has left you a few weeks ago. Or maybe he is possessed."

"What does that mean?" Adviser Tekkan asked.

"Well, one can replace the soul of one being with the soul of another. The other soul can use the memories of the body and by this, deceive even people who knew the original soul very well."

"Sometimes, such a soul also hides at the "rim" of the consciousness of the possessed person and waits for the right moment to seize the control over the body but I cannot sense another being in Noriyukis body."

"But you cannot tell us if it is still Noriyuki in his own body who sits here with us?"

"Unfortunately not. For this, I would have to have met him before. I would have to know how his soul originally looked like, sort of."

"And the third possibility?"

"Well, he could do it willingly."

"I would never willingly go against the interests of my superior!" Noriyuki got excited.

"Maybe," Hanshiro said unconcerned, "but that doesn't mean that someone didn't show that you would serve the intentions of your superior this way."

Noriyuki relaxed again. As Usagi had predicted, Hanshiro had not mentioned the last possibility. He had got past the first hurdle without stumbling. Now, he could relax until Lord Fujishima arrived. Then, he would execute the next step in their plan. He hoped that by this time, there would be enough trust in him again, so he could make the planned attempt on the life of the shogun without great effort.

While Noriyuki had been lost in his own thoughts, Adviser Tekkan had thanked Lord Arakawa and Sanraku for their help.

"I will now return to the shogun to tell him what I've learned. Lord Noriyuki, I would like to ask you not to leave the camp until the shogun has made a decision."

"Of course, Adviser Tekkan. If you allow, I would like to retire. The last weeks have been very exhausting."

"Certainly, Lord Noriyuki. We will send for you as soon as the shogun has decided."

"We will stay close to Lord Noriyuki because Usagi will eventually return to him when he comes back. Furthermore," Khassar smirked, "this puts all trouble in one place."

"We would be pleased," Adviser Tekkan replied indignantly.

Lord Arakawa and Lord Noriyuki bowed and left the tent. Sanraku and Khassar with his men followed them.

The two lords said goodbye to each other. During this, Lord Arakawa mentioned his hope that Noriyuki was still himself.

"Not only because of the enormous military damage which every other possibility would mean," he added.

Noriyukis smile showed his tiredness. "I thank you for your sympathy."

Lord Arakawa nodded encouragingly and then joined Adviser Tekkan, who was on his way back to the shogun.

Noriyuki mounted his horse which a soldier held ready for him and was on his way back with the others. In quick words, Sanraku reported how far he had been able to execute the orders which his lord had given him.

Eventually, Noriyuki shook his head. "Let's continue this tomorrow. Right now, I just want to sleep."

"Of course, my lord," Sanraku apologized.

Silently, they rode the rest of the distance. Thoughtfully, Noriyuki looked at the huge Khassar who walked next to his horse. Even though Noriyuki was fully grown up and he was on horse-back, Khassars was at the same height as Noriyukis stomach. Many soldiers were surprised and looked curiously when the giant passed. When Noriyuki stood on the ground, Khassar towered two heads above him.

'I still have to tell them what Usagi expects them to do,' Noriyuki thought tired, 'so they don't ruin our plan accidentally.' He had been lucky so far but to depend on that would be taking too much risk.

'I wonder if Kusanagi influenced Hanshiro while we talked. The last things he had said had been so close to the truth and had fit perfectly into our plans. Pure chance?' he wondered. Then he shrugged. Surely, the sword supported Usagi as he did. But Usagi hadn't told him that he would order Kusanagi to support his plans here, so it would be better to act on the assumption that he was on his own.

He sighed. 'Things would be so much more simple if we could just talk with each other about everything.'

Then they arrived at his tent and Noriyuki was very glad that he would be able to escape his thoughts for a few hours.

Interlude

"You have us in your grip," Makiko complained bitterly.

The stranger gave a sigh. "Why is everyone complaining when I help them?"

"Help? How can you dare to say you would help Katsumi?"

"He is very unhappy right now," the stranger explained seriously. "And not because of what you or he is guessing I'm doing to him," he waved her protest off.

"He is pathologically ambitious. He craves for more and more power. But below these morbid actions, he just wants to be happy. He craves for security and thinks more power will make him more safe."

"But the more powerful one gets the more enemies one has. And to protect himself, he will try to get even more powerful and that means he is doomed to failure."

"But this ...," Makiko began and the stranger interrupter her again.

"I'd propose the following: Just stay for a few days and then have a look at him again. Then, you will be able to see for yourself."

"A few days?" Kimi asked in surprise. "Surely, something like that takes much longer!"

"Not at all," the stranger answered self-confidently. "When one knows how it works, it's pretty simple, actually. In this case, I'm doing something which Katsumi wants himself, as well. He just had no chance to try it, yet."

"And not to forget," he smiled knowingly, "Marena knows her job."

"What happens with my people in the meantime?" Makiko asked. "They will probably worry why we have vanished. If I don't return any time soon, then the ninjas will simply select a different leader and you will have to convince him, instead."

"Don't worry about that," the stranger smiled amusedly. "Your people don't even know that you have vanished. Since we left the clearing, none of them has even taken his next breath."

"What do you mean?" Makiko asked retchingly.

"You can stay as long as you want. If you return, then it will be at exactly the same point in time at which you left. No one will have noticed that you were absent at all."

Usagis Preparations

Together with the other lords and advisers, Hikiji and Usagi had made the plans for the coming battle. Some advisers had argued that they should attack before Lord Fujishima arrived but Hikiji and Usagi had rejected the proposal. They told everyone that they wanted a single, large, final battle.

The debate went on for a long part of the night. When it was over, Usagi looked forward to sleeping. 'Miyamoto Usagi, adviser of Lord Hikiji,' he thought amusedly before he fell asleep.

The next morning, he had a closer look at the camp together with Qu'ral and Himesama. Himesama had arrived with a group of her men who were probably meant as his bodyguard. To avoid too much trouble, he was now officially an adviser of Lord Hikiji who had kept the title tenno.

The mood of the soldiers was fine, very fine, in fact, they laughed and told jokes and no one seemed to worry about the next battle. Usagi was satisfied. He actually liked the way in which the young lord led his men. He even had to admit to himself that he was fond of the young lord and decided to try to save his life if that would be possible.

Qu'ral on the other hand always grimaced when soldiers boasted about their achievements in the last battle and how many enemies they had killed. He was especially unhappy when the soldiers told all the gory details.

"They are just children, Qu'ral," Usagi tried to comfort him.

"No being should enjoy killing," Qu'ral replied in a dark mood. "It's bad for the soul."

"I agree to that but you must give them time to find out themselves. Like children, they need time to learn that killing is a means for the weak and the helpless."

"During my journeys," Usagi went on, "I've met with many people who believed that the sole purpose of the samurai is to kill others and to fight in glorious battles. It's hard to make them understand that killing is only the ultimate means for a samurai when everything else has failed."

"Then these people here are no samurai," Qu'ral replied.

"The war takes its toll," Usagi agreed. "Only few of these soldiers have had a proper training. For many of them, bushido is probably just a word and no way of life. But if you judge them instead of offering them your help, then you force them to repeat the mistakes which you want them to avoid."

Thoughtfully, Qu'ral looked at Usagi but he didn't say anything anymore.

During the afternoon, Usagi met with the other four of his children who had joined Hikijis army. He realized that he didn't took her actions as treason anymore. He didn't know if he should be happy about his new tolerance. When he would put an end to all this, very many people would return home with a strong sense of guilt.

'Better than dead and maybe they will be more careful in their judgment, afterwards, too,' he thought for himself.

If was a pretty relaxed reunion when one took the circumstances into consideration. His children gave him lengthy reports about what had happened during the years in which he had been away. After that, they were of course very curious where he had been and what he had seen.

Usagi told them about how he had met Tep and of the wonders of the TAURUS. Full of astonishment, they hung on his lips. Amused, he compared their reactions with his own when he had experienced these things himself. Pau Tai had really done a good job on him. Compared to his children, he was much more tolerant and could simply accept many things while they were restricted by their prejudices and Japanese values.

He and his children had gone different ways. With regret, he realized that they wouldn't be able to follow him in his new world. Soon, they would either be dead or there would be a unsurmountable gap between them. They were his offsprings and he would always feel close to them and their children but now, he was immortal.

He would see what his offsprings would create in a hundred years.

They wouldn't.

Usagi began to discover the curse of immortality.

Even with his unhappy thoughts, he enjoyed it very much to be near them. Sure, the circumstances could have been better but for a few hours, this wouldn't bother him. For a few hours, they would just be happy together. Accumulating happiness and satisfaction to be able to meet the challenges of life again with new strength.

They dined together and talked for long hours. On their way back to their tents, Usagi held Goemon back because there was one more thing, he had to do today. Goemon had always been the most calm of his children. Even as a child, it had been very hard to upset him.

He had never paid much attention when other children had teased him and never been involved in fights. Usagi had hoped that he would once succeed him as the leader of the dojo; he would be a formidable sensei and a honorable role model for his pupils.

Composed as always, Goemon sat down in Usagis tent.

"Why are you here, Goemon? Why do you serve my arch-enemy Hikiji?" Usagi started the conversation.

As Usagi had expected, Goemon stayed calm.

"I'm wondering myself, father," he said thoughtfully, "and honestly, I don't know. I'm sure that it is the right thing to do but I just don't know why. I have betrayed the shogun and brought shame over my family but despite thinking of myself as loyal and honorable, I still know that I did the right thing. May I ask you the same question, father?"

"I'm here because of Kusanagi," Usagi simply replied.

"The sword of Lord Hikiji?"

"No," Usagi replied, "I'll show you what I mean."

Goemon watched his father intently while Usagi concentrated. He had no idea if he had to do anything special. If he should succeed to get the young Hikiji out of this alive, he would have to ask the lord to tell him everything he knew about the sword.

'Release my son Goemon, Kusanagi!' Usagi ordered and watched the face of Goemon. Kusanagi acknowledged.

Goemons composure broke down like a hole at the beach when a wave washes over it.

"Heavens! What have I done!" he whispered horrified and Usagi relaxed. If all the other people would show the same reaction, then his plan would work.

"Calm down!" Usagi said forcefully while Goemon all of a sudden was able again to realize the whole extend of his treason and his dishonor. Now, after Kusanagi has released him from its influence, he was able to do that, again.

"Goemon! It's not as bad as you think!" Usagi spoke at him.

"How can you say that?" Goemon asked and his voice shook. "I've betrayed the shogun! Noriyuki! You! Everyone who put their trust in me! Myself! What could be worse?"

"Pay attention to your emotions!" Usagi ordered instead and concentrated on Kusanagi, once more.

'I want that he calms down again,' he ordered and Kusanagi confirmed the order.

"What happens to me? What are you doing?" Goemon asked completely calm again. He was apparently afraid of the course of events but he still stayed calm and composed.

"It's Kusanagi, Goemon."

"The sword?"

"It's a weapon, a bit like the one which Pau Tai did use a few times."

"I see. It's controlling us. That's why we have been able to commit the treason in the first place," he said amazedly. "And even though I know that someone or something does manipulate me, I feel no difference."

"Everyone feels like that. Listen, here is my plan ...," Usagi started and then told his son what he planned to do.

"What do you try to achieve by this?" Goemon asked after Usagi had finished.

"I want to end this war with the least possible amount of casualties," Usagi replied.

Goemon immediately realized the weakness of the plan and he asked Usagi how he planned to solve this.

"That's why I need you," Usagi said. Intently, Goemon listened.

"I guess that could actually work," his son finally admitted.

Interlude

After Marena had worked in him for more than eight hours, she released Katsumi. Exhausted, he fell on the ground. He was much too worn out to complain about his fate or even to spend a single thought about it. He just lay on the ground as he had fallen down and fell into an exhausted sleep.

Marena was quite happy how things had worked out. Katsumi of course still resisted her but soon, he would yield. Gently, she stroked the motionless body. He was much too exhausted to give any reaction. She had pushed him to the limit but no further.

She really liked her job. She licked her lips in anticipation. Tomorrow, they would continue.

Lord Fujishima

After two weeks, Lord Fujishima arrived and was greeted with much enthusiasm. His arrival was taken as a sign that Noriyuki had not betrayed them.

It was Noriyuki himself who received him and accompanied him to the Shogun. With regret, Lord Fujishima learned that Noriyukis companions had been killed and he expressed his condolences.

"I hope," Lord Fujishima said, "that this is not a bad sign."

"I take it as a positive omen that I'm the only one who ever met with Hikiji and still returned," Noriyuki replied.

"So there is hope?"

"Have you seen the size of Hikijis army?" Noriyuki asked instead.

"Terrifying," Fujishima admitted.

"Yes," Noriyuki confessed, "and yes, I still have hope."

"May I ask for the reasons behind this?"

"An old friend of mine, Miyamoto Usagi, has returned a short time ago. He told me that he might be able to help."

"The founder of the Shiroi Usagi Dojo?"

"The same."

"He and his pupils are well respected," Fujishima admitted, "but can one man really achieve anything?"

"If I had only seen him, then I would be full of doubts, too," Noriyuki replied truthfully, "but he said that he will be able to help and I trust his word. And none of us would have believed that Hikiji would survive, not to speak of winning, the battle of Ueda where we had a tenfold superiority."

"That is true," Fujishima agreed.

Then they had arrived at the tent of the shogun and stepped inside.

Fortunately, Noriyuki had been able to talk with Hanshiro while they had been alone for a few moments and to tell him the basics of their plan in a few words. Therefore, no one in the camp of the shogun knew for sure if Hikiji actually owned Kusanagi and what the sword was capable of.

Instead, rumors about dark forces which were used by Hikiji spread through the camp.

The shogun was also very glad about Lord Fujishimas arrival and he thanked Noriyuki once more for his successful negotiations.

During the afternoon, a courier arrived with the message from Hikiji. The message asked if the shogun was expecting any further reinforcements and if not, then he'd like to propose to resolve their conflict once and for all in three days on the battlefield.

This impertinence made many lords and advisers blush in rage. The shogun just told the courier to relate that they would be ready.

With that, Noriyuki knew when he had to strike.

They used the remaining time to integrate the troops of Lord Fujishima into their ranks and to tell the lord about which strategy they intended to use.

Interlude

Marena had a short meeting with her owner who had watched the recordings of her session with Katsumi and who gave her now a few hints how things could be improved. As usual, she could only marvel at the simple elegance of his thoughts.

When she returned to the training room, Katsumi had already awoken. As the day before, she attached the leash on his ring and led him to the lavatory. After he had cleaned himself with her help, they went back.

In the meantime, Tep had created a rich and delicious breakfast for them which even the reluctant Katsumi ate with ardor.

Then they went on with his training. Katsumi was still terribly stiff and prude. But the longer she worked on him, the lower his resistance got. He was ready in the evening of the second day.

"Why do you resist me so much?" she asked sulkingly. "Don't you enjoy learning from me?"

Katsumi, who lay once more on the ground, exhausted and breathing heavily, thought about this. "It's the fact that I have to do it, mistress," he admitted honestly. "If it weren't for this horrible ring, then it would be much more simple for me."

And she knew that he was on her hook, now. "But doesn't that simply mean," she purred into his ear, "that you don't want it?"

"I could force you to do anything I want," she went on and he made an unhappy face, "but I don't. Did I ever ask something from you which you really found unpleasant?"

"Well," he started unsurely.

"Made you do something that you really didn't want?" she whispered in his ear.

He remained silent and just stared at the ceiling.

"Why don't you simply give up your fears?" she asked. "And you to myself?"

"Trusting me?" her seductive voice purred.

'Why not?' he asked himself. She had told him about her care-free life here. How old she really was and what she had experienced. Had brought him closer to his body and his needs than anyone before.

She licked gently over his cheek and he kissed her full of passion.

Giving himself to her and the kiss.

Accepting his fate.

In this night, he was perfectly happy for the first time in his whole life.

Assassination

Ferdo carefully disinfected the Wakizashi(6) and its scabbard and then handed both back to Lord Noriyuki.

"And you are sure that I shouldn't come with you just in case?" Hanshiro asked one last time.

Noriyuki shook his head. "That would only mean a higher risk. If something should go wrong, then I've sacrificed my life to save many and that is enough for me."

Then the lord stepped outside to his waiting bodyguard and was on his way to the shogun.

It was the last council before the battle tomorrow. Most of the lords and advisers were already there and Noriyuki was one of the last ones to arrive. Since the council trusted him again, his place was close to the shogun.

The last messages were received and a few details of the battle plan were adjusted accordingly. All in all, they were satisfied with what they had achieved. Of course, their chances for a victory were still low but Hikiji would pay dearly for his victory.

At least they hoped so.

And even if no one mentioned it, everyone here realized that to win a battle in this war, one needed more than just careful planning. Unfortunately, Hanshiro hadn't been able to provide them with more information how they could have increased their chances.

The wizard had reported truthfully that great magical powers could be felt in the camp of Hikiji but he hadn't been able to tell them what they could have done against them.

Then the shogun thanked them and wished them all best of luck for the battle of tomorrow.

'Now,' Noriyuki thought and tried to push his wakizashi into the heart of the shogun.

It went much better than he had hoped.

A cry of terror went through the convention.

When Noriyuki already feared he would have to act as if he tried force himself to change the direction of the push, the shogun moved, turned to the side and Noriyuki could ram his short sword with all his strength into the arm of the shogun.

Pure terror showed on the face of the shogun.

Noriyuki grimaced demonically and pulled his short sword out of the wound as if to stab again.

Finally, the others broke out of their torpidity and lunged at Noriyuki.

Out of relief that everything had gone so smoothly, Noriyuki almost forgot to struggle.

"Don't kill him!" the shogun yelled. "We need him alive!"

Several soldiers held Noriyuki in their grip until he stopped to break free. Someone took his katana and searched him brutally for hidden objects.

A disrespectful smile in his face, Noriyuki looked at the shogun. He laughed sneeringly.

"You just retard the inevitable," he said with a changed voice. "Tomorrow, my son will kill you all. And without Noriyuki, this will be easier than stealing candy from a child!"

He laughed once more and then Noriyuki let himself collapse.

When he came up again, he blinked confused into the horrified faces of the others. Apparently, they had swallowed the deception. Skillfully, he had turned their greatest fears into reality and willingly, they had swallowed the bait.

He had to admit that it was quite hard to act confused and surprised when one actually wanted to dance from joy.

Interlude

On the third day of his training, Marena was supported by the stranger. Together, they showed Katsumi things he would have never believed possible. He had given up his resistance completely and now enthusiastically devoted himself to his new fate.

In the evening, he knew all he had to know. Now, he had to use his knowledge in practice.

His former life had faded away so much by then that it already seemed like an unreal dream to him.

With a satisfied smile, he fell asleep.

Next part