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Change cannot be stopped, one must accept it, or suffer.

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"Where are they going? The rest of the force is moving west," Aoi hissed softly,

looking to Usuyami. The pair had heard the band of Gasaran samurai clattering along behind

them before they were spotted, so they had time to find a spot to hide. With a bit of work,

they got into a nearby tree overlooking the road. "This road leads to Kifu, and then

Tetsumo... do you think they're attacking there?"

Usuyami nodded, "It's likely. We have enough people at home to defend for

months; they may be setting a siege."

Aoi frowned and looked to the tall trail of smoke that was the trademark of

Tetsumo. The smoke from the forge could be seen for several Ri in every direction, and they

were at least a half-day's march from getting there. She looked to Usuyami and

nodded, "there's not too many of them, maybe we coul- AGH!" Aoi's eyes went wide as the

arrow that sprouted from her right knee made her topple out of the tree slowly.

Usuyami hissed as the string of her bow give its telltale snap, and one of the

Gasaran archers died. She caught the Falling Aoi and drew her sword, staring down the

twelve remaining Rats with a wild fury in her eyes. She set the injured Aoi down gently as the

Rats moved around her, "don't move, I'll deal with them." Aoi nodded, gritting her teeth

through the pain.

"Surrender, woman, and we'll spare your life long enough to enjoy us!" the largest

one snarled. He died a moment later as a throwing knife sprouted from his left eye.

Usuyami's tail swung back behind her and she crouched low, "Worry about your

own souls, if you have them, wastelings! You won't survive now even if you BEG!" She

charged the bunch, the lot of them startled by the ferocity that she tore into them with. First

to fall was the poor spearman right in front of her. Her blade swatted the spearhead away and

then rode down the side of the haft, biting in at one point and splitting the wood of it. Without

halting the followed through and snapped the sword around, taking his hands off at the wrists

and then his head. By the time he hit the ground the others were in motion. Her tail caught

the one to her right as she continued her leftward spin, the knife held in the tip sticking in his

chest as she engaged the other. Two rings of steel on steel and his sword arm went flying,

removed at the shoulder. A hard kick sent him falling backward into the next three, who

scattered to avoid being knocked over.

An arrow zipped past her cheek and she rammed her sword through the middle of

the rightmost of the three she now faced. With a grunt she pulled his stabbed bulk between

her and the archer that was behind them as he fired again, the arrow sticking into the back of

the stabbed rat, killing him as well.

"Stop gawking and Kill her!" one of them shouted as he pushed past the other

three behind her and grabbed her lashing tail. Giving a yank he was more than astonished

when the rest of her followed at a much faster rate than he pulled. She twisted in midair

catching his neck with her foot and pushing him to the ground. Her sword came around and

split the snout of the one to her right as her foot crushed the loud one's neck. Another snap

of her tail parried a stab from one of the others, while another fired arrow lodged in the base

of her fifth limb. She hissed but didn't stop. Switching hands she picked up one of the crude,

hard iron blades of the felled ones and shoved up into the crotch of the foremost Gasaran,

who had decided to leap at her in an attempt to take her head off. Her left wrist flicked and

she blindly parried the strike from the spearman to her left. Tuning quickly she gripped her

sword properly again and lunged, the arrow meant for her head streaking through her hair as

she cut the spearman from collar to hip, turning to face the remaining three.

The archer took aim as she parried and dispatched one of the other two with a

clawed strike to his neck, tearing the front of his throat out. He screeched a curse as he fired

and then watched in horror as she caught the arrow in her offhand and crushed the other

swordsman's head in half with an overhand strike that cut cleanly through his lesser blade.

Before he could nock another arrow she had her bow unslung and drawn, his own arrow on

the string and aimed right at him. "W-we were just following orders!"

"Then you were ordered to die," she snarled and loosed the crude shaft into the

last foe's head. Quickly she turned to Aoi who was struggling to sit up against the Tree. "Aoi-

chan! Don't move," she slid into the dirt and quickly pulled out her knife, hacking the long end

of the arrow off and opening the hole in the fabric around it further.

"I... I'm all right, Usu-chi... I just... I should have been a better help." Aoi reached

a bit and smiled sadly.

"Don't you dare," Usuyami scoffed at her, taking her hand as she eyed the shot.

Before she did anything else, she tore a strip off her clothes and tied it tight around Aoi's leg,

above the wound, in case the thing was poisoned. "It's going to hurt," she nodded to her

friend and love.

Aoi's ears were flat and she grimaced, "It already hurts!" She yelped as Usuyami

used a stick to twist the tourniquet tighter.

"We'll have the surgeons look at it when we get back," Usuyami nodded, "don't try

to stand on it."

Aoi laughed through her pain a bit, "I wouldn't, even if you hadn't dolt me not to."

"Serves the bitch right," the Gasaran who'd lost his arm snickered as he sat

up, "Y-you're all going to die, and there's nothing you can do about it."

Usuyami narrowed her eyes as she set Aoi's hand in her lap and stood, stalking

over to the Rat and snatching the front of his clothing up, dragging him to his feet. "Perhaps.

But you won't be around to see it, vermin."

He spat at her, "do your worst, woman. You're still dead."

She bared sharp teeth and hissed, "Not yet. And you can't imagine my worst."

She threw him to the ground and pulled off the top of one of his accomplices wrapping it

around him and cinching it up tightly.

Aoi leaned up a bit, "Usu-chi?! What are you doing?"

He groaned and blinked, "y-you're saving me?"

"You won't die here, that much is certain," her reply was Icy as she went back to

Aoi. Once she supported her, Aoi limping along on her good leg; Usuyami reached over,

grabbing the Gasaran and dragging him through the dirt as they continued on to Tetsumo.

---

"HALT!" the Guard shouted from the lookout, "Who goes there?" Four archers

aimed at the outsider standing at the gates of Tetsumo.

Shifting Aoi's weight on her shoulder a bit, she looked up, "Gonji, Let me in. I've

got a prisoner."

"Sh-Shidomori-sama?!" he gasped, "Open the gates! Do it now, you lot!" within

moments the large gate was swinging inward, pulled by twenty men as Usuyami dragged the

rat through the opening. In a moment, four armed guards had the rat on his feet, but she

stopped them, "Don't kill him! Take him to the Cells, I'll be there later."

The guards nodded, Eager to slay the rat, but knowing better than to anger the

Lady of Tetsumo. The guard captain stepped up, "Shidomori-sama, someone arrived after

you left that you must see to. We are all puzzled by her." He waved over some others, who

brought a litter to carry the injured Aoi on.

Usuyami either ignored him, or was too focused on Aoi to respond, she gave her

friend's hand a squeeze as Aoi smiled bravely, "I'll deal with thing and come see you when

they're done."

Aoi nodded and gave Usuyami's sleeve a tug. As Usuyami leaned in, Aoi lifted

her head and pressed her lips to her love's. The guards that were there blinked and gawked a

bit, some blushed. Usuyami blushed as well and tapped Aoi's nose when they broke the

kiss.

Gonji coughed a bit, and Usuyami nodded to him, "I'll see to her after I see the

prisoner." He bowed in response as the Lady of Tetsumo walked through her city to the

prison. Soft cheers from the people sounded at her return, and her worry was buoyed by the

swell of pride she felt for her town.

---

"it's about time," the Gasaran hissed venomously, "I was waiting for someone to

take care of my request and go get me a whore."

Usuyami didn't reply, or even seem to bristle at the comment; she simply

unlocked his cell and stepped in, grabbing him by the severed shoulder and shoving him out.

Her vicious grip and handling make him wince and grit. She pushed and dragged him out of

the prison, leading him to the forge. The assembled townsfolk all glared at him and he simply

smirked. Usuyami gave him a shove, hissing sternly at him as she pushed him through the

massive door that they brought the carts in through. He looked to her as he stumbled

along, "What? Hot irons? If you're going to torture me, you'll have to do worse than that..."

"Who said anything about torture?" she shrugged, roughly slamming him against

one of the thick pillars and tossing a length of rope around him and the pillar several times,

binding his arm behind him.

At the possible mirth in her tone, the rat flattened his ears and regarded her

differently. He'd heard that tone before, from some of the Gasaran leaders before slaughtering

someone in their army. He knew firsthand that his leaders used fear and anger to keep the

troops in line. He watched as she walked to a weapons rack and picked up a spear. He

mustered himself and scoffed, "Hah, not even going to give me an honorable death?"

She turned back, spear in hand as her eyes narrowed down and her opaline

scales seemed to almost darken for a moment, "what makes you think that you deserve

one?"

The Rat's eyes went wide in fury, "I am still samurai!"

"Are you?" she stepped closer, "then what gives you and all the other Gasaran's

the right to decide that everyone else should die?"

"She same thing that gives all of you the right to treat us like trash!" he spat, "My

family was of the Akanti clan! When my father saved the head retainer's life, that same

retainer twisted the facts to make it so â€"he- save my father! They branded my father a liar

and a coward, and he was cast out! Even now, all of you! You look at me like I'm some sort

of diseased creature, not worthy to shine your geta!" he silenced himself as the spear hit

home in the wood of the pillar right next to his ear.

Usuyami was glaring at him, "They look at you as an enemy, because you have

attacked our home for years. You and your clans have killed brothers, sons, sisters,

daughters... your companions injured my friend, my love. Yet when we send messengers

and emissaries to discuss things â€"peacefully-, your leaders send their head back in buckets

of excrement." She glared and pulled the spear free, "We treat you as you claim, because

there is no civility, no remorse, and no consideration given by you. I have quite a few Nezujin

in my city, all of them weep as the town goes out of their way to see that they are not

mistreated, or downtrodden. They are fine citizens, and hard workers, and I am proud to say

they are of Tetsumo."

The rat did not speak. His jaw clenched as he mulled over what she had said. He

looked to her as she straightened.

"And now, your Clans have gathered to march on Ippon and destroy everyone...

why?"

He bit his lip, knowing she was asking him for information as an enemy, knowing

what the leaders would do to him if they found out he had told her. He hung his head, "I don't

know why. The lords command and we follow. Those who question or rebel are slaughtered,

or worse." He looked off, ashamed.

She nodded, "I believe you." She sighed, "What is your name."

"Seski," he muttered.

She took a slow breath, "I will unbind you. And I will give you a choice." He looked

to her, astounded. "Once you are unbound, you can walk out of this city, unmolested, no one

will stop you. Or, you can swear yourself to this city and her safety, answering to my mercy

and judgment should you betray our trust."

Komori Seski blinked in awe. She had not even scratched him, but he had

answered all she asked honestly. He had only told two truths in his entire life, first when he

admitted to stealing his father's sword to fight a rival when he was a boy; and the second

when he admitted to mating the retainer's wife under threat of death. As he went over his life

in his head, he noticed her untying him, and when the ropes hit the floor, his knees did as

well.

"Lady of Tetsumo," he trembled, bracing himself with his one arm as he blinked

tears from his amazed eyes, "I... I have never known one such as you." He swallowed,

unable to understand where his tears came from, or why. "You spared me among my fellows.

Why, I cannot imagine. But you have shown what a waste my life has been. Please accept

my apologies for my actions. I... I don't know what's come over me. But I swear that I will

serve Tetsumo all the remainder of my days." He looked up timidly, expecting the spear, or a

lash, but he jumped as her hand touched his injured shoulder softly.

"Thank you Seski-dono, I accept your apology and your fealty. You are welcome

here." She smiled softly at him and nodded, "come with me, we'll have the surgeons tend

your shoulder."

"Yes, my lady." He bowed and stood, surprised that she helped him as well. He

felt light, as if his body weighed nothing. A great darkness had been lifted from his back, and

he straightened, his ears and the corners of his mouth pulling back into a giddy smile as he

walked behind the Lady of Tetsumo, proud to follow her, even into the maw of Gasara himself.

---

Aoi blinked at the Rat as he knelt before her. "Please accept my apologies for

attacking you, my lady. I was following orders that I now fully regret."

Aoi looked to Usuyami who simply smiled broadly and nodded. She blinked and

rubbed her ear a bit, "Ah... I accept your apology. You are...?"

"Komori Seski, Miss." He spoke proudly, though he kept his head low.

Usuyami patted his good shoulder, "Thank you Seski, head around the corner,

Yuutsui will see to your shoulder."

"Yes ma'am." He nodded and stepped swiftly.

Aoi boggled and shook her head, "I know there's a story to that, but you can tell

me later."

Usuyami nodded and smiled, "how are you feeling?"

"My knee hurts," Aoi nodded, and then her face darkened a bit, "they say that I'll

never be able to walk on it again."

Usuyami's heart dropped. She gave a saddened whine, "Aoi-chan..."

Aoi bit back tears and nodded, "I will still be here, always for you. But... I can't go

with you anymore." She gave a little groan as the two embraced, Usuyami clinging to her

tightly. "We had... so many adventures..."

Usuyami nodded, "We'll have plenty more..."

"You're a horrible liar," Aoi leaned into her and sighed. She pushed Usuyami back

to look at her, "Promise me... you'll be safe? Don't be so reckless?"

Usuyami gave a soft little laugh and nodded, kissing her love, "I promise I will try."

"Good," Aoi nodded, "because I'm sending someone with you in my place."

"What?" Usuyami blinked. And turned to where Aoi looked.

Standing in the door was one of Aoi's maids; the most noted one, in fact.

Usuyami had met her several times, and they'd had some conversation before. The cobalt-

furred Kyujin maid bowed and smiled, "It will be an honor to be of use to you, Shidomori-

sama." She smiled brightly, Aqua eyes shimmering.

Usuyami blinked, "Kanohime?"

The blue vixen nodded happily and stepped over, carrying a basket of items, "Yes

ma'am."

Aoi giggled a bit, "Tsukino has my instructions to keep you safe and keep you

happy."

Usuyami blushed and glared at Aoi a bit, "you don't mean... ‘Happy'... like..."

"That is exactly what I mean," Aoi nodded.

Tsukino lowered her ears, "Am I not acceptable to you, Shidomori-sama?"

Usuyami gasped, "Ah! No! I... mean... you are! I just..." she turned to Aoi and

hissed, "This isn't just some wandering trip to visit another clan, you know!"

"She knows," Aoi nodded, patting Usuyami's shoulder. "She's an accomplished

fighter, and I've personally seen to it that she can handle almost any sort of trouble you can

get into."

Usuyami growled a bit.

"As for the other part, I was going to explain that after you left to see the visitor we

have," Aoi nodded.

"Visitor?"

Tsukino nodded, "Yes Ma'am She arrived a while ago, and they put her in the

guest room of your home. She is... Odd."

"What do you mean ‘Odd'?" Usuyami tilted her head.

"You should see for yourself, my lady, it is really impossible to describe, I'm

sorry." The blue vixen bowed in apology.

"All right," Usuyami hissed a bit, "But I'm going to have a long talk with you later

on," she glared at Aoi a bit and pointed at her.

Aoi smiled and nodded, "I understand, don't keep our guest waiting."

Usuyami pointed at her more and wrinkled her lips, "Mmm... you..." she sighed

and shook her head, walking out and up the hill to her house...