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Happiness to Destruction, Destruction to Hope...

"What is the meaning of this?!" Aritseru was stunned beyond belief. In the middle of a

meeting with his advisors, the doors had been flung open and Shuji Yarimoto, along with

Usuyami Shidomori, Stormed in. Behind shuji was the foreign girl, though nobody paid her

any mind, for she behaved as a simple handmaid. The Court was agape at the lack of

manners and courtesy, while Aritseru was aghast. Both of the Jirajin Samurai were fully

armed, and they both looked quite hostile. The Guards were on their feet, ready to draw, but

Aritseru held them with an open palm.

"Lord Kajikuro," Shuji began evenly, the annoyance or anger audible in his tone, "You

have some explaining to do."

Aritseru backpedaled quickly, offering a polite bow and a smile, "You have me at a

disadvantage, Yarimoto... I do not understand what you mean."

Usuyami's eyes narrowed at the lack of manners from Aritseru, but she held her

tongue. She was not a Clan Lord, and so she was outranked. Shuji ignored the targeted

insult and nodded, tossing the freshly removed head of Kuji Morisa toward Aritseru, landing

the thing at his feet. Everyone reeled back at this, for to touch a corpse, or even handle a

part of one was something serious. "This man attacked us. I do believe he is in your service,

is he not?"

Aritseru clenched his fist, growling, "Yes, he is. He was ordered to visit you and

prostrate himself for attacking you in the street. I did not think he would attack you again."

Aritseru sighed and bowed low, "Please accept my apologies for this horrible act."

Shuji smirked and nodded, "Do not trouble yourself, Lord Kajikuro. I do not think the

man was himself. His eyes were not that of an enraged killer, but those of a man who was

already dead."

Aritseru straightened, "What do you mean?"

Usuyami sighed and stepped forward, overstepping her place, but not caring, "The

Gasaran clans are gathering. We believe they intend to wipe out civilization as we know it."

Aritseru raised an eyebrow, "The Gasaran Clans, eh? And why would they unite after

thousands of years of infighting?" He shook his head, smiling, "No, Shidomori-san, I do not

think we have anything to fear from those rabble here in Eizu."

Usuyami was about to shout at him when Shuji's hand pressed on her shoulder. He

nodded to her and spoke to Aritseru, "Whether you believe it or not, Lord Kajikuro, An

amassed force of Gasaran Fanatics will be trouble for any army. In any case, we accept your

apology for your man's misconduct." Shuji bowed, and smirked, "Now, if you'll excuse me,

there's a festival I'd like to enjoy." He nodded to Usuyami, "Care to join me, Shidomori-

dono?"

Aritseru ruffled but returned the bow, then interjected, "Actually, I would like to speak

to Shidomori-san, if she does not mind."

Usuyami sighed inwardly, this was the part she'd been dreading. She nodded to Shuji

and smiled, "I'm sure it's just for a moment. You two go and enjoy the festival, I'll catch up."

Shuji nodded, easily picking up on her mood, and smiled, "All right." He turned to

Summer and smiled, "Shall we go, Natsumi-chan?"

Summer blinked and looked up at being spoken to and smiled, giving a happy; "Yes!"

The pair left, and Usuyami sighed, turning back to face Aritseru.

"We will discuss plans for the city later, gentlemen. You may leave." Aritseru said

tersely, indicating that the advisors were to leave the room without complaint, which they

did. The last left and the maid closed the door from the outside. Aritseru smiled, "So, you

arrived a day early... why is that?"

Usuyami sighed, bowing slightly, "I have been here for two days now, Lord."

Aritseru felt a shiver of rage slither up his spine, but he checked it and nodded, "I see...

you still did not say why, though."

She nodded again and spoke calmly, "I expected you to make a grand fuss about my

arrival, Lord, and I simply wished to enjoy your city for a bit without being treated in such

high regards." She smiled softly, keeping standing and still, as her training and rank

demanded.

"So what do you think of my city?" Aritseru leaned on the small table to his left,

smirking. His eyes took in her beauty, drinking of her presence. She was close enough, that

if he moved quickly, he could tackle her to the floor and claim her. But that was not what he

wanted. He was Aritseru Kajikuro, Lord of Eizu, not some common rapist.

Usuyami nodded, "Honestly, Lord?"

"Honestly..."

She sighed and nodded politely, "I do not like the smell, Lord. I am used to the forges

of my Tetsumo, and the masses of people in your city make for a much different smell to the

city."

Aritseru blinked. He had not expected that. A furrow of annoyance crossed his

brow, "you mean to say my city stinks?"

Usuyami nodded, "I believe it is only to me, Lord, for none others I know seem to

notice it. Even my retainer, Yanagi, does not mention it."

Aritseru chuckled, "So, you can take the Smith out of the town, but you cannot take the

Town out of the Smith, eh?"

She returned the smile and bowed politely for a change, "The Steel of Tetsumo rides in

the Blood of her People."

"Truer words I've never heard, Shidomori-san. May I ask where you are staying?"

"My retinue and I will be lodged at the Inn of The Blue Heron by morning," Usuyami

nodded.

He raised an eyebrow, inwardly grinning as he sprung his trap, "Perhaps you would

enjoy the Guests area here in my castle? There is room enough for you and your... retinue."

He stood slowly, "And you would have a much better view of the Fireworks over the western

cliffs."

Usuyami grimaced in her mind, cursing the arrogance of the man before her, but she

knew it was a formal invitation, and to refuse would be very impolite and dishonorable. She

nodded and bowed a bit, "I accept, but only for a single night. We are to head to Kotumu

within three days, and there are preparations to be made that regretfully are of importance

to my clan, and should not be discussed within these walls."

Aritseru raised an eyebrow, "You insinuate that I would Spy on you, Shidomori-san?"

"My father taught me that everyone would Spy on everyone else, Lord. I mean no

offense, it is simply my ways," she bowed politely.

"Ahhh, Hakkichi-sama was a Great man," Aritseru nodded, adapting his snare and

smiling at the fortune she had thrown his way, "But surely you would not need your entire

retinue for a single night's stay in my home?"

Usuyami stiffened, realizing what she had done and sighing, "Y-yes... you are indeed

correct... Then I and My retainer would accept your fine hospitality." She bowed politely and

spoke, "If you would excuse me, Lord. The Lord Yarimoto is expecting me. I will come again

tomorrow evening."

Aritseru nodded, "I await the hour of your arrival with much excitement, Shidomori-

san." Aritseru bowed in return, ad Usuyami left in a hurry. He laughed silently to himself and

waited a moment to signal for one of his maids. She bowed humbly and she spoke to her, "I

will retire to my room. Send for Kiku and Sika."

The maid gawked, "Both of them Lord?"

Aritseru glared at her, "Are you deaf?"

"Lord!" she hurried away, bowing low the whole time. Aritseru grinned, tonight he would

celebrate. For tomorrow, Usuyami Shidomori would be his.

Usuyami shivered violently. Summer looked at her and blinked, "You okay, yes?"

Usuyami blinked at the foreign girl's features being brought so close. She was rather

striking, and her appearance certainly was that of a native. Usuyami nodded and smiled, "y-

yes... Just a chill."

Shuji laughed, "I'd think Aritseru was thinking about you."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," she hissed.

Shuji laughed again, his spear resting over his shoulder, "so how long has he been

trying to claim you?"

Usuyami sighed, "About three years now."

Summer blinked, "Scary Lord want Usu-sama?"

Usuyami blinked at the shortening of her name and laughed a little, "Yes."

Shuji smiled, "Hey, look there." He had pointed out a festival stall, where they were

tossing braided rings of cord over gifts that could be won.

Summer giggled and ran over to watch, with Shuji and Usuyami trailing. Shuji put down

the 5 mon for the game, and he got three rings to toss. The first ring bounced just short of

his target, a small dagger with a beautifully painted scabbard. The second toss ringed it, and

he won the knife. With the last toss, he grinned and whinged the ring, making it bounce off

the back wall of the stall and fly right at Summer's head. She squeaked and put her hands

up, and the ring went neatly over her hand, ending up on her arm.

"Now THAT is a prize!" He laughed, making the onlookers and everyone laugh. Summer

blushed, and hung her head.

Usuyami nudged Shuji's arm, "you're embarrassing her, you know."

Shuji smiled and grinned, the pleasant mood of the evening starting to hit him, "well I

could embarrass you, Shidomori-dono."

Usuyami backed up, blushing and raising an eyebrow, "what are you plotting?"

Shuji laughed and shook his head, "Nothing at all, Shidomori-dono."

Sika Najiashi smiled at the trembling golden-furred rasagan girl, patting her small

shoulder, "Do not fear, Kiku-chan, The Lord treats his women well. Just remember what I

told you, and you will do fine."

Kiku Sasari blushed and tried desperately to contain her nerves. "Sika-san, I have

never..."

Sika blinked, "never?"

Kiku shook her head as the pair walked along the halls of Eizu castle, the hallways

guards eyeing them over, likely imagining what they would soon be doing. Sika was

awestruck from the young filly's revelation however, "But then... how did you come to be

here?"

"I... I was always asked to just touch and lick..."

Sika nodded, understanding, "Ahh, I see... Well... I shall let the Lord know."

"Thank you, Sika-san." And the two went silent as they were let into Aritseru's personal

chamber.

He lounged on a large, thick futon, seemingly irritated, "It's about time..."

Sika grimaced inwardly. He was in a bad mood, which meant he would be demanding

and rough. "Apologies, Lord, but we wished to be perfect for you."

He glowered and sighed, "Well, you succeeded."

Kiku bowed, "Thank you lord."

Sika smiled and knelt behind Aritseru, "perhaps a massage, my lord?"

He nodded and sat up, "That's the best thing I've heard all day..."

Sika smiled to Kiku and nodded. The younger girl blushed at her suikajin mentor and

shuffled closer on her knees.

"Lord? What would pleasure you tonight?" Kiku crooned in her sweetest tones, expertly

snuffing the fear in her voice.

Aritseru smiled, "I have yet to decide..." He gave a soft groan as Sika's experienced

fingers stabbed the tension out of his shoulders. He took his time admiring the young girl

before him, glad he had acquired her from the Tea house he had seen her at. He had paid

almost one and a half times what her contract was worth, but he felt it justified now, seeing

her unspoiled beauty now before him.

Sika smiled, "My lord would be pleased to know, Kiku-chan has not known any male in

her treasured places." She licked at Aritseru's ear playfully and whispered to him

alone, "She is quite nervous, Ari-chan."

"I see..." Aritseru smiled, "We may well have to change that..." his tone caused Kiku to

give a slight whimper and squirm a little. "But, I think I am needing some... 'Other'

attentions." He reached up and gently caressed the back of Kiku's head, smiling softly as his

yukata started to form a bit of a tent in his lap.

Kiku noticed the cue and blinked at her lord shyly, licking her lips and leaning down,

pulling the yukata aside to reveal Aritseru's emerging shaft. She paused momentarily, as he

was a bit larger than she had expected, and took a steadying breath, exhaling softly over

the soft-skinned spire before her lips. With a cautious nuzzle, she licked him once along the

side, making the lord of Eizu shiver slightly.

"That's a girl..." he smiled, rubbing between her lowered ears encouragingly as Sika

watched the younger girl over his shoulder. Sika was in her late twenties, but Kiku was just

seventeen. The girl showed promise. Sika smiled and embraces Aritseru, pressing against

his back and kissing at his neck while the younger girl took the engorged tip of their lord's

length into her velveteen lips, sucking softly and moaning over his taste.

Aritseru held a soft groan and gave the smaller Kiku a soft nudge to signal her to stop.

Kiku blinked and tilter her head, licking her lips, "Lord?"

"I think," Aritseru reached out and touched her cheek softly, "that it is time you knew

what a man felt like."

Kiku shivered and tensed, but she could not, and did not wish to, refuse. She gave a

small nod and looked to Sika, who was already pulling their lord's yukata away, finally

revealing all of him to the younger girl. Aritseru gently laid her back and slipped her kimono

aside to let him see her unspoiled gate. With a smile and a look to her he leaned in, her

scent swimming through his head as he reached out with his tongue and felt himself shiver.

Sika had felt the shiver too, however, and she blinked, "Lord... what was that?"

Aritseru stopped, bristling at the interruption, but reminding himself it was Sika, so he

should not yell, "What? I merely shivered in anticipation."

Kiku panted herself calm as the floor gave a violent shudder and the entire castle

sounded with a low resonating boom, as if it was a bell, struck by some giant's hammer.

"What in all the..." Aritseru snarled, getting to his feet and ripping his yukata from Sika's

loose grip, pulling it on quickly. He stormed toward the door, but even before he got there he

heard the alarm runner yelling down all the halls...

"ATTACK!!! EIZU IS UNDER SIEGE!!"

The trio walked along until a heavy explosion rocked the festival. Everything stopped as

people looked to see if the fireworks were starting early, but the sounds of screams and

carnage coming from the West gate quickly ceased all wonderment. Shuji bristled and He

looked to Usuyami, "Go. Find your people and meet me at the East Gate. We're leaving this

city now."

Usuyami blinked, "Leaving? But what about the people? What about Aritseru?"

Shuji sighed, "This is His City. He will fight for it. The Gasaran Army attacks now, and

we have our own people to worry about. If we do not escape, others will fall prey to this

force of evil."

Summer looked on, holding Shuji's sleeve as the sounds of battle and slaughter echoed

of the city and over the din of the rush of people to leave the festival for their homes where

they might be safe. Shuji smiles to her and nodded, heading off towards the inn where the

two of them were staying with her injured travelling companion. Usuyami dashed down the

road towards her inn.

The Gasaran forces were moving swiftly through the city, massacring all the citizens.

Men and boys were slain where they stood or slept, while the women and girls were dragged

kicking and screaming back along the offensive force. The fetid stench of fire, blood, grime,

and filth hung over the black army of Nezujin Samurai as they carved a sprawling path

through the City of Eizu.

Aritseru snarled as he pulled his blade free of the bleeding Rat's torso. These fanatics

dared to assault his city? He would make every one of them suffer for the insult they levied

against him in this attack. Aritseru quickly surveyed the situation. He stood with twelve of his

samurai, facing down a column of well over a hundred Gasaran.

"What now lord?" the Kibajin on his left asked.

Aritseru hissed and barked at the worried samurai, "We fight! We fight and slaughter

every last one of these arrogant fanatics!"

An arrow whisked in and lodged in the kibajin's throat, killing him instantly, but Aritseru

didn't notice, or care. He was too enraged at the army facing him to care. With a murderous

yell he lunged at the samurai facing him and drove through three of them, then stepped and

turned, taking the heads of two more. Another arrow sliced through the air, nicking his cheek

as he parried the attacks of two Gasaran samurai while a third hewed down the Samurai on

Aritseru's left, and tried to flank the Lord of Eizu. An arrow screamed down from a rooftop,

the purple fletching catching Aritseru's eye for a moment.

"Lord of Eizu! Your castle burns!" Usuyami shouted down from her perch on the nearest

rooftop, "The City is fallen! We make for the Lands of Akanti! Come with us and survive to

avenge this wrong!"

Aritseru pushed the few samurai facing him back with a mighty shove and backed a few

steps to shout back at her, "Coward! I will not RUN! This is MY City! And I shall defend her

with my last breath!"

Usuyami frowned and shouted back, "Then you shall die under the blades of a Thousand

Fanatics while they rape your city's women! You are a Fool, Aritseru Kajikuro! And though

you may die with honor, you shall still die a Fool!" she leapt out of sight, leaving Aritseru to

face the Gasaran samurai alone, since they had killed his small band with sword and

bowshot.

Shuji stood at the East gate, with Summer and her companion, James, safely in the

care of the merchant Magura Kibotani, who was also barely escaping the lost city. Usuyami's

retainers were gathered there too, the motley bunch of travelers huddled together, waiting.

Usuyami dropped from a nearby roof, grumbling. Shuji looked to her and blinked, "Is

he coming?"

She sighed and shook her head, "No. He's hell-bent on avenging this attack."

Aoi looked up and gasped, "Kajikuro-san!!" Several of the maids rushed in offering to

help the injured Lord as he limped along.

"Back away! I'll not have some servant helping me," he hissed.

Shuji growled, "They are Samurai, same as you, Kajikuro, and you are injured. Like

that you'll only slow us down, so instead of being a liability, let them help you and we might

all survive this mess."

Usuyami glared at him, "And if you -ever- shout at my people like that again, the

Gasaran will be the least of your worries."

Aritseru growled, but kept quiet. He hated the thought of running, but his other option

was to die and be remembered as an idiot. Yes, the death would have been honorable, but

he would still be known as a fool. He surrendered as the maids got under his arms and lifted

him. They were strong for women, the pair easily taking his weight for him and hauling him

along.

Shuji nodded, "There's guards outside this gate. Gasaran guards... they're there to

prevent escape. We're going to surprise them... Yanagi-dono, your Flame Fan. I'll hold the

torch if you would be so kind as to do the honor of helping with the distraction?

Usuyami blinked, staring the massive East Gate down. It was easily fifteen feet high,

and likely a foot or more thick. Fine oak lapped with steel. "How are we getting the gates

open?"

One of her maid nodded, "We packed the hinges with flashdust, Lady."

Usuyami blinked again, astonished at their forethought, but then smiled. Flashdust was

used in fireworks, and as a distracting agent in some of the ninja techniques she learned

from her father. Her maids were trained in the used to the explosive powder, so she knew

that when they said they had set things up, she believed them.

Shuji nodded, "Once the gates are blown, and Yanagi-dono uses her fan, I'll lead the

charge, with Yanagi-dono and another of the ladies with me. The merchants and injured will

follow. Shidomori-dono, you'll take the rear and provide cover against any chasing parties."

He nodded, "Are we ready?"

The nod was unanimous, and everyone tensed.

Shuji grinned, "Then let's get the hell out of here!" and he touched the torch to the gate

hinges.