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Spirit Bound: Bonus Story

The Love of Takahashi Yoishi: Part Five

When last I was telling my tale we had finished fighting against a traitorous patrol of Ohtori Kaoru's samurai and two Oni. They were ostensibly led by a younger Kitsune Fey, one Kodokuro, but she warned me that this was not done of her will. The heads of the traitors and one of the Oni were being transported back to the castle, along with the honourable fallen, while we travelled to the shrine.

It took another hour to reach it, for it lay farther down the road than the turnoff to the waterfall, as well as higher up on the slopes of Mount Ashitaka. The approach to the shrine was lined with the typical vermillion Shinto arches every dozen or so metres, as well as small 'Kami homes.' These were boxes, like bird houses, that occasionally adorned gardens or natural sites where people sought to attract and please minor Kami. These ones were crafted from stone and set upon the ground, and above the clusters of Kami homes hung lanterns that would inevitably be lit each night. Flickers of movement about the archways and Kami homes indicated the presence of a large number of these minor nature spirits.

The shrine was enclosed by a two-metre high wall; the gate was set in another Shinto archway, guarded by four statues: two before the gate and two atop the wall beneath the sweeping roof of the arch. They were _shishi,_statues of the spirit lions said to guard sacred Shinto sites. The statues were one metre high and had broad chests, a thick curly ruff, and large fangs. I could see a very slight shift in two of the statues' heads as we approached; they were inhabited by Kami who sought to protect the shrine, quite possibly the very Kami the statues were modelled after. This would likely be why the temple remained unmolested by the Oni that occupied this mountain. Behind the wall I could see that the roof of the small pagoda had more statues -- this time of dragons -- on each corner.

The gates were open, and we rode uncontested into the courtyard. The pagoda had only two levels, though it reached seven metres into the air. It was flanked by three single-storey outbuildings. All had green tiled roofs, white walls, and red corner-posts.

A shrine maiden sweeping the stone courtyard looked up in mild surprise as we approached. The small Flying Squirrel called out, "Grandfather! Our guests have arrived!" She then smiled and walked toward us. She dusted her grey paws off on her red skirt and straightened her white blouse before bowing. "Welcome to the Ashitaka Shrine, Daimyo."

I helped Ohtori-sama down, and bowed along with everyone else. My sweet Otter's whiskers were twitching in happiness, a pleasant change from the gloom which had enveloped him after the battle. He was most distraught by the deaths of his men and the betrayal of his entire patrol. His was also quite wroth with Ichiru-dono due to being put into such an unpleasant situation again wherein he was forced to discipline his brother.

Ohtori-sama looked about him in wide-eyed eagerness. "It is good to be back here. I trust all is well? You have had no difficulties?"

She shook her head. "No, Daimyo, all is well. The Kami watch out for us and ensure we remain safe." She gasped when she looked at the remainder of the party and saw the blood splattered over many of the people before her. Most of us had attempted to clean up, but while armour could be wiped off easily, cloth and fur were another matter. She shrieked before crying out, "D-Daimyo! What happened!?" She paused and momentarily stared at Ichiru-dono's muzzle before turning her eyes back to Ohtori-sama.

There was the sound of rapidly approaching pawsteps and three more Squirrels came running out of the buildings. The eldest was carrying a hoe as he ran up. "Minoko!" He saw our entourage and slowed down. "Daimyo Ohtori? There's been trouble?"

Ohtori-sama bowed his head. "Yes. One of my patrols had turned traitor and attacked us while we were en route. They were working with a Kitsune...and two Oni."

The young Squirrel, Minoko, squeaked and put her paws in front of her muzzle; the broom fell to the stone with a clatter. The other Squirrels murmured in alarm. The priest raised his paws and they all fell silent. "Minoko, take the ladies inside and tend to them, then help them clean." He looked about, growing alarmed. "Isn't Rei-dono with you, Daimyo?"

"She is still in the carriage, Sado-san. I hope the events of the day have not been too much for her." Ohtori-sama looked back at the carriage in concern. I noted that Ichiru-dono looked uncomfortable at the comment, and perhaps even somewhat amused. Ohtori-sama seemed to miss the expression, and continued, "If you would be so kind to allow us a brief time for respite and to clean, it would be appreciated. I would pay our respects to my mother and return home as quickly as we may; there is much that requires my attention." He gestured to his servants, two of whom quickly grabbed two heavy sacks, and the remaining non-bodyguard samurai grabbed a third; the other servant was busy caring for the horses. Ohtori-sama bowed his head. "I have brought an offering for the Kami and a gesture of appreciation to your family, Sado-san." There was a swirl of faint shapes around the hindpaws of the rice-bearers indicating the Kami seemed to find the news interesting.

Sado-san bowed. "The kindness you show our family and this shrine is received gratefully. Your father would be pleased to see you carrying on this tradition."

Ohtori-sama smiled sadly. "Yes, he was most fond of visiting your temple. I will light some incense for him, too, while I am here, even though his anniversary is not until during the harvest. I wish to tell him of Sakura's valour in fighting the Oni. She slew one of the beasts in his name; Father would have been most proud of her."

Sado-san looked surprised. "Little Sakura-dono slew an Oni? That is newsworthy indeed." He shook his head. "I will get the full tale as you clean and rest. Please, this way."

The priest led us into an outbuilding. I noticed that Rei-dono did not leave the carriage until after I had left the courtyard; I heard the door open just as I stepped through the doorway behind the priest and my Otter. Ohtori-sama told the tale of the attack as those of us who participated in the melee stripped down. Ichiru-dono and his two samurai went directly to the dining room to partake in the refreshments.

I had given the combatants a cursory examination at the site of our battle, but I gave them a more thorough check now that their armour was removed and the disruption to their chi caused by the stress had abated. Tetsuo-san had a large number of superficial cuts, which were easily treated with a small amount of ointment from a container in my pack. His armour would be much harder to fix; fortunately, that was not my concern. I had already treated Masashi-san and the other samurai for some larger gashes, but they required additional attention after they washed, having reopened their wounds during the ride. Horseback riding is not ideal for allowing any form of damage to heal. I suffered no visible trauma, but my ribs were being troublesome. I was grateful I was not required to ride; walking jostled them far less.

Sado-san looked at me with thoughtful curiosity after Ohtori-sama finished his tale. "You...were raised by Shinto priests? I've never heard of a Shinto art that could deal with necromancy in such a fashion, nor of flames that could be summoned like that. What temple were you raised in?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I never said I was raised at a temple. I've also never said I wasn't._I _have made it perfectly clear that I've learned many things from many places; those flames are one of the things I learned elsewhere."

Tetsuo-san started to scowl at me, but swallowed what he was going to say when he glanced at Ohtori-sama. He just said, "He's a healer, Sado-san. He's earned...acceptance from me." Not trust, just acceptance. The Macaque did not trust me and he had reason not to.

Masashi-san briefly frowned at his colleague. He addressed Sado-san, "I thought Amaterasu, the sun Kami, gave the power of her fires to those fighting evil. Many Kami can bestow cleansing magic or fire to the faithful; that's what I've always been told."

The Flying Squirrel nodded sagely. "That's true, Akemi-san, but those fires are always natural_fire. His fire is much like the fire of a Kitsune, such as the one you said he spoke to today. Even _that fire doesn't act the way the daimyo described."

The Pika samurai, Renji, looked at me in surprise, exclaiming, "You're a Kitsune, Healer!? Wow! No wonder that female one didn't want to fight you. How many tails do you have? I bet at least seven. You know so much; you must be really old."

I shook my head in amusement; I believed I would only have three tails, were I a Kitsune. I would likely be within a hundred years of Kodokuro's age, for Kitsune earned another tail after every hundred years they lived. "I'm not a Kitsune, Renji-san, though this is another rumour that will probably make the rounds."

Tetsuo-san gave me another dark look, but also shook his head. "Enough of this nonsense. Ohtori-sama, we're clean and will be dry enough to don our armour soon. It's safer here than in the castle, so one of us can escort you while you give your prayers...as long as you forbid Ichiru-dono from bringing his samurai. We need to get back to the castle, soon. Word of the ambush and treachery will be causing a lot of problems, and you must get back."

Ohtori-sama bowed his head, disturbed. I never found out if he was more upset by the treachery or at the thought of having to confront his brother again. He merely nodded in silence.

I pulled out my shakuhachi -- a bamboo flute -- and the icon. I was most fortunate that nothing of importance had broken during my fight with the Oni, other than my pen. I could replace that easily enough. "We should take a few minutes to rest first, Tetsuo-san. We also need lunch, but that can be after we visit the shrine, to give time for the servants to set it up."

Sado-san smiled at me and teasingly said, "Don't fret about the food, Kitsune. The Ohtori visit every year at the same time, so we have food ready. You'll be attending the shrine with them?"

Ohtori-sama smiled at the words, even if it was not heartfelt. "I have commissioned some art from my Fey friend: a piece of music and a painting. I wish to present them to Mother."

I did not care for the teasing, though it did not greatly bother me, either. I just hoped the idea that I was Fey did not spread, even if the majority of Fey would find this most amusing. Indeed, they would help the rumour along just to see me discomfited. I merely did not like the thought of the...distance it would create -- the way others would stare at the foreigner in their midst.

Tetsuo-san fidgeted a little as he strapped on his armour. "Dress, artist. I smell trouble brewing and I want to get the daimyo home as soon as possible."

I began to dress, but looked at the red faced Monkey innocently. "You can smell trouble? That's something even a Kitsune like me can't do. What must you be to do something so marvellous?"

Everyone in the room started laughing except for Tetsuo-san and me. Tetsuo-san just gave me a flat look, then lowered his head and muttered, "No? Then how did you know about the ambush before you saw the Kitsune in the road? How did you know she was a Kitsune, artist?" His voice was too quiet for anyone but me to hear, and he likely did not intend for me to, either.

The shrine was inside the pagoda; it consisted of an alcove set with small tablets bearing the name of each family member who had died, and had tablets going back almost one thousand years. There were the customary white rope and strips of paper before it, marking the site as sacred. It, like all such shrines, had small holders for the incense to be placed in and a tiny altar for the offerings to be placed on. The offerings would remain for a few days before being cared for by the staff -- art would be placed in the shrine if there was room and food would be discarded if it remained. Usually a Kami would eat the food overnight; some of them were quite the gluttons, though they paid for it by caring for the shrine. Just inside the door was a small basin for us to wash our paws in and a jug of water for us to rinse our mouths, cleanliness being of great importance in Shinto beliefs.

Ohtori-sama saw my eyes widen when I looked at the dates on the tablets. "The Ohtori have long governed this land, Yoishi. The shrine has been moved three times, and was nearly lost to the wrath of Ashitaka, but it is still here. It was moved to this temple shortly after it was built six hundred years ago. Our shrine has not been at risk since."

The Otter lord stepped forward and knelt before the altar. It was scarcely more than a polished wood plate with short legs placed in front of the shrine on a polished marble stone. The stone was half a metre high and a third of a metre wide and the plate was rectangular with upward sweeping corners. It was primarily designed to hold three rice balls or sweet buns, the common offering at memorial shrines.

He turned his head when he heard his three siblings approach. I stepped back respectfully, though Tetsuo-san remained at his daimyo's shoulder. Ichiru-dono was alone, as instructed, and looked less than pleased. Ohtori-sama nodded to them.

Rei-dono gave me a circumspect -- yet deliberate -- pass, remaining well clear of me while trying to appear as if she were not. I could feel a nauseating twist in her chi that perplexed me, one that caused several of my past lives to stir uncomfortably. Tai Lung, in particular, was discomfited. It was not fear...or _just_fear, rather, but something else. The young Otter girl stood as far from me as she could while remaining with her siblings.

Ichiru-dono also avoided me, but did so in a most different manner. He strode directly to the shrine; not glancing at me, nor acknowledging my presence in any fashion. He appeared to be attempting to establish dominance before the memorial, to show _he_deserved to be leading the prayer. I was relieved to note that he carried no visible weapon and still wore his muzzle. He also stopped three paces back, as was appropriate -- only one person was to approach the shrine at a time, until each had paid their respects.

Sakura-dono appeared somewhat nervous as she walked in carrying her biwa. Her handmaiden, Yukiko-san, was not in sight. She smiled slightly at me when she took her place behind her eldest brother. She nodded to him then stood still as a respectful silence descended upon the room.

Ohtori-sama pulled out the two sticks of incense and lit them from the candles flanking the altar. Small wisps of smoke rose from them as he placed them in the holders. He put the icon on the plate and said the prayers invoking the protection and blessing of his ancestors as he called upon his mother. I saw the incense swirl over the altar, and a life-sized spectral shape of a beautiful Otter lady appeared within and above the smoke. She looked like a younger version of the Otter form Kodokuro took. I glanced about and noted that no one else appeared to see her, though Rei's eyes were fixed upon the floor.

Once the ritualized prayers were said (they were different than those said in my hometown of Kofu) he transited into the 'visit.' "Greetings, Mother. As you can tell, I have survived another year and appear before you in good health. I brought you two gifts; the first is a small piece of art I have commissioned from a--" He paused ever so slightly. "--friend. He is a most remarkable Fur, skilled in painting, haiku, playing the shakuhachi, massage, and healing. He saved my life, Mother, and that of Akemi-san. I know you did not approve of allowing the Masashi family into the castle, but Akemi has proven himself an able bodyguard. He fought valiantly today against some traitors working with two Oni, as did Tetsuo Jinta and the friend I mentioned, Takahashi Yoishi. I forgot to mention he is a terrifyingly capable fighter even when using his bare paws. I should also tell you and Father of Sakura's valour." He launched into an excited tale of the fight. It appeared Ohtori-sama was suffering from a measure of nerves and excitement brought upon by the events of the day -- he was jumping subjects most horrendously, though his tale of the fight was more coherent than that which led up to it.

The ghost listened raptly. She gasped, though I know not how, when Ohtori-sama described Sakura-dono charging in. She stifled a shriek at hearing how close her daughter had come to being crushed along with the horse she rode, and so on. She was almost the perfect audience, yet Ohtori-sama could neither see nor hear her. It also appeared that the ghost could not see anyone standing a metre beyond the altar -- her gaze would occasionally flick toward Tetsuo-san if he shifted a little closer to her son and came within that metre limit.

Ohtori-sama wrapped up his visit by saying, "I miss you, Mother, and I wish I had a chance to meet my little brother. I hope he rests peacefully with our family alongside you. I will give you the second gift I mentioned, a musical piece commissioned from Yoishi-sensei and performed by Sakura and him. I hope you enjoy it. I will see you soon, Mother."

She smiled sadly and nodded. *I'm sure I'll love it, my son. The painting is beautiful. Thank you. You have always been so thoughtful and kind.* Her gaze lost focus when Ohtori-sama stepped back. The Otter ghost's eyes cast about in confusion, as if she were lost in a deep bank of fog, only able to see the painting that lay at her hindpaws and unable to recall where she was or why.

Sakura-dono stepped closer to the altar and I moved up beside her, though we remained beyond the ghost's sight. We had practiced the piece extensively over the last two weeks and she could perform it adequately. I started playing and saw Lady Ohtori's eyes close as she listened attentively. At the appropriate time I signalled Sakura-dono and she joined in, evoking a smile from our incorporeal audience as well as Ohtori-sama.

As we continued to play I could see traces of movement behind her. I could catch the occasional glimpse of several other Otters standing just beyond her, likely other ancestors of Ohtori-sama. I did not know they would be able to approach when another of their number was summoned. Perhaps the incense made a sort of...window between the Underworld and the living one, and those ghosts who stood before it were the ones who could be 'seen,' if one had the ability.

Lady Ohtori beamed happily as we finished and bowed her head in gratitude. She reached out her paw to Sakura-dono as the young woman stepped before the altar. *You have improved marvellously, dear Sakura. I am so proud of you, both for your playing and your valour today. Your father says he agrees.*

Sakura-dono could not hear those words and began talking, giving a quick accounting of her year and speaking of how she missed her mother. I could see how hard she fought not to cry as she spoke, as did her mother. I could also see how she struggled _not_to speak of many matters dear to her...such as her certainty that Ichiru-dono sought to betray their brother. She finished by saying, "I miss you, Mother. I will return on Father's anniversary and speak to the both of you then. Give my love to Father. Ichiru will speak to you, now."

Ichiru-dono removed his muzzle and rubbed his face. "Bloody time. I should have spoken before you, Sakura. I am a son and older. Both make me far more important than you. You should know your place, woman." His mother looked shocked and aggrieved.

Ohtori-sama sighed. "I made my choice, Ichiru. Be glad I am permitting you to remove your muzzle to speak to Mother. Sakura was playing music as part of my gift; it was natural she speak when finished. Please do not fight before the shrine; you may shame us all before our ancestors."

*Why are you muzzled, Ichiru? I find it difficult to believe you would go so far that Kaoru would discipline you. What have you done?*

Of course Ichiru could not hear and merely spoke of his duels, his sword training, and the poor state of the fighting Furs under Ohtori-sama. His mother shook her head sadly throughout most of his bragging -- such self-aggrandizing speech was unbecoming of a samurai and against the code of Bushido. It showed disrespect for your opponent, and thus brought dishonour upon yourself.

Regardless of his bragging, Ichiru-dono spent very little time before her. "I have more important things to do, Mother, and too much time has been wasted already. I hope Rei hurries up." He shot his youngest sister a pointed look, which she did not meet, before rising to his hindpaws and moving away.

His mother opened her mouth and raised her paw, but she stopped and just shook her head sadly, lowering her paw. *Goodbye.*

Sakura-dono snapped at him. "Ichiru! Show some respect for Mother! At least say farewell if you cannot remember any manners other than that!"

Ohtori-sama cringed, but chimed in. "She is correct, Ichiru. Your behaviour is disgraceful -- say goodbye. You were taught better than that."

Ichiru-dono growled at Ohtori-sama and snapped, "Bye," over his shoulder, barely pausing as he moved back into position. The ghost looked wounded, but gave no more acknowledgment than that. I felt like beating the arrogant Otter so fiercely that he was able to see his mother's face...if he did not actually join her.

Rei-dono slowly stepped forward and knelt before the altar. The soul of her mother looked about in confusion. *Rei? Where are you, Rei? I thought you were coming to see me. Where's my little girl?*

I felt Rei-dono's chi swirl and churn. The strange contamination I sensed surged and nearly drove me to my knees. The sound of warning gongs rang out in the courtyard along with the howls of feral dogs and the roars of Oni. Rei-dono jumped up in an apparent panic and ran, though I sensed no fear from her. She darted around me so quickly that I could not catch her...if I had tried. The mere thought of touching that silky fur nearly made me ill.

*REI!! Where are you!? Where's my baby!?*

Ichiru-dono yelled at the same time his mother screamed. "Rei! What is it!?" He followed her out of the room as fast as he could.

I could hear the sound of fierce fighting. It sounded like there were at least a dozen Oni attacking the stone guardians based on the number of voices I could pick out. "Tetsuo, get Kaoru to safety. The guardians will fall soon; there are too many Oni to hold back for long. Sakura, get your swords and stay near Masashi and Yukiko. They'll be here in a moment."

I stepped before the altar and raised my paws. My knees quivered as I gathered my chi, so I knelt as I called out in Greek, <My lord Hades, I kneel before an altar to the dead in great need.> The candles illuminating the room flickered and switched to the blue-green of Hades' fire. Lady Ohtori's soul was brilliantly illuminated, drawing the eyes of those still in the room. I continued, despite the gasps around me, <A temple honouring those in your care is in danger; its guardians will soon be overwhelmed. I beg you to give leave for the honoured ancestors to fight in defence of their descendants.> Six of the faint shapes behind Lady Ohtori became clearer. The gasps returned and were louder than before, though I could hear little as darkness threatened to overwhelm me. It took me a moment to draw on my reserves of strength and force my pending unconsciousness back. <Thank you, Lord Hades.> I switched back to Japanese. "Honoured dead of the Ohtori. I am Takahashi Yoishi and I appear before you in supplication. The temple that your shrine rests in is under attack from a group of Oni. Your descendants were here to honour their mother and are now in danger. I ask that you rouse from your rest and drive the ogres from this sacred ground."

The ghosts drew their katana and were suddenly shrouded in armour. My answer came in the form of a loud battle cry as the dead Otters ran past me and through the door. I went to rise, but wobbled such that I nearly pitched forward onto my muzzle.

A masculine voice I could not pin the source of spoke to me, *Stay. You must remain to be their anchor. If you move away from this altar they will be drawn back to the Underworld.*

I nodded and looked up into the disbelieving faces before me. Even a very cautious Masashi-san and Yukiko-san peeked around the corner, staring at me. I stayed on my knees but glowered at them. "Well? There's fighting going on out there! Get Kaoru to safety and drive out those Oni! The Kami need something physical to fight through and the guardian statues won't last long!"

Sakura-dono shivered as she bowed. "Yes, Takahashi-sensei. My apologies, sir. Akemi! Yukiko! With me!" She ran out, grabbing 'her' daisho from Yukiko-san. "For the ancestors!"

Tetsuo-san gave me a flat, if somewhat fearful, look and bowed. "Artist." He turned to an awed Ohtori-sama. "Daimyo, follow me. We'll go to the top of the pagoda; we can watch the combat from there, and it's the most defensible position."

"Y-Yes, you are correct, Jinta, but what of Yoishi? Who will guard him?" Ohtori-sama balanced on one hindpaw, torn between protecting me and fleeing to a safer position. I knew how terrified he was and this act of bravery on his part was most touching.

Tetsuo-san's voice was dry. "He has a host of your ancestors standing at his back. He's likely the safest person in Japan at the moment."

The daimyo planted himself, saying firmly, "Then I shall be safer here, as well."

*My son, you should do as Jinta says. He is entrusted with your care, and he is right. This room is not for you; the air of the Underworld is not safe for the living. Return when the fight is over; the Shinigami will need your help.* A chill paw touched my shoulder as Lady Ohtori stepped up behind me. *I will keep him safe for you, dear Kaoru.*

"Yes, Mother." They turned and ran out of the room.

I looked up at the ghost and chuckled weakly. "Shinigami? A death Kami? Really?"

*Would you have me tell the truth?* She smiled when I shook my head, though the motion nearly made me lose my balance. *Now, artist_, what is going on? Why would Ichiru be forced to wear a muzzle? What would have had to happen to make Kaoru actually discipline him?_ Where is Rei!? Who was that that appeared before me instead of my baby!?* She was genuinely panicked and confused.

"That _was_Rei-dono...I think. I've never met her before, but everyone else is sure it's her." My vision became dark again and I collapsed.

I hovered at the edge of consciousness for an unknown period of time. I could hear Lady Ohtori speak at times as she cushioned my head upon her lap, and I heard the sound of combat wax and wane, but nothing was comprehensible. This continued until I felt several souls brush past me as they returned to the Underworld. I roused and sat up long enough to dismiss the energy drawn from Lord Hades, through the echo of Timeus. The candles went dark, the incense turned to ash, and I fell forward onto my face, unable to move.

A minute later I could hear Ohtori-sama and Tetsuo-san running toward me. As soon as Ohtori-sama reached the door he exclaimed, "Yoishi! Yoishi, are you well?" He dashed to me and scooped me up in his arms. "You...live? Yes? Please, say yes..." A tear dropped onto my muzzle.

"No." I weakly smiled at him, expecting him to laugh.

Instead, he looked stricken. "You... Y-You are a ghost, like Father and Mother?" He shook his head in horrified disbelief. "Please... No. No! You _cannot_be dead!"

I snorted, then coughed. "Silly little Otter. The souls of your ancestors have gone back to the Underworld; the fires and incense that allowed them passage are spent. How could I still be here if I were a ghost, too?"

Tetsuo-san stood at his lord's shoulder, sword still drawn. "Who knows what a Shinigami can and can't do? I have never heard of a death Kami before, but I don't follow the Shinto beliefs all that closely. Are you alive? In a way that a mortal would understand it?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes,_I'm alive... Barely, but still alive. I was used as a bridge, as my name says, and the daimyo's ancestors took all my energy to cross over into the land of the living. I'm thoroughly drained." I met Ohtori-sama's eyes. "Your mother has a sense of humour, Kaoru-ku...sama. I've never heard of a Shinigami before, either." I silently added, _'Not as she meant it, at least. The Kami are nothing like the gods of Timeus; to use such a term to describe Lord Hades is...insulting as well as incorrect.'

Tetsuo-san did not look convinced, but Ohtori-sama smiled weakly. "Sh-She does have...did have a humorous side to her, yes. I did not understand many of her jests, but I enjoyed her company nonetheless. You are not leaving me?"

"Not yet, Sweet One. Not until I have to."

He leaned over and kissed me gently. "I am pleased. You do so much for me; I am loath to lose you."

Sakura-dono and Yukiko-san ran up. Sakura-dono gasped in horror when she saw me cradled in her brother's arms. "Sensei!? He-He's..."

I spoke up, somewhat aggravated and pleased. "Alive! My word, can't a man collapse in fatigue without everyone thinking he's dead? I'll be fine...later. At some point." I struggled to rise. "Are there any wounded? Help me get to my bag so I can treat them."

Ohtori-sama put a single finger on my chest and held me down. I attempted to push his arm aside, but I might as well have tried to swing an Oni's kanabo.

Tetsuo-san chuckled at that, taking me quite by surprise. "If Ohtori-sama can hold you down so easily, Shinigami, then you are the one that needs treatment. We're in a temple; I'm sure at least one of the priests can treat them."

I stopped trying to move, but made sure I did not betray how much that minimal effort fatigued me. "How many were hurt? How many Oni were here? Where is Rei-dono...if that _was_Rei with us?" I did not overly care where Ichiru-dono was, as long as he was not causing trouble for my Otter.

Sakura-dono stared at the altar. "That was Rei. It is Rei. Why did Mother not know her own daughter? Perhaps she has just grown so much in the last few months that Mother could not recognise her. She has joined us for each meal; we have spoken several times every day. I would know if my sister..." My student tore her eyes from the altar to look at me, tears forming in those deep brown pools. "How could that not be my little sister!? How could something take her place -- look just like her -- and I not know!? What could do such a thing?"

Ohtori-sama held me tightly. "You would know if she were a Kitsune, yes? You recognized the one earlier within a short time."

I thought back to both meetings, with Kodokuro on the road and Rei-dono just a short time ago. They were very different impressions: the Kitsune felt...normal, though I knew she was Fey before I got close to her, yet Rei sickened me. The strangeness hidden within her chi felt unnatural, which directly opposed the Fey -- they were not like Furs, yet they were most certainly 'of nature.'

My silence caused a palpable tension in the room. I hastened to speak. "She's not a Kitsune; she's not a Fey at all, from what I can tell." I closed my eyes to avoid meeting Ohtori-sama's any longer.

His voice was quiet but full of fear. "Then what? Why would Mother not recognise her? Is Sakura correct that it may have just been time and a growth spurt?"

"Souls can't be fooled like that. They see what lies beneath the flesh to who you are underneath. If her personality changed drastically, then it's...possible_your mother could have difficulty recognizing her. The souls of the dead see things we can't, but they also _can't see things we do. I don't know exactly what she saw and don't know why she couldn't recognise her daughter's face." As I fell silent again I cracked my eye open and saw everyone standing still with very nervous expressions.

Yukiko-san put her pale grey paw on her lady's arm. "Sakura-dono, what is to be done? If she is not_your sister then she should not be allowed entrance into the castle. If there is still doubt, then what? She is a security risk. How will we travel back? We have little in the way of protection: Masashi-san is injured but should be able to ride, Renji-san will need to travel back in the carriage and may not survive the night, and both of Ichiru-dono's men are dead. Even the two of us are in less than fighting form. The only person who _is able to fight properly is Tetsuo-san. The Oni have us marked, for whatever reason."

Ohtori-sama was no longer trying to restrain me, so I tried to sit up again. I made it halfway up before my arms gave out and I collapsed. I met the Otter's worried eyes and sighed. "Help me up, please. I can at least look at the wounded and give my thoughts. Doing that won't kill me, but leaving wounds untreated _will_kill them. It's my duty to help, no matter the personal cost."

Ohtori-sama was about to protest but Tetsuo-san spoke first. "Yes, Healer Takahashi. Ohtori-sama made you his healer, so it is your duty to provide aid to his samurai...a duty he can't deny."

The Otter scowled up at his bodyguard. "I most certainly can deny him from doing anything. If alternate means of treatment for my men is available and attempting to provide care will cause him harm, it is my duty to order him to remain still! I must care for those under my stewardship, including guests and those temporarily working for me. If Sado-san -- or any other person -- can treat the wounded, then Yoishi will not be permitted to move any farther than a bed. Is that clear!?"

I believe the entire room was struck dumb by the forcefulness of his words. There was no doubt. There was no hesitation. There was no chance of negotiation, misinterpretation, or any other such thing. It was a command.

I spoke for everyone in the room when I respectfully and proudly answered, "Yes, Daimyo Ohtori, it will be as you said." My paw shook as I struggled to raise it to his cheek. "I'm proud of you, Kaoru-sama, my sweet Otter and noble lord. You should speak like that more often."

He looked surprised and then smiled as he took my paw. "Then get to bed, knave."

"There is ointment in my bag; it speeds up the healing process. A very small amount is all that's needed on each cut. Now, I'd be happy to go to bed, Kaoru-sama, but -- as you can tell -- I'm unable to move." My noble lord smiled and, with Tetsuo-san's help, brought me to a pallet to rest.

I remained there for three hours, mostly in a recuperative trance, while the temple courtyard buzzed with activity. On a few occasions I saw several Kami wander into the room, but I still could not see them clearly and if they spoke I could not hear. I was only interrupted one other time by the small Flying Squirrel girl, Minoko, when she brought my food and some tea. She was required to help me eat and to steady my cup as I drank, but did not appear to mind. She expressed much gratitude to me, in fact, as she believed I was responsible for the aid of the ancestors, without which the temple would have fallen.

I learned that twenty_Oni had attacked. I had only heard of one larger -- _coherent -- attack in Japanese history, and that was when the Demon Lord Amatsu-Mikaboshi was hiding in Japan and created the Oni in an attempt to conquer the islands and drive out the Fey. There may likely have been other attacks where more than twenty Oni worked together, but I know not of them.

She spoke in pride of the valour of all those who fought, but reserved the greatest praise for the little Kami. She spoke of the pebbles that rose up in small waves in attempts to trip the large Ogres, of tornados of leaves that would blind, and even swarms of biting insects that would torment the enemies of the temple. She was awed by the power of the guardian Kami; the statues had been smashed dozens of times, only to repair themselves and re-enter the fray. Five Oni had fallen before the honoured ancestors had joined the battle, their throats torn out by the stone jaws of the dogs.

She said that Sado-san and one of the other shrine caretakers, Minoko's eldest sister, were healers and had the blessing of the Kami. As mentioned, these minor nature spirits could not do much without a physical medium, but they could act through the healers to help set bones and knit together some wounds. It was a pity the priests did not have the training that they could have received under Song Li, or that the Kami knew so little about Fur anatomy, for such knowledge would make them much better in these tasks.

It neared the evening meal when I carefully made my way from the room I rested in to the courtyard. It was devastated. There were large holes in the walls where the Oni had breached them, the stone of the courtyard was cracked, and one of the buildings was nearly demolished. I could see swirls of Kami moving about repairing what they could, but much would be beyond them without aid. They could seal the cracks in stone, but they could not rebuild the walls...not without taking months to rebuild it pebble by pebble.

Looking up at the sky, I noted the sun would be setting in three hours, and it was time for us to make our way back to the castle. I already worried that Ichiru-dono had made his way back there and was gathering troops to ambush us on our return trip. I knew not whether Rei-dono was involved, or if it was indeed Rei-dono that had accompanied us.

I found my lover and all the others in the large room on the bottom floor of the pagoda. I could smell food being prepared, but those before me -- all but the servants and presumably most of the temple residents -- were sitting in a gloomy silence. Masashi-san was sitting gingerly beside Kaoru-sama wearing only trousers; the Akita's torso was exposed except for where his lower chest was swathed in bandages. Renji-san lay upon a mat in the corner with one leg splinted and wrapped in bandages from ankle to groin; I could see where blood was leaking into the thick cloth in several places. He did wear a fundoshi (a pair of undergarments) to preserve his modesty and allow him to be in the same room as the women.

Tetsuo-san noticed me at the doorway first. "Shinigami. We weren't expecting to see you up and about."

I smiled and waved dismissively. "Oh, you know us Kitsune, we can't sit still for long, and evil shinobi recover quickly so we can travel around to do our paintings. It's thanks to the samurai training taught to us by our priestly parents that lets us perform these miracles." I shook my head. "Did I miss anything?" I did not miss Tetsuo-san's fierce scowl at my flippancy.

Kaoru-sama spoke at the same time his sister did, though their responses differed greatly. Sakura-dono continued my joke. "You left out 'healer,' Sensei." She stopped when she realized Kaoru-sama began talking, too.

Kaoru-sama took my question literally. "Little, Yoishi-sensei. The wounded have been treated, but Ichiru and Rei have not returned, nor do we have anyone capable of tracking them, even if we were all in full health. I...am torn. I have a duty to my siblings, yet I also have a duty to my lands. I am required home, I have little in the way of guards, and I have injured to care for. I can do nothing, personally, for Ichiru and Rei, so I believe I should return home and send a patrol out to find them. Yet, to leave them behind in such a fashion is...painful." He bowed his head. "I...will leave as soon as we eat. Akemi, Renji, and you will ride in the carriage, Yoishi. Sakura and Jinta will ride with me. Yukiko, are you able to drive the carriage? I would leave the three other servants to provide what aid they can and to wait for Rei and Ichiru."

Yukiko-san shook her head. "No, Daimyo, I am but a humble handmaiden. I have little experience with horses; that would be beyond me."

"Then let us eat and go. I will leave two servants to aid you, Sado-san. More will arrive tomorrow."

The Flying Squirrel bowed. "Yes, Daimyo. Your assistance is appreciated."

The ride in the carriage was a torturous affair and I was most grateful when it ended, though likely not as grateful as Masashi-san or Renji-san. Each jolt we felt was highly painful for them, but I could do little to provide aid. Indeed, I soon tired such that I was barely able to retain my seat after a mere few minutes into the trip. My spirits lifted as we ascended the road to the castle, and I noted with grim satisfaction that the heads of the traitors and the Oni adorned spears along the roadside. However, lifted spirits did not provide me with greater strength. I nearly tipped onto my muzzle as I attempted to step down from the carriage to the torch-lit paving stones and had to be caught by the servants who were there to assist us. Many appeared to be familiar with me by this point and found my display of weakness to be alarming...or maliciously amusing.

The absence of Ichiru-dono and Rei-dono, as well as word of the attack on the temple and resulting deaths, caused even those who had been amused by my-near accident to descend into worried silence. It appeared that even those who were not followers of Ichiru-dono were most fond of the littlest Ohtori, and comments of concern seemed to follow me to Kaoru-sama's bedchamber.

"Little Rei-dono has never left the castle except to visit the temple. Can she survive the night?"

"Poor Rei-dono, she must be so terrified!"

"Such as sweet girl. How horrible something like this happened to her."

"She's so delicate. The night air will be the end of her."

"What if more of those brigands find her? Or the wolves of Ashitaka? They're supposed to be the size of horses with a fondness for the flesh of maidens!"

On and on the worries went, each seeming more fanciful and dire than the last, until I could finally find solace in my lover's bed. Or rather on his bed. I collapsed before I could do more than loosen the sash of my kimono and slipped into darkness.

...

I woke mid-morning, fighting through the clinging cobwebs of sleep, to find myself lying naked under the covers in Kaoru-sama's bed next to Masashi-san. The cobwebs vanished instantly and I nearly leapt from the bed in surprise.

His amused expression turned into a wince of pain as the jostling bed hurt his wounds. "Good morning, artist. You look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for some reason."

I settled back and turned on my side to face him. He, also, lay beneath the bedding, and I could see no clothing covering his torso where it lay exposed by the blankets. He had been reading 'The Tale of Genji,' one of the first novels written in the world, though he had paused when I woke. I slid my paw over and gently ran it over his wound.

He reached under the covers and took my paw gently. "No. I promised Ohtori-sama nothing would happen. He asked me to come here to watch you, since I'm bedridden by my wounds, while he took care of business." I could see the temptation in his eyes, likely as he remembered the last time we were so close...and my promise that should we be together again I would take him.

I smiled at him and chidingly said, "I was checking your wounds, soldier. I'm a healer as well as an artist. Now that I have the tail I wanted I don't need another, no matter how pleasing the other one looks." He let my paw go, so I resumed checking his wound. "You do have a fine-looking ass, Akemi-san, if I may address you familiarly."

He chuckled and stretched a bit so I could reach more of his chest. "I do have a great ass, but I never imagined I'd want a guy to play with it, let alone fuck it. You can call me by my given name if the honour is returned, Yoishi-san." I nodded and pulled my paw back. He put the book aside and fidgeted as if he wanted to roll over. "Damn. I hate being tied up like this. How does it look?"

I let my eyes roam over the blanket-covered Akita, leering at him. "It'd look better without all the blankets." I made my voice more serious. "Pretty bad, Akemi-san. They did a decent job bandaging you up, but it appears to have been bad enough that you might have died from the wounds if it wasn't for the Kamis' help. I'll see what I can do once I get a bit more strength back."

He smiled toothily. "Appreciated, artist. If you think this is bad, you should see how the other guy looks."

I rolled my eyes at the old joke. "Probably big, blue, and dead. Killed by the fangs of a guardian statue, I bet."

He made a wounded expression. "Ha! You doubt my valour? It was a katana that killed him, not some garden ornament."

I tapped my muzzle, frowning in thought. "Ah, yes. There were all those ghosts running around with katana, too. One of them could've saved your sorry hide."

All amusement left him and he looked up at me with more than a little fear haunting his eyes. "How did you do that? I... Only the greatest priests in our legends have been able to call on the souls of the honoured dead... Them, or the purest of people when they're in dire need." A little hunger and humour joined the fear in those blue eyes. "We both know you aren't pure. I know everyone keeps asking you, especially Jinta, but...what are you? No jokes, please."

I sighed. "Purity is more than virginity, Akemi. Virginity is often just a...simple way of saying many things, and is often used instead of a more accurate 'pure.' It's like pairing 'innocent' and 'naïve.' They have similar meanings but not identical ones. A person can be pure without forgoing sex; it just doesn't happen often." Akemi-san was looking at me incredulously, so I smiled wryly and added, "No, I'm not saying I'm pure or a virgin. I'm neither...and haven't been for a long time." I could see the question in his eyes: 'What, exactly, is a long time?' I ignored it. "Likewise, there are more priests than those who follow Shinto. More monks than those who follow Buddha. More beings of great power than those we call Kami. Lord Hades is one such being, and it was he who allowed the souls of the honoured ancestors to use me as a bridge. I cannot call them on my own. Hades cares for the souls of the dead, and he has some interest in me that I don't fully understand. Not yet, anyway." Those eyes stared at me with more fear then before, but they also showed how much he wanted to trust me. "I needed to protect Kaoru, so I called on Lord Hades and asked for help. I was desperate, Akemi, in dire need, as you said." I switched to a slightly teasing tone. "Perhaps this being decided my need and 'purity' were sufficient. Or he thinks my ass is too nice to not save when I'm in trouble. A great rump is a great asset."

That immediately dispersed the heavy mood. Akemi-san groaned in amusement and frustration. "I said no jokes, Yoishi-san! But you do have a great ass, one I want to use again. Pity Ohtori-sama doesn't believe in sharing." He sighed. "So that's it? You have a benefactor of some sort looking out for you? That explains the ghosts, but not everything else."

"That's all the explanation I'm going to give you, soldier. I don't have to stand around all day watching someone else. I can learn from other travellers, or spend a few days -- or months -- in a town or village exchanging knowledge or services with like-minded people. Even before all of this wandering there have been many opportunities for me to study from many people. I'm smart, and I've been blessed by many teachers." My stomach growled. "I don't suppose food has been left for me."

Akemi-san did not laugh but looked at me with a searching expression; my 'explanation' was obviously unsatisfactory, not that I intended it to be. "Yes, there's food, but I can't get to it." He pointed behind me where I could see, through the open curtains around the bed, that a tray was nearby. As I slowly crawled out from under the covers to retrieve it, the Akita spoke, "I understand why Jinta is suspicious. You get so evasive when anyone asks about you; you constantly hide behind obfuscation and jokes. You produce improbable yet plausible tales as if they were true -- ones that explain a lot of what we know about you -- then you act as if we pulled them out of thin air." He snorted. "I'm almost as bad as Ohtori-sama. I know this, but I trust you. Despite everything that says I shouldn't, I trust you."

I brought the tray over and settled it on my lap, leaving my sheath uncovered. "I saved your life, Akemi-san. It has a way of inspiring trust. Kaoru-sama probably feels the same way. As he said, if I wanted you -- or him -- dead, you would be. If I wanted to kill anyone, or everyone, in this castle, it would already be done." I was_here to kill someone; however, I did not _want to kill him. "I...care for Kaoru. I love being here. I've never been so happy in my life as I have been this last while; I just wish it could last. Isn't that reason enough for me to be here? Why does there have to be some other motive than that?" I did ensure to state 'life' as a singular thing.

He looked at my tray of food longingly and sighed. "You phrased those as questions again, artist. You didn't say that was why you're here. But you're still right; it's enough reason to be here. I see the way you look at my lord, and I've heard you fucking him enough -- let alone seen you sucking him off -- to know you love him. You saved his life and mine. You've earned my trust." He put his paw on my bare thigh, just below the tray. "Can I have one of those balls?" He pointed at the three rice balls on a plate on my tray.

I laughed and passed him one, though I did have to put my tray aside and help him sit up.

...

Word of Sakura-dono's valour spread rapidly throughout the castle, raising her popularity amongst all of the residents, including the samurai -- perhaps most notably amongst the samurai. The death of the previous daimyo still weighed upon the palace, and for one of his children to avenge his death brought a great sense of pride and relief to everyone. I was told that shortly after we arrived in the castle last night, Kaoru-sama had gathered all who were not involved in urgent business into the dining hall. He had quickly organized a search party, guards for the temple, and a work crew to aid in its reconstruction, then told the entire hall all that had occurred. He spoke of the treason by his samurai, of the incredible deeds of Sakura-dono and me, of the Kitsune, and of the assault on the temple.

Thereafter, I was treated with fearful respect by all who saw me, even by those whom I was certain followed Ichiru-dono. Silence descended upon each corridor and room as I stepped into it; hushed whispers sprang up as I departed. Deep bows followed my gaze, and no eye would meet my own.

Upon my initial departure from Kaoru-sama's room -- leaving Akemi-san in the Otter's bed -- a servant accosted me in complete silence, beckoning me to follow her. She led me down through the castle and onto the walls overlooking the front gate. There we saw Kaoru-sama, Sakura-dono, Tetsuo-san, and Yukiko-san. The two Otters were speaking quietly together, but stopped when their escorts stiffened at my approach. The servant turned and left swiftly once she saw Kaoru-sama noticed me.

Kaoru-sama's face was the only one to light up in delight. Indeed, his obvious joy warmed me as nothing had since I first took him beneath the waterfall. "Yoishi!" he cried, before running to clasp my paws in his. "You appear in much improved health! Your paws are warm, your gait steady -- if slower than normal -- and your eyes..." He grinned bashfully. "...well, they are open. An improvement from last night and much of the morning. It is approaching lunchtime."

I took one of my paws and rested it on his cheek. "My paws are warm and much stronger, as you can see. I daresay my lips are up to a kiss, too, and they would be doing so if we weren't on your castle walls."

I was shocked when Kaoru-sama threw his arms around my neck and pulled me forward, pressing his muzzle against mine and pushing his tongue into my mouth. My shock did not greatly delay my response. I returned his embrace and kiss with equal passion.

All too soon I was released. Kaoru-sama stepped back and smiled at me; I could see a little quiver in his whiskers as he looked at me with equal measures of defiance and timidity. "I am lord of these lands. If I wish to kiss someone, I may. You...do not mind my kissing you in such a fashion, do you?"

"Not as long as I get to return it." My Little Otter ducked his head, pleased. I was impressed by the growth in his confidence; if I was able to remain, I might make a fine lord out of him. "What news?"

"None." He sighed despondently and led me back to his sister before continuing. "I have sent out my people, but I cannot reasonably expect any sort of response before late this evening. The search party will travel as fast as they can to the temple carrying light supplies and will begin to search as soon as they arrive. The samurai assigned to guard the temple will travel with the servants and the majority of the supplies. If Rei and Ichiru are at the temple, two of the search party will take spare horses and ride back to deliver word -- the fastest I could receive word would be two hours after noon. I do not expect such a fortuitous outcome, else my siblings would have returned to the temple before we left. They must be lost or injured."

I nodded and turned to the other three, with a bow suitable to Sakura-dono's status. "My apologies. Good morning to you; I'm pleased to see you're all doing well."

Yukiko-san bowed deeper than she ever had before... Well, she actually bowed rather than tipping her head. Tetsuo-san also bowed, though both remained silent. Sakura-dono inclined her head, returning my greeting. "Good morning, Sensei. You look much improved, as my brother has said, though you must forgive me for my less..._enthusiastic_greeting."

I chuckled when Kaoru-sama's fur fluffed up in embarrassment. "It's appreciated, Sakura-dono. Don't take this as an insult, but I'd rather be greeted that way by Tetsuo-san of all people, over you."

Sakura-dono burst out laughing, but the poor Macaque seemed really unsure of how to take the joke. His eyes flicked up from my chin toward my eyes before he turned his head slightly to look past my shoulder. He struggled to keep his face calm while his chi swirled in complete chaos.

"So why are you two standing on the wall? If you know you can't expect anything for several hours yet, you could wait in a far more comfortable setting. The wind is brisk for midsummer and speaks of rain." At the mention of rain, Kaoru-sama's gaze turned from me and was drawn to the green slopes of Mount Ashitaka.

Sakura-dono's eyes were wary even though her tone stayed light and teasing. "So you can understand what the wind whispers in your ears now, too, Kitsune?"

I grinned at her. "When you have this many tails it's a given, child. Even those with only two tails should be able to hear the rain several hours before it reaches them."

Kaoru-sama frowned and turned back to look behind me. "You have but one tail, Yoishi-sensei. I have beheld it many times and have noticed no others." He hastened to reassure me. "I find it pleasing, but it is singular...yes?" He sounded doubtful as he finished talking.

Sakura-dono and I burst out laughing; even the dour bodyguards failed to hide their amusement. I pulled him close and nipped his ear, noting how hot it was due to the deep blush beneath his thick fur. "It is singular, my silly Otter. We were carrying on with Renji-san's and Sado-san's joke. You were there for that, remember?"

"Ah. Yes, I apologise. I appear to be distracted." He smiled wanly, but the smile soon faded and his eyes drifted back out to the mountain and the approaching storm.

No word came back from the temple that day or the next. The storm I had smelt arrived with a tremendous crash and brilliant flashes of lightning and spent the remainder of the day threatening to cast down my Otter's castle. It abated overnight but was replaced by a steady rain that continued all day. Yet it, too, could not last forever and faded into a grey, cool day shortly after the next sunrise. I woke that morning in Kaoru-sama's bed, this time next to the one I expected, my sweet Otter lord, and went about my usual routine.

It departed from that routine when I was going through my forms in the courtyard, standing upon the spot once occupied by Kaito-san. His former students silently filed out of the barracks ready for practice and lined up before me, causing me to stop and look about in confusion. I stepped aside when I smelt Tetsuo-san and Akemi-san approach.

"Artist." The Macaque's voice was gruff, and his eyes would still not meet mine as he rose from his bow. "Ohtori-sama asked us to relay a request."

This was odd. Why would he not ask me himself? I left him full and happy not ten minutes prior.

Akemi-san smiled as if he knew the direction my thoughts were going. "He likely thought it wasn't the best time to ask, Yoishi-san. He wants you to conduct the morning drills for the trainees."

Ah. "No." Everyone stared at me in shock. "I've barely ever held a katana. There's no way I can teach what I don't know. I could train the ashigaru since I know how to use spears and naginata aren't that much different, but I'm not one of Kaoru-sama's soldiers. This is something he should be getting one of his samurai to do, not a transient artist." Ashigaru were the foot soldiers of the Japanese armies; they, like their European counterparts, used a variety of weapons -- typically spears of some sort -- and wore a hodgepodge of armours that depended on the wealth of their lord. There was another reason for refusing; these samurai would likely enter the field of battle facing those of my lord. To train them to the best of my ability would likely result in the deaths of those I served with.

All the samurai, both the bodyguards and the trainees, looked shocked at the revelation that I was not a master in the use of the daisho. It was Tetsuo-san who first recovered use of his tongue. "You...claim you don't know how to use a katana? I saw you fight the Oni, artist. You know how to wield a blade."

I growled angrily at him. "You accuse me of lying, soldier!? That was a wakazashi,_not a katana--" I reluctantly added, "--though I _did swing a katana at his shoulder. Regardless, I never said I didn't know how to use a sword -- a generic sword -- but you'd be the first to correct me if I said that was all I needed to know in order to wield the daisho or be a samurai."

Tetsuo-san flinched -- though it was barely noticeable -- at my outburst. He did nod, grudgingly, after I spoke. "A katana is more than a sword and bushido is more than fighting. You're right, though I find myself oddly surprised to find that there's something you don't know how to do." He turned to Akemi-san. "You're up first. I'm going to bed."

The Akita grumbled and took the Tanuki's spot. I saw him mutter a quick prayer of blessing for his fallen comrade before waving me off. "Out of the way, Yoishi-san. It looks like I have some runts to school." He looked annoyed as I moved to my former customary spot. "All right, let's see what you've got! Follow along, if you can!"

He stood still for a few seconds gathering his focus, and a reasonable amount of chi -- more than I actually expected -- before he drew out his katana. He paused for a split second to see how quickly his students responded before moving into what looked like a very basic form. I noticed a few hitches in his movements caused by his wounds, but they were mostly healed thanks to my salves. His students, for the most part, kept pace. They were samurai and thus the children of samurai. It was expected that they should have a basic level of familiarity with the daisho, though it was not to be assumed, as many fathers died while their sons still lay in their cribs.

He finished the form, sheathed his katana, and pointed at the five who could not keep pace. "You. Why are you here? I wasn't told we had any students who never held a sword before."

The first person he pointed to stepped forward and bowed. The Lizard's face was quite red where the scales were smaller and thinner. "I apologize, Sensei. It's a standing order that all samurai must come to the castle during their fifteenth summer to receive training under Kaito-sensei. I... We come from small villages where we had no one to train us. It's why Ohtori-sama's father started these lessons." He spoke most earnestly, hoping to impress the point upon an uncertain teacher who obviously did not wish to be here.

I stepped forward. "It's a wise policy. Ensuring all samurai and ashigaru have at least basic training will raise the survivability of the troops. It also gives the instructor the chance to pick out those with promise to ensure they get extra training and put into positions where they can do the most for their lord."

Akemi-sensei grumbled. "So all the students who know the basics will have to go through it all again so these five can learn it?"

I phrased my answer so the students would understand. "Yes. It's also important that all_students review the basics to catch any improper habits their instructors may have taught them, to pass on tips they might need, _and for students to pass on things that the instructor and other students may find useful. With these students you could have a wide range of styles and may learn some useful things."

Akemi-san looked leery as he peered at me then gave his new students the evil eye. "Riiiight."

I smiled and shrugged. "Hey, I look for new skills and ideas from everyone I meet -- even an Akita_samurai. Who ever heard of a _Dog earning the rank of samurai? He couldn't know anything worth learning."

Said Akita grunted and shook his head. "Okay, I get it, Yoishi-san."

"Besides, it may not be so bad. Perhaps your trainees will figure out that if the ones with more experience help train the new students when you and Tetsuo-san are busy, they'll have to spend less time on the basics. And if those not teaching take over the chores of the new students and their peers helping them, then that's more time spent learning instead of sweeping. That's a far more constructive use of time than harassing the rawest recruits and slowing everything down." I noted a number of thoughtful expressions amongst the recruits. The new ones would spend almost every waking moment going through drills but it would be a far sight better than facing truly cruel 'jokes.'

"Are you done taking over my class, artist?"

"Yes, soldier, my apologies." I mockingly bowed to him before backing away, repeatedly bowing as I went.

He snorted and shook his head, trying most unsuccessfully to hide his amusement. "Damnable Kitsune." He snorted again when a student dropped his sword in surprise. "Sheathe your blades when you aren't using them! It's rude to leave them flapping in the wind. And don't take your paws off them before they're put away! Treat your daisho with more care than you treat your dicks!"

Akemi-sensei earned much raucous laughter and the student who dropped his katana was teased mercilessly about his clumsiness in handling his 'blade.' He hastily retrieved his sword and sheathed it. Several students kept glancing at me in awe for the remainder of the class; Akemi-sensei had most certainly served to spread that stupid joke...but now as rumour.

...

The next two storm-filled days passed in relative quiet and with no word from the temple as to the fates of Rei or Ichiru-dono. Kaoru-sama and Sakura-dono were getting highly irritable and their tempers kept the entire castle on edge. Kaoru-sama's mood was such that he even rebuffed my advances in the bedchamber, though he did accept a massage to help him sleep.

The foul weather prevented the full drills of the samurai and ashigaru in the courtyard, but the third day -- marking a full week since our visit to the temple -- dawned with the slow drip-drip of the remaining rainwater falling off roofs and leaves alike. Kaoru-sama was most cross when he woke -- the glare he fixed upon me when I poked my head through the curtains would be sufficient to send an army of Oni fleeing for the hills. I, however, was not an Oni.

"The rain has stopped, my sweet Otter. It'll give the search parties a much better chance of finding signs of your siblings." I moved in to sit beside him, leaving the curtain open enough to let a small patch of light spill into the enclosed sleeping area. The news brightened his mood enough to remove the fierce scowl, so I gently lifted his head so he was looking me in the eyes. "You made the right choice, Kaoru-sama. No matter how this turns out, remember that. There was nothing you could've done there, so getting back here with your wounded men allowed you to send out those who could help find them. You may have saved Akemi-san's and Renji-san's lives; if they were trapped up there in this rain they may have gotten infections. With so much of the temple damaged and its supplies destroyed we mightn't have had enough food or medicines to last until the weather lifted. Even without that, we didn't have enough able-bodied people to search through the forests safely. You needed to come back to get reinforcements and supplies. There was nothing else that you could have done."

"What of you, Yoishi? Could you have found them had I left you there? Should I have ignored my heart and had you remain to search rather than keeping you beside me where I long for you to be?"

I gently kissed his whiskery muzzle. "No, I couldn't. I passed out shortly after we got back, remember? I could barely walk from the carriage to your bed. I'm also not a tracker. I'm an artist, a healer, and a passable fighter, but not a hunter. I could find you the ingredients for a poultice but not meat for a stew pot."

His eyes brimmed with tears. "I do not wish to lose them so soon, Yoishi. I-I will lose you and Sakura far too early, but they were to remain for at least a _little_longer! I do not want to be alone!" He began to sob.

I pushed him back down onto the bed and moved to lay atop him under the covers. "I'm here, Sweetness. Right now. I'm here for you and will be here for a little while longer. That's all I can promise."

He clung to me as a drowning man clings to a piece of floating wood, but his sobs quieted. "It... It is almost enough. It fills some of the emptiness in my heart, but I wish for you to fill some of the emptiness in my body. Please? I wish to have at least a little of you with me at all times, today. I fear that I shall be left alone, bereft of those I hold dear."

I pressed my muzzle against his tenderly and gently slipped my tongue within it to hold his own as my arms pulled him close. I broke the kiss a few seconds later. "As you wish, Kaoru-kun. I am here for your pleasure and your comfort." I kissed him again and stared tenderly into his eyes. "For nothing gives me so much pleasure and comfort in return."

I spent many minutes just kissing him and hugging him before I released him from my grasp and began nibbling my way down his body, lingering at his sensitive spots -- his neck where it spread out to join his shoulders, his tiny nipples buried within his dense fur, and the dimple where his soft belly met his chest -- before I finally reached his former shame and my joy. His modest length already poked out from his thick pubic fur, dancing with each heartbeat and twitch of his body as I gave him pleasure. I exhaled softly over it, eliciting a moan, as I bypassed it to nibble along the joining of his legs to his body. Within that crease I had discovered great sensitivity in my Otter. The first nip caused an excited squeak, and his thick tail thrashed in excitement. I grinned in delight, enjoying his pleasure. I continued to nip and tease along those two lines, raising his excitement without doing more to his actual genitals than nudging them aside with my nose.

I did have his request, however, and I wished to fulfil it -- and fill him. My paw drifted to my own dancing shaft and began to gather my now freely flowing lubricant on my fingers. I moved them to the entrance of my love and began to prepare and further tease him. His moans rose in volume and pitch upon my finger's first foray into his inner warmth, so I moved up to silence him with a kiss.

He surprised me by grabbing my head and roughly pulling me into a most passionate kiss as he also rolled his legs up to wrap around my upper body. Once he was sure my mouth was most occupied with his own, he released one of my ears to reach down and pull my fingers out of him. He then grabbed my shaft, causing me to moan within his muzzle, and guided me to my destination. Kaoru-sama whimpered hungrily as my slick tip skidded over his insufficiently relaxed muscle, but he lined me up again and forcefully pushed up as he held me still. Again, I slipped aside.

He tipped his head back and panted. His pleading cry sounded as one begging for their life. "P-Please!Please, Yoishi! I-I need you! Just... Just do what you need to, but I _need_you in me, now!"

I nibbled on his neck with a chuckle. "Then relax, Sweet One. Just relax and allow me." One paw gently pulled his legs farther up as I leaned back onto my haunches and the other rubbed my member over his twitching hole.

"Please don't tease me!"

"Shhh..." I slipped the soft, tapered tip in, but paused with my os-penis just at the edge of his muscle to allow more pre to flow in. "Being hasty causes more anxiety and brings less satisfactory results. Trust me, Kaoru-kun. I want this, too." I pushed forward -- just a little -- and we both sighed as the first centimetre of my hardened shaft breached his defences. "See, Little Otter?"

I leaned back overtop him, releasing my shaft, and allowed my weight to slowly push me into him. I could see he was forcing himself not to push up, and I heard his whimpers as he resisted his burning desire, but within a luxurious minute -- for me -- I came to a rest with my knot pressed against him. He whimpered loudly once more and pulled my head over to the side of his neck. I took the hint and bit through the thick fur to pinch his sensitive skin with my teeth. He churred a long time and made a startling crescendo when I rocked my hips. I smiled, knowing the Salamander, Hamataro-san, could not help but hear such vocal appreciation or avoid the realization of its cause.

I continued to assault both his neck and his rump, relishing the feel of his claws along my back as he clung to me tightly, and the feel of his burning interior as his silk-clad muscles massaged my thick Canid shaft. Each forceful thrust appeared to dislodge another_churr_ from him and a moan from me as he clenched with great force. I leaked with profusion, and the slickness added another note to our multi-sensory symphony as his wet fur began to splat when my knot slammed into him and the motion of my penis created a soft pop on each out-stroke. The additional sweetness and musk also appealed to my nose when it penetrated the warm scent of my lover's fur. My tempo increased twofold as the lubricant eased my passage into him even further.

Kaoru-kun began to churr_non-stop, merely increasing in pitch and volume as I pounded into him, signalling the rapid approach of a most powerful orgasm. I, however, was still a goodly time away, forcing me to decide whether to maximize his _current pleasure and tie him now, or to leave myself a delightful range of movement and hope to exhort a second peak from my Otter. I chose the latter and released his neck so that I might curl down and take his member into my muzzle. He gasped mightily as I did so and pushed my head down into his groin, burying my nose in his thick pubic fur. I dug my tongue under his foreskin to tease along his glans, and his excited response nigh approached a warbling scream. He shot most forcefully, his first volley bypassing my tongue and striking the back of my throat, but I moved my tongue to block the remaining four bursts so that I might enjoy his sweet and salty cream.

I did not once relent my assault upon him and continued to tease his penis with my tongue until he cried out for mercy. "Aaah! S-Stop! Um, stop licking, if you please, n-not the other." He squeaked as my tongue picked up a final droplet. "Release me, Yoishi-san! I am too sensitive! B-But do--" I did as he wished, but silenced his ramblings with a kiss.

Even though this was far from the first time I did such a thing, he found it most peculiar to receive his own seed from my muzzle, but the caressing of my tongue stilled any potential protest. I kept thrusting into him, maintaining the same tempo that brought about his first rapid climax.

After another few minutes, once the taste of his offering left my tongue, I stilled my hips and flipped him over. I remained lodged deep within him as I pulled him onto his knees and leaned both of us back some so that each thrust would push up and forward to drive directly along his prostate. This was a new position to him, though similar to when I would brace him against a wall and stand behind him. His -- once again -- vocal response indicated he may prefer this position. I found it a touch more taxing, but he soon began assisting by bouncing in time with me, though his occasionally wild twitches would throw our tempo off for a moment. It appeared his prostate was most sensitive when prodded at this angle.

"Oh! Oh, Yoishi! You h-have -- churr -- neglec-cted to show me this!" He curled his arm back to wrap around my neck so that he might twist to find my muzzle once more.

His twitching became more frequent and his kisses more demanding as he began climbing to another peak. I, too, was having difficulty keeping the pace as my need to bury myself a final time deep within him grew. I held off as long as I could, but the massaging of my shaft by his approaching orgasm could not be denied. I grabbed his hips with both paws and pulled down as I thrust up with great force, and I howled as I felt my knot pop into him. I shuddered mightily when I began releasing several days of pent-up seed within my lover. At each blast I would push just that little bit farther within him, grinding my knot across his button. Upon the fourth such thrust he, too, began to quake and his semen spilt forth in a nearly constant stream to run down the underside of his shaft and onto his fuzzy scrotum. My knot pressed too firmly upon him to allow his ejaculation to have any force...though this did not seem to impede his pleasure and may have in fact prolonged it. His release most certainly outlasted my own -- by what seemed at the time to be nearly a minute.

Once he flopped back against me, I shifted my hips so I did not place so much pressure upon his prostate, then lay back with him still atop me. I began scooping up his semen and licking off my fingers, enjoying the flavour immensely.

He churred again, though at a much reduced volume, as he rubbed his belly. "I find myself most comforted, Yoishi-sensei. That will remain in my mind throughout the day, as your pool of virtue remains within my belly. You are my salvation. You have kept me from despair these last months, you have saved my life, and -- indeed -- you have brought joy and pleasure I had thought impossible. You have taught me to be braver than I believed possible. I thank you, but such words are meaningless before all you done. It is truly impossible to overstate my gratitude."

His words nearly broke my heart knowing how such feelings would be -- and must be -- betrayed. I merely nibbled his tiny ears and whispered into one, "There was more than one heart strengthened, more than one who has found joy, and more than one who has received pleasure. I'm very thankful, too. You're the one that picked _me_up off the street."

"Indeed, it was a most fortuitous meeting," he murmured. "Have we time for a little more sleep? You have exhausted me utterly."

I laughed and stroked his belly, before one paw drifted a little farther south to play with his foreskin. I enjoyed the way it would roll over his glans beneath my paw pads. He_churred_ and sleepily pushed at me, but I continued to tease him. "I thought I did most of the work there, Sweet One, though -- like all other ways I serve you -- I enjoyed it."

"S-S-Stop..." His protests were not greatly convincing and his flaccid member was rising once more under my ministrations. "Too sleepy..."

"Too cute to stop." I nipped at his ear. "Too adorable to resist." I nipped at his neck and began thrusting slowly into him once more. "Too wonderful to not please as best I can."

He tilted his head aside and churred a little louder before taking my free paw and moving it to play along the crease of his legs. His muscles quivered around me as my claws tickled the sensitive spots there. "Knave." He sighed and shifted, trying to get into a more comfortable position despite his thick tail. "Y-You have started something I expect you to complete, Yoishi."

"As you wish, sweet Kaoru."

It took a little longer for me to reach my second orgasm, and he was unable to reach his third, though he greatly enjoyed himself despite this. We had barely separated before his servants arrived to prepare him for his bath, but neither of us complained. I was forced to wait within the curtained bed for my knot to shrink sufficiently to allow me to retract my penis before dressing and departing for my other exercise, yet I was in my customary place before Tetsuo-san arrived.

I had barely finished performing my stretches, all done under the staring eyes of the young samurai, when the Macaque walked up. His tone was, once again, cautious, and his eyes kept drifting away from mine in obvious discomfort. "Do you plan on staying here and being a distraction the whole time, artist?"

"Yes." After my stern response I smiled teasingly at him. "They're used to me; I exercise here every morning. Besides, I may learn something about swinging those slabs of metal you call weapons."

His flat glare amused me. He sighed when my grin grew. "I don't care if they find you distracting; I find you distracting. If I have to do the job you refused to, I don't want you meddling at every opportunity." He cut me off as I was about to protest. "Quiet! Don't say you wouldn't interfere because we both know you're incapable of minding your own business!"

One of the younger looking students piped up. "He's a Kitsune, Sensei, sir. Th--" He cut off when Tetsuo-san whirled to glare at the assembled students.

Tetsuo-san looked back over his shoulder to frown at me. "Has Renji been down here spreading that foolishness?"

"No, Akemi-san can be thanked for this one." I waggled my ears at him when he looked back at the students.

The Macaque stood on the stones where Kaito-sensei had. It seemed a natural place to be; his paws -- and likely the paws of his predecessors -- had worn a smooth, if irregular, circle into the stone about a pace in circumference. The rain made it stand out far more sharply as all the dust had been washed away and the change in texture caused the stone to appear as a different shade of grey. Tetsuo-san's posture was relaxed yet commanding, and his voice carried the tone of one used to being obeyed...and one who had no desire to be there. "Students. Line up and stand at attention when your teacher approaches. Remain silent and still even if he pauses to speak to another. Do not fidget, do not offer unsolicited opinions, do not give any indication you can hear anything being said. When you become -- if you become -- the bodyguard of your lord, though I doubt any_of you can earn so prestigious a position, or even a common guard, then you'll overhear _many things that are none of your business and worth far more than your head. Whatever you hear when you are on duty didn't happen -- unless it's information relating to the safety of your lord." He glared at the youngsters. "Understood!?"

The sudden and sharp question made many of the students jump and hesitate even as their colleagues responded with military precision. "Yes, Sensei!"

"Now, get this through your thick skulls. The dancing Dog is not a Kitsune." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at me. "He's a travelling artist with many skills, here at the invitation of our lord. He has no authority or rank in this castle, but he is acting as temporary healer, so he can_give orders when acting in that capacity and _only in that capacity. Furthermore, he's...close to our lord, so treat him with deference when possible. This is a situation that can come up in several different ways when dealing with nobles -- when a noble takes a fancy to a person, for whatever reason, it can cost you dearly if you unnecessarily antagonize the noble's current pet. So be polite, but do your job, whatever that job may be." He jerked his thumb back at me again. "This one won't run crying to Ohtori-sama if you piss him off, but he's more than capable of doing unspeakable things to you instead. Two of those traitors who attacked us on the way to the temple were turned inside out with a mere glance when they insulted him." I swear I could see the evil grin on his face, even though he was facing the other way. "The soul of the late Lady Ohtori called him a Shinigami, and death _does_follow in his pawsteps."

'Bastard. He's really enjoying this. The sad part is he's telling the truth about Lady Ohtori -- the turning people inside out, however... I bet he's trying to goad me into piping up so he can send me away.' I shook my head, amused and annoyed, before starting the most demanding form I knew. Demanding in the flexibility it required, at least.

Tetsuo-san had begun an inspection of the students and their katana, but had no time to resume talking once he finished before his entire class was having a lot of trouble paying attention.

The loss of control was not lost on him and he turned to look to see what I was doing. I added a completely unnecessary move for his benefit, wherein I curled backwards such that my nose poked past my legs and was nearly close enough for me to lick the back of my own scrotum. My tail tickled my nose and ears as I did so and partially obscured the sight of his utterly shocked expression, but I still relished it. I lifted myself into a pawstand and split my legs so they lay parallel to the ground off to my left and right, then moved back into the form. I winked at Tetsuo-san, bringing him out of his daze.

He whirled back to his class and yelled, "Attention!" His class jumped into their ready stance, though more than a few appeared hindered by visibly rigid protrusions in their clothing. He pointed at the student who was originally the slowest to assume the ready stance and respond to Tetsuo-san's question. "You! Bring out the bokuto!" The student bowed and began walking toward the barracks. Tetsuo-san's red face became redder. "Move! When you're given orders you run!" The student immediately broke into a panicked run.

'Bokuto,' also known as 'bokken,' are wooden swords used in place of their metal variants during training. They can come in any size or shape -- just as the metal originals can -- and, while still potentially lethal, are considered much safer for all involved in training. Shinai are still preferred for actual duels and for sparring, as they are highly unlikely to cause lethal bludgeoning damage, instead causing bruises and raising welts.

The hapless student struggled to drag out the stand containing the two dozen katana-shaped bokuto. I wondered why Tetsuo-san --Tetsuo-sensei, at the moment -- appeared to be so patient, but I figured he was waiting to see if any student showed the initiative to help their classmate. None did. Once the stand reached the door Tetsuo-sensei growled and spoke, "Student. Wait there." He glared at the nervous students still standing at the ready. "Why didn't anyone go assist him?" He waited a long thirty seconds but did not receive an answer. "You are all_samurai under Ohtori-sama's command. When one of you fails, _all of you fail. Your successes and failures are Ohtori-sama's successes and failures. So whenever you see one of your colleagues struggling and in need, you're supposed to help, and by doing so you're helping your lord! By standing there and doing nothing you were holding up training and wasting your lord's time! Now, to get your asses in gear I want you to do fifteen laps around the courtyard! MOVE!" He held his paw up when the student by the bokuto stand went to join them. "You haven't finished bringing me the swords." The student sighed and resumed dragging the heavy shelf out.

It took the students almost thirty minutes to finish the laps. They looked nearly dead as they staggered into position before Tetsuo-sensei. He just waited for the last person to move into position. "Grab a bokken." There were some quickly stifled groans but the students struggled to quickly comply. Once they were back in position Tetsuo-sensei pulled out his katana and took them through a form once. It was the form Akemi-san had demonstrated last class and I noticed a lot of improvement in the new students. I also noticed subtle differences in the way Akemi-san and Tetsuo-sensei performed it, which was not surprising.

After the first time through, Tetsuo-sensei moved amongst the students to watch them closely. He said nothing, but merely watched. Once they finished he moved to the front again. He pointed to seven students. "You lot, up front. The rest of you go through the form slowly ten times, and then get ready for breakfast."

He took the singled-out students through the form, one by one, pointing out things he wanted them to change. He was having a lot of trouble with one of the students, a heavyset Toad, at a few points in the form. Despite repeated corrections, the Toad just couldnot bring the sword down and across his body the way Tetsuo-sensei wanted. 'Could not' was the key.

Tetsuo-sensei was getting far more irate the longer this futile endeavour continued so I felt compelled to intervene. I walked up to them and cleared my throat. The Macaque whirled to glare at me before smiling evilly. He sounded positively gleeful. "So. It seems I was right, you can't mind your own business. Feel free to take over at any time, artist." The Toad looked as if he expected the entire class to suddenly wind up with their innards spilt across the stones.

"Oh, you know me, soldier. I don't know much about swords, but I just thought of a fascinating anatomy lesson you might be interested in." I looked at the Toad. "Take off your top." The student gaped at me uncomprehendingly. "Your kimono top, remove it." I began to remove mine as well.

Once our chests and arms were bare Tetsuo-sensei frowned at me. "So? Now what?"

I moved the student into the position just before the problem area in the form. I pointed out some muscle groups. "Watch the muscles along his ribs here and his pectoral muscles as he swings his bokuto." As he went through the swing, I motioned to a nearby student and took his offered blade. "Now watch the same muscles as I do it." I demonstrated it. "Did you see how much more prominent his muscles were? They're actually stopping him from keeping his arms in close to the body and it brings him out of line. He's not screwing up the form because of laziness or incompetence; it's because it's impossible for him to do the form the way it is. My kung fu master taught me that one of the first rules of instructing is 'there are no failed students, only failed instructors.' If the form doesn't work, change the form, not the student." I smiled. "Of course that's only true if the student is genuinely trying, which I think he is." I bowed to the Macaque. "If I may suggest, honoured Tetsuo-sensei, he may have better results with this swing. It is, of course, your choice as to whether it's suitable since I know little of how this simple form works with the higher level ones." I demonstrated the form, adjusting the position of my arms and the blade in a few small ways and slowed down in the problem area so they both could see how I went through with the adjustments necessary for his larger chest and the way his previous attempts had opened his guard.

Tetsuo-sensei grunted. "I still think you should be doing this, not me. How many times have you done this? You said you've barely ever held a katana, yet you've just done the form -- with modifications -- better than most of these trainees. There are still places you were sloppy."

"I've also said, many times, that I'm a quick learner. And, again, that the training of Ohtori-sama's soldiers is the responsibility of Ohtori-sama's soldiers." Despite all the protestations of samurai, a katana really is not too different from similar-sized swords. Sure, there are differences, but once you know them it is easy to make the accommodations necessary. Song Li had trained with similar swords; he was by no means a master, but it was sufficient to help perform passably.

He grunted again and turned to the student. "Toad, do what he just showed you." The trainee did, there was hesitance and still some places where his guard was too open or his blade not angled properly for a clean cut, but it was an improvement. Tetsuo-sensei pointed those out to him. "Better. Do it that way, but keep in mind that this will change many other forms, too. You need to remember that and continually adjust to accommodate your physique." He moved to the next student and growled back at me. "Get out of my space, artist. I'm conducting a class, and you're in the way, but...thanks."

"Then I'll see you at breakfast; I'm off to bathe." I quickly bowed, which he returned. Many of the students did as well, as if I were a noble or one of their teachers.

...

That evening, still on the seventh day since we returned from the temple on Mount Ashitaka, we were all seated in the dining hall finishing up our meal when a servant came bursting through the doors. He was most obviously in great agitation which caused almost all samurai to surge to their hindpaws and reach for their absent katana -- weapons not being permitted in the dining hall.

The servant called out, breathlessly, "Dai-Daimyo! Word from the temple! Riders are on their way back with word from the temple!" Everyone still seated stood when Kaoru-sama jumped up, but the servant continued, "Six riders carrying your crest have been spotted along the road by the sentries; they should be here in an hour."

Kaoru-sama whirled to face Akemi-san and was about to shout orders when Sakura-domo put her paw on his arm and whispered into his ear. I could not see what was said, but he did not like what he heard. She spoke some more, with great urgency, and he seemed to relent. He called out, "I want extra guards at the gates and no one is to be permitted inside until I give word otherwise. Prepare a dozen samurai to ride at once with three dozen ashigaru, half of whom are to be archers. Someone send for Jinta; tell him to meet me in my office. Sakura and Yoishi, with me. Oh, and someone tell Kagura-chan to bring me some sake."

We left for his study immediately. I walked behind the two Otters silently, but spoke as soon as we entered Kaoru-sama's office. "Thank you, Sakura-dono."

She appeared confused. "For what?"

"For keeping Kaoru-sama from riding out to meet them. For having him post extra guards. For calling for caution. If your mother was right and that wasn't Rei-dono with us, then it means there may be a very powerful entity out there impersonating your sister, one that could've taken on the form of...well, anyone."_I had not considered that possibility; it was one I did not care for, and it appeared neither did the other three. "There isn't much we can do about _that,_other than ensuring everyone operates under the standard protocols like remaining unarmed around Kaoru-sama. It's _why those customs exist. But I'm actually a little more concerned about the possibility of the people coming back being under some form of enchantment or being animated dead like the Oni nearly were."

There was a tap at the door, and it quickly opened to reveal Tetsuo-san and the Iriomote Cat, Kagura-chan. The shinobi put the sake tray down on a side table and closed the door. "Good evening, my lord." She turned briefly to look at Sakura-dono with an expression of tremendous gratitude.

Kaoru-sama sat down with a sigh. "That answers that part of it. I was going to ask if Sakura's caution was overdone, but considering two of you are nearly undone in relief it would appear that sentiment sides with her. However, I would still have your opinion, Jinta."

The Macaque bowed. "Yes, Daimyo. Sakura-dono was correct. I would've been even more cautious and asked our Kitsune to go with the samurai, along with Akemi or myself. I would also have the gate sealed once they -- or we -- ride out, if not means in place for you to flee. If it's the Kitsune we met on the road, that could be her and five Oni...or other things, if the horses are under an illusion, too. Regardless, I wouldn't allow you to be near the courtyard until it's guaranteed to be safe. The escape route may have been compromised, so I'd prefer to keep you far away from it, too, until we find out what's going on."

Tetsuo-san's points initially sounded horrifically paranoid, but upon reflection he did have many valid reasons for them. The prospect of inviting even five Oni into the castle was unpleasant, particularly if accompanied by a Kitsune of unknown power.

I was mentally punishing myself for my laggardly behaviour. Within this week I did not prepare -- in any fashion -- for another encounter with Kodokuro, more Oni, or with whomever or whatever sought to animate the dead Oni. I did not seek out information on these things, nor did I prepare weapons or ofuda -- my charm scrolls -- to utilize in any battles. Now, I was stuck potentially facing far worse odds than I had in that earlier fight.

Kaoru-sama appeared nearly speechless. With his joy at finally hearing news, if not actually having one or both his siblings returned, he had not considered the possibility of any form of attack. I knew the betrayal of his samurai must still be troubling him, and it most certainly opened his eyes to the very real prospect of treason.

We waited for almost two minutes for the daimyo to speak. When he did it was to say, "Give me that bottle of sake." He poured himself a cup and gulped it down, then poured a second. It, too, vanished, but Kaoru-sama refused to relinquish hold of the bottle when Sakura-dono tried to take it from him.

I stepped up to him, causing his fear-filled eyes to rise to meet mine, and then leaned over to kiss him on the nose -- his mouth being contaminated with liquor. He sighed, and a few tears trickled down his cheeks. Sakura-dono took the bottle while I whispered into his ear, "I'm with you, remember? I left some of my essence within you this morning so you wouldn't be alone. I'll ride out to see what approaches your home and return with the news. I will lay by your side tonight, no matter the outcome, even if I have to make my way through an army of Oni and spirit you away. I'll lay by your side in your bed or under a bush, but I will be there." I moved my head back to peer into his eyes while I cupped his adorable face in my paws. His soulful brown eyes were brimming with tears, and his whiskers twitched wildly as he sought to hold back his sobs. I gently kissed his nose again, then stepped away and turned to face everyone. "Akemi-san, with me. Tetsuo-san, make sure you and Hamataro-san guard my Otter well. We'll be back soon. Oh! If they are Oni, I should get a sword. Where can I find one?"

Tetsuo-san stepped behind Kaoru-sama's desk and pulled out a daisho from a drawer. "Here. These were retrieved from one of the traitors; we were going to give it to you if you agreed to teach the students, but..."

Kaoru-sama roused himself. "Yes, take them, Yoishi. May they fare better in your paws than they did in their predecessor's. Carry them with honour, and may they always bring you back to me in safety." He took them from his bodyguard and passed them to me.

I knelt, bowing my head. "Thank you, Ohtori-sama. I will wear these with pride, treasure them as I treasure your smile, and I'll think of you whenever my paw touches their hilts." I took them from him and donned my first daisho before reaching for him. He stepped into me quickly and seized my head to plant a most passionate kiss upon my mouth. I could sense the discomfort it caused in the room, but neither of us cared.

He let me go, though his paw lingered in mine as he whispered, "Return safe and soon, Yoishi-sensei. Please bring back good news."

I turned away, but let my paw stay within his for as long as I could until my steps brought me so far from him that our fingers finally lost contact. A faint sob chased me from the room.

Akemi-san walked beside me in silence for many a corridor before speaking. "I need to fetch my armour, ronin. We have to go by my rooms, first." 'Ronin' is a lordless samurai, which was an incorrect title for me, as I did have a lord -- Takeda Nobutsuna -- but Akemi-san did not know that. With the daisho he could no longer call me 'artist.' We took a quick detour to his room -- one very much like mine, if a little larger and containing a few more pieces of furniture -- where I helped him don his armour. He placed a helm upon his head, one that had the flairs alongside the neck and beetle-like horns or large Oni brows upon the front, then affixed a mask to the top of his face and muzzle. This was one area in which most Canids had more trouble than Felids; our more pronounced muzzles made protecting our faces far more problematic.

We hastened to join the gathering troops in the courtyard, where I took my place beside Akemi-san at the head of the column, with the mounted samurai directly behind us and the ashigaru at the rear. I walked alongside his horse as we left through the main entrance and heard the gates groan loudly as they closed behind the tails of the last two ashigaru. The pace of the column was set to a forced march -- one that the foot soldiers would be unable to keep up for more than an hour without making them too tired to fight -- but an hour was far more than we needed. What we _did_need was to beat the riders from the temple to the edge of the village. Should they be a threat we did not wish to fight within the streets and risk a massacre of civilians.

We pushed forward, occasionally picking up the pace when we thought it would not be too strenuous, and reached the edge of the village a few minutes before the six riders. Our mounted samurai split into two columns on the road between the ashigaru. The ashigaru assembled into four groups: two groups of nine spearmen, and two of archers. Each group of spearmen made two rows -- one row of five and the second row of four, the second row placed so their spears reached between the row in front of them. The archers were arranged behind them in three rows of three. Akemi-san took up a position with the samurai on my left beside the samurai who carried the Ohtori's hata-jirushi -- a tall and narrow war banner with the crest of a family or division used to identify troops in battle. I remained on the road and continued forward to meet the riders.

They had all stopped in confusion nearly two hundred metres away while our troops finished taking their positions, a reaction I could readily sympathize with as they thought_they would be returning home to a grateful lord and _not have him send out troops to stop them on the road. As I trotted forward a lone horseman rode up to meet me, though he did not go far -- only fifty metres from his fellow travellers.

It was not until I stopped a half-dozen paces back from this horseman that I realized something -- why was I the one meeting these men? Should it not be Akemi-san? Or at least should he not be the one doing the talking while I merely advised? Regardless, I bowed my head to the horseman, though I kept my eyes upon him. "Greetings, samurai." I could not smell anything from him, though at the very least I should have been able to smell the horse at twice this distance, but I was at the customary distance to speak to a mounted samurai and would need an excuse to move any closer.

"Takahashi-sensei. Why have you arrayed our lord's troops across the road to oppose us? Has there been a coup and you now claim these lands?"

"No, samurai, _I_don't seek a coup. Strange things have occurred on the slopes of Mount Ashitaka and I've been sent by Daimyo Ohtori to ensure that you are who you say you are." I looked behind him to see a muzzled Ichiru-dono sitting upon a horse at the front of the column of horsemen. His gaze was fixed upon the mane of his horse, and he slumped listlessly. "First, let me say that it will make my lord extremely happy to see Ichiru-dono, but his behaviour is troubling. Why didn't _he_ride forward to speak with me? Is he well?"

I started walking toward the young Otter; my hackles rose with each step closer I came to the one I spoke with without smelling anything, not even the horse. I modulated my chi to create a much larger dome of awareness around me to warn of any motion, even if it should be under an illusion. It should also come into contact with him and let me determine if it was a samurai upon a horse or something else.

I had taken but three steps before I could sense the murderous intent in the being before me, and it was not from a samurai. I rolled backward and felt a kanabo -- the giant metal clubs of the Oni -- roar through the air above me. I sprang up, turning in midair, and ran back toward my colleagues. I gave the predetermined signals for 'Oni' and 'hostage,' which was an unfortunate necessity as I would greatly prefer to have these monstrosities brought down by arrow. The loss of Ichiru-dono would not trouble me, yet Kaoru-sama's wishes were clear in this matter. We could not risk the hostage, which meant our task would be much more difficult. A barrage of arrows would be difficult to deflect or dodge for Ichiru-dono as well as our foes, as opposed to aimed shots, which would be loosed in tight clusters but would be much less effective.

I saw six arrows fly over my head as the first row of archers shot, and I could see the second row ready their bows, then loose. The third row followed a second after, with the first row reloading. Each second six arrows could be shot at any target Akemi-san wished his men to bring down. Glancing back, however, I saw the illusion had dropped on four Oni and they were in hot pursuit of me with their kanabo raised before them. Whenever a flight of arrows approached they calculated the trajectory and merely allowed the shafts to bounce off their clubs, or they swung said clubs to knock the arrows out of the air. After six volleys not a single arrow found its mark -- hence my preference for widely spaced barrages.

A greater problem was revealed as the Oni got up to speed -- they could run faster than a galloping horse...and, thus, me. The first Oni, the one I spoke to, had fallen behind rapidly once I broke into a run, but now he was catching up even more swiftly than I had left him. I was tempted to halt my forward momentum and jump up and backwards in attempt to strike him from above and behind, but that would put me in the path of the arrows, and I had already seen the Oni's skill at knocking airborne targets from the sky. Stopping and rolling beneath his kanabo was also risky, as a solid kick could be lethal if I was not merely trampled to death.

Akemi-san stopped the archers and sent the mounted samurai (armed with naginata along with their swords) out to join the fray. Naginata were a type of spear that had a long blade on the end which resembled that of a katana; indeed, many a broken katana found new life as a naginata. I could see that the hata-jirushi was planted in the ground beside Akemi-san, who was forced to remain back to command the ashigaru -- much to his displeasure. The foot soldiers closed their ranks, blocking the road to the village.

Since I no longer had to worry about getting hit by arrows, I hoped I wouldfind it far easierto hide my presence and leap upward to strike the Oni from above. I gathered my chi to conceal my presence and the split second I vanished from sight I leapt up and backward as I drew my katana. At my apex I was head-down, with the tips of my ears a mere few centimetres above the greasy black hair of my befuddled foe. It was then that I struck. I sharply twisted my body around to put as much force behind my swing as I could and nearly clove the Oni's head from his body, leaving barely enough flesh to keep his head from rolling away as his heavy body crashed to the ground. One of his comrades reacted without pause the moment I became visible (being unable to hide my presence while diverting my chi to power an attack) and swung at me. I could barely react fast enough, but managed to twist even further and plant my hindpaws upon the kanabo at the moment of impact and -- with a tremendous surge of chi to absorb much of the momentum -- sprang off of it. I felt my left ankle snap, but it was far better than the alternative. I sighed and turned my head to watch the combat as I flew off into the rice fields.

The samurai closed in; the thundering of the hooves of their steeds with the roars of the riders and the bellows of the Ogres combined into utter cacophony. The flashing blades of the raised naginata drew the eyes of the Oni as they readied their kanabo to knock the lethal implements away, but the samurai had trained to fight these monsters. Against almost all other foes a horseman would have their polearms set for the charge to put all the momentum of horse and rider behind the point of impact, but such tactics failed against a target that could just bat away the weapon and pluck you off your horse as you went by. Thus, the samurai would keep their weapons up and swing as they approached. It frequently would fail to hit, but still had higher success rates and it helped to keep the Oni mentally off balance and reduced the likelihood of retaliation. The samurai all yelled in concert as they swung their naginata down at staggered speeds and angles. Three weapons were knocked aside, but five hit, and the blades dug deeply into three Oni. One fell, dead, but the other two were merely wounded. All five polearms that struck their targets were ripped from the samurais' paws, so they drew their swords.

The horses continued their charge, bringing them into range of the two Oni, who returned the assault with far greater accuracy. The first Ogre swung his kanabo and hit a horse and its rider side-on with enough force to cleave them apart in a bloody spray.The heavy remains flew into a second samurai and knocked him and his horse over, crushing the samurai to death. That Oni reached in the opposite direction with his free hand and ripped the head off a horse and used it to knock its rider to the ground. The horse's head became a temporary club to finish off the Fur. The second Oni was far less flashy but more effective. He quickly whirled in a circle on his good leg (the other was bleeding profusely) and used his kanabo to literally knock the legs out from under a horse to his right and continued the swing to behead the samurai in front of him. On the other side, the Oni grabbed the back of a samurai passing to his left with his free hand, and then swung said samurai around to smash him into another warrior passing farther to the Oni's right. A final stomp with his good leg finished off the samurai who fell from the legless horse. In one rotation that Oni had killed four of Kaoru-sama's men.

Half of the Oni had been killed and half of the samurai, too. I returned my attention to my situation, noting I was finally approaching the ground. I gathered my chi and used it to increase the drag of the air upon my body and to soften my landing, before dropping my katana and wakazashi. I hit the flooded rice paddy with a great splash, sending mud and water high into the air around me. The water prevented me from rolling with the impact, but the soaked ground beneath the shallow water served to absorb most of the force of it. I struggled to rise onto my unbroken hindpaw before laboriously making my way over to my daisho, resuming my observation of the fight. I was unharmed by my soggy landing; however, I was a good hundred metres from the road and could not put weight on one of my hindpaws.

The surviving samurai were now all on the far side of the Oni, so Akemi-san had the archers resume fire. The Oni would be forced to choose to watch the samurai or the archers, and hopefully a few arrows would find their marks before the Oni realized the bowmen had fired. The samurai had gathered to prepare for a second charge close to Ichiru-dono and the remaining horseman when the arrows struck. They all found their marks, digging deeply into the tough skin of the Ogres and felling one as the arrow pierced his vile heart. The second found his only good leg crippled by a shaft to the back of the knee. He attempted to turn to deal with further arrows, but both of his legs gave out and he fell to the second volley. The forces of Kaoru-sama let loose a tremendous shout of victory...but it soon gave way to horrified silence.

The last horseman raised his paws and chanted a few words I could not hear. Two cones of what appeared to be swarms of shadowy insects burst forth from his paws and consumed our remaining samurai. The attack lasted but one second, yet when it ended there were only bones remaining within the armour. The skeletons raised their weapons with an ungodly shriek, a sound which appeared to rouse the fallen. I saw the Oni twitch and begin to rise, and the dead Furs joined them -- or began to pull themselves together if there was not enough of them in one place to rise at once. Undead Furs, Oni, and horses all soon arrayed themselves against the remainder of Lord Ohtori's forces.

I felt faint movement about my hindpaws and looked down to see the faint shapes of _many_agitated Kami. The entire rice field in my vicinity appeared to be swarming with panicked or distraught nature spirits, all seeking to gain my attention. Yet I could not see them clearly enough, nor hear them, to understand their intent. In either case, I had higher priorities. I looked over to Akemi and saw him staring at me in disbelief, which was fortunate -- I gave him the sign to retreat. There was no way he could fight this. He appeared to agree and used the hata-jirushi to signal the castle lookouts to sound the alarm, before the Akita ordered his men to retreat with the war banner. Akemi-san rode out to the middle of the road, despite the vocal protests of his steed, and drew his sword, obviously intending to give his men time to escape.

'Idiot!' I cursed. I drew my katana and severed the tops of a few dozen rice plants, while the warning drums boomed forth high up in the castle. "Kami! Can you carry these?" There was a large swirl around me, and all the stalks seemed to float up by themselves. "I'm going to light these with magic fire. I need you to carry them and touch the flame to those undead, but make sure it doesn't touch you! At all costs! The undead may burst into flame very quickly, so just tap them and run away as fast as you can. If you can throw the stalks, all the better."

This time I could hear a faint noise -- the chittering of many tiny voices. I reached down and began tapping the top of each strand of grass, lighting them with a tiny finger of Soul Fire. Soon a swarm of candles began flowing away from me and were lost from sight in the rice field. I felt my strength waning to dangerous levels as I worked...again. I persevered, striving to ensure all stalks of rice were lit while I was forced to listen to the demonic shrieks of the skeletons advancing on Akemi and the village. The last stalk was lit, the first tiny candle left the field, and the first clashes of steel upon steel sounded...as the last of my strength faded.

I barely managed to remain conscious enough to maintain the flames and keep my head above the water. I couldn't focus on anything that happened and only allowed myself to slip into unconsciousness when the musical voice of a female whispered into my ear, "Ancient One. It is done." My last thought was of the frustrating sense of déjà vu.

...

I woke in Kaoru-sama's bed with Akemi-san by my side. "Good afternoon, ronin."

I sighed, remembering that sense of déjà vu I had before passing out. "Again? Weren't we just here the other day? How did the fight end?"

Akemi-san grunted as he tried to shift. "Your salves work wonders, but I'm glad you're awake. I could use some help." He grunted again during further efforts to move, yet remained where he was. "Your magic worked. The little fire sticks danced out of the rice like a merry parade and proceeded to destroy the undead. I got a little dinged up before they got there, though. Each skeleton or corpse burst into a giant bonfire from the smallest touch. The...uh...person who did this fled as soon as one of the flames got close to him. Ichiru-dono seemed to be in a daze the entire time and never moved or reacted to anything. He's being held in a small shelter just outside the walls. Ohtori-sama and Sakura-dono haven't been out to see him yet; they're hoping you would wake up soon."

"How long?" I fought off my grogginess enough to roll over. "Ugh. How long was I out?" I put my paw on his chest, enjoying the feel of the muscles beneath his fur. I ran my paw lightly over the parts of him I could reach, looking for his wounds.

"Two hours." He moaned softly as my paw tickled his stomach. His voice sounded conflicted as he asked, "Uh, um, Healer? You are looking for my wounds, right?"

"Yes. I'm either too weak to notice them, or they're on your other side." My eyes could barely stay open. "If you're this hurt, who found me?"

He took my paw and brought it over to his left side, where I felt a thick pad of bandages. He had four broken ribs and a deep gash. The salve I'd made had been liberally applied -- very liberally applied -- and the wound was clean. The ribs could use a little attention, and he'd have to remain still until they set. "You aren't to move. You have four broken ribs."

"I _really_have to piss."

"All right." I groaned and hauled myself out of bed and found the chamber pot. I grabbed one of the towels kept in the room and stumbled back to the bed.

"What are you doing?"

I shook my head. "You need to piss. You aren't allowed up -- hells, you can't get up -- so I'm helping you." I flipped the blankets off of him to expose his naked body and worked the towel underneath his rump. I placed the pot between his legs and picked up his sheath with my other paw. "It really helps that you're so well hung, soldier. An impressive dick for an impressive warrior." I stuck the end in the pot and pulled his sheath back enough to reveal his penis. "Now, piss." He did, and I was shaking the last droplets off when the door opened.

Kaoru-sama stood stunned in the doorway when he saw us. Tetsuo-san glanced in and shook his head when he saw what surprised his lord.

I flicked an ear, sharing a quick glance with the wounded soldier. "Close the door, if you please, Sweet One." Kaoru-sama shut the door and looked close to exploding when I raised my free paw. "He can't move." I lifted the pot away, hiding a smile at Kaoru-sama's confused expression. "He has four broken ribs and can't get out of bed, so I had to help him." I put the pot back under the bed and fell forward when I tried to get back up.

Kaoru-sama cried out in fear, "Yoishi!" The door burst open behind my sweet lover as he ran forward, and Tetsuo-san quickly moved to join the Otter. They helped me back into bed, I assume, for I plunged into that far too familiar black abyss.