Dawn broke rainy and grey, a chilly morning fog that crept in through the window chilling Rei to the bone. She drank through three cups of tea before she managed to drive the chill from her bones. Rei changed into the kimono from yesterday. She was tying the sash when Koji entered. " Shall we go visit your patient?" he asked, " hopefully he will have some answers today."
" I hope he can" said Rei, " this heavy damp air will be bad for him."
The pair left the castle, the trip down the steps in the heavy fog was treacherous and took almost three times longer than yesterday when Rei finally got to the bottom she wanted to kiss the solid ground in the worst way. The fog was just as thick in town as it was at the castle. All the lanterns lit at night were left one to allow the scant few brave souls to navigate without hitting every wall they encountered.
As Koji and Rei walked down the street they could hear disembodied voices whispering from within the fog. " I heard Yamasda is dead" an elderly woman's voice whispered.
" I heard it was that invisible killer" a voice answered, " do we need to pay our protection money?"
" We better, with his death they will fracture, it will be a street war" the first said, " these are indeed dark times."
" Yes."
Both Rei and Koji exchanged worried looks, this day was starting off to be the worst day of their early partnership, although Koji still denied they were partners. Further down the street they heard two men talking, " I heard Yamasda's death was contracted by Black Lotus Society" one said.
" Don't say that" said the other, " I don't even want to hear their name. I am already paying half my profits to those Yakuza for protection, if the Black Lotus come they will take it all and then some. I have a wife and a mistress to maintain, if the Black Lotus come, I'm leaving."
The Black Lotus were bad business for anybody. They weren't a Yakuza Family, they were a much older criminal organization. With the Yakuza their tattoos and occasional missing finger gave them away, with the Black Lotus you never knew who was a member or not. They never acted openly, if they had a problem with somebody one night they would go to sleep the next morning the entire family would be dead. They had been nearly wiped out during the reign of the Nokota Emperors but since their downfall the Black Lotus has again began to rear its ugly head.
" Do you think the Black Lotus is being these attacks?" asked Koji as they began to the climb towards the temple.
" I guess it is possible" said Rei, " but these attacks are so random, it is too messy and visible for them."
Ironically one of the few places the Black Lotus survived during the Nokota Empire was in its capital of Jota itself. The vast size of the city allowed them to hide themselves and bid their time. Rei's family had seen some of their handiwork up close. She hoped and prayed that this wasn't the work of the Black Lotus.

The temple was crawling with numerous monks in their red robes, all of them Yakuza. They let Koji and Rei pass but their eyes shot icicles at them. Inside laying on the table was the body of Jinzo Yamasda, still and lifeless. Sitting on the floor at the foot of the table was Yuki, she was stripped to the waist and was being tattooed. The click, click, click of the tattooing needle was the only noise in the vast temple. Both Rei and Koji knelt in respect, they knew they were in serious, if not life ending, trouble. " When did he pass?" asked Rei, still kneeling.
" This morning" said Yuki, her words drawn with pain from her tattooing, " I wish to thank you for making his last night to peaceful. I am taking over my family's business and I require a favor from the both of you."
This was it, they were sinking ever faster into trouble which they could not crawl out of without one hell of a fight. " My father had enemies, in keeping with the tradition of our family for his soul to rest his enemies must be destroyed" she said, " other than Lord Saito I can deal with all but one and that is where I need you."
Yuki waved the two women away who were tattooing her, " There is a merchant over the mountains in Hakama called Ichi Goya. He kidnaps our girls and sells them foreign merchants in exchange for their drugs. He is under the protection of the Soriamya Family so I can not send my people against him. I need outsiders, people I can trust to get the job done. That is where you come in."
" Where is it?" asked Koji.
" Town called Sohma" said Yuki, " he is a paranoid creature, you're burly muscles and good sword won't get you past the first gate. You need finesse and when you return I will have information for you."
" Information?" asked Rei.
" My father entrusted me with information, we planned to use it when he was better" said Yuki looking up at her father, " seeing that isn't possible, I shall give it to you, once you have completed my task."
" It shall be done" they both said, they weren't about to quibble or argue with any Yakuza, especially one that just lost her father.

They left without so much as another word, they didn't even speak to each other until they were free from the temple grounds. " How do you think we'll pull this off?" asked Rei.
" Don't know" said Koji, scratching his long black hair, " let's first worry about how we are going to cross the border. We shouldn't worry about the merchant until we worry about crossing over."
Rei wanted to protest more but Koji just started off the road that led away from the temple high up into the mountains. Rei huffed and slung her satchel higher up on her shoulder before running after him.
Rei finally caught up with him half way up the trail, she was wheezing, her face red as the lining on her kimono. " Hold it, hold it" she gasped between wheezes, " I can't keep up."
Koji offered her his hand and helped her onto a rock. Rei took several deep breaths, she was a coastal girl, Jota sat in a large harbor, and was not ready for the altitude of the mountains. " Okay?" asked Koji.
" I'll be fine" she said, her face returning to its natural snow white, " how are we going to cross the border?"
" I'm working on that" said Koji.
" Why didn't we wait?" asked Rei crossly, " we don't have any food, I'm lucky that I have my bag, we nothing that will help us cross these mountains."
" We'll have less to impede us" said Koji, " Hakama isn't far we'll reach the border by nightfall. I knew a smuggler who ran goods in and out of Hakama some years ago. He told me of a few smugglers trails we can easily take, then it is just a matter of find Sohma and using stealth to overcome the defenses."
" Glad you sound so upbeat about this. You realize they closed the border" said Rei, " if we get caught you'll just be executed, I'll... I don't even want to think about it."
" We can do it" said Koji, offering Rei his hand, " right, partner."
Rei's face lit up when she heard that word, " Let's give it a try" she said.
The pair started up the trail as it climbed higher and higher up the mountain. Finally they reached the top of the pass. Behind them all they could see was the top of the Rupan Temple, the rest of Yonamura was obscured by the rocks. It looks a lot shorter from up here than it felt climbing on the way up. On the other side was Hakama.
Hakama was a small territory wedged between Keiyo, one of the largest provinces, named after the ever so humble family that ruled it, and Hokikyo, Keiyo's biggest rival. Being stuck between these two warring states made Hakama militant almost to a fanatical extreme. If not for the Ohka River than ran through the heart of Hakama delivering goods, especially forbidden goods, the little kingdom would have long since been swallowed up.
Times were bad in Hakama, they'd lost a port city to Hokikyo and now Hokikyo's powerful navy was strangling the foreign smuggling trade all across Hakama's ever shrinking coast. Hakama was planning the only response they had, all out war against Hokikyo. They had closed their borders and were arming both men and women for the great crusade.

Koji and Rei gently picked their way down the ill maintained road on the Hakama side of the mountains. They could see the military checkpoint at the bottom. Their flags were flapping in the breeze. This was a bad sign for them, the fog that had help hide their descent would burn off soon, sooner than they hoped. They couldn't rush, they were walking on loose stones, one miss step would start a small avalanche of stones and it would immediately alert the already tense soldiers.
Rei was exhausted, the thin mountain air and the long day of travel had already worn her out. Her felt heavy, picking them up and setting them down was a challenge let along making sure they didn't knock any rocks down. Koji looked unaffected, he nimbly snuck down the side of the mountain as if he was sneaking down a hallway. The bottom was close now, it seemed to call to her. But the checkpoint was close as well, the soldiers and their large sharp spears made Rei wanted to turn around and run as fast as she could back up the trail for safety. But she couldn't she could abandon her partner.

They reached the bottom and took refuge being a large boulder than had fallen from higher up. They stopped to catch their breath, more like Koji stopped to let Rei catch her breath. After a few minutes of rest they looked for a way around the checkpoint. The forest had been cut away from the area by over 75 metres giving the checkpoint's guard towers an excellent view of the area. The fog was too thin to make a run for it now, the only chance would be to wait until nightfall.

The next four hours were the longest in Rei's life, time seemed to stand still. Rei curled up behind the boulder, soon found her body cramping up, she did her best to clear those thoughts from her mind but then she would take the next breath and the cramps would return. Koji looked like he was in more discomfort, his much larger body was crammed into the same space as Rei. He endured without showing his pain gave Rei the courage to endure.
After four hours the sun began to set, it was the most beautiful sun set Rei had ever seen. The sun slowly sinking behind the clouds colouring the sky brilliant displays of red and orange. They watched as the sun sunk beneath the trees and darkness embraced the land. Koji and Rei looked at each other and nodded, they knew it was now, before all the lamps were lit. They got up, their limps stiff and felt foreign to move.
The 75 metres didn't look all that big crotched behind the boulder but now trying to sprint across it, it seemed endless. They helped one another as they stumbled from stiff limbs. Halfway across Koji lost a sandal, he started to go back for it but Rei grabbed a big handful of his kimono and almost hauled him backwards several paces.
Finally they reached the safety of the forest just as the last of the lights on the checkpoint were lit. " Wait" said Koji, " I can't leave my sandal."
" Are you mad?" whispered Rei, " it is a sandal, the world is full of them."
" But not that sandal" said Koji, " stay here, I'll be right back. Trust me."
Before Rei could voice her skepticism of Koji's last line he dashed from the woods. Rei watched as Koji's long legs carried him gracefully through the field to where his sandal lay. She knew the soldiers would see him and then she would have to charge out there to help him. Rei wasn't that confident of her fighting skills but knew she couldn't abandon her partner, no matter how stupid he was.
Koji scooped his sandal up and ran back without being spotted. " See, what did I tell you" he said.
" What is so important about that sandal?" asked Rei.
Koji lifted the bottom, between the wooden blocks that kept his feet out of puddles were pieces of iron attached to the bottom of the sandal. " Old fighting trick" he said, " really packs a kick."
Rei couldn't help but smile, " Idiot."
The pair hurried through the forest, exhaustion quickly becoming their main enemy. They stumbled over exposed roots and large stones, the branches grabbed at them scraping their flesh. The moonless night made it difficult to find their way.
The pair stumbled into a clearing and to their surprise they saw a village. Not much of a village just a few scattered buildings around a well. The entire village was deserted, another feature of Hakama's closed borders. The citizens of these small border villages would be moved deeper into the county so that they could provide no support for invading armies. For tonight its only residents were Koji and Rei.

They went into the biggest building in the village, before the border closed it looked like it was a store. Most of the goods had been taken from behind the counter, only a few salted fish and bottles of sake remained but those were obviously poisoned, a little trap for any plunder happy soldiers. All Koji and Rei wanted was to rest.
They built a small fire, nothing to big or the smoke would give them away. " How are you?" asked Rei.
" Sore" he groaned stretching out, " rest up, we'll have to leave first thing."
They both fell fast asleep on the hard stone floor without a single thought.
Rei's dreams were plagued with visions of soldiers bursting into the room, their weapons sharp and their numbers many. Every dream ended the same way, with her at the wrong end of a spear.
Rei woke up just as the rays of morning began to creep in the store. She sat up, her body was sore and aching but knew her tea would fix that. Rei took a leather pouch out, it was her own special blend. She never dare go to the tea store, Ichiro would hover over her looking for a chance to grab a handful. Rei took out a glass jar and lit the fire once again. She used the last of her little water she had in her bag and waited for it to boil. She got up and did the exercises her judo instructor taught her.
Judo was something Rei thought was a good idea when she was a young teenager, she always wanted to be self reliant. She still knew a few things but it was all very rusty. But being in this place put a certain sense of urgency in dusting it off.
The water finally came to a boil and the leaves went in. Immediately the room was filled with a pleasant and invigorating smell that roused Koji from his slumber. " What is that?" he asked.
" Tea" she said, " we are going to need the boost."
Rei let the leaves soak before gently fishing them out. She took a drink and handed it to Koji. He took a look at the glass it was carried in and looked up at her with a worried look. " You mix medicine in this?" he asked.
" My medicine hasn't kill you, yet" said Rei.
Koji took a drink and smiled, " Not bad, actually pretty good" he said.
" Tea is just another herb, you need to know how to blend them" she said.
They shared the tea before getting ready to leave. Koji got up and stretched, " Shall we?"
The pair started off for Sohma at a brisk pace, the crisp morning air filled their lungs with a new vitality that seemed to carry them down the road. It took awhile before they came to a signpost at a crossroads. One direction pointed to Sohma, the other pointed to Suzadoma. They went the opposite direction the sign pointed, it was obvious they would point in the wrong directions to confuse and delay the enemy.
They hadn't encountered another soul all day, which was slightly unnerving like they were the last two people on the face of the earth. But as they neared Sohma more and more people began to fill the roads. Mercenaries and merchants mostly, those coming to get rich off the war so Koji and Rei blended in nicely.
Koji didn't speak all day, it was clear he was deep in thought. How were they going to get into this guys place if a Yakuza says it is heavily guarded. He knew he wasn't exactly the sneakiest ronin ever. As the pair walked through the streets of Sohma he saw the soldiers, they were everywhere. The first alarm that is sounded it would probably bring them running. It would have to be quick, precise, and above all quiet. Koji kept rolling scenario after scenario through his mind, each ending the same way, both of them dead, either at the hands of Ichi Goya's guards before they kill him, or after, and if not Ichi Goy'as guards then the soldiers that seemed more numerous than the regular citizens. He knew there was a way in, there was always a way in it was just a matter of finding it.
Finally as he passed a wagon it hit him and Rei saw his eyes lit up. A smile slowly crossed his face. He smiled at Rei and she knew this was going to be insane. He reached up to the merchant's wagon and pulled something off before anyone noticed. He kept it under his arm as they walked into Sohma. He pulled Rei into the first little side street and then into the privacy of a tight little alley.

" Now bear with me" he said, " put that on."
Rei looked at the kimono, she wasn't sure where he got it but it was a rough tan kimono that was ripped and worn. Rei was pretty sure what he had in mind and took her satchel off. She set her daggers on top of it and took her kimono off.
Before she could take the kimono he threw her into the mud of the alley. She got up and put the filthy old kimono on. Koji took the leash out but it was snatched from his hands, " No way, I do this myself" she said, " you better be right about this because if you aren't, Ichi Goya's thugs are going to be the last your worries."
" Trust me, your body I bet Ichi Goya himself will pay a fat fortune for you" he said.
Rei slipped the leash around her neck and made sure it didn't cut to deep. " Now" said Koji in an authoritative voice, " follow me."
He scooped up Rei's things and slung it around his shoulder. She took a deep breath as they walked out of the alley, she trailing behind him. Her eyes looking at the ground like a slave. Koji strode down the street and stopped an old man. " Old man, tell me the way to Ichi Goya's house" he said.
" Another one huh" the old man said, " and by the looks of her a real prize. Ichi Goya's house is on the waterfront, can't miss it, biggest building in town not owned by the army."
Koji tugged on Rei's leash and she obediently followed. She bet Koji was having the time of his life now. They walked through the streets until they came to the house of Ichi Goya.