Tetsuya stood in the middle of the abandoned village with some of his guards standing around him. " You didn't think I would let you go this easily?" he asked, his nose still pointing to the left.
" We had hopes" said Koji.
Koji drew his sword but Tetsuya put his hands up, " Not you" he said, " her."
Tetsuya pointed at Rei, " This is our score" he said, " prepare yourself."
Tetsuya charged towards Rei who barely was able to pull her daggers from their sheaths before he struck. The force of the blow made Rei stumbled back and was barely able to block the next strike. She countered but her attack was knocked away. Tetsuya kicked Rei with his knee and drove his sword into the base of her neck.
Rei hit the ground with a cough but was able to roll away just before the sword drove into the ground where she was. She kicked at his knee and knocked it from under him. He dropped to one knee and caught a sandal in the face. Tetsuya reeled back, flashes of white hot pain arced from his broken nose as he lashed out with his sword.
Rei barely dodged the tip of the sword as it sailed through the air. She saw her opening and struck with both daggers. She swung at Tetsuya and sliced into his flesh of his arm and chest, blood squirting out. Tetsuya hit Rei in the side with the pommel of his sword and drove a hard, anger fuel fist straight into her stomach. His sword sliced into her back making her shriek in pain. She just reacted and kicked him hard as possible in the chest throwing him to the ground. She felt her own blood racing down her back and thrust with both her daggers. Tetsuya blocked one but the other drove into his chest making him howl. Rei knocked his sword back and drove her other dagger into his chest.
Tetsuya twitched for a moment, his eye wide in shock. Slowly his head tilted backward and the sword dropped from his hand. Rei heard the twang of an arrow and felt a hot sting ripple through her arm and then a fuzziness that made her drop her dagger from her hand.
From within one of the buildings an archer had laid in wait just in case their leader had lost. Rei staggered to her feet, another arrow ripping through her kimono between her legs and thumping into Tetsuya's leg. She staggered back as the other bodyguards rushed her. She didn't know what to do, her mind was running in a thousand directions at once but they all were screaming at her she was dead.

Koji struck like lightning, she didn't even see him start to attack. His blade sang through the air slicing through the throat of one hand, his iron reinforced sandal stepping up on the spear of the second attack before the other sandal smashed into his face. The third was cut down by another tight, disciplined slash by Koji's sword. Koji grabbed the kimono of the fourth and spun him around let the archer's next shot rip into his back. Koji drove his sword through the man and charge with him towards the building.
The archer was trying to flee out the window in the rear of the small house when Koji burst in. Koji grabbed the nearest item, a large iron pot and hurled it at the archer as he climbed out the window. It hit him square in the back of the head with a loud clang. The archer stumbled out the down and Koji finished him with a clean stab through the chest. Koji wiped the sweat from his face as he exited the house. Rei was still on her feet but with a long and distant look in her eyes. Koji took a step towards her just as her eyes rolled back and she collapsed to the ground.

A headache greeted Rei when she finally came to, a headache, a back ache, and her arm was a mixture of burning and stinging. She quickly realized she wasn't walking but she knew she was moving by the bobbing up and down motion. She realized she was being carried up Koji up the long climb to the pass between Hakama and Keiyo. He was panting and wheezing but kept moving.
Rei slowly remembered the fight but it was seen through a haze of adrenaline and total fear. It wasn't like she was even fighting, she had watched the entire fight from outside of her body. It was a strange feeling that made Rei's already throbbing head throb even more. They came to the top of the pass and passed into Keiyo, Hakama now safely behind them. " Koji" said Rei.
" You're awake" he said, relief in his voice, " thank Rupan."
He set her down, " How are your wounds?" he asked, " I did my best but sadly I am not anywhere close to your skill."
Rei looked at her arm, the arrow shaft was snapped off but the head still was in. A bandage was crudely wrapped around it. Her back was still bleeding, the bandage that was wrapped around her had slipped off somewhere in the climb. " It's okay, I'll tell you what to do" she said.
Koji had a worried look on his face, " Are you sure?" he asked.
" It will be easy" said Rei, " first here let's get what we need out."
Rei took out healing oil, clean bandages, and her surgical set. When Koji saw all the little scalpels, probes and tweezers in her surgical set he turned white, whiter than Rei, " Oh come on, they are just like small swords" she said.
Rei handed the largest of the scalpels to Koji and then held out her arm. " Cut two small lines away from the arrowhead" she said.
Koji picked up the scalpel and cut into Rei's silky skin. She hissed but was able to pull the arrowhead free without damaging any more skin. " Okay, now pour the healing oil into the bandage" she said.
Koji poured half of the bottle into the bandage and under Rei's instruction tied the bandage tight and clean. " Good" said Rei, " now my back."
Rei removed her kimono freely in front of Koji, she no longer worried about him getting any lecherous ideas. " Healing Oil then the bandage" said Rei.
Koji heard her hiss as the healing oil began to sting against her cut. " Okay?" he asked.
" Fine" said Rei, tying the bandage close against her stomach, " you aren't half bad with a little instruction. How did a bodyguard make it without knowing how to apply a bandage?"
" My job was to make the cuts, not fix them" he said, " can you walk?"
" As long as it is down hill" said Rei.
Koji helped Rei pack up her tools and then helped her up. Koji smiled at her, she was one hell of a partner.

The pair walked into the Rupan Temple which was now becoming rather familiar to them and straight into the main temple where the funeral for Jinzo Yamasda was just beginning.
Yuki knelt before her father, she was clothed only in cloth wraps that covered the her waist and chest from the armpits down. Both her arms were fully decorated in her traditional Yakuza tattoos. Around her was all the lieutenants and select underlings from the entire Yamasda's Family who were all paying their respects. Koji and Rei knelt in the back and waited as the monks clad in their brightest red robes entered. They were carrying metal orbs filled with burning incenses that filled the entire temple with a sweet calming smell. The turned to the massive grinning statue of Rupan and began their funeral chant.
The melodious music filled the entire temple as they gave prayers to the dead man. It didn't matter that he was a Yakuza boss, to them he was just another soul in need to prayers. The incense burned heavy in the area creating a thick smoke that started to lull both Koji and Rei to sleep. Neither had realized how thoroughly exhausted they were until they were sitting still being slowly mesmerized by the chanting and intoxicated by the incense.
The funeral finally came to an end as the monks picked up the body from the altar and carried him away to be cremated. Koji and Rei got to their feet, after three hours of kneeling they found it quiet a feat to get up.
They approached Yuki was now surrounded by her lieutenants. " Hello" she said, a kimono being slipped over her shoulders.
" You shall no longer be plagued by Ichi Goya" said Rei.
Yuki smiled, " Thank you, you will always have a friend in the Yamasda Family" she said, " now in exchange I shall entrust to you a secret."
Yuki waved her lieutenants away leaving the three alone. " Travel north to a small town called Four Crossing" said Yuki, " there you will find two buildings, one is a tavern the other a blacksmith. Hiro the blacksmith is the last craftsman who still makes rifles in this land. No one else would have made this weapon but him."
" Thank you" they both said.
" Now go home, you look like your standing on death's doorway yourselves" she said.
They bowed excused themselves and walked from the temple back towards town. " In a day or two we will have to set out for Four Crossings" said Koji.
" The day after tomorrow at the earliest" said Rei, " we are putting too much strain on ourselves and I for one would like to let my wounds heal before I get any more."
" I agree" said Koji, " I will see you later, there is somebody I want to see."
" She cute?" asked Rei.
" Definitely" he said.
" Don't strain yourself then" said Rei waving.

Rei stumbled her way up the steps towards the castle, exhaustion had taken full control of Rei and the simple act of breathing became a chore let alone picking up her feet and setting them down on the next step. She barely made it up to the castle door. She pushed the door open and dragged herself into her room.
Asuka was sitting on the mattress and leapt to her feet when Rei entered. " By Rupan you look awful" she said, leaping to her feet.
" That bad huh" said Rei, letting her satchel flop to the ground.
Rei dragged her feet towards the bed, tugging her daggers off her back and letting them clatter to the ground. She almost made it to the ground when she began to sink to the ground. Asuka rushed over and caught Rei in her arms. " My, you smell" said Asuka, " let's get into my private bath, it is much bigger."
Asuka slung her arm under Rei's arms and helped her down the hall. " So what adventure made you smell so bad?" asked Asuka.
" We had a meeting with Ichi Goya" said Rei, so exhausted she wasn't even thinking straight.
" That little troll? We have had a price on his head for years" said Asuka.
" Don't have to worry anymore. We squashed that little troll."
Asuka was impressed, they were not ordinary mercenaries. Asuka wondered, but quickly pushed it out of her mind, no matter who they were they were no match for him, no one was. Asuka helped Rei up to her private chambers high in the interior of the castle.
Asuka's bathroom was dominated by a beautiful hand carved ivory pool that was filled with steaming hot water. Asuka removed Rei's kimono and sandals. She gently took both bandages off and gave both wounds soft kisses to get better. " Now you soak, I'll bring us some tea and snacks" said Asuka before giving Rei another kiss.
She helped Rei into the water, she watched as Rei seemed to find a new reserve of energy as the warm water washed the heavy film of goo returning her skin back its snow white beauty. " Hurry back" she said.
Asuka went downstairs to the kitchen, with the master of the castle gone so were most of the servants which suited Asuka more. She liked being self reliant, there was something satisfying about doing things for yourself. Asuka started to gather what was left from dinner as she boiled the water for her tea. Asuka was so involved in making the meal she didn't hear the curtain rustle or the footsteps gliding across the floor.
Hands grabbed her spinning her around before violently slamming her into the wall. All she needed to see was the barrel as it was pressed against her chin. " You remember to keep your mouth shut" he said, " you have been rather friendly to your newest guest. If you let them get too close you won't be the first to die. Your friend will suffer longer than Yamasda. I bet you'll enjoy her screams. I know I certainly will."
The barrel pushed down her neck and parted her kimono exposing herself to him. " Your beauty is spoiled by your tastes. You are going to learn to love me, or I will tie you to the town well where everyone including the vagrants and the stray dogs will love you."
Asuka looked away, she wished he would just use and get it over with. " Don't let them find out" he warned, " you are their only hope."
He dropped his rifle and pressed himself against her. he was cold, the stench of his weapon was in his hair and on his flesh. He licked her neck as he groped her, " Soon you will love me and your secret will be safe" he said.
And like that he was gone, leaving Asuka frozen against the wall crying. The shrill whistle of the teapot snapped her out of it and she hurried to pour the water.

Asuka hurried back up to her rooms, she wanted to get in her tub and wash him off her as fast as she could. Rei was happy to see her when she entered, she was lazily paddling about. " Smells good" said Rei, slowly paddling over.
" I hope so" said Asuka, setting the tray down, " help yourself."
Asuka removed her kimono and slipped into the water as Rei gobbled up the food like she hadn't eaten in two days. Asuka pressed herself against Rei and hugged her tight. She felt safe with Rei, he was now a thousand miles away.
Rei knew this hug, this was the same hug her sister gave her during a lightning storm. Asuka was scared of something, or someone. Rei finished eating and drinking both cups of tea before turning around and planting a gently kiss on Asuka's lips. " Something wrong?" she asked.
" No" said Asuka, " just happy to be with you."
Rei knew a lie when she heard it, probably from a life telling all kinds of lies to her parents and teachers. Rei knew pushing it would get her nowhere so she decided just to enjoy the evening, she could start worrying tomorrow. " I'm all clean, why don't we get messy?" suggested Rei.
Asuka smiled as the pair climbed out the tub and headed for Rei's room.

Koji walked up to the back of the tavern and quietly knocked on the door. It opened and Aki's face appeared. She smiled broadly and flung the door open. " Where have you been? I was almost starting to believe you had forgotten about me" she said.
" Of course not" said Koji, " I just have been busy."
" I want to hear all about your adventures later" said Aki, " but we have more important things to do."
Koji walked into the tavern and closed the door behind him. Aki first made him a large meal which he consumed like a whirlwind while receiving a thorough shoulder massage from Aki. " I'm glad your back" she said.

Toshiro Nezo stopped at the end of his patrol area and looked around. He was a proud and noble samurai and hated menial tasks like these. He was a warrior, he should be out hunting this killer not patrolling the street. Patrol was for the common soldiers not for him.
He looked south and saw his men staying sharp and on their feet. The first few nights he had to use the sheath of his sword liberally to keep his men awake. Now they stayed awake out of fear of the sharp strikes of his sheath.
Toshiro was no generous officer, his men lived hard and that hard living made them fight hard. He turned and looked back down the street. Before the terror struck the city these streets would still be filled with people coming and going from various taverns and entertainment places. He soon hoped this would end so he could rejoin those nightly activities of gambling and watching pit fights. Toshiro took his pipe out and lifted the paper guard on his lantern up so he could light his pipe. Toshiro took in a long deep drag from his pipe and exhaled.
His wife always warned him smoking would be the death of him. It wasn't for his long exhale filling his ears, his keen senses make have heard the click of the killer's rifle.