The mansion was filled with noises as the usual bickering, talking and training commenced.

Chiaki and Genta were training, determined to beat each other and then after them to beat their lord. Mako and Kotoha were discussing strategies with Ryunsoke.

Takeru walked into the open training area which was full of nature and the breeze rustled the leaves. he looked around and smiled gently as his presence was noticed and silenced them all. They bowed with respect, but as soon as he was off the higher platform they carried on with their discussions and training.

Ryunsoke joined his lord on the wooden floor and said "may i". They were almost like a puppy and its master, Ryunsoke always by his masters side.

"If you can" he joked with his 2nd in command and comrade, and the samurai sword fight began.

Bamboo swords swooshed in the air, smacked and bashed against the other, both fighters graceful and unbeatable. They caught the eye of their team mates, but the lord was always slightly quicker and stronger then the blue retainer who was all about accuracy and posture. Sometimes his ability wasn't as good as Takeru's and finally was forced down with him under the lord's sword pushing him down to the floor

"Well done sire, as usual" he complemented Takeru, bowed again and walked past him to join the others.

Takeru smiled at his innocence and looked at the peaceful setting of his new life, with the Gendoshu gone, nothing could restrict their time together, not as a team or lord and retainers but as friends and a family

"That word, family" he mumbled to himself and looked down at the grass below his feet. Here was a small Japanese symbol of bravery.

"What did you say Tono" Ryunsoke asked from behind him, but Takeru knew they weren't there, they weren't real and he ignored them, His day dream finished as they started to turn to dust and dissipated with the wind. He followed the cloud of dust with his eyes as it disappeared from sight. his training uniform of deep blue was changed into black mourning clothing and he looked down again at the symbol.

A tear crept from the side of his eye but he let it fall, "brother, am i always alone, you left me 13 years ago and they left me this year" he said slowly.

Jii came from the mansion and looked solemnly at his lord and walked slowly to the regretting teen as Takeru's eyes clenched shut

"come on Tono, its time" he said reassuringly and squeezed his shoulder

"Couldn't it of been me, Jii" he cried out, "why couldn't i have died instead of him"

"he would have wanted you to have been lord"

"but he would have been better, he would have knew the rules, he would of been someone you were proud of, more then me" he complained, "smart, strong, fair, a true leader"

"How would you know that?" he asked.

"He's told me"

"That was a dream" he was now angry at his lord but saw the pain in his eyes and his cheeks wet with his tears, "but we have you now, and i wouldn't change that fact for the world" Takeru looked at Jii as he smiled back at him

"now come on" he pulled at his shoulders the way to the remembrance of his dead brother, "we cant be late, can we?".

"No" he now smiled, "brother would be sad, wouldn't he"

"yes" Jii laughed slightly but they walked together in silence as they joined the men in black suits at the front of the mansion and continued forward in the dull grey and rainy world of today.