After the conquest of Oshu by the One-Eyed Dragon, the completion of the dreams of a drifter, Kojuro, the Right Eye of the Dragon felt uneasy. One thing was war and conquest. Other was keeping the peace within Date's lands and prepare for the wars to come while keeping the people protected and fed. The army was not enough, his strategic mind could fail to grasp all the details so easily if the information was withheld or tainted. The answer was simple and one other generals employed. A shinobi.
The farming grounds were the Right Eye's sanctuary and place where the results of his efforts would be apparent in the end of the season. It was the place where he could be found when away from Masamune-sama. It was midmorning, a few days after he had made the request to the winds, when a kunoichi arrived, appearing seemingly out of the shadows, waiting silently by the path, near the wooden fences. The farming grounds were neatly divided and cultivated, surrounding the army's main housing and training areas adding to the prosperity of the land, growing steadily, the workers taking pride in their jobs, in the fact that the Right Eye joined them in something most warriors and warlords would consider beneath them.
Kojuro paused his work, appraising her from a distance cautiously. He approached slowly, discarding the farm tools in the nearest worker's house, rubbing his hands together to get rid of vestiges of dirt, dust and wood. The ninja was small and delicate-looking, pale skinned, like most women of the land of the rising sun, hair black as coal firmly pulled back and braided down her back, the tip reaching her waist, waving slightly in the breeze. She wore simple clothes in tones of black and grey; pants, flexible tabi and a silk vest with silvery sakura flowers embroidered, an obi sash around her hips and waist. The arms were protected by a leather strap wrapped from knuckles to mid-arm.
Then his attention shifted towards the weapons she carried. An unusual thing. Metal claws, curved, covered each finger, articulate platting protecting the whole of her hand and wrist. Longer, broader and sturdier than neko-te. Those were combat tools not the slender trappings of an assassin.
The woman had a pretty face, slightly round, almond-shaped eyes framed by dark eyelashes that highlighted the grey that matched the dark steel of a fine katana under slanted eyebrows. The nose was quite common as faces went and all the attention of a man would focus on those lush lips, upper one curved like a composite bow, the lower plump and marred by a slight scar on the left side, a triangular nick that could only have come from a kunai. Training accident or an actual memento from a lost battle?
"Katakura-dono." Her voice was slightly lower than most women but not unpleasant, her stare even and serene. "I was sent to answer you request. My name is Saki." She bowed respectfully. The Right Eye of the Dragon nodded in acknowledgement, signalling her to follow. He hadn't expected a woman but skill was skill and if she passed his tests and requests Kojuro would have no problems with the arrangement.
Oshu seemed, by all reports and by her own estimates, as she travelled towards her new potential master, quite peaceful and happy for a recently conquered area. The heart of the country around Date's bukeyashiki was composed of a small city and farms, cradled amongst the mountainous terrain.
Prosperous and capable of withstanding all but the most brutal of campaigns.
Saki watched life move on around them attentively as the Right Eye guided her through the paths between the fields. It wasn't far but he was taking his time, most likely appraising her reaction, looking for signs of impatience or other hints of discontent. Either could lead to failure or betrayal, both particularly damning in his eyes. There were none to be found but such actions were in accordance with her earlier findings.
Katakura Kojuro. Strategist. A leash on the Dragon's brashness. A man for war and peace. Strong. Values honour and integrity. Even in peasant clothes there was no doubt about who he was. Power shone clearly through. He was older, mid twenties, his face revealed by his slicked back hair and the fabric that held the hair away, the clear eyes still and calm, the side of his visage marked by a darker scar slashing the left side.
Some of Date's warrior looked up from guard duty, downtime, eating, gambling or taking care of their weapons. Rogues, ruffians and rebels under the command of a similar being that was born as a samurai-lord. Loyal to a fault and as rowdy as the pirate gang of the Demon of the Seas. Unique in their looks despite the blue of their armours. Their eyes followed the second-in-command and focused with suspicion on her, the activity ceasing for a few moments. None had noticed her on arrival but that had been her goal. Shameful if they had, but if she was accepted it was something to mention to Katakura-dono.
They needed to be able to spot a hidden threat if one slipped her vigil.
In the outer grounds of the bukeyashiki they found the One-Eyed Dragon honing swordsmanship with one of his famed claws, the blade whispering through the air, followed by the energy of the lightning that seemed to sustain his skills, born of sheer willpower. Young... Saki though, observing blade and warrior, taking note of his movements, analysing the style. Not much older than her actually. All of her hoarded information made note of that. She had been sent because of such detail. Sensei and clan believed her fighting style and personality a good match to Date Masamune's army.
The One-Eyed Dragon. Cocky, brash, strong warrior, dreams of conquest. Still unnoticed or mostly dismissed by the most powerful lords. Whispers of worry linger on the background though.
The walled precinct seemed simple, the paths made of stone, soft dirt around them, punctuated by some trees and bushes, leading to the gates and the main house, the farms clearly visible and accessible. It was a plain structure, the angles sharp and military, as one would expect of a place made for war and men.
A small hidden smile curved her lips as she knelt in front of the young lord on the stone, claws placed in front of her, head lowered as protocol ordered. Handsome too even if at first glance the eye patch seemed a bit daunting even if only a hint peeked from beneath the strands of dark brown hair falling over his face. Guarding eye-candy was an enjoyable way to work. It made a nice change of pace from the short term contracts with old men she had been forced to take as part of her training and final kakan.
Most of them made her sit a bit behind them, exposed, showing her off like some sort of art piece or clan artefact in the meeting rooms. Hiring a ninja shouldn't be that openly displayed. Shinobi thrived in secrecy. Or, if they had to announce their presence, their reputation should be legendary and deadly.
Bored and miffed Saki had felt an unbelievable temptation to leave them to die at the hands of the other hired killers or dispose of them herself. But the Three Oaths ruled her so she fulfilled her task and disappeared once more.
Date was wearing the simple house-clothes, white and blue, and a plain sword sheath instead of the blue and black armour and the six claws. Not formal but no less imposing than any of the older lords, the ones whose names echoed in awe throughout the land. He just had the presence of a truly strong samurai.
"Masamune-sama" Katakura-dono began, his sure and smooth voice cutting the quiet air as the blade whistled in an upper slash, the man sparing only a quick glance from his one icy grey-blue eye as the movements flowed, the forms uninterrupted. "This is Saki, the kunoichi I sent for."
"Why would I need another member of my army Kojuro?" His words, deep and downy, filled the space as he stopped, adopting a neutral stance. The sword was sheathed slowly and he turned, blind side first. Arrogant gestures to match the inflection of his voice. She noticed a bit of strain both in his tone, well hidden beneath the words, and subtly placed in Katakura-sama's posture, as if it was an old argument and neither was sure of who was ahead.
"May I answer that, Date-sama?" Saki whispered looking up, straightening, keeping her inflection sweetly mild. A smirk parted his lips at her boldness. A bit of the icy disdain was dispelled. She caught Katakura-dono's guarded expression but he seemed pleased too. A nod gave her permission brusquely. "You need more than the strategic brilliance of your Right Eye and an army under your command. A spy net, a way to gather hidden information, to outplay your opponents. And someone to protect you from the shadows. A dagger in the back is often the easiest solution for those who lack honour. Or the guts to face you in battle."
Date observed her for a moment his interest captured by the steel claws. He thought of his uncle, Mogami, and all the possible threats that the old dandy could pose, of the surrounding enemies and the war brewing. Then he allowed his eye to roam over the rest of the new asset of Oshu, taking a slight interest in the woman, mostly moved by curiosity. The last remark was clear flattery with a bit of a sting. He quite enjoyed both.
Kojuro had never wavered in his loyalty and most of the times when he had given some advice Date hadn't particularly cared for the Right Eye had always been proven right. If a chance was all she was asking a chance would be given. Prove your usefulness or fall in disgrace.
"«All right»...Saki" He turned his back on them, walking away, into the house. Kojuro and Saki exchanged a glance and a small smirk appeared on the kunoichi's lips as she stood.
"All right then..." She murmured, a bit puzzled by the abrupt departure, turning towards the second-in-command. "Orders?"
Building a spy and information net wasn't easy, especially when duelling against threads laid by other shinobi in service of other warlords. A wrong pluck, an unworthy informant, a misstep could make the information void or lead to discovery, could have disastrous consequences not only to her, to Oshu but also to those she used to gather the news.
But such was the game she had been raised to play.
Katakura-dono already had a solid base in place, mostly involving military advances and some whispers about the rivals, but with a little effort she was able to buffer and enhance it to reach the other areas a ninja would consider vital. Some parts of the land were too deep into war, rendering such efforts meaningless. Others were so closed within themselves that the infiltration and mining of information had to be gradual, so no suspicion was raised.
The small room she had been given in the house soon became crowded with maps of the land, the provinces, with rolls of information about the general, armies and lords, with symbols, mementos and trinkets for and from an infiltration ploy, with small and great secrets concealed within simple things, to be used when the time and war called for them.
Weeks had passed since her arrival and she had been accepted within the army, one of the guys as it were. It had been a gradual thing starting with a duel with Katakura-dono in the dusk of her arrival. That wasn't required of the men since they were trained with, by or under the supervision of Katakura-dono and he knew what they were capable of.
Saki was an unknown.
Everyone in the army, the ones that weren't deployed to the borders or villages, had come to watch, placing bets, cheering for their comrade. It was her formal introduction. She was expected to prove her mettle, display her plain combat skills.
Saki appraised the enemy once more. She knew what she knew and couldn't get much more information about him for now.
Katakura unsheathed his sword, assuming position quietly and deliberately.
Left handed, complementing Date's blind spot and throwing off most adversaries. Fighting a mirrored sword style could be hard. A sudden change in grip gave her the first warning of the incoming attack. Her demeanour shifted, mind battling briefly with the styles she had learned from the moment she could walk.
Saki avoided the blade, evading his attack, circling the Right Eye, stepping lightly and fast, giving him her back as momentum moved his body forward, stepping back, watching as he regained his balance and footing, turning to face her.
There was a sudden silence among the men. Surprise. Ignore them for now. They are no threats and they are not usable. Focus only on the adversary.
The first test had been made, its effects informing both sides of something. His slash had been quick and diagonal. It was his favoured form of attack it seemed. Speed, surety and a hint of lighting. She cringed inwardly. There was no way she was going to escape unscathed but she wasn't going to give up either. At least not without some solid blows. Saki refused to be the only one sore in the next dawn.
He attacked again. This time she didn't dodge, stopping the blade with the back of her right claws, the force dragging her backwards as she fought to balance it. More murmurs of awe and disbelief as she dug her heels into the ground. As soon as the stalemate was reached she shifted her weight, her left claws slashing forward, right hand pushing the sword upward.
Katakura narrowed his eyes, the unbalance opening his guard a bit. Enough. Her open palm, claws curled backward so they wouldn't slash or pierce, hit him squarely on the stomach, missing the solar plexus by inches, the impact slightly absorbed by the armour, flowing to a kick as he reeled, searching for the same place, her aim accurate that time. The Right Eye grunted, but training could avoid the paralyzing reel of a gut hit. It took a massive amount of skill and will but he seemed to be able to do it. The second kick, as she spun over herself, seeking to press her advantage, was dodged as his blade sought her vulnerable side in an upward slash.
Saki jumped back, using the shadow step. Before the jutsu was completed the blind curve of the blade hit her on the side, the blow making her gasp in pain as the shadows carried and protected her. Katakura allowed himself a grimace as she vanished from sight, quivering, a bit unbalanced by the loss of air and the strain of resisting a blackout.
The men were whispering, their eyes having perceived a missed blow from the second in command and a hit from the new arrival. Shadow step, shadow jump were well known ninja vanishing and escaping techniques. Shadowing was perhaps one of the first and most perfected skills a shinobi should have, in parallel with one's unique elemental affinity.
She appeared again in the edge of the ring allotted for their fight, controlling her own scowl of agony, breathing deeply despite it, readying her body for true speed.
Katakura steadied his blade, lowered it and charged forward. She moved forward too, blurred by velocity and shadowing before the blow, reappearing on his back, kicking the base of his spine. Twilight helped a ninja's skills in that particular technique, the shadows more pliable to the call. The Right Eye shouted, turning on bent knee, the blade slashing downward. Saki slapped it away once, twice, as many times as he swung, their movements becoming frantic slashing, metal singing, lightning starting to build within him. He was keeping it in check as much as she was keeping the most underhanded techniques under wraps.
Combat was combat.
Her breath was becoming shallow and painful as the pressure of keeping the speed while in pain began to burn her energy faster than usual. A few more blows connected on both sides. The kunoichi jumped away without any aid from the shadows, landing on all fours hissing, just disengaging, seeking a breather. She tossed the braid over her back, standing slowly. This time she was unable to stop the instinctive gesture of protecting her ribs, knees wobbling, clenching her teeth.
The Right Eye's blade slashed downwards, seizing his advantage.
Saki stopped it, intertwining her claws, keeping it above her head. Wisps of shadow flowed gently through her metal claws, coming from within, revealing the nature of her own element. Her strength wavered. She wasn't build for head on combat although she could withstand it if such a thing was called. Usually she preferred to dispatch her opponents in less than three blows. His shadow whispered under her feet and she refrained herself from capturing it. It was a basic paralyzing technique that had no place in his request.
She tried to disengage. It was a successful movement but the adversary had already perceived it when her block had lessened. Katakura-dono did not waste the opportunity blade pressing against her throat as the kunoichi was almost bended backwards in mid escape, his free hand capturing one of her arms, breaking her balance, keeping her on the verge of falling.
Saki looked up, catching the eyes of her adversary. His neck was bruised. His stomach would be marred in blue and purple also. She had refrained from groin and eye shots and any of the ninja skills that would be considered deadly or special. Even so her fighting style was tailored to attack the vitals with precision and accuracy and even in a friendly match it would sting.
Katakura-dono nodded, ending the match, pulling her upward.
There was an awed silence in the garden.
The Dragon smirked.
"That was quite a «party»."
"Yeah a riot." Saki growled slowly. "Now if you'll excuse me I'll be over there vomiting my guts out." She more or less stumbled away, kneeling in the dirt in the edge of the circle, gasping, a hand on her abdomen as she tried to level her breathing pattern and calm the pain.
"She is quite good." Katakura appraised. "I meant to test her combat skills and that was all she showed. Saki." She scowled, letting them know she was listening. Some of the men were exchanging looks of awe or suspicion. A pair had approached, one of them patting her shoulder a bit awkwardly, the other flitting around her as if he didn't know how to interact. "How would you have killed me?"
"Not in combat." She turned around slowly, minding her budding bruises, facing the centre of the circle, folding her legs underneath her body with a mischievous tilt of her lips. "Most would use poison before engaging. Me? Wait till darkness falls, after a gruelling battle, when the edge is lost by exhaustion, celebration and planning, when the mind wants nothing more than sleep. Then I'd slash you throat quickly and quietly and disappear before your body touched the ground."
"And in combat?" Date asked in the silence and shocked glances from his troops. The death of any of them seemed to be a harsh issue to be broached.
"I'd die against him. Or I might be quick enough to flash away. Depends on luck sometimes. But before either I'd make sure to puncture the vein that runs underneath the wrists. In battle it would lose blood slowly enough to be mistaken for fatigue, a wound small enough to be neglected. But by the end of the battle it would be too late to stem the blood and save his life." She sighed. "I prefer to slash a throat and move on though. I'm not one on one combat material." She stood slowly, stretching, making a show of resolve and strength. She wasn't feeling either. Her abdomen hurt, her shoulder felt stiff and swollen and her legs were on the verge of refusing their support. "Just a frail little girl after all..." She murmured to the darkening sky.
There was a collective laugh in response of that comment that made her feel welcomed. Katakura-sama nodded at her, approving the answer, sitting down with his own expression of veiled pain as her personal reward.
Then there had been the drinking binge they had more or less forced on her after the first skirmish Saki had been part of. It was a celebration of victory and she had seen no reason nor threat that kept her from accepting the challenge.
A bandit in the border problem, something that was to be expected with the recent unrest in the provinces and other lands were going through, a simple plan to execute, using a small force. Date himself, because he was "bored", Katakura and the main four guys, Yoshinao, Bunshichi, Samenosuke and Magobei. If anything wasn't according to plan they could use the soldiers stationed nearby to keep the peace, the ones who had asked for a stronger intervention.
Saki scouted the camp from the trees and shadows without interfering, reporting the finds, outlining the simplest plan and routes on entrance and evacuation as she had been taught. It was mountainous terrain and they were holed up in a rather defensible position amongst the rock, the peaks and the slender dark and resilient mountain trees. Men with stolen, improvised or poor quality weapons, little to no armour, disorganized, greedy and unawares, despite the good choice of camp and the way they had been hitting the villages and travellers. A small measure of pride echoed within her when Katakura-dono approved of her plan. It was the simplest solution to the current situation, the number of adversaries and the terrain. And it was another step though in proving herself useful to an already successful army.
The fight was also an opportunity to watch the dynamic between the Dragon and his Right Eye. Back to back when the problem was at his peak. She blended into the rhythm softly, testing the waters at first, moving from adversary to adversary, killing the ones that advanced when a blind spot revealed itself in the pair, taking the place of either one when the other was forced apart, paralyzing them enough time for a strike to end their lives.
The battle, if it could be called that, was soon over, the bandits more bold than skilled.
Saki wiped the blood away from her claws slowly while the guys moved around, trying to identify the bandits and taking the things they had stolen. Most would be given to the army. Some would be returned to their owners, too personal to be of use. In the end the people of Oshu would beneficiate from either.
They had camped after the fight, unwilling to ride through the night. It was just a fire and some sleeping mats, near the road. Saki was perched on a tree branch, laying down on it like a napping cat, eyes closed, one hand dangling, the claws shimmering against the fire's glow twitching from time to time. She opened her eyes lazily as one of the guys approached. Yoshinao with his boxy face, darker skin and quite unique flamboyant hairstyle and quasi permanent chin stubble. He was louder and more outspoken than the other three, the expressions often exaggerated by the bushier brows and small eyes.
"It was a good fight today." He announced, flexing. Saki pulled her hand up and sat, tilting her head. "You should come down, celebrate with us." The kunoichi made a small sound, letting herself fall backward, hanging from the tree, secured by her bended knees. The tip of her braid almost touched the ground. She chuckled when her eyes caught the man trying to hide the fact that he had all but assumed the position to catch her.
"That's a nice offer." She smiled for him before letting go, twisting in mid air, landing on her hands and feet before straightening. "I thank you but..." He planted a palm on her back, slapping it with enough force to make her take a few steps forward and miss a couple of breaths.
"You're part of the army Saki-chan."
Saki chuckled bitterly.
"It is your opinion Yoshinao-san. Although I am grateful for it I know most of you believe I will simple plant a kaiken into Date-dono's back and leave without punishment." The retainer's hand suddenly closed over her left arm, squeezing eagerly, forcefully, as if desperately trying to make a point. It was a quick thing, just a remainder of pain. He let go almost immediately, the arm draping itself over her shoulders, guiding her towards the fire.
"I saw you stand your ground so the Captain and Katakura-dono wasn't overwhelmed when a ninja's style is to disappear and avoid combat. Soon they will have no reason to believe in such nonsense." He smiled for her too. Saki hid her surprise. True, she did that but she thought she had been fast enough in her defence and concealment that no one had noticed. And if Yoshinao knew he would already have shared. "I found her!" He shouted to the other, making a show of her entrance into the light.
Saki smirked seeing no reason not to humour them.
The retainers had broken out the sake. She couldn't recall much of the night after that. A haze of song, talk, jokes and moving shapes.
Then she awoke in the morning with just a headache. It wasn't a serious pain, mercifully, a side effect of her training. Her body was used to filter toxic substances. Still there was a limit to such a tolerance as the pounding inside her head was keen to remind her. She was sitting in front of Katakura-dono's horse, while they rode back to Oshu. Saki groaned. While waking up with a handsome man was a pleasant thing that whole situation was quite a bit unprofessional.
"The guys got me drunk." She grunted slowly, looking for confirmation. There was no mistaking the amusement in his demeanour even if his face was stoic.
"Indeed. You are quite a tight lipped but friendly drunk."
"How badly did I disgrace myself Katakura-dono?" So he had interrogated her while intoxicated. Good to know her training still held true even if her mind wasn't quite itself. The First Oath should not be broken. She would have done the same if their positions had been inverted. Who knew what kinds of secrets one hid... What did he mean by friendly though?
"Think of it as a passage rite." He added. Saki shook her head, accepting the graceful option, smiling, straightening, looking around quietly, appraising the terrain and the perches she could take.
"Thank you then." She shadowed, jumping ahead to do her job.
The third event that solidified her position as the Dragon's Shadow was a blade in the dark. And it wasn't meant to be divulged. But men not raised within the shinobi clans were not good at keeping secrets. Even less so when they were bonded into an army of warring brothers.
Saki was moving in the cover of darkness, taking the hardest paths, sharpening her skills. There was no dojo or training camp fit for her kind of talents so improvisation was needed, using the houses and terrain of Oshu as playground. As she was walking on the thin ledge of the roof there was a slight disturbance in the ground. The kunoichi stilled, crouching, searching for the movements that had caught her attention. There was a man sneaking into the inner garden. She would care about the guards' fate later. As soon as the intruder came into the open terrain her actions were silent and swift.
She jumped onto the garden and captured his shadow, stepping onto it. It was a small flickering thing created by the tiny lights she had put in place as a trap, a web of seemingly decorative lanterns. They were a useful trick when no moonlight escaped the clouds or when natural light wasn't cooperating. The man was suddenly paralyzed, the fear in his eyes plain and stark. She advanced, keeping him pinned. A punch into his gut made him cough out the poison capsule that would have allowed him to escape without punishment, without revealing his purpose or hirer. Saki picked it up between two sharp tips and crushed it, the powder falling into the ground. There was a dry odour to it... Purple Jade... Messy and painful. No care for the caught. She grimaced, placing her claws against his neck. The man was unable to squirm but his eyes were wide, the whites showing. He could have screamed... Shadow skills, unless it was the master tier of techniques, or a very specific jutsu, didn't paralyze inside the body. Maybe he was just too terrified to try it.
"Who sent you?" She whispered against his hear. His scent carried the smell of dirt and smoke. Nothing about him screamed training. The clothes were common, like any peasant would wear in the day-to-day chores. A would be killer with some natural skill for stealth but no shinobi. His resolve had wavered as soon as he felt his own blood, brought forth by her claws as a warning.
"Mogami-sama" His voice rasped in the dark, barely above a whisper, eyes darting around, as if afraid that any louder sound would seal his fate. A fate already sealed.
"How many of you are there?" Amateurs did not work alone. Even the beginners of an honourable and time-tested shinobi clan would work in pairs until the kakan. He hesitated. She sunk the claw deeper into his neck, drawing blood from non-vital spots.
A smidge of respect for his slight hesitation in denouncing his partners shimmered within her. It didn't last long. She slashed his throat as soon as an answer was given, freeing his shadow, pushing him forward to keep the blood from staining more than her weapons.
Saki stepped away, listening to any odd sounds. She looked back and walked towards Date's room, sliding open the shoji silently, slipping into the darkened space. It didn't have much in the way of furniture which made it quite easy to sneak in. The floor was sturdy and didn't creak under the tatami. The sleeping arrangements were in the centre of the area, like an offering. She made a disgruntled face. Even though the claws were laid next to him, three in each side, it didn't make him less of a target. Her steps stilled a few feet away from the edge of the covers. A silent sigh escaped her lips when she was close enough to see the gentle movement of his breathing. Still alive then.
That was the first one sent. She turned, prepared to leave. Had to hunt down the others before...
"Saki." She stopped when his voice rose from behind her. She looked around, trying to pinpoint what had given her away. The moon... A thin sliver of fading moonlight had peeked from behind the clouds cutting a swat towards the futon. Date was sitting, slowly, a hand touching one of his claws. Sleepy but aware enough. She hissed, stopping. "What is the meaning of this?"
"When an assassin is skulking near your door you tend to assume the worst." She glanced over her shoulder slowly. He was on his feet now, chest bared, the expression tranquil and pensive. "I apologise for waking you but I forgot to take the moon into account."
He was standing next to her now, looking at the inner garden. Saki eyed him appreciatively for a moment, appraising the muscled physique usually hidden by the armour. Not as bulky as some but defined enough. Pity he was sleeping with some loose pants on because the path from his neck, down to his abs and waistline was quite cut and defined. The cold had stiffened the flat nipples too. Surprisingly his skin was as tanned there as were his hands and face. She smiled a bit smugly, slightly distracted, happy with the results despite the mistake that had given her away before glancing at her handiwork, her mind snapping back to the work demands.
Date hid his surprise when his glance found the slumped body of an attacker. Her claws were stained with blood. She killed a man so close to his door, to Kojuro's door without either of them awakening... Then she came into his sanctuary to make sure he was still alive and but for a single stray beam of moonlight he wouldn't have known. A grin parted his lips as he assessed the small female standing next to him as the moonlight faded once more, leaving only the shimmer of colourful lanterns.
"Worried about me little shadow?" He needled, keeping his voice low. She scoffed tartly at his comment, lips twisting into an amused grin.
"My life is bound to yours." Saki moved away, shrugging. "I like living. Go back to sleep Boss." She vanished suddenly, leaving him alone in the night.
Masamune shook his head. He remembered her grey eyes lost in drunken revelry, shining, alight with amusement as she leaned against him, comfortably fitting against his side, in his arm, singing off-key with his men, accepting the sake, the companionship and making light of the compliments, dodging Kojuro's questions easily despite the drowsiness induced by the booze. Not the same icy eyes that reflected the moon as she stared at him, looking for signs of life or the cold detached regard she had glanced towards the corpse of the assassin.
Kojuro was surveying the preparations for the northern campaign in his usual serious demeanour, steering and issuing orders, making sure the plans outlined during the last war summit were implemented, when Masamune joined him, fully equipped, his expression thoughtful. The soldiers were running around, preparing the horses, the supplies, and the weapons but there were no rumours of deaths or assassins. That made him suspicious. Saki was also nowhere to be found. Usually, by the time the sun had risen and completed a bit of its celestial progression she would already had reported to him or Kojuro. Not a whisper in that morning. The assassin's corpse from the night before was also gone when the One-Eyed Dragon had left his room. Not even the scent of blood lingered.
"Masamune-Sama?" Kojuro caught his mood, turning. "We will be ready to depart after noon." He assumed the campaign was the main issue in his mind, as it was something that had been in the works for a while and was a more of great importance for Oshu. The time seemed right to begin expanding the One-Eyed Dragon's influence.
"Have you heard anything last night?" Date crossed his arms, straightening, his expression calculating, keeping his voice low, watching the tumult. The men were in high spirits, eager for combat, fulfilling their assigned tasks, talking, planning, hoping.
"No, I have not." There were few reasons for such a question. None of them boded well.
"Saki killed a man in the inner garden. Somehow he dodged the guards." Date said calmly, appraising his second in command reactions.
Kojuro's eyes narrowed slightly, a bit thrown. He had assumed she had reported to Masamune-sama that morning and retired to sleep before scouting ahead, as agreed.
The One-Eyed Dragon turned his back on him walking towards the room given to the kunoichi, curiosity, duty and worry mingling in an odd way. Kojuro followed him. She was their ninja. If she had died defending Oshu and its Head they should know.
Date opened the shoji a bit more forcefully than needed, making the frame hiss and found himself unable to move. His eye roamed around the room, in a quick sweep, trying to understand what was happening, finding his and Kojuro's shadows captured by one of her hands, de-clawed and slender, splayed on top of the dark forms, extending from the futon, emerging from beneath the covers. Between dark loose tresses one of her grey eyes peeked, steeled in aggression, ready for battle. She tskd then, when recognition shone through, liberating them suddenly, hand lifting, sitting slowly, her loose dark hair framing the grumpiest expression any of them had ever found in a woman.
"Don't ever do that." She whispered, almost to herself, sliding the blinding bangs away revealing a crisscrossing net of bloody scratches covering the left side of her face and part of the neck, exposed by the thin loose shirt she wore to sleep. She knelt formally on the shikibuton, glancing to the glow of morning outside, still frowning. "I... seem to have overslept." Her tone was slightly aghast now.
Kojuro took over, ignoring the defensive reaction that had imprisoned them, demanding a report in his usual composed and controlled way. Saki threw an amused expression Date's way as if accusing him of blabbing, like a child, before focusing on the Right Eye with a serene demeanour, like the ninja that came to the war meetings and sat behind them with her maps, information and whispered cynicism.
"There was an assassination attempt last night. Three men. One was killed in the inner garden. Had considerable talent for the stealthy arts." She was giving the guys that had been tasked to guard the house a suitable excuse for missing an assassin. Most of them had scoffed at her idea of learning how to protect from shadowed threats. Date hid a grin. Foolish of them not to listen. "The other was a bandit, waiting to attack like a crazed person, invading the house, slaughtering his way through. Most likely a decoy, a sacrifice, so the third would succeed. That one was smart and had some training. I'm willing to believe him a renegade from one of the ninja clans, one that didn't learn much." There was no mistaking the scorn in her tone when mentioning the last man. "Determined little bugger, trying to double back to the house..." She smirked as if amused at the tactic. "They have been dealt with and their corpses returned with a warning." Saki bowed her head slightly, black strands slipping forward once more. "I hadn't planned on sleeping this long though. Please forgive my mistake."
"So you caught them all." Date said, approaching, crouching, tilting her head up, appraising the scratches.
"Yes." She looked at Kojuro, moving away from his touch, as if he was blocking her view. "I made sure that there was no one else. Not one carried a symbol but all appointed Mogami Yoshiaki as their instigator." Saki hid a yawn suddenly, struggling to keep her face composed seemingly unbothered by the proximity of her captain and current state of undress.
"What are these?" Date captured her face again, tracing the red welts. She grimaced.
"I had to hide in a thorny bramble to get the last man. It's not as serious as it looks." She smiled and leaned back, escaping his fingers once more. "I'll be out and scouting in a few minutes." Saki murmured, standing, showing her legs, bared and trim, moving towards her clothes and claws. There was a tanto peeking underneath the covers, placed next to where her sleeping hand would have been and half a dozen kunai near the headrest. She glanced over to them, a slight playful glare in her gaze before picking up her belongings and leaving them for the bathing chambers.
Kojuro closed the shoji slowly, as she walked away, exchanging a look with his leader.
"Masamune-sama..." He began, his voice thick with planning.
Date nodded slowly, agreeing with the unspoken sentiment.
Saki heard the horses, a clamouring through the night, approaching, accompanied by the echoes of voices and cheers, and stood on her perch, slowly, watching the road, catching the flicker of the torches carried by the warriors. When the army came she jumped forth, landing on Date's horse lightly, leaning against his back, smiling for Katakura-dono.
"Evening Boss. Katakura-dono. Guys." She waved to the rest of the army, crossing her legs, unbothered by the undulating of the horse underneath her, lolling her head back, avoiding the crescent moon of the helmet while resting against his shoulder. It had been a long night to add to the others. Ninja were trained to work with as little sleep as possible but her limit was fast approaching.
"Saki." Kojuro acknowledged her softly. Her presence marked the last dwindling miles before the camp, as planned. "We should halt the army and send you to mount Saijo once again. I sense trouble. It is as if they are waiting for us." His horse approached, ready to question her about the latest developments in the battlefield and warn their leader about any misgivings. Saki straightened, her eyes narrowing, paying attention to the situation.
"They are." She said softly. Both Sarutobi and Kasuga were ghosting around hours before. There was a good chance they had seen Oshu's force. Maybe they had even seen her. Saki felt confident in her still shadowed presence in the One-Eyed Dragon's army though. None of the rumours her net picked up mentioned her by name at all.
Date's chuckle snapped on her back and he looked over his shoulder.
"Perfect." He murmured arrogantly, amused.
Kojuro frowned. "But then it wouldn't be a surprise attack." He mentioned, calculating. A deviation from a plan always demanded careful consideration and the surprise was the main advantage in the campaign.
"«No Problem» Let's go Kojuro, Saki." He shouted, rearing the horse, clamouring for speed, his men imitating his ardour. Kojuro closed his eyes, shaking his head with a small smile of pride and the amusement of a parent with a brilliant but rambunctious child. Saki chuckled to herself, jumping off the horse, using the trees for transport, running alongside the army.
The camp of Echigo's War God was empty when they arrived, darkness beneath the trees in the path they had emerged from, some torches still sunk into the ground in the slope that led to the river, casting a flickering light over some patches of terrain. Saki jumped from the tree, standing next to Katakura-dono's horse. Not even the reflex of a fire in the distance. So Kasuga had indeed spotted their forces. Saki lips thinned when thinking of the deserter. Not as dim as her former actions and current outfit made her seem. She approached one of the ash pits as the army gathered, quieting down, the horses panting, the harnesses clinking. Still warm but the embers were dying, suffocating under the sooth and dirt. Moisture was gathering on the base of the hoof prints made by hundreds of horses.
"Looks like we made it just after he left to face off with Takeda." The kunoichi reported, crossing her arms by the wrists, flexing her fingers with a sigh, stretching afterwards. "How bothersome."
"Or it could be a trap." Kojuro rebutted, moving his horse on a tight circle, watching the empty camp site once again.
"Doesn't look like it." Saki mentioned casually, lowering her arms. Still...
Date made a slight hiss of displeasure, turning around, to his troops.
"«Are you ready guys?!»" the deafening sound of screaming men filled the air, accompanying his voice. "«Put ya guns on!»" He finished his battle cry raising his arm. Saki rolled her eyes.
"You sound ridiculous Boss." She muttered in a dry tone. Date Masamune levelled her with a slight glare. The shinobi shrugged. "Just saying..." He chuckled before inciting his horse to dash. As loyal as she had proven herself to be sardonic was her way to behave. After a few days the red welts left by the thorns had faded, leaving her once more with a decidedly unthreatening visage.
The whinny of another group of horses stopped their march, the echoes of their arrival muffled by their own army. Saki, left behind by his jump, was suddenly by his side. A small contingent led by young men clad in red crossed their path, effectively cutting it. The leader seemed to recognize them and quite frankly who wouldn't now? Date was distinctive in looks and the army had no concept of blending in. Subtle you are not Boss. He almost heard her voice saying that, a soft jab she playfully tossed his way, usually exchanging a suffering glance with Kojuro.
Sanada Genjiro Yukimura was loud, brash and quite full of himself. Saki almost regretted having joined the Dragon in the front of the army as she was quite sure even the guys that were still atop the hill could hear his screams of challenge. That seemed to amuse Date and prod him into his own brand of cockiness. Saki sighed knowing the games boys played. Being with the army made her want to bang her head against the nearest solid object when the bragging competitions began.
The One-Eyed Dragon had dismounted, advancing towards his adversary, a claw bared. Neither she or Katakura-dono followed, although the Right Eye had dismounted, standing next to the Shadow.
"I'm going to charge Kawanakajima in pursuit of Uesugi. Will you turn back or will you hold me off here? Either way it's obvious Date will end up being the sole victor."
"Digressing." Saki grumbled. Katakura-dono patted her shoulder amiably, hiding a smile. Date on the other hand was fully launched into bragging mode.
"It just means the One-Eyed Dragon isn't all for show «you see»"
Saki hissed and crossed her arms again. Kojuro placed his hand on one of his swords, standing perfectly straight.
"Kojuro, Saki." They looked up, towards the soon to be battlefield. "Don't let anyone interfere."Kojuro nodded solemnly. Saki smirked and tilted her head, amused.
The combat started suddenly and sharply, their screams and blades singing in the air, crossing. Saki scoffed, observing them move, their respective auras flaring to life. The Dragon was getting heated in battle in a way she had yet to see and the other man had a temper that seemed to always be on fire. Their blows buzzed with energy and the very earth and air seemed to be reacting to their ferocity.
"He's enjoying himself isn't he?" She whispered into the air with a bit of pride and awe as Date dodged the blows with ease, his army chanting for his victory rowdily or commenting in disbelief. Not all shinobi served men they could admire or agree with. She had come to think herself lucky to serve the One-Eyed Dragon.
Saki cringed a bit when one of the spears scuffed the Dragon's helmet. His counterattack was quick and sure, taking advantage of the smug pause his adversary had taken. Metal and wood sang again.
"It's not often Masamune-sama finds someone that challenges his skills in such a way." Katakura-dono agreed as Date unsheathed all his claws, calling lightning through his will, fighting the cub's fire.
"I'm liking the show too." She chuckled. "It's unusual for one such as me to be able to appreciate two men in battle without worrying about the blade that's about to sink into my back." She winked playfully. "Such a handsome pair. Would like to see some clothing being ripped off though."
Kojuro shook his head placidly. A deadly ninja Saki might be but outside of battle she adopted a laid back personality anyone could appreciate. She also liked to bait then into reacting. And managed to do so without loosing any of her edge. Competent but not submissive. If he ever was incapacitated he knew that he could trust her to take care of their lord.
"They seem to be evenly matched for now." He noticed as the ground shook with the force of their blows. She grunted in agreement, keeping her balance, shifting her weight carefully.
"If any slips they might end up severely wounded." She added, the strategist peeking behind her smile as someone in their ranks gasped about Sanada's ability to stop the death claw blow. "The sun is coming up..." She mentioned looking at the pink tinge that bled over the horizon.
Kojuro was going to answer, to ask her to scout ahead, to find out how the battle between the Tiger of Kai and Echigo's War God was proceeding when her eyes narrowed and her body tensed. One moment she was there and then she was gone.
Date and Sanada had jumped away from each other, readying themselves for another round but before either could move a shinobi appear in the empty middle ground. Suddenly Saki was there too, a bit diagonally from the newcomer, right in the path he would have to take to reach Masamune. All deadly business now, Kojuro noticed, claws tensed lips thinned into an aggressive line.
"Hold. Won't you leave it at that One-Eyed Dragon-danna?" Saki narrowed her eyes and relaxed a fraction, taking a step back, placing the claws on her hips. Sanada looked from ninja to ninja, confused, glaring then at his adversary. "I am from the Takeda's Sanada Ninja Troop, Sarutobi Sasuke." The Dragon's Shadow scowled. "Saki?"
"Sarutobi." He blinked but didn't miss a beat. The kunoichi smiled then, shaking her head.
"I'm not one to be a downer..." She mouthed a since when to the skies that made Date smirk as Kojuro approached, frowning, his mind at work. "but Uesugi and our main forces are about to surround this area. If it was a three way fight, that would be one thing, but the odds are not in your favour when two forces come at you together."
Saki looked up, closing her eyes, opening her senses, trusting her allies. She didn't hear a thing which meant that he was most likely deceiving them. An army composed by two of the greatest forces on the land was not exactly calm and silent. Still it was a good way to bow out gracefully.
"Don't try to bluff me." Date's voice made her open her eyes, perceiving conflict, and glance towards Katakura-dono, searching for less subjective orders. He nodded, gesturing her away. She bowed her head and walked away from the conflict, approaching the horses. "Who the hell trusts the word of an enemy's ninja?" He was likely to attack both the interloper and his challenger. So it was time for a cool calculated voice to overcome his enthusiasm.
"Masamune-sama." Kojuro's voice cut through the haze of battle efficiently. "I believe we should fall back for now." At Date's conflicted expression he used his leverage. "Even if we were able to beat them we'd take casualties." The One-Eyed Dragon relented with a muted curse.
They returned to their horses slowly, measuring each step.
Saki looked down, watching the young tiger touch his chest, his expression dumbfounded.
"He was lying." She said softly to both men, still looking at the base of mount Saijo.
"I suspect so." Katakura-dono agreed.
Date just looked tempestuous, mounting, darting away.
Even though the mood was festive down at the base of the hill under the sakura tree with the blossoms of spring flying through the gentle breeze there was a pondering demeanour on the top of it. Saki had found herself a sturdy branch to lounge on observing the One-Eyed Dragon quietly. The helmet was on the ground, still scuffed by the earlier battle, a sort of a memento to a moment of vulnerability, but the armour was still in place. He seemed torn between the disappointment of a failed plan and the excitement of having a true adversary. He hadn't spoken more than a few words since dawn and the day had been spent in a wild ride. Or so the guys had said. Saki had asked Katakura-dono for details when she returned from the scouting endeavours. His opinion didn't differ.
The news were not encouraging... She shifted a bit blowing a petal away from her face, watching it fall into Date's sake as Katakura-dono returned from his inspection. No casualties, wounds and aches healing nicely, the horses were fed, the army was fed, there was shelter and warmth and the spirits were high. It wasn't hard to surmise that from the summit but Katakura-dono preferred to make sure of such things in person. Date did the same most of the times but as anyone could see he just wasn't in such a mood that night.
"I wasn't able to fight Echigo's War God or Kai's Tiger." Date finally spoke. Katakura-dono said nothing, waiting, sitting. Saki arched her back, adjusting her position slowly with a huff, closing her eyes for a moment. He didn't sound worried or angry. It was a simple fact that the Dragon stated with just a hint of disappointment. "We got nothing of what we came here for."
"You say such things yet you don't sound very disappointed." Katakura-dono voiced her opinion calmly.
"Then why did you stop me? Did you think I would lose?"
"Not lose. Just get injured, incapacitated, unconscious... those might have been some of the reasons... or you might have killed the boy and then the old Tiger would be growling at Oshu..." Date looked up. She just smiled down. He tskd.
"I took into account the potential outcome if what Takeda's ninja said was true." Katakura-dono said cautiously, serving more sake. "Even though both Saki and I were sure it was just a way to break the fight... if you had continued the combat you or perhaps both would have been..." The Right Eye hesitated a bit then relented. "Saki already explained a bit more bluntly than I would."
Date Masamune smirked at his drink, head lowering slightly.
"I got a little too heated. I need to stay cool."
Saki chuckled again, keeping an actual laugh in.
"Heated." The kunoichi murmured softly. "Oh Boss... you were spewing lightning like a wild storm. Everyone within miles must have noticed the commotion... Cocky Dragon."
Katakura-dono took a moment to school his face into a serene mask while Date and Saki tried to stare each other down. She gave up with a smile, closing her eyes, silent laughter shaking her shoulders as she shook some of the thinner branches, showering them with sakura petals, peppering Date's hair.
"Shall we head to Oshu tomorrow?"
"No. We didn't drift down here to the land of Musashi to go sightseeing." Date said softly, swirling his cup.
"Then as soon as the scouts I sent out return let us hold a war council." Saki moved, reacting to the plan. The men had been dispatched to appraise the battlefield and secure the campsite. She had made her rounds but the threat of weapons was more... forceful than her shadowy walks. "Saki?"
"Hmmm... Imagawa is raising an army." She answered softly.
"It is about time they started to, given all this pressure from neighbouring states." Katakura-dono considered, serving some of the drink into his own cup.
"Isei was invaded by Oda..." Saki continued, slipping another bit of information, adding to the warring picture.
Date seemed satisfied.
"You get me." He said smugly to his Right Eye.
"Takeda intends to reach them first, though." Kojuro accepted the compliment with the ease forged by years of true companionship. He glanced at Saki who nodded. That was the information she had quickly relayed after watching the retreat of the Tiger of Kai's army and witnessing Sarutobi's dance and weave of information.
"Takeda just fought Uesugi." Date said thoughtfully.
Before Saki could talk Katakura-dono continued.
"They probably didn't cross blades at Kawanakajima. I'm sure the generals on both sides chose to fight another day when they found out about our surprise attack."
Saki agreed with a hum. She'd seen the untouched battle grounds, seen the unscathed armies walk in opposite directions. Kasuga had reported them to Echigo's War God and Sarutobi had mentioned their presence to the Tiger. One left early for the battlefield, the other sent a small troop to cut their charge. It was a satisfying thing to have thrown Sarutobi Sasuke off with her presence. Take that intricate web of information. It didn't know about her allegiance until the moment of her choice.
"There are also rumours of a truce between Kai and Echigo." She mentioned then.
Date's hand gripped his cup a bit more forcefully.
"Son of a bitch..." He murmured between clenched teeth. Katakura-dono made a benevolent face, shaking his head. Saki chuckled, letting one hand fall from the branch, flexing her claws, catching one petal in her palm, playing with it as the plan unfolded.
"It might be amusing to take Imagawa before the Tiger of Kai." Amusing. The old man would be livid and his cub would most likely start another shouting competition. She smiled, delighted. A nice fight-gift for the One-Eyed Dragon, an apology for the earlier interruption.
"How?" Date's mind was already on strategy.
"We will imitate Takeda himself. If I were to name it...Woodpecker strategy." A flowery name did not change the nature of one's attack but still...
Saki moved a bit, groaning. She hadn't thoroughly surveyed Sunpu, Imagawa Yoshimoto, Odawara... but there was something she knew about it, that all shinobi should know as the information referred to a legend in the ninja clans. Fuma Kotaro was there, at the service of the Hojo clan. And he was the reason why there had been no great army in the province. Not that the warlords needed to be informed of that... unless it was crucial for their campaign...
"Sound like fun. I'm in." The One-Eyed Dragon toasted, raising his sake slightly to the dark night sky before drinking it, petal and all.
Make some noise and make them chase you. Simple orders and easy enough to follow for an army of rowdy warriors. Don't fight, just ride. Lead them to the Tiger's troops. Saki had been tailing the Tiger of Kai, waiting for the moment their armies would cross, keeping a careful eye out for Sarutobi's shadow. So far it had been easy enough to avoid him which made a bit wary. The walk alongside the army of Kai had also given her another opportunity to appraise the young challenger from the combat at Saijo.
Didn't seem that heated or annoyingly loud as he rode alongside the massive form of Takeda Shingen. But there was an unmistakable air of energy and impatience about him that couldn't be attributed only to youth or inexperience. Sanada Yukimura. It wasn't much but for the time she had for research it was passable. Takeda Shingen's devoted ward. Hot-blooded, battle crazy, general-in-the-making youth. Protected by Sarutobi Sasuke though he is not his main charge. If she had to conjecture Saki would toss a guess at genuine care from Takeda's shinobi toward the boy. Boy... didn't that make her feel old... They were roughly the same age, give or take a few months...
She jumped to another branch silently, stopping, hearing the commotion of hooves and hoots. They were coming.
Saki couldn't fault Sasuke's interest though. The kunoichi stood, observing as Kai's troops were stopped on the path, allowing the guys to jump down, riding on. Just look at that wide-eyed innocent face... A prime target for teasing, no doubt.
Date and Katakura-dono finally crossed the path, the last ones before their persecutors, the One-Eyed Dragon not resisting a taunting glance back and a challenging exclamation while riding forth. Of course that prompted a screaming challenge, Date's name echoing in the walled path as Hojo's troops stopped their horses, staring at the new development.
Take the bait... She urged silently, claws pricking the bark under them in anticipation. The army captain reared his horse, raising his voice into the air, announcing to his men that the Dragon of Oshu and the Tiger of Kai had formed an alliance against Hojo. His orders were swift. "Kill them all".
Saki moved a bit, sharpening her hearing as the battle began, as swords were crossed, as Hojo's soldiers poured into the path to engage the men from Kai, preventing them from advancing towards their shared target. Dust clouded the road and the shrill sound of steel made it hard to catch any words other than taunts, threats or dying screams. It put a strain of her head too, threatening to bring forth an ache.
"Date, that little bastard, used us in his trap." Takeda Shingen, his booming voice still quite distinct amongst the cacophony of combat, talking directly to Sanada, ordering him to give chase while managing his men. Saki smiled. Perfect. She shadow jumped away from the battle and moved alongside the young cub.
A bit more of delay from his part would be appreciated... He had dodged the combatants handily with his troops, screaming against Date still. The guys had a massive head start but it was her job to do anything to help the One-Eyed Dragon's army.
A swift jump brought her to the road, right in the young warrior's path, placing herself in such a way that the horse couldn't skirt her without harm. As expected surprise and a conscience made him stop before the hard hooves of his brown steed made contact with her rather small frame. Actually he stopped way sooner than she had anticipated.
Saki smiled looking up. He hesitated, the horse dancing beneath him, reacting to his impatience, to his turmoil of emotions.
"You're... Date Masamune's... shinobi" The surprise passed quickly as soon as recognition sunk. "Get out of the way." His order was forceful but there wasn't much power behind it.
Saki smiled and winked. He grew flustered, gripping the spears a bit harder, trying to intimidate her with the horse's advance. She stepped back quickly, clawed hands performing the nine symbols in quick succession, creating the Seal.
It was a higher technique and one whose motions took her a couple of years to perfect, considering the implements with which she fought. Sometimes her hand gestures would sway towards sloppy when in a hurry but they still did the job. The Shadow Cage would imprison one person for five hours. But when used on multiples the time shattered and split... As the jutsu was completed the troop Sanada led was frozen in place by their own shadows.
She turned her back on them and started to run after a quick appraisal of their faces frozen in expressions of fear or rage. Or a slight blush in a confused and slightly aggravated frown in Sanada's case.
Shadows wouldn't answer to her call for a few minutes after a Seal but speed would be enough to catch Date's army. A Shadow Element was a tricky thing to manage despite most of her clan being adept at it. Not as blunt as Light and Darkness, drawing from both, adept at neither. So the kunoichi ran.
Bukeyashiki – 武家屋敷– Old Samurai Residences;
Chan –ちゃん – is a diminutive suffix; it expresses that the speaker finds a person endearing; In general, chan is used, but is not limited to, babies, young children, grandparents and teenage girls. It may also be used towards cute animals, lovers, close friends, any youthful woman, or even between friends. It can be used for males in some circumstances, but in general this use is rather condescending or intimate;
Danna –主人 – Master;
Dono – 殿 – roughly means "lord" or "master". It does not equate noble status; rather it is a term akin to "milord", a bit under the sama in terms of respect;
Futon – 布団 or 蒲団 – traditional style of Japanese bedding consisting of padded mattresses and quilts pliable enough to be folded and stored away during the day, consisting of a shikibuton (敷き布団 bottom mattress) and a kakebuton (掛け布団 thick quilted bedcover)
Jutsu –術– Technique, method, spell, skill or trick;
Kaiken –懐剣– Small unadorned dagger;
Kakan – 加冠– Coming of Age Ceremony (This didn't give a gender specific ceremony in the translation so it will be used in this fanfic as the "final test" for a ninja, the last challenge to prove he or she is ready to serve the clan);
Katana – 刀 – traditional samurai sword, said to contain the warrior's soul;
Kunai – 苦無 – In the folk lore of ninja, the kunai is commonly portrayed to be a Japanese knife that is used for throwing as well as stabbing;
Kunoichi –くノ一 – Female ninja;
Neko-te –猫手– Neko-te (cat paw or cat claw) is a name given to several contraptions fitted in or over the hand, with sharp blades or pins sticking out. Some of the original neko-te that were shaped like metal gloves had pins standing up from the metal plate covering the back of the hand, designed to trap other weapons and leave minor damage when required, while the long claw-like tips of the fingers were used to stab at arteries and other vital areas, and to scratch through exposed skin;
Ninja –忍者– Spy, assassin, saboteur etc…;
Sake – 酒 – Rice wine, alcoholic beverage;
Sakura –桜– Cherry blossoms;
Sama – 様 – It is used mainly to refer to people much higher in rank than oneself, toward one's customers, and sometimes toward people one greatly admires.
Shinobi –忍び – Spy, assassin, saboteur etc…;
Shoji – 障子 – In traditional Japanese architecture, a shoji is a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood which holds together a lattice of wood or bamboo; (Fusuma – 襖 – are their wooden opaque and often painted counterparts); Both fusuma and shoji run on wooden rails at the top and bottom. The upper rail is called a kamoi – 鴨居 – and the lower is called a shikii – 敷居 ;
Tabi – 足袋 – Traditional Japanese socks, usually ankle-high and with a separation between the big toe and other, worn with traditional thonged footwear;
Tanto – 短刀 – A Japanese dagger. The blade is single or double edged with a length between 15 and 30 cm; mainly for piercing and slashing;
Tatami – 畳 – Rice straw mat used as flooring;