Chapter the first

A lone traveler marched along the road, wearing a cloak and a straw hat and his sword hidden beneath his hakama. The gate ahead was guarded heavily, but he needed to get through, traditional methods would be useless. There were archers and attack dogs patrolling the entire length of the wall.

Two guards stood by the gates and one of them approached the stranger. "Your traveling papers please."

It was not a request.

The stranger slowly reached into his kimono and cocked his head, withdrawing the scroll and he passed it to the guard. The guard unfolded the paper and looked it over, then handed it back, noticing the scar over the stranger's right eye.

Then with a shrug he turned to the other guard and they heaved the gate open, allowing the traveler to enter.

The town was small and the stranger made his way to a nearby Inn and rapped on the wooden door. He felt the presence of someone inside, stirring and approaching the door and just when he expected it, the door slowly opened.

A woman stood inside, neatly dressed in a fashionable kimono and the slightest sign of age graced her features. With a smile she bowed lightly. "Won't you enter? My hospitality is yours."

With a faint nod the stranger stepped inside and slipped out of his walking sandals, neatly brushing them aside with a sweep of his foot.

The woman smiled. "I am Tegero and welcome."

The man followed her graceful form as she escorted him to a room at the back of the house and once she slid the shoji aside, she turned back to him and bowed. "You may rest here and then you should have a bath. After such a journey it should be nice to relax."

The man never blinked as he nodded. "Thank you Tegero-sama. My name is Rikimaru and you are right."

A young woman approached Tegero with a deep bow, holding a fresh kimono in her arms. Tegero nodded and the girl presented Rikimaru with the silk robe before she spoke up. "A fresh kimono should be nice as well. If there is anything you require Suki shall help you."

The visitor nodded to the girl and she entered the room with him, sliding the shoji closed behind her. She knelt and sat on her heals and removed a scroll from her sleeve. Slowly she passed it to Rikimaru and he nodded, unrolling it.

It was a note, written in Azuma code.

With walls of paper one ca not speak openly. Welcome and rest well as I am here to help in any way I am able. Tegero-sama has assured me that your secrecy will be protected as she has protected mine.

Suki

The ninja nodded to the girl and she stood moving to a corner in the room. With a slight movement she revealed a panel that hid behind a section of the wall. There were small shelves with various recognizable objects, as well as a sword stand. With another slight brush of her fingers the panel slid shut quietly.

Suki approached the ninja and removed his hat, setting aside carefully before leaning in close to his ear. Her voice was soft and came out as barely a whisper. "At sunset, meet me in the forest by the stream. We will talk then."

The sky became a brilliant shade of orange as the sun lowered itself over the horizon, dipping behind the mountains. The light made its way through the bamboo grove in strips, striking the red-black fabric of Riki's gi.

The water of the stream trickled by near to where he sat in fudoza, his eyes closed but his body and soul ready for anything that might confront him.

A slight breeze gently caressed Rikimaru's brow and his eyes opened. Suki stood before him. With a quiet grace she sat across from the ninja and smiled. "I've not been followed. Here we can talk openly."

Riki nodded, his gesture more akin to a bow. "I am merely passing through. I won't be here for long."

Suki looked into the other's eyes, searching for something that seemed to elude her. "What of Ayame and the Azuma? Your movements lately have been… erratic at best."

The man smiled beneath the scarf that covered the lower half of his face. "My karma is not with the others. The world is changing and I am from a simpler time. My place is in the shadows."

Something seemed to distress Suki and Rikimaru frowned. "What is it?"

"You seem very different from the boy I knew in the village."

The other nodded. "A lot has happened. Even Ayame has grown… but you did not ask me here to discuss this."

"You're right. Hakegeshi was murdered. A merchant of high status and I believe it was you. Why?"

Rikimaru shook his head and stood, his tranquility suddenly broken. "His wealth was not gained by moral means. His injustices were legendary and my fate was linked with his on that day."

Suki shook her head. "It was not sanctioned. His death was never requested."

Rikimaru took a deep breath, once again returning to a state of calm. "I am of a simpler time. Ninja are not assassins or bodyguards. We were… I am an avenger. You may not remember but I remember Master Shiunsai's teachings. Since his death we have been exploited for our talents when such was the very thing we were to fight against."

Suki stood and nodded then turned away. "So be it. You always have a place here if you chose, but your journey is a lonely one. Good luck."

Riki watched as she silently disappeared into the bamboo forest then shivered when he felt a hand on his shoulder. The deep voice seemed to echo around him as the newcomer spoke. "She had better stay out of this…"

The ninja suddenly whirled around, unsheathing his sword in a single stroke. The blade stopped in an instant and bare millimeters from the pale skinned neck of Onikage. His black lips parted in a sinister smile.

Rikimaru lowered the sword. "She is not to be harmed."

Okay so I haven't written in a long time… well here's a teaser for anyone that still reads these (LOL). Anyway thank you and hope you guys review.

-Ryko