Mika was satiated, but she was sore. Movement was not much of an option, but her hearing was on point. In fact if anyone asked her right now she would say that she heard the distant sounds of swords ringing. Point in fact it didn't sound like they were so distant. It sounded like the distinct sound of metal against metal was right outside the med bay door. There was a sharp scream, and Mika's dark eyes flew open. They were under attack, and Mika refused to allow her new family to die without her being beside them. Her muscles screamed as she pulled herself from the bed. She didn't truly know how long she had been in shadow with Raizo, but she knew that she would need to pull herself together if she was going to be of any use once she walked through those doors.

Her feet hit the floor, and her body screamed in a protest she had no choice but to ignore. Her stitches groaned, and she shushed them with hand placed over the bandages that they were fighting. The clan was in trouble, and she would not dishonor her title by sleeping through the war that someone had brought through their doors. It had to be the Stone Fox. They were the only ones who would dare to strike during the clan's down time. If she knew anything about Raizo, they Stone Fox would be lucky to have a pebble standing in their ancestral home. The close she got to the door, the more the screams started to sound like those she knew. She grabbed her kitana that she had used during the battle and pushed open the doors to the sick room that she had been resting in.

The sight that greeted her once the doors opens was right out of a feudal period drama. Many ninja laid at her feet in various process of dying or trying to escape death. It appeared that the Stone Fox were getting the worst of it, but there were many of the Black Sand's comrades down. The Stone Fox seemed to have under estimated their ability to multi task this night. They were probably here to extract something, but Mika for the life of her could not figure out what it could be. A ninja charged at her, and she barely had enough time to use the end of her sword to block the attack before flipping her blade, and carving her assailant a new smile.

It went on that way for some time. She would defend herself then mount an attack with each new invader that came toward her. They blocked the way to the elevator, so Mika had to work her way up the corridor to the stair well. She finally began to hear voices that she knew, and a deep sigh of relief left her lungs. Asami was screaming at Hachiro to run back to the med bay, but he was on the ground looking as if he could barely keep his lungs from collapsing. The doctor was just in front of her desperately trying to reach him, but having to defend his self as well. Mika took a deep breath despite the protest of her body, and summarily executed the man who kept the doctor from reaching Hachiro. The doctor turned around with a surprised look on his face, and bowed with a smile before hurriedly making his way to Hachiro.

Asami and her fighting fans were moving through the enemy like a tornado of death. Her fans went up, and her adversaries went down. Mika covered the doctor long enough for him to reach Hachiro, so he could render aide, then moved back into the fray with Asami. Asami glanced at and the hand she had on her side, but didn't say anything. She glanced at the door way where their enemies seemed to be coming in in earnest, and nodded to Mika. The first shout of Stone Fox was soon silenced at a swing of Mika's stolen blade. Mika wasn't as graceful as Asami, but she was efficient. While Asami was all smooth lines and ballerina swirls; Mika was sharp angles precise movements. Where Asami killed as if she were performing a deadly dance; Mika killed as if she was putting in putting in coding that would shut anything in her path down permanently.

There was a momentary lull, and Asami looked around at all of the dead who rested at their feet. Her head rested back on her shoulders and she gave a sharp bark of laughter that startled Mika from her very grim thoughts about the likelihood of her seeing Raizo again. Mika's eyes caught the doctor's and he could only give a benign smile as he stitched up Hachiro as best he could.

"Entertained venerable Lotus?"

"Vastly!" The dark smile that tugged at Asami's lips only deepened the longer she looked around. Mika could only call the look one of immense satisfaction. "I will say that it has not been dull since Raizo took over the Black Sand. I haven't been this entertained in ages!"

Mika only gave the aptly named Blood Lotus a wan smile, and tried to give her muscles time to catch up with the exertion placed on them she shouldn't have stopped. When her adrenaline was running high it kept the pain at bay. Now her body was screaming for her to stop all activity immediately. Mika could only internally sigh, and wrap her hands around the sword tighter. There would be no stopping until she was physically in Raizo's arms.

"How is Hachiro doctor?"

"Dishonored ." Hachiro's strained reply was followed S with a sharp intake of breath as the doctor continued to stitch him up without anything to numb the pain. Mika personally felt he deserved a medal for not passing out from the loss of blood he had sustained. The fact that he was still breathing was a blessing that Mika sent up a payer for.

"There is no dishonor in fighting bravely or being wounded in the protection of another Hachiro. You were hurt protecting my life, a fact that I am both thankful and humbled by it." Mika dipped as far as she could without aggravating her side. A process mad excruciating by unhealed wound, and the new ones she sustained. 'I'd bow, but my own stitches do not wish to oblige me in the effort. "

Asami nodded and raised her fan. "Well be prepared to pay him back in full. It appears there are more coming." The elder Lotus looked back at the doctor as he tied off the last stitch, and picked Hachiro up from the floor. Allowing the young assassin to drape his arm over the doctor's slight but strong shoulders. "They must be looking for you Mika."

Mika had thought the same, but hadn't dared to say it out loud. She didn't want to think that all of this carnage this complete unnecessary loss of life rested on her shoulders. There were families who would not see their loved ones any longer because of her. Mika's lifted the katana and faced the door with a determined frown. She would make sure the Stone Fox paid dearly for the souls they took tonight. She would take as many heads as necessary to make the families of those slain sleep well at night. Mika had never lived in a world where honor was so important, but she vowed on her life that she would make Rokuro pay!

This time as the fresh group of ninja came in she allowed herself to go numb, and just continued to get the job of killing done. She needed to make it to her office. She would bring the Stone Fox to their knees with the information on her computer. As the killed the moved forward. They were trying to make it to the elevator. If Raizo was coming for her it would be there. She would see her love, and personally see to the extinction of that depraved cult that had the audacity to call themselves a clan.

They reached the main foyer with very little conversation. There wasn't any need of words. They all knew without words that there was only one way this war would end. Hachiro was barely alive by the time they got to the main floor. He was only staying conscious by sheer strength of will. He couldn't stand, but the assist he had been making with throwing stars and daggers were keeping Asami and Mika alive enough to get them close to the front door. Once they cleared the doors to the first floor Mika moved to the wall, and hit the alarm.

It didn't take long before hundreds of Black Sand ninja were pouring into the building. She didn't know where they were coming from. But she sagged with relief as they began the work of cleaning up and striking down the Stone Fox that were left. Mika summarized that they had only sent shock troops in to puller out and get away. They had not been prepared for the small scale war that they had received. Mika gave a sharp ugly laugh. If they weren't prepared for them at their most unaware, they would be astounded at what they would do once Raizo took the war to their very door step!

Mika looked back at Hachiro and the doctor, and Hachiro was losing his fight with consciousness. Asami and Mika guarded him and each other as they made their way to the elevator. Some didn't want to give up their objective of grabbing Mika, and they received death for their trouble. I was just as Mika was killing off one overzealous Stone Fox that a slow clap filled foyer. Mika turned and Rokuro was lazily walking towards them with an amused smile. Clearly the bastard was okay with his men getting killed for his cause. Mika lifted her sword and Asami raised her fan and looked back at the doctor.

"Take Hachiro to the mountains. Hurry!"

"No! I will not abandon Ozouno and his lady. I will die first!"

"You most certainly will!"

"Please Hachiro we can't have you as a distraction!" Mika moved to Hachiro, and removed whispered into his ear before turning to face Rokuro once more. "Hurry! Raizo needs you!"

Hachiro looked like he wanted to argue but the doctor didn't give him much choice. They were there one moment and faded into shadow the next. This left Asami and Mika to face Rokuro freely. Rokuro slowly pulled of his top, and let it slide to the floor. His muscles moved like liquid in the light of the hall, and Mika wasn't as sure about the outcome of this fight. They lifted their weapons, and Mika gritted her teeth as he faced them with a laugh. "You can't beat me. Not in your condition. So, why don't we make a deal? I'll let granny go, and you come with me peacefully?"

Asami began to cough with her indignant stutters, and not for the first time she noticed the flecks of blood that marred her gown sleeve. This evening had taken its toll on her, and Mika knew that their chances of surviving were very slim. She didn't know how much time Asami had left, but she didn't want it wasted fighting the coward in front of them. Mika looked at the elevator behind Rokuro, and saw no sign of Raizo. Dark brown eyes moved over the chaos around them, and she took a deep breath. "If I say yes, will you take your ninja and leave?"

"Mika no!" Asami moved in front of her trying to stop her and her coughing fit at the same time.

Mika sighed, and looked at Rokuro with a frown. "Do you agree?"

"Of course pet. You come with me without a fight, and I will release Asami peacefully, and we will vacate the premises." Rokuro smiled and held out his hand."

Mika's stitches were all but torn open. Both Asami and Mika were wearing almost as much og their own blood as those of their enemies. Mika could only trust that Raizo would get to her soon. She turned her gaze to Asami and shook her head. "Asami, go find Raizo. Tell him, I love him that his wedding present is scroll 89."

Asami looked as if she was going to argue, but lifted her gown and hurriedly made her way to the elevator. Rokuro let her get to a few feet of the elevator, and pulled out a gun. Mika lunged at him with a scream, but not in time to keep the gun from discharging. Asami fell to the floor and Rokuro caught Mika as she tried to run to Asami. Rokuro brought the butt of the gun down on top of her head. The last thing she saw before blacking out was the elevator doors sliding open.

Raizo heard a shot before the door slid open, and his heart ceased beating within his chest. He didn't know what he expected to find on the other side of that door, but a crumpled and bleeding Asami was not it. Mai screamed and ran to her grandmother. Raizo scoured the area for Mika, and couldn't find her. The rage he felt at that moment was almost binding him to what was happening at his feet. Pulling his anger back he knelt, and almost threw up in his mouth. Asami had been shot clean through her stomach. Her blood was everywhere and there was no stopping it. Raizo did his best to keep the Blood Lotus from bleeding out, but Asami waved his hands away.

"There is no time Raizo, I'm dying and there is much to tell you." Asami coughed, and looked up at him. Blood stained lips curled into a fond smile. "I said you would be the greatest Ozouno the world has ever known, and I was right. You will avenge me, yes?"

"Oh count on it Asami, I will erase the Stone Fox from this world. They will barely be a foot note on the story of your life. Every last one will be hunted. I will collect the clan leader's head and present it to Mai myself." Raizo was still frantically trying to keep the only mother he had ever known alive. It wasn't sup[posed to end like this!

Asami nodded with a smile and paused to catch her breath. It was one of the last few she would take. "Mika told me to tell you that your wedding present is scroll 89 before Rokuro took her. When you rescue her, tell her I am proud of her, and proud to call her my daughter."

Raizo nodded, and blinked back tears from his eyes he didn't even know he had tears left to shed. He didn't have time though. He had to go find the scroll, but he would not leave until Asami had drawn her last breath. No Lotus would be so dishonored.

Asami's hand lifted to Mai's cheek, and her thumb gently stroked the girls chin. "I remember the night your mother came screaming into this world. So small and perfect. You look just like her." Asami coughed, and blinked away the tears that freely fell down her cheek. "You will make sure that Mika writes my story. Do you hear? She will pen the story of my life just as she will be honor bound to write yours!"

Mai nodded and pulled Asami close, outright sobbing into her grandmother's arms. "I swear it Honorable Lotus! We will not rest until you are avenged!"

"I know child. I fear the Stone Fox bit off more than they could chew this time." Asami coughed again, and laid back. Raizo could swear she was aging in front of him. He had never felt so powerless in his life. He remembered the night he had vowed never to be powerless again, and it paled in comparison. "You will train the kunoichi with honor and discipline." This time the coughs were coming with shudders, and Asami seemed to fold into herself. "I love you my sun."

"I love you venerable Lotus. Sleep well. You will need the rest for when you see our ancestors." Mai's words trembled on her lips. "You have so many tales to tell."

Asami cackled her gown covering the line of blood that fell down her chin. She wiped the blood away with a smile and her eye closed. "That I do love. That I do. Remember weakness compels strength and…"

"Blood begets blood." Raizo finished for her. The Blood Lotus died with a soft smile on her lips, and Mai began to sob in earnest. Aki wrapped his arms around her, and Raizo looked up to see that they were surrounded by their clan.

They had not lost as many as they had originally thought, and managed to save quite a few, but their losses were many. He could tell by the grim looks on their faces that they all considered this battle a loss. He rose and left the circle of Mai's mournful screams. Katsuo rose to follow him, and Raizo held up his hand. He could hear the distant sound of sirens, and there wasn't enough time to stand around.

"Katsuo, Aki, take Mai and Asami back to the mountains. In fact, take them all there. I will meet you in our ancestral home. Tell the kunoichi to prepare for the funeral rights." Raizo took a dee breath in an effort to stall the hysteria that was spreading through his limbs. He had not only lost Asami, but Rokuro had taken Mika. He wanted to strike out, and hurt someone or something the way he was hurting, but could not afford to lose focus on the revenge that he was going to extract for the damage that was done this night.

His seconds in command nodded and started the business of moving their family to the mountains. Raizo for himself made his way to the elevator. He would let Interpol figure out how to handle this mess. Maslow owed Mika for all of the promotions he had received. He moved into the elevator, and pushed the button up to Mika's suite. It had only been a few hours ago that he held Mika in his arms. He had just gotten her back only to lose her and Asami in one night. Raizo's fist tightened in fury, but he held it tightly. Mika had given him instructions, and he meant to follow them.

Upon reaching Mika's suite he moved to her office where she kept the scrolls that she was researching. He wished he could say that it was a room filled with ancient artifacts, and beautiful art work, but no. That was all held in the museum down stairs. Mika scroll room was a simple white box with a window that looked out over towards the mountains where their base was. Mika always kept her reasons for doing anything in front of her. The only furniture in the room was a desk and a chair and a small laptop. On that laptop was every scroll she had been researching.

Raizo could hear the sirens outside of the tower, and knew Maslow would be looking for him. He had no desire to tell him Mika was gone, especially since he didn't know if she was dead or alive. If Maslow confronted him with his failure to protect the woman they both loved, he didn't know what he would do. So to avoid that conversation he politely picked up the lap top and tucked it into his shirt before fading into the shadows He needed to make it to the mountains, and he wanted it to be quite trip. He wanted the comfort of silence but he doubted his rage would allow him any.

He reached the mountains, and saw that the ladies had begun preparations for the funeral rights. He turned and almost fell to his knees at the pyre that he knew held Asami. He could hear Mai's distant wailing, and resolutely moved to his chamber. He had plans to make, and his strategic planner had been kidnapped. Granted he knew more about the art of war then Mika did, but Mika was vindictive in a way that would draw the pain out, and make it last. And that was what he truly wanted. He didn't want the Stone Fox to just die he wanted them to hurt the way he was until this generation was dead and gone.

He set up the laptop and typed in what he thought was Mika's password. It wasn't. He frowned, and tried another. He even tried some of his. It was strange Mika hadn't told him of a system change. He spent at least an hour of frustration trying to get into the computer, but to no avail. He was about to give up for the time being when he heard the quiet foot but steady steps of someone heading to his rooms. They weren't being stealthy, so he doubted whoever it was meant any harm. They were however choosing a bad time. He listened and the footsteps were joined by more footsteps. Then he heard soft arguing. A very annoyed Raizo rose from his table, and slid his door open.

"I hate to quell your arguing, but I would be remiss not to explain to you how close you three are to dying." Raizo's spoke through gritted teeth as he addressed his generals. Aki and Katsuo looked contrite, but Hachiro looked pale and determined. He looked very close to the death that Raizo had promised.

"I am sorry Ozouno, but I have a message." Hachiro looked down in shame. "From…Mika." Hachiro dropped to the floor at Raizo's feet. "On my honor, I did not wish to leave her, but I was dying and they both said…" He sobbed and lowered his head to the floor. "I was no use to them. She sent me away, so that I could live, and give you this message."

Raizo wanted to cut him down for leaving the love of his life and his mother figure, but even he doubted he could withstand both the strength of an Asami and Mika when their minds were made up. However, it was a very close thing. "What was her message Hachiro. "

"She said that her password was the name of our enemies." Hachiro barely got the words out, before Raizo returned to Mika's laptop. He typed in the words "StoneFox" and soon the screen flashed black before a file filled with numbered scrolls filled the screen. He looked for scroll 89, and double clicked on the screen. Another file pulled up, and it had different types of files with distinct labels on them. He clicked on the one labeled "stronghold", and a whole schematic of the Stone Fox's base filled the screen. It was a detailed map of an underground compound beneath a tiny dry cleaner in Tokyo.

Raizo smiled and not for the first time marveled at the ability of his love to give him exactly what he needed. In another file called "Erasure" it detailed her plan to wipe the Stone Fox from the map. The only thing she hadn't figured out was how to get into the stronghold. They couldn't just fight their way in. He turned to his generals and looked at Hachiro who was still bowing on the floor. He Mika had also saved his life this night. "Thank you Hachiro. Your honor has not suffered. Go make yourselves ready for the funeral. Once we bury our dead we will be at war. Let the others know that if they want to jump ship now is the time. Once it starts there is no turning back."

Aki gave Raizo a grim smile and shook his head. "I can assure you we are all ready to finish this war Ozouno. We will allow no one to hurt our own."

Raizo rose from his chair and headed to the court yard for the funeral. There was much to discuss, but it would wait after they paid their respects to the lives that were taken, and to the Blood Lotus that was stolen from them.