Ako

Kai had rolled in some leaves, for later, before he had walked into the Ako village. It was late afternoon now, Yasu had been missing for hours. The people did not look at him even once as he passed. Not because they thought he was samurai, but because he used magic to avoid being seen. He looked around at the true samurai who passed him, if only he could identify the one who had dared to kill Makoto.

As he moved silently through the crowds he noticed a few samurai in red and gold walking along. They would be the Lord Asano's men, he followed them up to the Ako castle gates. Seconds later he released the magic and became visible. After he wandered in, he then did his best to look as confused and harmless as possible.

Father had said he could use whatever magic or tricks he needed. Yet, he wanted to keep below suspicion as much as possible, unless an emergency would arise. Until he found that thing, that murderer, then it would be at his discretion. A black-haired, handsome samurai in an incredibly expensive kimono walked up to him and asked, "Are you all right ?" Another arrogant human, just like the bandit, but this one showed some concern.

He bowed before he replied, "I am not injured, but apart from that I can not remember anything before I woke."

The other nodded, then concernedly said, "My name is Oishi, I am karou of Lord Asano. Do you remember something that could be your name ?"

"It's good to know someone's name, even if it is not my own. I am afraid, Oishi, that the only word I know is Kai. I suppose it could be my name."

Oishi stated, "Then Kai it will be, unless you remember it differently. Where did you wake up ? It could be important for your memory."

As he said, "On the edge of a forest that is filled with mists and strange noises.", he looked down. Not sure that he could convey terror for the place that he grew up in believably.

Kai sighed in relief as he felt the slight weight of Yasu flutter down onto his shoulder again. When he raised his head, he saw Oishi's face falter for a second. People flowed around them like water around stones.

While he picked the leaves out of his hair, Oishi said, "Perhaps you were bewitched. There was a kirin here just a few days ago, it is possible that some of it's magic still remains."

Now he did not have to feign an emotion as he questioned, "A kirin ? Why would it come here ?"

"The Shogun is coming to Ako in a few days. What concerned me of the kirin is how oddly it was acting."

Yasu uttered a sharp tweet of alarm in his ear and he flinched, " How was it acting ? Is it not supposed to be a benign creature ?"

Oishi looked around them with dark-brown eyes, "Yes, it is supposed to be. Yet, this kirin it attacked and killed some villagers. When we pursued it it nearly killed my Lord and many of my men."

He shook his head, he knew Makoto. The kirin would never think of attacking people, much less to kill some of them. Something must have caused her to become violent, but what ?

"That's unfortunate. Oishi, do you know of a place I could stay ? My Yen when I woke was also gone I'm afraid."

While he waited for an answer a cloud passed slowly over the sun. Oishi replied, "I know the inns will be full already. My Lady Mika made sure there would be spare rooms available for extra samurai. I'm sure you will be able to use one, follow me."

So, he followed the chief retainer of Ako away from the gates.