50 Years Too Early

Chapter 21: Confessions at Dawn

The morning sun cracked through the night sky when the camp came into view. Moriko could barely contain herself as she and her horde trampled through the forest with Jun above them, hopping from tree to tree. The crippled demon-bat absolutely refused to walk again and had found that jumping was an adequate replacement for flying. Moriko paid her no mind. The wind rushed past her face, her kabano tearing down any trees that crossed her path. Word had finally reached her from Gatenmaru regarding the half-demon whereabouts. Finally after three days of waiting, the key to regaining her lands would be hers.

They found the hidden demon in the ruins of a village. The wooden houses had long since burned to the ground, the blackened soot scattered across the earth, exposing the rotting bodies that had taken refuge inside. Around the destroyed village, the human bandits sat about, conversing and sharing notes on their weapons, who they had stolen it from, how many people they had killed with it, and other vapid small-talk. The crimson blush that saturated their cheeks indicated their inebriated state. Moriko shook her own depleted sake bottle and briefly wondered if they had any of the rice wine left. But Moriko pushed the thought away. She would drink more sake after she extracted whatever information the half-demon had regarding his irksome brother. Then she would toast over the screams of the half-demon and priestess as Jun took her revenge and Gatenmaru took his prize.

When she and the horde came to a stop within the ruined village, the chattering stopped instantaneously. The old scent of burning wood and flesh was replaced by a thick scent of fear from the humans. She heard several bandits soil themselves as her horde of nearly 80 ogres walked through their camp. The foolhardy ones grabbed their meager swords but a single growl from her ogres was all it took for them to drop. Jun sprang from the tree branches landing next to the ogre queen, causing another pulse of fright to run through the bandits.

In the center of it all sat Gatenmaru. The men flocked to their leader for some explanation regarding the demons in their midst. Gatenmaru merely waved them off and rose to greet them.

"It's about time you arrived," he said. "I grew tired of waiting."

"I was confident that someone of your stature could wait a mere three days," Moriko replied.

Gatenmaru shrugged. "Perhaps. May I offer you a drink?"

"Where is the half-demon?" Moriko barked.

"Agreed," Jun said. "I did not come all this way to share pleasantries with you fools!"

"How disappointing," Gatenmaru said as he gulped down the last of the sake bottle. A part of Moriko became despondent at the sight of another empty sake bottle.

"C-chief….why….are these demons here?" a bandit whimpered.

Gatenmaru grinned at the quivering man. "Fear not. These demons are our allies."

"A-allies? H-how so…? D-do demons even have allies?"

"Where is the half-demon?" Moriko growled. Without the aid of the alcohol her instincts had begun to take over. And they wanted that half-demon now.

Gatenmaru motioned to the castle in the far distance. "According to my sources, the half-demon you seek is taking refuge in Lord Takeda's castle over there. However, we are expected."

"What of it?" Jun asked, before Moriko could say. "I've fought humans before; they pose no threat to us."

"That much is true. But it is not merely scrawny samurai who defend this castle. The half-demon along with the priestess Kagome and a monk are assisting in their defense. From what I've heard the monk is quite formidable," Gatenmaru said. "It is best we tread carefully."

Moriko nearly bared her fangs. "I had thought when you sent for us, you and your men were ready to assault the castle. Do you not want Kagome as your prize?!"

Gatenmaru rounded on her. "Make no mistake; I still desire what you promised me. However, I did not last this long as a bandit by taking such foolhardy risks as assaulting a guarded castle so brazenly. I have made arrangements."

Moriko could tell she would not like the next few sentences. "What arrangements?"

"My contact knows of several underground passageways that lead directly into the inner keep of the castle. It was made for quick escapes for the ruler and his kin. My source says they will allow you and half of your horde entry through the path. In exchange, they want the Lord Nobuzane Takeda, his household guard, and all the other castle occupants dead. They also want the castle to be burned to the ground once the slaughter is completed."

"Unacceptable!" Moriko roared making the bandits drop to their knees. Gatenmaru did not flinch.

"That is the arrangement," the cowardly demon insisted. "Without it, you and your horde can throw yourselves at the humans for all I care. I am not risking my men in a full front assault."

"And even if I say yes? What will you and your men be doing?"

"We will be the lure," Gatenmaru said simply. "There is a town to the northwest of the castle. It contains their market, their forge, and their main trading route. It is a town they cannot afford to lose if they wish to remain hold up their castle. My men, along with the remaining half of your horde and Jun will make a grand march towards it as if we mean to raid it. According to my source, Takeda will send his best men in order to defend it, including the half-demon if he feels forced enough."

The reasoning began to dawn on Moriko. "I see. Without the half-demon as their main defense, the castle will fall faster."

Gatenmaru nodded. "Once you have completed your work at the castle you will arrive at their flank, trapping them between two great forces. Takeda will fall, satisfying my contact. The half-demon will be too exhausted from combat to resist you for long allowing you to capture him. And the priestess Kagome and her sister shall be defenseless against me. Everybody wins."

Moriko bit her lips. It was a sound plan and she could not deny the benefits. But if she agreed, it meant getting into bed with yet another human. She did not trust the priestess Tsubaki at all and Moriko had met her in person. This contact of Gatenmaru's was an unknown quantity. How could she be sure the demon bandit was truthful? He could very well be leading her into some type of trap. But then she could say the same about Tsubaki. What was the alternative if she refused? A straight forward attack would be no problem for her demons with Jun controlling them. But how many of the horde would be lost with the combined efforts of the half-demon, two priestesses, and the monk? Even if Tsubaki held up her end of their deal and provided her with the Sacred Jewel, she would need the full force of her horde to retake their western territories and battle the usurper. A forward assault risked too many of them. If they were successful, she would have wait how much longer before they back at full strength? A growl escaped her lips. There was no other option.

"Very well….." she muttered.

"Excellent," Gatenmaru said. "Jun?"

The wingless demon-bat scoffed. "I care little for your deals and tactics, Gatenmaru. I only want the half-demon and my vengeance."

"Fair enough."

"We are in agreement then," Moriko confirmed, dread however began to creep up her stomach. She closed her eyes and imagined the bloodied body of the usurper at her feet. The dread ebbed away.

"Well then, shall we begin?"

OOOOO

Kagome awoke in a cold sweat. The medium sized room Lord Takeda had provided her with was still dark. Kaede slept heavily at her side; the girl's faint snores the only sound in the room. Kagome wished she could sleep with the same comfort. She had that dream again. She had been in the fields, the spring air fresh on her face. In the dream, her heart was racing. She was excited about something but what? There wasn't much in the feudal era that really excited her. Terrified her yes, but excite? Maybe Kikyo was supposed to meet her for something about her spiritual powers. Or Kaede was supposed to give her a new flower she found. Either way, it didn't seem matter.

Her back was always sliced open and she heard that voice. That deep terrible voice. The voice that laughed as it cut her back open. The voice that mocked her as she laid bleeding to death.

The voice that sounded exactly like Inuyasha.

It was that thought and that thought alone that kept her awake. She rose from her cot and found herself pacing the room. Inuyasha wouldn't do that. He wouldn't, she repeated to herself, more than she cared to count. He was rough and crude but not vicious. Moreover he had saved not only her life, but Kikyo's and Kaede's more than once. Why would he attack her in the fields?

It was only a dream, she said to herself. And yet she had been saying that a lot lately. They had remained at the castle for the past three days, awaiting the attack Miyatsu predicted. And each night, the dreams would become more vivid and bizarre. Some nights she would see the attack coming but be unable to move. Others she would be floating in the air and watching from the skies. Silent and unable to warn herself. Tonight, she could only see the field, everything else was darkness. When the attack came, it was Inuyasha she saw, but he was cloaked in shadows. A spider had crawled past her feet beforehand as well. Kagome hated spiders but she failed to see why that would relevant. Whatever variation of the dream she saw, the conclusion was clear. She was getting worse. Kikyo's words before they departed returned to her ears. Your visions will persist until you cannot discern fantasy from reality. Kagome gulped at the reminder. How much worse would it get? Would she become delusional? Talking and screaming at imaginary threats like a crazy person? She could remember visiting her mother in the hospital and passing by the mental ward. People had been strapped to beds. They muttered to themselves or paced the room like animals.

Like she was doing now.

Oh god! Was it already happening? Kagome ceased her pacing, but her fingers flew to her mouth instead. Her teeth gnawed on her nails. Her chest heaved, unable to find air in the constricted room. The windowless chamber seemed to close in on her. Sweat rolled down her face and her stomach twisted in knots. She needed to get out of the room. Her feet pattered across the floor, whether or not she woke up Kaede wasn't her main concern. She needed air. She nearly tore the door off its sliding track as she stepped into the corridor and descended the steep stairs that would take her to the courtyards.

The morning air felt like ice water on her skin. She shivered despite the humidity of the July sunrise. She wandered the maze-like castle, with no clear destination in mind. She had hoped to find somewhere quiet but it would appear sleep was not something that applied in this castle. Around her servants and soldiers ran about drilling more loopholes in the wall for archers or carrying loads of rice and other provisions for the storage houses. In the distance she heard the yells of annoyance from that old guy, Fujita. To her left, she heard the servant girl Kyoko run from the pleasure house back to the keep, no doubt trying to fulfill whatever request her lord gave her. Kagome turned a corner, hoping to get away from the racket. Her head pounded and her eyes were heavy. The solution to both was to go back to sleep. But if she did, she would only have that dream again. Kaede had told her that the herbs in her bag were to help her sleep in case the dreams gave her trouble. But Kagome was in no mood to return that cramped room. Her heart began to race at the mere thought. Moreover, she did not feel like waking Kaede.

In her blind wanderings Kagome came upon a garden of moderate size on the far side of the castle. A lake that ran along the far corner wall sat beneath a cheery tree. The bright green of the leaves reflected perfectly on the water's surface. koi fish swam through the clear blue water of the lake ignorant to the clatter of the castle. Stones stood at the lake's edge, one of which served as water basin with the bamboo dipper dropping the gathered water into the hollowed out stone. A bed of flowers stretched out from the water basin to the entrance of the garden. At the angle they were placed, the flowers would gain plenty of sun during the morning hours. As Kagome entered the garden she noticed that the flowers nearest the lake were asagao or morning glory flowers. Their dark purple petals were closed for the evening but already Kagome could see their beauty. Next to that bed was another of yellow camellia. The garden's caretaker was present, walking between the flowers, pouring his pail of water in the long and colorful bed. The caretaker moved with practiced skill. He seemed to know the exact amount of water each flower needed. Once the water had depleted, the caretaker walked among the bed, snipping at any excess growth or pulling out weeds that had poked out from the soil. With his work finished the caretaker stepped back and remained still. Whether he was deep in thought or admiring his work, Kagome could not be sure. All she knew was that as her feet moved along the freshly cut grass, her presence seemed to have disturbed the caretaker's reverie. He turned to her, his face showing only mild surprise.

"You should not be here," he said softly, though he seemed more distracted than incensed.

Kagome's stomach jumped when she recognized the caretaker. "O-oh! Um…sorry Lord Takeda. I was just looking for a place to chill out."

The lord raised an eyebrow.

"I mean a place to relax and you know…find my center and all that."

Nobuzane nodded. "You have chosen a fine place then."

Kagome made her way to the lake, her eyes becoming fixed on the oddly mesmerizing koi fish. "These are your gardens, I take it."

Nobuzane produced a pouch of fish food from the folds of his simple white kimono. He passed it to her. "Indeed. This is my personal garden. I have chosen and tended to each element here myself."

Kagome sprinkled a handful of the food into the lake, smiling as the koi fish circled around the drizzling substance. "What for?"

"Every man needs a hobby. Even lords like myself."

"No offense, but a green thumb isn't the type hobby I expected from you."

"And what did you expect from me?"

Kagome shrugged. "I dunno. I guess pulling the wings off birds or something of that nature."

Nobuzane glared at her. "Excuse me?"

Kagome's eyes nearly bulged out of her skull at the realization. She had no idea what had come over her. Maybe it had been the atmosphere of the gardens. Maybe it had been her sleep-deprived mind. Whatever it was she needed to reel it back and quick. Miyatsu wasn't here to talk her out of this. She tried to speak but her tongue refused to form words. Only empty stammers reached the air. The next five seconds were excruciating for the young girl. Any moment, Nobuzane would signal and Gojou would come and slice her head off. Or worse. Maybe they would draw and quarter her first. Did they do that in this period? Or was that earlier? Kagome suddenly wished she had paid more attention in history class. As her mind raced thinking of what horrible punishment awaited her, her ears surprised her.

The sound of laughter of filled the air.

Kagome turned to the lord and found him covering his mouth with his sleeve to hide his teeth, but the sleeve could not muffle the hearty and joyous sound that came from the formally staunch lord. Kagome wasn't sure whether to join in or back away slowly.

"I cannot say I blame you for reaching such a conclusion," the young lord said, his laughter easing to a chuckle. "The court often requires putting on such a mask for appearances."

"You should be careful before that mask becomes your real face," Kagome said.

Nobuzane shot her a smile. A wistful half-smile that made him return his attention to his flowers. "Momiji, used to say the same thing to me when we were children."

"Momiji?" Kagome repeated. "Who is she? T-that is, if you don't mind my asking, my lord."

"No lord," Nobuzane said with a deep breath. "Here, I am merely Nobuzane."

"O-ok," Kagome muttered. "Who is Momiji, Nobuzane?"

Nobuzane stooped down and cut another overgrowth of the morning glory flowers. "My betrothed."

Kagome nodded but the yearning in his voice could not be ignored. Moreover, looking over his chosen flowers she realized their meanings. Her mother had taken a flower arranging class when Kagome had been little and she could still recall what a couple of flowers meant. The morning glory was a symbol for a brief bond of love and the camellia symbolized longing. As she watched Nobuzane tenderly attend to his flowers, she placed the factors together.

"I-is she…dead?"

Nobuzane remained still. "I do not know."

Kagome licked her lips, fighting within herself. Was it safe to ask? Or would he lash out? Should she even bother, after he was so rude to Inuyasha earlier? Nobuzane however settled the matter for her when he began to speak on his own accord.

"I was perhaps thirteen, still being reared in my father's castle. The life of a bastard son is one of mild neglect; therefore I had a good deal of leisure time. There was a maple tree in my father's garden that had been the largest tree I had seen at the time. Every afternoon I would climb it and just watch the people go about their lives, none the wiser to my presence. In the trees I was no longer the bastard son, I was merely a humble observer. My zen master, Tadashi, was one of the few people who would seek me out. He would find me up in that tree on nearly every occasion. Eventually he decided to start giving his zen sermons from the tree's base.

"One day, I climbed the tree as usual, ready for Master Tadashi's lessons when I discovered that my usual branch had been taken. A girl, a few years younger than me, had taken my chosen branch to engorge herself on rice-balls and meat-buns. As you can imagine, I was not pleased. I ordered her to move but she had refused. I began to climb after her but she proved to be far more nimble in the trees than I. We ended up at the very top of the maple tree, a height I had never reached before. Once she realized I matched her height, she gave me a share of her meat-bun. She said that I had never challenged myself to climb higher. From that moment on, I was smitten."

Kagome titled her head. "Just like that?"

"We had numerous meetings after that of course," Nobuzane said with a wave of his hand. "And with each time I saw her, I fell for her more. She was…everything I had ever wanted. She saw me as Nobuzane, not the bastard of the household or as a lord. She spoke her mind yet was graceful and kind. In truth, I only knew her for perhaps a year, maybe less. But by the time I was fourteen, I wanted her to be my bride. I spoke to my father and he arranged the match. Her father was a minor lord sworn to my father's service; the match was a great honor to him. When I told her we were betrothed, she smiled that beautiful smile of hers and kissed my cheek. I cannot recall a happier time in my life, naive as that may sound."

"What happened to her?"

Nobuzane sighed. "I do not know. Three months into our engagement, Momiji and the rest of her family fled. No letter, no final message, she just… vanished. I have never seen her since. That was perhaps ten years ago. Father has arranged other matches for me, of course. But no girl has ever spoken to heart as much as Momiji."

Kagome looked down, unsure what to say.

"I have spent a good portion of my life, searching for her. I thought I came close to finding her two years ago. I had received word from my men that a woman who resembled Momiji dwelled in a castle to the west. At the same time, Lord Hojo bared down on our borders to the southeast. My best general Saitoh went to engage them. I had wished to send reinforcements but I could not remove Momiji from my mind. I went personally to the castle to see if she was the girl from my childhood and took Saitoh's reinforcements with me for protection. The castle was in Oda territory and one can never be too careful around those bloodthirsty bastards. Moreover, Lord Hojo's forces had consisted mainly of ashigaru spear men. I had assumed Saitoh would force them to route with very little effort."

"But the woman wasn't Momiji?" Kagome said.

Nobuzane sighed. "No, it was not. She was not the correct age and had never resided in the Takeda stronghold in Kai. Worse still, Saitoh lost the battle and his life. The Hojo ashigaru held the line against our cavalry. My agents would later tell me, a boy named Souji and his father Hajime rallied the peasant soldiers, inspiring them to hold until the Hojo reinforcements arrived and decimated Saitoh's men. I had lost Momiji again and I lost whatever standing I had gained among my clan. As punishment for my foolishness, my father assigned me to hold this castle, while my glorious brother Shingen mounted an attack to regain our lost territory."

"I-I'm sorry…."

Nobuzane remained quiet. Kagome returned to feeding the fish, unsure how to digest the new information. The stone face of Nobuzane in the chamber room shattered to nothing in her mind. She could still however see his mistreatment of Inuyasha plain as day. Still though, he was young man who sought out his love. No matter how unpleasant he had been at first, didn't everyone deserve a chance to be with who they loved?

"Nobuzane…." She started, but the lord held a finger to his lips.

Behind her the sun began to rise in full. The orange light stretched across the garden striking the morning glory flowers. True to their name, the closed petals opened to welcome the sun. The vast bed of purple sprang before Kagome's eyes making a smile spring on her lips as well.

"Beautiful, correct?" Nobuzane said.

Kagome could only nod. Looking at the bed of purple before her, the headache she had was long forgotten. She became aware of the air passing against her skin. Her mind became still, the constant worrying and apprehension of her dreams dormant for now. If she had any skill in poetry she would have written down a haiku. Nobuzane seemed to be just as at ease. His eyes were closed, his hands clasped behind his back as he took a series of deep breaths. Kagome did not wish to miss second of the natural beauty before her, but she did follow the lord's lead in breathing. Her muscles released their pent up tension and heart slowed to a steady pace. However her calm would not last long.

"Lord Takeda!" Gojou voice rang out, disrupting Kagome's wave of tranquility. "We have located Gatenmaru's bandit gang! They are on the move!"

Lord Takeda took one final breath before his wistful eyes were replaced by the impartial stone expression Kagome had seen in the chamber room. He brushed past Kagome without another word. But as he walked away, Kagome could not shake off one last question.

"Lord Takeda?"

He stopped and signaled for her to continue.

"What did Momiji look like?"

Takeda pursed his lips, glancing over at Gojou as he did so. "I cannot say for sure. It has been ten years," he said finally. "She would be 18 or 19 by now."

"I see."

"However, from what I can remember…. I can say that she looked very much like you, Lady Kagome."

OOOOOO

Miyatsu took a long gulp of the provided tea as he sat in the chamber room. Gathered around a table, Lord Takeda, Fujita, and Gojou all sat hunched over a map of the province. Their worried voices rang in the chamber, making Miyatsu's headache even worse. The monk did not contribute. Every other second, a yawn passed through his lips. The dish did its job of muffling them. He had a long night with Kyoko and two other girls from the pleasure house. Perhaps too long of a night. He could barely keep his eyes open and his neck and back were sore from some the new positions one of the girls had suggested. His head continued to pound with a ferocity that made Miyatsu wonder if this was divine punishment for breaking so many of his vows in a single night. The girls, Kyoko, her sister Ami, and their friend, Minako had been generous with their wine. And even more generous with their bodies. They had made sure that the itinerant monk lacked for neither, much to Hatchi's annoyance. Still their attentions allowed the badger demon to do what he did best, remain unseen and gather information for the monk. Using his flying gourd form, he had spotted the gathering bandit forces, among other things as well.

"500 bandits and 80 ogres, my lord!" Gojou exclaimed pointing at the marks on the map. "We have only 200 men at our disposal including the retainers!"

"And all the cavalry was sent with Shingen," Miyatsu said finishing his tea. "It will be a difficult battle with solely infantry."

"They are targeting the foundry in the town," Fujita said. "If they get their hands on the iron and the weapons that have been built there, they will be unstoppable."

"And if our lord engages them, the men will become mere meat for those demons," Gojou shot back. "We must remain in the castle. This raid is an obvious trap to lure us out of our best advantage."

"It is true, a wise man would not abandon the advantage of a castle," Fujita said. "But while we remain here the townspeople will become a feast for those monsters. I cannot just sit by and do nothing!"

Miyatsu winced at the yelling as he signaled for more tea from Kyoko. Throughout the meeting, the girl seemed rather interested in the map. From the start, Miyatsu had caught the servant girl straining her neck for a better view of the table. For now he paid it no mind.

"The bandits have already raided and sacked at least three towns near the southeast border," Gojou said. "What's one more?"

"My lords," Miyatsu said. "I am not a general, but I do know demons. General Fujita is right. If nothing is done, the town will be wiped from your map, the women raped and worse, and the children a gourmet meal for the demons. We cannot delay in our response."

"Can you not build a barrier to protect the town, monk?" Lord Takeda asked, speaking for the first time.

"Unfortunately, my lord, a barrier needs time that we do not have. To protect a town of that size I would need at least a full day of work with at least ten or more men to build it. Transporting the needed materials would be enough of a risk. Moving builders runs the risk of adding them to the coming causalities."

Gojou scoffed. "Builders or soldiers, it will all amount to the same. Slaughter. Those gnats out there flee at the first sign of mounted men, what do you think they'll do when they see demons on the other end of their spears? The castle will provide us with the added defense of the walls."

"Gojou is correct, Lord Takeda," Fujita said with a grunt. "In training and in preparation for the attack, those boys have proven unable to complete the easiest of orders. However many of them hail from that town. Their wives and children still reside there. With that form of motivation, they will not run."

"It is odd that you have so much faith in the men," Miyatsu remarked. "Considering your less than gentle training methods."

Fujita waved off the thought. "If a man expects gentleness in his lord's army, he has chosen the wrong profession."

Most do not have a choice however. Miyatsu thought but kept it to himself.

"General Fujita," Lord Takeda said. "Did you not once inform me that you had a no-datchi sword in your possession that is capable of slaying demons?"

"I did my lord," Fujita said with a nod. "However my cowardly son, Gyumao, stole it when he fled my lands after he was exposed to be a traitor to our clan."

"If I may interject," Miyatsu said. "Do not forget that the half-demon, Inuyasha is the most experienced fighter you have on your side. Surely you could include him in your musings."

Gojou glared at the monk. "Absolutely not. Who's to say the half-demon will not join forces with his kin and slaughter the men we send?"

"I highly doubt a halfling who has the blood of a dog-demon has much in common with ogres," Miyatsu said.

"Even so…." The captain grumbled. "It is an untrustworthy creature."

"The men will surely panic with such a creature in their midst," Fujita added. "He attacked our gates! Entrusting such a thing with our lives is a foolhardy choice, monk."

"And yet it is the only one that will leave you with both a castle and a town that remains intact," Miyatsu countered. "Fear not, I will accompany the half-demon and keep his focus on your enemies."

Gojou shook his head. "You? Last I remember the half-demon bested you in single combat!"

Miyatsu shrugged. "I did not fight my best that day."

"I will not risk the lives of the men on the slim assumption you can control him, monk," Fujita spat. "The half-demon remains outside the castle walls."

Miyatsu regarded the silent lord. "I believe that decision falls to Lord Takeda."

Lord Takeda tapped his folded fan against the table and muttered to himself. "Gojou, Fujita, the monk is correct. The half-demon is our only true advantage. Fujita, take our 300 men and meet these bandits. Cut them off from the town if you can. The monk will go with you; perhaps his wards and the half-demon's strength will turn the tide. Gojou you will escort those who cannot fight to the lower tunnels. Should the castle fall, they will have an escape route."

"My lord…." Fujita began. "It is too much to risk…."

Lord Takeda rose sharply. "I have made my decision."

"Yes my lord!" all three send in unison.

The young lord left the room flanked by Gojou's guard. Fujita shot Miyatsu a cold glare before leaving to prepare the men. Behind him, Kyoko gathered the teacups and keattle and placed them in her wooden tray. Miyatsu met her eyes but she quickly turned away. They were the only two who remained in the room.

"I was hoping for a chance to be alone with you Kyoko," he said with a smile.

"I cannot lay with you at the moment my lord monk," Kyoko replied moving towards the door. "I must get these cleaned for Lord Takeda."

"I shall accompany you, I only mean to ask you a few questions," Miyatsu said following her out. "For example, how long have you been in service with Lord Takeda?"

"Three years."

"Has your sister Ami ever served in the castle?"

"No, she works strictly in the pleasure houses."

"Do your duties keep you awake late into the night?"

Kyoko paused. "Some days. It's nothing I cannot handle. Is that all monk?"

"Almost. One last question."

Kyoko turned to face him.

"How long have you been a spy for Gatenmaru?"

Kyoko dropped the tray. "I-I-I….do not know what you speak of….."

"Is that so? Because my friend Yoshi saw you in their camp a few night ago. I am curious what your purpose there was."

"She was acting on my behalf." A new voice said behind the monk.

Miyatsu whirled around his staff ready to strike, but the newcomer was faster. The pommel of his sword struck the monk's stomach, forcing him to his knees. A haze clouded his vision. He heard Kyoko run to the side of her fellow traitor.

"You see for too much, monk," the newcomer said.

Darkness grew at the corners of Miyatsu's eyes but saw the traitor clear as day.

"G-Gojou…." He muttered.

The captain of the guard slammed his foot in Miyatsu's face and darkness welcomed him.