After a few more days of rest, Shiraishi decided to head back to the barracks because it was probably better for him to stay there for sometime. He was having trouble due to women and it was not just because of Ashita.

His foster father was very honest with him as he told him that Yuu's arrival was not a coincidence. Even though Watanabe repetitively assured him that the decision of whether he marries Yuu was in Shiraishi's own hands, Shiraishi was sure that his foster father would be extremely happy if he chose to do so. It was advantageous too, marriage with Yuu would elevate his status and it is likely that her family will let her stay with him instead of insisting him living in their country.

In addition, he would have a brother-in-law that he could easily become close with as they were already rather good friends.

But surely that was not the reason to marry?

It was not that he disliked Yuu, but he was quite sure that he would not fall in love with her. That wasn't surprising as love could not be forced, but what shocked him was the fact that he didn't even want to try to be closer with her, even though this was something that his foster father would like.

"The peasant boy is actually contemplating about whether he should marry a princess." He laughed out aloud at the absurdity of the situation. "Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

He left at early dawn, which meant that there was some time before everyone else wakes up. However, this time was not long enough for him to get some sleep.

Therefore, he decided that he would pass the time by grooming Kurohoshi.

"Shiraishi, you are back." A very tired voice greeted him.

"Yukimura? What are you doing in the stables at this time of the day?"

His friend's smile was very strained. "To be honest, this isn't my choice. Kirihara wanted do have some extra training and Sanada offered to help. The problem is that Kirihara had some difficulty in waking up early while Sanada is rather extreme in his method of waking some one up."

"Please don't tell me that he woke everyone else up…"

"Yes. The reason I am here is because everyone else is blaming me for being woken up."

"That is out duty as commanders." Shiraishi chuckled. "What our men do will be attributed to us. But why does Kirihara suddenly want to get some more training? I thought our schedules are already tight enough."

"Because he lost. He lost to a stranger." Yukimura said very slowly. "You and Tachibana might have a similar request from Zaizen and Ibu since they lost to him as well. A rather strange boy called Echizen came into the barracks yesterday and he demanded to challenge the best there is, so Kirihara, Zaizen and Ibu, who were near, decided to teach him a lesson. But all three ended up losing."

"He must be very skilled then." Shiraishi pointed out as he considered the potential of those who were defeated.

"He is very skilled, he certainly believes that he is very skilled. He," Yukimura said, "wants to have a match against Kintarou."

This was not trivial because Kintarou was regarded as the very best in the kingdom.

"And?" Shiraishi asked.

"I believe that many are favouring the idea of granting his request but I don't agree. That boy is skilled, but he is…" at this a deep frowned appeared. "He is too arrogant and ambitious. I know that this sound weird coming from me, especially due to what Kirihara is like, but this boy is different.

"It would have been best if he never appeared." Yukimura said darkly with a rather rare vehemence that gave Shiraishi quite a shock.

Zaizen told him a similar story although the younger man was more emotional as he was quite embarrassed due to losing.

"And what do you think of this Echizen? This mysterious boy?" Shiraishi asked.

"I don't like him but this could be because I lost to him." Zaizen admitted. "But I think it is not just that. It is what he said to me, as well as what he said to Kirihara and Ibu when he won. Commander, do you remember what Kintarou said when he won?"

Shiraishi's smile was the answer.

"Do you remember the match I once had with Yukimura?" Zaizen pressed on. "And my first match against you? Do you still recall what you two said when you won?"

"I think Yukimura said: 'You are very skilled, but then I expect no less since Shiraishi said so'. As for our first match, didn't I use my win against you to ask you to accept my skills, as that was why we were paring in the first place?"

"That boy gloated over his won and said that we lost because our skills were too inferior compared to his. That is what angers me the most." Zaizen said angrily. "And he differs from Sanada because Sanada attributes lack of training as the answer to everything. It isn't enough that Echizen won, but he must destroy his opponents even more."

"Skills result in arrogance. He won't be the first person to feel so." Though Shiraishi tried to keep his words and tone light, he was starting to feel a bit worried due to Yukimura's recent words.

"…the Fuji incident didn't help…" Zaizen was muttering.

"What did you just say?" Shiraishi asked, having caught the very end.

"Kirihara got into a match with Fuji the day before." Zaizen began. "At first it seemed that Kirihara was winning but then Fuji suddenly became really good."

"You mean that he hid his skills at the very first few round?" Shiraishi realised. "But isn't Ibu like that too?"

"Ibu only let his opponent feel a bit smug but Fuji let them feel as if they are going to win." Zaizen muttered darkly.

"A lot is certainly happening." Shiraishi said to himself. "It seems like the coming of a storm."

Their normal schedule was disrupted in order for an emergency meeting to be held. In the end, it was decided that the mysterious boy will get to have his wish as his defeated opponents all had to admit that it is highly possible for him to win as he was that skilled.

It would be a match of great interest, which was why the emperor was going to attend with his future bride along with many other important members of the court. All this meant that the men in the army had had to wear their proper uniform.

"Zaizen, you have to help me!" Kirihara yelled out as he charged into the quarters occupied by Shiraishi and his division, ignoring everyone else. "I need to borrow a cloak."

"I don't have a spare one right now." Zaizen said rather calmly, although Shiraishi noticed that he immediately clutched onto his own cloak in a very protectively manner. "Besides, there is a slight difference as we are in different division."

"I just need a cloak! Any cloak will do as I don't have any."

"Well, I don't have one either. Ask Ibu or…"

But Kiriahra didn't remain upset for long as he suddenly saw a new source of salvation.

"Commander Shiraishi, you know what my deputy commander is like." Kirihara implored out "So please lead me a cloak! Everyone says that you are really organised so…"

"If you are going to borrow a commander's cloak then why don't you ask Yukimura?"

"I did, but he doesn't have a spare one right now."

"It is not that I don't want to help." Shiraishi began slowly, since he did understand Kirihara's situation. "But as I said, I am a commander, so my cloak is different. It is not just at the hem, as the commanders' cloak has furs at the end."

"I will make sure that the end gets concealed. Please, Commander Shiraishi! My life is at stack here!"

Reluctantly, Shiraishi went to the chest where he kept his clothes and took out his spare cloak. "If anyone asks then I didn't have anything to do with this. I don't want to be on the receiving end of Sanada's lectures."

"Trust me, no one does." Kenya said dryly.

"Wait a second… Zaizen," Shiraishi began as he suddenly realised something very important, "you better not have…"

"The answer is no, commander." His officer said honestly. "I've covered up for him but he hasn't covered up for me that way."

Shiraishi would have pressed on as he was quite concerned about discipline as well, but they ran out of time.

Just as the soldiers were busily preparing, the maids in Ashita's quarter were anxiously debating about Ashita's attire. Since she was going to be out in the open for quite some time, they had to take the weather and the travelling condition into account.

"No, no, no, that is too thick." Yumiko said as she took the outer robe off Ashita. Yumiko had returned from her brief visit and was in charge again. "An, let the nap of her neck be covered by her hair as it is quite chilling outside."

"But it is windy." Sakuno pointed out. "Lady Ashita's hair is more likely to get tangled that way."

"And don't put so many decorations in." Ashita said as she took down some ornaments herself. "The emperor says that the match might last some time so I don't want to feel that uncomfortable."

"But I've told you, Lady Ashita, you are expected to be wearing a certain amount." Yumiko reminded her patiently even as she put some of it back. "Especially when there is another princess in this country."

"But she doesn't wear that much when you compare her to some other noble women." Tomoka pointed out, having the task of tiding up the discarded clothes and objects. "But she is rather interesting, isn't she, Sakuno?"

"I always though that a princess would be dressed very richly and have a lot of jewellery. But she is still very pretty." Sakuno added this due to her kind nature, not realising that this was like adding fuel to fire.

"Why is Princess Yuu constantly mentioned?" Ashita said rather angrily. "Why does it appear as if I am competing with her?"

She had talked with the princess due to necessity at the women's court and Ashita had to be honest with herself: she was feeling both jealous and insecure. Yuu was rather pretty although Ashita' vanity assured her that the other woman did not secure that much a victory over her in appearance. Yet the other's status resulted in a big gap: Yuu was much more educated then her, as well as being much more confident with her position.

A girl was not expected to be greatly educated so her father had only instructed their tutor to give her the basic lessons. Later on, her brother used his own spare time to teach her since they could no longer afford a tutor while Aizuki was not in a state to help them. Ashita could read and write relatively well, but the amount of books she had accessed to was limited, likewise the news from the outside world.

A few days ago she had a private dinner with the emperor and the three siblings from their neighbouring kingdom. The discussion of some political situation had made her rather silent and both the emperor and Minami must have noticed this as they switched the topic most tactfully, but Yuu's slightly superior knowledge had hurt Ashita.

As to be expected of any princess, Ashita had thought bitterly, no doubt Yuu had great tutors.

Petty as this was, she would appear as the future empress, Ashita decided as she swallowed her protest back and let Yumiko decorated her as she saw fit.

Unlike Ashita, Yuu found her toiletries les problematic although she still ended up arguing with her maid.

"What is this obsession with showing everyone that I am a princess when my identity and status are very clear?" she protested as she waved the extra decorations aside.

She didn't feel as if she was under-dressed or anything as she just chose a light gown without a lot of embroidery and layers. She also decided to have her hair decorated instead of being covered.

"Besides, why is this occasion so formal?" she protested to Sengoku. "It is just seeing some duel."

"It is because both the emperor and the empress-to-be will be there. So will a lot of other officials. In addition, it would be a most interesting match." Her brother said as he offered her his arm. "You will be earning many girls' resentment today, Yuu, because you are taking me away from them. Ah, speaking of the future empress that really is a vision…"

The sharp but discreet hit in the rib forced him to stop.

"Please remember that you can be easily heard by a lot of people." Minami said.

"Sometimes I wonder if you really are human as I don't know how many beauties you have ignored." Sengoku muttered. "But you have to admit that she does appear very beautiful like this."

The empress-to-be has just got out of her litter and the emperor was immediately beside her to take her hand. He must have said something similar as Sengoku since she smiled at him rather shyly.

Much too late, Yuu remembered what her mother once told her.

"Yuu, clothing and jewelleries are women's weapon. If you have two women who are of similar beauty then the one who is dressed better would win."

The empress-to-be would naturally have such fineries and it is natural for her husband-to-be's servants praising her. Yet Yuu couldn't help but to be a bit sour when she watched the couple walk through a line of commanders and deputy commanders, who all bowed vey respectfully.

Ashita, however, saw this in a different way. She was only given those respects because she would marry the emperor. These men cared nothing of her at all.

Saved for one.

Beside her, Watanabe suddenly chuckled. Moving his arm from her hand to her waist, he pulled her a bit close in order to whisper right into her ear.

"Ashita, will you allow me to be a bit immature? There is someone I want to play a trick on."

"If that is your wish…" she muttered, completely at a loss.

"I suppose that will do." Watanabe said with a sigh. He now wanted to play the trick in order to lighten his mood a bit instead of just doing it for fun. "But Ashita, who said that I spoke as the emperor?"

She didn't have much time to comprehend what he just said as he quickly turned to one of the guards.

"You are Kirihara, are you not?" Watanabe asked with a very innocent smile. "Are you willing to perform a service for your emperor?"

"Yes, your majesty." Kirihara answered automatically, as this was the only acceptable answer to such a question. However, there was a rather ill feeling in his stomach.

"I wish to borrow that cloak of yours for the empress-to-be, as it looks rather warm due to the furs at the end."

Kirihara immediately froze while the rest of his division members were all suddenly looking at their deputy-commander, who happened to be some distance away, talking to his grandfather.

"I am sure your commander will explain why you lack a cloak to your deputy-commander." Watanabe continued.

Kirihara actually managed to fold the fur trimmed end in but it would most likely be exposed if Ashita wore it.

"Please take mine as I should have offered it when I first saw Lady Ashita trembling." Shiraishi suddenly butted in, as he was standing right beside Yukimura. "Your majesty…it is very similar to the one Kirihara has, very similar."

Watanabe's eyes suddenly widened and he did a quick gesture with his hand, which Shiraishi answered by an equally brief nod as well as a jerk of head towards Sanada.

"What an idiot I am. I guess this is payback." Watanabe muttered as he placed the cloak around Ashita.

"What do you mean?" Ashita asked curiously, wanting to distract herself from the fact that she was wearing Shiraishi's cloak, which was still warm with his body heat.

"My attempt of getting Kirihara into trouble almost got Shiraishi into trouble. I dislike Kirihara," Watanabe admitted, "If you don't have control over yourself then your skills are useless. No…let me correct myself, a blade that turn on its wielder is worse then a rusted blade."

Yukimura allowed himself a few second of rest before he turned to Kirihara.

"Give Shiraishi his cloak back." He ordered. "I don't want people to get the wrong idea about Shiraishi's actions.

But were his motives really innocent? Shiraishi couldn't help but to question himself as he took his own cloak back. Was Yukimura right or wrong?

"But commander…" Kirihara began, already foreseeing his doom.

"Do you not want me to help you when Sanada sees you without a cloak?" Yukimura asked dryly.

The actual match was certainly one of great interest as victory was not decided until the late evening. Even those like Ashita and Yuu who did not really understand the ways of sword fighting could be deeply impressed.

But the victor was decided when Kintarou finally managed to break his opponent's swords.

"Hurray! I won!" he yelled out happily before he turned to grin at his opponent. "That was fun! Let's have a match again. You are really good! You should also have a match against Shiraishi and Yukimura as well, they are both really good too, although I've beaten both of them."

At this, both Yukimura and Shiraishi could only chuckle and exchange a smile. The younger boy really just see his win as a simple victory to take joy in, he was really just glad that he won.

But Kintarous' defeated opponent was not able to accept his defeat well as he continued to grip his broken sword and was staring intensely at the one who just defeated him.

Then he suddenly yelled out: "Let's have another match! I refuse to accept this."

"Alright!" Kintaoru was quite enthusiastic about it as it had been such a long time since he felt challenged.

"No, this is enough." Watanabe ordered, his voice very stern.

Even though he would like to see a repeat of this display of talent, he had much other stuff that he should be doing.

"But…" Kintarou protested again, but was silenced by Watanabe, who shocked his head. At this he shrugged in defeat and offered his hand to Echizen. "Let's do this the next time we meet."

"No, I can beat him! Let me proof this." Echizen yelled out.

Ashita, who was sitting right beside Watanabe, was the first to notice the change of mood. Watanabe's eyes narrowed while his lips flattened his original smile. There was suddenly a sense of hardness about him- this was someone who was capable of ordering something drastic.

She could see this man ordering executions.

"And so what if you win?" he said coldly.

"What do you mean? The boy asked sharply.

"Did you not hear me? I said, 'and so what if you win?' You will only proof that you are on the same level as Kintarou. After all, why would you lose to him if you are really so much better then him? Why couldn't you immediately win if you are so much better then him?"

"Your majesty, aren't you being a bit harsh?" one of his generals commented out, as he couldn't help but to admire such a talent.

"Perhaps." Watanabe chuckled. "Perhaps."

The truth was that he was rather irritated by Echizen's attitude: he desired victories for the sake of showing himself to be the best and was willing to hurt his opponents in order to achieve this.

"You are very talented." He admitted as he turned to Echizen again. "But what is it that you want that make you act this way? Why are you so greedy?"

"I wish to be your personal bodyguard." Echizen answered truthfully- the one who held that position would be acknowledged as the very best since he was to guard the most important man in the kingdom.

"I already have a bodyguard. It is not necessary for me to get another one." Watanabe rejected his request bluntly.

Echizen thought about arguing but then he saw the emperor's congratulating Kintarou very affectionately, and this told him that he would not have got his wish even if he won.

"But we have need of such a skill man in the army." One of the general said.

"If he wishes to then he will be welcomed." Watanabe said before issuing out the following orders. "But he will be commanded by a senior commander."