Chapter Ten: The Morning After

"Riri-neesan! Riri-neesan!"

Breathless and panting, the young boy burst into the front room of the small village house, his eyes big as he hurried towards his guardian. "Riri-neesan, you have to come! Come quickly please...you have to come outside!"

"Inori?" Riri set aside the stitching she had been doing, casting the youngster a look of annoyance which faded to consternation as she took in his soaking wet clothing and the mud that spattered his face and legs. "Inori, what have you been doing - where have you been? I thought you were in the back with Shizuka, pulling together firewood. How did you get in that state?"

"It's raining." Inori said simply, as though it explained everything. "And we didn't have much wood, and Fuyou-san from next door offered some of his spare and I went to get it because Riri-neesan was busy and you said that Fuyou-san was a friend so I thought it was okay and then Fuyou-san's son came home and said there was a fire and that it was at Momiji-neesan's house and then it was raining and so I came back and..."

"Wait, slow down." Riri's eyes widened in dismay as she deciphered the barrage of words that the excited boy had poured forth with barely a pause for air. "Momiji? Momiji's house was on fire? Is that what you said?"

"Yes." Inori nodded emphatically. "And because it was raining, the wood I brought back got all wet and Shizuka is in the other room becuase I didn't want her to come to Fuyou-san's house because she always slips on the stones in the back and...when Fuyou-san's son came home I thought Riri-neesan should know because Momiji-neesan might need help."

"Momiji's house..." Riri bit her lip, getting to her feet and tossing her sewing aside. "Inori, listen to me. Listen to me closely and do exactly as I say, all right? Go change into dry clothes, and then go to Shizuka. Stay with her. Neither of you are to leave the house, nor answer the door to anyone unless it's Fuyou-san. Understood? Not to anyone at all. I can hear the rain now, beating against the roof and the walls - and I don't want you catching a cold."

"I understand." Inori stared at her. "But where are you going, Neesan?"

"To Momiji's house." Riri said briskly. "To see if she's all right. The rain will probably put out the fire - but she might need a place to shelter if there's been a lot of damage - and if she was home...she might need help."

"Fuyou-san's son said nobody was home. He said she was probably working." Inori said sagely, and Riri sighed, knowing that the young boy had absolutely no idea what kind of work might have called the prostitute out on such a late night. "So that's all right - she won't have got hurt. But she might be all wet. Will you ask her to come here?"

"Yes." Riri agreed. "Will you be good and stay where you are?"

"I promise." Inori said solemnly. "I won't leave Shizuka by herself, and I won't open the door. I promise, Riri-neesan. You can count on me."

"Good boy." Riri offered him a faint smile, pulling her tattered cloak from its peg and wrapping it around her body. "I hope to be back quickly, but if Momiji really isn't near her home, I may go to the town and see if I can find her. I'll be back as soon as possible - you're not to try and do anything with the fire if it goes out. Okay? Just take blankets and wrap yourselves up together if you're cold. I'll try and be as fast as I can."

"I will." Inori agreed, and Riri ruffled her hand briefly through his damp hair.

"You're a good boy." She murmured. "Your mother would be proud of you."

With that she slid back the door, hesitating for a moment as she registered the driving rain and then setting her resolve, stepping out into the downpour and pulling the door shut behind her. Momiji's home wasn't far from Kaoka, but in a very few moments she knew she would be soaked through, for the spring storms that occasionally ran through District Eight were short but unforgiving when they struck and she could barely see in front of her for the haze of water and swirl of wind.

Still, she did not turn back, for even without good visibility she knew the way to Momiji's secluded little house almost on instinct. She still remembered the first day her friend had moved in there – and the pride in her blue eyes that she had secured a place of her own instead of begging around the townsfolk for help and support. Riri had always felt a little protective of Momiji, as though she were a younger sister to take care of in the same way she had been cared for by Inori and Shizuka's mother on entering the courtesan trade, and so even though she knew there was probably nothing she could do, impulse still drove her on towards the other's home.

The most likely cause was lightning, she reflected as she pushed on through the puddling roadways, pulling her cloak more tightly around her slim body as she forced herself on against the elements driving her back. It could strike unexpectedly out of a clear sky on a night like this – storms blew up out of nowhere and when they did, it tended to be the isolated places near gathered woodland that suffered the most from fire and damage.

As she reached the pathway that led down towards Momiji's dwelling, the rain began to abate, dwindling to a drizzling shower as the force of the downpour faded. Riri was too wet by this time to really notice the difference, but as the moon began to emerge once more from behind its murky clouds, she found that she was more clearly able to see the way in front of her.

And cast in the dim, eerie glow of that moon she saw for the first time Momiji's home.

As she had expected, the rain had driven the fire from the property, but the folornly charred nature of the front wall and around the window shutters made Riri's heart clench a little in her chest. This was all Momiji had, she reflected, yet even this the fates had taken away from her.

But Inori said she wasn't home, so at least didn't have to see it burn.

Carefully and not without misgivings, Riri made her way carefully down the mud-slick slope towards the house's only entrance. The door slid back easily, and Riri ducked her head to step inside. It was dark inside the small home, and Riri found herself wishing that she had remembered to bring flint for a torch – though the irony of that wish was not lost on her as she gazed around the soot-stained, ash-coated surroundings.

Something gnawed away in the pit of her stomach and she frowned, trying to work out what it was.

The rain must have come soon after the fire had started, for though there was a lot of blackening of wood and objects, the property was mostly still intact and the roof had not blazed completely away, providing some bleak shelter still from the unforgiving elements outside. Riri crossed the floor carefully, stepping over the murky shape of what had once been a cushion, and moving to the window. Momiji's makeshift shutters had been closed, but Riri put her hands against the wood, hesitating and then giving them a gentle push to allow the vague slithers of moonlight into the room. A cascade of muddy ash residue dripped down onto her hands as she did so, but she paid it no mind, instead turning back to face her friend's belongings.

Her lips thinned as she took in the scene more clearly this time, and as she raised her gaze to the ceiling, another feeling of unease touched her heart.

It didn't start there.

She bit her lip, processing what this might mean.

The roof wasn't the start of the fire…nor the walls nor windows, either. If they had been, even with the storm we just had, there would have been more damage to the outside of the house. If it had been the roof, then there'd be more damage there too – but it's smoky and charred from the inside instead. It's hard to see properly in this light, but it's almost as though the fire began from within – not from the storm outside.

She cast a glance around her, moving to examine the small pile of wood in one corner that had been Momiji's fireplace. Hovering her hand over the ashes there, she realised they were both dry and cold, and her brows drew together in consternation.

And not from here, either. The roof protected this part of the house…but this fire died out long before the place caught ablaze. So she didn't leave the embers burning when she went out.

She turned on her heel, trying to work out what had happened.

But if she was out, surely, nobody would have lit the lamp.

Her gaze flitted to the alcove where Momiji's flame lamp usually stood, and her eyes widened as she realised it was missing.

What the…?

Instinctively she got to her feet, grasping her damp cloak around her as fear rushed through her body. Her mind flitted to the pendant that she had given her friend for safe keeping, but a quick examination of the area indicated that it was nowhere to be seen.

No pendant. No Momiji. No lamp torch…but everything else is here. Yet someone must have been here to move the torch and to get rid of it. A fire starts without warning, and the flame torch is missing. That reeks of arson to me – but who, and why?

Riri stifled a shiver, suddenly wanting to be anywhere but this place.

Where are you, Momiji? Who came to your house like this…was it while you were out? While you were home?

Her keen gaze caught sight of a ring on the floor below the window and she bent to pick it up, her unease growing as she dusted the ash from its surface.

You brought this from District Seven. A keepsake of your family – something precious that reminded you of happy times. You told me that it was the most precious thing you had – that it belonged to your mother, and that you always wore it for luck when you were working. But it's here, and you're not. The torch is not. Something's wrong.

She shivered again, and remembering her advice to Inori about catching cold she realised that she had no choice but to return to her own home and the children that sheltered there. Sliding the ring into her pocket, she got to her feet.

In the morning, I'll come back. In the morning, I'll come see. If you come home, then we'll talk…and in the meantime…

She swallowed hard, stepping out of the property and closing the door behind her. Loosening the ribbon from her hair, she tied it carefully around the charred slats of the divide, fastening it in a tight bow so that the tails of wet fabric flapped against the wood in the fading wind. Momiji didn't read or write well, but she would recognise the ribbon – and Riri knew that if she saw it, she would come to Kaoka right away. It was a signal they had used between them for the whole of their acquaintance, and Riri knew Momiji would understand – that she could come to Riri for shelter if she had nowhere else to go.

If she came back here, and she saw it, then she would know she did not have to spend the night alone in a charred and broken home.

But for some reason I don't think you're coming home. I can't explain why…just…that there's something wrong. That something has happened here that I don't understand, Momiji…perhaps something you don't understand either.

Riri paused at the top of the path, turning to gaze towards the bright flickering lights of the town of Teika with a pensive expression in her dark eyes.

Perhaps you are there, still working. If you are, I won't find you tonight – no matter what I told Inori, I won't interrupt you with a client and ruin your future trade. But it worries me. This whole thing worries me. Fires aren't uncommon, storms either. But…

She shook her head as if to clear it, spatters of rainwater cascading onto the already drenched ground from her thick tail of dark brown hair.

I'll come back at sunrise. I'll come back then and see if I can find you.

She resolved, turning back towards Kaoka.

And if you're not there…if you're not…then I'll send a message to Chihiro. Because something is wrong and I can't do anything about it. But maybe…if she knew…maybe she could. And maybe she would…care about a prostitute whose house had suddenly set on fire.

"Tsukabishi, stop behind please."

As the first year students filed out of the Hohou classroom, Uebashi raised his hand, gesturing towards the small boy as he sought to slink out of the classroom to the relative safety of his dormitory. He faltered, turning uncertain eyes on the Hohou master, and several of his classmates turned to stare at him, a few whispers passing between students as the others dispersed into the hallway beyond.

"What do you suppose he's done?"

"God knows. Probably nothing. Tsukabishi's far too quiet to be a trouble-maker – there's no chance he's actually got himself in trouble."

"Poor kid. He looks like someone might eat him."

"Someone might. If you look like prey, you're going to attract a predator. That's the natural order of things, right?"

"Let it alone. Uebashi will be on us next – let's go before he is, because I have no idea what that lesson was about."

As he interpreted the comments, Tsunemori bit his lip, his gaze flitting to the door as it closed behind them. For a moment there was silence, then the Hohou instructor sighed, perching himself against one of the desks as he met his student's apprehensive gaze.

"I think you know what I want to talk to you about, don't you?" He said softly, and Tsunemori flinched, staring up at his companion much, as his classmate had described, like prey gazing at a predator who had trapped him between its paws. He did not speak, and Uebashi eyed him pensively, a troubled look on his face.

Unlike Kazoe, who was sharp, scathing and to the point, and Minabe, who was direct and often violent in her manner towards her students, Uebashi was a gentle, calm-natured soul who had come to the Academy only a few years before following the murder of a previous Hohou instructor in the local town. He was a kinsman of the Yamamoto, and an intelligent, reasonable man who most of the students liked and respected, since he took time to explain his theories to those who struggled and sought to encourage rather than chasten those who fell behind.

Yet in that moment, meeting the instructor's gaze one on one, Tsunemori felt that he would rather be anywhere but the Hohou classroom. Wishing – not for the first time – that the floor would open up to swallow him, he still did not speak, and at length Uebashi got to his feet, coming to rest his hands gently on the boy's shoulders. Tsunemori flinched, but Uebashi did not release his grip, instead gazing down on the young boy.

"Even though you sat no written exams to come here, you are in the top class because of the high level of reiatsu you possess." He said quietly. "You listen well in class, and when I call on you to explain something, you show me that even though you are District and have had no prior training, you already understand very well what you've been taught. You remember things quickly and answer coherently, so I know it isn't that you don't comprehend my lessons. Yet even despite the fact you are obviously a bright and gifted young boy – I would like to know why it is you are the only member of Class One not to submit your written outline to introductory Hohou?"

Tsunemori swallowed hard, twisting his fingers together as he tried to work out how to answer his companion's question. The silence threatened to stretch into an unbearable infinity, and Uebashi sighed again, shaking his head slowly.

"If you won't talk to me, I can't do anything but punish you." He said softly. "You understand that, don't you? Even though you're a first year, and even though this is all new to you – if you don't meet deadlines and you can't explain why, you should expect to undergo punishment exercises. It's not something I like to do with any student – especially not one who's seemed to pick up the theory of this subject very quickly indeed. So if there is something you want to tell me, Tsukabishi – now would be the time to do so."

Tsunemori opened his lips, but the words stuck in his throat and he closed them again, lowering his gaze.

"Very well." Uebashi looked regretful. "Then I haven't a choice. I want your report by tomorrow morning's class, and if I don't receive it then, you will be assigned extra reading and an assignment on that extra work. If you continue to defy me, I will have to report the matter to Genryuusai-sensei – so I suggest you think carefully about that. You're dismissed."

"Yes, sensei." Tsunemori murmured, grabbing up his notes and writing equipment and fleeing the classroom before Uebashi could call him back. As he hurried down the corridor, he felt tears pricking at his eyes but he forced them back, biting his lip furiously as he fought the urge to cry. Only the day before he had been teased by some of his classmates for bursting into tears after he had accidentally spilt his drink on someone else's work, and though there had been no malice behind the joke, he was not eager to repeat the experience.

Once well away from the classroom he paused, leaning up against the wall to catch his breath. He had been at the Academy a week now, and already he knew he didn't like it. He was not used to this kind of environment, where his life was regulated by structure and rules, and where he was forced to spend almost every waking moment in the company of others instead of slipping off to explore things by himself. He did not find it easy to talk to new people, for for as long as he could remember it had been just him and his mother as they had travelled across the countryside together. The Academy had done nothing to ease his terror of such situations, for it seemed to the young boy that there were thousands of students all studying under Genryuusai's rule.

In the dorms, at dinner, in class, and in free time, Tsunemori was always surrounded by other people. And even when he did manage to slip off to be alone, a bell was certain to call him back again. The only place he could truly escape to was the world outside the school – but the Academy gates were patrolled regularly and no First year student was allowed to leave the grounds alone. Tsunemori had not yet made any friends among his classmates, who had all already seemed to pair up in twos or threes to whisper about things in corners, and in any case, going with someone else would ruin the point of going alone. Therefore he had stuck religiously to the school grounds – and struggled against his claustrophobic feelings on a day by day basis.

He sighed, turning on his heel and trudging slowly up the staircase towards the first year dormitories.

It wasn't as though he found his classes difficult. On the contrary, he had a quick brain and had easily understood the theories of Kidou and Hohou theory that they had begun learning even when some of his fellows had faltered. He knew that that was the official reason he was here – because he had potential and reiatsu and other important words that the adults liked to bandy about between themselves. But in reality he knew that he was here for another reason.

He had nowhere else to go.

He closed his eyes briefly at this point, forcing back the sad thoughts as tears threatened to well up inside of him once more.

He wasn't used to so many people. And he didn't want to be around them when so much was still raw inside him. He wanted to run, to hide, to get as far from here as possible. He did not want to train to fight against monsters…especially not monsters like the one who had killed his mother.

"Hey, you idiot, watch where you're going!"

A sharp voice brought him from his reverie and he glanced up, fear coursing his gaze as rough fingers closed around his upper arm, yanking him back against the wall.

"Hey, it's the runt from the first year again, getting in the way." Another voice observed unpleasantly, and Tsunemori gulped, raising his gaze to meet the annoyed eyes of the Fifth year, Kamaki Azusa. Ever since that encounter on the first day, whenever Tsunemori had encountered Azusa, the older student had made snide remarks or had shoved him aside in the hall with a mutter of, "so you remember to mind your senpai." Now however he was not alone – and it was one of his brawny friends who had grabbed Tsunemori by the arm, holding him firm as Azusa moved to face him.

"You really don't like to step aside for anyone, do you, kid?" He asked now, bending so that his face was level with Tsunemori's, and Tsunemori took a shaky breath into his lungs.

"I'm s…sorry, senpai." He stuttered. "I…w…wasn't l…looking…where I was…"

"You ought to get those eyes checked, then." The second boy said disparagingly. "What do you want to do with him, Kamaki? He's a worm and he's in the way, but he's not very interesting as sport."

"No, he's not." Azusa agreed. "Let him go, Kobayashi. We don't waste time dealing with mice that scuttle around the halls…besides, I'm sure he's the type to go tattle on us to the big strong Senior class...he looks like the kind of worm that would do something like that."

Tsunemori shook his head hurriedly.

"I won't tell. I won't tell anyone anything!" He said hurriedly, and Azusa raised an eyebrow, even as Kobayashi loosed his grip on the boy's arm.

"What would you tell them, anyway?" He asked. "We haven't done anything to you yet – except stop you from colliding with us, which is a senpai's duty, don't you think?"

His gaze drifted to the clutch of papers under Tsunemori's arm, and he snorted, snatching them away from the junior's hold and glancing at them.

"Look, Kobayashi. First year stuff. Do you remember this far back?"

"Barely." Kobayashi smirked. "What do first years study, anyway? How to spell the word 'Kidou' and what the word 'magic' means?"

"Give it back! Please!" Alarm flooded Tsunemori's expression, and he reached out a hand for it pleadingly, but Azusa raised the papers out of his grip, passing them to his friend.

"But this one is apparently in the top class. Maybe you'll learn something from his notes, Kobayashi." He said playfully, and Kobayashi glanced at the papers, laughing.

"Really? If you ask me, he could do with going back to basic spelling and grammar. Look at the state of his writing."

"Please, senpai, give my notes back. Please, give them back!" Tsunemori was almost in tears again now, but Azusa ignored him, taking the papers back and skimming his gaze over the scrawl of notes. He let out a low chuckle.

"Well. And I thought basic literacy was standard even in the Districts." He murmured, casting Tsunemori a nasty look as he thrust the crumpled sheets back at his companion. "I didn't realise the Academy admitted students who have more fingers than they know proper kanji."

"It's not like that! I...I just write badly. That's all!" Tsunemori protested, but Azusa snorted, giving him a rough shove against the wall.

"I wonder if Sensei knows that this little worm is barely literate." He murmured, a threatening gleam in his eyes and Tsunemori took a step back, feeling the hard plaster divide behind him as Azusa pushed his face closer. "Do you think he'd like to know…that your notes are scribbles and that you can't write characters to save your life?"

"I…I…I…" Tears trickled down Tsunemori's cheeks, and he shook his head.

"Please, senpai, don't." He begged. "Please don't tell anyone. I…I'm working hard on getting better, so please…d…don't."

"They'd probably send him away, wouldn't they?" Kobayashi mused. "If they realised he couldn't even write basic kanji. Probably he can't read it either – so he's pretty useless all around."

"Can't read, can't write, can't get out of people's way and constantly causing a fuss." Azusa tut-tutted. "You're making a bad start to your time here, kid. Maybe you'd rather be sent away – what do you think?"

Tsunemori's gut clenched and he shook his head hopelessly. Much as he didn't like the Academy, he knew that the alternative was worse. There was nothing out there…nothing left for him but this, and in his desperation he reached out, grasping the older student's hakamashita sleeve with anxious fingers.

"Please, senpai, don't tell anyone!" He whispered. "I'll get better, I promise, so please…please don't…"

"I don't really have time to bother with first years." Azusa shook his arm free, sending Tsunemori a dismissive glance. "I don't care whether you are here or not, or whether you can write or not."

His eyes narrowed.

"But…if I'm keeping a secret for you – Kobayashi, don't you think that if a senpai keeps a secret for a kouhai, the kouhai ought to show his gratitude somehow?"

"Seems right to me." Kobayashi nodded his head, folding his arms and leaning up against the wall opposite as he watched the confrontation. "Don't you think so, kid? If we keep your secret, what are you going to do in return for us?"

"I…I…" Tsunemori stammered, and Azusa laughed.

"You really are hopeless." He said frankly. "But it's all right. You might not know what you can do for us. But I do. I know exactly what you can do."

"S…senpai?" Tsunemori looked apprehensive, and Azusa smiled.

"Do you remember what happened on first day?" He asked softly, and slowly Tsunemori nodded his head.

"And you remember the guy who rescued you – the one with white hair?"

"A…Anideshi?" Tsunemori asked softly, and Asuza grimaced, nodding his head.

"That's what they want us to call him, yes." He muttered. "Listen up, kid, and listen good. That Anideshi – that Ukitake Juushirou – you heard how he shouted at me – at us – like he was suddenly in charge of the whole school. But he's nothing more than our kouhai, just like you are. What do you think – do you think it's right for a kouhai to speak to a senpai like that? Even if they have been promoted a class – do you think it's respectful to talk to someone with more experience in that way?"

"I…I…I suppose…not."

"Good. Right answer." Azusa offered him another unpleasant smile. "Then we agree. And that makes things easier. I guess you're not entirely stupid – if you realise that disagreeing with two much stronger senpai can only end in pain and suffering on your part."

His eyes narrowed.

"Ukitake Juushirou needs to learn the rules of kouhai and senpai." He said matter-of-factly. "And to learn his place. Just because a Sensei shows him favour doesn't mean the rest of us are going to go along with it like sheep. I want to teach him that…and you're going to help me."

"Senpai?" Tsunemori's eyes became huge, and Azusa nodded.

"You heard me." He said simply. "If you want me to keep your secret for you, then in return you're going to help me make life difficult for our noble Anideshi."

"I understand that you're worried, Riri."

Chihiro gazed around at the black-charred chamber, a pensive expression on her young face.

"It's not nice for anyone to suffer fire damage like this, especially in a freak storm like last night. I heard that two or three trees came down from lightning – with Momiji-san's house being here like this, it probably also became a target."

She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. It was the next morning, and a crisp spring wind was blowing around the village, drying out the drenched ground and buildings that had been so soaked in the previous night's storm. Soon, Chihiro knew, the sun would begin to peek out from behind the clouds and the day would begin to warm – but at present it was still early, and she stifled a shiver, pulling her thick cloak more firmly around her body.

"But that Momiji-san isn't here…is probably a good thing, isn't it? For her to be home when lightning hit – she could have been hurt. It's still early and you did say that she was working last night? So she probably hasn't got back here yet."

"I know it looks that way." Riri turned troubled eyes on her companion. "I'm sorry to call you out so early, too – especially when I'm sure you have other things to attend to than the worries of courtesans. But even though I can't put my finger on exactly what it is – I'm worried. Even though what you say makes sense…it doesn't feel right."

"The rain put the fire out quickly, by the looks." Chihiro bent to touch the floor, lifting her fingers to examine the dark dust that now coated her skin. "The property could've been completely destroyed – Riri, are you sure it's all right us even being in here? It might be dangerous, and with the owner away…"

"Momiji never minded me letting myself in." Riri shook her head. "She wouldn't mind me bringing you, either, if she knew it was for her sake."

She sighed, sinking down against the wall.

"It doesn't look like a normal lightning fire to me." She said sadly. "It looks more like the fire began in here…than out there."

"I suppose…" Chihiro frowned, glancing up at the roof. "To be truthful, I'm not familiar enough yet with the kind of storms and weather District Eight has to know that with any certainty. Maybe you're right – but…maybe not."

"I've spent my whole life here, so I'm quite sure of it." Riri rubbed her temples. "That the fire started in here – and then the weather put it out, not the other way around."

"Well, I'll take your word for it." Chihiro chewed down on her lip. "Perhaps a stray ember could have caused it…"

"The fire was cold." Riri shook her head. "It just doesn't make sense."

She ran her fingers agitatedly through her thick dark hair.

"I know that it's more than likely she just hasn't got home yet." She murmured. "This morning I walked into Teika and spoke to some of the traders setting up their wares for the day. One or two of them saw Momiji by the tavern late last night – as though she had a client there and was waiting for him. The landlord there doesn't allow prostitutes inside his establishment any more, so she would have had to have met whoever it was outside."

"Then she was working?" Chihiro questioned and Riri spread her hands helplessly.

"I can't go ask the landlord because he considers us beneath vermin." She admitted. "I've been thrown out of that place before for simply trying to ask questions, so I haven't tried."

"Do you want me to go to the tavern?" Chihiro's expression became one of understanding, and relief touched Riri's expression as she slowly nodded her head.

"If you don't mind." She agreed. "I know it's not the kind of place you go often, either. But you're known in Teika as a respectable person – the wife of a soldier and therefore not sullied and dirty like we are. The landlord will probably talk to you."

She sighed, pulling Momiji's ring from her pocket and holding it out.

"This is Momiji's." She said simply. "It was a keepsake from her mother, I think – in any case, she never went out working without it. She considered it a protective charm – a talisman, if you like – to keep her safe while entertaining clients. But I found it here last night – which made me concerned. Especially if she did go out to meet someone."

"I see." Chihiro took the ring, gazing at it thoughtfully. "I don't know much about jewellery – is it valuable?"

"No. It's mock jewellery – I suspect her father made it for her mother originally." Riri shook her head. "Momiji never talked a lot about her family in detail, because she lost them and it made her sad. But even though it would be worth nothing to a thief – it was worth something to Momiji."

"You think someone came here, broke in and stole things while Momiji-san was away?" Chihiro looked alarmed, and Riri nodded.

"The torch lamp is missing." She agreed. "And so is the pendant that I gave her to fix – the memento of my father that I trusted to her the other day. Unlike Momiji's trinket, mine actually has some material value beyond the sentimental – if it were to be melted down, the metal could be sold on because of its quality and purity."

"I see." Chihiro's expression became grave. "All right. I'll go to the tavern, then, and see what I can find out. You go home, Riri. Go back to the children so they don't wake and worry when you're not there. They're still far too young to be on their own – even though Inori is such a strong little boy."

"I know, and I will." Riri nodded. "Thank you, Chihiro. I appreciate it. I owe you yet another favour – at this rate my debt will go beyond what I can pay."

"There is no repayment on favours to friends." Chihiro offered her a smile. "But if you're right, and someone did break in here, it's probably a good thing if Momiji-san was working last night. Probably her client took her back to his home from the tavern, and she's still there. Which means she might come back here any time – and is most likely safe."

"I hope you're right." Riri agreed. "I'll leave my ribbon tied to the door, though. Then she'll know I've been here and she'll come to find me."

"The town officials might want to investigate." Chihiro warned, and Riri snorted, shaking her head.

"Outside of town jurisdiction." She said frankly. "And Momiji's not a respectable citizen nor a resident of District Eight. There are limits to justice when it comes to cases like this – Momiji lived here so she wasn't censured by the officials in the town for plying trade beyond the curfew limits. But because she lived here, she was outside of their protection, too. And people believe it was struck by lightning in a storm, not set fire to by some unknown thief. Nothing major is missing, except my pendant – and I can't report that to town officials, can I?"

"Why not?" Chihiro looked confused. "It was yours, wasn't it? Of course you could, if you thought it had been…"

"They would think Momiji took it." Riri cut across her, shaking her head. "And I know she didn't, which means someone else probably did. But I won't get Momiji in trouble – I trust in her and I know she wouldn't betray that trust."

She pursed her lips.

"And it's complicated. It's better nobody else sees that pendant or connects it with me – so for the time being, Chihiro, I'm going to rely just on what you find out in the town. Please be careful what you ask – the children's safety might rely on it as much as mine."

"You're being uncharacteristically melodramatic." Chihiro's eyes widened. "But all right. If that's how you feel, I'll be careful. I'll come back to yours when I'm finished – so meet me there, all right?"

"All right." Riri nodded, clasping her friend's hand briefly before letting it loose. "Thank you, Chihiro. I mean it…thank you."

"Don't look so tragic." Chihiro gave her companion a hug. "The children will worry. I'll be as quick as I can – trust me!"

"I do trust you." Riri offered her a sad smile. "Momiji aside, probably I trust you most of all."

"Then I won't let you down." Chihiro said firmly, pushing back the charred divide and stepping out once more into the fresh air. Casting Riri an encouraging smile, she hastened off down the path, the mud drying beneath her feet as she hurried towards the gates of the small but bustling local town. A few people waved a greeting to her as she passed, for she was a well known face now at Teika's market and despite her foreign birth her marriage to a local man had made her roundly accepted as part of the general community. However, though she acknowledged the gestures with smiles of her own, she did not stop to exchange pleasantries, for Riri's troubled expression still played on her mind.

Riri was really worried. Probably she's over-thinking it, but in a profession like theirs, I suppose bad things can happen. And because her keepsake is also missing – but I'm sure that it and Momiji will both turn up.

She pushed back the door to the tavern, stepping inside and glancing around her for any sign of life. It was quiet that morning, for alcohol was rarely served before midday, and only a few of the establishment's travelling guests were up and about. They were strangers to her – traders, she supposed, travelling through the area to the border, and though one or two of them shot her a curious look, she paid them no attention.

"Can I help you, miss?" A young woman greeted her at that moment, surprise on her face, and Chihiro smiled, nodding her head.

"I was looking for the landlord. I had an enquiry for him." She said pleasantly. "It's something quite important – I wonder if he might be about?"

"I'm right here, Chihiro-san." The landlord's own voice cut across them and Chihiro turned, bowing her head politely to acknowledge his arrival.

"I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the morning." She said apologetically. "I wanted to speak to you – but is it inconvenient to do so now?"

"No, it's quite all right. My morning duties are done and Sayako and the others will see to the rest." The landlord cast the other young girl a glance and she blushed, nodding her head and scurrying off to the back of the inn.

"She's only been with me a short while. Only since her father died last winter." The tavern keeper sighed. "But she's easily distracted, no matter how hard she tries to work hard. But speaking of distractions, now I'm waylaying you. What can I help you with, Chihiro-san? An errand from the military garrison again?"

"No. Well, not exactly." Chihiro shook her head. "I'm afraid…it might be seen as an impertinent question, in fact, and I apologise for it in advance. The fact of the matter is I was looking for news of someone. A young girl…with dark hair…called Momiji."

At the sound of the prostitute's name the tavern keeper stiffened and he shook his head emphatically.

"Such people are not permitted in this place, as I believe you well know." He said quietly, and Chihiro nodded.

"I know." She agreed softly. "I wasn't meaning to cast a slur on your good name by asking. It's just that…that a house was struck by lightning in the fire last evening. My husband, as a retainer of the Clan is seeking its owner, but she doesn't seem to be anywhere about. Someone told me that she had been seen outside this place late last night – that you had turned her away, in fact, from entering. I wondered if she came to wait for someone from here? Obviously when they had left the premises, but…"

"I see." Despite himself, the landlord's eyes became grave. "Yes, the girl was here. Or at least, outside. As you say, I didn't let her in. She had come to meet with someone – one of my guests, as a matter of fact. I don't know what became of her after that, though."

"One of your guests? Someone staying here had hired her?" Chihiro asked quizzically, and the tavern keeper nodded.

"Yes. Foreign to these parts, though he seemed to be somehow connected to the Clan." He agreed. "He was a respectable kind of man – and he told me his interest in her was relating to local information, not the other kind of services she might provide. I believe it, too. I don't think he was the kind who'd hire a prostitute. He didn't seem desperate. Actually, I got the impression he already was married – and he certainly didn't pay a moment of attention to any of my serving girls, even though several of them are comely wenches."

"This guest is still staying with you?" Chihiro looked thoughtful, but the tavern keeper shook his head.

"He came back late last night, but left at the crack of dawn this morning." He replied regretfully. "He said he had a report to make to his master at the main house and couldn't delay any longer. He paid me for two nights longer than he stayed – on account for the inconvenience of his early departure, he said. A polite man, like I told you. Respectable."

"I see." Chihiro privately thought that a man's appearance had little to do with whether or not he would solicit the services of a prostitute, but she wisely kept those ideas to herself. "Then the man is a Clan employee, like my husband? In that case he should be easy for Takeshi to track down and may be of some help to him. Do you by any chance remember his name? It would be very helpful if you could give it to me."

"Masaki, I believe. I'm not quite clear beyond that, but I believe he was a Clansman as opposed to simply a retainer." The tavern-keeper rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "He seemed to know one or two of the traders – I saw him here with Gaugen the other evening, and they were deep in conversation. In fact, I think perhaps Masaki bought something from Gaugen, since money changed hands. Possibly it was the same with the wench – though I hardly think she had anything worthwhile to sell a man in his position."

Chihiro's eyes widened slightly at this.

Something to sell…like Riri's pendant? But Riri trusts Momiji – surely she wouldn't have…

Out loud she said,

"Thank you sir. You've been most helpful – I'm grateful for your time."

"You're welcome." The tavern keeper offered her a smile. "Though your husband might want to be careful if he's approaching a blood Clansman about meeting with a courtesan. I'm sure you'll find his motives to be above board and honourable – he didn't seem like the kind of man who would be interested in buying a woman."

"I will pass that information on as well." Chihiro agreed, bowing her head. "Thank you again, sir. Good day."

With that she withdrew from the tavern, a troubled expression crossing her pretty features as she ran over the conversation in her head.

Riri would be hurt if that were the truth. That Momiji took the pendant and sold it to some stranger for whatever reason. Momiji might have run away after doing that – because she'd know Riri wouldn't forgive her. Would she set fire to her own home? Maybe she would – to cover the evidence, perhaps she would. But leave her own ring behind? I don't know. And Riri believes in Momiji. So that leaves me with…

She paused as she reached the market place, her hazel eyes roving around the various stalls for any sign of the greedy, penny-pinching Gaugen.

If Gaugen-san also dealt with this Masaki person, he might know more about him, I suppose. And where to find him. Though if he is a Clansman and related somehow to Tokutarou-sama…it will be hard to find him at all. Tokutarou-sama is a kind Lord and a fair man – but accusing one of his kin of consorting with a prostitute and buying stolen goods is something I doubt he'd want to listen to. We'd need very strong evidence – evidence we don't have.

Her brow creased as she realised there was a gap where Gaugen's stall was normally set up.

That's funny. He's usually here before the crowds. Never wants to miss a bargain – so where is he?

"Good morning, Chihiro-san!" One of the stall women waved to her, and Chihiro headed over, casting the boy's son a grin.

"Good morning." She said warmly. "It's a chilly start today, isn't it? After the storm last night, the ground seems to be drying quickly."

"Storms here are that way." The woman said wisely. "What brings you to town so early? Your husband keeps you busy."

"I was looking for Gaugen-san, but he's not here." Chihiro admitted. "Have you seen him? I'd really like to talk to him."

"Nope, haven't seen him." The woman looked thoughtful. "Funny you should say that, because he's one to never miss a day come rain or shine. But he hasn't turned out this morning. Maybe he had business elsewhere. He was meeting with some Clan fellow two nights ago – perhaps it's relating to that."

"I see. Probably that's true." Chihiro nodded, but as she glanced at the empty stall plot she felt faintly uneasy.

Momiji disappeared. Gaugen disappeared. And some stranger from the Clan met with both of them beforehand? Maybe Momiji was just working – maybe Gaugen has just ridden to another town to trade. But it seems…strange. Maybe Riri is right…that there's more to this than there seems.

A chill ran down her spine and she shivered involuntarily, pulling her cloak instinctively more tightly around her body.

"You want to be careful, love. There's not enough flesh on your bones to keep you warm in a wind like this." The stallkeeper advised her playfully. "I'd head home and get warm. If Gaugen appears, I'll tell him you were wanting him."

"Thank you. I'll do that." Chihiro agreed. "Please do tell him – I don't know if it's urgent or important, yet – but it might be, so I'd like his advice."

"Understood." The woman winked, and Chihiro bowed her head once more before turning on her heel and making her way slowly through the centre of the town towards the far gates that led to the village beyond. As she passed Momiji's burnt house she paused for a moment, eying the folorn scrap of ribbon that fluttered in the wind.

Riri's right. The fire didn't start outside. If it had, there'd be far more obvious damage. But most of the charring and ash was inside. The fire didn't come from lightning. But if it didn't come from a stray ember…what then? Did you set fire to it yourself, Momiji, to cover up stealing Riri's pendant? Or…something else?

"Chihiro-neesan!" As she reached Riri's home, Shizuka hurried out the front door, grabbing at her skirts excitedly, and despite herself Riri grinned, bending to scoop the small girl up in her arms.

"Good morning, Shizuka." She said playfully, and Shizuka giggled.

"Riri-neesan said you were coming to visit." She said. "And you have."

"Is that exciting?" Chihiro asked, and Shizuka nodded.

"Having visitors is fun." She agreed. "And Inori-nii and I have helped clean the house so it's all neat and tidy now and you can come in and sit down!"

"I suppose with an invitation like that I can't refuse." Chihiro laughed, setting the youngster back down on the ground. "All right, Shizuka…lead the way. I'm right behind you."

"You were quicker than I thought." Riri was folding blankets when the two entered, but she paused at the sight of her friend, shooting her a quizzical look. "Shizuka-chan, will you take these and put them in the pile at the back? Tell Inori that if he's finished polishing that he can come in and we'll have tea."

"Yes, Neesan." Shizuka obediently took the blankets, carrying them carefully out to the back room as if they were made of some precious material, and Chihiro watched her with a smile.

"It's hard to be downcast when they're around, isn't it?" She observed, and Riri nodded.

"It is, which is why I'm able to keep moving forwards." She agreed. "Well? Did you manage to find anything?"

"Mm. Maybe." Chihiro sighed, settling herself on one of the faded cushions and smoothing her skirt over her knees. "It seems Momiji was at the tavern last night and she did meet with someone there. But the person was a guest of the tavern – possibly a Clan person – called Masaki. The tavern keeper said that he wanted to meet with her for reasons other than her normal business. He's now left Teika – gone back to the Clan stronghold, I imagine – and so that's that."

"But no sign of Momiji?" Riri asked. Chihiro shook her head.

"Riri, this Masaki person was interested in treasure, though." She said quietly. "He met with Gaugen from the town market and it seems they did some business. Then he met Momiji…and now…that's all we know."

"You think Momiji took and pawned my pendant?" Riri's eyes widened, and Chihiro saw a faint flicker of anger cross her features. She shrugged.

"I don't know." She admitted helplessly. "You trust Momiji-san and I don't know her enough to overcome that trust. All I know is what I just told you. She was at the tavern. She met with Masaki. And that is all."

"I see." Riri sighed, the tension seeping out of her body and she nodded her head. "I'm sorry. I believe in Momiji – I don't think she'd steal from me. She's known about my treasure for a while, and she's had ample time here to take it without my noticing – but she never has, so I don't see why she'd go to all this trouble now. And besides, you're right. I trust her. I can't explain that any other way – I just do."

"Then there is one other thing." Chihiro pursed her lips. "Gaugen-san wasn't at the market this morning. Nobody had seen him, either."

"Momiji…Gaugen…and this Clan person?" Riri whitened, and Chihiro nodded.

"Yes. You think there's a connection?"

"It depends. This may be my fault after all." Riri looked agitated. "If something happened…maybe it was my fault."

"Your fault? Why so?" Chihiro was stunned.

"Because of my pendant." Riri whispered.

"What would that have to do with anything?" Chihiro asked sensibly. "Even if it was something that could be melted down – Riri, even so…"

"No. It's not that. It's…" Riri faltered, biting down on her lip. Then,

"If I tell you a secret, will you promise never to reveal it?" She begged. "Till you die, Chihiro – do you promise?"

"If you want me to." Chihiro was surprised. "You're being melodramatic again, but if it's important to you, I'll keep it."

Riri nodded, then slowly she got to her feet, moving across to the unit and opening a small wooden box. She took something from it, unwrapping the fabric that swathed it and glancing at it for a moment before holding it out to her companion.

"This belongs with the pendant." She said softly. "It also belonged to my father. I don't know exactly what it is, but I think…it might have come from a sword's sheath. Momiji thought so too – she said it had the right fastenings on it, though they were worn down in places."

"This is?" Chihiro took the object, glancing at it curiously. "I don't understand…Riri…"

"What I have to tell you…is complicated." Riri murmured. "And you might…you might not believe me. But I will tell you anyway. And then you'll understand…why that pendant might have brought Momiji into trouble."