~Chibi Washuu here! Thanks SO much to everyone who reviewed! I'm so glad everyone seems to be enjoying this fic as much as I'm enjoying bringing it back and writing it! I can't say anything about this coming chapter without giving something away, so enjoy! Oh, one minor little note. 'Shojo' means 'virgin.' It'll make sense when you read.

San

Masamune-sama would be in the top-most room; the samurai lord would demand it. Ryo raced up the stairs, counting in his head. The guard had changed as he had slipped into the tower. He would have to hurry. When he reached the top floor, he ran on silent feet toward the end of the hall and the Dragon's chamber, racing past statues and vases from China—gifts to the mighty general. They would fetch a good price, but they were too heavy to carry. Besides, Ryo was no thief.

A distinctly feminine giggle stopped him in his tracks. The sound was growing closer, accompanied by footsteps. Ryo pursed his lips and looked around for a hiding place, frustrated by the inconvenience.

Two young women turned the corner and walked down the hall. Both looked about 20, while a boy of about 18 or 19 trailed behind them.

"I suppose Masamune-sama was not satisfied with Shojo-chan," one of the girls, dressed in a shimmering kimono of the deepest blue with pale white stars said. "Wouldn't you say, Kayura-san?"

Kayura shook her head slightly, causing her long dark hair to swish against her own silk kimono—a soft yellow with delicate cherry blossom petals falling around it. "Don't be so cruel, Suzu-san! It's only because the boy is inexperienced." She paused a step and put an arm around the blushing boy's shoulders. "Don't worry, Shojo-chan. We'll help you with that, won't we, Suzu-san?"

Suzu laughed, a bell-like sound that allowed her to live up to her name. "Oh, hai, Kayura-san!" she replied, looping her arm around the boy. "As long as it remains our little secret!" The two giggled over the Shojo's head as his blush grew redder.

"Shh," he said. "You'll wake Lord Date."

The girls continued to laugh—quieter now—and led the boy down the hall and around another corner.

Nothing moved for a few brief moments until the shadow of one vase shifted and Ryo stepped back into the hall, a mischievous, knowing gleam lighting his eyes. No wonder Masamune remained in good health!

He tore his eyes from where the girls had disappeared and returned to his mind to the task at hand, padding down the hall on silent feet. There was no time for such thoughts now.

As had been expected, a samurai guard kneeled outside his lord's bedchamber. A poison-tipped shuriken star found its way into Ryo's hand briefly before flying with deadly accuracy into the guard's throat. A constricted gurgle left the man before he toppled over into Ryo's waiting arms. The ninja dragged the guard out of the doorway and leaned him against the wall, arranging him so that it appeared he was asleep. So doing, Ryo crept into the daimyo's chamber.

The room was dark as the night, filled with the sound of the lord's soft snores. Ryo paused by the great general's bed, watching to make sure the man slept soundly. 'So, this is the Great One-Eyed Dragon.'

The lord's right eye was horribly mangled—plucked out by a spear point years ago in a forgotten battle. Other than that, his face held no cars. He was probably considered a handsome man in his youth.

Ryo pulled a small container—carefully sealed shut—from one of the many pockets of his shinobi shozoko and shook it once, not hard enough to damage the contents, but enough to disturb it. He then opened the box to reveal several agitated scorpions. A malicious smile crossed his lips, unseen to the outside world. "My apologies, Masamune-sama," he murmured quietly. "But Lord Sasaki needs you dead."

Seiji looked up sharply. Something was wrong. There was no denying it this time. Something was very wrong. He strode down the battlement toward the stairs, intent on checking on everything personally

"Seiji-sama!" the captain in charge called. "Where are you off to?" Normally he would not be so bold to challenge the young lord, but he had instructions from Masamune-sama himself—given with the young master as witness—that Seiji was reduced in rank to one of the captain's own soldiers for tonight and tonight only. The young master's punishment.

"Leave me," Seiji snapped over his shoulder. "I shall return momentarily. There is something I must see to."

Ryo raced down the stairs. The deed was done; he had waited until he was sure the Dragon was dead before slipping out of the room. The guard would change soon. It wouldn't be long before they found the "sleeping" samurai, and with him the body of their Lord. With all hope he would be well away by then.

Footsteps. They were approaching fast, coming down the hall toward him. Ryo looked around quickly. There was no time to slip into one of the rooms; doing so would wake the occupants if they weren't already awake pursuing "other engagements." 'Shit!' he thought, wildly looking around for an alternate escape. There was no time for this! He had to get out!

There were two. Samurai both, personal guards of Masamune-sama. The guard was changing. Damn. He was supposed to have been out of the tower by then. Lord Date may have been old, but he had been healthier than a man half his age. It had taken more time than planned for the venom to reach the Date's heart. Too much precious time had been wasted.

The hall was still for a moment after the two samurai turned a corner before a shadow fell silently from the rafters, crouching on the tatami mats before racing toward the door. It was only a matter of time. He had to get out.

Seiji raced toward the castle, his mind churning. He had to check. The premonition he had experienced had been too strong to ignore. He had to check. 'Grandfather, Mother, Suzu…Suzu!' The thought of the lovely young woman—one of his few personal consorts—made Seiji run faster. If anything had happened to his dear Suzu…

The two nearly collided outside the tower. A dagger appeared in Ryo's hand and Seiji's sword was half-drawn before the two boys' eyes met.

Ryo's eyes narrowed. The feeling of familiarity was stronger than ever. Those eyes…he knew those eyes. He had seen those eyes before. Mystic eyes that haunted his dreams, along with images of a strange green armor.

Seiji stared at the ninja, not realizing immediately what he was. His mind and senses whirled. This was the presence he had felt before. This was the cause of the pit that had settled in his stomach and the disturbance that had nagged at his every waking thought for the past three days. This ninja was the cause, he was sure of it!

Shouts rang out above them, causing them both to look up. A samurai appeared at one of the windows high in the tower. "Lord Seiji!" he called down to the blonde. "My Lord! Your grandfather, Lord Date Masamune, is dead!"

Well, they've seen each other face-to-face now. Don't worry, there'll be a fight scene in the next chapter! I promise! *dodges objects being thrown at her* Please R/R!