"Hai…" Usagi murmured, smiling faintly. "I wouldn't risk losing my friends. I will attend the concert at all costs. You have my word."

For a split second, Rei's scolding features softened into a relieved expression. She bowed her head in mute gratitude, and then continued walking.

"Domo arigatou, Usa-chan," Minako whispered in her ear. Her lips curved into a bright, encouraging smile. "When we're through, you can surely go after your sword."

Makoto suddenly piped up, "Just where are we staying for the night? I'm not sure if all five of us could find a place to stay…"

Rei shook her head. "There are many dojo throughout this town. I'm positive a few would have extra room. We will search for one."

Usagi glimpsed out into the horizon. It was nearly dusk, as the sun was currently moving out of sight. "We had better find one soon, or it will be too dark to travel any further." She paused, cautiously. "I will take lead."

"Don't worry so much," Ami said quietly. "I know you'd be capable of protecting us, but I'm sure we won't run into any trouble."

"Five young girls simply wandering around at this hour?" Usagi peered around anxiously. "I don't like the feel of this…" She halted instantly, shifting uneasily on her feet. Her face reflected sudden caution as she fumbled within her kimono fold. In a split second, her bokken had been drawn, and she crouched into a fighting stance, one arm protectively shielding the four girls. "Something... something just isn't right!"

"Stay behind me," she demanded firmly, never ceasing to drop her alert movements. "And don't move."

Heavy clacking of sandals could be heard approaching, and just then the girls realized how keen Usagi's senses had become. Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and her shoulders racked with rapid breaths. "Don't... Move," she repeated slowly, calmly.

She stepped forth, her wooden sword aimed skilfully in front of her, and a free arm shielding her companions. "Step out, now!" she yelled into the darkness. "I'm ready for you!"

The clumsy footsteps halted in response, and a low voice retorted, "I have stopped, reijou. I must have startled you, and I humbly apologize."

A low growl escaped the blonde's throat. "Don't even attempt to give me that crap," she snarled. "What are you doing out at this hour? Getting yourself intoxicated?"

Faint chuckling could be heard. "Iie, iie, reijou. I have done nothing of the sort. I am merely returning from the marketplace. I am a simple merchant."

Usagi never let her guard down. "Don't call me that, damn you," she spat wrathfully. "And I don't believe you."

"Usagi!" Rei cried, tugging at her sleeve. "Kami-sama... Let the poor man pass already! He's given you a reasonable explanation. Just move aside!"

"Your friend is wise," the man said with a laugh. "Onegai, onna, could you put down that bokken? It's making me quite nervous."

Usagi's scowl deepened. "Just as I thought, he can't be trusted." With a swift flick of her wrist, she lashed out with her bokken, followed by a sound of shattering glass and a few yelps of surprise from the four girls.

"What did you do?!" Rei screeched in horror. "Did you just hit him?!"

The familiar sounds of heavy footfalls could be heard, this time in a frantic rush in the opposite direction. When Usagi seemed satisfied, she tucked the bokken back into her kimono. "He was obviously drunk, and was gradually drawing closer. He would have attacked. I didn't hit him directly, only his glass. I scared the buta off."

"Sometimes you frighten me, Usa-chan," Minako whispered.

Usagi blinked, and then grinned. "I take that as a compliment." She laughed loudly. "Men are complete idiots! I never want to be near them! You hear me?! Never will a man be close to me!"

"I don't think any man would want to get close to you," Rei muttered lowly. "You're much too aggressive for a woman."

"That only makes matters better!" Usagi began to walk down the deserted street. "The path of a wanderer needs no details! A wanderer needn't worry themselves in a decent way! A wanderer simply wanders."

Usagi shuffled across the tatami floor, her footfalls soft and refined. She swung her bokken over her right shoulder with a sigh. She had trained the entire morning with simple stances, whilst her friends were still asleep in the other rooms.

They were indeed successful in finding a dojo to stay in, and were lucky as well. It had been incredibly late before they had found a particular one with actual room.

Rapidly growing restless, Usagi slid open her room's door. She seated herself on the porch's ledge cross-legged, her bokken rested comfortably on her shoulder. Her eyes watched the sunrise curiously, and waited for the new day to begin.

"You're awake?"

The faint voice didn't startle Usagi, as she had already comprehended the dojo owner approaching. She remained solemn, barely nodding her head in response.

The older woman sat beside her gradually. She appeared around her middle twenties, with long, flowing sea green hair. Her kimono was a light shade of opal, with petal imprints. Her face was kind, Usagi had thought, but disciplined at the same time.

"I wasn't expecting any customers. This dojo is rarely visited, unfortunately. I must say, five girls appearing here was a surprise. But I'm glad I have some company." She smiled warmly.

Usagi blinked in confusion. The dojo itself was very beautiful, most likely the best looking in all her wandering. It was large and well kept, with many training dorms and two kitchens. She wondered to herself just why such a dojo would be deserted.

The woman continued, "It is a very nice place here, but some rumours were spread around a year ago... After the word spread out, this became solitary..." She smiled sadly. "Fate is sometimes cruel."

The blond bent her head in concentration. 'Fate can be changed...' She reflected, arms folded together. "Iie, Lady," Usagi found herself whispering.

"Nani?"

She stood up briefly, staring down at the confused woman with seriousness. "You have been kind to us. I will repay the favour." Bowing her head in conformation, she began to walk away before the woman could reply.

"Matte!"

Usagi paused, her back still faced to the woman.

She faltered for a few seconds before asking, "What is your name?"

Usagi smirked in amusement. "Honourable Lady, you may address me as Usagi. May I ask your name as well?"

"H-hai! I am known as Setsuna-sensei around here. There are several other sensei living here, but are currently out looking for costumers..."

"I am requesting, Lady Setsuna, that you tell my companions I will meet up with them at the Tsugawa Palace, where the concert will be held." She paused. "Ja."

Usagi arrived at the Tsugawa Palace's large gates, scanning it briefly before leaning against one of the banisters. She folded her arms over her chest, and tilted her head towards the sky.

"Did you get a good look at those kids yesterday, Misuta? I need all the details, and the police will find them."

Usagi grew interested, and she listened as a timid man began to speak.

"There were at least five of them. One of them was carrying a weapon... And it was very dark outside, so I really didn't get a chance to see anything else..."

Usagi's stomach tightened. 'That man might be the one we confronted last night...' she thought with regret.

She could hear the officer gruffly retort, "What happened, exactly?"

A short pause, followed by, "all I can remember is that they were all male, and the first one demanded..."

Usagi cocked an inquisitive eyebrow. Was the man so drunk he couldn't even tell the difference between man and woman? But he had called her reijou. She shook her head and continued to eavesdrop.

"They were in a hurry, as I recall... Very impatient. They shoved me aside, and I tried to run away, but the one with the weapon threatened me at sword-point."

"There are many men in Japan with swords, ne?"

"H-hai... Demo... This one was incredible! It was longer than an average sword, and almost thinner than a katana!"

"That is impossible. The blade would easily break."

"I know that, mind you... And there were designs imprinted on it. The moonlight reflected the carvings... Some sort of snakes... Perhaps dragons?"

"That is good information. I must be going now, Misuta. I will be back with anything the police can recover."

Usagi tilted her head back in deep thought. The man wasn't the one they had faced the previous night, and that was a relief. But the way he had described the blade… Could it have been?

"Konnichiwa."

Usagi blinked out of her thoughts. Rei was obviously in a good mood, as her lips were curved into a content smile. She gave a sheepish smirk, and nodded quickly. "Ohayo, sleepy."

Makoto yawned loudly. "Nee, it was a long night, Usa… Besides, you always rise before the rest of us. It's the only time you get to practice."

Minako nodded. "We were lucky to find a place to stay that late… I thought we'd surely end up on the filthy streets!"

Usagi glanced at the palace behind her. "Wren is probably awaiting our arrival. We should go in."

          As they knelt in the centre of the massive room, Usagi took the opportunity to take a glimpse at her surroundings.

Wren, plain faced as usual, was seated at the head if the room, alongside her father. A considerable amount of people stood against the sidewalls as spectators.

When Minako gave the signal to begin, a small nod, Usagi began to play her shakuhachi. The others gradually joined in, and finally Minako started to sing, a clear, smooth sound. It was cute, but not beautiful.

Usagi rested the small flute in her lap, hands placed atop of it in a formal manner. It was the end of her part, and she took the opportunity to observe the room once again.

She tilted her head sideways, trying to catch a glimpse of the end. She managed to make out five shadows in the doorway, simply standing and watching. Usagi blinked, and the figures began to retreat down the opposite hall.

Usagi frowned with sudden uncertainty. Every one of the palace's citizens was expected to show up for the occasion, even the guards. Not a single soul was permitted to leave at any time.

She debated silently to herself on possibly who the five of them were. They couldn't be geisha, for they appeared male. 'They're not guards… They are all present… The perfect chance for thieves!'

Usagi twisted her head back towards Minako, who was still singing. She knew there wasn't a possibility she could get her attention, neither the other girls. If she left now, it wouldn't make much of a difference, because her parts had been played. But then again… If she were caught?

She laughed inwardly. Being caught was the least of her worries. She could be sneaky when need be, and nimble when it came to escape.

The thieves… Would she go after them?

Should Usagi:

Go after the thieves in pursuit

Or,

Stay in the room?

VOTE NOW!