Ayame sat on her small futon in one of the rooms at Gohda Castle. She stared straight down in front of her, focused on a spot on the shiny, wooden floor. She was reflecting on the recent events just weeks before. Rikimaru...and his disappearance to save her and Kiku. Everytime she thought about him, a feeling of such great sorrow came upon her. If only she had been more careful...they could have all gotten out alive. But no, he always had to play the hero...

A knock on the doorframe of her room disturbed her thoughts.

"You can come in Kiku..." Ayame said slowly, sitting up straighter and looking towards the door. Kiku slid the sliding doors back and walked in, the pale blue robes of her kimono and her long, brown hair trailing after her.

"Ayame you have to teach me how to do that!" Kiku said as she rushed in front of Ayame and took her hands to make her stand up. Ayame had done this many times, and it still amazed Kiku. Ayame laughed gently at the girl's ambition.

"Well who else would it be? And maybe someday, I'll teach you..." Ayame answered with a smile, even though she knew that Lord Gohda wouldn't think highly of that. But what was wrong with a little ki training?

"Um...Ayame? Daddy wants to speak with you..." Kiku said, "I'll race you!" and with that, she took off and ran out of the room, surprisingly fast for a young girl in a long kimono. Ayame went after her quickly, both of them giggling all the way, through the hallways. They reached the door to Lord Gohda's room, Ayame winning, just by a hair. The young girl was indeed fast, but Ayame still had an advantage.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly, before sliding the doors back and stepping in, Kiku just behind her. There sat Lord Gohda, in his desk by the window. At the sound of her, he turned around and stood to face her.

"Ayame...I understand that the loss of Rikimaru has been especially difficult for you. It has been difficult for us all. But I do feel that it is time you have a new partner." Lord Gohda told her solemnly.

"My Lord, forgive me, but for now, I would like to work alone." Ayame said quietly, aware that she was being closely watched by Kiku.

"Please hear me out..." then suddenly, a smile breaks upon Lord Gohda's face and he gestured over to the corner of the room.

"Long time no see Ayame..." the voice called out as the slim figure stepped out from the shadows. Ayame's jaw nearly dropped open from surprise, and complete joy. And Kiku also had the same reaction.

"Miyuki?" Ayame said in disbelief, as she walked over to her. Miyuki Shinomuri! How could it be? But it had to be! Coming closer, Ayame could see that it was truly her. Those oh so familiar and unique violet eyes...her face! Though now...her eyes had a hollow, empty and haunted look to them. Before, they were once filled with such fire, now, it seemed as though the embers of that fire burned out long ago.

Miyuki's attire was also very different, and to add to that, they were torn and dirty. She was dressed in a frayed, grayish black kunoichi's kimono that came down to the middle of her thigh. The hems of it were ragged, and seemed as though it had been scorched and burnt. Her obi, a darker color of gray and purple was wrapped around her middle, the large bow in the back concealing her short swords, and it was in the same condition as the rest of her clothing. The black wrappings of ber shoes reached just below where her kimono ended.

"Miyuki!!!" Kiku cried happily, and threw herself at the kunoichi, despite her current condition. Miyuki stared down at her for a minute, a little surprised, before patting the young girl's back and hugging her in return.

"Wow...I don't know what to say!" Ayame said, still shocked and overjoyed that her childhood clan sister had returned.

"What happened to you?" Kiku asked and looked up at her.

"Kiku...I think it would be best for you and Ayame to help Miyuki get washed up and changed." Lord Gohda said gently, after watching the girls' reactions.

"Okay!" Kiku said enthusiastically, and led them out to the halls and towards the bath house, talking all the way. "Don't worry Miyuki, you didn't really miss much! Well except for Daddy freaking out because he thinks I'm growing so fast, you should have seen him when he saw me looking at one of the maid's sons!"

Miyuki nodded to show that she was taking in all the information. She gave small smiles in response as well.

"Yeah, and about the clan and all. Not many exciting things have been happening either...just a few little squabbles in the nearby villages that I needed to take care of." Ayame said.

In a short while, they reached the door to the bath house, and they entered. They each took their clothes off, and wrapped themselves in white, fluffy towels. Kiku immediately went into the hot water, giggling in delight.

"So, I've heard you've really made a name of yourself." Ayame said to Miyuki, as they gingerly stepped into the water, and sitting on the small benches.

"I guess."

"I've heard even the Emperor's got you pegged as a force to be reckoned with."

"The Emperor is a coward. I have no reason to attack him unless he plans on attacking Lord Gohda."

"Where have you been?"

"Many places, many employers, a couple clans." Miyuki answers monotonously. Ayame soon caught on that Miyuki didn't want to discuss the past years, and she dropped the subject quickly. Instead, Ayame handed her the bar of soap and they started to talk about happy things.