Chapter 1 Tesshu Fujioka, Genbu and Ganda

Ayame leaned on the frame of a door in a corridor. She wore her trademark suit; loose pants and long jacket, under it a warm knitting. All black of course. Opening the 54th apartments door seemed to last forever. Finally the door opened.

"Oh…? Ayame, come on in." Tesshu pressed against the door to make some room for her.

"I gather you weren't in the funeral yesterday. Why's that?"

He was closing the door and searched for his pocket uneasy. "Well… You see…" They walked in the living room, Tesshu first. "I am sorry that he's dead… He was a friend of yours…"

"Whatever… Tesshu." She crossed her arms disapproving his lousy excuse.

"Want to sit down?"

"…Sure, why not…"

Ayame sat on a couch and Tesshu sat opposite her on an old armchair. "Where's Genbu?" She asked.

"Genbu? …" Tesshu lazed his fingers together looking awfully worried. "He… took a job."

"Whit out you?"

Tesshu grunted and moved uncomfortably in his comfy chair. "Well… you see… We had a fight…"

"About what?"

"Oh, doesn't matter." He waves his hand like it would have been just a little thing that didn't mattered. "He'll forget it soon."

"I'm not worried about your fights, Tesshu, but you suppose to look after him, remember?"

Tesshu sneered again and waved his hand in a bigger orbit. "He's fine…! Don't you worry…"

The door banged loudly and someone who had a heavy walk came in. nearly two meters tall and almost as wide man stood in the doorway, covering the whole passage. He had took of his black jacket and hold it in his hand like a dead rabbit. In another hand he holds a platinum case, which was meant to carry guns. Over all he looked like an old, wealthy and balding business man.

"Genbu, is it? Nice to see you home sometimes…" Tesshu turned to look at the door, but got no answer from him. Only a murderous look.

"Hi Ayame."

"Hi Genbu…"

Tesshu turned back and rolled his eyes to Ayame leaning to his whist.

"Genbu is really sorry that he couldn't come to see Ayame yesterday. Genbu would have really wanted to come…"

"Thanks Genbu… It means a lot to me that someone cares… But where have you been?"

"Oh, Genbu got a job. Took out two mean guys for Mr Zennosuke… All by him self."

The big man said death serious, but couldn't cover a small smile.

"Tesshu tells me you had a fight, is that true?"

Genbu went as silent as Tesshu. He didn't obviously want to say anything when Tesshu was listening and by his angle judging all Genbu said. Genbu put down his holdings and sat on a couch, other one that Ayame was sitting in.

"…How are you…?" He managed to ask over the coffee table covered in magazines and remote controls. He really was worried about Ayame, who she considered to be one of his best friends, if not only. "Genbu…and Tesshu… will help if you need something…?"

"I'm fine, but I'll let you know if I need something, Genbu…" She smiled lovingly to him. He was like the little brother she never knew and valued his honesty and compassion. Even as he was often used by people because of his disability and naives, he had kept his optimistic few in life.

"That reminds me…" She was interrupted as an old man wearing a bathrobe came at the living room.

"Did Genbu come home, Tesshu? …Oh, Ms Azuma…"

"Evening…"

"Tesshu! You should have told me we had a lady guest… I would have put on something more…" He eyed his own yellow robe. "…suitable…" He walked to Ayame and leaned down. "Came to see me? Let's go my office to talk, shall we?"

As they had sat down, Zennosuke had offered some brandy and she had refused, he sat behind his desk. "Terrible thing what happened…"

"Yes, it is…"

"It was a nice funeral considering…"

"Mr Zennosuke…"

"Wait…!" He rose his finger up and leaned back in his office chair. "You want to know who is behind it?"

"Yes. I hoped you had heard something…?"

"Oh, my child…!" He said whit out a pit of exaggeration. "Like looking a needle in a haystack."

"Please don't give me that."

"Have you thought about at all why was he killed? Instead of who, it was that pulled the trigger?"

"…Doesn't matter…"

"You know what the reason is my dear… That's why you say it doesn't matter. Makes you grace to know, doesn't it? How pathetic and small could the reason be?"

"Tatsumaru didn't die because of nothing, I'm gona make sure of that. You have nothing?"

Zennosuke took a beep breath and puckered his mouth. "It's no ordinary killer you're after. Tatsumaru was good, in what he did… God rest his soul…"

She thought she had spent enough precious time, she rose up. "He will not rest before his death remains a mystery… He's waiting someone's blood to be spread like his."

"Ms Azuma…" He rose from his seat and walked closer to her so he wouldn't have to talk so strident. "Let me tell you a one if not a two things… He wasn't liked." He snorted and continued unnecessary thunderous voice. "He was arrogant, showy, rude and uncontrollable, young man, who stepped on a lot of toes! Including mine! …Now you see, I know he had another side which he showed only a few people…once even me… but…"

"But what?"

"…The hell… Whole town could have killed him!"

"What did you say to her?" Genbu asked showing mild anger towards his master. Mr Zennosuke walked over to the window to see her accelerate off the yard sitting on a motorcycle. "The exact thing she needed to hear."

Tesshu had taken over the couch laying down and reading the TV guide. "Really? What did she need to hear?"

The old man slogged back to his office. "To not to go and get a bullet in her pretty brain …over some low-life that didn't deserve to know her."

Genbu looked over to Tesshu, who looked back just as curious.

Ayame parked her motorcycle in front of a tourist target, a souvenir shop at the city centre. In the door read closed, but the shop was still open. The bell on the door tinkled. She steps down the three steps that laced right after the door.

The shop was bigger than it let to understand at the first look you take. Three lines of brown wooden shelves at the door way and four more placed opposite way. Behind the shelves continued a hall, where the shopkeeper kept bigger objects like machinery that he build and sold. The cash desk was next to the door on the right. Two children where taking a shift look over one of the Chibot. The Chibot was having an awful time in the hands of two curious first graders.

A large doll stood next to the cash register. The female doll had long black hair and a nice straight line of teethes that beamed under the horrible grin that someone might have connected in to a smile. Ayame felt uncomfortable it being there. Like it was watching her where ever she stood. In its chest was attached a fake happy note; Say hello to Maihime!

Ayame thought what the boys had said and it creeps her even more; shortie can't get a woman, so he builds up his own, huh?

She hit the bell on the desk to have a surprise. "We are closed…!" A voice yelled behind the desk. Ayame leaned over the table thinking that he was shorter than she remembers or was he taking a nap on the floor. Last time she had been here the man had stood at least his chest above the desk.

He stood on his feed alright, looking for something on the shelve behind the desk. Ayame had revealed his secret. The man had hided a long chair at the back the cash desk. "Hi…"

He turned quickly and jumped over the chair and Ayame hopped back on her feet's. He had classes on his nose and resembled a lot like an older version of Harry Potter. "What do you want…!" he acted like he had been caught for doing something illegal and his voice hissed like a snake's when he talked.

"Information, Dr Kimaira, information…"

Kimaira thought for a moment frowning his face. "…What do you wanna know?"
"Well… Is there any new face's in town?"
"That'll cost you."
"Oh, come on! I'm only asking if someone's taking time to visiting."

"I don't have to give anything for free…!"

"…How about if I tip you?"
"I'm not interested of your tips missy…! If your not gona buy, get out!"

"Trust me…! You are. It involves this residence…"

Kimaira had no clue what was she talking about and it surprised him, usually he was very well aware, especially when it concerned about him or his shop. Was the town trying to evict him again? "…What is it?"
"You first."
He sighted but give up. "Don't know is this what you want, but… It's all I got for you…!"
"Shoot."
"Mr Toda has recently hired some new staff… I heard he's a big man… Ganda, they call him. Heard he's the right hand of Toda…" He raised his eyebrows pointing how valuable the information was. "Now, it's your turn… This better be good…!"

Ayame thought about the name Ganda. She had never heard of him. Definitely a new face, she would have to meet him for further acknowledge. "…Lean over hear…" She said to Kimaira and pointed between the shelves. "Congratulations… You got two kids."

Kimaira's eyes widened and he hopped down from the chair walking towards the kids. "Damn you, little shits! Leave it alone!" He was so furious he had forgotten to take his wooden legs. The children noticed him and run Kimaira right after them.

Ayame saw her opportunity and went to the back room. She opened a hatch on the floor and went down the ladder. She was at the drain system of the city.

After ten minutes walk she came to a door on the corridor. Her face covered whit a black scarf she leaned the door and it opened. There was a bed and table. On the table was some food and newspaper. She noticed it was today's.

Gold steel pressed on her neck. "Wha'd are you sniffling…?"
She rose her hands up slightly. "Calm down, Kagami… I am not here to pick up a fight whit you"
"Didn't think you would… Sit your ass down…!" Kagami kicked the chair under the table still holding the gun on to her neck. Ayame did as she was told.

Kagami sat on the table in front of her pointing the gun towards her. "How was the funeral, nice?"
"Very successful, no one cried, everybody got contacts and brandy… Some even knew who we were burying…"

"Sorry, I couldn't be there… Toda's still after me… But what did you want? You can't just parse in every time you feel like it and blow my cover…! "

Kagami looked exhausted, never the less that she tried to hide it. Her right eye had a tiny haematoma and under her eyes travelled a violet line. Even her posture wasn't what it just to be nor her sarcasms were the same.

"You should see Tesshu…"
"..Why?"
Ayame rose up and walked to the door.

"First you parse in here and then you try to leave whit out permission…?! Who do you think you are, girlie?!"

She pointed the gun to her. Ayame thought that by the way her hand was shaking she was in a nervous brake down. "He wonders why you don't go to see him anymore…" It was a lie on which cover she could slip out from the room and back to Kimaira's shop.

Why she cared about what Kagami did or didn't do, she asked for herself. Maybe because Tatsu had cared and it was save to make sure that she wasn't back to Toda's pay list. The woman had hated her as much as she had hated her back. But now the greatest cause of friction was gone between them. Ayame didn't care to be on alert even thought she still seemed to be willing to put a bullet in her skin. Would I still be as jealous, if she would have been the one to stay whit him the last years of his life, she wondered?

She rose up the ladders and stepped in the shop. Kimaira was furious and spouted curses one after another. Ayame draw a pistol of her pocket aiming the midgets for head. His eyes crooked on the short pipe and he stopped haunting her steps and went silent.
"Listen… Napoleon…!"
"Huhh…?
"What did you do to those kids?"
"N-Nothing…"
"You're sure about that?"
"Look for your self… They ran off the street…!"
"That's better be true…" Ayame left the shop and for her relief saw them playing in a watery chuck-hole.

"Hey! boys!" The two looked each other suspicious, but out of nosiness one of them came to her.
"…Did you, did you meant us…?" He was as scared of her out fit as he was vaccinated by it. He thought she looked really high person who no-one would say no to twice. "Yes…" The woman said trying to find something from her jackets pockets. He whished his mom would look like that. No-one would hit a gangster out of fun.

Ayame give them the quarters that she had received as exchange of something. "Here…" She put them in his hands. The boy looked at her not understanding what was it about. "For helping me in the shop… Don't waste it all in candy" She said and jumped to her bike.

It was evening and dark when she got home. Ayame raised the steps from garage holding her helmet in her hand and pumped into the head-guard.
"Hi… Anything unusual?"

The guard who was clearly older than she was nodded to her. "No, missus… Air is just a little tight in here, well… now… when…"
"It's only two of us and you?"
"If you don't mind me saying so, Ayame?"
"No, no… not at all… You want me to hire a third one, is that it?"

"…It would be a relief…?"
"Relief, you know someone who we could trust?" Ayame made a knowing face. "Didn't think so… But I'll look into it…"

"Thank you, missus… That would really ease me off…"

Ayame waved her hand to him as she was already walking away. "Oh, hey? You know where Rikimaru is?" The guard turned looking amazed. "…No, I thought he was whit you…?"
"…Right…" She sighted and walked to upstairs. She would have gone to see Gohda but as she had an idea where Rikimaru was she didn't want to go. She didn't want to explain his mourn to Gohda who would only have the brains to say; "People die all the time…! And I got the idea you can kind of make it happen so… What's the big deal?"

She walked past Rikimaru's room and her own. Stopping on Tatsumaru's door she slightly knocked the door before opening it. The room had been empty since Tatsumaru left it. Only his personal belongings had taken away. Ayame saw one clowning spot moving and smoke soaring around it. Rikimaru was laying on the bed and enjoying the moment of relaxation. Apparently it wasn't just a moment, if the head-guard hadn't seen him the whole day.
Ayame put the lights on and slammed the door shut. He acted like he hadn't even noticed her until she walked to the beds end. "What are you doing Rikimaru…?"
He had the cigarette on his lips all the time. "…Nothing… Nothing at all…"

Ayame thought should she ask. After all she couldn't know how deep his wounds were. "…You have… been here… the whole day…?"
He watched his watch. "Nearly" Dumping his cigarette he rose up and put his jacket on. He checked his guns and said: "I'm going out, keep watch while I'm gone"

"Sure thing…"She sighted, exhausted by the days events. Her beeper made a noise and Ayame saw that Kiku needed her. It wasn't urgent. She put the lights out and made a phone call at the corridor on her way to Kiku.
Damn, why Tesshu isn't picking up, she wondered when she came to Kiku's door. Ayame left a message to his answer machine to call her back.

He drive in the town heading for launderette. The mansions washing machine was flooding again.

He parked the car and took the basket whit him of the seat. An old woman hurried to the door hoping it not to close before she could get there. The door slip closed just a nose reach of her create which she was carrying over her chest. Angrily she gust her breath. Rikimaru convenience happened to be there at the same time and opened the door for her.

The woman said her thanks and bemoaned how there still was good and honest young people. The launderette was some what empty and Rikimaru could choose freely the cleanest looking machine. The old woman wallowed him reserving the next empty machine. She looked up from her laundry pushing them in and smiled kindly to him as he started to do the same.

He really had a pile of clothes that needed to washed up. He checked the basket if there were any white clothes still mixed whit the dark ones. On the bottom was his white suit soiled. Whit out think that further he draw it up. Blood had dried in it. It was impossible to get it clean anymore.

The white suit found it's way to the garbage basket very soon. He would only where the black one for now on. He put the soap in and turned on the machine. The old lady had moved across the hall. She had even chanced the machine and not settled to wait her laundry getting done at the other side of the room.

Rikimaru gathered the bags on the basket when he noticed an envelope on the bottom. The white paper had shattered in blood but was intact. The clue on the closer was old and nearly had fated away. He nearly opened it but turned around it to see had anything been written on it. It was Tatsumaru's handwriting. He had pointed the letter to Ayame, the letter or what even the envelope contained. He didn't look. He put it in his pocket thinking later to give it to her.

He started waiting for his laundry to get finished and took advantaged one of the net launderettes available computers.

Rikimaru drive across the town to an old intrusting area. He gave out the driving and walked inside an old airplane hall. He pushed the door but it was clocked this time. The evening was cold and he was freezing in the spot he stood. He members the back door and circles the building finding it.

After knocking politely he broke in handling the security systems alarm off whit code-cracker. The hall was full of later build corridors. First floor was actually very high and after that were the second and the last floor.

Air in the hall was nearly as cold as outside. How long had the three been gone, Rikimaru thought. He walked to the centre of the house where they usually where. Only thing he found was three empty workspaces whit computers. Something cracked under his shoes, peanuts.

He pushed one of the buttons on the on the keyboard and the computer woke up. The computer asked user name and a password. What an opportunity to refresh his hacker skills.

He rubbed his eyes and finally admitted he wasn't going to find anything useful. The boys got only conspiracy theory's on their computer. That and naked woman. He closed the door as well as it had been closed the first time and walked back to his car. Eyeing once more over the building he wondered where the Slug, Snake and Frog were.

Hookers yelled and waved after his car. He couldn't say he wasn't a tempted to burn off some of frustration, but he was living in a relationship and he wasn't the betraying kind of guy.

He wanted to think that he still had something whit Ayame. He couldn't be sure. Since Tatsumaru was gone it felt like a link between them was gone. Had Ayame been whit him just to get Tatsu? Ironic really, he thought making a mockery of himself. That he had been whit him, to get her.

He shouldn't make anymore second guesses. He knew it was so. Remembering how she was, back in that old building where Tatsumaru had died. Those eyes were full of sadness, but the worst of all things emptiness. She had given up that moment. She was willing to let the bullets pierce her and die. That is how much she really cared about Tatsumaru and that is how much she cares about me, he thought.

He had to stop in a red lights and he cursed them in the lowest part of hell. He saw a night club line reaching around the corner and thought it to be a good place to ask around. When the light changed he drove towards it. For a sudden change of mind he settled to drive past the club and forget getting in.

Maybe it was just best to drive around and clear thoughts. What did they know about the case? They had no leads. Nor he wasn't sure had she any. He hadn't felt like talking to her. Lately talking to her felt like talking to a ghost, a person who doesn't exist anymore, like Tatsumaru.

Would Toda be behind Tatsumaru's murder? Toda and Gohda had been each others back since, ever. But he had no one skilled enough for the job. Tenrai was getting on well. He was starting to be a treat for both. But came along better whit Toda. Still it didn't seem likely.

Could it have been someone small, like Jinnai? He owed Tatsumaru quite a lot of money lost in poker. Enough to kill? Jinnai was arrogant and small headed even skilled enough to kill him. All thought that either didn't seemed very much likely. Jinnai wouldn't risk it just for little pay problems.

Some of the Gohda's maybe? Tatsumaru had killed one, Gohda Motohide. Gohda's uncle, who was giving away information for Toda. He wakes up thinking how desperate he was getting. He headed towards the centre. Tajima Eigoro was weighting up the streets, drunk as always. He was known of bringing illegal immigrants in to the land and finding them befitting jobs. Rikimaru wasn't very interested beating the –I don't know anything- out of him and let him go his way.

Or was it someone from the past? They all three had been adopted, but none of them knew where from. Tatsumaru had been just a baby when he was adopted, he self had been four. Ayame was already six's or seven, he couldn't remember. Everything they had did was somehow connected to Gohda, Sekiya or Shihunsai. Tatsumaru had also killed him, their teacher and father figure. The case had scarred in Rikimaru's mind. He squeezed the wheel when remembering that night nine years ago.

Sixteen years old Rikimaru leans against the door peaking in the dojo where he had heard familiar voices.

The old Shihunsai, nearly in his 70es, holds his back and turns to Tatsumaru. The oldest of the Azuma clan, only his small eyes and wrinkled cheeks gave away his age. His clothes always dignified and old fashioned. Tatsumaru had a cut in his lower lip and his white shirt was stained in blood. He was making a new fighting stance still short of breath.
"Fool you are, Tatsumaru my boy!"
"Don't call me that…!"
Ayame saw Rikimaru standing on the door. She was about to ask when he grabbed her, stopping her from blowing the cover. Soon they watched together what was happening in the dojo.
"Fight like you thought me!" Tatsumaru yelled furious when Shihunsai pulled the gun upon him. "You should have kept your nose out of it, young man…! This is what you get not obeying me…! It was a waste to train you… after all…" He was already pulling the trigger, but the young body was faster than he allowed him self to believe. He was knocked of his feat and the gun slipped from his hand.

The eighteen years old, live seen killer, who still in a way was just a boy rebelling against his father had a gun of his own which he pulled out to shot him. "Waste…?" He asked the man who tried to grab his gun until he noticed he was being pointed by one.

"…Well… maybe not all… my boy…?" The three quick shots sink in his flesh. Ayame and Rikimaru ran in to the room. Ayame knocked surprised Tatsumaru off his feet as Rikimaru run to Shihunsai who was dead. By the time Tatsumaru had thrown Ayame off him and stood up. Rikimaru looked his hands that were in blood. Death nor killing weren't strangers to him, but the closeness of it chilled him. He attacked to Tatsumaru. Almost as easily as he had thrown Ayame away, he did he same to him. Rikimaru crouched between Tatsumaru and Ayame. It was his duty to protect the younger one if he would try to kill her. For now Tatsumaru did nothing of that kind.

Tiers came down on Ayame's eyes, but she looked at him as furious as Rikimaru did. Together they could beat him, if they really tried. Tatsumaru looked angry and confused. "It's better this way! If you would knew what he has done to all of us you would have done the same! …Now… let's… let's clean up and… never discus this again…!"

Tatsumaru never did tell what was the real reason to kill Shihunsai and it seemed they would never find that out. He stopped again on Dr Kimaira's shop. It was night and the sign said closed, but the door was open.
"Not one of you again…" The short man complained. "I already told her everything…!" He was repairing the Chibot.

"Really? She told me she wasn't quite convinced?"
"Please… Don't shoot me! I have told all I know!" He bowed his head down and crossed his fingers holding the screwdriver between them.

He stood a moment outside of his car lighting a second cigarette for the evening. He would really have to talk to her. She had been busy. Did she felt guilty about the two shots he took?

Who was that killed Tatsumaru, he asked himself again and again. Everybody hated his guts. Except a few hookers, Kagami, Ayame and that's about it. Whished he would have known where Kagami was. She might approve to be helpful as she was an enemy of Toda and Toda's enemies usually proved to be their friends. Rikimaru was worried about Gohda too. He was too young to be a front man, no matter that Gohda was older than he was. He would end up dead on the floor after the first shootout. And then it was Kiku's turn. Like 'he' would let it happen.

He throbbed the cigarette on the ground. Sitting in his car he thought to head out to home and confront her.

She had dozed of in their lobby and was sleeping in one of the armchairs. Rikimaru slammed the door purposely to wake her up. She tried to hide her wide yawn behind her hand. She looked the clock that shoved the time to be ten past ten at night.

"I called to Tesshu… He comes tomorrow and we discus about the deal…"
"Fine…"
"Are you gona be here too?"
"…We'll see…" He sat down opening the suits buttons so the fabric wouldn't wrinkle.
"…At least we can trust him…"

Rikimaru snorted. "So, have we made any progress?"
"Not really…"
"What did Kimaira tell you?"

Ayame smiled inwards. "Toda has a new first mate, Ganda…? Heard of him?"
"…No…"
"Thought we should check it out…" She hadn't meant to say they would go together. They hadn't circled together in a long time. When Rikimaru turned seventeen Tatsumaru took him whit him more often.

"I can go tomorrow, after the noon" He said. Rikimaru had thought to her what Shihunsai hadn't had time to. Guess he was pit too over protective when it concerned about Ayame, it always had been so. He had felt the two Azuma's blood in his hands and he was going to make sure he didn't have to feel the third ones.
"It isn't wise to go alone…" She said quietly.

"…What if Ganda isn't what are we looking for? What if it's not Toda at all?"
"Then… we're back to where we started it…?"

"…Oh Christ…! I can not just walk and see Toda can I?!"
"I'm sure Gohda wound mind…"
"…Still…"
"Ms Yukihotaru, Toda's niece, throw's her 18th birthday over tomorrow and Kiku is invited, that might be our change…?"

"…Our change, Ayame?"
"I can't let you go alone…You need someone you can trust there"

Rikimaru rose up from the chair. First he thought he wasn't going to said it, but the thing just kept rolling over and over in his head.
"…Someone I can trust…?" He gave Ayame a knowing look. She wasn't as puzzled in her chair as he had thought she would have been, but he had started it and was going to finish it. "…like the last time?! Huh?" He parked angrily leaving her alone in the room.

Rikimaru punched the sack for all his might. The sack didn't give any resistance and gave out a loud puff leaving a small dent. It was nearly a morning at the gym that was open all hours and convivially owned by Gohda.

The place was almost empty at this hour. Only two or three morning puffs had dragged their lazy asses up. He separated well from them.

Hitting the sack calculatedly and giving it no brake. Willed of energy he attacked the target like untameable beast. Hit after another punishing more of him self than the opponent.
"Azuma…?!" Someone called behind his back.

Couldn't he be left alone in any place, suddenly everybody knew him. Why couldn't they just all crawl back to where they came from or let him do what he did best; kill.
"Azuma…?!" The voice got impatient.

He was forced to turn towards the annoying voice and whit out a warning received a strong punch straight in his jaw. Rikimaru reacted fast and kicked his attacker on his stomach which pushed him on the ground.
"…Hanbe Susaki…" He stated disappointed rubbing his jaw and tasting the blood in his mouth. "…What are you doing here and not to chase cheap girls… picking up a fight?"

Susaki laid on his back not yet had he dissuaded on which side to rise up and he rolled in the mat laughing. "Well I'll be damned!! …To wound the first man of Gohda…!" The other people who where in the gym started to making a leave. He still kept laughing, but slowly rose up. "…Fast learner Azuma!" He quickly tried to hit him again, but Rikimaru reclined to his right and thanks to his awareness this time, Susaki did miss.

Someone slammed the door of the dressing room closed. Susaki had gained back his balance and gave him a second round of his bold punches.

Rikimaru had some doing to keep up whit him. Susaki throbbed him over some weights and he rolled over them to solid floor frowning in pain.

Susaki grabbed him again as he still was hurting too much to stop him. He kicked him in his stomas making him fall down once more. Rikimaru could see how Shihunsai would preach him about forgetting everything he thought and go try it again until it would go as easy as just thinking of it. What did he have to care about that old, dead man, he thought. He wasn't his real father. Rikimaru swiped Susaki's feet of the mat and he fell down in turn.

He wasn't in dept to neither Shihunsai nor Tatsumaru if he once in a while lost the control, as long as he caned it back. Susaki had his neck on a fling. He pried free but Susaki hit his heel on his healing shoulder plate when Rikimaru was pushing himself up from the mat.

Little white stars twinkled in his eyes for some time and air was gone from his lungs when he hit the mat once more. Susaki raised him up pulling from the waste band and threw him to the bench on which he kicked him down on the stone floor that scraped his skin.

"You aren't so touch… whit out your guns!?" Susaki made a warming up movements behind the bench. "And I… I'm just warming up her!!" He trumped breathlessly. "…No, no…sorry, sorry… That's what I'm gona do when I'm true… here…" He laughed again not seeing the whist that hit him in the eye. Rest of his night was covered in blackness.

Rikimaru looked over the nerveless body that sprawled on the mat it's hands and feet pointing in all four different directions. Hanbe was out.

Rikimaru turned his back on him walking in the dressing room and out to his car. Someone had slashed his tyres. How childish, even from Hanbe he thought and called himself a taxi. No truck service was open at this hour and even if it was the prices were somewhat amazing.

Rikimaru closed his eyes in his bed after looking the digital clock. His muscles aced and the scratches burned the fess. Yawning hurt both; the jaw bone and the lip that was cut inwards. He was so worn out that didn't bothered to take off his clothes or go to shower what he really needed.

Half and hour had passed as someone knocked on the door. Gentle steps walked long side the bed and stopped. "…Rikimaru?"

"…Rikimaru?! Don't leave my son there! Please… Please… Don't let him die…!!"

"Rikimaru…?!" Ayame slapped him on the cheek trying to wake him up. "God… What you smell…!" He opened his eyes less awake than he really was. Had he just screamed out loud in his sleep or was he now breathing like after a run, he checked himself. She didn't pay attention to it so guess he hadn't done anything out of ordinary.
"Yes…" He sat on the bed. Ayame was still obviously thinking something, but settled to say: "Tesshu comes in half an hour… What happened to you?!" Ayame had only now looked at his face.
"Hanbe was for some reason after me…? I'll go and take a shower…" He walked towards the shower.

"What's his problem?" Ayame asked furious seeing how badly he was beaten. "…Did we have a bone to pick whit him?"
"It's…Tatsumaru… him being dead now…"
"What do you mean…?"
"…Just testing how easy we would be… simple as that, Ayame…"

He heard her walk out of the other room. He looked at the mirror image and agreed whit her; What happened to you? Rikimaru took of the dirty clothes and stepped in the shower pulling the curtain closed and opening the tab. Nicely cooling, pure water dropped down to his sticky skin drop by drop. Not that weird dream again, he thought.

Tesshu had been quite easy to take to their pay list. And who wouldn't be. They had own room, privacy, good salary and even lot of own time. Rikimaru had talk to Gohda and Sekiya about him. They were somewhat trusting. Tesshu lived now in Tatsumaru's old room.

Rikimaru was in the dojo that was underground, under the Gohda mansion. It was the place where Shihunsai had thought them. He opened a secret door in the wall.

The passage that opened lead to three swords that were placed over a stand. The one that hold the highest spot was the Izayoi then came The Muramasa and on the last stand was the Shichishito. The Shichishito was the sword of Mei-oh, but it was stolen by the Azuma-clan long time ago. Even Gohda didn't knew that the sword was at his cellar. If the supporters of Mei-oh would find out that they really possessed the piece of iron that had been looked whit cats and dogs, their all heads would be at the plate. Thankfully many believed that the sword wasn't in their possession, but lost in some private collector's mansion or force; destroyed entirely by melting.

He respected the swords too much to move them from their place over nothing in such a restless time. For thousands of years had that sword, Izayoi, served the Gohda family in hands of Azuma clan. Maybe it would find some use again. Even thought they used the modern weapons and lived shallow life they valued the past ancestors and their customs.

Handling the heavy katana, killing in silence or disappearing in the shadows wasn't as old custom as they led to believe. He hoped if he and Ayame could just find the right path to match to their predecessors.

He was closing the door to the secret passage when he noticed Ayame walking in the dojo. Rikimaru remembers how she had been strange the whole day, not looking him straight. Usually she looked people in the eye so she could tell were they telling stories or not, no matter whom they were.

She bowed her head down before stepping on the mat. He parted from the wall, but didn't yet bow her back. "…I'm not in a mood of sparring…I had a rough night…"

"…I'm sorry, sensei…" She threw the words out in the mat quickly, still judging it by her look.
"…What…?"
"For I have failed you… and I don't know how I could…"
"Failed me…?" She throbbed down on her knees and he steeped backwards uneasy.
"Yes… …in trust…" She said slowly still keeping her jaw pressed in her chest.

It was about the conversation they had last night. His words had been sharper than he had meant and saw it now. "…Ayame…?" He knelt before her holding her shoulders. It was hard to start about anything he wanted to say.
"…First… don't call me that… if you're not equal whit me… then, you're over my head… second… you haven't failed…" He tried carefully to raise her jaw, but she slapped his hand away.
"Oh, you are so full of lies! Why then is Tatsumaru dead and nearly even you, Rikimaru…! Admit it; I'm a failure…! …and I don't deserve to be a member of this clan anymore!"

"Be quiet!" He silenced her getting her attention as he so seldom raced his voice. Only when tutoring her years ago he had had to do so. She was amazed by the ability of how could he hold everything together and make her feel eased again. It seemed he was her teacher and protector no matter how old or skill full she would grow. Was he saying that he had forgiven her or there wasn't anything to forgive as it was more like a duty to protect her?

"Ayame, I understand… I hold no grudge…"
"…So you say…!"

He holds down his hands and for a while they sit in silence. "…You called me… sensei…Ayame…?"
She rose an eyebrow.
"…That was very kind…" I have seen that thought in her look before, Rikimaru thought. Uncertainty was maddening.
"No kindness at all…" The moment holds certain stillness as he leaned to her personal space. Ayame lay back on the mat. He hovered over her slowly, careful not to proceed too fast, making his approaching as casual as it had been sometime ago.

Was it wrong to mix him in her vague future when her past was what it was, she thought. If the past could tell the future, she didn't want to think it and still was tied to it. People around her suffered. He seemed to forget that for now gaming his own life, but for how long. His lips brushed over her neckline.

His warm breath tickled her lips and she bend her neck to come closer. He had suffered enough. Did he guess her no? He kissed her so shielding like a sister.

He remembered the letter that still was in his pocket. Why was he still jealous and over a letter?

He pulled her up. Speculating should he say it wasn't going to work. What should he say not to hurt her anymore than he already had? Ayame felt the awkwardness coming back as he was hushed. He either didn't want to hurt her, she thought and said; "…I know… go…" It was just a figure of speech, she really had no idea what was he thinking. Those were only pieces in the puzzle.

His fingers slipping from her hand she leg go. And fallowed him in the upstairs after a minute.

Ayame, Rikimaru, Kiku and Sekiya sat on the back seat of a limousine. They were going to Ms Yukihotaru's birthday at Toda mansion.

Kiku was moping. Her dad had lectured to her in front of everybody the day before. She was at the golf course whit her dad. Naturally there were also Rikimaru, Tesshu, old Sekiya, Wang and his 19 year old son, who was also extending the tomorrow's party.

She was still so angry when she remembers her daddy's exact words. Why couldn't he just disappear, I wouldn't care, she thought continuing selflessly; He doesn't care me at all.

"My young daughter does not fag her tail in front of every lazy eyed bum!! Gohda waved warningly his golf club over Wang Dahai's nose. His son and Kiku looking at it in few steps away including the rest. Kiku was for once more or less wordless and couldn't believe what her dad was saying.

After the incident Kiku walked to the car very showily. Hearing only Wang Dahai's mildly angry voice under amusement. "Who's son you're calling a lazy bum…?"

How stupid could her dad anymore get, she looked the passing street outside and had an idea.
"Let's not go to the party…?" She announced.

Ayame and Rikimaru didn't say anything. They had expected her to get a some kind of a notion by now. Last one had been almost an hour ago. Sekiya looked the limousine floor, but even he didn't say anything.

"Let's go…? Shopping?!" She said perky.
"…We are going to Toda's, miss… Did you like it or not…" Sekiya was near a nervous brake down or managed to sound just like one. Kiku turned to the older man and didn't quite get to open her mouth when he spoke over her.
"I'm not you're father… sit down…!... so I don't have to slap you…" His voice covered everything that might have been left unclear to the naïve little woman.

The car stopped and a front door was opened as the other side of the car raised up a pit. Soon after the door slammed shut and the passenger's door opened. Genbu hold it open helping Kiku and Sekiya out of the low seat.

They had agreed that after a while Sekiya would leave to see Toda whit Rikimaru and Genbu as Kiku would stay whit the other guests' whit Ayame.

"Ayame?" Rikimaru pulled her a pit on the side.
"What?"
He twiddled the envelope not knowing how should he explain it. "…Here…"

Ayame took it and he walked straight away. Confused she looked the letter in her hand recognising the hand writing.

Ms Yukihotaru was dressed in light blue, tiny dress. She had a short, white almost silvery hair that covered her neck and blue eyes. She had the child like innocence in her. She tried to make it so obvious that it doubly was a question of any harmlessness. "My uncle..?" She answered Sekiya's question when shaking his hand. "He's at the pool, on the yard."
"Well, if you don't mind, Ms…"
"Oh, not at all…!" She had wondered why that old fart had tacked along, bringing all the remaining Azuma's whit him.

Ayame was pored out of her life. Wang Xaiohai was there, Kamadoma and people she didn't know really, but had seen them before. And Rikimaru was shaking things up a pit. She should have been there two. The boys were surrounding the young hostess. And why not, she was pretty as a picture and her uncle had literally nothing more but power and wealth.

Ayame noticed familiar man among the older guests. Was it him, she asked for her self. If it was what was he doing here. Should she dare to go talk to Onikage? She had been rude to him last time they had seen.

Yukihotaru gave him quite a lot of her attention when he did the formalities. Her eyes brightened up and they talked smilingly. The other boys looked disappointed for their failure even as the saluting seemed to be friendly and casual, he took all her attention. Ayame recognised his so called casualness guessing they were having an affair behind Toda's back.

Onikage were just leaving when he saw Ayame walking past him and pumping into him slightly. "Oh… excuse me…" She said and continued her walk to the terrace. Onikage obviously fallowed so gentle ask to talk whit him.

"…What are you doing here…?"
"Why is that, every time I see you, you ask me that same question…? Does my attendance disturb you so much dear?" He swings on his feet holding his hands in his pockets. He was even wearing a tie this time. She watched past him over the blooming garden.

"…Tenrai asked me to delivery something to Toda." Onikage turned to look over there too not so smug anymore.
"…The delivery must be important as he put you on it…?"
"No.. not really…" He closed his mouth before he would say too much. How was it that Ayame always got him telling all she wanted to know and they weren't even dating anymore.

"Some info be haps?" She asked leaning forward over the railing and looking over him as a question mark.
"…Maybe"
"Well, maybe… have you any idea, what could it be…"
"…Maybe…"
"Maybe? You aren't getting skitso on me now, are you?"

"…Oh, Ayame, you leaving didn't mess me up quite so bad. But why do you think that?"
"Telling you're own sickening sweet story to uncle Toda …?"

"…I don't fallow…" He looked genuinely surprised.
"Isn't she a PIT too young? Huh?"
"Oh, now I get it…! You have gone graze of jealousy…!"
"Maybe… who knows…?"
Little sweet talk even so obvious and he would tell it, she hoped.

"Kagami has been seen in the 'cellar', that's what I came to tell."
"Hah…! Toda will never find her… how long has it been… three years?"
Three years ago they had broke up. Couple of months after they were again together.

"Yes, same time when that Motohide guy got nailed…"

Eventually their relationship died and even the passion was drained out. Over two years ago they stopped seeing each other completely. After months of casual meetings and dates whit other people she finally said no.
"Yes, well, I would like to see Toda myself, you know where he is?"

The thing that remembered Onikage everyday of what they had was their own Tom. The cat Ayame had saved from street life.
"Yeah, Yuki-Ms-Yukihotaru says he is on the second floor. Heard he has a flew and can't extend the party… You'll go a head, I'll come later.

"How nice of you… to take care of me before you're self…Thanks…"
"…Always a pleasure whit you, Ayame…"

Toda stood in front of a window holding a tea cup taking a sip now and then. His round figure cast a long shadow over the polished floor. He hadn't noticed Ayame standing in the door way. She knocked at the open door.
"Who's there…? Azuma is it?"
"Good day Mr Toda" Ayame bowed slightly.

Chapter continues....