Hey, people. Thanks for all the new reviewers. Sorry about the confusion. It is Jinnai and not Jennai. I don't know why I didn't spell it right. One more thing. My internet is going to be disconnected from February 1 to February 17 so there won't be any updates for a little while. Please don't hurt me! Well, on with the story.

Another Azuma

"Wow! This place is ten times bigger than my manor was! It's so beautiful!" Mai was running around in her pink and green kimono and gawking at every room that she could find. She couldn't believe how elegant the Gohda Castle was. She wanted to look at all the rooms when they got back the night before but Ayame told her to rest after being on the ten day journey. She almost wished that she had let Mai look at the rooms when she had less energy. "When do I get to see Lord Gohda's rooms?"

"When we meet with Lord Gohda," Ayame said impatiently. "Why don't I introduce you to Kiku?"

"I get to meet Princess Kiku?"

"Of course. She needs someone to keep her company. She's actually about your age." Ayame led Mai to the castle garden where Kiku was sitting. When Ayame introduced them to each other, they immediately clicked. It was like they were sisters. Kiku took over Ayame's job and showed Mai the rest of the castle. Ayame was relieved until she spotted a black figure on the ceiling. "What are you doing up there, Rikimaru?"

"I was just watching Mai. You seem to get along with her well." He jumped to the ground.

"Yeah, she's pretty sweet. Hey, you should change into some regular clothes. Someone might attack you." She smiled at the joke but stopped at Rikimaru's serious face.

"Don't forget why we brought her here. Lord Gohda wants his taxes."

"I know. Does he really expect her to pay him off? She can't possibly have enough money."

"He'll find a way to deal with her."

"Deal with who?" The two jumped at the voice. Rikimaru and Ayame turned around and came face to face with Mai. "Who are you talking about?"

"We were talking about some ninja business," Ayame lied quickly.

"You never could lie, could you, Ayame?" Mai sighed at the pathetic site. "Why did you bring me here? It couldn't be just because you wanted to save me. Does this have something to do with my father?" Rikimaru and Ayame had no choice. They had to tell her the truth.

"We were instructed to go to Lord Yama to bring back the taxes that he didn't pay," Rikimaru began. "If we couldn't get the taxes, then we were to bring him back here with us. Lord Gohda would then punish him as he saw fit."

"So you didn't come because of my father's request?" Rikimaru and Ayame were puzzled. "My father sent for soldiers to protect our village from robbers. We couldn't pay the taxes because our crops were poor and our treasury kept getting looted. No one came to save us. Then Jinnai…Jinnai…" She couldn't continue. She fell to the ground in tears. Ayame tried to comfort her with a hug but Mai pushed her away. "Get away from me. You just wanted me so you could get praise from your master. You were going to sell me out. If your Lord would have sent any soldiers, he would have had his precious money. I don't want anything to do with you two. You might as well throw me in jail for my father's mistakes." Ayame didn't know what to do. So Rikimaru stepped in.

"I'm sorry if Lord Gohda couldn't send anyone to help you. However, we have our orders and we must carry them out no matter what."

"What do you want to do?" Ayame asked.

"We have to take her to Lord Gohda."

Rikimaru and Ayame led Mai to Lord Gohda's meeting room. Mai looked more angry than frightened. Ayame had blamed herself for putting the girl in the awful position. She was only fifteen. Lord Gohda would surely put her in prison for the rest of her life just to set an example. Ayame wondered to herself, 'Are some of the things we are sent to do corrupt?'

They had reached the well lit room surround by beautiful orange paper walls. Rikimaru opened the door and found Lord Gohda and his advisor Sekiya sitting at the front. Ayame and Mai followed Rikimaru in. They all bowed before Gohda and sat down in front of him.

"Welcome, Rikimaru and Ayame," Lord Gohda began. "Once again, you have served me well. Sekiya has informed me on the situation with the Yama family. I see that you have brought his daughter, Mai." Mai clenched the shachihoko that hung from her sash. For some reason, she thought that it might protect her from Gohda so she brought it along. "Come forth, child." Mai looked at Ayame.

"Go on," Ayame said as she nudged her forward. Mai walked towards Gohda and sat before him.

"As you know, your father owed me a great sum of money. Do you have any way of paying it?" Mai shook her head. "Maybe you could pay for it with your sword." Gohda reached for the shachihoko but retracted his hand when he felt a spark. Maybe her sword could protect her. "The shachihoko is a very powerful sword. It helped your ancestors protect this land and my family. That still doesn't make up for your father's debt. Until you can pay for the taxes owed to me, you will be held here. Guards, take her to the dungeon." The guards grabbed Mai and started to drag her away. Ayame stood up immediately.

"Lord Gohda, she's only fifteen. She can't be held responsible for her father's actions. Her village was completely destroyed and she can't possibly pay your taxes. Please, let her go."

"Ayame!" Rikimaru yelled. "Do not question your lord." Ayame didn't listen to him.

"Did you know that her father sent for your help? They had to pay money to crooks for protection. They had a lousy crop and bandits kept robbing them. They couldn't possibly."

"Silence, Ayame!" Gohda had had enough. "Do you want to be put in prison with her? You will not question my authority ever again. You will receive one hundred lashes for your defiance."

"No, please don't hurt her." Everyone turned to Mai. "She hasn't done anything wrong. She saved me and trained me so I could defend myself against the samurais that destroyed my village. Please, if you wish to punish someone, punish me." She started crying after thinking about all the people that were killed because Jinnai wanted her. "Enough people were killed because of me. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."

"Is this true," Sekiya asked. "that sword protects you and you've been training to handle it?"

"Yes," Rikimaru said. "Ayame has been training her ninja techniques. She defeated three samurais by herself. She also defeated their leader with one blow."

"Lord Gohda," Sekiya continued. "Maybe there is another way the girl can pay you back. She can serve as one of your ninjas. Her sword will protect our land from evil" Lord Gohda thought about this and smiled.

"Alright, Mai. You will become an Azuma ninja and train as Rikimaru and Ayame's pupil. If I here anything dishonorable about you, you will spend time in prison." The guards let her go and she stood up to Lord Gohda.

"I'll help you on one condition. Don't hurt Ayame. She hasn't done anything wrong. Otherwise, I'll give this sword back to Jinnai."

"Alright, release Ayame." The guards released Ayame. "You may go now. Rikimaru, I want to talk to you." Ayame and Mai left. "Rikimaru, I heard rumors that Lord Mei-Oh is back. I want you to watch that girl and train her hard. We'll need all the help we can get."

"Yes, my lord." Rikimaru bowed and began to leave.

"Rikimaru, be careful. I don't want to lose you again." Rikimaru left the room.

Back in Ayame's room, Ayame was preparing a bed for Mai. "You'll sleep with me. We'll start your training tomorrow so you should get some sleep." Ayame looked at Mai. "What's wrong?"

"I thought he was going to hurt you. I couldn't bear it anymore. So many people have suffered because of me. First the villagers, then my parents, and now you. I won't let anyone else be hurt because of me." Mai embraced Ayame and began to cry again.

"If you don't toughen up, you won't be able to handle the training," Ayame joked.

"I promise I'll do everything you ask. I won't fail you, Ayame. It's strange. It feels like I have some sort of bond to you, but I know I've never met you before. I don't care though. I want to be able to protect you no matter what." Ayame squeezed her more. It was strange. Ayame felt like she was connected to Mai as well. She made herself a promise. She would protect Mai forever.

Hey, guys. Keep reviewing. I guess I'll see you in about two weeks. Cya.