Chen had decided that he still didn't like boats. They were uncertain, always wavering, and it was almost impossible to travel in a straight line. That made the things definitively untrustworthy. He glanced back towards the shore where he had come, but there was nothing. He rolled his eyes. Of course he couldn't see the shore.

What, you don't like the lake-floaters?

No, Hitori, I DON'T like boats. Now, for the last time, please stop rocking the damn thing… A wave of nausea hit him suddenly, and he took a long, deep breath. Hitori send a reply that sounded vaguely like laughter, but settled back down on her haunches in her place at the head.

His other companion, the silent rower, stroked deftly through the water, driving them steadily towards the Capitol island. He had been mildly surprised at taking a small wolf along as well, but hadn't objected. He had met the man bare minutes before, at the correct place and time just beyond the light of the warcamp's bonfires. Chen didn't want to make contact with his lieutenants yet, and they would be away on a sixthday evening anyway. So he was making his way to Eboshi's mysterious brother, to hide away at his house for the coming days.

As far as he could tell, the boatman was not Eboshi's brother, the only solid proof being that the man hadn't said any more than three words at a time. When you got to know her, Saryu, unless she was plotting or concentrating, couldn't keep quiet for longer than five minutes.

Chen cast his eyes about again, tipping up the edge of his straw hat up. The rising evening mist obscured their passage, and nothing solid could be seen in any direction. He was disguised as a fisherman in a dark, water-resistant cloak and round hat, the first hiding his blades and armor, while the second hid his face. The outline of a great, dark form began to spread amongst the midst, interspersed with small flickering lights.

Ooh, pretty… Hitori began, but as they continued, Chen could sense her surprise as the plethora of lights quickly grew. Wow, that is… really big.

Yes. Yes it is, Chen agreed.

They were approaching the dockbound region of the city, where, in an attempt to fit more people on the island, structures of every kind were raised on stilts about a foot or so above the shallow mud-like water. Chen remembered this area well, it being one of the areas of the Capitol that his comrades had visited often.

As they approached, warehouses and docks began to make themselves known, and larger fishing boats and the smallest of the trading ships began to be obstacles, though none gave them any trouble. There were no military or larger merchant vessels, that was reserved for the part of the city facing the great lake. Soon enough, the correct dock was sighted and the silent rower made his way to it. A dark figure made itself known, standing on its edge, and Chen narrowed his eyes in concentration, Hitori letting out a surprised growl. That would be Iroyuza.

Chen took his bag in hand and reached out to take the damp wood of the dock. He pulled himself up as quickly as possible, before the treacherous floating piece of wood could toss him in the dark water. Hitori leapt up beside him, then stared at the figure, staying close to the ground warily.

What do you smell?

He is… hard to read, but definitely not happy. Chen rose to his feet, and the dark figure down the dock shifted suddenly. Chen's hand tightened on his wakizashi, but the figure merely tossed a piece of gold at the boatman, who caught it smoothly. He smells good, though. Like wood, Hitori noted.

"Thank you, Fuya. You weren't followed?" The voice was smooth, controlled.

"Not that I know, Master Gintama." The dark figure bowed, and the boatman nodded in return before deftly paddling away.

The man turned to Chen. He was tall, almost eye-level with Chen, but slimmer of build, his face hidden in the shadow of a hat similar to Chen's own. If he was armed, there was no sign of it.

"You are Chen Adrei?"

"Yes. You are Iroyuza?"

"Am I?" He glanced at Hitori, and nodded his head respectfully. "Follow me."

He spun on his heel and advanced back along the dock. Chen shrugged his bag over his shoulder and followed, Hitori taken aback at the suddenness. Well, at least he knows his manners.

Hang back and tell me if anything changes. He's wary, and so must we be.

Yes, brother.

Hitori retreated a distance behind them, staying in the shadows. Gintama led them from the dockbound areas onto the solid ground of the island, sure of foot and direction. They moved quickly and quietly, the sound of their footfalls masked by the muffling mist, and soon it was permeated by flickering streetlamps. Memories returned to Chen, of his days in training, the times between campaigns, and, of course, that night when he had run through these streets with a wolf cub in his arms. And then her remembered small hands, calloused and gentle, bound and bloodied by iron chains. Chen's eyes narrowed.

Now they had returned.

Chen did not let his eyes leave Gintama. If he was truly Saryu's brother, he would let them know soon. But if he failed to give the sign that Saryu had established… This night would go a very different direction. In a moment of light in the dimly lit streets, Chen caught a glimpse of dark eyes and long eyebrows, his lower face hidden by a cloth around his nose and lips.

They walked for a while longer, now well into the city, nearing the artisan's quarter. Chen wondered why it was so quiet if it was truly during a festival –he could see the decorations adorning many of the free surfaces—before realizing they had arrived a day early. It was the Night of Silence, when all remained subdued. Winter truly left them, but any sound might trigger his return, it was said.

They were nearly to a tight quartet of houses when, in a flash of movement, the man turned on Chen vehemently, forcing him backwards several steps. Hitori let out a signal of alarm, but Chen was ready. Gintama made no further moves, however. "Saryu trusts you, at least with her name," the man stated, voice clipped and harsh. "That is the only reason I am helping you." His emphasis on the word was clear. "Do you understand?"

Chen straightened slowly, removing his hand from his wakizashi under his cloak. "Understood."

Iroyuza Gintama nodded, then continued onward. "It is not far now."

Chen walked a pace or so behind him, Hitori's anxiety clear to him. What do you sense, little one?

He… is very scared, Chen. The anger is from him, not of him.

What does that mean? Chen frowned.

Human words don't work, came the short reply. She would not have had a chance to elaborate anyway, because soon they were ascending a set of stone stairs, leading to a small if solid-looking house. Behind it was a canal, common in these lower parts of the city, and a small boat was moored nearby.

Gintama knocked once, and, hearing no response, pulled a key from his pocket. Chen's eyes widened appreciatively as he opened the door smoothly. The man must be well-off to afford a key in this city. They entered the house, Gintama waiting for Chen to be indoors before looking around nonchalantly for any followers. "What of the wolf?" he asked suddenly, and Chen looked at him in surprise for a bare moment.

Hitori hesitated. I mean, I could sleep inside? If he doesn't want me too, it's ok. I can sleep, and then dodge humans in the morning.

"Is she welcome?" Chen asked.

Gintama looked back to him, features still unreadable behind his partial mask. "A god of the forest is always welcome."

Chen blinked. That was unexpected. Well, you heard the man.

Actually, I think I'll stay out here for tonight. I've always wanted to see such a big pack of humans all wake up at the same time.

Well, be careful. Remember—

I can't be seen, yes brother. Her voice held a laugh in it. I'll be safe. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

"She will return on the morrow, Master Gintama, and we thank you for your willingness to accommodate us." Chen set his bag on the wooden floor hesitantly, looking around the small room curiously. It was well-furnished, and surprisingly colorful, several paintings prominent on its walls.

"You can communicate via your minds?" Gintama queried softly, and Chen looked to him, taken aback.

"Yes. You are observant."

"It was simple enough." Gintama untied the rope keeping the hat on his head, removing the black cloth from his face, revealing an impassive expression. "Helping the god is simply to avoid bad luck. You are only here by need of my sister, as previously mentioned." He had dark silky hair like Saryu, worn long in a tail behind his head, and they were very similar in feature, although he was obviously the younger of the pair. "Don't expect anything more from me. The last thing I want is get roped into whatever plot she's spinning this time." He shrugged off his cloak and set it on a hook by the door. "The rules are simple, Master Adrei. You may occupy this room whenever you like. you will stay in the last room down the hall, and…" His voice trailed off as a small figure stuck its head out from behind a chair.

"Daddy?"

Gintama fixed the small figure with a glare. "Ayako, why aren't you in your bed?"

The figure revealed itself as a small child, female, and Chen was immediately struck by how much she resembled Eboshi. "I'm not tired, daddy." This statement was followed by a prolonged yawn. "Who is that?"

He let out an exasperated, exhausted, sigh, and Chen chortled behind a hand. "She has a point."

"Guests aren't allowed to give my child points," Gintama replied immediately, straight-faced, then returned his attention to the little girl, who was standing and looking up at him expectantly. "Ayako, this is one of your aunts' friends, Master Adrei."

Her large dark eyes widened, and she leaned forward on the stood she had been hiding behind. "Aunt Saryu's coming over!?"

"Yes, tomorrow night, I know I told you…"

"Well, I forgot." She was distracted as Chen removed his cloak, revealing the pair of blades within. "Are you a samurai?" she asked curiously, cocking her head to the side.

Chen gave her a smile, hanging his cloak on the pegs as well, sitting on a short bench to remove his sandals. "Maybe."

She put her hands on her little hips and narrowed her eyes. "I see your swords! And that's armor in your bag, isn't it?"

"Can't sneak anything past you, now can I?" Chen sighed, and she nodded victoriously. "Excited to see your aunt?" he asked, setting his shoes to the side.

"Yesyesyes!" She hopped. "She knows a lot of cool things, but she doesn't come over very often, though…" Chen glanced at Gintama, who shook his head slightly. Ayako didn't know Eboshi. The girl paused in her incessant moving and looked up at Chen, eyes suddenly wary. "Why does aunt Saryu have samurai friends?"

Chen's grin widened, and Gintama looked at him suspiciously. Chen knelt slowly, coming nearer to eye level with the small girl, a veneer of seriousness covering his features. "Do you want to hear a secret?" he whispered, but not low enough that her father couldn't hear. Ayako's mouth opened in a silent gasp and she nodded emphatically. Gintama took a silent step closer to them, eyes cautious. Chen leaned in closer, and Ayako stuck her ear out to him.

"I'm your aunt's secret samurai. I do things for her that nobody else can do, and her honor is mine." Ayako's eyes widened, and she leaned closer. "Now, she's come here with a legendary warrior to save a captive princess from another land, taken by an evil king." Chen's eyes flicked up to Gintama, who was very deliberately not looking at the pair. But he was listening. "And you can't tell anybody, you understand?"

It took her a second to regain an excited breath, then she looked at him earnestly, bobbing her head. "I won't tell, I promise! But…" Ayako sucked her knuckle thoughtfully, "she's never told me about you before…"

"That's why I'm a secret samurai." He smiled again and rose.

Ayako hummed happily and hopped again. "Can you tell me more? That sounds like one of daddy's stories!"

Chen fixed her with a serious expression. "Looks like you have to get to bed, and I won't keep you from it."

Gintama sighed. "There, now that you've met the secret samurai, get to bed. You'll be waking up at the same time as always." Ayako huffed, but then her pout was interrupted by a tremendous yawn. "See, now go on." She peered up at him for a time. He smiled reluctantly and knelt beside his daughter, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"Good night, daddy."

His arms rose slowly and enfolded her. "With you, always."

Chen smiled as he embraced Ayako, the hardness around Gintama falling away like a discarded mask. He was a good man, and Hitori was right. He was scared. He was wise to be fearful of the conflict Eboshi was bringing to his city. Chen's smile left him then. Iroyuza hadn't asked to get involved in this. Chen unbuckled his swords and leaned the katana behind the door.

"Sweet dreams, my flower," Gintama murmured, then stood and took her small hand in his. He glared back at Chen, who smiled briefly before nodding solemnly in return.

"Last door on the left, and I will not intrude on the rest of your home, Master Gintama.' Chen paused as Ayako looked up at him expectantly. "And it was a pleasure meeting you, Mistress Ayako." He swept a courtly bow.

She giggled behind a hand, and attempted to return it. "You too, Master samurai…"

Chen moved to walk behind them as Gintama guided her back to her room, their soft voices fading. Stepping past the man, Chen opened the door into the reserved room.

"Adrei." He paused as Gintama's voice came again. He looked back, the man's feature shadowed in a silhouette by the few candles in the living room. He closed the door to Ayako's room slowly. "Promise me that no harm will come to my family."

Chen's eyes narrowed, and he closed the door as well, placing a hand on his wakizashi, deliberately in Gintama's view. "Iroyuza, I made an oath to your sister to protect her and her honor against any threat. That oath is extended to you and your daughter. I will let no harm come to anyone under this roof."

"That is not what I asked you to promise."

"I know."

There was a moment of tense silence. Chen met the man's eyes resolutely. Gintama's head lowered slightly, though whether in thought or sadness Chen could not tell. He waved a hand dismissively. "Good night, Master Adrei."

Regret filled Chen's heart, but it would not replace the resolve. He needed to be here. For Kaya's sake. "Good night, Master Gintama."