*******First off thank you all for bring with me this long. For those of you who are left, there is one more chapter after this one. Once again it will end as a stand alone story with the option of being given one final story at the end. Please forgive me for the long road this journey has taken, but life has become busy as of late. **********

The ringing of swords filled the air as Raizo trained and drilled the members of the black sand. Each member not originally of the clan brought a new skill or new challenge to the training. Every new facet of training that came to them was practiced and memorized, so that each member could be ready for anything. Between his generals and Mika's efforts the clan of the Black Sand had become stronger than he could have imagined. They fought for one purpose and that was to protect the light that the other clans sought to extinguish.

He watched each ninja run through their training, and smiled to himself. He knew no other life save this one, and it was comforting to him to be around those like himself that had never been given another. He never allowed himself to dwell on what his life would have been like if he had been given another way. He didn't have time for that kind of foolishness. The Stone Fox was rumored to be annexing other clans that the Black Sand had hunted almost into extinction, such as the Red Moon. They had the ability to cause hallucinations with the touch of their skin through a powder that they started to ingest at birth. They made all of their money through the slave trade, so. It was no surprise why the Stone Fox would bring them into their fold.

Raizo could admit to a bit of a grudge. Having been sold to the Black Sand when he was young. The surprise had been Mika. When she had learned of Raizo's distaste for the clan, and their practices, she went after the clan with a laser like focus that he had not known that she possessed. When she learned his parents had been from their class she got Maslow involved with soft smiles and sweet words of one who walked with an agenda. Interpole came down so hard on the clan they couldn't breathe without being arrested. None of the Black Sand had to lift a combatitive finger. It was all done legally with Japanese permits and Interpol backing. Maslow had received a raise and a promotion, and Raizo had received a letter and the clan leader's head in a box. That was from Asami.

A deep breath was taken at the thought of Mika. It would be three years this month sine he had seen her in the flesh and not his dreams. She would be a completely different person than the innocent he left in the tower that day. Thankfully Mai fed his obsession for his lotus with letters and pictures of Mika's progress. Physically she hadn't changed much. She was still all curves and beautiful smiles, but her eyes were different. They were dark vast pools that he was afraid that he would drown in. They were no longer innocent, but calculating. There was a confidence that he found intriguing and ached to explore personally. Though Asami had assured him that he would hold the finished product soon, it would not be soon enough for him.

The last shout of his ninja signaled that the training was done for the morning. Some would go about chores that had to be taken care of within the grounds, and some would leave on missions that Mika's had set u for them. Even he, Tranquil Shadow had a mission that he would prepare for. He turned to his ninja and dismissed them with a short perfunctory bow. He moved from the training hall to his suite of rooms within the compund to prepare for his mission. Mika would be angered to hear that he was not staying put on the mountain. In her mind he should be taking time to come see her.

If Raizo was honest, he knew he could not visit her despite Mika's wishes. The moment he saw her he would lose himself, and take her on the nearest available flat surface like a common kunoichi and not in a manner befitting a Lotus. Much less, the way one would make love to the woman they would die for. So he stayed under her radar, but hovered around her light the way moths danced around flames

Raizo walked back to his room greeting the silent women who tended his rooms almost monkishly. They were kunoichi who had seen and done too much. They could not function in normal society, but could also no longer perform as combatitive ninja. They were traumatized to a point of silence, and at Mika's suggestion he allowed them to take refuge at the compound of the Black Sand. Mika had did her best to intergrate them into life at the tower, but they were set on one path and only knew the life of a ninja. So they stayed at the compound treating it almost as a sacred temple of sorts. As a birthday present to Mika, he had a shrine built that served as their private dormitory. They were a sleeping giant that Raizo had no intention of waking. Women had always been the more deadly of the species, and if they were happy than he was glad to let them stay that way.

The ladies left as he entered his rooms, bowing and offering him tentative smiles. They were willing to offer him anything from their bodies to their lives, and he hated it. It was why he did what he did. He allowed the thoughts to subside however as he peeled away his training garments at the sight in his bathroom. The ladies had prepared a bath for him, and he sent a silent pledge of thanks to the heavens. He would ask Mika what a fitting gift for them would be. He depended on Asami and Mika for all things feminine. He had not had to learn seduction in his training, and it made him wonder what Mika saw in him. Though he never looked a gift horse in the mouth when it came to Mika's presence in his life.

He slid into the water and allowed his muscles to relax. He had chosen this suite because it was one of the two private baths on the estate. The other had belong to the original Ozouno. He allowed Asami to claim that suite of rooms, and use it as the Lotus headquarters. Raizo could not stand to be in there, and conducted all business from the suite designated for visiting dignitaries. He allowed no dignitaries to visit the compound, so it was not an issue. Anyway, Mika met with any who could be considered a dignitary of any type.

Before he could allow the jealousy to wash over him his senses alerted him to a change in the air pressure in his suite. He continued to bathe as if nothing was amiss. Raizo rose his bath and stepped out from the tub. Droplets of water falling from his skin to pool onto the floor as he grabbed a towel that the ladies had left out for him. He ran the material through the jet strands of his hair and casually dropped the terry cloth around his shoulders as he mad his way into his room. He moved about as if he didn't realize that someone else was in the room with him. Whomever it's was would pay for the free show that they were getting. Reaching the chest of drawers by his bed, he pulled open the top drawer as if looking for some random toiletry item. The moment his fingers closed around the kusarigama he spun around, and let the chain swiftly glide from his fingers. However, he had to jerk the chain back from cutting the nose of a lovely, amused, and one eyed Lotus.

"Venerable Asami, You almost died." He shook his head, and dropped the weapon back into the drawer. He slid the towel from his shoulders to wrap about his middle. This was more out of respect for Mika than from himself. He never had any need for modesty, so never developed any. Ninja didn't really have time to worry about those kind of social norms when in the privacy of their homes. He did feel that Mika would prefer him to be covered in the presence of other women.

Asami cackled until she had to lift a handkerchief to her lips in an attempt to hide the spots of blood that flecked the embroidered silk at her lips. Raizo acted as if he didn't see it, but had known for some time that the venerable Lotus was getting sick. It made him ill on a level he had never known, that soon he would be in a world without someone that he almost considered a mother of sorts.

"Hai, but if you without clothes was to be my last sight, it would have been a welcomed one." A delicate hand covered her lips coquettishly as much to flirt as to cover the soft wheezing from her lungs. "I am her to inform you that Mika's training will be complete after tonight. You can stop passing notes like school children now."

Raizo's lips tugged at the roll of Asami's eyes. He should have known that she would have found them out. She probably caught sweet natured Mai on her way to bring Mika's letter to him. "Then if what you say is true, then please inform Mika that there will be no more letters. I will see her at the test upon the next full moon."

Asami began to bow, but her eyes widened as Raizo dropped to his knees before her on the floor. "Honored Lotus, I can not thank you enough for training my queen. There is no way I can repay this debt to you."

"You saved my life Ozouno Raizo. There isn't nohing to repay. However, I ask a gift of you." Asami hesitated, and Raizo's head canted to the side.

Surely she knew there was nothing that she could ask that Raizo would not give her. "What is it?"

"Though Mika will wear the name of Lotus, I have chosen Mai as my successor." Asami said it slowly gauging his reaction to her words. Her actions were confusing to Raizo, in all actuality he had no opinion on the matter. Though his silence seemed to prompt Asami to explain. "Mai is my granddaughter. She is Lotus by blood if not by name."

" I did not know you had a daughter Asami-chan.' Raizo rose from the floor, and moved to the tea service the ladies had laid out. They must have known she was here. "I did not mind though it means we will need to find a replacement for Mai at the tower. Mika will be sad, she has grown quite close to her."

"I hid the child from Ozouno. She was the child of a dignitary that I was to assassinate. I dropped her off in a basket on the steps of the white crab. She in turn had Mai. Lotuses have always kept track of their own."

"Does she know?" Raizo prepared a cup of tea for Asami which she took with a bow. He prepared his own deep in thought, but listened to the Lotus very carefully.

"Yes… I… I have informed her that she is my granddaughter, but will not carry the Lotus name. She is amendable and will not give you cause to kill her." Asami rushed to get the words that he was waiting to hear out, and he smiled before taking a sip of his own tea that he had prepared.

Raizo nodded deep in thought about what that would mean to Mika, and decided for the moment there was nothing to be done about it. "Does Mika know? She would not take the name if she felt it belong to another."

"No! I would not do that to you or her. Mai and I understand how important the title is for her acceptance by the clan." Asami looked very afraid, and Raizo was both saddened and amused.

He took both of their cups and set them back on the service tray. Taking Asami's hands in his, he brought them to his lips to place a light kiss over her knuckles in an attempt to comfort her. Only relaxing his hold when she smiles. "Than it appears that you have matters well in hand. I will leave the details to prettier and better skilled hands than mine. "

"Ozouno was right, you are the greatest clan leader the Black Sand has ever known." Raizo could hear the relieved crack of Asami's voice, and he bows his head at the praise. She takes her hands from his and steps back with a bow. " I must leave and deliver your commands."

Raizo returns the bow but by the time he raises his head she is gone. He takes a deep breath and turns to his wardrobe. He had a mission , and he was glad of it. He would need something to clear his head of the Lotuses that lived in the Sand Tower.

Mika was feverishly preparing for the test. There was so much to do and loose ends to cut off. Raizo had set the date at the next full moon which was tonight and she had to call in a lot of favors to get everything ready in the three week window that Asami and Raizo had given her. Her lungs filled with a deep sigh that was the only outward expression of frustration that she was allowed as a Lotus. The atmosphere though joyous, was lined with a sadness that she wasn't sure she understood. Both Asami and Mai would be leaving to the mountains once the training was over. Mai would be promoted to Lotus trainer, and Asami would could continue to oversee the execution of her legacy from the Black Sand compound. She would miss them both… Maybe Mai more than Asami, but she was glad that they were rising in rank. Any time Mai smiled at her, it was strained as of late. As if it was a struggle to look her in the eye. Mika tried desparately to wipe the sadness way, but when she asked Asami what was wrong she would be waved off with some pithy remark like "With great change comes shattered plans." Which was all very poetic, but didn't answer her question at all. Who's plans had been shattered?

On top of that Tranquil Shadow had almost gotten himself killed a fortnight ago, and it had taken every fiber of her being not to berate Raizo for being careless. There was something on his mind, and since they weren't exchanging letters any more she couldn't' find out what it was. It was like her world was falling apart at the finish line, and nothing she could do would stop it. There was a knock on the door, and Mai came in with some packages. She set them down on the desk in front of Mika, and Mika smiles in excitement. This was her last ditch effort to make Mai happy again. She wanted to fix it, but with no one telling her anything there was very little she could do.

"Open those two!" Mika pointed at the boxes nearest Mai, and pulled the other two towards her. If this didn't make Mai smile nothing would!

Mai seemed to stifle a sigh, and pulled the boxes over to her. Mika watched nervously nibbling her lower lips as Mai pulled tissue paper away from the gift's contents. She knew when Mai found it because the ninja's eyes widened and her lips parted on a soft "oh" of surprise. Mai pulled out a black ceremonial kimono with a dark red sash that looked like blood against Mai's pale hands. Mai's hands flew to her lips, and she stared at Mika in confusion "I don't understand. It is your ceremony."

Mika had thought of wearing the ceremonial robes that the Lotus had outlined in the scrolls, but as Mai was to take over their training for their clan it was more appropriate for her to wear them. Mai was a true ninja, and no matter what Mika did, she was not a true ninja from birth.

"No, it is our ceremony. You have been here training every step of the way. You are a kunoichi. I am…" Mika searched for a word, and shrugged. " A shadow." Mika ran her fingers through her natural curls with a smile. "Plus, I think I've appropriated enough of your culture in the name of survival."

Mai blinked and Mika took her hands. "Look, I don't know what's going on. You don't have to tell me, but know that I view you as a sister. I'll do whatever it takes to repairs what has been done."

Mika watched Mai in confusion as the girl did her best to blink back tears. Mai blinked a few times, and swallowed before taking a deep breath. "You know nothing, and I can not hate you for it."

"Wait. Why would you hate me?" It was Mika's turn to blink in confusion, not in her wildest dreams did she think she was the problem, and maybe that was why she was so blind to the situation. "Why? What did I do?"

"Nothing, you've done nothing but, be a good, kind, and selfless. I can see why Raizo is so taken with you." Mai stands and moves to one knee with her fist on the ground. " I solemnly swear to protect and serve Raizo and you with my life."

"Mai, that's necessary. Just wear the kimono at the ceremony and we'll call it square! Tell me what I did. Maybe I can fix it?" Mika was so confused it was almost a relief when Asami walked in on them.

The elder Lotus looked at Mai, than turn her eye towards Mika with a lift of her brow. "Mai , What oath are you taking?" Asami floated towards them, and peered at the boxes that lay open on Mika's desk. Her gaze fell to the silk ceremonial robes, and a soft gasp left her lips. She picked up the material in what Mika could only call awe, and just stared a the kimono silently as if in pain. "Are these for the test?"

Mai stood with a bright smile that Mika was used to seeing, but wasn't a hundred percent sure that she was glad to see back. At least some of the puzzle had fallen in place for her about the situation. Mai bowed to Asami and pulled the material to her. "Mika ordered replicas of the ceremonial robes for me to wear at the test tomorrow!"

Asami's eye shone with unshed tears and nodded. Her hand lifted to brush away a few stray tendrils from Mai's eyes, and Mika felt like an outsider being privy to a clan secret that she was not being let in on. Asami coughed, and pulled her game face back on and turne to address Mika. "I see, and what will you be wearing Mika?" Asami looked amused at Mai's happiness, but it held an edge because now Mika could tell the difference of when someone was performing. Deception wasn't always outright lies.

Mika opened her own box and pulled about a long slinky cocktail dress that faded from red to black at the bottom. The dress left her neck and shoulders bare, and ended with ruffles that parted above her legs. It would be easy for her to fight in, and simple for Raizo to take off. The only cultural concession that she was going to make was the jewelry that she would wear were the red Lotus flowers that would be placed in her hair above her ear. Asami looked the dress over with a slight smile, and bowed at her choice. "Is there something wrong venerable Lotus?"

"No, Nothing, it's a lovely dress." Asami turned to Mai who was holding the kimono as if her very life depended on it. Mika, was bordering on annoyed because Mai acted as if she wasn't going to be allowed to keep it. "You will look lovely Mai, why don't you go try it on?"

Mai gathered her boxes and practically skipped out of the room leaving Mika and Asami alone. Mika wasn't sure what just happened, but all she could do was wait for Asami to say something.

"You have been very good to Mai and the rest of the clan." Asami moved to the chair that Mai had vacated and settled down as if in minor pain. Mika gives the older woman a worried glance, and rose from her chair to assist her. Asami hold up her hand and motions for Mika to sit back down. "Sit down, you will listen and not speak."

Mika sat down with a nod. This day was getting stranger and stranger by the minute. Asami covered her mouth with her kerchief and coughed once before beginning her speech. "Once this test is over you will carry the name of Lotus. As you have read it is a long history of family that has born it's own with in the Black Sand. You are not of the blood line. As such I will be adopting you."

Mika sat in silence as bid, but in truth she would not have had words even if she had been given leave to speak. She would have been too afraid to interrupt Asami and break the spell her words had cast.

"Now that your training is over I have come to tell you that one of the last things I will teach you will be the blooming Lotus. You will basically be learning to stop a man's heart with your kiss. It is what makes a Lotus a Lotus." Asami pulls the scroll from her sleeves and tosses it to Mika which she instantly catches. "Study it, and prepare to use it." Asami rises from from her chair and floats away from Mika's suite without a backwards glance.

"Wait prepare to use it for what? On whom?" By the time Mika found her voice Asami was gone along with any answers about the strangeness of this entire day. Mika opened the scroll, and began reading the lesson in earnest. She may not be part of the bloodline, but she would learn and finish her training as Lotus. She would earn he spot in their history.