Noon in Rage Ravine, and it's raining lightly. A small aircraft marked with the insignia of Kasai‑dojo flies low over the area, its pilot searching for his destination. It doesn't take him long to find the cliff, at the base of which sits a part‑wood part‑stone two‑storey house partially built into the cliff, concealed from the public by thick banks of cherry blossom. With relief, the pilot sets the aircraft on top of the cliff, where it cannot be spotted from below.
The pilot exits the craft, revealing himself to be a burgundy bat clad in a slate grey bodyglove. Ignoring the rain, the bat unfurls his wings and flies down to the house. Once at the front door, he extracts a sophisticated lock‑picking kit and sets to work. Using his superb hearing, he picks the lock within a few minutes, and enters the house. Taking care not to disturb anything or drip too much on the floor, Kasai‑dojo Grand Master Hideyoshi Takenaka shuts the door and relocks it, then sits in the middle of the room, his naginata on the floor in front of him, and awaits the return of the recently‑married couple that call the house their home.
Two hours later, with the rain replaced by hazy sunshine, a luxury off‑road car pulls up outside the house. A silver hare dressed in a maroon vest and a pair of forest green trousers alights from the driver's seat, retrieves a pair of military‑style boots from the luggage compartment, and brings them to his passenger. "The ground's a bit soft for heels, so you may want these," Rob advises the vixen.
"I've been wearing heels for our entire honeymoon," Hanna reminds with a cheeky smile, already out the passenger seat, smoothing out her midnight blue backless halterneck skater dress that matches her shoes. "I think I've got the hang of them by now," she assures.
"I still can't believe you've gone the whole fortnight without reverting to your usual halterneck, capris, and boots," Rob teases.
"Have you seen me in this?" Hanna flirts, giving a twirl. "Why did it take me this long to realise I look this fantastic in a dress?"
"Because you normally dress to intimidate," Rob reminds.
"Good point," Hanna admits. "Still, I must admit, midnight blue complements my fiery orange fur brilliantly."
"Told you it would work," Rob smirks. "I'll start unpacking the car," he decides.
Hanna checks her watch. "There's no rush," she reminds. "My parents won't be picking it up for a few hours yet."
"I'd rather do it while it's still dry," Rob explains. "It might rain again later."
"Fair enough," Hanna accepts. "Want a drink?"
"The usual," Rob requests as he begins to unload the car.
Hanna opens the front door and enters the house, halting in the doorway at the sight of Hideyoshi Takenaka in the centre of the den.
"My apologies for the intrusion," Hideyoshi greets calmly. "I have come to seek your assistance in a matter most urgent."
"You broke into our house," Hanna growls. "There'd better be a fucking good reason."
"I assure you, I wouldn't have come if it wasn't of the utmost importance," Hideyoshi explains.
Rob appears in the doorway behind Hanna. "I had hoped for some private time before we had company," he sighs. "Guess that's not going to happen."
Ten minutes later, after Hideyoshi has helped Rob unload the car, the three sit around the coffee table with drinks, Hanna and Rob sharing the sofa, with Hideyoshi in the chair.
"Come on, let's have the reason you broke into our home," Hanna demands.
"I'll cut to the chase," Hideyoshi begins. "Kinzokumori, Mokuzaihanto, and Tsuchidokutsu have declared war on Mizutani after a series of violent incursions into the Kinzoku, Mokuzai, and Tsuchi dojos that have been pinned on Mizu‑dojo."
"What‽" Hanna and Rob exclaim in unison. "That cannot be true!" Hanna protests.
"I'm saddened to say it is true," Hideyoshi confirms. "However, it is my firm believe that Chika Ueno has been framed."
"By who?" Rob asks.
"I cannot say for sure, but I fear this may be the work of either Tsubaki Moto, Kaede Himura, or even both in concert," Hideyoshi explains.
Hanna begins growling loudly. "Those two bitches," she seethes. "I'll never forgive them after what they did to Rob and Maria."
"I take it you need us to gather evidence and expose their deceit?" Rob ventures.
"Correct," Hideyoshi confirms.
"I'll phone the others, see if they're available," Rob decides.
"I'm afraid you won't find them at home," Hideyoshi informs. "Xander is currently assisting Chika in Mizutani. As for Maria and Danny, while I cannot be certain, what I have heard about the incursions hints strongly at involving them both."
"How dare you‽" Hanna yells, standing to fight, her teeth bared, her claws extended to their fullest. "They'd never do anything like that! Especially Maria!"
"Hanna, calm down please," Rob insists, placing himself between the incandescent vixen and Hideyoshi. "Let's hear him out."
"Fine," Hana relents, retracting her claws. "But don't think his previous kindness will stop me killing him."
"It won't need to: your vow never to kill again will stop you," Rob reminds.
"Exceptions can be made," Hanna growls.
"I don't want to believe it any more than you do," Hideyoshi explains. "But the description of one of the attackers matches Danny Brock very closely. There have also been reports of a lynx who very closely resembles Maria being involved. Given we're talking about Tsubaki and Kaede possibly being co‑conspirators, I find these resemblances too coincidental to ignore."
"I'm going to phone them right now," Hanna decides, storming over to the phone.
Rob and Hideyoshi wait patiently while Hanna dials and awaits an answer. After a few minutes of ringing, Hanna eventually relents and hangs up.
"They're not answering," Hanna reports. "While this doesn't let you off the hook, I will at least give you one chance," she informs Hideyoshi.
"Thank you," Hideyoshi accepts.
"I'm going to get changed," Hanna announces, storming upstairs before anyone can reply.
Hideyoshi winces as the sound of the door slamming hits his ears. "I fear I may have made a misjudgement," he sighs.
"If it's as bad as you say, you came to the right place," Rob assures. "And don't worry about Hanna: as I said before, while I'm here, you'll be safe."
"I have to admit, I find it fascinating how someone in an outfit that elegant can be so frightening," Hideyoshi reveals.
"Hanna's both beauty and the beast," Rob smiles.
"You're a brave man, Rob Skarlett," Hideyoshi compliments.
"Stiil," Rob corrects. "Then again, 'Rob Skarlett' does sound better," he admits a moment later.
A few minutes later, Hanna returns to the den dressed in her usual black halterneck crop top and navy blue capris, her nunchaku holstered on her hips. "We'll stop by their house on our way," she informs, tossing Rob's holstered sai to him. "Just to be absolutely sure."
"What about the car?" Rob asks, clipping his holsters to his belt.
"Crap." Hanna thinks a moment. "I'll phone mother, get them to come early. Meanwhile, you'll prep the ATVs."
"And I'll get my aircraft," Hideyoshi decides, reclaiming his naginata and heading outside.
Fifteen minutes later, Mike and Kathy Skarlett arrive on Kathy's ATV to find Hanna, Rob, and Hideyoshi waiting for them outside.
"Off on a mission already?" Kathy asks as she kills the engine and dismounts.
"I'm afraid it's my fault," Hideyoshi informs, bowing respectfully. "Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hideyoshi Takenaka, Grand Master of Kasai‑dojo, one of five dojos in the Jade Alliance."
"Oh, so you're the guy who kidnapped my daughter and locked her in a dungeon to die of illness and starvation?" Kathy replies sternly, her eyes narrowed.
"Unfortunately, yes," Hideyoshi admits. "I know that I can never fully make amends for that. For what it's worth, I will always regret my actions that day."
"Hanna explained everything to me," Kathy informs tersely. "If she trusts you, that's good enough for me. But I will promise you one thing," she continues, her expression calm yet dangerous, her tone level yet threatening. "If my daughter doesn't come back from this mission, you'll have me to answer to."
"I assure you ma'am, I will do everything within my power to ensure that both Hanna and Rob return fit and in good health," Hideyoshi vows.
"Make sure you do," Kathy accepts.
"I'll keep you updated as much as I can," Hanna promises Kathy.
"I just wish we had a chance to hear about your honeymoon first," Kathy sighs, her previous stern demeanour discarded, replaced with motherly affection. "Guess it'll have to wait until you get back."
"I'll model my new dresses too," Hanna decides.
"You bought dresses?" Kathy asks in surprise.
"With matching high heels," Hanna admits, blushing very slightly.
"OK, who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?" Kathy teases, unable to hide a bemused smile.
"Hate to interrupt, but we need to get moving," Rob interjects.
"Of course," Kathy accepts. "Be safe you two, and come back in one piece."
"We always do," Hanna assures.
Mike and Kathy wave their goodbyes as they depart, Mike in the car, Kathy on her ATV.
"You scare me, but your mother terrifies me," Hideyoshi admits to Hanna.
"Good," Hanna smiles. "That means I really can trust you."