As the sun sets over Yamakasai, Hideyoshi meditates in his sanctum. After a few minutes, his ears twitch as he hears two people approaching. With a sigh, Hideyoshi abandons his meditation and elects to meet the people at the door.
"Good evening, senators," he greets, welcoming them into the sanctum.
"Good evening sensei," Senator Jiro Kita greets in return. "I trust all possible preparations have been made?"
"Affirmative, senator," Hideyoshi confirms.
"Good. The Yamakasai army is in place also." Jiro pauses a moment. "I'll be honest: I don't see us winning this one."
"I agree the odds are against us," Hideyoshi replies. "But we have a couple of wildcards that could turn the tide in our favour."
"About them," Senator Akiko Saito interjects. "Can we really trust them?"
"I assure you, Hanna and Rob will do all they can to help us," Hideyoshi assures.
"I would love to have your confidence, but I've seen what Hanna's like," Akiko continues. "She's a loose cannon, and I'm not sure Rob can keep her under control."
Hideyoshi sighs. "It is true the vixen is a fiery individual, but her heart's in the right place. If she keeps her cool, they will prevail."
"That's the problem," Akiko explains. "I don't think she can keep her cool."
"Senator, with all due respect, I think you're wrong," Hideyoshi replies. "After everything I have done to her, Hanna has every right to take my life. Yet she has chosen not to. Not only that, she invited me to her wedding. She may not yet trust me completely, and probably never will, but she is giving me a chance, regardless of whether I deserve one or not. It is only fair that I give her a chance in return."
"That is noble," Jira compliments. "However, if she fails or turns against us, I'll have no choice but to hold you responsible."
"And you would be correct to do so," Hideyoshi accepts.
"I must return to the command centre," Jira announces. "Senator Saito will be joining me."
"I trust she will be safe," Hideyoshi ventures.
"She'll be protected by my personal bodyguards," Jira assures.
"Then may the spirit of the kitsune guide us to victory," Hideyoshi replies.
After the senators depart, Hideyoshi returns to his meditation. The fate of the Gotoshi lies in the hands of a vixen with an explosive temper and a thirst for violence… We will either prevail, or we will burn.
Why am I reminded of the legend of Blaze Kitsune?
At the top of Kasai‑dojo's tallest observation tower, Hanna looks out down the side of the volcano once again, her husband by her side. In the distance, she can see the advancing armies of Kinzokumori, Mokuzaihanto, and Tsuchidokutsu.
"They'll be here tomorrow," the vixen concludes. "Shortly after sunrise. And then it all starts again."
"The difference is, we know what we're doing, and we're much better prepared," Rob assures.
"Are we really?" Hanna doubts. "What if we can't save them?"
"We'll save them," Rob assures.
"But what if we can't? We'd have to… and I… I just can't… not Maria…"
Rob puts his arm around Hanna's shoulders. "You won't have to," he promises.
Hanna wraps her arms around Rob and hugs him tightly. "What would I do without you?" she whispers.
"Get yourself killed in a really dumb way," Rob teases softly, holding his wife tenderly.
"Probably," Hanna agrees, unable to help smiling a little.
For a few minutes, the couple hug in silence.
"We should get some sleep," Rob suggests. "We want to be as fresh as possible tomorrow."
"OK." Hanna breaks the hug. "Thanks for being here for me."
"I'm your husband," Rob replies.
In a private guest room, Xander and Chika are in bed, but unable to sleep.
"Do you think we'll survive this?" Chika asks.
"I've seen Hanna and Rob pull victory from the jaws of defeat several times," Xander assures. "They'll rescue Maria and Danny, and the four of them will turn the tide and win the day."
"You're not joining them?"
"I can't protect you if I'm out in the field."
"I'm as safe as I can be," Chika assures. "Hideyoshi will protect me. You should be out there, saving your friends."
"As much as I'd like to help, I fear I'd get in the way more," Xander admits. "Besides, Hanna and Maria's friendship and Rob and Danny's friendship are so much closer and stronger than the friendships I have with them. I've always been the 'fifth element', as it were."
"Nonsense," Chika dismisses kindly. "You're just as important to the Elemental Protectors as your friends are."
"True, but I've made my choice," Xander affirms. "My priority is to protect you."
"And there's nothing I can say to change your mind," Chika concludes.
"Correct," Xander confirms.
"I love you so much," Chika purrs, sliding over to cuddle Xander.
"And I love you too," Xander purrs back, returning the cuddle.
For a few moments, the couple lay in contented silence.
"That's the first time we've said those words to each other," Chika realises. "Do you think we said them because of what's happening?"
"No. Do you?"
"No."
A few minutes later, Xander and Chika slip into a restful sleep.
At the stroke of midnight, a lone off‑road car approaches the rear of the army advancing on Yamakasai. The driver is showing clear signs of fatigue, but Kaede Himura refuses to let it slow her down. Unfortunately, her pace combined with fatigue means she doesn't spot a jagged rock formation, and she hits it at speed, tearing both right wheels off the car. The car slews to an abrupt halt, miraculously remaining upright.
"Elegant," Tsubaki Moto comments, appearing from behind the rock formation.
"Back off!" Kaede snaps.
"You snap at me, yet you're the one who ran away," Tsubaki replies coolly. "I commend your courage in returning."
"I was working on a backup plan!" Kaede barks.
"Shout at me one more time, and I will ensure you pay dearly for it," Tsubaki threatens.
"You try staying calm after being awake for nearly two days," Kaede growls.
"The only reason you're not dead yet is because that would arouse suspicions we can ill‑afford," Tsubaki growls back.
"They have my notebook," Kaede admits.
"Why should I care?"
"Because it's all about the Kage Byōgenkin."
"Don't fuck with me."
"I'm serious."
"Let me guess: the vixen and her husband stole it."
"Yes. Wait, they're married now?"
"Can the gossip. Those two still under your control?" Tsubaki asks.
Kaede looks over her shoulder at the sleeping Maria and Danny. "Yeah… How did they sleep through all this?"
"I don't care. We need to take out the vixen and the hare."
"I'm surprised you're not focussed on killing Chika."
"Oh, I'm still going after the otter. And the bat."
"So, you want me to go after Hanna and Rob?"
"No."
"Who else can we send?"
Tsubaki draws her fire sword and points to Maria and Danny.