AN: I've just realized that I've been writing AN as "AU". I'm sorry.

[This means Japanese]

(This means mongol)

"This means a thought or memory"

This is a Location

This is emphasis.

This is also emphasis.

ALL CAPS, or like this is a shout.

Fluxstrapper: "What a unique fic"

Thank you! As I said in the Prologue, it was an idea that no one made before and I thought that it would be cool. The dynamics between a honor-full Samurai and a Vigilante that does what is necessary is something we don't see everyday, but if done correctly, it makes.

Without further delay,

Enjoy ;)

Hiraki galloped with Aiden in his back following the Wind.

It still was weird how the wind was effectively guiding the Vigilante. He passed through some mongol camps and controlled villages, which he obviously stopped to help. Noticing how he was more proficient with the Samurai Sword that fox showed him.

In Aiden's mind, his dream was starting to make sense. Although one could say that since he travelled backwards in time, this would be the least of his concerns.

By asking guidance in the villagers he saved, Aiden discovered that Lady Masako Adachi was in the... Adachi estate. He rolled his eyes when he heard it. Of course someone at this century would name a County, City or even a Bridge in the name of someone that controlled that area.

But regardless, he needed to go fast. This travelling already cost him a day and it was starting to deteriorate his body and mind.

He soon realized why his hands (and body) were shaking. When Aiden was The Fox, let's just say that crime fighting isn't a healthy lifestyle. In fact, most part of the money he spent was in the medical area. Chems, Painkillers, even some drugs as to help him ignore the pain and fatigue.

But since he wasn't taking his meds, he was suffering from abstinence.

Which would make him better in the long run. But in the short? He would feel worse than a drunk college student in his first hangover.

But back at the mission, he was amazed again by the overall beauty of the island. The trees with yellow... No. Golden leafs are one of the many sights that were breathtaking. The wind blowing in the forest made it all the more pleasing. Speaking of the Wind, it guided him to a compound of houses.

In the outside, a few targets for archery practice, as well as a ring for sword sparring. In the inside there was the main house, which the... front door was broken?

"Is anyone here?", Aiden asked while he dismounted Hiraki.

Not a single soul answered.

He entered one house and the inside didn't fare any better. The place had blood. A fight occurred here. From what Aiden could tell from his years as a fixer, the blood was dry, which means the fight wasn't from today. The blood in the weapons (namely a few Naginatas) also has dry blood.

"Weapons from the female Adachi Warriors...", Aiden remembered one of Jin's teachings of the Adachi Clan.

This meant that whoever attacked this place did have the strategy and strength to pull off a plan and kill the members of the family. This helped in diminishing the list of suspects, but not much else could be said.

Well, onto the next house.

As he walked, Aiden could hear noise coming from one of the houses. A survivor, perhaps? Maybe. He sneaked closer to the house, picking up a stone in the way. He throws it in front of the door. As soon as the noise is heard, a few man clearly not from the Adachi Clan exit the house, looking for anyone that may have an ounce of life.

"Bandits? Why did they attack the estate?", Aiden theorized in his mind.

"Who is there? Get your ass here you [fuck]!", one of them demanded.

There are three bandits. One with a spear and two with swords. Easy targets. He gently tiptoes near the spearman that trash talked outside of the house. The idiot did the favor of going even further from safety. A quick stab in the neck with the Tanto and the bandit goes numb from blood loss.

The two inside didn't even bother to check their comrade. What a joke.

Aiden picks something on his pocket. Apparently, the mongols did have powder in this era of time. By putting it in a simple and small jar, he is the first man to create the prototype of grenades. The problem was that he had a few seconds to set if on fire as well as use it before it exploded in his hand.

With a perfect "click" of the Tanto and a few sparks, the thing started to burn.

*BOOOOOOM*

"At least it's effective...", Aiden grimaced at the brutality of a single explosive.

Even basic C4 didn't do this amount of damage.

Going back to the task, he investigated the one he didn't split in a gazillion pieces. Did not look like mongols, sure, but what puzzled him was that they didn't look like simple bandits. The attire was... Good. The quality of both spear and clothes are too good to be one of a slothful and uncaring bandit.

The weapons are sharp and the clothes are in perfect condition.

And Aiden knew that bandits did not care about looks when it came to guns and clothes while doing a crime. He needs to investigate it further. If anyone survived or tried to escape, they might have run to the Stables, get a horse and flee to seek shelter in the next possible safe place.

Arriving at the place, Aiden didn't seem surprised to find not a single horse, except his own. Hiraki peacefully ate the hay that remained in the pots and stacks.

"He sure looks happy", Aiden allowed a slight smile to appear in his face.

Analyzing the surroundings, there are a few corpses here and there. Blood dry and flies flooding the spoiling remains. This attack may have happened a few days ago. And if whoever is in charge here sent more men here, they were trying to see if there are survivors and finish them off.

But one thing stood up in the midst of the chaos.

Horse tracks.

"Someone fled the estate", The Vigilante said out loud.

Not only horse tracks, but also footprints. The one that escaped was also being chased. A bunch of arrows could be seen in the ground. The person who fled knew how to make the archer's aim falter, since the trail didn't follow the road at some points, using the trees to their advantage.

Which means that this person was a priority target.

After a few minutes following the tracks, Aiden saw a dead horse. The poor steed was dead for a while with arrows at his back.

Before he could investigate the horse further however...

fwoothunk*

Aiden unsheathed his sword in reflex, only to see a woman pointing a bow at him.

If Aiden had a nickel for every time he was at bow's point every time he tried to recruit someone to save Lord Shimura, he'd have two nickels. Which isn't much but it's weird that it happened twice.

...

Aiden felt like this line of thought parodied something.

"Who are thou, foreigner?", the lady asked.

Aiden knew very well that if she released her hand he was done for. So he very slowly dropped his sword on the ground and raised his hands, "I am Aiden Pearce. I've come at the command of Lord Sakai".

"Don't lie to me, foreigner. All of the Samurai are dead", She pulled the arrow even further, but did not released it yet.

"Not at all, Lady Masako. Lord Sakai and Lord Shimura still live. I can prove that my integrity is real, if you'd allow me", Aiden continued to be as formal as possible.

"How?", she asked after a brief pause.

"I have both Lord Sakai's Token and Sensei Ishikawa Insignia to show".

Her eyebrows raised slightly at that, "You may prove it".

Aiden turned sideways to the woman, still showing both his hands. Picking the items from his pocket he slowly got up and approached the woman.

Masako eyed the insignia and token with her brow furring, "And how can I trust that you didn't just took these from the corpses of them?"

A good question, one that thankfully he was prepared for.

"Sensei Ishikawa didn't participate in the Komoda Beach. He was attacked by mongols and betrayed by his disciple, Tomoe. He said that you are the most skilled woman he knows", Aiden said, still as polite and calm as ever.

Honestly, Aiden cornered in even more dangerous situations with higher stakes. He could convince an old lady.

"Of course he would say that", She sighed, "Very well. I can trust that at least you aren't with the one's that attacked my family".

Aiden nodded, not answering but also not lying.

"What about my husband? Have you seen him?", she asked. Her confidence and composure vanishing at each sentence.

"I'm sorry. Lord Sakai was the only survivor".

She shook her head at these words. Clearly she did not accept what was happening in her current life, "Why have thou come?"

"Lord Shimura, The Jito, is still alive. Lord Sakai sent me here to ask for the help of Clan Adachi as well as see if we can ask for the shogun's help in the main island", He explained while taking a bow. Not used to it but if it helped convince her, so be it.

"The clan Adachi... Is dead. Killed by its own people", she said with anger and sorrow.

"What?", Aiden completely lost his composure, "But... Clan Adachi isn't supposed to be one of the protectors of the island? Why attack one of it's defenders?"

"That's what I intend to find out".

"I'm coming with you".

"No. Do not set aside your concern-"

"I didn't ask for your permission, Lady Masako", Aiden interrupted her.

She was about to reprimand him for being rude, only to see his own anger. Did it hit too close to home? Her problem, her family being attacked, resonated so deeply with him to make that face?

Granted, he still called her "Lady", even if gritting his teeth.

"I can't be responsible for another death".

"You won't be".

She sighed.

"I fought man at your estate", Aiden said as he galloped with the woman.

Well, if blowing up a bunch of people with a improvised grenade was called fighting, then yes, he did.

"They were looking to finish what they started", she said with bitterness, "The day my son and my husband left to face the mongols, the assassins attacked. My sister took the children and left. I stayed with my son's wives to fight our attackers. We were outnumbered and I was the only one left..."

Aiden could barely contain his ever growing anger.

"They knew how and when to attack the clan. Someone wanted to do this for a while. No one can plan this attack in just a single day, never more right before the invasion", The Vigilante started to rationalize.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Aiden. What can you tell from the attackers you killed?", she inquired after hearing his theory.

"I know that they aren't stupid. This was coordinated too well to be made by simple bandits. Do you know anyone that would want this to happen to your clan?", Aiden asked as he saw the pace diminishing.

"A lot of people, unfortunately", she said as she dismounted her horse.

The walk for a while until they reach a graveyard. This is about to get sentimental.

"I buried them here, with the rest of the family", the Widow said with a mix of joy and depression.

"A beautiful place", Aiden commented as he saw the Golden leafs.

They both kneel to the family tombs.

"I tried to save them... But the assassins caught them on the road...".

Oh, this hits too close. The only difference between Aiden and Masako was that the death of his family was his fault. Her? She was just a victim trying to do her best, and even so, failing.

Aiden tried so much to not scream in a fir of rage as to not disturb the woman's prayers.

"They cut them all. My sister. My grandchildren... Even little Natsu... She was just born..."

Aiden clenched his fist so hard that blood was starting to flow. Kill a baby that just came to the world? These monsters! How can one be so cruel and cold as to punish those who don't even know that they are alive?!

"All I could do is bury them her with the mother", she was now crying, even if not overwhelmed by the pain, she still suffered.

"This should never have happened...", Aiden managed to say, his voice about to explode.

"Let's go to the Golden Temple", She said after she finished.

"I've heard of that place before", The man said after mounting his horse.

"It's a temple being used as shelter after the Invasion has started".

"I'm sorry you needed to endure this horror all alone", Aiden said with no audible emotion.

"I'm not alone. The killers are still alive", she said with anger.

Yup. If Aiden got in her way she might as well kill him. He'll raise his guard around her.

After galloping a short distance, Lady Masako stopped, "You have to go without me. Find a monk named Sogen and deliver the fate of Clan Adachi".

"You want me to scare him. Make him feel desperate..."

"Exactly. Oh and... Go after the armourer. There is an armour that was being crafted. Just tell them I've sent you".

"And where should I deliver it?"

"It's for you".

"What?", Aiden asked in confusion.

"If you're gonna help me find the bastards, you will need basic protection. And those clothes of your barely protect you from a cold", she pointed at his attire.

"Rude".

She waved him off, and of he goes.

After going up a set of stairs, again, Aiden was mesmerized by the sight of the temple. Few people in it, but not less full of life.

"Hey! It's you!", a man waved at Aiden.

"Hello".

"I followed Lord Sakai's instructions. Thankfully we've reached here safely", said the man.

After eyeing him for a while, he recognized the man. He was the man they rescued near the stables in Komoda City.

"I'm glad you're alive. How's the place?", Aiden asked with a small amount of joy. He did save the man after all.

"The place is nice. There isn't much here but everyone helps in any way they can", he says as Aiden nods.

"Good. By the way, do you know where the armourer is?"

"Near the big tree at the center", the man points out.

"Thank you. And take care of the child."

While he goes after the armourer, he did notice a few glares at him. He was a foreigner, but it wasn't that bad in his eyes. Recalling the little that he knew about Japanese culture, foreigners are not that welcomed in the country. Apparently something about taking the jobs that they need or something more serious.

"Hello, foreigner. May I know what you need?", the woman armourer said.

"Lady Masako sent me. Said you we're crafting something for me".

"Ah yes, the armour. It's one of the most finest pieces of material I've put my hands on. Hold on a moment", she said as she opened a box.

Aiden put on the armour. It had the colours of Clan Adachi. Mainly Sea Blue and Blueish-green. It had a heavy undershirt, probably made of leather. Linen pants with reinforced cloth and the average sandals. The only difference between this and Jin's armour was that it was missing the shoulder pads. And the fact that it wasn't ruined beyond repair.

It also surprised Aiden on how light it was.

"Thank you, Mrs."

"If you want to make modifications or upgrades you can always visit a Armourer", she offered.

"I'll keep that in mind. For now, can you tell me where the monk Sogen is?", Aiden asked while stretching in his new found armour.

"There, sir", she pointed.

There are a bunch of ways to see if someone is lying to you. Or rather, trying to. As one of Aiden's teachings, "don't trust someone who says to trust them". And this case was no different.

In his days as the protector of Chicago, something always stood up when he was questioning and interrogating the thugs and punks of the various gangs. They either lie real good or real bad.

One of the ways he could identify it was just by seeing, well, their faces, their hands, feet and reactions to certain words.

With Sogen? It was a simple sentence.

"Lady Masako sent me. The clan is dead. She is the only survivor".

The monk's reaction was not one of condolence and empathy, but one of fear and worry. Meaning that he was involved in it at best or the actual target they were hunting.

It was a simple tactic.

Send a messenger with dire news, see where the man goes. The police (and funnily enough, Batman) used this tactic a lot to lure them into revealing the hideout, factory or any real big threat. His respect to Masako increased a bit.

"Hey", Masako compliments Aiden in his new armour.

"Thanks for the gift. It will help me a lot", The Fox says as he turns around to show it.

"No problem. What about Sogen?"

"Yeah, it was expected. He is probably heading off to tell his 'friends'", Aiden does some "quotation marks" in the air, "He also offered you refuge in the Temple".

"So my family's killed know where to find me", she grimaced at the audacity.

She gestured him to follow. As they are walking, they can see the monk deny a couple their right of food. According to them, they haven't eaten for four days.

"You think he is involved in all of this", Aiden didn't ask, but gave a inconclusive idea.

"He visited me the day right before the attack", and surely enough she completed the sentence.

"A scout, no less. He must know something. We must question him", Aiden advised.

"That is why we will follow him".

The monk jogged in the road. He looked over his shoulders constantly but without the finesse required to do it undetected.

"Sogen arrived at from Kamiagata in the beginning of autumn", Masako explained, "It was just before the Island knew when the Invasion was going to happen".

"So the attack was smart enough to wait for the commotion. It took precision to do it. But how they got this information and times it perfectly?", Aiden rationalized but couldn't find a proper answer.

"Few people can do that. And fewer have this influence".

They come to a halt when they see the monk stop at a small house with a few people. They didn't look like ordinary villagers, so both Fox and Widow think they've hit the jackpot.

"Masako's alive! And she is with a foreigner!", The monk revealed his true self.

"He must be the one that killed our men in the estate", A man disclosed.

"You fools! Now they know I'm a part of this! You have to find them!", Sogen shouted angrily.

"I'm here".

Everyone stopped and looked at the European, wearing (from what it looks like) a Samurai training armour. He had one hand in the sheath of his blade and another another the handle.

"Hehe! Are you trying to pose as a Samurai, [invader]?", one of them provoked.

The man did not mind the mean comments. He was still in the same position, waiting for who was brave enough to come near him. One of the proposed to humor the foreigner. There was no way a man that came all the other side of the world could match the skill of the samurai.

A standoff was starting to rise.

One man with a sword in hand.

The other with his sword in his sheath.

*click*

This weird noise took the man off guard, but still, he did not stop facing his cold gaze.

*BOOOOOOM*

"What th-"

With a quick slice, the man's head was starting to roll in the floor.

"By the Gods! What is this?!", Masako asked in complete shock and surprise.

"Black powder. A small fraction of it", Aiden said as he cleaned his sword in his arm sleeve.

"Only a small pot can make this... this...".

"This crater? Yup", Aiden's comment did not calm the woman at all.

They both gaze at where the grenade was thrown. Where had 4 to 5 men, not had a big hole.

When the foreigner said for her what the object was and what she should do with it, she honestly thought he was a stupid man to trust the mongols weapons. But seeing the result in person? She could barely believe it.

"Now, after the monk", Aiden got back on track.

He was inside of the house, clearly not hiding. He was caught and the quick this got, the better.

"You killed my family Sogen. There is nowhere to run now!", Masako angrily declared.

"I was just a messenger", The man spoke in a monotonous and unreadable tone.

"For who?", Aiden pointed his sword at him.

"Knowledge does not end suffering".

"You know nothing about suffering", Both Man and Woman say in unison.

Honestly? Aiden needed this. A small amount of therapy.

With a whip of his arm, a familiar blunt object could be seen. And a familiar crack hit the leg of the monk.

"Agh-!"

"Cut this shit about philosophy, you fucking piece of shit", Aiden said with bitterness, but not anger.

"I buried my family, one by one!", Masako was having a episode of "how to control anger", but for some reason Aiden didn't think it would last long.

"You better start speaking. Because knowledge might not end suffering, but the lake of it will begin real fucking soon", Aiden stated, while he handed the baton to Masako.

She grabbed it and mentally fantasized about where it would hurt more.

The man did not spoke too much. If because he didn't know or he was too loyal for his own good, it's now a mystery.

Thanks to the previous display of "explosive power", Lady Masako was eager to use it in the corpse of Sogen so even the Shinigami would have a bad time recognizing the scum.

What they got was a list with a few names in it and a strange symbol. A rival clan? That was the most possible scenario.

Sogen - Deceased

Sadao - Unknown

Mai - Unknown

Kajiwara - Unknown

Fugura - Unknown

"I suppose we have a list of targets. They should know more about this conspiracy", Aiden suggests.

"If we find them".

"We should rest and start searching for them later", The man said as he looks at the sun setting.

"I... Thank you, Aiden Pearce. You don't have anything to do with my problems, but even so you did help me in a way", She showed gratitude in the best way she could, given the circumstances, "But about that plan... Rescuing the Jito..."

"We are still recruiting everyone. I said I'd meet Jin in Kechi, but we can continue to investigate the list", Aiden eases the woman's nerves.

"No need. When can continue after we save Lord Shimura. As you said, if he asks for reinforcements we will be able to breathe and investigate without anyone bothering us", Masako explains.

"So we continue after rescuing the Old Man. Alright. I'm counting on you".

"I never back down in my promises, Aiden Pearce", she game a sad smile.

With a whistle, Hiraki appeared, "We will probably meet in a few days. Be ready".

"Safe travels", she wishes him goodbye as he gallops up North.

AN: Oh, I'm so glad this one is finished. The dynamics between Aiden and Masako are a mirror. I want to see if this will change the Tale of Masako further in the future, since Aiden is so pro-vengeance.

Anyhow, see tou next chapter! Thanks for the feedback!

Date of Publication: 2nd, October, 2023