Chapter 13
Ruined Home

8 years ago…

Ayaka remembered how her brother had once told her about the onikabutos fights. He had described it as a fun activity he used to do with his friends and healthy competition to determine who was the best. Ayaka didn't understand that part very well because the ones who ended up fighting were the beetles. Ayato had answered that the trick was to have a good eye to choose your champion.

Ayaka didn't fully understand it. But when Kazuha told her that he hadn't played that game before either, they both thought it would be a good opportunity for the two of them to try it out.

There weren't many onikabutos at Kamisato Estate, and they weren't allowed to go out that day. So they had no choice but to settle for the first two they found among the trees in the courtyard. Once they each had their champion, they were placed on the rock in center field. But when they put both insects face to face on the combat ring... nothing happens to the surprise of the two children. The onikabutos stood still in their place. They didn't even seem to even notice each other's presence.

Ayaka and Kazuha waited for several minutes, just sitting there on opposite sides of the rock. After a while, it seemed clear that nothing would happen.

"My brother said this was fun, but…" Ayaka muttered under her breath, a little despondent. She brought her index finger closer to her beetle, running the tip slowly over its back. The little animal hardly took a step forward. "Are we doing something wrong?"

Kazuha wasn't sure either. After all, he was also new to the matter.

"Maybe they don't want to fight because they're friends," Kazuha commented. Ayaka looked up at him, feeling a bit puzzled by the comment.

"Can onikabutos make friends?"

"I wouldn't see why not," Kazuha answered, shrugging. "Animals are just as or more sensitive than us."

Ayaka was surprised to hear that. She hadn't heard that animals could develop such relationships like them. Although she remembered having heard on occasion that the Shuumatsuban, the group of ninjas who served at the head of the Kamisato Clan, had some canines among them that served as more members of their group and fulfilled missions for them. And so were the stories told to her about magical animals like the Tanuki or the Kitsune, although she couldn't know if they applied in the same way.

"Since you put it that way, now it makes me a little sad to want to make them fight," Ayaka muttered, staring at the two scarabs. "It must be horrid to be forced to turn your back on a friend."

"Yes, I agree," Kazuha added, nodding. "Or maybe fighting is also their way of playing. Either one, I guess they're not in the mood to do it right now."

They decided, in the end, to take the two contenders and place them back in the trees. The two stood still right where they were left; one of them barely moved a few centimeters to accommodate itself.

"So, what would you like to do now?" Kazuha asked, turning to his partner.

Ayaka placed a finger on her chin and gazed at the sky, pondering her answer a bit.

"Well…"

Before she answered, she noticed Thoma behind Kazuha, hurrying across the courtyard in their direction. But what most caught little Ayaka's attention was that he didn't come alone; three of his guards were only a few steps behind him.

"Hello, Thoma," Ayaka murmured with a smile, raising a hand in greeting. "We wanted to try the fight with onikabutos that my brother once told me about, but we prefer better not…"

Ayaka did not finish giving her explanation because as Thoma got closer to them, the more it was evident in his look... something unusual. His expression was hard, almost aggressive, just like the guards accompanying him. It was not really strange in these, but in her brother's loyal servant, it caused almost fear in her to see him like that.

"Something happens?" She asked, somewhat worried.

Thoma, however, not only didn't answer her; his attention was fixed not on her but on Kazuha.

"Master Kaedehara," Thoma muttered under his breath. "I think it's time for you to go home."

That sudden remark immensely confused the two children.

"Why? It's still early," Ayaka pointed out, unable to get out of her confusion.

Thoma again didn't answer her. Instead, he continued watching Kazuha intently. And the boy noted at once that the guards were also on the lookout, their hands gripping their spears firmly as if they expected to use them at any moment.

Kazuha sensed that the air had become thick and volatile. And in the same way, he knew that the cause was him...

"It's okay, Ayaka," he murmured slowly, turning to her friend with a small, and not entirely sincere, smile. "I'll see you later."

"I'll walk you to the door…" Ayaka said, getting ready to follow him. However, Thoma quickly got in the way, preventing her from going too far.

"The guards can handle it, my lady," Thoma murmured slowly, dryly. And just as he said, the three guards who had accompanied him surrounded the light-haired boy. "You have to go see your brother… now."

The bewilderment increased enormously among both children. A wall of people seemed to have formed between them, preventing anyone from even taking a step towards the other.

It was clear then that Kazuha's withdrawal was not a request… but an order.

"Goodbye, Ayaka," Kazuha murmured slowly as his last words and then began to walk towards the estate's main gate, being escorted every second by the three guards.

For her part, Ayaka couldn't say or do anything but stand there, watching her friend walk away like that until he disappeared from her sight.

"Thomas, what's wrong?" she asked in anguish, turning pleadingly to the blond boy.

Some discomfort showed on Thoma's face. He was also forced to look away, perhaps not being able to resist the girl's gaze, expecting to receive an answer that was not his to give.

"Your brother needs to speak to you immediately," he stated seriously. "Come with me."

And without another word, he began to move towards the wing where Ayato's main office was located. Hesitantly, Ayaka followed closely, perhaps afraid to know what her brother had to say to her.

Many thoughts ran through her mind at that moment. Had she done something wrong? She couldn't think of anything that would deserve a scolding from her older brother. And Kazuha? Was she being punished for something she had done?

On at least a couple of occasions, she looked back over her shoulder, expecting to see her friend standing there in the courtyard, that space that had become so theirs over the years. But he obviously wasn't there anymore...

Present time…

Kazuha didn't know how long he stood there, petrifying in front of the bulletin board. But it must have been enough for Tomo to finish his complex negotiation with the Adventurers' Guild woman because he only managed to react when his friend approached him and spoke from behind.

"It was difficult, but I managed to get it down to 350,000," Tomo muttered, his tone noting that he wasn't entirely happy with the result. "I had to take out from Kokomi's money to complete it; I hope she didn't try to charge me back..."

The wandering samurai noticed the look of absolute perplexity, almost fear, that adorned his friend's face.

"Hey, are you okay?" he muttered slowly, then looked at the board. The presence of the "Wanted" poster was not lost on him. "That's not…?"

"Ayaka is looking for Katsumoto," Kazuha blurted out, unseating Tomo.

"How do you know?"

"It doesn't matter!" Kazuha exclaimed loudly, then began to walk quickly in no specific direction. Simply his legs seemed to have finally reacted, forcing themselves to move.

Tomo hurriedly followed him into an alley. There, already alone without curious eyes watching, he saw how his friend hit his fist against one of the walls, perhaps with more force than he intended.

"Damn…" he muttered in a raspy voice. He leaned his body against the wall as if he felt he would fall if he didn't.

"Why do you care?" Tomo muttered cautiously. "If she's a Kamisato, she's part of the Yashiro Commission, right? Surely she is just doing her duty, and when she finds information about that man, she will give it to the Tenryou Guard..."

As he spoke, Tomo circled him until he was in front of him. It was evident upon seeing Kazuha's face again that his words had no effect on him to reassure him. In fact, it didn't seem like he was even listening.

"Unless you think she's looking at him for another reason," Tomo muttered, sounding almost like an accusation. "Do you think she is looking for you? Is that what worries you?"

"That's the last thing I care about right now!" Kazuha exclaimed again in the same way as before. "Ayaka doesn't know what Katsumoto has become. Surely she still remembers the honorable and kind samurai she knew as a child. But Katsumoto has lost his mind... I don't know what he could..." He stopped abruptly, bowing his head almost in shame. "This is my fault. If he does something to her... If he hurts her in any way... I swear I'm going to..."

There was an anger in his voice that Tomo couldn't remember hearing from him before. He noticed how the Kaedehara boy's left hand clung tightly to his sword until his fingers turned white for the effort. Tomo knew he was serious; he was capable of reaching the last instance if that girl was really in danger.

"Hey, hey, look at me," Tomo exclaimed severely, taking him firmly by the shoulder. Kazuha slowly looked up at him, still feeling quite disoriented, though. "It is right at this moment that we need the always calm and composed Kazuha, okay? Now breathe slowly and control yourself."

Kazuha was a bit reluctant, but he did exactly as Tomo instructed. He closed his eyes and began to breathe slowly and deeply, trying to calm his thoughts. Tomo was right about one thing: it wouldn't help anything if he got upset right now.

"Well, that's better," Tomo pointed out once he felt him more relaxed; to begin with, his hand no longer gripped his sword so tightly. "If you're worried about that girl's safety, you know what we have to do… right?"

Kazuha didn't reply. He kept his eyes fixed on the ground as if there was something exciting on it, although, in reality, he did not see anything in particular.

If he had to weigh Ayaka's safety against the well-being of Katsumoto and his current followers… The decision seemed pretty obvious.

"These men once served you," Tomo pointed out, "that man, Katsumoto, was your teacher. Maybe you got to know them better than you think because you trained and clashed swords with them. So, think. Where could they be? They must have a place near here that is their hideout. Can you think of where it could be? Some place they frequented or knew about eight years ago?"

"Eight years ago…?" Kazuha whispered slowly as if the words were foreign and unknown to him. But no sooner had he spoken them than an idea suddenly popped into his head, like an unbelievable and, at the same time, unpleasant revelation. "Yes… there is a place."

A part of Kazuha actually wished he was wrong… but he wasn't.

For her part, the closer they got to the place Ouji was leading them to, Ayaka came to the same conclusion that Kazuha was coming to. And she had the opportunity to confirm it quite soon, just when she saw herself in front of that overgrown and neglected grass, the fallen gate, the cracked wall... and the decayed and lonely air.

She stopped abruptly when the revelation became clear and physically palpable before her… leaving no room for doubt.

"Lady Ayaka?" Thoma asked worriedly, turning to her when he noticed she had stopped.

Ayaka stared in amazement at the entrance of that place she had visited so many times as a child... but hadn't seen again for at least eight years.

"This place… is…" she whispered slowly, finding it difficult to say aloud what was going through her head. "The Kaedehara Estate…"

Thoma turned back to the front, surprised. He hadn't realized where they were going at first, but he could immediately attest that Ayaka's deduction was accurate. That was the main entrance to the now abandoned and dilapidated estate that had once been the home of the Kaedehara clan. Like Ayaka, Thoma hadn't set foot in this place in many years. He wasn't even aware that the site was still standing… if that was the correct way to describe it.

And actually, the very exterior facade looked so deteriorated that it gave the impression that they weren't the only ones who hadn't stood there in a long time...

Ouji didn't seem to realize the place's impression on his two companions and continued on past until he crossed the high threshold of the entrance. The main yard had more overgrown grass, dry trees with bare branches, and scattered debris and stones.

As soon as the samurai limped into the yard, inquisitive eyes settled on him. His keen instincts noted the presence of at least three of them, and they also made their location clear as they moved toward him, stirring up the overgrown grass in the process. Ouji brought his hand to the hilt of his sword and held it there, waiting.

Three ronin emerged from the brush, surrounding the newcomer, equally ready to draw at the slightest provocation.

"Stop there!" one of them yelled at him fiercely.

Ouji recognized at least one of them, and that relaxed him a bit. Neither was actually in imminent danger.

"It's me, Ouji…" he murmured slowly, slowly moving his hands away from his sword to place them on each side of his head.

"Ouji?" murmured the ronin directly ahead, moving closer to get a better look at him. "Yes, it's you. Hadn't the Tenryou Commission caught you?"

"They released me… But they took my vision away."

"Yes, I heard about that. So bad…"

Everyone's attention was suddenly pulled by the presence of two other people entering through the main gate.

"Who comes with you?!" another of the ronin exclaimed, returning his steady hand to his sword; one of them didn't even wait any longer and took it entirely out of its sheath.

Ayaka cautiously moved toward them, her hands slightly raised so they wouldn't detect any overt hostile behavior on her part.

"We are not enemies," the young Kamisato murmured firmly. "We're just looking for Katsumoto. I would like to talk to him if possible."

The three ronin looked at each other, clearly confused.

"And who the hell are you?" exclaimed one of them, who had clearly recognized Ouji. He immediately turned to the wounded samurai and yelled at him with a protesting voice: "Why did you bring them here?!"

Ouji stammered, looked down, and put a hand to his head, holding it as if he needed to force himself to remember.

"Hey, the girl looks familiar," one of the ronin pointed out to his companions. The three of them fixed their gaze on Ayaka, and the more they looked at her, the more it seemed that her appearance was indeed familiar to them.

This put both Thoma and Ayaka on alert. It would be complicated to hide the real identity of the Heron Princess, especially if any of these men had been a swordsman in the service of the Kaedehara clan, just like Katsumoto. But the more they could avoid having that complication on the table, the better. Already the presence of two strangers clearly made them nervous; it would be unpredictable what madness could go through their heads if they knew that they had a Kamisato in front of them.

"Please tell Katsumoto that Ayaka wants to talk to him," the blue-haired girl added, not losing her shiver one bit.

The ronin hissed, appearing indifferent to the request.

"I don't know any Katsumoto," one of them suddenly muttered, and he was clearly lying. "But your clothes look fine, young lady, just like that sword. I bet they would give us good money for them…"

"You better not even think about it, my friend," Thoma snapped, moving quickly to stand in front of Ayaka. His hand was steady on his spear, ready to yank it forward and into action.

"We have a tough man here," one of the ronin joked, and quickly the two remaining to draw their weapons did so simultaneously, holding them in front of them. "They come to our lair without our consent, and they still threaten us."

"Please, this is not necessary," Ouji interjected, trying to remain calm. "They just want to talk to Katsumoto for a bit and then leave. I trust them..."

"I don't give a damn who you trust, idiot," the ronin who appeared to know him best from that group shouted angrily. "If they want to talk to someone, talk to me, better..."

Things were clearly heating up quickly, and as volatile as everything looked, there was no way for Thoma that was going to turn out well. Preparing for this imminent moment, he quickly took the spear from his back, pulled it forward, and held it firmly, pointing it right at the three ronin. They promptly went on guard, ready to respond to his clear attack stance.

Ayaka instinctively placed a hand on the hilt of her sword and waited. She was still a little reluctant to let the situation escalate to the point it was obviously heading. It was absolutely not her intention when she entered that site. But was there anything she could do with all her knowledge and training in diplomacy to calm these men down? They certainly didn't seem very open to dialogue...

"Stop," a thick, powerful voice was suddenly heard echoing in the courtyard, causing everyone, known and unknown, to jump in fear.

From inside the main building, they were standing in front of, heavy footsteps approaching the door. Little by little, the light of the moon and the stars illuminated the square and hard face of this tall and stocky man. And when his feet were planted firmly on the ground in the courtyard, Ayaka could see it more clearly. And despite practically spending the entire afternoon looking at his drawing on the poster, his appearance certainly baffled her anyway.

Yes, it was Katsumoto, the very man she was looking for, the one she remembered from her childhood memories… but at the same time, he was a complete stranger.

That old samurai advanced in her direction with a firm step. Ouji and the other three ronin stepped aside to make way for him. Ayaka took her hand off her sword and moved forward as well, circling Thoma until she was in front of him. The servant was about to say something to her, but Ayaka quickly turned to him and, with a wave of her hand, motioned for him to wait, which he did.

"Katsumoto," Ayaka murmured calmly, turning to the huge man standing before her. "Do you remember me?"

The samurai looked back at her, his face covered in stoicism. At first, it was difficult, or rather impossible, to know if he remembered her or not, or if her presence caused him annoyance or perhaps some kind of joy. He only observed her for a while in silence until at last, from his thick lips, he was heard to pronounce:

"You shouldn't have come here... Lady Kamisato."

The name rumbled loudly through the air, and the other three ronin seemed almost startled at its sound.

"Did he say Kamisato?" one of them murmured, alarmed. And when the three of them looked more closely at the stranger, none of them doubted that she was precisely the famous Heron Princess.

Ayaka sighed slowly. She wasn't worried at the moment that her identity would be discovered so quickly; she'd deal with that in due time. She needed to take care of what she had come to do first, and Katsumoto actually remembering her would make everything a little easier.

"I need to talk to you," the young Kamisato informed firmly, not looking down one bit. "Please."

Katsumoto again watched her in silence, again not showing his feelings with that request.

Author's Notes:

Someone pointed out that in the notes to Chapter 11, I said I was coming back on May 29, but it was actually March 29. I'm really sorry for the confusion. But as you can see, I'm back with more chapters.

It's nice to announce that, concerning the flashbacks, we only have one more left to see, and I don't think it's a spoiler to say that it will be from the moment everything fell apart. I don't know if we will see some more in the future, maybe from Ayaka or Kazuha separately in these eight years. But, for now, we will focus more on the present.

And speaking about the present, if Kazuha's concern for Ayaka's well-being jumps out at anyone, let's just remember that he doesn't know (yet) that Ayaka has a vision or how skilled she's gotten in the last eight years in the use of the sword. But well, even if it were like that, I think there would still be some concern on his part since it is in his nature to protect those he loves.

As I said before, these chapters will be important because I think you already know what is to come. And if not, stay tuned that the next chapter will not take long.