Chapter 1: Origin to Heir

Ezo

I woke up to the color of gray and white, a wind swirling small white wisps above me. I reach out to it with my hand. The small specks land and they turn quickly to droplets. What is this? Where is this? And…What am I?

I sat up, the scenery coming into view. I was somewhere high, the sight below showing me fields of green and a concentrated blob of brown and gold, and some clouds of black. Turning my head, the sight of brown appears again but with some green attached to it. But all around me I see white.

I reach for the white with my hand. It quickly sinks into it but the white was soft but still turned to droplets when I pulled it back up.

"That..felt nice.."

I did it again. And again. I turned it into a ball. I tossed it back into the white and it blended back in. I made another ball. But curiously got the better of me, I took a bite. It turned into droplets, no, maybe a giant one, and I drank it. Whatever it was, I felt better.

Reaching for another bit of the soft white, I saw something fall across my eyes. "This is…hair..? Mine?" It was also white. Though it was soft, it was different to the white surrounding me.

"Why are they so different?" Having had enough, I stood up and decided to investigate the brown with green. I walked to them, the ground was less white and more of a different brown. The brown that I saw before was tall. "This is..a tree. I think it is." I touch the rough exterior of it. It's so different from the white on the ground.

"Yuki…"

Yuki? I look at my hand and flex it open and closed.

"Hmm.."

I stared at the white ground. Yuki. Snow. That's what it's called. But if the snow is white, and my hair is white… "Am I Yuki too..?"

"Hey! Girl!"

A voice? I turned to the sound. A person was waving at me, holding a lantern in his hand, and heading my way. I didn't feel scared. Or worried. But curious. I slowly walked to them.

"What the hell are you doing out here like this? Come with me, you need to get inside and warm up!"

"..Warm up?"

"Yes! It's freezing out here!" This person took my hand and led me to a brown thing. No. Wait. A house. And this person was…

"Here. Sit right here."

I sat down as instructed. Not long after a cloth was wrapped around me. It was a sort of blue color. But now it was turning a bit orange. Looking up, I saw a red color. No. Fire. It was a warm fire.

"Do you feel okay?" The person came up to me and handed me a cup. I looked down at it. Was this..Tea? I took a sip before looking up at them and nodded my head.

"What were you doing out there like that?"

"I…Woke up there…"

His eyes widened. "W-Woke up?"

"Yes..in..the snow."

"You must be freezing!"

"No. It felt..comfy."

Umeo looked a bit surprised. "Huh? You're a strange girl…"

"Girl?"

"Yes? That is your gender isn't it?"

"…Yes. You are right. Then you..?"

They crossed their arms. "A man. My name is…"

I tilted my head, his name sounded muffled. "..Can you..repeat that?"

"Umeo Shinomi."

"Umeo…Shinomi…"

"Do you have a name?"

"Hm…I…don't know."

"You don't know?"

I thought for a second, something was telling me a name, but is that my real name? "Yuki…Onna.."

"Yuki Onna? That's strange. I mean…It kind of fits you..What if I gave you a new name?"

"A new name?"

He smiled at me. "Yes, something that suits you." He crossed his arms and sat there looking at me. He tilted his head, his eyes looking at me up and down. "Then again…Maybe Yuki really does fit you..."

Standing up he came up to me and bent over. His eyes were pink. His hair is a sort of reddish pinkish brown fashioned back into a ponytail. He looked into my eyes until he lifted his hands and moved my hair apart.

"That's interesting…You have small horns."

"I do?"

He then looked at my ears. "Yeah. Your ears are pointed to. Are you not human?"

"Human…?"

"Hm. You don't look like you could hurt anyone." His face returned to look at mine. "You remember nothing of being in the snow right?"

"I remember nothing but waking up.."

He then smiled. "I think I have no choice but to take care of you."

"Take care of..me?"

He nodded his head. "What do you think about becoming my wife?" He smiled.

"Wife?"

"I'm kidding."

"Can you explain to me?"

He sat back down across from me. "Do you know what marriage is?"

"No."

"Ah, you really don't know anything. Well, marriage is a unification of two people who love each other."

"Love each other?"

"Yes. And then they become husband and wife. They take care of each other, support one another, love one another. Most even have children."

"They..become a family?"

"Yes! That's right! Maybe you do know something. Maybe you died and came back to life if you knew that much!"

My eyes widened. Memories came rushing back to me. Blood everywhere. My body was hurting. I couldn't move my body myself but it was being dragged away. Far away. In the middle of the night.

My body was shaking and Uemo came up to me. "Yuki? Are you okay?"

He gently placed his hands on my shoulder. I snapped out of it. "..huh?"

"What's wrong, Yuki? You were shaking. Did you remember something?"

"I…don't want to remember…but maybe I did die.."

Umeo's eyes widened. He then looked down and held my hands. "No worries. Maybe you were given a second chance.."

"But why would I die?"

"I don't…have an answer for that. But maybe..We were meant to find each other."

"Umeo…Can I be your wife?"

He looked back at me. "H-huh? You're taking that seriously?"

"I have no other place to go. And I remember nothing of the world.."

"Yuki…" He held my hands a bit tighter. "I will do everything to teach you and protect you. If this is what you want, I will accept."

"Umeo..I want to be your wife.."

"Then…I will be your husband. You are now Yuki Shinomi."

I smiled at him. "I feel…Happy."

He smiled back. "So am I." And then he leaned closer, our lips met together. It felt warm. Loving. This was a kiss. I don't remember kissing before but it felt right. And being with Umeo felt right.

Time had passed and it was almost the end of winter. My hair had grown longer, it turned a dark red, I found out my eyes are blue, my horns grew and now I have four of them. I wore a blue kimono that Umeo bought me. Some snow was still on the ground outside, so I decided to gather some into a pile in one place. It was half way up my calf. But there was something weird about it.

"Hm..Something is…missing." I patted the top of the pile. And then I looked at my hand. My palm. My fingers. I looked around and found a sharp branch. I don't know what I'm doing, but something in my head is telling me to do this.

I cut one of my fingers open enough for some blood to drip out. I let it fall onto the snow pile. "It's soaking into it…"

There is a slight glow from it. I close my eyes as a strong wind appears to face me. I can feel specks of snow hit my face. But the next second it's gone, the only thing I feel is a tug on my Kimono from the ground.

I opened my eyes and looked down. They widened to find a small being. It was looking up at me and holding onto my Kimono still. "You…what..did I?" I blinked and then picked up the small being into my arms.

It looked at me and smiled. It looked happy to be near me. It touched my face with its small hands curiously. My eyes widened at the realization. "A child? …Did I make a child?"

Quickly, I ran to find Umeo with the child. "Dear! Look!"

Umeo brought his axe down on a piece of firewood before turning to look at me. "What's wrong, Yuki?"

"I made a child!"

"Wait..what? Don't you mean you found a child?"

I shook my head. "No! No! Look!" I handed him the child. Umeo took it and looked at it. The child had dark red hair and blue eyes.

"They..look like you. How did you..?"

I looked at him excitedly. "I don't know why exactly but it was like nature was telling me to make a pile of snow and give it some of my blood."

"Blood!?"

"Yes! Look!" I showed him the finger I cut on but it was all healed. "Huh..? It healed?"

Umeo blinked. "It shouldn't heal that fast…" He looked at the child. "We should bring her inside."

"She? It's a girl?"

"Yes, she is. Now let's get inside and you can explain."

Umeo leads the way back inside carrying the small child. I picked up another sharp stick from the ground and looked at it. As Umeo placed the child in a blanket across from the fire a safe distance away, I took the stick and cut my finger again.

Wiping the blood away, I saw the cut heal instantly. "Oh! Dear! It healed right away!"

"Ah! Don't go doing that out of curiosity, Yuki!" Umeo yelled at me. "You are more difficult than the child here."

"Are they…what was it again? A baby..?"

"No. They look like they might be two." Umeo got up. "Watch her, don't let her get near the fire, I'll see if I can fashion her a Kimono to wear."

I sat down and had the girl sit on my lap. I looked down at her as she looked up. She was all smiles and reaching up to me. I smiled back at her. "You are very small.."

Umeo came back with some fabric, needle, and thread. He started to sew something together. "So you just felt the need to do that? The pile of snow I mean."

"Yes. It was as if the land told me I had this ability." I gave the child one of my fingers to play with. "As if telling me, you can have a family.."

"I suppose a family can be more than just a husband and wife." He finished sewing and picked up the girl from my lap. He helped her put on the small kimono. "There. That should make her more comfortable."

The girl blinked before laughing and tugging at her new clothes. "We should name her." Umeo said. "Any ideas Yuki?"

"Hmm…" I sat there thinking, looking into the fire. "A name..for our little girl…"

"O-Our.." Umeo was stunned, but I had no idea why.

"Chiaki…"

"Chiaki? Hm. Her hair is red isn't it…I like it." He looked down at their little girl. "Chiaki-chan? Doesn't that sound nice? Mama gave you a nice name." He smiled. I smiled. And the laughter of our daughter filled the room.

"Are you sure you are okay going into town with Chiaki?" Umeo asked me as he tightened the fabric around me to secure our child.

"I can get food on my own. And Chiaki falls asleep when I carry her like this. We'll be fine." I pat her on the head as she's close to my chest. On my back was a basket to carry our food home.

"Okay. Just be careful, Yuki." Umeo kissed both of us goodbye and we went on our way into the nearby town.

As always, it was busy and full of people coming and going. Children playing and laughing. Maybe one day Chiaki will join them.

"Yuki-san! Come back for some supplies?" A woman called out to me.

"Michiko-san. I'm just here to buy food for the family."

"Ah, I see. And this little one?"

"My daughter, Chiaki."

"Ah! She's adorable. She must be three now, no?"

"Yes but she still loves being carried around like this still."

"Ah, I'm sure she will grow out of it. Now, what did you need?"

As I waited for the items I needed, I felt a presence. I didn't know where it was coming from. I took a look around for a bit. But nothing had caught my attention until I was pulled into a nearby alley.

My eyes widened as I held my daughter protectively by the sudden pull. I looked up and saw a man in a black kimono, sword at his side. Black hair in a long ponytail and red eyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" He said.

"H-huh?"

"Don't you know how to cover your ears in public?"

I reached up to them confused. "My ears..?"

"And bringing a child into the public…Are you nuts?"

"Wait..I..Don't…Who are you?" I slowly start to back away.

"Stop moving away from me. You should know the rules."

"R-Rules?"

"Yes. If a demon must go out in public, they must hide their ears."

"Demon…?"

The man blinked at her. "Yes. Demon."

"I..don't know what that is."

The man looked at her skeptically. " What? "

"I don't know what a demon is."

"…Seriously? Were you orphaned or something?"

"No..I was killed and brought back to life by this land."

Now he was the one that looked confused. "What..?"

"Yuki-san! Your items are ready!" Michiko yelled for me, figuring I visited another shop nearby.

"I'll be right there!" I turned around and headed back there. The man slowly followed me and stayed behind the corner. He saw how heavy my basket must have been and came over.

"Let me carry that for you." He said.

"H-huh? You want to..?" Yuki asked.

"You're carrying a child and that thing is heavy. Just let me."

Michiko and I looked at each other for a second at the stranger. "Okay. Then just follow me." I started to lead the way as he put on the basket and followed me back to my home.

Most of the trip was quiet, save for the time Chiaki woke up and started babbling nonsense at me. "Mama. Sky blue."

"Yes, sweetie. The sky is blue. What about the clouds?"

"White!"

"Yes. Good job."

The man continued to walk behind me until we arrived at my home. Umeo saw us and came out of the house. "Who is this?"

The man put down the basket and straightened up. "Chinami Kazama."

"Thank you for helping my wife." Umeo bowed. I bowed slightly to him as well.

"Wife? You married a human?" Chinami looked at me. "And had a child together?"

"No. I made my daughter." I said.

"M-Made?"

"Yes. I could show you."

Umeo looked at me a bit uncomfortably. "Yuki. I don't think we are ready for another child."

"Oh. But then I can't show him what I mean."

Chinami looked confused. "First you say you don't know what a demon is and now you say you made your daughter."

"Demon?" Umeo said.

"Tell me." Chinami crossed his arms. "Does she have white hair, golden eyes, and horns?"

"She has white hair and horns, but Yuki's eyes are blue."

"Blue?" He turned to me. "Show me."

"I..okay…" I close my eyes. I concentrate on coursing energy through my body. My hair turns white, four horns appear on my head, and when I open my eyes, I'm sure they are still blue.

"Oh?" Chinami looks at me, walks around me. "You are different from other demons…" He stops in front of me. "And..you claim to have died and been reborn?"

I nod my head. "I think I was human before I was killed. Then I woke up in the snow before Umeo found me and cared for me."

Chinami crossed his arms. "You are not one of us and yet you clearly look like one." He sighed. "No matter. I will just have to teach you our ways. And you.." He turned to Umeo. "Do not have children together with her. You will taint her pure blood with a normal human. Understand?"

"I-I don't understand.." Umeo said. "What do you mean?"

"Humans and Demons are forbidden from mating. Even if our kind are compatible, you must not have one if you want to continue this marriage."

"Oh.." Umeo blinked a couple of times at him. "Kazama-san, can I ask..How is Yuki able to make beings from just snow and her blood?"

"Is that how you did it?" I nodded. "Hmm…Then you must have powers over snow and ice…You can bring it to life. Some sort of gift for being reborn. You can start a whole clan."

Chinami then looked around us. "If you plan on doing so, make your village a bit further into the forest."

"W-Wait, won't they all just be babies?" I asked.

"You make beings out of snow." Chinami said. "You can probably make them as old as you want." He then sighed. "You will be the protector as its leader."

"M-me?" I stammered out.

"Yes. Do not worry. I will teach you everything I know."

"Okay…I will..be the leader.."

"What's your family name?" Chinami looked at Umeo.

"Shinomi."

"Then Ezo shall be home to the Shinomi Clan." He nodded his head. "I only came here for some rare delicacy but I found a whole new Demon clan instead. That will be fun to tell everyone back home."

"Where did you come from?" Umeo asked

"From Kyoto."

"Eh!? That far!? Why!?"

"Like I said, there were rumors of a rare delicacy here." He gave a small smile. "Humans can sometimes make good food. And it lets me travel a little bit."

"Well, then, you are welcome to stay here, if you like?" Umeo suggested.

Chinami just shook his head. "I already have a room at an inn in the village. Would be a waste of money if I didn't use it."

Chinami then turned back to the path that leads to the village. "Tomorrow we start, Yuki. I will teach you absolutely everything, including how to wield a sword."

I nodded my head. Then Umeo and I watched as Chinami made his way back to the village. It was a strange turn of events but I never expected what's to come next.

We had moved deeper into the forest. I was taught many things by Chinami, he'd visit us frequently. And when he left the last time, he gifted me a sword that was named Yuki Onna, my original name. But that was all that happened in five years. Chiaki is almost seven. There's now more houses built. I created many more demons of ages and size. We taught them many things and we helped each other out. Some of them married each other. Some of them resemble me a little. Others resemble Chinami due to him giving me a small vial of his blood for some diversity as he put it.

There were children Chiaki could finally play with, apart from the children in the nearby village when we go there from time to time to trade or buy food. We've learned how to look as human as possible. But for the young it can be very difficult, so they rarely go, if at all, until they learn or are older.

Everything was peaceful. Until our home was on fire. There was a group of men that claimed to be from the nearby village. Michiko had come to warn us but before she did, she was struck down by one of the men. One of them, the leader, walked up to us.

"Monster! You are a monster!" A man shouted. Umeo was protecting me and Chiaki. Behind us were scared clan members. A few were ready to take up arms.

"Monster!? What the hell are you talking about!" Umeo yelled back.

"This woman died six years ago! She should be dead! And she's here alive! Explain that!"

"How do you know she died?"

"Why?" He grinned. "Because I killed her myself. Now move or you'll die too."

"No."

"Dear!" I yelled.

"Kaze! Take them away!" Umeo said.

Kaze, a tall man with brown hair, had his hand on my shoulder and tried to guide Chiaki and I back. "No! Kaze! Wait!"

But he didn't listen. We got further and further away from Umeo. I couldn't look away. I tried to escape Kaze's grip but things turned red. Umeo fell to the ground. His blood was pouring into the ground. I could hear the men laughing. And it was the only thing I heard.

"Kaze…Look after Chiaki…" My eyes only looked at the men. My hair turned white, my horns appeared on my head, my ears were pointed. My hand was on the hilt of my sword.

"Yuki-sama, you don't mean.."

"I am protecting my clan…and they hurt people I care about. Take care of her."

Kaze picked up Chiaki and made sure she couldn't see what was about to happen.

"Mama!"

I sped in the direction of the men as a storm rolled in. The one that struck my husband was cut in half. The next moment I moved to the one that killed Michiko. They tried to draw their sword but I cut their arm before they could. The rest of the group tried to run and reach me, my hand swung to face them, and large icicles appeared from the ground, piercing each of them, killing them.

I must have looked terrifying. A demon, with piercing blue eyes in the dark. A sharp blade at her side. A sea of blood at her feet, snow falling to the ground, covering the dead bodies of Michiko and Umeo. I screamed my lungs out.

What I didn't expect in the distance was a figure I recognized.

Chinami.

"What…the hell happened…?"

"..."

"Yuki! What happened!"

"Umeo…is dead…Michiko…Is dead…I had to. Chinami…I had to." I looked up at him with my glowing blue eyes. "They would go after my family. What choice did I have!"

Chinami just looked at the carnage I made. He spotted both Michiko and Umeo before looking back at me. "Yuki. Give them life again."

"..What..?"

"Use your blood to bring those two back."

"But-"

"Damn it! Just do it! Before it's too late! That is the power you were given! Do it!" He yelled.

My eyes widened. I ran over to Michiko, cut my finger and poured droplets of blood on her snow covered body. Then I ran over to Umeo quickly and did the same. That glow I remember from Chiaki's creation appeared over them. The wind this time was stronger than ever before. When I opened my eyes I saw Umeo. His hair had turned white. He opened his eyes, and I saw they were blue. "Dear…?" I said.

Umeo slowly sat up and shook his head. His hair returned to the normal reddish pinkish brown I know, his eyes back to pink, he looked like he always did. "Yuki.." He quickly felt his chest where he was struck down. His clothing was torn there but the wound was gone. "What..Happened?"

I looked over to Michiko. Chinami was helping her sit up. She looked normal as well, her black hair and blueish purple eyes returned from the white and blue they were a second ago. Looking back at Umeo, my eyes watered. I cried. I hugged him. He was confused but he hugged back.

"You're back! You are alive! I brought you back!" I kept crying into his shoulder. He didn't speak. He just hugged me and made sure I could feel his warmth. Chinami and Michiko came over to us. Michiko hugged both of us as well in silence.

"This is what humans do…Do you understand now not to get too close to them? Are you still going through with your idea?" Chinami said.

I just looked up at him. "Chinami…Not all of them are bad. Umeo…Michiko…And even myself, were all human. I still want to be their protector along with my clan."

Chinami sighed. "I cannot agree with your choice. But if you really want a treaty with the people of Ezo, I cannot stop you." He looked at the people of my clan. "You have double the responsibility. I just hope you are ready for it."

"I am." I stand up. "I..No..We will be Ezo's protectors. The Shinomi Clan shall look over not only themselves but of everyone living here. If anyone tries to break that, they shall be punished."

Chinami smirked. "You sound like a leader alright. Let's see how this goes in the coming years."

1850

I had long died. But the Shinomi Clan continues to protect those of Ezo. But one of my descendants has taken it upon himself to become the protector of Demons himself. Yutaka Shinomi, the current head of the Shinomi clan, thought with his job working under the Tokugawa Shogun, that he would keep track of Demon Clans privately. Humans have been getting greedy, at least those in power looking to abuse us and our strength.

My only goal now is to watch over the leaders and their heirs. And this young leader had brought his daughter with him to Edo. Haruka Shinomi, the 12 year old heiress to the Clan. Her hair and eyes, and by extension her fathers, were pinkish brown for their hair, and pink for their eyes. Seems Umeo's blood still runs strong. Though she had two beauty marks on her face. One under her left eye and one under her lip on the left as well.

The young girl had her hair tied up high in the back with bangs in the front. She wore a light purple Yukata with a dark blue hakama. A white sword was at her side, attached to her hip by a green sash. Yutaka was wearing a gray kimono with black Hakama. I wish he would wear something more colorful.

They were walking towards a Dojo they were looking into. Shiei Hall. At least…they were supposed to.

"Oto-san? Are we there yet?" Haruka asked.

"Hmm? Shouldn't be much longer." Yutaka said.

Haruka just stared at her father as she walked behind him. She's gotten used to her father being directionless most of the time. But this was an important thing they were doing. Looking for a Dojo for her younger brother Minato. "We're lost aren't we?"

Yutaka looked a bit nervous. "Now why would you say that?"

"I'm sure it's past the time we were supposed to meet Kondo-dono."

Yutaka nodded. "Yes…Well…" At that point, He noticed a peddler heading their way. "Excuse me, young man."

The man stopped and looked up at Yutaka. He had long black hair in a ponytail with purple eyes. Haruka looked at him from behind her father. There was something about him that was interesting to her.

"What is it?" He said.

"Do you know where Shiei Hall is from here?"

He turned to the direction he came from. "If you continue this way and then take a right you can't miss it."

"See Haruka, we weren't that far off."

Haruka looked at her father, deadpanned. "Oto-san…"

The peddler looked at Haruka and noticed her sword. "Are you going there to join the Dojo?"

Haruka crossed her arms. "No. I have a Master. It's for my younger brother."

"How old are you?"

"12."

"Hm. It's surprising to see a girl with a sword."

Yutaka chuckled. "She takes after me."

The man turned back to Yutaka. "Would you be interested in some medicine?"

"Medicine? Is that what you're selling?"

He nodded. "Ishida Medicinal Powder. It heals just about anything."

Haruka looked at the man, making a face at him that said she didn't believe him. "Oto-san. We don't have time for this. We are already late."

"Ah, right. Maybe if we meet again, we must go." The peddler nodded and went on his way as Haruka and her father left for Shiei Hall. The next few years however will change drastically for both humans and demons.

Feburary 1863

Haruka was walking to Edo Castle, Feburary of 1863. For some reason, she was called upon to return from her normal work. "Let's see what they want..Probably sending me far away again." In those years, both her brother and father had died. At 15, she took over her father's role working for the Shogun to keep relations in check. Now she was 24, with two swords at her side, Yuki Onna and Kogorasu Maru, a tealish Kimono with blue floral pattern, light blue hadajuban underneath, gray hakama, and a brown sash holding her swords. At the ends of the sleeves of her Kimono was the Snowflake Family Crest of the Shinomi Clan.

However, she wasn't alone. Next to her at her feet was a white shiba Inu with orange accents on his feet and ears named Shimu. They have been traveling together for at least two years at this point and have been excellent as a companion. Haruka opened the door to the castle and saw three people waiting just inside as she and Shimu walked in.

"Hitomi-san. What was I summoned for?" Haruka said as she walked up to the small group.

"Ah, Shinomi-san. Good. You are here. I can start explaining some things now." Hitomi looked over at the other two men. "These two are Hachiro Iba and Kotaro Motoyama. They've just begun working for the Shogun."

Haruka looked at them and seemed a bit nervous. "Welcome..I suppose.."

Motoyama blinked. "Ah..Thank you?"

Iba just smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you, Shinomi-san."

"And to you two," Hitomi started, "This is Haruka Shinomi. She's been working for the Shogun for about 10 years now."

"T-Ten years!?" Motoyama was shocked.

"I see. You must be very experienced then." Iba said.

Haruka turned to Hitomi. "What is all this?"

Hitomi crossed his arms. "There's a new group to be formed next year. The Okuzume Squad. It will basically serve as bodyguards of the Shogun and other officials."

"And I was called because?"

"You will train these two in everything you know."

Haruka looked at him bewildered. "Excuse me..? Train? Explain this."

"Your position is being changed to an Okuzume. You can use that title before that as well if you like. But these two men are exceptional at swordsmanship, however, they need guidance at everything else."

Haruka looked away in disbelief. "This is really happening isn't it…"

Hitomi put an arm around her shoulder. "Look at it this way, you won't be traveling alone anymore!" Shimu barked at him. "Okay, as alone anymore."

Haruka just elbowed him in the stomach to get him off her. "I like traveling alone, I'll have you know."

Hitomi recovered quickly and laughed. "You need to be friendlier. Or do you really like the title of the Shogun's demon that much?" Haruka just shot him a look.

"You are the Shogun's Demon?" Iba asked.

"Unfortunately, that's what stuck." She looked at both Iba and Motoyama. "If you two are going to follow me, don't annoy me. And listen to my orders."

"Y-Yes, Ma'am!" Motoyama said quickly. Iba just nodded his head.

Haruka glanced back at Hitomi. "Where am I going now?"

"Tosa. Check in with Yamauchi. Oh, and if you find any members of the Tosa Kinno-To, arrest them."

"Right. Another long journey…"

"Isn't that a month away?" Iba asked.

Haruka nodded her head. "I suggest we quickly find supplies for the trip. We may also not find places to rest at night on the way there." She then started to walk away with Shimu to leave the castle. "When you two are done, meet me at the port!" She yelled back at them.

Hitomi put a hand on his hip. "Better hurry, she doesn't like waiting that long." Iba and Motoyama looked at each other and headed on their way to get supplies.

Haruka, however, went to her estate first. "Not a second's rest as always." At the front of the estate was a young man, sweeping the ground, with dark skin, purple hair and blue eyes, wearing a purple floral patterned kimono.

"Haruka-nee! You're back!" He smiled at her.

"Shota. How are you?" Shimu ran up to Shota and ran circles around him, his tail wagging happily.

"I'm fine. Is it a short visit today?"

"Yes. I'm heading to Tosa…"

"But?"

"Seems I have company this time."

"Company?" A woman's voice said. They looked at the door of the estate to find a woman, in a yellow patterned Kimono, long dark blueish black hair in a high ponytail, blueish purple eyes, and a gun attached to her side.

"I'm apparently supposed to help train two people for a new group, Miko." Haruka sighed. "Honestly, Hitomi-san could handle it himself…"

Miko walked over to them. "Well, you at least will have some human interaction now. Maybe it will lighten up that cold air you have about you?"

"Not you too…"

"Either way, just play nice with them. I'm sure they will be fine under your care, Haruka-sama."

Haruka just nodded her head reluctantly. They entered the estate for a few minutes, talking as they prepared things for Haruka's departure. When things were done she made her way to the port, Shimu leading the way for her.

When she arrived, she and Shimu just watched ships load and unload. Ships sailing off and docking. "Shinomi-san." Haruka turned around to see Iba and Motoyama.

"Good. Let's get going." Haruka said as she headed in a direction.

"W-Wait! Are we not taking a ship?" Motoyama asked as he and Iba tan to catch up with her.

"Taking a ship or walking will equal a month either way. I'd rather walk through forest and scenery than be stuck in the water where you are vulnerable."

"Is this what you usually do?" Iba walked alongside her.

She just took a glance at him before looking back at the road ahead. "I'll only take a ship if I go home or if I need to go somewhere not already attached to this land."

Motoyama walked on her other side. "You're not from Edo?"

"I'm from Ezo. My family has an estate in Edo due to working for the Shogun for over 200 years."

"Ha!? Your family has been working that long?"

Iba looked surprised. "You're more open about this than I thought.."

Haruka didn't look at either of them. "You'll find out at some point by someone, be it Hitomi-san himself or some other official."

"I see.."

Haruka looked back at Motoyama. "I know Iba is from the Iba Dojo. What about you?"

"Ah..Well.." Motoyama seemed nervous. "I'm just a friend of Iba's. I'm not that great of a swordsman so I'm really just here to offer support…"

"Motoyama…You're a great swordsman. You're also good at keeping track of just about everything." Iba said.

"That's coming from a genius who picked up sword training at 11.."

Haruka looked at Iba. "You didn't start when you were younger?"

"I was a weak, sickly child back then. But…One day, I found a reason to pick up the sword. I just happened to pick it up fast."

"Do I get to know your reason?"

Iba looked a bit surprised at her asking that of him. He looked away for a while in silence deciding his choice. "I wonder…if it's really worthy of a reason.."

Motoyama looked over at Iba. "Whatever reason it is, you never gave up on it."

"I..may have made a promise when I was a child to protect someone. Though…I haven't seen her in years.."

"Ooh. Iba does it for love does he?" Motoyama smirked.

"Motoyama, please don't tease.." Iba looked over at him but Motoyama just grinned wider.

But the both of them turned their heads to Haruka who gave a short laugh. "It's a worthy reason to pick up a sword. I'm sure the time will come where you'll see her again."

Haruka then walked just a bit faster towards their destination in a better mood than before. The other two stopped in their tracks, they just got her to lower her guard a little bit. They made her laugh. Quickly, after realizing what they did, they ran after her to catch up once again.

"Haruka-san! Come to check on me again?"

Haruka, Iba, and Motoyama, found themselves in front of Yamauchi, the Daimyo of Tosa. Haruka sat further in front of Iba and Motoyama as Yamauchi sat across from her. Shimu was sitting beside her.

"Yes…Just to see how you are dealing with the Kinno-To." Haruka said.

"Ahh…So you have heard about what happened to Yashida-san."

"Yes, I have. It is a shame he died."

Yamauchi looked at her. "But I hear you have no problems with the Kinno-To. Is this true?"

Haruka merely blinked. "My only stance is I understand where they are coming from. Punishing them for their ancestors isn't right. Otherwise, I'm fine with opening up our world a bit more. But maybe that's why I'm not a Daimyo."

Yamauchi grinned. "You might be right. But then order would only be in chaos wouldn't it?"

"So you say. Though, Ezo takes care of everyone for hundreds of years, so, I may be an outlier."

"In anycase, so far, they have been quiet. I'm sure they're planning another assassination." He then tilted his head a bit at Haruka. "Could I call upon your services to end them all?"

Haruka just gave a small smile. "I am pleased you would like that from me but I'm afraid I do have places to be. I can't stay here long term and I have to return these two to Edo as well."

"Are they officials you are protecting? Or did you finally gain some pages?"

"I'm just training them. Seems my position is growing and one woman isn't enough."

Yamauchi laughed. "But you're the best they've ever had. Though, you do travel everywhere by foot. Suppose more are necessary. But that would mean I would see less of your beauty."

Motoyama and Iba looked at each other. Was he actively flirting with her? How is he not dead for acting that way with her? How is she even putting up with them! She looks so calm but Iba noticed she was gripping her Hakama the more he spoke.

Time flowed on and it was finally time for them to depart the castle. Haruka was given a package as a farewell gift. When the three of them were far from sight, she gave the gift to Motoyama. "Here. I don't want whatever it is."

"Huh? Wait, I can have it?" Motoyama felt it was warm. "It might be food."

Haruka just walked away slowly so that they could catch up with her. "I never eat it. Share it with Iba."

Motoyama unwrapped it and it was rice balls. "Oh! It's fresh rice balls! Are you really sure, Shinomi-san?"

"Yes, yes. Just eat them."

Iba smiled and grabbed one along with Motoyama. "Thank you, Shinomi-san." They both took a few bites. "Ah, it has pickled plums in it!" Motoyama said.

Haruka just stopped in her tracks before turning back to look at them. Her eyes were devoid of feelings. But on her face was a scary smile. "That's why I don't ever eat it."

Iba raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"They're always rice balls. Always with pickled plums." Haruka gave a short laugh. "I'm allergic to them and he knows it."

Motoyama choked on his bit of food and coughed. "Allergic!? Why would he do that!?"

Haruka's smile dropped and she just shrugged. "To get me off his back. Or make me stay in Tosa longer so he can take care of me. Not the first time someone's tried that one. But he might be the first to almost make it work the first time I met him."

That scary smile returned though. "So, what have we learned?"

Iba and Motoyama were disturbed. People actually tried to kill her this way. And more than once over the course of 10 years. They both swallowed the spit in their mouth before Iba spoke. "Be cautious of officials and those around them…They could know your weaknesses and you'd never know until it's too late."

Haruka clapped her hands. "Good. Iba-kun gets it. Motoyama-kun be more aware."

"Y-Yes…Shinomi-san…" Motoyama looked back down at the rice ball in his hand and then back at her. "Is…this safe to keep eating or…?"

Haruka blinked before she started laughing. "Unless you're also allergic to pickled plums, go ahead. Nothing else is wrong with them. They really only expected me, not you two." The two men looked at each other, and it seemed they brought down her walls down another peg.

Haruka then took a look around. "Ah, why don't you two sit over by that shop. I have a little thing to check up on. It won't be long. Order some tea as well, it'll be on me." She then turned and went off on her way.

When she was out of sight, Iba started to follow the direction she went in. "I-Iba! Where are you going?" Motoyama said as he followed him.

"Aren't you a bit curious?"

"Curious!? She'll kill us if she finds out we followed her! She warned us in Edo to obey her orders!"

Iba had a serious look on his face. "I know…But I just have this feeling…Come on!" He dashed to the street Haruka just turned the corner on. "H-Hey, Iba!" Motoyama followed him. As they followed her, they were led to the outskirts, where a mansion stood abandoned. The two stayed outside for a bit as Haruka and Shimu went inside.

Haruka opened the door and let herself and Shimu inside. She walked around the place a bit. It was dusty and had an odd smell. Only in the past year had the incident happened that it became abandoned. Though she knew only one survivor remained. But in that year, it seemed like no one had returned at all.

"Still on the run are we, kid?" She stepped carefully on the floor to not disturb more dust than she needed too. Shimu followed her footsteps behind her. "You've become untraceable. Good job on that. But you didn't need to go that far. You could have come to me at any time and yet…You chose this.."

Then she heard a creak in the other room. "Damn it…!" She quickly ran back to the other room. She reached her arm out and there was a sound of metal into flesh. A searing pain and blood dripping onto the floor. A trap was activated and she blocked it from hitting the person her arm was blocking.

"Shinomi-san..!" Iba had his eyes wide, his mouth opened. Haruka just stared at him, and Motoyama behind him, as he stepped into view. She took out the knife that was in her arm. Motoyama was surprised she just took it out. "Wait, let me see that." He said.

"I'm fine." Haruka replied.

"Let me see!" Motoyama repeated.

"I said I'm fine."

"Stop being stubborn!" Motoyama forced himself between Iba and Haruka. He took Haruka's arm and pulled her sleeve up to look at the wound. But to both him and Iba's surprise, the wound was sealing itself up. "What…" He muttered before looking at Haruka who had a look between anger and disappointment. She pulled her arm back away from them.

Her glare at them was cold as she walked past them. She just headed back to the inn they were staring at. Iba and Motoyama followed behind her a distance away in silence. She had Iba and Motoyama wait in their room while she changed into a blue Kimono. Then she found a worker and asked her to launder and sew it back into good condition. Finally she entered their room, slid the door close, and sat against the wall, Shimu crawled into her lap, her eyes closed when she spoke. "Go ahead."

Iba and Motoyama looked at each other. "What..happened exactly..? To the wound?" Motoyama asked.

"I'm a fast healer."

"No way! That's way too fast!" Motoyama looked frustrated. "It just closed up in front of us! Right, Iba?"

Iba was deep in thought before looking at Haruka. "Shinomi-san? Do you..happen to know a girl from the Yukimura family?"

Haruka opened her eyes and looked at him. "Yukimura, you say?"

Iba nodded. "That..girl I said I wanted to protect. As a child, I saw her heal incredibly fast…Do you know each other? Are you related?"

Motoyama's eyes widened. "Wait, you've seen this before?" Iba just nodded his head.

"Just so we are clear, are you referring to Chizuru Yukimura?" Iba nodded once again and Haruka sighed. "Okay. Fine. Let's drop formalities then. Hachiro, Kotaro. What I am about to tell you is a secret, okay? Only the higher ups in the Shogun know. If I hear that you told anyone, you are dead. Understood?"

Both of them nodded their heads. "Okay." Haruka took a deep breath before continuing. "You've heard me called the Shogun's Demon. There is some truth to that. I am a demon. I can heal injuries faster than humans. Also probably stronger than most humans."

"A demon..? You're kidding right?" Motoyama looked at her but Haruka just shook her head.

"Then…Chizuru is.." Iba mumbled , Haruka nodded her head.

"However, Hachiro, she doesn't know she is one."

Iba looked up. "Why not?"

"Her father says she has no memories before Edo, they are basically hiding in plain sight. He doesn't want her to know for her own safety and to live among humans peacefully."

"I..see.."

"Then what were you doing at that abandoned mansion?" Haruka just reached into her kimono and pulled out a book in response to Motoyama's question.

"My father, when he got this position, decided he would create a record of demon clans around Japan. Keep track of their leaders and heirs, along with any known possessions."

She then put the book back into her kimono. "Many clans went into hiding due to humans wanting to use them for their powers. Some even exchanged their power for protection from other humans. When my father died, I took up his role and any promises he made."

She tilted her head back against the wall. "That abandoned mansion belonged to a demon clan. Unfortunately, an incident last year wiped them out except for one."

"And..What happened to the survivor?" Motoyama asked .

"That survivor caused the incident."

"W-What!?" Iba and Motoyama wore shocked faces. It didn't surprise her when you find out one individual just took out their entire clan themselves. Honestly, it surprised her for a moment until she figured out who it was that actually survived.

"I was at the mansion to see if they had returned since then but they hadn't. Also found out they trapped the place as some members of the clan were out of town or on errands. Still killed them all with those said traps."

"So this is what you really do…" Iba said. "It's..dangerous…"

"I'm sure your jobs will be much tamer than mine. I just come from a different world than you." Haruka then got up. "I will leave you two to rest. We leave tomorrow afternoon." She left and slid the door closed, returning to her room, and leaving the two with their thoughts.

Haruka had left her room at noon with Shimu. She had everything with her that she needed and decided to wait for Iba and Motoyama at a tea shop. Shimu was at her feet as she sipped her tea and a plate of Dorayaki. Shimu yawned as he was falling asleep curled up around his master's feet. Haruka could only smile as it had been a while since she and Shimu just relaxed like this.

"Take the time you need, Shimu. It will be a little while." She said as she bit into a Dorayaki. People walked past her, on errands, strolls, and children playing. Regular patrons of the shop stopped by walking past her. Her eyes were closed as a nice breeze passed by.

"Shinomi-san."

Haruka opened her eyes and saw Iba near her. "Oh. Iba-kun. You're early."

He sat down next to her. "Well, Motoyama wanted to look around a little more so I thought I'd keep you company."

"Company, huh? As if I didn't have Shimu."

Iba smiled. "That is true. Oh. That reminds me. Here."

Iba handed Haruka a light blue cord. "Hm? A cord?"

"Yes. I thought…It would look nice on you if you decide to put your hair up."

"..Nice, huh?" Haruka looked at the cord again. "I haven't had my hair up in years now that I think about it."

"I can help tie it up if you want?"

Haruka looked at Iba. She just gave him a soft smile. "Sure, Hachiro."

Iba got up and took the cord from her hand. Carefully he gathered as much of her hair as he could and finally tied it together with the cord. It was more towards the left side of her head than he wanted but maybe that was okay with her.

"I-It's not perfect but…how does it feel? I can try again?"

"Actually…It doesn't feel that bad." She looked back at him. "Thank you."

"There's nothing to thank me for. And now you'll feel much cooler when the heat comes around."

Haruka just smirked. "I think you two will do fine in your new positions." Haruka got up and gathered her things. "Let's go find Motoyama. I want to leave before it gets too dark."

"Right!"

Haruka paid for her tea and dorayaki before she, Iba and Shimu left to find Motoyama. Before long, the four of them were making their month-long trip back to Edo. Haruka however wouldn't be in Edo for long. This time she would be going alone again with Shimu. She didn't mind the company of last time but someone else needed to teach them about how they would work. Traveling on the road out of Edo again, she sighed heavily. "Osaka? Heard there might be something fishy over there this time. I guess we'll find out, won't we, Shimu?" Her faithful shiba inu barked in agreement as they continued in the afternoon sun towards Osaka.