The company returned to the charred remains of the village and reclaimed their belongings, which included their stores of supplies and their terrified horses. Luckily, they had not been harmed during the oni raid, being held on the borders of the village, far enough away from the village interior to escape the carnage. The horses were still spooked and took some effort on Nō’s behalf to calm down, but eventually, the three were able to head out upon the road once again. They were reinforced and also resupplied by Yoshida, who found them just before their departure and made them an additional offering of food and provisions.

  At first, Gin refused this offering, for he knew that the villagers would be in dire need of such items in the days to come. However, Yoshida-san persisted, eventually convincing the company to accept by explaining to them that the village would not be forsaken. The daimyō had already sent riders to the Ryū encampment ordering that a sizable contingent of the men return to rebuild the village anew. She would not move forward with the plan for war until the village was rebuilt as it once was, and its people secured.

  “What good will it do, if she loses this war?” Gintaro said to Yoshida grimly.

  “She will not lose,” was his response, and there was no sign on the old veteran’s face that he thought this a lie. “If you still insist on going north, then there are two possible paths you may take, though if you ask me, one is far better than the other.

  The first path will take you along the coast and through the very heart of our territory. There will be many villages and even populated cities along that way, and your path will be comfortable, as the land is mostly flat and peaceful. Now that you have the leave of the daimyō, you will not have any further trouble with passing through, and you will be able to stay at the local ryōkan, sampling our famous cuisine if you choose. Moreover, you should receive a very reasonable price now that many of the fighting men are away at war.”

  Gintaro could tell that both of his companions seemed to rise in their saddles at this pleasant explanation, though they did their best to hide it.

  “And the second?” he asked.

  “The second is that way,” Yoshida said, pointing towards the distant mountains stubbornly delaying the coming sunrise. “It is the way up and over the mountains and back towards the Hoji Road. Few people live along that path, and it will become increasingly treacherous as you go. The pass through the mountains is always a risky venture, but in this season, early snowstorms may spring up from the ever-encircling clouds near the peaks. I do not advise you to go that way if you can help it.”

  “Tell me true,” Gintaro ventured, “Which way is fastest to get to the foothills of Oboroshi?”

  For a few moments, the veteran stared at the swordsman with confusion mingled with fear before he answered. “The second way would be faster, depending on your fortune.”

  “Then that is our path,” Gin declared, more so for his companions than for Yoshida.

  The veteran seemed to shudder but did not try to convince him any longer. He bowed, and the three went on their way. They took the second, slenderer path northward that cut through the densely forested uplands of the Ryū towards the mountains. Gintaro had never traveled on this road or if he did, he had no memory of it.

  “Has the plan changed at all?” asked Nō, as they moved along under the tall pines that bordered the path.

  “It has not,” answered Gintaro. “We will ride north in search of the sword.” He paused as if considering his next words carefully. “But we must first deal with the ninja, or we shall never make it there. During my brief imprisonment, I was given some time to meditate and think, and the result was the beginnings of a plan.”

  “Care to elaborate?” asked Saru.

  “Not yet,” he replied. “Not until I have the plan firmly set in my mind.”

  “Do you think the ninja is here now?” queried No, peering around cautiously.

  The swordsman shook his head. “I do not think the ninja would venture too close to a village this far into Ryū territory, especially if they know that the Ryū muster for war. But they will pick up our scent, as they did before. They will certainly be infuriated by Saru’s recovery and will undoubtedly confront us again, and soon. This time, I do not think they will leave anything to chance. We must be careful, but we can use their fury to our advantage.”

  Three days passed, and they saw no sign of the ninja. As they made their way northward, the company began to ascend the foothills of a range to their east, so the way became steeper and more difficult. They also experienced their first snowfall, and though it was light and did not impede their travel, it still chilled the company, who were forced to don their heavier winter gear. They spoke little, and were often sullen, for they knew that danger could be lurking around any corner. The pines about them were old and tall and when the cold wind blew through them, they seemed to crack and creak threateningly. Gintaro was quiet and spent most of his energy devoted to sensing the presence of the ninja, if such a thing were possible, while the others did their best not to distract him.

  On the fourth morning from the village, Gintaro, who had the morning watch, rose early, and inspected the area around the campsite. It was snowing again, and large flakes floated and whirled about in the chilly winter air. He cut some wood and then lit a strong fire which burned hot and woke the others. The fire gave his companions renewed vigor and so they hastily went to work and made a hearty breakfast.

  It was then that he thought to initiate his plan. “I think the time is ripe,” he said, sitting down and speaking quietly so as not to be overheard. “Saru?”

  She nodded, for this had all been discussed before, in parts, to not give away their designs if they were being overheard. She finished her bowl, set it down, and then walked to the edge of the campsite and disappeared into the pines. Her arm was held limp at her side, the same arm that was struck by the poison dart nearly a week before.

  He looked over at Nō, who also gave him a knowing glance, and then he too disappeared into the woods, but in the opposite direction. Gintaro himself sat back against a thick trunk of a tree and closed his eyes as if to catch a wink of sleep.

  Saru continued to make her way into the forest as if to relieve herself. The sky overhead had been bright but under the shade of the tall pines the area where she stopped was dark and quiet. With a light layer of snow on the ground, all that could be heard was the crunch of the compressed snow under her boots, for no other living thing seemed to move about her.

  Her eyes darted about quickly, but she kept her movements calm and squatted down for a few moments before rising again.

  “Why aren’t you a resilient one?” a voice hissed from behind.

  Saru turned slowly around, and as expected, she saw the form of a ninja kneeling atop a large boulder, several yards away.

  “Few could last as long as you did against that poison,” the ninja continued. “You were fortunate to find aid so quickly.”

  Saru glowered back at the ninja. “I’ve had sake more potent than that swill.”

  At this, the ninja rose, and as it did the snow seemed to swirl around them, making them seem even more formidable. Yet the warrior from Akaii did not seem daunted in the least.

  “If you wish to fight me, then hop down, and let’s get this over with. But, if you have come to try and frighten me with your petty tricks, then be off. I have no time to deal with the likes of you.”

  “If we were to duel the stink of your blood would never leave my blades,” answered the ninja. “No, I desire the suffering of your master. This time, you shall not survive.” With a suddenness that was nearly imperceptible, the ninja reached within their black gi and pulled forth three shining shuriken. They hurled them at the defenseless Saru, who was without any weapon to deflect them. The three struck her directly in the chest and she fell backwards with a hard thud.

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  “Saru!” a shrill voice cried from across the pines. The voice belonged to Nō, who rushed through the forest and knelt at her side. “No! Saru! Not again!”

  The ninja laughed wickedly and threw its head back in ecstasy. “Fool boy! This time you shall watch her die!”

  “Not this time,” a third and final voice said softly, and this voice came from behind the ninja.

  The ninja made to turn but was unable to do so, for the sharp edge of Gintaro’s sword pressed against the soft exposed skin along their throat. At the same time, Saru rose from the ground, and the three sharp blades fell from her chest and landed upon the snow-covered earth.

  “How?” the ninja murmured in disbelief.

  “It was rather simple,” explained Gintaro. “We merely turned your cruelty against you, which is what has always been done against your kind to surprising effect. You were predictably distracted by your ambush of Saru, and then doubly so at the perceived suffering of my apprentice. It allowed me to sneak up on you, yes, even so close that I could reach out and touch you without you ever realizing it. Such a thing is said to be impossible to do...to a ninja.”

  “But…the woman…three stars…!”

  It was Saru’s turn to laugh, and as she did, she cast aside her outer robe to reveal the glittering mail of the Tengu underneath.

  “Impossible…” the ninja gasped.

  “If you had investigated properly, you would understand your prey well enough to avoid a second attempt. But you were driven by rage, and that is a poison more deadly than anything you could craft out of your secret archives. I know that you have not come here on a mission or under any order. You are alone and not acting under any order or instruction from your superiors, and therefore we do not need to fear any more of your kind if we dispose of you. Now, let us see who we are dealing with.” At this, Gin reached out and pulled back the black hood, and in doing so the ninja’s mask was loosed and fell softly to the ground, revealing the slender but mortified face of a young woman. Her long, dark hair that was previously held up also fell to her shoulders.

  The ninja’s posture stiffened but then drooped as her eyes fell.

  Saru’s eyes glinted menacingly, and Nō’s expression revealed great bewilderment, but Gintaro did not seem surprised.

  “What is your name?” he asked firmly.

  “What does it matter? I am but a shadow.”

  “I desire to know your name. Your true name.”

  “Fine. My name is Katsube Kira. Now, finish me off,” the ninja pleaded in a whisper. “I did my best to avenge Kondo-sama, but I have failed.”

  “Kondo?” repeated Gintaro. He looked surprised and the fire in his eyes died down suddenly.

  “You slew one of my order. The one by the name of Daisuke Kondo, did you not?

  Gin nodded solemnly.

  “He was my captain,” she said, her eyes falling upon Saru. “I sought for you to claim my vengeance.”

  At this, Gintaro lowered his weapon, much to the amazement of his companions. “Very well,” he said, sheathing his blade. “I shall grant you a chance to claim your vengeance if that is your desire. But it shall not be had on preying on unsuspecting travelers. I will offer you a one-on-one duel to the death.”

  “What?” the woman cried, even more astonished than the others.

  “No, Gintaro-san! This is a mistake!” protested Saru from below.

  “Be careful, Sensei. She may have more treachery in store!” followed Nō.

  Gintaro’s eyes did not leave the ninja. “This is your chance. Do you accept?”

  For a few moments, the ninja stared at him as if confused, but eventually her dark eyes became sharp and keen once again, as the memory of Kondo filled her thoughts. “Yes. I accept,” she said eagerly.

  “So be it,” he grunted, and turning, he walked down from the higher ground and came to an open glade amidst the pines. He then removed his heavier cloak and cast it aside, took out his long sword, and held it out before him. He then remained deathly still.

  Kira followed, and when she was several yards away, she too removed her long daggers from her side.

  The two eyed each other for several long moments, and as they did so, both Saru and Nō approached the glade cautiously.

  “Die!” Kira cried suddenly and then charged forward.

  The swordsman simply answered with a change of his own, and the two met in the center of the glade with a loud clash that echoed through the quiet forest. Blades rang out and filled the air with a deafening clamor. Kira’s eyes grew ever wider as her strikes came one after the other. Her heart was burning with rage, and that manifested as a raw inextinguishable energy. Meanwhile, Gin’s expression did not change in the slightest, and his focus remained on her piercing gaze and fending off her attacks. The ninja’s movements were swift and deadly. She moved like a viper, drawing herself up and then exploding with speed. With each passing moment, the assault from Kira became more vicious and more volatile. Tears filled her eyes, and she ground her teeth with blazing hatred.

  “I hate you!” she screamed, following one combination with another. “I will never allow you to live!”

  Saru and Nō stood at the side of the glade, the former with eyes closed and arms crossed, and the latter with great wonder and admiration. It had been quite some time since he had seen his teacher in a duel like this, and he was as good as before, if not better. He moved so quickly that it was nearly impossible to see, and he seemed to always be one step ahead of his attacker, though she was indeed as skilled as anyone else the boy had ever seen. Yet as impressive as the young ninja was, none of her attacks had penetrated his stalwart defense.

  “She has to know!” thought Nō. “She cannot possibly defeat him!”

  The duel continued and neither seemed to gain the advantage over the other. After a long, grueling exchange, the ninja at last took a respite from her relentless assault.

  “You…” she muttered between gasping breaths. “Are you toying with me?”

  Gintaro stared at her from across the glade. He was standing deathly still.

  “Then it is true,” she said bitterly. “You are indeed the Raijin.”

  Gin bowed his head.

  “Then, I am a fool!” she cried. “If he could not defeat you, how could I? I could never have hoped to surpass him! I must then die as he did!”

  “You fool!” Gin cried out suddenly, and his booming voice seemed to make the frigid air quake and shudder. “Is the way of the shinobi always one of self-destruction? Your captain was a skilled swordsman, but alas, he was driven mad by some cruel twist of fate. It was my unpleasant task to stop him. Like you, he could not listen to reason and perished. We fought in the same fashion, and he was perhaps the most difficult foe I have ever encountered. Even so, he was defeated by my hands. It was an honorable death, but it might have been avoided. I understand that you would throw your life away for someone you love. I understand it very well. But he is gone, and you did not see him before he passed. He would not have wanted you to follow him to the grave. I know that to be true at least. Lay down your arms, give up your vengeance, walk away, and live!”

  Upon hearing these words, Kira seemed to tremble, as her internal fountain of hatred was met by the honest and true words of the swordsman. The violent opposition seemed to roil within her.

  “You…” she muttered. “What do you know?”

  “I know that if you continue this madness, you will die.”

  Kira’s eyes softened for a moment but then hardened once more with grim defiance. “Then…I shall die…like him!” She tore forward with a renewed onslaught, nearly catching the swordsman off-guard. This time, however, Gintaro did not hold back and deflected each of her strikes with tremendous force. Each time she assailed him she was hurled back violently. The ninja did not give in but continued again and again, and wounds upon her body began to increase.

  “Fool!” Gintaro growled as he began to press his advantage.

  “Destroy me, Raijin!” Kira pleaded, each time thinking that her attack would be the last.

  Many times, the shinobi was repulsed, but after each, she would steel herself and come again. Soon, she was so severely injured and exhausted that she could hardly stand. Forcing herself up with a significant effort, she renewed the assault one last time. She hobbled up to the swordsman, who remained unhurt.

  “Kill me!” she begged. “End my life!”

  Gintaro answered with a swift blow to her head from the hilt of his sword, so that she crumpled to the wet earth below like a ragdoll.

  “No, for I pity you…” he said softly.

  “Sensei!” Nō cried, rushing forward. “Is she dead?”

  Gintaro shook his head.

  Everyone stood still as statues, gazing at the body of the shinobi on the wet earth.

  “What are we going to do with her?” Nō finally asked.

  Gintaro looked over at Saru, who was looking at him with knowing disappointment.

  “First we must tend to her wounds. Then we shall set her upon one of the horses and take her along with us until we reach a village that will harbor her.”

  “But…” Nō protested. “If she revives, she might…”

  “It will be another unfortunate distraction,” he said bitterly. “But we cannot leave her here to die. If we lose our virtue, then we are no better than them. A sword is merely a sword, it becomes something good or evil depending on the heart of its owner. Remember that.”

  The boy’s face began to soften with understanding. “I’ll get the medicine and bindings.” He ran off in the direction of the camp, leaving Gintaro and Saru in the glade.

  “You were very brave,” said Gintaro when he had gone.

  Saru shrugged. “This armor is too heavy for me, I prefer something lighter, more flexible. This is too stuffy. Still, it is quite remarkable. Not even a scratch on it.”

  “You deserve to wear it, Saru.” He paused. “I am sorry for being so cold to you recently. It was not your fault for getting injured.”

  Saru waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing. I asked to come along on this adventure, and I knew the risks. Every moment we lose, Yuki suffers.”

  “I know, but…”

  “I know you have a good heart Gintaro-san. I knew you would come through for me if I needed help. That’s why I fight for you.”

  Gintaro smiled briefly, but then his face grew despondent again as he reflected on Saru’s words, “Every moment we lose, Yuki suffers.”

  “How much has she already suffered?” he muttered, staring down at the young ninja with regret.