Chapter One

It always felt nice travelling with a purpose, thought Usagi, as he rode as part of the procession. He was also enjoying the fact that he was on horseback, for once, instead of wearing himself through another pair of waraji.

The procession of the now adult Lord Noriyuki was winding its way back to the Geishu lands from one of the neighbouring provinces. The young Lord had been visiting with another Lord, discussing future trade routes that would cut through both their lands.

Over the last eight years of his wandering, Usagi found that he was spending more and more time in the company of the Geishu Lord. He had grown very fond of the young man and valued his insight. He understood that he was still quite young, but the responsibility that had been thrust upon Lord Noriyuki caused him to bloom, rather than wither. And now, the Geishu lands were some of the most lush and profitable under the Shogun.

The young Lord had often offered Usagi, one of his most trusted friends, an offer to be a retainer. He had even offered to make him a general and a Lord within his lands. It was a fine offer for any samurai under the Shogun's peace.

And yet, he always declined the offer from Lord Noriyuki to join him. For, despite almost twelve years of wandering, Usagi had not tired of it yet. He had begun to see himself sitting at Lord Noriyuki's side, but not in the near future.

The ronin had visited the Geishu lands on his yearly trek towards his home village. Stopping for a social visit with his friend Gennosuke, the Lord asked the two to accompany him on a trip to another Lord. Not that his standing army needed Usagi or Gen's aid, but it was always fun to travel in luxury and be paid to travel in luxury.

The trip had been a success, and a deal was made that would make both Lords a lot more gold in the future. Their business managed to conclude early, as both were very amenable to what they were going to discuss. So, Lord Noriyuki and his entourage had a few extra days in the Red Crane Castle of Lord Koizumi before they needed to make their way back to the Geishu lands.

The gardens of the castle were beautiful, though not as attractive as the ones in the White Heron Castle. The late spring causing an immense amount of foliage to bloom. The close entourage of Lord Noriyuki spent many a happy day wandering through those grounds. Especially Lady Tomoe Ame.

Over the last decade, Usagi had developed a very deep respect for Tomoe. He admired her as a woman, who had achieved a great position. Her swordsmanship was exceptional and her console was always sound. That respect had changed into great feelings of friendship.

That was something that he shall always come to regret. His actions towards Tomoe. Usagi wished that he had realised his feelings for Tomoe earlier, that they could have spoken of them more openly. As, he knew that Tomoe had been waiting for him to offer marriage.

If his karma had allowed it, then he might have offered marriage earlier. But, he was not ready to give up his life as a wanderer. And though he had deep feelings for Tomoe, he never felt that great spark of longing that he got when he was with Mariko.

Now it felt too late to offer her marriage. As they had now formed a great comradery towards each other. To add anything else might court disaster. He also felt that he could not offer anything to Tomoe now, unless he took the position with Lord Noriyuki.

He hoped that Tomoe would one day find her happiness with another. He believed that she should experience the joys of motherhood. He had already experienced some of the joys of fatherhood. He did not want her to miss it just for the hope that she might experience it one day with him.

"Lady Tomoe, we have past the boundary marker, we should be arriving at the White Herron Castle by nightfall," a young samurai told Tomoe as she rode next to Usagi and Gen.

"Thank you, Daichi. Keep the formation, but send riders off ahead, to announce our arrival time. We will keep close to the Lord's kago," Tomoe replied with a brisk nod of the head.

"Why such a tight formation, girl?" Gen asked once the young samurai had made his way back to the front.

Despite how long the two had known each other, and the mutual respect that they had for each other, Gennosuke and Tomoe still niggled each other. It was mostly passive aggressive comments, that were entirely natural for both. To an outside observer they would think the two did not like each that much. Usagi, on the other hand, knew both well enough to know that it was all good natured.

"Well, we have had reports of bandits in this area. We've also had some vague intel about a plot on Lord Noriyuki. It may come to nothing, but due to the expansion of the highway, it would be highly desirable for some if Lord Noriyuki's lands were to be redistributed. We, also, have a guest due to arrive, who takes pleasure in arriving when we are not there to greet them. I do not want to suffer through that for another month. Last year was bad enough," Tomoe explained, ending with an eye roll.

This piqued the interest of Usagi and Gen. Both wanted to ask further questions, but Tomoe kicked her horse on. She needed to relay the information to her Lord, and two masterless samurai had no place in that discussion. Even if they were trusted friends and allies.

"What do you think of this plot, then, Long-ears?" Gen asked, scratching at the whiskers on his chin.

"It makes sense. From what we just observed at the Red Crane Castle, there is much to be gained from this joint venture. I would not put it past Lord Hebi or Hikiji to try to assassinate the boy again," Usagi commented, keeping his voice low.

"Boy! You are a soft, sentimental fool, Long-ears. That boy is a Lord of a great land. And, furthermore, he is no longer boy! He is old enough to have felt the touch of a woman's breast! Possibly, to have sired some illegitimate children. I would not be surprised if a few of the younger ones running around his castle were the fruit of his loins!"

"Do not be so disrespectful, Gen. He is still a boy, much in spirit as well in mind, despite the responsibility that was thrust upon at such a tender age. Besides, I doubt that Tomoe would have permitted anything of that sort."

"Yes, she is a valiant guardian. I would not be surprised if she had final say over who would be his consort, or his concubine," Gen joked with a loud guffaw.

The two joked a little more as they journeyed forward, each ribbing the other about past misdeeds and misadventures. They were joined occasionally by Tomoe, who provided some commentary and condemnation, especially when they were talking about some exploits with a few Geisha of the pleasure districts of Edo. Even Lord Noriyuki joined a few conversations, whenever Gen and Usagi past close enough to the kago to converse with the young Lord.

All together the journey was a pleasant one. With the guards, entourage and companions in great spirits. They were now so close to home that their guard had been dropped, with everyone chatting happily about the trip rather than taking stock of their surroundings. If they had, they would have gone on alert before they entered the forest track.

The trees were thick, blocking most of the light. It was a common place for bandit ambushes. But, with numbers that the caravan had, no bandit group would be stupid or daring enough to attack. Unless they wished to meet a swift end. So, everyone continued on with a false sense of security.

Until an arrow whizzed through the air, landing between the shoulder blades of one of the guards. The boy falling dead from his horse before he even knew what had happened.

They did not have enough time to react before a barrage of arrows rained down upon them.

"We're under attack!" Tomoe yelled as she dodged the deadly attack, her only thoughts were getting between the arrows and her lord.

It was only through the extensive training from Tomoe, as well as Usagi and her generals, that group of soldiers and samurai were able to put up any defence against this surprise ambush.

"Neko Ninja! In the trees!"

"Protect the kago, protect Lord Noriyuki!"

The samurai valiantly defended the kago against the attack of arrows, each waiting until the ninja could be seen. The trees were providing too much cover, as well as the shadows. Ninja could be almost invisible in such conditions.

Tomoe called for her archers to begin to light up the trees, flaming arrows would draw the ninja out of hiding. They could then engage them in a fair battle. Unfortunately, they did not count for the Neko Ninja to have allies.

The ground began to shake under their feet, startling the horses. Most of the riders were bucked off before they could gain control of their steeds. Those who fell disappeared into the suddenly overturned earth. The only evidence that they had fallen were the sprays of blood that erupted from the ground.

"Mogura Ninja! We are surrounded!"

"Do not leave your post! Defend our Lord!"

In a mere instance the Mogura Ninja leapt from the ground, while a battalion of Neko Ninja descended from the trees. Only a few archers were left in the trees, to cut down any who would make a break from the group and send for help.

Usagi didn't have long to take stock of his surroundings. He had been bucked from his horse as soon as the Mogura turned over the ground. He had only managed to avoid their slaughter through his sheer strength, keeping hold of the reigns and dangling from his steed's neck. Gen had not been so lucky, he was on the ground, but had so far managed to overpower the Mogura.

There were at least twelve Mogura on the ground. He doubted that there were any more underground, as the earth had stopped moving. The Mogura had lost their element of surprise now as well as their advantage. The ground was now too unstable for anymore digging, so their only recourse was to fight, hoping that their natural stability in unstable ground gave them a strategic advantage.

Usagi also counted ten Neko Ninja on the ground. And, due to the rate of fire and multiple directions, there had to be at least five in the trees. That meant, they had approximately twenty-seven enemies to defeat to ensure the safety of Lord Noriyuki and the Geishu clan. As Noriyuki had yet to sire or proclaim an heir.

Their caravan had started with thirty-eight, including himself and Gennosuke. The surprise attack had killed about fifteen of those soldiers and samurai. The odds were still in their favour.

With a great battle roar, Usagi drew his katana. He dropped from his hanging place around his horse's neck, narrowing avoiding another arrow. His horse was not as lucky, the beast was struck on its neck. The beast fell to the ground, on top of one of the Mogura Ninja, crushing his legs under its weight.

"What a loyal creature, served me well even in death," Usagi thought as he brought his sword down upon the trapped ninja's neck, severing the head.

Once that ninja had been dispatched, he hurried forth, to aid his falling comrades. Keeping careful mind of the archers that still perched, hidden in the trees like the cowards they were.

His unique style of swordsmanship made Usagi's moves difficult to predict and often, harder to counter. His ploughed his way through three of the Mogura Ninja and one of the Neko Ninja, the blood from their bodies spurting over the battle ground like a beautiful red fountain.

Another blade came at his head, which Usagi countered with ease. The ninja realising that Usagi, Gen and Tomoe were the biggest threat to their assassination attempt. He could see both Gen and Tomoe engaged in battle, and both were doing well against their foes. Even some of the younger samurai who had accompanied them were holding out against the ground attack.

It was the archers that were the problem. Every piece of ground they recovered, or every ninja that they fell, meant nothing if they could not move from the spot there were pinned to. The likelihood of an arrow piercing the kago and killing Lord Noriyuki increased with each passing second.

The Geishu archers were not able to take up their stance against the ninja in the trees, as they were too busy fighting the ninja on the ground. What they needed was to break the line and set up an archer field of their own to combat the ones in the trees. But, to do that, they needed to greatly decrease the volume of ninja on the ground.

"Archers; get ready to move! Samurai; open the flank!" called Usagi over the drone of battle. He could see Tomoe and Gen glancing in his direction as they fought. Then over to the left flank, where there were no ninja archers in the trees.

His two closest comrades instantly understood his plan and began barking orders to those nearest them. They made their way towards their archers, moving back and to the left flank, clearing the path. The archers would finally have the space to exhibit their tremendous skills.

Much like the archers in the trees.

He only neglected them for a moment, but that was all they needed. The ninja had already identified Usagi as a threat, through his reputation alone. That was why he had been as constantly under fire as the kago.

In that mere moment, an archer had knocked up an arrow and loose it upon the long-eared samurai. It was only through his years of training, and skills honed upon his pilgrimage that Usagi managed to evade the arrow that was aimed at his heart. It merely grazed his shoulder.

The overturned ground though could not support such a manoeuvre. The earth was too soft and unstable. Usagi fell hard, halfway through his pivot. Landing hard on the uneven ground.

This was seen by one of the Neko Ninja.

The black clad warrior dove upon Usagi, pinning him to the ground with one powerful leg.

Usagi could not see the ninja's face, due to his mask, but he was sure that he was smiling. The sadistic twinkle in his eye that he caught made his guts clench and his rage flared. To have his journey ended, at the end of a ninja blade, was an insult that Usagi could not bear.

"At last, now you die, Ronin!" the masked ninja growled out, raising his blade to deliver the final blow.

The blade descended, but halted in its path. A look of utter shock crossing the ninja's eyes.

A second later a fountain of blood erupted from the arrow wound on the ninja's chest, as he fell down dead.

Usagi only had a moment to be confused before the ninja archers began to target him again, causing him to roll from his resting spot. Other ninja noticed that the rabbit had not yet been dispatched, turning to engage him in battle.

Those ninja were ploughed down by a barrage of arrows. The odds were beginning to turn in the favour of the Geishu warriors. Yet, they did not understand where the arrows were coming from.

Until the sounds of beating hooves were heard.

Everyone, ninja and samurai alike, turned in the direction of the sound.

There were two fine stallions riding fast, the two riders atop them had their bows drawn and trained upon the trees. With each beat of a hoof, they were able to loose another arrow. This gave the Geishu archers enough of a pause in the battle to break the line. They were able to set up their own line and began to fire upon the archers in the trees.

The samurai who were not holding the line of fire continued their assault on the ground ninja, as well as fighting the perimeter of the kago. They had to defend their Lord at all cost.

Usagi plunged once again into battle, his sword an extension of his spirit and body, countering and slicing through every ninja in his path. His goal was to get to the kago, to protect Noriyuki. He could not lose another Lord, even if he had not sworn allegiance to the Geishu, he was loyal to his friend.

As he ran he caught sight of Gen and Tomoe, they were both still alive and still fighting. He assumed as much. Tomoe would not let anything happen to her Lord and Gen would not anything happen to a child.

His gaze lingered upon his friends for a moment too long, not paying enough attention to the unstable earth and the ninja who could fight from within it. Once ninja shot out from the ground, causing Usagi to stumble, but not to fall. Yet, he had still lost his balance, putting him at a disadvantage.

The rather sharp claws of the Mogura ninja were glistening with both blood and dirt, a disgusting mixture. The ninja would have taken a step to end Usagi's life quickly, if a blade had not come down upon his back.

Usagi watched as one of the samurai on horseback leapt from their steed, sword held tight, and using their momentum, almost cleaved the ninja in two. With a high battle cry, they turned around, bringing their blade in an unusual arc, to face another foe. Light coloured hair, whipping around as they went.

The samurai made quick work of another ninja that was attempting to reach the kago, before they took a defensive stance in front of it. Effectively putting themselves between the assassins and Lord Noriyuki.

Once she took her stance, for she was a female, Usagi allowed himself a moment to size up this new samurai.

Her kimono was a deep indigo, with black hakame. He could just make out the mon, a four interlocking diamond outlines. The mon of the Sasshū Clan. She was also rabbit, with snowy white fur that was speckled pink with blood. Hopefully not hers, thought Usagi. The snowy white continued to her hair, which was loose and free flowing.

She then looked towards Usagi with a pair of bright blue eyes, like the summer sky on a clear.

Usagi's eyes widen in shock. He had only seen those eyes once in his life. Many years ago. They belonged to a very animated yet timid girl.

He did not have long to feel his shock, he was still in battle. He needed to get to the kago and protect it. The archers were doing their job of returning fire, depleting the threat to the young Lord. The archers in the trees had lost their effectiveness, and had now switched targets. They had to return fire to save themselves.

It was the ground ninja who were the main menace now. They were becoming desperate, abandoning their careful strikes to ones with more brute force. The Geishu forces now outnumbered the ninja, thanks to the two samurai on horseback. But all that was needed was one strike to the kago and Lord Noriyuki would be slain.

"Glad you could join us, samurai," Usagi yelled, coming to take his stance next to the female samurai.

"We are happy to offer our assistance," the girl answered in a melodic voice.

The young woman, for she was young looking, whistled loudly before she swung her blade to counter a ninja. Her style was very unique, Usagi noted, but not allow himself to become distracted. He could not afford another hit or trip. He would look more closely at the young woman's form later. But, for now he wished to keep his young friend safe.

Fortunately, someone else was thinking the same thing. The horse that the girl had rode in on was now in front of the kago, kicking any ninja that dared to get too close. It seemed when the girl had whistled she had summoned her steed to her side. The animal was fighting almost as fiercely as it's mistress, making sure no one got close enough to the kago to hurt Lord Noriyuki.

With the archers finally being allowed to do their duty, and the samurai working seamlessly with the new warriors, the Geishu were able to beat the ninja back. Until survivors abandoned their posts, fleeing for their lives, only to be fell by the barrage of arrows from the Geishu archers.

With a jubilant cry, the samurai and soldiers celebrated their win. The younger warriors being far more exuberant, until they were admonished by the older samurais.

"Lord Noriyuki, are you well, Tono?" Tomoe asked, dropping to her knees next to the kago, helping the young Lord out from protective box.

The young Lord did look a little shaken, but not too worse for wear. His kimono was slightly dishevelled, as was his top knot. His rich haori had a few tears in the deep fabric, and he was now missing one zori. But, other than that, he looked fine.

The young Lord had grown into a very strapping young man. He was now nineteen years old and had had almost eight years' experience ruling his province. He was generally regarded as a fair ruler, who had made very wise decisions, despite his age. He had had earned the respect of many of the other Daimyos.

He had also earned himself a lot of enemies. Those who saw how he had increased his power within the Shogunate, and how he had increased the wealth of his lands. Many wanted the Panda Lord dead to seize control of those lands that had become so fruitful. Many just wanted him dead so he could not increase his favour with the Shogun. And, as the young Lord had yet to marry and sire an heir, if he was to die, his lands would be broken up and redistributed amongst the other Lords.

There were many in Lord Noriyuki's court who had begun to campaign the young Lord to take a bride as soon as he became of age. But, as he would be expected to marry someone within his station, the search was quite arduous. Many Lords had offered their daughter to Lord Noriyuki, along with some sizable dowries.

Unfortunately, Lord Noriyuki was a little shy about this aspect of his rule. He had asked to meet some of these girls, as he wished to know someone who he was to be joined with. So far, he had not had much to say to any of them.

There were rumours that Lord Noriyuki was unlikely to find any of the pampered princesses suitable for his taste, as he had had many strong females in his life. His mother was often lorded as being the power being his father's rule and Tomoe Ame had been his closest advisor for many years. His closest childhood friend was also a girl, who visited many times a year.

"I am well, Tomoe, thanks to you and your samurai," Noriyuki replied with a genuine smile. His respect for the female samurai shining through.

"Thank you, Tono, but it was not all our doing, we were aided by our comrades," Tomoe replied gesturing behind her and towards the two new samurai.

They were attending to their horses just off from the collection of Geishu samurai. The young woman kneeling before her grey steed, wrapping a small injury on the horses front left leg. While the older male feline samurai climbed from his chestnut steed.

When they heard themselves being addressed, both looked up into the eyes of Lord Noriyuki. Both, finally coming into full view and smiling at the Geishu party. Noriyuki's eyes lit up and he almost beams while Usagi did a doubletake.

Now that she was finally standing up in a relaxed stance, Usagi instantly recognised her. She was the girl he had met, some seven or eight years ago, who he had bought the hair comb for. He remembered thinking that when she grew she would be a very unusual beauty.

He couldn't have been more right.

Her overly expressive ears were relaxed, falling down into her white and silver hair, which was hanging free down her back and over her shoulders. The light catching it, making it almost glow. The bright blue eyes shone with happiness and pride as she looked towards the Geishu clan.

She had grown to have a very fine figure. Even though she was wearing thick kimono jacket and hakame, Usagi could see her feminine curves quite clearly. Her obvious years of training had toned her legs and arms, while she had very decided hips and breasts. Both were making him think thoughts that did not belong to the thought of the child he had once known.

"Well, it seems our journey was fortuitously timed this season, wouldn't you agree, Noriyuki-san?" came a very pleasant, feminine voice from behind the group.

"Lady Fuyoko! I am ever so glad to see you. I had hoped to make it back to the White Heron Castle before you entered my lands, but, as your loyal samurai helped turned the tide of the battle, I can't say that I am upset that I was not in the castle to meet you," Noriyuki said with unabashed glee, grinning from ear to ear and causing some of the older samurai to look on disapprovingly.

"I am glad to see you well, Noriyuki-san," Lady Fuyoko said from her perch atop a very fine black horse.

"I see you still prefer to travel as a small group."

"And I see you still prefer to travel as a large and ostentatious caravan. I'm sure you would have made it past those ninja, if you had travelled simpler, my dear boy."

"Maybe, but one cannot change the past."

"No, one can't," Lady Fuyoko replied, smiling sadly.

The Lady dismounted from her steed, refusing the help from any of the samurai near her, and came to stand next to Noriyuki. She bowed her head, a sign of respect to the young Lord and the two chatted as old friends would.

"My Lady," came the deep voice of the older male samurai, "I believe we should continue our journey. Those ninja might still be waiting. They have had enough time to regroup and could be planning another ambush."

"That is an excellent suggestion Osamu-san. I would suggest abandoning the kago, Noriyuki-san, and continuing on horseback. Speed and agility would be to our advantage. There are a few horses left, I'm sure one of your samurai would be willing to relinquish their steed to you. We should send one of your fastest riders ahead, to inform the Castle of our plight. They could send a group to meet us," Lady Fuyoko said, in her sweet voice.

The older Geishu samurai looked on, many looking as if they were to protest the plan. Yet, it was a sound plan. They were merely upset that the plan had come from both a woman, and someone who was not of the Geishu plan.

"An excellent idea, my Lady, I would suggest that we send young Saki as our messenger. For, though he is inexperienced in battle, he is one of our surest seats," Tomoe said with a smile towards the young bear samurai, who simply beamed at the praise.

The young bear bowed deeply to his Lady and Lord, thanking them for the undeserved praise. He then leapt onto his horse, which luckily had survived the siege. He kicked the brown mare and was out of sight in a mere moment.

"We have not many horses left, what are we to do with the remaining samurai?" Noriyuki said quietly to Lady Fuyoko.

"Might I make a suggestion, Noriyuki-sama?" Usagi said, stepping forward.

"Of course, my friend, I have always trusted your counsel," Noriyuki replied, smiling at his friend. The rabbit samurai looked towards Lady Fuyoko, who also smiled softly. Clearly, she remembered him.

"I think it would be best for the samurai on foot to continue on the main road with the kago, while we go on horseback along the side roads and through some of the villages. I think it best if you exchange clothing with someone of same size," Usagi said as factually as he could.

"I see, Usagi-san, so the kago would be a decoy," Noriyuki said with a smile. He did enjoy being in disguise. It was a trait from childhood that had not diminished with age.

"That is an obvious plan, the ninja would see through that straight away," said one of the older Geishu samurai.

"But they would not risk missing a target. Their numbers are now small, and this would divide them further. I believe it to be the best course of action," Tomoe added as she looked towards the younger samurai, trying to size them up to ascertain who would exchange clothing with Noriyuki.

"We will accompany you, Lord Noriyuki. It will look like a large group protecting Lady Fuyoko, instead of your group being disguised. If the ninja had known that you would travel today, they would know that the reason for travelling was to beat Lady Fuyoko to the White Heron Castle," came the deep voice of Lady Fuyoko feline samurai.

"That is an excellent point, Osamu-san. I believe it best to hurry, or the ninja will regroup and be upon us once again. Aoi-chan, please keep close to Lord Noriyuki. She has the quickest bow and surest seat of any of my samurai. She will protect you, Noriyuki-san," Lady Fuyoko said, causing the young samurai to smile. Her eyes lighting up and her ears moving to the side.

It seemed that Lord Noriyuki was in tremendous agreement with this plan. He smiled unabashedly again and blushed furiously. Usagi saw both Tomoe and Fuyoko roll their eyes at the display, as if they were both in on the same joke.

It only took a few minutes to redress Noriyuki, who was suddenly very embarrassed about getting dressed. He would not change until the three women were sent ahead. He then climbed on his horse and trotted forward to meet up with the small group, while the samurai on foot began to make their way towards the castle.