Dont look so shocked, Tatsumi-san. Masao closed his fan with a snap and steepled his long fingers together. Lady Hanshou has been watching your exploits, and your continuous triumphs have gotten her attention. In fact, that is why I am here. She wishes to meet you in person, young demonslayer. I am to take you to her, tonight.
So stop gaping like a landed fish, Ichiro snapped before I could say anything, and go get yourself cleaned up. We cant have you meeting the daimyo of the Shadow Clan looking like a drowned rat.
I bowed to the two men and obeyed, slipping out of the room and down the steps to the first floor.
I am to meet the daimyo of Kage, the leader of the Shadow Clan. A ripple of what mightve been apprehension went through my stomach. Immediately, Hakaimono stirred, intrigued by that flicker of emotion, and I coldly crushed it, telling myself to feel nothing. Intellectually, I knew this was a great honor; few were called into Lady Hanshous presence, fewer could claim that the daimyo of the Shadow Clan had spoken to them face-to-face. My missions were passed to me through Ichiro and the other sensei; there was no reason the leader of the Kage would assign them to me in person. Id heard of samurai earning rewards, recognition and honor through great deeds and acts of valor, but such opportunities were not granted to one such as I. I killed demons, monsters and yokai because that was the purpose of my existence. A weapon needed no praise or recognition to do its job.
So, why would Lady Hanshou want to see me?
A servant waited for me at the foot of the stairs, and I followed him into the small bath where, per normal, I was met by a pair of Shadow Clan healers. Dressed in ash-gray robes, they greeted me with the same clinical detachment they showed at every post-mission examination.
Remove your weapons and clothes, one told me in a bored tone, pointing to a stool in the middle of the room, then sit. Lets get this over with quickly.
I obeyed, disarming myself of weaponsshuriken, grappling hook and the kunai throwing knives hidden in my bracersbefore setting Kamigoroshi in the corner. The servant, as well as the two healers, stayed far away from the sword as I laid it down, as if it were some terrible beast that would savage them if given a chance. I knew they regarded me in much the same way. All Kage were aware of Kamigoroshis curse and interacted with me as little as possible to avoid prodding the demon. When I was a child, it had been terribly lonely, the way everyone recoiled like I had the plague. Now, it meant nothing to me.
After peeling off my soaked black suit, I sat on the stool while the pair examined me. One tilted my head up to look at my eyes, while the other prodded my side, eliciting a sharp twinge of pain.
Hmm, he muttered, digging his fingers into my skin, poking and pinching. I set my jaw and didnt make a sound. One cracked rib, and several deep bruises along his side, nothing broken.
The other pulled down my eyelid, wrenching my head toward the light. Traces of venom in his eyes, not enough to blind, fortunately. Did the jorogumo bite you? he asked me.
No.
So your innards arent turning to soup as we speak, good to hear. And you managed to keep most of your blood on the inside this time, well done. It becomes very tiresome when you continuously show up half-dead in the middle of the night. He released my chin and turned to gesture to the servant. Were done here. Bathe him, bandage the cuts and send him to Master Ichiro when youre finished.
The servant bowed silently as the healers left the room, then picked up the bucket sitting beside the stool and dumped it over my head. The frigid water drenched my hair and seemed to rake talons of ice over my skin, but I didnt move as the servant sluiced the dirt and grime from my body, scrubbing my wounds until the flesh around them turned pink. When I was clean, he sloshed another bucket of water over my head, bandaged the cuts and left without a word.
Standing, I gazed around and saw that another servant had left a change of clothes on the edge of the tub: a pair of hakama trousers, a dove-gray obi sash and a black haori jacket bearing a white crescent eclipsed by a dark moonthe crest of the Shadow Clanon the back.
Ichiro and Masao waited for me in the next room, speaking quietly with a pair of sake cups between them. I didnt see Ayame, but I knew she was close. My sensei only grunted as I knelt on tatami mats and bowed low, but I could feel Kage Masao watching me with an almost predatory smile as I touched my forehead to the floor.
There you are, Ichiro remarked as I raised my head. Well, you look like a dog chewed on you, but at least you no longer resemble a drowned rat. Masao-san has a pair of kago waiting outside to take you across town. Are you ready?
Yes, sensei.
Excellent! Masao-san rose in a fluttering of robes and fan. Come then, little demonslayer. We mustnt keep Hanshou-sama waiting.
He swept out of the room. I rose to follow, but Ichiro grabbed my arm as I passed him, rough fingers digging into my flesh as he leaned close.
Listen to me, boy, he growled, as I went still in the grip of my sensei. You are about to meet the most important person in the Kage, the leader of the Shadow Clan herself. Do not embarrass me. If you dishonor me in front of the lady, I assure you, the beating you took tonight will feel like a massage compared to what I will do to you. Do you understand?
Yes, Master Ichiro.
Remember what we taught you. Repeat it to me, now.
I am nothing, I said automatically. I am a weapon in the hands of the Kage. My life exists only to be the bearer of Kamigoroshi and to obey the orders of the Shadow Clan.
Good. He nodded and released me. See that you remember when speaking to the lady. Now go.
Kage Masao stood on the covered veranda, gazing distastefully at the rain, a colorful parasol held over his head. A pair of kagoindividual palanquins made of lacquered wood and carried by four trained bearerswaited at the bottom of the steps. I had never ridden in a kago; they were usually reserved for nobles and important individuals, not lowly assassins. But, glancing at Kage Masao and his flowing robes, I realized he had not traveled here by horse and certainly not on foot.
What horrible weather. He sighed, bringing his fan to his face, as if the rain itself offended him. Fitting for this backwater little town. I shall be glad to be done with it. Glancing at me, he offered a bright smile and gestured to a kago. Well, Tatsumi-san? Shall we be off?
The ride was fairly short, as the town wasnt large, and soon the servants were sliding back the door of the kago, revealing a large, two-story ryokanan innlooming at the edge of the muddy road. Inside, I followed Masao up the stairs to a room at the end of a corridor and waited in the hall while he entered. A moment later, a servant slid back the door, releasing a few wisps of gray smoke, and beckoned me inside. The room beyond was cloaked in shadow and smelled of incense and tobacco. Cautiously, I stepped through the door and as it slid shut behind me, I dropped to my knees and pressed my forehead to the tatami mats.
Kage Tatsumi, Masao purred. The demonslayer.
Come forward, boy, a voice rasped, startling me with its harshness. Come into the light. Let me see the bearer of the legendary Kamigoroshi.
Blinking away smoke, I raised my head and inched forward on my knees, squinting to see past the lamp that burned on the edge of a low table. Sake bottles lined the polished surface like ranks of warriors protecting their general, and incense hung thick in the air, smelling of smoke and sandalwood.
Kage Tatsumi, Masao purred. The demonslayer.
Come forward, boy, a voice rasped, startling me with its harshness. Come into the light. Let me see the bearer of the legendary Kamigoroshi.
Blinking away smoke, I raised my head and inched forward on my knees, squinting to see past the lamp that burned on the edge of a low table. Sake bottles lined the polished surface like ranks of warriors protecting their general, and incense hung thick in the air, smelling of smoke and sandalwood.
Peering past the haze and the bottles, I caught a glimpse of the speaker and clenched my jaw to stop the sharp inhalation of breath. Only years of training and practice kept my features expressionless. It seemed as if Lady Hanshous face had been flayed, beaten and left out in the sun to burn before being set back on her sunken neck. Folds of skin hung from her sticklike arms; her hands were wizened birds claws, one of them clutching a long-handled pipe as if it was her lifeline to the living world. A few wispy white threads were still attached to her scalp, floating on the air like spider silk. One milky eye was half-shut, the other burned with such intensity that it bordered on madness.
Lady Hanshou smiled a wide, toothless grin at my silence. Not quite what you were expecting, eh, demonslayer? she cackled. Keep staring, but this face isnt going to get any prettier. Immediately, I pressed my face to the tatami mats again, but Lady Hanshou let out a snort. Oh, get up, boy, she snapped, sounding impatient. Let me look you in the eyes. Merciful Kami, youre young, she exclaimed as I rose. How old are you, boy? Fourteen? Without waiting for an answer, she swatted Kage Masaos leg with the back of her hand. Masao-san! How old is he now?
He is seventeen, my lady.
Is he? Hanshous face took on an expression that could have passed for surprise. He looks younger than that. Ah, but you all look like babies to me. She groped for a sake bottle, somehow managing to leave the empty ones undisturbed. Masao took the bottle and poured her a cup of the rice wine, which she downed in a single gulp, then held the cup out for more.
You hide your disgust well. With a start, I realized she was speaking to me. Her unclouded eye rolled up to fix me with a bright, intense stare. Better than Ichiro-san, his lurking little pupil, or even Masao-san here. I was not always like this, you know. She sniffed and blew out a cloud of smoke, which curled around me like grasping tendrils. Once, I was so beautiful Emperor Taiyo no Gintaro himself wished to make me his bride, and pined after me when I refused.
I did not know that emperors name. Taiyo no Genjiro was the current emperor ruling from the Golden Palace, and Taiyo no Eiichi was the emperor before him. Not knowing what to say, I remained silent. Hanshou eyed me, her voice turning sly, her lips twisted into a leer. I could have stolen even your affection, demonslayer, she stated in a raspy voice. Made you lust after me as the demon in your sword lusts for battle. You would not have been able to resist. What do you think of that?
Masao cleared his throat. My lady, time grows short, he said. You will not be able to remain out in this weather much longer. We need to return to Hakumei Castle tonight.
Hanshou pouted. Oh, very well, she sighed. I suppose I shouldnt tease the boy any longer. But youre no fun at all, Masao-san. Sitting a little straighter, she stuck the pipe in her mouth and glared down her nose at me. Kage demonslayer, I have called you here personally for a very important task. Tonight, I will send you on the mission you were born for.
She gestured, and Masao came forward to lay several sheets of paper on the table before me. I picked them up. A few were travel documents with the Kage daimyos seal; papers that let you pass through the territories of the other clans without being detained at the checkpoints. I was surprised, but only for a moment. Technically, the land was at peace. The last emperor had forbidden open warfare, and the clans had been enjoying a rare period of calm between centuries of fighting and bloodshed. Recently however, it had flared up again, surprising no one. There was too much animosity, too many grudges and feuds and personal vendettas between the Great Clans; all it would take was a single aggressive act, an insult that could not be ignored, and the daimyos would be at each others throats again. If I was discovered sneaking through a rival clans territory without permission, that might be the act of aggression needed to declare war. And though I was certain I could do it without being caught, I understood Lady Hanshous precaution.
The other paper was a scroll that, when smoothed out, displayed a map of the mountains somewhere in Earth Clan territory. A river snaked across the map, cutting through forest and plains, heading north. I thought I recognized it as the Hotaru Kawa, the river that eventually led to Kin Heigen Toshi, the great capital city in the center of Sun Clan territory. The capital, however, was not my destination. By the X marked at the top of the largest mountain peak, I assumed that was my target.
The Silent Winds temple sits atop the Niwaki Mountains on the eastern edge of Tsuchi lands, Lady Hanshou said, confirming my suspicion. You will go to the gates posing as a pilgrim, asking to spend the night. If they let you in, so much the better. If not, you will infiltrate the temple some other way. It doesnt matter how you get in, only that you find what you were sent for.
Understood, I replied. A temple full of monks was not my normal mark; most orders were peaceful, reflective organizations that stayed neutral from the politics and fighting of the clans. But it was not my place to question my daimyo. Who is my target?
This is not a killing, Lady Hanshou replied, to my immense surprise. I am sending you to retrieve an item for me. I would rather there not be slaughter, but there could be instances where your particular talents will come in handy. I am sending you, Tatsumi, because Ichiro believes that among your fellow shinobi, you are the best, and getting to the item might prove challenging, even for one such as yourself. Her good eye narrowed, her words becoming harsh. But it is imperative that you retrieve the item. I dont care what it takes, who you have to kill. Do not dare to return without itthat is an order from your daimyo. Her voice grew even harsher, becoming a raspy growl that send a chill up my back. Kage demonslayer, know that if you fail me, the consequences will be dire. We will be watching you, and the Shadow Clan does not tolerate disobedience. Do you understand?
My lady, my life is bound to the Kage. I bowed low once more, reciting the words that were expected. It didnt matter if I meant them; they were true nonetheless. And to you. I will not fail. Only tell me what I am searching for, and it will be done. What must I retrieve?
Lady Hanshous eye burned feverishly bright in the darkened room, and her lips curved in a faint smile. A certain scroll I lost, she whispered, years and years ago.
4
Tanuki Tea
I hated lighting the candles in the main hall.
Two hundred and seventy-seven. There were two hundred and seventy-seven candles that had to be lit, individually, around the room. Every evening, before sundown, so the monks could hold their nightly meditations. I dont remember when it officially became my duty to light the candles; I suspected Denga or Nitoru had suggested the idea to Master Jin, the old monk who cared for the hall, to teach me patience and dedication. Certainly, you had to have both for this task. The main hall was enormous, with towering pillars and dark wood floors polished to such a sheen that you could see every flickering candle flame within. At the end of the hall stood the enormous green statue of the Jade Prophet, whose teachings all monks sought to emulate. There were no windows, and the only natural light came through the massive wooden doorway at the entrance, so the chamber was constantly dark and quiet. When all the candles were lit, they created a hazy orange glow throughout the room, transforming the hall into a surreal haven of shadow and dancing lights.