What is Honor?

"Captain Sanada Shinsuke!"

The messenger announced, a lanky boy that seemed fresh out of boot camp, all too eager to follow any orders just to climb the ranks of the daimyo's army. The rest of the soldiers inside the command tent rolled their eyes. This is all just formality, even Shin had the urge to stand and immediately take to the field himself.

"By order of Colonel Daigoro Shirotora," the messenger continued, "you are hereby commanded to face the champion of the traitor, Uesugi Kagetatsu, in single combat to the death. The stipulations: any bladed weapon will do while firearms are prohibited! Should you lose, Uesugi Kagetatsu's claim to expand his fief is granted. Should you live, he surrenders all his holdings, including his family, and forfeits his life!"

"Is that it, Corporal?" Shin asked, expecting nothing new as he straightened in his seat. The young soldier nodded in affirmation.

Another duel, he thought. He was not surprised at the command, after all, he is the best fighter with a blade and a gun fighting under the Shimazu banner — and he's been fighting these duels since the start of this campaign.

"More glory for you today, taicho!" A muscular man said with a gruff voice.

Shin sighed, "I'd rather not, to be honest, Sgt Takamura."

"Why not, Shin?" A leaner soldier chimed in while cleaning a sniper rifle that was almost his height.

"I swing the blade, and the White Tiger still gets all the glory without even lifting a finger. Is that fair, Takeru?" Shin replied.

Colonel Daigoro "the White Tiger" Shirotora has been waging this war for months, all under the banner of the Shimazu clan. It's a wonder the Daimyo hasn't reeled him in yet. But then again, less dissension means more control, so why would Lord Shimazu interfere.

"Is it wise to say that in front of his messenger?" Sgt Maeda Takeru followed with a knowing grin.

"Let him hear it," Shin replied calmly. "What's he gonna do? Execute me? Then who will be the blade he'll swing upon the next traitor he sees?" The messenger was clearly uncomfortable, biting his lip and avoiding Shin's gaze.

What irks him is serving under a right bastard like the White Tiger. He was callous, punishing lesser daimyos severely even if they don't deserve it, sometimes even including the peasants who have no choice but to obey their lords. Whatever made the Shogun think it was good to assign Shin under him was beyond his understanding. Good thing the White Tiger's also pragmatic, or else he'll just order bombing strikes to these opponent daimyos.

Shin snaps his head to another boy, almost the same age as the messenger. "Shou! Get my blades ready!"

"Which ones, taicho?" Corporal Kagami Shouichi replied in a tone almost as enthusiastic as the Colonel's messenger.

"The katana and the wakizashi."

"Copy that, taicho!" the young Corporal then disappears as he heads to the command tent's armory.

"And you, Corporal...?" Shin turned again to the messenger.

"Corporal Saito, sir!"

"Tell the White Tiger I'll be out in ten minutes."

Corporal Saito salutes in acknowledgment and rushes out of the command tent.

Shin wearily stood when the messenger left and faced his team. They were a special operations team, specialized for operations that require minimal casualties and maximum results. But right now, the only one who may be a casualty is Shin — all in exchange for one bloody castle. Yep, that lives up to the motto alright.

Shin scanned the tent, his gaze finally lands on Sgt Takamura. "Will you be my second on this duel, Ryu?"

"Thought you'd never ask," Takamura Ryunosuke rose to his full height. Five foot ten, tall by Japanese standards — and freakishly big. He turned to the massive chest by the side of his bunk and opened it with a loud crash.

Shin glanced at the chest. "Why the hell do you carry all that?" He asked as he noted multiple high caliber firearms, a naginata, and a no dachi among others.

Ryu grinned before pulling out a massive kanabo studded with black stones that appear to be polished granite.

"One weapon for every situation, taicho," he replied, grinning widely as he slung the massive club on his shoulder.

Shin sighed then turned to Takeru, "Can you ask our pretty specialist on who would likely be my opponent?"

Takeru nodded with a sly grin. He placed his rifle on his bunk and slowly, almost arrogantly made his way to a girl sitting in the center of the command tent. She was surrounded by monitors with a lollipop in her mouth.

"Hey there, Ruka-chan!" Takeru greeted in an attempt to sound cool and suave, raising a palm for a high five.

Lieutenant Kawai Ruka ignored him. She spun her chair around to face the rest of the unit. She was the team's tech specialist — hacking, data analysis, logistics, strategic and tactical planning, every task that needs a brain was done by her — an important balance to the knuckleheads assigned to the unit.

And she was pretty, which is a much needed... brightness, especially with Ryunosuke around.

"The Uesugi maintained a significant force of warrior monks, Cap," Ruka replied, with Takeru standing awkwardly behind her. "If I venture to guess, you'd face one of them."

"So there's no way to know except for the reputation that the warrior monks are known for," Shin muttered.

The warrior monks of the Uesugi — honed since the days of Uesugi Kenshin, also known as Bishamonten, "The God of War." These are monks who dedicated their lives to battle and only battle.

Most of the duels the White Tiger had him fight were against samurai who practiced other arts aside from the art of war. And these warrior monks also lack the overconfidence the samurai have. They would be calm, focused on the kill, not on how the kill is made. In a way, this would be Shin's first true challenge in this campaign.

Ruka then smiled widely, and Shin's confidence skyrocketed seeing the brightness on his subordinate's lips. "You'll absolutely win, Cap. You're the best sword this side of the continent."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lieutenant."

Duels, what an old school notion in this modern world. Honor the old ways, they said. You'll win unimaginable glory, they said. Well, Shin may be getting some renown, but his salary remains the same, albeit with considerable bonuses with every duel won. Then again, there's something noble in meeting your opponent face to face rather than blasting them with artillery — also saves lives and money in rebuilding the castles.

"Nothing like having Lieutenant cutie's encouragement to get you going, ain't that right, Shin?" Ryunosuke clapped Shin hard on the back, pulling him from his thoughts.

"She told you she doesn't like your puns to her name, Ryu," Takeru commented dryly.

"Nor does she like you hitting on her, Sgt," Corporal Kagami Shouichi reappeared from the armory, carrying two blades — a katana and a wakizashi. They're sheathed in a scabbard painted midnight black, so is the hilt, with the tsuba being a coiled golden dragon.

"She never said that," Takeru snapped back urgently. He then turned to Ruka, "You never said that, didn't you, Ruka-chan?" he said, making an exaggerated show at pleading to the young Lieutenant.

Ruka shrugged, spinning her seat and typing back at her keyboard. "I may or I may not have," the girl teased with a mischievous grin. Well, he made her smirk, which still wasn't any confirmation.

"I'll take that as a no," Takeru grinned back.

Shou crossed the command tent and handed Shin's blades. The young captain received it with a word of gratitude and immediately strapped it on his waist. He turns to Ryu, kanabo still slung on his shoulders.

"Shall we?" Shin asked, the left side of his lips rising for a half smile.

Ryu grunted in affirmation.

"Good luck, taicho," Shou said with a snappy salute.

"He does not need it," Takeru responded with a confident smirk.

"I'll be waiting till you come back, Cap," Ruka called cheerfully without looking away from her monitors, though her voice dipped lower — a hint of concern, perhaps.

"If only you'll say that to me too, Ruka-chan," Takeru grumbled playfully, making the whole tent laugh.

Shin gave a soft sigh. His team was filled with confidence, then again, they weren't the ones facing a warrior monk in single combat. He doesn't know how he feels so far — tired, yes. But certainly not nervous, nor is he a hundred percent confident.

Without another word, he turns, adjusts the swords in his belt, and proceeds to leave the command tent with Sgt Takamura Ryunosuke in tow.

----------------

Shin and Ryu crested the hill overlooking the battlefield. Tents lined behind them, hidden from view in order to avoid artillery from locking in on their positions.

Ahead of them sat Echigo, the ancestral seat of the Uesugi clan and the training hub for Japan's warrior monks. The walls were set up in the traditional maze that is a Japanese castle.

Each breach point and courtyard was a killzone inviting death to any ground troops that dared to assault. The walls were lined with anti-aircraft guns, preventing aerial insertions and paradrops. The central keep stood almost fifteen floors high, each one a slaughterhouse, filled with traps that were probably there since the Warring States Era.

"That would be fun to infiltrate, wouldn't it, Shin," Ryu remarked.

"We both know you're not one for stealth, Ryu."

"I'm not. I'll just distract them while you sneak in and bring that keep down."

"Too bad I'm dueling today."

Ryu shrugged his shoulders, the kanabo making him look bigger than he already is, "Yeah. Too bad."

They made their way down the hill. Cherry blossoms are now slowly falling, or being carried by the wind, signaling the coming of summer. By the base of the hill was the White Tiger's command pavilion — and they made their way towards it.

Colonel Daigoro Shirotora sat at the head of his command table. He wore the modern army uniform of the Japanese army, the only difference was that his cap bore the sigil of the Shimazu clan, the clan they're both under for the time being. Also, draped upon his shoulder is a white tiger skin cloak — as if his name wasn't already an indication of his nickname.

"This doesn't seem like a safe place to set your command pavilion," Ryu whispered.

"It's not. Too exposed," Shin replied. "Shirotora's provoking them. And since an agreement to a duel has been set, honor demands the Uesugi not to fire. That's why the tiger lounged at the most exposed location in the field."

"He's pretty confident."

"Well, silver linings is, if I die, they can just fire on Shirotora immediately."

"Don't talk like that, taicho," Ryu lowered his voice. "I'd hate to change my commanding officer again. And besides, Ruka will kill us if you die there."

"See you in the afterlife then," Shin replied with a cool smirk as they finally reached the White Tiger's command tent.

"Colonel Daigoro," the pair saluted once they were about five meters away from the White Tiger.

"Ahhh. Our blade arrives," the White Tiger growls lazily. He stood, then faced the pair. Ryu was bigger, wider, but Shirotora was taller, with muscles that could rival Ryu. It makes Shin wonder why he wouldn't fight that duel himself with this physique of his.

"Shin," Shirotora drops flatly. "Another day for you to earn glory, my friend," he approaches Shin and wraps an arm around his shoulder.

They're not friends, Shin thought. Everything was professional, if one can call offering your best soldier in every duel to the death as friendly. It may not even be professional, was the White Tiger hoping he'll die on one of these duels or something.

"You see that?" Shirotora points at the castle. "Echigo, the last castle and our campaign is done. The ambitious and traitorous Uesugi clan will be defeated and assimilated in the Shimazu —"

"Why does the Shimazu want the Uesugi lands?" Shin asked. "And why does the Shogun approve of this?"

Shirotora grasped Shin's shoulder hard and Shin tried his hardest not to show any reaction despite the pain.

"What the higher ups want is of no concern of us. You are samurai and I am a gokenin. All we need to do is follow orders and we will be honored."

Bet punishing every one of five males by making them eunuchs is part of "following orders," — where's the honor in that, Shin thought. He kept his mouth shut however, Shirotora was right, he is samurai, and he lives to serve.

Then the metal gates of the castle slid open soundlessly, revealing a steel portcullis that was raised after the gate disappeared inside the walls. Looks like the Uesugi also took inspiration from European castles as well.

"Here comes... the sacrifice..." Shirotora whispered almost reverently when a warrior monk emerged from the gates. His face was covered, revealing only his eyes, as all monks were. He held a naginata behind him, a tachi was also tied at his waist. Other than that, Shin cannot see other possible weapons the monk may have on his person. He was followed by another monk bearing the banner of the Uesugi.

"Think you can water the earth with his blood, Shin?" Shirotora whispered with a maniacal, almost battle crazed tone.

Shin sighed, "Let's just get this over with."

Shin advanced, followed by Ryu who picked up a nearby Shimazu banner with one hand, and his kanabo still slung over his shoulder.

"Give us a show, Sanada Shinsuke!" Shirotora bellowed before sitting back down.

And to Shin's utter disappointment, he has to give him one.

Shin walked, the grass soft beneath his boots. He looked at the monk who walked with quiet confidence. Immediately, Shin noticed the difference from the other samurai — this monk walked with no hostility against him. The other samurai either hated him, treated him with contempt, underestimated him, or were afraid of him. But this monk — he's just here to fight to the death.

Then he heard a buzzing to his right. He glanced quickly to see a drone following their movements. So this fight is going to get live streamed too, huh.

A pit formed in Shin's stomach. Is this how Roman gladiators felt in ancient times — watched and cheered for the deadly entertainment they're about to provide? Well, the bloodthirsty and battle crazy ones probably lived off that chaos — but not Shin. If he can end this quickly, he will, no theatrics, just the honor of a quick death. He can only hope the monk he faces thinks the same.

Ryu finally halted and planted the banner deep through the ground. "May Susanoo guide your blade, taicho," he said, and Shin drew his katana in response.

The blade sang in the air as he held it to his side. Shin and the monk continued their advance until they were only about five meters from each other. They both bowed in respect and Shin asked, "May I have your name, noble monk?"

"You cannot, Captain Sanada Shinsuke," the monk replied. "We monks renounced our names once we took the Oath of Bishamonten."

Shin nodded in understanding. He took a deep breath, then felt shame as he was about to stain the fragrant late spring wind with the scent of blood — his or his opponent's, it does not matter.

Shin assumed his stance, one foot in front of the other, his katana held in front of him. The monk mirrored his stance with his naginata, his eyes bored into Shin, too still, too unwavering.

The drone's humming annoyed Shin, so he struggled to push that out of his head — and the monk struck first. Shin parried the jab with his katana. He side stepped, trying to pull his focus back to the fight and not on the drone's incessant humming.

He lowered his katana to bait the monk into thinking he was dropping his guard — and the monk's stance never shifted. Well, that was a good attempt, Shin thought as he raised his guard back up.

Slowly, he shuffled closer, keeping his eyes on the blade and the monk's shoulder. Steel met — and with a sudden burst of motion, he swiped the blade aside and lunged to get inside the monk's guard.

With almost equal speed, the monk stepped back, putting Shin in range for two quick jabs that made the swordsman retreat.

He's good, maybe the best Shin has faced so far — ironic that it is a nameless monk. He decided to get serious — Shin pulled his katana back, positioning it close to his face and parallel to his line of sight. He can see his reflection on the steel through his peripheral vision.

Seeing the shift, the monk adjusted, he held the blade close to his face, the butt end of the naginata now facing Shin.

Both fighters circled each other, waiting for the thread to eventually snap — and when it did, cheers were heard from the spectators within both Echigo castle and Shin's warcamp.

Shin lunged, slashing at the monk's side. He blocked with the naginata's shaft then thrust at the opening in Shin's guard.

Shin ducked, and the monk overextended. He slashed low, aiming for the monk's thigh — and his blade met steel as the monk raised a leg, blocking the strike with his greaves.

Shin cursed under his breath. He was almost certain he had him, or at least he had first blood.

They disengaged and reverted back to their previous stances. Cheers roared from both camps, and Shin cursed again at the thought of being made a spectacle.

Shin released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Then he took another deep breath and noticed the monk was doing the same.

He took six slow breaths, the same number of steps they both took as they circled each other — and Shin lunged. Instead of slashing, he thrust his katana. The monk swiped the blade aside with the shaft of his weapon, then he raised the butt end, hitting Shin on the nose.

Cheers erupted from the castle as Shin fell on his back on the soft grass. He smelled iron and felt warm blood running down his nose. Shin heaved. His nose clogged — blood, or broken, or both — neither of them good.

Sensing weakness, the monk pressed his advantage. The naginata twirled in his hands before he brought it down point first towards Shin's head.

Growling, Shin kicked the monk's leg, knocking him off balance onto one knee. He jerked to the side, the naginata missing by inches and planting itself on the ground.

He wrapped his sword arm around the shaft and kicked the monk’s chest. His opponent staggered back, Shin rose, letting go of his katana and pulling the naginata off the ground. The monk on the other hand, immediately drew his tachi.

And just like that, the reach advantage was flipped and it was Shin's camp who now shook the earth as they cheered.

Breathing through his nose was getting harder. He has to end this quickly or his stamina will be his undoing. Not being able to breathe properly in a fight slows a fighter down, not just his movements, but also his thought process.

But the monk is disciplined, even now, faced with a shorter weapon, Shin still couldn't find a clean opening he can exploit. Well, desperate times call for desperate measures, he thought. And only something unorthodox, something borderline crazy, would break this monk's discipline. Shin only needed a crack, and a crack he will make.

He glanced down at his katana. It would take too long if he drops down and picks up the blade, not if he wants what he's planning to work. This fight will be decided by his wakizashi then.

If only guns were allowed then this would have already been settled western style. Instead, the White Tiger wanted a freaking spectacle — and Shin was really itching to take that drone down after this fight's over.

Well, no use thinking about what could have been. Time to end this — Shin vowed.

He can feel his pulse drumming on his ear as he raised the naginata above his head and the monk positioned his tachi in a defensive position. This is stupid, this plan is stupid, but it's the only way Shin can think of to finish this duel.

So he acted —

— and he threw the naginata.

For the first time in the fight, the monk's eyes grew wide with surprise. He still had the discipline and skill to catch the weapon in mid air though.

Irrelevant, Shin's mind was racing as he drew the wakizashi from its scabbard. Even if he caught the naginata, it would make no difference.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Shin saw the naginata's wide arc as the monk swung it at him. He ducked, bypassing the weapon's reach. The monk swung the tachi in a reverse grip, and Shin catches his fist, controlling it before it lands.

The monk's eyes grew wider, realizing the end is near. Shin brings his wakizashi forward, straight towards the monk's neck.

A gurgle, and the monk goes down on his knees. He drops his weapons while looking straight at Shin's eyes — there was still no contempt, no hatred — only gratitude for a wonderful duel and an honorable death.

Shakily, Shin bowed his head subtly — and he could swear the monk's eyes smiled. Then it closed. Shin pulled his wakizashi. The monk collapses to the ground — and Shin's war camp cheered, yet the warrior heard nothing but silence.

--------------------

The march inside Echigo was quiet — or Shin was just not listening. He had fixed his broken nose, he still has difficulty breathing, but not as hard as when the naginata hit him.

He walked towards the central courtyard where one man knelt, dressed in white funeral robes, and a sheathed tanto in front of him. Uesugi Kagetatsu, the current head of the Uesugi family and Lord of Echigo.

It was peaceful, eerily so, a kind of quiet peace that was wrong. Cherry blossom petals fell like the tears of Uesugi's children as they cried, clutching their mothers. Their retainers, samurai, and warrior monks stood on vigil around the courtyard, some have tears in their eyes, others have hardened expressions on their faces.

Shin stood at a corridor near the courtyard when he was beckoned by a senior samurai. Major Bakura Daifuku, a grizzled old veteran with only two fingers left on his right hand — the thumb and the pinky to be exact.

Shin approached and Major Bakura handed him a pistol. "You know the rules, Shin," he said grimly. "You won this castle. Uesugi is dishonored as a traitor. If it were the old days, his head would be chopped off after he slits his stomach, but because of his status, he's even forbidden to have that dishonor."

"I know, sir," Shin replied. "I have to shoot him in the head instead of cutting it off," Shin took the firearm, a cold 9mm pistol. It should be light, but it felt heavy in his hands.

He looked at the old officer then towards Uesugi, who nodded. Shin nodded back and slowly made his way towards the disgraced daimyo's side.

"I have heard of your skill and honor, Sanada-taicho," Uesugi whispered. "I will die at peace knowing I fought for what I know was right."

"What did you fight for, Uesugi-dono? Truly?" Shin asked.

Uesugi smiled, "If I tell you, you'll say I'm a madman. Better that you discover it yourself."

Shin furrowed his brows in confusion. Before he can ask any further, Uesugi took the tanto and unsheathed it before positioning the point above his stomach.

Still confused, Shin lowered the pistol, aiming for the lord's temple when —

"Hold, Sanada-taicho!" The White Tiger's voice boomed as he marched towards the courtyard. Confusion was on every person's face as they watched the huge Colonel waltz like he now owns the place.

"What is the meaning of this?" Uesugi growled as Shirotora took his place in front of the kneeling lord.

"As Captain Sanada Shinsuke's commanding officer," Shirotora roared. "I exact the right to be Uesugi Kagetatsu's second as he commits seppuku! Sanada-taicho," he then extends an open palm towards Shin, "hand me the pistol."

Uesugi's face widened in alarm, so did his family and retainers who yelled at the outrage.

"No!" Uesugi yelled back, "I am still a daimyo! I reserve the right to choose my second and —!"

"You are disgraced and a traitor, Uesugi Kagetatsu. A dead man has no rights," Shirotora responded coldly.

"Now Sanada, the pistol," the White Tiger turns again towards Shin.

The disgraced daimyo also turns to Shin. "Please, don't do this, Sanada-taicho," he begged, "let me die with what little bit of honor I have left."

"Sanada-taicho," Shirotora repeats, colder and lower.

Shin hesitates, his hand shaking as he is caught with doing what he feels is right and what his body says is right to keep himself alive. His breathing quickens, faster than they were even during the duel. His hand gripped the pistol tightly — until a hand, rough, hard, unmerciful, covers his.

He felt his hand give way to the White Tiger's. His gaze went to Uesugi who was breathing as fast as him, yet his eyes remained understanding of Shin's predicament. He turns back to his retainers, then his family. "At least don't let my children see my death," he pleaded, one last request from a dead man.

Shirotora chuckled as he took Shin's place who returned shaking beside Major Bakura. "A disgraced lord has no authority over me, Uesugi Kagetatsu," and the White Tiger lowers the pistol.

The daimyo slowly breathes, resignation slowly creasing his face. He seemed to have aged years in just a span of minutes. Finally, he positioned the tanto again above his stomach. His children wailed, struggling to rush towards their father and were only held by his retainers.

With an audible grunt, Uesugi plunges the blade in his flesh, then moves it sideward, slitting his stomach as blood pooled beneath him — and Shirotora didn't fire.

He just watched Uesugi slowly bleed out with a satisfied grin.

Shin felt the blood in his body boil, his hand flew to the hilt of his katana. He would cut off Uesugi's head, give him an honorable exit, then if he can, he would slit the White Tiger's throat, then die either by gunfire, or by committing seppuku himself.

He pushed the tsuba with his thumb, releasing the blade slightly. He gripped the hilt and as he was about to draw, Major Bakura's hand wrapped firmly around his, stopping him from drawing the sword.

"Stay your blade, Shin," the Major whispered. "Or you'll follow Uesugi immediately."

"The bastard is making him suffer," Shin hissed, his grip on the scabbard grew tighter, turning his knuckles white.

Uesugi's body was slowly dropping as he gazed up at Shirotora with all the contempt and hatred his dying face can muster — and still, the bastard grinned with the pistol aimed at the lord's head.

"This is wrong, Bakura-senpai," Shin's hands were shaking violently, his jaw clenched tightly.

"His position makes him right, Shin," the old officer replied.

"But —"

Then the gunshot sounded, echoing across the courtyard. Shirotora shot the lord when he was about to drop dead, prolonging his agony and suffering until the very last second.

The White Tiger lowers the pistol, satisfaction etched in his face. Slowly, he retreated towards Shin's position. His smirk widens as he sees Shin's hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword and fixing him with a hateful gaze.

"Do not feel pity, Sanada. Don't feel rage at me as well," he said. "Honor must only be given to humans. And I only did what anyone would do when exterminating... vermin." He gives a sadistic smirk before holstering the pistol and walking away from the courtyard, seemingly oblivious to the resentful stares directed towards him — or he just does not care.

"Shin," Major Bakura whispered in concern.

"I want to be left alone, senpai," Shin muttered.

"Don't do anything stupid, Shin," Bakura tentatively loosens his grip on the young warrior.

Shin turned to look at the limp body of Uesugi Kagetatsu just as his family crowded around him, wailing and beating their own chests. "I already did something stupid. I won't add another one today," Shin said coldly, sheathing his katana and walking the opposite direction the White Tiger took.

------------------

The room was spacious, empty, just like Shin's thoughts. He refused to stay at the keep where the White Tiger decided to lodge for the night.

The bastard threw a banquet, apparently in celebration for the victory Shin won yet he took credit for. It was a good thing that it stormed, the rain and the thunder drowning the noise of the party and Shin's own "dishonorable" thoughts.

He sat on a chair by the window of the inn he and his team decided to rent out. The events of the day replayed in his mind. Only two lives were lost — each felt hollow, unnecessary even.

Then the door to his room beeps, and Shin's hand flies immediately to his katana by the table in front of him. Shirotora won't be as stupid as sending assassins against him tonight, would he?

The door opens and Lieutenant Kawai Ruka enters in a modest white shirt and shorts, holding what seemed like a keycard in her hand. It's too normal, she's too domestic, and it feels out of place — just the welcoming kind.

Shin tilts his head, more amused than confused. "Did you just... hack your way into my room, Lieutenant?" He asked as he let go of his grip on his sword.

Ruka closes the door and chuckles cheekily as the lock clicks. "Yep. It was so easy, it was boring."

"You did receive the order that I wanted to be left alone, right?"

"Yep," Ruka replied, her jolly tone and the adorableness of her actions were disarming Shin, making his frustrations fade slowly.

"And yet you're here."

"And yet I'm here," Ruka leans against the table right in front of her commanding officer.

"You know I can charge you for insubordination," Shin said, more teasing than threatening.

"You could but..." Ruka pursed her lips and hummed playfully. "That would mean you would lose your pretty tech specialist," Ruka's eyes narrowed at Shin mischievously, "you did say I was pretty this morning, right?"

Shin couldn't help but chuckle, "You're impossible, Kawai Ruka."

Ruka giggles briefly, the soft sound melting the last bits of heaviness in his chest. Then she looks at Shin for about two heartbeats.

"You look like you've been through shit, Cap," she quipped, grinning cheekily.

"And I feel like I've been through shit," Shin chuckled.

Ruka smiled softly, then transitioned back to her usual playfulness, "No you don't. You've never heard Sgt Takeru monologue about love, now that would make you feel like shit."

Shin laughed against the rain pattering down hard on the window. "That's what makes you feel like shit?"

"Hey. There's nothing more shitty than listening to someone nag about their nonexistent lovelife."

"You have a nonexistent lovelife."

"Yeah. But you never see me nag about it."

"Touchè, Lieutenant," Shin found himself laughing. He knew Ruka was a cheerful young woman, but right now, she may be exactly what he needs – someone who can make him smile and laugh.

"Can you just call me Ruka when we're off duty?" Ruka asked, a little bit of hesitation tinged in her voice.

"When are we ever off duty?" Shin smirked.

Ruka rolled her eyes, "Touchè, Cap, but... you know what I mean."

"I did call you Ruka —"

"Not Kawai Ruka, not Lieutenant. Just... Ruka."

There was a softness in her voice, something behind her request that Shin can't place. However, the girl looked adorable that he can't find himself rejecting her.

"Fine... Ruka..."

"Yes!" Ruka pumped her fist with glee.

"But only when we're off duty."

"Works for me, Cap! And... uhm, can I call you Shin while we're on the topic —"

"No."

"What?" Ruka's shoulders dropped. "But the Sergeants are calling you that and I outrank them!" The Lieutenant whined cutely, and Shin was tempted to say yes, but he had to preserve a level of authority and heirarchy.

"No, Ruka," Shin chuckled.

"Then put 'chan' every time you call me."

"What?"

"If I can't call you Shin, then call me Ruka-chan," the girl leaned with big sparkling eyes.

Shin fixed her with a stern but soft gaze, "No."

Ruka hissed as she leaned back, "Calling you Cap feels weird. It's like you're some superhero or some shit."

"Didn't you see me fight this morning?"

"Yeah. And your nose got busted, no superhero gets their nose busted."

"They do!" Shin snapped back, more indignant than he meant to be. He felt it was a little bit undignified for a captain but, Ruka's drawing that side of him effortlessly. "Heroes get beat up first before standing back up and winning."

"Heroes, Cap. Not superheroes," Ruka corrected, and Shin had no witty response to offer.

And a silence settles over the room as the laughter died down but the rain didn't.

"For what's it worth, Cap," Ruka began, "You were cool while you were fighting that monk."

The left side of Shin's lip raised into a playful smirk, "Is that admiration I hear in your voice, Ruka?"

"Shut up, Cap. I'm just being honest," Ruka retorted, her cheeks slowly sporting a reddish hue.

Then the teasing smirk returns, "But when you threw that naginata... I was like... that looked so stupid."

"What?! I swear that looked cool in my head."

"No, you didn't, Cap," Ruka said flatly while shaking her head with a blank expression.

"Yep, I didn't," Shin admitted with a soft chuckle, making Ruka snicker.

"I mean, you had the reach advantage, and you just... threw it away," Ruka made a throwing motion with her hand.

"I needed to end it quickly, I had a busted nose like you said."

Ruka suddenly leans in and cups Shin's face. Her eyes fixed on his nose. "Did Ryu fix your nose or someone else?" She asked, inspecting the bridge of Shin's nose.

"I did," Shin stuttered, the sudden physical contact and the proximity of Ruka's pretty face made his brain short circuit for a second.

"No wonder it looked fine. If it was Ryu, he probably would have botched it," Ruka said, seemingly oblivious at the reddening of Shin's neck as she kept checking his nose.

"Let go of my face... Lieutenant," Shin managed, and it seemed to make Ruka realize what she just did.

"Oh shit..." she withdrew immediately. "Sorry, Cap. Just... concerned," Ruka murmured bashfully, her cheeks turning the same shade of red as Shin's neck.

"It's fine... just..." both can't seem to make eye contact anymore, "don't do it again."

"Uh-huh..." Ruka replied awkwardly.

Shin looked at the floor while Ruka stared at the window as it's battered by the rain and wind. The occasional thunder however, did not mute the hammering that was beating in their chests.

"About Uesugi..." Ruka started cautiously.

"Ruka —" Shin's head snaps to look at the girl.

"He didn't deserve to die like that," Ruka spat with a conviction that shocked Shin. "Shirotora's a monster — worse than any yokai. He has no honor."

"Ruka, he's still our commanding —"

"Stop blaming yourself," Ruka said softly, shocking Shin for a second time and finally returning his gaze.

"I —"

"It hurts, seeing you like this," Ruka continued. "No one in that courtyard — not Uesugi Kagetatsu, not his household, not even anyone from our unit blames you. That was all the monster that is the White Tiger."

"I let the gun go, Ruka," Shin's hand clenched as if trying to remember the sensation of the gun in his hand, "I basically handed it to Shirotora."

"And if you didn't, I wouldn't be talking to you right now," Ruka whispered almost inaudibly.

Shin didn't trust himself with a response, he knows she’d counter him—and she’d be right.

"Don't die, Cap," Ruka continued with that still small voice that was almost drowned by the rain. "Don't die on us, on me."

Shin rose to his feet, his hands braced on the table on either side of her. "I won't. I —" then he caught himself. He was about to say he'll promise, but hesitated. He lives a soldier's life — a warrior's life, they already have one foot inside their graves — and they both know it.

Ruka huffed softly, then she loops her arms around Shin's neck. "Just, promise me you won't do anything stupid."

"I can't, Ruka."

"Cap —"

"— because I think I'm about to do something stupid right now."

Their eyes met, a silent conversation, an understanding. Ruka's eyes lower, to Shin's lips, lips she's been staring at every time he gives a briefing.

"Then do it," Ruka whispers bashfully. "I'll make an exemption just for tonight."

Their breaths hitched as the warmth touches their skin — and Shin leans in, capturing Ruka's lips in a soft kiss. Ruka pulled Shin closer as the rain kept falling, and neither of them pulled away.

Ruka pulls Shin closer by his neck, the captain's hands gripped her waist, squeezing tenderly and eliciting a soft whimper from the lieutenant. Ruka cupped his cheek, deepening the kiss, but keeping it delicate, almost fragile that they both refused to break it.

The girl's hands grew bolder, she gripped the collar of Shin's shirt, balling and crumpling them in one fist while the other goes down to stroke his chest.

She tasted sweet, Shin thought — and soft, like mochi, or dango. He always liked her, thought that her energy and her vibe brought something light to the grimness of his unit. She immediately softened Ryu, who was notoriously hard to gain his trust. She engages with Takeru, keeping a fun and professional rapport despite the sniper constantly trying to hit on her. She sides with Shouichi, their newbie, whenever the two Sergeants decide to make fun of the kid.

Strategically and tactically, she's been indespensable, saved their lives on more than one occasion. Once it was directing Ryu to a relatively safe escape route after a sabotage gone wrong — most of it was Ryu's fault though. She also knows where to position Takeru during both oversight and assassination missions where his marksmanship can be used most efficiently — and Takeru, a proud sniper himself, has learned to trust Ruka's judgment.

Shin on the other hand, had things lighter when Ruka was assigned to his unit. He rarely does all the planning now, trusting Ruka's intellect. He usually just adjusts things, noting on points Ruka may have missed not because she was not smart, but because of experience in the ground.

And now he's kissing her — or was she kissing him? No, they're kissing each other — and it feels good. Shin's head was empty before — like a cold, dark void. It is still empty now, except for the fact that he's drowining in the sensation of Ruka's lips, the faint fragrance of peach blossoms in her warm breath, and the feel of the soft flesh of her waist yielding to his softer touches.

Is he only going to kiss her for the night? No, he doesn't want that. He wants more. He wants her. He wants all of her. But does she want it too?

Ruka's body answered for Shin. Her legs wrapped around his waist and pulled her flush against her body. Her crotch slapped against her abdomen, making her whimper quietly. Her hands flew down to the hem of his shirt. Tentatively, Ruka slipped a hand in, feeling Shin's toned abdomen — as well as a few scars from all the fights and battles he fought.

Their lips still refused to part, until Ruka slowly pulls Shin's shirt up. They pull away, and the shirt falls to the floor uncermoniously. Ruka's gaze fell on his physique — toned, lean, muscled, and scarred — a fighter's. Her fingers traced his chest, noting small scars, then smilinng when she felt Shin shiver.

Her eyes met hers, her fingers still on his chest before moving towards the hem of her own shirt. She pulled up, her shirt joining hers on the floor and revealing small but supple breasts and cute nipples.

Shin stared, his hand awkwardly palmed the side of Ruka's waist. The girl chuckled, "Is it the first time you saw a girl's tits, Cap?" She teased.

Shin chuckled, "No, but... I think yours is the cutest."

If Ruka could go redder, she would have, she might have. She felt her cheeks grow hotter than she ever felt them before, "Stop saying things like that, it's embarassing — hnnngh." The girl winced, a hand grasping Shin's nape and raking at his hair while he takes a nipple in his mouth. He licked with soft circular motions that made Ruka's hips buck against his crotch.

Shin could feel the warmth of her arousal as Ruka moved her crotch against his growing hardness. Shin moves to the opposite breast and Ruka hisses in pleasure, her hand gripping a handful of Shin's hair tightly.

Ruka's other hand moves to stroke Shin's hard shaft. Shin groaned as he slowly kissed and licked his way up Ruka's chest, collar, and neck. The girl whined and whimpered, her body rolling and seeking more friction.

"Cap, I want you. Now... please," Ruka whispered once Shin reached her ear. Shin gave her ear one slow and quick stroke of his tongue, making the girl shudder underneath him.

Then he pulled away, his hands moving towards the hem of his shorts, Ruka mirrors her and simultaneously, they pulled the remaining articles of clothing off of their body. Now fully naked, Ruka spreads her legs on the table, giving Shin an unobstructed look of her cute and now swollen wetness.

Ruka on the other hand, stared at his shaft, hard, throbbing... big. She swallowed a lump in her throat in anticipation as Shin slowly line his tip outside her entrance.

"Slowly, Cap," Ruka's breath hitched as she stared at the throbbing head probing her wetness. Shin nodded, her body responded with micro-twitches every time Shin pushes slowly.

Shin felt Ruka's pussy stretch as it gripped his cock tightly when he tried to slowly thrust inside her. Ruka nuzzled her head on his shoulder, whimpering as she watched his length slowly disappear inside of her. Once Shin fully slid in, her head whipped back, a muffled moan escaping her closed lips as Shin pushed to brace himself on the desk.

She was tight, her pussy pulsating, gripping Shin's cock as if it doesn't want to let him go — and a part of Shin wanted to just stay sheathed inside of Ruka indefinitely. Yet, another part of him wanted more, and he can sense Ruka does as well, with how her hips move, changing the angle of his penetration ever so slightly.

"Ruka —" what Shin was about to say was drowned when Ruka pulled his head and crashed their lips in a kiss more urgent than the one they had first. Shin wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her. Ruka's hips wrapped once again around Shin, her heels digging against his butt, subtly urging him to move.

Shin's hips moved in a steady and rhythmic pace, just enough for both of them to feel pleasure but also to prolong the feeling as much as possible. The table creaked softly as Shin thrust inside Ruka, he can feel her slowly getting wetter, her kisses gradually getting sloppier, her breathing shaking erratically, and her whines slowly turning into moans.

She moves her head aside, resting her chin on Shin's collar. Her heels encourage him to go deeper, faster — and Shin responded in kind.

"I'm close, Cap..." Ruka whispered in Shin's ear.

"Me too. Where... Ruka?" Shin panted.

"Inside... please. I'm safe... just... I want to feel you... fill me up..."

Shin's pace and rhythm grew erratic, his sword moving across the table every time he thrusts inside Ruka. The girl on the other hand, kept her grip on his hair, her free hand scratched his back, not enough to scar but deep enough to leave marks.

"Ruka —" Shin moaned her name, and that was enough to shatter her.

Ruka gasped sharply, her nails scratchef deeper than she wanted, her head whipped back, and her walls pulsated. It gripped Shin's cock tightly, then loosened, and the cycle would continue in irregular intervals, all while copious amounts of Ruka's slick wrap around Shin's shaft.

Unable to hold any longer, Shin gave one long and hard thrust. He released his load as he groaned in her ear. Their cum mixed inside Ruka, and the girl shuddered, feeling his load fill her pussy.

They stayed there for a while, holding each other, breathing heavy but in sync, hips bucking occasionally, and with smiles of satisfaction on their faces.

"Stay with me tonight, Ruka," Shin blurted.

Ruka chuckled softly, "Is that appropriate, Cap?"

Shin leaned back to face her, both their faces flushed with content. "You say that now?"

Both of them laughed quietly as the sound of the rain registers again in their ears. "Touchè, Cap. Can I use the bathroom first?"

Shin nodded. They slowly seperated from each other. Ruka picked her clothes then gave Shin one quick smiling glance before moving to the bathroom.

Shin chuckled in spite of himself. He slowly dressed up, letting the fact that he was just intimate with his subordinate and also just invited her to stay the night in his room. There was no such rule prohibiting such an act — yet it felt weird. Not bad weird, good weird — Shin was just worried whether things would become awkward moving forward.

He doesn't want that, especially when it comes to his squad. But knowing Ruka's easy going personality, he smiled thinking that he had nothing to worry about.

The bathroom door opened, and Ruka emerged, dressed once again and looking like nothing happened. She cheerfully jumps to the bed, pulls the sheets on tol of her, and extends her arms. "Come on in, Cap. I want to cuddle after sex."

Shin can only chuckle. Ruka seemed to have lowered all of her guard with him, it's only right to do the same, after all, they did just had sex.

Smiling to himself, Shin joined Ruka who slung an arm immediately around his chest and nuzzled her head by his shoulder.

"Are you feeling better now, Cap?" She asked softly.

"Mhmm," Shin hummed his reply. "Thanks to you."

He felt her smile and he kissed her forehead. "Anytime, Cap. Just... keep your promise."

"I'll try to..."

"Works for me," Ruka shifted, pressing herself closer to Shin's body before closing her eyes.

The rain faded to a slow drizzle when Shin likewise closed his eyes, yet the last images that came to his mind was the grateful eyes of the warrior monk, and the pleading eyes of Uesugi Kagetatsu before his mind succumbed to exhaustion.

-------------------

Shin stirred when he felt movement, not Ruka whose head now rested on his chest, but a hostile presence that was trying to hide itself. Scratch that, not presence — presences.

He wrapped his arm around Ruka's shoulder, moving it languidly so as to preserve the illusion that he's still asleep. Then he squeezed her shoulder's slowly in code, asking Ruka if she's awake.

Ruka's hand wrapped around his chest pressed on his side replied with soft squeezes of her own. She's awake and had also sensed the presence in the room.

Good — Shin thought. He then squeezed another message — "weapons under pillows", and Ruka nodded her head subtly in acknowledgment. They moved, slow, so as not to alert whoever it was inside the room that they are aware of their presence.

He heard one move towards the table, preventing him from rushing towards his katana. Carefully, his hand slipped under his pillow, searching until it wrapped around something cold, metal.

Shin cursed internally as he gripped the pistol. He would have preferred his wakizashi but it seems like it is the weapon underneath Ruka's pillow. Well, he just has to make do with this.

He felt someone lightly step on his side of the bed. He squeezed one last message on Ruka's shoulder, "on my signal."

Shin didn't bother to wait for a reply, his focus shifting towards the person creeping upon him. His heartbeat skyrocketed, if he doesn't time this right, both him and Ruka will lose the element of surprise and will be at a great disadvantage.

Ruka's breathing slowly sped up. He can feel his tech specialist trying to control it, and a tinge of regret filled him for inviting Ruka to sleep in his room. The best thing he can do for her now is to ensure she survives.

He counted four heartbeats when he heard the distinct click of a pistol's hammer being cocked. Judging by the distance, it is only an arm's length.

Shin moved.

He swung the pistol sideways while pushing Ruka off the bed. Shin hit the gun arm. The assailant fired it a second too late. The gun had a suppressor — Shin noted before firing his own pistol. A loud bang permeated the room and the intruder's head, covered with a black mask with only his eyes exposed, rocked back before falling limp on top of his body.

"Shinobi!" Ruka yelled hoping someone outside would hear. A gunshot and a shinobi warning — That should’ve been enough to scatter them. Apparently not this one.

Ruka unsheathes the wakizashi she drew from the pillow. She sliced a shinobi's wrist off before he could fire his gun. Ruka followed quickly with another slash directly to the shinobi's throat.

Shin scanned the room, noting seven shinobi. More were probably hiding in the shadows.

Recovering from the initial shock, the shinobi raised their pistols. Cursing, Shin leapt from the bed and pulled the man he just killed over him as a shield. On the opposite side, Ruka did the same.

Shin fired twice at the shinobi to his right — the one blocking him from the table where his katana was. The intruder falls before the rest fired. He felt the body he used as cover react lifelessly from the bullets riddling its body.

Shin glanced at Ruka, who returned her gaze. The usual glint in her eyes was now replaced by a grim determination to survive the night. They waited... waited until the gunshots died down. And when they did, Shin sprang to action.

Still using the dead body as a shield, he stood, and made his way sideways while firing over the shinobi's shoulder. He saw two fall down before he reached the table and grabbed his katana. Strength seemed to fill Shin's arm at the familiar feel of his blade's scabbard.

On the other side, Ruka rushed low while the shinobis reloaded. She slashed at their legs, before striking at their throats. She felled two—then four more emerged.

"Lieutenant Kawai!" Shin yelled and threw his pistol towards Ruka. He tossed the body to the nearest shinobi and drew his katana to slash off the enemy's arm before finishing him by cutting his head off.

He ducked before the body and head hit the floor. He moved low and quick to outpace the shinobi's shots. He cut across the right side of the room, slashing the guts of two more intruders while Ruka fought with his pistol and wakizashi on the other side.

A shinobi emerges from the bathroom behind Ruka while another draws a tanto and swings high. Ruka blocks in front, turns her body and fires a shot at the approaching enemy from behind. Its head rocks back and before the body landed, Ruka draws the pistol back, fires at the chest of the shinobi in front of her then tilts the pistol to shoot directly at its chin.

Shin gives a quick smile of pride as he finishes off the shinobis on his side of the room. Then he felt a blade sing in the air, he jerked his head back, barely avoiding a tanto swung by a shinobi — no, a kunoichi, judging by the more slender and lithe build. The only difference is that while the others wore black robes — this one wore crimson red.

The kunoichi didn't give Shin time to breathe. She pressed forward, wakizashi on one hand, tanto on the other — both held in a reverse grip.

Shin was at a disadvantage. The kunoichi had the reach advantage in the tighter space. She's quick as well, Shin barely has time to raise his katana to block, opting to dodge instead to make as much distance as possible.

The kunoichi spun, catching Shin off guard before he felt a foot strike his abdomen. He was pushed back with a grunt, then he felt the window pressed behind him, cold and still wet from the rain. The kunoichi advanced, behind her, Ruka dispatched the last of the shinobi with a wakizashi through the heart.

Looks like he needs to do something crazy to win another fight, Shin thought. He let the kunoichi advance, he parried a strike from her tanto then rushed in her guard. He used the kunoichi's forward momentum to tackle her with his shoulder.

The kunoichi staggered back. Shin caught her wrist and he bent it at an angle, forcing her to drop the tanto. Shin heard a muffled grunt before his opponent thrust with her wakizashi.

Shin parried it aside, reached for the kunoichi's other wrist and struck the katana to the flat of her blade with all the power he can muster. The steel rang—

— the shock ran through her grip—

— and the blade slipped free.

Shin immediately grabbed her shoulder and slammed her against the wall beside the window. He felt the impact as the kunoichi bounced off. He pressed her against it and leveled his katana to her throat, forcing the kunoichi to stay still. He then heard a gun being reloaded behind him. Shin dared a glance over his shoulder — Ruka cocked the pistol and aimed it at the kunoichi's head.

"You good?" Shin asked.

Ruka nodded twice. She was sweaty, her hair was plastered on her forehead, her white clothes were now splattered with blood, not hers thankfully. Shin inspected her from the distance and was relieved to see no visible injuries.

Shin returned his gaze at the kunoichi. She was breathing rapidly, arms raised in surrender. Shin closed in and removed the red scarf that served as her mask. He was greeted by a beautiful face, smug and confident even after defeat, as if she knew she would still leave this room alive.

"The Crimson Blade," Shin remarked, recognizing the kunoichi. "Enami Asa of Iga." Ruka glances at Shin at the mention of the kunoichi's name.

"Hattori Hanzo sends his regards, Sanada Shinsuke... or should I say... the Black Dragon. I have to say, Sanada-taicho, you're the first target I failed to kill." Asa smiled, looking at his blade, a black katana with a coiled dragon as a tsuba.

"Hattori Hanzo," Shin echoed. "Is this the 151st or the 152nd to assume the name?" Shin sked mockingly.

"Hundred and fifty third," Asa replied, still not losing that sultry grin and confident gaze.

"Why did he send you after me?" Shin asked.

"Beats me," Asa replied with a shrug of her shoulders.

She knows, Shin deduced. But there's no use forcing it out of her. Whatever she shares, she shares deliberately.

"Let's cut to the chase, Enami. What can you say?"

Asa giggled, "What can I say, huh. First... you passed the test."

"Test?!" Ruka spat.

Another giggle escaped the kunoichi's mouth. "Hey there, Ruka-nee chan," Asa greeted playfully and casually.

"Nee-chan?" Ruka whispered, momentarily disarmed.

"Didn't expect you can fight like that, thought you were just a tech specialist."

"Stop stalling, Enami," Shin pressed the blade tighter against her throat. Asa just chuckles as he did so.

"Well, Hanzo-sama is expecting something to go down soon. Something that probably involves you and the growing fame you're accumulating. You see, spies in the court report that some gokenin feel threatened by your meteoric rise'." Her voice was tinged with what seemed like grudging respect.

"Why tell me this?"

"Because you were prepared to give Uesugi Kagetatsu an honorable death. More than he deserved probably, but it showed your heart and the kind of man you are. And Hanzo-sama respects you for that," Asa said, shifting from playfully cheerful to almost deadly serious.

"That still does not answer my question."

Asa sighed, "Hanzo-sama hopes that... you would consider continuing the fight Uesugi Kagetatsu fought for."

"I don't even know what he was fighting for."

"You will, in time. The jealousy of the gokenin pretty much sealed that fate. What's next is how you respond to it, whether you break, you bend, or you make them break and bend."

"You damn shinobi and your riddles," Ruka spat to the side while adjusting the pistol in her grip.

"What makes you think I'll join you rebels?" Shin followed.

"Because you were prepared to kill Daigoro Shirotora when he did what he did to Uesugi Kagetatsu... and you were also prepared to die for it," Asa replied, her playful gaze replaced by a resolute stare.

"If you wanted Sanada-taicho to join your cause, why send shinobi to kill him?" Ruka asked.

Asa gave another chuckle, "because if he dies with just that, then he's not worthy of the gokenin's attention."

Shin scoffed, "You knew I can beat you. You expected this outcome."

"Without the element of surprise, yes," Asa admitted. "Still, it never hurts to try," she shrugged her shoulders.

Shin exhaled sharply. The shinobi of Iga were known as ruthless, choosing to die rather than fail an assassination. But this was not one — as the Crimson Blade said, this was a test.

"What should we do with her, Cap?" Ruka asked.

Shin stole a glance at Ruka. What he was about to say and do could ruin both their careers, possibly even cost them their lives. "Are you with me no matter my decision, Lieutenant Kawai?"

Confusion flashed on Ruka's eyes. She was smart enough to know what he's thinking and she showed that she was disgusted of the White Tiger. Still, that doesn’t mean she’ll risk her neck for what Shin is about to do.

"If I say no, you'll kill me where I stand," Ruka said, and it was not a question.

"No," Shin replied, then jerked his head towards Asa, "the Crimson Blade will."

Ruka sighed and lowered her pistol. "I'm with you, Sanada-taicho."

"Thank you," Shin said then lowered his katana. Asa's grin grew wider, her eyes never leaving Shin.

"What does Hattori Hanzo expect will happen next?"

"Well," Asa began. "The White Tiger's army will go back to Osaka considering Echigo is the last objective of this campaign. Then you'll be presented to the hatamoto, maybe even the shogun, to award you with military honors blah blah blah. After that, we still don't know what they plan to do. They can't kill you though, you can be sure of that, you're too famous for that already."

"I guess you'll make contact again at Osaka?"

Asa nodded, "the shinobi in the city will."

"Will you be there?" Ruka asked.

"Maybe... maybe not..."

"Damn non answers," Ruka muttered.

Just then, a banging was heard on my door.

"Taicho!" Ryu's voice boomed from outside. "We heard gunshots! Are you okay?!"

Ruka glances at the door then back to Shin.

"Well, that's my exit cue," Asa chirped. "See you at Osaka... or maybe not."

She smashed her elbow against the window, breaking it before she leapt, disappearing in the dark.

"The Crimson Blade," Ruka muttered. "And the shinobi of Iga. Uesugi. Hattori Hanzo. What the hell did we get ourselves into?"

"I guess we'll know more at Osaka," Shin replied.

Then the door beeped and opened, and in came the rest of Shin's squad. Ryu, bare chested and holding a shotgun, while Takeru and Shou were weilding their own sidearms.

Their eyes widened as they saw the carnage. Fourteen shinobi dead, the room thrashed, and a blood stained and exhausted Sanada Shinsuke and Kawai Ruka.

"Missed the party, boys," Shin greeted.

"Shinobi?!" Ryu growled.

"From Iga," Takeru replied calmly as he knelt and inspected one body.

"Hattori Hanzo?!" Shouichi asked in alarm.

"No," Ruka shook her head. "Enami Asa."

All three snapped their heads and exclaimed simultaneously, "the Crimson Blade?!"

Ruka and Shin just nodded.

"Must be really one hell of a party," Takeru chuckled as they heard more voices coming outside.

"I wouldn't want to be in that party," Shou muttered.

Shin and Ruka shared a glance, a quick exchange and a silent conversation. Then Shin turned towards the broken window, "Yeah. One hell of a party indeed," he said quietly, thinking about the "party" that he now expects to happen at Osaka.