The Lord of Shimazu

The ride to the military lodgings was uncomfortably quiet. Ryu drove the van that was provided by the Shogunate. Shin took shotgun, Ruka and Anna sat on the second row with Takeru and Shou bringing up the rear.

"So..." Takeru began, slowly and hesitantly. "Does anybody want to talk about what just happened now?"

He was answered with silence.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Fine, then." He looked outside through the heavily tinted bulletproof glass windows. His analytical eyes studied every building – his thoughts wandering from whether these buildings could be used as sniper posts, or they're just better off burned to the ground.

It's already dark outside with no moon, the vehicle's tinting made it darker, Shin's thoughts made it the darkest place in Osaka. They pulled over a modest building painted in green with the Shimazu crest emblazoned at its highest floor. The squad disembarked and Ryu gave the keys to a private who drove the van away.

"Shin," Ryu tossed Shin the keycard to his room, and Shin caught it absently, "6th floor. Room 677."

He nodded before walking ahead, thoughts filled his mind, dishonorable, disgraceful, borderline treacherous thoughts that would make Sakura kill him if he voiced them out.

He entered the lodge dedicated for the Shimazu forces within Osaka. He'd been here before, he knows the layout — a reception area, a small lobby, all decked in a chaotic but orderly mess of green and white, and a stairway tucked at the left corner. The only addition he noticed was a LED Wall beside the reception desk that is currently playing a tourism ad for Kyushu — strange to play that in what is essentially a luxury barracks for the forces of a hatamoto.

Shin let his feet lead him. He took the stairs, he had enough elevator rides for the day. He figured his squad would not follow him, opting instead for the quick shortcut to their respective rooms. He climbed each step, forcing his senses toward a single point — the step ahead of him.

Yet he can't shake the fact that a second set of footsteps echo cautiously behind him. They were soft enough to be quiet, but purposeful enough that he knew she wanted to be heard — as if saying that he's not alone.

He suppressed another smile, another sense triggered in him — his sense of smell — and it caught her faint wisteria perfume — Ruka.

He paused halfway up the 5th floor. He held the rails and breathed heavily, clutching the spot where the Entei kicked him. It stung with every step, and it made it difficult to breathe. Shin once sprinted twenty floors without stopping — now a single kick to the abdomen made him pause at the halfway mark of the 5th floor.

"You okay... cap, I mean... Major?" Ruka asked cautiously.

"I'm fine," Shin lied through heavy breaths. "And you? Why are you following me?"

"I'm not," Ruka lied smoothly. "I just felt like taking the stairs too."

Shin scoffed and smirked, "Suit yourself," he said before continuing the ascent, Ruka trailed close behind him.

Shin reached the 6th floor. He opened the utility door and entered the stale, green corridor. It took him a minute and a half to search for his room, 677.

He was about to tap the card when he noticed Ruka leaning against the wall opposite his room. He turned and looked at her, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow, "thought you weren't following me?"

"I wasn't..." Ruka shrugged, "not until you were wheezing down the stairs at floor five and a half."

"I wasn't wheezing."

The girl shrugged her shoulders again, "Agree to disagree."

Shin scoffed, "This is exactly why Takeru thinks there's something going on between us."

"Let him." Then Ruka tilted her head teasingly. "Is there, though?" Ruka followed, her gaze momentarily dropping down the carpeted floor.

"Is there what?"

"Something going on... between us?" Ruka said with a wicked grin.

Shin rolled his eyes, turned around, and tapped the keycard on the panel. It made a satisfying beep, Shin opened the door — and Kawai Ruka barged in before he could take a step inside.

Shin sighed before crossing the threshold and closing the door. "Lieutenant Kawai," he called as Ruka disappeared inside the bathroom.

"Didn't we agree that you'd call me Ruka when we're off duty?" Ruka replied.

Shin decided not to indulge her, even if part of him wanted to. He walked further inside the room. It was spacious enough for two, but for three? A sudden feeling of remorse filled him as he thought about Shou rooming with the two sergeants — especially considering that Ryu's WMD chest would take up a lot of space.

Shin exhaled sharply before removing the swords tied to his waist. He placed them on the table alongside the empty holster of his sidearm. He was about to sit when Ruka finally emerged from the bathroom, carrying what seemed to be a cold pack and a roll of bandage.

"Sit," she ordered.

"I outrank you, Lieu —"

Shin's admonishment was drowned when Ruka pushed him down the plush green chair in front of the table.

"Ruka what are you —?"

Ruka ignored Shin, she unbuttoned his dress uniform revealing the ugly bruise caused by the Entei's kick which spread from his diaphragm up to his chest.

Ruka cursed under her breath as she pressed the cold pack on Shin's chest.

"Shit —" Shin hissed. "That hurt, Kawai Ruka!"

"You deserve it," Ruka grumbled. "Making us worry like that..." she said as she wrapped the bandage around Shin's torso, trapping the pack tightly on his chest. "Making me worry like that..."

Shin was at a loss for words. He watched Ruka try to be as gentle as possible in wrapping the bandage around his body, the sting of the cold drowned by a different ache pressing against his ribs where his heart is.

"Is this about Sakura?"

"What?! Do you think I'm jealous of Miyawaki-senpai?!"

"You sound like it — OW!" Shin winced and hissed, crumpling inward as Ruka hit his chest after tying the bandage tight. One hand clutched his chest while the other gripped the armrest tightly.

"It's not her!" Ruka retorted, though Shin can feel that Sakura may have factored into his Lieutenant's outburst.

"Then what?"

Ruka glared at him, hands trembling and jaw clenching. "We are soldiers... we fight, then we survive, or we die," Ruka quoted Shin's words to Takeda Benimaru during the council – and Shin avoided her piercing gaze.

"I only spoke the truth —"

"Even so!" Ruka almost yelled. "You don't get to die on us! You don't get to die on me! You don't get to even think about dying —!"

"Ruka —"

"I'm a soldier too," she continued. "And all I think about is how to live, to survive the next day so that I can see our comrades, the sun... you."

To that, Shin had no answer.

"So you don't get to think about dying when all I think about is living, Sanada Shinsuke!" Ruka said firmly and seriously her breathing growing heavier with every word she said.

She exhaled sharply before leaning against the table. She ran a hand across her hair in frustration before looking back at Shin. "I'm sorry, I was out of line, Cap... I mean, Major."

"It's alright," Shin stuttered. "I understand."

"Do you really?" Ruka muttered almost inaudibly and Shin decided not to respond to a question he didn't know the answer to.

"I'm going to our room," Ruka said flatly. "Anna needs some company," she pushed herself off the table and was about to make her way out when Shin caught her wrist.

Ruka paused, she didn't look back, not trusting whether she'll have the will to leave the room if she looks at Shin again.

"I'm sorry," Shin whispered. "And thank you."

The weight and heat melted off of Ruka's chest at the sound of those five words. She wanted to turn, to embrace Shin even if it would hurt his injury — maybe even to kiss him again. But she fought to restrain herself, if she did not, then everything she just said would feel moot and weightless, and she didn't want that.

"Mhmmm," she replied with a helpless hum, hoping that Shin didn't catch how flustered she is.

Shin let her wrist go, and wordlessly, Ruka focused on making her way outside his room. Her hand wrapped around the door handle when — "And Ruka."

Ruka fought the urge to look back.

"You may call me Shin."

Damn it — Ruka thought. The one thing she asked of him, and he gives it to her just after she scolded him. She felt her cheeks and her ears burn as she bit her lip. She wasn't a romantic, or so she thinks, but that sounded damn romantic to her ears — even if it came from a certified anti-romantic like Sanada Shinsuke.

Her grip on the handle tightened as she struggled to reply.

"Goodnight then, Shin," she said with a shaking voice.

"Goodnight, Ruka."

Ruka turned the handle and left the room. She closed the door, turned her back to lean against it — and absently slid down the floor, her hands clutching her heart that was beating as fast as a submachinegun.

Inside the room, Shin sighed, but he didn't relax. He placed a hand atop the pack that Ruka bandaged on his chest. The pressure made him wince, though the cold dulled the pain a little bit.

He leaned on his seat, then he picked his katana, running a hand on the lacquered black honoki scabbard. He gripped the hilt, feeling the familiar weathered smoothness of the ray skin. His thumb traced the tsuba, a coiled dragon.

All good swords have names — he thought. A black blade with a dragon tsuba — the reason why his epithet is now the Black Dragon. Shin then allowed himself a moment of arrogance as he names his blade with the same title he now holds — Kokuuryu.

He then drew it halfway, and he stared at his eyes reflected on the blade's hamon. Darkness — that is everything he sees.

Finally, Shin fully draws the blade, placing the scabbard back on top of the desk. He placed the blade evenly atop his lap then leaned back again in his seat.

"Come out now. You're not even bothering to hide your presence," Shin called in the empty room.

The lights dimmed, then flickered — then it turned off — and when it turned on again, laying comfortably on one of the beds was the kunoichi Enami Asa.

"As expected of the Black Dragon," Asa chuckled as she splayed on the matress. She wore her crimson shinobi shozoku, but her hood was drawn back and she didn't wear her mask, exposing the playful beauty within as she smiled mischievously.

"You're awfully comfortable," Shin dryly remarked.

"A girl has to take whatever... softness she can. Especially with the career she chose," Asa replied cheekily.

Shin's grip on his blade tightened, those words were from an exchange he and Ruka had as they were making their way to the castle, particularly after Sakura met them first.

"Were you there? Or were we bugged?" Shin growled.

"Can't answer that, sorry," Asa shrugged. "What I can say though is that I only have about..." she pulled a sleeve and looked at her watch, "four or five minutes before the bugs in your room go online again."

"This room is bugged?" Shin knew that, but not how much, and he was hoping Asa would tell him.

"Five bugs in total," Asa held out five fingers. "One for each of the hatamoto, even yours, — and except for the Chosokabe, they don't give a damn about what others think. The fifth would be the Shogun council's..."

"And the sixth are yours," Shin finished.

Asa sat up, raising her arms in mock surrender, "I neither confirm nor deny that," she grinned.

Shin scoffed, "Well then, get on with it. Say what you came here for. Your clock's ticking."

Asa looked at him as he sat. Unbuttoned dress uniform with a bandaged chest and his katana sitting on his lap. "Stop looking like such an edge lord, Sanada-taicho," Asa grinned.

"I'm not —" Shin sighed, he swore he won't be lured into the kunoichi's games.

"Ruka nee-chan likes you," Asa said while looking at the door.

"What are you —?" Shin asked in disbelief.

"And you do, too," Asa said with a smirk when she turned to face Shin.

Shin clicked his tongue in frustration, "You said you're out of time, kunoichi."

"I said I have about four minutes, that's not out of time."

Shin closed his eyes, frustration bubbling up inside him.

"You really do hate Osaka," Asa chuckled. "Your face can't hide it."

"Just get on with it, Enami."

"Fine," Asa shrugged. "First of all," she stood then gave Shin a curt bow, "congratulations on your promotion, Major Sanada Shinsuke. I'd shake your hand but, your blade's a little bit intimidating."

"But you knew that was going to happen."

"Yep," Asa sat again on the bed. "What we didn't expect, was the Entei interrogating you in front of the entire council."

"So did I."

Asa nodded her head twice. "Those kinds of questions are usually reserved in secret meetings, spoken in hushed tones, preferably with a blade under the table or a gun behind their head."

"But Takeda Benimaru is different," Shin said. "He's young, but already powerful..."

"And he's not chaotic..." Asa continued, "well, he is in his own way... more like..."

"Unpredictable," Shin provided.

"He's a wildfire, the Entei. And most dangerously, he is also his own wind. None can make him burn in any direction unless he wants to. I have to say... even I winced when he kicked you."

"You were there inside the council chamber?"

Asa shrugged again, "Maybe... maybe not. Like you said, in Osaka 'the walls have eyes and the wind has ears', did I quote that right?"

Shin's gaze sharpened, how much intimate knowledge does this kunoichi have to just drop things he said so casually? He hated being under surveillance, he hated the fact that he can't freely speak his mind because he's under surveillance.

"Do you have any idea why the Entei did what he did?" Shin asked. He figured that it was no use pressing the kunoichi, she'll say what she can and wants to say, and Shin would just have to make do with whatever that information may be.

"Hmmm... probably because during his clan's succession crisis, we Iga shinobi were actively trying to prevent his rise," Asa replied.

"So he hates you," Shin concluded. "Why would you want to prevent his rise?"

"Like I said, he's his own man — ironic since he's barely fifteen. He can't be controlled. And gaining control of the eastern half of Honshu through a puppet lord would greatly benefit Hattori Hanzo-sama. If only he wasn't as good as he is with the blade, we would have assassinated him," Asa answered, and Shin was surprised at the amount of information the kunoichi was divulging.

"What is it that you are truly fighting for? You say freedom, but that is always what rebellions say they fight for. Freedom from what? The Shogunate? The Hatamoto?"

"Even if I want to explain it so badly to you, it would make no difference, taicho," Asa's voice seemed to carry genuine disappointment. "You need to experience it. And now that you're climbing the ranks and gaining renown, we expect that the corruption would slowly creep its way to you."

"You know what, I agree with Ruka — damn your riddles and non answers," Shin growled.

Asa giggled in response, "There's still time. Tomorrow, we expect a hatamoto or two would call for you — one of them is your own liege, Shimazu Daifuku. What they'll talk about... we only have a hunch, but we surmise it would be your next assignment, or an ideological and philosophical talk, or maybe both."

"And the only thing I could be sure of is that you will be listening, one way or another," Shin retorted.

Asa grinned, "The walls have eyes..." she tapped her watch. The lights flickered and turned off again — when they flickered back to life… Enami Asa had disappeared.

Shin scoffed, "and the wind has ears," he finished, putting his blade back in its scabbard with a satisfying click.

Asa was right.

The first of the summons came while Shin was having breakfast at the lodge's cafeteria — which should be reclassified as a luxury restaurant. For all of Osaka's flaws — Shin can't and won't count the food. It's one of the things that's keeping him from absolutely hating this place — that and a certain wisteria scented Lieutenant, which of course, you won't hear him say out loud even if it is to himself.

His phone beeped as he was about to pick his chopsticks. He had a bowl of rice, grilled tuna, tamagoyaki, and miso soup, with a few choice fruits and vegetables. He groaned, placing down his chopsticks before looking at his phone.

It was from Major Bakura Daifuku – one of Colonel Daigoro Shirotora's advisors during the campaign against Uesugi Kagetatsu. The man who restrained him from striking the White Tiger down when he disgraced an already disgraced daimyo by being a dishonorable kaishakunin — making Uesugi bleed out before shooting him to end his pain.

Frankly, Shin was enraged at the Major's actions that day, but he also can't fault him. He was only looking out for Shin, because if he hadn't — Shin would follow Uesugi before his blood dried on the ground.

Shin begrudgingly read the war veteran's message:

"Shin. Congratulations on the promotion. "Black Dragon," huh, sick epithet. Beats my "Two-fingered Demon," I think. As your mentor and senior, I'm proud of you. You deserve it."

Shin smirked. The old man loves texting since he cannot write anymore when he lost three of his fingers on his right hand.

"The White Tiger's furious you got all the honors, understandable though since you and your squad basically carried that campaign. His face while he tries to hide his rage is priceless, which puts a smile to my face and a tear in my eye."

This point about Shirotora, the White Tiger, also brought a smile to his face. He didn't feel personally abused by his authority, but rather, he hated that during the campaign, the gokenin took all of the credit of his and his squad's accomplishment, saying that it's proof of his strategic and tactical mind. In truth, though, it was Major Bakura who planned almost every mission Shin and his squad executed — and most likely, it is the Major who informed this to Lord Shimazu Daifuku — our liege lord and his namesake, a fact he likes to tease the lord with.

"Anyway, our liege lord, and my namesake, commands your presence at his villa outside of Osaka castle. 10am sharp. You know how particular he is when it comes to tardiness."

And Shin's smile faded slightly. It's not that he doesn't like talking to Lord Shimazu, it's because the daimyo was always measured in his responses. He's not emotional per se, just... guarded, you know he's threatening, but you never know what weapons he has under his sleeve, and he knows how to use them. Hopefully, Major Bakura will be with him, the old man always knew how to push Lord Shimazu's buttons — particularly the fact that Daifuku-sama was "allegedly" named after Major Bakura.

Still, he found it tedious, talking to politicians. They beat around the bush, unlike military men who give clear and concise instructions.

He replied with a thumbs up and heard a scoff behind him.

"Bakura-senpai went through all that effort to write that message and that's all you're gonna reply with?" Ruka said in a judgmental tone as she hovered over Shin's shoulder.

"It's not polite to peek at someone's messages, Ruka," Shin replied before putting his phone down.

Ruka giggled as the entire squad appeared and slowly made themselves comfortable around the table, carrying trays with various kinds of food.

Ryu's was filled with almost everything that had protein in the menu. Takeru and Shou settled for a similar set that Shin has. Ruka and Anna also had the same but with an extra plate of salad in each of their trays.

"Good morning, Major," the squad greeted.

"Mornin'," Shin replied, and the squad started digging in.

"Good morning... Shin," Ruka said, speaking Shin's name shyly. She dipped her head, trying to cover the pink shade slowly emerging on her cheeks.

"Shin?" Takeru snapped his head at Ruka's words. "When did Ruka-chan start calling you, "Shin," Shin?"

"Is that so important?" Shin took a mouthful of rice and fish in his mouth.

"Yeah —"

"Why?" Shin followed, his voice muffled as he chewed.

"He's just being overdramatic again," Ryu said, holding a piece of chicken leg which looked small in his massive hand.

"I'm not. What do you think, Shou?"

Shou was about to reply when Ruka shot him a sharp glare. She held her chopsticks in a reverse-grip, scrunched her face as she chewed, no doubt trying to look threatening. Shin only saw an adorable kid, and it took everything in him not to laugh — even more so to suppress a smile.

"I'm... choosing silence, peace, and the preservation of my life, Takeru-san..." Shou replied, making Anna giggle and Ruka nod and smirk in approval.

"That's abuse of authority, Ruka-chan —" Takeru protested.

"Keep bringing this up and you'll experience abuse of authority first-hand, Takeru," Shin snapped back, his voice restrained in its amusement.

"I think the Major and the Lieutenant both suit each other," Anna chimed in innocently. Shin and Ruka slowly tilted their head towards the newbie, the chicken in Ryu's hand dropped to his plate, Shou dipped his head, and Takeru's grin widened.

"Elaborate," Takeru smirked.

Anna was about to talk but Ruka beat her to it, "Answer that and you and Shou will leave this cafeteria red as tomatoes."

"Ruka-nee!!" Anna squealed, covering her face in embarrassment though her ears are now as red as tomatoes. Shou suddenly became interested at his plate, stabbing at the fish absently with his chopsticks.

"Wait, wait. Are we missing something?" Takeru jabbed immediately, the attention now shifting to the two blushing corporals.

"There's nothing going on!" Anna objected.

"I didn't ask that yet," Takeru shrugged, retaining the same wicked grin.

With Takeru acquiring new targets, Ruka breathed a sigh of relief as she continued eating. She glanced at Shin who was chewing absently.

"How's your chest?" Ruka asked.

"Fine."

Ruka tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.

Shin scoffed, "Better."

Ruka leaned in, her expression flat and judgmental, "You can do better than that..."

Shin sighed, "There's still a little bit of swelling and bruising," he stroked his chest softly and placed his chopsticks in his now empty plate.

Ruka nodded, picking a piece of pineapple and stuffing it in her mouth. "So, where to, today?"

The rest of the squad continued eating while Takeru kept teasing Anna and Shou — the poor girl can't even pick her chopsticks anymore while trying to hide the blush in her cheeks with her hair.

"You all have the day off," everybody quieted at the mention of that — everybody also lightens up at the mention of that. "Explore Osaka — especially if you haven't been here before," Shin gestures to the two Corporals. "Your bonuses should already be wired to your accounts, use them however you want."

"Yes!" Takeru pumped his fists.

"And Takeru —" Shin called.

"Please don't say something that would kill my joy."

"I'll say it then," Ruka chimed in, "no purchasing anything that would get you — us, in trouble."

"You have to be more specific than that, Ruka-chan," Takeru smirked.

"Stop looking for loopholes or I'll take your card," Shin doubled down.

"Fine," Takeru grumbled, though Shin still wasn't convinced.

"Shou, accompany our marksman extraordinaire, please. Make sure he doesn't get us into trouble."

Shou seemed dejected at Shin's command as he dipped his head and answered in the affirmative. Anna mirrored his gesture in front of him.

Ruka sighed in disappointment, "You're really an anti-romantic, aren't you?"

"What?" Shin asked incredulously.

Ruka's face twisted in mock amusement, "If you can't see it, then there's no use telling you." She rose and proceeded towards the fruits section of the cafeteria.

Shin watched her leave with a stunned expression then turned to his squad. "What did I do?"

"You're really an anti-romantic, Sanada Shinsuke," Ryu muttered while now chewing on a slice of steak.

"It's bad enough with Ruka-chan, now you hinder even the budding romances within your subordinates," Takeru shook his head.

"I'm... uh... following Ruka-nee," Anna said as she rose to follow Ruka with awkward steps.

"I'm also..." Shouichi coughed, placing his chopsticks on his empty plate, "going back to our room." He rose in the same awkward manner Anna did before excusing himself from our table, bumping across chairs and tables along the way.

"Oh," Shin blinked, finally realizing what he's done.

"Were they planning to...?" Shin pointed at the now empty seats of Anna and Shou.

Ryu and Takeru nodded.

"Well," Shin shrugged, "I still don't see how that's my fault."

"What —?!" Takeru began to protest.

"If you're not a walking MP red flag then I wouldn't have assigned Shouichi to keep an eye on you," Shin interjected. "If anything, it's your fault for being an... I don't even know how to describe you, Takeru."

"Degenerate?" Ryu suggested.

"Too harsh..."

"Uncontrollable?"

"Half-true — no, a quarter-true."

"What the hell does that even mean?!" Takeru protested.

"I don't know, Shin," Ryu continued teasing, "I'm not that... how do you say it when someone's good with words —?"

"Eloquent."

"Yeah. That. I'm not that to find a word that describes Takeru."

"Me too, apparently."

"Maybe Ruka-chan knows?"

"Don't bother. She'll settle with the harshest one," Takeru grumbled as all three of them watched Ruka and Anna laugh while picking on some watermelon slices.

"Should we ask her?" Shin leaned on his seat and crossed his arms.

"Just shoot me, then," Takeru responded.

"Hmm. Tempting," Shin joked.

A silence settles between the three, the silence that usually comes before three idiots do something, well – idiotic.

"So," Takeru began, "there's really nothing going on between you and Ruka-chan?"

Shin closed his eyes before rolling his eyeballs.

"Why are you so fixated on this?" Ryu asked.

"Because it's interesting. Do I need any other reason?"

"Fine. I'll answer," Shin said as the girls returned to their seats. Takeru's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Answer what?" Ruka asked innocently before munching on a slice of watermelon, Anna mirroring her actions.

Shin turned to Takeru, "Whatever Ruka says, that would also be my answer."

Without another word, Shin puts his phone in his pocket, picks his tray up, and proceeded to leave the cafeteria.

"Wait... Shin!" Ruka's voice called urgently behind him. "What the hell's the question —?!"

She was cut off as Shin assumed that Takeru finally began interrogating her. And as Shin handed the empty tray to the kitchen, he allowed himself to smile a little.

"You are not going without me!" Ruka slammed the hood of the black muscle car Shin requested to use to drive around Osaka. His new rank as Major and the title of Black Dragon allowed the request to be expedited — and now, Lieutenant Kawai Ruka is blocking his driveway because she wants to go with him to his audience with Lord Shimazu.

He rolled down the window of the driver seat. "It's an audience to Shimazu-sama, Ruka. Your presence is not necessary because it was not requested —"

"Bakura-senpai will make an exemption for me!"

"But we can't be sure Shimazu-sama will."

"I'm not moving till you open that passenger side door," Ruka crossed her arms stubbornly.

There is no one else in the lodge's parking lot — yet. Which probably explains why Ruka is this confident acting like this.

"And besides, you left me in the air against Takeru-san at the cafeteria. You owe me for that."

"I don't."

Ruka just replied with one raised eyebrow.

Shin sighed, "I can take care of myself —"

"Says the guy who got kicked in the chest yesterday," Ruka countered.

"Takeda Benimaru is an anomaly. You don't get to meet people his caliber casually walking down the streets of Osaka."

"You will be."

"I'll be driving, not walking."

"Same thing."

"No, it's —" Shin sighed and pressed a palm to his forehead. He pressed a button on the panel in the steering wheel and the passenger side door swung slowly upwards.

"Get in then," he said in resignation.

"Get out first," Ruka snapped back.

"What?!"

"How sure am I that when I move from this spot you won't close the door again, start the car, and ditch me?"

"You don't trust me?"

"After that stunt at the cafeteria? Don't forgive me if I don't."

"Damn it," Shin cursed under his breath. He opened the driver seat door and slowly got out of the car. "Satisfied?"

"No. Move a little farther."

"The hell —"

"I know how fast you move, Shin."

Shin rolled his eyes. He shuffled over toward the front of the car while Ruka kept an eye on him as she moved cautiously towards the passenger side.

She was tense, and her expression mirrored the ones she wore when she's about to enter combat — sharp gaze, body almost coiled up and ready to spring, and measured steps that are ready to sprint at a moment's notice. Shin resisted the urge to laugh, though his lips were slowly creeping up into a smile.

Ruka slid inside the car, and only when she closed the door and wore her seatbelt did she allow herself to relax.

"You may get in now," she called from the inside.

"Yeah. Thanks for giving me permission to get in the car I requested for myself," Shin grumbled, sitting back in the driver's seat and closing the door beside him.

"Oh stop grumbling, we both know you now feel better because I'm here."

Shin didn't bother to reply as the car's electric engine hummed to life — partly because Ruka's wisteria perfume made her statement true.

Then, a beeping noise sounded from the passenger's seat.

"The hell is that?" Shin paused.

"Oh, that?" Ruka reached into her pocket and fished a triangular device half the size of a cellphone.

"That is my jammer," she placed the device on the car's headboard. "And it's currently jamming three separate bugs that are inside this car right now."

Shin sighed and leaned his head against the steering wheel. He should have expected this with what Asa told him last night. Yet, he still can't believe that bugs made its way towards a car provided by the Shimazu itself. He'll understand one, which he'll assume to be Lord Shimazu's, his liege lord — but three!

He deduced the other two might be the shogun council's and Asa's own bug. He'll have to wring the kunoichi's neck if she decides to pay her another visit tonight.

"You're welcome... Shin..." Ruka teased with a grin.

Shin leaned back and relaxed on the driver's seat. "Fine. Thank you."

"Just thank you?" Ruka pushed in a softer but no less playful tone.

"Thank you, Ruka," Shin replied begrudgingly.

"Great," the girl's expression lightened up. "Now drive, please, and fulfill a girl's fantasies."

"Keep talking like that and I'll kick you out."

"At least make it romantic if you do."

Both of them chuckled as Shin slowly drove outside the lodge's parking lot and into the streets of Osaka.

Shin drove in silence for a few minutes as they passed the streets of Osaka. Civilians move across the streets; people in suits, casual wear, some were even cosplaying characters, and mixed in about every twenty people were monks — all of them didn't even spare their muscle car a second glance. Police however, give their vehicles curious looks, but when they glanced upon the military plate, they ignored Shin and let them on their way.

After about thirty minutes, they reached a private complex near Osaka bay. High walls rose as Shin drove towards the gate where a squad of Shimazu guardsmen stood at attention.

Shin stopped at the roadblock and rolled down the window. The guard peeked in, immediately recognizing Shin, and giving a salute which Shin returned.

"Sanada-shosa. Shimazu-sama is expecting you," his gaze then drifted towards Ruka who was wistfully staring at Osaka Bay.

"We weren't informed you have a... companion," the guard replied.

"This is Lieutenant Kawai Ruka... my second," Shin replied.

"Very well, Major." The officer waved ahead and the roadblock was raised while the gate opened.

Shin rolled the windows back up as he drove towards what seemed to be an eight storey villa.

Ruka chuckled quietly beside him, "I'm your second now, huh," she whispered playfully.

"One of your fantasies, I assume."

"Mhmm," Ruka nodded as she turned to Shin. She turned weirdly soft during the car ride, which Shin found both disarming and endearing. "That, and to have a charming man drive me around," she teasingly searched his eyes, he kept his eye on the road.

"We both know you can drive on your own —"

"Already fulfilled that fantasy. What I said was that I wanted —"

"I heard you the first time, Ruka."

Ruka rolled her eyes and stared at the road.

"Ever been here?" Shin asked.

"Shimazu-sama's estate?"

"No, Osaka Bay."

Ruka pursed her lips as she looked outside. Osaka Bay sparkled in the sunlight. Boats and yachts scattered around the area. Ruka rested her head sideways on the dash board.

"No. I've only ever been here for official reasons. I never had the time to explore."

"You should've joined the others. Anna, since I apparently blew hers and Shou's date."

"That was cruel and so you, Shin," Ruka giggled.

"Do you want to?" Shin asked.

"Want to what?"

"Visit Osaka Bay after my business with Shimazu-sama is done."

Ruka's eyes lit up and she snapped her head towards Shin, "Like a date?!"

"I won't call it that."

"What would you call it, then?"

Shin pondered the question for a moment before answering, "Team building."

"It's just the two of us, though," Ruka countered, her grin spreading to her ears in excitement.

"I could call the others —"

"No, no! Team building's good. Not a date. Team building," Ruka immediately yapped, raising two thumbs up in giddiness.

Shin made sure to smirk only when Ruka went back to staring at the sea, this time doing a cute little dance with her shoulders.

Finally, Shin pulled over at another gate. He opened the window again as the guard was approaching.

"Good morning, Major, Lieutenant," the guard saluted and greeted. Shin and Ruka returned the salute.

"Shimazu-sama is expecting you, but we're afraid you must go on on foot. We'll have your vehicle here once you return."

Shin and Ruka exchanged a look and a silent conversation. Then he reached at the back of the car for his blades and holster. He looked back at the guard and nodded.

Shin and Ruka unfastened their seatbelts, opened their doors, and exited the vehicle in absolute synchronization that it subtly gave Shin goosebumps.

Ruka closed the passenger side door while the guard entered through the driver's seat.

Shin fastened the belt in his waist, his katana and wakizashi strapped on the left side, his pistol on the other. Ruka on the other hand, adjusted hers, tanto at the back of her waist, and pistol on the right side.

Their eyes met again. "Ready?" Shin asked. Ruka pursed her lips and nodded.

Shin made his way in front of the tall black gate, Ruka taking her place to his right and a little bit to the back. The gate opened, revealing a courtyard dotted with cherry blossoms and wisteria trees. In the center was a koi pond with a bridge leading to the mansion.

Shin moved forward, Ruka trailing behind. They passed by the bridge, Ruka looked at the pond below them with a smile.

"It's pretty here. Prettier than the castle," the girl murmured.

"I know," Shin replied, their pace slowing down as they admired the courtyard. "It's simple. It's not posturing. It's not telling you to bow down and get in line."

"But does the wind still have ears here?" Ruka asked.

Shin sighed, recalling his conversation with Asa last night, "We're still in Osaka, and in the estate of a hatamoto no less."

Ruka nodded in understanding.

They stopped and stood in front of the buke-yashiki. There was no one around, only the wind and the trees, which Shin felt strange. He pressed on the ground with one foot, the gravel and stones made a soft scrunching sound.

Soft? Softer than it usually is.

Shin's arm rested on top of his scabbard. "Ruka —" he whispered.

"I know, Shin," Ruka whispered back. Her hands went behind her back, one of which gripped the hilt of her tanto.

Shin took a deep breath, then announced themselves, "Major Sanada Shinsuke and Lieutenant Kawai Ruka. Here at the orders of —"

And the ground beneath them sprang to life as two men, dressed in shinobi robes, but with headbands showing the sigil of the Shimazu, lunged from both sides.

Shin and Ruka sprang to action — each moving to intercept the shinobi charging at the other.

Ruka drew her tanto in a reverse grip, raising it and blocking the shinobi's blade lunging at Shin. Then she extended her back foot, giving the shinobi a front kick that pushed him a few meters back. Ruka held the tanto horizontally in front of her, she drew her pistol and placed it on top of her sword arm, aiming for the head of the shinobi who froze in place.

The other side ended much faster. Shin drew Kokuuryu, and with the weight of his strike, he swiped the shinobi's blade down. Before the shinobi could react, Kokuuryu was pressed on his neck.

Ruka and the shinobi were all breathing heavily. Shin on the other hand, remained calm.

And then – applause.

From inside the buke-yashiki. The tatami doors opened to reveal Major Bakura Daifuku, clapping and grinning proudly.

Behind him and at the end of the empty room, sat his namesake, Lord Shimazu Daifuku, still retaining that mask of indifference he wore during the shogun council.

"Stand down," Lord Shimazu ordered.

The shinobi disengaged. Shin and Ruka sheathed their blades while the latter also returns her pistol in its holster. The four fighters bowed at each other. Then the shinobi took two steps backwards, faced Shimazu Daifuku, bowed, plucked something from their belt and threw it on the ground. A cloud of smoke exploded, and when it settled, the shinobi have disappeared.

Shin scoffed, "Does that still work in this age?"

"You'd be surprised," Major Bakura replied, leaning on a pillar by the edge of the building.

Shin then turned to face his liege lord. He bowed, followed by Ruka behind him.

"As you were, Sanada-shosa," Lord Shimazu uttered.

"Get in, both of you," he ordered.

Shin and Ruka moved to enter the residence, removing their shoes and bowing before they cross the threshold. They entered the room and knelt on the mats in front of Lord Shimazu. Major Bakura on the other hand, remained standing against the pillar.

"I don't seem to remember sending for you, Lieutenant Kawai," Lord Shimazu's gaze fell on Ruka, who dipped her head and bit her lip. "You're lucky Major Bakura vouched for you, or else you'll be standing outside the estate."

Ruka bowed, "I appreciate and am grateful for your consideration, Shimazu-sama."

"Give it a rest, Daifuku," Major Bakura teased from outside. Shin suppressed a laugh as Lord Shimazu grimaced.

"May I remind you that I'm still your daimyo, Major Bakura Daifuku."

Major Bakura shrugged, "Is that any way to talk to your mentor, Shimazu Daifuku?" He doubled down on the teasing.

"Do that again and I'll have you thrown out of the estate."

Major Bakura just chuckled in response.

"Were the shinobi his idea, or yours, Shimazu-sama?" Shin asked.

"Mine," Lord Shimazu replied. "More for Lieutenant Kawai than you, Black Dragon."

"Me?" Ruka pointed to herself as she responded in genuine surprise.

Shimazu nodded. "I heard you were with Shinsuke during the inn attack at Echigo. How many shinobi did she kill, Shin?"

"I killed six by my count before the Crimson Blade intercepted me, and there were fourteen dead, so the other eight were Ruka's."

"Impressive, considering they were Iga shinobi. I had to see it for myself."

"And did she pass your test?" Major Bakura asked.

"She wouldn't be sitting there if she wasn't. And Shin and Major Bakura seem to trust you, Lieutenant," he now addressed Ruka directly. "Earning it from my best blade and my mentor is no easy feat."

Ruka's face beamed with pride before she bowed again. "Thank you, Shimazu-sama."

"Now off to business, tell me, Shin," he now turned to Shin who shifted slightly. "What do you think of the Shogun council now that you've seen them in person?"

Shin gave himself a moment to think. "I think... no, I felt nothing from them."

Lord Shimazu tilted his head slightly.

"They did command the council as is expected... but if they truly had complete command of the room, Takeda Benimaru won't do what he did, even with him being such a wildcard..."

"And Lady Date shouldn't be there, too..." Ruka added. "She's mourning her cousin — Lord Uesugi Kagetatsu's death."

"The funeral robes were her form of silent protest," Major Bakura said.

"Anything else?" Lord Shimazu asked.

Shin and Ruka shook their heads.

"Now tell me what you think of the new Lord of Takeda."

Shin clutched his chest where Takeda Benimaru kicked him last night, the movement didn't escape Ruka's concerned gaze.

"He... doesn't seem fifteen," Shin replied and the two Daifukus scoffed.

"I dare say his accomplishments already rival that of his ancestor, Takeda Shingen. The young man took over his entire clan by his blade and force of will alone. Those who did not kneel, were burned," Major Bakura lit a cigar and started smoking.

"He killed two uncles and five cousins, all older than him and with significant military experience. Defeated them all in the field," Lord Shimazu continued. "Those who did not raise arms were brought to the table to negotiate. Our spies weren't able to infiltrate these meetings, but when they were done, Takeda Benimaru always came out on the winning side of the deal."

"So he's not just a kid with a blade taller than he is," Shin commented.

"Apparently not," Lord Shimazu replied.

"Nor is he a teenager with a chip on his shoulder," Ruka added.

"We don't know if that's the case," Major Bakura replied.

"Is he a threat?" Shin followed.

"If he is, can you defeat him if you cross blades again?" Lord Shimazu asked with a piercing gaze directed at Shin.

"I —" Shin's chest tightened again and his arm shivered slightly, remembering how heavy the Entei's strike felt when his oversized odachi rang against his katana.

"Maybe..."

"I need more than a maybe, Shin."

Shin closed his eyes and breathed. He visualized a duel between him and the Entei, Takeda Benimaru. He saw a flaming red dragon squaring up against a black dragon. Two upstarts, two apex fighters who are still approaching their prime, and when they clashed — he saw the fire dragon roaring and breathing pillars of flame towards the sky, his claws digging deep against the black dragon who lay limp on the ground.

"I'd say 70-30, favoring the Entei," Shin replied.

Lord Shimazu scoffed, "Then we better not make him a threat against us."

"How do we do that?" Ruka asked.

"That would be my problem for now, not yours," Lord Shimazu replied.

"So what is our problem now, Shimazu-sama?" Shin followed with another question.

Lord Shimazu huffed. "Tell me your assessment of the gokenin, Colonel Daigoro Shirotora."

"The White Tiger?" Shin tilted his head in confusion. "Does he have anything to do with this?"

"I don't recall giving you permission to ask questions, Sanada-shosa," came Lord Shimazu's immediate reply.

"Right. Forgive me, Shimazu-sama. As for the White Tiger, he's..." Shin hesitated.

"No need to hold back, Shin," Major Bakura exhaled thick smoke through his nose, "I know I didn't."

Shin sighed softly, then he met the scrutinizing gaze of his daimyo, "He's a cruel man... with no honor. What he did... to Uesugi Kagetatsu, was..." Shin struggled to find the words.

Behind him, Ruka clenched her fists, recalling the day the White Tiger executed the rebellious daimyo, but not before making him bleed out.

"Those words are enough," Lord Shimazu stated, "and judging by Lieutenant Kawai's reaction, she feels the same."

Ruka didn't respond verbally, only with a hateful glare reflecting all the contempt and disdain she has for the White Tiger.

"Now that you've said what you think of his character, tell me what you think of him as a military commander and fighter."

To this, Shin responded immediately, "I can't speak for his true strategic and tactical prowess since all operational plans were made by Major Bakura —"

"And he sent your squad in these mission, correct?"

"To as many as he can, it looked to me," Shin replied.

"Aren't there any other squads available?"

"There were," Major Bakura responded. "Just as competent, if not specialized. Yet Shirotora kept insisting on sending Shin's squad."

"And the duels?" Lord Shimazu followed.

"Those are easier to answer," the old Major replied, "Shin was the best guy around, end of story."

"All of this inadvertently pushed Sanada-taicho in the spotlight," Ruka spoke cautiously. When Lord Shimazu gestured for her to continue, she bowed before doing so, "the squad operations may be covert, but the duels aren't. It allowed Sanada-taicho to be seen, and it gave him glory and renown, even if he doesn't want it..."

Those last few words made Major Bakura chuckle.

"And moreover," Ruka continued, "the way he conducted himself in these duels, with honor and respect, gave him the admiration of the entire Shimazu force. This all makes me wonder why the White Tiger was mad when Shin got all the honors, he basically paved the way for him."

"You are right in your assessment, Lieutenant," Lord Shimazu nodded. "If it was only the covert operations alone, he would have been able to take all the credit that he wanted. But the duels, if he wanted the glory he should've fought some himself, he has the physique to."

"Tell me, Shin," Major Bakura huffed on his cigar, "if it comes to a fight, can you beat him?"

Shin visualized again, a black dragon against a white tiger, but this time the story was different. The black dragon roared, darkening the sky with the white tiger's head clutched in its claws.

Shin smirked, "It would be a struggle but, in a clean fight, I'd win."

Lord Shimazu and Major Bakura mirrored Shin's smirk. Ruka on the other hand, beamed at him with pride and confidence.

"Uhm..." Ruka quietly raises a hand. "May I ask something, Shimazu-sama?"

"You already did," Lord Shimazu replied, "but proceed, Lieutenant."

"Why are you asking us this?"

The two Daifukus shared a glance. Major Bakura nodded slightly, and the daimyo sighed.

"You do know how the system of gokenins function in our country, don't you?" Lord Shimazu asked.

Ruka nodded slowly, "They are appointed by the Shogun council as checks for the hatamoto's military power. During times of war, like the recent Uesugi rebellion, the Shogunate assigned the White Tiger to the Shimazu force despite serving for most of his life under the Mori. In this way, the men are provided by the hatamoto, but the direction is given by the gokenin."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Major Bakura chuckled with a proud grin.

"Where are you leading with this, Shimazu-sama?" Shin asked.

"We have... reports," Lord Shimazu's voice dropped as if he's cautious that someone else is listening. Being in Osaka — there probably is. "Reports that the gokenin are... dissatisfied of their role. They lead armies to battle but are accordingly unjustly rewarded."

"Unlike the hatamoto, the gokenin are only provided monetary bonuses. No land, no "fief", or "han", as the olden days call it," Major Bakura added.

"If they want land of their own, they can just purchase, right? Like any normal person would," Ruka asked, confused at the point of the gokenin's dissatisfaction.

"Why purchase when it can be rewarded to you?" Shin replied. "Why diminish the money and spoils you receive?"

Ruka scoffed, "That's such a... an old fashioned way of thinking. Do they want to plunge us again in a new completely feudal age?"

"That may be exactly what they want," Major Bakura responds, his tone cold and mocking.

"How?" Shin asked. "They don't have the manpower, they can't even command armies unless they have a mandate from the shogunate. And even then the loyalties of these armies are with their daimyos and hatamoto. They are given the objective of the campaign and if the gokenin strays from this, the army is allowed to request for a change of command, provided they can prove it in a military court."

"Which is why their only course of action is to carve a power base of their own," Major Bakura responded.

"And by force, if necessary," Lord Shimazu finished.

Memories of what Enami Asa told Shin and Ruka at Echigo resurface in both of them. The kunoichi did say that the gokenin were cooking something — was this it? Was this all of it, or just the surface?

"How... do they plan to do that?" Shin asked, trying to wrap his head on a sensible plan on how to carve out a power base in the country. "The islands already have hatamoto ruling them, and so far there are no weak hatamotos in the current roster. There's no one they can exploit nor strike against..."

"Then they're trying to take control somewhere the hatamoto don't have authority over..." Ruka said behind Shin.

"Sharp, Lieutenant," Lord Shimazu beams. "Looks like Shin made the right decision to bring you here."

"Well, I... actually forced myself to come with him," Ruka replied with an awkward chuckle.

Major Bakura laughed outside while Lord Shimazu only smirked.

"Anyway," Ruka continued, blushing from the attention, "where can they carve a suitable power base?"

"Okinawa?" Shin asked. "It's far to the south, isolated almost. It has a port, and enough space to construct military installation —"

"Too small and not self-sufficient without outside support," Lord Shimazu replied.

"Then where —"

"The three kingdoms of Korea," Lord Shimazu finally answered, "Goryeo, Silla, and Joseon. We have reports that they're trying to take over one of the kingdoms and establish it as their own base."

Shin and Ruka's eyes grow wide with surprise.

"Greater Korea, as it is known internationally," Ruka began, "it is, almost like Japan, ruled by a council of three kings, each from one of the nation's three different dynasties," she paused in a moment of disbelief. "And they're actually trying to take over there?"

"Apparently they've been sowing discord among the three kings," Major Bakura replied. "They can't do it here because the Shogun council will immediately have their heads, but in Korea, no one is supervising them, at least, not effectively."

"Do we have a military presence there?" Shin asked.

"We do," Lord Shimazu answered. "A small Peacekeeping Division stationed in Busan as part of the treaty of Seoul fifty years ago after the civil war that split Korea into the three kingdoms that it is now. The main force is commanded by the Mori, but separate brigades and battalions are commanded by gokenin. They're scattered across the country conducting "Peacekeeping Operations". Reports say they're doing more than just that."

The room paused to breathe, or at least it tried to. Major Bakura's cigar burned out, so he threw it in a nearby trash can. He then joined Shin and the others inside the room and sat a little bit to the left of Lord Shimazu.

"Ahhh.. Korea," he said like he was reminiscing. "The place where my fingers got cut off," he chuckled holding his hand with only the thumb and the pinky finger remaining.

"Yeah, yeah. The Battle of Pyongyang," Shin chuckled in amusement. "You dueled a Korean colonel, general, whatever. That fighter seems to get promoted every time you tell the story."

Ruka tried to hide a snicker — emphasis on tried.

"Exaggerations create legends, Shin," the old Major replied. "From then on, I was known as the —"

"Two-fingered demon," Lord Shimazu and Shin provided, making Ruka snicker a little louder.

"We know the story, Major," Lord Shimazu rolled his eyes. "Can we proceed?"

"Fine," the Major replied in a gruff voice. "It's your loss for missing out on a such an epic tale."

"So, uhm..." Ruka raised her hand, still struggling to contain the giggles coming out of her body. "Do you... have a plan, Shimazu-sama?"

"I do," Lord Shimazu replied. "I'm going to send the Black Dragons into the mouth of the tiger."

"Please don't say what I think you're about to say, Shimazu-sama..." Shin grumbled.

"I shall send your squad to Korea, Major Sanada Shinsuke," Lord Shimazu declared, and Shin sighed and dipped his head.

Major Bakura continued on for Lord Shimazu, "In paper, you'll be there as an augmentation to the Peacekeeping force — international experience has always been a high standard for promotion. Off the record though —" he turned to the daimyo.

"You are to discover whatever plots that the gokenin may be scheming and if possible, nip them out of the bud as prematurely as possible," Lord Shimazu finished.

Shin sighed again, then faced his daimyo with a more resigned expression on his face. "Rules of Engagement?"

"As long as you can justify your means and ends to me and the Shogun council, none."

"So, subterfuge, sabotage..."

Lord Shimazu nodded.

"Even assassination?"

"So long as it won't cause any diplomatic issues."

"I have complete authority?"

"Over all operations your squad will perform, yes. But you are still expected to play the proper etiquette and decorum while you're inside the base at Busan. If the base commander orders you to do something, you're still expected to do it within the bounds of our nation's protocols."

Shin nodded, his mind already racing on how to properly execute this order.

"This could be a long term assignment, Shin," Lord Shimazu states. "And once you agree, it may be difficult to pull you back."

Shin bit his lip, then he turned towards Ruka, who was also biting her lip in contemplation.

"What do you think?" he asked as their eyes met.

"I... uh..." Ruka stuttered. The assignment seemed too big for their squad to handle, but she also saw the wisdom of sending only a handful of people. More men might draw suspicion, if its only them, then they can probably pass as just another squad searching for more glory.

"I heard Busan has great beaches, Lieutenant," Major Bakura quipped, momentarily pulling Ruka out of her thoughts. The joke made her chuckle, something she was grateful for for it released some of the weight forming in her chest.

Then she faced Shin and nodded. "So long as we stay here, we'll be living while constantly looking over our shoulders for any schemes the gokenin cooked up. This way, we get to take the fight to them..." then she grinned playfully, "and besides, I think we deserve an overseas vacation."

Shin scoffed but smiled while Major Bakura laughed heartily. Shin then turned to Lord Shimazu. "The Black Dragons accept, Shimazu-sama."

"Good," he relaxed a little bit. "Now for the next problem."

"Of course," Shin rolled his eyes in exhaustion. "Lay it on, Shimazu-sama."

"For you to be assigned at Busan, you need the endorsement of at least two hatamoto."

Shin felt his chest and shoulders drop. "Let me guess, you're one, and we still don't have the other?"

Lord Shimazu nodded. "I approached Mori Naoki-dono first, considering that it's his fleet that's docked at Busan. He refused, stating that the addition of one squad wouldn't help in stabilizing the region. I had a mind to approach the Entei, but after what happened between the two of you at the Shogun council, I figured it would be ill-advised to do so. The Chosokabe don't give a damn, being the isolationist bastards that they are..."

"That leaves Date Himawari-sama," Major Bakura finished.

"And...?" Shin asked, anxiety building up inside of him.

"She would agree, but on one condition."

"And that is?"

"She wants to talk to you, Shin. Most likely about the Uesugi rebellion and the fate of his cousin," Lord Shimazu finished, his voice slightly tinged with empathy and compassion.

Shin gave a weary sigh. He feared this, feared that Lady Date would summon him to talk about her cousin. He hoped to delay it, but now, he is practically duty bound to do so.

"When and where should I see her?"

"Tonight," Lord Shimazu replied. "Meet her at her estate at Minoh, north of Osaka, before midnight."

Another sigh escapes Shin's nose. "Alright. I'll be there."

Shimazu nodded. "You report immediately to me the results of your... conversation."

Shin can only nod weakly.

"Anything else, Major?"

Shin shook his head. "Nothing more, Shimazu-sama."

Shimazu turns to Ruka, "Lieutenant?"

Ruka shook her head, "Nothing more from me as well, Shimazu-sama." Her eyes were on Shin though, she senses the reluctance, the hesitation, and most of all, the grief and the fear. Looks like she has to force him to allow her to accompany him in this mission again.

"If that's all, lunch is served for you at the dining hall, if you'll have it," Lord Shimazu rose, and Shin and the rest with him. He made to leave through a tatami door behind him, Major Bakura trailing close behind him.

"Have lunch you two," Major Bajura said as he stood by the threshold of the tatami, "heard the food's great and you're the only ones in the hall. It would feel like a date but, I know you both don't mind."

Ruka flushed red almost immediately, "Senpai!" she squealed, and Major Bakura just laughed, along with the fact that Shin's expression remained deadpan clueless.

"Happy lunch, my stupid protégés!" Major Bakura bid farewell before closing the tatami.

They both stood there, Ruka blushing profusely, while Shin was thinking about Korea. The atmosphere became too awkward for Ruka to resist.

"Uhm... lunch, Shin?"

Shin jumped, pulled out from his thoughts. "Oh. Yeah. Right. Lunch."

"Are you okay?"

"Are you?"

"No," Ruka admitted. "Mainly because I'm hungry," her stomach growled to prove her point, and Shin can't help but release an airy chuckle.

"Alright, let's have that lunch," Shin said.

"Then team-building after?" Ruka asked in an adorably small and hopeful voice that it released another chuckle out of Shin.

"Fine. That, at Osaka Bay, after lunch," he replied, passing through Ruka who pumped her fist in glee when Shin finally had his back in front of her.