“Lady Masako!” Taka ran towards her and jumped into her arms with a cheer.

  “Taka!” Masako snickered while she rubbed the young woman's head. “I hope you've been behaving?”

  “Taka what are you doing?” Taro looked confused, “have you forgotten what I said earlier? We do not know who we can trust. Certainly most of all a woman like that.” He cautioned her to come back to his side.

  Masako turned to him unimpressed by his accusation. “Do not make me thrash you about Lord Hisakawa, I am in the mood for a good fight.” Even in the dim light around them, her blazing ruby eyes glowed a sinister hue. She dared him to challenge her. “Kentaro has been a good host to me, I would hate to paint these walls with your blood.”

  Taro stepped forward, bewildered that he would so brazenly spoken to by a stranger. Her title of fellow Lunar General did not grant such arrogance. “You would threaten me in my wife’s father’s home?”

  “Stop it both of you!” Taka declared. “Lady Masako, do you remember what we discussed?” she wagged her finger at her.

  Masako sighed as she rolled her eyes, “I mustn’t resort to violence because I am bored of conversation.” She puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, “He started it.”

  “Can someone explain to me what is going on here?” Taro pleaded with all the strength he had.

  And so Kentaro sat them down and explained the circumstances that had brought them all together. Taro listened, ever so often glancing over at Masako who enjoyed a large cup of mead for her troubles. In the poorly lit room, her scarlet hair looked a deep maroon, closer to black than the expect rose color of those that carried giants blood. He could see there was an attempt to dye it a further black but some streaks of scarlet red remained defiant to the attempts of the woman to hide her heritage. Taro recalled rumors about Masako’s disdain for the giant's blood that coursed through her veins. It was an odd rumor that such a woman would desire to wash herself of any relation to them despite how many looked at it as a divine gift. As her eyes met his, he quickly looked away not wanting to provoke the woman who Taka had subdued quite effortlessly. Instead he listened on as Kentaro finished his tale.

  “Thank you Kentaro,” Taro happily took the cup of mead. “And for your explanation but I fail to completely understand just how you knew of this place Lady Masako? Or how you know Taka?”

  “Fumi invited me here when I accompanied Lady Yukimura to visit her a few weeks ago. After what happened at Nonawa I assumed this is where you would scurry off to and devise a plan. The Kuroi Inu thought so too and I just followed behind them and knocked on the door when they left.” She shrugged her shoulders, not ashamed of how sly her plan was.

  Taro had several more questions about why Lady Masako was so friendly with his wife, or why Fumi had not told him about her, herself. As well as that from her tone it seemed that it was a regular occurrence at that. He was aware that Lady Yukimura at times visited his wife but he did not know it was to this extent that others joined in as well. Fumi had a buoyant personality that he quite loved, if one were to look away for a moment she would be off on an adventure of her own making friends along the way. He was sure she had heard the rumors said about Lady Masako and took it upon herself to welcome her. Taro laughed to himself as he rubbed his brow. Even without her presence she was still making allies for him. He missed her terribly.

  “As for how I know little Taka here,” Masako pinched her cheeks while the girl giggled as she tried to stop her. “I was bored one day and looked to fight Tsuru, so I could have an idea of how strong Inari was.” Her mood turned sour as a memory returned to her, “the old hag kept finding one excuse or another to turn me away. I planned to kidnap Taka to get her to finally fight me. Three days I held her captive and nothing, she is a terrible mother.” She patted the girl on her head.

  “Don’t call my mother a hag!” Taka grumbled, “and I told you she wouldn’t come for me as long as she is sleepy!”

  “Who sleeps for three days?”

  “She’s ol-mature!”

  Back and forth they went and it came to Taro’s understanding why these women had all gotten along so easily. There was a saying about how birds and feathers he could not quite remember but he felt what he was witnessing was that moment. His teachers had raised him to believe the Lunar Generals of Ichika were divine weapons of the king. Instruments of war who were said to be equal to Iliad’s Lords of War. However for has long as he had believed that, rarely ever questioned it even when pressed by Lord Nishimura. For Taro it was the first time he saw that there could be more to them than what their titles meant. That they did not have to stand so alone, and unmovable monoliths. Here was General Masako Mochizuki–Masako the Berserker–fooling around with the daughter of another Lunar General known as even more fierce. It seemed that the state of Ichika was not the only thing slowly being upended, but the very notions of their ways itself. Rather than allow his mind to wonder anymore than it had, he sought to refocus his mind and the two women bickering in front of him.

  “Excuse me, Lady Masako,” he raised his hand. “You said I had a plan, how did you figure that?”

  “Well Lady Yukimura put Taka in your care right? I assumed that meant she trusted you to handle this mess.” She looked at him with slight apprehension, “You do have a plan right…?”

  Taka whispered loudly, “He doesn’t.”

  “I do.” He said defiantly, “-have the makings of one, but it proves difficult. We do not have weapons, nor access to our barracks and our men. We are also unaware of who our allies are and who follow Hideyoshi. There are far too many unknowns for us to act on so recklessly.”

  “Well if you wanna know who sides with Hideyoshi I could tell you that,” Masako leisurely played with her hair.

  Taka and Taro looked at her shocked, “how do you know?” they asked in unison.

  “Follow me,” she waved them over.

  As they took her lead, Taro stopped to converse with Kentaro for a little while before urging him to return to bed. He swore to him that no harm would come to Fumi and that he would do everything within his power to save her. The old man accepted the decree and tapped him on the chest lovingly. Lord Hisakawa was thankful that such a man was so understanding of the current predicament but at the same time could see where his wife had gotten much of her personality from. They both had the same soft brown eyes that held warmth like an open flame. Even their smiles were similar too. Taro found himself more determined than ever to follow through on his promise. He watched the elderly man disappear into the darkness and up the stairs back to his room.

  He turned around and followed the women deeper into the tavern. The alehouse had not been fully operational ever since Fumi’s mother had passed away some years ago. The saddened affair led Kentaro to only open the establishment on some days whenever he felt the need to have company or his friends who come by to play their board games. For the most part the tavern was kept in good condition, and it was reflected by the neatness of the hallway he now passed through. It did not take him long to reach a small room in the back and wondered why Masako had directed them to follow her here. If she was cautious about anyone particularly listening, there was no need. Both buildings on either side of the tavern had been abandoned and he was sure that just like him, she was aware that there was no one within their immediate range that raised danger. When he had arrived, he stood by Taka while Masako stood in front of a storage door.

  “Before I open this door, I need you to swear you will not get angry.”

  Taka and Taro exchanged cautious looks but slowly nodded their heads.

  She observed them both for a moment, making sure they would keep their word, satisfied she slowly opened the door. When Lady Masako opened the door, Taro was unsure what it was he would see, he braced for the unexpected and somehow all the same still was not prepared. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he had not eaten all day, or the overwhelming wave of exhaustion that coursed through his body. But he found himself accepting what his eyes were now seeing: the bound unconscious body of one of King Satori Sugawara’s daughters and one of the Thirteen Lunar Generals of Ichika, Princess Haruka Sugawara. The man’s knees buckled slightly and did all he could to keep himself standing up. With all that was happening, at the very least he managed to let out a sigh and was surprisingly proud of himself at the ease in which he was able to simply accept what his eyes were showing him. He turned his gaze to Lady Masako, his face begging, demanding for an answer that would justify why a member of the royal family was tied in front of them.

  “If you allow me to exp-,” was all she could get out before Taka moved passed her.

  “Princess Haruka!?” Taka rushed to her side, alarmed by the state of her. She looked her over before turning an angry gaze towards Masako.

  “…I may have omitted some details about my story,” she rolled her eyes. “After Nonawa, I spotted the princess hiding and decided to ask for her help in understanding a few things. To which she refused, and I kindly encouraged her to change her mind.”

  “So what part of kidnapping the king’s daughter was supposed to help your plan?” Taro asked, curious at how far ahead she had thought.

  “Well I knew you would have a better use for her than I would,” Masako sighed. “She is heavier than she looks, you know?”

  Taka undid her binds and placed the princess up against the wall. There was a deep bruise across the side of her forehead but outside of that the girl could find no other injury on her. She was relieved to know that there was no lasting harm as she knew how rough Lady Masako could be. She took the time to look her over again, even unconscious the woman was quite pretty. Her flowing black hair was neatly tied to one side which revealed a smooth face. It was said by many that she bore quite a resemblance to her mother and Taka was sure it was true. Only such a refined and elegant face could belong to someone of noble birth. Princess Haruka was said to be about twenty-four years old but could easily pass a few years younger. Her Lunar General kimono spilled effortlessly around her, draping her in the warm embrace of the familiar pink hue. She looked like a woman from an ancient fairytale, Taka could not help but blush slightly at her. Soon after, to her pleasantness, the princess began to stir, slowly opening her eyes to reveal soft black orbs.

  “What…” Haruka struggled to speak. “My head,” she moved her hand towards the bruise.

  “Princess Haruka, are you okay?”

  Her eyes focused as they moved to follow the voice that called out to her, “Lady Takara? What are you…” her gaze moved to the devilish woman grinning behind her, “You!” the princess exclaimed.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  In a flash Masako had placed her index finger by the princess's jugular. “Calm down, or I will open your throat before you can scream.”

  Haruka glared at her with a frightful look but slowly nodded her head when she saw Taro standing by the door with an awkward smile. “Lord Hisakawa, you are here too?”

  He bowed, “princess, please forgive this current predicament we find ourselves in.”

  Haruka glared at him too, unsure of what exactly this predicament was. Her head still hurt quite a bit but her focus now was on the woman who had a finger to her throat. The burning eyes of Lady Masako held hers firm in their grasp as they waited for her to make a move, almost begging her to disregard the warning. However the princess knew better as she recalled the last time she spoke with Masako and leaned back against the wall resigned to her fate.

  “We mean to speak with you princess,” Taro pleaded.

  “And kidnapping me is how you go about it?” she snapped back.

  Taro bowed again, “please forgive us, we are willing to accept any punishment you deem necessary when this is all over.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Masako barked.

  “As I was saying, we require your help.”

  Taro was careful to phrase what it was he required from the princess. Quite frankly he did not trust her. It was more likely that she supported Prince Hideyoshi and his rebellion as opposed to being against it. There was no secret how close she was with Crown Prince Hiei Sugawara and many were aware that the Crown Prince was influenced by Hideyoshi to some degree. It was unfair to assume such, but Taro chose rather to be overtly cautious, he was sure that there were those within the Lunar Generals that supported what Hideyoshi was trying to achieve. For all the excellence that was expected of the children of Satori, the princess was often regarded as an after thought by many despite her glowing acclaims and achievements. Trial after trial, she overcame, even rising to the title of Lunar General despite being so young. However all of it not enough to overcome the one thing she had no control over. The one thing that mattered the most to the Sugawara clan's Elders. She was born a woman. And as so in the grand scheme of things, she ultimately did not matter to the future of the great house. No such things were the weight and responsibility of the noble Crown Princes'. But as commendation for her efforts and achievements she was permitted to carry the Sugawara name, excellence was still to be rewarded.

  However to the princess, the hollowness of the world was only filled with the approval of her father. He who sought to always commend her and champion her just as much as he did any of his children. And for that, Taro knew that Haruka cared deeply for her father, and more than anything craved his approval. The Lunar General was willing to gamble that even if there was a possibility that she was swayed by Hideyoshi's words to bring about a great upheaval for Ichika. To create a future where Ichika stood on equal footing with the north. The love she had for her father, for his safety would outweigh any kind of violent rebellion. If he could show her that he his goal was the safety of the king, she may help them. Not long after, Taro had finished explaining himself, he waited patiently for a response from her.

  Princess Haruka hesitated, refusing to say anything. She looked at them like a wounded animal, unsure which was friend and which was foe.

  Masako was the first to run out of patience, “every second we waste here is one more that the king is closer to death.” She stepped forward, her mood growing more hostile, “do you forget your sister is with him as well?”

  “My uncle said the decree was of my fathers-”

  “You cannot honestly believe that?” the great Lunar General roared, “you think your father, who has spoken more in defense of the Stygians than anyone within the palace, what? Woke up one day and decided to be done with all of it?” Masako looked at her without mercy, “we are wasting our time here, she most likely agrees with the traitorous dog-”

  “How dare you!” Haruka demanded respect. They were Lunar Generals yes, but she was also a royal and that put her considerably above them. “You were not there, you did not see what happened! I could have joined them but I did no!.” The princess had finally found her voice.

  Taro pulled Masako back and stepped up in her place, “what do you mean princess, please what did you see?”

  Haruka bit her tongue, unsure if she wanted to say more. She did not know who she could trust, too much was going on. Hours ago she had accompanied her little brother to a scheduled meeting with the Lunar Generals and now she was hearing her uncle was a traitor. Her mind raced back and forth unsure of what it was she wanted to say, her decision to leave after what Lady Yukimura had done was made out of fright rather than any real sense of judgement of her own making. She missed her father, and the calmness his presence provided, it was as though she had awoken to a nightmare and did not know who she could trust. What if what her uncle had said was true, would her actions here be going against her father’s wishes? She could not bear to disappoint him, she did not want to. The princess struggled underneath the weight of her own doubt.

  “It is alright princess,” Taka placed a cool hand on her lap, her smile soothing to the ear. “Forgive Lady Masako, she is on edge because among the people taken by Prince Hideyoshi were her little brothers. She is all they have.”

  Princess Haruka looked away ashamed at the sight of Taka, it was the first time that she had ever seen the girl up close. Her sunset eyes were more beautiful than any set of jewels she owned and the stars within her hair twinkled like the brightest of diamonds. She had such a captivating face that almost defied all imagination. Her father often talked about the beauty of the Stygians but seeing one up close the princess felt he had undersold their allure. Her ebony skin glowed in the dim light as though her entire body exuded brilliance. She had to resist the urge to reach out and touch her for she was unsure if she was truly real. In the small moment she took to examine her she had begun to understand why so many were enthralled by them. However for Haruka what she most enjoyed about Taka’s appearance was her smile. There was a certain kind of warmth to it, as though she gazed at an old friend, she was sure this was uniquely only belonging to her. This was a kind girl, too kind she thought, she found herself calming at the sight of her.

  Enough so that her words finally reached her, as her mind took her back to what her uncle said. He had taken it upon himself by approval from the Imperial Court to move their families without their knowledge. She knew her own mother was safe in the imperial palace, none would dare move one of the king’s consorts without his direct approval. But the others… she knew of the other Lunar Generals would not be afforded such honors. Her birth perhaps for the first time coming to her aid. The old prince's words rung in her ears and she thought about it for a moment longer. They were not under any danger or expecting an attack. Even if what her uncle had said were true and the Stygians could possibly retaliate, they would have ample time to protect their loved ones before such an attack would happen. There truly was no need to move them so suddenly. For the briefest of moments she thought of her little brother Hiei and an uncomfortable sensation washed over her.

  “When Lady Yukimura…” she trailed off. “When she did what she did, I took the opportunity like all the other generals to leave. As ashamed as I am to admit it, I was frightened of the damage she would cause and thought to get away as far as I could but still within range to see what had become of Nonawa.”

  Taka nodded reassuringly, “what did you see?”

  Haruka took a deep breath, “When the smoke had cleared enough, I saw my uncle by the hooded man, the badly bandaged boy and the Sword Saint that had arrived. They…they stood over Lady Yukimura.” She watched as Taka’s smile faltered slightly, “she was wounded but alive she was talking to the hooded man. But… but from the smoke appeared some of the Lunar Generals.”

  The room had grown tense with anticipation, at the idea of knowing who was involved with Hideyoshi’s ploy to seize control of their realm. They would also find out who was responsible for the disappearance of their family. They all looked at Princess Haruka intently.

  “I saw my brother Hiei,” it hurt her to say his name first. “Lady Yokota and Lady Huli Jing as well as Lord Matsumoto.” She hesitated for a while, before slowly raising her eyes to meet Taro’s. “And I saw Lord Nishimura.”

  Silence fell in the storage room as all turned to look at Taro. The last name seemed to carry with it a the weight of the entire world as his closest and oldest friend was named a traitor. They were unsure of what they expected to see from him, but the half smile he offered more than surprised them.

  “You have done admirably, Princess Haruka.” He bowed in gratitude, “your father would be immensely proud of you.”

  She offered him a soft smile.

  Masako turned to her fellow Lunar General, studying his expression, “So is that enough insight for your plan?” she would not linger on the revelation as she could see the distress on his face.

  Taro rubbed his scruffy beard, “it will have to do.”

  “Plan?” Princess Haruka asked, attempting to stand. “I thought you just wanted to know? What are you planning?”

  Masako was growing tired of the princess acting so aloof to the situation at hand. She had done her best to understand where the royal was coming from. The little she knew of Haruka was that most of her life could be defined by stability. She did not doubt her strength, she would be foolish to do so. None who became a Lunar General were weak, far from it in fact. However her inability to understand what was happening or worse, her refusal to do so was wearing thin. They were in the midst of their realm being torn asunder and members of the Thirteen Lunar Generals were responsible. The time for action was approaching and such indecision would spell doom for not only her but all of them.

  She grabbed her by her kimono, “What the fuck is wrong with you, are you not a Lunar General?” her ruby eyes bore into the princesses, “Can you not see we are at war. I do not care for your sentimentality princess, but my brother's lives are being used against me. I will slaughter any who stand in my way. They seek to kill your father and sister, are you not enraged?”

  “Hiei would never do anything to harm our father, yes he often disagrees with him on many things. I can understand that he is not well liked by all, but he always puts our people first!” she fought back, “And what of Lady Huli Jing, you think she would stand against the king and Crown Princess Nanako? Is that not proof enough that my uncle means well?” She turned to Taro, “Lord Hisakawa, are you not childhood friends with Lord Nishimura? You would go to war against him, really? You expect me to stand against my family?” tears welled in her eyes as she fought back the urge to cry.

  Taro felt sickened at the sight he saw before him great warriors reduced to bickering fools. Hideyoshi’s poison had seeped deeply into their minds and put them all at odds…No, this was not the work of the prince, he thought. The image of the hooded man flashed across his mind and a wave of anger washed over him, it was that man’s fault. His words dripped venom, the casualness in which he was able to command the ear of the lunar generals. All of it was because of him. He had felt it from the first time he laid eyes on him. An unsettling and vile creature that spoke of freedom with words soaked in war and death of innocents. A violent and destructive kind of presence that spelled ruin for all that involved themselves with him. Taro had believed that all of this was Hideyoshi's doing, but the more the thought of that man, the greater he felt his influence throughout the ordeal. There was more to that hooded man it all seemed to come back to him.

  Tearing himself away from his deeper thoughts, he finally found the strength to meet the princesses eyes. Bringing him back to reality. Truth be told, he wished to force the issue with her. Every moment spent away from his pregnant wife was agonizingly painful. He wanted to discard all his attempts to placate her and ease her worries, in fact the moment she had mentioned Katsuo Nishimura’s name, he wanted to strike her. To accuse his oldest friend who had upheld the honor of the Lunar General’s better than any one of them. It was the final disrespect that he could not endure. However he practiced great restraint, knowing that all he would be doing is lashing out like the impatient child he once was. Haruka was not at fault, she only reacted how a scared daughter would. Her family may not have been taken, but it splintered all the same like the Lunar General’s were. In the eyes of some, they would say she had it much worse than any of them. Taro flexed his hand as he took a deep breath. He needed to clear his head and recompose himself.

  “Lord Hisakawa, Lady Masako?” Taka finally spoke, for the first time in a while.

  The two Lunar Generals turned to her.

  “I mean no disrespect,” she bowed deeply. “But could you please leave me and Princess Haruka alone? I would like to speak with her.”

  Masako readied another round of protest but Taro placed a hand on her shoulder. For a moment when he looked into Taka’s eyes he was sure that it was Lady Yukimura addressing him. In fact perhaps it was more accurate to suggest it was a fellow Lunar General that spoke to him. He looked at Masako and it was enough for her to follow his lead and gingerly exit the room. Before he left he turned back to look at her one more time and Taka smirked with relief, and he nodded in return. With that both Lunar Generals left the women alone, the hope that the conversation would give them another ally.