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"Can you be sure of that?” I demanded. “Do you know what they used? Or are you guessing about that? I know that there's a big difference between mustard gas and sarin."

"That is something that can be discussed later,” Fuse said. “But both Aboshi-sama and myself have been to Kyushu several times.” She paused, biting her lip, before continuing softly. “That was where I met you, Sakura-chan."

"The castle was lovely,” I said, remembering the event. It was my second public outing as Sakura, and we had gone to see an
ikebana
exhibit that was in Nakatsu. I wondered if the building was still standing and if the flowers were still blooming. “I hope that I can see it again. But you can't walk the shadows."

She smiled at me. “You know that Yatsufusa and I do manage to travel almost as extensively as Samojirou-sama. We could be used as scouts in Kyushu also."

"Are you fucking high?” Mason snarled. We were all slightly shocked at his reaction. “Shit, those fuckers know what you look like! Also, they'll grab your old man, and it won't be pretty what they'll do to him. Fuck, you all better stay as far away as you can from those assholes, even Samojirou."

"I assure you that Yatsufusa can protect me,” Fuse protested.

"I think that you better listen to him, Mother,” Hinaginu said after giving Mason a thoughtful look. “He knows our enemy. And while his analysis of the situation is crude, you know what they did to you before. If they managed to capture Father, they will use their science to examine him. And they will kill him before they learn anything."

"Why?” I asked.

Hinaginu shrugged. “Our enemy will use their science to try and understand magic. Do you think that they will succeed? Or worse, they will hand our parents over to the Egyptians or whoever joins them in this matter, to tell them how the magic works. If they even believe in such a thing."

"Magic got their asses here,” Mason told her. “You'd think that those fuckers would believe in it after that."

"I have learned that people have a hard time believing in some things,” Hinaginu said. “Or believe too easily.” She sighed and shook her head. “But I fear that the fight ahead of us is worse than all the battles that have happened in the past. These people seem to be clever enough to thwart the limitations the Dreamlands place upon us. I fear that what they do, even when we manage to drive them from our lands, will alter Nippon forever."

"Hinaginu,” Hamaji said, “we will adapt. You know that we will. Remember Edo?"

Both women shuddered at the same time. “Are you saying that this new enemy is less fearsome than the noble ladies we had to deal with?” Hinaginu asked her.

"Probably,” Hamaji said, wrinkling her nose. “I hated having to be in Edo. And Shino never understood why."

"I don't understand?” McGann asked, curious and slightly confused.

"I fear that both my daughters by marriage were ill-equipped to deal with Edo's society in the real world,” Fuse said. “But they are the only daughters who have joined their husbands in the Dreamlands."

Genpachi shrugged. “If my wife is here, then she is wise in being as far away from me as possible. Let me just say she wasn't happy with a former
ronin
as her husband.” He laughed bitterly. “But at least I didn't get stuck with the raging bitch that you did, Keno. My wife was just a bitch."

"I was married?” I practically squeaked.

Mason laughed until tears ran down his face, while McGann and Wolf looked as shocked as I felt. Married? I knew I shouldn't have been surprised, because Satomi probably used all of us to cement political alliances. And no one had known about my relationship with Samojirou. But it still was a shock to hear that my ancestor had been married.

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Tamazusa

The journey to my
kuni
was difficult. I was saved part of the trouble by traveling through Inusuka and then Inukawa's
kuni
. While still not safe, the monsters hesitated in attacking such a large band of men. I wasn't surprised to see that Aboshi was at my side constantly, unwilling, I thought, to believe that I was safe. We parted company with the
Hakkenshi
who accompanied us on the journey. They went to the north while my people boarded a small river craft to go west. It was not to say that the journey was easier this way, but it was faster.

The sailors pretended not to notice that I was a woman. It was easy because I was armored as my samurai were. I was also kept out of sight as much as they could manage. Those who caught a glimpse of me probably thought I was a pretty page Aboshi had brought along for his amusement.

"Okita-san has retreated to the town of Nagahama,” Aboshi told me as we sailed down river. “He has left Takehito-san charge of the defense against Iida."

I saw the ravages the monsters had caused. I shuddered. There would be famine in the land; I had waited too long to reclaim it. I had reserves to cover the expense of buying food for my people that remained, but I also knew there would be hunger and refugees, those fleeing the Southerners.

"Fuse-hime wisely transferred all that mattered from the
shoen
to there,” he continued.

"All that could leave, have?” I asked him, trying to sound calm. There were too many who were tied to the land there, the
kashin
and
kodama
that served me there.

"They withdrew to their essence,” Aboshi assured me. “Unless someone there decides to burn the place to ashes, most of them will be safe.” He was quiet for a moment. “The road between the town and the
shoen
is thick with monsters. It will not be easy to deal with them, even after you are done."

"If the
kuni
will have me back,” I whispered. “I have acted foolishly."

"You... why did you accept Iida's offer?” Aboshi asked softly.

"I was curious,” I said. I had had a lot of time to think about this and curse myself for my weakness. “And it was flattering. I thought that I was the one who was in control, while all the time he was laughing at me.” I was silent. “I should have known... there was something off in his manner, but I thought that it was from the fact that he was not of our time. Not that he was planning to betray me in the manner that he did."

"You claim that you weren't lonely,” Aboshi said. “But... Mason?"

His tone of voice was a combination of mild outrage, amazement, and curiosity. I laughed, since he had sounded more upset just now than when I had agreed to accompany Mawatari and started this disastrous adventure.

"He is amusing,” I said, knowing what he was asking. Was I interested in Mason as a consort? While I called Aboshi that, he was more a councilor, my
karo
more than my lover. I doubted that I wanted Mason as a lover, either, but he could be a friend. And I knew I had few enough of those. “And while you might not believe it, he was respectful toward me on our journey. He could have taken advantage of my situation, since he did claim to be my protector.” I waited a beat before adding, “And we did share a bed."

That last bit of information stunned Aboshi into silence. “He did what?” he finally managed to choke out.

"The Northerners thought that it was better if the two
skraelingjar
kept each other occupied,” I said lightly, before getting serious. “Keno-chan had managed to keep us alive. I don't know how, but I know he is the only reason we survived. When we were found on that island, we were both cold, almost frozen from the waters there. Mason kept me alive by sharing his body's warmth with me. He... let me just tell you that he was very kind to me in a time that I needed kindness."

"Keno?” Aboshi asked quietly.

"Wolf took care of him,” I said. I sighed. “The man is impossible at times, but loyal."

"Which is why you accepted him as part of your household, as well as Mason."

"Mason is just impossible,” I told him with a slight smile. “A man who I can trust, though. Also one who has no manners or sense at times,” I added wryly.

"But a man who seems to like you,” Aboshi acknowledged. “I think that he will be good for you.” He paused. “We had talked briefly at Inusuka's holding. He seems to think that you need someone to talk to who isn't overawed by the fact that you are a lord of Nippon. Someone who you could confide in who wasn't one of your retainers or myself. I think that he phrased it as ‘someone to bitch at', whatever that means."

I think that was the closest he was going to get to saying he approved of my relationship with Mason, no matter what form it took. “He treats me with the same respect that he does McGann,” I said. “And I know he respects her intelligence as well as mine. I just feel he is the avatar for the wrong
Hakkenshi
."

Aboshi shook his head at my comment. “I think that poor Inumura is still in shock at that one."

I laughed. “And what do you think his wife is going to think when they meet in Edo?"

Aboshi joined me in my laughter.

A day or so later, we weren't laughing. We had come ashore and started our overland journey, stopping about a
ri
or so from my
shoen
. It looked deserted and neglected, the buildings projecting an empty aura. The journey had been hard; we had been attacked by numerous small monsters that were more annoying than dangerous, but there had been so many of them. Several of my samurai were slightly injured. We were all tired and dirty, and seeing the state of my
shoen
made me want to weep.

"My lord,” Aboshi addressed me formally. “Is it time?"

"It is,” I replied softly, knowing what he was asking. Was I ready to claim my
kuni
again? I was.

"We wish you the blessings of the
kami
, Tamazusa-sama,” Seki intoned, bowing deeply. “You are a good lord to us."

I was moved by what he had told me. I decided that before now, I had taken for granted their loyalty to me. If they stood by me during this, I felt that I could do anything. I knelt on the ground before them, humbling myself. “I am touched by your faith in me and your support of me, even if I have shown that I was not a wise lord for you."

Seki bent over and helped me up, his squad watching us respectfully. “You were trying to gain an ally—or at least not an enemy—in that man. His treachery toward you and Nippon is not your responsibility. I hope that I may be able to help him atone for his disloyalty to his
kuni
and to Nippon."

We all bowed to each other, and I strode forward, Aboshi at my back, protecting me. He would always do so. His loyalty... his love for me... was priceless. As I moved toward my
shoen
, I felt something change. There was a feeling of electricity to the land and in the air, even though it was hot and still, muggy as if a typhoon were going to hit. I felt as if my skin was being bitten by ants, the closer I got to my goal. I didn't remember this from before. Could it be that I was doomed to fail because I had betrayed my
kuni
's trust? That I had lost it foolishly, trusting a man, something I had never done in my life aside from Aboshi?

I felt like I was moving through water, it was so hard to walk. I struggled to the gate of the
shoen
and pushed it open with all my strength. I had no idea where Aboshi was, nor did I care. This was something that
I
had to do. After a long time of just pushing at that gate, I managed to get it open. I was exhausted, but also pleased. If my cause were truly hopeless, I would never have been able to open that gate. I walked to the center of the courtyard, seeing it overgrown with weeds, the plaster faded and cracked on the buildings and the walls.

I threw back my head and shouted, “I claim this
kuni
, this land, as mine! Mine to rule! Mine to protect! I claim to be its lord. I accept the responsibility and the power. I have the power to protect all that are here!"

Suddenly lightning shot through my body. I wanted to scream, but instead bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. This hurt so much, but it was a pleasure too. I fell to my knees, struggling to breathe as I absorbed the power the land was giving me. Mine was a strong
kuni
. I was surprised no one had tried to claim it before me. Or if they had, they had most likely failed.

My brain was on fire, struggling to absorb everything I had to. I labored not to vomit, my stomach rebelling from the pain.

Time stopped. I thought that I stopped existing too.

There was one last wave of pain, and I felt as if my entire body had exploded and then reassembled itself. I screamed at last, but it was one of relief. My
kuni
had accepted me again.

Aboshi helped me up, looking pale and shaken. “I thought—” he started hoarsely. “I thought that I had lost you again, my lord."

I was aware of others around us, the
kashin
and
kodama
who inhabited this place. They all gathered around us and then as one, knelt.

"We welcome you back, Tamazusa-sama,” Yukiko said formally.

"Sleep again,” I instructed, “For while I have my
kuni
now, Nippon is at war."

They looked shocked, and there were soft murmurs of astonishment from all of them at the news.

"We will do as you order,” Yukiko said. She hesitated for a moment, before asking shyly, “Sakura? He is well?"

"We sent him to Edo,” Aboshi told her.

She nodded her head, pleased with the decision. “He is a blossom that is also not meant for war."

Yukiko turned to her fellow spirits, calling out. “It is time to sleep still!” I felt her joy, though, and watched as they all faded. Yukiko bowed to us again. “We all look forward to your return, Tamazusa-sama. We will wait until that time."

She faded at that. I turned and walked out my gate, feeling stronger at every step, drawing strength from my land. I felt almost drunk with the return of my power. But I also felt the land quieting, the small monsters scattering and becoming docile. There would still be trouble with the more dangerous ones, but I would deal with them when I had to. I regretted that I could not manage to send them to my enemies in Kyushu, just to hope that they turned on Iida's army.