They arrived at the palace late at night; the moon had already reached its apex. The palace doors were slammed shut. I didn't count on them locking me out. Hikaru slid down from the saddle and approached the gate.

"Hello?" he called. His voice bounced off the walls and rolled over the farmland behind him.

He waited for a response. He looked back at the woman; she watched him curiously. I must look like a fool, locked out of my own palace. He turned back to the doors. He knocked upon the wood. The sound was quickly swallowed by the night. Even the night birds had ceased their singing to witness his embarrassment. What if my father uses this as an excuse to disinherit me? They must think I ran away. He held his breath, waiting. Surely someone had heard and would come open the doors. He craned his neck back; there should be guards walking the walls. He turned to walk over to Rin and explain when he saw the glow of yellow light over the top of the wall. Finally.

A slot in the door slid open and Hikaru approached it. The yellow light spilled through the opening and made a square of light on the ground beyond. Hikaru stepped into the shaft of light.

"Who's there?" a gravelly voice said.

"It is Hikaru, first son of Lord Kaedemori."

The guard peered at him through the hole. He recognized him as one of the men who had come with him to the Fujikawas. One of the survivors. He swallowed.

"Lord Kaedemori's son?" the man asked.

"Yes. I went out for a ride and was delayed. Please let me in, we are cold and weary."

The man's face disappeared from the hole for a moment and Hikaru heard the man conferring with another. He clenched his fists and waited.

"Master Hikaru is asleep in his chamber. I think you're an impostor."

Hikaru clenched his jaw down on his anger. He took a deep breath and then replied, "That is not true. You saw me when I rode out earlier this evening. Let me in—"

"Get out of here or we'll be forced to open fire on you," the man replied.

Hikaru glanced up as half a dozen men armed with bows and arrows arrayed themselves on the wall. They trained their bows on Hikaru. He looked each one over; he knew them all by name. They had been in his father's employ for years. They stared back at him with hatred and anger. They spared him no loyalty, and after he had mocked them and led their friends to their deaths, they wanted revenge.

Hikaru returned his gaze to the man who grinned through the square hole in the door.

He wanted to look back at the woman to gauge her reaction, but he feared he would see pity or revulsion there.

He mustered up all the authority he could manage and said, "I demand you let us in."

"Demand all you like," the man said. His face disappeared and in its place a notched arrow appeared.

Hikaru took a few steps backwards. What will my father think when they find my body? Will he weep, or will he blame me for my lack of leadership?

The woman jumped down from the saddle and approached the door. Her footsteps were so light she hardly disturbed the gravel beneath her feet. Hikaru held up his hand to stop her.

"Don't, these men are mad." Then to the men beyond the gate he said, "When my father hears of this, you will be flogged or worse."

The man did not respond. The woman frowned and looked between Hikaru and the warriors on the wall. She gave him a questioning look that he could not answer. The arrow in the door disappeared. The men on the wall did not move from their spots, though a few tilted their heads towards the courtyard. Raised voices drifted over the wall, and a few of the warriors dropped their arrows. He looked at the woman. She shrugged. Hikaru approached the door, but as he did, it cracked open. Then with a groan it swung open. A man stood in the doorway. He was of average height, unassuming, his expression blank.

"My lord, I apologize for my men's insubordination," Captain Sadao said. He bowed to Hikaru. When he stood up, his eyes drifted to the woman and that was where they rested. They stared at one another, giving each other measured looks. Hikaru felt the urge to protect her. Something about the captain's expression was honed and deadly. She seemed to recognize him as well.

"I'm glad to see you've returned, Captain Sadao. I was afraid we had lost you." At least he had one less death on his conscience.

"I only just made my way back, my lord." The captain nodded. "It was difficult to get inside. The men are a bit on edge after this afternoon, it seems."

Hikaru avoided his gaze. He was not sure if that was meant as a dig at his poor decision making. Hikaru cleared his throat and said, "I found this woman along the road. Summon the head servant and have a room prepared for her."

The captain bowed, and with a few quick words to one of his men, his orders were carried out.

The woman grabbed onto Hikaru's sleeve. He glanced at her. The captain strode off, his men in tow looking sullen, and when he was out of sight, the tension melted off of her and left behind a childlike glee that sparkled in her eyes as she looked around the courtyard. She skimmed over objects, her gaze bouncing about like a ball.

Just then the elderly head servant arrived. His kimono was falling off his shoulder, and his hair was half down as if he had intended to brush his hair but decided against it at the last second.

"My lord, you have returned!" he gasped.

"Yes, I found this young lady wandering alone in the dark. I would have her fed and taken care of."

"That is your father's decision." The servant wrung his hands. "He gave orders that you be brought to him the moment you returned." His beady eyes flickered from Hikaru to the woman for just a moment before fixing on the floor.

"Very well, I will see him in a moment, but first I would have the lady's comfort seen to."

"He will want to see her as well," the servant said while looking at the ground.

Hikaru clenched his jaw. He ground out, "Then we shall present ourselves to him."

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