They tussled on the ground, Shin snapping and biting while Naoki grabbed onto his shoulders, trying to flip him off him. But he would not relent, he had tried to keep him from Rin, and that had been his mistake, but now he had something even more powerful. He had information. They rolled around on the ground, Naoki tried to draw his blade, but Shin grabbed the hilt in his jaws and tossed it aside. It went flying end over end before landing somewhere in a rice paddy nearby. After a few more minutes of furious fighting, Naoki lay back and ceased fighting. Shin held his jaws over his throat, waiting for him to struggle, to try to reach his sword, but it seemed all the fight had gone out of Naoki.

He growled in his throat. "Will you come quietly?"

Naoki did not meet his gaze but turned his head without speaking. Shin did not back down, in case this was a trap. He waited a few moments before transforming into his man form. He held his hands to Naoki's throat. He felt weak from the energy Naoki had taken, but in his palm was the charm the witch had handed him. He pressed it against Naoki's forehead.

Naoki's back arched upward and he screamed. Shin stared down at him, unfeeling. This bastard would have killed Shin to keep his betrayal secret. Well, too bad for Naoki that the witch was more treacherous than he realized. When Naoki ceased convulsing, Shin stepped back and stared down at his limp form on the ground. His eyes were open and staring at the starry sky above.

"Get up," Shin commanded. As the witch had said, the charm controlled him. Naoki jumped to his feet and did Shin's bidding. Shin turned and Naoki followed. And together they went to the forest and Akio. Considering he had never expected to be able to defeat the guardian's sword arm, he was happy to be alive. Had the witch not come around and given him this charm, he might be dead and Rin in danger. What did the witch want from him? He had seen how she betrayed Naoki, so he knew he could not trust her.

They passed through the forest quickly and without challenge. When they arrived at the bridge to the guardian's palace, they found it unguarded. They crossed the bridge, Shin looking over his shoulder, waiting for the charm to wear off and Naoki to turn on him. When he arrived in the courtyard, with Naoki trussed up, servants appeared and showed him the way through the maze that was the guardian's palace. The guardian waited for them in an informal chamber. He dominated the room, wearing his sleeping robes. The servants announced Shin and then exited. When the three of them were alone, Akio looked Shin up and down, a greedy glint in his eyes.

"I was surprised when they said you had defeated my sword. But it seems it is true." He flickered his gaze towards Naoki, who kept his head bowed. "How did you manage such a feat?"

"I'm a skilled fighter," Shin replied.

The guardian laughed. "Perhaps." He folded his arms over his chest and glowered down at Shin. "What do you want for his return?"

"This is not a ransom. I have information about your man that you may find of interest."

Akio's gaze flickered to Naoki then back to Shin. "Do you now?"

"He planned to betray you to a witch. But she turned on him at the last moment."

"Did he now?" Akio glared at Naoki, a fire in his eyes Shin was glad was not directed at him. "It seems I have kept too slack a leash."

Shin could see why he had betrayed the guardian. No man could serve such a cruel master without some resentment. If he didn't need Akio's favor to save Rin, he would have been more sympathetic.

"Thank you for bringing him to me. I will see he is punished for his crimes," Akio added.

"I did not bring him here out of the goodness of my heart. I came to make a deal."

Akio pressed his hooves together. "I should have suspected as much. What is it that you desire?"

"I want a pardon for Rin."

"Now that is an interesting proposition. But you see, she has broken my laws, consorted with humans, and injured my men. She has to pay for her crimes."

"I could always bring Naoki to the Dragon for his judgment."

A dangerous look sparked in Akio's gaze. Naoki had secrets the Dragon would love to hear. And Shin knew Akio would not let him go so easily. Akio shook his head. "No, you're right, but it will take more than a wayward pet to get out of this."

"What do you have in mind, then?"

"I want the Hanyou. My servant"—he shot a pointed look in Naoki's direction—"was supposed to bring him to me. But if you can bring me him, then I will consider a pardon in exchange for him."

"Done."

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