"Lady Noyue, it seems that this is our stop."
'Eeknn-!!!'
The train's brakes screeched on as the train slows to a halting stop at the station.
From within the train, every person is lined up standing at the hallway.
A man dressed in a full suit of armour walked into the train and announced towards the crowd.
"Good morning, I, General Yamau Takeuchi from the Takeda Clan welcome all of you into Edo city. I am here now to invite to all of you, to a welcome banquet for these guests here, a party that will be held at tonight by Lord Takeda Katsuyori to celebrate your arrival.
We have horse drawn carriages for you guests to be taken to the castle at once. All of you must stay in the castle during the first week of your stay at Edo.
I hope you all will enjoy the city. This war has been hard on all of us, but you can rest assured knowing that it's flames of war will never reach this city."
As the passengers got ready to leave the train, a lady with long black hair dressed in fancy robes whispered to her servant...
"What do you think, Danzo?"
"This is undoubtedly a plot for them to catch spies... but we can't reject it can we? It's best if we go with the flow."
"I agree..."
The passengers who wants to leave the train must go through a security check which includes checking the body.
The beautiful lady walks forward to the guards.
"Go ahead."
"Ahem... Excuse my rudeness...."
The guard pats down the lady from top to bottom.
"I found nothing suspicious, you may go."
The black haired lady had an umbrella in hand... As she moved under the scorching sun, she opened the umbrella to cover herself from the sunlight.
"Who's that woman?" One of the passengers asked.
"I have seen her around Niigata. It seems she is the daughter of a rich merchant family that used to work for the Uesugi Clan."
"A merchant's daughter huh? I bet she is here to secure a deal for her family."
As the beautiful lady leaves the train, she said out to a shabbily dressed girl inside the train.
"Hurry up my Maid."
"Yes, lady Noyue...."
The girl dragged out two bags of luggage too heavy for her to lift normally.
"Oh, it could've taken you less time but thanks for your assistance with the luggage, Danzo."
"Tch... You make me angry sometimes, Takina-sama."
"But still I'd say this disguise is working out just fine. If I had walked in here like my normal self I'd have been recognized instantly. Right now even if my outfit attracts attention like no other, there is no one to figure my disguise. It works like a charm."
"As your word have said, the plain side is often the best hiding spot.
We should continue onto the horse drawn carriage, lady Noyue."
"Yes my humble servant. Let's go!"
The two got up from the resting area and exited the train station heading for the carriages outside.
Meanwhile, a white haired woman was blended into the crowd analyzing every single passenger that exits the train.
"Are you serious....?"
Her eyes glows red, through the activation of her Empyrean eyes.
______________
______________
(Two days ago)
"This is Fujimoto Amemiya, here to fulfill your request general."
The white haired lady walked into the strategy room, led by a captain in armour.
The general inspected the young woman, before he continued to write on a paper...
"When I asked for a member of the Takeda Fangs, I did not expect a little lady."
Even amongst the Takeda Clan itself few people actually knows about the existence of the Takeda Fangs let alone their members. This is why the general was surprised when he find such a young woman working as a member.
"My Lord, I reassure you that she is very capable and fits the requirements of the task at hand."
"...If I heard correctly, you took part in the assault on Uesugi Clan right?"
"Yes. I was responsible for infiltrating the castle during the battle and claiming their intelligence."
The real reason she has to infiltrate the castle was to claim the Severance Blade, but it is a secret objective that no one knew about so she cannot say it out.
"While you were busy looting the enemy's castle, your companions were fighting at the forefront and faced the strongest of the enemies. This stands to proof nothing about your capability."
"Pardon my rudeness general, but no one in this room stand a chance against me if I wanted to kill everyone here."
"What...?"
From behind the general, his bodyguard retorted in anger.
"Insolent brat. I'd behead you right now if you do not watch your words."
"Try me."
"Enough, both of you." The general called out.
"You may not have proven your skills to me little lady, but I do know that they only recruit the best into the ranks of the Takeda Fangs."
The general pointed to the map of the city that was laid out on a table. With a cane he circled the area around one area of the city.
"In two days, a group of refugees will arrive from the train station. They range from civilians, merchants, nobles from the other clans.... a mixed bag of people.
I want you to identify who could be a spy amongst the guests. Can you do that?"
"I can."
"Good, that saves me all the trouble of explaining. What age are you by the way?"
"About 20."
"I can't believe someone of your age is one of the most elite group of assassins in the Takeda Clan... My daughter is the same age as you and I can't fathom her doing the same thing.
I apologize for my earlier rudeness, but I didn't think you were an actual member of the Takeda Fangs at first."
"I understand, general. You are not the first to comment on my age. Rest assured that I will make sure no one amongst the refugees are spies."
____________
____________
As the night falls on the city of Edo, Fujimoto hands in the list of targets she thought to be suspicious.
Oddly enough, the woman named "Noyue" is not in the list.
And so, the party begins.
It was in a large Hall inside one of the castles around Edo. The walls are decorated in elaborate drawings of flowers and animals that would've taken days to make. Even the tables and the lamps are covered in elaborate engravings that only the most wealthy can afford.
This is the most expensive and well-designed audience hall even when compared to the one in the Emperor's castle.
Lord Takeda Katsuyori, Shingen's son and the current head of the Takeda clan is present at the party despite the on going war taking up most of his time.
"Good evening, everyone. Treat me as one of yourselves and enjoy the party, as I am here to enjoy myself as well."
At the forefront of the hall, a stage was made for performances to be held. There was even a group of musicians behind the hall to play music for the performance in front.
As the audience are absorbed in the show at the front, to one of the corners of the hall stood a white haired lady and a swordsman with his hair tied into a tail. It is Fujimoto and the infamous swordsman Yagyu Minuano.
"Yawn... why do we even need to stand guard around here again? It is so damned boring."
"The General wanted to ensure the complete safety of the party... This wouldn't have been necessary if Lord Katsuyori isn't here. But since someone so important is here, we must also attend as well."
"What a waste of time."
"...Minuano-san, can I speak with you for a moment?"
"We are already speaking aren't we?"
"I mean somewhere more... quiet. We don't want any prying eyes or ears.
"Hmm. Okay."
The two went up the stairs, up to the top floor's balcony overlooking the city. As the music and the performance was loud, they needed someplace quieter for their chat.
"So what did you need to talk about my little princess?"
"Please understand that you're the only one I can ask this to...
My sister, she is here at this party."
"Impossible. Who would willingly walk right into a tiger's den- No wait. If it's her then it makes sense....
But so what if she's here?"
"I... I am thinking of abandoning the clan."
"Ah, I see. Then just go, why ask me?"
"Please just shut up and listen, you old man.
Why did you joined the clan in the first place?"
"So that I can be paid to kill whoever the Takeda Clan doesn't like. It's just that simple."
"I see... Then maybe I am naive after all..."
"Why? Did you think it was all sunshine and rainbows?"
"I'd prefer to keep it a secret... you'd laugh at me if I told you."
"Oh come on you know I won't spill a thing out. Do you want a pinky promise as well?"
"Sigh... Fine, I'll tell you.
I joined because of my adoptive father. He was a member of the Takeda Fangs back then... I wanted to retrace his footsteps."
"A deeply misguided assumption, but valid nonetheless."
"Valid...?"
"What kid hasn't thought of chasing after their heroes?"
"But the real Takeda's Fangs are nothing like what I had imagined. We are no more than killers, sent to do the clan's dirty work."
"That you are correct as well. Thinking of leaving myself, the truth is."
"Really?"
"Really. But we can't just decide we don't want to do this and go can we? If we are to leave for real we have to commit... even if it means we must kill the people we once called friends."
"Yeah... That's why I am asking for your advice."
"You came to the wrong person if career choice is the advice you want.
But... I say you have a listen to what your sister has to say about you before you make your choice. You still have time to decide, there's no need to rush."
"I guess you're right...
Oddly enough you are a very good listener, despite being such a loud talker yourself."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"I meant it as an insult."
Suddenly, the loud voice of the stage cast pierced the ears of the two.
"And now we welcome a very special guest!
With silky long hair and a pair of eyes with opposing color, she looks like a black cat!
You all have probably seen her when you left that train and entered this castle... personally I found her to be an utter beauty, but that is not why she is invited here to the stage.
The reason she is here is because she is one of the best dancer I have ever known! I hereby present to you, the sword dancer from our neighboring city Niigata - Lady Hoshimiya Noyue!"
The crowd erupts into an applause that sounded all the way to the second floor.
"Let's go see this, I have been curious about this sword dance of the Uesugi Clan since forever."
The two walked over to the inner balcony overlooking the hall and peered towards the stage.
With small steps and graceful movement, the lady walked up the stage, umbrella in hand. She draws out the umbrella, revealing a hidden blade within.
While the dance itself was simple and straightforward, a performance using swirling motions to swing about the long sleeves on her robe like water, it was an entertaining dance.
She stepped around the stage with her eyes closed, moving her body with footwork that matches the rhythm of the music at the back, each step graceful like a feline.
Her sword glides through the air, the glint of light from the blade occasionally flickering from reflecting the light off the stage.
Another girl, her maid, walked up to the stage with a tatami mattress rolled up. Without interrupting the dance she placed the tatami mat carefully at the center before leaving quietly.
The woman gracefully timed her steps and arrived at the front of the tatami mat... and then she stopped, while sheathing her blade.
She placed the sheathed Katana to her waist while her eyes remained empty. There was not a hint of emotions in there.
"That stance is..." Minuano mumbled under his breath.
The room quiets with anticipation...
'Shing-!'
In an instant she draws her blade. The sheer speed makes the attack seemed almost instantaneous, and the precision of the slash makes it so the tatami mat didn't even fall apart despite being cut in half.
To most people, they only see the flash of her blade reflecting off the lantern's light, and the trail of twisted air left behind her swing.
'Clink-!'
The woman sheathes her sword back to the sheath. Confused at why the tatami mat is still intact, she gently tapped the top of the mat... only for the mat to split in half and fall.
'Thud-!'
The room once again rose to a thunderous cheer.
Her cut was so keen that it sliced pass the mat without making it fall.
"She has improved this much over just a week? That's impressive."
"So you can tell as well, Minuano-san? That this Noyue is Fujiwara Takina?"
"Yes... even if I cannot see pass her disguise, that technique is all I need to make sure. Not many people can use the New Shadow Style to it's utmost, I'm sure it's her.
To you people it may seem like just a very fast slice... but to those of us that know exactly what she did, it's art."
"What are you even rambling on?..."
"You'll know when you get to fight her yourself."
Standing on the stage, Noyue bowed her head gently.
_________
_________
[Takina's POV]
Thank you, Kato Danzo and Takahashi-san.
I couldn't have come up with such a plan by myself...
Can you see me Marielle? I am here now. This dance is my only way of speaking with you and I hope you understand.
For a moment up on that stage I didn't realize I was alive.... I had just went into "the zone" as Kenshin-sama would call it. A zone where every action and thought becomes as easy as breathing.
And then it happened. A "True Slash" just like Kenshin-sama had shown me.
But I still don't understand how exactly it works. I need to test it out more.
(Chapter End)"Lady Noyue, it seems that this is our stop."
'Eeknn-!!!'
The train's brakes screeched on as the train slows to a halting stop at the station.
From within the train, every person is lined up standing at the hallway.
A man dressed in a full suit of armour walked into the train and announced towards the crowd.
"Good morning, I, General Yamau Takeuchi from the Takeda Clan welcome all of you into Edo city. I am here now to invite to all of you, to a welcome banquet for these guests here, a party that will be held at tonight by Lord Takeda Katsuyori to celebrate your arrival.
We have horse drawn carriages for you guests to be taken to the castle at once. All of you must stay in the castle during the first week of your stay at Edo.
I hope you all will enjoy the city. This war has been hard on all of us, but you can rest assured knowing that it's flames of war will never reach this city."
As the passengers got ready to leave the train, a lady with long black hair dressed in fancy robes whispered to her servant...
"What do you think, Danzo?"
"This is undoubtedly a plot for them to catch spies... but we can't reject it can we? It's best if we go with the flow."
"I agree..."
The passengers who wants to leave the train must go through a security check which includes checking the body.
The beautiful lady walks forward to the guards.
"Go ahead."
"Ahem... Excuse my rudeness...."
The guard pats down the lady from top to bottom.
"I found nothing suspicious, you may go."
The black haired lady had an umbrella in hand... As she moved under the scorching sun, she opened the umbrella to cover herself from the sunlight.
"Who's that woman?" One of the passengers asked.
"I have seen her around Niigata. It seems she is the daughter of a rich merchant family that used to work for the Uesugi Clan."
"A merchant's daughter huh? I bet she is here to secure a deal for her family."
As the beautiful lady leaves the train, she said out to a shabbily dressed girl inside the train.
"Hurry up my Maid."
"Yes, lady Noyue...."
The girl dragged out two bags of luggage too heavy for her to lift normally.
"Oh, it could've taken you less time but thanks for your assistance with the luggage, Danzo."
"Tch... You make me angry sometimes, Takina-sama."
"But still I'd say this disguise is working out just fine. If I had walked in here like my normal self I'd have been recognized instantly. Right now even if my outfit attracts attention like no other, there is no one to figure my disguise. It works like a charm."
"As your word have said, the plain side is often the best hiding spot.
We should continue onto the horse drawn carriage, lady Noyue."
"Yes my humble servant. Let's go!"
The two got up from the resting area and exited the train station heading for the carriages outside.
Meanwhile, a white haired woman was blended into the crowd analyzing every single passenger that exits the train.
"Are you serious....?"
Her eyes glows red, through the activation of her Empyrean eyes.
______________
______________
(Two days ago)
"This is Fujimoto Amemiya, here to fulfill your request general."
The white haired lady walked into the strategy room, led by a captain in armour.
The general inspected the young woman, before he continued to write on a paper...
"When I asked for a member of the Takeda Fangs, I did not expect a little lady."
Even amongst the Takeda Clan itself few people actually knows about the existence of the Takeda Fangs let alone their members. This is why the general was surprised when he find such a young woman working as a member.
"My Lord, I reassure you that she is very capable and fits the requirements of the task at hand."
"...If I heard correctly, you took part in the assault on Uesugi Clan right?"
"Yes. I was responsible for infiltrating the castle during the battle and claiming their intelligence."
The real reason she has to infiltrate the castle was to claim the Severance Blade, but it is a secret objective that no one knew about so she cannot say it out.
"While you were busy looting the enemy's castle, your companions were fighting at the forefront and faced the strongest of the enemies. This stands to proof nothing about your capability."
"Pardon my rudeness general, but no one in this room stand a chance against me if I wanted to kill everyone here."
"What...?"
From behind the general, his bodyguard retorted in anger.
"Insolent brat. I'd behead you right now if you do not watch your words."
"Try me."
"Enough, both of you." The general called out.
"You may not have proven your skills to me little lady, but I do know that they only recruit the best into the ranks of the Takeda Fangs."
The general pointed to the map of the city that was laid out on a table. With a cane he circled the area around one area of the city.
"In two days, a group of refugees will arrive from the train station. They range from civilians, merchants, nobles from the other clans.... a mixed bag of people.
I want you to identify who could be a spy amongst the guests. Can you do that?"
"I can."
"Good, that saves me all the trouble of explaining. What age are you by the way?"
"About 20."
"I can't believe someone of your age is one of the most elite group of assassins in the Takeda Clan... My daughter is the same age as you and I can't fathom her doing the same thing.
I apologize for my earlier rudeness, but I didn't think you were an actual member of the Takeda Fangs at first."
"I understand, general. You are not the first to comment on my age. Rest assured that I will make sure no one amongst the refugees are spies."
____________
____________
As the night falls on the city of Edo, Fujimoto hands in the list of targets she thought to be suspicious.
Oddly enough, the woman named "Noyue" is not in the list.
And so, the party begins.
It was in a large Hall inside one of the castles around Edo. The walls are decorated in elaborate drawings of flowers and animals that would've taken days to make. Even the tables and the lamps are covered in elaborate engravings that only the most wealthy can afford.
This is the most expensive and well-designed audience hall even when compared to the one in the Emperor's castle.
Lord Takeda Katsuyori, Shingen's son and the current head of the Takeda clan is present at the party despite the on going war taking up most of his time.
"Good evening, everyone. Treat me as one of yourselves and enjoy the party, as I am here to enjoy myself as well."
At the forefront of the hall, a stage was made for performances to be held. There was even a group of musicians behind the hall to play music for the performance in front.
As the audience are absorbed in the show at the front, to one of the corners of the hall stood a white haired lady and a swordsman with his hair tied into a tail. It is Fujimoto and the infamous swordsman Yagyu Minuano.
"Yawn... why do we even need to stand guard around here again? It is so damned boring."
"The General wanted to ensure the complete safety of the party... This wouldn't have been necessary if Lord Katsuyori isn't here. But since someone so important is here, we must also attend as well."
"What a waste of time."
"...Minuano-san, can I speak with you for a moment?"
"We are already speaking aren't we?"
"I mean somewhere more... quiet. We don't want any prying eyes or ears.
"Hmm. Okay."
The two went up the stairs, up to the top floor's balcony overlooking the city. As the music and the performance was loud, they needed someplace quieter for their chat.
"So what did you need to talk about my little princess?"
"Please understand that you're the only one I can ask this to...
My sister, she is here at this party."
"Impossible. Who would willingly walk right into a tiger's den- No wait. If it's her then it makes sense....
But so what if she's here?"
"I... I am thinking of abandoning the clan."
"Ah, I see. Then just go, why ask me?"
"Please just shut up and listen, you old man.
Why did you joined the clan in the first place?"
"So that I can be paid to kill whoever the Takeda Clan doesn't like. It's just that simple."
"I see... Then maybe I am naive after all..."
"Why? Did you think it was all sunshine and rainbows?"
"I'd prefer to keep it a secret... you'd laugh at me if I told you."
"Oh come on you know I won't spill a thing out. Do you want a pinky promise as well?"
"Sigh... Fine, I'll tell you.
I joined because of my adoptive father. He was a member of the Takeda Fangs back then... I wanted to retrace his footsteps."
"A deeply misguided assumption, but valid nonetheless."
"Valid...?"
"What kid hasn't thought of chasing after their heroes?"
"But the real Takeda's Fangs are nothing like what I had imagined. We are no more than killers, sent to do the clan's dirty work."
"That you are correct as well. Thinking of leaving myself, the truth is."
"Really?"
"Really. But we can't just decide we don't want to do this and go can we? If we are to leave for real we have to commit... even if it means we must kill the people we once called friends."
"Yeah... That's why I am asking for your advice."
"You came to the wrong person if career choice is the advice you want.
But... I say you have a listen to what your sister has to say about you before you make your choice. You still have time to decide, there's no need to rush."
"I guess you're right...
Oddly enough you are a very good listener, despite being such a loud talker yourself."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"I meant it as an insult."
Suddenly, the loud voice of the stage cast pierced the ears of the two.
"And now we welcome a very special guest!
With silky long hair and a pair of eyes with opposing color, she looks like a black cat!
You all have probably seen her when you left that train and entered this castle... personally I found her to be an utter beauty, but that is not why she is invited here to the stage.
The reason she is here is because she is one of the best dancer I have ever known! I hereby present to you, the sword dancer from our neighboring city Niigata - Lady Hoshimiya Noyue!"
The crowd erupts into an applause that sounded all the way to the second floor.
"Let's go see this, I have been curious about this sword dance of the Uesugi Clan since forever."
The two walked over to the inner balcony overlooking the hall and peered towards the stage.
With small steps and graceful movement, the lady walked up the stage, umbrella in hand. She draws out the umbrella, revealing a hidden blade within.
While the dance itself was simple and straightforward, a performance using swirling motions to swing about the long sleeves on her robe like water, it was an entertaining dance.
She stepped around the stage with her eyes closed, moving her body with footwork that matches the rhythm of the music at the back, each step graceful like a feline.
Her sword glides through the air, the glint of light from the blade occasionally flickering from reflecting the light off the stage.
Another girl, her maid, walked up to the stage with a tatami mattress rolled up. Without interrupting the dance she placed the tatami mat carefully at the center before leaving quietly.
The woman gracefully timed her steps and arrived at the front of the tatami mat... and then she stopped, while sheathing her blade.
She placed the sheathed Katana to her waist while her eyes remained empty. There was not a hint of emotions in there.
"That stance is..." Minuano mumbled under his breath.
The room quiets with anticipation...
'Shing-!'
In an instant she draws her blade. The sheer speed makes the attack seemed almost instantaneous, and the precision of the slash makes it so the tatami mat didn't even fall apart despite being cut in half.
To most people, they only see the flash of her blade reflecting off the lantern's light, and the trail of twisted air left behind her swing.
'Clink-!'
The woman sheathes her sword back to the sheath. Confused at why the tatami mat is still intact, she gently tapped the top of the mat... only for the mat to split in half and fall.
'Thud-!'
The room once again rose to a thunderous cheer.
Her cut was so keen that it sliced pass the mat without making it fall.
"She has improved this much over just a week? That's impressive."
"So you can tell as well, Minuano-san? That this Noyue is Fujiwara Takina?"
"Yes... even if I cannot see pass her disguise, that technique is all I need to make sure. Not many people can use the New Shadow Style to it's utmost, I'm sure it's her.
To you people it may seem like just a very fast slice... but to those of us that know exactly what she did, it's art."
"What are you even rambling on?..."
"You'll know when you get to fight her yourself."
Standing on the stage, Noyue bowed her head gently.
_________
_________
[Takina's POV]
Thank you, Kato Danzo and Takahashi-san.
I couldn't have come up with such a plan by myself...
Can you see me Marielle? I am here now. This dance is my only way of speaking with you and I hope you understand.
For a moment up on that stage I didn't realize I was alive.... I had just went into "the zone" as Kenshin-sama would call it. A zone where every action and thought becomes as easy as breathing.
And then it happened. A "True Slash" just like Kenshin-sama had shown me... but I still don't understand how exactly it works.
I need to test it out more, preferably with a sparring partner.
(Chapter End)