It started as any other day for Katsuo Kitayama, lord of Shirotatsu castle. He woke up at dawn and quickly made his way to the pagoda, which was off-limits other than members of his family. It was built on the castle grounds, visible from a fair distance. Here, he could be alone with his thoughts and could train without interruptions.

He took his time going through the motions, cherishing a moment of respite in these turbulent times. He never knew when he had to head to battle next. Katsuo finished his kata and took a moment to meditate. The sun was peeking between two stories of the pagoda when he was done.

On the way back to his quarters, he made a detour to check on his soldiers’ training and was satisfied to see that everyone who was not on duty was there, even his samurai officers.

“Brother!” Takeru shouted as soon as he spotted him and hurried over, his dark ponytail swinging side to side. He looked to be, nearing the end of his teenage years, and eagerness reflected in his brown eyes. Katsuo nodded to him in greeting.

“What brings you here? We’ll have sparring sessions as soon as they’re finished with this kata. Do you want to join us?” Takeru asked, hopeful. It was a rare occasion whenever Katsuo joined them.

“Maybe next time,” Katsuo replied.

“I see.”

“How are the new recruits doing, Takeru?”

“Well…” His little brother glanced to the left side of the group where the beginners practiced. “Good for their second week.”

“Make sure they’re ready for the battlefield soon.”

“Yes, brother.” Takeru seemed as if he wanted to add something else, and Katsuo waited patiently for the young man to gather his thoughts. “Do we need to be ready soon? Is there a battle coming?”

“Takeru”—Katsuo put a hand on his little brother’s shoulder—“we always need to be ready.” He glanced over to the soldiers once more before striding off and waving.

“Keep up the good work, Takeru!”

“Yes, brother!”

After saying goodbye, Katsuo walked to his office to have a quick breakfast and start on the paperwork. That was the least favorite of his duties as a warlord, but it was as important to keep order in his territory as it was to hear out the grievances of his citizens. Happy underlings made for a flourishing economy, which made for a strong warlord.

Most days, he skipped lunch for the sake of an abundant evening meal, spending his time in ongoing strategy meetings unless something urgent came up or he was off to war. His days usually followed the same pattern. He was looking forward to the evening where he could finally spend some time with his daughter. His vassals respected his family-time and would never dare to intrude at this time of day.

“Join us, Taiki,” Katsuo invited as he settled down for dinner. Taiki was in his mid-twenties and was his head of security. He was dressed in black and was just about to vanish into the dark night. He was the only ninja to serve Katsuo.

“With all due respect, my lord, I thank you for your invitation, but I must refuse.”

“Are you not hungry?” Ayaka, Katsuo’s daughter asked. Taiki seemed to consider his reply.

“Not really, Ayaka-dono.”

“Then at least take this onigiri so you won’t get hungry later.” Ayaka got up and gave him a rice ball. “It’s filled with tuna. I know you like it.”

Taiki looked at his lord for help, but Katsuo pointedly looked away. He calmly took a sip of his sake, as if he didn’t notice Taiki’s predicament. The ninja glanced at Takeru, who was just arriving, for help.

“Oh, hey Taiki. Are you going to join us finally?”

“No,” he bit out as he accepted the rice ball from the little girl. He smiled at her. “Thank you, Ayaka-dono.”

“You’re welcome, Taiki. Bye!” And she went back to the low dinner table to sit down.

“I’m going,” Taiki said, pulling up his mask to cover the lower half of his face. He didn’t expect a reply, so he was surprised when he heard his lord say, “I’m counting on you.”

Taiki nodded almost imperceptibly and slid the door shut behind him as he exited the room. They didn’t hear his retreating footsteps.

The family ate in relative silence, with the occasional comment from Ayaka. When they finished eating, the little girl immediately lunged into recounting her day. Katsuo and Takeru were content to listen to her chatting away. When she asked them about their day, Katsuo replied with a few words. Takeru, however, told her about something interesting that happened during training.

“Will you play something, Daddy?” Ayaka asked when story time was over. She was blinking rapidly, a sure sign she was tired.

“Aren’t you sleepy?”

“No!” She opened her eyes wide and leaned forward. “See? I’m very awake.”

Katsuo chuckled. “Well, if you insist… maybe one song before you go to bed.”

“Three!”

“Two.”

Ayaka seemed to think his offer over. Eventually, she nodded. “Two songs.”

Katsuo stood up and walked over to the cupboard to get the biwa. Meanwhile, Ayaka crawled into Takeru’s lap and made herself comfortable. Takeru felt her arms were cold and hugged her to keep her warm. It was late fall, and a chill could already be felt after sunset. Katsuo started to play a happy melody.

The last note of the first song still hung in the air when Katsuo’s ears pricked. He could hear pounding footsteps coming their way and placed the instrument down, looking at the door.

“What is it, Daddy? You promised two songs.”

“Someone’s coming,” Takeru replied instead.

Ayaka looked up to him, puzzled. She didn’t hear anything, but she had long since learned that her family had better ears than anyone she knew.

They heard a thud and someone’s harsh breathing.

“Katsuo-sama!” Someone called him from the other side of the door.

“What is it?” Katsuo barked, annoyed his time with his family was interrupted. It had better be an emergency, or—

“Orihime-sama has just arrived.”

Eerie silence was his response.

“Please repeat that.”

The soldier winced at his lord’s icy tone. Oh, he was pissed all right.

“Orihime-sama unexpectedly showed up at the castle gates just now.”

The poor soldier jumped when the sliding door opened with such a force that it fell off its tracks.

“Damnit, brother, not the furniture again,” Takeru mumbled in the room. He lifted Ayaka as he stood and joined Katsuo standing over the trembling soldier in the doorway.

“Where is Taiki?” Katsuo asked.

“Receiving Orihime-sama and her entourage.”

“Her…” Katsuo took a deep breath. His eyes flashed golden. “Entourage?”

“Fi-fifteen of them, my lord,” the soldier bowed so deep, his forehead touched the floor.

Katsuo didn’t say anything as he strode away. His steps were heavy with suppressed anger.

Takeru yelled at his retreating back, “Cool down, brother!”

Katsuo stopped mid-stride and glanced back at him. His eyes were still golden.

“You don’t want to scare them away.”

Katsuo growled. “Maybe I do.”

“You know what I mean.”

As Katsuo blinked, the golden hue from his eyes faded. He nodded at his little brother and disappeared down the corridor. Takeru glanced at his niece sleeping in his arms then down at the soldier cowering at his feet.

“Get up.”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldier was still trembling after seeing his lord in such a mood.

“Why are you afraid?”

The poor guy looked him in the eye before glancing away nervously.

“Look at me,” Takeru ordered in a calm manner. The soldier met his eyes. “I know you’re new, but remember this. Katsuo is not the kind of person to cut down the bearer of bad news. He’d rather hear it as soon as possible so the situation can be solved quicker. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now, take her to her room.” Takeru gave the sleeping Ayaka to the soldier. “I’ll go assist my brother.”

“B-but—”

Takeru was already walking away. At the hesitation in the soldier’s voice, he glanced over his shoulder. “What is it?”

“What if the tiger is still here?”

“What are you talking about?” Shocked, Takeru turned to fully face him.

The soldier’s eyes were looking around frantically. “You know, the tiger that made that growling sound just now.”

Takeru’s lips twitched. Wait until he told Katsuo he was mistaken for a tiger in his own home! He tried not to laugh out loud.

“No need to worry. The tiger is gone.”

“How would you—”

“Another thing you need to learn is to trust your lords,” was all Takeru said as he rounded a corner and vanished.

The soldier looked down at the sleeping little girl in his arms. He had no idea where her room was.