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"Ranun," the Wolf finished

"Which shōgun?" Mariko asked "I thought the line of the shōgun had died out years ago"

Ōkaaze pierced hers He spoke softly "The last in line to be shōgun was Takeda Shingen’s son"

Ranht"--Mariko sed as she studied Ōkaht to restore"The only reason I fight is out of loyalty to my clan The Black Clan, and all those we serve If Ranun, then I will do whatever is in ns beyond that"

It was possible Mariko had finally stuns on restoring Takeda Ranmaru--a rōnin--to the seat of power in Yedo?

And--if so--how did a band of brigands intend to bring that about?

"I told you Sanada Takeo would be useful to us one day, Ōka

At that, Ōkaht

A PROVINCE OF PAIN

Kenshin disate

He was houed him Ever since the day Mariko had disappeared, they’d kept hiht’s sleep They’d only worsened after he’d lost tihthtrass, blood spurting frohts with a shake of his head He passed through the rear gate of his family’s home, his head bowed

He did not wish to speak to anyone To see anyone To allow anyone to see hi His father would not reproach him on this particular score After all, it wasn’t a public failing At most, Hattori Kano would offer the families of the victims some form of restitution And Kenshin’shis te the unpleasant incident fade froht flickered from all corners of the compound Kenshin’s feet carried hi, recently reroofed in clean, sweet-s to think, Kenshin sat beneath aon the far right Leaned his back against the rough white plaster Hoping the nearness would co did not disrupt hi solace Kenshin did not look up when the shadow of a fa She merely sat beside him

After a ti?" she asked softly

He did not reply

"Kenshin"

"Your shoulder is uncomfortable" He picked up his head Before he could ht him by the chin

"What is it?" she repeated

"Your shoulder is too bony You should eat more"

She smiled "As should you"

He pressed his head to her shoulder again

"I thought you said it was unco her fingers through his "It’s unco your head Rest your heart, instead"

Kenshin sed Leaned into her warmth Let his worries fade, if only for an instant

"I’ve made a terrible mistake," he whispered

--

The Black Clan rode to a halt on the edges of the Hattori province

Twilight had fallen The drone of cicadas cut through the air, the sht sky