‘You don’t have to do this,’ said Jack, fearing she’d never return from such a dangerous mission.

‘This is what I’m trained for.’

‘I know. But men like Akuma are prepared for assassination attempts.’

‘You’re not worried about me, are you, Jack?’ she said, a teasing smile upon her lips.

‘Of course I am,’ he replied and pulled a shuriken from his obi. ‘Take this, just in case.’

Passing her the ninja star, their hands closed around each other’s and their eyes met.

‘I’ll be careful,’ she promised, holding his gaze as she accepted the shuriken.

Then she pulled on her hood and ran off through the forest.

Jack watched her leap the moat, skirting the hidden traps until she disappeared into the night. Her plan was to work her way through the forest, down on to the plain and sneak up behind Akuma. Her fearless courage and daring astonished Jack. He wondered if he would ever see her again.

Appearing at his side, Neko signed, You will.

Jack smiled at her, grateful for her reassurance. Silent as Neko’s world was, she wasn’t deaf to the many things that went unsaid.

Leaving Neko to keep watch over the forest approach, Jack returned to the square and made his way to the southern moat boundary. Hayato was patrolling the central section of the moat with Saburo at the western end and Yori at the eastern end. Yuudai remained at his post on the northern barricade with a small division of farmers. There was always the chance Akuma had left some men behind to mount a secondary attack and Jack couldn’t risk leaving such a gap in their defences.

‘She’s gone,’ Jack informed Hayato.

‘That’s one brave ninja.’

‘Miyuki will be back,’ said Jack, rather sharper than he intended.

Hayato glanced at him. Understanding his anxiety, he added, ‘With Akuma’s head, I hope.’

His eyes returned to scanning the dark expanse of the Okayama Plain. ‘It’s been strangely quiet. I’ve got a bad feeling Akuma’s up to something.’

Jack felt it too. ‘Whatever it is, his time is running out.’

As Jack went to check on Saburo, shouts punctured the night air. Originating from Yori’s unit, it appeared Akuma had made his move. Snatching a flaming torch from the sentry fire, Jack and Hayato ran along the moat.

A startled face appeared out of the gloom.

‘They came at us … from nowhere,’ gasped Sora.

‘Where are they?’ said Jack, his katana at the ready.

‘Gone … but not before … snatching him.’

‘Who?’ demanded Hayato.

But Jack didn’t need to hear the answer. He already knew.

In the snow, beside a patch of blood, lay Yori’s abandoned shakujō.

51 Execution

51

EXECUTION