‘Ow!’ cried Kunio, rubbing his head and bowing an apology to Jack. ‘But why did I have to miss the Tōshiya contest? Sora could have guarded the rice.’

‘We weren’t there for the show! Need I remind you our village is at stake –’

The door opened and Yori stepped through, a flurry of snow following in his wake. They all looked expectantly in his direction.

Yori shook his head as he dusted himself down and put his shakujō in the corner. ‘I asked everyone I met, but no one saw the boy cross the bridge or head west out of town.’

Jack sighed wearily. ‘He would have been perfect for this mission.’

‘There will be others,’ consoled Yori.

‘Will there?’ snapped Toge, his cheeks hollower than ever in his despair. ‘As poor farmers, we can’t afford proper ronin! All we can persuade are children! And I didn’t see that many young samurai at the contest!’

‘There were at least two others,’ countered Jack.

‘And how are we supposed to find them now? We’re running out of time. The black moon is only three weeks away!’

‘Have faith,’ said Yori.

‘Faith?’ spat Toge. ‘Every year I pray to the gods. I pray for rain. I pray for sun. I pray for a good harvest. I pray that we can feed the village. I pray that Akuma won’t come! And do the gods answer?’

‘They will,’ assured Yori.

‘For you, they might. But not for us farmers!’ shouted Toge.

Consumed with frustrated rage, he stomped out through the back of the storehouse, leaving Jack and the others to stare at one another in shocked silence.

Neko appeared a moment later, her eyes panicking. But once she spotted Jack, she breathed a sigh of relief and went back to preparing dinner.

‘Please don’t take his words to heart,’ said Sora meekly. ‘He’s upset, that’s all. He always is when Black Moon nears.’

Nodding their understanding, Jack and Yori settled upon the wooden platform and waited for Saburo to return.

‘Do you think he’s all right?’ asked Yori, peering out at the darkening sky.

‘He’s probably eating!’ quipped Jack, in an attempt to mask his own unease.

Another hour went by and Neko served up a meal of plain rice and a few steamed vegetables. They ate in silence, Yori and Jack’s concern for Saburo growing with each passing moment.

All of a sudden, the door flew open. Jack leapt to his feet, sword in hand.

‘I found him!’ cried Saburo, wind and snow swirling into the room.

Sheathing his blade, Jack hurriedly put on his hat to cover his face as Saburo ushered a shadow in from the cold.

The archer boy entered, his falcon-brown eyes darting round the room for any threats.

‘Please sit with us,’ said Saburo, inviting him to join Yori and Jack on the raised platform.