Sweat covered Fujita's steed as he finally reach Toritofu's estate. After he and Hitohana dismounted, Fujita took a brief moment to adjust his armor. Hana watched as a stable boy led the horse to a paddock with dozens of other horses. She felt her sore ribs and then discreetly patted her side looking for the small vial. With relief and then dread she felt it through the fold of her garment. She whispered a simple prayer to whatever god would hear her.

Fujita examined his package. Although he found Hana to be rather attractive, a few moments with a Geisha probably wouldn't hurt her appearance. However, that would be his master's choice not his own.

He gently grabbed her by the arm and tried to assure her, "Come with me. Perhaps you will find favor with Toritofu and we will both live."

She offered little resistance as they made their way up several steps, into a large wooden building and down a stone hallway. Hana forced her eyes down, although the surroundings sparked her curiosity. As they approached a large oak door, Fujita gave instructions to the servants that stood close by. One of them quickly disappeared inside the door. Anxiety flooded into Hana's heart. She had never known this kind of fear before. The unknown and what laid beyond that door terrified her. Her escort provided little comfort as she could see how pale his face had become, the sweat that highlighted his brow, and the way his hands shook as he continued to hold her arm.

The servant returned and spoke, "You may enter now."

After a subtle bow between soldier and servant, Fujita and Hitohana entered the room. Just a few steps in and Fujita knelt and bowed before a charismatic man sitting in large chair. Hana clumsily did likewise.

"Fujita, what have you brought me? And where is Senke?"

The soldier stood keeping his eyes down as the girl continued kneeling.

Stumbling for words Fujita, finally spoke, "My lord, Senke sends this gift as the first fruits of his harvest for your pleasure."

"Senke sends me, my own peasant as a gift?", Toritofu laughed, "Fujita, continue with your report, where is Senke?"

Fujita replied, "The captain sent me away first with this girl. He should be here very soon."

Toritofu paused for a moment, obviously calculating his captain's motives. "Fujita, how many young men will Senke be bringing back with him?"

The soldier choked on his words, "About a half-dozen, my lord."

The master looked displeased, but he remained in controlled of his voice, as he responded, "Only six? There should have been twenty maybe thirty in that village. What happened?"

"The peasants spoke of a plague my lord, that killed the young men and women", the soldier answered.

Whispers of "the plague" broke through the near silence and order of the room. Toritofu order the room cleared save the solider and the girl.

"You have failed me and have tried to mislead me, Fujita. Senke has failed me, as well."

Fujita pulled his blade from it's sheath. At Toritofu's nod he completed the act of honorable suicide and fell in a heap to the floor. Hitohana remained on her knees though shaken further by the events around her -- events that seemed to take place without regard to her presence. Perhaps death provided her only chance for escape from this bizarre series of events. Thoughts raced through her mind, none-the-less she couldn't move.

"Tell me of this plague," Toritofu commanded.

Hana shied away from the command and kept silent with her eyes glued to the floor. "Plague." The word was a puzzle to her. She knew nothing of a plague that killed people in her village. What was she to say?

Toritofu sensed the trepidation of this little woman before him. Though some thought him cruel and rash, he acted in a manner that showed his experience in dealing with all sorts of people. There was no need to intimidate this girl, she was already scared out of her mind.

In much a softer tone, Toritofu said, "You have nothing to fear, little one, please, tell me your name."

"Hitohana", the reply came in a near whisper.

"Yes, yes that name fits you well," her lord said with a slight chuckle. "Your parents named you quite well, little flower. Hitohana, you may stand, if you choose."

Like a withered flower brought into the sun after a long dark rain shower, the girl rose slowly to her feet, but her eyes remained fixed on the floor before her. She allowed her hand to brush her side once more in hopes she'd find comfort in her brother's gift. It was still there.

"You must have had a terribly long journey, Hitohana, why don't you get us both something to drink from over there?"

She forced her eyes to look at her lord to follow his extended hand to a cart on the other side of the room with food and beverages. He appeared to be almost as tall as her father, though probably fifty pounds heavier. Where her father's features were sunken and almost frail, Toritofu's were filled out and more complete. Clearly Toritofu enjoyed his health and prosperity.

The ruler almost wished he had allowed the courtiers and other servants to remain . A lord "sharing a drink" with a common peasant would certainly give them something to whisper about. Without regard to the politics of this room Toritofu hoped the alcohol would make Hitohana relax so he could discover what happened in the village.

After a few seconds to gather her courage, Hana turned towards the cart. With akward steps she moved across room. Her left hand entered her garment to retrieve the wooden vial from her inner pocket. As she approached the cart, she feverishly worked to remove the clay top. Clumsily she poured the contents into a cup and quietly placed the vial on the tray praying her lord didn't notice. She then filled her cup and Toritofu's with some sort of drink she had never seen before. It's pungent fragrance reminded her of some fruit she may have had once or twice in her life but she wasn't quite sure. She never truly believed the day would come when she would have to use the gift her brother gave her. She only hoped now, that it would work to buy her freedom.

She gathered the two cups and returned to her master, being mindful to keep her eyes down. She extended her hand to give Toritofu his drink.

To be continued...