A Glint of Shadow

Casting the Iron
Reputation was a lot like armor; not only is it immediately identifiable, but if used correctly it can deflect blows, inquiries and all manner of rabble from ever trying to confront you. Sadly like any well polished piece of armor, it is a beacon, recognizable and for some impossible to miss. Akihiko understood this and that is why despite her best efforts to remain he had finally been able to track his former now wayward mentor and partner. She had gone to ground years ago, and made a wonderful effort in covering her tracks. But a shinobi of her caliber needs resources and one cannot live in the underworld for long without forging some contacts. Little pieces of evidence, here and there over the years. Small irrelevant motes of data, meticulously collected and analyzed until they formed a pattern and from there he divined her whereabouts --- Amegakure.

How curious, that his mentor would lie here in the country that started everything? Regardless he paid a generous fee to the orphaned child who supplied him with the final piece of information. Sometimes it was not grand standing spies, or operatives in disguise who came through, but the little people that had the most insight. The ones no one paid attention, the children who see all and hear all. Indeed, Sayuri and her partner had sequestered themselves quite nicely in their dilapidated little home, but not even with those special eyes did they see the doe-like ones of the lost and unwanted gazing upon them. After performing the obligatory check for traps and alarms, and then quietly disabling them long enough for him to slip in unnoticed did he begin the next phase of his plan.

---

Sayuri's life force was akin to a bonfire, how she managed to hide with that monstrous reserve was beyond even his imagination but he paid that no mind. With practiced grace he made the final preparations, before taking his seat as Sayuri entered her home.

The first thing she noticed that something was amiss was the most delectable smell, a pleasant blend of herbs and spices that made her mouth water with anticipation. The second was the sight of a dinner table, complete with a full course meal of succulent chicken and pork with roasted vegetables and assorted fruits. Her stomach ached with hunger at such a delicious meal being thrust before her vision. Yet that not even that vision of heaven caught her attention. Instead her eyes were drawn the white clothed figure sitting at the table sipping quite leisurely on his tea. Memories of a life she had long since discarded flooded into her; training, missions, even the close moments the two had once shared. They all came to abrupt halt when his silky smooth yet deep voice cut through her thoughts.

"Welcome home, my Lady Sayuri." The intensity of his gaze betrayed the light-heartedness of his voice; it was like staring into the heart of a beast. The primal instinct of a predator barely restrained with all that it implies.

"It has been some time since we last saw each other, I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of preparing dinner for us, please seat." He said gesturing to the vacant chair across from him.