Chapter 23: Aftermath

Taichi returned two days later.

Mio heard the horses before she saw them—the thunder of hooves, riders moving fast. She was in the garden, supervising repairs to the damaged gate, when the contingent burst through.

Taichi dismounted before his horse fully stopped, his eyes scanning frantically until they found her.

“Mio—”

She walked toward him, still moving carefully. Her body ached from the fight—bruises blooming across her ribs, muscles protesting every movement. But she was alive. Whole.

He reached her and pulled her into his arms so hard it hurt. She didn’t complain.

“I got your message. We rode through the night.” His voice was rough against her hair. “Are you hurt? The messenger said there was an attack, that you fought them, that—”

“I’m fine. Minor injuries. Nothing serious.” She pulled back to look at him. “The household is secure. We had casualties—Suzuki was wounded but he’ll recover. Two servants with minor injuries. The gate needs repair.”

“And the bandits?”

“Two dead. One dying when I last checked—we’re keeping him alive for questioning. Three fled.” Her voice was steady, factual. “I killed two of them myself.”

Taichi stared at her, his hands still gripping her shoulders. “You killed them.”

“Yes.”

“With the kaiken?”

“And my father’s knife. The one he sent me.” She touched the blade at her obi. “The techniques your mother taught me for jigai work just as well for killing other people. Precision is precision.”

Something shifted in his expression—shock, pride, horror, admiration, all tangled together. “My mother taught you to kill yourself. You used it to defend our home.”

“Yes.” Mio’s voice was flat. “Ironic, isn’t it?”

Behind Taichi, his father dismounted. Shabazu Matsui took in the scene with sharp eyes—the damaged gate, the bloodstains still visible on the courtyard stones, his daughter-in-law standing bruised but alive.

“Show me,” he said simply.

Mio led them through the estate, pointing out the damage, explaining the attack with military precision.

“Six bandits total. They breached the gate at twilight. I held the inner choke point here—” she gestured at the narrow path “—with Suzuki and two servants supporting from behind. I killed the first two in close combat. Wounded a third who Suzuki finished. The leader died from femoral artery severance. The remaining two fled when they saw their casualties.”

Matsui studied the dried blood, the narrow defensive position, the tactical advantages she’d exploited. “You commanded the defense yourself?”

“There was no one else. I gave orders, the servants obeyed. We held until the threat was neutralized.”

“And the prisoner?”

“In the storage building. Conscious periodically. He’s claimed they heard rumors the estate was vulnerable—lord away, minimal defense. A merchant in town supposedly spread the information.”

Matsui’s expression darkened. “A merchant spreading specific information about our household’s vulnerability. How convenient.”

“Very convenient, honored father.” Mio met his eyes steadily. “Almost as if someone wanted us attacked.”

The implication hung in the air.

Taichi looked between them. “You think someone arranged this? Who would—” He stopped. “My mother.”

“We have no proof,” Matsui said sharply. “Accusations require evidence.”

“But you suspect it too,” Taichi pressed. “Don’t you?”

Matsui was silent for a long moment. Then: “I suspect many things. Proving them is different. Show me this prisoner.”