After their walk Anna said good-bye to Reiko, who returned home. She was undoubtedly bursting with gossip about Gai-Jin and she needed to share it with her friends.

Anna gave orders regarding a bath for her companions and returned to her own room to change into her western clothing. She took off the kimono with a true regret. It was beautiful and made her feel elegant. The touch of expensive silk was a totally new experience, but the cut and the feel of the garment reminded her of the time when she was young and happy.

Once again, she forced her resurfacing memories away. She couldn't afford to feel sentimental. Not now, when so much depended on her, on her confidence and composure. She pulled herself together and shook her head - she had a job to do.

She went into the men's quarters to explain once again the correct procedures they needed to observe during their meeting with Lord Matsuda.

When she walked in, she noticed a disappointment in their expressions.

"Commander Morrison told us about your new incarnation." Mr Johnston smiled. "I admit, I was extremely curious to see that."

"You will satisfy your curiosity tonight." She replied with a grin, despite herself pleased with the impression she had made before. "I will wear my kimono to impress Lord Matsuda with our respect for their customs. But now let us discuss the order of proceedings." Efficiently she explained each step, from their greetings, to thanks, to bearing gifts. "The Japanese custom dictates to hand out presents towards the end rather than at the beginning of the meeting, but in this situation we can bend the rule a little and hand it earlier. I do not expect this meeting to last very long."

"Why?"

"Because Lord Matsuda will not talk to you about anything even remotely touching negotiations. This would be encroaching on somebody's else territory. He will greet you, you will thank him for his hospitality, hand over the gifts and I expect the meeting to be finished."

"So what is the point of it at all?!" Morrison was sulking. He looked bored.

"We want to make a good impression." She persuaded patiently. "His good will might be very useful for us. You are obviously not a diplomat, Sir." She smiled with irony.

"No, I am a soldier!" He grumbled.

She left his outburst without a comment. After a few minutes she continued, like nothing had happened. "I am sure it will be all right. I will try to give you prompts when anything is required of you. All you need to do is just follow my lead. But you must remember one thing: the Japanese appreciate politeness above all. The more you bow and thank, the better an impression you will make."

"How long do you think we will have to wait for the Shōgun's representative?" Mr Johnston just wanted to get it all over with.

"I think they will procrastinate as much as it is politely possible. But hopefully they will arrive within a week. How long the negotiations will last after that, nobody can predict." She shrugged.

Their faces were a bit long.

"Do not worry!" She laughed. "Just try to enjoy yourselves." She got to her feet.

"Where are you going?" Captain Norton asked, expecting her to stay with them until the time of the meeting.

"I need to take a bath and prepare. And I strongly advise the same to you. I have already given the orders. Bathing is a very pleasurable experience." She left.

In the corridor outside her room a serving girl was waiting for her. "My Lady, Hoji-San asks, if it was possible to have a moment of your time." Following the not-so-secret visit from Lord Takeda, her status among the servants had improved visibly.

"Of course. Where is he?"

"Please, follow me."

Hoji waited on the veranda.

"Hoji-San." She greeted him with a smile and a bow.

"My Lady." He bowed much lower. "I am here to make sure that the accommodation is to your satisfaction and you do not require anything else."

"We have everything that we could need."

"I also wanted to inform you that orders had been given to prepare a palanquin for you."

"Is the residence of Lord Matsuda that far?" She asked, a little surprised.

"Not at all. But as a Lady you should travel without any inconvenience."

"I am very grateful for the consideration, but I think it will be best if I accompany the men."

"My Lords fear that wouldn't be appropriate." Hoji bowed, apologising for contradicting her.

She, of course, noted the plural he had used. And, of course, it wasn't a suggestion. They had already arranged everything. "I will naturally act according to Lord Matsuda's kind consideration." She nodded with acceptance. "But somebody will have to direct my companions."

"It will be my pleasure to serve as a guide."

So, that had also been already decided.

She thanked Hoji and retraced her steps to the part of the inn taken by the Americans. She informed them of the new arrangements and assured it was nothing to feel uneasy about. They weren't very happy about it, but rightly understood they were in no position to protest.

From their quarters she went back to her own room. She was looking forward to a bath. Maybe she could even get a massage?

Following a light meal of rice and pickled fish, she was taken to the bathing house, where the servants washed her hair and left her with a wiry woman who had hands like big stones. Anna was prodded and knitted until her muscles relaxed and she felt rejuvenated.

For tonight she decided against the traditional Japanese hairstyle, instead gathering her hair in a pleat and letting it fall freely on her back.

When it was time, she was taken to the awaiting palanquin. She had never traveled like that and, as she had imagined, she didn't enjoy it - sitting in a curtained box, being rocked as if on the high sea wasn't something she would ever consciously choose, but the trip shouldn't be that long. Indeed, the bearers stopped after around twenty minutes and she gratefully accepted a hand that was offered to help her disembark.

She looked around with great curiosity. This was another first for her, as she had never before seen a noble's residence from the inside. The courtyard was full of people, going about their business, but everything seemed very organised and tranquil.

Suddenly her attention was caught by the arrival of more people. She assumed they must be her companions, but as she turned around, she realised that, as by a strange 'coincidence', Lord Takeda's retinue approached at exactly the same time as hers.

She observed him with interest. Tall for a Japanese, straight-backed, muscular and well formed, sitting very comfortably on his beautiful stallion, dressed as always in black and with his face set in a proud expression, he unexpectedly seemed to her the epitome of a true man: attractive, assured of himself and exuding dignity.

He jumped off his horse and walked towards her with the ease and grace of a well-trained warrior.

"Lord Takeda." She bowed in greeting.

"Ana-San." He nodded. "What an unexpected pleasure to meet you again."

She only smiled, not even trying to hide her amusement at his little deception.

"Did you enjoy your morning stroll?" He continued.

He had her followed, or talked to Reiko. Both options seemed equally probable. "Indeed, My Lord."

"I see your companions haven't arrived yet." He made a show of looking around. "As we still have a moment, would you like to see the gardens? Lord Matsuda is very proud of them. And quite rightly."

"It will be an honour, My Lord."

She fully expected him to pressure her again and use his charm to get some answers, but he surprised her completely and talked only about the garden and his own plans regarding improvements in his domain.

After a while she chose an opportune moment to speak and bowed deeply. "My Lord, please allow me to thank you again for such a generous gift." She indicated her kimono. "More so, because it was intended for someone else."

An expression of surprise crossed his face very briefly, however it disappeared instantly and in its place appeared a smile. "Ah, Reiko-San sometimes talks too much."

"I wish I could somehow recompense that lady for her loss." Continued Anna.

"It is most definitely unnecessary. My sister has already got enough clothes!" Anna wasn't sure if it was said quite by accident, or it was an intentional hint. "Besides, you are more suited to wear that colour." He added, looking at her with appreciation.

She just bowed in thanks, trying to hide her flushed cheeks. He was paying her too many compliments.

After a few minutes she saw a servant, standing patiently a couple of steps away, not wanting to interrupt their conversation, just waiting to be noticed. Lord Takeda also saw him and motioned for the man to approach.

The servant stepped towards them, bowed very low and spoke humbly. "My Lord, Gai-Jin have arrived and Matsuda-Sama asks that you join him. My Lady, allow me to show you the way."

"I have enjoyed our conversation." Takeda smiled with a twinkle in his eye, facing her.

"Thank you, My Lord."

They both turned to follow the servant into the main building, when quite unexpectedly Anna's instincts prickled. In a corner of her eye she noticed some movement in a shadow cast by the decorative shrubbery at the edge of the garden.

She was quite sure that someone was hiding there. What she didn't know was what was their purpose. Would it be a well placed guard or a rival lord's spy? Or an assassin?! She thought suddenly with strange foreboding. But how would he get in here?

She pretended to adjust something on her kimono, but peaking from behind half closed eyes she was following every movement. Acting purely on a hunch, she surreptitiously stepped out of her geta. Her hand automatically went for the hip where her guns usually were. But with distress she realised the revolvers were left at the inn.

Suddenly, the instincts warned her of an imminent attack. A dark shadow jumped up and aimed a crossbow towards them. There was no time to lose. "Guards!" She shouted.

With the skill you might expect from a dancer, she pirouetted on top of her toes, turning to Lord Takeda.

It felt to her as if time slowed down and only she could move at normal speed.

With both her hands she pushed the Lord away, forcing him to the ground. For a brief moment they were looking at each other: his eyes wide open, his face full of surprise, which almost instantly transformed into battle-ready awareness. Utilising his experience, even in his fall he managed to twist and roll, jumping back to his feet, simultaneously drawing his katana.

Still in the mid-spin, Anna realised that she would never manage to move quickly enough to avoid the coming arrow. The same kimono that made her feel so elegant and admired became now her undoing, as the tight layers of the garment greatly restricted her movements. She tried to twist away, but she felt a sharp pain and with a cry fell to the ground.

Although to her it felt like ages, in fact everything happened in a fraction of a second.

The guards, alarmed by her shout, came running, ready to protect the Lord. He himself joined them in their pursuit of the assassin, but the man was long gone, disappearing without a trace.

Lord Takeda immediately assumed command and with a natural authority gave orders to organise a search, but truly, he didn't expect this to yield any results. When he came back to the garden, Anna was trying to get up, pressing the left arm with her hand. There was fresh blood flowing from between her fingers.

"Ana-San!" He rushed to her. "You are injured!"

"It's nothing." She tried to smile. "It's just a graze." But she had gone very pale and an expression of pain appeared briefly on her face.

Lord Takeda pulled off his sash and deftly, but delicately tied it over her wound to stop the bleeding. More guards and servants have arrived, alarmed by the commotion and surrounded them in a protective cordon. Takeda took Anna's hand and gently helped her up. He looked at her with deep concern, but then he straightened up and a very imperious expression appeared on his face. Quietly, in a cold tone he said, to nobody in particular. "Someone will pay dearly for this."

The guards paled visibly.

Anna breathed a couple of times to steady her racing heart. Hundreds of questions were swirling in her head, but now was not the time. "I must go! Lord Matsuda should not be kept waiting." She declared.

"Ana-San, you are wounded!"

"I will be fine!" She cut him off, quite rudely. "My companions rely on me."

He looked at her with surprise, but also with an admiration. And then he bowed deeply. "Ana-San, I owe you my life. I will never forget that." His dark eyes shone with strange intensity.

She just nodded and walked away, following the servant, who was to take her to the great hall.

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