The night passed slowly for the families after the funeral of their loved ones.  No one felt like making the trip to the main house after their ashes were buried so they all decided to spend the night in the cabin.  With only a few beds, many had to sleep on the floor, but few were able to get sleep.  As the sun peeked into the loosely covered windows of the cabin the families stirred to several unusual sounds coming from outside.  Sayako tended to a crying Michio as Mama Shu pulled back one of the beige curtains in the living area of the cabin and looked outside.  She gasped at the scene she saw before her.   She let go of the curtain and it fell back into place as a knock sounded upon the door.  Kenji stood up from where he was sitting with his wife and son and opened the door.  Just outside stood a small man in what he would have guessed to be a suit of feudal era samurai armor, however the material seemed to be much better made than the examples he had seen in the Mouri museum in Hagi.
            “Sir Mouri, it is imperative that we return to Hagi soon,” The man stated as he bowed before Kenji.  Kenji took a step back, shocked at being addressed to formally,
            “Why is that so?”
            “If the shogun were to know that you made this trip rather than journeying straight to Hagi, I dare not guess what penalties would befall you,” The man who was apparently a servant of the Mouri house continued, “I believe those with the house of Date wish the same.”
            “I…I see, we shall be a moment,” Kenji nodded as he shut the door.
            “What does this mean?” Sayako asked holding Michio tightly.
            “The sudden disappearance of phone and electricity.  Our cars disappearing, and now this.  What is that demon doing?”  Mama asked exasperated.
            “It would appear,” Grandfather Date announced, “That either the demon has taken us back to the Edo period, or somehow has extended that period of history into our own time.”
            “How would he be able to do that?!” Mama exclaimed
            “The easiest, my dear, would be to just keep Commodore Perry from making it to Japan, and lending his powers to the Shogunate to keep it in control.”
            “Either way there’s nothing we can do about it, but to play along,” Papa Shu sighed as he looked at his wife an children.
            “I know it may not be much, but seeing as I am apparently the Lord of Choshu, would you please join us in Hagi.  I don’t know what kind of life I can offer your family, but at least you’ll be with friends,” Kenji suggested trying to sound hopeful.
            “I think that sounds like a splendid idea,” Grandfather Shu agreed.
            “What about you Sanada-san?” Nasuti turned toward the silent black haired man who stood in the corner.
            “If this truly is the Edo period, I especially do not want to return to the ninja clan that I had left,” Sanada-san stated softly.
            “Well then, the answer is easy.  You can come with us to Sendai.  We could use a good man at our side,” Grandfather Date smiled.
            “Nasuti and I will stay here.  I know the town nearby does not have a doctor so I can claim to be in practice here.”
            “And we will be sure to protect the graves as well,” Nasuti nodded.  With their futures decided the families left for their homes in Sendai and Hagi.  Their futures were uncertain, and without any of the elemental yoroi to protect them, they laid their hopes with the two missing troopers.
 
            It only took a day before the main house had disappeared and the cabin transformed into an old traditional house with only a kitchen/living room/bedroom.  Kentarou made his presence known in the town and people streamed to the house during the next couple of days to seek his advice.  Nasuti helped out where she could and soon began learning how to mix medicines for Kentarou.  Soon enough a week had passed since their new lives had started and they found it somewhat fulfilling. But they refused to give up hope in their two friends.
            The two sat on the veranda just outside their home on what they believed was a Sunday night.  Since the absence of available calendars and even clocks, days seemed to blend one into another.  The day had been quiet, no one from the town had called on Kentarou and they sat quietly watching the light slowly fade away and the stars appear on the calm surface of the lake.  A bird took off disturbing the lake’s surface.  Ripples spread from where the bird had taken off, but did not disappear as they were supposed to do.  Instead more ripples continued to originate from that one spot on the lake as if someone was dipping their finger continuously.  Then a spurt of water erupted like a fountain.  The spurt of water went higher and higher until it was at least six feet into the air.  Nasuti and Kentarou watched in awe at the sight.  The spurt of water than began to move along the surface of the lake toward them.  Then as the spurt of water grew nearer a small mound appeared on the normally smooth sand that lay at the edge of the lake.  The small mound grew larger and larger till it too was about six feet tall.  The spurt of water made its way next to the mound of sand and rock and the two stood still on the edge of the lake.  Nasuti and Kentarou moved not an inch as the two apparitions of nature stood before them.  Slowly the water and sand receded away and back into the ground and lake.  As the mounds became smaller they began to take certain shape, two very familiar shapes.  Nasuti jumped to her feet, ignoring her straw sandals and rushed toward the two figures.  As the last of the water and sand joined with the earth Nasuti tackled the two men who remained standing at the edge of the lake.  They were not clad in the under gear they were used to, and they weren’t wearing the clothes of the new era, nor of the old.  They both had on black suits that looked to be made of some sort of tough leather.  The top of this new undergear was a short jacket that stopped just at the bottom of their rib cages.  The seam was not down the center but just to the left of it.  As the seam neared their neck it curved in and met the stiff collar in the center.  On that panel just where the seam curved around was the black and gold emblem of their respective yoroi.  The jackets were long sleeved and black gloves were also worn.  Under the jacket was a thinner shirt that was tucked into their pants.  Around their waists were black clothes tied at their sides, more for looks than support. The pants were fitted in the waist and the calves but were loose around the thighs. The pants were long and the ends were tucked into their boots.
            “Shin! Shu!” Nasuti exclaimed as tears ran down her cheeks.
            “Whoa, Nasuti, settle down,” Shu laughed as he pried her arms from around his neck, “We haven’t been gone that long.”
            “No, you haven’t,” Kentarou stated walking up to them, “But a lot has happened around here.” Kentarou gestured up the mountain where the house once stood, and only trees remained.
            “The house got destroyed?!” Shu exclaimed.
            “Shu, why would there be nothing but trees if the house was destroyed?” Shin asked shaking his head almost in embarrassment, “Look at the cabin, and what Nasuti and Kentarou are wearing.”
            “Why are you wearing those ragged things?” Shu asked looking at Kentarou’s wardrobe.
            “Come inside and have some tea, there is a lot we need to tell you,” Nasuti suggested as she squeezed between the two, grabbing their arms and leading them toward their home.
 
            Shu and Shin stood before the three graves of their friends and fellow warriors.  Nasuti and Kentarou had relayed everything that had happened just after they had disappeared and their hypothesis as to what the demon had done to their world.  Aggravated and once again helpless to those they cared for the most, Shin could only cry, while Shu punched random walls/trees and cursed under his breath.  With only two armors there was no way for them to defeat the demon, even with the new strength that they possessed.  They both said their apologies and good-byes and turned to leave.  They had only taken a few steps when a light caught the corner of their eyes.  They knew this light.  It was the light of the virtues that controlled the yoroi.  They both turned toward the graves and laying on each one were the missing yoroi.
            “You mean they were just laying there?” Nasuti asked astonished as they showed her the three yoroi orbs.
            “Maybe there’s still a chance that we can defeat this demon,” Kentarou announced a bounce in his voice.
            “We still need to find wearers through,” Shin stated solemnly, “It will be hard to find anyone that wouldn’t need training first.”
            “What’s wrong with training someone?” Kentarou asked fidgeting as he sat.
            “By the time they’re trained, we’ll be in our forties or older,” Shu explained, “If we have no other choice but to train anyone, we might as well start on some children and find a whole new generation to yield the yoroi.”
            “If there is anyway to prohibit that,” Shin growled clenching his teeth.
            “Do you have any other ideas?” Shu asked looking at him.  Shin just turned his head and looked out over the lake, “There’s Seiji’s nephew, he’s a couple of years old right?”
            “And what about Michio?” Nasuti asked, “He’s almost  6 months now.”
            “No.” Shin stated quickly.
            “Shin I know how you feel, but we have to think logically here,” Nasuti tried to reason.
            “It’s not that, though I do feel that way.  Michio has the same heart condition that my mother had.  If we were in or own time he would be able to live fairly normally with it, but now…” Shin trailed off looking Nasuti in the eyes.
            “What kind of condition is it?” Kentarou asked, “There may be something we can do about it.”
            “I’m not sure what it’s called.  But I know it has something to do with a murmur, they were planning on operating on him once he was older.  Either way, physical activity is not something he would have been doing anyway.”
            “Hmm.. yes, if the heart murmur is bad enough…” Kentarou though, “Seiji’s older sister is a doctor isn’t she?”
            “Yea, so? There’s nothing you can do in this world is there?” Shin asked wondering just what he was thinking.
            “As far as the standards of medicine, no.  But if this heart murmur is as bad as you say, Michio is sure to die at a young age.  However, I believe that she and I may be able to go ahead and operate if we are very careful we could extend his life, though I couldn’t say by how much.”
            “I’m sure Ne-san would appreciate anything you could do,” Shin sighed.
            “But we only have one possible wielder, unless, Shu what about your siblings? There’s four of them right? That would make an even five,” Nasuti chirped looking hopefully at Shu.
            “It is a possibility,” Shu mumbled, “However, the oldest two never wanted learn our fighting style so they would have to be trained.  Plus the fact that they’re in their early teens, by the time Seiji’s nephew is old enough to wield the yoroi they’ll be in their late twenties with the same skill.  That would, to be sure, cause problems.”
            “That only leaves one other option,” Kentarou nodded.
            “What’s that?” Shu asked curious.
            “Have kids of your own.”  Tea was instantly sprayed in every direction as Shin and Shu reacted to Kentarou’s statement.
            “Are you crazy?!” Shu announced, almost crushing his cup he was so freaked.
            “How else are you going to get children around Tadashi’s age to wield the yoroi?”
            “But who are we going to…to… you know,” Shu stated his cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
            “Well, you’ll just have to keep a look out while you’re in Edo and Hagi.” Kentarou chuckled at their obvious embarrassment over the subject.
            “Do you realize what you’re saying?” Shin about exploded, “First, marry someone we may or may not love, and then to have se… children who’s only purpose is to train and eventually wear the yoroi?!”
            “Would you rather have Ryo, Seiji, and Touma’s deaths be in vain?” Nasuti gave Shin a stern look.
            “Of course not!” Shin exclaimed frazzled by Nasuti’s statement.
            “Then unless you can think of another idea, you best get used to Kentarou’s point,” Nasuti stated blankly.
            “But!” Shin began to protest, but stopped when Shu laid his hand on his shoulder.
            “Shin, we still have time to pursue other options.  Just think about it okay?” Shu smiled warmly at his friend, “We’ll think of something.”
            “Right…”
            “And Seiji’s nephew?” Kentarou prompted.
            “He is an able body,” Shu nodded, “For now,  I say we send Korin to the Date’s.  It will be their choice in the end.”  Shin nodded agreeing with Shu.
            “I’ll send it with Byakuen to Sendai then, along with a note of your return,” Nasuti whispered as she reached over toward a small chest and pulled out a piece of parchment, brush, and ink.
 
            I have some wonderful news, and some unwelcome thoughts to share with you.  Shu and Shin have returned from wherever they had gone, and the other three yoroi have appeared as well.  We have sat and discussed the future of the yoroi and Shin and Shu’s responsibilities in finding new wearers.  The best suggestion has been for them to marry and have children who they could then train to wield the yoroi.  As you can imagine neither of them were fond of this idea.  Along with this letter is the yoroi crystal for Korin.  We believed it is your choice as to who is to be the wearer of it.  Shu and Shin will be leaving Rekka and Tenku with Kentarou and I as they head to Hagi to join their families. The hell we are going through will have to last for now, when there is nothing we can do we must accept defeat like the Choshu and Satsuma clans that eventually rebelled against Tokugawa after being defeated by him 200 years earlier.  I only hope we don't have to wait that long.
 
Best Regards
Nasuti Yagyu
 
            “Is it wise to leave the two yoroi with you?” Shu asked reading over her shoulder.
            “It’ll be better than keeping them all together,” Nasuti stated as she blew on the letter to dry the ink.  She stood up folding the letter as she did, she walked over to where the three ownerless yoroi sat and picked up the one that shimmered a deep green.  She grabbed a large cloth and folded both items up into it.  She then walked to the veranda and whistled a high piercing whistle.  Within a few minuets Byakuen emerged from the forest and walked up to the house.  He bowed his head for a moment at Shin and Shu who made their way out to great their old friend.  After much loving of the cat, Nasuti bent down and tied the wrapped cloth around the tigers neck,
            “This is an important package.  Korin is in your care.  Take it to Sendai, they will protect it.”  Byakuen nodded understanding the job that had been given to him.  He looked one last time at his two remaining charges and turned to leave.
            “We should probably go as well,” Shin turned toward Nasuti and he saw tears in her eyes.
            “Can’t you stay just the night? It’s getting late,” Kentarou suggested as the moon took over the sky.
            “It would be best to get to Hagi and let our families know that we are safe,” Shu replied, “but some food to eat on the way would be nice.”
            “Of course,” Nasuti smiled and made her way into the house to prepare them a meal.  The two remaining Samurai Troopers bid farewell to their friends.  They looked one last time in the direction of Tokyo, no Edo past the mountains, and left for the lives given to them by the demon who got his revenge.