Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

him, but no matter what it was, he would accept it. This time, he wouldn't run.
    "Addison-san, what are you doing out here?"
    Jonathon turned toward the voice. Kita walked toward him. He replied in Japanese to the young samurai. "Admiring the night. Why are you out so late?"
    Kita stopped in front of him. "I was on guard duty. Are you waiting for Lord Takezaki to return?"
    A ghost of a smile came to Jonathon's lips. "Yes. That's the truth of why I'm out here."
    Kita nodded, his gaze turning toward the gates leading out of the estate. "I understand. I won't be able to rest until he returns either. I implored him to take me with him tonight, but he said he needed strong men here."
    Jonathon's heart started to pound quicker, fear for Kazuhiro spurring it. "Where exactly did he go?"
    Kita looked at him. "He didn't tell you?"
    Jonathon shook his head.
    Kita shifted his stance, seeming suddenly uncomfortable. "Then I've already said too much. If he didn't confide in you-"
    "It was to not worry me," Jonathon interrupted. He had to get the truth from Kita. "He and I, we've become…close. But I still worry. It would comfort me greatly if you told me."
    Kita's voice quieted. "I don't think knowing the truth would bring you comfort."
    Jonathon took a step closer to him, trying to express his desperation in his eyes and voice. "Please, tell me."
    Kita stayed silent for a moment, then lifted his gaze to meet Jonathon's. "He's leading an attack on some of the Shogun's men."
    Jonathon's heart stumbled in its heavy pound. His breathing stopped.
    "A few days ago, the Shogun's men attacked and killed Ito Hidemasa," Kita continued. "He was a minor lord, and mostly a lord only in title, as his lands and wealth are minimal. He was a good man, but a poor leader, and that cost his clan a great deal. He released many of his retainers, and Lord Takezaki took many in. But Ito-san was a harmless old man. He did speak out in support for the Emperor, but he had no means to support him. His death was unnecessary, and it seems his life was taken for no other reason that an opportunity to kill a sympathizer of the Emperor.
    "His son, Hidetoshi, sent a message to Lord Takezaki asking for his assistance in obtaining revenge. The Ito and Takezaki have been allies for several generations, and Hidetoshi was a lover to Lord Takezaki."
    Jonathon tensed at the last statement. He tried to quell the jealousy that sprang up in him at hearing of Kazuhiro running to the aid of a former lover.
    "It's not surprising with the history between their families that Lord Takezaki would avenge Ito-san. It's the honorable thing to do. By the pace the men who killed Ito-san were traveling, they would arrive in Kyoto today. Lord Takezaki believed that like most men who have been traveling and who have shed blood, they would visit the pleasure district tonight, and it's there he plans to attack. But since it was a covert attack on Ito-san, Lord Takezaki plans to respond in the same way to try and avoid inciting more bloodshed. He doesn't want this incident to further fuel the rebellion. He and the other men are under the guise of seeking their own enjoyable night, hoping to find them, and when they do…"
    Kita didn't need to finish the sentence for Jonathon to know what would happen, and he couldn't let Kazuhiro face it alone. "We have to go to him."
    "We can't. He said-"
    "I don't care what he said!"
    Kita startled, his eyes wide.
    Jonathon took a deep breath to gather what few shreds of calm he had. He needed to remember where he was, how things were done. "I understand and respect Lord Takezaki's wishes, but we have to help him."
    Kita shook his head. "He ordered me to stay here."
    "Yes, for guard duty. But you said your watch is over now. You've been relieved by another, correct?"
    "Yes, but…"
    "So your time is yours now. What's to stop you from going to the pleasure district yourself for a night of enjoyment?"
    "I would still ask Lord Takezaki's permission to ensure he had no further need of me."
    "But he's not here, and where he's at, he does need you. I know you're torn between following your orders, but you've done your duty as Lord Takezaki requested. And isn't your greatest duty above all others to protect him?"
    Jonathon could see struggle and internal battle over what to do in Kita's expression. He felt terrible doing this to him, but there was no one else who he could even hope to convince to take him to Kazuhiro.
    Kita spoke slowly. "I'm sorry,