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Chizu awoke by a sudden chill. She only opened her eyes at first, and then searched under the covers as if she had lost something. She had of a sort. The Ninja had lost her companion and it was that absence that roused her. Chizu turned over slightly and found the missing person standing by an open window.
"Come back to bed, Tomoe."
The woman stood clad in only her wrappings, curling a strand of hair around her index finger. The world outside was covered in snow, but it was a mere dusting. Usually at that time of year the snow would be deep. But it seemed that the winter season was going to be slight. Much like Yasuhira predicted. Everything that man said was coming true. And for that Tomoe's heart was heavy. She glanced over her shoulder to her companion, still lingering under the covers. Tomoe found it difficult to comprehend the evolution of her relationship with the Ninja; it all happened very quickly, but seemed so natural and effortless. Chizu had mentioned once that war brings people together. Perhaps the same could be said for internal conflict, as Tomoe had been suffering since Yasuhira had moved on. And Chizu's presence was already such a comfort that asking her to share the warmth in bed was simplicity itself and Chizu accepted as easily as if Tomoe had offered her a cup of tea. Now they were inseparable. Only that morning, Tomoe noticed that Chizu was on the verge of falling asleep once more.
"The day is half done, my dear, Chizu. One shouldn't be lounging in bed for so long," Tomoe turned to face her friend fully, "It is unseemly," She smiled, "People will talk."
Chizu scoffed and rolled onto her back, "Pish, let them talk," She stretched her arms above her head, "Not that they would speak any louder than a whisper anyway."
"A whisper travels farther and faster than words screamed to the heavens, my dear, you know that."
"Come back to bed, Tomoe, you'll catch your death standing there."
Tomoe looked outside once more, "Just a while longer."
The courtyard below was a hive of activity, despite the weather. It had taken some time, but the Heron castle had been restored to its former glory. The gardens were glowing once more and there were Koi in the ponds again. All had returned to as it was. But that was only on the surface. A month had passed since the war had ended and the world had changed beyond all imagining. The Shogun returned to the capital once Tomoe had settled the peace and he quickly set about to put his house back in order. All the ninja in his household were identified and returned to Hikiji. Not killed, as first expected. In truth not a drop of blood was spilled since the end of the war. The Shogun repudiated all the counsellors that had conspired with the Shadow Lord, but he did not banish them nor did he expropriate their lands and confiscate their wealth. Instead he set up a special wing in his castle where he ensconced them all and then left them there. They were forever isolated, and deprived of influence. Thus the men sat around all day, doing little except drink and plot their return to favour or their revenge. They succeeded in only getting drunk and nothing else. Noriyuki and the Geishu became more involved in the workings of the nation, much to the Lord's chagrin. But he could hardly refuse, as he had become the most powerful Daimyo in the country. For Tomoe had granted Noriyuki dominion over the Northern Province. At first Lord Naishi was incensed at having his fief divided in such a manner, but when he was made the official lord over all Hikiji by Tomoe he retreated slightly. Of course such an act begged the question of what would happen upon Yasuhira's return. Tomoe remained reticent on that possibility. She knew all too well that if he did return reclaiming his title as Daimyo would be the last thing on his mind. So she waited. And waited still for his return.
