Floating in the darkness of the rain was fresh red blood.  White sleeves, and a purple shawl (scarf) is what she wore, and the deep black eyes. MakenZero and the girl stare at each other for the longest moments. Then she closed her eyes, and she slowly pitches forward. MakenZero darts forward to catch her.

“She fainted. It’s natural after seeing all that blood. For a moment I wasn’t sure if I should silence her or not—no. I forgot even that. But what should I do about this place? I can't leave her here to give evidence. And who knows what could happen to a woman alone at this night. Guess I have no choice.” He picks her up to carry her home. “Her perfume, it is a white plum scent.”

Back at the hotel MakenZero comes in he speaks quietly, “I’m back.” He tips toes in. “Oh MakenZero, you’re late tonight—MakenZero what are you doing?” The lady notices the soaking wet girl. “No, um, there was a fight, and she fainted, and--,” He tried to explain but the words weren’t coming out. The landlady regards the girl for a long moment, “Are you sure you didn't just get her drunk?” MakenZero’s eyes went wide. “This is not a whorehouse. Just this once--I'll get her some warm water and a change of clothes.” The landlady went off to find the girl some stuff.

Azusa sleepily pokes his head out a door, “What is it landlady?” “It’s that boy Master Caesura is looking after. He brought home a girl.” “What!? MakenZero brought home a girl?” Later the girl has been put to bed. MakenZero sits by her. “So she’s just drunk.” He watches her sleep. “The smell of blood and white plum perfume, I must be going crazy.”

The next morning, MakenZero wakes up with a start, to find the girl missing, but her bed was neatly fixed. “No. I must have fallen asleep. Landlady,” he spoke loudly the last part. The landlady hands the girl a stack of breakfast trays. “Here why don’t you take these in for me?” MakenZero is confused at what she was doing with the girl that saw him kill. “Oh, good morning, MakenZero, despite appearances, your girlfriend is a very good worker. MakenZero trying hard to ignore that remark and looks at the girl, “Um. What is your na--,” The girl walked off leaving him hanging. “Hey! What are you doing?” She looked back, “Can’t you tell?” “Helping in the kitchen I see.” She nodded, “So you do know,” she opened the door, “excuse me, I’ve brought breakfast.”

The men are all lined up waiting for her. “So this is MakenZero’s girl!” “She’s cute!” “We didn’t know you were into older women!” “She’s just as unfriendly as MakenZero.” The men were all laughing. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you all,” she nodded her head. “Knock it off,” MakenZero narrowing his eyes. Azusa nudged him, “Embarrassed lover boy?” “Azusa!” “So tell us. How was she?” MakenZero narrowed his eyes more and put his hand on his sword. Everyone backs off instantly.  “That was close. For a minute I forgot he was MakenZero. Just teasing him is taking your life in your hands,” Azusa laughed nervously.

“If everyone's here, we should discuss the provincial governor. Caesura’s stay will require the strictest security.” MakenZero gets a tap on his shoulder he looks at where Azusa is pointing, and it’s where Caesura is calmly drinking tea.” “I had no idea that he was this laid back.” “Affairs of the heart have nothing to do with your ideals. I do have a wife myself you know.” Caesura smiled. “May we talk seriously for a moment?” “Of course we can. Certainly. That's more my nature as well. ” Outside in the back of the hotel, “Is that true?” Caesura looked at MakenZero thoughtfully “Yes. I was ambushed by a shadow assassin.” “Information is being leaked out. Even about our top secret MakenZero. There is a traitor in our midst. There’s one other thing. One of our other leaders has been captured by the Wolves of the Mountains.” “So will you take a bodyguard after all?” “No I’ll be all right. But I want you to be careful.” Caesura leaves him. MakenZero thinking, “The one they're after is the leader of the patriots, the center of all this. We have to find the traitor soon. If we make even one mistake, history will take an evil turn.”

Later MakenZero is sitting on a window sill while the girl is eating lunch. “I want you to promise to forget everything you saw last night and leave.” “Am I such a burden? The landlady seems to like me.” “Your family will be worried about you.” “If I had a family to go back to, I wouldn't be out drinking alone at night.” Maken grumbled at her replied and thought, “This isn’t going well,” out loud, “I don't know what your situation is, but we're in no state to look after you.” “Then will you finish me? Like you did that man in black.” “You can think whatever you want, but I'm doing this only to bring a new age where everyone can live in peace. I don't kill indiscriminately. Only armed members of the enemy who oppose us, naturally civilians might oppose us as well, but I would never strike an unarmed man.”

“So bad people carry swords, and good people don't? Then, if I had been carrying a sword that night, would you have--,” MakenZero cut her off, “That’s-,” She cut him off right back. She picked up her tray, “When you have an answer for me, please let me know.” She leaves the room. “Hey! Wait a minute. You’re just going to walk out?” She slams the door behind her. MakenZero thinks, “Damn it. Am I going crazy? Or, are things finally making sense?"