Takizawa drove for nearly an hour on the main highway and then took an interchange to the outskirts of the city.  There was the one exit, which led to the base of a mountain shrine in the foothills of a popular park.  Though the cityscape of modern skyscrapers and raised highways was prominent on the horizon, it was possible to turn away and forget the troubles of urban life and urban sprawl by gazing up at the serenity of the rugged hills and uneven rocky slopes.

    "See something interesting?" Kogami asked.  While Takizawa was speaking to a representative from the geisha school, he had followed Akane to the base of a stone stairway leading up to the shrine.

    "When Inspector Takizawa said that there were 1,000 steps, I thought he was being metaphorical."  She stared down at her feet.  "Wearing a kimono with a weighted hem is one thing, but these wooden sandals?"  She looked up at him with dread.  "If I'm going to break my neck, I'd rather do it chasing a criminal, not tripping over my own feet."

    Kogami chuckled, hiding his reaction by stretching his arms over his head.  Careful of the elaborate bow at the small of her back, he gently picked her up in his arms.  "No need to break your neck, Inspector, not when you have an Enforcer to do it for you."  He hesitated on the first step.  "Wait a minute, that didn't exactly come out right."

    "No, it didn't, but I know what you mean."  Akane glanced over his shoulder to her fellow Inspector, who was still negotiating their entrance.  "Shouldn't we wait for Mr. Takizawa?"

    "Something tells me he'll catch up.  Nothing wrong with a head start."

    At the top of the mountain, sweat glistening on his brow, Kogami took the final few steps to the gate of the shrine and set her down.  Though winded from the long climb and from carrying Akane all the way, he controlled his breathing in an attempt to appear unfazed by his exertions.  He was fit and athletic, but the near vertical slope of the steps were a challenge, even he had to admit.

    "Take a moment to catch your breath, Mr. Kogami.  That was certainly an appropriate gesture for the god of war," Takizawa said.  He had respectfully trailed them on the stairway, while he observed Kogami the entire climb.  "The warrior priests here seem to appreciate your efforts as do the other shrine goers.  Let us pray that Futsunushi, the Kami of this shrine is watching, too."  Straightening Akane's kimono, he nodded inconspicuously to the crowd gathered just inside the gate.  "The proper thing to do before entering the gate is to bow and then to walk in on the righthand side."

    Kogami bowed his head slightly as the Inspectors bowed deeply at the shrine entrance.  Following Takizawa's lead, he walked through the gate on the right side and then removed his shoes, unprompted, placing them in a wooden cupboard provided for shrine visitors.  Unsettled by the attention, he kept an eye on the warrior priests who remained, even after the crowd had dispersed.

    "Ever watchful," Takizawa remarked, smiling at Kogami's vigilance. 

    "As a good hound should be," Kogami replied.

    "We are quite safe here.  This is the shrine of Futsunushi no Mikoto, the god of archery and war."

    "Is that why the priests are carrying swords?"

    "In accordance with the deity, it is expected.  Each of them is an accomplished swordsman.  Otherwise, they would not be permitted to carry the weapon or even appear in public without it."

    Akane clasped her hands together in excitement.  "Inspector Takizawa, this is like being on an educational field trip; only I'm learning more than I ever imagined."

    "Come, I've arranged for our privacy," Takizawa said.  "The gentleman I was speaking to earlier was Mr. Akagi, the teamaster's son.  We can wait in the garden until our appointed time.  The shrine is about to close to the public for the evening, but we will be permitted to stay."

    "Privacy?" Kogami asked.

    Takizawa grinned, his expression fixed and without flaw, as if he were posing for a picture.  "A geisha in public, even a maiko, is quite the spectacle."  His smile broadened as their threesome was approached by a small group of school children.  Ahead of them, a young boy of 5 or 6 years walked toward Akane, holding out a sprig of plum blossom to her.

    Unsure of what to do or how to respond, Akane looked at Takizawa for direction.

    "Superb, my dear.  A maiko should always look to her oniisan for guidance."

    "What shall I do."

    "Do not smile.  Slightly close your eyes and tilt your head," he whispered.  "Sweetly regard the child and his gift with mild surprise.  Good.  Now bow from the waist, maintaining eye contact with him and take the flower delicately from his hand, as if you were plucking it from the branch yourself.  Make no other contact."  As Akane performed the requested gestures, he continued, "Now standing tall, bring the flower to your lips, head still tilted, and bow your head in gracious thanks.  Well done." 

    There was a round of applause from the nearby spectators, who bowed in appreciation of the impromptu performance.  Grinning from the attention, the child was led away by his peers and a teacher as their group gathered to leave for the day. 

    "I'm learning a whole new respect for the geisha."  Akane tucked the plum blossom behind her ear.

    "The art of the geisha requires a mental and physical toughness not unlike the samurai," Takizawa said.  "You performed admirably.  Every motion a Geisha makes is a graceful dance.  It must be so, because she is always on stage when in the public eye."

    "Next time you can walk the stairs on your own," Kogami said.  "To test that gracefulness."

    Akane took her fan and swatted him across the arm. 

    "Delicately, my child," Takizawa cautioned, "this particular fan is well over 100 years old.  It's longevity is a testament to its craftsmanship and care."  He took the fan from her and inspected it for any damage.

    "I am so sorry, Inspector Takizawa."  She glared at Kogami with a half scowl.

    "A fan can be used to discipline wayward servants," he explained, casting his eyes at Kogami, "but most are unaware of the subtleties of the tool."  He checked the relic by spreading the leaves then refolding it by the rivet three times.  "History tells of renowned generals carrying such fans and using them to send signals to their troops.  I hope to successfully do the same with you both today during the tea ceremony.  But the greatest use of the fan is its exquisite secret language, the language of courtship."

    Takizawa struck a pose of coyness, his eyes meeting Kogami's and narrowing with flirtatious allure.  "Touching the tip of your finger to the closed fan means: I wish to speak with you. But," he deftly twirled the fan in his left hand, "this gesture means: we are being watched."  Takizawa brushed his shoulder against Kogami seductively and caressed the Enforcer's chin with the fan. 

    Unsure what to think of the Inspector's daring behavior, Kogami gasped and raised his head to avoid the contact.  Disarmed by the sudden and unexpected intimacy, he grit his teeth, and glared at Takizawa, disliking Takizawa's attempt to dominate him through his actions.

    Takizawa met Kogami's steely gaze with a subtle smile and tilted his head to the side, much in the fashion that he had instructed Akane.  His movements were graceful and calculating.  "Opening and closing the fan several times with agitation simply means: you are being cruel."  He slapped the fan closed to demonstrate and narrowed his eyes in feigned dismay at the startled Enforcer's aggressive stance.  "But all is forgiven by drawing the fan slowly across the eyes to beg forgiveness."  He performed each action as he explained the meaning.

    "How do you tell some you might have feelings for them?" Akane asked.  While Takizawa's back was to her, she grinned and winked at Kogami over his shoulder.

    "I love you?" Ignoring the Enforcer's balled fists, Takizawa smiled playfully at Kogami's awkward response to the attention.  "The fan held over the heart tells the astute lover that they have won your heart."  He pirouetted, spinning gracefully away from Kogami to Akane and spread the fan wide in front of her.  Putting it in her hands, he gracefully maneuvered it up to cover her wide eyes.  Once her eyes were hidden, he pulled the fan down slowly to uncover them.  "The eyes, Akane, say it all.  Hiding them and then slowly exposing them reveals your heart, meaning I love you."  He watched Akane's face and followed her eyes to Kogami.  "Intriguing." 

    Takizawa again took the fan from her and closed it abruptly.  Touching the tip to his nose, he cut his eyes at Akane and then to Kogami.  "And this indicates intense jealousy."  His eyes softened, the expression returning to one of amusement.  Noticing a priest standing at the garden entrance, he bowed his head to the man and returned the fan to Akane.  "The shrine has been cleared," he said.  "It is time for the purification ritual."

    Akane awkwardly took the fan and stared down at it.  "Why am I feeling so blatantly inadequate?" she whispered.

    "Don't be," Kogami teased.  A smile curled in the corners of his mouth.  "Don't need a fan to know how you feel about me."

    Takizawa led them to a long stone basin in the shrine courtyard.  "Grasp the bamboo dipper in your right hand and pour the water over your left.  Then grasping the dipper in your left hand, do the same for your right hand."

    Anxious to perform the ritual, Akane quickly stepped up to the basin and followed Takizawa's instructions. 

    Still unsettled by Takizawa's behavior, Kogami watched from a distance and with limited interest.  Three women may have been murdered on the grounds of this shrine.  He was in no mood for rituals while their murderer might still be walking free, possibly observing them. 

    Dressed in black robes, one of the priests approached him and drew the sheathed wakizashi from his sash and pointed to the basin.  When Kogami did not move swiftly enough, he took a defensive stance and struck him in the lower leg with the intent of bringing the Enforcer to a knee.  When Kogami merely flinched in surprise and did not drop, there was instant recognition in the priest's eyes.  Before Kogami could react, the priest strengthened his grip with two hands and deftly struck him again with the sheathed sword.

    Kogami's leg went numb from a direct hit on a pressure point.  He dropped to one knee as the priest spun on his heel and brought the sword up under his chin with a firm tap.  Although the blade was in its sheath, the message was clear.  Kogami swallowed deliberately and remained still. 

    Restraining Akane gently by the shoulder, Takizawa did not interfere.  "The warrior priests of this particular shrine do not speak, Mr. Kogami.  But they certainly know how to get their point across, wouldn't you agree?"  He turned back to the basin to complete the purification ritual.  "You seem to have attracted their attention yet again."

    Kogami was forced to his feet as the priest raised the sword beneath his chin.  His choice was to stand or be strangled.  With a stern expression of disgust, the priest pointed to the water basin.  Chided by the shrine guardian, Kogami walked over to the basin and performed the ritual as Takizawa instructed.

    "A bit of respect goes a long way, Mr. Kogami.  Play your cards right and the god of war may grant you a boon."

    Aloofness proved to be a detriment under the watchful eyes of the shrine priests.  Kogami stayed clear of them and followed Takizawa, who led them through the necessary steps of the pilgrim.  After the ritual of water came the ritual of fire.  Here the eccentric Takizawa stood beside a small fire pit and redirected the smoke up and over his head seven times.

    There was something undeniably appealing about Takizawa.  Kogami struggled, but could not deny it.  He was a genuine intellectual, unlike Ginoza, with a thirst for knowledge in philosophy and history.  The Inspector was also a gifted and powerful teacher who with mere smiles, simple instruction, and warm praise turned Akane from a cop into a geisha, if only for the day. 

    There was something familiar about him that Kogami could not shake.  Some nuance in his gentle manner that tugged at a stubborn memory that refused to come to the light.

    Clearing his head of the recalcitrant thought, Kogami wrote a prayer on a small wooden talisman.  Visitors were entreated to write their prayer in the form of a poem, but Kogami was not much for words.  He wrote the kanji for Akane's name on the wooden slip and wondered if the Shintō Kami was listening.  Futsunushi —the god of war.  Though Kogami was as much a harbinger of the battle as well as a victim, he had made good on many offerings to the god as an Enforcer.  Surely there was some way he could find favor with the deity. 

    Walking over to the fire pit, he stared at the massive mosaic on the back wall of the shrine.  Nearly 25-feet tall, Kogami was humbled by the size of the relief.  It was a depiction of Futsunushi riding a warhorse, a big chestnut that wore the matching armor of his master.  His swords were sheathed at his waist, and a bow was tied to the saddle.  For being the god of war, Futsunushi's was quite serene and sedate.

    Sensing eyes upon him, Kogami followed the ritual protocols by ringing the bell once and bowing respectfully twice.   He tossed the talisman into the flames in the center of the shrine and watched intently as flames licked at it, burning the wooden slip and sending his prayer to the Kami.  He bowed once more and placed three coins in the offering box.  Looking into the face of the god of swords, he thought, Hope you're listening.

    Akane joined him and tucked her arm under his as they walked back to the courtyard.  "So, what did you pray for?" she asked in a cheerful voice.

    Hands in his pockets, Kogami pressed her arm against him and walked slowly to accommodate her small steps.  "Isn't it against the rules to tell?"  He felt the flush across his cheeks, knowing that his prayer was and always would be for her to be his.

    "I guess that's true," Akane said.  "This has been such a great experience.  I never truly understood the shrines or how they worked until now."

    "I'll admit, it's been different, but I'm ready to get to the business of the investigation.  A crime may have occurred here.  While we're playing with water and fire, the murderer could be miles away."  Kogami purposely slowed his strides as they rejoined Takizawa.

    "Kogami?" Akane whispered.

    The concern in her voice was shared.  In front of them, thirty priests dressed in traditional black robes stood in a semi-circle.  As Kogami and Akane walked into the center, they were flanked, and the circle was made complete.  They were surrounded.  Arms crossed over his chest, Takizawa stood watching the priests with a rather stern expression on his face.

    "Something wrong?" Kogami asked.

    "When the priests won't speak, it's difficult to ascertain what they want or what they intend," Takizawa said.  "But I believe it has to do with you, Mr. Kogami."

    "Me?"  Kogami pulled his arm away from Akane and brought her between them for protection.  "What do they want?  A sacrifice?"

    "Perhaps not a sacrifice, but definitely a flogging.  Please tell me you followed the rituals as I instructed?"

    "With no deviation."

    Hoary headed, a priest broke ranks from the circle.  From the deference shown to him by all the others, Kogami guessed this was the shrine guardian.  An older man, he moved with fluidity and strength.  Two subordinates accompanied him.  One, to his right, carried a sheathed wakizashi in the folded sleeves of his robes.  The other, on his left, carried a small melon in his hands. 

    Assuming a ready stance, the shrine elder nodded to the man on his left side.  This was answered by the young man, who threw the melon high into the air in front of the old man.  Drawing his blade with preternatural speed, the priest leaped into the air and skewered the falling melon with the tip of his blade. The draw was so fast that Kogami only heard the sound of the metal blade exiting the sheath. 

    In a second motion, the priest spun the sword and sliced the melon in half.  It fell to the ground with a dull thud, where the younger priest quickly retrieved it and returned to the circle.  The shrine elder sharply snapped his wrist and shook the blade free of any residual juices before slowly returning it to its scabbard.  Extending his right hand, he requested, Kogami assume the position before him.

    "Not sure what I did now," Kogami said.  "But I think this might leave a mark."  He shrugged out of his coat and handed it to Akane. 

    "I must confess that I am terribly intrigued," Takizawa replied.  "No one in Division 10 will ever believe this.  I wonder if I should record it."  He stared at Kogami with a fleeting moment of uncertainty on his face.  "Would you mind?"

    "Not at all."

    "I mind!" Akane cried, grabbing Kogami by the sleeve.  "Is this because you carried me up the stairs?"

    "Yes," Takaizawa said, "well, in part.  The warrior priests, while they are not samurai in the traditional sense, live by a variation of the same Bushido code.  The first tenet is integrity, which you showed when the priest corrected your behavior at the water basin.  You were humble and submitted to your betters without any defiance."

    "Gino would never believe that," Kogami said.  "Can you put that in a report?"

    "He won't have to!"  Akane wrapped her body around his arm.  "I will not let you do this, Kogami!"

    "Kindness is the second tenet," Takizawa said.  "While many think the samurai were fierce warriors, and they were, the samurai were also men and women of great passion as well as compassion."

    "Carrying Inspector Tsunemori up the stairs?"

    "Yes, but for the record, Mr. Kogami, this may not be a matter of what you've done, but rather what you will do."  Takizawa prepared the recording device in his wristcom.

    "What does that mean?" Akane demanded.

    "Futsunushi's warrior priests are said to have the gift of precognition—foresight.  They must see something in you or something that you were meant to do."

    "Now I'm intrigued," Kogami whispered.  "What's the third tenet?"

    "Courage."

    Kogami gently ran his fingers over Akane's hands and pulled free.  "How's your first aid these days, Inspector.  I've got a feeling if I don't pass the test here, I'm going to need it."

    "Kogami!"

    Kogami stood in a position opposite the head priest and bowed in respect.  Offering the wakizashi to the Enforcer, the subordinate carrying the sword approached him and bowed.  Crafted from wood and polished with sapphire varnish, the scabbard was carved with ornate images of samurai in battle.  The hilt of the sword spoke to the exquisite craftsmanship of the blade hidden within the sheath. 

    Kogami would have to trust in that craftsmanship.  His life depended on it.  Pushing his thumb against the hilt of the blade, he felt it easily slip from the scabbard and then fall back down inside with a metallic click.  He returned the subordinate priest's bow and then assumed a relaxed, neutral stance in front of the shrine priest.  Mouth gone dry, he took a deep breath and exhaled with deliberate effort.

    Without warning, the old man lunged at him.  He drew his blade from the scabbard and bore down on the Enforcer with a savage frontal strike.  The man's speed was otherworldly and took Kogami off guard. 

    Having mistakenly anticipated an overhead strike, Kogami drew the sword from its scabbard, discarding it on the ground and dropped to one knee.  He tightened his grip on the hilt to receive the savage blow and deflect it, but struggled to drive the cutting sword upward with his arms and legs.  His sprained wrist popped under the burden, and the fingers in that hand went numb.  But Kogami held his breath, having exhaled all the air from his lungs, and became a pillar of stone.

    "Kogami!" Akane screamed.  She tried to run to him, but Takizawa held her in place.

    The old priest did not let up.  The force of the blow had knocked Kogami to the ground, but he was still exerting pressure on the blade.  The advantage of leverage was his for as long as he could hold it.

    Kogami grit his teeth and inhaled, drawing strength from the breath.  He felt a slight trembling in his forearms, but he held still until the priest released him.

    "Kogami!"

    "Ssh!  Inspector, please," Takizawa whispered.  "This is the part in the epic where the mentor imparts some important wisdom to the hero.  Don't ruin it."  He kept recording the scene as it unfolded.

    The head priest waited until a staggered Kogami rose to his feet.  With a subtle smile that lingered for only a moment, he sheathed his sword and placed the scabbard in his sash.  His subordinate immediately came forward, bowed to Kogami, and extended his arms to receive the blade.  Kogami sheathed the sword and politely, with both hands, placed it on the priest's sleeves.  The priest quickly took three steps backwards, bowed to him again, and presented the sword to his superior, bowed, and returned to the circle of his brothers.

    The shrine guardian held the sheathed wakizashi in one hand and wiped the carved wooden scabbard with his sleeve.  Then grasping it without using his bare hands, he wiped the other side, rolling down his sleeve to accomplish the deed.  To Kogami's surprise, he held the sword out to him to take.  As Akane had done earlier in the day, he glanced at Takizawa for direction.

    "It would be a terrible dishonor to this elder if you did not accept his gift," Takizawa said.

    Reluctantly, Kogami took the blade and bowed deeply to express his gratitude.

    Spilling a thin mane of white hair across his shoulders, the priest loosened a leather cord and pulled it free.  He tied the cord over the hilt of the wakizashi and its scabbard, effectively joining the two.  With a nod of approval, he walked by the Enforcer and returned to the main shrine building.  The other priests fell in line behind him.  One by one, they paraded passed Kogami, bowing respectfully before moving on to the building until the circle was no more.  The last priest, the one who had given him the sword bowed the longest and the deepest.

    "Now, that was unexpected," Takizawa said.  He turned to Akane with restrained astonishment.  "Is it always this exciting with Mr. Kogami around?"

    Relief evident in her face, Akane laughed nervously.  "Always and then some."

    "The Shintō priests of this temple are renowned sword makers, Mr. Kogami," Takizawa said.  "That blade is probably worth a small fortune."

    "What's the cord mean?"

    "It's peacebound," came the reply.  "The blade is never meant to be drawn, except in times of great danger and then only as a last resort."

    "Seems a bit extreme."

    "Drawing the sword otherwise would be a sign of weakness.  Not drawing the blade is a sign of wisdom and strength.  A good hound knows the proper time to show its teeth."

    "Then why do you look so troubled, Inspector Takizawa?" Akane asked.

    "The Futsunushi priests are not only world renowned for their forging skills but their visions."  He hesitated, a perplexed expression crossing his face.  "What have they seen that would prompt them to give a sword to an Enforcer?"  He paused in contemplation, but then shook his head incredulously.  "Whatever their reason, I suggest we proceed with caution.  This way, our appointed time is nearly here."

    Her face drawn with worry, even beneath the white makeup of the geisha, Akane took Kogami's arm.  "Are you hurt?"

    "I won't lie," he replied.  "I'm going to feel that in the morning.  But no," he said, smiling for her, "I'm not hurt."

    Akane leaned against him and lowered her voice.  "Working with Division 10 is far more exciting than I ever expected it to be."

"Something tells me, it's about to get a lot more exciting."  He glanced at the sword in his hand.  "Hope we survive it."