Finally feeling refreshed, I headed back to my room, letting my wet hair dry in the blazing heat. It felt like the sun and the oncoming storm were locked in some sort of battle in the skies, and the faint sound of thunder met my ears just as I reached my door.

I stepped inside, slid the door firmly shut and slid down the wall, then banged my head backwards against it several times, trying to knock the recent events out of my skull. Standing up with a sigh, I took off my katana, boots and wrist cuffs then sat on the low table, wondering what on earth was going to happen next. The sun was losing its battle to the clouds, so I got up and lit a lamp, its soft light making flickering shadows on the walls.

Various memories played through my head making me smile as I went through the ritual of cleaning my katana. I held up the blade and noticed a couple of nicks on it, I could just feel them under my thumb as I ran it along the surface, and I would have to visit the armoury tomorrow. Putting that away left me alone with my thoughts, so I dressed my boots, letting time drift by on its own.

I ran my hand through my still wet hair; it was taking ages to dry, then having run out of things to do, slumped down on my bedding.

"What the FUCK are you doing Tamara?" I asked the room. With it staying silent I turned onto my stomach and screamed into the bedding, kicking the rest as I did so. I rolled onto my back, hot tears of frustration trying to get free.

"SHIT!" I shouted.

I sat up, drew up my knees and screamed into them, thumping the bedding with my fists. Finally a blank space appeared, and I sighed heavily, running my right hand through my hair to push it back over my ear. As I turned my head to the side, I noticed a large paper bound package on the low table, surely that wasn't there before? Was it? I crawled over and knelt in front of it.

The string around it released easily, and a rush of dark blue and white fabric spilled out, my brows furrowed, it didn't look like a kimono. Intrigued, I freed the rest from the paper, and as it fell across the table I recognised immediately what it was - a formal robe.

I slowly traced my finger along the fabric, it felt beautiful under my touch, the embroidered fixings were spun with silver and as my hand brushed them, I saw a new katana obi lay underneath.

"Thank you Saizo." I sighed, wiping an errant tear.

"You're welcome little lady." His voice was just behind me and I was too overwhelmed to jump at his appearance.

"Have you been here the whole time?" My tone was suspicious.

"Anything's possible." I could feel him grinning at my back, so I swung round to face him. He was casually lying on the bedding in formal robes, his head propped up on one hand. "Come here."

The command was as much from his eyes as his words, and I crawled over to him and lay on my back by his side. He went to run his hand along my chest and immediately I flinched, the memory of Shingen was just too fresh.

Saizo quickly took my jaw and made me face him, his eyes flashed scarlet as he searched mine, but I could see his question.

"No Saizo, I escaped thanks to Yukimura." He visibly relaxed, a thin smile replacing the menace.

"The little lord has always had a sense of timing." His soft silver hair bounced forward as he moved in closer again. His eyes were so reassuring, so ... I felt myself relax under his gaze.

"You need to change." His words filled my senses, my head, and my body took my top off by itself. This time when he ran an elegant finger down my side my body didn't flinch, but every nerve under it lit like fire to his touch.

In a daze and in slow motion he took me from one set of clothes to the other. The formal robes had been tailored to a more feminine cut; they accentuated my frame and would sweep the floor so I could once again wear my beloved trainers. The only concession Saizo made was fixing the jeweled obi pin to my katana sash, and he only released his hold over me when we sank to the bedding again.

Every thought I ever had of Lord Shingen was gone from me.

"This is what happens when you ask nicely" His voice was thick and husky in my ear as he braided my hair so it swept down my back, he reached around me, ... suddenly he was alert.

"Tamara, get up." Slapped back to reality I did so, and as I turned to ask him what was happening he had already vanished. Not three seconds later there was the sound of feet along the verandah. They stopped at my door, "Lady Tamara." It was a retainer, and almost tripping on the hem of the robe, I slid it open.

"Lord Shingen commands your presence."

"Oh crap, what now?" I said as I stepped out to follow him.

Seeing Lord Shingen three times in one day - it couldn't be good. I just hoped he didn't want to pick up where he left off. With some relief I noted we were headed for his Council Rooms, I was announced, as the door swung open Lord Shingen stood in formal robes and next to him, seated and looking serene was ...

Shai.

She rose to meet me and we hugged, it was so wonderful to see her again, and I wondered if she had heard my plea for help.

"Yes I did Lady Tamara." She spoke softly, returning to her seat.

I remembered with a blush I had completely ignored Lord Shingen, and hastily apologised, be he brushed it aside casually. He seemed so different to earlier, more his congenial side, and his eyes smiled as he took in the formal robes. There was a slight flicker of something as he noted the obi pin on my katana sash, but it was gone when he met my eyes again.

"You still surprise me." His tone was soft and warm.

"Thank you Lord Shingen." I bowed in return and as I looked over to Shai she gave me a wink.

"Lady Kaoru will join me this evening," It took me a second to realise he meant Shai.

"I have many names." Her words spoke in my head.

"You may dine in the Hall wherever you wish."

I couldn't believe my ears; I was released from Shingen's side! My wish, my prayer, my plea had been answered.

"Thank you Lord Shingen!!" I hadn't meant to sound quite so elated and he tilted his head at me as Shai laughed quietly next to him.

I got out of there as quickly as I could to find Saizo. As I crossed the courtyard to the sound of dry thunder, Saizo caught me, having to swing me around from the speed I was going.

"Someone looks pleased with themselves." He held me off the floor at eye level with him.

"Shai is here!" I exclaimed, and his reaction was immediate, he set me down and his eyes and face went cold and flat of emotion.

"That can't be good."

And he was gone. At the time I was too happy about not being on the dais, looking back I wished I had paid attention to Saizo's reaction.