Dear Son

Two weeks since they left School Town, they arrive at Old Mansion in the Zhēn Lǐ Feithdom. The place, once a vacation home to the old royal family, was now the home of Lord Zhe and his son Lord Zào. A party of thirty guards, the captain, and the thief escorted Princess Zhen to this place, though they suffer casualties, they replenished and continued. Lord Zhe had other nobles and guards with him waiting when the carriage stopped and the door opened; they bowed as Princess Zhen stepped out. "Your majesty, welcome to Zhēn Lǐ and welcome back to Old Mansion." said Lord Zhe as Princess Zhen came up to him.

"Thank you, my lord." said Princess Zhen. She looked around to see if Lord Zào was here as well, they were pledged to marry each other when old enough.

"Forgive me, your majesty, for my son isn't here to meet you. He is out with a close friend." explained Lord Zhe, noticing her searching.

"It's alright, my lord, I'll see him later." assured Princess Zhen.

"Very well, please allow my guards to escort you to your room as you know, they are loyal to me and aren't part of any group." said Lord Zhe usering Princess Zhen into the mansion. "While they do that, Captain Howin."

"Yes my lord?" called Captain Howin as he was directing men where everything should be put while they stayed.

"Have yourself and the Dual Bladed Ninja come to me at once, I want the report now." ordered Lord Zhe.

"Yes, my lord," acknowledged Captain Howin, he looked to see Truman was taking care of his horse Yáo and looked back at him with his cowl up. Both of them knew they were in serious trouble. "After the attack, we stayed in a town and recruited some men to replace those who were severely injured or dead." explained Captain Howin a little later in Lord Zhe's office. "We also decided to take ten more just in case any group would dare to attack us again." he added.

"And that's what you did for a day? Recruit more men?" asked Lord Zhe.

"Yes, my lord," confirmed Captain Howin.

"Well that answers one, well about the other three days." pressed Lord Zhe. Captain Howin knew he was in trouble, the reason why they were so late was he let his men hunt as long as they liked, slowing their progress down.

"Well, my lord, you see…" began Captain Howin.

"It was my fault, my lord." interrupted Truman. Captain Howin looked at him only to have a glare telling him to be quiet and play along. "I suggested we go hunting, with barely any luck, we pleaded to stay out longer and we did it every time since we are in the middle of a great season to hunt. And was my fault that I misjudged the distance between the towns otherwise we wouldn't have been under attack or rushed to get here faster." he explained.

"Is that true, captain?" asked Lord Zhe.

Captain Howin was confused about why he took his blame, but the look on his visible face said it was okay. "Yes my lord." he finally said.

Lord Zhe looked at the two of them, he knew they didn't see eye to eye, but something happened that they somehow agreed on. "Very well, I expected you to be better, captain, and for you a thief, with your young reputation, to have more sense." reprimanded Lord Zhe. "But considering the princess is here and unhurt, you did good. Dual Bladed Ninja, the empress told me if I see all is well to let you know your payment has gone through and you are no longer needed."

"Thank you, my lord." said Truman bowing to show appreciation.

"Now if I can invite you to stay for a party in three days to welcome you to my fiefdom, I have a room prepared for you." said Lord Zhe.

"Thank you for the offer, but I need to get back to Lord Tyron. There are still things that need to get done. However, I will gladly stay for one night." bargained Truman, taking another polite bow.

"Very well, you're dismissed." agreed Lord Zhe as Truman took another bow and left pulling up his cowl as he closed the door behind him. "Tell me captain, who is he, truly?"

Zhōng took his saddle and saddled up Yáo the next morning. The horse neighed with disapproval. "I know you need a longer break, but we need to get going. I'll ride you till midday, how does that sound?" he asked his horse as it neighs with approval. "Then it's settled," he said as tightened the last strap.

"Dual Bladed Ninja! Dual Bladed Ninja!" cried a messenger.

"What now?" asked Truman, his eyes began to glow as the demons behind it began to crawl out.

"P-p-prin-cess w-w-would l-l-like to sp-speak with y-y-you." stammered the messenger as his eyes locked in with those under the cowl.

Yáo neigh which sounded like a sigh, clearly he knows Zhōng's answer. "Fine," he growled as he walked back towards the mansion leaving the messenger still shaking from being in his presence.

"Hmm, no, not this one," said Princess Zhen to herself as she unpacked and was deciding on dresses.

"Your majesty, the Dual Bladed Ninja is here." said a servant after knocking on the door.

"Let him in," replied Princess Zhen, Truman entered and bowed to show greetings. "What do you think? This one or this one for the ball?" she asked, holding up two dresses.

"Probably, that one." replied Truman pointing at one, "Though I don't think you requested me to help you decide."

"Yes, you're right," said Princess Zhen. She put down the dresses and paused for a moment as she collected her thoughts. "I heard you are leaving." she began.

"Right now, your majesty, I'm afraid, duty calls. Plus it seems like that Captain Howin would like for me to leave early." said Truman.

"Well I was hoping you can stay and escort me to the party." she offered. Truman raised an eyebrow, confused as to why. "Lord Zào is going with a close friend he grew up with, he didn't know it was I who was coming. I decided to let them continue their plans and told him I'll find someone else." she continued.

"Well that explains why you are not going with him, but why not ask the captain, your majesty? I thought I advised you to not be angry with him, considering he lost a lot of men on the way due to his actions." wonder Truman out loud.

"I did, but he recommended you considering you're the hero who saved us. And he's starting to enjoy your company instead and I agree with him." said Princess Zhen.

"You know my reasons why," said Truman.

The room got quiet as both looked at each other, the uncomfortable aura grew greater than he and the captain. "And I thought about what you said," said Princess Zhen, breaking the silence as she went to the table to pour herself some tea. "If he truly is my ally, can I trust him?"

"That's the difference between allies and friends." explained Truman. "Do you even trust me, princess?"

Princess Zhen waited to answer, the boy her age became cold and serious. His mysterious past ties with the former prince's is what made him today. He perhaps didn't trust her but is forced to or a major event changed his mind. The fact remains, that no one knew where this boy came from except he is part of the black market. "You're someone people can rely on, do you ever fight for your own personal gain?" she asked him.

Truman said nothing, he stared back not showing any expressions on what he was thinking. He could see that she wanted him to accompany her to the party but wanted to risk everything to see how he responded. It reminded him of how he joined the black market, risking not telling his name to ensure he couldn't be tracked if the plan went wrong. "The day we met, you thought I was him. That day, would you consider me as a suspect or someone playing a role?"

Now it was Princess Zhen's to answer, she remembered that day. How her disguise was blown by him. How the former prince disappeared on the rooftops and was nowhere to be seen again. And she remembers what she labels him as. "A suspect, but now I see you as someone willing to help a friend." she responded.

There was silence for a moment as both responded with answers and questions that could affect each other's views on the other. "I'll see you in two days, princess." said Truman as he opened the door he came from and left the room. Princess Zhen turned around and looked at herself in a mirror, something inside of her filled her with joy.

"How about this one, sir?" asked the tailor the next morning as Truman went to try on some suits. This was the eighth one as Truman tried to find something that'll work.

"Um, do you have something a bit more plain and less obvious?" asked Truman, he wore a black shirt with a red coat and pants. Something was uncomfortable with the way he looked at himself in the mirror.

"Let me see," said the tailor as he looked around some racks he pulled for Truman to try.

"You think it's a bad idea to go?" asked Zhōng in a low tone voice as he removed the coat.

"This is a big event, former prince. If one of them recognizes you, well it could become extremely dangerous." voiced the tailor, he was part of the black market and one of few that knew where he and his uncle lived as well as Dual Bladed Ninja's true identity.

"You got something?" asked Zhōng as he gave the tailor back the suit he just tried. The tailor exchanges it for another one with a piece of paper. Zhōng read it as he put the next one, what it said was the same bounty promised for killing the princess. "When did you get this?"

"Yesterday, but apparently it's been here for months." said the tailor. Zhōng ponders on this, with information that long, someone will try something. But considering security has tightened up since arriving, the chances for them are slim. "If you want my advice, I say leave while you still can. The longer you stay, the more suspicious you'll become."

Zhōng looked at himself in the mirror as he tried on the next suit. He gave up everything except his swords and his watch away to keep himself safe. The parts he couldn't give he had to endure and change it, once an innocent face was now a man's thirst for blood. "I don't know about this one," he commented on the suit. "The date ends tomorrow night, the guards will be extremely on patrol there's no way a fly could get in without being seen."

"Very well then," acknowledged the tailor as Truman removed the suit. "Although, if you are looking for something mysterious, might I recommend wearing this one again?" Truman took another look at it and smiled.

On the night of the party, many rich people arrived at Old Mansion. There were also lords and ladies from the surrounding fiefdoms that were invited by Lord Zhe. Music played in a ballroom as people danced, talked and drank. Everyone was fancily dressed including the guards as they wore the same uniform. Truman was waiting outside Princess Zhen's room, he was pacing and thinking. The past two days, he visited places that had ties with the black market as well as checked some old places he used to visit as well. The suit he chose was mysterious and not obvious, it was black with a gold trim coat and pants, his shoes gave him stability as well as support as they barely came over the ankle. He had a cape attached to the coat with a similar design with orange trimming as well and covered his left arm and his two swords.

He couldn't understand why he was so nervous until he looked up. What stared back at him was a painting, the last painting painted before he and Xing's mother died. There was his brother, two years older than him with black hair and blue eyes, his face depicted him as a conqueror and someone to be feared, the perfect successor for the sword, but he wasn't chosen. There was Xing, just a newly born girl as her black hair was starting to come in as she lay in her mother's arms looking curiously at the world in front of her. Then there was their mother, beautiful and unique as she came from a different empire, her short, evenly trim black hair and a faithful smile on her face would give anyone comfort to look at. Then there was their father, strong, mighty, and terrifying as he had the Ninja Sword in one of his hands and the other wrapped around his wife. His face may have looked like he was brave and strong but if looked closely, you can see tears starting to form and his smile was weak. Then there was him, weak and innocent, only three years old. He had his mother's heart but his father's hair and face. He didn't have any skills close or nearly to what he was now, a beast, a monster waiting to be let out.

Truman looked into a mirror and realized what was bothering him. His hair was the same style he used to have when he was the prince, perhaps the only connection. He quickly messed it up and brushed it back to his new look with his fingers. "It's bad luck, you know, changing your hair just before the party." a voice said behind him. Truman turned around and saw a boy and girl his age were heading to the party. The boy wore the shiniest and perhaps the most expensive of any suits he has seen and the girl wore the same as well.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Lord Zào," said Truman, taking a bow.

"You must be the Dual Bladed Ninja, I heard stories about you." said Lord Zào.

"So have I about you, some perhaps too impossible to be true." said Truman.

"Zào, let's go to the party, he's not worth it." the girl begged him, hugging him tightly.

"Alright we will, but could you wait for me around the corner?" he asked her. She nodded and went around the corner and out of hearing distance as Lord Zào came closer. Truman looked at him confused, they were going as friends but seem to be very close friends. "That's Jane, I knew her before the war and although she was in the enemy's territory, she wasn't there for long as soon as we came to take place." boasted Lord Zào.

"She must be relieved to have such a good friend," said Truman.

"She is indeed, I asked my father if she could work for us here in the mansion. Gladly, my father said yes." said Lord Zào.

"So the rumors are true then."

"She only helped me gain experience, I heard girls love experienced men. Perhaps I can find you one to help you."

"I already have one." said Truman.

"Is it the princess?" asked Lord Zào, Truman looked at him coldly, his face was dark and dangerous and his eyes lit up. "I'll have you know she is mine, if she has someone other than me, I'll ask him to leave her or die at my hands."

"So it is okay for you to do it, but not for her?" asked Truman. Both sides were at a standstill with neither giving up.

"I guess we'll have to continue this for another time." said Lord Zào as the music of the next piece began to play. He stormed away feeling the hot and cold glare of Dual Bladed Ninja on his back.

When Lord Zào left, Truman looked at the painting of his family once again. He directly looked at his mother specifically. Princess Zhen opens the door, snapping Truman back into reality. She wore a beautiful blue dress with a white dragon stitch to it. Her arms were bare as the straps only cover her shoulders. Her hair was brushed and pulled back as she wore a tiara to show she was royalty. "Your majesty," said Truman politely after he took a bow.

"I hope I get a chance to dance with you." she said as reached out her hand.

"We'll see," said Truman putting his hand under hers and escorted her to the party. The party was crowded but everyone showed their respect as Princess Zhen entered the room. They were astonished by Truman and their glares made him uncomfortable. When a group called for the princess's attention, he said to her, "I'll be getting some air, after all, you are their guest."

"You better come back for a dance." reminded Princess Zhen.

"As you wish," replied Truman, bowing before departing to go outside. There were people outside as well as Truman leaned on the rails and looked into a garden. When a group passed him he was gone as he jump from the balcony and into the garden. The garden was the place where he once played a long time ago. Some of the parts were still there as Zhōng stubble over an exposed root. "After all these years you're still here." he said to himself as he looked back at the root. He explored other parts of the garden however, the further he went, the more chaotic it became.

He came to a spot and pulled some weeds out and away to uncover a stone. "Hey mom, it's me." began Zhōng as he talked to the stone that read his mother's name on it. "At least I think it's still me, so much has happened since you died. Father named me heir, he later died leaving me and Xing alone and scared that they'll find us. I have nothing but hate for the empress that did this to us, but I can't get any leverage on her. Her daughter was my friend I swore to protect her and the head of her bodyguards was my personal one. I don't know what to do, and I hope you have the answer." Zhōng finished saying as went to the base of the stone and dug more weeds away as he uncovered a box. Inside of it was a knife, it was a tradition that a ten-year-old boy would receive a sword for his birthday and at fifteen a knife if they could afford another weapon. The knife wasn't a knife found in the Ninja Empire nor any others by itself. But the blade was Ninja work and the handle that held the blade was Egyptian work. It was light and durable, even though you couldn't see your reflection, the blade itself was very sharp. "Better early than never," he said as he analyzed it.

At the base of the box was a letter as Zhōng picked it up, it read, "Dear son, my only younger son. You were too young to understand death and I hope you never do until you receive this. I'm dying and it pains me to have you see me like this. But before I go, I want to tell you something. When I first came to this empire, I was lost and confused. This empire was different than the one I grew up in. I knew none of the lords and ladies and I'm sure they didn't like that I was different. I tried to be like them but it only hurt me more, that's when your father suggested to me something I never thought of. I began planting a garden filled with flowers from my home. I tried all of them hoping they would grow, even pregnant I still tried. It wasn't till I had you that the buds began to bloom. Do you know what they were? Egyptian Blues. Oh, I was happy that day not because of the flowers, but because of you. You were so afraid when you came out, but when you began to get curious, you couldn't stop. Three years old and you were so excited for your sister. I hope you keep her safe and never hate her for what's happening to me. My only wish for you is to find a positive side of your life and live for it. I know you will do great things and protect those you care for. Keep safe my little prince, Mother."

A single tear rolled down his eye, the last words his mother gave him. He put the knife away in his coat with the letter and in exchange, he set down a bundle of Egyptian Blues on his mother's grave. "I will, mother, I will." whispered Zhōng as he looked at mother's gravestone one more time.

People were heading inside when Truman returned. He waited for the right moment and jumped over the ledge to begin walking back inside the mansion. "Stop Dual Bladed Ninja, I want to talk to you." a voice called out. It was Lord Zhe, he was waiting by the place where he disappeared.

"What can I do for you, my lord?" asked Truman as he approached him.

"I want to know where you ran off to," said Lord Zhe.

"I heard your garden is the finest in the empire, may be better than the Medieval Empire's." replied Truman.

"And you think so?" interrogated Lord Zhe.

"Surely yes, if not the best." replied Truman. They looked at each other for a moment, not the way Truman usually looks at people but there was a sign of respect in his eyes.

"I heard you actually have a name." Lord Zhe.

"Truman, my lord, my name is Truman."

Lord Zhe glared at him in disbelief. "We both know what your true name is, Former Prince Zhōng." he said.

"Me? The former prince?" exclaimed Truman for the accusation, although he was right.

"Who else will disappear in the garden and know it like the back of their hand. The only reason why you did it was to see her." said Lord Zhe, he hit the spot.

"Will you tell the princess about me then? I'm sure she will take you as a fool." threatened Zhōng, he was now back to being dark as his eyes became cold.

"You made her see what you wanted everyone to see, but I could enter the room with you pinned by guards as I swing the Ninja Sword over my head right now. Now who will be made a fool?" said Lord Zhe. Zhōng said nothing as he stared back at the lord for a while. "The one who made the fool or the foolish that believed it?"

"What do you want to make sure this stays our secret?" asked Zhōng defeatedly.

"Nothing from you right now, continue playing this part." said Lord Zhe as he walked away leaving Zhōng very confused. "Guest! It's time we make a toast to our princess." began Lord Zhe as he entered the room and went to the main table and began a speech.

"Dual Bladed Ninja," whispered Captain Howin as he addresses Truman.

"Captain," Truman replied back with the same voice level.

"I want to say thank you for what you did, but why did you do it?" asked Captain Howin.

"You people always asked me why? Can my reasons be secretive? Can I not just do them because I wanted to?" replied Truman.

"Lord Zhe asked me and I couldn't answer as well as why you did them." said Captain Howin.

"I do things that I feel will benefit the black market. Happy now?" replied Truman he was mad and didn't want to speak with anyone right now.

"I guess," said Captain Howin, feeling the hint as they listened to parts of Lord Zhe's speech. "You know, you said bandits were out looking for hunters to steal from."

"Yes, what of it?" sighed Truman, he wanted this to end.

"The group that attacked us had a vast amount of men and after one failed attack, they pulled back and were never seen again."

"Your point,"

"They should at least be able to charge at us again, even you, couldn't scare them off completely. Unless they were paid to not attack again." said Captain Howin.

Truman pondered on what the captain had said, he was right. "Why didn't they attack again?" he thought. He remembered the paper that the tailor gave him and remembered it was here before their arrival.

"Whoever hired the bandits didn't pay them to do it again, then." began Truman.

"Long may she reign." finished Lord Zhe as he lifted his glass. The guest echoed and followed his lead as Truman looked up and saw two people up on the support beam looking like they were ready to assassinate.

"Princess! Everyone! Get Down!" screamed Truman as activated a Longus arm and fired a ripple shot shaking the beam. The person who was about to fire lost his balance and fired just above the head of the princess before falling down on top of people.

"Arrest him, men!" screamed Captain Howin as chaos erupted. "Protect the princess."

"I'm after the second one." said Truman as he saw it leave through a sun door. He activated the rest of his Longus and leaped to the beam. When he landed he deactivated it and ran to the door bashing it open and was outside again. But the second assassin wasn't there as Zhōng stood alone in the whispering wind as voices of cries came from below.