At first, Shion scarcely noticed Lord Hatori's arrival. The common room was emptied out far longer than usual, but that was largely all. Once he ventured outside, however, Shion found himself surrounded by an unimaginable multitude of men. Toshiwara was limping around the kitchen as quickly as he could possibly manage, sweaty and overwhelmed, as the newcomers, no doubt mistaking him for a servant, swore colorfully at him. The boy was clearly furious, and Shion could hardly blame him. There were far more soldiers than the fortress could comfortably house and support. Had Lord Hatori not known, or did he simply not care?

Shion gave up his on futile quest for food and rushed back inside. There were going to be blankets lined up end to end on the floor tonight. It would be difficult to navigate through them, but, with any luck, Lord Teru would keep his place near the entrance-

"Shion," the man's voice called out. "Are you hungry?"

Teru emerged from the narrow doorway carrying two platters of food. He looked exhausted, almost winded.

"Must have brought the whole damned army with him," Teru was muttering under his breath.

Shion took his plate in silence. His companion was obviously in a baleful mood.

"The last of our peaceful days have ended. I will never get any sleep tonight." The man sighed as he sank down beside him. "Watch yourself, Shion, and whatever you do, keep close."

He seemed agitated. Shion supposed it was because of the crowds.

"I cannot believe," he continued, "that Hatori brought so many with him-"

"Isn't it better to have many soldiers?"

"Only to a certain point. Assemble too many men together, especially for a prolonged amount of time in the peace of winter, and you can no longer maintain adequate control."

"Illness will spread quickly as well," Shion murmured.

"Then I suppose we will simply have to be sure no one becomes ill."

It was a sarcastic statement. The cynicism practically dripped from Lord Teru's voice. He gazed at Shion for a long moment, then sighed. "The text- have you been reading it?"

"Yes, my lord."

"What do you think of it?"

He considered for a moment. "I think," Shion answered, raising a bite of food to his mouth, "it seems very much like you."

Lord Teru narrowed his eyes. "How so?"

"The advice is eminently reasonable but also quite ruthless. It all makes perfectly good sense, and yet-" Shion shook his head. "Saying you ought to be show mercy and treat others well, because otherwise they will not be useful to you- is a bit cold, my lord."

"Men are not good, as you suppose." Teru had a faraway look, but he seemed more relaxed than before. "All their warmth is a pretense, but honesty- honesty is cold, Shion, like the edge of a blade cutting through your dearest illusions. The moment you submit to it, acknowledge and accept it, the world as it truly is opens itself up to you."

He understood what Teru meant. Before Shion had met Kamui, he'd stood helpless and bewildered in the face of this 'truth,' this pretended warmth, this comforting naivete.

"I understand why you might feel that way," Shion murmured softly. "Many men, perhaps, are selfish and deceitful, but- not all."

"Such men do not live very long."

The way the man's gaze lingered on him as he said this sent chills up Shion's spine.

"They blossom and fade in their short season, before the earth reclaims them."

He watched Shion, as though expecting some answer, but Shion found he had no answer to give. Those eyes- he could no longer meet them, and so he stared down at the floor.

"Be good, if that is what you wish, but do not expect the same from others. Your illusions will destroy you."

Kamui was destroyed by an illusion, wasn't he? Lord Teru felt that he must avoid this at all costs, and yet-

"You must be very lonely," Shion murmured.

Something like surprise chased across the man's features, then was gone. "It is inconsequential," he responded. This was not a denial. Perhaps he felt as though it wasn't worth the effort to lie.

"You will be pleased to know Lord Yuma has decided to grant your request. If you mean to see to young Toshiwara, it would best be done quickly, before the others begin claiming their places." Teru gave him a bemused smile. "I am certain he will not mind being dismissed from the kitchens."

"If it is possible, Lord Teru, see that he bathes before he comes here. It may prove difficult afterwards." Shion surveyed the chamber. "He really ought to be given a separate room."

"Be grateful you have been granted this much, Shion. Only men of Yuma's rank might hope for such a thing. If Lord Hatori were to remain here long enough, those with the means to do so would build themselves houses, but it does not make much sense to settle in such a place as this."

"No," Shion answered. "I suppose not." He paused. "I will need ink and some sort of heavy blunt object, also something to place in his mouth. A little sake would not go amiss-"

"No. We cannot spare it." The man leaned in closer. "This procedure is being carried out under Lord Yuma's orders. Should your resolve fail you, as I suspect it might, you must not prevent me from finishing the task."

Shion swallowed hard, bowing his head. This man was nothing to Toshiwara but a stranger, and Toshiwara was nothing to Teru but a task to be accomplished.

"I will not fail, Lord Teru."