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‘We have to go,’ said Akiko, resting her hand upon his shoulder. ‘Masamoto-sama’s ordered us to regroup at the barracks.’

‘Why close the gates?’ raged Jack, slamming his fist upon the parapet.

‘The enemy was about to overrun us.’

‘But he was on the bridge!’

Jack shook with fury, then broke down in tears, weeping, ‘I’d promised to look after him.’

‘And you did,’ said Akiko, drawing Jack away from the rampart. ‘But it was Yori’s decision to help Taro. His sacrifice saved us.’

When they reached the barracks, Jack was shocked to see that barely half the students had made it back. Many were injured, while others sat around with a dazed, faraway look in their eyes. Their losses had been heavy. Not only had Sensei Nakamura fallen in battle, but Sensei Yamada and Sensei Kano were missing too. Jack wandered over to where Emi lay, her leg now bandaged. Cho was by her side.

‘Where’s Kai?’ he asked, though he feared the answer.

Cho gave a sad shake of her head and wiped a tear away.

‘Jack,’ said Emi, trying to sit up to greet him. ‘Thank you for saving my life.’

‘It’s the least I could do after endangering it last year,’ he replied.

Emi smiled warmly at him. ‘I forgive you for that.’

‘And so do I,’ said a voice from behind.

Jack turned round to see daimyo Takatomi, his arm in a sling, accompanied by two of his bodyguards.

‘Jack-kun, I must thank you and your friends for bringing my daughter back to safety. I’m sorry to hear of the loss of Taro and Yori,’ he said, bowing his head in respect. ‘Once this little battle’s over, please join us again for cha-no-yu at my castle. We will toast their bravery and remember them.’

‘It would be an honour,’ said Jack, bowing low as the daimyo departed with Emi, borne away by his bodyguards. Though he had to suppress a weary smile; only daimyo Takatomi would think about holding a tea ceremony in the middle of a war.

‘Samurai of the Niten Ichi Ryū,’ said Masamoto, looking battleworn yet defiant. ‘We may have suffered great losses. But the enemy has not broken the spirit of the Niten Ichi Ryū.’

The scars on his face flared with the emotion of his statement.

‘The virtues of bushido you displayed on the field of battle are to be commended. Your courage in the face of danger, and the loyalty shown by those who died to save their comrades will forever be remembered. Such heroism is the cornerstone of our school and why we will never be defeated. Remember Sensei Yamada’s words, only by binding together will we remain strong.’

Jack, Akiko and Yamato looked at one another. Though Yori was on all their minds, they realized their continued survival relied upon their trinity remaining intact.

‘As I speak, the Council are planning our counter-offensive. In the meantime, ensure you get some rest. You’ll need your strength for the forthcoming assault. Long live the Niten Ichi Ryū!’

The students shouted their response. But with so many of them missing, the battle cry sounded hollow as it echoed off the castle walls. Masamoto and the remaining sensei strode out of the courtyard in the direction of the keep. Jack followed Yamato and Akiko into the barracks.

Settling down in the far corner, he tried to get some sleep. But the distant rumble of cannonfire was a constant reminder that the battle was not yet over. And the empty bed between him and Yamato was the cruel, painful proof that Yori was no longer with them.

Jack tried to occupy his mind with memories of home, but he always came back to Yori. Just as he was drifting to sleep, he noticed a small white paper crane peeking from Yori’s pack. Reaching over, he pulled it out. Holding the little bird in his palm, he recalled Yori giving him one when he’d fought Sasaki Bishamon, an arrogant samurai on a warrior pilgrimage. That origami model had been Yori’s thousandth crane. As legend dictated, it contained a wish and Yori had wished for Jack’s protection during the duel. Hoping this crane would bring him the same good fortune, Jack put the little bird inside his