When we arrived back at our home estate I was excited to finally be able to head out on my own but my mom didn’t share my enthusiasm. My enthusiasm seemed to make my mother furious. She made me sit on my bed when we got home so she could “explain” how Hattori viewed us but it felt more like a lecture.

“Look Shaokun” My mom said, putting a hand on my shoulder. I hated when she called me that shortened version of my name to be cute.

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“The Hattori and their retainers have been looking for a way to attack our position for a while.” She kept lecturing. I looked down not really wanting to meet her eyes as I started to feel embarrassed about my enthusiasm. “You need to make sure you are careful.” My mom put her hand on my chin, raising my head so I was forced to look at her. “I am not sure what they may try and do but we can’t rule out that they might try and hurt you or worse. I want you to stay near Master Banji the whole time. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes mommy” I said reactively, wishing I didn’t respond is such a childless way but I said it without even thinking. With that my mother let me rest. There was much prep that had to be done.