An early frost had turned the Japanese landscape coppery brown as the Kawasaki BK117 helicopter sped over the low mountains heading out of Tokyo. The land was rugged, but held an inherent mystery that Michael found intriguing. It was a stark contrast to the emerald greens and deep browns that Michael had just left behind in England.
Three helicopters now wound their way northwest from Tokyo toward Sado Island in the Niigata Prefecture. A few of Onji's people had met them when they had landed.
"Nigel-San, Millie-San! It is good to see you both, again," said Katsimoto, Onji's lieutenant and heir as he greeted them on the tarmac while performing a deep bow.
"We were all very saddened to hear of Ian's death, he was a good man and a venerable leader for the clans, he will be greatly missed."
Returning the bow Millie answered Katsimoto in a soft, emotional tone.
"We thank you Katsimoto-San. Ian always loved coming here, he thought of it as his second home. Your master has always been one of our most trusted allies and friends, we are honored to be able to introduce you and Onji-San to the next leader of our clan."
Stepping to the side, Millie gestured for Michael to come up.
"Katsimoto-San, it is my honor to present Mr. Michael Dan, Liege of Clan Aoife."
Michael had noted that Millie's bow to Katsimoto was of equal depth to the one Katsimoto had given her, having a small idea of how such things went, Michael made sure to bow just a bit lower than Katsimoto, offering the man, for now, a higher status than himself.
Katsimoto regarded the American for a moment after the introductions had been made. Tall and broad chested, a face that showed the beginnings of laugh lines around the eyes, a kind face that, under the proper circumstance could, he thought, display the spectrum of emotions at a glance. In a word, Michael seemed to him: formidable.
Stepping closer Katsimoto extended his hand.
"Mr. Dane, it is a pleasure to meet you, I only wish the circumstances were different."
Michael felt the subtle pressure of the handshake, understood what the hardened calluses on his hand, ones that matched his own, meant.
"I am honored by your welcome, Ian was taken much too soon for any of our tastes, it is my deepest wish that in time and with the help of yourself and your Clan, I may hope to one day be a fitting replacement."
Katsimoto let slip a slight smile as the handshake broke. 'Yes, he will do.'
"Come, Onji-San is anxious to see you all, there is much to discuss and little time."
-----
Waves pounded relentlessly against the craggy windswept cliffs below Sotokaifu point. The north China Sea seemingly waging war against this northern tip of Sado Island.
Onji stood stoically on the ancient ramparts of his clans ancestral home, the waves eroding the powerful cliffs slowly, over millennia, just as the future eroded away the past behind him.
He felt the minute changes in power, felt them shift and swell for a moment before realigning into their steady cadence, the heartbeat of the power which lay within the chosen.
"Michael has landed, his feet tread across the earth, here."
Onji's quiet statement was lost to the wind which howled up and over the cliff beneath the citadel.
"Onji-San."
Turning away from the battle of rock and water which played out endlessly beneath him, he regarded Sin-Cho.
Her stance was one of quiet contemplation, strong but open. Her ebon black hair flowed down from her face in gentle waves of onyx silk. At five foot two she was considered tall ... but that, just as the hair and her emerald green eyes, were traits that the young woman shared with her long passed matriarch. A wistful, somewhat sad smile played over his lips as he regarded her. Sin had seen it often since that day several months ago when this stranger had showed up in the night and spirited her away from that monster Chan.
"Yes?"
Onji's one word answer as he turned and walked back toward the castle was common. He was not one for conversation or for doing anything without the utmost economy. She had never known anyone whose action in both word and deed were more compact but also conveyed such deep meaning.
Falling into stride beside him she answered.
"Katsimoto-San called, he has picked up the visitors and shall be returning within the hour."
Onji nodded his head slightly and continued into the castle.
As they walked the long halls of the castle heading toward the helipad on the opposite side of the compound, Sin was intrigued to finally meet the man that had caused so much activity here at the castle over the past few days.
-----
Three helicopters stood abreast on the sprawling lawn before Sado Castle, their turbines winding down, the low-slung propellers gently freewheeling to a stop.
Michael, Tera and Valerie stepped out of the middle chopper, following Katsimoto. They were flanked by Sims and Elise.
Michael felt a subtle jolt upon placing his feet back on the earth. As if he had, for an instant, been out of sync with the place. The feeling passed almost as soon as it began. Michael shook off the odd feeling, and took in what he deemed the masterpiece before him.
The castle stood in the foreground. It was graceful in its minimalist architecture. The delicate but solid nature of the main tower, and the way it looked perfectly natural surrounded by the obviously well planned gardens, gave Michael a tranquil feeling. Pulling Valerie and Tera closer to him, they looked at him to find a happy grin on his face.
"It's beautiful."
His almost reverent tone did not surprise either of them. Both had had several experiences with Michael's fascination with architecture that moved him.
So caught up in the rich details of the place was he, that he was startled back to the moment, when he found Millie in front of him.
"Michael, I would like you to meet Onji Matsuda."
The man before him looked to be in his mid fifties, close cropped steel gray hair, a sturdy frame, a quiet demeanor that belied a depth of emotion.
Michael bowed deeply, upon straightening he found Onji standing closer with his hand outstretched.
"It is good to finally meet you Michael-San. Ian kept me updated on your progress. It is a great shame that it was not his destiny to see you take his place. He always knew that you would be a formidable leader of the clans."
Michael took the offered hand. At the contact there was a gentle acknowledgement of one another's power. Onji's energy felt fluid, it ebbed and flowed like the tides, containing the potential for both serenity and chaos. It was very different than his own fiery energy form, born of Aoife's ancient blood.