Fearing the shrine maiden who also seemed to hail from Ise Grand Shrine, the Takeda House's retainers and warriors watched in resentful silence as the Uesugi party entered their secret dungeon. Aside from that girl, the other prisoners held there carried all manner of secrets. If the Uesugi House learned of them, the Takeda House would be placed at a disadvantage. Damn it!
The Uesugi House, however, had no intention of making a complete break with the Takeda House. Though all-out war was not far away, Kenshin had no wish to be the one who truly started it. A devout Buddhist who revered righteousness, yet also a famed general of the Warring States, even hailed as a god of war-Kenshin was just such a contradictory figure. He wished to unite the realm, yet also felt a weariness of the world...
Passing through a hidden door, the Uesugi party entered the gloomy dungeon one after another. Han had scouted the place with Inuyasha only that noon; now she led everyone down this blood-soaked path of sin once more. To leave the Takeda House some dignity, the Uesugi party walked past the low cells on either side without looking into them or asking questions. Even when prisoners hurled themselves against their doors and desperately begged for help, everyone silently endured it. After all, these were the Takeda House's private affairs. Forcing their way in to search for Kagome was already an overstep. Without the Emperor's decree in hand, the Takeda House could easily have used it as a pretext to begin hostilities. If they took the other prisoners away as well, the Takeda House would have even more grounds to make trouble...
Everyone stopped before the last cell without a word.
"Go on, Inuyasha," Han said softly. "I'm sorry I made you