Ashi was surprised at the sudden urgency in her father’s voice. “Dad, really, everything’s alright,” she said over the communicator. “Rumors about the Samurai always pop up once in a while. Nobody’s seen him in years, so I doubt he’d suddenly show up here. And even if he did, I have plenty of guards here and I know how to handle myself.”
Even though he meant well, her father could be a bit overbearing when it came to his daughters safety. She understood his worry, but that didn’t make it any less annoying. And the last thing she needed right now was Aku making a fuss about the Samurai again.
“If you it’ll make you feel better, I can stay at the citadel for a little bit. But still, I think I have things under control.”
“I will feel better when I have my daughter in my arms,” answered Aku. Except his voice did not come from the communicator, but from right behind her. The yokai had arrived at the palace via teleportation and as soon as Ashi turned around, he enveloped her in his arms protectively.
As much as it might have annoyed his daughter, Aku couldn’t help being worried when he’d glimpsed the Samurai along the outskirts of Ashi’s empire. And what father wouldn’t be? But now she was safe in his arms with her head tucked under his chin and he indeed felt better.
The Shogun of Sorrow 