My name is Kagero. I'm an assassin from Iga, a ninja village.

A night with no moon, the darkest of the month. On a rock at the top of Mount Kurama… sat a man in a red mask.

The lord of Kurama. A great tengu named Sojobo, chief of all the mountain spirits… and tonight, I was going to put him to sleep.

KageroOh… I've lost my way… It's so dark. My lord, won't you catch me…

I pretended to stumble and fell against his chest. He smelled like cold wind. His throat was right there.

This close, I always hear a target breathe. Not him. Just a little brass bell at his chest, jingling.

I held my breath and reached for my hairpin… and somehow, he already had my wrist.

KageroOh my… my lord, that hurts…

SojoboYou hold your breath too soon.

SojoboFar too early. That will give you…