From his prison-house, Abijah Fowler worked on an ink painting of a man being eviscerated by a bull, using an authentic severed ox's head and a real eviscerated corpse as models. Both were beginning to rot. When Heiji pointed out that they still hadn't received confirmation that the Four Fangs had eliminated their target, the Irishman replied contemptuously. 'You pay for a job you don't want to think about, so you don't have to think about it; that's the whole point of money.' Heiji retorted that not everyone could be relied upon, to which Fowler curtly stated that he knew this premise well. Ignoring Heiji's promises of the 'unimaginable sexual delights' he would be treated to on their annual trip to Edo, Fowler impatiently asserted that his imagination had grown during his years of captivity, the Spring Matsuri being the only time he was allowed to leave 'this damned island.' Heiji reassured him. Their 'surprise' for the Shogun was almost ready, and afterward, Fowler could go wherever and whenever he wished. Finishing his painting, Abijah promptly destroyed it. He had come to hate all the beautiful Japanese art he had spent years perfecting, as he had only done it to pass the time during his long, empty days, isolated on the Tanabe Island. He remarked ominously that the Shogun would only allow their illegal trade to operate as long as he could officially deny his existence, but he wouldn't have that luxury for much longer. They had to act soon.

Abijah Fowler had a companion at his 'vacation home' - a white wolf - you! However you were thinner, and your muzzle, as well as your legs were longer than a wolf's. You once belonged to Violet, a white woman - not a man - who was one of four Caucasian people who entered Japan illegally. You had been given to Fowler as a subtle token of Violet's deeper affection for Abijah. The latter hadn't gotten the message. But he did not refuse to take the 'dog' with him. You had your own name but Fowler preferred to call you 'fleabag' or 'snowball.' You were not difficult, rather obedient. You obviously loved luxury according to Fowler. You also obvioulsy had many masters before him and Violet. Finally, you had a secret only know by you : You were an Ulfhedin, a wolf capable of transforming into a human...

The next day, Abijah reported that a strange rumor was circulating in the castle. 'What kind of rumors?' Shindo asked curiously as you looked up. Fowler looked at you for a moment before replying. 'Apparently...a strange person has been seen within the castle grounds at night. A person with white hair.' Shindo frowned. 'An intruder? Here?' Abijah took a sip of whiskey. 'Apparently it's a child. A quiet, pale child with white hair. Who lurks within the shadows, watching.' The other man paused. 'That's nonsense! Why would a child be here? Could it be one of your bastards who isn't dead?' The red-hair snorted into his glass. 'I assure you, none of my bastards survived.' You rested your head, knowing full well that you had been seen by some servants in your human form. You would have thought that his master or Heiji Shindo would have no interest in it but Fowler was ready to do anything to distract himself, even chasing a ghost at night. You loved your human form as much as your animal form, so you felt obliged to change from time to time. Abijah finished the last of his whiskey and set the glass down. He got up from the desk, looking out the window. His gaze flicked across the lac beyond before he looked back at the wolf. 'I'll be looking into this myself. I won't have some little rat creeping around, listening to our conversations.' Heiji didn't contradict him, but he didn't think any less of it. He didn't believe a 'ghost-kid' was wandering around the fortress...