Hearn, Lian

Set in ancient Japan, this novel tells the story of Takeo, a sixteen-year-old saved from a massacre by the mysterious Lord Otori, who struggles to reconcile his dual nature--the one given him by the Hidden, the pacifist people among whom he was born and raised, and the one inherited from his father, a celebrated assassin.

The orphan Takeo has been claimed by the Tribe and held against his will, forced to work as an assassin and leave behind his beloved Shirakawa, leading him to fight for his freedom, even if it may cost him his life.

As he grows older, the orphan Takeo learns that he has inherited the warrior skills of his father. Now he must leave the peaceful seclusion of the tribe that has raised him and use his newly discovered skills to fulfill his destiny, a mission of revenge.

Details the character Lord Otori Shigeru's early life; providing information on his warrior training, tests of his skills and talents, relationship with a tribe of assassins, and encounters with Lady Maruyama.

Lord Otori Takeo battles intruders and assassins from far and wide and struggles with the prophecy that he will die by the hand of one of his family members.

The orphan Takeo has been claimed by the Tribe and held against his will, forced to work as an assassin and leave behind his beloved Shirakawa, leading him to fight for his freedom, even if it may cost him his life.

The orphan Takeo has been claimed by the Tribe and held against his will, forced to work as an assassin and leave behind his beloved Shirakawa, leading him to fight for his freedom, even if it may cost him his life.

Takeo, secretly wed to his beloved Kaede, sets out to help her reclaim her lands and avenge the deaths of his biological and adoptive fathers, all the while aware of the prophecy that he must fight five battles--four to win, and one to lose.