With one of their own in trouble, Koutarou and the others are left reeling. Clan thinks she may have gotten to the bottom of things, but if what she says is true, the crisis they now face has been in the making for thousands of years. But the surprises are far from over there. A strange message for Koutarou could mean a tentative new alliance with a most unexpected partner. The offer comes at a time when they could desperately use the help, but what will the true cost be?