Soramaru's troubles reach a fever pitch. It's bad enough that his elder brother is dead and his younger brother has gone missing; now, he's starting to lose time and has the growing fear something awful is about to happen. Desperate, he turns to the Yamainu, who promise to protect him. But when an old friend betrays him, can even the vaunted Yamainu help? Is there anyone out there who can protect the smiles of the Kumo family?