Salt Run: the Heir's Last Hope. Tales From Old Japan series, #2

A YA novella and Book 2 in the Tales From Old Japan seriesLoyalty. Courage. Survival. One warrior. One little boy. No second chances. Akasuki never expected to be anything more than a low-ranked archer in the disreputable squad, the unwanted orphan found at a fox god's shrine. But when a rival lord's soldiers and ronin pirates storm her lord's summer palace and mountain fortress, she receives orders that will change everything: save the heir at all costs.
Four-year-old Reiji, son of the powerful daimyo Miyoshi Nishiki, is now her sole responsibility, and failure means death for them both. When duty demands everything, courage becomes her only weapon. Disguised as peasants, they flee into the mountains with enemy soldiers tracking their every move. Akasuki must use every skill her ninja family taught her, transforming the pampered young lord into a brave little girl who can climb cliffs, hide in rice racks, and survive on river water and stolen food.
But as betrayal strikes from within trusted villages and enemy samurai close in, Akasuki discovers that keeping Reiji alive will require more than warrior training. She must embrace the mysterious gifts she's always denied: the warning flash of fox-fire light and the ability to see death itself. From the author praised for bringing feudal Japan to vivid life comes a fast-paced tale of loyalty, sacrifice, and survival.
Perfect for readers who love strong female warriors, historical adventure, and the rich tapestry of Japanese culture, SALT RUN delivers action, heart, and a bond between protector and protected that transcends duty to become something far more precious.