In a Japan run by a government losing its grip on the power it has held for over 250 years, is there still a place for loyalty to a clan, or are the lives of individuals more important? This is the question that is explored in The Inn of Fallen Leaves, a question that still resonates today in many countries throughout the world. Chobei is a disillusioned samurai who, after being forced by his clan to perform atrocities, works as a yojimbo and handyman for a second-tier inn along the Nakasendo Highway. Akiyama is a samurai who wants to maintain the honor of remaining loyal to a clan that no longer wants him. A beautiful woman, Miyo, is attached to one man, but coveted by the other. When Japan is thrown into chaos after the assassination of its Regent, Cho's world transforms into a state of confusion and loss, resulting in a battle of wits and egos between the two men, with Miyo caught in the middle. Cho must pursue Akiyama in order to expose the actions of the samurai and his clan, and to find the woman he loves, but has lost.

Changes happen... ...and Rory Coleman sees them coming. Knowing he has to do something about it he begins to make decisions for himself. His parents don't seem to be too interested in what he's doing so he's on his own. First he drops out of the school band and basketball programs in order to pursue a prestigious chemistry scholarship. Receiving the scholarship would require that he perform a significant amount of extra schoolwork during his junior and senior years and he's willing to do it if it gets him what he wants. While he awaits a decision on the outcome of his application, Rory's relationship with his first girlfriend has a bad ending. She makes her decision to end their relationship based on her parents' wishes. Her willingness to let them change her life is hard for him to understand. Months later, he begins a new relationship with Victoria Beach who has some decisions of her own to make. Victoria has a difficult time with her father as he attempts to have her pursue a career in music. The school band teacher complicates matters for both of them because he felt insulted when Rory left the band program. Not only does he try to prevent Rory from receiving the scholarship, he also tries to come between them, believing Rory will influence Victoria to drop out of the band program as well. The pressure on Victoria to pursue a career in music is multiplied when a music instructor from Germany, who developed feelings for Victoria at a music camp, has convinced her father that her best career opportunities would develop if she were to attend a music conservatory in Berlin. Rory dreads the thought of Victoria going to school in Europe, but respects and enforces her right to choose. They realize that if they don't pursue what they want, they will be letting themselves down by pursuing a course defined for them by others. Will Rory and Victoria make the right choices?