Satoru had wishes to be hospitbale but the news of a Lion army ready to go on the offensive took his breat haway and for a good time he was silent.  His manners completely forgotten he heads off to meet up with Kusanagi as he should lcearly be made aware of this development as soon as possible.

Jiro-san, I go to make certain that Kusanagi-sama is aware of all that this young Daidoji has told us.  If you wish to accompany me, let us make haste.

Finding Bayushi Kenji is no great task--a masked Scorpion in the midst of the Crane is difficult to hide, after all--and Satoru quickly finds many who are willing to point out his passage towards his rooms.

Refreshed from the road, Bayushi Kenji has a little time to personalize his quarters beyond the writing desk, futon, wall hangings, and tea set which mark the hospitality of the Crane.

Kenji sits before the writing desk, scratching away at the paper, attempting to form something of the jumbled emotions in his head.  He growled in frustration as he crumpled his latest attempt and let it fall to the floor.  In a battle, his head would have been calm, like a mirror pond, but when he thought of Kanue-chan everything was a jumble and so confusing.  He mumbles under his breath as he dips the quill into the inkpot and starts again.

Satoru cursing that the haste of his mission will interupt a fellow Samurai's few moments of peace knocks quietly upon the screen door where he was told Bayushi Kenji is staying.

"You may enter," Kenji says, wiping the quill and laying it down as the screen opens.  The poem could wait for later, he thought, pulling a clean sheet of paper over his latest attempt.

Satoru bows deeply, apologetic. "Sincerest apologies, Bayushi-san. Doji Kusanagi, whom you have met earlier today, invites you to join us at a meeting he is holding to discuss the discoveries you and your fellow travelers came across in your journey to our city.  The rest of your companions are invited as well.  I was hoping you could help me find the yojimbo Kedo as well."

"It would be an honor to serve Doji-sama in any way I can," Kenji replies, rising from his seat.  He steps to the bed and returns his daisho through his obi.  "Let us find the wayward yojimbo.  I suggest we start in the Bushi district."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Tue 12 Feb 2008.

"Excellent.  I thank you, Bayushi-san." The monk says with a bow, "Let us make haste to the Bushi District."

The Bushi district is a large place, filled with Crane of every size, shape, and profession.  Open air dojo are at every corner--sometimes lining the street--with bushi in various stages of training.  Crane are clearly the dominant Clan here, and a monk traveling with a Scorpion draws many strange looks.  None, however, seek to challenge your right to be here--after all, if you passed through the gate to the Inner City you must belong here.

As you wander purposefully through the Bushi district in search of the ersatz Kedo, you notice a small crowd of people clustered around one of the ubiquitous open air dojo.  Approaching, you can hear the soft sounds of bushi discussing the merits of this maneuver versus that technique, the philosophical value of the Tao in combat, and whether the odds favor the Mirumoto trained ronin or the ronin trained Kakita.

At the sounds of philosophical discussion among Bushi, especially with the topic in mind, Sakura smiled. "We found him" she said heading toward the center of discussion. She seemed to be listening, however, rather than looking ...

[Sakura is listening for Kedo's voice. She knows that, somewhere in that philosophical debate, Kedo is the core ...]

"Rather the converse, I should think," Tsutomu laughs, losing himself in the joy of the sword dance, "but this mortal coil has its own unique lessons to teach us," he grins, his weapons lashing out to strike or deflect, "and I, for one, would learn them all before passing out of this realm into the next!"  Stance, technique, and form all fall by the wayside in this perfect moment.  Kakita's Perfect Cut and Mirumoto's Two Hands find unity in Kedo and Tsutomu's swordplay.

Around them, the audience falls silent, dazzled by their skill and struggling to follow the intricate patterns of their weapons.  It is to this sight that Satoru, Bayushi Kenji, Daidoji Sakura, and Daidoji Tsukiko emerge from the outskirts of the crowd.

 "You would ask for a Kami's span of years?" inquires Kedo with perhaps a touch of humour as, inspired to the same degree as the Crane whom he obviously knows to have fallen so readily into friendly contest, he blurs from one form to the next - where the Kakita style provides an edge in reaction speed and perfection of form, Kedo matches it with the economy of motion and willingness to step outside the bounds of technique and stance to seek advantage and the slide-clack of wood on wood redirection interspersed with not-quite parry reaches a high, stacatto beat before it subsides.

 Kedo has the advantages of youth, Tsutomu that of experience - but even so chests are heaving and grins wide by the time that the simple, gray-clad Ronin steps back from the contest, leaving a moment for both to catch their breath before he bows respectfully to his host, the simple staves in his hands moving through one final arc to rest under his left arm as, for the first time he seems to become aware of an audience...

 ...and blinks. This, he was not expecting - but it in no way means that he should forget his manners and so he simply smiles at his sparring partner, young eyes bright like stars, "I find myself further indebted to you Tsutomu-san, I have missed such tuition on the long road."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Sat 16 Feb 2008.

Arriving on the edge of the crowd, Tsukiko was astonished to hear sincere and thoughtful comment from the Crane samurai on the unusual techniques being displayed and even more so to hear intelligence discourse on the merits of the practice duel coming from the ronin's lips.

Perhaps I shall be a little more open-minded about this ronin's nature.  Maybe good blood somewhere down his ancestors' lines has battled the innate, crude and lawless nature of the ronin to produce a man with whom it is not so dishonourable to associate. Tsukiko reasoned as she motioned for Sakura to follow her.

"Excuse me, noble Kakita....  Why thank you, thoughtful Asahina.... If you would be so kind, excellent Doji....  If we might pass you, courteous Daidoji." With compliments and requests to be let through pouring from her silver tongue, Daidoji Tsukiko managed to lead Sakura through the crowd to the front without so much as wrinkling her kimono against another samurai.

"And here is your bushi, Sakura-san," Tsukiko remarked in a quiet voice that only the other Daidoji could hear.  She smiled, pleased that the ronin had been found quickly.  She hung back a little, not wishing to be directly associated with the ronin in front of so many Crane.  Her eyes caught a moment on the other side of the crowd, a flash of blood red and black that could only belong to a member of the Scorpion Clan.

I wonder if we have found Bayushi-san as well.  Perhaps this ronin Kedo will prove to be useful afterall.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:26, Sat 16 Feb 2008.

"Kedo-Kun."

Sakura's melodious voice addressed the Ronin in a clear, and contented tone. Not in a deliberately seductive fashion, however, for such things were best relegated to privacy. No, this was the voice of a woman who was aware of her beauty and quite comfortable with it. Unlike her companion, Sakura took no pains to distance herself from the Ronin. In fact, she did quite the opposite, making sure that everyone knew that the two were associated. No, that wasn't quite right -- Daidoji Sakura took great pains to make sure that everyone knew that he was associated with her.

"I'm afraid we have some work to do." There was not a trace of disappointment in her voice; if anything, she was quite happy with this turn of events. Sakura turned to the Kakita and dropped her head in a polite bow.

"Sensei*, thank you for taking such good care of my Yojimbo. It is very difficult for such an honorable bushi to be sent away from his charge ..."

[Sensei, in this case, is being used as a title of respect.]

"Well, it would seem, Satoru-san, that we are not the only one seeking the ronin," Kenji says, his voice low and wothout a trace of disdain for the word.  The exchange had rather interested him, though the Crane had been, as usual, straitlaced and formal.  Ronin, despite their many shortcomings, knew that sometimes training and technique were not enough.  Sometimes, you had to do something unexpected.

As the Scorpion became more visible in the crowd, Tsukiko recognised the man as being one of the travellers that had arrived with Sakura.  The courtier met the samurai's eye and bowed respectfully.  It was only then that she realised Saturo stood beside the man and to him she directed a smile and a slightly lower bow.

We should find a tea house to discuss matters she decided as she turned to speak to Sakura once more.

"Sakura-san, I see that Bayushi-san and Saturo-san are standing on the other side of the crowd.  Perhaps we should join them and then move to a place where we can speak without the ears of others following our words," she suggested in a low voice, continuing, "I know of a most pleasant tea house in the courtier district, if you and the others would care to join me."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Sun 17 Feb 2008.

"I, too, have missed such engagements, Kedo-san" the former ronin bows, "for this I will accept no debt, my home is your home.  If your ward permits," Tsutomu bows to Daidoji Sakura, "the student whom we spoke of earlier will becoming for her lesson during the hour of the Monkey.  You and your companions will be welcome to visit, should your schedule permit."

"It was my pleasure, Daidoji-san," Kakita Tsutomu bows, "he is a most astute student of the Tao and more than my equal with a blade."

OOC:  if anyone is wondering, it's currently the hour of the Horse/Akodo (roughly 12-2pm) and the hour of the Monkey/Shiba is roughly 4-6pm

 There is an order in such things, and that order is best observed in order of precedence. Kedo flows out of his bow to Tsutomu and half-turns, bringing the approaching pair of beautiful crane ladies (and whom amongst their number is less than beautiful?) into his 'social arc', extending the hand not burdened with staves to indicate each individual as he makes introductions.

 "Kakita Tsutomu, honoured teacher of the sword might I introduce Daidoji Tsukiko into whose presence I was briefly honoured to be escorted earlier this day and Daidoji Sakura, whom I was privilaged to be permitted to guard until I passed her into the protection of her family this morning." he begins, working from host (for this is the sensei's dojo) to native to guest in order as seems best, stressing gently that severence that was forced upon him from his charge and its consequences.

 To ask a Yojimbo to simply stand outside, to remain out of earshot, to wait behind a door. Those are simple enough and understood, but as Kedo is the sort to whom it is natural to sleep outside his ward's door and likely holds to old, traditional forms... Well it is no small thing for him to then ask, as though Sakura's words were not spoken and with a smoothly respectful bow "Am I to understand that you wish to retain me once more as your Yojimbo, Daidoji-san?"

 Once more.

 So gentle a telling-off from servant to served that it might as well not be delivered to most, but there nonetheless.

"Yes" Sakura replied. It was a simple enough reply, yet there were many layers. Sakura wished to retain Kedo as her Yojimbo, but would Kedo be willing to do what was required? No matter, Sakura knew of several ways that this "lowly ronin" could serve the Empire quite well.

"You have a sharp eye, Sensei" Sakura replied properly, "I will do my best to have him back here at the appointed time. If our duties permit.

It was no idle compliment. Here among the Crane most would view Kedo as nothing more than a "worthless ronin", but this Bushi was able to see what the others could not. But ... had Sakura fallen into their trap? Kedo was mostly likely correct, she should have taken him with and, when appropriate, simply made him stay out of earshot.

But what of the future?

Even as a Daidoji, Sakura's duties would require someone willing to suffer through many dishonors. Sakura's own sense of honor was nothing like those of the "traditional" Crane or Lion, nor would her duties permit it. But would Kedo be able, much less willing, to see this code of honor through?

"I believe that would be wise" Sakura replied to her companion, returning the latter's low tone, "plus I must make arrangements with the diplomats. It would not do to arrive unannounced in such circumstances."

Respect. Ours is not the mask of respect worn by the other clans, Kasumi-Chan. Ours is the respect that comes by knowing what all humans are capable of, from the Emperor down to the lowest Eta."

"Hai, Bayushi-san, which makes my task easier." Satoru said.

He steps forward to the group as the crowd begins to disperse. "Sakura-san, Daidoji-san, Wolf-san," he says with a a low bow that is held for a modest amount of time. "My Lord Doji Kusanagi asks for your pressence for a conference with Doji Kasurugi." Satoru rose from his bow, "If you would please follow me."

It seems clear that while Satoru used the word "ask" this is not so much a question as an honorable way of saying you will come with me. Satoru knew Kusanagi would accept no excuses for any party to not be present at this meeting.  Satoru waited for a moment for his words to sink in and then headed off to Kusanagi's household.

[Private to Kaze no Kage: I assume the meeting would be held there. But I will correct this if wrong]

"Most certainly Satoru-San" Sakura replied courteously. "I must have a short message delivered within the Tsume Palace*. Would it be possible to find a messenger on the way?"

Sakura then turned to the Sword master and bowed. "If you'll please pardon us." Then, after the requisite pleasantries, she turned to Satoru. "After you, Satoru-San."

[1)This is where the Scorpion ambassador would be, ne?]
GM Note:  changed to reflect that the only place to find non-Crane in the Inner City is the Tsume Palace ^_^
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:50, Thu 21 Feb 2008.

"Of course, Daidoji-san," Kakita Tsutomu bows politely, "perhaps I shall see you anon."

The five of you travel directly to the Tsume Palace, wherein you make a brief stop so that Daidoji Sakura may pen and send her message before heading back to the offices of Doji Kusanagi.

[FYI -- the message will be the "Courtierly Correct" version of "I'll be by tonight (accompanied by a few others) to discuss some important business".]

 Kedo spoke the words himself 'Honour is what you know of yourself' - it does not lie in arbitrary action or word, but rather in a certainty of purpose and conviction that can only come from self-examination. When one is Yojimbo, one extends part of ones honour, ones self-worth to the protection of another.

 It is no light thing to carry, even a share of a Ronins thin veil of integrity.

 Making his farewells with Tsutomu, though perhaps a tad surprised at the sudden and inexplicable rush (that comes of course, from his regret at their being no time for tea and his distasteful awareness that fierce exercise has undone much of the good his earlier bath had done him) Kedo simply falls into place alongside and one pace behind Daidoji Sakura, his swords once more resting neatly on his hip.

 It has at least been a full morning.