You meander through the Crane Inner City Complex without a purpose--now that your ward has dismissed you for a time.  Your reputation as Daidoji Sakura's yojimbo has preceded you and only a few places turn you away politely--a far cry from the reception you received early in your wanderings.  Ubiquitous Bushi dojo can be found on every corner of every street (though most appear to offer only the rudiments of training in the Kakita style, set up primarily for bushi to practice their skills rather than learn them) with their shoji doors and walls removed to let in the crisp pre-winter air.

 It can in some ways be as difficult to bear a name as to be free of the weight of what, though it is formed of nothing more than breath or ink, can nonetheless weigh more than any boulder or cost more than any gold. As Ronin, the actions of Kedo reflect only upon himself, but as the yojimbo of a Daidoji - however much of an slight it may seem to her that a mere wave-man serves in the post, he bears something of her burden upon his shoulders as well.

 It sits uncomfortably.

 And therefore the simply clad figure hefts his bag upon his shoulder (for if one does not wear armour upon the road lest one be thought a bandit, one certainly does not wear it on the streets of the city), settles his barely-worn swords at his hip and moves deeper into the criss-crossing maze of streets, lain out as much to confuse an attacker as to promote the flow of business, trying to move ahead of the wave-front of rumour, or at least lose himself in the crowd.

 Here and there he pauses to watch one young Bushi or another go through the rudiments of training or trying to master a maneuver, but conscious of his place he does not join their number (the risk of demonstrating some slight skill to a touchy young Samaurai in training should be avoided where possible) but rather moves on, in time veering vaguely towards the crafters district, assuming that no sudden and unexpected occurances stay him.

Though Kedo pauses only briefly to observe the training bushi, the same cannot be said for one of their number.  A middle-aged samurai in fine clothes stops speaking to a young bushi under his wing when he catches sight of the Ronin.  Hurredly, he finishes his lecture and leaves the young swordsman trailing confusedly in his wake.  The older samurai is not subtle in his pursuit of the wave man, and Kedo easily catches sight of him hurrying through the streets of Toshi Ranbo's Inner City.  Whatever thought Kedo might be entertaining regarding the purpose of this pursuit is interrupted when the samurai calls out, "Ijima-san?  Is that you?"

 It's never safe for a Ronin to linger too long when the eyes of a Clan samaurai fall upon him and Kedo is just that touch too slow in evading the sudden attention of the older swordsman and equally unwilling to give himself over to the sort of reckless haste that outrunning him would require. Particularly since that sort of behaviour tends to bring experienced Ashigaru down on you with severe expressions and mancatchers.

 And so it is necessary to stand and turn as the well-dressed Crane draws closer, an expression that was before slightly curious and essentially well-meaning as though to avert ill-intent turning pointedly blank and stiff at the mention of a name that it has been... some time... since the Ronin heard.

 "It is possible that you may be mistaken (insert appropriate mon-related title here)-san." he replies when conversational distance has been reached, reaching up lightly to brush at the spot where a family Mon would rest on an honourable mans clothing, in the process drawing the eye to the unrelieved gray of his dress. "I have the small honour to be known in some places as Kedo." - this is offered with a suitable bow, which buys precious thinking time and is then followed by the leading question, "How might I serve you, honoured (insert appropriate mon-related title here)?"

"I am sorry Iji...Kedo-san," the Kakita samurai apologizes with a bow, "I did not know.  I am Kakita Tsutomu, formerly simply Tsutomu.  Kitsuki Moritomo proved that it was Kitsu Arimi who had taken Asahina Miki's scrolls in Shiro Sana Kakita and not I," he says, making oblique references to your shared past without implying that you had been present out of respect for your new identity, "shortly after that incident, Kakita Asakura accepted me into his service.  But enough about me, what brings you here to Toshi Ranbo?"

 The subtle explanation of the Crane samaurai is accepted gracefully, providing as it does enough of a background history to allow a complete stranger - such as for example, an interested Ronin who might know something of the business of a wandering Magistrate - to summon up enough scraps of memory to converse (and of course would also remind the actual Samaurai involved of what he might need to know, were that man still alive... and not a Ronin or anything).

 "No apology is necessary Kakita-san, there is no shame in being mistaken for one with the honour of a name and mon." replies the Ronin simply, his motives strangely the precise opposite of those of the Crane - to spare the old identity he shame of association with a Ronin.

 He gives the small smile of recognition however as he listens and ventures on so far as to reply, "I have however heard of the renown gentleman of the Kitsuki and his application of the Method, and the last word I had of him he was resting between seasons in the mountains of his homeland, drinking tea and complaining that his students brought him no new puzzles he could not solve." - a slightly more honest smile then, one of fondness for a man whose irascibility as much as his insight made journeying at his side an education (if only in the manifold ways civil language can be used to flay the indolent or slow of wit). "Whereas I, a humble wave-man have journeyed these past few weeks at the side of a Shugenja of the Daidoji, seeing to her protection as we crossed the contested lands to the (south of the city I think?)."

"Ah, forgive me, Kedo-san," Kakito Tsutomu says, "for not offering you the hospitality of my home.  As one who once travelled the lonely path of the Ronin, it would be remiss of me to fail to offer the courtesies which I desired.  Please, walk with me to my residence and tell me of your travels."

OOC:  yes, you traveled from the south, which is where the Lion arm is stationed ^_^

 "Mere recognition from an honoured member of the Kakita is hospitality enough for any who walk the long road." replies Kedo smoothly and, as it turns out honestly enough - after all, the warm and cool nights of the lowlands are positively balmy when set against a long nights watch on the slopes of his homeland, and his family have never had much use for silk or rice wine when there are more important matters to attend to. "But whilst I would enjoy greatly walking in your company and speaking of affairs, it would be too much an imposition to accept more."

 Clever-clever, this Ronin - a first refusal turning a well-meaning offer into a gift, and thus voluntarily incurring a slight obligation upon his part towards the Crane, lest any casual onlooker think the good Tsutomu demean himself in some way by his choice of company.

"Bah," Tsutomu barks, dismissing Kedo's objections, "too many of these Crane still think of me as a wave man for any association with you to hurt my reputation.  Besides, I consider it my kharmic duty to help those in the same position that I was once in."

 "And I would do no favour to one who has retained everything of his honour despite a brush with the grey to cause it to seem as though their unfounded suspicions  have some substance." replies the Ronin in his turn, a socially appropriate second refusal, politely phrased as should be the case from wanderer to clansman in a public place, requiring only a third offer as they walk along the street for him to accept at last and incur the appropriate obligation in return...

"I was born to the grey, Kedo-san," Tsutomu laughs, "so do not fear on that account.  Besides, what blessings the Fortunes have granted to me, I would share with those who have been less fortunate than I."