Momoko smiled. "I would be happy to refesh my own skills with a different opponent, thankyou Bayushi-san.  Do you have a preferred time?  I did notice some rather nice trees in the garden that would make an excellent area in which to 'spar'. The blossoms are not full yet, but they still look nice.  The smell alone is incredibly stimulating."

Miya looked from her host to the Bayushi, still trying to figure out why she had been summoned.

Daidoji Sakura

The Daidoji complex is quiet...well as quiet as could be expected for a military hub for the most advanced gurrilla warfare in Rokugan.  The guards wave you through after checking your weapons.

OOC:  make a perception/investigation check (notice emphasis applies)

***

Bayushi Kenshin and Miya Momoko


"Bayushi Norokawa?" Shinobu replies, "I do remember hearing that name as part of some gossip at some point, but the details escape me at the moment."

"It occurs to me," the Seppun smiles, glancing between the two students of the Kakita school, "that if the Lion are to...invite themselves prematurely to the Winter Court, and the Scorpion are to assist our gracious hosts, it would not be a bad thing for there to be an Imperial...advisor on hand to move things in the desired direction."

Miya Momoko narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Are you going to act as that particular Ambassador Seppun-sama? I am an offical hostage of the Crane Clan - my duty is to remain nearby incase the Miya Family and the Crane Clan go to war."  As rediculus as it sounds, the Miya was very sincer about this - it was her duty, and she took her duty very seriously.
"If I had a written permission from my sensei at the academy, or from the Kakita family daimyo, then I would be more than pleased to assist you Seppun-sama, but until that time..."

Miya Momoko narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Are you going to act as that particular Ambassador Seppun-sama? I am an offical hostage of the Crane Clan - my duty is to remain nearby incase the Miya Family and the Crane Clan go to war."  As rediculus as it sounds, the Miya was very sincer about this - it was her duty, and she took her duty very seriously.
"If I had a written permission from my sensei at the academy, or from the Kakita family daimyo, then I would be more than pleased to assist you Seppun-sama, but until that time..."

"And that is why you are perfect for the position, Momoko-san," Otomo Miki replies, "your place would be to remain here with the Crane and speak with the Imperial voice in the manner of how the actions of the Crane might be perceived.  Your authority will be limited, but it will give us a voice in this city during the approaching storm."

Momoko raised an eyebrow - speak with the imperial voice? She had never considered herself to be a diplomat, but if it would help her family and, more importantly, preserve the peace and goodwill of the great clans, then how could she refuse.

"I will do my best sama, but such things will be a new challenge to me. My sword will not be as sharp as a tongue might be in this situation.  I will, however, always serve the Emperor - and if you ask this of me, I shall do my duty."

Kenshin thought about this for a moment. The concept of an Imperial Hostage was foreign to him; the Crane could not attack the Miya without attacking the Emperor. It was probably best that he had not heard such a story, especially before he had found the impact of Kata as Meditation.

"The Lord of this city seems to speak with the Voice of the Crane" Kenshin interjected, trying to be helpful, "it may smooth things to speak with him of this."

"We would be happy to accompany you ..."

[Wow! Made 45 on 2 kept dice! I hope that wasn't wasted!

15:24, Today: Daidoji Sakura rolled 45 using 7d10+5, dropping the 5 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+1)11,6,6,9,2,9,(10+10+9)29. Per/Inv (Notice). ]

"Any help would be greatfully recieved, Bayushi-san"

"Actually" Kenshin replied, "we were planning to go there quite soon. Or perhaps you would like to chat while Shinobu-Chan 'catches up'?"

Momoko smiled, the idea of company clearly pleasing her.  She felt so out of place here, so far removed from the academia of the academy.  She nodded her accent, wondering silently who Shinobu was.

She gestured for the party to follow her as she led them towards the gardens.  The maicured horticulture was magnificent, to the Miya's eyes, an earthly reflection of the heavens and creation.

She led the party to the cherry blossom tree, pausing to look at the blooms.
"A friend once told me that you can spend a liftime looking for a perfect cherry blossom and never find one.  In this place, I think that they are all perfect."  Her voice cracks a little as she says the last few words, and she has to spend a moment to compose herself.  Then, turning, she gestures for Bayushi-san to prepare.

"Honerable Bayushi-san, please show me your stance." The smile is genuine and the tone is semi-formal, calculated to show that she is warming to her new ally and his beautiful wife.

Daidoji Sakura

"Thank the Fortunes you're here, Daidoji-san," one of the Daidoji commanders says, catching sight of Daidoji Sakura as she walks the halls--it takes you a moment to place his name as Daidoji Ren.  When you last saw him at the strategic planning session he was only a Lieutenant, below Daidoji Tokagero in the chain of command.  His promotion seems to have come rather swiftly.  "With Daidoji Ryu-sama and his primary staff gone, we're all in a bit of disarray."

[Private to Daidoji Sakura: you noticed that the Daidoji standing guard had small knives held at the ready that looked suspiciously like crystal]

Kenshin assumed his stance. His stance was technically perfect, and yet there was something missing ...

[Kenshin will learn all of the relevant information (more than 40 over TN).

Awareness/Iaijutsu 46 + Free raise. ]

Sakura was confused; she was obviously out of the loop on this one.

"What's going on?" she asked cautiously.

Miya assumed the stance, the smile fading from her lips as she focused on the 'no-mind' required to duel effectivly. Her small stature makes it appear as if her opponent was fighting a child, but her stance itself is picture perfect - one that can only be achieved through the relentless practice of the Kakita Academy.

The blossoms blow gently behind her.



[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: Learns your Iaijutsu; Insight rank; Reflexes; void; agility; awareness.

Agility 3; Awareness 3; Wounds nil; Iaijutsu 6; Insight rank 3; reflexes 4; remianing void 5, void 5.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:30, Mon 26 Oct 2009.

This message was deleted by the player at 00:47, Mon 26 Oct 2009.

Kenshin bowed his head slightly, but retained his stance. He knew he had lost this one, but it was merely a sparring match. Besides, one never knew whom the fortunes favored.

Kenshin patiently waited.

[Private to Miya Momoko: Will choose agility as your trait. Will pass the first focus to you.

 Iaijutsu 10, Insight 2, Reflexes 4, Void 3, Agility 3, Awareness 3]

"Daidoji Ryu, Daidoji Tokagero, and some of the best harriers are gone," the suddenly promoted Daidoji replies, "I can only assume that they are doing something about the approaching Lion threat, but it's left us with a void in our leadership."

Time seemed to stop for Kenshin. Just like his Sensei at the academy had taught him, he waited for the perfect time -- as did his opponent.

Swish.

What seemed like forever in the making was now over. Kenshin drew his sword, as he had done so many times in his life. The cut was well placed -- Kenshin would not draw Imperial Blood this day ... or any other.

[Private to Miya Momoko: Besides your own reaction(s) (obviously), I'll let you figure out what he cut and so forth.]

Momoko felt the blade pass her face a fraction of a second before her own blow would have landed, and the fact that she had been beaten suprised and excited her.  A stand of her hair whisped its way to the lawn as she stood there, a slowly spreading smile on her face.

"Ah. Bayushi-san, I congratulate you on an easy victory, and thankyou for teaching me so much.  I do hope that the next time we practice, it is I who can give you the haircut."  Her tone was polite and formal, but with a hint of joviality.

That changed. What she said next was dead-pan and serious. "If I am to become a bone of contention between two or more clans, it may be that they will seek to draw me out in a duel.  I would ask, in such a situation, that you would act as my champion.  I can understand that you may not wish to, that your loyalties are streached between your sensei and your family and clan.  If I am to be a voice of the Miya, it would be good to have a man I both know and trust to act as my guardian and advisor."  She bowed very deeply, then turning, she took a single blossom from the tree with her sword.

"Please, use this blossom to time the length of your term with me, a symbol of a trust that we both shared in each other."

"The victory was not an easy one" Kenshin said with a bow, "your spirit is strong. Sensei would say that you are a good practice partner for me."

Kenshin took the proffered blossom with his blade as he continued.

"It would not be the first time I have defended the Imperial Line" he said with some modesty, "indeed that is how Shinobu-Chan and I came to be wed."

Sakura tried to absorb this.

"I see ..." she replied thoughtfully. This was odd ... the sudden promotion implied that Daidoji Ryu would not be back.

That idiot! she growled to herself.

"The fortunes rarely give us the opportunities that we think we are ready for" she said, trying to be encouraging, "inevitably the greatest heroes come from situations they were not prepared for. One Daidoji is worth fifty normal Samurai, ne?"

"Or a hundred Matsu ..." she added with a grin.

"Besides, we will not be alone. Other clans are sending aide, and do not forget who sent me."

Sakura paused a moment to let that settle in.

"The Lion, in their arrogance, will certainly underestimate Lord Kuwanan ... and the Daidoji."

[Private to Kaze no Kage: Do you need a Roll for this?]

"Yes well, let's hope Ryu-sama leaves something for us to do," he grins, caught up in Sakura's hopeful spirit, "otherwise all of our preparation will look awfully silly--almost as silly as those Matsu lion manes."

"Almost ..." Sakura replied with a grin, "but the dutiful Samurai can never look as silly as those manes."

Sakura looked around, her grin turning to a smile.

"Can we do anything to help here?"

"Not at the moment, but we will definitely be in contact."