Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XVII: Expectations===
:>We set sail on a Yasuki vessel.
:>The captain was a jovial fellow, his frame padded out with the comfortable fat of one who eats well, and often.
:>Dainty hands, that had never held a weapon or pulled a rope.
:>After a few days it was quite clear that he knew less about sailing than I did.
:>I wondered if he inherited this boat, or stumbled into it.
:>It didn't matter either way, he was a vital member of my Clan.
:>Most Samurai, even Mantis, who took up some form of business became merchant patrons.
:>They hired peasants to handle the dirty business of haggling and exchanging money directly.
:>Learning only enough about commerce to tell if the one they hired was doing a good job or not.
:>Yasuki were very often in the stalls themselves, making the deals personally.
:>Such a hands-on approach is one of the reasons the Crane censured the Yasuki family.
:>The other reason was that Yasuki had a tendency not to play fair.
:>The Crane were far more concerned about the WAY things were accomplished, then on actually getting anything done.
:>The Yasuki, rather than accept the admonitions of their Clan, told the Crane if they didn't have use for them, the Yasuki would simply find someone who would.
:>This was in the middle of the very first inter-clan war.
:>It was between the Crab and Crane.
:>And so the Yasuki helped turn the tide of that war by joining the Crab.
:>For most courtiers of Rokugan, should they deal with Crabs at all, it is Yasuki they will meet.
:>But not the Crane. The hatred runs too deep.
:>So diplomacy between the Crab and Crane is handled by the Hida and the Daidoji, who earned my Clan's respect at the Battle of the Tidal Landbridge.
:>You would think that some Crabs would mock the Yasuki family, for it was rare indeed for one to don armor or take up a scroll satchel and face the Shadowlands directly.
:>They were openly merchants.
:>Some among their family were even as ignorant of the Shadowlands as the rest of Rokugan.
:>And you would be right.

:>And you would be right.
:>But not for those reasons.
:>Young bushi would often mock the Yasuki.
:>But that was because they wished for the entire empire to simply provide the Crab with whatever food and jade our Clan could not produce on our own.
:>They lived in barracks along the wall, and wondered why the rest of the Clans were such fools that they did not willingly aid their eternal protectors.
:>To their minds, the Yasuki simply should not be necessary.
:>But that was simply not the way things worked.
:>For every bushel of rice, for every finger of jade, the other clans would demand something in return.
:>Because they all had things they needed but could not produce for themselves.
:>The Dragon Clan lived high up in the mountains and had as little arable land as we did.
:>The master artisans of the Kakita family only used Kaiu steel in the forging of their famous blades.
:>Such was the reality of the world.
:>It hadn't changed in over a thousand years, and it was not going to any time soon.
:>So I greeted the Captain with genuine warmth, for I knew he was doing his part to aid the Clan just as any other.
:>Naomi wondered aloud why there were no Mantis vessels sailing to the Phoenix lands.
:>Port towns had ships from all over the Empire in them.
:>Usually one could find a ship from any Clan you would care to going wherever you were headed.
:>The Captain laughed.
:>Oh, the Mantis are at it again.
:>They seem to take perverse delight in picking on the Phoenix.
:>Likely just making empty threats so they can get some concessions from the Phoenix this winter.
:>He shrugged.
:>The Phoenix will make some unfavorable deals with the Mantis, and try to make up for it elsewhere.
:>The glint in his eyes told me he had an idea how to capitalize on that.
:>And if not, then there will be one their 'wars'.
:>He scoffed.
:>Where the Mantis make a few raids but never commit enough troops for the Phoenix to be justified in unleashing the full power of their magic.

:>The Captain was so caught up in showing off his knowledge of the world he completely failed to notice Naomi's discomfort.
:>The Phoenix and the Crane were the two Clans that most sought to avoid war.
:>They would even interfere in other Clans war to try and bring peace.
:>There were plenty of Phoenix who were idealistic, pacifistic or held life in high regard.
:>Naomi was proof enough of that.
:>But I was a bit more cynical about the Phoenix clan as a whole.
:>When the Crab clan must attack, there is an ideal battle plan we strive to enact.
:>First, the Hiruma will attack the enemy at a time and place they are not expecting, often at night when most of the enemy is asleep.
:>Once the enemy responds and forms up battle lines, the Hiruma run.
:>Just slowly enough the enemy gives chase.
:>Into a field prepared ahead of time by the Kiau.
:>The Hiruma avoid the traps, while the enemy fall into them.
:>Confused, tired, and wounded, the enemy is then engulfed by the Hida heavy infantry, and ground to dust.
:>However, there is one thing about this plan that changes depending on who we face.
:>Against the forces of Jigoku, the traps are cruel and deadly.
:>Against another Clan, they are annoying.
:>Whereas an Oni will fall into a 10 foot deep pit and onto bamboo spears covered in jade powder (we would use poison as well, if it were not for the fact that most poisons have little to no effect on Oni) a Samurai will fall into an ankle deep depression and twist their ankle.
:>Simply put, we hold back when we fight honorable foes.
:>If we fought with all our might, with every tool and trick on full display, our Clan would be disgraced in the Courts, and severely censured by the Emperor.
:>Just as what happened with the Crane clan when the existence of the Daidoji harrier school was revealed.
:>So while some could say it was the Phoenix clan that had the most military might at its disposal, it could not always bring it's full power to a battle.

:>Dropping a mountain onto a few hundred samurai would raise some eyebrows at court, to say the least.
:>So the Phoenix were the Mantis' ideal punching rock.
:>Quick, limited raids utilizing the Mantis' naval power did not really allow for the Phoenix justification to bring the full might of the magic to the war.
:>I shook my head. Mantis-san was no coward, but his clan sure did love to bully people who could not fight back.
:>Daiko and Tetsute enjoyed the spray from the sea foam as the ship cut into the waves.
:>We reached the Lands of the Phoenix with no trouble.
:>We entered into the castle of Naomi's father, and were greeted by his Karo.
:>Well, Naomi's mother was greeted by the Karo.
:>Welcome back, Isawa-sama. The other members of the Jade Magistrates entourage have already arrived.
:>My husband?
:>He has not returned yet, but we received word a few days ago. He says the campaign goes well and it is only the cowardice of the bandits that drags it on.
:>I managed not to cough out the word bullshit.
:>The Karo took us to the others, and we exchanged warm greetings.
:>We could not dally long bragging about the results of our training, however. Time was precious.
:>I turned to the Karo.
:>You know where Shoji...-sama is now?
:>Yes, the Forest of Stone.
:>Naomi looked startled.
:>The bandits are there?
:>Hai, Crab-san.
:>I managed not to punch the Karo.
:>He knew damn well who Naomi was.
:>Calling her by her clan and clan alone was telling her she was a stranger to him now.
:>Naomi fell silent, stung by his rejection.
:>The Karo made a hasty excuses and left us then.
:>Given the fact he was getting icy stares from a painted Kuni, a Kitsuki, and three bushi, I wasn't surprised.
:>Naomi-sama, you know this place?
:>She looked up.
:>Hai, it is an old Forest my family has tended to for centuries. The Earth Kami are drawn to the place.
:>Then lead on, let us go and deal with these traitors and their pet monsters.

:>Toshiro came to a dead stop as soon as we passed under the first few trees.
:>What is it, Toshiro?
:>The earth kami. They're singing.
:>He looked at me sadly.
:>I wish you could hear it, Ishigaki.
:>He was not sad for me.
:>Toshiro did not pity me for not being able to hear the Kami any more than I pitied him for not being able to run.
:>He was sad because there was a world he lived in I did not.
:>We could speak about many things, understood one another so well we often did not have to.
:>But this was one subject I could not share with him.
:>For that matter, Shugenja are often shaped by, or perhaps already suited to, their respective elements. A shugenja of fire will see magic and the Kami differently than a shugenja of air.
:>I realized then, just how lonely it must be to be a shugenja at times.
:>Not even Naomi would see this forest the same way Toshiro did.
:>I clapped him on the shoulder. I knew he would not want to be pitied.
:>He nodded, and we set off deeper into the woods.
:>Naomi called upon the water kami to lead us to her father. Combined with her knowledge of the land, we made good time.
:>We found Shoji and what was left of his soldiers in a large clearing.
:>A stone pillar jutted up from out of the middle of it, and the clearing sand down to it.
:>As though it had been tossed down from the heavens, and made a large crater with the force of its impact.
:>Which, when I considered how the earth kami loved this forest, was probably not far from the truth.
:>What is this? Who are you, identify yourselves!
:>The boy wearing the Shiba clan mon on his armor pointed his Naginata at us.
:>Naomi stepped out ahead of me.
:>I am Hida Naomi, Jade magistrate. This is Kuni Toshiro also a Jade magistrate. And these are our Yoriki. We have come to give aid.
:>Relief flooded the young bushi's face.
:>He brought us into the makeshift camp set up.
:>They were in bad shape. Maybe a few dozen samurai left standing, some wounded.
:>There was a lone ashigaru, standing watch.

:>I could see what Shoji's plan had been, just from the state of his troops.
:>His plan had been simple. Samurai form a wall of flesh to protect him. Ashigaru form a second wall to protect the Samurai. He destroys the Ogres.
:>He probably assumed that once the Ogres were devastated by his magic the bandits would lose their will to fight, and be quickly dealt with by his remaining forces.
:>Naive. Assuming bandits could never be the match of Samurai because of class.
:>He was hardly the first idiot to make that assumption. He would certainly not be the last.
:>I just wished it wasn't my job to save him from his own stupidity.
:>Naomi began reaching into her satchel as she moved to a wounded bushi.
:>Naomi. Stop.
:>What?
:>Do not waste your magic. Get up those who can still fight, no more.
:>Ishigaki-kun, why?
:>He's right Naomi-san.
:>Toshiro and I were both scanning the treeline intently.
:>The others caught on to our tension.
:>What is it, Ishigaki-san?
:>The others, not even Mantis-san and Monkey, were used to open battles as Toshiro and I were.
:>They did not see what we did.
:>We were in the middle of a death trap.

:>The trees around the edge of the clearing grew thick, and their leaves cast everything within into deep shadow.
:>We were all out in the open, for everyone to see.
:>Many bore obvious injuries. All were fatigued.
:>And we were downhill from the edge of the forest.
:>I glanced at Toshiro, then the rock.
:>He nodded, confirming my suspicions.
:>This then, was the center of the woods, the place where the earth kami were most drawn to.
:>Shoji, despite his plan failing before, was going to keep doing what he had been doing.
:>That is to say, thinking like a shugenja, and not a commander.
:>Speaking of, he finally noticed us and came over.
:>What is the meaning of this... YOU!
:>GO! Leave this place at once, you cretins! You disrupt my plan to take the enemy!
:>You mean your plan to throw away the lives of you men while you continue to fail to strike a killing blow?
:>He slapped me for that.
:>I didn't even feel it.
:>He, on the other hand, gashed his hand on my menpo.
:>Father, PLEASE!
:>Naomi put herself between me and her father.
:>Mother asked me to come, and as a Jade Magistrate it is my duty to do so!
:>The Shiba were watching intently now. If any of them did not know who Naomi was, they did now.
:>You have become a jade magistrates now?
:>Hah! How did you manage that feat you little trollop?
:>I returned his slap to him.
:>To his credit, he stayed on his feet.
:>Toshiro spoke to diffuse the situation before it could get any more out of hand.
:>He presented his own chop.
:>You may be a Daimyo, but this is now a matter for the Jade Magistrates. You will be silent as we correct your failure.
:>You do NOT have the authority to command ME! Jade Magistrate or not!
:>Mantis-san decided to take a crack at Shoji.
:>We don't need to command you. Nor do we need your consent. We just need these Samurai you have been thoughtlessly squandering.
:>Shoji laughed.
:>Shiba swore fealty to Isawa, you fool! So it was, and so it shall be! These Shiba will not break their oaths to assist fools like you!

:>They will if they want to have any hope of getting you back to your castle alive.
:>A Shiba stood up, opening his mouth to weigh in on our polite debate over who was in charge
:>And swallowed an arrow before he could say anything.
:>Monkey caught the Shiba as he fell, and Naomi was already there, healing him.
:>Shoji ordered his men to form a circle around the stone and placed his back to it.
:>I called out for them to form a wedge.
:>They formed a wedge.
:>More arrows came.
:>I tucked my head behind my sode, and caught several on it.
:>Another struck my Kabuto and slid off.
:>Mantis-san's armor protected him as well.
:>Kitsuki-san looked on almost calmly, and twisted like a reed before a gale.
:>Nothing touched him.
:>Monkey threw himself over the wounded Shiba
:>An arrow bit into his bicep.
:>I'm fine Naomi-sama, keep going!
:>She did.
:>Due to the way Toshiro's lame leg twisted, another arrow was able to strike him in the calf.
:>He scowled at it, then rolled his eyes and shook his head.
:>Be ready!
:>I yelled to the Shiba.
:>When the Ogres come, we charge into them!
:>Do NOT stop to fight! Keep moving!
:>We have to get out of this circle!
:>Shoji tried to counter my orders.
:>Do not listen to this fool! Our power is greatest here, we cannot lose!
:>Mantis-san backhanded Shoji. Hard.
:>This time Shoji did hit the dirt.
:>You were told to shut up.
:>Now shut up and let us save you.
:>As I suspected, the Ogres came.
:>Spread out along the entire edge of the clearing.
:>Then they charged, the downward slope adding to their speed and power. They meant to finish us off.
:>I was glad they were so eager.
:>If they had held their ground and simply allowed the bandits to expend their arrows we would have died.
:>As it was, with their size, weight and speed, there were not enough bodies left to halt them.
:>The Ogres would have crushed the Shiba beneath them and then they would have torn Shoji limb from limb.
:>I was at the very tip of the wedge. The first thing they would hit.
:>I ordered the charge.

:>The first Ogre slammed into me, not even bothering with his weapon.
:>It intended to knock me down with it's momentum, trample over me.
:>I sank my stance low, held my tetsuo parallel to it's waist.
:>And twisted.
:>The ogre was unbalanced by it's downhill charge.
:>It fell to my side.
:>GO! Keep going! To the woods!
:>My plan was simple.
:>In the tightly packed trees, the ogres would be unable to fight together. Even the bandits would be broken up into smaller groups.
:>This would neutralize the numerical advantage Shoji had continually given them so he could have clear lines of sight.
:>After that, it would be a matter of endurance. defeat one small group of enemies, then face the next. And the next. And the next. Until we died or won.
:>We pushed on, the Shiba along the edges of the wedge following my lead and using the Ogres own momentum to topple them, while the Shiba in the center braced their fellows, keeping them from being bowled over by the Ogres charge.
:>We broke through their line.
:>Once in the woods, Mantis-san realized what I planned.
:>He moved quickly, despite his heavy armor. A green shadow scything his way through bandits, never staying still.
:>Monkey cut one down, took the bandit’s bow and arrows and climbed into a tree.
:>Kitsuki-san stayed near Naomi, his blade flashed out of it's saya and cut down the first bandit that approached.
:>Toshiro and I turned. We could leave the bandits to the Shiba and the others.
:>The Ogres were realizing what we had done, and were forming up again.
:>This time, they would be the ones charging uphill.
:>On my left Toshiro readied a scroll.
:>And Shoji readied one of his own on my right.
:>So there were limits to how stupidly he would allow his pride to make him.
:>Good.
:>The Ogres came, and were met with a wall of Jade power from the two shugenja.
:>One dove through, and I struck it, shattering it's collarbone and sending it rolling down the circle.
:>Two more engaged us, raining blows down on me.

:>I fully understood the value of my new training in that moment.
:>The Ogres blows seemed feeble.
:>Even with such heavy weapons I disrupted their taint with my purity, I broke their water with my earth.
:>My armor did the rest.
:>I continued to bring my tetsubo down upon the Ogres, Blow after blow, I sent them tumbling down while Shoji and Tohiro burned them.
:>Before I knew it, there were no more ogres.
:>We turned, breathing hard, to see how the fight with the bandits fared.
:>There were no more bandits.
:>We had won.
:>I glanced sidelong at Shoji.
:>And wondered just how costly he planned on making this victory.

:>I don't know how large a force Shoji lead to deal with the bandits.
:>I know only that we went back with 19 Shiba and one ashigaru.
:>I carried Naomi.
:>She had exhausted her magic, and herself, making sure we would bring that many back.
:>Ishigaki-kun, I can still walk, you know?
:>What people can do, and what they should do are rarely the same thing Naomi. Rest now.
:>She rested her head against my chest and allowed me to spoil her.
:>Shoji stayed silent the whole way.
:>His soldiers had chosen to disobey him, and the only person in my group that didn't hate him, was the one he hated the most.
:>He probably suspected that if he pitched a fit now a bandit's arrow would find its way into his heart.
:>I could not say for certain he was wrong about that.
:>So he fumed silently. Only the throbbing of the vein in his temple betraying his fury.
:>Like the subtle warnings before an avalanche.
:>Kitsuki-san came up beside me and whispered.
:>We will have to allow him to take credit for the defeat of the Ogres.
:>Huh?
:>We were a bit rough in the way we took over, and he is still a high ranking Lord.
:>I know, there were extenuating circumstances. We were not quite wrong. But neither were we wholly right.
:>He could make a scene.
:>So we will allow him to save face.
:>Giving him the credit means that if he complains about how we took over he reveals his own failure, and our success.
:>I nodded slowly.
:>I didn't like the idea, but we had all seen Hohiro do something similar once to diffuse his father's anger.
:>Shoji was not upset about getting struck, or that we usurped his authority nearly as much as he was upset over the damage to his reputation.
:>At my nod Kitsuki-san fell back to tell the others the plan.
:>We returned to the castle.
:>Welcome back my lord! I trust the campaign went well?
:>Kitsuki-san swooped in to answer.
:>SPLENDIDLY!

:>Kitsuki-san went on in spectacular fashion, speaking at length about how the Bandits had set up traps and used other cowardly tactics to slowly whittle down Shoji's forces.
:>Until Shoji devised a plan to trick them into committing to an all out engagement.
:>Then, taking position at the head of his forces, Shoji lead the charge into the heart of the enemy.
:>Where he personally slew the Ogre champion.
:>That was twice as large as me, apparently.
:>Mantis-san came over while Kitsuki-san continued.
:>He muttered under his breath to me.
:>Don't you think he's laying it on a BIT thick?
:>I looked over at Shoji. Gave my head a jerk.
:>Mantis-san looked.
:>Shoji was puffing himself up further at every word.
:>At this point the concern was not how believable Kitsuki-san's story was, but rather if Shoji's mortal frame would be unable to contain that much smug and simply explode before Kitsuki-san finished.
:>Sadly, Shoji had trained his body well.
:>Used to containing his nearly divine arrogance, it contained the smug with no ill effects.
:>Is this true, my Lord?
:>Shoji nodded emphatically.
:>I am not, by nature, a braggart so I will say that Dragon-san exaggerated a bit.
:>But yes, it is true that the bandits would not have been bested without me.
:>Monkey whispered to Mantis-san and me.
:>Is it though?
:>Mantis-san whispered back.
:>He is the Lord, and we won by making use of his samurai. So yeah. It kinda is.
:>Toshiro added to that.
:>Did you notice? He even told the truth of the matter, that Kitsuki-san was exaggerating the role he played.
:>Technically, Shoji did not lie. He just knew what everyone would assume, and that no one would ask for further details.
:>Monkey blinked at that.
:>Wow what a slimy bastard.
:>We nodded along in agreement.
:>Very good my Lord! Shall I send word to the delegation that all is ready for their arrival then?
:>Shoji gave the Curt Nod of Assent.
:>Shoji then turned to the Shiba and praised their steadfast courage and selfless devotion to their duty.

:>It was then that the full genius of Kitsuki-san's plan was made apparent to me.
:>A surprised grunt told me Mantis-san had come to the same conclusion I had.
:>Shoji's interpretation of history was wrong.
:>Shiba did NOT swear fealty to Isawa.
:>Shiba DID however, kneel before Isawa as Isawa swore fealty to Shiba. Isawa also insisted that Shiba swear that his descendants would protect Isawa's descendants for all time.
:>So when a Shiba must protect an Isawa hell bent on doing something suicidally stupid, and that Isawa is the Shiba's lord, the Shiba is placed in a difficult position.
:>Do they betray Shiba's oath by allowing their lord to get killed?
:>Do they fight, futilely, and die knowing that their Lord would follow right behind them?
:>Or do they disobey, save their lords life, and commit seppuku for disobeying orders?
:>They had disobeyed Shoji not out of any sort of malice towards him.
:>They did so because it was the only way they could uphold their duty.
:>Shoji was such an ass that I had overlooked this possibility.
:>My estimation of those Shiba rose sharply.
:>Most Rokugani would have chosen the second option.
:>They would have died honorably, and gone to their ancestors in glory.
:>These ones chose to sacrifice their honor, knowing they would die to cleanse their shame.
:>Knowing their deaths would save the life of their Lord.
:>Knowing Shoji, he was likely prepared to order them all to write their death poems the second we returned.
:>But he could not now; it would raise uncomfortable questions.
:>Kitsuki-san had just saved nineteen lives with an overacted speech.
:>Not a bad days work, Kitsuki-san.
:>We slipped away to get purified and bathe.
:>What do you suppose the Karo meant by, the delegation?
:>Kitsuki-san asked the servant leading us to the bath if he knew who the delegates were.
:>Oh yes great samurai! Isawa-dono has been given the honor of hosting the Mantis delegation for the peace talks!

:>The Karo showed up in our room later on in the evening.
:>No announcement, just opened the door and strode in already babbling.
:>And here are your traveling papers. It may be difficult to find a ship since the Harbor has been emptied for the Mantis delegation but I'm sure you can manage... some... thing?
:>He stared, boogle eyed at Oka-san.
:>I was unsure what school Oka-san attended, but the hidden technique, Frosty Eyed Stare of Death, that she was employing was truly formidable.
:>Even the Karo shrank before it.
:>I was glad I was not on the receiving end.
:>Oka-san had taught her daughter a lesser version, Smile of Heavenly Disappointment.
:>That was horrible enough I had sworn off drunken brawls to avoid seeing it again.
:>Thank you Karo-san. But you know full well my daughter's health issues. They will be staying here this winter.
:>Buh, but my Lady! Your Lord Husband...
:>And I wish to spend at least some time with my grandchildren.
:>You know that the Crab clan has a strong connection to the Earth, yes? Perhaps one of Naomi's children will be suitable to become an Earth Tensai.
:>The Karo blinked at that. Considered. Then nodded.
:>As you wish my lady.
:>I know Oka-san only said that to shut him up and get to leave, but the thought of Shoji actually taking an interest in one of my children sent a chill down my spine.
:>Hey, Toshiro...
:>Those two? No, I don't think so.
:>It's too early to say for certain but I suspect they're far too energetic, a bit too much air in their nature.
:>Oka-san sipped her tea.
:>True, but you are not going to stop there are you, Naomi-chan?
:>I blinked at the -chan.
:>First she stood up, albeit indirectly, to Shoji on behalf of her daughter.
:>Then she used an honorific to show endearment?
:>Was she really trying to make amends for everything?
:>I would need to ask Kitsuki-san later. It was said that it was impossible for even a scorpion to lie to a true master of Kitsuki's method.

:>No mother, I do not believe we will be stopping at just two.
:>Oka-san and Naomi shared a glance and smiled at one another.
:>I looked up, certain something important had just gone over my head.
:>We spent some time in conversation, Oka-san asking Naomi and myself about the Crab clan in earnest, and how our lives were.
:>There was much to discuss, Oka-san had missed several years of her daughter's life.
:>I decided not to spoil the mood by bringing up the letters Naomi sent that had never been read.
:>Kitsuki-san snuck himself into the conversation.
:>I hear that you are well versed in Hanakotoba, Isawa-sama, is this true?
:>A daimyo's wife did outrank a Yoriki to a Jade Magistrate.
:>I wondered if I was getting it wrong and I was supposed to address her as Oka-sama.
:>Well, that didn't matter. Even if I was I wasn't quite ready to show her that much respect, yet.
:>I am, is there something you would wish to discuss, Kitsuki-san?
:>Oka-san, Naomi and Kitsuki-san talked for a while about flowers.
:>Monkey listened with rapt attention, fascinated by the depth of meaning in such simple things.
:>Mantis-san, Toshiro and I suffered in quiet dignity.
:>After a time Kitsuki-san woke us up by snapping his fan closed.
:>You may tell her Naomi-sama.
:>What, huh?
:>Thank you Kitsuki-san.
:>Oka-san blinked in confusion.
:>Mother, there is something important I must tell you. It concerns the Bloodspeaker cult.
:>I looked at Kitsuki-san, to double check.
:>He simply nodded in assurance.
:>How in the hell had a conversation about plants revealed her trustworthiness to Kitsuki-san?
:>Toshiro sipped his tea.
:>Kitsuki's method is quite formidable.
:>I nodded.
:>When Naomi was done filling her mother in on THEM, there was silence for a long time.
:>Then.
:>Why did you tell me this, Naomi?
:>Father should not have had such difficulty with those bandits.
:>And now we have learned that they appeared before Father was to host the peace talks with the Mantis this winter?

:>We cannot be certain who THEY count among their number, but THEY may try again.
:>To what end, Naomi?
:>Oka-san was so stunned by this revelation she was forgetting she was technically in public right now.
:>Chaos aids them Mother. It allows them to make movements while remaining concealed.
:>And they have attempted to place their own into positions of power by killing high ranking individuals in the past.
:>You think they aim for your Father's life?
:>Naomi shook her head.
:>I cannot say for certain. If the talks fail then many lives could be lost in the chaos of a war.
:>Oka-say nodded at that.
:>Perhaps they are even intending to move on multiple fronts, then.
:>Yes Mother, that is possible. Likely even.
:>If your father dies, then Hohiro would inherit this castle. But he is far too busy with his duties as master of Earth to rule it in reality.
:>Karo-san would likely take over the full responsibility in Hohiro's name.
:>I can think of nothing that would incriminate him now, but I will keep a close eye on Karo-san.
:>So, the idea that the Master of Earth, her own son, might be a Maho-Tsukai was so abhorrent to her she failed to even consider it.
:>Truth be told, I might be the only one in the room who thought it a possibility.
:>I had brought the subject up only once, in the aftermath of our disgrace at Kyuden Hida, and the others had simply said there was no proof and left it at that.
:>Well. In any event now was certainly not the time to raise the possibility again.
:>Naomi's mother, having regained her composure as we talked, bid us good night.
:>The others went to their own rooms.
:>Naomi and I settled in to sleep.
:>That night, I woke up.
:>I checked Naomi, and seeing she was fine, I quieted my breathing to listen for what had awoken me.
:>A soft sob. Choked in fact. As though someone were trying not to make noise as they cried.
:>I eased myself out from Naomi's arms and went to the door.
:>The crying was definitely coming from the other side.
:>I opened it swiftly.

:>And scared little Ashitaka half to death.
:>Oi. What the hell are you doing out here chibi-san?
:>He simply stared up at me, mouth hanging open.
:>I sighed.
:>I supposed the sight of a half naked giant covered in scars will do that to someone.
:>So I picked him up by the back of his kimono and brought him inside our room.
:>I plopped him down, and pulled on the rest of my kimono so I wouldn't look so scary.
:>Then I sat down in front of him.
:>Alright, what's going on?
:>His face twisted, fresh tears welling up in his eyes.
:>Father hates me now!
:>I took a deep breath.
:>And wondered if I was enough of a ninja to make it into Shoji's bedroom unseen.
:>I doubted it.
:>So instead I asked.
:>Got any idea why?
:>Because I won't make a good earth tensai.
:>He hates me because I'll never be as good as Toshiro!
:>I wondered if I could silence anyone who did see me before they could make a noise and hide the bodies long enough to make it into Shoji's room.
:>Probably not.
:>But even for those who aren't tensai, Isawa trained shugenja are amazing, chibi.
:>Every other shugenja school in the Empire has an element they are strong with, and an element they are weak with. 
:>Isawa Shugenja, unique in all the Empire, don't have that weakness.
:>Shouldn't that be something to be proud of?
:>Father says that doesn't matter, only Tensai will advance in a high rank in our clan.
:>I had no idea if that was true or his own prejudice.
:>But it was true that the leaders of the Phoenix clan were the Elemental Council, and only a Tensai could be appointed there.
:>I frowned, thinking this through.
:>Alright then. What do you want to do with your life?
:>Ashitaka sniffled and rubbed his eyes.
:>Make Father proud...
:>But you already know you can't do that.
:>His eyes teared up again.
:>I cupped my hand over his mouth before he could start full on bawling.
:>Quiet!
:>I hissed.
:>You wanna wake your sister up?
:>His eyes darted over to Naomi, still sleeping soundly.
:>He shook his head.
:>I took my hand away from his mouth.

:>Alright chibi, it's a little early to tell you this, and it's harsh too.
:>But your father is the biggest asshole I've had the misfortune to meet.
:>Ashitaka covered his mouth in shock.
:>Your family has a tradition of becoming Earth Tensai. 
:>If you don't do that, and do it well, he'll never respect you.
:>Think about how he treats Naomi.
:>She sent letters to you guys. All of you. Damn near every week.
:>His eyes got wider with every word.
:>Young though he was, Ashitaka realized his father must have disposed of Naomi's letters without telling anyone, or at least ordered the Karo to do so.
:>I pulled him in for a hug.
:>Poor kid's world had just turned inside out and screamed at him.
:>So.
:>I said softly.
:>What is it YOU want to do with your life?
:>He sniffled in my arms.
:>No one has ever asked me that before.
:>It's fine if you don't have an answer right now, Ashitaka. Take your time and think it through.
:>I will... Ishigaki.
:>Good boy.
:>I got him a drink and took him back to his room.
:>Judging by the number of guards stationed about, it was a good thing I didn't try to Ninja my way to Shoji's room after all.
:>Oh well.
:>I returned to our room and got back into bed.
:>Thank you, Ishigaki-kun.
:>Wha-? How long have you been awake?
:>Long enough.
:>She rolled over and kissed me.
:>You did well.
:>She snuggled in against me and we both fell asleep.
:>As the days passed, the courtiers from various clans arrived.
:>Aside from the expected delegation from the Mantis, there were Crane, Dragon and Scorpion courtiers present.
:>As well as token groups from the Crab, Lion and Unicorn. Mostly here to keep an eye on things and report the outcome Kitsuki-san said.
:>The Dragon were neighbors to the Phoenix, and often needed more rice than they could grow in a year.
:>The Crane and Scorpion just liked to meddle in everyone's affairs.
:>The Crane lied about their motivations, saying the were only interested in maintaining peace in the Empire.

:>I was always amused that the clan that all wore masks were so open and honest about their intentions.
:>Some people would not trust a Scorpion farther than they could throw them.
:>I could probably set a new record at Scorpion tossing though, so I didn't even trust them that far.
:>But at least they had the decency to tell you not to trust them.
:>I was contemplating what set of circumstances would need to come to pass that I could try to set that new record without the usual scorpion reprisal when Kitsuki-san came up to me.
:>Ishigaki-san! I have would like for you to meet my friend! He has been a great help in many of our investigations, though I have only sought his assistance via letter until now!
:>I was greatly surprised to see him here, but I am glad I can finally introduce you.
:>Hida Ishigaki, this is Bayushi Amano.
:>It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Hida Ishigaki-sama.
:>I have heard much of you from my friend.
:>Well.
:>Great.
:>Yeah, likewise I'm sure.
:>I stared at Kitsuki-san. 
:>And wondered what it was that had caused him to switch brains with Monkey.

:>Bayushi Amano was tall. Absurdly so.
:>We could look one another in the eyes without adjusting our heads.
:>Judging by the hands that poked out from his sleeves and his slender face, he was very thin.
:>But I could not be certain, because he wore a very loose kimono.
:>It hung off him almost comically when he stood still, but it billowed quite impressively when he walked. 
:>His mask was a piece of sheer silk, wrapped around his eyes like the bandage a blind man would wear.
:>So even though I could look him in the eyes, I could not make them out.
:>He smiled pleasantly at my less than formal returned greeting.
:>I suddenly felt a need to check every riceball in the castle for ninjas.
:>Oh, there is Toshiro-san! Excuse us, please, Ishigaki-san.
:>I nodded, and they went off to pester Toshiro.
:>Seriously, what the hell was Kitsuki-san thinking?
:>Great help?
:>OUR investigations?!
:>How much did that bastard Amano know?
:>How much did the Scorpion Clan know?!
:>Did they know about the island?
:>I considered how many times it had felt like murder was the only solution in this damned castle, and wondered if it was cursed.
:>My frantically racing thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the Mantis delegation. 
:>It was lead by a woman in perhaps the most opulent Kimono I had ever seen.
:>The ornamentation in her hair, the lightly painted face.
:>She must have spent hours getting ready.
:>And I was fairly certain she was wearing more than my yearly stipend on just one arm.
:>And yet she failed to draw every eye in the room.
:>Rather it was one of her attendants that did so.
:>The woman everyone was actually staring at was a shugenja, judging by the scroll satchel.
:>Her kimono was far more plain.
:>But it would not do to call it "modest".
:>It slipped off her shoulders, held aloft by some trick I could not fathom. 
:>This of course, exposed a generous expanse of cleavage.
:>Cleavage that belonged to breasts that stopped just shy of being obscenely large.

:>A necklace of black pearls with a few jade magatama encircled her neck. 
:>A massive pearl hung on the center of the necklace rested comfortably in her cleavage.
:>As if you needed any more of a reason to look.
:>The bottom half of her kimono had the hips cut away showing bare flesh.
:>Not uncommon, but you WERE supposed to have a top that would be long enough to cover that up.
:>Her obi cinched tight around her slender waist, causing her barely there Kimono to cling tightly to her body, revealing a dramatic hourglass figure.
:>I wondered if she was really shaped like that, or if she was just able to not breath for extended periods of time.
:>Light brown hair swept behind her ears and fell down to her shoulders.
:>And blue eyes, like those of some Doji completed the look.
:>I had heard rumors of Mantis who dressed in such scandalous fashions, all the empire had of course.
:>I had even seen a few when we were on the Isles of Spice and Silk.
:>But this one took it to extremes I had not thought possible.
:>I doubted she was even in mourning, and suspected she just liked having short hair.
:>Only after I began to recover from my shock did I realize she was no taller than Naomi.
:>Oh, right. Naomi.
:>I realized I had been staring far too hard.
:>Me and every man in the room.
:>And every woman was hiding behind their fans.
:>Naomi came over to me.
:>Held up her fan and whispered to me.
:>Be on guard around her, Ishigaki-kun. She is doing that on purpose.
:>Huh?
:>Naomi looked at me as one might look at a child reaching into a fire because they do not know it will burn them.
:>She is using her appearance as a weapon to distract and confuse. She is dangerous.
:>Very dangerous.
:>I- I see.
:>I must go warn the others.
:>Okay then. 
:>I thought about what Naomi had said.
:>She was probably right. I couldn't remember the last time I taken such thorough notice of a woman.