Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XXI: The Hunt===
:>Easier said than done.
:>Looking for one peasant in this tall castle... 
:>He could be hiding anywhere.
:>Moving about as a servant, who no samurai would spare a second glance for.
:>Hiding in a nearly forgotten storeroom while a servant or two he bribed smuggle food to him...
:>Moving about in the space between the floor and ceiling...
:>Our first day of hunting ended in failure.
:>I returned to our rooms to find Kitsuki-san staring at the wall much in the same Monkey had stared when he got the letter informing him of his upcoming marriage.
:>I waved a hand in front of his face.
:>He jumped.
:>Oh, good.
:>What's with that look, anyway?
:>I was just thinking.
:>You looked like you were thinking about your own death poem.
:>Do you even understand the concept of tact?
:>Yes.
:>I don't much care for it though.
:>But I do understand it, Kitsuki-san.
:>I'm not Monkey, after all.
:>True enough.
:>The others began filing in at this point.
:>All with disgusted head shakes.
:>Monkey spoke first.
:>So, the only good thing we've got going for us right now is that the Naomi-sama got the gates shut.
:>Right. Since our Maho murder merchant expected to avoid suspicion with his indirect means he's trapped here now.
:>Ohhh, nice alliteration Mantis-san!
:>Thank you, Monkey.
:>Toshiro grunted. 
:>He's figured out we're hunting him now, so I doubt he'll stay in one place and wait for us to find him.
:>I nodded. 
:>This is no Kyuden, but it's still a big castle
:>Kitsuki-san, how did things go with the Mantis?
:>Hm? Oh fine, fine.
:>He brightened as thought struck him.
:>In fact, I'd say we may have an in.
:>The Moshi woman, Aoi?
:>She was not the one to take over the delegation but she IS sympathetic.
:>She may be able to persuade the chief delegate to accept the guilt of the merchant once we find them.
:>So, I was thinking Naomi-sama would be a fine choice to continue the dialogue while I question the servants more closely.
:>Someone must have seen something, after all.
:>Naomi smiled at Kitsuki-san's suggestion.
:>No, thank you.

:>What?
:>I have had occasion to speak with Aoi-san several times already.
:>You, you have Naomi-sama?
:>Indeed. 
:>Oh.
:>The rest of us exchanged glances.
:>There was a conversation happening here that we were not privy to.
:>Naomi, care to fill me in?
:>Of course, Ishigaki-kun.
:>Moshi Aoi is... 
:>I suppose the polite way to put would be to say she is a 'hopeless romantic'.
:>You called her a pervert after the first time you spoke to her.
:>The others eyes widened. 
:>Naomi using such strong language to describe someone was the equivalent of another samurai unleashing a string of drunken profanity.
:>Naomi was well aware of this, and blushed accordingly.
:>She was so adorable when she blushed, better than a basket full of puppies.
:>At least to me.
:>She fakoughed to reset the mood.
:>Yes. Well. Anyway.
:>If you are having success persuading her, then it is because she has taken a liking to you, is it not, Kitsuki-san?
:>We all turned to stare at Kitsuki-san now.
:>Who was blushing himself.
:>He was not adorable when he blushed.
:>Toshiro leaned over and whispered to me.
:>Does he even like girls? I don't think I've ever seen him oggle one before...
:>He whispered it loudly enough for everyone to hear anyway.
:>Kitsuki-san fired back.
:>You're one to talk!
:>I'm ugly. What's your excuse?
:>I couldn't hold it in.
:>Neither could Mantis-san or Monkey.
:>The three of us fell over laughing.
:>Naomi settled for making the trying not to laugh face.
:>Kitsuki-san's eyebrow twitched.
:>Well done, Toshiro-sama. I can admit that I walked into that one.
:>We needed that laugh.
:>Shiba Ayame's life, her reputation, her honor, were all resting on our shoulders.
:>It was a heavy burden.
:>So, Naomi-sama. You suggest that I continue to work on Aoi, because she will be amenable to my suggestions?
:>Yes, that is exactly my suggestion.
:>Truthfully that took me off guard a bit.
:>Naomi was openly suggesting Kitsuki-san lead that woman on.
:>Unless of course, she was secretly playing matchmaker.
:>Yes, that last thought made sense.

:>While you are doing that, Kitsuki-san, I believe I can help speed up the process of finding our real killer.
:>Oh?
:>Water IS the element of clarity, after all.
:>I arched an eyebrow.
:>Naomi, I thought you could only track things and people known to you?
:>This is true. But there is something I have not done before and I am willing to try now.
:>Divination.
:>I had sometimes wondered about that.
:>Prophecy and astrology were very important.
:>All things had a destiny, and the Heavens gave clues to those who knew how to read the signs.
:>But for every story of a destined hero there were many more about false prophets, tricksters who led the ignorant astray for their own gain, and supposedly wise men who misread signs and became the well intentioned villain. 
:>Naomi caught my look.
:>Yes, it can be quite easy to misread the signs the Kami reveal, that is why I have avoided it.
:>It is a testament to your skills as investigators I have not needed to resort to it in all this time.
:>The spell I have in mind will allow others to see the visions as well, so I hope that with all of you and Ayame present we will be able to interpret the visions correctly.
:>Why don't we do it now then?
:>I will need to ask my father's permission.
:>I need a body of water for this spell, the larger the better.
:>And I wish for Ayame to be present, if we see a vision of the merchant I wish for her to confirm it.
:>Kitsuki-san spoke up again.
:>What about Aoi? She is a shugenja, would not this magic help convince her?
:>Hmmmm. Perhaps. 
:>I do not think it could hurt.
:>I think I'm going to ask Katsuie-sama to speak with the rest of the Mantis then. 
:>All our diplomats are tied up elsewhere.
:>Kitsuki-san nodded.
:>A good plan. I will ask Amano-san to speak with the Phoenix, and appraise them of the situation. 
:>And get Shoji to stay out of our way?
:>Yes, that too.
:>Alright. We had a plan.
:>I brought the children into our room that night.
:>I wanted them close by in a castle a Maho-Tsukai was prowling around in.

:>We gathered together around the large koi pond in the castle's garden.
:>Naomi, in a long Kimono with no hakama, entered into the water.
:>Ishigaki-kun, please help me with the offering.
:>When petitioning the kami for their assistance, it was always possible to make offerings to gain their favor by making offerings to them.
:>Naomi had already purified herself.
:>Now she was offering the water kami a large urn of sake.
:>She needed my help getting the thing into the pond.
:>It was tightly sealed, so it wouldn't leak.
:>No matter how much I wanted to see a bunch of drunken fish swimming upside down.
:>I'd also been purified, of course.
:>She began to pray.
:>The water shimmered, rippled.
:>A light came up from underneath the surface.
:>The pond became still like a sheet of smooth ice, or perhaps that 'glass' the Unicorn brought back from gaijin lands.
:>We saw images in the water.
:>A man, bleeding from his palm onto a charm, then another then another.
:>Ayame hissed at the sight of him.
:>I studied his face intently. Burned it into my mind.
:>A wakizashi. The blade was corroded, pitted with rust. 
:>A boat, pulled up onto a beach somewhere... there were several figures around it. Shadows seemed to cling to them, and they bore weapons.
:>The waters cleared, the spell ended.
:>Naomi's eyes widened. She swayed a bit.
:>I caught her.
:>Kitsuki-san spoke first.
:>Ayame-san, let me just confirm.
:>That man in the first vision, that was the merchant who sold you the charm, yes?
:>She nodded. It was.
:>Aoi nodded. 
:>Well, I'm convinced.
:>But this won't be enough for Yoritomo-sama.
:>Aoi went over to Ayame.
:>For what it is worth, I am truly sorry for the loss of your beloved Senpai.
:>She bowed.
:>But I know Yoritomo-sama will not let this go so easily. He will insist that it was some weakness of spirit on your part that made you vulnerable to the Maho in the first place.
:>I know that isn't true, but...
:>I was reminded of why I hated politics.

:>Alright then. We have confirmed the merchant placed some sort of spell on the charm he sold Ayame-san.
:>Why did we see him doing that to a bunch of charms?
:>Mantis-san answered.
:>Because he has done this before, Monkey.
:>The whole reason he's in the spot he's in now is because we're probably the first to look beyond the person he cursed.
:>Monkey scratched at one of his sideburns.
:>Whoa. You mean there's a bunch of Samurai who were executed as murderers because of him?
:>Mantis-san nodded, mouth pursed in a grimace.
:>Toshiro spoke up.
:>The second image. What do you think that was about?
:>Wasn't that just showing the murder weapon?
:>No, I don't think so. Divinations are rarely literal.
:>Naomi, still pressing into my chest mumbled something.
:>I spoke up for her.
:>She says that the Kami were quite pleased with her and her offerings, so they were much clearer than usual. 
:>Kitsuki-san snapped his fan closed.
:>I see. He is no merchant at all then.
:>Monkey blinked.
:>Hah?
:>Mantis-san was just as confused, though more eloquent about it.
:>Mind sharing how you arrived at that conclusion?
:>We saw his hands in the first image quite clearly. His nails were trimmed. Clean. Immaculate even.
:>Kitsuki-san held out his hand and looked at his own nails.
:>Unconsciously we all did the same.
:>Oh. Okay.
:>And the short blade holds the honor of a samurai. It is the one used should... ah.
:>He trailed off, realizing he had hit a tender subject.
:>Ayame finished for him.
:>A samurai who must commit seppuku uses his wakizashi. It's why even shugenja and courtiers wear one, and why the wakizashi is even more important to mark a samurai's status than their katana.
:>She said all that without so much as a tremor in her voice.
:>I wasn't sure if it was resolute bravery or hope that gave her strength now.
:>Kitsuki-san nodded.
:>Just so.
:>And the wakizashi we saw was tarnished, corroded. Just like the honor of it's owner that it represented.

:>And just like that, between Naomi's magic and Kitsuki-san's sharp eyes I wondered if there would ever come a mystery we could not solve.
:>The third one? Are the Mantis going to attack again over this?
:>NO!
:>Aoi shook her head emphatically.
:>Even I couldn't help but notice the sharp motions caused certain parts of her to move in interesting ways.
:>I held Naomi a little tighter.
:>I may not be our highest ranking courtier, but I'm important enough that I would know if that were the plan!
:>Toshiro nodded.
:>An escape plan then. 
:>He may work alone, but he must have allies nearby.
:>The real question is, are they hired thugs, or...
:>Mixed company. So he couldn't say it.
:>But we knew he was referring to THEM.
:>This definitely fits their MO.
:>Already there was high ranking Yoritomo courtier dead, Shoji could very well be next, and if this incident caused the talks to fail then the war would likely provide much chaos for them to move about in.
:>I wondered if Hohiro knew, if this was his plan...
:>Shoji was his ally, wasn't he?
:>Then again, even when Shoji had been talking Hohiro up last year, Shoji had still insisted HE was the better of the two.
:>And he tried to take all the credit for his son's talent.
:>It wouldn't surprise me if Shoji had been trying to sit on the council by proxy, giving Hohiro orders.
:>It wasn't all that uncommon for a parent to retire, shave their head, change their name, and then continue to administer their lands by remaining on as an "advisor" to their heirs.
:>More than a few temples in the Empire were run by a politically minded abbot who was a retired samurai.
:>And, while Oka-san had confirmed Hohiro himself wouldn't really stand to gain from inheriting this castle, as its lord, he could always appoint a new Karo.
:>Assuming the old Karo was not already in his pocket, of course.
:>So, is the boat literal, or figurative do you think?
:>I spoke up.
:>Does it matter, one way or the other?
:>He has to get out of the castle first.

:>And now we know the reason we couldn't find him is because we were looking in the wrong places.
:>He wasn't hiding among the servants and crawlspaces, he was mingling with the Samurai guests.
:>Slow nods.
:>Everyone began to head back inside.
:>As I moved to go, carrying Naomi if I had to, she stopped me.
:>Wait, Ishigaki-kun.
:>What, enjoying the koi nibbling at your toes?
:>At least, I assumed they must be nibbling her toes. They were certainly nibbling on mine.
:>I suspected it would be bad manners to snatch one of your host's fish out of their pond and eat it as a warning to the others that you were higher on the food chain.
:>Naomi giggled. 
:>No it is not the fish.
:>I want to tell you something.
:>D-did she notice me noticing Aoi?
:>The water kami like many things. Motion, helping to create a new flow of water, sake of course, purity. 
:>You can temporarily sacrifice one of your senses to them.
:>And they are also pleased by ensuring and promoting the cycle of life.
:>Oooookay?
:>So...
:>You cannot lie to the kami, of course.
:>They knew I was not making an offering in that way. How could I, when I did not even know myself?
:>Know what? 
:>The cycle of life. 
:>Life, Ishigaki-kun.
:>Wait...
:>We have been rather, active, lately, have we not?
:>It was good thing I had some practice hearing news this wonderful.
:>I might have sat down and drowned in the koi pond otherwise.
:>My ancestors would have laughed me out of Yomi, had I done that.
:>So, you didn't know yet? Then it's early?
:>Very. A few weeks at most.
:>I tried to guess when, but like Naomi had said we had been a bit active lately.
:>She smiled up at me, already glowing.
:>Carry me.
:>With pleasure.
:>I scooped her up like the princess she was and took her up to our room so we could dry off.
:>Kitsuki-san was already putting his detailed painting skills to good use, recreating the face of our quarry.

:>The plan was to have Mantis-san, Monkey and Toshiro, and Naomi show this to the guards while he and I engaged in some politicking.
:>I was never fond of the idea of Naomi being near a fight, now I was adamant she not be.
:>The others were confused by it, until Kitsuki-san noticed Naomi's expression.
:>What, when?
:>This only made the others more confused.
:>When what? What what? huh?
:>Naomi explained what she had just learned.
:>Four faces gave us incredulous stares.
:>Is there Hare Clan blood in your ancestry or something?!
:>Not that I know off? Naomi?
:>Iye. 
:>Okay then. Anyway, I've got work to do. Ja nee.
:>Then I went to see Katsuie-sama.
:>I laid out what we had learned, though could not yet prove until we caught the Maho-Tsukai.
:>I also let him know what the others were doing.
:>Hmmm.
:>To be clear, do you wish for me to persuade the Mantis that the killer has been found so that they do not push for as many concessions from the Phoenix, or to divert all blame from Shiba Ayame-san?
:>I blinked.
:>Both?
:>Hmmm.
:>I do not know if that will be possible.
:>He noticed my surprise.
:>Do not misunderstand me. I have no desire to see a young life discarded before it has a chance to bloom fully either.
:>He poured us both some tea.
:>It tasted like home.
:>These tea leaves were grown by our clan weren't they?
:>Yes. In fact they came from my own fields.
:>Huh.
:>Ishigaki-san. We both know that the young woman is not really at fault here.
:>Yet the Code of Bushido is very strict.
:>It does not make allowance for circumstance, which is why no one can truly live up to it.
:>Some people, upon realizing this, choose a few tenants to hold up over others. 
:>Our clan does this.
:>Others become jaded. They allow themselves to compromise their honor at times. 
:>Only the rare few will continue to chase impossible perfection. 
:>I understand what you are saying, Katsuie-sama but I don't see how it relates...

:>We are sometimes quick to forgive lapses in judgment and matters of honor because we all know we will have them ourselves one day.
:>But while we understand, and can forgive, Bushido cannot.
:>She was still an accomplice to this crime, unknowing or not.
:>I wonder then, how her Lord Shoji will react to this.
:>Oh, I could guess. Cover his own ass by making her take all the blame.
:>Hmmm.
:>I see you already suspect you know.
:>For that matter, have you even thought to ask Ayame-san what she will do?
:>I looked up sharply.
:>It simply hadn't occurred to me, to any of us, that she might feel such shame as to go that far of her own volition.
:>I think then, before I make any wasted effort, you had best be certain of her own intentions.
:>I bowed, thanking Katsuie for his insight, and ran off to the room Ayame was being held in.
:>As I entered she looked up from the paper she was frowning over.
:>Ishigaki-san? What are you doing here?
:>Shit. 
:>I mean, I KNEW what I was doing here.
:>But "don't kill yourself, you have so much to live for" wasn't really a good conversation starter.
:>Ayame saw me struggling to find the right words.
:>Oh. You're here about that.
:>Ishigaki-san. Is it not dishonorable to be dupped into committing a crime?
:>Well, yes but-
:>And is it not worse the more severe the crime one commits?
:>Yes but-
:>No, there are no buts in Bushido.
:>Would you SHUT UP and listen to me goddammit!
:>She blinked.
:>I sat down in front of her, and told her I just found out I was going to have a child. For the third time.
:>She smiled.
:>That is wonderful news!
:>Yeah it is.
:>It wasn't really all that long ago, but it seems like forever, that I was like you.
:>I thought if I could just help kill a few oni, then that was all I needed to make my life matter, and I could die proud of myself.
:>I don't think like that anymore. 
:>No, I'm not afraid to die, should my time come.
:>And I didn't think I was eager to die at the time, but I now know that's exactly what I was.

:>Just a quick flash? A spark popping from a fire and fading away in an instant? 
:>That's bullshit!
:>Chasing your own demise is a terrible way to live!
:>I have a family, and I have a duty.
:>If I die, who stands between them and the thing that killed me? Huh?
:>You're a Shiba, you should think about these things!
:>I would, if I were a Yojimbo.
:>But I am a soldier. I am part of the rank and file of our armies. 
:>I do not protect one Isawa, I protect all of them.
:>Our entire Clan, in fact.
:>And soldiers die. I would be nothing but a coward if I ran from that fact.
:>Ishigaki-san, I'm happy that you think my life has such value, really.
:>And I'm happy that you have such important things to protect you cannot simply give up your life so easily.
:>But this is not just a matter of my own dishonor.
:>What, the politics? Who cares...
:>I care.
:>My clan must make concessions to the Mantis to avoid a war.
:>The death of their delegate means they WILL ask for more. All the persuasion in the world will not change that fact. 
:>The courtiers will do what is best for their clan, that is all.
:>My life could be one of the things offered up.
:>To sacrifice all in the name of one's clan, is there anything MORE honorable than that?
:>My Lord Shoji outranks me. He is more important to our clan than I am.
:>To sacrifice all to protect one's Lord, is that not also at the height of honor?
:>Her arguments were sound. I couldn't contradict anything she had said.
:>This was how a proper samurai should think.
:>That I didn't only meant I was actually a terrible samurai.
:>But I knew that already. Duty and Courage were the only tenants of Bushido I cared about.
:>Duty above all, and the Courage to throw away even my own honor to fulfill that duty.
:>But I was a Crab. Ayame was not.
:>Still though...
:>You're absolutely certain it's just your Honor that's making this decision?
:>She looked me in the eyes, then looked down.

:>No.
:>You have someone you love and must protect.
:>The one I love has already gone on ahead.
:>She looked at her painting, the darkness closing in.
:>Would you not have embraced death if the one you love were gone?
:>I was about to say no.
:>Instead, my hand rose of its own accord to the scar on my face.
:>I had lost a part of myself, when Ishigaki Mura died.
:>Naomi helped me to find that part again.
:>Without her love, I may well have ended up a dead-eyes.
:>When it happened the first time, I did.
:>She looked surprised.
:>I told her how it came to be that I had no family outside Naomi and our children.
:>I did then what you are doing now. 
:>And that is exactly why I can tell you this:
:>What you are doing is WRONG.
:>You claim you do this for the sake of your honor, and your clan.
:>You're so full of shit your eyes are turning brown.
:>Her surprise turned to anger at that.
:>You're only doing this because you regret what might have been, and you're hiding your sin behind pretty words.
:>You think your ancestors won't know the truth?
:>You think honor can come from an action taken in the name of one of the Three Great Sins?!
:>You may be a good enough liar to fool yourself, but you can't fool me, and you sure as hell won't fool them.
:>Her anger had faded in the face of my tirade, slowly replaced with shame.
:>I stood up.
:>One last thing you should know.
:>My wife is very compassionate. If you kill yourself, she'll cry.
:>I'm not trying to guilt you or anything, so don't misunderstand.
:>I'm just letting you know, if you do make my wife cry, I will find you and beat the shit out of your for it.
:>I don't care if I have to make a Kitsu take me into the spirit realms. I don't care if I have to wait until you are reborn. I don't care if I have to wait until I am reborn.
:>However long it takes, you'll pay for making Naomi cry. Got it?
:>She nodded.
:>I left.

:>They say that bonds can travel into the next life, even beyond.
:>Considering how strong our bond, Naomi and I may very well have been lovers in past lives.
:>I was certain that at the very least, we would find one another again in our next lives.
:>This wasn't limited to good bonds.
:>Bonds of malice could go with you as well.
:>I was equally certain I would hate Shoji on sight in my next life, and not know why.
:>Maybe such a thing was the source of my distaste for the Mantis, tough my friendship with Mantis-san had done much to dispel those feelings.
:>Hah. Everything happens for a reason, they say.
:>Still, would making Naomi cry really be enough to lead to my future lives hunting down and beating the shit out of Ayame's future lives?
:>I doubted it, myself. 
:>But the Phoenix were big on rebirth after all.
:>So I hoped that at least, Ayame did.
:>I went back to speak with Katsuie-sama.
:>When I was done relating what had happened he sipped his tea with wide eyes.
:>It is amazing, what wonders one will see if they just live long enough.
:>To think such wisdom could be spoken in such a crude way.
:>He chuckled.
:>You MAY have gone a bit overboard at the end there, I think.
:>Yeah, you're probably right, Katsuie-sama.
:>But I was rather pissed off.
:>We both took a sip of tea.
:>And yet, you have not really answered my question.
:>Saving her takes priority. Amano is working to save her from Shoji, I'll save her from her own regret. You save her from the Mantis.
:>Um. Please, Katsuie-sama.
:>He chuckled again.
:>It is a good thing we are alone, Ishigaki-san.
:>Please try to get a better grip on your emotions. There will no doubt be a fight when you catch the Tsukai, and it wouldn't do for your spirit to be so disturbed when you enter battle.
:>You're right, thank you Katsuie-sama.
:>I left.
:>Time to check in with the others.