Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XLI: Uninvited Guests===
:>My knowledge of the game of Kemari was that it existed.
:>Beyond that, Ren had to explain everything to me.
:>I found something deeply offensive in the concept of a game with no points, no way for someone to win.
:>All you had to do was keep the ball in the air, and pass it to someone else.
:>Without using your hands.
:>Ren was very good, bouncing the ball up off his feet, before letting it slide down his back and then hitting it with his hip to pass it to me.
:>I reacted on pure instinct as it came at me.
:>I smashed the ball with my forehead.
:>It went towards a Mirumoto, who stopped the ball with his chest, caught it on his foot, bounced it a few times, and passed it to Toritaka Kageru with a smile.
:>She caught the ball even while rolling her eyes.
:>We played for some time, and I noticed Kageru was a popular choice to pass the ball to.
:>After the game was over she grabbed my arm and hissed.
:>Get me out of here!
:>I looked up.
:>There WERE several men coming this way, who came to a halt as we made eye contact.
:>We walked quickly away.
:>I muttered to her under my breath.
:>What's all that about?
:>Suitors. I'm so sick of it.
:>I ached an eyebrow.
:>Hooo?
:>She looked up at me.
:>I'm a warrior, not some housewife.
:>Well, you may want to think about finding one for yourself while you've got the time...
:>You mean when the time comes that I'll have to get married.
:>Bah. I'll be dead in battle before that happens!
:>I glanced down at her out of the corner of my eye.
:>I thought that too, once.
:>She smirked at me.
:>For many of us it's true though, Ishigaki-senpai. You must see that you are a rare existence, a tallent seen only once a generation!
:>...senpai?
:>Hai, I'm trained in the Hida Ryu, not my family's bushi School.
:>Well, still. I'm not all that special. Just tough enough that I can survive to learn from my many mistakes.
:>That is a quality more special than you are willing to admit, Senpai.
:>If you say so. To me, it just seems like too many young bushi are eager to see their grandparents.

:>We ate dinner with the rest of court that day.
:>I felt eyes on me and looked around.
:>I saw Shoji, but he was quite deliberately NOT looking in my direction.
:>One of the Shiba sitting next to him, however, was.
:>I looked closer.
:>And recognized Shiba Hotaru. Shiba Ayame's gunso.
:>He was glaring quite openly at me.
:>So I scratched at my chest and mouthed 'is that all?' to him.
:>I timed it just right, and he coughed as his food went down the wrong pipe.
:>I see Shoji prefers obedience over competence in his subordinates.
:>Things proceeded with relative quiet for a few days.
:>The guessing as to what was holding up the Mantis delegation continued unabated, each guess more outlandish than the last.
:>At one point it was suggested the entire delegation ran afoul of an Oni one of their number summoned but could not control, though no one could find out who was the first to suggest that.
:>Kitsuki-san found out that Shoji was being shunned quite a bit in this court.
:>To everyone's surprise, and relief, aside from the few attendants he had brought, no one seemed to want to have anything to do with him.
:>The subject of Toshiro, Naomi and myself being friends with Ren became a topic of discussion as well.
:>Terumune assured me that, though it wasn't much, the fact that everyone was aware the Crab COULD use that relationship was helping.
:>He laughed.
:>It's like building up an army in plain view along the border, Ishigaki-san! They know we have a trump card, so they don't press as hard, lest we feel compelled to use it!
:>I see.
:>Court really is all about maneuver and perception, isn't it?
:>He nodded.
:>Very much so.
:>On the third day, I came across a Kakita yelling at my wife.
:>Daiko and Tetsute were hiding behind her, clinging to her kimono.
:>I put on my grumpy face and approached quietly from the side.
:>He was too engrossed in his lecturing on proper behavior in children, and didn't notice me.
:>Until I stamped my foot down right next to his.

:>He jumped and whirled in mid air, turning to face me.
:>I half expected him to jump clean out of his clothes, but alas, they went with him.
:>He blanched as he looked up into my scarred, scowling face, going as white as his hair.
:>You have something to say about how my children have been raised, Crane-san?
:>You... your children?
:>He looked back and forth between me and Naomi.
:>A scarred burly giant, and a small, demure woman.
:>It seems he didn't expect Naomi would be married to a typical Crab.
:>The kind of person who is very likely to fly off the handle and hurt someone when they get upset, consequences be damned.
:>The kind of person who looked like he could beat the shit of an unarmed Crane with little effort.
:>I had seen these exact same thoughts run through many, many minds, so I could tell simply by the way he held his eyes when the last realization settled in on him.
:>I smiled at him.
:>It's time for you to fly away now, little bird. Do you need some help getting into the air?
:>Ah... no, that is quite alright.
:>He took off, almost running.
:>Without looking down at the kids I spoke.
:>Did you win?
:>Yes, father!
:>I knelt down and hugged them.
:>Good work, you two!
:>They giggled, delighted at the praise.
:>Is this really alright, Ishigaki-kun? Won't he just go complain to someone else?
:>Let them complain. It's the only thing losers can do.
:>Naomi blinked.
:>Then she looked down.
:>You two have gotten quite dirty. It's bath time.
:>Naomi took the kids off to get all cleaned up and I smiled to myself as I watched them go.
:>I was pleased that my children were learning their lessons well.
:>When a weak person is confronted with a strong one, they will gather other weak people so that numbers will turn the odds in their favor.
:>The strong person must never forget how effective that is, and so the strong must watch each other's backs as well.
:>Daiko and Tetsute would never have won if they didn't work together.
:>Teamwork and cooperation would keep them alive once they took up their duties.

:>The Mantis delegation finally arrived, causing quite a stir.
:>A lean man who introduced himself as Yoritomo Haruzume apologized for their delay.
:>We got caught up in a small fight with some bandits, but we're here now.
:>Kakita Ren's could not conceal his surprise at this news.
:>Bandits?
:>Yes, Kakita-sama. We have a letter from the Clan magistrate who dealt with them.
:>The Karo took the proffered letter from Haruzume and read it.
:>Then he passed it to Ren, who read it in turn.
:>I see, then on behalf of the Crane Clan allow to me extend my thanks for your timely assistance in this matter.
:>Harumune struck his fist into his palm.
:>Ah, yes! We were not alone in offering aid!
:>As he spoke, two people came up from the back of the delegation.
:>They wore simple brown kimono, straw coats and hats.
:>Ronin, by the look of them.
:>Allow me to introduce Osako and Ayame, from the Disciples of Sun Tao ronin band.
:>Osako was a tall man, with broad shoulders. He held a piece of straw in his teeth.
:>And his left arm was missing.
:>Ayame was...
:>It was Shiba Ayame.
:>She wore a strip of red silk to cover her missing eye, and had a new scar on her chin, but it was definitely her.
:>Our gazes met as she looked around the room, and she smiled briefly in recognition.
:>So, she really had sought out the Disciples of Sun Tao...
:>Had she known that Hotaru would be here?
:>Either way, they were both here now.
:>It was only a matter of time then, until one of them died.
:>I looked around, and saw Hotaru.
:>He had recognized her as well.
:>But he was just staring blankly, I couldn't see any hint of what he was thinking.
:>Shoji was standing near Hotaru
:>He didn't show the slightest recognition at all.
:>I wouldn't put it past the man to have forgotten her completely.
:>I caught Ayame's eye one last time, and flicked my gaze toward a door out to a garden.
:>She nodded.
:>After the Mantis finished talking with Ren my friends and I made our way out there to meet with her.

:>Monkey was the first to congratulate her.
:>You did it! Good work!
:>Have you learned the Gaze?
:>I have, yes.
:>She scratched at the scar on her chin.
:>I was a bit overconfident when I first learned it, but I have mastered myself since then.
:>Kitsuki-san spoke up.
:>So then, I take it your friend here is to act as your second?
:>A few steps ahead of the rest of us, as usual.
:>Osako nodded.
:>Yeah. That's right.
:>I gave Osako an appraising look.
:>His once fine clothes were in bad shape, he'd clearly been a wave man for a while.
:>Under the tears I could see several scars. He might be as scarred as me.
:>And of course, the wound that took his arm.
:>He looked to be a year or two older than me, though his hard living might be throwing my guess off.
:>Even Ayame had aged more than she should have in the time since I had seen her last.
:>For his part, he returned my look.
:>After a moment he spoke.
:>Damn, you're huge aren't you?
:>No, I'm normal. You're just too small.
:>HAH!
:>He pulled a gourd off his belt, uncorked it with his teeth, and took a deep drink before offering it to me.
:>I took a drink as well.
:>It was shochu.
:>Hard liquor, stronger even than Sake.
:>I glanced down at his daisho.
:>So, it looked to me like his priorities for spending what coin he earned were his weapons, food, alcohol, and clothes, shelter and bathing with whatever was left after those first three.
:>How do you still fight like that?
:>Eh?
:>I gestured to his arm as I passed the gourd back.
:>Oh, katanas can be used with one hand...
:>The Dragon do it all the time, you know?
:>Yeah, but they have something in the other one...
:>He shrugged.
:>It's just a matter of getting inside your opponents mind, really. Most people underestimate me when the see this wound.
:>I nodded.
:>Yeah, that makes sense. Capitalizing on your opponents mistakes is just as good a way to win as any other.
:>He grinned at me.
:>Damn straight.
:>He took another drink before he set the gourd down, so he could smack the cork back in.

:>Osako looked at all of us.
:>On behalf of the Disciples of Sun Tao, I would like to thank you all for telling her to come to us.
:>Ayame-chan has been an invaluable addition to our little band.
:>He bowed his head.
:>Naomi spoke to Ayame then.
:>Will you rejoin the Clan when... when your business is done?
:>I do not know, Naomi-sama.
:>Honestly, I find myself content with the Disciples...
:>There are tough times, sure. I have gone several days without food before and likely will again.
:>But there is a freedom, away from any superiors in a Clan.
:>Monkey spoke up.
:>Speaking of business, how did you know Hotaru is here?
:>Ayame looked at him sharply.
:>He IS?
:>Uh, did you not see him earlier? He was in the room...
:>No. No I did not.
:>I thought we were going to have to go to the Phoenix lands, back to Shoji's castle, to find him.
:>Yeah, no. He's here. With Shoji, too.
:>Ayame's face settled into stony neutrality.
:>...Really? Both of them?
:>Oi. You're not going to able to get to Shoji, so stop thinking about it.
:>She looked at me in surprise.
:>I know. His rank shields him from my blade.
:>You do not need to worry about me, Ishigaki-sama. I am well aware of my own limitations.
:>I just wonder what it will take for the Pheonix to stop trusting that man, is all.
:>My guess is the crap he pulled at the last court.
:>Eh?
:>He's not part of the delegation; he came on his own.
:>EH?
:>Mantis-san grumbled.
:>Tell me about it.

:>I didn't have much to do the next few days.
:>Everyone else was engaged in the goings on at court, working on behalf of their respective clans.
:>Back and forth negotiations, tallying the value of the battlefield victories, giving back lands taken, offering rice, dyes, stone, lumber, in exchange for lands lost.
:>Conspiring with other Clans to pressure one Clan from different sides, making things seem like they are worth more or less then they are.
:>Trying to uncover other Clans' secret alliances, and disrupt them.
:>Things I never had a taste for.
:>Looming could only get me so far, and my face made polite conversation strained under even the best of circumstances.
:>Of course, there was no delegation from the Monkey Clan for Satoshi to work for, so he was also free to roam about.
:>So he did what he always did without a minder at court.
:>Tried to be everyone's friend, completely oblivious to the atmosphere of this place, and equally oblivious to how annoying the courtiers found him.
:>I enjoyed watching his antics. It was like a comedic play.
:>And the experience of watching courtiers' faces for signs of their inner thoughts might help.
:>I would never be as good as Kitsuki-san at reading others, but I might still be of some use.
:>He couldn't be everywhere, after all.
:>One morning I opened our door to head out for breakfast, and almost tripped on the body of Lion.
:>Laying out in the floor, half naked, and snoring loudly, was Ikoma Masahiro.
:>Head of the Lion delegation.
:>I could smell the sake, even all the way up here.
:>I scowled and nudged him with my foot.
:>Uhhrm. Ugh. Ngggh.
:>I nudged him a bit harder.
:>He swatted at my foot and rolled over.
:>I kicked him.
:>Gently.
:>That woke him up, and elicited a string of epithets as well.
:>He blinked in confusion as he looked around the hallway.
:>A bit too much sake, Ikoma-san?
:>Eh? Urmm. Yes... yes. Too much sake.
:>You might want to get dressed before someone else sees you like that.
:>He looked down at himself.
:>Ah. Yes. Yes thank you.

:>Kitsuki-san was teaching me to play Go.
:>He had adapted his training methods to match my own.
:>That is to say, he set up a go board and told me to place a piece. If I placed it in the wrong spot, he smacked me over the head with a bokken.
:>I stared at the board, arms folded and grumbling.
:>This is harder than it looks.
:>Of course it is, Ishigaki-san.
:>Go takes minutes to learn, and a lifetime to master.
:>I hovered my hand over the board.
:>When I heard his clothes rustle I placed the piece in a different spot.
:>He smacked me.
:>Twice.
:>What the hell? Why twice?!
:>Once was for placing it in the wrong spot, the second was for trying to trick me into revealing where the right spot was.
:>So where the hell was it?
:>The place you were going to put it.
:>...You're a real bastard, you know that?
:>Thank you.
:>He swept up the pieces and started setting up another puzzle for me to get wrong.
:>That's when Yoritomo Haruzume approached us.
:>He bowed in greeting.
:>Kitsuki Daigo? I have both a gift and a message for you, from Moshi Aoi.
:>3 bu on the gift being rice balls stuffed with ninjas.
:>The Mantis held out a shamisen.
:>I handed Kitsuki-san 3 bu.
:>What is this for?
:>I bet it was going to be riceballs with ninja filling.
:>I was wrong. No place for a ninja to hide inside a shamisen.
:>Behind it maybe, but not IN it.
:>Well, you should have known that Mantis can't get ninja filling anyway.
:>Yeah.
:>Haruzume blinked, staring at the both of us.
:>Kitsuki-san went through the three refusals then took the shamisen.
:>And the message?
:>Aoi wishes to apologize for making you uncomfortable with her attempt at courtship.
:>She was also saddened to hear of Bayushi Amano's death, and extends her condolences.
:>It is her hope that the two of you can still be friends, and that you will one day allow her to play a song for you on that shamisen.
:>I rolled my eyes behind Kitsuki-san's back.
:>Aoi was being entirely too polite.
:>I was expecting something more like 'if you prefer the company of men you could have just said so'.

:>A KYAAaaaaah! got our attention.
:>Kitsuki-san and I, used to that sort of thing, ran over to see what crime had been committed.
:>We passed by Ayame, storming away in a huff.
:>And then saw Ikoma Masahiro, with a bright red palm print on his cheek.
:>He grinned at us and waggled his eyebrows.
:>Feisty!
:>I had a sudden urge to toss Naomi into a sack and hide her in the back of a closet.
:>And maybe Daiko as well.
:>Kitsuki-san and I exchanged a look, then went back to the Go board.
:>I had quite the headache by the time the lesson was over.
:>At dinner that evening the conversation was a bit lighter than I expected.
:>It would seem everyone was taking a break from the harsh business of stabbing each other in the back, and just intent on enjoying a meal.
:>It was during a lull in the conversation that some poor souls stomach decided to gurgle loudly enough to shock even the souls in meido.
:>Of course everyone looked around for the offender.
:>If I had to guess, it would be Soshi Mariko, since her face had gone as red as her Kimono.
:>E-excuse me please...
:>She stood up quickly, and ran as best she could from the room.
:>The tiny steps allowed her by her kimono made that quite hilarious.
:>To everyone's credit, no one laughed out loud.
:>But more than few were making the trying not to laugh face.
:>I thought nothing more of it, until I was heading to the baths after dinner.
:>And found Mariko sprawled out on the floor just outside the women's baths, sweating and feverish.
:>I knelt down, and checked on her.
:>She was very sick.
:>I scooped her up and ran with her to Toshiro.
:>What the...?
:>She's sick. Feverish.
:>Damn, hang on.
:>Toshiro fished out his scroll and prayed to Jurojin.
:>Then blinked.
:>He got out another scroll.
:>And stared, dumbfounded at her.
:>What is it?
:>This illness, it's very strong.
:>It IS illness, not poison, but it's so potent that even with my magic it's still overwhelming her body's resistance...
:>My eyes widened.
:>Could this be a new plague?

:>Well, she's the only one whose sick so far... so I can't say.
:>He got out another scroll.
:>As he finished that prayer her panting became less labored.
:>Well, THAT worked at least.
:>Monkey hopped up.
:>I'm going to go get the Scorpion.
:>Naomi started to come over.
:>I held out a hand.
:>No, you should stay back.
:>What?
:>You have enough problems with your health as is, Hana-chan.
:>You should stay well away from anyone who gets sick, and leave this to Toshiro.
:>Naomi glared at me.
:>Then pulled a scroll out, and very deliberately walked over to add her own magic to aid the Scorpion.
:>Well.
:>I had wanted her to become more independent.
:>Just not THAT independent.
:>I scratched my head.
:>Now I was going to be up all night worrying about her.
:>I should have know telling Naomi NOT to offer aid to someone would only make her upset.
:>Mantis-san sniggered.
:>Oh shut up.
:>I gave Naomi a hug as an apology.
:>She squeezed my arm to accept it.
:>Monkey came back with several Scorpion.
:>Guys, this is Bayushi Koretoyo, head of the Scorpion delegation.
:>Koretoyo bowed to us.
:>Several Scorpion bent over and scooped up Mariko.
:>Thank you all for taking care of her. We shall see to her well being now.
:>He bowed again and left.
:>Well, that was abrupt.
:>Kitsuki-san just shook his head.
:>I've spoken with him a few times. He does not speak much, but when he does his words often carry great weight.
:>Ah.

:>That night, I laid awake beside Naomi, staring up at the ceiling.
:>Like I thought, I couldn't sleep.
:>Too worried about Naomi's health.
:>Tsuyosa decided to wake up and fuss, so I could have something else to worry about.
:>I scooped him up.
:>What's the matter, little one? Hungry?
:>I held a finger near his mouth, and he did indeed latch on to it.
:>I see, but mommy is asleep right now.
:>Hang on just a bit, okay?
:>I carried Tsuyosa out of our room in search of a kitchen.
:>Even late at night, there were still servants bustling about tending to the castle.
:>I stopped one and got what I needed.
:>A small bowl of sweet rice paste.
:>I sat down beside a pond, feeding Tsuyosa and staring at the moon reflected in the water.
:>When he at last turned his head away from the proffered food I set him down and let him splash in the water.
:>For some reason, my shoulders were aching, and I rolled them around to relive it.
:>Cough.
:>I looked down, almost in panic when he gave off his little cough.
:>He looked up at me, wide eyed.
:>Then he splashed me.
:>I put my head in my hand.
:>So now YOU'RE going to start being a troublemaker?
:>As if the other two weren't enough...
:>I took off my wet top, squeezing and twisting it to wring it out.
:>Ohhh, there you are. I've been meaning to talk to you, Ishigaki-kun.
:>My blood turned to ice.
:>I see, a midnight snack for my grandson, is it?

:>-kun?
:>He called me Ishigaki-KUN?
:>That would be normal, if Shoji were a normal Father-in-law.
:>But it was terrifying coming from that snake.
:>And he had acknowledged Tsuyosa?
:>He had all but disowned Naomi for her disobedience in marrying me, now this?
:>Why?
:>Why?
:>I looked at him, silhouetted in the moonlight.
:>His eyes reflected the pond, two pools of light in his shadowed face.
:>There was only one thing I could think that would capture his attention.
:>One thing that would explain this behavior.
:>But it was impossible.
:>We only just found out about Tsuyosa before this trip...
:>He couldn't know.
:>Shoji chuckled.
:>You still are bad at concealing your thoughts Ishigaki-kun.
:>Hooo? He's getting a bit close to the edge there.
:>I looked back, and picked Tsuyosa up.
:>Truly, it only takes a second of inattention when they are so small.
:>Sometimes even when they should know better...
:>I held Tsuyosa closer.
:>...
:>Nothing to say to me, Ishigaki-kun?
:>Ah, you must be worried about giving something away.
:>Don't be.
:>He was still standing with the moon behind him, face still hidden in shadow.
:>Shoji smiled then, white teeth breaking the shadow.
:>I know everything about him already.
:>Well, I don't know his name yet.
:>What is it?
:>I replied without thinking.
:>Tsuyosa.
:>Ahh, that is a fine name. Yes, even I could not think of a better one.
:>What the hell do you want?
:>Ishigaki-kun, your suspicion hurts me.
:>I only wish to see my grandson.
:>My talented grandson, who carries the Hida's affinity for earth and my family's own bloodline within him.
:>How did he know?
:>No, Naomi has not written in some time.
:>But I am a Phoenix, and a Lord. I can have VERY accurate divinations performed whenever I wish.
:>You... You came here just because of Tsuyosa, didn't you?
:>That is true, in a sense.
:>I'll ask you again, Shoji.
:>What. Do. You. Want?
:>From you? Nothing.
:>From your Clan though...
:>I am prepared to offer many gifts if they will but allow me to train my Grandson as an Earth Tensai.

:>Tensai.
:>The word carried with it the understanding that one who bore it was a master of their element.
:>No Tamori, no Kuni could match an Earth Tensai.
:>No Agasha could match a Fire Tensai.
:>No Kitsu could match a Water Tensai.
:>It was as preposterous as a Scorpion falling for someone else's tricks, a Kakita being defeated in an Iaijutsu duel, or an Akodo leading an army into a crushing defeat.
:>The Phoenix guarded the Tensai school as closely as the Unicorn guarded the Utaku bred steeds.
:>It would not be an exaggeration to say that Clans would kill to get one of their number trained as a Tensai.
:>And if Shoji was willing to offer gifts, instead of demanding them...
:>I should have killed him long ago.
:>I couldn't risk it now, with a handful of baby.
:>... did that sneaky bastard trick me into picking up my son, just so I wouldn't try to kill him when I heard his plan?
:>Had he always been this clever, or was I just really good at pissing him off?
:>Yes, that is a good look Ishigaki-kun.
:>You see? While I can admit that you have given me more trouble than anyone else in my life, the proper order of things has finally won out.
:>He laughed then.
:>I made you a promise, long ago.
:>Do you remember?
:>I do.
:>He turned and left me, shivering and clutching my son.

:>Chikusho.
:>Chikusho.
:>Chikusho.
:>I almost ran back to our room.
:>Tsuyosa could sense my distress, and squirmed in my arms.
:>No. No damnit no.
:>I won't let him have you, Tsuyosa.
:>Not after what he did to Naomi, to Ashitaka.
:>I might even believe that Hohiro could have been a decent person, if Shoji hadn't raised him in his own image...
:>Shoji would have Tsuyosa over my dead body.
:>... which, I had to admit, may be possible...
:>What he was suggesting was unprecedented.
:>I'd never heard of the Phoenix wanting so badly to train a member of another clan as a Tensai, I only knew how coveted that training was...
:>I could very well be ordered to give my son up to him.
:>Damn. My mind kept spinning in circles, going over the same things again and again.
:>I shook my head, yelling at myself.
:>CALM DOWN YOU IDIOT.
:>I took several deep breaths, forcing myself to relax, to chase away the thoughts clouding my judgment.
:>It wasn't working very well.
:>Shoji had lodged himself firmly in my head.
:>It was like I was staring at one of Kitsuki-san's go puzzles.
:>The wrong move result in pain.
:>What was the right move?
:>Dammit, I'm too stupid to see it!
:>... Kitsuki-san's Go puzzles.
:>Of course.
:>It doesn't matter if I'm too stupid to see the right move.
:>I have smart friends.
:>I rocked Tsuyosa to sleep, sitting beside Naomi, and waited for the dawn to come.

:>Well, you could always try to escape, hide out or something...
:>Kitsuki-san, know where Ishigaki-san can get some barrels real quick?
:>Monkey.
:>Who else?
:>Mantis-san offered up his own suggestion.
:>Threaten kanshi.
:>You're one of the elite, right?
:>I looked at him flatly.
:>An elite bushi. Tensai is still more valuable than even me.
:>And that's before you consider, I'm the present, but Tsuyosa is the future of the Clan.
:>Hrm. Yeah...
:>Kitsuki-san stroked his chin.
:>Still, you Crabs are a bit more lenient with personal desires than most.
:>Toshiro scowled.
:>To a degree. Duty is paramount after all. Personal desires are allowed only so long as they don't interfere with that.
:>Otherwise I wouldn't be trying to dodge marriage talks all the damn time.
:>Still, Toshiro-sama, I think that it may be worth an attempt by Ishigaki-san and Naomi-sama to make their feelings on the matter clear.
:>Even if they are overruled, I do not think they will be dismissed out of hand.
:>That will, at the very least, give us more time.
:>I looked over at Naomi.
:>She was holding Tsuyosa,
:>Her face showed no emotion, and she gazed straight ahead.
:>It wasn't a thousand yard stare though, her eyes were focused.
:>It reminded me of the resolute stare of warriors on the first rank, gazing upon the enemy formations.
:>She blamed herself for Tusyosa's illness; she was as determined as I was to keep him from Shoji's hands.
:>Monkey spoke up again.
:>Hey, Shoji's a total bastard, right? A real piece of shit?
:>So why don't you just tell your superiors that?
:>Just list of all his faults, all the reasons he shouldn't be allowed to teach Tsuyosa.
:>Naomi shook her head.
:>We would need many more people to testify to Shoji's cruelty than just us.
:>While he has been relieved of many of his responsibilities, it is unofficial: he still holds his rank. And the bad blood between Ishigaki-kun, myself, and my father is well known.

:>I had to add to that.
:>Not to mention, given his rank he could easily be overseeing things behind the scenes.
:>He tried to do that with Hohiro, using his son as his mouthpiece after Hohiro was named Master of Earth.
:>Monkey looked down.
:>Shit.
:>Mantis-san spoke up.
:>Well, aside from all of us, what about Ayame?
:>I mean, there may be no direct proof he ordered that to happen, but when you add up all the bad things that happen around him, it makes him look worse and worse, you know?
:>I considered that.
:>An all out attack, across the whole line.
:>It could work... but if it didn't we wouldn't have anything left in reserve.
:>At least, that's how my military mind saw it.
:>I looked over at Kitsuki-san.
:>He seemed to guess my thoughts.
:>I really don't know if I can come up with anything else...
:>He chewed on the end of his fan, mind running through scenario after scenario.
:>Perhaps ruining him, so that he loses the last vestiges of his authority...
:>If he cannot offer gifts, but must settle for just waiving the usual cost of teaching one not a Phoenix... in combination with everything else...
:>Toshiro piped up.
:>Hey, Naomi-san.
:>Yes?
:>I thought the Phoenix guarded the education of a tensai dearly?
:>They do, why?
:>Well, wouldn't HIS superiors be upset if he was just giving that away?
:>Kitsuki-san actually smacked his own forehead, eyes wide.
:>Why didn't I think of that?
:>Toshiro answered him.
:>You think of complex things a bit too much, that's why.
:>Naomi frowned as she thought that through.
:>Hmm. But Tsuyosa is his grandson... so they may be willing to overlook it.
:>Kitsuki-san tapped his chin.
:>Even if they are, I expect he must have used up quite a few favors to get them to do so...
:>I think it's safe to say that this is an all or nothing gamble on Shoji's part.

:>Like a samurai that's been losing at fortunes and winds all night, and throws his last few coins in on one last roll.
:>If that's truly the case, then a strike at every point could work.
:>He simply has nothing left to respond with.
:>I nodded.
:>We had a plan of action now.
:>The first step would be to speak with Kaiu Terumune, lay out our case against Shoji.
:>Naomi, Toshiro and I got up to start that bit, leaving Tsuyosa with the others.
:>As we passed into the rooms where the courtiers courtiered a commotion arose.
:>Not caused by us, though.
:>An Isawa was carrying Asako Yuie.
:>Her face was red, eyes rolled up into the back of her head, and she was drenched in sweat.
:>I recognized that Isawa. I had seen him placing a katana in the care of the household.
:>He wore his full daisho, claiming skill with his katana.
:>Naomi had said such a thing was not uncommon among those Isawa with an affinity for fire.
:>Toshiro and Naomi both reached down into their satchels.
:>Toshiro worked his magic, then scowled again.
:>Damn, just like before.
:>Move aside, fool.
:>Shoji was there, a scroll in his hand.
:>Let me handle this.
:>You Kuni are better suited to dealing with Oni, you lack the understanding of Earth's complexity.
:>What are...
:>You have only the most simple prayer to Jurojin, which allows the body to fight back against disease.
:>I know more complex magic that will do that, as well as bolster her own resistance.
:>... As is befitting of an Earth Tensai.
:>...
:>... that motherfukcer.
:>Shoji worked his magic.
:>Yuie stopped panting quite so heavily.
:>This disease IS potent...
:>I may need to administer this treatment again before she can cast if off entirely.
:>Still, she is out of danger for now.
:>THUD.
:>I whirled to look.
:>Toritaka Kageru had collapsed.
:>Flushed and sweating.
:>...
:>She was trained in the Hida Ryu.
:>If even SHE was overcome.
:>I looked around.
:>There were a lot of fans fluttering.
:>But some of those faces looked a bit more flushed then others.
:>I wasn't the only one noticing that.

:>Circles were opening around everyone who looked even the slightest bit feverish.
:>The court wasn't quite panicking, but it was close.
:>Kakita Ren clapped his hands.
:>Please, everyone!
:>Remain calm!
:>There are several shugenja present who can see to this illness!
:>Even as he spoke Toshiro was trying again with Kageru.
:>This time it seemed to work.
:>I would ask that everyone who is not feeling well, to head to the west wind room.
:>If I may trouble the honored shugenja, to proceed there and administer treatment?
:>Shoji bowed.
:>Of course, young lord.
:>I will gladly do all in my considerable power to stop the spread of this illness.
:>Naomi nodded.
:>I gave her a pained look.
:>I don't think you should go into a room full of sick people, Naomi.
:>Ishigaki-kun, you know I must.
:>I sighed.
:>I do.
:>She reached up to caress my cheek.
:>This is how I feel, watching you march off to battle.
:>But you always come home. I will do the same, I promise.
:>I held her hand, for just a moment, before letting her go.
:>Toshiro nodded to me and left.
:>I scooped up Kageru and carried her back to her room.
:>Then I went back to ours to tell Kitsuki-san and the others what was going on.
:>This didn't seem natural to me, not at all.

:>So it's spreading?
:>Yes and no, Monkey.
:>Hah?
:>I've actually taken the time to study various illnesses. And this just feels... off.
:>Kitsuki-san arched an eyebrow
:>Can you elaborate on that?
:>No, not really.
:>An illness that can pass from one person to another will take time to manifest fully. The earth in a human body resists illness, and that must first be overcome before symptoms manifest.
:>The timing isn't right... it's just not natural.
:>Kitsuki-san pursed his lips.
:>I know more about poisons than illness, but...
:>I think you may be right Ishigaki-san
:>Most contagious illnesses are not contagious until the symptoms appear, as far as I know.
:>Soshi-san was immediately sequestered upon her illness manifesting.
:>How then, did so many people contract her illness?
:>You said you saw members from several clans showing signs, yes?
:>Yeah.
:>Were any other Scorpion affected?
:>I searched my memory.
:>I... don't think so. Unless one of their masks was hiding it.
:>You said Yuie and Kageru were both affected?
:>Any men?
:>Umm. Yeah I think I saw a sweaty Crane or two.
:>Of course, some of those people who looked flushed could just have been nervous...
:>Shit, that's true.
:>So, we're confident that the spread of the illness, at the very least, is unnatural.
:>We know it's potent.
:>And we have Toshiro's word that it IS an illness, and not a poison.
:>...
:>Mantis-san broke the silence.
:>Its Maho. It's always fucking Maho.