Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act IV: Winter Court at Kyuden Hida===
:>I have made mention in passing before, but I am not a smart person. If my mind appears to be moving quickly it is an illusion created by a familiar situation.
:>Being a parent was most definitely NOT familiar.
:>I was so focused on my wife's health during her pregnancy that I never once gave any thought go what would happen afterwards.
:>My wife and I were both Emerald Magistrates. 
:>My home was a week's ride from the wall.
:>And I had no holdings to bolster my income.
:>How then, was I going to wander the length and breadth of the Empire while making sure my family was safe?
:>And what of our daughter?
:>It's true that traditionally a married woman takes over running the household and raising the children, but enough women went back to court, or regained their figure and donned their armor again that it was just fine to retain some nursemaids.
:>But Naomi, so bereft of parental love, would never want that.
:>For that matter, a large, belligerent and loving family suited me just fine.
:>I looked over at Naomi
:>She still looked tired from her ordeal, but the color had returned to her cheeks.
:>My daughter grghled happily in her arms.
:>She was already on her third meal, and it was only midday.
:>I tried not to be jealous of my own newborn daughter for monopolizing my wife's perfect breasts.
:>I sat down with wife and spoke with her about the future.
:>As I suspected she fully intended to raise Daiko herself.
:>Besides, Ishigaki-kun, I am still sick. 
:>I do not wish to slow the rest of you down anymore.
:>Bullshit.
:>Naomi uses confused blink attack.
:>It's super adorable!
:>Neither your illness nor your compassion have ever been a burden on us.
:>You're a water tensai! You heal our wounds, you give us speed and strength in battle, you provide clarity when even Kitsuki-san can't find a clue!
:>We need you.
:>So does she.
:>Fuck.
:>She was right.

:>So? Make some Sake.
:>The Mantis, as usual, thinks to solve this problem like a merchant
:>Look, all you need is a fresh water source to open a brewery, and everyone knows the Crab make great sake.
:>You'll have an income, something for her to manage, and you can use that to get a few ji-samurai vassals of your own to keep her safe while you're away.
:>The Monkey piped up. If you need Koku, Hime-san and I can help.
:>We all stare at him.
:>What, with your one rice paddy?
:>No, Hime-san has been quite well, actually. 
:>I don't how much she's making, exactly, but I get a 5 koku allowance.
:>A year?
:>No, a month.
:>Stare.
:>Is that a lot?
:>Samurai, as rule, do not bother with matters of money.
:>Their lord provides them weapons, armor, food and a place to stay. They have no need of anything else. To suggest otherwise is to insult one's Lord, implying that the Lord cannot provide for his retainers.
:>That's how everyone says it works.
:>That's not how it works at all.
:>It IS true that many samurai have no idea the true value of a koku, or how business actually works.
:>When you are in the lands of your Lord, and you need a place to sleep and food, you enter the inn and are given these things as a matter of course.
:>You may leave money behind if you wish to especially polite, but there is no shame in not doing so.
:>But when you are away from your Lords lands it IS expected that you compensate others, even if they are just peasants, for the things they provide you.
:>You are taking from THEIR Lord, he is being a polite host, and you should compensate him with a gift to be polite as well.
:>That traditional gift takes the form of a small piece of metal with a hole in the middle of it.
:>The greater the request you make of the Lord's servants, the more pieces of metal you should give in return.
:>Yes Monkey, 5 koku a month is a fairly decent amount.
:>Well, anyway. How do I juggle my duty, my desire to be near my family, and my wife's desire to give our child a warm and loving home?

:>A solution, quite literally, fell into our laps.
:>Winter was soon to be upon us again, and our superior wished for us to attend the winter court at Kyuden Hida.
:>Our superior was going to be there, and they wished for us to join them as their attendants.
:>This was not exactly what I had in mind when I wanted to stay close to my family.
:>I had felt some trepidation bringing my friends into the Crab lands already, now we were being told to go spend a winter in a castle that was a part of the Wall itself.
:>Kitsuki-san saw my look of consternation.
:>He reread the letter. Twice.
:>Ishigaki-san. This letter. It is implying that Naomi must come as well.
:>...
:>...
:>... But she just gave birth last week!
:>I am aware. I think it is Them.
:>We all felt a chill run down our spines.
:>Save Toshiro, who did not yet know.
:>A maho-tsukai, who is also a Ninja, had been influencing our superiors since the day we all met, maybe before, and trying to kill us.
:>Toshiro grunted sourly.
:>And we're still not sure why.
:>Toshiro stood up. Leaning on the tetsubo he used for a crutch.
:>I will protect them.
:>I went and hugged my wife and daughter.
:>Greedy pig was suckling again.
:>That's right Daiko, you grow up big and strong.
:>Grhghbbwl.
:>Puke.
:>...
:>...
:>... I'll get a fresh Kimono for you.
:>Please.

:>We bundled up Naomi and Daiko under as many blankets as we could.
:>Daiko blurbled and kicked at the cold autumn wind, but she was smiling, enjoying the sensation.
:>The Monkey watched her.
:>Nodded his head.
:>I want one.
:>We'd been avoiding bringing that subject up with him.
:>His wife was a bit prickly on that matter.
:>She could be a bit prickly on any matter, really.
:>No, she's not so bad anymore.
:>Oh?
:>I mean, her letters aren't an endless stream of insults or anything.
:>But you haven't been home since we left?
:>Well, you know. I'm just calling this my pilgrimage. Supposed to take a year, right?
:>Monkeys. Just no sense of right and wrong.
:>We passed the journey with mild banter and idle speculation on the future.
:>Recent events had naturally brought family into everyone's mind and it was obvious all were contemplating marriage and children.
:>Naomi tried to protest that we were the ones bearing the Palanquin, since we hadn't kept the porters around and had no place to stop and get more.
:>But she was beloved by all of us, and we insisted she rest as much as possible.
:>Gurgles and coos seemed to brighten the dearry landscape
:>Naomi, hidden behind the screen of the palanquin, allowed herself to be just a silly right back to our daughter. Tickles, tummy blowing, and goofy faces. 
:>She did have a younger brother after all, so she had practice entertaining infants.
:>Toshiro never bore the Palanquin. He had enough work thumpdragging along with us, after all.
:>But he kept pace with the Palanquin, stubbornly refusing every offer Naomi made to make room for him.
:>To the relief of both the Kitsuki, and the Monkey.
:>It annoyed me that the Mantis' could have handled the extra weight without difficulty, and knew it.
:>On occasion, I wonder why I dislike the Mantis so much.
:>Then I realize that my list of grievances must be so long there is no point in remembering each and every insult.
:>Kyuden Hida loomed large in the distance.

:>There are two schools of thought on the construction of a castle.
:>In one style the castle is surrounded by walls. Not just one wall, but layers of walls forcing an enemy to breach one gate after another while dealing with sorties and archers. This is the style the Crab use most.
:>In the other style, the interior is made to be deliberately confusing, with blind turns, right angles, dead ends, and only a single correct path. The more pacifistic clans use this style. It is easier to make the castle pretty in this fashion, then one made clearly and solely for war.
:>Of course, the Kaiu are the greatest engineers in the empire. Few realize that the Great Kaiu Wall is, in fact, built in THAT style. 
:>Within and beneath the Wall there is a twisting labyrinth of tunnels, corridors and traps.
:>And not the kind of traps most Rokugani think of. There are portcullises that will slam shut, cutting a portion of a force off from the rest, but there are many more deadfalls, spike pits, scything blades, grinders, flamethrowers and the Kami only know what else. Cruely and efficiently destroying any enemy force that gets inside.
:>And, since Kyuden Hida forms a part of the Wall itself, on could say that Kyuden Hida is built in BOTH styles.
:>It is an impressive and dour edifice, a clearly imposing monument to the might and endurance of the Crab clan.
:>Oh, and there's a gigantic Oni Skull hanging over the front gate.
:>That's pretty cool too.
:>I allowed myself a small grin of satisfaction as the others stopped short, staring at the Crab's Seat of Power.
:>Naomi parted her screen, and held out Daiko so our daughter could look.
:>There was a tightness in Naomi's eyes.
:>Yes, this would be the fate of our daughter. She was born a Crab, and so she would one day shoulder the burden of waging a war that had lasted since the dawn of the Empire itself.
:>I swallowed a lump in my throat.

:>We passed under the skull and I felt the tingle of trepidation again.
:>The skull is as much a warning to those who would seek shelter in Kyuden Hida as those who would seek to assault it.
:>BEHOLD, THIS IS THE ENEMY WE FACE.
:>That sense of trepidation was swept aside as we entered the courtyard.
:>Every where you would care to look, large burly hunks of metal drilled and sparred.
:>Kyuden Hida held Three THOUSAND of the Crab clan's finest warriors. 
:>Foremost among them were the Champion and the Hida House Guard.
:>And it's not like there were no children or civilians in Kyuden Hida.
:>All those Samurai need cooks, porters, labor crews to help repairs and cleaning, eta, etc.
:>And this was the HOME of the Champion. His family lived here as well.
:>Should the Shadowlands attack, there are procedures for protecting those who are not warriors.
:>Perhaps my time away from the wall, where I saw myself as yojimbo to all those unable to fight, had made me oversensitive to danger.
:>That thought worried me.
:>That was one of the nine types of false madness.
:>I would speak with Toshiro later, to see if my fire had indeed been disturbed.
:>We were ushered into a waiting room where our superior, Ikoma Tsabutai awaited us.
:>We bowed and made our greetings.
:>Hgrehlbbrebbrb.
:>Tsabutai-sama arched an eyebrow at my daughter's solemn greeting.
:>Naomi gave birth but two weeks ago, Tsabutai-sama. Your letter implied you wished for her specifically.
:>Hrm yes. I had thought her magic would be able to answer many of the questions that are bound to arise in the coming months.
:>I did not realize she had given birth such a short time ago, though. I see you didn't even have time to find a proper nursemaid. I must apologize for this inconvenience.
:>Apologize with your life, fool.
:>I thought.

:>Instead, my wife and I both assured Tsabutai-sama that it was no trouble at all, and that we were happy to fulfill our duties.
:>Good, good. I am delighted to have such splendid subordinates. I shall hold you both up as examples to shirkers in the future.
:>Kitsuki-san used the opening to ask.
:>Forgive me Ikoma Tsabutai-sama, but what questions do you foresee arising? We do not even know what it is you wish of us yet.
:>Ah, you need not concern yourselves with trivial details. Just do as you have been so far and I will call upon you when I have need. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy the Winter Court here.
:>He said that like he owned the place.
:>We accepted his dismissal.
:>And were shown to our rooms.
:>As Kyuden Hida is qualified to host the imperial court, it has many guest rooms for visiting dignitaries.
:>Any courtier would be appalled at the spartan quarters provided, while remaining oblivious to the fact that these rooms are some of the safest in the castle.
:>As Emerald magistrates we warranted middling tier rooms. So, bare with a futon and only three people to a room. 
:>But the others insisted that they cram the four of themselves in so Naomi, Daiko and I could have some privacy.
:>I snagged a servant and asked for some more blankets, explaining Naomi's poor health.
:>As he scurried off, I heard a familiar sound from our room.
:>Naomi was coughing again. Another bad one.
:>I took Daiko up in one arm and held the other in front of Naomi. 
:>She doubled over it, going limp and allowing the fit to pass.
:>Daiko stared intently at Naomi, and didn't make a sound.
:>I laid Daiko down as the fit passed, then cradled Naomi with her back to my chest. She was sweating hard.
:>The others came in; Kitsuki-san heard.
:>They produced small cloths I used to wipe her sweat away as Toshiro brewed her medicinal tea.
:>Mantis picked Daiko up when she began to fuss. She calmed down quickly.
:>No Daiko. That's a Mantis. You don't know where it's been. Icky icky.
:>I thought.

:>Naomi's eyes fluttered open and she looked up at me. 
:>I'm sorry everyone, I don't mean to be such a burden on you all.
:>Hush, Naomi. 
:>Toshiro handed me a cup of warm tea for her.
:>He politely looked aside as I finished wiping the sweat from her chest and underarms.
:>I pulled her Kimono closed and took the tea cup, holding up to her lips.
:>As she sipped her tea the Monkey spoke.
:>"You're not a burden Naomi!"
:>Mantis. "Not even a bit".
:>Kitsuki-san. "Indeed this much is nothing, really".
:>Toshiro. "I think of Ishigaki as a brother. That makes you my sister. Think nothing of it".
:>She smiled and leaned back into me.
:>The others politely ignored our public display of affection.
:>Kitsuki san started the discussion.
:>Tsabutai-sama has always given the impression he has things planned out well ahead of time, even making fortunate accidents seem intentional.
:>But there was something a bit odd about how he acted tonight.
:>What do you mean?
:>It's simple math, even you could do it Ishigaki. I cannot believe that Tsabutai-sama "forgot" when Naomi-san would give birth, even if it was only a general guess.
:>Wait, do you think Tsabutai himself is tied to THEM?
:>I cannot say. THEY have been careful to use agents to do their bidding, hiding behind cutouts before. It may be they influence someone who has Tsabutai-sama's ear.
:>But I do know that by investigating his relationships we will certainly grow closer to finding THEM.
:>The Monkey cracked his knuckles. "Can't wait for that".

:>With Daiko tucked away in the nursery during the day, the rest of us set to work investigating.
:>Step one was straightforward and simple, we just needed to see who was connected to who. Even the real nature of the relationship didn't matter, just that the ties existed.
:>As always, there is a right way to meet people in Rokugan.
:>Properly, one is introduced to a stranger by a mutual acquaintance. The person making the introduction takes you to the person you're meeting, and greets them. That person the returns the greeting.
:>Why hello [introducer]! And this must be...
:>At this point the introducer tells them your name.
:>It is rude to make someone confess their own ignorance; you may be implying they're just stupid. Or someone who does not know that you've not yet met may get that impression.
:>So to save face, the person you are being introduced to acts like they already know you, then trail off
:>So that the introducer can act like they are being rude by cutting the other person off when they answer.
:>I've never really understood why so many grown ass adults insist on playing pretend so often, but I'm not about to make waves by saying that out loud.
:>Naomi and Kitsuki-san both navigate the court with ease. They're quite good at getting introductions, as well as having people who want to meet them.
:>The rest of us... well we don't cause any incidents.
:>I hover about, rudely joining inconsequential conversations about polite, inoffensive topics such as weather and bonsai gardens. Then I watch other people make introductions and note who's speaking with who on behalf of who.
:>I have to dip out periodically to check on my daughter. I use this an excuse to write things down, because there is no way I could track of the tangled web I'm investigating.
:>Once I entered the Nursery to find Naomi already there.
:>You holding up alright?
:>Hai, Ishigaki-kun. 
:>She been eating again?
:>No, I just wanted to see her. You as well, I see.

:>I fished my notes out and snagged up the brush and inkpot.
:>My calligraphy was... legible. It was very legible.
:>Naomi glanced over my shoulder.
:>I see.
:>Don't judge me, there's a lot of people here.
:>I know. 
:>Smile.
:>She's teasing me.
:>I glance around.
:>No one in sight
:>I give her rump a soft smack.
:>She yelps and rubs at her behind.
:>But she's smiling, eager for more playtime.
:>We push aside our desires and head back out to court.
:>The Mantis is still speaking with the same three people he had been with when we left. He moves slowly in court.
:>The Monkey has been flitting about, introducing himself to everyone who will lock eyes with him. He seems oblivious to how much aggravation he's causing.
:>The opening rounds of winter court are in full swing.
:>That evening.
:>We present our findings to Kitsuki-san. He's glad I took notes. Naomi's memory proves to quite sharp as well, and she recounts the day with sufficient clarity that even Kitsuki-san is impressed.
:>I'll need time to go over all these notes, and figure out which direction we should move in. The rest of you should just act normally, for the time being.
:>Normally, eh?
:>Good, get out of our room. My wife and I have a conversation from earlier to finish.

:>The next day we headed down to the same room we had been in the previous day.
:>I looked around in dismay.
:>I realized I didn't recognize a single person there.
:>It wasn't that I hadn't been paying attention, far from it.
:>But this was the court of Crab Clan Champion.
:>There were a LOT of courtiers here, many high ranking, and almost all of them wondering what they did to deserve this punishment.
:>I saw one Asako courtier, so young his cheeks looked like they had never felt the touch of a razor, trying to start up a conversation with one of the House Guard standing around the room.
:>I didn't catch what the Guard said but from the look of horror on the boys face I suspect it was something along the lines of PISSCUNTSHITCOCKNBALLSDOUBLEASFUK.
:>No one in the Empire can use foul language quite like a Crab.
:>I had just resigned myself to another long day of note taking when Naomi tugged my kimono.
:>There, that man is the current Master of Earth.
:>I looked to where she indicated and saw a mummified corpse conversing with none other than the Kuni family Daimyo.
:>I remembered Naomi's mother saying her husband was a candidate for the next Master of Earth.
:>Looking at the current one I could believe it.
:>Dark brown skin that was almost entirely wrinkle was stretched taut on his bony frame. A few wisps of translucent white hair spilled from the back of his skull, and a goatee of the same color stretched down to the floor. Both eyes completely clouded over with cataracts, and thin, bloodless lips pulled in over pale pink gums. Not a single tooth left in his head.
:>I took a moment to be impressed that that thing had managed to cross the entirety of the empire to be here.
:>As I watched, the Mummy of Earth rapped it's tapin stick twice. An attendant rushed to it's side, knelt, and placed a teacup in the outstretched claw.
:>I looked closer at the attendant.
:>It was Naomi's father.

:>Well shit.
:>The way Naomi grips my arm tells me she saw him too.
:>Take her and leave.
:>Go looking for the others.
:>Spot Kitsuki-san.
:>Get the fuck over here head jerks from outside the room.
:>Kitsuki-san excuses himself, comes to join us. Takes one look at my face and asks.
:>How bad is it?
:>Her father is here.
:>Ah.
:>Do we know why?
:>Naomi shakes her head.
:>I have sent letters, of course. But I have not heard from them since we left the castle.
:>A familiar thumpdraging heralded the arrival of Toshiro
:>I have something important you must hear... and you seem to have made an unpleasant discovery yourselves.
:>Kitsuki-san nods.
:>I'll get the others, emergency meeting time.
:>We head back to our rooms. I snag Daiko on the way, to help calm Naomi.
:>She's hiding it well, but now that she's a mother herself she can see clearly just how abnormal her father's behavior has been.
:>Her own sense of Honor, and proper conduct, is at war with real feelings for him.
:>So I smother her in cyoot to numb those emotions until she can sort through them.
:>We bring Toshiro up to speed on the nature of Naomi's family.
:>She makes half hearted excuses for her father, as her Honor demands, and more vehement excuses for her mother and older brother doing nothing to stop it.
:>I'm will to accept he was probably an ass to Oniisan as well, and that's why Oniisan seems such a daddy's boy.
:>But at the end of the day I don't love Naomi's mother, or her brothers. I love her. And their inaction allowed her to be hurt.
:>Toshiro grunted.
:>Naomi... Your grandfather. Was he a Shugenja as well?
:>Hai.
:>His element?
:>Earth.
:>Let me guess, every shugenja in your family?
:>All Earth.
:>I hadn't know that. Naomi was ill from birth. Jurojin had turned his face from her. Of course she would struggle with the Earth Kami. And that had broken a very old family tradition.
:>I understood just a little better why her father despised her so. And I hated that.

:>Toshiro then told us what he had learned.
:>The Master of Earth was here, and he was dying.
:>Yeah we knew about that. Naomi's father is one of his attendants.
:>And the later part is obvious once you see him.
:>I think you misunderstand. The Master of Earth himself does not think he will ever leave Kyuden Hida.
:>Naomi's head jerked up sharply.
:>Are the other masters here?
:>No, just him.
:>Naomi bit her thumb.
:>While the recommendation of the former Master carries great weight, it is ultimately the council that decides who will join their ranks.
:>The council of Masters is technically a circle of equals, but seniority does count, and the Master of Earth has been on the council for longer than all the others combined.
:>He may intend to simply appoint his successor and not care at all what they rest of the council has to say.
:>Safe to say that's a pretty big insult?
:>Very.
:>Then all his attendants...
:>Candidates for the position, most likely.
:>Mantis grumbles.
:>So he ran all the way to the other side of the empire just to avoid politicking over who gets to be the next Master of Earth when he finally croaks?
:>Toshiro speaks again.
:>No, nostalgia I think. The Kuni Daimyo spent several years studying under the Master of Earth when his father was still the Daimyo.
:>As I understand it, in his youth the Master of Earth spent a year on the Wall.
:>Everyone was surprised at that.
:>You shouldn't be so taken aback, the Kuni family are the foremost practitioners of Earth magic in the Empire. We have always been close to the Master of Earth.
:>Yes but to come here...
:>Well Earth magic does cover spells that call upon Jade, and strikes at the impurity of the taint. One could hardly call oneself the MASTER of Earth without have some experience in the matter.

:>Oh. I see.
:>What is it Ishigaki-kun?
:>You know Kyuden means that a castle is deemed important enough to host the Emperor's Winter Court, right?
:>Hai
:>Well, Kyuden Hida has hosted the court only a very few times, and most of those were times when the clans summer wars were threatening to get out of control. It's always used as way for the Emperor to remind everyone not to weaken the Empire TOO much with their infighting.
:>So you think the Master of Earth is doing the same thing? Testing to see which of his candidates is trying to master their element, and which is just trying to advance their career?
:>Yeah, if he's the kind of guy who would spend time here of his own free will.
:>The Monkey was the one to say it.
:>Wow Naomi, yer dad's fucked.
:>Daiko put an emphatic exclamation point on the Monkey's statement by filling her diaper.
:>And like that Naomi and I were left alone with our daughter.
:>Even my best friend, tears cutting streaks through his face paint, thumpdragged himself outside faster than I thought a man with a club foot could move.
:>Out of love for my wife, I ordered her outside. She had enough issue with breathing.
:>I would face this challenge alone.

:>We spent the next few days gathering as much information about the court as we could.
:>Kitsuki-san made some contact with the several of Tsabutai-sama's connections, and began to study them.
:>We were all certain of it. Someone, somewhere in this court, was the link that could lead us to our Ninja Blood Sorcerer. 
:>Toshiro kept watch over the Mummy of Earth, under various pretenses. Since it seemed to wish spend most of its time in discussion with the Kuni Daimyo, being near his family's head was often excuse enough.
:>The rest of us tried to avoid being seen by Naomi's father as much as possible.
:>We didn't know how much, if any, a grudge he held, but we felt it best not to risk it.
:>Hopefully a castle that can house thousands would be large enough to avoid a chance encounter.
:>One day, in the third week of the court, a haggard looking nursemaid shuffled nervously at the edge of the room we were in.
:>She was staring intently at me.
:>Curious I walked over.
:>Ignoring the fluttering fans as I initiated conversation with a heimin.
:>Um, great samurai, would you happen to be Hida Ishigaki-sama? She kept her eyes downcast and head bowed.
:>I am.
:>And your daughter is Hida Daiko-sama?
:>Is something wrong with my daughter?
:>She looked up in surprise, yelped when our eyes met, then quickly dropped her gaze again.
:>No, No nothing is wrong! I'm a sorry to have bothered you.
:>Hey take it easy. I'm not mad or anything.
:>I realized that she had committed a serious breach of etiquette by looking into the eyes of Samurai.
:>In this world there are four types of people. Or perhaps it would be better to say there are people, and three other types grouped by how close they are to being people.
:>A Samurai is a person.
:>A farmer is half a person.
:>An Eta is not a person at all.
:>And below even Eta are the Gaijin and things outside the Celestial order. Dirty though it may be, even Eta have souls. Gaijin do not.

:>It is well within the rights of any samurai to demand whatever they wish from anyone of lesser station, even if what they want is the life of the lesser.
:>Of course, it doesn't really work that way.
:>Those half people still produce, be it rice, buildings or even, in the case of merchants, coin.
:>Slaughtering your lords servants, even though it is your right, is still squandering your lords resources. And if those peasants belong to someone other than YOUR lord, then it becomes a very big deal.
:>So this peasant girl had risked coming to the attention of a Samurai, something most peasants hope never to do, and had then looked him the eyes as though she were his equal.
:>I understood why she was scared.
:>But I've never been the type to care about accidental slip ups like that. And besides that, Samurai have a purpose as well. Those beneath us produce. We protect and administrate.
:>I wasn't a very good administrator, but I was one hell of a protector.
:>So I spoke softly and reassured her she was in trouble, and asked her tell me what was so important.
:>Well, Hida Daiko-sama wont stop crying. I think she's hungry.
:>Oh, alright then.
:>Naomi has four courtiers surrounding her. She seems the center of attention.
:>All are young pretty boys in expensive Kimonos.
:>I butt in, and they hide sneers behind fans.
:>I speak just loud enough for them to hear. 
:>Naomi, Daiko seems to giving the nurses a hard time. Our daughter seems hungry. Let's go.
:>I can see it in their eyes. They're quite taken aback by this.
:>Sweet naive Hana-chan. She didn't even realize she was being courted.
:>As we approach the nursery, I see a red and yellow kimono standing outside.
:>Chikusho
:>Naomi's brother turned around and smiled at us both.
:>Hello! It's been some time! Have you eaten rice today?

:>Hohiro! it has been so long!
:>Naomi is genuinely delighted to see her older brother, so while I WANT to step between the two and glare at him until he leaves, I settle for an elbow nudge and head jerk in the direction of the bawling infant.
:>Hohiro feigns surprise. Badly.
:>What is this? You have a child?!
:>I think he's doing it on purpose.
:>Hai, She's hungry. Please come in, meet your niece!
:>Oh shit Naomi what are you doing?
:>I would be honored.
:>Naomi opened the door to the nursery with a grin that went ear to ear.
:>Naomi.
:>Stop.
:>We entered the room and Naomi scooped up Daiko. 
:>Ishigaki, help me please?
:>I loosened up her Obi just enough for her to get free even as my mind was screaming.
:>FFS He's right there watching you!
:>My cheeks were beginning to hurt. I realized my face had been frozen in a fake smile for some time.
:>Politely trying to hide my deep seated disgust
:>Every polite smile I had ever seen in my life seemed much more sinister to me now.
:>Hohiro walked around me to sit beside Naomi, looking at her intently.
:>So you really did it?
:>You're a real mother now?
:>Yes, is it not wonderful?
:>Ishigaki-kun was so kind and gentle, he took care of me through the worst parts of my pregnancy. And Toshiro-san as well! He is a Kuni, and knows many prayers to Jurojin. 
:>I see.
:>That is wonderful news Naomi.
:>And I'm amazed at how quickly you regained your figure!
:>Given what he'd said the last time, I was sure that he suspected Naomi did not, in fact, give birth to Daiko.
:>It was true that Naomi lost weight quickly after she gave birth, at the time I was worried she was losing it too quickly. 
:>She didn't put on that much to begin with. 
:>In the last few months she was very weak and had to force herself to eat at all.
:>But everyone who knew anything about babies assured me that while it was unusual, Naomi was an unusual case, and that she would be fine with rest.
:>Looking at her now, it did seem she was fully recovered.

:>Once Daiko finished her meal, I helped Naomi straighten up while Hohiro held his niece.
:>I kept the smile plastered in place and prayed that Naomi would be so focused on her brother she would not notice.
:>Hello, little Daiko! I'm your uncle Hohiro! Ah, your parents gave you a fine name didn't they! Yes you do take after your mother, I can see you have her eyes...
:>So he finally realized the truth.
:>His smile flickered. Seems he was genuinely surprised.
:>I felt Naomi's hand on my knee. She was squeezing it tightly.
:>She was looking at the floor.
:>Oni-san. Why are you so surprised by all of this?
:>Whatever do you mean, Naomi?
:>I sent letters. I wrote every week. To each of you...
:>You did?
:>Did... you not get them? 
:>No... I thought you may have hated us...
:>Dipshit. If you knew your sister at all you'd know she's not capable of hate.
:>I kept the smile in place.
:>I thought my face was going to break.
:>No Oniisan, I could never hate you.
:>They must have just gotten lost. It is a long way from here to the lands of the Phoenix after all.
:>Hmm, yes they likely did just get lost.
:>Ah, I am sorry, I must return to father.
:>Hohiro gave us back our daughter.
:>My wife cradled Daiko in her arms and wept silently.

:>Naomi took Daiko back to our room.
:>She said she did not feel well and wished to rest.
:>I stayed with them until they were both sound asleep.
:>Then I practically ran through the halls until I made it outside.
:>I needed to turn my mind off, lose myself in something simple.
:>I approached one of the dueling circles where bushi tested themselves against one another.
:>The Crabs standing about, watching matches and waiting for their own turns, gave me some awfully hairy eyeballs.
:>My hair was combed and washed, beard trimmed neatly, and I wore a silken Kimono in Crab colors. My only weapons were the Wakizashi and Jite tucked into my obi. I wasn't wearing armor.
:>And yet I also had the build of a warrior, and the scars to speak of my history of battle.
:>To their eyes, I was a contradiction.
:>I pointed to largest ball of corded muscle I could see and jerked my head towards an empty circle.
:>He blinked once, then chuckled as he stepped in.
:>What did you have in mind, geisha-san?
:>Jiujitsu. 
:>I knew my Tsubojutsu was just fine. But away from my homeland I had little chance to practice Kobo Ichi-Kai under the eye of a sensei. 
:>I was worried some bad habits may have crept in unnoticed.
:>Would you like to go get some armor first?
:>I have my armor here with me, and no, I'm fine as is.
:>He gave a suit yourself shrug, removed his katana from his obi so the saya would not hinder his movements and took his stance.
:>I took mine.
:>Stars exploded in my eyes and I almost fell.
:>Damn he was fast!
:>I stomped on his knee, but he twisted with the blow and remained standing. I threw an elbow at his neck that he pushed aside with his palm.
:>He stabbed his fingers towards my eyes, and I flinched back.
:>I.
:>Flinched.
:>He followed my backpedal, got his ankle behind my own, and punched me in the sternum. Twisting his hips to add force to the blow.
:>I fell on my ass.
:>He scowled down at me.
:>You haven't practiced nearly enough. Your reflexes are dull.

:>I see.
:>When I left the Crab lands to become an Emerald Magistrate I had been a warrior through and through.
:>But as time passed I had spent more and more time learning the ways of courtly life, and being a good magistrate. I had let my martial training fall by the wayside.
:>Crabs my age, those who had survived this long, were now quite far ahead of me. It would be difficult for me to catch up.
:>I stood up.
:>Again, please.
:>I spent the day training.
:>All of it. Kenjutsu, Kyujutsu, Tsubojutsu, Jiujutsu, Tantojutsu.
:>I stripped to the waist and went through the old exercise katas we learned at Sunda Mizu to master the Mountain does not Move.
:>By exercise kata I mean we take a horse stance while others strike us repeatedly.
:>First fists, then bokken. Finally tetsubo.
:>By the end of it my body was battered, bruised and bleeding. My nice Kimono was torn and dirty.
:>And my renewed commitment to my training had allowed me to regain at least some of the respect of my fellow Crab.
:>As I went to head for the baths I caught sight of the Monkey.
:>He was staring wide eyed.
:>Is THAT how you Crabs train?
:>A samurai-ko snorted.
:>HAH. Don't let that softie fool you. Real Crab training is much harsher. We were just going soft on him, ease him back into the routine!
:>She was just bragging to the Monkey. I was just a little rusty.
:>I wasn't that bad.
:>I hoped.
:>I'm going to get a bath, did you want something Monkey?
:>Oh yeah, Kitsuki-san want's to get everyone together again.
:>Did we find something?
:>Monkey shrugged Iuhknow.
:>Fine. Tell him I'll be along after I get cleaned up.
:>K.
:>I soaked my aching muscles in scalding hot water, and washed the blood from my cuts and scrapes.
:>My body stung all over, like when you peel off some dead skin and a strong wind hits your fresh pink skin.
:>I focused on that pain. Then, as I learned to do long ago, I wadded it up into a ball, placed in a sack, tied the sack off, and tossed it aside.

:>When I got back to others Kitsuki-san was sitting on the floor with his arms folded up. He looked like nothing so much as a pouting child.
:>Took you long enough.
:>That was very odd. Something must have frustrated Kitsuki-san greatly for him to be in such a foul temper.
:>Let's hear it then.
:>Kitsuki-san sighed.
:>Tsabutai-sama has ordered me to accompany him for "the foreseeable future".
:>Wait, isn't that a good thing? Now you can 
:>NO. It is not.
:>I am his attendant. I must sit quiet and observe, speaking only when I am addressed directly.
:>Still don't see how it's bad.
:>Every single person he meets with we already know about. And they're ALL on guard around me. The most heated topic I heard all day was a discussion on the merits of various styles of paintings!
:>As things stand, he has effectively cut off my attempts to investigate!
:>What's worse is he's not even trying to hide the fact that that is what he is doing.
:>He never asked me for anything!
:>So what your saying is he knows we're snooping around and has cockblocked us by tying your hands?
:>Yes. And he wants us all to know he knows. He is warning us to stop.
:>The Mantis growled. Makes you wonder what he doesn't want us to find.
:>Monkey, laying on his stomach with his chin propped up in his hands. "Aside from which one of his friends is a Ninja Tsukai?"
:>We don't know that our enemy is one of Tsabutai's circle for certain, not yet anyway. It's only a possibility.
:>Doesn't him hiding things from us prove that though?
:>No. Not really. It is said that everyone has a secret they would rather no one find out about, and it IS rather unusual for a samurai to investigate their superiors.
:>That was true. The authority of one above your station was absolute. The Lion Clan Champion could not order a Crane Clan Samurai only because the Crane Samurai belonged to the Crane Champion, who was the Lion's equal in rank.
:>We fumed for a bit

:>Our best investigator was pinned down
:>Of the rest of us, only Naomi had any real chance of being able to continue on discreetly.
:>If we continued to peruse our goal, we invited reprisals from Tsabutai-sama.
:>He would be well within his rights to punish us quite severely.
:>It seemed, for the time being at least, we had no choice but to stop.
:>None of us were happy with this turn of events.
:>That night.
:>After Naomi fell asleep I slipped quietly out of our futon and donned my armor.
:>I stepped outside our room.
:>Toshiro was there.
:>Finally.
:>I'd been sitting out here for the last four days. You never used to be one to hold back what you were thinking.
:>Picked up some bad habits away from the Wall.
:>He eyed me up and down.
:>Yosh
:>We left
:>The Crab standing guard looked us over. Seeing that we were both sensibly dressed they made no attempt to stop us.
:>We stepped out onto the southern battlements.
:>Onto the Wall.
:>A howling wind assaulted us the moment we we set foot outside, and even I had to lean into it lest I be knocked flat.
:>100 yards below us, the River of the Last Stand rushed by.
:>I breathed in deeply, inhaling the stench that wafted up from the Shadowlands.
:>I had feared returning to this place. I feared for my friends, for my family, who were knew nothing of the dangers here.
:>Because it was the duty of the Crab to keep them warm and safe.
:>It was my duty to protect my friends, my family, from the horror that lurked beyond.
:>And, now that I faced it once more, I felt serene.
:>The Hida family motto is a simple one. "I will not fail."
:>I.
:>WILL.
:>NOT.
:>FAIL.
:>Toshiro nodded in approval.
:>"Your Fire is just fine. It was agitated, but that's just the nature of fire."
:>Figures he would know what was on my mind.
:>And then we heard the scream.