The Lion, The Scorpion, and the Unicorn.

[shinguma]

Not so long after hearing of “a” incident, Kazehito rode to Utaku Shiro with great speed and urgency. As of late to much have happened, I will not let these incidents pull more shadows of doubt upon us and tear us a sunder, Family against Family. ANUFF

A short time later Kazehito arrives at Shiro Utaku, gives report and begins investigation into the "incident"

KAZEHITO: Please let know Lady Utaku and her Command know I'm here to add my assistance to the issues at hand.

[glow=Purple,2,300]Utaku Sgt: yes lord Kazehito[/glow]

[Bayushi Haruka]

The moments between them went on silently. Haruka was far too deeply withdrawn in her own emotions to really allow herself the leisure of speaking about it.

She had let down her guard enough to accept her company, but there seemed to be unease in every sense of her. The way she moved and acted just sucked the joy out of any thought.
But as Kasumi was just about to join her, a servant could be heard pattering at the door.

"A thousand upon thousand apologies my Utaku-dono.."
The female servant not daring to enter as her shadow could be seen, kneeling deeply at the door. Her voice trembling in some reverence and fear.
"But master Moto Kazehito-dono has arrived to assist in the search. He wishes to speak with you."

Haruka wouldn't admit it to herself, but really she wished to be alone anyway, taking the opportunity like a priceless gift.
"Kasumi-sama, I will be all right for now. I would prefer to speak later if we may."
Her voice was something haunted and wounded. Her only desire now was to finish with this bath and immediately head out to write to her husband. It was not likely that after their most recent interaction she could be certain of his response. But she still felt he should at least know, and the need to contact him burned inside her.

[Utaku Kasumi]

Kasumi has already started to take her armor off when she heard a female servant.
Fast and impossible to understand words came through her mouth, probably she has used some foreign language as it had many sounds not used in Rokugan.
For once! Just for once! I want to take a bath without any disturbances! Can I? Please? She has raised her head up, and looked at the ceiling. Fine! I understand! I am gona stink then! Have it your way!
Took pieces of armor that she already taken off and pushed it in the arms of a female servant.
Bring it to my room. And some fresh clothes I can wear. And send someone to Kazehito. Tell him to wait and bring him some tea and cookies or whatever... And send my Hatamoto to talk to him. she pouted and turned to Haruka Enjoy your bath, Haruka. If you need anything, just call them, someone will be waiting outside.
And she just left, walking really fast - straight to her own room.



A few minutes later a young female entered the room where Kazehito was.

Moto-sama, Utaku-dono sends her greetings and asks for forgivenes, she can't join you at the moment, but her Hatamoto will be here shortly. Daimyo-dono asked you to wait for her and enjoy your tea. she has raised her hand and at the same time one more female came in, bringing tray with tea-kettle, tea cups and a plate with sakura cookies.
Servant prepared everything on a small table, bowed and left the room without any sound.
Please, Moto-sama. If you need anything, just call. Just like the one before, she also bowed to him and left the room, closing the door.


Kasumi kicked the chair and cursed, when she hurt her big toe.
Right... nothing can go as planned...
Servants came in to help her change her clothes. She has chosen a purple colored kimono with white patterns and long (swinging) sleeves. It took some time for them to tie her obi in a fukura-suzume musubi (style).
Utaku-dono, do you want me to do your hair?
No, just brush and leave it loose.
Of course, Utaku-dono.

20 minutes later, when Kasumi was still in her room getting dressed, her Hatamoto entered the room where Kazehito was.
Welcome, Moto-san. What brings you here? she glanced at him with her brown eyes.


Kasumi called one of the servants.
Send for our guests. If they are ready, invite them for the dinner. I will be waiting there for them. Bring me a tea before they arrive.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka did not call for any assistance in all the time she took. She was only in the bath for a few minutes longer until she heard the servant come and speak to her. At her trembling voice, the Mistress of Secrets appeared at the door, pushing it open as she was already.

Her imposing red kimono rested around her form, as she looked down to the groveling servant, but her voice was calm and gentle.
"You needn't worry, I will come to dinner. Please, rise."
Her hand like a guide as the woman looked up and followed her gesture. Haruka, with her mask completely removed and in her hand, she handed it to the servant.

"Please take this to my quarters, I will not be needing it while I am here." Her eyes were a bit wet, but through it all she smiled gently as she looked to this woman, placing a hand on her shoulder. The caring nature of the Unicorn still flowing through her veins. She found this fear from the woman largely unnecessary and somewhat saddening. To try and encourage her again, she would send her off with a light bow. "Thank you my dear." Inside the mask was a koku for her, which was one of the traditional ways to bestow money upon the lower castes without looking like some sort of open charity.

With some rejuvenated glee the woman would bow more excitedly as she went to stow Haruka's mask. It was a shame that she couldn't enjoy the simple things like the appreciation of your better at times like these, as it seemed small acts of compassion were all the healing she could muster.

With a heavy sigh she needed to continue on, only making one stop to collect her 'yojimbo' as he was. She simply continued on to Tomatsu's room, expecting him to be complete in his bathing as she stepped on inside, looking for him or waiting for him depending on if he was there.

[shinguma]

Moto-sama, Utaku-dono sends her greetings and asks for forgivenes, she can't join you at the moment, but her Hatamoto will be here shortly. Daimyo-dono asked you to wait for her and enjoy your tea.

Greetings, as Lady Utaku wishes, await her in her time. Thank you again for the hospitality you show. Kazehito slowly begins to take off his Bone White Mempo, making himself slight more comfortable, adjusts his swords to sit more relaxed state. Funny as it may sound, it has been some time since he has seen the impressive lady, he began to pounder the situation at hand, who what, when, how & why. Tea is now made, slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath then inhaled the various smells. Kazehito silently waiting… methodically is sipping the Tea as to garner each and every flavor.

As the Hatamoto arrived,
Welcome, Moto-san. What brings you here?she glanced at him with her brown eyes.


Kazehito stood up straitened his uniform, took two long strides closer toward the young Hatamoto. Then looked deeply into the Samuraiko’s eyes with his own.
I’m here to provide my skills and assistance to your unique situation, that’s only if Lady Utaku wishes me to stay; I do not wish to intrude but only to serve her needs.

[Utaku Kasumi]

Utaku Hatamoto nodded to Kazehito.
We are happy that you came, Moto-san and that you want to assist us with our situation. We doubled our patrols on the ground and Utaku Kasumi-dono birds are patroling from the skies. But we need an experienced people that know how to follow almost impossible to see tracks. she smiled to Kazehito.

While she was speaking, servants came in, same as before, to bring her her tea and more cookies. Hatamoto took a seat and showed one in front of her to Kazehito.

Please, sit Moto-san. I believe it will take some time for us to discuss that matter... Hatamoto raised her cup and looked at him. After that she has taken a sip and relaxed a bit. First question is: do you want to join alone or with more samurai from Moto family? What is it that you want to help us with? Because if I don't know what you can bring to our matters... then I am not sure what I could ask you to do...




In the mean time, Kasumi followed a servant to the dining room, where she wanted to wait for Haruka and Tomatsu. Her tea was already there, waiting for her.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Haruka found her yojimbo not bathing anymore, having heard her footsteps approaching down the hallway. He had hurried to get himself dried off, awake, and prepared in case the footsteps were for him, which they turned out to be. Truth be told he had done a half-assed job dressing himself, only wrapping himself in his finest kimono. It was the best he could do given the rest sleep he was having.

She found him sitting before a small table with his back to the door, his sumi-e set out in front of him. He motioned her forward as he heard to door open, waiting for it to close before he spoke. Haruka-san, I don't know how to approach this subject the best, but I shall be blunt and hope that the Unicorn in you favors me. While it maybe your place to write a letter to your husband explaining what has happened here today, it is my duty to do it for you, and beyond that it is my privilege to remove a burden from your already stressed mind. I hope you will forgive me in time for doing this as such, and know that I am only doing it in your best interest, it is not an enviable task to write one's best friend of terrible news.

As he spoke, he turned his head to the side so she could see half his face, and gestured for her to come sit beside him, so she could see the letter he had begun to write Please come see for yourself what I have written so far, in an hour it will have to be done as it will be sent back to Toshi Ranbo with the rest of my dispatches, the messenger should be arriving shortly.

[Bayushi Haruka]

She only rumbled in her own mind the slight frustration, mostly at herself for everyone now having to take into account for her state. Otherwise she nodded and gently came to his side, having a great desire to see what he had put down for her husband to read. She had every intention of writing for herself, but it seemed that arguing was beyond the effort she was really willing to strain against Tomatsu.

"I apologize having to put you through this Tomatsu, I only know that what you write will be the eyes and ears for him. I find it only appropriate that I at least know what you will be showing him through your words."

Her head turned as she came to both collect him, so as not to keep the meal waiting, but now also to ensure that what the Lion Champion wrote wasn't going to carry along a misinterpretation to her beloved Senshi.
Her hand rested on the table as she drew it closer to herself for inspection.

[shinguma]

… Kazehito’s head slightly crooked; his hand went up to his light beard as he began to tug on it, as if to straighten the hairs on his chin. Almost lost in thought, “Agreed” a long pause

“Since my short time back in the Empire, have come across some strangely particular investigations, which included many damaging testimony and connections linking to a big conspiracy. I’m afraid it has now come to rear its ugly head at our home.”...

As far a assistance I have a small contingency of elite White Guard not too far away checking most way stations. I heard the rumor that a small group of “forest killers” (ronin) where making hasty time away from Shinjo Utaku.

At this time I’m only wishing to find and punish the creatures that tried to make the Unicorns look like fools. I would like to speak to the ones injured and the scene of the incident. can you tell me any more, where there any witnesses to the incident?

yet again Kazehito to a pause yet again, long slow sip… taste all the favors…

[Utaku Kasumi]

Hatamoto put her cup back on the table slowly.
That would be really troublesome, Moto-san, as all of them are dead and/or missing. Their house is burned almost to the ground, but bodies were placed with a respect, which surprised us. Usually, when you do raid some place, you do not take a good care of those you have killed. It made daimyo-dono to wonder who it really was and what was his or hers connection to that particular homestead. she looked at Kazehito with a really calm expression.

They have killed our patrols in that part of Shiro Utaku, just after they have taken their posts. This is why it took some time for us to find out about that accident. So it means they had to know about their schedules and routes. Also, they had to know this terrain. They almost left no tracks. We have sent troops after them, but we need better people to track them down. What I mean is... we are Shiotome, we charge. We do not track animals or people... This is why Daimyo-dono asked for help from Shinjo and other families of the Unicorn Clan. She doesn't want this abuse to go unpunished.

Besides, Daimyo-dono is more than sure it was made on a purpose. On that particular moment. Bayushi Haruka-sama came back to visit her family on that day, just after that incident. It was for her to see that. But sadly, Bayushi-sama is not in a state to ask her questions now, Daimyo-dono will do that when it's possible. she has nodded to her own words and glanced at Moto in front of her.


At the same time, Kasumi was enjoying her green tea... green and jasmine flavored tea. She looked around and seeing no one (or hearing any footsteps) she changed her position. Seiza one was good for formal meetings and now she was all alone.
Ah, finally... some peaceful moment...
After that she has realised... that by saying that she is inviting more troubles to her home... and a long sigh could be heard.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Tomatsu put the finishing touches on the letter, hoping it met with her approval and placed it in the leather bag that contained all of his previous dispatches, now having found their way to him. He had dumped the rest of the letters out on the table next to him, and knew that they were safe in his room, that the Unicorn would not spy on his personal letters. He closed the bag and stood up with it, turning for the door. He would hand the bag off to his messenger on his way to dinner, which he now realized, they were horribly late for. As he turned for the door the strap on the bag caught the letter pile and spilled them out onto the floor. Tomatsu just turned and sighed.

Another reason to wish this day had never occurred. We can leave them on the floor, I shall pick them up later, I do not believe I have the strength to do it now. He said, as he waited for her to stand and join him.

[Bayushi Haruka]

One such letter graced onto her lap rather unceremoniously, but Haruka could not have anticipated how cruel fate could be at times. Most of the letters had been folded to help keep prying eyes from overlooking their contents. But this one random piece fell open in her hands as they rested, as her gaze turned down in realization of the delicate weight now on her skin.

Her eyes couldn't help but accidentally trail over it as she went to stow it back onto the table at the very least, but sadly her first mistake was looking on it at all.
The rest of the message was lost, the exact words melting away from her mind as the few words she looked on struck her eyes like burning ink that could never leave her soul.

I am sorry to report that Bayushi Senshi, has recanted his support to Toturi III in a violent show of action...[/color]

Tomatsu would likely look back, as Haruka hesitated. Her hands and form steady as she quickly ripped herself away from it as she realized these were not for her eyes. But the damage had been done. Her fingers working quickly to squirm the message under the pile of paper as she caught herself.

It was something of a pull of disbelief, anguish, and something painful within her that seemed to sunder, something like the ripping of flesh perhaps even her own heart. She clasped onto her chest for a time, but she could already hear Tomatsu's concern flowing over her. The worries of others pulling her back from the brink of another moment of weakness.

Suppressing the tears and the pain as far down as she could Haruka pulled herself to her feet and began following after Tomatsu, although her head would remained bowed again. Her words left her as she remained dead silent and proceeded with him to the dinner. Not that time mattered to her now, her mind only trying to pull together the understanding of what had come to pass.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Half way to the dinner he stopped her, he couldn't take it any more. He needed to say, do something. He stopped, looked around to make sure no one was present and gave her a hug. While it wasn't proper for skin to touch skin, especially for another man's wife; he knew Senshi would forgive for him touching her kimono, especially when he knew she needed someone to comfort her now. He whispered into her ear for a moment, then backed off. Nodding to her and taking a deep breath.

A few moments later they arrived at the door to the dinner, standing at the side of the door was a rather dust covered Lion samurai. He handed the leather bag to the man, who bowed deeply to his champion, turned and walked out back to his horse. Tomatsu then opened the door for Haruka and allowed to her enter first, as a true samurai should.

[Utaku Kasumi]

In the mean time, waiting for Haruka and Tomatsu, she has finished three cups of her favorite tea. When they didn't arrive in 20 minutes, she start to wonder why. After another 10 minutes she has changed her position again. Pushed tea table back and placed some more zabutons on the floor. Got on her tummy down, and taken some documents that were hidden under her kimono.
Kasumi opened those documents and started to read them. She was so into it, that she didn't even realize when Haruka and Tomatsu came in.
She was talking to herself in a language that Haruka had problems with understanding, but Tomatsu had none.
She didn't use it on a purpose. Rather because while reading those documents she started to think using the same one as the one that was used for writing those documents. And for sure those were documents from Yodotai.
Oh! So if you move it here, and after that there... Yes, now it make sense. Glanced at another piece of a paper and frowned a bit But what about this one? If you charge then it's easy to break through... Hmm... I need to check it later with some Shiotome... Probably it's not for cavalry use, but for infantry... Hmm, hmm... Kasumi rubbed her nose in a consternation.

[Bayushi Haruka]

The words were strange to Haruka. Not that she hadn't spoken or learned of the foreign languages of distant lands, but it had been so long and her mind and body now so attuned to war that such scholarly endeavors were lost, let alone the haze that now consumed her heart again as she tried to rationalize the report she had just finished reading.
Albeit by accident.

She only hesitated at the door, after having entered and allowing Tomatsu to come to her side once again. Haruka couldn't be certain if she was interrupting something as she heard the stay word she actually recognized. Her gaze then rose to her side as she referred to Tomatsu to speak first. Frankly she wasn't certain what she could say for now until the moment hit her.