The wishes of one, the duty of many... (RP Crane)

[Asahina Yukihime]

(OOC: For now this thread is Crane only, as it happens in very reclusive chambers of Kyuden Doji, a few days after the beginning of the Imperial Court at Kyuden Otomo.)

Doji Kaori, former Bayushi Kaori and the current wife of Doji Yoshi, walks followed by her attendants. Doji Hotaru walks besides her finding Kaori "show off" quite over the top.

I understand your wishes, but it can't be done that easily.

What do you need? An invitation from my parents and sensei? Is ask too much to allow my son a visit to his grandparents on his own birthday?
You Cranes can't be that heartless...

It's a matter of safety...

Kaori interrupted her.

Safety? What safety do we have here with the mantis threatening Seawatch Castle?

Kaori smiled briefly

Yes, I heard about it too.

At the end of this walk both courtiers found themselves in a perfectly decorated room. Where a few more samurais could be found.

[Doji Naetaru]

There have been some days after Naetaru's last appearance in the court of the Otomo. The Doji daimyo had found that the presence of the Crane was excellently magnificent, Asahina Yukihime was more than a courteous advisor would ever ask. She was prudent, wise, well-mannered, exuding this naivety that any man would be fool to misconceive. She was perfect and thus she was the Crane Clan's figurehead back in Toshi Ranbo. Her astounding progress had lifted off a fine weight over Naetaru's shoulders and with her blessings he returned to Kyuden Doji. His sister Mikado would remain back to ensure that Yukihime's enterprises went great as well as assist the Asahina daimyo extensively.

There were some rumours that the daimyo had moved incognito through the Emperor's lands, but he had to be seen for a couple of days. He was left alone in his chamber, he had even to see his own wife Sadoji.

However, today, Naetaru was informed of another bride's plans. The old Champion's wife has asked of something, and Naetaru was appeased that Doji Hotaru was the agent to accompany her. She was to keep the lady occupied as Naetaru was readying himself to bump on to her.

[Asahina Yukihime]

At the room where they are standing now a few artisans works in a nice painting. Three of them, actually, they are painting an amazingly realistic portrait of Shinden Asahina, and another one, in it early stages, of Kyuden Doji.
Both palaces entrances can be clearly seen, and the rest of the art grows around it reveling an astonishing scenario. It was better than a picture, it was nearly like one could smell the incense from Shinden Asahian just by staring at that piece of art.
With the inks beings placed Kyuden Doji would soon have it's own music and flavor too.

The artisans are now bowed, waiting for the courtier to greet them back before they could go back to work.

It took a few seconds for both of them, Kaori and Hotaru, to be back to themselves after viewing the paintings in process. They both bowed and soon the previous issue came back to their minds.

Hotaru eyes would show she wasn't exactly pleased. Bad news travels fast, faster than she would like, specially towards Doji Kaori.

It is a matter of safety. But may be I could get a 'gentle' bushi to make it clear, as war is not my speciality.

Kaori would laugh if it wasn't too rude. She was confident and decided, Hotaru's "mild" menace wouldn't even be considered.

[Doji Naetaru]

Doji Naetaru finished the preparations by adding the finishing touches of jasmine powder. The heat was getting intense since he had rapidly been exposed to a change of climate. Back in Kyuden Otomo one would need a small coat to wander in the morning, but here, southern one would need simply something to prevent sweat.
He let his hair loose, and he examined it thoroughly. He witnessed some shattered hair and he beckoned a servant to loom over his head.

"Roots, sama" she stammered.

"Heavens!" he exclaimed as he reached out for some more almond oil. In some minutes he finished his preparations, adding a bit more of sandalwood essential water.

He threw a glance over to Daidoji Hinto, scanning his attire, he beckoned him over with a move. The servant joined the retinue and they began moving across the spacious halls of Kyuden Doji.

He was relaxed, still getting acquainted to the "forced" travel. However Naetaru reveled at the change of the atmosphere. He was at home. Glancing over his yojimbo he smiled and closed in to whisper.

"Hinto-san, in the evening I will be sending your relatives in Kyuden Doji a small token of appreciation. Be sure to let them know of it. If it helps you, I will provide for some attire and weaponry of exquisite attire."

After he heard his reply or even his reaction the trio approached the artisan quarter. A smell of incense invaded Naetaru's nostrils. Was there a shugenja here? He wasn't sure...

As they entered they them. Doji Hotaru, one of the Shizuka Toshi prodigies who was just finishing her training. Her sensei intoned she complemented her studies amidst the company of the Kyuden Doji diplomats. Thus far she has proven a vulture-in-training and has grown to be a hot woman! Before Doji Naetaru relieved his Doji Jirou of his duties as a karo he read the reports on her. But none had mentioned her perfect feminine figure or even her pretty eyes.

Near her stood the Scorpion. Bayushi Kaori, donned in the Crane colors. As much as Naetaru had known she was a fine woman of etiquette and finesse and the fine bride of the old Crane champion.

He remembered the last time the two had spoken as she had warned him to keep her husband's honor "intact" by being a Doji daimyo. All Kaori was, loyal to her husband and by Naetaru taking a part of his duties, was something to grant Kaori unease.

"Good morning fine ladies, Lady Kaori-sama, Doji Hotaru-san. I pray that Inari-kami has blessed you today?" he greeted as he bowed nicely to them two.

[Asahina Yukihime]

Both women bowed upon the arrival of the Doji Daimyo and his followers . All the painters gathered by the hall did the same, bowing longly and deeply.

Doji Kaori was then the first to speak. She stood up staring at Doji Naetaru sideways. Her yellowed hazel eyes neatly surounded by eyeliner, a discrete face painting remembering her previous mask. Even wrapped in blues and whites her ancestry remains clear to any attentive spectator.

"Greetings, Doji-sama. Have you eaten rice today? I haven't heard of your return... too sad... I would have organized a welcome party."

Kaori changed the topic of the conversation like it was nothing. She turned to Hotaru then

"Don't you think, Hotaru-san, a master must be warmly welcomed back to his domains...?"

Due to the time with Kaori Hotaru was probably the only one able to notice kaori's surprise on seeing Naetaru.
She was about to answer but Kaori resumed her speech.

"Hotaru-san, would you please bring me my fan? The one made of withe feathers, it seems to be the proper one. I don't want any heimin to touch it, please do it now."

Once more no one that wasn't familiar enough could read Hotaru, but clearly this wasn't a nice 'task'. Kaori was trying to get rid of her, she would have a hard time arguing with both courtiers alone, and she knew that. Yet, Hotaru was ordered to serve and help the "Crane newcomer", she could do nothing but what she was requested. Loathing the words her sensei had choosen to command her, as she could not yet found a way out of Kaori's wishes.

Hotaru bowed to both, Doji Kaori and Doji Naetaru, waiting her daimyo consent to leave the room.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Hinto returned Naetaru's whisper with one of his own."Your offer is too kind, Naetaru-san. I would not want to trouble you in such a way while you are occupied with so many other things."

Hinto was still getting used to courtly ettiquette. He knew Naetaru's offer was genuine, but this seemed as good as opportunity as any to "practice" his manners without the actual threat of offending someone inadvertently. This was his first of to refusals to accept Naetaru's gift... and as soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to retract them. That was clumsy. Had I been talking to another courtier, my reply could be misunderstood to imply that I thought they could not afford to give me such a gift. I must get better at this!

He accompanied Naetaru to the artisan quarter, maintain a small distance behind him as was proper of a yojimbo. He had left his heavier weapons - namely that damnable ono - in his quarters, feeling that keeping such things on him could be taken as an insult. He currently carried only his kodachi and his ever-present bow.

Seeing who their new company was, Hinto felt a bit uneasy - the former champion's wife was born a scorpion, and her reputation preceeded her. He was suddenly quite grateful for the fact that a yojimbo's role usually called for silence - while Naetaru could deal with this woman on her own level, Hinto suspected that, if she felt the need, she could twist anything he said to fit her current wishes and agenda.

And so, he remained the silent yojimbo.

[Asahina Yukihime]

Kaori gently fixed the knot on her Obijime, an unexpected and uncommom move.

There wasn't really anything to fix, the acessory wan't loose or anything. But by doing so her fingers, with well done painted nails, brought the attention to the golden piece, adorned by pieces of blue jade on her obi. More than that, the obijime, as the obi, was tightly tied around her perfect silhouette. Kaori also have her understandings of "perfection".

Much was to be learn from this brief moviment, first, that Doji yoshi-sama seems to spoil her with rare gifts like blue jade.
And second, her duty as mother had changed her much less than expected.

Like a bushi cares for her katana soul, Kaori also seems to be very careful of her "dangerous" weapons.

She noticed the yojimbo, and waited for Hotaru to leave.
Having Doji Naetaru back to Kyuden Doji this soon wasn't Kaori's plan. But hopefully, having her "courtier cousins" to visit her would also be a 'nice' surprise to teh Doji Daimyou. If they are coming...

[Doji Naetaru]

Naetaru exchanged pleasantries of finesse and etiquette with the Scorpion bride. He wished she had been born a Crane, for as she was strikingly beautiful he would love to be in good terms with her.
Truth be told they both of them weren't fond of each other. He held much respect for her because of her status, but other than that, she was an obstacle. He never intended to view the brides to the Crane as Clan spies, his own Doji Sadoji proved to be a rather impeccable wive indeed, but Kaori was a Scorpion and her loyalty was not to be questioned.
Doji Naetaru knew that the woman would prove a viper, to protect her parent Clan and her husband's honor.

"Doji Kaori-sama, I assure you there is no need for any party at all. Besides, there are some more matters to attend in Kyuden Doji. Thus my arrival was rather unexpected." he lied, wishing to invite more doubt from Kaori, eagerly setting up his oratory's defensive walls.

"How is Doji Yoshi-sama? I heard that his health is improving day by day. Asahina Timaru-sama has proven to be one of the best medical experts that our Clan can offer."

Looking over to Hotaru, Naetaru smiled back

"Doji Hotaru-san, what a pleasant surprise!" he pretended to exclaim.

"I trust your training goes well. Doji Jirou assured me that you were a magnificent person to oversee. May I say that I can seek to offer a fine commendation to your sensei as well?" he was kind and certainly not fake. He simply offered one of his Clansmen a boost that would help her achieve their goals.

Looking over to Doji Kaori he smiled and said:

"In fact it could prove virtuous to your studies if Doji Kaori-sama accepted you as an attache for a couple of weeks. The wife of our past Champion deserves to have some bureaucratic burden lifted of her shoulders." he said as he signaled over a servant.

"You...be kind and fetch Doji Kaori-sama her fan."

He turned over to Doji Kaori and looked at her, smiling in courtesy and politeness. He didn't know what she was up to, but he assured he had taken all the first-grade precautions before proceeding further.

[Asahina Yukihime]

"Some more matters? If I can be of any help to the Doji family...I'm sure I could handle some 'matters' with maestry for my new clan... if I'm given the chance."

Kaori voice let her interest and curiosity clear on 'what matters' are bringing the Daimyo back. She was very careful to not let anyone know about her correspondence. And if the daimyou was't there for her... she couldn't wait to know why he was back.

When Doji-sama mentions Yoshi-sama Kaori is silent for a while. But is hard to tell what goes by the mind of a former Scorpion in a time like this.
She could be the one causing his illness, taking the 'big player' out of the way, wasting Crane's time with new and less experience leaders. Or was she in trouble? For if Yoshi was lost she would quickly goes from champion's wife to nearly nothing among the Crane. But with her silence, no one could tell what the truth was, or what she had in mind.

"Hum...the Asahina... he keep Yoshi-sama alive, but seems unable to get him to a full recover. May be we could have the help of the Phoenix... or the Dragon... aren't they renowned allies of the Crane?"

Her voice turned to a slight irony:
"Allies... - and then back to normal - They didn't even showed up to offer assistance. Not here to my husband, and neither to the battle fields. Rather than that, Shiba Kazuma-sama seems to turn against the Council of Five, while the Dragon Champion had turned into a ronin. Seems like other clans had to pay a high price to be allies with the Crane, ne?"

Doji Hotaru was already regreting she didn't left before these words. Here comes the bayushi courtier, making people suffer over their honor.

"I appreciate your kind words, Daimyou-sama. I must say it is a very fortuitous time to have Doji-sama back to this palace. And sure a letter written by your hands would fill my family and sensei in pride.
And indeed my sensei had already commanded me to accompany Doji Kaori-sama."

In fact, it was already surpriseing that Kaori had accepted to have Hotaru around. She had dismissed numerous previous attendents for they are 'too soft'.
Nor Hotaru or Kaori would ever say they enjoyed each other company, but it was clear, to the sensitive courtier observer, that they could take some pleasure out of the endless arguing they use to engage.
And still, may be the years among the Crane, specially near Doji Yoshi-sama, had also 'softened' Kaori more than she could tell.

Hotaru bowed to both and left in search for the fan.
And Kaori was glad she left before having the opportunity of exposeing the previous issue they were talking about. There was no need to worry the Doji Daimyo, or make him aware of the facts, yet.
She watched Hotaru leaving while waiting to hear Doji's replay to her words.

[Doji Naetaru]

((OOC: Naetaru didn't address to Hotaru to fetch the fan, but it is ok.
Will reply in a couple of hours ))

[Asahina Yukihime]

((Ow, my apologies, I got it wrong >.o my misunderstood... or hers I'll blame the char for this one No need to hurry ^_-))

[Doji Naetaru]

Naetaru nodded but his expression remained unchanged.

"Now, I wouldn't wish to bore a fine lady with politics of any kind accompanied with stories regarding myths and rumors. It would only make our meeting less savory." he said, trying to blockade any of her sincere attempts to pry.

"What matters more now is that we invest some fine time into self-contemplation. I assure you lady Kaori that our past revered champion rests in perfect hands. The news of his situation have been delivered across all places of Rokugan and even in this arduous war we have received encouraging words of cooperation." And he looked at her sternly, only to add...

"And that is all regarding the news." he looked over at Hinto, smiling warmly to him, as if trying to support him and steer him into situations such as these. An Iron Warrior needed also have an iron "stomach".

"And you Kaori-sama? How do you and your son fare nowadays? I trust that you have everything that is perfect and suitable for you both? I believe that the son of Doji Yoshi-sama has come to a suitable age to further his training, don't you think?" he said looking at her again.

By the Heavens she is a beauty...how do the Scorpion even manage to have such gorgeous women as them?

"That was a think that I wished to discuss further with you. As a Doji daimyo I would like to see this boy mature into a perfect man, an exemplary of a son to lady Doji. Thus, I wish to have arranged that he is to walk the path of his father and mature into adulthood under the fine tutelage of the Doji courtiers."

He waited for her protests. The viper was surely not going to allow her Scorpion son to depart that easily from her embrace. She had more poison to drip over the Crane's plans. All those thoughts raced through his head as he looked at her and waited for her reply.

[Asahina Yukihime]

"Politics never bores me. My parents were wise when decided I should walk the courtier's path. I wouldn't be able to stand silently meditation or dojo's bruises. Actually is the lack of politics that have being boring me. May be I got used, but Kyuden Doji seemed more lively on the previous years.
Something to be missed... but, now that Doji-sama is back, are we having preparations for the winter?

Besides the preparations for my son's birthday, of course. I know it must be a main event."

"Hum...*she clearly disbelieved* encouraging words? from who? I haven't read any letter. Is there any? really? if anyone in this whole empire, besides the Crane, is wishing for the healthy of my husband I should know, I actualy demand to know. As he is unable to replay I'm sure the most apropriated person to do so.
I don't think it would look good to the Crane to have a Doji, like myself, who doesn't respond to "encouraging words". I wish for names to write for."

Kaori only briefly smiled upon the words about her son. The boy was already to make any Crane proud. He was even named Nio, in homage and memory to lady Doji son. Anyone who had ever to deal with this kid could know how easily he would get what he wished for. Kid's wishes for now, but he surely had an ancient soul.

She was eager to talk about her son, the boy got some deeds even before a formal training, but hold her words until hear about those who supposed showed some support to her husband. She could not tell if Doji-sama still had some allies, or if the Crane was denying her info.

[Doji Naetaru]

Naetaru smiled over to the cunning woman.

"But of course! All of the Major and Minor Clans have expressed their support and condolences over Yoshi-sama's health. And as fit for a daimyo, I have already answered to them as proper. You need not to worry over that." he said amusingly looking over to his yojimbo.

"However, time is of the essence and we might need to be preparing Kyuden Doji for the Winter Court." looking over to a servant.

"Please inform Doji-san, the master of ceremonies, that I will be visiting him later in the afternoon." turning over to Kaori.

"I regret that you find the "liveliness" of Kyuden Doji to your dislike Kaori-sama. Truly, war has proven to be costly even on elegance around us. Perhaps the wife of our past champion would wish to visit the court of the Otomo, as fit to her stature. I am certain that in the magnificent halls of the Imperial family you can find what you wish for. The court is as lively as a warrior would wish." bowing in respect.

"Consider this as your daimyo's gift. Doji Nio is to resume his studies in Kyuden Doji, as fit to a Crane heir and when he comes of age you will return here as the Champion's advisor. Hai?"

His orders were clear as well as his gift offered. He wished all the best for the Crane heir and if his mother proved snappy then he was glad to offer her this promotion.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Hinto payed close attention to Naetaru's words, learning all he could from the display he was witnessing. It was like watching a master swordman effortlessly dance around his opponent, swatting away each attack while setting himself up for the kill.... so much to learn here.