When the Perfect Crane Lies in Your Hands

[Doji Naetaru]

Naetaru looked at each person that arrived in the chamber in the eye. The flicker of the candles in the night gave this meeting a sinister and heavy atmosphere, where the strong smell of incense was intoxicating to those whose senses were still dull.
He regarded each one in person and then he spoke.

"My most deep of condolences for disturbing your fine moments of rest my dear friends. As however was mine, before the most disturbing of news have arrived."

Naetaru would've normally smiled, however his recent grief couldn't even permit the most polite of smirks.

"Kakita Mitsouko-sama, our very own lady, the Kakita daimyo is in danger." his face remained expressionless as he wondered whether she was his lady all to all the Clan members.

"An ill missive has arrived most recently bearing news of her imminent danger. Concerning the recent rumours she was last present to the battle of Seawatch, has she not?" he wondered, still he wasn't sure if that was true.

He paced amidst the candlelight for a bit as he turned to each everyone of them and spoke.

"I pray, does anyone of you know something more to add or say?" he looked everyone with concern. Practically, he felt responsible for reacting either fast or slowly.
But first he had to hear, for etiquette's concern what the rest of the people had to say...

[Kakita Sojiro]

Sojiro's eyes almost glowed in the dimly lit room. Mitsouko was more than just a daimyo to him, she was a dear friend.

Hitoshi-san, brother.... what happened at Seawatch? I know you wouldn't be here in your current condition unless you had reason to be."

[Saiko]

As the Daimyo spoke of the news of the danger that Kakita Mitsuoko could possibly be in, a shadow flitted ever so briefly across Saiko's face. He sat down at a table and pulled his pipe out, lighting it with a snap of his fingers and a quick word to the fire kami, and he rested.

As he drained his mind of though and entered his meditative state, the heavy incense flooded through Saiko's mind, and as he closed his eyes, he saw, for a brief second, the inky blackness spreading from Seawatch Castle. Perhaps this is what it all means. Let us hear Hitoshi-san's report before...

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Ryo’s hands clenched hearing it. He had opposed himself to the need of Mitsouko going in this defense, but he knew her since she was a child and of course felt Mitsouko was very ashamed of what she considered a great failure in Toshi Ranbo. She asked Hantei-teno to atone her fail but the Son of Heavens didn’t permit. Some men of her legions showed unsatisfied with the truce that permitted the clan to fight in other borders and have the chance of regain territories, and instead of command them to seppuku for their doubt, she tried to prove her honor. Fool child… he turned to Kakita Hitoshi, hoping to hear hopeful news, and not just the tale of Mitsou-chan’s end.

[Alesha]

As the group gathered together, a simple servant in sidechamber listened attentively behind the rice paper wall...

[Kakita Hitoshi]

Hitoshi tried to gather his thoughts.

"At Seawatch Castle... we were betrayed. The former Shreikan of the Kakita family... I saw him speak with something dark... and the darkness overtook the battlefield. The entire First Legion seemed crazed; more like berserkers than Crane, but the creatures that came were worse.

"I saw Mitsouko-sama grow pale and fall unconscious from her steed, blood pouring from her mouth though she had been struck by no visible wound. I gathered her in my arms to bring her to the Asahina for help, but from nowhere a Mantis appeared and struck me down whilst my arms were full. When I gathered my senses, Mitsouko-sama and the Mantis had both disappeared.

"I do not know where she is or what has happened to her, Doji-sama, but I fear greatly for her safety. I witnessed things that night that I hesitate to speak of in civilised surroundings, although it is my hope that she was simply taken by the Mantis as a prisoner of war and we can negotiate for her safe return. My heart tells me otherwise, however."

[Doji Naetaru]

Naetaru's visage darkened, whether it was from the ominous news or from the dim candlelight no one could tell. He paused and thought a bit, then he told to the rest of the gathering.

"I will proceed into deliberating a diplomatic contact with the Mantis, first thing in the morning. However, in the sound of the ominous news a virtuous samurai couldn't stay passive.
Since our guardsmen are heavy with duty and since cease-fire has been brokered with the Lion in the north, I implore you noble samurais. Is anyone of you willing to hurry to lady Kakita's cause?"

He looked them with concern.

"I am not speaking of taking part into the warfare with the Mantis, but scour the land, see to it that the territory is canvassed and individuals are being dealt with...including with the shireikan...is it Alesha I presume? Is it Kakita Alesha?"

His eyes betrayed a melancholy and sadness. The man was a fine prodigy and it was a shame to have fallen under the influence of any crazy endeavor.

"Would you do so, as your honor dictates, in the name of the Crane?" his voice showing a steady sign of concern, without betraying any kind of different sentiment.

He stepped to the side of the Dragon.

"Mirumoto Saiko-san, we meet under sad happenstances and I understand every decision you might take. But as a distance relative to the Crane Clan, I deemed it proper to your rank and stature to let you know of this. It is your call however."

He regarded everyone...

"Sans?"

[Kakita Hitoshi]

"I would do everything within my power to ensure the safe return of Lady Kakita-sama" Hitoshi swore.

"Where would be the best place to start? Do we return to the battlefield and look for evidence of her abduction?"

He looked around at his fellow samurai, hoping that they would join him in this endeavour. Whilst doing so, he swayed slightly on his feet.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

For what you say, she can be poisoned, or such. If she is with Mantis we need to contact them, pay a ransom if needed be. Ryo considered things in a flash. He loved Mitsouko as an older brother, but he was also a practical Daidoji. And that was the most rational thing to say in front of the Doji daimyo, anyway.
If we had traitors in high ranks, we need to discover why they did what they did, find them and punish them in accord. But one thing I didn’t understand… Ryo prefered to focus in one thing at time, of the many bizarre informations he had listened from the Kakita in front of him. Why do you think the ominous things you witnessed are related with her health state and with her being made prisoner of Mantis? What exactly you saw? Forgive me if I am blunt but exact information is needed now. Your tone suggests… an unseen catastrophe, beyond military sphere... unfortunately for Ryo, he had heard this tone before... from Daidoji Jun in Three Sides River, involving maho.

[Asahina Yuuto]

With wary look, Yuuto lingers at the door as the bushi discuss the events unfolding at Seawatch Keep. He had secretly hoped that Alesha-san would not fall to such a low, but now the augurs and actions aligned towards one conclusion. The whispers among the lower ranking men of what had happened during the 1st Legion’s retreat had been unthinkable – unbelievable – soldiers have little reason to not exaggerate their complaints to one another, but perhaps their words ring more true in this instance than a casual ear would be willing to hear. He must be stopped if he cannot be saved, he thought. With proper respect for the speakers, Yuuto finds a seat among the assembled as Ryo finished his words.

Speaking in turn, he politely asks, “Hitoshi-san, what can you say of my men,” his mind on his promise to Yukihime to keep them safe.

[Kakita Sojiro]

I knew it. I felt something when we met the last time, and brushed it aside. And because I ignored my intuition, Mitsouko is paying the price."

Sojiro's face was a mess of emotion - rage, betrayal, fear, regret - but when he finally looked up and met Naetaru's gaze, there was only one thing in his eyes.

Murder.

Yuuto could see the energies swirling around him, air and void kami weaving in and out of his aura, seemingly trying to direct his chi back to a more balanced place. Sojiro seemed unaware of them, save for a moment when he closed those eyes that were almost glowing from rage. He held them closed, exhaled a long breath, and when he opened them again, he seemed more in control. He spoke in icy, chilled tones. No one in the room save for Saiko had heard that tone of voice from him. All of Sojiro's humor, his wit, and charm - all of it was gone from his voice. All that was left was a chillingly calm malice. "I find myself at an impasse, Naetaru-sama. Every fiber of my being wants to find Mitsouko. She is more than just my daimyo. She is a cherished friend, and very dear to me. But I have two concerns."

"The first is that before she left for Seawatch, she tasked me to investigate something of great importance, something that only she or I can investigate, due to things we know and our meeting with Akodo Tomatsu-sama, the Lion champion. For me to leave in search of her would mean that I would abandon my duty to her, and that is some thing I am reluctant to do. I know she would want me to continue my mission. But even more so than that, I feel that I would be a detriment to the mission.... because if I find Kakita Alesha..."

He chuckled, and the sound was enough to make blood run cold.

"No. He is no longer deserving of my family's name. Not after what he has done. If I find Alesha the Traitor, I will end him. This would compromise my judgement for the task at hand, rescuing Mitsouko-sama."

He glanced over to Yuuto, then back to Naetaru. "I feel the need to tell you all something. Years ago, I was involved in a massacre in the Phoenix lands, perpetrated by a Maho-Tsukai. The experience left me with nightmares that haunt me to this day, and tonight was no exception." He caught a warning look from Saiko, but continued anyway. "Tonight, the Bloodspeaker that haunts my dreams had a new face. That face was Alesha's, and he was mocking me, laughing as if he knew something I did not."

"I didn't think much of it, but the nightmares have been increasing in intensity and frequency since Toshi Ranbo. I thought it was just stress, but being that close to someone practicing blood magic... I understand now why my dreams have been so intense. I felt a strange atmosphere when Mitsouko-sama and I went to meet him a few nights ago, but I wrote it off as paranoia and a lack of sleep." He cast his eyes to the floor.

"Had I listened to my instincts and warned her, she would not be in the condition she is in now."

[Asahina Yuuto]

Hitoshi whispers in Yuuto’s ear of news of the front, as Sojiro states his stance, eyes intent on the Kakita’s every word.

With sincerity he responds, ”Let us not act in desperation, for if we are to learn anything from these events, it is how a man can fall from grace when pushed to his limit.” Yuuto’s thoughts turn to the night of never-ending dishonor. That night a great warrior died; the order for retreat, the demand that broke a man’s mind, sealing his fall.

Longing to make sense of it all, deep regret in his throat, “Sojiro-san, my nights too, are clouded with poor sleep from the flight from Toshi Ranbo; I am guilty of inaction and complacency with allowing a man I could see to be mentally disturbed to act with command.” He closes his eyes in contemplation, letting emotion settle in his throat, “I even prepared my students to protect our Lady Kakita, hoping with their aide she could turn over any political twists he might try; although, I did not want to believe such a man could or would fall so far.”

With eyes now open, he glances towards the assembled, “Hitoshi-san, we will bring her home together, and if Alesha-san cannot be saved, then he will be stopped.”

[Doji Naetaru]

Naetaru nodded as he was listening to everyone talking.
He turned over to Sojiro.

"Resume your duty then Kakita Sojiro-san. I trust that it is placed in good use."

He motioned over to the small tea table in the corner where Naetaru's yojimbo, Hinto, stood.

"Over there sans, you'll find the proper travelling papers in order to pass safely through Daidoji patrols even on the southern occupied border. You may begin your search over from the riverside on the outskirts of the Seawatch Castle."

He threw a last glance over the people present.

"I pray, bring us some fine news. Let ringings of joy sound once again in the halls of Kyuden Doji."

With that, he bowed once again and motioned over to them to go in action. A pair of servants would eagerly open the doors and assist each one to the preparation proceedings.

[Kakita Hitoshi]

As they left Naetaru's chamber, Hitoshi related exactly what he had seen happen to Mitsouko that night.

"Ryo-san, there is little I can add to my description of the events. I was confronting a chui in the First Legion when I saw Mitsouko-sama riding towards us on her horse. There was a strange expression on her face, and then... I apologise for having to describe this in graphic detail, but in the hope that it can aid us I shall. She vomited up a great deal of blood and fell unconscious, falling from her horse as she did so. When I reached her she was pale and breathing shallowly, but I could see no wound.

"This is considerably beyond my experience; if anyone has any idea as to what fate may have befallen her then please do speak. I would just say one thing beforehand though, and this applies to you as well Sojiro-san. It is easy to blame ourselves for what we did or did not do, but one has to place one's trust in one's clanmates. Regardless, regret has no place in a samurai's heart. We will find Mitsouko-sama and we will bring her back - let us focus on this and move forward."

Hitoshi gestured at one of the servants. "We need a place where we may speak privately. Also, make ready fresh horses - we leave in an hour."

[Kakita Sojiro]

Sojiro went with Hitoshi, Ryo, and Saiko (OOC and anyone else who comes along) to the private chamber.

"Hitoshi-san, you said you saw things that you didn't want to mention in polite company. I can safely say that I, for one, am far from polite right now. Tell us, what did you see?"