"The Dragon have overstepped their place, I say." He said loudly, so all of the Court could hear, and stepped forward into the center of the room. His purple and gold robes moved over his large form, and he pointed his fan at the Ikoma he was addressing from the start. "Hatori-san, I do not care what you say, but Hitomi-sama has much to explain to this Empire."
Ikoma Hatori smiled and held his hands around his obi. "Kasari-san. Your words are harsh indeed. I still say that the Dragon have done nothing." The young man turned to adress the whole assembly, "Indeed, they are beset by the Naga, who have broken their treaty with this empire." Hatori fixed his eyes on the Ide. "A personal vendetta can wait, I am sure, Kasari-san."
The Unicorn's face flushed as he sputtered, "My concern is hardly personal, Lion! My Clan has confirmed reports of our samurai Tashima wearing the colors of the Dragon! Not a single word comes from their ambassadors to the Court!" The Ide placed his hands on his hips and looked haughtily about the room. "When their ambassadors decide to come to court." He laughed. The Dragon Ambassador to the Imperial Court, Mirumoto Giri, had been away for nearly two weeks after being called back to the Dragon mountains.
"Is that not that way it has always been?" Came a voice from the doorway into the court. Again, all eyes of the assembly turned to see who had spoken, and many were surprised at what they saw.
In the archway was what appeared to be a Kitsuki ambassador, his gold and green robes bore the crest of his family and the mon of the Clan. His head was covered in a black mask showing his eyes, which were shadowed by a long jingasa. Behind him stood a tall samurai, wearing his daisho in the manner of the Mirumoto family. His white hair was pulled back in a samurai's knot, and his eyes were also nearly all white. The bushi stood beside his charge much like a mountain overlooked a lake.
"In the days of Togashi, was it not common for a man to find his soul drawn to the mountains of my home, Ide Kasari?" He stepped forward, and his yojimbo followed closely. "Not once did a man speak out against these things, for it was understood."
"Yes, Kitsuki-san," Kasari responded with a voice he had lost for a moment, "But those were different days. In those days, men would leave with the intention of going to the Dragon. Tashima was sent to ask word from Hitomi then return. The circumstances point to kidnapping."
"Do you say my Lady used dark magics to command the samurai's mind, Unicorn?" The Kitsuki's eyes narrowed. The bushi behind him retained a look of complete calm on his face as he placed a hand on his katana.
"That's enough," Came the voice of Takuan from the Jade Throne. All turned to acknowledge the Emperor's Regent. "And you, Kitsuki," Takuan motioned for the Dragon to approach the Throne, "I do not recognize you."
The ambassador walked to the feet of Takuan, and knelt, placing his hands and forehead to the floor. He raised his head and spoke, "I am Kitsuki Retsu, an advisor and ambassador from the Dragon Clan. My yojimbo is Mirumoto Ryutai."
Takuan nodded, and dismissed the Kitsuki. "The Court is dismissed for the day." An Imperial courtier stepped forward and made the more formal ending to the event, and the ambassadors milled out of the court.
As Retsu and Ryutai walked by Ide Kasari, the Unicorn diplomat regarded them with a calm gaze, but both Dragons recognized the look of hate in his eyes. The pair walked into the long stone hallway, and Ryutai turned to see a Lion catching up to them with a brisk walk.
The ambassador was the same that was speaking with Kasari earlier, and approached the two Dragons with a large smile. "I'm afraid you wandered in at a poor moment, Kitsuki-san." Ikoma Hatori said, then bowed low. "You did not receive a formal welcome. I am Ikoma Hatori, son of Ikoma Daidu."
Retsu and Ryutai returned the bow at the same time, "I am Kitsuki Retsu, and my yojimbo is Mirumoto Ryutai." the Kitsuki said. The three turned to walk together towards the gardens. "I have heard of your father, Hatori-san. He was a wise man." They stepped out into the midday air, cool as fall approached, and several diplomats and ambassadors were playing go in the gardens. "He was a peacekeeper, was he not?" Retsu asked, motioning for him continue walking with them towards the guest chambers.
"Hai, Retsu-san." Hatori replied, smiling at some fond memory. "What news of the Dragon?" He asked suddenly, "Your last ambassador was called away and the court has not heard of him yet."
Retsu narrowed his eyes "Oh?"
"Yes," Hatori said, thinking, "Mirumoto Giri. He departed over a week ago. I know the lands of the Dragon are war-torn... I hope he is allright."
"Ah, Giri-san," The Kitsuki said, nodding his head. "I am afraid Mirumoto Giri was wounded in a Naga attack..." The Dragon raised his hand to his mask, "The same attack that gave me the wound I hide now. Giri will be fine in a matter of weeks, when he shall return."
"I see," Hatori said, making a point not to look at the mask. As the trio neared the entrance to the guest area across the garden, a young woman came out of the doorway, dressed in the robes of the Ikoma, but she bore no symbol of Clan or family. "Kitsuki Retsu-san, Mirumoto Ryutei-san," Hatori bowed to both men, "It has been a pleasure to meet you. During your stay, feel free to find me if you are in need of company." A slight twinkle caught his eye, "I am a storyteller first by nature, and the cold peaks of the Dragon I am sure hold many tales I could bring to winter court this year."
"We shall meet again, Ikoma Hatori-san." Retsu bowed to the Lion bard, and Ryutei followd suit.
"I must attend to my student now. Good evening." Hatori said, then left with the young woman.
Retsu and Ryutei walked in silence down the stone corridor, and into the large room prepared for them. Their travel luggage had been left next to the bed. Ryutei closed the shoji behind his master, and did a small walk around the room, inspecting everything. One drawer, two desks, a large bed for Retsu, a futon for his yojimbo, and a medium-sized window opposite the door. Ryutei looked out the window, which viewed over the court, but was a bit raised. No one could see in unless they were right at the window.
"Anything?" the diplomat asked.
The bushi's eyes wandered around the room again, and he said, "No."
"I swear," Retsu said, throwing himself down in the large bed, "If I have to talk quietly and keep saying 'san' and 'sama' for even the short time we're here..." His voice trailed off into grumbles. He pulled his mask off to reveal long brown hair and pale skin. "And the Ikoma almost caught us... I suppose it was our luck that Giri-san had been called away. This makes the ruse a bit easier."
"Hai," the bushi said, pulling a large folding bow from the luggage, "But I thought you said our stay here would be brief," he looked up at the gaijin on the bed, and smiled slightly, "Amadan-sama."
Amadan threw Tashiro a dark look. "I think silence becomes you more." He stood and began to remove the bulky robes of a Kitsuki to reveal the dark clothes of a ninja underneath. "We should start right away then."
Tashiro began to do the same, and asked, "Do you think Ikoma Hatori can be trusted?"
"Hai," Amadan replied, pulling his mask on, "His loyalty to the Emperor is absolute. I remember hearing that he was at Toturi's side for most of the Clan Wars." He paused a second, considering something, "I think his young student was looking at you rather oddly."
Just then, a sound came from the other side of the shoji. "Kitsuki Retsu-san?" It was Hatori.
Amadan glanced about the room quickly, shrugged, and made his way out the window without a noise. Tashiro hurriedly pulled a large gold and green kimono over his robes and hid the rest under the luggage. "Enter," he said lowly.
The shoji slid open and Hatori stepped in, the young woman just behind him. The student closed the door behind the Ikoma, and both looked around almost nervously.
"I am sorry, Ikoma Hatori-san," Tashiro said, slipping back into the role of Mirumoto Ryutai, "My lord just..." He stopped as he noticed that the young woman was openly staring at him. She seemed so familiar...
"Tashiro!" She gasped. Hatori stopped looking around and gazed directly at the bushi.
"What?" Tashiro hissed. Then realization dawned on him, "Bayushi Kamiko." He said finally. A friend during childhood, Kamiko had dissapeared after Shoju's failed Coup. "I thought you were dead."
"I thought the same of you, Tashiro," She said quietly.
"Where is Retsu?" Hatori asked quickly.
Tashiro considered telling them, but realized the sheer folly in that plan. Telling them any of the truth behind 'Kitsuki Retsu' would likely prove disasterous. "Retsu-sama is gone, wandering the gardens."
"Good," Kamiko said quietly, "We have much to discuss, my lost cousin. The Empire is falling into chaos, and we fear the Imperial Court is filled with traitors and spies."
"The Court?" Tashiro asked.
Hatori looked back at the shoji. "Is your master one who can be trusted with such things?"
"Hai," Tashiro nodded, then added, "But Retsu-sama will be gone... for awhile. He has been known to meditate in the gardens for many hours, despite the cold."
"I see," Kamiko said, and motioned for everyone to sit, "Then we have much to discuss..."