Kneeling in front of a small shrine was Hiruma Tsuneko, the closest thing to a sister Chono had ever had in his life. Her sturdy figure was wrapped in a loose white robe, and her eyes were closed. The young scout's long hair was bound behind her, and candles flickered and made the shadows dance across the room. In the utter silence, Chono saw the most peaceful vision he had ever beheld in the young Hiruma.
The Hida bushi waited patiently in the doorway as Tsuneko finished her meditations, and bowed her head to the ground as she whispered a prayer to her ancestors. She then said something else under her breath, and Chono's mind returned to the task he had been sent for. Tsuneko had uttered another prayer to Hiruma as she prepared for the journey ahead of her.
"Little Sister," Chono said as quietly as he could, feeling his voice would somehow shatter the scence before him. His deep voice still echod down the stones, and Tsuneko looked up to him with a smile.
"Chono," she sighed cheerfully, "It is good to see you. Have you eaten rice today?"
Chono smiled despite his attempts to stay emotionless. "No, Sister. I have just returned with Lord Yakamo after meeting with the Naga."
Tsuneko stood and began to look for her light armor and clothes. "Tsk tsk." She chastised somewhat playfully. "I should hate to think the might Hida Chono might fail his lord because he refuses to make time to fill his mighty belly." She laughed and motioned for Chono to turn away as she changed her kimono and placed her armor on.
"Tsuneko," Chono grumbled, "I do not need someone to act as my mother" He turned back around as the scout was strapping her katana to her back. "Besides," he continued as she folded her wakazashi into her obi, "I would not want to miss seeing you today."
Tsuneko blew out all the candles and made her way into the hall. "I know, Brother." She closed the door behind her and they began walking down the hall. "Have the arrangements of command turned out as you expected?"
Chono nodded, "Yes. With the abscence of Yakamo-sama, O-Ushi-sama will be in command of the Clan." The bushi tried to hide his happiness as he said, "And I shall be her general on the Wall."
Tsuneko smiled and said, "I knew you would be named so. None has served more bravely for as long as you."
Chono suppressed his grin and said, "Little Sister, there are many greater than I, but it seems Yakamo-sama finds me trustworthy. I will fufill my duties to their expectations."
She simply nodded and laughed. "You will exceed them, Brother." Tsuneko looked over at her adopted Brother, just as he placed his great helm over his head. Chono was a large man, perhaps just under the size of the last daimyo, Kisada. She had fought beside him for seven years now, and not once had the large bushi failed to hold a position, to destroy a foe, or to guard the Wall.
Chono turned to the scout to see her scrutinizing him, and Tsuneko quickly cast her glance aside. He smiled under his helm and they continued to walk in silence. The pair reached the outer door, and saw a great many Crab bushi and scouts forming up to march.
Just beyond the growing army stood the dark forests of the Shadowlands. Mists moved between the trees as the first rays of light began to break through the horizon. The Crab army would move as Ameratsu came full into the sky, to ensure Lady Sun's blessing.
Chono looked over the great army, and smiled to himself. Nearer to the Wall, a large army of Naga also began to form, and Chono's smile broke into a broad grin across his face. Now, he thought to himself, we shall end the menace of He Who Must Not Be Named for all time. As he saw his Crab brothers and sisters readying for the glorious battle ahead, Chono wondered what it would like to be with the invasion force, but quickly put the notion out of this thoughts. His duty was here, to his Empire, to his Clan. He would hold the Wall against any of the foul beasts of the Shadowlands that would dare strike against Rokugan.
Tsuneko laughed out loud, and said, "Today we will take the first steps to reclaiming the home of my ancestors, Chono." The bushi nodded, and looked down at the scout. "I will be there to greet the first of the Kaiu engineers who come to rebuild the great pallisades. I will welcome the Kuni shugenja that come to purify the ground once again."
Chono put his large hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. "Tsuneko," He said quietly, reaching into a pack he carried on his back, "I have something I wish for you to take into the halls of your ancestors." He pulled out a long chain of jade, that had many red kanji engraved into it. It glowed softly as Chono held it between them.
"This was my father's," he explained as he lay the jade necklace in her hands, "It was his only gift to me. His sword was lost in the dark forests of the Shadowlands, and I have carried it with me always." Tsuneko's eyes widened as she realized the weight of the gift. Chono continued, "It will keep you safe from the Taint so long as your spirit is pure. It is a relic that will not darken until you have betrayed your own blood."
"I... I cannot," She said, offering the necklace back to Chono.
"You must."
"Chono. This gift is to great..." She stammered, her eyes wide as she looked from the gift to him.
"Little Sister, my father's spirit follows the relic. He would be honored, as I would, to follow with Yakamo's army."
"Brother..."
"Tsuneko, it was a gift from my father, but I may never have children to pass it onto."
The scout hesitated a moment longer, then she nodded in understanding. Tsuneko bowed her head, and Chono took the necklace from her hand, then placed it around her neck. Tsuneko tucked the beads under her kimono and looked up at her Brother, tears in her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"I will see you on the walls of Hiruma Castle, Little Sister. Now go." Chono bowed low to Tsuneko, and she embraced him with her small arms, startling the bushi at first, but he then returned the hug.
Wordlessly, Hiruma Tsuneko turned to join the ranks of the scouts that would go in advance of the army, and Hida Chono wiped a single tear from his eye as he turned to take his place on the Wall.