The Attempt

Rooster 7th:

Unicorn delegates arrives and lets Haruto know about the upcoming wedding in the winter court. Haruto informs the Unicorn delegates about his Guest list which consists of Akodo Ochai and his family, Haruto’s family and his companions: Matsu Kagami, Matsu Hinata, Matsu Ryojiro.

The Unicorn delegates take note of his wishes and lets him know that they have planned activities for Haruto and his bride to be which consists of Horseback riding through the Phoenix lands and possible hunting in the Shinomen Forest which they have asked for permission for beforehand. Haruto lets the Unicorn delegates know that the Shinomen forest is known for supernatural events since the forest is spiritually charged and they say that they don’t believe in such things and everything would go along well. They also tell Haruto that there will be a series of competitions that they expect everyone to be participating in. They then continue to discuss wedding preparations and the design of the wedding, planned gifts and tapestries and even tracing the lineage of both families. Afterwards, Haruto departs to join the group at the House of Foreign stories where Akodo Kage is having his meeting.

Haruto arrives to see the end of a duel between Hinata and the crab samurai. Eta arrive to take the body away. Haruto approaches Mamoru and asks what happened. Afterwards, Mamoru shares what happened, Haruto asks to transfer Kage-sama back to the estate. He orders the servants to prepare the palanquin and caravan. Kagami checks Kage-sama and inspects that he has a weak pulse but it would be safe to transport him. Hinata asks the crab about the samurai he dueled and the Crab delegates tell her that they didn’t expect it and Hida Kisada formed the group and that he joined up back at the city before they came here. Kagami uses Reflections of Pan ‘ku on the body and discovers he carried a lot of knives, shuriken and is of the Shosuro family.

As they head back with the caravan, A group of 6 men armed with yaris are blocking their path and when Hinata asks them to move, they ready their weapons and charge. Hinata charges and attacks one of the armed men and cuts off his head with one swing. Ryojiro comes forward and shouts at them and they are dazed with Lord Akodo’s Roar. Haruto knocks an arrow on his bow and fires at the armed men and hits one of them and is seen bleeding badly. The armed men try to poke their spears at Hinata and Ryojiro and a few strike Hinata and scratch her. Mamoru strikes his chest to relieve stress and gets pumped out to fight and uses the Iron forest style to make sure no one approaches the caravan. Kagami calls on the kami and casts Path to Inner peace on Hinata to heal her of her wounds. Beings in black garb on top of walls appear nearby and let loose arrows on Hinata and Mamoru and injure them. Hinata cleaves off the head of another one of the armed men and she orders the caravan and it’s men calmly to move ahead and run off. Ryojiro cuts down one of the armed men and continues to protect the caravan. Haruto fires an arrow at one of the archers on top of the wall and hits him. The men try to attack Ryojiro and their attacks miss him. Mamoru tosses his yari in the cart and takes out a yumi and shoots at one of the archers and kills him. Kagami prays to the kami to help her with Path to Inner Peace. The archers fire at them and hit Hinata. Hinata swings her Nodachi and wounds a nearby armed man. Ryojiro takes a swing with her Nodachi and slices down another armed man. Haruto knocks an arrow and hits one of the archers and wounds them. The armed men attack and one of them injures Hinata. Mamoru fires at the archer and misses. Kagami invokes the ancestors and calls on a fog to cover the caravan as it moves away. Hinata gets hit by an arrow and starts cursing at the archers and taunts them to strike her and she goes berserk but afterwards she calms down and she tries to attack one of the armed men and wounds him. Ryojiro wounds another armed men as well. The caravan enters the fog and the armed men run off as they are badly wounded. The caravan soon runs off to the Akodo Estate with the group on it. They see that they aren’t pursued by the armed men.

As they arrive at the Akodo Estate, they go around checking the place and take notice that a trained person who can sneak well may be able to enter. Haruto and Kagami stand watch over Akodo Kage-sama and Mamoru goes around with the patrols. Ryojiro is panting heavily and tries to stay awake and feels sick but she manages to pull through. Hinata takes a daito and cuts her flesh to remove the arrow heads stuck on her.

Orihime and her companion arrives and goes to talk to Mamoru and tells them of a possible plot on Akodo Kage-sama’s life. Mamoru talks to Orihime and confirms that it is possible that other scorpion clan are working with the Soshi cartel who plan to kill Akodo Kage-sama. She lets them know that the Soshi cartel may be working with Kolat. They depart soon after. Everything is quiet at night and the group resume their patrols of guarding Akodo Kage who is unconscious but still alive in his quarters.

Later into the night, there is a commotion outside and Ryojiro goes out to see that they are being attacked by a mob of armed men. Ryojiro goes with the guards to try and hold back the attacking men. As the guards that are protecting the room of Kage-sama are going around his room, a shadow from behind one of the guards comse up and grabs one of the guards and breaks his neck. It charges the other guards and the shadowy creature forms spikes on its arms and impales the other guard killing him instantly. It tosses the dead body at the end of the hallway. Hinata and Mamoru see this and are shocked at this creature attacking the guards. Hinata charges and hits the shadow beast and dents it’s skin. Mamoru then strikes at the creature using Iron forest stance and hits it but shows little harm in doing so. Haruto opens the sliding door and sees the creature and closes it quickly after a few moments. he opens it again and fires an arrow at it and the arrow bounces off it. Kagami calls on the spirits to bestow the Courage of the seven thunders on her companions. The shadow creature uses it’s one hand to open and close it and energy soon emerges from it and it uses a maho spell, grip of anguish on both Mamoru and Hinata. Both are hurt and Hinata is dazed and dizzy. The beast attacks Mamoru with it’s spiked arm and hurts him badly and delivers a debilitating wound. Hinata uses her entire rage as she strikes the creature and wounds it. Black blood starts to spill out into the area and the creature delivers a shrill scream. Mamoru tries to strike the creature and it doesn’t pass it’s thick carapace. Haruto fires an arrow and it bounces off it’s carapace. Kagami casts path to inner peace on Mamoru healing him a bit. The spikes on his arm grow and the creature attacks both Mamoru and Hinata maiming them. Ryojiro arrives and uses a technique, heartpierce strike and hits the creature and it starts to bleed badly. With the creature flailing in pain, Hinata strikes it and cuts off it’s head killing it. The creature starts to dissolve into black liquid and mixes with the black blood all over.

A Story in the House of Foreign Stories

Rooster 7th

The day starts with news of Lord Akodo Kage’s plans for the day. The assistant tells Mamoru, Kagami, Ryojiro and Hinata of Kage’s itinerary for the day. Lord Akodo Kage will be going around the different geisha houses for meetings with his friends. The group is to escort and serve as his protection detail. Given this, Hinata and Kagami set out to scout the locations and ensure that it is safe for the visit. They encounter a man standing outside the Akodo Estate who is looking repeatedly at the Estate. While Kagami approaches and tries to talk to the man Hinata circles the street and approaches him from the other side. When they talk to the man they find out that his name is Ryohei and he has a manuscript of tactics and battles that he wants Lord Akodo Kage to sign. Ryohei begs Hinata to give it to Lord Akodo Kage for he really wants his copy to be signed so that he may give it to someone he looks up to. After accepting the manuscript, Hinata and Kagami leave for the House of Foreign Stories where they see the Mama-san cleaning on the streets. They talk to her and she assures them that the House of Foreign Stories is safe and Lord Akodo Kage-sama has visited them before and is a known patron of their house.

Meanwhile boxes are delivered to the Akodo Estate and Mamoru is informed that it belongs to Kage-sama. Mamoru asks for permission from Kage-sama to inspect the contents to which it is granted to him. Mamoru checks the boxes to find out that they are large barrels filled with fine sake that are to be shared and gifted to Akodo Kage-sama’s friends and partners who he is about to meet later tonight. Right after that, Hinata and Kagami return to the Estate and Hinata gives the manuscript to Mamoru and explains the situation to him. Mamoru tells the group to practice and train and he goes out to talk to Ryohei. Mamoru upon approaching Ryohei asks for the intention of the manuscript and Ryohei tells him that he wants it signed so he can give it as a gift to a Unicorn Samurai who he fell in love at first sight. Mamoru tells him that his mission is a foolish one and returns the manuscript to him. He tells him that actions are more important than gestures. Ryohei begs Mamoru but to no avail. Ryohei leaves silently and the group return to the Estate to practice and train.

Later that night, the group leaves escorting Akodo Kage and bringing with them 7 servants and a cart to bring the sake with them. The group surrounds and creates a perimeter between them, the crowds and Akodo Kage ensuring no one would be able to reach him. While walking, Mamoru realizes someone who passed by has placed a letter in his pocket without him noticing. He reads it and the letter is addressed to him and the sender wants to meet with him tonight at the gardens located at the back of the House of Foreign Stories. Mamoru decides to keep the letter to himself. Soon as they reach the House of Foreign stories, they are welcomed by the Mama-san and are led to the top floor where the VIP rooms are located. None of the guards may stay near the rooms to give the people privacy. All yojimbo must stay at the first floor with their own tables. The House of Foreign stories is three floors tall. The First floor has the kitchen and one entrance and exit going to and from it, The main doors that lead outside, the stairs leading up to the second floor. The second floor contains private rooms and is separated into the west and east hall. The third floor is similar to the second floor but has much more space. Each room has a window that is overlooking outside the gardens to the back of the House of Foreign stories, a large bed with silk sheets, a table with sake cups and tea cups as well. Pillows to be used for those who wish to sit. Mamoru decided to stay at the first floor to guard the stairs going up. Kagami is seated on a table on the first floor watching the doors leading out and is joined by Ryojiro. Hinata is outside drinking tea and eating while staying guard. Mamoru tells everyone to be vigilant and no one should be drinking nor eating until they have ensured that Akodo Kage has returned home safely. The first floor of the geisha house are filled with samurai from different clans. Atleast 3 samurai from each clan are present: Lion, Crane, Scorpion, Crab and Unicorn. Each are minding their own business and seem to have come to serve as a yojimbo and protect their ward, while their ward is meeting with a friend or someone important.

Later that night, a scream is heard coming from above. All of the samurai from the different clans rush up the stairs to the different rooms to make sure that their ward is safe. Mamoru, Kagami, Ryojiro run up the stairs as well. Kagami hears the scream from outside and rushes in to follow them. He notices that the scorpion, crab and crane samurai went up the stairs to the second floor. Mamoru arrives first on the third floor, followed by the Unicorn. Then the Crane and last the Scorpion and Crab came at the same time. They rush in the room to see that a shadowy figure is seen on the window as if climbing in. Hinata rushes in with her naginata and slashes at the figure and destroys the window frame at the same time. The figure lets out a shout and falls backward avoiding the slashing weapon. The figure is Ryohei and he falls to the ground three stories down from the window but he sustains no injury as he landed on a flower bed. Hinata then goes to fetch Ryohei and bring him to Mamoru. When confronted, Ryohei admits that he wanted to sneak in and present the manuscript directly to Akodo Kage-sama to have it signed. Mamoru then asks who the samurai that he wants to impress with the manuscript and it was revealed to be one of the unicorn yojimbo at the House of Foreign Stories, Utaku Sarangerel. Mamoru then tells Utaku Sarangerel all about the situation and tells her about compassion since what Ryohei did will most likely lead to his death. Mamoru gives his copy of tactics book signed by Akodo Kage to Ryohei to present to Sarangeral. Sarangerel however refuses it but she says she admires Ryohei’s emotions but cannot reciprocate it due to her duty.

This leaves Ryohei heartbroken and Mamoru tells him to understand that this is reality and a samurai cannot be with someone they have feelings for but they must follow their duty even if it means that their lord wishes for them to be in an arranged marriage with someone they have no feelings for, they must follow and do it. Afterwards Mamoru lets Ryohei go. When the group returns to their station, a servant is sent to them with a cup of sake. The servant explains Akodo Kage has offered sake to the group from his personal stash located at the kitchen on the first floor since they handled the incident with great humility and compassion. Hinata is outside when she drinks it and after a few moments she falls over. The others, at the first floor, drink the offered sake and suddenly realize something is wrong with it. They spit it out and they suddenly realized that Akodo Kage has been drinking the same thing. They rush to the first floor to find Akodo Kage to be convulsing on the floor along with his geisha companions. Kagami uses the kami to try to restore them to good health and manage to stabilize them. Afterwards Kagami goes to Hinata outside to do the same.

Ryojiro checks the Sake from the barrels in the kitchen and find that the current one being used has been tampered with Liquid Void a very strong and potent opium drug that is used to chase the dragon but can be fatal when drunk by people who are not in their prime or who have weak constitutions. Ryojiro then decides to throw the stock out. Kagami tries to talk to the kami but hears nothing. The group then realize that someone has targetted to poison Akodo Kage and the perpertrator is still in the building since they saw no one leave. They started to question and think about the recent events. Mamoru remembers the order to which they arrived to the top floor and realizes that during the commotion someone may have snuck to the kitchen when no one was there and mixed the poison in the barrel of sake. Remembering those that had the closest access to the first floor were the ones who went to the second floor and they must have gone down first, Hinata decides to question them. Hinata questions the Crane yojimbo, who tell her that they saw a Lion samurai head down to the first floor first, someone who did not resemble the group and whose descriptions match Haruto. The Scorpion yojimbo tell Hinata that when they went down, they saw the Crane samurai at the first floor. The Crab samurai tell Hinata that they saw one of their fellow Crab samurai by the first floor and also the Scorpion and Crane samurai. When questioned further, the Crane tell Hinata that they saw the Lion samurai head into the Kitchen. It was around that time the Scorpion samurai came down and saw the Crane by the first floor. After much deliberation and thinking of the group. They figure out that someone came down looking like a Lion samurai and went to the kitchen. They were spotted by the Crane who was heading down as well. The Scorpion came down to the first floor to see the Crane waiting. When the Crab came down to the first floor they saw the Scorpion and Crane yojimbos drinking at the tables and one of their own was there as well. It can be surmised that the person who looked like a Lion clan samurai entered the kitchen and came out looking like a Crab clan samurai and rejoined his companions.

Afterwards, Hinata questions the Crab clan samurai as who was the person that was at the first floor before the others. When one of their companions was pointed to, Hinata told the entire congregation about what had happened and the accused refuse to accept it and was angry to be accused of such a deed. He challenged Hinata to a duel to which she accepted. Hinata took up her Naginata against the Crab samurai who used a Tetsubo. During the duel, Hinata noticed that the Crab samurai wasn’t skilled in the use of the Testubo and easily beat him in the duel to which he was badly injured and he died shortly afterward from his wounds sustained in the duel.

Different Priorities

Rooster 4th

Akodo Mamoru spent his time during the journey’s travel preparing a gift which was a dissertation and critique of past battles that Akodo Kage has participated in. Afterwards, he would go on to remind his group of their mission and do their daily training. Their duty was to investigate on the geisha Irozumi, and as a cover protect Lord Akodo Kage from any dangers that would threaten him. The group arrived at Ryoko Owari and was surprised upon meeting someone unexpected that same day. After the events that have transpired, the group decided to go to the Akodo Embassy and present themselves to Lord Akodo Kage. When they arrive at the Embassy they are greeted by soldiers and soon one of Lord Akodo Kage’s advisors, Akodo Tsuri. They are then led to their mansion where they will be staying and they leave their belongings there. Afterwards, they were brought to the main building and made to wait at the great hall for a few moments as Lord Akodo Kage was meeting with a group earlier. The great hall is filled with ashigaru and all are keeping an eye on their traveling companion, Okura Oi. Not long after their arrival, the halls doors open and leaving the hallway are scorpion samurai who nod to the group as they leave. The group then enters except for Okura Oi who is told to wait for them in the great hallway.

Upon entering they are greeted by Akodo Kage who is seated on a chair behind a desk filled with papers. His office looked like a magistrate’s office and as the group enters he stands up and lightly bows to them to greet them. The group bows deeply to greet him and they exchange pleasantries. Akodo Haruto presents the gift of Akodo Mamoru to Akodo Kage and immediately Akodo Kage replies that the dissertation was well made and Akodo Mamoru has promise as a tactician. This made Akodo Mamoru ecstatic and thanked Akodo Kage for his words. Akodo Kage goes on to tell the group that he knows that they have been assigned to safeguard him and he assures the group that he is safe while within the estate. However, he would need close guards when he leaves the estate to oversee his duties among the many establishments in Ryoko Owari meeting with others. These series of meetings would happen in a weeks time and in the mean time the group is free to relax, train and pursue whatever they wish within the city. They are told to enjoy themselves and make themselves at home. At the same time, Akodo Kage tells the group that he has received a request from the scorpion clan representatives. They have told him about the troubles that make the city unsafe. The information given to him was that previously the cartels that operated on selling opium to the public used to serve the scorpion clan as a means of their income and resources, however, they have seem to have lost their loyalties and need to be taken care of. The 3 cartels are as follows: Bayushi Cartel, Shosuro Cartel and Soshi Cartel. Lately, these 3 cartels have been fighting amongst each other in an underworld war. There are many victims that are being caught in the crossfire. The scorpion clan wants atleast two of the cartels to be shut down and the last cartel to submit to the control of the Scorpion clan. This would keep the peace and in a way make sure that the scorpion clan has some sort of operations and hold in Ryoko Owari. Soon afterward, the group is dismissed and they leave the main building along with Okura Oi.

Teardrop_Island — **Teardrop Island in Ryoko Owari**

The group is then briefed by Akodo Mamoru and he tells them that they should go out and enjoy themselves seeing as he is in a great mood. Akodo Haruto and Matsu Ryojiro suggest to check out the place where the geishas frequent to gather and the group soon head to Teardrop Island where the geisha houses are located. As the group are headed there, they notice a large amount of people coming and going to an area of the island which looked to be a garden. Curious, the group decides to head there and soon see an unusual sight. They see the garden is filled with smoke and there are numerous people smoking and lying in the area. The air is filled with the smell of smoked opium and the group inhale the smoke. None of them are affected except for Matsu Ryojiro who seemed to look groggy and laid back but tells the others that nothing is wrong and they should continue. The group happen to see atleast two merchants selling opium out in the open to the people in the garden. Matsu Ryojiro decides to approach one and buy opium from him and notice that the opium is a red sachet with the mon of the Bayushi on it denoting it is from the Bayushi cartel. He goes away and circles the area for a bit then goes to the other merchant and buys another sachet that is colored orange and also with the mon of the Bayushi, they say that the orange one is of higher quality. Soon the group grow suspicious of the opium trade happening in the city and they spend their time questioning merchants and the like about the opium being sold in the city. They uncover the information that the cartels have stores that sell opium in different locations in the city: The Shosuro cartel has a store in the Noble Quarter, The Bayushi Cartel has a store in Leatherworker quarter while the Soshi has a store in the Fisherman quarter. The group decides to split up to investigate and Matsu Ryojiro and Akodo Haruto head to the geisha houses to gather more information. Akodo Mamoru, Matsu Kagami and Okura Oi head to the fisherman quarter to confirm the rumors about the stores.

Akodo Haruto and Matsu Ryojiro find themselves at the most popular geisha house, the House of the Morningstar, which was owned by the acting governor of Ryoko Owari, Shosuro Hyobu. They are greeted by the Mama-san and they inquire about the prices and each of them purchase a geisha and a private room. Akodo Haruto pours his heart and woes to the geisha attending to him telling her that he does not love his betrothed but is torn between his duty and his own emotions. Matsu Ryojiro decides to question the geisha about the opium and finds out that they sell opium made by the Shosuro cartel here and they have a lavish underground opium den underneath that is hidden to most but paying customers who wish to avail of the service. The geisha asks Matsu Ryojiro of what brings them to Ryoko Owari and he lies to her about it and is internally struggling with lying to the geisha. Afterwards, Akodo Haruto and Matsu Ryojiro head to the other popular geisha house, the House of Foreign Stories, owned by the Unicorn clan which caters to others who prefer their geisha to be foreign women. There they are greeted by a middle-aged blonde lady with blue eyes who identifies herself as the Mama-san of the geisha house. They ask about Irozumi and give a description of her but the Mama-san denies any knowledge of her but shows to be hiding something. They then question her further and she admits that Irozumi used to work for the house of foreign stories but she was fired because out of fear. They fear that she may be dealing in unsavory business because she had many clients who seemed shady and they are afraid to talk about it because they fear for their lives. Akodo Haruto and Matsu Ryojiro then spend the night drinking mare’s milk brought from the unicorn lands and they get drunk and start telling people in the geisha house tales of their journeys, adventures, their group and why they came to Ryoko Owari. They had a good night and fell asleep drunk in the geisha house.

Meanwhile, the others head to the Fisherman Quarter and approach the shop to see people coming and going. They notice that the shop attracts attention and they decide to go in and buy opium from the store and they managed to buy a red sachet of opium from the Soshi cartel. Akodo Mamoru, Matsu Kagami and Okura Oi then confirmed that the stores do sell opium and are owned by the cartels. They then head afterwards to the Noble quarter to confirm the presence of the store. Upon arrival, they see Shosuro Orihime standing not far from the store leaning back against a tall post. Okura Oi decides to head into the store to purchase opium and he receives a red sachet with the Shosuro symbol on it. Matsu Kagami prays to the air kami to disguise herself as a sickly woman who looks like a drug user and approach Shosuro Orihime. Upon nearing her, she notices that another woman in robes and a mask is standing behind Shosuro Orihime on the same post looking at the opposite direction. As Kagami nears Orihime, suddenly Orihime notices her and notices that it is an illusion surrounding her. Orihime asks who she is and why is she masked in an illusion while putting both her hands behind her back as if holding unto something. Realizing that something may have gone wrong, Okura Oi decides to act as a distraction and causes a commotion in the store. This alerts both Shosuro Orihime and her companion and Matsu Kagami runs away. Both Shosuro Orihime and her companion head to the store to contain the problem and Orihime draws a Kusari-gama from her back and throws the chain at Okurai Oi and misses. Okura Oi runs to the backroom of the store and it opens to a room filled with boxes and no exit. He turns to face Orihime and sees her companion come in behind her. Orihime’s companion releases folded paper figures out into the air and soon the figures fly on their own. They then ask Okurai Oi to surrender and Okura Oi does not reply but realizes that the paper figures are shikigami and he is faced with Shosuro Orihime and a Shugenja from the scorpion clan. Shosuro Orihime throws her chain again and manages to latch unto Okura Oi and Okura Oi simply falls down on the ground pretending to be unconscious. Matsu Kagami goes to Akodo Mamoru and she admits that she has made a mistake and they both look from a safe distance on what is happening. Soon magistrates arrive to the store and Okura Oi is bound by rope taken to the magistrates office and placed in a cell to await his trial tomorrow. Matsu Kagami and Akodo Mamoru decided to return to the Akodo Embassy to think of their plan on what to do. That night, Okura Oi slips out of his bonds and finds his cell not to be locked. The magistrate guarding him seems to have fallen asleep and he then runs out and heads to the fishermans quarter and steals a boat and starts rowing away to safety leaving Ryoko Owari. Soon afterwards, Akodo Mamoru and Matsu Kagami head to the magistrates office to find that Okura Oi is no longer there. The magistrate awakens and learns that Okura Oi is no longer there and assumes that someone else may have posted his bail and was taken care of by the other magistrates. Akodo Mamoru and Matsu Kagami head to the Leatherworkers quarter and see that there are ashigaru extorting money from the people that live there. They identify the ones extorting money as the Moment’s Edge Firemen. They are a group of ashigaru who serve as fire men and put out fires when one breaks out in the city. They go to the store and confirmed that it is a Bayushi Cartel owned store as they receive the same opium from before by buying it.

The Next day, Akodo Mamoru and Matsu Kagami awaken to find that they are the only ones at the Akodo Embassy and saw that none of their other companions returned. They turn to training and meditating in the morning.

Tsubo_the_Drunk_2 — **Drunk adventures**

Akodo Haruto and Matsu Ryojiro awaken with a hangover at the House of Foreign stories and have heard from the geisha on what happened that night and they hurry back to the Akodo Embassy. In the afternoon they all meet up and are greeted by Akodo Mamoru who instructs them to run 15 kilometers. Matsu Ryojiro is tired but is able to complete it while Akodo Mamoru throws up while doing his laps. They then get together to share what they have learned. Afterwards they gather more information by asking around and find out that the Soshi Cartel has one central supplier for the opium and that the Bayushi Cartel own a farm located not far from the city that manufacture and deliver the opium to the city. Guards are also bribed to look the other way and those that investigate the farm are killed. Akodo Mamoru is approached by a child bearing a letter and is given the letter. He then reads it’s contents. The letter is from Shosuro Orihime who wishes to arrange a meeting with him at the public bathhouse, The Pampered Flower, in the city and tells him that she wishes to talk only. The group thinks about it and decides to go to the meeting. They all head to the Pampered Flower and strip to their undergarments and only carry the towel with them into the public bath as it is the norm. Shosuro Orihime is already there taking a bath and greets them. The others are wary but they soon talk about clearing up the past event. Orihime explains that she disguised herself and went with the group because an opportunity presented itself to travel to the city where she was supposed to assassinate the informant which turned out to be the ronin that Akodo Mamoru met and got into an argument with. Akodo Haruto tells her about the night where she shot at him at the docks. Orihime explains that she was getting rid of evidence when she was pursued by someone she did not know, she shot back to discourage her pursuers but Haruto also shot back at her and she escaped. They then ask about why she ran when they first saw her at Ryoko Owari. She then goes on to explain it was her natural reaction seeing a group of people angrily running towards her and last they saw each other they tried to kill her telling them the events in Dragon Guard City where she was dodging the attacks of the group on the roof of the inn as they have correctly suspected that it she was the one who killed the ronin. She tells the group that it was not personal but it was a mission given to her by her clan and circumstances just made it look like the murder was framing Akodo Mamoru. She then clears her throat and tells the group that she has heard that they are looking into the Cartels and she needs their help in shutting down the Cartels. It happens that her mission is to assassinate the acting governor, Shosuro Hyobu.

It seems that their goals are aligned and she suggests in working together. The group is apprehensive with working with her since their recent dealings. To show that she is not lying, Orihime removes her mask and requests help from them. Akodo Haruto is convinced of her sincerity, but Akodo Mamoru is partially convinced. Mamoru agrees on the condition that doing so will not cause them to doubt their own honor. Orihime tells them that because of the Opium War of the Cartels, Shosuro Hyobu is hiding and well defended. If his Cartel is brought down it will force him out of hiding to try and fix things and that is the time they will strike. They may not agree with her methods but all she asks is her help in bringing or disrupting the operations so that they may have a shot at Shosuro Hyobu when he comes out. She also tells them of information that the Soshi Cartel may be dealing in maho and a cult that is hiding out in the city. Orhime then thanks them and leaves, she will contact them when she has more information.

Here Comes the Bride

The court was filled with numerous samurai, many of which are known for their dedication and loyalty to the Lion clan. At this time, two provincial lords have been given the duty to plan out future plans in regards to recent events that may lead to an open war with the Crane clan. Lord Akodo Ochai believes that despite the events that have developed, the clan must work to ease the tensions between the Crane and Lion clan. He is well known for being a compassionate man and believes that a conflict with the Crane clan will bring suffering to many people. He is joined by his two sons, Akodo Takeshi and Akodo Mamoru at the court. Both of which are respectable samurai but he favors one of them over the other. Rumors are abound that one of his two sons is not his own but is adopted. In attendance to the court is Lord Akodo Ochai’s advisor, Akodo Haruto. The other lord attending the court meeting is Lady Matsu Tsubame who believes that the Crane should pay for their actions. She is joined by Matsu Ryojiro, who she believes to be a capable warrior and another Matsu Kagami who she believes would benefit well by attending these matters.

The court discusses the possibility of a conflict with the Crane clan and notes that while the Lion clan has the largest standing army in the Empire, should a war erupt, they would need more resources in order to be able to fund and sustain it. Both Provincial Lords have come to an agreement that a deal is to be made with the Unicorn clan. Akodo Ochai has arranged for a prestigious commander from the Unicorn clan, Moto Megara to be married to Akodo Haruto. He asks that his trusted son, Akodo Mamoru and his colleagues see to the matter that the deal pushes through. Matsu Tsubame assigns her samurai to join the group and assist on the matters. Before the court meeting is concluded, Akodo Ochai asks his son and his companions to venture to Dragon’s Guard City to investigate a matter in regards of pirates attacking Crane and Mantis clan trade ships. He believes that solving the matter may lower the tensions between the Lion and Crane clan but at the same time help relations with the Mantis Clan.

The group leaves to prepare, as the Unicorn delegates will be arriving tomorrow. As the group is leaving they are joined by a woman named Kitsu Orihime. She is strange and seemed to be having a hard time talking to her peers. She joins the group under the orders of Akodo Ochai so that she may gain more exposure to the outside world. The group then split up with Akodo Haruto, Matsu Kagami and Kitsu Orihime going to the Kitsu Archives in the city to read up more on the Unicorn clan, their traditions and gain more information on their travel to Dragon’s Guard City. Meanwhile, Akodo Mamoru and Matsu Ryojiro head out to the quartermaster in the city to request for supplies for their journey ahead. The group soon regroup afterwards and realize that they must prepare for the Unicorn delegation tomorrow and set out to acquire clothing so as to be presentable while Haruto becomes nervous and prepares a gift for his soon to be wife.

The next day, the Unicorn delegates arrived by horseback at the City gates. The group is complete except for Kitsu Orihime who was missing at the time. They are greeted by Moto Gahara who is a provincial lord in one of the cities in the Unicorn Lands, they are then informed that Moto Megara is his daughter, Megara is known to be a fierce warrior and a great commander of one of the Baraunghar armies in the Unicorn clan, she is a skilled tactician and believes in physical confrontation. Gahara is quite surprised upon seeing Haruto and calls out Megara to meet him. From the carriage, a large tall woman with a well built body comes out to meet her husband and is surprised to see a small thin young man. Instantly, the group sees Megara’s unhappy face. She mutters that she has seen horses larger than Haruto. The Unicorn delegates are then accompanied by the group back to the court of the castle where they discuss the arrangement of the marriage and a deal between both their clans. Haruto walks side by side with Megara going back to the court and the pair are in complete silence. Before the meeting begin, Orihime arrives late to the court and everyone stares at her with confusion. She apologizes for her being late and explains she got lost on the way. The agreement is discussed by the group to the Unicorn delegates along with the Ochai and Tsubame present. The agreement is as follows: In 3 months time, Haruto and Megara are to meet again where the destination will soon be set. They will then have time to court one another and spend time together. In 6 months from this day they are to be married. The Lion clan will trade their supply of metals in exchange for the Unicorn Clan’s supply of food. The Unicorn clan request that this deal not be made known to other clans for if the Lion clan and the Crane clan were to end up in a conflict they do not want the Crane clan to know that they are supplying the Lion clan with food as fuel to their conflict or war. The Unicorn clan is maintaining a good relationship with the Crane and should the Crane find out about it, it is possible that this may affect trade relations with them. The Unicorn clan also agrees to a non-aggression pact with the Lion clan and will not take part in their conflict they will not support the Lion clan openly should they end up in a conflict with the Crane nor will they support the Crane clan. They will remain neutral in the matter.

As the agreement is being discussed, Megara is seen much more distressed and unsatisfied with her soon to be husband. Not long after the agreements are made, both clans decided to show their appreciation for one another and decided to give gifts. The Unicorn clan presented to Haruto, fermented mare’s milk which is a prized wine by the Unicorn clan. Haruto smiles at the gift and appreciates it but deep down inside he does not like the wine as a gift. Haruto presents a poem about horses and gives it as a gift to Megara by presenting it in court. The Unicorn delegates are impressed by his performance. However, Megara is even more irritated by the fact that her husband is no warrior and is merely a scholar. As the trade agreements come to an end, the Unicorn delegation is escorted back to the city gates. On their way back, Akodo Mamoru talks to Moto Megara about tactics and commanding armies, their conversation is lively and it looks like they get along well. While Haruto, walking side by side with Megara is silent during the entire conversation. Orihime whispers to Ryojiro about the strange situation in where Mamoru and Megara are getting along well, while Haruto is not getting along well with Megara despite them being betrothed to one another. The group then returns to the city gate in awkward silence except for Mamoru and Megara talking about army tactics and battles. The Unicorn delegations bid their farewell and leave for home. Afterwards. Orihime is disciplined by Mamoru for her tardiness and is ordered to do push-ups on the ground where it takes her a bit of time to do.

The group then afterwards decided to head to the training grounds to start training and resume their duties. They participate in a mock skirmish where they all fight out in an open fight where only one can be the victor. The skirmish commences while Orihime watches from the sidelines and cheers her peers. In the end, Matsu Ryojiro comes out victorious in the contest of physical prowess. The group then decides to go about their duties and tomorrow they depart for their week long journey to investigate the piracy at Dragon’s Guard City.