Ujo pipes up. "There's a temple, I think, a little ways into the city. It was bought by a noble, and the new owner tried to force out the monks, but they fought back, leading to a battle." He thinks for a moment. "The new owner hasn't made any moves to occupy the temple yet, and it's been taken over by a small gang. Maybe you could ask the owner to lease the place cheaply, in exchange for killing off the gang?" Grugga snorts. "Why ask? Clearly he's too much of a pussy to get them off of his land himself. Let's just kill the gang and move in."
Jian sighed. 'Rest in peace, Inazuma.' He turned to Chitsukiko, 'I can't imagine what she went through in her life, I hope she's in a better place now. What do we do with the body?'
“That's reassuring. I just hope the same can be said for the rest of her relatives...” Midori sighed.
She leans against him for a moment, before walking outside and taking a shovel from the now wild garden, overflowing with colourful flowers. "She should have a proper burial." She begins to dig.
(Does the tavern double as an inn, or is it just a bar?) "Hmm, that might just work." Kyouka nods at Ujo, before looking at Grugga. "Now now. If we simply charge in, we'll be making that noble, along with the monks into our enemies. I don't want to attract too much attention all at once. And risk losing our men before we get started." She said with a sigh, "I'll talk to that noble tomorrow. I'm sure he'll be dying to give me that piece of land." She licks her lips in delight, "Santo, you keep watch here, make sure our base is fortified, especially the basement. Ujo, do you know who this noble is?"
Jian carried Inazuma's body outside the temple, laying her down in the grass. He helped Chitsukiko dig the grave, before her laid the corpse inside.
"Don't worry, sis, it'll all turn out okay." She pats Midori's shoulder. "Anyway, I'm gonna get some sleep."
Grugga gives a grunt, but concedes to the logic. Ujo nods. "I think his name was, errr, Mochi. Yeah, Lord Mochi. I think he's a Sengoku Clan vassal."
After the grave is filled, Chitsukiko hugs Jian. "Let's tell Sanada and...go do something nice, so we can forget about this."
Jian hugs her back, 'Forgetting about it would do a disservice, would it not? But I get your sentiment.' Jian gathered some stones from around the yard and put them on the grave to mark it, the they left the temple grounds and returned to the Yokuboo castle. He reported to his uncle that the deed was done and Inuzuma was dead but didn't talk.
The next morning, Midori wakes as Yuki puts on her armour. "See ya later, sis. I left you some food." She points to a tray of rice and fish.
Sanada looks irritated, but nods respectfully to him. "You did well, kid." As Chitsukiko and Jian begin walking out of the castle, they pass Shintaro, who looks to be in a far better mood than they are. He smiles widely at his bastard, leaning in to give him a hug. "Hey, kid! Haven't seen you in a few days, how you been?" He looks at Chitsukiko, and sees the way she's holding his arm. "Oh, you two?" He chuckles. "You move fast. Good lad." Chitsukiko blushes slightly.
"Mm. Do you know where he lives?" She asked, before looking at Santo. "That old accountant, feed him, give him something to drink. Since the Yakuza thinks he's dead, we'll have to hide him. Have the men bring down a bed, and hide him in the basement. He can count our money in the meantime." She ordered, before looking at Ya-Ming. "As for you... you don't happen to know a few more "freelance" ninjas, do you?"
“Thanks, sis. Have a nice day and take care.” Midori sat down and began eating, using the chance to think what she was going to do. Hmm, I don't have anything planned for today... I think now would be a good time to visit lord Tiyaka and learn a bit more about the expedition she was planning. After that I'll decide what, if anything, I can do to help her...
'Father, good to see you,' Jian hugged Shintaro, 'I've been quite well. Very well, in fact.' He put his arm around Chitsukiko, 'I didn't expect to find the love of my life when I came to find you, but good things do happen sometimes.' He smiled, 'How are you doing? I'm sorry, I said we'd visit my half-sister, but couldn't really find an opportune time for it.'
The accountant nods shyly at his new boss as some men bring him in the basement. Ya-Ming nods. "There are a few independent shinobi clans around that do jobs for the highest bidder. If you're thinking of finding people to put permanently on the payroll, I know a few ronin ninja from defunct clans, but it might take some time to contact them."
Lady Tiyaka is in her apartments, looking through some documents. "Ah, Midori!" She smiles warmly. "Please, come in."
Chitsukiko tries and fails to hide her pride as he calls her the love of his life. Shintaro chuckles. "I'm happy for you. Speaking of your half-sister, I was actually going to see her now. You're welcome to come, if you like. Both of you, if little miss Chitsu isn't too high and mighty to visit a brothel?" Chitsukiko rolls her eyes, but she doesn't seem put off.
