The messenger, a male ninja dressed in black, creeps through the castle and out onto the ledge above the gardens, situated in a courtyard in the centre of the tenshu, vines and flowers hanging down to drape the tranquil area, where Lord Yokuboo stands with the shogun, the splitting image of her mother. "I assume you'll be staying the night? The roads are perilous past sundown." The shogun speaks to Yokuboo, totally unaware that there are two shinobi watching the conversation. The ninja is skilled. If Inazuma hadn't followed him, she doubts that she'd have been able to spot him in the shadows of the ledge.
"Here meaning this province, or the whole island, or all of Hattori? Well, if you're referring to Clan Yokuboo, they're an old family, I think, going back centuries. Lord Yokuboo is the lord here, and he has a mixed reputation. He's got a good reputation as a general, and has managed to keep law and order here, and he doesn't tax us too harshly, but at the same time, he lost a lot of land and power several years ago. He has many children, but no clear heir, which means that everyone's a little worried about what'll happen when he dies. If civil war breaks out... Well, I shouldn't be blabbing on about the politics of my betters like that."
The guards take her letter and examine it closely for its authenticity, before nodding and opening the gates for the redhead to enter the castle. She's directed to wait in the courtyard, before a man exits the main castle, bowing to her with a polite smile. "Good day, my name is Hattori, of Clan Yokuboo. My father is out currently, but I would be honoured to show you to guest quarters where you can wait for his return."
Kyouka patiently waits in the courtyard, still waiting for her hangover to subside. Taking deep breaths until Hattori arrived, the redheads looks at him with a tired look. "Is he now? Well, I won't take much of your time then. I just wanted to ask when we were heading out for the capital, since I was chosen to join the Kushan." She replied, while inspecting him to see what sort of warrior he was.
He doesn't seem to be much of a fighter, scrawny and weak looking, with an unscarred face, and soft hands that have clearly not held a sword very often. "Most likely tomorrow, when I believe my father will be returning. If I know him well, I'd say that he'll want to get going as soon as possible."
"Really?" She was half interested what his reaction would be if she mentioned things to him. While she kept the people who were aware of what she was to a minimum, she had more than once encountered people who simply chose not to believe, even when proof was right in front of them. People who were more invested into these things, tended to jump at shadows...or be really into the supernatural. It was hard to tell which one they were until it happened. Grabbing the bowl, she took a bite, and her eyes lit up from the taste. She had never thought she'd find such quality food in this district, and her face showed her approval. Chewing for a few seconds, then swallowing, she idly gave him a glance. "Well, there's definitely more to the world than most would believe. I don't know how much I buy into the idea of oni and tengu lurking at every corner. I have to imagine spirits have infinitely better things to do with their time than just wait around to annoy people....though, maybe it's because of those yokai stories I heard as a kid...but the Okuri-Inu. For whatever reason, that one always scared me. Even to this day, I'm only a fan of dogs when they're away from me." She shook her head for a moment, setting the bowl down after she finished. "I don't know, if I think everything the shrine maidens think they see and hear is always ghosts. I think they want to think it is...but I don't think so...something like it....bears. Or some type of animal. I guess I'd really have to see something special happen before I jump on the ghost explanation....but on some level, I think I kind of hope that one day I do."
Inazuma wasn't sure what she should do next. She can't started fight with ninja right now, because ewen if she will be able to defeat him, It will be hard fight. But... Maybe She could gain from him some information? Inazuma decided to take risk and create shadow clone and send her to other ninja. When she stay hidden away from him, her shadow clone will talking for her. "It look like two hunters find themself on the same field. But did we hunt on the same prey?" Her clone speak to ninja her own words, clone move closer to him. Inazuma hide in the shadows and wait for his reaction.
"Tomorrow?" Kyouka said with a frown, specially since he wouldn't be much fun with his weak build. "I'm early then. Very well, I will take my leave for now. I shall return tomorrow morning." She added as she heads to where her horse was. That was unless the man stopped her.
He eats his own bowl with ravenous fervour. "Well there are certainly things that are difficult to explain, out there. And of course, there are certain monsters that are real. For instance, my big brother hunted down a Joro-gumo last spring, a spider woman who'd killed dozens of people in the Terada Domain. And Okuri-Inu are certainly real. As a child, I got lost wandering through the mountain passes near my home, and nearly got eaten by a bear, but a phantom dog saved me and led me to safety." He pats his stomach. "Well, that was lovely."
The ninja springs back, nearly falling off the ledge and exposing himself, but regaining his balance before he makes a sound. He draws his sword, prepared to defend himself, and whispers "Who do you serve, kunoichi?"
"Indeed, my Lady. I would be obliged, if you escorted me to my quarters." As they begin to move he asked her. "When do we depart?"
"Very well, enjoy your evening, madam." He makes no move to stop her, until she hears his voice call out as she nears her horse. "Excuse me, but are you the ronin who fights duels and offers her body if she loses?"
Inazuma speak by mouth of her shadow clone. "I serve my clan, like most of us. I serve to woman so we have some conection. Maybe you will hidde your katana? If I wanted to kill you, I would just attack you when you are not excepted that." Inazuma said smiling to hersellf and look eye on her Lord.
She takes his arm, and they walk back into the castle, heading through the hallways, past the guards, into the guest area. "I think it's best if we depart immediately. Emperor Gotaka had a period of leniency for lateness, but with a new emperor of unknown temperament, we'd best hurry, so as not to anger him."
"That's...an interesting thought." She didn't have a lot of reason to doubt his story. On the other hand, just because she was real, didn't mean all stories were real. Maybe not a ghost dog creature...but something like it. A wolf, perhaps. But they don't compete for the same kind of foods, so they would usually just leave each other alone. While it was obvious by her voice, she wasn't sure how much she believed, she gave a contented look at the meal she finished. "It's quite good." Standing up, she got ready to leave, waiting for him with the smile on her face not fading. "Though all this ghost talk doesn't do well for my nerves. Perhaps, you should walk me home for safety?"
Lord Yokuboo moves inside with the shogun, and soon, they are out of sight, unless Inazuma follows. The ninja slowly sheathes his blade, though her experienced eye notes that his hand is close to his waist, where kunai and shuriken are likely hidden.
Chitsukiko reaches around, taking her aunt's hand in hers, then leans her cheek against the clasped fingers. "He's my father." Nothing else she could say, the ties of blood was strong and immutable. Looking back, the way Senzan had talked about women in general, then comparing to what he said about her mother struck her as odd. "You're talking as if I am a fledgling leaving the nest, expecting her never to return." There's a slightly amused tone in her voice. "You worry too much auntie, my place is among the clan. All of those I care for and love are all right here." She rises, not letting go of the hand until she has too to embrace her aunt. Taking comfort in her warmth. "I'll do my best to protect the lord, and show him the result of your training."
Inazuma send her shadow clone in oposite direction of way, where go lord and shogun. "See you, good hunting." She said by mouth of her clone and when clone will hidde, she will made him disapper. Inazuma hersellf sneak after her lord. Now she left ninja with dilema, if he should follow unknown treat for castle or spy on these two.
"Hm?" Kyouka cooed as she heard the voice. Grinning as his question, she turns around to get a good look at him. "Yeah, that's me. What of it?" She asked in a menacing tone.
