Early risers will find the shrine occupied at first light. Mirumoto Yotogi is present, already kneeling before the shrine and deep in prayer. There is no clue as to how long he has been there, but those that saw him the previous day will notice he is wearing a different kimono.

Ryoji moves queitly around the small shrine with his morning duties so he does not distrub the praying Dragon.

Fuji once again pauses on the threshold of the shrine. If the oni eats him, I won't have to worry about him anymore. The pleasure she took from that thought was a little troubling.

Slowly she moved into the shine, once again taking a spot on the Dragon's left. Perhaps I should start coming at a different time.


Fuji

The Dragon finally rises from his prayers, noticing the same samurai-ko on his left as the day before. She's an early riser. Either that or she couldn't sleep like me. Again, he bows to her deeply before turning to leave. He bows to the priest as well, then steps out into the morning sun.

Fuji doesn't turn as he leaves this time. A short while later she finishes her prayers and rises to her feet. She bows slightly to Ryojin, and smiles. "I must thank you for your prayers," she said. "I ended up not going to tetsubo-bashing lessons."


Fuji

Ryoji smiles at the ronin.

"I am glad to hear things went well for you, though I'd hate to sound like I was discouraging you from training. Kiku-sama has convinced me of it's importance so since the shrine is looking well in order I'm likley to seek her out today for whatever horrible beating she has in store for me. I fear it is unlikley to go well, but I agreed to do so. At least I have convinced her of my reasoning to not use larger weapons"

"I do not question the tetsubo's effectiveness against oni," Fuji said, "but this village aside I don't think the Jade Hand will be fighting oni much. From what I have heard, the true threat we much guard against is wicked humans, and they die quite easily against a sword." She pauses for a moment, unfocussed eyes looking at something not in the shrine.

"Kiku is right about you needing training," she continues after a moment. "I will spar with you, if you wish additional practice time."


Fuji

Ryoji shakes his head a bit.

"I'm afraid I know little of who or what the Legion will be fighting. I have no experience or knowledge of the minions of Jigoku. I just know a tetsubo is too heavy unwieldy to carry around with everything else I bring with me."

He smiles at Fuji, the twinkle of humor in his eye.

"If you have the desire to beat up a mostly defensless priest in your spare time with bokken, I would be happy to oblidge. Though it's not an activity I can condone against non-consenting priests."

"In my spare time I can think of better ways of beating a consenting priest," Fuji says. "But if Kiku thinks that training you is worth her time then you should take it seriously. I will not lie to you, I was not raised to think kindly about the Matsu--but I was not raised to think them stupid, either." She rakes her hand through her hair and then gestures with it. "You are a Lion, you should not need me to tell you these things."


Fuji

Ryoji smiles wearily at the ronin girl before him.

“Trust me, I know the Matsu very well. My father, aunt and sister are or were all Matsu and have tried for a long time to make me a greater warrior. I am proficient in kenjutsu, mostly training with my wakizashi and don’t mind practicing with bokken.”

He sighs and lets his eyes drift around the shrine, his smile draining away.

“I help people, that is what I do. I listen to those that need someone to speak to, I try and advise those who look for wisdom and I heal those who have injured themselves along the way.”

His voice lowers in volume.

“I simply have little heart to bring harm to another person. Yes, I will fight to defend those in my care or that I care for, I am no coward. It just takes a significant amount of will and need to be able to strike out with deadly force.”

Fuji makes as if to speak, then hesitates. "I am a ronin because I need answers--it is not my place to advise you." She reaches out and almost touches the place on his arm where he had cut himself. "Carry the Fortunes, Ryoji." She turns and quickly strides out the door of the shrine.


Fuji

"Fuji..."

He he pauses as he looks at her, confused, concerned and thoughtful, a small smile breaking through.

"I would be happy to practice bokken with you, I am normally free in the evenings after dinner."

Fuji pauses on the threshold of the shrine and looks back. For a moment her eyes are harsh and dead, and then life and humor floods back into them. "If Kiku-san is having her way with you this afternoon then I don't think you will have the energy to spar with me tonight," she says with a grin. "But if not tonight, then tomorrow night. Look for me in camp; I'll be around."


Fuji

The Kitsu bows to her with a smile.

"Perhaps tommorow night then, if Kiku-sama lets me live that long."

Fuji smiles slightly and bows in return. "Tomorrow," she says, then leaves.

/exit


Fuji