The young Yasuki enters the temple for the first time since arriving at oni mura. Offering a brief bow to those present he seems to be lost in thought as he offers a prayer to lord sun.

Hai Kitsu-sama. Hai. The Dragon nods, agreeing completely with that point.

Yotogi bows to the entering Yasuki before returning his attention to the Lion.

I hope that those events do not affect the work we are all here to do. In the end, all these divisions only help one person.

Ryoji smiles and bows to the Yasuki as he enters the shrine, before turning back to the Dragon.

"Crossing such divides is always easier said than done, and easier in some circumstances that others. In fact, I'm not sure some are cossable at all."

He frowns as he contemplates somthing.

"Time will tell though, Mirumoto-san."

The Dragon smirks a little. If the Crane and Lion, enemies since the dawn of the Empire, can become allies and friends, then anything is possible. All that is needed is hard work and a little faith.

"An alliance takes two people and a piece of paper. Friendships take much more. Enmity takes only a word and a war only a little more than that."

Kiku notes that the opportunity to use the shrine alone was present, but had already passed. Maybe she would be lucky and the Yasuki had a healthy family full of living people, not dozens of ancestors to be individually addressed.

Ryoji nods at Kiku's words, letting the elder Lion's words stand for the both of them, even if he disagreed with them, which he really couldn't.

But to get those two people to sign the same piece of paper can take a lot of work, sometimes enough to fill a lifetime Matsu-san. The process can forge bonds of trust to last the ages... leading to friendship.

Yotogi shrugs. Or it could shatter them for all time. Like you said, things can revolve on a single word... or a single action.

After finishing a realitively short prayer (lucky for Kiku he doesnt have much family period) Hochkie stands and marches off with a determined look in his eyes

Ryoji bows and smiles to the Yasuki as he leaves.

Fuji walks towards the shrine for her morning prayers. Her eyes glint a little at the site of Ryoji standing outside the shrine--and then she sees the Mirumoto he's talking to. Her face goes to an emotionless mask as she stops and waits a polite distance from the group.


Fuji

Ryoji smiles when he sees Fuji, though it turns to a frown when he see's her face. He turns back to the Dragon and bows.

"If you will excuse me, Mirumoto-san, I must attend to the shrine before I get too many more visitors. Good day."

Ryoji then turns to go into the shrine to begin his morning cleaning and preperations.

Of course Kitsu-san, do not let me keep you. I need to be going also. I hope the rest of your day goes well. He returns the bow to Ryoji, then bows to the other Lion he was speaking to. Yotogi acknowledges the samurai-ko waiting at a slight distance with another bow, then backs away before turning to go.

One of Kiku's eyes closes. It wasn't a squint. It was more as though she just didn't feel the need for both. Her grin returns for a moment and she likewise turns to leave.

It seems she came to the shrine with no intention of praying...

Af few minutes pass and Ryoji sticks his head out out of the shrine wondering what happened to Kiku. He shrugs and returns to his morning duties.

Fuji gives the Dragon a bow of exactly the correct depth to acknowlege his leaving; her bow to Kiku is equally correct. Her face shows the smallest confusion when the Matsu woman leaves without going into the shrine but she mentally shrugs it away and enters.

Once inside she smiles briefly to Ryoji but before speaking to him she goes about her prayers.


Fuji