Robert
Kakita Kiyoko took a deep breath as she approached the Mantis embassy. They were hardly *Enemies*—though maybe not friends, either—but formal etiquette always stressed her, regardless of to whom she had to direct it. The Crane samurai-ko was attired in a formal black kimono, itself embroidered with myriad blue sakura blooms, and carried her daisho at her hip, as was customary for the bushi. Over her kimono, she wore a pale blue haori with the mon of the Kakita family on the left shoulder, that of a crane cradling a katana in its wing. She wore her platinum-white hair in a layered chin-length bob, and her pale porcelain skin was accentuated by a distinctive beauty mark to the right of her chin. In one hand, she carried a small wrapped package—a gift for the Mantis ambassador.

"State your business with the Mantis Clan," An ashigaru challenged her as she approached, one of two ashigaru stationed at the embassy gate. Turning her ice-blue eyes on her interlocutor, Kiyoko bowed and replied, "Kakita Kiyoko, here on behalf of Doji Rika-sama and Doji Koharu-sama. Moshi Mai-sama has invited us, though Doji-sama and Doji-sama send their regrets and myself in their stead."

The ashigaru gave her companion a look, then ran inside the compound to inform the relevant parties of Kiyoko's arrival. And so, Kiyoko waited, careful to keep her expression dispassionate and neutral as the remaining ashigaru warily kept an eye on the Crane.

||
Daniel
"Moshi-sama, there is a Kakita Kyoko-san here to speak with you." 

Mai looked up from the table, and to the ashigaru that informed her of the visitor. "Just one?"

"Yes, Moshi-sama. She sends regrets from Doji- Rika and Doji Koharu-sama. Shall I allow her entry?" 

"Yes, yes," Mai sighed, "Just have her in the sitting room for a moment. Chiyoko-san, get the reports from the Moment's Edge-"

"I-I can do it, Mama Mai!" 

Mai and Chiyoko both looked at Mika, one of Mai's pirates-turned-servants, who broke about three different rules in her outburst. Mai didn't answer, merely staring at the young lady, waiting for an explanation. "Well, um, I was, uh, I learned how to read, since being here, and I wanted-"

"What? To show off? 'Look at me, I can read!' Is that it?" Mai's bullying made Mika shiver, but she still gave a little nod. 

Mai scoffed, and waved her off. "Go on, then, Mika-san, go fetch me the reports." Mika beamed, bowed, and took off like an air kami. "That girl..." Come, Chiyoko, let's get ready." 

After having Kiyoko wait for a period of time that wasn't _too_ long, but just long enough to be rattling (a new trick Mai picked up from Doji Rika), A servant would call upon Kiyoko to follow her to the meeting room. She would be led to a room with large tapestries depicting rolling waves and Mantis ships, maps of the charted seas, and other nautical knick-knacks. 

Seated at the table was Moshi Mai and Chiyoko, the ronin standing to bow to the superior before motioning to an empty seat by the rest of them. "Welcome," Mai said, "Kakita Kiyoko, is it? My yojimbo here says that you fight brilliantly." Chiyoko looked over at the Crane, and offered a small smile. 

||
Robert
Kiyoko stole an occasional glance at the ashigaru minder she had been saddled with at the Mantis embassy gate. Wary, but disciplined. It spoke well to the Mantis samurai present at their embassy that they instilled such a sense even in lesser bushi. Not that Kiyoko would make the mistake of underestimating a man or woman simply because they were not consummate warriors; a peasant with a yari could kill a skilled samurai in the right circumstances, after all.

In-between stolen glances, Kiyoko simply meditated unobtrusively where she stood. Breathe in, breathe out. Let the moments flow together and simply wash over you, as her Sensei at the Kakita Dueling Academy had taught her. Like all curricula taught at the Dueling Academy, it had been taught as a means to make Kakita duelists more deadly in a fight, but it had its uses even outside of such circumstances—like dealing with boredom.

Finally, after what seemed like an interminable length of time, a servant came to the gate and escorted Kiyoko inside. She relinquished her katana reverently to the servant once inside, as befit an ancestral katana, and exchanged her zori sandals at the foyer for a pair of provided slippers. She then followed the servant deeper inside the compound.

At length, she arrived before what must have been the assigned meeting room. The servant bowed and slid open the door, and Kiyoko stepped inside, taking a seat opposite a familiar ronin and a less-familiar woman Kiyoko had seen only a short time beforehand at her own embassy foyer. She slid her wakizashi out of her obi and set it to her right in the place of peace as she sat.

"Kakita Kiyoko, yes, Moshi-sama," Kiyoko said. With a glance at Chiyoko, she added, "It is an honor to hear such a summary from a skilled yojimbo such as the one at your side."

The Kakita duelist took the small wrapped package—no larger than a large walnut—and placed it on the table. "A small token," She said, bowing her head slightly. When unwrapped, the package would reveal a small cherry-wood netsuke, this one carved in the shape of a ship with a cat's head figurehead.

Though she felt somewhat out of her depth in what was shaping up to be a courtier's game, the Crane waited patiently for Mai to lead the conversation.

||
Daniel
As expected, Mai refused the gift twice before accepting it, and found the little netsuke adorable! She watched it sway for a good while before packing it back into the packaging, setting it on the table. "A small token, well-accepted," Mai replied, "I thank you." 

A servant entered with jasmine tea, pouring for the samurai and ronin. "Now," Mai said, "Let us get down to what we know." Mai unrolled one of the scrolls, a report written by Chiyoko. "From what I understand, Kazane-san is still too far in shock to give a proper testimony. But, she did ramble about gangs in some capacity. According to _this,_ Chiyoko-san and the late Kakita Yuzuki defended themselves against two gangs." She looked to Chiyoko, a queue to speak. 

"Yes, Moshi-sama," She replied, "I fought alongside Kakita-sama against two gangs: The Strong Arms, and the Moment's Edge. Both gangs were in the middle of a conflict of their own, and refused to disperse or at least let Kakita-sama remove herself from the scenario. When I saw she was a Crane Samurai, I felt it best to assist." Chiyoko crossed her arms, sighing. "Once it was said and done, we slew many gangsters. I believe the Strong Arm's leader in that bout was a ronin named Hayade. Kakita-sama bested her, but spared the woman's life." 

"Hm. That could mean that the gang felt the need to get revenge." Mai muttered as she looked back at the report, and then finally to Kiyoko. Yuzuki Kiyoko-san, "Have you any thoughts on this? What has the Crane been able to come up with?" 

||
Robert
Kiyoko gave a small bow of her head as Mai looked the netsuke over. She wasn't used to the gift-giving practices of samurai and courtiers, but at least it seemed she hadn't committed a breach of etiquette *Yet*. She took up the provided tea, cupping it in both hands, and listened intently as the Mantis and the ronin spoke of what had transpired before the murder of her kinswoman.

"I see. It makes sense that a ronin leading a gang might not accept such a defeat with humility," She said. "A face-saving gesture like revenge may have been the only thing keeping her followers in the gang from abandoning her."

"What is known of the Strong Arms and Moment's Edge gangs, beyond the Strong Arms' leader, Hayade-san? Are they known to dwell in a certain district of the city?"

The Kakita samurai-ko paused and took a sip of the tea. "I am afraid that it seems Kakita Yuzuki-san spoke little with any of the embassy staff about this incident. Kazane-san may be the only one who can tell us more than Chiyoko-san has," Kiyoko said, nodding at the ronin. "I am also somewhat curious why they have not tried to kill Chiyoko-san, as well."

"As I recall, Moshi-sama's daughter is a shugenja who calls on the Kami to heal, yes? Maybe that would help us get more answers."

Kiyoko paused again, staring into the contents of her tea cup for a moment before continuing, "No heimin or hinin can be allowed to attack a samurai without suffering the consequences. If we know where these two gangs are, then a raid on *Both* May be in order."

||
Daniel
Mai nodded, concurring with the Kakita. "Indeed, to these gangs it seems face and reputation are all that matter. Taking out a Clan Samurai would be a big step towards rebuilding fear in enemy gangs. If I were in their shoes, demanding satisfaction would have to do. But even then, this was a gang-up, no duel for honor." She rubbed her chin, thinking about the two gangs present, and which one fit better. 

"Moment's Edge... Those firemen come out of the Juniper Teahouse. A deceptive place; let's just say you can get a _lot_ more from that teahouse than _tea._ They're as dangerous as any other gang, but they're still firemen first and foremost.

"Then there's the Strong Arm. They're actually ruthless, and are far more aggressive than the other gangs. The reason why eludes me,, but they're looking to expand. They control the northern part of the Merchant Quarter. I've had to figure out ways to get Mantis establishments accosted because of them, but they haven't clashed with us directly." 

When the word was spoken out about Chiyoko, Mai rested eyes on the ronin to give her permission to speak. "Some time after a raid on a kidnapping ring, I met with a few Clan samurai for a follow-up. It was fruitless, for the most part, but it was _at_ the Juniper Teahouse. A message was left for us there, in the mouth of a dead man." Chiyoko took a sip before continuing. "It was a message from someone named Tsubomi, who is believed to be some sort of connecting force. The note left spoke of "Acquiring" The Moment's Edge, and going to war with another underworld boss, a person known simply as Silver. Who they really are is a mystery to me. But, to answer the question, the note was considered a warning for me not to get involved in business opposed to Tsubomi, and likewise Moment's Edge. I haven't had to, so I remain unmolested." 

The last musing was a good one, and Mai found wisdom in it. "Moshi Fujiko may just be able to provide some sort of help," She said, "Though matters of the mind and soul are difficult to deal with. But, it's worth a shot. I will have her sent to the Crane Embassy. Kakita-san, you'll handle approval for this, correct? Strange Mantis unannounced aren't usually appreciated.

"But we are in agreement, Kakita-san. Something must be done. But, there is some nuance to this. The gangs aren't just criminals. They're also the firefighting force. Without them, the city burns. One can't simply wipe them out without windowing the subjects and orphaning the children. It's an easy way to get the people to turn on you."

||
Robert
"Firemen, hm?" Kiyoko mused. That was certainly an additional wrinkle in the 'kill them all' plan. "Perhaps the best approach is to raid both, cut down only those who resist, and then take the remainder back for interrogation. Or... Take Hayade-san captive for the Strong Arm, and this Tsubomi for the Moment's Edge? That would, of course, depend on knowing whom this Tsubomi *Is*. Unless Moshi-sama has another idea?"

The Crane took another sip of her tea, momentarily reminded of her difficulty learning the art of the tea ceremony. How *That* Part of the Kakita Dueling Academy curriculum applied to making her a better duelist, she did not know—but her sensei had made sure that his displeasure was known. Kiyoko's eye twitched involuntarily as she thought about it, and she pushed the thought aside.

"As for the visit to the Crane embassy, I will speak to Doji-sama. She wants this...*Issue* Dealt with as well, so I do not think there will be any problems."

||
Daniel
A raid... It wasn't the worst idea, but there were many moving parts to think about. Mai knew more about the underworld than she let on, including who Silver was (or, at least knowing more about Silver than most). They would need to be approached about all this, see if they could provide some insight. Hopefully at a price that could be afforded. 

"Capturing these two would be a big undertaking," Mai said, "But it's more feasible than a raid from the Mantis and Crane. We're not equipped for combat on land as much as by sea, and the Strong Arm are entirely willing to fight Samurai, and seem to have the wit to end one. Mind you, with underhanded tactics." Mai slipped her hand into the folds of her robes, and pulled out her well-worn pipe. 

"I have connections I can go to for information," Mai said, "And I can get more information about Tsubomi and Hayade. From there, we can see which gang was responsible, and target one. The gangs need to be taught that they can't just do as they please, yes. But attacking the wrong one that wasn't responsible for the death of the late Yuzuki would only show that the Samurai are brutes, no better than them. No, we need to be _surgical._ If it's the Strong Arm, we find those responsible for the attack, slay them, and leave the rest. If they wish to retaliate after that, we _destroy_ them." 

Mia lit her pipe, and took a long draw from it. It was good to hear that Doji Rika-sama was taking this seriously, though she couldn't say she was surprised. But, they were to play nice, and this situation would be a grand time to show cooperation. 

"But, that's just Kakita Yuzuki. What does you clan know of the death of Kakita Arai? All i was aware of was that he was shot with a gaijin weapon, a crossbow or some such." 

||
Robert
"An oyumi bolt," Kiyoko said, referring to a larger crossbow most often used in sieges. She had never seen one herself, but that was what the report she'd read had noted. "And a scroll that said something like 'The people of this city grow tired of their master's games.' I am unsure what that means, or whether this mystery scrivener was referring to a single master, or a group of masters—nor the identity of this master or masters."

She took a sip of her tea. "And his daisho was missing. Beyond that, little is known. The scroll makes it seem like it was heimin, but who knows?"

Truth be told, Kakita Arai's death didn't concern her as much as Kakita Yuzuki's, just as much because it was shrouded in more mystery as that she had been present when Yuzuki's death had been reported.

"Perhaps Moshi-sama could go to these 'contacts' for more information on that, as well," Kiyoko suggested. She couldn't imagine that anyone among the Crane embassy staff would have much to do with the sketchy, dishonorable individuals who might traffick in such information. That seemed more the realm of a pirate or a ronin than a Great Clan samurai.

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Daniel
"'The people of this city get tired of their master's games.'..." Mai rubbed her chin as she thought about the note, and wondered about it for a moment. "Masters' games could mean many things... But -and no offense meant, Kakita-san- the Crane are hardly 'masters' of anything in this city. So surely they weren't targeting the Crane personally. It _could_ be work of those blasted Kolat... Another thing I'll need to look into." 

Mai let out a puff of smoke, and sighed. "Well, I might as well get that information right now." She stood up, and Chiyoko glanced at Kiyoko and went back to her mistress. 

"Moshi-sama-" 

"Kakita-san, if you'll follow me." Mai looked to Chiyoko, and nodded. "Doji-sama already knows, there's really no point in keeping it a secret. Besides, we're playing nice with our Crane friends. Friends share information." 

She would walk casually down the hall, with Chiyoko escorting Kiyoko down the way. "A while back," Mai explained, "A sorry excuse of a samurai dared to rebel against the Mantis and throw in the Kolat. This gaijin piece of trash hid from me for some time, before I got the Scorpion to track him down." She led them to a dark room that had a trapdoor, leading down into a cellar. The smell of refuse and blood came from down below, making the ambassador's nose wrinkle. "When we captured him, he told a big story about knowing many things, and offered his info for his life, spared. Well, I don't negotiate with terrorists. I take their information until I'm done with them." 


In the cellar, down in the corner were a couple sets of cells, iron-wrought cages for containing criminals. But, there was only one prisoner : A gaunt, rib-skinny gaijin man, with an unkempt beard and long, straggly brown hair. He had clearly been beaten, burned, and worse, legs manacled, arms as well. "Meet the Gaijin Edward Williams, Kakita-san. If he has any information, he'll share it. Won't you, Ed-kun?" 

"Fuck you," He growled, "You bitch! I'm not a slave to you or any one! LET ME OUT OF THIS CAGE, AND I'LL SHOW YOU MY TRUE P-"

Chiyoko slammed her katana's sheath into his face, making him reel and moan in pain. "Shut up, traitor." She looked at Kiyoko, and nodded. "Ask him what you wish. He'll talk, or he'll be useless and disposed of."

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Robert
Kiyoko tilted her head in concession at Mai's words. She did not think of the Crane clan as 'masters' of anything in Ryoko Owari Toshi, either. The Kakita samurai-ko furrowed her brow at Mai's invitation, then rose to follow. As the trio traversed the hall, Kiyoko tried to recall anything that she had heard of in her travels about a group called the *Kolat*. Weren't they a group of rebels who sought to overthrow the existing social order in Rokugan? Kiyoko could not recall ever encountering anyone like that before, nor could she say that she had heard much more of them than that.

*What was that smell?* The Crane thought, wrinkling her nose in disgust as they entered a dark room and the smell of offal rose to greet her. Still, the Kakita kept her silence as she descended to join Mai and Chiyoko in the cellar. The unfamiliar environs set her on edge, but she was reasonably sure that her clan's new friends weren't going to betray *Her* In this cellar, at least.

Kiyoko sized up the gaijin in the cage, careful not to show any sympathy for his plight on her face. He was, after all, a gaijin—and apparently connected to the Kolat rebels, somehow.

"Edward," She said, aiming for a neutral level of familiarity (on the—wrong—assumption that Edward was his family name), "I understand that you claim to know things worth keeping you alive for. Tell me: Who is Tsubomi-san, and where can we find this person? And what do you know of those who sell oyumi? Or that use them to attack samurai in alleyways?"

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Daniel
Edward glared as best he could, with the newly swollen eye from Chiyoko's painful rebuke, aimed at the Crane that came to visit. "Huh. So the Crane are in cahoots with the Mantis, huh? Hell must've frozen over-"

"Answer the question, dog." Chiyoko's threat of violence was understood, and the gaijin grumbled and looked back to Kiyoko. 

"Tsubomi runs the Moment's Edge now," He said, "After that other Crane bitch and this ronin whore got into their little spat on that bridge. She's been making some moves to unite a lot fo the gangs. Started trouble with the Strong Arms after they failed to annex the Moment's Edge gang. My glorious movement has tried to pull her to our cause, but she's staunchly one you bushido-loving idiots." 

"And what about the oyumi?" Mai asked the question, crossing her arms. 

"There's a seller," He said, "But they're discrete, and they wouldn't sell to someone randomly. My movement has bought them in the past, but they sell to the gangs as well. I know that a bunch of them were confiscated during some raid on a kidnapping ring. Cyclops here knows about that." 

"Oy. Nobody calls her that but _me."_ Mai stepped forward, and looked as if he was going to punch Edward, who flinched so hard that Mai could only laugh. "Now, Chiyoko-san, explain what he means." 

"Well," Chiyoko said, "The kidnappers had oyumi at their disposal. Poison tipped, nasty business. Bayushi Kaori-sama took a shot from one, damn near killed her." 

"If only," Mai muttered. She looked back to Edward, and studied him carefully. "You know about the deaths of Kakita Arai and Yuzuki, do you not?" 

"I don't know anything but what the street knows," Edward replied, "Especially Yuzuki. She was killed _after_ you bastards strung me up down here. As for Arai... Well, It wasn't the Kolat. We would've _claimed_ it. No, somebody else took him out." 
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Robert
The Crane samurai-ko stared at the gaijin in silence. So the oyumi could have been one sold to any number of parties, including the firemen gangs and the Kolat—or one confiscated by samurai after a raid on a kidnapping ring. If the Kolat didn't do it, who did? Kiyoko didn't like the idea that it might have been a samurai, or even someone working on the orders of a samurai, but it was a possibility. Hard to fathom though it was.

She shifted her gaze to Chiyoko. "Who else was part of this raid? And did someone confiscate these oyumi afterward?"

"As for Edward-san," She said, looking to him again, "Have you met Tsubomi before? What does she look like? And where does she operate out of?"

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Daniel
Chiyoko looked to Kiyoko, and gave the information she had. "It was myself, the late Kakita Arai, Utaku Masanori, and Bayushi Kaori. I can attest that Utaku Masanori-sama wouldn't do anything as disgraceful as kill Kakita Arai." 

Mai raised an eyebrow. "And how's that?" 

"I've spent enough time with the man to know he is a true Samurai of great honor. It would never cross his mind to do such a thing. Besides, Crane and Unicorn are allied; killing Kakita Arai benefits neither."

"Then there's Bayushi Kaori..." Mai scoffed, crossing her arms. "I'd never put it past a Scorpion to do something disgraceful, but I can't assume it true just because I'd like it to. Though, Bayushi Kaori has the skill and ability to do so..." 

Chiyoko concured, bitterly so. 

As for Edward, he shook his head at Kiyoko's questions. "I never met the woman myself," He said, "But the Juniper Teahouse is part of her operation. If you want to see her so badly, show your face there and ask. Though I'm sure she'll peg you for another high-and-mighty, sanctimonious Samurai." 

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Robert
The Crane hid a mildly amused smile behind a cough at Chiyoko's testimony to Utaku Masanori. Lovers, perhaps? Regardless, Kiyoko could not imagine how Kakita Arai's death might have benefited the Unicorn or the Crane either. She had never met the man, but the ashigaru and jizamurai at the embassy still held him in high regard.

"I have met Bayushi Kaori—once," Kiyoko said, recalling a rather tense soak in an onsen she had shared with the Scorpion. "She is nursing an arm injury, is she not? That may have made loading the oyumi difficult. Even if it *Were* Her, though, I would wonder what the Scorpion clan would have gained with the death of my kinsman." 

She wasn't convinced it was the Scorpion behind it, either. The Kakita duelist turned her attention back to the gaijin. "And does Edward-san know anything about the Juniper Teahouse? Its layout, secret entrances, or the like?"

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Daniel
"Loading an Oyumi is difficult, yes," Mai noted, "But shooting one is a breeze, or so I'm told. Old Man Tsuruchi Gou-sensei has ranted my ear off over that 'coward's weapon', as he put it." Mai recounted that particular exchange, and tried not to think too much about that grumpy old man. Instead, she focused on Kiyoko's musing about a purpose against the Crane. 

"Girl, have you just been adopted into your Clan? The Scorpion and the Crane have been enemies for generations, especially in this city. When my Clan was part of an alliance with the Scorpion, it was clear that they wanted to worsen Crane relations in the city. Something I was tasked to take care of." She was glaring at the gaijin, but she glanced back at Kiyoko. "All water under the bridge, mind you. Old enemies make the best of friends over time, yes? But, it still points to the fact that the Scorpion wiping out duelists especially could be a move. If things go to court and get nasty, it's hard to win a duel if your best duelists are all dead." 

"Wow, what an amazing thought." Edward spoke sarcastically, leering at Mai. "Come up with that one all on your own? No wonder the Mantis are such idiots, if you only just picked up on that-"

"Speak when spoken to." Chiyoko struck the man again, ending his rant. "Apologies, Moshi-sama. I should have hit him a lot sooner." 
"No, it's fine," Mai said, "Now answer Kakita-san's question." 

Edward spat a tooth out on the ground, and gave a few breaths. "All I know is that if you want to get into the opium den at the Juniper Teahouse, you need to ask for something special. That should get you to where you wanna get. Not that they won't call you out for a Samurai immediately, you white-haired wh-" 

Another strike, just as hard as the other. Edward growled at Chiyoko, and tried to grab at her, but his shackles kept him subdued. "...There. Are we done here? I think I'd rather pass out in peace." 

Mai looked at Kiyoko. "Well? Anything else to this man? I grow tired of his disgusting visage."
Robert
Kiyoko blinked at Mai, nonplussed. Still, she had a point—much as the Crane hated to admit it. There was little love lost between the Scorpion and the Crane clans. Inter-clan politics was something that Kiyoko had had the luxury to be ignorant of for the past six years, which still made thinking of other clans as enemies hard.

"Moshi-sama has a point," She conceded. "And of course, even with a broken arm, someone could assist with the loading. Neither mean that that *Is* What happened, though."

She turned her attention back to the gaijin. His defiant attitude was admirable, but he really wasn't making things easier for himself by mouthing off to his captors. He was right, though: her white hair was pretty distinctive. She was not inclined to hide her samurai status or her clan, but if she did, the hair would be a dead giveaway. On the other hand, if she were to brazenly walk into that teahouse as a Kakita, white hair and daisho and mon and all, it would certainly provoke a reaction... But it would also forewarn their quarry and might make it harder to capture her.

"No, I think we are done here. Thank you, Moshi-sama," Kiyoko said.

||
Daniel
"You're most welcome, Kakita-san. Now, let's be off." Mai ushered Kiyoko back up the stairs, and looked back to Edward and Chiyoko. 

"Shall I end him, Moshi-sama?" 

"No, not yet. But soon." 

With that, the Samurai left the basement, and the ranting, angry Gaijin behind. 
Now back up in the civilized side of life, Mai sighed, and ushered a quick prayer to the kami for purity and cleanliness. "Well then, that's some enlightenment, I suppose." She looked back to the Crane, and rested her hands on her hips. "Now, I believe we have ourselves some assignments. I will look into my contacts to see what can be learned about the Strong Arms, see what they might be up to. You'll look into Tsubomi, carefully; make certain you don't act foolishly and make the same mistake your fallen made in underestimating these gangsters, yes? If it can happen to the greatest duelists in the Empire, it can happen to any of us." 

Moshi Mai gave a small bow. "If there's nothing else, you are free to leave for the evening. As soon as I know more, I will notify you and Doji Rika-sama."
Robert
The Crane samurai-ko followed the Mantis and her bodyguard back up out of the basement. She did not envy the gaijin his fate, deserved though it may have been. Better to die a warrior on the battlefield (or the dueling field), she thought as they walked.

Topside, Mai brought her out of her contemplations. "Moshi-sama honors me with her concern," She said with a slight tilt of her head. "It will be as you say—no rash actions where these Firemen are concerned."

Kiyoko bowed in return. "I believe that is all. Fortunes smile upon you both," She said, offering a respectful nod to Chiyoko as well. With that, she excused herself and retrieved her Kakita Blade katana, *Reitenseiya*, from the servant to whom she had given it for safekeeping upon her arrival at the Mantis embassy, and departed.

She had preparations of her own to make.

[End Scene]

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