Belinda
Obscured by trees and ringed by walls, the Bayushi estate presented a perfectly proper, yet perfectly archetypical Scorpion manor. The trees cast the grounds into permanent shade and the gardens were modest for lack of proper light. 

The house proper consisted of several comfortable sets of apartments meant for the use of any Bayushi. Up to a dozen samurai could be comfortably, if closely, housed together. Like Kyuden Bayushi itself walls could be repositioned as necessary to give the residents the privacy they needed or open up the floor plan for easier meetings. 

The Scorpion known as Kaori had just come in from the garden where she had been drilling her thousand cuts, and was settling down to a nice little lunch that Tori had laid out for her on a balcony. Her eyes were lazily hooded and the breezes tickled her nose as they moved through the cooling trees. 

It was the very picture of peace and tranquility. 

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Kourtney
The Bayushi state was a beautiful sight to behold, if there was one thing the scorpions valued it was their home. Sadly an invasion of said property was in order, in total six figures moved through the gardens towards the manor. Five of these men were Yoriki assigned to their Magistrate by orders of the ambassador, each donning light armor with a set of Daisho. But in their hands were bows, specifically given to them by Rokugo Yuto for this assignment. They tread behind the Samurai closely, obeying in silence as he demanded such. 

Bayushi no Rokugo Yuto, a Magistrate of the scorpion. Despite his status, he always remembered to stay humble knowing his place as a vassal. That was simply how he was raised, only ever believing to be a sword swung by others, how the Kami had shifted his fate.. The only weapon Yuto carried was his Daisho, even though he had men to do his dirty work, one was still capable and preferred to be hands on. Though if they were lucky, it wouldn't come to that.. 

The Magistrate wore his typical field attire, wearing an all black haori, kimono, hakama, and straw hat. Adorned with the scorpions mon on his back, though his hair fell down draping over it slightly. He walked in front of the Yoriki officers given to him, towering above them all. Right now he commanded a presence unusual for the Junshin to boast, needing to remain stoic and powerful. 

All the servants and guards would have been waved away, the Magistrate and his Yoriki were permitted by orders from Soshi Junichi. The warrant itself said it all, of course he kept a calm composure as to not startle anyone on the premise. Wanting to handle this calmly. Taking a deep breath, they entered the house, already having an idea of Kaoris whereabouts due to receiving information from the servants. Not before long they'd have stood before the door that led to her balcony..

Gesturing for the men to stay back, there was no need to startle her. They'd have stood just outside the door frame, ready for anything if the situation demanded it. Sliding the door open, he'd leave it that way, stepping forward to greet Bayushi Kaori. 

"Kaori-Sama, it is good to see you in robust health. But I come to bring you urgent news.."

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Belinda
"Mistress, men are coming!" A hasty, urgent whisper from behind the door. "It is Rokugo-sama, and he has armed men!" 

"Do as you must," Was Kaori's only response. The servant hastened off to make herself and Kaori's poison collection scarce. The simple box appeared to be a makeup kit with pots of paints and sticks to grind, but the bottom drawer was the Scorpion's most valuable paperwork. It was a sloppy Scorpion who could not clean up after herself. She knew that Tori would consign the whole thing to the fire if she needed to. 

With that out of the way she resumed her meal. If she was going to be in trouble she might not eat again for a long time. If ever. 

"Rokugo-san, what a pleasant surprise," She said as the big man entered her sanctuary. "Do make yourself comfortable. What news is so urgent that its messenger must be so closely guarded? Are the Lion finally storming the gates or has the curse of the Speaker's office struck once again?" 

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Kourtney
Taking a breath, part of him didn't want to do this, but duty demanded his loyalty. Having her and his men's best interest, conflict wasn't the way to resolve this. Feeling her unease as she'd of course know of his Yoriki. Having no desire to lie he spoke true and plain as always. 

"They're Yoriki, assigned to me in order to fulfill our duty. A warrant has been put out for your arrest, you are charged with: Breaking and entering, solicitation, theft, attempted murder, conspiracy of treason against the scorpion, and incitement against the unicorn clan." 

The sad part was Yuto didn't doubt some of these charges were true, though he believed this could be mended. Hopefully things will go smoothly. 

"My men are at bay due to my orders, I'd rather resolve this without violence. It would only make you look worse, I don't wish to see you face the worst." 

Rokugo Yuto was the best and worst person for this job, while there was no denying his feelings and attachment toward Kaori. One couldn't deny that if someone else were sent, violence would have been inevitable, perhaps that was known by the man who gave the order.. 

"I'd like you to cooperate and come with me, that would be best for all of us."

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Belinda
The woman stared down at her food for a long moment, her mind racing. What? What? What? This made no sense. This was nonsense. It would be more reasonable to think Yuto had misread the name on the warrant. She'd done many things, especially recently, but what? 

To buy herself time she took another bite of her food. 

"Sit *Down*, Rokugo-san," She said more forcefully. "What threat is a crippled woman half your size? You wildly over-imagine my skill if you think I could flee this estate in such a condition, much less cut my way through your men. In truth, I do not know if this is a compliment or some sort of self-depreciating joke. Do have a dumpling, they are delicious." 

She looked up at him with round doe eyes that had killed lesser men. "Unless you intend to take my head, stop blocking the breezes. Please. Sit down, and tell me in detail what sad mischief this is." 

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Kourtney
On the inside, she was processing the situation. Her long pause and change in tone told him that it wasn't hard to see, but it told him to be on guard. Standing off to the side to not block any wind from touching the woman, he'd go on to speak. 

"I hope you would not choose to run, it's better that I find and arrest you before someone else less appealed by who you are does. You are strong, but this isn't a matter that can be fought with a sword alone."

Having no intention on forcing the woman, he simply couldn't let her weasel out of this. Truly the man was caught between a rock and a hard place, crossing his arms he looked intently towards her. 

"I'm also tasked with conducting the investigation on your crimes, I'll be departing to interrogate the Mantis. Besides what I've already told you, I have nothing more to give. The quickest resolve to potentially clear your name or lessen the sentence given is by cooperating. Allow me to get to the bottom of this."

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Belinda
Her eyes darkened and she continued eating. "I see," She murmured. "You already believe the accusations yourself. My fate is indeed sealed if even my own clan has turned their face against me. At least tell me this, for the sake of the adventures we have shared, who signed this warrant? Who has ordered that I be humiliated in such a public way? I would know the name of my accuser so I can try to understand their real motives." 

She dipped her dumpling in sauce. The Mantis was an important clue, if Yuto wasn't such a straight arrow she might have thought the slip intentional. Was Mai seeking revenge for the game Kaori had played at her daughter's expense? That seemed as unlikely as the Mantis admitting any other part of that night's activities. Maybe... Maybe there was a defense she could make there if she was willing to go on the offense. Mai wasn't stupid, but she was a pirate first. That ronin was more reasonable. 

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Kourtney
Another deep breath, it seemed she was convinced someone was setting her up. It wasn't like Yuto knew for a fact she committed such crimes, he simply refused to rule out anything. Having to remove personal feelings from the line of work he invested in. 

"I'm certain it won't come to public humiliation, there is to be a trial. You can face it and walk away innocent. I'd deny such charges against you if it weren't for my position as Magistrate, but if there is evidence of your crime I cannot ignore it. Even so, I have not turned against you. Nor will I ever.." 

Stepping forward, he'd have peeled the mask off of his face. Revealing the lower half of the samurai's features, kneeling before her he'd speak again. 

"Soshi Junichi has given the order. He and I get along well. If you are found guilty I'm certain we can lessen your sentence, make it not so harsh or humiliating" 

Emphasizing the If in his speech as he spoke. Extending his arm forward, he'd have offered the lady his mask. It was a symbol of everything he was, everything he believed to have stood for. In some ways, it was his life. Bayushi no Rokugo Yuto was now putting it in her hands. 

"Come with me.."

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Belinda
Those black eyes studied the Scorpion almost pityingly. Was he truly so naive? Was this poor junshin really imagining that harm had not yet been done? In some ways she supposed these traits were ideal for a magistrate, crushing resistance and the will to protest under a ruthless onslaught of good intentions. 

"Rokugo-san, do you not understand that the punishment has already been meted out?" She murmured sadly as she took the mask. She bowed over it before passing it back. "That stamp alone has doomed me. In time perhaps you will understand the depth of my wound. Know this, that any judgement inflicted on me is the merest insult after injury." 

She picked up her wakizashi by the saya, grip reversed, and stood gracefully. Without another glance at her captor she walked off the balcony into her rooms. Unless he moved to assault her she would rack the weapon and head down the stairs, withdrawn into the mountain top where snow was yet untrodden.

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Kourtney
There was a certain relief in her words, yet one couldn't stomach the feeling of disappointment at the same time. Had he failed her by complying with the orders? Was there nothing the Magistrate could have done to repel the warrant? Taking back his mask felt wrong in a way, rather than putting it back on he tucked it into the Obi on his waist. As she walked through the estate he made sure his men didn't jump out at her, not wanting to startle the princess. Things were going good, no need to spoil them now. 

When they got outside, Yuto followed behind the woman, with his group of men behind him. Deciding to keep them at a safe distance to ensure she'd be comfortable, serving as an escort rather than aggressive captors. Of course the men were on guard, each having their suspicions at why they're letting Kaori walk. Six men with six cuffs, you'd think a fight was to break out, somehow resolving it peacefully didn't sit well with them. 

In a way it didn't sit well with Yuto either, but for different reasons. Kaori truly made the Rokugo ponder his actions, was he making the right decision? There was no way to be certain until speaking with Soshi Junichi.