Akane follows Hashimoto, close enough to assist if a battle breaks out, yet far enough behind to not hinder the bushi. Due to dramatic necessity, she hears the soft<em>snickt</em>of Akano's blade being drawn, and the footsteps up the stairs. She quickly yet lightly touches Hashimoto's shoulder. Their eyes lock, then hers flickers towards the stairs. The message, silent as it was, is clear.<em>Continue on. I'll investigate the stairs.</em><br/><br/>Akano is met in  the stairway by a samurai wearing a jet black and blood red kimono, the Scorpion mon visible on the shoulder and a drawn katana. Unlike most Scorpions, she is not wearing a visible mask.<br/><br/>"Who are you," she whispers. "State your business." She's not threatening the samurai, more as curious.