Chapter 28: Initiating the ignorant

Our protagonist is enlightened

“Why would we ally with the Rensho? They tried to kill us!” Before his own kin Fuyukaze was a bit more blunt. His sister and Homeji Kaiten knelt by a low table taking tea and rice before Fuyukaze interrupted them, Kaiten bristled noticeably his eyes narrowing and preparing to shout at the lad.

Miyuki spoke first however, her voice cool and soft “I will take that as an acceptance then.” She held out a hand expectantly, and in turn Fuyukaze took the letter from within his robes and handed it to his sister. Kaiten just took his tea, his motions exaggerated by his anger.

“I do not know exactly, they were threatening the first half of my visit and then suddenly turned pleasant towards the end.”

Miyuki smiled and opened the letter “Thus why I sent you, I knew they would invite you in little brother.” She carefully untied the white silk ribbon from the letter and began to carefully unfold the rich red paper. “Tell me, what exactly did they say?”

Fuyukaze stammered a bit, unaware of his sister's plans “I do not know, they spoke little to me. I came in and they were all in arms. They greeted me with six armed warriors, all ready to cut me down for the slightest wrong move.” Fuyukaze glanced at Kaiten, his gaze had turned from fire to intent listening, still angry but wanting to hear the boy's words. “Then I was taken to talk in a side room. The warrior there, Agano, said that the attack was inconvenient and no one would talk with them. He also said there was a threat that the Shogun would declare war on them and all the clans would turn upon them.”

Miyuki smiled “As we had both guessed, they are isolated. The Rensho would likely want someone to talk to even if they are guilty, and if they are not, they would be dearly seeking friends right now.” She noted and gestured to Kaiten “we do not act blindly in our actions little brother, it costs us nothing to be their friends and it gains us more information.”

“I see” the boy said a little uneasily. “I am sorry I did not see your strategy.”

“Your not supposed to, a Yojimbo is not supposed to think, nor accuse, just act” Kaiten added sharply taking another sip of his tea.

Miyuki shook her head softly “Oh forgive his rudeness Kaiten-sama, he is inexperienced in such things. I doubt they have taught him more than how to swing a sword and draw a bowstring.” This left her brother with the hot burn of shame upon his shoulders, his heart sinking and feeling sick to his stomach. She looked to her brother with a soft smile “There is more to a clan than just its armies, and this war has already started but we need to find out who we are fighting first. Still, you noticed far more than a servant would have and for that you have served us well. Just be careful, your every action is noticed here in court and all can be used against the family.”

Fuyukaze blinked in surprise, he never thought much of being asked to carry a message to someone as an errand for a samurai. Then in shock, he thought of how angry he was the entire time, could someone have noticed this? He bit his lower lip and clenched the edges of his kimono sleeves tugging on them lightly.

Miyuki just watched her brother, a hint of a smile upon her lips, but she said nothing just softly noting “I think that is all dear brother, please leave Kaiten and I to our discussions now. Please forgive us, but Kaiten seems a bit grumpy in your presence.” Kaiten turned, his eyes flashing angrily to Miyuki who just smiled playfully and drew her wrist to her mouth with a giggle.

Fuyukaze just bowed low to the courtiers, backing out carefully from the room and sliding the door closed behind him. He just walked in a daze towards the garden trying to understand what just happened. Miyuki and Kaiten gleaned so much more than he ever could have imagined from the events that transpired.