One big... (Day 5 Late Evening.)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Well, this was something. Not something he had expected when he arrived here, but it was something. Walking around his cabin he pulled out a bottle of sake and several cups.

Drinks might be nice to have tonight..

[Yoko]

After a long day of making the rounds, it all lead back toward the Sea Fox as perhaps it always should have. Though she wasn't needed as a guide, guide she did and made first entry into the room. Giving a nod and a smirk toward the Captain she found her way off toward the side as to be out of the way as the others entered. Crossing her arms she leaned up against the nearest unadorned wall she could find.

[Dapper Dog]

Ikeda Ishi, a male ronin wearing a wide brim hat, and Sutorenja are all present.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Please make your selves comfortable. Sutorenja, Ikeda-san and my apologies but I only know one name for you." He nodded towards the male ronin.

He offered to pour cups as people sat, though some might not wish to drink.

[Dapper Dog]

"Kojitsu, though they may call me by another name," he said nodding to the other two guests.

[Ikeda Ishi]

Ishi said, "Ikeda-sensei is modest but also correct for now."

[Sutorenja]

Sutorenja nodded though she was obviously still uneasy with the turn of events.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Which was the only one I knew you as until now, Kojitsu-san. This is the the right one under the circumstances." The Mantis offered with a slight smile.

"You will accept my apologies that I do have an idea of who both of you are. It's not information that I'd normally seek out, but circumstances have made it otherwise." His eyes shifted from Sutorenja to Kojitsu, then to Ishi for a moment. "Do either of you two remember the events of the last three days?"

[Sutorenja]

Sutorenja spoke, "We do not recall what has really happened. I am somewhat aware that the day has been repeating and that Ikeda Ishi tried to take my life and we suspect that Otomo Yusuke may be the culprit behind these actions. And you became involved by your connection to Ikeda Ishi and the ronn, Yoko.. I think that is what I know for sure?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Yes." Shouji agreed with a nod. "The Crab tried to arrest Ikeda-san yesterday for witch craft, an action i believe was arranged by Otomo Yusuke to silence her. Which is why she has been in my care since this morning."

"It doesn't seem he has made the same move today though, and we are under the belief that it's because his target has returned to you." He paused a moment picking up his drink to take a sip. "As to why I have an idea, but a lot of it is conjecture."

[Yoko]

While the others spoke Yoko shifted a little. Shifting her blade in its saya so that it rested against her lap a little more. Looking down at it a moment, the frayed nature of the cords. How old they were getting, how weathered. Was a long time since she first got the blade in her hand. Long way from the place she knew as home and now it was here with her. Small smirk inwardly and shaking her head at the thought.

Looking back up at everyone she put her thumb on the cords. Resting back a bit against that unadorned wall as they spoke. Brushing her thumb along the cords absently as she listened and thought.

[Dapper Dog]

"What is your idea, Captain?" he asked.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It has a bit to do with a vision one of those here had, a prophet of the Monkey named Fuzake Hifumi. She spoke of the land divided after a message arrived born by one bearing the mon of the Miya.

"Divided behind two people, one was you Sutorenja-san. The other was a man she could not identify. A man you said may be your eldest brother the Heir. At least from Fuzake-san's description. At the time though you couldn't seem to place why it would be him though. Why the Heir and you would come to be against each other. I can only think of one message a Miya might bear that could cause such a thing." He said with a frown.

"One that might cause someone to seek your life, that could cause them to use the name of Otouri Toturi to do so." He paused a moment. "I can't day i know the will of the Most honored person in the Empire. The only thing I can think of to cause this though, is if you are to be named the heir Sutorenja-san."

[Yoko]

The thumbing of the cord wrap stopped as Yoko looked a little more directly at the conversation.

[Dapper Dog]

"If she is named the heir, there would be a great incentive to have her removed the succession before it was all official. If this is happening then the Empress would have to be a poor state, this does not bode well," he responded as he scratched his chin.

[Yoko]

"Means that if something's going to happen.. it's going to happen real soon. Real, real soon," she commented idly, quirking her brow in thought for a moment. Looking between the three Imperial's, even if they didn't all wear that title currently. Then to Shouji, "So- we get ready for the worst. Survive long enough for the words to be known and make sure Sutorenja-san here can return to her life as Oturi Yuahime. Easy enough, eh?" she suggested, but didn't believe that in the slightest and it was apparent in her tone.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"If she is named the heir, there would be a great incentive to have her removed the succession before it was all official. If this is happening then the Empress would have to be a poor state, this does not bode well," he responded as he scratched his chin.

"Not at all." Shouji agreed with a nod. "It's the only reason I can think of to try and assassinate a Princess though." There may be other reasons of course, but none that aligned with the vision so well.

He turned his gaze to Yoko. "It's precisely as Yoko-san says though, of course i don't believe it will be easy though." He hesitated a moment before adding. "Honestly im hesitant about involving myself further without knowing that this is the will of the Empress. I think I'm too involved now to back out though."

His gaze switched to Sutorenja. "I'd also point out we haven't heard your thoughts on this, Sutorenja-san. We need to know your will before we can truly proceed."

[Sutorenja]

She nodded and said, “It seems my days as Sutorenja are coming to an end. Too many know who I was, or who I will be and if my enemies are willing to act so openly then I cannot be naïve and think that ignoring it will just be fine.”

“I apologize to you Tsuruchi Shouji-sama, this is not your fight,” she said bowing deeply. Then she added, “A samurai must know Courage, I will take my case to the Capitol once the borders are clear. The fastest route may be by boat, though.”

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Well that was a relief, if he was honest part of him had worried she would want to stay the Ronin. She had seemed like she was on that path afterall, at least she had yesterday. Though there was more information avilable now, so happily that had changed.

At her words he nodded, dipping into a bow as well.. "I had planned to take the Sea Fox up the coast to the North when I departed from here, if you wished to sail with us, itt would be my pleasure to take you and your two escorts." He glanced towads isshi and Kojitsu. "To the Capital. You are even free to stay onboard until that time."

His eyes drifted towards Iishi. "We do need to figure out what Ikdea-san here is to do in the meantime. If she is not attending to her duties, something is sure to come of it. Right now with these repeating days it's little trouble. But I know some work even now to break the curse, and at most we have but one more of these repeating days." He frowned. "Are there any ideas for that?"

[Sutorenja]

“Ikeda-sensei, do you have any… way to prove your identity?” Sutorenja asked.

[Dapper Dog]

"I am sworn to the service of the Oturi, this role was temporary, you have but to say the word and I shall resume the life of Ikeda Hiro," he responded coming to attention.

"It would behoove a man of my presumed station to take Ishi-san as my page."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It seems we have a solution then." That would save the young woman any further dishonor.

[Yoko]

"That's, good," she commented, as idlg as her first, and returned to fiddling with the cord under her thumb a bit. Leaning back against the wall more fully.