She listened to many things, to many people as she quietly walked around the courtyard outside of the Taishogun's throne room. When certain gossip is spoken near enough for her to understand, she pauses to listen, even while seemingly not listening and paying attention to the remarkable artwork adorning the walls of the court.
When the time came for others to approach the Taishogun and make their petitions to him, she slips through the doors of the throne room and off to the side, her eyes scanning the room quickly, taking notice of the small details that may prove important, espercialy where those who do not seem to be paying attention are, what they are doing, and even if they are apperently unarmed or not.
She kneels quietly in an open place off to the side and near enough to listen, yet far enough to possibly not be mistaken as a petitioner just yet. One individual she heard spoken about she watches with interest approach the taishogun, the Lady Arisu, and make her petition for a place in the one of the Dragon Orginazations. Too bad, she thinks to herself, that one would make a poentially expecent battle commander for the Sisterhood if even the slightest rumors proved true.
She glances back to see if possibly Rika Ito may have made her way to the Throne Room yet to be seen by the Taishogun yet, and when she does not see her Sister, she turned her attention back to watch and listen, being part of the general crowd of those invited by the Taishogun. She smiled slightly to herself, thinking perhapes later she will see about getting closer to one of the Dragons for a simple nights worth of pleasure, and maybe even get a little more useful information.
For now, she remains patient and watchful, and ready just in case something important happens.
Cheng put on a one of his finest robes, shined his armor, sharpened his katana. Why you ask? All of the fuss was obvious, the grand Taishogun was hearing the samurai's in his grand throne room. He entered the courtyard outside of the throne room paying attention to every single detail, he was very observant.
He thought to himself:
"The Taishogun and the Dragons are grand indeed when they can build such marvelous wonders..."
He passed by you women in the courtyard. As soon as they saw him they just couldnt stop looking. A tall strong man, a samurai, still a Oban within the Dragons but strong in will and in battle. His shiny armor reflecting his sense for honor and bravery.
Even though he was in the most protected place of all, Cheng always had his arm on his katana....always on guard....
Cheng was not a man to ask for position, he was not a man to ask for greatness, he is one of those that keeps silent and does not say a word. Instead he earns all the honor with actions and not meaningless words. Upon enetring the grand room, he noticed a fellow sister, he glanced at her quickly and turned to the other side.
There was an empty corner in the room, there was no light in it, it was shrouded by shadows. Cheng sat there, took out his sword and put it on the floor infront of him. He observed silently not moving a single muscle. The only thought he had in mind at that time was to see the Taishogun, kneel before him and offer his life. For if the Taishogun requested so, Cheng would take his life right there, for the familly and honor in battle that the Taishogun has given him in the Dragons is already worth more then life itself.
.....he sat there....observing with his mind, listening....Everyone glanced at him once in a while but Cheng kept his eyes closed......he felt reborn in the great hall..
Hirosho Horatami awoke from his nap, put on one of his Roju Robes, and headed for the courtroom. Two of the guards, that didn't even know why he payed for them, outside of his room accompanied him to the courtroom. The halls were barren and empty except for few Obans chatting. Hirosho Horatami was half way to the court room when he spotted an Oban eating several apples. Hirosho approached the Oban.
"Do you really need ten apples?.. *coughs* May I?"
The Oban quickly gave Hirosho an apple, but hirosho still stood there examining it.
"Apples.. Usually their synthetic.. but this one looks perfectly fresh and real. Is it not?"
The Oban nodded, and bowed.
Hirosho continued his walk to the courtroom while eating his apple. When he arrived, there were four guards at the entrance. One of them held out his hand in front of Hirosho's face, and he stopped short of opening the door. The guard looked at him, and his apple.
"No food in the courtroom. We try to keep it clean, sensai."
Hirosho scratched his head, and sighed.
"But.. this.. it's.. not synthetic. It's a real apple! When was the last time you had a real apple?"
The guard looked confused, then responded with fear in his voice.
Cheng was still sitting in the shaded corner of the room. He didnt move a muscle, but then, he heard someone talking to the guards. He opened his eyes for a few seconds and saw Roju Horatami-san.
He only had the outmost respect for Horatami, yet they never talked long. Cheng never talked to anyone for long, he is not a man of words but a man of actions.
He thought to himself:
"I wonder if I should go, bow, and say a few words to sensei Horatami..."
But then his silent side took over again. He leaned back into the shadows and closed his eyes. He continued to listen and feel....
Hirosho Horatami stood observing the room, then spotted the young but known oban, Cheng. He approached the Oban, sitting alone and quiet like in the shadows.
"Ehem.. Cheng. Why do you sit here observing nothing but your eyelids? This is an exciting time! Cheer up and have some tea with our brothers. There is a nice table over there where a few of my Roju friends are drinking. You should visit them, I'm sure they would gladly accept you for a drink."
Cheng heard Roju Horatami's voice. He opened his eyes and saw him standing right next to him. He quickly bowed down, almost kissing the flor while doing it, with his sword infront of him.
"Sensei I do not deserve to look you into the eyes. I can only dream to achive the honor you have now.."
He continued to stare into the floor and talk
"I am not one for great speaches or festivals sensei. I like silence, I am that kind of man I guess."
"But please do not trouble yourself by worrying about me. I shall be fine here where I am..."
He quickly glanced at the great Taishogun. He was surrounded by guards and advisors. Cheng's eyes were glowing everytime he glanced at the Taishogun.
"Our Master is busy, I do not know why they burden buerocracy and politics upon a already troubled mind."
"I am positive that our Master will clense Kusari from its filth..."
Cheng retreated back to the shadow of that corner in which he sat, and, by doing so, he still avoided to look sensei Horatami into the eyes, for he felt that he was not worthy.
He closed his eyes and muttered one more sentence...
"You are a great Roju and brother sensei Horatami. I do not even know if I deserve to call myself one of your brethren, but it is an honor to have you by my side in battle."
He took a deep breath and waited for the announcement's of the Taishogun.
A black, armored dropship touched down on one of Kyoto's docks. The vessel was of an unfamiliar design, but it's markings identified it clearly as a Consortium vessel. The ship's markings were largely illegible, with only the tail-number, low-visibility Airwatch roundel, and a small 'Stars and Bars' flag as a squadron-identifier on the dropship's nose.
A side-hatch on the side of the ship opened, and a small gangway extended. One of the Dragon security personnel walked up to greet the suspicious guests.
"State your business..." The Dragon asked, clearly displeased with these perceived 'Gaijin' in their midst.
From within the Ship, a figure stepped aggressively out. What seemed to be a man, dressed in a suit similar to those used by bomb-disposal, and a sinister-looking helmet, holding not a gun, but a hatchet.
The man said nothing, breathing heavily, and staring at the Dragon.
"Speak, Demon!" The Dragon stated again, louder. Placing his hand on the hilt of his Sword. Prompting the Consortium soldier to step forward.
Before blows could occur, however, a voice came from behind.
"Hold it, boys. We ain't here t' come to blows."
From behind the armored figure, a man emerged from the dropship, and walked calmly down the gangway, and handed a piece of paper to the Dragon guard. "We're here on Diplomatic business. Waitin' to speak to the Council and the Taishogun."
"The Taishogun speaks to those he chooses when he chooses." The guard stated.
"We are aware of this, and we 'should' be expected. Pass word along we've arrived, we'll be waitin' in the bar 'till they're ready t' talk to us." The man said calmly, in a deep Louisiana accent.
He bowed politely before the Dragon, who reciprocated and went about his business.
The armored Juggernaut in the bomb-suit stood next to the officer, obediantly.
"Watch the ship. Don't let anyone play with it, but try not to provoke them. These dragons ain't to friendly."
The armored figure wheezed heavily, and stood at attention next to the ship. While his C.O. made his way deeper into the facility, flanked by two bodyguards.
The Consortium officer was a walking Anachronism. An older, grizzled Libertonian man with a salt-and-pepper beard and mustache, wearing an archaic-looking gray officer's trenchcoat with gold buttons and pins, barely visible under his armored vest. He wore an Elkhorn-handle knife, an officer's sabre and a high-calibre revolver on his belt, as well as numerous other standard-issue gadgets, with a belt-buckle bearing the letters 'CS'.
He was flanked by two bodyguards wearing much more conventional uniforms and armor. Their faces hidden by black Balaclavas.
The three men brushed off the looks they received as they walked into the Kyoto bar. Sitting down and awaiting the Taishogun's permission to enter the Court proper...
Miyamoto was standing near the Taishogun's throne, waiting for his decision, waiting to see new Dragons arise. He leaned on a wall behind him, bowing his head and carefully listening and observing all that was going on in the Imperial Court Throne Room. Suddenly one of his own Guards approached him, in hope he will surprise Miyamoto in addition of handing over the message. The young Oban thought Miyamoto was unobservant of his surroundings, and as the Oban was about to greet his Shogun and proudly say he managed to take a Shogun by surprise, Miyamoto spoke to him.
"You are getting better Kazuki, much better." - Miyamoto rose his head and smiled to the young Oban who was unusually short for his age, making him perfect for stealth, "Do not lose hope, one day you will master the arts of the Samurai."
"Hai Sensei!" - The Oban said encouraged by Miyamoto's last words, "I have something for you Sensei, a message from our Guards in the docking bays." - He whispered to Miyamoto handling him over a piece of parchment.
"Hai they have arrived. Tell them to remain outside of the Court until they are summoned before the Taishogun. Also instruct them in how to behave before His Greatness. Now make haste Kazuki." - Miyamoto barely finished the sentence and the Oban was half way towards the door, a swift and promising young man he was with excellent blade skills Miyamoto thought leaning back to the wall and bowing his head.
The Throne Room silenced for a while, as the Taishogun requested silence, his mind had much to decide and meditation was necessary. The Taishogun mastered the arts of meditation long ago, as even the entire Throne Room was unable to prevent him from reaching peace in his mind. Suddenly he opened his eyes, and glanced his view across the Room, seeing who is there. He then rose from the Throne and all kneeled as a sign of respect to the Taishogun.
"The Taishogun will speak now." - He said and paused a little to give time for the Dragons in there to rise from the ground, "The Taishogun has made a wise decision. Roju Hirosho Horatami approach The Taishogun." - He said as he looked towards the honorable Dragon who immediately proceeded and kneeled before the Taishogun.
"My blade, wisdom, and honor is at your disposal Greatness." - Hirosho spoke with an honorable and powerful voice.
"Give your blade to The Taishogun." - He spoke to Hirosho who immediately drew his recently cleaned and shiny Katana to the Taishogun, "The Taishogun has decided that Roju Hirosho Horatami will now be known as Daimyo Hirosho Horatami!" - He said and placed his Katana on his left shoulder, then the right one, "Arise before The Taishogun and your brothers Daimyo Hirosho!."
"Hai, hai most honorable Taishogun! I will not disappoint your Greatness! I will serve with honor, pride and wisdom, and the Rising Sons will shine clearer then Kusari Stars in the future!" - Hirosho said as he rose from the ground and proceeded down from the Throne as the Taishogun gestured with his hand. Hirosho's eyes were glowing with a Dragon flame, and all were congratulating him and bowing to him.
"The Taishogun will speak again." - The Taishogun said and the babbling quickly seized, "Hatamoto's Yuuma Saburo and Arisu Sachiko approach the Taishogun." - The two Hatamoto's hurried up to the Throne, bowing and kneeling in front of the Taishogun. Both drawing their blades and presenting them to the Taishogun. He firstly approached Hatamoto Yuuma, took his blade, and spoke, "The Taishogun has deemed your honor and wisdom great, and you will be known henceforth as Roju Yuuma Saburo." - He said as he placed his blade only on the left shoulder, and returned the Samurai his blade. The Taishogun then approached Arisu Sachiko and took her blade into his hands, "Hatamoto Arisu Sachiko will be known as Roju Arisu Sachiko in the Rising Sons from now on, as she has server the Taishogun with true honor." - The Taishogun spoke as he placed the blade on her left shoulder, and finally returning her the blade.
"Arise Rojus of the Rising Sons." - The Taishogun said as he slowly returned to his Throne and sat down, "Leave the Taishogun now." - The two Rojus proceeded down the throne being congratulated by their brethren.
The Taishogun looked towards Miyamoto and hand gestured him to approach, on which Shogun Miyamoto hurried up to the Throne to hear the Taishogun's bidding. The Taishogun whispered something to Miyamoto, hidden from the other Dragons ears, and then leaned his hand on the throne and supported his head. Miyamoto moved down the Throne a bit so everyone in the Room could see him.
"Daiymo's Red Dragon and Hirosho Horatami have to make honorable decisions, and decide which Oban deserves to be a Hatamoto." - Miyamoto said as he looked towards Hirosho. Red Dragon wasn't in the Court, but Miyamoto knew he will get his duty done. He then continued, "Hatamoto Nakemono is to remain behind there and await for Shogun Sum-Gok-Li's arrival." - Miyamoto said as he nodded towards a corridor that lead to a secondary room of the Court. Nakemono nodded back in response, and proceeded into the other room thinking what could Shogun Sum want from him, even more, what could the Taishogun want from him.
"This matter is now concluded by the Taishogun's decision. All Dragons return to their duties, and let us proceed with what is next on schedule." - Miyamoto said and looked towards the Dragon that was tasked with keeping records, who read what was next on schedule and walked towards Miyamoto, "The Consortium request audience with the Taishogun."
A slight sigh from her that might go unoticed by others around here, mostly those who were not high ranking members of the Dragons. She looks around once more, noting the one Dragon in the corner area oppisite from her. She tilts her head slightly, noting those who came to talk to him, his apperent responses, although she could not hear what he had to say or the whords of those who spoke with him before turning her attention back to the Court again.
She listened and watched the court carefully, taking note of those who entered and where they moved to and what they were doing while the Dragons and assorted guests, herself included, awaited to hear the annoucements from the Taishogun. When the Taishogun began to speak and the Court silenced, she sharpened her attention more so than usual, listening very carefully to those who were receiving promotions withen the ranks of the Dragons.
Again, many of those so named and elevated by the Taishogun were men she did not know, but in their rise in the ranks, and especially by the hand of the Taishogun himself, made them a bit more important and thus to be watched and a little more learned about them. Upon hearing the one female she noted earlier also recieve a promotion from the Taishogun her hopes to possibly see about recruiting the Lady to the Chrysanthemum cause ended right there. She knew better the devotion of a Samurai, and in the action of the Taishogun, she is certain that the loyalty of Lady Arisu would not change now for anything short of betrayal by the Dragons, and that Aki was certain was unlikely to happen.
She began to wonder where Rika was at, since she was aware that the Sister was here on Kyoto, and from what Aki knew of so far, by the invitation of the Taishogun no less. Still, the Sister was not called forth by the Taishogun nor had she heard any hint or rumor why they were wanted on Kyoto to begin with, her eyes narrowing once more as she looks around slightly, hoping that she might catch some rumor or word from anyone near enough that might tell her why the Golden Chrysanthemums were wanted here.
When she heard the announcement from the man up near the Taishogun stating the Consortium were not only here, but also requesting an audience, she brightened slightly with a smile that almost never graces her anymore. Her first and immidate thought was about Naomi as well as the hope that she was indeed here. Looking at the doors that led into the court room, she watched, even though a thought occured to her, if the Corsotium were here and being seen so soon, why truely then were the GC even asked to be here.
That thought darkens her mood slightly as it seems odd they would be seen first when it was known that a representive, Rika, to the GC Elders was on Kyoto. She keeps quiet since she was sent here to observe and report on what she saw and heard, be it simple stories and rumors all the way up to and especialy including events such as this concerning the Consortium and the Order on Kyoto.
One more look around, she resolves to find some one approachable and get information one way or another, be it by coversation or some thing more personal and intamate maybe. The grin that comes to her face is not the same as before when she thought about Naomi, this one more her masking smile, the one she uses to seem pleasent even when she did not care and most especialy when she was doing her job as the GC spy...
A lowly ashigaru entered the courtyard. They come and go, and none are noticed. This one was no different. Her robes were plain and she did not stand out. Tucked into her waistband was her wakizashi. She left her shirasaya in her room. Her name was Akiko Kumakura.
It was nothing to do with being prepared at all times, she just thought it was expected. The short sword was a samurai's companion at all times. Even when separated from a primary weapon, such as a katana, when one slept or when one visited the room of a friend, the wakizashi must remain with the warrior. It was a sword which carried a lot of honour, especially since it could be used for seppuku, an act which has a primary purpose of retaining honour.
It was more for show than anything else. The needlepoint pins that held her hair in place were her preferred weapon of choice.
She had just spent some time in space trying to work out was wrong with her ship, a trusty dragon in it's own right. Ever since the battle there was something wrong with it. She decided to sit down on the marble bench below the sakura trees and relax.
"The solution will only come when you are ready." The thought echoed in her head. She could not remember who said it. Her eyes were open and to anyone who bothered to glance at the people in the courtyard for whatever reason would not have seen anything to distinguish her.
She had no idea of the going's on in the hall, and as such, she did not know that Sachiko-ojousama had been elevated, from hatamoto to roju.