Kojuro's Private Quarters

"Hmm?" Yasuke said surprised as he looked into a much more serious expression from Nakatani than he was used to. Was he sure, that he could find the culprit? What did she mean by that?
"Nakatani-san, you should rest easy. You are safe in the mansion for now as the guards are very aware of anyone they don't recognize." Yasuke said with a slightly patronizing tone trying to dismiss her concerns and turned to Kojuro. "You know Yamazaki-san right? He would question you about your heritage after a haircut!" he said and laughed, trying to divert the subject from Nakatani's question. To be frank he was quite disturbed that she would intrude like that... it was almost as if she wanted to test him and Yasuke knew he couldn't allow those questions to get to him. One wrong word could set a chain of events in motion that Yasuke didn't dare think about. There was too much as risk.

Yasuke nodded with a smug smile. "I can't guarantee I'll get him alive though. Those buggers tend to do everything they can to avoid getting caught." Yasuke said casually trying again to lighten the mood. "Well yeah, it's always nice to put a face on the culprit I guess. It's unfortunate that you didn't get a glimpse of the guy though... you'd hardly be able make the distinction between the right and wrong guy." Yasuke said and scratched his chin. "But don't worry, I'll make sure we get enough evidence to prove that it was indeed the right guy." Yasuke said with a wide grin intending to reassure Nakatani, though he was starting to doubt how much he could sway her with words.

Although he was not convinced that it would put an end to Ryuzo’s plans, Yasuke’s assurances that he would find the masked ronin put Kojuro’s mind somewhat at ease. As the next few days passed, Kojuro still spent a lot of time asleep as he continued to heal, disturbed as that sleep often was by half remembered dreams and pain from his wound. But although it seemed to him that time passed slowly, he was still healing much faster than one could normally expect, thanks to his sister’s magic, and Nakatani’s care. Whenever he woke up, either she was there or she would enter the room shortly after, brightening what otherwise would be quite unpleasant days.

As he began to recover, he began to process more of what had happened. While he still resented Ryuzo’s attempt to underhandedly snatch Nakatani away, he also recognised that his father was right in many ways, but it was also a conclusion he was coming to himself, with or without his father’s influence. His life was not his own, and he needed to stop treating it as such. It belonged as much to the Hizashi clan as it did to him, and throwing it away needlessly was not only stupid and reckless – words he had heard applied to himself so many times they ceased to mean anything, but a dereliction of his duty too.

He started to receive reports of what was happening outside. As soon as he was able to he had dictated a letter to Homura, asking him to ignore Ryuzo’s request, among other things. Now, it was time to start thinking about the future of the clan, and he needed to talk to Sayuri. He had sent a request for her to come, and waited, propped upright in bed as he sat next to the open doors to the garden that his room looked out into, letting the summer breeze into the chamber.

Sayuri, entering the room, looked almost more beautiful and elegant than ever. Dressed in the clan's colours, she was making a statement about her status and purpose that Kojuro hadn't failed to notice. Kojuro himself was dressed in a white sleeping yukata with a mid green summer haori draped over his shoulders, small white dragonflies dancing about the hem as the green deeped from pale to dark. Outside, the real insects hovered and darted too and fro in the garden. “Thank you,” he replied, with a small but genuine smile. After it faded, a serious look returned to Kojuro's face. “Sayuri-dono, I owe you an apology. It seems for all my intent back in the war room, I did not prove to be reliable after all.” It bothered Kojuro that he had pledged his services so and completely failed to deliver what he had promised. “I let the entire burden fall on you. It won't happen again,” he assured her.

“How fares my lord uncle?” he asked with great concern. Genji had been, while not well, at least taking a more active role and seemingly recovering, when Kojuro had gone to rescue Nakatani, but from what she had said, Genji had again lapsed into serious illness, causing more concern for everyone.

“I would also like to ask you to tell me what has been happening in clan affairs while I've been out of action. Has my father given you any difficulty?”

“Hmm, I suppose so,” he replied, straight faced, although he couldn't help a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks. He returned her bow with a small nod of the head. It was, of course, worrying to hear about Genji's condition, although the news not unexpected. “Although I do not know exactly how he intended to go about it, I intend to complete Lord Genji's plans for the Hizashi and have his banner flying above the Shogun's Palace by the time winter comes, whatever the future holds.” Although he didn't say the words, it was obvious to them both that Kojuro's intention was to complete Genji's plans while Genji still lived, that he could see the result of his own work. The quiet confidence of his words was a far cry from his nervousness in the war room when he had conservatively set their troops into a holding pattern and begged his elders for their advice. Something had changed, and part of it was that Kojuro finally realised that the future of the Hizashi was in his own hands.

Kojuro wasn't oblivious to the gesture that Sayuri made, although she herself did not seem to notice it. He felt a spark leap inside him. Better not to jump to a conclusion, but if what he suspected was true, there was no way he couldn't mention it. “Sayuri-dono, is there something else that the future holds?” he asked her with a glint in his eye. “Is there some other news about the clan that I should know?”

He broke into a grin. “I offer you my congratulations, if it is not too soon to do so, Sayuri-dono.” His happiness at the news was plain to see and he did not try to conceal it. He hoped that Sayuri had been able to tell Genji and that he had been in a state to hear and receive her words. “This is the best possible news the clan could have right now, and it makes the task of completing Genji's plans all the more urgent, so that his child can succeed him. How many people know about this?” Although Kojuro had been prepared to take responsibility for the future of the clan, the fact that a child of Genji's would some day be the heir in his place did make him feel happier for the long term future of the Hizashi. “Please don't trouble yourself too much. It is more important for you to be safe and well.”

Kojuro looked down thoughtfully for a moment, partly still not wanting to say what he was about to, even though this was one of the very reasons he had asked Sayuri to come, and now was as good a time to say it. “Actually, this could be of help to you too, perhaps...” he began. “I wanted to ask your permission, on behalf of Lord Genji and yourself, if I could. I know it is exceptionally impertinent to ask this favour of you but, I would like your permission to take Nakatani as my official consort.” He bowed as much as he was able and lowered his eyes, as his heart leapt in his chest.

“Of course,” he said, seriously. It felt like a privelege to be let into a private confidence like that, and he had no reason to tell anyone about it. “And I would prefer to keep Lord Genji's illness a secret too, until the time is right...” he added.

On hearing Sayuri's questions, Kojuro exhaled slowly, before he answered, in what seemed a considered way. “Yes, I am aware of that, and I have been for all my life. However, so far no suitable candidates have presented themselves, either to my father, to Lord Genji, or to me. Possibly the Omaharu daughter but … I shall need to talk to you of that later. Of course, I am willing to marry whoever the clan sees fit. Nakatani is aware of that too, she is not naïve, nor have I attempted to deceive her into thinking otherwise.” Not that he suspected that Sayuri thought so, but his father certainly had.

“This particular secret has run its course. People are aware or begin to suspect of the nature of our relationship. To be my consort rather than a servant of the house provides Nakatani more protection, as well as halting any rumours that this is somehow improper. It renders the information that her abductor took as useless to any of our enemies. If I am to be acting as lord of the clan, I will need someone to look after the household, and Nakatani is ably suited to that position. Many of her duties would be similar to those she has now. She could also be of great assistance to you, Sayuri-dono, as a companion and lady in waiting throughout your pregnancy. I haven't yet actually asked her how she would feel about being my consort – it seemed wise not to raise the possibility unless I already had your permission. As it stands, she is your servant after all, and I will abide by whatever decision you see fit to make.”

“Yes, it seems so,” he said and gave a small chuckle, “I will try to remember to do it when I'm not forced to lie in bed as well. That will be the real challenge. Thank you, Sayuri-dono,” he bowed once again, “I am deeply indebted to you, and I am sure Nakatani would take well to your instruction. I will be sure to talk to her about it soon.” A legitimacy to their relationship, and a chance to build something stronger than snatched moments and furtive outings. Perhaps it would be looked down upon by others of the nobility but it wasn't as though it was completely unprecedented. It was the best protection he could give her, not just from those forces outside the clan, but within it too. Ryuzo wouldn't be abandoning his plans just because his first play had been thwarted. But that was a thought for another day.

He smiled at Sayuri as she put her hand on his knee. Motherhood would suit her he was sure. She already took a somewhat motherly role with him despite being only a few years older. Something he didn't mind at all. It was good to have a more feminine presence around the mansion since for many years, besides Anzen, all the senior clan members had been male.

“Yes, and as to that future...” It was time to return talk to the plans for the Hizashi clan. “I've had word from our eyes and ears in Tokhung. It seems the Omaharu clan has fallen, and a new clan has conquered Mustunobe. According to Yamazaki's heraldry records, it looks to be the Yukimoto, a rather minor presence in the past. It means that, if Omaharu did send the bandits to Kiyonai, then we need no longer be concerned about it. However, we know little about this new clans intentions. This is why we need to progress our advance on Xuandao as quickly as possible. We can't have an enemy on both fronts. While the Yukimoto establish their foothold in Tokhung we need to act against Ogino. It will take them a while to secure the province before they can move against Kiyonai. There's no word from Kaen yet, perhaps he will be able to find out more.

“Homura-dono and I have been in touch about strategies that will speed up this conflict. We need to begin preparing, and as soon as I've healed enough we'll begin the advance on the capital. For the time being, I want it to appear to everyone that I am not recovering as quickly or as well as I am. Discounting Anzen's abilities, a wound like this could well prove fatal or if not, take months to heal. That is what I want those outside of the mansion to believe is happening in this room. While we seem paralysed by inactivity, with no head to the clan we will be planning our move and acting on it.”

He listened to Sayuri’s concerns. “That’s true. No information has reached Kiyonai yet through any of the official channels. The villagers have ways of getting news out much quicker than anyone else. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see refugees attempting to cross, if the Yukimoto haven’t yet taken Gangshu fortress. We should place someone reliable there, and detain anyone attempting to cross to Kiyonai at Reisui prison - for their own safety as much as our security. We still don’t know if the Omaharu were behind those bandit attacks, there’s no reason we should accept any of their samurai who flee. But we shouldn’t be too hasty about sending them back either, not until we've had a chance to gain more information about the Yukimoto.” The crossing between Tokhung and Kiyonai was a bottleneck – the mountains were almost entirely impassable - and heavily guarded as all Kiyonai’s borders were. Nevertheless, it was an additional problem he hadn't considered. He thanked the servant but said nothing further until she had left the room. The tea was welcome, a chance to pause from business, and he held the cup and breathed in the fragrant steam before taking a sip.

“I agree. It’s best I keep to the family’s private quarters for a reasonable time. If I need to leave, I will do so in disguise, but even then – that won’t be for a while yet," he may have been recovering more quickly than could be expected but he wouldn't be getting up and running around for a while. "I haven't seen many visitors, I asked the guards not to let anyone in without permission." That would work in his favour for this plan, but the reason for it needed to be addressed too. "About Ryuzo-dono. I'd rather he was kept unaware of all of this." Looking with concern towards Sauyri he added, "Please remember my father has no authority here, you do not owe him any answers, no matter how much he insists. He may try to gather supporters to himself. I'm not sure what he wants but be wary of him." He felt the need to warn her only because he had already seen Ryuzo's attempts to machinate behind his back, and because he was half-certain that his aim was to usurp control of the clan from Genji.

Kojuro wasn't sure what to make of the rumours that he was dead. In a way, it was as much amusing as it was disturbing. "We can use all those rumours to our advantage. You needn’t worry there, Homura-dono is always the picture of discretion. Even I can be subtle when its called for,” he smiled to her. On her next point, what the people believed wasn’t exactly wrong; the Hizashi clan were taking their land. As long as it was confined to a bit of scuffling between local Shogunate-loyal samurai near the border, and Hizashi clan men then that wasn’t anything to worry about. “Let them, it will irritate the Shogunate, and in their annoyance, they’ll be more likely to drawn to where we want them.” It was good to talk to Sayuri, and her updates on clan business had been useful in rebuilding the bigger picture in his mind. It gave him a lot more to think about. He was finding himself getting tired at the long discussion, it happened all too easily as his body still needed most of its energy for healing. “Thank you for this. Is there any other clan business we need to discuss?” he asked, hoping there would be nothing else that needed urgent attention, but ready to hear it if there was. 

“Yes, I will,” he smiled back, “It's good to know you have everything in hand.” He would take the time to rest, there was no point pushing himself and risk worsening his condition right now, but he would not be sitting idly by either. There were many things he could do even from his own room. He was glad to hear Sayuri's words – they spoke of her strength and resolve as well as loyalty. Genji had chosen his wife well. He had a sudden moment of realising that he had entrusted Ryuzo with looking for potential brides for himself. At least they would only be suggestions.“Thank you, for everything,” he replied to Sayuri as she was about to leave, “you make sure to take care of yourself too, Sayuri-dono. If you do need anything, don't worry about disturbing me.” He bowed in return, as much as he could and then leaned back on the folded futon he had as a back rest. He smiled softly to himself as he closed his eyes. Soon, he and Nakatani would be together, maybe not as husband and wife but as close to that as possible, assuming she would agree of course...