Private Meeting Room

Kojuro decided it was best not to react too much to Zu Fu showing the difference in their attire. It was one thing for the shaman himself to be self-deprecating but for Kojuro to play along would just be rude. At Zu Fu’s comment about deceiving friends, he was momentarily taken aback, and tried not to look embarrassed as a slight blush started creeping onto his face. He somehow felt like he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t, but then he laughed. “It’s not something I make a habit out of,” he replied. “But sometimes to deceive enemies you first need to deceive friends.” He looked to the lady with Zu Fu as the wise man explained something of her role, albeit in rather oblique terms.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that is possible, Zu Fu-sensei. You are quite a legendary figure in the Hizashi household. I know that you came in my father’s time, and my grandfather’s, and always to impart your wisdom when our family was most in need. I hope you will find the good company you seek here,” he added with a smile. Although his father had described Zu Fu as a strict and serious man, intent on doomsaying, the reality of talking with the shaman was quite different.

When Kazue decided to transform in front of him, Kojuro’s eyes grew wide but he kept his composure. The woman who had appeared nothing but human shed her illusion like a snake skin, to reveal herself as a spirit. The experience made him feel a little light-headed as he saw her six fox tails swirl around her. Everyone had heard tales of fox spirits – mischief, trickery and seduction usually - but it was extremely rare for them to reveal their true nature to a human. He inclined his head in a small bow. Although she was a spirit, he was still the Hizashi lord. “O-Kami-sama,” he addressed her after her speech. “I would not presume to claim service from a spirit. Nor can I offer my clan's service to you. But you have our respect and as long as you are in our lands, our hospitality and as far as we can give it, protection.” A small smile flicked onto his face after this introduction. “I do wonder though, that my family should be of interest to you. I am quite honoured.”

He listened to Zu Fu’s words of change with a slight frown, and nodded in agreement. “I too believe it is time to act. If the winds of change are with us, so much the better. I know very little of the world of spirits, but it seems no coincidence that you came to the Hizashi Mansion at this time. I would hear more of what you have learned.” Advice and guidance from a spiritual master was nothing to be sniffed at, and as well as a respect for Zu Fu that required he listened to the man’s words, he also felt a personal interest in trying to understand more about what he spoke about, since currently he knew next to nothing about how the world of spirit and how that affected the world of humans.

She couldn't help but feel proud by the look that the young lord gave her as soon as she had transformed. Kazue held pride in her natural appearance and her feminity and she loved the looks on the human's faces when she showed her true self, even though she didn't often find a chance to do so.

"There is something special about this one, it is better if he knows." she said matter of factly, staring deep into Kojuro's eyes. She could see the fire behind them, the part of him that drove him, she could see his true name and she could see the age of his spirit. "But I agree, this should be our little secret." she said, a mischevious smile appearing on her lips as she said so. Just as the features had appeared, they changed back again. Her foxlike features disappeared and her hair turned jet black once again. Within a second she was sitting before Kojuro the same way she had walked into the door with one of her fingers pressed against her lips in a sssht motion.

"Your family seems to attract lesser spirit, they always have. Something about the spiritual energy bound to your family name lures them to any mansion your family resides in. Even right now, the mansion is surrounded by at least hundred of them, feeding off the positive energy from your workers. They are happy here, even though I am unsure as to why. That is why I have been following." she said before she let the conversation turn back to whatever Zu Fu had come to tell the young lord.

In a way she was relieved that she had revealed herself to the young lord. If she ever came back here she might talk to him and give him the wisdom when he needs it. He might help her find ways to help the city in it hole on a spiritual level. She might even convince him to build a more generous temple for the people of kiyonai to say their prayers, making sure she could keep up her strenght to protect them in return. But all of that would be for later.

Zu Fu cleared his throat and smiled again as Kazue turned back into the shape of the lady she had worn before she had revealed her Kitsune form.
"It's best like that." he said and nodded at both of them. "Indeed a lot of lesser spirits seem attracted to this mansion. Your lineage carries strong ties to the spiritual world, Hizashi-dono but when I was here last I noticed a clear weakening of that connection and took it upon myself to purify the mansion. Of course there were people who didn't understand and I had to leave." Zu Fu bowed and smiled.

"I would very much have liked to meet Genji-dono too and I'm saddened to hear that he has fallen ill. May he recover quickly in you and your family's care." Zu Fu said. There was not much he could do to aid Genji's health, though the presence of a strong Kitsune and many lesser spirits always brought luck upon families with strong spiritual ties.
"At some point I'd like to meet the former lord Hizashi... Ryuzo Hizashi if I remember right? Is he still residing in this mansion?" Zu Fu asked and contemplated whether or not he had changed his ways as Zu Fu had adviced him to last time they met a good 15 years ago.

Zu Fu leaned forwards slightly and gave lord Hizashi the friendliest stern gaze he had likely ever gotten.
"Indeed it falls upon House Hizashi to see to the upkeep of the various shrines. A grand temple doesn't have the spiritual reach as the smaller shrines have. I'll ask you not to neglect them, Hizashi-dono. Shrines should not be a place were its patrons risk getting abducted!" Zu Fu said and grinned as stern look faded quickly.

"You are wise, Hizashi-dono. I'm sure when the time comes you'll know the right path regardless of which riddles an old geezer like me tell you." Zu Fu said softly. "But I'm afraid there is a practical thing I'd like to discuss with you. I have come to Kiyonai because there is much to be done here and thus I need to make my residence here in Kiyonai City for a while." he said and considered his next words carefully. "I believe... that you may not have a position of counselor of magic and spiritualism, but perhaps you may need someone to occupy such a position?" he said and grinned.

“Thank you,” he replied when Zu Fu offered his well wishes for Genji. “Perhaps… I’m sorry to put a burden on you but I feel I have to ask. Is there anything you, Zu Fu sensei or you, Kami-sama, might be able to do for Lord Genji?” Kojuro had little knowledge of what spiritual power the two might have, but if there was a chance they could use it to aid his uncle, then he had to at least broach the subject.

On the subject of Ryuzo, however, he was a little more cagey. “It’s possible you may be able to meet Lord Ryuzo. He is here at the moment, although I am not sure how long he will be staying.” He really had no idea what his father would choose to do, if he would stay or go, and if so where.

“No, they certainly should not,” he agreed, not able to return Zu Fu’s grin on this occasion. If it was supposed to be his responsibility to maintain the shrines then this was another failure on his part. Nakatani’s abduction was somehow more on his conscience now, even though the old man had said the words kindly. “I will make sure to have the upkeep of the shrines reviewed as soon as possible.” Yamazaki would know if there was a branch of the clan that was supposed to deal with such things and if they had neglecting their duty, or if this was something he would need Yamazaki to create.

“Well… thank you,” he laughed, taken aback a little by this compliment. No one had ever called him wise before. Unwise, plenty of times, but not usually the reverse. Zu Fu didn’t know him very well yet so maybe he had just somehow given a good first impression. He listened carefully to Zu Fu’s practical matters. “Certainly you would be most welcome to make your home in Kiyonai. I will organize lodgings for you in the noble district, or elsewhere if you prefer it. You are welcome to stay in the guest quarters of the mansion in the mean time. And you of course, Kami-sama if you wish it.” Zu Fu’s next suggestion was a little less straightforward. “A counsellor of magic and spiritualism? What would that involve?” he asked. “I take it you are volunteering your own services?”

“I understand,” he replied. He hadn’t truly expected someone to wave an incense burner and for Genji to be magically healed, and at least Zu Fu’s words were hopeful. “Lord Genji is strong, he won’t back down from a battle easily.” Although fighting illness was a different matter from the usual kind of warfare, he knew that his uncle would be giving it his all.

He merely gave an incline of his head as Zu Fu continued to talk of Ryuzo. He certainly wasn’t going to obstruct such a meeting if both parties agreed, but he wasn’t going out of his way to arrange it either.

“Hm, well that’s true enough. If failure leads to wisdom then there’s a purpose to it after all. It’s when you don’t learn anything that it becomes a problem,” Kojuro said in a light tone echoing Zu Fu’s mood. He felt that it was only now that he had truly started to learn anything. Repeating the same mistakes again and again wasn’t working for him anymore, and it was time to start making some new ones.

Kojuro assured Zu Fu that he would be found something suitable to his needs. The noble district was quiet enough as the dwellings were placed far apart, but no town location was ever going to be as peaceful as a temple.

“It’s an interesting proposition,” he said, feeling his not-inconsiderable curiosity piqued, “It’s not something I have considered, but … in fact it would fill a large gap in our knowledge. The spirits are a mystery to me, and to many of the clan. We are only bushi after all. It’s hard to think of any objections.” Although he was naturally intrigued by the idea, he did try at least to think of a good reason why he wouldn’t accept the offer, but could not come up with one. “I would be honoured to have your advice in spiritual matters, Zu Fu sensei,” he agreed with an amiable smile.

“That sounds like a good idea. I’m sure that there are many who will be able to teach you a little about our ways, and I will look forward to learning more about the spiritual world.” He was happy to agree to Zu Fu’s new appointment, and genuinely was curious as to what he would bring to the clan. The likelihood was that most of the learning would have to wait until after they had taken the capital. “I would recommend you talk to Takahashi Shigetane, one of the Hizashi Clan’s generals, but perhaps you would like to meet with some of the more typical samurai too. I’m sure if you approach them, no one will begrudge you some of their time, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their duties.”

“Just remember, officially we have not had this meeting,” he smiled. “I will have Yamazaki-san include your position on the official documents and he will be sure to inform you when they are ready. If your business can wait, then so can I,” he agreed. He would certainly have a lot to think about when he returned to his room, after all, he still needed to rest up to regain his strength. “It was a great honour to meet you at last. And, to meet you too, kami-sama.” He let the two of them take their leave, the hint of mystery they had brought remaining in the air behind them.