Screams echoed in the night.  The battle for Shiro Tanzei has going poorly, the thirty fourth Imperial legion was being decimated.  The Kakita had requested Imperial assistance to quell a coup in one of thier minor fiefs.  It had all gone terribly wrong.
	The leader of the coup, Kakita Ran, had left on a warrior pilgrimage... four years ago.  He recently returned with new sword techniques and a band of warriors around him.  They quickly went about taking over the Tanzei region.  The Crane forces put up only a minimal resistance, their forces having been taxed by previous conflicts, and petitioned the Emperor for aid.

	Ran strode amongst the dead legionaires casually as he approached the command tent.  A terrifying series of lightening bolts arced down into the legion to his left sending men flying.  To his right he saw his allies slaughtering thier way through the legion's ranks.  "How terribly boring, they've killed everyone before I arrived," Ran said with a sigh, "I'm going to have to give them a talking to if the commander is already dead."
	A trio of guards stood with spears at the ready before the tent.  "Excuse me, I have business with your commander," Ran said as he approached with a smile.
	"No one gets to see the commander until the battle is done," said one guard.
	"I see," Ran looked to where the legionaires fled from his shugenja's wrath, then to where his men were forcing the legion into a rout, "I'll come back in a few minutes then," Ran said politely.
	"Arrogant bastard!" one guard yelled as he charged Ran.
	Before the man's weapon was even in a striking position, he was cut in half.  "I was kind enough to give you a few minutes, however you have refused my offer.  I shall grant you all a swift death for this insult," Ran said a mad look on his face.

	Seppun Duki was running in a panic, his legion had failed.  Tutori III would have his head upon his return.  Still seppuku was a favourable result to death at the hands of these, these mercenaries!  A band of ronin with a unit of hire on Mantis mercenaries had defeated him!  When he was made commander of this legion he expected to do little more than polish his armour for parades and enjoy the power of his position, not die on a battlefield.
	Duki's thoughts were distrupted by the sound of clapping.  He turned to see Ran standing before him clapping.  "How did.. who.. GET OUT!!!" Duki sputtered.
	"My, I would have thought an Imperial general would be more cultured," Ran said with a leer, "I bring you a message for your 'Emperor'.  I suggest you listen carefully."  Duki began to protest only to find the lacings of his armour cut off.  "Very carefully, General."
	"Dear Naseru-San," Ran said watching as the Seppun winced at the social faux pas, "I have claimed Shiro Tanzei.  The Crane have proven thier impotentence and your own legions have also fallen short of my expectations.  Please by all means come and try to take it back, the Crane certainly won't."  Ran threw Duki out of his tent and watched as the Imperial general fled.  "Yes... do come Naseru."

	Seppun Duki was escorted into Emperor Toturi the third's personal audience chamber by a duo of grim Seppun guardsmen.  Naseru sat on his throne reading through some letters from nobles seeking an audience with him.  "Sit down Duki-shokan," Naseru said without raising his eye.  Duki immediately sat down and tried to regain his composure.  "Please report what happened to my legion, Duki.  I am very busy," Naseru said bluntly.
	Duki sat dumbfounded for a moment, "Uh, hai Naseru-sama.  The thirty-fourth legion was sent down to Tanzei province and..."
	"Don't tell me what I already know.  You're a general not a blasted courtier," Naseru said irritated.
	"Of.. of course Naseru-sama!  We... we entered Tanzei province and were immediately ambushed.  Our reserve troops were routed before our support staff could set up base camp.  Every shipment of supplies we were to recieve was ambushed and stolen.  Finally, we were forced to launch an attack on Shiro Tanzei, where.."
	"I've heard enough Duki," Naseru said infuriated, "Perhaps you should have studied Sun Tao a little harder.  Only a fool would attack an enemy's fortress."  Naseru stood and walked up to where Duki sat, picked up Duki's daisho and looked at them intently.  "Fine blades, forged with Kakita craftsmanship it would seem."
	"Hai, Naseru-sama," Duki said.
	Naseru drew the katana from its saya.  "Well folded, perhaps by a mastercraftsman, and forged of a high quality steel.  How many generations of your family have used these swords Duki?" Naseru asked keenly.
	"Seven, Naseru-sama, they were a gift to my ancestor by Hantei the thirty third for his appointment to commander of the thirty fourth Imperial Legion.  Ever since my family has carried these swords and commanded the legion," Duki said with pride.
	"I see.  You have a son do you not Duki?"
	"Hai, Naseru-sama.  He is nine."
	"Good, I shall see to it that he recieves the best training, as well as this daisho," Naseru said, then sheathed the katana and drew the wakazashi.  He leaned forward and presented it to Duki, "Your son shall be the next commander of the thirty fourth legion, it should take as long as it takes him to pass his gempukku to rebuild it.  I shall hope he can overcome the shame of his father."
	Duki accepted the wakazashi and bowed his head, "Arigato, Naseru-sama."  Then he began the three cuts.

	Miya Shoin entered the Shisha's gathering room with a box tucked under one arm.  "Who's up for a mission.  Not terribly hard, just a long way away," Shoin said with a smile.  Several Shisha stood up and walked over.  "Good, good.  I'll need six of you."

	Ryuken sat back in front of the small dojo he had, how had the monk put it?  Come across, yes that was it.  Ryuken had been through a very strange four years, his wife had a child, he had worked at developing a new sword technique that would truely prove the power of Niten, and he had gotten this dojo.  There was more of course, but Dragons, like Scorpions, liked to have a few secrets, just to keep things mysterious.  Ryuken laughed to himself as he thought of the last few years.  Then he saw the small man in a wicker rain cloak leading a tired horse.
	Ryuken stood up and walked over to greet the tired Shisha.  "Welcome, Miya-san.  What brings you to my door today?" Ryuken said in good spirit.
	"Important business.  First, however I was hoping you could assist me in some more pressing business; I haven't had a drink all day," the Miya said hoarsely.
	"Water?  Certianly come with me."  Ryuken lead him through the dojo to the small well in the training grounds.  "So what is the really important business?  Now that you can help yourself from passing out," Ryuken asked sitting down on a small bench.
	"The Emperor has sent you a letter," the Miya said as he presented the scroll from his satchel.
	"The Emperor?  Hmm, a riddle indead," Ryuken said.  He opened the scroll and began to read, "I see.  Miya-san, would you mind if I accompanied you to the capitol?"
	"Not at all.  Just give me some time to rest."

	Reiko sat bored in the main hall of Kyuden Hida.  Her husband was busy talking with his advisors and planning this weeks defense of the wall.  She had just finished hearing from her nursemaid that her three children were causing them some trouble.  Reiko sighed, had she had three children already?  She was starting to think that she actually missed those days when she worked for Naseru.
	Tenshu grabbed his wife by the hip.  "There's a letter here for you from the capitol," Tenshu whispered in her ear, "You want it?"  Reiko nodded.  "Here you go then," Tenshu smiled and sliped the scroll between her breasts.
	Reiko then noticed that the rest of the hall was busy acting like they couldn't see their lord's descrepancies towards his wife.  Oh, well, better than ten leering Crabs.  Reiko asked to be excused and promptly left.  She read the letter and stopped.  "Oh, great.  Naseru wants me to go help him again.  How in Jigoku am I gonna talk Tenshu into letting me out of this fortress.  I could ask him wearing THAT kimono...," Reiko thought.

	Kaijuko awoke early in the morning, she had a plan for today and she wasn't going to let it fall apart by sleeping in.  She brought a bag of 'medicine' with her to the baths and left with her skin looking absolutely beautiful.  She slipped into an exquisite kimono coloured black and red, a gift from an old friend, and put on some make-up to accentuate everything nicely.  She began to organize her personal servants so she could start on her journey as quickly as possible.
	In the midst of everthing else she stumbled upon a man sitting in front of the main gates.  He looked up, blinked in suprise and asked, "Um, excuse me, um, er... Is-this-the-residence-of-Bayushi-Seiji," he stumbled with the words, trying to stop himself from seeming rude, "Um, please?" He said after a moment.
	Kaijuko smiled and leaned over just enough to make the man forget what he had just said.  "Oh, aren't you cute," Kaijuko said toying with him.  She paused and cutely acted as though she was in deep thought, "Oh, let me think now... HmmmmmM.  Oh yes.  Now I remember.  Yes this is his house," Kaijuko said triumphantly.
	"Wha..um, okay... what was I saying again," the man said now more confused than ever.
	"I think you were here to do something for Bayushi Seiji.  I could have someone take you to him," Kaijuko said helpfully.
	"Okay that'd be great," the man said blearily.  It would appear that Kaijuko's charm was still as potent as ever.
	"Seiji-sama!  Seiji-sama!!" the servant yelled.
	"Wha?  What is it?  Why are you waking me at this hour?" Seiji said suddenly awoken from his slumber.
	"Um, There is a Miya here to see you."
	"What!?!"
	Half an hour later Seiji and the Miya were having a meeting.  "Excuse the wait Miya-san, but I am unaccustumed to early mornings when I can avoid them," Seiji said with a laugh.
	"It is perfectly fine Seiji-san.  Kaijuko-san and I had breakfast while I waited," the Miya said, "Kaijuko-san, She is your sister, yes?"
	"Something like that," Seiji smirked, "So what is it that brings you here?"
	"Yes, here," the Miya handed him a scroll, "It is from Tutori-sama."
	"Really?  I shall be sure to give this my full attention."

	Yoritomo Saiyoko and her sister Yoyonagi were enjoying the good weather and flirting with a small group of Crane and Scorpion courtiers when the Miya arrived.  "Excuse me Saiyoko-san?" the Miya said.
	"Yes, what is it?" Saiyoko said with a smile.
	"I have a message for you from the Emperor," he said bowing and presenting the letter.
	"I guess Naseru-sama doesn't feel like meeting us personally, ne Saiyoko-nee-chan?" Yoynagi said with a laugh.
	"Maybe he doesn't know that we're in Toshi Ranbo?" Saiyoko said to the amusement of the collected crowd.  "Perhaps he just likes sending out shisha."
	"I will take my leave now, if you'll excuse me?" the shisha said bowing.