As the oni pounded on the door Ryuken was begining to think that maybe his decision to head to Otosan Uchi was not one of his better moments.
Four days earlier...
"Though it is not, in my opinion, a sound idea, I give you permission to go to Otosan Uchi and search for the Imperial treasure vault. You may have the Emerald hand, as you wish, however you must bring back anything else you find," Emporer Tutori the 3rd said, then after a moment's pause added, "Within reason."
"Hai, Tutori-sama," Mirumoto Ryuken said from his deep bow, "Arigato gozai masu." Ryuken stood and turned to leave.
Outside the throne room Bayushi Seiji stood, waiting. "I take it that we're going," Seiji said with a sigh.
"Would you rather not go?" Ryuken replied gruffly.
Seiji considered this for a moment, "I just liked going to Otosan Uchi before it was ransacked."
"First, second or third ransacking? Or perhaps you mean before the two ransackings before we were born," Ryuken said with a laugh, "Cities can be rebuilt."
"Then perhaps I would rather not enter a place so filled with bad kharma," Seiji countered, with what he thought was a most Dragon like arguement.
"Either way it hardly matters, because we are going," Ryuken stated.
"Very well. I shall go make arangements," Seiji said despairingly.
Seiji walked into his room to work through the buraucractic aspect of the journey when he noticed something he did not expect: A letter. He opened it, carefully, one can never be overcautious when dealing with a mystery.
Dear Seiji-kun,
I have missed you and was hoping you could come by the Academy soon. I have something I need to talk with you about,
Fondly,
Kitsuko
'Very curious,' Seiji thought, 'Why would she be sending me a letter. I had best look in to it, and I could use it as an opportunity to avoid going to Otosan Uchi. If I'm lucky.'