Crane Clan Fiction
Shiro Sano Kakita, Fall 1340
Kakita Yushiiro’s walk through the garden was infuriating today. Every time she looked around, she frowned just a bit more. Typically, the morning walk was her favorite part of the day. And yet, all of the tree branches were four inches out of their usual alignment. “This is unacceptable,” she muttered, “I will have to reprimand the gardener…”
From out of the trees, a second voice disrupted Yushiiro’s walk. “Would it make the Lady feel better to know that it was done intentionally to get her attention?”
Yushiiro shook her head as an older man slipped from the trees. “Tsuru-san, you always did have a flair for the dramatic. You did not have to disrupt my walk just to get my attention.”
Daidoji Tsuru, Daimyo of the Daidoji family merely shrugged his shoulders. “Consider it a concession to amusing diversions. I assume you have noted the return of the Samurai we sent on the Emperor’s behest?”
“Oh yes, of course. Reports are on my desk about the matter. I have read through them at least, but have not yet done much in the way of approval quite yet.” She continued onward, much relieved to find that the trees she now moved among were properly aligned. “We could do a lot with that treasure. Think of how much prettier Kosaten Shiro might be.”
“While technically it is our say what to do with it, it would likely cause an incident if we were untrue to the promise we made.” Tsuru followed beside her, his expression never changing from its deep frown.
“Yes, of course I know that. Ultimately, it is likely that our young Samurai made the proper call. At the least, it will delay the Imperial attention that will inevitably be brought upon us.”
“Yes, well,” Tsuru shook his head. “That is much of why I am here. I am concerned about the potential for the Otomo to get involved. Our less experienced Samurai are eager, and it is to be respected, but I am concerned that they do not think about the consequences of spreading the power of our friendship too thin.”
“It is not their fault,” Yushiiro gently reminded, “as you say, they are eager. I do not fault them for attempting to gain as many friends as possible, but it does put us in a mildly inconvenient situation.”
“‘Mildly’ is a word for it.” Tsuru muttered, “we should anticipate and plan for reprisal.”
“It will work itself out,” Yushiiro’s voice took on a chastising tone, like a mother scolding a child. “They did well, and they followed their teachings. A lesson on temperance will be good for them, but let us not be angry at them for doing exactly what the Clan has taught them to do.”
“Fair enough,” a sigh came from the Lord of the Daidoji. “What of the Owl?”
“Ah, yes. Their actions have been rather frustrating of late. I am uncertain how intentional this is, but they are creating quite the political annoyance.”
The two reached a small bench, and Yushiiro began to seat herself even as Tsuru moved back towards the tree line. “I could handle it, you know.”
“Ah…” the Kakita daimyo’s head shook, “your solutions tend to be a bit more… permanent than what I have in mind for this specific situation, Tsuru-san. Rest assured, I will handle it in a manner that will get a message across without being too damaging for any involved.”
Tsuru just shook his head. “Of course. And I suppose if it comes to it, you have plenty of your own problem solvers.”
“If that’s the term you wish to use,” she nodded her head. “Besides, you have your own issues to resolve, neh? Perhaps it is time you got back to them.”
“Of course,” he said with an abrupt bow, stalking his way through the trees once more.
