Winds of Change
Late Fall 1142 - in the lands of the Kitsuki Family
Kitsuki Sayuri had been writing most of the night, being unable to sleep as usual. Lord Sun had just risen, filling the room through the window at her right. However despite his ascent into the sky, Sayuri felt no warm from the light.
This was her new normal, the routine she has found herself in for the last 6 months. Sometimes new brides have trouble adjusting to their new homes, but she knew that wasn’t the reason, This problem started over a month after her wedding, and she knew what the cause was.
The sleepless nights began after she started spying on her husband at the behest of the Imperial Regent. It was either that or the destruction of her family and the entire Frog Clan. Sayuri didn’t know what Kitsuki Ketsumei had done to enrage the Imperial Regent but she didn’t have a choice in this matter. “It is what must be done…” she muttered before picking up her ink brush again.
He has been different since his return from Scorpion lands. An obvious answer could be found in the katana he brought back with him. He has spent a great deal of time in silent contemplation over it...
After she finished some time later, Sayuri looked at the kanji she had written and shivered. Fresh waves of guilt and regret crashed into her. She could of done much worse in a husband. Kitsuki Ketsumei was a good man, honorable and kind. However her actions would ultimately doom him.
Was ending one man’s life worth it if it saved hundreds? Sayuri wrestled with that thought daily. The lack of sleep was beginning to impact her health. She met each sunrise with waves of nausea and she had no appetite to speak of. Lady Benten is punishing me. That thought had crossed her mind more than once, and Sayuri silently accepted the rebuke for the sins she was committing.
She rolled up the parchment and handed it to the older servant that was waiting at the entrance to the room as she had earlier instructed. “Another missive for your brother, my lady?” he said with a bowed head.
“Hai,” Sayuri said, thankful that his lowered head hid her trembling hand as it offered him the scroll. “Thank you for your dutiful service Hano.”
Kitsuki Ketsumei sighed as he examined the latest parchment. The servant that gave it to him watched from the doorway with a frown. “My lord, how long will you allow this to continue?”
In Rokugan most servants would not even think of speaking to their lord without of being addressed first. However Hano served under Ketsumei’s parents before their untimely deaths, and there was no one person in the entire realm that he trusted more. “I have taken steps to mitigate the damage. Besides, when dealing with one as astute as the Imperial Regent things cannot be hidden forever…” Hano glared at his master with censure, and Ketsumei met his gaze with tired eyes. “Hai, it was much sooner than I would of preferred.”
The revelation was very slow in coming. Months went by before the Dragon had any clue that anything was wrong, and it all started with the smallest of things: a scroll found in the wrong place. It wasn’t even an important one: just a simple correspondence to a friend in Kuni lands congratulating her on her promotion to Senior Jade Yoriki. But in placing it back where it belonged Ketsumei noticed other things: various reports rolled up incorrectly, things put back as if in haste, and a million other things that most people would of missed. However the Kitsuki were trained on noticing the smallest of details, forcing Ketsumei to admit there was a spy in his midst.
Even then Sayuri was not the first suspect. She was not the only new addition to his household, for she brought a few servants with her after the wedding. Even after eliminating them as suspects, Ketsumei refused to consider his wife was the culprit. Perhaps it was a hint of romanticism in him that prevented Ketsumei from looking in that direction. It was only when Hano, his head servant, pointed out the letters going back to the City of the Rich Frog. Letters that went out every week…
“The Frog Clan owes its existence to Okecheo: without him they still would just be a family of ronin. The Regent knows this, and he is using that to his fullest.” Ketsumei noted the hesitence in every brush stroke on the paper. “Sayuri-chan is protecting her family, and I will not punish her for that.”
Everyone has their blind spots his sensei had said during one lecture. Ketsumei’s could have doomed him. It still may, if he was not extra cautious. Still, now he knew this one existed, and steps had to be taken to remedy it.
The courtier took a satchel of scrolls from beside his desk and handed it to his oldest friend. “You know where to take these.” Then he rolled up the parchment in his hand. “Make sure this reaches its intended destination as well. The Fortunes had given me an opportunity, so I will take advantage of it. Thank you Hano.”
The servant bowed deeply, hiding the hint of a smile on his face.
The next few weeks were very busy for Kitsuki Ketsumei and Sayuri, although for different reasons. As would be expected considering his position, Ketsumei was making arrangements for the upcoming Winter Court season. Sayuri, ever the dutiful wife, did an excellent job in her role as hostess for the visitors her husband received despite her slowly worsening condition. Although she never complained, Ketsumei noticed fairly early on and if she did not improve soon his guests would see as well. Despite her spying on him, Ketsumei did genuinely care for his wife so steps had to be taken…
One evening, she was sitting close by and listening during Ketsumei’s latest meeting with a representative of the Scorpion when a servant entered the room and bowed deeply. The Dragon courtier looked up with a hint of irritation. “Yes Junmei?” His tone was clear that this better be very important…
The younger servant stammered for a moment. “So sorry my lord, but there is an unexpected arrival. From the Frog Clan.” Sayuri’s head snapped upward at the uttering of that. “He said he has an appointment, but nothing was listed.”
Ketsumei looked at the servant with a sigh, then nodded slowly. “Sayuri-chan, will you see to our guest? I must finish up with Soshi-san before I can see anyone else this evening.” His wife rose from her cushion (unsteadily to Ketsumei’s trained eye) and quietly left the room.
After she left the room, the Dragon smiled to his Scorpion counterpart. “Impeccable timing, Soshi-san. I am certain your lord is very pleased with your service.”
The Scorpion bowed deeply. “Soshi Setsuo-sama expects nothing less. So we have done this for you, as well as that other small thing, and now you will honor our agreement.”
“Hai, I as the lead courtier of the Dragon delegation will back your clan’s push to name the new Imperial Governor of Balishnimpur,” Ketsumei said simply. The Dragon had no real interest in that gaijin city anyway. Not with tensions between the Dragon and Phoenix on the rise again, especially now that the Crab have allied with them. Short term preparations were being made for that, but there was no reason not to use that and advance long term goals as well…
Kitsuki Sayuri steadied herself before entering the foyer where her former clansman was waiting with the servant. Her condition was worsening, yet she resolved to see it through to the end. It is my punishment after all.
Therefore she thought she had some idea what this “surprise” visit was about. So when she finally passed through the doorway, she wasn’t surprised in seeing a very familiar face with a scroll satchel on his hip. “Hello Sudano-kun.” She turned to the surprised servant and explained. “Junmei, this is my brother. Please fetch my favorite tea and a light snack for us so we can catch up while Ketsumei-kun finishes his meeting.”
The servant bowed, hurried steps left in his wake as Sayuri led Sudano into a small meeting room down the hall. There was much small talk as they walked: Mother was fine, skillfully managing the estate as she always had ever since their father died two years ago; Sudano still hadn’t found a wife yet, which led to some playful teasing from his little sister; and so on.
After the servant had delivered the requested refreshments and left, Sayuri looked at her brother with tired eyes. “You are early.”
“Hai,” Sudano agreed. “Sit down and I will explain why.”
She looked at him and sighed. “Very well.” Sayuri could tell something was on her brother’s mind. The feeling intensified as she felt his eyes on her as she sank into her cushion. She did her best to mask how much effort this simple action took, but he knew her too well. Another sigh escaped her lips as she answered the unasked question. “Hai, for several weeks now.”
“I know,” Sudano muttered as he pulled a scroll from his kimono. Sayuri immediately recognized the mon on it and her pulse quickened and her brother continued. “Your husband told me. You cannot keep something hidden from a Kitsuki forever...”
Silence hung heavily in the air for several moments before Sayuri filled it with her voice. “What we are doing is wrong. This is my punishment for betraying the trust of a good, honorable man.” Her eyes bored into his. “You will do nothing to help me.”
Sudano flinched and looked away from the tempest in her eyes. He closed his eyes, allowing a single tear to leak free from the left one. “I’m sorry -chan. We didn’t expect this to affect…”
A whisper suddenly came to his ear and Sudano’s head snapped up. He had heard this exact sound only once before, but he could never forget it because he couldn’t explain it. It was the sound the air kami were making when they enveloped Ketsumei back in the City of the Rich Frog. Except it wasn’t coming from him… now it was coming from Sayuri.
Sayuri felt herself withdrawing from her brother’s gaze: the suddenness of his movement startling her. She watched his eyes dart across her body, then settling onto her midsection. “Sudano…”
“Sayuri-chan…” Sudano began, his voice full of wonder. “We need to talk to your husband.”
Ketsumei had become very conscience of maintaining his On after the disastrous results following the last time he lost control of it, but in this case an exception could be permitted. “Sayuri-chan… you’re pregnant?” His wife confirmed with a nod before she stepped into his open arms.
Sudano hovered nearby, his eyes bouncing between the soon-to-be parents. The shugenja’s suspicions were correct: the air kami that had been circling Ketsumei several months ago are no longer there. Now they were enveloping Sayuri. No, not Sayuri… they are protecting the child.
The implications of this realization were staggering, but all thoughts were lost at Sudano noticed that Ketsumei was staring at him while his wife’s head was buried into the courtier’s chest. Sudano gulped and nodded slowly at the unspoken message. No, you cannot keep something hidden from a Kitsuki forever…
As he caressed his wife’s head, Ketsumei acknowledged the other man’s nod with one of his own. Now I know why I was entrusted with that katana: it is not just about me anymore. I will protect my family from anyone that threatens them. I must be ready…
