The New Winds

• 
  The rain fell softly, as if it knew of the hardships both behind and ahead. Each droplet alighted on his skin with just enough coolness to pull his mind to the present, to pull him away from the pain of the past and the uncertainty of what was to come. The beads ran down his face, more numerous than the stones of the streets as he arrived at the biggest city he had ever seen. He raised his crimson hues to the grey layers in the sky that draped themselves over the walls. A blink, as an errant raindrop splashed onto his eye, and he set about on rubbing it away.
  
  Cold. That is what the rain would bring. This place was so far from home, unfamiliar, bizarre. Shelter was needed, or else he would become sick. Not when he was so close to his destination. A bite of his lip and a quick glance; the answer revealed itself. Underneath an unhitched and beautiful ox cart sat a grey cat, fur dry and unmussed. Uninterested, it's gaze swept over him before moving onto more important things. A short clapping as his well worn zori slapped the new streets, and he slid underneath the cart as easily as... well, a cat. His hand grasped onto the wheel for support, one knee pressed down into the dry floor. A short shake of his head, and his silvery locks sent a spatter of water.
  
  The cat was even more unamused than ever, but only granted him a stink eye.
  
  "Sorry neko-san," he muttered to his host, "that was hasty and ill-mannered of me. It's been a long journey so I forgot myself. Tired..." his eyes began to close, but then long lashes fluttered back open. "But I can't sleep here."
  
  The cat seemed to have a different opinion, as it yawned and curled up, giving him one last glance but slowly falling asleep to the pitter patter of the rain falling all around them, as they were safe and sound... for the moment.

OOC : Come on by and say hello to a fish out of water..!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKof2adUVec

The gray sky and morning rain reminded Shizuru of her birthplace, Kyūden Ikoma. As young as she was, the Ikoma had never journeyed far beyond the fertile plains that surrounded the castle. Otosan Uchi was entirely foreign to her. When she set out for the capital, her parents were sure to supply her with all of the necessities - a wicker umbrella among them. It proved a valuable asset throughout her trip. Shizuru ventured down one of the city's thoroughfares with it cradled over her shoulder, taking in the sights and sounds. There were so many people, so many places, and so many things to do! The student caravan would set out for Hirosaka soon and Shizuru wanted to make sure that she'd had her fill before it did.

Shizuru took notice of the white-haired boy as he stowed away under an ox cart. Such behavior was improper of a samurai, and so she concluded that he must have been a peasant. Though she held little prejudice against the peasantry, her teachers had always told her to keep the distinction in mind. The cat under the cart piqued her interest. Shizuru was quite fond of cats, their dignified attitude and graceful refinement made them a natural companion to a courtier in her mind. She ventured up to the side of the oxcart and peeked under it, taking a moment to regard both the boy and the cat in full detail.

"Excuse me," she started. "Is this your cat? Would you mind if I pet it?"

Rather than debase herself by crawling under the cart, Shizuru leaned down and stuck her arm under to scratch its exposed belly. Her face lit up as she did, clearly quite taken with its cuteness. Though she paid comparatively little mind to the Kitsune, Shizuru did take notice of his oddly-colored eyes and the mon on his robes. She didn't recognize it. Her teachers had her memorize the emblems of the Great Clans and their constituent families, but she was quite sure that there was not a fox among them. Still, the boy bore a surname and that entitled him to a samurai's respect. She was rather surprised that her first impression had been wrong. I suppose that samurai come in all colors, she thought to herself.

"No reason," she said. "Don't worry, I didn't think you a city guide. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kitsune-san." She offered the boy a bow of her head. "I am Ikoma Shizuru, and I'm not from around these parts either. Actually, I'm on my way to Hirosaka as well. Your family didn't prepare a place for you in before your arrival? The Kitsune must be quite, er... independent. Perhaps they're trying to teach you to do it yourself?"

Did Shizuru think that Setsuna looked silly hiding under the ox cart? Yes, she did. How judgmental! Her position was much more dignified, leaning against its side with an umbrella one hand and an affectionate cat in the other. Luckily for the Fox, the Lion had more than enough restraint to refrain from airing her thoughts out loud. Her attention was divided between Ronyan and her new KItsune acquaintance, and Ronyan was winning. Every time the cat meowed, she took that as a signal to keep scratching. That was a bad idea.

"Well, all of the adults say that I'm quite mature for my age." There was a hint of braggadocio in her tone, she clearly cared about what others thought of her. "...But my father made sure that I had a place to stay before I arrived. The journey was pretty short, so I think I got here ahead of most other students."

The Ikoma didn't balk at her acquaintance's disrespect for elders, but she did make a mental note of it. Damnable courtiers and their mental notes.

"I admire your dedication, Kitsune-san... You have the roar of a lion. When we get to Hirosaka, I'll be watching to see if you have the heart of one too." That was a strange way to word things, she thought. Whatever. "I would be quite surprised if the Topaz Champion wasn't a Lion this year. Some of our contenders are quite strong, I had the pleasure of meeting them while I was on the road. I'm not sure where they've gone, though... Not that I wish you any ill luck. Think of us as friendly rivals!"

Her attention was ripped away from the conversation as Ronyan stabbed at her wrists, leaving a shallow cut. Shizuru quickly withdrew her hand and let out a cry of surprise. She was clearly embarrassed.

"A-ah, it seems that Ronyan-sama was quite through with being pet. You wouldn't happen to have a bandage with you, would you?"

Noticing the two speaking by an ox cart, the Ikoma donned her straw hat and wandered over, a very poorly carved stick vaguely reminiscent of a bokken shoved through her obi, hand lazily resting on the bark-covered handle. She walks with dramaticized movement in each step, trying to look subtly mysterious, yet failing in both categories. The brim of her hat is deliberately pushed down to obscure her face somewhat, but the Lion Clan mon on her kimono still hints at her true identity, despite the lazy disguise

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" the Ikoma asks, a poor rendition of some gruff ronin's voice emanating from under the hat.

"It seems to be some unexpecting young samurai with no protection. The street is dangerous, young samurai! Why, you should have yojimbo with you, no?" she asks, a grin growing underneath her hat.

From a good distance away, a fourth actor entered the scene. A young Lion approached with a truant's timing from the streets, holding a small cage containing a cricket in his hands. For want of an umbrella or hat, he seemed to have made a small game of his unfortunate circumstances - moving from shelter to shelter at a brisk pace as he zigzagged back and forth across the street.

Where in the world are they?, the Kitsu pondered to himself as he drew closer, initially failing to recognize the two standing by the ox cart - and one extra, by the looks of it. Had I lost track of time? Had they departed for Hirosaka already? No, that couldn't be. They still had time before the students left. His pace slowed to a halt at a sheltered storefront as his mind drifted off towards the realm of fantasy. Was I tricked? An elaborate plot carefully concocted by enemies of the Clan, perhaps? A small, wispy smile crept across his face as he stared out absentmindedly towards the cart - playing with the idea in his head. Maybe a band of vengeful, honorless ronin, come to exact their revenge on the Lion by-- Ah. No, wait. That's them.

Striking the line of thought from his head, he stepped out into the gentle morning rain with seemingly little regard for his lack of rainwear. "Good morning!", he called out warmly to the group as he approached with more than a bit of spring in his step. "Did you rest well? Eat well?" His gaze shifted upwards, golden eyes staring at the cloudy, gray sky - his smile fading. "I'd hoped to go to the Ochiyo district to offer my morning prayers, but... I fear I'd come down with something if I stayed out in this weather too long. Ah, what terrible timing that'd be." He shakes his head slowly.

Though Shizuru's first instinct was to deny contact and jerk her hand away, she restrained herself. It was unbecoming of samurai to place hands upon one another, but there was surely an exception for the application of a bandage, wasn't there? She didn't think too hard about it. Instead, she offered the boy a thankful bow of her head and retracted her hand into the long sleeve of her kimono.

"Ah, the scent of honey... very pleasant," she mumbled aloud. "I could never bear a grudge against a cat, especially not one as pleasant as Ronyan-sama. I'm sure that she didn't know any better." Internally, Shizuru lamented the fact that she hadn't brought any treats for the myriad of animals she'd meet on her way. Perhaps she could travel down to the market and acquire some fish later? No matter.

"I wonder if they'd allow us to keep pets at the dōjō. It would be a good test of responsibility, I think."

When Shizuru turned to address the gruff voice behind her, she cast an appraising gaze over their disguise. She was able to recognize one Ikoma Mikazuki immediately, and she seemed rather cross with her. Her expression soured.

"Cousin, should you really be dressed like a rōnin? You're polluting the capital's streets with that shabby look! Take it off." As soon as she set out to scold her fellow Ikoma, another Lion arrived. There was a veritable pride of them now! The other one was easy enough to recognize, and it was her other cousin - Kitsu Akio! She waved him over.

"Let me make the introductions!" Shizuru clasped her hands together. One had a honey-soaked bandage wrapped over it, complete with a bow. "Kitsune-san, these are my honored cousins: Ikoma Mikazuki-san and Kitsu Akio-san. Honored cousins, this is Kitsune Setsuna-san. I was thinking of inviting him to stay in our hostel."

"Ikoma Mikazuki!? Who is that? I am the Sword of the North Wind, and you will not be calling me shabby again, Lion!" she says, her gruff impression growing indignant.

The Ikoma rolled her shoulders, eyes shifting about the scene from under her hat. A hand came up to touch the brim gently, as if somewhat self-conscious over the comment. Now is not the time, though-- her hand changes positions, now firmly grasping the stick in her obi. With a grit of her teeth, she draws the bokken. Or tries to. Half-way through the draw, a knub on the branch is caught on her belt, much to her surprise. She blinks, and tugs at it again, facial expression turning to the frustrated.

"Awwgh!" Incapable of a clean draw, Mikazuki simply pushes it back into it's 'sheathed' position. She sighs, and adjusts her straw hat. "If you draw your blade, you must draw blood, and I have decided that this occasion is not worth the drawing of blood, despite your insulting tone, Ikoma!" she says, pointing accusatorily at Ikoma Shizuru. After dropping the hand, she touches her hat again, sniffing.

"This is the only hat I have, cousin, it's not shabby..." she says, pushing up the brim to reveal her face more clearly. And at the mention of eating... "Ahhh, I haven't eaten yet, Kitsu-san."

"Is that so?", he inquired, his gaze shifting down from the gloomy gray sky and back towards the group once more - his smile returning. "How interesting! Well, I'm not one to question her judgement. It's just as she said; I am Kitsu Akio - a travelling student, the same as they are.", he continued, turning to face Setsuna momentarily to offer a polite, brief bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kitsune-san. Should you be welcomed to the hostel, I pray you find the accommodations to your liking - I'll admit I'm unfamiliar with the name."

Satisfied with his introduction, he turned his head to look at Mikazuki. "You haven't eaten? How will the Sword of the North Wind stand against the enemies of the Empire on an empty stomach? More importantly, why does she dress like /that/?", he jabbed lightly - his tone anything but hostile.

"Dr-Dress like WHAT!?" exclaimed the Ikoma, taking her hat off and holding it in both hands in front of her. It's just a straw hat, what is wrong with that? She stares at the beaten wicker that shaped the conical hat, her face reddening as both Shizuru and Akio now roasted her for looking shabby. She huffs. "Have you never seen a straw hat before? It's fine, it makes me look cool!" she says, placing it back on her head.

"Besides... it's raining too heavy and I don't have an umbrella," explains Mikazuki. As the Kitsune speaks, she positively beams, nodding graciously to the boy. "Exactly! Akodo Kenburo is cool, and he wore a hat, so why can't I wear one?" she asks to Akio and Shizuru, adjusting her shabby-looking straw hat with newfound confidence, proudly setting her offhand on the hilt of her poorly-made stick-sword. She adjusted her black hair with her main hand, and wiped her brow of any stray raindrops that could have hit her while she took the hat off. Noticing how soaked the Kitsune was, though, she blinked and took her hat off, handing it over to him with a bow.

"You seem like you need this more than I do, Kitsune-san," she says, her regular tomboyish voice coming through now that her ronin shtick had ended. Who doesn't travel with a straw hat? She crosses her arms, her scrutinizing gaze more apparent now that her face is less obscured by the shadow of the hat. Her eyes wandered back to Akio, brow furrowed as if she was forgetting something.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, a finger pointing up now that she had remembered. "I don't know, but I'm hungry, and I don't think I should have my trail rations yet... Sensei said they should be for an emergency," she said with a nod.

"When you wear a hat like that, honored cousin, you look like you should be tilling fields - not carrying a daishō. If you want to be a samurai, you have to act the part too!" Clearly, Shizuru and Mikazuki had different standards of what was 'cool.' "My umbrella is way cooler than your straw hat! It's very... dignified." Wow, big word. She twirled the umbrella in her hand, sending droplets of rain every which way.

As the conversation carried forward, a puzzled expression painted itself over Shizuru's face. Clearly she had never heard of Akodo Kenburo, nor his legendary skills as a duelist.

"You sure know a lot about history, Kitsune-san." Although her teachers had spent much time drilling her on the posthumous names of various Emperors and the provincial capitals of the Empire, she hardly retained any of it. History was never her strong suit. Ironic, considering that her family's sacred duty was to maintain the Lion's libraries. "I'm sure that our teacher will be impressed!"

When Mikazuki handed over her shabby straw hat to Setsuna, Shizuru bobbed her head in approval.

"See, now that's how a samurai is supposed to act!"

Her injured hand drew back into her sleeve, hiding the bandage from sight. Couldn't have anyone thinking she was vulnerable!

"Well... if you're feeling hungry, then isn't it an emergency? I don't have much of an appetite myself." The courtier cast an appraising eye around the neighborhood, catching sight of a small alcove that led into a nondescript building. Rain pitter-pattered off of its wooden roofing, which kept the ground beneath dry. "Perhaps we should get out of the rain and have something to eat? Ronyan-sama can join us, too." Shizuru turned to address the Kitsune. "You brought trail rations with you, right?"

The young IKoma wasn't sure what to think of her newfound Kitsune acquaintance. On one hand, his fashion and earnest manner was peculiar for a samurai. On the other hand, his respectful etiquette befit one perfectly. Perhaps he was putting on an act to gain the upper hand against her later? The Topaz Championship was a competitive tournament after all. Oh well, no matter! Such maneuvers were far too opaque for a child like Shizuru to be concerned with. The courtier watched her fellow's exchanges with great interest, soaking in everything they said. Truthfully, she was being a little overbearing. Her brown eyes followed the speakers with a childlike excitement. When it came her turn, she pointed toward the open alcove with her good hand.

"Let's sit over there and eat, everyone." WIth a spring in her step, Shizuru traipsed over to a dry spot and then folded her umbrella. "I hope that whoever owns this building doesn't mind... Oh well! Even if they do, they probably won't say anything. We can hardly be blamed if they don't say anything, right?" She leaned down and began to settle on the ground below. "The way of the samurai is to do without asking first," she muttered to herself. Whether or not that was true was highly debatable, but it was something of a personal philosophy for Shizuru. With a huff, she tucked her legs under her torso and unfolded her rucksack. It contained all the simple things a woman needed, as well as a few neatly-packed rations. Inside the rations were fish, nuts, and other foods meant to get one through a day's journey.

"Do you think Ronyan-sama would want some of this tuna, Kitsune-san?" It seemed that he was the expert on cat behavior, anyways. She broke off a sliver and held it out to the cat. "Say... honored cousins, do you think they'd search our packs when we arrived? I bet one of you could probably sneak Ronyan-sama into the dōjō in your rucksack, as long as she kept quiet. Kitsu-san could probably do it! I mean, it's wrong to look through a shugenja's things, right? Since they're so holy and all."

With her free hand, Shizuru treated herself to a few ginkgo nuts, just to keep up appearances. Appearances were everything.

Placing the hat back onto her own head, she shrugs and moves along with Shizuru.

"If you wish, Kitsune-san!" she says, either oblivious to the etiquette of three refusals or not wanting to go through the anxiety-inducing ritual at the moment. Especially in the cold rain, how awful. She carefully removes the branch from her obi and begins to break it up into smaller pieces. "This is uncomfortable to wear... I wish I had a real bokken," she said with a sigh, discarding the remnants of wood into any opening of dirt.

"I can get another hat later, Kitsune-san, and besides, if I want to beat Akodo Kenburo's record, I'm sure I could just borrow someone else's hat. I think they'd understand," she says, nodding resolutely. She sat with the others, sitting in agura position rather than seiza, seeing as it was an informal occasion. Wearing her umanori hakama, this was fine, even though it was still an informal sitting posture. She didn't seem to care, sat cross-legged next to the others. "We could have gotten one of the adults to take us to some tea-house, you know, cousin," she said, but it didn't seem to be a protest, more of a simple statement.

The Lion watched with great amusement as Ronyan startled the Kitsune and bounded over to her lap, then promptly rewarded her with a chunk of fresh fish. Shizuru let out a surprised 'oh!' as the cat stole it away. She leaned forward to stare down at their feline companion as it enjoyed its treat, taking the opportunity to gently pet its back. The courtier mused to herself.

"I have this theory that samurai are sometimes reincarnated as cats. That would explain why they're both dignified and ferocious, don't you think?"

An idyllic scene unfolded itself before the four as they sat. A gentle wind stirred across the street, bringing the rain along its path. They watched, safe from the elements, as everything outside was positively soaked - including passing peasants and the scarce few samurai that were out and about. A small drizzle of rain fell from the roof of the alcove, splashing against the perimeter of their shelter. The atmosphere was quite pleasant, Shizuru thought that these kinds of days often inspired poetry. She tried to come up with a haiku in her mind, but couldn't think of the first verse.

"We should probably get some fish to keep her occupied while we're on the road. We wouldn't want to get caught before we even make it to the dōjō!" The plan was laid. "I can give you a few more chunks out of my traveling rations, but I don't know if they'll be enough." Sneaking a cat into the school would warrant punishment, but how severe could it possibly be? Shizuru decided that the risk was worth the gain. "Besides, if one of the instructors catches us, I'm sure Ronyan-sama will persuade them to let her stay. I mean, who can say no to a lady like her?"

She turned her attention to her companions just in time to catch Setsuna's peach, quickly snaking a hand out of her kimono's sleeves to grab it before she was hit. My reputation is safe, she thought to herself. How foolish would I have looked? How self-conscious. Her teachers taught her that image was everything. A Lion was supposed to be on their guard at all times, ready to respond to any slight, no matter how petty! Instead of chastising Setsuna for not warning her first, Shizuru turned her attention to the peach itself.

"Oh wow, this looks delicious! Thank you, Kitsune-san." She took a few bites of it, only nibbling off a little at a time.

"Hm... If you're feeling sleepy, you could rest at our hostel. You can sleep in the common room, by the furnace! It's pretty warm there."