[x] "I have it."
[x] Fish it out and hand it over.
[x] "I hope you and your beloved find peace one day, kitsune-san."
"I have it," you say, pulling the pendant out of your pocket.
The Kitsune's eyes flash with delight, and she walks closer to you. She bows her head down, and in a few seconds you realize what she wants. You kneel down to her level, and with both hands you gently settle the necklace around her neck.
You allow yourself a smile as she raises her head, and give her a nod from where you kneel. Her eyes are shining as she looks at you, aglow with both happiness and their own inner light.
"I hope you and your beloved find peace one day, Kitsune-san," you say in as gentle a voice as you can manage.
"I do as well," she says softly. She pauses for a moment, and then gives you a proper bow. "You have gained a friend this day, Hiruma Sosuke-san. Should you or any of your Clan find their way in the Shinomen-Mori, you will have an ally of myself and the Kitsune who live there. We will give you and your Clan mates as much aid as we are able. Of that, you have my solemn vow."
You blink in surprise at her words, and open your mouth to tell her such things are not necessary. But before you can speak, the Kitsune has dashed away. You keep track of her for only an instant, her form shining against the night, and then in a flash of foxfire she is gone.
You stand up, slightly bewildered. This entire evening has been quite strange, and certainly not what you expected to experience as you journeyed away rom the Great Carpenter Wall. But even with the aggravation you felt with the Ronin, seeing the joyful look on the Kitsune's makes it all worth it. You've done a good and proper thing this night.
"An odd experience," Hoshi says.
"I have to agree," Jinbei responds. "But not a bad one, I think."
"No," you say, a small smile gracing your lips. "Not bad at all." You look over your shoulder to the Ashigaru. "Well then, let's return to camp."
You arrive back at your camp within a half hour. Two of the Ashigaru are standing guard, the other sleeping nearby. Nothing untoward appears to have happened in your absence, thankfully. Yasuki Goro is outside his tent, writing something in a small book. He glances up at you and grins.
"From your expression," he says. "I see you were successful."
"I was," you respond, giving the man a bow. "Thank you, Yasuki-sama, for allowing me to do this."
"It was no trouble, lad. I'm curious to hear exactly how things happened," the Courtier says. He stifles a yawn with one hand. "In the morning, though."
"Then we shall speak in the morning, Yasuki-sama," you say back.
"Good," Yasuki Goro says. He gets up and nods to you. "Good night then, Sosuke-san."
Yasuki Goro returns to his tent, and you return to your own. Soon enough you have stripped out of your armor and are clad in nothing but your small clothes. You move yourself into your blankets and rest your head on the small pillow that came with your traveling gear. And soon enough, with a smile of satisfaction, you are fast asleep.
[] Timeskip to Zakyo Toshi.
[] Timeskip to Shinden Osano-Wo.
[] Timeskip to Ginasutra.
[] Write in.
Sosuke has gone out of his way to do an honorable thing this evening. As such, he gains 2 Honor points. He has also had new experiences and had to come up with quick solutions while keeping his cool, and has thus gained 2 Experience points. His deeds were also taken note of by several other people, and he has gained 2 points of Glory.
