Sakura sets the part of her mind that is trying to puzzle out why Kachiko would choose a topic like this aside, instead choosing to focus on answering the Scorpion Thunder's question. "By bringing Toturi-o-hime to Winter Court now, he ensures that she will be more comfortable in the courts in future. In many ways, this is the ideal time to do so- her age as much as her social position will... insulate her from some of the risk that she might otherwise be exposed to."
She smiles. "In a way, it is a similar reasoning to a father bringing his daughter to a poetry reading, and by doing so helping to instil in her a love for the art herself."
Shizuki looked at Kachiko after swallowing what she had in her mouth, also wondering what would the Scorpion Thunder means and disregarding it. "On the same regard, Toturi-O-Hime will also be exposed at the many things going on in court. All what the clans will bring to it."
She stroked her chin. "She'll get to see a bit of everything, is that correct?"
"Ah, so humble!" Kachiko says with an amused smile. "No, young samurai - the reason why Toturi-heika has decided to start his child's courtly education so young is for you. Tsudao-hime will barely be able to recall this court in but a few years, but by bringing her retinue along he grants you an opportunity to learn the ways of the court well in advance of when it becomes truly critical."
There is a sharp edge to her smile now. "Of course, we cannot have such an education disrupted by an inconvenient war, now can we?"
Sakura's mind worked through Kachiko's statement quickly- the implication was fairly obvious as well. Bayushi Kachiko had all-but-stated that she had provoked a lethal duel and played her hand- all for their benefit.
It was all she could do not to stare in shock. As it was, she took a few moments to collect her thoughts. "I... this one is grateful for the opportunity to learn, then, and will do her utmost to prove up to the task."
Shizuki blinked twice. Once at Kachiko's claim, and another at her reasoning. An opportunity for his daughter's guardians to learn the ways of the court? Of course she knew better than question the Scorpion's - and even less, her Emperor's - word, but she was a Bushi after all.
Though that never stopped her from learning something new.
"I guess we cannot, Bayushi-sama." The dragon replied. "And for this opportunity I'm also grateful. I'll also do the best effort to be up to Heika-sama's expectations."
Soko bit her tongue to keep in a jab about no war being inconvenient when honor was in question. Had the Crane tried to play such an underhanded trick upon her family she had no doubt the Lion's Pride would be kicking down castle doors within a week.
"A disruption to one's studies is seldom welcome," she straddled the issue carefully, "and this court promises to be quite the education with your involvement Bayushi-sama. It was interesting watching you at work today, though we will all undoubtedly take our own conclusions from the lesson. But then that's the point isn't it? Eight clans, eight attendants, one empire and one princess."
Sakura looked... calm, as Shizuki entered the room- dressed in her wedding kimono, white as the snow outside with red breaking up the solid colours, the Kakita knelt, her face smooth. Too smooth, in fact- her expression lacked the smile that was often seen on the Crane's face. It returned, however, as she saw who had entered. Sakura bowed from her sitting position. "Greetings, Mirumoto Shizuki-san. Have you had rice today?"
Still, there was... almost a hint of nervousness in her eyes, as much as the Crane managed to conceal it.
Shizuki stared at Sakura with a calmed expression in her face, a hint of uneasyness hidden concealed within. Breathing, the Dragon mirrored the bride's posture, kneeling and bowing with a smile. "As I hope you too did, Kakita Sakura-san," she said. "My congratulations on this big step you're about to make."
The Kakita returned the smile- although it faltered a little. "My thanks. And you speak truly, it is a rather large step."
Her smile faltered entirely, then, and for a moment as Sakura glanced off to the side, the uncertainty within her own expression started to show through her on. Here, in her wedding kimono, the Crane suddenly seemed a great deal more... vulnerable than Shizuki had ever seen her, even as her words continued- the seemingly grateful words in conflict with the edge of hesitation in her voice. "Truly, I... did not expect the Fortunes to bless with a match as fine as this when I asked my cousin to serve as nakodo."
"Truly," Shizuki said, straightening to confront Sakura. Smile fading, she resisted the urge to take her glance aside from the Crane as her expression grew a tad severe. "Doji Takuma-sama seems to be the man fitting for a warrior like you, and for all this I wish you prosperity."
A beat, and she frowned. "Though you seem like there's something else in your mind. Please forgive my boldness, but it's something I can look away form no longer."
Sakura smiled again, although more weakly this time. "...you are forgiven, Shizuki-san."
She paused for a long moment before speaking. "In truth, I feel like I am stepping into a path which I do not know the outcome of. You are correct, this match is a well-suited one, but I can still scarcely believe that one such as I will be marrying into the kuge."
And she continued, more quietly- almost without seeming to realise. "And I wonder if Yuzuki's concerns are true..."
Shizuki blinked twice; once from her rival's blatant display of emotion- which she was more than willing to ignore- , and another from "Yusu- Utaku-san?" She couldn't avoid repeating and slightly head tilting. "But, why would Utaku-san-"
She trailed off, a third blink.
And then it clicked. It was now the Dragon's turn to finally glance away, struggling to keep a blush from appearing on her face. She managed to get a hold of herself, let out a sigh, and remind herself that a Samurai's private business were none but their own as long as those wouldn't let them astray from duty...
'Kami above.'
"I see."
Shizuki's blush was mirrored by Sakura's own, when she realised what she'd said out loud. "Oh."
She paused, her expression calming a little, then sighed. "You spoke the truth when you said Doji Takuma-sama would be a man fitting for one such as I- out of respect for him, I shall not say more on this. But as I understand how large the change in a few hours will be..."
Sakura trailed off for a moment. "I find myself wondering what changes there might be that even I cannot see yet."
Shizuki let out a sigh, having spent a few moments in silence, gathering her thoughts while glancing at the winter sky through the window. "I'm afraid that I can't tell you more than it's a path you must find your way on your own, Kakita Sakura-san." She began, "I for sure don't know how difficult was all this to you- but I'm sure you will manage yourself well in this new life, with honor and grace held high."
She turned to give Sakura a smile before muttering. "There isn't much I can truly offer but my skill with the blade, but should you have the time to spare and the willingness, perhaps a meeting for us to spar could be arranged."
Sakura returned the smile. "You are a true friend, Mirumoto Shizuki-san- and I would be honoured to accept your offer of a spar. "
She paused for a moment. "And I imagine we will have the opportunity to use Kyuuden Doji's grounds for the spar- after all, this Winter Court is not yet done, and we will still have duties to perform before I spend some time with my husband to be."
A corner of her mouth turned up at her last statement, in an amused half-smile.
Shizuki mirrored the Crane's half smile, for a moment glancing aside as she processed what she meant. "It's always a honor to have a spar with you, Kakita Sakura-san- and also a honor to be called a friend."
The Dragon straightened, the delicate golden patterns of her teal colored kimono glowing with the light coming from the window. "In any case, as you spoke of duties, I have to return to those assigned to me. May the thousand fortunes always light upon your path, my friend."
Sakura stood as well and nodded, the white of her kimono matching the snow outside. "And may they always light upon your path as well, Shizuki-san."
The Imperial Court in summer was still busy, even as other courts of the Emerald Empire quieted and samurai moved to other duties. Today was no exception, with Matsu Soko and the now Doji Sakura both in the court itself- Sakura, as Soko could see, was engaged in conversation with an Miya, her normal serene smile unchanged by her change in family- and status. Or by the baby the Crane was carrying, her stomach now visibly bulging.
However, to the Lion's keen eye, something suddenly seemed to change- as Sakura bowed almost apologetically to the Miya (who accepted her apology with a nod)- and then turned, walking steadily out of the court, her smile steady. But to one who knew Sakura, her steps were slightly hurried- and there almost seemed a tinge of green on her expression as she made her way outside.
"Excuse me Miya Genza-dono, I will look over those scrolls you wanted at the earliest convenience and have them transcribed within the week. I am flattered at your praise for my calligraphy and interest in the old tales."
"Of course Matsu-san, and please inform Doji-sama of our next meeting. She is charming company, as ebullient as one of the air kami."
The Lion bowed low and snapped her fan shut as final punctuation to their conversation. The man was tolerable, a bit dull, but an avid collector of writing and art from the reign of Hantei XII, which was of particular interest to her as well these day. Despite her good fortune, her station, her duty, the conversation with Sakura and the governor's ishiken wife was an eternal cloud on her mind. There were too many secrets, for good reason of course, but the damn fools needed at least someone to be paying attention to the inevitable cycle of karma and narrative. It certainly wasn't the Miya with is less than subtle jab at Sakura's disappearance.
Soko strode out with a briskness that would have been a bit rude for anyone that gave a damn about that. She certainly didn't. One didn't follow Ikoma-sensei's path by pussyfooting. The old man would throw his sake bowl at her from Yomi! Pausing to consider her options took but a heartbeat, and the bard was off.
Left-right-straight-left and in through the sliding door to the secluded little hallway where unmentionable business took place. Snap. Her fan cracked with deliberate volume, partially covering the soft sounds of feminine misery coming from one of the closets and alerting the occupant to her presence.
She waited, not that she was waiting on anyone or anything in this place. There were some pretenses to keep up for the sake of face after all.
The sounds of vomiting ceased after about a minute- and the Crane emerged, her smile gone, her mouth instead set in a thin, flat line. By some miracle, she'd managed to keep any vomit off her kimono proper, but a little was on her cheek- and some on her hair, a fact that Sakura looked distinctly unhappy about through the queasy expression on her face- emotions that Sakura had to be feeling strongly, for it to show through her on.
As she looked at Soko, she nodded gratefully for the Lion's presence, then spoke. "...how long do these... difficulties last, Soko-san?"
Soko tugged a length of silk from her obi and fluttered it lightly, and with artful aimlessness at Sakura's hand. It wasn't much but...well, the less thought about the better.
"Difficulties, Doji-sama? Why, as long as we have our duty to family and ancestors."
Looking up toward the rafters the bard squinted a little, as if she were trying to peer up at those spirits looking down on them.
"Though, one has it one good authority that such things tend to lessen the closer to the blessed day one gets. And if one avoids anything that...aggravates matters. So I've been told."
Sakura started to simply look at Soko as she heard the Matsu's overly formal address- but instead, she nodded gratefully, starting to wipe off her face and hair with the silk. "True, Matsu-san."
Two, after all, could play at that game, and it gave her something to focus on apart from... well. Her hair at least looked cleaner now. "Would you have happened to hear what sort of things might... aggravate matters, Matsu-san? After all, while difficulties might be born for one duty, it would not do for those difficulties to hinder another duty."
"Oh no, of course not Doji-sama, we can't let matters spill freely across each other."
Too close to a pun, back off.
"Ahem. The particulars are of course nothing to be mentioned you understand, but one has heard it varies from difficulty to diffidently. Some say that the aroma of fish is especially problematic, but then fish is generally a vile dish that lacks the noble and succulent qualities of the chicken or tofu. Others--no rhyme or reason, and still more the barest hint of alcohol, perfume, the taste of spice."
"It is unfortunate, but as in so many things one must simply find what works best and stick to it like a Unicorn greeting an old friend."
Sakura looked up at Soko at the pun- and she almost objected at the comment about fish- but then Soko's last comment and her own, unspoken addition- or like a lover- set her to giggling, and then a melodious, rich laugh escaped her mask.
After a few seconds, she quieted, her warm smile returned to her face. "That is certainly a... unique analogy, Matsu-san, thank you- and for the advice as well. Unfortunately, i have already tried those suggestions, to no real effect. My own... difficulties generally come strongest daily, generally an hour or two after the first meal, which I take just after I practice iai... jutsu."
The Crane's face expression was smooth, but Soko could see the sudden, horrible realisation in her eyes.
Very gently Soko shut her fan and used it to push Sakura's elbow toward the door back out in to the palace proper. It was like when she'd realized there was no way she could fulfill her duties to Ikoma-sensei on his holy day, or indulge in so many things she'd taken for granted until the baby came. And Sakura likely wouldn't even have the good sense to send it off once it did arrive, what with how the Crane coddled their young!
"You know, Akodo-no-kami wrote 'After you have participated in a siege for the first time, whether as attacker or defender, many things in life will seem less troublesome,' a wise observation, and one that I agree with perfectly. However, he very cleverly avoided some of the more feminine duties that befall us, and I believe we can safely place those above the reduction of fortifications as things to be endured and used to someday soften the little troubles of life. I suppose the one primary advantage of such difficulties is the relative regularity, and knowledge that a satisfactory resolution must come, while a clever and belligerent courtier may keep a siege going for years on end."
Her smile was soft as she opened the door for Sakura. "Now, I make not claims to such talent, but I could see if any shugenja have ideas on how to accomplish..."
"Asahina-san has already done wonders, Fortunes bless all her days. Without her aid, these difficulties would be worse than they are."
Sakura sighed. "And in truth, the children would have made iaijutsu practice impossible within a few weeks at best- this, at least, forces me to face that fact early."
Her own smile returned at she looked at her friend- as bickering as their friendship often was. "Oh, that reminds me- Asahina-san confirmed yesterday that I carry two lives, not just one."
And now, her eyes seemed to sparkle- it seemed the Crane may have picked up a few Scorpion superstitions in this matter.
Soko nodded, her expression sage beyond her years.
"Souka."
"That is an auspicious thing indeed, ah...calling to mind the nature of Bayushi-no-kami and Shiba-no-kami, yes? Most auspicious."
Soko slid the door shut behind them as the two walked down the halls, slowly wending their way less by design and more by natural inertia toward one of the many places the building opened to admit the sky for a proper garden.
"I think Katsu might wish for the same for us at some point, but I doubt I have the time my mother and her sisters did to try and try again."
"Indeed it is- even if most Crane do not view it as so fortuitous." Sakura smiled. "Still, perhaps I do share my mother's views on this. A very good sign."
She breathed in the fresh air of he garden, her smile more content than it was even a few minutes ago- her laughter and the fresh air helping to clear the... unpleasantness from her mind. "I pray you may be blessed with twins as well one day regardless, Soko-san."
"Thank you Doji-sama, and I will be sure to pray for yours in turn."
Taking a seat on a bench she looked up at the sky through the narrow branches of one of the carefully tended ornamental trees. "And I will convey your support to Katsu the next time we talk about familial duty. I'm sure he'll appreciate it."
Sakura sat next to the Matsu, smiling serenely. "My thanks for your prayers as well, Soko-san. For now... let us simply talk for a while and enjoy each other's company as friends before we return to court."
Soko spread her fan with a slow, deliberate motion and brought it up to just barely fail at hiding her smile.
"Of course Doji-sama, that would be more than acceptable."
