It's a 'dojo' with a wall around it among the trees still left standing making it invisible from a top veiw. There are some regular buildings, for sleeping, communing, and the leader's house for Lord Fujiwara. The Fujuwara residence houses both 'Samurai' and Ninja alike.

Mori no miyako is deep within the woods

Lord Fujiwara, also know as Graywolf entered his little home though the front gates with the usely fangy grin on his face. The air of the woods was as same as it always has been, freash. Like mother earth was blowing in your ear wispering sweet nothings. It was a great feeling.

Graywolf walked around and looks at all the people that stayed with him, and he was happy about the life he choose over the rulership of the Fujiwara lands in the west. But he was indeed destened to be a leader of something. The line of thinking made that toothy grin show ten fold.

He then went inside his main house when he meet his wife and child, he smiled at them both but didn't excange words. They went there own way, Lady Fujiwara and her child went out doors while Graywolf went to sit in his study to think, perhaps write.

Lotus was looking up at the walls of the dojo when she bumped into someone. It was a lady. She was wearing the garb of the wife of some type of Lord, maybe the wife of whoever ran this place. She apologized, "I was busy admiring your home, Lady." She noticed the child, it was looking up at her with large deep gold eye, "She is so adorable madam,"Kneels down a bit so she is level with the girl, "What's your name, little Miss?"

Lady Fujiwara walked outside of the Main building then suddenly is bumped into. She looks at the young woman and smiles, bowing slightyly to her. "I am Lady Fujiwara, Azalyn and this is my daughter Tsubame." She said glancing at tsu-chan slightly.

Tsubame grined slightly and crossed her arms over her chest, a little something she picked up after her father.
"Please don't refer to me little miss." She said with a bit of playfulness, enhanced by the slight tilting of her head.

Lady Fujiwara frowned slightly at the unlady like appearence of her first and only daughter. "Please forgive Tsubame, she still dosen't understand what it means to be a lady." She bowed slightly to the guest again.

"Your weapon" She begain to say, "Are you a warrior? It is vary rare if not uncommon to see a woman carry a blade out int the open like a Samurai of the warrior class."

Lotus chuckled, "No need to excuse her. If she didn't get that mannerism from you then its probably from her father. I'm sure she'll become a very impressive Lady when she gets older." She looks down at Tsubame, "I'm sorry for mis-addressing you Lady Tsubame." Bows to the little Lady.

"Yes I am a warrior. I can see that not many woman carry a weapon as openly as I. But i makes it easiar to get to if I'm attacked while traveling. Do you know of a place I can lodge for the night, Lady Fujiwara?"

"Yes, yes, she does get alot from her father." Lady Fujiwara smile slightly at the thought of him then continues. "Perhaps a little too much. Woman have a vary diffrent role to play in the world."

"You may stay here the night." She said with a smile. "Tomarrow I can show your more of the Mori no miyako if you like." Lady Fujiwara calls over some of the servents to show her the room in the guest buiding, and by that time Tsubame is pulling on her mother's robes to hurry. "If I may be so bold, what is your name?" She said thinking that it is rude not to give ones name after receiving the names of the people you are talking to.

In the distance the call of a Hawk can be heard, "See? Gaven's getting tired of waiting." the little girl shouts runs off toward that direction.

Lady Fujiwara smiles at her daughter as she runs off. "She is vary excited."

"Indeed it is hard, its amazing how often I get attacked!, " She shook her head. "Oh my, please forgive my rudeness. My name is Lotus..." She considered saying her last name but reconsidered,"Thank you so much. Is there some sort of event going on today?" To herself She's such an adorable child...

"There is nothing speical going on. Just some dayly routine." Lady Fujiwara says with a elegant smile on her face. Lady fujiwara then bowed in farewell "Lotus", then walked away. Slightly hurried to catch up with her daughter.

Lotus watched her leave then turned to face the compound in front of her. She sighed, the day was still young, she decided that she might explore this place before finding a room to stay in. She walked in and was quite impressed with what she saw.

Kiyoshi cracked his neck and smiled at his newest creation. "Ah at last." He said with a slight sigh of relief. Yes only slight, because in the last 6 months he was only able to creat on Haiku.

Frozen Flame
Camellia falling
sudden tender compassion
floating in frosts' wake

Even though it was somthing that did bring a large smile to his face. Hours, days and months pass by until the year mark came and went. Kiyoshi stood up fin the room and streached his aching bones. "Aza-chan" he called softly with a chuckle.

The mountain man paced the large room streaching and pondering the passage of time when his wife Azalyne walked in. "Yes husband?" She said with a bow. yet vary excited.

"How long has it been my love." The mountain said while walking up to her to embrace her.

"It's has been much time since you've been 'gone'." She accepts her husbands touch and nuzzles her face in and old familiar spot in his chest.

The old mountain man grins roguishly. "Go spread the word to Tsubame and the men, Their Master has awaken."

Azalyn gives her husband a passionate kiss and leave the room to inform their people.

(Me so rusty. :P )

((You're also like a year late in posting!))

<_<

Lotus took one step into the compound then stopped. An odd sensation ran up and down her spine a million times, making her hair stand on end at the back of her neck. She looked about her, nothing was out of the ordinary...

She took another step inside and the feelign increased, "What...?" She murmered, her eyes narrowing, What is this feeling? Her heartbeat quickened as well and she clutched her heart, it sped faster and she found herself short of breath.

Then the sensation was gone.

She stood there gasping for air, shivering, "What was that?!" She asked herself under her breath. Then she noticed the servants sent to help her, heading her way. She stood straight, aware of the subtle warmness in her chest. She ignored it for the time being smiling at her guides.

(Graywolf is currently in the streets, but Azalyn is here. ^^ Heh, ^^:)

Azalyn and a few of her servents ran towrds the yound girl who seems to have fallen over from unknown cercemstances. "Lotus-dono, are you well?" She asked with more than a little bit of worry in her voice.

"Prepare a Room for Lotus-dono", she said quitely to one of the ladies.then turned back to Lotus. "You look a little flush, would you like some tea?" Again, vary worried.

((okies))

Lotus took a few calming deep breathes, closing her eyes. She was still a bit flushed when she opened them and smiled, "Tea would be deeply appreciated, arigato." She finally said. Her voice only trembled a little bit.

As she was led off she couldn't help herself from looking around, trying to figure out what had made her feel odd. She saw nothign of course but she was going to keep her eyes peeled.

"A yes," Azalyn said please just a little bit and then turned her attetion to the other 'maid' that she was with."Please prepair Lotus-dono a nice cup of tea."

Lady Fujiwara bow slightly to Lotus and bid her to follow. "Please follow me, I'll show you to your room." AS she started to walk forward another question soon came to o mind. "Lotus-dono, I'm not sure if I asked you this alredy but, what brings you to our little home, the Mori no miyako?"

Lotus opened her mouth to answer what she had thought was her answer: She was a traveler and she came upon this city in her wanderings.

She closed her mouth, however becasue something at the back of her mind was nagging, what had brought her to this particular city and this particular dojo? Was the reason the reason why she had felt so odd a few moments ago? She shook her head, "I'm a drifter, I came upon the city in my travels. Simple really, no real reason." She finally responded.

The old wolf finaly reached his 'city of the woods' bearing two new wounds one on his hand and one down his chest. And as soon as he got near the two guards at the main, and only door, noticed the wraped up wounds.

"My Lord!" The cried as if the were one people with a single voice. "Are you alright?"

Kiyoshi mearly snorted. "I am fine." He said at last, removing the daisho off of his belt and handing the sword to one of them. "Give these fine weapons to who ever you like."

The two gurads blinked oddly and look from their lord to the weapons. But Kiyoshi ignored them competely now thinking only of that name he heard in the INN. Moritsume, Moritsume... he ecchoed in his mind over and over but could not remember where he had heard the name before.

The old wolf headed to the main house to retrive his weapons when he noticed that his wife escorting a strange woman into one of the guest rooms. "Halt!" He yelled out to them stopping Lady Fujiwara dead in he tracks, whom quickly turned around and bowed low to the ground.

"Who is this?" He asked as he walked twoard the pair.

Lady Fujiwara raised her head with a smile on her face, but then covered it up with her hand. "This is Lotus-dono, a wanderer."

"A wonderer huh?" He asked while rubbing his chin. "Please send for some tea, and my weapons." BUt what he was really thinking about was the Dono Azalyn attached to this girls name, an honorific term usely reserved for samurai.

Lady Fujiwara bowed her head to her husband again then quickly went on her way. When she was finaly out of sight Kiyoshi finaly smiled and spread his left arm out telling her to enter the room.

Lotus Massacre measured this man up the moment she caught sight of him. Warrior, very good, he's injured she mused. She watched Lady Fujiwara disappear, keeping this new man in her perifery (spelling!). When he spread out his arm she turned to face him and bowed before entering, her ears attuned to his every movement until she was looking at him again, "I'm sorry if I have barged in on you, my Lord, it is very kind of you to be so hospitable."

((is "my Lord" alright, or is there another term I should call him?))

(OOC - Sure that is fine)

Graywolf, Lord of War, followed the young girl into the and sat down. He then put out his hand again pointing at a cousion that is right infront of hist, of course with a semi-large gap inbetween them. "Your presence is welcomed he said aloud."

Suddendly a maid entered the room with a pot of tea and two cups. "Your tea Fujiwara-sama." She said while placing the small next to him and when it was in place she bowed deeply.

Kiyoshi didn't really look at her, just nodded. When she slid the dor closed and was gone he poured two cups of tea and handed one ot her.

She sat in the proffered cushion then took the cup carefully, and cradled the warm cup in her cold hands, taking a deep slow breath, "Are you sure you do not need immediate medical attention, my Lord, you are injured?" She asked finally.

As she asked, she looked around the small room. It was cozy and simple, like her room back home...She pressed her lips together, Not now. She told herself sternly. Her focus went back to her host.

"I am fine, my wounds are small. Something like this would not kill me." He said slightly grinning. But then his smile fadded as the door slid open again and in walked a young samurai warrior holding w wodden rack that helds Graywolf's named swords. Haiiro Ookami a Katana and the Wakizashi Graywolf named Magena as well as a Tanto he named Tsubame.

Graywolf tucked the Tanto into his shirt and place the Wakizashi at his waist, with out getting up. And at last he Grabed Haiiro Ookami and placed it in front of him Hilt to his left hand and blade side facing towards himself, of course still seathed.

"Well enough pleasantries" the old wolf said while picking up his cup of tea with his right hand and taking a vary small sip. "Do you know of a Samurai Warlord named Moritsune?"

Lotus returned his brief smile for a brief smile of her own. When her hosts little armory came in, however, her face when completely blank, her dark eyes sharpening. As Greywolf armed himself, Lotus put down her tea cup and folded her hands quaintly in her lap. She watched carefully, itching to see the blade, who had manufactured them? Japanese steel was undoubtedly the metal but what if this man could afford some other, better metal.

Lotus kept all her percalating thoughts locked behidn her blank face. The question he asked and his tone surprised her. Careful to betray nothing she said withought hesitation, "I do not, my Lord."

The room grew silent and tense and Graywolf calmly sipped his tea again unmoving in anyother way. Kiyoshi started thinking inwardly where he had heard the name before the INN. Alas he still could not remember anything beyond being extreemly vile. "This samurai Moritsune seems to have taken hold of at least most Edo if not the entire city." His words hanging in the air.

She raised her brows now, genuine surprise breaking through her wall like expression, "Really? I havn't been to Edo lately and I've never been one to listen to gossip." She ran her fingertip around the rim of her tea cup, but otherwise did not pick it up, "If I may be so bold to ask, was it this Moritsune that gave you those wounds? Or maybe his cronies?"

Kiyoshi eased up himself "One of his lower ranking samurai did this." He admitted calimly. "Kids these days would even attack unarmed old men like myself in the middle of the streets." He mused softly then turned into a laugh. "However this lower ranking samurai was really good, he could have done well for himself if he hadn't come across me."

She nodded in understanding then pressed her lips together, "Is there some service you would like me to perform my Lord. I cannot think of any other reason why you would inform me of such a formiddible enemy it weren't for that reason."

((is Moritsume your character?))

(Now that my internet is working again here goes. And no he is Randor's character.)

"My wife seems to have like you so if you would like to stay for a while I would like you to be one of her vassals to protect her in these dark times." He said smoothly then taking another sip of his tea. He was also thinking along the lines that it's most likly the best place to put her if she is indeed a servent of Moritsune. But he didn't let his thoughts slip to his face, wich only smiles slightly.

Another genuine smile for Greywolf, "I'd be honored to protect the Lady, she has been most cordial." Lotus inclined her head, "Shall I go to her now?" Lotus was never good with social things, even one on one and she was itching to be doing something. Protecting the Lady of the house was perfect, and she'd be enjoying herself as well.

Graywolf nodded his head. "I see your antious to get started, then please" He said with a smile and waved his hand to the door. "You may leave." He didn't really have another else to say to her, but he will keep tabs on her. Though the best messure would be indirectly.

Lotus put her hands together briefly before rising silently and leaving. She stood right outside the door for a second after closing it and closed her eyes, letting her hearing take control. It wasn't long before she caught the sound of Lady Fujiwara's voice. She headed in that direction and found her talking to the samurai that had brought Greywolf's impressive display of weapons.

Kiyoshi immediately started thinking about that kid Akisu and that drunkered woman Amethyst, both people he would love to hate but can't help but to like;Trust worthy yet not. He thought about sending a messenger to one or each of them but then thought how Amethyst would never really open up and tell him the facts, so that leaves Akisu. If anything it would be best to leave any information up to the theif gone ninja.

He would much rather just talk to Hiko, but the last time Kiyoshi had seen him was in the Medical clinic getting treated. So as far as he knows Hiko could be dead. Graywolf stopped his thinking and laughed to himself slightly. Hiko and Dead do not go well together. He mearly shrugged off the thought off and called for a 'maid'.


Meanwhile Lady Fujiwara sat in her and her husbands room with a few of her vassials. The door guraded by two Samurai who almost never leave unless they are being replaced by another pair. Inside the room Lady Fujiwara and her vassials are prepairing a bath for her.

Approaching the room, she spotted the two centries out side the door, still as statues. She stopped at a respectable difference, keeping her hands visible, "I am Lady Fujiwara's new vassal as ordered by her husband, I've come to assist her." She stated clearly.

((did I spell that all right?))

The guards eyeed the young woman cautiously as she approached. "I have not heard anything about a new vassile" One commented, seeming a bit upset and maybe even nervious. No doubt he must have heard the rumors that Graywolf might close the doors to his kingdom in these "troubled times." The second guard was about to sat something but ignored it and let the first guard continue.

"If you really are-" He started to say but then was suddendly cut off by the sound of Lady Fujiwara's voice.

"Let here through" She said calmly.

Infact she knew that she would be comming from the silent warriors that were all about their 'humble' home, sercet doors and passage ways. One of Kiyoshi's ninja's had come to her only moments before to give her the news. And too, she knew, the way her husbands mind works. It was the best place for her indeed.

She had the small tinge of smugness that she pushed down quickly, it was a stupid sensation, he was likely putting her in this position for some alterior motive. She inclined her head slightly to the guards and entered the room. She bowed even lower to Lady Fujiwara, "I presume you heard the news?" Lotus asked after straightening.

"News?" She asked curiously yet not giving anything away while slipping into her bath robe. A silky white robe. "Has something come to pass?" She asked again with anoter curious pose and stood to meet her face to face.




Meanwhile Graywolf prepares to write a letter to both Akisu and Amethyst. How ever he thought it would be in best spirts to send one forth to that drunkered woman whom he oddly enjoys the compinay of so much.

Suddenly a woman with raven black hair and eyes of brown with a hint of green slid the door open and walked in on her knees while tilting her head down in a bow. In he hands was the ink and parchments Kiyoshi needs to write his letters.

The old wolf reguared this woman with a slight smile and a bow just as slight. "Aikyou-san" he said aloud and she lifted her head up to meet his gaze. "Thank you for brining me the ink and parchments."

The woman mearly smiled and bowed again. "It was an honor to beable to serve you for once." When she glanced upward at Kiyoshi again he waved her to be on her way, and she backed out of the room the same way she had come.

Kiyoshi knew her, of course, as one of his wives vassiles. She lived with them for a while now so the old wolf did trust her. She was a fine woman even for her age and was slightly curious why she haden't married yet, but he had quickly dismissed that. To fully put his thoughts on the task at hand.

It's been a while since we actualy seen each other and even long still have we shared the taste of Sake' upon the Rooftop of the Yuki no Chaya. But it has come to my attetion that 'dark times' have come to our City. To be honest I only really took notice when rice has started to become harder and harder for me to aquire for my people though as few as there are. would also inquire about the name of a certen warrior of the name of Moritsume. If you know anything I beg of you to come to my 'city' in the woods. If you don't know anything you can at least find a little reprive in my home should you so choose too. ~ Fujiwara Kiyoshi, Graywolf.Kiyoshi smiled at the letter, showing open friendly arms as well as a certen amount of urgency, thinking it would do just fine.

Putting it aside, to let it ink dry, he started on his this next letter. Akisu I hear from one of my wives vassels that you have were given the name Akisu of the Emerald Star. A fine name for you indeed Akisu-san. A certaint bit of logic tells me that, if you didn't skip town and are reading this, you have grown up more ways than one. I would like to discuess with you a little more about your and my future together and also the fate of Your sudo father, Hiko. I can't help but to feel he meat his end, as ludacris as that sounds. And finaly of the Samurai Moritsume, I can not remember where I had heard this name, but he seems to plage the streets of the city of love so much. ~ Fujiwara Kiyoshi, Graywolf.

The old wolf then pulled out a small fan to quickly dark the ink on both letters, and when it was so he folded them up and wrote their names on the letters. 'Amethyst, the rough Jewel' on one and 'Akisu, the Emerald Star' on the other.

Graywolf sighed slightly as the letters went off to find their destination, hopfully one of them would bring the answers he so desperately needed.



Even though Kiyoshi, or anyone of the Fujiwara house, didn't have the slightest cluse who she really was. Fujiwara Aikyou, younger sister of Fujiwara Kiyoshi, though he has no idea of her exsistence.

Keeping her eyes averted from Lady Fujiwara nonetheless, "That I am to become one of your vassals, I thank you for sparing me the difficulty of explaining to your guards." She folded her hands together, "Is there any immediate aide that I can provide for you, Lady Fujiwara?" Her eyes had settled on a pair of sandals and stayed there, as if she expected the sandals to suddenly do a trick and she would miss it if she looked away.

"Oh?" she said suprised, "My husban has sent you to be my vassel?" Fujiwara-sama smiled slightly as she turned her head to the other vassles. "Please then, you would have to change clothes to the robes of a woman and not of thoese of a warrior." Azalyn nodded slightly to her vassels and one ran off to to retrive some finer garments.

Lotus opened her mouth to protest but the girl was gone, "Actually, my Lady, i was hoping that I could wear something of my own design? If there is a seamstress nearby I can hand her the pattern, it'll be easier for me to move in it and it is decidedly feminine. I hope I didn't understand Lord Fujiwara incorrectly but I believe I am to be a body guard to you also." Oddly, Lotus found it easy to look at Lady Fujiwara now because she was talking business.
She fingered the handle of her blade apprehensively,frowning, if she was not permitted to wear her own garment, she'd have to get used to moving around in ladies clothes.

"That is fine." she spoke softly rvrn so knowning that she didn't need a bodyguard. "But I don't think we need to go through to much trouble." She said with a smile a the woman came back with the clothes and the eldest of the vassles, Aikyou.

To lady Fujiwara, Aikyou looked like a woman of a noble house that most likely fell. Next to Lotus she was the newest vassele, but clearly the oldest in years. Though it has been about a year since she has become a vassel. Though Aikyou didn't say a word, and walked over to Ayalyn's side and sat down.

"These are your clothes," The vassle said with a smile while holding out the Kimono. The Kimono was a fairly nice one, but not something you would ever catch Azalyn wear. Though it is mostly humble with it's main colors of light red and white. The same thing that all the vassels wore, with the exception of Aikyou. She wore Kimono's that are nearly just as fancy as the Lady Fujiwara herself.

"You could wear you weapons on it the same way as a Samurai." She said with a slight smile, "Though most women would wear a Tanto hidden away inside the kimono."

Lotus did something odd with her arms, it looked kind of like she was patting her arm, her right hand lifted up, making the sleeves of her coat fall to her shoulder. When she put her hand down she put her hands together, a small knife was in her left hand. It was about the size of a forearm and it was sheathed. She unsheathed it about two centimeters and the blade gleamed. She expected some if not all the vassals knew the art of misdirection, she expected that Lady Fujiwara was quite good, her daughter as well, she had been watching how they moved and something about how she held herself....
She took the clothes after closing her small blade, bowing her head in thanks to the vassal that handed them to her, "Where shall I change?"

"You could change right here if your that shy we will be in the bath room." With tha said one of Fujiwara's Vassels slid open the hidden door that goes into the cave that was Graywolf home before he had this 'city' to call his own. On the inside it was changed to that of a natural hotspring. Though there was a new tunnel that was built that lead to a small opening under the area with the water where there was a great fire that kept the spring hot. The entire cave went through an overhall, so if anyone who had been in here before would never see how it was a that cave before.

Fujiwara and a few of her vassels, including Aikyou when into 'Graywolfs' Private Bath House'and closing the door behind them and leaving one in the room with Lotus.

Right away Lady Fujiwara slipped out of her thin white robe, Aikyou behind her to helping her out of it. Another of the vassels take a small bucket and fills it with the water from the 'spring' and another presenting Lady Fujiwara with Soaps.

Aikyou folds the robe while holding it and stands by the entrence while the other two help Lady Fujiwara wash her back and hair.