I Didn’t Know You Were Here
The Fire Kami flared brightly as it created its miniature version of Lady Sun! Then it was gone and the ice began to not just create a layer, but freeze solid! Donoha sama grabbed Tamaki san and threw him to safety before leaping up himself as the water froze solid beneath him. When they looked back the lake had frozen over! Shosuro Hanzo san was bringing the cart around with the family’s belongings inside just in time to see this. Along with a few of the village elders still there. Donoha sama managed to toss Tamaki san into a pile of snow but he still checked on him apologizing for not having the time to discuss the physical contact. As the two were catching their breath, Gunba sama returned.
Bringing with them equipment and supplies to begin having peasants, that had come to see the source of all this chaos, begin digging. Once the ice surrounding the rock sphere was cleared out. Then a sloped ramp about five shaku wide would allow them to fit spikes and chains into both right and left sides and pull it out. Sanjiro san was quick to help organize the available folks into a work detail, and Donoha sama stayed while the Phoenix, Scorpion, and Unicorn headed back to acquire food for the workers.
When the group arrived back at the Pine Needle Retreat Tea House. Tamaki san and Gunba sama explained the situation to Hoshi san. He and Miko san got to work making sweet rolled omelet, ginger pork rolls, and grilled rice balls. Hanzo san talked with Tamae san and he played a ballad for her, The Gentleness of the Falling Snow.
Words falling,
drifting snowflakes falling
without weight
heralding winter’s answer
to the falling sakura blossoms
of warmer seasons.
For mortal man
may not walk
upon the face of the gentle waters
except by the frost dragons blessed breath.
The soft sting of the snowy clouds’ kisses
upon the cheek and brow,
the consuming quiet of the pure white field.
As Hanzo san and Tamae san played music and dance together without regard for station. Given how empty the inn was beside Kenjiro san. The retired samurai seemed rooted to their corner spot. Not even a moving village and near annihilation changed their daily routine.
Sitting across the inn from the gruff, but kind to children, samurai was Otaku Gunba sama. Meditating at their table, silent, eyes closed, and a beautiful tea cup on the table in front of them. Thinking about their dead sister from childhood after seeing Miko this morning. At one point Miko was coming out to check on everyone and she noticed her grandmother’s tea cup sitting on the table in front of the Unicorn shugenja. From a nearby table Hanzo san whispered to their table-mate, “Okay, he gave it back and her cheeks are flushed, now they just need to kiss.”
Isawa Tamaki replied, “One of these days Hanzo san, we will watch that Otaku blossom.”
A few moments later there was some commotion outside as seven Dragon samurai had approached the crossroads in front of Pine Needle Retreat Tea House. From their attire it would be more accurate to say a lord and their six samurai retainers! Tamaki san and Gunba sama went out to see what was afoot. Hanzo san stayed by the inn’s entrance since he was unsure of how a Scorpion would be received.
Through Sanjiro san’s groveling communication they learned this was not the provincial lord for either the former Agasha province of Sabishii, nor the single Togashi province of Mucha which holds Tall Pine Village and the High House of Light. It was the head of the Mirumoto family and their personal guard, 
Mirumoto Masashige sama! Both the Phoenix and Unicorn shugenja comported themselves well in their introductions. This paved the way for their smooth introduction of the Scorpion courtier.
When they listed the Kitsuki member of their group as their guide. The conversation became more formal, but still welcoming. They explained that Donoha sama was busy dealing with the rock that fell from the sky and had not idea a lord of the clan was present. They were instructed to come and fetch their companion and the lord would await them in the teahouse. With that he entered and the six guards posted up three per side of the entrance.
They left to get Donoha sama while Hanzo san stayed outside the inn waiting for his companions to return. Hoshi san was moving behind them with the food for the workers and had used a folded futon to cover it, holding in the heat. The Dragon wasted no time responding to summon of the second most powerful person in the Dragon lands! Stabling their horse upon returning to the village, they all headed to the inn.
When the Dragon tried to leave Mittsu Tamashi 三つ魂 the Three Souls Katana, he was told to just go inside. The group follow his lead and soon enough they were in front of one the people that had effective led the Dragon Clan in its day to day affairs. Answerable to only the Dragon Clan Champion and the Emperor of Rokugan! Donoha sama knelt on both knees and bowed. His companions followed his lead as he apologized for being unaware he was in the village. Mirumoto Masashige sama mentioned the same thing as he would have wished to host the samurai from the Emperor’s Gift caravan.
When it came to understanding the rock that fell from the sky, the Mirumoto daimyo had paper, ink, and stylus-quills provided. This way they could describe it in their own words what they witnessed. It was during this time everyone other than Hanzo san learned it was Otaku Gunba sama that MOVED THE WHOLE TOWN AND ERECTED BARRIERS TO SAVE IT!!!
I know a lot of readers might think I have a new favorite. It was Donoha sama that laughed when we were alone going over the details of their report. He stated, “Otaku Gunba sama has indeed saved more women than I have. Men too!” We were both just acknowledging what an amazing person they are. Now let’s get back to the tale.
Also during the reporting Shosuro Hanzo was shocked when Donoha sama mentioned their trip to Meido and Gaki-do. Donoha sama was studying the daimyo’s reaction, and realized he thought the Kitsuki was using those names as metaphors for hardships. No one seemed to believe him whenever he went with radical honesty. After everyone handed in their written dissertations on the very recent events. The Mirumoto daimyo had a brief debate with Donoha sama about whether removing the fire kami from the void-hurdling rock may have injured it. It was decided to go back and try and coax the fire kami to return.
Back at the rock they found the workers were gone. The work on the ice having not progressed much past when they left. During the preparation for the ritual Donoha sama realized the Mirumoto daimyo appeared closer to the facts than his view on the events. Knowing Tamaki san had acted upon his direction weighed heavily upon him that he may have harmed an innocent. If this spell needed something of equal value the only thing he had to give was the wakizashi that Kitsuki Inoki gave him. The one he had finished his gempukku with and saved the daughter of the Ikoma daimyo. The Phoenix shugenja took the weapon and prepared to cast their spell.
