[Day 0 - Mid Evening] Ebisu's Blessing

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"If your intent was to travel into their lands, it would be a good place to start." the Monkey nodded.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Back to other matters for a moment, Fuzake-san", the Scorpion said politely. "Your words of being a witness interest me. Is there more you might say? How does fate guide you on your way?"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

She turned to reply, but the setting sun caught her attention.

"So very red...."

Hifumi collapsed, landing with a hard thud. Her body shuddered and shook awkwardly, as her wide eyes stared off into the distance. Dango shrieked loudly, pacing back and forth beside her.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

...?

"Sutorenga-san!" he barked at the ronin. "Fetch some water." He knelt down next to Hifumi and took in her condition. The monkey was an annoyance, but he disregarded the creature to keep his focus. Shitoru knew something of medicine, and how the elements in the body played and fought at times. He did his best to determine what the matter was, a curse on her fire by the sun? There were some who had been given such, when the bright flash of day is brought to night by fire works.

"Fuzake-san, can you hear me?" he asked, not fighting her body, but being certain her wracking seizure did not cost the woman her tongue.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Blood..." she mumbled as she continued to thrash about. "It starts with blood..."

[Dapper Dog]

The ronin had done as directed equally astonished at the change in the Monkey samurai.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

After a minute or two had passed, her body finally began to relax and she came to her senses. Accordingly, the monkey calmed down as well.

"Thank you, mina-san." Hifumi said looking up to the Scorpion and the ronin. "My apologies for the disturbance."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"...what begins with blood, Fuzake-san? What do you speak of?" part of him did not believe he was asking. He should focus on seeing her out of danger, but...perhaps this was some manner of gift of hers, not a curse. Tales are told of strange prophets, the knowledge they gain can put great strain on their bodies. Perhaps he should listen, and try not to disturb her.

Despite himself, he found the words to mutter a prayer to Jizo for the Monkey samurai.

When she seemed to have recovered, Shitoru nodded quietly. "I am uncertain if an apology is necessary, are you well? Shall I walk you to your tent to rest?"

[Dapper Dog]

The ronin returned with several others in two. They bring water and many ask if the Monkey samurai is well.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"The end, Bayushi-san." she answered. "I will be fine. I just need a few moments to recover. Sutorenga-san, it appears that you will attend this wedding. I am sorry."

"I will tell you more, if you wish." she added after sitting up and accepting some water. "But, my experience is that knowing what is to come does not often make things better."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

The End begins with Blood?

Curious tilt of the hat. He then stood and looked around and gave those gathering a stare to remind them to keep a respectable distance. Then his gaze returned to Hifune, and would offer a hand if she was ready to get up out of the dirt.

"I don't believe in fate, I think that kharma disagrees with it too openly. After all, could not a vision simply be a warning?" he asked.

[Sutorenja]

The ronin was puzzled and said, "What do you mean?"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

She accepted the hand and rose to her feet, dipping her head in thanks.

"It is possible that one might alter events to come, but destiny has a way of maintaining its course regardless of how many attempts are made to alter it. I saw a woman in a blood streaked room, decorated for the Crane and the Crab." She had glanced at the ronin. "Another woman appeared, one of higher bearing. They spoke. I do not know what of. Then the noble woman cut down the other."

The monkey leapt up into her arms, hugging her and chittering quietly.

"The women may not be who they appeared to be. The location may not be what it seems. But, there will be blood and death." She closed her eyes. "I saw a throne crack. Fire consumed everything. The sun turned crimson and it rained blood. A man of green and gold sat upon the broken throne, surrounded by the dead."

[Sutorenja]

The ronin just gulped and said, "Is that... what does all of that mean?"

[Bayushi Shitoru]

Shitoru became thoughtful. There were too many unknown factors to decide anything, however.

"I believe it's a warning, as I said before", he nodded to himself. "And like as not, as Fukaze-san says, it may not be a matter we are intended for."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"He's right." she nodded. "It doesn't mean I saw your death. It may simply mean that you will be involved in some way. It also doesn't mean that it will happen at the wedding, but the involvement of the Crane and the Crab seems likely. The rest has no context. It may all by symbolic. But, it does not paint a pleasant image of things to come."

[Sutorenja]

"Wait... my death?" she said with surprise.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"The women I saw cut down looked like you." she nodded. "But again, visions are not often literal."

[Sutorenja]

Well that gave her pause, and she was quiet then.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"This is a great deal all at once", Shitoru reminded them. "Fuzake-san has been through an ordeal, and that has fallen to you now as well, Sutorenga-san. In times such as these, it is best to clear the head, worry makes a foul companion when there is no action to take."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

She nodded again. "I did not mean to cause you distress. But, I've found it's best not to hide such things. I am not good at doing so, regardless."

[Sutorenja]

“I will be mindful of the warning,” she said after regaining her footing. “My concern is for you.”

She offered the woman some water in a gourd, “Maybe drink, the sun saps strength.”

[Bayushi Shitoru]

A death. The Crane and Crab. Noble cutting down commoner. A split throne, a man in gold and green sitting upon it, surrounded by the dead.

Shitoru resisted the urge to pace in thought. Much could be assumed, but little can be said. He gazed at Sutorenga for a moment, as she shared the water with Mifumi. How does a ronin's death cause these events? Is it symbolic, or...

"Sutorenja-san", he said quietly. "Where are you from?"

[Sutorenja]

She was silent and then said, “I came from up north, Bayushi-sama. I am no one, I assure you. It is strange to me that any of noble blood would wish me ill.”

She did not seem comfortable speaking on the subject.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Another time then", he said with understanding. "Though in truth, it would be my honor to treat you to sake and a conversation when we reach Crab lands. For certain, lifting spirits will be properly prescribed by then, neh?"