About That... [Day 5, LA]

[Yoko]

Yoko missed the party, for good reason. Still, she was getting paid for something and showing up afterwards to help see to some of the important cleaning up wasn't something she was going to overlook. Or, maybe it was just what she was telling herself to avoid the guilt raising up in her stomach, one of those. Searching out along the beach where the party goers were but an hour or so ago she looked for the big man himself.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji was there, observing his crew as they cleaned up,, it was much easier in the light with the illusion gone. Still it'd take a while and he wasn't shy about pitching in when it was required. Even when it wasn't by the looks of it.

Spotting the approaching Ronin, he lifted a hand to wave her over. Yoko wouldn't be here if she didn't have something she wanted to talk about.

[Yoko]

Yoko returned the wave, quickly making her way over she slipped up by him and hooked her hand onto her hip, passively above her blade. "Hey," she gave a quick nod, smirked. "So-" she cleared her throat, chuckled a bit.

"I- I'm guessing you didn't expect this kinda mess when you took me on, eh?" she smirked her usual cocky smirk. Bringing up a hand she waved it off, "I should thank you," she said as her voice tinged more respectful than usual. "What you've done for me was already beyond anything I could have expected, eh? When you spoke for Ikeda-sama the other day.." she waved her hand again. "I owe you some words, I think. Got the time for them now?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He smirked, the woman certainly was mostly swagger, or so it had always appeared to him. "Yoko-san." He ggreeted her with a polite dip of his head, falling silent a moment later to listen to what she had to say.

"I kinda figured there would be some kind of mess sooner or later, at least from the time I saw you at the festival. I didn't think it would be this big of one though." He admitted, beckoning her to follow him as he took a bit of distance to talk out of ear shot. "But yes, I have some time to listen to what you might have to say."

[Yoko]

Walking up alongside him she followed along, "Admittedly.. I didn't think that this was all going to lead me here now at that time either," she chuckled and shook her head.

"Just- before the days started repeating I was witness to something dire. You've learned most of what I learned that night, Sutorenja's real identity, the plot surrounding it. Ever since then.. maybe I've been being selfish, wanting to involve myself in these affairs but it feels important. Feels like there is, or could be, something I could do. Make things better."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"My sensei always taught me that it was dangerous business dealing with Imperials. Though it can also have it's benefits." His lips moved into a wry smile. "I suppose that is something you've learned from this though."

He nodded along at her next words before adding. "It is selfish, but it's your judgment and I won't fault you for it." She just had to be prepared to deal with the consequences. "I do wonder how you intend to help though. Do you intend to kill that man if given the chance?" He asked looking the Ronin over for a moment. "Or do you have something else in mind to get out of this predicament?"

[Yoko]

"I've-" she paused, they were dire words after all. Taking the moment she glanced out toward the waters. "With my mom, the woman who raised me. I was trained with a sword, prepared for a world that was harsh and would cast me aside if it had the chance. My hope.. my hope was always that I could use my blade to," she laughs, shaking her head. "Forgive me here a second, eh? I'm about to sound-" she waved off her hand. "I always pictured I'd use my blade to kill the wicked among us, eh?"

"I don't think that's the only solution, I'm not sure if it is the right one," she relented, sighing deeply. Inhaling she held it for a moment and then exhaled again. "But, I've found myself caring far more than I should," she stopped where they were, distant enough. Fully turning toward Shouji she looked him in the eye, her voice and look was resolute. "These people deserve.. they need help, and I'm here in a position to help them I think. I'm not sure what that position is, and I hope by the end of it my life isn't needed but, if it is? If I have to give my life to make something better.." she held the thought, her shoulders dropped as she admitted, "I just hope mom will forgive me."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

It was likely a bad habit and one he shouldn't indulge in, but the Captain reached out and pat the ronin on the shoulder. She hadn't earned head pats quite yet. He should probably stop giving those to Meiko, even though she liked them. "That sounds a bit like judgement to me." He mused as his hand went back to his side. "When you don't know what to do, you do what you feel is right, and face what consequences may come. My mother might saw you would be a good wasp with that type of thinking."

"It's hard to say though. I do not thik murder is our best option here, and we can't move in other ways while our friend plays the ronin. At least not in any way I can think of." The law had few ways to protect ronin atfer all. "Our next move takes some consideration."

[Yoko]

Touch of shock, maybe, but given the circumstance when he put his hand on her shoulder she smiled, shaking her head a little. Reaffirming with a nod after the little head shake. "Your mother seems like a good woman then, good samurai, Tsuruchi-sama," she said, the little cocky smirk playing at her lips.

"You're right though, it's hard," she considered the thought a moment longer. "Which, I am not in a position to stay close to Sutorenja-san herself and there is no way to prove that she is who she is where we are, and as we are now. However, there's a ronin we might be able to find, but I've no idea where to find him. A man who would protect Sutorenja-san with his life if need be. Last time he showed up right when things might turn bad, so I hope they're still prepared to. At least then we can react if the other half makes a move, eh?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I'm not sure most would call her a good samurai, but thank you Yoko-san." He replied honestly. "She taught me much when I was younger, even if I didn't always listen."

"So we seek out this other ronin then? Who i assume has some special identity that may help us in our task here?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "I doubt after all that any further actions are going to be direct. Still its as good as move as any. Know a way to find him? Or should I ask Meiko is she can lend a hand?"

[Yoko]

"Moshi-sama would be our best bet. What I know is that yes, he is another with a secret identity. Sworn to protect the Imperial line, eh?" she shook her head. "Ikeda Hiro, but I don't know what name he goes by currently. Just that he exists, walking around as a ronin.. I didn't think I would need his name as a ronin," she said, chuckling a little.

"Still.. if something direct does happen I'm- I may have involved you and your crew more than I ever intended to with my request the other day. I still owe you for that, and.. well," she smirked and shook her head. "Guess it's nice to owe you for something other than coin, eh?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I think Moshi-san may be able to help with that. I at least think the Kami would know someone better by their actual name then by something new." He paused. "I'll let her know to help you, but if you do find him. Let me know, I'd like to talk with him as well."

The last comment received a smirk. "Coin is an easier thing by far to owe someone for Yoko-san." Shouji replied with a chuckle. "What if I decided you'd make a fine wife for my little brother after all, and that's how I wanted to be repaid."

He let that settle for a moment. "Not that such is my plan, it is an example though."

[Yoko]

Yoko paused and stared at him for a moment. At first it was an awkward chuckle, a snicker, a held back laugh but it broke through fully and she laughed at that, hard enough that she had to both cover her mouth and hold her stomach. Raising herself up again to look at him she laughed just a bit more. Waving her hand a bit she tried to calm down.

When she was done, she wiped away a tear and waved her hand a little more, "Y-yea, I suppose so, eh?" she waved her hand a little bit. "But I guess I feel pretty safe from having to repay it with anything more than my blade, eh? Few people seek a ronin wife. Which is better for me, honestly."

"Still.. it mattered to me, a lot, so.. I know you are an honorable sort and wouldn't ask me for more than it was worth, but I do put a heavy value on what you did for me, for Ikeda-sama, Tsuruchi-sama, and I'll happily pay the price."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He smirked at that. "Thats quite true of most clans, Yoko-san. Not so much the Mantis. Ever wonder why we don't seems shy about hiring any of the ronin here? It's because as a clan we intend to grow." The young Captain explained. It perhaps wasn't something he should admit, but it didn't matter much.

"You're right though, i won't ask anything more then I think I should." Which was hard exactly to say what it would entail. "Especially since I'm pretty sure you aren't too interested in men." Not that he could say for certain. "I'm sure I'll think of something though. Not that I put a priority on your repayment."

[Yoko]

"Suppose I've heard the rumors of the Mantis," she said, shrugging with a little exaggeration and a smirk worn. One that only grew cockier as he continued. "Not sure if that's good or bad it didn't stay hidden from you, eh?" she chuckled and shook her head. "Not many spouses would be all that happy with that, I think. Still-" she waved it off. "I am happy to wait for the opportune time, eh? Best to make it something that counts, something worth while, given what you gave."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Well, I couldn't think of all that many reasons for you go take so much interest into Ikeda-san." Shouji offered with a weary smile. "I did think about the reason for a while, especially given the risk you have taken on her behalf."

"As for marriage. People make of it what they will for good or ill. Or thats what I've always heard." He eyed Yoko for a moment about to say more but thinking better of it. "I shouldn't keep you waiting too long though should I? Can't imagine you're planning to spend the next few years on the Sea Fox."

[Yoko]

"It's.. more than that," she admitted, a touch softer than her usual as she hooked her thumb in her obi. Shaking her head, looking up with a half-smirk, there wasn't as much of her usual cockiness to it. Pushing passed that feeling, she gave him a nod, "But you're right in a way, I suppose. Though, there are ways to reach me. Maybe my response would not be as immediate, but.. if it comes to it, Tsuruchi-sama, and you have need to find me some time after all this," she gives a wave of her hand.

"There is a man stationed in Ryoko Owari, his name is Kakita Takara and he's.. just, he isn't my biggest fan but if you have the need he will know how to get in touch with me, eh?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He lifted an eyebrow at that. "Well I'm not going to go prying into your personal matters... Just try to remember who Ikeda-san is and what will be expected of her." The Captain let it lie there though.

"I'll remember that, though if I'm honest I'm not sure I'll call on you in that way. A ship doesn't tend to stay in one place for months at a time. Plus if I'm needing a sword it's unlikely to be the type of thing that can wait."

"Either way, im not worried about it too much."

[Yoko]

"Now I didn't realize I was speaking with Yoritomo Katsu-sama," she smirked, shaking her head a little. Shrugged, "It's the curse of who I am, who we are, and what we do, eh? Little different than maybe the very real one we're experiencing right now though.." she waved that thought off with her hand.

"Still.. keep the name in mind, you never know eh? But I'll be looking for the chance to repay you too. Whatever ends up happening.. might not be much of a repayment but just the thing to do at the time."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Right you are about that, and right now because of it Ikeda-san is vulnerable. She just wants to serve the best she can and will do whatever it takes to do so. Or nearly that." He added with a wry smile. "As for being like Katsu." The Captain winked at her playfully. "Hoow do you know I'm not actually the meaner one, when I have to be?"

"But I will. Might have to write it down somewhere later." He nodded at the rest of what she said. "And I'll keep that in mind too, though I try and keep myself clear of danger when I can accomplish it."

"I suppose I shoudl add, I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. But Ishi said she could find Ikeda Hiro. So if she hasn't brought him back to the ship herself. You might go with her."

[Yoko]

"We are going now, actually. Wanted to speak with you first before we went, she should be getting ready as we speak," she said, looking back toward the ship for a moment. Lingering her gaze there for a moment as she thought.

"Well.. whatever is gonna happen is gonna happen, eh?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Mmm." He nodded at that. "Makes sense i suppose, I told her to not go alone." After all it was best to be careful.

"I'll see you all on the ship a bit later then?"

[Yoko]

Yoko looked back to him with the cockiest smirk she'd probably ever worn. "Gather them all up, bring them all back? Now, I was pretty convinced I was helping out on a merchant vessel," she immediately put her hands up in mock surrender, laughing as she did.

Waving them down a bit, "Seriously, seriously, yea. I got you. We'll gather everyone together, get ahead of it, eh?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He flashed a grin at that. "Just think of it like we have to sail of short notice. Have to collect all the crew from whatever drinking holes they are at and get em back quick as ya can. Just because some might not of been crew a few days ago doesn't really matter." The Captain replied his town teasing.

Truth was he did need someone to replace Biji though, not that any of the imperials were a good fit for that. "But yes, I have a few ideas of what's going on but with people spread all over this village there is little i can do. As it it I'm crossing someone I would prefer not to for this. But it is what it is. Imperial business is dangerous."

[Yoko]

Yoko smirked at the teasing, shaking her head a little as they shifted from one tone toward the other. Sticking her thumb in her obi, her hand on her hip. "Nobody wants to cross an Imperial, you know this, but take it from me," she said, smirking as she gave a little shrug. "Crossing someone who's above you doesn't usually end well. Deal with that every day of my life, learned how to be safe, eh?" she let her thumb from her obi free and waved the thought off a little. "Imperial's like we're dealing with, well.. they're near enough the top, eh? But, we got some Imperial's on this side of things too, and if you want my opinion Tsuruchi-sama, if it comes to sides, like real sides of this. We're on the right one. Far as I'd ever be concerned."

"You've only briefly met Sutorenja, but I met her before.." she gives a wave of her hand. "All this. Woman is the right type. Doesn't deserve what's being directed at her. Folk who want her dead are afraid.. and they've a right to be, she's a real leader eh?" she brought the hand back and rubbed her neck, chuckling as she did.