The Observing Lioness
14 March 2006
by O'donna Dean

Matsu Setsuko sat over against one of the inside walls of the Temple of Osano-Wo and watched her new traveling companions. This was truly an odd group. None of them seemed to have anything in common until now. What has kept them together this long? Duty? Friendship? But how did they find anything in common to develop that friendship.

Shinjo Yul was the same hulking, barbarian that Setsuko had come to expect from the Unicorns. He was good to have beside you in a battle but he had nothing in common with the rest of this group. His tactics were different, his manners were lacking, and he smelled like a horse.

The albino Dragon was bad luck to have around and yet this group still traveled with Mirumoto Tetsujin. Setsuko also knew that he was partially responsible for Seppun Takako's death and for that reason alone it would take sometime before she would be completely comfortable around him. Yet this group did not seem to have any second thoughts about him being here. They were more forgiving then she.

Lion's preferred to step on Scorpions when they got underfoot but now Setsuko had to travel with one. Shosuro Ridachi was the typical Scorpion Courtier and yet in a fight he joined in the fray. Strange.

Seppun Nikana, the newest Emerald Magistrate and her current commander, was not as hard to understand. The rumors entering court said that his honor had just been restored and yet he was being given the honor of marrying at Winter Court. He had to be honorable for that mark of respect to be given. He then lost his bride two days after their marriage. He had to sit and watch her die and was unable to stop it from happening. For a Miharu, that had to be unbearable. Now, the Emperor had given him the duty of find the truth behind Seppun Takako's death. With all of the anger and rage that pulsed through his veins it was understandable how he was able to bring that Ogre down with one blow. Setsuko admired his prowess as a samurai. Nikana was here to find the genuineness of the threat to the Empire and Setsuko could understand that need.

Setsuko clenched her teeth as she watched her last companion. All these years, of hating this . . . man, and now she had to work and fight beside him. Kakita Katai, the Crane "Duelist." He could have been so much more had he stayed where he belonged. But no, he had to turn his back on his clan, and his family. Setsuko's hand tightened around her blade and then she remembered her duty and released it. She would need to ignore her anger. Because of this anger and loathing of Katai, she had ignored him when he came to her about the blue bead. Now she would need to work hard to overcome her failure to protect someone who needed it. She had vowed to herself that she would not let her feels get in the way of her duty this time. But when she was done, she would see where Katai and her stood.

Yes, they were a strange group, and yet they worked well together.