Indecent Proposals
Tomika woke up to the door creaking open. It couldn't have been that long since she'd been dumped there, in the bottom of a ship. She turned now to find him closing the door. Just him. She supposed he was pretty safe now, with her hands manacled behind her back and her mind jogged of any further surprises. There was one thing she knew he respected. After all, why else did the Scorpion spend hours dragging her blindfolded to this spot?
The bastard smiled cheerfully at her and pulled up a chair a few feet away. He sat there for a couple minutes, apparently determining how to question her. She hoped her nerves weren't showing. He wasn't particularly good at this, but she was beaten and helpless. The breath reluctantly wheezed out of her, and her beautiful auburn hair was bedraggled with dirt, sweat and her own blood. Nothing is good training for this. She *knew* that she was safe for now, and she tried to tell herself this over and over. And at least she wasn't in a full panic yet.
She tried to think of something else. Funitsu. What a stupid name! She supposed it makes sense if you're a Scorpion, but it didn't really sound like a name they would use, either. Not enough sibilants. So, Soshi Funitsu would like to question her? Well, he could try. She leered at her silent interrogator. He was very...black: black cloak, black shirt - no, on further inspection that's stylized armor, likely black leather, black pants, black boots, long black hair. No black mask - that was probably a vanity. In better light she remembered some red trim, probably to achieve the effect of more black. Yes, this was working. He had better get started or she would lose what respect she never had for him.
On cue, "I know what you said about the blood war, and you must believe that precautions are being made even as we speak. Now I'll tell you this. You won't die today, but every day is a new one with new decisions..." He paused, then: "So... tell me about your family. What are they like?"
Odd question. "My family is a long line of nobles that have led the Crane clan from the very beginning."
"What's your family name?"
She told him. Yes, she could see his eyes pop a little. Maybe she had two things on him. She could practically hear that most noble of mathematics working in his head.
Now she was increasingly aware for years now, and Funitsu knew enough to pull it together with a couple of names, but for the genealogically deficient, here it is at its briefest. Crane clan had become a quiet joke the past couple years. There had been about a dozen assassinations taking place amongst their head daimyo and leading heirs. A couple families had been disgraced and stripped of their lands. The most probable culprit of all this shuffling was likely the current Great Daimyo, Arenro, whose own father died just twelve days ago in a riding accident and whose elder brother disappeared the same day. This was the same Arenro, Akechi's magician and betrayer. His trademark was all over Hideoyoshi's coup, only eight days ago now. Now Arenro had a younger brother as well, who had a daughter named Tomika. A year ago this was minor trivia. Now, she, Tomika, beloved daughter, skilled wu jen, destined to be daimyo of a little county in central Japan, was third in line to be Head Lady of the Crane Clan.
Funitsu breathed, "Yeah, minor noble." Then, "I recognize your family. It has been quite upwardly mobile as of late. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
She frowned, "Word is that Arenro became interested in leadership."
He grinned, "Have I told you, Lady, that you have a great talent for understatement."
"But you should know that it was the scorpion clan. The Black Hand assassins are rumored to be involved."
"Every time there's an assassination, who gets blamed? Yes, I'm sure some left behind trade-marks, but that still means nothing. Assassins are pretty independent, regardless of how much they pay for guild dues." Funitsu smiled, "It appears that it would be a great tragedy for you to die even tomorrow. For not only would our families be fighting, but I'd be out a very large ransom."
Tomika stared back at him blankly, "I doubt that Arenro would even consider a ransom. What does he care if another rival is reduced to dust?"
"Arenro? Probably not. He wouldn't ransom his own mother, would he? Surely there's someone else? Your life may depend on it."
"My father would be your only choice for a ransom, but I would hurry if I were you. His opposition to Arenro grows by the day. But do not doubt that Arenro would consider my death a reason for retribution to the Scorpion clan. He has lusted for their power for years."
"Curious. What's in this for you? You don't seem too fond of Arenro, and does your father approve of what you were doing?"
She bristled at this. "You too are bound by honor and loyalty to the clan. If you had such orders would you betray them and be hunted by your clan for as long as you live?
Funitsu looked startled. "Yes, of course." He paused to contemplate, and then with another thought, "Lady, do you seriously enjoy twisting the spirits of the dead into cursed shadows!?"
"No I don't, but it was them or me. How many people have your people killed for the good of clan, you who train assassins?"
"And I don't. Fine. Your point is made. It was not a fair question, and I take it back." He leaned forward, "So, if you would, what was the general plan? You were to create an army of shadows under your control, and...?"
"...destroy Kyoto and turn any that followed Akechi into creatures to be feared. And afterwards to use said beings in Nakasura's army."
"...and there's another, the one making nezumi for you. Another cousin?"
She sighed, "No, not even a noble; just a Crane trained wu jen."
"Named?"
"Kasa."
"And he is where? Or she?"
"He," she clarified. "He is located on the command ship of the blockade."
Funitsu winced, "He is always at sea?"
"No, he gets very sea sick and in rough water retreats to a dwelling on the beach."
He grinned, mouthing "Peasants." Then, "I imagine that he is set up there for his transmutations. Sounds rather inefficient to be ferrying people in and out all the time."
"It is, and he spends some time every day on the beach dwelling. And yes he is quite the offensive peasant. He smells of fish."
Funitsu collapsed on the floor laughing. He rolled around on his side to face her. "And rats probably."
"Yes, vile creatures. At least the shadows have no smell and are also a lovely shade of black, causing fear in the eye of peasants everywhere. The nezumi just swarm and then eat parts of their victims. Disgusting really."
Funitsu took this interesting comparison in stride like the elitist bastard he is, and continued to question. "What is there for defense in the region. Nezumi patrols?"
"Minimal, I would suspect. He depends greatly on his own skills and a few of his nezumi. The samurai aboard dislike the wu jen as most samurai do."
Funitsu frowned, "I think I'm developing more and more respect for our little wu jen. He at least has a talent for caution."
Tomika sneered, "We are wu jen, smarter than any peasant and most nobles. Present company excepted."
He seemed surprised to find himself lying on the floor and got up. "I'll try to find you something to eat if you like." Funitsu turned to leave, and then had another thought, "You have no idea what we should do with you then, Lady?"
"Your position is unenviable. If you turn me loose or ransom me, I have to report back to Crane clan, and if you kill me, you start a war. Unless you have another option."
He paused. Then, "There is...one. Lady Tomika, you might find it an extremely indecent proposal..."
"You wouldn't?" she breathed.
He grinned mischievously, "I think I rather like you."
"You can't be serious."
"Well, that's a good response, anyway. More heartwarming than 'Never!' at least. I merely suggest it as another option." Funitsu frowned, and added, "And I hardly expect this is the time or place to ask such a thing.... So, if you would, ask me a question back."
"Why?"
Funitsu was growing more and more uncomfortable. He was rather cute that way. "If only to make yourself feel less like a prisoner, but it's your choice."
There was a long silence, interrupted by the sounds of the boat rocking. He became resigned and started to turn away when she interrupted, "What a way to propose! With my hands tied behind my back." Tomika continued, "What do you get out of it?"
Funitsu chuckled, "You're right. This isn't how tutor told me to do it. What do I get out of it? I get to delay or prevent a war that Arenro has been preparing for years and the Scorpion will have been preparing for days. I get to prevent yet one more calamity from happening on my watch. And, well, you are third in line for Crane Clan, are you not?"
She sighed, "You are right and if it hurts Arenro, I accept. I expect a very large bride-price, though."
"I can...conceive of the property involved. It will be appropriate somehow. Your father? He's at Tochigi-Ken?"
"Yes. In Oyama."
He moved over behind her. "May I?" Tomika agreed of course, and he removed her shackles. As she was rubbing her wrists he circled and gave a low bow. "I will see that we find better arrangements for you. Unfortunately, our current betrothment will most likely raise the ire of my companions. You do understand that you will have to be confined for the near future?"
She shrugged wanly.
"Ok, I'm off then. I'll see about some refreshment and possibly...new clothes?"
Another shrug.
He bowed again and left, locking the door behind him.
Tomika stood up and stretched a little, thinking, "What a dork. Ah well. I suspect he will be useful."