Location: Tsurugami Clan Hall
Knocking quietly before opening the door slightly, Ichiro sticks his head into the room.
Shiro looks up from a scroll he is studying and grins at the head poking into the room, "Good, you got here just in time."
Opening the door further, Ichiro says, "Ah, there you are. I was hoping this was the right room...I've been wandering around the house trying to find you."
Shiro chuckles a bit, "I trust none of the younger members of the clan gave you trouble while you were looking for me."
Stepping in and closing the door quietly, Ichiro says, "I didn't really see anyone, but I was trying to be unobtrusive. The guards directed me to your office...but your secretary didn't seem to know where you had gone."
Shiro rolls up a scroll he had been reading and sets it on the shelf "Would you care to join me for a walk?"
Ichiro nods, "I don't see why not. I'm rather curious about what precisely you wished to discuss with me. There won't be any exploding ninja this time, will there?"
Shiro nods, "Very well, follow me?"
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Walking down a path along the side of the house, Shiro pauses and turns to Ichiro "Now before we procede I would like to ask you to keep whatever you might see a secret, can I get your word on that?"
Ichiro nods slightly, "Of course, Shiro-sama."
Shiro nods gravely and starts walking again at a leisurely pace.
As the pair reach a darkened opening in the trees, a mischievious grin spreads across Shiro's face. "Wait ten seconds before following me and whatever you do don't stop walking towards the light," Shiro warns before making his way through the trees.
After waiting a few seconds, Ichiro quickly makes his way forward through the darkness of the forest, not stopping until he has reached Shiro standing outside a small cabin.
Shiro says, "Glad to see you made it."
Ichiro smiles, "It wasn't too bad."
Shiro nods and walks into the cabin.
Entering behind Shiro, Ichiro sniffs slightly, "Smells nice...like fire. A bit dirty though..."
A grin spreads across Shiro's face as he walks to the middle of the room. Suddenly he lifts his foot up and slams his heel down onto the floor. Hidden gears groan and creak as the cabin gently rumbles.
Ichiro nods, "I see, very clever."
Shiro moves out of the way to reveal a stairway heading down into the dark, "Watch your step" he says as he starts to descend.
As Ichiro enters, Shiro motions to the books covering the walls of room, "Well, what do you think?"
Ichiro looks around thoughtfully before saying, "Very nice...this seems like my kind of place. Sake and plenty of books." Walking over to a shelf, Ichiro scans several shelves before picking up a book on carpentry. "Mind if I borrow this?" Ichiro asks politely.
Shiro nods "Go ahead and borrow any book you wish that is here." Winking Shiro says "Just try not to be noticed entering and exiting to often."
Ichiro says, "Of course, I'm quite good at staying out of sight."
Shiro says, "I have another thing I want to show you." Shiro pushes in a book that is protruding from the shelf and a hidden door in the bookshelf swings inwards to reveal a brightly lit room. Without waiting for Ichiro to say anything, Shiro walks into the light.
Ichiro puts the book in his bag and looks at the open passage quizzically before following Shiro.
Shiro says, "Welcome to the morgue."
Ichiro looks around cautiously, "Certainly has a very unique smell..."
Shiro laughs, "Indeed it is, let me show you the source of the smell"
Ichiro follows Shiro cautiously into an adjoining room.
Shiro says, "Behold my menagerie."
Ichiro whistles quietly, "This is quite a sight. Would it be safe to presume this is where those fellows that were with you before came from?"
Shiro nods, "Indeed it would be, of course those guys were in a bit more finished state."
Shiro says, "It takes quite a bit of prep to get them field ready."
Nodding, Ichiro says, "I can see that...This is decades beyond anything I'd seen Taishi-kun even think about attempting...although I suppose you do have some extra years on him." Ichiro brightens up suddenly, "A thought occurs to me...How good can these ninja be with a sword?"
Shiro thinks for a minute, "Not too good, they pretty much wildly slash at their target and are full of openings. The good part is that they are immune to 99% of the lethal blows that can be inflicted with a sword so in that sense they are the best swordsmen."
Ichiro nods grimmly, "That's about what I thought. I was hoping I could perhaps train with them some, but I think I will just use Isa-kun and Yama-kun."
Shiro says, "Speaking of swordsmanship I have something that might interest you, so if you will follow me back to the library..." Shiro turns to head back and motions for Ichiro to follow him. After a look over his shoulder to make sure that Ichiro had followed him into the library, Shiro heads over to a corner and picks up a sheathed katana. Turning his head back towards Ichiro, Shiro holds the katana out to him, "I think you might find this an interesting blade, you should take a look at it."
Ichiro carefully accepts the strange katana, admiring the detailed Crane carved from the hilt and pondering the lack of a tsuba. Breaking the seal, then carefully drawing the sword Ichiro says, "An exceptional blade indeed." Testing the weight in his hand and making several cutting motions, Ichiro asks, "Where did you acquire it? And may I ask to whom it belongs?"
Grinning broadly Shiro answers, "We have an expert swordsmith in our employ here. He was selling some of his blades in the city when his village was wiped out and we rescued his people. Out of gratitude, he has been forging swords for us."
Ichiro nods, "Judging by the quality of this blade, I'm sure he is well appreciated."
Shiro nods, "We do appreciate him greatly here." Shiro, after pausing for a bit, continues "As for who that sword belongs to, it is yours if you will have it. A symbol of friendship and peace from the Tsurugami to you. Show that hilt to any our members and you will be able to pass where many cannot."
Quite surprised, Ichiro says, "Why...why thank you, Shiro-sama. I would be honored to have this blade. I regret to say that I have nothing at this time that I can offer as a mutual symbol of peace and friendship." Bowing deeply, Ichiro sheathes the blade and slides it into his belt.
Shiro laughs good naturedly, "I am sure that in the future your friendship will be shown in some fashion. For now merely accept it and be in the Tsurugami's good graces."
Bowing again, Ichiro says, "I can most definitely do that. Is there anything else you needed to discuss with me or would you mind terribly if I took leave to go try this new blade out?"
Shiro shakes his head "That blade is of good quality, proven so by the twelve condemned prisoners it's initial practice cuts were made on. You should be pleased to know that it cleaved them cleanly in half, I feel sorry for the enemy you draw it upon. Now go out and wreak havoc among your enemies."
"Thank you, Shiro-sama," Ichiro says, bowing low once more before dashing up the stairs.